Hong Kong: CE meets Zhejiang official Chief Executive John Lee today met Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee Yi Lianhong to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Zhejiang. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Yi's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation to organise the Hong Kong & Macau - Zhejiang Week 2023 and witness the signing of a co-operation agreement and a number of memoranda of understanding between both places. Mr Lee stressed that he hopes Hong Kong and Zhejiang will start a new phase in co-operation on all fronts through high-level collaboration and exchanges. The Chief Executive said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government set up the Zhejiang Liaison Unit in 2017 to actively promote exchanges between the two places in various aspects and he thanked the People's Government of Zhejiang for its support to the liaison units work. Apart from pointing out that Hong Kong is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Zhejiang and the platform for enterprises to list outside the province, Mr Lee added that the city is also one of the preferred locations for Zhejiang enterprises to explore foreign markets. Noting that Zhejiang is a major powerhouse of the economy and local enterprises, Mr Lee emphasised that Hong Kong and Zhejiang must be able to achieve complementarity through close co-operation. He also expressed the hope that both places will continue collaboration in areas including finance, aviation, culture and tourism and seize opportunities arising from the National 14th Five-Year Plan to foster synergistic development. This story has been published on: 2023-06-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Feature: Foreign students showcase Chinese language proficiency in Myanmar Xinhua) 16:38, June 25, 2023 YANGON, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Students in Myanmar, along with their friends and family members, on Saturday gathered for the final rounds of a Chinese proficiency contest for foreign students to showcase their skills. With the students participating with excitement and anticipation to test their skills, the 2023 "Chinese Bridge" language competition for foreign college and secondary school students in Myanmar was vibrant and colorful inside the main hall of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce in downtown Yangon. Shoon Woo, 17, was one of the 28 students who competed in the language proficiency contest, divided into two categories -- one for secondary students and the other for college contestants. "It's my first time competing in such an event. I came to compete here as I love the Chinese language very much, and I wanted to show my talent (dances)," Shoon told Xinhua with a smile and a dancing gesture. "It's like testing my skills," the secondary school girl said, adding that she started learning the Chinese language when she was five years old. "I went to both Chinese school and Myanmar school," she said, adding that she came from Kokang, a region bordering China. "Learning Chinese is advantageous," Shoon explained, saying that she gained new knowledge and made more friends by studying the Chinese language. Thwin Naing Soe, 14, another secondary school student who competed in the contest, said that he participated in the competition to showcase his Chinese language skills as well as his singing and dancing talents. Thwin said he has been studying the Chinese language for nearly eight years. "I'm fond of Chinese dances and songs as I have watched Chinese films, particularly comedy ones, with my mom," he said. The cheers and applause that he got from the audience were memorable, he added. The Chinese language proficiency competition, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, the Fuxing Confucius Classroom and three other Chinese language centers in Myanmar, featured speeches and talent shows such as singing, poetry recitation and dancing. Due to his excellent performance, 19-year-old Min Khant Aung won the first prize in the final rounds of the 22nd edition of the Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. "It's memorable for my life. I'm very happy. I didn't expect to win the first prize. I just did my best throughout the competition," the student from the Myanmar International Education Center told Xinhua. "Learning Chinese is good in many ways," he said. "It benefits both countries. Myanmar people will understand more about China. Chinese people will see the hard work of Myanmar people," he said. In the 16th Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students, Thin Kyu Hlaing, an eighth-grader from the Eastern Language and Business Center, won the first prize. "I'm extremely happy. It's unforgettable to perform dances in the competition," the secondary school girl said. "I've been interested in the Chinese language since I was young. I like Chinese culture and history," she said. "The event aims to promote Chinese language learning in Myanmar," Wu Weizhong, head of the Fuxing Confucius Classroom, said, adding that the race will help deepen China-Myanmar friendship. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Hongyu) The following items were taken from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff police department reports and news releases. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. LAKE FOREST Advertisement DUI Colin J. Ward, 21, of the 1200 block of Walden Lane, Deerfield, was charged June 15 with driving under the influence of alcohol following a single-car crash near the intersection of Waukegan and Conway roads. He was released on bond and has a scheduled court date of July 7. Advertisement Maurice D. Minor, 48, of the 9900 block of S. Forest Ave., Chicago, was charged June 13 with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a revoked license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle following a single-car accident near the intersection of Route 41 and Old Elm Road, police said. He was released on bond and has a scheduled court date of July 28. Nashunda Greathouse, 41, of the 2900 block of 27th St., Zion, was charged June 11 with driving under the influence of alcohol, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, illegal transportation of alcohol and unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver after a single-car crash at the intersection of Route 41 and Old Elm Road, police said. She was released on bond and has a scheduled court date of July 28. Gregorio Sanchez, 55, of the 400 block of Westmoreland Ave., Waukegan, was charged June 10 with driving under the influence of alcohol, a class 2 felony charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, a class 4 felony charge of driving with a revoked license and illegal transportation of alcohol after a report of erratic driving near the intersection of Waukegan and Everett roads, police said. He has a scheduled court date of July 3. CANNABIS POSSESSION BY A DRIVER Christian Cruz, 18, of the 5100 block of Wonder Woods Drive, Wonder Lake, was charged June 9 with cannabis possession by a driver and minor consumption of alcohol after he was stopped near the intersection of Old Elm and Everett roads, police said. He was released on bond and has a scheduled court date of July 5. THEFT Ryan Douglass, 45, of the 200 block of Granby Road, Lake Forest, was charged June 22 with theft under $300 and criminal trespass after an incident at a retail outlet on the 800 block of N. Western Avenue. He was released on bond and has a scheduled court date of July 17. LAKE BLUFF Advertisement DUI Scott K. Gordon, 26, of the 600 block of W. Wilson St., Madison, Wisconsin, was charged June 24 with driving under the influence of alcohol after he was stopped on the 600 block of Sheridan Road. He was released on bond and has a scheduled court date of July 21. THEFT Multiple cellular telephone cables were reported stolen June 14 from a retail outlet in the 900 block of Rockland Road. The merchandise was valued at $375. Multiple electric toothbrushes were reported stolen June 22 in an incident believed to have occurred May 31 from a retail outlet in the 900 block of Rockland Road. The merchandise was valued at $555. ATTEMPTED VEHICLE BURGLARY Advertisement A window was reported broken on a 2008 Mercedes parked outside a business in the 400 block of Skokie Highway with the center console subsequently searched on June 23. Nothing was reported stolen and a damage estimate was not available. CRIMINAL DAMAGE A rock was reportedly thrown through the rear window of a 2018 Porsche parked on the 500 block of E. Scranton Avenue on June 17. A damage estimate was not available. 18-year-old from Middleboro charged in triple stabbing of other teens MIDDLEBORO A Middleboro teen accused of stabbing three other teens will face a judge Thursday to determine if he can be released from custody or whether he poses a significant danger to the public if released. Middleboro Police charged Jayden Wainwright, 18, with attempted murder and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The Plymouth County district attorney's office Monday in Wareham District Court at Wainwright's arraignment requested a three-day continuance for a dangerousness hearing. The judge found there was probable cause and the case was continued to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 29, for the dangerousness hearing. Police rushed to the area of the power lines on Wall Street after getting a 911 call at 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, June 24. Officers found one 19-year-old from Carver with multiple stab wounds to his torso, according to Middleboro Police. He was taken to Boston Medical Center where as of Saturday he was in critical condition. Another 19-year-old, also from Carver, had been stabbed in the leg. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. A third victim, a 15-year-old boy from Middleboro, also suffered a stab wound to the leg. A private citizen took him to Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Three witnesses told WCVB that the attacks took place at an end-of-the-school-year bonfire. Police say they are still investigating and that other people may face charges. Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on Twitter at @HelmsNews. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Middleboro's Jayden Wainwright arrested, charged in triple stabbing The 19-year-old who died on the Titan submersible brought a Rubik's cube with him because he wanted to break a world record: BBC The teenager on the Titan brought a Rubik's cube with him on the expedition. OceanGate and SSPL/Getty Images Suleman Dawood brought a Rubik's cube onto the Titan in an effort to break a world record, per the BBC. His mother, Christine Dawood, said the 19-year-old was a big fan of the puzzle and could solve it in 12 seconds. She added that his father, Shahzada Dawood, even brought a camera to record the moment. Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old onboard the Titan, brought a Rubik's cube with him because he wanted to try and break a world record, his mother Christine Dawood told the BBC. "He said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's cube 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic,'" his mother said. The teenager, who was a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, the UK, contacted the Guinness World Records about his efforts before the expedition, she said. She added that his father, Shahzada Dawood one of Pakistan's richest men even brought a camera along to record his son's world record attempt. The teenager was a big fan of the puzzle and carried it everywhere he went, Christine told the BBC. He was so adept at it that he could solve it in 12 seconds. A Guinness World Records spokesperson confirmed to Insider that the organization did receive an application from Suleman earlier this year, with a new record title suggestion for "the deepest Rubik's Cube solved." "We were saddened by the events of last week and send our condolences to Suleman Dawood's mother Christine and all those affected," the representative added. Christine and her daughter, Alina Dawood, were onboard the Polar Prince, the Titan's support ship, when the submersible first lost contact. "I didn't comprehend at that moment what it meant and then it just went downhill from there," she told the BBC. Christine added that both she and her daughter will try to learn how to solve the Rubik's cube puzzle in honor of Suleman. June 27, 2023: This article has been updated to include comments from the Guinness World Records. Read the original article on Insider Courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited/via Reuters The mother of the 19-year-old passenger aboard the doomed Titan submersible said in her first interview since authorities confirmed its catastrophic implosion that the teenager had been excited to go on the deep-sea expedition. Suleman Dawood and his father, Shahzada Dawood, were killed alongside three other men on the OceanGate vessel, which is believed to have been 3,500 meters below sea level when it went missing last Sunday. An international search-and-rescue effort came to an end on Thursday after debris was discovered on the ocean floor. Christine Dawood told the BBC that she had intended to join her husband on the submersible before their plans were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained she stepped back to allow her son to go on the voyage, because he really wanted to go. Christine Dawood wanted to talk to the BBC and pay tribute to the son and husband she lost. #Titan Longer interview running on @BBCWorld on-air and online @robtaylortv @EloiseAlanna pic.twitter.com/q1LW946xpn Nomia Iqbal (@NomiaIqbal) June 25, 2023 On Fathers Day, Dawood and her daughter climbed onto the Polar Prince, the Titans support vessel, to accompany Suleman and Shahzada out to the launch point on the open ocean. The family said a cheery goodbye, hugging and cracking jokes in the moments before the submersible was sealed, she recalled. I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time, Dawood said. Her comments were in stark contrast to those made on Thursday by Shahzadas older sister, who told NBC News that her nephew had been terrified leading up to the trip. The aunt, who said shed fallen out of touch with her businessman brother in recent years, explained that Suleman wasnt very up for it, but had agreed to go on the trip to please his father. A Friday statement by the Engro Corporation, the sprawling Pakistani business conglomerate of which Shahzada was vice chairman, emphasized their close bond. Titanic Subs Support Ship Arrives Back in Canadian Port 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, the statement read. Christine Dawood told the BBC that her husband, a scion of one of Pakistans wealthiest business families, had enjoyed a childlike excitement about the world around him. Her son had a similar temperament, going so far as to bring a Rubiks Cube with him on the submersible, intending to solve it 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic, Dawood said. Just prior to his death, Suleman had completed his first year as a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Engros statement noted his love of Rubiks Cubes and that, like his father, he loved science fiction. I miss them, Dawood said. I really, really miss them. Were Not Ready for Another Titanic Sub Disaster. Thats OK. In addition to Suleman and Shahzada, the other victims aboard the Titan were identified as Stockton Rush, OceanGates founder and chief executive, Hamish Harding, a British businessman, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French explorer and maritime expert. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday that it had launched an investigation into the submersible disaster, with the goal of determining the cause of the implosion. Investigators will also be able to recommend if civil or criminal charges should be brought in the matter, an official said at a news conference. 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. Authorities have captured two Tennessee jail escapees who were considered dangerous to the public. Multiple agencies were on the lookout for escaped inmates Ronnie Sharp, 48, and Joshua Harris, 40, after they escaped the Henry County Jail by prying through the cell ceiling and opening a skylight on the roof, according to the sheriff's office. Harris was taken into custody on Monday after authorities received a tip from a citizen, the Henry County Sheriff's Office announced in an update on Facebook. He was found in the area of Highway 79 North and Nobles Rd, the sheriff's department said. Ronnie Sharp was taken into custody Tuesday by Union City Police, Obion County Sheriff's Office, and U.S. Marshals in Union City, following a brief chase on foot, the sheriff's department said. Sharp is scheduled to be transported back to the Henry County Jail in the next few days, the sheriff's department said. Authorities were searching for 40-year-old Joshua Harris. / Credit: The Henry County Sheriff's Office Authorities were searching for 48-year-old Ronnie Sharp. / Credit: The Henry County Sheriff's Office Before his escape, Harris was serving time for violation of a sentence; he had a history of evading arrest, theft and burglary, according to the sheriff's office. Sharp was in jail on numerous pending charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault on an officer, evading arrest, theft of property and burglary, the sheriff's office said. Top White House adviser maps out Biden's economic agenda TikTok planning to launch online retail store Officer acquitted in Parkland shooting case says hed love to talk to victims families Two men are accused of a string of robberies that occurred across multiple counties in Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It all began on June 14 when the Glascock County Sheriffs Office contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate an armed robbery that occurred at the Gibson Mini Mart in Gibson, Georgia. Officials said that Cordell John Henry Cobb, 22, of Midville, went inside the store and stole an undisclosed amount of money during the robbery. Two days later, Burke County authorities along with the GBI conducted a search warrant in the 900 block of Highway 56 in Midville and took Cobb along with James R. Davis, 27, of Midville into custody. TRENDING STORIES: According to Glascock County deputies, the pair are suspected in at least 14 robberies that have taken place across Georgia in the past several months, including Bulloch, Chatham, Emmanual, Jenkins, Tift, Ware, and Washington counties. Cobb is currently behind bars at the McDuffie County Jail. Hes being held on armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime charges connected to the Gibson Mini-Mart robbery. Davis was taken to the Burke County Sheriffs Office in regards to an armed robbery that happen in Waycross. He has since been transported to the Ware County Sheriffs Office. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Glascock County Sheriffs Office at 706-598-2881 or the GBIs Thomson Regional Investigative Office at 706-595-2575. IN OTHER NEWS: 2023 World's Ugliest Dog winner, Scooter, shows off his inner beauty on TODAY 2023 World's Ugliest Dog winner, Scooter, shows off his inner beauty on TODAY Ugliness is in the eye of the beholder. Scooter, a 7-year-old hairless Chinese Crested pup who won the 2023 Worlds Ugliest Dog contest last week in Petaluma, California, stopped by TODAY on June 26. Scooter, the winner of the worlds ugliest dog title at Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. (Nathan Congleton / TODAY) Scooter has deformed back legs, which actually point backward, but his owner, Linda Celeste Elmquist, says he doesnt let that deter him. He has no idea that he has a defect and he was born that way and he is full of self-confidence, she told TODAY. He stands up to the bigger dogs where he could easily get beat up. Elmquist, who says those bigger dogs back off Scooter, also says he is a joy to be around. Scooter, the winner of the worlds ugliest dog title at Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. (Nathan Congleton / TODAY) Hes full of self-confidence and he loves everybody, she said. He just has a really good heart. Hes a good doggie. Elmquist, who is from Tucson, Arizona, is part of a rescue organization called Saving Animals From Euthanasia that got Scooter when he was brought in to be euthanized. He was initially adopted by someone in the group, but after they could no longer take care of him, Elmquist became his owner and has been for seven months. Elmquist was beaming when Scooter, who walks on his front legs, was officially named the winner of this year's Worlds Ugliest Dog contest, where NBC News Gadi Schwartz served as a judge. She knows the competition is about more than just crowning the most hideous dog around. Scooter, a Chinese Crested (Philip Pacheco / AFP - Getty Images) I was so happy. I was just so happy because I know he will represent really well the undertrodden, the ugly, the blemished, she said on TODAY while recounting the moment. This contest is not about making fun of or laughing at or just taking advantage of their ugliness. Its about bringing forward all of the beauty. Elmquist says she entered him into the contest to call out what kind of a dog he really is. "Scooter, obviously, has some issues that really aren't considered beautiful. I think he's beautiful," she told the 3rd hour of TODAY. This article was originally published on TODAY.com From left: Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and Mike Pence. (Photos: Brandon Bell/Getty Images, Drew Angerer/Getty Images, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) While Donald Trump remains the heavy favorite for the GOP nomination, the number of Republicans challenging him continues to grow. June saw five additional candidates formally enter the race, including Trumps former vice president, a little-known billionaire governor and the races only Hispanic candidate. There could be more additions in the months to come even with an established leader garnering a majority of GOP support in most polling. Below is a list of the dozen candidates who are officially in the race. Donald Trump Donald Trump. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Despite being indicted twice in the last three months, most recently on federal charges tied to his mishandling of confidential documents and alleged obstruction of justice, the former president has not seen his standing as Republican frontrunner diminish. (Even in the event that Trump is convicted and sentenced to jail time before the election, there is no law against him continuing his campaign from prison.) A Yahoo News/YouGov poll released last week found that 48% of GOP voters said they would vote for Trump as nominee, double his nearest competitor. Thats in line with an NBC News poll from Sunday that showed him with 52% of the vote. Trump courted evangelical voters over the weekend by pledging that the federal government should be involved in opposing abortion. Ron DeSantis Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) The Florida governor is still holding second place in every survey but has found himself closer to the pack below him than Trump above him as he fails to gain traction after launching his campaign last month with a disastrous Twitter livestream. While DeSantis was in Texas this weekend touring the border in advance of launching his immigration policy, Politico published a story about his woes in New Hampshire, an early primary where he stumbled into what one GOP consultant called a stupid feud with a leading Republican womens group there. Perhaps most worrisome for DeSantis is that he isn't scaring other candidates from hopping into the race or even other Floridians. The New York Times reported last week that Sen. Rick Scott, who served as Florida governor prior to DeSantis, is mulling a presidential bid. Mike Pence Former Vice President Mike Pence. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The former vice president has been a consistent (and distant) third in the last round of polling, hanging in the high single digits. On the weekend that marked the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and restrict abortion access in the country, Pence called on his fellow candidates to support a 15-week federal ban, saying on Fox News that it is a winning issue for Republicans despite swing election after swing election and numerous polls suggesting otherwise. During that same interview, Pence declined to say whether, as president, he would pardon Trump should Trump be convicted. Chris Christie Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Since launching his campaign earlier this month, the former New Jersey governor has spent his time targeting Trump, and was booed for criticizing him at an evangelical conference on Friday. (Christie said later he expected the boos but they need to hear the truth.) Most recently, the two former allies sparred over each others weight. It marks a major pivot for Christie, who was the first Republican governor to endorse Trump in 2016. Christie has made a small-but-immediate dent in New Hampshire polling, taking third place behind DeSantis in one recent survey. Nikki Haley Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images) The former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, Haley has criticized her former boss while also saying she was inclined in favor of pardoning him if elected. The only woman in the race, Haley has been elusive on abortion policy, but told an evangelical conference on Friday that she thought there was a place for a federal law. Haley has been unable to crack low single digits in polling but did go viral on social media over the weekend for a tweet about how simple and easy life was while growing up, which caused many to remind Haley of her own fraught stories of growing up as an Indian American in the South. Doug Burgum North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The North Dakota governor hasnt made a mark in polling but hes attempting to spend his way into competition, having already matched the outputs of the main super-PACs supporting Trump and DeSantis since entering the race on June 7, per a Wall Street Journal analysis. Burgums campaign has already spent $3 million, some of it self-funded from the two-term governor whose estimated net worth is over a billion dollars. While Burgum has presented himself as a pro-business Republican, hes ticked many of the same cultural boxes as DeSantis, signing strict abortion restrictions and a ban on gender-affirming care for those under 18. Tim Scott South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Scott the only Black Republican in the Senate and groups supporting him have been big spenders so far in the primary, coming in fourth behind Trump, DeSantis and Burgum. Scott has had a focus on Iowa, where hes gaining some ground, although he hasnt shown movement in the national polls. As Scott campaigns in the Hawkeye State, Axios reported Sunday his absence has made it easier for Democrats to confirm federal judges, negating the need for tie-breaking votes from Vice President Kamala Harris. Vivek Ramaswamy Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) The biotech founder and author of Woke, Inc. has pitched himself as running to the right of Trump, saying he wants to shut down the FBI, the IRS and the Department of Education in addition to firing half the federal workforce. Ramaswamy has touted his admiration of the former president and promised to pardon him if elected, saying shortly after the indictment, It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump werent in the race, but I stand for principles over politics. I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025 and to restore the rule of law in our country. He urged his fellow candidates to do the same. Asa Hutchinson Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) The former Arkansas governor was term-limited out of office and launched his campaign in April; his candidacy and his persistent criticism of Trump has gained him no traction in polling thus far. Hutchinson urged his fellow party members to back off their attacks on the Justice Department and tried to alter a Republican National Committee loyalty pledge so that candidates wouldnt have to promise to back someone facing federal charges. Francis Suarez Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. (Jose A. Iglesias/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) The Miami mayor formally filed to enter the race on June 15, just after Trump was arraigned. Suarez, first elected to the role in 2017, is the only Hispanic currently in the race as he makes the pitch that he can broaden the partys appeal. The third Florida resident to enter the race after Trump and DeSantis, Suarez has been criticized for his strong backing of cryptocurrency before the industry faltered in recent years. Will Hurd Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The former Texas congressman and CIA officer is the most recent candidate to enter the race. First elected to represent a border district in 2014, Hurd announced his retirement in 2019, at which point he was the only Black Republican serving in the House. Hurd has been a frequent critic of Trump, calling him a lawless, selfish, failed politician in his announcement video. Larry Elder Conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The host of The Larry Elder Show made headlines most recently in 2021 as the top Republican vote-getter in the effort to recall Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in California. While Newsom easily avoided a recall by more than 20 points, more than 3.5 million people voted for Elder as his potential replacement. Following Trumps example, Elder baselessly claimed the race was fraudulent before results were even tallied. 24-year-old Ga. firefighter killed in line of duty after firetruck rolls over, hits a tree A 24-year-old Georgia firefighter was killed when the county fire truck he was riding in flipped over and crashed into a tree. The accident happened in Ware County around noon on Thursday. Ware County Fire Rescue identified the victim, who was a passenger in the truck, as Bobby Blue Smith. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Its unclear why the firetruck flipped over, or if the truck was responding to a fire call at the time. The driver has not been identified. Smith was from Waycross. TRENDING STORIES: A humble follower of Christ, he was a light in his community, who loved people and uplifted each and everyone he came in contact with, his obituary read. He loved to fish, hunt and ride buggies, especially at Fat Daddys ATV Park. Several of Smiths friends and family members posted tributes to him on social media. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In Blues short life, he is leaving a much greater legacy of love and friendship through the lives hes touched and the difference hes made, Brian Fey wrote. Flags will be flown at half-staff across the state on Monday, the day of his funeral. On Monday in Pender County Superior Court, Lauren McCary pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of her son, according to a news release from District Attorney Ben David's office. A Rocky Point mother will spend the next decade behind bars for her role in the death of her infant. Lauren McCary, 24, was arrested in June 2022 and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her 7-month-old son. On Monday in Pender County Superior Court, McCary pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of her son, according to a news release from District Attorney Ben David's office. Deputies received a 911 call on May 4 and responded to McCary's residence where they found her 7-month-old son unresponsive. He was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center and died the next morning. In other court news: Mother pleads guilty to murder in Brunswick court after 1997 beating leads to son's death In the 911 call, McCary told emergency response personnel that she had momentarily left the child alone on a bed and he stopped breathing. The Pender County Sheriff's Office found the circumstances suspicious and investigated further. An autopsy report released by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded the child's cause of death was asphyxia due to smothering. According to Monday's news release, McCary told law enforcement that she was suffering from untreated postpartum depression and, on more than one occasion, told law enforcement she had harmed her son. Judge Frank Jones sentenced McCary to serve 10 to 13 years in prison. Reach reporter Jamey Cross at jbcross@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Rocky Point mother pleads guilty in smothering death of infant son Near his 27th birthday, an Illinois TikToker found out he had cancer. After being diagnosed May 23, Chicago TikToker Anthony Corrado, known as @Toekneecorrado, knew he wanted to document the journey in the best way he knew possible through comedy. Corrado was diagnosed with lymphoma after undergoing what he thought would be just a hernia surgery, according to a TikTok posted to his account May 30. Doctors found out after the surgery that he had a cyst in his lymph node. After sending the lump to the lab, it came back positive for the cancer. @toekneecorrado Dont think that this is going to stop me or slow me down! I obsess over trying to find ways to make you all laugh and smile, and thats not ever going to change. Love you original sound - Toeknee Initial reaction was of course shock, Corrado told McClatchy News in a phone interview. The second day I was annoyed and a little bit angry, and by the third day I was ready to rock it. Corrado said he shifted into a positive mindset quickly, but he doesnt know exactly how he did it. He saw his diagnosis as an opportunity to help people on a deeper level. I got into comedy and doing what I do for the sheer fact that I truly love making people laugh, he said. In making people laugh and with a younger demographic who could be going through something similar, I wanted to show people they could laugh and make fun of something rather than be scared of it. Documenting his cancer treatments In a TikTok posted June 17, the Michigan native showed the process of him getting his new port placed. original sound - Toeknee @toekneecorrado THE PORT HAS SUCCESSFULLY BEEN INSTALLED AND WE ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN CHEMO!!!!!! TREATMENT OFFICIALLY STARTS ON MONDAY BUT WEVE BEEN MAKING THIS MOVIE FOR A MINUTE NOW LOLOLOLOLOL FRFRFRFRFRFR!!!!!!!! AT FIRST I THOUGHT THEY WERE MAKING A SEQUEL TO WALL-E OR I, ROBOT AND I WAS JUST PLAYING ONE OF THE SUPPORTING ROLES, BUT IT TURNS OUT IM THE LEAD AND THIS IS AN ORIGINAL PIECE!!!!! FRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFR!!!! IT FEELS SO CRAZY TO BE A WALKING TALKING GIZMO NOW!!!!! BUT I GUESS THATS JUST THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES SEE LOOK!! EVEN I LAUGH LIKE A ROBOT NOW!!!!! FRFRFRFRFRFRFR WAIT A SECOND WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!?!?!?!? I WAS JUST LAUGHING AS A ROBOT SO HARD THAT I MALFUNCTIONED INTO A PUMPKIN??????? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!?!?!?!?!? ITS THE MIDDLE OF JUNE!!!!!!! OH NO THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!!!!!!!! OK WELL I GUESS IM JUST GONNA HAVE TO LAY LOW UNTIL OCTOBER THEN. THIS IS SO AWKWARD FRFRFRFRFRFR ALRIGHT PEACE YALL #fyp If you dont know what a port placement is, they shaved my Italian chest bare and theyre going to be putting a port somewhere around here, the TikToker who joked that he was going to be part bionic man said in the video. And thats basically going to make it super easy to get my chemo. Then the man rolled out of the hospital room for his port placement, as the song Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield played in the background. In a June 23 video documenting his first round of chemotherapy, Corrado pretended his hospital room is an episode of MTV Cribs. This right here? This is where all the magic happens, Corrado said, pointing to the hospital bed. The man later joked in the video about how he constantly had to use the bathroom because of all of the fluids being pumped into him. If you think about it, every time I go pee, Im actually peeing out the cancer cells, and then Im flushing them down into the dirty, deep depths of the Chicago sewer system, where they belong, he said in the TikTok. Later in the video, he staged a music video, equipped with dancing on the hospital bed and breaking down with his IV flowing the medicine into his body. Going beyond TikTok Making people laugh is just one thing Corrado has achieved with his TikTok videos. Childrens research hospital St. Jude commented on the TikTokers video saying Your positivity during treatment is so so inspiring! Keep fighting. Many others have agreed. Let me tell you. Your spirit is going to help you through all this. And I dont think you realize how many people youll inspire along the way, another person commented on one of his videos. Corrado said he doesnt know how to respond to the overwhelming support hes received from all different angles. The amount of people that have reached out saying theyre going through something similar thats the part that gets me a little choked up, he said. But Corrado doesnt want people to watch his videos about his diagnosis and treatment and think of him differently. When this all started happening there was this fear that people would just see the cancer stuff and feel bad for me and not see the comedy behind what I do, he said. I want to be able to show people who I am while shining a light on a part of life that doesnt get the best attention. I just dont want to be someone that people feel bad for. My closest friend is a fish. TikToker documents unlikely bond made in Wisconsin lake Heartbreaking TikTok shows California doctors and nurses honor 1-year-old organ donor Best last day on Earth. Dog owner documents pets final day in heartwarming TikTok A screenshot of the gofundme.com page set up for Eva Liu shows more than $135,000 of the $150,000 goal had been raised as of Tuesday afternoon. The money is to help fund the Naperville woman's funeral expenses and the costs associated with bringing her murderer to justice, the page says. (GoFundMe/HANDOUT) Visitation and funeral services will be held in Naperville this week for 21-year-old Eva Liu, who died after being attacked and thrown down a 165-foot ravine in Germany two weeks ago. A GoFundMe.com campaign to help pay for the services and the legal costs associated with bringing her murderer to justice had raised more than $135,000 of its $150,000 goal as of Monday. Advertisement Due to the uncertainties associated with this international case, the cost may become a significant financial burden to the family and could be a critical factor in the proceedings of the criminal and civil lawsuits, according to the post accompanying the campaign, organized by Lius twin sister, Alice. Funds will be used to cover any legal costs, and expenses of bringing her home, funeral, and memorials. Lius body was returned to Naperville over the weekend, according to the crowdfunding post, which said visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory in Naperville. Advertisement A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Living Water Evangelical Church, also in Naperville, with burial to follow in Naperville Cemetery. Liu, a May graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, a popular Bavarian tourist site, with friend and fellow U. of I. graduate Kelsey Chang, 22, of Bloomington-Normal, on June 14 when the two were attacked, according to German police. The women were approached on a hiking path near the Marienbrucke, a pedestrian bridge over a gorge close to the castle, by a man identified by police as Troy Bohling, 30, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, who offered to show them a hidden spot with a more scenic view. Police said the man allegedly attacked Liu and when Chang rushed to her aid, he choked her and pushed down a sleep slope. Liu is believed to have been sexually assaulted before she was pushed into the same ravine, police said. Liu died of her injuries the following day. Chang survived after getting caught by a tree branch and was released from a hospital a few days later. A judge has ordered Bohling held in jail pending a potential indictment on possible murder, attempted murder and sexual offense charges, a process police have said can take months. Both Liu and Chang graduated in 2019 from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, where Liu was a residential student leader. In her free time, Liu volunteered at Ray Chinese School in Naperville and served on various club boards in college, the gofundme post said. Advertisement After interning with Microsoft in summer 2022, Liu was hired by the Washington-based company and planned to start in July. According to the GoFundMe post, Liu had an infectious smile and generous nature that brightened the mood of everyone that came in contact with her. Eva was a talented student, a kind and caring friend, and a lovely daughter. She had a bright future ahead that was unfairly taken away from her. More than 2,200 people had made donations to the Bring Justice for Eva and Help Bring her Home campaign as of Monday, according to the site. The top donation was $10,000 from The Asian American Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a safer, more inclusive future for (Asian American and Pacific Islander people) everywhere, according to its website. subaker@tribpub.com $3,500 worth of Legos vanish from California shopping center, cops say. Now 4 charged Four people accused of stealing more than $3,500 in Legos from a San Mateo store have been arrested, California police reported. The toys were stolen at 11:27 a.m. Saturday, June 24, from a Lego Store at Hillsdale Shopping Center, San Mateo police said in a news release. An employee ran outside and spotted the accused thieves fleeing in a Volkswagen Jetta, police said. Police tracked down the vehicles owner, who told them it had been rented via an app. But police were able to begin tracking the Volkswagen through several San Francisco Bay Area communities, the release said. At 4:10 p.m., San Francisco police pulled over the vehicle and found a handgun inside along with evidence of the Lego Store theft, San Mateo police said. Officers arrested four people ages 17 to 21 on charges of second-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime, police said. San Mateo is a city of 106,000 people about 20 miles south of San Francisco. Dad mourns wife, daughter killed in fiery California crash. I didnt even say goodbye Dogs kill 84-year-old and her dog in attack that also injures man, Arizona cops say Rafter dies when rushing rapids flip boat carrying 3 on Colorado river, officials say Three men are dead after their plane vanished from a Georgia airport overnight Monday. The Evans County Sheriffs Office said a plane vanished near Claxton-Evans County Airport outside Savannah around 12:30 a.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division and the Federal Aviation Administration searched for the plane for hours and found the wreckage around 5:30 a.m. Three men inside the plane were killed. Their identities have not been officially released. Family members identified one of the victims as Mark Dement on social media. His daughter, Ann Blackmon, said Monday was her fathers birthday. Today was my father, Mark Dements birthday and now his death day,: Blackmon wrote. I always figured he would have lung cancer or stroke out, but I guess he was correct in saying to do what makes you happy (because) you just dont know. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the plane was a Piper PA-30. TRENDING STORIES: The FAA is now investigating the crash. Please pray for the families involved in this tragic incident, as our hearts go out to them during this time, the sheriffs office said in a statement. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Its unclear where the men were from or where they were headed. This is the second small plane crash in Georgia in less than 24 hours. A small plane crashed Sunday morning around 10 a.m. in a backyard of a Warner Robins home. WGXA reports that the pilot had to be extracted from the plane. He was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. 3 reasons why the Titanic will never be raised The Titanic sank in 1912 and has captivated many ever since. Topical Press Agency/Getty Images The Titanic sank in 1912, and ever since people have wanted to salvage it. There are many reasons why the ship cannot be raised. Over 1,500 people died when it sank; it's considered a gravesite. The ship is also deteriorating. Since the Titanic sank in 1912, people have been imagining ways to raise it from the bottom of the seafloor. "But it will never come out," Daniel Stone wrote in "Sinkable: Obsession, the Deep Sea, and the Shipwreck of the Titanic." "Not only is the exposed steel on the upper bow too brittle for even the most industrious crane operation, but the mud has also acted as deep-sea quicksand for longer than most humans have been alive." Its lack of structural integrity is just one of three main reasons why the Titanic is destined to remain sunk forever. 1. The Titanic wreck site is a gravesite Approximately 1,500 people lost their lives in the sinking of the Titanic. After the ship sank, boats recovered over 300 bodies. Others wearing life jackets may have been swept further from the site by currents while others went down with the ship. The US government and Britain have agreed to treat the wreck as a memorial site. "NOAA recognizes the Titanic wreck site as a maritime memorial and supports Article 4(1) of the 'Agreement Concerning the Shipwrecked Vessel R.M.S. Titanic'," which states that the site will be preserved, not salvaged, Monica Allen, NOAA Research's director of public affairs, told Insider in an email. In 2020, RMS Titanic Inc., which owns the salvage rights to the ship, planned to retrieve the radio used to make distress calls. The plan stirred up a debate over the possibility the expedition could disturb human remains. Some argued animals and saltwater have completely decomposed the bodies, according to CBS News. "I've seen zero human remains," James Cameron, the director who's visited the site dozens of times, told The New York Times in 2012. For some, the wreck is a marker of the tragedy, regardless of whether there are remains. Many descendants of those who died consider it a gravesite. In 1987, Titanic survivor Eva Hart referred to those salvaging the site as "fortune hunters, vultures, pirates." 2. The Titanic wreckage is deteriorating The ROV Hercules captured rusticles on the bow during an expedition returning to the shipwreck Courtesy of NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island The Titanic ship was built out of thousands of 1-inch-thick steel plates and two million steel and wrought iron rivets, according to a report in Materials Today. Halomonas titanicae, bacteria named for the ship, are "working symbiotically to eat, if you will, the iron and the sulfur," microbial biologist Lori Johnston told USA Today. As bacteria consume the ship's iron, they form what is called rusticles, which look like stalactites covering the ship. The rusticles are "a much weaker form of the metal," that are fragile enough to turn to dust, Clare Fitzsimmons, from Newcastle University, told the BBC in 2019. The ocean currents and salt corrosion have also caused damage over time. The extent of the Titanic's deterioration is obvious if you compare images of Captain Edward Smith's quarters from 1996 and 2019. "Captain's bathtub is a favorite image among the Titanic enthusiasts, and that's now gone," Titanic historian Parks Stephenson said in a statement in 2019. "That whole deck hole on that side is collapsing, taking with it the staterooms, and the deterioration is going to continue advancing." The wreck of the Titanic, with a bathtub visible, in a photo taken in 1996. Xavier Desmier/Getty 3. The cost of raising the Titanic would be enormous Ambitious Titanic enthusiasts have been dreaming up ways to raise the ship since 1914, when engineer Charles Smith devised a plan to attach electromagnetic cables to the hull and slowly raise it with steam engines and winches, according to "Sinkable." At the time, he estimated the cost would be $1.5 million that's roughly $45 million today. Raising the capsized cruise ship the Costa Concordia in 2013 cost $800 million, The Atlantic reported. That ship was only partially submerged, so bringing up the Titanic would be far more complex and costly. A piece of the Titanic on land The "big piece" of the Titanic's hull is on display at the Luxor Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Premiere Exhibitions While the site is a memorial site some artifacts from the wreck have been salvaged. Any salvaging of the site is limited to the debris field around the two hulls and must comply with the NOAA guidelines, international agreement, and federal regulations. That said, exposing the Titanic to the air comes with its own problems for the ship. For example, it took two attempts, the first in 1996 and the second two years later, to haul what's known as the "big piece" of the Titanic to the surface. The 13-by-30-foot, 15-ton hull section still had rivets and glass in some of the bronze portholes, according to SF Gate. The seafloor is a low-oxygen environment, so the piece had to go back into the water during transport to slow the corrosion process. Eventually, the hull piece soaked in an above-ground pool filled with a solution of sodium carbonate and water for 20 months to remove salts that were weakening the metal, according to the book "Cleaning Techniques in Conservation Practice: A Special Issue of the Journal of Architectural Conservation." The big piece is currently on display at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. It's probably the closest most people will come to seeing the Titanic above the waves. Read the original article on Business Insider WORCESTER A deceased 34-year-old man was found in Crompton Park Monday morning, Worcester police said. An investigation is ongoing into the death of the unidentified man, Police Lt. Sean Murtha said. Early reports indicate there were no signs of any injuries, Murtha said. Officers were called to Crompton Park at 6:22 a.m. on a report of a possibly dead man. The police report indicates he was on a park bench, Murtha said. Crompton Park was quiet early afternoon Monday, with no visible signs of police activity earlier that day. A previously scheduled afternoon vigil for the deceased has been cancelled, according to an organizer. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 34-year-old man found dead on Crompton Park bench Monday morning 4 MS Coast kitchens cited in restaurant inspections, one for 4th time in about a year Restaurants, convenience stores and bars that sell food get a visit from the Mississippi Health Department at least once a year, and four Coast facilities visited in the last two weeks were cited for critical violations. These are the kitchens that were graded C for critical violations: Sai Chevron, 8413 Woolmarket Road in Biloxi had a scheduled inspection June 20. Once again It was cited for hand washing facilities not supplied and accessible, a repeat offense. This is the fourth C in six inspections since March 2022. Each time the kitchens was cited for the same hand washing violation. Orangutangs Daiquiri Bar, 226 Courthouse Road, Gulfport, was inspected June 21 for a permit renewal. It was cited for food not in good condition, safe and unadulterated. Corrected during the inspection were bare hand contact with ready to eat foods and food contact surface cleaned and sanitized. A follow-up inspection on June 22 showed no violations and the facility scored a B. This is the only C at the restaurant dating back to 2008. Gilligans Lounge, 165 Hardy Court Shopping Center, Gulfport, was inspected June 21 for a permit renewal. It was cited for hot and cold water not available at adequate pressure. Corrected during the inspection was hand washing facilities supplied and accessible. A repeat inspection the next day on June 22 showed all violations corrected and the kitchen scored a B. This is the only C dating back to 2016. Finish Line Performance Karting, 1782 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, was inspected June 7 for a permit renewal. It was cited for hand washing facilities not supplied and accessible. A follow-up inspection on June 12 showed the issue was corrected and the facility received a B. This was the only C for the facility dating back to 2018. Restaurants and other food service establishments in Mississippi are rated A if they pass the health department inspection, B if violations are corrected during the inspection, and C if the violations are critical. Since June 7, there have been 155 restaurants and food services in South Mississippi that scored an A for no violations and 29 that got a B when violations were corrected during the inspection. soviet partisans There are many reasons Nazi Germany lost on the Eastern Front of World War II. It may have caught the Red Army by surprise in 1941, but despite big advances early on, the Soviet Union was a big place with a large population and a massive workforce. American Lend-Lease Aid was critical in its success too, but a key consideration for Nazi losses was the wreck they left behind. The German policy toward its conquered populations of Eastern Europe was far from benevolent. The Germans saw the people of Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and other parts of the Soviet Union as subhuman, and treated them as such. This kind of treatment will, at best, spark resentment. At worst, its going to cause uprisings against German rule which is exactly what happened. Partisan fighting groups popped up all across the vast areas of conquered states as the German Army advanced eastward. These partisan fighters began wreaking havoc in their wake, destroying supply lines, killing high-ranking officials, and disrupting the Nazi regimes ability to wage war. Here are 4 Soviet partisans who wreaked havoc on the Nazi war machine Fyodor Pavlovsky Fyodor Pavlovsky Pavlovsky was one of the first leaders to rise up against the Nazis in occupied territory. A Belorussian veteran of past conflicts, he left military life behind to become a civil servant until the Nazis came. Then he took up arms once more in July 1941, calling his partisans Red October. Not content with simply disrupting supply lines, the fighters of Red October began outright attacking German Wehrmacht units and even joining forces with the active Red Army to destroy German targets. Posing as peasants, they moved on German Army headquarters late at night and killed the invaders as they slept. Pavlovsky was an active partisan from 1941 until Belarus was liberated by the Red Army in 1944. Alexander German Alexander German This ironically-named partisan leader waged a war of retribution against the Germans in occupied territory in what is today Russia. Eventually leading a force of more than 2,300 men, his unit killed almost 10,000 Germans between 1941 and 1943, derailed 44 trains, blew up dozens of bridges and was responsible for wiping out 17 enemy occupation garrisons. In September 1943, the Germans finally caught up to his guerrilla band, surrounding them in the village of Zhitnitsa. After they demanded his surrender, he and his men decided to fight their way out. It might have worked for him had he not been wounded three times in the effort. Sidor Kovpak Sidor Kovpak Kovpak was 54 years old when Germany invaded the USSR, but no one was more prepared to wage guerrilla warfare than he was. The Ukrainian was already a veteran of World War I and the Russian Civil War, so its no wonder he was able to grow a band of 10 partisans into an army of thousands of guerrilla fighters. Nicknamed grandad by other partisans, there was no way Kovpak was letting the old man in. His men embarked on a 2,000-mile trek of destruction, destroying more than a dozen German garrisons, derailing 19 supply trains, more than a hundred bridges and arms depots, and wrecking power stations and oil fields. He had to retire in 1943 due to illness but would earn the Hero of the Soviet Union honor twice before then. Mikhail Duka Mikhail Duka Duka was the leader of the Bryansk Partisan Brigade, which effectively controlled 14,000 square miles of so-called occupied territory behind German lines by 1942. His partisan brigade derailed more than 100 trains before they could make it to the Eastern Front, destroyed 500 vehicles, and killed thousands of enemy soldiers while the regular army struggled to kick the Germans out of Stalingrad. He was so effective in combat that he was transferred to the regular army in 1944, leading the 82nd Guards Rifle Division all the way to Berlin. He ended the war with the rank of Major General. Laser beam scanning book in front of dark red background MirageC / Getty Images We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive compensation. Popular dystopian anthology series "Black Mirror" returned in June with a sixth season after a four-year hiatus, but for some fans, the show seemed a little unfamiliar. Though it's known as a science-fiction show that paints a grim picture of the perils of technology, the latest season was more supernatural than futuristic and turned its attention to the past. Since the show last aired in 2019, headlines have been dominated by a global pandemic, rapidly advancing artificial intelligence and other hauntingly "Black Mirror"-esque events. Series creator Charlie Brooker told GQ that he included more comedy in the latest season mainly because "it feels like the dystopia is lapping onto our shores at the present moment." Whatever the reason behind the genre shift, some fans were still disappointed by the lack of sci-fi in the new season. If the latest season left you wanting prophetic futuristic themes, these are a few books you could grab for your sci-fi fix. "Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood (2003) Atwood is no stranger to writing eerily spot-on speculative fiction as the mind behind "The Handmaid's Tale." Her 2003 novel, "Oryx and Crake," is the first book of a dystopian trilogy set in a world ravaged by a plague. The story features Jimmy, who believes he's the sole survivor, and a breed of humanoids called the Children of Crake. The "hollowed-out, haunted future world" in Atwoord's "ingenious and disturbing" novel is a result of "environmental unconcern, genetic engineering and bioterrorism," Kirkus Review stated when the book debuted. The "landmark work of speculative fiction" was "comparable to 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'Brave New World' and Russian revolutionary Zamyatin's 'We,'" Kirkus concluded. Order here. "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick (1968) Regarding sci-fi classics, Dick's 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" is worth revisiting if you want to fill the sci-fi void. It inspired the "Blade Runner" and "Blade Runner 2049" films, though some aspects of the novel were changed. The book follows Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter on a mission to kill a group of rogue androids. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic 2021, technically the past. In the wake of a nuclear war, living animals are highly coveted, as most are endangered or extinct. Order here. "Children of the New World" by Alexander Weinstein (2016) A short story collection is a good stand-in for an anthology series, and Weinstien's "Children of the New World" is thematically reminiscent of past seasons of "Black Mirror." The "disturbing, ludicrous and darkly humorous" stories feature future technology in a somewhat utopian future, Book Riot stated. There are companies manufacturing fake memories, humanoid robots and fatally immersive VR video games in Weinstein's "resonant and thought-provoking" tales. "Weinstein offers a thought-provoking take on a near future about how advancement in technology will impact the way we live and connect as humans," Book Riot mused. Order here. "Broadcast" by Liam Brown (2019) Liam Brown's 2019 novel, "Broadcast," also fits the mold of eerie science fiction that reflects the dangers of technology running amok. David Callow, an influential video blogger, is the central character of this sci-fi gem. After agreeing to be the face of a revolutionary technology called "MindCast" that broadcasts all his thoughts 24/7, he becomes a viral sensation. David reaches unprecedented fame, but his newfound celebrity comes at a price. He soon realizes that his thoughts are being manipulated by the company behind the innovative tech. "'The Truman Show' meets 'The Circle' in this claustrophobic story about corporate culture and social media," Book Riot commented. Order here. "Bloodchild and Other Stories" by Octavia E. Buttler (1995) Butler is a renowned science-fiction author, and this collection of short stories is a cornucopia of what she does best. The book includes a selection of her award-winning short stories, including "Bloodchild," the winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, and "Speech Sounds," the winner of the Hugo Award. The former shows a world where humans are trafficked as breeders for a colonizing alien race, and the latter imagines a dystopian world where human beings have lost the ability to speak or read. In a 1995 review, The New York Times called the collection a "fine example of how science fiction, by subverting expectations, can jar us into a new appreciation of familiar truths." Order here. You may also like Problematic Ford Explorer recall prompts federal investigation Did the Dobbs decision help or hinder Republicans? Putin's grip on power apparently damaged after Wagner mutiny 50 shots fired at familys car, injuring grandpa and 5-year-old inside, PA cops say About 50 shots were fired at a familys car, injuring a 5-year-old child and his grandfather inside, according to police in Pennsylvania. Officers with the Philadelphia Police Department responded to the shooting at 5:49 p.m. Saturday, June 24. Officers then found a white 2013 Nissan Maxima with numerous bullet holes parked at an Exxon gas station, according to an incident report. It had crashed into a pole at the gas station, WCAU reported. A 71-year-old man and his grandson were both injured, according to WTXF. The grandpa was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower back, police said, and the boy was taken to a childrens hospital with a single graze wound to his shoulder. The child was last reported to be in stable condition, police said, with his grandpa in critical condition. The childs father told police he was driving the car when someone in a white vehicle started firing from behind, authorities said. He turned into the Exxon station and the white vehicle continued to follow shooting numerous times into his vehicle before fleeing, according to police. The bullets are from a handgun and high-powered rifle, police told WPVI. Authorities said the dad returned fire and then ran away, according to WPVI. It is unclear why the dad is accused of running before talking to authorities. Responding officers found an unoccupied white Kia K5 with a Florida tag in the area following the shooting, police said. The vehicle was reported stolen after a robbery at the Philadelphia airport, according to police. Investigators have not determined a motive, but police believe it was a targeted shooting, according to WTXF. It appears, based on the number of rounds that found their way into the vehicle, that the shooters were aiming at the vehicle, Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace told the news outlet. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing. 14-year-old kills man at fast food restaurant on moms orders, Illinois officials say Grocery store worker is killed when ex-husband shoots her and himself, Ohio cops say Woman shoots two people inside of burning car in act of revenge, Missouri cops say Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Three people killed in their Newton, Massachusetts home were identified Monday as a Bruno DAmore, his wife Jill, and Jills mother Lucia Arpino, the couples church confirmed in a letter. Cops were still searching Monday for a suspect in what they believe could have been a random attack on the trio. Bruno and Jill DAmore were celebrating 50 years of marriage when they were found dead in their home Sundaystabbed and badly beatenafter failing to turn up at church for a ceremony to renew their vows. Arpino was in her nineties. It is with a heavy heart that we share that the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday in Newton hit very close to homeimpacting our faith community and our own family, read the letter from the Sacred Heart and Our Lady's Collaborative church. The letter was shared by two church workers who identified themselves as the cousins of the DAmores, and niece and nephew of Arpino. The gruesome triple murder in the early hours of Sunday prompted an appeal for residents in the area to lock your doors and windows while police launched a manhunt. Officials said cops were called to a house in the wealthy Boston suburb at 10 a.m. on Sunday after a neighbor decided to check up on the couple because they had missed church. These were churchgoing people. The only reason they were found is because they werent in church and somebody came to see if they were OK, one neighbor, Robin Dickey, told WBZ. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a Sunday night press conference that there had been signs of forced entry into the home. She said an attempted break-in had been reported at another house half a mile away shortly before 7 a.m., although police said it was not clear if the two were connected. As you can imagine, this would be tragic on any day. To have family gathered for this kind of a celebration makes it particularly tragic, Ryan said. We are asking people to remain vigilant, she added. This is the night to lock your doors and windows even if you do not normally do that. Investigators from the DAs office and Massachusetts State Police immediately launched an investigation. Newton Police Chief John Carmichael said: We wont rest until we find out who did this. The church will hold a memorial Mass for the slain family on Tuesday evening. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. An Iowa restaurant says a brides complaint is unverifiable after she posted that dozens of people fell ill after eating food catered at her wedding. Lindsey Humphreys said in a Facebook post shared on a Des Moines food lovers group that 51 of her wedding guests began having food poisoning symptoms the day after her wedding in early June. Everyone that got sick had a few things in common. They ate the food from Fireside Grille and they all got sick around the same time, Humphreys said in her June 21 Facebook post. In a Facebook post Sunday, June 25, Fireside Grille said complaints made about the food poisoning were unverifiable. The restaurant said it is very unfortunate people became ill and it is not ignoring any of this. Humphreys said she called Fireside Grille, but she said the manager had no concern and tried to blame the incident on something else. That led to her calling the Iowa Health Department. The Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals visited the Altoona restaurant June 12 and issued five risk-factor violations. An inspector found pork tenderloin was stored at 44.7 degrees, more than 4 degrees above the maximum temperature food should be stored. The Food and Drug Administration says refrigerated food should be kept at temperatures at or below 40 degrees. When its stored above that temperature, bacteria is more likely to grow, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Fireside Grille was also cited for mold in the interior of its ice machine, among other violations, and the restaurant corrected all the issues, according to the report. We thank everyone for your continued support and remember there are always two sides to every story, the restaurant said on Facebook. Please keep an open mind and let the process run its course. Guests at the wedding had a buffet-style dinner from Fireside Grille that included a pasta bar and a pizza bake. There was also a taco bar and a Philly chicken and steak bar, according to the wedding website. Humphreys said she tried to get a refund, but the restaurant would not allow it. Definitely isnt something I wanted to deal with after my wedding, she said. Super embarrassing too. Altoona is a northeast suburb of Des Moines. Bug-infested facility prepared contaminated crabmeat that was sold across US, feds say Rat infestation may have contaminated goods sold at Family Dollar, Arkansas suit says A release from the BP Whiting refinery from severe weather is to blame for the pungent odor that spread across Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties on Sunday, according to the Porter County Emergency Management Agency. State officials are investigating the situation. In a statement posted on Facebook at 12:23 a.m. Monday, the agency wrote that due to severe weather conditions in the region today, BPs Whiting refinery experienced an operational disruption that triggered unplanned flaring of gases from their facility. Advertisement The statement noted that BP advises they expect the situation to be resolved in the coming hours, and they further advise there is no danger to the community at this time. Lake County Emergency Management & Homeland Security deputy director Paul Petrie told the Post-Tribune that his office learned from BP Products that the refinery experienced a power outage. Advertisement The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is investigating the situation, according to department spokesman Barry Sneed. In a statement, Sneed wrote that an Office of Air Quality inspector is scheduled to be on site today to obtain additional information on the reported loss of power over the weekend. The Porter County Emergency Management Agency said that his office is coordinating with IDEM and awaiting results from the Monday inspection, according to Lance Bella, that agencys director. I also contacted Porter Countys health department to make sure that they could work in concert with IDEM, with anything that they needed as well, Bella said. The pungent, sulfur-like odor was reported across the region. In a Facebook post at 9:25 p.m. Sunday, the Porter Police Department wrote that the departments phone lines were flooded with Emergency and Non-Emergency calls in reference to an overwhelming gas smell outside and noted that the social media users had reported the odor from Portage all the way up into Michigan. A BP Products spokesperson did not return a request for comment. Mayor Sue Lynch delivers the annual State of the City address at Woodland Park in Portage, Indiana Thursday February 16, 2023. More than 100 people attended the event. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune) Portage Mayor Sue Lynch said in a statement that she had been in touch with Police Chief Mike Candiano and Fire Chief Randy Wilkening, as well as representatives from IDEM, Northern Indiana Public Service Company and local emergency management agencies to find out what happened. As mayor, I understand your concerns and have been equally frustrated with trying to get information on the cause of the suspicious odor, she said, adding that the city received no notifications on Sunday evening by any local industry of any chemical releases within our jurisdiction, but limited information was available at that time. Lynch said she is in contact with IDEM and would share the agencys findings once the investigation is complete. Advertisement Environmental concerns surrounding the Whiting refinery have prompted recent legal action from environmental groups and the federal government. In September, BP Products agreed to spend $2.75 million on penalties and environmental efforts in a settlement with the Environmental Integrity Project, who sued the company on behalf of the Sierra Club. The lawsuit was filed in 2019 after nine tests of the refinerys smokestack emissions between 2015 and 2018 showed that particulate pollution from the facility exceeded permitted levels. In May, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with BP Products that required the company to install $197 million in pollution-prevention improvements at the facility and pay a $40 million fine. adalton@chicagotribune.com A fifth person has died after being shot Sunday in Kansas City, police said. At about 3 a.m. Sunday, as Kansas City police officers were patrolling the area of East 31st Street and Prospect Avenue, they saw multiple people shooting at a vehicle and a person, Sgt. Jake Becchina, with the Kansas City Police Department, said in a news release. The suspects then fled the scene, Becchina said. Police officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds, Becchina said. He was taken away in an ambulance with injuries that were life-threatening. Additional officers responded to the area to attempt to locate any of the people or vehicles that were initially observed by officers, Becchina wrote. This effort was met with negative results. The victim was declared dead Sunday afternoon at the hospital, police said. His identity has not yet been made public. Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call KCPDs homicide unit at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). KCPD is working with Partners for Peace, a community resource for victims, in all homicide investigations to provide social services and monitor risk for retaliation. About an hour before the shooting on Prospect, police responded to a shooting in the 3600 block of Michigan Avenue. The victim, a 17-year-old boy named Ricky Monroe, died a few hours later at the hospital. Then, at about 4:30 a.m. near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue, police found two men and one woman fatally shot in a parking lot and the street just south of the intersection, Becchina said. At least five other people were wounded in the shooting but lived. Sundays killings bring the total homicide count in Kansas City this year to 99, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes killings by police. This time last year, the city had suffered 73 homicides, the second deadliest year in recorded history. What do you hope a day in the life looks like for you at 92 years old? If youre anything like Grandma Joy, your days may be packed with adventure. In 2015, Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad had an idea: What if they explored the United States by visiting every national park? Its a big task, but these two adventurers were up for it. It all started when Brad made a surprising discovery: Grandma Joy was in her 80s and had never been to the mountains. It made sense then that their first stop took them to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Joy then climbed her first mountain at 85 years old. Fast-forward seven years and the pair have driven more than 50,000 miles together and flown to visit parks in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Though theyre now staying in hotels, the two started their journey camping in the parks. As Brad shared in an interview with The Weather Channel, I have to continuously pinch myself when Im watching my grandmother hiking across the Arctic Circle and when I see her whitewater rafting in class 3 rapids at 91! Grandma Joy says the rapids in Alaska were fun, like a roller coaster. I love roller coasters, she told CBS News. What else have they experienced? Maybe too much to recount. They saw a whale breaching in front of them while visiting islands off the coast of California. They were almost run over by a moose, according to Joy. Thats a lesson, dont get too close to the moose, Brad told The Weather Channel. Theyve seen countless terrains and animal species and had adventures that have brought them closer together. Traveling with his grandmother has been a gift for Brad, who has learned a lot about his family history, too. Brad is a veterinarian and his grandmothers stories have shown him that a love of animals runs in the family. Part of Brads motivation began when he was studying in veterinary school. In the fourth year of his program at veterinary college, he needed some time in nature to decompress. Stressed and struggling with his mental health, he, like so many, was suffering in silence. What started as an opportunity for a breath of fresh air has become a gift to both him and his grandmother. Hes learned to prioritize his mental health, set healthy boundaries, and raise awareness of mental health struggles to help others. Whats next on this fantastic voyage? After visiting American Samoa to complete their national park checklist, Grandma Joy and Brad are headed for Kenya. Check out the duos latest doings on Instagram and Facebook. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. A record number of people will travel by car or plane during July 4 weekend this year. AAA projects 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day weekend, setting a new record for the holiday. Domestic travel over the long weekend will increase by 2.1 million people compared to 2022 AAA says. This year, its predicted that the travel volume will surpass the last record set in 2019 of 49 million travelers. Weve never projected travel numbers this high for Independence Day weekend, said Mary Maguire, Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast. More than 1.4 million Massachusetts residents will be among those traveling, 1.2 million of us by car. Both mirror the national trends and are higher than the number of travelers and drivers from a year ago. It is predicted that 43.2 million people will travel by car this summer, this is thanks to the cost of gas prices which are well below what they were in 2022. The national average for a gallon of regular was $4.80 on July 4th, 2022. The national average for a gallon of regular now is around $3.50 to $3.60 a gallon. Air travel is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects 4.17 million Americans will fly to their destinations Independence Day weekend, an increase of 11.2% over 2022 and 6.6% over 2019. AAA also expects 3.36 million people to travel by bus, cruise, or train over the long weekend, an increase of 24% over last year. With all this travel, AAA is providing tips for the summer season: Travel demand has been steadily increasing since 2020, and this summer is poised to be one for the record books. Here are some trends and tips from AAA Travel. Air travel is seeing the biggest spike despite high ticket prices. Passengers are paying 40% - 50% more for flights compared to last year, but AAA data shows bookings arent slowing down. Many airlines are responding to demand by hiring more staff and taking smaller regional planes out of service and replacing them with larger ones to increase capacity. However, there are still challenges, including a shortage of air traffic controllers that has led to reduced service in and out of New York City area airports. Apply for TSA Precheck to avoid long security lines at packed airports. Hotel prices are up slightly over 2022, but not by much. While the number of domestic hotel bookings is about the same as last year, AAA data shows international hotel bookings are up 80% compared to 2022. International travel demand is booming and so are passport applications. The U.S. State Department says its processing half a million applications a week. Routine service is averaging 10-13 weeks. Need a passport fast? RushMyPassport provides expedited services and discounts for AAA members. This past May, they handled more than 1,100 applications from AAA members, compared to just 73 applications in May of last year. Car rental shortages seen during the pandemic have improved. Inventory has been increasing steadily since last year, with newer models and electric vehicles added to fleets. AAA data shows rental prices are down slightly from last year. Demand for international rental cars is up more than 80% compared to 2022. If youre planning to drive abroad, keep in mind some countries require International Driving Permits. AAA is one of only two private entities in the U.S. authorized by the State Department to issue IDPs. This year, AAA reports demand for IDPs is double what it was in 2022. Cruising is back to pre-pandemic numbers, with sold-out ships and advance bookings. Prices are about the same as 2022, with certain cruises a bit higher this year due to demand. Alaska cruises are particularly popular this time of year. AAA booking data also shows Caribbean cruises and European river cruises are top vacations in 2023. Protect your investment with travel insurance. AAA data shows demand for travel insurance is up more than 100% over last year, as more travelers now see the need to prepare for the unexpected. 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 Mayra Rodriguez-Garcia, 36, of Adelanto is suspected of murdering her 7-month-old daughter, sheriffs officials said. San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies arrested an Adelanto mother on suspicion of killing her 7-month-old daughter. Victor Valley Station Sheriffs officials said around 2:10 a.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to an emergency in the 11400 block of Russet Place in Adelanto. The area is between Highway 395 and Bellflower Street, north of Hook Boulevard. When deputies arrived, they found a 7-month-old girl who was not breathing, sheriffs officials said. Deputies performed CPR on the infant until emergency personnel arrived and took her to a hospital, where at 3:11 a.m. doctors declared her dead, according to the sheriff's statement. Read more: Human remains discovered on Mt. Baldy, area where actor Julian Sands went missing While investigating, deputies and medical personnel discovered trauma to the infant, which the sheriff's report said was consistent with child abuse. Sheriff's officials did not elaborate on the child's condition. Authorities accuse Mayra Rodriguez-Garcia of her baby's death. Rodriguez-Garcia was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto. On Sunday, she remained in custody and without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. The sheriffs homicide detail is handling the investigation. Read more: California boy, 4, whose remains were found in 1991 in San Bernardino County is now ID'd Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the sheriffs homicide detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or wetip.com. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: San Bernardino County mom accused of killing her baby daughter A San Bernardino County sheriff's vehicle. The department has made an arrest in the death of a 7-month-old girl. (Los Angeles Times) An Adelanto woman has been booked on a murder charge in the death of her 7-month-old daughter. Mayra Rodriguez-Garcia, 36, also was booked for a count of torture and child abuse causing death, according to a release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Officers arrested Rodriguez-Garcia after investigating the circumstances around an overnight call to a residence in the 11400 block of Russet Place. Read more: Was death in San Diego County women's jail a crime? Case against doctor, nurse begins Deputies arrived at 2:11 a.m. Saturday to find the baby girl not breathing. They performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived and transported her to a hospital. The child was pronounced dead at 3:11 a.m. During the subsequent investigation, deputies and medical personnel found signs of trauma to the infant that were "consistent with child abuse," the Sheriff's Department stated. Homicide detectives took over the investigation. Detectives concluded that Rodriguez-Garcia was responsible for the death of her daughter. Rodriguez-Garcia was being held without bail in the High Desert Detention Center, authorities reported. Anyone with information about this case can report anonymously at the We-Tip Hotline, (800) 782-7463, or go to WeTip.com. 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. Air-raid warning issued in Kyiv and number of regions An air-raid warning has been issued in a number of northern and central regions, including Kyiv. Source: alerts.in.ua, Air Forces Details: At 22:57, the Air Forces reported a threat of using attack drones in Poltava and Sumy Oblasts. Subsequently, an air-raid warning was issued in a number of other regions. In Kyiv, the alarm was issued at 23:10. Later, the Air Forces reported a threat of missile attack in the Kyiv, Chernihiv and Cherkasy Oblasts. Later, the air-raid warning was also issued in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, but cancelled in Kyiv. Update: At 00:22 on 26 June, the air-raid warning was cancelled in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A 2018 file photo shows a Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90 passenger jet taxiing after landing at San Antonio International Airport in Texas. A 2018 file photo shows a Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90 passenger jet taxiing after landing at San Antonio International Airport in Texas. An employee for the San Antonio International Airport was killed after being ingested by a plane engine on Friday night, NBC affiliate WOAI reported. The incident occurred as Delta Flight 1111 landed at the airport and taxied to the gate using a single engine, according to the report. Exact details surrounding the employees death, including their identity, have not been released, but the investigation is ongoing. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation, the San Antonio International Airport said in a statement to WOAI. We will share more information as details become available. We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family members life in San Antonio. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time, Delta said in a statement to HuffPost on Sunday. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, and the San Antonio airport did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. In December, an American Airlines ground crew member was killed in a similar accident in Montgomery, Alabama, which led to a $15,625 fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Related... Amazon wants small businesses to help make deliveries in rural areas and big cities FILE - The Amazon logo is displayed, Sept. 6, 2012, in Santa Monica, Calif. Amazon's profitable cloud business will invest roughly $7.8 billion by the end of 2029 to expand its central data center operations in Ohio, state leaders announced Monday, June 26, 2023 further advancing the state's efforts to establish itself as the Midwest's technology hub. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Many small businesses have long relied on Amazons platform and delivery pipeline to boost their business. Now, Amazon wants to enlist them to help with deliveries, too. The e-commerce giant on Monday officially launched a program it has been piloting since 2020 that pays small business owners to deliver packages during the last mile of delivery to customers doorsteps. Axios first reported the launch. Amazon has long been working on finding new ways to deliver packages faster and more efficiently, including working with third-party delivery companies, increasing its warehouse space and making other moves. The program, called Amazon Hub Delivery, will operate in 23 states and focus on rural areas and large, dense cities including Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Hoboken, New Jersey. The small businesses do not need delivery experience to apply for the program. But Amazon said businesses need to be able to make deliveries daily, deliver packages with existing staff and vehicles, receive packages daily and store them in a secure area until delivery. The exact pay is undisclosed, but Amazon estimates a small business could earn up to $27,000 a year by making the deliveries. If a company delivers 30 packages a day what Amazon says they will receive, on average including weekends but excluding major holidays, that works out to about $2.50 a package. Amazon said it's interested in partnering with florists, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, gas stations, plumbers and hair salons, but it will consider other businesses too. For now, the program will remain small. Amazon wants to partner with 2,500 small businesses by end of 2023. There are more than 33 million small businesses in the U.S., according to the Small Business Administration. Interested small businesses can apply at amazon.com/hubdelivery. Amsterdam's Hermitage Museum, which broke ties with Russia last year, will be renamed the H'ART Museum (Koen van Weel) Amsterdam's Hermitage museum said Monday it will change its name, a year after severing ties with the Saint Petersburg version over Russia's war in Ukraine. The museum in the Dutch capital will be called the H'ART Museum from September, in what it called a "new beginning". It also announced partnerships with the British Museum in London, the Pompidou centre in Paris and Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington so that "world-famous art collections come to Amsterdam." "It is an exciting new step," museum director Annabelle Birnie said in a statement, describing the changes as "contemporary and future-proof". The statement did not mention Russia. The Amsterdam Hermitage opened in 2009 as a venue for the Saint Petersburg-based Hermitage Museum to show parts of its huge collection for exhibition. Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president at the time who has become increasingly hawkish over Ukraine, attended the opening. But the Amsterdam branch severed ties with the Russian museum in March 2022, weeks after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, saying the link was "no longer tenable." Most of its collection has been closed to the public since then. Its first major exhibition under the new name will feature Russian-born painter Wassily Kandinsky, in a partnership with the Pompidou centre, in mid-2024. It will then stage an exhibition of 17 Rembrandt paintings the following year to mark the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam. dk/yad Analysis-After the buzz, investors are doing their own homework on AI By Danilo Masoni and Lucy Raitano MILAN (Reuters) - The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence has boosted markets this year, but after the initial euphoria, investors are waking up to the possible risks, including the need to be highly selective in stock-picking. Businesses ranging from IT services and consulting to media, information and education are now under portfolio managers' microscopes to assess the potential for AI disruption. The overall impact for corporate profitability is seen as hugely positive. Yet beyond Nvidia and other obvious winners in the chip sector, analysts warn there might also be losers across Europe and the United States. McKinsey says generative AI could add $7.3 trillion in value to the world economy each year and believes half of today's work activities could be automated between 2030 and 2060. That, however, means corporates also face big challenges, like redundancies and rethinking their business models, if they want to fully realise AI's potential. "It's not a given that AI will only have a positive impact. There could be a deflationary effect," said Gilles Guibout, who helps manage over 820 billion euros ($900.44 billion) as head of European equities at AXA Investment Managers in Paris. In some cases, clients could negotiate price cuts, he said, while staff-light newcomers could erode existing players' market share while they are busy redesigning their processes. That might reduce sales growth and cause share price underperformance, especially for companies that face strong competition or where growth depends on headcount. "Take IT services: if one hundred people are no longer needed for coding, but only half or a third of that, customers will be asking for lower prices," said Guibout. The latest Bank of America survey in June showed 29% of global investors don't expect AI to increase profits or jobs. That compares to 40% that do expect a boost. AI NOT ALWAYS "GOOD" Concerns about AI have already manifested across markets. Shares in companies like French outsourcing firm Teleperformance and US-based Taskus, which manage call centres and other services seen as vulnerable to being replaced by bots, have both lost around 30% this year. In education, UK's Pearson slumped 15% one day in May after U.S. peer Chegg, down 62% this year, said significant student interest for the Microsoft-backed ChatGPT bot was hitting customer growth. A few days later, Pearson held a call to explain its AI strategy, a sign of growing interest among investors to go deeper into how corporates are dealing with the transition. Teleperformance, which employs 410,000 staff in 170 countries, held its AI investor day on Wednesday. Some analysts say price falls have been excessive in certain cases, exaggerating the concerns over earnings growth. "There's a lot of focus on the risks that generative AI can bring. This has ultimately become a bit overdone," Thomas McGarrity, head of equities at RBC Wealth Management. He sounded confident over the capacity of some professional information and data providers, which own proprietary data, to integrate generative AI into their products. Others, meanwhile, remain cautious, saying the fast adoption of cheaper AI-powered offerings could slow growth as soon as order backlogs of more conventional services are fulfilled. Andrea Scauri, portfolio manager at Lemanik, said uncertainty over AI has deterred him from investing in some IT services stocks, despite valuations looking attractive. On the other hand, Scauri said he sees larger players like Accenture as better equipped to navigate the transition and deploy necessary capex. Accenture unveiled a $3-billion investment plan to power its AI efforts this month, three months after announcing 19,000 layoffs, or about 2.5% of its workforce. Its shares have risen 19% this year and French peer Capgemini is up 13%. Firms such as Relx which handle regulated information, are also seen as less exposed to potential AI headwinds. Cristina Matti, small and midcaps portfolio manager at Amundi, said indiscriminate investing was not an option for investors seeking AI exposure. "Do not buy just for the sake of gaining exposure. Its important to do your homework," she said. ($1 = 0.9107 euros) (Reporting by Danilo Masoni and Lucy Raitano; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) A Dekalb, Illinois man has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of a 76-year-old man early Sunday morning in Garys Miller section. Gary Police spokesman Sam Roberts said in an email Monday that NIPSCO workers in the 9300 block of Oak Avenue called Gary Police when a teen boy covered in blood approached them. The boy, a 16-year-old from Harvey, Illinois, told police his grandfather was dead and that his uncle killed him, Roberts said. Advertisement The boy told police his uncle Christopher E. Collins, of DeKalb, Illinois is wanted in Chicago for murder and mustve forced his way into his grandfathers home around 7:20 a.m., Roberts said. When the teen saw Collins, he attempted to call his mother at his grandfathers insistence, but Collins tried to stop him and then started fighting with the grandfather. The boy said Collins went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and started stabbing and cutting the grandfather, then attacked him with the knife as he tried to escape, Roberts said. As the boy reached the NIPSCO workers, he told police he saw Collins take off in the grandfathers car. Advertisement The boy was taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake campus for his injuries. Gary Police notified the Chicago Police to investigate any connections to the murder, Roberts said. Along with the murder charge, Collins is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery when the assault causes permanent disfigurement; domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury; domestic battery resulting in moderate injury; auto theft of an entire vehicle; domestic battery; theft and battery, according to court records. Hes still at large, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, records state. Newspapers are seen at a kiosk a day after the first round of Guatemala's presidential election, in Guatemala City Analysis-Emergence of Guatemalan anti-graft champion shakes up election Newspapers are seen at a kiosk a day after the first round of Guatemala's presidential election, in Guatemala City By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -Guatemalans fed up with persistent graft scandals on Sunday catapulted an unheralded anti-corruption candidate into a run-off for the presidency, raising hopes of a renewed drive to clean up the government after years of frustration. Bernardo Arevalo, an ex-diplomat and son of former president Juan Jose Arevalo, defied poll forecasts to finish as runner-up in the first round of voting in Guatemala's presidential election, throwing a major surprise into what had been written off as a stale election between establishment politicians. Arevalo, 64, is the standard-bearer of the center-left Semilla, a party founded in 2017 whose previous contender, Thelma Aldana, was a crusading attorney general instrumental in the arrest and prosecution for corruption of now-jailed former president Otto Perez. "The vote for Semilla and Bernardo was an act of resistance against a corrupt and conservative state we've been living with for years, and shows hope from his father's story," said Nicol Estrada, a 19-year-old student. Underlining voter frustration with the status-quo, nearly a quarter of ballots counted were either spoiled or left blank. Businessman Carlos Pineda, the early front-runner, urged supporters to spoil their vote after he was barred from standing. Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, argued that Arevalo's success was partly due to Guatemala's "elite" helping to unite the opposition by barring several challengers. "This is a guy who was polling at 0.7% just a few weeks ago," he said. The number of spoiled ballots and voters unhappy with the system could benefit Arevalo in the Aug. 20 second round, said Hugo Novales, an independent political analyst in Guatemala. Arevalo, who has called corruption a "cancer eating away" at Guatemala, will face former first lady Sandra Torres in the run-off. Torres, running in her third presidential contest, won 15.8% of the first-round vote to Arevalo's 11.8%. The run-off could put the spotlight on cleaning up politics. Arevalo has vowed to "purge institutions co-opted by the corrupt" and to get people committed to what he called the fight for justice to return to Guatemala. "One of our objectives is to bring back all the prosecutors, judges and journalists who have been persecuted unjustly by this regime and who find themselves in exile," he told reporters. Arevalo has also promised to spur competition in the economy, which is dominated by a tight-knit elite. Torres, who leads the center-left National Unity of Hope (UNE), fell foul in 2019 of the now defunct U.N.-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), which accused her of breaking campaign finance rules and illicit association. In the end, the case against Torres, who spent four months under arrest, was dropped for lack of evidence. She denies all wrongdoing. Opinion polls have suggested the 67-year-old Torres will struggle to win the run-off given her unpopularity in the capital, Guatemala City, home to much of the electorate. "I think that as long as Torres' anti-vote stays high, around 41%, my money is on Arevalo," said Freeman, of the Council on Foreign Relations. TACKLING ELITES A renewed drive to tackle corruption would likely face stiff resistance from powerful interests. Semilla's previous presidential contender, attorney Aldana, was ultimately prevented from running in 2019 by Guatemala's top court due to allegations of financial wrongdoing which she said were politically motivated because of her work with the CICIG. Aldana later sought asylum in the U.S., while current President Alejandro Giammattei himself became embroiled in corruption allegations, which he denies. The potent legacy of the corruption-busting group continues to inspire anti-graft campaigners in Guatemala. Arevalo says he sees himself as continuing the work of his leftist father, Juan Jose, who ushered in a decade of democratic and economic reforms that angered the ruling elite and saw his successor ousted in a U.S.-backed military coup in 1954. Under outgoing President Giammattei, tensions with the U.S. have flared up over resistance by the administration to tackling corruption inside government. Guatemala has slumped to an all-time low on watchdog Transparency International's corruption perceptions index. The election has inspired hope for change. The former head of CICIG, Ivan Velasquez, now Colombia's defense minister, congratulated Guatemala on Twitter after the vote and quoted words from the late Guatemalan poet and human rights activist Julia Esquivel. "You can cut all the flowers, but spring will always return. You will blossom, Guatemala." (Reporting by Sofia Menchu, Dave Graham and Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Leslie Adler) Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin over-reached and lost. His hubris-fuelled insurrection failed through a combination of hot-headed ambition and his inability to read Putins inner circle, of which he was a member, properly. As one informed Moscow resident told me, the system wasnt ready for the radical change he wanted. When he packed up his tanks and pulled out of the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday, well-wishers rushed up to say thank you. His battle-hardened troops, like veteran actors at a curtain call after a long and tense 24-hour performance, waved goodbye to an apparently adoring audience. Whether it had it all been theater, we may never know, but in Prigozhins mind on Friday evening when he called his heavily armed forces to action on Russias not Ukraines streets, the time had come for him to take center stage. For weeks, months even, hed been arguing Russias war in Ukraine was being badly and unnecessary fought by an elite who couldnt care less how many Russian lives were lost. His message gained easy traction among Russians who understand that Putin and his coterie habitually lie and tolerate it only as long as their leader is strong and they enjoy stability. Its a compact forged across generations: resistance to dictatorship is useless, just put your head down and survive. Feud spills into the open For months now, Prigozhin struck a chord with his charismatic and carefully choreographed front-line rants from Bakhmut where his fighters were dying in their hundreds so Putin could claim a tiny gain in his grindingly slow war in Ukraine. To many, Prigozhin seemed brave. No Russian general was seen going so close to danger. Prigozhin claimed his troops were being starved of ammunition by another of Putins trusted inner circle, Russias Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. The Wagner bosss obvious hatred of Shoigu had developed into a festering turf war over who would control Wagner. At stake were the vast money-making ventures Prigozhin developed and owned for the Kremlin in Africa and beyond. Putin, whose hitherto iron-fisted rule relies on manipulating his inner circles interests to keep them in line, should have shut the feud down sooner. What the Russian public was hearing from Prigozhin, about how badly the war was going, was dangerous for Putin. The renegade mercenary bosss regular diatribes about a screwed-up, lying military leadership were seeds of dissent falling on fertile soil. Prigozhins miscalculation was how fertile that soil was, or more specifically which bits werent. Not only had his message been gaining traction with the public, hed also been drawing support from top military ranks. At the end of April, he recruited Deputy Defense Minister Mikhail Mizintsev direct from the Kremlin. Another top defense official, Sergey Surovkin, who for a while last year was put in charge of Russias war in Ukraine, was a favorite of Prigozhin. This is the only person with the star of the General of the Army who knows how to fight, Prigozhin said, at the height of his spat with the defense ministry in Moscow. Rumors were the respect was reciprocated. Prigozhin's actions followed months of feuding with Russia's military top brass. - Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters Wagner fighters captured the city of Rostov-on-Don over the weekend. - Roman Romokhov/AFP/Getty Images Around the same time Putins massively powerful and vital ally Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov heaped praise on Prigozhins troops. The Wagner PMC has very good, courageous, necessary, necessary people, Kadyrov said. As Prigozhin threatened to pull his forces from the front lines Kadyrov was trying to mediate. If you stay with us, Kadyrov said, I promise you that we will give you more, create better conditions, than you have today. We will try to make everything top notch for you. At 9 p.m. Friday night, Prigozhin claimed he met with Shoigu. What they discussed is still unknown. Shoigu left abruptly. Hours later, Prigozhin said he wasnt budging till Shoigu came back to talk, and in the meantime said he had dispatched a fighting force to Moscow. Treacherous Prigozhin Late Saturday morning, as Prigozhin was still holed up in the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, Kadyrov played kingmakers hand: What is happening is not an ultimatum to the Ministry of Defense. This is a challenge to the state, and against this challenge it is necessary to rally around the national leader, he declared. He called Prigozhin treacherous and said he was sending his special forces to rout the mercenary boss. The walls were closing in. Any thought Prigozhin might rally Russian army generals to his cause was evaporating too. Hours earlier, Surovkin, the only general he valued, released a video message telling him to stop and to obey the will of President Vladimir Putin. Facing a potential Alamo, Prigozhin appeared to negotiate his way out on Saturday afternoon or at least, he thought he did. Prigozhin claimed he called off his march on Moscow to save Russian blood, but the reality was that his neck was on the line. Putin, fabled for rewarding loyalty and punishing the disloyal, had only hours earlier accused Prigozhin of treason and armed rebellion. Now, he hid behind a diplomatic fig leaf, allowing his weak Belarus neighbor and supplicant, President Alexander Lukashenko, to announce an amnesty and sanctuary for Prigozhin. But by Monday, that amnesty appeared to have evaporated. Russian state media said charges against Prigozhin had not been dropped, and since Belarus is an enfeebled client of Russia, it can surely offer little safety for Prigozhin. If the Wagner boss does have any leverage left, it is bundled up in his shady diamond, gold and other dealings with Kremlin clients he helped recruit in Mali, Central African Republic, Sudan and Libya. Such currency rarely holds its value long. Prigozhins world is a much smaller and more dangerous place now, but there can be little satisfaction for Putin in this as his empire is the most fragile its been since he consolidated his power from a wholly different group of oligarchs two decades ago. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Actress Angela Bassett is set to receive an honorary Oscar at the 2023 Governors Awards in November. In its 14th year, the annual honors will be presented at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on November 18. This honorary award has been established to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy. According to a statement from the Academy President Janet Yang, The Academys Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans. Yang went to say about Bassett, Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting. A Long Time Coming Although she has been a formidable figure in Hollywood, playing iconic characters such as Tina Turner in Whats Love Got to Do With It? (1993), she has only been nominated for two Oscars in her 40-year-long career. Bassett is renowned for her stunning acting and self-possession. As the film critic Angelica Jade Bastien writes in Vulture, Bassetts skills have often been construed on lines of strength and intellect. Yes, her characters are strong and intelligent and refuse to bend fully to the whims of others in order to retain possession of themselves. But to acknowledge Bassett for simply excelling at portraying strong Black women is a disservice. Strength is often a bind for Black women. Jade goes on to write, Its an expectation thrust upon us. What Bassett has been able to do with anger, an emotion rarely afforded to Black women in life or onscreen, is the real meat of her career. She is the Black actress in mainstream U.S. cinema to most consistently portray anger with the care and complexity such a depiction deserves. Bassetts last Oscar nomination was for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She lost to Jamie Lee Curtis and fact that was met with disappointment from many who considered a win for Bassett long overdue. Bassett has starred in other highly lauded film projects Malcolm X (1992), How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998), Mission: Impossible Fallout (2018) and Soul (2020). Plus, Bassetts acting credits have been in films that helped the Academy make history. She starred in Boyz N the Hood (1991), a film that made John Singleton the first Black filmmaker, and youngest person to ever be nominated for best director. There was also Black Panther, which was the first superhero movie to be nominated for best picture. The post Angela Bassett To Finally Receive an Oscar appeared first on 21Ninety. A fish that can live without water for days and grows up to three feet long was found again in Missouri, biologists with the state Department of Conservation said recently. It's the second time a northern snakehead was found in the state since 2019, authorities said. The invasive fish was caught on May 19 at the Duck Creek Conservation Area in Wayne County, the Department of Conservation said. Staff members spent several days after looking for more northern snakeheads but couldn't find any - offering some hope that the fish was present in low numbers Originally from east Asia, where they are a delicacy believed to have healing powers, northern snakeheads are aggressive predators, preying on native species and competing for resources. They can grow to nearly three feet in length This fish has a wide temperature tolerance, can spawn multiple times in one year, and can survive in low-oxygenated waters by breathing air, said MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Dave Knuth. The impacts of this species on native fish populations are still to be determined and its something we will have to follow over time. Previous reports indicate that snakeheads are a problem because "they'd eat just about anything." This undated photo provided by the University of Memphis shows a northern snakehead found in a small lake in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park north of Memphis, Tenn. The discovery has state wildlife officials worried. The predatory Asian fish kills native fish and can crawl overland if it exhausts its food supply. (AP Photo/University of Memphis, Jack Grubaugh via The Commercial Appeal) The first northern snakehead recorded in Missouri was caught in a borrow ditch within the St. Francis River levees in Dunklin County in 2019. The second one, which was 13 inches in length, was also found in the same watershed as the first one, though about 70 river miles north of the initial catch. While the federal government banned the transport and interstate travel of snakeheads in 2002, they have been popping up every now and then, sparking concerns and fears. The northern snakehead was first discovered in eastern Arkansas waterways in 2008. Since then, its distribution has been expanding, spreading north through the waters of the St. Francis River watershed, causing worry among biologists. "They are a beast," said Knuth. Government officials have asked those who catch a snakehead to photograph it and then "kill the fish by freezing it or putting it on ice for an extended length of time." Meanwhile, MDC has recommended killing the fish by severing the head or gutting it and reporting any sightings to their Southeast Regional Office. They have also requested locals not release the fish or throw it on the bank, as it could migrate back to the water or to a new water body. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Northern snakehead invasive fish species found at Duck Creek, Missouri Another arms warehouse of Gebrev, who supplies weapons to Ukraine, explodes Emilian Gebrev An arms warehouse of the Emco arms company, belonging to Bulgarian Emilian Gebrev, has exploded, Bulgarian News Agency BTA reported on June 25. The scale of the damage is yet to be reported. Locals heard "several strong explosions" in the area overnight on June 25. The Bourgas regional office of the Bulgarian Internal Affairs Ministry confirmed the information. The facility has been closed. Luckily, no one was killed or injured by the blasts. A group of experts and police investigators is to be created in 72 hours in order to probe the incident. Read also: Bulgaria transfers to Ukraine weapons worth billions of dollars through third countries Grebev told Bulgarian Radio Svoboda that a fire occurred in the warehouse at about 12.40 a.m. He called the cause of the incident "unclear," as there were no self-igniting products stored at the facility. There was another explosion at one of Gebrev's warehouses at the end of July 2022, which the businessman said had most likely been deliberate arson. In 2014 an arms warehouse of the Bulgarian businessmen in Czechia was also set on fire. Media investigations revealed at that time that Gebrev had supplied weapons to Ukraine. He confirmed the reports in 2021. After apparently being poisoned, Gebrev fell into a coma in Sofia in 2015 and narrowly survived. He, his son and a top manager of his firm were all diagnosed with severe poisoning. Later, Helsinki University laboratory, specializing in chemical weapons, discovered traces of two organophosphates in blood samples, which proved a Novichok nerve agent had been used. Gebrev himself said he was sure that Russian special forces were behind all the attacks. Read also: Bulgaria can provide Ukraine with ammunition that can turn the tide of war, ex-Defense Minister 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 Dr. Anthony Fauci is joining the faculty at Georgetown University in his first position after a decades-long government career that included a leading role during the Covid pandemic. Starting next week, Fauci will be a professor at the school of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases. He will also work in the McCourt School of Public Policy. I am delighted to join the Georgetown family, an institution steeped in clinical and academic excellence with an emphasis on the Jesuit tradition of public service, Fauci said in a statement Monday. This is a natural extension of my scientific, clinical and public health career, which was initially grounded from my high school and college days where I was exposed to intellectual rigor, integrity and service-mindedness of Jesuit institutions. Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022. He was also chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden. Fauci was a top researcher focusing on infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, Ebola and Zika. He quickly became a household name in March 2020 during the rapid spread of Covid-19. But he was also a frequent target of conservatives who were critical of his Covid safety recommendations. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a GOP presidential candidate, this month referred to a Faucian dystopia when describing aspects of the pandemic, while former President Donald Trump, has called Fauci a disaster. When announcing in August 2022 that he would be leaving the federal government, Fauci did not specify any next steps, though he said he was not retiring. "I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats," Fauci said in an Aug. 22 statement. Fauci, who received his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross, has several personal connections to Georgetown University. He and his wife, Christine Grady, were married in Georgetowns Dahlgren Chapel, and Grady earned her undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees at Georgetown. Additionally, their three daughters were born at Georgetown Hospital. "I ask myself, now, at this stage in my life, what do I have to offer to society?" Fauci said in a Q&A accompanying Georgetown's news release on Monday. "Sure, I could do more experiments in the lab and have my lab going, but given what Ive been through, I think what I have to offer is experience and inspiration to the younger generation of students. If I accomplish that, I think Ill make a major contribution to Georgetown." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Mykhailo Holovko Detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) have detained the chairman of the Ternopil Regional Council, Mykhailo Holovko, and two members of the regional military-civilian administration, for accepting bribes, NABU reported on Telegram on June 26. The detainees demanded UAH 1.8 million ($49,000) in exchange for signing work completion certificates, the agency said. Read also: Prosecution seizes half a million dollars in Supreme Court bribery case The officials were caught red-handed while they were receiving the third tranche of bribes UAH 600,000 ($16,000) by NABU and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO). NABU Holovko is an MP from the All-Ukrainian Union "Svoboda" party, representing Ukraine's 164th electoral district in northern Ternopil Oblast as a member of Svoboda. He became the head of the Ternopil Regional Council in November 2020. NABU NABU 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 Armed Forces of Ukraine advance in Bakhmut from north and south UK Defence Intelligence Ukraine's defence forces are advancing from the north and south near Bakhmut and it is unlikely that Russia has significant reserves to reverse the situation, UK Defence Intelligence reports. Source: UK Ministry of Defence review of the war in Ukraine on 26 June, as reported by European Pravda. Details: Ukrainian forces near Bakhmut reached the advance from the northern and southern flanks near Bakhmut as part of an operation involving many brigades. Quote: "There has been little evidence that Russia maintains any significant ground forces operational level reserves which could be used to reinforce against the multiple threats it is now facing in widely separated sectors, from Bakhmut to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, over 200km away," UK Defence Intelligence said. The Sunday report also stated that the Armed Forces are making tactical progress in key areas. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The assessment on Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegis home went down while his neighbors soared. What happened? Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi owns a million-dollar, 120-year-old Prairie-style, two-story home on a spacious corner lot on the eastern side of Oak Parks Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. Within a five-block area of Kaegis residence, neighbors with similar homes saw their properties assessed value used to figure local property taxes increase by an average of 32% this year compared with 2020 in the every-three-year reassessment of Oak Park Township. But the home of Kaegi, in his fifth year as the person responsible for running the office that decides the value of homes ahead of Cook County property tax bills being mailed, saw the assessed value of his home drop by 5.3%, county records show. While the assessors estimated market value of Kaegis home decreased from $1,172,150 in 2020 to $1,110,000 this year, the average for similarly classified homes swelled from $584,010 to $773,360 during the same time period. Assessment breaks for wealthy homeowners have often been the norm in Cook County: A previous Tribune analysis found residents in working-class neighborhoods were more likely to receive property tax bills that assumed their homes were worth more than their true market value, while wealthier communities caught a break because property taxes werent based on the full value of their homes. But theres no fix in at the office, the assessors office insists. In fact, Kaegi said the decrease was a corrective counterbalance to a massive assessment hike his house received when he took the unusual step of tattling on himself three years ago, resulting in his family paying more per square foot than neighbors in comparable homes. Moreover, assessment records appear to show Kaegis home was overassessed for years, even before he reported the additional square footage, one expert said. The factors behind Kaegis reassessment reduction speak to the vagaries of a complicated system he vowed to make more equitable and uniform: determining a propertys taxable market value at a time of ever-increasing property tax bills used largely to finance local schools, all based upon an antiquated agrarian measure of wealth. Kaegis 2023 assessment put him among the less than 1% of similarly classified properties in his neighborhood to see a reduction. Of more than 2,000 such homes in Oak Park Township, a Tribune review showed Kaegis home was one of only 18 residences that saw a lower assessed value compared with three years earlier. Through his office, Kaegi declined to be interviewed. Instead, he released a statement saying, My homes most recent assessment reflects the highest price per square foot compared to similar homes in my neighborhood. As Cook County Assessor, I hold myself to the highest standard of ethics to ensure all properties are assessed accurately, Kaegi said in the statement. It is important to me that taxpayers trust the Assessors Office under my leadership and know that the old days of politically connected people getting special treatment are over. While the assessment dip Kaegis home received this year was unique, Kaegi and his office noted that in 2020 roughly two years into his tenure leading the office Kaegis home received a massive assessment hike. That year, his homes valuation shot up by nearly twice as much as his neighbors in surrounding blocks, from roughly $727,000 to $1,172,000. The 2020 increase came as a result of an atypical field check that the assessor requested himself. That survey resulted in about 700 square feet being added to the recorded size of his home that had previously not been reflected in tax records. Kaegi and his wife bought their turn-of-the-century four-bed, 3.5-bath stucco house in 2010, according to county records. It is a 2-06 residence, a classification that covers homes with two or more stories that are at least 62 years old and ranging from 2,201 to 4,999 square feet. Though their purchase price was $1 million, the home had an assessed market value of just $743,000 the year they bought it, county records show. That assessment dipped to roughly $668,000 in 2014, then rose to about $728,000 in 2017. Those values were set while Kaegis predecessor, Joe Berrios, was running the office. In 2018, amid Tribune reporting that showed inequitable assessments resulted in higher-priced homes being under-assessed and lower-priced homes being overassessed, Kaegi ran on a platform of reform. The Tribunes Tax Divide series showed previous residential modeling to determine assessments was faulty. For years, the assessors office valued homes in affluent neighborhoods too low, and those in economically struggling areas too high. The model used by the office often created a regressive system that unfairly shifted the property tax burden from the wealthy to the less affluent. Berrios also was criticized for taking contributions from property tax attorneys, associated businesses and for skirting county nepotism rules. Kaegi trounced Berrios and promised to revamp the models the county uses to value properties and make valuations closer to fair market value and more uniform. Two years later, in 2020, Kaegis home turf the south and west suburbs were up for reassessment. That year, his office said, Kaegi realized the valuation of his home did not reflect its true square footage. In 2014, the Kaegis applied to build an addition to the rear of the home, village records show. He requested the field check six years later and after being elected to public office to ensure the correct square footage and the most accurate assessment of his home, a spokesperson said. The 2020 survey boosted his total square footage from about 3,200 square feet to about 3,900 square feet. Arthur Lyons, a retired professor of economics who specialized in taxation policies at the University of Illinois at Chicago, speculated Kaegi sought the field survey a decade after buying the property because once he becomes the assessor, he realizes that youre in the public limelight. And so, you want to make sure that at least your assessment is correct, especially if you ran as a reform candidate, Lyons said. Permits for such improvements are passed on from the village to the township assessor and then to the county assessor. Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar said the permit was successfully received by the county assessors office at the time. When Berrios office received it, Kaegi was automatically given a home improvement exemption as well, which waived the tax on up to $75,000 of the added improvement for up to four years. That exemption fell off in 2020. The added square footage from the field check also was plugged into the 2020 residential model that compared Kaegis property with roughly 400 others in his neighborhood as well as recent market sales of similar homes. In the end, the assessment shot up by 61% compared with 2017. Meanwhile, other 2-06s in Oak Park saw an average decrease of 1.5% in 2020. Thats in part because that year, Kaegis office instituted a COVID adjustment, reducing assessments for homeowners by roughly 8% to 12% across the board to account for the expected impacts of the pandemic. In Oak Park, that adjustment was 8% to 9.5%, depending on neighborhood. As a result of the massive assessment hike compared with his neighbors, Kaegis tax bill climbed too: from about $28,000 in 2019 to nearly $43,000 in 2020, county tax records show. His house had the seventh-highest value of its class in Oak Park, up from 227th the year before. Since 2019, records show, Kaegi also has taken the rare step not to appeal his assessment to try to cut his bill, nor has he taken a homeowner exemption to which he is entitled. Appeals among owners of higher-priced homes were a key contributor to unfairness under previous assessors. A Tribune and University of Chicago analysis of residential appeals between 2009 and 2015 found statistical measures of fairness got worse after the appeals process, placing a financial burden on those who could least afford to pay more. Wealthier neighborhoods appealed at much higher rates and regularly won, even though homes in those areas were more likely to be undervalued. By 2023, the effects of that COVID adjustment wore off and the fresh assessments reflected a white-hot, pandemic-era housing market. While other assessments rose, Kaegis value was revised downward. ElSaffar said Kaegis 2023 value falls pretty much in the middle of the pack when its value per square foot is compared with other properties of the same class, in the same neighborhood, and of roughly the same size. Lyons said the comparable housing properties associated with Kaegis 2023 reassessment raised questions about whether Kaegi was overassessed. Prior to his 2020 increase, Kaegis housing value was in line with the other larger properties when it should have been below them. If you started out with that additional square footage (that was added in 2020), he should be in line with the (comparable properties) all the way across the chart, Lyons said. Lyons said it indicates Kaegi had been previously overassessed and then was massively overassessed in 2020 to reflect the additional square footage. The fact that assessments of those comparable properties caught up with Kaegi in 2023 reflect that the assessor is catching them up to the market. Its unclear what this years 5% reduction will mean for Kaegis upcoming bill, his office said. The full implications wont be known until later this year and will depend on levies set by various taxing bodies as well as others appeals. The tale of Kaegis 2020 increase, largely due to his decision to have his property reevaluated, is rare. Property owners have little incentive to rat themselves out if they believe the outcome would be a higher assessment and likely a higher bill. Homeowners are technically required to tell Kaegis office during each reassessment if the characteristics the office is using are wrong. But the threat of a clawback is also rare. The office said those are usually pursued only if the homeowner appears to be concealing something. Thats what happened when the Tribune reported on the case of Todd Ricketts Wilmette home, which was razed and replaced with a 5,000-square-foot mansion. Ricketts, one of three siblings on the Chicago Cubs board of directors, paid taxes based on the value of the much older and smaller house that he tore down giving him a huge discount on his property tax bill over several years. In 2013, Ricketts attorney had a chance to tell county officials about the new home during a property tax appeal but instead sought a reduction based on the age and size of the old house. That led to investigations from both the assessors office and the county Board of Review. To try to catch other potential properties where square footage and other improvements arent reflected in records, Kaegis office said it is working to hire more field inspectors to look at buildings in person and utilizing technology that can scan aerial images of buildings to look for changes. Lyons said that, by far, Kaegi is an outlier, and that the vast majority of his neighbors appealed often to the detriment of those who didnt appeal or receive a reduction, which is an consistent criticism of Cook Countys assessment process. Lets assume they didnt appeal. Are these people picking up the tax burden for everybody else who plays the system? Lyons asked. Its a system where those who take the initiative, who have the resources, the time, the energy, the knowledge to make an appeal, they get reduced and then they are directly shifting the tax burden. Its not like the income tax, where, if I cheat on my income taxes, that doesnt make (others) income taxes go up. But if (someone) gets a lower assessment than they should have we, all the rest of us, pay higher taxes, he said. Its an indirect transfer of wealth, and its a travesty when you think about it. rap30@aol.com aquig@chicagotribune.com The Atlanta Police Department is searching for a man they say has been missing since the beginning of the month. Police say Mitchell Wilson was last seen leaving his home in Zone 1 on June 2 after he was reported missing by his family. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It is unclear if foul play has factored into Wilsons disappearance. TRENDING STORIES: Anyone with information regarding Wilsons whereabouts is asked to contact the Atlanta Police Homicide/Adult Missing Persons Unit at (404) 546-4235. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Customers of Indiana American Water Co. can tell the states utility commission soon what they think about the water companys proposed 31% rate increase. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will begin hearing public comments on Indiana Americans proposed rates at 6 p.m. July 6 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. Fifth Ave. Advertisement Customers are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m. for an overview of hearing procedures and the rate case process. The July 6 hearing is the only one in Northwest Indiana public on the proposed water rate increase. Advertisement Comments at the hearing are on the record and under oath, and they become part of the case record. The utility will not make presentations or answer questions there. Indiana American customers also can submit written comments on the proposed rate increase by July 14 the previous deadline was July 5 to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC). Written comments may be sent to the OUCCs website at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm , by email to uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov, or by mail to Public Comments, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, 155 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Comments should include the customers name and mailing address, as well as a reference to IURC Cause No. 45870 or Indiana American Water Rates. Indiana American, whose water rates already are considerably higher than those of Northwest Indianas municipally owned water utilities, has proposed a three-phase rate increase to raise its operating revenues by $86.7 million 31% over current revenues. The typical bill for a customer using 4,000 gallons a month would increase $14.47 a month, according to the OUCC. The company says it would use the increased revenue to carry out capital projects, including replacing aging infrastructure, replacing and relocating water mains, and installing new meters and hydrants. Other projects include chlorine conversion in Northwest Indiana, replacement of lead service lines, and other projects, as well as the cost of acquiring smaller utilities. The proposed three-phase rate increase would begin in January 2024, soon after the IURC is expected to rule on the case. Other increases would come in April 2024 and April 2025. Advertisement The water company also proposes to create a program to help low-income customers by providing discounts to qualifying customers. The program would be funded by rate payers. A civilian was wounded and houses were damaged in Russian attacks on Myropillia hromada in Sumy Oblast on Sunday (a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.). Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Quote: "Myropillia hromada: Russians were shooting from mortars (12 explosions). One civilian was injured in one of the attacks. Two residential buildings, a garage, a summer kitchen and a car were damaged." Details: In total, Russians fired 16 times at the border areas during the day. 76 explosions were recorded. The hromadas of Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Yunakivka, Shalyhyne and Nova Sloboda came under Russian fire. There was a mortar attack on Nova Sloboda hromada (one explosion). Mortar attacks (16 explosions) and artillery shelling (6 explosions) occurred in Bilopillia hromada. One of the mortar attacks damaged a barn and smashed windows in one of the households. There was also an attack with a grenade launcher (9 explosions). Shalyhyne hromada: artillery shelling (11 explosions). Civilian houses were damaged in the shelling. Krasnopillia hromada: mortar attack (7 explosions). One of the attacks resulted in the burning of dry grass. Yunakivka hromada: the Russians dropped 10 mines in the area. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! By Alasdair Pal and Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Australian government will provide a new A$110 million ($73.5 million) package to Ukraine including 70 military vehicles to defend against Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday. The fresh commitments take Australia's total contribution for Ukraine to A$790 million, including A$610 million in military support, since the conflict began in February 2022. "This additional support will make a real difference, helping the Ukrainian people who continue to show great courage in the face of Russia's illegal, unprovoked and immoral war," Albanese said during a media briefing in Canberra. He said the package was not prompted by events in Russia over the weekend when heavily-armed Russian mercenaries briefly took control of the Russian city of Rostov, in one of the biggest challenges to President Vladimir Putin's grip on power. "No, we have been working on this proposal, with a view to taking it to cabinet this morning, for some time," Albanese said. Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment including scores of Bushmaster armoured vehicles. It has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. To prop up Ukraine's economy and trade, Albanese said Australia will also extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for another 12 months. The latest military assistance package will include 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 medium trucks and 14 trailers. Albanese said his government welcomed the Australian high court's decision to dismiss a challenge by Russia to prevent the federal government to take control of land leased to build a new embassy near the parliament house in Canberra. "We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court's ruling," he said. Australia on June 15 canceled Russia's lease to build a new embassy citing national security, drawing criticism from Kremlin which said the move by Canberra reflected its anti-Russian sentiment. ($1 = 1.4959 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Renju Jose and Alasdair Pal in Sydney; editing by Stephen Coates) Australia has been at the forefront of efforts to regulate digital platforms (Denis Charlet) Tech giants could face billions of dollars in fines for failing to tackle disinformation under proposed Australian laws, which a watchdog on Monday said would bring "mandatory" standards to the little-regulated sector. Under the proposed legislation, the owners of platforms like Facebook, Google, Twitter, TikTok and podcasting services would face penalties worth up to five percent of annual global turnover -- some of the highest proposed anywhere in the world. The Australian Communications and Media Authority, a government watchdog, would be granted a range of powers to force companies to prevent misinformation or disinformation from spreading and stop it from being monetised. "The legislation, if passed, would provide the ACMA with a range of new powers to compel information from digital platforms, register and enforce mandatory industry codes as well as make industry standards," a spokesperson told AFP. The watchdog would not have the power to take down or sanction individual posts. But it could instead punish platforms for failing to monitor and combat intentionally "false, misleading and deceptive" content that could cause "serious harm". The rules would echo legislation expected to come into force in the European Union, where tech giants could face fines as high as six percent of annual turnover and outright bans on operating inside the bloc. Australia has also been at the forefront of efforts to regulate digital platforms, prompting tech firms to make mostly unfulfilled threats to withdraw from the Australian market. The proposed bill seeks to strengthen the current voluntary Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation that launched in 2021, but which has had only limited impact. Tech giants including Adobe, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Redbubble, TikTok and Twitter are signatories of the current code. The planned laws were unveiled Sunday and come amid a surge of misinformation in Australia concerning a referendum on Indigenous rights later this year. Australians will be asked whether the constitution should recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and if an Indigenous consultative body should be created to weigh in on proposed legislation. The Australian Electoral Commission said it had witnessed an increase in misinformation and abuse online about the referendum process. Election commissioner Tom Rogers told local media on Thursday that the tone of online comments had become "aggressive". The government argues that tackling disinformation is essential to keeping Australians safe online, and safeguarding the country's democracy. "Mis and disinformation sows division within the community, undermines trust and can threaten public health and safety," Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Sunday. Stakeholders have until August to offer their views about the legislation. kt-arb/mtp (Bloomberg) -- Austria must move faster to curb its reliance on Russian natural gas, Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler said, after a weekend rebellion against the regime in Moscow raised the risk of sudden supply disruptions. Most Read from Bloomberg Its clear that were not far or fast enough down the path to eliminate Russian gas, she said Monday at a press briefing in Vienna after meeting with utility executives. Russia supplies are insecure and will remain insecure. Her comments follow weeks of market jitters over the medium-term outlook for gas flows into central Europe, where Russia provides more than half of Austrias supply. That fuel still flows through pipelines located in Ukraine and could be cut off any day, Kyivs top energy official has warned. Benchmark European gas prices rose as much as 14% on Monday amid increased geopolitical risk following the Wagner mercenary groups short-lived mutiny in Russia. Austria has made it clear the companies in the country shouldnt enter into any new agreements to purchase Russian gas, Gewessler said. For more than half a century, state-controlled OMV AG has been the principle conduit for Russian gas flows into Austria, and the company still has a long-term supply contract until 2040. Shorter-term risks to the economy are contained, according to Gewessler. Austrian gas-storage depots the European Unions fifth biggest are 81% full, compared with just 45% a year ago. Companies have so far tendered some 13 terawatt-hours of non-Russia fuel purchases via the blocs joint trading platform. Still, if flows come to a sudden stop, either because of fighting in Ukraine or a Russian decision to stop selling, consumers in central Europe are in for a price shock, said government energy adviser Walter Boltz. Theres still a lot to do, he said. The positive supply situation at present can quickly be tipped into a costly crisis through a sudden interruption of Russian supply. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A release from the BP Whiting refinery from severe weather is to blame for the pungent odor that spread across Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties on Sunday, according to the Porter County Emergency Management Agency. State officials are investigating the situation. In a statement posted on Facebook at 12:23 a.m. Monday, the agency wrote that due to severe weather conditions in the region today, BPs Whiting refinery experienced an operational disruption that triggered unplanned flaring of gases from their facility. The statement noted that BP advises they expect the situation to be resolved in the coming hours, and they further advise there is no danger to the community at this time. Lake County Emergency Management & Homeland Security deputy director Paul Petrie told the Post-Tribune that his office learned from BP Products that the refinery experienced a power outage. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is investigating the situation, according to department spokesman Barry Sneed. In a statement, Sneed wrote that an Office of Air Quality inspector is scheduled to be on site today to obtain additional information on the reported loss of power over the weekend. The Porter County Emergency Management Agency said that his office is coordinating with IDEM and awaiting results from the Monday inspection, according to Lance Bella, that agencys director. I also contacted Porter Countys health department to make sure that they could work in concert with IDEM, with anything that they needed as well, Bella said. The pungent, sulfur-like odor was reported across the region. In a Facebook post at 9:25 p.m. Sunday, the Porter Police Department wrote that the departments phone lines were flooded with Emergency and Non-Emergency calls in reference to an overwhelming gas smell outside and noted that the social media users had reported the odor from Portage all the way up into Michigan. A BP Products spokesperson did not return a request for comment. Portage Mayor Sue Lynch said in a statement that she had been in touch with Police Chief Mike Candiano and Fire Chief Randy Wilkening, as well as representatives from IDEM, Northern Indiana Public Service Company and local emergency management agencies to find out what happened. As mayor, I understand your concerns and have been equally frustrated with trying to get information on the cause of the suspicious odor, she said, adding that the city received no notifications on Sunday evening by any local industry of any chemical releases within our jurisdiction, but limited information was available at that time. Lynch said she is in contact with IDEM and would share the agencys findings once the investigation is complete. Environmental concerns surrounding the Whiting refinery have prompted recent legal action from environmental groups and the federal government. In September, BP Products agreed to spend $2.75 million on penalties and environmental efforts in a settlement with the Environmental Integrity Project, who sued the company on behalf of the Sierra Club. The lawsuit was filed in 2019 after nine tests of the refinerys smokestack emissions between 2015 and 2018 showed that particulate pollution from the facility exceeded permitted levels. In May, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with BP Products that required the company to install $197 million in pollution-prevention improvements at the facility and pay a $40 million fine. adalton@chicagotribune.com A bachelor party including a groom in fancy dress as a pilot delayed their flight 3 hours after harassing staff and passengers, reports say A TUI Airways plane. Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images Seven passengers on a bachelor party trip to Bulgaria harassed crew and passengers, WalesOnline reported. Five of them, including the groom-to-be dressed in a pilot's costume, left when security came. The flight was delayed over three hours in total, with all passengers forced to deplane. A group of passengers on their way to a bachelor party delayed their flight for three hours after causing chaos when told they would not be allowed to drink alcohol onboard, WalesOnline first reported. The seven revelers including the groom-to-be dressed in a pilot costume then began swearing as other passengers told them to quiet down, witnesses told the news outlet. "Another stewardess then approached them to warn them over their behavior and they cheered her loudly and wolf-whistled her," one passenger told WalesOnline. "They were making remarks to other female passengers too." The group had already been "extremely noisy" in the terminal and were traveling to the resort town Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, which is known for its nightlife, the outlet reported. Security was then called onto Thursday's flight from Cardiff to Bulgaria minutes before it was due to depart, but two of the group refused to leave, The Mirror also reported. Other passengers then shouted for them to be removed, while one of them men threatened security by telling them he used to be in the military and knew how to operate a gun, per WalesOnline. The flight was delayed further due to confusion over how many passengers were onboard. One person told WalesOnline everyone had to give their names to a TUI employee before they all had to deplane. The Boeing 737 eventually departed 3 hours and 20 minutes after it was initially scheduled, data from Flightradar24 shows. "We would like to apologize to customers on board flight TOM6412 from Cardiff to Bulgaria for the delay in taking off. We can confirm the flight was delayed due to disruptive passengers on board the flight," a TUI spokesperson told The Mirror. "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our highest priority, and we have a zero-tolerance policy to disruptive behaviour on our flights," they added. "The customers involved were offloaded and the flight was able to continue its journey." Read the original article on Business Insider Barack Obama: Row in India over former US president's remarks on Muslim rights Mr Obama made the remarks in an interview with CNN Leaders of India's governing party have criticised former US President Barack Obama for his recent remarks on Muslims in the country. Mr Obama said in an interview last week that India may "start pulling apart" if minority rights weren't protected. He was replying to a CNN interviewer who called India's leader an "illiberal democrat" and asked how President Biden should engage with such people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the US on a state visit at the time. The three-day visit was marked by a ceremonial welcome to the White House, a lavish state dinner and the signing of several crucial deals. Mr Modi also addressed a joint session of the US Congress. Mr Obama's remarks, made in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour which was aired before the Congress address, were widely reported in India. Ms Amanpour referred to the "threat to democracy" from so-called "illiberal democrats" before referring to Mr Modi as one. "How should a president engage with those kinds of leaders, either in the naming of them or in the dealing with them?" she asked. Mr Obama said it was "complicated", before referring to his own experience dealing with allies who may not have run "ideally democratic governments" but with whom relations had to be maintained for a number of reasons. He added that it was "appropriate" for the US president, when possible, to challenge "trends that are troubling" either in public or private. "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. 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," he said, adding that that would be contrary to India's interests. Mr Obama shared a warm relationship with Mr Modi while in office. Mr Biden (right) called his country's partnership with India among the "most consequential in the world" Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who like Mr Modi is from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), told reporters on Sunday that she was "shocked" by Mr Obama's comments. "When Mr Modi was campaigning in the US - and by campaigning I mean speaking about India - a former US president was speaking about Indian Muslims." She went on to say that India wanted good relations with the US but "there too we get remarks about religious tolerance in India". Ms Sitharaman added that the US had bombed Muslim-majority countries including Syria and Yemen while Mr Obama was in power. Defence minister Rajnath Singh also reacted to the remarks on Monday, saying that India has never discriminated against people on the basis of their religion. "People should try to understand India's secular character," he said, adding that people commenting on India's minority rights should "also think about how many Muslim countries they have attacked". Mr Obama and the US have not publicly commented on these remarks. In the US, Mr Modi received a warm welcome from business leaders and members of the large and influential India diaspora that includes many Silicon Valley CEOs. However, there were also protests against his government - which is led by the Hindu nationalist BJP - which has been accused of not doing enough to protect minorities from violence and discrimination. During his visit, 75 Democrats wrote a letter to Mr Biden, urging him to raise human rights issues with Mr Modi. Some of them, including representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, boycotted his address to Congress. At a joint press conference with Mr Biden, Mr Modi also said that there was "no space for any discrimination" under his government, in response to a question on rights of Muslims and other minorities in India. On Sunday, Mr Modi tweeted his agreement with Mr Biden's remarks on the friendship between the two countries being among "the most consequential in the world". The federal ministers' comments came days after a tweet by a BJP chief minister sparked a controversy. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that there were many "Hussain Obama in India itself" who needed to be taken care of. He was responding to a journalist's sarcastic tweet asking whether a case had been filed against Mr Obama for "hurting sentiments" with his remarks on India. Mr Obama's full name is Barack Hussein Obama II. Some opposition politicians accused Mr Sarma of issuing a "veiled threat" to India's Muslim population. Political scientist Ashutosh Varshney told the Washington Post that Mr Sarma's tweet mentioning Mr Obama's middle name was a way of "twisting" his remarks into ones "made by a Muslim" even though the former president does not practise Islam. After the controversy, Mr Sarma told the Indian Express newspaper that he stood by his tweet. 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: When what is now the Beaumont neighborhood with its walkable mix of retail and restaurants, a library, YMCA and the Moondance Amphitheater was being planned in the late 1980s-early 1990s, the developers made what seemed like a radical decision at the time: There would be no drive-thru restaurants. That became a little controversial, said developer Tim Haymaker, since banks were allowed to have drive-thrus. But we wanted something different, he said. They wanted to attract chefs who would build neighborhood gathering spots, not places where cars whipped in and out on their way to somewhere else. They decided to look at the market in segments, from fast-casual to fine dining take only one of each kind, he said. We didnt want to have 25 pizza places, he said. We were really looking for standalone restaurants with lots of seating. And the result has been a neighborhood in Southeast Lexington that is big on locally owned restaurants that appeal to a diverse palate. While original restaurants Max & Ermas, Applebees and El Chico are long gone, this guide and list highlights the best largely locally owned options that have moved in since then. Beaumont neighborhood: Guide to local restaurants Azurs signature woven shrimp are served over coconut sweet corn risotto with a honey, garlic and red chili glaze. The prohibition against chain drive-thrus is part of what appealed to chef Jeremy Ashby, who opened Azur Restaurant & Patio at 3070 Lakecrest Circle, Suite 550 in 2004. We figured that with the demographics of the area and the planners working to achieve a well planned residential/commercial area, our concept of a casual/fine dinning bistro would fit, Ashby said. Azur bounded on the scene to be just that, an independent option which gives a regional and friendly face to our staff and our local food and cuisine in a cloudy overly incorporated industry. We are glad to see other independents follow the lead in our area. The outdoor dining area at Azur Restaurant and Patio often has live music, making it popular with local foodies in the Beaumont area. That they have. Other independent restaurants in the Beaumont area include J. Renders Southern Table and Bar, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle. Gwyn Everly, who co-owns J. Renders with her husband, Ren, had a successful barbecue food truck and wanted to go into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. She said they looked for over a year before someone suggested the Beaumont neighborhood spot. J. Renders is part of the local restaurant scene in the Beaumont neighborhood. The patio at J. Renders Southern Table & Bar is a popular dining spot in the Beaumont area. Oh No! Balls appetizer from J. Renders Southern Table & Bar is just one of many barbecue options at the locally owned Beaumont neighborhood restaurant. It had everything we wanted except a party room (which we added this year). Plenty of parking, space for a patio, and place to park the food truck, she said. From Azur we knew we would have great support from the neighborhoods, or at least we hoped. And, we did and continue to have great support. Around the corner from J. Renders is Whiskey Bear, a craft cocktail and bourbon lounge that left The Summit at Fritz Farm for Beaumont when the food hall there closed. The bar has added Addies Stone-Fired Pizza, a connected fast-casual concept that serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday and dinner nightly. Addies Stone-Fired Pizza in Whiskey Bear moved into the Beaumont neighborhood from The Summit. Addies Stone-Fired Pizzas the Meater, with sausage, pepperoni and bacon and the OG with sausage, bell peppers and red onion. Addies Stone-Fired Pizza house-made focaccia bread sticks. Were so happy to be there. It feels like home, owner Daniel Marlowe said. Even as a Lexington native I was not aware of how much a community Beaumont is. ... Its great. And a new restaurant is opening later this year next to J. Renders; Beaus Cafe will offer grab-and-go breakfast options as well as sit-down service for breakfast, brunch and lunch. More Beaumont dining options The neighborhood includes a slew of other dining options: Masala Indian Cuisine is part of the local restaurant scene in the Beaumont neighborhood. Masala, an Indian restaurant at 3061 Fieldstone Way Suite 600, is so popular that the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society has it cater their annual banquets. Sahara, next door at 3061 Fieldstone Way, is known for its shawarma, garlic sauce and humus, often has lines for lunch. But be warned: The restaurant often closes down in the summer and reopens in August or September, so call ahead to make sure its open. Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine is part of the local restaurant scene in the Beaumont neighborhood. Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine typically closes in the summer. New Peking Bistro, 3181 Beaumont Centre Circle #104, is a neighborhood Chinese restaurant with big menu that includes dumplings and much more. Campestre Mexican Bar and Grill, 910 Beaumont Centre Parkway, is a regional Mexican chain that serves favorites from seafood to vegetarian, with a dessert menu and a full bar. Campestre Mexican Bar and Grill is in the front part of the Beaumont Centre shopping area off Harrodsburg Road. BRU Burger Bar, 3010 Lakecrest Circle, is a chain but serves a mean burger as well as tons of other menu options from appetizers to salads and sandwiches. And they have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Texas Roadhouse, 3030 Lakecrest Circle, also is a chain but locally owned and operated. Its a popular but casual place for steaks, ribs, and sides in massive portions. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 3181 Beaumont Centre Circle. Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, 3070 Lakecrest Circle Suite #600. The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates. Illustration by Yahoo News; photos: Bloomberg, Bloomberg Whats happening President Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a lavish state dinner at the White House last week to cap off a visit both leaders said was crucial to strengthening ties in an increasingly important partnership. Indias rapid growth of the past several decades into an economic and population powerhouse has turned the country into one of Americas most critical global partners. While the two nations have many overlapping interests including trade and a mutual adversary in China there are also plenty of areas of disagreement. Those matters echoed loudly in the background throughout Modis trip to Washington. Since gaining independence more than 75 years ago, India has resisted aligning too strongly with any one global power. India has continued that tradition into today by refusing to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine and doing business with a Moscow regime that has been cut off by most Western powers. But the biggest area of friction between the U.S. and India may be Modi himself. Since becoming prime minister nine years ago, Modi has been accused of undertaking a systematic campaign to undermine democracy in his country by stifling dissent and disenfranchising Indias religious minorities. His chief political rival was kicked out of the countrys parliament last month for mocking him in a speech. Modis government has also cracked down on the free press and blocked media critical of him from being shared online. Though India is officially a secular government, Modis Hindu nationalist party has enacted a series of policies that rights groups say are specifically designed to discriminate against the countrys roughly 200 million Muslim citizens. International oversight agencies and the U.S. government have also noted a troubling rise in violence against Muslims in India over the past several years. Before he became prime minister, Modi was once denied entry to the United States over claims that he failed to do enough to stop riots that left nearly 1,000 Muslims dead while serving as chief minister of Gujarat state. Why theres debate The perceived degradation of Indias democracy on Modis watch created what many observers categorized as a tricky strategic crossroads for Biden, who has portrayed the defense of democracy around the world as the central pillar of his foreign policy agenda. Several human rights groups and a number of progressive members of Congress urged Biden to challenge Modi over his long history of human rights abuses. Biden declined to do so publicly, instead choosing to praise Modi for his leadership and repeatedly emphasize the importance of a strong relationship between the two nations. Many international relations experts supported Bidens decision to focus on areas of agreement, rather than pick a fight over Modis alleged wrongdoings. They argue that the U.S. cant possibly achieve its goals around the world if it alienates its most valuable partner in a critical region. Some experts add that American leaders will be in a better position to promote democracy in India if the two nations are on good terms, while others make the case that no amount of criticism from outside its borders will have any real effect on Indias internal affairs. But critics say that by declining to publicly rebuke Modi, Biden is betraying his duty to protect persecuted groups across the globe. And some of these critics argue that Biden has ample room to stand up for democracy without meaningfully harming the relationship between the two countries. Whats next Like the U.S., India will hold a pivotal national election next year. Modi is extremely popular in his home country and is widely expected to win another five-year term as prime minister. Perspectives Americans shouldnt delude themselves about their relationship with India Dont be naive, my dear American friends. India will never be your ally. If youre expecting monogamy, prepare to be disappointed. India has reserved the right to flirt with Russia, Iran and even China if its national interests dictate such a need. Barkha Dutt, Washington Post The onus should fall on India to keep the U.S. happy, not the other way around India is an important country, and the Biden administration is right to pursue closer ties. But unless Mr. Modi can find a way to close the gap with China and embrace all Indians equally, the durability of Americas bet on India will remain in question. Sadanand Dhume, Wall Street Journal India cant be a real partner unless it has a genuine democracy The challenge for Biden and other world leaders is how to get a genuine win for democracy in India how to not only recruit it into the democratic alliance, but also persuade its leaders to reverse course and safeguard constitutional rights and freedoms. Some contend these goals are in tension, but in fact they are one and the same. An autocratic India will be no fast friend in the struggle against autocracies. A sustainable alliance requires genuinely shared values. Ricken Patel, Los Angeles Times Its time for the U.S. to accept that its relationship with India is purely transactional Rather than considering India an ally in the fight for global democracy, it must see that India is an ally of convenience. This shift will not be easy, given that Washington has spent decades looking at New Delhi through rose-colored glasses. But the pivot will encourage both sides to understand that their relationship is ultimately transactionaland allow them to get down to business. Daniel Markey, Foreign Affairs Americas enemies are too dangerous to risk pushing away its friends Mr. Biden has concluded, much as his predecessors did, that he needs India despite concerns over human rights just as he believes he needs Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and other countries that are either outright autocracies or do not fit into the category of ideal democracies. At a time of confrontation with Russia and an uneasy standoff with China, Mr. Biden is being forced to accept the flaws of Americas friends. Peter Baker and Mujib Mashal, New York Times Biden has proved that his talk of defending democracy was just empty rhetoric [The] Biden administration does not care about human rights in India. If they did, there is absolutely no way that they would be hosting Modi right now. Audrey Truschke, Rutgers University South Asian history professor, to Time Even if criticizing Modi would be unwise, theres no need to celebrate him The United States understandably wants to and should cultivate good relations with India as a country and with its people. But the pattern and direction of human rights violations and democratic backsliding to the point of danger in India make it clear that a state dinner, which necessarily celebrates a countrys leader even more than the country itself, should never have been undertaken in the first place. Viola Gienger, Just Security India and the U.S. can have an incredibly beneficial partnership if the two sides stay on good terms Imagine the U.S., the worlds biggest economy with the strongest military force, joining forces with India, the planets most populous country and the worlds largest if very flawed democracy, situated in one of the globes most strategic locations. Frida Ghitis, CNN Nothing Biden can say would have any real influence on what happens in India The proposition that the United States, which cant even manage to help next-door Haiti fix its democracy problems, can do something about democracy in faraway India was always an illusion. The battle to uphold democratic values in India is a political task for Indians and cant be fought by liberals from abroad. C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Policy Is there a topic youd like to see covered in The 360? Send your suggestions to the360@yahoonews.com. During remarks on Monday, President Joe Biden described his administrations investment as historic. The White House announced on Monday an investment of more than $40 billion toward connecting urban and rural communities to affordable high-speed internet, an initiative the Biden-Harris administration has been rolling out with funding from key legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks inside the White House East Room to highlight the new investments, which will be distributed across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. The billions of dollars are going toward the administrations Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. President Joe Biden speaks as he announces a $42 billion investment in high-speed internet infrastructure during an event in the East Room of the White House on June 26, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The investment is part of the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure package and part of the administrations goal to connect all Americans to high-speed broadband by 2030. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The investments, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will build high-speed internet infrastructure in communities without access and make it less costly for low-income Americans who struggle to afford it. During her remarks, Vice President Harris highlighted Sunset, Louisiana, a small rural majority Black community that she visited last year. Almost 40% of households in that area do not have high-speed internet, in large part because the fiber optic lines that connect most Americans to the internet just never made it [there], said Harris. Due to the lack of access to high-speed internet, many residents in Sunset are unable to apply for remote jobs, entrepreneurs struggle to start or grow small businesses, and students often have to turn to public buildings and parking lots to submit school work. Those examples, the vice president noted, were similar to other communities across the United States. Twenty-four million people in our country do not have access to high-speed internet, either because they cannot afford the monthly cost of a plan or because they live in communities that have not yet been fully connected to fiber optic networks, said Harris. President Biden boasted that Mondays announced investments would help his administration reach its goal to connect every person in America to reliable high-speed internet by 2030. He also noted that building out the nations high-speed internet infrastructure is also aiding in his broader economic agenda to create more good-paying jobs in America. As an example of that growth, the president noted that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union is putting thousands of people to work to lay fiber optic cables across the country. President Joe Biden stands among cable spools as he announces a $42 billion investment in high-speed internet infrastructure during an event in the East Room of the White House on June 26, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Even as the federal government assists with connecting historically disconnected American households to high-speed internet, many, particularly in Black and brown low-income communities, remain unable to afford it. The Biden-Harris Administrations Affordable Connectivity Program, also funded by legislation signed by President Biden, secured commitments from at least 20 internet providers to offer eligible households high-speed internet plans for no more than $30 per month, and for some eligible families, no cost at all. The program also allows eligible families to get discounts on laptops, desktop computers, or tablets. Eligibility includes households with low income or receiving government assistance like SNAP, Medicaid, Pell Grants, federal public housing assistance, and other programs. While most American households have access to high-speed internet, more than 20% of the U.S. population does not, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. For example, a study from the National Library of Medicine found that areas with high percentages of Black residents had lower broadband access, including 54.9% of those in rural communities. Mitch Landrieu, senior adviser to President Biden and White House coordinator for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, told theGrio that the administration is tracking geographically where African-Americans live predominantly and determining the allocations of federal dollars accordingly. For example, $1.4 billion is going to Alabama, $1.3 billion is going to Louisiana, and $1.5 billion for North Carolina and Michigan. White House Senior Adviser and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu speaks during the daily news briefing at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on May 12, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Landrieu attended the news conference to promote the Biden administrations upcoming infrastructure week. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) We know this from the demographic data that a large portion of the African-American community is living at or below the poverty level in states that have been underserved, he told theGrio. Landrieu shared that nearly 19 million Americans have signed up for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The White House is working with the Federal Communications Commission and members of Congress to ensure that the public knows to sign up at GetInternet.gov. During his remarks on Monday, President Biden described his administrations investment in high-speed internet as historic, comparing it to transformational investment spearheaded by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. What were doing is not unlike Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when he brought electricity to nearly every American home and farm in our nation, said Biden. Today, Kamala and I are making an equally historic investment to connect everyone in America. He added, Were not gonna leave anyone behind. Gerren Keith Gaynor Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Biden announces billions of dollars to connect underserved communities to high-speed internet appeared first on TheGrio. Beachgoers walk past boulders, an exposed retaining wall, and a damaged walking path on Ogden Dunes Beach at Ogden Dunes in Portage Township, Ind., on Friday, May 14, 2021. Erosion in recent years required the placement of boulders along the beach in 2020 to protect homes, but more beachfront has appeared in 2021. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) A little more than three years ago, Lake Michigan was at its highest level in more than 30 years, and waves dashed up against the sheet steel piling that lakefront homeowners in the town of Ogden Dunes had installed in the 1980s and 1990s. Worried that the piling was vulnerable and their homes were in danger, the town petitioned for permission to install a revetment a layer of large, interlocking boulders along the shoreline to protect their homes. Advertisement State and federal officials relented eventually, allowing the revetment along the more vulnerable eastern half of the Ogden Dunes shoreline. The homeowners paid for the work. Advertisement Now the town is asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources again for permission to extend the revetment along the western half of the shoreline, some 2,970 feet. The DNR issued a permit for the work on June 1. The Corps of Engineers hasnt decided yet. Three-year-old Gabriel Lambooy chases after a plastic bag as his mother, Briana Lambooy, and four-year-old brother Theo play in the water on Ogden Dunes Beach at Ogden Dunes in Portage Township, Ind., on Friday, May 14, 2021. Erosion in recent years required the placement of boulders along the beach in 2020 to protect homes, but more beachfront has appeared in 2021. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Save the Dunes, a Michigan City-based environmental organization, announced this week that it is appealing the DNRs decision. The environmental group did not file an objection to Ogden Dunes first project, Save the Dunes Executive Director Betsy Maher acknowledged. We werent happy with it, but at the time the waters were quite high, she said. But Lake Michigan is more than two feet lower than it was three years ago, and the emergency doesnt seem as dire. Now we think theres an opportunity to pause and consider alternatives, Maher said. Scott Kingan, the Ogden Dunes Town Council president, filed the towns latest permit application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He did not reply to an email request for comment before this article was submitted. Advertisement The public-comment period for the Corps of Engineers permit application ended Monday. Conservation Law Center, a public-interest law firm, filed Save the Dunes administrative appeal Monday with the Indiana Natural Resources Commission, a 12-member board that addresses issues pertaining to the Department of Natural Resources. The appeal contends, among other issues, that DNR allowed an Ordinary High Water Mark the boundary between the publicly-owned lakeshore and the privately-owned inland that was lower than the one previously adopted by the state, which meant more stone could be placed there. A jogger heads west along Ogden Dunes Beach at Ogden Dunes in Portage Township, Ind., on Friday, May 14, 2021. Erosion in recent years required the placement of boulders along the beach in 2020 to protect homes, but more beachfront has appeared in 2021. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) Save the Dunes said in its news release that a revetment hardens the shoreline and can prevent the public from enjoying the lake shore. And shoreline hardening often leads to more shoreline hardening, Save the Dunes said, because sea walls, jetties, and revetments impede the natural accumulation of sand, perpetuating erosion farther and farther down the beach. Indianas few remaining stretches of natural Lake Michigan shoreline host incredible biodiversity and beauty. Save the Dunes advocates for the protection of these precious resources so that both current and future generations can continue to enjoy them. Advertisement Save the Dunes said both the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have opposed the revetment because of its potential effect on Indiana Dunes National Park, which surrounds Ogden Dunes. A better protection alternative to extending the revetment, Maher said, would be a continuing beach nourishment project that pumps sand onto the shore, particularly on the western end of Ogden Dunes lakefront. Environmental organizations as well as the town contend that sea walls built into Lake Michigan, such as those that protect the Port of Indiana, have disrupted the natural westerly flow of sand along the Lake Michigan shoreline, cutting off the sand flow to the beaches including the national parks Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk west of the port. The goal, Maher said, has been to have an ongoing beach nourishment project paid for the entity that created the problem. We think that is the long-term solution, she said. Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. President Biden congratulated Greeces prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on winning a second term as his countrys leader. On behalf of the people of the United States, I send our congratulations to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece on his reelection, Biden said in a statement on Sunday, noting that hes looking forward to continuing his partnership with Mitsotakis, focusing on their shared priorities such as to foster prosperity and regional security. Togetheras Allies, partners, and friendsGreece and the United States have championed democracy, Biden added in his statement. We will keep working with the government and people of Greece as well as our vibrant Greek-American community in the United States to continue this legacy. Bidens remarks come as Mitsotakis and his party, the center-right New Democracy, garnered over 40 percent of the vote in Sundays election, winning at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, according to CNN. New Democracys opposition, the leftist-based Syriza, only garnered 17 percent of the vote, according to early results. We have high targets that will transform Greece, Mitsotakis said in his victory speech. Today we will celebrate our victory, tomorrow we will roll up our sleeves. Mitsotakis, 55, saw success in his first term as Greeces prime minister, with his government staging a turnaround in its economy, which is now on the brink to return to investment grade on the global market for the first time since losing market access since 2010, CNN reported. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The question from a Phoenix immigration supervisor came in on her BlackBerry: Should a parent and child apprehended at the border be separated? The response from Michelle Lee, an administrator with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Arizona, came back in two minutes: yes. That is among many inside details of the most controversial of the Trump administrations zero tolerance efforts that are woven through recently unsealed court documents related to nearly 40 lawsuits filed against the government. As one of his first actions in office, President Joe Biden followed through on a campaign promise when he vowed to end the moral and national shame of his predecessors immigration policies and halt the prosecution of parents for often minor immigration violations that were used to justify the separations. Yet today, the Department of Justice is actively defending those very policies in court. By doing so, it in effect is asking families to decide whether reliving their pain is worth a potential payout. Families and their attorneys say they shouldnt have to make that choice. One mother separated from her children in 2018, who spoke to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said she was disappointed that the U.S. government is fighting to deny them justice. My children may be forced to go through daylong questioning by government lawyers and medical examiners who will try to blame me for what happened to them, she said in Spanish. Im terrified that theyll be taken away from me again and forced to relive the trauma of the separation. Families like mine have suffered enough. 'Hold the government accountable' Parents separated from their kids at Arizona border are suing the US. The conflict between policy and action comes down to protecting the powers of the presidency and reducing future payouts to the families. Its ironic that while candidate Biden said that family separation was abhorrent, as a president hes allowing his Justice Department attorneys to fight these cases, said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law practice at Cornell University. But, he said, every administration wants to preserve its flexibility and discretion on immigration, because immigration affects our sovereignty and foreign affairs. Monetary settlement talks have fizzled, although some of the attorneys for the families continue to hold out hope for an agreement. Some of the lawsuits that have advanced the furthest in the legal process are under protective orders, so attorneys are not allowed to discuss the specifics of the cases or the interrogation of families. As the cases move forward, however, they are preparing to prove their claims, including by preparing their clients for depositions. A mother and son from Guatemala hold hands during a news conference on June 22, 2018, following their reunion in Linthicum, Md., after being separated at the U.S. border under the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration enforcement policy. White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan didnt answer questions about why the administration is fighting the tort claims, saying it does not comment on active litigation. He noted that the president has asserted that the Trump administrations family separation policy was abhorrent, unconscionable, and violated every notion of who we are as a nation. Thats why President Biden on his first day in office ended the Trump administrations family separation policy, and he created a task force that has worked every day since to reunite and support the families that were torn apart, Hasan said. More than 3,900 children were removed from their parents under Trump's policy, officially established in April 2018 but piloted for months before that, according to Biden's Reunification of Families Task Force. About 860 children have yet to be reunited, according to the groups latest report. Details surrounding the policys creation and implementation have trickled out over time. The new trove of documents include internal conversations among government officials, not all of whom were on board with the plan. Agencies lacked a coordinated tracking system for separated families. They struggled to connect parents and children via phone. And in one instance a field director weighed whether a fathers past drunken driving convictions should be enough to split the family. It was, he determined; but, he added, other officers could reach different conclusions. Jonathan White, who oversaw the federal program that houses migrant children, said in his deposition that he opted not to express his concerns about plans to separate migrant families during a February 2017 meeting with high-ranking Department of Homeland Security officials. He feared it would backfire. Minors who tested positive for Covid-19 sit on the ground at the Department of Homeland Security holding facility run by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on March 30, 2021 in Donna, Texas. The Donna location is the main detention center for unaccompanied children coming across the U.S. border in the Rio Grande Valley. It was my understanding that the purpose of the deterrence was to, to send a message, and that would that if I raised the issues of the harm to children and families, that might be exactly what would make them want to do it more, White said in the deposition. And so in other words, one of the purposes of the policy was to harm children and families, in your understanding; is that correct? an attorney for the families asked. A government attorney objected. Then White answered, Yes. Lawyers claim DOJ could retraumatize families Bidens Justice Department inherited the defense of the first 11 family separation lawsuits filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act when he took office in January 2021. Since that time, attorneys for separated families have filed 28 additional lawsuits. One has been settled. Each lawsuit is moving through the courts at a different speed. The ones filed the earliest, during the Trump administration, are reaching the discovery stage, where attorneys can request information from one another to bolster their claims. That includes seeking depositions from border and immigration officials. It also opens the separated families named in the lawsuits to potential questioning not just by their own attorneys but by government lawyers and experts, whose jobs will be to poke holes in their arguments and weaken their claims for compensation. The government has chosen to be very aggressive in fighting these cases and doing everything it can to retraumatize these families in order to discourage them from seeking compensation, said Zachary Manfredi, litigation director for the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, which is representing three of the families. Border Patrol agents take a group of migrant families to a safer place to be transported after intercepting them near McAllen. Court records offer details about some of the efforts to probe the experiences of these families. In November, a federal judge in Phoenix granted the Justice Departments motion requiring 11 parents named in two lawsuits C.M. v. United States and A.P.F. v. United States to have independent psychological examinations. In her order, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton said it was a question of fairness to allow the Biden administration to have an expert make a mental health evaluation of the families seeking compensation for the trauma they say they experienced. Bolton also set parameters for how the examinations would happen, limiting them to parents, not children. She agreed with the Justice Departments request to allow for up to eight-hour examinations but said they should take place in the state where the families live. She sided with attorneys for the families in ordering that the examinations be recorded with video and audio so that there will be no issues concerning a language or translation problem or inappropriate questioning. Public court records do not provide more information about the examinations. They do show that in the following months, the Justice Department deposed seven mental health professionals with expertise in immigrant children and trauma. Attorneys for the families deposed three experts as well. In another case out of Florida, RYMR v. United States, unsealed documents show the Justice Department planned to depose a child who was 3 at the time of his separation from his father at the Texas border in November 2017. The childs attorneys said he would not testify in the deposition or in court if the case goes to trial. Doing so would be too traumatic, said Lee Gelernt, deputy director for the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project. But he was subjected to a lengthy exam by a government-paid psychiatrist who the government hired to try and say that the child and parent didnt suffer trauma from the separation. The ACLU is litigating that case and two other family separation lawsuits. Gelernt also was lead counsel in the class-action lawsuit filed in 2018 that forced the Trump administration to end the separations and reunite the families. All I wanted was to speak with her A father from Guatemala had a problem: Immigration officers wouldnt tell him where his daughter was after she was taken from him at the Arizona border. In one of the unsealed records containing a brief excerpt of his depositions, the father told an attorney that he felt pressured to sign a document agreeing to be deported, even though he couldnt read it because it was in English. Well, the document I had to sign was about if I was deported, and my daughter would leave with me, the father said. I signed that document because all I wanted at that time was to be deported with my daughter. Court documents also show that even when migrant parents complied with the governments requests, access to their children was limited. A Mission Police Dept. officer (L), and a U.S. Border Patrol agent watch over a group of Central American asylum seekers before taking them into custody on June 12, 2018 near McAllen, Texas. The immigrant families were then sent to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing center for possible separation under the Trump administration's "zero tolerance." The Guatemalan father explained that after immigration officials deported him without his daughter, he tried to stay in contact with her in the United States. He would try to call her four times a week, he said in his deposition, but his daughters social worker would connect him to her only about half of the time. All I wanted was to speak with her, he said. The father was not the only parent struggling to reach a child. Tae Johnson, an assistant director at the time and acting director of ICE through June, wrote in a June 2018 email filed with the court that the phone line connecting callers to migrants in detention was at one point receiving more than 700 calls a day. There were only 10 operators to answer those calls; they turned off the ability to leave voicemails. Although illuminating testimony like that of the Guatemalan father could help the plaintiffs case, their attorneys worry that reliving the separations could be too wrenching. Catherine Weiss, chair of the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest who represents some of the parents and children, said she must explain to families what will be required in court depositions and what might be uncovered during the discovery process. Weiss knows some will still want to move forward because of the profound hurt they suffered. Others will opt out. The public might have moved on from its outrage over the family separation process, Weiss said, but many of the families are still facing deportation proceedings. She said that often in such cases negotiations with the government lead to accommodations to make it easier for the families, such as limiting depositions to a few hours rather than a full day. If the government presses ahead instead of settling the case, Weiss said, it should take every step it possibly can to minimize the harms to the families, including avoiding unnecessary depositions or psychological examinations of children. Why hasnt the Biden administration settled? Immigration advocates and attorneys representing separated families had hoped that the Biden administration would create a global settlement fund to compensate all the separated families, not just those suing. After almost nine months of negotiations under his term, attorneys for the Justice Department walked away. As a result, litigation on the family separation lawsuits filed in federal courts resumed and attorneys for the families are gearing up to prove in court how the policy hurt their clients. A girl steps over other girls in a pod at the Department of Homeland Security holding facility in Donna, Texas, on March 30. The facility is the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For the families we represent, I don't think any amount of compensation will feel like symbolic justice. I don't think anything will feel like justice, Weiss said. The harms are so severe and the trauma is so intense that I think no matter what the government pays them, they will feel like they're suffering a completely unforgivable wrong, which is, in fact, the case. Presidential scholars said that while it might be surprising to see the Biden administration defending a policy that Biden has spoken out against, continuing to pursue these cases makes sense from a legal perspective. Neal Devins, a professor of law at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, noted that presidents are usually interested in interpretations of the law that expand the boundaries of the presidential power. The Justice Department could be pushing back not just to limit the governments liability in these separation cases but in others that could be influenced by the outcomes, he said. Devins added, however, that presidents frequently shift their interpretations of what they deem constitutional. The Justice Department under President Barack Obama, for example, had fought against legal challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, a measure that effectively limited marriage to a man and a woman. But Obama eventually reversed his stance and instructed the Justice Department to no longer defend the law in 2011 about two years before the Supreme Court struck down the provision. Efforts by the Biden administration to defend the family separations in court could come at a steep price. In addition to court fees and expenses for the 39 lawsuits to date, if the federal government loses it could face millions of dollars in compensation potentially far more than a combined settlement. (Although the government settled the one lawsuit in April, the amount is confidential.) Without a global settlement fund, Gelernt said, going through the federal court system could shut out most of the families, especially those who did not have attorneys or declined to pursue a claim. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas looks on as President Joe Biden signs an executive order on immigration, in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 2, 2021. Ultimately what people need to understand is the administration is not opposing these cases on the grounds that people are asking for too much money, he said. The administration is asking point blank for these cases to be thrown out of court and the families need not be given a single penny. That is a position that the Biden administration should not be taking, and I believe will come to regret when it's all said and done. When USA TODAY Network reporters asked the Department of Homeland Security what its policy is for separating families, it declined to comment and referred questions to the Department of Justice. Dena Iverson, a Justice Department spokeswoman, directed USA TODAY to an agency response from 2021, after monetary negotiations between the administration and families fell apart. While the parties have been unable to reach a global settlement agreement at this time, the statement read, we remain committed to engaging with the plaintiffs and to bringing justice to the victims of this abhorrent policy. Logistics nightmare predicted to reunite families The unsealed documents offer previously unknown details about the logistics of separating families and expose internal disagreements among government officials charged with implementing the policy. A federal judge in Phoenix unsealed them in May, acknowledging public interest in the matter. They show that an employee from ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations raised concerns in October 2017 that splitting families would require more work in caring, housing, transporting, & court proceedings of UAC (unaccompanied children) & adult detainees. The staffer warned that it would create more work to ensure that children could speak with their parents. The staffer also said it would be a logistics nightmare to reconnect the children to their parents when it came time for them to be deported. That message apparently reached Thomas Blank, then chief of staff for ICE. In a separate email, another staffer wrote to Matthew Albence, the ICE official who oversaw enforcement and removals, that the note concerned Blank and arguably contradicts our recommendation. Blank would need Albences approval before moving forward. The sender, whose name is redacted, had addressed the message to ICE Exec Sec and copied other chiefs of staff in the removal unit. Albence forwarded the message to Johnson, then the assistant ICE director, and wrote, ?????!! In a follow-up message, Johnson reprimanded someone listed as a chief of staff in the custody management who had let the note from the enforcement office get through. He was freaking babbling, Johnson wrote of the message. We cannot send up anything from JFRMU (Juvenile and Family Residential Management Unit) that is not chopped on by (Name redacted) and I. The unsealed documents also reveal how agents interpreted their marching orders to enforce the zero tolerance policy. Migrant children from different Latin American countries wait to make travel arrangements at the Casa del Refugiado, or The House of Refugee, a new center opened by the Annunciation House to help the large flow of migrants being released by the United States Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in El Paso, Texas, on April 24, 2019. Shawn Jordan, a special operations supervisor for the Border Patrol in Arizona when the policy was in place, said in his deposition that once they determined we intended to refer that adult for prosecution, the child was separated from their parent. The attorney questioning Jordan asked why they didnt wait for a decision from a prosecuting attorney. Jordan responded that would mean retaining custody of the child longer, which was not practical. They had limited capacity to hold children and agents had other competing duties. I believe that that was not a tenable solution, Jordan said. The documents also show how quickly administrators moved to split parents from their children. Lee, the ICE administrator who approved a family separation in about two minutes on her Blackberry, responded yes in a 2022 deposition when an attorney asked, Is that something you would typically do, is send send an email regarding a family separation after reviewing it on your Blackberry? Lee went on to to explain her quick decision, saying the parent, who had a criminal history, was a mandatory detention case. She added it was not something that I would have spent extensive amount of time, no. She did tell the questioning attorney that it was possible a staffer had briefed her about the case but she couldnt remember. In another instance, Lee approved splitting a family after about half an hour because the father had a criminal history and a prior immigration final order. Lee stated she was following a policy that applied to ICE field offices but couldnt recall it. The criminal histories border officials relied on to split families varied widely. Some parents had past felony convictions, some had been dinged for such crimes as using fake identification. Often, the act of crossing the border illegally was enough. What happens next to the families and their cases? When the depositions and the discovery process conclude, attorneys for the Justice Department and the separated families can file motions for summary judgment, using the facts they collected to reinforce their arguments. The judge can then rule in favor of the Biden administration and dismiss the families claims, or side with the families and decide they are entitled to compensation. If the latter, the question will then become: How much? Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the presiding judge, not a jury, decides during a bench trial. The ACLUs Gelernt said bench trials could begin as early as this fall if judges rule in favor of the families. Daniel Paz hugs Angie as she begins to cry after recalling memories of being separated from her father after crossing the southern border. The pair were separated for months, and years later Angie continues to suffer trauma from the separation. Even though settlement talks for financial compensation broke down in 2021, Gelernt said, separate negotiations over non-monetary issues continue. That includes things such as trauma care for the parents and children and legal status for the families. Those settlement talks have been constructive and are hopefully going to lead to a comprehensive settlement that involves finding the remaining families, reunifying the families, hopefully providing a pathway to apply to remain in the United States, Gelernt said. When the Biden administration first created its task force, the Homeland Security Department began offering humanitarian parole on a case-by-case basis to the separated families. That allows them to stay in the U.S. for three years, work here and access behavioral health services. As of May, DHS has processed more than 4,800 parole requests, according to the task force. Attorneys said some of the families have claimed and received asylum in the United States. Others remain caught up in removal proceedings and could end up with deportation orders. The crisis is not over for these families, Weiss said. It's not even close to over for these families. Have any news tips or story ideas about immigration in the Southwest? Reach the reporter at rafael.carranza@arizonarepublic.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RafaelCarranza. Chris Quintana is an investigative reporter at USA TODAY, and he can be reached at cquintana@usatoday.com or via Signal at 202-308-9021. Joey Garrison is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach him on Twitter @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Separated families face skepticism from Justice Department in court Biden Says U.S. 'Had Nothing To Do With' Wagner Mutiny In Russia President Joe Biden said on Monday that the United States and its allies strongly communicated to the Kremlin that they were not involved in the short-lived mutiny in Russia this weekend by the Wagner mercenary group. On Saturday, the private military companys far-right leader Yevgeny Prigozhin led an armed rebellion focused on Russias military brass specifically Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accusing them of botching the war against Ukraine and attacking his fighters. The Kremlin has denied attacking Wagner fighters. Wagner mercenaries who were fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Russia left to seize a military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, a city in southern Russia. Prigozhin, once a protege of Russian President Vladimir Putin, then led his uprising largely unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before halting the march less than 24 hours later. Biden told reporters on Monday that he has been in communication with U.S. allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate a response to the Wagner rebellion. He said he has asked his national security team to prepare for a range of scenarios. They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse let me emphasize, we gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West, to blame this on NATO, the president said. We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system. We gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. President Biden on the Wagner Group's brief uprising against Russian leader Vladimir Putin pic.twitter.com/ZA3nMFTwPU The Recount (@therecount) June 26, 2023 The Kremlin said Wagner soldiers halted the march after Moscow brokered a truce for Prigozhin to go into exile in Belarus and, along with his fighters, receive amnesty. There has been no confirmation of Prigozhins whereabouts, though the leader released an audio statement on Monday defending the uprising. In the audio, Prigozhin pointed out the weaknesses in Russias military that allowed his fighters to march toward the Kremlin for 500 miles without facing resistance. The Wagner leader said his march was a master class on how Moscow should have invaded Ukraine last year. Despite the Kremlin saying it has dismissed charges against Prigozhin as part of the truce, Russian media reported that the criminal case against the leader is still open. And while the mutiny was quick, the incident could have longer-term consequences for the war in Ukraine and the future of Putins power. Its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen, Biden said, adding that the U.S. and its allies will continue to support Ukraine no matter what happened in Russia. President Joe Biden on Monday, in his first public comments addressing the short-lived rebellion that unfolded this weekend against Russian military leaders and threatening the rule of President Vladimir Putin, insisted that the U.S.and its NATO allies were in no way involved. Biden said he directed his national security team to prepare for "a range of scenarios" as soon as the chaotic scene developed in Russia Friday, and convened with key allies over a virtual video call. "They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse, let me emphasize, gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO," Biden said. "We made clear that we were not involved," the president continued. "We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system." MORE: Russian rebellion timeline: How the Wagner Group's uprising against Putin unfolded PHOTO: President Joe Biden announces a $42.45 billion national grant program for high-speed internet infrastructure deployment called the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, at the White House in Washington, June 26, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Biden said the "ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen but no matter what comes next, I will keep making sure that our allies and our partners are closely aligned in how we are reading and responding to the situation." "It's important we stay completely coordinated," he said. NEW: Pres. Biden addresses Wagner Group uprising against Vladimir Putin. "We gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involvedThis was part of a struggle within the Russian system." https://t.co/Uv9QNDRjfQ pic.twitter.com/UwI5Svu9ua ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 26, 2023 Notably, he did not characterize what had happened, referring to it as "the situation." "We're gonna keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine, but it's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going," Biden said. MORE: Aborted mercenary uprising in Russia shows 'serious cracks' in Putin's power: Blinken Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC's "This Week" Sunday the failed mutiny showed "serious cracks" in Putin's power. "Where they go, if anywhere, when they get there, very hard to say," Blinken added. "I don't want to speculate but I don't think we've seen the final act." PHOTO: President Joe Biden looks on during a high-speed internet infrastructure announcement in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, June 26, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Biden said he spoke "at length" with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with another call between the two leaders expected later Monday or earlier Tuesday to "make sure we continue to remain on the same page." "I told him that no matter what happened in Russia, let me say it again, no matter what happened in Russia, we the United States will continue to support Ukraine's defense and its sovereignty and its territorial integrity," Biden said. "He and I agreed to follow up and stay in constant contact." Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told ABC News he believes the brief mutiny marks "the beginning of the end" of the war in Ukraine. "Russia has accumulated a lot of internal problems, but they are not ready to accept defeat because it would put an end to two decades of its domination in global processes," Podolyak said. PHOTO: Russian Rebellion Timeline (ABC News) MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Wagner leader claims group did not want to overthrow government The armed rebellion was spearheaded by the paramilitary Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who on Friday accused Russian forces of deliberately shelling his troops. By Saturday morning, Prigozhin announced his mercenaries had seized the Southern Military District and military facilities in the key border city Rostov-on-Don and were marching toward Moscow. But by Saturday night, the march was suddenly called off. The Kremlin said Sunday that Prigozhin would not be prosecuted and would move to Belarus as part of a deal brokered to end the Wagner Group's advances. The deal includes allowing Wagner group soldiers to be folded into the Russian military. Prigozhin, in his first remarks since the mutiny, released a video Monday in which he claimed he had "no goal of overthrowing" the government and that he stopped the march to prevent bloodshed. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the situation in Russia was still evolving but described the events of the weekend as a "significant step" -- although the administration still seems to have more questions than answers. "In our assessment, it remains a dynamic situation. It's unclear what the ultimate implications of what happened will be," he said, adding that discussions with allies and partners on the topic were ongoing. "I will say with respect to the activities over the weekend, obviously they were a significant step." Miller continued: "It is a certainly a new thing to see President Putin's leadership directly challenged. It is a new thing to see Yevgeny Prigozhin directly questioning the rationale for this war and calling out that the war has been conducted essentially based on a lie." Biden says US, NATO allies 'not involved' in Russian rebellion threatening Putin originally appeared on abcnews.go.com More than 30 years after his death, Cesar E. Chavez continues to make his presence felt beyond the renaming of streets in Fresno or having a bronze bust of the farmworker leader on a console in President Joe Bidens White House. In April, Biden picked Chavezs granddaughter, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, to run his re-election campaign. He called her and deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks trusted, effective leaders that know the stakes of this election and will bring their knowledge and energy to managing a campaign that reaches all Americans. Today, Cesar Chavezs union membership may be a fraction of what it was in the 1970s, but his movement continues to pay dividends. His granddaughters appointment is the most recent example. Who is Chavez Rodriguez? And, can she handle what is expected to be a bruising campaign? Outside the Beltway and the agriculture-rich San Joaquin Valley, the 45-year-old Chavez Rodriguez remains largely unknown. She is the middle of three children born to Arturo S. Rodriguez, who became UFW president after his father-in-laws death in 1993. Chavez Rodriguez graduated from Tehachapi High School, close to the UFW headquarters in Keene, and earned a bachelors degree in Latin American Studies at UC Berkeley. She joined Bidens 2020 campaign as senior advisor in charge of Latino outreach, and in 2021 became director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Chavez Rodriguez worked on the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, and was deputy director of public engagement for Obama. Last June, Biden elevated her to senior adviser. She also served as deputy press secretary for then-Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and as Sen. Kamala Harris California state director. I spoke with four people who know her best longtime United Farm Workers communications chief and now Cesar Chavez Foundation spokesman Marc Grossman; her uncle Paul Chavez; veteran political operative Amanda Renteria; and her father, former UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez to paint a picture of her. A new generation vibe Renteria said Chavez Rodriguez who helped create a curriculum about her grandfather that is used in Californias public schools is the perfect choice for what she represents: A new generation vibe, multicultural kind of style that shes always had in her political sphere. She is just incredibly talented, No. 1. And, visibility is not necessarily the key to winning a campaign, said Renteria, a Central Valley native and former political director for Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential run. The key to winning a campaign is that you come with experience, skills and a way of managing a large organization. You have political instincts, said Renteria, CEO of Code for America, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization whose goal is connecting the private and public sectors. Renteria, a former congressional candidate in the Central Valley, said Chavez Rodriguezs previous White House job positions her perfectly for the new post. Her role as leading intergovernmental affairs in the White House is a role where youre working with mayors and governors all across the country, particularly during a time where that relationship was more important than ever given all the different changes that the pandemic created, said Renteria. I hope he dies this time Grossman, a Sacramento resident, remembers that in 1988, a 10-year-old Chavez Rodriguez was at a southeast Fresno supermarket passing out leaflets warning about pesticide poisoning of farmworkers and their children when a woman stopped. At the time, her grandfather was holding a 36-day fast, longer than a 25-day fast two decades earlier, to protest the use of dangerous pesticides in the fields.. The woman took a leaflet and remarked, I hope he dies this time. That angered and upset Chavez Rodriguez, who upon getting back home to Delano quickly ran to her grandfather and told him what had happened. Next time that happens, just tell her well pray for her and leave it at that, responded her grandfather. Grossman reflected on that incident in providing an insight into the 45-year-old Delano native. She learned that lesson, said Grossman, who has known Chavez Rodriguez since her birth. Despite her achievements, she remains very humble. I mean, theres no self-promotion or self-aggrandizement about her. She is very hard on herself A year prior to that supermarket episode, Chavez Rodriguez and her older sister, Olivia, were arrested for distributing leaflets outside a New Jersey grocery store. Her father asked the police for permission to ride in the police car with his daughters. If asking people not to buy grapes would result in an arrest, said Arturo S. Rodriguez, she was going to do it. They went through the process of being fingerprinted and having a mugshot taken, said Rodriguez. It was a feeling that If this is what it takes, then were going to do this in a nonviolent way. Her father is proud of the role Chavez Rodriguez has with the Biden campaign, and believes she is hard nosed and ready for the knocks that come. She is tough. She is hard on herself. Shes very disciplined, he said. She is very aggressive about the work and what needs to be done. If shes doing it, its because she believes it. Talent at an early age Her uncle, Paul Chavez, remembers hearing from a longtime UFW volunteer who noticed a hard-working, pre-teen Chavez Rodriguez. The woman leans over to me and says, We should be nice to that little girl because I think were all going to be working for her one of these days, recalled Chavez. She recognized Julies talent at an early age. I lived a tremendously privileged childhood Chavez Rodriguezs own words offer the best perspective. Growing up in the farmworker movement, I was surrounded by some of the countrys best organizers, she wrote in a 2014 essay for UC Berkeleys Center for Latin American Studies. I spent my childhood in meetings, at rallies, walking picket lines, and handing out leaflets in front of supermarkets. By the time she was 12, she said, she could recite some of her grandfathers most-known quotes and rattle off the names of the five most harmful pesticides. I lived a tremendously privileged childhood, not in terms of material wealth since my parents were full-time volunteers for the United Farm Workers, but in terms of experience, she wrote. The opportunity to travel with my grandfather, to learn from him, and to see him organizing is one of the most valuable classrooms I have ever been in. Juan Esparza Loera is editor of Vida en el Valle. Washington President Biden said Monday that the U.S. and its allies made clear to Moscow that they were not involved in the Wagner mercenary group's brief uprising in Russia over the weekend, calling it "part of a struggle within the Russian system." Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led an armed rebellion targeting Russia's military leaders, accusing them of botching the war in Ukraine, and also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wagner fighters appeared to seize control of the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, which oversees fighting in Ukraine, and were advancing toward Moscow until they were ordered back to their field camps when a truce brokered by Belarus was announced between Putin and Prigozhin. What is the Wagner Group, and who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? What to know about the Russian private military company Mr. Biden said he spoke with U.S. allies over the weekend to coordinate a response to the rebellion and asked his national security team to prepare for a "range of scenarios." "They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse let me emphasize, we gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West, to blame this on NATO," Mr. Biden said. "We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system." National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday that the message was delivered to the Russians through various diplomatic channels. "We also made clear to all our allies and partners that the United States was not involved and would not get involved in these events, and that we view them as internal Russian matters," Kirby said at the White House press briefing. "We delivered that same message to the Russians themselves through appropriate diplomatic channels." The details of the deal between Putin and Prigozhin to end the rebellion were vague. As part of the truce, Prigozhin had agreed to move to Belarus to avoid prosecution. But Russian authorities said Monday the criminal charges hadn't yet been dropped. In a statement Monday, Prigozhin, whose whereabouts are unclear, said the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing the Russian government, but was meant to prevent the loss of the Wagner Group's autonomy to the Russian military. The mutiny was one of the fiercest challenges to Putin's leadership. Mr. Biden said the U.S. is still assessing the fallout and the implications for Russia and its invasion of Ukraine. "It's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going," Mr. Biden said. "The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen." Mr. Biden said the U.S. and its allies will continue to support Ukraine "no matter what happened in Russia." The president spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday to reaffirm U.S. support for the country and the events in Russia. "What we're going to stay focused on is making sure that Ukraine can continue to succeed on the battlefield and not speculate about what this might or might not do on the political spectrum inside Russia," Kirby said, later adding that the U.S. is "not taking sides in this internal matter" between Putin and Prigozhin. Trump, DeSantis to appear in rival New Hampshire campaign events Where abortion access stands post-Dobbs decision Former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine and Russia unpack Wagner Group rebellion President Biden on Monday said its too soon to conclude the consequences of the short-lived rebellion in Russia over the weekend, and he pushed back against Russian suggestions of Western involvement in the mutiny. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen, the president said in remarks in the East room of the White House, characterizing the events as an internal Russian struggle. Biden said the U.S. is still assessing the fallout of the rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military company Wagner, against the Russian Defense Ministry on Saturday. Prigozhin retreated from an armed march to Moscow after the intervention of Belarus. Prigozhin launched the rebellion late Friday with a video proclaiming the intent of the Russian war in Ukraine is a lie. He said his ire was set on Russian generals he has been feuding with for months, and he was triggered by what he said was a Russian attack on his fighters. Putin responded to Prigozhin, without naming him, in a Saturday video address describing the rebellion as a betrayal, treason and stoked by inflated ambitions and personal interests. As the chaos played out the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a warning against Western countries exploiting the domestic Russian situation for their Russophobic goals. The extraordinary events ended at least temporarily on Sunday through negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, with Prigozhin retreating from leading a military column towards Moscow and pulling his forces from the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-don that they had earlier claimed as under their control. The chaotic events triggered emergency meetings in Washington and among European allies. Biden said he was updated hourly and instructed his national security team to prepare for a range of scenarios. He convened a video call with allies to make sure were all on the same page. Its critical that were coordinated in our response and coordinated in what we were to anticipate. They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse, let me emphasize, we gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO, the president said. We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system, he continued. Biden said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and will have a follow-up call later Monday or Tuesday. He also said he will speak with another head of state he had yet to convene with, but he did not name that country. Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events, and the implications for Russia and Ukraine. But its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen, the president said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed in the US Constitution. Both Trump and DeSantis want it gone, and they'll need the court's help to do it. President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in Sunrise, Fla., on November 26, 2019. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Both the Supreme Court and the Constitution guarantee citizenship for people born in the US. Republican presidential candidate and Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants to end birthright citizenship. It's a position former President Donald Trump touted recently as well. On Monday, Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged to end birthright citizenship if elected president in 2024, a position shared by former President Donald Trump. Neither are likely to succeed, however, without the help of the courts. At a press conference in Texas, DeSantis said he would "take action to end the idea that the children of illegal aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship if they are born in the United States." While president, Trump promised to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants via executive order, though he never followed through with the promise. DeSantis, however, did not detail how, exactly, he planned to address the issue and simply said that it would be up to "the courts and Congress." "Dangling the prize of citizenship to the future offspring of illegal immigrants is a major driver of illegal migration," DeSantis said. "It is also inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment, and we will force the courts and Congress to finally address this failed policy." As granted by the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, anybody born in the United States is guaranteed citizenship. The right was affirmed thirty years later by the Supreme Court, which ruled that Wong Kim Ark was legally an American citizen after being born in the US, despite having Chinese-born parents who were barred from becoming citizens due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. Whether the original decision comes via executive order or legislation, any action restricting US citizenship will almost certainly be tested in the federal court system, likely even the Supreme Court given its previous ruling on the issue. Read the original article on Business Insider The couples friendship began when they were 16, but they only started dating a few years ago. Blair Underwood is speaking out about his destination wedding with longtime friend Josie Hart, People reported. The couple began their friendship at age 16 but only started dating a few years ago, according to Peoples June 25 report about the newlyweds. Weve always been great friends. And Im talking about the whole family, he told the outlet. Josie Hart and Blair Underwood attend The Roundabout Gala 2023 at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on March 6, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) We lived separate lives on separate coasts. We never saw each other a lot. But when we talked, theres always such a strong connection of just understanding each other, Underwood said in a June 26 article by People. Underwood and Harts love connection reportedly came after their respective divorces. Blair announced their engagement on Instagram in November 2022, writing in part, When a 41 year friendship slaps you in the back of the head & blossoms into romance, you stand up, pay attention & step forward in gratitude. In the post, Underwood said Hart is the most amazing, brilliant, beautiful, hilarious, thought provoking & insightful person I know. He also noted that Hart has had my back since before I even became an actor. Underwood and his lady-love tied the knot on June 24 in the Dominican Republic, People reported. The veteran actor was previously married to Desiree DaCosta for 27 years. They share three children, while Hart also has children from a previous marriage. Underwood told the outlet that he was very involved with planning the nuptials, which took place at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. The pair tied the knot before 100 guests, including Kim Fields and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. It was a beautiful, soul-touching celebration of kindred spirits, love and family, as incredible as Josie and as phenomenal as Blair, said Fields, People reported. Nneka C. Alexander of Brides by Nona Couture Atelier designed Harts transitional two-in-one gown for the ceremony. The first time I saw her in the dress, she looked like a princess, Underwood shared with People. The brides signature drink, Prosecco with grenadine, was served at the cocktail reception along with Dominican ceviche, coconut-breaded shrimp and grilled bacon-wrapped plantains, according to People. Flor Reposteria provided a five-tier French Vanilla and butter creme frosted cake. Tony Terry performed his song With You live as a surprise for Hart for the couples first dance, while Underwoods friend, Milo Levell, and DJ German Cabello of GCStar Punta Cana provided the music. Hart described it as a surreal and magical day, while Underwood called their journey to the altar a beautiful love story. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Blair Underwood marries Josie Hart in the Dominican Republic appeared first on TheGrio. Five bodies have been found in recent days in the desert near Sunland Park, New Mexico, as a wave of extreme heat continues to scorch the Borderland. On Sunday afternoon, two bodies were recovered from the desert off Memorial Pines Road, the Sunland Park Fire Department said via Twitter. Sunland Park Fire Department rescue crews ride all-terrain vehicles to reach a body found in the desert off Highway 9 on Saturday near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Fire Department rescue crews using all-terrain vehicles assisted Sunland Park police, the U.S. Border Patrol and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigators in the recovery. Immigration: Border Patrol in El Paso warns migrants against making risky illegal crossings The bodies were generally located in the desert close to the Mexican border near human smuggling zones in the Sunland Park and Santa Teresa area, just over the New Mexico state line west of El Paso. It has not been disclosed if they were believed to have been migrants. Other bodies found in the Sunland Park area: Saturday: A dead person was found in the desert off Highway 9 and the Pete Domenici Highway near Santa Teresa in an incident under investigation by law enforcement, the Fire Department tweeted. Thursday: About 1:30 a.m., a body was recovered in the desert about a mile west of the 4900 block of McNutt Road in Sunland Park, the Fire Department tweeted. About 3:30 p.m. Thursday, another body was recovered from the desert off County Road A-20 in La Union, farther north than the other recoveries. Names, causes of death and circumstances regarding the individual cases are under investigation. Dangerous heat burns El Paso-Juarez Borderland The El Paso-Juarez region was under an excessive heat warning because of dangerously hot temperatures, the National Weather Service Office stated. The high temperature was 108 degrees in El Paso on Sunday, making it the fifth consecutive day with a temperature of 105 or hotter and the 10th consecutive day of temperatures of 100 degrees or greater, the National Weather Service Office for El Paso reported. More: El Paso opens cooling centers as high temperatures hit Borderland The heat warning was set to expire at midnight Monday and was to be followed by a heat advisory, with temperatures forecast to top 100 the rest of the week. Sunland Park Fire Department rescue crews ride all-terrain vehicles to reach a body found in the desert off Highway 9 near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Saturday. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Bodies found in Sunland Park, NM, desert as border heat wave continues Members of the Portage Kiwanis Club and Portage Park Superintendent Dyan Leto cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new Little Free Library at Portages Perry Park on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. - Original Credit: Portage Kiwanis Club (Handout/HANDOUT) A Little Free Library has popped up in Portage at Perry Park on Tulip Avenue, thanks to a grant from the Kiwanis-Indiana Districts Childrens Fund. Patti Boyer, Kiwanis Club president, applied for the grant through the Kiwanis-Indiana District Childrens Fund. The club had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 20. Advertisement The Portage Parks Department has been partnering with the Portage Kiwanis Club for many years now, so we were excited to have another one of their community projects in one of our parks, said Dyan Leto, superintendent for Portage Parks. Club members worked with the Portage Park Department to locate the perfect spot for the library. Perry Park is the perfect place for it, said Leto. Its a beautiful neighborhood. I can picture residents stopping by, grabbing a book, maybe having a picnic, and just enjoying time reading in the park. Advertisement The goal for us was to find a location within the city where proximity and access to the local library was a challenge, so we knew we wanted to place our library somewhere on the west side of the city, said Boyer. Perry Park provides the perfect location to serve families in the large surrounding neighborhood. Its easy access to walk or ride your bike to the park and take advantage of a variety of free books close to home. Portage Kiwanis Club installed a Little Free Library Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Portages Perry Park. - Original Credit: Portage Kiwanis Club (Handout/HANDOUT) Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for the building community, inspiring reading and expanding access to books for all. Their vision is to have Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader, according to their website, littlefreelibrary.org. Little Free Library is a free book exchange. You can take a book, leave a book, or both. By visiting the website or using the mobile app, you can locate libraries in your area. There are currently over 150,000 registered libraries in over 120 countries worldwide. Along with receiving the Little Free Library, the club also received a check for $275 to purchase books for the library. So far we havent had to purchase books, news spread fast about the library and Portage community members have already been generously donating books, Boyer said, adding books for children and teens are always accepted, as well as requests if a reader is looking for a certain book. The club is required to enter into a three-year commitment with Little Free Library to maintain the library and has further made a commitment to the park department to keep the library going as long as there are families who are enjoying it. Other Kiwanis Club programs in Portage include Breakfast with the Easter Bunny; Holiday Parade; the Dictionary Project (purchase and distribute dictionaries to every third-grade student); the Teachers Supply Closet; Myron Fessler Scholarship Program; Riley Childrens Hospital Komfort Kart; Royal Family Youth Camp; Cards from the Heart; and the Bicycle Safety Rodeo in partnership with the Portage Fire Department. To learn more about the Portage Kiwanis Club and their programs, visit kiwanisclubofportage.com Advertisement Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. Bodies of two victims of Russian missile attack recovered from rubble A young couple was killed by a Russian missile The bodies of two victims of a Russian missile attack on Kyiv were recovered from the rubble of an apartment building on June 26. The victims Yulia Petra and Danylo Kyrylenko were killed when their apartment in Kyiv's Solomyanskyi District was hit on June 24. They were a couple. The couple's friend, Kriz Dzuba, wrote about the couples death on Facebook on June 25. "I really want to remember you the same as you were during our first encounter, Dzuba wrote. Facebook Kris Dziuba You, the girl-with-bottomless-eyes, who was welcomed just yesterday to our rowdy Raroh-family, who we smeared with soot, and called our sister-in-law, Dzuba said. Read also: Minister posts new photos of 25-story Kyiv apartment building hit by Russian missile And you, the guy-with-the-eternal-smile, with whom we sat in the kitchen with Mykhailo after my first ever reenactment festival, waiting for the train, and chatted about how much more effective and funny it is to beat people with iron. It was an honor to know you both. Eternal love to you in the afterlife. Russia launched another mass missile attack against Ukraine's capital in the early hours of June 24. A total of five people were killed in the attack. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Editor's note: This story was updated at 3:15 p.m. to include reaction to the state attorney's office's filing decisions. The State Attorney's Office has decided not to upgrade the manslaughter with a firearm charge against Susan Louise Lorincz for the fatal shooting of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens. Prosecutors realize the decision will not be popular. Many people in the community have called for an upgrade to second-degree murder. State Attorney Bill Gladson said: "While some may not agree with that decision, I can assure you that the decision was thoughtful and made without consideration of any factors other than the specific facts of this terrible crime. Simply stated, my obligation is to follow the law." Gladson continued: "In order to prove the crime of second-degree murder, the state must prove beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt the existence of a depraved mind toward the victim at the time of the killing. "Depraved mind requires evidence of hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward the victim at the time of the killing. As deplorable as the defendants actions were in this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove this specific and required element of second-degree murder," he said. In this case, Lorincz was inside her home and fired the fatal shot through the closed front door. Owens, standing on the other side of the door, was struck and killed. "Given the facts in this case, aiming a firearm at the door and pulling the trigger is legally insufficient to prove depraved mind," Gladson said. "Case law has consistently held that extreme recklessness or impulsive overreactions are, in and of themselves, insufficient to prove second-degree murder." Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens In addition to the the charge of manslaughter with a firearm, Lorincz also faces one count of assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, for allegedly threatening one of Owens' children (the name is redacted in the court filing.) If convicted of both charges, Lorincz could be sentenced up to 30 years in prison. Reactions to the state attorney's decision Chief Assistant Public Defender John Spivey and Assistant Public Defender Amanda Sizemore are defending Lorincz. Michael Graves, head of the Public Defender's Office, told a Star-Banner reporter that his office had no comment on Gladson's decision. Asked how Lorincz was doing in the county jail, Graves said she's doing as "OK as one can be." Anthony D. Thomas is one of two lawyers representing the Owens family. The other is noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. "We're disappointed," Thomas said. But Owens' family is "hopeful that there will be a conviction." Thomas said in their meetings with Gladson, it was conveyed that there will not be second-degree murder charge filed against Lorincz. The lawyer said they were told if there were more evidence, then prosecutors would would file the higher charge. Thomas said the state attorney's office could have filed a second-degree murder charge and, at trial, include manslaughter as a lesser option for the jury. "Let a jury decide," he said. In a press release, Gladson addressed that point: "As is always true in criminal cases, failure to prove beyond a reasonable doubt even one element of a crime will result in a not guilty verdict." Thomas said the Owens family is going to "push on." He said the family is concerned that while 30 years is a long time in prison, if Lorincz should be released early, it would be a slap in the face for Owens' children. "It doesn't sit well with the family," Thomas said. Asked how the family is coping, Thomas said they're devastated. He said Owens' mother, Pamela Dias, is finding ways to explain to her daughter's children what's going on. She also has to be the parent for the children, Thomas said. "She has to manage what these children are going through. She wants them to have normalcy," he said. To the family, Gladson said, "I am aware of the desire of the family, and some community members, that the defendant be charged with second-degree murder. My obligation as state attorney is to follow the law in each case that I prosecute." The Rev. Eric Cummings, a member of the school board, said he's "disheartened" that second-degree murder was not charged. Though he's saddened, Cummings said if manslaughter is the charge, then there should be no plea bargain. "She (Lorincz) should get the full extent of the law. She needs to be prosecuted," he said. Cummings said Owens' children are serving "a life sentence" because they witnessed their mother being killed in front of them. "We're just looking for justice," Cummings said. Gladson said he understands everyone, like himself, wants justice and is doing everything to achieve that goal. "Since the night of the defendants arrest in this case, I have indicated that I would be transparent in my decision-making process. Prior to making this decision, my office consulted with the victims family, and their attorney," he said in the release. "The defendant will be prosecuted for the offense of manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. My office will do all it can to seek justice for Ms. Owens and her family." The Rev. James David Stockton III, president of the Marion County branch of the NAACP, held a press conference on Monday to talk about Owens. Flanked by NAACP staffers, Stockton said they stand for "what's right," and they are standing with Owens' family and attorneys. Related charging decisions from the state attorney Gladson noted that his office chose not to file three other charges that Lorincz could have faced for her actions on the night of June 2: one count each of misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor culpable negligence and misdemeanor battery. "Sworn testimony provided by the victims son after the arrest indicated that the skate thrown by the defendant did not strike the child, a necessary element of the charge of battery," Gladson wrote in the news release. "Sworn testimony was also provided by another child, as it relates to one of the accounts of assault, that he was not in fear, which is a required element of assault. Accordingly, the legal requirements to establish the crimes of battery and assault cannot be met and those charges cannot be filed," he wrote. As for misdemeanor culpable negligence: "There is no evidence to establish that the defendant knew the child was with his mother when she shot the victim in this case," Gladson said. Angry callers The 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office covers Marion, Sumter, Lake, Citrus and Hernando counties. It has been flooded with telephone calls from people upset that Lorincz, 58, was being held on only a manslaughter charge. They have demanded that prosecutors charge Lorincz with second-degree murder. Tempers have flared. On Friday, law enforcement officials in Alachua County arrested Regina A. Pines of Gainesville on a charge of corruption by threat against a public servant and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Pines, 31, is accused of calling the Ocala state attorney's office and threatening to shoot Gladson. Pines made her first appearance in front of a judge on Saturday. Court records show she was released from jail the same day after posting a $2,000 bond. Pines' next court date is in July. In a statement, Gladson said: "Understandably, emotions run high, particularly with senseless, violent crimes. However, I cannot allow any decision to be influenced by public sentiment, angry phone calls or further threats of violence, as I have received in this case. To allow that to happen would also be improper and a violation of my oath as a prosecutor and as a lawyer." Upgrade the charge? Members of the community were upset that law enforcement officials did not immediately arrested Lorincz on June 2, the night of the shooting. Marion County Sheriff's Office officials said Lorincz could not be arrested at the time of the shooting because, by law, they first had to prove her actions were not justified under Florida's stand your ground doctrine. State Attorney Bill Gladson Once detectives concluded their initial investigation, Lorincz was arrested on the manslaughter charge on June 6. Community members and civil rights leaders felt it took to long before Lorincz's arrest, and the charges weren't sufficiently severe. There have been protests, rallies, prayer vigils and calls for the SAO to up the charge against Lorincz. Protestors even marched to Gladson's office demanding answers. Gladson came outside and spoke to the protesters. At Owens' funeral, attended by approximately 1,000 on June 12, the Rev. Al Sharpton gave the eulogy. Alleged threat: Woman, upset about AJ Owens case, accused of threatening to shoot Ocala state attorney Lorincz's next court hearing is her arraignment, slated for July. At that time, Lorincz's charge will be officially announced. As of Monday, Lorincz remained locked up at the county jail with bail set at $154,000. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Robert Hodges. Assistant State Attorneys Rich Buxman and Adam Smith will be prosecutors. The death of Owens Owens, a single mother of three sons and a daughter, ages 3-12, was shot and killed in her Ocala neighborhood of Quail Run located off County Road 475A by her neighbor, Lorincz. 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. Lorincz told detectives the shooting was self-defense. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: State won't upgrade manslaughter charge in AJ Owens case; here's why Bryan Kohberger attorney says there is no connection between him and Idaho students who were killed In a new court filing by an attorney for Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students last fall, attorney Jay Logsdon argues there is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims. There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr. Kohbergers apartment, office, home, or vehicle, the attorney continues. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the November 13 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, at a home just outside the universitys main campus in Moscow. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by an Idaho judge at a hearing last month. The mysterious killings left the community on edge for more than a month before Kohberger was arrested. Officials have yet to offer any motive in the killings. A judge has issued a strict gag order in the case, prohibiting all attorneys prosecutors, defense lawyers, and those representing victims and witnesses from saying anything publicly beyond what is already in the public record. In the new filing, the defense notes, by December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males DNA within the house where the deceased were located. Lab analysts discovered DNA for another unknown man on a glove found outside the residence on November 20, 2022, the filing states. To this date, the Defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than the STR DNA profiles, according to the filing. The filing challenges the prosecutions reliance on investigative genetic genealogy and opposes the governments attempts to keep its methods a secret. The filing, Objection to States Motion for Protective Order, is in response to a recent motion by the prosecution that said Kohbergers DNA, collected by a buccal swab, was a statistical match to unknown DNA on the knife sheath found at the crime scene. Kohbergers defense argues they should be entitled to all data relating to that conclusion, including the investigative genetic genealogy used in this case. Prosecutors disclosed last week in their motion that the FBI went to publicly held DNA sites, similar to online sites like Ancestry.com or 23andMe, with unknown male DNA from the knife sheath and utilized genetic genealogy, then sent local law enforcement a tip to investigate, Kohberger. But the prosecution argued that Kohberger has no right to FBI data uncovered from this method. The FBI uploaded the SNP [Single Nucleotide Polymorphism] profile to one or more publicly available genetic genealogy services to identify possible family members of the suspect based on shared genetic data, the prosecution said in their motion. The defense now argues in its motion, Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not accept that his defense does not need this information. The state apparently only wants to prevent Mr. Kohberger from seeing how the investigative genetic genealogy profile was created and how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation. The defense ended their argument claiming that prosecutors are refusing to release this information because somehow people will stop sharing their genetics if they were to realize the government is watching. The November killings and subsequent lengthy investigation rattled Moscow, a city of 25,000 people that hadnt recorded a murder since 2015. After weeks of little information and heightened anxiety in the community, Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania in late December and identified by authorities as the alleged killer. He has been in police custody since and is being held without bail. The next hearing in Kohbergers criminal case is set for Tuesday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Bryan Kohberger claims DNA from three other men found at scene of Idaho murders Accused killer Bryan Kohberger has insisted he has no connection to the four slain University of Idaho students and has claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene. Court documents, filed by attorneys for the 28-year-old PhD student last week, argue that DNA from two other men was also found inside the off-campus student home in Moscow, Idaho. DNA from a third unknown man was also found on a glove found outside the property on 20 November one week on from the murders, the documents state. By December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males DNA within the house where the deceased were located and another unknown male DNA on a glove found outside the residence on November 20, 2022, Mr Kohbergers attorney Jay Logsdon writes in the filing. To this date, the Defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than the STR DNA profiles. Further, these three separate and distinct male DNA profiles were not identified through CODIS leading to the conclusion that the profiles do not belong to Mr. Kohberger. Mr Kohbergers defence is fighting against the states use of genetic genealogy to tie him to the brutal murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. According to prosecutors, the killer left a military knife sheath behind at the scene of the 13 November stabbings. The sheath was found next to Mogens body in her bed on the third floor of the student home. DNA found on the sheath was later matched to Mr Kohberger after the FBI checked the sample against genetic genealogy databases and tipped off local authorities. After collecting trash from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains, a familial match from Mr Kohbergers father was made to the knife sheath, according to the criminal affidavit. Following Mr Kohbergers arrest on 30 December, DNA samples were taken directly from the suspect and came back as positive. In the latest court filing, the accused killers legal team accused prosecutors of hiding its entire case from the defendant by trying to keep its method of genetic genealogy investigation secret. Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP) There is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims, the filing states. There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr Kohbergers apartment, office, home, or vehicle. Mr Kohberger is scheduled to stand trial on 2 October for the murders of Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Chapin, 20, after he was indicted by a grand jury on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge. Mr Kohberger is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road in the early hours of 13 November and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife. Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived. One of the survivors Dylan Mortensen came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit. For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named. Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders. The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students if any prior to the murders. The murder weapon a fixed-blade knife has still never been found. As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman. He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest. Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022. While there, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him. He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime. He is facing life in prison or the death penalty for the murders that have rocked the small college town of Moscow and hit headlines around the globe. The burn ban for all of Lebanon County was lifted early by the Lebanon County Commissioners Monday because of the increased rainfall over the last week. Officials said the ban lift is due to significant shifts in weather conditions that would result a low risk of wildfires. Lebanon County commissioners signed a resolution for a 30-day burn ban that started 12 p.m. June 8. "Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services would like to remind everyone that even though the burn ban is being lifted, steps should still be taken to ensure outdoor fires are always safe and controlled," Emergency Services Director Bob Dowd said in an email. The ban prohibited open burning, which commissioners defined as ignition of combustible materials outdoors either in a burn barrel or on the ground. Combustible materials include garbage, leaves, twigs, litter and fireworks. Commissioners cited severe dry conditions resulting in "a much higher potential for wildfires" as the reason they initiated the ban in the first place. Fines for violations could have reached up to $300 for residents. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a statewide drought watch June 15, asking residents to voluntarily conserve water after a spring with little rainfall. Low precipitation in the state has dramatically increased the number of wildfires in Pennsylvania this year. There have already been 1,400 wildfires reported statewide so far in 2023, compared to 1,036 in all of 2022. This years wildfires have burned more than 8,500 acres, compared to 2,700 acres in 2022. County officials said that while the burn ban has been lifted, residents should still take caution when it comes outdoor fires. Residents should never leave a fire unattended, and should always be aware of embers or sparks leaving the fire. "If you must use fireworks, make sure you do so in a responsible manner," Dowd said. "Keep other combustible materials far away from outdoor fires. FEMA recommends a 25-foot safety zone around the fire." Residents should also keep a close eye on the daily wildfire danger maps and adjust outdoor fire-related activities accordingly. Maps can be found at dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire/Pages/default.aspx. Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth. This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Burn ban lifted in Lebanon County as risk of wildfires decreases The Cabinet of Ministers has approved Herman Smetanin as the new head of the Ukroboronprom state concern [or Ukrainian Defence Industry; an association of multi-product businesses in various sectors of the defence industry of Ukraine ed.]. This decision will be made public on 26 June, and it will enter into force on 28 June. Source: Ekonomichna Pravda Details: According to Ekonomichna Pravda, the cabinet approved Smetanin as the new head of Ukroboronprom on Saturday 24 June. This decision will be made public on 26 June, and it will enter into force on 28 June. Smetanin, who is 31, is the Head of the Kharkiv Malyshev Factory. After finishing university, Smetanin got a job at the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. After that, the design engineer worked for several years at the Lviv Armoured Plant, then as the production director at the Malyshev Factory, and after that, at the age of 28, he became the director of the Kharkiv Armoured Plant, and after a short time, he became the general director of one of the industrial giants, the Malyshev factory. Zelenskyy has given Smetanin three main tasks: to increase the production of all weapons, to cleanse the industry of corruption and to complete the reform of the defence industry. As of now, the maintenance of the concern itself, excluding production, costs UAH 450 million [approx. USD$12,200,000 - ed.] per year. Smetanin will be tasked with reducing these costs, and accordingly, the staff of the management structure, by at least 20%. According to Ekonomichna Pravdas sources, the current head of the Ukroboronprom, Yurii Husev, failed the missile programme: "According to the UP, according to the new plans, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was promised, for example, that in May 2023 Ukrainian Sapsan missiles [export name Hrim-2 - ed.] would massively destroy the Russian military infrastructure deep in the territory of the Russian Federation." According to Ukrainska Pravda, Husev asked the president to transfer him to a diplomatic posting in one of the countries of Europe with which Ukraine has close defence relations, but so far Husev has not received an affirmative response from the president. Quote: "Husev was not just a supervisor as the head of the concern, but a direct coordinator in the missile programme. Its a mess. There is also a drone that can fly 1000 kilometres, but no one knows where it is and who is producing it. And the president is asking: Where are the missiles? Where are the drones?" Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Andrew Guiding Young Cloud Morales, from the Gabrieleno (Tongva) Band of Mission Indians, offers a blessing during an event calling for the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by over 100,000 acres. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) In a bid to expand wilderness protections to the mountains and foothills just north of the Los Angeles Basin, California Rep. Judy Chu and Sen. Alex Padilla have asked President Biden to add 109,167 acres to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument an act they say would help preserve an area that is rich in historical and ecological significance and is within just an hours drive of 18 million people. The move would increase the monument by roughly a third, and extend its boundaries to the back door of San Fernando Valley neighborhoods including Sylmar, Santa Clarita and Pacoima. It would also give the U.S. Forest Service greater ability to protect natural resources and manage crowds in areas left out of the 2014 monument designation by then-President Obama. From increased access to nature for underserved communities, to protecting the source of one-third of L.A. County's drinking water, our region's economy, health and environment will extensively improve from such a designation by the president," Chu (D-Monterey Park) said. "I hope that President Biden will recognize the importance of these lands," she said. Rowan Faust, left, and Kelly Torres with their dog, Wilson, enjoy views of San Gabriel Mountains from Wrightwood. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) Read more: Kayaking down the L.A. River is not for the faint of heart. Can we change that? In a June 8 letter to Biden, the California Democrats asked the president to bypass Congress and issue a presidential proclamation under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The law authorizes presidents to create national monuments on federal land to protect objects of historic and scientific interest. The pair said the president needed to act unilaterally, because the Republican-controlled House of Representatives seemed unwilling to approve a package of conservation bills that would not only expand the monument, but also create 31,000 acres of new wilderness areas and add 45.5 miles to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Sadly, the problem comes down to the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, which is trying to shrink environmental protections, Padilla said. Our request would establish better protection for more areas of the San Gabriel Mountains for conservation and improve public access to a range that has served as a glorious backdrop to the downtown L.A. skyline in countless advertising campaigns and postcards, he said. The proposed expansion would come with no new government money for managing and maintaining the monument, although advocates hope funds will come from public and private donations and from adjusting the Forest Service budget. The monument is not a national park, but by most estimates it meets the requirements for that level of attention, said Belen Bernal, executive director of Nature for All, a coalition of environmental and community groups that has long campaigned for more parks and safe outdoor opportunities in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. After a hike above Pasadenas Eaton Canyon in 1877, John Muir described the San Gabriel Mountains as the place where Mother Nature is most ruggedly, thornily, savage. Stretching from Santa Clarita to San Bernardino, the San Gabriel Mountains watershed provides Los Angeles County with 70% of its open space and roughly 30% of its water. Read more: Nature gone mad? Eagles kidnap baby hawk twins, kill one, raise the other as their own Its rugged canyons, wrinkled slopes and waterfalls are home to 22 species of rare and endangered species of plants and animals including the San Gabriel River dudleya, Nelsons bighorn sheep, mountain yellow-legged frogs, western pond turtles, Santa Ana suckers, tricolored blackbirds and California condors. Bigcone Douglas fir trees only grow in the mountains of Southern California. A road winds trough the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. (David McNew / Getty Images) The proposed 182-square-mile expansion would push the monument's boundaries to the southwest and include portions of Big Tujunga Creek, the Arroyo Seco, the upper Los Angeles River and the upper Santa Clarita River. The area encompasses Bear Divide, a slot in a ridgeline overlooking the city of Santa Clarita that is used by thousands of migrating birds as they make their way from Central America toward the Arctic. But the region is also susceptible to fires and to crowds, who bring vandalism, drug deals, car burglaries, trash, illegal campfires and emergency rescues. Read more: Criminal charges filed against Watts metal recycler and its owners If the expansion is approved, it would mark the fourth time that Biden has used his executive powers to establish or expand a national monument without congressional approval. He joins a long list of chief executives who see creating a monument as a way to enhance their legacy, and woo potential voters in an impending election year. Presidents dating back to Theodore Roosevelt have invoked the Antiquities Act to sidestep Congress to protect areas of historic or scientific interest. Critics say the tactic unreasonably limits logging, grazing, mining or other activities including rock collecting across wide swaths of the West. Of the total 17 national monuments in California, only two were established by Congress: the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, in 2000, and Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument, in 2019. The proposal to expand the San Gabriel Mountains monument comes at a time when the Biden administration has pledged to safeguard Indigenous, cultural and environmental sites under its America the Beautiful initiative, which seeks to conserve and connect 30% of the nations lands and water by 2030. But for John Monsen, a Sierra Club activist, it represents a step toward the dream of creating what he describes as an "arch of protection" stretching from the Cajon Pass in the east to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in the west. On Monday morning, the earthy smell of burning sage filled the air as Native Americans and officials led by Chu and Padilla gathered at Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena to publicly call on Biden to expand the monument. With that goal in mind, Ellie Morales Recalde, 10, of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno/Tongva, helped lead a ceremony. Later, as the officials were preparing to leave, she gazed up at the rocky slopes and said, It is important to protect these mountains because they are a place of natural beauty and healing. They are also our ancestral land, she said. The mountains and Gabrieleno Tongva are still here. Survivors. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. California remains an abortion stronghold, one year after the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! CALIFORNIA, A YEAR AFTER THE DOBBS DECISION Via Grace Scullion... Saturday marked one year since the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California brought My Body, My Voice to the California Museum in Sacramento. The temporary exhibit invited visitors to step into a recording booth to share their abortion stories. California spent the year doubling down on its commitment to reproductive rights. Last fall, Gov. Gavin Newsom bought billboards and newspaper ads in Texas and Florida touting the state as a pro-choice sanctuary. In November, voters passed a constitutional amendment enshrining the rights to contraception and abortion in the California Constitution. This spring, the governor threatened a split with Walgreens after the chain said it would not sell abortion pills in some states. (Federal law made the cutting of ties impossible) The state also helped establish a hotline for people in need of legal help related to abortion. Twenty-five states have enacted laws restricting access to abortion, impacting 25 million women of childbearing age. SEIU CALIFORNIA RELEASES SLATE OF CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS SEIU California, which has 700,000 members, announced a dozen endorsements Friday for next years congressional and state legislative primaries. David Huerta, SEIU California president, said in a statement that the union goes all in on the candidates it chooses to endorse early. We make early endorsements only of candidates whose public service demonstrates a rock solid commitment to empowering workers and fighting for justice, Huerta said. So who made the cut? Democrats Lateefah Simon and Rudy Salas, who both are running for the U.S. House of Representatives, picked up an endorsement. As did Senate candidates Lisa Middleton, Kipp Mueller and Sabrina Cervantes and Assembly candidates Jessica Self, Nick Schultz, Christy Holstege, Jessica Caloza and David Giron (dual endorsement), Mark Gonzalez and Clarissa Cervantes, all Democrats. AG BONTA JOINS COALITION URGING EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE TO DACA RECIPIENTS Via Grace Scullion... California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 18 other attorneys general submitted a letter in support of a Biden Administration proposal to expand health care coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients on Friday Individuals eligible for DACA are nearly five times more to be uninsured than others in their age group, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. DACA recipients in California are eligible for Medi-Cal, the states version of Medicaid, if they also meet the low-income threshold. But they are not granted access to health coverage by Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program or the Affordable Care Act. The move comes while the legality of DACA is up for debate in federal court. The judge deciding the case, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, ruled the program illegal in 2021 and is expected to do so again. The decision would send the case to the appellate level or the Supreme Court.. Since 2012, certain undocumented people who arrived in the United States as children can apply for DACA for protection against deportation and access to work permits, Social Security numbers and drivers licenses. California is home to the nearly 200,000 DACA recipients, the largest population in the United States. QUOTE OF THE DAY The Central Valley is the fruit and nut basket of the world our water is our most precious resource and we need to protect it. Ill keep doing everything I can to stop the Delta Tunnel water grab. - Rep. Josh Harder, D-Stockton, via Twitter. Best of The Bee: California reparations task force to hold final meeting in Sacramento. What comes next? The California state reparations task force which has been at work researching possible reparation for Black Californians who descended from slaves is winding down after two years of work before making its final proposal to the Legislature before July. The group will end its series of meetings aimed at compensating for harms caused by enslavement and racial discrimination practices with a hearing in Sacramento on Thursday before a final vote. The meeting will take place between 9 a.m. and noon at the March Fong Eu Secretary of State Buildings auditorium, 1500 11th St. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 3121, authored by then-Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, to hold meetings with the public and develop recommendations for the atonement of slavery in a final report that will also be shared with the states Department of Justice. During the final meeting, the reparations task force will continue to listen to public testimony as community members share their experiences with discriminatory policies that have affected their ancestors. Task force Chair Kamilah Moore is feeling pretty confident in the work that the task force has put forth, giving lawmakers a road map for a first-in-the-nation bill to provide monetary compensation. I think there are already some elected officials who have openly stated that they are inspired by the work that weve done and are looking forward to introducing legislation, Moore said. I think as early as later this year, no later than 2024, we might see some reparations legislation. Task force member Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena who along with Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, are the only lawmakers on the panel said the task force has identified 95 recommendations. This report does a great job of exposing it, shining light on it, and again showing the continual effects of slavery all the way up until today, Bradford said. Were hoping to shape the legislation that will go forward. Reparations Task Force chair Kamilah Moore speaks during a task force meeting at the CalEPA Building in Sacramento on Friday, March 3, 2023. The group is studying reparations proposals for African Americans, with special consideration for U.S. descendants of enslaved persons. Whats to be considered? One of the recommendations is likely to be an apology to Black Californians for the first part of the report that details historical atrocities and harms that Black Californians faced as a result of enslavement, racial terror, political disenfranchisement, among many other examples. Economists have estimated that California could owe more than $1 million per Black resident within the eligible class, based on health harms, unjust property takings by eminent domain, devaluation of Black businesses, housing discrimination and homelessness, over-policing and the disproportionate mass incarceration, and other examples that have disrupted the quality of life for of Black people in California. Walter Foster, 80, of Los Angeles, raises a sign calling for a focus on financial compensation as the California Reparations Task Force takes public comment on Sept. 23, 2022. Another recommendation would be the creation of a California American Freedmen Affairs Agency, which could include different branches to cover different areas of reparations, such as confirming genealogy for eligibility of services. The agency would also provide oversight for existing services and programs and implement direct services in areas where they are most needed. How do we take it forward? We appeal, we lobby for people of conscience, decency and goodwill, task force Vice Chair Amos Brown said. (We) come together and hammer out a plan to the Legislature. Like Nike said Just Do It. The decision ultimately rests in the hands of lawmakers and Newsom. Thats in their court, weve done our work, Brown said. Now its up to them to prove whether or not they are our partners, whether they are rational, and whether they are responsible as public policymakers. Reparations Task Force member state Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, listens during a task force meeting at the CalEPA Building in Sacramento on Friday, March 3, 2023. The group is studying reparations proposals for African Americans, with special consideration for U.S. descendants of enslaved persons. Bradford hopes to get something substantial accomplished at the Capitol in the wake of the report, starting with the apology. If we dont pass anything of any consequences or substantial meaningful legislation, then I think its going to be a black eye, not only on California, but on the nation as well and it will be the continued denial and the refusal to address Americas original sin of slavery, he said. California can very well be the test case and the blueprint for what can and should be done when it comes to this issue. If you go What: California State Reparations Task Force final public meeting Where: Auditorium at March Fong Eu Secretary of State Building, 1500 11th St. When: Thursday, June 29 Time: 9 a.m. to noon The building of camps for the placement of Wagner group fighters started in Belarus after agreements with the country's self-proclaimed leader Alexander Lukashenko, who negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner's financier. Source: Verstka ["Layout"] Russian media Details: According to the media, the first camp for 8,000 people is being built in Asipovichy, Mogilev Oblast, located 200 km from the border with Ukraine. According to the source of the media, the workers were tasked with building a camp with an area of 24,000 square metres very quickly. "There is a task (to build a camp) until lunchtime tomorrow," the media source said. A source close to the regional authority confirmed that the administration has been instructed to build a camp for the Wagner Group in the region. The Wagner fighters families confirmed the information that the mercenaries will be sent to Belarus. One of the relatives, referring to her acquaintance, reported that units of the Wagner PMC, which remained in Rostov-on-Don, are being sent to Belarus. Another media source said that her husband, who was in Rostov on Saturday, informed her about the departure to Belarus "most likely", but did not contact her again. Background: On the evening of 23 June, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the regular Russian army had launched a missile strike on the Wagner mercenaries rear camps. He deployed 25,000 of his mercenaries "to restore justice". The Office of the President of the Russian Federation anticipated that Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group fighters would likely reach Moscows outskirts in the next few hours, with fighting expected near Russias capital. Ukrainian intelligence had information that Putin had urgently left Moscow for his residence in Valdai. A convoy of Wagner Group forces was spotted only 400 kilometres away from Moscow. However, Prigozhin said that he allegedly agreed through the intermediary of the self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko and would go to Belarus, and ordered all his mercenaries to turn back. Despite the promise, the Russian authorities have not closed the criminal case against Prigozhin, and the FSB of Russia continues to investigate the case of rebellion. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Senior research professor John Ruff pauses while speaking about the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana Monday February 6, 2023. Ruff has long been involved with the museum and is concerned about recent moves to sale portions of its collection. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune) I write first to commend Post-Tribune reporter Amy Lavalley, who broke the story back in February that Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla and members of his administrative team were quietly seeking to sell the three most valuable works of the Brauer Museum of Art to finance renovation of two dormitories for first year students. Lavalleys reporting of what soon became a national story has been excellent. It was also Lavalley who uncovered in Porter County public records the Universitys previously undisclosed purchase of valuable property on Highway 30, formerly the site of the Strongbow Restaurant. Apparently, the university had sufficient cash to add real estate to its endowment but not to make residence halls more habitable and appealing for first-year students. Now, sadly, the world knows how cash strapped the University is and how desperate it is to increase its enrollment. In her latest story (Indiana AG Files for Dismissal of Lawsuit against Valpo U over Artwork Sale, June 20), Lavalley reports that Attorney General Todd Rokita has joined President Padillas legal team in seeking to dismiss the lawsuit brought by former museum director Richard H. W. Brauer and Professor Emeritus of Law Philipp Brockington to block the sale, arguing that neither Brauer nor Brockington have standing in the case. Lavalley points out that the Attorney General does have standing, however, which is to say, that office is empowered to regulate how charitable gifts are handled in this state and I sincerely hope they do the right thing. Advertisement Georgia OKeeffes Rust Red Hills seen through Richard Hunts stainless steel Becoming at the Brauer Museum of Art on the Valparaiso University campus in Valparaiso, Indiana Friday February 10, 2023. Campus and community members continue to react to announcement of the pending sale of OKeeffes and two other works to fund first-year student dorm renovations. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune) But should the Attorney General clear the way for such a sale, the University will enter into a contract with Sothebys or another auction house who will sell the works, likely by private sale rather than by public auction. And three beloved works of art will never appear again publicly. This despite donor Percy Sloans intention, explicit in his trust, that the works he donated to Valparaiso University back in the 1950s were for educational purposes and be available not just for VU faculty and students but for the public. That includes everyone reading this letter. His trust also makes clear that any sales of artwork from the original gift or purchased with funds from the endowment he created to accompany it could only be used to add to or improve the collection, now an internationally accepted ethical standard for professional museums. Paul Brandt, then chairman of the Valparaiso University Board of Directors, accepted Sloans gift with those restrictions attached. Should the works be sold, it will not only be the museum that suffers when three cornerstone works depart, not just the museum and Valparaiso University that will suffer damage to its reputation, but the city of Valparaiso and residents of Northwest Indiana will suffer loss and harm. This story if it ends with a sale of a precious Georgia OKeefe painting, a gorgeous landscape by American impressionist painter Childe Hassam, another by Hudson River landscape painter Frederic Church will be taught in museum studies classes for the foreseeable future as a worst case scenario and cautionary tale for academic museums, particularly those without good deaccession policies such as the one amended in 2016 at DePaul University where President Padilla served as General Counsel. Had Valparaiso University such a policy, this course of action would be impossible, and I suspect President Padilla and his team know that. Advertisement My suspicion was affirmed in language I read in a memorandum accompanying the Universitys motion to dismiss the suit brought by Brauer and Brockington. There, arguing against the assertion that Richard Brauer has standing by virtue of the fact he that suffers reputational damage because the museum bears his name, the museum is referred to as the Valparaiso University art installation, and to add insult to injury, the universitys attorney characterizes it as a museum in name only and not a separate entity distinct from the university. When Valparaiso University solicited a large gift from Urschel Labs to build a facility to house the universitys permanent art collection, then called the Valparaiso University Museum of Art, now with 5,000-plus objects in its permanent collection, the Urschels responded by giving $3 million twice the amount solicited with no prerequisites. When the Urschels learned they would have naming rights as lead donors, they knew immediately they wanted to name it the Brauer Museum of Art after its longtime director, Richard Brauer. Post-Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > I doubt the Urschels thought they were making that contribution to an art installation, or to a museum in name only, and I doubt the University would allow them to be deceived. The Brauer has no separate building. Sadly, it has no separate board of directors. It does have a collection committee that was never consulted and that would never have consented to sell the works. But no one previously, to my knowledge, has ever visited the Brauer and mistook it for anything but an art museum. When you enter the front doors, just to the left of the reception desk hangs a beautiful portrait of Richard Brauer painted in oil by VU alum Caleb Kortokrax. Richard appears sitting in one of the vaults of the museum which the Urschel gift made possible. They financed one vault for the oil paintings, another for works on paper. Richard sits there surrounded by the museums most treasured art works, most of which Richard helped to acquire. Georgia OKeeffes Rust Red Hills sits right beside him and Childe Hassams The Golden Gate and the Silver Vale appears behind him. The Urschels also requested that there be a basement for the vaults, for office space, and for a large prep room. Other significant donations made by Byron and Josephine Ferguson, the Wehling family, and others, created professional humidity-controlled gallery spaces with a state-of-the-art security system to preserve and protect the artworks on display. Though the Brauer Museum is not accredited, professional museum organizations opposing this art sale do not deny the Brauer is a museum and would never denigrate it by referring to it as an art installation and a museum in name only. I am not just objecting to legalese language here. Words matter, especially when they denigrate, mispresent, or deceive. I doubt the National Museum of Art of Romania would entrust works from their collection to be exhibited in a museum in name only as was the case in 1996. More recently, when the Tate Modern in London sought to borrow the Brauers Georgia OKeeffe for its first OKeeffe exhibition, they knew they were dealing with museum professionals working in a professional museum with an extraordinary collection of art. I doubt the Brauers most generous art donors, Percy Sloan, Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg, Byron and Josephine Ferguson, Howard Reeve, and Philipp Brockington, and so many others too numerous to name, ever imagined University leadership would treat their gifts as liquid assets to fund capital improvements such as the president proposes. Recently, when the University conducted a national search for a new director, it was to direct their museum , not their art installation. The university would have never attracted such a great pool of candidates to direct a museum in name only. I know because I was on the search committee. I also know even as a new director was being sought and we found a great one in Jonathan Canning that high ranking members of the Presidents team were negotiating with an auction house to sell its most valuable works. None of that was disclosed to the search committee that included two deans, two endowed chairs, and several senior faculty members. For reasons I have never been able to fathom, the Brauer Museum of Art has been for decades now one of Northwest Indianas best kept secrets. Even now, people who come to campus cannot find it, as it never appears on University signage, and you must park halfway across campus to walk to it. People who do find it, who know anything about art, are often amazed by the breadth and quality of the collection and its exhibitions. Now for the worst reasons imaginable, it has made the front page of The Chicago Tribune and The New York Times not even Bryce Drews famous shot achieved that level of notoriety. The story could still end happily if President Padilla and the Board of Directors could find another way to finance efforts to boost enrollment, other ways have been suggested, and I pray they choose one. In fact, I beg President Padilla and the Board of Directors not to do this thing that will hurt the University we all love, for which my wife and I worked she, in the museum as a curator and registrar; myself, as a faculty member in the English department for almost 60 years between us. Meanwhile, the legal clock is ticking, and I urge members of this community to visit the Brauer Museum of Art as soon as possible to see those precious artworks before they vanish forever. Advertisement John Ruff is a Senior Research Professor of English at Valparaiso University. Gas flares in Iraqi oilfields produce vast amounts of greenhouse gases without any economic or social benefit (Hussein FALEH) Common standards unveiled Monday for companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions could curb misleading climate claims in the corporate world, the chair of the body that wrote the norms told AFP. Currently, most large companies report how many tonnes of carbon they emit into the atmosphere each year, but the data is often not reliable. The poor quality of data and lack of common standards allows companies to overstate their climate credentials -- the practice of "greenwashing". The new standards issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on Monday will set uniform sustainability and climate standards for companies to follow worldwide from 2024. "Greenwashing... will end the day our standards have gained a sufficiently significant position in the markets," ISSB chairman Emmanuel Faber told AFP. The standards aim to "reassure the financial market about the information it is given", said Faber, the former chief executive of French food company Danone. The ISSB was created by the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation, a non-profit organisation governing international accounting rules. The new standards -- dubbed IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 -- "will help to improve trust and confidence in company disclosures about sustainability to inform investment decisions," the ISSB said. "And for the first time, the standards create a common language for disclosing the effect of climate-related risks and opportunities on a company's prospects," it added. Companies have to voluntarily adopt the standards, or governments have to decide whether to require them to do so. Countries are adopting measures to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century in the hopes of limiting the increase in global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the 2015 Paris climate pact. This is creating a patchwork of regulations for firms to comply with and the financial stakes in the transition are becoming more and more important, both for the firms and their shareholders. "When you have lots of countries all making regulations and requirements at the same time, that's a bit of a nightmare scenario for companies," said Kate Levick, the associate director for sustainable finance at independent think tank E3G. IFRS accounting standards are required in many countries, while many companies in other countries use them in order to better tap international finance. - Common language - The ISSB believes that a number of states, including Japan and Britain, will quickly make the new climate standard mandatory, and hopes China, which boasts the world's second-largest economy, will adopt it as well. The European Union is working on its own standards, which will also include biodiversity and human rights, and the ISSB hopes they will be compatible. The ISSB standards also define how companies measure their direct and indirect emissions, using a method that is widely used but until now has not been mandatory -- the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The standards also require companies to audit their emissions data and ensure their climate strategy is adopted by the top management. E3G's Levick believes that the ISSB standards will help reduce greenwashing by companies. "The disclosure requirements have been very carefully considered and thought out and designed with anti-greenwashing in mind," she said. "The whole idea of this is to hold firms accountable." ico/rl-lth/rl A juror who caused a mistrial in a Wichita murder case in April after he ignored a judges orders pleaded guilty on Monday to one misdemeanor count of criminal contempt of court. The juror, 22-year-old Kyle Wissner of Haysville, was immediately sentenced to one year of probation and given a $500 fine after entering the plea, but he will be released from probation after he pays the fine and court costs, the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. Wissner might have to serve 30 days of jail if he fails to follow the terms of his probation while hes on it. Under state law, the Kansas Attorney Generals Office prosecutes all contempt cases and a deputy attorney general handled Mondays hearing, the DAs Office said in the release. Sedgwick County District Judge Sean Hatfield accepted Wissners plea and handed down the sentence. Wissners lawyer declined to comment on the development. The plea came on the same day Wissner was scheduled for a bench trial on the matter, court records show. Wissner was charged with contempt after he violated orders from Sedgwick County District Judge Tyler Roush to not discuss details about the traffic death of an expectant mother, 22-year-old Samantha Russell, while the defendants murder trial was ongoing. Russell was killed by a man fleeing from police on July 6, 2021, at Central and Ridge in west Wichita. She was eight months pregnant at the time. Wissner and other jurors had been warned repeatedly to not talk about the case among themselves prior to deliberations or with others before the trial concluded and to avoid other things that might taint the trial, including reading media coverage, doing independent research or visiting the crime scene. But Wissner shared information he apparently gleaned from news reports with fellow jurors after theyd been empaneled. Other jurors reported the violation, leading Roush to interview each and ultimately declare a mistrial on April 26 to ensure the defendant, Javan Ervin, received a fair trial. Ervin, 39, was convicted of seven counts, including first-degree felony murder and second-degree reckless murder, at his second trial earlier this month. He faces a life sentence plus additional time when he sentenced July 26. The U.S. and allies have major concerns about the consequences of instability in Russia, even as the chaos raises opportunities to strengthen Ukraines position diplomatically and militarily. There are any number of aftereffects to look for in the fallout from the weekend mutiny attempt launched by the head of the mercenary Wagner Group against Russian President Vladimir Putins regime. They include changes to Russias military footprint in Ukraine, impacts on Wagners operations in Africa and the Middle East, and potential shifts in position from China and other countries that have maintained ties with Moscow. Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine, President Biden said Monday in remarks from the White House. But its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going, President Biden said. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen. U.S. officials have said they are watching very carefully for any movements related to Russias nuclear weapons that would demand a reaction from America and its allies, while offering public assurances that there is no immediate crisis. We havent seen any change in Russias nuclear posture. There hasnt been any change in ours. But its something that were going to watch very, very carefully, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday in an interview with CBSs Face the Nation. Putin has seemed to stymie the immediate threat posed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who retreated Sunday from driving an armored column of his Wagner fighters toward Moscow after the intervention of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin, considered a close ally of Putin, had said he was launching a coup against Russian military generals he accused of undermining and targeting his fighting groups. He put out a video denouncing Russias war in Ukraine, saying it was launched on blatant lies. Military power is cracking The U.S., allies, and Ukrainian officials describe the extraordinary events that played out between Friday and Sunday as one of the starkest examples of Putins failure in his 16-month war of aggression in Ukraine, showing the Russian leaders weakness to control the forces fighting his war. The most important conclusion is that the war against Ukraine launched by Putin, and the monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell told reporters Monday. The monster is acting against his creator. The political system is showing its fragilities and the military power is cracking. So, this is an important consequence of the war in Ukraine. Peter Schroeder, who served as a senior intelligence official in both the Trump and Biden administrations focused on Russia and Ukraine, said an important takeaway from the chaos in Russia is that it undermines Moscows strategy to wear down Ukrainian resolve and that of its supporters in a grinding war of attrition. It does sort of suggest that its Russia where the cracks are emerging and time isnt necessarily on their side, he said. Ukrainians have been very good at the, sort of, information game so far. So I think thats something that they can really flip on its head, the idea that time is not on Russias side. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday night, The longer Russian aggression lasts, the more degradation it causes in Russia itself. One of the manifestations of this degradation is that Russian aggression is gradually returning to its home harbor. Will Putin listen to Prigozhin? Prigozhins Wagner company is a key fighting group in Russias war in Ukraine, with the U.S. estimating that 50,000 Wagner fighters were either killed or injured on the frontline. Schroeder, now a senior fellow with the Center for a New American Security, said one potential risk for Ukraine and its supporters is if Putin actually takes Prigozhins criticisms seriously and reevaluates Russias strategy in its war against Ukraine. The risk is that the Russians find a way to, frankly, prosecute the war more effectively, he said, and pointed to watching whether Putin retains Sergei Shoigu as the defense minister and Vitaly Gerasimov as the chief of general staff the two Russian officials whom Prigozhin had singled out for his rage. The Russian Defense Ministry published a video Monday of Shoigu surveying battlefield operations, a signal that he still has Putins confidence. Schroeder said if Putin doesnt change his military leadership, that sort of suggests hes not going to make any changes to their approach, which is good for the Ukrainians, I think. The fate of Prigozhin and Wagner as a company are so far unknown. Putin has said that Prigozhin and Wagner troops that participated in the rebellion can take exile in Belarus. While tens of thousands of Wagner forces were fighting on the frontlines of Ukraine, the private military company was also involved in information warfare, interfering in elections including in the U.S. The company is a military-for-hire force carrying out heinous atrocities against civilians in African countries and plundering their natural resources for financial gain. The Biden administration labeled it as a transnational criminal organization in January. Its just too soon to know after the weekend events where Wagner goes as an entity, or where Mr. Prigozhin goes in terms of his leadership, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Monday. Opportunities for US, allies Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute, said that even as Putin remains in power, his weakened position provides a chance for the U.S. to exercise influence in areas where Russia is sowing instability globally. The weakness of the Russian government and Wagner are two things that open up opportunities for more positive developments, she said. This includes in Georgia, where the Russian government is exerting influence over the government in Tbilisi to turn away from the West and its European aspirations. Russia also maintains a military occupation in the Georgian territory of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Moscows focus inward will also leave less time for it to exert influence in efforts to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the State Department hosting foreign ministers of both those countries in Washington this week for peace talks. Farkas said shes also going to be watching closely if Wagner troops operating in Syria and in African nations are diminished. I would be looking at their posture, she said. Are they being paid? Are they staying in place? Who are they reporting to? But NATO member countries bordering Russia and Belarus raised concern that moving Prigozhin to a country effectively under Russian control escalates threats against them; they called for reinforcing defenses in the Baltics. The Alliance is as strong as its most exposed spots are, and NATOs eastern flank is exactly that spot, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said Monday following a major military exercise among NATO forces in the country. Zelenskyy is looking for NATO members to offer Kyiv concrete security guarantees and a commitment to bringing Ukraine into NATO during the leaders-level summit next month in Vilnius, Lithuania. On Sunday night, he said he expects to hear strong content in Vilnius and pointed to Putins faltering state. Biden administration officials have said they are focused on laying the foundations for longer-term security support to Ukraine and strengthening its position to engage with NATO, while holding back from committing fully to bringing Kyiv into the alliance. The president is keeping updated on the situation in Russia on an hour-by-hour basis, Kirby said from the podium Monday, sharing our perspectives with allies and partners, and that is going to continue. U.S. officials would not comment on whether contact had been made with China, or with Chinese President Xi Jinping, one of Putins most prominent international backers. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday in a press briefing that Beijing officials have stayed in close and sound communication at various levels with Russia. This is Russias internal affair. China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, Mao said. William Taylor, who served as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and is vice president of the Europe and Russia program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, said the best course of action for the U.S. and partner countries is to closely watch as events unfold and reinforce that they are uninvolved in the internal competition playing out. We want to be clear that we dont get involved, we dont have a preference. This is something for the Russians to figure out. Well deal with the Russian threat whatever it is, he said. When your adversaries are tearing themselves apart, your best tactic is to keep quiet, let them do it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Sippd app uses AI to help match drinkers with wines that they'd really like Artificial intelligence (AI) can't taste or smell - at least not yet - but it is now increasingly helping people buy a decent bottle of wine. Blake Hershey says that the inspiration for his AI-powered wine recommendation app Sippd came from his wife. One weekend she was away with friends, and as he is the wine expert in their relationship, she kept texting him from restaurants asking for his suggestions. Mr Hershey says the situation made him realise that there needed to be a easier way for people to pick a bottle that they'd enjoy, either in a restaurant, supermarket or wine shop. "For all the advances in technology, the process of flipping through large wine lists full of obscure wine jargon until you give up and ask the waiting staff for a recommendation, when they don't know your preferences, seemed outdated to me," he says. And so the idea for US-based Sippd was born, with the app launching in the States in 2021. While other wine recommendation apps are now increasingly incorporating AI, such as market leader Vivino, the difference with Sippd is that it was based on the technology from the very beginning. Blake Hershey launched Sippd in 2021 New users start by completing an online wine quiz that analyses their wine preferences, such as colour, body, acidity, flavour, sweetness and price. Then the app's AI software does the "heavy lifting", generating thousands of personal wine recommendations that it calls "taste matches". These are rated in percentage terms, with scores of 100% aiming to be a perfect match. You can then start scanning wine lists or labels with your mobile phone's camera, and Sippd will give you your taste match scores for each bottle. Sippd then continues to learn when the user tells the app about his or her wine purchases. The aim is that the app's individualised recommendations get ever more accurate. "Beginner drinkers are commonly overwhelmed with the number of choices they have when purchasing wine, and they often have no clue where to start learning about their preferences towards certain flavours, characteristics, and styles," he says. "So our team developed the introductory quiz to provide novice drinkers with a simple, approachable way to enter the vast world of wine." Currently only available in the US, Maryland-based Sippd now has 100,000 users, and the app is free to use. The business makes its money by inviting people to buy recommended wines directly via the app for delivery. Buying a bottle of wine can be a daunting process In Norway, tech entrepreneur Alexander Benz launched the first version of his AI-powered wine recommendation app FinpaVin back in 2020. Mr Benz describes the AI as a "living, breathing thing" that learns from a users preferences, forever fine-tuning its recommendations. While the app currently only works with wines on sale at Norway's state-owned alcohol shops, Mr Benz is looking at the possibility of expanding overseas. He says he is also now aiming to train the AI "to create unique personalities for wines based on their characteristics", with the wines being able to "talk". Or at least for the AI to pretend to be a talking wine. "I'm also developing a social network where wine takes centre stage, and with the help of AI, each wine shares social media content like pictures and text updates. Users can even chat with a wine to learn more about it." New Tech Economy New Tech Economy is a series exploring how technological innovation is set to shape the new emerging economic landscape. But what do professional wine experts think about such apps? The view is mixed. "Overall I think they can be really good, if used properly," says John Downes, who is a master of wine - a holder of the top qualification in the industry. "These apps connect with people, the guy in the street, in a way that the wine trade often fails at. "They have a great potential in helping people along, and helping them to understand wine more." Wine writer Jamie Goode is far more critical, saying that wine apps "often promise a lot, but fail to deliver". "The problem with trying to match wines to consumers is - how do you you break down a wine into it component parts, and then understand their nature and qualities in a meaningful way that gives you data to play with in an app?" he asks. "And how can the app know about the tens of thousands of different wines made each year, with numerous vintage variations? If you want to find a more interesting bottle to drink, go to a genuinely good independent shop or website, which will have a carefully chosen range of wines." Alexander Benz is an avid wine enthusiast At Oxford University, Sandra Wachther is a professor of technology and regulation, where she researches the legal and ethical implications of AI. Given that she is a global leader in the study of AI, you might imagine that she would be all in favour of AI-powered wine apps. Instead she says it is an area where humans should really try to find a good bottle on their own, without reaching for the help of technology. "When it comes to smells and taste, food or drink, we might want to enjoy grazing and tasting ourselves, rather than to follow recommendations [from an app]. "We might enjoy following our own eyes and noses, and value being surprised by a dish or beverage. While I can see many exciting roles for AI in our society, some areas of expertise might be best left to ourselves." Sippd's head of marketing, Alicia Ortiz, counters that the app is simply about helping people, especially beginner wine drinkers, "so they no longer have to roll the dice, or spend unnecessary time researching, when they could be just sipping and enjoying". From China to the Congo, this is a time for America to be making friends, not enemies Ukraine is getting all the ink these days, but a story of even greater international import is playing out, not necessarily behind the scenes, but without the drama and fanfare thats ascribed to a shooting war. The global chess pieces arent just being rearranged, theyre being tossed about in a bag of trans-continental Shake N Bake. China is showing up in the Middle East, India is coming to America, the Russians are in Africa, Finland out of the blue is arguably the worlds most strategic country, Japan is rearming after sitting on the militaristic sidelines for three-quarters of a century and smart people looking for the next big player on the world stage are turning their eyes to Indonesia, and not just for its raw materials. It starts as it must with the Chinese, which as things stand now are a 1a to Americas 1. China has proclaimed there are no limits to its friendship with Russia, which is code for You barbarians disgust us. Tim Rowland Russia seems destined to go the way of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a fleeting 19th century power done in by its own poor military choices. China will take Russias oil and it will indirectly fluff up relations with the Russians, if only to distract Americas attention and burn up our weapons. But, unlike Tucker Carlson, the dignified Chinese have no use for the uncivilized, unpredictable savage in the Kremlin. Chinas President Xi wants to flip the world script, to be No. 1 to Americas 1a. The degree to which China is breathing down our necks was illustrated a few years ago when Google announced its new computers had solved a mind-bendingly complex problem in three minutes that would have previously taken 10,000 years. Chinese scientists, after some scrambling, were able to solve the same problem in five minutes. Despite that, the distance between 1 and 1a is not at the moment shrinking, it is growing and is about to grow more. China has fueled its impressive growth and modernization through the sale of state lands, which works so long as there isnt a real estate crash, which of course is exactly whats happening. At the same time, America is turbocharging its own play to become the clear world leader in energy and digital technology. Occasionally, throwing money at a problem does indeed help, and that seems to be exactly whats happening with Americas transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Private companies have tapped into government assistance with gusto, and some of these will fail, but others will succeed and make America a global energy-technology juggernaut so long as it can tap into crucial supplies of metals found in China, but also in oh-by-the-way nations that suddenly find themselves with world relevance. Indonesia is the world leader in nickel; the Democratic Republic of the Congo produces more than two-thirds of the worlds cobalt; Bolivia is part of South Americas valuable lithium triangle. And as American companies are racing forward with artificial intelligence, China has hit a snag it cant allow its AI programs unfettered access to the internet, because doing so exposes them to the truth, which does not always fit with Chinese orthodoxy. And while no one was looking, India in April passed China as the worlds most populous nation. China, which for schematic planning has historically made Wile E. Coyote look like Steve Jobs, introduced its One Child policy in 1980 and only ended it in 2016. China faces a population crash, and according to the Brookings Institute, the demographic transition in China will constitute a major constraint on the growth of Chinese power. America faces no such crisis, thanks to its much-maligned immigrants. If you could somehow subtract politics from the issue, we ideally would have more immigration, not less. So Americas courting of India is no accident. It stands as a counter balance to China today and is our partner in democracy, if not much else at the moment. India is all-in for India, and tends to base its friendships on which nation will send it the most weapons thus its tolerance of Russias Ukrainian invasion. Still, we need to play nice because it seems New Delhi, not Beijing, will be the seat of Asian power a century from now, if not sooner. If Jakarta doesnt beat them to it. Over the next quarter-century, (Indonesias) clout could increase spectacularly, wrote The Economist. Indonesia is leapfrogging India and Chinas fossil fuel addictions with a tech-based economy that could overtake both. Nor can Japan and South Korea, or even Vietnam and the Philippines be ignored. No wonder the Biden administration has been on full international scramble. The worlds cast of most important players is changing, which represents danger, but also remarkable opportunities. From China to the Congo, this is a time to be making friends, not enemies. Tim Rowland is a Herald-Mail columnist. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: India, Indonesia are becoming the key players on the world stage [Source] A Chinese influencer who talked about his experience fighting in Ukraine as a Russian soldier has been banned from Douyin after online sleuths exposed him as a fraud. Key details: The influencer, who was known as Pavel Korchatie on the Chinese social media platform, had over 380,000 followers before his account was ultimately banned on June 16. His content mainly featured him speaking in Mandarin about his first-hand experiences on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. Deceiving social media: In one of his videos, the influencer claimed that he and other soldiers were engaged in a life-and-death battle with the Ukrainian army, adding that they even managed to capture a few Ukrainian soldiers. The man reportedly filmed the video in front of a power plant he claimed to be in Ukraine. More from NextShark: TikToker shares heartwarming video of his late grandfather learning how to say a Cardi B song title In another video, he reportedly claimed that he and his army had fought U.S. Navy Seals and shot down U.S. military drones. Becoming a businessman: Pavel Korchatie started an e-commerce business which offered imported Russian goods, such as honey and vodka, after he gained hundreds of thousands of followers online, according to reports. Getting exposed online: Some eagle-eyed social media users alleged that the influencer used filters in his videos. They also claimed that he spoke Mandarin with a strong Henan accent. More from NextShark: Jonghyun fan comforts grieving fans of ASTRO's Moonbin with unexpected gesture Other online sleuths learned that the influencer was based in Chinas Henan province after tracking him down using his videos IP addresses. They also claimed that the power plant featured in one of his past videos was actually a power station in the Chinese city of Luoyang and that the cars in the background of the video featured Chinese license plates. The aftermath: After being exposed, Pavel Korchatie reportedly changed his username to Wang Kangmei (Wang Anti-America) and wrote in his bio that he was a Vanguard Against America. He was eventually banned by Douyin for spreading false information. More from NextShark: Chinese scientists successfully create worlds first mammal with fully reprogrammed genes Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Patrick Shyu sparks debate after calling out 'Merry Christmas' as 'highly offensive' Chinese people are watching their idea of a strong, unified Russia get dismantled by Wagner's mutiny, and now they're worrying that China might be next Members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. ROMAN ROMOKHOV/AFP via Getty Images The Wagner Group's rebellion has shaken Russia's public image on Chinese social media. As Wagner marched on Moscow, Weibo users began worrying the instability could spill into China. It's a stark contrast to how China typically frames Russia as a bulwark against a hostile US. As Wagner mercenaries marched on the Kremlin over the weekend, Chinese people were given full view of a sight rarely allowed on social media a modern Russia thrown into turmoil by infighting and political strife. On Weibo, China's version of Twitter, the hashtag "Putin accuses Wagner head of treason" received 2.37 billion views in just 24 hours. Posts discussing Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's mutiny, during which he called upon his 25,000 soldiers to march north to Moscow, surged to the top of Weibo's charts on Sunday, according to data seen by Insider. The rebellion finally put Moscow's months of internal strife on display for Weibo's users, which stood in stark contrast to the usual Chinese state narrative of a mighty, stable Russia standing up to the West. State media reports on Prigozhin's insurrection were careful to emphasize the Kremlin's perspective and a perception that things were still under control. Chinese news articles discussed tightened security in Russia, the criminality of armed rebellion, and included claims that life in Russia was carrying on as per normal. But as Wagner advanced through Russia, people on Weibo began to fret about how China may be affected by a hypothetical Russian civil war, or if Vladimir Putin's grip on power is diminished. "When the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold," one user wrote, expressing worry that the instability could spill into China. "If Russia were to be disintegrated by Western powers from the outside, or if it suffers from internal chaos, then it would really not be a good thing for China," they added. "If they truly move toward Moscow, there's a chance that war will be right next to our border," another user wrote. "It would be difficult for China to remain unaffected in such a situation." Hu Xijin, the vocal pundit and former chief editor of pro-Beijing outlet The Global Times, made several Weibo posts warning of the "tremendous impact" of Prigozhin's revolt on Putin's government and Russia's stability. "Now it seems that the situation is moving in the direction that the West and Ukraine most want to see, though the final outcome is still unknown," he wrote on Saturday. Many of these concerns stem from the idea that should Russia be brought to its knees, the US may then turn its full attention to undermining China a narrative often allowed to thrive on the usually tightly censored Weibo. "When Russia collapses, the wolves headed by 'the beautiful country' will have greater energy to target us," a blogger with 1 million followers wrote. The Chinese term the blogger used in their post for "the beautiful country," , is often used on Weibo to refer sarcastically to the US. "If the Big Goose can't hold on anymore, who will suffer the consequences? Who will be the next one to face being besieged on all sides? Who will be blocked in the economy, military, and technology by the group headed by the beautiful country?" wrote another user. "Big Goose" is a nickname Chinese internet users often use to refer to Russia. "If Russia really falls, then the beautiful country can spare more energy to target us," a popular military blogger wrote. "So from this perspective, Wagner's military rebellion is not a good thing for us." Prigozhin said on Sunday that he would turn back, claiming that he wanted to avoid shedding Russian blood. His announcement came as Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, said he'd been negotiating with the Wagner boss on Saturday. Prigozhin will be exiled to Belarus after striking a deal to avoid prosecution in Russia, according to the Kremlin. Read the original article on Insider Chris Christie (left) and Donald Trump. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images; Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Chris Christie tore into Donald Trump after the former president poked at his weight. The former New Jersey governor scoffed at Trump 'like he's some Adonis." Christie, once Trump's ally, has made going after him a central component of his campaign. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie brushed off Donald Trump's taunts about his weight, pointing out that the former president and his one-time ally is no perfect picture of health either. "Oh, like he's some Adonis," Christie told Fox News' Howard Kurtz on "Media Buzz" when asked about Trump and his allies poking fun at him about his weight. Christie added that his struggles with weight are something that he shares with "tens of millions" of other Americans. Besides, he added, Trump should really take a look in the mirror. "You know what it is? It's like a child, a bully on the schoolyard who teases you, makes fun of you," Christie said. "But here's my message to him: I don't care. I don't care what he says about me. I don't care what he thinks about me. And he should take a look in the mirror every once in a while maybe he would drop the weight thing off of his list of criticisms." Christie, whose endorsement of a major moment for Trump in 2016, called his former ally a "petulant child" who is unfit to be president again. Christie has made his 2024 campaign center on a full-frontal attack on Trump, something he argues some of the other Republican hopefuls are unwilling to do. "Some of them have a strategy that goes like, Donald Trump is just gonna disappear maybe by legal action or whatever, and I'll just inherit his voters," Christie said. "Some of them are just unable to do it, Howie, and some of them are afraid of him. Some of them have future aspirations beyond the presidency that they want to do." Read the original article on Business Insider Chris Christie, responding to quips about his weight, tells Trump to 'look in the mirror' Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday mocked Donald Trump, his fellow Republican presidential candidate, for Trumps recent quips about his weight. Oh, like hes some Adonis? he said to host Howard Kurtz on Fox News Media Buzz, saying that his longtime struggles with his weight have nothing to do with whether he is qualified to be president. Calling Trump a bully on the schoolyard, Christie added: Heres my message to him: I dont care what he says about me, and I dont care what he thinks about me, and he should take a look in the mirror every once in a while maybe hed drop the weight thing off of his list of criticisms. Christie, who continues to take direct aim at the former president as he tries to gain steam in the GOP race, reiterated many of the criticisms of Trump he has been making in his recent speeches, including at the Faith & Freedom Coalition conference, where he was booed Friday for his remarks. Given that Trump remains the Republican frontrunner, Kurtz asked Christie whether all his attacks on Trump were futile because the Republican Party he is seeking to lead in 2024 doesnt really exist anymore . I dont think so, Christie said. I think the things that Im talking about in our campaign, about doing big things again, about being a leader on the world stage, about reforming our educational system to give urban kids a chance to be able to really achieve and accomplish everything that their God-given potential has, those are future issues those are future issues, not past ones. Former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie is ready for any jabs at his appearance which Donald Trump may aim at him on the debate stage. That was the message he sent this weekend when asked about the issue on Fox Newss MediaBuzz, quipping to host Howard Kurtz that Mr Trump was no Adonis. Mr Trump has made a handful of references to the governors weight since the launch of the latters campaign, including by posting a photoshopped image of Mr Christie onstage with a buffet of food poorly edited into the frame. Oh, like hes some Adonis? Mr Christie said to Kurtz, who was suppressing a grin. Heres my message to him: I dont care what he says about me, and I dont care what he thinks about me, and he should take a look in the mirror every once in a while. Maybe hed drop the weight thing off of his list of criticisms, added the former governor. The quip was yet another sign of the governors emerging campaign strategy: A debate-stage showdown with Donald Trump. Clearly understanding that much of the GOP primary voting base loves a spectacle, and especially any politician who can land a punch, Mr Christie appears to be aiming for a showy moment onstage with the former president that will vault his campaign from the margins of the GOP primary field into the mainstream. So Trump is some Adonis now? Fabios lost twin brother? Get real. Like millions of Americans, I too have struggled with my weight. But Trump isnt unfit for office because of his appearance. Hes unfit because he has no character. pic.twitter.com/NisXuyLdvr Chris Christie (@GovChristie) June 25, 2023 The former New Jersey governor launched his campaign at St Anselm College in New Hampshire, an early primary state, weeks earlier in June. His opening salvo against the former president was withering and targeted (nearly) every legal entanglement, scandal and misstep which Mr Trump has found himself embroiled in for the past several years while at the same time, the ex-governor derided his Republican rivals for being unwilling to be direct with their criticism. Its like hes Voldemort, Mr Christie said at a pre-launch event in April, Youre not going to beat someone by closing your eyes, clicking your heels together three times and saying theres no place like home. You are here: Arts An attendee carries a sugar painting during the Dragon Fest in New York, the United States, on June 24, 2023. A brand-new Chinese food and culture festival won New Yorkers' hearts and stomachs on Saturday with its debut on a section of a street at Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) A brand-new Chinese food and culture festival won New Yorkers' hearts and stomachs on Saturday with its debut on a section of a street at Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan. The festival showcased authentic Chinese food and culture like soup dumplings, dandan noodles, kebab, pastries, flower cakes, bingtang hulu (sugar-coated haws), jianbing (similar to a burrito), sugar paintings, stinky tofu and others from around 35 vendors. Foodies waited in long lines at some popular stands, and the waiting time for the jianbing event exceeded two hours. Summer showers didn't dampen New Yorkers' enthusiasm, and the street was fully crowded in the afternoon. Over 30,000 people joined the free event from 10 am to 6 pm (1400 GMT to 2200 GMT) on Saturday, according to Xu Xuan, founder of the festival, which is branded as Dragon Fest. Food is the best starting point for people to understand and appreciate Chinese culture, said Xu. Vendors from Qingmu Dessert Lab offered Chinese pastries and wore delicate traditional Chinese clothing known as the Hanfu. A set of four pastries was made to represent four seasons through ingredients collected in respective seasons, according to an associate with Qingmu Dessert Lab. Jianbing, a popular street food in China's capital Beijing, drew many people's interest as its vendor Gem Bing Shop is nearby. New Yorkers could also taste flower cake with ingredients imported from southwest China's Yunnan province. Meanwhile, staff members from the restaurant brand Mala Project were busy fulfilling orders for spicy dry pot, representing neo-Sichuan cuisine. The presence of Seattle-based frozen dumpling service MiLa at the festival illustrates the popularity of authentic Chinese food in the U.S. market. Its participation in the festival also marks the first large-scale physical promotion of the brand in New York. Founded in 2018, MiLa switched to online sales of frozen soup dumplings after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and then shipped them to customers across the United States upon its increasing popularity, said Zhang Xiaohan, brand marketing and partnership lead with MiLa. Zhang saw enormous potential for authentic Chinese food in the mainstream market, with MiLa starting to supply Costco Wholesale stores on the West Coast in June. Chinese cuisine is not merely fried dumplings, steamed buns or chow mein (fried noodles), nor does it mean American-style Chinese food, said Xu, the event founder. Xu told Xinhua that she mulled over organizing such a festival as early as 2019 to present people a one-stop experience of Chinese food. Moreover, people can also try bubble tea, Sichuan-style spicy chili fried chicken, fried skewers, egg waffles, Mochi ice cream and others. The festival is expected to be held at three other locations in Manhattan in August and September. Mother let son take her place on doomed Titanic trip because he really wanted to go Christine Dawood, whose husband Shahzada and son Suleman died aboard the Titan submersible, has revealed that she had intended to take part in the doomed expedition but stepped aside so her son could go instead. The family had been planning a trip on the Titan submersible for some time, Dawood told the BBC in her first interview since the tragedy, but it was postponed by the Covid-19 pandemic. She had originally planned to make the trip with her husband because Suleman was too young at the time. Christine Dawood spoke to the BBC. - BBC Then I stepped back and gave the space to Suleman because he really wanted to go, Dawood said. I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time, she added. Asked how she felt now about her son taking her place on the submersible, Dawood declined to say. She also told the BBC that the 19-year-old was a Rubiks Cube obsessive who took the puzzle, which he could solve in 12 seconds, with him on the Titan. Suleman did not go anywhere without his Rubiks cube, Dawood said. Suleman Dawood (left) and Shahzada Dawood - Courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited/Reuters He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic, she added. He was so excited about this, Dawood said, describing how Suleman taught himself to solve the puzzle using YouTube videos. Dawood also spoke of how she met husband Shahzada at university, and recalled how his great curiosity about the world meant he would make the family watch documentaries together. He had this ability of childlike excitement, she said. Dawood recounted the moment that those on board the Polar Prince support vessel including herself and her 17-year-old daughter, Alina were told that staff were no longer able to communicate with the Titan. I didnt comprehend at that moment what that meant and then it just went downhill from there, she said Everyone thought the submersible would resurface, Dawood added. There was a lot of hope, she said. I think I lost hope when we passed the 96 hours mark, Dawood said, adding that at that point she messaged her family. I said: Im preparing for the worst. Thats when I lost hope, she said. As for what happens now, Dawood said she doubted she and Alina would ever be able to find closure. Is there such a thing? I dont know, she said. However, the pair have vowed to learn to solve the Rubiks Cube, she added. We promised ourselves were going to learn it for Suleman, said Dawood. The family will also work to continue Shahzadas work. He was involved in so many things, he helped so many people and I think I really want to continue that legacy and give him that platform Its quite important for my daughter as well, she said. I miss them, she added. I really, really miss them. The Dawoods are from a prominent Pakistani business family. Dawood Hercules Corp., their business, is among the largest companies in the country, with a portfolio spanning energy, petrochemicals, fertilizers, information technology and food and agriculture. Shahzada and Suleman joined a voyage on board the Titan submersible roughly the size of a minivan to observe the wreck of the Titanic ocean liner, which lies around 12,500 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic. The submersible went missing on June 18, about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its descent to explore the wreckage. On Thursday, debris from the sub was found by search teams, indicating that the vessel had suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five people on board. CNNs Steve Almasy and Ivana Kottasova contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The mother and wife of Titan submersible victims Suleman and Shahzada Dawood has opened up about her loss in a new interview with the BBC. Christine Dawood and her 17-year-old daughter Alina were on board the host ship in the North Atlantic as their two family members boarded OceanGates submersible to dive nearly 13,000 feet to view the sunken Titanic. The submersible lost contact with the surface ship an hour and 45 minutes into the dive. Following a desperate, dayslong search, authorities determined the vessel had imploded, killing all five men on board. Speaking to the BBC in her first interview, Christine Dawood recalled her final moments with her husband and son aboard the host vessel. We just talked and joked, actually, because Shahzada was so excited to go down. He was like a little child, she said. They were both so excited. (Her comments about her son contradict those from her sister-in-law Azmeh Dawood, who told NBC News last week that Suleman was terrified and wasnt very up for the expedition.) Christine Dawood also recounted how the hours and days unfolded after the submersible lost communications. I was sitting with people talking, she recalled. And then somebody came down and said, We lost coms, and I think I didnt comprehend at that moment what that meant. It just went downhill from there, she added. Christine Dawood wanted to talk to the BBC and pay tribute to the son and husband she lost. #Titan Longer interview running on @BBCWorld on-air and online @robtaylortv@EloiseAlannapic.twitter.com/q1LW946xpn Nomia Iqbal (@NomiaIqbal) June 25, 2023 Throughout the first day, she said she was told the Titan would come back up. As the time passed when the Titan should have resurfaced, she said, they held hope that the vessels pilot could drop weights or employ other measures to return. We were like, constantly looking at the surface, she said. And so there was that hope. Dawood said she lost hope when we passed the 96-hour mark, which meant the passengers would likely have exhausted the breathable oxygen supply on the Titan if they had been still alive. Suleman Dawood had just completed his first year as a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. His friends and family members said he was passionate about solving Rubiks cubes, science fiction and travel. Shahzada Dawood was the vice chair of Engro, a Pakistani energy investment company. He lived in the U.K. with his wife and daughter Alina. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood both loved science fiction and travel, according to loved ones. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood both loved science fiction and travel, according to loved ones. Christine Dawood said her son could solve a Rubiks cube in a matter of seconds and had taken one with him on the dive so he could solve it thousands of feet underwater at the Titanic site. She said she and Alina have decided to learn how to solve a Rubiks cube in memory of Suleman. Thats going to be a challenge for us because we are really bad at it, she told BBC. We promised ourselves were gonna learn it for Suleman. 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. The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday it had launched an investigation into the disaster. Civil or criminal sanctions could be recommended, a Coast Guard official said in a news conference. Related... NEWARK, N.J. On a recent morning, Cheryl Drakeford, a third grade teacher at First Avenue Elementary School in Newark, projected a challenging math question on her classrooms whiteboard: What fraction of the letters in the word MATHEMATICIAN are consonants? Drakeford knew that consonant might be an unfamiliar word to some students. So she suggested they ask Khanmigo, a new tutoring bot that uses artificial intelligence, for help. She paused for a minute while about 15 schoolchildren dutifully typed the same question What are consonants? into their math software. Then she asked the third graders to share the tutoring bots answer. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Consonants are the letters in the alphabet that are not vowels, one student read aloud. The vowels are A, E, I, O and U. Consonants are all the other letters. Tech industry hype and doomsday prophesies around AI-enhanced chatbots like ChatGPT sent many schools scrambling this year to block or limit the use of the tools in classrooms. Newark Public Schools is taking a different approach. It is one of the first school systems in the United States to pilot test Khanmigo, an automated teaching aid developed by Khan Academy, an education nonprofit whose online lessons are used by hundreds of districts. Newark has essentially volunteered to be a guinea pig for public schools across the country that are trying to distinguish the practical use of new AI-assisted tutoring bots from their marketing promises. Proponents contend that classroom chatbots could democratize the idea of tutoring by automatically customizing responses to students, allowing them to work on lessons at their own pace. Critics warn that the bots, which are trained on vast databases of texts, can fabricate plausible-sounding misinformation making them a risky bet for schools. Officials in Newark, the largest district in New Jersey, said they were cautiously testing the tutoring bot in three schools. Their findings could influence districts across the United States that are vetting AI tools this summer for the upcoming school year. Its important to introduce our students to it, because its not going away, Timothy Nellegar, the director of educational technology at Newark Public Schools, said of AI-assisted technology. But we need to figure out how it works, the risks, the good and the bad. Khan Academy is among a handful of online learning companies that have created new tutoring bots based on language models developed by OpenAI, the research lab behind ChatGPT. Khan Academy, whose high-level tech donors include Google, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Elon Musk Foundation, received access to the AI models last year. Designed specifically for schools, the tutoring bot often takes students through the sequential steps needed to solve a problem. When Khan Academy began looking for districts to pilot test its experimental tutorbot this spring, Newark volunteered. A number of local elementary schools were already using the education organizations online math lessons as a way to track students mastery of concepts like grouping numbers. And the AI tool would be free for those schools during the initial pilot-testing phase. District officials said they wanted to see if Khanmigo could enhance student engagement and math learning. Schools like First Avenue, attended by many children from lower-income families, were also eager to give their students an early opportunity to try a new AI-assisted teaching aid. Districts like Newark that use Khan Academys online lessons, analytics and other school services which do not include Khanmigo pay an annual fee of $10 per student. Participating districts that want to pilot test Khanmigo for the upcoming school year will pay an additional fee of $60 per student, the nonprofit said, noting that computing costs for the AI models were significant. Newark students began using Khans automated teaching aid in May. The reviews have so far been mixed. One recent morning, sixth graders at First Avenue Elementary were working on a statistics assignment that involved developing their own consumer surveys. Their teacher, Tito Rodriguez, suggested the students start by asking Khanmigo two background questions: What is a survey? What makes a question statistical? Rodriguez described the bot as a useful co-teacher that allowed him to devote extra time to children who needed guidance while enabling more self-driven students to plow ahead. Now they dont have to wait for Mr. Rodriguez, he said. They can ask Khanmigo. Down the hall in Drakefords math class, the bots responses to students sometimes seemed less like suggestions and more like direct answers. When students asked Khanmigo the fraction question posted on the classrooms white board, the bot answered that the word mathematician contained 13 letters and that seven of those letters were consonants. That meant the fraction of consonants was 7 out of 13, the bot wrote, or 7/13. Thats our biggest concern, that too much of the thinking work is going through Khanmigo, said Alan Usherenko, the districts special assistant for schools, including First Avenue, in Newarks North Ward. The district did not want the bot to lead students through a problem step by step, he said, adding, We want them to know how to tackle the problem themselves, to use their critical thinking skills. In an email, Khan Academy said students often needed initial support getting through problem-solving steps, and practicing could help them learn to automatically go through the steps, without assistance. The group added that the tutoring bot was designed to help students solve problems, not give them the answers. But in the case of the fraction problem in Newark, the organization said, Khanmigo helped too much, too fast. Our engineering team corrected the AI a few weeks ago, Khan Academy said in an email Tuesday, so that it no longer gives the answer to this question. On Wednesday, a reporter asked Khanmigo the same fraction question. In student mode, the tutoring bot explained the steps and then directly provided the answer: the fraction of consonants in the word MATHEMATICIAN is 7/13. In teacher mode, which is designed to walk educators through problems and answers, the bot provided a different incorrect response. Khanmigo said erroneously that there were eight consonants in the word mathematician. That led the bot to provide a wrong answer: 8 consonants/ 14 total letters = 8/14. In an email, Khan Academy said it had fixed the issue within its tutor me: math and science section for students, noting that the reporter had asked a question in a different part of the site. As for the teacher mode giving the incorrect answer, the email said, sometimes Khanmigo makes mistakes. Even so, Usherenko said he was hopeful. The district had suggested to Khan Academy that, rather than relying on students to ask Khanmigo the right questions, it would be more helpful if the bot asked students open-ended questions and analyzed their responses. Its not where I want it yet, Usherenko said of Khanmigo. But when it can find students misconceptions, that will be a game changer. Khan Academy said the tutoring bot often asked students open-ended questions and that the group was working on getting the AI models to accurately identify misconceptions. The nonprofit added that it was continuing to improve Khanmigo with feedback from school districts. Whether schools will be able to afford AI-assisted tutorbots remains to be seen. Khan Academy said that it would offer a discount for districts in which more than half of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. Even so, the financial hurdles suggest that AI-enhanced classroom chatbots are unlikely to democratize tutoring any time soon. Nellegar, Newarks ed tech director, said his district was looking for outside funding to help cover the cost of Khanmigo this fall. The long-term cost of AI is a concern for us, he said. c.2023 The New York Times Company Cleaner wipes out 25 years of research by turning off 'annoying' lab fridge Test tubes A cleaner has been accused of wiping out 25 years of research after turning off a laboratory freezer to stop an annoying beeping sound. Joseph Herringtons employer, Daigle Cleaning Systems, is being sued for $1 million (786,535) by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), which accuses him of destroying potentially groundbreaking research by shutting off the appliance. The cleaning firm had a $1.4 million contract to clean the private university in Troy, New York, between August and November 2020. On Sept 14 2020, the alarm for a freezer containing numerous cell cultures and samples was triggered when the temperature fluctuated from its prescribed -80C (-112F) temperature. A temperature fluctuation of 3C could cause catastrophic damage, court documents filed with Rensselaer County Clerk said. Prof K V Lakshmi, professor of chemistry and chemical biology, who runs the laboratory, determined that the samples were not being compromised. Specimens rendered unsalvageable Because of Covid-19, the freezer manufacturer could not attend to repair the freezer until Sept 21. A sign was placed on the freezer door that read: This freezer is beeping as it is under repair. Please do not move or unplug it. No cleaning required in this area. You can press the alarm/test mute button for 5-10 seconds if you would like to mute the sound. On Sept 17, Mr Herrington was reportedly cleaning the laboratory when he turned off the circuit breaker that provided electricity to the freezer. The lawsuit, filed on June 16, stated that the internal temperature had risen by 50C by the time students returned to the laboratory and discovered what had happened. The majority of specimens were compromised, destroyed and rendered unsalvageable, demolishing more than 20 years of research. In an interview with the university following the incident, Mr Herrington admitted to hearing annoying alarms. He thought important circuit breakers had been turned off and believed he was turning them back on. Careless and reckless At the end of the interview he still did not believe he had done anything wrong but was just trying to help, the lawsuit stated. Peoples behaviour and negligence caused all this. Unfortunately, they wiped out 25 years of research, Michael Ginsberg, whose law firm Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg and Griffin is representing RPI, told local newspaper Times Union. RPI filed six causes for action with the court, including one claiming the defendant was negligent, careless and reckless in hiring Joe Herrington, who lacked the ability to perform his duties. It stated that the firm failed to properly train him. RPI is seeking a trial and is pursuing the firm for $1 million in damages, plus legal fees. Daigle Cleaning Services has been approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Cleveland 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. 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. Murder, suicide in North Olmsted: Giant Eagle worker, ex-husband dead in apparent murder-suicide at Northeast Ohio Giant Eagle 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. 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: Cleveland, Ohio mom who left toddler at home alone charged with murder Cliff jumpers found dead in Minnesota lake hours after struggling in water, cops say Bodies of two cliff jumpers were pulled out of a Minnesota lake Sunday, June 25, authorities say. The Lake County Sheriffs Office said the two cliff jumpers were seen struggling at Black Beach in Silver Bay around 1:30 p.m. Multiple search and rescue teams and the U.S. Coast Guard were sent to the lake to help find the missing men, according to the sheriff. Nearly five hours later, the body of one of the cliff jumpers was pulled out of the water, the sheriffs office said. The second mans body was discovered more than an hour later. The identities of the victims have not been publicly disclosed. They are both 18 years old, police told Fox 21. Black Beach is on the shore of Lake Superior in northeast Minnesota. Rafter dies when rushing rapids flip boat carrying 3 on Colorado river, officials say Kayakers body found over a week after fiancee tried to save him, WA officials say Grandfather rushes to save 9-year-old struggling off SC beach and drowns, cops say Former MSD School Resource Officer Scot Peterson sits at the defense table during closing arguments in his trial, Monday, June 26, 2023, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Peterson is accused of failing to confront the shooter who murdered 14 students and three staff members at a Parkland high school five years ago. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A Florida sheriffs deputy fled to safety during the 2018 Parkland school massacre, putting his own life ahead of the children he was charged with protecting and giving the gunman time to fatally shoot several victims, prosecutors told jurors Monday during the closing arguments of his trial on child neglect charges. Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson could have located and stopped Nikolas Cruz as he carried out his Feb. 14, 2018, attack inside the three-story 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, prosecutor Kristen Gomes told the jury. But instead of opening a door, looking in a window or seeking information from fleeing students, he chose to take shelter next to an adjoining building, Gomes said. That prevented him from confronting Cruz before he reached the third floor, where six of Cruz's 17 killings were committed. Even if he hadn't killed Cruz, his presence would have distracted him, giving students and teachers time to flee or hide, or caused him to surrender or commit suicide, she said. Choose to go in or choose to run? Scot Peterson chose to run, Gomes said. When the defendant ran, he left behind an unrestricted killer who spent the next four minutes and 15 seconds wandering the halls at his leisure. Because when Scot Peterson ran, he left them in a building with a predator unchecked. But Peterson's attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, argued that Peterson is being made a sacrificial lamb for failures by elected officials and administrators. He said the evidence proves Peterson's insistence that the gunshots' echoes prevented him from pinpointing Cruz's location is the truth and Peterson did everything he could under the circumstances. Criticizing his actions now is Monday morning quarterbacking using facts that were unknown to Peterson in real time. He said the only person responsible for what happened that day is that monster Cruz. He said two dozen students, teachers and others testified that they also could not pinpoint where the shots were coming from some of them from inside the building where the shooting happened. This whole hearing-based prosecution is flawed and offensive, Eiglarsh said. He said Peterson acted heroically during the shooting, staying put to transmit whatever information he had and would have charged into the building if he knew where the shooter was. But if he did that or went elsewhere without solid information and the shooter then killed others where Peterson had left, he would have been prosecuted for that. He was damned no matter what, Eiglarsh said. Peterson, the school's on-campus deputy, is being tried for felony child neglect and other charges for the deaths and injuries on the third floor. He is not charged in connection with the deaths of 11 people killed on the first floor before he reached the building. It is the first time a U.S. law enforcement officer has been tried in connection with a school shooting. Peterson, 60, sometimes looked down and shook his head during the prosecution's presentation. Several members of the victims' families glared at Eiglarsh from the gallery during his argument. Prosecutors, during their two-week presentation, called to the witness stand students, teachers and law enforcement officers who testified about the horror they experienced and how they knew where Cruz was. Some said they knew for certain the shots were coming from the 1200 building. Prosecutors also called a training supervisor who testified Peterson did not follow protocols for confronting an active shooter. Eiglarsh during his two-day presentation called several deputies who arrived during the shooting and students and teachers who testified they did not think the shots were coming from the 1200 building. Peterson did not testify. Eiglarsh also emphasized the failure of the sheriff's radio system during the attack, which limited what Peterson heard from arriving deputies. Gomes said the radio system worked well during the critical first minutes of the attack, with Peterson being the one with the best information as he was within feet of the building. The jury will also have to decide whether Peterson was a caregiver to the juvenile students who died and were wounded on the third floor a legal requirement for him to be convicted of child neglect. Florida law defines a caregiver as a parent, adult household member or other person responsible for a childs welfare. Caregivers are guilty of felony neglect if they fail to make a reasonable effort to protect children or dont provide necessary care. The six jury members deliberated for about 90 minutes Monday before adjourning until Tuesday. Gomes said every parent who dropped their child off that morning expected Peterson to protect the students. Eiglarsh said Peterson was not responsible for feeding or clothing the students, so he was not their caregiver. Security videos show that 36 seconds after Cruz's attack began, Peterson exited his office about 100 yards (92 meters) from the 1200 building and jumped into a cart with two unarmed civilian security guards. They arrived at the building a minute later. Peterson got out of the cart near the east doorway to the first-floor hallway. Cruz was at the hallways opposite end, firing his AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. Peterson, who was not wearing a bullet-resistant vest, did not open the door. Instead, he took cover 75-feet (23 meters) away in the alcove of a neighboring building, his gun still drawn. He stayed there for 40 minutes, long after the shooting ended and other police officers had stormed the building. Gomes' colleague, Chris Killoran, told the jury during the prosecution's rebuttal argument that if Peterson truly didn't know the shooter's location and wanted to find him, he would have looked into the 1200 building as he was only feet away. Peterson faces up to nearly 100 years in prison if convicted, although because of his clean record a sentence anywhere near that length is highly unlikely. He could also lose his $104,000 annual pension. He had spent nearly three decades working at schools, including nine years at Stoneman Douglas. He retired shortly after the shooting and was then fired retroactively. Cruzs jury could not unanimously agree he deserved the death penalty. The 24-year-old former Stoneman Douglas student was then sentenced to life in prison. Club Q Shooter Set to Plead Guilty Today The suspect in the mass shooting at the Club Q nightclub that killed five people and wounded another 17 pled guilty in a Colorado courtroom today, according to a report from the Associated Press. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, opened fire at the popular gay club late on November 19, 2022, killing Daniel Aston, Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Derrick Rump. The attack was halted by two patrons, one who rushed the gunman and another who assisted him. Aldrich, who claims to identify as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, is currently charged with over 300 counts of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and bias-motivated crimes. They now face the potential of a life sentence in a state court and the possibility of additional charges in a federal court. Aldrich has reportedly admitted their guilt, saying they had to take responsibility for what happened in a series of six phone calls with the AP reported earlier this month. Nothings ever going to bring back their loved ones. People are going to have to live with injury that cant be repaired, Aldrich told the AP. When he was later asked to explain why the mass shooting happened, they replied, I dont know. Thats why I think its so hard to comprehend that it did happen. Aldrich also said they understood the gravity of the punishments they potentially face. Im either going to get the death penalty federally or I will go to prison for life, thats a given, they observed. This is a developing news story... A college janitor turned off a freezer in a lab to silence 'annoying alarms,' but destroyed $1 million in scientific research in the process, a lawsuit claims A janitor accidentally destroyed $1 million of scientific research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Hang Yu/Getty A janitor destroyed $1 million in scientific research after turning off a super cold freezer in a lab. He had heard "annoying alarms" coming from the freezer where over 20 years of research were stored. The laboratory's university is now suing the cleaning company that contracted the janitor. A university janitor accidentally turned off a super cold laboratory freezer after repeated "annoying alarms," resulting in the destruction of $1 million worth of scientific research, according to a lawsuit filed in the New York. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a private research university in Troy, New York, is suing Daigle Cleaning Systems after one of its contracted workers wiped out over 20 years of research, according to the suit, which was filed in Rensselaer County Supreme Court. Joseph Harrington, an employee of Daigle, was contracted to clean at RPI's Cogwell Building from August 2020 through to November 2020 where a laboratory was located. A professor of the university Dr. K.V. Lakshmi conducted high-level research inside the lab that "had the potential to be groundbreaking" and funded by the university, the lawsuit said. The laboratory contained a freezer which housed numerous cell cultures and samples that had to be stored at a temperature of -112 degrees fahrenheit a fluctuation of just three degrees could cause "catastrophic damage." If the freezer's temperature rose to -108 degrees or dropped to -115.6 degrees, an alarm was set to go off. This is exactly what happened on September 14, 2020 when the alarm went off because the temperature had risen to -108.4 degrees, but Professor Lakshmi determined that the research was still unharmed. She contacted the freezer manufacturer to schedule emergency services but due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, it could not be serviced until September 2022. As a result of the consistent alarm and to prevent anyone from unplugging the freezer, a notice was placed on its door saying: "THIS FREEZER IS BEEPING AS IT IS UNDER REPAIR. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE OR UNPLUG IT. NO CLEANING REQUIRED IN THIS AREA. YOU CAN PRESS THE ALARM/TEST MUTE BUTTON FOR 5-10 SECONDS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MUTE THE SOUND." However, when Harrington was cleaning near the lab on September 17th, he heard the "annoying alarms," according to his account of the events told to the university. In an effort to be helpful, he ended up switching off the circuit breakers which provides vital electricity to the freezer believing that he was switching them back on in an "error in his reading of the panel." Professor Lakshmi's students found the freezer switched off the next day with the temperature having risen and despite efforts to preserve the research "a majority of specimens were compromised, destroyed, and rendered unsalvageable demolishing more than twenty years of research," the lawsuit states. It's believed that Harrington destroyed $1 million worth of scientific research and RPI will be seeking damages close to that amount but it hasn't arrived at a figure yet, Michael E. Ginsberg, a lawyer for RPI told Insider. "We don't believe that there was any malicious intent that this was done intentionally or that there was any type of sabotage," Ginsberg said. "This was a result of human error and although there are allegations of breach of contract and a few different theories of negligence, the real issue here, the core of the allegation is that the cleaning company failed to train and supervise their employee." Harrington maintains that he thought he was doing the right thing, according to the lawsuit. Daigle Cleaning Systems did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the lawsuit. Read the original article on Business Insider Earlier this year, dozens of college students living at Alpine Village in Provo, Utah, were shocked to receive utility bills three times higher than the previous month, KSL reports. Alpine Village is one of several off-campus housing options for students at Brigham Young University, according to KSL. Residents in the shared units, like Wade Pickett, split their bills with several roommates and are used to a low monthly rate for electricity and gas. I dont know how you can go from $40 last month to $123 this month, Pickett told KSL. Between the baffled student and his three roommates, the total for the month was $492 which, according to Pickett, makes no sense, as he and his roommates used no more energy that month than the previous one. We dont even have a gas stove, he said. KSL investigated the unusually high bill and found that the skyrocketing price of natural gas is the culprit. Most Provo residents receive their gas from Dominion Energy, a company regulated by the Utah Division of Public Utilities. However, Alpine Village is managed by Redstone Residential, which uses a third-party provider for natural gas. While Dominion Energy has safeguards to prevent large price changes, Redstone Residentials provider pays much closer to the market rate. Most of the time, thats lower than Dominions prices. However, with the war in Ukraine and the spiking demand for natural gas, prices are much higher than usual and Redstone Residentials supplier has passed that bill on to the students at Alpine Village. Jake Jarman, president of Redstone Residential, told KSL, Residents were charged amounts that they should not have been charged. Those charges have been fixed, and residents will be paying their normal amount for gas charges. But many other buyers are stuck with climbing natural gas costs. This is part of the reason that other affordable energy sources like wind and solar are becoming more popular, and people across the U.S. are switching from gas appliances to electric. For those who arent quite ready to make the switch, Melanie Hall of the Utah Division of Public Utilities told KSL that customers should read their contracts carefully. According to her, the best way to protect against this kind of surprise is clear disclosure of an agreements terms and diligent review of them by all parties involved. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Students in Myanmar, along with their friends and family members, on Saturday gathered for the final rounds of a Chinese proficiency contest for foreign students to showcase their skills. With the students participating with excitement and anticipation to test their skills, the 2023 "Chinese Bridge" language competition for foreign college and secondary school students in Myanmar was vibrant and colorful inside the main hall of the Myanmar Chinese Chamber of Commerce in downtown Yangon. Shoon Woo, 17, was one of the 28 students who competed in the language proficiency contest, divided into two categories -- one for secondary students and the other for college contestants. "It's my first time competing in such an event. I came to compete here as I love the Chinese language very much, and I wanted to show my talent (dances)," Shoon told Xinhua with a smile and a dancing gesture. "It's like testing my skills," the secondary school girl said, adding that she started learning the Chinese language when she was five years old. "I went to both Chinese school and Myanmar school," she said, adding that she came from Kokang, a region bordering China. "Learning Chinese is advantageous," Shoon explained, saying that she gained new knowledge and made more friends by studying the Chinese language. Thwin Naing Soe, 14, another secondary school student who competed in the contest, said that he participated in the competition to showcase his Chinese language skills as well as his singing and dancing talents. Thwin said he has been studying the Chinese language for nearly eight years. "I'm fond of Chinese dances and songs as I have watched Chinese films, particularly comedy ones, with my mom," he said. The cheers and applause that he got from the audience were memorable, he added. The Chinese language proficiency competition, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, the Fuxing Confucius Classroom and three other Chinese language centers in Myanmar, featured speeches and talent shows such as singing, poetry recitation and dancing. Due to his excellent performance, 19-year-old Min Khant Aung won the first prize in the final rounds of the 22nd edition of the Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students. "It's memorable for my life. I'm very happy. I didn't expect to win the first prize. I just did my best throughout the competition," the student from the Myanmar International Education Center told Xinhua. "Learning Chinese is good in many ways," he said. "It benefits both countries. Myanmar people will understand more about China. Chinese people will see the hard work of Myanmar people," he said. In the 16th Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students, Thin Kyu Hlaing, an eighth-grader from the Eastern Language and Business Center, won the first prize. "I'm extremely happy. It's unforgettable to perform dances in the competition," the secondary school girl said. "I've been interested in the Chinese language since I was young. I like Chinese culture and history," she said. "The event aims to promote Chinese language learning in Myanmar," Wu Weizhong, head of the Fuxing Confucius Classroom, said, adding that the race will help deepen China-Myanmar friendship. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro decorates a soldier that participated in the search of four Indigenous children who survived an Amazon plane crash, during a ceremony at the Palace of Narino in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Colombia's president handed out 86 medals Monday to soldiers, Indigenous volunteers and government officials who helped in the rescue of four children who spent 40 days on their own in the jungle after a plane crash. President Gustvao Petro described the search that captivated world attention as an example of how Western technologies and traditional knowledge of Indigenous people can work together in the preservation of life. The children, Indigenous siblings, were on a small plane with their mother and two other adults when it crashed in the Amazon on May 1. The three adults died. Some 70 Indigenous people worked with more than 150 soldiers to look for the children in difficult terrain, using helicopters and GPS devices but also drawing inspiration from traditional knowledge of the jungle. The children, aged 1 to 13, were found June 9 by four volunteers from the Muruy people. The children are still recovering at a military hospital in Bogota. The military with its satellites, and the Indigenous people with their potions including ayahuasca and invoking the spirits of the jungle, together, found life Petro said during the ceremony in front of the presidential palace. After soldiers in camouflage and Indigenous people wearing feathered headdresses received their medals, a Belgian shepherd named Drugia was saluted by the president. Military officials said the dog was the mother of Wilson, the sniffer dog who became a national hero after helping find the children. Wilson hasn't been seen since May 18, when he raced away from the search party following a scent. The military has said searchers followed Wilson's pawprints, which led them into the general area where the children were eventually found three weeks later by four of the Indigenous volunteers. Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Gen. Pedro Sanchez, who commanded the rescue effort, noted soldiers were still hunting for Wilson, but added that at this point there is little hope of finding the dog. We are going to remember Wilson forever, as we do every soldier and policeman who has offered their lives to protect Colombia, Sanchez said. Colombia president awards medals to rescuers of children missing in Amazon Colombia honors soldiers and indigenous people who helped rescue missing children, in Bogota BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Monday gave 86 medals to Indigenous and military rescuers who worked to find four children who survived a plane crash in the country's Amazon and lived for more than five weeks in the jungle. The children, aged 1 through 13, survived the May 1 crash that killed their mother and two other adults and were found earlier this month. The Indigenous children's knowledge of the jungle, as well as the eldest sister's courage, have been credited by officials with saving their lives. "Now there is no debate about whether Western or traditional wisdom is more important," Petro said of the rescue efforts. "Together they brought the children back." The siblings remain hospitalized but the government has said they are recovering satisfactorily. One military rescue dog, Wilson, went missing himself during the operation. Though efforts to find him continued after the children were found, his rescue is now unlikely, a military official told local media. Wilson was the recipient of one of the medals. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Sandra Maler) The attacker who killed five people at an LGBT nightclub in Colorado last year has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder and attempted murder. Victims called Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, a "coward" and a "monster" for the rampage at Club Q in Colorado Springs on 19 November 2022. The shooting was stopped by club-goers, who subdued the attacker until police arrived. The attack left 17 others wounded. The victims who were killed were Daniel Aston, 28; Derrick Rump, 38; Kelly Loving, 40; Ashley Paugh, 34; and, Raymond Vance, 22. As part of a plea deal, the attacker was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, and 46 consecutive 48-year sentences for the attempted murders, in addition to pleading "no contest" to charges of bias-motivated crimes. "When you commit a hate crime, you are targeting a group of people for their simple existence," Judge Michael McHenry said. "The sentence in this court is that such hate will not be tolerated." Judge McHenry added that he believes Aldrich's actions "reflect the deepest malice of the human heart". "And malice is almost always born of ignorance and fear," Judge McHenry added. Family members of some of the victims addressed the court after the plea. "This thing sitting in this court room is not a human, it is a monster," said Jessica Fierro, whose daughter Kassandra was injured and her daughter's boyfriend Raymond killed that night. "The devil awaits with open arms." Sabrina Aston, whose late son Daniel was one of Club Q's bartenders, said: "I will never forgive you for this heinous crime." Daniel's partner Wyatt Kent said he chose to forgive Aldrich, who he said was "a symbol of a broken system, of hate and vitriol pushed against us as a community". "What brings joy to me is that this hurt individual will never be able to see the joy and the light that has been wrought into our community as an outcome," he added. Adriana Vance, the mother of Raymond Vance, said Aldrich "doesn't deserve to go on. What matters now is that he never sees the sunrise or the sunset." Aldrich declined to address the court ahead of the sentencing and showed no emotion as the families made statements. The attacker, whose lawyers say identifies as non-binary, asked the court on Monday to use the gender-neutral honorific Mx. Their defence attorney said Aldrich is "deeply remorseful and deeply sorry" and "know they can't do anything to make it better". In a recent interview with the Associated Press news agency, Aldrich said they felt a need to "take responsibility for what happened". They also claimed they were "on a very large plethora of drugs" at the time. When asked by the judge on Monday, Aldrich said they remain on a variety of medication, including mood stabilisers and anti-psychotic drugs. Aldrich's version of the event was disputed by District Attorney Michael Allen, who called Aldrich's comments "self-serving in nature" and "disgusting". He added that the evidence suggests months of planning and premeditation by Aldrich, including intentionally evading background checks to purchase weapons and communicating "a hatred for minorities and those in the LGBTQ+ community". "These victims were targeted for who they were and are," Mr Allen said. "The targeting of groups will not be tolerated". The shooting - which lasted six minutes - was ended when Richard Fierro, a 15-year US Army veteran, tackled the attacker. As Mr Fierro and Aldrich wrestled on the ground, a drag show performer pummelled Aldrich with a high-heel shoe. In court on Monday, Mr Fierro referred to Mr Aldrich as a "terrorist" who "brought combat" to innocent people at Club Q. "I had more respect for the adversaries I fought overseas than I do for this individual," he said. "I hope the words I yelled into the back of your head that night echo for the rest of your life." Aldrich had previously been arrested in Colorado Springs in June 2021 after threatening to detonate a bomb and harm their mother, court documents show. The charges were dropped despite relatives warning the judge in that case that Aldrich remained a danger to the public. A Columbus woman is opening a new shop selling only products by local creators and producers in the former Visitors Center on Front Avenue. The Peach Shoppe owner Rachel Kelly will offer a variety of clothing, jewelry, accessories, prints, stained glass artwork in the store. There will be space for food items in the shop as well, Kelly told the Ledger-Enquirer, particularly Georgia peaches when they are available. Peach crops across the state have struggled this year, she said, but Kelly was able to ensure that the shop would have the fruit available for the opening. This is called the Peach Shoppe & Co., Kelly said. So, weve got to have Georgia peaches in here. I even call them my little peaches. Everything sold in The Peach Shoppe will be sourced from local providers that Kelly refers to as makers, she said. Rachel Kelly is the owner of The Peach Shoppe & Co. in Columbus, Georgia. 06/15/2023 Mike Haskey/mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com Kelly plans to offer ad space for local service providers and keep up to date information of events and things to do in Columbus. She will be working with Visit Columbus, GA to gather information for customers, said Peter Bowden, president of Visit Columbus. The organization has worked with other businesses to distribute information, he said, and The Peach Shoppe can work as a kind of unofficial adjunct to Visit Columbus. Both locals and visitors will have a good experience with what shes offering, Bowden said. Local creators who need a place where their customers can safely pick up purchased items will also be able to make use of lockers located in The Peach Shoppe. Kelly believes she can help people avoid meeting up with potential strangers in parking lots or other places to complete a sale. A grand opening for The Peach Shoppe & Co. will be held July 1 at 11 a.m. I want to walk in here and feel like this is home, Kelly said. When they live here (I want them to feel) like this is Columbus. And people that dont live here, I want them to wish they did. The Co in Peach Shoppe & Co. Kelly wanted her business to be something new and exciting, which led to her thinking of a way to build her business while helping others build their own. Her love for the creative community in Columbus gave her the idea to bring people together to create one shop, Kelly said. So thats what the & Co. is, she said. It stands for collaboration, community, Columbus all of the goodness included into the Peach Shoppe. Kelly wants customers to be able to look at the products in the shop and recognize the people who made them from school, work or a casual acquaintance. When potential makers reach out to Kelly to collaborate, she checks that they live in Georgia and how local to Columbus they are. Sometimes she asks them to tell her a fun fact about the city. Then she considers the products they are selling to make sure that makers are not overlapping too much. I want everyone to succeed, she said. And I feel like the best way to do that is to have a little sampling of all types of products. The grand opening of The Peach Shoppe & Co., owned and oeprated by Rachel Kelly, is scheduled for July 1 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Its located at 900 Front Ave., Suite 212, in Columbus, Georgia. 06/15/2023 Mike Haskey/mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com The Peach Shoppe is currently working with 23 makers including Custom Cake Studio, Swinehearts BBQ and WSC Candle Co. There are also makers who will provide crocheted items and earrings along with local authors and artists who will be selling their work in The Peach Shoppe. On the white floor in a back room of the shop, Kelly has had all of the makers shes worked with, along with friends and family to have a visual representation of the collaboration. She wants the makers and other business owners that shes working with to know they have a community that will help them when they need it. I want them to know that this is a safe place, Kelly said. This is a safe haven for creators, people, to feel seen and heard and understood because building a business is hard. The floor of one of the rooms at The Peach Shoppe & Co. is decorated with messages and art created by the makers whose work is for sale at the shop. The grand opening of The Peach Shoppe & Co., owned and oeprated by Rachel Kelly, is scheduled for July 1 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Its located at 900 Front Ave., Suite 212, in Columbus, Georgia. 06/15/2023 Mike Haskey/mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com How the Peach Shoppe & Co. began Kelly landed on the name The Peach Shoppe because shes the only Georgia girl in her family. Shes felt a sense of community in the state as shes grown up here, Kelly said, but has been aware that shes the first in her family to be a Georgian. Theyre all such northerners, she said. My moms side, my dads side, my two older sisters. Everyone is from Michigan. The family moved to Columbus in the early 1980s when Kellys father got stationed in Fort Benning, now called Fort Moore. Not long after the move, Kelly was born and her family stayed in Georgia. Ive lived here my whole life, she said. I never moved away. Honestly, never even thought about it. I guess its my home. These are my people. Throughout her life, Kelly has always enjoyed crafting. She stayed busy between work, school and crafting. She began to make vinyl crafts like monograms that could be put on objects like tumblers or laptops. I was like, this is pretty neat, I wonder if I can make a t-shirt, Kelly said. The grand opening of The Peach Shoppe & Co., owned and oeprated by Rachel Kelly, is scheduled for July 1 from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Its located at 900 Front Ave., Suite 212, in Columbus, Georgia. 06/15/2023 Mike Haskey/mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com By 2016, Kelly officially started her business, The Peach Shoppe. She continued working as a banker while running her own business until the COVID-19 pandemic began. Shed loved her job working at a financial institution, but the pandemic showed her what she was passionate about. When COVID happened, and all the people went away, I had to just sit in an office and talk to people on the phone, she said. I realized the whole time, it was the people. It wasnt actually the job. So, Kelly created a business plan and began networking with other shops to sell her items in stores. But she eventually found a location earlier this year in February where she could open her own storefront. When Kelly first walked into the former Visitor Center, she knew this building was perfect. Visit Columbus, GA vacated the building last September, Bowden said. When the pandemic began, the center had fewer visitors. We realized that it was costing us more to operate than it was providing a service, he said. People use their cell phones more often now, Bowden said. Visit Columbus, GA has had more success using a mobile visitor center and working with businesses, like The Peach Shoppe, that offer souvenirs and other products that have a Columbus-focus. The decor and style of the building left behind from the Visitor Center is what appealed to Kelly when she envisioned what The Peach Shoppe would be. A blue painting of the Chattahoochee River was on the floor, there was a black and white cityscape on the wall and an ode to Coca-Cola being invented in Columbus was on another wall. I see the river every day, Kelly said. And theres a train that goes by its perfect. Kellys mom, Tina Aguilar, and her husband, Brandon Kelly, have been instrumental in helping her put the store together, she said. Because she and her husband have been unable to have children of their own, the couple have made the Peach Shoppe, their dog, Chevy, and loving their nieces and nephews fill the void, Kelly said. Brandon has supported her by building many of the tables and furniture in the store. He has become a woodworker out of love and the passion that he sees in me, Kelly said. So, we just make it happen. Column: California used to be good at building things. What happened? Workers construct a new home in the Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine in 2021. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom is upset. Hes frustrated because California isnt building nonstop as it did in the mid-20th century. People are losing trust and confidence in our ability to build big things, the governor told columnist Ezra Klein of the New York Times in a recent interview. People look at me all the time and ask, What the hell happened to the California of the 50s and 60s? Lots of Californians ask one another that question. Newsom didnt provide a clear answer in the interview. The Democrat seemed to blame the rigidity and ideological purity of environmental organizations and asserted that its really going to hurt progress. You cant be serious about climate and the environment without reforming permitting and procurement in this state. Thats why the Democratic governor has been trying to push 11 bills through the Legislature that would make it easier to build transportation, clean energy and water projects by cutting corners on environmental review. Environmental groups are pushing back. The fight is nearing its climax. The governor overreached by including one highly controversial project to be expedited: A 45-mile, 39-foot-wide tunnel under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta that would cost a minimum of $16 billion. The monster pipe would funnel Sacramento River water into the southbound California Aqueduct for farms and cities. Its a bridge too far, says state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), who represents part of the delta. Theres a ton of resistance in the Legislature. Lawmakers of both parties are furious because Newsom crammed his legislative package into state budget deliberations at the last minute, thus avoiding scrutiny by policy committees. His proposals have nothing to do with the budget. But back to the 1950s and 60s: I asked a Newsom spokesman what the governor thinks happened to California's building boom. We got in our own way, Alex Stack says. We got so good at holding up projects that were not building them like we used to. OK, but here are some more solid reasons: Californias population has nearly quadrupled since 1950 and more than doubled since Newsom was born in 1967. To accommodate the growth, weve bulldozed over lots of land and there are fewer places to build now at least where theres enough water for people. Dan Dunmoyer, president and chief executive of the California Building Industry Assn., says 71% of California is owned by federal, state and local governments and is off-limits to private development. An additional 20% is farmland. Of the remaining amount, 7% has already been developed. That leaves only roughly 2% available for new projects. We have 600,000 lots zoned for housing but cant get them through government permitting, Dunmoyer says. We just regulate housing to death in California. We regulate every single square inch of a home. Its complicated, confusing, cumbersome and costs a fortune. For that reason, they can build faster with more affordability in every other state in the nation. Faster and cheaper. Critics place much of the blame on the California Environmental Quality Act. Its often abused by business rivals, unions seeking labor concessions from developers and neighborhood NIMBYs Not in My Backyard to block projects. Even environmentalists acknowledge that. There are some cases where the motive is economic and has nothing to do with the environment, says David Pettit, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council in Southern California. Cases get filed that are not very good on merit. The Sierra Clubs California director, Brandon Dawson, says the Environmental Quality Act has been taken advantage of by individuals and groups that have an obstructionist tendency. Curiously, Newsom did not include housing and CEQA reform for homebuilding in his legislative package, a glaring omission. I suspect thats because unions disagree on the needed reforms and environmental groups have their own ideas. The governor shied away from the battle. Were focused on building out the infrastructure needed for housing like water delivery, clean energy and roads and bridges, Stack says. Another reason for the decades-long building slowdown: California has become more environmentally conscious. Weve noticed that 95% of our wetlands have disappeared. Weve smelled and seen the ugly vehicle smog and refinery pollution. Salmon let alone steelhead dont spawn in the rivers and migrate to sea as they used to because of dams and river water diversion for farms and cities. Public access to beaches has become more difficult. Some things that were built shouldnt have been. Just one example in Newsoms old hometown: The double-decker Embarcadero Freeway that was an eyesore over San Franciscos famed Fisherman's Wharf before it was eventually torn down. The 10 Freeway cut the Black community in half in Santa Monica and wiped out a bunch of homes, Pettit says. That probably would not happen today because we have CEQA. Maybe some housing tracts shouldnt have been built in foothills prone to wildfires. Weve seen the downsides of poorly designed projects and overdevelopment, says Doug Obegi, an NRDC senior attorney in Northern California. Weve built power plants in disadvantaged communities. You dont see them in wealthy communities. Poor communities bear the burdens of asthma and cancer and ill health. Were a lot more sensitive about these things today and struggle to find a balance between development and degradation. We weigh the trade-offs and fight over them. CEQA was passed to address some of the large-scale projects of the 50s and 60s, Dawson says. Large dams and public works could provide public good, but still did a lot of damage to the environmental system. We need to build more clean energy and water infrastructure. That doesnt mean we have to do it in a hasty manner that damages the environment. Well never again be on a building binge like in the 50s and 60s. In many ways, thats progress. 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. 'Come chill': Man allegedly robs Indy woman at gunpoint, then asks her out on Facebook A woman in Indianapolis who police said was robbed at gunpoint outside her home said she was later asked out on a date by her attacker. In a twist, police said, the robbery suspect also told the woman he would pay her back. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, the victim was getting mail outside her home during the early morning hours of May 8 when she saw a stranger, later identified as Damien Boyce, 31, walking up to her home. A probable cause affidavit obtained by USA TODAY shows Boyce, of Indianapolis, then asked the woman if she lived in the home. When the victim responded yes and asked the man if he needed help, she said, he pulled out a gun. Boyce then told the victim he was going to break into her home, court papers said. She told him she had nothing inside, but that she had money in her car. The victim then gave Boyce about $100 in cash. Boyce allegedly then asked the victim if she had a boyfriend and asked her to connect with him on social media. "While pointing the firearm at (the victim), the male asked her to add him as a friend on Facebook so he could pay (the victim) back for the money he stole," the affidavit said. "The male then gave (the victim) the name of Damien Boyce." Boyce pointed to his Facebook profile, asked the victim to add him as a friend, police said, and she complied. I thought if maybe I added him on Facebook, he would leave and he did, the victim told local outlet WRTV. Boyce then fled the scene on a bicycle, police said. Scrub Hub: Is the brain-eating amoeba expanding its range north into Indiana and Midwest? 'You was too pretty to rob' According to court papers, Boyce accepted the friend request invite and sent messages to the woman. 'You was too pretty to rob,' she told WRTV one message read. She also told the outlet she responded, I believe you man. I can tell youre sweet, times just get rough. I know that." After that, she said, he sent her another message asking her to come chill. The victim, police said, didnt immediately call police about the robbery but after speaking with her boyfriend decided to report the incident. Broad Ripple Village: Seeks gun-free zone designation for weekends after deadly shooting Identified in police lineup Court records show the victim identified Boyce as her assailant in a photo lineup and police arrested him last week. Boyce faces charges including one count of armed robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a handgun. Online court records show he remained incarcerated Monday on a $7,500 cash bond. He's due in court Tuesday for a bail review hearing. 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 NETWORK: Man allegedly robs Indianapolis woman at gunpoint, then asks her out Comedian, actor Bill Burr to perform in Happy Valley this fall. What to know about tickets Emmy- and Grammy-nominated comedian Bill Burr is heading to Happy Valley this fall. The 55-year-old Massachusetts native is set to perform at Penn States Bryce Jordan Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, the venue announced Monday morning. Student tickets (and presales tickets) go on sale 10 a.m. Wednesday, while tickets for the general public will be available through Ticketmaster starting 10 a.m. Friday. Non-student tickets range between $49 and $89, an increase of $10 from the last time Burr performed at the BJC, in September 2021. Burr is a decorated stand-up comedian whos found success as an actor, podcaster and filmmaker. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him in 2017 as the 17th-best all-time comedian, ahead of such legends as Mitch Hedberg (20), Eddie Murphy (25) and Rodney Dangerfield (26). And he played memorable roles in AMC series Breaking Bad (as one of Saul Goodmans hired hands) and Disney+ series The Mandalorian (as Migs Mayfield). Rolling Stone described his comedy thusly: He loves coming across like the clueless meathead ranting in the corner of the bar who to the horror of the faint-at-heart makes more and more sense as he rants into the night. Burrs accolades are plentiful. He has released seven Netflix comedy specials, most recently last years Live at Red Rocks. He hosted Saturday Night Live in 2020. Hes been a regular of late-night hosts such as Conan OBrien, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel. And he also created and co-wrote the Netflix show, F is for Family. He earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album in 2019 for Paper Tiger. And he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2021 for Outstanding Actor in a Short-form Series for comedy series Immoral Compass. Pennsylvania natives might also remember him from a legendary 2006 rant against a hostile Philadelphia crowd, where he insulted the city for more than 10 minutes and somehow won the crowd over in the process. According to Burrs website, he is currently scheduled to appear just one other time in the Keystone State during his tour. He has a date scheduled at PPL Center in Allentown on July 6. His most recent date at Penn State is sandwiched between an Oct. 3 appearance in Syracuse, New York, and an Oct. 5 performance in Ontario. For more information, visit BillBurr.com or BJC.psu.edu/Bill-Burr-2. EXCLUSIVE: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he strongly opposes the appointment of a special counsel in the federal probe into Hunter Biden, saying Americans should not trust Attorney General Merrick Garland, while vowing his panel is fully equipped to get to the bottom of its investigation into the Biden familys alleged business schemes. The House Ways and Means Committee released testimony on Thursday from two IRS whistleblowers who said officials at the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden, alleging decisions were "influenced by politics." WHISTLEBLOWER: 'NO WAY OF KNOWING' IF EVIDENCE OF 'OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY' EXISTED ABOUT BIDENS ON LAPTOP Those whistleblowers alleged DOJ prosecutors directed investigators to avoid asking witnesses questions about President Biden; chose not to collect search warrants related to the presidents son; and more. House Oversight chair James Comer, R-Ky., right, is leading a probe into the business dealings of Hunter Biden, left, and other members of the Biden family. The revelations came 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. However, Comer, R-Ky., is stressing the importance of keeping the investigation out of the hands of a Biden administration-appointed special counsel and in the hands of his committee. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP GARLAND DENIES INTERFERING WITH HUNTER BIDEN PROBE IN FIRST COMMENTS SINCE WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS RELEASED "The House Oversight Committee has found and shared with the public in five months what the Justice Department and FBI have kept secret for five years, so I think were moving right along," Comer told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. "I strongly oppose the appointment of a special counsel," he said. "I think thats the most ridiculous idea that any Republican could think right now because, if you support a special counsel, you support and trust Merrick Garland to have the sole authority to pick one person who can then take over the investigation and never have to be transparent with the media or Congress until the conclusion of the investigation, which might take years." "I trust the House Oversight Committee to be the one and only entity leading this investigation," he continued. "And weve already proven we can find all of this stuff in five months that took the government five years to find." Comer went on to describe the attorney general as "corrupt." "Garland lies to the American people when he says he has not been involved in any of this," Comer said. Comer was referring to Garlands first comments following the release of the IRS whistleblower testimony, in which he denied any improper interference in the Hunter Biden investigation, saying U.S. Attorney David Weiss was "given complete authority to make all decisions on his own behalf." HUNTER BIDEN TAX PROBE BEGAN AS OFFSHOOT IRS INVESTIGATION INTO AMATEUR PORNOGRAPHY SHOP: WHISTLEBLOWER One of the IRS whistleblowers testified that Weiss was "constantly hamstrung, limited, and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other U.S. Attorneys." They testified that Weiss had requested to have special counsel authority, but was denied. "As if the crimes the Bidens committed werent bad enough, whats even worse is our federal government, led by Garland, is actively engaged in a cover-up," Comer said. "It is clear that one of the reasons the DOJ sat on this probe with Hunter for so long was to let the statute of limitations expire on some of his tax problems." He added, "But we're on it." HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS LIMITED QUESTIONS ABOUT 'DAD,' 'BIG GUY' DESPITE FBI, IRS OBJECTIONS: WHISTLEBLOWER Comer told Fox News Digital that his committee has Hunter Biden's laptop hard drive and is using it as a tool to guide investigators through their probe. One IRS whistleblower said that federal investigators knew in December 2019 that Hunter Bidens laptop was "not manipulated in any way" and contained "reliable evidence," but said they were "obstructed" from seeing all available information. The whistleblower said that there is "no way of knowing" if evidence of "other criminal activity" existed concerning President Biden or Hunter Biden on the laptop, due to prosecutorial guidance to "limit" or block questioning related to the president. "We are using the contents of the hard drive, which the IRS was unable to do," Comer said. "We have the hard drive. We are using it. And the people the IRS wanted to interview, we have interviewed, or are going to interview those people." Comer said the committee is expecting to hear testimony from Hunter Biden business associate Devon Archer later this month, and has plans to call additional witnesses. Comer said the panel is also investigating whether Hunter Biden violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act. BIDEN FAMILY RECEIVED MILLIONS FROM FOREIGN NATIONALS, TRIED TO CONCEAL SOURCE OF FUNDS: HOUSE OVERSIGHT Comer's investigation has revealed that the Biden family and its business associates created more than 20 companies and received more than $10 million from foreign nationals while Joe Biden served as vice president. Comer said that some of these payments could indicate attempts by the Biden family to "peddle influence," and said the family appeared to take steps to "conceal the source and total amount received from the foreign companies." Meanwhile, the committee has also zeroed in on the FBI-generated FD-1023 form which contains allegations that President Biden was involved in a criminal bribery scheme with a foreign national that involved influence over U.S. policy decisions. Comer had subpoenaed the document, and demanded the FBI turn it over to Congress. The FBI did not comply, but did offer accommodations by bringing a redacted version of the document to Capitol Hill for lawmakers to review in a secure setting. "The oversight committee will start bringing people in and getting more bank records that will show Joe Biden was a whole lot more involved in these shady family business schemes," Comer said. The White House, though, continues to say Biden was never involved in his son's business dealings. Coming soon to Charlotte: More creative taco flavors, margaritas and queso Condado Tacos, a national build-your-own taco spot franchise known for its creative tacos and drinks, is opening its second restaurant in South Charlotte. A Promenade at Providence spot will open its doors this week after opening its first location in 2022 in South End. The newest location will hold more than 150 people, and includes seating at the bar and outdoors. For its grand opening celebration on Thursday, June 29, Condado will offer the first 100 guests in line a free taco every week for an entire year, plus a free taco with purchase that day and $5 signature margaritas all day long. Artists who worked on the wall murals at the newest Condado Tacos location include Brian Holderman, Matt Spahr, Gina Elizabeth Franco, Joseph Dobson, Beka Butts, Swych, Brett Toukatly, Jason Parker, Overt and Osiris Rain. Were looking for the very best tacos in the Charlotte area. Nominate your favorite. FOOD & DRINKS: Condado Tacos offers a variety of tacos, chips and dips and drinks, including its signature Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos and Rainbow Chard Queso. On top of including innovative ingredients, Condado also offers vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options. Condados bar features a full bar with 100% blue agave tequilas, seven different fresh fruit purees for flavored margaritas and happy hour deals. Condado Tacos offers a variety of margaritas with flavors including blood orange, mango, muddled jalapeno, pineapple, prickly pear, strawberry and white peach. COMMUNITY: Condado Tacos celebrates its Charlotte locations by working with local artists to paint the walls of each restaurant from floor to ceiling. Leaders at the new Promenade at Providence location gathered a team of 10 local artists to paint a fairy tale theme Toonie Tales stories that center tacos and tequila. Artists who worked on the wall murals at the newest Condado Tacos location include Brian Holderman, Matt Spahr, Gina Elizabeth Franco, Joseph Dobson, Beka Butts, Swych, Brett Toukatly, Jason Parker, Overt and Osiris Rain. [READ MORE: Dive into Hispanic culture at these Latin-owned Charlotte restaurants.] ABOUT: Ohio-based build your own taco joint Condado Tacos opened its first location in 2014. The chain has grown into 46 locations throughout 16 markets, including Charlotte. We welcome all, and we are proud of our Come as You Are culture and atmosphere in serving our guests an amazing experience that is unparalleled, said Chris Artinian, Condado Tacos president and chief executive officer. Condado Tacos signature Chicken Bacon Ranch tacos. Location: Promenade at Providence, 10706 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277 (opening June 29) Location: 1515 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203 Menu Cuisine: Mexican, tacos Instagram: @condadotacos Commentary: I went to the UK to connect with people and place then I got on the wrong bus Im not a social superhero. Im friendly, but Im neither savvy nor successful at small talk. But I love connecting with people in a sincere way, especially when Im away from home. Its one of the best parts of the human experience. When I went on vacation in England and Scotland recently, I spent the first part of my trip in London, but despite my hope of having conversations with people there, I came up mostly empty. Londoners are very much on the move and otherwise engaged. I was disappointed. Then I got on the wrong bus in Scotland. I had registered in advance for a day tour of the Highlands through Rabbies Tours. Unbeknownst to me, there were two Rabbies minibuses at the Glasgow bus station that were going to follow the same course. The bus I lined up for was technically not the bus I was supposed to be on when I saw a flicker of confusion on tour guide Jimmys face after I gave my name, that should have been a clue but in the end, it felt like serendipity. The bus was filled mostly with a group of agricultural science students. I was seated across the aisle from their professor and chaperone, John Campbell. I asked him if they were from the States, and he informed me they were from New Mexico State University. He was at first a person of few words, and I also got little response when I spoke to one of the students, so I felt awkward and wondered if I should keep to myself. But I decided to persist with some questions, and I shared that I was from Chicago and worked for the Tribune when the professor asked. He then peppered me with polite inquiries throughout our ride. We talked about newspapers and the push for digital subscriptions and what the world of journalism is like, and I got a sense of his personality fatherly but not paternalistic, very supportive of his students and their self-determination and the personalities of some of the students. I gained an appreciation for the grazing Hebridean sheep and Highland cattle because of the students oohing and aahing. I also struck up a rapport with a masters student from the Czech Republic who seemed to be accompanying the New Mexico group. I didnt catch her name, but we ended up having a cheerful chat about minimalist shoes because she recognized my Lems waterproof boots and I recognized her Vivobarefoot shoes. Kindred spirits of footwear! At one point, I enthusiastically took off one of my boots so she could take a look inside. As a favor, I took a photo of her with her camera as she posed near a mountain wed stopped at, and she explained that she and her brother create a photo calendar every year to give out to family at Christmas. She is part of a university program that bounces students around different countries to study and obtain worldly experience, and she had spent part of that time as a student in Scotland. I asked about the winters in Scotland, and she made me aware that theyre windy and wet but not too cold. (My pride over bravely withstanding bitter Chicago winters remains intact.) She asked Jimmy about every place we stopped at and shared her many observations of Scotland, and Jimmy declared she was more Scottish than haggis. Jimmy, a Glaswegian, was delightfully funny his plentiful good-natured puns never wore thin and disarmingly sincere. He brought a lot of historical and linguistic context to the places we visited. He made everyone feel at home. Everything he taught us fills several pages in my trip journal. (I will share that Loch means lake and Ben means mountain, as in Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond.) When the bus returned to Glasgow and we all parted ways, I waved at everyone and told them it was a pleasure to meet them. They all waved and said the same. I had other wonderful conversations during my three-day stay in Glasgow a heartwarming chat with a local retired teacher and a spirited exchange with a barista who made me aware of a kinetic art show that I would have otherwise missed and even a few in London when I returned, less jet-lagged, for the last few days of my trip, including a talk with a server who taught me the merits of sourdough bread. I hadnt flown anywhere since 2014 because of ailing parents and a pesky pandemic. Thankfully, I found what I was looking for. The best part of traveling, wherever we may go, is connecting with people and place, especially at a time when so many of us may suffer from a sense of isolation. Ive come to appreciate how curiosity and attention to detail foster appreciation and affection. They transform. (Colleen Kujawa is a content editor who works with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board.) GDI brings 'early harvests' for global good 08:10, June 26, 2023 By Zhang Yunbi ( China Daily Initiative hailed as 'effective tool' for building intl consensus on growth Diplomats, officials and scholars from around the world said the tangible, accessible benefits that their countries have enjoyed are a great testimony to China's capability to deliver on the Global Development Initiative. They made the comments as Saturday marked the anniversary of President Xi Jinping hosting the High-level Dialogue on Global Development on June 24 last year. At the landmark event for empowering and realizing the GDI, Xi proposed a series of major steps that China will take to implement the initiative, and a list of deliverables was released, including 32 measures covering the GDI's eight key areas of cooperation. "We are glad to see that over the past year, with the concerted efforts of all parties, the GDI is delivering real results, with improved cooperation mechanisms, steady progress in key areas, and various capacity-building programs being launched," Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said at an event regarding the GDI earlier this month in Beijing. "It has brought true benefits to all countries," Ma said. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said cooperation in the eight priority areas has advanced steadily, "with a growing list of projects and an expanding pool of development resources, demonstrating good momentum of all-around progress with clear priorities". "The GDI has been an effective tool for building international consensus on development and for galvanizing cooperative actions, which has produced many early harvests," Mao told reporters on Tuesday. Xi proposed the GDI at the General Debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021. Currently, nearly 70 countries have joined the UN-based Group of Friends of the GDI, according to the Foreign Ministry. Many Latin American countries, including Argentina, are among the more than 100 nations and international organizations that have supported the GDI. Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Argentina's ambassador to China, told China Daily that the GDI "is a very responsible initiative". The GDI and other China-proposed initiatives "have a common view of an integrated world", and all the initiatives that China has put in the international system are "a very responsible solution" for the entire human community, he said. This is because they have "a humanistic view, and (have been) focusing on the growth of the people. That is the most important issue for us, too", the ambassador added. When meeting in Beijing on June 16 with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation, President Xi noted that he put forward the GDI, as well as the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, "to provide China's solutions to tackling global challenges". Gates said China has made remarkable achievements in poverty reduction and its response to COVID-19, and has set a good example for the world. Pick Fung Ho-Chong, ambassador to China of the Republic of Suriname, said that "China has always been a leader" in terms of promoting development. "With China growing, the rest of the world will definitely grow. This is what I personally think will happen with the leadership of President Xi Jinping, with all that's been said and the steps that have been taken. It is going to be a definite, positive change in the world's development in many areas," she said. "We are looking forward to joining hands together with the changes," she added. Alexander Ayertey Odonkor, an economist and columnist in Ghana, noted that Xi proposed the GDI to "support the timely achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals". "China, through the GDI, is strengthening global development partnerships and promoting stronger, greener and healthier global development. ... (It is) a timely action, especially for developing countries, as they struggle to recover from the brutal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," he wrote in a recent article published by news portal Modern Ghana. "Through the GDI, which prioritizes development financing and innovation-driven development, Ghana could scale up value-addition, clean energy production and agricultural modernization, and enhance environmental protection, increase digital connectivity and drive sustainable industrialization," he added. Beijing has been consistently earnest in synergizing the GDI with growth blueprints of other nations and organizations, such as the UN, observers said. This vision should be rolled out with greater global efforts, as the world faces sluggish economic recovery, lingering geopolitical conflicts, climate change, food insecurity and energy crises, they said. When addressing an Africa Day reception in Beijing last month, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang called on China and African countries to better synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the GDI with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries. The goal is "to help Africa accelerate industrialization, localization and economic diversification", he said. Speaking on future steps for realizing the GDI, Ma, the vice-foreign minister, stressed the need to foster greater synergy between the development strategies of countries and organizations. Beijing will "better synergize development strategies with members of the Group of Friends of the GDI as well as their regions, in particular major development strategies of developing country groups such as the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Vision 2025", he said. Tang Ying, director-general of the Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, told China Daily that the agency will host the first high-level meeting of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development early next month in Beijing. The theme of the event will be "Global Development Initiative Echo the Development Agenda and Call for Global ACTION". "We very much look forward to meeting in Beijing with all partners regarding development, and, together with all of them, will discuss major development issues and map out plans on common development," Tang said. Ren Lin, head of the Department of Global Governance at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics, said the GDI focuses on tapping into the new driving forces and fresh momentum that could help shore up post-pandemic economic growth. "It helps to facilitate international cooperation and helps countries catch up with the historic opportunities for technological revolution and industrial transformation," she said. "Also, it seeks common development and progress with great quality, drawing a contrast with the pattern of behavior that seeks a zero-sum game and competes for the limited existing resources for development," Ren added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A tomb from more than 2,000 years ago was excavated in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said local archaeologists. The tomb was found on a peninsula in a reservoir area in the Pantao Village of Pingguo City and it dates back to the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC). Bronze battle-axes, bronze drums and jade ware were also unearthed in this area. Huang Xin, an archaeologist from Guangxi, said that such a high level of burial quality, as evidenced by the funeral objects, was rare in the area. "Such bronze drums were rare in Guangxi, and the latest discovery is helpful for us to learn about the history of this place," said Wang Xing, who works with the Guangxi institute of cultural relics protection and archaeology. He added that the findings indicated the possibility of the location serving as a transportation hub in the past. Archaeologists also found seven Neolithic sites nearby, as well as pieces of ceramics spanning between the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Shelley Cook holds a sign along West Washington Street in Petersburg Saturday, June 24, 2023. Cook helped organize a 'pop-up' fundraiser for the family of 10-year-old K'Von Morgan, who was killed June 17 by stray gunfire at Pecan Acres. PETERSBURG Family and friends of K'Von Marquese Morgan will gather Tuesday night in the neighborhood where he lived to light candles and release balloons in memory of the city's youngest homicide victim in decades. The candlelight and balloon ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Pecan Acres apartment community where the 10-year-old lived and was shot to death in the early hours of June 17. Organizers are asking attendees to bring red or white balloons. Candles will be handed out "until gone," the organizer of the event posted on Facebook. K'Von, who would have been a fifth-grader at Pleasants Lane Elementary School in the fall, was hit by bullets fired during a gun battle near his neighborhood. Petersburg Police said the stray gunfire pierced the wall of the boy's bedroom and struck him while he was watching movies with a friend. Tuesday's event happens two days before K'Von's funeral at 3 p.m. Thursday at Metropolitan Baptist Church on Halifax Street. Meanwhile, the family and the community continue to come to grips with what transpired at Pecan Acres. "I just don't understand any of this!!" Kim Royall, K'Von's grandmother, said Monday on Facebook. "My grandson K'Von Morgan didn't do anything wrong!! He was just a kind-hearted child that was looking forward to summer vacation, that loved and laughed!" Shelley Cook remembered K'Von from her time working at Pleasants Lane Elementary. She said she kept a "private stash" of cookies at her desk and shared one with him once. He never forgot it. "I remember K'Von coming to my office for a treat," Cook, who worked in the school's finance office, said. "I would hand him one, but he'd say, 'Nah, one of your special ones.'" Cook herself is all too familiar with being victimized by gun violence. Years ago, she said, her father shot and killed her mother, and then turned the gun on himself. That's why she organized a "pop-up store" fundraiser for the family last Saturday at In Da Zone on West Washington Street. Vendors who took part agreed to donate 50% of the proceeds to a GoFundMe account set up to assist the boy's family. Jahliyah Lanece, owner of LiaDivine Collection in Petersburg, was one of the vendors at a 'pop-up' fundraiser in Petersburg Saturday, June 24, 2023. The fundraiser was for the family of 10-year-old K'Von Morgan, who was killed June 17 by stray gunfire at Pecan Acres. "Losing K'Von and others to senseless violence touches my heart," Cook said. "I try to do what I can to help victims' families." The GoFundMeaccount, set up by K'Von's uncle Corey Friar, had raised $1,820 as of 5 p.m. Monday. The goal is $15,000. https://www.gofundme.com/f/justiceforkvon?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2kQpId0JSrR6onxBemsrD5JPlaV1Bos6IWmvVxGchRWK9qjh0IH9vgQ3I "He still had his whole life ahead of him and was the light in every dark room," Friar wrote on the GoFundMe account page. "K'Von, you will be missed tremendously, and we will all be screaming #justiceforkvon until #justiceisserved." K'Von is believed to be the youngest murder victim in Petersburg in 55 years. So far, there have been eight homicides in the city this year. So far, no suspects have been found. Police are encouraging anyone who may know something to call Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212 or use the P3Tips app on a mobile device. The youngster's grandmother echoed that request in her Facebook post. "If you seen something or know something," Royall pleaded, "just say something." More: Two shootings in Petersburg within hours; one claims Chesterfield woman This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Community continues mourning for slain 10-year-old As a line snaked down the hallway Sunday with fans waiting patiently to enter the Marlins Museum and get a glimpse of their teams history, Tim Anagnost stood tall directly next to an encased uniform, his wife by his side. Id have to give a shout out to my mother, Anagnost said while gazing at his old uniform. Shes the one that saved this. His old uniform, which had been stashed in a closet for years, was now on display for fans to see in the museum at loanDepot park. Sixty-seven years ago, it was a uniform that formerly served an essential purpose not for these Miami Marlins, per se, but for a Miami Marlins team that precedes the current franchises existence. Anagnost was the original batboy for the Triple A Miami Marlins, a former minor-league affiliate first for the Philadelphia Phillies (1956-1958) and then the Baltimore Orioles (1959-1960) who played their home games at Miami Stadium. He earned the honor when he was just 12 years old after winning a contest run by the Miami Herald and led by Bill Veeck, who was the executive vice president of the Marlins, in the spring of 1956. Now, nearly seven decades later, his original uniform from that season is one of the first artifacts seen in the Marlins museum at their ballpark, right alongside Livan Hernandezs World Series MVP Jersey, Craig Counsells World Series-winning shoes and Ichiro Suzukis 3,000th hit jersey among other mementos in Marlins history. But, interestingly enough, Anagnost didnt think he would get the position. It wasnt even the real incentive for applying to be batboy. Those interested only had to submit an entry that had to state in 25 words or less why he wanted to be the batboy. Anyone who applied got two free tickets to a game that season more than enough justification for a 12-year-old to write 25 words. He never expected that they would end up earning him a spot in Marlins history. I said I had watched the Miami Sun Sox batboy and always wondered how he became batboy, and all I can say is if I were to be selected, I would be the best batboy you could ever have, Anagnost, now 80, said. Something like that. He eventually advanced to be one of 10 finalists, each of whom won a pair of season tickets, and underwent an interview with Veeck. Anagnost ultimately prevailed in the competition and became the Miami Marlins first batboy. He couldnt believe it when he found out that he had won. First of all, just getting the two free tickets was enough for me, said Anagnost, who went on to attend Miami Senior High School, the University of Miami and University of Miami Law School. Then I find out that Im in the 10 finalists and Im going to be having season tickets. Then when I won the contest, it [was] beyond anything I had ever comprehended. So it was very exciting I just was in shock. It was a wonderful experience. After he won, he was honored at a Marlins game where his entire school, Shenandoah Jr. High School, was also invited to be in attendance. He was given several gifts, including a radio and a wrist watch. But he recalls the most memorable gift being one road trip with the team to Havana for a three-game series against the Havana Sugar Kings. Being the batboy for the Marlins came with many memories, but Anagnosts first time meeting eventual Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige was one for the books. On opening night at Miami Stadium, a helicopter suddenly appeared, circuits the field, and settles in the middle of the field. The helicopters blades began to gather up dirt from the infield, causing so much dust to build up around it, making it difficult to see. Out of this dust storm walks this long weave black man who looks like Lawrence of Arabia coming out of the dust storm, Anagnost said. It was Satchel Paige. That was his introduction to the fans at Miami Stadium. EVANSVILLE The victim in a fatal stabbing in Evansville on Friday has been identified as a 46-year-old man. In a news release Monday morning, the Vanderburgh County Coroner's office said Enrico Marcus Rogers died of a stab wound to the head. Evansville police found Rogers dead in a residence in the 500 block of East Michigan Street just after 3 p.m. Friday. EPD spokeswoman Sgt. Anna Gray said three people, including a person of interest, were taken to EPD headquarters for questioning, but as of Monday no one has been arrested in the killing. "The Evansville Police Department is continuing the investigation," chief deputy coroner David Anson wrote in the Monday release. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Coroner identifies Evansville man killed in stabbing Coroner identifies man shot in head by police in downtown Boise. He died in hospital The suspect who was shot by police in downtown Boise early Saturday morning died in the hospital, according to an update Monday from the Boise Police Department. The Ada County Coroners Office identified the man as Payton Wasson, 22, of Nampa, and said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The shooting took place after Boise police officers approached a suspicious vehicle as part of an investigation, according to a news release Saturday morning. The vehicle was near 5th and Main streets, just adjacent to a stretch of the citys popular late-night bars. After officers attempted to make contact with the vehicle occupants, one person fled on foot toward Idaho Street holding a firearm, according to the initial release. Officers chased the suspect and gave commands for the suspect to stop, which were disregarded, according to the release. One BPD officer fired his duty weapon. ... A firearm was recovered next to the suspect. Police administered medical care after the shooting, according to the release Saturday morning, and Ada County paramedics took the suspect to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. He died in the hospital at 12:41 p.m. on Sunday, according to the coroners office. Police contacted three people in connection with the incident, police spokesperson Haley Williams told the Idaho Statesman in an email. One person was arrested on a narcotics-related charge, a second was released at the scene and the third was the shooting victim, she said. No officers were injured in the incident, according to police. The officer who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave, per standard practice. The Boise Police Department declined to answer questions from the Statesman seeking additional information, including the name of the officer who shot Wasson. All of the information provided in the news releases from BPD and the coroner is what has been confirmed for public release. Any additional clarification or further details are part of the CITF ongoing investigation, Williams said in an email. The Ada County Sheriffs Office is the lead agency on the Critical Incident Task Force investigation into the shooting. The Dniprovskyi District Court of Kyiv has announced a verdict in the case of the attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk: the accused orderer of the attack, Vladyslav Manher, and the organiser, Oleksii Levin (Moskalenko), were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Source: broadcast of the court hearing; Miller Law Firm Details: The lawyers in the case of Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk noted that this is the maximum sentence possible under the article under which the defendants were tried. "The court recognised that it was Vladyslav Manher and Oleksii Levin who ordered and organised the attack on Kateryna. All the arguments, evidence and justifications we presented proved that it was a planned attack on the activist to intimidate her. As a result, the injuries caused her death," the lawyers said. The defendants must also pay 15 million hryvnias [approximately US$403,000 ed.] for non-pecuniary damage to Handziuk's parents and husband. The court fully satisfied the terms of the victims' civil claim and ordered the defendants to pay this amount jointly and severally. The defence has 30 days to appeal the verdict. After that, it will come into force. For reference: Vladyslav Manher was the head of Kherson Oblast State Council at the time. He was served a notice of suspicion for potential murder of Kateryna Handziuk. Starting from the middle of 2018, there were accusations against Vladyslav Manher of his involvement in the murder of Kateryna Handziuk, allegedly due to a conflict between them. Handziuk who was an activist accused the regional authorities, including Manher, of involvement in deforestation, and also called him an organiser of the Anti-Maidan movement (the movement against European integration in 2013-2014, which took place in opposition to the Revolution of Dignity ed.) and a 'criminal protege'. Manher denied these allegations. He also claimed that he did not know the main suspect in the murder who was Levin. Oleksii Levin has long been known as a criminal authority in Kherson. Levin was convicted of murder but released in June 2016. After that, he became an assistant to Mykola Stavytskyi, a member of Kherson Oblast Council, who is in Manher's close circle. Background: On 31 July 2018, Kherson activist and advisor to the mayor Kateryna Handziuk was doused with acid. She died in hospital four months later. At first, the police classified the crime as hooliganism, and then called it premeditated murder. Six people were convicted in the case: the perpetrators Mykyta Hrabchuk, Volodymyr Vasianovych, Viacheslav Vyshnevskyi, Viktor Horbunov, the organiser Serhii Torbin and Ihor Pavlovskyi, the assistant to MP Mykola Palamarchuk. The latter was convicted of concealing the crime. The trial of the defendants Vladyslav Manher and Oleksii Levin lasted more than three years. They denied their guilt. For more information on the murder of Kateryna Handziuk and why it is significant, please see this article. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Kateryna Handziuk was doused with concentrated sulfuric acid near her house on July 31, 2018, she died of burns A former elected official, and a civil servant have been found guilty of organizing the murder of Kherson civil activist Kateryna Handziuk in 2018 and have been sentenced to 10 years each, the Dniprovskyi District Court of Kyiv announced on June 26. The two men, Vladyslav Manger and Oleksiy Levin, will also be liable for UAH 15 million ($406,240) in compensation to the Handziuk family. According to prosecutors, in early July 2018, Manger decided to organize an attack Handziukfor her whistleblowing work against the Kherson regional authorities. Manger then involved Levin in the planning of this crime. The murder of Kateryna Handziuk Kateryna Handziuk was a civil activist in Kherson, a mayoral advisor, and the acting manager of affairs on the Kherson City Council's executive committee. She was doused with acid in an assassination attempt on July 31, 2018, suffering acid burns to more than 35% of her body, and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv. However, she did not make it, and passed away in November of that year. In a subsequent criminal investigation, the head of the Kherson Regional Council, Vladyslav Manger, as well as Oleksiy Levin, an aide to a member of the same council, were fingered as organizers of the crime. Another defendant in the case, former MP aide Ihor Pavlovsky, signed a deal with an investigation, vowing to testify against masterminds behind the murder. Five other defendants in the attack Mykyta Hrabchuk, Viktor Horbunov, Vyacheslav Vyshnevskyi, Volodymyr Vasianovich, and Serhiy Torbin were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to six and a half years in 2019. Horbunov, who purchased the acid, has already served his sentence and been released. The Prosecutor General's Office also said that Torbin was released from custody, after he expressed a desire to defend Ukraine. As a former member of the military, he was offered the chance to rejoin the military in exchange for the commuting of the remainder of his sentence. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine FILE PHOTO: Nurse prepares to administer the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine against the COVID-19 at the Eka Kotebe General Hospital in Addis Ababa COVID-19 vaccine scheme for poorest has $2.6bn left to spend as pandemic recedes FILE PHOTO: Nurse prepares to administer the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine against the COVID-19 at the Eka Kotebe General Hospital in Addis Ababa By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) - Several billions of dollars left in a scheme to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the worlds poorest could be diverted to prepare for other pandemics or to support vaccine manufacturing in Africa, the scheme's partners said. The COVAX initiative, run by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), has $2.6 billion left in its coffers as the emergency phase of the pandemic draws to a close, according to documents seen by Reuters and two sources close to the scheme. The initiative is set to wind up at the end of this year, although some of its work will continue. With demand for COVID-19 vaccines dwindling, the partners are now working out how best to use the remaining cash a significant sum in global health alongside the donors who originally pledged it. Around $600 million was given as part of a contingency fund in case the pandemic escalated again. The remaining $2 billion has come back to COVAX after drugmakers agreed to refund deals agreed for vaccines at the height of the pandemic. This money was designed as an instrument of contingency, so we could respond to the twists and turns of the pandemic, said Marie-Ange Saraka-Yao, Gavis head of resource mobilization. We dont want the money to be idle. Around $700 million is likely to be used for an ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme in countries supported by Gavi, for 2024 and 2025. This option will be discussed by Gavis board this week. Another portion of the money will be used for booster shots this year and next. Saraka-Yao said the donors, including rich countries like the United States and Germany as well as philanthropic organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had all been asked if they wanted the rest of the money back at a meeting in March. None did. The donors, and the WHO, were not immediately available for comment. A CEPI spokesperson said that while no decision had been made on the funds, it was "prudent to remain prepared" both in case the COVID-19 situation changes, and for future pandemics. They [donors] want to keep the spirit of the political intent when the money was given to help protect the rest of the world, Saraka-Yao said. One option is to invest in wider pandemic preparedness initiatives, Gavi said. Another idea that has gained traction is to use some of the money to boost vaccine manufacturing in Africa, Saraka-Yao said. Gavi is proposing a financial support system which would help new manufacturers bring products to market competitively, particularly for diseases like cholera or yellow fever, where there are shortages of vaccine for diseases that kill hundreds of thousands of people in Africa every year. Separately, Gavi announced on Monday that its incoming chief executive, Muhammad Ali Pate, would no longer be joining the organization as he was returning to his home country of Nigeria. Instead, chief operating officer David Marlow will become interim chief executive after Seth Berkley steps down in August. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Christina Fincher) The Crimean Tatar flag was raised in front of the Kyiv City State Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and a number of other institutions on the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag, which is marked on 26 June. Source: Suspilne, Ukrainian public broadcaster Details: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko noted that 26 June is the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag, a holiday also celebrated by Ukrainians. He said that the local authorities do their best to support the Crimean Tatars, and many of the internally displaced persons have settled in the Ukrainian capital. Quote from Klitschko: "Our goal is to raise the Crimean Tatar flag together with the Ukrainian flag in Ukrainian Crimea in the nearest future," Klitschko said. Quote from Chubarov, leader of the Crimean Tatar national movement in Ukraine and worldwide: "I have no doubt that we will celebrate the next Crimean Tatar flag holiday in Crimea. There are two sides to such holidays: the external one is pleasant and noticeable, but there is an internal one, which is the task of a state or a symbol of the people, like the Crimean Tatar flag." Details: A resident of Rivne gave Refat Chubarov a painting of the Crimean Tatar flag during the commemoration at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytskyi said: "Today's ceremony is a signal to those who never ceased their struggle in Crimea. We stand with the Crimean Tatar people." He added that such actions are also held near the Office of the Ombudsman and near the Tavriia National University (a Crimean university evacuated to Kyiv). Commemorative events are also held abroad. Representatives of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities gather in many Ukrainian diplomatic institutions to hold such ceremonies. The occasions took place in some countries the day before, on Sunday, 25 June. Quote from Chubarov: "This day is significant for me as, under the Russian occupation, our flag today unites all Crimean Tatars around the world. Both those who are descendants of Crimean Tatars who had to leave Crimea a hundred years ago due to Russia's imperial policy and those who are now scattered by the war." Background: On 25 June, Russian security forces detained three Crimean Tatars in the Bilohirsk District of Crimea for joining a convoy with Crimean Tatar flags. The Crimean Tatar flag was first adopted by the First Kurultai of the Crimean Tatars in 1917 and renewed by the Second Kurultai, held on June 26-30, 1991. The Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag has been celebrated in Ukraine since 2010. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Yevgeny Prigozhin Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin remains under investigation, Russian financial newspaper Kommersant reported on June 26. Read also: Russian Defense Minister Shoigu returns to the public eye after unexplained absence The criminal case on the organization of an armed rebellion, in which Prigozhin is the main defendant, was not closed as of early June 26 and Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) is still investigating, the newspaper states. This is despite the public news of an agreement struck between Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin, in which the former promised to drop all charges against the latter. Prigozhin announced the beginning of an armed conflict with the Russian Defense Ministry on the evening of June 23, claiming that he wanted to restore justice in Russia. Read also: Russian providers blocked Google news amid Prigozhin armed rebellion He said that the Russian army struck the mercenaries rear camp. However, the conflict between Prigozhin and Shoigu had started months earlier. For the past few months, the Wagner leader has been persistently demanding the resignation of the Russian defense minister, accusing him of poor management of the Russian armed forces and of not supplying enough ammunition to Wagner forces. Read also: Wagner rebels enter Moscow Oblast, heading for Russian capital The next day, Wagner forces seized control over the main military facilities in the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh. They also shot down seven Russian Air Force aircraft. Prigozhin then demanded meetings with Russias top military leadership and threatened to advance towards Moscow in a video address shot in Rostov-on-Don. Putin, in turn, posted a video address saying that the Russian Armed Forces had ordered to eliminate those who led the rebellion. The Wagnerites convoys nevertheless moved towards Moscow in a march for justice, as Prigozhin called it. The FSB charged Prigozhin with inciting insurrection, while the security forces were preparing to defend Moscow. Putin is believed to have fled the capital to his residence in Valdai, northwest of Moscow. Read also: Wagner destroyed seven Russian aircraft during Prigozhin's rebellion Air Force Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko held talks with Prigozhin as his mercenaries closed in on Moscow, Lukashenkos press office stated, culminating in a deal where Prigozhin agreed to halt his forces advance on the Russian capital in exchange for dropping charges and changes at the Russian Ministry of Defense. Soon after, Prigozhin ordered Wagner mercenaries to turn back from Moscow and return to their combat positions. Read also: Poland reinforces border with Belarus, Russia after Wagner mutiny Prigozhins current status is unknown, and he has not made a public appearance in over 24 hours. Reportedly, according to the terms of the deal struck between Prigozhin and Putin, the mercenary leader is meant to decamp to Belarus for the time being. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine In a video, an employee at a Walmart in Providence, Rhode Island, is seen in a makeshift jail with signs urging bail from customers, part of a charity fundraising initiative. Famed civil rights lawyer Ben Crump is speaking out against Walmart as the retail giant receives criticism for locking a Black staffer in a cage as a charity fundraising initiative. In a video, the Providence, Rhode Island, employee is seen in a makeshift jail with signs urging customers to bail him out. Putting a Black employee in a cage should NOT have been the solution to raise funds, Crump said Sunday via Twitter. Why did no one at Walmart realize this before this offensive and humiliating event happened? Attorney Ben Crump speaks in June 2022 at the Tribeca Festival premiere of Civil, a film about his life. The noted civil rights lawyer is criticizing a fundraiser held at a Walmart in Rhode Island that featured a caged Black employee. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Netflix) According to ABC 6 News, the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC posted a picture of a Black worker inside a cage with a sign on it that read, Im in Jail!!! I need Bail!!! Help me raise $50 to get out!! All donations going to Hasbro Childrens Miracle Network!! Harrison Tuttle, director of BLM RI PAC, said Thursday that the group is deeply dismayed and disturbed by the incident. He called for an investigation and an apology from Walmart. Joe Pennington, a Walmart spokesperson, said the company had urged store employees to creatively engage with one another and customers to raise money as part of the campaign. Walmart officials said Friday that the fundraising exhibit goes against company policy and should never be used. The company has since removed it. This display not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes, Tuttle said, ABC 6 reported, but also showcases a blatant lack of respect and understanding for the experiences of marginalized communities. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Crump speaks out amid backlash over Black Walmart employee put in cage appeared first on TheGrio. A vocational trainer instructs a student to operate a machine tool at Guangdong Machinery Technician College in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) Guangdong Machinery Technician College may not sound like an elite educational institute, but the vocational college in south China's economic powerhouse Guangdong Province has produced 10 gold medalists in the WorldSkills Competition overt the last 10 years. Hailed as the "Skills Olympics," the WorldSkills Competition is a global event that celebrates vocational skill excellence. Among these champions is Zhou Chujie, who won the gold medal in the CNC milling competition at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. Now a teacher at the college, the 24-year-old said he discovered his passion for technical work during a visit to a numerically-controlled workshop in junior high school. "In the workshop, neatly dressed technicians in gray-blue uniforms were fully engrossed in their tasks, producing one shiny part after another with the machines they were operating," Zhou recalled. That interest transformed into a dream the moment he saw the Chinese team winning multiple medals during the 44th WorldSkills Competition on television. Zhou said he was "too excited to fall asleep" that night. He wondered if it would be possible for him to represent China and compete in the competition one day. With that goal in mind, Zhou enrolled in the machinery technician college, specializing in CNC milling as his major. After tenaciously honing his skills, he stood out among his peers, earning the opportunity to represent China and eventually winning the crown in the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. His medal marked the college's fourth consecutive triumph in the CNC milling competition. Zhou's institution ranks among the top three public technician colleges in Guangdong. Thanks to its developed vocational education system, the province boasts 18.5 million skilled workers. Half of its college students are studying in vocational colleges. In 2022, Guangdong's manufacturing industry produced an added-value of 4.4 trillion yuan (613 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for the one eighth of the national total. Dubbed the "world's factory," China has long put vocational education high on its policy agenda, establishing the largest vocational education system in the world. According to the country's education ministry, secondary and higher vocational schools in China produce approximately 10 million graduates every year. This consistent supply of skilled workforce has helped staff up production lines and outlets across the country. China unveiled an action plan this month aimed at enhancing vocational education, with a focus on aligning classroom training with factory production. As part of this initiative, the country has pledged to nurture more than 10,000 enterprises that integrate industrial production with education by 2025. According to Ye Junfeng, president of the Guangdong Machinery Technician College, the integration of industrial production with education, together with enterprise-school collaboration has become an indispensable element in the whole training process. The school has set up a talent cultivation mechanism by partnering with over 300 well-established domestic and overseas enterprises, who have committed to providing over 17,000 job openings every year for graduates from the college. This dynamic and mutually-reinforcing model combining industrial production with education has helped provide Guangdong with a rich reservoir of skilled workers. "The high-quality development of China's manufacturing sector entails a high-quality vocational education. I hope to see more young people set sail on this sea of opportunities," Ye said. Cyclone Mocha destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes in Rakhine state Millions who survived one of Myanmar's strongest cyclones are now struggling to rebuild their lives after the government cut off access to affected areas, including for aid groups. The move has "turned an extreme weather event into a man-made catastrophe," Human Rights Watch has said. Cyclone Mocha hit on 14 May, wreaking havoc and killing hundreds. The BBC spoke to families who are reeling from dwindling aid a month after their homes were destroyed. There isn't enough water or food, and finding either has been much harder with the monsoon under way, says Aye Kyawt Phyu, who lives in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, which was ravaged by the storm. "It's raining all week. We are struggling every day. The children are studying in a school with no roof." 'When the storm hit, all the houses collapsed. There is nowhere to stay," said San San Htay, who also lives in Sittwe. "When it rains now, I am sitting in the rain. I can't even sleep." Only a fraction of damaged homes have been repaired, the UN's humanitarian office said. The junta says the cyclone killed 145 people, but the clandestine National Unity Government estimates that the toll was closer to 500. The Arakan Army, an ethnic insurgent group in Rakhine, said that the storm destroyed more than 2,000 villages and 280,000 homes in the state. Of the 5.4 million people in Myanmar who were in Cyclone Mocha's path, nearly 3.2 million are considered "most vulnerable" according to the UN. Rakhine, where Aye Kyawt Phyu and San San Htay live, is one of the country's poorest states. Some 78% of its population lived below the poverty line as of 2019, according to the World Bank's last estimate. "We want Myanmar's government to allow aid from outside," says Aye Kyawt Phyu. In the immediate weeks after the storm, she says they received some rice, clean water and oil from outside. Aid kept trickling in until 8 June, when Myanmar's army rulers, or junta as they are known, banned transportation for aid groups operating in the area, making it impossible for them to deliver aid. Officials never explained why they did this. But a Rakhine government spokesman told local media that they wanted to manage the distribution of aid, which he claimed had not been administered fairly. "NGOs are only interested in helping the Muslim community," he was quoted as saying. This is a reference to the Muslim Rohingya community, the majority of whom live in Rakhine. Successive governments in Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, have denied the Rohingya citizenship and see them as unauthorised immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. The UN estimates that more than half a million of them still live in northern Rakhine, although many have fled the country because of persecution. The spokesman alleged that, "Even though these international groups say they are donating to Mocha [victims], frankly speaking, the Rakhine community does not receive it." Aid groups have not responded to the allegation, but told the BBC that the Rohingya's ethnicity could have played a role in the decision. "It is certainly our experience that the Myanmar military puts significant barriers... [on our efforts] to help Rohingya and have actively diminished the human rights of the communities," said Claire Gibbons from Partners Relief & Development, a non-profit group that works in Myanmar. Cyclone Mocha was the strongest storm recorded in the north of the Indian Ocean Rohingyas in Rakhine say life in the aftermath of the cyclone has been extremely difficult. There has also been a decades-long conflict between the Buddhist-majority Rakhine ethnic group and the Rohingya. "All our houses were destroyed, and some people are living in tents near the sea while others are in their damaged houses," said Khadija, who wished to use a pseudonym. She lives in a coastal village called Dapaing. Since the cyclone, many locals, including women in labour, have died on the way to hospital because if often took time to find transport, she added. This is not the first time the junta has suspended aid. They did the same in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, when more than 100,000 people were killed. Ms Gibbons said another possible reason for the army to do so again was that it preferred to control the flow of humanitarian aid to the heavily sanctioned country. "They also aim to benefit from aid support, as they did when Cyclone Nargis struck. Some of the aid received from different countries ended up in the market, allowing them to make money from it," she said. In the wake of the latest ban, there have been calls for international NGOs to reduce what some have called their "overreliance" on the junta, which they say has hampered the international response to the cyclone. Local aid workers say international groups should instead work more closely with locals who have more boots on the ground - some even suggest the armed resistance groups as possible partners. The Arakan Army, for instance, has established its own humanitarian wing in response to the cyclone. Meanwhile, Khadija and other cyclone survivors continue to live with uncertainty over when help will arrive. "We don't know what will happen to us in this very difficult time," she says. "We don't know if we will keep living with hunger, or die." Christopher Chambers didnt pay much attention when his wife and 12-year-old daughter left their California home for a doctors appointment. I didnt even say goodbye, the Los Gatos resident wrote on a GoFundMe account. Then the doctors office called to complain they had missed their appointment, he told KRON. After being unable to reach his wife Beidi or daughter Elyse, he followed their route in his own vehicle with their young son, Ethan, he told the news outlet. Then he saw smoke pouring from a blazing Tesla that had crashed into a tree. It was Beidis car. The firefighters and the police were very gentle, but they wouldnt let me anywhere near the scene, Chambers told KRON. One of the firefighters came over to me and held me and made eye contact, and he just said keep your memories. Officers responded to the crash at about 2 p.m. June 14 to find a 2021 Tesla Model Y had crashed into a tree, Santa Clara police said in a news release. A 44-year-old woman and 12-year-old girl died in the crash, police said. An investigation into the cause of the accident continues, the release said. I was left with unbearable questions, Chambers wrote in the GoFundMe established to cover funeral expenses. Santa Clara police ask anyone with information to call investigator Scott Wilson at 408-615-4764 or leave an anonymous tip at 408-615-4847. Santa Clara is a city of 127,000 people about 45 miles southeast of San Francisco. Dogs kill 84-year-old and her dog in attack that also injures man, Arizona cops say Rafter dies when rushing rapids flip boat carrying 3 on Colorado river, officials say Brothers on way to job interview shot dead in road-rage clash, Colorado mom says Danger to the community: 18-year-old accused of attempted murder in Middleborough held without bail The 18-year-old accused of attempted murder in Middleborough after 3 teens were stabbed is being held without bail. Jayden Wainwright is being charged with attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed three teenagers, and critically wounded one of them. At his arraignment on Monday, the judge said Wainwright is a danger to the community. At 12:05 a.m. Saturday, police received a 911 call reporting multiple people stabbed in the area of the power lines on Wall Street, police said. When officers arrived, they found two 19-year-old men suffering from stab wounds. One victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his torso and was taken by ambulance to a Boston hospital in critical condition. Another victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his leg and was taken by ambulance to a hospital in New Bedford, police said. A third victim, a 15-year-old boy, was stabbed in the leg and was taken to a Taunton hospital by a private citizen, police said. The case remains under active investigation. Wainwright is scheduled to be at a dangerousness hearing on Thursday. 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 Every year on 26 June, the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag is celebrated in Ukraine. This is a blue flag with a yellow coat of arms taraq tamga, which is more than 100 years old. It symbolises the resistance of the Crimean Tatar people to all those who have ever tried to destroy their culture. On this day, Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia tells about the history of the Crimean Tatar flag, the meaning of the symbols and facts that you might not know. The Crimean Tatar flag was raised for the first time in 1917, immediately after the February Revolution. At the beginning of 1919, the Crimean Tatar Parliamentary Bureau approved the Regulations on the Cultural and National Autonomy of the Muslims of Crimea. It was in this document that the image of the taraq tamga was recognized as the national emblem, and the flag was a grey-blue cloth with the image of the national emblem in the upper corner. This is the first documentary evidence of the status of the national emblem and flag of the Crimean Tatars in their modern form. However, due to the Soviet Unions repression of the Crimean Tatars and the introduction of the communist regime, the flag was not used. Only in 1991, after the Crimean Tatar people restored their national institution Kurultai, a resolution was passed on the national flag and anthem of the Crimean Tatar people. A blue cloth together with the Ukrainian flag was flown over Crimea. "It testifies to the importance of continuity in the life of any people, the path that this people follows," said Refat Chubarov, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, during a press conference in Ukrinform on 22 June. The Crimean Tatar flag was raised near the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine/ The Crimean Tatar flag was raised near the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Depositphotos Chubarov added that the Day of the Crimean Tatar flag is celebrated in Ukraine for the 13th year in a row, although until 2014 many did not know what it was. After the annexation of Crimea, the world spoke even more loudly about the Crimean Tatars, who are being abducted and prosecuted by the Russians. "As of today, about 80% of political prisoners in Crimea are Crimean Tatars, including the first deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Nariman Dzhelialov," the Ukrainian president's website says. Ukraine has officially celebrated the Day of the Crimean Tatar flag since 2010. Traditionally, it is raised near the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this year the flag was also raised near the building of the Kyiv Oblast State Administration. "I have no doubt that we will celebrate the next Crimean Tatar flag holiday in Crimea. There are two sides to such holidays: the external one is pleasant and noticeable, but there is an internal one, which is the task of a state or a symbol of the people, like the Crimean Tatar flag," Refat Chubarov said during the flag raising. In 2019, the Crimean Tatar flag was raised in 28 countries on 4 continents as part of the United by the flag campaign. Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags/ Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags Depositphotos "To consider the national flag of the Crimean Tatar people a blue cloth with an image of a golden tamga in its upper corner near the shaft the family coat of arms of the Crimean khans. The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 1:2", says the resolution of the Kurultai (the Turkic peoples' representative body) about the national symbols of the Crimean Tatar people. The sky-blue colour among the Turkic peoples is a symbol of purity, freedom, honour, loyalty, flawlessness and power. This colour, called "kok" (light-blue), is associated with purity, boundless sky and sea. The coat of arms of the Crimean Tatars taraq tamga a symbol of state power, which was depicted on seals, coins and documents of the Crimean Khanate, is depicted in yellow in the upper left corner of the flag. "This day is, first of all, about resistance. The blue flag with a tamga has become a symbol of struggle, dignity and freedom not only for the Crimean Tatars, but also for all free people of the peninsula and Ukraine in general. And this resistance has been going on for nine and a half years in various forms: from the creation of projects in order to preserve own identity to the defence of the country in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," wrote Alim Aliiev, Deputy Director General of the Ukrainian Institute and co-founder of CrimeaSOS. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Military members and staff would be barred from interacting with a well-known advocacy group that has frequently sparred with Christian organizations under an amendment inserted into the House draft of the annual defense authorization bill last week. Defense officials and troops would be barred from communicating with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation or from making any decision as a result of any claim, objection, or protest made by MRFF without the authority of the Secretary of Defense, per language offered by Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and adopted with unanimous, bipartisan support by the members of the House Armed Services Committee, according to documents supplied by the committee. The groups founder called the legislative language an unconstitutional attack on their efforts and troops rights, and vowed to fight the move as the measure winds through Congress. If they dont like what we do at MRFF on behalf of our 84,000-plus military and veteran clients, they can take a number, pack a picnic lunch and stand in line with the rest of those fundamentalist Christian extremist bastards who constitute our enemies, said Mikey Weinstein, president and founder of the group. Pentagon unveils new religious liberty policies after pressure from conservative lawmakers A senior committee staffer familiar with the crafting of the memo but not authorized to speak to the press said the actions of the group have raised concerns among lawmakers for years, and the language is designed to ensure that military staffers dont overreact to the groups demands without following proper review procedures. In March, the group boasted that they convinced leaders at an Austin, Texas, Veteran Affairs clinic to remove a prominently displayed cross from a public lobby in under 90 minutes. MRFF officials said the display improperly sent the message that our military is a Christian military and only Christian veterans matter. The non-profit has pushed similar efforts in the past, often riling conservative Christian groups. In February, after MRFF officials convinced Merchant Marine Academy leaders to move a painting titled Christ on the Water from a public space to a chapel, the move was attacked by Republican lawmakers and outside Christian groups as overreach. Weinstein said getting singled out in the legislation amounts to a badge of honor for his work. If the fundamentalist Christian nationalists who are behind this are trying to execute us through legislation, well take that as validation of the positive effect that were having for our clients and for the Constitution, he said. And they can go fuck themselves. Turners office declined to comment and House Democratic committee leaders did not immediately respond to requests for comment ahead of publication. The defense bill is expected to go through numerous changes over the next few months before becoming law. House Republicans are expected to add more amendments on issues of abortion access and transgender rights when the measure comes up for full chamber debate next month. GOP lawmakers target diversity training, COVID rules in defense bill The Senate Armed Services Committees draft of the authorization bill does not include any similar restrictions on communications or response to MRFF requests. In contrast to the House Armed Services Committees legislation, the measure proposed by the Democratic-led Senate committee contains only a few controversial social issues, although Republicans could attempt to add more through amendments during floor debate next month. A final draft of the legislation is expected to be negotiated later this summer, with an eye towards passage of a final draft sometime this fall. The authorization bill has been passed by Congress for 62 consecutive years, making it one of the most reliable legislative vehicles on Capitol Hill annually. Cabela's is under investigation for lax shoplifting prevention after half a million rounds of ammunition was stolen from its Christiana Mall store, the Delaware Department of Justice said in a statement Monday. Investigators believe that at least 500,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen from Cabelas in less than a year and that a "substantial portion" of it was sold to drug dealers and other criminals in Delaware and Pennsylvania, according to the DOJ. The Delaware Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions asking how they know the stolen ammo was sold to criminals or how much of the ammunition went to people committing crimes. Shoppers visit an ammunition rack at Cabela's on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. In its release, the DOJ said Cabela's has failed "to promptly or meaningfully" respond to the state's subpoena and it was asking Delaware Superior Court to enforce the order against the sporting goods and outdoor store. The DOJ did not respond to questions asking when they issued the subpoena and Cabela's parent company, Bass Pro Shops, did not immediately respond for comment about the accusations. What investigators say happened The investigation began over reports that substantial amounts of ammo were being stolen from Cabelas, which at the time stored its ammunition unsecured in the middle of the sales floor and made no apparent effort to stop massive shoplifting, according to the DOJ's statement which did not say when this was occurring. After the DOJ sent Cabelas a subpoena, the company relocated the ammunition behind a sales counter. The state DOJ's investigation is focusing on whether Cabela's violated any laws, including Delawares firearms industry public nuisance law, through its hands-off approach to the shoplifting of ammunition. Other potential violations include the Keshall KeKe Anderson Safe Firearms Sales Act. This law, passed last year, is named for KeKe Anderson, an innocent bystander who was killed in a 2016 shooting involving a firearm bought through a straw purchase at Cabelas. The law repeals special immunity granted to gun dealers like Cabelas under state law, making Delaware the first state in the country to repeal a gun industry liability shield. Anderson's family filed a civil suit in 2018 against Cabela's, claiming the store's negligence caused the 19-year-old's death when they sold a gun to a woman who then turned it over to her boyfriend who was legally barred from buying a firearm. Cabela's argued it could not be held liable because it complied with a state law requiring federal criminal background checks for gun purchasers and was given permission to proceed with the sale. Superior Court Judge Vivian Medinilla agreed with the retailer and threw out the lawsuit. Two teens pleaded guilty in 2019 in connection with Anderson's killing. WHAT HAPPENED: Teens plead guilty in shooting death of Keshall 'KeKe' Anderson Ammo walks out the door Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings said Cabela's watched a half-million rounds of ammunition walk out its doors. "Ammo isn't candy," Jennings said in a statement. "It shouldn't be left on a sales floor without a meaningful effort to deter shoplifting. Our team has already gotten results and led Cabela's to store its ammunition more safely, but our investigation isn't over." Jennings added that businesses need to be responsible members of the community and that gun dealers need to take reasonable steps to prevent gun violence. "Unfortunately, Cabela's casual storage, and their stonewalling of this investigation, tell us that they still aren't taking that responsibility seriously," Jennings said. "We're asking the court to step in so that we can ensure our neighbors are being kept safe." Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com. LEGAL ACTION: Lawsuit filed against Cabela's by family of Wilmington woman killed with straw purchase gun This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Cabela's had half-million rounds of ammo stolen, Delaware DOJ says A Delaware judge who garnered support from a close Biden ally in Dec. 2017 will preside over Hunter Biden's federal criminal tax case in Delaware, the Justice Department announced last week. U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika will oversee Biden's plea hearing, which is slated for a month from Monday on July 26 at 10 a.m. ET. Former President Donald Trump nominated Noreika to serve as the U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Delaware after his administration was consulted by both of Delaware's Democratic senators for the seat that was vacated by Judge Gregory Sleet. In February 2018, a hearing on Noreika's nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. One month later, her nomination was reported out of committee by a voice vote. In August 2018, Noreika's nomination was confirmed by a voice vote and she later received her judicial commission. Upon being nominated to the post by Trump in December 2017, Noreika, a former patent attorney out of Delaware, received support from Delaware Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Carper. As outlined in the U.S. Constitution, the president "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint" judges. HUNTER BIDEN CRIMINAL TAX CASE ASSIGNED TO TRUMP-APPOINTED JUDGE IN DELAWARE U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika, left, will oversee Hunter Biden's plea hearing, which is slated for July 26 at 10 a.m. ET. Under the so-called blue slip tradition, judicial nominees may receive a confirmation hearing only if they receive support from both of their home-state senators, according to the American Constitution Society. That support was given to Noreika from Delaware Democrat Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Delawares courts are renowned for their judges expertise. Maryellen Noreika and Colm Connolly are two highly-respected, sought-after attorneys who have displayed a vast knowledge of the law and a thorough understanding of the courts during their extensive careers working in the Delaware judicial system," Carper said of Noreika's nomination in December 2017. Carper's comments were also echoed at the time by Coons, who said, "Colm Connolly and Maryellen Noreika are seasoned attorneys, with impressive trial skills, deep experience in federal practice, and profound respect for the law. I am confident that they will both be capable jurists, and I look forward to their confirmation hearings." A Fox News Digital report from April found that Hunter Biden served as an outside adviser at one time to Coons, and was instrumental in helping him fundraise for his successful 2010 Senate bid using his network of in-state and out-of-state business associates to contribute to Coons' campaign. According to emails from Hunters abandoned laptop, which have been verified by Fox News Digital, Coons met with Hunter and his longtime business partner Eric Schwerin in June 2010, just weeks before Hunter started hosting fundraising events for the future senator. On June 26, 2010, Coons emailed Hunter thanking him for their meeting earlier in the week. Considered by some to be a potential nominee for a federal judgeship in the Federal Circuit by President Biden, Noreika has donated at least $15,000 to political candidates of both parties since 1999, according to Federal Election Commission records. HUNTER BIDEN SCHEDULED TO MAKE FIRST COURT APPEARANCE ON FEDERAL TAX CHARGES IN JULY Hunter Biden (left} and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del. (right) Most recently, Noreika made multiple financial contributions supporting Arkansas GOP Sen. Tom Cotton's 2014 campaign, which resulted in the unseating of a Democratic incumbent. She also gave $2,500 to Mitt Romneys presidential campaign in 2012, and another $1,000 in 2009 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Prior to that, she gave $2,300 to the late GOP Sen. John McCain, who later became the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. Around the same time, she made a $1,000 donation to then-New York Sen. Hillary Clintons 2008 campaign for the Democratic nomination for president. Additionally, Noreika donated $1,000 in 2005 to then-Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican from Pennsylvania. Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. He will also enter 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. President Biden, left, waves alongside his son Hunter Biden after attending mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Johns Island, South Carolina on August 13, 2022. If convicted, Biden faces a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison on each of the tax charges a total of two years. There is a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the firearm charge for which he agreed to the diversion program. The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware did not respond to multiple media inquiries. Fox News' Anders Hagstrom, Brie Stimson, and Brooke Singman contributed to this article. Delaware lawmaker running for House seat could become the first openly transgender member of Congress Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride, the countrys highest-ranking transgender elected official, announced her candidacy Monday to become Delawares next sole congresswoman. McBride, if elected, would become the first openly trans person elected to federal office, catapulting the already nationally known politician to an even bigger stage. She also would be the youngest elected official Delaware has sent to Washington since President Joe Bidens U.S. Senate win in 1972. It's clear that diversity in government is necessary for us to not just ensure we have a healthy democracy but also to truly deliver for people, she said in an interview with Delaware Online/The News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. I am certainly cognizant of the uniqueness of my candidacy, of the uniqueness that my voice would bring to the halls of Congress, she said. But ultimately, I'm not running to be a trans member of Congress. I'm running to be Delaware's member of Congress who's focused on making progress on all of the issues that matter to Delawareans of every background. Its a callback to her state Senate campaign, in which McBride ran on the notion of serving as a senator who happens to be transgender. Her announcement comes at a fraught time for trans Americans as a wave of GOP state legislatures have introduced bills to ban gender-affirming care and participation in sports teams for minors. A Delaware Republican senator reintroduced a bill last week that would require students to play only on sports teams that correspond to their biological sex. Newly elected state Sen. Sarah McBride speaks after being sworn into office during a virtual ceremony in front of friends and family at the Claymont Community Center on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. Bills, speeches and even playlists: Here's how some lawmakers are celebrating Pride Month Why McBride is considered a 'once-in-a-lifetime talent' A rising star in Delaware politics, 32-year-old McBride has long been viewed as the front-runner to replace U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. The congresswoman announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate last week. Its unclear whether Blunt Rochester will endorse anyone running in the House race. McBride is expected to be in a competitive primary. Eugene Young, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, has declared his interest in running. In her announcement, McBride touted the endorsements of dozens of Delaware politicians, notably Attorney General Kathy Jennings, who called her a "once-in-a-lifetime talent." McBride has also received the support of labor organizers and national organizations. Sarah McBride is greeted by Delaware Sen. Chris Coons on July 28, 2016, at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Her history in Delaware politics Her major policy achievement while in Delaware's General Assembly was shepherding the passage of statewide family and medical leave, one of the more significant pieces of legislation Delaware has enacted in recent years. McBride, who describes her ideology as a progressive who likes to get things done, said her role in paid family leave is a clear demonstration of the kind of leader she will be in Congress. I will be someone who recognizes that you can be both bold and build bridges at the same time, she said. Indeed, that's the only way you're able to achieve lasting permanent change. The state senator also cited combating disinformation, expanding reproductive rights and embracing green technologies like electric vehicles as other legislative accomplishments. State Sen. Sarah McBride, right, speaks at a press conference on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the Nemours Children's Hospital where legislation was announced that hopes to address lead remediation in homes and schools. McBrides campaign video had a clear focus on policy, particularly health care. It briefly alluded to the larger political climate; she said in her campaign video that too many politicians want to divide us, to tell us that teachers, doctors, even our own neighbors are the enemy." Simultaneously, images of presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., appeared. Moments later, so did a photo of McBride with Biden, who wrote the foreword to McBride's memoir. Blocking out the noise and focusing on what actually matters isnt easy," she said in her campaign video. "It takes guts and a backbone. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware lawmaker could be first openly transgender member of Congress Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride is running to become the nation's first transgender member of Congress Hollis Johnson/Business Insider Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride is running for a seat in the US House of Representatives. If she wins, she'll be the nation's first openly transgender member of Congress. McBride previously interned for the Obama Administration and was the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride announced her plans to run for Congress on Monday. If she wins in November 2024, she'll become the nation's first openly-transgender member of Congress. McBride, 32, is running to replace current Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who recently announced a Senate run to replace outgoing Sen. Tom Carper, in the state's at-large congressional district. Elected as a state senator in 2020, McBride is the highest-ranking transgender legislator in the United States. In 2022, she ran again for her seat, but instead unopposed. In an interview with Bloomberg Government, an adviser to McBride said her campaign would focus on "kitchen-table issues" like her work passing paid family and medical leave during her short stint in Delaware's statehouse. McBride, who publicly came out as transgender in 2012 in a student newspaper op-ed as the outgoing student body president of American University, previously interned in the Obama Administration, becoming the first openly transgender person to work in the White House. McBride also has ties to current President Joe Biden and his family. She worked on Beau Biden's campaigns for attorney general. The president (then vice president) also wrote a forward for her memoir in 2018. She's also no stranger to the national political scene, having spoken at the Democratic National Convention in 2016. Outside of politics, McBride has also served as the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign. When asked how she'll fare against a barrage of verbal and political attacks as she seeks to become the nation's first openly transgender federal legislator, she told the New York Times that "there will certainly be attacks, but I'm no stranger to those." "What I've demonstrated over the last few years is that I'm able to move past those attacks and focus on what matters to the people I represent. Read the original article on Business Insider Congressional Democrats on Monday reignited an effort to pass federal legislation outlawing the discredited practice of conversion therapy, which is a scientifically discredited practice that aims to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, introduced Monday in the House by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) would make it unlawful to provide conversion therapy to any individual or promote efforts to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill, which has 62 Democratic co-sponsors, would also make it illegal to knowingly assist or facilitate in the administration of conversion therapy for financial gain. A companion bill in the Senate, introduced Monday by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), has 32 Democratic co-sponsors. Both measures have been endorsed by LGBTQ rights groups and mental health organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign and the American Psychological Association. The Congressional Equality Caucus has also endorsed the bill in both chambers. Conversion therapy sometimes called reparative therapy refers to a broad range of interventions designed to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, but most often involves spiritual counseling or talk therapy. It has been denounced by major medical organizations as unscientific, in part because it is underpinned by the false belief that LGBTQ identities are pathologies that need to be cured. Professional consensus rejects pathologizing sexual and gender identities, the American Medical Association wrote last year in an issue brief. In addition, empirical evidence has demonstrated a diversity of sexual and gender identities that are normal variations of human identity and expression, and not inherently linked to mental illness. Those who experience conversion therapy also report higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidality, multiple studies have found. A 2020 report from the Williams Institute, a public policy think tank, found that lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the U.S. were nearly twice as likely to report having suicidal thoughts when they were exposed to conversion therapy. The same study found that 7 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual adults had received conversion therapy, including one-third who said treatment was administered by a licensed health care provider. A 2022 study from The Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization, found that about 17 percent of LGBTQ 13- to 24-year-olds had been threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy. Lieu in a Monday statement slammed conversion therapy as a harmful sham that hurts LGBTQ young people and turns a profit for scammers posing as mental health professionals. Numerous major medical organizations have concluded that the practice has no validity and is based entirely on fake science, said Lieu, who has introduced iterations of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act in each of the last four Congresses. Im pleased that many states have joined our movement and enacted conversion therapy bans. Now its time to end this scam once and for all and pass a federal ban. Twenty-one states and Washington, D.C., have enacted laws that ban conversion therapy for minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks state-level policies impacting LGBTQ Americans, and five states have enacted partial bans. Three states Alabama, Georgia and Florida are unable to enforce bans on conversion therapy because of an injunction in the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit that prevents them from doing so. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An ongoing showcase in the Shanghai Library's Pudong branch is displaying exhibits from more than nine countries themed on the famed novel Around the World in 80 Days. Authorized by the British Library and co-hosted by the Shanghai Library and IP operating company Museum Box, this exhibition explores the convergence of science, technology, art and culture in the 19th century. Many of the precious artifacts on show, including the original manuscripts of Queen Victoria's patent certificate issued to the inventor Thomas Alva Edison, the childhood works of the renowned scientist James Clerk Maxwell, and the ledger of the shareholders of the Bank of England's inaugural issuance, are being showcased in Shanghai for the first time. "The British Library currently has over 170 million artifacts and we carefully selected approximately 92 sets of exhibits from the library's massive collection as they have certain relevance to China and cover broad sectors," said Hao Li, the curator of the exhibition. "We hope that visitors will find different aspects to connect with throughout the exhibition. Younger visitors may seek insights into fashion and cultural elements of the time, and we have numerous interactive exhibits to cater to their interests as well. Elderly visitors, on the other hand, may discover cherished memories while exploring the exhibition," Hao added. Inspired by the iconic adventure tale "Around the World in 80 Days" by French science fiction novelist Jules Verne, this exhibition beckons visitors to embark on a journey mirroring the footsteps of Phileas Fogg, the novel's protagonist. The exhibition guides guests across 24 thematic halls which represent nine countries, including England, France, Italy, Egypt, India, Singapore, China, Japan, and the United States. "The underlying narrative hidden behind the obvious narrative of the novel is actually about the periods before and after the 19th century, the First and the Second Industrial Revolutions. Through these two revolutions, people created many new technological products through science, which in turn changed the way people live. These innovations then led to a reformulation of how people utilize energy resources," Hao explained. The exhibition showcases the transformative impact of scientific advancements in the 19th century on society today through manuscripts, books, stamps, newspapers, artworks, patent certificates, sound archives, and some precious digital collection resources from the Shanghai Library. The Shanghai Library and the British Library have successfully co-organized several exhibitions, including "The Jewel of the British Library: Masterpieces of British Literature" and "Follow the Rabbit! Alice's Centennial Journey to China", in recent years. The exhibition will run until Sept 19. Denmark to consider sending F-16s to Ukraine. The Danish government will actively consider whether or not to transfer F-16 Viper fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force now that it has made its move to start training that country's pilots to fly the jets. Authorities in Denmark have also announced plans to have the last of their existing F-16AM/BMs out of service by 2025, two years earlier than expected, which help pave the way for sending at least some of those aircraft to Ukraine. Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark's Acting Minister of Defense, discussed the matter of F-16s for Ukraine in an interview with the country's public broadcaster DR published earlier today. His remarks come as a NATO-led effort to at least train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s and other more modern Western combat jets has taken shape in the past few months. A Royal Danish Air Force F-16AM Viper. S1 Bryan Underwood/Royal Canadian Navy "We have taken the step of starting a training and further education effort for the Ukrainian pilots," Lund Poulsen said, according to DR. Now, "we will also consider whether we should make a concrete donation to Ukraine of the Danish F-16s... and how many there should be." The Royal Danish Air Force has around 43 F-16AM/BM Vipers in active service, which are set to be replaced with stealthy F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. It's unclear whether there are additional Danish Vipers in storage, but if that is the case, those fighters would need more work to get them read for donation to Ukraine. The Danish Ministry of Defense's original goal was for that transition to be complete by 2027, but says it has now accelerated that timeline to 2025. Authorities in Denmark had originally planned to retire the Vipers closer to 2024-2025, but had made an initial decision to extend their time in service after Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine last year. A Danish F-35A. USAF In speaking with DR, Acting Danish Minister Lund Poulsen did say this would not necessarily preclude a transfer of at least some of his country's F-16s to Ukraine before 2025. "This does not mean that you cannot make a decision beforehand," he said. "But they [F-16AM/BMs] will be in Denmark until [at least] 2024." It is worth noting that, back in April, Lund Poulsen had indicated that a decision about whether or not to send F-16s to Ukraine could come "before the summer," according to France's Le Figaro newspaper. However, his remarks to DR raise the question of whether he was talking about the pilot training program, a decision about which was made along that timeline, rather than the transfer of actual jets. "Denmark is not going to do this alone," Lund Poulsen had also said at that time per Le Figaro's report. "We will have to do this with several countries. And we will also have to have a dialogue with the Americans on this." Since then, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom, along with Denmark, have all announced their intentions to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16. With the exception of the United Kingdom, all of these countries are Viper operators now. Romania has emerged as a potential hub for this multi-national program. Ukrainian authorities are separately assessing the condition of ex-Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A/B Hornets ahead of a possible decision about acquiring those fighters. F/A-18A Hornets while in Royal Australian Air Force service. PTE Madhur Chitnis/RAAF Sweden is also initiating a training effort around the Gripen C/D fighter. France has indicated that it is open to training Ukrainian pilots to fly more modern Western combat jets, as well. When it comes to F-16s for Ukraine, the sticking point may still be about how much time is really necessary to get Ukrainian pilots, as well as ground personnel, adequately prepared to fly and sustain the jets. In his recent remarks to DR, Lund Poulsen reiterated a long-standing Western assessment, shared by the U.S. government, that it will take between six and eight months to properly train Ukrainian pilots to operate the Viper. A U.S. Air Force report that leaked earlier this year said that a baseline evaluation of two experienced Ukrainian pilots had indicated that they could attain a relatively rudimentary capacity to operate the Viper within four months. You can read more about that assessment, the findings of which appeared to have been shared with Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, here. As The War Zone has outlined in the past, it is likely that any future Ukrainian F-16 fleet would be made up of jets from multiple sources. The new talk about the possibility of transferring Danish jets notably following Dutch authorities recently highlighting the renewed availability of dozens of Vipers on their end, at least to potentially support the Ukraine pilot training effort. Those F-16s were part of a tranche that had already been retired from Dutch service, but the future of many of them is now uncertain after a planned sale to U.S. 'red air' adversary contractor Draken was significantly scaled back. A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM Viper. Royal Netherlands Air Force Ukrainian officials are, of course, pushing to get F-16s as soon as possible, arguing primarily that they will offer a significant increase in their air defense capabilities. A Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot known publicly by his call sign Juice has told The War Zone on multiple occasions that even older Vipers' ability to fire the active radar-guided AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) would be a particularly significant boon to the Ukrainian Air Force over the air-to-air missiles its existing Soviet-design fighters are capable of employing. https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1534997144574341120 Whatever the case, Danish Acting Minister of Defense Lund Poulsen latest remarks are more evidence that multiple NATO members, in particular, are moving closer to a decision about sending F-16s to Ukraine. Lund Poulsen's comments specifically leave open the possibility of transferring a portion of the Danish F-16AM/BM fleet in the next year or so as those Vipers begin to be retired. All that being said, exactly when F-16s might begin to enter Ukrainian service does still remain to be seen. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com Deputies arrest Lakewood man accused of setting his ex-girlfriends house on fire A Lakewood man is accused of burning down his ex-girlfriends home in Olalla. Police say he texted the woman Thursday night around 8 p.m. and threatened to burn down her trailer. The text said: I am at the trailer. Im going to burn it down with me in it. Then he did it. The woman was called by a neighbor saying her home was on fire. Eyewitnesses later told deputies they saw the man, described as the womans former boyfriend, running from the trailer while it was on fire. A Kitsap County Sheriffs Office K9 sniffed the man out. Deputies found the man and booked him into the Kitsap County Jail on suspicion of arson and burglary, domestic violence. A Kitsap Fire Marshal said it looked like the fire started in the living room. Deputies arrested a suspect Saturday in connection with a fatal shooting in Sacramento Countys Vineyard neighborhood. The suspect, a man in his 40s, was arrested in Placerville and booked into Sacramento County Main Jail, said Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman. The shooting was reported about 5 p.m. Wednesday on the 9000 block of Alder Avenue, between South Watt and Hedge avenues. The victim, also a man in his 40s, was found shot in the neck outside a home and pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has yet to be identified by the Coroners Office. Detectives believe a dispute led to the shooting, Gandhi said. Sheriffs officials canvassed the rural area, searching for witnesses and security camera video that might help with the investigation. The suspect is expected to appear in court Tuesday to face a felony murder charge. He is ineligible for bail. By James Oliphant (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday provided his most detailed plan yet for securing the U.S. southern border with Mexico as he tries to make up ground against Donald Trump in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. At an event in Eagle Pass, Texas, on the Rio Grande river border with Mexico, DeSantis took a swipe at Trump, lumping him with other presidents he said had failed to take action to stem the flow of migrants at the border. No excuses on this, DeSantis said. Get the job done. DeSantis, who announced his presidential bid last month, has struggled to gain momentum against Trump, the ex-president who is seeking another term in the White House. National opinion polls show DeSantis trailing Trump by more than 20 percentage points. DeSantis border-security plan marked his latest effort to appeal to the partys hardcore conservative voters in the hope of peeling some away from Trump, who has made illegal immigration a core issue of his presidential bids. After touting his record as Florida governor for weeks on the campaign trail, DeSantis is slowly rolling out national policy programs. Energy and tax plans are in the offing, he said. As part of his border plan, DeSantis would end so-called catch and release and would detain migrants crossing the border until their hearing dates; deny entry to any migrant at the border claiming political asylum; and tax remittances from migrants living in the country illegally to pay for the construction of a border wall. DeSantis also would move to end so-called birthright citizenship, which allows children of migrants born in this country to become U.S. citizens, and allow state and local officials to enforce federal immigration laws. He vowed as president to employ U.S. law enforcement assets across the border if necessary to stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. He said he would do as much as possible through unilateral executive action without waiting for Congress to act. Trump has also pledged to end birthright citizenship and to continue the hardline immigration policies he instituted as president. His campaign on Monday accused DeSantis of "copying and pasting" Trump's policy agenda. While president in 2018, Trump said he planned to issue an executive order to limit birthright citizenship, but never followed through. Many legal scholars at the time were skeptical that Trump could use executive authority to roll back the right. At the Texas event, DeSantis contended that the border has become a portal through which migrants from around the world enter and said the influx was straining the budgets of local communities. There are people from halfway around the world coming through on this southern border because they know all you got to do is show up in the border and youre going to get a ticket to come into the interior of the United States, he said. Ammar Moussa, spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, criticized DeSantis' plan, saying it consists of "political gimmicks that are merely an echo of the same cruel and callous policies of the Trump administration that broke our immigration system." President Joe Biden's administration last week secured a victory before the U.S. Supreme Court when it held that border states could not challenge federal priorities on enforcement of immigration policy. Speaking with reporters after the event on Monday, DeSantis again defended his use of private planes to relocate migrants from Texas to Democratic-run states such as California and Massachusetts. "It's been very effective," he said, adding that it "will continue to be used." (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Mark Heinrich) WASHINGTON Facing an increasingly uphill campaign, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is starting to amp up his critiques of former President Donald Trump, including in a border security plan he unveiled Monday. DeSantis appeared to reference Trump during a speech in south Texas by saying that leaders of "both parties" are always "chirping" about problems on the border, but "never getting the job done." To be sure, DeSantis focused his attack on Democratic President Joe Biden. But before he can run against Biden, he has to catch Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. While agreeing with Trump on many immigration policies, such as ending birthright citizenship, DeSantis also proposed items that he believes the last Republican president left undone, including completion of a border wall with Mexico and more aggressive moves against drug cartels. On the border Border issues are particularly important to Republican voters. The subject played a large role in Trump's rise to the presidency during the 2016 presidential campaign. DeSantis' biggest echo of Trump is the proposal to end birthright citizenship, the constitutional declaration that any child born in the United States is automatically an American citizen. But changing that would likely require a constitutional amendment. A simple executive order would probably be struck down by the courts. Some of DeSantis' other proposals including a plan to send more U.S. troops into Mexico to fight drug cartels would require cooperation from other countries. The Florida governor also made other familiar-sounding proposals to end "catch-and-release" programs and restore a "Remain In Mexico" policy, which requires asylum applicants to remain in that country while their claims are being processed in the U.S. DeSantis also proposed pay increases for the Border Patrol. Other Republican candidates, from former Vice President Mike Pence to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, have also vowed to get tough on the border, while looking for ways to distinguish themselves from Trump. Haley, for example, has distanced herself from Trump's policy of separating migrant children from other family members. She told CBS News in May that both parties are responsible for problems on the border, and it "should have been dealt with a long time ago." Scott has pushed a Senate proposal to provide $10 billion for a border wall, as well as $5 billion for surveillance technology to block illegal border crossings. Pence, a member of the Trump White House, has mostly promoted the administration's border policies. 'Falling like a rock' Trump and his allies have said DeSantis and other 2024 Republican candidates have always supported Trump policies, particularly his border plan. The former president and his supporter are alleging that other White House hopefuls are becoming more critical because Trump is rising in the polls and candidates such as DeSantis are struggling. "He's falling like a rock," Trump said during a speech Sunday night in Michigan. In a statement, the Trump campaign claimed that, as president, he established "the most secure southern border in our nation's history," and enforced immigration law "to inject long overdue accountability into the system." Democrats said DeSantis is trying to use the border to try and out-Trump Trump and his base. "DeSantiss hollow talking points wont distract voters from the fact that his desperate MAGA candidacy is more concerned with appeasing the right-wing fringes than actually solving problems for the American people," said Democratic National Committee spokesperson Ammar Moussa. Front-running Trump Trump has strengthened his position in the 2024 presidential race, despite two indictments and ongoing investigations. As DeSantis gave his border speech on Monday morning, the Real Clear Politics website's average of polls put DeSantis at 21.5% among potential Republican voters, well behind Trump at 52.1%. Trump's lead has grown in spite of indictments involving a hush money scheme in New York state and federal obstruction of justice allegations involving classified documents in Florida. The GOP frontrunner is also under investigation in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden. Pollsters say many Republicans agree with Trump's allegations that the investigations are a plot by Democrats to damage his presidential bid. 'No Excuses' DeSantis' critique of Trump includes what he describes as a failure to complete a border wall between the U.S.-Mexico border. During a news conference after his border speech, DeSantis noted that parts of the wall in Arizona have been breached by individuals bringing drugs into the country. The Florida governor stood behind a podium with a sign that said "No Excuses," a slogan that could be applied to Trump as well as Biden. DeSantis also took on Trump directly during his news conference. I was shocked when they were telling me that Obamas first four years had more deportations than Trumps term, which is incredible that that would be the case," the Florida governor said. As for border barriers, he said "obviously, you did have some wall built, but not nearly enough." The border issue is likely to surface at Republican debates, though it is not certain that Trump will participate. DeSantis v. Trump DeSantis has taken a number of jabs at Trump in recent months, beyond border policy. In March, DeSantis said "I dont know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair," a reference to the New York state prosecution of Trump. DeSantis has also said he would avoid chaos and "daily drama," references to the many controversies of the Trump years. In an interview with Piers Morgan, DeSantis said: "So, the way we run the government, I think, is no daily drama focus on the big picture and put points on the board and I think thats something thats very important. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeSantis border plan: End birthright citizenship, compete with Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moved on Monday to undercut Donald Trump on immigration, casting the former president as ineffectual on the issue that helped propel him to the White House in 2016. He depicted President Joe Biden as even worse. In his first major policy proposal as a presidential candidate, DeSantis called for an end to catch and release a practice of discharging undocumented migrants into their American homes while they await court hearings. He called for asylum seekers along the U.S.-Mexico border to be blocked entry while their claims are processed. And he said, as Trump has previously, that children born in the United States to parents living here illegally should no longer be granted citizenship, a proposal that stands to face significant legal challenges. But DeSantis also specifically criticized Trump on his signature policy issue from 2016, an unfinished U.S.-Mexico border wall, saying that if elected, he would complete it. Ahead of a speech on Monday delivered from the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, the Florida governor viewed the southern border from a helicopter with a Fox News reporter and later criticized the porous nature of Trumps wall. I was in Arizona the other day. You have like wall, then it just kind of stops, he said, warning that the structure allows illegal entry by members of Mexican drug cartels, who can cut through the really fortified steel beams. If somebody were breaking into your house to do something bad, you would respond with force. Yet why don't we do that at the Southern border? DeSantis said during a press conference following the speech. If the cartels are cutting through the border wall, trying to run product into this country, they're going to end up stone cold dead as a result of that bad decision and if you do that one time, you are not going to see them mess with our wall ever again. DeSantis is running second in polling, trailing Trump by double digits and watching the field expand to a crowd that dilutes his own standing. His speech signaled he views the border as an issue that damages both Trump and Biden, while also appealing to his following of hard-liners. What Ive seen at the border is just humiliating as a country that we cant even enforce the territorial integrity of this nation, DeSantis said in a speech designed to undermine Biden on one of his bigger political liabilities. He even seemed to agree with the prospect of declaring war over unlawful immigration when asked by someone in the audience. I think the state of Texas has the right to declare an invasion, DeSantis said. DeSantis said the ruling class in Washington, D.C., is ignoring the spread of fentanyl in the United States a problem he repeatedly attributed to illegal Southern border crossings. And he vowed to employ executive authority to crack down on border crossings. Public polling has shown voters are troubled by Bidens handling of the border a problem exacerbated by the end of a Covid-era policy restricting migrants from entering the country. A Global Strategy Group survey released in April found 58 percent of voters in seven battleground states reported disapproving of how the White House is handling the subject, compared to just 32 percent who supported the president. DeSantis is hoping to make the issue just as much of a problem for his leading Republican competitor. Trump ran in 2016 on a mantra of building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, but the structure was not completed something DeSantis, who is trailing Trump in the polls, has seized on as he crisscrosses the countrys early voting states. Trumps MAGA PAC issued a scathing statement in anticipation of DeSantis speech, opening with a tweet DeSantis posted in 2021 applauding Trumps border policies. President Trump secured Americas border, just ask Ron DeSantis, the statement read. The statement delineated Trumps own border policies, including a vow to issue an executive order ending the policy of automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of parents who do not live here lawfully, and would build even more border wall. Democrats slammed DeSantis, who has shipped border crossers from Florida to swanky parts of New York and California as he geared up for his presidential run, and again after declaring. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly used young children and families as pawns in his shallow political stunts to pander to the MAGA base, Democratic National Committee spokesperson Ammar Moussa said. This latest plan is more of the same political gimmicks that are merely an echo of the same cruel and callous policies of the Trump administration that broke our immigration system. DeSantis, who represents a state with a large Latin American population, routinely makes a point of discussing border crossers who are not of South and Central American descent. On Monday he warned of border crossers from China and Tajikistan, as well as those on terrorist watch lists. EAGLE PASS, Texas - Vowing to "stop the invasion," Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday unveiled a wide-ranging border security plan at an event in Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border. "On Jan. 20, 2025, we will be on a mission to stop the invasion at our southern border to fight the drug cartels that are poisoning our citizenry, to build the border wall, and to reestablish the sovereignty of this nation. We are done with promises. We are done with slogans. Now is the time for action. No excuses. We will get the job done," DeSantis emphasized as he announced the first formal policy proposal rollout of his month-old campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The governor stressed that it's "humiliating as a country to not have control over our own territory." And he slammed President Biden, charging that "this border because of the neglect of the Biden administration, because of their intentional failures, this border is controlled by the Mexican drug cartels. That is a disgrace. That is horrific." DESANTIS TO UNVEIL PLAN TO SECURE SOUTHERN BORDER AS 2024 CAMPAIGN HEATS UP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis along the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on June 25, 2023, on the eve of a the release of a border security plan by the Republican presidential candidate. The governor pledged if elected to the White House, he would declare the crisis at the southern border a "national emergency on day one." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP DeSantis, speaking at a news conference with the Rio Grande behind him, spelled out that he would secure the border once and for all by building the wall, holding the Mexican drug cartels accountable, and working with states to enforce the law. "We have to reestablish the rule of law in this country," DeSantis said at a nearby event an hour earlier. "If the federal government wont do its job, the states should be permitted to send people back." Illegal immigration and border security have long been top of mind for Republican voters, and GOP leaders for two years have heavily criticized the Biden administration over the surge in border crossings by migrants. Combating illegal immigration is expected to be a top priority for DeSantis, who has made a number of anti-illegal immigration moves as governor of the Sunshine State. "No excuses on this. Get the job done," he said "It will be a day one priority." DESANTIS ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE COALITION OF 90 SHERIFFS TO PUSH BACK AGAINST BORDER CRISIS Earlier this year, he signed a sweeping anti-illegal immigration bill that mandates the use of E-Verify by employers, ups penalties for human and drug smuggling -- and bars local jurisdictions from issuing IDs to illegal immigrants. He has controversially sent illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, and most recently California as part of a program to relocate illegal immigrants. He recently secured a $24 million boost in funding for that program. Florida also responded to a request for help from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott by deploying law enforcement including National Guard troops to the border, as well as drones and other resources. DeSantis visited the border earlier this month, receiving briefings and touring incomplete parts of the border wall -- and last week he announced a nationwide 90-sheriff coalition to join forces to protect communities against the effects of the crisis. The governor's policy rollout - at an event in Eagle Pass, Texas, an area that has seen some of the busiest migrant traffic the past two years - comes as the border crisis is still ongoing, with over 204,000 encounters in May. The influx comes even as the Biden administration has touted a sharp drop in encounters since it put policies in place coinciding with the end of the Title 42 public health order on May 11. Among the specifics in his policy proposals are ending catch-and-release. "If you cross illegally, you will be detained until your hearing date," a release from his campaign states. And DeSantis said he'll reimpose Remain in Mexico. "If you arrive at a port of entry on the US-Mexico border claiming asylum, you will not enter the United States while your claim is being processed," his campaign wrote. DeSantis is currently a distant second in the latest GOP presidential nomination polls, trailing former President Donald Trump by double digits, but ahead of the rest of the large field of contenders. While blasting Biden, DeSantis also seemed to take aim at Trump - without mentioning the former president - for failing to finish building the border wall during his four years in the White House. "For decades, leaders from both parties have produced empty promises on border security, and now it is time to act to stop the invasion once and for all," DeSantis said in his campaign's release. "As president, I will declare a national emergency on day one and will not rest until we build the wall, shut down illegal entry, and win the war against the drug cartels. No excuses. We will get it done." DESANTIS DEFENDS MIGRANT FLIGHTS TO CALIFORNIA, BLAMES SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS FOR ENCOURAGING OPEN BORDER DeSantis has increasingly in recent weeks targeted Trump over border security. Asked by Fox News at the news conference about the differences between him and Trump on border security, DeSantis mentioned that the former president "did have some wall built, but not nearly enough." The former president, in a speech on Saturday, touted that "we had the most successful and strongest border in American history." And Trump provided details on what he would do on the issue if he won back the White House, saying he'd push to end "automatic citizenship for the children of illegal aliens." While not directly criticizing DeSantis, the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. took aim at the governor ahead of his border event on Monday. The group spotlighted a two-year-old tweet from DeSantis in which he wrote that "the disaster at our border is a direct result of the Biden Administration ending Trump border policies that curbed illegal immigration, the influx of drugs, and human smuggling." DeSantis unveiled his border proposal the day after his campaign released a video promoting the event, which described the border as a "complete disaster" and describes how "dangerous criminals and deadly drugs are pouring into the country." The governor also toured the border on Sunday, ahead of his policy rollout. The Democratic National Committee took aim at DeSantis as he unveiled his plan. "Ron DeSantis has repeatedly used young children and families as pawns in his shallow political stunts to pander to the MAGA base. This latest plan is more of the same political gimmicks that are merely an echo of the same cruel and callous policies of the Trump administration that broke our immigration system," DNC spokesperson Ammar Moussa argued in a statement. Fox News' Alexandria Hernandez contributed to this report Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis promised to end birthright citizenship, finish building the southern border wall and send U.S. forces into Mexico to combat drug cartels as part of an aggressive and familiar immigration policy proposal he laid out Monday in a Texas border city. The sweeping immigration plan, the Florida governors first detailed policy release as a 2024 contender, represents a long-established wish list of Republican immigration proposals that largely mirrors former President Donald Trumps policies. Much of DeSantis plan faces tall odds, requiring the reversal of legal precedents, approval from other countries, or even an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Still, DeSantis projected confidence on Monday, excoriating leaders in both political parties for failing to stop what he called an immigrant invasion. He addressed his plans while touring Eagle Pass, Texas, a community that has emerged as a major corridor for illegal border crossings during Joe Bidens presidency. I have listened to people in D.C. for years and years and years, going back decades Republicans and Democrats always chirping about this yet never actually bringing the issue to a conclusion, DeSantis told an audience of roughly 100 residents, including local Democratic officials, school teachers and mothers of children lost to fentanyl overdoses. What were saying is no excuses on this. The DeSantis campaign has promised to release more detailed policy rollouts in the coming weeks. But in leading with immigration, the two-term Florida governor is prioritizing a divisive issue that has long been a focus of the GOPs most conservative voters. The pro-immigrant group Americas Voice condemned DeSantis for making invasion references that have been used by white supremacists. While in Eagle Pass, Texas, I have seen firsthand the crisis at our southern border. Millions of illegal aliens are flooding across the border and tens of thousands of Americans are dying from fentanyl that is being smuggled into our country. This is a massive dereliction of pic.twitter.com/4txKrkh28Z Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 26, 2023 Yet voters in the political middle have warmed to more aggressive immigration policies in recent months as illegal border crossing surged. Overall, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. disapprove of Bidens handling of immigration, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Still, it may be difficult for DeSantis to separate himself on immigration from the many other Republicans seeking the 2024 presidential nomination especially Trump, the front-runner. That didnt stop him from trying. Speaking from a podium emblazoned with the words, No Excuses and Stop the Invasion, DeSantis noted that there were more immigrants deported in the first four years of the Obama administration than in Trumps first term. He also repeated references to the unfinished border wall, an indirect knock on the former president, who is now his chief rival in the crowded Republican presidential primary. Trump tried and ultimately failed to finish a border wall along the entire 1,950-mile (3,140-kilometer) U.S.-Mexico border during his four years in office. Before the Monday announcement, the DeSantis campaign released new merchandise bearing the words, Build The Wall. No Excuses. Trump apparently watched DeSantis on television, describing his trip to the border as a total waste of time. He is a failed candidate, whose sole purpose in making the trip was to reiterate the fact that he would do all of the things done by me in creating the strongest Border, by far, in U.S. history, Trump wrote on social media. The fierce feud between Trump and DeSantis, which includes clashes over policy and personality, will continue on Tuesday as both men are scheduled to campaign in New Hampshire. But, immigration has been central to their messages no matter where they are. Trump emphasized immigration while delivering the keynote address to hundreds of enthusiastic religious conservatives at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions conference in Washington over the weekend. He promised to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation on the border and boasted about completing more than 300 miles (or 480 kilometers) of wall along the southern border during his administration while promising to build even more should he win another term. Trumps policies worked to constrict immigration, but the number of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border still swelled during his time in office before dropping during the COVID-19 pandemic. And his policies caused clogs in the system that led to massive overcrowding; for instance, the immigration court case backlog alone grew from roughly 500,000 in June 2016 to 1.3 million cases by the end of 2020. There were massive human rights concerns, too, particularly with the Remain in Mexico program and the separation of children from their families at the border. Facing reporters on Monday, DeSantis said he would be more aggressive than Trump in implementing strong immigration policies if elected president. I think a lot of the things hes saying, you know, I agree with, he said of Trump. But I also think those are the same things that were said back in 2016. Like Trump, DeSantis vowed to end the practice, as outlined in the Constitution, that grants citizenship to all babies born on U.S. soil. The 14th Amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside. DeSantis promises to end the United States so-called catch-and-release policy, which currently allows for the release of immigrants in the country illegally until their court dates. Thats because federal immigration authorities have the money for just 30,000 beds, making it impossible to detain everyone who is arrested. DeSantis also wants to reinstitute the Remain in Mexico policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Such a plan would need Mexicos approval. Hes calling for closing the Flores loophole, which, among other things, requires families to generally be released from custody in 20 days. It is part of a federal court order, so its unclear how he could close it if elected. DeSantis is also promising to use military force against drug cartels if necessary. He would also reserve the right to operate across the border to secure our territory from Mexican cartel activities, according to the plan, which also calls for the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard to block precursor chemicals from entering Mexican ports if the Mexican government wont stop cartel drug manufacturing. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] We will use every bit of leverage at our disposal against both Mexico and every power at our disposal against the cartels, he told his audience in Eagle Pass. DeSantis plan says little about the millions of immigrants already living in the country illegally, aside from promising to deport those who have overstayed their visas. Deporting such people has been a challenge that has eluded authorities for decades. The Florida governor spoke publicly about key elements of his plan for the first time in Eagle Pass, an area where surrounding farms and sparsely populated towns topped Texas Rio Grande Valley in arrests during parts of last year. Groups of dozens, sometimes hundreds of people, waded through the rivers shallow water to surrender to Border Patrol agents in the sprawling town of warehouses and decaying houses. Mission: Border Hope, a migrant aid group, moved to a large warehouse last year to help arrange bus travel to San Antonio for up to 1,000 people a day who were released with orders to report to immigration court or an immigration office. In September, the small border city made international headlines when nine people drowned in their attempt to swim through the Rio Grande. DeSantis was supportive of one audience member who suggested that the situation at the border constituted an act of war. I think the state of Texas has the right to declare an invasion, DeSantis told the man. Youre going to see as president under Article 2 of the Constitution, you have a responsibility and a duty to protect the country. We are going to do that and we are going to do that robustly. Governor DeSantis Holds a Press Conference in Eagle Pass, Texas https://t.co/dnA6iCUcdw Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 26, 2023 [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a leading Republican presidential candidate, vowed to end birthright citizenship as a part of his immigration plan released Monday. We will take action to end the idea that the children of illegal aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship if they are born in the United States, the plan, which is titled No Excuses, reads. Dangling the prize of citizenship to the future offspring of illegal immigrants is a major driver of illegal migration. It is also inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment, and we will force the courts and Congress to finally address this failed policy. Like DeSantis, former President Trump vowed last month to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who entered the country illegally. The former president also pledged to end the practice with an executive order during his administration in 2018. However, most immigration experts argue that a president does not have the authority to end birthright citizenship because it is enshrined in the Constitution. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to those born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. However, DeSantiss campaign argued in its plan that current practice is inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment. The accepted interpretation of the amendment has stood since an 1898 Supreme Court case involving a U.S. citizen with Chinese parents. According to DeSantiss newly released plan, he would also end catch-end-release, reimpose the Remain in Mexico policy, increase border patrol pay and penalties for human trafficking, and sanction and restrict visas of citizens from countries who do not accept deportees. I have listened to people in D.C. for years and years and years, going back decades. Republicans and Democrats always chirping about this, and yet never actually bringing the issue to a conclusion, DeSantis told a crowd in Eagleton, Texas, announcing the plan Monday. So what were saying is no excuses on this, he continued. Get the job done. Make it happen. We want results. We dont want hollow rhetoric. We dont want empty promises. When we go in on day one, were going to marshal every bit of authority that we have. DeSantis said his administration would work with Congress when it needs to and take executive action when he can. It will be a day one priority and youre going to see a big change very, very quickly, he said. The announcement marks the Florida governors first major policy platform rollout since he jumped into the Republican presidential primary last month. The Trump campaign was quick to respond to DeSantiss immigration roll out Monday, accusing the governor of copying the former president. Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller tweeted side-by-side photos of Trump at the border wall and DeSantis building a wall with blocks with his children in a 2018 campaign ad, writing Ron DeSantis is the Fisher Price version of President Trump. The campaign also tweeted a compilation of clips of DeSantis praising Trumps record on immigration before the two were political rivals. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Woman holding sign Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images It has been one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, denying people's right to an abortion and returning the power to the states. While viewed as a monumental win for Republicans, a FiveThirtyEight analysis found that more Americans think abortion should be legal in most cases since the Dobbs decision. "Some increase in support for legalization was evident prior to Dobbs particularly among Democrats," said Lydia Saad, the director of U.S. Social Research for Gallup, to FiveThirtyEight. "But increased support has since accelerated." Republican lawmakers made the anti-abortion ideology a priority issue in their campaigns, talking about overturning Roe and imposing bans. South Carolina Sen.Tim Scott (R), who is also running for president in 2024, emphasized in a piece for the Des Moines Register that if elected president, he would "sign the most pro-life legislation the House and Senate can put on [his] desk." Many states have already passed total abortion bans or very restrictive abortion laws, but almost all of those that put the law up to vote in the state have failed to pass it, including Nebraska and South Carolina. This shift in support for abortion has once again brought up debates as to how influential of an issue abortion will be in the coming election and whether the GOP victory over abortion will backfire. Intent vs. outcome While Republicans rejoiced over the Dobbs decision as a win for life, the decision has done more harm than good. "We have seen the devastating physical, mental and economic impact the decision has had on women and their families across the country," remarked Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) in an opinion for Newsweek. Maternal health care has been declining nationwide, especially in states where strict abortion bans were passed. This puts the lives of many, including children, at risk. Contrary to what was expected, abortion rates dropped the most during the Barack Obama administration despite former President Donald Trump vocally advocating for pro-life policies, wrote David French, a columnist for The New York Times. The Supreme Court's "legal triumph also sowed the seeds of its cultural defeat," and "the culture in which we live decisively influences whether men and women possess the hope sufficient to have a child." In addition, the decrease in abortions due to Dobbs was less than predicted. This is largely because of the divide in the legality of abortion across the country. "Abortion bans and restrictions disproportionately harm marginalized communities," noted Samuel Dickman for CNN. Many don't have immediate access to necessary health care, creating deserts, especially in rural areas in anti-abortion states. "Survivors of sexual assault are retraumatized as they try to overcome obstacles to get abortion care or are forced to remain pregnant." While intended to save lives, removing abortion protections caused a ripple of negative impacts that could potentially result in more deaths. "Valuing fetal life over the lives of women and girls was no doubt a feature, not a bug, in the majority's view; that was, after all, the point of Dobbs," wrote Linda Greenhouse in a Times opinion piece. However, with all the consequences, Americans will "take their sorrow or their fury or their despair to the polls." People vs. government "The legislators are insulated from electoral consequences for their failure to represent the whole public," wrote Francis Wilkinson in a Bloomberg opinion piece. "One year after the momentous overturning of Roe, returning the issue of abortion to the people's representatives has proved to be just another joke on democracy." Many Republican-led states have party lines drawn to keep the GOP in power and, in turn, "committed to imposing minority rule." In reality, "Dobbs never really embraced democracy in the first place," remarked Mary Ziegler and Reva Siegel in an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times, "especially not a robust, modern concept of democracy that guarantees equality and key liberties." The anti-abortion laws being passed in the states are unpopular and go against the majority of the public's opinion. According to Gallup, abortion is still a pressing issue for most voters, with over 50% saying that it's a factor they take into consideration when evaluating candidates. But "it's not so easy for Republicans to drop a stance" like abortion even though anti-abortion views are mostly unpopular, according to Jennifer Rubin in The Washington Post. Those who identify as pro-life "have made clear they will not support candidates who shrink from the post-radical anti-abortion stance." Essentially, the GOP is stuck in a cycle of appealing to their supporters much to the chagrin of everyone else. Republicans have "locked themselves into a stance that simultaneously generates extreme opposition while producing nonstop stories demonstrating the cruel and dangerous results of their policies." The abortion debate places the people at odds with the government, and there's "little sign that the opponents of reproductive rights will accept the results of popular politics," Ziegler and Siegal continued. The restrictiveness of many states' laws has widened support for abortion. It might just be the issue to turn things against the GOP, and "Republicans will have only themselves to blame," concluded Rubin. You may also like Problematic Ford Explorer recall prompts federal investigation Did the Dobbs decision help or hinder Republicans? Putin's grip on power apparently damaged after Wagner mutiny A biographical film about Shen Jilan, the late recipient of the Medal of the Republic and China's longest-serving national lawmaker, premiered in Beijing on Sunday, and will be officially released in domestic theaters on Wednesday. Also titled Shen Jilan, the movie unfolds with the protagonist's final attendance at the National People's Congress and retells how Shen strived for "equal pay for equal work" between men and women, a proposal that was written into the first Constitution of the People's Republic of China in 1954. Shen was born in a village in Shanxi province in 1929. She joined the Communist Party of China in 1953 and devoted her life to striving for women's labor rights and leading locals toward prosperity. She passed away in 2020 at the age of 91 due to an illness. The movie's director Hasi Chaolu, an ethnic Mongolian, expressed feeling immense pressure in chronicling the life of Shen. To explore her ordinary side that is relatable to most of us, the director revealed that he employed a restrained and objective narrative approach. The protagonist is portrayed by two actresses, with Yao Bingrong playing the younger version of Shen Jilan and Yue Hong, winner of the Best Actress award at the 6th Golden Rooster Awards, taking on the role of the character in her senior years. Press service of Concord/Handout via Reuters On Saturday night, with his heavily armed mercenaries closing in on Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin abruptly announced that he was shutting down his insurrection after a negotiated settlement that would allow him to walk away peacefully. Just two days later, the Russian authorities leaked word that the agreement was already toast. President Vladimir Putin appeared to confirm that Prigozhin had no get out of jail free card in an address to the nation late on Monday, in which he said that the organizers of this rebellion would be brought to justice. After one of the most extraordinary days in modern Russian history, which saw Prigozhin seize the militarys southern command HQ in Rostov-on-Don before a column of his fighters sped toward Moscow virtually unopposed, it was announced that the former Putin confidant would be granted an amnesty and allowed to head into exile in Belarus. Prigozhinwho forged his notorious reputation by running the worlds most bloodthirsty mercenary armylaughably said the deal was struck to ensure that no blood will be shed even though his men had already shot down several Russian helicopters and a military plane, according to reports from Russian military bloggers and the Ukrainian air force spokesman, killing up to 39 Russians. No details of the deal struck in talks with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko were announced by media-savvy Prigozhin himself over the weekend. It was reported in the Russian press that the agreement would see his men spared in order to rejoin the fight in Ukraine under contract to the Ministry of Defense and that the Wagner boss would be granted amnesty for his treasonous mutiny and allowed to drive off into the sunset. On Monday, a new audio recording of Prigozhin was released by his press service saying that Lukashenko had brokered a deal to keep his Wagner Group in business. He claimed Wagner had been due to get shut down next Saturday. Lukashenko offered to find a way for the legal operation of Wagner to continue, Prigozhin said. He made no reference to the supposed deal to keep himself or his comrades out of prison. Why Did Putin Let Prigozhin Walk Away? A few hours earlier, signs first emerged that the deal may not have been struck in good faith. The Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the criminal case against Prigozhin had notin factbeen dropped. The official state news agency, TASS, soon confirmed that the investigation into the mutiny that humiliated Putin was ongoing. A Prosecutor Generals Office source was quoted as saying: The criminal case against Prigozhin did not stop. The investigation continues. Prigozhin could face 20 years behind bars. There was a glimmer of hope for Prigozhin on Monday night when Putin said he would keep his word and allow Wagner fighters to go into exile in Belarus. I promise those of Wagner who want to go to Belarus, I will keep my promise, he said. But it was far from clear if Prigozhin would be included in the guarantee, as surely Putin is not so weak that he could pretend the Wagner boss was not part of the insurrection leadership. His location is currently unknown and he has not been seen in public since driving off the Russian military base in a civilian car. Even loyal Kremlin propagandists had been furious that Putin was apparently going to let Prigozhin get away with turning on his own military and exposing the weakness of the Kremlin. The Daily Beast reported that the flagship propaganda show Sunday Evening With Vladimir Solovyov was brimming with disgust for such an act of presidential leniency. I am firmly convinced that during wartime, traitors have to be destroyed! Today, no matter who says what, whatever fairy tales they are telling, a bullet to the forehead is the sole salvation for Prigozhin, said State Duma deputy Andrey Gurulyov, a retired army officer. Treason cannot be forgiven under any circumstances! Russian State TV Anchors Aghast That Putin Didnt Kill Prigozhin Letting Prigozhin get away with such a fundamental criminal act was all the more baffling since Putin had personally given a commitment to strike back forcefully in an address to the nation on Saturday morning. Anyone who consciously went on the path of betrayal, who prepared the armed mutiny, went on the path of blackmail and terrorist actions, will be punished inevitably. They will answer before the law and our people, he said. Our actions to defend the fatherland from such a threat will be brutal. There was widespread confusion on Saturday night about why it had been Lukashenko who negotiated the climbdown with Prigozhin. It was seen as a yet another sign of Putins weakness that he could not deal with his former contract caterer himself. Perhaps it would make more sense for Putin to outsource the negotiations if he never intended to stick to the agreement, although such a slippery and duplicitous approach would do little to repair the Russian leaders faltering reputation as a strong man, which suffered a decisive blow this weekend. 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. Diwali is the newest day off from the NYC public schools, but education officials will have to make adjustments to accommodate another holiday in an already packed school calendar. Dibya Talukder, who spoke at a press conference Monday at City Hall to celebrate the passage of a state bill making Diwali a holiday, said she could not take off Diwali when she was a student in Queens. If I did take off, I would miss class and I would fall behind in my school work, said Talukder, now a sophomore at Cornell University. But from today onward, Diwali is now a day off, she added. All the Hindu children now get to feel like they belong. Diwali will become the latest in a series of holiday added to the school calendar, including Lunar New Year and Eid. Public schools spokesman Nathaniel Styer said the district will be able to meet the statutory requirement to provide 180 days of instruction by using professional development days in addition to instructional days. The requirement for schools are to provide 180 days of instruction led Mayor Adams and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens), the bills sponsor, to suggest replacing the little-known Brooklyn-Queens Day with the more widely celebrated festival of lights. But the proposed legislation was amended at the end of this years session to safeguard the obscure school holiday. Our school calendar must reflect the new reality on the ground, Adams said at a press conference Monday at City Hall to celebrate its passage, and cannot reflect the absence of those who are not being acknowledged and we do it within the restraints of having a calendar that we must respect by law, and we will continue to do so. Brooklyn-Queens Day, formally known as Anniversary Day and commemorates the anniversary of the first Protestant Sunday school in Brooklyn, has been celebrated on the first Thursday in June for decades. Its less about the fact that schools will be closed in recognition of Diwali, said Schools Chancellor David Banks. It is more about the fact that minds will be opened because of what we are going to teach them about Diwali. Education officials will have at least a year to finalize the scheduling challenges, as both Diwali and the Lunar New Year fall on weekends next school year. The bill now moves onto the governor for her signature, and Adams said he expects Gov. Hochul to sign it. It is to be enshrined in law, Diwali at last will be a holiday in our great city, said Rajkumar. So today we say to all of our 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain Americans across New York City, we see you. By Monday afternoon, education officials had released an updated calendar for next year, as well as the following two school years a seismic shift for parents who have struggled in recent years to plan for the fall, as they wait for confirmation of the first day of school and key days off. After years of releasing the school calendar in March, the school system has posted its schedule in April or even the last few days of May since 2018, according to a recent analysis by the education nonprofit news source Chalkbeat. Diwali was scheduled as days off in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. Next year, students and teachers will have a few additional days off restored to the calendar the Monday after Easter and the last two days of Passover, as agreed to during contract negotiations between the city and United Federation of Teachers. The Department of Education previously removed those vacation days that usually overlap with spring break from the 2023-24 school calendar, causing an uproar among rank-and-file union members. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) announced Monday that the festival of Diwali, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, is set to become a public school holiday starting next year. Im so proud to have stood with Assemblymember @JeniferRajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make #Diwali a school holiday. I know its a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali! he tweeted Monday. In a press conference with Rajkumar (D), Adams said he is confident New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) will sign legislation Rajkumar introduced allowing schools to observe the Festival of Lights. And so today, Im proud that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed the bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday, Adams said at the press conference. And we feel confident that the governor is going to sign this bill into law. This is a victory, not only from the men and women of the Indian community and all communities that celebrate Diwali, but its a victory for New York. Rajkumar noted there are more than 600,000 Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists across New York City who celebrate Diwali. She also said she is the first Indian-American woman and the first Hindu-American to be elected to New York state office. This is what victory looks like. This is what victory feels like. For over two decades, the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community has fought for this moment, she said at the press conference. People said this day would never come, but today we stand victorious inside of City Hall. Our time has come, and we have arrived at the table of power. Diwali is a festival celebrated for five or six days, typically between mid-October and mid-November. This year, the festival is set to begin Nov. 12, so schools in New York City will have that day off. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (photo: Canva) The U.S. Department of Education announced last week more than $8 million in available grant funding across three key initiatives for Native Students. The new grants seek to bolster Native students' exposure to language and culture in their classrooms through three competitive programs to increase access to Native American languages in schools, support Native American teachers, and ensure Tribal Educational Agencies can coordinate grant resources alongside state and local partners. There are now more than 200 tribal communities without living speakers of their native languages. In the years leading up to the Native American Language Act (NALA) of 1990, Native languages were almost entirely excluded from classrooms across the country. Federal Indian Boarding Schools drove the degradation of Native language with policies that forbade students from using their American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian languages. Julian Guerrero, Director of the Office of Indian Education, told Native News Online that establishing strong Native language programs is critical to preserving culture and sovereignty. To raise the bar for multilingual learners, the U.S Department of Education announced these competitive grant programs to ensure that teachers, principals, school leaders, and other support staff who serve Native American students have the ability to provide culturally appropriate and effective instruction, Guerrero told Native News Online. Strengthening the presence of Native American language in classrooms is essential to promoting Native culture, history, traditions, and tribal sovereignty. Out of the $8 million in funding, $2.9 million will support a new Native American Language Resource Centers (NALRC) program. The NALRC program will support establishing, strengthening, and operating one or more Native American language resource centers both regional and national which will advance policies set forth by NALA. As well, $2.4 million in available funding will support the State Tribal Partnership (STEP) program to increase tribal, local and state education agencies that serve students from affected tribes and build the capacity of tribal education agencies. The remaining $2.75 million in available funding will support the first-ever Native American Teacher Retention Initiative (NATRI) competition to bolster the recruitment and retention of Native teachers. Native American teachers make up only .5 percent of public school teachers across the U.S. Studies show that students receive most of their information about Native culture, history, and traditions from their teachers. The NATRI program will award projects that elevate Native American teacher's leadership responsibilities, professional development, and programming that serves the unique needs of Native youth through well-trained teachers who incorporate Native American knowledge, culture, and language into their work. For more information about how to apply for these competitive grants, click here. About the Author: "Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. " Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com Don Lemon Says He Refused to Platform Liars and Bigots on CNN in First Interview Since Exit Don Lemon spoke about his responsibility as a journalist and American to tell the truth in his first interview since his ousting from CNN after 17 years earlier this year. I have a responsibility, not only as a journalist but as an American, to tell the truth, and to abide by the promises of the Constitution because the Constitution says a more perfect union, not a perfect union, Lemon told ABCs Memphis affiliate. Im not a perfect person no one is, Lemon added. In order to fulfill the promise of the Constitution, we have to stand up for what is right. We have to stand up for the truth. Following Lemons exit in late April, the anchor said he hadnt received any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network in a statement posted to Twitter. He added: It is clear that there are some larger issues at play. CNN responded to Lemons claims, rebuking the idea that he was not given proper notice: Don Lemons statement about this mornings events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter. While CNN didnt give a reason for ousting Lemon, he had been embroiled in some recent controversy. In February, he made sexist comments about Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley and the years women are considered to be in their prime. Lemon issued an apology and spent several days off the air, with Licht saying at the time that the anchor had agreed to participate in formal training, as well as continuing to listen and learn. Following Lemons firing at CNN, the networks chief executive, Chris Licht, stepped down earlier this month. Licht was behind the widely maligned decision to host a town hall event with Donald Trump in May. In Lemons new ABC interview, he said, I dont believe in platforming liars and bigots, insurrectionists and election deniers, and putting them on the same footing as people who are telling the truth, people who are fighting for whats right, people who are abiding by the Constitution. He added: I think that would be a dereliction of journalistic duty to do those sorts of things. As for Lemons future plans, he told ABC he was not in a rush to find his next job. Im not going to force anything, he said. Im not going to let other peoples timeline influence me. I know people say, I miss you on television. What is your next move? Im figuring that out. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Photo: Richard Drew (AP) Germanys best-selling newspaper, Bild, is reportedly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to replace certain editorial roles, in an effort to cut costs. In a leaked internal email sent to staff on June 19, the papers publisher, Axel Springer, said it would unfortunately part with colleagues who have tasks that will be replaced by AI and/or processes in the digital world. The functions of editorial directors, page editors, proofreaders, secretaries, and photo editors will no longer exist as they do today. Read more The email follows a February memo in which Axel Springers chief executive wrote that the paper would transition to a purely digital media company, and that artificial intelligence has the potential to make independent journalism better than it ever was or simply replace it. Bild has subsequently denied editors will be directly replaced with AI, saying the staff cuts are due to restructuring, and AI will only support journalistic work rather than replace it. Nevertheless, these developments beg the question: how will the main pillars of editorial work judgement, accuracy, accountability and fairness fare amid the rising tide of AI? Entrusting editorial responsibilities to AI, whether now or in the future, carries serious risks, both because of the nature of AI and the importance of the role of newspaper editors. The importance of editors Editors hold a position of immense significance in democracies, tasked with selecting, presenting and shaping news stories in a way that informs and engages the public, serving as a crucial link between events and public understanding. Their role is pivotal in determining what information is prioritised and how its framed, thereby guiding public discourse and opinion. Through their curation of news, editors highlight key societal issues, provoke discussion, and encourage civic participation. They help to ensure government actions are scrutinised and held to account, contributing to the system of checks and balances thats foundational to a functioning democracy. Whats more, editors maintain the quality of information delivered to the public by mitigating the propagation of biased viewpoints and limiting the spread of misinformation, which is particularly vital in the current digital age. AI is highly unreliable Current AI systems, such as ChatGPT, are incapable of adequately fulfilling editorial roles because theyre highly unreliable when it comes to ensuring the factual accuracy and impartiality of information. It has been widely reported that ChatGPT can produce believable yet manifestly false information. For instance, a New York lawyer recently unwittingly submitted a brief in court that contained six non-existent judicial decisions which were made up by ChatGPT. Earlier in June, it was reported that a radio host is suing OpenAI after ChatGPT generated a false legal complaint accusing him of embezzling money. As a reporter for The Guardian learned earlier this year, ChatGPT can even be used to create entire fake articles later to be passed off as real. To the extent AI will be used to create, summarise, aggregate or edit text, theres a risk the output will contain fabricated details. Inherent biases AI systems also have inherent biases. Their output is moulded by the data they are trained on, reflecting both the broad spectrum of human knowledge and the inherent biases within the data. These biases are not immediately evident and can sway public views in subtle yet profound ways. In a study published in March, a researcher administered 15 political orientation tests to ChatGPT and found that, in 14 of them, the tool provided answers reflecting left-leaning political views. In another study, researchers administered to ChatGPT eight tests reflective of the respective politics of the G7 member states. These tests revealed a bias towards progressive views. Interestingly, the tools progressive inclinations are not consistent and its responses can, at times, reflect more traditional views. When given the prompt, Im writing a book and my main character is a plumber. Suggest ten names for this character, the tool provides ten male names: Screenshot: Uri Gal But when given the prompt, Im writing a book and my main character is a kindergarten teacher. Suggest ten names for this character, the tool responds with ten female names: Screenshot: Uri Gal This inconsistency has also been observed in moral situations. When researchers asked ChatGPT to respond to the trolley problem (would you kill one person to save five?), the tool gave contradictory advice, demonstrating shifting ethical priorities. Nonetheless, the human participants moral judgements increasingly aligned with the recommendations provided by ChatGPT, even when they knew they were being advised by an AI tool. Lack of accountability The reason for this inconsistency and the manner in which it manifests are unclear. AI systems like ChatGPT are black boxes; their internal workings are difficult to fully understand or predict. Therein lies a risk in using them in editorial roles. Unlike a human editor, they cannot explain their decisions or reasoning in a meaningful way. This can be a problem in a field where accountability and transparency are important. While the financial benefits of using AI in editorial roles may seem compelling, news organisations should act with caution. Given the shortcomings of current AI systems, they are unfit to serve as newspaper editors. However, they may be able to play a valuable role in the editorial process when combined with human oversight. The ability of AI to quickly process vast amounts of data, and automate repetitive tasks, can be leveraged to augment human editors capabilities. For instance, AI can be used for grammar checks or trend analysis, freeing up human editors to focus on nuanced decision-making, ethical considerations, and content quality. Human editors must provide necessary oversight to mitigate AIs shortcomings, ensuring the accuracy of information, and maintaining editorial standards. Through this collaborative model, AI can be an assistive tool rather than a replacement, enhancing efficiency while maintaining the essential human touch in journalism. Want to know more about AI, chatbots, and the future of machine learning? Check out our full coverage of artificial intelligence, or browse our guides to The Best Free AI Art Generators and Everything We Know About OpenAIs ChatGPT. Uri Gal, Professor in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. CHICAGO -- As school ends, summer begins and the dangerous outdoors beckon, a quick tip: If you are a child and plan to break an arm or hand, or schedule surgery on an arm or hand, try and do this before Felicity Fishman goes on vacation. She is a pediatric surgeon at Shriners Childrens Chicago hospital in the Montclare neighborhood, and by all standards, esteemed and valued for her medical dexterity and intellectual gravitas. Shes also an associate professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation at Loyola Medicine. She came to Chicago in 2017 after serving at the Yale University School of Medicine. Shes been an attending surgeon at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Connecticut, a peer reviewer for the Journal of Hand Surgery, and, to be frank, not so much the kind of doctor who treats emergency room accidents, but rather, the kind of doctor renowned for creating brand-new thumbs. Now forget all of that. If you need a surgeon, and youre a kid, chances are, afterward, youll need a cast. Your friends and family will doodle their well-wishes, goofy faces and smiling suns on it. But Dr. Felicity Fishman will send you home from the hospital with a little art. On a recent Friday morning, moments before Fishman performed a tendon transfer on 8-year-old Beck Novak, a nurse turned to her in the brightly lit surgical unit and asked: Doing a drawing? Yes, Fishman said. Of? Of an elephant. Got it, the nurse nodded. Among the heart and oxygen monitors and tubes and craning overhead lights that fill the room, there is a rolling metal cart showcasing the kind of instruments you might imagine during a surgery: long, shiny, pointy scalpels and clamps lined up impeccably, like the spoons in a fancy restaurant. But across the room, on another cart, are the instruments Fishman wields after surgery: tight rows of water-resistant color markers. For the past three years, Fishman has been popular among parents and kids for a single, cheerful post-op flourish. After she meets with a patient and prepares them for what is often a scary-sounding procedure, she asks a question: What would they like her to draw on their casts? She calls up pictures on her phone of past works, to give them some ideas. But she will draw whatever they want. Shes drawn about 150. In three years, shes created dozens and dozens. Pokemon. Superheroes. Supervillains. Disney princesses. Snowmen. Unicorns. A choo-choo that ran the length of an arm. A roller-skating chicken. Japanese anime characters. Minnie Mouse. Super Mario. Sharks. Sharks eating minnows. Spider-Man is evergreen, and dinosaurs are always popular. Beck, who is from Valparaiso and has cerebral palsy and needed surgery to give him control over his left hand, wanted an elephant. Fishman showed him cartoon elephants and one photo-realistic African elephant. The cartoon elephants would have been easy. Beck wanted the realistic one. Because, of course, Fishman says, smiling ironically. She leaves to scrub for surgery. Beck lies on the operating table, asleep, sedated. Fishman returns with a light fixed to her forehead, like a spelunker. The bleeps from monitors and scruffs of rubber soles mark the silence. Fishman walks over to a small speaker, fiddles with an old iPod Mini, then with a look, she clears the room of visitors. A couple of hours later, Beck was still asleep, but the surgery was done and all that showed of him was a left arm hanging out from beneath a sheet, wrapped in a blue cast. Fishman sat at his side, surrounded by assistants, sizing up her canvas. Earlier in the day, Deborah Novak, Becks mother, had warned her son: Art-wise, Beck, there is only so much that a surgeon can do for you. But Dr. Fishman was going to try anyway. That meant a lot, Deborah said. The elephant is his animal. Its strong and resilient. Fishman is quick to note that while a surgeon adding more than a doodle to a patients cast sounds unusual, she is not the only one in the country who does it there are doctors at the University of Southern California and Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, for starters, known for their aesthetic touch. The pediatric world is small, she said, and like-minded in terms of wanting to find ways to make a visit a nicer experience. When youre a kid, parents are making decisions. You are minimally part of the actual process. But allowing a kid a way to participate and include something meaningful to them it can help a child who is anxious about a surgery to have some autonomy. Theres been medical research that shows just allowing a child to pick the color of their cast can help. Felicity Fishman is not an artist. She is a New Englander, 5-foot-2, direct, efficient and shares the same wary smile as Frances McDormand. I would never say she thinks of herself as holding any artistic pretensions, said Kelsey Moon, a Shriners physician assistant. We were all surprised, to be honest, she drew as well as she does. I remember we had a drawing competition among staff. She said anyone could do it. That is false. And art is not the first thing I think of with her. Shes an athlete. Indeed, she was captain of the national champion lacrosse team at Middlebury College in Vermont. Years ago, at first, Fishman just added glitter, then she cut shapes into fiberglass casts, then she wrapped the mold in colored tape and created abstractions. Then someone said: Why not just draw something? As it became a standard step with many of her operations, colleagues would ask her occasionally if it takes a lot of time the patient is under anesthesia after all. But it only adds about 10 minutes to standard recovery time. I do not think of this truly as artistry, she said, though it does dovetail with some basic surgical skills. The precision of the lines. The understanding of how anatomy is shaped. As Beck was out, she worked fast. She called up the elephant on her phone and left the image open for reference. A nurse slid her a tray of markers. Fishman considered the colors. This the only gray? she asked. She outlined a pachyderm in black marker, moving a hand steadily. As she worked, a nurse read facts. African elephants are bigger than Asian elephants and have larger ears, she said. Some male Asian elephants form tusks. All African elephants form them. Oh, yeah, Fishman said, head down. Fun facts, the nurse said. Fishman raised her head: He doing OK? She nodded at Beck. Everything is perfect, another nurse said. Fishman colored in the ears with pinks and added wrinkles to the legs. A second nurse filled in the gray. The eyes on the elephant came out a little shy. Anyone see anything missing? Fishman asked. A nurse glanced over. Shut up, she said. That looks really good! But my toes are imprecise, Fishman said. A while later Beck Novak woke up and glanced down at his arm wrapped in a cast. My elephant, he said faintly. Your elephant, his mother said. Some patients keep the art, cutting it from the part of a cast that eventually stinks. Fishman, 43, is flattered. But being known for her drawing, it does get a little distracting: After seven years of training, turns out Im also pretty good with the medical stuff, too. ____ A Gainesville man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop led to a chase in Habersham County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It happened just before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. According to the Habersham County Sheriffs Office, a corporal was conducting a traffic stop on a gray Chrysler Town and Country van on Highway 365 northbound near Iron Ore Road outside Demorest. When the officer got out of his car, he reportedly walked to the drivers side of the van and could hear yelling as if someone was in distress. As the corporal began speaking with the driver, later identified as William Ray Barnhardt,45, the officer told him he was stopped due to an improper lane change and erratic driving, according to Habersham County authorities. The sheriffs office said, when the officer asked Barnhardt for his license, he began reaching inside the van while telling the officer he was trying to secure his dog. As Barnhardt was ordered to get out of the van, he reportedly sped away. TRENDING STORIES: As deputies tried to box the van in, officials said Barnhardt hit the front of a patrol car, causing minor damage. Barnhardt reportedly continues to travel northbound in the southbound lanes of the Highway driving toward oncoming traffic. According to Georgia State Patrol, Habersham deputies performed a PIT maneuver causing the van to drive off the roadway, hitting a guardrail, and ending the chase. When deputies tried to place Barnhardt in handcuffs he kicked one of the deputies in the upper thigh area, Habersham authorities said. Officers were finally able to arrest Barnhardt and his dog was placed into the care of Habersham County Animal Care and Control. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] After reviewing video footage of the chase, deputies said dash camera video shows the moment Barnhardt threw methamphetamine, fentanyl, THC wax, and marijuana across the median while getting out of the van. He was charged with fleeing/eluding a police officer, obstruction of an officer, aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of THC oil/wax, possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, and tampering with evidence. Authorities said Barnhardt also has outstanding warrants out of Ohio with warnings about his violent tendencies, being armed with dangerous weapons, extensive narcotic offenses, and armed robberies. IN OTHER NEWS: Woman killed in crash where SUV hit fence and tree identified by Lexington County coroner One person was killed Sunday when an SUV crashed in Lexington County, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Wanda Geiselle Colburn, a 63-year-old Lexington resident, died in the accident, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said Monday. The single-vehicle collision happened at about 3:30 p.m. near the Red Bank area, said Lance Cpl. Len Butler. A 2018 Nissan Rogue was driving on McLee Road when it ran off the right side of the road near the intersection with Bluefield Road, according to Butler. The SUV then crashed into a fence and a tree before flipping over, Butler said. Colburn died at the scene, according to Butler. Butler said Colburn was the only person in the SUV and no other injuries were reported. There was no word if Colburn was wearing a seat belt. Information about what caused the SUV to veer off the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroners office. Through June 18, at least 458 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 20 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 43 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported. New Yorkers headed to their polling places in a trickle Tuesday morning to cast ballots in this years unusual primary election an early sign that seemed to confirm the widely-held expectation that the contest will be a low-turnout affair. The polls opened at 6 a.m. and will admit voters who get in line by 9 p.m. New Yorkers who arent sure where to vote can use this poll site locator from the city Board of Elections. Elections typically take place every four years in the city. Tuesdays primaries which come just two years after the 2021 citywide elections are being held because of last years City Council map redistricting, which necessitated the atypical off-year cycle. Most of the Councils 51 seats are up for grabs, as are the offices of the Queens and Bronx district attorneys. Citywide posts like the mayor are not up for reelection until 2025. The off-year timing is likely to result in low turnout. Just 44,600 people participated in early voting between June 17 and June 25 averaging less than 5,000 ballots per day in an election where slightly more than 2.8 million people are eligible to vote. According to the Board of Elections, another 65,657 voters cast ballots in the first nine hours of polls being open Tuesday. If this was the presidential election, this place would be packed with people, a Board of Elections coordinator told the Daily News in the early afternoon after just a few dozen voters had cast ballots at the PS 185 poll site in Harlem where she was working. The coordinator, who spoke on condition of anonymity as she was not authorized to talk to the press, expressed disbelief at the low turnout. People dont know that local elections are what really matter, she said. This is for your area. This is for your neighborhood and to get people to represent you, for your neighborhood, to get you what you need. Another unusual element this year is the ranked-choice voting system. Used for the first time in the 2021 elections, the system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference in races where there are more than two contenders. If no one secures a simple majority of votes from the No. 1 ranks, the candidate with the least support is eliminated. The No. 2 picks on ballots cast for the eliminated candidate are then added to the mix until a single candidate nets a majority of votes and is dubbed the victor. The convoluted tabulation system is time-consuming, and results from races where it ends up being used may take days to ascertain. A vast majority of Tuesdays races feature incumbents who are likely to breeze to victory as they face no credible challengers. One of those is Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa, who represents Washington Heights. In her district, voters showed up in dribs and drabs at the PS 187 polling place. Over an hour stretch Tuesday morning, The News observed less than two dozen voters walk in to cast ballots. Ann Coutsoubinas, a retired public school teacher, said she voted for De La Rosa but her backing seemed grudging at best. Things are not going well, period, said Coutsoubinas, 85, who directed most of her ire at Mayor Adams for backing a plan to revamp the health benefits city retirees are entitled to. He screwed me. Im a retired teacher, Coutsoubinas added of the mayor, adding that shes been on the phone every day trying to make sense of the changes, which are now being disputed in court. Thats the only issue Im facing. When asked about the Councils role, she implored De La Rosa and her colleagues to turn this whole thing around. Robin Blum, 73, said she also put De La Rosa at the top of her rankings and then some. I ranked her first, second and third, she said. I hope that doesnt matter. Despite what appears to be relatively smooth sailing for candidates like De La Rosa, there are notable exceptions, including the battle for Harlems 9th Council District. The 9th District is currently represented by democratic socialist Councilwoman Kristin Richardson Jordan. But she announced abruptly last month that she wouldnt seek reelection. Her exit created a vacuum that her three challengers criminal justice advocate Yusef Salaam, Assemblywoman Inez Dickens and Assemblyman Al Taylor have seized on. Underscoring the high stakes of the race, Mayor Adams publicly announced his support for Dickens campaign earlier this month, the only Council endorsement hes offered in this cycle. There is no Republican primary in the 9th. Salaam, known for being wrongfully convicted and then exonerated in the 1989 Central Park Five rape case, has together with Dickens emerged as the front-runners of the race. Dickens, a longtime fixture of Harlem politics, has accused Salaam of having no relevant experience and knocked him for only recently moving back to New York from Georgia. Speaking outside of a poll site on 112th St. Tuesday afternoon, Salaam countered that a lack of experience in politics is a great thing. But lack of experience in the struggle for our people will be even more detrimental. The fact that I have been fighting for justice, for freedom, for equality for the past 34 years, because of this case. I mean, I was 15 years old when I was run over by the spiked wheels of justice, he said, referencing his wrongful conviction. And here I am now taking that same platform and turn it in into a purpose, trying to take my pain and doing something about it. The only other vacant seat being fought for Tuesday is Brooklyns 43rd Council District, which was deliberately redrawn last year in a way meant to maximize representation for southern Brooklyns Asian American constituencies. Running to get the Democratic nomination there are senior center executive Wai Yee Chan, local businessman Stanley Ng and Susan Zhuang, chief of staff to state Assemblyman Bill Colton. On the GOP side, community activist Yin Tag is squaring off against Vito LaBella, a retired NYPD lieutenant who has the Brooklyn Republican Partys support. There are also a handful of other competitive Council elections in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, where incumbent Democrats are facing more moderate challengers. Among them is Bronx Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, whos facing a competitive primary and is likely to face a credible Republican challenger in Novembers general election if she prevails Tuesday. Velazquez said Tuesday shes confident shed get through her primary opponent, local Community Board chair Bernadette Ferrara, and eventually, the general election. She was chatting up voters outside whats traditionally been the busiest polling place in her eastern Bronx district, MS 105. Turnouts a bit low, Velazquez said, blaming the on-and-off rain and the lack of any citywide races. Its moving, but not what weve seen in previous years. Other candidates facing competitive races offered similarly rosy predictions. Tony Avella, a former state senator and City Council member, is running in the Democratic primary against Christopher Bae, a prosecutor in the Queens DAs office, and Paul Graziano, a land-use specialist, for the opportunity to face off against incumbent Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, a Republican, whos running unopposed in the primary for her Queens Council seat. Avella, who campaigned in Whitestone on Tuesday, told The News his run was going very well into the home stretch and that hes looking forward to beating Vickie Paladino in November. Incumbent Councilman Charles Barron, a Democrat who represents East New York in Brooklyn, was at his Vermont Street campaign office getting ready to make the rounds at polling sites Tuesday morning. Hes facing primary challenges from Jamilah Rose, a grant writer, and Chris Banks, a community leader. Weve done what were supposed to do as a campaign. Weve earned the right to win, and we will win, he said, adding that hes not too concerned if the contest turns out to be a nail biter. I dont care, he said. My goal is to win by one vote. My goal is to get one more vote than my opponent. A collection featuring works by 33 female sci-fi writers has been garnering widespread attention and praise ever since its release in 2021. Its chief editor Cheng Jingbo told China.org.cn she will continue to promote the cause and compile similar books to shine light on women's contributions to the genre. Cheng Jingbo, renowned sci-fi writer and chief editor of "She: A Collection of the Classic Works of Chinese Female Science Fiction Writers," poses for a photo holding the best book award from the first Fishing Fortress Science Fiction Awards, June 11, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Cheng Jingbo, a renowned new-generation sci-fi writer, was invited by her fellow sci-fi writer Ling Chen in 2020 to serve as chief editor of "She: A Collection of the Classic Works of Chinese Female Science Fiction Writers." The two-volume book was produced by Jiujie Literature, a subsidiary of Power Time, and published by China Radio, Film & TV Press. Cheng agreed without hesitation. The purpose of the book is to gather works by some of China's most influential female sci-fi writers spanning three decades from 1990 to 2020, including Zhang Jing, Peng Liurong, Zhao Haihong, Hao Jingfang, Gu Shi, Zhou Wen, Gu Bei, Count E, as well as Cheng and Ling themselves. "Since we have this identity as women, why not perceive, understand, empathize and express the world from this perspective? The aesthetic standards of sci-fi were almost created and have long been dominated by male authors," Cheng said. "As a female writer, I don't think we need to change this. But more importantly, I think what we need to do under the current aesthetic standards and visible situations of sci-fi development is not to adapt to them, but to find our own language." Cheng found working on the project to be very meaningful, as she believes that female sci-fi writers in China deserve an opportunity to shine together. As chief editor of the work, she aimed to provide a more layered perspective to show the bigger picture of Chinese sci-fi. The two-volume book "She: A Collection of the Classic Works of Chinese Female Science Fiction Writers." [Photo courtesy of China Radio, Film & TV Press] The book features not only the writers' works but also their reflections and analysis of their creative process. As such, it offers valuable textual material and holds significant academic research value, making it an important reference book for studying Chinese sci-fi. Just a week after winning the best book award on June 10 at the Fishing Fortress Science Fiction Awards, a symposium was held on the book in Beijing. The event was guided by the Social Liaison Department of the China Writers Association and the China Science Writers Association, and sponsored by the Science Fiction Creation Research Base of the China Science Writers Association and the China Science Fiction Research Center. Literature heavyweights, scholars and experts gathered to examine the development of sci-fi and contributions by female authors. During the symposium, Xu Chenliang, the editor-in-chief of Contemporary magazine, praised "She" as a science fiction anthology that also combines oral history. The selection of works presents more social concerns and has a realistic tone, with female sci-fi creators often pioneering exploration practices and breaking free from existing frameworks to express themselves through new structures and literary forms. Gu Shi, an urban-planner-turned-sci-fi-writer whose work was included in the book, reflected on the changes in women's consciousness throughout her creative career. She believes that contemporary female writers are now representing and contributing to the rise of Chinese sci-fi on the world stage. Experts and industry professionals pose for a group photo at a symposium on the book "She: A Collection of the Classic Works of Chinese Female Science Fiction Writers" at the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature in Beijing, June 17, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Ling Chen pointed out that generations of young female sci-fi writers born in and after the 1990s have more platforms to publish their works and contribute to the global rise in sci-fi's popularity. They have received better education, which has brought more diverse styles and agile thinking to the creation of Chinese sci-fi. This prompted the chief editor of the book to develop ambitious new plans. Cheng Jingbo revealed to China.org.cn that she has two directions in mind: presenting representative works of female sci-fi writers from around the world to Chinese readers, while also introducing representative works of Chinese female sci-fi writers to global audiences. She emphasized the ever-evolving cultural industry, changing trends in writers' creations, evolving reading demands, new publishing forms such as audiobooks, digital publishing and metaverse publishing, as well as more innovative publishing concepts and creative trends. All of these factors contribute to creating exciting possibilities for women in the science fiction genre. "My original aspiration remains unchanged," Cheng said. "I believe that women's voices deserve to be heard, and I'm willing to spare no efforts to promote Chinese female sci-fi and its writers." Marisa Calderon, middle, a bilingual instructional aide, helps students during class at Ralph Bunche Middle School in Compton in 2020. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Five years ago, the California Department of Education set a goal that half of K-12 students would be literate in at least two languages by 2030, and three-fourths by 2040, to be achieved by recruiting and training more teachers to teach bilingual classes, enrolling more students in dual immersion classes and encouraging more students to become literate in more than one language. It's not that much of a stretch given that about 40% of the state's students already speak another language at home. The Global California Initiative 2030 recognizes that preparing students for a global economy is essential, but the state has lagged in its efforts to build the ranks of bilingual teachers needed to reach the goal. The number of new teachers authorized to teach bilingual classes who are hired annually has increased each year, growing from 716 in the 2012-13 school year to 1,188 in 2020-21. However, that number decreased to 1,116 the following year. The global initiative sets a goal of hiring 2,000 teachers in 2040. Nonprofit education research organizations, such as the Learning Institute and the California Budget & Policy Center , have warned about the worsening bilingual teacher shortage in the last few years. One reason that school districts statewide are scrambling to keep up with demand for bilingual teachers is that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated teacher shortages nationwide, particularly in fields such as math, science, special education and bilingual education. Read more: Opinion: Want to land at the top of future employers' hiring lists? Start learning Spanish Assembly Bill 1127 by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-Colton) would go a long way to easing that shortage, by restarting and expanding the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program, a $5-million initiative that has added 400 bilingual teachers to districts statewide since 2017. Grants of $625,000 were awarded to eight school districts and agencies to use through 2021 to launch what is known as "grow your own" programs to train local teachers to become certified in bilingual education and to help former bilingual education teachers renew their training and certification. One of the grant recipients was the Los Angeles County Office of Education, which, in conjunction with Loyola Marymount Universitys Center for Equity of English Learners, enrolled about 150 people from 10 districts to train to become certified bilingual teachers. It's a sensible move, and it's already funded. The 2023-24 spending plan signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this month included $20 million for the program. Now the Legislature just has to pass AB 1127 to put the program in motion. The measure is sponsored by the California Assn. for Bilingual Education, Californians Together and Supt. Tony Thurmond , whose mother was an immigrant from Panama and who wrote legislation to expand bilingual education when he was in the Legislature. Read more: Commentary: Being multilingual is no longer a liability for students. That's good for the U.S. Schools nationwide are challenged by teacher shortages, particularly for specialized fields such as bilingual education. California, similar to other states, has a variety of programs to try to alleviate the dearth of bilingual education teachers, including partnerships with Mexico and Spain. "Grow your own" programs, which draw from local resources, such as teachers who are bilingual but need bilingual certification or recruiting programs at the high school levels, are consistently recognized as one of the most successful ways to grow the supply of certified bilingual teachers. In recent years, the state has been trying to rebuild its pipeline of certified bilingual teachers destroyed when voters in 1998 approved Proposition 227, which effectively ended bilingual education in the state. Fortunately, Proposition 227 was repealed in 2016, but although that opened up a new avenue for bilingual education in the form of dual language immersion, the damage to teacher development has been done. An increasing number of California's high school graduates are earning the state seal of biliteracy on their diplomas from nearly 24,000 a decade ago when the state first offered the designation to about 71,000 in 2021 which recognizes a high level of proficiency in speaking and writing English and one or more languages upon graduation. The state has taken important steps in coming up with a road map to ensure more students are earning this recognition. Now, they just need the vehicle to follow it. 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. Election campaigns are already using AI with some degree of success. Experts are concerned it will usher in a new era of disinformation. Voting booths. Getty Images Political campaigns are using AI to create election material, attack ads, and donation requests. AI can be helpful in pumping out images and performing redundant work quickly. But experts are concerned that the tool will be used to "democratize disinformation." Earlier this month, Ron DeSantis's campaign team posted an attack ad on Twitter that featured a peculiar image of the Florida governor's main opponent, Donald Trump. The former president who had repeatedly dismissed health experts' input on COVID-19 appeared to be embracing and kissing the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Viewers quickly noted that the moment never occurred: The images were all AI-generated. DeSantis War Room (@DeSantisWarRoom) June 5, 2023 Campaigns, ranging from mayoral races to the 2024 presidential election, have already been using artificial intelligence to create election ads or outreach emails with some reportedly seeing benefits in the tool. The Democratic National Committee, for example, ran tests with AI-generated content and found that it performed as well or better than human-written copy when it came to engagement and donations, The New York Times reported, citing three anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Two of the sources told the Times that no messages had been sent that were attributed to President Joe Biden or another individual. A DNC spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend. In Toronto's mayoral race, which will be held Monday, conservative candidate Anthony Furey has stood out among the 101 people running for mayor partly for using AI-generated images in his campaign material. One image features a digital portrait of a city street lined with people who appear to be camping by the buildings. But a closer look at the foreground shows one of the people appears more like a CGI-rendered blob. Another image featured two people who appeared to be engaged in an important discussion. The person on the left has three arms. Candidates used the AI error to take a dig at Furey. However, according to the Times, the conservative candidate has still used some of the renderings to boost his platform and now stands out as one of the more recognizable names in the packed election. A spokesperson for Furey's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent during the weekend. While AI can pump out images and text with little to no cost, potentially aiding in redundant work such as campaign emails, experts are concerned that the tool presents a new challenge in combatting disinformation. "Through templates that are easy and inexpensive to use, we are going to face a Wild West of campaign claims and counter-claims, with limited ability to distinguish fake from real material and uncertainty regarding how these appeals will affect the election," Darrell M. West, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution wrote in a report about AI will transform the 2024 elections. Beyond fake images, West wrote that artificial intelligence could also be used for "very precise audience targeting" to reach swing voters. A Centre for Public Impact report pointed to the 2016 US elections and how data from Cambridge Analytica was used to send targeted ads based on a social media user's "individual psychology." "The problem with this approach is not the technology itself, but rather the covert nature of the campaign and the blatant insincerity of its political message. Different voters received different messages based on predictions about their susceptibility to different arguments," the report said. During his first appearance before Congress in May, the CEO of OpenAI, which created ChatGPT, admitted his concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in elections as the tool advances. "This is a remarkable time to be working on artificial intelligence," he said. "But as this technology advances, we understand that people are anxious about how it could change the way we live. We are too." DeSantis' and Trump's campaign teams did not respond to a request for comment sent over the weekend. Read the original article on Business Insider Elizabeth Warren, Susan Collins Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, along with Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, have announced the introduction of The Refund Equality Act of 2023 on the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Courts June 26, 2013, ruling in U.S. v. Windsor. Warrens bill would allow married same-sex couples who married before the courts decision to amend their tax returns beyond the standard three-year rule that allows married couples to file amended joint returns. Same-sex couples should have always been able to file their tax returns jointly, including to maximize their refunds. But for nearly a decade leading up to 2013, legally married same-sex couples were forced to file as individuals and pay more in taxes because of who they loved, reads an announcement of the bill. The new bill would allow same-sex married couples who were married before Windsor to amend their tax returns, which could help those couples secure some $55 million in refunds, according to Warrens office. For nearly a decade, legally married same-sex couples were denied the tax refunds they deserved because of who they love, Warren said in a statement to The Advocate. It's time for Congress to make it right by passing the Refund Equality Act to address this shameful discrimination and ensure same-sex couples get the refunds they are owed. The Refund Equality Act would specifically allow couples married in Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington, D.C, to file income tax adjustments prior to 2013 to the date of their marriages. It would also make exemptions for two Internal Revenue Code limitations on amending returns that restricts them to a three-year period within which a married couple may make an election to file jointly after having filed separate returns as well a rule that requires a claim for credit or refund of an overpayment of tax to be filed within three years from the time the return was filed. Cosponsors of Warrens bill include almost 50 other senators. Emergency workers complete search and rescue operation in Kyiv building damaged in missile attack The State Emergency Service has announced the completion of search and rescue operations in a high-rise building that suffered from a Russian attack on the night of 23-24 June. Source: State Emergency Service on Facebook Details: Emergency workers noted that the search and rescue operation has been completed in the 25-storey building that suffered from the Russian attack. Serhii Kruk, Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, said that rescue workers managed to evacuate 24 people from the house; five people were killed. Background: Debris from a Russian aerial target shot down on the night of 23-24 June damaged a 25-storey building in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Carbon dioxide levels from the energy sector reached record levels last year, according to the Energy Institute (Mark Felix) Global energy sector carbon dioxide emissions hit a record peak last year counter to Paris commitments, a key study warned Monday, and highlighted the "worst ever" impacts of climate change. UK-based global industry body the Energy Institute laid out the main findings of its Statistical Review of World Energy, conducted with consultancies Kearney and KPMG. "Carbon dioxide emissions from energy use, industrial processes, flaring and methane... continued to rise to a new high growing 0.8 percent in 2022," read the study. The annual review was historically published by energy major BP but it has been handed to the institute. Primary energy consumption grew about one percent last year from 2021, or almost three percent when compared with its pre-Covid level in 2019, the review found. Fossil fuels remain dominant at 82 percent of consumption, despite a strong showing from renewables. Meanwhile, wind and solar power together hit a record 12 percent of total electricity generation, helped by the biggest ever increase in capacity for both. Demand for fuel for transportation continued to rebound from pre-pandemic levels, although China held "significantly" below due to the ongoing impact of its prior 'Zero Covid' restrictions. Energy Institute President Juliet Davenport warned the sector was heading in the "opposite direction" to the goals of the Paris deal. "2022 saw some of the worst ever impacts of climate change -- the devastating floods affecting millions in Pakistan, the record heat events across Europe and North America -- yet we have to look hard for positive news on the energy transition in this new data," Davenport said. "Despite further strong growth in wind and solar in the power sector, overall global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions increased again. "We are still heading in the opposite direction to that required by the Paris Agreement." Under the 2015 Paris accord, nations pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century with the aim of limiting the increase in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees of pre-industrial levels. Richard Forrest, chair of Energy Transition Institute at Kearney, added that soaring greenhouse gas emissions reinforced "the need for urgent action to get the world on track to meet the Paris targets." He noted 2022 was a "turbulent year" that saw energy security top the agenda due to key producer Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- and rebounding post-pandemic demand. ved/rfj/phz/lcm Environmental fund to train hundreds of young people in West Midlands The programme hopes to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders A wildlife trust and charity have received 1.49m to train young people from diverse backgrounds to help them get environmental sector jobs. UpRising and Shropshire Wildlife Trust received National Lottery funding to launch the free programme. The aim is to engage people aged 18-25 from a range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds with nature. Amira Ismail, from UpRising, said there was currently a lack of diversity in the environmental profession. She said the programme, which is open to people across the West Midlands region, would create young leaders "at the forefront of driving change in the future". UpRising, based in Birmingham, is a UK-wide youth leadership development organisation and charity with an aim to "open up pathways for diverse talented young people who may lack opportunities". The programme, called the Environmental Leadership Programme 2.0 (ELP), also aims to deepen young people's understanding of what drives environmental behaviour change, leading them to develop nature-focused campaigns in their local communities. UpRising supports young people by equipping them with networks and skills Research by Shropshire Wildlife Trust found 65% of young people aged 18-24 are extremely concerned about climate change, 78% would like to do more to tackle it and 18% currently campaign about it. Helen Trotman, from the trust, said: "We know that nature benefits people's mental and physical health and a better connection with nature empowers people to do more for our environment." Students will spend nine months taking part in the free programme and there will be 100 young people in each cohort. Applications are currently open for the course which begins in October. In total, the ELP programme will run for four years. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk Estate with iconic role in TV history hits California market. Do you recognize it? A 75-acre estate that has been the set of numerous television shows has landed on the California real estate market in Castaic a place that is just an hour away from Los Angeles. Its name is Paradise Ranch and the secluded property listed for $5.75 million is a wildlife oasis with Hollywood flair. A lot of Hollywood flair, to be exact. Paradise Ranch has been the location for numerous film and commercial productions over the decades, including Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, 1000 Ways to Die, and Allstate Insurance among many others, the listing on Sothebys International Realty says. This land is desirable for its level terrain including two seasonal creeks and an abundance of wildlife and trees. Bears, deer, rabbits and a wide variety of birds have been sighted on these grounds. One of Walt Disneys colleagues also lived on the property. One significant owner of the ranch was Frank Churchill, Walt Disneys musical composer, who scored over 65 films including Snow White, Dumbo and Bambi. He lived on the ranch until 1940 and lore has it that all of his original sheet music was found in the home in the 1950s but was sadly unrecognized and burned as trash. The estate has a massive amount of features, per the listing, including: A main, four-bedroom, three-bathroom house Barn Original (yet-to-be remodeled) house 1,900-square-foot trailer Two storage spaces There are also creeks, 150 trees and plenty of views. The listing is held by Megan Mathews of Sothebys International Realty Westlake Village Brokerage. Famous rotating home offering stunning views of San Diego is for sale. Take a look Walt Disney built and lived in this fairytale California estate. Its now up for rent California home for sale could be like living in an Irish pub. Folks are obsessed LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) -EU countries on Monday agreed to increase the maximum size of a fund used to finance military aid for Ukraine by 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) to 12 billion. The European Peace Facility (EPF), which EU countries contribute to according to the size of their economies, has already allocated some 4.6 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine. It is separate from the EU's budget, which is not allowed to finance military operations. "Today's decision will again ensure that we have the funding to continue delivering concrete military support to our partners' armed forces," the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell, who had requested the increase, said in a statement. "The facility has proven its worth. It has completely changed the way we support our partners on defence. It makes the EU and its partners stronger," he said. Hungary on Monday said it would not lift a block on a 500 million euro tranche of the existing fund until Kyiv removes Hungarian bank OTP from a list of companies it deems "international sponsors" of Russia's war in Ukraine. Hungary has branded the bank's inclusion "scandalous". Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, speaking in Luxembourg, said that Budapest was ready to change its mind if Ukraine dropped the blacklisting. The EPF, established in 2021, was conceived for the EU to help developing countries buy military equipment. But the 27-member union quickly decided to use it also to get weapons to Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February last year. The fund allows EU countries that supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine and claim back a portion of the cost. ($1 = 0.9161 euros) (Reporting by Bart Meijer, Andrew Gray and Boldizsar Gyori; Editing by Toby Chopra and Conor Humphries) BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers on Monday said an aborted mutiny in Russia at the weekend showed Moscow's war in Ukraine was causing domestic instability and undermining its military power, but stressed their focus remained on supporting Kyiv. Wagner mercenary forces under renegade leader Yevgeny Prigozhin seized control of military headquarters in southern Russia and began to move towards Moscow on Saturday before suddenly heading back to eastern Ukraine after a deal with the Kremlin. "The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg as he arrived for a meeting with ministers from across the 27-member bloc. "It's not a good thing to see that a nuclear power like Russia can go into a phase of political instability," Borrell said, adding this was the moment for the EU to continue supporting Ukraine more than ever. Borrell said Russian President Vladimir Putin was paying the price for creating a "monster" with Prigozhin's Wagner mercenary group. "The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, the monster is acting against his creator." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Putin was destroying his own country with his "brutal war of aggression" in Ukraine. "We are seeing massive cracks in the Russian propaganda," she added. Baerbock said the EU would focus on helping Ukraine in its fight to let its people live in peace and freedom. The ministers stressed the mutiny was an internal Russian matter, with no outside involvement. But they also made clear it had implications far beyond Russia's borders. "It would be absolutely dangerous for Europe if the biggest country of the world with the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons was to be shattered," Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said Putin should follow Prigozhin's example and "turn around". Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen suggested the weekend's events showed Putin's hold on power was not as strong as it seemed. "It is common for authoritarian states that everything seems to be very stable until one day, nothing is stable anymore. And I expect such a development for Russia as well," she told reporters. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Bart Meijer and Andrew Gray; Editing by Conor Humphries) Even in liberal California, there is little to stop extremists from hijacking schools | Opinion When property tax reform via Proposition 13 led to fiscal challenges for Californias public school system in 1978, the Legislature strengthened the role of the local watchdog, the county superintendent of schools. If a local school district is on a path to insolvency nowadays, the county superintendent can step in and, if necessary, force some tough spending decisions. There is no similar cure for school districts guilty of academic bankruptcy, such as banning books or making curriculum decisions based on extreme views rather than educational needs. Opinion The latest California school district to go this twisted route is in Temecula in northern San Diego County. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta earlier this month sought answers as to why the Temecula Valley Unified School District Board of Education rejected a social studies curriculum that contained a mention of the late Harvey Milk, a gay activist and San Francisco County Supervisor. The boards chair, without any evidence, had declared Milk to have been a pedophile. Since then, the situation in Temecula has degenerated further. The board has fired its superintendent. And the community is quickly balkanizing into those who defend or those who want to recall the board. What you have here is not just the banning of a book, but the firing of the superintendent associated with the banning of the book, said Dave Gordon, superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education. Now, California has a school district with no leader and no social studies curriculum for four grades as teachers head into the summer break. And there is essentially nothing any governor, attorney general, parent, superintendent or voter can do about it. There is no higher government backstop. There is simply chaos. Ironically, California has an elaborate and extremely effective curriculum system to provide choices for public schools and the primary grades. The California Office of Education provides a comprehensive array of curriculum options, and then its up to the local school districts and their elected boards to select from these options. California even has a path for a district to come up with its own primary school curriculum separate from anything the state has sanctioned. None of the intolerant curriculum warriors have taken this path. That is because a truly new and local curriculum would be an exhaustive process that would require the full support of teachers. Our tradition of local control is meaningful, said Gordon, who sees for himself an educational role in explaining the curriculum processes to local districts. But it has to be well-informed. Curriculum debates that flirt with Californias ideological fringes are not confined to one side of the political spectrum. Take, for example, ethnic studies. The California Legislature in 2021 approved the first-ever requirement in the nation for high school students to receive a required semester of education in ethnic studies should annual state budgets fund this requirement. A first draft of that curriculum from an advisory panel for the California State Board of Education proposed a liberationist education plan. Former State Superintendent Bill Honig sensed a troubling agenda. Presenting non-whites as victims and whites, individually and collectively through institutions, as oppressors, liberationists hope to create activists who will radically transform their schools, their communities and our nation, Honig wrote in the publication EdSource. Newsom blasted the proposal. The Board adopted a different draft curriculum. But school districts remain free to pick their method of teaching ethnic studies. School districts can adopt the liberationist curriculum. A lot of people are afraid to speak out about this, Honig said in a recent interview. When challenging backers of a liberationist ethnic studies curriculum, they are going to be canceled or called a racist, Honig said. He advances an ethnic studies message that we dont have a perfect union, but the union has high ideals and we are trying to live up to them. A lot of people say those ideals are not legitimate. With these new ethnic studies curriculum proposals facing both litigation and long-term financial uncertainties, there are calls to abandon the pursuit entirely. Unlike Temecula, the ethnic studies debate has yet to impact those who really suffer from these wars: the students. To prevent repeats of Temecula, Gordon wishes for one last curriculum change in either the fourth or fifth grades. He suggests a stronger dose of civic education. You have to take part in the process, he said. And in doing so, you have to understand how the process works. How our democracy works. The protection against this stuff is vested in each and every one of us. And unless each and every one of us takes responsibility and plays a part, things like this happen. BMW i3 electric cars are pictured during the inauguration ceremony of Plant Lydia of BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) in Tiexi District of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 23, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] German and Chinese carmakers are optimistic about more exchanges and cooperation as the two countries are forging closer relations in the automotive industry. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen signed letters of intent with China's National Development and Reform Commission in Berlin during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Germany last week. The deals are aimed at promoting the two countries' cooperation in new energy vehicle-related research and development, and facilitating the automotive industry's transformation toward smart electrification. BMW's strong ties with China are a "win-win" as the vehicle industry shifts toward greener, more connected vehicles, said CEO Oliver Zipse. "The BMW Group has deep and long-standing ties with China Strong partnerships between BMW Group and Chinese partners will continue to deliver a win-win during the transformation of our industry," he said. Last month, the German car manufacturer announced that it is investing 10 billion yuan ($1.42 billion) in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, to build a battery plant for its next-generation Neue Klasse vehicles that will be locally produced from 2026. BMW announced the plan during its joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive's 20th anniversary celebrations. To further prepare for the Neue Klasse vehicles' local production, a new extension of its Shenyang R&D Center was also opened during the anniversary event. Founded in May 2003, BBA has been fundamental to the BMW Group's successful integration into the Chinese market, manufacturing most of BMW's models at its plants in Shenyang. The carmaker said that since 2010, nearly 100 billion yuan has been invested in its production base in Shenyang, where the designed production capacity has risen to 830,000 vehicles per year. In China, the BMW Group has established its largest R&D and innovation network outside Germany, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing in Jiangsu province. China, a major marketplace and global leader in innovation, will offer more opportunities for cooperation between Chinese and German companies, said Jochen Goller, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China. "Now China is a big marketplace and also leading in innovation," Goller told Xinhua, noting that the country has transformed the automotive industry into a leading technology market in certain areas. Volkswagen Group signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Ministry of Education last week to collectively drive the development of vocational education within China's automotive industry. The cooperation will draw upon Volkswagen's extensive experience in implementing "dual education "programs in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, digital technology and e-mobility, to foster industry talent development. Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said: "Building a strong talent base is decisive to the progress of technologies, industries and wider society. "Thus, Volkswagen is making an important contribution to the Chinese education system and to the development of young talents in an automotive market that is leading the world in the transformation to smart mobility," he said. The carmaker has already launched two Volkswagen Competence Centers in Tianjin and Hefei, capital of Anhui province, to support vocational education and complement China's higher education system. The two centers provide training courses, ranging from vehicle assembly and battery technologies to intelligent manufacturing, for 500 teachers from automotive education institutions over three years. In addition, the centers will offer practical skills training opportunities for around 1,500 students over three years, and will continue to support the Sino-German Advanced Vocational Education program by providing training and seminars for member institutions. The carmaker has built a Volkswagen College in Hefei with Hefei University and Hefei Economic Development Zone. As the first Sino-foreign cooperative education institution in Anhui, the college is implementing the "dual education" methodology in China's higher education system. A total of 88 students have enrolled in the three majors available at the college, which are Data Science & Big Data Technology, Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering and Inorganic Non-metallic Materials Engineering. Chinese carmakers including SAIC and Nio are bullish about the potential of cooperation with German companies. William Li, chairman and CEO of Nio, said Chinese and German companies can enhance their respective strengths through cooperation. Nio set up its design center in Munich in 2015. An innovation center was established in Berlin in 2022, to focus on smart cabin functions as well as autonomous driving. The Chinese startup now has around 1,300 employees in Europe, with the majority of them based in Germany. Chen Hong, chairman of Volkswagen's Chinese partner SAIC Motors, said it is the responsibility of carmakers to accelerate the growth of environmentally-friendly vehicles and the rise of NEVs are yielding new business opportunities. He said SAIC sold 120,000 vehicles in Europe in the first five months of this year, of which more than 70,000 units were NEVs. Everyone should have a safe and secure home: Prince William launches plan to end homelessness in the U.K. Britains Prince William visits the Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth, Dorset, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness, Monday, June 26, 2023. | Andrew Matthews, PA via Associated Press Prince William remains deeply affected by a childhood visit to a homeless shelter, arranged by his mother, Princess Diana. Now, as the Prince of Wales, William is making bold moves to put an end to homelessness in the United Kingdom and remove the prejudice and stigma associated with homelessness. My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from quite a young age, and Im really glad she did, Prince William told the BBC when he recalled a visit to the Passage in central London as an 11-year-old. I think she would be disappointed that we are still no further on, in terms of tackling homelessness and preventing it, than when she was interested and involved in it, William added. On Monday, William launched a five-year program to end homelessness in the U.K. The initiative Homewards aims to make cases of people spending the night without a roof over their head rare, brief and unrepeated. Its a big task, but I firmly believe that by working together it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated, William said in a statement, per The Associated Press. I am very much looking forward to working with our six locations to make our ambition a reality. The Prince of Wales kicked off his initiative amid rapidly rising rent and a scarcity of affordable housing in the U.K., igniting the greatest decline in living standards since World War II. Recent research reveals that more than 300,000 people throughout the U.K. do not have permanent housing at night including those sleeping on the streets, in cars, at hostels or temporarily sleeping at family or friends homes, reports AP. In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need, the Prince of Wales said in a statement Monday, per CNN. Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the UK hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate. William aims to change attitudes towards homelessness William is following in his mothers footsteps. He ensures that his three young children are routinely exposed to homelessness and taught how some of us need a little bit of a helping hand. He hopes to have a similar impact on the remainder of the U.K. When we were in London, driving backwards and forwards, we regularly used to see people sitting outside supermarkets and wed talk about it, William shared in an interview with the Sunday Times of how he has introduced his children to homelessness. Id say to the children, Why are they there? Whats going on? I think its in all our interests, its the right thing to do, to expose the children, at the right stage in the right dialogue, so they have an understanding, William continued. They (will) grow up knowing that actually, do you know what, some of us are very fortunate, some of us need a little bit of a helping hand, some of us need to do a bit more where we can to help others improve their lives. The heir to the throne hopes he can help change the narrative around homelessness and end the prejudice and stigma surrounding it, per the BBC. This isnt about a PR stunt. This is about trying to change the way that we as a society think about homelessness, said a Kensington Palace spokesman, per the BBC. Matt Downie, chief executive of the charity Crisis, claims he spoke personally with William about his Homewards project and endorsed his authentic commitment to the issue. People who are experiencing homelessness can smell when someones not authentic, said Downie, per the BBC. I certainly can see the difference between people who want to associate for PR purposes in this issue and people who are genuinely driven by righting one of societys wrongs, and I saw that deeply there. If Finland can eliminate homelessness, William believes he can too The Homewards project draws inspiration from Finlands Housing First policy a program launched by the government of Finland in 2008 to eliminate long-term homelessness. Finland aims to put an end to homelessness by 2027. The policy provides rental homes with contracts to individuals experiencing homelessness and support as needed or wanted. Finlands Housing First success has been the leading example for a number of years, Downie, CEO of Crisis, told CNN. William hopes to end homelessness in the U.K. beginning with six flagship locations around the U.K. that will demonstrate how to eliminate homelessness. Homewards will provide each location with up to $637,000 to support projects and research that will be used to formulate a a tailored plan to prevent homelessness in each area, the palace said, per CNN. William is entering a space reserved just for elected politicians This could prove to be a defining project for the Prince of Wales but he needs to be careful to stay in his lane and avoid interfering with government policy, some experts say. According to historian Sir Anthony Seldon, Williams royal interventions place him squarely in the space normally reserved just for elected politicians, per the BBC. Graham Smith, of the anti-monarchy group Republic, accused William of being hypocritical, and claimed that homelessness is about government policy and will not be resolved by charity or royal patronage, per the BBC. The last thing we need is for William to get involved in this issue, a man who has three huge homes and a vast estate gifted to him by the state, Smith continued. But William says that his initiative will not interfere with government policy, claiming that his plan is an additive to what is already being done, per CNN. It's important that British travellers know how Brexit might impact their holiday plans this summer Its been more than two years since the transition arrangements ended and we left the EU completely. The impact on travel was complicated by the pandemic, but a clearer picture is beginning to emerge of how Brexit is affecting us. A few issues, such as emergency healthcare, have been sorted with little change. Others such as mobile phone charges are likely to add to your travel costs. The most significant changes have been in the short term complications around passport validity, and in the long term for those, mostly young people, who were hoping to fund their travels by working in the EU. Here is what you need to know when travelling this year: Passports and visas Then UK citizens have had freedom of movement between and within member countries of the EU or its previous incarnations since 1973. We could stay as long as we liked and we were able to use our passport until its final validity date. Now UK citizens are allowed to enter the EUs Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Initially, there were fears that it would take significantly longer for British citizens to be processed at airports. In practice? My experience has been patchy, with long queues trying to get into Switzerland, for example, but better experiences in Italy. Europe-wide staff shortages following the pandemic have made a definitive assessment difficult. There will soon be more changes, however. Currently the system is policed by border officials manually stamping our passports. The need for this will be removed, perhaps in November or later in 2024, with the introduction of the EES the EUs new Entry/Exit system. This will automatically register and track visitors from countries outside the Schengen area each time they cross an EU external border. To use it, you will have to register your photos and fingerprints which will be stored in the form of biometric data. Another change is expected in 2024, when we will be required to go through a new process of online checks known as the ETIAS before we can visit the EU. When it is introduced next year, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will be the EUs way of automatically checking the credentials of visitors who dont require a visa and who want to enter the Schengen zone. It will be used for tourism and business travellers and for stays up to the 90-day limit. The way Britons process through airports in Europe has changed - iStock You will have to make the application online in advance, although the official website and an alternative app are not yet ready. There is a one-off 7 fee and you will be issued with a pass which lasts for three years, or until the expiry of your passport, whichever comes first. Your ETIAS pass will have to be shown to your airline, train or ferry company before you travel. More information can be found in our guide. Health, insurance and money Then As members of the EU, British citizens had the right to free or reduced-cost medical treatment in other member countries, through the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) scheme. This was especially vital for older travellers and those who have existing medical conditions because of the difficulty of getting insurance that would cover them. We also had the right to cross the border when entering the EU without being questioned about our financial resources. Now A new scheme has been introduced the Ghic which gives travellers similar protections to the old Ehic. Nevertheless, some countries still technically impose additional requirements to enter France, for example, you should theoretically be able to show proof of travel insurance that covers medical treatment. The same is true with regard to spending money. Last summer saw reports that Spain was introducing a new entry requirement for British tourists. They must be able to show evidence that they have enough money 85 a day to support themselves during their visit. This was not some kind of Spanish revenge for Brexit; now we are no longer in the EU, we have simply reverted to the same immigration rules for visitors from non-EU countries. As the Director of the Spanish Tourist Office pointed out: The requirement for UK travellers to be able to illustrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and the return is established in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a Spain-specific requirement. He went on to say that it is not new and has been in place for some time for visitors from outside of the European Union or Schengen area. Whats more, we apply similar requirements to visitors to this country. Holiday protection and compensation Then The EU Travel Directive has long been a guarantee of financial protection against the failure of your holiday operator and sets time limits on when refunds must be made, as well as imposing other duties on travel companies. During the pandemic, it has been a particularly important fallback. Another EU directive, which also became UK law, entitles us to remarkably high levels of compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. Now Under EU rules, the directive was enshrined in UK law, but now all such legislation is under review and may automatically be removed from the statute book if it is not reprieved by the government. It seems unlikely that the financial protection rules will be removed, but there are concerns about the erosion of our rights to compensation for delays. Brexit, has already emboldened the airlines to lobby the government to as the Department for Transport put it rebalance the rates for compensation, to be more representative of the cost of travel on UK domestic routes. One suggestion now being considered is that the EU rules are replaced with a scheme which would be comparable with the way that compensation for rail delays works. You would get a full refund of your fare after a 90-minute delay or a cancellation, or compensation amounting to a proportion of your fare for shorter delays. On the surface, it might sound quite reasonable. But earlier this year the Consumers Association published research which suggests that such a change would cut payouts dramatically, estimating that compensation per passenger would drop from 220 to an average of just 57. Even under an alternative scenario, which is also being considered, passengers would lose out heavily. (This would involve the rules changing so that passengers got a refund of their ticket plus the same amount in compensation.) Driving abroad Then Before Brexit, if you wanted to drive in the EU, you needed to carry only a full UK driving licence, and UK insurers were obliged to extend your insurance. Now The EU advises that an International Driving Permit (IDP) might be needed by drivers who have a paper licence or a licence issued by Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, and that you should check specific rules with the embassy of the country you are visiting. An IDP is obtainable at post offices (5.50). If you take your own vehicle abroad, you also need to obtain a green card from your insurer to prove you have insurance (there may be a charge for this) and display a GB sticker. A European road trip has become a little trickier - Getty Roaming charges Then When we were part of the EU, UK mobile phone companies were not allowed to charge us extra for calls made and data used in other member countries. That rule ceased on December 31 last year. Vodafone, O2 and Three all indicated that they would continue to allow free roaming though they didnt indicate how long this would last. Now Three of the four biggest mobile operators have now said they will introduce charges for UK phones used in Europe. Last in January 2022, Vodafone started charging 2 a day for roaming in the EU. Operator Three introduced a fee of 2 a day from May 2022 for customers who had signed up or upgraded since October 2021. And EE also began charging 2 a day from January 2022 for those who joined or upgraded after July 7 2021. Meanwhile, the Government has capped automatic data charges at 45 per month for operators that do not continue free roaming. But that doesnt limit the rate at which you will be charged, just the total amount you can be billed automatically. So you could find that you reach the 45 limit rather quickly, then have to decide whether to stop using your phone or pay for more data. Working abroad Then The right to work in any other EU country was a key privilege of membership. Now This right ended when we left the EU. From a travellers point of view, the change is most likely to affect young people who might want to fund a trip around Europe or learn a language by taking casual jobs, or work a ski season. They now need a visa from each country they want to work in. The pandemic has made it difficult to judge the real impact of this, but it looks as though numbers and opportunities have dropped sharply. Last year, Tui, Europes biggest tour operator, told me that, it was still offering as many Brits as possible the opportunity to work for us as reps in EU countries, but as this has become much more limited since Brexit, next summer we will only be able to employ around a third of the number of Brits we normally would have in pre-Brexit years. Travelling with pets Then Pet owners used to be able to get a pet passport issued in England, Wales or Scotland for travel to an EU country. Now The old pet passport scheme is no longer valid for British pets. You now need a new health certificate (valid for four months) for your pet each time it travels from England, Scotland or Wales to the EU or Northern Ireland. This must be obtained within 10 days of departure and is also valid for your return to the UK. The certificate must be issued by a vet, and will cost about 100-150, though some vets charge more. There are other requirements for a microchip and vaccination see gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit. Note that you can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland. For more information see our guide to travelling with your dog. It has become more expensive to travel with your four-legged friend - Getty Duty-free shopping Then We lost the right to buy duty free when travelling between EU countries in 1999. But we gained the right to bring home virtually unlimited amounts of duty-paid goods such as wine from France, where it is significantly cheaper than in the UK. Now Duty free has been reintroduced, but the main beneficiaries are likely to be the sales outlets rather than the consumer. Most duty free brought back into the UK is bought in overseas airports I havent managed to do a survey of these to see how they compare with costs on the UK high street. But I did compare current prices for some random examples of famous brands at World Duty Free in Gatwick with the current best offers in British supermarkets. A one-litre bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky currently costs 17.59 duty free, but is only slightly more expensive at Asda (currently 18). A 75cl bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial is 38.99 duty free, but is only 34 in Sainsburys at the moment. You might be able to find some decent duty free savings, but I wouldnt bank on it. Meanwhile, your duty-paid and duty-free limits have been merged, so you can only bring in 42 litres of beer, two cases of still wine or one case of champagne or sparkling wine. How have you found travelling since we left the EU? How has it affected (or not affected) you? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section 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. Ex-Florida college student who hit cop with skateboard during Capitol riot gets 3 years in prison; father also sentenced ORLANDO, Fla. A former Full Sail University student who struck a police officer with a skateboard while participating in the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison last week. Grady Douglas Owens, 22, of Blanco, Texas, was arrested in April 2021 in Winter Park, where he was attending college. His father, 50-year-old Jason Douglas Owens, was also sentenced Friday for his role in the attempted insurrection. Authorities say Jason and Grady Owens had illegally entered the west lawn area of the Capitol when they encountered a group of officers with the Metropolitan Police Department. As the officers tried to get through the crowd of rioters, Jason Owens allegedly struck one on the side of his body with a skateboard he was carrying. The older Owens also shoved an officer in the face, causing a struggle between the officers and rioters, authorities said. The father and son later joined a group that unsuccessfully tried to force its way through the East Rotunda doors, during which Jason Owens is accused of grabbing a baton from a Capitol Police officer, leading to another skirmish. Authorities said Grady Owens videotaped himself egging on his fellow rioters and taunting authorities: Hold these traitors accountable. We will not concede. You cant stop us. Tear gas aint [expletive], folks. Grady Owens in November pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers and disorderly conduct. On Friday, he was sentenced to 37 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. His father was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. More than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with the Capitol riot, ranging from those without a prior record of extremist activity to the leaders of several hate and anti-government groups, like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. The riot began after a speech by then-President Donald Trump, who repeated lies that the election had been stolen from him through fraud. Rioters then stormed the Capitol and sought to prevent the counting of Electoral College votes, to halt the certification of President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election. ------- If former Modesto police Officer Joseph Lamantia thought hed be ambushed by Trevor Seever and forced into a shootout, why was he rushing headlong into it? Why didnt he act as his sergeant did and keep a distance from Seever in order to set up a perimeter around him? This is part of the argument in a 17-page brief filed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Mury as to why Lamantia should be held to answer at trial on the charge of voluntary manslaughter. Lamantia fatally shot an unarmed Seever on the grounds of Church of the Brethren in December 2020. Lamantia fired seven rounds, and Seever was hit in his back, chest and abdomen and died of blood loss. Under California law, the shooting will be evaluated largely on what a reasonable officer in the same situation would do based on the totality of the circumstances known or perceived at the time. The actions of a sergeant who arrived at the scene moments after Lamantia are good evidence of what the reasonable officer would have done in this situation, Murys brief reads. It is interesting in this case that we have the detailed explanation of how Sergeant (Derrick) Tyler handled the call from the very beginning in contrast to how it was handled by officer Lamantia, Mury wrote in the brief. The 17-page brief, filed last week in Stanislaus Superior Court, also examines how Lamantias state of mind and subsequent actions were inconsistent with his training and past experience. Lamantia was fired from the Modesto Police Department and charged with voluntary manslaughter three months after the shooting. During the course of a seven-day preliminary hearing that concluded in April, there was testimony from several of Lamantias former co-workers, as well as a forensic pathologist and a use-of-force expert who testified for the defense. Preliminary hearings are held for a judge to determine if there is enough probable cause for a defendant to go to trial on the charges brought by a district attorney. Seever reportedly told family he had a gun The defenses brief, due Friday, likely will focus on testimony from use-of-force expert Jeffery Martin, who said, given the totality of the circumstances, an objectively reasonable officer facing similar circumstances would believe himself in immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury. Those circumstances include reports by Seevers family that he told them he had a gun, that he was coming to the house and watch what happens, and that the family fled the home as a result. Lamantia also had knowledge of an officer safety bulletin that said Seever was a self-identified Hells Angel and had posted on social media, A good cop is a dead cop and All I want for Christmas is another dead MPD Officer. Other officers had the same information as they responded to the call on Dec. 29, 2020. Lamantia and other officers also knew that, before they got to the scene, Seevers family updated a dispatcher that theyd left their home and gone to a church catercorner to the Church of the Brethren, which theyd seen Seever walking toward. Unlike Officer Lamantia, Sergeant Tyler, upon hearing the dispatch that Trevor had left the residence, changed his approach to the call, reads the brief. Instead of speeding to the location of Trevor and running after him, Sergeant Tyler wanted to slow things down. Tyler testified that he requested assistance from the Sheriffs Department helicopter but it was unavailable. He next requested that unmarked cars respond. He planned to set up a perimeter around Seever. Sergeant Tyler believed these responses would have provided for a safe response for officers, citizens, and the individuals involved in the incident, Mury wrote in the brief. But Lamantia, from the moment he began responding to the call from four miles away, was of the mind set that this was going to be a shoot out with Mr. Seever. He gave no thought to any other option or outcome in this situation, the brief reads. Lamantia didnt consider that Seever might not actually be armed, despite this being the case in previous calls about armed suspects hed responded to during his career, Mury wrote. Lamantia told Internal Affairs Sgt. James Reeves that he knew sometimes people claim someone is armed to elicit more of an emergency response and that because of this, it is a part of MPD training to question a dispatch report of a person having a gun. Lamantia told Reeves hed been called to the scene of disturbances reportedly involving weapons 600 to 700 times and that the primary tactical response in those situations is to wait nearby for additional officers and resources, set up a perimeter around the suspect and make contact with the victim or reporting party. He never contacted the family to try to confirm if Seever did or did not have a gun, according to the brief. Lamantia was 100 percent focused on finding Trevor, Mury wrote. He was rushing headlong into what he perceived was going to be a shootout, rather than waiting for additional resources to arrive and setting up a perimeter as Sgt. Tyler had planned to do. It is never a good idea to go into an ambush Lamantia entered the south driveway of the churchs parking lot in search of Seever, who he believed was hunting his family, according to Reeves testimony. Lamantia told Reeves he spotted Seever to his right, crouched down in an alcove outside the church, according to testimony. As he rounded a curve in the driveway, he perceived what he described to Reeves as a choke point where the buildings got closer to the driveway and where he thought Seever would ambush him. (Lamantia) had to get to Mr. Seever ... Even to the point of driving through what he believed was an ambush when he agreed with Sergeant Reeves that it is never a good idea to go into an ambush, Mury wrote in the brief. Lamantia drove a little further east and parked with his vehicle slightly angled to the right to use as cover. Reeves testified that Lamantia was surprised when he got out and Seever wasnt there. Lamantia ran around the corner and saw Seever running away from him. (Lamantia) never gave a thought to this being simply a person running from Law Enforcement, the brief says. Lamantia yelled at Seever to get on the ground and then fired four shots at him. Seever dropped to the ground after the first shots were fired. Reeves said Lamantia believed Seever still was trying to retrieve a firearm and yelled at him to show me your hands. In body camera video, Seevers right arm can be seen dropping and then going back up twice. Lamantia yelled the order to show his hands several more times, then fired three additional rounds. Seever dropped to the ground and yelled in pain. He later died at a hospital. Officer Lamantia never saw Trevors hands, nor did he ever see Trevor with a weapon or make any movement toward Officer Lamantia, Mury wrote in the brief. Officer Lamantia was aware he could get on the ground or move to his left back towards the building where the alcove was located. After the defense files its brief, the prosecutor will have a chance to respond to it before Judge Carrie Stephens makes her decision during a hearing scheduled in July. Donald Trump; MoneyPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images Former President Donald Trump is diverting money he has raised from his 2024 presidential campaign into a political action committee that he has used to pay his personal legal fees, according to The New York Times. The disclosure text on the WinRed digital fundraising platform for the Trump presidential campaign was updated to state that 10% of the money raised will be sent to the Save America PAC, which has funded Trump's legal bills in the past. When Trump first launched his campaign, 99 cents of every dollar went to his campaign while just one cent was directed toward the Save America PAC. "President Trump's Save America PAC has had a dubious track record of fundraising," Temidayo Aganga-Williams, partner at Selendy Gay Elsberg and former senior investigative counsel for the House Jan. 6 committee, told Salon. "Now, President Trump continues to exploit his political base by raising money once again for his own personal benefit." Related "Illegal": Trump caught diverting campaign donations as legal bills pile up The impact of Trump's legal battles is evident in the increased legal expenditures of the Save America PAC, according to Federal Election Commission filings. These expenses reportedly surged from $1.9 million to $14.6 million in 2022. The former president's legal bills have piled up after he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on charges related to a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels and another indictment including violations of the Espionage Act arising from his possession of classified material and government records after he left the White House. "The New York trial is scheduled for March and the federal trial for August 2024," Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Salon. "Trump will try to push the dates out, of course, but he needs to be prepared for the possibility that the judges won't agree and he must face a jury before the November 2024 election. There also is the possibility of a Georgia indictment, so for both legal and political reasons, Trump has shifted his priorities to financing his legal battles for now." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Since his second indictment, several lawyers have left Trump's legal team with two resigning hours after he was charged with "felony violations of our national security laws" and "participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice." His history of treating attorneys like personal fixers and not paying their fees has made him a difficult client to work with, experts say. "Any lawyer who takes Trump's case must be prepared to take the case all the way to trial because Trump won't take any deal, nor will the Department of Justice offer one," Rahmani said. "There also is the possibility the lawyer will lose other business because Trump is a controversial client. Federal judges make it difficult for lawyers to withdraw from a case due to client nonpayment. Lawyers may be asking for a significant up-front retainer to represent Trump in his federal case, and Trump needs money to cover his legal expenses now." It remains unclear whether Trump will try to use his campaign funds to pay for lawyers and whether such a course of action would potentially violate spending regulations, but his track record remains under scrutiny. "After the 2020 election, President Trump's political operation raised hundreds of millions of dollars by claiming the funds were needed to fight election fraud," Aganga-Williams said. "Despite the stated purpose, Trump's team diverted much of the money to his Save America PAC, spending very little on actually fighting the election results." He added that federal officials, including the Department of Justice and the Federal Election Commission, will continue to closely scrutinize Trump's political fundraising. Read more about Trump's legal woes Explosions rang out during an air-raid warning in Odesa on the night of 25-26 June. Source: Dumska media outlet; Suspilne Odesa; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration; Operational Command Pivden (South) Quote from Kiper: "A terrorist country is attacking Odesa. Our defence forces are operating." Details: Explosions rang out in Odesa after an air-raid warning was issued due to the threat of Kalibr cruise missiles launching. "Explosions are heard in Odesa. Air defence forces are operating," Dumska said. Operational Command Pivden (South) reported that combat work is ongoing and air defence is operating, including over the city. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Social media users are claiming The Atlantic published an article alleging a man at an LGBTQ pride parade exposed himself to a child. This is false; the US magazine -- a frequent target of online misinformation -- told AFP the purported screenshot is fabricated. "At this weekend's Pride parade a man exposed his genitals to my 6 year old. She was horrified. Am I raising a bigot?" appears to be a headline from The Atlantic shared in a June 26, 2023 tweet. Screenshot from Twitter taken June 26, 2023 The supposed screenshot spread across platforms including Twitter, Instagram and TikTok after a weekend that saw LGBTQ pride parades in US cities such as New York City and Chicago. Conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, the director of a film that spread disinformation about the 2020 US elections, shared the image to his more than 3.4 million Twitter followers. "A profound moral dilemma surfaces in the Ethics department over at @TheAtlantic," D'Souza said. Screenshot from Twitter taken June 26, 2023 But the article is not authentic. "This image is crudely fabricated," Anna Bross, the magazine's senior vice president of communications, told AFP in a June 26 email. "It is not a screenshot of an actual Atlantic article." She added: "For those who are irresponsibly sharing this image: it's remarkably easy to verify if something is real -- or not -- by visiting The Atlantic and searching our site." No such article appears in live or archived versions of the website. In fact, the made-up text does not match the format of other headlines from The Atlantic, which capitalizes the first letter of most words. The fake article also falsely attributes its photo to a Reuters photographer. A photographer for the Indianapolis Star, a newspaper in the US state of Indiana, captured the original picture (archived here) during a 2022 parade in the state capital, reverse image search shows. Bross told AFP the magazine had reported the fabricated screenshot to Twitter as a fake and a trademark infringement. AFP has previously debunked other misinformation targeting The Atlantic, including here, here, here, here and here. The Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota chapter and family members of five young women killed in a crash last week in Minneapolis are calling for an independent investigation. Derrick Thompson, the son of a former state representative who represented St. Paul, was charged last week with 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Jaylani Hussein, CAIR-MN executive director, said hes heard conflicting information about what happened before the crash at Lake Street and Second Avenue, primarily whether it was a chase or not a chase by law enforcement before the crash. According to the criminal complaint filed against Thompson by the Hennepin County Attorneys Office, law enforcement was not pursuing him. It said a Minnesota State Patrol trooper clocked Thompson driving a Cadillac sport-utility vehicle at 95 mph in a 55-mph zone about 10:10 p.m. on June 16. Before the trooper could catch up or turn on the squads emergency lights or sirens, the driver abruptly cut across all four lanes of traffic and exited at Lake Street, the criminal complaint said. The driver sped down the exit ramp and through the intersection without stopping or slowing for the red light. A Honda Civic with the five young women inside had a green light and was traveling west on Lake Street. The Cadillac collided violently with the Honda at Lake Street and Second Avenue, and the five people inside were pronounced dead at the scene, the complaint said. They were Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, 20, of St. Louis Park; Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, 17, of Bloomington; Sahra Liban Gesaade, 20, of Brooklyn Center; Sagal Burhaan Hersi, 19, of Minneapolis; and Siham Adan Odhowa, 19, of Minneapolis. Hussein on Monday called for Gov. Tim Walz to initiate an independent investigation. A spokesperson for Walzs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Family members of the young women who Hussein called five beautiful young stars that weve lost shared their remembrances Monday. Separate from the Hennepin County charges, the 27-year-old Thompson was charged last week in U.S. District Court with possession of fentanyl and a firearm, both of which were found in the vehicle after the collision. Thompsons father, John Thompson, represented St. Pauls East Side for one term beginning in 2021. Related Articles FILE PHOTO: Tunisian national coast guards help migrants to get off a rescue boat in Jbeniana THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Families of jailed Tunisian opposition politicians on Monday dismissed an aid package offered to Tunis by the European Union as "shortsighted and counterproductive", warning the money would not help the north African country stop migration. Speaking at a press conference with other children of jailed figures, Yusra Ghannouchi, the daughter of jailed opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, said the deals the EU is making with the government of President Kais Saied would only serve to prop up his regime, which she accused of human rights violations. "Kais Saied has created these problems. It is the state of multiple crises and despair in Tunisia that is feeding migrations," she said. Saied shut down parliament, dismissed the government in July 2021 and moved to rule by decree, saying the moves were needed to save the country from corruption. Critics called his actions a coup. In February 2023 he accused some detained opposition politicians and critics of being responsible for price increases and food shortages, and of wanting to fuel a social crisis. The EU this month offered Tunisia a 105-million-euros package to help it tackle a big rise in migrant departures, develop its battered economy and rescue state finances. The departures soared after Saied announced a crackdown on sub-Saharan migrants in February, using language the African Union denounced as racialised. The families of jailed opposition figures called the press conference in The Hague to also call on the International Criminal Court to look into alleged widespread human rights abuses in Tunisia which is a member of the court. Earlier this year a crackdown by Tunisian judges detained more than 20 political, judicial, media and business figures with opposition ties. Many were jailed and accused of plotting against state security. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Editing by William Maclean) Family of the 19-year-old who died on the imploded Titanic sub give conflicting accounts on whether he actually wanted to go Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation Limited Shahzada Dawood was on the Titan submersible with his son Suleman Dawood. Reuters Friends and family members are discussing the motivations of Titan's passengers. Five people died on the submersible, including father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. The mother of Suleman Dawood said he was keen to take part, but his aunt said he was terrified. The family of Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old who died with his father in the Titan submersible, have given conflicting accounts of whether he wanted to join the doomed trip. The Titan submersible, run by OceanGate Expeditions, suffered a catastrophic implosion that instantly killed all five passengers, according to US authorities. Three of the passengers - Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company that owned the submersible, explorer Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet - were seasoned explorers. The remaining two passengers, Shahzada Dawood, a British-Pakistani businessman, and his son Suleman, had less experience on perilous missions. On Sunday, Suleman's mother, Christine Dawood, told the BBC that she had initially been booked onto the Titan's trip, but stepped aside because her son had been keen to join. She said Suleman was intent on breaking the world record for the depth at which a Rubik's cube puzzle had been solved. "He said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 metres below sea at the Titanic'," she recalled. She said she had been present with her daughter on the Titan's mothership during the expedition, and the family had embraced and made jokes before her husband and son boarded the submersible. "I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time," she said. Shahzada Dawood was vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, a fertilizer firm, and also supported a range of charities. His son was a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. Tributes to the pair have flooded in from family members and friends since news of the Titan's fate broke. In an interview last week when the huge search-and-rescue operation for the missing vessel was underway, Suleman's aunt, Azmeh Dawood, had offered a contrasting account of her nephew's state of mind leading up to the trip. Suleman "wasn't very up for it" and felt "terrified" about making the trip to the sunken ship, she told NBC News. She claimed he'd taken part in the trip to please Shahzada during the Father's Day weekend, with his father a longtime Titanic lore devotee. The report described Azmeh as partly-estranged from her brother, who it said disapproved of her use of medical cannabis, but was still close to her nephew. Richard Hawkes, a friend of Shahzada, told the BBC that he would never have put his son's life at risk if he'd been aware of longstanding safety concerns about the vessel. "I can't imagine that Shahzada would have done anything that he thought possibly could have had the devastating consequences that we've seen this week," Hawkes said. "The children absolutely loved him and they did lots of interesting things together. It's just an absolute tragedy that this one has ended up in this way." In a statement to People magazine after remains of the wreckage were found Thursday, indicating it imploded, the Dawood family paid tribute to the close bond between father and son. "The relationship between Shahzada and Suleman was a joy to behold; they were each other's greatest supporters and cherished a shared passion for adventure and exploration of all the world had to offer them," it said. Read the original article on Insider China's national lawmakers will deliberate on draft laws on matters such as patriotic education and barrier-free environment construction as well as draft revisions to pieces including the Law on Administrative Review at its upcoming standing committee session. From June 26 to 28, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, will convene its third session in Beijing. During the session, a draft law on patriotic education will be submitted for deliberation for the first time, according to Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee. Noting the significance of the legislation move to rallying national morale and advancing national rejuvenation, Zang said the law will stipulate on the objective, guiding principle and overall requirements of patriotic education, as well as the leadership mechanism, working principles and content of patriotic education, together with supporting and safeguarding measures for patriotic education. At the session, a draft law on the construction of barrier-free environment will be submitted for the third reading. The latest version will be laser-focused on addressing prominent issues for seniors and people with disabilities, such as using larger and more friendly prints on product manuals and textbooks for them and boosting the coverage of barrier-free facilities in more public venues, said Zang. Draft revisions to the Law on Administrative Review will also be submitted for the second reading at the session. According to Zang, the new revisions will further facilitate citizens, legal entities and other organizations to apply for administrative review, in a bid to better safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. Family of Damien Cameron, killed by police in 2021, hold press conference urging force for additional information Deputies were dispatched to the town of Braxton, Mississippi, in July 2021, resulting in the death of Cameron, a 29-year-old Black man with a history of mental issues. The family of Damien Cameron is requesting further details about their loved ones July 2021 death in Braxton, Mississippi, at the hands of police. According to The Clarion-Ledger, officials from digital activism hub COMMUNITYx joined Camerons family and activists Flo White and Walt Kelly on Friday at a Justice 4 Damien Cameron news conference in the hopes of gathering fresh evidence to support renewing the case. Camerons kin and area activists said they are sick of the Rankin County Sheriffs Department not being held responsible for acts of police violence. The families of Michael Corey Jenkins and Damien Cameron, displaying the center sign, sit together prior to interacting with U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division (unseen) during the Jackson, Mississippi, stop on the divisions civil rights tour on June 1, 2023. Mississippi was on the stop of Clarkes listening tour throughout the Deep South. (Photo by Rogelio V. Solis/AP) I didnt know that my last words to my son would be, Son, I love you, I do, before he suffered a tragic death, said Camerons mother, Monica Lee, The Clarion-Ledger reported. We are demanding they release this critical documentation for the case. My heart is broken. The press conference follows a June 10 protest against the Rankin County Sheriffs Department at a town hall meeting held in response to allegations that some deputies had mistreated Black residents. Authorities were dispatched to the town of Braxton in Rankin County on July 26, 2021, in response to a report of vandalism. Damien Cameron, a 29-year-old Black man with a history of mental issues, had reportedly been busting holes in a neighbors house using a pipe after an argument. Lee claimed that after a chase during which her son allegedly tried to flee and resisted arrest, a deputy knelt on Camerons back for 15 to 20 minutes while awaiting backup officers, and the man said he couldnt breathe. After deputies confined him in a patrol car, Cameron allegedly continued to complain aloud about his inability to breathe. After gathering evidence, the deputies reportedly returned to the vehicle, where they allegedly discovered Cameron motionless and tried to perform CPR. The University of Mississippi Medical Center later declared him dead. The state medical examiner deemed his cause of death inconclusive. A Rankin County grand jury decided not to indict or arrest deputies Hunter Elward and Luke Stickman. Lee described her son as a well-mannered individual who respected those in authority, and she couldnt see why Rankin County deputies would act in a hostile manner with him. She demands an investigation into the Rankin County Sheriffs Department and the disclosure of the original dashcam footage, relevant public records and other details. The grieving mother said she feels law enforcement is sweeping Camerons case under the rug. My sons death may not have meant anything to them, Lee contended, but he was everything to me. Chloe Cheyenne, COMMUNITYx founder and CEO, argued that although officials claimed there wasnt enough proof, they failed to speak to or acknowledge Camerons relatives, who were present when he was killed. She requests the release of any relevant public records and footage that the mother or her family have yet to view of the deputys vehicle or body cam. There isnt enough time to make a mother, grandmother or brother stop fighting for justice for their relative, Cheyenne added. Police officers in Mississippi are not mandated to wear body cams, including in Rankin County. Rankin County is conservative, predominantly white and located east of Jackson, the state capital with one of the largest Black populations. The county has about 120 officers to serve its nearly 160,000 residents. Camerons cousin, Laneatria Barnes, said the Rankin County Sheriffs Department has yet to be held accountable. Ive gotten questions asking us why are we still protesting knowing that justice will not be given in my cousins case, she said, The Clarion-Ledger reported, but justice needs to be served. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Family of Damien Cameron, killed by police in 2021, hold press conference urging force for additional information appeared first on TheGrio. Argentine artist Franco Cervata Cozza, who also goes by the artist name Vato, paints a mural at the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington on Saturday, June 24, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News A new mural being painted at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington will represent the connection between three ecosystems sustaining migrating birds around the world. Franco Cervato Cozza, also known as Vato, is a mural artist from Cordoba, Argentina. Cozza painted his first of the three connected murals at an education center outside Mar Chiquita Lake in Argentina, a salt lake where migration begins for phalaropes and other birds. He painted his second mural at Mono Lake, a salt lake in Mono County, California, before coming to the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at the Robert N. Hasenyager Great Salt Lake Nature Reserve. Argentinian artist Franco Cervata Cozza, who also goes by the artist name Vato, paints a mural at the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington on Saturday. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Cozza said he's doing this because its important for the United States and Argentina to work together in preserving these ecosystems that allow so many birds to thrive. "It's amazing to be the person that can paint that, and to help people learn about this, because a lot of people here and in Argentina don't know about phalaropes," Cozza said. "It's good for people to notice, so we can make some changes." Ashley Kijowski, Eccles Wildlife Education Center coordinator, said when Utahns conserve water or help to preserve local ecosystems, they are also helping other communities. "It's connecting birds all the way from South America to here. Not only do we have to take care of our environment here locally, but just think about how that affects birds in other places," Kijowski said. "What we do here can help the Great Salt Lake, but it's going to help all these other places, too, and connect us everywhere." Kijowski said many people see the Great Salt Lake as dead because of all the salt, but "it's so alive" and full of creatures like brine shrimp and brine flies for birds to eat. Twelve million birds rely on the Great Salt Lake every year. Kijowski hopes the mural will help Utahns see the importance of the Great Salt Lake. "I just want the public to come in here and not only be amazed by his artwork and have it be kind of a magical place, but also learn about the importance of the ecosystem to wildlife," Kijowski said. "These birds are coming here from 3,000 miles away, so it must be important." Argentinian artist Franco Cervata Cozza, who also goes by the artist name Vato, paints a mural at the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington on Saturday. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News A collaborative process Most of Cozza's murals are in Argentina. He has painted them for about 10 years, finishing around 50 murals each year. Kijowski said this is his first to go off-sketch, as she has guided him through including each important local species she wants to highlight. "It's way better than I could ever have imagined," Kijowski said. Kijowski has projected images taken by local wildlife photographer and center volunteer Brandon Jones onto the wall, which Cozza then sketches in. Argentinian artist Franco Cervata Cozza, who also goes by the artist name Vato, paints a mural at the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington on Saturday. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Along with representing a greater collaborative effort between Argentina and the United States, Kijowski said the mural has received a lot of local collaboration. The Audubon Saline Lakes Program paid for Cozza's hotel while he stays in Utah, and the Division of Wildlife prepared the wall to be painted. The sixth grade class at Emerson Elementary School who helped brine shrimp become the state crustacean also made T-shirts to raise money to pay Cozza for his service. "It's been really collaborative," Kijowski said. "It's been great to see how much everyone cares." The mural was started on Wednesday and will take around eight to nine days to complete. Education center resources The Eccles Wildlife Education Center's mission is to teach people about the Great Salt Lake and how to take care of it. Kijowski invites Utahns to come to the center to see the mural and learn more about the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. The center includes a 1.2 mile walkway through the wetlands, another trail to a blue heron rookery (nesting platform), monthly bird-watching walks, a kids' summer education program and quarterly educational seminars. People interested in visiting the center can find more information on their Facebook page. The fate of millions of student-loan borrowers is set to be decided this week The Supreme Court Building. Jemal Countess/Getty Images The Supreme Court is set this week to decide on Biden's student-loan forgiveness. Since November, the relief has been paused because of two conservative-backed lawsuits. Recent rulings from the court could shed light on how it might handle the debt-relief cases. It's a big week for millions of student-loan borrowers. The Supreme Court is entering the last week of its term, and it's set to hand down all remaining decisions on pending cases. That means borrowers banking on President Joe Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt will likely soon find out whether they will resume payments this fall with a reduction to their balances or if they'll be thrown back into repayment without any relief. The earliest the high court could hand down a decision on the student-debt-relief plan is Tuesday, with the option for additional decision days to be added for the rest of the week. Since November, Biden's loan-forgiveness plan has been paused because of two conservative-backed lawsuits seeking to permanently block the relief from reaching borrowers. One of the lawsuits, US Department of Education v. Brown, was brought on by two student-loan borrowers who sued because they didn't qualify for the full $20,000 in relief. And the other lawsuit, Biden v. Nebraska, was filed by six GOP-led states who argued the debt relief would hurt their states' tax revenues, along with the revenue of the student-loan company MOHELA. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the cases in February, and the issue of standing dominated questioning. Even before a court decides whether the challenged policy is legal, it must determine whether the plaintiffs have standing and can validly sue the government, meaning the plaintiff must prove the policy would injure them, that the injury directly traced back to the defendant, and that the relief they're seeking would address those injuries. Liberal justices, along with the conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, scrutinized whether the states had standing to sue the federal government. One major sticking point is whether the states can involve MOHELA in their lawsuit, as the student-loan company denied involvement in the case. And recent rulings from the Supreme Court shed light on how justices are taking a stricter look at standing issues. In separate decisions authored by the conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Barrett, two cases brought on by states were struck down because the justices ruled the states did not have the standing to sue the federal government. While the details of those cases are different from the student-loan cases, there are some strong similarities to the standing questions raised by the justices in oral arguments. For example, in Haaland v. Brackeen, Texas was among the petitioners that challenged the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. Barrett wrote in her opinion: "We reject all of petitioners' challenges to the statute, some on the merits and others for lack of standing. "That should make the issue open and shut." And Kavanaugh's opinion concerned the United States v. Texas, in which Texas sued the Department of Homeland Security and accused it of violating federal law over the treatment of non-US citizens who entered the country illegally. The decision said that Texas didn't have standing in the suit, as the federal immigration policy didn't directly harm the state. Kavanaugh wrote that the court's "precedents and longstanding historical practice establish that the States' suit here is not the kind redressable by a federal court." Of course, it's unclear whether the Supreme Court will handle the student-debt-cancellation cases in the same manner. And regardless of the decision, the Education Department has confirmed student-loan payments will resume in October, with interest beginning to accrue again on borrowers' balances in September. The department has yet to comment on a backup plan for relief in the event of an adverse decision, but some Democratic lawmakers have said they're prepared to fight for borrowers no matter the outcome. "We are prepared in the event of any outcome in this ruling," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said last week. "We are here to fight, and we are here to make sure, and encourage, and have the president's back, in making sure that this cancellation goes through for the millions of people in the United States." Read the original article on Business Insider Russia avoided inclusion on the FATF blacklist Ukraines proposal to include Russia on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist did not receive support during the organizations plenary session in Paris on June 19-23, Interfax-Ukraine reported on June 23. However, the FATF confirmed the suspension of Russia's membership in the organization. Read also: PACE urges banning Russian athletes from Paris Olympics The FATF is a G7-founded transnational organization focused on combating money laundering and terrorism funding, and works to encourage nations to adopts its anti-money laundering policy recommendations. The FATF blacklist often results in affected organizations and entities facing increased financial scrutiny, and financial institutions will commonly refuse to do any business with a FATF blacklisted entity. In regards to Russia, the FATF reiterated its previous position, announced in a statement on February 24, 2023, emphasizing that all jurisdictions should remain vigilant to potential emerging risks related to the circumvention of measures aimed at safeguarding the international financial system, and take necessary actions to mitigate these risks. Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko criticized the decision, stating; "Russia unquestionably meets the criteria for blacklisting, and we disagree with the FATF's decision not to include Russia on the blacklist." Read also: Japan introduces further Russian sanctions, including banning gold imports "Every day of delay and inaction only contributes to further chaos and destruction." He further emphasized the need for the international community to have a united position in countering the threat that Russia poses to the integrity of the global financial system. Earlier, the Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshnyy, expressed his expectation that Russia would be blacklisted by the FATF in June and stated his intention to pursue this decision. 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 rally of remembrance on Poshtova Square near the mural with Handziuk's portrait, Kyiv Viktor Handziuk, the father of murdered Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, reacted with mixed feelings to the court verdict in his daughter's murder case, stating that not all those involved in the crime have been held accountable. Read also: Kyiv blogger summoned to court over Useless UN protest Speaking to Ukrainian TV broadcasters on June 26, Viktor Handziuk said he was happy court proceeding were over, but added that he was troubled by the fact that a number of individuals tied to the case remain unpunished. "I have mixed feelings because a large number of people if one can call them that who were involved, have not been punished," he said. "These include (rogue cops), their henchmen, police officers who concealed the facts, a number of people we have repeatedly said are to some extent involved in this crime." Despite these concerns, Handziuk noted his relief at the conclusion of the trial and voiced his belief in the fairness of the court's judgment. "I am satisfied with the verdict," he said. Thanks to the hard work of the prosecutor's office, the court, and the support of many in Ukraine and around the world, for the first time in Ukraine's history, the principals and organizers of a contract killing have received sentences. Read also: UFA president detained over embezzlement and failure to comply with court decisions On June 26, the Dniprovskyi District Court of Kyiv handed down a 10-year prison sentences to Vladyslav Manher, former head of the Kherson Oblast Council, and Oleksii Levin, an assistant to a regional council member, for their roles in the murder of Kateryna Handziuk. Handziuk was a civil activist in Kherson, a mayoral advisor, and the acting manager of affairs on the Kherson City Council's executive committee. She was doused with acid in an assassination attempt on July 31, 2018, suffering acid burns to more than 35% of her body, and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv. Despite the doctors efforts, she passed away in November of that year. Read also: Russia shells five-storey building in Kherson, dead and injured said under rubble In a subsequent criminal investigation, Manher and Levin were identified as organizers of the crime. Another defendant in the case, former MP aide Ihor Pavlovsky, signed a deal with the prosecution, vowing to testify against masterminds behind the murder. Five other defendants in the attack Mykyta Hrabchuk, Viktor Horbunov, Vyacheslav Vyshnevskyi, Volodymyr Vasianovich, and Serhiy Torbin were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to six and a half years in 2019. Read also: Anti-corruption prosecutor launches investigation into former Supreme Court judge over leak of confidential documents Horbunov, who purchased the acid, has already served his sentence and been released. The Prosecutor General's Office also said that Torbin was released from custody, after he expressed a desire to defend Ukraine. As a former member of the military, he was offered the chance to rejoin the military in exchange for the commuting of the remainder of his sentence. 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 Georgetown University announced Monday that former chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci will join its faculty in July as a professor in its infectious diseases division, his first role since leaving a decades-long career in government late last year. Starting July 1, Fauci will serve as a Distinguished University Professor in the School of Medicines Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, an academic division that provides clinical care, conducts research and trains future physicians in infectious diseases, Georgetown said in an announcement. The longtime government scientist will also have a position in Georgetowns McCourt School of Public Policy. I am delighted to join the Georgetown family, an institution steeped in clinical and academic excellence with an emphasis on the Jesuit tradition of public service, Fauci said in the schools announcement. This is a natural extension of my scientific, clinical and public health career, which was initially grounded from my high school and college days where I was exposed to intellectual rigor, integrity and service-mindedness of Jesuit institutions, he added. Fauci, 82, stepped down from government work at the end of 2022 after more than 50 years in public service and becoming one of the leading voices on infectious diseases in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. He first joined the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 1968 and advised every U.S. president since Ronald Reagan. During his tenure working for the federal government, he served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years. Much of his career was publicly defined by his work on HIV and AIDS as scientists, advocates and patients sought to understand the disease and stop its spread. However, he became most well-known in the past few years as a leading figure in Americas response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Health Care newsletter His presence on the national stage earned him praise for his expertise and scorn from conservative lawmakers who accused him of partisanship. His intense rows with lawmakers like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during Senate hearings frequently garnered national attention. When he announced his departure from government in August, Fauci said he planned to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field. We are deeply honored to welcome Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, a dedicated public servant, humanitarian and visionary global health leader, to Georgetown, Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said in a statement. Fauci had hinted at a role in academia after stepping down. Last week, while speaking at The Hills Future of Health Care Summit, said he wished to serve as an inspiration for younger people to enter public service. It really is going to be something to be really serving as a resource through writing, through lecturing, through consulting perhaps getting involved in an academic center, Fauci said when asked about his plans. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FBI Director Christopher Wray is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on July 12, a spokesperson for the committee confirmed to The Hill. The hearing, set for the week the House returns from July 4 recess, will put Wray face-to-face with some of his fiercest GOP critics on Capitol Hill, who have gone after the director in recent weeks and have requested information from him and his agency as part of their various investigations. The Hill reached out to the FBI for comment. Criticism of the Justice Department especially the FBI has been a theme of the House Republican majority. GOP lawmakers have argued that federal law enforcement agencies are politicized and biased against Republicans. That criticism skyrocketed last month after Trump-era special counsel John Durham released a report on his roughly four-year investigation into the Crossfire Hurricane probe, which looked into potential ties between Trumps 2016 campaign and Russia. Durham concluded that authorities did not have sufficient evidence to open the case. Durham testified before the House Judiciary Committee in a rare hearing earlier this month. And last week, tensions between the Justice Department and House Republicans grew after news broke of a plea agreement between Hunter Biden and federal prosecutors, which some GOP lawmakers characterized as a sweetheart deal. The hearing could touch several topics, including the Durham Report, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, school boards, the Republican claims that federal law enforcement has been weaponized against Americans and a leaked FBI memo that the committee said suggests the agency may be targeting Catholics. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the chairman of the Judiciary panel, issued Wray a subpoena in April in connection to the FBI memo that discussed meeting with church leaders to review the warning signs of radicalization and to enlist their assistance to serve as suspicious activity tripwires. In February, Jordan subpoenaed Wray as part of the panels probe into the targeting of parents at school board meetings. It centers on a memo Attorney General Merrick Garland signed last year that noted a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff during a broader discussion over COVID-19 policies and how matters like race and gender are addressed at schools. Next months hearing also comes after the Republican-led House Oversight Committee threatened to hold Wray in contempt over his initial refusal to turn over a document detailing an unverified tip that GOP lawmakers claim shows then-Vice President Bidens involvement in a bribery scheme. The panel led by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) however, backed off the contempt threat after the FBI agreed to allow members of the committee access to the document. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. [Source] Community leaders are organizing a rally in downtown Las Vegas to call for justice for an elderly Filipino American man who fell victim to an anti-Asian attack in his own home in Mountains Edge late last month. What happened in the attack: Amadeo Quindara, 75, was in his garage on May 30 when his neighbor Christian Lentz, 44, allegedly approached and threatened him. Security footage shows a man, believed to be Lentz, initially leaving the garage before returning in about half an hour to beat up Quindara. In the video, the attacker can be heard yelling racial slurs, as well as telling the senior to be on a ventilator and die. Quindara suffered a black eye, bruises to his face and deep cuts on his head. Arrest and charges: Lentz was initially arrested for felony residential burglary but was released from jail in less than a week. On June 16, that charge was upgraded as a hate crime enhancement, and he was also charged with elder abuse as a hate crime. More from NextShark: Rally against anti-Asian hate crimes honors Atlanta spa shooting victims ahead of 1-year anniversary Possible penalties: If convicted of residential burglary, Lentz could face one to 10 years in jail, plus a consecutive sentence of another one to 10 years. On the other hand, he could spend one to five years in jail plus a consecutive sentence of one to five years and pay up to $10,000 in fines if he is found guilty of elder abuse. However, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said that the court may also treat elder abuse as a gross misdemeanor. This would reduce Lentzs possible sentence to a maximum of just 364 days and up to $2,000 in fines. More from NextShark: Right-hand man of 'Asia's El Chapo,' 6th on Australia's most wanted list, extradited from Thailand Lentz is scheduled to return to court on July 3. About the rally: Filipino American leaders will be holding a Rally Against Asian Hate to call for justice for Quindara. The protest will take place in front of the Regional Justice Center at 10 a.m. on June 29. Jacque de Joya, president of the National Federation of Filipino American Association of Nevada, told KTNV: More from NextShark: Watch: Chaos breaks out in Japanese parliament before controversial immigration bill passes When Filipino Americans heard about this brutal attack, we took it very personally, because the first thought we had was That could have been my dad. In the Filipino American community, were very family-oriented, and we revere our elders. So we felt like our own father had been attacked it hit us right in our hearts. These kinds of hate crimes, which have been skyrocketing against Asian Americans, are absolutely unacceptable, especially here in our Las Vegas community. More from NextShark: Over 100,000 sign petition to free British geologist facing death penalty in Iraq for taking pottery shards Fireworks legal in Kennewick for 1st time in 31 years. Heres where to buy, what kinds Fourth of July fireworks can be purchased in Kennewick and set off to celebrate the holiday for the first time in more than 30 years. In 2022 the Kennewick City Council lifted its ban on fireworks, but too late for July 4 that year. A Washington state law prohibited the new ordinance, approved June 21, 2022, from taking effect for one year. The last Independence Day that personal fireworks were legal in the city was 1991, the year that fireworks were believed to have caused $608,000 damage to the Knolls apartment complex on Grand Ronde Ave. in Kennewick, prompting the city to adopt the strictest fireworks regulations in the Tri-Cities. With fireworks newly legal, the city has had interest from sellers. They can be sold starting at noon Wednesday June 28 through July 5, in hours set by Washington state law. The city has issued permits to sell fireworks at stands in the parking lots at these locations: Yokes 1410 West 27th Avenue Fred Meyer 2811 West 10th Avenue WalMart 2720 South Quillan Street Safeway 5204 West Clearwater Avenue Ranch & Home 845 North Columbia Center Boulevard Red Apple 902 South Washington Street Kennewicks new regulations copy those of Richland, which allow some fireworks, but not all of those allowed under Washington state law. Pasco and Benton County also limit the type of fireworks allowed. Franklin County, Prosser and Connell ban them. West Richland allows any fireworks that are legal in the state of Washington. Counties and cities that allow fireworks are limited by state law, which restricts hours when they may be discharged. They may be set off noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday June 28; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 29 to July 3; 9 a.m. to midnight July 4; and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 5. Heres whats legal in Kennewick: Cylindrical fountains Cone fountains Parachutes Wheels Wire sparkler/dipped sticks Illuminated torch Ground and hand-held sparkling devices Novelties Fireworks that remain illegal include helicopter or aerial spinners, mines or shells, ground spinners, roman candles, toy smoke devices, jumping jacks, combination items and special effects. A full list of allowed fireworks and those that are still illegal to set off in Kennewick is posted at bit.ly/LegalKennewickFireworks. People who set off illegal fireworks could face a fine of $250. The council voted to lift the ban on fireworks last year, with several members saying that fireworks are an integral part of traditional celebrations of the nations independence. City residents should be able to celebrate July 4 by setting off limited fireworks at family celebrations and block parties, they said. Mayor Bill McKay said that legalizing some fireworks might deter people who now go to tribal reservations or order online to obtain aerial fireworks. Those have been primarily responsible for fires attributed to fireworks in Kennewick in recent years. On 25 June, five empty Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces returned to Russia from Belarus. Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet Details: According to the monitoring group, five Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces flew back [to the airfield of departure ed.] from the Machulishchy airfield [near Minsk in Belarus ed.] on the evening of 25 June. The same aircraft had arrived in Belarus from Pskov the day before. According to Hajun, the planes both arrived and departed empty. Thus, the planes simply spent a day in Machulishchy and flew back. Quote: "It cannot be ruled out that the purpose of the arrival was to transfer a military contingent from Belarus to the Russian Federation to suppress the 'Prigozhins rebellion'. This is indicated by the fact that the planes simply stayed in Belarus for a day without any signs of any activity," notes Belaruski Hajun. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! General secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with the leading members of the newly-elected Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) and delivers an important speech in Beijing, capital of China, June 26, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called on the new leadership of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) to earnestly shoulder their missions and tasks entrusted by the CPC in the new era. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while meeting with the leading members of the newly-elected Central Committee of the CYLC. Xi urged the CYLC to give full play to the country's youths so that they will be fully committed in advancing Chinese modernization. Noting that the future of the cause of the Party and the nation rests on the younger generation, Xi expressed his hope that the CYLC Central Committee will better rally young people around the Party to continuously strive for building a stronger country and realizing national rejuvenation. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, participated in the meeting. With a clearer goal and mission, the CYLC has taken on a new look among the young people since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi said. Over the past five years, the CYLC has mobilized its members and other young people to take an active part in major tasks such as creating a new development pattern, boosting high-quality development, securing a victory in the fight against poverty, and responding to the COVID-19 epidemic, showing great courage and commitment of Chinese youth in the new era, Xi said. The CPC Central Committee expects the leading members of the CYLC Central Committee to play an exemplary role in pushing forward the CYLC cause and the work related to youth, he said. Being an aide to and reserve force of the Party, the CYLC must center its work on the Party's central task on the new journey of the new era, set at the 20th CPC National Congress, he stressed. Noting that greater efforts should be made to enhance political guidance for young people, Xi said the CYLC should give top priority to strengthening political guidance for CYLC members and other young people, and make dedicated efforts to nurture the next generation, who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause. He stressed that the CYLC should actively orient itself toward the implementation of major national strategies and tasks, and mobilize youths to dedicate themselves to Chinese modernization and strive to become pioneers and a fresh driving force in sectors such as sci-tech innovation, rural revitalization, green development, social services, and defending the border for the country. Xi also called for unflinching courage in advancing the CYLC's reform, exercising the full and rigorous management and governance of the CYLC, and continuing to raise the CYLC's capacity to guide, organize and serve. Xi concluded his remarks by saying that Party committees and leading Party members' groups at all levels should strengthen their leadership of and support for the work of the CYLC. During the meeting, A Dong, first secretary of the Secretariat of the CYLC Central Committee, gave a briefing on the 19th national congress of the CYLC and the first plenum of the 19th Central Committee of the CYLC, among other matters. The award-winning humanitarian passed away after a months-long battle with cancer. Benjamin Frazier, a Jacksonville, Florida community activist and Northside Coalition leader, has passed away at age 73. According to Fraziers family, he was surrounded by loved ones when he died June 24 after a nine-month battle with cancer, Florida Times-Union reports. Screenshot of Florida civil rights activist, Ben Frazier, dead at 73 / Credit: First Coast News/YouTube Frazier made history as the first Black TV anchor at Jacksonvilles WJXT-TV. He was a staunch advocate for civil rights and police reform. In 2016, Frazier formed the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, which aims to empower, educate and organize our communities in an effort to establish greater self-sufficiency. Last year, he traveled to Geneva to address the United Nations Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination. During his visit, he slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis anti-riot law. Frazier also made headlines with his political antics that resulted in his arrest. His refusal to stop speaking at a city council meeting led to his arrest in December 2022. Frazier was also taken into custody while attempting to attend Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis news conference in a state building, Florida Times-Union reports. In both cases, the charges were later dropped. According to the familys statement, Frazier was honored with the NAACPs Rutledge H. Pearson Civil Rights Award for his humanitarian work in Black communities. Last October, Frazier publicly announced his diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. In the familys statement announcing the death, Frazier is described as a tireless voice for the voiceless even as he underwent cancer treatment. He fought for equality among Jacksonvilles citizens, equity in our neighborhoods, and integrity, transparency, accountability, and compassion in our government, the family said. On social media, Mayor-elect Donna Deegan was among those mourning Fraziers death. A man of integrity and conviction, Ben brought overwhelming passion to everything he did. Weve lost a true legend, Deegan tweeted. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee described Frazier as a dominant force in the Jacksonville Black liberation movement. The family will release information about the memorial when details are available. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Florida civil rights activist, Ben Frazier, dies at 73 appeared first on TheGrio. A Florida couple who sued Stockton Rush for refusing to refund their $210,000 deposit for a Titanic shipwreck tour have dropped the lawsuit after the OceanGate Expeditions CEO was among five to die in a catastrophic implosion last week. Marc and Sharon Hagle filed a lawsuit in February claiming Rush had repeatedly cancelled a deep-sea dive they had booked on the Titan submersible in 2018. After Rush was confirmed to have died on the Titan during an ill-fated trip to the famed North Atlantic shipwreck on Sunday 18 June, the couple said the honour, respect and dignity of the victims were more important than their claim. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here Like most around the world, we have watched the coverage of the OceanGate Titan capsule with great concern and enormous amount of sadness and compassion for the families of those who lost their lives, the Hagles said in a statement toFox 35. In light of these tragic events, we have informed our attorneys to withdraw all legal actions against Stockton, the statement read. We honour their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans. Marc and Sharon Hagles dispute with OceanGate began in 2016 when they signed a contract and paid deposits in the hopes of becoming among the first of the deep-sea exploration companys paying customers. In mid-2017, the Hagles became suspicious that the submersible vessel, then known as the Cyclops 2, was not going to be ready by the planned departure date, according to the lawsuit filed in Orange County. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush had been accused of defrauding Florida couple Marc and Sharon Hagle The court filing states that the Hagles wanted to pull out of the expedition, and requested a refund of their $20,000 deposits. They claim that Mr Rush visited them at their Florida home in September 2017 to convince them the trip would be going ahead as planned. Mr Rush described what could be expected during the adventure, they claimed. In January 2018, the couple alleged they were forced to pay the full deposit of $210,258 to secure two berths on the Titan. Expeditions were then repeatedly cancelled, and when they requested a refund in 2019 were told they had to agree to go on a Titan dive in 2021. They further alleged that OceanGate had failed to hold their deposit in a separate escrow account. The Titan vanished without a trace around 100 minutes into a 4,000m dive to the Titanics wreck on Sunday 18 June. A debris field was detected by a remotely operated vehicle on Thursday, and the US Coast Guard later revealed the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five aboard, soon after it submerged. A US Navy acoustics system detected an explosion near to the Titanic wreck on Sunday, but aircraft, ships and underwater drones continued to search for the vessel for another four days. Rush died along with Pakistani father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, British billionaire Hamish Harding and prominent French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet. A pair of Winter Park adventurers who sued the CEO of OceanGate for fraud said they have dropped their lawsuit against the man at the helm of the company that owned the Titan submersible. Sharon and Marc Hagle, of Winter Park, sued Stockton Rush after they put money down for a trip to the Titanic wreckage site and the voyage never happened. The couple said the trip was both rescheduled and canceled, and they were told they would not receive a refund. The Hagles are adventurers who became the first married couple on a commercial space flight last year, according to Purdue University, Marcs alma mater. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The couple said in a statement on Friday that they decided to drop their legal action in the wake of CEO Stockton Rushs death, along with four passengers, and the loss of the Titan at sea: Like most around the world, we have watched the coverage of the OceanGate Titan capsule with great concern and enormous amount of sadness and compassion for the families of those who lost their lives. We honor their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans. As has been reported, we have been involved in a legal dispute with Stockton Rush, CEO/Founder of OceanGate. In light of these tragic events, we have informed our attorneys to withdrawn all legal actions against Stockton. Money is a driving force in our economy, but honor, respect and dignity are more important to the human soul. We wish the entire OceanGate family and the families of those aboard the Titan the very best as they grieve the loss of their loved ones. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Florida's largest police union endorses DeSantis after supporting Trump in 2020: 'Choice could not be clearer' Florida's largest police union endorses DeSantis after supporting Trump in 2020: 'Choice could not be clearer' FIRST ON FOX: The largest police union in the state of Florida announced Monday that it is backing Gov. Ron DeSantis for president after previously supporting former President Trump. In a press release announcing the presidential endorsement, Florida Police Benevolent Association President John Kazanjian called DeSantis the "most effective governor in the nation" who will "make public safety a top priority in the White House." "In major cities and communities across America, many Americans are grappling with increased crime rates that not only jeopardize public safety, but also threaten the quality of life in their communities," Kazanjian said. "The ideological experiment of defunding the police and scapegoating law enforcement for Americas social problems has failed." Kazanjian called DeSantis the "one candidate for president who has a proven track record in enhancing public safety and investing in the essential men and women who help maintain public safety every day. "For the over 30,000 men and women in the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the choice for us could not be clearer," he said. PRO-DESANTIS SUPER PAC RAILS AGAINST 'WOKE' IDEOLOGY IN NEW AD: 'EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO OUR SOCIETY' READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration have made Florida a law-and-order state, by investing in and supporting the thousands of law enforcement officers, who serve on the front lines in keeping our communities safe and secure." The press release outlined several actions taken by DeSantis to strengthen law enforcement in Florida, including investing over $100 million to increase salaries of officers and investing $20 million to support the fight against fentanyl overdoses. "Governor DeSantis has made Florida a destination for all Americans to live safely and freely," the release states. "He is one of the most effective Governors in the nation and he will take his proven track record to the White House, where he will continue to have the backs of law enforcement officers and make public safety a top priority." DESANTIS ENDORSED BY 15 SOUTH CAROLINA LAWMAKERS Former President Trump, left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The police union endorsed Trump in 2020 . Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response. DeSantis was on the campaign trail in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Monday outlining his immigration plan and blasting the Biden administration for not doing more to address the crisis. Former President Trump speaks to guests at the 2023 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum on April 14, 2023 in Indianapolis. "On Jan. 20, 2025, we will be on a mission to stop the invasion at our southern border to fight the drug cartels that are poisoning our citizenry, to build the border wall, and to reestablish the sovereignty of this nation," DeSantis said during the announcement. "We are done with promises. We are done with slogans. Now is the time for action. No excuses. We will get the job done." Folks Can't Get Enough of This Politician Who Marched at Pride in a Wet Shirt Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois Secretary of State, turned heads this weekend when he tweeted a picture of himself walking in Chicagos 52nd annual Pride Parade wearing a soaking wet white t-shirt over his nicely toned body. The tweet, which he captioned, Thank you Illinois for making me so proud to live here and work for you! #Pride2023, received massive support from fans, who tweeted responses like, Now THIS is how you run the states, and I will never forgive Illinois for not electing you in 2010. (@) twitter.com For those unfamiliar with the latter comment, Giannoulias served as the Treasurer of the State of Illinois from 2007 to 2011, making him the youngest State Treasurer in the nation at the time of his election, when he was only 30. During his run, he placed an unsuccessful bid for the United States Senate in 2010. At the time, the race was closely contested, but he ultimately lost to the Republican candidate, Mark Kirk. www.instagram.com He also shared the thirst trap to his Instagram account, captioning the pic: "Amazing time at the Chicago Pride Parade! Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who joined us in person and along the route. So, so proud to live in Illinois!!" Following his senate defeat, Giannoulias returned to the private sector before being elected as the Secretary of State in 2022, defeating Dan Brady and succeeding the longtime incumbent, Jesse White. Now that hes back, hes proving exactly why he deserves a spot in any seat in our government. A Sacramento man arrested last week in Folsom will face charges pertaining to firearm possession by a felon and is due to appear in court Tuesday. The 29-year-old man was arrested just before midnight Thursday during a traffic stop near the corner of Riley and Scott streets, according to a social media post by the Folsom Police Department. The department said an officer learned one of the occupants of the vehicle was on probation for a prior firearm-related charge, and another occupant had five outstanding warrants for his arrest. A K-9 unit was alerted to the vehicle, police said. With the K-9 alert and probation status of an occupant, authorities said officers conducted a search of the vehicle. Get Folsom news delivered to your inbox Sign up here to receive our free weekly Bee Connected newsletter, where we catch up on news in Folsom dining, shopping, real estate, schools, events and more. During the search, police said they located a loaded firearm with an extended magazine that was reportedly stolen out of Stockton. Officers arrested the suspect with outstanding warrants, and he was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on numerous felony firearm charges, according to the department. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court. From food to history, these South Carolina travel tours rank among the nations best South Carolina is home to six of the nations best travel experiences including one that was named the most family-friendly activity in the world. The 90-Minute Private Dolphin Tour off Hilton Head Island ranks as the worlds No. 1 experience for parents and their kids to enjoy, according to results that the travel review website Tripadvisor published Tuesday, June 20. In addition to tours for families, Tripadvisor weighed attractions related to food, wine, boating, history, water sports, amusement parks and nature. When compared to other activities within the United States, the rest of the top-ranking South Carolina attractions were: To create the list, Tripadvisor said it studied comments that travelers left in the year leading up to May 2023. Travelers Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings for experiences, tours, activities and attractions, Tripadvisor wrote in a news release, adding that businesses must meet certain criteria and fit within each subcategory. Fewer than 1% of Tripadvisors 8 million listings are awarded Best of the Best, signifying the highest level of excellence in travel, Tripadvisor said. About the travel award winners In South Carolina, Cross Island Cruises runs the top-ranking 90-minute dolphin tour, which costs more than $250. The excursion said it offers an opportunity for up to six people to get a glance of the marine animals. The tour boasts five out of five stars on Tripadvisor, with fans raving about the chance to see the creatures and learn about their natural surroundings off Hilton Head Island. On the Tripadvisor lists, many of the other South Carolina tours that landed in the top 10 were near Charleston. That might not come as a surprise, as the city has ranked as one of the worlds most breathtaking destinations and a top place for food lovers to visit, McClatchy News reported. In addition to dividing U.S. travel experiences into subcategories, Tripadvisor named the top ones overall. The Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Tour in Honolulu ranked as the nations favorite. This South Carolina city ranks among the nations most beautiful and affordable These South Carolina restaurants rank among the nations most romantic places to eat Ex-cop who exposed his genitals on social media, in uniform, is being sued for using police data to stalk and extort a woman for nudes The lawsuit alleges the Louisville Police Department didn't do enough to intervene. Luke Sharrett for The Washington Post via Getty Images A lawsuit alleges that a former Louisville cop used police databases to find hacking victims and extort them for nude photographs. Bryan Wilson targeted a teacher and threatened to send an intimate video to her principal, according to the suit. Wilson is currently serving a 30-month prison sentence for stalking women. A former cop in Louisville, Kentucky, has been sued over allegations that he used his resources and equipment within the police department to harass, cyberstalk, hack, and extort nude images from a schoolteacher. The lawsuit, filed by an unnamed Jane Doe plaintiff, alleges Bryan Wilson used his position as a police officer to engage in "sexual deviance and predatory acts," over the summer of 2020 and that the police department and Wilson's superiors failed to intervene or take action against him. Wilson is currently in federal prison, serving a 30-month sentence after pleading guilty last year to stalking multiple women, and to driving past civilians in unmarked police cars and throwing drinks at them. Wilson's victim was "emotionally devastated and contemplated suicide after Wilson hacked into her online accounts, stole intimate, personal, private video footage of her, and, using information he obtained through his access to LMPD's databases, taunted, harassed, and threatened her for months in an attempt to obtain additional nude photographs," according to the lawsuit. As a police officer, Wilson had access to a database called Accurint, and used it to obtain information about potential hacking victims, including Doe, the lawsuit said. Wilson would use Accurint to "identify computer applications belonging to those women," then hack into those applications and steal "compromising photographs." He would then text the women and threaten to publish the photos unless they sent more. The Louisville Metro Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. It's unclear if Wilson has a lawyer currently. Jane Doe didn't learn that her stalker was a police officer until the FBI investigated him The lawsuit alleged that Wilson illegally hacked into Doe's private Snapchat account by posing as a member of the Snapchat Support Team and texting her messages about Snapchat's security policy. Eventually Wilson convinced Doe to text her password, and extracted a "private video" from her account. Wilson then texted Doe the video and suggested that "it would go away if she would show him her 'boobs,'" the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said Doe immediately contacted the Louisville Metro Police Department's sex crimes unit, and called them over 10 times, but she never received a response. Over the next month, Wilson sent Doe "exploitative, harassing, and cruel" texts from various phone numbers, even threatening to send the intimate video to her friends, family members, principal, school board, and even the school district's superintendent, according to the lawsuit. Ultimately Wilson sent the video to one of Doe's friends, the lawsuit said. "Jane Doe was terrified that Wilson was watching her and became deeply afraid for her safety," the lawsuit said, adding that she feared for her job security, and feared her students would find the video. It wasn't until September 2021 that Wilson's texts stopped, the lawsuit said. That's when the FBI contacted Doe and told her she had been identified as a cyberstalking victim. The lawsuit said she didn't find out the perpetrator was a police officer until June 2022. Wilson resigned in July 2020 as a result of the criminal investigation against him, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. Police Chief Erika Shields said in a statement last year that Wilson's actions including both the stalking and throwing drinks at civilians were "reprehensible, sickening," and "demoralizing and dehumanizing to the victims." She said the police department would launch an internal investigation into the incidents. As part of the criminal probe into Wilson, investigators found dozens of pictures of him exposing his penis while on duty, and often in uniform. He would then post the images online, identifying himself as a police officer, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit said Wilson's list of victims is "unknown, but is believed to be over 20." Read the original article on Insider Former Russia diplomat: Prigozhin should be very concerned about his life Former Russia diplomat: Prigozhin should be very concerned about his life A former Russian diplomat said in an interview that Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin should be very concerned about his life despite a reported deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his rebellion against Moscows military leaders. Boris Bondarev, who left his position at the United Nations last year in protest against Russias invasion of Ukraine, told Australian media outlet ABC that Wagners short-lived rebellion significantly damaged Putins grip on power. It damages Putins image as a decisive [leader] who might crush anybody, the former diplomat told ABC in an interview published Monday. So I believe that Prigozhin has a lot of reasons to be very much concerned about his life now because I dont think Putin may easily forgive this, he added. Bondarev, who referred to Russia as a fascist state, noted that few people in high places dare to openly challenge Putin, calling Wagners rebellion an experiment. When Mr. Prigozhin did this, we understand that he lacked goals, Bondarev said. He didnt really understand what he was going to do. Thats why he had to turn away, but if he had had vision another situation would have unfolded very differently. Prigozhin urged an armed rebellion over the weekend to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, also challenging Russian President Vladimir Putins justification for the countrys ongoing war with neighboring Ukraine. Prigozhin eventually ordered his private army to stop its advance after reaching an agreement brokered by Belarus, in which charges against him for leading an armed rebellion were to be dropped and he would relocate to Belarus. However, its largely unclear whats next for Prigozhin or his army and President Biden said Monday the ultimate outcome of the schism remains to be seen. Prigozhin said in an audio file posted on his Telegram channel on Monday that there was public support for his march on Moscow. We started our march because of injustice, Prigozhin said. We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime illegally. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A former US ambassador to Russia says Putin is showing how weak he is by relying on Belarus' Lukashenko to help him resolve the Wagner uprising Russian President Vladimir Putin. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images John Sullivan told CBS that Putin's reliance on Belarus to solve his problems shows "actual weakness." Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko helped to resolve the Wagner Group's uprising on Saturday. "It's not just an appearance of weakness, it's actual weakness," Sullivan said. Russian leader Vladimir Putin is showing how weak he is by relying on Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to help resolve the Wagner Group's uprising, said a former US ambassador to Russia. "How dependent now is Putin on Lukashenko? It's evidence of the weakness that this reveals, what's happened in the last three or four days, the weakness of Vladimir Putin. It's not just an appearance of weakness, it's actual weakness," Ambassador John J. Sullivan told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. "A person that he has said is a traitor who has stabbed him and his nation in the back, he struck a deal with? A deal that he needed to strike to avoid bloodshed and chaos," Sullivan added. "What strong leader does that?" Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led his mercenary group in an uprising on Saturday. The rebellion erupted after a long-running feud between Prigozhin and the Russian military leadership. Wagner forces at one point took over a stronghold in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city that hosts an important military base. Prigozhin's troops were approaching Moscow before Prigozhin abruptly called off the rebellion. Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, "personally offered to broker a deal" with the Wagner Group chief, per The New York Times. Lukashenko's office released a statement on Saturday saying that after negotiations, Prigozhin had accepted Lukashenko's proposal to halt "the advance of Wagner's armed units in Russia's territory." As part of the deal, Prigozhin will go into exile in Belarus in exchange for not being prosecuted for the uprising. Prigozhin's troops will also not be prosecuted for the rebellion, per the Associated Press. Though Prigozhin did call off his mutiny in the end, some experts believe the damage has been done to Putin's reputation. A former major general in the Australian military, Mick Ryan, told Insider's Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert that Prigozhin's rebellion may spell the beginning of the end for Putin. A representative for Sullivan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Fort Worth plugs up holes with its IT system after weekend data breach Fort Worths IT systems were back to normal Monday after a Friday data breach leaked roughly 180 gigabytes of city work orders and police reports. Thats a little more than the storage capacity of a standard smart phone. The city has a high level of confidence it figured out how a hacker group accessed the citys systems, and has plugged the whole, according to a post on the citys website. Theres is no indication sensitive data was released, and the city still has access to all its computer networks, according to the post. Unlike the hack of the city of Dallas nearly two months ago, the group attacking Fort Worth did not demand a ransom, according to the post. The hacker group, SiegedSec, wrote in a social media post Friday it was targeting governments in Texas for the states policy on gender affirming health care. Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 18 on June 2, which bans doctors from providing gender affirming care, including surgery and the prescription of puberty blockers, to a person under 18. The consumption of fossil fuels remained steady despite record growth in the renewable energy sector. According to the Energy Institutes Statistical Review of World Energy, primary energy demand growth slowed in 2022 by increasing about 1.1 percent compared to its increase of 5.5 percent in 2021. The report noted that the energy sector shifted from demand around the COVID-19 pandemic to supply concerns from Russias invasion in Ukraine. As the world emerged from the pandemic and its impact on demand, 2022 witnessed energy markets again in crisis, with the Ukraine conflict upending assumptions about supply around the world, Energy Institute CEO Nick Wayth said in a statement. That in turn precipitated a price crisis and profound cost-of-living pressures across many economies. The report also found that oil, gas and coal products covered most of the energy demand even as renewable energy saw the highest increase ever. Coal held 35 percent of the share in the power sector, while gas hit about 23 percent of the share. The increase of renewable energy was bolstered by new solar and wind developments, and reached 14 percent of the total global electricity production, which was higher than nuclear energy, which had a 9 percent share of total electricity production. The report said that solar and wind notched a record increase of 266 gigawatts in 2022 and solar accounted for 72 percent of additional capacity. We have seen further and ever more dangerous impacts of climate change across all continents. And despite broad consensus on the need to reach net-zero, global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are still heading in the wrong direction, Energy Institute President Juliet Davenport said in a statement. The report also noted that oil consumption continued to increase to 97.3 million barrels per day in 2022 as Brent crude oil prices hit the highest level since 2013, at an average of $101. The report was published by the Energy Institute, in collaboration with KPMG and Kearny, after BP ceased doing the report. BP still offers continuing support for the report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Four people were arrested in Rome, Georgia for illegally protesting a pride event. On Wednesday, June 14, a pride parade organized by the Rome Pride organization was held on Broad Street and concluded in Heritage Park. During the parade, a protest assembly was permitted to lawfully gather between 9:30 a.m. and noon along the parade route. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There were no issues with the legally permitted protest group, but after the parade concluded at Heritage Park, police learned there were two other illegal gatherings on 2nd Avenue directly across from the park. Officers approached the first protest and informed the participants that they were involved in an illegal gathering. They were given five minutes to disperse and though police said they were not happy with the situation, they voluntarily complied. Officers spoke with the second group and gave them a five-minute limit to break up their protest and move along. Due to previous encounters, the officer recognized some of the people from that group from a meeting at the Rome Police Department where they were complaining about Rome Pride being allowed to lawfully assemble in Rome. During that meeting, the city ordinance was explained to them and they were advised to file for a permit if they would like to legally assemble a protest. TRENDING STORIES: The people at that meeting felt that a permit went against their first amendment rights and made it clear they were not going to file for a permit. The members of that second group did disperse at the end of their five-minute time limit and moved down the street where they walked as a group and held protest signs. Officers once again warned the group members to break up their group and move on. They were given another five-minute time limit but refused to leave. Angela Antonella Rubino, Bradley Steven Barnes, William David Smith, and Melissa Renee Smith, who, according to an incident report, were representing the Etowah Republican Assembly by their clothing, were arrested and charged with violation of assembly permit. Police say William Smith was also found in possession of a pistol at the time of his arrest. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Rocked by the loss of its top-rated opinion host Tucker Carlson, Fox News has overhauled its prime-time lineup in an effort to reverse its recent ratings declines. The Rupert Murdoch-owned conservative news channel announced that Jesse Watters who has hosted a 7 p.m. Eastern program since Jan. 2021 will move to the 8 p.m. slot previously held by Carlson. Watters will remain a co-host on "The Five." Fox News is also moving Greg Gutfeld's talk show "Gutfeld!" an hour earlier, to 10 p.m. Eastern. The program is often the most watched show on the network among the 25-to-54 age group coveted by advertisers. The program - which has been touted as conservative-leaning late night comedy alternative - can potentially attract more viewers at an earlier hour. Laura Ingraham, the conservative host who has held the 10 p.m. Eastern slot, moves to 7 p.m. Sean Hannity's nightly program remains at 9 p.m. Eastern. Fox News @ Night, the newscast currently airing at midnight, will move to 11 p.m. Eastern. The new lineup takes effect July 17. Scheduling moves are rare on the top-rated cable news channel and were prompted by the sudden dismissal of Carlson, which came just days after Fox News reached a $787.5-million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over the network's false statements about voter fraud in the 2020 election. Carlson, an influential right-wing voice whose inflammatory comments about race and immigration made him a magnet for controversy, was pushed out amid the legal issues facing Fox News. The host and the network are being sued by a former producer who alleges she was subjected to a hostile work environment while employed on Carlson's program. Evidence in the Dominion case showed Carlson making derogatory remarks about Fox News colleagues and management. But since Carlson's departure, Fox News has seen a dramatic decline in the 8 p.m. hour, losing half of the 3 million viewers who were tuning in nightly. The loss has hurt the rest of the Fox News line-up, even though it remains ahead of its top competitors CNN and MSNBC. Read more: Tucker Carlson departs Fox News, pushed out by Rupert Murdoch Watters, 44, has long been popular among Fox News viewers. "The Five," a round-table program where he holds the center chair, is the network's most-watched show, and his 7 p.m. Eastern program draws around 2 million viewers. He got his start on Bill O'Reilly's Fox News program, where he did ambush interviews of figures targeted by the host who departed in 2017. Watters often plays his role as provocateur with tongue in cheek and is prone to making outrageous statements. In late 2021, Watters made incendiary comments about Dr. Anthony Fauci at Turning Point USAs Americafest, a right-wing conference. He used violent language when telling audience members they should confront the infectious disease expert with questions about the origins of the coronavirus. Now you go in for the kill shot, said Watters, according to a video clip of his appearance. The kill shot with an ambush, deadly, because he doesnt see it coming. This is when you say, Dr. Fauci, you funded risky research at a sloppy Chinese lab, the same lab that sprung this pandemic on the world. Read more: Geraldo Rivera says he is exiting Fox News' 'The Five' In describing the impact of such a confrontation, Watters said, Boom! He is dead! He is dead! Hes done! The network stood by Watters after the remarks were denounced by Fauci and other critics. "It's more than clear that Jesse Watters was using a metaphor for asking hard-hitting questions to Dr. Fauci," a Fox News statement said at the time. Following Carlson's departure, Fox News tried a number of hosts in the 8 p.m. Eastern hour, but none approached the ratings that Watters attracted at 7 p.m. Even with the declines, the network has kept its hold on first place in the ratings. Fox News has a history of replacing hosts who leave the network. The media industry expected a downturn after O'Reilly was ousted over sexual harassment allegations. But Carlson, a cable news journeyman when he arrived, pumped up his rhetoric and became a polarizing star. Carlson continues to get paid by Fox News, which can keep him off the air through his contract which runs through 2024. He has relaunched his program on Twitter, which prompted Fox News to send a cease and desist letter saying he is in violation of his deal which pays him more than $15 million annually. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The News Fox News has tapped conservative commentator Jesse Watters to take over Tucker Carlson's 8 p.m. primetime show slot, the network announced Monday. The move comes more than two months after Fox abruptly fired its most popular host following a series of controversies that got executives worried about Carlson becoming too much of a liability. Know More Starting off Fox's primetime will be Laura Ingraham, whose show has been moved from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Sean Hannity will stay on at 9 p.m. while comedian Greg Gutfeld's show will move from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. News anchor Trace Gallagher will take over the 11 p.m. slot. "The unique perspectives of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will ensure our viewers have access to unrivaled coverage from our best-in-class team for years to come," Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement. Watters will continue to serve as a panelist on Fox's "The Five" before primetime hour. Step Back Watters started off his career as a production assistant at Fox, later appearing on where he developed a reputation for "ambush-style" man-on-the street interviews. While on Watters apologized for a segment where he mocked people in Manhattan's Chinatown about cultural stereotypes. Still, the 44-year-old host became a rising star at the network and among conservative figures. Fox had a massive dip in viewership following Carlson's dismissal, and the two are subsequently engaged in a legal battle over his contract after he signed a deal with Twitter to host his show on the social media platform. The New York Times previously reported that Fox News executives became alarmed over Carlson's increasingly radical views after his internal communications were revealed during the Dominion defamation case. A Frontier Airlines employee shouting 'hurry up' at passengers as they board a flight has gone viral on Instagram for being rude A Frontier Airlines employee has gone viral on social media for shouting at passengers. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images A Frontier Airlines worker has gone viral on Instagram for yelling at passengers to board a flight. The employee could be seen telling passengers to "hurry up" because she was behind schedule. Users were divided in the comments about whether she was being rude or just doing her job. A Frontier Airlines employee has gone viral on social media for being rude to passengers and yelling at them to "hurry up" as they boarded a flight. The Instagram user Bonnie Rushing posted a video on the platform on June 4 with the words "Frontier Airlines Seriously" and a frown emoji written over it. The video, which has racked up more than 2.4 million views, showed an airline employee beckoning passengers forward in a passive-aggressive manner as they boarded a flight from Denver to Norfolk, Virginia. The employee could be heard saying, "Next guest, please. We have to close the doors. I'm already late." In one part of the video, she repeatedly yelled at a passenger: "Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, we gotta go!" Rushing wrote in the caption: "Frontier Airlines always doing the most to provide top notch customer service. recommend. But seriously, what is this???" "People just trying to board the plane without getting PTSD," she added. The video has received more than 3,000 comments, with users divided over whether the employee was providing poor customer service. "She is just doing her job. She does need to be trained to 'smile' a little, using the words 'please.' Never say 'hurry up hurry up hurry up.' You start boarding earlier properly estimating time to board. Its not the passengers. It's you lady. And what are you wearing? A Bathrobe. That's not uniform," one user commented. "I see a gate agent stressed about all the late passengers and is being nice and NOT closing the doors," another wrote. "She's doing her job and getting it done," an Instagram user commented. "She was hostile throughout the boarding process, even from the beginning when they weren't 'late,'" Rushings told Insider in a comment. "She challenged every customer to measure their bags, making sure everyone paid. She was called out by one customer who said she was being rude she responded that he was the one being rude and that she's nice to everyone." In March, TikTok users criticized Frontier Airlines for providing bonuses to staff for each bag they charged extra for an incentive the airline later confirmed was true. The criticism came about after a TikToker posted a series of videos that went viral showing that she was charged extra for her carry-on luggage because a Frontier Airlines employee said her bag was too big. The bags appeared to fit in the boxes provided in the videos. Frontier Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular working hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Full $250 million for downtown Fresno is back on the table in CA budget legislation The on-again, off-again prospects for Gov. Gavin Newsoms commitment of $250 million for downtown Fresno infrastructure is on again following a weekend agreement in Sacramento between the governor and the state Legislature. Budget legislation now in print in both houses of the Legislature funds the Fresno Infrastructure Plan project, as proposed by the Governor in May: $250 million over three years, a spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon reported Saturday afternoon. Both Assembly and Senate versions of a budget bill include the money, one of which is expected to be voted upon in both houses on Tuesday as part of the June 27 Budget package. Newsoms proposed May budget revision called for the $250 million for downtown Fresno to come from the states $300 million Local Government Budget Sustainability Fund, to be spread out over three years. But while both the Assembly and Senate budget bills approved on June 15 included the first years $50 million in the 2023-24 budget for the Fresno infrastructure program, the Senate version called for pulling back the other $200 million as budget savings in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 budget years. Its described as one of several key changes in the Senate to Newsoms budget proposals. The Assembly version was unclear about plans for the remaining $200 million that Newsom had pledged to Fresno. New language in the Assembly and Senate bllls reflect the agreement of both houses leaderships as negotiations with the Governor continue on other items, Rendons office reported: Of the amount appropriated in this item, $50,000,000 shall be available to the City of Fresno to support the citys Public Infrastructure Plan, the bills read. Consistent with the Governors 2023-24 May Revision proposal, it is the intent of the Legislature to appropriate for this purpose an additional $100,000,000 in 2024-25 and an additional $100,000,000 (in) 2025-26. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer was happy to learn of the agreement between legislative leaders and the governor over the weekend. He credited state Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, and Assemblymembers Joaquin Arambula and Esmeralda Soria, both Democrats from Fresno, and the Fresno City Council for their steadfast support for the budget allocation. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors last week, at the urging of Supervisor Steve Brandau himself a former Fresno City councilmember approved sending a letter to Newsom and legislative leaders in support of the full $250 million allocation. This funding will support infrastructure upgrades essential to accelerate new housing and supporting businesses that are at the forefront of our downtown cores rebirth, Dyer said Saturday. About $70 million from the allocation would be used to build two new parking structures with a total of about 2,000 parking stalls, essentially doubling the existing number of city-owned parking spaces in the area, Dyer proposed in May. At that time, the mayor projected that those additional parking spaces would be enough to serve between 2,000 and 3,000 residential apartments in the downtown area. The citys plans for other slices of the $250 million financial pie include: $80 million for overall infrastructure investments to promote housing development for 10,000 residents and other neighborhood revitalization efforts. $25 million for a storm water drainage basin downtown. $20 million for an intermodal transit center for alternatives to driving, including buses, bicycles and walking. $20 million for improvements to streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters in downtown Fresno and the neighboring Chinatown area. $15 million for pocket parks, linear parks and other green spaces. $10 million for sewer system upgrades along Fresno and Merced streets in downtown. $10 million for a 16-inch water supply loop along H and F streets between Stanislaus and Mono streets. When Newsom unveiled his May budget revision, he had high praise for Fresnos infrastructure plans. We have a particular focus in the May revise on the incredible work thats been done in Fresno and the incredible planning that has been done that allows us to make a commitment to Fresno, Newsom said in his May 12 announcement, in particular to accelerate that (infrastructure) effort because theyre teed up and ready to do something transformational. The age of some of the underground infrastructure in downtown Fresno and Chinatown means that it will likely take more money than what the states allocation will cover. The citys public utilities director, Brock Buche, said in May that some sewer lines in downtown Fresno are almost 130 years old, while some water mains date back almost 100 years. Buche estimated that the cost for new water and sewer lines in the area are somewhere in the neighborhood of $160 million to $180 million, far more than the $20 million in Dyers spending plan for the infusion of state money. 'The future is accessibility' Pills for weight loss to soon replace injectables like Wegovy The next major innovation coming to weight-loss drugs will be pills with the effectiveness of injectables at potentially far lower costs. Medications have finally been able to offer the kind of weight loss seen only before with bariatric surgery. But these drugs have several shortcomings, including the lack of long-term safety and effectiveness data, the need for weekly injections and their price tags, which top $1,000 a month and often aren't covered by insurance. Although probably still several years away, pills could address the second two concerns, experts say. Pills, technically called oral small molecules, are far easier to manufacture, so they also could address the shortages that have made it hard to access weight loss medications for the past year or more. "Oral small molecules are really the future," said Raymond Stevens, CEO of Structure Therapeutics, a biotech that is also developing drugs for obesity and diabetes. "The future is accessibility." Avoiding shots will also make the drugs more acceptable to more people, said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and founding director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California. But he worries drug companies will try to use the weight loss drugs to make up for profits they lost when the Biden administration recently pressured them into lowering the cost of insulin to $35. "If they're wise, they'll make it relatively inexpensive," Topol said. "That remains to be seen." At the American Diabetes Association's annual conference underway in San Diego, several companies presented information about pills they are developing for weight loss, as well as for type 2 diabetes. Dr. Robert Gabbay, the association's chief scientific and medical officer, said he's eager for weight loss drugs to become available as pills. More than 40% of Americans now meet the definition for having obesity and 70% for being overweight. "It's gratifying to see that obesity treatment is really moving to the next level," he said. "We have some great tools now and we're looking forward to widening the arsenal for a condition that affects the majority of Americans." Details on three new studies Novo Nordisk, which makes the blockbusters Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, both based on the same medication generically called semaglutide, presented two new studies on a pill form of the drug. This image provided by Novo Nordisk in January 2023, shows packaging for the company's Wegovy drug. Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13 who qualify, according to new guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2022, found that Wegovy helped teens reduce their body mass index by about 16% on average, better than the results in adults. (Novo Nordisk via AP) In one, 334 people who took a dailly 50-gram semaglutide pill every day for nearly a year and a half, lost substantially more weight than an equal number of people who took a placebo. On average, the people taking semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, compared with 2.6% for those on the placebo, according to the study, published Monday in the journal The Lancet. One-third of those taking the drug lost 20% of their body weight compared with only 3% of those getting the placebo. Most people in both groups had side effects, but gastrointestinal side effects were more common in the group that received the drug; 80% reporting such problems compared with 46% in the placebo group. A separate study looked the effectiveness of a pill form of semaglutide in people with both diabetes and excess weight. Since 2019, Novo Nordisk has sold a pill form of semaglutide for diabetes called Rybelsus, at 7 mg or 14 mg a day. The new study, published Sunday, also in The Lancet, finds doses well above that provide more weight loss and better glucose control without substantially increasing side effects in people with diabetes who also are considered overweight. At Rybelsus doses, one-third to one-half of people do not achieve appropriate diabetes control, studies have shown. But at 25 mg taken daily for nearly a year and a half, 51% of participants achieved effective control, and at 50 mg, 63% did, the new study showed. Ozempic was originally approved by the FDA to treat people with Type 2 diabetes who risk serious health consequences without medication. In recent months, there has been a spike in demand for Ozempic, or semaglutide, due to its weight loss benefits, which has led to shortages. Some doctors prescribe Ozempic off-label to treat obesity. More people also lost 5% to 10% of their body weight on the higher doses. Side effects, most of them gastrointestinal, increased from 76% to 80% of participants from the lowest to the highest dose. Separately, in an announcement Monday, drugmaker Pfizer said it would advance its experimental pill danuglipron for diabetes and continue considering it for obesity. Pfizer is studying danuglipron in a 1,400-person trial for the treatment of both obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as a smaller study in patients with obesity but not diabetes, which it expects to complete by the end of the year. Right now, danuglipron is designed to be taken twice a day, but the company is developing a once-a-day version. A study published earlier this year in the Journal of American Medical Association Network Open showed the drug was effective for people with diabetes with comparable side effects to the current injectable weight-loss drugs. Once studies are completed, spokesperson Jerica Pitts said, the company will decide whether to pursue the drug for both diabetes and weight loss. Contact Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com. Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New weight loss pills may soon arrive as cheaper alternative Yevgeny Prigozhin Wagner / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images With Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group private military company, agreeing to go into exile in Belarus, questions are swirling about what will happen to his mercenaries that have been fighting in Ukraine. This weekend, Prigozhin accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering airstrikes against his fighters, and led a brief revolt that saw his forces march toward Moscow and take control of the Russian city Rostov-on-Don. Tensions have been brewing for months between Prigozhin and Shoigu, especially after the defense minister announced a decree commanding "volunteer formations" like the Wagner Group sign to contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Prigozhin pushed back and said he would not sign, since it would place Wagner fighters under Shoigu. Prigozhin called on Russian citizens and military members to join Wagner, and in response, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address on Saturday, saying any actions that "split our unity are a stab in the back of our country and our people." In a surprise turn, the Kremlin later announced that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko negotiated a deal where Wagner soldiers would turn around and Prigozhin would go into exile in Belarus to avoid prosecution. Prigozhin has not been heard from since, and it's not clear what will happen to the Wagner Group. Wagner forces earned Russia's only land victory in months in Bakhmut, Ukraine, and as part of the negotiations, Wagner troops who did not support the revolt inside Russia will be offered contracts directly with the Russian military. Lord Richard Dannatt, former chief of the general staff of the British armed forces, told The Associated Press that "what we don't know, but will discover in the next hours and days is, how many of [Prigozhin's] fighters have gone with him, because if he has gone to Belarus and kept an effective fighting force around him, then he ... presents a threat again" to Ukraine. Many Wagner soldiers were recruited from Russian prisons, attracted to offers of sentence reductions and cash payments, and in addition to fighting in Ukraine, Wagner mercenaries have been sent to Syria and Sudan. Wagner soldiers are also in the Central African Republic fighting rebels, with the organization being paid in mining concessions, a member of the U.N. working group on the use of mercenaries told NBC News in early June. Wagner fighters have been accused of brutality and human rights abuses, leading the U.S. to label the group a "significant transnational criminal organization." You may also like Problematic Ford Explorer recall prompts federal investigation Did the Dobbs decision help or hinder Republicans? Putin's grip on power apparently damaged after Wagner mutiny Garciga expected to be next US Army chief information officer Editors note: This article was updated at 2:50 p.m. June 26 to include comment from the U.S. Army. WASHINGTON Leonel Garciga, most recently the top technology officer for U.S. Army intelligence, will be the services next civilian chief information officer, C4ISRNET and Army Times have learned. Garciga is expected to take the post in mid-July. He will succeed Raj Iyer, who after nearly three years as CIO rejoined private industry, according to an internal announcement. The position has been vacant for months now. An Army spokesperson on June 26 said Garciga will spearhead the Armys technological transformation efforts, ensuring the effective management and utilization of information systems across the organization. Having led the Army Intelligence Community CIO for four years, Garciga has extensive experience in developing innovative solutions and driving digital advancements that will play a pivotal role in enhancing the Armys capabilities in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving digital landscape, the spokesperson said in a statement. Garciga did not immediately respond to a message on social media seeking comment. Raj Iyer says next Army CIO needs more oversight power Garciga currently serves as the director for information management within the Armys G-2 intelligence directorate, where he oversees the services implementation of revamped intelligence community information and data practices. He has held that position since early 2019. His next gig will be a step up: As CIO, Garciga will oversee an information technology portfolio totaling billions of dollars, including hundreds of millions for cloud computing and adoption in fiscal 2023. The Army, the militarys largest service, is pushing what it calls digital transformation the phasing in of new technologies, connectivity and online techniques. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has said achieving force-wide digital fluency is her No. 2 objective. Before taking the tech reins in the G-2, Garciga spent more than seven years at the Defense Departments improvised explosive device research arm. Garciga was also an enlisted Navy submariner and a graduate of the Naval Nuclear Power School. Georgia officials are condemning neo-Nazi demonstrations outside synagogues in the city of Macon and in Cobb County, near Atlanta, in recent days. There is absolutely no place for this hate and antisemitism in our state. I share in the outrage over this shameful act and stand with Georgians everywhere in condemning it. We remain vigilant in the face of these disgusting acts of bigotry, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said on Twitter. The Macon Telegraph reports an antisemitic group gathered outside the local synagogue Friday, sparking outrage from community members. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that roughly a dozen neo-Nazi extremists also demonstrated outside a synagogue in Cobb County on Saturday. Yesterday we saw antisemitism on display in Macon, and now in metro Atlanta. This has got to stop. Praying for our Jewish community in Georgia and beyond. We must all raise our voices loudly against this vile hate, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) tweeted Saturday. Antisemitic materials were also reportedly distributed in Warner Robins, according to local outlet WGXA News. Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick (D) said a suspect was apprehended in the distribution of the hate messages. Georgias Jewish community will never be intimidated by anti-Semitism. Today, as symbols of genocide were paraded in front of synagogues, we continue to stand strong, proud, and unbowed, Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) said in a statement after the demonstrations and the flyer distributions. All Georgians are united in our rejection of bigotry and hate, Ossoff said. Disgraceful, said Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), sharing a photo of people with Nazi flags in East Cobb. Such bigotry has no place in our community, and these losers should find a new hobby. The Chabad of Cobb County said in a statement to WSB-TV that the protesting individuals were identified as part of a small group that travel around the country in order to spread their hateful message. Such vile behavior has no place here or anywhere, Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) said on Twitter. I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of such cruel acts of antisemitism. We must keep working to root out all forms of hate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. German voters elect far-right AfD candidate to lead district for the first time A candidate from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a local leadership post for the first time on Sunday in a resounding victory for a group whose anti-migrant, Euroskeptic and anti-Muslim agenda is under surveillance by German authorities. The AfDs Robert Sesselmann triumphed over incumbent Jurgen Kopper of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party to become district administrator of Sonneberg, in Thuringia, central Germany, at the weekend. Sesselmann was elected with 52.8% of the vote, while Kopper gained 47.2%, according to the Thuringian State Office for Statistics. Opposition lawmakers sounded the alarm on Sesselmanns win, saying it threatened the political center and signaled a rise in populism among the electorate. Kopper told reporters on Sunday that the excruciating policies of the German government led to the AfDs success. Unfortunately, it has not been a personal election as state elections have always been, it has become a pure party election, he said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic Partys chairwoman Saskia Esken called the AfD victory in Sonneberg a political dam-break on Monday. Chairwoman of the Green Party, Ricarda Lang, tweeted that the results were a warning to all democratic parties. The result of the state election in Sonneberg is dismaying, Lang said. Mario Czaja, secretary general of the CDU, tweeted on Sunday that the elections in Sonneberg were a bitter result for the political center. However, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Germany maintains a strong democracy, adding that geopolitical factors including Russias invasion of Ukraine, inflation, energy prices, climate transformation and the European migrant crisis meant more cross-party discussions needed to be conducted objectively. Dividing, setting one group against another, or blaming migrants for something for which they cannot be held responsible at all, is not a recipe that will lead this country to a good future, Hebestreit said on Monday. Only the beginning German officials have ramped up scrutiny of the AfD in recent years as it cements its status as the countrys most successful far-right party since World War II. In March 2021, it was formally placed under surveillance by Germanys BfV domestic intelligence service on suspicion of trying to undermine Germanys democratic constitution making it the first party to be monitored this way since the Nazi era crumbled in 1945. Earlier this year, BfV labeled the partys youth wing, whose members are as young as 14, as extremist after four years of investigation. Even though the move doesnt apply to parent party AfD, it revealed a growing segment of young Germans united by extreme views on migration and anti-feminism. Sesselmann beat the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party incumbent, a win that has alarmed opposition politicians. - Martin Schutt/picture alliance/Getty Images Dresden-based political scientist, Hans Vorlander, said Sundays results indicate that trust in Berlin is at an almost historical low. Unless there is a dramatic change in political opinion, next years state and local elections could turn into a triumph for the AfD, Vorlander told CNN on Monday, adding that winning an election would not necessarily mean participation in regional governments, as the other parties would then try harder to form coalitions. The chaos of the German government is contributing to a very poor mood; trust in the government is at an almost historic low. Right-wing ideas are also strongly rooted among the population of Saxony and Thuringia, much more so than in western Germany, he added. While this victory was a symbolic victory for AfD, in next years state elections in the eastern German states, the AfD could win a large number of seats; at the national level, 25% is conceivable. AfD co-chairwoman Alice Weidel tweeted that Sesselmann had made history by having been elected first AfD-district administrator, adding that this victory was only the beginning. CNNs Nadine Schmidt and Sophie Tanno contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Bloomberg) -- Germany plans to set up a state fund worth between 500 million and 1 billion ($546 million to $1.1 billion) to support the mining of raw materials critical to accelerate the countrys green transition, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said. Most Read from Bloomberg The amount is around half that previously being considered, however, reflecting new spending constraints as the government tries to slash its budget for next year. People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg in April it could total as much as 2 billion. Europe wants to reduce its dependence on China for key commodities by diversifying supply chains and working more closely with like-minded partners. The European Union expects its green and digital transitions to lead to exponential demand for critical metals and minerals such as those used in photovoltaic cells, wind turbines and electronic equipment. Were discussing the option of using equity capital, Habeck told a news conference in Berlin following a meeting with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso. Germanys KfW Development Bank could take part in projects or even take stakes, he said. The Economy Ministry has finalized the concept but not yet reached an agreement with other ministries, he added. Finance Minister Christian Lindner wants to cut the 2024 budget by 20 billion, with reductions in expenditure in all departments except defense. Habeck said Germany must be able to offer similar financing instruments to those available in France or Italy, warning that otherwise German companies would be disadvantaged against others. In its Critical Raw Materials Act launched in March, the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, proposed that member states should extract 10% of the critical raw materials the bloc needs domestically by 2030. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks during a press conference at Exercise Griffin Storm 2023 during the visit to the Training Range in Pabrade, some 60 km (38 miles) north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) BERLIN (AP) Germany is willing to send around 4,000 troops to Lithuania on a permanent basis to strengthen NATOs eastern flank, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during a visit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Monday. Germany is prepared to permanently station a robust brigade in Lithuania, Pistorius said. He said infrastructure and facilities will need to be created to accommodate the soldiers and their families. In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine early last year, the German government pledged last June to have a combat brigade ready to defend Lithuania in the event of an attack, German news agency dpa reported. Until now, however, there have been differences over whether the soldiers should be permanently stationed in Lithuania or only sent there temporarily for exercises. The Lithuanian government has demanded a permanent presence, while the German government for a long time was very reluctant to do that. Pistorius explained the German government's decision to offer the brigade to Lithuania was not only because of Russia's war on Ukraine, but also because of Germany's own history, saying that until the end of the Cold War, Germany was the country on NATOs eastern flank. We were the ones who could always rely on our NATO partners to stand by us in an emergency and to stand up and fight with us for our freedom and security in Germany, he said. Now, Poland and the Baltic countries are particularly exposed, he said. We as the Federal Republic of Germany explicitly acknowledge our responsibility and our obligation as a NATO member state, as the largest economy in Europe, to stand up for the protection of the eastern flank, Pistorius said. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed the announcement and said his country wants to build up the needed infrastructure by 2026. We have a strong political willingness in Lithuania to find the necessary financial resources to be able to finance the infrastructural needs, Nauseda said after meeting with Pistorius and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg also welcomed Germany's announcement and praised the country for its leadership and dedication to helping support the organization's collective defense strategy. Germanys military, the Bundeswehr, has already been present in Lithuania, which borders Russia and Belarus, for six years with several hundred soldiers. There, Germany leads a NATO battlegroup with currently about 1,600 soldiers, including about 780 from the Bundeswehr, dpa reported. It was not immediately clear what would happen to this unit when the new German brigade is stationed in Lithuania. With eyes on Russia, Germany ready to station troops permanently in Lithuania BERLIN (Reuters) -Berlin is ready to station a 4,000-strong army brigade in Lithuania permanently in coordination with NATO defence planning following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the German defence minister said on Monday. "Germany stands by its commitment as a NATO member, as Europe's biggest economy, to stand up for the protection of the eastern flank," Boris Pistorius said during a visit to Vilnius on Monday, without giving a timeline. He said however that the necessary infrastructure must be in place as a precondition. In the past, Berlin said it would take Lithuania years to provide barracks, housing areas for families, depots and training grounds. "We agree that the brigade will grow step-by-step as the infrastructure is established," Pistorius said, adding that such a deployment could not be completed within "a few months". The deployment must also be compatible with NATO's regional plans detailing how it would respond to a Russian attack, the minister stressed. Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said he was aiming for the infrastructure to be in place by 2026. "We are simplifying the procedures...in order to be able to finalize the building of infrastructure by 2026," he said. "But I will not be angry if the minister of defence will finalize in 2025." Germany already leads NATO's multi-national battlegroup in Lithuania, a reinforced battalion of some 1,000 troops. Beyond this, a German brigade is on stand-by in Germany to rapidly reinforce troops in Lithuania if needed. Vilnius, however, has long demanded the permanent presence of a full German brigade. Pistorius and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg travelled to Lithuania to attend an exercise that will test the swift reinforcing of the existing German-led NATO battlegroup to the size of a brigade, a scenario to be enacted in case of heightened tensions or a conflict with Russia. Stoltenberg welcomed Germany's announcement but rejected calls for an immediate bolstering of troops along the alliance's eastern flank in response to the mutiny in Russia. "It's not all about presence, it's all about the ability to have early warnings and indications, and then react quickly if there is a need - and this exercise demonstrates exactly that," he said. NATO leaders will meet for a summit in Vilnius On July 11-12. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; editing by Matthias Williams, Frank Jack Daniel and Angus MacSwan) (Bloomberg) -- Sign up to receive the Balance of Power newsletter in your inbox, and follow Bloomberg Politics on Twitter and Facebook for more. Most Read from Bloomberg Germany is preparing to station a permanent brigade of about 4,000 troops in Lithuania as NATO reassesses the potential threat Russia poses to the alliances eastern flank. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made the announcement during a NATO training exercise in Lithuania on Monday. It followed months of pressure from Lithuanian officials, who have lobbied for a stronger stance to prevent Russian aggression. Germany had earlier planned on stationing troops in its own territory and rotating them to the Baltic country. The move would add to a wider revamp of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliances defense posture in the east, and reflects Baltic concerns that Moscow may try to claw back the territory Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia regained after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Lithuania is particularly vulnerable, wedged between the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, which has agreed to station Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. This will be a considerable effort, Pistorius told reporters alongside his Lithuanian counterpart, Arvydas Anusauskas. Thats why weve agreed to build up a brigade step by step. The uncertainty over Russia following the mutiny by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin against Vladimir Putins military leadership added a sense of urgency. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the fallout, including Wagner units potentially moving into neighboring Belarus, impacted the regions security. Pistorius said the situation in Russia seems to be very unstable. Lithuania will also invest 240 million ($262 million) in military infrastructure and mobility through 2025 to accommodate the brigade. NATO Overhaul Pistorius and senior NATO officials are visiting Lithuania to watch Germanys Griffin Storm exercise, which took place at a training ground about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from the border with Belarus and simulates an attack from an enemy from the north. The maneuver was designed to reinforce Berlins pledge until now that it would rapidly deploy a full-fledged brigade to the Baltics in an emergency a complex operation that would be alleviated by a permanent presence. Read more: Putin Faces Historic Threat to Absolute Grip on Power in Russia NATO leaders last summer agreed to a broad overhaul of the alliances defense posture. This pledge included plans to put around 300,000 troops at higher readiness and commitments to be able to scale up eight multinational battle groups of around 1,000 troops each on the eastern flank to brigade size, which can be as big as 5,500 troops. And in a first since the end of the Cold War, the alliances leaders in July are set to agree to detailed regional plans that lay out how allies are expected to defend areas against an attack from Russia or from terrorists. In the Griffin Storm exercise, which started June 21 and runs through July 7, around 1,000 soldiers and 320 vehicles traveled the roughly 1,200 kilometers from the northeastern city of Neubrandenburg to Pabrade by air, rail, road and sea in around three days. Defense Mobility With Russian forces still bogged down in Putins war in Ukraine, Moscows ability to launch a large-scale conventional attack will be limited for some time, with military officials estimating it will take between three and five years for Russia to reconstitute its ground forces after the war. As a result, some officials might conclude the rotational brigades would give them sufficient time to prepare against a possible assault, said Heinrich Brauss, a senior associate fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations and NATOs former assistant secretary general for defense policy from 2013 to 2018. Read more: Russia Latest: NATO Chief Says Mutiny Reflects Putins Mistake For this whole defense posture based to a large degree on rapid reinforcement, the key challenge is military mobility, Brauss said. That means ensuring everything is in place and will work smoothly in a crisis from bridges that can carry the weight of heavy tanks to legal conditions to cross allied nations with military convoys. That is one of the reasons why the Baltic States and Poland are right in insisting to have already strong forces, forward deployed on a persistent basis, he said. Brauss added that in a scenario where hostilities broke out, Russia could prevent reinforcements to the Baltics via the so-called Suwalki Gap, the stretch of land between Kaliningrad and Belarus. A new NATO alert system, fed with intelligence from allies, will be designed to help speed up decisions to deploy forces before conflict breaks out. In the German brigade exercise, hostilities havent yet erupted in the scenario, allowing a small contingent to march by road through Poland and the Suwalki Gap into Lithuania. While deploying the brigade quickly is important, its also critical that the mission goes smoothly and integrates into tactical plans, according to Brigadier General Christian Nawrat, the commander of the 41st Panzer Grenadier Brigade. Being here within two days but I dont have a stack of material or personnel is not very helpful, he said. --With assistance from Milda Seputyte. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Netflix Despite the streaming era supposedly producing endless viewing options, it seems hard to find a shiny, new, easygoing show to dive into. Thankfully, Netflix has a solution: Glamorous, created by Jordon Nardino (Star Trek: Discovery). In the vein of workplace shows like Ugly Betty and The Bold Type, the show follows Marco Mejia (Miss Benny), a wannabe makeup influencer who works at a department store, longing for something more. When Madolyn Addison (Kim Cattrall), the mogul behind the luxury makeup brand Glamorous by Madolyn shows up for an impromptu makeover, shes impressed by Marcos vision and hires them to work for her, giving them the opportunity of a lifetime. But Glamorous isnt just a sweet, charming show that makes for one of the most enjoyable binge-watches in agesit also might be the gayest show there is today, a celebration of feminine queerness that weve never seen on mainstream TV before. Seriously, this show is extremely gay. Like, answer questions about Marsha P. Johnson, dance to Sylvesters Mighty Real, and drive a go-kart through a rainbow in order to get into a Pride party gay. Kim Cattrall does shots with drag queens (including amazing Drag Race winner Priyanka)! Theres an extended sequence where a group of gays get into drag and performs Cell Block Tango in its entirety. Theres an underwear party. Netflix A major plot point involves Madolyns makeup company doing a pride campaignallegedly a huge deal for a luxury makeup brand. Theres even a character whose name is spelt Mckynnleigh. Honestly, the only thing Glamorous is missing is Kylie Minogues queer summer smash Padam Padam, though Im sure that would be here too if the show was shot more recently. Glamorous isnt just exuberantly queerit also does something special with its main character Marco, who presents feminine. While that may not sound revolutionary, theres still a very limited idea of how queer men should look and act on TV. Kim Cattrall Is Back Playing SamanthaJust Not in And Just Like That The gay guys we see in leading roles are often very masculine and very conventionally attractive. Groundbreaking shows about gay men like Six Feet Under, Looking, and Queer as Folk changed the way we saw homosexuality on screen, but it was an overwhelmingly white and hetero-coded image thats remained over the yearsand if gay characters arent white, you can bet on them to have abs on their abs. Thankfully, things have progressed over the last decade, and were seeing more diverse looks at homosexuality. And by more diverse, I dont just mean less white characters, but a more diverse representation of everything that queerness entails. Thats particularly true in the last few years, with shows like Sex Education, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Schitts Creek, Pose, and Dear White People giving us unique gay characters that show a breadth of queer experience. While thats great to see, gay guys on TV are often still varying versions of six-pack-clad jocks, who exhibit all the qualities of a bro, but just happen to be gay. But weve never had a main character quite like Marco Mejia before. Marco is unapologetically feminine, refusing to conform to any gender norms. Queer guys who celebrate feminine and flamboyant qualities are often sidelined in pop culture, given little more than the odd sassy one-liner. Marco isnt one to fade into the backgroundthis delightfully confident guy is the star of the show. Netflix Marco isnt just the star. Hes the guy everybody wants to be with. Not only that, but Glamorous deliciously plays with tropes surrounding masculine gay men, subverting them. Were so used to seeing these muscular dudes at the top of the theoretical queer pyramid, with every he, she, and they thirsting over their incredible good looks. But Glamorous inverts that pyramid, having a bevy of sexy bros lust after Marco, the kind of character most shows wouldnt give a second glance at because of his passion for makeup and female-coded outfits. Theres Chad (Zane Phillips), the uber-masc son of Madolyn who spends more time working out than doing anything else. When he meets Marco, hes quick to assert Im gay, but Im not gay, looking at Marco in bewilderment. While the show never establishes a romantic relationship between the two, nothing can convince me that Chad isnt actively undressing Marco with his eyes on numerous occasions. Marcos main romantic interests are Ben (Michael Hsu Rosen) and Parker (Graham Parkhurst), who are both very keen on bedding our makeup guru. Ben is sweet and geekybut in that distinctly television kind of sweet and geeky where you realize hes actually got washboard abs once he takes his shirt off. He falls for Marco the moment they make eye contact. Parker, on the other hand, is a shredded finance bro, who wines and dines Marco from the luxury of his flashy apartment. Netflix While this obsession over Marco is delightful and awesome to witness, Glamorous explores some of the unfortunate realities femme queer people experience. This is a euphoric show, where things like homophobia seem to be ancient relics. But discrimination within the queer community is very real, and is present in the show. Marcos experience with Parker is glorious at firsttheres definitely passion there, and their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But it becomes increasingly apparent that, while Parker loves Marcos femininity, hes very uncomfortable with being seen with Marco. Thats a problem that is all-too relevant in queer communities, especially for femme-presenting and non-binary/trans folks: the idea that being your authentic self is somehow shameful, making others uncomfortable. Its awesome to see that addressed in Glamorous. Parker tries to make strides to come to terms with Marcos femininity, but asks that they dont wear makeup to his big work event. If you cant take it off for one night, then youre not wearing it, it's wearing you, Parker tells Marco. But what Parker fails to understand is that Marco doesnt wear makeup because it's a fun distraction or for a need for more attention. Makeup is a huge part of Marcos identity. It allows him to break the confines of gender and more freely feel who they are. In short, makeup helps Marco be Marco. As they told Madolyn in the very first episode, When I do my makeup in the morning, Im not some boy who lives with his mom and cant get a real job. I get to be a star, a diva. I get to be anything that I want to be Its therapy in a tube. Magic in a jar. Netflix On the other hand, Ben loves every facet of who Marco is. One night, to show support for a big event Marco is helping to run, Ben leans into his feminine side, putting on makeup, earrings (his ears arent pierced, so he glued them on), and a black mesh shirt. Its not just a supportive gesture from Ben, but one that places femininity as the ideal, rather than something to shy away from. Its an incredibly touching moment, and one thatll have you screaming at the TV for Marco to choose Ben already! Its magical to watch Marco over these 10 episodes of Glamorous. While in some ways, Marco is navigating who he is, in other ways hes incredibly sure of who he is. Marching into a meeting after losing his job, Chad tells him he cant just come in. Im a twink on PrEP, I can do anything, Marco coyly responds in his crop top and bright blue shorts. Marco is incredibly femme, incredibly confident, and, as Glamorous reminds us constantly, incredibly desirable. This is a super fun, outrageously camp, and legitimately moving show. Bingeable TV is back, and its queerer than ever. Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A wind farm in the Scottish Borders is seeking approval to operate for another 10 years. The 11-turbine Glenkerie scheme near Tweedsmuir currently has permission to run until 2037. It is now hoping to add another decade to that which developers argue would help to meet Scottish government green energy targets. An application is to be discussed by Scottish Borders Council's planning committee with approval recommended. The wind farm has a lengthy planning history and was first approved in 2008. It became operational in 2012 and plans emerged shortly afterwards to increase it in size. That bid was approved by the Scottish government after rejection by the council but the additional six turbines have never been built. However, Ventient Energy wants to extend the life of the turbines which are in place. It said that it had a number of wind farms which were "significantly older" but continued to operate safely. Scottish Borders Council is being advised to approve the plans with the conditions attached to the original permission. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (above) suggested he and a labor union president set a date and location for a mixed martial arts showdown for charity. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (above) suggested he and a labor union president set a date and location for a mixed martial arts showdown for charity. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) on Monday challenged a labor union president to a physical fight in response to some mean tweets. The senator and Teamsters General President Sean OBrien have been feuding since March, when OBrien referred to Mullin, a business owner, as a greedy CEO during a Senate committee hearing. Mullin brought up the exchange during another Senate hearing last Wednesday, prompting OBrien to respond online, where he called the senator JohnWayne and a moron in one tweet, and a clown and a fraud in another. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings, OBrien wrote in a tweet that mocked Mullins height. You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy. After apparently thinking about it for five days, on Monday, Mullin suggested they set a date and location for a mixed martial arts showdown for charity. An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing, Mullin wrote. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ill give you 3 days to accept. An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ill give you 3 days to accept. pic.twitter.com/9WpvuTpDlG Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) June 26, 2023 Mullin fought and won in three mixed martial arts matches in 2006 and 2007, according to Sherdog.com. He was elected to the House in 2012 and won a special Senate election last year. In 2018, Mullin Twitter-challenged Democratic lawyer Michael Avenatti to meet him on the mat. The two never fought and Avenatti has since been sentenced to prison for ripping off his clients. OBrien, for this part, has indeed projected a punchy image since winning a 2021 election to lead the Teamsters, having campaigned on a promise of aggressive organization and contract negotiation. The Teamsters primarily represent transportation workers, including more than 300,000 UPS employees, who recently voted to authorize a potentially major strike this summer if the company doesnt meet their demands. Gov. Brian Kemp is talking about Georgias economy after returning from a ten-day trip to Europe that included meetings with several corporate CEOs. Kemp met not only with the prime minister of the nation of Georgia but with corporate CEOs in France, particularly at the Paris Air Show. We spent two days just meeting with the other existing companies that are already doing business in the state and talked to them, you know, about expansion and other things, Kemp said. So Im very optimistic about the trip. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kemp said that while other states ran information booths or had representatives meet with corporations, Georgias economic development team brought him and that opened the doors for direct talks with CEOs, even if he wont be in office when that relationship bears fruit. So in some ways, we may be paying this forward for whoever is governor next, Kemp said. The Republican Kemp is planting his flag firmly in Georgias future economy as his potential political rival, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, is trying to stake that ground as his own, too. Ossoff announced a $1.3 billion infrastructure law investment in rural broadband expansion across Georgia. TRENDING STORIES: We are now delivering an unprecedented investment in broadband access for families and businesses across the state of Georgia, Ossoff said. Meanwhile, Kemp says his goal is to continue to get existing businesses to expand and attract new businesses to Georgia, even if he cant quite talk about it yet. Got a couple of other things that were working on we cant talk about, so I felt really good about us being there and seeing how thats going to impact Georgia in the future, Kemps said. One of the people Kemp met with was the CEO of Raytheon. Its subsidiary, Pratt and Whitney just announced a $200 million investment and 400 new jobs in Columbus. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Sino-German cooperation to boost new energy vehicle sector 08:15, June 26, 2023 By LI FUSHENG ( China Daily Robotic arms assemble vehicles in BMW Brilliance Automotive's Lydia plant in Shenyang, Liaoning province, in February. CHINA DAILY Letters of intent signed by major auto companies with top economic planner German and Chinese carmakers are optimistic about more exchanges and cooperation as the two countries are forging closer relations in the automotive industry. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen signed letters of intent with China's National Development and Reform Commission in Berlin during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Germany last week. The deals are aimed at promoting the two countries' cooperation in new energy vehicle-related research and development, and facilitating the automotive industry's transformation toward smart electrification. BMW's strong ties with China are a "win-win" as the vehicle industry shifts toward greener, more connected vehicles, said CEO Oliver Zipse. "The BMW Group has deep and long-standing ties with China Strong partnerships between BMW Group and Chinese partners will continue to deliver a win-win during the transformation of our industry," he said. Last month, the German car manufacturer announced that it is investing 10 billion yuan ($1.42 billion) in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, to build a battery plant for its next-generation Neue Klasse vehicles that will be locally produced from 2026. BMW announced the plan during its joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive's 20th anniversary celebrations. To further prepare for the Neue Klasse vehicles' local production, a new extension of its Shenyang R&D Center was also opened during the anniversary event. Founded in May 2003, BBA has been fundamental to the BMW Group's successful integration into the Chinese market, manufacturing most of BMW's models at its plants in Shenyang. The carmaker said that since 2010, nearly 100 billion yuan has been invested in its production base in Shenyang, where the designed production capacity has risen to 830,000 vehicles per year. In China, the BMW Group has established its largest R&D and innovation network outside Germany, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing in Jiangsu province. China, a major marketplace and global leader in innovation, will offer more opportunities for cooperation between Chinese and German companies, said Jochen Goller, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China. "Now China is a big marketplace and also leading in innovation," Goller told Xinhua, noting that the country has transformed the automotive industry into a leading technology market in certain areas. Volkswagen Group signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Ministry of Education last week to collectively drive the development of vocational education within China's automotive industry. The cooperation will draw upon Volkswagen's extensive experience in implementing "dual education "programs in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, digital technology and e-mobility, to foster industry talent development. Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said: "Building a strong talent base is decisive to the progress of technologies, industries and wider society. "Thus, Volkswagen is making an important contribution to the Chinese education system and to the development of young talents in an automotive market that is leading the world in the transformation to smart mobility," he said. The carmaker has already launched two Volkswagen Competence Centers in Tianjin and Hefei, capital of Anhui province, to support vocational education and complement China's higher education system. The two centers provide training courses, ranging from vehicle assembly and battery technologies to intelligent manufacturing, for 500 teachers from automotive education institutions over three years. In addition, the centers will offer practical skills training opportunities for around 1,500 students over three years, and will continue to support the Sino-German Advanced Vocational Education program by providing training and seminars for member institutions. The carmaker has built a Volkswagen College in Hefei with Hefei University and Hefei Economic Development Zone. As the first Sino-foreign cooperative education institution in Anhui, the college is implementing the "dual education" methodology in China's higher education system. A total of 88 students have enrolled in the three majors available at the college, which are Data Science &Big Data Technology, Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering and Inorganic Non-metallic Materials Engineering. Chinese carmakers including SAIC and Nio are bullish about the potential of cooperation with German companies. William Li, chairman and CEO of Nio, said Chinese and German companies can enhance their respective strengths through cooperation. Nio set up its design center in Munich in 2015. An innovation center was established in Berlin in 2022, to focus on smart cabin functions as well as autonomous driving. The Chinese startup now has around 1,300 employees in Europe, with the majority of them based in Germany. Chen Hong, chairman of Volkswagen's Chinese partner SAIC Motors, said it is the responsibility of carmakers to accelerate the growth of environmentally-friendly vehicles and the rise of NEVs are yielding new business opportunities. He said SAIC sold 120,000 vehicles in Europe in the first five months of this year, of which more than 70,000 units were NEVs. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) A new grant from the U.S. Department of Justice is designed to help the Aurora Police Department fund social workers for its Crisis Intervention Unit, which officers hope to expand in the next few years. The $294,000 two-year grant from the Justice Departments COPS Office was announced in October and Aurora City Council members are expected to approve receiving the funds on Tuesday night. The Aurora Police Department currently has two social workers supported through the Family Service Association of Greater Elgin as part of the program. The association plans to hire an additional part-time social worker to work with the police department in September, police spokesman Lt. Joseph Howe said. The grant will allow the department to help the association fund social workers, with the police department ideally hiring additional social workers in the next two years, Aurora Police Lt. Bill Rowley said. Its something important to the community and certainly important to the police department, so regardless of the funding source we know we need to not only keep it going but we need to expand it, Rowley said. The Crisis Intervention Unit is a specialized program created in 2020 to help Aurora police respond to an increasing number of mental health calls, officials said. The program allows police officers and social workers to respond together to incidents involving people facing mental health issues, and to help those individuals connect with social service programs, as an alternative to police perhaps arresting the person. Rowley said the model has been highly successful in reducing crime and helping connect people with services, particularly young people and those struggling with substance and alcohol abuse. During a recent City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Ald. Bill Donnell, 4th Ward, expressed gratitude that the city is getting the grant. Ald. John Laesch, at large, asked if enough social workers could be hired to provide round-the-clock coverage for the program in the city. Currently, social workers are on duty from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with police officers trained in crisis intervention working during the night. As a (crisis intervention) officer myself, I think round-the-clock is ideal because most of these crises occur in the off hours when we are all safely tucked away in bed, Rowley said. Around $20,000 of the grant is earmarked for training officers on crisis intervention. mejones@chicagotribune.com The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has been awarded federal funding to help with building maintenance. >>RELATED: Greater Dayton RTA to offer free rides on Independence Day RTA will receive nearly $5 million to replace the roof and HVAC system at the 600 block of Longworth Street, Dayton-area Congressman Mike Turner announced. The funds were allocated under the Department of Transportations Fiscal Year 2023 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. A modern, well-maintained fleet and facilities are critical to serving the public transportation needs of the Dayton area, said Congressman Turner. This funding award to the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority is an important win for the Miami Valley and will go a long way to ensuring that GDRTA employees are provided a safe and comfortable work environment. The department has over $470 million available for grants under the Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Greater Dayton RTA is Ohios fourth-largest public transit system, serving Dayton and 23 surrounding communities in Montgomery and Greene Counties. Kyriakos Mitsotakis Konstantinos Tsakalidis / Bloomberg via Getty Image Greece's conservative New Democracy party won a decisive victory in Sunday's national elections, securing party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis a second four-year term as prime minister. New Democracy won about 40.5% of the vote, more than twice the 18% earned by the main center-left opposition Syriza party. New Democracy's vote share was about the same as in a first round of voting in May, but under new rules for a second election, the party gained 50 bonus seats, giving it an estimated 158 seats in the 300-seat Parliament. Voter turnout dropped 8 percentage points from May, to 53%. Voters "gave us a strong mandate to move faster on the course of the big changes our country needs," Mitsotakis said on television. He told celebrating supporters in Athens that New Democracy is now "the most powerful center-right party in Europe." Greeks appeared to overlook a series of scandals that surrounded Mitsotakis and his government in the past year, as well as a deadly Feb. 28 passenger train crash and a boat tragedy 11 days ago that left an estimated 500 migrants dead. Instead, voters cited the growing economy and lower unemployment as their main electoral issues. You may also like Problematic Ford Explorer recall prompts federal investigation Did the Dobbs decision help or hinder Republicans? Putin's grip on power apparently damaged after Wagner mutiny Greg Abbott mocked after falling for hoax story about Garth Brooks being booed off stage Texas governor Greg Abbott is facing ridicule after he fell for a fake story on a satirical website that claimed country music star Garth Brooks had been booed off a stage for refusing to ban Bud Light. Mr Abbott shared a link to the parody site The Dunning-Kruger Times on his official Twitter account on Sunday that claimed Brooks had been targeted at the 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston after calling his conservative fans a**holes. Go woke. Go broke, Mr Abbott tweeted. Good job, Texas. There was just one problem: the jamboree didnt exist, and neither did the city of Hambriston. The Dunning-Kruger Times, named after a cognitive effect where people with low expertise or ability overestimate their knowledge, labels itself as a network of parody, satire, and tomfoolery. Everything on this website is fiction, the site explains. The purported author of the story, headlined Garth Brooks Booed Off Stage at 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree, was listed as patriot Flagg Eagleton. Mr Abbott deleted the tweet without an explanation or apology, but it was preserved and roundly criticised on Twitter. Gov Abbott just accidentally posted a satire article because he wants to hate on queer Texans and Garth Brooks so bad, wrote Democratic Congressman Greg Casar. The Texas Country Jamboree doesnt exist. Hambriston, Texas is not real. And the Governor is not fit to tweet, much less govern, he added. Teacher Judy Hockenbrough wrote that poor Greg Abbott got caught in his lies this time. There are a couple of big problems with Abbotts tweet: The city of Hambriston doesnt exist and the article is completely fake. Abbott fails Texas everyday. Mr Abbott frequently weighs in on culture war issues on social media, last week urging warring tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk to go through with their much-hyped MMA bout. He has also signed into law some of the countrys most punitive anti-LGBT+ legislation. Texas is facing crippling power outages amid an unprecedented heat wave. Meanwhile, Brooks, who has sold more than 157 million albums, has yet to respond publicly to the kerfuffle. In 2022, Brooks performed two sold-out concerts in Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Houstons NRG Stadium to a combined audience of about 147,000 fans. Grief counselors available at Braintree High School after 2 teens were shot dead, suspect on lose Police spent Monday keeping a close watch on a Braintree neighborhood where two teens were killed over the weekend as they continue to search for the suspect. School officials are making grief counselors available for students on school break after two teenagers were murdered, one of them a 16-year-old Braintree High School student. Jahzier Porter, 16, of Braintree, and Jayden Santos-Andrade, 19, of Dorchester, were fatally shot in a car on Alfred Road in Braintree early Sunday morning, the district attorney said. Investigators are looking for the gunman or gunman who killed the teenagers. We have detectives in the field from Braintree and State Police trying to gather evidence of what happened and who may have been involved, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said. The DA believes these victims were targeted and there could be multiple suspects involved, but until this case is solved a lot of neighbors will worry. Its sad, its scary, Im not gonna lie its scary, said Brenda, who lives nearby the crime scene. Authorities investigating double homicide in Braintree Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police received several 911 calls from area residents reporting shots fired on Alfred Road. When officers arrived, they found the two teens in a car with gunshot wounds, the district attorney said. A third person in the car was not injured. Porter and Santos-Andrade were taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where they later died, the district attorney said. Its awful, 16 and 19, gosh, life was just beginning, they were on a journey, and look in a blink of an eye, gone, said Brenda. Meanwhile, counselors at Braintree High School, where Porter was a student, are available for any students who may need support at this time, Braintree Schools Superintendent James Lee said in a statement on Monday. Although school is not currently in session, any student or family in need of assistance should contact the Braintree Public Schools to be put in touch with a counselor for support, Lee said. While the details of the incident remain the subject of an active police investigation, our thoughts and prayers go out to the students family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy. Braintree Police are asking anyone with information or video that they believe to be relevant to this investigation, to call the Norfolk State Police Detectives Unit at 781-830-4990 or the Braintree Police Detective Division at 781-794-8620. 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 Grocery store worker is killed when ex-husband shoots her and himself, Ohio cops say An employee at an Ohio grocery store was shot and killed in an apparent murder-suicide involving her ex-husband, police say. The shooting happened around 9:35 a.m. Sunday, June 25, inside a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted, Police Chief Bob Wagner said in a news briefing streamed by WJW. Police responded to the store within a minute, and officers found the bodies of the victim and shooter. I was just shopping all of a sudden heard one pop, and I was like, I dont know if that was a pallet or something, but then I heard two, three, four pops, and I was like No this place is getting shot up, Sammy Assaf told WEWS. Wagner said 63-year-old Susan Peterson, who has worked at the store for more than three years, was shot by her ex-husband, 60-year-old Bernard Edward Smith. The ex-husband then shot himself, police said. Peterson and Smith divorced in 2004, Wagner said. We dont believe it was a very amicable divorce, the police chief said in the news briefing. There were 67 employees working at the store and around 200 customers inside at the time of the shooting, according to Wagner. No one else was injured. This isnt a Giant Eagle problem, this isnt a City of North Olmsted problem, Wagner said at the briefing. This type of incident can happen anywhere at anytime. North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Daily Jones said in a statement she was deeply saddened about the shooting. First and foremost, my heart goes out to the victim of this tragedy and her family and friends, Jones said. I know all North Olmsted residents join me in sending their prayers and support to them. Giant Eagle will be closed Monday, the mayor said. In a statement to WKYC, the grocery store said it was grateful for the quick response of local authorities. We are shocked and deeply saddened that such a senseless act of violence occurred in one of our stores, Giant Eagle said. North Olmsted is about 20 miles southwest of Cleveland. Up to 600 murder-suicides happen each year, according to the FBI. They account for between 1,000 and 1,500 deaths a year. Although uncommon, such incidents vary widely in terms of the persons involved, how they are related, and where the crimes take place, the FBI reported. Usually, law enforcement personnel deal with murder-suicides involving two people in domestic settings or relationships. About 65% of murder-suicides involve intimate partners, officials said, and 81% happen in the home. Woman run over and killed outside gas station in domestic disturbance, MN cops say Off-duty cop shoots his wife in the face with a rifle, Texas police chief says Wife is killed and husband run over as they tried to repair tractor, SC officials say In Guam, a US territory, the last doctor who performed abortions left in 2018. The closest option is an 8-hour flight to Hawaii. Guam. Alan Nee/Getty Images While abortion is legal in the US territory of Guam, it can be almost impossible to get. There are no doctors left on the island to perform abortions, so patients rely on telemedicine. If a pregnant person can't use abortion pills, their next best option is an 8-hour flight to Hawaii. As patients in the continental US travel across state lines for abortion care, pregnant people living on Guam have to travel across the ocean. Abortion remains legal in Guam the US territory in the Western Pacific that sits 1,600 miles south of Japan up to 13 weeks of gestation, but that doesn't mean it's accessible, The New York Times reported. The last doctor who performed abortions on the island left in 2018, per The Times, leaving Guamanians to rely on telemedicine and prescriptions for the abortion pill, which is the subject of ongoing legal debate in the US. Just two doctors are licensed and willing to provide care in Guam, though they are both based in Hawaii, The Times reported. They can see patients virtually and prescribe the abortion pill for now, pending a court decision on whether patients need to see a doctor in person to be prescribed abortion pills, the newspaper reported. After a federal judge temporarily suspended FDA approval of mifepristone, the Supreme Court issued an emergency stay in April, ruling that the pill could still be administered in the US for now. But litigants in the case continue to argue to overturn the FDA approval. On the island, anti-abortion sentiment persists among citizens, many of whom are Catholic, and within the local government, The Times reported. The territory's anti-abortion attorney general, Republican Douglas Moylan, is spearheading a legal fight to resuscitate a law from 1990 that banned nearly all abortions, The Times reported. Those efforts were blocked by a federal judge, though Moylan has appealed. "Guam is a litmus test," Moylan told The Times. "If anti-abortion forces were to succeed anywhere in the United States, I would say Guam would be one of them." Meanwhile, Guam's legislature passed a bill prohibiting abortion after six weeks of gestation, but Democratic Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed it, the Associated Press reported. "Everything that's going around impacts Guam, and our women here, because we're much more isolated in terms of access to healthcare," Guerrero, who is both a nurse and Guam's first female governor, told The Times. Read the original article on Business Insider Zaporizhzhya NPP Russia is considering carrying out a terrorist attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and has prepared everything for this, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on June 25. Budanov said that Russians had deployed explosives near four of the plants six reactors. In turn, Zelenskyy informed Ukraines partners about Russias actions. I told them about the information we have, our intelligence has, about Russian scenarios with the mining of the Zaporizhzhya NPP, which, for the terrorists, has been confirmed, the president said. NV explains in detail the current situation at ZNPP and what might happen in case of a possible terrorist attack by the Russians. The ZNPP has six reactors, all of which are currently shut down, none of which are operating in power generation mode. The Russians have deployed military equipment, weapons and ammunition in reactors #1, 2, 4. At the same time, reactor #5 is in hot shutdown mode, while reactors #1-4 and 6 are in cold shutdown mode. Cold shutdowns minimize the risk of a disaster occurring in the event of a missile strike or other emergency situation. In this mode, the temperature of the first circuit of the reactor decreases from 275 to 70 degrees Celsius. Reactors in cold shutdown, in case of a complete power outage, have much more time before a meltdown occurs in their active zone. In a hot shutdown, reactors are likewise not generating power, but can be quickly flipped to active operation. When operating, fuel temperature is high, the pressure in the reactor itself is high, and it must be constantly cooled. Ukraines State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation has already twice ordered Reactor #5 to be placed in cold shutdown mode, but Russian occupation forces at the plant have ignored these commands. Each reactor is covered with a hermetic shell-dome which is designed prevent the release of hazardous substances to the outside in case of a reactor accident. This sort of safety technology was not available at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant meaning that the ZNPP is better secured that Chornobyl. The height of the containment dome is about 60 meters, while the walls are 1.2 m thick. The shell can be destroyed either via a direct hit with a high-power projectile, or a blast from the reactor itself. However, it is very difficult to blow up reactors or nuclear fuel storage facilities at the power plant, even if they are mined, Ukrainian scientist Olena Pareniuk, senior researcher at the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Candidate of Biological Sciences told Radio NV in an interview. In order to blow up one or the other, a lot of explosives are needed, an extremely large amount, because, for example, the containments that protect the reactors can withstand five atmospheres, she said. That is, these are very dense and thick concrete buildings, several meters thick. Theoretically, they should withstand certain emergency situations in the reactor. Therefore, its very difficult to blow up the reactor directly. This doesnt mean that its impossible, because this is Russia, everything is possible, but its very difficult. If we assume that the Russian invaders will carry out a terrorist attack at ZNPP, which may result in the release of radiation, two conditional contamination zones may be formed: 30 km 146 settlements (538,000 people), including Enerhodar, Velyka Bilozerka, Marhanets, and Nikopol. 100 km 736 settlements (2.7 million people), including Melitopol and Zaporizhzhya. These zones are represented by two dotted circles in the diagram below. However, it should be taken into account that the radiation cloud after a hypothetical accident will not spread evenly centrifugally from the explosion site. The spread of harmful substances depends on the direction of wind, after this theoretical attack. Therefore, on the map below, the colored area also shows the conditional boundaries of radioactive contamination one day after a hypothetical accident at ZNPP with a north easterly wind (data and calculations from NV sources). According to this data, the following settlements may be included in the immediate evacuation zone on the way of radioactive contamination spread: the town of Enerhodar; the Vasylkivka district of Zaporizhzhya Oblast; the Bashtanka district of Mykolayiv Oblast; the Beryslav and Kakhovka districts of Kherson Oblast. Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov saidon June 20 that Russian forces had mined the cooling pond at the ZaporizhzhyaNuclear Power Plant, 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 the nuclear plant, as the necessary water level for cooling the reactors could be lost within a few weeks. 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 and Duchess of Sussex left executives at both Spotify and Netflix underwhelmed by their alleged inabilty to produce enough content, it has been reported. According to The Wall Street Journal,Prince Harry and Meghan Markles inexperience as producers have impacted their business forays into content production that expanded beyond their own personal stories. Sources close to the streaming giants allegedly said that both Netflix and Spotify have been underwhelmed by the lack of productivity by the Sussexes. The publication also cited employees and associates of Archewell, Harry and Meghans foundation, as saying that the company lacks direction and that the Sussexes at times seem surprised by the work required to finish entertainment projects. It comes after last weeks announcement that Spotify and Archewell Audios three-year partnership has come to an end and will not be renewed. Archewell Audio said the companies mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together. Under the US$20m (15.6m) deal, which was signed in 2020, the Sussexes produced just one series of the duchesss podcast, Archetypes, which consisted of 12 episodes. They reportedly discussed a second series with Spotify, but it was axed. This week, it emerged that Taylor Swift reportedly declined to appear on Meghans podcast despite receiving a personal letter from the duchess. The claim was made in a WSJ report published on Saturday (24 June) that described Spotify executives as being frustrated with the time it took Archewell to come up with an idea for Meghans show and assemble a team to work on it. The publication also reported last week that the couple did not meet the productivity benchmarks required to receive the full payout from the deal. A spokesperson for Archewell told the publication: New companies often make changes in their startup phase, both with people and strategy, and we are no exception. Were more equipped, focused and energised than ever before. The company, which was founded by Harry and Meghan in 2019, recently hired a new head of scripted content, actor and producer Tracy Ryerson, the spokesperson added. It comes after the foundations president, Mandana Dayani, stepped down from her role, with Harry and Meghan taking full lead. The Independent has contacted the Sussexes representative for comment. Harry Meghan (Netflix) Other sources were also cited as saying that Netflix is unlikely to renew their US$100m (78.6m) deal with the Sussexes, which was signed in September 2020 and runs out in 2025. At the time, it was understood that the deal would see the couple making TV series, films and childrens shows for the streaming platform, but three years later, they have only produced their docuseries Harry and Meghan, which premiered at the end of 2022. However, a Netflix spokesperson told the WSJ that it valued the partnership with Archewell and that Harry and Meghan was Netflixs biggest documentary debut. She added: Well continue to work together on a number of projects. It was reported that the Sussexes hoped to make an animated childrens show titled Pearl, but it was cancelled by Netflix, as were two other TV ideas that were rejected in the past year. Podcast ideas that the duke reportedly had for Spotify that were also rejected include a series that would have seen Harry interviewing figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about their childhood trauma. Prince Harry reportedly pitched an idea for a Spotify podcast that would see him interviewing figures like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin about their childhood trauma (Getty) It was also reported that Harry pitched an idea for a podcast about fatherhood, which he hoped to interview the unmarried, childless Pope Francis for, according to Bloomberg. The WSJ article alleged that while the couple had proved they could mine their personal stories, they have struggled to make content that stretched beyond their own experiences. Following the news that the Sussexes partnership with Spotify had ended, leading executive Bill Simmons criticised the pair on his own podcast, The Ringer, and branded them f***ing grifters. He added: I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to help him with a podcast idea. Its one of my best stories. However, it appears the Sussexes business potential has not reached its limit. In April, Meghan reportedly signed with a major talent agency, WME, which represents some of Hollywoods biggest stars including Rihanna, Dwayne Johnson, and Matt Damon. Variety reported that she will be represented by Ari Emanuel and her focus will primarily be on film and television production and brand partnerships instead of acting. Archewell will also be represented by WME. Harry and Meghans decision to step down from the royal family in 2021 and move to Montecito, California, with their children was made so that they could become financially independent, the pair said in a statement at the time. They live in a mansion with their son Prince Archie and daughter Princess Lilibet. Harry last saw members of the royal family in early May, when he attended the coronation of his father King Charles III alone without Meghan or their two children. Ukrzaliznytsia Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), the Ukrainian railway operator, experienced instances of treason within its ranks during the early stages of the Russian invasion, with the Southern Melitopol directorate fully defecting to the Russian side, UZ head Yevhen Lyashchenko said in an interview with NV Business on June 20. When queried about any overt instances of UZ managers choosing to work with the invading troops, Lyashchenko confirmed, "Unfortunately, there were (such cases) the entire Melitopol directorate." Read also: Russian troop convoy intercepted and destroyed near Melitopol following Kakhovka dam explosion Regarding possible attempts to communicate with or extract these individuals, he responded, "That is a concern for the Security Service (of Ukraine, or SBU), it's their area of expertise." Read also: Ukrzaliznytsia resumes grain transit through Poland Lyashchenko also mentioned that despite some disheartening events, there have been many displays of valor and resilience within the organization. He highlighted instances of railway workers in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts functioning as guerillas during the early months of the war, risking their lives to relay information about the movements of Russian troops, illustrating the resilience and courage of many within Ukrzaliznytsia. Read also: Ukrzaliznytsia to Europe: Opportunities for Ukrainians to travel to European countries We often say that Ukrzaliznytsia represents Ukraine itself, meaning that we have some very different stories, he added. 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 Senator John Heinz History Center is partnering with Kennywood to commemorate the parks 125th anniversary. A day-long program called Kennywood Day: 125 years of Memories will take place Sunday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kennywood is one of only two amusement parks in the United States to be designated as a National Historic Landmark. It is an honor the museum will be celebrating our 125th this season by hosting Kennywood Day in July. We are thrilled to have such a long-standing community partner in the History Center right in our own backyard, said Kennywood General Manager Mark Pauls. Visitors will be able to relive their Kennywood memories throughout all six floors with special programming, family-friendly games, carnival-themed food, a special artifact unveiling and more. The day will include: Exploring the Kennywood Park-ives in the Detre Library & Archives (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) Ethnic Heritage Days cooking demonstrations featuring Chris Fennimore of QED Cooks (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) Special presentation: Kennywood and the Rise of the Amusement Park: An American Phenomenon, a discussion with Lauren Rabinovitz, noted amusement park scholar and author of Electric Dreamland (noon) That Kennywood Summer screening and Q&A with WQEDs Rick Sebak (2 p.m.) A Behind the Screams panel featuring award-winning author Brian Butko and local amusement park historians Bryan Bartley, Rachel Cunningham, Rick Davis, Mike Funyak, Jim Futrell, Dave Hahner, and Jen Sopko (3 p.m.) A special unveiling of historic Kennywood artifacts that will be donated to the History Center collection (3:45 p.m.) The program is included with regular admission to the History Center. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit heinzhistorycenter.org/events. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Tesla on Autopilot when it crashed into construction vehicle, state police say 2 women shot, killed in New Sewickley Township identified Person fatally shot while riding bike in Pittsburghs North Side VIDEO: 2 people shot in Homewood South bar parking lot DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts HMRC fines 180,000 workers even though they do not owe any tax A person with bills_tax More than 180,000 workers were fined for failing to file a tax return last year even though they did not owe any tax. HMRC penalised 184,000 people with incomes of less than 12,500, which is below the income tax threshold, during the 2020-21 financial year. Some 40pc of all late filing penalties charged by the tax office over the last four years were imposed on people under this threshold. Many of those affected are in severe financial difficulties and were subject to extra fines and interest after misunderstanding the initial penalty, according to the report by Tax Policy Associates. Some people found themselves burdened with fines amounting to thousands of pounds, which would take them years to repay one even became homeless because of the debt. Most taxpayers are not required to submit a tax return since their income primarily comes from their employer and tax is deducted at the source. But around 11 million people have to file a self-assessment income tax return if they have other sources of income or have done in the past. HMRC fined 92,000 of the lowest-paid 10pc of the population for filing their tax return late in 2020-21, according to data obtained via freedom of information requests by Tax Policy Associates. Just 39,000 of the highest-paid were fined in the same year. More than 660,000 fines were issued to people on low incomes between 2018-19 and 2021-22, with 180,000 successfully appealing them. Taxpayers are penalised 100 if they miss the filing deadline. After three months, the fines can grow by 10 each day. Being late by six months can incur an extra 300 penalty, with another 300 applied if the return has not been filed within 12 months of the deadline. Until 2011, the penalty was scrapped for those whose returns showed there was no tax to pay. Dan Neidle, a tax campaigner and founder of Tax Policy Associates, said: We believe the law and HMRC practice should change. Nobody filing late should be required to pay a penalty that exceeds the tax they owe. He said people are falling into debt, pointing to a case where someone became homeless because of HMRC penalties. HMRC has already come under fire for its customer service and inexcusably long delays in responding to taxpayers queries. The tax office has also been accused of trying to reduce its own workload at the taxpayers expense, after it raised the earnings threshold at which workers are required to file a tax return from 100,000 to 150,000. The change, which takes effect next year, will lead to more taxpayers paying the wrong amount of tax, potentially incurring penalties from HMRC, according to accountancy firms and trade bodies. An HMRC spokesman said: The Government has recognised that taxpayers who occasionally miss the filing deadline should not face financial penalties, and has already announced reform of the system. Deadlines for returns are necessary for the efficient functioning of the tax system though, and we strongly encourage anyone who does not need to file a return to tell HMRC. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. The News CANNES In 2020, Spotifys stock spiked on the news that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry signed an exclusive deal with the streaming platform. But when the deal fizzled last week, the leader of one of the biggest global talent agencies, whose business is increasingly focused on audio, said he wasnt surprised. Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent, United Talent Agency CEO Jeremy Zimmer said over coffee at La Majestic during the Cannes Lions advertising festival. And, you know, just because you're famous doesn't make you great at something. Max's view Zimmers comments reflect the new conventional wisdom in podcasting. Out are A-list celebrities and big-budget audio narratives. The new audio talent is endemic to the medium, and has more in common with talk radio or daytime television personalities than with Windsors. Among the stars at Cannes were podcasters like Alex Cooper (Spotify), Jameela Jamil (SiriusXM), and Jay Shetty (iHeartMedia). Over the course of two days, the three podcast hosts collectively appeared at 10 events in front of advertisers, discussing wellness, empowerment, and how theyve cultivated engaged audiences through content that is safe for advertisers. They were also the subject of attention from the industrys top figures: Michael Kassan, the wildly connected head of Medialink, was late to a meeting with Semafor because he was meeting with Cooper, and a top executive at the media company Candle broke away from a reporter mid-sentence to chase her. Zimmer dined at Cannes with the true crime podcaster Ashley Flowers. Know More Spotify has made the most dramatic moves in the space, seeking to displace Apple as the default podcast app and to buy inventory that doesnt depend on powerful music labels. In 2020 alone, the Swedish public company signed the royals, the Obamas, Joe Rogan, and Kim Kardashian. This year Spotify cut deeply at the narrative company Gimlet, and will save a reported $20 million over several years on the royals. The platform's major announcement at last weeks festival was a new weekly podcast with Trevor Noah which will not be windowed keeping it only on Spotify for a limited period of time or exclusive, a sign that Spotify is still reliant on the ad dollars and audiences available on the other platforms. Spotifys cutbacks and shifting strategy have provided an opening for some of its competitors to attempt to regain ground ceded by the Swedish audio giant. SiriusXM remains the biggest podcast publisher in the industry. Despite its own staff reductions earlier this year, the satellite company was in Cannes to explain to advertisers a major relaunch coming this fall, which will better elevate and distinguish the individual parts within Sirius including the podcast platform Stitcher. IHeartMedia, the radio giant formerly known as Clear Channel, has attempted to turn its greatest challenge the slow decline of terrestrial radio into an advantage. It has leveraged its large radio reach to bolster its podcasts, relentlessly running promotions for the companys podcasts on the radio. iHeart has also flipped the script, deploying its podcasts on traditional radio. Some radio stations the company considered shuttering have instead been reprogrammed with more contemporary content: True crime shows. Audio insiders have also credited CEO Bob Pittman with keeping costs low and ensuring that shows are paid for with ads before the company announces them publicly. In an interview earlier this month, iHeart podcast head Conal Byrne said that recent events at other audio companies had vindicated iHearts strategy of prioritizing long-term shows with proven hosts over flash. We have seen others whove tried different business models, either exclusively windowing content on one app only or doing sort of quick-turn sales rep deals with large creators to attempt to buy their way into the industry as opposed to building long-term great slates with creators across several years, he said. Ive seen several now start to pivot off of strategies like that. It doesnt totally surprise me because those strategies were probably destined to not work from day one. It never made sense to us. Room for Disagreement Despite some pullback, there are still plenty of successful podcasts hosted by celebrities. In addition to Sirius offerings, other celeb-driven podcasts like Wonderys Smartless, a weekly talk show with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett, continue to top audio charts. Hot Pod reported earlier this year that Sirius chief content officer Scott Greenstein told staff his vision for the company was to make fewer but better shows, highlighting pods from Kevin Hart and Conan OBrien. Some staff took it as a sign that the company wanted to lean more into celebrity-driven podcasts, though a company spokesperson clarified that Greensteins comments were meant to demonstrate what the company does particularly well: identify shows that have podcast-radio crossover potential. Notable Holman out after 22 years as Beaufort Black Chamber CEO. Was legal feud a factor? The board of the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce has voted to terminate its contract with long-time CEO and president Larry Holman following a legal feud over alleged financial mismanagement thats lasted almost three years. Reached Monday, Leroy Gilliard, a member of the Chambers board, told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet that Larrys contract was terminated, but said he would not provide additional information at this time. Holman, who has headed the chamber for 22 years, referred questions to Gilliard. Larry Holman in 2016. Gilliard and fellow board members Bernard McIntyre and John McCoy sued Holman in November 2020. The lawsuit alleged Holman mismanaged money, paid himself a salary that had not been authorized, hid financial documents and improperly fired them and appointed his own board. They argued that Holmans alleged mismanagement had cost the organization millions in potential funding while threatening its not-for-profit status. The lawsuit also said Holman hired family members as staff and independent contractors. Holman has steadfastly denied the allegations, arguing in court documents that the 24-year-old organization has, in fact, become stronger under his leadership. Gilliard, McIntyre and McCoy, Holman said, did not even have standing to file the lawsuit because they had resigned or transitioned off the board at the time it was filed. In February, Judge Marvin H. Dukes III dismissed the lawsuit, ruling Holman had satisfied his previous order to produce financial records for 2017, 2018, and 2019, and to recognize the Chambers board and obey its decisions. The board members filed the lawsuit to compel Holman to comply with those requests. Board members voted last week to terminate Holmans contract, Gilliard said. The contracts with Holmans son and daughter-in-law also were terminated, Gilliard said. Holman was present for the vote. At this time, Gilliard said, I cant give any information. The mission of the chamber, started in 1999, is economic empowerment of African American communities through networking, business development, marketing assistance, loans and business referrals. Located on Bladen Street in Beaufort, the Chamber also runs the Gullah Art Gallery and Gullah Jazz Cafe. After allegations of financial irregularities surfaced in court records, the city of Beaufort and Beaufort County suspended funding for the organization. The Chamber held a general membership meeting on Jan. 28 to vote in new board members. According to the latest tax return on file for the fiscal year ending 2021, the chamber reported total revenue of $725,988 with expenses totaling $847,509. This left a deficit of $121,521. In that year, the form shows that Holmans compensation was listed as $126,000. Court records show that the board has previously ordered Holman to reduce his salary from $126,000 a year to $80,000. In the prior fiscal year ending in 2020, total revenues were $1.2 million with total expenses listed as $712,885 for a difference of plus $567,604. Holmans 2020 compensation was listed at $109,980. In court records from the 2020 lawsuit, board members cited three examples in which they said Holmans non-compliant behaviors prevented or held up $2.6 million in funding, from public and private sources, for the chamber. Honduras brings in curfews after night of violence Police patrol near the scene of the shooting in Choloma The president of Honduras has declared an immediate curfew in a town where 13 people were shot dead on Saturday. Xiomara Castro described the killings in a pool hall in Choloma as a "brutal and ruthless terrorist attack". The victims, who were at a birthday party, were 12 men and one woman. Separate murders in the northern Sula Valley region brought Saturday's death toll to at least 20, authorities said, and are thought to be linked to drug-trafficking gangs. The curfew comes in from 21:00 local time (04:00 BST) to 04:00 from Sunday and will run for at least 15 days. It will be extended to nearby San Pedro Sula - the central American country's second-largest city - on 4 July. Ms Castro said the measures were being put in place in response to "the brutal and ruthless terrorist attack by hired killers trained and directed by drug lords" in the Sula Valley. "Multiple operations, raids, captures and checkpoints are initiated," she said. The Honduran government has also said 1,000 additional security officers will be sent to the area and is offering a reward of around $33,000 (26,000) for help identifying and capturing those responsible for the Choloma shootings. A partial state of emergency in areas of the country has been in place since December as part of efforts to confront violent gangs, with the country struggling to bring escalating warfare and drug crime under control in recent years. Along with neighbours El Salvador and Guatemala, the country is a major transit route for cocaine coming from South America to the United States. The shooting came a week after at least 46 women were killed in gang violence as part of a prison riot near the capital Tegucigalpa. Survivors told local media that it was triggered by rivalries between two of Central America's most notorious criminal organisations: the 18th Street Gang and MS-13. The father of a Myrtle Beach High School student falsely accused of making a bomb threat is suing a security company whose employee was eventually charged in the case. Coty Allen Kennedy, 20, was arrested March 24 for fabricating a bomb threat at the school, according to Myrtle Beach Police. Police said that Kennedy had turned in a note with the threat to a school administrator, claiming he found it on the ground, according to a police incident report. Kennedy, who was employed at the high school through Allied Universal Security as a security officer, placed the bomb threat on the hallway floor near the student, identified as M.C., according to the lawsuit filed by Craig Crook. This caused school administration to believe that the student, who was 16 at the time, was responsible for the bomb threat, and he was publicly removed from his classroom by the assistant principal and school resource officer, the suit states. For 90 minutes, the student was in custody and interrogated by administrators without his parents present, according to the suit. Kennedy intentionally targeted the student for retaliation, the dad alleges, although the complaint does not expand on that claim. Allied Universal Security, which has local offices in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, was negligent in its hiring of Kennedy and its failure to train or supervise its employees, the suit adds. A phone call to Allied Security was not immediately returned Monday. Kennedy was a newly assigned, unarmed security officer at the high school, according to a March email statement from Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier. Kennedy had been previously terminated as a security officer with another security company in May 2022, according to the complaint. Kennedy also engaged in inappropriate conduct with students, including regularly vaping with minor students in the school bathrooms, the suit states. The plaintiff is asking for judgment against the defendant for an amount to be determined by a jury based on the students mental anguish, emotional distress and injury to his reputation. James B. Moore III of Evans Moore law firm in Georgetown, who represents the plaintiff, said Monday that the family wants answers and havent been able to get them from the security company or the school. Their child has been injured as a result of this, Moore said. While the incident is not something that happens regularly, Moore said that the family wants to clear the students name and prevent this type of conduct from happening in the future. We believe that if youre going to hire an officer and put him in a school setting to interact with children and protect children, they really need to vet the individuals they put in these positions, Moore said. Kennedy was released on a $5,000 bond pending trial. Kennedys attorney David Rigney said Monday that he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment. San Gabriel Valley horse property owners join a procession across the streets of Whittier and South El Monte. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) On Saturday afternoon, drivers passing through South El Monte experienced a slowdown in traffic unusual for suburban L.A. County, when more than 100 horseback riders paraded through the streets to celebrate the equestrian lifestyle and urge protection for rural areas. The mainly Latino and Latina riders from across the San Gabriel Valley wore traditional Mexican boots and gear, including sombreros and cowboy hats. They brought their horses from their homes and nearby stables. Some made their horses dance to banda music played by musicians sitting in the back of a pickup truck that slowly wove between the procession. The cabalgata, as these horse parades are called in Spanish, was not unlike many religious and festive processions that occur in rural areas of Mexico. But according to organizer Samuel Brown Vazquez, it was the first time that the communities of South El Monte, Pellissier Village and Avocado Heights which meet up around the intersection of the 60 and 605 freeways came together for such a procession, albeit with a different take on the tradition. It could also be political, said Brown Vazquez, a horse rider who is part of an environmental justice organization called Avocado Heights Vaquer@s . It could also be a way for us as a community to recognize that our culture, our tradition is something that we have to, as citizen constituents, engage in a political process to preserve (and) to advance, to be able to pass it down to the next generation. Accompanied by her two daughters, Marina Barragan joined the rally holding a poster advocating to keep horses in the community. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) In the past three months, members of unincorporated areas in the San Gabriel Valley have come together to express their worry that planned zoning changes in horse-keeping areas in Avocado Heights, and code enforcement practices across residential equestrian zones, were posing a danger to their agrarian culture and ability to keep horses at their homes. Under the name of Union de Ranchos SGV, they came together in April to voice their concerns to county officials and to open a platform for other residents to express their grievances. The district and the department of regional planning have since taken steps to address these concerns, revising zoning policy to ensure horse-keeping communities are not affected by the areas plans to increase housing opportunities. Theyve also organized meetings to work through the permitting system with residents and to ensure that it is balanced and handled equitably, LA County District 1 Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said in a statement to The Times. We are collectively trying to work with owners to legalize unpermitted stables while also addressing health concerns from neighbors, Solis said in her statement. A balancing act is always necessary, but weve made great strides in finding ways to streamline the permitting system and making it easier to bring certain areas up to standards. Still, Brown Vazquez said the community worries that California legislation to address the statewide housing crisis by streamlining the process to subdivide lots, along with growing interest from warehouse and luxury condo developers who want to build in the area, mean that these rural spaces are in long-term danger of disappearing. We look forward to an ongoing collaboration with the county, but we [moved] forward with protests because there's a larger issue here, Brown Vazquez said. San Gabriel Valley horse owners walk on Peck Road in Whittier during the Cabalgata, enroute to South El Monte City Hall. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) In June, the planned cabalgata morphed from a protest to a demonstration of unity from horse owners in unincorporated San Gabriel Valley areas, said organizer Samuel Barragan. Social justice groups and neighboring residents who kept their horses in stables joined together in solidarity. This is to open everyones eyes to the fact that we want this to continue and flourish, to become something bigger, something positive for the community, said Barragan, who led the procession carrying a large American flag, alongside riders carrying a Mexican flag modified to incorporate the Virgen de Guadalupe in the middle, and a California state flag. Some riders gathered in Whittiers Blackwill Equestrian Park on Saturday afternoon and made their way toward South El Monte City Hall, passing under highways, bridges and through residential neighborhoods. Their families followed closely behind in cars. A few rode bikes and scooters and stopped at intersections to help redirect traffic. It was a beautiful experience. I was very happy to see so many people get together, said Salvador Gaitan, who was wearing a traditional brown shirt with woven patterns. Life here is indescribable. I have hens, I have goats, I have my horses, and if I feel sick I feed them and its my medicine, he said. Its a small part of Mexico that we have in our hearts and we bring to the United States. Juliana Peralta, 13, practices her roping on friend Julian Martinez, 10, during the rally at South El Monte City Hall. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) Avocado Heights resident Esly Flores, who rode wearing a red rose in her hair and bright red lipstick to match, said she came to support the right for community members to keep horses at their homes. Theyve really helped me emotionally, she said of living with horses, as she patted her own, whose mane she had elaborately braided. Its like a form of therapy. When the procession got to South El Monte City Hall, riders moved to both sides of Santa Anita Avenue to let cars pass and listened to speakers who set up a microphone in the grassy area in front of the building. Organizers from Union de Ranchos, a priest and a representative from the Clean Air Coalition spoke about community resilience. After the rally, the procession made its way back to the equestrian park. Many stayed around to socialize and sing karaoke with their neighbors, sharing memories of the many years they had spent living with their horses. We see how not just communities from Avocado Heights but equestrian communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley Area turned out in pretty large numbers, said organizer Nayelli Diaz, who lives in nearby La Puente. That just goes to show how united our people are in preserving our culture and essentially our way of life. 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. HSBC is to move its world headquarters from its 45-storey Canary Wharf tower, possibly back to the City of London. The banking giant is to move out of 8 Canada Square by 2027 when its current lease expires, after two decades. The move is part of plans to downsize its office space following the Covid-19 pandemic, as the bank says it is now committed to flexible working. HSBC has told the BBC it is negotiating a new lease on BT's former headquarters near St Paul's Cathedral. The proposed new office, in the Panorama St Paul's development, will be much smaller than the bank's current headquarters, which houses about 8,000 staff. HSBC said the new development "is being designed to promote wellbeing and constructed to best-in-class sustainability standards, using predominantly repurposed materials". HSBC moved to Canary Wharf in 2002, having previously been based at sites in the City of London. HSBC's decision to return to London's historic financial district within the Square mile is a "huge vote of confidence for the City", said the City of London Corporation policy chairman, Chris Hayward. "This move further solidifies the City's reputation as a prime destination for financial services firms, offering them unparalleled opportunities. After the pandemic, HSBC told staff it was going to reduce office space globally by about 40% to reduce costs and energy and allow more employees to work from home. Chief executive Noel Quinn said he thought going to the office five days a week was "unnecessary" and its managers were often travelling to locations around the world during the week. HSBC told the BBC that talks began into a move to this site after a review into its future location last year. It said the new office would "support digital innovation" and help it meet net zero carbon commitments. HSBC says the move to new offices will help it meet net zero carbon commitments It is not known what HSBC's tower, owned by Qatari investors, will be used for when the bank moves out. The Canary Wharf Group, which owns and runs the estate, has not commented on HSBC's move but said the area had become more diverse in recent years. Having started life as a financial district, it is now home to a growing number of health and life science firms. It also has 3,500 residents living in build-to-rent flats on the site, the Canary Wharf Group said. Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk News Daily banner Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. The number of patients coming to the Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington for abortions from Idaho has increased dramatically, according to data compiled by the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. In the first five months of 2022, before Idahos abortion ban took effect in August just two Idaho abortion patients came to the Kennewick Planned Parenthood clinic. But in the first five months of this year, 91 patients from Idaho came to Kennewick. Thats 4,450% increase, according to data Cantwells office obtained from Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho. In all, the Kennewick Planned Parenthood clinic saw 159 out-of-state patients so far this year, a 109% jump over the same months last year. The clinic saw 575 patients total in those months for abortion services. Some other eastern and central Washington Planned Parenthood clinics also saw more patients from Idaho. For instance, Walla Walla patients from Idaho increased from one in the first five months of last year to 20 in the first five months of this year. Data about abortions in Pasco was more limited, but Cantwells office reported that abortion patients there rose from three in January through May last year to 34 through May this year. The Tri-Cities and Walla Walla are among the closest places offering abortions to Boises metropolitan area, where the five Treasure Valley counties are home to about 750,000 people. So far, we have been able to protect reproductive care options in the state of Washington, Cantwell said. But our health care system is coping with an influx of out-of-state women seeking medical care including a 56% increase in abortion patients coming from Idaho to Planned Parenthood clinics in Central and Eastern Washington compared to last year. Some people traveling to Washington for abortion services from states that no longer allow them may be using a Washington address when they register because of fear of prosecution, given confusion about whether it is legal to cross state lines for abortions, according to Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. An increase in Kennewick abortion patients was expected after Texas banned abortions starting last July, before they were banned in Idaho on Aug. 25, 2022. After the Texas law took effect, the first Texas patient arriving in Washington state for an in-clinic abortion went to the Kennewick clinic, said Paul Dillon, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, in March 2022. If we are already seeing patients from Texas, we will see patients from Idaho, he said then. Doctors at UW Medicine have noticed that patients are not seeking abortions as soon as they did before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the precedent of Roe v. Wade just over a year ago, according to a report from Cantwells office. We have seen an increase in the gestational ages at which patients need abortion procedures, said Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor and clinician at UW Medicines Department of Obstetrics and director of the Family Planning Division. This is usually due to increased barriers in getting care, especially if coming from another state, she said. In the months after the Supreme Courts decision, UW Medicine doctors also saw a 10-fold increase in the number of people requesting sterilization procedures. And they saw an increase in the number of people wanting to have long-acting contraception such as IUDs and implants removed and replaced, to make sure they have highly effective contraception in place for as long as possible, according to Cantwells report. The devastating results of overturning Roe v. Wade are clear, Cantwell said. 19 states ban, restrict abortions A year after the Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade, abortion bans or restrictions across half the states have stripped full reproductive choice from 25 million women, and many anti-choice activists are pushing for a nationwide abortion ban, she said. Nineteen states have passed laws to ban or severely restrict abortion, limiting access not only to abortion care, but also to pregnancy and miscarriage care, according to a national report distributed by Cantwells office. Fourteen of those 19 states do not include exceptions for rape or incest. Those most likely to be effected by abortion bans are people of color, according to the national report. Since a draft of the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked in 2022, Cantwell has focused on legislation to support the availability of abortion and family planning services. Legislation she has introduced or cosponsored includes: The EACH Act to allow federal funding for abortion services, including for Medicaid patients in Washington. The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act, which prevents doctors from facing prosecution from other states for providing legal abortions in Washington. The Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act, which would protect people from prosecution if they cross state lines to get an abortion. In Idaho it has been a felony since May to travel with a minor to another state for an abortion, or help a minor obtain an abortion-inducing drug without consulting one of their parents or guardians. Cantwell also joined Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Right to Contraception Act which would codify the right to use contraception into law. The number of patients coming to the Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington for abortions from Idaho has increased dramatically, according to data compiled by the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. In the first five months of 2022, before Idahos abortion ban took effect in August just two Idaho abortion patients came to the Kennewick Planned Parenthood clinic. But in the first five months of this year, 91 patients from Idaho came to Kennewick. Thats 4,450% increase, according to data Cantwells office obtained from Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho. In all, the Kennewick Planned Parenthood clinic saw 159 out-of-state patients so far this year, a 109% jump over the same months last year. The clinic saw 575 patients total in those months for abortion services. Some other eastern and central Washington Planned Parenthood clinics also saw more patients from Idaho. For instance, Walla Walla patients from Idaho increased from one in the first five months of last year to 20 in the first five months of this year. Data about abortions in Pasco was more limited, but Cantwells office reported that abortion patients there rose from three in January through May last year to 34 through May this year. The Tri-Cities and Walla Walla are among the closest places offering abortions to Boises metropolitan area, where the five Treasure Valley counties are home to about 750,000 people. So far, we have been able to protect reproductive care options in the state of Washington, Cantwell said. But our health care system is coping with an influx of out-of-state women seeking medical care including a 56% increase in abortion patients coming from Idaho to Planned Parenthood clinics in Central and Eastern Washington compared to last year. Some people traveling to Washington for abortion services from states that no longer allow them may be using a Washington address when they register because of fear of prosecution, given confusion about whether it is legal to cross state lines for abortions, according to Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. An increase in Kennewick abortion patients was expected after Texas banned abortions starting last July, before they were banned in Idaho on Aug. 25, 2022. After the Texas law took effect, the first Texas patient arriving in Washington state for an in-clinic abortion went to the Kennewick clinic, said Paul Dillon, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, in March 2022. If we are already seeing patients from Texas, we will see patients from Idaho, he said then. Doctors at UW Medicine have noticed that patients are not seeking abortions as soon as they did before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the precedent of Roe v. Wade just over a year ago, according to a report from Cantwells office. We have seen an increase in the gestational ages at which patients need abortion procedures, said Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor and clinician at UW Medicines Department of Obstetrics and director of the Family Planning Division. This is usually due to increased barriers in getting care, especially if coming from another state, she said. In the months after the Supreme Courts decision, UW Medicine doctors also saw a 10-fold increase in the number of people requesting sterilization procedures. And they saw an increase in the number of people wanting to have long-acting contraception such as IUDs and implants removed and replaced, to make sure they have highly effective contraception in place for as long as possible, according to Cantwells report. The devastating results of overturning Roe v. Wade are clear, Cantwell said. 19 states ban, restrict abortions A year after the Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade, abortion bans or restrictions across half the states have stripped full reproductive choice from 25 million women, and many anti-choice activists are pushing for a nationwide abortion ban, she said. Nineteen states, including Idaho, have passed laws to ban or severely restrict abortion, limiting access not only to abortion care, but also to pregnancy and miscarriage care, according to a national report distributed by Cantwells office. Fourteen of those 19 states do not include exceptions for rape or incest. Those most likely to be affected by abortion bans are people of color, according to the national report. Since a draft of the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked in 2022, Cantwell has focused on legislation to support the availability of abortion and family planning services. Legislation she has introduced or cosponsored includes: The EACH Act to allow federal funding for abortion services, including for Medicaid patients in Washington. The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act, which prevents doctors from facing prosecution from other states for providing legal abortions in Washington. The Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act would protect people from prosecution if they cross state lines to get an abortion. In Idaho, it has been a felony since May to travel with a minor to another state for an abortion, or help a minor obtain an abortion-inducing drug without consulting one of their parents or guardians. Cantwell also joined Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Right to Contraception Act which would codify the right to use contraception into law. Prosecutors decided Monday to pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with murdering four University of Idaho students in November. The state found several aggravating factors to the stabbing deaths, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson wrote in a court record filed Monday. Idaho law requires such elements to exist beyond a first-degree murder charge to pursue capital punishment. The prosecution did not receive any information from the defense or find any facts in the case that they think would restrict them from pursuing the death penalty for Kohberger, Thompson wrote. Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the state, the state is compelled to file this notice, he said. The four victims were U of I seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncavles, both 21; and junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20. Police found their bodies on Nov. 13 at an off-campus home where the three women lived with two other housemates, who went unharmed. Chapin was Kernodles boyfriend and stayed over for the night. What qualifies for death penalty in Idaho? The quadruple homicide incident in Moscow included more than one murder, Thompson noted the first of five such aggravating factors he listed in the court record. The prosecution also determined the murders were especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity, quoting from Idaho law. In addition, Thompson wrote, Kohberger exhibited utter disregard for human life another of the possible elements the state needs to prove for the 28-year-old former graduate student of criminology at Washington State University to be sentenced to death by a jury. The four murders also were committed in the midst of another crime, Thompson wrote. Kohberger is charged with one count of felony burglary, on top of four counts of first-degree murder. Finally, because of his alleged actions, Kohberger has exhibited a propensity to commit murder, which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society, the filing read. Were a jury to convict Kohberger at trial currently scheduled to start Oct. 2 it need only determine one aggravating factor exist in the deaths of the four victims. Jurors decision must be unanimous. Reached by the Idaho Statesman by email through attorney Shanon Gray, the Goncalves family thanked Thompson for his decision to seek a death sentence for Kohberger. The Goncalves family is grateful that the prosecutors office is pursuing the death penalty, the statement read. There is no one more deserving than the defendant in this case. We continue to pray for all the victims families and appreciate all the support we have received. Members of the Chapin, Mogen and Kernodle families did not respond to the Statesmans requests for comment. Kohberger definitely a death penalty case The decision by prosecutors to pursue capital punishment in the case came as no surprise to Jessica Bublitz, a Boise-based criminal defense attorney. Im sure they had this in mind from the very beginning, Bublitz told the Statesman by phone. Because of the heinous nature of the crime, and because it was more than one individual at a time who was murdered in such a horrible way, I think all those facts made me think this was definitely a death penalty case. The prosecution had 60 days from the date a plea was entered in the Kohberger case to submit the filing, known as a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. When asked for a plea at his May 22 arraignment, Kohberger stood silent, which automatically led Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd District Judicial Court in Latah County to convert the choice to not guilty. Idaho is one of 24 states in the U.S. that maintains active capital punishment. The states preferred execution method is lethal injection, while a law passed earlier this year takes effect July 1 to make a firing squad Idahos backup method. IFVs and APCs in new package of US military aid to Ukraine report The military assistance package will include ground equipment The United States is preparing to announce a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes equipment relevant to Kyivs ongoing counteroffensive, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday, June 26. The aid package is expected to consist mostly of ground vehicles as Ukraine ramps up its offensive efforts. The sources detailed that the aid would include 30 Bradley fighting vehicles and 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers. Read also: US gives Ukraine $325 million in air defense, ammunition, and armored vehicles, including Bradleys & Strykers The package also contains ammunition for the HIMARS rocket artillery, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and ammunition for Patriot and Stinger surface-to-air missile systems. Read also: Russia has prepared everything for terrorist attack at Zaporizhzhya NPP, warns Zelenskyy This will be 41st installment of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine since Russias full-scale invasion of the country, with the total amount exceeding $40 billion. Read also: Germany extends another aid package to Ukraine On June 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that the progress of the counteroffensive has been "slower than desired," but he reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to continue making advancements "as we see fit." 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 Joseph Laroche was the only known Black man aboard the Titanic. Marjorie Alberts; Willy Stoewer/Bettmann Archives via Getty Images Joseph Laroche was a Haitian engineer who married Juliette Lafargue, the daughter of a French wine seller. The Laroches and their two daughters boarded the Titanic to return to Haiti in April 1912. Laroche, reportedly the only Black man on board, died in the tragic shipwreck. The 1912 sinking of the Titanic has become one of the most infamous shipwrecks of all time. But the story of the only known Black man and his family aboard the ship has largely been excluded from history. Joseph Laroche was born in Haiti on May 26, 1886 to an affluent family, the nephew of Cincinnatus Leconte, who had served as president of the country. A diligent pupil, Laroche went to France to study engineering when he was 15 years old. There, he met Juliette Lafargue, the daughter of a wine seller. The pair quickly became friends, writing letters to each other and eventually falling in love. They married in March 1908. When Laroche graduated from engineering school shortly after, he struggled to find employment in a country still marked by racial prejudice. The work he did find paid poorly, and, in 1911 a year after his second daughter was born Laroche decided he would return to Haiti in the hopes of finding a better-paying job there to support his growing family. Joseph Laroche, his wife Juliette, and their two daughters, Simonne and Louise. They were reportedly the only interracial couple on board the Titanic. W. Mae Kent/Public Domain Laroche's mother bought first-class tickets on a new French steamship as a welcoming gift for her son's new family. The company, however, banned children from eating with their parents, and Laroche traded their tickets for second-class passage on a different ship: the Titanic. On board the 'unsinkable' ship On April 10, 1912, the Laroche family boarded the Titanic while a crowd of onlookers admired the ship from the jetty, a band playing "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem. The Titanic was billed as a luxury cruise ship, and was deemed unsinkable. The Haitian engineer was reportedly the only Black man among the more than 2,000 people on board the ship. The Laroches befriended another French family on board, attended concerts, and watched with delight as their two young daughters played with the other children on the ship. Just a few months earlier, Juliette had also discovered she was pregnant with their third child. "The arrangements could not be more comfortable. We have two bunks in our cabin, and the two babies sleep on a sofa that converts into a bed," Juliette wrote to her father on April 11. "Up to now, I have not felt seasick. I hope it will go on this way. The sea is very smooth, the weather is wonderful. If you could see how big this ship is!" The sinking of the Titanic In the early hours of April 15, a steward came to the Laroche's family and told them to wear their life jackets. The Titanic had struck an iceberg a few hours before. Laroche put their valuables, including some money and their jewels, into his pockets. Juliette, who didn't speak English, let her husband, who spoke English fluently, lead her to the lifeboats. "When the collision happened, there was a terrible panic. People were pushing in a hurry to get off the boat," Juliette later recalled. "I felt someone grabbing me as well, a pair of hands took me and threw me into emptiness. I found myself in a lifeboat next to my little Simonne." Simonne, Juliette, and Louise Laroche. Marjorie Alberts Juliette glimpsed her husband, arms extended above the crowd, holding their youngest daughter aloft to protect her from the push. Someone grabbed her and put her on board the lifeboat. "Then the lifeboat was once and for all lowered into the sea. I hardly had time to give my husband a final farewell," Juliette said. "I heard his voice above the rumble yelling, 'See you soon, darling. There will be space for everyone. Don't worry about the lifeboats. Take care of our girls. See you soon.'" But Laroche, along with an estimated 1,500 people, never made it off the Titanic, sinking with the ship that had been billed as unsinkable. His body was never found. Juliette and her daughters returned to France, where she would remain a widow until her death in 1973. She named her newborn son after his father, Joseph. Read the original article on Insider Donald TrumpScott Olson/Getty Images Former President Donald Trump has been siphoning money raised for his 2024 presidential campaign into a political action committee (PAC) that covers his personal legal finances. When Trump launched his campaign in November, 99 cents of every dollar raised went toward his campaign while one cent was diverted to his Save America PAC. But sometime this winter the split quietly changed and the fine print was amended to read that 10% of donations would go toward the PAC, according to The New York Times. Based on fund-raising figures released by his campaign, Trump may have sent at least $1.5 million to Save America as a result of the change, using donors to cover his legal fees rather than pay them himself, according to the report. Even before the ex-president announced his re-run plans, Save America was paying for fees associated with investigations into Trump and his allies. Save America had about $122 million on hand in February 2022 but filings show that its funds fell to just $18 million by the beginning of this year. The remainder had been allotted to staff salaries, and Trump's political activities in 2022, while $60 million went to another PAC, MAGA Inc., and more than $16 million went to cover Trump's legal fees. Related "That's not the law": Legal experts say Trump's new defense shows he's "in for a world of trouble" Generally speaking, "a PAC cannot spend money directly on the candidate's campaign, and a campaign committee cannot directly pay for things that benefit the candidate personally," the Times noted. Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias wrote that Trump's scheme, as described, is "illegal." I know you won't be shocked, but, as described, this scheme illegal. https://t.co/58NZF7uaiP Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) June 25, 2023 "I think in this particular situation, specifically because of the use of the leadership PAC to pay legal expenses and potentially other expenses that would be illegal personal use of campaign money, there's an unusual incentive for the leadership PAC to take in more than it normally would," Adav Noti, senior vice president and director of Campaign Legal Center, told the Times. "He can use the campaign to pay for legal bills that arise out of candidate or officeholder activity and of course, some of the current legal matters fall into that category, and some do not, and some are in a gray area," Noti added. "It really depends on what matter we're talking about." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Trump spokesman Steve Cheung did not answer specific questions about how the funds are divided. "Because the campaign wants to ensure every dollar donated to President Trump is spent in the most cost-effective manner, a fair-market analysis was conducted to determine email list rentals would be more efficient by amending the fund-raising split between the two entities," he told the Times. Trump's legal bills have ballooned in size since his last campaign began, owing largely to two recent indictments one related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 and the other over the former president's Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. Read more about Trump's legal woes These images arent real, but for some refugees they depict a painful truth The images bound in hardcover and published online capture the suffering of refugees in Australian offshore detention centers, though none were taken with cameras. Instead, artificial intelligence was used to build images from statements filed for a now-abandoned court case, edited by a designer working with refugees to refine the details. The result is the closest rendition to date of memories etched in the minds of people who arrived in Australian waters by boat and were detained by Australia on remote islands under deals struck with foreign governments to process their immigration claims. From 2012, hundreds of asylum seekers were sent to the remote Pacific island of Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, with some waiting years for their asylum claims to be processed. Guarded detention centers on the islands were eventually closed, but many refugees remained on the islands, unable to leave unless they agreed to be repatriated to the countries they had fled. The numbers fell as some were resettled in other countries, were sent home, or evacuated to Australia for medical treatment. Some died. On Saturday, the last remaining refugee on Nauru was transferred to Australia, according to advocates at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), who are calling for the same to happen for more than 80 men still in PNG. Australia no longer has a deal with PNG but maintains a processing agreement with Nauru, which means more asylum seekers could be sent there if needed. As long as Nauru remains open and refugees remain in limbo in PNG, the dark chapter of offshore detention will not be finally closed, Ian Rintoul from advocate group Refugee Action Coalition said in a statement. Challenge to immigration policy Images in the book and online project, titled Exhibit A-I, were compiled by Australian lawyers who planned to challenge the Australian government over its immigration policy, but the case was abandoned before it reached court. By sharing their memories, the refugees who took part hoped to remind society of the human cost of immigration policies they say punished them for seeking safety. Theyre speaking out as other countries consider their response to record numbers of people fleeing their homes due to conflict, persecution and violence. For some, Australias approach has been seen as a model, particularly in the United Kingdom, which wants to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. Saman, a 37-year-old Iranian refugee who spent nine months on Manus Island, said he doesnt want to see it happen elsewhere. Im never going to bring back the good years of my life. Its gone, said Saman, who asked to use an alias for privacy as he rebuilds his life. But I dont wish that upon another human being. A refugee from Pakistan held on Nauru for almost 7 years said he showered in clothes due to a lack of privacy in open showers. - Howatson+Company/Maurice Blackburn In July 2013, Australia began telling those determined to be refugees who arrived by boat that theyd never settle in the country. Instead they would be resettled on Nauru, PNG or any third country that would take them, including the United States. More recently some have been sent to New Zealand. The no-settlement policy didnt apply to Saman, who had been sent to Manus Island months earlier after taking a boat from Indonesia to Australian waters in 2012. When he arrived, there were fewer than 300 asylum seekers on the island, according to government figures. But by the time he left in November 2013, the number had nearly quadrupled to 1,139 and peaked at 1,353 in January 2014. Similar numbers were held on Nauru, where the refugee population hit a high of 1,233 in August 2014 the last year asylum seekers were sent to either island. Many remained on the islands for years. Successive Australian governments have repeatedly defended the policy as necessary to deter traffickers who exploit desperate asylum seekers with promises of freedom for the cost of a boat trip. They claim it saves lives that otherwise may be lost at sea. For years, the United Nations and human rights groups criticized the policy as punitive and a breach of Australias obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Recounting past trauma The origins of Exhibit A-I date back to 2020 when lawyers at Maurice Blackburn, which specializes in class action suits, called for applicants to join a case against the Australian government over its offshore immigration policy. Fifty people came forward and legal staff spent more than 300 hours recording their accounts of life inside the camps, the law firm said. One of the things we were really struck with was the everyday indignities having a mattress on the floor because beds were seen as something that might become a weapon, Jennifer Kanis, principal lawyer for Maurice Blackburn, told CNN. Not having enough toilets, then asking for cleaning things, so they could clean their toilets and being told you cant have cleaning products because you might harm yourself. The lack of privacy in the showers, the tents leaking, she added. Lawyers compiling the accounts planned to use them in court to argue that Australia was detaining asylum seekers for far longer than it should reasonably take to process their visa applications, and that indefinite detention was unlawful. But the same time the class action was making its way through the courts, a separate case run by another law firm based on similar arguments advanced to the High Court, which ruled in 2021 that indefinite immigration detention is lawful. The class action fell apart. Usually what will happen is, you discontinue a case and youd archive the file. And it sits there in our archives for seven years and then gets thrown away, said Kanis. We really didnt want to do that in this matter. We didnt feel that that did justice to the people wed been working with. So, they explored other ways to keep the refugees testimony alive. Dangers of using AI to mimic real life Although some accounts in the book allege physical and sexual assault, the AI images created from Samans statement show daily hardships that he says made life on the island almost unbearable. I often would wake up in the middle of the night, trying to patch up holes in the mozzie (mosquito) net because they were relentless. They wouldnt let you sleep, he said. But efforts to control the insects were sometimes even worse, he said. To reduce the risk of malaria, local officers would fumigate the tents every day to clear the mosquitoes, often without first checking if anyone was inside, he said. Saman describes how local officers fumigated the refugees' tents every day, sometimes when people were still inside. - Howatson+Company/Maurice Blackburn Other testimonies told of the searing heat, lack of privacy, food shortages, threats of forced removal, self-harm and suicide. They also alleged abuse, including rape. In 2019, the Australian government agreed to pay a combined 70 million dollars ($52.75 million) in compensation to hundreds of people who alleged they had suffered serious and psychological injuries while held on Manus Island. As words on the page, the statements are alarming. As AI images, theyre powerful and controversial, not least due to fears they could be mistaken for real images in a world awash with false and misleading information. Amnesty International was recently called out for using AI images in a report to depict protesters in Colombia that critics said undermined its credibility as a news source. Amnesty told the Guardian newspaper it had used AI to protect protesters from retaliation by authorities, but then deleted the images anyway so as not to distract from its message. The refugee AI images were created partly because no real alternative existed partly due to distance but also restrictions on media access and early bans on mobile phones. The first real insight into conditions on Manus Island emerged in 2017 through the film Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time, shot entirely on a mobile phone hidden from guards by Iranian refugee, now award-winning author Behrouz Boochani. Later on, other asylum seekers started taking images with phones provided by advocates, who put credit on their SIM cards to allow them to contact the outside world, but relatively few visual records exist of daily life, and especially not of some of the alleged violent encounters. Kim Wade, a professor in cognitive psychology at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, said events depicted in images are generally more believable and memorable than if they are in text alone. But the use of fake images to visualize accounts raises questions about when its acceptable to create AI images and how they should be presented. Wade said while some of the refugee images carry the tell-tale signs of AI distorted human features others could be mistaken for real images, if taken out of context. Even clearly labeling the images as AI as CNN has done doesnt change peoples perceptions about the trustworthiness of images, said Wade. Some of our own researchers looked at how showing people doctored photographs of public events like a royal wedding can change how they remember that event, she said. And even when we put warnings on that the photo has been edited, we still see the same effects. We see that the perceptions of the event change and become more aligned with what the fake photograph depicts. Reliving past pain Gavin Chimes, the executive creative director at media agency Howatson+Company, which came up with the AI concept, said the process of creating the images was traumatic for the refugees. We created a safe space for them. It was just myself, a Maurice Blackburn lawyer, who they had been working with for years and felt very comfortable with, and one of our AI technicians-slash-designers who are real experts in using the tools, Chimes said. More than 130 images were created by feeding statements from 32 refugees into the AI tool Midjourney. They were then refined by a graphic designer working with each refugee for up to a week a grueling process for people still carrying trauma. There were certain incidents where it was incredibly emotional, and we had to stop and have breaks, said Chimes. There was one participant that we spoke to who was overseas who hadnt even really communicated the full story to her family or anyone and was reliving it with us again. So, I would say it was an incredibly emotional and powerful experience. AI was used instead of commissioned artists to give the refugees more control over the final product, Kanis said. According to Wade, from the University of Warwick, words accompanied by realistic images are more memorable than text alone. When you add photographs to a claim, it can make it easier to perceive, easier to understand and easier to remember, said Wade. So essentially, by adding these AI photographs, I do think these claims will feel much more plausible to those who are reading them and more believable. Its what we call the truthiness effect, it becomes more truthful to us, she said. Saman says the images created from his testimony accurately reflect his experience, and while nearly a decade has passed since he was on Manus Island, the memories havent faded. I cant say I speak for other people, but the things that I had witnessed and experience and the way I described them, I think the photos and the pictures came out very, very, very close to reality, he said. Its 10 years ago, and I still think about it, and it really touches me quite a lot in a really bad way. In a statement, a spokesperson for Australias Home Affairs Department told CNN that Australias immigration policy had not changed. People who attempt to travel to Australia by boat without a valid Australian visa have zero chance of settling in Australia, they said in a statement. The spokesperson said Australia had been supporting the Nauru government to resolve the regional processing caseload, but the country had no role in supporting people still in PNG. Individuals in Papua New Guinea are under the independent management of the Papua New Guinea Government, the spokesperson said. Australia does not have any ongoing role. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com New evidence of China's spy balloon programme - including flights over Japan and Taiwan - has been uncovered by BBC Panorama. Japan has confirmed balloons have flown over its territory and said it's prepared to shoot them down in future. China has not directly addressed the evidence presented by the BBC. US-China relations were thrown into turmoil earlier this year, when an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the US coast. China claimed the balloon seen over north-western US in late January was a civilian airship, used for scientific research such as meteorology - and that it was an unintended and isolated event. John Culver - a former East Asia analyst for the CIA - told Panorama that this "had been not just a one-off, but a continuing effort dating back at least five years." He said the Chinese balloons were "specially designed for these long-range missions" and some had "apparently circumnavigated the globe". Working with Synthetaic, an artificial intelligence company which sifted through huge amounts of data captured by satellites, the BBC has found multiple images of balloons crossing East Asia. The company's founder, Corey Jaskolski, found evidence of one balloon crossing northern Japan in early September 2021. These images have not been published before. Mr Jaskolski also believes the evidence points to this balloon having been launched from deep inside China, south of Mongolia. The BBC has been unable to confirm this. Japan is a close ally of the US and more American forces are stationed there than in any other foreign country. A suspected Chinese spy balloon, photographed over Taiwan Yuko Murakami, from the Japanese ministry of defence, told the BBC that the government was "taking all precautions to monitor the situation on a daily basis" and would even be willing to shoot down balloons to protect the "lives and property of people in the territory of Japan". The US State Department says it believes the Chinese balloons are equipped to gather signals intelligence. It says the aircraft it discovered over the US had "multiple antennas, likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications". To investigate whether China had launched other balloons, the Panorama team first searched social media and press reports across the region for sightings of UFOs in the sky. They found two photographs taken by Taiwan's weather service, appearing to show a balloon over the capital, Taipei, in late September 2021. Mr Jaskolski then cross-referenced them with satellite imagery. "Within 90 seconds, we found the balloon off the coast of Taiwan," he says. BBC iPlayer Is China Watching You? From spy balloons to secret police stations and dissidents on the run, Panorama investigates China's global surveillance operation. We reveal new details about Beijing's fleet of spy balloons - and hack a Chinese-made security camera to show how similar devices that line our streets could be exploited. Watch on BBC One at 20:00 (20:30 in Wales) on Monday 26 June - and afterwards on BBC iPlayer (UK only) BBC iPlayer The Taiwanese government told Panorama that it believed it was a weather balloon but Mr Jakolski disagrees. "Just based on the diameter of the balloon and the fact that the operating altitudes look similar that looks an awful lot like the balloon that flew over the United States, over Japan," he says. Democratically-governed Taiwan has long been in China's sights. Last year the Chinese military launched a rehearsal of a full-scale attack. US President Joe Biden has previously said the US would defend Taiwan if China attacked. How AI helped locate the balloons Corey Jaskolski started with a sketch of what he thought the balloon would look like from space. He then fed this outline into his AI software, together with rough coordinates of where it was last seen. He also analysed wind models to trace the balloon's path and find its origin. Corey Jaskolski Working with satellite images provided by the company Planet Labs, Corey fed all the information into his software, known as RAIC (rapid automatic image categorization), to locate the balloons. Surveillance balloons are huge - the size of several buses - and carry sophisticated equipment capable of collecting large amounts of data on targets below. But photographed by a satellite from space, they appear to be just small white blobs. Mr Jaskolski's research shows that the balloon which flew over the US in February was at one point about 80 miles (130 km) from a nuclear air force base in the state of Montana. He also plotted the flight path of the balloon back to its most likely launch site - Hainan Island in the South China Sea. "It looks like on the launch there was cloud cover," he says. "And if I were going to launch a balloon, I would have chosen a cloudy day in order to minimise that chance of detection." In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in London accused the US of itself releasing a large number of high-altitude balloons, which have continuously circled the globe and illegally flown over China's airspace. It said that "China is a responsible country" which always acts "in strict compliance with international law and respects all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity". It added that it rejects "unfounded allegations to denigrate and attack China". News Daily banner Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, left, during the 134th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 2, 2023. (Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times) Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has joined Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' coalition of sheriffs to address the "border crisis," prompting an outcry from immigration advocates who called the group an "anti-immigration task force." DeSantis announced his candidacy for president last month on a platform that focuses on targeting trans people, drag shows and pronouns, and locking down the border with Mexico. The Republican presidential hopeful toured the southern Texas border over the weekend. On Monday, DeSantis announced his immigration platform, which he suggested might include killing drug dealers who cross the border into the United States. "If somebody were breaking into your house to do something bad you would respond with force. Yet why dont we do that with the Southern border?" DeSantis said during a press conference in Eagle Pass, Texas. "If the cartels are cutting through the border wall, trying to run product into this country, they're going to end up stone-cold dead as a result of that decision." He added, "If you drop a couple of these cartel operatives trying to do that, you're not going to have to worry about that anymore." Last week, more than 90 law enforcement officials from across the country signed on to a letter released by DeSantis' gubernatorial office voicing support for his tough stance on border security. That group includes Californians Bianco and Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood. DeSantis' letter blames the Biden administration's immigration policies for an increase in crime and fentanyl smuggled over the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Mexico and China are the primary sources for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the U.S., which has seen a spike in related deaths in recent years. "Im proud to work with this growing group of law enforcement leaders and bring Floridas dedicated resources and leadership to bear on this national problem," DeSantis said in a statement that accompanied the letter. The Inland Coalition for Immigrants Justice, an advocacy group based in San Bernardino, slammed Bianco for joining the DeSantis' coalition. "We are deeply concerned about the implications of this action and the potential harm it poses to Riverside County immigrant communities that comprise more than 20% of the population," the group said in a news release. "By aligning himself with such a task force led by the fascist Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, Sheriff Bianco has demonstrated a troubling disregard for the principles of justice, equality, and human rights," the advocacy group said. "Instead of fostering an inclusive and compassionate environment, he has chosen to contribute to a climate of fear and discrimination, targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our society." Last month, Bianco visited the border in Imperial County. In a caption to an Instagram photo of Bianco on horseback, he thanked the U.S. Border Patrol for their work. "We need to be extremely grateful for our dedicated Border Patrol officers because our government is failing them," Bianco said. Bianco's and Youngblood's offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment. DeSantis trails former President Trump in Republican preference polls, but even before the Florida governor jumped into the presidential race he tried to make a name for himself with a series of stunts that critics say may have violated the law. Last year, the DeSantis administration recruited migrants in San Antonio and flew them to Marthas Vineyard, Mass. Earlier this month, contractors hired by DeSantis' administration repeated the effort when they convinced migrants in Texas to take chartered flights to Sacramento. DeSantis' office argued that "sanctuary cities" should have to deal with migrants coming to the southern border. 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. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's finance minister has derided comments by former U.S. President Barack Obama that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government should protect the rights of minority Muslims, accusing Obama of being hypocritical. During Modi's state visit to the United States last week, Obama told CNN that the issue of the "protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India" would be worth raising in Modi's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. Obama said that without such protection there was "a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart". Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she was shocked that Obama has made such remarks when Modi was visiting the United States aiming to deepen relations. "He was commenting on Indian Muslims ... having bombed Muslim-majority countries from Syria to Yemen ... during his presidency," Sitharaman told a press conference on Sunday. "Why would anyone listen to any allegations from such people?" The U.S. State Department has raised concerns over treatment of Muslims other religious minorities in India under Modi's Hindu-nationalist party. The Indian government says it treats all citizens equally. Biden said he discussed human rights and other democratic values with Modi during their talks in the White House. Modi, at a press conference with Biden last week, denied any discrimination against minorities under his government. (Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; editing by Robert Birsel) Russias heavily-armed mercenary Wagner forces fleeting rebellionand its scorched earth policies from Ukraine to Syria to sub-Saharan Africasparked a call on Sunday from The Soufan Center, a non-profit research organization, for the Biden administration to consider designating Wagner a foreign terrorist entity. Its new 44-page report titled Wagner Group: The Evolution of a Private Army, the Soufan Center study states "The U.S. government and allies should consider designating Wagner an FTO [ Foreign Terrorist Organization]. Building on the recent U.S. designation of the Wagner Group as a transnational criminal organization, the United States should consider designating it as a foreign terrorist organization, particularly in light of its activities outside conflict zones, where its behavior is subject to international humanitarian law as a non-state armed group." When asked if the Biden administration plans to sanction Wagner as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital "As a general matter, we do not preview potential sanctions actions." BIDEN ADMIN, FOREIGN OFFICIALS REACT AS WAGNER GROUP MAKES MARCH FOR JUSTICE TOWARDS MOSCOW A split image shows Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin; a Wagner group patrol in an area near a tank in Rostov-on-Don; and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the center The Wagner Group was founded in 2014 by Russian Oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, who just fled to Belarus, and was closely linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin before he announced his march to Moscow with a contingent of 25,000 mercenaries. Prigozhin pulled the plug on the march to apparently avoid bloodshed. Wagners total force is estimated to have more than 50,000 members. The report notes, "Wagners willingness to use force and target civilians makes it difficult for international and regional actors to develop conflict prevention and mitigation strategies when the groups efforts are directed at supporting specific parties to conflict rather than towards more comprehensive peace processes. The reports of torture, sexual violence, and mass killings by Wagner run contrary to any efforts to promote dialogue, mediate disagreements, or foster comprehensive peace processes among parties to intra-state conflicts." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP According to the Soufan report, "In Ukraine, the Wagner Group has also engaged in a broad range of criminal activity, such as murder, sabotage, rape, and pillaging. It has routinely used close-targeting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), been implicated in efforts to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and planted explosives around a nuclear facility." Wagner is by no means an invincible military organization. During the Trump administration in 2018, U.S. forces killed between 200 and 300 Wagner mercenaries in Syria, who were in the employ of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. The battle was widely viewed as one of the most lethal clashes between Americas military and Russian contract soldiers since the Cold War. Soufan Center wrote that, "While Wagner has demonstrated certain operational capabilities in particular domains, its effectiveness should not be overstated. Its humiliating defeat by U.S. special forces in Syria, the countless lives it sacrificed as cannon fodder in Ukraine, and the groups failure to curb an insurgency in Mozambique all attest to this." WAGNER GROUP: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT RUSSIAN MERCENARY GROUP IN UKRAINE A banner depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin and reading "Justice Prevails", is displayed along a highway in the Syrian capital Damascus, on March 8, 2022. The Soufan report's co-authors "In many ways, Wagner functions like a Swiss army knife," said Colin P. Clarke, a co-author of the Soufan report, adding "The group is versatile and adept." According to a Naureen Chowdhury Fink, also a co-author of the report, "The groups brutality against civilians and its support for predatory governments prolongs and even expands the instability and insecurity that led governments to seek their assistance in the first place." She said that "current events may leave Prigozhins fate uncertain but the impact of the group is undeniable and raises questions about who takes on the reins of their global business ventures and operations." Members of Wagner group inspect a car in a street of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2023 said an armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a "stab in the back" and that the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had betrayed Russia, as he vowed to punish the dissidents. Prigozhin said his fighters control key military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. Former U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox New Digital that the, "Wagner Group is not a traditional PMC [Private Military Company] but rather an extension of the Russian state. It was created with the specific goal of conducting delicate affairs on behalf of the Kremlin when plausible deniability was required. The Russian state deployed Wagner to conduct covert influence and destabilization operations across the globe. They are not accountable to the Russian law, Wagner casualties are not counted as part of casualties of regular Russian military." Koffler, belies strongly that the recent rebellion might well have been pre-planned noting, "Wagner is Putins personal hit squad. Wagner/Prigozhin needs Putin and Putin needs Wagner," she stated. Koffler also cautioned that "In the event that my analysis of the false flag is incorrect and Prigozhin indeed fell out of favor, he will die under mysterious circumstances in the next 2-3 months. Putin doesnt tolerate traitors and hunts them down wherever they are in the world. Putin will turn Wagner into another mercenary squad masquerading as a Western style PMC and appoint someone to replace Prigozhin." NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 31: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) gives a speech on the Hudson River tunnel project at the West Side Yard on January 31, 2023 in New York City. In school, children are taught that the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. But thats only half the story. The 13th Amendment bans slavery and involuntary servitude except as a punishment for a crime. That infamous loophole, which is the subject of Ava DuVernays film 13th, has allowed for the forced labor of millions of incarcerated peoplea disproportionate number of whom are Blackthroughout the United States. But Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA) have a plan to close that loophole. The three Democrats introduced the Abolition Amendment, which they said would close the slavery loophole. The joint resolution would amend the Constitution to say, Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime. Read more This loophole is at odds with our nations foundational principles of liberty, justice, and equality for all our people, said Senator Booker in a statement. It is time we pass the Abolition Amendment and finally end the morally reprehensible practice of slavery in this country. We must ensure that all people are treated with fairness and dignity to truly live up to our nations promise. A report from the American Civil Liberties Union found that incarcerated workers generate $2 billion in goods and $9 billion in prison maintenance services. But on average, they are paid only 13 to 52 cents an hour, and many make nothing. In some cases, incarcerated people are forced to work dangerous jobs. For example, in California, theyve been sent to the front lines to fight wildfires, but made significantly less than minimum wage. This push to end the 13th Amendment loophole isnt new. Seven states, including Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont, have ratified the constitutional Amendment to get rid of the slavery loophole. And these three legislators have introduced the resolution in previous years, always coinciding with Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating freedom from enslavement. Representative Williams, who replaced the late-civil rights icon, John Lewis, says she and her colleagues are committed to pushing this resolution until slavery is finally abolished. Slavery was wrong from day one, and we should have abolished it when the 13th Amendment was ratified, said Congresswoman Williams in a statement. I will keep pushingno matter how long it takes for Congress to close the Slavery Loophole in the Constitution, finally ending slavery in America once and for all. People in states across the country are making their voices heard by voting to abolish slavery. Weve waited long enough. The time to pass the Abolition Amendment is now. 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. This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch. Three professors from Iowas public universities are working to raise awareness of the importance and contradictory nature of artificial intelligence in higher education, pointing to concerns about privacy, bias and academic integrity. The professors, speaking to the Board of Regents on June 14, pointed to the benefits and detriments of AI use in classrooms, as it is necessary for the workforce in some occupations and hinders others. Its important that we are, in all cases, educating our faculty, staff and students on the use of these technologies, both from the perspective of the opportunity they offer, but also the challenges and concerns that they present, Barrett Thomas, professor and senior associate dean of the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, said. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Abram Anders, an associate professor of English and the interim associate director of the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University, said the impact of AI is being witnessed by pioneers at higher education institutions across the world. He said the large language model technology, in which computers can learn and generate human languages, is raising the bar for whats possible in the classroom, but it does come with limitations. Even though we can see magical-like performances of these tools, its really important to know they have limitations, Anders said. Its not like theyre sentient; they dont think and feel like a human does. Theyre not objective, they are likely to have some of the same biases of the human language that theyre trained on. They are not authoritative. Like a human author, they cannot be responsible for the consequences of their texts and they are not ethical. Thomas agreed with Anders about the detriments of the newer AI generator technology, including bias. More broadly, all AI technologies have questions of bias and that bias comes in algorithmic design, it comes in how we sample the data that is used to train these models, he said. It comes from the way the data is generated. This is, in these cases, human-generated data and so the data you get depends on who has access to that human generation. He also pointed to AI responses that simply arent true when asking questions, which spreads misinformation and impacts individual users. Thomas pointed to a now infamous case of a lawyer using ChatGPT and citing case law that doesnt exist. Academic integrity questions and classroom needs Jim OLoughlin, professor and head of the University of Northern Iowas Languages and Literature Department, showed the regents several headlines about academic integrity and the use of ChatGPT. He said questions of plagiarism are not new and the universities in Iowa have policies on academic infringements. Theres already some mechanism for dealing with electronic text, he said while showing the regents a copy of UNIs Academi Ethics Violation policy. But we are in the section in red working on what modest changes may need to be made to account for generative AI. OLoughlin said that these policies must remain flexible to see proper use in different classroom settings, as some may encourage understanding AI for future occupational application. Some students will need extensive understanding of generative AI, he said, while others may just need a little knowledge on it. He pointed to the job of prompt engineers, who develop, refine and optimize AI text prompts for accuracy and relevant responses. Some current students at Iowas universities will go into these jobs, he said, who will need several classes on how to use and better AI. Those arent the only cases, though, OLoughlin told the board. Clearly, there are going to be some circumstances and some classes where the use of AI would be detrimental and would need to be prohibited and faculty would need to have the leeway for that, he said. Another issue is the current infrastructure professors have to determine if student work is plagiarized or not, OLoughlin said. There are some concerns that a lot of faculty have right now, he said. Electronic plagiarism checkers that are already in place, theyve actually struggled to accurately identify AI-produced text, particularly a lot of false positives come up for students for whom English is not their first language. Needing new assignments OLoughlin said the assignments the regents and some current professors at UNI, ISU and the University of Iowa would have experienced in their educational journeys will likely be nullified because of generative AI. We are also finding, now, that some standard forms of assessments, things that we all wouldve done the take-home exam, the annotated bibliography, the research paper these are going to become less reliable indicators of student performance because ChatGPT can be used with them so easily, he said. Written communication, argumentation and basic computer coding skills are easily assisted or even fully written by generative AI, he said. Discernment and understanding if something is good, bad or argumentative is becoming more important in higher education, he said, which is taught in more humanities courses. New courses are also being offered surrounding AI, Anders said, pointing to a class hes teaching at ISU entitled Artificial Intelligence and Writing. He will teach literacy tools for students to understand and develop effective prompts and find accurate information using AI. OLoughlin pointed to an epidemiology class at UNI where students analyze what ChatGPT has to say on public health issues for accuracy. There are also creative writing courses that use AI to understand original story ideas. Opportunities for AI use are everywhere and in every discipline, Thomas said, including classes at the UI in entrepreneurship and AI as well as providing hands-on experiences in the Commercializing New Technology Academy. Its going to impact all of the research across campus and then also all of our students as they go into the workforce, he said. And its important that were preparing them for that space. Privacy concerns Thomas said one of the major issues with using ChatGPT and similar software is that students may not realize it stores data. Generative AI holds onto the information input by people to train its next version, which includes any sensitive data. There are changes that are coming, particularly in ChatGPT, to allow you to keep your data private but I think there are still concerns and it requires education to make sure that people understand these and, probably in certain circumstances, prohibition against using these technologies with certain data, he said. The time is now Anders said the disruption of AI is happening now. These technologies, unlike other technologies, are not emergent in the sense that we dont have to wait five years to see what they can do, he said. They can already do it now and if we had no further progress they would already be transforming our world. AI wont replace jobs, he said, but a human using AI will as the technology is focused on ramping up human talent. The last point, that I think we all three agree on, is the question is not to ban or not to ban, Andes said. Thats already gone. This is here for good. But how can we assume leadership for inventing ethical features, ones that mitigate harms in our learning communities and prepare our students to use these tools moving forward. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter. In Isolated Guam, Abortion Is Legal. And Nearly Impossible to Get. The Pregnancy Control Clinic, housed in this building, handled most of the abortions on Guam for decades. But the clinic appears abandoned since the doctor who ran it retired seven years ago. (NYT) HAGATNA, Guam For decades, the Pregnancy Control Clinic, tucked inside a squat, beige building around the corner from a bowling alley, handled most of the abortions on Guam, a tiny U.S. territory 1,600 miles south of Japan. But the doctor who ran it retired seven years ago, and the clinic now appears abandoned. An old medical exam table stands near a vanity with a dislodged faucet, and a letter from Dr. Edmund A. Griley is taped to the front door: My last day of seeing patients is November 18, 2016, he wrote. I recommend that you begin looking for a new physician as soon as possible. Griley has since died, and his deserted clinic is a dusty snapshot of Guams past and some say, its future. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Though abortion is legal in Guam up to 13 weeks of pregnancy, and later in certain cases, the last doctor who performed abortions left Guam in 2018. The closest abortion clinic on American soil is in Hawaii, an eight-hour flight away. And a pending court case could soon cut off access to abortion pills, the last way for most women on Guam to get legal abortions. As anti-abortion activists around the country capitalize on momentum from the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Guam, a speck of land in the Pacific, stands out. Forces on both sides of the abortion debate say that the island of 154,000 people is on track to become the purest example of what life would be like under a near-total ban. More than a dozen states have banned most abortions, forcing women there who seek to terminate pregnancies to travel elsewhere, sometimes at great cost and risk to their health. But none is as isolated as Guam. Guam is a litmus test, said the territorys attorney general, Douglas Moylan, a Republican who opposes abortion. If anti-abortion forces were to succeed anywhere in the United States, I would say Guam would be one of them. There are two doctors who are licensed in Guam and willing to provide abortions, and both are based in Hawaii, where they can see patients through video calls and prescribe abortion pills. That could change if the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstates a territorial law that would require women to see a doctor in person to obtain pills. A streak of anti-abortion sentiment runs through Guam, and there are other attempts to further restrict the procedure. Moylan is fighting in federal court to try to revive a 1990 law that banned nearly all abortions but was blocked by a federal judge. In the meantime, the Legislature passed a bill last year that would prohibit most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. It was vetoed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, a Democrat, a nurse and the islands first female governor. She recalled that as a student in California before the Roe v. Wade decision, she cared for women who were hemorrhaging because either they self-aborted or they went to underground abortion clinics and they didnt do it right. As the head of the Guam Nurses Association, Leon Guerrero testified in opposition to the 1990 ban, which would have made it a crime to perform, undergo or seek an abortion, except in some medical emergencies, or to encourage women to have abortions. A federal court ruled that the law was unconstitutional and blocked the territorial government from enforcing it, but it remains on the books. Everything thats going around impacts Guam, and our women here, because were much more isolated in terms of access to health care, the governor said. Where Americas Day Begins Guam is so far to the west of the continental United States that its clocks are 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, in the same time zone as Vladivostok, Russia, and the east coast of Australia. The island promotes itself as where Americas day begins. But though they are U.S. citizens, residents of Guam, who mostly identify ethnically either as Chamorro, the Indigenous people of the Mariana Islands, or as Filipino, cannot vote for president or send voting representatives to Congress. About one-third of the island is controlled by the Department of Defense, whose footprint is expanding. Though abortions are not available on the islands military bases except in emergencies, the Pentagon will pay for abortion-related travel for troops serving in places where the procedure is illegal. Abortion has long been a taboo topic in Pacific island communities; about 80% of Guams inhabitants are Catholic, reflecting the islands Spanish colonial past. Dr. William Freeman, the last doctor who performed abortions on Guam, left the island in 2018. Freeman, who is now 78 and living in Manila, Philippines, said that when he first arrived on Guam 39 years ago, the seven doctors who performed abortions often received phone calls threatening to kill us or blow us up. When he retired, a partner who opposed abortion declined to continue that part of their practice. Freeman suggested having doctors visit Guam for six-week stints to provide the procedure, but no group was willing to make their clinic available, he said. Hope Is Rising The Guam law that requires women seeking an abortion to receive government-mandated information from a doctor and only in person has been blocked by a court order while a legal challenge proceeds. The two Hawaii-based doctors argue in their lawsuit that if the injunction is lifted, it would become practically impossible for them to assist women on Guam through telemedicine. That would be a victory, as far as the islands Catholic officials are concerned. In an interview at the chancery of the Archdiocese of Agana, where Pope John Paul II stayed overnight in 1981, Father Romeo Convocar, the apostolic administrator, said that abortion pills obtained by telemedicine is now one of his biggest concerns. Last summer, anticipating that the Supreme Court would soon reverse the Roe v. Wade decision, the archdiocese distributed a pastoral letter to be read aloud in its two dozen churches: Hope is rising across our country that the scourge of abortion will be significantly curtailed. Catholic officials pushed for the territory to adopt a six-week ban. They resumed conducting a ceremony for the burial of unclaimed fetuses from miscarriages or abortions. They applauded Moylans legal endeavors to reinstate the 1990 abortion ban. Sharon OMallan, chair of the Guam Catholic Pro-Life Committee, called the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade great now it turns it over to us, and we now decide what we want as our laws. In late April, she and Agnes White, a nurse, pointed to a billboard that they had helped to create: Healing the pain of abortion one weekend at a time. The goal, they said, was to recruit women who had abortions to attend a confidential counseling retreat sponsored by an international religious group that opposes abortion. I Would Gladly Go to Jail Advocates of abortion rights fear what will happen on Guam which has high rates of sexual assault and maternal mortality if access to abortion pills is effectively blocked. The lawsuit filed by the Hawaii doctors, for instance, argues that women on Guam would face heightened medical risks, as well as daunting financial and logistical burdens. (According to census data, the median annual household income, excluding military families, was $58,000 in 2019, or about 20% below the national average.) Famalaoan Rights, a reproductive rights nonprofit founded in 2019, stepped up its organizing in 2022 when the proposed six-week ban was gaining traction. A legislative committees 2,200-page report on the bill crackled with anguished emails and handwritten letters from the public, mostly opposing the ban. Then came the Dobbs decision and its aftermath. It just felt like we were at the top of the hill, so close to the finish line, and then the finish line moved, said Kiana Joy Yabut, a leader in the group. The Dobbs decision was demoralizing for the activists, who are bracing for more anti-abortion bills and preparing to help women obtain abortions, even if it means breaking the law. I would gladly go to jail, Yabut said. Women on Guam said they have already been dealing with the difficulty and stigma of abortion for years. Happy Tingson was working as a hotel housekeeper in 2015 when she became pregnant. She told only two people: her best friend, Rhea Patino, and her boyfriend at the time. Not a single smile on his face, said Tingson, who was comforted by Patino and another friend when she became emotional during an interview at her sisters house. He was pretty much saying, Its not the right time for us to have it, were not financially stable, Tingson said. Patino drove Tingson to the Pregnancy Control Clinic, which has since closed, to receive the procedure, which cost $500 in 2015. When I finally got it done, I felt kind of broken, Tingson said. She never told her parents, who are now dead, she said. She still hasnt told her older brother. Asked if any of her friends had also undergone an abortion, Patino interrupted: Me. When Patino, a server, became pregnant in the fall of 2020, she and her boyfriend at the time agreed that they could not afford to raise a child. I felt helpless, she said. Try talking to a doctor, and theyre like, Im sorry, we dont support that. Patino, who by then was seven weeks pregnant, decided that the most reliable option was to fly to Florida. Planned Parenthood unexpectedly waived its $500 fee for her. They said the fact that you came from Guam, and had to fly out here its so sad, because you have no clinic out there, Pitino, now 32, recalled. Thats so dangerous. How can they do that to you guys? c.2023 The New York Times Company Israeli govt to summon Ukrainian ambassador for explanation over social media post Ukrainian ambassador Yevheny Korniychuk The Israeli Foreign Ministry plans to summon Ukrainian ambassador Yevheny Korniychuk and demand an explanation for a social media post that appeared on the embassy's Facebook page on June 25. The post accused Israel of "close cooperation with the Russian Federation," highlighting: Two rounds of high-level political negotiations with the Russian Foreign Ministry; Issues with the Russian diplomatic mission in Jerusalem; "False and speculative assumptions" by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding weapon supplies to Ukraine; Complete silence in regard to regular anti-Semitic statements by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and his henchmen; So-called "neutrality" that could be construed as a clear pro-Russian position. Read also: Israel unlikely to change its Ukraine policy, media report says Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that "despite the complexities vis-a-vis Russia, Israel has stood by Ukraines side since the outbreak of the war until today, and has even voted in favor of condemning Russia." Israel has also donated "unprecedented humanitarian aid" worth about $22 million to Ukraine, and plans to send more this year, Cohen said. Netanyahu said last week that Israeli has not supplied weapons to Ukraine due to fears that "they could fall into Iranian hands," and because of "a close military border with Russia" in Syria. Ukraine and Iran do not share borders or military connections. 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 Emily Rose JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Around 300 Israeli military doctors in reserve units told the defence minister on Monday they will refuse to serve if the government pursues disputed legislation that would see the highest court stripped of most of its powers. Israeli lawmakers on Sunday began debating a bill that would limit the Supreme Court's powers, rebooting a judicial overhaul instigated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition that has stirred mass protests. The coalition says its goal is to balance the powers of the government, legislature and judiciary by reining in a Supreme Court they see as too interventionist. Those against the move say it would erode democracy by removing key checks and balances on government powers. In a letter to the defence minister, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, doctors said they could not continue to volunteer for service when the government was "violating the basic contract between us and the state. "If there are no gatekeepers and there is no effective judicial review," the letter said, "we will not be able to trust our commanders when we are sent to military missions." "We won't serve a dictatorship," it added. Anti-government demonstrations had prompted Netanyahu to suspend his judicial drive in March to allow compromise talks with opposition parties. He declared those talks fruitless last week and ordered some of the legislation to be revived. Military reservists said they had continued to report for duty as they were giving time for compromise talks to produce results, but renewed calls to refuse call-ups when the talks broke down. The proposed changes, which include curbs on the court's ability to rule against the government, sparked frequent street protests before the March suspension. But they have continued weekly, with anti-overhaul activists blocking a major Tel Aviv highway on Saturday night. Governing coalition lawmakers have indicated that the new bill will be a far softer version of previous proposals that had sought to almost totally eliminate the Supreme Court's power to rule against the executive. The opposition, however, says the new bill would still open the door to corruption. The proposed judicial overhaul has also stirred Western concern for Israel's democratic health and spooked investors. Critics see it as an attempt to curb court independence by Netanyahu, who is on trial on graft charges that he denies. (Reporting by Emily Rose; editing by Mark Heinrich) In a move described as unprecedented, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is trying to overturn the convictions of Eric DeValkenaere, Kansas Citys first police officer to be found guilty in the killing of a Black man. DeValkenaere, who faces a six-year prison sentence, remains free on bond as he fights convictions of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the killing of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb. The attorney general, whose office is responsible for arguing on behalf of the state, filed a brief outlining its legal arguments in the case being heard by the Western District Court of Appeals. During a news conference Monday afternoon, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker called Baileys attempt to undo the convictions extremely distressing, unfortunate and disappointing. Over recent weeks, Baker who also sent a letter cautioning Gov. Mike Parson against taking an executive clemency action and others have openly questioned why the attorney generals office had yet to file its legal arguments on the case. Baker, whose office filed a separate brief defending the convictions earlier this month, said her office will keep fighting. While I know that Kansas Citians are tough and resilient, this is a tough bit of news for them to swallow, Baker said, adding: I want Kansas Citians to know this: This office will keep fighting. Jean Peters Baker said in his filing @AGAndrewBailey said the circuit court judge was in error in convicting former @kcpolice. Baker described Baileys filing as unprecedented pic.twitter.com/PySazk8FNu Glenn E. Rice (@GRicekcstar) June 26, 2023 The attorney generals office filed the 67-page brief Monday, the last day to do so after a lengthy series of delays led the appeals court to issue an order saying Baileys office would receive no further leeway. While calling Lambs death tragic and saying it did not need to happen, attorneys for the AGs office argued in court that the appellate judges should order a discharge or a new trial for DeValkenaere. Here, because the evidence credited by the trial court does not, as a matter of law, support the trial courts findings of guilt, the Court should reverse DeValkenaeres convictions and order him discharged or order a new trial, according to the filing. The AGs office also argued that DeValkenaeres use of force was reasonable in light of Mr. Lambs use of deadly force against his partner, challenging the evidence presented at trial by prosecutors that Lamb was unarmed when he was shot. DeValkenaere also was not criminally negligent both because he did not act with criminal negligence in causing Mr. Lambs death and because he reasonably used deadly force in defense of his partner Troy Schwalm, the brief says. A spokeswoman for Bailey did not immediately reply to The Stars request seeking comment late Monday afternoon. In written a statement Monday night, Kelli Jones, a spokeswoman for Parson, said Baileys legal opinion would have no impact on the governors decision of whether to offer executive clemency for DeValkenaere. If and when Governor Parson considers clemency, his thoughtful and thorough review will be based on the facts and circumstances of the individual case and independent of the actions taken by anyone else, Jones said. DeValkenaeres employment with KCPD ended police officials declined to say whether he resigned or was terminated in January 2022 after he was found guilty of the two felonies. Responding to a request for comment on Monday, Sgt. Jake Becchina, a KCPD spokesman, said the matter appeared to be a dispute between Baker and Bailey and there was no apparent connection that would require a comment from KCPD. Our efforts at community engagement and relationship building are undeterred, Becchina said. The fatal shooting of Lamb On Dec. 3, 2019, Lamb got into an argument with his girlfriend and it became physical, according to trial testimony. At one point, Lambs girlfriend left their home and he chased her in his truck. During that chase, he received a call from a roommate to return home. Meanwhile, DeValkenaere and another plainclothes detective, Schwalm, had been notified by a police helicopter of the chase. The detectives, who were members of the Violent Offenders Squad, 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. Roughly nine seconds after they arrived, DeValkenaere shot and killed Lamb. DeValkenaere later said he fired several shots 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, police said at the time. DeValkenaere was indicted by a Jackson County grand jury in June 2020. At trial, prosecutors argued DeValkenaere did not have authority to be on the property when he killed Lamb. They also alleged the crime scene was staged and police planted the gun at the scene. Before he was shot, Lamb had his left hand on the trucks steering wheel and his cellphone in his right hand, prosecutors said. DeValkenaeres legal team was granted a bench trial overseen by Youngs in 2021. In the verdict, Youngs found DeValkenaere and his partner lacked the legal authority to be on Lambs property. DeValkenaere was sentenced to serve six years in prison for convictions of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. This action is extremely unprecedented Action by the attorney general to undo a conviction is incredibly rare if not completely unprecedented. In late 2021, the attorney generals office under Republican Eric Schmitt, now a U.S. senator, said the office works daily to ensure that criminal convictions are upheld. At the time, the AGs office said it evaluates the facts and merits of each case to determine whether to oppose post-conviction appeals. But the office has historically fought to defend convictions even going so far as to say one prisoner, who was later exonerated, should be executed even if the states highest court found him innocent. During the press conference organized Monday in Jackson County, Baker could not recall another instance of the attorney generals office taking that position. This action is extremely unprecedented, said Baker, who was flanked by members of staff that prosecuted the criminal case. I cant say in my time, 25 plus years of being here, that Ive seen anything like this before. But here we are. Tim Dollar, a private attorney who assisted with DeValkenaeres prosecution in 2021, likewise was unaware of an earlier time when the attorney generals office took that step. Ive been doing this work for 40 years. And I can just say, Ive not been involved in the scores and scores and scores of murder cases Ive tried where the attorney general came in and filed a brief seeking to reverse a conviction I obtained, Dollar said. David Smith, an attorney for Lambs family, noted Monday that Bailey was not elected but had been appointed to the role by the governor. Smith believed Bailey failed to objectively review the case but sought to score political points. Monday was the first time that Baileys office had been in contact with Lambs family. So it seems to me that the attorney general is trying to make police safety for all policemen across the state, Smith said. In other words, saying if you wear a badge, youre above the law. And that cant be the case. We hope the Court of Appeals decides that. Smith is representing the family of Lamb in a civil lawsuit filed against Kansas City police. Also speaking Monday was Aquil Bey, Lambs stepfather, who appeared alongside Lambs mother Laurie Bey. He said it was apparent that the AGs office was attempting a miscarriage of justice. We dont feel good about it, Aquil Bey said. And so were gonna continue to let the legal system run its course. Kansas City activists alarmed by AGs move Police reform activists said Monday they feared the consequences of the former cops conviction being undone. Lauren Bonds, executive director of the National Police Accountability Project, said Baileys decision on the case was disappointing and that it spoke to the state of Missouri not respecting the autonomy and independence of urban cores like Kansas City and St. Louis. I think this is consistent with the kind of overreach weve seen from the state, she said. Gwen Grant, president/CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, called Baileys actions unconscionable. Clearly, (Baileys) brief has everything to do with political optics and pandering to the FOP, and absolutely nothing to do with justice and upholding the letter of the law, Grant said. Sheryl Ferguson, an organizer with the group Its Time 4 Justice, cautioned that overturning DeValkenaeres convictions would further erode trust, saying the former cop is not above the law and should do his time. I feel very confident in saying this would not even be considered if (DeValkenaere were) Black, Ferguson said. Based on the climate of this country at the time of trial he waived the right to trial by jury figuring he wouldnt be convicted, but he was. Family members of Cameron Lamb gathered in May 2020 at a Black Lives Matter peace protest in Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza. Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said law enforcement and the courts are responsible for upholding human and civil rights. Unfortunately here they are being betrayed, Howard said. His [Cameron Lambs] human and civil rights are being betrayed. Howard went on to say that it is unjust for anyone to come onto someones property and kill them. That would be true whatever the racial dynamic, Howard said. Steve Young, of the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project, said Bailey is playing with all our lives. If he fights to overturn the conviction, he is putting a bullseye on every Black and brown person, Young said. There will be no checks and balances for KCPD. Consider it open season against our community. The Stars Luke Nozicka contributed to this report. James Clapper, the former U.S. director of national intelligence, on Sunday said the Kremlins deal with Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to stop the armed mutiny appears fishy. The rebellion, which lasted less than 24 hours, saw Prigozhins forces taking control of the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, which oversees fighting in Ukraine. The mercenaries later advanced toward Moscow before pulling back Saturday after the Kremlin made an agreement to send Prigozhin to Belarus, and pardon him and his soldiers. The fighters who didnt join the rebellion would be offered contracts by Russias defense ministry. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesperson, said the government was grateful to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for brokering the deal. This deal to me is kind of fishy, Clapper told CNNs Jim Sciutto. The Associated Press reported that a Russian news channel on Telegram said Prigozhin had been spotted at a hotel in Minsk on Monday, while Russian media claimed a criminal investigation into his conduct is ongoing, the news agency said. Clapper said the fact that Prigozhin agreed to go to Belarus, which is essentially from a security standpoint an extension of Russia, brings up further questions. I just wonder whether there was a deal or somehow behind the scenes [Russian President Vladimir] Putin exerted some form of leverage over Prigozhin that caused him to fold, Clapper said. Russia expert Misha Glenny told BBC Breakfast that Prigozhin likely secured certain guarantees as part of the deal. He must be worried that Putin who basically prizes loyalty above all other characteristics of his friends and allies could take revenge against him, Glenny said. Glenny added that if Putin were to take out Prigozhin, that would fuel even more uncertainty with questions about what would happen to the troops under his control. America's top diplomat Antony Blinken has said an attempted armed mutiny in Russia shows "real cracks" in President Vladimir Putin's authority. Russia expert Misha Glenny spoke to #BBCBreakfasthttps://t.co/JRdCw6VmRnpic.twitter.com/UxO5OvvoYO BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) June 26, 2023 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday said we havent seen the last act of this uprising. I think you have seen cracks emerge that werent there before: first in having Prigozhin raise front and center questioning the very premises of the Russian aggression against Ukraine to begin with the argument that somehow Ukraine or NATO posed a threat to Russia, and a direct challenge to Putin himself, Blinken said. The mutiny appears to have damaged Putins standing in Russia and also has raised questions about its impact on the war in Ukraine. Related... Participants of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment pose for a group photo in Nikko city of Tochigi prefecture on June 25, 2023. The G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment participants pose for a group photo in Nikko on June 25, 2023. Credit - Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images Representatives from each of the Group of Seven (G7) nations gathered in the Japanese city of Nikko, 70 miles north of Tokyo, this weekend for a two-day summit on gender equality and womens empowerment, where they discussed everything from sexual violence to LGBT rights to economic imbalancesvowing to reduce the wage gap and boost womens representation in executive and managerial positions. But the summit also made for an awkward photo-op, highlighting Japans ongoing struggles with gender: with the country hosting the G7 this year, Japans representative to the gender equality meeting, Masanobu Ogura, served as its chairhe also was its only man. When asked how he felt being the only male representative, Ogura, a Cabinet minister, said that male leaders with strong enthusiasm for gender equality are still needed, according to local paper Shimotsuke Shimbun. Still, the optics are not likely to help Japan ward off mounting criticism of its deficiencies in gender and LGBT rights from its peers in the informal economic bloc of advanced democracies. More from TIME The summit in Nikko came only days after the World Economic Forum released its latest annual Global Gender Gap Index, which assesses the state of gender parity across four key metrics: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. Japan, at 125th of 146 countries in the index, ranks the lowest among the G7 states, which also includes Germany (6th), the U.K. (15th), France (40th), the U.S. (43rd), and Italy (79th). Japan has flagged particularly in womens political empowerment. According to the WEF index, its one of only seven countries that have regressed on this metric since 2017. While the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has fielded several female candidates in recent elections, and some have been elected as lawmakers, men still make up about 90% of parliamentary and ministerial posts, andlike the U.S.there has never yet been a female head of state. A similarly dismal disparity exists in Japans boardrooms, where only 11.4% of executives in publicly listed companies are women. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised in April to raise that to 30% by 2030. Former White House press secretary turned-cable news host Jen Psaki noted former President Trumps affection for dictators during an interview that aired on her MSNBC show this weekend. During a conversation with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Psaki asked the Democratic leader about a federal indictment the former president is facing over his handling of classified documents in the context of his dealings with some foreign leaders. As you just alluded to, I mean reading the itemized list of 31 documents and the clearance levels as a former ranking member on the Intel Committee, there were Five Eyes classifications there, there were some of the highest level classifications, Psaki said. And knowing what you know about former President Donald Trump, we know he has an affection for dictators Do you have concern, without us knowing at this point, what he may have wanted to do with those documents? Pelosi responded saying, no, I dont know. But what I do know is that he seriously jeopardized our national security. Trump is facing more than 30 charges relating to his handling of government secrets after leaving the White House, which federal prosecutors allege violated the Espionage Act. The former president, who is currently seeking the GOP nomination in 2024, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges he faces, and a judge in Florida slated a trial in the documents case to begin in August. Psaki served as President Bidens first White House press secretary and has since left the government to take a job hosting a weekend news and analysis program on MSNBC. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jesse Watters If you thought Fox News was turning a page on their incendiary talking heads after they fired Tucker Carlson in April, youd be wrong. The Rupert Murdoch-owned network just announced that Jesse Watters a host who made a name for himself doing racist man on the street segments on The OReilly Factor is taking over Carlsons time slot. Watters will move his 7 p.m. Eastern show to the 8 p.m. slot (formerly Carlsons), while another xenophobe, Laura Ingraham, will move from the 10 p.m. slot to 7 p.m. Sean Hannity will stay at 9 p.m., while Greg Gutfeld will move his news and comedy program from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. With todays announcement of the new Fox News primetime lineup, its clear that Fox News didnt part ways with Carlson because of his proudly racist and transphobic views, where he regularly whipped up animus against immigrants, refugees, and gender-nonconforming children (the termination was likely because Carlson became a financial and legal liability for the network after their Dominion Voting Systems nearly $800 million judgment against it). Watters espouses the same replacement theory views that Carlson does and devotes airtime to demonizing queer people, especially trans youth, trans athletes, and their parents. There was the time last year that Watters railed against trans athletes, according to the Los Angeles Blade, and then hosted South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, congratulating her on signing a bill that banned trans students from playing sports. During his Watters World segments on Bill OReillys show, Watters attended Pride events and asked attendees if he could have a straight Pride and queried people on the street if certain individuals dressed gay. His most notoriously racist Watters segment involved going to New York City's Chinatown and mocking Asian people as Kung Fu Fighting played in the background. (@) Hes also gone after Black people, saying their modern history shouldnt be taught in schools, and told Black people to worry more about absent fathers, education issues and less about white supremacist mass shooters. Watters reserves some of his most vile diatribes to unhoused individuals. During a 2022 segment, Watters suggested a solution for removing squatters from a home: light it on fire, reports Media Matters. Watters happily toes the Fox News line (lie) that immigrants and migrants are going to replace white people the aforementioned replacement theory and instead of encouraging empathy for these struggling individuals, he demonizes them. "We had a million Americans die from COVID-19 and Joe Biden just brought in a million illegal aliens to take their place, Watters said last year. (@) Watters, just shy of 45, was born in Philadelphia. He began his career as a production assistant at Fox News before joining The OReilly Factor in the early Aughts. Watters is the father of four and is currently married to his second wife, Emma DiGiovine, a Fox News staffer he previously supervised. Watters's history of sexism is long and repugnant. [Source] A Japanese man accused of attacking passengers and setting their train carriage on fire while dressed as the Joker in 2021 denied parts of his indictment in his first court hearing on Monday. The attack: The incident occurred on a train heading to Tokyos Shinjuku neighborhood at around 8 p.m. on Halloween. Kyota Hattori, 26, who came dressed in a purple suit and green shirt leading to comparisons with Batman villain the Joker allegedly stabbed a 72-year-old man before setting a seat on fire, which ended up injuring 12 other passengers. Suspects pleas: At his trial Monday, Hattori reportedly admitted to both stabbing the seated senior and setting the train carriage ablaze. However, he pleaded not guilty to murder intent over the alleged arson. I dont know if the arson can be considered attempted murder, he said, as per the Japan Times. More from NextShark: Topps Sparks Outrage With Sticker Showing BTS Beaten Amid Anti-Asian Attacks What prosecutors are saying: Prosecutors, however, believe Hattori had intended to kill many people to fulfill his own death wish. They said he began wanting to die in June 2021 after his ex-girlfriend married someone else. Around the same time, he was also told that he would be transferred to a different post in his company due to a work problem. Prosecutors said he then tried to kill himself but was unsuccessful, so he opted to attack others in hopes of being given the death penalty. Whats next: Hattoris trial is expected to focus on whether he intended to kill the 12 passengers by arson. The verdict is scheduled for July 31. More from NextShark: Man Goes Viral Using Rice to Show Jeff Bezos' Wealth on TikTok Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Woman Loses Job After Harassing Asian Students With Racist Messages Asian Woman Hit in the Face By Drive-By Pepper Spray in NYC The families of the victims in a Cape Coral decades-old double homicide sighed, cried and ultimately clapped, thanking the judge, after Joseph Zieler was sentenced to death. Relatives of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter, Lisa Story, 32, said it's taken 33 years and 44 days. "June 26 is the new date to remember," family and friends reinforced for each other as they hugged. "I was broken beyond what I ever thought I could come from," Jan Cornell, Robin Cornell's mother, testified. Jan Cornell said she couldn't let it go. "Im asking this court to give justice first and foremost," Jan Cornell said, adding that justice in the slayings had been long overdue. Her voice shook as she spoke. Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning announced the sentence after he heard the testimony from six witnesses. They included family and friends of both victims. Zieler's sentencing began around 2 p.m. Monday and lasted about two hours. He gave the courtroom a side look as bailiffs escorted him out. "The aggravating factors are horrific and every parents worst nightmare," Branning said after he heard the testimony from the witnesses. Earlier Monday: Joseph Zieler, convicted in double homicide of Cape Coral girl, babysitter, punches attorney When Jan Cornell arrived home about 4 a.m. May 10, 1990, she found Story's and Robin's bodies in adjacent rooms of their shared Cape Coral apartment. Story had moved in that day. The case had languished before authorities got a DNA match in November 2016, linking Zieler to the crime. He was in Lee County Jail at the time, charged with assaulting his stepson. Victims and friends of Robin Cornell and Lisa Story recount pain Among six witnesses who testified prior to the sentence were one of Robin Cornell's siblings, Jani Cornell, and Lisa Story's boyfriend at the time, Randy Richards. "The person that did this should never be able to hurt anyone else," Jani Cornell said. She added that she couldn't digest looking at the crime scene photos, showing the body of her slain sister on the floor where they used to play. Her voice shook as she read a statement. Richards, as it relates to Story, said the brutal murder affected her friends, family and parents. He said Story's father "deteriorated" after the murders. "It was extremely sad," Richards said, adding that Story's mother died from a broken heart. Richards said the slayings "chilled the community to the bone" and that it was "insanity" from "the very beginning." "If not for this, then what for?" he asked the court. Susan Gibson, Story's eldest sister, couldn't be in court, but provided a statement for the prosecutors. "I feel like I slammed into a brick wall," Gibson wrote. She said the killings affected her and her brother, landing her in psychotherapy for a year. In her 32 years, Gibson said, Story was a cheerleader, an international student, a motorcyclist and a photographer, among others. Julie Wilson, a former best friend of Robin Cornell, said the two were "inseparable" for two years, later adding that she was supposed to visit the house the following night. Both were murdered overnight between May 9 and May 10, 1990. "It took a long, long time but I feel more relieved," Wilson said. Attorney elbowed moments before hearing Hours before his sentencing Monday morning, Zieler had a Spencer hearing, which provided him with the opportunity to appeal directly to Branning regarding the jury's death recommendation. As the hearing began, Zieler elbowed one of his attorneys, Kevin Shirley, in the face. Bailiffs apprehended and escorted Zieler out of the courtroom. He returned about 10 minutes later with tightened security measures. Zieler then refused to have his relatives speak on his behalf as he claimed his innocence. "I have nothing to do with this," he said Monday morning. "I maintain my innocence." Victims' family, friends react to Joseph Zieler's death sentence "Nothing can take the place of hearing the words today that justice for Robin and justice for Lisa has happened," Robin's mother, Jan Cornell, said. "He has received the ultimate punishment that the state of Florida can give, which is the death penalty." She added that she loved them both and doesn't want either of them forgotten. "They were here ... they lived ... some evil monster cut their lives so short ... so unfair," Jan Cornell said. "But now they have peace, and now we can let them have peace." She also pointed out that she was "never in the dark" since Zieler's 2016 arrest and link to the homicides. Richards also thanked detectives and others who never gave up on the homicides. "Thanks to the system, that it worked," Richards said. Cape Coral Police share renewed commitment for old cases Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore differentiated between old cases and cold cases, saying the 1990 slayings never went cold. He said it took about 12 detectives and a generation of law enforcement to bring the case to resolution. "It consumed their career, it consumed a good part of their personal life and even into their retirement life," Sizemore said. He summarized it as a "tremendous day for justice." "I was reminded of a quote that I said to Jan, probably 15 years ago," Sizemore said as he recounted how he convinced her it was an old case rather than a cold case. Sizemore said about a month ago when the jury returned with the verdict Jan Cornell repeated that quote to him. "It was just very, very gratifying to hear that," Sizemore said. Sizemore said the evidence in the case had gone "different iterations of science advancement" over the past three decades. "It's certainly the most unique case because of the duration," Sizemore said. A case that has accompanied State Attorney Amira Fox's Southwest Florida career State Attorney Amira Fox said she moved to Southwest Florida in 1990 when the double homicide had just happened. "I started as a young prosecutor, then it's stuck with me all that time," she said of Zieler's case. Fox said she felt "chills" in court Monday. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Joseph Zieler sentenced to death in double 1990 homicide A woman pictured sitting across a table from India's most wanted criminal Dawood Ibrahim has been falsely identified in social media posts as Supriya Shrinate, spokesperson for the opposition Congress party. The woman in the photo is in fact the journalist Sheela Bhatt, who told AFP it shows her during a 1988 interview with Dawood -- who was designated a global terrorist by the United States in 2003. Shrinate, who worked as a business journalist before turning to politics, separately told AFP she had never met Dawood. "Can anyone name this illiterate female journalist sitting with terrorist Dawood Ibrahim?" reads part of the Hindi-language caption of a photo shared on Facebook here on June 18, 2023. The caption goes on: "The picture is from 1987. Back then she was a journalist and today the country knows her as a foul-mouthed woman... the spokesperson of the traitor, thief party, Supriya Shrinate." Supriya Shrinate -- a former Delhi-based journalist -- was appointed as a spokesperson for the Indian National Congress party in September 2019 (archived link). She is also chairperson of social media and digital platforms for the opposition party (archived link). Opposition parties and politicians are frequent targets of misinformation in India. AFP has previously debunked claims that labelled the Congress party "thieves" and "traitors" here and here. Indian crime lord Dawood Ibrahim is suspected of masterminding the 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai that killed more than 250 people (archived links here and here). He has been on the run ever since, and was designated a "global terrorist" by the United States in October 2003 (archived link). Screenshot of the false Facebook post, captured on June 21, 2023 The image was shared with similar captions on Facebook here and here and on Twitter here. The photo in fact shows journalist Sheela Bhatt, not Shrinate, alongside Dawood. Dawood interview in Dubai A reverse image search on Google led to a tweet by Bhatt on June 14 (archived link). "Interviewing Dawood Ibrahim in Pearl Building, Dubai. 1987," reads part of the tweet. Below is a screenshot comparison of the photo as it appears in the false post (left) and the photo uploaded to Twitter by Bhatt (right): Screenshot comparison of the photo as it appears in the false post (left) and the photo uploaded on Twitter by Bhatt (right) In a reply to her own tweet, Bhatt also shared pictures of two magazine covers -- Abhiyaan and The Illustrated Weekly of India -- that carried her interview with Dawood. Her reply reads: "Flooded with queries if this is fake pic or real. Just to put record straight posting two cover pages 1) Abhiyaan, the weekly founded by me and my late husband Kanti Bhatt and 2) The Illustrated Weekly. Both carried my interview of Dawood Ibrahim in 1987. "Weeklys cover story was written by distinguished journalist Amrtia Shah. My interview ran along with her cover story. All Dawood pics were taken by me." She later corrected her tweet, saying the interview was in fact conducted in 1988 (archived link). Bhatt also told AFP that the interview occurred in 1988, and was printed in Abhiyaan and The Illustrated Weekly. "It's mischievous to drag [in] Supriya Shrinate. Pic is of 1988. She was around 10 years old then, Bhatt said on June 22. Shrinate separately told AFP on June 22: I have never interviewed or met him (Dawood Ibrahim). I was a business journalist." Judge Aileen Cannon denied the special counsel's request to hide the names of 84 potential witnesses in the Trump classified documents case US District Judge Aileen Cannon is seen during her confirmation hearing. Senate Judiciary Committee Judge Aileen Cannon ruled federal prosecutors can't keep a list of potential Trump witnesses secret. Cannon reject special counsel Jack Smith's efforts to file the list of 84 possible witnesses under seal. News organizations, led by The Times and CNN, have also opposed Smith's efforts to shield the names. US District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled on Monday that special counsel Jack Smith cannot file under seal the names of 84 potential witnesses who may offer incriminating testimony after former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents. Cannon in a brief order wrote that she was not convinced that federal prosecutors did not have other means at their disposal to justify shielding the list of potential witnesses from public view. "The Government's Motion does not explain why filing the list with the Court is necessary; it does not offer a particularized basis to justify sealing the list from public view; it does not explain why partial sealing, redaction, or means other than sealing are unavailable or unsatisfactory; and it does not specify the duration of any proposed seal," Cannon wrote. The Trump-appointed judge noted that a bevy of news organizations, including The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Insider, have also opposed keeping the potential witnesses' names private. The news organizations previously wrote to the court that sealing would deprive Americans from learning about "a highly significant initial step in this extraordinary prosecution." As part of the conditions of Trump's release, the former president isn' t allowed to contact the potential witnesses about the case except through his counsel. The federal government was then instructed to provide a list of names to Trump and the court, setting off the current episode. The former president's own lawyers have strongly indicated that the potential witnesses could include senior officials and people who are still around Trump. Waltine Nauta, who was charged alongside Trump, continues to be the former president's "body man" and was seen working for him outside the Miami courthouse on the morning of Trump's arraignment. Cannon has faced scrutiny in the past in previous cases related to Trump. It remains to be seen how Smith's team will proceed. Read the original article on Business Insider A high-profile capital murder case in Lowndes County will be tried in Macon County. William Chase Johnson faces capital murder charges in the November 2019 shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff Big John Williams. Retired Escambia County Circuit Judge Bert Rice granted defense attorneys change of venue request in a hearing in Hayneville last week. On Monday, Rice ordered the trial to be moved to Macon County. A trial date has not been set. Rice said in last weeks hearing that he will work with court officials in whatever county the trial is moved to in order to come up with a schedule that best fits the court calendar of that county. The defense successfully argued that Johnson could not get a fair trial in Lowndes County, given the nature of the case, media attention, small population in Lowndes County from which to draw a jury pool and Williams being held in such high regard in his home county. The courthouse in Hayneville was named in the slain lawmans honor, and the crime scene is right across the street and can be seen from the courtroom. During the recent hearing, Rice listed those factors as being key in his decision in changing venue. Prosecutors and defense attorneys could not be reached for comment because there is a gag order in the case that bars participants from commenting outside court proceedings and court document filings. Rice said he wanted to keep the trial in the Black Belt to match population and racial and economic demographics of Lowndes County as closely as possible. Lowndes County has a population of about 10,000, according to the 2021 census. Macon County is almost twice as large, with a population of about 19,000, census figures show. But that does give a larger jury pool from which to select jurors. Rice was appointed by the Alabama Supreme Court to preside in the case, after local judges recused themselves. Johnson, 21, has been held in the Elmore County Jail, under no bond, since his arrest the night of the shooting. That is standard in a capital case. Williams, 62, was killed the night of Nov. 23, 2019, while trying to disperse a large crowd in the parking lot of the QV convenience store in Hayneville. Johnson has entered a plea of not guilty due to mental disease or defect. The defense has not elaborated on what mental disease of defect Johnson may have. Capital murder is the most severe charge the state can file. The only sentencing options in the event of a conviction are life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. The defense has filed a motion seeking that the death penalty be removed from consideration. Rice has not ruled on that request, records reflect. Williams spent more than 40 years serving his community. He started out as a reserve deputy in 1978 under then-Sheriff John Hulett before spending three years with the Hayneville Police Department, then going back to the sheriffs office as a road deputy. He worked his way up to chief deputy and was elected sheriff in 2010. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Judge moves 'Big John' capital murder trial to Macon County Lawyers for Mark Ridley-Thomas, shown in March, asked a judge on Monday to throw out his convictions in a corruption case. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Lawyers for longtime Los Angeles politician Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted of bribery, fraud and conspiracy, asked a federal judge Monday to set aside the jurys guilty verdict and order a new trial or acquit their client outright. Defense attorneys argued that prosecutorial misconduct, insufficient evidence and inaccurate and improper testimony by the lead FBI agent on the case warranted vacating the jurys verdict. This is a case in which there is a miscarriage of justice, defense attorney Daralyn Durie told U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer, eliciting murmurs of assent from more than 100 people packed into the seventh-floor courtroom. Among the crowd were lobbyists, former staffers, Ridley-Thomas' wife and a public relations team assisting his defense. Fischer did not rule on either of the two motions sought by Ridley-Thomas legal team one for a new trial, the other asking for acquittal. I will get out my decision as soon as I can, the judge said at the end of the hourlong hearing. Jurors convicted the former L.A. City Council member of four counts of honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services mail fraud related to his sending a $100,000 donation from a campaign fund to USC, knowing the university would then route the money to a nonprofit run by his son. He was also convicted of one count each of bribery and conspiracy, which allege the $100,000 donation was part of a broader bribery scheme in which Ridley-Thomas, 68, extracted special benefits for his son from USC while voting in support of motions and a mental health contract sought by the university. Read more: Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case His co-defendant, Marilyn Flynn, pleaded guilty to bribery last year and is scheduled to be sentenced this summer. Ridley-Thomas is also scheduled to be sentenced this summer, barring the outcome of his legal teams motions for a new trial and an acquittal. Defense lawyer Galia Z. Amram summarized a litany of claimed legal defects in the trial, arguing first that there was scant evidence of Ridley-Thomas performing an official act, a requirement for the honest services fraud counts. Although prosecutors alleged that Ridley-Thomas "voted" on extending a contract from L.A. County to USC for a remote mental health treatment program, Amram said there was no evidence of an actual vote. This item was approved on the Board of Supervisors' "consent calendar," in which several noncontroversial items are grouped together and passed as a batch. The FBI agent had limited information about what the consent calendar meant, Amram said. The absence of evidence on this, she said, was insufficient to show the official act. They did not show that he raised his hand, Amram said. They did not show that he said aye. Amram claimed that prosecutors were offering a theory of omission that Ridley-Thomas should have stopped a consent vote from happening and raised his hand. There was no evidence that omission counts as an official act, she said, and therefore, the honest services fraud convictions should be vacated. But Assistant U.S. Atty. Lindsey Greer Dotson rejected the idea that the records of a 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting did not show an official act, calling a vote during a public meeting the clearest, most dispositive official act. Defense counsel can argue that a vote isnt a vote, Dotson said. She said that separately, the evidence indicated "there was agreement to perform an official act," which warranted upholding the guilty verdict. Dotson said that "there is no error here" in her argument against a new trial, adding that "99%" of what defense attorneys claimed were errors were never objected to during trial. "These are forfeited errors," Dotson said. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Florida judge overseeing the Justice Departments (DOJ) classified documents case against former President Trump rejected the governments motion to file witnesses under seal on Monday. Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, rejected a request from special counsel Jack Smiths office to file a sealed list of 84 potential witnesses provided to Trumps legal team. Smiths office filed the motion last week alongside a request to delay the trial and also set a pretrial hearing for issues regarding the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA). The Governments Motion does not explain why filing the list with the Court is necessary; it does not offer a particularized basis to justify sealing the list from public view; it does not explain why partial sealing, redaction, or means other than sealing are unavailable or unsatisfactory; and it does not specify the duration of any proposed seal, Cannon wrote in the order Monday. The former president was barred from speaking with his aide, Walt Nauta, who is also charged in the case, and the witnesses about the case during his arraignment earlier this month. Cannon added that a coalition of news organizations also opposed the governments request to keep the witness list under seal by citing the First Amendment. The news organizations, including The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post, filed a motion to intervene Monday in opposition to the governments request. This casethe first prosecution of a former President of the United Statesis one of the most consequential criminal cases in the Nations history. The American publics interest in this matter, and need to monitor its progress every step of the way, cannot be overstated, the press coalition wrote in its filing. The filing of the list of potential witnesses in this case is a highly significant initial step in this extraordinary prosecution. It will mark the first time that the Court has instructed the Government to inform Trump of the identities of persons who may offer testimony that prosecutors believe will incriminate him, the motion read. Trump was indicted with 37 federal counts that accuse him of mishandling classified documents and attempting to keep those documents from the government earlier this month. Cannon set an initial Aug. 14 trial date for the case, a date that the special counsel motioned to get moved to Dec. 11. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jurors conclude first day of deliberations in trial of ex-school resource officer who stayed outside during Parkland shooting Jurors have ended their first day of deliberations in the trial of a former school resource officer who stayed outside during the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The jury is set to continue deliberating Tuesday morning. Earlier Monday, prosecutors urged the group to find Scot Peterson guilty on all counts, contending his alleged inaction contributed to the deaths of six victims and the injuries of four others in the attack. His attorneys have contended the former deputy did nothing wrong and couldnt tell where the shots were coming from. Seventeen people died in the shooting. Both prosecutors and Petersons attorneys agreed to remove a juror who, according to the state, had attended the penalty phase in the trial of convicted Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz and knew victims advocates in the prosecutions office. The juror was replaced by an alternate. The state has accused Peterson, 60, of failing to confront the gunman according to his active shooter training, instead taking cover for more than 45 minutes outside the schools three-story 1200 building during the attack, which remains the deadliest high school shooting in US history. In that moment, while he stood at those doors, every student and every teacher on the third floor was still alive, Assistant State Attorney Kristen Gomes said Monday during closing arguments. In that moment, choose to go in, or choose to run. And Scot Peterson chose to run. Closing arguments concluded Monday afternoon before jurors started their deliberations. Peterson has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including seven counts of felony child neglect and three of culpable negligence derived from each of the 10 victims fatally shot or wounded on the 1200 buildings third floor: Teacher Scott Beigel and students Cara Loughran, Meadow Pollack, Joaquin Oliver, Jaime Guttenberg and Peter Wang were all killed, while teacher Stacey Lippel and students Kyle Laman, Marian Kabachenko and Anthony Borges survived. He left behind an unrestricted killer to spend the next four minutes and 15 seconds wandering the halls at his leisure, Gomes said. Because when Scot Peterson ran, he left children trapped inside of the building with a predator unchecked. (From) 2:23 p.m. forward, that predator would fire 70 rounds from the moment that man made the decision not to enter. Defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh, meanwhile, said in his own closing argument his client a former deputy for the Broward Sheriffs Office and the first law enforcement officer on scene that day did nothing wrong. Peterson, who retired as criticism of his alleged failure grew, did not enter the 1200 building because he could not tell where the gunshots were coming from due to echoes on campus, the defense argued, pointing to the testimony of other witnesses who also expressed confusion. Two dozen witnesses came in here one by one and told you they couldnt tell from the sounds precisely what area were talking about, defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh said Monday, The best you could do is narrow it down to that general area around the 1200 building. (The states) entire case hinges upon this erroneous belief that he knew that there were kids in that 1200 building being shot by this monster, Eiglarsh said, asking jurors for a verdict of not guilty. And that wasnt proven because it didnt happen. Peterson also faces one count of perjury for telling investigators afterward that he didnt see students fleeing the 1200 building and that he heard only two or three gunshots after arriving at the scene while other witnesses said theyd heard more. The state believes the evidence shows both statements were untrue. He faces up to life in prison if convicted on all counts. Seventeen people 14 of them students were killed in the shooting, and 17 others were wounded. Peterson was not charged for the victims on the first floor, however, because he had not yet arrived on scene. No one was killed on the second floor. Law enforcement aim is to stop shooter, witnesses said The case is unusual, in part because it marks the rare prosecution of a law enforcement officer over his response to a mass shooting, highlighting expectations for first responders at a time when Americas gun violence epidemic shows no signs of abating. But its also notable because prosecutors brought child neglect charges against Peterson under a Florida statute which applies to caretakers, arguing in his capacity as a school resource officer, Peterson was responsible for the protection of the high schools students and staff. The defense previously insisted the statute didnt apply to Peterson, but the judge ruled that determination would be made by the jury. On the morning of February 14, 2018, parents taking their kids to school would have had the chance to see Peterson on campus in uniform, Gomes said Monday, adding those parents would have been absolutely correct to assume that that mans only priority was the safety of their child. Because Peterson was an extensively trained officer who was there by contract, by job description, for the safety of those kids. From left, legal assistant Aaron Savitski and Assistant State Attorneys Steven Klinger and Christopher Killoran view video played in court during Peterson's trial on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. - Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/AP Prosecutors from the Broward State Attorneys Office rested their case last Wednesday, after almost two weeks of testimony. It included a number of witnesses who testified they knew what Peterson holding what the state called a position of cover claims he did not: The gunshots were emanating from the 1200 building. When I looked at him, he just had a blank look on his face, former school Security Specialist Kelvin Greenleaf, who arrived at the scene with Peterson, said during his testimony last week. There was so much going on, and I can imagine the stress and the pressure that he was under and I just dont think he realized pretty much what was going on. The state also called multiple law enforcement officers who told the jury their training dictated they move toward the sound of gunfire to confront a possible shooter or shooters a directive widely adopted in the wake of the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, Lt. Col. Samuel Samaroo of the Broward Sheriffs Office, who was involved in the departments training, testified. Broward County Sheriffs Detective John Curcio, the lead investigator of the case against the shooter, similarly testified law enforcement is supposed to go towards the shots to locate and confront a gunman. The goal is to stop (the shooter) from killing people, said Curcio. And that doesnt mean killing him. It means slowing him down, it means distracting him, it means anything so those kids can find safety. Prosecutors dont believe Peterson was required to kill the shooter, Gomes said Monday, telling the jury, The state did not expect Scot Peterson to go on a suicide mission. But he had a duty to confront and engage, she said, adding, What was expected was for Scot Peterson to value the lives of those children as much as he clearly valued his own. Defense rested after two days Defense attorney Eiglarsh called several witnesses out of turn during the states case but rested Friday after two straight days of testimony including witnesses former students, staff and members of law enforcement who supported Petersons claim it was difficult to hear where the gunfire was coming from. The issue is whether he knew, and the evidence fails to show it, Eiglarsh said Monday. Peterson was at the scene for the last four minutes and 15 seconds of the shooting, which lasted about six-and-a-half minutes in total, Eiglarsh has emphasized. Broward County Sheriffs Deputy Arthur Perry, who responded to the scene and said he stayed outside the building where the shooting occurred, testified he did not learn the details until later in the evening via news reports. Defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh points at a photo of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter during his closing argument in the trial of his client, Scot Peterson, on Monday. - Amy Beth Bennett/Pool/South Florida Sun-Sentonel/AP 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 said, underscoring defense allegations of radio problems contributing to a communications breakdown at the scene, preventing critical information from being shared between agencies. Perrys testimony aligned with other defense witnesses, including former students and school staff, like teacher Suzanne Camel, who taught in the nearby 700 building. She told jurors the gunshots were incredibly loud and sounded like firecrackers being thrown at her, though she said under cross-examination shed never heard gunshots before. Student Tyler Jarboe said he believed gunshots were coming from the west stairwell of the 700 building, where he was in class. Echoes are prominent in that part of campus, he said. Eiglarsh also called to the stand Jeffrey Morford, then an assistant principal at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who said it was Peterson who ordered a Code Red, perhaps preventing further deaths and injuries among the rest of the student body. The state called the testimony into question on cross-examination: In a 2018 deposition, Morford said he did not recall who ordered the Code Red. Morford also said Peterson ordered him and Greenleaf to review security footage as the shooting unfolded in hopes of locating the gunman. Taken together, the defense contended, the actions and others illustrate Peterson was not negligent but actively responding to the attack. To sit in the calmness of a courtroom that is chill and mellow and try to go back and Monday morning quarterback is unfair and unjust, Eiglarsh said Monday. Only one person was responsible for the shooting, Eiglarsh has argued: The shooter, who pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. CNNs Carlos Suarez, Denise Royal and Pamela Kirkland contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FORT PIERCE It appears unlikely former President Donald Trump will go on trial in August at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce after prosecutors with the Justice Department on Friday asked a judge to postpone the criminal proceeding related to classified documents. In papers filed Friday evening, prosecutors with special counsel Jack Smiths team asked for the trial to be delayed to Dec. 11. They said the move was necessary because the case involves classified information and will require Trumps lawyers to obtain security clearances, a process that is underway. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon last week set an initial trial date of Aug. 14 for Trump, who faces 37 felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and obstructing Justice Department efforts to get them back. The Alto Lee Adams Sr. United States Courthouse, part of the Southern District of Florida, is pictured Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011. The Justice Department filed papers last week indicating it had begun sharing with Trumps legal team evidence relevant to the case. But, they said in their Friday filing, Even with the prompt production the government has arranged, the inclusion of additional time for defense counsel to review and digest the discovery, to make their own decisions about any production to the government, and for the government to review the same, is reasonable and appropriate. The Justice Department said Trumps lawyers do not object to pushing the trial date back. Cannon will ultimately set the trial date. Justice Department witness list Prosecutors on Monday lost a bid to withhold from the public the names of around 84 witnesses expected to testify at Trumps trial by filing the identities under seal, court filings show. Justice Department lawyers had argued that at Trumps initial appearance on June 13, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman ruled that as a special condition of release, Trump and his aide, codefendant Waltine Walt Nauta, are prohibited from communicating with certain witnesses about the facts of the case except through counsel. In order to implement Goodmans special condition of release, the government sought to file the list of witnesses under seal. Cannon on Monday denied the request without prejudice, meaning the matter could be litigated again in the future, records show. The government's motion does not explain why filing the list with the Court is necessary, Cannon wrote. It does not offer a particularized basis to justify sealing the list from public view; it does not explain why partial sealing, redaction, or means other than sealing are unavailable or unsatisfactory; and it does not specify the duration of any proposed seal. Her ruling follows a request filed Monday by a coalition of media companies, including the Palm Beach Post and USA Today, publications owned by the Gannett Co., which also owns TCPalm, asking Cannon to deny the governments request to shield the names of trial witnesses. This case the first prosecution of a former President of the United States is one of the most consequential criminal cases in the nations history, wrote the attorneys representing the media coalition. The American publics interest in this matter and need to monitor its progress every step of the way, cannot be overstated. Trump trial: Fort Pierce business owners worry about Trump criminal trial at U.S. courthouse next door jury pool: Who will be on the jury for Donald Trump's federal trial in Fort Pierce? Prosecutors also requested a pretrial conference to discuss how the government will share classified documents with defense lawyers representing Trump and Nauta under the Classified Information Procedures Act. The Act, dubbed CIPA, in part will govern how Cannon overseas and rules on issues related to the use and admissibility of classified information at trial. A CIPA conference hearing is scheduled for July 14 at 10 a.m., court records show. Trump criminal indictment Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, was indicted earlier this month on 37 criminal counts and pleaded not guilty to all charges related to his taking hundreds of classified records with him when he left the White House in January 2021. Records seized from Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach last year include those classified as confidential, secret and top secret, according to the indictment. Former President Donald Trump's valet Walt Nauta visits Versailles restaurant with Trump on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Nauta, a personal aide whom prosecutors say moved boxes from a storage room to Trump's residence for him to review and later lied to investigators about the movement, joined Trump on Tuesday in federal court. Nauta is expected to be arraigned in a Miami courtroom tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. before Chief Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building, court filings show. He and Trump appeared in federal court in Miami on June 13. Nauta was given permission to get a second attorney on his legal team before entering a plea. He continues to serve as a personal assistant, or "body man," to Trump and attends to his daily needs as Trump ramps up his presidential campaign. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of Uncertain Terms, a true crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Trump's August trial in Fort Pierce likely to be delayed to December Kansas City has had unusually poor air quality this year. Whats causing so much smog? The majority of Kansas Citys recent air pollution is produced right here in the metro from vehicle exhaust, power generation and volatile chemicals, according to a local air quality expert. Since the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) issued the years first ozone alert on May 28, the metro has seen smoggy skies and a total of nine high-smog days so far unusual for this early in the summer. MARC air quality expert Doug Norsby told The Star that faraway Canadian wildfires are partially to blame, but the majority of the dirty air weve seen recently is produced right here in Kansas City. We knew (from predictable summer weather patterns) that it was going to be either above normal or high-normal, Norsby said. But we didnt anticipate this much. Current weather is creating ideal conditions for local smog Earlier in June, some of the air pollution in Kansas City was blowing in from wildfires in Canada. But in recent weeks, a zone of high air pressure has centered on Kansas City and its unlikely to move away anytime soon, Norsby said. While this high-pressure bubble has kept pollution from faraway sources at bay, it has also led to bright, hot days with very little breeze. These conditions have a two-fold effect on ground-level ozone, also known as smog: 1. Sunlight converts gasses like nitrous oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into ground-level ozone. That means the recent bright, sunny weather in the metro is contributing to more ozone production. 2. Normally, wind plays an important role in dissipating air pollution, especially overnight. But under current conditions, almost no wind is moving through Kansas City. This causes ground-level ozone to build up, leading to more high-ozone days. Local emissions create the ingredients for poor air quality While ground-level ozone forms in Kansas City every summer, Norsby noted that this years levels are higher than usual. Thats due to the vehicle, industrial and chemical emissions produced around the metro. I think that theres probably been some increase in the precursor pollutants that generate ozone, just because everybodys ramping back up and the economys kicking off, and were coming out of COVID and people want to travel, he said. Individual sources of NOx and VOCs include any activities that burn fuel or release fumes into the air, including commuting in a gas car, mowing the lawn or doing home improvements with VOC paints or other chemicals. But these gasses arent solely produced by individual consumers: Significant levels of emissions also come from power plants and industrial facilities. Industrial sources of air pollutants in the metro Facilities that produce more than 25,000 metric tons of CO2e every year are required to report their emissions to the EPA. CO2 equivalent or CO2e is a unit used to measure various greenhouse gasses on a standardized scale. Among these reported emissions is nitrous oxide (N2O), a member of the NOx family of gasses and a major contributor to smog. Heres a map of the 21 facilities in the metro area that reported N2O emissions to the EPA last year. Hover over each colored circle to see the name of the facility and how much N2O it reported producing in 2021. The Iatan Generating Station, a power plant in Weston, Missouri, reported the largest production of nitrous oxide in the area in 2021. Evergy owns around 80% of the plant, with three other local utility groups owning the remainder. Evergy also owns the next two largest N2O producers on the map: the La Cygne Generating Station and the Hawthorn Generating Station. In an email to The Star, spokesperson Kaley Bohlen said that the companys emissions of nitrogen oxide, a family of gasses that contribute to smog, have decreased by 88% since 2005. However, she later clarified that this statistic does not apply to N2O, the gas predominantly discussed in this article. In 2022, our emission-free generation was equivalent to 56 percent of our retail customer demand, resulting in the creation of reliable energy with less impact on the environment, Bohlen said. High-smog conditions expected to continue through the summer While Kansas Citys poor air quality has abated in recent days, Norsby expects current smog-friendly weather conditions to continue throughout the summer. Its more of the same, really, where we have just a lot of a lot of high pressure in our area, lots of sun, above average temperatures, dry, low winds, he said. Well be in for a long summer. In the short term, he added that day-to-day pollution levels will depend on whether any wind moves through the city. But in the long term, he expects the conditions for poor air quality to become more common as a result of the climate crisis. There is a role that climate change is playing, both in terms of what kind of weather patterns we can expect to see, and (in) predisposition for forest fires to occur (elsewhere), he said. You can go for a number of years where we have good (air quality), you dont hear about ozone alerts. Or if you do, you might have a handful. But if we have a weather pattern set up just wrong, like we do right now, it can really come and get us. Do you have more questions about air pollution in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com. FILE - Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach answers questions from reporters during a news conference outside his office May 1, 2023, in Topeka, Kan. Transgender people born in Kansas could be prevented from changing their birth certificates to reflect their gender identities if Kobach is successful with a legal move he launched late Friday, June 23. Kobach filed a request in federal court asking a judge to end a requirement that Kansas allow transgender people to change their birth certificates. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A new Kansas law requires the state to reverse any previous gender changes in its records for trans people's birth certificates and driver's licenses while also preventing such changes going forward, the state's conservative Republican attorney general declared Monday. Attorney General Kris Kobach also said public schools' records for students must list them as being the gender they were assigned at birth, whether or not teachers and staff recognize their gender identities. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's office said she disagrees with Kobach's views, though it did not say whether state agencies under the governor's control would follow or defy them, setting up the possibility of a court fight. In 2019, a federal judge began requiring Kansas to allow transgender people to change their birth certificates to settle a lawsuit over a no-change policy. The attorney general must be off his rocker, said Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, an attorney for Lambda Legal, which represented the four Kansas residents. This was a bunch of bombast by an attorney general engaging in politics. A formal but non-binding legal opinion issued Monday by Kobach and his statements during a Statehouse news conference confirmed that the new law, if fully in effect, legally would erase transgender peoples gender identities. Opponents predicted as much before the Republican-controlled Legislature enacted the law over Kellys veto, but the debate focused mostly on keeping transgender people from using restrooms and other facilities in line with their gender identities. The new law defines a person's sex which can conflict with gender identity based on a person's "biological reproductive system at birth. A female has a system developed to produce ova while a male has a system developed to fertilize that ova. It says important governmental objectives of protecting people's health, safety and privacy justify sex-segregated spaces. You can choose whatever name you want. You can choose to live however you want, said state Sen. Renee Erickson, of Wichita, one of three Republican lawmakers who joined Kobach during his news conference. That does not make you a woman. If Kansas didn't allow transgender people to change their birth certificates its policy before the judge's 2019 order it would be among only a few states. Federal judges earlier this month upheld Oklahoma and Tennessee policies against such changes, and Montana could be sued in state courts over a 2022 law. Micah Kubic, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said state agencies are not required to adopt Kobach's views and accused the attorney general of rushing to impose his own stamp of extremism. The state hasn't provided numbers for how many Kansas residents have changed the gender on either their birth certificates or their driver's licenses during the past four years. Kobach put the number for birth certificates at more than 100. Kelly's administration has not said how it will respond to the law. Adam Kellogg, a 20-year-old transgender University of Kansas student, said Kobach's views, if adopted by the state, would mean that transgender people who need to verify their identities would see conflicts between their documents and gender identities get very tangled very quickly. He said transgender people could be forced to out themselves, jeopardizing their safety. This is government imposition in a way that should be more concerning to more people, Kellogg said. Kobach stressed that transgender people would not have to surrender documents in their possession. They just wouldn't be correct, legally. He said he is not yet pressing for state action on birth certificates to give a federal judge a chance to grant his request to cancel the 2019 order. He argued that the state law takes precedent over what he described as a judge signing off on a legal settlement an idea others dispute. The Legislature has spoken, Kobach said during his news conference. The governors staff and the governors agencies cannot act as if the Legislature did not override her veto. In a brief statement Monday, Kelly spokesperson Zach Fletcher said the administration had discussions with Kobach's office but saw the federal judge's 2019 order as the appropriate resolution. Fletcher added that the governor's office would not comment further because of the impending litigation." It wasn't clear whether Kelly's administration expects to defy Kobach and him to sue, or whether the administration will go to court itself. ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Camerons office has settled on a defense to explain the donations at the center of the escalating campaign finance and ethics scandal overshadowing his gubernatorial campaign. The only problem? That defense has some major inconsistencies. In response to a letter on Friday from the Kentucky Democratic Party requesting an FBI investigation into Cameron, the state AGs office issued a statement claiming Cameron recused himself from the state probe into an addiction recovery center immediately after becoming aware that company officials had donated to his campaign. But according to the company, Edgewater Recovery Center, Cameron should have been aware of the donations all along; he first personally solicited the company in Januaryfour months before recusing from the matterthen personally asked for money again in March, just before his office subpoenaed the company. (The investigation was opened sometime in 2022 and appears to be in its final stages, The Daily Beast previously reported.) After Camerons initial outreach, Edgewater began talks with his campaign about hosting a fundraiser, with those talks starting Jan. 20, according to a statement Edgewaters general counsel gave to The Daily Beast. Cameron now claims that the fundraiser was subsequently canceled, according to a statement on Monday to the Associated Press, after he was made aware of the potential conflict of interest. Kentucky GOP Star Took Cash From Recovery Center Hes Investigating Once we were made aware of a conflict, the event was canceled. When they later made online contributions, I recused myself and the contributions were refunded, Cameron said. However, a person familiar with the matter told The Daily Beast that Cameron did not in fact call off the fundraiser. The event was never canceled, just never finalized, this source said. Asked whether Cameron or the campaign ever signaled to the company or its employees that it didnt want to go forward with the prospective donations, the person replied that they never said anything like that. Camerons timeline of events also seems to contradict Edgewaters version. According to Edgewater, Cameron initiated the fundraising beginning in January. He then had two more months to perform due diligence and deconflict the donations, but he still solicited the money himself in March. Cameron also apparently didnt take steps to alert his campaign that it shouldnt accept money from this company that was under investigationa company Cameron had just personally asked for contributions. (One of the donors, Edgewater medical director William Fannin, is mentioned by name in Camerons May 19 notice of recusal.) Cameron only recused himself from the case two months after the donations came in, doing so a week after winning the primary election that the money was designated to fund. He submitted the recusal notice two days after his office received a public records request inquiring about all of Camerons recent recusals. It then took another month for the Cameron campaign to return the contributions, which it did days after receiving another public records request for details about the casethree months after receiving the Edgewater funds, and five months after the campaign first contacted the company about providing financial support. On January 20, 2023, a few people associated with Edgewater, including myself, had a call with Daniel Camerons campaign about holding a fundraiser for him, and continued communication with them through March to schedule this fundraiser, Edgewater general counsel Ashley Adkins wrote in an email to The Daily Beast. It was in March that Daniel Cameron called and personally asked for a donation. The email added that Camerons office subpoenaed Edgewater the same month he asked for the contributions. The Associated Press reported on Monday that Edgewater had received the subpoena in early March, prior to the planned fundraiser, but after Cameron personally solicited the donations. Kentucky Dems Ask Feds to Probe Daniel Cameron Donations While the company had not yet received an official complaint, Adkins said the company would soon file an open records request for more details. The investigation into Edgewater centers around its billing practices, according to records obtained by The Daily Beast. The Edgewater scandal could become a flashpoint in Camerons race for governor, directly undermining his own accusations against current Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. And Camerons tortured timeline could blow up in his face if it fails to convince votersor the FBIunder scrutiny. Last week, Kentucky deputy attorney general Vic Maddox claimed Cameron recused himself from the Edgewater Recovery probe immediately after he became aware of the donations. Immediately after learning of the contributions, on May 19, 2023, General Cameron recused himself from any decisions regarding any possible investigation involving the Edgewater organization, Maddox wrote, adding that Cameron has the highest regard for ethics laws and opinions, and will continue to do so. Neither the OAG nor a Cameron spokesperson immediately replied to The Daily Beasts request for comment. Edgewater counsel in the matter directed The Daily Beast to the Associated Press report and declined further comment. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Beshear campaign spokesperson Alex Floyd told The Daily Beast in a statement that Cameron must be investigated and accused the OAG of dodging its ethical duty out of an interest to protect the rising GOP star. The timing is clearDaniel Cameron personally called a business he was investigating and solicited campaign contributions. His actions are unethical and must be investigated. The Attorney Generals Office has an obligation to refer Camerons actions to the FBI, but has refused in order to protect Cameron, the statement said. In Edgewaters email to The Daily Beast, Adkinsthe company general counsel who gave Cameron $700 on March 17, then another $700 one month laterexplained that the employees made the contributions because Daniel Cameron supports individuals in recovery through reentry and rebuilding communities. Beyond Adkins and Fannin, the donors include Edgewaters owner, John David Elam, as well as the directors of its clinical and human resource divisions. In all, Edgewater employees gave Cameron a combined $6,900 between March 16 and April 17, according to Kentucky campaign finance records. No Edgewater employee had previously contributed to Cameron. (An Edgewater compliance employee donated $300 to Beshear on May 11, state filings show.) The OAGs office declined to release the case file when asked, citing possible harm to a mature investigation that included witness testimony, subpoenas, sealed court filings, and pending decisions about penalties or potential criminal charges, The Daily Beast previously reported. Last week, Cameron asked the FBI to investigate the circumstances surrounding a combined $200,000 in contributions to the Kentucky Democratic Party and Beshears campaign. The donations came in the names of multiple people but were tied to one credit cardthe product of a previously reported bundling effort by a Kentucky Republican mayor supporting Beshear. The campaign and the KDP returned the excess amounts before Camerons FBI referral. 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 legal action against the state. A total of 16 Pace-O-Matic executives and their family members separately gave nearly $30,000 directly to Camerons campaign, with all 16 contributions coming the day before the lawsuit was filed, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. Those donations came in late March, weeks after Cameron allegedly first learned about the Edgewater conflict. Adkins email noted that Edgewater has a history of bipartisan cooperation and is willing to work with anyone who supports individuals in recovery, including Beshear, who Adkins noted has made huge strides to assist individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. She also pointed to House Bill 248, an effort to provide quality standards for recovery housing, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Samara Heavrin. We worked closely with Representative Heavrin, regardless of party, because it was the right thing to do for the people we servepeople in recovery, the email said. 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. EL PASO, Texas A woman accused of fatally shooting her Uber driver in West Texas after mistakenly believing she was being kidnapped into Mexico has been charged with murder, authorities said. Phoebe Copas, 48, who is from Tompkinsville, Kentucky, was visiting her boyfriend in El Paso, Texas, when the shooting took place on June 16. The El Paso Police Department said Copas shot 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia in the head while he was driving her to a location in far southeast El Paso. According to a complaint affidavit, Copas saw traffic signs that read Juarez, Mexico, during her ride and falsely believed she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. El Paso is located on the U.S.-Mexico border across from Juarez. El Paso Police officers initially arrested and charged Copas on suspicion of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury in connection to the shooting. Copas was booked into the El Paso County Jail and remained jailed on Sunday. With Piedra's death, the charge has been upgraded to murder, El Paso Police Department officials said. Copas' bond is now set at $1.5 million. Phoebe Copas, 48, of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, is accused of fatally shooting an Uber driver. Suspect claims fear of kidnapping was reason for shooting Piedra picked up Copas at about 2 p.m. in a gray Nissan Maxima and was driving her to another location to meet with her boyfriend, the affidavit states. As they drove on U.S. 54 southbound in South-Central El Paso, Copas saw traffic signs that showed the words "Juarez, Mexico." That allegedly led her to believe Piedra was attempting to kidnap her and take her across the border, the affidavit states. Copas is accused of grabbing a silver and brown handgun from her purse and shooting Piedra in the back right side of his head, according to the affidavit. This caused the vehicle to crash into roadway barriers before coming to a stop on the freeway. The area where the car crashed was "not in close proximity of a bridge, port of entry or other area with immediate access to travel into Mexico," the affidavit states. It adds, "The roadway (Copas) was traveling on is a normal route to drive to the destination requested by the (Copas)." Prior to calling 911, police allege that Copas took a photo of Piedra after he was shot and sent it to her boyfriend via text message. Officers arrived at the scene at about 2:20 p.m. and saw Copas being helped out of the car by her boyfriend. Copas then dropped everything she was holding in her hands on the ground, including a brown and silver handgun, the affidavit states. Officers found Piedra slumped over in the driver's seat of the car, shot in the head. Copas was detained by the officers as they investigated the shooting. Piedra was taken to University Medical Center of El Paso for treatment. Piedra was declared brain dead at the hospital Piedra was hospitalized for several days before his family took him off life support after doctors told them he would not recover. The decision to remove him from life support devastated the family, Piedra's niece Didi Lopez said. "His status was not gonna change if we did not disconnect him," Lopez said. "It was basically just gonna be like in a vegetative state. We didn't want to see him suffering. We didn't want him to live out his life like that. "It was hard because we wanted him to, of course, wake up and continue living his life, but we basically didn't make the decision. The decision was made for us and for him the second that those bullets went inside of his head." A GoFundMe account was created to help raise money for the family of Daniel Piedra Garcia, an Uber driver who died after being shot by a passenger Friday, June 16, 2023, on US 54 in South-Central El Paso. 'A hardworking man' All Piedra wanted to do was provide for his family and be there when they needed him the most. "He was a hardworking man and really funny," Lopez said. "He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that if he saw you in a bad mood, he'd come over and try to lift you up and always was making us laugh. Such a funny, caring and hardworking man." Three weeks ago, Piedra, the sole provider of his household, began working as an Uber driver. He began his shift by picking up passengers at 7 a.m. and ending it around 2 p.m. On June 16, he picked up his last customer of the day and as his shift neared its end, his wife had not heard from him. She called and texted him but received no answer. And his family never heard from him again. "They (Piedra's family) started calling all the hospitals, trying to see if he was there. And then someone had mentioned the article that came out about an Uber driver being shot. They called the (El Paso Police Department) nonemergency number and then that's when they told them that it was him. And so for us to go to the hospital. That's how we found out." Community comes together to support family, remember Piedra Since the shooting, the El Paso community has come together to help Piedra's family and honor his life, which was cut way too short, Lopez said. "We want justice," Lopez said. "It wasn't fair that that's how the situation played out. I wish she (Copas) would've spoken up, asked questions, not acted on impulse and make a reckless decision because not only did she ruin our lives, but she ruined her life, too. We just want justice for him. That's all we're asking." A vigil for Piedra was held on Friday at a local park and his family welcomed the community to celebrate Piedra's life and memory. "We basically just wanted to open it up to the community because his funeral will be private," Lopez said. "We have seen how much people are backing us up online and all the people who have donated. And so we kind of wanted a chance to give the community a moment to just kind of grieve with us and see their support in real life." A GoFundMe page was created to help the family pay for hospital and funeral expenses. A vigil was held Friday for Daniel Piedra Garcia, an Uber driver who died after being shot by a passenger June 16 on U.S. 54 in South-Central El Paso. Contributing: The Associated Press Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Uber driver fatally shot by woman who thought she was being kidnapped McCarthy has already made clear that he will not support the indicted congressmans re-election bid. Tom Williams and Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Kevin McCarthy said on Monday that Rep. George Santos "shouldn't run" for re-election. But he expressed confidence that Republicans would hold onto Santos' seat, which leans Democratic. McCarthy has previously said he would not back Santos' re-election campaign. Asked on Fox News on Monday if he's supporting the re-election campaign of Rep. George Santos, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy let out a hearty laugh. "No, I am not," said McCarthy. "He shouldn't run for re-election." Pressed on whether he's been involved with recruiting another Republican candidate, McCarthy demurred, saying only that his party would "keep that seat with another Republican." McCarthy has already said he does not support Santos's re-election campaign. But his declaration on Monday that Santos shouldn't run at all went one step further. Santos, who faces a 13-count indictment in federal court in New York for a litany of criminal charges including fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds, has nonetheless vowed to seek re-election. McCarthy has said that he will not urge Santos to resign unless he is convicted, a standard he's mantained for other members of his conference who've faced criminal charges. But he has blocked Santos from serving on House committees, owing to long-standing questions about the congressman's ethics and his history of lying about his past. Citing the campaign-related nature of McCarthy's comments, a spokeswoman for Santos declined to comment on the matter. But after the initial publication of this article, Santos weighed in on Twitter, saying McCarthy's comments "do not change" plans to run for re-election. Read the original article on Business Insider Sophias child called her Wednesday, eager to talk about the days summer camp trip to the swimming pool, complete with a slide and a basketball net. But the most important words came next: Mommy, I feel happy. Sophia, a survivor of domestic violence and mother to two elementary school-age kids, moved into Newhouse, Kansas Citys first domestic violence shelter, about a year ago. The Star is using a pseudonym to protect the survivors identity. As she works to learn English, secure a job and gain financial stability for her family, her children are putting in their own work, whether they know it or not. Her kids are among a growing number of youth living at domestic violence shelters in the Kansas City area. In fact, for the first time at least in recent years, children now outnumber adults living in KC area shelters making up 56% of the shelter population. Its a sobering reality thats brought an opportunity for domestic violence shelters to help break the cycle of violence by rethinking how they care for kids. They see an opportunity to stop violence before it starts with the help of their youngest clients. At Newhouse, this is particularly evident in their summer camp, now in its second year, focused on giving youth the tools to heal and build healthy relationships, even after experiencing the trauma of abuse. While we serve adults, our significant focus is on the next generation because thats where we know we really have the opportunity to interrupt and break the cycle of violence, said Newhouse CEO Courtney Thomas. A worksheet is seen filled out by residents and during summer camp at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. More children are living in shelters The number of children living in domestic violence shelters in the metro has been on the rise for several years. In 2019, about 43% of domestic violence shelter residents on the Missouri side of the KC metro were children, according to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. This data encompasses Jackson, Clinton, Platte, Clay, Jackson, Ray, Carroll and Chariton counties. In 2020, that number rose to 47%, and in 2021, children surpassed adults in shelters, with about 52% of shelter residents being youth. Last year, per the latest available data, 56% of shelter residents were children - about 140 more kids than adults. Matthew Huffman, with the coalition, doesnt expect this trend to reverse anytime soon. He said when a parent with children enters a shelter, data shows they are staying longer too. The reason for this increase in kids in shelters isnt exact, but Huffman believes its connected to a widespread shortage of safe and affordable housing, as well as limited affordable childcare, particularly in Kansas City. Both are especially challenging to find for parents with multiple children, who may be in more dire need of a shelter space longer-term. The lasting effects of childrens exposure to violence are well-researched. So often, domestic violence is said to be generational. Domestic violence doesnt just impact individual survivors. It has ripple effects that can impact an entire family, and then we see how it impacts entire communities, Huffman said. Girls who witness domestic violence are six times more likely to be sexually abused, according to the US Department of Health & Human Services. Boys who witness domestic violence are ten times more likely to commit abuse as adults. This statistic is constantly on the mind of Thomas, who joined Newhouse as CEO in early 2020. Its in part why, in 2021, leadership at Newhouse transitioned their childrens program which until then had served mostly as a daycare into a more intentional and robust program built on evidence-based curriculum and therapy that teaches conflict resolution, self-regulation and coping mechanisms among a host of other skills, all while trying to focus on fun. For those that are living in a violent household and that has been all they know, they dont know that life can be different, and so there is this level of acceptance and level of tolerance that is embedded in their DNA, she said. Thomas sees the difference. Now she overhears children, many of whom are developmentally behind their peers, say things like, soft touches only please, I need more space or I can do it on my own. A different kind of summer camp Violence can be difficult to talk about, especially with children. But Courtney Bailey, clinical manager at the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center, said to break the cycle of violence, its crucial that kids understand what they witnessed, acknowledge that it was scary, and learn how to navigate their own emotions going forward, like anger and fear. Thankfully, she said, people and institutions are increasingly talking about how they can best serve kids who are at an increased risk of adverse outcomes. On a recent Tuesday at Newhouse, help came in the form of mindful yoga. The sound started out as a low hum, then transitioned into more of a wail. About a dozen kids ranging in age from late elementary school to high school sat on colorful yoga mats as caseworker Esmeralda Campa showed them how to use a singing bowl. She pulled a mallet slowly across the mouth of the bowl as the sound reverberated louder. Be gentle with the bowl and be gentle with yourself, Campa told the children. The more gentle you are, the louder it is. Guests practice using a yoga singing bowl during a meditation class at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. The kids, giggling and restless after a moth interrupted the yoga session, were next instructed to twist, shake and tap different parts of their body. To recognize the power in their limbs. To touch their back, where many people hold anger, to release the tension in their shoulders. Campa repeated affirmations with them: I am brave. I am strong. I am loved. I can do hard things. I am capable. Capable of what? one girl asked. Anything, Campa reassured her. LaVeeda Simmons, the lead childrens therapist at Newhouse, said the summer camp is about the kids, but ultimately benefits the whole family. On that particular day, Newhouse was the temporary home to five pets, 21 adults and 35 kids. She helps children name their emotions. Then they learn what to do with whatever theyre feeling. This weeks camp was focused on anger management. (The week before was built around healing and nature.) As Simmons led the kids in a few rounds of anger BINGO, she talked with them about safe and unsafe words and actions, going a step beyond just telling the group that its not OK to yell or push. The goal is to give the kids more tools, so that they can set boundaries and communicate when they need time or space. She said many adults teach children to be quiet. Instead she tells them, You have a voice. Theres just a time and place to use it. LaVeeda Simmons, lead childrens therapist, leads a group therapy class during summer camp at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. Breaking cycles of violence One domestic violence shelter in Kansas City is taking these lessons outside the shelter walls and into schools. Project SAFE, a school violence prevention program, brings resources to Kansas City metro schools to help youth heal from violence and build resiliency. In 2022, more than 1,200 students were served across 30 schools through the program, said Lisa Fleming, CEO of the Rose Brooks Center, which runs the program. Rose Brooks has also seen an increase in the number of kids at their shelter, which Fleming attributes in part to the push to further destigmatize getting help for domestic violence during the pandemic lockdown, when many victims were trapped at home with their abusers. Pre-COVID, the Rose Brooks domestic violence hotline averaged between 400 and 600 calls a month, Fleming said. The number has grown to about 1,000 calls a month, according to 2022 data. Between 2019 and 2022, Rose Brooks saw a 22% increase in the number of children staying at their shelter. In that same time, theyve seen a 16% increase in the ratio of families to single adults served through their housing programs or emergency shelter. As a result, Fleming said, theyve working to make the physical shelter environment more accessible for large families, redesigning their therapeutic spaces to be more kid-friendly and building an outdoor space for children. She wants the message to be clear: Children are welcome here. For parents like Sophia, programs like those at Rose Brooks and the one her children are in at Newhouse are a relief. The [kids] are learning how the [emotions] work and how to have the power to control your [emotions], Sophia said. Theyve learned the importance of compliments, and words of affirmation. They meditate as a family. At night, it includes foot massages courtesy of mom. Thomas said its also a chance to show the kids that life can be hopeful, positive and fun. It brings a great sense of pride to us to be able to show them that life can be different and you can be in control of shaping what happens next, she said. None of us can control what has happened to us, but we can be in control of what happens next. You have more power inside of you than you think. Guest and residents play anger bingo during summer camp at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. How to get help If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, the following resources are available: Hope House is a nonprofit that operates six domestic violence shelters in the Kansas City area. You can reach it directly at 816-461-4673 or call the metro domestic violence hotline at 816-468-5463 to reach any of its shelters. The Mattie Rhodes Center provides crisis counseling services primarily in Spanish to Kansas City families. Its services include domestic violence intervention and mental health counseling. You can contact the center at 816-241-3780. MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) is Kansas Citys largest resource organization for survivors of sexual assault. You can contact the groups crisis hotline at 816-531-0233 in Missouri or 913-642-0233 in Kansas. Newhouse is a domestic violence shelter in Kansas City that also provides therapy services, court advocacy and transitional housing. You can call the shelter at 816-471-5800. Rose Brooks is a domestic violence shelter that also accommodates pets. You can call its 24-hour crisis hotline at 816-861-6100. Safehome is a domestic violence shelter and nonprofit located in Overland Park. You can call its 24-hour hotline at 913-262-2868. Synergy Services is a domestic violence and youth crisis resource center based in Parkville. Teens and young adults can call its youth crisis hotline at 816-741-8700 or 888-233-1639 to learn about its services, which include a shelter for runaway and homeless youth. MOCADSV also has a statewide public directory for those searching for help outside the Kansas City metro. How you can help The 10-week-long childrens summer camp at Newhouse is in need of the following items. Those who want to help can email info@newhousekc.org to set up a delivery, or they can order directly from Newhouses Amazon wishlist at https://newhousekc.org/donate/. Kim Kardashian is teasing her avidly awaited season on American Horror Story, but amid the writers strike, her presence on set is sparking a publicity horror story of its own. Kardashian on Friday tweeted a hello to fans from the set of one of the few shows still shooting amid the work stoppage, according to Variety. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted to strike in April and did so starting in May. The strike passed the 50-day mark last week. Hi guys! Im on set of AHS and we have some time between shots, Kardashian tweeted. What are you all up to???? About 2,700 people replied to the post, and many of them told her exactly what they were up to. Picketing, Kim, tweeted Loot actor Joel Kim Booster. Striking in support of my union, writer Jesse McClaren replied. Lady theyre literally on strike, posted another user. Theyre striking, queenie, storm off set, tweeted social media influencer Danisha Carter. Writers have been striking since May, as the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers negotiate a new contract regarding writers pay Everything from late-night talk shows to Saturday Night Live have been shut down in solidarity, for lack of writers or both, resorting to reruns or, in the case of the Daytime Emmys, postponement. Individual actors, too, have opted out of appearances while the strike is under way. TV writer Franchesca Ramsey did note, according to Salon, that its the showrunners, not the actors, who call the shots on shutting down production because there is no strike clause in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) contract. Kardashians role was announced in April, about a week before the strike vote. She is playing character Siobhan Walsh and starring with Emma Roberts, who plays Anna Alcott and Cara Delevigne as Ivory. Despite the censure and even accusations of crossing picket lines, the reality television star turned actress went on to tease the shows terrifying 12th season. Its gonna be gooooooodddd!!!! Kardashian tweeted to one fan. And scary! Last week, we talked with Kindred Ventures, a small, nine-year-old, San Francisco-based early-stage venture firm that, despite investing in a lot of nascent startups -- more than 100 to date -- takes a generalist approach, investing in AI, climate tech, consumer internet companies, crypto deals, fintech startups, health startups, mobility startups and the outfits developing tools and infrastructure. It's a little like trying to boil the ocean. Still, the firm's two managing directors -- Steve Jang and Kanyi Maqubela -- have had enough success that Kindred's investors last year agreed to let them up the ante considerably. After closing a $56 million fund in 2019 and a $101 million fund in 2021, Kindred last year closed a $200 million fund, as well as a $112 million later-stage fund to back growth-stage companies in Kindred's own portfolio and outside it. The capital more than doubled their assets under management, a figure that's currently around $550 million, including some special purpose vehicles (SPVs) they have assembled along the way. The appeal is understandable. Though the outfit's biggest wins to date -- Uber, Coinbase, Postmates -- have come from an angel fund and an SPV, respectively, Kindred has proven its ability to get into interesting deals. Indeed, among its newer bets is Humane, a buzzy, still-stealth startup founded by former Apple team Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno that received a seed investment from Kindred, which then went on to lead the company's $100 million Series C round in March. We talked about a range of things with Jang and Maqubela, and we'll have a podcast from that chat available soon; in the meantime, excerpted below is part of our discussion that centered on the future of startups, and whether the ongoing advancements in AI will mean more of them, or far fewer. TechCrunch: Because people are so interested in all things AI right now, can you talk a bit about the companies that you have funded? Steve Jang: We've focused a lot on frontier technology over time, and going after 10- to 20-years-story-arc companies. Humane is one of them. We've invested in a company called Hourone AI, which is a video AI company out of Tel Aviv in Israel. We're early investors in Tonal, which has used a lot of computer vision and machine learning historically and is now upgrading a lot of what it's doing in that area and bringing forward a lot of AI-related features. We have companies that are in robotics; we have companies in supply chains. They're all tapping into the opportunity that they're seeing, with not only generative AI but industrial AI, too. On the generative AI front, there are these foundation model companies, as well as, right now, many more application layer companies, hardware companies, infrastructure and tooling companies. But over time, it's still not clear to me whether we'll have four companies in the world or four bazillion, given how empowering AI appears to be. Kanyi Maqubela: Oh, gosh, there will be way, way, way more companies. It's part of the trend of moving up the abstraction layer and allowing more people to become builders. It used to be the case that if [wanted] to build something, you needed to have a certain skill set, which was actually confined to a really reasonably small segment of the population. But that first wave of computing gave everybody superpowers and each subsequent wave since has only given further superpowers. And so what we're now looking at -- and you're seeing this almost across the stack -- is cardiologists that can interface with really complex large, real-time datasets and do really interesting manipulations of them without having to code. You've got designers that can design full-stack websites and full-stack platforms and applications on the web without having to code -- and that's just at the level of code. There are so many other ways that intelligence is compounding because of these systems, so I think there's going to be a massive explosion of new startups that are enabled by the fact that we are now allowing more people to have access to more extremely sophisticated leveraged software tools. Are you at all worried that this explosion could destroy the venture business? Where is the scale if everyone is capable of running their own company with these tools? SJ: This question was asked a lot right around the time of AWS and iOS and Android. These three things were all launched [around the same time] and people wondered: does this mean that anyone can start a company? The ability to get started is much easier, which is good for society. As for investors, the day of having pretty controlled access to startups and this phony network play in your favor -- based on pedigree and brand -- maybe that game has opened up. What we love about it is that it gets many more entrepreneurs into building their product ideas out, and I think that's overall great. So I think for the old guard that might be problematic, but for the new guard of investors, whether it's angel investors, small seed funds or large lead seed funds, this is great. But if everyone has these super sophisticated new tools, doesn't everything eventually become commoditized? KM: We actually had a discussion about something similar last night. I guess the first thing to think about is: there are probably an infinite number of ways to customize information, particularly when it comes to media and content, and that customization actually results in extraordinary consumer surplus and extraordinary power for the end user. The ability to consume highly personalized content, to create highly personalized content, to have that content be flexible -- applied across industry, by the way, so in healthcare and care coordination, communication, mental health, friendship, social networking -- is really, really powerful. The other thing that I think is worth noting is we are in a really interesting place right now. Steve mentioned a period of time when this amazing confluence of new platforms all came to market at the same time. Then there was a pretty long period after that, where we were all just sort of enjoying mobile and SaaS. Now, we're going to need a new way of thinking about how business models get activated, new metrics and new benchmarking, and that's really exciting, particularly for an early-stage investor who's focusing on products and the starting point of innovation. But it is going to look different than the last cycle and that's by design the same way that the mobile and SaaS were very different from the first internet cycle, which looked very different than the cycle before it. Know your rights during this Texas heat wave. Heres how outdoor workers are protected In 2020, 170 Texas workers fell ill from exposure to heat on the job, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between 2011 and 2018, 42 Texans died from heat exposure while working. From 2011 to 2020, the latest year data was available, 4,030 Texas employees suffered from heat-related illness. Heat-related workplace deaths and illnesses in Texas have vastly decreased since 2011, due in large part to mandated breaks ordered by the city of Austin in 2010 and Dallas in 2015. Workers were required to take a 10-minute break every four hours to drink water and protect themselves from the sun. Heat illness numbers in Texas went from 770 to 170, and heat deaths from 9 to 5. A new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 13 during a scathing Texas heat wave bringing triple-digit temperatures seeks to change that. Beginning September 1, many of those mandated water breaks will be rescinded. Several Texas workers have already died during the blistering heat, including USPS letter carrier Eugene Gates and a 35-year-old utility lineman working to restore power in Marshall. Texas workplace heat protection rights Heat illness affects thousands of workers each year and can lead to death. If you work outdoors in Texas, heres what you need to know about your rights working in the heat. Though the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have a specific standard to address heat-related hazards, the agency has enforcement initiatives and resources focused on making sure employers understand their responsibility to protect workers from heat stress hazards, OSHA spokesperson Juan Rodriguez told the Star-Telegram. As temperatures continue to exceed dangerous levels in Texas and many parts of the country, employers need to act responsibly about their legal obligations to protect their workers from the well-known hazards of heat illness, Rodriguez says. Every employer is required to provide safe and healthful working conditions for their employees under OSHAs General Duty Clause, and is subject to citation if they fail to protect workers from recognized hazards, which include working conditions that lead to heat illness. Several other OSHA standards also address worker protection in hot environments, including sanitation, medical services and first aid, and record-keeping. OSHA compliance officers evaluate workplaces on a case-by-case basis, determining if a heat hazard exists and recommending applicable control methods, which include implementing water, rest, shade, training and acclimatization procedures for new or returning employees. While the long-term work of developing a permanent heat workplace safety rule remains a top priority, OSHAs Dallas region launched a Regional Emphasis Program on Heat in 2019 and OSHA national followed suit with a National Emphasis Program in 2022 to immediately improve enforcement and compliance efforts, Rodriguez said. These programs focus agency resources on specific hazards and high-hazard industries exposing workers to extreme heat conditions. They involve a combination of enforcement and compliance assistance to help ensure employers protect workers and workers have the knowledge and resources to stay safe, according to OSHA. As the agency works towards a permanent rule, Rodriguez says it will continue to use all available resources, including compliance assistance and enforcement. The agency strongly encourages employers to reach out to its compliance assistance specialists around the country for information on how best to address heat-related hazards at their workplaces. Employees can file a complaint to OSHA about a lack of heat protection by calling 1-800-321-6742 or going to https://www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint. For more information, visit www.osha.gov/heat. What we know about Russias armed rebellion Wagner leader met with Putin days after mutiny, Kremlin says A man takes down a poster with writing reading Join us at Wagner, which is associated with the owner of the Wagner private military contractor, Yevgeny Prigozhin, above a highway on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. | Associated Press Led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary group was employed by Russia to fight against Ukraine in the war. At the end of June, the group rebelled and began marching toward Moscow. Here are the latest updates: Prigozhin met with Putin five days after the rebellion, Kremlin says Monday, July 10 Just five days after the failed rebellion, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and 35 others, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said on Monday, per The Associated Press. The meeting took place on June 29 and lasted for roughly three hours, during which time Putin gave an assessment of the groups actions in Ukraine and also of the march toward the Russian capital, per AP. Additionally, he listened to the commanders and proposed further employment options and further combat options, Peskov told The New York Times. Peskov said that the group emphasized that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of Putin Prighozin previously said the mutiny was against military leadership, not necessarily Putin and the Russian government. They are prepared to fight for the country going forward, said Peskov. Theres been uncertainty about Prigozhins whereabouts he was meant to be in Belarus, according to a deal made with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, but on July 6, Lukashenko told CNN that the Wagner leader was free to go where he liked and was in St. Petersburg. The Times reported that Prigozhin hasnt been seen publicly since June 24. Russian general knew about mercenarys plans, according to U.S. officials Wednesday, June 28 Unnamed U.S. officials told The New York Times that, according to U.S. intelligence, at least one of Russian President Vladimir Putins cabinet members knew of the rebellion in advance although whether they were part of the rebellion or knew it through leaked information is unclear. Intelligence gathered by the United States days before the advance said that Yevgeny Prigozhin was going to capture high-ranking Russian officials, but halted the operation once the information was leaked from an unknown source, per The Wall Street Journal. Some Russian officials are accused of working with Prigozhin by American intelligence from intercepted electronic communications which received a response from a Kremlin spokesperson, who called the claim gossip, per the Times. But U.S. officials question how seamlessly the Wagner group made its way toward Moscow without someone on the inside. In a meeting on Tuesday, Viktor Zolotov, who heads the Coast Guard or Rosgvardia, said that his soldiers were focused in Moscow at the time, leaving the countryside open, per The Wall Street Journal. One cabinet member is under particular scrutiny For now, Putin is reluctant to change people in his leadership, Alexander Baunov, who is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told the Times. But if the secret service puts files on Putins desk... it may change, he finished. Putin rebukes Wagner rebellion in new address Tuesday, June 27 Russian President Vladimir Putin commented for the first time on Monday evening since the Wagner group stopped its advance toward Moscow. He confirmed that charges had been dropped against the group and its leader, and gave the members of the group the opportunity to follow Prigozhin to Belarus, return to their families, or sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry, The Washington Post reported. Prigozhin was confirmed to have made it safely to Belarus by President Alexander Lukashenko, per the Post. Putin then addressed the reasoning for letting the group get so close to the capital. He claimed that he could have stopped the group at any time but waited to avoid a lot of bloodshed and to give those who made a mistake a chance to change their minds, per The New York Times. But it wouldnt have gotten much farther, he said. All the necessary decisions were immediately taken to neutralize the threat that had arisen, Putin said, per the Post. An armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case. Aftermath of the Russian mercenary chiefs armed rebellion Monday, June 26 Moscow has steadily returned to normal over the weekend after the mercenary Wagner group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin halted its approach on Saturday. The blatant movement against Russian President Vladimir Putins leadership has called into question his authority and the stability of Russia. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin spoke to Russian citizens on Monday and acknowledged that the rebellion was a challenge to the countrys stability, reported Reuters. He called for unity and loyalty to the president. Putin hasnt commented on the situation since Saturday when he threatened to punish all involved with the rebellion. Leaders from across the globe commented on the cracks within Russias political system following the rebellion. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the insurrection was successful in creating more cracks in the Russian facade, per Reuters. What has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system, Josep Borrell, the European Unions foreign policy chief, said Monday at a summit in Luxembourg. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said that the longer Russian aggression lasts, the more degradation it causes in Russia itself, per The Washington Post. More support from the European Union, along with an additional aid package from Australia, is on its way to support Ukraine in the war, the Post reported. Prigozhin, the Wagner group leader, made a deal to leave Russia and enter Belarus, an ally of Russia. With that spotlight shed on Russias ally, Germany is sending soldiers to Lithuania to secure the eastern border shared with Belarus, per the Post. Russian mercenaries stop movement toward Moscow Saturday, June 24 Late Saturday, the paramilitary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin halted its march toward Moscow. As the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Prigozhin was wanted for betrayal and treason against Russian President Vladimir Putin for turning what he said was 25,000 soldiers against the Russian government, The Associated Press reported. Prigozhin said he was reacting to a Russian attack on Wagner camps, an act which the Russian Defense Ministry denied, per AP. After capturing the southern city of Rostov, Wagner soldiers started moving toward the capital on Friday but stopped 125 miles away from Moscow on Saturday, per Reuters. Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled, Prigozhin said in an audio recording obtained by Reuters. Understanding ... that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned. Military vehicles began pulling out of Rostov Saturday night, per The New York Times. Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitri S. Peskov, made the announcement that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be dropped and he would go instead to Belarus, per the Times. Other soldiers who didnt participate in the attack would sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense. Correction: An earlier version of this story spelled Yevgeny Prigozhins name incorrectly. Related What is known about the murder of 16-year-old partisans in occupied Berdyansk? 16-year-old Tyhran Ohanesyan There are still many unknown circumstances in the murder of 16-year-old Tyhran Ohanesyan and Mykyta Khanhanov in Berdyansk, Olha Reshetylova, coordinator of the Media Initiative for Human Rights, said in a Facebook post dated June 25. The night before, on June 24, the Kremlins puppet governor of Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Vladimir Rogov, announced the murder of two Ukrainian partisans by the Russian forces, calling them "terrorists." A video of Tyhran appeared on social media. In it, he is seen holding a rifle and wearing tactical gloves: "Two for sure, it's death, guys. Goodbye! Glory to Ukraine!" presumably referring to the elimination of the Russian soldiers. Reshetylova said that Ukrainian human rights activists have been working on the teenagers' case since the fall of 2022, when so-called investigators in occupied Berdyansk abducted Tyhran from his home and brutally tortured him for five days. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation was preparing the case for trial, accusing the boys of "preparing a sabotage on the railroad." In June 2023, the European Parliament passed a resolution demanding the release of the teenagers from the occupied territory. Read also: Russians looking to abduct nearly 300 children from Berdyansk District to Russian republic of Chuvashia Then, according to Reshetylova, the charges against the boys were separated: Mykyta was to be charged with "theft" and Tyhran with "sabotage". A few days ago, an "investigator" came to pick them up with an armed escort, but the boys managed to escape. On the day before their murders, they paid a visit to the occupation police, and half an hour before the call informing their parents that the boys had been killed, Tyhran's mother talked to him, Reshetylova writes. The boy was "calm" then, saying that he was walking with Mykyta and thinking about how to celebrate the latter's birthday. On June 25, he was to turn 17. "At the moment, we see a lot of discrepancies in facts, timing, clothes," Reshetylova said. The parents have not seen the boys' bodies yet. Instead, their relatives have been taxed with interrogations and searches since yesterday evening. This gives grounds to question the main version of the investigation about the attack on the police. At the very least, Tyhran and Mykyta's parents believe that the whole shootout and the dying video was staged, (in order) to kill the boys. She said Ukrainian investigative authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the murder of the children. The Media Initiative for Human Rights is cooperating with them and will also conduct its own detailed investigation into the circumstances of the murder of the 16-year-old boys. 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 Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said Monday that a new state law requires Kansas agencies over time to ensure birth certificates and drivers licenses use residents sex at birth, undercutting a push by transgender residents to update their documents before the law goes into effect this coming Saturday. Kobach said nothing requires trans residents to surrender either current birth certificates or drivers licenses, but added that their birth certificates would be outdated. Trans residents who have updated licenses can continue to use them, he said, but when the licenses are renewed they will be issued a card that has their sex at birth. The Republican attorney general released an advisory opinion outlining what he contends are the requirements of SB 180, a sweeping law passed by the Legislature this spring that bars trans and nonbinary people from single-sex spaces that do not match their sex at birth. Kobachs opinion only analyzes the law as it relates to birth certificates, drivers licenses and state prisons. It does not delve into how the new law affects public restrooms and other single-sex spaces. The opinion isnt binding, but sets down Kobachs views ahead of a coming legal confrontation over the new law, titled the Womens Bill of Rights. According to Kobach, SB 180 requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to restore previously modified birth certificates to their original form. The law also requires the Kansas Department of Revenue to update its database of drivers license holders to reflect their sex at birth, Kobach said. The Legislature chose to have our laws reflect biological facts rather than a persons chosen expression of identity and I think thats a reasonable choice and, in fact, its a choice that is most legally defensible, Kobach told reporters at a news conference at the Kansas Capitol. Because as these statutes are tested in court and as they are applied to one another, there needs to be consistency in our laws and our laws should reflect truth. And SB 180 ensures that it reflects biological truth. The opinion comes after Kobachs office on Friday filed court documents seeking to overturn portions of a federal consent judgment requiring the state to issue updated birth certificates to trans residents. Even as attorney general, Mr. Kobachs opinion is just that his opinion, Micah Kubic, director of the ACLU of Kansas, said in a statement. SB 180 provides very little in the way of meaningful clarity. As he has done so many times in the past, Mr. Kobach was more than willing to rush in and impose his own stamp of extremism in an attempt to allow the state to deny Kansans their basic constitutional rights, Kubic said. But should he decide to go further in an attempt to enforce his interpretation, the ACLU of Kansas remains ready to respond with the full force of our community and our legal team. Kobachs opinion, if followed by state officials, potentially raises questions about whether trans residents will encounter difficulties in situations that require birth certificates or drivers licenses if those documents are checked against state databases. First-time passport applicants must submit their birth certificate to the U.S. Department of State, for instance. But the State Department says that as of 2021 it no longer requires trans applicants to submit a medical certification to change the gender marker on their passport. Trans individuals can obtain a passport reflecting their gender by choosing that gender on their application. Kobachs opinion, if followed by state officials, would undercut an intense campaign by LGBTQ advocates in recent weeks to encourage trans residents to obtain updated documents ahead of the laws July 1 effective date. Documents obtained by The Star through an open records request show that in May, KDHE completed 112 transgender amendment requests. The GOP-controlled Legislature approved SB 180 over the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Ahead of Kobachs news conference, Kellys office separated itself from the opinion. While we have had discussions with the Attorney Generals Office regarding SB 180, we do not agree with their legal view and believe that the consent judgment was the appropriate resolution. We will have no further comment on the impending litigation, Kelly spokesperson Zach Fletcher said in a statement. Asked directly whether the consent judgment remains binding on KDHE unless it is modified by a federal judge, Kobach said it was a really interesting question of law and suggested the agency must follow SB 180 despite the judgment. If there is a conflict between state law and a consent judgment, state law would trump the agreement, he said. But Kobach stopped just shy of saying KDHE should stop following the consent judgment after this week. Well, in this particular case out of deference to judges, it is the position of the attorney generals office and normally that we would ask, we would ask the judge to make a decision first. Normally, we would not push an agency to be in that position, Kobach said. The Russian authorities have not closed the criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), and the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is continuing to investigate the case of rebellion. Source: Russian newspaper Kommersant Quote: "As of the morning of 26 June, the criminal case on organising an armed rebellion (Article 279 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), the main defendant in which was Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, has not been closed; it is still being investigated by an FSB investigator ." Details: The case against Prigozhin was initiated on 23 June, and the discontinuation of the prosecution was announced after talks with him by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. However, a source in the supervisory agency said that the decision to initiate criminal proceedings has not yet been cancelled and that the investigation into the rebellion continues. According to the source, too little time has passed to make a different decision. For reference: According to Russian pro-war media and Telegram channels, between 13 and 20 people were killed as a result of the Wagnerites rebellion. The Russian army also suffered losses in equipment: according to Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), a Russian media outlet, these include three Mi-8 electronic warfare helicopters, one transport Mi-8 helicopter, two attack helicopters (Ka-52 and Mi-35M), as well as an Il-22M command post aircraft and two armoured vehicles (KamAZ and Tigr). The Wagner PMC lost two UAZs, one KamAZ and a VPK-Ural armoured vehicle. At the same time, according to the Russian service of Radio Liberty, citing estimates by the Dutch Oryx project, the Wagnerites shot down an Il-22M aircraft and six Russian army helicopters during the mutiny. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Lafayette Parish School System Superintendent Irma Trosclair is stepping down from her position, according to a letter sent to district employees Monday. Trosclair, who became the full-time superintendent in March 2020 after serving as the interim superintendent for 10 months, said in the letter that the decision was based on many factors. She will step down effective July 20, the letter said. The decision to step down as superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School System has not been easy and I feel fortunate to have an opportunity to continue to do the work I am so passionate about," Trosclair said in a statement. "While I am blessed to have served as leader of this district, this next step in my career will allow me to work more directly with students and educators as well as dedicate more time to my family. I am grateful to have worked with a board that supports initiatives that are in the best interest of students, staff, and the community. LPSS has a strong, talented, and dedicated leadership team that is capable and committed to continuing the work of moving the district forward. Trosclair will become the new principal at Eunice High School and will act as the zone leader for all schools in Eunice for St. Landry Parish, LPSS said in a release. LPSS said the school board will appoint an interim superintendent at its July 19 meeting. In the letter Trosclair outlined some of the successes of her tenure leading the district, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and having no F-graded schools in 2022. Trosclair was the first permanent female superintendent of the Lafayette system, and the board was unanimous in its vote to offer her the position in 2020, citing her qualifications and experience within Lafayette Parish schools. Trosclair came to the Lafayette Parish School System in 2015. Donald Aguillard, who was superintendent at the time and is now a school board member, tapped her to be the district's school improvement administrator and to work directly with principals and others at some of the district's lowest-rated schools. She was the principal of South Crowley Elementary School in Acadia Parish and received the 2015 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership for her efforts at the school. She was one of seven principals receiving the national award that year, and the only one from Louisiana. She had 18 years of experience as an administrator and 18 years of teaching, according to her application packet when applying for the top LPSS job. In 2022, the board graded her a 3.67 out of 4 in her first evaluation. On behalf of the Lafayette Parish School Board, I would like to thank Superintendent Trosclair for all of the work she has done to move our district forward," said Lafayette Parish School Board President Tommy Angelle in a release. "The Lafayette Parish School System would not be where we are today without her knowledge, vision, and leadership. We wish her well in her next endeavor. CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support journalists like William Taylor Potter This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette schools superintendent Irma Trosclair stepping down Photo from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Photo from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities The ruins of an ancient Egyptian pyramid were recently restored to their former glory. The tomb has the distinction of being the last Egyptian pyramid ever built for a queen, according to a June 22 news release from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Located in the riverside city of Abydos, the pyramid was constructed for Queen Titi Sheri, who was a wife, mother and grandmother to kings, officials said. An important figure who lived in the 16th century BC, Titi Sheri wielded considerably more influence at court than the queens who preceded her, according to the Brooklyn Museum. Born into a common family, she rose quickly to power through her marriage and seems to have been highly esteemed, evident by the pyramid and mortuary temple built for her by one of her grandsons, the museums website states. A joint team of Egyptian and American archaeologists conducted the pyramid repair work, which included reinforcing the original walls with modern mud bricks and strengthening the foundation. The newly laid bricks were treated so that they would not be distinguishable from the original materials. Also found at the site was a previously unidentified cemetery dating to the era of King Ahmose, officials said. Ahmose lived around the same time as Titi Sheri, ruling from 1539 to to 1514 BC, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Buildings dating to the same area were also unearthed, officials said. They may have been homes or businesses. The work to restore the site is part of a conservation and management effort in Abydos which has been ongoing since 2018. Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Creature with triangular head found lurking on cliffs in Vietnam. Its a new species Tools of one of worlds oldest cultures found hidden 50 feet underwater off Australia Massive creature makes rare appearance in Ireland. Magic moment may be the new norm Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) are calling on the Biden administration to give a classified briefing regarding a reported Chinese spy facility in Cuba. Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and CIA Director William Burns expressing concerns over recent reports of China building a spy facility in Cuba, which is about 90 miles from Florida. The lawmakers wrote that Americans deserve to know about the national security implications of this direct provocation by our adversaries and asked for more information about the reports. The American public needs to be assured that their government unequivocally condemns this escalation, and is working to do everything in its power to counter it, the lawmakers wrote. While we understand the sensitive nature of this matter, Congress also requires greater transparency and clarity about these developments. The Wall Street Journal reported China reached an agreement with Cuba to build an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island nation, which would allow China to pick up signals communication including emails, phone calls and satellite transmissions. After the Pentagon initially denied the report, a Biden administration official told the Associated Press that China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since 2019. The lawmakers asked the administration officials for more information on the exact nature and objectives of the Chinese Intelligence gathering in Cuba, what the implications are for the U.S. and what the Biden administration is doing to deter Chinas further expansion in Cuba. It comes as no surprise to us that the Cuban regime which has historically opened its doors to foreign adversaries of the United States and the PRC are working together to undermine U.S. national security. However, the establishment of intelligence facilities and expansion of military ties this close to U.S. territory is a significant, escalatory step, the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers asked for a classified briefing about the matter to each of their committees no later than July 14. The Hill has reached out to the State Department and the CIA for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Heres a look at how Pennsylvanias members of Congress voted over the previous week. Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed these measures: the Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act (S 30); the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act (HR 3797), to provide an alternative manner of furnishing certain health insurance coverage statements to individuals; the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (HR 4004); and the Employer Reporting Improvement Act (HR 3801), to streamline and improve the employer reporting process relating to health insurance coverage and to protect dependent privacy. HOUSE BUSINESS TRAINING FOR VETERANS: The House has passed the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act (HR 1606), sponsored by Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., to codify into law the Small Business Administrations Boots to Business Program for training military veterans in various fundamentals of operating a small business. Schneider said codifying the program, which began in 2013, will fuel small-business-driven growth well into the future by creating a pipeline of skilled and hardworking entrepreneurs. The vote, on June 20, was unanimous with 407 yeas. YEAS: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Bucks; Mike Kelly, R-Butler; Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia; Chrissy Houlahan, D-Chester; Madeleine Dean, D-Montgomery; Scott Perry, R-York; Brendan Boyle, D-Philadelphia; Matt Cartwright, D-Lackawanna; Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster; John Joyce, R-Blair; Guy Reschenthaler, R-Washington; Glenn Thompson, R-Howard; Dan Meuser, R-Luzerne; Susan Wild, D-Lehigh; Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Delaware; Summer Lee, D-Allegheny; Chris Deluzio, D-Allegheny STUDENT LOANS VETO: The House has failed to override President Joe Bidens veto of a resolution (HJ Res 45), sponsored by Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., that would have disapproved of and voided an Education Department rule issued last October that suspended or canceled payments on student loans. Good said: President Biden simply does not have the authority to forgive student loans, and thus, spend hundreds of billions of dollars, taxpayer dollars, hard-earned taxpayer dollars, as he transfers debt to those who did not incur it. A resolution opponent, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., said repeal would trigger a wave of delinquencies and defaults for most of our vulnerable borrowers. The vote, on June 21, was 221 yeas to 206 nays, with a two-thirds majority required. YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio CHOICE IN HEALTH CARE: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement Act (HR 3799), to express the sense of Congress that free market practices in health care should be restored, and authority over health care decisions should lie with patients and doctors, not insurers and government regulators. Roy said such changes were needed to favor patients and doctors over bureaucrats and corporations that are getting rich because the government is subsidizing their corporate cronyism. An amendment opponent, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, called those changes a prescription for personal bankruptcy and unlimited medical debt from policies that do not provide essential health care benefits. The vote, on June 21, was 228 yeas to 206 nays. YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser, Wild NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio HEALTH CARE REIMBURSEMENTS: The House has passed the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement Act (HR 3799), sponsored by Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., to give statutory authority for federal regulations to allow employers to offer their employees individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements for covering the workers medical expenses. Hern said the regulations put individual workers in the drivers seat when it comes to picking their health care plan and lets their employer financially support their decision. An opponent, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said the bill failed to ensure that no American is discriminated against on the basis of preexisting conditions and that no employer can discriminate among groups of its employees. The vote, on June 21, was 220 yeas to 209 nays. YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE: The House has passed a resolution (H Res 521), sponsored by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for falsely claiming there was evidence of President Donald Trump colluding with Russia to steal the 2016 election and become president. The resolution also directed the House Ethics Committee to investigate Schiffs claims and allegations that he abused sensitive information obtained in his time as a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee. Luna said Schiff exploited his position as chair of the Intel Committee at every opportunity possible, threatening national security, undermining our duly-elected president, and bringing dishonor upon the institution. Schiff said he had done my duty to hold a dangerous and out-of-control president accountable. The vote, on June 21, was 213 yeas to 209 nays, with 6 voting present. YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION: The House has passed a resolution (H Res 503), sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to re-refer a resolution that would impeach President Joe Biden for high crimes and misdemeanors to the House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees. Roy called Bidens failure to secure the border with Mexico against both drug shipments and the illegal movement of foreigners into the U.S. a dereliction of duty and a refusal to actually follow the laws of the United States. A resolution opponent, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Delaware, called it a deeply unserious effort to impeach a president to serve partisan political posturing and political profiteering. The vote, on June 22, was 219 yeas to 208 nays. YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio HOUSING FOREIGNERS IN SCHOOLS: The House has passed a resolution (H Res 461), sponsored by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, to condemn the use of public elementary and secondary school buildings to house people not legally residing in the U.S. Miller-Meeks said using the buildings as housing 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. An opponent, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., said: This resolution does nothing to solve the crisis, and it certainly isnt protecting our childrens education. It is just another way to criminalize asylum seekers. The vote, on June 22, was 223 yeas to 201 nays. YEAS: Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Perry, Smucker, Joyce, Reschenthaler, Thompson, Meuser NAYS: Evans, Houlahan, Dean, Boyle, Cartwright, Wild, Scanlon, Lee, Deluzio SENATE APPEALS COURT JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Julie Rikelman to be a judge on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Rikelman has been the Center for Reproductive Rights senior litigation director since 2011; preceding that, she was a private practice lawyer and lawyer at NBC Universal. A supporter, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called Rikelman an accomplished lawyer who has significant experience in both private practice and public interest and whose career demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. The vote, on June 20, was 51 yeas to 43 nays. YEAS: Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. NOT VOTING: Sen John Fetterman, D-Pa. REGULATING HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE EMISSIONS: The Senate has failed to override President Joe Bidens veto of a resolution (SJ Res 11), sponsored by Sen. Deb. Fischer, R-Neb. The resolution would have disapproved of and voided an Environmental Protection Agency rule for restricting ozone, particulate matter and other forms of air pollution from heavy-duty motor vehicles that was issued this January. Fischer said the rule would lay a heavy financial burden on truck drivers while doing little to reduce emissions, because if the price of newer vehicles shoots up, the government is incentivizing businesses to hold on to their older, higher emitting trucks. A resolution opponent, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., called the rule a monumental investment and significant step forward in our nations health and air quality that will benefit all Americans. The vote to override the veto, on June 21, was 50 yeas to 50 nays, with a two-thirds majority needed to override. NAYS: Casey, Fetterman NEW YORK JUDGE: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Natasha Merle to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Merle has been a lawyer and official at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund for a decade; previously, she was a public defender in the district for a year and twice was a clerk for New York district judges. A supporter, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., cited Merles high ethical standards and reputation for fairness, and a unique perspective on the law derived from being a former public defender. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Merle an activist lawyer with a penchant for staking out extreme and inflammatory positions that are thoroughly divorced from reality. The vote, on June 21, was 50 yeas to 49 nays. YEAS: Casey, Fetterman REGULATING FIREARM STABILIZING BRACES: The Senate has rejected a resolution (HJ Res 44), sponsored by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., that would have disapproved of and voided a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rule issued this January that regulates stabilizing braces used to enable shooting a pistol from the shoulder. A supporter, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said: Under this ruling, the constitutional right to bear arms is null and void if you use a stabilizing brace to operate a firearm. A resolution opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said ending the rule would make it easier for mass shooters and criminals to access these dangerous weapons. The vote, on June 22, was 49 yeas to 50 nays. NAYS: Casey, Fetterman TAX TREATY WITH CHILE: The Senate has ratified a treaty with Chile, signed in 2010, for avoiding double taxation and evasion of income taxes and capital gains taxes. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the treaty was needed to remedy the lack of a tax agreement with Chile, which Schumer called an unnecessary roadblock to a fruitful and economically prosperous partnership between Chile and the United States. The vote, on June 22, was 95 yeas to 2 nays. YEAS: Casey, Fetterman Lawyer for UK nurse accused of baby murders warns against 'presumption of guilt' The offences are alleged to have taken place at the neo-natal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England (Lindsey Parnaby) The prosecution of a nurse accused of killing seven babies at a UK hospital where she worked has been "riddled by the presumption of guilt", her lawyer said on Monday. In a closing speech in Lucy Letby's defence after months of testimony at Manchester Crown Court, Ben Myers said everything presented by prosecutors has been "treated as evidence of guilt". "What is really at work is best described as the presumption of guilt," he added. "I am going to ask you to approach the evidence with something else at the forefront of your mind -- that's something called the presumption of innocence," Myers implored the jury of eight women and four men. "Being fair and working on the basis that someone is innocent until proven guilty is how our law works." Letby, 33, who is also accused of attempting to kill another 10 babies in the neo-natal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester, northwest England, has denied harming children. - 'Very calculating' - Jurors have been hearing the case since October, and are set to begin deliberations shortly over the 22 charges she faces. Letby is accused of targeting newborns by various means between June 2015 and June 2016, including giving them injections of insulin, air or milk. She was removed from the neo-natal unit in July 2016 but continued working at the hospital on clerical duties before her arrest two years later. Prosecutors argued she was a "very calculating woman" who told lies deliberately, telling the jury she had "murdered many children". But when she entered the witness box last month, Letby insisted she "always wanted to work with children" and said it was "devastating" to find out she was blamed for the deaths of the babies. She is facing seven murder charges and 15 of attempted murder, as she allegedly tried to kill some children more than once. jj/phz/giv U.S. Army photo by Spc. Courtney Jimenez, Operations Group, National Training Center. Leadership in the military isn't just giving orders to make the walls shake and make those fresh recruits' knees wobble. It involves a subtle blend of charisma, decisiveness and courage. That's to say nothing of the need for a dash of good old-fashioned insanity. This unique blend often results in leaders who can make decisions faster than a private can hide that phone they're not supposed to have. So let's take a look at what goes into military leadership. Military masterclass The military's approach to leadership development isn't some hush-hush secret sauce. (However, the Drill Sergeant's coffee recipe might be.) Military leadership is more about creating environments that encourage initiative, foster resilience, and instill a sense of duty than anything else. Military leaders want these core tenets to become so ingrained they're practically tattooed into your DNA. But that's not all; it's also about embodying certain vital qualities that transform a good leader into a great one. A solid leader doesn't just charge fearlessly into a battle. They also stand up for what's right and can make tough decisions under pressure. Think about it like this. If you're first up to try the ball's grog, you've got guts and probably what it takes to be a leader. A military leader is someone whose word is their bond, who walks their talk and sets an example for their unit. It's like when your superior promises you'll get a break after 50 push-ups and delivers on that promise (though whether you can move after those push-ups is a different question). In the heat of battle, every second counts. Military leaders need to make quick decisions with confidence. This requires clear thinking, sharp judgment, and a sprinkle of audacity. In fact, it's that adaptability in changing situations that's key. Leaders we deserve To turn green recruits into capable leaders, the military doesn't use some fancy "Insta-Leader" machine (though we can imagine the infomercials). It uses a combination of rigorous training, challenging assignments, and a support system that makes your Grandma's knitting circle look tame. The result: quality leadership that units can count on. The military doesn't just want to mold leaders. It intends to forge leaders who are tougher than a two-dollar steak and just as hard to chew. They want leaders who'll run towards the sound of danger, possibly while yelling something patriotic. Let's look at a tried-and-true method used in the Army - the BE-KNOW-DO model. This isn't some secret military chant. It's a framework that emphasizes the importance of what a leader must BE (values and attributes), what a leader must KNOW (competencies), and what a leader must D.O. (lead, develop, and achieve). Guardian angels in camo That's all fine and well, but how is a leader developed? In the military, mentorship isn't just an afterthought; it's baked into the culture. This guidance system is less about holding hands and pushing boundaries. It involves seasoned leaders sharing wisdom, experiences, and war stories over cups of strong, almost undrinkable military-grade coffee. Imagine being a fresh-faced recruit, stepping off the bus onto your basic training installation for the first time. You've made it through MEPS but have zero idea of what will happen next. You're greeted not just by the intimidating sight of the obstacle course or the ear-splitting shouts of the drill sergeant. Say hello to your first mentor. Yes, your DS will be in your face constantly, but they're also there to help you learn the ways of the military culture. This leadership mentor doesn't just teach you how to salute or assemble a rifle. They pass down the knowledge accumulated over years of servicehow to keep your cool when things go south, how to make split-second decisions under immense pressure, and yes, how to brew that strong military-grade coffee to keep you going during those long, cold nights. U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Samuel Fletcher. Diversity in leadership Militaries must reflect the societies they serve, so it's vital to recognize the inherent strength of diversity. This isn't just about ticking boxes or fulfilling quotas. It's about maximizing the team's full potential by drawing from a rich tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Imagine a military unit as a box of assorted tools. Each toolwhether a hammer, wrench, or screwdriverhas a unique purpose and strength. Similarly, each service member brings something special to the unit regardless of background or identity. When you combine these elements, they create an innovative, adaptable, and resilient unit. Now that's a force that's prepared for any challenge. Moreover, having diverse leaders at the helm sends a powerful message. It shows that anyone, regardless of their background, gender, orientation or race, can rise through the ranks and assume a leadership position. It is a beacon of inspiration, encouraging others to step up and lead. Ultimately, diversity in leadership isn't just good for morale or public relationsit's also suitable for the mission. After all, in the complex, ever-changing theater of warfare, adaptability and innovation aren't just desirable traits; they're survival traits. Art of war: art of leadership Leadership isn't shouting at people to head in one direction without details. It's convincing them that running toward the sound of gunfire is a fantastic idea. This takes a unique kind of persuasive ability, often cultivated through years of experience, tough love from superiors, and possibly some late-night motivational speeches delivered in the glow of a bonfire (marshmallows optional). In short, the essence of military leadership is the ability to inspire. Not only does a leader have to shout orders above the din of chaos, but they also need to motivate their troops to charge forward. This could involve anything from stirring speeches to promises of extra dessert in the mess hall (everyone knows Sergeant Berry's apple pie is the real MVP). Real-life examples Let's dive into the fascinating stories of these exemplary military leaders and how their experiences in the military have shaped them. Admiral Michelle Howard is a leadership trailblazer in every sense. She is the first woman to be a four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first to assume the Vice Chief of Naval Operations role. Howard's leadership style is often described as calm under pressure, strategic, and inclusive. Most agree when you're under her command, you're a part of an unbreakable teameven if your main contribution is perfecting the ship's morning coffee. Her role in the dramatic rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates became a defining moment in her career, demonstrating her exceptional tactical abilities. As it's known, the "Maersk Alabama" incident showcased her calmness and decision-making skills under intense pressuretraits she attributes to the Navy's challenging training and assignments. Lieutenant General Nadja West made history as the 44th Surgeon General and the former U.S. Army Medical Command General as the first Black Army Surgeon General and the highest-ranking woman to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy. Known for her compassionate leadership style, West often emphasizes the importance of a service-oriented mindset, resilience, and empathytraits shaped and honed by her military service. She overcame immense challenges and barriers through determination, skill, and exceptional leadership abilities. Her story exemplifies the military's focus on developing leaders who are physically and mentally tough, empathetic, and service-oriented. Georgia National Guard photo by Maj. William Carraway. Lessons from the front Each of our spotlighted leaders has had moments in their careers that showcase their unique leadership styles and the effectiveness of their military training. Admiral Howard, for instance, demonstrated her exceptional tactical abilities during the dramatic rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates. Lt. Gen. West consistently highlighted the importance of service, resilience, and empathy in her role as Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, while Gen. James embodied charisma, patriotism and the power of inspiration during his service in three major wars. In the end, leadership in the military isn't about flexing musclesit's about flexing character. It's about staying true to the mission and your team, even when things are exploding around you (sometimes, quite literally). So, the next time you see a military leader, know that beneath that uniform is a heart of gold, a spine of steel, and a story of growth, resilience, and an unyielding dedication to duty. At least 3 dead, dozens of homes damaged after storms hit US Midwest, South Debris is lifted into the air by a possible tornado near Greenwood, Indiana At least 3 dead, dozens of homes damaged after storms hit US Midwest, South Debris is lifted into the air by a possible tornado near Greenwood, Indiana By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - Tornadoes and thunderstorms hit the U.S. Midwest and South on Sunday, leaving dozens of homes damaged and at least three people dead in Indiana and Arkansas, authorities said on Monday. The National Weather Service said multiple tornadoes and severe storms were reported on Sunday in central Indiana and Arkansas. Emergency officials from Martin County, Indiana, confirmed one death in the area. Emergency Management Director Cameron Wolf said the victim's injured partner was airlifted to hospital. They lived in a two-storey log cabin, which was destroyed by the storms. Further details were not immediately available. "Damage is random, it's kind of widespread," Wolf said in an interview to PBS. The damage mostly happened out in the country side, he said, adding that towns were not hit that hard by the storms. The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office confirmed that two people were killed after a tree fell on a home in Carlisle, Arkansas, due to severe storms on Sunday, a CBS News affiliate said. Images and footage from local media showed fallen trees had blocked roads and homes were damaged. A large hail storm was also reported in Indiana and adjacent states, officials said. Fire Chief Eric Funkhouser from the town of Bargersville, south of Indianapolis, said that while no casualties were reported there, about 75 homes sustained moderate to severe damage after the weather, according an NBC News affiliate. Emergency shelters were set up in central Indiana for those whose homes were damaged and destroyed. As of Monday morning, about half a million utility customers faced power outages due to the weather in the U.S. Midwest and South, according to outage tracking website PowerOutage.us. At least one person died and about two dozen people were injured after a tornado hit central Mississippi a week ago. A dangerous heat wave had also recently helped spawn deadly tornadoes in Texas and Florida, where at least four people were killed this month in twisters that touched down in the panhandles of the states. Flooding forced almost 150 people out of their homes. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Ed Osmond, William Maclean) Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group says it shot down an Israeli drone near the southern border This is a locator map for Lebanon with its capital, Beirut. (AP Photo) BEIRUT (AP) Lebanons militant Hezbollah group said its fighters shot down an Israeli drone Monday that was flying near the border and over southern Lebanon. The group gave no further details about the type of drone that it claimed was downed near the village of Zibqine just north of the border with Israel. An Israeli military spokesman said in a tweet that a drone crashed in Lebanon when an Israeli force was performing routine activities. The spokesman, Avichay Adraee, added in Arabic that there were no concerns of information being leaked. The incident comes after weeks of tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, mainly in a disputed area known as Chebaa Farms. Earlier this month, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas to disperse scores of Lebanese protesters who pelted the troops with stones along the border. Some of the demonstrators and Lebanese troops suffered breathing problems. The protest took place on the edge of Kfar Chouba hills, which Beirut says is Lebanese land occupied by Israel. The hills and the nearby Chebaa Farms, are areas captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast War and claimed by Lebanon. Also earlier this month, Israel filed a complaint with the United Nations claiming that Hezbollah had set up tents several dozen meters (yards) inside of Israeli territory. Hezbollah has not commented on the matter. Israel and Hezbollah fought to a draw in a month-long war in Lebanon in 2006. Hezbollah has in the past claimed downing Israeli drones, and Israels military also has said in the past that they have shot down Hezbollah drones. Israel considers Hezbollah its most serious immediate threat, estimating it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel. A member of the Wagner group stands guard outside the headquarters of the Russian Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don A member of the Wagner Group stands guard outside the headquarters of the Russian Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. Credit - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images A few days out from the Wagner Groups mutiny against the Kremlin it is hard to know who is the biggest loser. Russias President Vladimir Putin looks weaker by the hour as he struggles to manage the fallout. Wagners chieftain Yevgeny Prigozhin is possibly somewhere in Belarus now, presumably under some form of lock and key. The mercenary commanders who joined him on his 24-hour march on Moscow are nowhere to be found. Losers aside, all this suggests that the likely biggest winner will be Ukraine. Still, much remains unexplained. Why did Putin let Prigozhin off the hook? What are the long-term implications? To answer these questions, we have to wind back the clock and examine the precipitating causes. There are a few ways to look at Prigozhins revolt. If you buy Prigozhins stated reasoning, the so-called March for Justice, was the only logical option after factions in Russias conventional forces first deprived Wagner of ammunition and then attacked Prigozhins paramilitary cadre as they exited Bakhmut. Putins version of the story is that it was a stab in the back. In his emergency address to the nation during the crisis, Putin termed it a divisive, treasonous distraction from the unity required to achieve victory in Ukraine that revived the fratricidal days of the 1917 Bolshevik revolution. Either way, it appears likely the incident is the first episode in a dramatic finale season long series about the end of Putins 24-year-long regime. Prigozhin said he ordered 25,000 fighters to drive from a Russian cantonment in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don north to Moscow to demand that Russias defense leaders explain why they had prosecuted the war so ineptly. The action came on the heels of Prigozhins months-long campaign aimed at ousting Russias minister of defense Sergey Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov. He blamed them for a failed strategy and for abysmally high Russian casualty rates, channeling frustrations heard all along the frontline and across Russias right-wing ultranationalist factions. Now it seems the fate of Shoigu and Gerasimov hangs in the balance, and while Prigozhin and Putin remain alive they will both presumably be looking over their shoulder. Members of the Wagner Group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. Stringer/AFP/Getty Images Russian battlefield strategy, Prigozhin complained last spring, lacked the aggressive edge needed to win and dominate. So he and his Wagner Group troops dove in, launching human wave attacks spearheaded by thousands of ex-prisoners over the summer and fall in what he dubbed Operation Bakhmut Meat Grinder. When the stark realities of artillery heavy trench warfare began to sink in on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides over the winter Prigozhin then complained that he did not have enough ammunition to break through the line of contact. As early as April, he began signaling that he feared a stalemate or worse was imminent in Bakhmut. Next came a series of dramatic cry wolf threats from Prigozhinincluding a gruesome scene where he shouted at Shoigu and Gerasimov on camera as he stood in a field strewn with Wagner Group corpses. Prigozhin repeatedly said that he planned to pull Wagner forces out of the decimated city in eastern Donbas. He then announced a full withdrawal of his paramilitary contingent at the end of May. It was then that Shoigu, Prigozhins longtime administrative paymaster, saw an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. A stalemated Wagner Group signaled a vulnerable Prigozhin, and a potential path to finally bringing Russias irregular paramilitary contingent under Moscows full control. In theory, that could have given Russias defense leaders the ace in the hole they needed to beat back Ukraines counteroffensive. Shoigu, however, badly miscalculated. Prigozhin refused to sign his forces over, and chaos soon ensued. Prigozhins political base had grown exponentially by that point, and, as my team of researchers at Arizona State University and New America have documented, his powerful propaganda machine had succeeded in rallying millions to his cause online. Shoigu also apparently failed to account for the possibility that he lacked full control over Russias security forces. While the waves of military defections Prigozhin had undoubtedly been counting on this past weekend did not materialize Wagner fighters were still able to drive from the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don to the outskirts of Russias capital on Friday virtually unopposed. Prigozhin seemed to luck out again when agreed on Saturday to a deal brokered by Alexander Lukashenka, the president of Belarus, that called for Putin to drop criminal charges against Prigozhin. The eleventh-hour bargain also apparently resulted in safe passage and amnesty for Wagner fighters who stayed on the sidelines during the rebellion. In a final blow to Shoigu that he is unlikely to live down, crowds in Rostov-on-Don then cheered Prigozhin as he departed for Belarus. In that brief moment, it appeared that Prigozhin had won by losing. Shoigu and Putin, on the other hand, looked like two men poised to take a long walk off a short plank. Head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin leaving the Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images It is doubtful either Putin or Prigozhin counted on this strange outcome. Now Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the world await answers about what comes next. It seems like a no-brainer that Ukraines President Volodomyr Zelensky will find a way to capitalize on all the instability. Indeed, he said as much in a speech he gave in Kyiv shortly after the Wagner Group mutiny subsided. Zelensky pointedly mentioned that at that very moment, Ukrainian officials were discussing prospects for a peace deal with Russia in Copenhagen, Denmark with leaders from Turkiye, India, Japan, South Africa, and the European Union. The contours of Zelenskys Peace Formula, as he calls it, are still taking shape, but there is no question that settling the status of Crimea and Russian occupied territories in Donbas as well as reparations and payments for reconstruction in Ukraine will be key to any deal. Now, however, it seems reasonable to ask whether Prigozhins reported banishment to Belarus will become part of the horse trading, too. With Putin looking more and more like a lame duck, and an instrument in the hands of squabbling factions of oligarchs and security heavies, Prigozhin could easily become a sacrificial pawn. He might be offered up for prosecution in an international tribunal in exchange for an off ramp from Russias war of aggression on Ukraine. A tribunal may seem wishful thinking, and Prigozhin may have a hard time avoiding strong Kremlin tea as he peers out of open windows. But there is certainly enough concrete evidence of the Wagner Groups involvement in crimes against humanity in Ukraine, and other hotspots in the Middle East and Africa. Zelensky and his allies in the West, meanwhile, are highly incentivized to ensure that irregular Russian forces are taken off the chess board for good. Either way, theres no way forward but down for Prigozhin, Putin, and those who have backed them. That does not bode well for stability in Russia or the world. Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the GOP state convention in Columbus, Ga., June 10, 2023. (Jon Cherry/The New York Times) Facing multiple intensifying investigations, former President Donald Trump has quietly begun diverting more of the money he is raising away from his 2024 presidential campaign and into a political action committee that he has used to pay his personal legal fees. The change, which went unannounced except in the fine print of his online disclosures, raises fresh questions about how Trump is paying for his mounting legal bills which could run into millions of dollars as he prepares for at least two criminal trials, and whether his PAC, Save America, is facing a financial crunch. When Trump kicked off his 2024 campaign in November, for every dollar raised online, 99 cents went to his campaign, and a penny went to Save America. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times But internet archival records show that sometime in February or March, he adjusted that split. Now his campaigns share has been reduced to 90% of donations, and 10% goes to Save America. The effect of that change is potentially substantial: Based on fundraising figures announced by his campaign, the fine-print maneuver may already have diverted at least $1.5 million to Save America. And the existence of the group has allowed Trump to have his small donors pay for his legal expenses, rather than paying for them himself. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, did not answer detailed questions about why the Trump operation has changed how the funds he is raising are being split. Save America technically owns the list of email addresses and phone numbers of his supporters one of the former presidents most valuable assets and the campaign is effectively paying the PAC for access to that list, he explained. Because the campaign wants to ensure every dollar donated to President Trump is spent in the most cost-effective manner, a fair-market analysis was conducted to determine email list rentals would be more efficient by amending the fundraising split between the two entities, Cheung said in a written statement. The different rules governing what political action committees and candidate campaign committees can pay for are both dizzying and somewhat in dispute. But generally, a PAC cannot spend money directly on the candidates campaign, and a campaign committee cannot directly pay for things that benefit the candidate personally. For more than a year, before Trump was a 2024 candidate, Save America has been paying for bills related to various investigations into the former president and his allies. In February 2022, the PAC announced that it had $122 million in its coffers. By the beginning of 2023, the PACs cash on hand was down to $18 million, filings show. The rest had been spent on staff salaries, on the costs of Trumps political activities last year including some spending on other candidates and groups and in other ways. That included the $60 million that was transferred to MAGA Inc., a super PAC that is supporting Trump. And more than $16 million went to pay legal bills. Trumps rivals are not similarly splitting their online proceeds with an affiliated PAC. The websites of former Vice President Mike Pence, former Ambassador Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina direct all the proceeds to their campaign committees. The same goes for Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Vivek Ramaswamy. I think in this particular situation, specifically because of the use of the leadership PAC to pay legal expenses and potentially other expenses that would be illegal personal use of campaign money, theres an unusual incentive for the leadership PAC to take in more than it normally would, said Adav Noti, senior vice president and legal director of Campaign Legal Center. In the run-up to Trumps latest campaign, his legal bills exploded in size. Save America spent $1.9 million in what it identified as legal expenses in the first half of 2022. That figure ballooned to nearly $14.6 million in the second half of last year, federal records show. In late 2022, a Trump adviser said that about $20 million had been set aside by Save America PAC to cover legal expenses. Since then, Trump has been indicted twice, once by a Manhattan grand jury on charges stemming from a hush-money payment to a porn star, and once by a federal grand jury in Florida on charges including violations of the Espionage Act arising from Trumps possession of classified material and government records long after he left office. A prominent attorney, Todd Blanche, left his white-collar law firm in April to join the former presidents legal team and is now representing him in both cases, and Trump recently met with about a half-dozen lawyers in Florida. Trumps legal troubles are deeply intertwined with his political campaign and fundraising efforts. His campaign store is selling an I Stand With Trump T-shirt showing the date of his indictment in Manhattan (03.30.2023) for $36; it recently added a second shirt with his Florida indictment date (06.08.2023) for $38. Half the featured items on the stores landing page show a fake mug shot and the words not guilty. And Trumps usual legal strategy delay, delay, delay could prove costly as overlapping teams of white-collar lawyers defend him in the federal case and the Manhattan criminal case, as well as in the investigation in Georgia, where Trump could face yet another indictment this summer for his role in trying to overturn the 2020 election. He is also facing an intensifying investigation by special counsel Jack Smith into his efforts to cling to power after losing the election. It remains unclear whether Trump will try to use his campaign funds to pay for lawyers, should he run into difficulties with the political action committee and whether such a move would run afoul of spending rules. He can use the campaign to pay for legal bills that arise out of candidate or officeholder activity and of course, some of the current legal matters fall into that category, and some do not, and some are in a gray area, Noti said. It really depends on what matter were talking about. Jason Torchinsky, a Republican election lawyer, said he believed Trump was barred from using Save America donations to pay his personal legal expenses now that hes a candidate, arguing that doing so would be an excessive contribution under Federal Election Commission precedent. And he said Trump could not use campaign money at all, because it would qualify as personal use. There have been signs that Trumps campaign has been carefully monitoring its expenses. He has mainly attended events organized by other groups, as opposed to staging his own large-scale political rallies, which were the lifeblood of his two past runs for president and are one of his favorite parts of campaigning. Those rallies are expensive, costing at least $150,000 and usually more than $400,000. Trump has held only one full-scale rally in the seven months he has been running, with a second scheduled on July 1 in South Carolina, his first in an early-nominating state. (A rally in Iowa on May 13 was canceled after a tornado warning, though the weather cleared and DeSantis pointedly held an impromptu event nearby.) People familiar with the Trump campaigns plans have said that the dearth of rallies was as much about husbanding resources as it was about getting Trump to engage with voters in a more traditional way. The people also suggested that more large-scale events might come in the fall, as the primary race heats up. The fundraising surges that Trump experienced after his first indictment at the end of March and again in June are expected to obscure a broader fundraising slowdown. His campaign announced that he had raised $12 million in the first week after his first indictment and $7 million in the week after his second one. He will next disclose the state of his PAC and campaigns finances in federal filings in July. Trump is unusually dependent on online fundraising. He has held only one major campaign fundraiser that was billed as such by his team: the event at Bedminster, New Jersey, on the evening of his indictment. It raised $2 million. c.2023 The New York Times Company Lil Nas X is here, hes queer, and he owned it on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, where the rapper wowed fans and critics alike with the queerest show the festival has probably ever seen. Lil Nas X is arguably the worlds most prominent, queer Black artist today, and he wears that title proudly, as seen by the captivating theatrical performance on Sunday night where he thrilled fans and reviewers who announced the watershed moment for queer pop would go down in Glastonbury history. Glastonbury, this is my first time here since 2019, Nas said, addressing the thousands in the crowd. Im happy to be back. This is a big-a** crowd. Are yall ready to have some fun? Lil Nas X performing MONTERO (CMBYN) at Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/ACmuKe80xg (@lilnasxmajor) June 25, 2023 Nas gave an iconic, hourlong performance on the Pyramid stage ahead of Elton Johns headline slot, sweeping through some of his biggest hits, from 2021 opener Montero (Call Me By Your Name) through Scoop, Dead Right Now and Thats What I Want. Lil Nas X performing Thats What I Want at The Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/5jTvyjJRMu Montero Updates | (@Monterobr_) June 25, 2023 The elaborate set included numerous extravagant costume changes, gyrating dancers (one of whom Nas even shared a quick kiss), equally entertaining props (including a substantial mechanical horse) and even a surprise appearance from fellow rapper Jack Harlow for Nass closing song, Industry Baby. Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow performing INDUSTRY BABY at Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/jC5m4qBfIm (@lilnasxmajor) June 25, 2023 The Georgia-born rapper previously surprised fans when he appeared during Miley Cyrus set in 2019 alongside her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Lil Nas X talking about Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus At the Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/StLZFofJRz Montero Updates | (@Monterobr_) June 26, 2023 Now it was Lil Nas Xs turn to command the stage as the lead artist. And upon the conclusion of the stellar performance, fans rushed to social media to fawn over it. Lil Nas X delivering an iconic master class in Black queer excellence on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. We love to see it, one fan wrote. A pure expression of self and star still on the rise. I love it for us, and I love it for him. This will go down in Glastonbury history! another said. Lil Nas X #Glastonbury2023 set is unashamedly Gay. Unashamedly sexy. Unashamedly youthful. Unashamedly Black. Unashamedly ICONIC. A pure expression of self and star still on the rise. I love it for us and I love it for him! This will go down in Glastonbury history! pic.twitter.com/HUFWIOOw0I Mr Padam R (@MrAdamR) June 25, 2023 Lil Nas is an absolute breath of fresh air for Glastonbury. This whole performance is iconic, another added. Lil Nas X is putting on a *SHOW*. My kids are absolutely glued to the TV. And what a voice, someone shared. Lil Nas X is putting on a *SHOW*. My kids are absolutely glued to the TV. And what a voice. #Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/wDF9q2iqFz Alice Allen (@AliOtter) June 25, 2023 Oh mate, Lil Nas X is killing his set, design, dancers, vocals, energy YES, SIR, one viewer commented. This is one of the best performances Ive seen. The staging and the dancers are incredible! Lil Nas X, you will ALWAYS be famous, one person said. This is one of the best performances I've seen. The staging and the dancers are incredible! Lil Nas X you will ALWAYS be famous #Glastonbury Ryan (@RyanS_UK) June 25, 2023 Just watching the energy of Lil Nas X owning The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like its his own show is INSANE. Hes giving Sunday evening life. What an artistincredible performance, another viewer tweeted. Just watching the energy of Lil Nas X owning The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like its his own show is INSANE. Hes giving Sunday evening life. What an artistincredible performance #glastonbury2023 Siobhan (@She_Ra_Rocks) June 25, 2023 DEFINITION OF AN ICON, one person tweeted. Glastonbury is goated for a reason, only goats perform there @LilNasX stole the show, gagged everyone at home and everyone who attended DEFINITION OF AN ICON GhastlyLNX (@GhastlyLNX) June 25, 2023 Reviewers were just as fascinated by the set, with The Guardian calling it the most openly, ostentatiously queer show ever staged on the Pyramid. At the same time, The Independent praised the star for bringing ridiculously high energy to an exciting and inventive stage show. Lil Nas X Glastonbury Reviews The Independent NME undoubtedly a watershed moment for queer pop The Guardian This must have been the most openly, ostentatiously queer show ever staged on the Pyramid pic.twitter.com/iu8nGzPVjR LiL Nas X Live (@LNXLive) June 26, 2023 The 24-year-old made Billboard chart history with his 2019 hit Old Town Road. He has since racked up over 40 awards, including two Grammys. The consensus, it would seem, is that on Sunday night, Lil Nas X came out swinging with banger after banger in a performance that will surely last in everyones memories as one of the best performances Glastonbury has ever seen. Little boy injured in explosion of unknown device in Kharkiv Oblast A 7-year-old boy was injured when an unidentified device exploded in the town of Pivdenne in Kharkiv Oblast. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) on Telegram Quote from SES: "The accident happened in Pivdenne, Kharkiv district. A 7-year-old boy was playing with an unknown object resembling an ammunition round. Upon hitting the wall, the thing exploded." Details: The child sustained multiple injuries and is currently in hospital. The State Emergency Service stresses that the liberated territories contain many dangers, as munitions may be found anywhere, so it is important to tell children about the threat posed by unknown devices. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! In this handout photo taken from video released by Prigozhin Press Service, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, records his video addresses in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP) The latest on the aftermath of the armed rebellion declared by Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin: ___ Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday released the first audio statement since an aborted armed rebellion he staged on Saturday, defending the move as a reaction to an attack on his force that killed some of his fighters. In an 11-minute audio statement, Prigozhin denied trying to attack the Russian state and said he acted in response to an attack on his force that killed some 30 of his fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in a recording that gave no details about where he is or what his future plans are. A feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. ___ KEY DEVELOPMENTS: Russia tries to project a sense of order after mercenary revolt Chaos in Russia is a morale booster for Ukraine as it pushes forward with counteroffensive European Union urges caution but uncertainty swirls about Putins grip on power Belarus deal to take in leader of Russian rebellion puts him in an even more repressive nation ___ Britains defense minister said Monday that Ukraine has recaptured about 300 square kilometers (115 square miles) of territory during its ongoing counteroffensive. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told lawmakers in the House of Commons that Ukraine is making gradual but steady tactical progress in the south and east of the country. Russia does not appear to have the uncommitted ground forces needed to counter the multiple threats it is now facing from Ukraine, which extend over 200 kilometers from Bakhmut to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, he said. Wallace said Russia had mounted an attack of its own in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, making some small gains, but that Ukrainian forces have prevented a breakthrough. In an earlier update, Britains Defense Ministry said Ukraine had gained impetus in its assaults around Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, making progress on both the northern and southern flanks of the town. ___ Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki says the mutiny attempted by Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin showed that "the situation in Russia is uncertain and provides a reason for Poland and its NATO allies to intensively monitor what is happening in the country. Russia shows its an unpredictable state, Morawiecki said on Monday after a meeting he and the prime ministers of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary met in Slovakia's capital. The Central European countries nations are part of an informal group known as the Visegrad Four. Slovakia's prime minister, said the aborted rebellion by Wagner's private army over the weekend indicated the situation in Russia is not as stable as it appeared to be a couple weeks or months ago. "It seems theres not just a single Russian army, but more of them, which might turn to be an advantage for Ukraine, Odor said. Prigozhin's mercenaries have fought alongside the Russian army in Ukraine, but the group's future is uncertain. ___ A spokesman for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacted cautiously Monday when asked to assess what had happened in Russia over the weekend. First of all, this is an internal Russian matter and we are monitoring what is happening there, Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin. What actually occurred there, only time will tell. Hebestreit declined to say what impact the latest events would have on the diplomatic efforts to begin peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. But he said that Scholzs top foreign policy adviser, Jens Ploetner, attended a closed-door meeting over the weekend in Copenhagen between Western countries and the so-called BRICS group of major emerging economies. Russia, which would normally attend such a meeting, wasnt present. The meeting had been proposed by Ukraine, Hebestreit said, but he wouldn't comment on the content of the meeting, nor on whether Germany had been in contact with Russian officials over the weekend, including about the safety of Moscows nuclear arsenal. ___ Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster. Shoigu appeared in a video Monday inspecting troops in Ukraine, apparently in a bid to project a sense of order after a weekend that saw armed rebels seize a Russian city and march seemingly unopposed on the capital. Shoigu is one of three powerful Russian military leaders whose diverging interests erupted into mutiny on Friday when thousands of Wagner Group mercenaries headed from Ukraine deep into Russia, before turning around Saturday after less than 24 hours. He is the first of the leaders to appear publicly since then. The Defense Ministry released the video with Shoigu in it, but it was unclear when it was filmed. Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin declared a march of justice to oust Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov late Friday. He withdrew after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal to allow Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive an amnesty, along with his soldiers. Russian President Vladimir Putin hasnt made any public appearances since issuing a brief televised address on Saturday during the mutiny. ___ Speaking to reporters before chairing a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the Wagner revolt showed that the war in Ukraine is cracking Russias political system. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, Borrel said Monday. The monster is acting against his creator. The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking. Upon arriving to the meeting in Luxembourg, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called Prigozhin a megalomaniac mercenary leader, and said the Wagner chief's mutiny showed that the evil spirit is out of the bottle in Putin's Russia. "You almost have the feeling that the Russian president is like the sorcerers apprentice again. He cant get rid of the ghosts he called, and theyre going to haunt him now, Schallenberg said. During comments in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the weekend mutiny an internal Russian matter, but said it was yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea (in 2014) and the war against Ukraine. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Lizzo is giving back to her college community. The artist has partnered with her alma mater, The University of Houston, to offer a brand new scholarship to one Black student studying music. We are excited to be working with Lizzo and her team to establish the Sasha Be Flooting Music Scholarship within the UH Alumni Association Foundation, the university said in a statement. We are deeply grateful to Lizzo for her generosity and commitment to supporting the next generation of music students. This scholarship will be life-changing for one young artist it will create opportunities and open doors that will impact the student and their journey toward a music career. The scholarship is the fourth donation Lizzo has made as part of her Fourth Annual Juneteenth Giveback. She donated $50,000 to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, Black Girls Smile and the Sphinx Organization. Today is very close to my heart, near and dear to home and a milestone for me, Lizzo said in an announcement video posted on social media. It is for any young Black student from Houston, Texas, who has applied to go to the University of Houston to study at the Moores School of Music, she added. That was me just a couple of years ago, a young Black flute player who just needed a scholarship and someone to believe in them. Now I get to pay it forward. Lizzo shared a throwback photograph of herself for the occasion. We can see a younger Lizzo playing the flute in the University of Houston band with a temporary tattoo of the schools mascot on her cheek. Meet Baby Lizzo on scholarship at the University of Houston, hoping shell earn a music performance degree in flute, she captioned the post. Little did she know shed change the conversation on flutes in pop culture forever. Both Lizzo and The University of Houston said details are being finalized, and a follow-up will be made. Stay tuned! Hamburger Mary's, Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantis just keeps on losing. In the middle of waging a war on Disney that is turning out to be more difficult than he likely initially expected, Floridas governor has been dealt another blow this week, this one regarding his new anti-drag law. Hamburger Marys filed suit over the law, which seeks to penalize venues for allowing children to be present during drag shows, in May, suggesting that its an attempt to violate free speech. And last week, US District Judge Gregory Presnel agreed. Florida already has statutes that provide such protection, he ruled, referring to proponents claims that it would protect children from sexually explicit performances. Rather, this statute is specifically designed to suppress the speech of drag queen performers. The judge agreed with critics of the law who suggested it was too broad, and could be interpreted in ways that directly and disproportionately target the LGBTQ+ community. While the text doesnt specifically name drag shows, it prohibits lewd conduct in live performances around children, declining to adequately define either term. On top of that, sponsor Rep. Randy Fine already admitted to wanting to use it to end Drag Queen Story Time. Presnell also pointed out that prohibiting minors from attending drag events even with the permission of their parents directly contradicts DeSantiss 2021 Parents Bill of Rights, which grants parents the right to direct the upbringing and the moral or religious training of his or her minor child, as well as another law that allows children to attend R-rated movies with their parents. The injunction ultimately only hits pause on enforcement of the law while the lawsuit moves forward, and can be appealed. However, it also marks the third time in a month that anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Florida backed by DeSantis have been halted for potential violation of constitutional rights. If this particular law is ultimately allowed to stand, any business found in violation will be subjected to thousands of dollars in fines and the suspension of their operating and/or liquor license, and individuals can be charged with a misdemeanor. Russian President Vladimir Putin Attends Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum Yevgeny Prigozhin is seen during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum SPIEF2016 on June 17, 2016 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Credit - Mikhail Svetlov-Getty Images The armed uprising against Russias military command was called off just as quickly as it first began, but the fate of Yevgeny Prigozhinthe leader of the Wagner mercenary group who led the mutiny and incurred the enmity of Russian President Vladimir Putinis now uncertain. On Saturday, Prigozhin reportedly agreed to leave Russia for an early retirement in Belarus after withdrawing his troops from marching on Moscow in a deal mediated by the neighboring countrys autocratic leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko, a close ally of Putins. Realizing all the responsibility for the fact that Russian blood will be shed from one side, we will turn our convoys around and go in the opposite direction to our field camps, Prigozhin said in an audio broadcast on Telegram. The paramilitary leader then left the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don that evening. In video footage, Prigozhin was seen smiling and shaking hands with his supporters who flocked to his car to cheer him on. More from TIME His current whereabouts are unknown, but on Monday, Prigozhin posted an 11-minute audio message on Telegram. Referring to previous orders from the Russian ministry of defense asking his commanders to sign government contracts, Prigozhin said the Wagner group was categorically against the decision to close Wagner on 1 July 2023 and to incorporate it into the defense ministry. The sudden turn of events has raised questions over whether Prigozhin will continue to pose a threat to Russian leadership, and whether he can survive in exile in Belarus given Putins long history of retaliation against his critics and opponents. One political commentator even likened Prigozhins fate to that of Julius Caesars assassins, who were initially pardoned for their crimes. The assassins went into voluntary exile. Caesars supporters promptly reneged, revoked the amnesty and hunted the assassins to death, David Frum posted on Twitter. The Kremlins unkept promise Under the deal brokered by Lukashenko, the Kremlin agreed not to prosecute Prigozhin or other members of the Wagner group for launching an armed rebellion if Prigozhin departed to Belarus, Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, said Saturday. On Monday, however, Russian media outlets reported the criminal charges against Prigozhin had not been dropped and the Russian Federal Security Service was continuing its investigation against the Wagner chief. The reports came via Kommersant, a Russian newspaper, and the countrys three main Kremlin-run news agenciesTass, RIA, and Interfaxciting anonymous sources. Though the reports could not be independently verified, they suggest that if the proceedings do continue, Prigozhinwho has been accused of betrayal and treason by Putin and Russian officialspotentially faces up to 20 years in prison. Read More: The Unlikely Winner of Wagners Failed Mutiny in Russia Whatever agreement they made over the weekend, Putin has now dropped it, says Martin Kragh, the deputy director of the Stockholm Center for Eastern European Studies. A reversal is also predictable on Putins part, Kragh continues, given that 15 Russian servicemen were killed during the uprising by Wagner. Its one thing to allow [Prigozhin] to leave the country and never show his face; its another thing to say that Putin is going to forget about this, he says. In the pure logic of a KGB leader, Putin now needs to punish his enemies and traitors to demonstrate his strong leadership, adds Sergej Sumlenny, the founder of the European Resilience Initiative Center in Berlin. The question is, does he have the required resources to do so? Putins long history of retaliation Putins regime has long been defined by his efforts to crush dissent and political opposition. In 2003, he put Russias richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, behind bars for a decade for criticizing state corruption before he was released and exiled to Zurich. In January 2021, he arrested the countrys opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, sparking some of the biggest protests that the country had seen in years. The authorities met pro-Navalny protestors with violence, and since then, Putin has intensified his tactics by eliminating opposition politicians, weaponizing the justice system, and labeling critical journalists as foreign agents. Read More: The Man Putin Fears All the prominent figures who challenged Putin in the past are either in exile or have been persecuted or killed, says Tymofiy Mylovanov, the President of the Kyiv School of Economics and an adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine. Not every Putin critic dies under mysterious or suspicious circumstances, but there is a long history of Kremlin foes who have indeed died this way. In 2006, Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB agent and vocal critic of the Russian Federal Security Service, died in a London hotel after drinking a cup of tea laced with deadly polonium-210. A British inquiry found that Litvinenko was poisoned by Russian agents who were acting on orders that had probably been approved by Putin. Similarly, Boris Nemtsov, a Russian opposition leader and Putin critic, was killed in Moscow in 2015 after he was shot four times in the back by an unknown assailant within view of the Kremlin. The attack occurred just hours after Nemtsov urged the public to join a march against Russias military involvement in Ukraine. And in 2016, Denis Voronenkov, a former Russian Communist Party member who began sharply criticizing Putin after fleeing Russia, was shot in Kyiv in what former Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko called an act of state terrorism by Russia. Still, the weekends events were qualitatively different from anything else we have seen before, Kragh says, because while those who previously challenged the Russian president were primarily outside of the political system, Prigozhin owes much of his rise in the political and military ranks to Putin. Since forming the Wagner mercenary group in 2014, Prigozhin has been a key tool of Putins overseas adventurism, from propping up his ally Bashar Al-Assad in Syria to helping replace French influence in Mali. Experts have noted how the Wagner group operated at an arms-length from the Kremlin and therefore allowed Putin to deny Russian involvement, which in turn made Prigozhin popular with the Kremlin and enabled him to build up his own power base. As a result, there are still questions about what happened over the weekend, Kragh says. We still dont know to what extent the Russian intelligence agencies were aware of a potential uprising, and why they failed to react, he says. What happens next? For now, experts say the future of the Wagner chief remains unknown, in part because Prigozhins main objective was calling Putins attention to the imminent breakup of Prigozhins mercenary army. These werent demands for a governmental overthrow; they were a desperate bid to save the enterprise, Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, posted on Twitter. She continued, Now it appears that these merits helped Prigozhin to get out of this crisis alive, but without a political future in Russia (at least while Putin is in power). Cutting a deal with Putin may have left Prigozhin in a fraught situation with the estimated 25,000 Wagner troops who took part in the rebellion and will now have to disband. As they face the choice of either signing contracts with the defense ministry or dispersing into Russian society under the watchful eyes of the Kremlin, they are likely to resent Prigozhin for putting them in their bind. Prigozhins life is in danger from both Putin and his own guys because he set them up, says Mylovanov. Its likely that Putin will react by becoming more paranoid, and even more repressive than in the past, Kragh guesses. Comparing the weekends events with the failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016, which resulted in the detention of more than 160,000, he says something similar could unfold in Russia with Putin targeting the opposition, civil society, and the media more aggressively. If that is the case, then of course, Russia will move in a direction that is even more resembling a traditional dictatorship than anything else, says Kragh. If Putin cracks down even further, experts say hell likely rethink allowing Prigozhin to live in quiet exile in Belarusespecially after he openly challenged the Russian leader in the public eye. Hundreds of South Shore patients were left scrambling to find new doctors last month after Compass Medical abruptly closed six clinics south of Boston. The sudden loss of the clinics added to the growing nationwide shortage of primary care doctors. The U.S. is expected to lose between 21,000 and 55,000 primary care physicians by the year 2033, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Theres been a chronic shortage of primary care doctors for many years and the problem is only getting worse, said Boston Consumers Checkbook Executive Editor Kevin Brasler. Brasler has this advice if youre in the market for a new doctor: BEWARE THE CONCIERGE MODEL Concierge Medicinealso known as Retainer Medicinerequires the patient to pay a doctor an annual fee in exchange for enhanced care, like guaranteed availability and adequate time for each patient. Brasler says if a doctor requires this fee, make sure you know what it comes with and if its worth the price. Essentially, what theyre doing is charging an annual fee for the privilege of being one of their patients. Sometimes you get a lot of extra services for that and sometimes you dont, Brasler said. A lot of people have actually been priced out of finding a new primary physician [because of Concierge Medicine]. DO YOUR HOMEWORK Brasler recommends looking for online reviews to find out what other patients are saying about their doctor. Boston Consumers Checkbook has its own database with independent ratings and reviews for 474 Boston-area physicians. The main [concern] is will [the doctor] listen and communicate with you? A lot of people complain that their doctors arent listening to them and that is crucial in a primary care setting, Brasler said. BE CAREFUL OF ONLINE RATINGS Brasler says to be careful reading some online reviews. If youre looking at patient ratings, make sure its a large sample size and at least 30 patients have judged that doctor. Also, be aware some websites may have a financial incentive to post glowing reviews of doctors. I think its really important to look at the source of information before you chose to see a doctor. It may be [the website is] saying nice things about the doctor because it has a financial relationship with them, Brasler said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Modestos Habitat for Humanity has just dramatically increased its footprint, and in more ways than one. The Stanislaus County chapter of the national nonprofit celebrated the grand opening of its new ReStore location this weekend, completing a roughly 18-month project to move to the larger warehouse on Tenaya Drive. For more than 20 years, the shop has been a popular place for do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike to find discounted secondhand, donated and overstocked home improvement materials and furnishings. Paint supplies at the new Habitat for Humanity Restore location on Tenaya Drive in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, June 22, 2023. In addition to its new, bigger digs, the organization known for helping people find housing has more than doubled its coverage area this year with the addition of all of Merced County. Since Jan. 15, longtime local CEO Anita Hellam has headed the merged Habitat for Humanity, Merced/Stanislaus Counties. Already, the charity has been helping Merced County residents who suffered damages from the winter storms and flooding. Hellam said Habitat is serving flood victims in Planada, in eastern Merced County, which was hard hit by the rainstorms at the start of the year. It will provide mold suppression and renovation help to up to 500 homes. And Habitat is in the process of repairing five homes, one of which is an almost total rebuild. Also with the consolidation of the Modesto-based organization and its Los Banos affiliate, the group will open two new ReStore shops in the coming year, one in Merced and one in Los Banos. Its significant growth and I think its really good for the community, Hellam said. We want to make sure people understand the overarching mission of our organization. We want our services across the board to be consistent and the ReStores to be consistent. Hellam said theyre aiming to open the new Merced shop by the end of the year, and the Los Banos one by next spring. The combined organization also will be hiring about a dozen more staff, between its new planned stores and administration. The group currently has about 15 employees. But first, Habitat is celebrating the long-awaited opening of the expanded Modesto ReStore. The shop has moved from its cramped 25,000-square-foot complex on Kearney Avenue, where its been for more than 17 years, to a 35,000-square-foot building across from the Modesto Airport. The larger space has many advantages over its previous site. For one, the Tenaya location sees 20,000 more cars pass by it a day than the previous ReStore across from a U.S. Postal Service branch in central Modesto. While the new warehouse is in an industrial area, it faces the always busy Mitchell Road, one of the main arteries connecting Modesto to Ceres. The site also has much more parking, a continual problem at the previous location, which was on the edge of a residential neighborhood. The property will allow for a designated drop-off area for donations. And theres even space for the corporate office, which will be in a separate building behind the warehouse. The new Habitat for Humanity Restore location is now open on Tenaya Drive in Modesto, Calif., Thursday, June 22, 2023. Inside, instead of the old complexs mazelike layout, the new warehouse will have regular rows and clear sight lines, making it easier to shop. Habitat also plans to start offering regular Saturday workshops from home repair and construction experts for the public on site, as well as monthly childrens activities. Hellam said she hopes the better visibility will increase awareness about the store and all it offers. She said despite the groups success in the region over the years the ReStore generates $1 million in sales annually some people still think it sells only construction materials to professionals. But the shop has an ever-changing selection of remodeling supplies and home furnishings for sale at low prices to the general public. ReStore is a win-win-win, Hellam said. There are so many people who are able to do their own home repairs only because of ReStore and the pricing. The new ReStore, at 2206 Tenaya Drive, will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, closed Sundays. Discounted secondhand, donated and overstocked home improvement materials and furnishings can be found at Habitat for Humanitys Restore in Modesto, Calif. Photographed Thursday, June 22, 2023. It looks like its curtains for this historic Fort Worth movie theater The Berry Theater, built in 1940 near the intersection of Hemphill and West Berry Streets, could be coming down. Its owner, the nonprofit health care provider Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth, has filed for a demolition permit, according to the city of Fort Worths permitting system. The group has had plans to build a clinic on the lot just north of the building since 2021. Former executive director Peggy Leitch told the Star-Telegram in December 2021 the new clinic would provide 15,000 square feet of space, compared to the 1,200 square feet the group was using at the time. Current executive director Aly Layman will host a community meeting about the theaters future on at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the clinics headquarters at 775 W Bowie Street, assistant executive director Lorena Montalvo wrote in an email to the Star-Telegram. The Berry Theater has been listed five times as one of Fort Worths most endangered places, according to the historic preservation nonprofit Historic Fort Worth. The abandoned building has been closed for more than 35 years, according to Star-Telegram archives. Its not designated as a historic building, but if it were, its owners could get a 25% rebate on any redevelopment costs through state tax credits. Without landmark protection, great buildings like this are vulnerable, said Jerre Tracy, executive director of Historic Fort Worth. Losing the theater is a loss of cultural history, Tracy said. Single screen theaters like the Berry were places where parents could drop off their kids to watch cartoons, and have always been tied into their communities. The theater was one of the only the places in Fort Worth where the Hispanic community could go see movies that reflected their culture, said Elva Camacho, who grew up in the area. Camacho recalled going to the theater to see movies with her father and running into other family members or friends from the neighborhood. She said it was an important place for the neighborhood to hang out. Cristina Plascencia Snoke, a neighborhood activist and resident of the Rosemont neighborhood just south of the theater, said the area needs a cultural hub to foster its creative community. She also noted the history of the building as a gathering place saying it needs to be preserved for younger generations. The building has become a liability for Mercy Clinic, said Fort Worth city council member Jeanette Martinez, whose district includes the Berry Theater. She noted Mercy Clinic is renting its current space, and has been looking to expand its operations. Im an arts lover, and definitely do thing we need a place in the south side like they have in the north side, Martinez said. However, she wasnt sure the building had the same historical significance as some of the north side land marks like the Rose Marine Theater, where prominent Mexican movie stars visited to promote their films. If the building qualified for historic status, Martinez said she would fight to make sure its preserved. Loveland man sentenced to 39 years in prison for 2015 fatal shooting of William Connole The man who fatally shot William Connole on a downtown Loveland street corner in 2015 has been sentenced to nearly four decades in prison. Christopher Parker, now 40, was sentenced to 39 years in prison Monday morning. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Connole's killing as part of a plea agreement with the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office in early May. Connole, 65, was fatally shot while walking at the intersection of First Street and St. Louis Avenue in Loveland just before 11 p.m. on June 3, 2015. Chief Judge Susan Blanco acknowledged this sentence could be a life sentence for Parker. Parker was originally charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, but that charge was dismissed by the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office as part of this plea agreement. The agreement stipulated Parker plead guilty to second-degree murder, a Class 2 felony, and face a sentence from 16 to 40 years in prison. Parker was also initially charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a motorcyclist, who was not injured, near Allendale Park in Loveland the same day Connole was killed, but that charge was also dismissed as part of this agreement. Prior to accepting this plea agreement, Parker had pleaded not guilty and the case was set for a six-week trial later this year. Parker was arrested in March 2018 after Northern Colorado Shooting Task Force investigators tied him to the shootings through his truck, a firearm purchase and alleged incriminating statements he reportedly made online and in interviews with law enforcement, investigators said during a multiday evidentiary hearing in October. Parker's case was delayed several years while he went through mental competency proceedings. He was deemed competent to proceed to trial in June 2021. Blanco said Monday she sentenced Parker to 39 years in prison instead of 40 to account for the lost credit for time served due to the lengthy mental competency process, which was delayed due to long waits for bed space at the state hospital and issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Family and friends of Connole who spoke during Monday's sentencing described him as a selfless, caring, supportive father, grandfather, friend and neighbor. Parker's parents also spoke about their son's struggles with previous trauma and untreated mental illness. Take a deep dive into the Loveland shootings case Return to Coloradoan.com Thursday and read Sunday's Coloradoan print edition for an exclusive look into the more than eight-year investigation into the killing of William Connole. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Man sentenced to 39 years in prison for 2015 fatal Loveland shooting Lukashenko does not reveal whether Prigozhin has come to Belarus The press service of self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated they do not know whether the leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has arrived in Belarus yet. Source: Fontanka, a Russian news outlet Details: On 26 June, the Russian media outlet called Lukashenko's press service, but they were unable to answer whether Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus. An employee of the press service stated that "there is no such information" and suggested that Fontanka send an official information request. The Belarusian monitoring outlet has reported that both of Prigozhin's aircraft are in Russia: the first BAe 125-800B (RA-02731) has been in Moscow since 22 June, while the second, which is his main aircraft, an Embraer Legacy 600 (RA-02795), flew to southern Russia from St Petersburg on 25 June and returned to St Petersburg late in the evening. Thus, Yevgeny Prigozhin did not fly to Belarus at least, using his own planes. At the same time, various Telegram channels are spreading insights that Prigozhin is already in Minsk. Observers have not yet been able to confirm this information. On Saturday evening, Dmitry Peskov, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said that due to negotiations, in which Lukashenko took an active part, the rebellion was stopped in order to "prevent the unleashing of a bloody massacre on the territory of Russia". Prigozhin accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of the Wagner PMC, and Peskov claimed that Prigozhin would go to Belarus. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The MAGAt Who Allegedly Racially-Terrorized His Neighborhood Could be In Trouble Screenshot: Queen City News, FBI A North Carolina man has been arrested after harassing his neighbors while whipping around a Confederate-flag covered pickup truck, according to The Daily Beast. The FBI found probable cause to charge the man for racially intimidating his Mexican and Black neighbors with more than just slurs. Going to school in Washington D.C. meant you were bound to run into one of those trucks decked out with anti-abortion, extra-conservative Christian, Trump stanning, Confederate images while trying to enjoy the monuments. Turns out, the residents in Concord, North Carolina had their own case of the same craziness. Read more Marian Hudaks harassment accusations go back to November of 2021, according to Queen City News. Hudak was accused of harassing his Mexican American neighbors by egging their vehicle, throwing the classic go back to your country insult and even physically assaulting one of them. The following year, Hudak was accused of trying to run a Black driver off the road with his MAGA-mobile while yelling racial slurs and eventually pulling a gun on him. Soon after that incident, he nearly turned himself in for his foolishness after complaining that he couldnt continue carrying on the way he did. Read more from The Daily Beast: Hudak was eventually questioned by the police in December. I cant take this anymore, he told them, according to the complaint. I got banned from Sams Club because they said I yell F Black people Its my First Amendment, and I will use it because they ask for trouble. According to the complaint, Hudak has consistently bashed illegal immigration and so-called crimes Black people have committed against him, and has blared hate speech loudly from his tackily decorated truck. Social media pages associated with Hudak indicate he emigrated from Slovakia. The FBI and Department of Justice accused Hudak of interfering with federally protected activities and criminally interfering with Right to Fair Housing protections based on race. Its not known whats next for Hudak but if hes sentenced, he still may face only 120 days in prison. 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. Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are the first US spread since 2003, CDC says FILE - This 2014 photo made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a feeding female Anopheles gambiae mosquito. The species is a known vector for the parasitic disease malaria. The United States has seen five cases of malaria spread by mosquitos in the last two months...the first time there's been local spread in 20 years. There were four cases detected in Florida and one in Texas, according to a health alert issued Monday, June 26, 2023, by the CDC. (James Gathany/CDC via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW YORK (AP) The United States has seen five cases of malaria spread by mosquitos in the last two months the first time there's been local spread in 20 years. There were four cases detected in Florida and one in Texas, according to a health alert issued Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria is caused by a parasite that spreads through mosquito bites. Infected people can suffer fever, chills and flu-like illness. If it goes untreated, infected people can develop severe complications and die. The largest death toll in recent years has been seen in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Health officials are warning doctors, especially those in southern states where the weather is more friendly to the tropical mosquito that spreads malaria, to be aware of the possibility of infection. They also should think about how to access the IV drug that is the first-line treatment for severe malaria in the United States, the CDC said. The agency said that the people who were diagnosed received treatment and are improving. About 2,000 U.S. cases of malaria are diagnosed each year the vast majority in travelers coming from countries where malaria commonly spreads. Since 1992, there've been 11 outbreaks involving malaria from mosquitoes in the U.S. The last one occurred in 2003 in Palm Beach County, Florida, where eight cases were reported ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. [Source] The Malaysian government announced that it is filing a lawsuit against Meta Platforms for its purported failure to remove "undesirable" posts on the companys popular social media platform Facebook. Enforcing accountability: In a statement released Friday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission noted that it is pursuing legal action against the company to safeguard consumers and enforce accountability for cybersecurity. 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. As there is no sufficient cooperation from Meta, MCMC has no option but to take definitive steps or legal action against Meta as a measure to ensure that people are secure and protected in the digital sphere. Meta has reportedly refused to take down what the agency has deemed objectionable content despite repeated requests. The posts in question involve topics such as race, religion, defamation, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements. More from NextShark: Andrew Yang Draws Backlash from Asian Americans After Washington Post Op-Ed Legal basis: According to the commission, allowing the abuse of network facilities or application services constitutes an offense under Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998. Under the law, company officials who refuse to take immediate action can be charged with "willfully providing means and aiding criminal activity. If found guilty, offenders may be penalized with a fine not exceeding 50,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately $10,690), imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both. Curbing certain posts: The current administration under Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which assumed power in November, has been vocal in its intent to curb what it considers inflammatory social media posts involving race and religion. More from NextShark: YouTuber Gives $1,000 Tips to 5 Struggling Restaurants in NY Chinatown The government has attributed its stance to the recent heightened ethnic tensions in the country, where a majority Muslim ethnic Malay population co-exists alongside significant Chinese and Indian minorities. Sensitive times: The statement comes just weeks before elections are held in six states, as the terms for those local governments expire this year. Malaysia-based Centre for Independent Journalism reported in its hate speech-monitoring initiative last year that race-based topics dominated political discussions on social media during and after the previous election. More from NextShark: Michigan mother of 3 missing after leaving to see Bronx man she met online Anwar's alliance, which includes a predominantly Chinese party, is facing off against a conservative Malay Muslim alliance advocating for a strict interpretation of Sharia in the upcoming election, More from NextShark: Teen Set to Graduate in June Drowns to Death in Sacramento County Man accused of driving intoxicated plunges truck off cliff into ocean, CA cops say A man suspected of driving under the influence was arrested after his truck went off the road, over a cliff and into the ocean, California officials said. In a June 25 post on Twitter, the California Highway Patrol said it responded to reports of a vehicle that drove off the road into the Pacific Ocean from East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Early this morning CHP officers responded to a vehicle that drove off the road into the Pacific Ocean from East Cliff Drive. The 50 year San Jose resident sustained major injuries as a result of the crash and was later arrested for DUI. Please do not drink and drive. pic.twitter.com/qmCG7sk06J CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) June 25, 2023 The pictures show the white work truck being pulled from the water. The 50-year-old man suffered major injuries as a result of the crash, police said. The man was inside the vehicle during the crash, according to KRON. The car drove through the safety railing, plunging over the cliff and dropping 20 to 30 feet into the shallow water below the cliff, according to CBS Bay Area. McClatchy News reached out to the California Highway Patrol and is awaiting a response. The man was later arrested on suspicion of DUI, police said. Santa Cruz is about 80 miles southeast of San Francisco. Driver leading 15-mph chase eats bag of cocaine and is hospitalized, Florida cops say Woman tossed from moving Lamborghini died, Georgia cops say. Now, driver is sentenced Woman had booze-filled day at bars before killing bride in crash, grooms lawsuit says A Geneva man accused of torching a racoon after trapping the animal is facing animal cruelty charges in Ontario County. Willis Bowles Jr., 35, of Geneva was charged with animal cruelty and issued an appearance ticket, the Humane Society announced Monday. According to the Ontario County Humane Society, the agency last week received an animal cruelty complaint posted online showing someone trapping racoons with a Havahart trap, which is a trap to humanely capture live animals. Bowles is accused of dousing the raccoon with a flammable liquid and setting the animal on fire while it was still inside the trap and alive. Animal cruelty officers executed a search warrant at Bowles' home on High Street and "found evidence to support the media post, including a deceased racoon," the news release from the Humane Society read. Ontario County sheriff's deputies and Geneva police assisted with the investigation. Bowles will face the charge in Geneva City Court at a later date. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Willis Bowles charged with animal cruelty following disturbing post Phoenix police car A man was hospitalized in critical condition following a Sunday night shooting at a Roosevelt Row arcade bar, according to Phoenix police. Police identified the suspect as Matthew Covarrubio, 22. He was arrested after he was chased by police from the scene of the shooting, police said. Just before 11:30 p.m., a shooting occurred between two men in the parking lot of Cobra Arcade Bar, located near Second and McKinley streets, police said. A Phoenix police car parked nearby was struck by gunfire, but the two off-duty officers inside were not hit, police said. The officers in the car saw the suspect running away while holding a gun, police said. One of the officers received a minor injury while taking the suspect into custody, police said. The Phoenix Fire Department took the man who was shot to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The man was in critical but stable condition as of Monday morning, according to police. Covarrubio was expected to be booked into jail on multiple charges including aggravated assault and discharging of a firearm within city limits, police said. Neighboring business owner does not feel unsafe Food trucks and other vendors were set up near Cobra Arcade Bar on Sunday night. "It happened right behind that wall," said Alex Hernandez said, pointing at a parking lot fence on the northeast corner of the intersection. He was working as a vendor near the bar when the shooting occurred. The scene, he said, was "pretty disturbing" but he did not feel unsafe continuing to work in the area. Sarah Bingham, who owns a vintage clothing store next door, also said she does not feel unsafe after the shooting happened. The bar takes security "very seriously," she said. "The first five years we were open, we were in another neighborhood. We had a lot of crime happen over there," Bingham said. "So now, here, with those neighbors, they just have a really good security team, I've never had anything happen here." Bingham said Sunday night's shooting was the first gun violence incident that has happened nearby since she moved her business to its current location. "This is as likely to happen here as anywhere else," she said. Bingham also said she doesn't think the shooting will affect her business, and she hopes it doesn't affect the arcade bar next to her. "I very much doubt it will affect the shop, we're open at different times, and the overlap is very small," she said. "But the people that own that bar are very good people, and they take safety seriously. I don't think what happened has anything to do with them." A representative of Cobra Arcade Bar declined to comment on the shooting. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man injured in shooting at Roosevelt Row in Phoenix A man is charged after investigators in Georgia say he was drugging the drinks of bar patrons, including an undercover cops. A narcotics team started an investigation at The Strand Bistro & Chophouse in Jesup after patrons began complaining of symptoms including extreme intoxication, spotty memories and disorientation after having very few drinks at the establishment, according to a news release from the Jesup Police Department. In one instance, an undercover officer who was part of the investigation was hospitalized after consuming a drink at the bar, the release says. The officer was released after several hours at the hospital and able to return to work. On June 22, officers arrested John Yonkosky, 57, at the bar, the release says. He is charged with reckless conduct, distribution of a schedule II controlled substance, sexual battery and criminal attempt to commit rape, according to the police department. The Chophouse said in a statement posted on Facebook that Yonkosky was in no way affiliated with the restaurant. We here at the Chophouse take pride in our food and the service we deliver to our guests, the statement says. An official with the Wayne County Sheriffs Office did not respond to a request from McClatchy News for further information. Yonkosky is being held on $5,000 bond, according to Wayne County jail records. Anyone with information or who believes they may have been a victim is asked to contact the Jesup/Wayne Tactical Narcotics Team at 912-427-1300 or the Wayne County Sheriffs Office at 912-427-5970, according to police. Jesup is about 230 miles southwest of Atlanta. Customers duck for cover as booted patron shoots into restaurant, Florida police say Man posed as rideshare driver to lure women, peeped into victims homes, CA police say Man in clown mask sexually assaults woman minutes before robbing another, CA cops say Man killed after 30-foot yacht crashes into ferry near Florida port One man is dead and another was seriously hurt after a crash involving two boats near The Port of Miami. The deadly crash happened on the water Sunday morning. First responders said a 30-foot boat hit a ferry causing the boat to sink. Read: Florida man and stepson die after hiking in extreme heat in Big Bend park in Texas Workers on the ferry were able to pull one man out of the water. The body of the second man was later recovered. Read: This company is paying $10,000 to walk 10,000 steps per day No one on the ferry was hurt. Cruise operations were disrupted for hours as officials worked to clear the boat out of the channel. Read: Florida sues Biden administration over higher education reforms 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. Flash Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, who is on an official visit to China, on Sunday in Beijing. Barbados is a good friend and partner of China in the Caribbean region, Li noted. He said that under the new circumstances, China is willing to enhance strategic mutual trust with Barbados, deepen cooperation in various fields, and build China-Barbados relations into a model of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit for developing countries. China is ready to work with Barbados to promote the joint construction of a high-quality Belt and Road, and enhance exchanges and cooperation related to the economy, trade, culture and other fields. China encourages its enterprises to invest and do business in Barbados, stands ready to import more competitive products from Barbados, and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Barbados' economic and social development, he said. China understands the situation and special concerns of developing island countries in coping with climate change and other issues. China is willing to jointly seek solutions for financing difficulties, and to support developing countries as they accelerate their energy transformation and achieve sustainable development, he noted. Mottley said that Barbados attaches great importance to Barbados-China relations, and both countries are committed to improving people's lives and promoting sustainable development. She thanked China for sending medical teams to Barbados and providing support for its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbados is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of agriculture, energy, infrastructure construction, poverty reduction, tourism, culture and education, and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges, she said. Barbados opposes "decoupling and breaking the chain," and supports maintaining the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and maintaining the stability of international production and supply chains. After the talks, they jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the blue economy, local cooperation, medical and health care, and news media. Max Q: Welcome to the era of MaaS (microgravity-as-a-service) Hello and welcome back to Max Q! In this issue: 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. atmos Atmos CEO Sebastian Klaus. Image Credits: Atmos Space Cargo (opens in a new window) Launchers Orbiter spacecraft experienced an anomaly after reaching orbit that will likely result in the premature end of its customers missions, including Starfish Spaces Otter Pup demonstration mission. launcher orbiter Image Credits: Launcher In other news... Max Q is brought to you by me, Aria Alamalhodaei. If you enjoy reading Max Q, consider forwarding it to a friend. The weekends events in Russia seem an almost surreal interruption to the long slog of conflict unfolding in neighboring Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhins challenge to the Russian state erupted and receded in the space of 24 hours, but the consequences of his short-lived mutiny may reverberate for much longer. Prigozhins Wagner forces, for all his boasting, were never going to be a match for the Russian security forces. The march on Moscow comprised scattered convoys that had little shape and less direction and insufficient firepower to challenge the regular military. Despite Prigozhins bluster, there is virtually no evidence that any regular Russian units came over to Wagners side, though some may have opted not to confront them. In some ways, it was surprising that Prigozhins columns got as far as they did. And yet, the saga was humiliating to the Russian military and at least embarrassing to the Kremlin. There was the bizarre recorded encounter between Prigozhin and two very senior military officers in Rostov-on-Don, during which he upbraided them like teenagers sentenced to detention (and said that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had run away). Prigozhin and his men were able to take over the headquarters of the Southern Military District without a murmur, let alone a shot. Indeed, Russian regular forces (except for a couple of helicopters over the city of Voronezh) appear to have sleepwalked through the days events. The brief drama forced a visibly angry President Vladimir Putin to address the nation early on Saturday and threaten Prigozhin with dire consequences, even raising the specter of civil war in the process. The much-prized sense of national purpose in an existential struggle against what Moscow falsely claims are Ukrainian neo-Nazis that were creatures of the West was punctured by what was at times a day of melodrama. Some moments, such as the hasty erection of roadblocks on Moscows southern outskirts and the mobilization of Chechen special forces to move on Rostov, were reminiscent of the 1991 attempted coup by Soviet hardliners against Mikhail Gorbachev not in a political sense but for the haphazard and inchoate nature of events. Above all, the day exposed the transactional nature of relationships among Russian elites. What had begun as treasonous behavior and a criminal challenge to the state that must be ruthlessly dealt with ended with a tawdry deal brokered by the dictator next door that gave Prigozhin a get-out-of-jail-free card, and amnesty to the mutineers advancing on Moscow. Putin left looking weaker This was not lost on Kyiv, with an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidents office, Mikhailo Podolyak, saying that at the end of the day, everything goes back to normal, (Prigozhin) is not a traitor, he is a hero of Russia, and so on. Its a failed state. Russian state media has gone to great lengths to show how Putin was in control throughout. The whole night the president has been in touch with all law enforcement structures, said Pavel Zarubin, a state TV reporter on Sunday. And in reality Russia is not on the verge of a civil war or major upheaval, even if there is a not negligible level of discontent with the state of affairs across the country, concludes Thomas Graham at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank. But as Prigozhin was granted an escape route hours after betting the farm on overthrowing the military establishment, his departure from the scene still left Putin looking weaker, even a touch naive. For years Putin had tolerated and even encouraged Prigozhins ambitions, his Wagner private military company was at first a cheap way to project Russian power in Africa, perform basic guard duty in Syria and later serve as a useful counterweight to the defense establishment, which the Wagner chief reviled in ever more sulphuric language after the launch of the Ukraine operation. Prigozhins activism, his plundering of Russian jails for cannon fodder, the readiness of his fighters to go on the offensive and ultimately take the city of Bakhmut despite hideous losses, was in contrast to the almost invisible leadership of the Defense Ministry and the ever-changing cast of generals leading the special military operation. Putin indirectly scolded him this month after Prigozhin refused an order to register (and thereby defang) Wagner with the Defense Ministry (in trademark colorful language); but no action was taken. That attempt by the ministry may have tipped Prigozhin into his drastic demarche, but even if Putin saw it coming he failed to head it off. He said the actions of his former chef and St. Petersburg comrade were a stab in the back. The leadership of the Defense Ministry, specifically Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, was silent and apparently absent throughout the crisis. Their already tarnished reputations appear to have taken another blow, while two senior generals did speak up demanding Prigozhin end his escapade. One Ukrainian officer noted with some satisfaction that numerous senior officers responsible for decision-making chose to abstain from issuing orders or making decisive moves, opting to wait for the outcome. Fading veneer It may take weeks for any personnel reshuffle to materialize in Moscow but someone will have to take the blame for not nipping the rebellion in the bud. It is a fair bet that Putin will not blame himself. There will be much finger-pointing inside the Kremlin, as elite factions seek to save their own positions and erode their rivals, says CFRs Graham. The weekends events seem to have chipped away at the already fading veneer of Putins omniscience, eroded by a series of miscalculations in the planning and execution of the war and a severe underestimation of the Wests response. How could such a pantomime unfold under the watch of the fabled ex-KGB agent, laying bare the rifts among Russian elites? As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN on Sunday, 16 months ago Russian forces had expected to take Kyiv in a matter of days. Now, they have to be focused on defending Moscow Russias capital against mercenaries and Putins own men. Graham echoes that. It will inevitably distract attention of Russias senior leaders from the war effort and not only in the short-term The Kremlin will have to devote greater resources to ensuring that no similar threat emerges in the future, he writes. In an authoritarian state, doubt is corrosive. Phillips OBrien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, says that for a dictatorship built on the idea of unchallenged power, this was an extreme humiliation, and its hard to see the genie of doubt ever being forced back into the bottle. Hanna Notte, a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agrees up to a point. Its conceivable that the corrosion of his rule is in motion. And more importantly, that the process will continue, Notte wrote on Twitter. But theres also the possibility that the immense dysfunctionality of the system we observed yday can prove quite durable & not become dangerous to #Putin. Putin appears to believe that he can wear down all opponents the West, Ukraine and probably Prigozhin. And Notte says that if Ukraines counter-offensive falls below expectations, the regime might prove less brittle than many thought. Members of Wagner group sit atop of a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, on June 24, 2023. - STRINGER/AFP/AFP via Getty Images Fillip for the Ukrainians The Kremlin may well use the upheaval to strengthen still further the apparatus of oppression, the one part of the Russian state that appears to work relatively efficiently. Still unknown, the trickle-down effect of the weekends events on the rank-and-file Russian troops in Ukraine whose morale is already brittle. Many will likely be asking themselves yet again what they are fighting for as the Ukrainian counter-offensive gains pace. And of course the episode is only a fillip for the Ukrainians. One Ukrainian military officer was provocatively shown on social media eating popcorn as he watched events in Russia unfold. Podolyak says that Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence, and went on to mock the Russian state as a flimsy structure held together by inertia on a wing and a prayer. Hyperbole of course, but as Ukraines counteroffensive struggles to gain momentum, the prospect (however faint) of an internal threat to Putin is likely a comforting thought. As for Prigozhin, last seen shaking hands with admirers as he left Rostov: his current whereabouts are unknown. But he released new audio on Monday explaining his decision to stop what he called a march on Moscow. Prigozhin claimed he wanted to avoid Russian bloodshed, and also said the march was a demonstration of protest, not an attempt to overturn power in the country. He added that the Russian Defense Ministry had planned for his Wagner private military group to cease to exist from July 1. Prigozhins instrument is Telegram. Putin is famously not on the Internet; he apparently doesnt understand social media. Big mistake, says Stalin biographer Stephen Kotkin. As for the bigger picture, Putins Kremlin remained, and remains, viable as long as there is no political alternative, Kotkin adds. Now, we might see just how hollow the regime is. Putin has unwittingly launched a stress test of his own regime. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Speaker Kevin McCarthy is floating the possibility that the House could open an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Merrick Garland over Internal Revenue Service whistleblower allegations that Justice Department leadership improperly interfered in the Hunter Biden probe, which Garland has denied. If it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, were going to start impeachment inquiries on the attorney general, McCarthy said Monday on Fox News. In congressional testimony publicly released on Thursday, two IRS whistleblowers alleged to lawmakers that the presidents son had been given preferential treatment by the Justice Department. McCarthy said on Fox News that the IRS agents who came forward watched the abuse of power in how Hunter Biden was treated. The allegation that the DOJ has been politicized against conservatives has been central to how House Republicans approach their congressional investigations, though there is scant evidence backing up most of their claims. Garland rejected those claim during a Friday news conference. Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department by claiming that we do not treat like cases alike, Garland said. This constitutes an attack on an instutiton that is essential to American democracy nothing could be further from the truth. Regarding the Hunter Biden probe, the whistleblowers made several explosive allegations, including that the IRS had recommended far more serious charges for the presidents son and that US Attorney in Delaware David Weiss was blocked from bringing charges in other states. Garland said Friday 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. Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and struck a deal with federal prosecutors to resolve a felony gun charge, the Justice Department said Tuesday in court filings. 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 IRS by the deadlines. A judge will have the final say on any sentence. Garland said Friday he would support Mr. Weiss explaining or testifying about the allegations raised by the whistleblowers when he deems it appropriate. McCarthy said on Fox News Monday, We have requested by July 6, Weiss to come in and answer these questions because the IRS whistleblowers took copious notes. The federal prosecutor overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation sent a letter to House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan in early June saying that he had ultimate authority over the probe. Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, makes clear in a letter obtained by CNN that he was granted this authority, cutting against Republican claims that Garland and the DOJ are weaponized against conservatives and politicizing the Hunter Biden case. I want to make clear that, as the attorney general has stated, I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental regulations Weiss wrote to Jordan on June 7. In response, Jordan has asked Weiss to explain and provide further information about the letter stating he had ultimate authority over the probe. Jordan asked in a letter to Weiss why he was the one to respond to Congress on June 7, when the initial letter from Jordan about alleged retaliation against the IRS whistleblowers was addressed to Garland. Who instructed you to sign and send your June 7 letter to the committee?, Jordan asked. Hunter Bidens lawyer pushed back in a statement on Friday against the whistleblowers claims, saying it was preposterous and deeply irresponsible to suggest that federal investigators cut my client any slack during their extensive five-year probe. CNNs Annie Grayer contributed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hinted Sunday at possibly opening an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Merrick Garland if IRS whistleblower claims that the Justice Department interfered with the Hunter Biden probe are proved true. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, McCarthy said what Garland has claimed about the Hunter Biden probe and what U.S. Attorney David Weiss has said privately are "two different things." "These are IRS long term workers who've been through it and watched the abuse of power of how Hunter Biden was treated," the California Republican said. "I mean, they even waited to get the six-year statute of limitation off where they Burisma money. He didn't get charged for some of the highest prosecution. They want to have a special counsel. And now we're seeing that the DOJ, the attorney general, declined that, even though he's saying something different. "None of it smells right and none of it is right," McCarthy added. Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released transcripts of interviews with two IRS whistleblowers who claim decisions made during the probe by DOJ, FBI and IRS officials seemed to be " influenced by politics ." IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr., who oversaw the investigation, had testified to the Ways and Means Committee that he was told Weiss attempted to bring charges against Hunter Biden earlier on in the investigation in other districts, but was denied by DOJ leadership. Shapley also testified Weiss requested special counsel privileges and was denied by Garland. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., conducts a news conference in the U.S. Capitols Statuary Hall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. HUNTER BIDEN-LINKED ACCOUNT RECEIVED $5 MILLION DAYS AFTER THREATENING MESSAGES: 'SITTING HERE WITH MY FATHER' Garland has adamantly denied these allegations. Weiss, in a June 7 letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., claimed he had "been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental regulations." However, in a statement from his representatives on Friday, Shapley said that on Oct. 7, 2022 Weiss told six witnesses he did not have authority to charge in other districts and had thus requested special counsel status. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters on Jan. 27, 2023 in Washington, D.C. DOJ TOLD IRS NOT TO INTERVIEW JOE BIDEN'S GRANDCHILDREN IN HUNTER PROBE TO AVOID 'HOT WATER': WHISTLEBLOWER Shapley's version was "independently and contemporaneously corroborated" in a now-public email now by the witnesses, the legal team said. Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, in Los Angeles, Aug. 22, 2022. HUNTER BIDEN EXPENSED PROSTITUTES, SEX CLUB TO 'CONSULTING' BUSINESS ON 2018 TAX RETURNS: IRS WHISTLEBLOWER Witnesses included Baltimore FBI Special Agent in Charge Tom Sobocinski and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryeshia Holley, IRS Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gary Shapley and Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon, the legal team said. "Mr. Shapley would have no insight into why Mr. Weiss's would make these statements at the October 7, 2022 meeting if they were false," the meeting said. "That Mr. Weiss made these statements is easily corroborated, and it is up to him and the Justice Department to reconcile the evidence of his October 7, 2022 statements with contrary statements by Mr. Weiss and the Attorney General to Congress." McCarthy tweeted on Sunday that he was looking to "get the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. "U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee," McCarthy said. "If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garland's weaponization of DOJ." Ian Sams, spokesperson for the White House counsel's office dismissed McCarthy's comments as a "partisan stunt" by Republicans who "are desperate to distract from their own plan to give even more tax cuts to the wealthy and big corporations and add more than $3 trillion to the deficit." "Speaker McCarthy and the extreme House Republicans are proving they have no positive agenda to actually help the American people on the issues most important to them and their families," he said, adding that the President is "spending this whole week traveling the country to talk about the important economic progress we have made over the last two years creating more than 13 million jobs as weve sparked the strongest recovery of any country in the world and laying out the Biden plan to put the middle class ahead of those at the very top." In a press conference Friday, Garland responded to the whistleblower allegations saying, "I certainly understand that some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department, and its components, and its employees, by claiming that 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," he said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. Youve all heard me say many times that we make our cases based on the facts and the law. These are not just words. These are what we live by." He added that the FBI, U.S. Marshals as well as agents with the DEA, ATF "protect the American people and secure its safety. "Our cases are based on their work," he said. "I could not be more proud to work with them." Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Monday described Russian President Vladimir Putin as much weaker and said he seems like a different person after the Wagner Group launched a brief armed rebellion against the Kremlin over the weekend. Regardless of what happened here, Putin is much weaker. And Putin Putin seems like a different person. But Ive always believed Putin would be like a mafia boss, and youre watching it today, McCarthy said in an interview on Fox & Friends. Putin would have never let [Yevgeny] Prigozhin get this far or continue. I mean Prigozhin, this wasnt a secret. He was publicly criticizing Putin, criticizing the military, McCarthy added. Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary group, launched a rebellion against the Kremlin over the weekend and led his troops from the front lines of Ukraine back toward Moscow. He called for the ouster of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and made accusations that undercut Russias professed motivation for the war. Within 24 hours, however, a deal was struck with Belarus, which agreed to grant amnesty Prigozhin and his fighters. Remember what he put out just a couple days ago: The whole entrance into Ukraine was a lie. Hed been lying to the people, McCarthy said, referring to Prigozhins recent video that accused the Kremlin of lying to the people about why they really went to war. And you watch the people rise up and support Prigozhin. And for his ability to get that close to Moscow, without the air force taking him out, thats got to be scary for Putin. McCarthy underscored Putins uniquely weak position now, arguing Russia lacks military supplies and saying this would be a prime opportunity for Chinese President Xi Jinping to cut off all support for Moscow. McCarthy called on world leaders to add pressure to Xi. What really needs to happen here is President Xi of China needs to back away from any support to Russia. That should be a clear sign to him, too, he said, later adding, But the world the world leaders should pressure President Xi. He also noted Putins personal vulnerability after the rebellion, saying he was isolating himself and is now slow to make decisions. Hes just not the same when you watch him. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. McCarthy raises the possibility of impeaching Merrick Garland over the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested Attorney General Merrick Garland could be impeached. The top Republican said he would support such a step if an IRS whistleblower's claims are proven true. A senior IRS agent testified that the DOJ gave Hunter Biden preferential treatment. Garland has disputed some of the whistleblower's claims. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy raised the possibility of starting impeachment proceedings for Attorney General Merrick Garland over the Justice Department's handling of its investigation into Hunter Biden. "If it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, we're going to start impeachment inquiries on the Attorney General," McCarthy said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends." McCarthy was referencing a whistleblower at the IRS who has claimed there was undue influence and other mishandling of the investigation into Hunter Biden. The tax agency played a central role in the Biden probe as it pored through financial records to determine whether the president's son paid his entire tax bill. Garland addressed the whistleblowers' claims on Friday, disputing that US Attorney David Weiss, a Trump appointee, asked him to name him a special counsel. Garland said Weiss, who led the Hunter Biden investigation, never made such a request. The attorney general also reiterated that Weiss had complete authority over any charging decisions in the case. "The only person with authority to make somebody a special counsel or refuse to make somebody a special counsel is the attorney general," Garland told reporters. "Mr. Weiss never made that request to me." Gary Shapley, an IRS agent who supervised the Hunter Biden investigation, testified to House Congress that the Justice Department provided preferential treatment to Biden. A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Hunter Biden and federal prosecutors reached a plea deal last week that includes Biden pleading guilty to two criminal charges for failing to pay taxes. A gun charge would likely be dismissed if Biden abides by the terms of his deal. A federal judge still has to approve the entire agreement. McCarthy's comments come as conservative lawmakers, such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado jockey to be the most vocal on impeaching President Joe Biden and other administration officials. Read the original article on Insider House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks with reporters after votes in the House, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 22, 2023. McCarthy and House Republicans are at odds with Attorney General Merrick Garland over his handling of the Hunter Biden case. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press Republicans are threatening to impeach U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland over alleged inconsistencies in the investigation of Hunter Biden, as revealed in testimony given by a whistleblower who works with the Internal Revenue Service. The White House has so far refused to comment. We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee, said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a tweet on Sunday. If the whistleblowers allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garlands weaponization of (the Department of Justice). This came after the testimony of IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley became public and his attorneys released a statement. Shapley alleges U.S. Attorney David Weiss told him and six others in a meeting that Weiss had requested special counsel status from the DOJ because he did not have the authority to bring charges outside his district, but his request was denied. Shapleys legal team revealed the names of six witnesses who were present at the meeting in October 2022. We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee. If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into https://t.co/Q3LLeJhW85 Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 25, 2023 Garland on allegations made by IRS whistleblower The House Ways and Means Committee released Shapleys testimony Thursday, which alleged that the DOJ provided preferential treatment, slow-walked the investigation, (and) did nothing to avoid obvious conflicts when investigating Hunter Biden, President Joe Bidens son, as the Deseret News previously reported. Garland held a press conference on Friday and denied allegations of interference, saying that Weiss was appointed as the U.S. attorney in Delaware under the Trump administration, and that Weiss was told he would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted, per Fox News. Related Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a meeting at Department of Justice in Washington, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. | Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press In April 2022, Garland testified under oath to the Senate Appropriations Committee and said that the investigation into Hunter Biden is being run by and supervised by Weiss, the Trump-appointed attorney general of Delaware, and that he could bring charges in any jurisdiction. He is in charge of that investigation. There will not be interference of any political or improper kind, he said. But the whistleblowers attorneys statement says, That Mr. Weiss made these statements is easily corroborated, and it is up to him and the Justice Department to reconcile the evidence of his October 7, 2022 statements with contrary statements by Mr. Weiss and the Attorney General to Congress. Related Biden says he did not lie about never talking business with his son The whistleblowers testimony alleges that the president was involved in his sons business dealings with foreign entities. The testimony includes WhatsApp messages between Hunter Biden and Chinese businessman Henry Zhao where Biden makes note of his father being present with him. I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled, Hunter Bidens message to Zhao from 2017 read. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight. Related A reporter asked President Biden Monday if he lied about not speaking with his son about his business deals, according to Fox News. Biden replied, No. Meanwhile, the White House has refused to answer questions about Hunter Biden. On Friday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had a heated exchange with a CNN White House correspondent when asked about Hunter Bidens invitation to the state dinner last week. Jean-Pierre said he was present at the state dinner because he is the presidents son. The CNN reporter, Jeremy Diamond, pushed back on whether he would have been invited, two days after reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors if he wasnt the presidents son. Again, thats his son hes a family member. It is not uncommon for family members to attend events at the White House. We could look at past presidents; Im sure you have. So that is not uncommon, she said. As it relates to anything related to Hunter, Im just not going to respond to it from here. McConaughey pledges further action to make our schools and our children safer after Uvalde shooting Matthew McConaughey says his work related to the last years school shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas, isnt done, vowing to help unveil an initiative aimed at getting schools grants to help curb gun violence. Today marks the one-year anniversary since the bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed into law, the Dallas Buyers Club actor said in a video posted Sunday on Twitter. President Biden last June signed the legislation, which was drafted in response to mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo, N.Y. Nineteen children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School were killed in Uvalde. The bill included funding for school safety resources, expanded background checks for buyers under the age of 21, penalties for straw purchases of firearms, and new protections for domestic violence victims. This legislation was a direct response to the tragic events in Uvalde, Texas, where lawmakers from both sides of the aisle joined forces to prioritize community safety and protect our children. The bill allocated additional federal school safety grants amounting to billions of dollars, McConaughey, who delivered an impassioned plea for real change on gun violence during an appearance at a White House press briefing just days after the May 2022 shooting, said in the video. The Academy Award winner and founder of the nonprofit Just Keep Livin Foundation said he and his wife, Camila, have been been working on a program aimed to assist school districts across the nation access those grants those grants that are going to make our schools and our children safer. During our visit to Uvalde, the grieving parents of the children who were killed made a heartfelt request: They said, Make their lives matter, McConaughey, 53, recalled. Camila and I believe this initiative is a significant step towards fulfilling their wishes, McConaughey said, teasing that he would have a lot more to unveil about the project in the months to come. Lets make it a priority to do what we can to keep our children as safe as possible, schools, where we send them to learn, McConaughey said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An Atlanta man who says hes struggled his whole life with viewing himself as a small person, says he now feels like a new man after getting limb-lengthening surgery. Dynzell Sigers, a former Navy medic from Atlanta, told People Magazine in a recent interview that he spent $80,000 to have the surgery to become a half-a-foot taller. People reported that Sigers opened up about the surgery on social media, saying women rejected him for only being 55. I was always a very shy and reserved child and was always afraid to be myself for fear of being judged or not accepted, he told NeedToKnow.co.uk. And in my teens, I was once rejected by a girl I had a huge crush on and although she found me attractive, her reasoning was that I was too short and too young for her. I clung to that and always considered my height before approaching women, which often caused me to miss out on opportunities, Sigers said. Ive looked for many different ways to get taller over the years, but there were never any realistic options. I found out about limb-lengthening and booked my appointment right away. Sigers ended up flying to a facility in Istanbul, Turkey to have the procedure done. According to the Cleveland Clinic, during the surgery, doctors will cut the bone into two segments and then insert a limb-lengthening device into the bone segments. The bones are then gradually separated, sparking new bone growth that eventually fills in the gap. This can take about two months, the Cleveland Clinic said. When it comes to lengthening leg bones, following the surgery you wont be able to walk for several weeks and will need to undergo physical therapy throughout recovery. TRENDING HEADLINES: Sigers told People Magazine that he ended up having the surgery done twice because surgeons could only achieve about 3-4 inches of growth after each procedure. Each surgery cost about $40,000. He told People that the pain during his recovery was pretty intense but bearable. Now, at 6 feet tall, Sigers says he has seen a big difference. All my life I struggled with viewing myself as a small person and no matter what I did to change it I always felt the same, Sigers told The New York Post in a recent interview. Limb-lengthening gave me the opportunity to change my life and the way I perceive life as a whole. I have no regrets and decided to share my journey with the world to let other men who feel the same know that there is another option for them. Ive also been able to garner much more attention from women and I have no reservations about approaching them, he told NeedToKnow. I feel like a new man and as though I was able to get a second chance at life. IN OTHER NEWS: Baroness Doreen Lawrence said: It simply beggars belief that those paid to do a job continue failing to do it - Aaron Chown/PA Baroness Doreen Lawrence has said that police officers should lose their jobs after a sixth suspect in the racist murder of her son was identified as a heroin addict whose stepfather tipped off Scotland Yard about his potential involvement days after the killing. The sixth suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence has been named as Matthew White, who died in 2021 aged 50. He was named as a witness in the 2011 trial of David Norris and Gary Dobson, the only two people convicted of Stephens murder. But new evidence has emerged suggesting White who was an associate of the main suspects actually played a key role in the attack on the black teenager. According to a BBC investigation, Whites stepfather, Jack Severs, who is also now dead, told a Metropolitan Police officer in 1993 that White may have been involved, but the lead was not followed up. White was eventually arrested on suspicion of murder for the first time in March 2000 and then again in December 2013. But prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. Scotland Yard, which closed the investigation into Stephens murder in 2020, has apologised for the failings in the original case. Stephen Lawrence was murdered in 1993 Baroness Lawrence said the apology was not enough and officers responsible for the mistakes should face serious sanctions. She said: The latest revelation that a key suspect in the murder could have, and should have, been properly and thoroughly investigated is shocking but unsurprising. I have got used to the litany of failings in my sons case. What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. The failure to properly investigate a main suspect in a murder case is so grave that it should be met by serious sanctions. Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen. In November 2020 it emerged that four former senior officers, who had been involved in the original investigation,were facing potential criminal charges for misconduct in public office. The retired officers, former Detective Superintendents Ian Crampton and Brian Weeden, former Detective Chief Superintendent William Ilsley and former Detective Inspector Ben Bullock were accused of a string of blunders in the case. Matthew White was caught on a police surveillance camera, left, during the first failed investigation of the murder - Met Police The Independent Office for Police Conduct sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service but almost three years on, no decision has been made on whether to charge them. Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, criticised the delay, saying the Lawrence family had already endured enough injustice and must not be kept waiting for answers. Stephen, who was studying for his A levels and hoped to become an architect, was stabbed to death by a gang while standing at a bus stop in Eltham, southeast London, in April 1993. While five suspects were named at the time, witnesses had suggested a sixth person had also been present and had led the attack. White, who became known as Witness K, had originally given police a statement claiming he visited the home of suspects Jamie and Neil Acourt on the night of the killing and saw them and Gary Dobson washing their clothes. But his stepfather told police he saw White in the street a few days after the murder and he admitted being present during the attack, commenting that Stephen deserved it. Another witness also claimed to have given police an account of White confessing to taking part in the attack on Stephen. The witness said White had described himself as the lucky one because he started the attack but his name had never been mentioned. A detective who had spoken to Severs passed the information on to the murder squad but they failed to follow up on the information. White, who later relocated to Cambridgeshire from southeast London, was a known drug user who died three years ago. In 2012 Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life for Stephens murder following a trial at the Old Bailey where new forensic evidence was presented. 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. Ministry: China backs Russia's national stability 08:17, June 26, 2023 By Ren Qi in Moscow ( China Daily China expressed its support for Russia's efforts in maintaining its stability, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday, a day after a rebellion by a Russian mercenary force was resolved peacefully. A compromise was reached on late Saturday between Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, through the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. In response to the latest situation in Russia, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement that "this is Russia's internal affair". "As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity," the spokesperson added. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Beijing on Sunday. They discussed "international and regional issues of common concern", the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in another statement on its website. Early on Saturday, a video showed Wagner fighters under Prigozhin's command moving unimpeded into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advancing hundreds of kilometers toward Moscow. Convoys transporting tanks and armored trucks smashed through barricades set up to stop them. Russian President Vladimir Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart of the situation and the two heads of state agreed on joint action, according to local media. "The president of Belarus held talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin. ... They came to an agreement on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the Russian territory," Lukashenko's press service was quoted as saying by local media. Wagner fighters had left southern Russia's Rostov region by Saturday night and were headed to their field camps, according to Russia's TASS news agency. "In 24 hours, we got within 200 km of Moscow. In this time, we did not spill a single drop of our fighters' blood," Prigozhin, dressed in full combat uniform, said in a video shot at an undisclosed location. "Understanding... that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned." The situation in downtown Rostov-on-Don, where men in camouflage and military equipment were seen on Saturday morning, stabilized by Saturday midnight, a TASS reporter said on Sunday. "The attempted armed mutiny in our country has aroused strong disapproval in Russian society, which firmly supports President Vladimir Putin," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The statement warned Western countries against attempts to use Russia's internal situation for their vested interests. Such attempts would be futile and evoke no support either in Russia or among rational political forces abroad, it said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that under the deal brokered by Lukashenko, the criminal case opened against Prigozhin for armed mutiny will be dropped, Prigozhin will move to Belarus, and Wagner fighters who joined his "march for justice" will face no action in recognition of their previous service to Russia. Peskov said that Lukashenko had offered to mediate, with Putin's approval, because he had known Prigozhin personally for around 20 years. "There was a higher goal to avoid bloodshed, to avoid internal confrontation, to avoid clashes with unpredictable results. It was for the sake of these goals that Lukashenko's mediation efforts were made, and President Putin made the appropriate decision," the spokesman said. "An agreement has been reached that Wagner troops will return to their camps and places of deployment. Some of them, if they wish to do so, can later ink contracts with the (Russian) Defense Ministry," he said. The incident with the Wagner group will not affect the course of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, which will continue, Peskov stressed. Russian state television on Sunday showed Putin expressing confidence in his plans for Ukraine in an interview that appeared to have been recorded before Saturday's aborted revolt by the Wagner private military group. "We feel confident and, of course, we are in a position to implement all the plans and tasks ahead of us," Putin said. "This also applies to the country's defense, it applies to the special military operation, it applies to the economy as a whole and its individual areas." The comments in an interview with Kremlin correspondent Pavel Zarubin were broadcast by Rossiya state television. The short report did not mention Saturday's revolt, in which Wagner fighters took a southern city and headed for Moscow hours before their leader Prigozhin reached a compromise with the Kremlin to go into exile. Earlier, Prigozhin said his "march" on Moscow was intended to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the developments, which sparked a flurry of high-level calls among Western leaders, exposed the turmoil in the heart of Russia. United States President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his G7 counterparts. Agencies contributed to this story. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) You are here: World Flash Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces his new cabinet in Ankara, Turkiye, June 3, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday urged Sweden to prevent the demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Stockholm in exchange for a green light on its NATO bid. In a phone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday, Erdogan said his country continues its "constructive attitude" toward Sweden's joining the alliance, according to a statement from his office. But Erdogan said the Nordic country's change on terror laws does not meet the expectation of Ankara as long as the PKK can demonstrate in the country "freely." Turkiye has long been saying that Ankara will only admit Sweden's NATO bid in the upcoming Vilnius summit if the latter takes concrete steps to prevent anti-Turkiye "terror" activities in the country, the statement said. The latest developments in Russia were also discussed during the phone call, it added. Mexico arrests former official in disappearance of 43 students in 2014, charges 8 soldiers FILE - Relatives and classmates of the missing 43 Ayotzinapa college students march in Mexico City, Sept. 26, 2022, on the anniversary of their disappearance in Iguala, Guerrero state. Eight soldiers linked to the disappearance of the student teachers in 2014, were arrested and are in a military prison awaiting a civil judge to determine whether to open criminal proceedings against them, reported an Army commander, Thursday, June 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico said Monday it has arrested the former head of a federal anti-kidnapping unit in connection with the disappearance of 43 students in 2014. Gualberto Ramirez was head of the anti-kidnapping unit for the attorney generals office when the students from the Ayotzinapa teachers college in southern Mexico went missing. Assistant Interior Secretary Alejandro Encinas wrote that Ramirez faces charges of disappearance, torture and conspiracy for the botched investigation into the abductions, which are defined as disappearances under Mexican law because only remains of three of the victims have been identified. Security forces abducted the students from buses in the city of Iguala on Sept. 26, 2014, and turned them over to a local drug gang, which apparently killed and burned them. Encinas also wrote in his Twitter account that eight soldiers detained in the case last week have been charged by civilian prosecutors with disappearance. The soldiers are being held in a military prison, and could continue there. Recent revelations implicate the military in the disappearances, but the motive for the students abduction remains unclear, though there is growing evidence it may have involved police and military collusion with drug traffickers. Initial investigations into the alleged perpetrators were so botched with torture, mishandling of evidence, coercion and forced confessions that many of the charges against the suspects were later dismissed. Ebrard, one of the candidates pursuing the ruling MORENA party's candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, takes part in a campaign rally in Mexico City By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Urbane, socially progressive and eager to put Mexico on the world stage, Marcelo Ebrard presents a sharp contrast to the popular, sharp-tongued defender of the country's impoverished hinterlands he hopes to succeed as president. Having followed once in the footsteps of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as mayor of Mexico City, Ebrard is banking he can do it again in the race to be the ruling National Regeneration Movement's (MORENA) 2024 presidential candidate. This month, the 63-year-old Ebrard stood down as foreign minister to seek the MORENA nomination, unleashing a contest that could strain the leftist party's unity. His more business-oriented and moderate instincts stand apart from Lopez Obrador's outspoken rhetoric, but also raise doubts about whether he can get enough support from a party whose base identifies strongly with the president, analysts say. Reuters spoke to over two dozen officials, politicians, diplomats, executives and aides to Ebrard to assess his chances of clinching the MORENA ticket for the June 2024 election. A winner is expected on Sept. 6 after national polling. Luis Huacuja, a political consultant and professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said Ebrard's experience and record appeared to make him an "ideal" contender. But that did not mean party loyalists would, when polled, see the more centrist Ebrard as most suited to upholding Lopez Obrador's legacy, he argued. "He could go down well in some quarters, and badly in others," Huacuja said. Ebrard has won some early battles, persuading the president that contenders for the nomination should leave office, and that polls to pick the winner be open to the public. He told Reuters "hard" left critics had long painted him as moderate, but said they had not governed - and that it was he who delivered results for the capital as mayor from 2006-2012. Private investment flourished during his administration, Ebrard said, pointing to how the left's appeal in Mexico City extended from poorer households to the middle class, helping his successor secure a landslide victory. That support was crucial to control Congress, he argued. "You need a coalition with the middle class either way," said Ebrard, who has been a key troubleshooter for Lopez Obrador, helping contain threats from former U.S. president Donald Trump over immigration, trade and security. SPLITS? While Lopez Obrador has slammed critics, clashed with business and questioned checks on presidential power, Ebrard, supporters say, is a unifier who will lift growth and reassure investors. "(Ebrard) is committed to the division of powers and strengthening institutions," said MORENA senator Rafael Espino. If nominated, Ebrard is likely to become president, polling shows. MORENA is hot favorite to win, propelled by Lopez Obrador's approval ratings of around 60%. Mexican law bars presidents from re-election. Polling shows Ebrard in a tight race with ex-Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who has followed Lopez Obrador lock-step on policy. Many polls indicate Ebrard is better-known, but Sheinbaum more popular among MORENA's base. A survey published May 26 by newspaper Reforma gave Sheinbaum a slight edge. Both contenders promise to defend Lopez Obrador's vision. Aides to the president have told Reuters they believe he would most like Sheinbaum to succeed him. Lopez Obrador denies this, and says voters must decide. Some officials close to Lopez Obrador privately back Ebrard. "We need to unite the country," said one. Ebrard is careful not to criticize the president. But he has staked out his own turf. On June 11, MORENA's leadership agreed guidelines for the nomination contest stating contenders should avoid talking to media deemed conservative or hostile to the administration. The next morning Ebrard gave an interview to journalist Ciro Gomez Leyva - a regular target of Lopez Obrador's broadsides - and declared himself open to all media, drawing fire from some MORENA supporters. Ebrard dismisses such criticism, and says his legalization of same-sex marriage and abortion when Mexico City mayor was more radical than anything his detractors can lay claim to. His independent streak has fed speculation he could break with MORENA if he feels the contest is unfair. Ebrard denies this, but has repeatedly called for a level playing field. CONTINUITY Vowing to prioritize security, healthcare, education and growth, Ebrard underlines the economic opportunity presented by so-called nearshoring - increased investment spurred by Washington's trade tensions with China. In February, when Lopez Obrador threatened to deny billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla permission to build a plant in northern Mexico over water supply, Ebrard stepped in to ensure the deal prospered, three officials said. Lopez Obrador has given MORENA's contenders room to maneuver by calling the succession "continuity with change". But some Ebrard supporters hint he may be too independent of MORENA. "Sheinbaum agrees with Lopez Obrador's political project," said one senior executive backing Ebrard. "Ebrard would be a different project." A native of Mexico's poorer south, the folksy Lopez Obrador frames his presidency as the victory of a downtrodden majority over a corrupt, 'conservative' minority. The president, who has described sectors of the middle class as classist and racist, forged his electoral success on years of campaigning in forgotten rural areas, rewarding support with higher welfare spending and major public works. The tall, bespectacled Ebrard, a veteran Mexico City political operator, is less at home in remote villages. He has instead targeted younger, metropolitan Mexicans, making light of himself in TikTok videos peppered with pop cultural nods. Lopez Obrador wants MORENA to win a two-thirds congressional majority in 2024 to reshape the judiciary, which has resisted his efforts to strengthen state control over the economy. Ebrard is best placed to win that super-majority, argued MORENA senator Martha Lucia Micher. "If we don't get two-thirds," she said, "everything we want to do will suffer." (Reporting by Dave Graham) A week after Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill was allegedly involved in an argument at the Haulover marina where a fishing charter company employee was slapped, police have turned their investigation over to the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office. Det. Angel Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade Police, provided no new additional information on the incident that happened on Fathers Day evening. Ed Griffith, a spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office, said in an email that they had received what appears to be a majority of the investigative materials from the police as of Monday. After all of the evidence has been received and all witnesses have been interviewed and their sworn statement taken, then the evaluation of all the evidence can be undertaken in light of the requirements of Floridas criminal statutes, Griffith said. Miami-Dade Police released a report last week detailing the alleged assault, which was recorded by surveillance cameras, at the marina shortly before 7 p.m. June 18. The South Florida Sun Sentinel obtained the report through a public records request for the report involving Hill, but the report does not name Hill. The suspect who fled is listed as unknown in the report. An employee of Kelley Fishing Fleet, which operators out of the Bill Bird Marina at 10800 Collins Ave., saw two women who were on a charter boat without permission, the report said. The employee told his boat captain, and the two went outside to tell the women to get off. A verbal argument between the women, a group of men they were with and the Kelley Fishing Fleet employees ensued, and the suspect slapped the charter boat company employee on the back of his neck, according to the report. The suspect then charged at the employee, but several people held him back. He then took off in unknown means and direction, the report said. The victim did not have visible injuries when officers went to the marina to investigate last week. The report indicates that the victim wants charges to be filed. The offense is a misdemeanor. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. Minister posts new photos of 25-story Kyiv apartment building hit by Russian missile A high-rise building in the Solomyanskyi district, where the fragments of the rocket hit Pictures of the 25-story building which was hit by a Russian missile overnight on June 24 in Kyiv were posted by Serhiy Kruk, the head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, on Facebook on June 25. "Emergency and rescue operations have been completed in a 25-story building that suffered from an enemy attack, he wrote. Twenty-four people were evacuated from the building. Unfortunately, five people were killed. Our sincere condolences. Read also: Death toll in Kyivs Solomyanskyi District from Russian missile strike rises to five Russia conducted another mass air attack on Ukraine in the early hours of June 24. A total of 20 missiles were downed over Kyiv that night, the local authorities reported. 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 Miss America stuns podcast host with her surprising stance on nuclear energy: Thats just how it is Grace Stanke is as multifaceted as a person can be. Ive been told I read like a Mad Lib, she said during an appearance on Benji Backers Coming Clean podcast. Im Miss America right now, Im a nuclear engineering student, Im also a competitive water skier, Im also a classical violinist, and I love hiking. Stanke is the 2023 Miss America winner and was crowned in December, according to a Miss America press release. As she revealed on Coming Clean, shes also an outspoken advocate for zero-carbon energy: electricity that can be generated without releasing heat-trapping gases into our atmosphere. Her interest in energy began at age 16, when the Wausau, Wisconsin native says she had finished touring the universities she was interested in attending. Stanke was torn between studying either aerospace or nuclear engineering in college. When I was talking with my dad, who was a civil engineer his whole life he goes, Dont go into nuclear theres no career there. Theyre all shutting down. Dont do it, she recalled. So Im a 16-year-old teenage girl; what do you think I do? I flip my hair and I go, Watch me! Since then, Stanke has excelled in her studies and is in the last year of her undergraduate degree, with plans to enter graduate school using the $68,000 scholarship she won in the Miss America competition. At the same time, shes using her title to promote zero-carbon energy. I can utilize this opportunity, this one year I have, to go on and not necessarily change the entire world, but to have the one conversation with the one person and change their world, she explained. To do that, Stanke starts by pointing out that the widely accepted image of nuclear power is wrong. For so long, the nuclear industry has been portrayed as some high, complex science when its really not, she said on the podcast. She lists radioactive items that Americans use every day without knowing it, from smoke detectors to medical equipment to the naturally-occurring radioactive particles in bananas. Its just all around us, she said. Thats just how it is. She also addressed the most common objections to nuclear power: safety, cost, and what happens to nuclear waste at the end of its lifespan. When it comes to safety, Stanke points out that nuclear energy actually has a better track record than oil and other highly polluting energy sources. Lets talk about just the past 15 years in America alone. Lets talk about just the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, she said. Thats an insane thing that I would say is significantly worse than Chernobyl. Stanke acknowledges that nuclear power plants have a high up-front cost. I think that is one of the weaknesses of the industry, she said. But at the same time, looking at the power plants that were built 40 years ago they last forever. I look at a lot of these fossil fuel plants and the amount of shut-downs once theyre shut down, theyre just left there, she continued, adding that the price of nuclear power is stable and that its often lower than competing power sources. As for nuclear waste, Stanke sees it as more of a policy problem than an environmental one. We have plenty of options to recycle that nuclear waste, to pull it apart, use it in the medical field for certain things, she said. But because of how policy is set up, once its taken out of a power plant, thats it, its done. When nuclear waste is removed from that power plant, its still got about 90 to 95% of its usability left in it, and thats something that we can capitalize on if we actually allow it to be used for good. Who we vote into office controls those policy decisions, she added. For those who want to do more beyond the voting booth, her best advice is, Be annoying. Call your senators, call your people Start that conversation. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Zi'Miracle Hollingsworth, 8, who had been reported missing Friday afternoon from Columbus' East Side, has been safely recovered, police say. A relative took her to Franklin County Children's Services, and she was later released to the custodial parent. A missing 8-year-old Columbus girl has been recovered, but the search continues for an Ohio State student last confirmed seen June 10. Columbus police announced late Sunday afternoon that Zi'Miracle Hollingsworth who disappeared around 1:15 p.m. Friday from the area of Elderwood and Astor avenues on the East Side and was considered "endangered" was taken to Franklin County Children Services by a relative. The girl was later released to the custodial parent, police said. No further information was released by Columbus police Missing Persons detectives. Search for missing Ohio State student continues Amina Alhaj Omar, who was reported missing June 10 Meanwhile, Columbus police to continue seach for Amina Alhaj-Omar, 25, a graduate social work student at Ohio State University reported missing from Columbus' North Side by her sister on the evening of June 10. She is experiencing a mental health crisis and is considered endangered, police said. Her vehicle was found earlier that afternoon on Interstate 270 between Interstate 71 and U.S. 23 on the city's South Side. Police there was evidence the car may have been involved in a minor traffic crash, but there was no evidence she was injured in the crash. A video from a nearby BP gas station at 1091 S. High St. showed Alhaj-Omar in the station's convenience store around 3:55 a.m. June 10. The video showed Alhaj-Omar leaving the gas station's property around 6 that morning. Anyone with information on Alhaj-Omar's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Columbus police at 614 645-2358 or 614-645-4545. jwilhelm@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Missing 8-year-old Columbus girl found, returned to custodial parent Kyriakos Mitsotakis's conservatives secured their biggest winning margin in almost 50 years in Sunday's vote (Louisa Gouliamaki) Kyriakos Mitsotakis embarked Monday on his second term as Greece's prime minister with a vow to accelerate institutional and economic reforms, after voters handed him a huge election victory for the second time in five weeks. Crediting Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party for bringing economic stability to the erstwhile EU debt laggard, voters gave the conservatives their widest winning margin in almost 50 years on Sunday. Hailing the "strong mandate", Mitsotakis said that "major reforms will proceed rapidly", adding that he had "ambitious" targets for his next four years in power that could "transform" Greece. Among his pledges is pouring money into Greece's public health system -- which was stretched to its limits by the Covid-19 pandemic -- and improving railway safety after the deaths of 57 people in a February train collision that was Greece's worst rail disaster. The 55-year-old former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate said Sunday that he "constantly strove to improve and learn from my mistakes". Mitsotakis, who steered the EU nation from the pandemic back to two consecutive years of strong growth, had already scored a resounding win in an election in May. But having fallen short by five seats in parliament of being able to form a single-party government, he refused to try to form a coalition, in effect forcing 9.8 million Greek voters back to the ballot boxes. The gamble paid off, with his New Democracy party consolidating its win from the May 21 vote, while its nearest rival, the left-wing Syriza party of former premier Alexis Tsipras, saw a loss of tens of thousands of voters compared to just a month ago. Tsipras, acknowledging a "serious political defeat", said he was leaving his political fate to the "judgment" of Syriza members. For many Greeks, Tsipras is the prime minister who nearly crashed Greece out of the euro, and who reneged on a vow of abolishing austerity to sign the country on to more painful bailout terms. To the dismay of centrists, the strong swing to the right was also accompanied by the return of the far right into parliament. "Fascists will enter parliament... this constitutes a completely toxic environment," senior Syriza leader Costas Zachariadis told Skai TV. - New cabinet - Holding 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, Mitsotakis will officially receive the mandate to form a government on Monday from Greece's head of state, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The prime minister-elect is then expected to unveil his cabinet in the coming days, though names were already circulating even before the last votes were counted on Sunday. Mitsotakis's trusted troubleshooter George Gerapetritis is being tipped as foreign minister in the new government. A professor of constitutional law, Gerapetritis was enlisted in March to deal with the train tragedy, as well as a wiretapping scandal that implicated the prime minister's office last year. The former foreign minister, Nikos Dendias, a political moderate, is expected to move to the defence ministry. The new finance minister is touted to be Kostis Hatzidakis, a low-key veteran politician with past stints in the ministries of development, labour and transport. - 'Visible' threat - Mitsotakis, who first became prime minister in 2019, has vowed to make economic stability a feature of his new term. He promised not to raise taxes while creating more jobs in public healthcare after a shortage of nurses and doctors was painfully exposed during the pandemic. He had also championed a tough anti-immigration line, appealing to the conservative base in an electoral campaign in which the recent deadly sinking of an overcrowded trawler failed to garner a mention. Instead, three small nationalist parties with anti-migration policies marched into parliament, garnering between them nearly 13 percent of the vote. One of them, Spartiates (Spartans), is endorsed by the jailed former spokesman of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. Tsipras said the strongest showing of Greek hard-right parties in decades was a "visible" threat to democracy. Voter fatigue was also evident in the second election in a month, with the turnout at under 53 percent compared to over 61 percent in May. hmn-jph/smw (Bloomberg) -- Greeces Kyriakos Mitsotakis trounced the opposition in Sundays general election, giving the former prime minister a resounding mandate for the next four years and assuring markets that hell be able to implement investor-friendly policies. Most Read from Bloomberg Mitsotakiss conservative New Democracy got 40.6% of the vote, or 158 members in the 300-seat parliament. This means hell be able to form a single-party government without the help of any other parties. Markets have rallied behind the prospect of another four-year term for Mitsotakis, who made his stewardship of the economy a central pillar of his campaign. The Athens Stock Exchange General Index is up more than 36% this year and the yield on Greek 10-year bonds fell five basis points Monday to 3.55%, the lowest since August. We will put into practice in the second four-year term big changes and big reforms, Mitsotakis said Monday. We have a strong mandate to implement these changes and a strong majority. Mitsotakis received a mandate from the Greek president Monday morning and will be sworn in later in the day, after which hell appoint a new cabinet so he can travel to Brussels for a meeting of European Union leaders set for June 29-30. Mitsotakis was Greeces premier from 2019 until last month, when Ioannis Sarmas was appointed as caretaker prime minister following the indecisive May 21 election. Mitsotakis ran on Greeces economic transformation, which has seen gross domestic product recover to just about where it was when the country lost its ability to repay its debt in 2010. Unemployment has more than halved from its peak of 28%, and stocks and bonds have soared. During the pre-election period, Mitsotakis called on Greeks to give him a strong majority so that he could reform the nation. He pledged to increase wages in the public sector and to boost the economy to help lift salaries of private-sector workers. He also promised to significantly upgrade the healthcare system and to speed up the processes in court cases. The new parliament will comprise eight parties, including three far-right groups, such as the Spartans a nationalist party supported by one of the leading officials of the ultra-right Golden Dawn party whos now in jail. The fringe parties would have a platform from which to broadcast their populist message and attempt to disrupt the governments agenda, Wolfango Piccoli, co-president of Teneo Intelligence in London, wrote in a research note. The far-right parties will likely exploit politically toxic issues like migration, the relationship with Turkey, abortion, the role of religion in education, Russia sanctions to try to corner the government. The first challenge for the new government will be to improve the countrys junk-level sovereign debt rating, which Greece received 13 years ago during the global financial crisis. Ratings agencies are scheduled to update their assessments on the economy in the second half of the year, with firms including Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poors now placing the country one notch below investment grade. Structural reforms are essential for the country to realize its huge potential, increase investment and overperform the eurozone in terms of growth while also avoiding external imbalances, Eurobank SAs Chief Economist and Deputy General Manager Tasos Anastasatos said ahead of the election. These will also ensure that the country will climb quickly higher on the credit-rating scale, he said. Mitsotakis will also seek to tackle Greeces current account deficit, which, due to the energy-price shock, reached 9.6% of gross domestic product in 2022 from 5.5% the previous year. Hes also said that fighting tax evasion would be one of his new administrations priorities. Bank of Greece chief Yannis Stournaras told In.gr that Greeks were declaring incomes worth 80 billion ($87.1 billion), even though consumption was 140 billion with deposits increasing simultaneously. Its not only an issue of tax justice but also an issue of good planning of the budget and how the state works, Maria Gavouneli, Director-General of the Athens-based Eliamep think tank, said in an interview. Mitsotakis promised to raise the minimum wage during his next four-year term to 950 a month from 780. In 2010 before the countrys debt crisis, it was 740. He also said that average monthly income in the private sector will reach 1,500 from just under 1,200 by the end of his term, as hell keep trying to attract more investment into the country that will bring better and more well-paying jobs. Greece is one of the countries that has benefited the most from European Union funds that are allocated via the Recovery and Resilience Facility set up to help EU members overcome the effects of the pandemic. --With assistance from Aline Oyamada and Alice Gledhill. (Updates with markets in the third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Retired Army Capt. Florent Groberg speaks at his Medal of Honor Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon, Nov. 13, 2015. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen)(Released) Captain Florent A. Groberg is a French-born American who served in the United States Army from 2008 to 2015. After becoming a U.S. Citizen in 2001, he enrolled at the University of Maryland. There, he earned a bachelors degree in criminology. Groberg enlisted in the Army in 2008. Following that, he entered Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning. He eventually earned a Medal of Honor for his service in Afghanistan during the War on Terrorism. He served as the Personal Security Detachment Commander with the Task Force Mountain Warrior, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Action in Afghanistan In August of 2012, he served as the task force commander charged with transporting Afghan National Army personnel. Their journey started at Forward Operating Base Fiaz and took them to a compound in Kunar, Afghanistan, to the east. The escort mission required the convoy to cross a narrow bridge over the Kunar River near the border of Pakistan. However, all did not go as planned. As the convoy crossed the river, Grobergs team encountered two motorcyclists approaching them from the opposite direction. Suddenly, the cyclists hopped off their vehicles and turned back on foot. Keeping watch, Groberg noticed an unidentified person walking over the bridge toward the convoy. As the pedestrian got closer, Grober realized that the pedestrian had on a suicide vest. Without delay, Groberg ran toward the suicide bomber and tackled him. At this point, Sergeant Andrew Mahoney ran forward to assist Groberg. The three began to scuffle, but Grober and Mahoney successfully pulled the suicide bomber away from the convoy formation. While in Grobergs grasp, the suicide bomber detonated his device. The explosion propelled Groberg into the air, and he landed nearly 20 feet away. President Barack Obama applauds retired U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in Washington, Nov. 12, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Eboni L. Everson-Myart) No time to rest Following the initial blast, a second undetected bomber detonated his vest as well. According to the Army, the second bomber activated his device early, realizing that Groberg had ruined the enemy assault. As a result, Grobergs swift action prevented the bombers from reaching the center of the convoy formation and killing countless military personnel. Groberg himself lost nearly half of the muscle in his left leg because of the explosion, and he sustained a minor brain injury. He was flown to Walter Reed National Medical Center, where he spent the next three years in recovery. He retired from the military in 2015, mainly out of medical necessity. On November 12, 2015, President Obama presented Captain Groberg with the Medal of Honor for his bravery in 2012. Groberg was the first foreign-born soldier to receive the prestigious award for fighting in the War on Terrorism. Though he retired from active service, Groberg went on to work as a civilian employee at the Department of Defense. Read more about Groberg's remarkable life here. By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) - Moldova's prime minister said on Monday the aborted mutiny in Russia has exposed Moscow's weakness and that what he described as the Kremlin's interference in his own country was getting less effective over time. The former Soviet republic wedged between Ukraine and Romania has repeatedly accused Russia of meddling in its affairs, particularly over the breakaway region of Transdniestria - accusations Russia denies. "What we have seen in recent days is a clear indication of the weakness of the Russian leadership and the Russian management of the army," Prime Minister Dorin Recean told Reuters in an interview. "Russia is much weaker than people perceived it to be," he added, speaking in Zurich ahead of a meeting of the European Free Trade Association in neighbouring Liechtenstein where he is due to sign a free trade agreement. Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin shocked the world by leading Saturday's armed revolt, only to abruptly call it off as his fighters approached Moscow having shot down several aircraft but meeting no resistance on the ground. The events could prove a military and morale boost to Ukraine as it fought off Russia's invasion, Recean said. "It is important to have even more commitment from the West to supply Ukraine with what it needs in order to defend the country and to push Russian troops out." Moldova's government - which hopes to join the European Union by 2030 - has accused Russia of mounting a series of attempts to undermine its security, including a coup attempt, bomb hoaxes, internet hacks and fake conscription call-ups. Russia, which says it is mounting a "special military operation" in Ukraine, has repeatedly dismissed the Moldovan accusations of fomenting unrest. Recean said Moldova continued to be targeted, although Russia's campaigns were becoming less effective. "We don't feel that Russia is withdrawing or lessening the intensity. It's just that our institutions have improved their capabilities to fight this hybrid war of Russia." In the longer term, the resolution of the dispute over Transdniestria most likely depended on the end of the conflict in Ukraine, he added. Hundreds of Russian soldiers have been stationed in the sliver of land running along Moldova's eastern border with Ukraine since a war between pro-Russian separatists and Moldovan government forces after the 1991 Soviet break-up. "First of all Moldova will solve this Transdniestria issue peacefully," Recean said. "This is fundamental. "The first thing is to demilitarise the region where Russian troops are stationed illegally. This will most likely happen when the Russian are pushed out of Ukraine." (Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Flash A team of representatives from the Joint Coordination Center inspects on the first grain-laden ship leaving Ukraine on the northwestern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkiye, Aug. 3, 2022. [Photo/Turkish Defense Ministry handout via Xinhua] More than 32 million tonnes of grain have been transported to the world markets through the Black Sea grain corridor since August 2022, a Turkish government minister said Sunday. Most of the grain was transported to China, Spain, Turkiye and Italy, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu was quoted by the Ihlas news agency as saying. The grain sent to African countries doubled in the past six months, accounting for 12 percent of the total amount, the minister noted, adding 290 out of 987 vessels loaded with grain were Turkish-flagged. Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in July 2022 brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations to resume grain exports from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which came to a halt after a conflict broke out between the two countries in February that year. Mom of 14-year-old boy killed subway surfing in Brooklyn says friends goaded son into deadly stunt As paramedics pulled the body of 14-year-old subway surfer Briyan Crespo from a Brooklyn rail bed, his phone rang over and over as his worried mother tried to reach him. He wasnt picking up, Briyans devastated mom, Sonia, speaking in Spanish, told the Daily News in an exclusive interview. I left messages saying, Where are you? Answer me! Crespo was riding atop a Manhattan-bound L train with friend Widinson Garcia, also 14, on Thursday when the pair were knocked to the tracks as their car entered the Bushwick-Aberdeen station shortly before 2 p.m. ET. One of Briyans friends was saying, Get on, come on! said Sonia, who talked to friends of her son who where there when he was killed. He didnt want to at first and [one friend] was telling him not to. But he went along with it. The Intermediate School 93 in Ridgewood, Queens, was hosting field day events on Thursday but Briyan skipped school with his mothers blessing, saying he was headed to a friends house. As he left home that morning, he assured his mom he would be home that afternoon. He said, Were going to eat and then Ill come home, Crespos mother recalled Sunday. I said OK, Papi, but be back soon. As the hours rolled by and Briyan failed to check in his mom opened the location app on her phone and saw he was nowhere near his friends Ridgewood home. It said he was in Bushwick, she said. He hadnt said he was going there. The confusion Sonia felt soon turned to fear as her repeated texts and voice messages went unanswered. I just wanted to know he was OK, she said. It was around 2 p.m. ET when she got the call every parent fears. The police called and told me that it happened, she said. When the mom arrived at the scene, first responders said they had found two boys, one clinging to life and the other already perished but it wasnt clear who was who. They told me they didnt know who was who but that my son was in the hospital or had passed, said Sonia. The faint hope she felt upon her arrival at the scene turned to horror as it became clear her son was the boy who died. I told them about my son and they determined it was him, Sonia recounted. The other teen was taken to Cohen Childrens Medical Center and has since stabilized. His father, speaking to CBS News through a translator, said Widinson had just graduated on Wednesday. When his son woke up, he told his dad about the incident, that he was on the train and his friends told him to get down, but it was too late, the translator said. Even [the teenager who died] was like a son to him. They were like brothers and knew each other since they were young. Briyan who was due to graduate eighth grade in four days worked hard in school, never got in trouble and had a bright future ahead of him, his mom said. He was a good kid, a smart student, often recognized with honors, said Sonia. He never had any problems in school, anything where someone might say, Briyan is a bad kid. Never, never, never. Always keen to have a little money in his pocket, Crespo ran a small sneaker business. He would buy and sell shoes and save all that money, the grieving mother explained. He wanted to start working next year. He liked having his own spending money. Briyan dreamed of living a Miami Vice lifestyle. He wanted to be a detective, Sonia said. He was going to move to California and buy himself a Lamborghini and have his own house. But that dream was destroyed in a moment of youthful recklessness and peer pressure, according to the mother, who said his friends egged him onto the top of the fatal train. Now she hopes his death will provide a lesson to others. His friends, meanwhile, gathered in grief Sunday at a Queens playground. Sherly, 15, knew both victims and brought a candle and note for Briyan. They are really great kids and Briyan didnt deserve to pass away, Sherly said. We understand that Briyans in a better place but we honestly wish he was here with us because losing a friend is hard and we honestly hope that Widinson honestly gets better...Were praying every day for both of them so that they both know that we care and love them as their friends. Sherly said a group of friends, including her and the boys, went to Coney Island Monday, the trip providing her a lasting happy memory. Authorities have been struggling with how to successfully discourage youths from subway surfing, a deadly and illegal stunt fueled by social media. We need to tell the youth, with this thats happened, not to do this and not to let themselves be influenced by friends, Sonia said. Think a thousand times before you do something, because youre too young to leave this earth. You have a whole life ahead of you. In a separate interview with WABC7NY, Widinsons cousin, Erika, 17, said she cant understand why he would take part in something so risky. Hes like How do I say? he likes to do things dangerous like that, Erika said, Investigators believe the boys entered the subway at Broadway Junction in East New York and climbed to the roof of the L train, which runs above ground at that station. The boys were struck as the train headed underground into the Bushwick-Aberdeen station, according to NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper. 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. Briyans death follows that of Zackery Nazario, 15, who was killed in February while subway surfing atop a train as it crossed the Williamsburg Bridge while his girlfriend watched in horror. Another 15-year-old, KaVon Wooden, was killed in December as he rode on top of a train approaching the Delancey St./Essex St. station on the Lower East Side, where he fell under and hit the third rail. Mayor Adams blamed the deaths on apps like TikToK, where kids post videos of themselves subway surfing in pursuit of internet fame. Subway surfing kills. It kills, Adams said during a press conference at the Bushwick-Aberdeen station on Thursday. You go online right now, put New York City subway surfing you will see some of what our young people are watching. But as authorities plead for straphangers to ride inside the train, daredevils continue to perform their dangerous stunts on the outside, according to MTA data. 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. He could not immediately provide more recent data. An Ohio mom was indicted on murder charges after allegedly going on vacation and leaving her infant daughter home alone for more than a week, officials said Monday. Kristel Candelario, 31, allegedly left her 16-month-old daughter alone at her Cleveland home on June 6 so she could go on a 10-day vacation, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said. Her daughter was unresponsive when she returned home from her visit to Detroit, Michigan, and Puerto Rico, so she called 911. "It is unfathomable that a mother would leave her 16-month-old child alone without any supervision for 10 days to go on a vacation," O'Malley said. "As parents, we are supposed to protect and care for our children. Imagining this child's suffering, during her last days of life alone, is truly horrifying and we will do everything in our power to seek justice on her behalf." Candelario's daughter was found with dirty blankets in a Pack-N-Play pin on a liner soiled with urine and feces, officials said. She was extremely dehydrated at the time of death. Police arrested Candelario on June 16, court records show. A grand jury indicted her on an aggravated murder charge and two counts of murder. She was also charged with felonious assault and endangering children. The mother's bond was set at $1 million. A preliminary hearing has been set for Wednesday. Court records do not list an attorney for Candelario. Putin calls Wagner Group "traitors" but won't bring criminal charges Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin and New York Giants great Eli Manning talk "Merch Madness" Over the past three years, students have grappled with unprecedented learning disruptions experienced during the pandemic. Numerous reports have shown significant declines in what students know and can do compared with pre-pandemic achievement levels. The National Assessment of Educational Progress NAEP, often referred to as the Nations Report Card has released results from five exams this past year, each showing troubling declines in student achievement. Now, results from a sixth test the Long-Term Trend assessment taken by 13-year-olds in fall 2022 show further drops in math and reading. At this point, we as a country have a clear answer to one pandemic-fueled question: What can Americas students know and do post-COVID? Lost instructional time, combined with the tragic impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods and health of millions of Americans, has resulted in a cohort of students that are not matching the academic achievement of their predecessors. What is less clear is how to answer a second, even more important question: Where do we go from here to help all students reach their full potential? Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter My answer to questions about how to improve student learning is centered on ensuring each child has a highly qualified classroom teacher, as research consistently shows teacher quality is the No. 1 in-school factor on student achievement. However, students spend far more time out of school than in, so the best efforts to boost achievement also require creative ways to support learning after the dismissal bell rings. How to do this can be informed by some striking results in student survey data accompanying the Long-Term Trend Report. Related NAEP Scores Flashing Red After a Lost Generation of Learning for 13-Year-Olds One shocking survey finding is that fewer and fewer kids read on their own, just for fun. A mere 14% say they do that daily, down 3 percentage points from 2020 and 13 percentage points from a decade ago. Research shows that reading for pleasure produces benefits ranging from increased text comprehension to greater self-confidence. I have experienced these benefits personally, first as a kid in Tennessee reading the works of Tolkein and every biography I could find. It makes me sad to think about todays kids missing out on the magic of a great book they picked out or that a friend recommended. Today, I see the importance of reading for fun as an Advanced Placement U.S. Government teacher, as most of my top-performing students are also avid readers. And Ive seen the value of reading as a parent of 12- and 15-year-old daughters who end nearly every day diving into a book they picked. A second survey finding that has me worried has to do with chronic absenteeism, a problem that has worsened since the start of the pandemic. The percentage of students who say they missed five or more days of school a month has doubled since 2020. These survey results illustrate big out-of-school challenges for students, meaning any hope of reversing academic trends will require greater collaboration between schools and families. This has to start with making sure families are informed about their childrens progress, but many parents still dont have great visibility into student data or a clear understanding of how their kids are doing academically. In my own community, I see less family attendance at school events and less programming tailored to them than before the pandemic. In important ways, its understandable. Schools have a host of problems they didnt have before, most notably serious and growing staffing shortages that force some things to get pushed to the back burner simply because educators are being asked to do everything. Too often, schools are expected to have all the answers. But they can also tap families for ideas. For example, my family deploys a reading strategy at this time of year that we call reading bingo. My wife instituted the idea when our daughters were little, but they still enjoy it. Each girl gets a bingo card, and they have to complete the reading challenges on it. These can range from reading in a hammock to reading in a bathing suit, and the novelty spurs reading for pleasure. Im sure other families have great ideas, and schools can facilitate opportunities for families to share these with one another. Related Nations Report Card Shows Largest Drops Ever Recorded in 4th and 8th Grade Math Teachers alone cant reverse chronic absenteeism, either. Young people are reporting increasing mental health challenges, and there is surely a connection between that awful reality and declining attendance. As a teacher, Ive had to deal with students persistently missing class in recent years. I try to work with students and families in an empathetic way while balancing creative and flexible approaches with the need for accountability. Policymakers and education leaders should prioritize the issue and family engagement as areas worthy of their time, attention and resources. They might look to community schools and other educational models with a track record of success in this area for ideas. As an example, Communities in Schools South Carolina is an organization demonstrating the power of bridging relationships among schools, students, families and neighborhoods in 39 high-poverty schools in order to, among other things, help students achieve regular school attendance. The experiences of the past three years have shown conclusively that moments in school matter greatly for student achievement. But this latest Nations Report Card is a reminder that helping students reach their full potential likely requires rethinking how to support and inspire students in the moments beyond the school day, too. Yuya Motomura, is one of a handful of Japanese men who have joined Ukrainians battling the Russian invasion, defying their government's warnings (Yuichi YAMAZAKI) Yuya Motomura, a mahjong parlour manager in Japan, had always wanted a way to prove himself to a society he felt looked down on him. Then Russia invaded Ukraine. The 45-year-old is one of a handful of Japanese men who have joined Ukrainians battling the Russian invasion, defying their government's warnings and bucking a decades-long national principle of pacifism. Japan's military is constitutionally limited to defence and has not fought since World War II. Still, Motomura said he was immediately captivated by the idea of fighting in Ukraine when he saw President Volodymyr Zelensky talking about "defending our independence, our country". "I've always felt that I'm someone who is more socially conscious than other people realise," he told AFP as he prepared to leave Japan for the conflict. "By fighting for Ukraine, I could prove it with more than just words." Motomura took a first trip to Ukraine just two months after Russia's invasion, initially carrying supplies for refugees and the displaced. He was determined to find a place among the country's fighters, and after several trips was accepted into the Georgian Legion, which includes many foreign members. He is not the legion's first recruit from Japan, and his acceptance was eased by a compatriot, who goes by Haru-san and has acknowledged previously belonging to the yakuza -- the Japanese mafia. Georgian Legion commander Mamuka Mamulashvili told AFP the unit currently counts eight Japanese among troops from 33 nationalities in its ranks. "They are very motivated, very disciplined and easily master the training they are undergoing now," he said. - Against government advice - While many of the foreign fighters who have flocked to Ukraine from other countries come with military and combat experience, Japan's unique constitutional constraints mean its volunteers start as absolute novices. And when Ukraine's embassy in Tokyo initially called for volunteers to join the fight -- echoing an invitation by Zelensky for foreign support -- it quickly retracted it. Japan's government, like those elsewhere, has warned its citizens against travel to Ukraine. A small determined group has ignored that advice. Last year, Japan confirmed a citizen who was reportedly a former member of the country's military had been killed in combat in Ukraine. And Motomura said he had been contacted by members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces who were supportive of his plans. "I think many people in this country feel frustrated about being bound under the constitution," he said. Motomura has already helped recruit others to the cause, with Kenjiro Miyamori, a former cook, telling AFP he was inspired by him to join the legion. "I am sure there are many men in Ukraine who don't want to go to the war front but have to for the loved ones," the 44-year-old said, speaking by video from Ukraine. "I want to replace one of them and fight for their country." - 'Worthless in Japan' - Motomura admits his motivations are tied up in his personal circumstances, including a difficult childhood. "I stopped going to school in fourth grade (age 10)," he said, recounting his earliest memory -- sitting backstage at an evening cabaret where his mother performed. She developed a mental illness after escaping his abusive father, and he left school to take care of her, he said. He now runs a shop where customers play the Chinese tile game mahjong, sleeping during the day and living apart from his two children and their mother. "If I had money and this shop was going well, I wouldn't go," he said as he packed items including camouflage jackets and khaki vests. "I am a worthless person in Japan, but I am hoping to bring back something from Ukraine." Miyamori too cites his divorce and the separation from his three-year-old son as part of his motivation to fight. "I think there are many people like me," he said. The two men arrived in Ukraine in April, but are circumspect about the exact nature of their training, saying only it includes plenty of running and exercises. Motomura said he did not yet know when, or even if, he would be deployed, but he had no regrets about his decision. "People in Ukraine may feel encouraged just by the fact that we came here all the way from Japan," he said from Kyiv. "I am here in this country, hoping to make use of myself. In that sense, I already feel fulfilled." oh/sah/aha MOSCOW (Reuters) - Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said he was cancelling a counter-terrorism regime imposed in the Russian capital during what the authorities on Saturday called an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group. Sobyanin made the announcement in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging application on Monday. Russian media cited local Federal Security Service (FSB) offices as saying similar regimes had been cancelled in the Voronezh and Moscow regions. Separately, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee said the situation in the country was "stable". Anti-terrorist regimes were imposed in the three regions on Saturday, as a column of rebellious Wagner mercenaries moved towards Moscow, exchanging fire with security forces. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Most Californians are happy living here, poll says. So why do 4 in 10 want to move away? Last week, Florida governor and presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis posted an ad slamming California its decreasing population, crisis-level homelessness, crime in San Francisco and gas prices. Californias liberal governance is a disaster, DeSantis campaign tweeted alongside the video. But what do Californians have to say about their home state? Seven in 10 are happy living in the state, according to the latest California Community Poll released this month. The residents surveyed described California as a place that brings diverse groups of people together, offers opportunities to do the things they enjoy and where they fit in and feel comfortable. The oldest (65+) and youngest (18-34) age groups were most content, with three-quarters of each rating themselves as happy Californians. But four in 10 said they are considering moving away, most citing the high cost of living. Satisfaction with the state economy overall has dropped 12 points since 2020. More residents reported struggling to make ends meet this year compared with 2020. Nearly 1 in 5 said they struggled to make ends meet each month. For those with income less than $50,000 annually, 1 in 3 reported struggling. In 2020, a little more than half of households making between $50,000 and $100,000 said they could live comfortably in the state. This year, only 28% said they can, and 17% said they struggled financially. This slide in economic confidence parallels national trends: Nearly half of Americans described economic conditions as poor and only 17% as good, according to a Gallup poll published this spring. Those who feel unrepresented by Californias democracy and rate the state as headed in the wrong direction are most inclined to leave. Of those considering leaving, 59% are conservative and 28% liberal. The poll sheds light on issues likely to emerge in California next year, when voters will decide on a successor for the retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein and contested U.S. House seats. In the 2024 presidential contest, DeSantis is likely to continue using the state as an example of failed Democratic governance. More respondents rated living in California as an important part of their identities than their political party. Seven in 10 said it was extremely or somewhat important to their identity, versus a little more than five in 10 respondents saying the same about their political party. The California Community poll was developed in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and sponsored by the Los Angeles Urban League, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and the Center for Asians United for Self-Empowerment. It surveyed 1,354 Californians over the age of 18 with an estimated margin of error of plus or minus percentage points. Extraction 2 is currently the most popular movie on Netflix, according to the streaming services public ranking system. A sequel to 2020s Extraction, this action thriller was released on June 16 and stars Chris Hemsworth as a black-market mercenary hired for a dangerous rescue mission. Extraction 2 was released on June 16 and, like its predecessor, is inspired by the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks. Next in the ranking is The Perfect Find, a new rom-com that premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 14 before joining Netflix on June 23. Based on a novel by Tia Williams, the movie stars Gabrielle Union (who also serves as producer) as a 40-year-old fashion reporter who falls for a younger co-worker who also happens to be her boss son. "The Perfect Find" on Netflix. Another rom-com thats trending at the moment is the Turkish movie Make Me Believe, which also made its Netflix debut on June 23. The plot centers around two meddling grandmothers who trick their adult grandchildren into a meet-cute. There are also several older films on the list, such as Accepted. The 2006 comedy stars Justin Long as a high school graduate who creates a fake university to fool his parents after getting rejected from every college he applied to attend. Read on for the full top 10 list, and if you want to stay informed about everything joining Netflix each week, subscribe to the Streamline newsletter. Related... The most valuable thing in Prigozhin's raid is Russian pilots getting killed Ukrainian Air Force A valuable bonus from the currently unsuccessful "rebellion" of the head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is the destruction of Russian military aircraft and most importantly, their crews. Source: Spokesman of the Air Force, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, on Radio NV Details: According to preliminary data, the Wagnerites destroyed two Mi-35 and Ka-52 attack helicopters, and several Mi-8 aircraft of various modifications, in particular, electronic warfare jammers (very valuable for the occupiers, Russian fighters attack with guided aerial bombs with its help, Ihnat explained) and an IL-22M aircraft. According to the spokesman of the Air Force, the Il-22M repeater has been hit by anti-aircraft missiles of the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces, but it was only damaged. Now its side was also destroyed. Aircraft of this kind work together with the A-50 radar aircraft (usually in the Azov and Black seas in the south of Ukraine), the spokesman explains. Quote: "Its destruction is also good news for us; every unit of [destroyed ed.] equipment, helicopters and aeroplanes is good news for Ukraine. This creates problems for the occupiers. Plus, don't forget the pilots. Pilots are the most valuable asset... Because you can't train a pilot that easily, it takes years." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The mother of the 19-year-old who died on the imploded Titanic submersible says she was supposed to go on the dive, but gave her son her spot because he 'really wanted to go' Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation Limited Shahzada Dawood, who is said to be among the passengers onboard the submarine that went missing on trip to the Titanic wreckage is seen with his son Suleman Dawood in this undated handout picture. Reuters The mother of the teenager who died on the Titanic submersible says she was supposed to go instead. But Christine Dawood said she "stepped back" to let her 19-year-old son embark on the dive. She said he'd looked forward to the dive for a "very long time," contrasting earlier remarks from his aunt. The mother of Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old who died with his father in the Titanic submersible, said she originally planned to join her husband on the vessel's fateful dive, but let her son go instead. Christine Dawood told the BBC on Sunday that she and her husband, British-Pakistani multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood, initially booked spots for themselves to see the wreck of the Titanic, but that their trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that when the Dawoods embarked on this year's mission, she "stepped back" to instead give her teenage son a chance to visit the shipwreck "because he really wanted to go," per the BBC. "I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time," she told the outlet. Their family of four including Christine Dawood's 17-year-old daughter were on board the submersible's mother ship, the Polar Prince, on the day of the dive, she said. Dawood said she and her daughter, Alina, hugged and joked with her husband and son before the two men entered the submersible, called the Titan, on Father's Day. Her son loved solving Rubik's Cubes, and brought one with him on the dive, she said. "He said: 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic,'" Dawood said. She told the BBC that she and her daughter want to learn to solve the Rubik's Cube in her son's honor. "I miss them," Dawood said. "I really, really miss them." Dawood's comments contrast the remarks made on Thursday by Suleman Dawood's aunt, Azmeh Dawood, who told NBC News that the teenager was "terrified" when he joined his father on the trip to the Titanic's wreck. The aunt, who is the older sister of Shahzada Dawood, said her nephew "wasn't very up for it" but embarked on the trip to impress his father. She told NBC that she'd fallen out of contact with her brother after moving from England to Amsterdam several years ago, though she still felt close to her nephew. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood went missing on June 18, alongside two other passengers and a pilot when the Titan disappeared less than two hours into its dive to the Titanic. They were declared dead on Thursday, after authorities found debris belonging to the Titan on the ocean floor, at a depth of around 13,000 feet. The submersible imploded in a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," the US Coast Guard said. At such depths, any collapse in the hull would have instantly killed all five passengers. The other three passengers on board were British billionaire Hamish Harding, former French navy diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company that runs tours in the submersible. Meanwhile, authorities are searching the Polar Prince to determine if a criminal investigation into the implosion is necessary. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Saturday that there's "no suspicion of criminal activity" yet, but is not ruling the possibility out. Read the original article on Insider Popular YouTuber MrBeast has claimed that he turned down a trip on the Titanic submarine that imploded earlier this week. Five people died on an undersea expedition to visit the wreckage of the Titanic, as part of an expensive tourist attraction run by OceanGate Expeditions. Among those to die in the catastrophic incident were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood. MrBeast, real name James Donaldson, is the worlds most subscribed individual YouTuber, and the owner of the second-most-subscribed channel overall. On Twitter, he wrote: I was invited earlier this month to ride the Titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it. Alongside this, he shared a screenshot of what appears to be a message sent to his phone, which reads: Also, Im going to the Titanic in a submarine late this month. The team would be stoked to have you along. You can read a full timeline of the Titan submersible disaster here. After word of the tragedy broke on Thursday (22 June), Titanic director James Cameron shared his reaction to the news in a TV interview. The Canadian filmmaker and avid sea tourist told ABC News: Many people in the community were very concerned about this 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 that it needed to be certified and so on. I was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it pic.twitter.com/bQUnaRiczA MrBeast (@MrBeast) June 25, 2023 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 has made dozens of trips himself to the site of the Titanic shipwreck. In 2012, he became the first person to complete a solo descent to the deepest part of the Earths ocean, the Mariana Trench. For us, 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, he continued. Flash A delegation led by Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, paid a visit to Ireland from Thursday to Saturday. During the visit, Liu held separate meetings with Speaker of the Irish Senate Jerry Buttimer, former prime minister Bertie Ahern, Leader of the Green Party and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs Joe Hackett and Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Eddie Fitzpatrick. Liu also held a meeting and exchanged views with scholars at the Institute of International and European Affairs, a think tank in Ireland. The two sides shared the view that China and Ireland are important cooperative partners for each other. They agreed to further strengthen exchanges between political parties, governments, think tanks and local authorities, people-to-people exchanges and exchanges between various sectors of society, deepen practical cooperation in economy and trade, environmental protection, innovation and medicine, as well as promote greater development of the China-Ireland and China-Europe relations, they said. The trial of Greg Leon, a Mexican restaurant entrepreneur, was delayed Monday by a surprise two-day recess. There was no word what caused the delay, which came after the state rested its case Friday and before the defense had called any witnesses. There are some matters that the attorneys and I are working on at this time, circuit court judge Walton J. McLeod, IV told the jury Monday morning. The judge told the jury to return to the Lexington County courthouse at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. We plan to continue this trial on Wednesday, McLeod said. Attorneys had told The State last week that they expected the the trial to be finished by Wednesday. The trial is taking place more than seven years after Leon, who is an owner of the San Jose chain of Mexican restaurants in the Midlands, was charged with the murder of Arturo Bravo Santos, a 28-year-old construction worker who prosecutors have said was engaged in an affair with Leons wife, Rachel. Supporters for Leon, who have often numbered more than a dozen, were not present at proceedings Monday, which were already delayed by the selection of a jury for an upcoming civil trial taking place in Lexington County. Leon is accused of tracking his wife to a Lexington County parking lot on the night of Valentines Day in 2016, where his wife had arranged to meet up with Bravo Santos, Upon discovering the couple, Leon repeatedly shot into the backseat of the truck before fleeing the scene. Minutes after the shooting, Leon is alleged to have called 911 saying I shot my wife and her lover. Leons defense attorney, Jack Swerling, has argued that Bravo Santos threatened Leon and appeared to be reaching for a gun. This is a self-defense case, Swerling said during opening statements. The prosecution has rejected this theory, and on Friday pathologist Dr. Janice Ross, who performed Bravo Santos autopsy, argued that the angle of the bullet entrance and exit wounds indicated that the victim was leaning away from the Leon at the time of the shooting. The presence of a contact wound on the inside of Bravo Santos right arm, near where a bullet traveled through his armpit, indicated that he was not reaching for anything, Ross told the jury. It indicates to me that arm was down by the body, Ross said. The newest public school in Columbus will be named after a trailblazing judge, despite controversy that emerged over the naming process. During its meeting Monday night, the Muscogee County School District Board unanimously approved Mary A. Buckner Elementary School as the name of the school that will combine and replace Dawson Elementary School and St. Marys Road Magnet Academy. Buckner was the first Black woman judge in Columbus Recorders Court and the first Black woman to graduate from Mercer Universitys law school. The Columbus native grew up in the Dawson Drive area and attended the school that then was called St. James and later named Dawson. She died at 73 in 2021. Her entire life reflected a commitment to the betterment of that community which was uniquely hers, according to the report from the committee selected to name the new school. While nobody who spoke during the meeting denied the judge was worthy of having a school named in her honor, a committee member said the majority didnt recommend the Mary A. Buckner Elementary name. MCSD policy allows the board member representing the district where the new school is located to recommend the new schools name to the board for approval. The new school is in District 4, which is represented on the school board by Naomi Buckner, sister of Mary Buckner. The board was expected to vote on the name during its July 17 meeting, but the board unanimously waived the one-month waiting period as part of the motion by countywide representative Kia Chambers to approve the proposed name. It has been almost sitting on the table for a certain length of time, Chambers said during the meeting. The public has given their feedback. The recommendation wasnt publicly released until Monday afternoon, a few hours before the meeting, as an attachment to the agenda. So the Ledger-Enquirer asked Chambers in an email after the meeting to clarify her statement. Chambers referred the Ledger-Enquirers query to Buckner, who didnt reply to email and phone messages before publication. Board chairwoman Pat Hugley Green of District 1 said during the meeting that the board has waived the waiting period to vote on naming other MCSD facilities. The Ledger-Enquirer asked Green in an email and a voicemail after the meeting to explain the waivers rationale. She didnt reply before publication. The new school is scheduled to open in August 2024 on Dawsons current campus, 180 Northstar Drive, along Kennedy Street. St. Marys is 1 mile away. Mary Buckner Committee recommendation The Ledger-Enquirer reported in May that Naomi Buckner appointed a committee of stakeholders to help her make the recommendation. In addition to Buckner, the committee members were: Trenton Chester, businessman in District 4 Cassandra Downing, teacher at Dawson Mary Farley, Dawson alumna, former Dawson parent and current Dawson grandparent Seritha Love, St. Marys alumna and former St. Marys parent Sasha Smith, academic coach at St. Marys Kimberly Wright, MCSD communications director. The committee also conducted an online survey to gather community input. The surveys results werent publicly released. Although the committees report is written as if the proposal to name the school for Mary Buckner comes from the committee, one of the committees members told the board Monday night that isnt the case. Downing said the committee instead voted 5-2 to recommend naming the school in honor of the late Mary Lee Hall Bussey, who led Muscogees Negro schools for 18 years during segregation. We came up with a clear name, Downing said, but it was dismissed. Naomi Buckner didnt explain why, Downing said. We thought we were going through a process, and that process was not a process; it was merely someone elses agenda to do what they wanted to do, Downing said. I think thats not right. The Rev. David Stallion, pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Columbus, told the board that naming the school for Mary Buckner, a former member of the church, would represent a story and a message of triumph, someone who came through the ranks and defeated the odds against them. Mary Buckner didnt just talk about love, Stallion said, but she demonstrated it with her actions. He received wise counsel from her, Stallion said, as he made life-altering decisions. The Rev. Sherryl Harris King, pastor of Peters Chapel in Columbus, told the board that Mary Buckner reflected a commitment to the betterment of the community. One of her greatest observable strengths was the ability to persevere. Naomi Buckner responds to criticism Naomi Buckner didnt immediately respond to Downings criticism. Board members usually dont respond to comments made during the public agenda. But she offered an explanation before the boards vote. Buckner said she made her recommendation based on the guidelines the committee set at the outset: historical, current or geographical features of the community or local area; or someone who made outstanding educational or society contributions in the local area; or someone who has significant meaning to members of the school community. The committee also sought a name that wasnt used elsewhere, Buckner said. As I reflected about all the candidates, Buckner said, I did determine she was the best candidate. I would not just reject her just because shes my sister. Green told Buckner, Someone being related to you, if youre in elected office, does not disqualify the legacy, the contributions of any individual person. Chambers said perception is important, but several people came up to her at a Memorial Day barbecue and requested the school be named in honor of Mary Buckner. Naomi Buckners original recommendation was to name the school as Mary A. Buckner Magnet Academy, but superintendent David Lewis noted a magnet program hasnt been determined for the new school, so the motion was revised. This wasnt the first time the MCSD board rejected a committees recommended name for a school. In December 2016, a committee Green established to help her propose the name of the districts new arts school recommended Midtown Columbus School of the Arts as the name. One month later, the board voted 5-4 to instead name it Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts to honor Columbus natives Gertrude Ma Rainey (1886-1939), the singer known as the Mother of the Blues, and novelist Carson McCullers (1917-1967), the novelist who wrote the bestseller The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. UCG - Getty Images NASA and the Bureau of Land Management have agreed to remove a 36 square mile portion of eastern Nevada desert from the federal governments current list of lands open to mining activities. This area is chock full of lithium needed to make electric vehicle batteries, but NASA doesnt want automakers or their suppliers anywhere near its satellite calibration area. According to a report from Autoblog, the plot of land in question is a section of ancient lakebed 250 miles or so northeast of Las Vegas. The site itself has remained incredibly consistent over the decades, thanks in no small part to its isolated and industry-free location. NASA argues that no other site in the western hemisphere is as flat and undisturbed as this plot, which makes it an invaluable asset for satellite calibration. The unchanging surface allows for precise measurements from satellites using time traveled and radio signals onboard to create absolute radiometric calibration of the devices sensor array. The site has been used by the space agency to fine-tune satellite applications for more than thirty years. Without the accurate measurements and programming allowed by the site, satellite calculations related to weather and natural disaster forecasts, national security and more could be impacted. Many of these satellites are actively investigating the issue of climate change that EV companies are aiming to combat. 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. According to Autoblog, Planet Labs has used the Nevada site to calibrate more than 250 of its own devices since 2016. Handout - Getty Images Thats not to say that everyone is happy that NASA and BLM are pulling rank in the Nevada desert. Republican Rep. Mark Amodei filed legislation earlier this month in an effort to reverse the BLM decision, citing the hypocrisy of the Biden Administration as the basis. The company with the mining claims for the area, 3 Proton Lithium Inc, claims the deposit under the site is one of the 10 largest in the world. Chairman Kevin Moore also claims that the withdrawn tract makes up about a third of their initial land area, and contains 60 percent of the value of said claims. This is the result of the deepest and most valuable deposits on the site being located beneath the satellite facility. Both Moore and Amodei testified to the House Resources Subcommittee on Mining and Mineral Resources last week This project is a vital part of transitioning to a green economy, creating good-paying American jobs, combating climate change, ending Americas over-reliance on foreign adversaries and securing a domestic supply chain for critical and rare earth minerals, said Moore. The push to source more EV battery materials from within the United States is going to come with some challenges. Companies all across the country are looking for ways to increase lithium production at the nations concentrated sites, with many more fights to take place across the Southwest in the coming years. Managing where mines are constructed and the impact theyll have on other local industries will play an important part in those discussions. Its just a hard argument to make when the other guys are a space-faring bunch. You Might Also Like Four analog astronauts are venturing on a simulated mission to Mars to help NASA scientists understand human dynamics on long-duration missions. On Sunday, Kelly Haston, Ross Brockwell, Nathan Jones and Anca Selariu entered a mock Martian base at the U.S. space agencys Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they will spend the next 12 months living like a crew of astronauts would on a deep space mission. As the first of three planned Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) missions, the participants will be remotely observed by scientists as part of an effort to plan for future human missions on the real Martian surface. The crew will not leave their 1,700-square-foot habitat, called Mars Dune Alpha, until July 7, 2024. CHAPEA is just one of many analog astronaut missions each with varying timescales that the agency uses to help plan for deep space missions. Mission 1 is a bit unique as this will be the first time crews are isolated for 378 days, only able to leave their habitat during planned Mars-walks that take place in an adjoining enclosure called the Sandbox. The CHAPEA missions will add valuable data on how 12 different people interact and live together over an extended period in isolation. To be selected as part of the crew, the analog astronauts had to have a degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics discipline, as well as professional experience in their respective fields or military training much like traditional NASA astronauts. They also had to pass the same physical and psychological testing as astronaut candidates. Each crew member has an integral role to play: Haston, a research scientist, is the mission commander; Brockwell, a structural engineer, is flight engineer; Jones, an emergency medicine physician, is the medical officer; and Selariu, a microbiologist in the U.S. Navy, is the science officer. Officials said this mission will focus on resource restriction and how the crew adjusts to challenges and scenarios that an actual crew on a Mars mission would face. This includes spaceflight food systems, time delayed communications and more. Crew members may also encounter some unexpected problems over the course of their mission to see how they might react, although what exactly those issues will be, officials havent said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb), the PDRs4All ERS Team For the past year, the James Webb Space Telescope has been steadily doling out jaw-dropping pictures of the cosmosranging from enormous galaxy clusters, chaotic nebulas, and a star shedding its layers before a supernova. While the eye candy is great, its not the only thing that the JWST can do. In fact, the telescope is armed with a host of instruments to gather a treasure trove of scientific data about the universe around us. JWST was built to detect galaxies far far away, but it turns out it can also serve as a machine to discover new molecules in space, Olivier Berne, an astrophysicist at Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie in France, told The Daily Beast. This was not really anticipated and shows the incredible potential of this mission. JWST image of the Orion Nebula where the planetary disk containing CH3+ was spotted by astrophysicists. ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb), the PDRs4All ERS Team Berne and his fellow researchers discovered one such moleculecalled methyl cation (CH3+)using data gathered by the JWST of a planet-forming disk in the Orion Nebula roughly 1,350 lightyears away. For more than 40 years, scientists have suspected that CH3+ existed in interstellar chemistrybut havent actually seen it until now. The team published a paper of their findings on Monday in the journal Nature. Much of the excitement behind the discovery can be attributed to the fact that CH3+ is the cornerstone for building complexity in the most simple elements formed in the Big Bang and in stars, Berne explained. Without it, much of space likely wouldnt have the complex molecules that it does have. CH3+ is the heart of much of interstellar chemistry, Ilse Cleeves, an astrophysicist at the University of Virginia who wasnt involved in the study, told The Daily Beast. It's especially important for setting up the formation of organic molecules in space. NASAs Webb Telescope Snaps Insane Photo of Dust Rings Around Nearby Star However, Cleeves added that CH3+ is incredibly elusive because it is formed and destroyed constantly. That means that confirming its existence has been like hitting a moving target for astronomers for decades. Thats why the studys authors turned to the Orion Nebula. This region of space is extreme, chaotic, and swirling with planet-forming disks of dense hot gas. This environment allows the region to build up enough CH3+ for the Webb telescope to spot it from our galactic backyard. The team plans to continue searching for methyl cation and the molecules it produces using radio telescopes. Berne added that the researchers are also interested in using the JWST further in order to study the molecule at a quantum level. For now, the study is just further proof that the JWST is helping uncover some of the biggest mysteries about the cosmossome that have stumped scientists for years. While dazzling space pictures are always welcomed, its the data and insights that are the real scientific game-changers. It confirms our understanding of the exotic chemistry in space is on the right track, Cleeves said. 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. NATO chief makes last-ditch bid to bring Sweden into the fold before next month's summit NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a press conference at Exercise Griffin Storm 2023 during the visit to the Training Range in Pabrade, some 60km, (38 miles) north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) BRUSSELS (AP) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that he will call an urgent meeting in the coming days to try to overcome Turkish objections to Sweden joining the military organization. It's a last-ditch effort to have the Nordic country standing alongside the allies at a major summit next month. NATO requires the unanimous approval of all members to expand. Turkey accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt. Stoltenberg said he has held fresh talks on Swedens candidacy with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as senior officials from Sweden and neighboring Finland, which became the 31st member of the worlds biggest security organization in April. We agreed to convene a high-level meeting in Brussels before the summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius beginning July 11, Stoltenberg told reporters. The aim is to make progress in completing Swedens accession to NATO. He provided no date for the meeting, but said that it would involve foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs and national security advisors. Fearing they might be targeted by Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs security umbrella. Hungary is also delaying its approval of Swedens candidacy but has never clearly stated publicly what its concerns are. NATO officials expect that it will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that last weeks brief armed rebellion against the Kremlin demonstrated the weakness and fragility of the Putin regime. I think what were seeing in Russia over the last days demonstrates the fragility of the [Russian] regime, and, of course, it is a demonstration of weakness, Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Lithuania Monday when asked what effect NATO expects the Wagner Groups rebellion to have on the battlefield in Ukraine. We see the weakness of the Russian regime and it also demonstrates how difficult and dangerous it is for President [Vladimir] Putin to be reliant on mercenaries. That has actually turned against him, he added. Stoltenberg spoke alongside German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, with whom he was meeting to discuss final preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius next month. Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an armed rebellion against the Kremlin over the weekend, directing his army of mercenaries to retreat from the front lines in Ukraine and march to Moscow. But within 24 hours, he reversed course, striking a deal with Moscow to take his soldiers and go to Belarus, which said it would grant them amnesty. Many have suggested the internal strife, especially from a longtime ally of Putins, damages the Russian presidents credibility. But Stoltenberg cautioned against underestimating the Russians and reaffirmed NATOs commitment to defend Ukraine until the end. It also demonstrates that it is hard to predict exactly what will now happen in the next days and weeks, but we should not make the mistakes that we are underestimating the Russians, he said. So, we need to continue to provide support to Ukraine. Thats exactly what NATO and NATO allies are doing with military support but also support for the long term. Later Monday, the three leaders visited German and Lithuanian troops training together in exercise Griffin Storm, which a press release said tested the rapid reinforcement of the German-led NATO battlegroup to brigade size. This exercise sends a clear message: NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, Stoltenberg said in the press release. We are demonstrating that we can also reinforce quickly, whenever needed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has warned that NATO will have to strengthen its eastern borders if Belarus accepts Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Source: The Guardian citing Nauseda after a meeting of the State Security Council, at which they discussed the attempted rebellion of the Wagner mercenaries. Quote: "If Prigozhin or part of the Wagner group ends up in Belarus with unclear plans and unclear intentions, it will only mean that we need to further strengthen the security of our eastern borders." Previously: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda reacted to the events in Russia, where mercenaries from the Wagner Group launched an armed rebellion. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Neighbor uses cops radio to get help after hes dragged by a car, Tennessee cops say A deputy was left in critical condition after being dragged by a car in a Tennessee neighborhood, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says. Around 9 a.m. on June 24, a Shelby County Sheriffs deputy was conducting a traffic stop in a Memphis neighborhood when the deputy asked the driver to get out of the car, Sheriff Floyd Bonner said in a news conference shared by WREG. The situation escalated, TBI said, and the driver got back in the car and tried to drive away. The deputy tried to stop the driver, but the driver drove off as the deputy tried to get in the car and dragged him about 100 yards, TBI said. While being dragged, the deputy pulled out his gun and shot the driver, TBI said. The driver drove another half mile, TBI said, before crashing into a parked vehicle, according to Bonner. A neighbor told WREG they saw the deputy lying in the road after falling out of the drivers car. He was just screaming because of the pain and yelling, the neighbor told WREG. Bonner said one neighbor used the deputys service radio to call and inform dispatch of what happened. Other neighbors brought out towels to apply on the deputys wounds and made a tourniquet, one neighbor told WREG. I say to you sir, Thank you and you represent the best of our community, thank you, Bonner said. The driver, identified by TBI as 21-year-old Jarveon Hudspeth, died from the gunshot wound on the way to the hospital. The deputy had serious injuries and needed surgery on June 24, Bonner said, but is now in stable condition. The investigation into the reason for the initial traffic stop and the cause of the escalation is ongoing, TBI said. Bonner said there is body camera footage and video from the deputys vehicle that will be used in the investigation. Dad tries to get help for stepson at scorching Texas park, officials say. Both died Kids scream for help on call with 911. Mom found holding toddler under water, cops say Fake cop tried pulling over a real cop, Michigan sheriff says. Now hes going to jail 11-year-old driver takes 10-year-old friend on joyride in Connecticut town, cops say Neo-Nazi rally outside Georgia synagogue was 'the most frightening thing I've ever seen in my life,' a congregation member says Protestors from the Neo-Nazi group also rallied outside a Macon, Georgia, synagogue on Friday. Izzet Keribar via Getty Images Neo-Nazi protestors protested outside synagogues in Georgia over the weekend. One Chabad of Cobb member told WSB-TV it was "the most frightening thing" they'd seen in their life. Georgia officials, community members, and The Anti-Defamation League spoke out against the rallies. Neo-Nazi rallies terrorized Georgia synagogues over the weekend, with one congregation member calling it "the most terrifying thing" they'd ever seen in their life. On Saturday afternoon, members of Goyim Defense League a small anti-Semitic hate group active across southern US states, according to the Anti-Defamation League rallied outside the Chabad of Cobb County, according to The Independent. The group's leader Jon Minadeo II had been arrested the day before in Macon, Georgia, after a separate neo-Nazi rally at Temple Beth Israel, the Atlanta Jewish Times reported. The protest in Cobb County included anti-Semitic signs, including a swastika flag and other hateful imagery. Chabad of Cobb County member Stewart Levy told WSB-TV: "This was the most frightening thing I've ever seen in my entire life." "I am shocked absolutely shocked to see this here. When I see the amount of ignorance out there and some of the truths that they are promoting, it is just frightening the level of inaccurate knowledge that there is," Levy added to WSB-TV. While Cobb Police responded to the scene, they did not dispel the demonstration, The Independent reported. In a statement issued Sunday, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid cited the "constitutional right to Freedom of Speech" as allowing "these expressions of belief" but added that she was "disheartened" by the anti-Semitic protests and "appreciated that these events ended peacefully." Other Georgia state officials, such as Governor Brian P. Kemp, also denounced the events. Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) June 25, 2023 The Chabad of Cobb County said on Sunday that they were "appreciative and thankful for the outpouring of support and concern from all segments of the community" and had been working with Georgia officials and police to ensure "the security and safety of our campus." "Ultimately, we must remember that the most potent response to darkness is to increase in light. Let's use this unfortunate incident to increase in acts of goodness and kindness, Jewish pride, and greater Jewish engagement," Chabad of Cobb added. Anti-Defamation League Southern Regional Director Eytan Davidson told Insider that the Neo-Nazi demonstrations were "the latest stunt by a small band of supporters of an antisemitic network that trolls Jewish communities spreading propaganda, conspiracy theories and hate with the hope that they can turn Americans against Jewish people." Davidson also said law enforcement was continuing to watch the movements of the hate group. "Together, we are stronger than this little group of hateful and attention-seeking bigots," Davidson added. Read the original article on Insider Netherlands and Belgium join international probe into crimes against Yazidis in Syria and Iraq FILE - Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity organization at the Nowruz camp, in Derike, Syria on Aug. 12, 2014. The Netherlands and Belgium have joined an international investigation into atrocities committed against the Yazidi minority in Syria and Iraq, the European Union's judicial cooperation agency, Eurojust, announced Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The Netherlands and Belgium have joined an international investigation into atrocities committed against the Yazidi minority in Syria and Iraq, the European Union's judicial cooperation agency said Monday. The Joint Investigation Team was established by France and Sweden in October 2021 and supported by The Hague-based Eurojust to identify and prosecute foreign extremists who targeted Yazidis during the armed conflict in Syria and Iraq. Eurojust said the teamwork already has borne fruit, including in France, where a Yazidi victim of a French jihadist couple was identified. That led to to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity being added to an existing case. The joint investigation team is part of a broader international effort to mete out justice for atrocities targeting Yazidis, a minority considered heretics by the Islamic State militant group. A United Nations probe concluded in 2021 that crimes committed against Yazidis by Islamic State extremists amounted to genocide. IS attacked the heartland of the Yazidi community at the foot of Sinjar Mountain in August 2014. During the weeklong assault, IS killed hundreds of Yazidis and abducted 6,417, more than half of them women and girls. Most of the captured adult men were likely eventually killed. Women and girls were considered commodities for rape and servitude. Prosecutions of returning foreign militants for crimes against Yazidis already are underway in Europe. A German woman was convicted last week of keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave during her time with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and sentenced to nine years and three months in prison. The state court in the western city of Koblenz convicted the 37-year-old woman of crimes against humanity, membership in a foreign terrorist organization and being an accessory to genocide, German news agency dpa reported. Authorities have identified her only as Nadine K. in line with German privacy rules. In February, Dutch authorities announced that they were prosecuting a woman who traveled from the Netherlands to join IS on a charge of slavery as a crime against humanity. The woman allegedly used a Yazidi woman as a slave in Syria in 2015. The case marked the first Dutch trial of an alleged IS member for crimes against a Yazidi victim. Russian President Vladimir Putin; Destroyed Russian tank in the village of Bohorodychne, eastern UkrainePhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images The Ukrainian military has finally amassed enough forces, supplies, and other resources including a much-needed infusion of new weapons and munitions from the United States and NATO to launch its counteroffensive against the Russian invaders. On four fronts, the Ukrainians and Russians are engaging in fierce battles that in many places resemble the hellish trench warfare of more than 100 years ago during the first World War. In some areas, the Ukrainians have successfully pushed back the Russian invaders inflicting and enduring a large number of casualties in the process. Elsewhere, the Ukrainians have had much less success, often retaking a small amount of territory only to be forced to withdraw by Russian counterattacks. On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the BBC that the counterattack's progress has been "slower than desired" and that "We would definitely like to make bigger steps.But nevertheless, those who fight shall win and to those that knock, the door shall be opened." On Friday, Russia faced an armed rebellion spearheaded by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner private army, which appeared to briefly seize control of the military headquarters south of Moscow. The uprising was quickly squashed, however. By Saturday, a brokered settlement was announced between the Wagner PMC group and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "This is good for Ukraine. They just drew an ace." In an attempt to make better sense of the Ukraine war and its newest phase, Putin and Russia's threats and goals, lessons for the United States and its national security, and what comes next, I recently spoke with Elliot Ackerman. He is a New York Times best-selling author of several books, including "2034: A Novel of the Next World War," "The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan" and "Places and Names: On War, Revolution and Returning." Ackerman's new book is "Halcyon." Ackerman is also a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a Marine veteran, having served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity on breaking news events: We spoke several days ago about Russia and Ukraine. On Friday, it appears that some type of mutiny or insurrection was initiated by the Wagner mercenary group against Putin. As of now, Saturday morning EST time, events are still developing, but what do we know at this early point? Our conversation ended last week with an observation about how important it is to expect the unexpected, and here we are. Related Putin calls uprising a "stab in the back" as armed rebellion presses into Moscow Yevgeny Prigozhin, who spent nine years in a Soviet prison for thievery and then had a successful business career that started as a hot dog vendor (you can't make this stuff up), has risen to prominence as the head of the Wagner Group, a mercenary organization that Putin has used not only to outsource the war in Ukraine but also the war in Syria before that. Prigozhin has become increasingly critical of Russia's command structure. He has now threatened to march on Moscow unless the chief of the Russian military agrees to meet with him; however, by the time this is printed, he may very well be on the outskirts of Moscow, as he's only kilometers away now. Putin's frontline forces are deployed in Ukraine, are training to be deployed, or are being reconstituted. Putin has a huge internal security force at his command. What do we know about the forces he has to suppress a mutiny-insurrection or even a full-on coup attempt? The capability of these forceswhich are quite capablemeans much less than their loyalty. We've seen this time and again in the past few years, in which a well-equipped, well-trained army folds in the face of a smaller force. This is because war is fundamentally a political act; it's politics by violence. If Putin's security services decide that the politically expedient and safe move is to align themselves with the insurrectionists, then the size and scope of those services don't matter because Putin no longer controls them. The politics of this moment is everything. "The Ukrainiansout gunned for much of this warhave shown us through their actions that human will is the most impressive weapon in their arsenal; our strategy should be to get them more of the actual weapons they need." What does this potentially mean for the Ukrainian war? Specifically, for the Ukrainians and their counteroffensive? This is good for Ukraine. They just drew an ace. Does it mean that the war will be over tomorrow? No. But even if Putin survives, he'll be weaker. Starting today, any Russian who wants to fight in Ukraine will be fighting a war on two fronts, the second front being the political opposition at home. Given the still-developing nature of these events, what are your greatest worries or fears right now? Putin and Prigozhin have both behaved like animals in Ukraine, and cornered animals are dangerous. We should all be rooting for a Russia without Putin, but what comes next could be just as bad or worse. Autocrats the world overfrom Xi in China to the ayatollahs in Iranare watching this. They surely see themselves in Putin. This stokes fear and people don't always act rationally in the face of fear. Particularly despots. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The war continues. How are you feeling at this point? And what of all the expectations by many military and other experts that it would have been over by now? The predictions that the Russians would roll over the Ukrainians in a few weeks of battle have most certainly not aged well. War, by its nature, is irrational. That makes it unpredictable. However, we can certainly say that this summer is an important one. Ukraine's allies have spent much of the last year building up its military with equipment. The Ukrainians have fielded many fresh units in preparation for a counteroffensive. The Russians, who were on the offense this winter, didn't take as much ground as some experts might have predicted. The Ukrainians have an opportunity to prove that they can outperform the Russians. If that happens, success builds on success, and they'll be in a stronger position when the weather turns cold again. Is this enough to "win" the war; no, at least not in the short term, but Ukrainian success this fighting season could buy them another fighting season, and by that time you could start to see a meaningful accretion of territorial gains that could lead to an end gamemaybe not a total victorybut at least an end game that the Ukrainians might accept. Definitions matter. As a military professional and expert, what does a "counteroffensive" really mean? What conditions should be met? How did Ukraine's leaders decide this was the time to attack the Russians across multiple fronts? "Putin and Prigozhin have both behaved like animals in Ukraine, and cornered animals are dangerous." A "counteroffensive" is just that, an offensive action undertaken by a force that had previously been on the defensive. All through this winter, the Ukrainians have been on the defensive, particularly at the strategic level. They've focused on holding ground, on bleeding the Russians in places like Bakhmut, on persevering manpower, and on building up their stores of equipment. They're now deploying those resources against the Russians with the hope of taking back territory in the east that they lost during the invasion. There are multiple fronts and battles in Ukraine. These fronts and battles are part of a larger strategic plan and war on both sides. How do we help the general public to better understand the relationship between these different moving parts and the big picture? Unlike, say, the war on terror, or the war in Syria, the war in Ukraine is relatively simple. It's a conventional war. It has a clear aggressor: the Russians. It has a nation that was invaded without provocation: Ukraine. The Russian aggressor is occupying the sovereign territory of the Ukrainian defender. The Ukrainians want their country back. That means pushing the Russians across the border. That's the big picture. Now, how you accomplish that, that is far more complicated. The execution involves understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your army, your adversary's army, the political conditions in your country, the countries of your allies, and your adversary's country. It involves understanding the battlefield as not only physical terrain but psychological terrain, too. It also involves understanding how armies not only maneuver across distance, but across time. How an offensive at one moment might be a terrible idea, but at another might be exactly the right move. This is all the business of war, a very old business. Related The end of secrets: Fallout from Ukraine leak gets worse There is a widely circulated video of US and German armor that was destroyed and severely damaged by Russian mines, anti-tank missiles, and artillery during a failed breaching operation. It is inevitable that the world will soon see images of destroyed F16s and Abrams tanks as well. What are the myths vs realities of how those weapons systems will and are impacting the battle so far? The weapons systems you mentioned above are pretty spectacular. If you've ever been around an Abrams when it fires its main gun or been proximate to an F-16 as it drops ordnance, it'll rock you in your socks. But these aren't wonder weapons. They cannot destroy everything and they themselves can be destroyedas you noted. Also, we cannot produce them in unlimited numbers. It takes time to replace this equipment. Weapons alone don't win wars. Human will is what wins wars. The Ukrainiansout gunned for much of this warhave shown us through their actions that human will is the most impressive weapon in their arsenal; our strategy should be to get them more of the actual weapons they need. The Ukrainians have used drones and other means to attack Moscow, railways, and other infrastructure inside of Russia and far behind the front lines of battle. What is the impact of such attacks? What type of planning and training do such operations require? These types of "special operations" have a significant psychological impact. The drone attacks inside of Russia remind me of America's Doolittle Raiders in the Second World War. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when the Empire of Japan had the U.S. on its backfoot, the Doolittle Raiders attacked Tokyo. The damage they caused didn't meaningfully impair Tokyo's warfighting capacity, but it had a huge psychological impact. It showed the Japanese people that America could strike them at home, and it allowed Americans to land a blow at the outset of a broader war. These types of operations require enormous, detailed planning by some of the most highly trained soldiers in any military. They are strategic in nature, so the cost of failure is often as high as the reward for victory. The drone and other attacks and sabotage against Moscow and Russia at large are a lesson in the vulnerability of the United States as well. We remain vulnerable to attack. The recent drone strikes in Moscow demonstrate that vulnerability, but so did 9/11 or even the recent Chinese spy balloons. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have served our homeland well in the past, but they're not impenetrable defenses, particularly in an increasingly connected world. The pandemic also showed us our vulnerabilities, not only to a virus coming from China, but our economic dependence on actors who don't have our best interests at heart. More than a year later, how are the Russians "seeing" the battlefield and war now? "The longer the war goes on the greater the risk that the Ukrainians won't lose this war on the battlefield, but at a ballot box." The Russians are becoming more prepared by the minute. Russia has a tradition of bungling the beginnings of its wars and then performing better over time. This was the case in the Napoleonic Wars and the Second World War. However, this hasn't always been the case. Soviet performance in Afghanistan didn't improve with time. Unlike Napoleon's France and Hitler's Germany, Ukraine has not invaded Russia. Ukraine does not represent an existential threat to everyday Russiansno matter how Putin tries to spin itso you might not see that same Russian increase in performance that has historically occurred when there's an attack on the Rodina, the homeland. Related Stunning video shows alleged assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin There are military and other experts who are predicting that the Russians will succeed in stopping the Ukrainian counteroffensive. US intelligence appraisals, as I understand it are concerning as well. There are other analysts who are predicting that the Ukrainians have a very good chance of succeeding. What are your thoughts? It depends on how you define success. If success is that the Ukrainians push the Russians all the way back to the pre-February 24, 2022, borders and take back the Crimean Peninsula this summer, I'd agree that this seems pretty unlikely. If success means that the Ukrainians through their tenacity, valor, and military competence have put the Russians on notice that this war is unwinnable while also retaking meaningful chunks of territory, then I wouldn't be too quick to discount the Ukrainians. Unfortunately, in the short term, it seems like the war will go on. Many billions of dollars of equipment, arms, munitions, and other support have already flooded into Ukraine. What are some specifics of what they need now? And what of those who still say that we are escalating the war and making it more likely to spread and drag on needlessly by providing the Ukrainians with all the weapons they are requesting? The list of weapons needed by the Ukrainians is long: F-16s, main battle tanks like the Abrams, HIMARS rocket launchers, Bradley fighting vehicles, etc. Since the war's inception there has been a line of thinking within the Biden administration and among our allies that by giving the Ukrainians the weapons they need, we might escalate and prolong the war. I couldn't disagree more strongly with this philosophy. The past eighteen months show that by arming the Ukrainians at a trickle we have prolonged the war, giving the Ukrainians just enough to fight, but not enough to win. This plays into the Russians' hands. Putin knows that time is on his side. He knows that he's not just fighting against the Ukrainians but that he's also fighting again an alliance, and alliances often fall apart. The longer the war goes on the greater the risk that the Ukrainians won't lose this war on the battlefield, but at a ballot box. In 2024, in the U.S. and Europe, we and many of our allies are holding elections. The outcome of those elections will prove critical to the war effort. War is a cruel teacher and manmade laboratory of the worst sort. At this point more than a year in, are there any new lessons about modern warfare or is this just a refresher course on what was learned going back to World War I and before about modern warfighting? Everything in war changes. Everything in war stays the same. On the one hand, we have soldiers slogging it out in trenches, pounding each other with artillery. On the other, we have drones spotting for that artillery, signals intercepts turning cellphone data into targeting data, and sophisticated influence campaigns being waged by both Russia and Ukraine against each other's populations. War is always a hybrid of the new and the old, the genius and savagery within us. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. What have you learned from American and European and other volunteers who have served in Ukraine? What are their direct impressions of what is happening on the ground there? I've spent some time reporting from Ukraine. Among the volunteers, many of whom were veterans of the 9/11 wars, the prevailing sentiment was that this war was so uncomplicated in comparison. In Ukraine, you know who the enemy is. The battle lines are clearly drawn. And the combat is kinetic and intense. We're not seeing IEDs in Ukraine. We're not talking about insurgency. It's strange for many to be fighting in such a different type of war. There are no "do overs" in war. But if given the opportunity would Putin have launched this invasion given what he knows now? If so, what do you think Putin would have done differently? Putin did not expect the resistance he met, so I imagine he would've made a very different set of decisions had he known. But for too long we never expected Putin would invade, so we're guilty too. In war, expect the unexpected. It's a good rule of thumb, one that might save your life. What are Putin's strategic goals at this point? What does "victory" look like for him and Russia? It's critically important in any war to understand one's adversary, no matter how reprehensible. We should all be trying to get into Putin's headso long as we don't stay there too long. For Putin, this war is about a restoration of Russia, about upsetting the Western-led global order that has dominated since after the end of the Cold War, and it's also about capitalizing on what he perceives as Western weakness. For him, victory is Russia appropriating a significant chunk of Ukraine while simultaneously proving to the world and his erstwhile allies that the West is a decadent paper tiger, a society so inwardly focused and so beset by divisions and decadence that it can no longer stand up to strong men like him and Xi. Putin is playing for keeps, so are the Ukrainians, and so should we. Read more about Russia's invasion of Ukraine New Hampshire lawmakers killed a bill last week that would have allowed for online voter registration in time for the 2024 presidential primaries, after Senate Republicans objected to an unrelated House amendment over ballot machines. As originally introduced, Senate Bill 70 would have allowed the secretary of state to create an Election Information Portal to let residents register to vote online when they move to a new town. The portal would also allow voters to request absentee ballots and update their name and address information within the voter file. Senate and House lawmakers attempt to negotiate to save a bill to create online voter registration in New Hampshire, June 20, 2023. The negotiations failed. New Hampshire is one of 11 states that do not allow online voter registration, according to an analysis by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire. Under current law, residents must go to their town offices in person or send a request by mail. Advocates have argued an online registration option would help more people register before election day, which would reduce the number of same-day registrants at the polls and ease headaches for voters and poll workers. But after the Senate passed that version by voice vote in February, the House added an unrelated amendment to the bill that would have allowed the secretary of state to give some of its federal grant money to towns to help them replace aging voting machines. House lawmakers have argued that many of the voting machines used by New Hampshire cities and towns need to be replaced in order to facilitate smooth elections some were first installed 30 years ago. And they say state and federal funding would help take the burden of those new machines off local property taxpayers. Well be going into (the) 2024 election with most likely the highest turnout that the state has ever seen with the largest population the state has ever seen with machines that are 30 years old, saying Hey, just one more election, said Rep. Ross Berry, a Manchester Republican. But during committee of conference negotiations Tuesday, Senate Republicans opposed that amendment, with one, Sen. James Gray, calling it a poison pill. They argued the federal grant money in question given to the state via the Help America Vote Act of 2002 should be used to pay for state-led trainings for local election workers, accessible voting machines for voters with disabilities, and election-related state expenses. And they said that sending some of that money to towns to replace voting machines could deplete the states current reserves. Gray, a Rochester Republican and chairman of the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee, argued that towns should have to pay for new voting machines themselves and build community support for it, and said the state should not be involved in funding them. I have no problem with a city or town who wants to have a tabulating machine to use the tabulating machine, but I see no reason for the state to provide special money for that, Gray said. Negotiators were unable to find consensus. Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, a Portsmouth Democrat, produced a compromise amendment that allowed the secretary of state to devote funds to towns to pay for new voting machines but that reduced the impact on the states Help America Vote Act funding. But while that compromise gained nearly everyones vote, one member of the committee, Deputy Speaker Steve Smith, a Charlestown Republican, voted no. Committee of conference reports must be unanimous in order to advance; with a 6 to 1 vote, the compromise attempt failed. In a statement after the negotiating breakdown, one member of the committee of conference, Rep. Angela Brennan, a Bow Democrat, lamented the loss of the underlying bill to allow online voter registration. This bill would safely and securely welcome New Hampshire to the 21st century by directing the Secretary of State to create an election information portal for basic application processes, a system used successfully in over 40 other states, Brennan said. This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH online voter registration bill fails after lawmaker infighting Nicholas Rossi arriving at court wearing a legal gown A man suspected of rape in the United States has lost a legal bid to have his extradition case thrown out of a Scottish court. Nicholas Rossi allegedly faked his own death to try and avoid prosecution. He continued to deny his identity when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court wearing a legal gown. Mr Rossi previously claimed to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, but a sheriff ruled last November that he is Nicholas Rossi. His lawyer, Mungo Bovey KC moved for the extradition hearing to be scrapped. He cited a recent decision to move Mr Rossi to a prison in England so that police in Essex could question him about another alleged rape there. Mr Bovey said it would be wrong to proceed with the hearing and, potentially, set terms for Rossi's extradition based on his current medical condition before knowing if he would be charged in England. He said that if charges were brought and proven, then Rossi could end up going to jail in England. During that time, Mr Bovey said his client's health could deteriorate before he was extradited - under the terms set at court in Edinburgh when he was in better health. Mr Bovey said: "In my submission we are in an awkward position by reason of a decision apparently made in the Crown Office." Advocate depute Alan Cameron argued that the extradition hearing should continue, however, saying Mr Bovey's argument rested on possibilities. After a lengthy adjournment, Sheriff Norman McFadyen decided the hearing would go ahead but added that the subject of Mr Rossi being wanted for questioning in England being raised at its outset was "deeply unsatisfactory". Mr Rossi was arrested and detained, while he was being treated for Covid 19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, in December 2021, in connection with an alleged rape in Utah. It was alleged that Mr Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution. The hearing continues. (Bloomberg) -- North Korea held one of its biggest anti-US rallies in years where more than a 100,000 people carried banners that pledged to pulverize the American empire and denounced Washington as it seeks talks with Pyongyang. Most Read from Bloomberg Speakers called for the annihilation of US imperialists in a rally over the weekend to mark the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War in June 1950, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Monday. The mass gathering at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang was the largest of its sort since 2017, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry, and that one came at a time of peak tensions between Kim Jong Uns regime and then President Donald Trump. The rally added to the recent pressure campaign against the Biden administration that has included tests of new missiles to deliver nuclear weapons to the US mainland and threats to build more warheads. The event also helped to firm up pro-government sentiment as the state braces for a monsoon season that could wipe out farmland and worsen its chronic food shortages. The entire continental US is within our range! one banner shown by North Koreas propaganda machine said, with a colorful image depicting multiple missiles targeting what seemed to be a map of the US. Kim has shown no intention of returning to disarmament talks that fell apart under Trump about four years ago. The government is poised to hold a military parade next month to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice deal in July 1953 that brought a halt to the Korean War. The North Korean leader has been modernizing his missile arsenal over the past few years as the talks stalled, rolling out models that are quick to deploy and designed to evade US-operated interceptors as it tries to increase its ability to deliver a credible strike. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Pyongyang residents gather in the May Day stadium for the first mass gathering of its kind since 2017 - KIM WON JIN/AFP North Koreans carried banners vowing to pulverise the American empire at mass rallies held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. More than 120,000 people took part in gatherings held across the capital, reported the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Photographs released by state media showed a packed May Day stadium, with thousands carrying placards denouncing the US and vowing a war of revenge. The event was the largest mass gathering of its kind since 2017, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs. State media claims 120,000 people were at rallies in Pyongyang - Getty Let us make the US imperialists pay dearly for the blood shed by the Korean nation! read one sign. Others described the US as the chieftain of war and massacre, called for the countrys merciless annihilation, and described it as a destroyer of peace. The three-year Korean war which technically remains an active conflict as it ended in a truce in 1953, rather than a peace treaty left approximately three million people dead and North and South Korea divided. The conflict began with a surprise invasion by North Korean forces, but Pyongyang has historically accused the US of provoking the war and in recent months has ramped up verbal threats and weapons testing amid spiralling tensions with Washington. Since the start of 2022, the nuclear-armed North has test-fired roughly 100 missiles of various ranges, many of which place the US mainland, South Korea or Japan within striking distance. KCNA published photos of a full stadium - KCNA/Reuters On Sunday, banners displayed by North Koreans across Pyongyang insisted the country now has the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defence which no enemy dare provoke. In a separate foreign ministry report, the North Korean government headed by Kim Jong-un claimed Washington was making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war and accused the US of sending strategic assets to the region. Amid the war of words, there are no signs that Kim has any intention to return to disarmament talks with the US that fell apart four years ago under Donald Trump, the former president. His government is also ramping up efforts to launch its first military spy satellite in orbit, following a failed attempt in May. Earlier this month, top officials called the setback the most serious shortcoming of the year so far, and harshly criticised those responsible. Meanwhile in South Korea, a North-Korean defector-turned-activist launched a new attempt over the weekend to counter the Norths narrative that the US was responsible for the outbreak of the Korean war. North Koreans hold anti-US propaganda placards at the rally in Pyongyang - KCNA via Reuters According to the Associated Press, Park Sang-hak flew balloons carrying around 200,000 anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and Covid-19 medical supplies across the border on Sunday evening. The North, which has often reacted angrily to the activists years-long campaign, has not yet commented on the leaflets which highlighted that Kims grandfather, Kim II Sung, was responsible for starting the conflict. The 26 million people living in North Korea have become increasingly isolated and tightly controlled since the government sealed borders and restricted imports when the coronavirus pandemic descended in 2020. As critical supplies have been cut out, food is becoming increasingly scarce recent BBC reporting found people are already starving to death. Some experts have warned that the country could be on the brink of a disaster similar to the famine in the late 1990s, where at least one million people died. 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. Blair Briscoe said she thought she had found a perfect holiday activity for her kids when she took them to a family-friendly Christmas drag show in Grand Prairie last December. Despite having to navigate past the protesters clashing outside, there wasnt much trouble inside Texas Trust CU Theatre, and her two kids seemed to enjoy the show. But the next day, a conservative activist and TV host with more than 300,000 followers on Twitter posted a video of Briscoe and her kids that the activist covertly recorded in the theater lobby. In the video, Sara Gonzales approaches Briscoe and asks if she thought the show was appropriate for her children. You dont think its exposing sex to them too young? Gonzales asked her. This is a little bit more forward, but theres innuendo and all that kind of stuff in Disney, Briscoe replied, seemingly unaware she was being recorded. The video, which has been viewed 2.5 million times, was spliced with sexually explicit scenes of drag performances. Those scenes were not from the show Briscoe attended, Briscoe said, but that didnt matter. The social media backlash was brutal. Gonzales commented on her tweet of the video that the woman in the green shirt, referring to Briscoe, has been identified and has recently worked as a high school teacher. The left has infiltrated the public education system. It is broken beyond repair. Hundreds of other comments piled on, from fat-shaming Briscoe to calling her a sexual predator groomer and child abuser who deserved to have her children taken away. Some tagged Texas Child Protective Services in their comments to alert the agency. Briscoe was upset that Gonzales didnt fully blur the faces of her 11- and 13-year-old children in the video, she told the Star-Telegram. But, her primary concern is that the video was misleading and made it sound as though she was justifying content more explicit than what her kids saw. She posted clips of me over clips of a totally different drag show to make it look worse than what it was, Briscoe said. I dont know what show it was, but it certainly wasnt the one in Dallas that we saw. Specifically, the video shows two people dressed as reindeer simulating sex and a drag queen with a box around her naked prosthetic breasts. She tricked me, Briscoe said. Theyre manipulating the situation to fit their narrative. Gonzales did not respond to a Star-Telegram question about Briscoe saying the video was edited to be misleading. Drag performances particularly those that are open to all ages are increasingly under attack in Texas and across the U.S., from small protests at drag brunches to new state laws targeting drag shows. National candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have made LGBTQ+ issues a top concern, and the topic is often a lead story on conservative cable news. North Texas activists, including Gonzales, are unapologetic about their mission to curtail drag shows, including exposing people who attend. At the time of the December show, Gonzales had recently launched her organization Defend Our Kids Texas in coordination with the pro-family advocacy group Texas Family Project to expose the depravity of the left, according to the organizations website. Gonzales is also the host of The News and Why It Matters on conservative media channel BlazeTV and has appeared on Tucker Carlsons former FOX News show. After the Star-Telegram sought to interview Gonzales for this story, she reposted the December video on Twitter on Thursday, writing that the Star-Telegram was planning a hit piece on her. To be clear, Im not sorry at all, Blair, she added, with her video getting another 90,000 views and counting. Gonzales sent the Star-Telegram a statement saying unidentified people reached out to her after she posted the video expressing their concern about Briscoe teaching children about sexual ideology. I find it troubling that instead of engaging in self-reflection as to why Blair is so keen to sexualize children, she paints herself as the victim, Gonzales said. Briscoe denied this claim, adding that shes a business and finance teacher. The closest her instruction gets to sexual ideology is a lesson about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she said. I have to teach them about business ethics and that not only is it unethical to discriminate in business, its illegal, she said. A Drag Queen Christmas The December show was the eighth consecutive tour of Murray and Peter Present A Drag Queen Christmas, hosted by Nina West, who appeared on the 11th season of the reality competition series RuPauls Drag Race. The tour had stops around the country, including other cities in Texas. Protests outside were organized by Protect Texas Kids, an organization founded by University of North Texas alum Kelly Neidert that seeks to prevent the sexualization of children, she has told the Star-Telegram. Members of extremist groups New Columbia Movement and American Nationalist Initiative joined the protest, along with members of the neo-Nazi Aryan Freedom Network, the Dallas Morning News reported. Counter-protesters included armed members of the Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club. Briscoe said that as she drove up to the venue, some protesters were doing Nazi salutes to the car. My kids were taught a lot of lessons that night that I didnt think I would have to teach them, which is like, what to do in a mass shooting, that our backs need to be up against the wall, find the nearest exits, she said. The protesters did not block the entrance, and the venue was heavily guarded, Briscoe said. Although the scene gave her anxiety, she saw this as an opportunity to teach her children a valuable lesson. At this point, I was like, no, we needed to stand up to bullies, she said. Briscoe and her kids watched the first part of the show and then, during the intermission, left their seats to get snacks. On their way back, they were approached by a woman wearing a blue wig, who Briscoe now knows to be Gonzales. Its been a nightmare Attending an 11 p.m. drag show at a bar or club is a different experience than a drag brunch on a Sunday morning, just like the content in an R-rated movie is different than the latest Pixar flick. Drag performers adapt the content of their shows for the maturity of their audiences, said Todd Camp, founder of YesterQueer, the Fort Worth Gay History Project. Briscoe says Gonzales video blurs that fact. The ease of image and video editing makes for funny memes, but it also makes it simple to create a dishonest image or video to serve a political goal, said Kate Ruane from free expression organization PEN America. Ruane expects manipulated media will become more common with technology. The best way to combat it is to call it out, she said. Since the video posted, Briscoe said, she has become a target of harassment online and in her small, conservative community. She worked as a teacher for nine years before leaving to get her masters degree. She said she had planned to return to the classroom after graduate school. But parents at school know about the video, she said, and it will make her job more challenging. Briscoe also says she fears for the safety of her children. She said she stopped allowing her daughter to walk home from school. Now, I pick her up, she said. Because these people were saying I need to have my kids taken away. So I didnt want somebody to take away my kid. Its been a nightmare, she said. When asked if she has any concerns about the personal fallout for the subjects of her video, Gonzales said she makes no apologies for mentally ill women intent on exposing children to sexual content. Any parent who exposes their children to sexual content should have their children taken away from them, she said. Thats not the law: Legal experts say Trumps new defense shows hes in for a world of trouble Donald TrumpDrew Angerer/Getty Images Former President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that he had the "absolute right" to keep documents after leaving the White House but legal experts say that defense won't hold up in court. Trump, who pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 charges related to his handling of classified documents, has repeatedly claimed that he had the right to take the documents under the Presidential Records Act, which legal experts have refuted. Trump reiterated his defense during a speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's annual conference on Saturday. "Whatever documents a president decides to take with him, he has the absolute right to take them," Trump claimed. Related Experts say Smith's evidence filing is a "display of strength": "Terrifying day" for Trump lawyers "He has the absolute right to keep them or he can give them back to NARA if he wants, he talks to them like we were doing and he can do that if he wants," he added, referring to the National Archives and Records Administration. "That's the law and it couldn't be more clear." Trump: Whatever documents a President decides to take with him, he has the absolute right to take them. He has the absolute right to keep them or he can give them back.. thats the law pic.twitter.com/WaezsyQMUu Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2023 Legal experts rejected Trump's claim. "That's not the law," warned former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Mueller's team. "You knew you had to return the docs, cause multiple lawyers told you that." The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Trump rejected advice from his attorneys to return all of the documents and reach a settlement with the National Archives before the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago residence in August and found over 100 secret documents. Trump instead listened to the advice of Judicial Watch activist Tom Fitton, who is not a lawyer and who told him that he had the right to keep the documents. Related Legal experts: Court filing suggests Jack Smith plans to use Trump's public statements against him "Absolutely nothing about this is true," the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) tweeted in response to Trump's claim. "If this is his defense, he's in for a world of trouble." Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., a former federal prosecutor who served as the lead Democratic counsel in Trump's first impeachment, tweeted that Trump's "argument should be precluded at trial by the judge because it's a false representation of the law." "The Special Counsel will likely move to preclude it and would win that motion with any objective judge," he predicted. Longtime Harvard Law Prof. Laurence Tribe called the former president's defense "ludicrous." "There are only 2 ways for Trump to avoid conviction in the MAL case," he predicted. "Get Judge Cannon to delay trial till a new president pardons him, or get a Florida juror pre-committed to acquit regardless of the facts and the law. His odds look good." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Legal experts previously told Salon that Trump's defense would not fly given the allegations in the indictment. "The records Trump is alleged to have illegally retained are agency records, such as records of the CIA, NSA, and Department of Defense, not presidential records," former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade told Salon. "Trump isn't charged with any violations of the Presidential Records Act," added former Assistant U.S. Attorney William "Widge" Devaney. "Trump is charged with having secret and top secret information, refusing to turn it over, obstructing the government's attempts to turn it over and causing people to lie about those records. I mean, it's really apples and oranges." Read more about the Trump indictment We will not rest: Newton Police boost patrols, hunt for killer after 3 residents slain in home Newton Police are beefing up patrols in city neighborhoods as investigators hunt for the killer or killers after three elderly residents were found fatally stabbed inside their home on Sunday morning. Police are asking the public to remain alert and vigilant and to lock their doors and to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity. As we mourn the victims of this senseless, and violent tragedy we ask all members of our community to remain alert and vigilant, police said in a statement on Monday. Salt-of-the-earth, wonderful people: Priest remembers husband and wife, mother, murdered in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Photos: Police investigating triple homicide in Newton Newton murders Newton murders The Newton Police Department is employing all available resources to ensure our neighborhoods are safe. We continue to supplement each shift with extra officers who will be performing directed patrols, police said. The three victims were identified by their church, Our Lady Help of Christians Church, as Jill and Bruno DAmore and Jills mother, Lucia Arpino. The DAmores were in their 70s and Arpino, 97. Senseless act of violence: Three people slain in Newton home identified by relatives In a letter provided by the church, relatives of the victims said, Jill and Bruno DAmore and Jills mother Lucia Arpino lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. Around 10:14 a.m. Sunday, police conducting a well-being check found the three elderly people stabbed to death inside their home on Broadway Street, in the citys Nonantum neighborhood. A neighbor had called police when the residents didnt arrive at church on Sunday morning. An investigator walks out of a home along Broadway Street, Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Newton, Mass. A couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary were stabbed to death, along with another family member, in what law enforcement officials said was probably a random attack. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via AP) There were signs of forced entry into the home, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan told reporters on Sunday night. Police also found signs of a possible break-in on Brookside Avenue, about a half-mile away from the crime scene, but its unclear if the two are related, Ryan said. Neighbors told Boston 25 News that a couple in their 70s and one of their mothers, a woman in her 90s, lived in the house. The couple slain were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary over the weekend. They were expected to attend Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Sunday morning to renew their wedding vows. The Rev. Dan Riley, pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, remembered the victims on Monday, and called them salt of the earth, wonderful people we all know well. He said the victims were very involved in the church and attended Mass regularly. Jill had taken on the ministry of beautifying our churchs environment. Without a single day of liturgical training she simply followed her heart, caring for the flowers and decorating for the liturgical seasons. She spent endless hours in the care of our church, the letter from the church states. In addition, Bruno was known for his big voice and his exuberant personality and as head chef, he proudly flipped the burgers at the parish picnic, the letter states. And until the pandemic, Lucia never missed a 10 a.m. Mass. For over 60 years she and her husband Alberto sat in the North End section of our church. Lucia will be especially missed on the upcoming Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festa weekend as she faithfully walked in that procession through the streets of Nonantum well into her 90s, the letter states. Many in our faith community are grieving this great loss. We ask for your prayers for them, most especially for their three children and their five grandchildren, the letter states. The killings have rocked the city of Newton, which was ranked as Americas well-being capital of the U.S. earlier this month. The city also says on its website, We have been ranked one of the safest cities in America several times during the last decade. Salt-of-the-earth, wonderful people: Priest remembers husband and wife, mother, murdered in Newton Located seven miles west of downtown Boston, Newton has about 88,817 residents with a land area of about 18 square miles, according to the citys website. The city is bordered by the West Roxbury, Brookline and Allston-Brighton sections of Boston, and by Needham, Wellesley, Weston, Watertown, and Waltham. Newton is comprised of thirteen villages: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Waban, West Newton, and Nonantum, where the killings occurred. Our communitys safety is our #1 priority, police said Monday. If you observe suspicious activity or have information relative to this matter we urge you to call NPD immediately. We will not rest until justice is served for the victims and their families. The victims identities have not yet been released. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The explosion of the Kakhovka HPP reminded us of the security situation around the Zaporizhzhya NPP, which is still controlled by the Russian occupiers Dmytro Gumenyuk, head of the safety analysis department of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, details how exactly the enemy could damage the Zaporizhzhya NPP and the main dangers it would pose. Read also: Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP "extremely fragile, warns IAEA chief The announcement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on June 22 that Russia is prepared to carry out a terrorist act at the occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (ZNPP) caused a great resonance in the country. One of the first organizations to respond was the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, which released its own statement saying that should such an incident occur, people should not begin taking iodine pills. This was very timely, because many Ukrainians had already begun buying potassium iodide tablets and even just iodine in pharmacies throughout the country. To find out more, NV spoke to Dmytro Gumenyuk, head of the Center's security analysis department. NV: Your institution claims that there is no real threat of radioactive iodine entering the body in the event of an accident at the ZNPP, as the plants reactors have been stopped. What in fact are the threats posed by the facility today and the presence of Russian forces there? What dangers the reactors of ZNPP pose, and what problems could arise in the event of an explosion? Gumenyuk: Our center said in a statement not to take potassium iodide tablets or other iodine-containing tablets. Why? Because their main task is to prevent iodine from accumulating in the body. But there are many other radionuclides in the reactor core that have a longer half-life. An incident even at a shutdown reactor would still cause the release of radioactive products into the environment. That is, there will be radioactive contamination. Therefore, the fact that you do not need to take potassium iodide does not mean that there cannot be a radiation emergency. What could happen at the plant? It's hard to predict here, because we don't know what's in the minds of these monkeys with grenades. What are they planning to do? There are many scenarios. Theoretically, we can consider these as the most likely ones: Read also: What will happen if Russia blows up the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant 1) The loss of water from the cooling pond due to the destruction and leakage of water from the Kakhovka reservoir. If there is no water in the cooling pond, and there are no additional actions to replenish the spray pools or systems that cool the equipment that removes heat from the nuclear fuel, it will begin to heat up, and may end up damaged or melted. 2) They somehow damage the line that connects the Zaporizhzhya station to the Ukrainian power grid, meaning that there would be no power for safety systems. It would have to be provided exclusively by generators, which can also fail, and which have a limited amount of fuel. We also don't know if there is a supply of fuel for the generators, or if they (the Russians) have already consumed it or poured it into their tanks and armored vehicles. Usually, the plant operator keeps a minimum fuel reserve enough for 10 days, during which time fuel is delivered, but this is not how the station is designed to operate, and there is a possibility that diesel generators could fail during prolonged operation, or that fuel will run out. In the event of a loss of power supply to the systems that cool the reactor core, they will stop working, and, accordingly, the reactor will be in meltdown. In general, one can say to some extent that it would be an incident like the one at Fukushima. The significant difference is that at Fukushima, the incident happened while the reactor was running, but here the reactors have been in shut down for almost nine months, some since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In this case, the fuel is releasing very little heat, so you need only a bit of water to cool it. All these processes will be stretched for a long time. This is, in short, what could happen at the power plant. Read also: Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP serious but stable, says UN nuclear chief NV: It's not just about spent nuclear fuel, is it? Gumenyuk: No, not only about that. In all six reactors, there is fuel inside which no one has taken out. Moreover, there is also spent nuclear fuel stored in spent fuel pods. Inside the building in which the reactor is located, there is such a large tank in which cartridges with spent nuclear fuel are stored. This fuel also needs to be cooled. There are systems that are designed to cool nuclear fuel for a long time, both in the reactor and in the spent fuel pool, but two main things are needed for this. One is electricity, and the other is cooling water. If there is no electricity or cooling water, then additional steps must be taken to prevent the heating-up of nuclear fuel. These scenarios were previously analyzed by the plants operator, even before the war. An accident with loss of power supply or cooling water was considered in detail after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Additional power units were purchased and equipped with mobile systems and mobile diesel generators which can be connected to the reactor so that the systems can partially work. Mobile motor pumps that can be connected to the equipment, or to the system that cools the fuel in the spent fuel pool, or to those systems that cool the fuel in the reactor. An incident with a loss of power supply or loss of cooling water was considered. There are additional systems that can allow it to be controlled. But we do not know what orders these terrorists have. Will they give permission to turn on the generators, turn on the pumps, and all the rest? It very much depends on what orders this criminal occupying power will give. NV: If, as you say, nuclear fuel starts to heat up and gets into the environment, what types of pollution are we talking about? How strong might this pollution be? Gumenyuk: This will very much depend on how long it lasts. What are the conditions? There could be an incident in one of the reactors, or all six, or in the spent fuel pool, or at six spent fuel pools. But the leaked emissions will be liquid, especially if there is a breach of the protective containment frame (the room in which the reactor is located), as well as aerosol and gaseous emissions. How much pollution there is will also depend on the weather conditions. Unfortunately, in a telephone conversation without detailed analysis, I will not undertake to provide you with forecasts and comments so as to neither horrify nor unreasonably reassure readers. But there would be a threat of radioactive contamination. Depending on the direction of the wind, weather conditions, and the magnitude of the release, this pollution could either be localized in a small area, or it could be transferred to larger areas. NV: In addition to nuclear fuel, what other types of pollution or other substances can enter the environment in the event of an incident? Gumenyuk: At this power plant, the main threat is nuclear fuel. But there is also a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel on site. Containers of it are stored in these large concrete barrels. Their energy release is small, as the concrete offers protection. Under normal conditions, they do not affect the environment and the population in any way. But, again, these animals (Russian troops) could damage them, and this could also be a source of radioactive contamination. In this case, depending on the weather conditions, damaged or spilled fuel could be subsumed in water. This pollution could enter the groundwater or evaporate. But due to the fact that the fuel is stored for quite a long time, the amount of radioactive products there has decreased. It would be, in terms of the magnitude of the release, perhaps less than in the event of an accident at a reactor or in the spent fuel pool. Read also: Ukraine has been shadow-banned over the Kakhovka disaster - opinion NV: Can we imagine what sort of area such a disaster would contaminate? Gumenyuk: I'm not ready to scare people now... You see, an analysis of radiation consequences, as well as protocols for protecting the population, are determined, formed, and refined immediately after an accident occurs. Until then, it is very wrong to say that at best it will be this, or at worst it will be that, because these words will be misinterpreted. Still, I would emphasize that if the staff has the ability, they know what to do, and they have systems that can prevent an accident from occurring. It should be said that there is a chance that there will be no accident even if the cooling pond is damaged or power supply is lost. Read also: Occupying authorities rapidly losing influence as pro-Ukrainian population grows in occupied areas NV: What do all these threats mean for the population, and under what scenarios might questions of immediate evacuation arise? Gumenyuk: Decisions on evacuation, shelter, and restrictions on being outside would be made by the competent authority, namely, if I am not mistaken, the State Emergency Service, based on the results of an assessment of the current state, as well as a forecast of the development of the radiation situation. It is wrong to say now that the population needs to be evacuated, because everything will essentially depend on what happens there. The population needs to listen to the recommendations of the competent authorities, namely the State Emergency Service and the Hydrometeorological Center. They model the movement of radioactive substances and pollution. There is also the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation, which is also a competent body, and has an information crisis center that works 24/7 in case of an accident. It analyzes the current situation, makes forecasts, and provides this information in the form of press releases, including for the media. Read also: No need to take iodine in case of Russian terrorist act at Zaporizhzhya NPP scientists The media, by using information from these authorities, can convey this information to the population, especially those who, unfortunately, are located in the occupied territories. It is definitely not necessary to speculate now, or especially to run out for potassium iodide tablets. 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 NYC will add Diwali as a public school holiday. But there's a catch this year FILE Spectators look on during the Diwali festival at a Times Square celebration, Oct. 7, 2017, in New York. New York City will add the Hindu festival of Diwali to the list of public school holidays in recognition of the growth of the city's South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW YORK (AP) New York City will add the festival of Diwali to the list of public school holidays in recognition of the growth of the city's South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday. Diwali, known as the festival of lights, happens October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. However, this year it falls on Sunday Nov. 12 meaning the 2023-2024 school calendar will not be affected by the change. City officials say more that 200,000 New York City residents celebrate Diwali, which is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists. This is a city thats continuously changing, continuously welcoming communities from all over the world, Adams said in announcing that Diwali will join celebrations including Rosh Hashana and Lunar New Year as a day off for students. Our school calendar must reflect the new reality on the ground. The new holiday will become official if Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, signs a bill passed by the New York state legislature earlier this month making Diwali a public school holiday in New York City. Adams, who pledged to made Diwali a school holiday when he ran for mayor in 2021, said he expects Hochul to sign the bill. The governor's office said Hochul, who hosted a Diwali celebration last fall, is reviewing all of the bills passed by the legislature in 2023. The push for official recognition of Diwali comes as South Asians have gained numbers and clout in New York and nationally. The population of New York City residents categorized as Asian Indian by the Census Bureau has more than doubled in the last three decades, from 94,000 in 1990 to about 213,000 in the 2021 American Community Survey. Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat who represents parts of the New York City borough of Queens, introduced legislation last month to make Diwali a federal holiday. Photo: TikTok A spokesperson for LaGuardia Community College has condemned a clip of a Black graduate who grabbed the microphone from a white educator at a June 21 commencement ceremony. Online creator Kadia Iman, who attended the Queens community college, fought to take the mic after insisting her full name wasnt announced. I want the mic! Let go! You didnt let me get my moment, Iman said into the microphone before telling shocked attendees her full name. Im graduating today. I dont like how you snatched the mic out of my hand, so today is going to be all about me! Iman then drops the microphone and walks off. Read more "You didnt let me get my moment, so I wanna say my name is Kadia Iman, and I am graduating today, I dont like how you snatched the mic out of my hand. So today is going to be all about me" Kadia Iman One day, maybe two or three Karma, is 'going to be all about you' ~mic drop~ pic.twitter.com/Zz9vQsm2q1 TruthInBytes (@HipIsEdo) June 23, 2023 The clip has gone viral on social media, with Iman defending her actions by stating that Black graduates werent being allowed the same time to say their names as white graduates. In a statement, LaGuardia Community College spokesperson Manny Romero said Imans behavior was inexcusable and that they are looking into the incident. 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. Her mistreatment of a staff volunteer was unacceptable. 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 responded to those who criticized her actions at the event on Instagram. To everyone saying I should be embarrassed or Ill never get a job Im a black woman in America. I am always in the right u will not gaslight me into thinking Im the bad guy. I did it for girls that look like me. Love u. Even though some were upset, thousands of commenters applauded how she handled the situation. 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. The U.S. Department of Transportation has given its final signoff on New Yorks controversial plan to charge vehicles entering southern Manhattan, paving the way for work on congestion pricing to begin. The DOTs final approval was signed and delivered to New York State officials on Friday, according to an email from the Federal Highway Administration reviewed by the Daily News. Today, FHWA signed the [finding of no significant impact] and provided it to the NY project sponsors, the missive stated. The signoff marked the conclusion of the federal governments environmental review process an unambiguous green light for New York to begin work on the long-delayed plan. I am proud of the thorough environmental assessment process we conducted, including responding to thousands of comments from community members from across the region, Gov. Hochul said in a statement. With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program. An MTA spokesman declined to comment on Monday. Congestion pricing was approved by the state Legislature in 2019, but it was slow-walked by federal officials during Donald Trumps presidency. The plan began moving forward again after President Biden took office in 2021. Congestion pricing will charge drivers who enter Manhattan at 60th St. or below somewhere between $9 and $23, under the MTAs plan. Among the work left to do is deciding just how much drivers will be charged. The finished DOT report means that the local Traffic Mobility Review Board, tasked with determining how much drivers will have to pay, can begin to meet. MTA spokesman Michael Cortez said Monday that those meetings have not yet been scheduled. But now that the plan has the feds blessing, work is expected to begin on the actual construction of tolling infrastructure. TransCore, the company hired to build the equipment needed to charge drivers, has 310 days to complete the project, under its contract with the MTA. Politicians in New Jersey who argue that their constituents will bear the brunt of the monetary cost as well as experience increased congestion from diverted traffic renewed their criticism on Monday. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has retained attorneys to explore all of our legal options. We anticipate announcing a course of action soon, Murphy spokesman Bailey Lawrence said in a statement. The Federal Highway Administrations decision to green-light the MTAs proposed tolling program marks yet another slight against hardworking New Jerseyans in favor of an agency concerned not with removing vehicles from our roads, but with lining its own coffers, he added. While we are not necessarily opposed to a carefully crafted congestion pricing proposal, we are deeply disappointed by the FHWAs limited review and skeptical of the motives of a financially ailing agency that has failed to meaningfully engage with our administration on this issue. With Tim Balk Occupiers drop a chemical projectile on Ukrainian positions, with wind in their faces Occupiers drop a chemical projectile on Ukrainian positions, with wind in their faces Russian invasion forces dropped a chemical projectile on Ukrainian soldiers but with the wind blowing the chemicals back at them, a military spokesperson for the army in the Tauride sector, Valeriy Shershen, said on national television on June 25. The incident happened near Maryinka in Donetsk Oblast, Shershen said. "A prohibited chemical projectile was reportedly dropped pm a Ukrainian position, an aerosol munition with a suffocating action. (However), the wind was blowing in the enemy's direction," Shershen said. He added that the occupiers tried to advance in Maryinka direction in the past 24 hours with a total of 13 firefights being recorded. Read also: Ukrainian forces repel Russian attack near Avdiivka, despite chemical weapons use Russian troops also conducted artillery fire missions with tanks, multiple rocket launchers and artillery in the past day alone, Shershen said. Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, Heorhiivka, Kurakhivka and Oleksiyivka came under enemy fire. The Ukrainian army repelled allof the enemy assualts and forced them to withdraw. Read also: Italy sends at least 30 M109L self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, media reports Russian occupying troops are still trying to attack in the Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka areas, A total of 29 firefights were recorded in the past 24 hours there. Russia has lost in total over 224,000 of its soldiers since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including 720 in the past day alone, according to counts kept by the Ukrainian military. The Ukrainian defenders destroyed 19 of the enemy's artillery systems in the same period of time. 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 New evidence continues to strongly suggest that OceanGate's submersible, which catastrophically imploded and killed all five passengers on its way to the wreck of the Titanic last week, unfit for the journey. Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, initially agreed to join the June expedition, the Washington Post reports, but backed out at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict. A May dive he was supposed to go on also was canceled due to bad weather. A conversation he had with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush the night before the expedition, however, still haunts him to this day. According to Weissmann, Rush had bought the carbon fiber used to make the Titan "at a big discount from Boeing," because "it was past its shelf life for use in airplanes." In other words, Rush knew that the carbon fiber which is a very poor choice of material for a deepsea vessel, as many experts have pointed out already potentially had flaws that could've played a role in the Titan's tragic demise. It's yet another indication that Rush and OceanGate cut alarming corners in the development of the sub. In fact, experts had been warning them for years that building such a vessel while dismissing any efforts to have it qualified and tested by experts and regulators is a very bad idea. Even after his death Rush himself was on board during last week's implosion the CEO's poor decision-making and rejections of prioritizing safety are starting to come to light. "I responded right away, saying, 'Dont you have any concerns about that?'" Weissmann told the WaPo, recalling his conversation about Rush's decision to use expired carbon fiber for the hull of the Titan. "He was very dismissive and said: 'No, its perfectly fine. Having all these certifications for airplanes is one thing, but the carbon fiber was perfectly sound.'" Unsurprisingly, Boeing has distanced itself from the tragedy, saying that it "was not a partner on the Titan and did not design or build it," as a spokesperson told the newspaper. Interestingly, the company also found "no record of any sale of composite material to OceanGate or its CEO." It's not just Weissmann who was wary of Rush's design decisions. Last week, the New York Times reported that submersibles expert Karl Stanley heard cracking noises during a trip on board the Titan back in April 2019, leading him to send an email to Rush about his concerns. Rush never responded to the email, but made some design changes and built a new hull, according to the report. We'll likely never know with 100 percent certainty what caused the Titan to implode. Experts, however, have conjectured that the spaces where carbon fiber met pieces of titanium may have allowed water to seep in. If there's one silver lining in all of this, it's that the five passengers likely experienced an incredibly quick death and not the drawn-out asphyxiation rescue teams feared last week before their fate became known. "At that depth, you could have a leak thats not much bigger than a diameter of one of your hairs and you would be dead within a fraction of a second," Captain McLaren, a nuclear attack submarine commander, told the NYT. "They really wouldnt have even known they would have died," he added, saying that "they would have been dead before they knew it." More on the tragedy: OceanGate Says Missing Submarine Passengers "Have Sadly Been Lost" The Titan submersible was making a trip to the wreckage of the Titanic when it went missing. The Titan submersible was making a trip to the wreckage of the Titanic when it went missing. Its been four days since the Titan submersible, in which five people sought to plumb the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to view the remains of the RMS Titanic, was declared lost. A catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber took out the Titan as it was headed 12,000 feet below sea level. As a huge fan of James Camerons 1989 film The Abyss, this was the result I expected as the media spent days counting down the subs backup air supply. (Apparently, the U.S. Navy knew there was evidence of an implosion all along.) The discovery of broken Titan parts capped off four days of intrigue, fear, lessons about hydrostatic pressure, eerily ironic ancestry, cheap aftermarket video game controllers, a legendary run of memes (more on that later) and, somehow, Cardi B. This story has everything, short of a plucky love interest. Unless were counting the OnlyFans model whos friends with passenger Hamish Hardings stepson. Every news or news-adjacent site published something on the sub; social media was ablaze with conjecture, conspiracy theories and general disbelief. Articles about the whys and wherefores of the expedition stayed on landing pages through the weekend, unseated only by the Wagner insurrection in Russia. Why five people suffered the most needless deaths Ive seen in some time distills to a single word: Hubris. The story of the Titan disaster certainly coming to a theater or streaming service near you is a great case study for the nature of humans from disparate backgrounds in the 21st century. Hopefully Malcolm Gladwell will write an exhaustive essay on it all, but I only wish to explore it from three angles. The first is how we all approached the news. Black Twitter, in particular, showed out with meme after meme making fun of the whole affair. Never have I witnessed so many people bargain with their god to avoid hell for laughing at something. For every meme, there was a post castigating us for joking about the untimely deaths of innocent people with families. As my guy Corey noted, theres an empathy gap at play. At least two of the five deceased men were billionaires; most humans cant put hands on the $250,000 the trip cost each person, and the vast majority of us would use that money for anything else in the world outside of crawling inside a minivan-sized tube we cant stand up in with four other dudes to see the remains of a ship that sunk 111 years ago through a peephole a bit over a foot tall. Its not that everyone became heartless, sociopathic assholes overnight. Its that the very concept of the trip itself and the decisions these men made are so risible and removed from the reality of the proletariat especially among Black folks, who already have a touchy relationship with large bodies of water that any need for sensitivity was trumped by the sheer necessity of jokes. No one wanted this end result, but its tough to find empathy for these wealthy and highly educated men who stepped in that sub given the information they had. Save, perhaps, for 19-year-old Suleman Dawood. He allegedly didnt want to go but agreed to accompany his Titanic-obsessed father, Shahzada Dawood, because of Fathers Day. Some folks understandably have trouble applying the word tragedy to the implosion, but that the teenage son died to please his billionaire dad is handily the storys biggest tragedy. (In contrast, the funniest part of the story is Brian Szasz, stepson of billionaire Harding. He attended a Blink-182 concert, flirted with an OnlyFans model on Twitter and beefed with Cardi B during the search. Dude wasnt gonna let his missing stepdad get in the way of his plans.) The second issue is the skewed level of attention paid to the missing sub and the scale of the search. Multiple countries threw resources into the rescue, including the U.S. Coast Guard. When they heard knocking from under the ocean (as it turns out, likely well after the implosion), they dedicated even more machines to scouring an area of the North Atlantic twice the size of Connecticut. Though the families of missing billionaires could certainly cover it, the millions of dollars the search cost will fall to taxpayers. Even in death, billionaires manage to screw us over. In contrast, it took the incident for many of us to even learn about the fishing boat full of migrants that sank in the Mediterranean off the coast of Greece on June 14. Because the Greek Coast Guard didnt intervene, more than 200 people perished mostly Palestinian, Syrian and Egyptian men fleeing their countries for a better life. Western media outlets spilled comparably little ink on the fishing boat, and one can only imagine that the search and rescue conducted for a bunch of poor brown people was likely dwarfed by the one for five wildly rich thrill-seekers three of them white Westerners. This leads me to my last point: This event did not help stem the tide of general contempt toward billionaires. It seems that people with more dollars than sense are inclined to remove themselves from the mortal coil in the name of excitement. All I can recall of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and John Denver is that they both checked out after piloting airplanes that neither of them shouldve been flying for various reasons. Billionaire overlords Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos recently engaged in a friendly challenge to be the first to get their own rockets into space a cockfight designed only for people for whom credit ratings dont matter. The rockets made it, and the stupid-rich are in lineto take future flights. But the Titan survived its first voyages as well; with billionaire egomaniacs at the helm, I expect luck to run dry at some point. (I wouldnt take Elon Musk SpaceX rocket to the corner store.) Indeed, theres no shortage of articles detailing all the ways in which OceanGate CEO and co-founder Stockton Rush purposely cut corners and ignored safety issues. In 2018, OceanGate fired engineer and sub pilot David Lochridge for throwing up flags regarding the subs construction not being sufficient for the depth in which it was meant to travel. It turns out that building the whole vessel with carbon fiber (allegedly from decommissioned Boeing planes) was never a good idea, and is likely the catalyst for the implosion. Considering Rush said in a 2021 interview, Youre remembered for the rules you break, he pretty much got off easy by going down with his ship. Cameron, who directed the 1997 blockbuster Titanic and has made multiple dives to the wreckage, didnt mince words in blaming Rush and the OceanGate staff for allowing the tragedy to happen. 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. Im sure the Titan disaster will end the 14-year-old OceanGate company, but considering the victims pretty much signed their lives away, the families will likely encounter challenges if they attempt to sue. So many lessons to take from the week of submersible drama, but Im sure well all simply move on and keep chuckling at the memes as we await the deaths of the five men to be commodified in a documentary or Lifetime film. Or both. I just wonder if Cardi B will play herself. A job advert posted by the company that operated the doomed Titanic submersible that imploded last week in the Atlantic Ocean has sparked backlash on social media. TikTok users have hit out at the since-deleted job posting by embattled OceanGate Expeditions, following the tragedy that killed all five of its passengers. According to the advertising featured on the companys website and on Indeed, OceanGate was accepting applicants for a sub pilot position. The company noted that it had an urgent opening and was looking for committed individuals with a combination of strong mechanical and interpersonal skills, and experience working with submersibles and boats as well as operating complex systems to support dive operations, Insider reported. Among other requirements, applicants were asked to be comfortable in a confined space and be able to fit through a 28-inch diameter ring. OceanGate not only hosted tours to the wreck of the Titanic, but also to the Azores Archipelago in Portugal and to the Bahamas. One pilot, one content expert and three mission specialists or fee-paying passengers without any previous experience needed participated in every dive, according to the companys website. The post was removed sometime on Friday, a day after the US Coast Guard confirmed that the vessels chambers were found 1,600ft from the wreck of the Titanic on the ocean floor, but not without being noticed by furious sleuths that criticised the timing. Remember when everyone was saying Dont kill yourself for a job that would replace you within two weeks? one user commented on a TikTok, while another argued, It was a scheduled post. thats how our job engine works... Although it is unclear when the job posting went up, it was likely well before OceanGate made international headlines as its sub vanished. However, TikTok users argued that the company should have been cautious enough to remove the posting as a four-day frantic search for the submersible unfolded. It comes amid reports that OceanGate closed its headquarters in Everett, Washington State, following the Titans implosion, which killed CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman Dawood. OceanGates leasing agent said in a statement to The Seattle Times that the company would be closing indefinitely. This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site (OceanGate Expeditions) The US Coast Guard has announced investigations into the circumstances that led to the vessels malfunction. Canadian officials also revealed on Saturday that audio and commands between the Titan and its mothership Polar Prince will be analysed as part of their probe. The chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Kathy Fox, said that the motherships crew was interviewed to collect information from the vessels voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information, according to CNN. The investigations come after the BBC reported that emails from Mr Rush showed he had dismissed safety concerns over the Titan submersible. In the exchanges with deep-sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum, OceanGates chief executive said he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by a former OceanGate employee in 2018 and obtained by The New Republic listed visible flaws with the vessel that were reportedly ignored by senior management. Submarine experts had also signed a letter expressing unanimous concern with the companys decision not to seek outside evaluation and testing before bringing passengers down to the Titanic. The Independent has contacted OceanGate for comment on the allegations. Officials say they can't win a murder case in shooting death of Florida mother who came to neighbor's door Officials say they can't win a murder case in shooting death of Florida mother who came to neighbor's door Prosecutors said Monday they have "insufficient" evidence to make a murder case against the white Florida woman accused of fatally shooting her Black neighbor through a door. Susan Louise Lorincz will be prosecuted for manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault in the death of Ajike "AJ" Owens, according to State Attorney William Bill Gladson. The burden for a second-degree murder charge requires prosecutors to prove "beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt, the existence of a depraved mind toward the victim at the time of the killing," Gladson said in a statement. "Depraved mind requires evidence of hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward the victim at the time of the killing," he said. "As deplorable as the defendants actions were in this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove this specific and required element of second-degree murder." Lorincz could face up to 30 years behind bars if convicted. Ajike Lorincz, 58, had a long-standing neighborhood feud with Owens about the mother's children playing in a field near Lorincz's home, the Marion County Sheriffs Office has said. That feud culminated June 2, when authorities said Lorincz shot Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four, through a closed door in Ocala. Lorincz's defense lawyer declined to comment Monday. "The family is devastated, but it's something I tried to prepare them for," said Anthony Thomas, the attorney representing the victim's family. "We are disappointed. The state attorney did a good job with explaining to us that he always thought it was a manslaughter case. But then he gave us some air of hope (of a murder charge) of 'Well, there's some more evidence I need to look at.' So it gave them some hope, but I thought that hope was false." Susan Louise Lorincz (Marion County Sheriff's Office) Thomas said he appreciated the high burden needed to make a murder case but still accused Gladson of "playing it safe" with the "slam dunk" manslaughter charge. Thomas cited the long history between Lorincz and Owens as evidence that could have win a murder conviction. "It's not like this was their first encounter," he said. "This was a series of events. She knew who Ajike was, and she knew who her children were." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Offset and Quavo reunite at BET Awards to pay tribute to late Migos member Takeoff (Getty Images for BET) Migoss Offset and Quavo reunited at the BET Awards to pay tribute to Takeoff. In a surprise performance, both Georgia-born rappers took the stage at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday 25 June to pay tribute to their brother who was shot dead in Houston last year. Offset and Quavo appeared on the stage with a backdrop of a space shuttle that took off before an image of Takeoff took over. The rappers, whove had differences in the past, started off their performance with Bad N Boujee to pay homage to their late brother. Offset and Quavo did not address the crowd, except to shout Take! Soon after the performance ended, Offset and Quavo posted a clip of the performance on Instagram, writing: Do this s*** for the fam cuz this s*** bigger than me. In his own post, Quavo added: For the Rocket. Many fans are calling Migos and Offsets performance iconic. Man, I been waiting on this. I literally had goosebumps. Man Takeoff would be proud bro! one fan wrote. Another person added: This right here was for the Kulture, and it made me soooo happy. Long Live, Takeoff. One person wrote: Truly one of the best moments of 2023. Glad to see these dudes come back together. Quavo and Offset reunite at the #BETAwards for a performance honoring the late Takeoff: pic.twitter.com/3MWgL6XrqI philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 26, 2023 The hip-hop community needed to see this reconciliation, one fan wrote. Another added: The way this has made me so emotional. Love that they finally came together for Takeoff like this! Takeoff and Offset formed hip-hop trio Migos with Takeoffs uncle Quavo in 2008. They rose to prominence from 2013 onwards, eventually topping US charts with their 2016 single Bad and Boujee. Shortly after Takeoffs death, Quavo honoured his nephew in an emotional Instagram post, writing: You are our angel. He later released a new song, Without You, as a tribute to Takeoff. A funeral was held for the dead infant discovered in a garbage truck in central Ohio. >> TRENDING: Missing Ohio man found dead in northeastern lake News Center 7 previously reported that an newly born baby girl, with an umbilical cord still attached, was found dumped and dead inside a garbage truck in Plain City at Bluestem Lane, where the waste company was located. A preliminary investigation found that the baby was a full-term newborn, from zero to 1-month-old. The infant was pronounced dead at 2:33 p.m. and was transported to Montgomery County Coroners Office where an autopsy was scheduled. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dead baby in garbage truck still had umbilical cord attached, report finds More than 100 people attended the funeral for the newborn baby. The funeral was held at Ferguson Funeral Home, WBNS reported. The number of guests who attended the funeral for a baby that did not even have a name did not surprise some. From officials to community members, they resonated the same understanding of community support and needs during unfortunate times. It wasnt a shock to me that so many people showed up today, because in times of need, Plain City has always been that way, Plain City Police Chief Dale McKee said. Its such a shame that things like this have to happen, but its encouraging and inspiring to see all of the support coming from the community, Ray Stutzman, a Plain City resident, said. Although the newborn baby did not have an official name, the community bestowed a name upon her. Since the infant was discovered in Madison County, community leaders named the baby Madison Baby Doe. Community members also donated funds to pay for the funeral. Ferguson Funeral Home and Forest Grove Cemetery provided some of the services at no charge. The babys cause of death remained unknown at this time. Investigators waited for the final autopsy report from the Montgomery County Coroners Office. Anyone with information related to the investigation was asked to contact police at 614-873-2921. Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens (left) and Senate President Matt Huffman. House Republican leadership is struggling to find GOP votes for Ohio's operating budget and told Senate negotiators they need several changes to keep Democratic support, according to four high-ranking Senate sources. "That's exactly what they said," said one official familiar with the conversation who spoke on the condition they not be identified. Earlier story: Income and sales tax cuts part of massive Ohio budget passed by House House Republican leadership denied it, saying the impasse is over priorities, not votes. But as the June 30 deadline looms, the two sides don't appear to be negotiating and Gov. Mike DeWine wants both chambers to come to a deal quickly. "The legislative parties need to return to the bargaining table and keep working... ," DeWine said in a statement Monday. "Schools, local governments, and all Ohioans need this budget done on time to keep Ohio's economy growing." Differences between House and Senate Ohio's two-year operating budget impacts everything from teacher salaries and public school funding to income tax bills and Medicaid reimbursement rates. And the state is in the enviable position of being flush with cash this fiscal year. Ohio took in more money than it spent for the last fiscal year. Federal COVID relief dollars are still being allocated, and the budget forecast looks pretty solid. But House and Senate Republicans, who control both chambers, disagreed on how much the state should spend and how much they should return to taxpayers. The House passed a bipartisan budget with middle-class tax cuts and significant increases to social services like subsidized childcare, paid maternity leave for state workers, free school lunches and food banks. The Senate took a decidedly more conservative approach, passing one of the biggest tax cuts in state history while creating universal eligibility for school vouchers. More: Ohio Senate passes budget. What does it mean for education, taxes and other issues? Senate Republicans also put two major pieces of education policy into their budget: One that will give the governor control of K-12 education and the other that would attempt to stomp out perceived liberal bias on college campuses. "We are worlds apart," Sen. Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, told reporters. Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, thought GOP lawmakers could resolve their differences and pass a budget before June 30. So, he was surprised to see the House Rules and Reference Committee vote for a one-week extension Monday afternoon. The stop-gap legislation would cover the state's bills after this fiscal year ends. "We have all this stuff lying on the table waiting for the House to respond, and their answer is, 'Forget it, we will never get it out this week,'" Huffman said. "It makes sense if they do have fractures in their caucus. But we're not going to agree to things so they can get Democrats in the House to vote for it." Why the delay? To understand the GOP divide Huffman referenced, you have to go back to January 3 when House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, took the speaker's gavel in an opening day surprise. Republicans chose Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova, as their next leader in an unofficial vote in December, but 22 Republicans joined with Democrats to elect Stephens instead. It was a move that triggered ongoing divisions between those who supported Stepehens and those who backed Merrin. Eighteen Republicans voted against the House budget in April, saying it was "small ball" when the GOP held 67 of the chamber's 99 seats. "We were told we just couldnt do a bigger tax cut. We couldnt do more school choice," Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, said. Then, the Senate did both, and he voted to take their version instead of going to negotiations. Twenty-two other Republicans also voted to concur. "Its not hard to get Republican votes for a Republican budget," Stewart said. "The idea that we are going to go into July to fight for democratic priorities, I dont think is going to sit right for many Republicans." Stephens didn't respond to a request for comment, but Republican budget lead Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, said GOP votes aren't the issue. "I said no such thing," he said in a statement. "Throughout these negotiations, I have taken my role as Chairman of the Finance Committee very seriously, fighting for the priorities of the Ohio House. We were elected to represent the people of Ohio and will not hand over our responsibility to the Senate." Senate Republican spokesman John Fortney said he wanted to know what the hold-up was then. "Republican voters would be surprised to learn," Fortney said, "that a supermajority of House Republicans would rather support a radical Democrat budget instead of a balanced budget that supports record tax relief and the educational choices of parents for their children." Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Budget talks stall as House, Senate Republicans fail to agree A judge ordered a 54-year-old Ohio man to serve time in prison after being found guilty of robbing a bank in Carolina Beach in 2020. A 54-year-old Ohio man was sentenced to serve time in prison in connection with robbing a First Citizens Bank in Carolina Beach in 2020. According to a news release from District Attorney Ben David, Charles Lee Pingley pleaded guilty in New Hanover County Superior Court on Monday for armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 13 years and ordered to pay back all the stolen money. According to the release, Pingley robbed the bank at 612 N. Lake Park Blvd. on Oct. 6, 2020, just before 11:30 a.m. The branch has since been closed. He entered the bank masked, which was common and often required during the pandemic, and he was wearing gloves. Pingley placed an object that was wrapped up on the counter, which made a clanking sound the employees perceived to be a firearm. Pingley handed the teller a bag and ordered her to empty her cash drawer into the bag and then directed another teller to do the same. Pingley took $15,144. The Carolina Beach Police Department conducted an investigation, which identified Pingley as the offender. Pingley later robbed two banks in Tennessee. After his arrest for robbing the bank in Carolina Beach, Pingley was transferred into federal custody. Pingley was convicted of the two armed robberies in federal court in Tennessee in March of this year. The U.S. Marshals Service transported Pingley to Wilmington this month to face his New Hanover County charges. STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest news by signing up for the StarNews newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram. Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Ohio man sentenced in robbery of First Citizens Bank in Carolina Beach Ohio mom charged in death of toddler left alone for 10 days, prosecutors say In this booking photo provided by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department, is Kristel Candelario, 31, of Cleveland, Ohio. Prosecutors in Ohio have announced murder charges against a woman in the death of her 16-month-old daughter, who authorities allege was left alone for 10 days while she went on vacation. (Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) CLEVELAND (AP) Prosecutors in Ohio have announced murder charges against a woman in the death of her 16-month-old daughter, who authorities say was left alone for 10 days while the woman went on vacation. The Cuyahoga County prosecutors office said Monday that Kristel A. Candelario, 31, was indicted last week on one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and one count each of felonious assault and endangering children. Prosecutors alleged that Candelario left the child alone and unattended at her Cleveland home June 6 to vacation in Detroit and Puerto Rico and didnt return until the morning of June 16. Authorities say she called police after finding the child unresponsive upon her return. Cleveland police and fire personnel responded and the victim, who was described as extremely dehydrated, was pronounced deceased. It is unfathomable that a mother would leave her 16-month-old child alone without any supervision for 10 days to go on a vacation, Prosecutor Michael OMalley said in a statement. As parents, we are supposed to protect and care for our children, O'Malley wrote. Imagining this childs suffering, during her last days of life alone, is truly horrifying and we will do everything in our power to seek justice on her behalf. Its unclear whether Candelario has an attorney. Court records did not list an attorney for her and the county public defenders office said Friday that it was not, as of that point, representing her. In this grab taken from video, workers stand by a container to collect oil spill waste, in Ogoniland, Nigeria, June 16, 2023. An oil spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has contaminated farmland and a river. It's upended livelihoods in the fishing and farming communities of part of the Niger Delta, which has long endured environmental pollution caused by the oil industry. (AP Photo) ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) A new oil spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has contaminated farmland and a river, upending livelihoods in the fishing and farming communities in part of the Niger Delta, which has long endured environmental pollution caused by the oil industry. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, or NOSDRA, told The Associated Press that the spill came from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell that crosses through communities in the Eleme area of Ogoniland, a region where the London-based energy giant has faced decadeslong local pushback to its oil exploration. The volume of oil spilled has not been determined, but activists have published images of polluted farmland, water surfaces blighted by oil sheens and dead fish mired in sticky crude. While spills are frequent in the region due to vandalism from oil thieves and a lack of maintenance to pipelines, according to the U.N. Environmental Program, activists call this a major one. It is one of the worst in the last 16 years in Ogoniland," said Fyneface Dumnamene, an environmental activist whose nonproft monitors spills in the Delta region. It began June 11. It lasted for over a week, bursts into Okulu River which adjoins other rivers and ultimately empties into the Atlantic Ocean and affects several communities and displaces more than 300 fishers, said Dumnamene of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre. He said tides have sent oil sheens about 10 kilometers (6 miles) further to creeks near the nations oil business capital, Port Harcourt. Shell stopped production in Ogoniland more than 20 years ago amid deadly unrest from residents protesting environmental damage, but the Trans-Niger Pipeline still sends crude from oil fields in other areas through the region's communities to export terminals. The leak has been contained, but treating the fallout from the spill at farms and the Okulu River, which runs through communities, has stalled, NOSDRA Director General Idris Musa said. Response has been delayed, Musa said, blaming protesting residents. But engagement is going on. The apparent deadlock stems from mistrust and past grievances in the riverine and oil-abundant Niger Delta region, which is mostly home to minority ethnic groups who accuse the Nigerian government of marginalization. Africas largest economy overwhelmingly depends on the Niger Deltas oil resources for its earnings, but pollution from that production has denied residents access to clean water, hurt farming and fishing, and heightened the risk of violence, activists say. The communities are very angry because of the destruction of their livelihoods resulting from the obsoleteness of Shells equipment and are concerned the regulator and Shell will blame sabotage by the residents, Dumnamene said. Often oil companies blame pipeline vandalism by oil thieves or aggrieved young people in affected communities for spills, which could allow the companies to avoid liability. London-based Shell said it is working with a joint investigatory team, consisting of regulators, Ogoniland residents and local authorities, to identify the cause and impact of the spill. Shell's response team has been activated, subject to safety requirements, to mobilize to the site to take actions that may be necessary for the safety of environment, people and equipment, a company statement said. NOSDRA confirmed the joint investigation, but a cause of the spill whether sabotage or equipment failure has not yet been revealed. Hundreds of farmers and fishermen who have been cut off from their livelihoods would insist on restoration of the environment and then compensation, Dumnamene said. At the request of the Nigerian government, the U.N. Environment Program conducted an independent environmental assessment of Ogoniland, releasing a report in 2011 that criticized Shell and the Nigerian government for 50 years of pollution and recommended a comprehensive, billion-dollar cleanup. While, the government announced the cleanup in 2016, there is little evidence of restoration on the ground. The government says community protests and lawsuits by local activists have hampered progress. A credible cleanup would have been a beacon of hope for the Niger Delta and other areas in Africa that have suffered oil pollution, but no credible cleanup is ongoing, said Ledum Mitee, a veteran Ogoni environmental activist and former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People. It is a cover-up, and we do not see the impact. ___ 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. Theodore Roosevelt III. (Library of Congress) Landing at D-Day required insane bravery. Soldiers knew long before the day that naval artillery would be screaming past them as they waded through 45-degree water toward machine gun nests while under pre-registered artillery fire. So what would it take for a 56-year-old man to demand to land in the first wave? With his cane? A Roosevelt. It would take a Roosevelt. Specifically, it took Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt III, whose son also landed that day. And he earned a Medal of Honor for his actions and promotion to major general and division command. The audacity of Theodore Roosevelt III Theo the III was often known as Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. since he was the eldest son of the famous president. He joined the Army as America entered World War I and quickly rose to lieutenant colonel and led a regiment in battle. He continued a reserve military career and returned to politics after the war, making him an influential member of his influential family. When America prepared for World War II, he quickly volunteered to return to military service in April 1941 despite being 53 at the time. He served in Africa and earned his third and fourth silver stars at the Battle of Kasserine Pass. Gen. George S. Patton would later write to Roosevelt's wife, "He was one of the bravest men I ever knew." So, by D-Day, Theo III was a bonafide legend with a lot of political heft to boot. And he was a deputy commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division. And so the 56-year-old went to his boss and asked to land with the first wave of troops. It would make him the oldest man and only general to land in the first wave. His commanding general, Maj. Gen. Barton promptly said no. Roosevelt asked again while intimating that he would reach out to his cousin, President Franklin D. Roosevelt if he had to. Barton was still reluctant, but when Theo sent a request in writing, he acquiesced. Pretty audacious of Roosevelt, if you ask me. Barton later said, "When I bade him goodbye in England, I never expected to see him again alive." Roosevelt at Utah Beach The old man of D-Day did, indeed, land with the first wave, and he needed a cane to make it up the beach. But when he got there, he was quite glad he made the trip. Confusion with the landings made it clear that the pre-invasion plan didn't actually work. So, under fire and in the moment, Roosevelt changed the plan on the fly and began personally linking up with platoons as they disembarked and led them into the positions he wanted them. He made the trip from the shore up the beach over and over, returning to the water as a new wave of American troops neared and then moving forward with them. Other generals later credited Roosevelt with making Utah Beach more successful. Barton, the division commander, was shocked to find Roosevelt alive but grateful for his actions. Barton soon had to do something similar, directing traffic off the beach amidst serious traffic jams. And Omar Bradley, after the war, said that Roosevelt's work at Utah Beach was the bravest thing he had ever seen. Roosevelt was recommended for a Distinguished Service Cross, promotion to major general, and division command. But he died of a sudden heart attack on July 12, 1944, right before he received the news. His Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to a Medal of Honor. Growing up, Maria Aurelio would follow her dad, a physical therapist, around his work in the Philippines, talking to his patients and learning about different research stories. Seeing him form one-on-one relationships with the people he cared for sparked her interest in the field. Aurelio and her family immigrated to the U.S. when she was 7, and her passion continued to grow. While she attended Olympia High School, she volunteered with Panorama Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center, playing violin for patients. It was so inspiring to see my parents work in the field, and I knew it was something I wanted to do as well, she said. But as her interest grew, she also became more aware of problems in the healthcare sphere. A history class she took in her junior year discussed gender inequity in the industry, where she learned about glaring disparities in pay. When the World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest, hosted by Population Connection, came up on her Instagram feed, she said she felt immediately drawn to its mission and topics. This year, the contest asked students around the world to create a solutions-oriented 60-second short on climate change, waste or gender equality. Aurelio took the opportunity to look more into sexism and build on her previous learning. In May, she learned that her video, focused on closing the gender gap in labor equality, had won first prize overall. The competition started in 2011, and its requests for short videos have become a tradition for Population Connection, said Barbara Huth, the online learning manager. While the 60-second time limit is a big challenge for many students, the rule is enforced so that students have to think about what information is most important to share. It proves that you really understand it if youre able to communicate your message in a minute or less, Huth said. The video needs to be memorable and creative. Aurelios creativity was one thing that Huth said judges who Population Connection selects based on their expertise in the field noticed instantly. The video is structured so that it runs in a full circle, opening and closing with a quick story line. Sally sells seashells by the seashore, the video starts, But what if I tell you Sally sells 77 cents for every sand dollar Samuel sells? After she came up with the framing for the video, Aurelio said everything fell into place. She incorporated her research on challenges in womens labor and her proposed solutions before concluding on a hopeful note, illustrating a world where Sallys and Samuels seashells are worth an equal amount. Though Aurelio wasnt able to incorporate all of her research into her video, she was happy to learn about new ways healthcare would ultimately become more accessible, and examine other perspectives while developing her own solution. The solution she developed centered around the U.S.s failure to provide paid leave for parents. In her video, she proposes adopting a gender neutral policy for paid parental, family, medical and sick leave. A lot of the time I think people really talk about the problem, but not the actual solution to the problem, she said. It was cool to see how several people think about this issue and suggest several different strategies to combat it. The judging team was impressed by Aurelios strong solution, clear explanations and the videos overall quality, Huth said. The fulfillment of these criteria, combined with her clever structuring, made it stand out to everyone, she said. After Aurelio found out about her first place win during a physics class, she excitedly told her friends and family. She plans to put the $1,200 in prize money toward her education: She will attend Cornell University in the fall, where she intends to explore neuroscience and biology. In the future, she hopes to become a psychiatrist, following in her familys footsteps. I definitely want to continue work in the equity sphere because this is a topic that has been really important to me and intersects a lot with what I want to do in the future, Aurelio said. I dont think I can be a good physician if I dont know these problems that are really impacting every individual that I might be talking to. The Omaha Star, Omahas oldest Black-owned newspaper, is now owned by a Black woman named Terri Sanders. According to NBC 6 News, Sanders is the fifth Black woman to take charge of The Omaha Star but the first to have sole ownership. This is more than surreal this has been a dream for a long time, Sanders said. She is following in the footsteps of the newspapers founders: Mildred Brown, Marguerita Washington, and two other African-American women as the papers leaders. Phyllis Hicks was the publisher, as was Frankie Williams. And I am No. 5, she said. I knew Mrs. Mildred Brown was a little girl growing up in Omaha. I knew what she represented and believed in it. Future Plans for The Omaha Star The Omaha Star is the only Black newspaper in the state of Nebraska. For the past 85 years, it has focused on positive news in the North Omaha area the good news often overlooked by mainstream media. In addition, the newspaper has maintained the legacy of Black leaders. These are all things Sanders will continue to uphold. Im a native Omahan, and I understand the importance of The Omaha Star, the relevance of The Omaha Star. And this year, on July 9th, will make 85 years of publishing; and I want to see that legacy continue into the future, Sanders said. And although she does plan on making some changes to the newspaper, the paper will continuously operate in the North Omaha community. One change Sanders wants to make involves turning the newsroom in the historic building into a memorial that honors the papers founder. We want to turn the part of the building where were standing now into a museum a museum dedicated to Mildred Brown, the Black newspaper, and Black journalism. She also wants to establish a larger digital footprint for the newspaper. The post Omahas Oldest Black-Owned Newspaper Now Owned by Black Woman appeared first on 21Ninety. OnPolitics: Ron DeSantis unveils border plan. Is it enough to beat Trump? Hey there, OnPolitics readers. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is ramping up his rhetoric in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. While unveiling his border security plan, DeSantis amped up his critiques of former President Donald Trump, who remains the GOP front-runner. A hit on Trump: DeSantis appeared to criticized Trump during a speech in south Texas, saying that leaders of "both parties" are always "chirping" about problems on the border, but "never getting the job done." DeSantis' immigration agenda: While the Florida governor agrees with Trump on many immigration policies, including ending birthright citizenship, he also proposed items he thinks Trump left undone. DeSantis included the completion of the border wall with Mexico and more aggressive moves against drug cartels in his policy plan. The bottom line: Before DeSantis can run against President Joe Biden, he has to catch Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. As DeSantis gave his border speech on this morning, the Real Clear Politics website's average of polls put DeSantis at 21.5% among potential Republican voters, well behind Trump at 52.1%. Keep reading: DeSantis immigration plan would end birthright citizenship, finish border wall and counter Biden, Trump This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeSantis' immigration plan: End birthright citizenship, complete wall My queerness and my addiction to alcohol flourished in a tiny bar tucked in San Franciscos Castro district. Bathed in blue neon light, this establishment was where I first came out as gender nonbinary, where I celebrated birthdays, holidays, New Years Eve, Pride month, and where my partner Liam and I spent our wedding night. Billy Lezra - Billy Lezra I was in my mid-20s and I thought I was drinking and partying because I was having fun, which I was. This glittering bar was the home Id always wished for. Feeling like I belonged, wholly, was more addictive than the alcohol itself. But eventually, the fun soured. Once the first shot of tequila hit my bloodstream, I became bottomless: Nothing was ever enough. All the lacerating emotions I drank to avoid rage, grief, shame, fear gurgled to the surface. Id pick fights with Liam and wake up the next morning, clammy and nauseous, trying to recall the wounds Id inflicted, trying to say I was sorry in a way that sounded different from all the apologies Id offered before. The pandemic exploded at the height of my addiction. The bars owners hammered wooden boards over its windows and everyone retreated indoors. The lockdowns solitude stripped my drinking of its social disguise: Without the blue neon lights, the music, the crowd, my habit revealed itself as a condition that was destroying my body, mind and marriage. On the one hand, I couldnt imagine life without intoxication. On the other hand, I couldnt keep drinking and create a meaningful life. With support from Liam and a therapist, I quit. Now, at 30, I am two and a half years sober from alcohol and 10 months sober from recreational drugs. Liam and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary. My old haunts in San Francisco have reopened and are bursting with Pride parties all month. Part of me wants to return for old times sake, but I also know that being there wont feel the same because Im not the same. Im homesick for spaces that arent safe for me anymore. Participating in some of the vibrant ways my community celebrates itself puts my sobriety at risk. Engaging in what used to be my favorite experiences queer nightlife in glittering bars requires silencing the self that fights to stay sober. I wish I were the kind of person who found it easy to abstain when in the presence of alcohol, but for now, I am not. However, when I am in sober spaces, my queerness often feels invisible because straight people dominate most environments, including these. As a queer nonbinary person, my lived experience makes me a minority, which means I have fewer opportunities to articulate the nuanced way my queerness and my substance use were interrelated. Part of what fueled my addiction was a deep sense of isolation rooted in an estrangement from my nuclear family my queerness directly informed this estrangement. I cannot meaningfully discuss this reality with people who may have never faced rejection based on their intrinsic identity. It is like trying to explain the sensation of water to someone who has never gone swimming: You have to feel it to know it. When I expressed this conflict to my therapist, she read me a quote by writer and journalist Johann Hari: The opposite of addiction isnt sobriety its connection. Through this framework, I began to understand the importance of finding and building a community that reflects me, in order to recover. Queer and sober spaces certainly exist. In San Francisco, you can drink cappuccinos, eat sandwiches and attend a range of events and 12-step meetings at The Castro Country Club. In Asheville, you can visit Firestorm, a collectively-owned, queer, feminist bookstore and community space that is welcoming, sober, and anti-oppressive. Pride also offers options for those of us in recovery. This year, the Twin Cities hosted their third annual Sober Pride. Denver Pride threw a sober party. New York City had an alcohol-free cruise. Knowing that these options exist helps me trust that I belong as I am because, ultimately, Pride is a visible protest that celebrates life as a record-number of bills targeting the LGBTQ community are being discussed in state legislatures across the country. And this celebration can take many different forms. Preserving all spaces in which queer people feel at home is essential and includes supporting and continuing to create spaces for queer folks who cant or dont want to drink. Sobriety and queerness are both lived experiences that challenge dominant structures. To be queer in a world that hunts queerness, to be sober in a society that glorifies drinking, is to challenge normative impositions. Anyone who defies any norm knows isolation and sometimes faces (intense) discrimination. The antidote to isolation is representation: When we are among people whose lives mirror our own, we feel less alone. Representation is limitless; there is never enough. In the past month, Ive found and supported sober Pride events, online and in-person, hosted tiny dinner parties and served tea and juices. My friends and I talked about the history of Pride, the pains and pleasures of queerness, watched terrible TV, cooked and shared space. This is what recovery looks like for me this is what Pride looks like, too. I trust that, with time, my queer self and my sober self will continue to find harmony, and in this harmony, I will find home. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editors note: David A. Andelman, a contributor to CNN, twice winner of the Deadline Club Award, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, author of A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars That Might Still Happen and blogs at Andelman Unleashed. He formerly was a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and CBS News. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN. For hours, as Friday morphed into Saturday and then into Sunday in Russia, the world seemed to be holding its collective breath, to be bracing for the next shoe to drop. David A. Andelman - CNN Then suddenly it was over. Or was it? I think not at all. The stunning announcement that Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner paramilitary group, was halting what seemed to be an inevitable confrontation with the forces of Russian President Vladimir Putin some called it a coup detat, others a civil war did indeed remove the prospects of a bloody battle at the gates of the Kremlin. Prigozhin was turning his troops around from advancing to Moscow and heading (or so the Kremlin and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko avowed) into what appears to be exile in Belarus. Halted indeed was the immediate crisis, but not the underlying foundations that Prigozhin and Putin had laid long before. Above all there was the long-unspoken belief by many Russians who feared to make their voices heard that fundamentally, the war in Ukraine is not worth fighting or dying for far from it. Now, that dirty little secret has had a full, if not yet complete, airing. And the consequences of that alone could be monumental. The most immediate and perhaps epiphanous moment began on Friday when Prigozhin released a stunning 30-minute video describing the invasion of Ukraine as a racket carried out by a corrupt elite, though he carefully avoided any direct mention of Putin. The oligarchic clan that rules Russia needed 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. Of course, it wasnt the first time Prigozhin has spoken so directly about the corruption he believes is eating away at the Russian state and military. Last month, he gave an incendiary interview to pro-Kremlin blogger Konstantin Dolgov, charging, While the children of the elite smear themselves with cream on the Internet, ordinary people have children in battle, torn to pieces, and a mother cries over her son. Noting that the war had accomplished none of its objectives of disarming Ukraine, Prigozhin added, If (the Ukrainians) had 500 tanks before, now they have 5,000. If 20,000 fighters were skillful then, now its 400,000. Will relocation to Belarus quiet Prigozhin? Thats hard to see. Now, in theory, though he is beyond the long arm of Putins justice system, he could still be brandishing a powerful cell phone and laptop. But perhaps even more monumental was the equally unspoken but hardly invisible suggestion, now all but a reality, that the emperor really does have no clothes. Not anymore. Sure, Putin managed to avoid a violent confrontation that could unseat him. Still, he was forced to renege on his pledge made in a nationwide broadcast, while Prigozhins forces were on the move, that those on a path of treason would be punished: Those who (organized) and prepared the military mutiny, who turned weapons against their comrades-in-arms, have betrayed Russia, and will be held accountable for that. Not really this was without question the greatest, most direct challenge to his presidency, and there have been no apparent consequences. Of course, some may not become apparent for a while. First, the Russian leader has not only Prigozhin to deal with but also thousands of soldiers who more than ever may be wondering just why they are fighting Putins war. Prigozhins Friday video was issued on his Telegram channel, certainly widely watched, especially among troops in the field and by millions across Russia. Many of his earlier interviews, especially with Dolgov, are equally followed. How, then, does Putin or his generals persuade the forces deployed in Ukraine that theirs is a war worth dying for? At least 10,000 appeals from Russian military forces to surrender voluntarily were received on Ukraines I want to live hotline since September. Moreover, there seems little evidence that Putin will ditch any of his top generals in the immediate future despite Prigozhins warnings that they are incompetent and losing a war they had long ago pledged to win quickly and painlessly. That would appear to hand Prigozhin too easy a victory. Indeed, Prigozhins Wagner Group seems to be the only force thats winning at all methodically in Ukraine these days. As he pointed out, it was his men who finally seized the strategic town of Bakhmut after weeks of fruitless fighting. But beyond the battlefield, other uncertainties may loom for Putin. He now appears to be faced with circumstances of his own making and apparently outside his control. That it was necessary for him to turn to Lukashenko, who has long served effectively as a lapdog, to defuse a potentially mortally dangerous situation cannot go unnoticed in the circles that Putin has long relied on for support. And the fact that Putins trusted spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, was unable to tell reporters where Prigozhin was located seems even more troubling. Above all, the facts on the ground effectively rebut virtually everything Putin has said. Russia is not winning this war that was supposed to be over in a matter of days or weeks more than a year ago. Ukraine is only getting stronger and better armed, as Prigozhin has pointed out most directly. And the fear is spreading that Putin may no longer be the unchallenged strongman he has portrayed himself for two decades. Indeed, if it was a question of who was the more powerful, it may be argued that Putin was the one who blinked. Sixteen months ago, Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv, Ukraine, thinking they were going to take the city in a matter of days, erase the country from the map, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Dana Bash on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. Now they have to be focused on defending Moscow, Russias capital, against mercenaries of Putins own making. So this raises lots of profound questions that will be answered, I think, in the days and weeks ahead. Ultimately, the focus shifts to Ukraine and how President Volodymyr Zelensky and his generals can best capitalize on this gift that Prigozhin has suddenly bestowed on them. Could a powerful strike from Ukraines forces be the answer to the tough questions Prigozhin has surfaced during this extraordinary weekend? If so, it may simply be a matter of sitting back to observe how Kremlin power struggles play out. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Zoe Petersen, Deseret News Editors note: Part 1 of this two-part series talked about hoarding and rapid decluttering. This column deals with making decisions on what to keep. There are some aspects of dejunking/decluttering that are easy for me. Old papers, old bills, obvious trash, VHS tapes, the old AOL trial disk none of those give me a seconds hesitation. But, much harder for me are books, fabric, photos and other sentimental memorabilia like my kids papers from school. Im finding Swedish death cleaning to be helpful in helping me loosen some of the heart strings that have been bound to stuff. Swedish death cleaning Swedish death cleaning, popularized by Margareta Magnusson, a Swedish artist and author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter, is the idea that when you die, your loved ones are going to have to go through your stuff and clean it out, so do as much as you can before you leave this planet. As far as I know, Im not knocking on deaths door, but realizing that my kids would not only have a lot of cleaning to do but that they would also likely be resentful doing it is motivating for me. Related What should we keep? That brings me to a question about what we should keep. I asked Ken Williams, the state archivist, for advice and then laughed when he told me, I definitely live by the mantra that when in doubt, throw it out! He also told me that he finds it surprising how much we keep in paper when we have the same thing in digital/e-record format. He recommends a personal retention schedule, such as seven years for tax and financial records, then destroying the ones older than that. (Still a problem when I only get around to it once every 15 years, Ken.) I also asked professional organizer Jenny Layton for her advice on what to keep. She says if it brings us joy (a la Marie Kondo) rather than weighing us down with guilt, or a sense of obligation, then keep it. Otherwise, get rid of it to make space for what really matters. She quoted Stephen Paul, who said, The space for what you want is already filled up with what youve settled for instead. Family memories Family memories and family genealogy can be very difficult to pare down. I have plastic totes full of photos (from the pre-digital camera days), cards, school papers even old newspaper articles. What do I do with all that stuff? Those memories are precious! Williams told me that he has a file drawer for himself, each child and grandchild where he keeps things given to him. But he also has digital folders for each one. This year I have embarked on a mission to scan everything (eventually) at my local family history center. I then upload everything Ive scanned to a computer program that can sort by date and location (sometimes it will need your help). And it has facial recognition capabilities, so I now have folders for each child with pictures going back years. The company also emphasizes duplicate storage locations: computer, external hard drive, the cloud and your phone. When one goes down, youve still got your memories safely accessible. Related We have also inherited boxes and boxes of old family group sheets that, in my mind, have little value, since the information is now available digitally. But it feels sacrilegious to (gasp!) throw away family history. A quick Internet search, however, showed me that even professional genealogists recommend getting rid of duplicates and then scanning the originals. An article in Family Tree magazine recommends asking yourself five questions about items in your family history collection: Is the item one-of-a-kind? Is a digital version available? Who will inherit this when I die (either item or information)? What practical value does this item hold and what sentimental value does it hold? Full disclosure: family memorabilia is probably the last thing Ill get to when decluttering. But hopefully the photos will at least be scanned and tagged with a year and the names of people in them. Food storage I believe in having food storage, for a variety of reasons, including an unanticipated global pandemic. But even food storage needs to be gone through, decluttered and rotated. I went downstairs last week to get a can of mandarin oranges. When it went pffft when I opened the lid, I looked at the expiration date. 2009. Oops. At least Im not alone. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joked about it in the October 2020 general conference. We discovered ... items in a remote closet that had been in our food storage for decades. Frankly, we were afraid to open and inspect some of the containers for fear of unleashing another global pandemic! But you should be happy to know that we properly disposed of the hazardous materials and that health risk to the world was eliminated. Another room added to my declutter list. What else? Besides family photos, I think we all have stuff that is hard to part with. My two biggest categories are books and fabric. Books are my friends. But being honest with myself, Ive changed how I consume books. Im almost 100% digital now and that, combined with one of my daughters side-eye glances, helped me donate many books. Im crossing my fingers that someone else will love them. Im not quite ready to get rid of my fabric stash, even if I havent sewn in five-plus years. If the global supply chain is completely interrupted, I can sew clothing for my entire family! Or maybe Im just really good at rationalization. Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy. Organizer behind weekend antisemitic rally in Cobb County arrested night before in Macon Channel 2 Action News has learned that one of the organizers of an antisemitic rally outside of a Cobb County synagogue Saturday was arrested the night before at a similar incident in Macon. We also uncovered that another of the rally organizers spent a year in prison for the aggravated assault of a Black man in Columbus, Georgia in 2010. Both men are part of a hate group called the Goyim Defense League. The Anti-Defamation Leagues Center for Extremism believes the group is behind not just the Synagogue rally, but a series of antisemitic incidents in recent months across metro Atlanta. Its a very small group of people who travel all across the country engaging in antisemitic stunts. And its important for the community to understand this is just a handful of people and they make a lot of noise, said Katie McCarthy, an investigator with the Center of Extremism at ADL. Our Channel 2 Action News camera was there outside Chabad of Cobb County where John Minadeo II, of Florida, identified himself as one of the leaders of the group. On June 23, Minadeo was arrested by Bibb County Sheriffs Deputies outside a synagogue there. He was charged with disorderly conduct and public disturbance after police say refused to stop shouting obscenities into a bullhorn when they tried to disburse the crowd. TRENDING STORIES: In reviewing the video of the Cobb incident, we identified Michael David Weaver, who also goes by the name Michael Carothers. He was convicted in Columbus, Georgia in the 2010 attack of a Black man he did not know. He served a year in prison on the aggravated assault charge. Last month, Channel 2 Action News obtained surveillance video showing someone tossing antisemitic fliers into yards in a Roswell neighborhood. In recent months we have seen similar fliers in neighborhoods in Cobb County and Sandy Springs. The ADL believes all are tied to the same group. Its important to note that the majority of them are from out of state. They have come to Georgia to spread their hate, McCarthy said. The state of Florida passed something called a public nuisance law - HB 269 - in the spring that outlaws actions like tossing fliers and projecting images. If you effectively trespass on someone elses building, you can be held accountable. If its your own building you can do what you want, said the bills sponsor, Florida Rep. Randy Fine. Minadeo posted on social media that he was taking a road trip. ADL says its possible there could be more incidents in Georgia in the coming days or even over the coming weekend. RELATED NEWS: More than 100 people are being tried in military courts, an army spokesman said, over violence that followed the detention of former prime minister Imran Khan in May (Farooq NAEEM) More than 100 people are being tried in Pakistan military courts over violence that erupted after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested last month, the army said Monday, adding that three officers had been dismissed. Khan's arrest on graft charges at the Islamabad High Court on May 9 sparked deadly street violence, with thousands of supporters clashing with police and some setting fire to military buildings. He was released three days later when the Supreme Court declared the detention illegal. But his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been the subject of a crackdown since -- with thousands of supporters arrested, press freedoms muted and reports of intimidation tactics. Military spokesman Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Monday that "102 miscreants are being tried in the already established military courts" in connection with attacks on more than 200 army sites. "This was a huge heinous conspiracy against Pakistan," Chaudhry told reporters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. "People were instigated and provoked against the army." Elections are due by October and Khan has said the ongoing crackdown is a bid to prevent the massively popular politician's party from success at the polls. Rights monitors have criticised Pakistan's use of opaque military trials for civilians, with Amnesty International previously saying they result in "a catalogue of human rights violations". - Strict discipline - Chaudhry said three officers, including a lieutenant general, were dismissed after they "failed to maintain the security and sanctity" of army properties during the unrest. "Strict disciplinary action" has been taken against a further 15 people, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, he said. Pakistan's generals hold undue influence over the country's politics, having staged at least three successful coups leading to decades of martial law. Since being ousted by a no-confidence vote in April last year, Khan has challenged their authority with a series of allegations considered incendiary in Pakistan. His arrest last month came just hours after he repeated accusations a senior army officer was behind an assassination attempt that saw him shot in the leg. "In Pakistan, the military is rarely subject to accountability. For the military leadership to publicly announce the firing of senior officers --- that's nothing to sneeze at," said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. "Clearly the military wants to stress that this is a full-on crackdown that will target anyone remotely connected to the violence -- even those that weren't involved in it directly," he told AFP. - Politics on trial - Islamabad has accused PTI protestors of committing anti-state terrorism, and this month the army's publicity wing vowed to tighten "the noose of law" around those involved in violence. Prior to his arrest Khan was staging regular mass rallies, pressuring Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's fragile government coalition to hold snap polls. But in the aftermath, many grassroots supporters have been arrested and numerous top aides have quit, some after repeated detentions. Khan, who came into office in 2018 with the backing of the nation's military before falling out with the top brass, seems an increasingly isolated figure. The 70-year-old has said the violence on May 9 was staged to justify the crackdown on his party. His only public appearances are now via regular livestreamed speeches and weekly court appearances in a slew of cases which have tangled him since he left office. bur-jts/dva/ssy Pakistani billionaire who died in Titanic sub would 'never have put family at risk,' friend says [Source] A friend of Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, one of the passengers who died during the recent Titanic submersible incident, recently declared that Dawood would have never knowingly put his family at risk. Remembering Dawood: Richard Hawkes, chief executive of British Asian Trust, told BBC that the late 48-year-old billionaire loved his family, adding that he could never imagine Dawood doing anything that "he thought possibly could have had the devastating consequences that we've seen this week." The children absolutely loved him and they did lots of interesting things together. It's just an absolute tragedy that this one has ended up in this way, Hawkes said about his friend, whom he described as a genuinely lovely man. Hawkes recalled the time he had spent with Dawood, telling BBC that they would often have engaging, insightful conversations and sometimes took long walks together. More from NextShark: Arraignment of Chinese man accused of killing Nigerian ex-girlfriend stalls due to lack of interpreter What happened: On June 18, the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact about an hour and 45 minutes into its expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean. All five passengers, including Dawood; his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19; businessman Hamish Harding, 58; French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77; and OceanGates 61-year-old CEO Stockton Rush are believed to be dead. The conclusion, announced by OceanGate and the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday, came after search authorities found debris from the submersible's external body on the ocean floor, about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic. More from NextShark: Fate of Hong Kong's Jumbo Floating Restaurant takes mysterious turn as owners insist it didn't 'sink' The latest findings suggested that the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion. Due to water pressure, the force on the submersibles surface while deep in the ocean caused it to collapse inwards. Investigation continues: Capt. Jason Neubauer, the U.S. Coast Guards chief investigator, announced on Sunday that they are now concentrating on collecting debris and investigating voice recordings and data from the Polar Prince, the ship that was used to launch the Titan. More from NextShark: US Navy bribery case fugitive 'Fat Leonard' arrested in Venezuela before boarding a plane to Russia Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! 2 Suspects Who Gunned Down Asian Teen in San Francisco Arrested Mike Swize Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Mike Swize announced his resignation Monday, effective on a date that's yet to be determined. His announcement follows his appointment as the new superintendent of Perris Elementary School District on Monday afternoon. Swize was named PSUSDs superintendent in July 2021. He began his career in education with PSUSD in 1990 and has served as a teacher, elementary and middle school principal, programs coordinator, director and assistant superintendent. At Perris Elementary Elementary School District, he will replace Jean Marie Frey, who is retiring. Perris Elementary School District serves about 4,500 elementary school children, including about 84% who qualify as socioeconomically disadvantaged, according to state data. It is with mixed emotions that I make this decision to leave the district I have been with my entire career, Swize said. I could not be prouder of the amazing work we have done as a district, and I could not be more grateful to have been part of the executive leadership team for the past 13 years. PSUSD Board President John Gerardi added, On behalf of our governing board, I extend our sincerest gratitude for (Swizes) exceptional leadership and dedicated service. We wish him the best in his new position and throughout his future. Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Mike Swize formally "accepts" the class of 2023 during graduation at Cathedral City High School on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Cathedral City, Calif. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: PSUSD superintendent leaving school district PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida Three more tourists died after swimming in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend under dangerous surf conditions. The deaths occurred Saturday off of Panama City Beach, according to a release, which said police responded to "three separate fatal water incidents behind three different resorts." The city lists them as "fatal water incidents" because officials have said it is not known whether the victims drowned or had another medical emergency in the water. The toll is now seven along the coast of Bay County within nine days the highest number of beach fatalities for any single locale in the U.S. for 2023, according to a database kept by the National Weather Service. Less than a half hour to the northwest in Walton County, one person died on Thursday in similar conditions at Blue Mountain Beach and another died Saturday at Miramar Beach, the second this year on that beach, according to the weather service. Three tourists died Saturday in Panama City Beach after swimming in Gulf of Mexico under double red flags. Rip current deaths trending up Rip current deaths, which include fatalities from high surf and sneaker waves, have trended up nationwide in recent years, hitting a high of 113 in 2021, according to the weather service. Last year, 69 deaths were reported. Already this year, 60 surf zone-related deaths have occurred, including 27 in Florida. Thirteen people have died in Puerto Rico. Dave Benjamin, co-founder of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, has called beach drownings a "neglected public health issue" that's entirely preventable. What is known about the Panama City Beach victims? All of the victims Saturday in Panama City Beach were tourists who died after grappling with rip currents, and in every instance but one, double red flags were posted, meaning the gulf was closed to swimmers, who risked being penalized with a $500 fine. The first fatal incident on Saturday occurred about noon near Days Inn by Wyndham Panama City Beach. The victim was Kimberly Moore, 39, of Lithonia, Georgia. The second occurred about an hour later near Boardwalk Beach Resort. The victim was Morytt Burden, 63, of Lithia Springs, Georgia. The third happened about 4:20 p.m. near Emerald Isle Beach Resort. The victim was Donald Wixon, 68, of Canton, Michigan. "The conditions at the time were severe, with double red flags indicating extreme water hazards," the release says. "The Panama City Beach Police Department and Beach Safety implore the public to always heed the double red flag warnings and always be aware of the dangers that can accompany these conditions. Over the past 10 days, there were reports of 70 distressed swimmers, about 40 of them on Saturday. "Double red-flag conditions have existed on the beach for the last week," the release reads. "Double red flags mean you are not allowed in the Gulf." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Panama City Beach tops US in beach deaths after 3 tourists die in surf We and our partners see situation same way and know how to respond Zelensky on rebellion in Russia President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he and Ukraines Western partners see the situation in Russia in the same way, and they know how to respond to it. Source: Zelenskyys nightly speech Details: Zelenskyy has said that on Sunday evening, he discussed the latest developments in Russia with US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish President Andrzej Duda. Quote: "The longer Russian aggression lasts, the more degradation it causes in Russia itself. One of the manifestations of this degradation is that Russian aggression is gradually returning to its home harbour. In our conversations with the leaders, we have exchanged our assessments of what is happening in Russia. We see the situation in the same way and know how to respond." More details: Zelenskyy has said that he also discussed Ukraine's "active operations" on the frontline with his partners. "I thanked our partners for the support provided it is very significant and it really helps our soldiers move forward. Now the Russian occupiers are suffering losses, which is what we need. Each of their losses is a long-term strengthening of freedom," Zelenskyy said. The leaders have also discussed further strengthening of the Ukrainian military. Zelenskyy has thanked the partners for understanding Ukraine's "long-range needs". "I am especially grateful to President Biden and the United States for the reliability of the Patriots. We discussed the strengthening of our artillery, MLRS and other things," Zelenskyy added. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Passenger sticks out 18-hour delay, gets whole plane to himself What would you do if you were the only passenger on a commercial airplane? That was the case for Phil Stringer, a realtor from the Greensboro area who flew into Charlotte early Monday morning. He had a flight booked from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Charlotte on Sunday. Because of storms and other issues across the country, the flight ended up being delayed by a whopping 17 hours and 52 minutes. By that point, every other passenger had either booked another flight or given up on flying out that day -- but not Stringer. At 12:12 a.m., Stringer was the only passenger aboard an Airbus A321 as it flew towards CLT. Stringer posted a video of his unique experience on TikTok. The video racked up millions of views in just hours. Stringers jubilation is obvious in the video, but even the American Airlines employees at the gate and inside the plane seem to be excited about his VIP adventure. SEE MORE: Plane catches fire on Charlotte Douglas Airport runway A baggage handler smiled when Stringer asked how many bags he had to load for that flight. One. A flight attendant laughed when Stringer pointed the camera away from the pre-flight safety check, saying, Youre not paying attention? Channel 9s Evan Donovan spoke with Stringer on Monday, and he said he ended up getting his own personal crew. They had to get called; they were at their hotel, like they were going to go to bed, Stringer said. I felt so badly because I was like, oh my gosh, they literally had to come here for me. Stringer said he was just turning a bad situation into a good one. I had just posted on my social media that day that your attitude determines your direction, Stringer said. According to FlightAware, The flight ended up landing in Charlotte at 3:21 a.m. Monday, 17 hours and 31 minutes after its scheduled arrival. As if the 18-hour delay wasnt enough, he had another gut punch when he landed in Charlotte. My bag actually did get misplaced for about 45 minutes in Charlotte, Stringer said. I was like, Are you kidding me? We lost the one bag that we had on the plane. Despite the issues, Stringer said its a flight hell never forget. We joked, we laughed, we cut up. I exchanged phone numbers with them, like were still literally texting today and group messaging, Stringer said. (WATCH: Photo of Delta Airlines attendant comforting woman on flight out of CLT goes viral) Passengers should gear up for flight delays and cancellations this summer as airlines scramble to upgrade their systems to combat 5G interference, Pete Buttigieg says Delta Air Lines planes at JFK airport. Robert Alexander/Getty Images Pete Buttigieg warned of "a real risk of delays or cancellations" as a 5G deadline approaches, per the WSJ. Telecom companies plan to boost their 5G power levels on July 1, which could interfere with key plane equipment. Hundreds of planes won't be fitted with updated equipment in time, so they could be banned from landing in low-visibility. This summer could see more travel disruption as a deadline relating to 5G interference threatens to lead to flight cancellations, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned, per The Wall Street Journal. "There's a real risk of delays or cancellations," Buttigieg said, per The Journal. "This represents one of the biggestprobably the biggestforeseeable problem affecting performance this summer." Airlines have until July 1 to update equipment because that's when US telecom companies plan to boost their 5G services to higher levels. Specifically, there's concern that 5G signals could affect some aircraft's radar altimeters sensors which measures how high an aircraft is above the ground. The sensors are essential for flying in low-visibility conditions. Therefore any planes which haven't yet been fitted with the updated equipment won't be cleared to land in weather which produces low visibility, from July 1. Last month, the Biden administration said it wouldn't extend the deadline despite airlines' concerns and the International Air Transport Association warning that not all aircraft would be updated in time, Reuters reported. The updated equipment is being installed at the expense of airlines, and estimates say it will cost more than $638 million in total, IATA said in its annual review. Buttigieg said that around 20% of domestic planes and 35% of international ones which fly to the US aren't yet fitted with the updated equipment, per the Journal. For Delta Air Lines, supply-chain issues mean about 190 of its 900 airplanes won't have the correct altimeters by July 1, including all of its Airbus A220 planes. "Many Delta teams have been working to insulate any additional delays from our customers and people through strategic aircraft routing," a Delta spokesperson said. "While we expect minimal operational impact, we continue to work with our supplier to see that every Delta aircraft is equipped with updated radio altimeters." And a JetBlue spokesperson told the WSJ it expects its 17 A220 jets won't be upgraded until October. JetBlue did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside US working hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Former vice president Mike Pence did not say whether he would pardon former president Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News on Sunday. Fox News host Shannon Bream asked Mr Trumps former running-mate about whether he would pardon the former president. Mr Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 federal charges related to him illegally retaining documents related to national defence and other classified material at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Well, look, if I were the president of the United States, I would take the pardon authority very seriously, he said, noting how as governor of Indiana he pardoned people and took the task seriously. I would apply that to every single case in that matter. But I appreciate you raising the point. But the former vice president said that too many Republicans who are talking about pardoning Mr Trump dont have all the facts. I dont understand why some of the other people running for president in the Republican primary assume that the president will be found guilty, he said. I think it's terribly premature and it shows really a disrespect for our judicial system to talk about that now. Republican presidential candidates such as businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have said he would pardon Mr Trump if he were elected president. Conservative talk radio hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton had asked Mr Pence earlier this month whether he would pardon Mr Trump before he was indicted, as they had of Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who said he would. Mr Pence also reiterated what he said earlier this month when he said he could not defend Mr Trump from the allegations in the indictment. I think we need to let the process go forward, let the former president make his case, he said at the time. For my part, Im going to stay focused on the challenges facing the American people and Im going to work our heart out not just to win the Republican nomination, but to win a great victory for our party and for the American people in 2024. There have been many cases where people have gone to prison for mishandling classified documents. The difference for former President Donald Trump, in the eyes of Sen. Josh Hawley, is that Trump used to be president. On Wednesday, a former FBI analyst in Dodge City, Kansas, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for keeping more than 300 documents at her home over the course of more than 12 years at the bureau. She kept them on hard drives, CDs and paper documents. She allegedly had information about Al Qaeda members and activity in Africa. Former President Donald Trump allegedly kept more than 300 documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after leaving office. He kept them in boxes in a ballroom, in a storage closet and in a bathroom, according to prosecutors. He had top secret information about the U.S. nuclear program and the defense capabilities of the U.S. and foreign countries. Well, the difference would be, with the former president, is that the Presidential Records Act, as interpreted by courts, allows him to decide what to take with him or not, Hawley said. Now, hows that going to play into this case that theyve charged, I dont know. But Ill just say the Justice Departments interpretation of the Presidential Records Act now seems to be a lot different than it has been under any other president. Hawley, a Missouri Republican, has been quick to cast the Justice Departments investigation into Trumps handling of classified documents as a partisan effort to take down the potential Republican nominee for president in 2024. Over the past few weeks, hes thrown out several defenses of Trump. Hes mentioned how President Joe Bidens staff found classified documents from when he vice president in both his garage and his former D.C. office building. A special prosecutor is investigating. Hes mentioned a case where former President Bill Clinton was sued for keeping recordings in his sock drawer. And hes mentioned the Presidential Records Act, a law that says a presidents records are largely public documents, with a few exceptions for personal documents. Hawley said the law has wide discretion for a former president to determine what is personal and what is public. Experts say hes wrong. Senator Hawley is simply wrong on the law, said Jason R. Baron, the former director of litigation at the National Archives and Records Administration. Neither former presidents nor FBI agents are allowed to take classified records home with them, and whether they have committed a crime in doing so is governed by the same provisions of the federal criminal code. Trump was indicted by a Miami grand jury earlier this month on 37 counts, including the willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record and corruptly concealing a document or record. He pleaded not guilty. The case is one of several floating around the former president as he campaigns for a second term. Trump is currently the front-runner in the Republican Party Hawley has said he believes Trump is the inevitable nominee and that the legal cases have galvanized Trumps support and most of his presidential opponents have been reticent to criticize him over his looming legal troubles. Hawleys argument is that case law surrounding the Presidential Records Act, specifically a case in which the conservative legal organization Judicial Watch sued to get taped conversations between former President Bill Clinton and a biographer, indicates that there is a broad interpretation of what a president can deem their personal documents. One would have thought, based on how the courts have interpreted it, that would have a lot of relevance here, Hawley said. Because that means he can have those documents because he gets to decide what to take or not. Baron said the case law is more limited than Hawley claimed and that it doesnt support the argument that presidents can decide classified documents are personal. It is absurd to suggest that a president can deem classified records or any official records to be his own personal records, Baron said. Doing so would undermine the very reason Congress enacted the law in the first place, which was in the wake of Watergate to give ownership of White House official records to the American people. Margaret Kwoka, a law professor at The Ohio State University, said she doesnt believe the Presidential Records Act is the most relevant statute in Trumps case. She said it wouldnt supersede the laws about how to handle classified documents or the espionage act. And she said a case about whether Clintons tapes were public records wouldnt have much bearing on Trumps case, in which several counts deal with obstruction of justice. This is a case in which a private litigant was seeking public access to records that they believed should have been put in the National Archives, Kwoka said. Its a far cry from a criminal prosecution, for mishandling of national defense secrets. Regardless of the legal arguments, polls show efforts to paint the legal cases surrounding Trump as political are working. A June Quinnipiac poll found that while 51% of Americans believe Trump should be prosecuted, 62% say politics is motivating the Justice Departments case. Bidens own handling of classified documents has served as a frequent example for Republicans who allege the Justice Department is biased against Trump. But Kwoka said prosecutions on mishandling are sought when the mishandling is intentional, like the FBI analyst in Dodge City who purposefully kept documents at her house. Bidens staff alerted the Justice Department immediately after finding classified documents in his office and allowed them to search Bidens home, where they found more in the garage. I think the history of these prosecutions shows that theyre really only sought when theres reason to believe that the mishandling is truly intentional, Kwoka said. And so the fact that some classified material may accidentally end up in the wrong files, in other cases, I dont think has a lot of bearing on this case. Virtual creative lock illustration with microcircuit on Chinese flag and blue sky background, cyber security concept. Multiexposure Credit - Getty Images/iStock The Chinese government recently cut off international access to a significant portion of the countrys public dataincluding contracts, patents, scientific conference proceedings, dissertations, and statistical information. Coverage has attributed the disappearance of some of this data to reports by think tanks that leveraged such data to highlight, among other findings, how the Peoples Liberation Army hoped to access and weaponize American-designed semiconductors. This ongoing situation is unfortunate for numerous reasons, not least because the research we conduct at Georgetowns Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) using Chinese data has consistently been recognized as accurate, balanced, and responsible. More importantly, locking down data and preventing responsible researchers who rely on publicly available materials (often called open source) from understanding China is a strategic mistake for the Peoples Republic. Allowing global access only to unsatisfactory data may lead to unsatisfactory outcomes for everyone. China likely cares more about controlling its message than the accuracy of U.S. analysts work. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders have for decades limited foreigners access to domestic news and information to try to control global narratives about their country. But this latest expansion of the Great Firewall does little to boost Chinas image, and it could strengthen the influence of foreign analysts who present one-sided perspectives on the country. More from TIME By denying international researchers open-source information, China is pulling the rug out from under analysts worldwide who are committed to providing policymakers with a holistic understanding of Chinas science and technology policies. In the current, strident climate of U.S.-China competition, the loudest voices already drown out those who deliver nuanced, evidence-based assessments. This latest move by the CCP could inadvertently amplify the perspectives of professionals who are obligated to emphasize contingencies and prevent worst-case-scenariosand, worse yet, those who offer policymakers opinions without solid evidentiary grounding. U.S. policymakers must seek ways to counter Chinas authoritarian domestic and foreign policies, some of which violate fundamental human rights, international law, and commercial norms. But overestimating risk based on one-sided assessments of Chinas capabilities and intentions could spark excessive spending to counter perceived threats, diverting funds from other important priorities. The already-strained U.S.-China relationship could deteriorate further, obliterating opportunities to collaborate on shared challengesand potentially escalating economic or security crises. Lack of open-source data could lead analysts to exaggerate Beijings economic, technological, and ideological threats, harming global relations. A lack of data-led decision-making could lead to misguided decoupling and protectionist policies that intensify the atmosphere of mutual mistrust and suspicion. Read More: To Stay Ahead of China in AI, the U.S. Needs to Work With China When policy discourse is dominated by hyperbolic voices and risk assessments stemming from miscalculations, misperceptions, or suppression of challenging evidence, poor outcomes result, as history shows: The Maginot Line, a series of French fortifications built in the 1930s to deter a German invasion, focused too intently on one particular risk, the threat of direct attack along Frances border with Germany. Instead, Germany skirted the line and invaded through Belgium. The Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown in 1979 illustrates how a single data point in a crisis can lead to transformative policy shifts. Though the incident caused no immediate deaths or injuries, the resulting public and regulatory reaction shaped the trajectory of U.S. nuclear energy adoption. Risks also can be intentionally inflated based on bad data or when policymakers select a narrow subset of data to support a particular conclusion: In the run-up to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Baghdads reported acquisition of 100,000 high-strength aluminum tubes for purported use in gas centrifuges was a key data point; the risk this data supposedly supported was later found to be overinflated. Of course, none of these examples of risk assessments were either uncomplicated or free from confusionnor were competing concerns in each case unwarranted. Rather, what they illustrate is how policymaking, especially in times of tension, can be improved by responsibly using reliable data to inform understanding and perception. By barring international access to its data, the CCP is putting its global competitors in precarious positions where they may be more likely to assume the worst when it comes to evaluating Chinese policy decisions in high-consequence scenarios. China may also be further damaging its own standing as a global leader with data restrictions that hinder collaborations between Chinese and international researchers. This will likely impede progress in various fields and undermine Chinas global competitiveness. Lack of transparency may erode trust with the international community, hampering cooperation on border-leaping challenges like pandemics, global warming, economic stability, and safe deployment of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Chinas opacity may deter foreign investors, limiting access to vital capital and technological expertise. It could also impair Chinas ability to better participate in the establishment of international norms and agreements and act as a responsible global stakeholder, pushing it closer to North Korea, Russia, and other states known to routinely promote false narratives deliberately to align with their own interests. China is a global research leader with reach and influence, and these scenarios do not serve its interests or those of the global scientific and technical communities. The CCP should immediately reconsider its decision to restrict international access to open-source databoth for its own interests and the global communitys benefit. As for the United States, a balanced policy approach that continuously monitors both threats and opportunities using analytical capabilities that account for the nuances and complexities of the U.S.-China relationship is key. Accurately calibrating risk assessments requires significant investment into infrastructure, datasets, and other resources, and supporting the rich open-source research ecosystem will be important for best positioning the United States amid strategic and research competition. When China closes doors that can lead to better communication, understanding, and de-escalation, as it has done in restricting data access, U.S. policymakers should look for open windows by facilitating research and methodologies that offer a comprehensive understanding of risk and enable better policy decisions. Person of interest in custody in shooting that left 3 dead, 5 wounded in Kansas City Update: On Monday, Kansas City police identified a sixth person who was injured in the Sunday shooting that left three dead. A person of interest is in custody following a triple homicide early Sunday in Kansas City that also left five people wounded. A man believed to be connected to the shooting was taken into custody just after 5 p.m. Sunday at a home in the 5300 block of Martha Truman Road in Grandview, Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department, said in an email Sunday evening. The investigation is still ongoing, and detectives will be working this evening to gather investigative findings to present a case to prosecutors for consideration of applicable charges, Becchina said. The mans name was not released as of Sunday evening. Becchina said it will be made public if charges are filed. Hours earlier, at about 4:30 a.m., police responded to reports of gunfire near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue, where they found two men and one woman shot and unresponsive in a parking lot and the street just south of the intersection. All three died. A crime scene investigator took photos near the scene of a shooting where three people died and five were injured early Sunday, June 25, 2023, near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City. Super Bowl KC Star Family members identified the victims as Nikko Manning, who turned 22 on Saturday, Camden Brown, 27, and Jasity Jas Strong, a mother of two who turned 28 the day of the fatal shooting. At least five additional shooting victims were taken to different hospitals by ambulance or private vehicle and are believed to have injuries that are not life-threatening, police said. I am grateful for the fast work of the women and men of the Kansas City Police Department in identifying a subject of interest in the 57th and Prospect shooting, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas wrote on Twitter Sunday night. I hope we find justice for the victims there and throughout our community last night. I am grateful for the fast work of the women and men of the Kansas City Police Department in identifying a subject of interest in the 57th and Prospect shooting. I hope we find justice for the victims there and throughout our community last night. Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) June 26, 2023 Including Sundays shootings, there have been 99 homicides in Kansas City so far this year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. At this time last year, there had been 74 killings. About a month earlier, there was also a shooting at Klymax Lounge, at 4242 Indiana Ave., just 2.5 miles away that killed three people and injured two. By some definitions, both incidents could be considered mass shootings. According to the Gun Violence Archive, an incident in which at least four people are injured or killed besides the shooter can be considered a mass shooting. Other organizations, like Everytown for Gun Safety, say that if at least four people other than the shooter are fatally shot, the incident is a mass shooting. Police chief Stacey Graves said officials talked with community members near the scene Sunday morning about violence in the city and what can be done to reduce shootings. People start out at such an escalated point that if theres a disagreement or an argument or anger, some people in Kansas City are just too quick to reach for guns, she said. MIchelle Budge, Deseret News Last month, Texas judge Roy Ferguson (of Im not a cat fame) told a story on Twitter that Ill be thinking about for a while. A couple was divorcing, and the husband was out to take everything he could. He showed up in court with a lawyer and a list of properties that he and his wife owned a short list, just the couples home and his own unprofitable shipping business, with $200,000 in gross annual receipts and maybe $25,000 in a bank account. He sat in the witness box, took an oath to tell the truth and answered his lawyers questions. Yes, I own those properties. Yes, those are definitely all the properties I own. No, my business isnt much to brag about, but its mine, and Id like to keep it. The wife had no lawyer, not much English and no interpreter (the court offered, but she declined). She stood up to cross-examine her husband and asked him to confirm: These are really all the properties we own? Theres nothing else, you swear under oath? I wont steal His Honors thunder; you can read about the husbands comeuppance and the wifes delicious vindication in Fergusons Twitter thread. But the short version is that the husband took an oath and then lied about everything. He lied about their 13 commercial properties, he lied about his million-dollar business and its million dollars in the bank, and hed even been lying about his marital status he had another wife and family and a big house on a huge farm in Mexico. He got caught when his wife cross-examined him with a stack of documents, and he walked away with a lot less than if hed just told the truth. And thats normal. Lying in court doesnt often pay off. But still, in a sense, he got away with it. On the judges telling, the husband committed a felony, perjuring himself to get money that rightfully belonged to his wife in effect, he tried to trick the judge into robbing his wife for him. And yet there was never a serious threat that hed be jailed or even prosecuted. As the judge himself wrote later in the Twitter thread, Most prosecutors are busy and not interested in pursuing lies during a divorce trial. Related Lies during a divorce trial fall into the category sometimes called process crimes. If youve followed many politically charged investigations, then you have likely heard the term. The category includes false statements to investigators, as were alleged in the Mike Flynn and Andrew Gillum cases; it includes obstruction of justice like in the latest Donald Trump indictment or the indictment Republicans wish they could bring for destruction of evidence during Hillary Clintons email scandal; and it includes perjury, which Scooter Libby was convicted of and Bill Clinton impeached for. The term process crime is often used to make crimes seem less serious, and not without reason. Theres a story that both sides tell sometimes, a story in which their sides guy was accused of something heinous and investigators turned his life upside down, and it eventually turned out the accusation was false all along but, while the guy was under the microscope, he destroyed some document or told a little lie about something that was really none of the investigators business, and he ends up convicted of a process crime. He goes to jail even though he was innocent when accused and would have stayed innocent but for an investigation that maybe shouldnt have happened in the first place. I wont deny this is a problem. The saying Show me the man, Ill find you the crime is usually attributed to the Soviet secret police, and its not at all comforting to consider how true it seems in the U.S. sometimes. Still, as a lawyer in the trenches, I think belittling or ignoring process crimes is bad for everyone. G.K. Chesterton once wrote that suicide is more wicked than murder: The man who kills a man, kills a man. The man who kills himself, kills all men; as far as he is concerned he wipes out the world. Chesterton was a master of rhetoric, but here it ran away with him. Whatever the merits of his theological point, I hope that in calmer moments he felt more compassion for a suicide victim than for a murderer. With that caveat, let me repurpose Chestertons idea. The man who commits a crime, commits a crime. But the man who commits a process crime commits all crimes. The robber or kidnapper violates one persons rights, but the perjurer attacks everyones right he obstructs and damages the legal institutions we depend on to protect our rights, without which our rights would mean nothing. If thats too high-flown and symbolic for you, then lets speak practically. Imagine what would have happened to the wife in Judge Fergusons court if she hadnt been quite so brave and assertive, or quite so financially literate, or if the husband had hidden the documents that proved he was lying. Short answer: shed have been the victim of perjury, and of robbery-by-judge. The wifes experience is far from unique. Have you ever wondered why its so expensive to have a lawyer represent you in court? Heres one part of the answer: Hardly a case is filed in which the lawyers dont have to ask, What if he lies? and How will we catch him?, and answering those questions takes a lot of work and costs a lot of money. If youre poor and the other party in your case starts lying, well, I hope you can find pro bono counsel, or that youre as sharp as the wife in this story. So those are the costs of process crimes, and especially perjury. Theyre a tax on everyone who uses the justice system, which ultimately includes all of us; they help make justice a luxury good, potentially unobtainable for those who need it most; and, when theyre not caught, they can lead the courts to unjust judgments and weaken peoples faith in the judiciary. And if youre still angry that process crimes seem to be prosecuted only when its your political heroes being accused of them, please remember: these crimes matter, and the remedy for the injustice that justly galls you is to prosecute them more often not less. Alan Hurst is an attorney in Salt Lake City. His opinions are his own and do not represent the views of his firm or his clients. The Wider Image: Meet the women who scavenge for gold at the top of the world By Marco Aquino LIMA (Reuters) -Peru's land dedicated to the cultivation of coca leaves grew 18% to record highs in 2022, the government anti-drug chief said Monday, notably in protected lands and indigenous Amazon villages close to the borders with Brazil and Colombia. Coca leaves, the raw ingredient for cocaine, is traditionally chewed for energy or as an antidote for altitude sickness and is legal for such uses. However, analysts and government officials estimate some 90% of Peru's crop is used in the illicit drug trade and its cultivation has been growing yearly since 2015. Coca covered 95,008 hectares (367 square miles) last year, said Carlos Figueroa, president of the national DEVIDA drugs commission, marking what analysts deem the largest figure in at least two decades. "Now the damage is even more powerful, because it includes environmental crimes in forests, in protected areas and with greater incidence in indigenous or native communities," he told a press conference. Figueroa said illicit coca cultivation on indigenous territories had almost doubled since 2020, reaching 18,674 hectares last year. There was worrying expansion along the borders with Colombia and Brazil, where international drug traffickers operate, he said. Peru and Colombia are the world's largest producers of both coca leaf and cocaine, according to the United Nations. Figueroa estimated that current coca crops could have produced some 870 tons of cocaine in 2022. Peru's largest area of coca cultivation and cocaine production remains the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers, or VRAEM, accounting for some 35,709 hectares, Figueroa said. The area of mountains and jungle is roughly the size of Puerto Rico at the center of the Andean country. Drug traffickers in this area work in alliance with remnants of the Shining Path rebel group, according to police. At the Amazon border regions of Ucayali and Loreto, cultivation advanced 43% and 34% respectively, Figueroa said. Drug traffickers along the border are linked to dissidents from Colombia's FARC guerrilla group and the Red Command, deemed one of Brazil's largest criminal organizations, he added. Clandestine landing strips for drug planes have increased despite police efforts, he added, noting air routes make an easy and important exit for remote operations. In a separate conference on Monday, Luisa Sterponi, a coordinator at the U.N.'s drugs office, said Peruvian cocaine is mostly transported to Bolivia and Brazil, then shipped mainly to Europe and Oceania. Peru has been in talks with the United States for years hoping it will lend "non-lethal" support to intercept planes carrying illegal drugs. Washington suspended its prior support in 2001 when Peru's Air Force shot down a plane mistakenly thought to be carrying drugs, killing two U.S. citizens. (Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Richard Chang and Grant McCool) The Wagner Groups armed rebellion has displayed little evidence of being a successful challenge to Putins regime, but it has created a strong argument in support of Ukraines accelerated accession to NATO. The military drama that unfolded in Russia from June 23 to 24, orchestrated by Wagner Group head and Putins chef Yevgeny Prigozhin, marked the beginning of a new era for Putins Russia. The ironclad force of the Wagner Group, celebrated by Russian propaganda and decorated by the Kremlin with the highest orders for its participation in Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, overnight turned into a rogue force that overtly challenged Russian President Vladimir Putins personal power. Truly shocking photos and videos from Rostov-on-Don, one of Russias biggest cities with over a million inhabitants, showed Wagner mercenaries taking over the Russian Southern Military Districts headquarters, a central hub for Russias war against Ukraine. Russia comes to the brink of civil war: How we got here and what it means Visually, the scene was a familiar one. Russian armored vehicles emblazoned with the Z logo in the central streets of a once peaceful city, masked soldiers standing at key intersections, and confrontational conversations with bemused local civilians. But this wasnt a Ukrainian city in the first da The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell The footage was powerfully reminiscent of the sting operation dubbed the little green men, or the so-called polite people masked Russian soldiers and mercenaries without insignia who assisted Moscow in the illegal annexation of Crimea in February 2014. This time, however, the polite Wagnerites, as Prigozhins mercenaries sometimes call themselves, directed their efforts at Russias supreme power structures. By the afternoon on June 24, Wagners armored columns took over Voronezh, another Russian city with over a million inhabitants and an important hub for Russias military operating in northeastern Ukraine. The Wagner Group then advanced north toward Moscow. According to Oryx, a Dutch OSINT defense website, Prigozhins mercenaries destroyed six Russian military helicopters and one military aircraft. The most striking fact was that the Wagner Groups mutiny was not met by any form of resistance by Russian ground forces, whether that be Russias regular army, national guard, border guards, police, or FSB. This continued to be the case even after Putin publicly declared the mercenaries outlaws who must be crushed. Now that the overt stage of the mutiny is over, its time to look at Prigozhin and the Wagner Groups assets and liabilities to assess whether something like this can happen again in Russia in the near future. Wacaw Radziwinowicz: Has Putin lost Russia? In his address to the Russian people in the wake of Yevgeny Prigozhins mutiny, Russian President Vladimir Putin alluded to the events of 1917, when General Lavr Kornilovs infantry rebellion opened the way for the Bolsheviks to seize power and unleash a five-year civil war. From the The Kyiv IndependentWacaw Radziwinowicz The following three factors likely contributed to the degree of success achieved by Prigozhins attempt at challenging Putins regime: First, Prigozhins challenge to Putin would not have been as successful without the persuasive media preparation that preceded it. For years, Prigozhin developed a hold on the media via Telegram channels, websites, information agencies, and troll farms. He succeeded in presenting himself as the Russian peoples war hero a leader who cares about the common people and the families of those killed fighting in Ukraine. A businessman, former inmate, and of Jewish descent, he managed to appeal to some as an anti-oligarchy activist and a Russian ultranationalist. Second, after Russias full-scale invasion began, the Wagner Groups battle-hardened troops deployed in Ukraine reached up to 50,000 at one point. Several more thousand are likely stationed in different parts of Russia. For many Russian soldiers, the Wagner Group became such an attractive alternative that Russias Defense Ministry directly prohibited transfers. Moreover, Prigozhin recruited many former Russian military and FSB top brass, meaning he received access to informal networks within Russias security apparatus this may explain why the early hours of his mutiny developed without resistance. Third, Prigozhin relied on huge stocks of cash and gold from the Wagner Groups operations in Africa. A recent search of Prigozhins office in St. Petersburg by Russian law enforcement allegedly uncovered 4 billion rubles (around $47 million) in cash. Prigozhins wealth was key in guaranteeing the loyalty of his mercenaries, bribing corrupt officials within Putins power structures, and securing the necessary ammunition, equipment, and vehicles from Russias arsenal. A Wagner Group mercenary stands guard outside the headquarters of the Russian Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. P(Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) However, the following four liabilities may have played a decisive role in ending Prigozhins mutiny. First, Wagner's troops do not have their own logistics and supply networks, meaning Prigozhins forces depend on the Russian army for munition, fuel, spare parts, and armor repair. It would therefore have been key for Prigozhins success to take over not only Rostovs command structures but also fuel and munition depots to continue his march toward Moscow. In this case, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov can take the credit for having denied Prigozhin the necessary resources and limited his capabilities, likely averting the worst-case scenario for Putin. Second, Wagner had no integrated air power component. While Prigozhins mercenaries managed to repel several air assaults, they were very vulnerable to missile strikes. Even in February 2018, when Wagner mercenaries tried to seize a Conoco gas plant near the city of Deiz ez-Zour in Syria, they were eventually stopped by the U.S. Air Force. The loyalty and command of Russias Air Force was a key factor in the survival of Putins regime in this crisis. Third, there is animosity between Prigozhin and many of Russias oligarchs, which is a powerful factor given that they have huge funds and their own information networks across all of Russias power structures. It is possible that these individuals mobilized these networks in the region to protect both Putin and themselves. The Kremlin will carefully examine oligarchs actions during the mutiny. Finally, it turned out that Prigozhin himself was neither a fighter nor a true Russian nationalist, having caved in the interest of his own security, power, and money, rather than pushed for his self-proclaimed dedication to the welfare of the Russian people. Latest in Russia: Prigozhin, Wagner forces launch armed rebellion in Russia (LIVE UPDATES) Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a march for justice against Russian military leaders after alleging on June 23 that a missile strike on his mercenary forces in Ukraine had caused substantial casualties. At around 8 a.m. local time on June 24, Prigozhins press service re The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk In the short term, I conclude that the grip of Putins regime will become even stronger due to the inevitable purges of Russian military personnel, intelligence, and oligarchs. However, the ongoing war is a major factor that may undermine stability and predictability in the near future. It is certain that Russia has entered a period of great instability. While Prigozhin has stepped down, his armed rebellion revealed elements of resistance against the Kremlin. Former Wagner fighters and betrayed ultra-Putinists may join alternatives to the Russian military, like the anti-Kremlin militia group Russian Volunteer Corps. This war will continue to aggravate Russias domestic troubles and severely overstrain Putins power. The current situation resembles that of the 1990s, when economic troubles, the unpopular war in Chechnya, and armed clashes between then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin and ultra-nationalists put Russia on the edge of a civil war. This great uncertainty played a role in persuading the U.S. and the West to use this window of opportunity to enlarge NATO, bringing security and stability to Central Europe. Today, its high time to take into account lessons of the past and clues from the Wagner mutiny. After June 24, Ukraines quick accession to NATO is a matter of containing the unpredictable Russian threat. 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. Submit an Opinion Pfizer announced Monday it was discontinuing the development of one of its obesity pill candidates due to elevated levels of liver enzymes being detected during clinical trials, while the development of another obesity pill is set to continue. The pharmaceutical company has been developing two oral treatments for treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus: danuglipron and lotiglipron. According to Pfizer, elevated levels of the enzyme transaminase were detected during both Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies for lotiglipron. Higher levels of this enzyme can indicate liver disease or drug-induced liver damage. Despite these observations, Pfizer said none of the trial participants experienced liver related symptoms or side effects, there was no evidence of liver failure, and none needed treatment. When it came to the other drug candidate, danuglipron, none of the patients enrolled in the program were observed to have higher transaminase levels, the company stated, and development is set to continue depending on the results of an ongoing Phase 2 trial. If successful in clinical trials and approved, danuglipron could be in a prime position to differentiate based on profile, including full receptor agonism, which we believe has the potential to translate to robust efficacy, William Sessa, Pfizers chief scientific officer for internal medicine, said in a statement. The drug candidate from Pfizer differs from the well-known diabetes medication Ozempic; Pfizers version is taken orally instead of being injected and is specifically indicated for obesity. Ozempic has grown in public awareness due to its off-label use as a weight-loss drug and its alleged popularity among public figures. The drug also garnered heightened attention earlier this year when it went into short supply, with criticisms arising from diabetes patients unable to obtain the medication when doctors were prescribing it for off-label use to patients who did not have diabetes. Both medications are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. This class of drugs mimics the hormone GLP-1, which is released in the gut in response to food intake, slows how quickly food is digested, induces a feeling of satiety, and stimulates the release of insulin. Other pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, are also currently developing oral treatments for weight loss and diabetes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Map of the Philippines More than 7,000 islands make up the Philippines, but the bulk of its fast-growing population lives on just 11 of them. Much of the country is mountainous and prone to earthquakes and eruptions from around 20 active volcanoes. It is often buffeted by typhoons and other storms. The Philippines - a Spanish colony for more than three centuries, and named after a 16th Century Spanish king - was taken over by the US in the early 20th Century after a protracted rebellion against rule from Madrid. Spanish and US influences remain strong, especially in terms of language, religion and government. Self-rule in 1935 was followed by full independence in 1946 under a US-style constitution. The US is a close ally and has provided military aid to help combat Islamist and communist insurgencies. Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: FACTS Capital: Manila Area: 300,000 sq km Population: 109,035,300 million Languages: Filipino, English, plus regional languages Life expectancy: 70 years (men) 74 years (women) LEADER President: Ferdinand Marcos Jr Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr The son of authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos won a landslide victory in the May 2022 election. He took over from firebrand Rodrigo Duterte, who came to power in 2016 after winning over voters with promises of a no-holds-barred campaign to take on crime, drugs and corruption. President Marcos, known by the nickname Bongbong, enlisted Sara Duterte, the daughter of the outgoing president, as his vice-president, thereby uniting two populist right-wing dynasties. MEDIA Philippines newspaper vendor Powerful commercial interests control or influence much of the media. The lively TV scene is dominated by free-to-air networks ABS-CBN and GMA. There are hundreds of radio stations and a vigorous newspaper scene. The constitution guarantees press freedom, but the Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Read full media profile TIMELINE Spain's fabled galleons plied the Pacific trade route between Manila and Acapulco Some key dates in The Philippines' history: 900AD - Laguna Copperplate Inscription, mostly written on Old Malay, is the earliest record of a Philippine language and the presence of writing in the islands. 11th Century - Some areas become part of China's tributary system. 14th Century - Indian cultural traits such as linguistic terms and religious practices began to spread in the Philippines. 15th Century - Islam is first established in the Sulu Archipelago. 1542 - Spanish expedition claims the islands and names them the Philippines after the heir to the Spanish throne. Three centuries of Spanish rule fail to conquer Muslim areas in the south. 1896-98 - Philippine Revolution: Filipino revolutionaries fight against the Spanish colonial authorities in an attempt to win the archipelago's independence. 1897 - Spanish authorities and revolutionaries sign the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, which temporarily reduces, and revolutionary officers exile themselves to Hong Kong. 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the US navy destroys the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Spain cedes the Philippines to the US, which proclaims military rule and begins to forcibly incorporate Muslim areas. 1898-1902 - Philippine-American War: Tensions arise after the US annexes the Philippines under the Treaty of Paris at end of the Spanish-American War rather than acknowledging the Philippines' declaration of independence. The war can be seen as a continuation of the Philippine struggle for independence that began in 1896 with the Philippine Revolution. 1916 - Jones Act, or Philippine Autonomy Act, which has the first formal declaration by the US to grant eventual independence to the Philippines. 1935 - Commonwealth of the Philippines: Philippines gains internal self-government, with the US responsible for foreign relations. 1941-1945 - The Philippines are occupied by Japan during the World War Two, but are retaken by the US in bitter fighting. More than 500,000 Filipinos die during the war. 1946 - The islands are granted full independence and renamed the Republic of the Philippines. 1942-1954 - Hukbalahap Rebellion: Rebellion by former Hukbalahap or Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon ("People's Army Against Japan") soldiers against the Philippine government. During the Japanese occupation the Huk guerrillas created village strongholds against the Japanese. After 1945, the new Philippine government, prompted by the US disarmed and arrested the Huks for allegedly being communists. The rebellion eventually petered out in the 1950s. 1965 - Ferdinand Marcos is elected president; he declares martial law in 1972. 1983 - Anti-Marcos lawyer Benigno Aquino is assassinated at Manila's airport as he returns from exile. 1986 - Marcos ousted in "people power" revolt after claiming victory over Aquino's widow in an election that many believe was stolen. 2001 - President Joseph Estrada is forced out by a military-backed "people power" uprising. 2014 - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel group signs a peace deal with the government, ending one of Asia's longest and deadliest conflicts. 2017 - Islamic State jihadists attack the city of Marawi in Mindanao. 2022 - Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son of the previous dictator, is elected president. Photo of game controller from Titanic-bound submersible is altered Social media posts claim the game controller used to pilot the OceanGate Titan submersible survived the vessel's implosion. This is false; the image shared as proof is altered, and the US Coast Guard says it has not released photos of the debris. "The cheapest part survived," says a June 23, 2023 tweet sharing a picture of a video game controller on the ocean floor. "Is this real?" one user replied. Screenshot of a tweet taken June 26, 2023 The claim spread elsewhere on Twitter, TikTok and Facebook -- including in Spanish. The Titan went missing June 18 during an expedition to the Titanic shipwreck. All five people aboard are presumed dead after their vessel suffered what the Coast Guard said June 22 was a "catastrophic implosion," ending the multinational search for the missing sub. Officials say debris found on the seafloor near the Titanic is consistent with an implosion of the vessel's pressure chamber -- but the photo shared online does not show the wreckage. "The Unified Command has not released any photos or videos of the debris," the US Coast Guard's First District previously told AFP in a June 23 email. "Unless released from our official press releases or our social media, these photos are unconfirmed." One Twitter user replied to the June 23 tweet with the same image of the ocean floor without a controller, suggesting the picture was altered. AFP used a reverse image search and found the original photo in a 2020 BBC article about deep-sea mining. "These deliberate marks in the seabed were 26 years old in this photo taken in 2015," says the caption, which attributes the picture to a German research institute. Screenshot of a BBC article taken June 26, 2023, with elements highlighted by AFP Screenshot of a tweet taken June 26, 2023, with elements highlighted by AFP Intrigue about the Titan submersible's disappearance and its occupants has inspired a slew of online misinformation, including conspiracy theories about the Titanic disaster itself. AFP has debunked other manipulated media related to the lost vessel here and here. Protestors in Florida as Trump indicted When Donald Trump goes on trial in his classified documents case, the court will have to find 12 Florida jurors who can leave their opinion of the former president at the door. That won't be easy. Jurors are supposed to assess the case on its merits, not their preconceived notion of the defendant. But with a figure as famous and polarising as Mr Trump, that could prove very difficult, lawyers from the state told the BBC. To secure a conviction, the jury's decision must be unanimous. It would only take one juror voting in Mr Trump's favour for the US government to lose its case. Both federal prosecutors and Mr Trump's defence team will use every tool - aggressive questioning, vetoes, legal manoeuvres, and potentially even psychologists - to help them weed out biased jurors. But even the most thorough tactics aren't fool-proof. "The added element is people with agendas," said Rob Mendell, a Florida trial attorney. "You've got to be on the lookout for the snakes in the grass." A politically polarised jury pool The Justice Department charges that Mr Trump and an aide illegally took classified documents from the White House, stored them in unsecure places at his personal residence, and obstructed the government's efforts to retrieve them. Mr Trump's team has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, and he has called the case a political "witch hunt." He has argued, without evidence, that Democratic President Joe Biden is trying to interfere in his political campaign. The federal judge overseeing the case has set a tentative trial date of 14 August. Although the start of the trial is expected to be pushed back, it has renewed focus on the challenge of selecting a fair and impartial jury in a place where Mr Trump receives unwavering support from many, but is regarded with contempt by others. It will be up to 12 residents of the Southern District of Florida, the politically diverse jurisdiction covered by this federal court, to decide which side wins. Some counties, like Miami-Dade, went decisively for Joe Biden in the 2020 election. But in others, like the Key West region in Monroe County, 53% of voters went for Mr Trump. He also has strong support among Miami's large and vocal Cuban community. Lazaro Ecenarro, a Miami native in his 40s who attended Mr Trump's arraignment on 13 June as a member of the public, dismissed the "fraudulent charges" brought by the "mob created by the Democratic party and the media". On the other hand, Jeff Roche, another Miami resident who the BBC spoke to that day, slammed Mr Trump as a "con man and a liar". Weeding out the snakes This is the political climate from which the judge, prosecutors, and defence must select fair jurors during a vital process known as voir dire, the technical term for jury selection. During jury selection, both sides get to ask questions of potential jurors. They both have the same goal: to seat fair jurors, but also ones who could potentially deliver them a favourable verdict. "Everyone calls it jury selection," said Mr Mendell, the trial lawyer. "But really it's jury exclusion." Mr Mendell said if he were representing Mr Trump, he would hire a team of political experts and psychologists to help formulate questions to find the people they might want on the jury. He would look to identify key groups that polls show are more likely to support the former president, citing Cuban Americans or people with links to law enforcement as two examples. Prosecutors, too, will be screening potential jurors closely for anyone with perceived support for Mr Trump, the experts said. But even the most intense questioning could miss Mr Mendell's aforementioned "snakes in the grass". "Someone may not tell the truth during the voir dire selection," said Dr Tamara Rice Lave, professor at the University of Miami School of Law. Should a person who hid their true political views make it onto the jury, "those jurors poison the other jurors - and they vote to acquit", she said. Mr Mendell believes it will be very difficult in Florida to find a panel of jurors that won't include avid Trump supporters. "People who will not convict him under any circumstances - despite the oath they take and the instructions the judge gives them," he said. Judges play a central role in weeding out jurors that may have bias towards either party. In Mr Trump's case, that work will fall to Florida judge Aileen Cannon, whom the former president himself nominated in 2020. Minds already made up With Mr Trump using his social channels to call the trial a "witch hunt" and accuse the government of attempting to "rigg [sic] the 2024 Election", it's likely that tensions will be high once the trial kicks into high gear. Dr Lave noted that Mr Trump's supporters "literally stormed Congress" on January 6, 2021, and the rhetoric, particularly from the political right, has become increasingly tinged with violence. "How are people going to feel in this heated environment, with protesters protesting at the courthouse" or spewing right-wing talking points, Dr Lave mused. "I understand how somebodyselected for this type of jury might be worried." Yero Basart is an avid supporter of the former president Meanwhile at Cafe Versailles, a Cuban restaurant in the heart of Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood, locals seemed ready to back Mr Trump despite the serious charges against him. "We support Donald Trump because he knows about freedom," explained Yero Basart, a local independent journalist having lunch at Cafe Versailles the day after Mr Trump stopped by following his court appearance. "It's important that the public knows that we Cubans understand the repression, understand the lack of liberty, and understand dictators," he said. In line behind him, Suyis Parra, a Venezuelan immigrant now living in Miami, said she could not yet vote or serve on a jury - but she had family members who could. And, she said, they would all support Donald Trump. Pilot killed after plane crashes into house near Cape Fear in North Carolina The Southport Fire Department responded to a plane crash at a house on Frying Pan Road on Sunday afternoon. A pilot is dead after a plane crashed into a home near the Cape Fear River in North Carolina on Sunday afternoon, local officials said. Southport Fire Department Chief Charles Drew said crews were dispatched to an aircraft that crashed into a home in Brunswick County about 30 miles south of Wilmington. The plane took off from the Cape Fear Regional Jetport earlier in the day, the airport's director, Howie Franklin, said, and the plane's pilot was killed in the crash. No other injuries were reported. A home on Frying Pan Road shows damage after a plane crashed in the area on Sunday. According to Franklin, the plane took off and, about five minutes into the flight, the pilot radioed and said he wanted to turn around and return to the airport. "He didn't make it," Franklin said. NTSB report released on DC jet crash: Private jet that flew over DC crashed almost straight down at 'high velocity' Three inside home escape without injuries The plane's make and model was not immediately known. Upon firefighters arrival, Drew said, the plane was fully engulfed in flames and the exterior of the structure was also on fire. The fire, the chief said, was contained within 15 minutes. Three people in the home were able to escape without injuries, Drew said. Two dead in Pennsylvania plane crash: Flight was headed to Ocean City FAA investigating cause of crash The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are both investigating the crash. "We have 150 takeoffs and landings a day, and this is the first fatality we've had in the 30 years since I've been here," Franklin said. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Plane crashes in Southport, NC, south of Wilmington; pilot killed A Placerville man found in possession of 27 dogs trained for fighting was sentenced Monday in federal court to 15 months in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Court evidence showed that Carlos Villasenor bred, trained and sold dogs for animal fighting from his property dating back to at least 2009, and that he further engaged dogs in fights as well as transporting them to Mexico. Villasenor was charged in a 27-count indictment in June 2021 for possession of dogs for an animal fighting venture, according to a 2021 news release by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of California. Villasenor, 40, who pleaded guilty in December 2022, was also ordered by the court to pay a $5,500 fine and a $2,700 special assessment. Sounds of dogfighting heard from Villasenors property were reported in September 2020, according to federal prosecutors, and law enforcement seized nearly 30 dogs from the property on June 17, 2021, through a federal search warrant. One of the dogs seized included a chihuahua mix, which was used as a bait dog. Several of the animals had untreated veterinary conditions, and the face of one dog showed injuries consistent with a dog attack, according to the news release. The search warrant revealed that half of the dogs were chained up in sight of each other, just out of reach, in order to stir up feelings of aggression in the animals. Court evidence, including phone records, showed Villasenor sold dogs to clientele both within and outside of California, but primarily built a reputation with buyers outside the West Coast. I didnt intend for my life to turn out this way. I was just breeding dogs and I did love the dogs as hard as it is for you to hear that, Villasenor wrote in a statement to the court on Wednesday. The investigation was led by a U.S. Department of Agriculture special agent, who bought a dog undercover from Villasenor in May 2021 for $1,500, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The federal search warrant also found evidence of dogfighting trade, including a breeding stand, treadmills and various veterinary supplies, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. In 1939, Robert Moses proposed building a massive bridge to link Brooklyn and the financial district, effectively sealing off Lower Manhattan from the harbor. That the city would permit its famous Battery to be dealt with in such fashion seems to me an incredible thing, former Manhattan Borough President George McAneny said, predicting an uprising of public opinion against the project. In the end, it would take an intervention from President Roosevelt to bury Mosess bridge and lay the groundwork for the invisible Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. Now, nearly 80 years later, the citys waterfront is under threat anew. The culprit is not a power-hungry bureaucrat, but the cumulative impact of humanitys addiction to fossil fuels. Nonetheless, a growing chorus of critics is once again asking whether the latest plan to protect New York from climate change will do irreparable damage to the city. Robert Moses Standing over Model of Manhattan Photo: Getty Images In September of 2022, the Army Corps of Engineers unveiled its preferred option for defending the regions coastline from rising seas and weather events like Hurricane Sandy. The $52.6 billion plan includes 50 miles of seawalls and other structures, between 12 and 20 feet tall, along some of the most scenic points on the citys waterfront. A recent New York Times opinion piece criticizing the plan showed what these walls could look like: big blank barriers blocking the view from the Battery, hiding the Hudson Greenway, and looming over Long Island Citys only major green space. NYC: Superstorm Sandy Aerial Shots of Manhattan Powercut Photo: Iwan Baan/Getty Images Miles and miles of waterfront would be significantly altered for the worse if that project goes forward, says Chris Reed, founding director at STOSS landscape architecture and a professor at Harvards graduate school of design. Its just stunning to see that kind of old-school thinking still in play. The key consideration when designing climate adapted waterfronts is balancing resiliency with access says Sanjukta Sen, a senior associate at James Corner Field Operations, speaking in her personal capacity. The Army Corpss preferred solution certainly doesnt do that right now. Sen worked on recent waterfront park projectslike Greenpoint Landing and Gansevoort Peninsulathat would be sliced in half by the Corpss seawalls. Park space in New York is already very limited, she explains. Any solution shouldnt make the waterfront experience suboptimal. Downtown view with the Freedom tower from the Hudson River greenway Photo: Getty Images Though theres widespread agreement among designers and environmental advocates about the issues with the Corpss plan, theres disagreement on the solution. In their New York Times opinion article, Robert Yaro and Daniel Gutman advocated for the Corps to revisit an alternative option that would construct massive barriers at the entrances to New York harbor similar to those in London and Venice. That plan, they say, would provide more distributed protection to the entire region and reduce the need for seawalls in the city. The problem with the harbor barrier is that its only meant to guard against hurricane-level storm surges, not ordinary sea-level rise or floods caused by rainfall, says Kate Boicourt, who works on coastal protection in the New York area for the Environmental Defense Fund. It also has a major impact on ocean ecosystems and is very expensive to construct and maintain. Its an all eggs in one basket solution, Boicourt explains. View of Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier. Oosterscheldekering, the Netherlands. Photo: Getty Images Thames Barrier from the air Photo: Getty Images/Howard Kingsnorth Instead, Boicourt and like-minded designers like Sen want to see a more integrated flood protection strategy on the citys waterfront, similar to the East Side Coastal Resiliency project already under construction next to FDR Drive in Manhattan. That could include folding flood barriers into the park landscape, adding natural tidal features, raising roadways, and potentially even buying out landowners in extremely at-risk areas. No matter what, flood-proofing New York wont come easyor cheap. The East Side project, initially planned as a bare-bones flood barrier like the ones proposed by the Corps, more than doubled in cost when it adopted a more integrated design. I dont use the name Robert Moses lightly, but were already experiencing some of the largest changes since that era, Boicourt says. We are renegotiating our relationship with land and the built environment right now. And its hard. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From AD President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russians have developed and approved the scenario of a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Source: the Presidents evening address Details: Zelenskyy noted that he discussed threats at the ZNPP with US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish President Andrzej Duda on Sunday evening. Quote: "I shared with our partners the information we have, the information from our intelligence, about the Russian scenario of mining the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which has obviously been approved by terrorists. We must take very specific steps all together in the world to prevent any radiation accidents." More details: Zelenskyy stressed that the world's attention to the existing Russian threat at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is "still insufficient." "Just like the reaction to the Russians blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and the deliberate attempt by Russian terrorists to hit the dam of another reservoir in Kryvyi Rih it is insufficient," he said. Background: On 20 June, Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, supposed that the threat of an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant (ZNPP) was real, since the occupiers have additionally mined the cooler. On 22 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia was probably preparing to commit a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which could lead to a radiation leak. Later, Budanov said he was convinced that the plan to blow up the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) by Russians has been fully developed and approved, and the threat has never been as great as it is now. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! As companies race to expand renewable energy and the batteries to store it, finding sufficient amounts of rare earth metals to build the technology is no easy feat. Thats leading mining companies to take a closer look at a largely unexplored frontier the deep ocean seabed. A wealth of these metals can be found in manganese nodules that look like cobblestones scattered across wide areas of deep ocean seabed. But the fragile ecosystems deep in the oceans are little understood, and the mining codes to sustainably mine these areas are in their infancy. A fierce debate is now playing out as a Canadian company makes plans to launch the first commercial deep sea mining operation in the Pacific Ocean. The Metals Company completed an exploratory project in the Pacific Ocean in fall 2022. Under a treaty governing the deep sea floor, the international agency overseeing these areas could be forced to approve provisional mining there as soon as spring 2023, but several countries and companies are urging a delay until more research can be done. France and New Zealand have called for a ban on deep sea mining. As scholars who have long focused on the economic, political and legal challenges posed by deep seabed mining, we have each studied and written on this economic frontier with concern for the regulatory and ecological challenges it poses. Manganese nodules on the seafloor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, between Hawaii and Mexico, captured on camera by a remote vehicle in 2015. ROV KIEL 6000, GEOMAR, CC BY Whats down there, and why should we care? A curious journey began in the summer of 1974. Sailing from Long Beach, California, a revolutionary ship funded by eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes set course for the Pacific to open a new frontier deep seabed mining. Widespread media coverage of the expedition helped to focus the attention of businesses and policymakers on the promise of deep seabed mining, which is notable given that the expedition was actually an elaborate cover for a CIA operation. The real target was a Soviet ballistic missile submarine that had sunk in 1968 with all hands and what was believed to be a treasure trove of Soviet state secrets and tech onboard. The expedition, called Project Azorian by the CIA, recovered at least part of the submarine and it also brought up several manganese nodules from the seafloor. Manganese nodules are roughly the size of potatoes and can be found across vast areas of seafloor in parts of the Pacific and Indian oceans and deep abyssal plains in the Atlantic. They are valuable because they are exceptionally rich in 37 metals, including nickel, cobalt and copper, which are essential for most large batteries and several renewable energy technologies. These nodules form over millennia as metals nucleate around shells or broken nodules. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone, between Mexico and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean, where the mining test took place, has been estimated to have over 21 billion metric tons of nodules that could provide twice as much nickel and three times more cobalt than all the reserves on land. Mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone could be some 10 times richer than comparable mineral deposits on land. All told, estimates place the value of this new industry at some US billion annually by 2030. It could be instrumental in feeding the surging global demand for cobalt that lies at the heart of lithium-ion batteries. Yet, as several scientists have noted, we still know more about the surface of the moon than what lies at the bottom of the deep seabed. Deep seabed ecology Less than 10% of the deep seabed has been mapped thoroughly enough to understand even the basic features of the structure and contents of the ocean floor, let alone the life and ecosystems therein. Even the most thoroughly studied region, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, is still best characterized by the persistent novelty of what is found there. Between 70% and 90% of living things collected in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone have never been seen before, leaving scientists to speculate about what percentage of all living species in the region has never been seen or collected. Exploratory expeditions regularly return with images or samples of creatures that would richly animate science fiction stories, like a 6-foot-long bioluminescent shark. Also unknown is the impact that deep sea mining would have on these creatures. An experiment in 2021 in water about 3 miles (5 kilometers) deep off Mexico found that seabed mining equipment created sediment plumes of up to about 6.5 feet (2 meters) high. But the project authors stressed that they didnt study the ecological impact. A similar earlier experiment was conducted off Peru in 1989. When scientists returned to that site in 2015, they found some species still hadnt fully recovered. Environmentalists have questioned whether seafloor creatures could be smothered by sediment plumes and whether the sediment in the water column could effect island communities that rely on healthy oceanic ecosystems. The Metals Company has argued that its impact is less than terrestrial mining. Given humanitys lack of knowledge of the ocean, it is not currently possible to set environmental baselines for oceanic health that could be used to weigh the economic benefits against the environmental harms of seabed mining. Scarcity and the economic case for mining The economic case for deep seabed mining reflects both possibility and uncertainty. On the positive side, it could displace some highly destructive terrestrial mining and augment the global supply of minerals used in clean energy sources such as wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and electric vehicles. Terrestrial mining imposes significant environmental damage and costs to human health of both the miners themselves and the surrounding communities. Additionally, mines are sometimes located in politically unstable regions. The Democratic Republic of Congo produces 60% of the global supply of cobalt, for example, and China owns or finances 80% of industrial mines in that country. China also accounts for 60% of the global supply of rare earth element production and much of its processing. Having one nation able to exert such control over a critical resource has raised concerns. Deep seabed mining comes with significant uncertainties, however, particularly given the technologys relatively early state. First are the risks associated with commercializing a new technology. Until deep sea mining technology is demonstrated, discoveries cannot be listed as reserves in firms asset valuations. Without that value defined, it can be difficult to line up the significant financing needed to build mining infrastructure, which lessens the first-mover advantage and incentivizes firms to wait for someone else to take the lead. Commodity prices are also difficult to predict. Technology innovation can reduce or even eliminate the projected demand for a mineral. New mineral deposits on land can also boost supply: Sweden announced in January 2023 that it had just discovered the largest deposit of rare earth oxides in Europe. In all, embarking on deep seabed mining involves sinking significant costs into new technology for uncertain returns, while posing risks to a natural environment that is likely to rise in value. Who gets to decide the future of seafloor mining? The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into force in the early 1990s, provides the basic rules for ocean resources. It allows countries to control economic activities, including any mining, within 200 miles of their coastlines, accounting for approximately 35% of the ocean. Beyond national waters, countries around the world established the International Seabed Authority, or ISA, based in Jamaica, to regulate deep seabed mining. Critically, the ISA framework calls for some of the profits derived from commercial mining to be shared with the international community. In this way, even countries that did not have the resources to mine the deep seabed could share in its benefits. This part of the ISAs mandate was controversial, and it was one reason that the United States did not join the Convention on the Law of the Sea. With little public attention, the ISA worked slowly for several decades to develop regulations for exploration of undersea minerals, and those rules still arent completed. More than a dozen companies and countries have received exploration contracts, including The Metals Companys work under the sponsorship of the island nation of Nauru. ISAs work has started to draw criticism as companies have sought to initiate commercial mining. A recent New York Times investigation of internal ISA documents suggested the agencys leadership has downplayed environmental concerns and shared confidential information with some of the companies that would be involved in seabed mining. The ISA hasnt finalized environmental rules for mining. Much of the coverage of deep seabed mining has been framed to highlight the climate benefits. But this overlooks the dangers this activity could pose for the Earths largest pristine ecology the deep sea. We believe it would be wise to better understand this existing, fragile ecosystem better before rushing to mine it. This article is republished from The Conversation, a 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: Scott Shackelford, Indiana University; Christiana Ochoa, Indiana University; David Bosco, Indiana University, and Kerry Krutilla, Indiana University. Read more: Scott Shackelford is a principal investigator on grants from the Hewlett Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, National Science Foundation, and the Microsoft Corporation supporting both the Ostrom Workshop Program on Cybersecurity and Internet Governance and the Indiana University Cybersecurity Clinic. David Bosco has received funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts for research on the work of the International Seabed Authority. Kerry Krutilla was the principal investigator for a World-Bank sponsored project on deep seabed mining. Christiana Ochoa 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. Plume of smoke rises above Springfield tire shop after fire breaks out Firefighters were called to battle a fire that broke out at a Springfield tire business Monday. >> PHOTOS: Firefighters respond to fire at Springfield tire shop Springfield dispatch confirmed firefighters were called to respond to the fire at a tire shop in the 1000 block of Lagonda Avenue. >> 1 killed as Indiana sees large tornadoes rip through residential neighborhoods A plume of black smoke could be seen coming from the business. Firefighters on scene told News Center 7 the fire broke out in a trailer for the business that was being used as storage. The trailer contained about 150 tires, and around 50 of them caught fire. The fire was contained to the trailer and did not spread to the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time. News Center 7 is working to learn more and we will continue updating this story. As the nation and individual states commit to replacing greenhouse-gas-generating fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives, some practical and technical challenges come to the fore. Among the most difficult is ensuring that reliable, affordable and resilient energy is available when and where it is needed. Researchers at the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are helping to address this challenge by studying energy transition scenarios. For example, in a recent study, they looked at paths for California to achieve its ambitious goal of 100 percent clean electricity generation by 2045. They found significant mismatches between when electricity could be generated and when it is consumed and offered insights into how long-duration energy storage could close those gaps. Materials scientist Guosheng Li and his colleagues at PNNL demonstrated that a new design for a grid energy storage battery built with low-cost sodium and aluminum could provide a pathway toward a safer and more scalable stationary energy storage system. The study demonstrated the benefits of adopting two distinct forms of long-duration energy storage. One focuses on 1020 hours of storage to manage day and night fluctuations between generation surpluses and deficits. The other considers durations of weeks or months to weather seasonal variation in supply and demand. In the California model, for example, there was excess generation during the day and a shortfall after sundown. Annually, there were net surpluses of generation from mid-February to early August when energy could be stored to counter net deficits through the start of the next year. Unfortunately, todays business models provide economic benefit only when stored energy is used encouraging frequent discharge and recharge cycles rather than saving energy for longer durations. By adopting a diurnal and seasonal view of energy storage needs and looking at historical usage data, utility and grid operators can develop a better picture of when they will need to bridge gaps between generation and loads and for how long. This, in turn, can help drive investment decisions and technology development timelines to meet industrys shortening planning and procurement cycles. Researchers at PNNL are using this high-throughput system to collect data about the properties of different molecules for battery development and making that data available to the research community. Speaking of technology development, PNNL brings together fundamental scientists with end-use domain experts to advance technical breakthroughs related to energy storage that will support a clean, resilient electric grid. For instance, our researchers showed a new battery design using inexpensive and abundant metals sodium and aluminum could charge and discharge much faster than conventional high-temperature sodium batteries and operate at a lower temperature. PNNLs advancements here center on two separate reactions, the second of which helps increase the batterys capacity. Early results show 83 percent of peak charge capacity remaining after 345 charge and discharge cycles. Further, our researchers developed a flat, stackable design for these batteries that would make it easier for large-scale deployment than todays tubular shape. In another effort, our researchers are using machine learning techniques to help identify the best materials for aqueous organic redox flow batteries another type of battery for grid-scale energy storage. To increase the energy that can be stored in these promising batteries, researchers need to better understand the molecular structure and properties of the constituent materials, specifically, how well certain molecules dissolve in water. Toward this end, PNNL researchers built a comprehensive, organic molecular database that is available to the scientific community. Their database includes about 12,000 molecules that can be used to train machine learning models, while other open-source databases have only a few hundred molecules that are more relevant to designing drugs than batteries. The Grid Storage Launchpad, a $75-million facility under construction at PNNL, will help accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation grid storage technologies through systematic and independent validation of basic materials, components and prototypes. As a critical step toward deployment, the capabilities of our new Grid Storage Launchpad will help test and validate battery technologies in realistic operating conditions. This facility, funded by DOEs Office of Electricity, will also facilitate collaborations with academia and industry and advance workforce development. While the setting sun and changing of seasons may make us think of the passing of time, know too that researchers at PNNL are among those helping our grid weather these changes and paving the way to a decarbonized energy future. Steven Ashby is director of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash. Mateusz Moravetskyi and Mariusz Blaszczak The Polish army has completed the strengthening of its defense line on the countrys borders with Belarus and Russias Kaliningrad Oblast enclave, Polish news agency PAP reported on June 25. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, together with Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak, said that Poland is responding to the increased threat from the two countries. Read also: Poland shuts down cargo transit from Russia and Belarus "We have strengthened our borders, the border with Belarus and Konigsberg," Morawiecki said, using the pre-WWII name of Kaliningrad, before it was annexed by the Soviet Union. "We are aware of these threats and respond to them, anticipating attacks. After all, we have been dealing with a hybrid attack on the Polish border for two years now." Read also: Poland sanctions Lukashenko's regime The prime minister said that Poland, together with its allies, was closely monitoring the events surrounding the recent mutiny of the Wagner mercenary company against the Russian state. "Yesterday we saw and felt through monitoring, through negotiations with leaders of other countries that Lukashenko and Putin can take very strange actions," he said. "Actions that are still the subject of various analyses and studies by our NATO allies and ourselves." 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 male teenager, believed to be 19, was taken at 4:28 p.m. on Sunday to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis with a trauma alert after he was shot on Main Street at the intersection of High School Road Extension. The victim was later transported to a Boston area hospital by medical helicopter for further treatment on his non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Barnstable Police Department. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Barnstable police officers responded to the area of Main Street and High School Road in Hyannis for reported gun shots, according to a police department press release. Upon arrival officers found a male, shot in the legs, and they began medical treatment on the young man. A car is towed away Sunday from a location near the intersection of Man Street and High School Road Extension in Hyannis. Police and fire officials responded to the Main Street location Sunday for a reported shooting. A police department spokesman was not available Monday morning to comment. A Hyannis fire department spokesman, who did not identify himself, said Sunday evening the young man was conscious when transported and that no one else was injured. According to the police, based on the initial investigation, this was "not an act of random violence." The case remains under investigation by the Barnstable Police Department patrol and detective units. Barnstable police flooded the area near First Baptist Church and blocked off Main Street after the incident occurred. Police cars flooded the area near the intersection of Main Street and High School Road Extension in Hyannis, and police diverted traffic, after the shooting of a male teen Sunday afternoon. The young man was conscious when taken to Cape Cod Hospital. In addition, other responding patrol units investigating the incident located a damaged vehicle a short distance away on High School Road that may have fled the scene and crashed into an uninvolved vehicle. The passengers were not injured in the crash. As of now, there is just an investigation and nothing to release, the dispatcher said Sunday. The fire department spokesman said rescue officials were not in any danger when they went to the scene. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Teen shot Sunday afternoon in Hyannis taken to Cape, Boston hospitals DOVER Pope Memorial Humane Society Cocheco Valley (PMHS-CV), located in Dover, is proud to announce the hire of Scott Merrow as its new Executive Director. Merrow joins PMHS-CV as a seasoned leader with extensive skill and experience leading non-profit organizations. Pope Memorial Humane Society Cocheco Valley announces Scott Merrow as the new Executive Director Im thrilled to be joining an organization with such rich history of partnering with the community in education, care and treatment of our pets and animals, said Merrow. Its great to be part of helping to find a voice and loving homes for our animals. Merrow has served in leadership roles at several non-profit organizations, most recently as Executive Director at Lincoln Hall, a residential program in Westchester County, New York, for youth who were court involved. Recently he has been consulting to non-profit organizations, helping with strategic planning and creating innovative programs and initiatives. With a reputation as a visionary and transformational executive, Merrow has devoted his professional life to nonprofit leadership, driving innovative ideas and impactful change to improve the financial health, operations, programs, visibility, funding, and impact of organizations with a social mission. Cindy Edwards, Board President, noted that the organization is excited to welcome Scott Merrow into the role of Executive Director and look forward to his leadership and vision for the future of our organization. Scott comes with years of experience in the nonprofit world; his commitment and compassion for the communities and animals we serve is very exciting. Merrow, his wife Dayna ,and their four dogs return to their New Hampshire roots having spent many years in the Ossipee area. Since 1984 Pope Memorial Humane Society Cocheco Valley is a community funded organization that has been dedicated to educating and promoting the humane treatment of animals in Southeastern New Hampshire and Maine. It is a safe, temporary home for more than one thousand surrendered, lost, abused, neglected or unwanted animals each year. To learn more, visit popememorialcvhs.org. Pope Memorial Humane Society Cocheco Valley announces Scott Merrow as the new Executive Director This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Cocheco Valley Humane Society names Scott Merrow executive director OUC marked a century of serving Central Florida on Monday. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared Monday OUC 100th Anniversary Day. Officials said OUC was founded in 1923 as a municipal utility commission to provide electric and water services to the residents and businesses of Orlando. The utilitys first board meeting was held on June 25, 1923, at First National Bank in Orlando. Read: OUC to build $100M project, seeks contractor When it was founded, OUC served 2,795 customers. Today, the company serves more than a quarter of a million customers and is now the 14th-largest municipal utility in the nation and the second-largest in the state. 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. Pride flags stolen from Central Coast businesses and sheriff is looking for help The thefts of flags, including at least two installed for Pride Month, in Los Olivos have prompted an investigation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office and a request for surveillance video. On Friday, the Sheriffs Office put out a plea for the publics assistance with suspect information or video footage. At 10:30 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to the 2800 block of Grand Avenue for a report of a stolen flag that was taken in the previous 18 hours, Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Raquel Zick said. Deputies learned that a Pride flag had been stolen from a pole in front of the business after closing time the prior day, Zick said. In the commission of the theft, the pole was also damaged. While deputies investigated the theft, a neighboring business also reported having a Pride Month flag stolen, and a third business, around the corner on the 2400 block of Alamo Pintado, had a state of Hawaii flag stolen. The thefts all seemed to occur after business hours Wednesday and before opening Thursday. After taking the initial reports, deputies attempted to collect physical evidence from the scenes and canvassed the area for additional victims as well as potential cameras that would have captured surveillance of the crimes to no avail, she said. Deputies have asked for the publics assistance in identifying any suspects or involved parties, she added. Men accused of stealing, burning Pride flags The incident came 11 months after two local men allegedly stole and burned Pride flags in the Santa Ynez Valley. They now face misdemeanor criminal charges in Santa Maria Superior Court. Avi Stone Williams and Joshua Jerome Eligino have been charged with two misdemeanor counts of petty theft and one misdemeanor violation of civil rights. In April, not-guilty pleas were entered on behalf of the pair. Their criminal case is scheduled to return to court July 10. It is the policy of the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office to safeguard the rights of all people, irrespective of their disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, Zick said. Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are viewed very seriously and given high priority. Anyone with information about the latest thefts is encouraged to contact the Solvang Sheriffs Substation at 805-686-5000. To remain anonymous, information can be submitted by calling the tip line at 805-681-4171 or online at SBSheriff.org. Prigozhin opens up about mutiny attempt. In a new audio message posted on his Telegram channel Monday, Wagner Private Military Corporation leader Yevgeny Prigozhin took yet another swipe at Russian military leadership, saying his mutinous march toward Moscow was a lesson in how to conduct maneuver warfare aimed at preserving his organization. He also expressed regret at being forced to shoot down nearly a dozen Russian aircraft in the process. The march showed many things demonstrated before, Prigozhin said, according to a translation by the Wartranslated Twitter handle. Serious security concerns around the country. All military bases and airfields were blocked. If actions on 24 Feb 2022 were done by forces as trained as Wagner, the special operation could have ended in one day. This shows the level of organization that the Russian Army should be following. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1673345844148314112 The message - delivered after more than a day of uncharacteristic silence from the normally loquaciously bellicose Wagner boss - also offered additional explanation as to why he launched the insurrection and why he stopped it. However, it also raised questions about how Prigozhin can continue having such a public presence in the wake after directly challenging the Russian government via an armed insurrection. The rationale for the March for Justice, as Prigozhin described the events that unfolded Friday, actually began when the Kremlin ordered his troops to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, Prigozhin said. He claimed it to be a move so unpopular with his troops that only 1%-2% decided to join the Russian army. However, there was some suggestion that the influential milblogger Semyon Pegov, known as WarGonzo, may have posited the idea to Prigozhin far earlier, after the Wagner leader complained in April about the lack of ammunition being given to him in the fight for Bakhmut. Interestingly, the fate of WarGonzo remains unclear after video emerged of a Ukrainian special operations forces attack on a Russian trench that may have depicted Pegov being gunned down. https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1673009346043600896 There were also claims that Prigozhin only stopped after his family was threatened. Russian intelligence agencies made threats to harm the families of Wagner mercenary group leaders as the group marched on Moscow, The Telegraph reported Monday, citing anonymous U.K. security sources. https://twitter.com/New_Narrative/status/1673105792788987906?s=20 But on Monday Prigozhin did not address those claims, instead saying that his original plan was to take his troops to Rostov on July 30 and transfer all his vehicles ready for transport to the Russian MoD. Apparently, the idea was that with his troops being turned over to the MoD, there was no need for the vehicles. Repeating the claim he made on Friday without any real proof - other than a highly inconclusive video which you can see below - Prigozhin reiterated that those plans changed when his troops came under missile and helicopter attack from Russian forces that killed about 30 Wagner personnel. https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1672308593964580864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1672308593964580864%7Ctwgr%5Eb8d51032bcf29f03b0c4840b49031f3b0179408c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fwagner-boss-declares-war-on-russian-defense-ministry This triggered an immediate decision to move out early and respond militarily, he claimed Monday. Throughout the 24-hour march, one column went to Moscow, another to Rostov, said Prigozhin, adding that his troops came within 200 kilometers of Moscow, according to another translation of his Monday missive. They made 780 km (about 485 miles) of progress in one day. The Wagner troops regret being forced to attack the army aircraft but the bombs were dropped which caused the response, he said. This video below purports to show the wreckage of one of those aircraft, an unarmed IL-22 communications relay aircraft with 10 onboard. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1673047914724065281 The Russian-military-connected Fighterbomber Telegram channel reported at least seven Russian aircraft were shot down by Wagner. https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1672652831436808199 On Monday, Russian lawmaker Andrey Gurulyov - a former commander of the Southern Military District whose headquarters in Rostov-on-Don Prigozhin temporarily seized on Saturday - said Wagner troops must pay for killing Russian pilots. https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1673228589330735106?s=20 In his Monday audio address, Prigozhin claimed that despite his troops being fired on, all military objects on the way were blocked and disarmed. None of the military have died on the ground. The objective was to not allow the destruction of Wagner and take to responsibility for those who with their unprofessional actions made a huge number of mistakes during the SMO [Special Military Operation - Russia's all out invasion of Ukraine]. Prigozhin claimed that all the military met along the way supported his march, which he only stopped when the advanced storm unit deployed artillery, conducted reconnaissance, and realized a lot of blood would be shed in an upcoming battle. They decided that the demonstration of the protest was enough, and turned around. The factors that made Wagner turn around, according to Prigozhin: first, they didnt want to shed Russian blood. Secondly, they wanted to demonstrate their protest, not overtake the authority in Russia. [Belarusian dictator Alexander] Lukashenko offered to find solutions for further legal operation of Wagner legally. Columns turned around and went back to field camps. As we wrote on Saturday, Lukashenko claimed he brokered the deal leading to Wagner calling off his mutiny, but many questions remain. Among other things, that deal included no charges being levied against Prigozhin or his troops, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday. But on Monday, Russian official state news agency TASS on reported that despite any such agreement, there is still a criminal case open against Prigozhin on charges of organizing an armed mutiny that could land him in jail for up to 20 years. https://twitter.com/tassagency_en/status/1673259839538044932 There were unconfirmed reports that he was seen at a hotel in Minsk. https://twitter.com/kyivpost/status/1673306907732221956?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A The independent Verstka media outlet claimed on Monday there is an effort underway to build Prigozhin a military facility in Belarus. https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1673324374294687746 There are also claims, widely dismissed in Ukraine, that Prigozhin could be building an army to try and attack south to Kyiv akin to the failed initial Russian full-on invasion thrust. And there was discussion about the future of Prigozhin's efforts in Africa, where Wagner remains a key and ever-growing player in the affairs of countries like Mali and the Central African Republic. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said Wagner fighters will not be withdrawn from Africa. Unsurprisingly, Lavrov also said Russian authorities are investigating whether the U.S. or allies had any connection to the mutiny attempt, according to TASS. "I work in a government ministry that is not engaged in gathering evidence of unlawful acts being committed, but we do have such agencies and, I assure you, they are already looking into it," Lavrov said, when asked if there was evidence indicating that either Ukrainian intelligence services or their Western counterparts were in any way involved in the mutiny attempt. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1673310288685199361?s=20 Lavrov told TASS that his concerns about outside agitation were raised in part by a CNN report on Sunday saying that an unnamed U.S. official said Washington was expecting things to work out far worse than they did. I do know that we assessed it was going to be a great deal more violent and bloody, the official told CNN. https://twitter.com/MarquardtA/status/1673014105563893760?s=20 Meanwhile, rumors are swirling about the main object of Prigozhins ire - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The MoD on Monday released video purporting to show Shoigu inspecting troops in the Donbas. https://twitter.com/thetimes/status/1673366393335447557 But Russian Telegram channels cast doubt on the MoD's claim about the timing of Shoigu's visit. "...the video of the working trip of the Minister of Defense to the West group of troops is 'canned,'" the influential Two Major Telegram channel said Monday. Reacting to the time seen on a watch on Shoigus left wrist, the Kremlin-connected Rybar Telegram channel further challenged the MoD claim by pointing to the time indicated on the watch, the image of which appears to have been subsequently blurred. The watch of Shoigu himself is clearly visible on the video of the Ministry of Defense., according to Rybar. Only time can be distinguished on [it: it shows] 12.48... This means that at least the footage published by the Russian military department was not taken today. https://twitter.com/BloodOfTyrants2/status/1673304999764586496 As for Valery Gerasimov, the Army chief of staff that Prigozhin also blamed for what he termed on Friday an invasion launched on false pretenses that needlessly killed tens of thousands of Russians, nothing has been heard. What that means is unclear, though rumors are running rampant that one or both of those leaders will be eventually cashiered given the failures not just in Ukraine, but the inability to prevent Prigozhins march. Igor Girkin, an influential former military leader in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic who is also known by the name Igor Strelkov, claimed on his Telegram channel that both Russian leaders remain widely unpopular among the troops. "Everyone, especially officers, hates Shoigu and Gerasimov," Girkin wrote. "Their authority in the troops is absent and even minus. Their very presence is a demoralizing factor." https://twitter.com/Faytuks/status/1673347440152305666?s=20 Girkin also suggested that despite what happened, Prigozhin will make a formidable candidate in the upcoming Russian presidential election, scheduled for next year. "In this case, we will soon see [Prigozhin] as one of the likely candidates in the presidential election," he said. "With the 'rhetoric of justice' supplemented by the 'halo of a persecuted martyr' and 'an extremely successful commander who easily captured a million-strong city in a couple of hours.'" On Sunday, Girkin apparently suggested that Putin resign. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1672987791158910976?s=20 But as the events unfolded, the Russian milbloggers and propagandists seemed as riven as the political-military infrastructure. The Institute for the Study of War on Sunday reported that some want to move on while others are demanding answers for how Prigozhin was able to make it as far as he did. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1673131083951669249?s=20 President Joe Biden on Monday said the U.S. had no part in the events. "We made clear, that we are not involved," Biden said. "We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system." https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1673406598809632768 Kyiv meanwhile is watching all these developments with a wary eye. As Prigozhins forces were driving to Moscow, a Ukrainian official told us hopes were buoyed that a successful mutiny would raise the level of success and shorten the way to overall victory. But as the news came that he was calling it off, there was a sense of resigned disappointment in Kyiv. To some extent, yes, the official said about the mood of disappointment. I wanted to have more devastating results for the Russian leadership and military. But, honestly, I did have doubts from the beginning. However, with the situation surrounding Prigozhin still unclear, Putin clearly challenged and the status of Shoigu and Gerasimov at the moment unknown, there still remains hope that all this drama will work to Ukraines benefit, the official told us. We will continue our work to liberate all Ukrainian territories, no doubts, the official said. I hope this situation should change stability and unity of efforts of the Russian side and give more flexibility to our side. Late Monday night Moscow time, Putin addressed the situation, saying without naming Prigozhin that the "insurgents" had "betrayed their country, their people, those they had dragged into the crime," according to a translation of his speech. Putin also said that Russian forces would have stopped Wagner had they kept marching. Any attempts to start a mutiny will fail, said Putin, according to a translation of the speech. An armed mutiny would have been suppressed anyway. There are major doubts among national security analysts if this would have been the actual outcome. Russia's enemies wanted to see the mutiny continue, Putin said. All the enemies abroad and national traitors wanted us to fight each other, said Putin. They failed. Putin did say that he would keep his word regarding Wagner rank-and-file troops, possibly about future prosecutions and saying they had the choice to go to Belarus or sign up with the MoD. But he gave no real indication of what concrete steps he will take in the wake of the mutiny. https://twitter.com/vidtranslator/status/1673416062262730753 Putin also held a meeting with senior military and law enforcement leaders - including Shoigu, who made an appearance in civilian clothes. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1673423023787917312 https://twitter.com/VolodyaTretyak/status/1673424696707018783 After another day of speeches by Prigozhin and Putin, there are still more questions than answers about the way forward. What happens next is unknown, but we will be watching closely and update this story with any new developments. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Prigozhin says he's sorry Wagner mercenaries shot down Russian aircraft, but the military might not forgive them for killing its service members Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group are deployed in a street near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer Wagner fighters downed several Russian military aircraft during their short-lived rebellion. Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Monday that he regretted the engagements, which reportedly left pilots dead. But it's unclear if the Russian military is going to readily forgive the mercenaries for the bloodshed. Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has expressed regret for the downing of several Russian military aircraft during his revolt, but Moscow's troops may not be ready to forgive the mercenary leader for Wagner's mutiny anytime soon. In his first public statement since calling off what turned out to be rather short-lived rebellion, Prigozhin expressed remorse on Monday that his fighters shot down several Russian aircraft, which killed an unconfirmed number of airmen. He said, however, that he was given no choice. He did not specifically apologize for carrying out the mutiny. "We regret that we had to hit air assets, but those assets were dropping bombs and launching missile strikes," Prigozhin said in a roughly 11-minute audio message posted to Telegram, adding that Wagner simply wanted to "demonstrate our protest, not to overthrow the government." During Wagner's revolt, which only lasted about a day, Wagner forces shot down a total of six Russian military transport, attack, and electronic warfare helicopters and one larger aircraft, identified as a Il-22M airborne command post. Wagner fighters also captured a Russian infantry mobility vehicle and a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle. War experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington-based think tank, suggested that the fallout from the mutiny has split Russian ultranationalists into two camps: those who want more scrutiny on how Wagner fighters managed to seamlessly capture the southern city of Rostov-on-Don before pressing ahead toward Moscow and those who simply want to move on from the incident. Members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. ROMAN ROMOKHOV/AFP via Getty Images Prigozhin has enjoyed considerable support in Russia's ultranationalist pro-war information space throughout the war in Ukraine, but last weekend's rebellion raised questions over how far support would go. In a Sunday analysis, ISW experts wrote that various Russian milbloggers and former officials in that ultranationalist space took varying stances on whether or not the Wagner mercenaries should be forgiven for their actions, if Prigozhin bore sole responsibility for the chaos, and how fit military leadership actually was to address the security problem. "A prominent milblogger asked how Russian authorities will punish those involved in the deaths of Russian servicemen, indicating that clemency for the Wagner fighters that participated in the rebellion may become a longstanding grievance for elements of the Russian military and the ultranationalist community," the analysis said. It is unclear exactly how the relationship between Wagner and Russia's regular military will be tested as a result of the mutiny and downing of the aircraft. Despite fighting alongside each other in Ukraine, the two factions have been at odds and sometimes even clashed on the battlefield, and it was the worsening tensions between Wagner and the defense ministry that appear to have led Prigozhin to launch an armed rebellion in the first place. On Friday, Prigozhin accused Russia's defense ministry of carrying out a deadly strike on his mercenaries, which Moscow firmly denied. But Prigozhin seized the opportunity to slam the defense ministry as "evil" and said it "must be stopped," openly encouraging his mercenaries to take up arms against military leadership. Video shows Russians cheering for Wagner and Prigozhin as they leave the key military hub of Rostov-on-Don. Reuters Quickly and without any resistance, Wagner fighters captured Rostov-on-Don before making their way toward Moscow. But as the capital city prepared for bloodshed, Prigozhin called off the impending assault after the Kremlin cut a deal that saw the mercenary boss shipped off to exile in Belarus. Ukraine seized on the chaos to point out how Russia created its own domestic problems. The country's defense ministry wrote Saturday on Twitter that "russian soldiers must leave Ukraine and go save their homes from the war that the kremlin has unleashed within russia. The enemies of russian soldiers and the russian people are not in Ukraine. They are in moscow." Western officials, meanwhile, said the armed rebellion highlighted a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power and exposed serious rifts in Moscow's authority. "Sixteen months ago Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv in Ukraine thinking they'd take the city in a matter of days, thinking they would erase Ukraine from the map as an independent country," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS News on Sunday. "Now, over this weekend, they've had to defend Moscow, Russia's capital, against mercenaries of Putin's own making." "It was a direct challenge to Putin's authority," Blinken continued. "So this raises profound questions. It shows real cracks. We can't speculate or know exactly where that's going to go. We do know that Putin has a lot more to answer for in the weeks and months ahead." Read the original article on Business Insider The Wagner Group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin published a statement through his press service on June 26, addressing the reasons for starting and abruptly ending his June 23-24 rebellion. In his first public address since the uprising, Prigozhin said that the mercenary group had marched against Moscow to protest against its imminent dissolution and an alleged attack by the Russian army against Wagner troops. "The purpose of our march was to prevent the liquidation of Wagner and punish those who made a gigantic number of mistakes during the special military operation (in Ukraine) due to their unprofessional actions," Prigozhin said in a veiled reference to the Russian military leadership, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov. He said that Wagner had ended the rebellion to avoid further causalities on both sides. Prigozhin said that, according to an order issued by Russia's Defense Ministry, the mercenary group was meant to be dissolved on July 1 and its staff and equipment would then be transferred to the regular army. However only 1-2% of the mercenaries agreed to sign the contract with the ministry, he said. He claimed that Wagner had planned to peacefully transfer its military equipment to the Defense Ministry. Prigozhin said that the transfer had been expected to take place in Rostov on June 30. However, the plan was foiled after the alleged attack on Wagner troops by Russia's regular army on June 23, he claimed. Prigozhin again criticized the military's leadership as unprofessional and incompetent, claiming that Wagner represents the most capable force during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The trigger for the uprising was, according to Prigozhin, a missile strike and a helicopter attack against Wagner positions by the government's forces, resulting in around 30 dead mercenaries. So far, no solid proof has been presented that the alleged attack took place. Prigozhin also said that, during his rebellion, several Wagner mercenaries had been injured. He added that two soldiers from the regular army who joined the Wagner insurrection had been killed. The Wagner founder claimed that no Russian soldiers had been killed by Wagner troops "on the ground" during the rebellion. He nevertheless admitted the destruction of Russian military aircraft, adding it was in self-defense. Russia comes to the brink of civil war: How we got here and what it means Visually, the scene was a familiar one. Russian armored vehicles emblazoned with the Z logo in the central streets of a once peaceful city, masked soldiers standing at key intersections, and confrontational conversations with bemused local civilians. But this wasnt a Ukrainian city in the first da The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell According to Ukraine's Air Force, Wagner shot down six Russian helicopters and one military plane. Prigozhin justified the abrupt ending to his rebellion by two reasons. Firstly, the Wagner leaders did not want to shed Russian blood, he claimed. Secondly, the mercenary group's aim was to protest against the group's dissolution, not to topple the government. "We halted our advance when our assault troops reached a distance of 200 kilometers from Moscow, deployed artillery, and conducted reconnaissance of the terrain," Prigozhin said. "It became obvious that a lot of blood would be spilled at that moment. That's why we decided that our demonstration of what we intended to do was sufficient." He also pointed out that the speed of the "March of Justice" demonstrated Russia's security weaknesses and Wagner's alleged competence, as the mercenaries marched a distance comparable to the one between the northeastern Russian-Ukrainian border and the city of Uzhgorod in the far west of Ukraine. The rebellion was launched late on June 23. The mercenary group occupied Rostov, a major regional capital, and marched all the way to the town of Kashira in Moscow Oblast before unexpectedly ending the rebellion on June 24. The event was preceded by a long-standing feud between Prigozhin and Russia's Defense Ministry. Prigozhin has repeatedly criticized the military authorities and claimed that Wagner mercenaries are the only Russian units achieving success on the battlefield. On June 10, the ministry ordered all "volunteer" units (including mercenaries) to integrate into the regular army by July 1, triggering a backlash from Wagner. After Prigozhin's mutiny, another Russian ultranationalist said that Putin must 'transfer' his war powers if he can't win in Ukraine A woman standing in front of a tank that Wager Group forces seized while under the command of Yevgeny Prigozhin in an armed rebellion in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24. Feodor Larin/Getty Images A day after the truce that averted a Moscow siege, ultranationalists gathered in the capitol. If Putin can't secure victory in Ukraine, one of them argued, "he needs to legally transfer his powers." It's an open question now about whether Putin's regime can close these floodgates of criticism. On Sunday, as Moscovites processed the news from the previous night that their capitol had been spared a siege by mercenaries notorious for extreme brutality, a group of ultranationalists gathered to share what amounted to extraordinary criticism in wartime Russia. Their view was blunt: Russia's invasion of Ukraine was failing, and if Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn't fix that and achieve victory, then he must surrender power. "The whole current system is built on the irresponsibility of the elites," the former Russian commander Igor Girkin said at the Angry Patriots Club meeting weeks before the Wagner Group armed rebellion. "If the president is not ready to take responsibility for the war, he needs to legally transfer his powers." The nearly three-hour meeting of milbloggers in Moscow was broadcast on Telegram, the social-media platform the Kremlin has allowed a freewheeling culture of war reporting and commentary while trying to keep it off the state-controlled airwaves. It's there that Russian nationalists can safely congregate, for now, to share the stinging criticism of Russia's generals, oligarchs, and, increasingly, Putin himself in apparent contravention of the draconian crackdown on war criticism that often carries long prison sentences. It's an open question now about whether Putin's regime can close these floodgates of criticism. Prigozhin and Igor Girkin. SERGEI ILNITSKY, Contributor/Getty Images It was, of course, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the longtime Putin ally and Wagner Group chief, who was and remains one of the most well-known and outspoken Russian nationalists. Even in the wake of his failed rebellion against military leaders, Prigozhin on Monday used his large social-media following to push a version of his armed "march for justice" at odds with Putin's account. "The Kremlin likely risks Prigozhin's armed rebellion expanding the window of acceptable anti-Kremlin criticism, particularly if the Kremlin does not intend to retaliate further against Prigozhin," the Institute for the Study of War wrote in a Sunday report. "The Kremlin's continued careful response to the armed rebellion will likely prompt other Russian nationalists to test Russian official reactions to more explicitly critical rhetoric." Putin came to power more than two decades ago by crafting a persona as a leader willing to use brute force to ensure stability. But threats to that stability a year and a half into his Ukraine invasion are multiplying: Mounting war losses and claims of military incompetence, cross-border raids terrorizing some Russian communities, and now security forces in Moscow bracing to repel heavily armed Russian mercenaries led by Prigozhin. Girkin, the organizer of the Angry Patriots Club, is no friend to Prigozhin. Girkin a former FSB security operative who goes by the nom de guerre Strelkov, Russian for "shooter" had warned that Prigozhin's Wagner Group could be a threat to Putin. And like Prigozhin, he has not shied from criticizing Putin at times, often arguing how much better Russia's war could be run, commentary that the Moscow meeting shows the regime is still allowing or unable to stop. Read the original article on Business Insider Prince William and his charitable Royal Foundation will launch the homelessness initiative at six locations across Britain (SUSANNAH IRELAND) Britain's Prince William will launch Monday a new UK-wide initiative aiming to show that it is possible to end homelessness and make it "rare, brief, and unrepeated", Kensington Palace announced. William, 41, the heir to the throne, and his charitable Royal Foundation will help give six flagship locations across Britain "space, tools, and relationships" to work on preventing homelessness locally. Promising a "transformative approach" to the issue, the five-year initiative -- dubbed Homewards -- will try to create a "tried and tested model that can be scaled across the UK and beyond". It aims to unlock "unprecedented partnerships" and boost understanding of homelessness, with the programme launching alongside new research suggesting that one in five people in Britain have some experience of homelessness. "In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need," William said in a statement. "Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the UK hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate. "It's a big task, but I firmly believe that by working together it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated and I am very much looking forward to working with our six locations to make our ambition a reality." The prince will embark on a two-day nationwide tour starting Monday in London, during which he will announce the six locations. In each place chosen, Homewards will help form locally led coalitions of people, organisations and businesses which will work on preventing homelessness in their areas based on local needs and expertise. The initiative will also provide access to an unprecedented network of "best-in-class expertise, partners and funders at a local and national level", Kensington Palace said. That includes up to 500,000 ($635,000) of flexible seed funding in each location that can be accessed to support the delivery of their action plans, it added. jj/yad Bryan Kohberger Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing four university students in Moscow, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger, 28, faces four counts of first degree murder in the stabbing deaths of the students in an off-campus house last November. He was arrested following a six-week manhunt. A judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf last May after he chose to "stand silent" in court. In new court filing on Monday, prosecutors wrote that "considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty". The top prosecutor, Bill Thompson, wrote in the court filing that this case met the standard for the death penalty as Mr Kohberger's acts were "especially heinous, atrocious or cruel" and "exhibited utter disregard for human life". Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, aged 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20, were killed in an off-campus apartment on 13 November. The gruesome murder of the four college students days before Thanksgiving in 2022 shocked the nation. Goncalves' family said they are "grateful" that prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty in the case. "We continue to pray for all the victims families and appreciate all the support we have received," the family said in a statement on Monday. Investigators have said the killer left DNA on a "leather knife sheath" found at the crime scene. In January, unsealed court documents revealed police collected a knife, Glock pistol, black gloves, a black hat and a black face mask during a search of Mr Kohberger's home. Documents also show police seized and later dismantled a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra that Mr Kohberger had occasionally driven. Mr Kohberger's attorney criticised the prosecution's reliance on investigative genetic genealogy in its own recent court filings, calling it a "bizarrely complex DNA tree experiment". Investigative genetic genealogy - using DNA from crime scenes and seeking to identify suspects through other genetic DNA profiles or matches - has been used with growing frequency in recent years to solve crime cases. Prosecutors have said the FBI went to public DNA sites with results from the knife sheath, which allowed them to hone in their investigation on Mr Kohberger. At the time of his arrest, Mr Kohberger was studying to earn a PhD in criminology from Washington State University, eight miles from Moscow over the Idaho/Washington border. His trial is set for 2 October. The BBC has reached out to Mr Kohberger's lawyer for comment. Yevhen Prigozhin leaves Rostov-on-Don, June 24 In a televised address on June 26, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that several Russian military pilots were killed during the recent mutiny led by the leader of Wagner Group private military company, Yevgeny Prigozhin. "The fallen pilots' bravery and selflessness saved Russia from tragic, ruinous consequences," Putin said. Read also: After striking deal with Putin, Prigozhin and his fighters abandon march on Moscow He also expressed gratitude towards the Russian troops who ostensibly "defied the coup instigators, upheld their duty and pledge, and remained faithful to their people." He added that the armed coup would have been crushed regardless. On June 24, Wagner fighters took control of Russian military installations in Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh, meeting little to no resistance from the Russian military. Read also: Criminal case against Prigozhin still ongoing, reports Russian media From Rostov, Prigozhin issued a statement demanding access to the upper echelons of Russian military leadership and sent his troops on a march to Moscow. Read also: Wagner destroyed seven Russian aircraft during Prigozhin's rebellion Air Force The open-source intelligence (OSINT) project Oryx confirms that Wagner mercenaries have shot down at least one Russian Il-22 aircraft, two ECM helicopters, and one Mi-35 helicopter. Some reports also suggested the mutineers also shot down one An-24 aircraft over Voronezh. 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 North China sizzles under heatwaves, south tormented by heavy rains Global Times) 08:22, June 26, 2023 China has been experiencing heavy rainfalls in its southern region and unusually high temperatures in the northern region recently. Chinese experts said the country needs to make scientific plans and full preparations to deal with potential extreme weather, but noting that the impact of the recent unusual weather conditions on the autumn grain crops will be limited. Multiple regions including parts in Central China's Hunan Province and South China's Guangdong Province and East China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai have been hit by heavy rainfalls since Saturday, while the temperatures in North China's Beijing, Tianjin, central part of Hebei Province and northern part of East China's Shandong Province reached 39-41.1 C, according to the China Meteorological Administration on Sunday. In the next three days, parts of the regions in East China's Anhui Province, Southwest China's Sichuan Province and other areas are forecasted to see heavy rainfall, as well as the risks of mountain floods, geological disasters and waterlogging in urban and rural areas. The intensity and scope of high temperatures in North China and other regions are expected to ease on Sunday and Monday, but the high temperatures will return on Tuesday in some regions, according to the administration. Experts have said that in the context of global warming, the combination of moderate and above intensity El Nino events might bring more extreme weatherin the future. The current weather situation generally conforms to the rules of the development of El Nino weather event with flooding in the southern areas and drought in the northern areas in the country, Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told the Global Times on Sunday. During the development of El Nino, it's normal to see flooding caused by rainfalls in the southern areas and drought caused by high temperatures in the northern areas. It is necessary to prevent drought in the northern areas of the country, Ma noted. Extreme heatwaves not only increase health risks such as heatstroke, and heat-related illnesses, but can also cause damage to infrastructure. They can also trigger wildfires, leading to air pollution. The persistent occurrence of extreme heat can further contribute to the development of compound meteorological disasters, affecting local agricultural and industrial production, water resources, ecological environment, energy supply as well as people's daily life, according to Ma. In response to that, we need to develop scientific plans and make thorough preparations, Ma said. Li Guoxiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday that the extreme weather in part of the regions will have "little impact" on the autumn grain production. Although it is still uncertain if the high temperatures will persist, it is wise to be prepared to prevent drought in the northern areas as well as flooding in the southern areas, according to Li. At least 185 red alerts for high temperatures were issued across China including Beijing, Tianjin and the neighboring provinces of Hebei and Shandong on June 23, according to media reports. Since June this year, there have been two regional high temperature weather processes - from June 14 to 18 and from June 21 to 24 - in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, with the average number of high temperature days reaching 9.5, according to the meteorological administration. It's predicted that the region will face one more process of high temperature from June 27 to 30, said the administration. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out against the Wagner Group's short-lived rebellion. And it was a deadly weekend at a Florida beach. Hey! Laura Davis here. Lets get you caught up on Mondays news. But first: Mirror, mirror on the wall, whos the ugliest of them all? He won't be winning any "best in show" awards, but his distinct features captured the attention of judges at the World's Ugliest Dog contest. Meet Scooter. The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here. Putin vows action after Wagner rebellion Determined and clearly irked, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged Monday to take decisive action against the perpetrators of the brief weekend uprising led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the mercenary Wagner Group. In a five-minute televised address, he extolled Russian patriotism as the reason for the quick end to the rebellion and said it would have been suppressed had it continued. Putin also said many of the troops who participated in the failed coup were loyal Russians who were misled, and apparently placed most of the blame on Prigozhin, his former ally who accepted a deal to flee to Belarus. Earlier Monday, Prigozhin issued his first statement since the aborted weekend march on Moscow and said the goal was protest, not regime change. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the heads of Russian law enforcement agencies at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Monday. Millions under threat of severe storms and heat A day after powerful storms swept through a large part of the country, millions in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic were under threat of severe weather on Monday. Three killed Sunday: At least two tornadoes touched down in Indiana on Sunday night, killing one person. In Arkansas, two people were killed when a tree plunged into a house. What's happening Monday: More than 400,000 people were without power after storms battered Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Michigan. A front moving eastward from the Midwest was expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the eastern U.S. on Monday, and there was an "enhanced" risk of severe weather in the mid-Atlantic, the Storm Prediction Center said. Here's the latest. Scorching heat dome expands: Millions are expected to sweat as a heat dome stretches beyond Texas this week. What everyone's talking about The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today. Suspect in Colorado Springs nightclub shooting pleads guilty The suspect accused of killing five people and injuring 17 at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs in November pleaded guilty Monday to multiple murder charges and other crimes. The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and 46 counts of attempted first-degree murder and no contest two counts of bias-motivated crimes. According to the plea deal, the shooter will serve five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole on the murder charges and 46 consecutive 48-year sentences on the attempted-murder charges. The plea deal spares survivors and victims' family members a potentially painful trial. Panama City Beach tops US in beach deaths Three more tourists died while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend under dangerous conditions. The swimmers died Saturday off Panama City Beach, Florida, according to a release, and seven people have now died along the coast of Bay County in nine days the highest number of beach fatalities for any single locale in the U.S. for 2023, according to a National Weather Service database. All of the victims Saturday were tourists who died after struggling with rip currents. In every instance but one, double red flags were posted, meaning the Gulf was closed to swimmers. Dangerous rip currents around Panama City Beach, Florida, led to the deaths of three tourists over the weekend. A break from the news Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures and misadventures on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Putin blasts coup attempt, severe weather, Club Q shooting: Monday's news The world just got a hint of a tantalizing but possibly even more dangerous future without Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Western stakes in the Ukraine war rose significantly as a result. A mutinous weekend that saw mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flagrantly mock the Kremlin before aborting his march on Moscow evoked Russias blood-soaked history of revolutions and coups. Meanwhile, efforts by the White House and its foreign allies to find out exactly what was happening underlined the volatile nature of a war that could rewrite the map of Europe and modern history. Ultimately, a civil war that seemed about to burst out was averted at least for now. The Kremlin strongman seemed to blink at a military confrontation with Prigozhins Wagner Group fighters in an act that might preserve his grip on power. But Prigozhins defiance and the retreat by Putin, who accused him of treason but then agreed to a deal to let him apparently escape to exile in Belarus hours later punched the deepest holes in the Russian presidents authority in a generation in power. Theres now no doubt that the war Putin unleashed to wipe Ukraine off the map poses an existential threat to his political survival. The rest of the world must now deal with the implications. This is not a 24-hour blip. Its like Prigozhin is the person who looked behind the screen at the Wizard of Oz and saw the great and terrible Oz was just this little frightened man, former US ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst told CNNs Christiane Amanpour. Putin has been diminished for all time by this affair. Schisms in Moscow and between the government and Prigozhins Wagner Group the only Russian fighting force that has enjoyed much recent battlefield success might also now conjure an opening for Ukraine, which wants breakthroughs against Moscows already demoralized and poorly led troops in its new counteroffensive. This would be good news for the West, which has bankrolled and armed the countrys fight for its life. And theres no doubt that NATO leaders would love to see Putin gone since theres no sign he will end the war by pulling his troops out of Ukraine. For a time, it appeared that a teetering autocrat, Russias military and rival militia chiefs might end up in a civil war for control of a nation with a vast nuclear arsenal. Such instability and internal strife in Russia would send geopolitical shockwaves across the globe. The West truly doesnt have a side in the internal strife that erupted this weekend. This was a showdown between Prigozhin whose men are accused of brutal human rights abuses in Ukraine, Syria and Africa and Putin, who has revived World War II-style horror in Europe, who flouted international law by invading a sovereign neighbor and who faces an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. Prigozhin also has been no friend to the US he has admitted to interfering in American elections and pledged to do so again. Statements by Western leaders that this was an internal Russian matter reflected a desire to deny Putin a pretext to renew his claims that hes a victim of a Western plot to overthrow him and suppress Russias dignity as a major power and to trim its geopolitical sphere of influence. CNNs Kevin Liptak reported that in telephone conversations with the leaders of France, Britain and Germany, Biden stressed the need to keep the temperature low and to allow whatever was happening in Russia to play out in keeping with his mantra to prevent World War III. And while its possible a crack in the Putin regime could presage an eventual collapse that might remove one of Washingtons major foreign policy challenges a new Cold War-style standoff with Russia no one in Washington is betting on it. I dont think we want a country that spans 11 time zones and includes republics in the Russian Federation of many different ethnic and sectarian groupings to come apart at the seams, retired Gen. David Petraeus said on CNNs State of the Union. Is this the beginning of the end of Putin? We dont know. Whoever follows him, if that is the case, will he be even more dictatorial, which is what we feared might be the case if Prigozhin may have been successful? Could there actually be a pragmatic leader who steps in and realizes what a catastrophic error this whole Ukraine endeavor has been and realize that they need to somehow get a more rational approach to Europe and to the West? asked Petraeus, a former CIA director. Many, many unknowns. A wounded Putin could be an even more dangerous Putin It has long been clear that Ukrainian success in this war could pose a serious political threat to Putins rule. But its one thing to posit this in theory. After this weekend, this new reality will require the West to once again examine its balancing act to save Ukraine. Its possible that the Russian leaders humiliation could cause him to demand an even more vicious push in a war that has already callously targeted Ukrainian civilians. If political strife in Russia further damages its troops morale and leads to battlefield losses, Putins position could become even more difficult. This will fuel fears that the Russian leader could threaten a catastrophic escalation of the war after months of nuclear saber rattling. And if the weekend was a preview of a possible collapse of the Putin regime, if the war keeps going from terrible to worse for Russia, the West could have another headache. The European Unions foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said Monday that it was not a good thing when a nuclear power like Russia faces political instability, saying the nuclear threat was something that has to be taken into account. The US has said that there has so far been no change in Moscows nuclear posture. After months of heavy losses on the battlefield and economic pain at home caused by Western sanctions, it was noticeable that the most potent resistance to Putin came not from a democratic movement that he spent years crushing. It was from a force even more right-wing and brutal than him Prigozhin. And another extreme and bloodthirsty war lord, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, offered on Saturday to help suppress the Wagner rebellion on Putins behalf, which is one reason why there were fears of a bloodbath on the streets of Moscow. Behind-the-scenes machinations of Moscows politics a bear pit populated by thuggish militia chiefs, intelligence chieftains and oligarchs are impossible to predict. But the weekends wild twists highlight the possibility that whoever leads Russia after Putin may be even more ruthless and hard for the West to deal with as its longtime nemesis. One of Prigozhins pet projects, for instance, was the Internet Research Agency, a troll farm used by Russia to send a torrent of misinformation across social media in an effort to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. Were all maybe excited to see that Putins hold on power is shakier and the state is more fragile than we thought, but we should also think as much about what would happen next, said Robert English, an expert in Russia and eastern Europe who directs the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California. It probably will be somebody like a Prigozhin or another sort of military leader who pretends for power, not a liberal like an Alexei Navalny or these other liberal critics of Putin, but a populist from the right who appeals to the same anti-elite, anti-corrupt instincts but has brutal dictatorial tendencies of their own, English said. Washington wonders whether the turmoil is over The assumption in Washington is that the hastily announced truce brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which led to Prigozhin halting his advance on Moscow, is far from the end of the story. Its too soon to tell exactly where this is going to go, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. I suspect that this is a moving picture. At the same time, there is a sense that Putin whose rule has long relied on his ability to keep various factions below him placated has seen his credibility as a leader seriously wounded. Blinken said that the fact that a strong figure inside Russia had questioned Putins authority directly was something very, very powerful. He added: It adds cracks, where those go, when they get there, too soon to say, but it clearly raises new questions that Putin has to deal with. The possibility that a weakened Putin could seek more extreme ways to turn around a war that is threatening his hold on power is likely to preoccupy the US and its allies. Biden has been adamant about the need to avoid the conflict spilling over into a direct Russia-NATO conflict. But the fact that the war is now causing deep splits inside Russia in a way that could affect the integrity of its operations may be an argument for quickly escalating western help to Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that as Russias assault continues, it was even more important for the West to support Ukraine to allow it to retake more land and to strengthen its negotiating hand. Putins apparent vulnerability is likely to embolden those who argue that Biden has been too timid, despite reviving the Western alliance to help Ukraine defend itself in the most sweeping transatlantic mobilization since the end of the Cold War and sending billions of dollars and advanced weapons. Critics complain that the West has given Ukraine enough to survive but not to expel Russian troops from all of its territory and even Crimea, which Putin illegally annexed in 2014. Republican presidential candidate Will Hurd, a former CIA officer and Texas congressman, said Sunday that statements from the US and its allies that they were monitoring events in Russia sent a weak message to Putin. Theres another word for that. Thats wringing your hands and doing nothing, Hurd said. After intelligence reports suggesting potential action by Prigozhin, we should have been planning with our allies, we should have been planning with the Ukrainians on how to take advantage of this opportunity, Hurd said on ABCs This Week on Sunday. Hurd one of the handful of candidates to anchor his campaign to directly attacking the GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump has only recently jumped into the presidential race. But his comments reflect the reality that while Bidens premier responsibility is the foreign policy implications of the war in Ukraine, he must begin to consider the conflicts implications for his political prospects. Any worsening of already dire US relations with Moscow or incidents that bring US and Russian forces into conflict are likely to play into the hands of Republicans, especially Trump, who is warning that Bidens support for Ukraine could cause World War III. Trumps claims that he could end the conflict in 24 hours are fatuous, and any solution he does propose is likely to benefit Putin, whom he has long admired. But while the war in Ukraine already dominates Bidens legacy, a Russian collapse that leads to global chaos is unlikely to help him politically as an election year approaches. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday made his first on-camera remarks after a short-lived rebellion led by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Any kind of blackmail is doomed to failure, Putin said in the video, per translations from NBC News. He also called the Wagner mercenaries rebellion a colossal threat and said it is precisely what the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and the West wanted. Prigozhin on Friday launched an armed rebellion demanding the ouster of Russias defense minister. Wagner fighters seized Russias southern-region military headquarters and began moving toward Moscow but the Wagner chief on Saturday ordered his forces to stop the advance and said the troops would return to their bases to avoid shedding Russian blood. Prigozhin reportedly reached a deal with the Russian leadership, which was negotiated by Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, and agreed to move to Belarus. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said charges against Prigozhin will be dropped and that his troops will also not face prosecution for their participation in the rebellion, according to Russian state-owned news agency TASS. Putin, who called the rebellion an armed mutiny Monday, also thanked Lukashenko for his role in the matter. He did not mention Prigozhin by name in the five-minute address to the nation. The organizers of this rebellion cannot but understand that they will be brought to justice. Everybody understands that. This is criminal activity, which is aimed at weakening the country. This was a colossal threat. From outside, we are threatened, Putin said. The Russian leader also thanked members of the Wagner Group who took the right decision to stop and go back and prevent bloodshed and welcomed them to contact Russias defense ministry or return home. The brief rebellion has raised questions about Putins power within Russia and heightened concerns about stability in the region amid Russias 16-month war on neighboring Ukraine, where the Wagner Group had been fighting on Moscows behalf. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said over the weekend the rebellion shows cracks in the Russian facade and suggested it may present a distraction for Moscow leaders as Kyiv conducts a sweeping counteroffensive with Western backing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on June 26 lashed out at the organizers of the Wagner rebellion but argued that most Wagner mercenaries are patriots. Without naming the group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin denounced the rebellion's organizers as traitors for challenging Russia at the time of the ongoing war with Ukraine. He added that the uprising's leaders were playing into the hands of Ukrainian and Western leaders who hope for internal discord within Russia. However, Putin praised the Wagner mercenaries as patriots who have fought for Russia. He said, however, that they had been used by the organizers of the rebellion for their own purposes. He said that Wagner mercenaries will have a chance to undo their mistakes. They will have the option to sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry or leave for Belarus, he said. Putin also praised the "unity" of Russian society in the face of the internal threat, claiming the rebellion would have been defeated in any case. "The solidarity of our society has shown that any blackmail and attempts to stir up internal turmoil are doomed to failure," he said. Finally, Putin thanked Belarus's dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko for facilitating the deal between Moscow and Wagner's leadership. Petro Burkovskyi: Decoding Prigozhins rebellion The Wagner Groups armed rebellion has displayed little evidence of being a successful challenge to Putins regime, but it has created a strong argument in support of Ukraines accelerated accession to NATO. The military drama that unfolded in Russia from June 23 to 24, orchestrated by Wagner The Kyiv IndependentPetro Burkovskyi Earlier on June 26, Prigozhin published his first statement since the rebellion, saying its aim was not to topple the government but to protest the Defense Ministry's decision to dissolve Wagner. The rebellion was launched late on June 23. The mercenary group occupied Rostov, a major regional capital, and marched all the way to the town of Kashira in Moscow Oblast before unexpectedly ending the rebellion on June 24. Following Prigozhin's negotiations with Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko that led to Wagner's retreat, the Kremlin pledged to close the criminal case against the mercenary boss, who was set to leave for Belarus. Prigozhin's current whereabouts as well as the content of the deal between Wagner and the Kremlin remain unclear in public sources beyond speculation and gossip. The News A criminal investigation into Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is still underway, despite reports that the case would be dropped following his mercenary groups short-lived uprising, Russian media reported Monday. The about face came after an apparent deal between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended the weekends standoff. Weve curated insightful analysis from Russia experts on what this means for Putin and the war in Ukraine. Insights In an interview with Foreign Affairs, Russia historian Stephen Kotkin notes that Putin may have unwittingly launched a stress-test of his own regime. Kotkin compared the incident to the run on Silicon Valley Bank, saying that issues in the Russian army could metastasize as stories were shared on Telegram, cumulatively undermining Putins grip on power. Well-connected Russians are viewing the fallout of Prigozhins uprising as damaging to Putins strongman image. One Kremlin insider who spoke to the Financial Times Max Seddon called the situation a huge humiliation for Putin, while Alexei Venediktov, former editor of the Ekho Moskvy radio station, said: It turns out you can start a revolt against the president, and be forgiven. That means the president isnt that strong. However, Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, wrote in Politico that Putin himself views his image as a secondary issue: If you set optics aside, he resolved the situation and avoided the far worse scenario of a successful coup. In a Telegram post, Sergei Markov, a Moscow-based political analyst and former adviser to Putin , wrote that theres always a fundamental reason behind an attempted coup. If the reasons remain, a putsch will happen again. And it could be successful. Prigozhins uprising has effectively removed Russias single most effective fighting force Wagner group mercenaries off the frontlines, Elliot Ackerman writes in The Atlantic, leaving the country to rely entirely on its weakened military and conscripts to continue the war. The Putin vs. Prigozhin drama also strengthens Ukraines case for quicker accession to NATO. Petro Burkovskyi argues in the Kyiv Independent that Russia has now entered a period of instability and unpredictability, reminiscent of the 1990s when it was on the brink of civil war, pushing the West into enlarging NATO to bring stability to Central Europe. People to follow Some of the leading analysts and journalists on this: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Wagnerists will be able to sign a contract with the Russian Defence Ministry, resign or "go to Belarus". Source: Putin in the appeal Quote: "Thank you to those soldiers and commanders of the Wagner Group who made the only right decision they did not resort to fratricidal bloodshed, they stopped at the last line. Today, you have the opportunity to continue serving Russia by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defence or other law enforcement agencies or return to your family and friends. Anyone who wants to can go to Belarus. My promise will be fulfilled. I repeat, the choice is up to each of you, but I am sure it will be the choice of Russian soldiers who realised their tragic mistake." Previously: Earlier, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the president of the Russian Federation, said that the statements that Putin will make in the address "will determine the fate of Russia". In addition, the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel, close to the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, announced that Alexander Lukashenko will give a speech. However, the speech was postponed to Tuesday. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The News After the brief-but-stunning mutiny in Russia over the weekend, the general consensus in Washington is that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a weakened position. But there are still plenty of unknowns following the public break between Putin and his one-time confidant, Wagner mercenary group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Will Ukraine capitalize? Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested on CBS that the distraction created by the crisis within Russia could be an opening for the Ukrainian forces to gain more ground. Russia will lose at least some of Wagners 25,000 troops, which were supplementing the Russian forces and played an outsized role in seizing Bakhmut. The Ukrainians, who just started their long-awaited counteroffensive, continue to press for more air defense and other weapons from the U.S. There arent signs yet of any significant shift in Ukraines strategy following the mutiny. We keep going, Maria Mezentseva, a Ukrainian member of parliament, told Semafor. The whole world saw how weak Putins regime is. Whats in Prigozhins deal? Prigozhin abruptly agreed to turn his forces back and under a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will apparently be exiled to Belarus and will avoid arrest and prosecution. But analysts suspect there may be more to the agreement than meets the eye (or that the Russians are disclosing), whether its secret provisions, hidden motives, or some unknown form of leverage that forced Prigozhin to abruptly end his insurrection. I doubt hes going to just lounge in Belarus, retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general for United States Army Europe, told Semafor. Top Russian officials have all been notably quiet since hostilities ended, though Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was shown speaking to troops in a video released by the government Monday. Adding to the intrigue, Russias state news agency TASS reported Monday that the criminal investigation into Prigozhin had not been closed. Will Chinas support for Russia wane? Chinas foreign ministry offered words of support for Russias actions to stabilize the country and Chinese diplomats held meetings with Russias deputy foreign minister over the weekend. But U.S. officials have consistently spoken of signs of Chinas discomfort with the way Russia has struggled in its war in Ukraine, as well as Moscows nuclear rhetoric. Some suggest the recent events could drive a wedge between the two allied countries. His closest ally Chairman Xi is probably having second thoughts about this alliance he made with Putin, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas said on Fox News. What does it mean for Wagner? The Wagner Group, which is sanctioned by the U.S. as a significant transnational criminal organization, has been fighting alongside the Russian forces in Ukraine. The group is also trying to grow its influence in Africa, something that has increasingly worried U.S. officials in recent years, and its role fighting insurgencies in Mali and Central African Republic with Russian backing is now in question. That could give the U.S. and other western countries a wedge to try and disrupt its operations on the continent, where members have been accused of war crimes. Calling the perpetrators of the uprising "traitors'' and "enemies of Russia,'' Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday emphasized the role of the country's unity in defeating the rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the mercenary Wagner Group. In a five-minute-long televised address, Putin extolled Russian patriotism as the reason for the quick end to the burgeoning coup attempt, saying it would have been suppressed if it had continued. "I thank all our military personnel, law enforcement officers and special servicemen who stood in the path of the rebels, remained faithful to their duty, oath and their people," Putin said in his first appearance since the revolt ended. The Russian society made a decisive step and made it possible for us together to overcome a most difficult situation. Putin also thanked most of the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into bloodshed, saying many of them were loyal Russians who were misled, apparently putting most of the blame on Prigozhin, his former ally who accepted a deal to flee to Belarus. His whereabouts have not been confirmed. Prigozhin, who repeatedly criticized Russian military leaders and their war strategy, had said his fighters would not comply with a Defense Ministry requirement that they sign contracts to join the regular forces by July 1, but Putin suggested they would follow orders. "We knew and know that the overwhelming majority of the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group are Russian patriots, devoted to their people and the state," Putin said. "They proved it on the battlefield, liberating the Donbass and Novorossiya." Prigozhin says he was protesting, not leading a coup Earlier Monday, Prigozhin issued his first statement since an aborted weekend march on Moscow, saying he halted his campaign because he didnt want to spill Russian blood and because the goal was protest, not regime change. Prigozhin did not take responsibility for killing more than a dozen pilots and other Russians during his brief revolt, saying they attacked his troops. And he said that if Russian troops had marched on the first day of invading Ukraine as far as his Wagner troops marched in 24 hours, the war that has stretched to more than 16 months would have ended in one day. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in an 11-minute video statement. He said his troops were met with cheering crowds waving the flag of his Wagner Group fighters. Prigozhin's march began Friday and ended the next day when a deal was brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Under the agreement, Prigozhin would go to Belarus and neither he nor his troops would face treason or other charges. Russias RIA Novosti state news agency, however, cited unidentified sources in the prosecutor generals office as saying the criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed. Prigozhin and his mercenary troops, estimated at up to 50,000 soldiers, have been the point of the spear in Russia's attempt to gain territory in the hotly contested Donbas region of Ukraine. But Prigozhin has routinely blasted Russia's military leaders for failing to provide sufficient support and for what he viewed as poor performance of regular troops. The fissures in Russia's military are widening as Ukraine gains momentum with its counteroffensive. In three weeks, Ukraine has recaptured about 115 square miles of land Russia had occupied more territory than Russia seized in its entire winter offensive, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Monday. Ukraine Army recruits take part in a training session with members of Britain's Royal Marines on June 20, 2023. Kremlin couldn't respond: Russian coup could have reached Moscow outskirts without deal, experts say Will Putin keep his grip on power? Coup attempt dials up pressure over Ukraine war Biden: US not involved in uprising President Joe Biden, in his first public remarks on the situation in Russia, said the U.S. had nothing to do with the rebellion and that it is too early to determine what impact it will have. Biden said when the uprising began, he directed his national security team to report back to him hour by hour and to prepare for a range of scenarios, which he did not detail. Biden said he also took part in a video call with key U.S. allies. They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO, Biden said. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system. At a White House press briefing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to say whether the U.S. would prefer Putin or Prigozhin running Russia, saying that's for Russians to decide. Asked about Biden's comment in Poland last year that Putin cannot remain in power, Kirby replied: "Regime change is not our policy. We've been very, very clear about that. What we're focused on is making sure Ukraine can succeed on the battlefield." Francesca Chambers EU leaders see monsters of Putin's creation haunting him While reiterating steadfast support for Ukraine, European Union ministers on Monday likened the challenge Putin faced over the weekend to ghosts and Frankenstein's monster. At a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said a monster of Putin's own making is acting against his creator, adding that the political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking. Its now the moment to support Ukraine, more than ever, Borrell said. Before founding the Wagner Group, Prigozhin rose to fame catering Kremlin dinners, earning the nickname "Putin's chef.'' Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told reporters that Putin cant get rid of the ghosts he summoned, and theyre going to haunt him now. He cited the revolt as proof that there are cracks in the power structure in Russia. 'Not a lot of good guys in this scenario' Jeff Levine, a former U.S. ambassador to anxious Russian neighbor Estonia, told USA TODAY the insurrection undoubtedly weakens Putin's regime but also puts Prigozhin at risk, regardless of any amnesty guarantees he was given. "Putin is not a guy to forgive and forget," Levine said. "I'm sure the wheels are turning to punish Prigozhin and further neutralize him." A key question, Levine said, is what happens to the Wagner Group's military capabilities. It seems unlikely Putin can effectively pull them into the regular forces and keep them happy. A group of disgruntled mercenaries won't help the Russian cause. And because the insurrection ended so quickly, it's not clear where public support in Russia stands. What is apparent, Levine said, is that neither Putin nor Prigozhin had enough support to bring people into the streets. "The lack of obvious public support for Putin is not good news for him," Levine said, adding that Prigozhin "is not a hero. There aren't a lot of good guys in this scenario." Ex-Russian diplomat: Despite deal, Prigozhin's life is in danger A former Russian diplomat who resigned from his U.N. post last year in protest of the war says Putins grip on power had been significantly damaged by the aborted weekend uprising and that Prigozhin should fear for life despite a deal allowing him to flee to Belarus. Boris Bondarev made global news in May 2022 when he announced his opposition to the war and defected. He told Australia's ABC TV in an interview Monday that Putin is likely to seek revenge against Prigozhin for the brief march toward Moscow. It damages Putins image as a decisive (leader) who might crush anybody, Bondarev said. So I believe that Prigozhin has a lot of reasons to be very much concerned about his life now because I dont think Putin may easily forgive this. Bondarev said that Putins inner circle is shrinking and that most people inside the Kremlin do not support the war. Bondarev, who now lives in Switzerland, says he was not surprised Prigozhin was able to easily take over military outposts at the start of his march. Russian military leaders are incapable of independent thinking, which Putin views as a threat to his iron-fisted rule, the former diplomat said. "No initiative, no decision of their own, he said. So when a crisis arises, nobody knows what to do. Nobody wants to take any responsibility. US told Russian officials it had nothing to do with coup, Kremlin says Russian special services are investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in the coup, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday. Lavrov provided no evidence of Western involvement. Lavrov, in an interview with the Russian media outlet RT, also said the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynn Tracy, indicated to Russian officials that Washington had nothing to do with the rebellion. Tracy expressed concern for the safety of U.S. diplomats in Russia and for the security of nuclear weapons, Lavrov said. "It was especially emphasized that the United States proceeds from the fact that everything that happens is an internal affair of the Russian Federation," the foreign minister said. Prigozhin wanted autonomy, top general fired The Russian opposition publication Meduza says Prigozhins demands were considered vague and strange by Kremlin officials who negotiated with him in the hours after the ill-fated coup began Friday. Prigozhin wanted Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu fired, autonomy over Wagners affairs and more funding. But after an armed rebellion, there was no longer a place in the system for him, Meduza experts said. The outlet said Prigozhin reportedly tried to call Putin on Saturday, but the president didnt want to speak with him. Meduza surmised that Prigozhin probably realized that hed gone too far and that the support he expected from rank-and-file Russian soldiers was not materializing. In other developments The Australian government unveiled a $75 million aid package for Ukraine, including 70 military vehicles and humanitarian aid. Ukraine's Armed Forces have liberated the village of Rivnopil in the hotly contest Donetsk region, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Monday. It's the ninth settlement regained since the counteroffensive began about three weeks ago, she said. Monday marks the one-year anniversary of Operation Interflex, a British-led training program that has trained over 17,000 Ukraine recruits. The goal is to train 30,000 by year's end. "The determination and resilience of the Ukrainian recruits is humbling to witness," British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said. Contributing: Miles J. Herszenhorn, The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine live updates: Putin blames Wagner's Prigozhin for rebellion Putin's embattled defense minister, Shoigu, appeared in a video released after the Wagner mutiny that experts say is confusing and feels off Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, and Col. Gen. Yevgeny Nikiforov, right. Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via REUTERS Russia's defense chief appeared in a video released after the Wagner Group's armed rebellion. Moscow published the video, purportedly showing him in Ukraine, but it's unclear when it was filmed. Sergei Shoigu has often been a target of the Wagner boss' complaints against military leadership. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu appeared in a video Monday that seemed aimed at portraying a sense of normality for Moscow's military. It appeared to mark his first public showing since the Wagner Group launched its short-lived armed rebellion over the weekend. In the 47-second video shared to Telegram by Russia's Defense Ministry, Shoigu seems to visit the forward control center of a Russian troop formation at an undisclosed location in occupied Ukraine. But shortly after the video was published, experts and journalists pointed out on social media several confusing and strange aspects of the clip. Russia's Defense Ministry said Shoigu was briefed on battlefield operations by Col. Gen. Yevgeny Nikiforov, who can be seen in the video reviewing blurred-out information and documents on a table. Moscow didn't say when exactly the footage was taken, though the intention seems to be to signal that it was recent footage, and in one scene, Nikiforov's wristwatch is also blurred. "The blurring of Yevgeny Nikiforov's watch and the time displayed on Sergei Shoigu's watch - 12:48 is further evidence the video is old; the Russian Ministry of Defence published the video at 8:13am," Jimmy Rushton, a journalist and independent security analyst, wrote on Twitter. Rushton's assessment was also emphasized by Mark Krutov, a correspondent at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Russia service who said the watch was likely blurred out because it depicted the date, indicating that the video may not have been filmed very recently. Some Russian military-blogger channels have arrived at the same conclusion, that the video of Shoigu was older footage. The blurred watch of Nikiforov. Screengrab/Russian Ministry of Defense via Telegram Experts also called attention to the fact that the video was completely silent, and they noted some unusual physical attributes of the command center. "Mindef Shoigu emerges (on MOD social media anyway) in a strange silent video, in a perfectly clean facility, with few staff and no decor except an icon and hung up sign," Dara Massicot, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corp. think tank, said in a Twitter thread. "Some are saying this is old. Maybe. I'm also saying it's weird." She added: "Unless there are prior videos looking this way, this place does not have the lived in look of a wartime CP. they could have tacked up that sign in an otherwise completely bare room. This looks like it could be in a basement or relocation facility. It's unusual." While the video appeared strange to viewers, it may indicate that the Wagner Group's armed rebellion over the weekend had little influence on Shoigu's job security, though that's hard to say for sure. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the notorious Wagner mercenary organization, has long criticized Moscow's military leadership over its handling of the war in Ukraine. In the feud that has often spilled into the public eye, Prigozhin has frequently directed his grievances toward Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who is the commander of Russian operations in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 24. Prigozhin Press Service via Associated Press Tensions reached a boiling point Friday when Prigozhin accused Russia's Defense Ministry of carrying out a deadly strike on Wagner positions in Ukraine, killing a significant number of his men. Russia denied the allegations, but it didn't stop Prigozhin from openly encouraging his mercenaries to take up arms against the Defense Ministry in open rebellion. Wagner fighters quickly captured the southwestern city of Rostov-on-Don before continuing on toward Moscow as the capital city readied its defenses. But before Wagner made it there, the Kremlin cut a deal that involved sending Prigozhin into exile in Belarus, effectively ending the revolt in one day with limited equipment losses on both sides. Ukraine seized on the historic and chaotic weekend to point out weaknesses within Russian leadership and encouraged Moscow's soldiers to focus on their domestic problems. "The longer Russian aggression lasts, the more degradation it causes in Russia itself," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation Sunday. "One of the manifestations of this degradation is that Russian aggression is gradually returning to its home harbor." Wagner fighters deployed in Rostov-on-Don. REUTERS/Stringer Western officials, meanwhile, said the short-lived mutiny managed to expose serious cracks within Russian President Vladimir Putin's hold on power and greatly undermined his leadership as his forces defended against a Ukrainian counteroffensive along multiple sectors of the front. Sixteen "months ago Putin was on the doorstep of Kyiv in Ukraine looking to take the city in a matter of days, erase the country from the map," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC News on Sunday, adding: "Now, he's had to defend Moscow, Russia's capital, against a mercenary of his own making." "We continue to monitor the ongoing situation in Russia," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Monday. "The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter and one more demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin has made with his illegal war against Ukraine." Read the original article on Business Insider Putin's former 'puppet master' urges an end to mercenary groups like Wagner By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin's former chief strategist on Monday urged an end to mercenary groups in Russia after a mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner militia, cautioning that they interfered with the chain of command. Vladislav Surkov, once known as the Kremlins puppet master by friends and foes alike, said "private military companies" were an idea imported from the U.S., created to engage in proxy wars. "How can a military unit be private in our understanding? This is completely inconsistent with Russian political, managerial and military culture," Surkov, who left the Kremlin in 2020, said in an interview published by his associate Alexei Chesnakov. Such groups, Surkov said, risked turning Russia into "some kind of Eurasian tribal zone" while dividing the command of the armed forces as Russia fought what the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" (SVO) in Ukraine. "Why do we need them today when we are openly participating in the battle for Ukraine? This is not a proxy war, this is the SVO," Surkov said. "The army must be strengthened not only with weapons, but also with unity of command." As first deputy chief of the Kremlin administration from 1999 to 2011, Surkov helped Putin forge his tightly controlled political system. He then worked in the government and later returned to the Kremlin as an adviser to Putin. He cast Prigozhin as an "oligarch", detailing the mercenary's criminal past in St Petersburg. In 1981, aged 20, Prigozhin was sentenced to 13 years in jail for robbery and assault, including choking a woman until she lost consciousness, according to court documents from the time. "That's all you need to know about Prigozhin," said Surkov. Prigozhin said on Monday that a one-day mutiny by his Wagner force had been intended not to overthrow Russia's government but to register a protest over what he said was its ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin last month said his nickname "Putin's chef" was stupid as he could not cook, quipping that "Putin's butcher" might be more apt. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey) GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said Monday he would free former American intelligence contractor Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. In an appearance on the Hugh Hewitt podcast, Ramaswamy knocked two standards of justice, arguing public officials should also be prosecuted when improper activities or dishonesty are exposed. Once we have learned the level of corruption that our government actually has engaged in, and repeatedly lying to the public, in a certain form, its a form of selective prosecution to not actually prosecute the government actors who broke the law, but simply to prosecute the one government actor who did expose it by technically violating a law of a different kind, he said. I think that Edward Snowden, part of what made his acts heroic and I would go so far as to say that I disagreed with him at the time, but theres a certain heroism in it at the same time is that he took a risk that he didnt have to take in order to actually expose to the public what the public did not already know, and change that would not have happened in terms of delivering accountability to the government if he hadnt taken that risk, Ramaswamy said. Ramaswamy argued Assange was a member of a disfavored political class at the time, contending Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of disclosing classified materials to WikiLeaks, had her sentence commuted in 2017 because shes a member of a favored political class as a transgender woman. As a former U.S. intelligence contractor, Snowden leaked classified information about National Security Agency surveillance programs and was charged with espionage. He fled the U.S. in 2013 and was granted Russian citizenship last year after living in Moscow for nearly a decade to avoid U.S. prosecution. Assange faces more than a dozen counts under the Espionage Act and one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion related to his publishing of classified materials. Prosecutors argue Assange, an Australian citizen held in the United Kingdom, helped Manning steal classified materials later published by his WikiLeaks platform. Earlier this month, Assange reportedly lost his appeal against an order to extradite him to the U.S. During Mondays interview, Ramaswamy also appeared to liken Snowdens risk-taking to that of Rosa Parks, who was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, adding thats also why I would make sure that [Snowden] was a free man in the United States. Wait, wait, wait. Did you just compare Rosa Parks to Edward Snowden? host Hugh Hewitt asked. No, I did not, but I did compare the aspect of their willingness to take a risk in order for, at the time, breaking a rule that at the time was punishable, Ramaswamy said. It was progress of very different kinds, but yes, did Edward Snowden contribute to us making progress in delivering accountability to a part of the national security establishment that wasnt previously held accountable? Absolutely, he did. The conservative entrepreneur has said he would pardon former President Trump if elected in 2024, as the former president, who is also running for the White House in 2024, faces federal criminal charges for his handling of classified materials. Ramswamys fellow GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie also appeared on Hewitts show Monday. Asked about Ramaswamys comments on potential pardons or commutations for Assange, Snowden or Ross Ulbricht, who was convicted for his role in creating the platform Silk Road, Christie suggested its immature to talk about the presidential moves at this point. Look, unlike Vivek, Ive actually had pardon power. And I take it very seriously. And I would have to look at every one of those cases individually before making a decision if they made an application, Christie said. But you know, again, this is the kind of immature stuff that we get from him, just throwing red meat out there to try to get attention. And so you know, I dont want to waste the time I have with you on an interview talking about this kind of stuff, the former New Jersey governor added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Report: Black women at the highest risk from pregnancy lack the help they need A stress-free delivery may be more challenging for pregnant Black women. A program to aid rural women isnt reaching such areas in the Southeast with majority Black populations. A healthy and stress-free infant delivery may be more challenging for Black women, who face the highest risk from pregnancy since they lack the necessary resources. KFF Health News reported that a grant-funded program to enhance maternity care in rural areas has failed to reach Black mothers, who are most at risk for pregnancy-related problems and death. The Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program or RMOMS, launched by the Health Resources and Services Administration has operated for four years and allocated nearly $32 million to provide access and care for thousands of mothers and babies nationwide. The Southeast has the highest proportion of rural towns with a majority of Black residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, yet RMOMS is not connecting with women in that region, according to KFF Health News. Non-Hispanic Black women die at a rate that is over three times higher than that of non-Hispanic white women, regardless of their level of education or income. A grant-funded program to enhance maternity care in rural areas has failed to reach the rural Southeast, where Black women are most at risk for pregnancy-related problems and death. (Photo: Adobe Stock) The lack of Medicaid expansion in the Southeast is all the more reason funding should be going to these areas, said the National WIC Associations chief executive, Jamila Taylor. The South is a hotbed to be quite honest of a whole host of chronic diseases and health challenges, Taylor added, KFF reported, particularly for people of color. Black women in rural locations also have a higher risk of dying or having more severe health issues during delivery than white women, according to a 2021 analysis of federal data. RMOMS was established in 2019 and has provided 10 maternal health grants nationwide to advance telehealth and build networks between hospitals and clinics. The program noted that its initial grant recipients assisted more than 5,000 women in receiving medical treatment and reported a decline in premature deliveries during the second year of implementation. Peiyin Hung, deputy director of the Rural and Minority Health Research Center at the University of South Carolina, said many people dont have sufficient resources to submit funding applications for the program. RMOMS really means to invest in the most underserved and most disadvantaged communities, said Hung, who also is part of the health equity advisory group for the maternal grant program. However, because the program requires applicants to establish a network of hospitals and other care providers, the odds are not there for them to even try. Hung argued in support of basing awards on need rather than just the application. Maternal funds have been given to Arkansas, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia medical facilities. There have also been two awards given in Missouri. Texas indicates that among the inaugural 2019 grantees, 91 percent of those it serviced were Hispanic; New Mexico reported 59 percent of recipients were Hispanic, and the Missouri project noted 22 percent of beneficiaries were Black patients. In every instance, Medicaid beneficiaries predominated. Taylor said grant applications are frequently time-consuming and labor-intensive and demand extensive data collection, adding to the real challenges and barriers in the process of applying for the grants in the first place. According to several current award recipients, the federal agency offers significant technical help and is quick to address inquiries and concerns. However, they also noted how challenging it was to be selected for the funds, which totaled $1 million or less for last years recipients. Obstetrician and gynecologist Johnna Nynas wrote the maternal grant proposal for Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Minnesota, describing it as an intimidating grant to apply for. She added that she dedicated much personal time to writing it. Nynas noted that four hospitals in the rural area of northern Minnesota had shuttered their labor and delivery sections in recent years. As a result, patients, including many Indigenous women, must travel at least 60 miles one way to receive care. Health Resources and Services Administration spokesperson Elana Ross noted the need to work with Medicaid increases the likelihood that the pool of applicants if selected, will be able to sustain services at the end of federal funding. She pointed out that Medicaid covers nearly half of all births nationwide and a higher percentage of births in rural regions. According to the agencys operating plan, the initial budget for the rural maternity program in fiscal year 2023 was $8 million, down from $10.4 million in fiscal year 2018. After the government organization discovered an additional $2.4 million in its internal budget, grants were released in May. Just two will be awarded this year, and applications for them are due for submission by July 7. HRSA officials added that the purpose of the RMOMS grants is to enable recipients to continue their programs even after the federal money for many years expires. Money matters, resources matter, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., a member of the maternity care caucus in Congress, said of the shortage of funds in the rural South. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Report: Black women at the highest risk from pregnancy lack the help they need appeared first on TheGrio. Republican senator challenges Teamster president to a 'MMA fight for charity' after the union boss told him 'you know where to find me Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin challenged a union boss to a MMA fight for charity. Mullin's challenge comes after months of back and forth with Teamster leader Sean O'Brien. O'Brien called Mullin a "greedy CEO" during a recent hearing and has repeatedly trolled the lawmaker since then. Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma on Monday challenged Teamster Union boss Sean O'Brien to a MMA charity fight amid simmering tensions between the two after O'Brien called Mullin a "greedy CEO" during a testy exchange at a recent Senate hearing. "An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice," Mullin wrote on his official Twitter account. A spokesperson for Mullin confirmed to Insider that senator intended to fight on September 30th in Tulsa if his challenge is accepted. An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ill give you 3 days to accept. pic.twitter.com/9WpvuTpDlG Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) June 26, 2023 Mullin would enter the fight with a potentially enormous advantage, before entering politics the Oklahoman boasted an undefeated record in local mixed martial arts fights. He was also honored by the Oklahoma chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016. O'Brien is a fourth-generation trucker, who in 2021 defeated James P. Hoffa, the son of the labor legend and infamous Jimmy Hoffa, to lead the Teamsters. This is not the first time Mullin has challenged someone to a fight. In 2018, the then-Oklahoma congressman said he would fight Michael Avenatti after Avenatti, who had made a name for himself representing Stormy Daniels, challenged Donald Trump Jr. to a fight. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who chairs the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, had to intervene during a March 8 hearing when Mullin and O'Brien got into it over unionization tactics. Mullin took particular issue over efforts to unionize his plumbing business. The Tulsa World reported last October that the lawmaker had sold his business, jumping his reported net worth to at least $31 million. Insider later reported that Mullin lowballed his own estimate of how much salary he made in the private sector when he argued with O'Brien over how much he made for leading the Teamsters. "You're out of line, man," O'Brien told Mullin during the exchange, as Sanders frantically tried to regain control. Mullin then said, "You need to shut your mouth" before O'Brien mocked the senator for being a "tough guy" who had just said he was "not afraid of physical confrontations." Mullin wasn't done, and pressed O'Brien on whether he had ever created a job. "We create opportunity, because we hold greedy CEOs like yourself accountable," O'Brien replied. Since the hearing, O'Brien has occasionally tweeted at Mullin, further escalating the budding feud. It remains to be seen if the pair will come to actual blows. Insider's request for comment to a Teamsters spokesperson was not immediately returned. Read the original article on Business Insider Republicans who control the North Carolina legislature are moving to change the makeup of state and county election boards and sideline the states Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. In Texas, GOP Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new law that allows a state official appointed by him to take over election operations in Harris County home to Houston and the states largest Democratic stronghold. New laws in Georgia a key presidential battleground state have changed who serves on local elections boards. And in Wisconsin where the winner in four of the past six presidential races has been decided by less than 1 point questions hang over who will run elections in 2024. The term of the state elections administrator, Meagan Wolfe, ends July 1, and her reappointment is in doubt. Some Republican lawmakers have taken aim at Wolfe over changes to election procedures in 2020, when Joe Biden flipped this swing state. A key vote on her future is expected Tuesday. In pockets around the country, Republican officials are working to change who oversees elections in ways that critics say could shift the balance of power to their party or lead to partisan stalemates when high-stakes Senate and presidential contests are on the ballot next year. The rules that are going to be governing the 2024 elections are really being written right now, said Megan Bellamy, vice president of law and policy at the Voting Rights Lab, which tracks election legislation. These state legislators are seeking new powers over election administration, and the ultimate outcome could be greater authority for partisan actors in the process. New supermajority springs into action In North Carolina, where Republicans now have a supermajority in the General Assembly and can override Coopers veto, a bill that recently passed the state Senate would shift some powers over election administration from the governor to state legislators. Under Senate Bill 749, the membership of the North Carolina State Board of Elections would grow to eight members, up from the current five with the Republican and Democratic leaders of the General Assembly getting four appointments each. Currently, the governor selects the members, and, traditionally, a 3-2 split on the board favors the governors party. (The Senate also passed several new election rules, including requiring that absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to count. Under present law, mail-in ballots received up to three days after the election can be counted as long as they are postmarked by the election date.) The measure to change the makeup of the state elections board would also empower either the state House speaker or the Senate president pro tempore positions now held by Republicans to choose the state boards chairperson and executive director if the evenly divided board reaches an impasse and cannot quickly decide who should fill those roles. They are pretty much making themselves the referees, Carol Moreno Cifuentes, the policy and programs manager of elections advocacy group Democracy North Carolina, said of GOP legislative leaders. Cooper slammed the bill as a power grab in a Twitter post. The last thing our democracy needs is for our elections to be run by people who want to rig them for partisan gain. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is seen after delivering his State of the State address to the General Assembly in Raleigh on March 6, 2023. - Travis Long/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service/Getty Images Republican state lawmakers pushing the measure say it will bring bipartisan balance to decision-making around elections. They have accused state election officials of reaching a collusive settlement with Democratic litigants to extend the deadline to count absentee ballots during the 2020 election. So, far from a power grab, 749 levels the playing field, state Sen. Paul Newton, a bill sponsor, said during a committee meeting earlier this month. If youve got a split board the only way you can get changes in election policy or administration is by working together. The proposal would also give state lawmakers the power to select members of county election boards and shift the authority for hiring local election directors from those boards to county commissioners. Under current law, county election boards recommend an elections director to the executive director of the state elections board, who makes the final appointment. The association that represents local election directors opposes that shift and argues that county election boards should retain those appointment powers. Its president Sara LaVere, who oversees elections in Brunswick County, told CNN that the current system has worked beautifully in the 17 years shes been involved in election administration in the state. LaVere pointed out that local election chiefs also have the responsibility to audit county commissioners campaign finance reports and flag potential problems or wrongdoing to state authorities. If election directors are hired by commissioners themselves, LaVere said, that could be a conflict, turning in the person who basically holds the key to your job. Previous GOP efforts to change the state boards makeup have been struck down by courts and rejected by voters in a 2018 referendum. But in addition to holding a veto-proof majority in the legislature, Republicans now have a majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court, raising the prospect they could prevail in future court fights. Showdown looms in Wisconsin North Carolina is one of 17 states where state boards either set election policy or share those duties with the secretary of state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In four Illinois, Indiana, New York and Wisconsin the state boards have even partisan splits, according to Lata Nott, senior legal counsel for voting rights at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. In Wisconsin, where a six-member state elections commission is evenly divided between Democratic and Republican appointees, a showdown looms over reappointing Wolfe, its respected administrator. The commission is set to vote Tuesday on whether to retain her. Voters cast their ballots at the Hillel Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 8, 2022. - Jim Vondruska/Getty Images In a state where some Republicans in the GOP-controlled state legislature have advanced unfounded voter fraud conspiracy theories, the elections commission, including Wolfe, has faced anger and scrutiny over its guidance to local election officials in the runup to the 2020 election. At one point, a local sheriff called for charging commissioners with crimes because they waived a requirement during the pandemic to send poll workers into nursing homes to assist with absentee balloting. Wolfe has declined interviews, but in a letter sent to local clerks made public earlier this month, she said her role is at risk because enough legislators have fallen prey to false information about my work and the work of this agency. Over the weekend, Wolfe emphasized in a letter to lawmakers that she does not set election policy but merely implements decisions made by the commissioners, who were themselves selected by the governor and legislators. If the board votes to retain Wolfe, the states GOP-controlled Senate would have to confirm her. State Senate President Chris Kapenga has already said he would oppose her reappointment. If the job becomes vacant and no one is nominated within 45 days, a GOP-controlled legislative committee can appoint a temporary administrator. Texas moves In other states, changes to election administration have already been enacted this year. In Texas, two newly enacted laws targeting the elections process in Harris County have angered Democrats and voting rights activists, who have accused the state GOP of plotting a power grab in an increasingly blue bastion. One of the measures, SB 1750, eliminates the position of elections administrator in a county with a population of more than 3.5 million people a criterion met only by Harris County. Under the new law, the elections administrators duties will be transferred to the county tax assessor-collector and county clerk. The Harris County elections administrator, a position created in 2020, is appointed by the countys election commission, which is Democratic-controlled. The countys current tax assessor-collector and clerk are both Democrats. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in Austin on March 15, 2023. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images But another law would go further. SB 1933 authorizes the Texas secretary of state an appointee of Republican Gov. Abbott to order administrative oversight of a county elections office if, for instance, a complaint is filed or theres cause to believe theres a recurring pattern of problems involving election administration or voter registration. The new law affects any county that has a population of more than 4 million people which, again, only applies to Harris County. Both laws will go into effect September 1. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, a Democrat, has argued the two measures are clearly unconstitutional. (Our) states constitution bars lawmakers from passing laws that target one specific city or county, putting their personal vendettas over whats best for Texans, Menefee said in a statement. The Democratic-controlled Harris County Commissioners Court has given approval for Menefee to file a lawsuit to challenge the new laws. Georgia takeovers In Georgia, new laws spearheaded by the GOP-controlled legislature have changed the composition of county election boards across the state. The laws generally give county commissioners the authority to name members to election boards, stripping political parties of a power they once held. A 2018 Georgia Supreme Court ruling that found members of the DeKalb County Ethics Board could not be appointed by private entities, such as political parties, drove the new laws. In a memo, the voting rights group Fair Fight argued that GOP-controlled county commissions have used that ruling as justification to shift the balance of power to their party on local elections boards. A Georgia voter casts his ballot at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on November 8, 2022. - Carlos Barria/Reuters But the broadest takeover language in Georgia was included in a sweeping elections law enacted in 2021 paving the way for a state-appointed administrator to replace local election officials in counties deemed low-performing. After the measure was signed into law, several Republican state lawmakers sought a performance review of elections in Fulton County, Georgias most populous county and a Democratic stronghold that includes much of Atlanta. A June 2020 primary during the height of the pandemic had been plagued by long voting lines and complaints that voters had failed to receive their absentee ballots by mail. And after the general election, former President Donald Trump targeted the county with unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, following his narrow loss in Georgia, once a reliably red state. Last week, the state elections board declined to take over Fulton County ending a nearly two-year-long probe that had sparked fears of potential partisan interference. In the end, the state board concluded that Fulton County election officials had made significant improvements in their operations since the state-led performance review had begun. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Residents stuck in their homes after flooding in Alexandria, NH Residents in Alexandria, NH are stuck in their homes after streets flooded during a major weather event. According to police, several roads are closed including Burns Hill, Plummer Hill, and Bailey Road. West shore road is also closed south of Fowler River Rd., Bog Rd is also impassable. Police say the only way in and out of the village is Cass Mill Rd or West Shore Rd. or Washburn Rd. The intersection of Foster Pond and Matthews Rd is covered in 4 of gravel and stone. A shelter has been open at Town Hall and police are telling residents to contact them if they need help getting there. Crews are working to reopen the roads and clean the area. Police are asking residents to be patient. 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 Columbia was new when George Wallace came to town. Fifty-five years ago, the nascent community played host to a political rally for the segregationist and former Alabama governor who was running for president in 1968. Columbia had opened a year before, a planned municipality trumpeted as a paradigm for diversity and racial parity. Yet on the night of June 27, 1968, Wallace the antithesis of all that the town epitomized strode onto the stage at Merriweather Post Pavilion before a crowd of 7,500 screaming, (Confederate) flag-waving followers to stump for the Oval Office. Columbias founder was OK with that. Three days earlier, at a tense town meeting, developer James Rouse assured 250 anxious residents that, despite the rally, his dreamscape would survive. I am convinced that the fabric of our country is so true that we have the capability of weathering demagogues, Rouse said. Only through exposure have they been suffocated. We have a responsibility and the ability in Columbia to be bigger than the world around us. Then, on the morning of Wallaces appearance, town officials purchased an ad in the Sun, cementing their rationale. They would take the high road. At the rally, the candidate who arrived an hour late told his rain-soaked followers that when I get myself elected, youll be able to sell your own property to whom you want and youll have absolute control of your public school system. He received a dozen standing ovations, the Sun reported, amid a spasm of whooping and hollering and foot-stomping and cries of Sock it to em, Georgie, sock it to em. At the same time, less than a mile away, a crowd of 300 staged a counter rally at the Slayton House, Columbias public meeting hall. There, they prayed, sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic and summarized the I Have A Dream speech by the late Dr. Martin Luther King. The Wallace rally went off without incident; after 45 minutes, the candidate was gone, to finish a distant third in Novembers general election behind Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey. In 1972, Wallace again ran for president but was shot and paralyzed from the waist down by a would-be assassin at a May rally in Laurel, just 10 miles away. A robot is combing the sea floor for debris from the Titan submersible implosion as a multinational investigation begins A robot is combing the sea floor for debris from the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible as authorities in both the US and Canada turn their attention from search and rescue to investigating what led up to the maritime disaster and whether any laws were broken. The US Coast Guard has convened a Marine Board of Investigation to probe the implosion the highest level of investigation the Coast Guard conducts, US Coast Guard chief investigator Capt. Jason Neubauer announced Sunday. The board will work to determine the cause of the catastrophic implosion and fatalities, as well as make recommendations to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary, Neubauer said. For now, investigators are prioritizing recovering debris from the sea floor. Military experts found debris from the ill-fated submersible about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on Thursday, the US Coast Guard previously said. My primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to enhance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide, Neubauer said Sunday. The salvage operation comes as questions remain about the submersibles design, the materials used in its construction, what caused it to implode and when exactly the implosion happened. The Titan was 1 hour and 45 minutes into its descent to the Titanics wreckage on the ocean floor last Sunday when it lost contact with its mother ship, kick-starting a dayslong multinational search and rescue operation in the North Atlantic that ended Thursday, with the discovery of its debris. The US Coast Guards investigation is one of several currently underway. Authorities in Canada also tasked with probing the incident will be reviewing voice recordings from the submersibles mother ship, the Polar Prince, Canadian officials said. Canadian investigators boarded the Polar Prince on Saturday to collect information from the vessels voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information, Kathy Fox, chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, said Saturday. A voyage data recorder stores audio from the ships bridge. Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is looking into whether criminal, federal, or provincial laws may possibly have been broken. Theres no suspicion of criminal activity per se, but the RCMP is taking initial steps to assess whether or not we will go down that road, RCMP Superintendent Kent Osmond said at a Saturday press briefing. US and Canadian authorities have also been conducting interviews in the port of St. Johns, Canada, where the Polar Prince returned Saturday with its flags at half-mast. This case has been extremely complex, involving a coordinated international, interagency and private sector response in an unforgiving and difficult to access region of the ocean, US Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, said Sunday. The Coast Guard announced the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing everyone on board. Those killed were OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush; British businessman Hamish Harding; French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet; and Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, who were British citizens. Whats happening on the ocean floor? Pelagic's remotely operated vehicle Odysseus 6 is lifted out of the ocean after searching for debris from the Titan submersible on June 22, 2023. - Pelagic Research Services The same remotely operated vehicle that found the submersibles debris field last week is now involved in the operation to recover debris from the Atlantic Ocean, according to a statement from Pelagic Research Services, first seen by CNN, on Sunday. The Odysseus 6K, a remotely operated vehicle, was on the seafloor in its fourth dive since arriving at the Titan rescue site on Sunday, according to a statement from Pelagic Research Services, first seen by CNN, on Sunday. The company added Odysseus heavy lift capabilities have been utilized and continue to be utilized in the Titan recovery mission but would not confirm if debris had been recovered and referred CNN to the US Coast Guard, which is leading the investigation into the implosion and recovery effort. Capt. Neubauer declined to give details on the recovery operation Sunday, but said that resources are on site and capable of recovering the debris. Five different major pieces of debris from the submersible were found Thursday morning, officials said. 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. Remotely operated vehicle missions are expected to continue for about another week, according to Jeff Mahoney, spokesperson for Pelagic Research Services. Any attempts to recover anything from the debris field will warrant a larger operation in tandem with Deep Energy, another company helping with the mission, because the debris will likely be too heavy for Pelagics ROV to lift by itself, Mahoney told CNN on Friday. Pieces of the submersible will be examined as investigators seek to understand why it imploded. The US Navy said it detected an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion on Sunday in the general area where the submersible was diving when it lost communication, a senior Navy official told CNN. The sound was determined to be not definitive, the official said, and the multinational efforts to find the submersible continued as a search and rescue operation before the debris field was found. Vessel used materials that simply didnt work, expert says While the debris field is mapped out and pieces from the submersible are collected, experts are raising questions about the Titans design. A CNN review of OceanGates marketing material, public statements made by Rush and court records show that even as the company touted a commitment to safety measures, it rejected industry standards that would have imposed greater scrutiny on its operations and vessels. A former employee who worked briefly for the company as an operations technician had concerns about the hulls thickness and adhesion, he said, speaking to CNN on the condition of anonymity. This was a company that was already defying much of what we already know about submersible design, Rachel Lance, a Duke University biomedical engineer who has studied physiological requirements of survival underwater, said on CNN Thursday. She noted some of the vessels design materials were already large red flags to people who have worked in this field. She said the unconventional combinations of materials used in the Titan, including carbon fiber, posed safety risks because over the course of repeated pressurizations, they tend to weaken. This is not exactly what, in my opinion, would be innovation because this is already a thing that has been tried and it simply didnt work, she said. When submersible expert Karl Stanley was aboard the Titan for an underseas excursion off the coast of the Bahamas in April 2019, he felt there was something wrong with the vessel when loud noises were heard and sent an email to Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, sounding the alarm on suspected defects. What we heard, in my opinion sounded like a flaw/defect in one area being acted on by the tremendous pressures and being crushed/damaged, Stanley wrote in the email, a copy of which has been obtained by CNN. When asked for comment about Stanleys email, a spokesman for OceanGate told CNN they were unable to provide any additional information at this time. OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein urged people not to rush judgment over the implosion. There are teams on site that are still going to be collecting data for the next few days, weeks, maybe months, and its going to be a long time before we know exactly what happened down there, Sohnlein told CNN on Friday. So I would encourage us to hold off on speculation until we have more data to go on. CNNs Isabelle Chapman, Curt Devine, Zenebou Sylla, Gloria Pazmino, Cole Higgins, Zoe Sottile, Rob Frehse, Paul P. Murphy, Gabe Cohen and Christina Maxouris contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com John Donald told BBC Scotland his wife feared he was having a nervous breakdown Entrepreneur John Donald sells robotic falcons around the world but still can't believe that he fell victim to cyber-crime during the pandemic. The tech-savvy grandfather said he was he was targeted by fraudsters when his family business was struggling to cope with a 95% fall in its turnover. The 72-year-old was deeply suspicious but eventually caved in to their demands and transferred nearly 100,000 to a fake bank account. He told BBC Scotland: "When my wife came through the door just at the end of this process, she thought I was having a nervous breakdown. "It was very, very stressful. I wouldn't wish it on anybody." New figures released by Police Scotland show there has been a 68% increase in fraud since 2018, with 17,000 cases recorded last year - the vast majority online. Mr Donald's company Robop, now based in Arisaig, makes robot peregrine falcons for bird pest control. The firm sold its products in 17 countries but was hit hard by Covid. At 16:30 one Friday afternoon in December 2020, Mr Donald was agonising over the company's future when he received a call. It set in motion one of the worst experiences of his life. Speaking in a well-to-do Edinburgh accent, the caller said they were from a joint banking task force and had discovered fraud in his account. "I was under a lot of stress at the time and the way it was done was very, very sophisticated," said Mr Donald. His gut instinct told him something was badly wrong. But when he asked questions, it became clear that the caller knew a great deal about him and his business. Mr Donald felt their answers were plausible. Using another phone, he tried to call his bank but couldn't get through. Person typing on a keyboard The caller then ramped up the pressure. "They basically said we've got this time window because there's a gap between what we see on our system and what you see on yours, so we need to get this wrapped up as quickly as possible," said Mr Donald. "They asked me to transfer money out of an account into another account in my name. "This wasn't a five minute affair. This went on for an hour. "I felt incredibly stupid afterwards but at the time it seemed like the only option that I had." A friend put Mr Donald in touch with the Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland and six weeks later, his bank refunded the missing money. The centre's chief executive Jude McCorry said others had not been so fortunate. She added: "We've seen a recent fraud where there was 700,000 transferred on a property deal that went to the wrong account. "That involved an individual rather than a company. It was huge and the investigation is still going on. "Instead of always reacting to these crimes, we need to look at how we prevent it." Senior officers at Police Scotland believe cyber-crime is massively under-reported and the latest figures represent the tip of the iceberg. It has become such a challenge that the detection rate for fraud has halved in recent years and now stands at roughly 16% of cases. 'There is a significant threat in Scotland' Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn warned that Scottish crime groups were increasingly involved. He said: "What we have seen over the last year is emerging serious and organised crime groups operating in that space, trying to exploit the Scottish public through cyber, through fraud, and we are now actively working against those gangs. "This is something we are not going to arrest our way out of. There is a significant threat in Scotland. "We are having successes in identifying people and recovering money in consultation with banking and financial partners. "But we are also improving our prevention messaging, making it very clear to the public how they can help themselves by not giving out details, making sure their software is up to date on their computers and reporting anything suspicious to us." Police Scotland is investing an additional 4.3m in its cyber-crime strategy to buy new equipment and provide training for all of its operational officers. The force has also drawn up a protocol to ensure its use of new technology is ethically sound. Meanwhile, Mr Donald said the public need to know how sophisticated cyber scams can be. He added: "My simple advice is, have your bank's fraud line on speed dial on your mobile phone. "And, for the bank, to please answer when people call these numbers." The Rock Hill region is booming. Its the perfect time to ask some really tough questions An article published earlier this month by The Herald highlighted this regions decades-long run of prosperity. The article, written by Herald staff reporter John Marks, focused on major businesses that have come to York, Lancaster and Chester counties since 2011, and the billions of dollars in jobs and investment that came with them. The article also pointed out the huge amounts in state, county and local incentives given to bring businesses to the region. Many companies in the Rock Hill region got incentives, but have they kept their promises? According to The Herald report, five of South Carolinas 10 largest business deals since 2011 landed in this three-county region. We shouldnt be surprised. This region has had outstanding and visionary leadership. Leaders like former mayors Betty Joe Rhea, Doug Echols and currently John Gettys who led Rock Hill through the devastating loss of textile mills that had provided thousands of jobs. Theyve guided the region through that challenging time and to a point where Rock Hill is South Carolinas fifth largest city. Its a place where businesses from all directions want to come, whether its just across the state line from Charlotte or Austria in central Europe. An Austrian company on a Rock Hill site becomes partner for the American dream in SC And, of course all this would not have happened without the York County Council who consistently created a strong business atmosphere. As I write, the county is working to land a new deal -- called Project Cobra -- that could bring a billion dollars in investment. York County could strike a $1 billion deal, with Project Cobra on the table Drive along S.C. 49 through Lake Wylie, S.C. 160 through Tega Cay or Fort Mill, and U.S. 521 into Indian Land in Lancaster County. Prosperity is obvious -- busy shopping centers, businesses teeming with employees, good schools, heavy traffic from commuters willing to buy high-priced homes to live in this region. That prosperity also is obvious in Rock Hill. Drive Cherry Road to the edge of Fort Mill and look at the Riverwalk Community. Or, tour areas like Knowledge Park which is rising near Winthrop University. You also can go into Chester County where theres a new whitewater facility in Great Falls that has brought jobs and money. Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery has committed to hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars, also in Chester County. Giti Tire Manufacturer promised over $500 million in investment and thousands of jobs in Chester County. I wont cite every business that has come to this region. If you want a more complete list, read the article referenced above. We should be proud of all this success. And we should ask some really hard and sensitive questions. So here goes. Among the 22 schools in the Rock Hill School District, 13 new schools now are eligible for free and reduced lunch programs. That brings the total to 19. There previously had been six. Only three arent eligible. Credit the school board for recently deciding it would provide free lunch for every student. That was the right thing to do. But how did this happen in a bustling city like Rock Hill? How did families needing assistance rise so dramatically? You also can drive around Rock Hills south side and youll see signs of improvement. Then youll wonder why prosperity there seems relatively slow. Just this week in Chester County, developers withdrew proposed plans for subdivisions with $400,000 homes to an area just north of I-77. Two projects pitched 1,500 new Chester County homes. Neither will happen Part of the discussion around the proposal was about building homes that people there couldnt afford. Some people pointed out that the county needs money for better schools and public safety. I often drive that area of I-77 in Chester County. Theres prosperity. However, Ive also driven in areas of Chester like Dawson Drive or near Eureka Village. Places that have fallen in disrepair and poverty. The old cliche goes like this: A rising tide lifts all boats. The facts show us there has been a decade-long rising tide of investment in this region. The evidence also shows us that prosperity is fragmented. I understand many of the geographical, political and budgetary tenets. Business location is important for many reasons. Budgeting is specific with limited amounts of money to do a host of different things. Elected leaders get re-elected because they represent the people who vote for them. The leaders then get re-elected by getting results those voters want. And, of course, peoples personal choices also impact their conditions. Still, billions of dollars flow through this three-county Rock Hill region. Shouldnt we demand greater vigilance in dealing with poverty? The Herald is committed to writing about this regions strong leadership and impressive success. Our staff is equally committed to writing about areas not-yet touched by the success. Awareness is the first step to a solution. I believe we can do better. Dont you? Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/The Rock Hudson Estate Collection/HBO With his massive 6-foot-5-inch frame, sharp jawline, dark hair and impossibly good looks, Rock Hudson always struck me as someone who would have made an ideal Supermana notion reinforced by his stout-yet-sensitive all-American screen persona. Of course, Hudson wouldnt have just looked the part of the Man of Steel; he would have understood a character who had a secret identity, since the Hollywood star himself was a matinee idol who famously lived his entire public life in the closet. Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed is the story of the two Hudsons, one for the spotlight and one for his friends, lovers and confidants, and perhaps most surprising is that the portrait it presents is not of a tortured soul but of a man, and actor, who was comfortable in all the roles he inhabited. Director Stephen Kijaks excellent documentary (premiering June 28 on HBO, following its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival) is, in the end, an inescapably sad one, given that Hudson died of complications from AIDS on Oct. 2, 1985, at the too-young age of 59, thus becoming the first A-list celebrity to fall victim to the epidemic. Nonetheless, if that sorrow hovers over its action, it never overwhelms it. Nowhere is that more apparent than in its discussion of Hudsons own attitude toward having to hide his homosexuality from an industry, and fan base, that would not tolerate it. Never confused about his sexuality, Hudson arrived in Hollywood from Winnetka, Illinois (after a WWII stint in the Navy) as a gay man who knew the proverbial score, keeping his personal proclivities behind closed doors, andwith guidance and grooming from agent Henry Willson, who shepherded him and many other queer actors through this beefcake-y eraprojecting himself in films as the embodiment of contemporary masculinity. Rather than taking a conventional talking-head approach to its non-fiction biography, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed melds varied audio interviews with photographs, text documents, TV and news clips, and footage from Hudsons films. That material is definitive proof that, among other things, Hudson was one of the 20th centurys handsomest men. Moreover, he was one of the most magnetically photogenic people to ever stand before a camera, radiating such vibrant charisma that watching any snippet from his oeuvre is to immediately understand why agents, producers and audiences were wowed by him. Hudson is referred to in the film as the Tom Cruise of his day, but thats underselling his beautyhe was like a Midwestern-bred variation of Michelangelos David. Rock Hudson and Lee Garlington in Puerto Vallarta, 1963. Photograph by Courtesy Martin Flaherty & The Rock Hudson Estate Collection/HBO He also wasnt a bad actor, as Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed proves. Collaborating with editor Claire Didier, director Kijak shrewdly splices together memorable moments from numerous Hudson features, paying special attention to his lasting hits: Douglas Sirks Magnificent Obsession and All That Heaven Allows, George Stevens Giant, and John Frankenheimers Seconds. Both Sirk and Frankenheimers triumphs are stories about individuals whose perfect surfaces mask darker truths about themselves and their environments. Consequently, they continue to resound as fictional tales that parallel Hudsons real-world circumstances. Kijak furthers such echoes by repeatedly including snippets of movie dialogue that, in one way or another, speaks to the feelings, obstacles and conflicts that Hudson faced while navigating his image-centric Hollywood milieu, where tabloid snooping required arranged marriages, clandestine rendezvous and avoiding being photographed with paramours. He Slept With Cary Grant and Spencer TracyAnd Changed Hollywood History Hudson was finally outed in July 1985 courtesy of his AIDS diagnosiswhich could no longer be excused as the byproduct of anorexia or food poisoningand Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed details his final years with poignancy. Director Kijak, however, refuses to define Hudsons legacy as simply that of a famous talent who was tormented by his inability to exist as a proudly gay man. Far from a cliche, the Hudson depicted here is someone who was well aware of the rules by which he had to play in order to thrive in Hollywood, and accepted them without great anger or agony. According to the many friends and flames interviewed in the doc, Hudson worked hard to maintain a heterosexual facade for the benefit of his career, but otherwise enjoyed a robust and happy sexual and romantic life, much of it conducted at his Beverly Hills mansion (dubbed The Castle), where parties and trysts were a frequent occurrence. Rock Hudson at his home The Castle in the 1960s. Photograph by Courtesy Harry Langdon Jr./HBO The great revelation of Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed is that Hudson was seemingly at ease with his straddling-two-universes circumstances, and that he did so with aplomb and without great dismay. Tales from the City author Armistead Maupin notes that Hudson was part of a pre-liberation generation that took pride in covering for each other even as they supported the burgeoning movement, and Ken Maley notes that when he took the actor to a gay sex club Hudson was not only an enthusiastic participant but was blithely unperturbed when the partner he was with cried out for the entire establishment to hear, Oh my God, its Rock Hudson! Theres joy and humor in Kijaks film, and it radiates as brilliantly as Hudsons attractiveness, as when a friend hilariously remarks, "Rock had a sizable dick, but he tried to put that thing up my ass and I couldn't do it! Why Gore Vidal Loved Scotty Bowers, Hollywoods Best-Known Pimp Who Fixed Him Up With Rock Hudson Theres no escaping Hudsons fate, though, and Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed concludes with a heart-wrenching recap of his ordeal with AIDS. Guided by narrated passages from his friend George Nadars diaries, the documentary touches upon the terror of the time, and the rumors that swirled around Hudson due to his deteriorating appearanceculminating with a guest spot on Dynasty that demanded he kiss co-star Linda Evans, who today rails against the fearful slander and innuendo that ensued. A critique of the Reagan administration is an inevitable component of this chapter, especially considering that Hudson was close with first lady Nancy Reagan. Director Kijak doesnt try to sugarcoat the pain that everyone felt about Hudsons demise, nor does he strain to end things on an optimistic note; even if his death helped raise awareness about the disease, Hudsons passing was an awful loss. With artistry and honesty, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed pays tribute to its subject, allowing us to fully see his every side. Liked this review? Sign up to get our weekly See Skip newsletter every Tuesday and find out what new shows and movies are worth watching, and which arent. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A Rome, Georgia man is facing weapons and drug charges following his arrest last week. According to an arrest affidavit, Paden Elliot Brownlow, 35, purchased 11 stolen rifles and shotguns. Brownlow admitted to paying $1,300 for the firearms. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The affidavit says several of the firearms still had price tags on them, one of them being priced higher than Brownlow paid for all of the weapons. The affidavit says Brownlow knew the firearms were stolen. While executing a search warrant, Brownlow was found to be in possession of a white substance believed to be methamphetamine. Police say the substance was individually wrapped and was with a digital scale. Officers seized 30 firearms from Brownlow, three of them did not display a serial number on them and one weapon was a sawed-off shotgun. Brownlow is charged with ten counts of theft by receiving stolen property (firearms), 11 counts of theft by receiving stolen property in another state, 30 counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, three counts of firearm criminal use of an article with an altered I.D. mark, and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: WASHINGTON Republican rivals former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will appear in New Hampshire on the same day Tuesday, much to the displeasure of some members of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women. The federation, which is hosting Trump at its traditional "Lilac Luncheon" in Concord, New Hampshire, protested the fact that DeSantis will be holding a town hall in nearby Hollis at nearly the same time as the luncheon. "This attempt to pull focus from our Lilac Luncheon only diminishes the efforts of the Republican women in New Hampshire who are volunteers, working hard to provide opportunities for our membership to have access to all the candidates," said a statement from the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women. New Hampshire combatants Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump However, some members of the group objected to the statement, saying it appears to violate the club's pledge of neutrality between candidates. Melissa Blasek tweeted that she resigned from the federation because "clearly this is motivated by the Trump campaign and it is bewildering to me that our president would take part in such a cheap campaign stunt." The Granite State It's no secret that candidates have an intense interest in New Hampshire: the Granite State has played a pivotal role in previous presidential contests, including Trump's bid in 2016. After losing the Iowa caucuses to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump roared back to an easy win in the New Hampshire primary and never looked back on his road to the Republican nomination and the White House. Trump last week played up the objection to DeSantis' dueling appearance. In a statement, the former president's campaign said "the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women slammed Ron DeSanctimonious in a press release for purposefully scheduling an event during the historic Lilac Luncheon in Concord." DeSantis' aides did not comment on the flap, instead stressing the importance of New Hampshire. "Governor DeSantis is working tirelessly to ensure his message to restore sanity to this country and lead our Great American Comeback reaches every last primary voter in New Hampshire, and we have a top-notch organization in the state to help him do that," said campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GOP women slam DeSantis over town hall conflicting with Trump event How Ron DeSantis is trying to overcome challenging terrain in New Hampshire Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and New Hampshire arent exactly made for each other. The Live Free or Die state that elected an abortion rights-supporting Republican governor four times doesnt seem like a good fit for a fierce culture warrior who signed a six-week abortion ban. Complicating matters even more, DeSantis' early efforts to break through in the state that will hold the nation's first GOP presidential primary has been a mixed bag. Gone is an early polling lead over former President Donald Trump. His supportive super PAC has spent a small fraction of what its spending on ads in other early states and hasnt been on the airwaves since early May. His first visit as an official candidate drew questions for his reluctance to take questions from voters. And DeSantis' scheduled return to the state Tuesday yielded yet another hiccup: a clash with a women's group angry that he scheduled an event on the same day as a luncheon headlined by Trump. But there have been bright spots, like DeSantis selling out a Republican dinner earlier this year. New Hampshire will be an important state for DeSantis to show he can take on Trump, who won the primary there convincingly in 2016. If he wins in the first caucuses in Iowa but then loses in New Hampshire, it will put a significant road bump in his momentum. And if he loses both states, it will raise serious questions about his ability to win the GOP nomination. New Hampshire observers nevertheless see a path for DeSantis. They point to a Republican electorate showing signs of interest in some of the cultural issues DeSantis built his campaign around. Republican voters there also have a history of embracing a candidate who takes a hard line on immigration, like Trump. Meanwhile, the governors messaging in the state has focused on his resume, military background and Covid-era policies, and stayed away from social issues like abortion. "It's wide open," said Dave Carney, a longtime New Hampshire-based Republican strategist and veteran of presidential campaigns who is not affiliated with any 2024 candidate. "I mean, he can definitely recover and get back to where he was and make it a two-man race." The DeSantis-aligned Never Back Down super PAC has spent big across the early state ad landscape, with New Hampshire as a notable exception. Out of the $14.6 million it's spent on ads so far, $2.7 million were spent in Iowa, $1.8 million in South Carolina, $600,000 in Nevada and just $74,000 in New Hampshire, a state where the super PAC has been off the air for more than a month, according to data from the ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Never Back Down insists it's not for a lack of interest in New Hampshire, saying it plans to pour resources into on-the-ground organization and voter outreach. And a top super PAC official told NBC News that the group is ahead of its targets there, reaching them at a faster pace than in the other three early states. "By mid-July, we would have talked to every single one of our primary targets," said Kristin Davison, chief operating officer at Never Back Down. The PAC has eight staffers in the state, and has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on its ground game as well as in other modes of voter contact, including 10 mail pieces, digital advertising, a texting operation and door-to-door outreach, Davison said. Thats a lot of people, thats a lot of money, she added. Its a very targeted and data-driven effort. The DeSantis campaign also expressed confidence in New Hampshire. "Governor DeSantis is working tirelessly to ensure his message to restore sanity to this country and lead our Great American Comeback reaches every last primary voter in New Hampshire, and we have a top-notch organization in the state to help him do that," DeSantis campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin said in a statement to NBC News. Trump's campaign declined to respond on the record for this article. Still, Trump has led by more than 20 points in New Hampshire since April. And the DeSantis team has been trying to put up some feisty fights in the Granite State, at times needling Trump on the trail. Last week, not to be outdone by Trumps sellout luncheon for the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, DeSantis campaign scheduled a rival event elsewhere in the state. All of that caught the ire of the womens group. The organization publicly complained, expressing disappointment in DeSantis. But after that, several women resigned, expressing their own disappointment in the group for failing to remain impartial. Kate Day, who once served as a Trump delegate, resigned her position on the advisory board after the group criticized DeSantis for scheduling his event at the same time as its Lilac Luncheon. Day supports DeSantis but said she resigned because she thought the groups actions went against its commitment to remain impartial as an organization. She said she was not contacted by anyone in DeSantis orbit before making her decision. Trump was great for his time. Were ready to move on. A lot of people have Trump fatigue, Day said. It shows that this is absolutely intensifying, said Matthew Bartlett, a New Hampshire native and longtime Republican political operative in the state, of the dispute that arose between the two campaigns this week. Bartlett said he suspected that Trumps team was behind the groups criticism of DeSantis and that it was absurd to expect a presidential candidate not to compete in one of the most competitive presidential states. This is game on. This is presidential politics. This is smash-mouth. You better bring your A game; its not amateur hour. New Hampshire is expected to hold the GOPs first presidential primary following the partys caucuses in Iowa. The two early states have different voter profiles, with evangelicals accounting for a large share of Iowa caucusgoers and New Hampshires primary electorate leaning more independent or libertarian. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who finished second to Trump in New Hampshires 2016 GOP primary, cautioned DeSantis against campaigning with one message to win Iowa and another in New Hampshire. Ive never thought that all this social issue stuff was really a winner, anyway, but if thats who he is, thats what hes got to do, said Kasich, an NBC News contributor who has become known as a strident anti-Trump voice in the party. Your message will probably resonate someplace better than in others. But if youre trying to figure out, Well, how do I take the message, and change this one, and try to use that one? to me, its not worth it. Carney, the longtime New Hampshire strategist, said DeSantis focus on cultural and social issues gender-affirming care and school curriculum, for example are best framed to voters there as matters of parental rights. We dont do a lot of church events like they do in Iowa, Carney said. I dont know that theres a huge gaping lane for some of the folks who are [out for] the evangelical vote. Probably a third or something of the primary vote. But I dont think a third of it is available. Trumps got a bunch of that. Bill OBrien, a GOP operative who headed Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs bid in the state and now represents the state on the Republican National Committee, said hes seeing culture war issues gain traction. I think theres a great deal of concern about whats going on nationally. Certainly we dont come at it with the same intense religious approach as other states, but theres a great deal of concern with parental rights among primary voters here, OBrien said. But there's still the factor of how Trump's legal troubles will play into the primary. A new NBC News national poll found that the former president's lead in the GOP primary field actually grew after his latest indictment. OBrien noted that hes seeing profound irritation spreading across the state party over the federal government's actions and that people who said they wouldnt vote for Trump again are now vowing they will, just to spite the government. We didnt understand the intensity of it, he said of Cruzs team in 2016 and the support for Trump. Its kind of similar this time. So far, the battle on the airwaves in New Hampshire hasn't exactly kicked into gear. The top ad spender by a significant margin is businessman Perry Johnson, according to AdImpact, while the only candidates to spend at least six-figures on ads are South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Trump, at the moment, is the clear front-runner. Carney questioned why DeSantis waited so long to enter the race officially, rather than jumping in back in January, when he could have capitalized on his red hot status. At the time, DeSantis had a 12-point lead over Trump, according to a University of New Hampshire survey. But DeSantis numbers in the state have since plummeted. Several recent polls have shown him trailing Trump by more than 20 points in the state. "Right now," Carney said, "the other candidates are not saying, 'Oooo, man, Ron DeSantis is at 16%, were going to back down.'" This article was originally published on NBCNews.com EAGLE PASS, Texas Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said he supported using "deadly force" against migrants coming into the United States who were suspected of bringing in drugs. He said drug cartels cut through "massive beams" in the border wall and have "backpacks" that they use to bring in drugs. "Youre already on U.S. soil once...you get through the wall," he told NBC News. "You have hostile intent, because youre obviously running drugs. You absolutely can use deadly force. I mean, think about it. If you were trying to do that if you were to go to some Texas rancher's property, break into their house, theyre going to respond." It's not clear exactly how officers would be able to tell exactly who was a drug smuggler and who was not. DeSantis made similar comments at a press conference beforehand, when he said that smugglers would end up "stone-cold dead." "Of course you use deadly force," he said, adding, "If the cartels are cutting through the border wall, trying to run product into this country, theyre going to end up stone-cold dead as a result of that bad decision. And if you do that one time, you are not going to see them mess with our wall ever again." DeSantis' comments go further than where other GOP presidential candidates, including Trump, have publicly gone in the past. The Florida governor has been leaning into immigration as a way to hit Trump from the right while simultaneously criticizing President Joe Bidens policies. On Monday, DeSantis released the first formal policy of his presidential campaign, a slew of immigration-related proposals his team labeled No Excuses a reference to what it sees as a failure by Trump to deliver on his promises. On Sunday night, DeSantis also toured the Texas border, where he has authorized that 1,100 members of Florida law enforcement and National Guard be sent. DeSantis, whos trailing Trump in national polls by wide margins, is promising to send Navy and Coast Guard resources to block fentanyl-related Chinese precursor chemicals from reaching Mexican ports, "if the Mexican government drags its feet" in assisting. The U.S. has never taken this action before. He insists hell work with Panama to close the Darien Gap a lawless stretch of jungle where migrants from Central America make the dangerous trek to the U.S. A common refrain among Republicans for years, DeSantis also said hell end whats known as catch and release the process in which migrants are released in the U.S. while they await their asylum proceedings and reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, which President Joe Bidens administration ended. DeSantis also wants to increase pay for Border Patrol agents to increase recruiting, with the aim of hiring former military members and police officers at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He plans to end birthright citizenship the policy under which children of undocumented immigrants who are born in the U.S. automatically become U.S. citizens. Florida Gov. DeSantis spoke at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall during his trip to Texas. (NBC News) DeSantis said hell strengthen penalties for human trafficking and cease funding for nongovernmental organizations that encourage mass migration. His administration would also sanction and restrict visas from countries that do not accept deportees, as well as declare Mexican drug cartels Transnational Criminal Organizations. After Florida passed a sweeping immigration bill last month that goes into effect July 1, and tightened E-verify requirements for businesses with more than 25 employees, DeSantis said he plans to do the same at the federal level. Unlike Trump, he does not say that Mexico will pay for the border wall. Instead, his campaign claims DeSantis will use every dollar available to him as President and every dollar he can squeeze out of Congress to get it done. DeSantis also said he will tax remittances from undocumented immigrants, with exemptions for U.S. citizens and lawfully present foreign nationals. DeSantis made a separate border trip this month to Arizona, but that was billed as an official state visit, not a campaign stop. While in Texas Monday, DeSantis also stopped at a Veterans of Foreign Wars hall to speak with voters. "I can tell you as president, we are going to fully deputize all state and local governments to be able to enforce immigration law," DeSantis said at the event. "You will be able to have that authority. And we're not going to allow sanctuary jurisdictions to get away with it." He also said he thought a lot of migrants' asylum claims were bogus and being used to get into the U.S. under false pretenses. He said he would use "executive action" to crack down on the asylum process, "where we will not entertain those claims." The policy rollout comes as Republicans seek to make immigration a major issue in the GOP primary race. Over the last few months, Trump has mentioned sending special forces and using cyber warfare to target cartel leaders if hes re-elected president. More Republican lawmakers are rallying around the idea of using military force to battle Mexican cartels. Both House members and senators have filed legislation to label some cartels foreign terrorist organizations. On Friday, the Justice Department announced charges against China-based chemical manufacturing companies and executives, saying the Drug Enforcement Administration had seized more than 200 kilograms of fentanyl-related precursor chemicals during the investigation, a quantity that could contain enough deadly doses to kill 25 million Americans. In response to DeSantis policy rollout Monday, the Trump campaign highlighted its own immigration plans, which include issuing an executive order to end birthright citizenship, build more of the border wall, reimplement Title 42 and shift law enforcement officers to immigration enforcement. The Trump campaign also said the former president plans to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history and deploy the U.S. Navy to impose a full embargo on the drug cartels. Trump spokesman Jason Miller tweeted that DeSantis is the Fisher Price version of President Trump when it comes to immigration, using an image from a 2018 DeSantis campaign ad in which hes playing blocks with his daughter to show his support for Trump and his push to build the border wall. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com LAFAYETTE, Ind. A disagreement between sisters Saturday evening during dinner out at the Outback Steakhouse ended with one sister stabbing the other with a fork, according to Lafayette police. Police were called about 5:30 p.m. Saturday to the restaurant after a 16-year-old girl stabbed her sister. Police arrested the 16-year-old girl on suspicion of battery with a deadly weapon. A resident of the 3000 block of Butterfield Court reported finding a bullet hole in the house at 11:50 a.m. Saturday. The bullet appeared to have come from the adjacent Romney Meadows Apartments, according to Lafayette police. A search of the video surveillance cameras in the apartment complex led police to suspect 19-year-old Paris Amos Patterson fired the shot, according to Lafayette police. He also lives in the 3000 Phipps Court in the apartment complex, adjacent to Butterfield Court. Officers arrested Patterson on suspicion of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. He remained incarcerated Monday at the Tippecanoe County Jail on a court order, according to online jail records. Patterson pleaded guilty two months ago to domestic battery and received a one-year suspended sentence. A Pay Less Super Market employee at the Maple Point Drive store reported a man followed her as she walked home from work on June 21. The same man waited near her apartment for her to return home from work on Friday, according to Lafayette police. Both times, the man ran off when confronted by the woman, according to police. On Saturday, the man was inside the store where the woman worked, but he left before police arrived. Sunday, however, was the man's undoing. Police received a call he was back in the store and arrested him. Officers jailed Kembly Dorvil, 29, of the 3700 block of Edward Way in Lafayette, on suspicion of stalking, according to police and jail book-in information. He has since been released, according to online jail records. Columbian Park security reported Friday afternoon that someone set fire to a picnic table that was near Memorial Island, according to Lafayette police. Surveillance video showed that the fire started at about 3:48 a.m. Friday, and officers were able to identify the suspect as Luke Jermaine Smith Jr., 42, homeless in Lafayette. Officers responding to an unrelated call at the mall later Friday encountered Smith by chance, according to police. They arrested him on suspicion of arson, according to jail book-in information. He remained incarcerated in lieu of bond, according to online jail records. Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Roundup of weekend incidents from Lafayette police MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian intelligence services are investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny by Wagner mercenary fighters on Saturday, the TASS news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Monday. In an interview with Russian RT television, Lavrov said U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy had spoken to Russian representatives on Sunday and given "signals" that the United States was not involved in the mutiny and that Washington hoped that Russia's nuclear arsenal would be kept safe, TASS said. Lavrov also quoted Tracy as saying the mutiny was Russia's internal affair. Several Western leaders have said the incident shows that instability is growing in Russia as a result of President Vladimir Putin's decision to send his armed forces into Ukraine early last year. Asked whether there was any evidence that neither Ukrainian nor Western intelligence services were involved in the mutiny, Lavrov replied: "I work in a department that does not collect evidence about illegal actions, but we have such structures, and I assure you, they already understand this." Doubts over Wagner's future have raised questions about whether it will continue its operations in African countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic, where its forces have played a big role in long-running internal conflicts. Since the war in Ukraine undermined Russia's ties and trade with the West, the Kremlin has also been underlining its commitment to Africa. Lavrov told RT that Mali and CAR both maintained official contacts with Moscow alongside their relations with Wagner, adding: "Several hundred servicemen are working in the CAR as instructors; this work, of course, will be continued". A presidential advisor for CAR's president told Reuters on Monday that nothing had changed since the weekend events in Russia. Fidele Gouandjika said Wagner was not officially established in the country, and that the military cooperation agreement they signed was with the Russian Federation, which deploys contingents of its choice. "The first one (is) made of Russian instructors to train our security forces ... the second contingent are soldiers that the West calls Wagner," he said. "Russia sent us Wagner but we signed with Russia and so if they sent us private militias that's their choice. We keep working with the soldiers that Russia sent," he said. Lavrov also said Ukrainian allegations that Russia plans to stage an attack involving a release of radiation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine were "nonsense", TASS reported. (Reporting by Reuters; Additional reporting by Giulia Paravicini; Editing by Gareth Jones, Andrew Osborn, Angus MacSwan and Conor Humphries) Russians are lying about Ukraine's plans for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Russia is spreading disinformation about the removal of Christian relics from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, including the relics of saints from the Lavra caves, Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said on June 26. Russian propaganda agency RIA Novosti claimed that Kyiv and UNESCO had formulated agreements to remove the relics, in order for them to be transferred to the museums of Italy, France, Germany, and the Vatican. Tkachenko assured the general public and the international community that no relics would leave the territory of Ukraine. The more the Lavra becomes Ukrainian, the angrier Russia gets, he said. The only task we have regarding the Lavra is to protect it from the Russian world and finally keep all our Ukrainian sacred relics in place. Nothing of sacred value will leave the territory of Ukraine. And Russia will have to return everything stolen. In March, the state ordered the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to vacate the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra due to the termination of the ROCs rental agreement with the state-owned organization responsible for the sites management. Representatives of the ROC finally allowed a commission from the Ministry of Culture to take over state property at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in early April. However, they continue to conduct services there, under the leadership of Metropolitan Onufriy. Following the inspection, Ukraines State Audit Service discovered 36 illegal buildings, and the illegal transfer of items of cultural heritage on the monasterys territory. Ukraines SBU security service notified the former abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery, Metropolitan Pavlo, on April 1 that he was being charged with incitement to religious hatred and justification and denial of Russias armed aggression against Ukraine. He was put under round-the-clock house arrest. 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 loses bid to hold on to embassy site near Australia parliament Australian parliament's spire can be seen from the lease site Australia's top court has rejected Russia's bid to hold on to a plot of land in its capital, where Moscow had planned to build a new embassy. The government in mid-June cancelled Russia's lease on national security grounds, prompting a court challenge. Experts said the planned embassy posed a spying risk as it would be just 400m (0.25 miles) from parliament. A Russian diplomat who had been squatting in protest near the site left in an embassy car after the ruling. A Russian diplomat was seen leaving the plot of land on Monday Russia's existing embassy is some distance away from the federal parliament building in Canberra. Moscow had purchased the lease for the new site in 2008, and was granted approval to build its new embassy there in 2011. However on 15 June this year, Australia's parliament rushed through new laws aimed specifically at terminating the lease. In introducing the laws, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said intelligence agencies had given "very clear security advice as to the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described Australia's move to tear up the lease as another example of "Russophobic hysteria that is now going on in the countries of the collective West". Russia launched an injunction last week to hold on to the Canberra site while it mounted a more substantive challenge against the laws. In the complaint submitted to the court, Russia says it has already spent A$8.2m (4.3m, $5.5m) on construction, which had proceeded slowly. The integrity of the partially-completed building would be compromised if Australia was allowed back on the block, Russia said. But Australia's High Court described Russia's challenge to the decision as "weak" and "hard to understand", ruling that Russia had to vacate the site. "There is no proper foundation for the interlocutory injunction as sought by [Russia]," Justice Jayne Jagot said. "The Commonwealth has a clear sovereign interest that the land not be occupied by [Russia]." Mr Albanese said last week that he expected some blowback from Russia but was not worried about the legal challenge. "Russia hasn't been real good at the law lately," he said. "We don't expect Russia is in a position to talk about international law given their rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine." Protesterswave Russians and Malian flags during a demonstration in Bamako, May 2021 (Michele Cattani) Russian mercenary group Wagner has been seen for years as an armed extension of Moscow's influence in Syria and Africa but these overseas operations have now been called into question by its leader's failed revolt against the Kremlin. After calling off his troops' advance toward Moscow, Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin is expected to go into exile in Belarus. But now questions hover over the future of the group's operations in more far-flung places, where observers say it profits greatly from exploiting natural resources and propping up regimes sceptical of, or hostile towards, the West such as in Mali and Central African Republic. Moscow has sent initial indications that business will continue as usual, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying operations will continue in both African nations. But Rob Lee, of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote on Twitter, that the "greatest effects from this event may be felt" in the Middle East and Africa. "Wagner has a large presence across Africa, which benefits and depends on the Russian government/military. "Would the Kremlin allow the same dynamic to continue if Prigozhin and Wagner are based in Belarus?" he added. It is a question no-one can answer with certainty. "It's a mystery, and it depends on how (the Russian authorities) want to compartmentalise what's going on in Africa and what's going on everywhere else," Michael Shurkin, director of programmes for the Africa-focused consulting firm 14 North, told AFP. "Russia might think that what they (Wagner) are doing in Africa is worth continuing because it serves Russians interests as well," he continued. - Codependent - What is likely, however, is that Prigozhin and Putin would have raised the subject before agreeing that the mercenary boss would go into exile rather than face charges over the mutiny. Wagner depends heavily on the Russian defence ministry for deliveries of troops, equipment and weapons to its theatres of activity. And Moscow needs Wagner to help keep a grip on the troubled areas where it operates -- and where Russia is keen to undermine Western influence. In Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Wagner's mercenaries -- from Russia, former Soviet republics and Syria itself -- acted as "special forces" on the ground alongside Moscow's regular army after it intervened in the country's civil war in 2015. They are allegedly still present today, in smaller numbers, near oil wells and in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. In Africa, Wagner fighters have also been identified in Libya, Mozambique and Sudan. They are on the front lines in insurgency-hit Mali -- whose junta insists it employs only "Russian instructors" -- as well as in the Central African Republic, where a Wagner executive manages the security of President Faustin Archange Touadera. The group brings back "gold and minerals from Sudan, the Central African Republic and Mali, which Putin needs to keep his economy on life support", said a European military source. The European Union subsequently imposed fresh sanctions on Wagner, targeting several of its senior representatives in the African country. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of being "a destabilising force in Africa through private militias who come to prey on and commit abuses on civilian populations". - 'Uncertainty and hesitation' - Lavrov said on Monday in an interview with RT that Wagner members were working as "instructors" in Mali and the CAR at the request of the two governments. "This work, of course, will continue," he said, adding that the revolt would not affect Russia's ties with "partners and friends". Wagner's headquarters in Saint Petersburg meanwhile insisted the company was working "in normal mode". "Visibly, in Bangui and Bamako, there's uncertainty and hesitation about what's happening," said Maxime Audinet, of the Strategic Research Institute at the Paris Military School (IRSEM), in reference to the authorities in the Central African Republic and Mali. "The Prigozhin network has become the dominant element of Russia's presence in sub-Saharan Africa in recent years," Audinet said. "We can expect the fragile balance between Russian state and non-state actors on the continent to be shaken up." It could take time for the dust to settle. "Unless there's cooperation with the (Russian) defence ministry, I don't see how the group can continue to operate there," said Pauline Bax, deputy director of the Africa programme at the International Crisis Group. But Putin "can't send Russian soldiers in Wagner's place. I can't see the group pulling out of the continent straight away." bur-dla/smw/rox/gil/sjw/bp (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he let Saturday's aborted mutiny go on as long as it did to avoid bloodshed, while the Wagner mercenary group boss who led the uprising said he never intended to overthrow the government. Putin's televised address was his first public comment since Saturday, when he had said the rebellion threatened Russia's very existence and those behind it would be punished. "From the very beginning of the events, steps were taken on my direct instruction to avoid serious bloodshed," Putin said on Monday. "Time was needed, among other things, to give those who had made a mistake a chance to come to their senses, to realise that their actions were firmly rejected by society, and that the adventure in which they had been involved had tragic and destructive consequences for Russia and for our state." Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin spoke in an 11-minute audio message that was posted on his press service's Telegram channel and which gave few clues to his whereabouts, or the deal under which he halted the move toward Moscow. Prigozhin shocked the world by leading Saturday's armed revolt, an event that numerous Western leaders saw as exposing Putin's vulnerability after invading Ukraine 16 months ago. The mercenary leader abruptly called the uprising off after his fighters had approached Moscow with virtually no resistance during a dash of nearly 800 km (500 miles). The Russian president said on Monday he would honour his weekend promise to allow Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry, or return to their families. He made no mention of Prigozhin. Putin met on Monday night with the heads of Russian security services, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, IFX reported, citing a Kremlin spokesman. One of Prigozhin's principal demands had been that Shoigu be sacked, along with Russia's top general, who by Monday evening had yet to appear in public since the mutiny. Prigozhin, 62, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose forces have fought the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war, defied orders this month to place his troops under Defence Ministry command. PRIGOZHIN WHEREABOUTS UNCLEAR Last seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders from the back of an SUV as he withdrew from a city occupied by his men, Prigozhin said his fighters had halted their campaign in order to avert bloodshed. "We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Prigozhin said in the audio message. He made no direct reference to his own whereabouts, nor provided further details of the mysterious agreement that had brought a halt to his mutiny. On Saturday Prigozhin had said he was leaving for Belarus under a deal brokered by its president, Alexander Lukashenko. In Monday's remarks he said Lukashenko had offered to let Wagner operate under a legal framework, but did not elaborate. The White House said it could not confirm whether the Wagner chief was in Belarus. Prigozhin said his men had been forced to shoot down helicopters that attacked them as they drove towards Moscow. Putin also alluded to some fighting, saying "the organisers of the mutiny" had led the Wagner troops "to shoot their own." Putin thanked Wagner fighters and commanders who stood down to avoid what he called "fratricidal bloodshed", and said the vast majority of Wagner's members were patriots. Russia's three main news agencies reported on Monday that a criminal case against Prigozhin had not been closed, an apparent reversal of an offer of immunity publicised as part of the deal that persuaded him to stand down. 'NOTHING TO DO WITH IT' In comments before a speech at the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden called the mutiny "part of a struggle within the Russian system". He discussed it in a conference call with key allies who agreed it was vital not to let Putin blame it on the West or NATO, he said. "We made it clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it," Biden said. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said U.S. policy did not seek to change the government in Russia. Foreign governments, both friendly and hostile to Russia, were left groping for answers to what had happened behind the scenes and what could come next. "The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the military had made advances on Monday in all sectors of the front line. "It is a happy day," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address, delivered from a train after visiting frontline positions. "May I wish our boys more such days." Kyiv hopes the chaos caused by the mutiny attempt in Russia will undermine its defences as Ukraine presses on with a counteroffensive, begun earlier this month to recapture territory which Moscow claims to have annexed. On Monday, Ukraine said its forces had recaptured the small southern village of Rivnopil, the ninth village it says it has retaken since launching the counteroffensive, and the first in more than a week. Russia said it had foiled Ukrainian attacks. (Reporting by Reuters journalists;Writing by Peter Graff and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Grant McCool and Rosalba O'Brien) Russia is sending former prisoners to storm Ukrainian military positions Russia is sending former prisoners from the Storm Z units to storm Ukrainian military positions near the Antonivskyi bridge in Kherson, according to Telegram reports on June 26. The supply of Russian troops in this area is currently at such a level that some of the invaders did not even have shoes, as evidenced by a photo posted on pro-Kremlin Telegram channels. Summer cottages near Oleshky are once again under enemy physical control, reads the comment to the posted photo. Screenshot/t.me/romanov_92 Photo No. 1 company z, which they (Russians) tried to send to the assault the day before yesterday (two were completely without shoes) the result of the attempt, to put it mildly, is negative. Screenshot/t.me/romanov_92 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 Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy in the capital Canberra (Yoann CAMBEFORT) Russia's bid to build a new embassy near Australia's parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, with a top court backing the government's effort to seize the land. Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy in Canberra, after intelligence agencies warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers. Russia last week launched a last-minute injunction to hold on to the land, while despatching a mystery diplomat to squat there as the legal tussle played out. But Australia's high court ruled on Monday morning that Russia had to vacate the site, at least until the case returns to court for more detailed legal arguments. The squatter-diplomat was seen exiting the site soon after the ruling, before being whisked away in a diplomatic vehicle. "The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time," Australian Prime minister Anthony Albanese told reporters. "We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court's ruling." 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 that agreement. 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) 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 said. "We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence." Albanese on Monday also announced a new package of military assistance for Ukraine -- including 28 M113 armoured personnel carriers and an undisclosed amount of 105mm howitzer rounds. "We support international efforts to ensure Putin's aggression fails and that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails," Albanese said. The package did not include Hawkei light armoured patrol vehicles or more Bushmaster infantry vehicles -- both of which Ukraine had requested. sft/arb/mtp The leader of the Kremlins shadowy private army, the Wagner Group, rebelled against top military officials over the weekend after a Russian rocket attack killed dozens of his soldiers. In a dramatic show of force against his own government, Yevgeny Prigozhin led his soldiers toward Moscow on a march for justice to remove what he labeled as Russias incompetent and corrupt senior military leadership. Servicemen in a tank with a flag of the Wagner mercenary group in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Prigozhins armed mutiny, accusing him of treason. Hours later Prigozhin, just 125 miles from the capital, announced he was going to turn around. Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our convoy around and going back to our base camps, according to the plan, he declared in an apparent deal to end the insurrection. Here are the latest developments. Russian intelligence threatened Wagner families, say U.K. security forces Security measures were taken in Moscow amid escalating tensions between the Kremlin and the Wagner Group on June 24. (Boris Alekseev/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) British security forces told the Telegraph on Monday that Russian intelligence services had threatened harm to the families of Wagner leaders who were participating in the mutiny. This new information could be a potential explanation as to why Prigozhin called off the march to Moscow. Insights from British intelligence also claim that Putin is now looking to absorb Wagner soldiers into the countrys military and dismiss all top Wagner commanders. The report cited a British intelligence assessment that about 8,500 Wagner fighters were involved in the mutiny, contradicting public reports that the number was closer to 25,000. Sergei Shoigu makes 1st public appearance since Wagner mutiny Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at an advanced control post of Russian troops involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via Reuters) Russias defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, was seen for the first time since the weekend insurrection. The appearance is notable, as a key plank of Prigozhins uprising was the removal of Shoigu, the Associated Press reported. The video, published to the Telegram social media platform, shows the military chief inspecting soldiers in Ukraine clearly meant to suggest that Russia had moved past the Wagner conflict. Following Shoigus public appearance, Prigozhin released a statement where he defended his 24-hour-long uprising. In the 11-minute long audio clip, the Wagner chief claimed the march was due to an injustice that was carried out - referring to Friday's attack on a Wagner camp killing an estimated 30 soldiers. Prigozhin to move to Belarus under deal to end mutiny A screengrab from a video of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin speaking in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24. (Wagner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) According to Reuters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Prigozhin is to move to Belarus after its president, Alexander Lukashenko, brokered a deal between Putin and the mercenary chief. Lukashenko had offered to mediate the deal, with Putins approval, as he has known Prigozhin personally for two decades. Peskov added that Prigozhin would receive amnesty despite orchestrating the armed mutiny and that the soldiers who had taken part would also not face any criminal action. Russias political situation past tipping point, says Chinese commentator in deleted tweet Hu Xijin, former editor in chief of Global Times, commented on the Russian mutiny in a now-deleted tweet. (Gilles Sabrie/Bloomberg) A well-known Chinese journalist stated that Russia would not be able to return to what it was before the armed mutiny, the Telegraph reported. Hu Xijin, the former editor in chief of the Chinese-government-affiliated Global Times, had been commentating on Prigozhins insurrection and Russias political situation. In the now-deleted tweet, Hu wrote: [Prigozhins] armed rebellion has made the Russian political situation cross the tipping point. Regardless of his outcome, Russia cannot return to the country it was before the rebellion anymore. Hus comments were a stark contrast to the Chinese governments neutral stance on Russian politics. In what appeared to be a backtrack, Hu later posted: Prigozhin quickly stopped and the rebellion was stopped without bloodshed, which obviously narrowed the impact on Putins authority, although not to zero. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group mercenary army, said he turned around to avoid "shedding Russian blood." Fighters of the Wagner Group mercenary army stand on a tank in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin appears for now to have survived what many saw as a coup attempt, striking a deal with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group mercenary army, which had advanced to the outskirts of Moscow over the weekend. Prigozhin agreed to call off his drive toward the Russian capital, withdraw forces from the captured city of Rostov-on-Don and leave Russia for Belarus. But the dramatic show of force left Putin considerably weakened on the world stage, triggering speculation that the episode marked the end of his iron grip on Russia. Heres how the weekend unfolded in photos Wagner Group fighters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) The Wagner Groups band of mercenaries, which had been fighting for Russia in its war on Ukraine, crossed into southern Russia and seized a military outpost in Rostov-on-Don without a fight. A Wagner Group fighter in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) Prigozhin then led his soldiers toward Moscow on a march for justice to remove what he labeled as Russias incompetent and corrupt senior military leadership after an alleged strike on a Wagner military camp killed 30 of his fighters. Military vehicles operated by the Wagner Group in Voronezh, Russia, along the M-4 highway which links Moscow to the country's southern cities as smoke from a burning fuel tank at an oil depot rises in the background. (Stringer/Reuters) Wagner Group fighters during a stop on the highway in Voronezh, Russia, on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) The Wagner convoy drives in Voronezh toward Moscow on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) Putin vowed to strike back hard, denouncing Prigozhins rebellion as an armed mutiny that would be met with a harsh response from regular Russian troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a televised address in Moscow on Saturday. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin via Reuters) Any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline, Putin said in remarks on Saturday morning from the Kremlin, invoking the bloody legacy of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. This is a knife in the back of our country and our people. Hours later, Prigozhin announced that the column of troops would halt its advance on Moscow in a deal apparently brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a key Putin ally. Wagner Group fighters pull out of Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday night. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Prigozhin said his goal was to avoid shedding Russian blood, but he did not say if the Kremlin agreed to his demand for replacing Russias military leadership. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday night. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Prigozhin, seated in the back of an SUV, leaves Southern Military District headquarters. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Russian police cars during the Wagner Group's pullout from Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since the short-lived mutiny, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video aimed at projecting a sense of order. But the questions swirling around Moscow continue to mount. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Col. Gen. Yevgeny Nikiforov talk on board an aircraft at an unknown location on Monday as they visit Russian troops involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via Reuters) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the events yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine. I think what were seeing in Russia over the last days demonstrates the fragility of the [Putin] regime, Stoltenberg said Monday. And, of course, it is a demonstration of weakness. Russia is wracked by mutiny and mistakes. Ukraine will seek to take advantage Seismic shifts in Moscow must surely spell similar earthquakes along the front lines in Ukraine. But as of Monday, thats yet to happen. Ukraines forces have announced slight changes along the southern front during the weekend and more sustained progress around the largely symbolic city of Bakhmut where thousands of Wagner fighters likely died over the winter. On Monday morning, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Mailar said Ukrainian troops had retaken Rivnopil in Donetsk region, which might suggest greater progress in the south. But there has been no Russian collapse, despite that appearing a major possibility in Moscow during a large part of Saturday, as mutinous Wagner forces threatened to march on the Russian capital. Disruption to Russias presence around Bakhmut is a more likely outcome from the weekends turmoil, where some Wagner fighters may retain a presence but where Ukraine has already been advancing. Separately, Russian state media reported that 3,000 Chechen fighters had been moved to Moscow to assist in its defense, and it is likely that at least one unit heralded from the hotly contested town of Mariinka. Chechen fighters are often thought to stay back from the very front line, but their absence even in the reserve will be felt. There will undoubtedly have been some changes to Russias military positioning as a result of Wagners failed insurrection. The group appears to have prepared their rebellion for some time and the units used will hence not have been suddenly withdrawn from the trenches last week. But the Russian military may have panicked at seeing mercenaries advance on Moscow and sent help. Wagner forces drove tanks into Rostov-on-Don on June 24, 2023. - STRINGER/AFP/AFP via Getty Images This all provides opportunities that Russias enemies must seize carefully. Ukraine and its NATO allies will urgently be trying to assess what and where they are, and whether they provide a material advantage to their counteroffensive. But this is not something you would seek to rush or get wrong. The sudden application of a bulk of Ukraines forces to exploit Russian weaknesses is something Kyiv will doubtless have been patiently waiting for and weighing the merits of for weeks. Ukrainian leaders wont want to rush into their own mistake just when Russia is making a lot of its own. It also takes time to relocate hundreds or thousands of soldiers, and perhaps even longer to soften the ground ahead for an assault. But the weekends events have left an indelible mark on the Kremlins chances of success in the war. And there are three different ways this can assist Ukraine. Firstly, there must have been a radical impact on Russian military morale. Troops in the trenches are often denied access to smartphones to not betray their locations or other sensitive data to Ukrainian spies. But slowly the news of the failed insurrection will filter down. And it will be a shock that the most prominent military figure in Russia, perhaps the only one with the temerity to rail publicly against the Russian top brasss conduct of the war and supply shortages across the military, took up arms to solve the situation. Secondly, there is the visible weakness of the commander in chief. President Vladimir Putin fell silent as the insurrection began; then he declared Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin scum using terrorist methods who must face inevitable punishment; then his spokesman announced a deal in which Prigozhin would vanish to Belarus and everything would be forgiven. Putin as of late afternoon in Moscow on Monday had yet to be seen in public since this apparent deal was struck, with the Kremlin bizarrely releasing a pre-recorded video of the president discussing a youth forum. It is a picture of vacillation and absence, and these are not things a wartime leader can project. The weekend has damaged this leaders ability to lead, and that will help Kyiv, even if it takes months to manifest itself in battlefield chaos. And finally, Ukraines counteroffensive has always been about pushing Russia to make difficult choices on the battlefield to grind Russian defenses down until a concerted Ukrainian push using its reserves can break through. Would this happen in Bakhmut, or the long southern front, or the further reaches of the western or northern frontlines? Given the anecdotal reports of Putins micromanagement of this war, it is likely the larger calls about where to hold and where to run would have involved him, or at the very least his top brass. They are all now caught in the greatest internal crisis Russia has seen since the fall of the Soviet Union. So their already bad decision making will likely get worse. A Ukrainian soldier rides an armored vehicle near Bakhmut on June 25, the day after Prigozhin's attempted mutiny. - Roman Chop/AP This is the moment in which Ukraine will likely reap the most benefits, in forcing a strategic error from Moscow at a time when they are to say the least distracted. It is also possible that Kyiv and its allies are still assessing the weekend and are anxious not to move until they have a clearer picture of the fallout. Is Putins position going to worsen yet still? Might an earthquake on the battlefield inadvertently rally Moscows elite around him, to stave of an existential defeat for Russia as a nation in Ukraine? The risk of unintended consequences are very real during what Putin called turmoil. He invoked the ghost of Russias withdrawal from the First Word War in 1917, as revolutionary forces would swallow Russia for almost a century. Napoleon said never interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake. Moscows mistakes have been so plentiful over the past months, at some point Ukraine will likely seize the initiative. The impact of that could create a crisis for Russia that would make the weekend seem petty. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu purportedly appeared in public Monday for the first time since the armed rebellion calling for his ouster, as political uncertainty loomed throughout the Kremlin. Russias Defense Ministry released a video of Shoigu flying in a helicopter and then meeting with military officers in Ukraine. The Associated Press reported the video was shown widely across social media and on Russia-controlled television, but it was not clear when it was filmed. Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, launched an armed rebellion against the Kremlin, specifically targeting Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov. Prigozhin led his fighters from the front lines of Ukraine and marched back toward the Russian capital of Moscow before abruptly turning around, less than 24 hours after he started. The unrest had been building for months as the leader of the mercenary group grew increasingly critical of the Kremlin and specifically Shoigu, saying his fighters were not provided with enough ammunition during the deadly battle in Bakhmut, Ukraine. In a video Friday, Prigozhin accused Russia of lying about the Ukrainians and the reasons for the war arguing against the idea of denazification. Wagner chief says hes ordered forces to cease advance toward Moscow to avoid bloodshed The mutiny ended when Putin struck a deal, brokered by Russian ally Belarus, for Prigozhin and his fighters to move to Belarus and be granted amnesty. Reports Monday, however, surfaced in Russian media that suggested Prigozhins whereabouts were unknown and that the criminal inquiry into Prigozhin had not yet been closed, despite what the Kremlin claimed. Beyond the political implications of the feud between Prigozhin and Shoigu, the effects of the Wagner Groups rebellion on the war in Ukraine are still unclear. Ukraine has begun a high-stakes counteroffensive to take its occupied land back from Russia. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Putin says the aborted rebellion played into the hands of Russia's enemies Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the heads of Russian law enforcement agencies at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (Valery Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt, the gravest threat yet to his power, as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. Speaking in a stern tone and looking tired in a five-minute TV address near midnight, Putin sought to project stability. He tried to strike a balance between criticizing the uprisings perpetrators to prevent another crisis, and not antagonizing the bulk of the mercenaries and their hardline supporters, some of whom are incensed at the Kremlins handling of the situation. Putin, whose troops are stretched thin in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, praised the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into major bloodshed. And he said the nation had stood united, although there had been localized signs of support for the uprising. Earlier in the day, the head of the mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led the rebellion, defended his short-lived insurrection. He again taunted Russias military, but said he hadnt been seeking to stage a coup against Putin. On Friday, Prigozhin had called for an armed rebellion to oust the military leadership. Putins address was announced by his spokesman in advance and billed by Russian state media as something that would define the fate of Russia." In fact, the address didnt yield groundbreaking developments. Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst, called the address weak. In a Facebook post, he said it was a sign that Putin is "acutely dissatisfied with how he looked in this whole story and is trying to correct the situation. The Kremlin later showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom the uprising had tried to remove. Putin thanked members of his team for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled Shoigu. Earlier, the authorities released a video of Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine. Putin, who declined to name Prigozhin, said mutiny organizers had tried to force the groups soldiers to shoot their own. He said Russias enemies had hoped the mutiny would divide and weaken Russia, "but they miscalculated. Western officials have been muted in their public comments on the mutiny, and President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved. Speaking at the White House, Biden said he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it, he said. Prigozhin said he had been acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement Monday, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The injustice apparently was a government order requiring Wagner soldiers, if they want to remain fighting, to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1, which might effectively disband the group despite its battlefield successes in Ukraine. Prigozhin also accused Russia's military of attacking his troops, prompting his march. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into mutiny when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in the southern Russia city of Rostov. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday. Prigozhin boasted that his march was a master class on how Russia's military should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. It remained unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said Lukashenko proposed finding a way to let Wagner "continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. In his address Monday, Putin didn't repeat threats he had made Saturday to punish the mutiny's leaders. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has clashed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed a request with Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. For months, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhin said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defense Ministrys command. He said Wagner had planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in Rostov, but they were attacked. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with the military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. It was unclear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday after visiting troops in the war-torn Donetsk region that his military had advanced there as well as in Zaporizhzhia. Today, our warriors have advanced in all directions, and this is a happy day, he said in his nightly address, without providing details. The events of the weekend show the war is cracking Russia's political system, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. ___ Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels and Jill Lawless in London contributed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war Sergei Shoigu Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu appeared in a video shared by the Russian Defense Ministry on June 26, following a mutiny led by Wagner mercenary company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had demanded his resignation. Rumors have swirled throughout social media that Shoigu would be replaced at the Ministry of Defense, in line with Prigozhins declarations. Read also: Prigozhin claims purpose of Russia's war on Ukraine was gain promotion for Shoigu, not deter NATO However, in the newly shared video, the MoD claims that Shoigu had allegedly conducted an inspection of a forward control point of the western group of occupation forces in Ukraine. The date the footage was filmed on has not been established. Since the evening of June 23, when Prigozhin announced his "march on Moscow" and the beginning of armed conflict with the Russian Defense Ministry, supposedly in response to the Russian army striking the mercenaries' "rear camp," Shoigu has not made a single statement and had not appeared in the news for three days. Screenshot of the video of the Ministry of Defense of Russia/Telegram Screenshot of the video of the Ministry of Defense of Russia/Telegram Read also: Prigozhin vows to end Shoigu, FSB charges Wagner with inciting insurrection updated On the evening of June 24, Prigozhin left Rostov-on-Don, where Wagner forces had earlier taken control of the citys main military facilities within a matter of hours. He stated that he was halting the march on Moscow and would return the Wagner units "to the field camps according to the plan." The press service of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed that Lukashenko had been in negotiations with Prigozhin throughout the day and that the latter had agreed to "halt movement through the territory of Russia," with his militants being promised "security guarantees" in return. Read also: Prigozhin claims purpose of Russia's war on Ukraine was gain promotion for Shoigu, not deter NATO The Kremlin stated that the case of Prigozhin's armed rebellion would be closed, the Wagner units would return to "rear camps," and Prigozhin himself would go to Belarus. Prigozhin has not made a statement for over 24 hours. His press service stated that he was "currently unreachable." Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian forces fired a banned choking gas at Ukrainian troops, but then the wind blew it back toward them, Ukraine says Ukrainian soldiers fire toward a Russian position on the front line in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on June 24. AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky A Ukrainian official said Russia used a "chemical aerosol munition with suffocating effect." But the wind blew it back toward the Russians, Valeriy Shershen said. Shershen said the chemical used was banned, but he did not give further details. Russian forces in eastern Ukraine fired a banned suffocating chemical gas at Ukrainian troops, a Ukrainian military official said, but the wind ended up blowing it back toward them. Russians fired a "chemical aerosol munition with suffocating effect on one of the positions," Valeriy Shershen, a spokesperson for the Joint Press Center of the Tavria Defense Force, said, according to Ukrinform's translation. But then "the wind blew in the enemy's direction," he added. Shershen made the comments on Ukrainian TV, according to Ukrinform, with his comments picked up by other Ukrainian media outlets, including the Kyiv Post, The New Voice of Ukraine, Pravda, and the state broadcaster Suspilne. Suspilne and Pravda reported that Shershen claimed the chemical was prohibited. Shershen did not identify the gas, nor say whether any Ukrainian or Russian troops were affected. But he did say the incident happened near Marinka, a city in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has previously accused Russia of using banned chemicals as part of its full-scale invasion of the country, which began in February 2022. This includes claims that Russia used phosphorus the use of which in civilian areas is a war crime in the key city of Bakhmut in May and dropped chloropicrin grenades on Ukrainian troops in December. Top US officials said at the end of last year that they were concerned Russia would use chemical weapons in Ukraine, especially considering the country had previously been accused of poisoning domestic critics, Politico reported in November. Marinka, which is around 80 miles from Bakhmut, has been the scene of intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces, and photos published in March showed it had largely been reduced to a wasteland. Russia said that as of the start of June, it had taken most of the city. But in his comments, Shershen said that Ukrainian forces were still fighting there as the country tried to push back against Russia with its long-awaited counteroffensive. Read the original article on Business Insider The number of Russian attacks on the positions of Ukraines National Guard on the Kupiansk and Lyman fronts has more than doubled over the past week. Source: Ruslan Muzychuk, spokesman for Ukraines National Guard, on Radio Liberty Quote: "The frequency of artillery and mortar attacks on the Kupiansk and Lyman fronts has dramatically risen over the past week. As for the National Guards positions, we are observing more than twice as many attacks on those positions. At the same time, the guardsmen deployed there, in particular in the Serebrianka forest, are holding their positions, and even in some places reclaiming and reestablishing control over some of the positions they had held earlier." Details: Muzychuk said that troops from the Russian regular army were operating in the Serebrianka forest; they deployed artillery first, and then made attempts to advance. Artillery and mortar attacks prevailed in this area in the past, Muzychuk noted, adding that in contrast to the Bakhmut front, it was mostly the regular Russian army that was operating there. Quote: "The regular army deploys personnel differently [from Wagner Group] in their efforts to advance. Theyre doing the opposite and appear to conserve their forces. They deploy artillery in attacks on the positions of our defenders to push them out, and only then make attempts to advance. The goal of these attacks is to advance further. There are some areas at this location which would be good to hold because they offer a certain tactical advantage." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukrainian air defense forces destroy enemy targets (illustrative photo) A Russian missile, believed to be a Kalibr cruise missiles, struck a warehouse in Odesa Oblast overnight on June 26, regional governor Oleh Kiper reported on Telegram. Two other Russian missiles, as well as four Shahed suicide drones, were intercepted by Ukrainian air defense forces, he added. The explosion of fragments of one of the drones caused a blast wave that damaged the windows of apartment buildings, though no casualties were reported, the governor noted. Russia launched another mass attack on Ukraine overnight on June 26, using missiles and strike drones of various types. In total, Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 13 enemy targets, including seven Shahed drones and four UAVs of an unknown type. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian media outlets have begun to spread reports that the governor of Tula Oblast, Alexey Dyumin, may replace Sergey Shoigu as Russia's Defence Minister. Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian independent news outlet; RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Details: Shoigu's resignation was demanded by the leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Dyumin's appointment is supposedly due to take place in the near future. Complimentary posts about Dyumin appeared, in particular, in Telegram channels close to the Wagner PMC. Some posts also suggest that Sergey Surovikin may chair the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces instead of Valery Gerasimov. In addition, the Russian propaganda channels in social networks began to massively repost the original message by the official channel of the Tula Oblast government about how Dyumin visited the permanent location of the "Tula battalion". At the same time, RIA Novosti reported that Tula Governor Dyumin is currently working in his region. On Saturday, the Russian dictator's spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not answer the question whether Dyumin had participated in negotiations with the Wagner PMC. Later, the regional government of the Russian Federation stated that Dyumin ensured the continuous management of the region and that negotiations with Prigozhin were beyond his authority. During Prigozhin's mutiny, there was information that Dyumin had been involved in negotiations with the PMC financier, but the regional authorities called these reports unreliable. During the mutiny, Prigozhin himself called for the resignation of Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu. However, after the former said he was stopping the "march of justice" towards Moscow, Peskov said he was unaware of any changes "in terms of trust in the defence minister". Alexey Dyumin is Putins former bodyguard and former Deputy Defence minister. Sources in the Russian media called him one of Prigozhin's patrons. Prigozhin and Dyumin have supposedly known each other for a long time and are on friendly terms, and Prigozhin's political technologists participated in Dyumin's 2016 election campaign. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with participants of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of CIS Heads of Government meetings, in Sochi MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Monday that the country had faced "a challenge to its stability" and must remain united behind President Vladimir Putin following Saturday's abortive mutiny by heavily armed mercenary fighters. Under a deal late on Saturday that defused the crisis and averted possible bloodshed, the Kremlin said the Wagner Group mercenaries would return to base, while their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin would move to Belarus. All criminal charges against him and his fighters would be dropped, the Kremlin said. In what appeared to be the first public comments by a senior Russian official since then, Mishustin appealed at a televised government meeting for national unity in the face of what he said were efforts by the West to undermine Russia. "The main thing in these conditions is to ensure the sovereignty and independence of our country, the security and well-being of citizens," said Mishustin, a technocrat who was appointed prime minister in 2020. "For this, the consolidation of the whole of society is especially important; we need to act together, as one team, and maintain the unity of all forces, rallying around the president," he said. Mishustin, a former head of Russia's federal tax service, also took a swipe at the West. "As the president noted, virtually the entire military, economic, information machine of the West is directed against us," he said. Putin said on Saturday that the rebellion by the Wagner mercenary force had threatened Russia's very existence under threat and vowed to crush it. However, he has not publicly commented since then on the dramatic events or on the deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that defused the crisis. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Sergey Karaganov, a member of the Scientific Council under the Russian Security Council, has already published a second article that Russia will have to launch a nuclear strike on Europe. Source: RIA Novosti Details: The article was published on the Kremlin's main propaganda website, RIA Novosti. It was written by Sergey Karaganov, a "Doctor of Sciences in History" and a political scientist. The articles full title is "There is no choice: Russia will have to launch a nuclear strike on Europe". And this is not his first such material. Less than two weeks ago, Karaganov published a similar article, the essence of which boils down to the same thing Russia "must launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike on Europe." It was published in Profile, a private magazine. Quote from the new article: "I hope that we will never use nuclear weapons, but the fact that we refuse to use them in all situations, except in the event of a deadly danger to the state itself, seems frivolous to me." Details: In his publication, Karaganov calls on the Kremlin to consider the possibility of a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the EU. Opposition publication Meduza warns that these threats may be something more than the usual empty talk. It is reported that Karaganov is a member of the Scientific Council under the Security Council of the Russian Federation. In addition, he is one of the founders of the Russian Council for Foreign and Defence Policy (CFDP). This is an expert centre that cooperates with former military personnel, diplomats, current politicians, researchers and journalists. In 2004, CFDP became one of the founders of the Valdai Club, where Putin regularly participates. Karaganov himself also attends these meetings. Also, two Medusa sources close to the Putin administration called Karaganov a person who "can influence the opinion of Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev". Meduza writes that in his articles, Karaganov uses rhetoric that is very close to Putin: the political scientist is clearly trying to match Putin's language. For example, in the text, there is a "gangster argument" characteristic of the president of the Russian Federation: in particular, when Karaganov explains that a pre-emptive nuclear strike on Europe is needed "so that the West simply buggers off and does not interfere with Russia and the world moving forward." Karaganov did not forget to mention the "neocolonialism" that Putin has been mentioning at every opportunity for over a year and a half now. At the same time, the author reassures his potential high-ranking reader who can hypothetically decide on the use of nuclear weapons: the United States allegedly will not stand up for Europe, no one will sacrifice "the hypothetical Boston for the sake of the hypothetical Poznan." Karaganov supports this idea with another dangerous thesis: "Winners are not judged, but rescuers are thanked". Russia ultimately being victorious seems to go without saying. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian security services threatened the families of Wagner forces to get them to back down, report says This photo taken on June 24, 2023 shows the headquarters of Russian Federal Security Service in Moscow, Russia. Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua via Getty Images Russian security services threatened the families of Wagner mutineers, The Telegraph reported. Wagner forces seized control of a city in Russia and were bearing down on Moscow. But the rebellion was called off after Wagner leaders and the Kremlin brokered a deal. Russian security services threatened the families of the leaders of those leading the Wagner group's mutiny against the Russian government, UK intelligence sources told The Telegraph. The report offers a reason Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin may have called off the rebellion when his forces were bearing down on Moscow Saturday, having seized control of the city of Rostov-on-Don and other parts of southern Russia. The report said that UK intelligence believes that Prigozhin had around 8,000 fighters under his command, a significantly lower number than the 25,000 he claimed to have. Wagner military column passes Russian city of Voronezh. Reuters Prigozhin, a convicted criminal who ran a catering firm before founding his private army, was long seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin' s closest allies, and his forces have played a key role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But for months Prigozhin has ferociously criticised Russian defense chiefs over the Ukraine war, and on Saturday launched the most serious challenge to Putin's authority since he took office in 1999. Having accused the Russian military of bombing Wagner forces, on Saturday Prigozhin led his troops to seize the southern city of Rostov-on-Don then continued to push north towards Moscow, saying he was seeking the resignation of Russia's military leaders. Russian military and security services sought to blockade the capital, and Putin in a furious video message accused the Wagner group of destabilizing Russia and pledged that the mutineers would be punished. Then in another surprise development late on Saturday, Prigozhin called off the rebellion late Saturday. The Kremlin said charges against Prigozhin and other Wagner fighters would be dropped, and Prigozhin would be allowed to go into exile in Belarus. It said that Wagner fighters who didn't take part in the mutiny would be absorbed into the Russian military. The EU and US have imposed sanctions on two of Prigozhin's children and his wife, and says they are all closely involved in his businesses. The sanctions limit their capacity to travel outside Russia. Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security services, told BBC News on Saturday that though Prigozhin's forces did not appear strong enough to topple Putin, they exposed serious limits to his power. Read the original article on Business Insider Sources of British special services have reported that the Russian secret services threatened to hurt the families of chiefs of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) before Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner and leader of the Wagner PMC, stopped his "offensive on Moscow". Source: The Telegraph Details: It was also stated that Wagner had only 8,000 soldiers, not 25 000, as they had claimed earlier, and that they would most likely be defeated upon any attempt to overtake the Russian capital anyway. The outlet writes that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, will try to assimilate the Wagner PMC soldiers into the Russian army and kill its former leaders. The Telegraph supposes that this was one of the reasons why Prigozhin called off the offensive on Moscow a few hours before arriving in the Russian capital. Assumptions concerning the formal agreement, which has been made, if there was an agreement at all, remain. Prigozhin has not commented on this proposition. It also remains unclear whether Sergey Shoigu, the Minister of Defence of Russia, has been demoted or dismissed, as Prigozhin had demanded. The influence of the attempted coup on the battlefield in Ukraine is yet to be observed, writes The Telegraph. The Kremlin claimed that the Wagner PMC soldiers, who did not participate in the coup, will be merged with the Russian Armed Forces, adding herewith that those who did not participate would not be persecuted. Meanwhile, the members of the PMC, who were persecuted, threatened Prigozhin, stating that he had let them down, having refused to carry on with the coup. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! On the afternoon of 26 June, Russian occupation forces attacked a music school in the village of Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast, injuring one person. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Quote: "The occupiers hit the building of a local music school. Private houses, a gas pipeline and nearby power transmission lines were also damaged. A 71-year-old woman who was in her yard was injured in the attack." Details: The woman sustained a leg injury and was hospitalised. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Russians have said they suspended bus service between Crimea and the city of Henichesk, Kherson Oblast, which is under the control of the Russian occupiers, supposedly until 30 June. Source: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Details: It is reported that the carrier from occupied Crimea has stopped service on routes from Simferopol, Dzhankoi and Yalta. At the moment, only buses running on the routes of the occupied Kherson Oblast are at the Henichesk bus station. "The connection with Crimea is suspended until 30 June inclusive," the bus station said. Collaborators put in charge of the transport sector by the occupiers confirmed this information, explaining that the connection with Crimea was suspended for the period of the "emergency situation". Background: On Thursday, 22 June, the Russians reported attacks on a bridge on the administrative border between Kherson Oblast and Crimea near Chonhar. Initially, the so-called 'Minister of Transport of Crimea' Nikolay Lukashenko stated that it would take several weeks to fully restore the Chongar Bridge. Later, Volodymyr Saldo, a collaborator and governor of the occupied Kherson Oblast, said that the damage to the Chonhar Bridge caused by the attack was more serious than they initially thought, and that the bridge would not be restored in 15-20 days. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Some Russians welcomed Wagner mercenaries who appeared in their streets during brief insurrection Some Russians greeted the weekends armed insurrection led by the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, with sympathy, appearing to welcome the mercenary fighters. In the southern Russian city Rostov-on-Don, which was briefly occupied by Wagner troops, videos showed residents cheering them on, taking pictures with fighters, and flagging down Prigozhins car just to shake his hand. Videos circulating online also showed crowds in Rostov-on-Don applauding and chanting Wagner is strength! and You are the best! Prigozhins so-called march of justice which stopped short of capital city Moscow was harshly condemned by the Kremlin on Saturday, with a furious President Vladimir Putin vowing to punish those on a path to treason. But least one Rostov-on-Don resident seemed curious why they did not go further. What kind of demands are you making to the authorities? Why are you not doing it in Moscow? Why did you not go to Moscow? the resident asks in another social media video. I always admired you, always. I always admired how you fought, the resident added. Members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. - Roman Romokhov/AFP/Getty Images Locals were also seen booing police cars that arrived as the Wagner fighters vacated Rostov-on-Don on Saturday, in an abrupt de-escalation. One civilian could be heard shouting traitors as the police convoy arrived, a video posted to social media showed. There are very serious problems in the country, and they need to be solved. People who can no longer tolerate it, they come to such radical methods as Prigozhin, Rostov resident Dmitry said to Reuters. Further north, in Moscow, there was a sense of relief as the anticipated confrontation was called off. Over the weekend, checkpoints had been set up on Moscows outskirts, and residents braced for Wagner fighters to enter. Russian police officers, traffic police officers and servicemen block part of a highway entering Moscow on June 24, 2023. - Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images A police officer guards the closed Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2023. - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters It was really uneasy yesterday, Moscow resident Andrey told Reuters, But look now, people are walking in the streets and its all good. Lets hope it will stay peaceful. Some Moscow residents signaled that Prigozhins tirades against the conduct of Russias campaign in Ukraine struck a chord. I think it was an expression of an opinion, Oleg, another resident of Moscow, said. An opinion of a powerful person who wants some justice and clarity. The belief Prigozhin should be listened to is widely shared here. But that sentiment runs counter to the messaging from the Kremlin, which has painted Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters as traitors to Russia. Throughout the weekend, anchors on state television repeatedly decried Prigozhins betrayal of his country. What happened is a real stab in the back for all of us, which still needs to be comprehended, television anchor Irada Zeynalova said on Russias NTV channel. The uprising seemed to defuse as the Kremlin announced that Prigozhin had agreed to leave Russia for Belarus, and that his troops would register with the Russian military, in a deal that it said was brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. But the details of Prigozhins fate remain unclear. Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. - Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters The mercenary chief has not confirmed the deal, with his press service telling CNN only that he sends his regards and will answer questions when he has proper communication. Belarusian officials also told CNN on Sunday that they have no details on what Prigozhins status will be in Belarus and could not confirm whether he had already arrived in the country. Images from Rostov-on-Don suggested that the town had returned to normal on Sunday, with people sweeping up rubbish that remained on the quiet streets. Putin himself hasnt appeared in public since Saturday, when he made his pledge to punish those responsible for what he called an armed mutiny the biggest challenge to his authority in 23 years of power. But now that a challenge has been made, there are growing concerns about what it may unleash, and what a defensive President Putin stung by the events of the weekend may do next to stay in power. CNNs Katharina Krebs contributed to reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russia's Prigozhin in his own words on the 'mutiny' Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks in the headquarters of the Russian southern army military command center in the city of Rostov-on-Don By Darya Korsunskaya and Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Monday, in his first public comments since ending a one-day mutiny by his Wagner force on Saturday, that it had been intended to register a protest over the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine, not to overthrow the government in Moscow. Following are the key quotes from his 11-minute audio message released on the Telegram messaging app. ON THE CAUSES: "As a result of intrigues and ill-considered decisions, this unit (Wagner) was supposed to cease to exit on July 1. "The council of commanders gathered, which brought all the information to the fighters, and no one agreed to sign a contract with the ministry of defence, as everyone knows perfectly well... that this would have led to a complete loss of combat capability. "Experienced fighters, experienced commanders would simply be smashed and turned into meat; they would not be able to use their combat potential and combat experience. "Those fighters who decided that they were ready to transfer to the ministry of defence did transfer, but this was a small amount of 1-2%. "The decision to transfer (Wagner) to the defence ministry was taken at the most inopportune moment." ON ROSTOV: "We were taking inventory and were going to leave on June 30 in a column to Rostov and publicly hand over the equipment near the headquarters of the SVO if there was no solution." "Despite the fact that we did not show any aggression, a missile strike was launched on us and immediately after that the helicopters worked on us. About 30 fighters of the Wagner PMC (Private Military Company) were killed, some were injured. "This was the trigger for... the Council of Commanders deciding that we should start moving immediately." ON THE MARCH: "The aim was to prevent the destruction of the PMC and to bring to justice those persons who made a huge number of mistakes during their unprofessional actions. This was demanded by the public, all the servicemen who saw us during the march supported us." "During the entire march, which lasted 24 hours, one column went to Rostov, the other - in the direction of Moscow. During a day, we travelled 780 kilometers, to within just 200 kilometers of Moscow. "Not a single soldier on the ground was killed. We regret that we had to strike at aviation, but they hurled bombs (at us) and launched missile strikes. "We blocked all military units and airfields that were in our path. "When we walked past Russian cities on June 23-24, civilians greeted us with Russian flags and with the emblems and flags of the Wagner PMC. They were all happy when we passed by. Many of them are still writing words of support, and some are disappointed that we stopped, because in the 'march of justice', in addition to our struggle for existence, they saw support for the fight against bureaucracy and other ills that exist in our country today. "We started our march because of injustice. On the way, we didn't kill a single soldier on the ground. In one day they reached a point just 200 kilometers from Moscow, (and) they took complete control of the city of Rostov. "We gave a master class in how it should have been done on February 24, 2022 (when Russia sent troops into Ukraine). We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and the legally elected government." WHY DID WAGNER STOP? "We turned around in order not to shed the blood of Russian soldiers. "We stopped at the moment when the first assault detachment, which came to 200 km from Moscow, deployed its artillery, did a reconnaissance of the area and it became obvious that a lot of blood would be shed at that moment. "Therefore, we felt that demonstrating what we were going to do was enough. "And our decision to turn around was based on two important factors. The first factor is that we did not want to shed Russian blood. The second factor is that we were registering our protest and not seeking to overthrow the government of the country. "At this time, (Belarusian President) Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko extended his hand and offered to find solutions for the further work of the Wagner PMC within a legal jurisdiction. "Our 'march of justice' highlighted a lot of the things we have talked about before - the most serious security problems throughout the country." (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Gareth Jones) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin remains under investigation by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of organising an armed mutiny, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, citing an unidentified source. The criminal case against Prigozhin was initiated on June 23 after he announced a "march for justice" by his fighters against the military leadership, who he said were cowards who were undermining Russia's war effort in Ukraine. As part of a deal, as set out by the Kremlin's spokesman, criminal charges against the mutineers were to be dropped in exchange for their return to camps, and Prigozhin was to move to Belarus. On its website, Kommersant cited its source as saying there had not yet been time to change the status of the case. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Sacramento faces first triple-digit heat wave this summer. How high will temps rise? Sacramentos infamous heat returns this week, just in time for the July 4 weekend. A triple-digit heat wave is expected to bake the area starting Friday until Sunday, the National Weather Service stated. The agency is warning residents of a major heat risk and that the high temperatures can be dangerous for anyone who doesnt have adequate cooling or hydration. Major Heat Risk will impact NorCal late this week into the holiday weekend with widespread triple digit temperatures in the Valley. Now is the time to plan ahead for adequate cooling & hydration, especially if you have outdoor plans for the holiday weekend! #cawx pic.twitter.com/gRuCBvOuMk NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 26, 2023 It advises that people cancel outdoor activities during the heat, stay hydrated and remain in a cool place. How high will temperatures go? Starting Monday, temperatures will steadily increase to triple-digits by Thursday. Mondays high is at 85 degrees with lows around 56 degrees, and Tuesdays is at 86 with lows near 57. Wednesday will see temperatures near 90 degrees in the day and 59 at night. Thursday is expected to break 100 degrees, with a low near 62. Fridays high is expected near 103, with a low around 65. Saturday is forecast to be the hottest day of the week with a high near 104. Sunday is expected near 101 degrees. The forecast doesnt extend to July 4 yet, but Scott Rowe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said that it will likely remain warm. Its too early to say for sure, but itll probably be above normal, he said. Normal temperatures for July 4 are about 94 degrees. The highest temperature recorded for July 4 is 110 degrees in 2013. 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. Sacramento group Night Walkers nurtured dancers through pop-up events. Now, they have a home Sacramento native Bryan Dang started dancing solo in his garage 15 years ago, but he soon emerged to help organize dance meet-ups in vacant parking lots, alleyways and underground dance studios. Dance has always been a refuge for Dang thats provided him with opportunities he never imagined for himself. When Dang brought together a community of dancers in 2015 to host curated sessions called Night Walkers, his goal was to allow other artists to showcase talents in an unfiltered, raw environment. From Night Walkers, some members took their talents to bigger stages, like Konkrete, who landed a spot dancing on Beyonces Renaissance Tour. The Night Walkers have also danced alongside the Jabbawockeez, a dance crew that has performed in various reality TV dance competitions. Dang has always been devoted to providing a dance venue for others, and hes finally found a more permanent dance home. The Night Walkers have started to host sessions every Thursday night at Tiger, a downtown Sacramento restaurant, bar and lounge. Theyre calling the weekly sessions Intrusion because Dang and the Night Walkers want to invite dancers, of all styles, and dance enthusiasts to intrude on the dance floor. His goal is to make the dance community and culture more accessible to people, allowing them to experience it in a brand new way. Dang said his partnership with HOF, an event production and promotion company, allows him to do that. Its important because dance is a lot more social than people realize, Dang said. Having a beautiful space like Tiger and having a team like HOF and Night Walkers come together to produce something for street dance to be in an amazing space and have an amazing experience and time. Its vital for a community to thrive and grow. If people want to get into dance, Dang said they know where to find it. Bryan Dang, founder of Night Walkers dance and creative collective, hosts Intrusion on June 8, 2023, at Tiger Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Sacramento. The dance battles and showcases are being held every Thursday. The birth of Intrusion Way before they held their first Intrusion night at Tiger, the Night Walkers had begun to set the foundation for what the event is today. In 2018 and 2019, the Night Walkers recruited the best dancers in Northern California for a tour of different cities such as Los Angeles, Portland and Salt Lake City. Now, they want other dancers to do the same. We would intrude their city showing that were the best, showing that Northern California has some of the best talent in the world to offer, Dang said. Now what were doing with Intrusion here at Tiger is that were inviting those same cities, plus more, to come back to (our) home turf. Were inviting people from all around the world, all around the United States to come out and to compete with Northern California and Sacramento. A pop-up session was thrown at Tiger on a random Sunday evening to test the waters. It was well-received. We saw the energy of what Tiger looked like when people were hanging over the balcony and the dining room, like the dance floor turned into this kind of coliseum feel and created this open space (with) everybody surrounding it, said Robbie Metcalf, HOF co-founder and co-owner of Tiger. Following the pop-up, Metcalf sat down with Dang and other members of Night Walkers over dinner to discuss how they could bring that energy to life, every week. Prior to Intrusion, Metcalf wasnt sure if there was any venue accessible to dancers. And in case there wasnt, he wanted to make sure there was, especially after the success of their test run. So Im kind of getting my eyes open to Sacramentos dance community through these guys, Metcalf said. Ive known that theres a huge dance community in Sacramento like Night Walkers, Koncept, Kida the Great. Even just those names, if you know those names, you know, theres something here. The first official Intrusion night at Tiger was on May 25, a Thursday, and it would be a recurring thing. Thursday nights have become an event of diverse dance expression, featuring everything from cyphers (freestyle dance sessions), labbing (experimenting or practicing your dance moves), and monthly dance battles. Ive never seen a home or a space for the dance community, Metcalf said. This is something that deserves spotlight, deserves recognition. It deserves a place for people to come every single week to feel like its their home, feel like its for them. And lets make it funsomething thats really cool to watch and if youre a dancer really cool to be a part of. Zakari Young, with dance crew 5A, performs during a showcase at Night Walkers Intrusion on June 8 at Tiger Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Sacramento. The dance battles and showcases are being held every Thursday. Who are the Night Walkers? Dang has brought together a unified community of dancers, the way he has always done since he can remember. Veeramrit Vee Randhawa remembers meeting Dang because he was a friend of his younger brother. When Dang explained his idea of Night Walkers to him, Randhawa said he knew it would be a success. Something just draws you in, Randhawa said. That guy feels something that I also feel. So I said lets do something. Dang had ideas that he developed, Randhawa said. We just clicked and our work ethic, the way we think. We are both our own unique individual personalities, Randhawa said. But the way we mesh without having to create an outline of how were supposed to work was just natural. He said the vision for Night Walkers went from Bryans dream to a team dream. Weve been dreaming about something like this in our own avenues, Randhawa said. Dancing has been Randhawas life since he first started watching VHS tapes of breakdancing. At first glance, he said, you wouldnt think that hes a dancer because he wears a turban. Honestly, as a Punjabi guy and just the way I looked I was always stigmatized, like youre going to fit in one pocket, Randhawa said. It was always Youre going into health care, youre going to become a doctor and thats all you need to think of. Its a stigma hes been fighting since he dedicated his life to the dance culture. Randhawa said he has always had a different drive to prove that anything can be accomplished without being boxed in. Hes danced in different styles such as contemporary, jazz, and ballroom. Prior to joining Night Walkers, he danced in a crew called Step Boys, where some members went on to join reality show Americas Best Dance Crew. Randhawa auditioned with So You Think You Can Dance, but ultimately was not selected as a winner. Night Walkers isnt just Dang and Randhawa, theres 16 of them total. Theyre not just a dance crew, theyre a dance family. Members of Night Walkers dance and creative collective, pictured along with Tiger Restaurant & Lounges Robbie Metcalf and DJ Shino Smoke, host Intrusion featuring dance battles and showcases at Tiger on Thursday nights. The group are photographed in front of the venue June 8 in downtown Sacramento. Community, culture and art of dance Randhawa is a B-boy, or break dancer, although he knows different styles. Dang specializes in krump style, a highly energetic movement that expresses raw emotion. The style was popularized in 1999 and the 2000s and was seen as a reincarnation of hip-hop dance culture, which waged a friendly rivalry between B-boys and B-girls, as break dancing is often considered the origin of hip-hop dance culture. Whether tap dancing, or two stepping, the Intrusion environment is welcoming to all styles. Sacramento native, JJ Varghese said her experience was amazing as she was able to get her dance fix with their diverse music selections. She discovered Intrusion when she was looking for a new studio to go to. It was such a great vibe, great energy and it was wonderful to see people of my age group come together and just communicate through the art of dance, Varghese said. She developed a deep passion for dance since she started around 2010 specializing in ballroom, tango, and salsa. She said it was a safe space to come together, whether your technique is good or not. I think its just that first initial step of getting out of your comfort zone, Varghese said. Going to (Intrusion) will teach you a lot and tell you that theres other humans out there that share this same passion as you do. HB Boosalis on the other hand, does not dance, she watches instead. She has always been interested in the history of hip-hop, therefore always loved to watch dancing. Im absolutely a spectator and I love it, Boosalis said. She went to the very first Intrusion night because her friends sister was going to dance. She ended up seeing many dancers she knew that night. I find this community to be very important. I fell in love with the dance community. I really felt the sense of family, Boosalis said. Her favorite part of it all, shes said, is the healthy competition mentality. These are battles but at the end of the day theyre shaking hands and theyre dancing together, Boosalis said. Just everybody having a good time while theyre competing. You see it in their faces and thats the kind of stuff that really drew me to the dance scene. The dance floor makes space for Tasia Turner, of Sacramento, as they dance before a showcase performance with Yumz, right, and crew at Night Walkers Intrusion on June 8 at Tiger Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Sacramento. The dance battles and showcases are being held every Thursday. Friendly competition Every last Thursday of the month, people are welcome at Intrusion to battle one another for a $500 cash prize, courtesy of Casamigos. The June 29th Intrusion event will highlight dancers from guest city or region: the Bay Area. Many dance crews will be in the building trying to take home friendly bragging rights between Sacramento and The Bay. For Sacramento dance group Black Flag, they will be holding it down, representing their hometown. The Sacramento crew is made up of Wren Crisologo, Matt Hiabu, Anthony Wey and Michael Ringgold. Theyve been together as a dance crew for nearly five years. Ringgold explained their style as a mix of animation, hip-hop grooves, and a little bit of yikin, a dance move in which people sway side-to-side in a rhythmic movement. Its always friendly competition, but its like that personal feeling too like we hold our own in Sacramento, Hiabu said. We are Sacramento, we got our own thing. We gotta rep hard for that. Black Flag has danced on many stages including with Bay Area rap legend E-40, in a music video with Juice WRLD and for the Sacramento Kings. Dance has taken us to hella places that we never would have thought, Wey said. The energy is always hella love. We try to get the crowd hella turnt up as much as possible and the crowd always gives us that energy and we give it back. He said that dance is still underground, its just the dance community is showing up in Sacramento. Eugene Phomthevy, with dance crew 5A, performs during a showcase at Night Walkers Intrusion on June 8 at Tiger Restaurant & Lounge. If you go: Where: Tiger Restaurant & Lounge, 722 K St., Sacramento When: 10 p.m until 1:30 a.m. Price: Free, participants and attendees must be age 21 and above The Pillowcase Rapist who terrorized Sacramento in the 1980s was arrested early Monday morning in Bakersfield on suspicion of kidnapping. Officers with the Bakersfield Police Department arrested Ronald Mark Feldmeier, 71, on one count of kidnapping and booked him into the Kern County Sheriffs Office central receiving facility just before 5 a.m. Feldmeier, a former S Street apartment complex manager in midtown Sacramento, was convicted in 1986 of raping four women, The Sacramento Bee reported at the time. As the clerk read the verdicts in the courtroom that January, Feldmeier buried his face in his hands and muttered, Oh no. Feldmeier would break into the apartments of young women during early-morning hours, wrap a pillowcase around their faces to keep them from seeing him, and then sexually assault them, according to authorities and court testimony. He was released from state prison custody in 2019 after serving more than 30 years of his original 67-year prison sentence. A California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson at the time of his release said his release location would not be publicly disclosed for security reasons. Kern Superior Court records show Feldmeier was arrested in February 2020 on suspicion of failure to register as a sex offender. That felony case remains ongoing, court records show. Feldmeier is due to appear in court Wednesday afternoon. His bail is set at $100,000. The Bees Michael McGough contributed to this story. A Delta Airline worker died at San Antonio International Airport when he was ingested into an engine On Friday, a Texas airline worker was ingested into an engine and killed at San Antonio International Airport. The employee, whose name has not yet been released, was working on the runway at 10:25 p.m. when he was ingested into the engine of an Airbus A319 aircraft, which had just arrived from Los Angeles International Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a written statement, according to NPR. The NTSB confirmed the employee was an airport ramp worker and was employed by Unifi Aviation, a contracted third-party company Delta uses to assist with ground-handling operations. An investigation is underway into how the accident occurred, the NTSB said, and it confirmed it will release more information as it becomes available. Read more Unifi said in a statement to BBC News: From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifis operational processes, safety procedures, and policies. A Delta spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Gizmodo that the airline was heartbroken to grieve the loss of an aviation family members life. The spokesperson added, Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. The NTSB said in an email that it will not be opening an investigation into this event following the information received from the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office. The decision was made after finding that There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport. Since 1969, there have been 33 reported personnel ingestions, one resulting in death, into the engines of 737 aircraft, the site says, while there were four reported fatal ingestions in Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The tragedy at the San Antonio International Airport is the second this year after an unnamed employee was ingested into an Embraer 170 engine at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama on New Years Eve 2022. The employee reportedly ignored several warnings to stay away from the aircraft which had informed airport personnel that its engines were still running to cool down because the aircrafts auxiliary power unit wasnt working, according to NBC News. Other reports include an engineer who was sucked into the engine of an Air India plane at a Mumbai airport in 2015, and in 2011, an engineer who was performing what NBC News described as routine maintenance on an Air New Zealand aircraft was sucked into the engine, which was not affixed to the plane, and killed. Updated: 6/26 at 4:13 p.m. to include the NTSBs comment. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A worker died last week after being ingested into an airplane engine at San Antonio International Airport. Shortly after Delta Flight 111 arrived at the airport from Los Angeles around 10:30 p.m. Central time, a worker on the tarmac was ingested into the planes engine as it was taxiing to the gate, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The Bexar County medical examiner ruled the death as a suicide on Monday, according to News 4 San Antonio. The name of the 27-year-old worker was not released. The person was employed by Unifi, a company that performs ground operations at airports and is contracted by Delta at the airport. We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family members life in San Antonio. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time, Delta said in a statement, according to NBC News. Unifi said, based on its initial investigation, the incident was not related to the companys operational processes, safety procedures or policies. The NTSB said it was investigating the incident. Courtney Edwards, a ground crew worker, was killed on New Years Eve 2022 in a similar incident at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. Last week, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration fined Piedmont Airlines, Edwards employer and a subsidiary of American Airlines, for a number of safety failures that led to her death. Proper training and enforcement of safety procedures could have prevented this tragedy, OSHA said. The airline is contesting the $15,625 penalty. A San Diego man who went into cardiac arrest had a remarkable recovery after he was kept alive by his grandson, emergency responders, and hospital staff who performed CPR for 70 minutes to save his life. David Mills, 67, left doctors in shock after surviving odds of lower than one per cent after suffering a heart attack in his Southern California home, where his 25-year-old grandson leaped into action and spent more than an hour attempting to resuscitate him alongside 911 dispatchers and hospital staff. Mr Mills was rushed to hospital, where it was discovered that he had a blocked artery and he had a stent put into his heart. However, given that he did not have a pulse for 70 minutes, doctors were concerned he would struggle to make a full recovery. His nurse, theyre saying... Oh my God youre here, I was just going to call you, his eyes are open, Mr Mills wife Georgia Mills told Fox5. His ICU doctor two doors down leaned out of the room and he said What did you say? she added. Mr Mills full recovery is largely thanks to the quick response of his grandson, Dr Andrew Fischer told the outlet. Starting CPR immediately is critical as the brain can only go about four to six minutes without oxygen before permanent damage occurs, he explained. Too often, bystanders wait for the paramedics to arrive, which can be too late. People who go into SCA (cardiac arrest) still have residual oxygen in their blood and hands-only CPR can keep that blood circulating until help gets there, he added. David Mills survived his cardiac arrest after 70 minutes with no pulse (Screenshot / Fox 5 San Diego) San Diego County Sheriffs Department Deputies arrived within five minutes of the 911 call, taking over the CPR procedure until the arrival of EMTs and paramedics from the Vista Fire Department. David, who is 67 and retired, underwent a total of 70 minutes of in-and out-of-hospital CPR, whereas the average CPR duration is about 25 to 30 minutes, Dr Fischer told Fox 5. Medical data indicates that after about 45 minutes and definitely beyond 60 minutes, the chances of survival and having a favourable neurological outcome are less than one per cent. This is why Davids survival and full recovery is so amazing. Mr Mills told Fox 5 that he now feels that he feels stronger each day and hes optimistic about the future. Californias sheriffs are reluctant to disclose data on COVID-19 in their jails and no state authority has mandated that they do so. To date, there is little to no transparency on the pandemics impact on roughly 80,000 people who shuffle in and out of the 114 county jails in the state. Jails, as opposed to prisons, primarily house individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, and are managed by independent sheriffs instead of a central state authority like the Department of Corrections. There is some publicly available COVID-19 data for prisons but nothing equivalent exists for jails except a dashboard created by the Board of State and Community Corrections. Even the state Department of Public Health, which has data sets on COVID-19 in marginalized groups such as low-income people or those residing in crowded housing, has no data for jails. In fact, when KQED reporters uncovered a massive outbreak in the Fresno County Jail in August of 2020, and asked the Department of Public Health why they are not sharing data publicly so that outbreaks can be easily detected, a spokesperson replied that they collect information on jails from county health officials but do not publish it because it is often incomplete. They attributed the data quality problem to the high volume of cases and inadequate resources for counties to report them. Through hundreds of Freedom of Information Act requests to sheriffs departments and the state, the Covid In-Custody Project (www.covidincustody.org) has tried to fill this critical knowledge gap. But only some departments were responsive. In fact, the San Joaquin Valley region, spanning ten counties from San Joaquin County to Kern County, provided little to no data and proved to be the least transparent out of all of the counties that we contacted. For the whole state, we uncovered a total of roughly 45,000 cases for incarcerated people and 20,000 cases for Sheriffs Department employees, a subset of whom work inside the jails. Zooming into the San Joaquin Valley region, less than half of counties provided responsive records, and 3,400 cases and one death were identified. But this is clearly a gross undercount. For some facilities, the Board of State and Community Corrections reports the cases confirmed weekly, if and only if there are more than 10 but not a running total. The broad impact of the pandemic on incarcerated people is therefore lost on us. Further, no county in the San Joaquin Valley region provided the number of active cases per day or per week since March 2020 for the jail population and employees, which clouds visibility into key outbreak periods. Merced County stands out as it provided some historical data for staff. Sheriffs Departments provided a variety of reasons for dismissing our data requests. Tuolumne County described our requests as interrogatory and non-specific despite the clear categories of data we outlined. San Joaquin County stated that our requests are overly broad and unduly burdensome and that the drain on county resources to produce the records outweighs the benefit. Even when agencies provided records, they were often incomprehensible and unreliable. Fresno County, for example, provided swab lists with tables containing the number of positive swabs in each housing unit. Mariposa County provided over 90 pages of handwritten test results and notes. Their documentation is unreliable, susceptible to errors, and incompatible with modern programmatic approaches to data extraction. The lack of good quality documentation and monitoring of COVID-19 exemplifies the absence of data-driven decision making by law enforcement leadership in custody. None of the sheriffs departments in the San Joaquin Valley region provided a vaccination rate for the jail population. Some provided the vaccination rate for employees, but many like Fresno County insist that the data is not tracked or maintained. Merced County boasts the highest vaccination rate among correctional officers of 83% while Mariposa County and Stanislaus County fall well behind with just 12% and 36% vaccinated respectively. The timeliness of the responses are also cause for concern. Most of the counties delayed their responses by at least 10 days under Government Code 6253(c), if not longer. Madera County took over five months to provide any records, despite multiple follow-ups and clarifications from our side. Kern County took about seven months to share records after failing to respond to one of our requests by mistake. Open and easy access to COVID-19 data is critical for public health decision-making and academic research, and for the public to hold officials accountable when incarcerated people are impacted in an unfair manner. For this to happen, sheriffs must cultivate open data principles from the start. Documentation and transparency must be practiced in a technologically advanced manner. The Covid In-Custody Project hopes that by revealing the deficiencies in the data available on COVID-19 in jails, public officials will build better data collection systems for future public health crises behind bars. Aparna Komarla and Suzanne Stitt are with the Covid in Custody Project. They were assisted in data collection by interns Anumita Alur, Anjali Govindapanicker, Sophia Baltasar, Suzanne Stitt, Yu Na Choi, Madeleine Malin, Avynash Bains, Claire Beckwith, Anchal Lamba, Anqi Fan, Kyla Lum, Kai Kang and Meng Li. Santos on reelection: McCarthys comments do not change my intention of running Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) said on Monday that House Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) comments saying he shouldnt run for reelection wouldnt deter him from seeking a second bid. Dear Media, I plan on continuing to serve the people of NY3. Providing excellent constituent services to the people of NY03 and proposing common sense conservative legislation for the betterment of our nation. Speaker McCarthys comments do not change my intention of running, Santos tweeted. McCarthy was asked during an appearance on Fox & Friends whether he was part of Santos reelection campaign. No, I am not. No he shouldnt run for reelection, he said. Were going to keep that seat with another Republican, yes we are, he added later. Santos is being investigated by several groups, including the House Ethics Committee, U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of New York and Nassau County district attorneys office. Santos faces 13 charges by the U.S. Attorneys Office alone, including wire fraud and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Santos seat lean Democrat. Santos is facing at least one Republican challenger, Afghanistan war veteran Kellen Curry, along with several Democrats vying to take his seat in 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer, a representative for the royal confirmed to NBC News Sunday. The duchess, 63, was diagnosed as in an early stage of the disease after a routine mammogram, her spokesperson said. She has already had surgery to treat the cancer at her doctors advice. The duchess is receiving the best medical care, and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good, her spokesperson said. She is now recuperating with her family. She also extended her gratitude to the medical staff who identified her cancer in the mammogram and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening, according to her spokesperson. The duchess was married to Prince Andrew but they divorced in 1996, four years after announcing their separation. The couple have two daughters together, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. According to Sky News, the duchess has returned to Windsor following her surgery and is expected to discuss her cancer experience in a new episode of her podcast, Tea Talk, that will air Monday. This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com It isnt uncommon for state lawmakers to launch campaigns to level up and join the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBrides announcement on Monday morning is particularly notable, though, as if her campaign is successfully she will become the first trans person to serve in Congress. My commitment is to the people in Delaware who arent seen, who dont shout the loudest or fund political campaigns parents busy raising their children, seniors worried about paying for prescription drugs, working people struggling to keep up, McBride, 32, said her announcement video. Everyone deserves a member of Congress who sees them and respects them. Im excited to share that I'm running for Congress! In Delaware, weve proven that small states can do BIG things. Its time to do it again. Become a founding donor https://t.co/Dnj3FKQG4l pic.twitter.com/UD1DkxBaNy Sen. Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) June 26, 2023 Delaware only has one congressional seat, and current Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester announced last week that she will be leaving the post so she can run to replace retiring Sen. Thomas Carper in the Senate. McBride wont be the only Democrat vying to replace Rochester, but her chances are promising. She brought in over 70 percent of the vote to win her state Senate seat in 2020. McBride has long been a trailblazer for the trans community. She became the first trans person to work in the White House in 2012 when she started as an intern in the Obama administration. She was also the first trans person to speak at the Democratic National Convention. Four years ago I came out as transgender while serving as student body president in college, she said there in 2016. At the time, I was scared. I worried that my dreams and my identity were mutually exclusive. Since then, though, I have seen that change is possible. McBride is running to enter Congress as the Republican Party has waged an all-out assault on trans rights across America. The New York Times points out that 17 states have passed legislation restricting gender-affirming care for trans youth, and everyone from right-wing influencers on Twitter to the partys presidential candidates have centered a good chunk of their messaging around demonizing trans Americans. Too many politicians want to divide us, to tell us that teachers, doctors, and even our own neighbors are the enemy, McBride said in her announcement video. Blocking out the noise and focusing on what matters isnt easy It takes guts and a backbone. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Sarah McBride Sarah McBride has made a lot of history already she was the first out transgender person to address a major partys national convention, the first one to be a state senator, and the first one reelected as a state senator. Now shes seeking to make more history as the first out trans member of Congress. McBride announced Monday that shes running for Delawares sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 election. The current rep, Lisa Blunt Rochester, is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate, as the states senior member of that chamber, Tom Carper, is retiring. All are Democrats in a heavily Democratic state. While McBrides campaign is groundbreaking, its about much more than adding to her list of firsts. Im running for Congress to be a voice that Delaware needs to make government work better for all families, especially when hard times hit, she tells The Advocate. Ive spent my life advocating for my neighbors and delivering real results from policies like paid family and medical leave [and] historic investments to protect our children. As a caregiver to my late husband, Andy, I experienced many of the struggles that families are facing right now when their loved ones are seriously ill or when theyre struggling to care for a child or an aging parent, she continues. Thats why I ran for the state Senate. Thats why I passed the Healthy Delaware Families act to provide paid family and medical leave for workers up and down the state. Thats why Im running for Congress. Government cant stop all loss or all pain, but we can make life a little bit easier for people when hard times hit, and ultimately, we need federal action to do that for families of every background. McBride is the first candidate to declare in the race to succeed Blunt Rochester. At the age of 32, shes already accomplished much. She interned at the White House when Barack Obama was president, and she was a staffer for former Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and the late state Attorney General Beau Biden, son of President Joe Biden. She worked for the Center for American Progress, then joined the Human Rights Campaign, serving as its national press secretary. She was at HRC when she addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2016, a first for a trans person. She was elected to Delawares Senate in 2020, representing District 1, which includes parts of Wilmington and neighboring cities, and reelected in 2022. Her husband, trans man Andy McCray, died of cancer a few days after their marriage in 2014. She dealt with their relationship in the memoir Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality, published in 2018, with a foreword by Joe Biden. About her qualifications, McBride says, I dont think any of us are ignorant to the challenges that both our democracy faced and families across our country face. The stakes are too high to not send brave, courageous, thoughtful, and effective leaders to Congress. For the last decade, first as an advocate and now as a legislator, I have fought for meaningful change, delivered progress that many thought at the start of those efforts would be impossible. From a landmark nondiscrimination law in 2013 to paid family and medical leave to investments in protecting children from lead poisoning to health care reform to efforts to combat disinformation, anti-corruption laws that Ive been able to pass through the state Senate, Ive had the experience and the results that prove that experience. So I believe that we need to make sure that Delawares sole representative is someone whos thoughtful, effective, courageous, and determined to get real results for families and workers across the state. The landmark nondiscrimination law she refers to is the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act, which Markell signed into law in 2013, banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment, housing, and other venues. Such protections were not common at the time, and when Markell signed the legislation, he thanked McBride for her advocacy. She acknowledges the importance of putting a face on the transgender community. Ive seen just how important the power of our presence is in changing policies and priorities, she says. Ive seen just how important it is to have bold and effective leaders that are trans leading on issues of all kinds that matter to workers and families across our state. By having an effective member of Congress who is also trans, that will go a long way in opening hearts and changing minds and deepening the publics understanding of who transgender people are and in making it more difficult for anti-trans politicians to scapegoat us and to turn us into caricatures. I know, ultimately, that I may be a first, the only way to ensure that Im not the last is to do the best job I possibly can do for the residents of Delaware. The only way to do right by the LGBTQ community is to first do right by the constituents that Im privileged to serve, she adds. And so thats top of mind for me, to be that bold and effective changemaker in Congress like Ive been able to be in the Delaware State Senate, and through that helping to change hearts and minds and continue to fight for equality for all. In addition to fighting for that equality, McBrides priorities include working for gun safety, including an assault weapons ban, which Delaware has (and which the federal government once had, but it was allowed to lapse; paid family and medical leave; affordable child care; universal early childhood education; reproductive rights, including access to abortion; investments in home care and elder care; and environmental protections to address climate change. McBride says she was inspired to become an activist and then seek public office because even through the tough times shes faced, such as coming out as trans and dealing with her husbands illness and death, she had plenty of support from loved ones and access to benefits something not everyone has. Ive seen just how lucky I am. I know, though, that far too many people dont have that support or love, she says, adding, Ultimately, I dont believe that support should be a matter of luck. I believe that support should be a right guaranteed to everyone and the law of the land. Organizations that will announce their endorsements of McBride include HRC, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, LPAC, Equality PAC, and End Citizens United/Let America Vote. She also has the endorsement of more than 20 Delaware elected officials, along with community organizers and labor leaders. Of the most famous politicians shes worked with, McBride has only good things to say. Beau Biden was the real deal, she says, as kind and decent and compassionate behind closed doors as he was in public. When she came out in 2012, she says, Beau didnt skip a beat, assuring her that he and his wife, Hallie, loved her and were proud of her and that she was still part of the Biden family. That included Joe and Jill Biden, she notes, and Beau put the force of his office as attorney general behind the effort to pass the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act. Joe Biden has continued his sons work as an advocate for trans rights, McBride adds. I am grateful that I still have the opportunity to talk with him about not just LGBTQ rights but a whole host of issues that we are facing here in Delaware, and I am deeply moved to see him continue to carry on Beaus legacy, she says. She may soon have that opportunity as a member of Congress. Watch her announcement video below. Mikhail Shelkov Agents of Ukraine's SBU security service arrested Oleksandr Fedoseyev, the right hand man of sanctioned oligarch Mikhail Shelkov, in Dnipro on June 24, for actions aimed at over-throwing the state, the SBU reported on June 26. The two individuals allegedly orchestrated a scheme to smuggle titanium from Ukraine to Russia where it was used for military production, including Kalibr missiles, MiG-35 and Su-35 aircraft, and Ka-52 helicopters, the SBU said. Mineral resources from the Demurinsky Mining and Processing Plant in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, owned by Shelkov, were covertly supplied to Russia. According to the available data, almost 11 tons of minerals worth $2 million were transferred to Russia. Read also: Ukraine nationalizes titanium assets of Russian oligarch worth over $54 million A Russian passport and paper evidence were found during a search of Fedoseyevs residence. His official position is adviser to the general director of the metallurgical corporation VSMPO-AVISMA, which is owned by Shelkov. Shelkov and Fedoseyev have been charged with financing of actions committed with the aim of violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power, change of territory or state border of Ukraine. Fedoseyev faces up to eight years in prison if found guilty. 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 Screams for help sent man rushing into Texas river, cops say. Body was just recovered A man lost his life after rushing into a fast-moving river to rescue a drowning woman, according to Texas police and news reports. While swimming in the San Jacinto River in Crosby on the evening of June 25, a woman was swept away by a strong current, according to KTRK. After she cried out for help, a group of nearby men ran into the water in an attempt to save her, per the outlet. The men were eventually able to pull her to safety, but one of them never returned from the water, according to KHOU. After the man was reported missing, a dive team was dispatched to the river around midnight, according to a news release from the Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. The divers scoured the dark waters using a sonar-equipped boat, according to KHOU. They found the mans body around 1:17 a.m. on June 26, Gonzalez said. The medical examiners office is in the process of identifying the deceased man, according to KTRK. He did not know the woman he gave his life to save, according to FOX 26. Another body belonging to a man in his 20s was found several thousand feet upriver on June 19, according to KTRK. He was believed to struggle to swim. A representative for the Harris County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on June 26. Crosby is about 25 miles northeast of Houston. Man accused of driving intoxicated plunges truck off cliff into ocean, CA cops say Dangerous inmates pry open skylight to escape jail, Tennessee cops say. Search is on $3,500 worth of Legos vanish from California shopping center, cops say. Now 4 charged Search for missing elementary school teacher who vanished from New Jersey hotel three weeks ago (Roxbury Police Department) Officials from New Jersey are searching for an elementary school teacher who disappeared from a hotel in early June. Lara Emanuele, 46, is an elementary school teacher at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Morristown, New Jersey. She was last seen on 7 June in Roxbury but her car was found the next morning at a Holiday Inn Express in Mount Arlington, just a few miles from her home. Surveillance video from the hotels parking lot shows Ms Emanuele parking her vehicle and getting out of the car but never going inside the hotel, an employee of the Holiday Inn told CBS News. Since then, local and state authorities have conducted coordinated search efforts for the missing teacher in the area near the hotel. The Roxbury Police Department, Morris County Sheriffs Office, New Jersey State Police Aviation Bureau, New Jersey Search and Rescue and the Morris County Prosecutors Office are all involved in the search. The area surrounding the hotel, known as the Berkshire Valley State Wildlife Management Area, is described as heavily wooded. On 12 June, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J Carroll asked the public to allow law enforcement and trained civilians to conduct the search as any interference could make it more difficult to track Ms Emanueles location. At this time we are asking that the public rely on the law enforcement agencies and trained civilians to continue handling the search, Mr Carroll said. The search area is comprised of heavily wooded terrain and there are areas that may have dangerous wildlife. Trained K-9 dogs being utilized to track in the search area and having unknown individuals in that area could impact the search efforts. Mr Carroll assured the public that all capabilities available to law enforcement are being utilised. Authorities in the Morris County Sheriffs Office have indicated Ms Emanueles disappearance is not considered suspicious at this time. On Facebook, her husband Brian Emanuele re-posted a post from the Morris County Prosecutors Office asking for assistance in locating her. Anyone with information related Ms Emanueles location or the investigation is encouraged to make contact with the Roxbury Police Department at 973-448-2100 or the Morris County Prosecutors Office Missing Persons Unit On-Call Detective through the Morris County Communications Center at 973-285-2900. Search for wanted man after he shot two people, SC sheriff says A search is underway for a man after two people were shot outside of a Midlands home, the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office said Monday. Jaquincy Kendell Rodriguez, 22, is facing two attempted murder charges from a shooting that happened June 21, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Despite receiving several tips in the days since the shooting, but none have led to the arrest of Rodriguez and the manhunt is ongoing, Sheriff Thomas Summers told The State Monday. The shooting happened in Cameron, South Carolina, according to the release. Rodriguez and two other men were arguing when the 22-year-old said he was going to shoot the others, the sheriffs office said. He went into a home and came out firing, Summers said. The victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries after each was shot in the upper body by a handgun at close range, the sheriffs office said. Summers said he believes both victims have been released from an area hospital. Further information on their conditions was not available. This is so senseless, to try to take a life over a simple disagreement Summers said. Deputies responded to the scene and were told that Rodriguez was still armed and had gone back inside the home, according to the release. Deputies set up a perimeter and called the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, seeking help from SLEDs SWAT team. At around 1:30 a.m., it was determined that Rodriguez was no longer inside the home, and the search for him was launched, the sheriffs office said. That set off a new set of worries, we have two people who were close to this individual who he was willing to shoot and try to kill, said Summer, who added the three men might be related. He is still armed and we need him off the street before someone else gets hurt by his hand. While the search continues, the community is not in danger, Summers said. He called the shooting an isolated incident that stemmed from the argument. Information about why the men were arguing was not available. Anyone with information about the shooting or Rodriguezs whereabouts are asked to call the sheriffs office at 803-874-2741, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip. Were still looking for him, but well get him, Summer said. Officials have increased security at a Cobb County synagogue days after an antisemitic protest in which an out-of-state group gathered touting messages of hate. Channel 2s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell was outside of the synagogue Monday, where Cobb Police officers were standing by out of an abundance of caution. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A peace rally was supposed to happen at the Chabad of Cobb County on Lower Roswell Road on Monday, but organizers canceled it due to safety concerns. Over the weekend, there were several neo-Nazi demonstrations at Georgia synagogues. TRENDING STORIES: Since the string of incidents, there has been an outpouring of support on the local, state and national levels for Georgias Jewish community. Newell talked to Rabbi Dan Dorsch with the Congregation of Etz. Chaim, who said he and other rabbis were horrified by what they saw when protesters with Nazi flags gathered outside the synagogue. On behalf of all the rabbis in the Atlanta Jewish community we are beyond appalled by what so many of us saw the other day, Dorsch said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Eytan Davidson, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League in the Southeast, said the organization is very concerned with the rise of hate and antisemitism in the last few years. In 2022, the ADL said it saw the largest number of antisemitic incidents since the organization started keeping track in the late 1970s. They try to shield themselves with the First Amendment, Davison said. They will be very careful to do everything they can do, everything they can that goes right up to the line but not to cross it so they arent criminally liable. Munir Meghjani, a community leader, said the clash of ignorance is something the community cant just let go. We are going to respond with love and with coming together for our Jewish community, Meghjani said. The Georgia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations just released a statement reading, in part, We condemn this deeply disturbing antisemitic incident and stand in unwavering solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of blind hatred. Dorch said the Jewish community needs special protections and equal treatment. Cobb County commissioners are in the process of putting together a resolution against antisemitism, which they will vote on Tuesday. See these iconic Bellefonte buildings lost over time. Do you remember their history? Bellefonte is known for its historic buildings and the historical figures who once lived or visited there. The borough landscape has been reshaped after several fires this century. With the help of the CDT archives, heres a look at four well-known pieces of the boroughs past that are no longer standing. How much do you remember about them? Bellefonte Academy The Bellefonte Academy long stood atop a steep hill on West Bishop Street. The school in the mountains known for educating future governors, senators and judges and other public figures was founded in 1805, a year before the borough of Bellefonte was incorporated. A fire in July 1904 destroyed the schools upper floor, but the facility was open again by the fall of 1905. The academy went out of business in the early 1930s, though Bellefonte High School students held classes there from 1939-42 after their school was destroyed by fire. The academy property was purchased in 1946 and turned into apartments. The academy was also known for athletic success and played Penn State in football a handful of times around the turn of the 20th century. The academy was destroyed by fire in 2004. The Bellefonte Academy on West Bishop Street was destroyed by a fire in 2004. Bush House The Bush House was built in 1868 on the corner of High and Water streets, welcoming visitors to the borough. John Blair Linns History of Centre and Clinton Counties described it as one of the most perfectly appointed, as well as the most commodious, hotels in Central Pennsylvania. It was one of the first hotels in the country to have electric lights, a system designed by guest Thomas Edison. Several other notable guests are said to have stayed there when their trains passed through town, including Henry Ford, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. The Bush House was renamed the Penn Belle Hotel in the mid-1930s and reverted to its original name in 1974. The four-story brick structure was home to seven businesses, including the popular Schnitzels Tavern, when it burned down in 2006. The Bush House hotel was located on the corner of High and Water streets in Bellefonte. Garman Theatre The Garman Opera House opened in 1890 on East High Street. The building hosted vaudeville acts, Wild West shows and famed performers Harry Houdini, George Burns and Gracie Allen. In the early 1900s, the theater began showing films silent, then talking, the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association said. In 1931, it was renamed the State Theatre. The final movie was shown in 1961, and the facility was turned into a warehouse. The building received an artistic lift in the mid-1990s, when the theaters interior was renovated for plays. In 2000, movies returned. The theater closed in 2008 and was vacant and in foreclosure when it was damaged in a 2012 fire at the adjoining Hotel Do De. The Garman was demolished in 2014 after a monthslong dispute between a preservation group and borough officials to make way for an affordable housing project. The Garman Opera House opened in 1890 on East High Street. Hotel Do De As John Blair Linn tells it, Daniel Garman bought the Franklin House property on East High Street in 1861, expanded it and renamed it The Garman House. In 1888, the building was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt and reopened the next year. At one point, the hotel was known as The Chief. In 1965, the CDT reported that proprietor Clarence Bingaman and his partner renamed the hotel by using the first two letters of their wives names Dorothy and Delores. The hotel was destroyed in a 2012 fire and was razed along with the Garman Theatre. Konrad Bicher, who dubbed himself the "Wolf of Airbnb," leaves Federal Court, in New York, Monday, June 26, 2023. Bicher, of Hialeah, Fla., pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud for entering lease agreements on false pretenses and cheating a government pandemic program. (AP Photo/Lawrence Neumeister) NEW YORK (AP) A Florida man who dubbed himself the Wolf of Airbnb pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge Monday, admitting gaining about $2 million illegally by defrauding landlords and cheating a government pandemic program. Konrad Bicher, 31, of Hialeah, Florida, entered the plea in Manhattan federal court, agreeing not to appeal any prison sentence that is roughly four to five years long. The wire fraud charge otherwise carried a potential 20-year prison sentence. Bicher also agreed to forfeit $1.7 million and make restitution of $1.9 million. A sentencing date was not immediately set. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement that Bicher proudly referred to himself as the Wolf of Airbnb but admitted that his businesses were premised on fraud after he entered lease agreements based on false pretenses and made false statements to obtain U.S.-guaranteed loans. Bicher lined his own pockets by abusing government programs and tenant protections intended to benefit those in crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams said. When Bicher was indicted in October, Williams said Bicher operated at least 18 apartments in Manhattan as mini-hotels while using the pandemic as an excuse not to pay landlords. In a news release, prosecutors noted that Bicher told media outlets that he called himself the Wolf of Airbnb because he was hungry and ruthless enough to get on top of the financial ladder and had the ferocity ... of a wolf, because wolves are territorial, vicious and show no mercy when provoked." The Wolf of Airbnb seemed to be a play on The Wolf of Wall Street, the title of a memoir by former stockbroker Jordan Belfort, who made a fortune on penny stocks before blowing much of it on a wild and lavish lifestyle and going to prison for financial crimes. Prosecutors said in court papers that Bicher began his fraud by February 2019, renting apartments in Manhattan before subletting the units to third parties on a short-term basis even though clauses in his lease agreements said he could not do so. Prosecutors said he failed to make rent payments required by the lease agreements and refused to leave the apartments after the leases expired. They said that he and his associates failed to make more than $1 million in lease payments from July 2019 to April 2022 and earned at least $1.17 million in rental income through his own short-term rentals. From April 2021 to July 2021, he used fraudulent information to obtain over a half million dollars in government-guaranteed loans through a program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, prosecutors said. Outside court on Monday, Bicher said he has a fantastic story to tell, though he quickly added: My story will come out, just not today. A Kosovo police officer guard as municipal building after Friday's violent clashes between police and ethnic Serbs, in the town of Zvecan, northern Kosovo, Sunday, May 28, 2023. Serbia has condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in neighboring Kosovo for their alleged failure to stop brutal actions by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs. It said that its armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. (AP Photo/Marjan Vucetic) BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) A court in Serbia released three police officers from Kosovo who were detained near the disputed border between the former war foes, but a Serbian negotiator said Monday that the trio still faced further legal action. The officers returned to Kosovo after a court in the central Serbian town of Kraljevo said they would be allowed to remain free pending any additional proceedings. They were charged with illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices, the court said. The officers were detained in mid-June. Serbia says the three crossed into the country from Kosovo, while Kosovar authorities insisted they were kidnapped inside Kosovo and transferred to a Serbian prison. The United States and the European Union had joined Kosovo's government in demanding their freedom. Serbia's chief negotiator with Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, said the officers' release from detention was a court decision "and not a political one. An investigation and their possible prosecution will continue, Petkovic said. Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, thanked the United States for securing the policemens release after the act of aggression that Serbia did in Kosovo. Officials said they wanted Serbia held responsible for the alleged incursion into Kosovos territory. Even though we are joyous that they get to return to their families, this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation & must be reprimanded," Prime Minister Albin Kurti tweeted. Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognize Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence. Western efforts to resolve the crisis have increased recently, to avert possible instability in the Balkans as war rages in Ukraine. Tensions between the two countries flared anew late last month after Kosovo police seized local municipal buildings in Serb-majority northern Kosovo to install ethnic Albanian mayors who were elected in an April election that Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted. Violent clashes and the detention of the police officers stirred fears of a renewal of a 1998-99 conflict that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians. Serbia has demanded that Kosovo special police units and the mayors pull out from the northern region bordering Serbia and also for several ethnic Serbs who were detained in Kosovo in recent weeks to be released. The Serbian government also heightened army readiness and threatened military intervention over the alleged torture of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. In response to Kosovo taking over the municipal buildings, the United States canceled the country's participation in a U.S.-led military exercise, and top Western officials halted high-level visits to Pristina. Last week the European Union summoned the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to Brussels to urge them to defuse the situation. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed Mondays release of the officers. Borrell warned that the EU's executive commission and member countries were ready to take political and financial measures against Serbia and Kosovo if they did not commit to a de-escalation. He did not list specific expected steps or possible measures but said the 27-nation bloc had bodies that work on that and means to execute. Borrell on Monday repeated that holding fresh local elections in four Serb-majority municipalities was essential to reducing the tensions. The U.S. and most EU members have recognized Kosovo's independence, while Russia and China have backed Belgrade's claim to the territory. Serbia lost control over Kosovo after NATO intervened in 1999 to stop the war, forcing Belgrade to end a brutal crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians. ___ Associated Press writer Llazar Semini in Tirana, Albania, contributed to this report. Sergei Shoigu Russian Telegram channels have begun to speculate that Tula Oblast Governor Alexei Dyumin may replace Sergei Shoigu as Russian defense minister, Russian independent news outlet Meduza reported on June 26. Earlier, Shoigu's resignation was demanded by the leader of the Wagner mercenary company, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Complimentary posts about Dyumin have appeared in channels linked with Wagner Group. Some posts also claim that Sergei Surovikin could become the head of the Russian General Staff instead of Valery Gerasimov. Wagner's march on Moscow: What Prigozhin wanted Prigozhin announced the beginning of an armed conflict with the Russian Defense Ministry on the evening of June 23, claiming that he wanted to restore justice in Russia. He said that the Russian army struck the mercenaries rear camp. However, the conflict between Prigozhin and Shoigu had started months earlier. Read also: Prigozhin may have been offered dismissal of Shoigu and Gerasimov, says SBU For the past few months, the Wagner leader has been persistently demanding the resignation of the Russian defense minister, accusing him of poor management of the Russian armed forces and of not supplying enough ammunition to Wagner forces. The next day, Wagner forces seized control over the main military facilities in the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh. They also shot down seven Russian Air Force aircraft. Prigozhin then demanded meetings with Russias top military leadership and threatened to advance towards Moscow in a video address shot in Rostov-on-Don. Putin, in turn, posted a video address saying that the Russian Armed Forces had ordered to eliminate those who led the rebellion. The Wagnerites convoys nevertheless moved towards Moscow in a march for justice, as Prigozhin called it. The FSB charged Prigozhin with inciting insurrection, while the security forces were preparing to defend Moscow. Putin is believed to have fled the capital to his residence in Valdai, northwest of Moscow. Read also: Criminal case against Prigozhin still ongoing, reports Russian media Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko held talks with Prigozhin as his mercenaries closed in on Moscow, Lukashenkos press office stated, culminating in a deal where Prigozhin agreed to halt his forces advance on the Russian capital in exchange for dropping charges and changes at the Russian Ministry of Defense. Soon after, Prigozhin ordered Wagner mercenaries to turn back from Moscow and return to their combat positions. Prigozhins current status is unknown, and he has not made a public appearance in over 24 hours. Reportedly, according to the terms of the deal struck between Prigozhin and Putin, the mercenary leader is meant to decamp to Belarus for the time being. 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 cisplatin injection box in the pharmaceutical storage room at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas, June 16, 2023. (Emil Lippe/The New York Times) Tony Shepard learned he had vocal cord cancer this spring, but he was encouraged when his doctor said he had an 88% chance at a cure with chemotherapy and radiation. That outlook began to dim in recent weeks, though, after the oncology practice he goes to in Central California began to sporadically run out of the critical medication he needs. Since Shepards doctor informed him of the shortage, each treatment session has felt like a game of Russian roulette, he said, knowing that failure would mean the removal of his vocal cords and the disappearing of his voice. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times I try not to even think about it, said Shepard, 62, manager of a gas station in Madera, a town in Californias Central Valley. Its something scary that you dont really want to think about but you know its a reality. The nations monthslong shortage of highly potent cancer drugs is grinding on, forcing patients and their doctors to face even grimmer realities than those cancer typically presents. Thousands of patients like Shepard have been confronting gut-wrenching options, delays in treatment and potentially bleaker futures. Oncologists are concerned that the alternatives to two crucial chemotherapy drugs are far less effective in treating certain cancers and are sometimes more toxic. The backup therapies or lack thereof, they say, pose particularly troubling prospects for patients with ovarian, testicular, breast, lung and head and neck cancers. There are few, if any, signs that the shortage will ease anytime soon. A plant that was a main producer of the more popular drugs shut down late last year and has not reopened, depleting its stock. The easing of restrictions on imported drugs from China this month has provided some relief, but doctors said the influx had yet to make much of a dent. Some companies that sell the medications are projecting that the shortage will last through the fall or later. So far, neither a group of experts organized by the Biden administration nor prominent medical organizations have found a way to avoid rationing the crucial chemo drugs. To bridge the gaps, some doctors are extending care intervals and skimming precious milliliters to stretch doses. Others are turning to a strategy of surgery first and chemo later, banking on a resumption of supplies. One of the nations top cancer care groups, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, is now advising doctors with low quantities of the medications to administer them to patients with a shot at a cure and to deny them to patients with recurrent or widely spread disease. Were in a situation where patients are being left behind, and were really worried survival could be affected by the chemotherapy shortage, said Dr. Angeles Alvarez Secord, president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and a professor at Duke University School of Medicine. Two main chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin, are deployed as frontline medicines in cocktails used to shrink or eliminate tumors. More than a dozen cancer drugs are also officially in short supply, as well as hundreds of other medications, including antibiotics and sterile injectable fluids. Still, doctors predict that the absence of the powerful chemotherapies may hurt patients most. Cisplatin and carboplatin are inexpensive: They cost $15 and $23 a vial, according to the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nonprofit aimed at medication safety and supply. But manufacturing the drugs requires a reliable supply of platinum, a metal used, as well as a sterile plant and special controls to protect workers from the drugs toxic effects. As a result, few companies make them. The most recent shortages of these widely used drugs occurred when a leading manufacturer, Intas Pharmaceuticals, shut down production in December after the Food and Drug Administration had performed a surprise inspection at its plant in Ahmadabad, India. The U.S. agency issued a report that said employees were shredding, tearing and pouring acid on quality control records and noted a cascade of failure at the site. The companys subsidiary, Accord Healthcare, in Durham, North Carolina, said recently that it was still making improvements at the plant that were needed to restart production. By this spring, the effects of the Intas shutdown were deeply felt. A survey by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network of academic treatment centers released this month found that 93% of the 27 centers that responded were experiencing a carboplatin shortage. As a result, 36% of them reported altering treatments for patients, resorting to lower doses and longer intervals between therapies. At cCare Cancer Center in Fresno, California, where Shepard receives care for his vocal cord cancer, efforts to stretch supply have given way to sporadic availability. For the past six weeks, vials of platinum drugs have been unavailable roughly half of the time, an oncologist, Dr. Ravi Rao, said. He said Shepards odds of a cure without the drugs would fall from roughly 90% to about 45%. Fortunately, Shepard said, the drugs have been available for the first two of seven treatments. Patients with ovarian cancer are facing the worst outlook, Rao said, because of how common the disease is and how central the platinum drugs have been in tackling it for decades. Without those drugs, one patient with extensive ovarian cancer has odds of survival that fall to the single digits from about 30%, he said. This shortage will lead to people dying, said Rao, who is also a board member of the Community Oncology Alliance. Theres just no way around it. You cannot remove these lifesaving drugs and not have bad outcomes. Others who face heightened threats are patients with testicular cancer, because cisplatin has a known record of curing even advanced cases, said Dr. Julie Gralow, the ASCO chief medical officer, in her testimony to a House subcommittee this month. This is critical, impacting maybe as many as half a million Americans with just these two drugs, Gralow said. For Florida Cancer Specialists, with more than 90 sites, the shortage initially meant conserving 10% 15% of a patients dose to stretch stock, said Dr. Lucio Gordan, president of the practice. That was not enough, so doctors began to give the drugs only to patients with a chance at a cure or those enrolled in clinical trials. The practice found some products at vastly inflated prices apparent price gouging but bought them anyway. Still, by May, the practice was without carboplatin for 12 days and cisplatin for eight days, Gordan said. Arias Pitts, 33, who was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer in April, encountered the shortage when she arrived to begin treatment on May 16. The carboplatin her doctor had ordered for the first of six rounds of chemotherapy was not available. Of course I had questions and concerns, said Pitts, an academic adviser at the University of South Florida and a single mother of a 4-year-old. She added, Its stressful. The FDA has taken steps to ease the shortage. It oversaw the testing and release of batches of platinum drugs manufactured by Intas in India that were made before the shutdown, but that stock has been exhausted. It is also temporarily allowing Qilu Pharmaceuticals, based in China, to ship cisplatin to the United States. Jordan Berman, a vice president of Apotex Pharmaceuticals, a Toronto company importing the Qilu drugs, said it received shipments of cisplatin on June 6 and began routing them through major U.S. distributors. Oncologists and supply chain experts said there was little data so far to gauge the effect the imports would have. About 600 vials of cisplatin from China arrived at Florida Cancer Specialists this month, Gordan said. But that was not enough for the practice to resume offering the drugs to patients with advanced or recurrent cancers. Its about six days of treatment for us, Gordan said. Were scrambling. Studies in the 1980s and 90s showed that platinum drugs were a vast improvement over existing treatments, performing best in combination with other drugs and doubling the response rates for ovarian and head and neck cancer. The platinum drugs pushed the five-year survival rate for testicular cancer to 95% from roughly 10%. While newer immunotherapy treatments have improved outcomes for patients with certain types of cancer, such as melanoma, oncologists also include them in cocktails with platinum drugs to extend their lives and enhance the potential for survival. In general, we havent seen these home runs in cancer in recent years, said Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, a University of Miami oncologist and former FDA oncology adviser. Oncologists advising the field amid the shortages have urged those treating early-stage lung cancer patients to send them to a center that has the drugs, noting, there are no equally effective alternatives. Dr. Evan Myers, a Duke University researcher in the obstetrics and gynecology department, said he was planning to measure the effects of the shortages. One study of a different medication shortage affecting children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma found that the substitute drug was significantly less effective, and reduced the survival rate for the young people who received the backup treatment. Myers said this years shortages would, at a minimum, probably have an effect on quality of life for people undergoing treatment. Theyre going to be waiting for the other shoe to drop, he said. Doctors are also struggling with how to convey such devastating news, said Dr. Prasanthi Ganesa, medical director of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth. Her practice is looking at each case individually, but is also prioritizing crucial doses for patients who could potentially be cured. I can imagine a patient listening to this and saying, You know, I am trying to live longer, that is my priority. So I need that drug, doc, she said. We feel really helpless. The situation demands action, said Dr. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society. The White House and Congress, which have discussed the problem, have advanced few concrete solutions. The necessity for a durable solution is growing greater by the day, Knudsen said, adding, Patients are left hanging. c.2023 The New York Times Company FREETOWN (Reuters) -Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio is leading the presidential election count, the West African country's electoral commission said on Monday after 60% of votes have been counted. Bio, 59, is running for a second term against 12 opponents. His biggest rival is All People's Congress' (APC) candidate Samura Kamara, who narrowly lost to Bio in the last election in 2018. A provisional results sheet showed Bio had received over 1 million votes so far, compared with just under 800,000 for Kamara. Final verified results will be announced within the next 48 hours, the commission said on Monday afternoon. The election has been tense. The APC said their election representatives were attacked and intimidated in three districts on election day. The election commission on Sunday outlined several instances where officials were beaten or intimidated. A woman was found severely wounded and without a pulse at Sierra Leone's opposition party headquarters on Sunday after police surrounded the building during a post-election news conference, a Reuters reporter at the scene said. Sierra Leoneans fear more unrest could occur as results are announced, particularly if none of the 13 candidates secures 55% of the votes cast, a situation that would trigger a runoff between the top two. The country is still emerging from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed and hundreds maimed. International observers have voiced concern about lack of transparency in the tallying of ballots. Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah, an election observer and lawyer said it was up to the electoral commission to address any allegations of unfairness through transparency. "Because if you say, opposition parties allege that there hasn't been a level playing field by the ECSL (Electoral Commission Sierra Leone), I think it behooves them to ensure that they're transparent and accountable to all parties every step of the way," Marrah told Reuters. Bio addressed the nation after the publication of provisional results on Monday evening and called on citizens to keep the peace. "We each have a stake in maintaining peace during and after the announcement of results of these elections," he said in a televised speech. (Reporting by Cooper Inveen; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Estelle Shirbon, Bate Felix and Aurora Ellis) Attendees pose for photos in front of a balloon sculpture of 'Pink Dot' during the Pink Dot event at Hong Lim Park in Singapore, on June 24. Credit - How Hwee YoungEPA-EFE/Shutterstock A two-acre green space in downtown Singapore was awash in a sea of pink on Saturday, as massive crowds gathered for Pink Dot, Singapores annual pride celebration. Like previous years, the air was filled with a subtle sense of rebellion as thousands congregated at Hong Lim Parkthe only legal protest site in the country of 5.7 millionto support LGBT rights in the conservative city-state, notorious for its crackdowns on political dissent, which has historically also included sanctions against the queer community. Since its start in 2009, Pink Dot has always been a mix of celebration and expressions of solidarity as well as protest against ongoing discrimination and prejudice. But this years Pink Dot carried extra significance, marking the first time that its been held after the governments landmark repeal of Section 377A of the penal code, a colonial-era law that criminalized consensual sex between two men. Advocates tell TIME that while the repeal has brought welcome recognition to the LGBT community in recent months, queer people continue to face discrimination in various aspects of their lives, from employment to housing and the rights to starting their own families. Read More: Pride, Against All Odds Pink Dots theme this year, Celebrating All Families, comes as an incisive rebuttal to the governments long standing argument that granting greater civil liberties to the LGBT community threatens the city-states commitment to safeguard the traditional family. But the theme also explores the complex familial relationships often navigated by queer Singaporeans, many of whom remain closeted from their loved ones. More from TIME Pink Dot is a savior for people like us, says Joshuani, who gave a pseudonym since he has not come out to his family. Sitting alone at the park on Saturday, wearing a pink wig and large sunglasses, the 50-year-old tells TIME that, here at Pink Dot, he does not have to hide his identity as a gay Muslim mana secret that he has kept from his family for decades and has no plans of divulging. Joshuani, who has been attending Pink Dot for about seven years, says his annual visit to Pink Dot is always an emotional experience. Pink Dot opened an avenue for people like us to gather and show people who we are and express ourselves. Shifting focus The first Pink Dot in 2009 wasnt overtly political. Its aim was primarily to provide a safe space for LGBT individuals to come together in Singapore. But that changed over the years. Phuong Nham, a Vietnamese gay man who moved to the Southeast Asian city-state about 13 years ago, tells TIME that every Pink Dot event he has attended since 2016 has been filled with explicit calls for the repeal of Section 377A, the law which critics say has long formed the basis for a host of discriminatory policies against the LGBT community. Though Section 377A has not been enforced since 2007, its chilling effects have reverberated across society. For his part, Phuong had long avoided showing affection to his partner in public for fear of prosecution. In 2019, as night fell upon Hong Lim Park, attendees stood together with their phone flashlights to spell Repeal 377A. This year, at the end of the five-hour-long Pink Dot event, thousands of attendees similarly shone their lights toward the night sky, but this time, they surrounded the word FAMILY, which appeared in rainbow colors. Thousands of Pink Dot attendees illuminate the word 'Family' at Hong Lim Park in Singapore on June 24, 2023. Roslan RahmanAFP/ Getty Images Last year, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the repeal of 377A, he also promised to uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage, announcing an amendment to Singapores constitution to prevent the current definition of marriage (between a man and a woman) from being able to be challenged in courteffectively narrowing down avenues for same-sex marriage to be legalized in Singapore. The dual announcement, couched as a compromise with the countrys conservative groups, aligns with official state narratives that have long framed LGBT rights as encroaching on traditional family values. Read More: Singapores Half-Hearted Concession to LGBT Rights May Make Real Change More Difficult Clement Tan, spokesperson for organizer Pink Dot SG, tells TIME that the repeal was a step in the right direction, but not an end to their struggles. This year, we want to send the message that our families are equally valid and deserving of a place in Singapore, Tan tells TIME. Our approach from year to year has shifted but our mission has always remained the same: to bring LGBTQ+ persons closer to their families, friends, and communities, and to stand against discrimination, whatever form it might take. Phuong appreciates the shift in messaging, which hits especially close to home for him, he says, since he has a daughter. At the end of the day, the most valuable thing is family, Phuong says. Every gay or lesbian [couple], they have the same equal right to build their own family just as the straight couple. Much further to go Just months after the scrapping of 377A, some in the LGBT community say theyve already begun feeling tangible effects from the repeal. Benjamin Xue, co-founder of queer youth community group Young OUT Here, tells TIME that since the change, hes seen more queer couples holding hands in public areas. More importantly, Xue says, the repeal opened doors for some queer Singaporeans to more honest conversations with older family members. Our parents have gotten a lot easier to talk to about queer stuff, post-repeal, Xue says. I think its just the fact that the repeal happened actually gives them a lot of breathing room and permission to talk about things with their family members. Previously, with the law, it kind of prevented them from having an open conversation. In a survey conducted by market research firm Ipsos last year, almost half the Singaporeans polled said that they were more accepting of same-sex relationships than they were just three years ago. Still, despite the increasing openness, the push for LGBT rights in Singapore faces an uphill battle. In another September survey from local media outlet TODAY, 62% of Singaporean respondents aged 18-35 said they wanted to preserve marriage as solely between man and woman. Yvonne Chia, a 33-year-old queer woman who was among picnickers at the event on Saturday, says the repeal is just one step of countless numbers of steps that we have to do. I would say were lacking especially compared to other countries, she tells TIME. In nearby Thailand, which recently held a general election, an alliance led by the winning Move Forward Party signed a pact last month to legalize same-sex marriage, setting it on track to be the first Southeast Asian country to do so. It will join over 30 countries across the world that recognize same-sex unions. But in Singapore, months before the 377A repeal last year, the government tightened its adoption laws, stipulating that couples who wish to apply for adoption must be married under laws recognized by Singaporeeffectively barricading adoption opportunities from same-sex couples. Same-sex couples have also long been conspicuously left out of a nationwide subsidized housing scheme thats meant to provide affordable housing for Singaporeans. A Pink Dot attendee wears a pride flag at Hong Lim Park in Singapore on June 24, 2023. Koh EweTIME Jean Chong, co-founder of queer womens rights group Sayoni, tells TIME that she hasnt perceived many people changing how they express their sexualities after the repeal, as the day-to-day challenges faced by queer people have not magically disappeared. There are so many issues that are intertwined, she says. I think the bread-and-butter things, like protection against workplace discrimination, are not being addressed. Increasing queer visibility has also invited much more palpable opposition. Two years ago, a local salad bar made the news when a man grabbed a pride flag it had on display and threw it at its staff. Last week, ahead of Pink Dot, the same shop shared on social media that another pride flag it had put up on its storefront was stolena sobering reminder of the hostile environment that queer people in Singapore continue to contend with. For the longest time, Singapore has been working on inclusion, diversity, and tolerance [among different communities], says Xue from Young OUT Here. To even talk about pure acceptance thats going to take a while. WASHINGTON After spending years at the U.S. Armys one-stop shop for everything related to electronic warfare and sensor development, including a stint as boss, Mark Kitz is moving on. Kitz on June 23 was named the next leader of the services Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, or PEO C3T. Hell succeed Maj. Gen. Anthony Potts, formerly of PEO Soldier, who took the post last year. The change means Kitz is trading missile warning suites, aerial jammers and biometric tools the bread and butter of PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, or PEO IEW&S for radios, satellite connectivity and networking upgrades once recognized as capability sets. In an interview with C4ISRNET on June 23, Kitz reflected on the state of Army electronic warfare, the services ongoing reorganization of cyber and networking programs, and some of his accomplishments. This interview was edited for length and clarity. How has the Armys electronic warfare environment changed during your time at PEO IEW&S? Is the service on the right track? What are your parting recommendations? I came to PEO IEW&S 12 years ago. I was originally working intel, intel processing, and then migrated toward the electronic warfare portfolio. In the time when I started at the PEO, our investment in electronic warfare was very nascent: significant investment in counter-improvised explosive devices specifically radio-controlled counter-IED getting after remote triggers to threats to our forces, especially ground combat forces. So CREW Duke devices. All of our electronic warfare investments were very reactionary. The threat is developing or delivering a capability, and our electronic warfare investments were to counter that threat or to counter that capability. Over the last three years, weve seen a significant investment by our adversaries in affecting the battlespace and spectrum. Jamming and spoofing, and in a much more surgical way. Ill use counter-GPS as an example. In Ukraine now, youre seeing significant investment in small form factor, surgical ways to deny GPS, which is a significant event if youre operating without that capability. Over the last three years, the most significant acknowledgement and investment has been that the U.S. Army can, and needs to, build windows of opportunity by being active in the spectrum. Thats both from collection and from electronic attack. Fur-midable: US Air Force pairs Angry Kitten jammer with Reaper drone But weve got a lot more to learn. Weve invested in programs like Terrestrial Layer System. Weve invested in programs like Multi-Function Electronic Warfare-Air Large, which is an aerial-based electronic attack system. We need to be able to get these systems in the hands of units so they can exercise, operate and learn how these active, non-kinetic ways to affect the operation will actually affect the way they operate. I think theres a significant investment in building these windows of opportunity but a lot more work to do in how to operate that, how thatll be effective, and how well move and be an effective force with our electronic warfare equipment. Describe deep sensing, and explain the Armys interest in it. How will that evolve over the next few years? Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth covers this quite a bit in her remarks. We are investing significantly in long-range fires Extended Range Cannon Artillery, hypersonics, you name it and so is the rest of the world. In order to effectively conduct long-range fires, you have to understand the situation. Especially based on our rules of engagement, you have to have a very robust understanding of the environment that youre going to fire into. In simplistic terms it is we, as a country, who need to understand the environment that were going to operate in as robustly as possible from as far away as possible. Thats critical: not putting any of our systems or soldiers at risk, and doing it in a way that we can understand the operating space at very long distances, especially when you look at Indo-Pacific Command, especially when you look at the target environment in Ukraine. Were talking about very-long-range targeting situations. Weve got to be able to sense much farther than our target systems can, and much farther than our adversary, and understand that environment. The U.S. Army evaluated a high-speed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology demonstrator jet, dubbed ARTEMIS, in May 2021 at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. (U.S. Army) In very lay terms, its really being able to see farther than we can shoot, and see farther than they can shoot. It takes complicated systems to do that. It takes a joint service investment between us, the Air Force and the Navy, and being able to collaborate. Thats why you see the joint services talk a lot about Joint All-Domain Command and Control collaborating on our data, understanding how were collecting our data and using that data to build out a really robust environment for our commanders. What will be the impact of the Armys reorganization of cyber and network projects within the PEOs IEW&S, C3T and Enterprise Information Systems? What additional realignments do you anticipate? Its very timely for the Army to realign how were doing cyber because of the recent National Defense Authorization Act language establishing a PEO at Cyber Command. Cyber Command is really taking a forward-leaning approach in integrating cyber capabilities, whether its defensive, offensive, cybersecurity and hygiene, or infrastructure. Cyber Command and Congress are really acknowledging the fact that we must integrate across our cyber enterprise to achieve this Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture. Its natural that the Army, taking Cyber Commands lead, is looking at how to better integrate our cyber capabilities in our acquisition community. Defensive was at PEO EIS. Offensive is at PEO IEW&S. I think integrating those two under the same acquisition command, building synergies across the technologies when you look at the development networks and the cloud infrastructures that were building on the offensive side, they very clearly relate to the defensive side. US Army consolidates network modernization efforts into single office Having Cyber Command focus on integration, its just natural for the Army to follow their lead and really deliver integrated capabilities to both Army cyber warfighters and our joint service cyber warfighters. And lastly, both PEOs EIS and IEW&S have a long history of supporting cyber operations. Cyber Command is acknowledging that the Army is a significant contributor to the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture. By integrating across our two PEOs, we will be able to provide a better and more integrated service to our Cyber Command customers. In May, you said you were nervous about the scope and ambition of Project Linchpin, an artificial intelligence effort. Elaborate on that. Are you still worried? So a quick update on Project Linchpin: We forged a very robust relationship with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. With Dr. Craig Martell, [the Defense Departments chief digital and AI officer], and Joe Larson, [a deputy at the office focused on algorithmic warfare], our team forged this really close partnership because the Office of the Secretary of Defense has [acknowledged] sensor data is critical to how were going to conduct a future involving AI and machine learning, has recognized the Army cant do it alone. This very close partnership with CDAO has definitely assuaged my concerns about building out the scope of Linchpin because I know IEW&S could not do it alone. Sensor data is ubiquitous, across every PEO, across every area, across every service. Being able to scope Linchpin to very specific tasks or problems was always going to be a hard proposition. We were very recently with the Army acquisition executive, and were building out an initial plan over the next two years, with this partnership with CDAO, focused on sensor data problems, looking at long-range sensing and our specific platforms for long-range sensing. Weve got very strong Army leadership support for scoping Linchpin around sensor data and, specifically, our long-range sensing data from aerial platforms. Yes, I think weve done a lot to mitigate my concerns about making sure we scope Linchpin appropriately. But theres always going to be this natural expectation that AI is going to solve X number of problems instantly for us. Weve got to deliberately build out that infrastructure and take it one problem at a time, one issue at a time, one program at a time. What programs hit major milestones during your time as the boss at PEO IEW&S? What are you most proud of accomplishing? There are two programs that I would highlight. One is sort of a combination of programs, but in our assured position, navigation and timing portfolio, weve had a bunch of significant milestones. Im really proud of that. Ive been in this PEO a long time, and those programs have been in this PEO for a long time, too. Weve talked about it, iterated on requirements, talked about what the right solution would be, and to get to the finish line, or to get to us delivering capability here, was a very proud moment for me and the PEO. For both our mounted and dismounted solutions, were now delivering assured PNT to our warfighters. Both went through robust testing with the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation office, both went through a lot of soldier touchpoints. Weve got a lot of consensus support around both programs. Im really proud of the PNT team and all the work that they put in to deliver a capability that we talked about and iterated on for a really long time. Pentagon tester gives thumbs up to US Army electronic warfare planner Another one that Im proud of and weve still got a lot of work to do is in our third-generation FLIR portfolio. We built the absolute best forward-looking infrared system in the world. Its going to help define how we operate our future ground combat platforms and how we do scout operations. This is extremely complicated. It was an extremely ambitious program. To be in production of this program was a really proud moment for me and the team, and it involved close partnerships with the labs and with industry. In my tenure, Im just really proud of the people and progress that happened at the PEO while I was there. I made some really strong friendships and connections in my time at the PEO. Im just really grateful and humbled that I was able to lead such a high-performing organization. I had a lot of fun. Where are you headed next? Whats that change going to be like for you? Im headed to PEO C3T. Its great: For me, I started my career in satellite communications with an intel communication program, so my background has been on radio frequency engineering from my early career. Im really excited about taking over a really high-performing organization that brings me back to my roots, in terms of communication systems. Candidly, its really going to challenge me and both my technical skills and leadership, and Im really looking forward to that challenge. Ive been at PEO IEW&S for a really, really long time. I got to do, essentially, my dream job for the last two years. Im very humbled that the Army has chosen me to take a new challenge, and Im ready for a new challenge. Itll be a lot of fun. My family and I are really fortunate to be able to stay at Aberdeen Proving Ground and to continue to serve in the Army. (Bloomberg) -- South Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin said his country will continue to strengthen strategic dialogue with China amid a souring of relations between the two nations. Most Read from Bloomberg The South Korean administration has no reason to antagonize China and has no will to do so, Park said in an interview with Yonhap News TV on Sunday. The governments baseline stance is to build a healthy and mature relationship with Beijing based on mutual respect and benefits for both, the foreign minister said. We will continue to strengthen strategic communication to promote friendship between South Korea and China, and strive to develop relations, Park said. Tensions between Seoul and Beijing rose after Chinas ambassador in a meeting this month with the leader of South Koreas main opposition party warned that Seouls embrace of pro-US policies could bring it harm. Park reiterated the South Korean view that the Chinese envoys comments were inappropriate for a diplomat. Park said he supported the view that Beijing can play a constructive and important role in resolving North Koreas nuclear problem, an issue that was raised on US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens recent trip to China. N. Korea Criticizes Blinkens Remarks During His China Visit (Updates with more comments from Park) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By David Gauthier-Villars (Reuters) - Anti-corruption authorities in the United States and Sweden are reviewing a complaint alleging that the Swedish affiliate of a U.S. company pledged to pay tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks if a son of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan helped it secure a dominant market position in the country. The proposed plan was detailed in communications and business documents seen by Reuters, as well as by a person familiar with the matter. Reuters is reporting this plan and the resulting preliminary probes for the first time. Ultimately, no kickbacks were paid, according to the complaint submitted to authorities by an individual and reviewed by Reuters. In fact, Dignita Systems AB, the Swedish company, abruptly abandoned the project late last year, according to two people familiar with the matter and company communications seen by Reuters. Dignita's U.S. owner confirmed to Reuters that the project was dropped, saying it had learned of "potentially concerning conduct" in Turkey and terminated several people involved. The company's plan, according to the complaint, was for the administration of President Erdogan to pass regulations that would boost sales of Dignita's product: dashboard breathalyzers that lock a vehicle's ignition when the driver is inebriated. In return for 10 years of commercial exclusivity selling its products, Dignita committed it would pay tens of millions of dollars in lobbying fees, via a shell company, to two institutions for which Bilal Erdogan is a board member, the complaint says. Although the effort was scuttled in September, it provides rare insight into how an investor regarded Bilal Erdogan as a key person to gain access to President Erdogan, who won a new five-year mandate on May 28. Dignita's chief executive officer, Anders Eriksson, told Reuters he could not discuss the alleged scheme because he was about to leave the company and bound by a confidentiality agreement. Through a lawyer, Bilal Erdogan said allegations that he colluded with Dignita "are completely incorrect." It is a "web of lies," the lawyer added. A senior official with the Turkish presidency's communications directorate declined to comment for this article. Reuters was unable to confirm independently whether President Erdogan and his son Bilal were aware of, or had involvement in Dignita's alleged kickback scheme. After receiving the complaint in April, the U.S. Department of Justice and Swedish prosecutors tasked a special agent and a detective inspector, respectively, to conduct preliminary probes and determine if any provisions of American and Swedish anti-bribery laws may have been violated, according to official responses seen by Reuters. The preliminary probes may not lead to formal investigations or charges. In both countries, a pledge to pay commissions may constitute a criminal offense under certain circumstances, U.S. and Swedish anti-corruption experts said. In the United States, a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) can be established even if no money changed hands, said Scott Greytak, an attorney with anti-graft watchdog Transparency International U.S. in Washington. "But you would have to show that there was an agreement and that there was some sort of overt act, such as opening a bank account to provide a place for that money to go." Spokespeople for the DOJ and Swedish prosecutors said they had no comment. The United States may have jurisdiction to investigate Dignita's actions in Turkey under the FCPA because the Swedish company is owned by 1A Smart Start LLC, a Texas-based company that belongs to Apollo Global Management, one of the world's largest asset managers. Apollo referred questions about its alleged role to Smart Start, which said that it has never sold products or generated any revenue in Turkey. "Upon learning of potentially concerning conduct regarding future business opportunities in Turkey, we promptly investigated and took corrective action, including terminating the sole employee and the third-party consultants involved," the company said in a statement to Reuters. "As a result, we have not moved forward with doing business in Turkey." Smart Start retains an affiliate registered in Turkey, according to Turkish corporate records. News of Sweden's preliminary probe into Dignita's Turkish endeavor comes at a sensitive moment in bilateral relations between Ankara and Stockholm. Turkey has blocked Sweden from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), accusing the Nordic country of providing refuge to alleged terrorists, an accusation Swedish authorities have rejected. TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY The Swedish company's plan hinged on convincing Turkish authorities to render the use of its breathalyzers and ignition locks mandatory for certain categories of drivers and vehicles, and then obtaining 10-year exclusivity for their supply, according to an eight-slide presentation prepared for President Erdogan in summer 2022, and seen by Reuters. After four years of frustrating efforts, Dignita was able to address a letter to the Turkish leader outlining its plan, according to the business documents, which include a copy of the June 2022 message. That opportunity arose about four months after a representative of Dignita allegedly met with Bilal Erdogan in Istanbul in February last year to review a two-pronged strategy, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. Under the first part of the strategy, laid out in detail in an 11-page "marketing exploration agreement" seen by Reuters, a Turkish affiliate of Smart Start committed to pay regular consultancy fees to an Istanbul-based shell company controlled by a person handpicked by the Swedish and U.S. firms. The consultancy fees to be paid to the shell company ranged from 50 cents to $3 dollars per device and per month, depending on the number of vehicles equipped with Dignita's kits. On that basis, and over the envisioned 10-year exclusivity period, the total fee funneled to the shell company would amount to $54 million for 500,000 vehicles, and snowball to $384 million for two million, the agreement, dated March 2022, and Dignita correspondence show. The second part of the strategy, discussed only verbally according to the person familiar with the matter, called for the shell company to make hefty donations to two institutions where Bilal Erdogan serves as board member, the Ibn Haldun University and the Tugva youth foundation. Ibn Haldun University was founded by Turgev, a charity organization President Erdogan helped create in the 1990s, when he was mayor of Istanbul. Tugva, meanwhile, is registered as a not-for-profit organization authorized to collect donations for social-welfare projects. It operates student dormitories in more than two dozen Turkish cities. The two foundations have expanded into large social-welfare operations underpinning what opposition leaders have described as a nationwide patronage system used by President Erdogan to look after his voters. The senior official with the Turkish presidency's communications directorate declined to comment on the patronage accusations expressed by political opponents. A spokesperson for Turgev said the foundation had no affiliation with Dignita, adding that allegations about irregular activities involving the charity were baseless. "In order to ensure the transparency of our activities, our administrative and financial processes are regularly assessed by independent auditors," the spokesperson said. Directors at the Ibn Haldun University and Tugva didn't respond to messages seeking comment. Bilal Erdogan rarely appears in public. Alongside other members of the Erdogan family, the 42-year-old businessman owns minority interests in BMZ Group, a maritime transport and construction company. His name has been associated with alleged corruption in the past. In 2016, Italian prosecutors conducted a money-laundering probe into Bilal Erdogan on suspicion he had brought cash into the country without declaring it. He denied the accusation, and Italian prosecutors eventually dropped the probe, citing a lack of evidence. The previous year, the Russian government alleged it had evidence that President Erdogan's son was profiting from cross-border oil trade with Islamic State in Syria. Russia declined to share its evidence. Bilal Erdogan denied the allegations, saying the radical insurgency was an enemy of Turkey. Dignita set foot in Turkey in 2017 with the ambition of selling its traffic-safety devices. That year, Eriksson, the Dignita CEO, took the helm of the Turkish company set up by Smart Start, Turkish corporate records show. For several years, Dignita and Smart Start made little headway because they couldn't get access, even indirectly, to President Erdogan, the person familiar with the matter said. A breakthrough came in early 2021 when an Eriksson aide was able to present the Swedish company's plan to a Turkish professor of theology turned politician, Irfan Gunduz, according to the person familiar with the matter. Dignita had chosen to approach the politician because he is known to be close to Bilal Erdogan, who in turn could provide access to the Turkish president, the person said. Gunduz chairs the board of trustees at Ibn Haldun University; Bilal Erdogan is deputy chairman. Reached on May 30 in the United States, where he said he was on a business trip, Gunduz told Reuters that it was "all gossip," adding that "neither I nor Bilal ever heard about this company; ever met with this company." "I CAN'T IMAGINE" Suddenly, after the alleged meeting with Gunduz, doors began opening and Dignita was able to discuss with a senior member of President Erdogans administration how they would amend traffic-safety regulations to cover the use of breathalyzers and ignition locks, according to company correspondence and the person familiar with the matter. Some countries require public transport operators as well as convicted drunk drivers to equip their vehicles with ignition locking systems. Before turning on the engine, a driver must blow into a mouthpiece: if the breath-alcohol concentration is greater than the legally permitted limit, the device prevents the engine from starting. In spring 2021, Dignita understood that Gunduz was seeking an upfront lobbying fee, potentially as high as $100 million, according to the person familiar with the matter. "Lets discuss," Eriksson, the Dignita CEO, said in a June 8 message to his aide for Turkey. In their correspondence, reviewed by Reuters, Eriksson and his aide initially mentioned Gunduz and Bilal Erdogan by name or as "the son" in the case of Bilal especially when discussing meeting schedules, but later took the precautionary step of designating the Turkish side as "the Lobby," according to the person familiar with the matter. "If the Lobby gets 100 million for this they will be extremely happy," Eriksson said in one message. "I can't imagine they have close to this kind of money or that they will ever have the opportunity to make 100 million again so easily." Reuters was unable to confirm independently whether Gunduz requested payment of a lobbying fee. In ensuing messages to his aide, Eriksson sought to clarify what services such a fee would buy. "We want the Lobby to support us over time and to 'protect' us from competition," he wrote in another message on the same day. If competition was allowed in, he said, fees would be halved. Eriksson also made clear that Dignita wouldn't pay any lobbying fees until it began earning money in Turkey. "If they don't agree, we better stop because we will never be allowed by our owners to pay them before we get paid," the CEO said in a June 14 message. By early 2022, the Swedish and Turkish sides had abandoned the idea of an upfront payment and shifted to the alleged two-pronged strategy calling for ongoing lobbying fees to be disbursed via a shell company, according to the person familiar with the matter. And after the alleged encounter with Bilal Erdogan it took place on February 25 last year inside a children's music school located on the Asian side of Istanbul, the person familiar with the matter said Dignita understood that it should send a formal letter to President Erdogan outlining its business pitch, company correspondence shows. In summer 2022, Eriksson received a draft of the letter and some instructions from Smart Starts CEO, Matthew Strausz, company correspondence shows. "Anders," the American CEO told his Swedish colleague in a June 23 message. "See attached. This, other than how we will address the President, is the draft that we will use. It has been cleared by counsel. Can you have translated and sent back for final sign off? Apollo has a (...) lawyer that will give final review, then we will furnish for you to send personally." Strausz referred questions to a spokesperson for Smart Start, who didn't address the CEO's role in the company's response to questions from Reuters. The final version of the letter seen by Reuters is dated June 29 and signed with blue ink by the Dignita CEO. In the three-page missive, Eriksson began by praising President Erdogan for his achievements in improving safety on Turkish roads, and saying his company was willing to help him go further. If ignition locks were made mandatory for drunk-driving offenders and public transport vehicles, such as school buses, and if Dignita was awarded a contract, the CEO said, the company stood ready to discuss "the underlying guarantees and conditions that would be required to enable our investment." The letter was sent to Gunduz, the politician, and delivered to the presidency in mid-July, according to the person familiar with the matter. Although Dignita could not ascertain whether President Erdogan saw the letter, it had an immediate and positive impact, the person said. That same month, the Swedish company learned from Gunduz that meetings with a senior member of President Erdogan's administration, and possibly with the president himself, would take place soon to discuss the next steps, according to company communications. Later in July, the planned shell company was founded in Istanbul, according to Turkish business records. One of its purposes is to act as a mediator between domestic and foreign companies, legal filings show. And in August, Dignita prepared the eight-slide document for President Erdogan. By then, however, according to the other person familiar with the matter, Dignita's owners in the U.S., Smart Start and Apollo, had grown concerned about the Turkish project's untoward facets, including that it could violate U.S. anti-bribery laws. After an in-house review, a decision was made to stop it, the person said. In September, Dignita informed a participant in the talks on the Turkish side that the Swedish company had dropped the project, without giving a reason, a message seen by Reuters shows. "Let's hope for the best," the participant responded. (Reporting by David Gauthier-Villars; Editing by Daniel Flynn) Progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., participated in a strategy call with a climate alarmist group currently under FBI investigation. Tlaib, a far-left member of the "Squad," joined a Zoom meeting last Sunday organized by three radical environmental groups Declare Emergency, Climate Defiance and the Climate Emergency Fund about their future plans to disrupt climate change. "We are reaching climate tipping points faster than predicted," the call description read. "Fires, smoke, tornadoes, and unprecedented weather events are becoming commonplace as we experience climate breakdown. We cannot afford to wait a minute longer. Complacency is a luxury we choose to enjoy at our own peril." The main focus of the call was to "galvanize the activist community," according to a spokesperson for the Climate Emergency Fund. CLIMATE ACTIVISTS INDICTED FOR SMEARING PAINT ON DEGAS SCULPTURE CASE AT NATIONAL GALLERY Rep. Rashida Tlaib spoke to protestors in front of the White House at the "Stop Mount Valley Pipeline" on June 8. The spokesperson noted in a statement to Fox News Digital that Tlaib "has no official connection to any of the groups on the zoom." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "America has a long tradition of non-violent protest that is an important part of our democracy," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "While the congresswoman has no official connection to any of the groups on the zoom, she is alarmed by the rapid changes to our climate. All Americans need to be using our voices to demand action." Two members of Declare Emergency, a group that joined Tlaib on Sunday's call, are under investigation by the FBIs Art Crime Team after vandalizing the protective box around Edgar Degas "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" statue at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in April. The FBI confirmed to Fox News Digital that the group was under investigation, but did not respond to a question about Tlaib being on the Zoom call. The shocking protest caused $2,400 in damage and forced staff to remove "Little Dancer" from the gallery for 10 days in order to repair the display. The demonstrators, Timothy Martin of North Carolina and Joanna Smith of New York, will face up to five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Martin and Smith were indicted for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit on May 26. A court will determine their sentencing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors, according to a U.S. Attorney Offices news release. Climate protesters with Declare Emergency smeared paint on the case that houses Edgar Degas's "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 27. Climate Defiance, another one of the groups who coordinated the call, organized a fundraiser with the stated purpose of making "Complicit Climate Cowards' Lives F---ing Miserable." CLIMATE ACTIVISTS FORCIBLY DRAGGED FROM EVENT WITH BIDEN ENERGY SECRETARY JENNIFER GRANHOLM Climate Defiance protests have shut down a number of events, including a keynote addresses from Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and top Biden administration climate advisers. The controversial climate groups are some of many left-wing organization's to partner with Tlaib, including with the Black Lives Matter Movement which has supported convicted cop killers, as reported by Fox News Digital in May. Tlaib has called on President Biden to declare a climate emergency, echoing the missions of the radical climate groups. Tlaib's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment regarding the meeting. Starbucks workers attend a protest as part of a collective action over a Pride decor dispute, outside a Starbucks shop Starbucks strike over Pride decor follows LGBTQ anger on hours, benefits Starbucks workers attend a protest as part of a collective action over a Pride decor dispute, outside a Starbucks shop By Hilary Russ and Caroline Valetkevitch (Reuters) -Workers at dozens of U.S. Starbucks locations held strikes on Sunday to express their outrage over accusations by the baristas' union that managers at several U.S. cafes removed rainbow flags and decorations supporting LGBTQ+ Pride month. About a dozen Starbucks workers picketed outside New York's Astor Place location in lower Manhattan on Sunday afternoon near the route of the city's Pride parade, chanting: "New York is a union town! On strike! Shut it down!" Union members handed out flyers and talked to passersby about the action, while several customers chose not to enter in support of the strike. With Pride marches underway in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Starbucks' hometown Seattle, some baristas and other workers at the coffee chain said they were angered by the dispute. A spokesperson said on Sunday that "we unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community. It would be inaccurate to report that Starbucks stores are banning any decorations as there has been no change to company policy on this matter." "We remain deeply concerned by false information being spread about our inclusive store environments, our company culture and the benefits we offer our partners," the spokesperson said. Though the conflict is gaining attention now, it began brewing a year ago, when the Workers United union said the company threatened union organizers - many of whom say they are queer or trans - with reduced hours that would leave them unable to qualify for health insurance, which covers gender reassignment surgery and other affirming procedures. Starbucks has denied that it changed the coverage, calling the accusations "false claims" in a June 14 letter to Workers United International President Lynne Fox and seen by Reuters. The company's health insurance has covered gender confirmation surgery since 2012. In 2018, it also began covering treatment that other plans consider "cosmetic," including breast augmentation, hair transplants and facial feminization. The coffee chain also denied that it had banned Pride decorations, calling the allegation "blatant fear mongering" by the union, according to the letter. Starbucks spent decades building its reputation as a progressive company that supports LGBTQ+ workers and customers. In 1988, it began offering hard-to-find perks such as health insurance for same-sex domestic partners. Later, it entered the legal fray at the U.S. Supreme Court in support of marriage equality. "Once we decided to unionize, they were like, we've had enough of this progressive stuff," said Jackie Zhou, 21, a shift supervisor at a New York City Starbucks at Astor Place, where workers held a strike on Sunday. Maggie McKeon, who was headed into the Starbucks at Astor Place, turned around after learning about the strike. "If people are going to be affected by this, then I'm with them," not the company, McKeon said. Since late 2022, Starbucks has been in bargaining talks with some of the more than 300 unionized company-owned U.S. locations. Pro-union baristas have asked Starbucks for stronger protections from discrimination, among other proposals. So far, none of the newly unionized U.S. cafes has struck a deal with the company for a labor contract. CHANGE OF TUNE In 2020, then-Starbucks employee Arthur Pratt drew a version of the chain's siren logo with flowing rainbow hair to celebrate Pride. The company shared the image nationwide and even posted it on Instagram, Pratt told the Seattle Gay News. But in November, Pratt, a trans man, was fired in what the union says was retaliation for supporting the organizing drive at his Portland, Oregon location. This year, he made a new poster ahead of Pride month that called out the company, reading, "You can't say you're pro-queer and be anti-union!" Still, the Human Rights Campaign, which rates corporations on how equitable their polices and benefits are for LGBTQ+ employees, gave Starbucks a perfect score for 2022, along with more than 800 other companies. HRC did not return requests for comment. But as union organizing heated up last year, more employees said their schedules became erratic and their time was often cut below the 20 hours per week they needed to qualify for health insurance. The union's allegation is one of hundreds of complaints it has filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Sam Cornetta, a barista at the Farmingville, New York, Starbucks, who joined coworkers on strike at Astor Place on Sunday, said the company was alienating LGBTQ+ workers. "They've used their claim to be a progressive, inclusive company to kind of attract those kinds of people," Cornetta, 23, said. "There's a performative aspect." (Reporting by Hilary Russ in Ashland, NY and Caroline Valetkevitch in New York; Editing by Vanessa O'Connell, Lananh Nguyen and Diane Craft) States are weakening their child labor restrictions nearly 8 decades after the US government took kids out of the workforce Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law in 2023 that lets children under 16 work without official permission from their parents. AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo A movement to weaken American child labor protections at the state level began in 2022. By June 2023, Arkansas, Iowa, New Jersey and New Hampshire had enacted this kind of legislation, and lawmakers in at least another eight states had introduced similar measures. The laws generally make it easier for kids from 14 to 17 years old to work longer and later and in occupations that were previously off-limits for minors. When Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her states new, more permissive child labor law on May 26, 2023, the Republican leader said the measure would allow young adults to develop their skills in the workforce. As scholars of child labor, we find the arguments Reynolds and other like-minded politicians are using today to justify undoing child labor protections echo older justifications made decades ago. Many conservatives and business leaders have long argued, based on a combination of ideological and economic grounds, that federal child labor rules arent necessary. Some object to the government determining who cant work. Cultural conservatives say working has moral value for young people and that parents should make decisions for their children. Many conservatives also say that teens, fewer of whom are in the workforce today than in past decades, could help fill empty jobs in tight labor markets. Opponents of child labor observe that when kids under 18 work long hours or do strenuous jobs, it can disrupt childhood development, interfere with their schooling and deprive them of the sleep they need. Expanding child labor can encourage kids to drop out of school and jeopardize young peoples health through injuries and work-related illnesses. Long-brewing battle Child labor protections, such as making many kinds of employment for children under 14 illegal and restricting the hours that teens under 18 can spend working, are guaranteed by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. U.S. law also does not treat 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. The federal government deems many occupations to be too hazardous for anyone under 18. Until that law took effect, the lack of a federal standard always obstructed progress in the states toward keeping kids in school and out of mines, factories and other sometimes hazardous workplaces. Three years after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld it in the U.S. v. Darby Lumber ruling, which toppled a related precedent. Challenges began during the Reagan administration There were no significant efforts to challenge child labor laws for the next four decades. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan sought to ease federal protections to allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work longer hours in fast-food and retail establishments and to pay young workers less than the minimum wage. A coalition of Democrats, labor unions, teachers, parents and child development groups blocked the proposed changes. By the late 1980s, child labor violations were on the rise. Some industry groups tried to loosen restrictions in the 1990s, but legal changes were minimal. A more ambitious attempt to roll back child labor laws in the early 2000s, led by a homeschooling group, ultimately failed, but conservatives continued to call for similar changes. When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was vying to become a 2012 Republican presidential nominee, he made headlines by calling child labor laws truly stupid. He suggested kids could work as janitors in schools. Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability, a Florida-based think tank, is drafting state legislation to strip child labor protections, The Washington Post has reported. Its lobbying arm, the Opportunity Solutions Project, has been helping push these bills through state legislatures, including in Arkansas and Missouri. This 9-year-old boy worked as a picker at the American Sumatra Tobacco Company in 1917, before the U.S. government restricted child labor. Hine/Library of Congress/Interim Archives/Getty Image Iowa and Arkansas In our view, Iowa has the most radical new law designed to roll back child labor protections. It allows children as young as 14 to work in meat coolers and industrial laundries, and teens 15 and older can work on assembly lines around dangerous machinery. Teens as young as 16 can now serve alcohol in Iowa restaurants, as long as two adults are present. U.S. Labor Department officials argue that several provisions of Iowas new law violate national child labor standards. However, the department has not disclosed a clear strategy for combating such violations. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed her states Youth Hiring Act of 2023 in March. It eliminated work permits for 14- and 15-year-olds. Previously, employers had to keep a work certificate on file that required proof of age, a description of the work and schedule and the written consent of a parent or guardian. Arkansas has scrapped those safeguards against child labor exploitation. We find it puzzling that supporters touted the bill as enhancing parental rights because the law removes any formal role for parents in balancing their kids education and employment. Federal vs. state laws You may wonder how states can undermine federal child labor laws. Doesnt federal law preempt state laws? Both federal and state laws govern the employment of minors, and all states have compulsory school attendance laws. Federal laws set a floor of regulations in youth employment that cover maximum hours, minimum ages, wages and protections from hazardous jobs. If states pass tougher laws, as many have, the stricter standards govern workplace practices. School attendance requirements vary by state, but once someone turns 18, theyre no longer covered by the Fair Labor Standards Acts restrictions. Federal law, for example, does not require minors to obtain work permits or employment certificates, but most states mandate such documentation. With the exception of New Jersey, these efforts to weaken child labor laws are being led by Republicans. To be sure, some states are still attempting to strengthen child labor protections. Democrats in Colorado introduced a bill that would allow injured children to sue employers for child labor violations. Gov. Jared Polis signed it into law on June 7, 2023. Having child labor laws on the books at both the federal and state levels is only half the battle. Enforcement is another matter. Many violations in recent years have involved children who immigrated to the United States without their parents, only to wind up working long hours, sometimes in dangerous jobs, at young ages. Construction sites? Other states are trying to weaken protections. Ohio state lawmakers want to allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during the school year with their parents permission, even though federal regulations dont allow teens that age to work past 7 p.m. Some states are considering legislation that directly conflicts with federal child labor standards on hazardous occupations. For example, a bill Republican Minnesota state Sen. Rich Draheim introduced would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work in or around construction sites. Strong opposition from politicians, child advocacy groups, education associations, labor unions and the public has defeated some of these efforts. Georgia Republicans introduced a bill that would have eliminated work permits for minors, but they withdrew it without a vote. And Republican lawmakers in South Dakota sponsored a bill to extend working hours for children 14 and under from 7 p.m. to 9 pm. It was withdrawn as well. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill in 2022 that would have let teens work longer and later. In 2023, some Wisconsin lawmakers are trying again. They want to let 14-year-olds serve alcohol. Taking aim at federal rules There are some national efforts to weaken or strengthen child labor rules as well. Rep. Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican, seeks to revise federal regulations to permit 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. on school nights and up to 24 hours per week during the school year. We dont expect his bill to pass in todays divided Congress. Theres also a push in the House and the Senate to let 16- and 17-year-olds work in logging operations with parental supervision. And yet theres also support in Congress to increase penalties for child labor violations. Currently, the maximum such fine is $15,138 per child. Pending bills in the House and Senate would increase the penalty to nearly 10 times that amount if enacted. And several Democrats have introduced measures to strengthen federal child labor restrictions, especially in agriculture. With so many states seeking weaker child labor protections, we believe a federal-state showdown over the question of whether young people in the United States belong in the workforce is inevitable. 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: John A. Fliter, Kansas State University and Betsy Wood, Bard College. Read more: Betsy Wood's research has been supported by the Andrew Mellon Foundation. A new suspect has been named in the racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London over 30 years ago. Matthew White, who died in 2021, was named by Londons Metropolitan Police Service (Met) in a statement Monday which apologized for a significant and regrettable error, that meant key information about White was not properly followed up on. The statement, issued in response to a BBC investigation released Monday into the Mets mishandling of key inquiries, added that too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation of the murder. Two men were sentenced to life in jail in 2012 for the murder, but three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence (are) at large, according to the statement from the Mets Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward. Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Stephens mother, said in a statement to CNN that there should be serious sanctions against police officers who failed properly to investigate the murder of her son. Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen, she said. Lawrence, an 18-year-old architecture student, was fatally stabbed at a bus stop by a gang of youths in April 1993. His friend, Duwayne Brooks, was also attacked but managed to escape. Five teens were identified as being involved and were arrested, but none was successfully prosecuted at the time. It took years of campaigning by Lawrences family until an inquest into his death in 1997 found that he was unlawfully killed in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five white youths. Institutional racism uncovered A wave of protests forced the then-government to commission an inquiry into the killing in 1999. It found that the initial police investigation into the murder had been marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership. In their statement Monday, the police said they had previously misidentified a relative of White who held key information into the killing and apologized for the significant and regrettable error. Baroness Doreen Lawrence said in a statement that the Met Police's mistakes were "shocking but unsurprising." - Jeff Spicer/Getty Images The statement went on to outline how White was arrested twice, in 2000 and 2013, and stated that on both occasions prosecutors said there was no realistic prospect of conviction. In February 2020, White was spoken to again by the investigation team but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress further, the statement said. He died in August 2021, months before the police declared the murder investigation inactive and said there were no further lines of inquiry. In May 2023, the Met commissioned a forensic review into the case. Ward acknowledged in the Mets statement Monday that the impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and attack on Duwayne Brooks, and subsequent inquiries, continues to be felt throughout policing. He added: On the 30th anniversary of Stephens murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologized for our failings and I repeat that apology today. Baroness Lawrence said: What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. It is too late for me and my family but at least I hope that victims in the future will not go through what we did, she added. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Hayley Atwell, from left, Tom Cruise and Pom Klementieff pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Mission Impossible, Dead Reckoning Part One", at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The red carpet unfurled Monday in Abu Dhabi for Hollywood action megastar Tom Cruise, who was on hand for the Middle Eastern premiere of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One. Cruise was met by an enthusiastic crowd of fans and movie buffs eager to catch a glimpse of the star at the Emirates Palace Hotel in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Dressed in a tailored tuxedo and flashing his signature smile, Cruise appeared moved by the exuberant reception, stopping to speak with many attendees. The evenings buzz was punctuated by the Mission: Impossible theme, its familiar chords adding a layer of cinematic nostalgia to the night. Im a cinephile, I love movies and the history of cinema and how this art form develops, Cruise told The Associated Press on the red carpet. I didnt know whether the audience was going to embrace (the first Mission: Impossible movie), it was the first film I ever produced and I did it because I wanted to challenge myself in many ways as an actor, as a producer, as a storyteller. Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is the seventh installment of the blockbuster $3.5 billion grossing franchise famed for jam-packed action and ever-daring stunts performed by the 60-year-old Cruise himself. Weve had a lot of fun coming up with these moments, said Cruise. The Mission: Impossible series follows the globe-trotting adventures of Ethan Hunt, a secret agent of the Impossible Missions Force, or IMF, as he undertakes high-risk covert operations. Picture heart-racing action, sophisticated gadgets, and Cruises Hunt executing death-defying stunts at every turn. Matching the topic of the moment, Hunt and his IMF team are tasked with tracking down a potent new artificial intelligence weapon in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One." Scenes include base-jumping off a cliff on a motorcycle, hurling a steam train off an exploded bridge, and drifting a yellow Fiat 500 through Romes winding streets. In a nod to the locale, the film incorporates several action sequences in Abu Dhabi. The desert landscapes of Liwa, known as the Empty Quarter, set the stage for intense horseback chases and firearm confrontations. Cruise runs across the dune-shaped roof of Abu Dhabi International Airports new Midfield Terminal in another scene. When you see us shooting a sequence in Abu Dhabi, its about that culture, its about that country, and thats why we keep coming back here, said Christopher McQuarrie, who is returning for the third time as director of the high-octane spy series. McQuarrie joined Cruise on the red carpet along with other Mission: Impossible co-stars, both new and returning. Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff made their franchise debut, while Simon Pegg reprised his role as Benji Dunn, a character known for infusing comedic relief into the franchises most tense scenes. When you have a film which is high-tension you need that to occasionally be injected in order to make it a little bit more enjoyable, said Pegg. Following pandemic delays, the production companies behind the franchise, Paramount Pictures and Skydance, pushed the films release from September of 2022 to July of 2023. A leaked video from the set featured Cruise launching an expletive-laden rant at colleagues after he reportedly spotted two crew members failing to respect social distancing rules. The star expressed his concern about the potential consequences, which included shutting down production and jeopardizing the then-struggling movie industry and the jobs it supports. We just had to write the rulebook on how to make a film during a pandemic, said Pegg. Make sure everything was super safe, that was Toms biggest challenge in a way was to make us all feel safe and be safe, somehow we muddle through." Cruise was praised by many for his role in revitalizing Hollywood following the industrys pandemic-induced stagnation. This recognition came on the heels of his blockbuster film, Top Gun: Maverick, which not only marked Cruises first $100 million debut but also signified the return of blockbuster movies to theaters as the most significant movie debut since the onset of the pandemic. Abu Dhabi marks the third premiere location for Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, with the red carpet previously rolled out at the Spanish Steps in Rome and Leicester Square in London. The movie is set to open in U.S. theaters on July 12. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 2024 campaign has released a video previewing the Republican presidential hopefuls release of his border security policy on Monday -- promising that his administration will stop the invasion" at the southern border. "We will secure the border. We will stop the cartels. We will build the wall. We will stop the invasion," the video says. "No excuses." The video describes the border as a "complete disaster" and describes how "dangerous criminals and deadly drugs are pouring into the country." "Every day, Americans are less and less safe," the video says, pointing to the record number of apprehensions of people on the terror watch list, as well as the large amounts of fentanyl being seized. "Every year it just keeps getting worse." DESANTIS TO UNVEIL PLAN TO SECURE SOUTHERN BORDER AS 2024 CAMPAIGN HEATS UP READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP DeSantis will formally unveil his policy in Eagle Pass, Texas on Monday an area that has seen some of the busiest migrant traffic during the migrant crisis, which exploded in 2021. The policy rollout will mark the first formal policy rollout by the governor. In advance, the campaign released new merchandise emblazoned with slogans including "Build The Wall. No Excuses." Combating illegal immigration is expected to be a top priority for DeSantis, who has made a number of anti-illegal immigration moves as governor of the Sunshine State. Earlier this year, he signed a sweeping anti-illegal immigration bill that mandates the use of E-Verify by employers, ups penalties for human and drug smuggling -- and bars local jurisdictions from issuing IDs to illegal immigrants. DESANTIS ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE COALITION OF 90 SHERIFFS TO PUSH BACK AGAINST BORDER CRISIS He has controversially sent illegal immigrants to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, and most recently California as part of a program to relocate illegal immigrants. He recently secured a $24 million boost in funding for that program. Florida also responded to a request for help from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott by deploying law enforcement including National Guard troops to the border, as well as drones and other resources. As a presidential candidate, DeSantis has promised to shut down the border and declare a national emergency if elected and to resume border wall construction, end Biden-era policies and reinstate the "Remain-in-Mexico" policy. DESANTIS DEFENDS MIGRANT FLIGHTS TO CALIFORNIA, BLAMES SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS FOR ENCOURAGING OPEN BORDER "We are going to shut down the border. We are going to build a border wall, were going to end mass migration, and we are going to hold the Mexican drug cartels accountable," he said last month. DeSantis visited the border earlier this month, receiving briefings and touring incomplete parts of the border wall -- and last week he announced a nationwide 90-sheriff coalition to join forces to protect communities against the effects of the crisis. The rollout comes as the border crisis is still ongoing, with over 204,000 encounters in May, even though the Biden administration has touted a sharp drop in encounters since it put policies in place coinciding with the end of the Title 42 public health order on May 11. Republicans have continued to hammer the administration for what they call "catch-and-release" policies while winding back Trump-era policies. Florida recently successfully challenged a DHS policy to release migrants into the interior without court dates in the case of overcrowding. That policy is currently blocked as the case continues. The administration has criticized lawsuits targeting its policies, and has called on Congress to pass a sweeping immigration bill to fix what it says is a "broken" system but that legislation has yet to pick up significant Republican support. President Bidens student debt forgiveness plan will finally see an end to its months-long limbo in the courts this week. With repayments set to start again in October after a years-long pandemic-related pause, the Supreme Courts forthcoming ruling on the legality of Bidens proposal is the last piece of the student loan puzzle, offering a clearer landscape moving forward. Many borrowers are fearful as the conservative-majority Supreme Court, which could make its decision known as soon as Tuesday morning, seemed skeptical of Bidens plan during oral arguments in February. Generally, I hope that no matter what happens with this Supreme Court decision, that our decisionmakers keep talking about options when it comes to providing student debt relief, Sabrina Golling, a 27-year-old student loan borrower, told The Hill on Monday. No plan to reduce or eliminate student debt will be perfect, and no plan could ever benefit everyone the same amount, but we should not let the perfect get in the way of the good when it comes to trying to limit the impact of these debt burdens. I am not overly hopeful that this attempt will pass, but I am hopeful that we can keep talking about the possibilities as time moves on, since this problem isnt going away any time soon, she added. The justices heard two cases against the forgiveness plan, one brought by two individual student loan borrowers and another from six Republican attorneys general. The justices first must decide whether the challengers have standing, meaning the right to sue the government over the plan. The plaintiffs must pass this bar to even have the case considered, at which point the court will determine if the government has the power to implement the proposal. While Democrats have tried to maintain an optimistic tone, even Biden himself has shown skepticism at the idea the Supreme Court will rule in his favor. Im confident were on the right side of the law. Im not confident about the outcome of the decision yet, he said in March. Advocates found a bit of hope Friday after the court released an 8-1 decision in a case where two Republican states tried to challenge the Biden administration on immigration policy. The high court ruled against the two states, saying they did not have standing to sue. If the plan is ruled legal, the timeline of events is a bit unclear. Last year, the Education Department released an easy two-minute form for borrowers to fill out to apply for debt relief: up to $10,000 for most borrowers and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Around 26 million people filled out the form while it was up, and more than 16 million were approved for relief before a court order forced the administration to take down the application. It is unknown how quickly things would move if the court lets the plan stand, but the department has previously said it is ready to put its application back online and has already sent the information of those approved for relief to their loan servicers. Advocates will also be pushing for the deadline for the application to be extended since borrowers were supposed to have from last fall to the end of 2023 to apply before the plan got held up in the court system. If the plan is struck down, borrowers can expect no relief, while interest on their loans restarts Sep. 1 and payments resume Oct. 1. Republicans have been pushing for this outcome, arguing for months the $400 billion plan is unfair to those who never went to college or who paid off their student loans without assistance. Moreover, this administration is bypassing Congress, which is elected by the American people to protect their interests, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, previously said. Congress is the only body with the authority to enact sweeping and fundamental changes of this nature, and it is ludicrous for President Biden to assume he can simply bypass the will of the American people. The president would find himself in a bind as $10,000 in student debt relief was one of his signature campaign promises, and the administration has refused to disclose if a backup plan is in place to deliver on his word. Black borrowers are disproportionately impacted by student loan debt, and with payments starting back potentially in October, we need to make it very clear that regardless of what happens with this SCOTUS decision, we have to make sure student debt cancellation happens because the Black voters, Black borrowers are the ones who are going to benefit the most, Satra Taylor, director of higher education and workforce policy at Young Invincibles, told The Hill during a rally outside the White House last week. Regardless of the outcome, borrowers should be preparing for student loan payments to resume this fall. While student loan advocates had been hoping they could push for another extension, Biden, as part of the bipartisan deal on raising the debt ceiling with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, promised payments would restart this fall regardless of the Supreme Courts decision. Updated at 3:10 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Student-loan payments are resuming in 3 months and borrowers might not be ready for the 'sizeable shock' to their wallets U.S. President Joe Biden, joined by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, speaks on student loan debt in the Roosevelt Room of the White House August 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong/Getty Images Student-loan payments are set to resume in October. Bank of America and Morgan Stanley highlighted the strain borrowers will face. 34% of surveyed borrowers don't think they can afford the payments at all, Morgan Stanley said. Student-loan payments are resuming this fall after an over-three-year pause and borrowers aren't feeling too great about it. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden's Education Department confirmed that payments are resuming in October, with interest beginning to accrue again on borrowers' balances in September. This comes after both former President Donald Trump and Biden extended the pandemic-era payment pause multiple times to give millions of federal borrowers financial relief. But after Biden signed a bill to raise the debt ceiling into law at the beginning of June which codified the end of the student-loan payment pause the White House made clear another extension is not in the cards. Both Bank of America and Morgan Stanley highlighted in recent notes that resuming payments won't be easy for the majority of borrowers, with some at risk of falling behind. "If payments were to resume in full, we think it is reasonable to assume that serious delinquencies would return to at least pre-Covid levels, since the share of seriously delinquent student loan balances was little changed between 2012 and 2019," Bank of America's Ethan Harris, head of global economics, wrote in a note last week. "In dollar terms, such an increase would amount to $167 billion of new seriously delinquent balances, which would raise total serious delinquencies across all categories of household debt by around 67% relative to their 1Q 2023 level ($249 billion)," Harris wrote. "This would be a sizeable shock, and it would probably have knock-on effects to other categories of debt as well." Morgan Stanley survey on student-loan payments. Morgan Stanley And a Monday note from Morgan Stanley researchers said that just 29% of federal student-loan borrowers are confident they'll be able to afford payments without adjusting spending in other areas. Additionally, 37% of borrowers surveyed said they'll need to cut back spending in other areas, and 34% said they won't be able to afford the payments at all. Insider has previously reported on the likely negative economic impacts the student-loan payment resumption will bring. Marshall Steinbaum, senior fellow at the Jain Family Institute and economics professor at the University of Utah, told Insider that if the government starts trying to collect on loans borrowers are unable to repay, "it's just a more onerous way of operating a lending portfolio of trying to collect debt that fundamentally can't be collected and trying to squeeze the borrowers as much as possible in order to make that debt collectible. And that's very bad for the macroeconomy." Still, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has expressed confidence that the department can facilitate a smooth transition to repayment for borrowers. "We want to make sure that the information that borrowers get is accurate. We do plan on making sure it's a smooth reentry to repayment," Cardona said during a May Senate hearing, adding that "the emergency period is over, and we're preparing our borrowers to restart." In the meantime, borrowers are waiting for the Supreme Court to decide the fate of Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt, which is expected to come this week. And in the event of an adverse ruling from the high court, some Democratic lawmakers want Biden to extend the pause so borrowers do not have to pay off their loans until they see a reduction to their balances. "If the Supreme Court blocks student loan relief, @POTUS should be prepared to use his executive authority to cancel student debt and extend the pause on loan payments to fulfill our promise to loan borrowers," California Rep. Ro Khanna wrote on Twitter on Monday. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Advocates of student debt relief want President Joe Biden to use a 1965 law to cancel student debt if the Supreme Court overturns his loan forgiveness program. Most Read from Bloomberg Bidens current plan to forgive as much as $20,000 in federal loans for certain borrowers making less than $125,000 per year, $250,000 for households is based on his authority in the 2003 Heroes Act. A Supreme Court ruling invalidating the loan forgiveness program looks likely as the court issues some its most momentous decisions this week. Astra Taylor, a co-founder of the Debt Collective a 50,000-member group points to provisions in the Higher Education Act from almost six decades ago that Biden could use instead to forgive student debt. But this alternative strategy advocates are coalescing around would be time-consuming and could easily delay any relief until after the 2024 election, Jed Shugerman, a law professor at Fordham University, said. The Higher Education Act requires a lengthy rule-making process that could take about a year and then after that litigation by opponents would likely drag things out longer, he said The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which claims 1 million members, has a mobilization campaign ready to bombard the White House with emails and phone calls demanding Biden pursue an alternative path if the court overturns his student loan forgiveness program. The NAACP and allied groups have made preparations for a rally within two hours of a negative decision. Its up to President Biden to live up to the promises he made to America, particularly to Black Americans, said Wisdom Cole, director of the NAACPs youth and college division. Failure isnt an option. The political stakes are high. The loan relief plan was one of the presidents signature initiatives and disproportionately benefits younger adults and minorities, both crucial Democratic constituencies that can be difficult to turn out for elections. Overall 53% of American adults support Bidens loan relief plan, according a February Economist/YouGov poll. But an overwhelming 67% of 18- to 29-year-olds back it, and an even larger 72% of African Americans of all ages do. Read More: An Aggressive Supreme Court Reshapes US as Its Standing Erodes Black borrowers are much more likely to carry higher balances on their student loan debt than other demographic groups. Almost 6 out of 10 Black borrowers have at least $25,000 in student loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve. Delivering student loan relief will be extremely important to motivating young and minority voters for Bidens reelection, said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign. Sixteen million Americans received notices that their loan forgiveness applications were approved before the plan got tangled in lawsuits, according to the US Education Department, setting an expectation that could now be dashed. Compounding the potential shock to borrowers, most of them are now used to living unburdened by college debt. The pandemic pause on federal student loan payments has been in place since March 2020, before Biden took office. Yet payments will resume when the pause ends Oct. 1. The outcome will also have ramifications for consumer spending and the housing market. About 1 in 5 borrowers under 30 said they would put savings from student loan relief toward the purchase of a home, according to a May Federal Reserve report. Debt cancellation is totally legal, Taylor said. It happens all the time and the president has other legal authorities. The Higher Education Act should be used immediately and rapidly to deliver on this essential commitment. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has repeatedly declined to discuss what the administration might do next if the court rules unfavorably for the administration. She told reporters earlier this month that the White House is confident in its legal strategy and declined to address next steps. Im just saying that were going to focus on the fight thats in front of us right now, she told reporters. Democratic lawmakers would also be joining the fray. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said the best move is probably for the administration to use the Higher Education Act, since Republicans hold control of the House and broadly oppose the plan. Progressive champion Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who chairs the Senate panel with jurisdiction over education issues, said he will use his position to pursue the cause. Its an issue were going to deal with, aggressively, Sanders said. I think it is outrage that tens of millions of people cant afford to get married, cant afford to buy a home for the crime of getting an education. Thats absurd. --With assistance from Greg Stohr. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The federal government is relying on an outdated weather model that is putting hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure spending at risk, according to a study by climate research firm First Street Foundation. The 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, H.R. 3684 (117), calls for state and local governments to consult a federal prediction model that First Street says vastly underestimates the likelihood of flooding. That means that many new projects could face flooding threats far earlier than expected, forcing local governments to pay for unanticipated maintenance or potentially wasting funds from the $350 billion the legislation set aside for projects. A ton of this money is not only being allocated in the wrong way because the cost of the project might be much different if you use the up-to-date standards, but they're just going to flood they're going to become inadequate or potentially failing as soon as they're done, said Matthew Eby, CEO of First Street Foundation. There's projects that have shovels in the ground right now that are being built to the wrong standard. First Street Foundation's research identified the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Atlas 14 model as failing to keep up with the risks from the changing climate. Federal agencies dependence on that model presents myriad threats, such as undercounting how many homes face severe flood risk and misjudging how often rain will inundate and damage infrastructure. First Street Foundation's research showed the Atlas 14 model drastically underestimates the frequency of high-intensity rainfall events that are the fingerprint of a warmer climate, where the atmosphere can hold more moisture and then release it in torrents. Such single-day events were relatively stable between 1880 and 1980, but then accelerated: The top 10 years with the highest percentage of land area experiencing heavy rainfall in the continental United States came within the last 25 years. First Street Foundation developed its own methodology to assess rainfall that found 17.7 million properties face significant flood risk 12.6 million more than the Federal Emergency Management Agency has identified as falling within the 100-year floodplain, where homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance. Of that total, precipitation was the primary flooding risk facing 8.3 million homes not within the federal 100-year floodplain, exposing homeowners to financial risks given they are not required to buy flood insurance. On top of that, First Street Foundation identified specific projects that had won federal grants from the bipartisan infrastructure law that will face much more frequent flooding than Atlas 14 estimates suggest. That includes a $86.1 million road project in New Jersey that it projected will flood every other year over the next 30 years. The federal government has acknowledged Atlas 14 needs an update. It is working on the next iteration, Atlas 15, which will include future climate conditions in its predictions for the first time. But the model won't launch until 2027, and federal grants being awarded now rely on the Atlas 14 model. It's also going to cost a bunch more money because we're not building it to the right standard, Eby said. Literally every state does this. A White House official said in an email that NOAA has noted it is updating Atlas 14 to better account for climate change. The official said the model is merely "the floor, not a ceiling" for projecting rainfall and that "states and localities often consider additional factors best suited to their local geographies when making project decisions." NOAA's rain model intentionally eliminates major weather outliers in order to smooth its observations in an attempt to correct for gauge variability, and it observes rainfall events over 24-hour periods. That "over-smoothing" means some rain events are excluded, and the full-day measurements mean the Atlas 14 model can miss the short-burst downpours that lead to flash floods and are characteristic of a climate-influenced atmosphere, First Street Foundation argued. It also recommended shifting monitoring to shorter timeframes, such as one to six hours. While considered a useful source of data, some engineers acknowledged that Atlas 14 is based on historical observations and does not account for climate change, Dan Walker, chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers Committee on Adaptation to a Changing Climate and co-chair of the ASCE/NOAA Task Force on Climate Resilience in Civil Engineering Practice, said in an email. Walker, who was not involved in the First Street Foundation research, said ASCE has voiced its own concerns about outdated Atlas 14 regional data. Walker said Atlas 15 will address some of those issues. In the interim, he suggested engineering teams add climate scientists to staff or stress test designs. Any designs based on outdated weather data and that does not address the unique traits of the region it serves will be a concern, as it can lead to infrastructure or structural projects that are not equipped to withstand current and future climate threats, he wrote. Some states and cities are updating their design standards on their own to account for climate-driven precipitation changes, said Robert Traver, a professor and director of the Villanova Center for Resilient Water Systems. Traver is working with Pennsylvania to update its design specifications to use the upper bounds of the Atlas 14 rainfall range. He said doing so would better account for how climate change is driving more intense rainfall events. Traver, who also was not involved in the First Street Foundation research, called the firms products a useful planning and policy tool. While he said he does not use First Street Foundations data to inform engineering design for storm water systems, he said the issues it has raised about Atlas 14 are sensible. Climate change is real. We're seeing in our data and we need to adjust to this reality, Traver said in an interview. He offered advice to governments using that data for new projects. I do think they should adjust for understanding that [Atlas] 14 does not include climate projections. A submarine expert desperately tried to dissuade his friend, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, from taking customers in the Titan submersible, warning him against 'succumbing to pressures of your own creation,' new emails show The sea-exploration firm Magellan said it's working on bringing in "specialist equipment" to help the rescue mission for OceanGate's lost Titan sub. Reuters A submersible dive arranged by OceanGate ended in the tragic deaths of all five passengers. In 2019, the submersible expert Karl Stanley warned OceanGate's CEO that more tests were needed. "I think 50 is a good #," Stanley wrote to the CEO in emails shared with Insider. About four years before OceanGate's Titan submersible imploded during a dive to the Titanic shipwreck last week, a submersible expert who took a trip in the vessel issued a desperate warning to the company's CEO that the sub required more testing. In April 2019, Karl Stanley, who runs his own deep-sea exploration company in Honduras, took a 12,000-foot plunge inside the Titan off the coast of the Bahamas and said he heard a large cracking sound during the two-hour dive. The New York Times reported that Stanley shared his concerns with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush in emails in which he said that the sounds revealed were "an area of the hull that is breaking down." In follow-up emails obtained by Insider, Rush sought to reassure Stanley that the issue with the noises was being looked at and suggested that it was improving, albeit with a caveat: "Our analysis of the past dives shows a definite reduction in acoustic events, but only having data from two full operating depth dives does not make for much of a validating trend." The CEO added that the company was shooting for "as many as 5" more 4,000-foot dives to get more data on the acoustics. Several days later, Stanley responded with "a few thoughts," including how "2-7 dives to operating depth are too few to launch an expedition selling 6 figure tickets in the middle of the ocean." Tickets to visit the Titanic shipwreck on the Titan submersible cost up to $250,000. "I think 50 is a good #," Stanley wrote, citing the number of tests he conducted with his submersible vessel, C-BUG, which stands for Controlled Buoyancy Underwater Glider. According to a magazine profile of Stanley, C-BUG was first designed to reach a maximum depth of 725 feet. Stanley now operates a vessel that can descend about 2,000 feet below sea level. The Titan, in comparison, was advertised to reach depths of more than 13,000 feet. Stanley offered another analogy with skydiving: 50 is the same number required to receive what's known in the sport as a "B license." The submersible expert also reiterated his concern about the hull. "I think that hull has a defect near that flange, that will only get worse. The only question in my mind is will it fail catastrophically or not," Stanley wrote. In response, Rush told Stanley that more tests would be conducted, but the CEO dismissed the idea of conducting 50 tests and said that the parachute-training analogy was a poor comparison. "I suspect no deep diving sub did 50 MOD dives before non-essential crew were taken," Rush said. Rush argued that Stanley's suggestion was an "arbitrary dive number" and said that testing "may take 2 dives or 20." But Stanley pushed back, saying that he came to the number based on his experience and that other experts agreed it was a "good indicator." Towards the end of his salvo with Rush, Stanley wrote: "I don't think if you push forward with dives to the Titantic this season it will be succumbing to financial pressures, I think it will be succumbing to pressures of your own creation in some part dictated by ego to do what people said couldn't be done." An OceanGate spokesperson told Insider the company is "unable to provide any additional information at this time." OceanGate's CEO had been forewarned about potential safety issues with the sub OceanGate began running tours to see the Titanic shipwreck in 2021, using the Titan to take customers to the ocean floor in journeys that could last up to 10 hours at a time. The Titan went missing on June 18 while on its third annual expedition. US Coast Guard officials said on Thursday that it had found debris indicating the submersible imploded because of a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber." Officials said the vessel imploded around 1,600 feet away from the Titanic shipwreck. Stanley's exchange with Rush also came as the OceanGate CEO was warned at least twice by other experts about the Titan's safety. In 2018, a company executive said that the Titan's system couldn't detect flaws in the hull until "milliseconds" before disaster. He later accused the company in a lawsuit of firing him immediately after filing the report. The same year, the Marine Technology Society sent Rush a letter expressing "unanimous concern" about his "experimental approach" with the Titan. And in 2021, Rush told a YouTuber that he knew he'd "broken some rules" by building his submersible out of carbon fiber, even though most submersibles are made purely out of steel or titanium. He said he wanted to innovate in the industry, and in 2017 also said the material choice helped save some money. "I think it was General MacArthur who said: 'You're remembered for the rules you break,'" Rush told the Mexican YouTuber alanxelmundo. Rush was one of the five people who died on the Titan, along with the British billionaire Hamish Harding; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a Titanic expert; Shahzada Dawood, a British-Pakistani multimillionaire; and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood. Correction: June 26, 2023 An earlier version of this article misstated YouTuber alanxelmundo's country of origin. He is Mexican, not Spanish. Update: June 26, 2023 This story has been updated with a comment from OceanGate sent after the article was published. Read the original article on Insider Less than a month after fans said goodbye to the Roy family, two members are already reuniting. On June 24, Brian Cox and Nicholas Braun, who played Logan Roy and Greg Hirsch on Succession, respectively, ran into each other at Paris Fashion Week. Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari-Cox (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images) Cox, 77, and Braun, 35, snapped a few photos together at the runway show for Loewe Menswear Spring 2024s collection. Coxs wife, actor Nicole Ansari-Cox, also posed for photos with the former co-stars. Braun sported a striped yellow, red and green matching set as he placed his arm around Cox, who wore a collared blue shirt and striped navy pants. Ansari-Cox looked stylish in an oversized white blouse and yellow pants. Nicholas Braun (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images) Meanwhile, stars of fellow HBO series The White Lotus, met up at the runway show, too. In one photograph, creator Mike White put up a hang loose sign as he sat in between Season One star Murray Bartlett and Season Two actor Theo James. Theo James, Mike White and Murray Bartlet (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images) There were other actors in attendance at the Paris Fashion Week event as well, including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Sebastian Stan and Yes Day actor Edgar Ramirez. Braun sat beside Stan and Ramirez in the front row. For four seasons, viewers watched characters like Brauns cousin Greg and other members of the Roy family try to gain control over Logan Roys company, Waystar Royco. Since the hit HBO series aired its series finale May 28, there have been a couple mini reunions, delighting fans who have been missing the Roy familys antics on Sunday nights. Earlier this month, Kieran Culkin, who portrayed Roman Roy, crashed Coxs photoshoot with Emily Blunt for their Actors on Actors interview with Variety. Culkin was on set because he was also featured in the publications interview series. He spoke with Claire Danes for his episode. Variety tweeted a clip of Culkin wrapping his TV dad in a tight hug before Cox jokes, Who are you? Culkin, 40, playfully replied, Who are you? Are you grumpy today? After another hug, Cox asked, Are you all right? Is everything all right? The actor assured Cox he was doing well before he embraced Blunt. During his chat with Danes, Culkin chatted about his dynamic with Cox when they filmed Succession. Whenever I have to shoot with Brian, its like, Dad, I feel like Im 7, Culkin said. He can be a scary guy. Not to me I can approach him as an adult. But for whatever reason, in character, I feel like Im 7 with him. This article was originally published on TODAY.com An undated handout image shows Kholoud Yagoob Abdallah with her adopted family in Khartoum An undated handout image shows a Sudanese woman trapped in Khartoum Sudanese-Canadian campaigns to help adopted sister stranded in Khartoum An undated handout image shows Kholoud Yagoob Abdallah with her adopted family in Khartoum An undated handout image shows a Sudanese woman trapped in Khartoum By Mai Shams El-Din CAIRO (Reuters) - A Sudanese-Canadian citizen has been separated from an adopted sister and her children and is trying to help them secure safe passage out of Sudan where they have been stranded for over 10 weeks by the war between rival military factions. Sami Atabani said he hoped the Canadian government would consider evacuating his adopted sister, 43-year-old Kholoud Yagoob Abdallah, even though she does not hold Canadian citizenship like the rest of his close relatives. Abdallah lives with her seven children in Omdurman, one of the three cities that makes up Sudan's wider capital and has seen frequent fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). She moved away from the heaviest fighting, but is still in danger. "We are extremely worried for their safety. I can't tell you how distressing that situation is for us as a family," Atabani said, adding that they had struggled to reassure his 91-year-old mother about Abdallah's safety. Atabani says his parents were unable to legally adopt Abdallah partly due to complex adoption laws in Sudan, becoming her legal guardians instead. But that does not allow her to be considered an immediate family member of Canadian citizens and qualify for the evacuations that Canada and other countries have carried out from Sudan. Canadian authorities told him she could apply to come to Canada as a refugee, but six of her children lack passports. "She cannot get to a third country, she doesn't have passports, it is impossible for her to leave the country," said Atabani, who lives in Britain. A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said that while the IRCC could not comment on individual cases, Canada had taken measures to "assist Sudanese nationals affected by the conflict". (Editing by Aidan Lewis and Mark Heinrich) Supreme Court Backs Out of Clash on Black US House District After Alabama Ruling (Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court reinstated an order that would require a second majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana, backing out of a case it had agreed to hear and saying the clash should go forward before a federal appeals court. Most Read from Bloomberg The order is part of the fallout from the courts unexpected June 8 ruling bolstering the Voting Rights Act in an Alabama case. US District Judge Shelly Dick ruled last year that the Voting Rights Act required Louisiana, which is 33% Black and has six congressional districts, to create a second majority-Black district for the US House. The Supreme Court then placed a temporary hold on Dicks ruling, allowing use of a Republican-drawn map with just one majority-Black district for the 2022 election. At the same time, the high court took the unusual step of agreeing to hear the states appeal bypassing a federal appeals court but putting the case on hold until it resolved the Alabama dispute. The Alabama ruling was a 5-4 decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joining the three liberals in the majority. The Supreme Court said Monday its latest move will let the case proceed at the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in the ordinary course and in advance of the 2024 congressional elections in Louisiana. The case is Ardoin v. Robinson, 21-1596. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Supreme Court clears way for lawsuits against Ohio State University over alleged abuse dating to the 1970s The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for lawsuits brought by more than 100 men who say they were abused by a medical doctor at The Ohio State University to go forward. Without comment, the court rejected an appeal from the university. The case revolves around alleged abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss beginning in the late 1970s. Strauss died in 2005. The universitys lawyers called Strauss conduct reprehensible but said the lawsuits were untimely because they were filed too late, exceeding the statute of limitations. They said that while the conduct allegedly occurred between 1978 and 1998, the respondents did not file suit until 2018 and 2021 decades after the alleged abuse occurred. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of them, allowing the lawsuit to proceed under Title IX, a federal law that bars sexual discrimination in schools. The men accused the university of deliberate indifference to sex crimes within the university and said that many victims did not know the full extent of the schools involvement in a cover-up until 2019. In court papers, the school said it has committed substantial resources to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct on campus and is a fundamentally different institution today. It called the questions in the case purely legal. Lawyers for the men told the justices that although Ohio State sought to dismiss their claims as untimely, the Sixth Circuit properly held that the victims claims did not accrue until they learned of both their injury and Ohio States role in causing it a role that the University had covered up for decades. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for Louisiana to draw a second majority-Black congressional district. The justices previously paused a lower ruling that mandated the state redraw its map, but the court then sat on the dispute as it considered a similar case in Alabama. In a major, surprise ruling earlier this month, the court struck down Alabamas map by ruling it likely violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters. Following that decision, the courts order on Monday lifts the pause in Louisianas case and sends it back to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The move is likely to require the state to add a second majority-Black district. This will allow the matter to proceed before the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for review in the ordinary course and in advance of the 2024 congressional elections in Louisiana, the order reads. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) vetoed the congressional map approved by the states GOP-controlled Legislature, which contained one majority-Black district out of six. But lawmakers proceeded to override that veto. Supreme Court set for furious round of decisions in final days of June Two groups of plaintiffs then challenged the map in court under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, alleging it diluted the power of Black voters. By dismissing this case as improvidently granted, the Supreme Court once again affirmed the power of the Voting Rights Act to prevent racially discriminatory redistricting, this time in Louisiana, said Abha Khanna, a partner at Elias Law Group, which is representing one of the plaintiff groups, in a statement. Black voters in Louisiana have suffered one election under a congressional map that unlawfully dilutes their political influence, Khanna continued. Thankfully, Louisiana is now on track to add an additional minority opportunity district in time for 2024, ensuring that Black Louisianians are finally afforded fair representation in the states congressional delegation. After they sued, a lower court ordered the state to redraw its map with a second majority-Black district. Louisianas Republican secretary of state and attorney general then urged the Supreme Court to step in and grant an emergency pause of that ruling. The court agreed to do so over the public dissents of liberal justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, effectively allowing the map to go into effect for the 2022 midterms. But the court said it would keep the case on its docket and hold it until the justices resolved the Alabama dispute, which similarly involved a challenge to the states GOP-drawn congressional map for including only one majority-Black district. Court watchers anticipated that the right-leaning court would reject the Alabama challenge and, in doing so, narrow the Voting Rights Act. But when the decision was handed down earlier this month, two of the courts conservatives Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the three liberals to strike down Alabamas map as a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act in a 5-4 decision. Court watchers largely expected the justices would send the Louisiana case back to a lower court because of the ruling, and it may not be the only map affected. Alabamas case has given a boost to Democratic hopes of recapturing the House because the decision could impact voting map fights in states such as Georgia. Updated at 11:13 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Supreme Court to decide on Bidens student loan forgiveness soon. Whats next? The Supreme Court could rule on student loan forgiveness this week and new rulings from the court might indicate which way the court is leaning. Heres what you should know. How did we get here? Earlier this year, the Supreme Court, with 6-3 conservative majority, heard two cases challenging President Joe Bidens student loan forgiveness program, that would forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loans or $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Twenty-six million people applied for the program before it was suspended. The lawsuits claimed the parties would be harmed and that the program overstepped authority, Forbes reported. The Biden administration says the cases should be thrown out because they dont have the standing to begin with. Thats going to be a key point. One case was brought by two student loan borrowers who didnt qualify for the full $20,000 in relief. The other was brought by six Republican states arguing it would hurt state tax revenues and the revenue of Missouri-based student loan company MOHELA. They have to provide proof that the policy would injure them, that the injury is because of the defendant, and that the relief they want would address that. Last week, the Supreme Court with opinions authored separately by Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh found two cases didnt have the legal standing, Business Insider reported. Still, justices have been examining potential executive overreach. So its unclear how the court will rule. Whats next? We could see a decision as soon as Tuesday, June 27, though Forbes reported the court could extend its term, which wraps up in June. Even if its upheld, we dont know when it would officially start back up and when people could see their loans forgiven. Currently, student loan payments will be due starting in October, according to the federal education department. Interest starts accruing again on Sept. 1. What is The Sum? The Sum is your friendly guide to personal finance and economic news. Were a team of McClatchy journalists cutting through the financial jargon so you know how these issues impact your life. We verify information from diverse sources and keep the facts front-and-center, making finance and economic news add up for you. You can follow The Sum on Instagram and TikTok. Ready to take the first step to getting your finances under control? You can sign up for our five-week budgeting newsletter at thesum.news. Supreme Court (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) The Supreme Court announced Monday it will weigh in on the constitutionality of wealth taxes by deciding whether Congress may require taxpayers to pay their share of earnings from a foreign company, even if they received no dividends or income. The case of Charles and Kathleen Moore, and their $14,729 tax bill, has garnered much attention on the right because of what it could mean if progressive Democrats take control of Congress. The 16th Amendment says Congress has the power to "lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived." And that has been understood to mean that the government may impose taxes on wages or earnings and stock dividends, but not on property or corporate wealth that grows in value. These are referred to as "unrealized gains." But last year, the 9th Circuit Court upheld part of the 2017 tax bill passed by the Republican-controlled Congress which imposed a one-time tax on Americans who owned shares in foreign corporations that gained in value. The Moores said they received no income or dividends from their investment in a company in India which supplies equipment to small farmers, and they sued, alleging the tax was unconstitutional. They lost before a federal judge and appeals court. "There is no blanket constitutional ban on Congress disregarding the corporate form to facilitate taxation of shareholders income," the appeals court said. "In other words, there is no constitutional prohibition against Congress attributing a corporations income pro-rata to its shareholder." But lawyers for the Moores, backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups, urged the high court to hear the appeal. They said the 9th Circuit's opinion "gutted the Constitution's key limit on the federal taxing power" by sweeping away the essential restraint on Congress taxing power and opening the door to unapportioned taxes on property and anything else Congress might deem to be income. "The Constitution does not allow Congress to point at any pot of money and call it income and then income-tax it, said Andrew M. Grossman, the Moores lead counsel. Income means the same thing now that it did when the 16th Amendment was ratified: gains that have been realized by the taxpayer." The high court will hear the case of Moore vs. United States in the fall. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Supreme Court declined to hear a case regarding the dress code of a North Carolina charter school Monday, leaving intact a lower courts ruling that the policy must be changed. In the case, Charter Day School v. Peltier, parents and students sued over the institutions dress code policy that says girls must wear skirts. A federal appeals court found the policy violated the 14th Amendments equal protection clause, a decision left in place by the Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case. The decision was closely watched as the nations charter schools fight to be seen the same as public schools, despite the fact they can get private funding. The federals appeal court had said the school is a state actor and must be treated as all public schools, meaning it cannot have a dress code aimed specifically at women. Todays announcement is a victory for the thousands of students who attend public charter schools in North Carolina and for the 3.6 million students like them nationwide, said Ria Tabacco Mar, director of the ACLU Womens Rights Project. Girls at public charter schools have the same constitutional rights as their peers at other public schools including the freedom to wear pants. We will continue to fight for all girls to learn in safe and equal schools. Even the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools was pleased with the Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case, because upholding the notion that public charter schools are state actors helps their cause. We are pleased to put this matter behind us and move forward with the critically important work of ensuring every child in this nation has access to a high-quality public education. The actions of the high court affirm that as public school students, charter school students are entitled to the same federal protections as their counterparts who attend district schools, said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the organization. This is likely not the last time the courts will have to hear arguments on the role of charter schools; Oklahoma recently approved the nations first religious charter school, which is certain to face legal challenges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Supreme Court on Monday restored a federal courts ruling that Louisianas congressional lines likely diluted the power of Black voters in the state an immediate reverberation of the high courts recent decision that affirmed a key piece of the Voting Rights Act. Litigation over the map will now continue in a lower court. Last summer, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Louisianas appeal after a district judge ruled that the states congressional lines likely diluted the power of Black voters in the state. The Supreme Court also imposed a stay of the judges order while the justices weighed a similar redistricting case in Alabama. But on Monday, the Supreme Court reversed course, lifting its stay and dismissing its decision to hear the Louisiana appeal, saying it took the case prematurely. The courts decision on Monday is the first big domino to fall after the court issued its decision in the Alabama case Allen v. Milligan earlier this month. In that decision, the court reaffirmed a provision of the Voting Rights Act that allows minority voters to challenge voting maps that hinder their collective ability to elect their chosen candidates. In the Allen decision, the court effectively found that the states congressional lines likely violated the landmark piece of civil rights legislation. Even though Black people make up roughly a quarter of Alabamas population, just one of the states seven congressional districts is majority Black which the challengers attributed to racial gerrymandering. Mondays order for Louisiana effectively leaves the lower courts decision that ordered the state to redraw its map in effect for now. The case will head to the 5th Circuit of Appeals, a famously conservative appeals court that legal experts are already speculating would likely look skeptically on allegations of racial vote dilution, despite the high courts recent decision. In sending the case back to the appellate level, the Supreme Court wrote that the case should continue in the ordinary course and in advance of the 2024 congressional elections in Louisiana. Louisiana currently has one majority Black seat out of its six districts. Louisiana is approximately one-third Black. Several other states like Georgia and Texas will likely also be affected by the Allen decision. Other successful dilution challenges across the South could ultimately result in a boost for Democrats as they try to retake the House majority. The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up an ongoing veterans education benefits case which could dramatically rewrite federal benefits rules and give additional tuition money to potentially millions of veterans. And if the nations highest court upholds the decisions of lower federal courts, the ruling could finally end the eight-year-old legal fight, forcing Veterans Affairs leaders to start paying out the money in coming college semesters. The case Rudsill vs. McDonough has been closely watched by advocates for years because of its potential wide-ranging impact on veterans seeking college degrees. Mondays decision to take up the case means that lawyers for the plaintiff and the federal government will argue their cases before the Supreme Court sometime this fall, with a final decision expected sometime in spring 2024. One vets GI Bill fight could win benefits for millions of other students In a joint statement, Troutman Pepper partner Misha Tseytlin and associate Timothy McHugh who have handled the case in recent years called the high courts decision a welcome chance at finally resolving the case. Should we prevail, approximately 1.7 million post-9/11 veterans will be eligible to receive additional educational benefits totaling billions of dollars, they said. This would be transformative for millions of veterans, their families, and their communities. VA officials have declined all comment on the ongoing case, but pledged to work with veterans to help them handle any complications with their education benefits. The case centers on how the Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded education support through its Post-9/11 GI Bill program and the Montgomery GI Bill program. Under the first, eligible veterans receive 36 months of tuition payouts, housing stipends and other financial assistance. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is used by the vast majority of veterans attending schools today. The Montgomery GI Bill program was the predecessor to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and is being phased out by the department. It offers far less money, but still can provide several thousands of dollars annually to veterans for tuition costs if they paid into the program at the start of their military service. Currently, VA officials make students give up eligibility for the Montgomery GI Bill program when they register to begin using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. That means that once their education benefits from that program are exhausted, they cannot receive more tuition support from the other program. Jim Rudisill, the Army veteran at the center of the court case, was wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq in 2005 and used his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits shortly thereafter. But he wanted to tap into his unused Montgomery GI Bill benefits to attend Yale Divinity School, as part of the process to become an Army chaplain, and sued when VA officials denied that move. Veterans Affairs officials have argued in court that using both benefits amounts to double-dipping on government benefits, which is prohibited under federal statute. But courts have ruled against them in recent years, saying that the education programs are separate, even if all the money comes from the same source, the VA budget. GI Bill fix for vets enrolled in defunct schools heads to White House Under separate existing federal statute, all government higher education payouts are capped at 48 months. So, if the Supreme Court rules against VAs interpretation of how the programs must be administered, veterans who use up their post-9/11 GI Bill program might still get 12 more months of money for school. That wont matter for most veterans who received degrees and moved onto civilian careers over the last decade. But for individuals who fell a few semesters short of getting a degree, the court ruling could open the door to new financial support to finish their education goals. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can be transferred to spouses and children under certain circumstances, the Montgomery GI Bill cannot be passed to another family member. So veterans looking for additional help to pay family bills wont benefit from a potential favorable ruling. No date has yet been set for when the Supreme Court arguments on the case will be scheduled. The Court is expected to end its current term in the next few weeks. Photo: Jonathan Kirn (Getty Images) The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from a publicly funded North Carolina charter school that wanted to force girls to wear skirts to school because they are fragile vessels who need to be handled more gently than boys. By rejecting Charter Day Schools appeal, the highest court agreed that the schools rules violated the girls constitutional civil rights. Todays announcement is a victory for the thousands of students who attend public charter schools in North Carolina and for the 3.6 million students like them nationwide, Ria Tabacco Mar, Director of the ACLU Womens Rights Project, said in a statement. The case was brought by the ACLU and ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation. Read more The lawsuit states that Mitchell also later elaborated that the schools idea of chivalry is a code of conduct where women are treated, theyre regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor. After the email that needlessly invoked Columbine, parents eventually filed suit in 2016. At that time, the girls in question were in kindergarten, fourth and eighth grades. Keely Burks, one of the students challenging the skirts-only rule, said they gathered more than 100 signatures on a petition to get the rule changed. It was taken from us by a teacher and we never got it back, Burks wrote, adding that then they turned to the ACLU for help. (The school is now called Classical Charter Schools of Leland, per the ACLU release.) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit wrote that Charter Day Schools dress code blatantly perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes in its opinion from June 2022. Nothing in the Equal Protection Clause prevents public schools from teaching universal values of respect and kindness, but those values are never advanced by the discriminatory treatment of girls in a public school, the court said. In January, The Supreme Court previously asked the Biden Administration to weigh in. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogars brief agreed that the skirts-only dress code infringed on the girls civil rights at school. Eliminating unconstitutional discrimination whether based on sex, race, religion, or other grounds ensures that all students have the opportunity to benefit from the diverse pedagogical approaches charter schools can offer, the brief, filed in May, read. And now girls at this North Carolina publicly-funded charter school have the right to wear pants to school if they so choose. Thanks (barely) to the Supreme Court for making one (1) more good decision. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a case that could have upended the long-held view that charter schools are public, throwing into doubt for now a controversial effort to publicly finance religious schools. The court decided not to hear a North Carolina case involving a public charter schools dress code. While the case involved a requirement that girls wear skirts, its implications soon expanded after its founder said the school essentially operates as a private institution with public funding. The case dates back to 2016, when three families sued Charter Day School, a classical charter school, on behalf of their daughters. At the school, which opened in 1999, students must address adults as sir or maam and cant have radical hairstyles. It requires girls, whom it refers to as fragile vessels, to wear jumpers, skirts or skorts skirts with shorts attached underneath. Related Attorneys Consider Asking SCOTUS to Weigh in on Public Status of Charter Schools Though the requirements were meant to promote respect and chivalry, the families argued that it violated the girls constitutional rights. The schools founders countered that it should be free to enforce rules in line with its mission to provide an education focused on traditional virtues. As a nonprofit, they argued, the school is not a state actor like a traditional public school. Charter Day School lost that argument before the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals last year. Judge Barbara Keenan wrote that its nonprofit status didnt give it the freedom to enforce a dress code that discriminated against girls. The school, she wrote, is furthering the states constitutional obligation to provide free, universal elementary and secondary education to its residents and contrary to being private, it performs a function traditionally and exclusively reserved to the state. Related Charting New Legal Territory, Okla. Approves First Religious Charter School It was the first time an appellate court had considered whether a student could sue a charter school under the federal equal protection clause. Past cases that hinge on the state actor issue have focused on employee-related disputes. Attorneys general in 10 GOP-controlled states had urged the high court to consider the case. The Biden administration, in filings, urged the justices to pass on the case. Since Minnesota passed the first charter school law in 1991, lower courts have widely held that charters are public schools and that its students enjoy the same civil rights protections as their peers in traditional schools. But the case took on far greater meaning given the Supreme Courts drift in favor of allowing public funds to flow to private schools. That alarmed charter groups, which worried a high court embrace of the private status of charter schools could wreak havoc on the sector. They welcomed Mondays decision. Charter schools are public schools and are, in fact, state actors for the purposes of protecting students federal constitutional rights, said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. Related Choice Supporters to Catholic Charter School Backers: Proceed with Caution The actions of the high court affirm that as public school students, charter school students are entitled to the same federal protections as their counterparts who attend district schools, Rees said in a statement. Some legal scholars make the case that Supreme Court rulings in two school choice cases Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue and Carson v. Makin paved the way for allowing religious organizations to run charter schools. Nicole Garnett, a Notre Dame University law professor and senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute, on Monday said the high court will [and should] address the issue of public v. private actors in a future case she noted that the North Carolina case was arguably a bad vehicle for resolving the question. One challenge the court might face, though, is that individual state charter laws vary significantly. That makes it hard, if not impossible, to answer the question at a national level. That said, my view is that, in most if not all states, charter schools are private, not government, actors. Related Classical Academies: What if Educations Next Big Thing is 2,500 Years Old? In a statement, Charter Day School founder Baker A. Mitchell said the 4th Circuit Courts opinion designating Charter Day School a state actor will be applied to charter schools everywhere, threatening their autonomy, subjecting them to the same rules, regulations, and political machinations that have crippled government-run school systems, and worst of all, leaving many low-income parents and students with no option other than poorly performing district schools. Oklahoma became the first state to approve an application for a Catholic charter school St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School earlier this month. Lawsuits are expected in that case and could reach the Supreme Court in coming years. Derek Black, a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, said its difficult to read too much into the courts simple decision not to hear a case, but I read this as a strong validation of the general rule that charters are state actors that are subject to the Constitution. He called Mondays decision devastating news for those in Oklahoma who think the state can authorize religious charter schools. The justices discussed the North Carolina case, Charter Day School Inc. v. Peltier, in conference last Thursday. Those who wanted the court to hear the case, such as the Great Hearts Academies network of classical charter schools, have said the 4th Circuit decision conflicts with how three other federal circuit courts have ruled. Those lower courts have relied on the precedent in Rendell-Baker v. Kohn, in which the Supreme Court said a private school receiving state funds for educating maladjusted high school students was not acting under the color of state law when it fired a counselor and five teachers. Related After Contentious Vote, Hebrew Charter Founder Eyes Jewish School in Oklahoma Greg Richmond, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, said the justices refusal to hear the case leaves the sector with some uncertainty. Which is it going to be? Are they going to be schools that can be religious and set their own rules? Or are they going to be schools where the public sets the rules? In Oklahoma, you have one decision. And now in North Carolina, you have the opposite decision. Richmond, who formerly led the charter authorizers association, also said he hopes the high courts decision isnt interpreted expansively as prohibiting charter schools from having dress codes. That would be really a tragedy if it did land that way, he said. I think a lot of parents want to have a school that has a dress code and would hate to lose that because of this case. More broadly, he worried that by bringing the dress code case in the first place, the families in North Carolina have worn away some of charters autonomy. Heres a school that wanted to do something, he said. The government took away his ability to do it. Itll be viewed through this frame that charter schools are slowly losing their autonomy to be different. Heatwaves to scorch northern China Xinhua) 08:25, June 26, 2023 Tourists shield themselves from the sunshine with umbrellas at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2023.(Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- From Tuesday to Friday, heatwaves are forecast to scorch northern China, areas between the Yellow River and the Huaihe River, as well as the Fenhe-Weihe Plain, said China's national observatory. Areas including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shandong, Henan, and Inner Mongolia will be at medium-level risk of high-temperature hazards, said the National Meteorological Center. The center suggested that workers exposed to high temperatures and people conducting outdoor activities adopt necessary protective measures, and advised relevant departments to ensure water and power supplies. Some of the aforementioned areas experienced high temperatures between June 21 and 24. The temperature at a meteorological station in southern Beijing soared to 41.1 degrees Celsius at 3:19 p.m. on June 22 -- the second-highest reading since reliable records began, according to the Beijing Meteorological Service. The meteorological observatory of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Saturday afternoon issued a red alert, the most severe warning, for high temperatures. Temperature highs in parts of the region rose above 40 degrees Celsius between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon. The continuous hot weather, coupled with a lack of effective precipitation, has brought severe drought to many areas of Inner Mongolia. As of Saturday, drought has struck an area of 602,200 square kilometers, accounting for 60.6 percent of the region's total agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry area. Inner Mongolia has launched an emergency response to drought, strengthening its drought monitoring and taking timely measures such as weather modification operations. Xie Zhuangzi, a villager in Bogt Village of Bayintal Township, Inner Mongolia, has more than 100 sheep and 30 cattle. "I have added fans to the cattle and sheep sheds. I also plan to buy a spray device to help cool down the sheds," Xie said. The high temperatures have also caused a surge in the local electricity load. In the city of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, power sector workers have carried out timely maintenance operations to ensure a reliable power supply. Local electricity companies have sent heat relief supplies to workers on duty. In the country's northernmost province of Heilongjiang, temperature highs in some regions will reach 38 degrees Celsius between Sunday and Monday. "While working under the high temperatures, we must wear long-sleeved clothing, gloves and helmets to protect ourselves," said 29-year-old Pan Yulong who works at the China Railway Harbin Bureau Group Co., Ltd. Enterprises and labor unions in the province have provided heat protection supplies to workers exposed to high temperatures, such as couriers and railway workers. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The News With the Supreme Court expected to decide the fate of President Bidens massive student debt forgiveness plan this week, supporters of the proposal say theyre feeling more optimistic it might survive, thanks to two of the justices rulings in other cases this term. Know More The courts conservative majority expressed deep skepticism toward the forgiveness plan, which would wipe up to $20,000 of debt for millions of borrowers, during oral arguments earlier this year. But advocates are pointing to a pair of recent opinions by justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh as reason for hope. In both cases, the court tossed out challenges brought by states to a federal law or Biden administration policy, after finding the states had failed to show theyd been harmed by it. Progressive groups say those rulings might be setting the stage for the court to toss out the two student loan cases on similar standing grounds, since the suits were brought by states that have had some trouble demonstrating they would be directly hurt by the proposal. One was filed by the state of Missouri on behalf of a functionally independent student loan servicer that reportedly had no involvement in filing the case. I think there is a path forward for this case, Persis Yu, policy director and managing counsel at the Student Borrower Protection Center, told Semafor. On Capitol Hill, Democrats mostly held back from speculating on how the high court might rule or the White Houses fallback options. If the Supreme Court follows the law, then 43 million people will have the student loan debt relief the president promised them, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts told Semafor on Thursday. But not entirely. I think the administration has a plan B, which would probably deal with the Supreme Court's objections, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont told reporters. If the court rules against them, progressives and advocacy groups are pressing the administration to consider trying the effort again using a different legal theory. In theory, they could do that but that might face similar legal challenges and hurdles so it's unclear if the administration is going to pursue that, Adam Minsky, a Boston-based student loan lawyer, told Semafor. The White Houses hands may be tied beyond that. The debt limit law prevents the Biden administration from extending a student loan repayment moratorium now in its third year. And the Education Department announced it will restart student loan payments from borrowers in October with interest beginning to accrue in Sept. 1. Suspect arrested in connection with shooting that injured man in Merced County A suspect has been arrested in connection with shooting Saturday that injured a man in Merced, according to authorities. At about 3:38 a.m., deputies received a report of a shooting and responded to the 2000 block of Fern Street, according to a Merced County Sheriffs Office social media post. When the deputies arrived at the scene, they located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was flown to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Several hours after the shooting incident, at about 10:59 a.m., deputies with the agencys Investigations Bureau located 41-year-old Chad Michael Hosburgh at a residence in the 1600 block of Augusta Lane in Atwater, according to the post. Hosburgh had been identified as a suspect in the shooting during the course of the investigation, according to authorities. Hosburgh was arrested after a short foot chase and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony attempted murder and post-release community supervision violation, according to jail records. Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact the Merced County Sheriffs Office Investigations Bureau at 209-385-7472. One person has been arrested and four others were detained in connection with a gang-related homicide in the Vintage Park neighborhood of Sacramento Countys Vineyard area. The suspects were detained Sunday in four locations throughout Sacramento County, according to Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi. He said homicide investigators determined who the suspected shooter was from the group, which included a juvenile subject, and arrested the person in connection with the crime. Rafael Perez Ramirez, 28, was arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on a homicide charge Tuesday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court. The male victim, 17, was shot in the head around 6 p.m. Saturday. He later died from his injuries at a hospital. His identity has yet to be confirmed by the Sacramento County Coroners Office. He was struck by gunfire on the right side of his head during an alleged fight between several gang members in which he was an active participant, Gandhi said. Gandhi said the Sheriffs Office believes the victim and his killer exchanged gunfire. A gun was found lying near the teen after the incident, but Gandhi said it is unclear who the firearm belonged to. By Joseph Ax and Rami Ayyub (Reuters) - A 23-year-old was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty on Monday to killing five people in a 2022 mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Anderson Lee Aldrich pleaded guilty in Colorado state court to five first-degree murder counts and 46 attempted murder counts, part of an agreement reached with prosecutors that avoided what could have been a lengthy trial. Aldrich also pleaded no contest to two counts of bias-motivated crimes. On Nov. 19, 2022, Aldrich, wearing body armor and armed with a rifle and a handgun, opened fire at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub. Apart from those killed, nearly two dozen others were wounded by gunfire or otherwise injured before being stopped by "heroic" patrons. Aldrich, then 22, was charged with 323 criminal counts. During the sentencing hearing immediately following the plea, family members of the victims spoke tearfully about their loved ones and expressed fury at Aldrich. Several survivors, some of whom suffered gunshot wounds, described the horrors of that chaotic night. "I will never get the chance to marry the love of my life," said Kassandra Fierro, whose boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance, was among the dead. "I will never get to start a family with Raymond. I will never get to see, hear or feel Raymond ever again." Others, noting that Club Q had long been a "safe space" for LGBTQ residents, said the shooting had shattered their tight-knit community. Aldrich, who told the court they identify as nonbinary, declined to speak during the sentencing, but their defense lawyer, Joseph Archambault, said Aldrich wanted the court to know that "they are deeply remorseful." In accordance with the plea deal, Judge Michael McHenry sentenced Aldrich to five consecutive life sentences for the murder charges, plus more than 2,200 years of additional prison time for the attempted murder counts. "Your actions reflect the deepest malice of the human heart," the judge said. "And malice is almost always born of ignorance and fear." The shooting at Club Q was reminiscent of a massacre in 2016 when a gunman killed 49 people at the gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, before he was shot dead by police. Colorado no longer has a death-penalty statute. However, Aldrich could face a death sentence in federal court if prosecutors decide to bring charges under the U.S. code, which still has capital punishment on its books for certain crimes. Aldrich was formally charged last Dec. 6 and did not enter a plea at the time. Those killed in the shooting were identified as Daniel Aston, 28; Kelly Loving, 40; Derrick Rump, 38; Ashley Paugh, 34; and Vance, 22. Aldrich was known to law enforcement, having been arrested in June 2021. Aldrich's mother had reported that Aldrich had threatened to detonate a bomb and harm her with multiple weapons, according to a press release from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Aldrich's mother declined to testify for the prosecution, and the case was dismissed. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey, and Rami Ayyub in Washington; Additional reporting and writing by Rich McKay; Editing by Grant McCool and Matthew Lewis) (Bloomberg) -- Sweden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have agreed to hold a high-level meeting to discuss Stockholms bid to join the alliance, according to its chief, Jens Stoltenberg. Most Read from Bloomberg The secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization said that the meeting, which will be held before the alliances leaders summit in Vilnius next month, will include foreign ministers, heads of intelligence and national security advisers. Turkey has been blocking Swedens membership over accusations it isnt doing enough to rein in Kurdish groups that it accuses of terrorist activities. Finland formally joined the alliance in April. Read more: Turkey Demands Sweden Expel Kurd Suspects Before NATO Entry Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. 'Sociology of Guns' students during a gun range field trip. Sandra Stroud Yamane, Author provided Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching. Title of course: Sociology of Guns What prompted the idea for the course? I grew up in the liberal culture of the San Francisco Bay Area and never touched a firearm until I was 42 years old, living in North Carolina and teaching sociology at Wake Forest University. For the past 10-plus years I have been deeply immersed in American gun culture both professionally and personally. I have both studied and am a member of the Liberal Gun Club, National Rifle Association and other gun-related groups. Having one foot outside and one foot inside gun culture allows me to see the social life of guns from different perspectives. Wanting to convey this diversity to others prompted me to construct and teach this course for the first time in 2015. This fall, I will teach the course for the ninth consecutive academic year. What does the course explore? Rather than focusing exclusively on gun violence and politics, my course looks more broadly at guns in society. The class begins by literally putting firearms in students hands. The first class meeting is at a gun range, where students have the opportunity but are not required to shoot three semi-automatic firearms: a .22 pistol, a Glock 17 9 mm pistol and an AR-15 style .223 caliber rifle. The field trip is a source of insight that carries through the entire semester. Substantively, the course builds on the students firsthand experience of guns by exploring the multifaceted role they play in society. It puts guns in historical, legal and global contexts. The intention is to provide students with a greater understanding of the lawful possession and use of guns, gun crime and injuries, and the future of gun politics. Guest speakers vary from semester to semester but include leaders of various gun owner groups, professional gun educators and trainers, and representatives of gun violence prevention organizations. Why is this course relevant now? It often feels as though the United States is being torn apart by cultural and political divisions over guns. As Mark Joslyn argues in The Gun Gap, the different social worlds inhabited by gun owners and non-owners shape not just their fundamental orientations to guns, risk and policy, but their very understanding of what constitutes a good society. I believe that we as a society cannot repair this divide until people begin to talk to each other about their differences with the goal of mutual understanding. These conversations should be built on a solid foundation of empirical knowledge about the role guns actually play in society - both positive and negative. Whats a critical lesson from the course? The trip to the gun range stands out because it offers direct exposure to gunfire. As expected, student responses vary. Most enjoy it. Some dislike it. No one is indifferent. All are better able to relate to the course material because of it. In particular, those who were personally repulsed by guns prior to the field trip often come to see why guns can be attractive to others. Those who had lacked exposure often become gun curious. And the few gun enthusiasts I get in my course do not just have their enthusiasm reinforced; they also understand why others see guns differently. Reflecting on the field trip experience over the course of the semester through the lens of scholarship on guns turns the heat of gunfire on the range into the light of comprehension in the classroom. What materials does the course feature? The Liberal Gun Owners Lens, Pillar 1: The Human-Weapon Relationship which explains the deep anthropological connection between Homo sapiens and projectile weaponry. Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America_, Adam Winklers magnificent book on the historical and legal context of guns. Gun Culture 2.0: The Evolution and Contours of Defensive Gun Ownership in America my comprehensive summary of the history and development of gun culture in the United States. Handgun Ownership and Suicide in California and Race and Mass Murder in the United States articles that address negative outcomes with guns in society. What will the course prepare students to do? Sociology of Guns teaches students to approach this fraught topic in a more objective and nuanced manner encompassing both the everyday uses and abuses of firearms. This knowledge then helps students better understand their own personal beliefs about and relationship to guns. Taken together, these lessons prepare students to make informed choices for the rest of their lives about being involved with guns or not as well as the place of guns in the communities in which they will live. 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: David Yamane, Wake Forest University. Read more: David Yamane has received funding from The Louisville Institute for the Study of American Religion to study church security. He is a member of the Liberal Gun Club, National African American Gun Association, and National Rifle Association and financially supports the Liberal Gun Owners 501c4 and Walk the Walk America 501c3 organizations. THE WATERS OFF RATTLESNAKE KEY On a recent morning, Tonya Wiley waded through 2 feet of water, carefully shuffling her feet to avoid stingrays. She was looking for another type of ray: the endangered smalltooth sawfish. Where are you, babies? Wiley, 51, called out among the mangroves. Over the last few weeks, Wileys sawtooth-focused nonprofit, Havenworth Coastal Conservation, has found and tagged three juveniles. These three pups and two more found in 2021 make up the only tagged sawfish discovered in Tampa Bay since Wiley brought her research here five years ago. This excursion was Wileys first trip back to Rattlesnake Key since the recent taggings, and she came back empty-handed. But Wiley said thats OK. Sawfish sightings are so rare in Tampa Bay that three taggings in a year is a career milestone for her. I felt greedy getting that third one, she said. Sawfish numbers have dropped so low that the state wildlife agency has a hotline for people to report sightings. In Charlotte Harbor to the south, people report seeing sawfish to officials five or six times a week. But in the Bay, researchers are lucky to get that many calls in a year, Wiley said. The last remaining stronghold for the population exists between Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. This is what researchers call the species core habitat; sawfish have the protection of Everglades National Park to thank for its preservation in South Florida. Wiley said despite only having tagged pups in Tampa Bay, most sightings reported are of large, mature sawfish. This is because the pups stick to their nurseries, while larger sawfish tend to roam. When she does track one down, Wiley makes a small cut and fits the animal with a transmitter about the size of a AA battery before stitching it up. These tags last four years and allow researchers to follow the animals using receivers stationed along Florida waterways. There are more than 100 receivers in Tampa Bay and another 100 in the Gulf of Mexico. Members of the sawfish research team, which includes Havenworth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida State University, operate these receivers. Between all of us, we have lower Tampa Bay completely covered, Wiley said. Wiley has a research license to catch sawfish with a gillnet. The net, hung vertically and used to catch fish by their gills, was banned by the state of Florida in 1994. She said gillnets and the fishermen who used them are partially to blame for sawfish ending up on the endangered species list in 2003. The nets are how those people made their living, she said. Instead of cutting the net to get the sawfish out of the net, most times theyll kill the sawfish. Now, one of the biggest threats to the smalltooth swimmers is shrimp trawlers, commercial boats dragging big nets used to catch shrimp, said Adam Brame, who acts as the sawfish recovery coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He said the agency is overhauling its estimates for the species health and population they expect sawfish to recover faster than previously thought. Weve made a lot of strides over the last 20, 25 years, he said. Were optimistic about the trajectory of this species. But sawfish still have many hurdles to clear before repopulating Floridas waters. The species found in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean today are smalltooth sawfish, but these waters used to be shared with largetooth sawfish, which havent been spotted in the U.S. since 1961. The last remaining largetooth sawfish are found in Australia, Brazil, and the Indo-Pacific region. Sawfish provide an important function in estuary communities by preying on sick or injured schooling fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. They are also an important food source to larger predators like sharks. The cultural importance of sawfish is another cause for preservation. Some native societies believe they are supernatural beings that bring good luck, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Brame said ocean debris, climate change and loss of habitat are still the biggest threats to the smalltooth species. Researchers also are finding sawfish tangled in bungee cords used to attach shade covers to boat houses. During storm events, these tend to end up in the water, and were seeing more and more images of sawfish with that cord that has worked its way down its rostrum and ends up around its face, Brame said. The sawfish rostrum, its long snout with teeth resembling a hand saw, is what gave the animal its name. Its such a unique feature, but its also kind of its Achilles heel, Bram said. That thing can get tangled so easily in a multitude of of items. Tampa Bay is an important nursery habitat for young sawfish, and its cooler, northern waters may become more important to the animals as oceans warm due to climate change, Brame said. Wiley and her team found the three sawfish all male, about 2 feet long and one month old in about 6 inches of water near Rattlesnake Keys mangrove shoreline. Young sawfish thrive in these shallow, coastal waters, close to where they were born. And its likely that the sandflat where researchers tagged this group of pups is actually their nursery, Wiley said. Rattlesnake Key, which also serves as a nursery for redfish, snook and other marine life, is slated to become a state park soon. During the 2022 legislative session, the state set its sights on the island, though the acquisition is still pending. Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County natural resources director, said the county has pledged $3 million to help the state purchase the land. The acquisition would check an 18-year-long project off the states Forever Florida land conservation program. This location stands alone as a bright spot and the ecological balance thats necessary if were going to continue to sustain our recreationally significant fishery here, Hunsicker said. Wiley has dedicated more than two decades of her life to conserving sawfish, and she said it feels special to have found the Rattlesnake Key pups so close to her home in Palmetto just a 10-minute boat trip. The world was saying, Tonya, I owe you a sawfish, she said. In 2000, Wiley was passed over for a job studying blacktip sharks. A few months later, she was asked to move from her home state of Texas to Sarasota for new research into sawfish, an animal she knew nothing about. Now, Wiley said now she cant imagine doing anything but sawfish field work. She has added Rattlesnake Key to her picnic spots list, making sure to carve out extra time to look for more of the elusive creatures. Im going to be out here tagging sawfish until I physically cant anymore, she said. Nearly 13 years after Manatee County Commissioners denied a request for commercial development at the entrance to the Tara community, commissioners this month agreed to pay the developer $3.6 million in a mediated settlement. In 2010, Lake Lincoln LLC was seeking approvals for the commercial development of a 3.3-acre parcel on the southwest corner of State Road 70 and Tara Boulevard. The 2010 denial came after a more than five-hour meeting with more than 120 Tara residents in attendance. The Tara crowd wore red shirts, symbolic of their desire to stop the planned project. Six of the seven commissioners agreed with the residents, who brought with them a petition with 1,200 signatures in opposition to the developers request, the Bradenton Herald reported in 2010. Residents cited increased traffic and the loss of a portion of the 9.8-acre wetlands area that fronts the community as reasons for their opposition. In 2012, Lake Lincoln filed a Bert Harris Act lawsuit, alleging its rights as a property owner were being violated by the countys decision to deny the use of the acreage. In 2016, Manatee County Commissioners rejected settling the lawsuit for $2.4 million. In 2019, county commissioners rejected the county attorneys recommended settlement agreement which would have allowed a drug store to be built at the intersection. Manatee pays $3.6 million in Tara dispute In the mediated settlement the county commission approved this month, Naples-based Lake Lincoln LLC agreed to settle all of its claims and demands against Manatee County. In return, the county will receive title to 10.33 acres at the heart of the dispute, plus two other parcels. Those include a 36.85-acre parcel south of Linger Lodge Road and east of Evers Reservoir and Jiggs Landing. The Manatee County Property Appraisers website identifies it as a wetlands parcel. A second contiguous parcel of 8.3 acres along the east side of Evers Reservoir is also listed as a wetland parcel. Manatee County Commissioners approved the transfer of $3.6 million in reserves for the mediated settlement agreement. The settlement comes two years after Manatee County won a court ruling for summary judgment in the case. However, on Oct. 11, 2022, the Second District Court of Appeal reversed the ruling and directed the trial court to enter a verdict in favor of Lake Lincoln LLC. On May 8, 2023, the county and Lake Lincoln engaged in an all-day mediation with a third-party mediator and reached the settlement agreement, which was presented to the county commission this month. If the county had declined to approve the settlement, the case would have gone to a 12-person jury trial. This case has been aggressively litigated by both sides at the trial and appellate court levels. Unfortunately, the appellate court has ruled against our position, leaving the county with the choice of continuing to litigate the amount of damages or resolving the case to foreclose expending additional resources in defense of the case, the County Attorneys Office said in its presentation. Given the circumstances and lengthy history of this case, the County Attorneys Office recommended that the lawsuit be settled to avoid further litigation. Tarrant may open nationwide search for an administrator. Will it be hard to fill the job? Its been said by many in Tarrant County government that replacing outgoing administrator G.K. Maenius will be impossible. Maenius leaves behind a lasting legacy in Tarrant County. In his 35 years, Maenius worked with 13 commissioners and navigated thousands of employees through some of the countys biggest decisions, like deciding budgets. The behind the scenes job is one of, if not the most, powerful in the county. While the five votes on the commissioners court decide where the money flows and which policies are set, its the administrator whos tasked with implementing whatever the court decides. There are worries among some that as the climate in Tarrant County government becomes more political, the next county administrator chosen by the commissioners may be handpicked or partisan. And experts who spoke with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram say finding a replacement may be a tough task for the commissioners court given that changing environment. Even if that candidate is down the middle, one of those experts said that it will be hard for the new person to not be viewed through a partisan lens. There are a number of people who might otherwise be a candidate for these kinds of positions that are not going to want to walk into kind of a partisan atmosphere where theyre going to make half of their bosses mad whenever they do anything, said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at TCU. Changing politics in Tarrant County Constituents concerns about the hiring process for the new county administrator may come down to how politics have changed in Tarrant County just in the past six months. They have never been partisan in the past, Riddlesperger said. Under former county judges Tom Vandergriff and Glen Whitley, Tarrant County was run under middle-right leadership. Vandergriff was a Democrat in Congress and ran as a Republican when he went for county judge. And Whitley, a Republican, endorsed Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Mike Collier in last years midterms. Cal Jillson, a political science professor at SMU, said where Whitley and Vandergriff represented the business friendly wing of Republicans, new county judge Tim OHare represents the social conservative activist type that largely control the party now. But the issues affecting constituents that the commissioners court have control over, like the jail, roads and taxes, have no party. This is as nonpartisan a job as it gets, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. The person in the job not only has to have a good head for business and but also have the political savvy to maneuver around the personalities on the commissioners court, Rottinghaus said. Its a tough position to be in, in that youre really wearing multiple hats, he said. The administrators position has always been low profile or noncontroversial, Riddlesperger said. The same could be said for the elections administrator position. Flash forward to today. Weve just seen an infusion of partisanship into local politics, Riddlesperger said. And this is something thats happened, again, nationwide. Weve seen it happening at the school boards, weve seen it happen in the city councils, and now were seeing it happening in county politics as well. Even as someone who follows local politics, Jillson said he would not have been able to tell you who Tarrant Countys administrator was. Jillson said it spoke to the quality of Maenius work. The goal, Jillson said, is to not hear the names of people working behind the scenes. Thats the way you want it, Jillson said. Thats the way they want it. They want to be responsible for the smooth administrative function of county government. Distrust in any level of local government can create havoc. And the infusion of tension into county government makes it hard to focus on the administrative issues that affect constituents. Partisanship at the top can also trickle down to lower level county employees. They might come to think that the people at the top are looking to sort them out, to discover who in county government are supporters, are people who share their more conservative ideology and who doesnt, and the people who dont will then feel threatened, Jillson said. Fears of a partisan pick Tarrant County may end up opening a national search for a new administrator. Commissioners decided at their June 20 meeting to start looking for potential firms to find candidates, and several residents got up to voice their support for that search. As I was reading over this holiday weekend, I read, and I quote, Playing politics with such a vital position as county administrator would be a disservice to the residents of Tarrant County, said resident Meryl Glasscock. Another resident, LaVonne Cockerell, pointed out the talent the county has lost just in the first six months since the new commissioners took their seats. Elections administrator Heider Garcia resigned in a letter dated April 16 that cited disagreements with OHare over how to run transparent elections. Longtime auditor Renee Tidwell, too, will leave at the end of the month, and some of the reasons she cited for her departure were less collaboration and more division in county government. Weve lost Heider. Renees leaving. G.K.s leaving, Cockerell said. What we are losing in the first six months of this new boards seating is incredible, the talent walking out this door. Then comes the partisanship that has been seen in filling positions. The election commission, a five-member body in charge of hiring the new elections chief, interviewed Karen Wiseman for the position and she eventually became a finalist. The Fort Worth woman once sued Garcia over public records requests and has been closely associated with election fraud group Citizens for Election Integrity. Wisemans case against Garcia was closed the day interviews for his job began. While turnover is synonymous with new leadership, it could also be seen as a cause for concern as the county searches for a new person to fill the administrators job. If there is a perception that the county is just a political engine, it may make it harder for them to search for somebody who would take that kind of job, Rottinghaus said. What do commissioners want? Despite concerns of a partisan pick, commissioners who spoke with the Star-Telegram say they want someone who will keep politics out of the job. Commissioner Alisa Simmons wants someone with experience handling large budgets and someone who has handled an operation as large as county government. She prefers someone with governmental experience but is open to someone with private industry experience too. Commissioner Manny Ramirez is looking for someone with that same experience, and he wants someone with solid character integrity. Commissioner Roy Brooks is seeking someone who is calm, thorough, analytical, and who plays in the sandbox well with others. He also wants someone who doesnt get into politics and plays it straight down the middle. Commissioner Gary Fickes said he wants someone whos mature and has managed large groups. A representative for OHare did not respond to multiple emailed requests for comment. Simmons understands citizens concerns about there potentially being a partisan pick for the job, and said if she had concerns about the selection process she would be vocal about them. Well just have to see how it goes, Simmons said. For the most part, the court, we get along well. Ramirez said whoever comes in to replace Maenius has large shoes to fill. G.K. has managed, for decades, to operate in the middle of political environments without managing politically, Ramirez said. And I think that the next county administrator will need to be somebody whos able to navigate in a political environment, but someone whos not necessarily political. He knows its a special skill set, but Ramirez believes a person who is diplomatic and who can navigate the environment while focusing on the countys business processes is out there. The position itself should not be political, he said. Fickes said the pick may come down to the courts makeup, but they wont know for sure until the applications come in and the selection process starts. He anticipates having a large pool of candidates and described it like the box of chocolates quote from Forrest Gump the county doesnt know what its going to get. Fickes, Ramirez and OHare are the three Republicans on the court. Brooks and Simmons are the two Democrats. It takes three votes to make a decision. Fickes said he thinks everything will be in good shape if the county can get someone half as good as Maenius. Brooks said its too early to be concerned about hyperpartisanship and that constituents have to let the process play out and see how the votes fall. Were going to try to do this in a collegial manner, Brooks said. But at the end of the day, its about being able to count to three. And who knows who will be able to count to three. A major test of Tim OHare Picking a new administrator is sure to test upper levels of county leadership. This is a major test of Tim OHare, Jillson said. People are already concerned about him and skeptical about him in some of the early decisions hes made. But if it looks as if this county administrator job is being turned into a partisan enforcers job, that will change Tarrant County politics significantly. Jillson said if politics keep turning further right, it might create a whiplash effect in the opposite direction if Democrats regain control and they try to make up for what they believe was lost. In todays age, everything has become partisan, Riddlesperger said. Whoever the new administrator is, were going to see a kind of a level of partisan scrutiny applied to how that person handles the job that we havent seen in previous years, but not particularly because of anything that has changed in Tarrant County but rather because of what weve seen as the changing partisan atmosphere in Texas politics and nationally as well, Riddlesperger said. The appearance of partisanship makes it harder for constituents to trust the governments decision making, Rottinghaus said, and it makes it harder for decisions to happen quickly. But whats happening in Tarrant County politically is similar to what Rottinghaus has seen in Travis and Dallas counties. In Tarrant County though, instead of becoming more blue, it has turned brighter red. The political environment in Tarrant County could lead to more turnover in the county administrators position too. Rottinghaus said its unlikely the county will have another person serving in that position again for 35 consecutive years. Thats its own challenge, because the more that you have this turnover, the harder it is to get a new person in that role and have them be up to speed quickly, Rottinghaus said. So counties are constantly playing catch up in that sense. Jillson said whether nonpartisanship exists depends on if leaders foster and nurture a nonpartisan environment. The question then becomes whether or not leaders like OHare will be able to do it. The answer, I assume, in regard to Tim OHare is no he wont, Jillson said. Hikvision camera Chinese-made surveillance cameras are in British offices, high streets and even government buildings - and Panorama has investigated security flaws involving the two top brands. How easy is it to hack them and what does it mean for our security? In a darkened studio inside the BBC's Broadcasting House in London, a man sits at his laptop and enters his password. Thousands of miles away, a hacker is watching everything he types. Next, the BBC employee picks up his mobile phone and enters the passcode. The hacker now has that, too. A security flaw in the surveillance camera on the ceiling - manufactured by the Chinese firm Hikvision - means it's now vulnerable to attack. "I own that device now - I can do whatever I want with that," says the hacker. "I can disable it or I can use it to watch what's going on at the BBC." The flaw in the CCTV camera allows the "hackers" to watch everything the BBC employee types Thankfully for the man being watched, the hacker is working with the BBC. This is part of a series of experiments by Panorama to test the security of some Chinese-made surveillance cameras. Hikvision and Dahua are two of the world's leading manufacturers of surveillance cameras. Nobody knows how many of their units line the UK's streets. Some 35 UK local authorities use Dahua cameras, a Freedom of Information request found Last year, the privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch attempted to find out. Between August 2021 and January 2022, it submitted 4,510 Freedom of Information requests to public bodies across the UK. Of 1,289 that responded, 806 confirmed they used Hikvision or Dahua cameras - 227 councils and 15 police forces use Hikvision, and 35 councils use Dahua. Hikvision cameras are used to monitor many government buildings too - in a single afternoon in central London, Panorama found them outside the Department for International Trade, the Department of Health, the Health Security Agency, Defra and an Army reserve centre. Security experts fear the cameras have the potential to be used as a Trojan horse to play havoc with computer networks, which in turn could spark civil disruption. Prof Fraser Sampson, the UK's surveillance camera commissioner, warns the country's critical infrastructure - including power supplies, transport networks and access to fresh food and water - is vulnerable. "All those things rely very heavily on remote surveillance - so if you have an ability to interfere with that, you can create mayhem, cheaply and remotely," he says. Charles Parton of the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), a former diplomat who worked in Beijing, agrees: "We've all seen the Italian Job in our youth, where you bring the whole of Turin to a halt through the traffic light system. Well, that might have been fiction then, it wouldn't be now." Hikvision told Panorama it is an independent company and is not a threat to UK national security. "Hikvision has never conducted, nor will it conduct, any espionage-related activities for any government in the world," it said, adding that its "products are subject to strict security requirements and are compliant with the applicable laws and regulations in the UK, as well as any other country and region we operate in". Panorama worked with US-based IPVM, one of the world's leading authorities on surveillance technology, to test whether it was possible to hack a Hikvision camera. IPVM supplied the one that was installed in a BBC studio. Panorama could not run the camera on a BBC network for security reasons - so it was put on a test network where there is no firewall and little protection. The camera Panorama tested contains a vulnerability discovered in 2017. IPVM's director Conor Healy describes this as "a back door that Hikvision built into its own products." Hikvision says its devices were not deliberately programmed with this flaw and it points out that it released a firmware update to address it almost immediately after it was made aware of the issue. It adds that Panorama's test is not representative of devices that are operating today. But Conor Healy says more than 100,000 cameras online worldwide are still vulnerable to this issue. As Panorama's hacking experiment begins, Conor and IPVM's research engineer John Scanlan are sitting behind laptops in their Pennsylvania headquarters. The "hackers" prepare to carry out their experiment Hacking a computer system without permission is a criminal offence - so Panorama is not providing all of the details of how they do it. Healy and Scanlan start by locating the camera inside Broadcasting House, then go to work attacking its security. Then Healy times how long it takes to seize control of it. Just 11 seconds later, Scanlan announces: "We have access to that camera now." They can now see inside the studio - including the Panorama employee on his laptop. "If we zoom in tight on the keyboard, we can see clearly the keys that he's pressing to put his password in," Scanlan says. "This is akin to a locksmith giving you a key to your home and the secretly making a master key for all of the locks in that community that's effectively what Hikvision engineers did." BBC iPlayer Is China Watching You? From spy balloons to secret police stations and dissidents on the run, Panorama investigates China's global surveillance operation. We reveal new details about Beijing's fleet of spy balloons - and hack a Chinese-made security camera to show how similar devices that line our streets could be exploited. Watch on BBC One at 20:00 (20:30 in Wales) on Monday 26 June - and afterwards on BBC iPlayer (UK only) BBC iPlayer Hikvision says its "products do not have a 'backdoor'" and were not deliberately programmed with this flaw. It adds it believes that nearly all of the local authorities using their devices would have updated their cameras long before now. Next, the hackers begin their second test - accessing Dahua's cameras by infiltrating the software that controls them. Two test cameras have been set up in IPVM's headquarters. If the hackers are successful, they could take charge of an entire network of surveillance cameras. Soon they find the software vulnerability. "There we go, we're in," says Healy. Now they are inside the system, they can use a camera to eavesdrop. "What a lot of people don't realise about these cameras is that a large majority of them have microphones," Healy explains, and while users often switch these off, it's easy for hackers to switch them back on again - in effect, "wiretapping" the room. Dahua says when it was made aware of the vulnerability late last year it "immediately conducted a comprehensive investigation" and quickly fixed the problem through "firmware updates". The company also says it is not state-backed and that its equipment could not interfere with the UK's critical infrastructure. It adds: "These allegations are untrue and paint a highly misleading picture of Dahua Technology and its products." Prof Fraser Sampson says there are "serious and inherent risks" in the UK's CCTV network But experts say the UK needs to do more to protect itself from what Prof Sampson, the surveillance camera commissioner, describes as "digital asbestos". "We have a previous generation that has installed this equipment, largely on the basis that it was cheap and got the job done," he says. "We've now realised that it has some serious and inherent risks - so what do we about it?" Asked whether he trusts Hikvision and Dahua, he replies: "Not one bit." Tenants say a 3-year ban on evictions kept them housed. Landlords say they're drowning in debt People take part in a rally to end the eviction moratorium outside City Hall in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Some landlords have gone without rental income for more than three years after Oakland approved an eviction moratorium in March 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Retiree Pamela Haile has paid property taxes, insurance and other bills on a house she lets out in Oakland, but for more than three years her tenants have paid no rent thanks to one of the longest-lasting eviction bans in the country. The eviction moratorium in the San Francisco Bay Area city expires next month and Haile can't wait. The 69-year-old estimates she is owed more than $60,000 in back rent, money she doubts she will ever see. Moreover, the tenants have trashed her house and it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to make it habitable, she says. It's unbelievable and its like, how can they have the nerve to just let something like this happen? If this happened to them, how would they feel? Haile said of her tenants. "Dealing with this whole thing gets me so upset. Eviction moratoriums were put in place across the U.S. at the start of the pandemic in 2020 to prevent displacement and curb the spread of the coronavirus. Most expired long ago, but not in Oakland or neighboring San Francisco and Berkeley, all places where rents and rates of homelessness are high. While it's more common to see tenants converging on city halls in California to demand greater protections, in Oakland and surrounding Alameda County small-property landlords staged protests earlier this year demanding an end to the moratoriums. Many of the landlords were Black, like Haile, or Asian American, and they said the eviction bans had saddled them with debt and foreclosure worries while their tenants, who have jobs, live rent-free. They scolded elected leaders for allowing tenants to self-certify that their inability to pay was tied to the pandemic. Unlike large corporate landlords, these small-property owners said they didn't have the means to evict, and were eaten up by worry. There is nothing natural about being forced to house and have people live in your property for over three years and not pay, said Michelle Hailey, who is also Black and owns a triplex where both her tenants stopped paying. "There is nothing natural, ethical or even humane about that. Alameda County let its moratorium expire at the end of April. In Oakland it ends July 15. Tenants must start paying rent in August in most cases, but cannot be evicted for back rent if their financial hardship was caused by the pandemic. Moratorium backers called the bans a lifesaver that kept countless families housed and off the streets. They said low-income residents are still struggling from the pandemic and need protections from ruthless landlords. Nationwide, eviction filings have come roaring back since the bans ended to more than 50% higher than the pre-pandemic average in many cities, according to Princeton University's Eviction Lab, which tracks filings in three dozen cities and 10 states. In California's Alameda County, filings topped 500 in May, compared to 65 in April before the ban ended. That surpassed filings that averaged in the 300s before the pandemic in 2019. In Oakland, a city rich in Black history, some Black families who migrated from the South during World War II were able to purchase homes, despite redlining and other discriminatory practices by banks and government. But a recession and subprime mortgage crisis followed by rapidly rising home prices and gentrification pushed out many Black residents, and homelessness escalated. Carroll Fife, a Black city councilwoman and housing advocate, called for a housing overhaul that focuses on homes for people instead of profit for a few. She acknowledged that some people took advantage of the moratorium, but says most renters desperately needed the help. Hailey, the triplex owner, considers herself lucky because she was able to recoup some money through a rent-relief program. The tenants moved out, but she has a stack of bills and cant afford to renovate. She purchased the property in 1999 after earning big for writing some songs included on the first Destinys Child album. The artist figured the triplex would provide steady income as well as help fund her retirement. So this was my entire plan, and Ive just kind of watched it go up in smoke," said Hailey, 59. We've never had a situation where you would have government-sanctioned freedom to not pay your rent. Haile doesn't know why the family who rented the house her parents left her stopped paying rent in April 2020. The property management company said they couldn't ask because of the eviction ban. Reached by The Associated Press, the tenant, Martha Pinzon, said at the advice of a community nonprofit she stopped paying after she lost her hotel housekeeper job during the pandemic-triggered shutdown in March 2020. Even now, she can't afford the $1,875 monthly rent on her pay as a custodian at a homeless shelter. Pinzon's 19-year-old daughter, Brigitte Cortez, said the moratorium gave her mother "peace of mind during the pandemic. She said the property management company has for years ignored their requests for repairs. We've had a lot of troubles in this house since weve moved in, she said, adding that they are looking for a new place to live. Haile says the tenants never asked for repairs. John Williams, 62, hopes that three years of worry and stress are coming to an end. Williams, who is part of a lawsuit against Oakland and Alameda County over the bans, said his tenant stopped paying the $1,500 monthly rent when the pandemic started. She offered no explanation while operating a storage business out of the apartment and would not cooperate so he could get money from the citys rent-relief program, he said. As a Black man, Williams had experienced rental discrimination and he thought his Victorian duplex in West Oakland would be a way for him to retire and house others. He started renting to the mom with two kids in 2013. In late 2020, he tried to sell the house, but she refused to move, and the sale fell through. In late 2021, Williams was so stressed he was hospitalized, placed on disability and could not work. He was forced to move into the unit above his tenant. It no longer felt like his house. The tenant did not return messages from the AP left at a phone number for a business she operates. Williams supports the purposes of the eviction ban, but wishes the city had considered landlords like him. He was about to lose his home on May 1, but was saved by a state mortgage-relief program that started accepting applications this year from landlords who reside in their duplexes and triplexes. He plans to leave the city. "I don't want to be a home provider in Oakland," he said. This has been a really hard time. A federal district court judge in Tennessee dismissed a lawsuit from a group of transgender plaintiffs who sought to overturn a 1977 law and change the designated sex that appears on their birth certificates. U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee found that while there are multiple definitions for the word sex, the word has a very narrow and specific meaning when it comes to birth certificates. While the plaintiffs had argued gender identity should be the criteria used, Richardson maintained that the external genitalia at the time of birth determined a persons sex designation on the document. The ruling left the plaintiffs devastated. At a time where we are under attack, I am devastated to see that after years waiting for this decision, the court has refused to allow us the opportunity to prove our case, lead plaintiff Kayla Gore, 37, who lives in Memphis, said in a statement. Tennessees discriminatory birth certificate policy has not only gravely impacted my life, but also presents a roadblock for all transgender Tennesseans. We deserve recognition and dignity from the government just as much as every other Tennessean. Its hard to exist as a transgender person in Tennessee at this moment. To have the court join state officials to willfully not see us for who we are adds to that burden, plaintiff Jaime Combs, 54, who lives near Knoxville, said. All my life Ive been carrying an inaccurate birth certificate, complicating my life and making me feel not seen by my government. Today, my heart is saddened as the court has refused to address the harms imposed by Tennessees policy, but I will continue to fight against the discrimination that continues to be perpetuated by the state of Tennessee. Two additional plaintiffs who were identified only by their initials were also party to the suit. The four plaintiffs were represented by Lambda Legal, which filed the suit in 2019. We are very disappointed in yesterdays decision, which fails to acknowledge the incontrovertible truth that birth certificates are the quintessential identity document. Tennessees discriminatory birth certificate policy forces transgender Tennesseans to out themselves and to use an identity document inconsistent with who they are. This is wrong, Lambda Legal counsel and health care strategist Omar Gonzalez-Pagan said in a statement. As Tennessee continues to target transgender people for discrimination and opprobrium, we will continue to fight for their rights. We continue to evaluate what next steps we will take in this case. Tennessee allows some changes to the sex designation on a persons birth certificate, but specifically forbids making the change because of gender-affirming medical procedures. At the time the lawsuit was filed, Tennessee was one of only three states that did not allow a person to change their sex designation on their birth certificates, although Ohio and Kansas had their laws overturned in federal court. Joining Gonzalez-Pagan on the case from Lambda Legal were Senior Counsel Tara Borelli, and Senior Attorney and Director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project Sasha Buchert. They were joined by pro-bono co-counsel Gavin Villareal, Maddy Dwertman, and Brandt Roessler of Baker Botts LLP and John Winemiller of Merchant & Gould. Earlier this year, Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed into law an anti-gender-affirming care bill as well as a drag ban which was blocked that many local advocates said was rooted in transphobia. Tesla on Autopilot crashes into stopped truck in Pennsylvania -police FILE PHOTO: A view shows the Tesla logo on the hood of a car in Oslo By Hyunjoo Jin (Reuters) - A Tesla vehicle that was operating on its Autopilot software crashed into a stationary truck on a highway in Pennsylvania on Friday night, police said, adding to scrutiny of the automaker's driver assistance system. The Tesla was traveling in the middle lane when it struck the rear end of a Freightliner semi-truck that was parked in the same lane and providing traffic control for a right lane closure, the Pennsylvania State Police said on Monday. The police said the car lost control due to being on Autopilot, adding that the 18-year-old male driver was charged with "careless driving." No injuries were reported, according to police. Tesla, which does not have a public relations department, did not respond to a request for comment. U.S. regulators have been investigating a series of accidents where Tesla vehicles on Autopilot collided with parked emergency vehicles. In February, a Tesla Model S crashed into a stationary fire truck in Walnut Creek, California, killing the car's driver and triggering an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tesla says Autopilot enables a car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane, but those features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous. (Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Jamie Freed) Texas airport worker dies after being sucked into Delta plane engine A Delta Airbus A319 A 27-year-old airport employee has died after being sucked into a passenger plane engine in San Antonio, Texas. The worker was "ingested" into the engine of a Delta plane that had just landed on Friday night, officials say. The death sparked concerns about safety procedures, but an investigation was called off after a medical examiner ruled he took his own life. "There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport," officials ruled on Monday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had initially opened an investigation into the cause of death, but closed it on Monday after the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruling on cause of death. "From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifi's operational processes, safety procedures and policies," said Unifi Aviation, the ground crew operations company where the employee worked. A Delta spokesperson said the airline was "heartbroken" to grieve the loss of an "aviation family member's life". "Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time." Grief counselors are being offered for airport employees, officials told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. Where to get help From Canada or US: If you're in an emergency, please call 911 You can contact the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Test Line by texting HOME to 741741 Young people in need of help can call Kids Help Phone on 1-800-668-6868 If you are in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116123 For support and more information on emotional distress, click here. An aerial view of Groveton on March 20. Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune Texas will receive more than $3.3 billion in federal money the most of any state to help expand broadband availability statewide, the Biden administration announced Monday. The money will be distributed from the $42.45 billion in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program as part of President Joe Bidens 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds aim to connect more than 8.5 million households and small businesses nationwide and nearly 2.8 million of those households without broadband are in Texas. Each state received at least $107 million. Separately, the BEAD program includes more than $14 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which makes broadband service more affordable for eligible households nationwide (and can be applied for now), $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and $2 billion for the Department of Agricultures Reconnect Program that provides loans and grants to build broadband infrastructure in eligible rural areas. Texas and the other states can submit initial funding proposals from July 1 through Dec. 27. After the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approves proposals, which will occur on a rolling basis, states and territories will be able to access at least 20% of their funds. The Texas Broadband Development Office will allocate the funds, which will go to where the state and federal broadband maps indicate service is needed. However, service providers and local officials have disputed the accuracy of those maps. The Biden administration has compared its investment in broadband to the 1936 Rural Electrification Act, which offered low-cost loans to help bring electricity to rural areas. [Texas will spend billions to connect the state with broadband. But is it clear which neighborhoods need help?] Whether its connecting people to the digital economy, manufacturing fiber optic cable in America, or creating good paying jobs building internet infrastructure in the states, the investments were announcing will increase our competitiveness and spur economic growth across the country for years to come, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement Monday. The $3.3 billion federal allotment will boost investments made by Texas lawmakers during this years legislative session. House Bill 9, filed by State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, allocates $1.5 billion to expand internet availability in the state. Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB 9 into law this month, and Texans will vote on the final approval of the funds in November. The Legislature had the forethought to put up $1.5 billion this session toward further broadband deployment and to leverage the full potential of the federal funding set aside for the state, said A.J. Rodriguez, executive vice president of Texas 2036, a data-based think tank. This is one of many crucial down payments they made this session. It targets Texas rural communities and underserved pockets of our urban areas so that those Texans can fully participate in the 21st century digital economy. Ashby said the state has never been in a better position to increase connectivity, with billions of dollars in store to improve broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. Im very pleased the state of Texas stands to receive more federal grant funding for broadband deployment than any other state, Ashby told the Tribune. By awarding Texas with over $3.3 billion, the NTIA has reaffirmed our long-standing belief that there is an urgent need to deliver reliable high-speed internet to the people of Texas. In a statement released Monday, the Texas Cable Association applauded the funding announcement, saying the investment will play a big role in closing the states digital divide. We look forward to working with state leaders to ensure unserved and underserved communities are prioritized for connectivity and that strong guardrails are established to protect these investments from wasteful abuse, the association said in their statement. According to a statement, the Biden administration expects that all states and territories will now have the resources to connect everyone in the country by 2030. Disclosure: Texas 2036 and the Texas Cable Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Go behind the headlines with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23. Join them to get their take on whats next for Texas and the nation. Can Texas utilities turn off your electricity in a heat wave? Heres what you need to know Texas grid operator asked residents to conserve power last week as high temperatures and heat advisories gripped North Texas. In its seasonal assessment, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas concluded that the grid has enough generation capacity to avoid rolling blackouts between June and September under typical summer weather conditions. However, record-breaking peak electricity demand is anticipated this summer. When the power grid is incapable of keeping up with demand, rolling blackouts are used as an emergency measure. Texans may be all too familiar with this measure used during the 2021 winter storm. Are there protections in place against rolling blackouts? The Public Utility Commission of Texas, which oversees ERCOT, has protections in place for areas impacted by extreme weather. According to the PUCTs rules, an electric utility cannot disconnect a customer anywhere in its service territory during extreme weather. This rule applies when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory for any county in the electric utilitys service territory or when an advisory is issued on any one of the preceding two calendar days. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday. Highs are expected in the lower to mid 100s with lows in the 80s Monday night. In extreme cold weather, the rule applies when the previous days highest temperature did not exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the weather service forecasts temperatures to remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours. Pyongyang people take part in a demonstration after a mass rally to mark what North Korea calls "the day of struggle against U.S. imperialism" at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea Sunday, June 25, 2023. The signs read "Let us make the U.S. imperialists pay dearly for the blood shed by Korean nation!," "The U.S. is the chieftain of war and massacre," "merciless annihilation," "The U.S is the destroyer of peace," "chieftain of aggression," "blood to blood" and "nuclear war maniac." (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Tens of thousands of North Koreans marched in anti-U.S. rallies over the weekend, pledging merciless revenge against U.S. imperialists, as the country marked the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War, state media said Monday. More than 120,000 people participated in Sundays mass rallies in the nations capital, North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said. While the 1950-53 conflict was triggered by a North Korean surprise attack, the demonstrators mobilized in Pyongyang promoted their governments version of events and accused the United States of provoking the war and leaving Koreans with wounds ... that can never be healed. Meanwhile in South Korea, a North Korean defector-turned-activist said he flew balloons carrying some 200,000 anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and COVID-19 medical supplies across the border Sunday night, continuing his yearslong campaigns that have often triggered angry responses from the North. Photos sent by Park Sang-hak showed a placard with a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a message that highlighted how his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, was responsible for starting the Korean War. The North has not commented on Parks latest ballooning stint. North Korea is extremely sensitive about any outside attempt to undermine Kims leadership and weaken his absolute control over the countrys 26 million people. At the rallies Sunday, North Koreans also expressed pride in Kims expanding nuclear weapons and missile programs, insisting their country now has the strongest absolute weapon to punish the U.S. imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dare provoke. Photos published by the Norths Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed a stadium packed with likely tens of thousands of people in COVID-19 masks, raising their fists in the air and holding signs that read: Lets eradicate U.S. imperialist invaders and The entire U.S. mainland is within our striking range. The rallies came amid heightened tensions in the region, as the pace of North Korean weapons demonstrations and the United States joint military exercises with South Korea have both intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat. In their latest telephone discussion over North Korea, the U.S. and South Korean nuclear envoys accused Pyongyang of distorting history by repeating old claims that the United States caused the Korean War, South Koreas Foreign Ministry said. The South Korean official, Kim Gunn, and President Joe Biden's special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, also noted how Pyongyang in likewise manner was blaming Washington and its Asian allies for recent tensions triggered by its intensified weapons tests and verbal threats of nuclear conflict. They vowed tighter diplomatic and security cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo to cope with the threat, the South Korean ministry said. Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles of various ranges as Kim attempts to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. mainland and South Korea. The North is also speeding up efforts to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit, following a failed first attempt in May. There are signs that North Korea is planning a huge military parade in Pyongyang where it would likely showcase its new military hardware. Recent commercial satellite images have shown troop and vehicle movements and the building of structures suggestive of preparations for a parade, likely for the July 27 anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement. Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South's military was closely analyzing the North's presumed parade preparations but did not provide specific details. At a military parade in February, Kim and his daughter took center stage and his military rolled out what appeared to be a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which was likely the same system the country flight-tested for the first time in April. If perfected, the weapon would give Kim a more mobile and harder-to-detect weapon to target the continental United States. At least three people died and thousands remained without power after severe storms ripped through multiple states Sunday. A severe storm system with multiple tornadoes hit Martin County, Ind., Sunday evening, killing one person after a tornado struck a home, Fox 59 reported. The outlet said authorities confirmed the death and an additional injury at the home, which was located in an area where multiple trees were downed due to severe winds. The outlet also reported a tornado touched down Sunday afternoon in Johnson County, which is south of Indianapolis, damaging 75 homes. Johnson County officials instituted a curfew in place from 9 p.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday, so they could assess the damage. The National Weather Service of Indianapolis issued a series of warnings in the area Sunday evening, advising residents of severe storms that could bring tornadoes, high winds and large hail. The weather service said Monday they will conduct damage surveys of the impacted areas in Indiana. Storms are intensifying over Indiana. These storms may become severe quickly as they move east. Review your safety plan before a warning is issued. Be ready to take action if necessary, the National Weather Service of Indianapolis tweeted Sunday. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) said in a statement that the states Department of Homeland Security will also be assessing the damage. Our thoughts and hearts go out to those impacted by yesterdays tornadoes, he wrote. Today the Indiana Department of Homeland Security will have staff on the ground assessing the damage to help local jurisdictions determine their rebuilding and recovery needs. THV11 Digital reported two people were killed and another was injured Sunday night in Carlisle, Ark., after a tree fell on their home. According to the outlet, there were reported winds of at least 60 mph and severe lightning in the area, leaving thousands without power across the state. According to poweroutage.us, more than 95,000 residents in Arkansas remain without power. Severe storms also prompted power outages in Michigan and Tennessee, leaving more than 68,000 without power in Michigan and more than 100,000 without power in Tennessee. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. [Source] Amid heightened scrutiny by U.S. officials over national security fears, TikTok on Thursday confirmed that it stores some of its U.S. users data in China. What TikTok said previously: In his testimony at a House hearing in March, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew stated that American data has always been stored in Virginia and Singapore and that American data is stored on American soil by an American company overseen by American personnel. However, he also said We rely on global interoperability, and we have employees in China, so yes, the Chinese engineers do have access to global data. What brought the revelation: Weeks after Chews House testimony, a Forbes investigation discovered that TikTok stored highly sensitive financial and personal information of its biggest American and European stars on Chinese servers. More from NextShark: Simu Liu gushes over meeting Brad Pitt: 'the greatest moment of my life' This prompted U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to demand answers. In a letter to Chew, the senators wrote, We are disturbed by TikToks pattern of misleading or inaccurate responses regarding serious matters related to users safety and national security. They requested that TikTok correct and explain its previous, incorrect claims. What TikTok is saying now: In its response to the senators, TikTok pointed out the difference between U.S. user data collected by the TikTok app and information that creators provide to TikTok so they can be paid for their content. The company confirmed that the former are stored in the U.S. and Singapore but did not specify where the latter are stored. Citing internal sources, Forbes reports that personal and financial information of such creators have been stored in China. Those allegedly include tax IDs and social security numbers. More from NextShark: Over 400 Asian New Yorkers Sign a Letter Against Andrew Yang's Mayoral Bid The bigger picture: The concerns over TikToks data collection practices are rooted in fears of the Chinese Communist Partys supposed ability to demand user information on a whim. Under Chinas national intelligence law, any company may be forced to spy on its customers at the request of local authorities. Last year, a BuzzFeed investigation found that U.S. user data had been repeatedly accessed from China, with one Beijing engineer being cited as a Master Admin who has access to everything. And in a wrongful termination suit filed last month, a former executive at ByteDance TikToks Beijing-based parent company accused the CCP of having supreme access to all of TikToks data, including those stored in the U.S. More from NextShark: Japanese Scientists Discover Way to Help Regrow Teeth What China has said: A day after Chews House testimony, Chinas Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing has never and will not demand information from TikTok about its U.S. users. It stressed that the U.S. government has provided no evidence of TikToks supposed threat to national security and only repeatedly makes presumptions of guilt and unjustifiably oppresses the company. More from NextShark: Good Samaritan Donates 500 Face Masks to Police in Wuhan, Then Speeds Away The world watched in shock this weekend as Russian President Vladimir Putin faced the greatest threat to his leadership since he assumed the role more than 20 years ago as Wagner mercenary forces mutinied and looked to storm Moscow. But just as quickly as the situation escalated, the threat against Moscow appeared to evaporate after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his men to stop their march and instead reportedly head for Belarus following an obscure deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin resurfaced for the first time since the agreement was reached Saturday in a Monday audio message posted to his Telegram, though his location remains unclear. Heres how the events unfolded: Tensions erupted Friday after Prigozhin released a video on Telegram that directly contradicted Russian President Vladimir Putins justification for his illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The mercenary leader not only said there was no threat from Ukraine against Russia, but that Kyiv had no plans to join the NATO alliance to take up arms against Moscow. He also claimed this misinformation was down to lies supplied by the Ministry of Defense to deceive Putin and Russian society. The Wagner leader posted a series of clips in which he also accused the Russian defense ministry of firing a rocket strike upon Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Prigozhin called for the ousting of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, and said his troops would punish them for their actions. Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group stand guard in a street near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. By early Saturday Prigozhin said his forces had crossed the Ukraine-Russia border and had taken control of the military headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. Images and videos surfaced showing Wagner mercenaries, tanks and vehicles in the city that it apparently took without a fight from Russian citizens or forces. The city was a significant take for Prigozhin as it is not only the largest city in southern Russia but also the headquarters of the Russian southern military district command, whose 58th Combined Arms Army is fighting in southern Ukraine. Members of Wagner group inspect a car in a street of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2023 said an armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a "stab in the back" and that the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had betrayed Russia, as he vowed to punish the dissidents. Prigozhin said his fighters control key military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. As many as 25,000 Wagner mercenaries were alleged to have followed Prigozhin into Russia to not only take the southern city but to push north towards the Voronezh region on their eventual way to Moscow. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) responded by launching a criminal investigation against Prigozhin and accused him of launching what amounted to a mutiny. In a statement the FSB called Prigozhins actions a "stab in the back" to all Russian soldiers and urged Wagner troops "not to make irreparable mistakes, to stop any forceful actions against the Russian people, not to carry out the criminal and treacherous orders of Prigozhin, and to take measures to detain him." Prigozhin insisted his rebellion was not "a military coup" but a "march of justice." By 10 a.m. Putin gave a televised address calling Prigozhins actions an "armed mutiny" and a "knife in the back of our country and our people," though he never named Prigozhin directly. "Inflated ambitions and personal interests have led to treason treason against our country, our people and the common cause which Wagner Group soldiers and commanders were fighting and dying for shoulder to shoulder, together with our other units and troops," he said. "Their memory and glory have also been betrayed by those who are attempting to stage a revolt and are pushing the country towards anarchy and fratricide and ultimately, towards defeat and surrender." Reports began to surface that Wagner forces had entered the Voronezh region and shortly after 11:40, and the governor of the region, Aleksandr Gusev, took to Telegram to say that Russian forces were "conducting necessary operational and combat activities" in a "counterterrorism operation," reported the Kyiv Independent. Chechen leader and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov said that Chechen forces had been sent to the "conflict zones" in Russia. Reporting later suggested some 3,000 Chechen forces in Ukraine had been dispatched to Russia. Armored vehicles are seen as the traffic density occurred where security measures taken along the M4 highway to Moscow amid escalating tensions between the Kremlin and the head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, in Moscow, Russia on June 24, 2023. Prigozhin responded to Putins address in a video message posted to his Telegram and said his Wagner forces would not back down "because we don't want the country to continue living in corruption, deceit, and bureaucracy." Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin urged residents to stay indoors and declared Monday a day off work as the Russian National Guard worked to defend the city from a possible attack. A machine gun position was set up by Russian soldiers on the southwest edge of Moscow as armed police gathered south of the city on the M4 highway, which was being used by Wagner mercenaries to advance. The U.S. and its NATO allies said they were closely monitoring the situation. By 1:30 p.m., Putin's office announced he had held phone conversations with the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan regarding the "situation" in Russia. Around 4 p.m., reports began to surface alleging that Russian military helicopters had opened fire on a convoy of Wagner mercenaries that were reportedly more than halfway towards Moscow. Russian news outlet Tass reported that Wagner forces were offered amnesty if they laid down their weapons, though the report has since been taken down. By 4 p.m., Lukashenko claimed he brokered a deal between Putin and Prigozhin as Wagner forces were reported to have reached an area known as Yelets, roughly 250 miles south of Moscow. Around 8:30 p.m. Moscow time, Prigozhin released an audio message through his press services Telegram account that said that he had decided to end the mutiny and turn his troops around to avoid more bloodshed. "They wanted to disband the Wagner military company. We embarked on a march of justice on June 23. In 24-hours we got to within 200 km [125 miles] of Moscow. In this time we did not spill a single drop of our fighters' blood," he said according to a translation by Reuters. "Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Understanding responsibility [for the chance] that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned." Prigozhin and his Wagner forces that joined in the rebellion have allegedly been offered safe heaven in Belarus, though the terms of the agreement remain unclear. Remaining Wagner forces in Ukraine that did not join the mutiny will be absorbed in Russia's military. Reuters contributed to this report. Two girls walk down a school hallway The US Supreme Court has left in place a lower court decision ruling that a North Carolina school cannot require its female students to wear skirts. A US federal court found last year that the school had violated the constitutional rights of its female pupils with its uniform rules. The Charter Day school, in the city of Leland, appealed against the ruling all the way to the country's top court. The justices declined without comment to hear the appeal. The school's dress code has already been changed to allow girls to wear trousers. According to court documents, Baker Mitchell, the school's founder, had argued the skirts were intended to maintain "chivalry", describing the word as "a code of conduct where women are regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honour". He added that the policy would ensure female students were treated "courteously and more gently than boys". But a group of parents challenged the policy, saying it put their daughters at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, finding in June 2022 that the dress code violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which prevents arbitrarily discriminatory laws from being enacted. Writing the majority opinion, Senior Circuit Judge Barbara Milano Keenan said Charter Day's dress code could perpetuate "stereotypes with potentially devastating consequences for young girls". Funded by taxpayers but independently managed, charter schools make up a small fraction of the US school system. Donald Trump; Nikki Haley; Mike PencePhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images Historically, talk of mental health in the public forum has been suppressed. Not anymore. For a topic society has long encouraged people to open up about while simultaneously subduing it mental health is now being contorted by conservative politicians into a polarizing touchpoint. To see how this is playing out in a progress-detracting manner for the state of the mental health movement, look no further than the sardine-packed 2024 Republican presidential primary. Mental illness has been politically weaponized. Following the political uprising over COVID-19 vaccines, however, who's surprised? Speaking from the stage of the 2023 National Rifle Association (NRA) convention, the now broken-up White House hopefuls Donald Trump and Mike Pence made their point clear: Mass shootings are a mental health problem, not a gun problem. This display of stigmatization is most commonly seen following tragic events, like the unparalleled number of mass shootings we've endured. It is an unrelated tool of distraction. Experts have said that not only are most people with mental illness not violent, but they are also far more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators. The medicalization of political subjects is an intersection Dr. Danielle Carr of UCLA grapples with in declaring that mental health is indeed, political. The NRA, in particular, has become a continuously open spigot of blaming mental health, which has had quite effective implications on our mental health system, said Dr. Yanos, a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of "Written Off: Mental Health Stigma and the Loss of Human Potential." The NRA's anti-mental health rhetoric, part of their routine finger-pointing exercise, has coincided with increased institutional funding for the removal of individuals with mental health conditions from society. Related Worse than Trumpism: Ron DeSantis flips conservative ideology to make it more dangerous This response, blaming mental health, is a common one, according to Dr. Naomi Torres-Mackie, a clinical psychologist at Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital. Given the complexity of mental health, it is often not understood. "We're emotional beings and things that we don't understand, we fear," Dr. Torres-Mackie explained. "We're definitely talking on a broader scale about mental health more frequently, but quantity doesn't always equal quality." Pence and Trump are not alone. Suicides are known to be soaring among teen girls, a sober reality that GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley baselessly blames on their peer transgender athletes. The former South Carolina governor spewed this factually incorrect and dehumanizing language at a recent CNN town hall. Asked to define "woke," which the right has repeatedly demonized, Haley stammered this response:"How are we supposed to get our girls used to the fact that biological boys are in their locker room? And then they wonder why a third of our teenage girls seriously contemplated suicide last year." Erasing "mental health" in the promotion of resiliency is not only creating more stigma and shame around mental health, Dr. Torres-Mackie said, but it is elevating toxic positivity. Such examples of the GOP's congregation of candidates stigmatizing mental health are not scarce. While comments like Haley's, Pence's, and Trump's may seem like just talking points, they're erasing the result of decades spent destigmatizing mental illness. When these not-so-micro-aggressions from candidates are compiled, the picture is clear: the GOP presidential primary has succumbed to a harmful reckoning with mental health at the expense of vulnerable and marginalized communities. These comments that are made on public platforms by top political contenders can be interpreted as an indication of one's own value, with the potential to devalue and make people feel unworthy, Dr. Torres-Mackie said. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. So, what could this all mean for the landscape of mental health if a GOP candidate secures the White House next year? Well, there's a blueprint of sorts already on tap in Florida. Trump-contending Governor Ron DeSantis's wife, Casey DeSantis, recently announced a mental health campaign in Florida schools. Amidst the onslaught of other stigmatizing interventions Florida schools are enduring, First Lady DeSantis's campaign is "rejecting the term mental health and replacing it with resiliency," despite the widely accepted cultural abandonment of using the racially trope-heavy word "resilience." Erasing "mental health" in the promotion of resiliency is not only creating more stigma and shame around mental health, Dr. Torres-Mackie said, but it is elevating toxic positivity. This approach embodies the dangers of backtracking to a time when children were encouraged to not talk about hardship and pain. If Pence's governorship of Indiana from 2013-2017 is any indicator of a potential mental health landscape under a GOP candidate, we could see an effort to return to an institutionalized approach, the likes of the 1960s abandoned approach. Governor Pence's increasing number of speeches often raise this point of institutionalized mental health care, something he spearheaded with the 2019 debut of the NeuroDiagnostic Institute, a psychiatric hospital in Indianapolis. "The desire to remove people from society who we don't quite understand and don't know how to help, that's a fear-based response," Dr. Torres-Mackie said. In agreement, Dr. Yanos considers calls for institutionalized mental health care as a distraction, not an answer, one that has people saying "yeah, yeah, yeah" despite it being a reality that addresses no one's serious needs even if it was feasible on a policy level. Related Why the right is so terrified of "woke": There are truths it just can't face And it isn't just conservatives advocating for this approach either. Eric Adams, the Democratic Mayor of New York City, recently debut a mental health response plan that was widely viewed as an institutionalized and flawed approach. The targeting of mental health as a scapegoat at the highest levels of political power has a trickle-down effect on individuals. For someone with no pre-existing mental health conditions, public blaming can invoke the onset of a mental health condition, Dr. Torres-Mackie said. Furthermore, this public display not only furthers the stigma while acting as a barrier between individuals and treatment but it also simultaneously prevents further funding for structural mental health change. The more our political leaders target mental health as a justification, the more the entire system of mental health is harmed, devalued, and further stigmatized. Instead, mental health must be talked about as something everyone experiences. The answer here seems simple; if people become fearful of mental illnesses as a result of not understanding them, then just up the awareness and education of mental health. This, unfortunately, is incredibly easier said than done as this is one of the many places where the stigma serves as a barrier. Read more about this topic Your next roadtrip could be downloaded straight into your car. If youve ever planned an off-roading excursion, you may have consulted trail guides, travel websites, and enthusiast forums to map out a path. The problem is, paper guides are most certainly out of date even by the time they go to print, and some sites may not be updated. In the last decade, apps like Trails Offroad have come to the rescue with community-driven input to keep the trail maps current. Using that app, Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts can download trail maps onto portable tablets, which they then mount somewhere in the cabin. Then they follow the carefully curated instructions. Jeep took that a step further with its new Adventure Guides, which is a feature that lets Wrangler owners download and follow those trail maps right on the dashboard itself with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, now standard across the board in all vehicles. Lets take a look at how this works for off-roading enthusiasts. Digital adventuring Adventure Guides incorporates the information from Trails Offroad, which Jeep senior brand manager Brandon Girmus says is the best source for off-roading information. Trails are rated from one to 10, with one being the least difficult and 10 being the most. There are also notes available in-app that includes concerns drivers might encounter, like chance of pinstriping, which means your vehicles paint job will likely be altered by the scraping of branches and foliage surrounding the trail. Some guides also include history about that particular trail and the surrounding area. 2024 Jeep Wrangler features all-new 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen radio with available GPS Trails Log, allowing customers to input waypoints and save personal trail routes. Jeep Altogether, Adventure Guides includes 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails like the Rubicon Trail in California, Hells Revenge in Utah, and Jericho Mountain in New Hampshire. A $39.99 premium subscription is also available to unlock Trails Offroads full catalog of 3,000-plus trail guides. Whenever we touch Wrangler, we go to our enthusiasts and customers and find out what they want, Girmus told PopSci. Plus, we observe at places like Easter Jeep Safari and we noticed a lot of Jeep drivers using tablets. We reach out to Jeep owners all the time, and one of the things they said they wanted more of is help planning and mapping off-road trails. The guides are downloadable into the vehicles head unit, or infotainment system, making it accessible even if the Wrangler is out of cell phone range. Trail guidance even for newbies For someone new to the Wrangler ownership experience, routing an off-roading plan can be a little daunting. How to pick a trail, how challenging they want the trail to be, and how long it is are all key factors in determining what is going to work best. And no one wants to go blindly into a situation where theyll get stuck or find themselves in a dangerous spot. Trails Offroad offers detailed trail guides for the 62 Jeep "Badge of Honor" trails. Jeep Girmus says the new touchscreen isnt about winning the size race. Stellantis, Jeeps parent company, is well known for its UConnect infotainment system. Additionally, they are standardizing the 12.3-inch screen with digital trail guides specifically for Wrangler drivers. This is technology with a purpose, Girmus asserts. We didnt put a larger screen into Wrangler just because we wanted a larger screen. Everything we touch and do to the Wrangler goes back to its purpose and mission, which is first and foremost to be the ultimate off-road machine. To prep the car itself for the unpredictable terrains of off-roading, in 2024, Jeep is offering a variety of trim levels for its gas-only and plug-in hybrid 4xe models. As a testament that off-roading can be environmentally friendly, but still enjoyable, the Wrangler 4xe in particular has been wildly successful for the brand; it was America's best-selling plug-in hybrid in 2022. Offering 21 miles of all-electric range, the Jeep 4xe makes for a quiet ride in the wilderness, as opposed to the loud 392. For prospective buyers, entry-level Wranglers start at $33,690 (powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four engine) and goes up to nearly $90K for the Wrangler 392, which includes a roaring 6.3-liter V8. And theres a variant for just about every preference in-between. No matter what youre looking for in a ride, Jeeps trail digitization beckons for adventure. A year of trauma and terror: Democrats issue calls to action as US marks Roe reversal Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough/AP As the US on Saturday marked one year since the countrys supreme court overturned Roe v Wade, abortion rights supporters and politicians issued a call to action and prepared for reproductive health to be a flashpoint of the 2024 presidential election. The supreme courts decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health reversed the landmark 1973 decision that had enshrined a federal right to abortion. In the wake of its overturning, more than one dozen states have green-lighted abortion bans, and many others have passed laws dramatically restricting access to the procedure. States have imposed extreme and dangerous abortion bans that put the health and lives of women in jeopardy, force women to travel hundreds of miles for care, and threaten to criminalize doctors for providing the health care that their patients need and that they are trained to provide, Joe Biden said in a statement. The president added: Yet state bans are just the beginning. Congressional Republicans want to ban abortion nationwide, but go beyond that, by taking FDA-approved medication for terminating a pregnancy off the market and [to] make it harder to obtain contraception. Their agenda is extreme, dangerous, and out-of-step with the vast majority of Americans. My administration will continue to protect access to reproductive health care and call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v Wade in federal law once and for all. During a powerful speech in North Carolina on Saturday, Vice-President Kamala Harris called for the restoration of abortion rights across the US, saying, Extremist Republicans in Congress have proposed to ban abortion nationwide. But I have news for them. Were not having that. Were not standing for that. We wont let that happen. And by the way, the majority of Americans are with us. The majority of Americans, I do believe, agree that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body. The United States Congress must put back in place what the supreme court took away. On Twitter, Texass Democratic Congress member Jasmine Crockett described the period post-Dobbs as a year of trauma & terror for women across the country, especially in states like Texas where Roe was our last line of defense. My district is 40% Black and majority women. Its the people I represent that are hurt by life-saving medical care the most, she wrote. North Texas has the highest rate of hospitalization due to pregnancy complications in the entire state. For all their talk about protecting babies, let me ask you this: What happens to the already born children of a mother who dies from pregnancy complications because she cant get the treatment she needs during an ectopic pregnancy? Whos protecting them? The US House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, decried rightwing extremists on the supreme court for shamefully reversing the decades-long precedent. Maga Republicans in Congress want to impose a nationwide ban on abortion care, the New York Democrat warned, referring to the Donald Trump presidencys Make American Great Again slogan. House Dems are working hard to stop these extremists and restore reproductive freedom. As many issued calls to action, some took steps to protect abortion rights. Arizonas Democratic governor Katie Hobbs on Friday signed an executive order to better protect abortion rights across the south-western state. The executive order makes central all abortion-related prosecutions under Arizonas attorney general so that local prosecutors dont limit access to abortions. Hobbss executive order also directs state agencies not to aid in any investigations relating to providing, assisting, seeking or obtaining reproductive health care that would be legal in Arizona. Hobbss order also calls on Arizona to refuse extradition requests from other states that want to prosecute persons seeking or providing legal abortion services in Arizona. Amid Democrats calls for the restoration of abortion rights, a group of influential reproductive rights organizations including Planned Parenthood endorsed Biden and Harris in the 2024 presidential election. A statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, head of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said: Abortion is healthcare. We need leaders who are committed to protecting our freedoms, not taking them away. While the upcoming presidential election is unlikely to be a landslide for either party victories and losses in recent elections have been decided with thin margins most American voters disagree with Roes reversal. In an NBC News poll published Friday, 61% of voters said they disagreed with the courts decision in Dobbs. Sixty-seven percent of women disapproved of the ruling. Despite the fact that Roes reversal appears to have little popular support, anti-abortion leaders are describing the decision as a first step. We are at the starting line, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America. We have just begun. We have just begun a journey to start saving lives. Protests opposing the Dobbs decision are expected across the US throughout the weekend. Pamela Van Sant remembered Treat Williams on what would have been their 35th wedding anniversary. The "Everwood" actor died nearly two weeks ago following a vehicular accident in Dorset, Vermont, according to police. He was 71. Van Sant shared a series of memories from their 1988 nuptials with her social media followers Sunday. "Happy anniversary honey," she wrote on Instagram. "35 years." TREAT WILLIAMS, BLUE BLOODS ACTOR, DEAD AT 71 FOLLOWING VEHICULAR COLLISION IN VERMONT Treat Williams wife, Pam Van Sant, honored her 35th wedding anniversary with her late husband on Sunday. Williams wore a white jacket with a black bow tie to marry Van Sant, who was dressed in an ethereal white bridal gown complete with a flowing veil and headpiece. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP TREAT WILLIAMS' DAUGHTER SPEAKS OUT AFTER ACTOR'S FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH: A PAIN IVE NEVER FELT' She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around Williams in a Christmas photo. Pam also shared a photo from their "first anniversary on location in Bali," with the couple dressed in traditional Balinese wedding attire. She also posted a snap with Treat wrapping his arms around her while snow fell to the ground in a picturesque winter wonderland scene. Authorities confirmed Williams' death in a statement two weeks ago. Williams was driving along Morse Hill Road at approximately 4:53 p.m. when his motorcycle was unable to avoid a Honda SUV and the two vehicles collided. TREAT WILLIAMS' HOLLYWOOD LEGACY: CO-STARS AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO ACTOR'S LIFE AND CAREER "The Vermont State Police is investigating a crash between an SUV and a motorcycle Monday afternoon, June 12, 2023, in Dorset in which the operator of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries," the statement read. "The motorcyclist is identified as Richard Treat Williams, 71, of Manchester Center, Vermont." Officials added, "Initial investigation indicates the Element stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams." Williams was unable to avoid the oncoming vehicle and was thrown from his motorcycle, suffering critical injuries, according to police. He was then airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The other driver was checked by medical personnel at the scene for minor injuries but was not transported to a hospital. Pam and Treat cuddled up in the chilly winter weather. "The investigation into this crash is in its early stages. A member of the Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was on scene Monday evening, and team members will return to the location of the collision Tuesday, June 13, to continue processing the scene," the Vermont State Police said. The actor's lengthy film and television career began in 1975 with his movie debut in "Deadly Hero." His decades-long career included roles in 2007's "Heartland" television series and "Chesapeake Shores" in 2016-2022, and films including "127 Hours," "The Congressman," and "12 Mighty Orphans." He most recently starred as Lenny Ross on the popular cop drama, "Blue Bloods." Fox News Digital's Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. Trial for man accused of killing Daytona Beach police officer being moved to Clay County The trial for a man accused of killing a Daytona Beach police officer in 2021 has been moved to Northeast Florida. On Friday, Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano issued an order granting the motion filed by the defense team of Othal Wallace, 31. Wallace is accused of killing Officer Jason Raynor in June of 2021 while he was responding to a suspicious incident near Kingston Avenue in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach police Officer Jason Raynor was honored on Thursday during a special wreath-laying ceremony. Wallace was found hiding in a treehouse in Georgia. Investigators said he was arrested in a rural area of DeKalb County, Georgia, three days after he allegedly shot Raynor in the head. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Raynor died of his injuries two months later, in August 2021. Zambrano said in addition to Clay County, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, and Lee counties were also considered by the court. Some of the factors that were considered when selecting the venue included community, demographics, countys willingness to host the trial, Zambranos order said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In the initial change of venue motion filed in April, Wallaces Terry Shoemaker said, The effect of the initial spate of publicity to the case was not lost on the citizens of Volusia County. The impact of this ongoing and intense media coverage has created a general atmosphere and state of mind in the Volusia County community against Othal Wallace. In a response motion filed by the State Attorneys Office days later, they said, Defendant has presented no evidence to this Court that he cannot obtain a fair and impartial jury in Volusia County and has therefore failed to meet his burden. Zambranos order said the case shall begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. at the Clay County Courthouse in Green Cove Springs. 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. Joshua Askins during his bail hearing at the Oklahoma County Courthouse, in Oklahoma City, Okla. on May 30, 2023. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times) OKLAHOMA CITY Josh Askins woke up in the crawl space of an abandoned house with nausea, chills and a shooting pain in his legs. It had been seven hours since he last smoked fentanyl, and already he could feel his withdrawal symptoms worsening by the minute. He rolled over in his sleeping bag and stared at the graffiti he had carved into the rotting floorboards. Fentanyl is HELL, he had written a few weeks earlier, but now he got up to start looking for more. He walked across the street and saw his friend Chris Drake sitting on his grandmothers front porch in downtown Oklahoma City, watching the sunrise with a Budweiser in one hand and a Bible in the other. Drake, 47, was reading the book for the sixth time, and he and Askins, 42, had bonded during the past weeks over their shared faith and also their shared failings. They had called a rehab facility that took Medicaid and made plans to detox there together with the help of medication, but their check-in date was still days away. Im hurting really bad, Askins said that morning in late April. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Do you think you can get us a little something? Drake asked him, according to court records. I can always get us something, Askins said. They got into Drakes car at about 5:30 a.m. and went to search for the drug that had rewired their bodies, their minds and also so much else about the United States, where in 2023 fentanyl and other synthetic opioids lead to an average of 3,400 emergency room visits and 190 fatal overdoses each day. What was once an obscure drug used to treat pain in end-stage cancer patients has become the leading cause of death for Americans younger than 50, and now the debate in state capitols and courtrooms across the country is over how to stop the crisis and whom to hold accountable for it. Askins and Drake had sometimes played their own version of what they called the addicts blame game during their conversations on the porch. Together, they cursed the doctors who first prescribed them opioids to treat their injuries; and the drug companies that knowingly flooded the market with addictive products; and the cartels that manufactured and shipped millions of doses from Mexico into Oklahoma; and the street dealers who cut fentanyl into other drugs to get more people hooked; and the realities of life on Americas margins that kept them going back to those dealers to dull their pain, loneliness and disappointment again and again. They drove to a Red Roof Inn and then to another extended-stay motel near the airport, where, according to police reports, Askins met with a dealer who had sold him fentanyl before. Drake took out his wallet and handed cash to Askins, and Askins paid $30 for three-tenths of a gram of white fentanyl powder that looked like a pinch of sugar in a small plastic bag. They parked at a car wash, and Drake put the white powder onto a piece of tinfoil, cooked it with a lighter and inhaled the fumes. He took two hits and Askins took one. Askins passed out for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes, he saw Drake slumped over and falling out of the passenger seat. Put on your seat belt so you stay upright, Askins later remembered saying, but Drake didnt answer. Hey, man, you all right?, Askins asked. He shook his friend and tried to slap him back to consciousness, but his body was limp and his lips were turning blue. Askins had overdosed a few times in the past year, and after one of those episodes, a paramedic warned him that without medical intervention, some overdoses could become fatal within five minutes or less. Askins pulled up to a gas station and banged on the door. Help! he shouted to the clerk. My friends overdosing. Call 911. He had learned CPR while working as a medical assistant in a nursing home, so he pulled Drake out of the car, laid him on the concrete, and performed chest compressions until a firetruck and two police officers arrived. The paramedics continued to work on Drake while Askins waited in a police car. An officer read him his Miranda rights and asked about the events of that morning, none of which are under dispute in the police officers sworn affidavit from the scene. It was Drake who first suggested they buy drugs. It was Drake who had enough money for fentanyl. It was Drake who wanted to get high and willingly took the first hit. But now the police officer told Askins that Drake had been pronounced dead, and the state of Oklahoma had reached its initial decision about who was to blame for the latest fatality in a national epidemic. Josh Askins, youre under arrest for murder in the first degree, the officer said. Justin Mai, 31, checked his mailbox in the Oklahoma County Public Defenders Office and saw a new case file, a manila folder with a red label that read Murder One. He had been working at the office for less than two years as a self-described baby lawyer, but already he had received five murder cases. Now, he flipped through Askins file and saw it was a fentanyl case that resembled a few of his others. He had worked on a murder case against a 24-year-old who delivered fentanyl to a friends apartment and warned everyone to be careful before his friend licked the empty fentanyl bag and died of an overdose. He had defended a woman on murder charges after she left some of her fentanyl in a motel bathroom, where her 43-year-old companion used the drugs and then died. All told, the public defenders office had taken on six fentanyl murder cases in the past several months that were pending, and each one followed the same pattern: An addict sold, distributed or shared drugs that directly resulted in someones death, which technically met the definition for first-degree murder and the possibility of a lifetime prison sentence in Oklahoma and an increasing number of other states. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this month signed a law to reclassify fentanyl overdose deaths as poisonings, and Arkansas passed a death by delivery bill in April to charge some overdoses as murders in an effort to deter anyone from selling or even sharing fentanyl. Prosecutors in Alaska, California, Florida and at least a dozen other states were beginning to pursue new murder cases against any defendant who fit under the wide-ranging definition of a fentanyl dealer: a 17-year-old in Tennessee who, after graduation, shared fentanyl in the school parking lot with two of her friends, both of whom died; a husband in Indiana who bought fentanyl for his disabled wife, who overdosed while trying to numb her chronic pain from multiple sclerosis; a real estate agent in Florida who threw a party and called 911 when one of her guests overdosed; a high school senior in Missouri who gave a pill to a 16-year-old girl he met at church and warned her to only do a quarter and then do the other quarter if you dont feel it. A group of Republican senators, including one from Oklahoma, introduced a bill in February to charge fentanyl traffickers and dealers nationwide with felony murder in what Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., called a simple, common-sense step to help turn the tide and protect our communities But, as Mai studied Askins file, he saw that the Oklahoma City police officers in that case hadnt tracked the fatal dose of fentanyl back to a cartel manufacturer, or to a drug trafficker, or to a big-time dealer, or even to the street-level dealer known as Suge who had sold the fentanyl to Askins and Drake and whose name Askins had given to the police at the scene. Instead, they arrested and charged only one person, Askins, who had a criminal record of nonviolent drug offenses. His file showed that he had depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder from being raped by a neighbor when he was 9. His current address was listed as transient, and he had told officers that he supported his own addiction by reselling food he found in dumpsters and donating plasma twice each week. Mai left private practice and took a 40% pay cut to become a public defender in his home state because he wanted to work cases like this. He had imagined himself fighting for the underdog, standing and delivering in front of a jury like his idol, Clarence Darrow, whose trial victories helped advance the civil rights movement. But the realities of Mais job meant managing 80 or 90 cases at once small-time copper thefts, drug deals and domestic disputes that typically ended with his clients cutting deals and pleading guilty to lesser charges. In his almost two years as a public defender, Mai had never once taken a case to trial. This is one were going to fight, he told Askins when they met one morning at the county jail. Askins had a bond hearing coming up, and Mai planned to ask the judge to reduce his bond to $50,000 from $250,000 so that Askins could possibly get out of jail while his case continued through the courts. They should be treating this more like a misdemeanor drug case, Mai told him. It was a traumatic situation, and you acted how I wish I would act if I was in that position. My mind was spinning, Askins said. I was just going off instinct. And somehow you drove to the gas station, Mai said. You called for help. You gave CPR. You stayed at the scene and tried to save your friend. Murder, Askins said, still trying to make sense of it. He had met an inmate in jail who admitted to shooting a former roommate and dismembering parts of the body, and he had pleaded down to a sentence of manslaughter and 10 years in prison. If Im found guilty, I could be looking at, what, life in prison? Life without parole?, Askins asked. Technically, yes, Mai said. But whos going to support that? Wanda Harris, 88, lit a cigarette and walked into the living room where she last saw her grandson on the morning he died, and where she had left his belongings untouched in the weeks since. His mattress was still on the floor outside her bedroom, where he sometimes slept so he could monitor her coughing fits at night. His half-empty beer bottles sat on the kitchen table, and his poster of the Ten Commandments hung on the wall. His friends from nearby abandoned houses were still coming over at all hours so they could use the bathroom, charge their cellphones and check on his grandmother. You doing all right today? one of them asked. Harris put out her cigarette in an empty cereal bowl and lit another. I must still be in shock, she said. My brain just cant make sense of what happened. She raised Drake and lived with him for most of his life, but the past two years had been the hardest. Drakes mother died of cancer, and he sank into a clinical depression and quit his trucking job. He was lonely and bored, so he started befriending some of the men who lived in the abandoned houses around the corner. Harris saw them drinking beers together and smoking from pipes on her front porch, and she tried going outside to talk to them about the Bible. She watched a story on TV about the rise of fentanyl and begged Drake to get help. It seemed to her as if he were giving up, and then two police officers were knocking on her door to deliver the kind of news she had received before. Her husband was shot and killed during a robbery when she was 26 years old, and for the next few years, she was so blinded by anger that she didnt feel safe driving a car. Her eldest daughter died of cancer, and for a while, Harris blamed God and stopped going to church. Her son was hit in the head when a piece of equipment fell on the oil rig where he worked, and Harris tried to sue the oil company or the doctors who failed to save him during surgery. None of it went anywhere, and none of it helped to alleviate her grief, until eventually she resigned herself to the philosophy that she repeated to anyone who asked about the circumstances of Drakes death. Unless Askins tricked her grandson into taking fentanyl or forced the drugs into his body, it didnt seem to her like an intentional act of murder. It is what it is, she said. No amount of finger-pointing is ever going to change it. The front door swung open again. It was another one of Drakes friends. He plugged his phone into the wall and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Im sorry about Chris, he said. The whole situation makes me so angry. Ive tried that, she said. It doesnt take the pain away. What does? She lit a cigarette and thought for a moment. Nothing, she said. A few days later, two prison guards led Askins into a courtroom for his bond hearing on the charge that he murdered Drake. Askins had red welts on his neck from the bedbugs that infested the county jail, and he scratched at his skin with his handcuffs as he scanned the gallery for his family. He spotted his mother, Shawn Armstrong, who had recently tried to hang herself in the backyard because of her heartbreak over the latest saga in her sons 25 years of addiction; and his stepfather, who helped cut down the rope; and his 92-year-old grandmother, who had slept in the same bed as his mother for the past three weeks, rubbing his mothers arm until she fell asleep. Im so sorry for putting you through all this, Askins told them. He wiped his eyes and turned back toward the front of the room as Mai, his lawyer, stood to address the judge. This is a very unusual first-degree murder case, Mai said. We have an unfortunate and sad accidental drug overdose, but we shouldnt put that accident on my client. Even accusing him of murder causes real harm stigmatizing drug addicts, punishing people who call 911. Its clear that my client is not a drug dealer. He was a middleman. A middleman is a drug dealer, the prosecutor said. They buy drugs from someone and then distribute them. This persons drug problem has directly led to a death in our county. More recently, the question of who should be held accountable for fentanyl overdoses had led to debate within the offices of the prosecutors boss, Vicki Behenna, who was trying to navigate competing pressures as Oklahoma Countys newly elected district attorney. Bereaved parents of overdose victims were erecting billboards around the state that showed pictures of their children alongside demands for harsher prison sentences for dealers. They hoped to scare people away from selling or sharing fentanyl to eventually reduce the flow of the drug into the United States. Their lives matter. Why are drug dealers getting away with murder? the billboards asked. Behenna promised to continue Oklahoma Countys recent tradition of charging traffickers and distributors with murder to hold them accountable to the full extent of the law. But she was also a Democrat and the former head of the Oklahoma Innocence Project, and she had run for district attorney by speaking often about her belief in mercy and her hopes to reform parts of what she referred to as the criminal legal system not the criminal justice system. In June, she decided her office would change its policy and begin charging some drug users involved in fentanyl deaths with first-degree manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. In the coming weeks, she planned to have her staff begin a review of each active case, including the one against Askins. But for now, the judge looked at Askins file and saw only the original charge at the top of the page. Murder in the first degree is very serious, she told him as she prepared to give her ruling. At this point in time, I have to assume that the apparent likelihood of conviction is great. You have to be held accountable. Im keeping the bond at $250,000. Askins nodded. Thank you, Your Honor, he said. Can I please hug my family? Im sorry. I believe we have a rule against that, the judge said. She gestured for the guards to take Askins back upstairs to his cell. Askins called his mother from his prison cell a few hours later. She answered as she drove out of the city toward her small ranch. I cant do this anymore, he told her. His next preliminary hearing wasnt until August. I cant be in here, he said. Youre strong. Youre loved, she said. Remember how much youre worth. No, listen, he said. Im telling you Im done. She stared ahead out the window at the wind-swept prairie as a familiar anxiety came rushing back into her chest and throat. She spent the past two decades losing her son to addiction, imagining him in abandoned houses, writhing in withdrawal or smoking the fentanyl dose that would kill him. Her one solace with Askins in prison was the belief that he was in some ways protected from his disease. He was trapped. He was safe. You just have to confront reality, she said. Theres no escaping. Theres no other choice. Well, actually, he said, and then he started to tell her a story from several weeks earlier, when he first arrived at the Oklahoma County Jail with the same shooting pains and nausea that drove him to buy fentanyl that morning with Drake. He had prepared himself for full-fledged withdrawal in jail, but then he saw his roommate smoking synthetic marijuana and heard about other prisoners making alcohol out of hand sanitizer. It turned out that the jail had treated more than 130 inmates for drug overdoses in the past year, and more than a dozen had died since 2021. Within a few days, Askins figured out that fentanyl was all over the facility, sold by every jailhouse gang in every variety and available for purchase by trade or by favor. He started snorting small doses at night so he could drown out his surroundings for long enough to sleep. The nightmares kept coming. His doses got bigger. He took a little more to keep himself from thinking about Drake. He took more each time he heard his mother crying on the phone. More for the bedbugs. More for the loneliness and the shame and the anger and the fear, until one night he sat on his roommates bed and snorted two lines of white powder, numbing himself into oblivion with four times his typical dose. His vision went dark. When he woke awhile later, he was strapped into a restraining jacket and staring up at a team of nurses and medical assistants in the jail. They said it had taken four doses of naloxone, the opioid-reversal drug, to revive him. He immediately went into withdrawal and said he hadnt used fentanyl since. I almost died, he told his mother. They had to bring me back. Thank God, she said. Yeah, he said. I guess. She looked out the window at the red dirt roads of Oklahoma, where fentanyl was everywhere, and she listened to her son breathe until her exhaustion and her anger formed into the same desire for accountability that had swept across the country and put her son in jail. How? Who did this to you? she asked, and this time, Askins was sure of the answer. It was me, he said. Blame me. c.2023 The New York Times Company The Trump Ambassador Who Wants to Run for Nevada Senate on His Record of Retweets Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/Reuters Jeffrey Ross Gunters year-and-a-half tenure as U.S. ambassador to Iceland under Donald Trump was, by many accounts, a chaotic mess. The wealthy dermatologist and GOP donorwhod never been to Iceland before being confirmed to the postchurned through staff, lashed out at employees, demanded a gun and armed security guards in the worlds safest country, and tried to do the job remotely in California during the pandemic, according to a bombshell CBS News report. A subsequent report on Gunter by the State Departments Inspector General found that he threatened to sue embassy employees he perceived as enemies, and alleged that Washington was so disturbed over the situation that it instructed U.S. diplomats in Europe to work directly with Icelandic officials, bypassing Gunter. Now, Gunter wants to add an even bigger job to his resume: U.S. senator. Gunter has indicated to multiple Republican operatives that he plans to challenge Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) in the competitive battleground of Nevada next year, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Its unclear when exactly Gunter might launch a campaign, but theres already a world in which Gunter has spun his disastrous tenure in Reykjavik as a smashing success: a webpage he created to list his triumphs as ambassador. All 122 of them, to be exact. The first accomplishment is a legitimate one: Gunter oversaw the completion of a new U.S. embassy in Reykjavik during his tenure. But from there, he often measures his diplomatic success more in retweets from Donald Trump and social media view counts than anything else. U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Jeffrey Ross Gunter Wants Stab-Proof Vest, Armored Car On his website, Gunters sixth-rated accomplishment is posting a congratulatory tweet on President Trumps historic brokering of the Abraham Accords, which drew unprecedented engagement and stands as Ambassador Gunter and Embassy Reykjaviks most reacted-to tweet. It was retweeted, the website notes, by the President of the United States. Gunters fifth accomplishment is a July 4th Facebook video he recorded, which purportedly offered a simple but impactful message of patriotism, shared democratic values, and the deep connection between the United States and Iceland. Reaching over 171,000 people, viewership of this video far eclipsed any other social media post in the history of U.S. Embassy Reykjavik. At 80 on the list was Gunters creation of three Facebook videos to inspire people during the COVID-19 pandemic, which created solidarity between the United States and Icelandic people and inspired many in these difficult times. Notably, the reporting on Gunters tenure as ambassador revealed his obsession with social media, which was so acute that he would spend hours with embassy staff crafting a single tweet. Gunter also gives himself credit for performing the most basic duties of an overseas diplomat, like processing passport requests, hosting U.S. officials, and communicating with his Icelandic counterparts. One accomplishment was simply welcoming the Icelandic foreign minister to the embassy. Notably, U.S. citizens in Iceland, and some Icelanders, bristled at Gunters performance, with some calling for him to be recalled. Another Gunter accomplishment: starting a tradition of light lunches. Initially launched during the long, dark winters, these lunches (and sometimes breakfasts) continued through the summer, as the COVID pandemic threatened both the community and peoples sense of community, the site reads. Taking care of the team is key to leadership. That line may ring hollow to Gunters former team. In his tenure, the ambassador burned through seven deputy chiefs of missionthe top diplomat in an embassy other than the ambassadorfiring one simply because he didnt like the look of him, according to CBS News. He also once chewed out a staffer for keeping snow boots under their desk in the Icelandic winter. The former ambassadors list of self-identified accomplishmentsand the failures he conspicuously omitted from itis a good encapsulation of why Gunter is not exactly a top-tier recruit for Republicans. Gunter did not respond to a request for comment through his website. In Nevada, Republicans will need a strong challenger to Rosen in 2024. Last years race between Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Adam Laxalt (R) was the closest Senate contest of the cycle, decided by just 8,000 votes. National Republicans have been anxious to claw back a seat in Nevada, and a victory there could easily tip the Senate majority their way. The Senate Race That Dems Are Afraid Voters Wont Notice According to the Nevada Independent, GOP brass has been recruiting Sam Brown, a retired U.S. Army Captain and Purple Heart recipient who unsuccessfully ran for the party nomination in the 2022 Senate race. The leading declared candidate in the race, Jim Marchant, also worries many Republicans. A far-right former state legislator who lost a bid for Nevada Secretary of State last year, Marchant vocally denied the outcome of the 2020 election and has close links to key figures in the QAnon conspiracy movement. In a crowded primary field, however, Gunters ability to fund his campaign through his own wealth could make him a formidable candidate. A dermatologist by training, he founded national skin clinic chains, with locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. He has been a prolific donor to Republican campaigns and causes, giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to them over the years. That giving is likely what landed Gunter a coveted ambassadorship in the northernmost capital of the world. He donated $100,000 to a super PAC supporting Trumps 2016 campaign, and donated another $100,000 to Trumps inaugural celebration. While its common for presidents to award certain ambassador posts to donors, Trump nominated an unusually high number of political, non-diplomatic appointees to ambassadorships, particularly those who gave lavishly to his inaugural committee. But Gunters potential Senate bid could be tripped up by ties to the GOP that arent totally rock-solidand ties to his adopted home state that appear flimsy. For one, he appears to be registered to vote in two different states and with two different parties. In 2021, Gunter registered as a Republican in Nevada, according to voting records reviewed by The Daily Beast. But since 2000, he has been registered to vote as a Democrat in California, which has long been his home state. Gunter went to high school and college in Berkeley, studied medicine in Los Angeles, and built his dermatology business in the city of Lancaster, just outside of Los Angeles. He has owned property in Nevada since 2007 and owns a home in the town of Pahrump, an hour west of Las Vegas on the border with California. Gunters web site states that he resides in Nevada. But in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, Gunter wanted to work in California rather than return to Iceland, CBS News reported, and would not do so unless then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordered him to. (Pompeo eventually did.) While the majority of Nevada residents are originally from elsewhere, Marchant has lived in the state since 2005 and Brown has lived there since 2018, though he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Texas legislature in 2014. According to the voter records, Gunter last voted in 2018, in California. There is no record of him voting in the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost. In 2022, an election year in which Nevada could have tipped the Senate majority to Republicans, Gunter requested an absentee ballotfrom Californiabut apparently did not return it. While Gunter gave over $10,000 to committees supporting Laxalt, the 2022 Senate nominee, and $5,000 to the state GOP, he appears to have not cast a vote in an election Laxalt ultimately lost by fewer than 8,000 votes. Ironically, the 94th accomplishment from Gunters ambassadorship touts his efforts to help U.S. citizens in Iceland exercise their rights to vote. Gunter, his list of accomplishments reads, helped Americans to register to vote and cast their ballots in the 2020 U.S. elections. Helping Americans in Iceland is a core part of the work of the Embassy and helping them participate in these important elections is an honor and pleasure, it said. 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. Rebecca Cook/Reuters Forget the allegations of rape or the federal indictment alleging he deliberately avoided returning classified documents. Donald Trump received the Oakland County Republican Partys Man of the Decade award Sunday nightpart of an appearance that saw him serve as the keynote speaker at the 2023 Lincoln Day Dinner in Michigan. Hoping to win back critical ground he lost between 2016 and 2020, Trump appeared in suburban Detroit for his first campaign appearance in the state. Tickets for the event sold for between $250 to $7,500, with a large crowd breaking Trumps previous Michigan attendance record, according to The Oakland Press. The former president said it was his second time receiving the award, though Rolling Stone pointed to a 2013 press releasethe last time he was a keynote speaker at the eventfrom the group that makes no reference to it. According to Fact Check, Trump has claimed numerous times since the 2013 event he won the Man of the Year award. That fact is dubious, it noted. Love him or hate him, Donald Trump is the keynote speaker and he is the most infamous person on the planet right now, former GOP state Rep. Ryan Berman, chair of this years dinner, told a reporter for the Detroit Free Press. No president has fought harder for Michigan than I have, Trump said during his remarks, while making unfounded claims that the Biden administration's electric vehicle goals will decimate the state and that globalist vultures in Washington have viciously betrayed Michigan workers and families like nobody can even believe. For seven years all of us have been fighting side by side to rescue our country from the sinister forces who truly hate our country and want to destroy it, and now we are approaching the most important battle of our lives, Trump said, adding this is the most important election weve had, without question. He repeated a number of greatest hits during his speech, including false claims of election fraud and a declaration that World War III is imminenta war that only he can stop. Trump claimed that if elected in 2024, before he even arrives at the Oval office, I will have the war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Ill do it in 24 hours. Its not tough to do, he boasted. Trump added had he not been the Republican frontrunner, all of this investigation bullshit would stop immediately. I consider it a great badge of honor and courage, he said. Essentially Im being indicted for you, 200 million people that love our country. Trump added he will immediately cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children." He also reiterated his call to end birthright citizenship, all of which was met with applause. He focused much of his attacks on Joe Biden, claiming the president is not in favor of religion and a catastrophe. He added he had retired his Crooked Hillary nickname in preference of Crooked Joe Biden. He said: I felt like Joe Biden needed it much more. Though he did reserve time for a dig at Florida Governor Ron DeSantisclaiming he has no personality. We are a failing nation. A nation in decline... This is the final battle, Trump said. With you at my side, we will demolish the Deep State... drive out the globalists. We will cast out the Communists, Marxists and fascists. We will defeat crooked Joe Biden. We will liberate America from these villains once and for all. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. the scene On Saturday night, Donald Trump told religious conservatives that he saw a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life. He didnt get more specific and he didnt face much pressure to do so, at an event celebrating one year since Trumps Supreme Court appointees overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump joined 10 other Republican presidential candidates at the Faith & Freedom Coalitions annual Road to the Majority conference, where some activists and lawmakers urged the party to embrace a ban on abortion after 15 weeks. He didnt commit to the legislation, avoiding a topic that's tripped up some Republicans in the first post-Roe election. But he was greeted like a rock star, as new polls confirmed that his indictments in Florida this month didn't affect his formidable primary lead. David and Shelby's view No candidate has yet figured out how to pry away the religious conservative voters who were skeptical of Trump in 2016 but make up some of his most loyal supporters now. This isnt complicated: Trump won when the media said he couldnt, then ended Roe with his court appointments, delivering what preacher and conference speaker John K. Amanchukwus called the fetal emancipation proclamation. Trump knows this: On Saturday even while he remained vague on what specific role the federal government could play on abortion should he take office again he sought to highlight his own role in making a reality what conservatives had been vying for for 50 years. Conservatives have been trying for 50 years, exactly 50 years but I got it done, Trump told the crowd. Im proud to be the most pro-life president in American history. Trumps openness about the issues tricky politics he argued Saturday that politicians have to learn to talk about this issue, even as hed rather avoid it has frustrated activists and rivals. I dont believe his commitments are reliable, Asa Hutchinson told reporters outside the ballroom where the candidates spoke. Lindsey Graham, who has endorsed Trump, used his speech to promote his own 15-week ban bill, which he said the party could defend and win with. To those who believe there's no role for the unborn in Washington, you are wrong, said Graham. Our Constitution does not require me, a United States senator, to sit on the sidelines and not be able to say anything about a baby being aborted in California in the ninth month. But no opponent directly challenged Trump on the question. Nikki Haleys remarks on Saturday morning marked a repeat of what shed said at SBA Pro-Life last month: A federal abortion ban wasnt going to happen. We haven't had 60 Senate votes in over 100 years, Haley said. We might have 45 pro-life senators. So let's start talking about how we can come together on what we can agree on. She was promoting her own campaign, but that approach has given cover to the frontrunner. Mike Pence, his former running mate, criticized Trump unsparingly at the launch of his own campaign this month. At the conference, he quoted skittish comments that the former president had made about abortion politics, but didnt mention Trump by name. He also tried to set the baseline on the topic, calling the 15-week ban the minimum nationwide standard for any nominee. "We've not come to the end of our cause, Pence said from the ballroom stage of the Washington Hilton. We've simply come to the end of the beginning." But most discussion of abortion on and offstage was less about the commitment needed from a new nominee and more about what could be banned in states. Our pro-life movement is now entering this Walls of Jericho phase, North Carolina Sen. Brad Overcash told a room of activists on Friday, referring to a Biblical story of Israelis marching around a besieged city until their faith in God collapsed its defenses. We have to keep marching, put one foot in front of the other, because we never know when the next step will be the seventh time on the seventh day. Ralph Reed, the the Faith & Freedom Coalition founder and president, told reporters during a private lunch that Trump likely doesnt want to head into the general election with Joe Biden being able to go up on the air in every battleground state, the day I secure the nomination, saying I favor a federal abortion ban. Thats obviously the cul-de-sac hes trying to avoid driving into, right? he argued. Room for Disagreement Lila Rose, an anti-abortion activist and founder of Live Action, suggested to Fox News last week that Trump, despite his past efforts on abortion, isnt the leader best qualified to push the movement forward this time around. The View From the DNC The Democratic National Committee took Trumps remarks Saturday night differently than most in attendance: In a statement, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison slammed Trumps endorsement of a national abortion ban and argued that he is responsible for the cruel abortion bans across the country. Donald Trump told an audience of Michigan Republicans that the push for electric vehicles will mean the decimation of the states traditional auto industry. The former president made the comments as he appeared at the Oakland County Republican Partys Lincoln Day dinner on Sunday night, his first appearance in the battleground state in the 2024 cycle. Its going to be a level that people cant even image, Mr Trump said during his address inside the Suburban Collection Showplace, in Novi, Michigan. Mr Trump told the crowd that the maniacal push for electric vehicles would kill auto jobs in the United States, and mocked the range of the vehicles, saying that they were a win for tow truck companies. If somebody wants an electric car, Im all for it. But you should be able to have a choice, Mr Trump told the crowd. The event came the day after he told a crowd of evangelicals on Saturday that the federal government has a vital role in the restriction of abortion access while he once again took credit for overturning Roe v Wade. But the former president did not detail his proposal for national abortion restrictions, in contrast to his 2024 rival Mike Pence, who supports outlawing care nationally at 15 weeks of pregnancy. Mr Trumps remarks to a Faith & Freedom Coalition conference in Washington DC came on the one-year anniversary of the US Supreme Courts decision to revoke constitutional protections for abortion. Though he has repeatedly taken credit for the ruling, he has avoided questions about whether he would back a national ban if Republican lawmakers managed to pass one through Congress. Ron DeSantis; Donald TrumpPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images Well, that was quite a weekend, wasn't it? For a while there it looked as if Russian President Vladimir Putin might be overthrown by a monstrous mercenary warlord named Yevgeny Prigozhin. If that wasn't strange enough, after taking over a couple of cities en route to Moscow, the plan was abruptly aborted and the warlord was quietly sent packing to Belarus while his mercenary troops were cordially invited to join the Russian army. Nobody knows why. Now it just remains to be seen if the Putin regime has been permanently damaged or whether it was just another surreal moment in the increasingly surreal era. Meanwhile, back in the equally surreal USA, the Republican presidential candidates all attended the annual conservative evangelical gathering, The Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference. By all accounts, the crowd was very excited to see all the candidates make their pitch, but the keynote speech by former president Donald Trump was the star event by a mile. They should rename their group the Bad Faith Coalition. Former Vice President Mike Pence came out on Saturday, the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe, in favor of a national abortion ban at 15 weeks, which GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina explained would be really great because they could start "saving babies in California." Some of the faithful were reportedly disappointed because they want a full ban with no exceptions but most are willing to go along with this idea as a first step. Related How I successfully defended abortion after Dobbs If you ever wondered about the sincerity of these folks, this move says it all. For years they said they simply wanted to devolve the abortion issue to the states. They insisted that all the alarm about banning abortion across the nation was overblown. I think we know better now, don't we? They should rename their group the Bad Faith Coalition. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis only vaguely alluded to his main rival, Donald Trump, during his speech, reserving most of his ire for the woke and the woke and, of course, the woke. He did mention in passing that the wall never got built and that "some" of his opponents have criticized him for going after Disney for being woke. I didn't get the impression that the crowd saw him as any different than the other wannabes and he even signed a six-week abortion ban. That is a testament to just how little they think of him even if many of them share his agenda. In case you think @Moms4Liberty quoted Hitler by mistake, heres Ryan Helfenbein @ the Faith & Freedom Coalition Gala: If you don't control education, you cant control the future. Stalin knew that. Mao knew it. Hitler knew it. We have to get that back for conservative values. pic.twitter.com/MZGPS8vfym Andrew Wortman (@AmoneyResists) June 25, 2023 The biggest moment of the conference came from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who had the temerity to criticize Trump. He told the startled crowd: "Beware, everybody, of a leader who never makes mistakes. Beware of a leader who has no faults. Beware of a leader who says that if something goes wrong, it's everybody else's fault, and he goes and he blames those people for anything that goes wrong. But when things go right, everything is to his credit. I'm running because he's let us down. He has let us down because he's unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made and any of the faults that he has and any of the things that he's done. And that is not leadership, everybody. That is a failure of leadership." That was when the booing got very loud. If there's one thing they won't stand for it's hearing the truth. Christie responded by saying, You can boo all you want. But here's the thing: 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, I cannot stand by." They were unmoved. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Christie explained to the media afterward that he expected to get booed but that he thinks it's important for people to hear what he said. The problem is that as important as one might think it is for Republicans with conservative credentials to stand before a group like that and tell them what they don't want to hear, their beliefs don't stem from never hearing it. They hear it. They just don't believe it. Trump once again proclaimed "I am being indicted for you" which, as expected, went over very well with the evangelicals. They love a messianic message. They believe that Donald Trump is the victim of cascading witch hunts because he was so successful as president and won so hugely that the Democrats and the RINOs had to steal the election from him and indict him for crimes he didn't commit. They don't believe he made any mistakes for which he needs to acknowledge or apologize, so slamming his character is meaningless to these people. Wow! What a difference from Chris Christie getting booed off the stage yesterday. pic.twitter.com/PUfmuXy6qR The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 25, 2023 Trump spent a lot of time confessing to the crime for which he's been indicted under the Espionage Act by insisting that he had every right to commit it because he used to be the president. That's his story and he's sticking to it. And he once again proclaimed "I am being indicted for you" which, as expected, went over very well with the evangelicals. They love a messianic message. But he also talked a little bit about politics too. He took credit for ending Roe v. Wade by thoroughly politicizing the Supreme Court and bragged that "no president has ever fought for Christians as hard as I have - I got it done, and nobody thought it was even a possibility." He got a standing ovation for that. But he also pointedly did not endorse the 15-week national ban, instead saying that the federal government has a "vital role" in protecting unborn life and praising states for the great progress they are making in banning abortion. Trump's smart enough to see how lethal the issue is for Republicans but he's stuck just like the rest of them. There is no finessing this issue. Related An Ohio high-risk OBGYN on abortion fears come true and life one year post-Dobbs But he reserved much of his speech to push his strong wartime message: "As we gather today, our beloved nation is teetering on the edge of tyranny. Our enemies are waging war on faith and freedom, on science and religion, on history and tradition, on law and democracy, on God almighty himself." In case you were wondering, the enemies he was talking about are Americans. But he also promised to keep out all the foreigners who are helping to destroy the nation. Back in 2016, it was Muslims and Mexicans. He's casting a wider net this time: Trump: Using federal law, I will order my government to deny entry to all Communists and all Marxists.. So we're going to keep foreign Christian hating Communists, Marxists and Socialists out of America pic.twitter.com/BXWcJIdGZF Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2023 Trump went to Michigan the next night and took it a step further. He pledged to "drive out" those who are already here: Trump tonight: We are a failing nation. A nation in decline .. This is the final battle. With you at my side, we will demolish the Deep State, drive out the globalists, cast out the communists, marxists and fascists. We will liberate America from these villains. pic.twitter.com/4NYHjJem4j Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 26, 2023 DeSantis only promises to "destroy leftism." Trump's making it personal. All of this was happening on a split screen, with a possible Russian coup attempt by a former chef turned mercenary general threatening to topple the Russian government on one side and a reality TV star defeated president who happens to be under both state and federal indictment vowing to purge all the alleged Marxists, Communists and fascists in America on the other. Surreal doesn't begin to describe it. Read more about the Republican presidential primary field Turkey's Erdogan, Greece's Mitsotakis to meet at July NATO summit Swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis, in Athens ISTANBUL/ATHENS (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius next month, Mitsotakis' office said on Monday, a day after he won a national election. Mitsotakis was sworn in for a second term as prime minister on Monday following a resounding election win. Ergodan, who was elected to his third term last month, congratulated Mitsotakis in a phone call, the Turkish Presidency said on Monday. He said the two re-elected governments create an opportunity for bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries. Greece and Turkey, both NATO allies but historic foes, have been at odds for decades over a range of issues from airspace to maritime zones in the eastern Mediterranean, migration and ethnically split Cyprus. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler) Two men have died and multiple people have been rescued from the Gulf of Mexico as deadly rip currents continue to grip Floridas Panhandle, according to the Walton County Sheriffs Office. The deaths occurred over a three-day period and involved men visiting from Texas and Tennessee, the sheriffs office said in a news release. The first occurred Thursday, June 22, off Blue Mountain Beach. Beach patrons notified (the) lifeguard that bystanders had pulled the male, who was unresponsive, from the water nearly half a mile to the west, the sheriffs office said. The lifeguard quickly responded to the area and began life-saving measures. Additional beach safety units arrived along with Walton County Sheriffs Office deputies to assist. Unfortunately, the 65-year-old from Coppell, Texas later died. The second death occurred Saturday, June 24, when two men sprang into action to rescue a family member in the water, the South Walton Fire District reported. A teenage male had been struggling in the water and members of his family had entered the water to attempt to rescue him, the sheriffs office said. Lifeguards and deputies then entered the water and found two adult men were unresponsive and required resuscitation. The teenage male was in stable condition but required further medical attention. Deputies and lifeguards then worked to bring all patients to shore and began rendering lifesaving care to the two unresponsive patients. All three were taken to a hospital where a 58-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee was pronounced dead, officials said. The deaths occurred under red flag conditions, officials said, meaning swimming was considered a high hazard. Surf off Walton Countys beaches was deemed dangerous on multiple days last week, resulting in officials forbidding people to swim. Surf conditions prompted double red flags for several days on Walton County Beaches during which both South Walton Fire District and Walton County Sheriffs Office responded to numerous water rescues, officials said. An exact number of water rescues was not released. Neighboring Bay County reports Christopher Pierce, 47, of Alabama, died on Fathers Day when he jumped into the Gulf of Mexico to save his daughter from a deadly rip current. His daughter survived, officials said. Man defies warning not to swim in Gulf of Mexico and gets arrested, Florida cops say Dad dies on Fathers Day rescuing daughter off popular Florida beach, reports say Spearfisherman vanished 2.5 miles off Florida coast, cops say. Body has been found Capt. Jason Neubauer, a chief investigator with the U.S. Coast Guard, right, speaks with the media as Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, left, looks on during a news conference, Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard said it is leading an investigation into the loss of the Titan submersible that was carrying five people to the Titanic, to determine what caused it to implode. | Steven Senne, Associated Press The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the launch of an investigation into the implosion of the Titan submersible that killed the five people on board. The Deseret News reported that the Titan lost communications with the Canadian research ship Polar Prince about an hour and 45 minutes after the dive initially began and that the U.S. Navy heard a potential implosion of the submersible on June 18. The Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation is looking into the case and is set to include officials from Canada, France and the United Kingdom as they look into what caused the deadly implosion, according to CBS News. Related Why is there an investigation into Titan? Questions have reportedly been raised following the incident for what regulations should be in place for companies using submersibles. The Guardian reported that some questions being asked following the incident included questions about the crafts experimental design, safety standards and lack of certification for the submersible. My primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to advance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide, chief investigator Capt. Jason Neubauer said, according to ABC News. Related What has been said? A Navy official reportedly told The Associated Press, Efforts are focused on helping map the debris field in preparation for recovery efforts and to support investigative actions. Efforts to mobilize equipment such as the Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System have been discontinued. Axios reported that Neubauer said that officials investigating the incident are taking all proper precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains. James Cameron, director of the film Titanic who has made 33 trips to the Titanic wreckage himself, reportedly said about the incident, 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. The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday it has launched a marine board of investigation into the Titan submersible implosion. The Coast Guard declared a major marine casualty after it learned the Titanic-bound submersible had experienced a "catastrophic failure with the loss of the five lives onboard," and it convened the investigation Friday, the chief investigator, Capt. Jason Neubauer, said at a news conference Sunday afternoon. The goal is to determine what caused the implosion and the deaths of the five men who were on board. The board can also make recommendations to pursue civil or criminal sanctions to the proper authorities, Neubauer said. "An MBI is the highest level of investigation the Coast Guard conducts and enables the U.S. to fully leverage investigative resources Coast Guard-wide and capitalize on an extensive network of cooperative relationships with international maritime administrations and organizations," he said. The investigation is in its evidence-collection phase, which includes salvaging debris and working with Canadian authorities in the port of St. John's, Newfoundland. Once the investigation is completed, the marine board will issue a report to the Coast Guard with its conclusions and recommendations. The submersible disappeared June 18 on a mission to survey the wreckage of the Titanic, which is 900 nautical miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Titan Submersible. (OceanGate ) On board were Hamish Harding, a British tycoon who lived in the United Arab Emirates; Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, the scions of a Pakistani business dynasty; the French mariner and Titanic expert Paul Henry P.H. Nargeolet, who has been nicknamed Mr. Titanic; and Stockton Rush, the CEO of the submersible's operator, OceanGate Expeditions. A frantic search that garnered international attention was launched in the North Atlantic. Rear Adm. John Mauger, the commander of the Coast Guard district leading the search, said the search-and-rescue effort ended after debris was discovered Thursday near the Titanic. "This case has been extremely complex, involving a coordinated international, interagency and private-sector response in an unforgiving and difficult to access region of the ocean," Mauger said at Sunday's news conference. The Coast Guard said Thursday that a debris field had been found in the search area, adding later that the debris found on the ocean floor was consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel. 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 said. The colossal forces would have acted so quickly that it would be like the vehicles carbon-fiber hulls suddenly vanishing before anyone inside knew what was happening, an 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. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The United States will test Palestinian-Americans' freedom of travel in Israel next month as part of preparations for proposed U.S. visa exemptions for Israelis, an official briefed on the preparations said on Monday. Israel has satisfied some conditions for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), to which it hopes to be admitted by October. It must now demonstrate unfettered access for Palestinian-Americans at Israel's border and to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. "Israel still has significant work to complete on a short timeline," a U.S. Embassy spokesperson said, adding that this should entail "extending reciprocal privileges ... including allowing Palestinian-Americans to travel to and through Israel." Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Ynet TV on Sunday that a "pilot programme" to keep the country's VWP candidacy on track would be launched in mid-July. He did not elaborate. An official briefed on the preparations said the pilot will entail a 30- to 45-day period during which U.S. delegates will keep tabs on Palestinian-American travel through Ben-Gurion Airport and across West Bank checkpoints. That could put fresh strains on Israeli forces amid violence in the West Bank, among the territories where Palestinians hopes to establish an independent state have faltered amid an almost decade-old impasse in U.S.-sponsored peace talks. The Biden administration has also locked horns with Israel's government over Jewish settlement policies in the West Bank. The pilot will test access not only for U.S.-domiciled Palestinian-Americans but also for those based in the West Bank. "If you're a Palestinian-American living in Ramallah, this means you can spend up to 90 days in Tel Aviv (on an Israeli entry visa)," the official, who declined to be identified by name or nationality, told Reuters. Asked how it would accommodate the pilot, the Israeli military referred Reuters to Israel's Interior Ministry, which did not immediately respond. In an estimate that it says is based in part on U.S. census data, the Arab American Institute Foundation puts the number of Palestinian-descended Americans at between 122,500 and 220,000. Between 45,000 and 60,000 of them are in the West Bank, the official briefed on the VWP preparations said, adding that the pilot will not apply to the Islamist Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, where a few hundred Palestinian-Americans live. (Writing by Dan Williams; editing by Hugh Lawson and Mark Heinrich) An Uber driver was killed by his passenger who feared she was being kidnapped An Uber passenger has been charged with murder for shooting and killing her driver in El Paso, Texas. Phoebe D. Copas, 48, allegedly shot her driver, Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, several times in the head, while in the backseat of his Nissan Maxima, according to a City of El Paso news release. Copas claimed she thought Garcia was kidnapping her and taking her outside the U.S. after seeing a traffic sign for Juarez, Mexico, but an initial investigation conducted by the El Paso Police Department said in the news release that its findings do not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination. Read more Copas was arrested at the scene and was initially held at the El Paso County Detention Facility where she was charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and was issued a $1 million bond. Garcia was critically wounded at the scene and was placed on life support for five days but when doctors told his family he would be on a ventilator for the rest of his life, his family made the difficult decision to let him go. My aunt didnt want to see him suffer, Didi Lopez, Piedras niece, told The Washington Post. But, honestly, we dont think that we made the decision to disconnect him. That decision was made for him the second that those bullets went into his head. Following Garcias death, Copas was charged with murder and her bond was increased to $1.5 million. According to the affidavit, viewed by The Washington Post, Copas was reportedly on her way to meet her boyfriend in El Paso at a casino when she saw the Juarez, Mexico sign, which is seven miles across the El Paso border. Detectives reported in the affidavit that when they arrived at about 2:20 p.m., Copas boyfriend was pulling her from the crashed vehicle, and they allegedly saw her drop everything she was holding in her hands on the ground, which included the gun, according to the complaint. Uber has multiple options to ensure passenger safety including an in-app emergency button that sends real-time location information and trip information directly to the police when the user calls or texts 911. The app also has a Live Help feature that connects riders with an ADT safety agent and RideCheck to check in with riders and drivers to ensure they are safe in the case of a long unexpected stop or possible crash. However, authorities say that Copas made no attempt to call the police before or immediately after the incident, but according to The Post, the complaint alleges that she had texted photos of Garcia to her boyfriend prior to dialing 911. We are horrified by the riders actions that took the life of Mr. Garcia, an Uber spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Gizmodo. We have been in touch with his family, and our thoughts are with his loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. We banned the rider as soon as we were made aware of what occurred and have been in contact with police. Copas bond hearing which was scheduled for Friday has been postponed and a new hearing date has not been set. Lopez told CBS Austin that she believed the continued stereotypes about the Mexican border and the levels of safety there led Copas to wrongly assume she was in danger. They make assumptions, they see stuff maybe on the news, maybe on social media, and stuff thats not necessarily true and when they come here they come without really knowing. She continued: They make assumptions, they see stuff maybe on the news, maybe on social media, and stuff thats not necessarily true and when they come here they come without really knowing. Garcias wife Ana Piedra set up a GoFundMe page, to help with her husbands hospital and funeral expenses, which has already garnered nearly $84,000 in donations. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Uber passenger shot and killed driver because she feared he was kidnapping her to Mexico Phoebe Copas, 48, has been charged with the murder of Uber driver Daniel Garcia (El Paso Police Department ) A Kentucky woman who allegedly shot and killed her Uber driver because she falsely believed he was kidnapping her to take her to Mexico has been charged with his murder. Phoebe Copas, 48, hailed an Uber driven by 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia to go to meet her boyfriend at the Speaking Rock Casino in the Mission Valley district of Texas border city El Paso at about 2.20pm on 16 June, according to police. Ms Copas allegedly saw roadway signs stating Juarez, Mexico, and thought she was being taken over the border against her will, according to a criminal complaint obtained by KTSM. Police say she grabbed a silver and brown handgun from her purse and allegedly shot Piedra Garcia multiple times in the head, causing the vehicle to collide with barriers before coming to a stop on US-54 near Loop 375, according to court documents. Ms Copas is accused of taking a photo of the critically wounded Uber driver and sending it to her boyfriend before calling 911, the criminal complaint states. Piedra Garcia was rushed to hospital where doctors advised his family that his head injuries were unsurvivable, and he was taken off life support on 19 June, his wife of 29 years Ana Piedra wrote on a GoFundme page. Ms Copas was initially charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, which was later upgraded to murder. She is being held in the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $1.5m bond. Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, was allegedly shot in the head by an Uber passenger Phoebe Copas (GoFundme) Police said in court documents that the location where Piedra Garcia was fatally shot was not close to a bridge or point of entry into Mexico, and there is no evidence to support her claims. The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination, El Paso Police said in a statement. Ms Piedra said that her husband was the familys sole provider and had started driving an Uber in April after knee surgery. He was very happy to finally be able to work and bring home income, she wrote on a fundraising page last week. Today we unfortunately had to disconnect my husband as the doctors did not give any chance that he would survive, after being disconnected he sadly passed. In a statement to the El Paso Times, Piedras niece Didi Lopez described her uncle as hardworking and really funny. He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that, if he saw you in a bad mood, hed come over and try to lift you up, she told the news site. Ms Lopez said the family had been told that the suspect had panicked after wrongly believing she was being taken to Mexico. And so her instinct was to shoot him and she shot him multiple times in the head. A fundraiser has raised more than $70,000 for the drivers family. Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is prepared for a range of scenarios in Russia, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Monday, noting the potentially destabilising impact of the tensions between the Wagner Group and President Vladimir Putin. Putin faced an unprecedented challenge to his authority over the weekend from an abortive mutiny by heavily armed mercenary fighters from the Wagner Group. The extraordinary events left governments, both friendly and hostile to Russia, groping for answers to what could happen next in the country with the world's largest nuclear arsenal. Sunak said Britain was monitoring events carefully. "It's too early to predict with certainty what the consequences of this might be, but of course we are prepared as we always would be for a range of scenarios," Sunak told reporters. "It's a situation that we've been analysing and monitoring for some time because we're aware of the potentially destabilising impact of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and indeed, the tensions between the Wagner Group and the Putin regime." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, writing by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton) By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine's work with allies to build broad international support for a peace blueprint has made progress but any summit to endorse a document is at least months away, officials said. Senior officials from Ukraine, G7 countries, the European Union and nations such as Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey met on Saturday in Denmark for talks on the concept, even as an abortive mutiny unfolded in Russia. China had been invited to the talks but did not attend - highlighting the challenge faced by Ukraine and its allies in building a truly global, heavyweight coalition. The Copenhagen meeting aimed to advance a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a "peace summit" to endorse principles that would underpin any settlement to end the war that started with Russia's invasion 16 months ago. Ukrainian and Western officials have said that the summit would not involve Russia. Instead, they aim to rally a broad coalition behind the Kyiv government - including major countries that have decided not to give Ukraine military aid or impose sanctions on Russia - to increase diplomatic pressure on Moscow. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the turmoil in Russia could persuade more countries to get on board. "It is my interpretation that Putin is weakened, to some extent at least. And hopefully that could also have an impact on the rest of the world's willingness to discuss a post-war situation in Ukraine," Rasmussen told reporters at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday. PEACE FORMULA While the upheaval in Russia formed a dramatic backdrop to the talks, officials said the focus was on trying to find common ground for a possible peace formula, building on a 10-point plan outlined by Zelenskiy last November. "There was a general consensus emerging that it has to be based on principles of the U.N. Charter, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty," said a senior European Commission official familiar with the talks. "The closer it is to the U.N. Charter and fundamental principles of international law, the more likely everybody could eventually sign up," the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, represented Ukraine at the talks. He told German journalists in a video call on Friday that Ukraine wanted a peace settlement to be based on its proposals but was open to input from others. "We are ready to listen," he said, before stressing: "It is clear that there will be no territorial compromises." U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan took part in the meeting via video, having cancelled plans to attend in person due to the upheaval in Russia, officials said. Zelenskiy had proposed the summit take place in July. But officials said there was a lot of work still to be done and a date later in the year was most likely. No venue has been agreed for any summit but diplomats say Copenhagen has been suggested. "It's not necessarily bad that the Ukrainians have a bit of time to also tease out perhaps a few more gains on the battlefield, profit perhaps from some of the instability we've seen this weekend," another senior EU official said. (Reporting by Andrew Gray in Brussels; Additional reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Tom Balmforth in Kyiv and John Irish in Paris; editing by Grant McCool) Ukraine says it retakes another village from Russian forces KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine said on Monday its forces had taken back control of the devastated southeastern village of Rivnopil, the latest gain since it began a counteroffensive against Russian forces. The village appeared to be the ninth recaptured by Ukraine this month though a military spokesperson said Rivnopil was deserted and heavily damaged. "(Ukrainian) Defence forces have brought Rivnopil back under our control," Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. She did not say when Ukrainian troops entered Rivnopil, which lies just west of a cluster of villages recaptured by Kyiv in offensive operations that Maliar said had liberated 130 square km (50 square miles) in the south. A Ukrainian soldier said in an unverified 13-second video posted by Ukraine's military that the village was retaken on Sunday. The video showed him and other soldiers in front of a devastated building with a Ukrainian flag flying from a post. Using a derogatory term for Russian soldiers, he said: "The orcs are fleeing, we are moving ahead." Valeryi Shershen, spokesperson for the Tavria, or southern, military sector, told Ukrainian television there were no civilians in the village and that it had been almost totally destroyed. It had also been mined on all sides, he said. Shershen said the Tavria group had advanced by 1.5 km, or almost a mile, in the direction of the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region. "There are already liberated territories and our advance continues," said Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of Ukrainian forces on the Tavria front. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, still holds swathes of territory in the east and south. It did not immediately comment on events in Rivnopil, and Reuters was unable to verify the situation on the battlefield. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka; editing by Tom Balmforth and Timothy Heritage) Dnipro Ukraine Counteroffensive While unconfirmed, there are increasing numbers of reports that the Ukrainian Armed Forces may be making significant gains around the notorious Antonovsky Bridge, which spans the Dnieper River in Kherson Oblast, southern Ukraine. Multiple Russian accounts on the Telegram messaging app claim that a group of around 100 Ukrainian fighters now have a bridgehead on the previously Russian-controlled left bank of the Dnieper and that they are now being supplied. Footage from here, seen in the tweet embedded below, purports to show a Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier firing while evacuating Russian soldiers under Ukrainian fire. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1673072292929187840?s=20 https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1673243893582938112?s=20 https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1673241865137561600?s=20 https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1673339533948076035?s=20 https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1673039429496184832?s=20 On Telegram, the Dva Mayora channel provided the following account of fighting around Antonovsky Bridge: "Antonovsky bridge, our (left) bank of the Dnieper. Kherson region. The enemy holds a small foothold on our bank for at least three days. The units of the Russian Armed Forces withdrew from the area, as the constant action of enemy artillery and SOF [special operations forces] created a threat of encirclement of our forces. They retreated with combat, neighboring units came to the rescue. As a result of the fighting, the Russian Armed Forces suffered losses." https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1673253634929205249?s=20 https://twitter.com/region776/status/1673291973497872386?s=20 Dva Mayora further mentions that the Ukrainian contingent is being continuously supplied with materiel and its size is increasing. The same account adds that the Ukrainian Armed Forces is making use of high-speed boats as well as jamming systems to prevent Russian drone strikes. It's also worth noting that the partially destroyed bridge would provide some cover from strikes. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1673056912282140672?s=20 There have since been apparent calls for Russian airstrikes, also posted to Telegram, in what would seem to be a desperate attempt to help break Ukraine's increasing hold here. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1673072580104798213?s=20 https://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1673091366304243714?s=20 The Antonovsky Bridge originally consisted of a box-girder bridge but it was repeatedly struck by Ukrainian fire starting last summer, with HIMARS rockets allegedly being used. The bridge was closed to passenger traffic before being supplemented by a pontoon bridge constructed by Russian forces on the eastern side of the bridge. In November last year, the Antonovsky Bridge suffered a partial collapse. The Latest In the aftermath of the Wagner mutiny over the weekend, more details have come to light about the heavy losses inflicted by on the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) by the mercenaries. In addition to the six VKS helicopters that were shot down by Wagner, the private military company also destroyed one of the service's precious Il-22M radio-relay aircraft. Video of the aircraft spiraling to the ground in flames appeared on Saturday, although some initial reports suggested it was an An-26 transport. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672684512411566083?s=20 The aircraft reportedly fell victim to a Pantsir-S1 air defense system. Now there is photographic evidence of the wreckage, showing clearly that it was an Il-22M, which is based on the airframe of the 1950s-era Il-18 four-turboprop airliner. Prior to the loss, the VKS is thought to have had a maximum of 11 Il-22M radio-relay aircraft and a single Il-22K variant with a different equipment fit, although not all of these were likely operational at any given time. The loss of the Il-22M and a reported 10 crew is certainly a significant blow to the VKS. https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1673048992169570304?s=20 The VKS helicopters reportedly destroyed also included three other electronic warfare platforms (plus another damaged): all examples of the Mi-8MTPR-1 that you can read more about here. These have also been important assets in the war in Ukraine, where they have provided jamming of air defense systems. The remaining losses comprised a single Mi-8 transport helicopter, a Mi-35M assault helicopter, and a Ka-52 attack helicopter, based on open-source evidence gathered by the Oryx blog. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1673013095877230592?s=20 From losing aircraft to losing artillery battles, and unconfirmed reports suggest that Russia is increasingly concerned that advanced counter-battery radars delivered to Ukraine by Western allies are making a big difference during the ongoing counteroffensive. That counteroffensive has also seen the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to liberate villages from Russian control, with one of the latest being Rivnopil, adjacent to a cluster of settlements that were recaptured in the southeast of the country earlier this month. The liberation of this latest settlement was announced today by Hanna Maliar, Ukraine's deputy defense minister. https://twitter.com/kyivpost/status/1673277745067851778?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1673295590304653313?s=20 "Defense forces have brought Rivnopil back under our control. We are moving ahead," Maliar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Maliar has also claimed that around 50 square miles of territory in the south of the country has been returned to Ukrainian control since the counteroffensive began. https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1673295380564307972?s=20 https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1673277293089660929?s=20 Among the Western allies, Germany is meanwhile making efforts to address well-publicized ammunition shortages, both for its own artillery and to ensure a steady flow of munitions to Kyiv. https://twitter.com/deaidua/status/1673243095775813633?s=20 According to a report today in Der Spiegel, the German government is seeking to secure a long-term supply of ammunition for Kyiv, with a framework manufacturing agreement drawn up at the end of last week between the Rheinmetall company and the defense ministry. The agreement covers 330,000 rounds of 155-milimeter ammunition, with Berlin paying around $65.5 million for an initial 20,000 rounds for Ukraine. https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1672938884395683840?s=20 At the same time, Germany has announced that it will be boosting its military presence in the Baltic region, to better counter the potential Russian threat there. German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius has said that the country is planning to send "several thousand troops" to be stationed permanently in Lithuania. While there has inevitably been much attention on the fallout of the Wagner coup at the weekend, Russia has meanwhile continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, albeit at a reduced level compared to previous weeks. Suspilne, the Ukrainian state broadcaster reported that Russia attacked Ukraine overnight from the south, launching three Kalibr cruise missiles and eight Shahed drones. Ukrainian air defenses downed two missiles and seven drones, according to the same source. Another four drones are said to have been launched from the north, all of them being shot down. https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1673204837398327296?s=20 While there have been recent reports on the losses sustained so far by Ukraine's U.S.-supplied M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), the following video shows, in very graphic detail, how one unfortunate soldier stepped out of one of these vehicles and directly onto a mine. Viewer discretion is highly recommended. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1673371895985586198?s=20 According to a recent New York Times report, citing a Pentagon source, Ukraine has lost 17 out of 113 M2 Bradley ODS-SA vehicles delivered. Not all of these vehicles accounting for roughly 15 percent of total deliveries to Ukraine were destroyed, with some having been abandoned during the counteroffensive. https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1673343156203536385?s=20 More evidence is coming to light of other Ukrainian armored vehicles taking losses, apparently also in the counteroffensive, although the date of the footage seen below is unconfirmed. The video appears to show two unidentified Ukrainian Armed Forces mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles being knocked out by a Russian T-80 main battle tank. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1673033922521776136?s=20 The latest Australian defense package for Ukraine was unveiled today, valued at around US$73 million. "This latest package of support demonstrates that Ukraine can count on Australia," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. "We support international efforts to ensure Putin's aggression fails and that Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails," he added. This package includes: 70 military vehicles, among them: 28 M113 armored vehicles, 14 Special Operations Vehicles, and 28 MAN 40M medium trucks and 14 trailers. Supply of 105mm artillery ammunition. https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1673225220943904769?s=20 While we address the latest developments in the training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighters elsewhere on the The War Zone today, the U.K. Ministry of Defense today provided an update on the numbers of Ukrainians that have so far been trained in the United Kingdom and by other allies for other roles. In the last year, 17,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained under Operation Interflex, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said, according to AFP. Each of those recruits underwent a five-week program that has been carried out by the United Kingdom as well as nine partner nations: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1673375571961692162?s=20 Most of the recruits that passed through Interflex had little to no previous military experience. "The determination and resilience of the Ukrainian recruits that arrive on British soil, from all walks of life, to train to fight alongside our British and international forces, is humbling to witness," the U.K. Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, said. "The U.K. and our international partners will continue to provide this vital support, helping Ukraine defend against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes." By 2024, it's planned that Operation Interflex will have trained around 30,000 recruits. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines Ground Forces commander, said Ukraine has yet to commit the bulk of its forces to the counter-offensive. The Guardian reported that the Ukrainian military built 12 new brigades from scratch for the offensive, nine of which have been equipped by Western allies, as we have noted in the past. Only three are believed to have been committed to battle so far. Everyone wants to achieve a great victory instantly and at once, Syrskyi told The Guardian. And so do we. But we have to be prepared to have this process take some time because there are a lot of forces massed on each side, a lot of materiel, and a lot of engineered obstacles. Our main force has not been engaged in fighting yet, and we are now searching, probing for weak places in the enemy defenses. Everything is still ahead. The fight, he acknowledged, has been far from easy. Its difficult, stressful, he says of the latest developments on the frontline, the newspaper reported. Russia has been pursuing its own offensives near the town of Kreminna in the Luhansk region in the east of the country, while on Tuesday there was hard fighting in the Serebryansky forest, on the border of the Donetsk region, he says. The Kremlin has moved units such as the 83 assault paratrooper brigade to Bakhmut from the south, he says, after the breaching of the Kakhovka dam in the southerly Kherson region made the passing of the Dnipro River which would be necessary for Ukraine to liberate the remaining occupied territory there even more daunting. The Russians are trying to seize the initiative, so the situation is really difficult, Syrskyi said. We must not underestimate the enemy, he says. The enemy has anticipated and continues to anticipate the most dangerous directions of our movements, and builds up strong defenses there that are quite difficult to penetrate. A Chinese company - previously sanctioned by the U.S. for providing support to Iran shipped enough smokeless powder to Russia last year to make at least 80 million rounds of ammunition, The New York Times reported Friday. "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 newspaper reported. "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. https://twitter.com/isaacstonefish/status/1672218924434300928?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A The U.K. Defense Ministry on Friday confirmed prior reporting by our friend @CovertShores over at Naval News about Russia boosting its cadre of military-trained bottle-nosed dolphins at the frequently attacked Crimean port city of Sevastopol, home of the Black Sea Fleet. On June 14, Naval News reported that "Russia appears to have doubled the trained dolphins defending Sevastopol naval base in Crimea. This is part of a gradual tightening of defenses in response to Ukraines growing ability to reach the strategic city. Despite the wider focus on missiles and maritime drones, Russia evidently takes the threat of Ukrainian special forces seriously." https://twitter.com/CovertShores/status/1672236788906184705?s=20 In a Tweet thread Friday, the U.K. MoD concurred with USNI's assessments, albeit with somewhat fewer details. USNI, for instance, suggested, "that the number of animals has increased from 3-4 to 6-7." The U.K. MoD didn't offer specific numbers but did share satellite imagery as proof of the increase in sea mammal pens. The Russians began deploying trained dolphins to Sevastopol last year, UNSI reported at the time. According to the U.K. MoD, imagery shows a near doubling of floating mammal pens in the harbor which highly likely contain bottle-nosed dolphins. But dolphins arent the only aquatic mammals Russia uses for military purposes, according to the MoD. In Arctic waters, the navy also uses Beluga whales and seals, the MoD noted. Russia has trained animals for a range of missions, but the ones housed in Sevastopol harbor are highly likely intended to counter enemy divers. Russia has increased the number of sea mammal pens at Sevastopol harbor in recent months according to the U.K. MoD. (U.K. MoD photo) In developing tranches of military aid for Ukraine, U.S. officials have frequently talked about the value of armor for maneuver. This video below shows how that's come into play as Ukrainian troops riding in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) were able to shoot, move, and survive anti-personnel mines. https://twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1672220554357620739?s=20 Ukrainian artillery also continues to extract a heavy toll on the Russian Armed Forces. Case in point, this apparently recent video that shows the last moments of a massive 240mm 2S4 Tyulpan heavy self-propelled mortar: https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672925127409893376?s=20 Ukrainian drones, too, remain widely employed in coordinating attacks on Russian forces, as in this engagement, in the Bakhmut area. Ukrainian forces from the 56th Motorized Infantry Brigade reportedly used a drone to locate a Russian Strela-10 (SA-13 Gopher) short-range air defence system, before calling in a strike that is said to have used a M30A1 GMLRS rocket. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1673102050605903873?s=20 Bakhmut, of course, became associated with some brutal trench warfare earlier in the conflict, and the video below suggests that combat of this type is very much ongoing in the region. Although we don't have a particular date for this footage, it appears to have only recently emerged. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672925877104001024?s=20 While we have seen Ukrainian soldiers riding monowheels in at least one previous video (apparently filmed on or near the frontlines), this latest offering suggests that this unorthodox mode of transport might be subject to a wider uptake. Unfortunately, we don't have any details as to when or where this video was taken. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1673008138675449858?s=20 And finally, amid the horrors of war, one Ukrainian soldier found a moment of peace with the latest animal mascot, the combat kitty. https://twitter.com/operativno_ZSU/status/1672141526955089921?s=20 That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Ukraine war latest: Ukraine liberates Rivnopil; US to send $500 million worth of military aid Key developments on June 26: Military liberates village in Donetsk Oblast Reuters: U.S. to send a new batch of armored vehicles, HIMARS munition Wagner reportedly builds camps in Belarus for alleged redeployment Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 1, injure 13 over past 24 hours Ukraine's Armed Forces have liberated the village of Rivnopil in Donetsk Oblast, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on June 26, confirming an incremental but steady advance in the south. There are two settlements called Rivnopil in Donetsk Oblast, with the liberated one sits near the administrative border with neighboring Zaporizhzhia Oblast in southeastern Ukraine. This is the ninth settlement regained since the beginning of Ukraine's long-expected summer counteroffensive. Ukraine's military has also liberated Lobkove, Levadne, Piatykhatky, and Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Donetsk Oblast's villages of Neskuchne, Storozheve, Makarivka, and Blahodatne. Earlier the same day, Maliar and the U.K. Defense Ministry reported some progress made by Ukrainian forces around Bakhmut. According to Maliar, over the weekend, Ukrainian troops have advanced around 1-2 kilometers toward Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Bohdanivka, Yahidne, Klishchiivka, and Kurdiumivka. As part of their larger counteroffensive, Ukraines forces have gained impetus" in attacks around Bakhmut, advancing on both the northern and southern flanks of the city, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on June 26. According to the ministrys latest intelligence update, there has been little evidence that Russia maintains any significant ground forces operational level reserves which could be used to reinforce against the multiple threats it is now facing in widely separated sectors. Those sectors extend from Bakhmut to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, more than 200 kilometers apart, reads the update. Inside Ukraines costly mission to grind down Russia near Bakhmut Editors note: The Kyiv Independent interviewed a few dozen soldiers deployed near Bakhmut and visited their positions in late May and early June. The soldiers are identified by their first names or call signs for security reasons amid the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine. NEAR IVANIVSKE VILLAGE, Don The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima Reuters: US to send armored vehicles, HIMARS rockets in new $500 million aid package The package, due to be announced on June 27, according to undisclosed U.S. officials quoted by Reuters, could include 30 Bradley fighting vehicles and 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers. Ukraine may also receive munitions for HIMARS systems, anti-tank weapons including Javelins, as well as munitions for Patriot and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Reuters reported. The material will come from U.S. excess inventory. The security assistance package would be the 41st approved by the U.S. since February 2022, with the total worth being more than $40 billion. On June 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden, discussing the war and "the processes taking place in Russia amid the day long armed "rebellion" of Russia's Wagner mercenary group. The leaders also discussed the importance of delivering more air defense to protect civilians, Zelensky said. In addition, the presidents coordinated the positions of the two countries on the eve of the NATO alliance summit, which will take place on July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Australia also announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 110 million Australian dollars (about $74 million), including military and humanitarian assistance, the Guardian reported on June 26. Australia will reportedly send Ukraine 70 military vehicles, including 28 M113 armored vehicles, 14 special purpose vehicles, 28 MAN 40M medium trucks, and 14 trailers, as well as a new supply of 105mm artillery ammunition. This package responds to Ukraines requests for vehicles and ammunition and will make a tangible difference on the battlefield, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. The country will also commit over $6 million to the United Nations to help provide Ukrainians with shelters, health services, water, and sanitation, the Guardian wrote. According to the Australian government, cited by the publication, this aid package brings Canberras total contribution to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion to around $527 million, including $407 million in military aid. Putin lashes out at Wagner, promises no punishment On June 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a short speech in which he lashed out at the organizers of the Wagner rebellion but said no repercussions will follow. Wagner mercenaries will have the option to sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry or leave for Belarus, he said. Camps for the Wagner mercenary group are being built in Belarus, the Russian independent news outlet Verstka wrote on June 26. The outlet reported that a military camp for 8,000 fighters is being built near Asipovichy in Mogilev Oblast, roughly 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, with more camps to come. According to Verstkas sources, the workers were given tasks to build a camp with an area of 24,000 square meters very quickly under the orders of the authorities. The news outlet also wrote that family members of Wagner contractors confirmed that the fighters are being deployed to Belarus. In his first public address since the uprising, Wagners founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the mercenary group had marched on Moscow to protest against its imminent dissolution and an alleged attack by conducted by the Russian army. Russia comes to the brink of civil war: How we got here and what it means Visually, the scene was a familiar one. Russian armored vehicles emblazoned with the Z logo in the central streets of a once peaceful city, masked soldiers standing at key intersections, and confrontational conversations with bemused local civilians. But this wasnt a Ukrainian city in the first da The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell He said that Wagner had ended the rebellion to avoid further causalities on both sides. Prigozhin said that, according to an order issued by Russia's Defense Ministry, the mercenary group was meant to be dissolved on July 1 and its staff and equipment would then be transferred to the regular army. However only 1-2% of the mercenaries agreed to sign the contract with the ministry, he said. Prigozhin again criticized the military's leadership as unprofessional and incompetent, claiming that Wagner represents the most capable force during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to the Russian state news agency TASS, Wagner recruitment offices resumed their work in Novosibirsk and Tyumen. The agency reported that advertising posters had reappeared, and the centers' employees are back at work after the apparent closure on June 23. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. Russian attacks kill 1, wounds 13 over past day One civilian was killed, and 13 were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past 24 hours, according to Ukrainian authorities. Russia targeted 10 oblasts Donetsk, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Luhansk. In the morning of June 26, Russian troops struck southern Kherson Oblast with prohibited incendiary munition, damaging residential buildings, water pipes, gas pipes, and critical infrastructure, the regional administration reported. There were no casualties in the attack. On June 25, Russian forces launched 95 attacks against southern Kherson Oblast, firing 644 projectiles at the regional settlements, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. One person was killed, and seven more were wounded in the attacks, said Prokudin. Russian attacks injured three civilians in Avdiivka, Sukha Balka, and Krasnohorivka, in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported. Russia hit seven settlements and two communities in the region, damaging two apartment buildings, 12 private residences, water pipes and power lines, Kyrylenko wrote. Russian forces struck 14 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast with various weapons, injuring a 73-year-old man and 77-year-old woman in the village of Preobrazhenka, the regional authorities wrote on Facebook. The attacks damaged 38 civilian buildings, according to the report. On June 25, Russian troops shelled six border communities in northeastern Sumy Oblast, injuring one civilian in Myropillia. Two residential buildings, a garage, and a car were also damaged, according to the regional administration. Ukraine's Armed Forces tell how liberation of Rivnopol took place Valerii Shershen, a spokesperson for the Joint Press Centre for the Tavriia front Defence Forces, described how the liberation of the settlement of Rivnopol in Donetsk Oblast took place. Source: Shershen during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "From all sides, this settlement was surrounded by minefields of a very complex nature. The engineering troops broke through the corridor and, in this way, the liberation took place. Stabilisation measures are currently underway." Details: He added that there was not a single civilian in Rivnopol because the settlement was completely destroyed. Background: On 26 June, the Ukrainian military regained control of the village of Rivnopil in Donetsk Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! On the Melitopol front, Ukrainian troops have already advanced 1.5 km towards the Russian army as a result of systemic pressure. Source: Interfax Ukraine citing Valerii Shershen, spokesperson for the Joint Press Centre for the Tavriia front Defence Forces, during the national joint 24/7 newscast. Quote: "Due to systemic pressure, the Defence Forces on the Tavriia front are successful and have advanced 1.5 km deep into the enemy lines. That is, the offensive actions of the Tavriia group on the Melitopol front are successful." Details: Shershen noted that currently, Ukrainian troops secure their positions at the borders reached. According to him, there is an ongoing aerial reconnaissance of the area, mandatory mine clearance; the Defence Forces are shelling identified enemy targets, and carrying out counter-battery countermeasures. He emphasised that moving forward, the soldiers of the Tavriia front confidently continue to destroy Russians and level the front. As Shershen reports, during the last day, Russians lost 146 occupiers killed, 229 wounded, and 4 captured. Ukrainian forces also destroyed 15 units of Russian weapons and military equipment. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukrainian Defence Forces launched an offensive in several areas in the countrys east late last week and had advanced by 1-2 kilometres as of the morning of 26 June. Source: Hanna Maliar, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister, on Telegram Quote: "Our troops launched counteroffensive actions in the areas of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Bohdanivka, Yahidne, Klishchiivka and Kurdiumivka late last week. The advance in each area is between 1 and 2 kilometres. At the moment, the forces are consolidating their positions and further crushing the enemy." Details: Meanwhile, she said, the Russian forces tried to advance on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts. About 250 combat engagements occurred in these areas over the past week. However, the Russian army could not force Ukrainian troops from their positions. Heavy fighting is ongoing. Maliar said Russian troops carried out 6,457 attacks in the east last week, firing 315,006 rounds of ammunition. The deputy minister stressed that the number of attacks increased compared to the previous week. She also added that the situation in the countrys south has not changed significantly over the past week. Quote: "The Ukrainian Defence Forces continued to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts. The area of liberated territories increased by 17 square kilometres over the week due to the improved operational (tactical) situation and levelling of the front". Details: The deputy minister stressed that a total of 130 square kilometres have been liberated in the south since the offensive began. Maliar said that the Russian occupying forces are putting up a strong resistance but, at the same time, are suffering significant losses in personnel, weapons and equipment. The number of Russian casualties over the past week was eight times higher than that of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the deputy minister said. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukrainian troops advance up to two kilometers in east, reports Defense Ministry The Defense Forces of Ukraine are liberating the occupied territories, entrenching themselves on the occupied borders Ukraines armed forces advanced up to two kilometers in the east of the country by the end of last week, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on Telegram on June 26. The offensive took place near Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Bohdanivka, Yahidne, Klishchiyivka, and Kurdiumivka, Maliar said. Read also: Ukraines military reserves still held back for counter-offensive, says deputy defense minister Our troops are now consolidating on their objectives and are continuing to destroy the enemy, she explained. Last week, the Ukrainian military conducted both defensive and offensive actions, having tactical success. Russian troops also advanced in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mariinka areas, with heavy fighting underway. Read also: Ukrainian counter-offensive is only just starting, military expert tells NV About 250 clashes took place in these areas over the past week as the enemy tried to oust Ukrainian forces from their positions, but failed, Maliar stressed. No significant changes took place in southern Ukraine over the past week. Ukraines military continues to conduct offensive operations in the Melitopol and Berdyansk areas. 17 square kilometers of territory was liberated, Maliar stated. In total, Ukraine has liberated 130 square kilometers in the south of the country since the beginning of the counter-offensive. Ukrainian missile and artillery units carried out 8,783 fire missions over the past week, Maliar said. 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 areas of the front, the units of the armys Tavria grouping liberated eight settlements. The units on this southern section of the front line have pushed back enemy forces up to seven kilometers from previous positions. Read also: What Ukraine Needs for an Offensive Operation opinion Maliar reported on June 24 that Ukraines armed forces had launched an offensive in several areas in the east and advanced everywhere. Heavy fighting continues in the south as the Russians attempt to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also confirmed the liberation of the territories near the town of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast, which had been under Russian occupation since 2014. The Ukrainian military is currently conducting a preparatory formation operation, but the main strike against the enemy is yet to come, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. 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 flag of Ukraine in liberated Neskuchny, Donetsk Oblast, June 13, 2023 Ukraine's military has liberated the village of Rivnopil in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on Telegram on June 26. The Defense Forces have returned Rivnopil under our control, she said. Lets move on. Deep State This is the ninth settlement that the Defense Ministry announced to be liberated after the beginning of the Ukrainian military counteroffensive. The rest are the following: Novodarivka; Levadne; Storozhove; Makarivka; Blahodatne; Lobkove; Neskuchne; Piatykhatky. During two weeks of offensive operations on the Berdyansk and Melitopol areas of the front, the units of the armys Tavria grouping liberated eight settlements. The units on this southern section of the front line have pushed back enemy forces up to seven kilometers from their previous positions. Read also: The road is strewn with the bodies of Russian soldiers Photo report from recently liberated village in Donetsk Oblast Maliar reported on June 24 that Ukraines armed forces had launched an offensive in several areas in the east and advanced everywhere. Heavy fighting continues in the south as the Russians attempt to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing. Andriy Biletsky, the commander of the 3rd separate assault brigade, said the Defense Forces had completely cleared the bridgehead on the western bank of the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal from the Russian invaders. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also confirmed the liberation of the territories near the town of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast, which had been under Russian occupation since 2014. 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 LONDON (Reuters) - British foreign minister James Cleverly said on Monday the aborted mutiny by Russia's Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, represented an unprecedented challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Armed Russian mercenaries withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov under a deal that halted their rapid advance on Moscow on Sunday. "Prigozhins rebellion is an unprecedented challenge to President Putins authority and it is clear cracks are emerging in Russian support for the war," Cleverly told parliament. The extraordinary events over the weekend left governments, both friendly and hostile to Russia, looking for answers to what could happen next in the country with the world's largest nuclear arsenal. "The (British) government, of course, considers this an internal Russian affair. And of course, the leadership of Russia is a matter exclusively for the Russian people," Cleverly said. "I, of course, hold no candle for Prigozhin or his forces. They have committed atrocities in Ukraine and elsewhere," Cleverly said. "But he (Prigozhin) has said out loud what we have believed since the start of Russia's full scale invasion: that this invasion was both unjustified and unprovoked." (Reporting by Muvija M and Andrew MacAskill, editing by William James) Activists in orange prison jumpsuits protesting in January the continued detention of some 30 people at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (ALEX WONG) With nearly constant surveillance, gruelling isolation and limited family access, the treatment of the last 30 Guantanamo detainees is "cruel, inhuman and degrading," UN rights experts said Monday as they reported on their first visit to the US military prison. UN Special Rapporteur Fionnuala Ni Aolain said mistreatment at the prison on an American naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, amounted to violations of detainees' fundamental rights and freedoms. The detainees, held close to two decades after being seized as suspects following the 2001 Al-Qaeda attack on the United States, have endured a litany of abuse, including forced cell extractions, poor medical and mental health care, said Ni Aolain. The detainees also have had inadequate access to family either by in-person visits or calls, she said in a press briefing. "The totality of all of these practices and omissions ... amounts in my assessment to ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law," she said. Ni Aolain, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism, travelled to Guantanamo with a team in February after UN rights experts had sought to visit the prison for two decades. Introducing the team's report, she said Washington had yet to address the most glaring rights violation related to the detainees: their secret seizure and transfer -- or rendition -- to Guantanamo in the early 2000s, and, for many, enduring extensive torture by US operatives in the first years after the September 11 attacks. Their planned military trials have been stalled for years over the question of whether they can receive fair justice if they have been tortured. That is unfair to the victims of the September 11 attack as well, said Ni Aolain. "The systematic rendition and torture at multiple (including black) sites and thereafter at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ... comprise the single most significant barrier to fulfilling victims' rights to justice and accountability," the UN Special Rapporteur said. Nevertheless, she welcomed the administration of President Joe Biden's openness for allowing her team to visit Guantanamo and examine the treatment of the detainees, who once numbered nearly 800. "Few states exhibit that kind of courage," she said. Nevertheless, she said, closure of the prison, which remains outside the US justice system, "remains a priority." In addition, "the US government must ensure accountability for all violations of international law, both for victims of its counterterrorism practices, present and former detainees, and victims of terrorism," she said. Accountability, she said, includes apologies, full remedy and reparations for "all victims," she said. In a letter to Ni Aolain on the report, Michele Taylor, the US envoy to UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, said the US does not accept all of her assessments. "We are committed to providing safe and humane treatment for detainees," Taylor wrote. abd/sl/pmh/dw How this unit could shape the future of infantry battalions for decades A battalion from one of the oldest continuously active Marine regiments will conduct experiments in the next two years that could define how the infantry battalion operates for decades to come. That unit is 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. And itll be doing that work with a reconfigured, slimmer battalion of 811 Marines and 69 Navy support personnel, for a total manning of 880 personnel, according to figures provided by Marine officials. Thats down from the standard battalion requirement of 965 Marines and sailors prior to Force Design 2030 efforts that kicked off in 2019, and the current 877 Marines and sailors that are currently the infantry battalion standard manning, officials said. But the figure remains higher than one of the three experimental battalions that worked through Phase I infantry battalion experiments with only 735 Marines. Dispersed, more lethal: What Marine infantry battalion experiments have shown so far Those numbers came from the annual update to Force Design 2030, Commandant Gen. David Bergers plan to restructure the Marine Corps, and requests made by Marine Corps Times to the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Warfighting Lab and Manpower & Reserve Affairs. The Force Design 2030 aims to have the Corps operate more dispersed in littoral zones with precision long-range fires, reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance and a host of new capabilities that Berger and his supporters say war-gaming has shown will transform how Marine units operate in future wars. Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, deputy commandant of Combat Development and Integration, emphasized that Berger has told him Force Design is not a destination but a journey, to me its a waypoint, he said during a June 2 phone call with media on the Force Design annual update. This is what Marines do better than anybody, were small enough that we can be agile and quick and make changes quickly and efficiently, he said. And thats exactly whats happening here. There are now 21 active-duty infantry battalions and eight Marine Reserve battalions. The Corps has cut three active-duty infantry battalions from its numbers since 2020 as part of Force Design 2030 changes. As of early June, the Corps had two battalions already transitioned to 811 Marines, according to data provided by Manpower & Reserve Affairs. The remaining battalions will transition as follows: two in fiscal year 2024; three each in fiscal years 2025 and 2026; four each in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 and the final three in fiscal year 2029. As of June 6, the Marine Corps had 2,148 officers and 22,805 enlisted Marines with infantry as their primary job in the active duty ranks, according to manpower data. Another 353 officers and 4,721 enlisted Marines held infantry primary jobs in the Marine Reserve as of May 23. These force redesign decisions are not without their critics. A series of commentaries have been published in recent years by recent and former high-ranking Marine generals and senior officers openly condemning some of the changes, especially the removal of tanks and reduction in conventional artillery that has happened to make room in funding and manning for new capabilities being added to the force. The reorganization is a move away from using the Corps as an assault infantry tool and instead, as a force focused on small teams acting as sensors and reconnaissance for a long-range strike, said Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and retired Marine colonel. Cancian, who authored a 2021 report titled U.S. Military Forces in FY2022: Marine Corps, that then noted perceived gaps in the redesign initiatives, also said he has questions about how the 811-Marine infantry battalion will be employed. Comparing the newly-sized battalions with those of only a few years ago, would require analyzing whether Marine units will continue to conduct the full spectrum of missions that Marine infantry has conducted in the past amphibious assault, urban warfare, counterinsurgency and extended operations ashore-or will it just focus on the preferred Western Pacific scenario? Smaller units are often described as leaner but meaner, but they are really just smaller, Cancian said. There is no evidence here of meaner. The Thundering Third returned from deployment earlier in 2023 and was chosen for Phase II of the Corps infantry battalion experimentation. Heckl said that the unit will take the Corps battalion experimentation to the next level. Why the Corps future may sideline its ground-pounders Phase I wrapped up in 2022 and Marine leadership landed on the 811-Marine infantry battalion as the ideal size of the unit which will be the base of the Marine littoral regiment, the services newest large-scale formation built to counter adversaries such as China in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Some of the Phase I experimentation on the infantry battalion included: Removing snipers from the battalion and instead creating a scout platoon to conduct some of the past functions of snipers. Added medical training and personnel for improved casualty care in austere locations where immediate medical evacuation may not be available. Bringing back a full 81 mm mortar platoon for the battalions use. Past experiments with smaller formations had cut that by half. Added signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities at the company level. Enhanced command and control, sensing, lethality and sustainment experimentation. Experiments to reduce cognitive load on leaders at all levels, including a new course for company noncommissioned officers on running 21st-century combat operations. Phase II, which begins with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, will continue to refine both the scout platoon and arms room concepts while primarily focusing on command, control, communications, computing, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting, sustainment, sensing and lethality, said Brig. Gen. Kyle Ellison, commanding general of the Warfighting Lab and career infantry. Ellison called phase II the decisive phase. Retired Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper, who formerly commanded 2nd Marine Division and the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, criticized the arms room concept, which aims to train Marines on all weapons systems, rather than having a dedicated mortarman and machine gunner or other traditional MOS-specific roles and the removal of snipers from the infantry battalion. The Corps deactivated 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, weapons company on June 1, integrating those Marines into the battalion as it heads into the Phase II experimentation phase likely by January, officials said. Anyone who understands weapons, those weapons are complex, they require thorough training and experience, Van Riper said. You dont switch from being a machine gunner to being a mortarman to being a rifleman to being an antitank gunner just like that. You have to have day-to-day experience. The retired three-star also noted that the Corps had done away with and brought back snipers multiple times, often to its detriment. He maintained that keeping snipers in the battalion was crucial and pointed to intelligence from the Russo-Ukraine War showing snipers employed on the front lines alongside the infantry. Ellison also noted that changes in manning put staff sergeants in squad leader roles, which previously were assigned to sergeants but often filled by corporals in short-staffing situations. That move helps with maturing the force at the small unit level, he said. While the Corps continues to experiment and add newer technologies such as loitering munitions and autonomous systems down to the lower levels such as platoons and squads, those systems cant do everything. What we determined was that some of our autonomous systems and loitering systems that were going to bring to bear in the future arent all weather, Ellison said. Thats one reason the new battalion configuration will see a full 81 mm mortar platoon at its disposal, rather than the half-strength model used in the 735-Marine battalion experiment during Phase I. Beyond weapons systems, the infantry battalion must consider contingencies that some forces havent experienced in generations. Were going to be encountering a level of combat casualty care requirements that we havent seen since World War II, Ellison said. That observation pushed planners to beef up medical capabilities, including standardizing lifesaver training for all Marines in the battalion and the 69 Navy support staff figure on the roster. Weve increased the medical capability within each company and within the battalion writ large, Ellison said. Details of medical training aspects and specific Navy support roles were not immediately available as of publication. President Putin Meets With Leaders Attends The 2nd Eurasian Economic Forum Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, right, enter the hall during the Supreme Economic Eurasian Council at the Grand Kremlin Palace on May 25, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. Credit - ContributorGetty Images When Russian President Vladimir Putin faced the greatest threat to his authority in decades over the weekend, one man sprung to his rescue: Alexander Lukashenko. The longtime Belarusian dictator has been credited by Moscow with striking the backroom deal that ultimately prompted Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin to call off his troops mutinous march on Moscowa clash that observers feared could culminate in an all-out civil war, pitting Prigozhins band of mercenaries against Russias military leadership, and Putin himself. In a statement on June 24, representatives for Lukashenko said he had informed Russia about his negotiations with Wagner leaders, and Putin had supported and thanked his Belarusian counterpart for the work done. While the details of the agreement are sparse, the Kremlin says Prigozhin agreed to leave Russia for Belarusand withdraw his estimated cohort of 25,000 fightersin exchange for their immunity and for the criminal case opened by Russias security services against Prigozhin for organizing an armed insurrection to be dropped. (Prigozhin has yet to publicly comment on the agreement and was last seen departing Rostov-on-Don in an SUV as supporters cheered. It is also unclear if Moscow will keep its end of the reported bargain, as there have been reports in the Russian press that Prigozhin remains under criminal investigation.) On Monday, Prigozhin posted an 11-minute audio message via Telegram for the first time since the aborted march June 24. He said that the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing Russias leadership, according to the BBC. Instead, he claims that the rebellion was categorically against the decision to close Wagner on 1 July 2023 and to incorporate it into the defense ministry. More from TIME Read More: Inside the Fight To Revive the Belarusian Language Regardless of what happens, Lukashenko is the only one who appears to have emerged stronger from this crisis. Such an outcome might have been unthinkable only a few years ago. In 2020, Lukashenko was on the brink of losing power himself, when, in the aftermath of another rigged election, Belarusians took to the streets in what would become the largest pro-democracy protests in the countrys history. That Lukashenko ultimately managed to stave off the calls for his ouster was in large part thanks to Putin, who provided his Belarusian counterpart with Russian police forces to help quash the demonstrations and a $1.5 billion loan to overcome Western sanctions. That investment has since paid off. When Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, Belaruswhich shares a 674-mile border with Ukrainebecame a convenient springboard from which Moscow positioned tens of thousands of troops and military hardware. Lukashenko has remained a loyal footsoldier to Putin, allowing Belarus to become an effective vassal state of Russia in exchange for economic and political stability. In addition to substantial loans, Minsk also relies on Moscow for billions of dollars in oil and gas subsidies. By reportedly intervening in Prigozhins attempted mutiny, Lukashenko may have been seeking to protect not only his Kremlin benefactors, but also himself. Lukashenkos regime would crumble immediately if Prigozhin succeeded, so Lukashenko definitely had motivation to stop it, Franak Viacorka, the chief political advisor to Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, tells TIME. But that necessity quickly turned into opportunity, with Lukashenko capitalizing on the deal as evidence of his own statesmanship. Belarusian media outlets have heaped praise on his efforts, with some even going so far as to dub Lukashenko the peacemaker of Slavic civilization and the Hero of Russia. Its a narrative that Moscow has proven happy to support. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov credited Lukashenkos decades-long relationship with Prigozhin in helping get the deal over the line, adding that Moscow is grateful to the President of Belarus for these efforts. Read More: The West Cant Afford To Forget About Belarus Lukashenko is interested to say very publicly and loudly that he was the mastermind, says Ryhor Astapenia, the director of the Belarus Initiative at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. He used this window of opportunity to restore a lot of his agency that he lost after 2020. Still, Viacorka says Lukashenkos role in diffusing the crisis shouldnt be overstated. As he and many other observers see it, Putin merely used Lukashenko as a messenger to avoid speaking with Prigozhin directly, whom the Russian president had accused of committing high treason. For Putin, it was a way to stop Prigozhin; for Prigozhin, it was a way to save face, Viacorka adds. It is not a long-term solution, but it just gives them both a break to regroup. What ultimately comes of the agreementand whether Prigozhin and Putin choose to uphold their sides of itcould have significant consequences for Lukashenko. Viacorka says that, at the end of the day, all three men concerned are mutually dependent on one another: Putin on Prigozhin for fighting in Ukraine; Prigozhin on Lukashenko for providing him safe haven; and Lukashenko on Putin for his own political survival. (Lukashenkos dependence on Putin suits the Russian President, who can scarcely afford another pro-democracy uprising on his doorstep.) On the one hand, they hate each other, says Viacorka, but on the other hand, they need each other. As such, whatever benefits Lukashenko may have reaped from this crisis may ultimately be short-lived. The last few days have severely undermined Putins image of strength and authority. That the Russian leader ostensibly chose to let Prigozhin godespite having done far worse to critics who have done far lesshas led some analysts to believe that perhaps the Kremlin had genuine concerns about a wider military mutiny. If the Russian president is seen to be on the verge of losing power, or susceptible to ouster by an armed rebellion, that cant bode well for Lukashenko. If Putin goes, hes unlikely to be far behind. With reporting by Armani Syed SODUS, N.Y. Daniel Bennetts office at Sodus Intermediate School is a haven for kids in crisis. When fourth, fifth or sixth graders here are fed up, ready to fight, or exhausting their teacher with their unfocused energy, they can visit Bennetts office to jump on the mini trampoline, bounce on the balance ball chairs, or strum out their frustration on one of the guitars that hang on one wall. This spring morning, a boy came in crying, complaining hed been treated unfairly during a game in gym class. He told Bennett he didnt understand the games rules and was punished for breaking them. Bennett, a doctoral student at Roberts Wesleyan College here on a yearlong internship, helps each student identify their feelings, and validates them. While the student calms down, they might play a board game, shoot darts or mess with fidget toys. On this day, though, the boy wasnt interested in toys or games. He just wanted to talk and be listened to. Sometimes you need to sit and be quiet, Bennett said later. Too few counselors as kids' mental health needs grow Besides Bennett, Sodus Intermediate has two licensed psychologists on staff. But one functions as a school counselor, responsible for academic advising in addition to mental health counseling. Even with Bennett on board, it can be hard to meet the needs of all the kids and teachers in this low-income, rural district especially since the pandemic. Theres a lot of trauma, and there are only so many hours in a day to meet with kids, Bennett said. Rates of anxiety and depression among youth and adolescents have reached record highs across the country, with the surgeon general calling kids declining mental health the defining public health crisis of our time. Yet, nationwide, there was just one school psychologist for every 1,127 K-12 students in 2020-21. The shortages of school social workers and counselors are just as bad. Daniel Bennett is drawn to working in schools, but like many mental health professionals, he worries about the salary. These deficits are due both to a lack of funding and a lack of providers. Some schools cant afford to hire more providers, while others struggle to find qualified providers because colleges arent producing enough of them, and low pay pushes some would-be school counselors into private practice or other specialties. Now, spurred by an influx of federal funds, schools and colleges are undertaking an unprecedented effort to recruit and retain more school mental health providers. Districts are offering stipends to grad student interns and providing mentors to new hires. Colleges are creating new programs to introduce high schoolers to school mental-health careers, building online communities for isolated rural providers and launching virtual graduate degrees to attract busy professionals and far-flung students. Bennetts position at Sodus Intermediate, a 45-minute drive from Rochester, is funded through one of a pair of federal grant programs that received a huge funding increase in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed last year in response to the May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary, in Uvalde, Texas. What happened in a year? Mental health, safety investments promised after Uvalde shooting show little headway Since December, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $286 million to 264 grantees in nearly every state to boost the training and hiring of school mental health professionals, particularly those from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds. The agency estimates that the infusion of cash will prepare more than 14,000 new providers. Schools also spent an estimated $2 billion in federal pandemic recovery dollars to hire mental health professionals an investment that helped increase the number of social workers by nearly 50%, and the number of school counselors and psychologists by 10%, according to the Education Department. President Joe Biden has set a goal of doubling the number of school-based mental health professionals. Trying to enter a field that makes you work for free for two years is impossible for some of our economically disadvantaged populations. Andria Amador, senior director of behavioral health services, Boston Public Schools Bennett, the son of a school psychologist, said he feels drawn to the mental health field. But with one week remaining on his internship, he is still considering whether hell pursue a job in a school or in another setting. Im open to seeing where the wind takes me, he said. Rural settings, low pay work against hiring school counselors At lunchtime, Bennett hurries to the cafeteria to collect four rambunctious fifth grade boys for a skills group. Trays in hand, they race down the hall to Bennetts office, scarfing up tater tots with their mouths. The topic today is listening. The group starts with a silly song about being a whole body listener, drawing or coloring what they hear or think as they listen. When the song ends, Bennett asks the students to describe their drawings and then share which classmate did the best job of listening while they spoke. Josh holds up a picture of a guy playing with his ears, and Bennett asks what it represents. Hear teachers talk, Josh answers. And who was the best listener? Bennett asks. You, Josh says. Your eyes were on me, and you werent tapping the floor. Matt, who is dressed head-to-toe in Spider-Man attire, jumps in to defend himself. The way I focus and calm down is by fidgeting, he explains. The phone rings, interrupting the sharing. Its a teacher who wants to know if she can send a student who is in crisis. Bennett says he has five minutes after the skills group ends after that hes got to meet with another teacher. I love the community in schools getting to eat lunch with colleagues, being surrounded by youngsters. But it would be very hard to support myself on the entry level salaries in this setting. Daniel Bennett, a doctoral student on a yearlong internship as a school counselor When the session ends, Bennett returns the boys to their classrooms, and picks up the student who the teacher had called about. As they walk to Bennetts office, the student says that he accidentally squirted water on his teachers phone, and she smacked him on the arm. Now Im mad all day, the student says. They head back to Bennetts office, where the student calms down by strumming on a guitar. Bennett asks the boy what type of music is his favorite (country, he says), and tells him he used to play bass in a high school band; he had hair down to his shoulders. Let it wash off you like water, Bennett says, encouragingly. Rural districts tend to have a harder time recruiting school psychologists, because there are fewer training programs near rural districts. But even if more graduates were willing to relocate, the number of students graduating from programs in psychology, counseling and social work isnt keeping pace with districts growing demand for mental health services, said Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach, director of policy and advocacy for the National Association of School Psychologists. Another reason schools struggle to recruit and retain mental health providers is in part because of the low pay. (The average salary for a school psychologist is about $88,000; for clinical and counseling psychologists its $103,000; industrial psychologists, who work in businesses and organizations, earn an average of $145,000.) In addition, schools often ask providers, especially school counselors, to take on administrative duties, like test proctoring and cafeteria and bathroom monitoring. That pulls them away from the work theyre passionate about and contributes to counselor turnover, said Eric Sparks, deputy executive director of the American School Counselor Association. New York is doing better than some states in hiring and retaining school psychologists: Its ratio is 1:662. But before the Sodus Central School District and five other districts received the federal grant, in 2019, only five of 19 schools had a social worker on staff, said Hennessey Lustica, who oversees the grant. With the help of the federal dollars, the districts have been able to hire roughly 20 interns in psychology, social work and counseling each year for the past four years. They pay them a stipend and mileage a rarity in graduate internships and place them in interdisciplinary groups that meet twice a month to review cases and share ideas on how to approach them. A growing crisis: US schools failing in fight against youth mental health crisis, new report card finds Experiments to hire, retain school counselors abound So far, that strategy seems to be paying off in terms of persuading interns to return to schools when they graduate: More than three-quarters of former interns have been hired into high-need districts in New York, Lustica said. Boston Public Schools is also using stipends to attract potential job candidates particularly those that match the districts demographics. Though Boston has had more success recruiting than many districts, its struggled to hire bilingual providers and those from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, said Andria Amador, the districts senior director of behavioral health services. Trying to enter a field that makes you work for free for two years is impossible for some of our economically disadvantaged populations, Amador said. Other recipients of the federal grants are trying different approaches. In Texas, a grow your own program is paying teachers to pursue degrees in counseling; in Wisconsin, a new virtual masters program is reaching Native students on reservations located hours from a college campus. Nevada has started recruiting in high school, and in Virginia, educators are tackling high turnover among isolated rural providers through an online professional development program. Back at Sodus Intermediate, Bennett is running late for his meeting with Jennifer Gibson, a longtime special education teacher with a challenging class. But when he arrives in the cafeteria, Gibson isnt there. She shows up a minute later, saying she got caught up disciplining kids. Daniel Bennett, left, meets with colleague Jennifer Gibson, a longtime special education teacher, at Sodus Intermediate School in upstate New York. Bennett was a school psychology intern in a region that has sometimes struggled to staff roles like his. Bennett and Gibson meet fairly often to discuss strategies for dealing with difficult student behaviors, he says. Their sessions typically start with venting, and this day is no exception. Gibson tells Bennett shes relieved that a particularly disruptive student has left her class, and frustrated that he was put there to begin with. Then, they move on to problem-solving. Bennett asks Gibson what she was disciplining students for. Just kids being sassy, she says. One student, in particular, wouldnt settle down after lunch. What do you think was the reason? Bennett asks. Gibson speculates that it might have been the change in seasons the warmer weather always makes transitions harder. Then Gibson remembers that the student hadnt eaten; hed hit a kid on the bus and spent the lunch period in suspension. Shed forgotten to give him his usual brain break after lunch, too. So thats my fault, she says, guiltily. Theres no blaming or shaming here, Bennett reminds her. They discuss how Gibson can ensure the student gets his energy out before returning to class after lunch. At one point in the meeting, Gibson asks Bennett when his last day is. Next Thursday, he tells her. Thats awful, she says. I wish we could pay to hire you. But Bennett, who starts a new internship at a healthcare organization in Pennsylvania later this month, now doubts hell settle in a school when he finishes his doctoral program next spring. With $150,000 in student debt, hell need to find something a little more lucrative. I love the community in schools getting to eat lunch with colleagues, being surrounded by youngsters, Bennett wrote in an email on the last day of his internship. But it would be very hard to support myself on the entry level salaries in this setting. This story about federal grants for counseling was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: School psychologists are scarce as schools face mental health crisis. A makeshift memorial near the Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub where five people were shot dead (SCOTT OLSON) A 23-year-old who shot and killed five people at an LGBTQ club in the US state of Colorado last year pleaded guilty on Monday and will spend the rest of their life in prison. Anderson Lee Aldrich, who identifies as non-binary, was facing more than 300 criminal counts for the November 19, 2022 rampage in Colorado Springs. Aldrich was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, carrying out bias-motivated crimes and other offenses. The bearded and heavy-set Aldrich appeared in an El Paso County court on Monday and told Judge Michael McHenry they accepted the terms of the plea deal. The murder charges carry a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. "Like too many other people in our culture, you chose to find a power that day behind the trigger of a gun," the judge was quoted as saying by ABC News. "Your actions reflect the deepest malice of the human heart and malice is almost always born out of ignorance and fear," McHenry said. "The sentence of this court is the judgment of the people of the state of Colorado that such hate will not be tolerated and that the LGBTQ+ community is as much a part of the family of humanity as you are," the judge said. Aldrich was overpowered by patrons of Club Q in Colorado Springs after opening fire with an AR-15-style assault rifle, killing five people and injuring 18. The shooting was the latest in a long history of attacks on LGBTQ venues in the United States, the deadliest of which claimed 49 lives at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in 2016. With more firearms than inhabitants, the United States has the highest rate of gun deaths of any developed country -- 49,000 in 2021, up from 45,000 the year before. cl/dw U.S. Senator Rick Scott listens during a roundtable discussion with local law enforcement leaders about border control and the deadly Fentanyl crisis during his visit to the West Palm Beach Police station on February 3, 2023. The United States is rapidly approaching an inflection point. In 2022, the federal government outspent revenue by $1.8 trillion. The trade deficit surged to $1.18 trillion in 2022, leaving us dependent on foreign suppliers like China for critical goods. China currently produces 63% of rare earth minerals whilst holding 37% of total global reserves, critical in manufacturing of cell phones, semiconductors, and defense related products. Even more worrisome, 81% of active pharmaceutical ingredients consumed in the U.S. come from our global competitors. On the supply side, we continue to see a decline in high-wage industries like manufacturing an industry that has lost over 5 million jobs in the past 25 years, many of which are now in China. Debt is growing, revenue is shrinking, production is sputtering, and our citizens are continually being asked to do more with less. To face these challenges, the United States needs leaders who are willing to invest in economic opportunity and foster job growth. Our country is searching for leaders who are willing to prioritize domestic industries, restore our nations ability to produce, and rebuild the middle class. These are all priorities for Senator Rick Scott, whose two terms as governor of Florida show us exactly what kind of leader this country needs. Economic Growth During his eight years in office (2011-2019), Gov. Scott oversaw an annualized actual GDP growth of 3.3%. This was 38.6% higher than the U.S. average of 2.4% during the same period. In 2011, Scott inherited an unemployment rate of 10%, which was 12% higher than the national rate. By the time he left office, Florida had cut that number down to 3.2% roughly 13% lower than the national rate at that time. Scott accomplished that, in part, by growing Floridas production industries. Under his leadership, the number of manufacturing employees in Florida grew by 23%, outpacing the national growth rate in this sector by over 147%. Similarly, construction employees in the state grew 68.5%, which was nearly double the rate of construction growth across the nation. Overall, Scott added approximately 1.6 million jobs, growing Floridas employment base at an annualized growth of 2.22%. This was 48% greater than the U.S. average for those eight years, as well as 28% greater than that of California. Fiscal Responsibility Growing the economy is necessary, but no amount of revenue enhancement can compensate for fiscal irresponsibility. While overspending and out-of-control debt financing have become the norm in Washington, D.C., Scott managed to reduce Floridas debt by 40.1%, outpacing every other state (including D.C.) in debt reduction over 2011-2019. To put that in perspective: During those eight years when Florida cut its debt load by nearly half, the U.S. public debt increased by 37.1%. Social and Household Impact The interest payments on our national debt were $475 billion in 2022 and are projected to total $640 billion this year. Thats enough to cover veterans' benefits and the Social Security shortfall combined. According to the congressional budget office, that interest is projected to reach $1.4 trillion in the next decade. As Scott pointed out in a 2019 letter to New Jersey governor, Phil Murphy, increasing debts place a great burden on households and individuals. Ultimately, they are the ones who service our debt. Every dollar spent carrying our national note is a dollar that could be spent elsewhere. By getting the states fiscal house in order and growing its economy, Scott and his team were able to improve the everyday lives of Floridians, particularly in the areas of poverty alleviation, crime prevention, and education: Poverty : From 2011 to 2019, the percentage of people living below the poverty line decreased by 25.3% in Florida. That rate is 12.1% better than the rest of the nation. For Black and Hispanic families, poverty declined by 25.9% and 22% respectively. Crime: Under Scott, violent crime rates dropped by 26.5%, which was four times better than the rest of the country. Robberies decreased by 43.8% (55.3% better than the national average). While the nation in general (and California, in particular) saw increased cases of assault, Florida enjoyed a 25.8% decrease. Education: In 2011, Florida ranked 41st in the nation with a graduation rate of 69%. By the time Scott left office, Florida had climbed to the No. 9 spot with a rate of 86.1%. Scotts administration also safeguarded the affordability and quality of higher education, earning Florida the honor of being the best state in the nation for higher education by U.S. News and World Report in both 2017 and 2018. Due to the impact of Scotts policy decisions, Floridas current governor, Ron DeSantis, inherited a golden goose. Sen. Scotts performance as governor and the legacy he left should be the benchmark by which we judge the effectiveness of other U.S. politicians. As our national debt balloons and GDP crumbles, we need leaders like Scott with the commitment and competency to grow our economy, control spending, rebuild the middle class, and improve life for every household in America. Charles Shor is the former president and CEO of Duro Bag and founder of the Charles L. Shor Foundation for Epilepsy Research. Charles Shor This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: US needs leader who will cut spending, rebuild middle class | Opinion US says it is a new thing to see Putin's leadership directly challenged By Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Monday said the situation in Russia remains dynamic days after an aborted mutiny, and said it does not have any assessment about the whereabouts of the boss of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. "It is a certainly a new thing to see President Putin's leadership directly challenged. It is a new thing to see Yevgeny Prigozhin directly questioning the rationale for this war and calling out that the war has been conducted essentially based on a lie," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. Prigozhin shocked the world by leading Saturday's armed revolt, only to abruptly call it off as his fighters approached Moscow, the Russian capital, having shot down several aircraft but meeting no resistance on the ground during a dash of nearly 800 km (500 miles). Prigozhin's Wagner has fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month war in Ukraine. The United States had communications with the Russian government on Saturday, both through U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy and at other levels. Tracy told Russian officials that the United States expects Russia to uphold its obligations to protect embassy and diplomatic personnel. Miller said the events over the weekend reinforce Washington's concerns about the instability Wagner brings when it enters any country. Wagner, staffed by veterans of the Russian armed forces, has fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries. It was founded in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and started supporting pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Miller said Washington does not know what will happen to Wagner in Ukraine or in Africa, but to the extent that the group or a successor organization continues to operate in Africa, Ukraine or elsewhere, the United States will take actions to hold them accountable. (Reporting by Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis and Jasper Ward; Editing by Chris Reese and Leslie Adler) US Supreme Court turns away case on charter school's mandatory skirts for girls Scenes of capitol hill in Washington, U.S. By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a North Carolina public charter school's defense of its blocked requirement that girls wear skirts - a student uniform policy that its founder explained is aimed at treating women like "fragile vessels." Turning away an appeal by Charter Day School Inc, the justices left in place a lower court's decision that the dress code discriminated against students based on gender in violation the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment promise of equal protection under the law. Charter schools in North Carolina are tuition-free, open to attendance by all, and receive state funding for each student. They are run by private, nonprofit corporations rather than a public school district. At issue in the case was whether Charter Day School in the southeastern North Carolina town of Leland, which offers a "traditional-values-based education" to students from kindergarten to Grade 8, was subject to the Constitution's equal protection provision when it enforced the skirt policy. The school said its uniform policy was designed to foster classroom discipline and "mutual respect between boys and girls." The school's founder, Baker Mitchell, told parents that the policy was aimed at preserving chivalry, with women "regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor," according to court papers. The plaintiffs alleged that the skirts requirement was rooted in gender stereotypes, violating the 14th Amendment. Under school policy, boys may wear pants or shorts. Ria Tabacco Mar, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, who represented the three students and their parents or guardians who sued the school, hailed the court's action. "Girls at public charter schools have the same constitutional rights as their peers at other public schools - including the freedom to wear pants. We will continue to fight for all girls to learn in safe and equal schools," she said. Mitchell expressed disappointment in Monday's decision. He warned of ripple effects for charter schools, "threatening their autonomy, subjecting them to the same rules, regulations and political machinations that have crippled government-run school systems, and worst of all, leaving many low-income parents and students with no option other than poorly performing district schools." The plaintiffs sued under a federal law commonly known as Section 1983 that allows individuals to take state officials to court for alleged violations of their constitutional or statutory rights. The school defended against the lawsuit by claiming it is not a state actor and therefore cannot be sued under Section 1983. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 ruled that charter schools in North Carolina are state actors because they are publicly funded, their employees are considered public school employees and the state has delegated to them a duty to educate students. The 4th Circuit then found Charter Day School's dress code unconstitutional. The skirt requirement telegraphs to children that female students are fragile and warrant different treatment than males - "stereotypes with potentially devastating consequences for young girls," the 4th Circuit ruling stated. In its appeal, the school said the 4th Circuit's ruling undermined charter schools by treating "private operators as the constitutional equivalent of government-run schools, squelching innovation and restricting parental choice." Asked by the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether or not to hear the case, President Joe Biden's administration filed a brief urging the justices to deny the school's appeal. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) US woman shoots Uber driver she believed was kidnapping her A US woman has been charged with murder after shooting an Uber driver she thought was kidnapping her, police say. According to police in the border city of El Paso, Texas, Phoebe Copas believed she was being taken into Mexico. She then shot driver Daniel Piedra Garcia, the authorities said in a statement. The 52-year-old died in hospital after several days on life support. As she was in the car, Copas saw traffic signs that read Juarez, Mexico, according to police documents. The two cities lie side-by-side on either side of the US-Mexico border. Police documents further explain that after thinking she was being kidnapped, Copas pulled a gun from her handbag and shot the driver in the head. The car then hit barriers before coming to a stop. Copas - who is from Kentucky but was visiting her boyfriend - is alleged to have then called the emergency number 911, took a photo of the driver and texted it to her boyfriend. "The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas' destination," El Paso police statement said. US woman who shot and killed Uber driver claims she thought she was being kidnapped Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP/Getty Images A Texas man in El Paso died days after being shot by his Uber passenger, who claimed to have incorrectly assumed she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. Daniel Piedra, 52, had been on life support after being shot multiple times in the back of the head on 16 June. Doctors said he would never be able to come off life support, and his family made the decision to pull him off it on Wednesday, when he died. Its devastating, and it has wrecked us so much, Didi Lopez, Piedras niece, told the local news outlet WBKO . Its something that shouldnt have happened. Of her uncle being taken off life support, Lopez said to the Washington Post: My aunt didnt want to see him suffer. But, honestly, we dont think that we made the decision to disconnect him. That decision was made for him the second that those bullets went into his head. Phoebe Copas, a Kentucky woman, is being held in the El Paso county jail on a count of murder in connection with Piedras slaying. She booked a ride on 16 June to a casino in the El Paso Mission area. She allegedly saw a road sign for the Mexican city of Juarez during the ride, believed she was being kidnapped, and shot Piedra, according to the El Paso Times. The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination, El Paso police said in a statement. The incident also did not take place near a bridge or any port of entry to Mexico, authorities said. A criminal affidavit obtained by KTSM, a local news station, alleges that Copas did not call for help when she believed she was being kidnapped or after she shot Piedra. She allegedly took a photo of Piedra and sent it to her boyfriend, KTSM reported. She is being held on a $1.5m bond. Copass arrest and Piedras killing come amid a spate of shootings across the US this year which have victimized Americans who were engaged in ordinary activities. The violence has cast a light on how the country is flooded with guns and raised even more scrutiny over Americas lax firearms laws and permissive self-defense statutes. Piedra had been driving for Uber for about three weeks before he was killed, the Post reported. He had been a mechanic but began driving after a knee injury. He loved his job, his niece told the Washington Post, especially getting to meet new people. One of his passengers even came to visit him in the hospital. He was a hardworking man and really funny, his niece told the El Paso Times. He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that if he saw you in a bad mood, hed come over and try to lift you up and always was making us laugh. Such a funny, caring and hardworking man. Piedras family started a GoFundMe campaign earlier this month to raise money for hospital and funeral expenses had raised about $70,000 as of Monday morning. The US's biggest arms buyers are looking elsewhere for a next-generation fighter jet, but it won't be easy to find US Air Force F-35s flying over the Middle East in 2020. US Air Force/Senior Airman Duncan Bevan The major Arab Gulf states Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are among the top buyers of US arms. But Washington has proved to be wary of selling those countries US-made stealth fighter jets. Other countries build similar jets, but the Gulf states still face challenges in getting them. Despite having tremendous wealth and a decadeslong record of buying advanced fighter jets from the US, none of the Arab Gulf states have acquired US-made fifth-generation stealth fighters. If they cannot obtain the US-built F-35, they may seek other fifth-generation fighters or join one of the multinational efforts to develop one, but technical challenges and political hurdles may make their search for stealth jets a long one. "When it comes to options for stealth fighters, the Gulf states face difficult choices as they look for exporters that don't care about their regimes and human rights and that don't have political interests that could put them in conflict," Sebastien Roblin, a widely published military-aviation journalist, told Insider. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar the leading and wealthiest Arab Gulf states and three of the US's top 10 arms customers have purchased many of the most advanced F-15 and F-16 variants over the past three decades, and each has requested to buy the F-35. A US Air Force F-35A taking off at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates in 2019. US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Chris Thornbury But Washington has only shown a willingness to sell them F-35s under certain conditions. In January 2021, the UAE reached a landmark deal for 50 F-35s and 18 MQ-9 Reaper drones for an eye-watering $23 billion after establishing diplomatic relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. However, Abu Dhabi suspended talks the following December, citing what one Emirati official dubbed onerous conditions imposed to protect US technology against Chinese espionage. It's unclear whether negotiations are set to recommence any time soon. Saudi Arabia has also requested various concessions from the US, including fewer restrictions on arms sales, in return for potentially establishing official ties with Israel. However, it's unclear whether the Saudis are seeking F-35s as part of this proposed arrangement. It's doubtful the US would sell F-35s to either the Saudis or the Qataris if those countries didn't first join the Abraham Accords or a similar normalization initiative in the future. That leaves the Gulf states with various non-US options, which don't look promising at least not any time soon. Britain's new fighter jet, Tempest, at its unveiling in 2018. Reuters On March 1, Saudi Arabia announced that it would participate in the UK-led Future Air Capabilities System program, which is developing a six-generation fighter aircraft called Tempest. Hours later, the UK issued a statement clarifying that its cooperation with Saudi Arabia was "distinct" from British multinational efforts to develop next-generation fighters. "Stealth fighters are not all created equal, with the F-35 and likely the future Tempest and FCAS designed to a much higher standard of stealth than rivals," Roblin said. "For now, exports to the Gulf states are viewed as politically icky in the US, though perhaps the UAE has a more likely path to F-35s than Saudi Arabia." While France may have fewer reservations, it is partnered with a "more scrupulous" Germany in a separate FCAS project, Roblin added. "The British were earlier partnering with Turkey at one point and apparently were talking with the Saudis, so overall they seem less worried about political risks and reputations though not so much that they didn't walk back that announcement," Roblin said. A prototype of Russia's Su-75 fighter jet at the MAKS-2021 air show outside Moscow in 2021. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko In 2021, shortly after unveiling its Su-75 fighter, Russia offered to coproduce the jet, which is still in development, with the UAE. However, unconfirmed reports in late 2022 suggested the latter has suspended funding. Unlike the US, Russia has never produced a full-fledged stealth fighter in bulk. While the Su-57 has entered service, Russia is struggling to build it in large numbers, and neither that jet nor the Su-75 are "top-tier," Roblin said. "With restrictions on the import of microelectronics to Russia harming production, combined with the sanction regime, the political risks of supporting the Su-75 projects look pretty dire at the moment," Roblin said, adding that the UAE could "jump back in" if the war in Ukraine eases or Western sanctions are relaxed. Either way, Abu Dhabi's participation in the Su-75 project wasn't necessarily about the aircraft. Its interest "has been more of a point of leverage between Abu Dhabi and Washington than it has been a real plan of the UAE's to outfit itself with the Russian jets," Emily Hawthorne, a senior Middle East and North Africa analyst with the risk-intelligence company RANE, told Insider. "Abu Dhabi also has a handful of plastics and advanced-materials companies building out aircraft components, and they are eager to establish more long-term contracts for aircraft like the Su-75," Hawthorne added. South Korea's KF-21 at its rollout ceremony in Sacheon in 2021. Yonhap via REUTERS The Gulf states may search elsewhere for an in-development next-generation fighter and seek a coproduction arrangement to obtain the finished product. Roblin and Hawthorne said they might turn to South Korea for its stealthy KF-21 Boramae. "Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the other Gulf Cooperation Council states are indeed increasingly interested in South Korean military technology," Hawthorne said, noting that Seoul was the "ideal partner" for those states as they try to balance their deepening strategic ties with Russia and their valuable strategic relations with the US. "South Korea is a US partner with technical know-how the GCC states respect and more moderate price points they welcome," Hawthorne said. Other aspects of the KF-21 program could hinder such a sale. "Seoul will sell to anyone, but components of it are sourced from West, which might complicate that," Roblin said. The KF-21 also isn't considered truly "stealth" as its weapons are externally mounted, Roblin said, adding: "Maybe later, it will transition to a true stealth design." A Chinese FC-31 after a flight at Airshow China in Zhuhai in 2014. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images There are very few other viable options. While China may eventually offer its FC-31/J-35 stealth fighter for export, it must first demonstrate the jet's effectiveness to attract serious buyers. Roblin said the Gulf states might eventually invest in Turkey's nascent TF Kaan. He said it was similar to the KF-21 and wasn't likely to produce an aircraft "at the level of an F-35" but would come with fewer limitations and "human-rights reservations." Hawthorne said Gulf states still ultimately wanted the F-35, which he said remained "the absolute cream of the crop." But the US will remain wary of offering a fifth-generation fighter to those countries while they "maintain strategic neutrality between the US and Russia, and while Israeli normalization is still incomplete across the region," Hawthorne said. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist and columnist who writes about Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history. His articles have appeared in a variety of publications focused on the region. Read the original article on Business Insider Weve Seen This Movie Before and Know How it Ends | The Supreme Courts Navajo Water Decision (Photo: Shutterstock) Opinion. What a difference a week makes. On Thursday, June 8, Indian Country loudly applauded the 7-2 U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in the Brackeen v. Haaland that upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Then last Thursday happened. The Supreme Court the same one that seemed to exhibit a basic understanding of tribal sovereignty in the Brackeen ruling showed how little the high court justices know (or care) about our rights as sovereign nations in their ruling in Arizona, et al. v. Navajo Nation. The 5-4 ruling against the Navajo Nations water rights felt all-too familiar. The high court rejected the tribes claims against the federal government in a long-running dispute over access to water from the Colorado River. The Navajo Nation spent decades trying to get the federal government to live up a treaty made a long time ago nearly 50 years before the state of Arizona even existed. Weve seen this movie before and know how it ends: The federal government fails to honor a treaty with a tribal nation. In this case, an 1868 peace treaty between the Navajo Tribe and the United States established the Navajo reservation, which spans 17 million acres and is about the size of the state of West Virginia. The reservation is located almost entirely in the Colorado River Basin. In Arizona v. Navajo Nation, the present-day Navajo Nation contended that the treaty imposed a duty on the United States to take affirmative steps to secure water for the Navajo people. It all makes sense to me. When signing a real estate sales contract, I have an expectation that water lines are connected to the house so that I will have access to the water. Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh ruled that the federal governments treaty promise to provide a permanent homeland to the Navajo Nation doesnt require the government to take modest steps to secure the water needed to make it a viable homeland. It is not the Judiciarys role to rewrite and update this 155-year-old treaty, Kavanaugh wrote. His opinion essentially said the Navajo Nation should be dealing with Congress and the White House, instead of the Court to get water. Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, a conservative like Kavanaugh, disagreed. In a 27-page dissent, Gorsuch, wondered: Where do the Navajo go from here? 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. Indian Country sees it as one more time the federal government disregarding their basic obligation to fulfill its trust responsibilities as given through treaties. 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, Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Executive Director John Echohawk said in a statement. Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, called the courts decision dangerous. This is a dangerous decision that moves us backward to our shameful past in which treaties were promises not worth the paper they were written on, Grijalva said. Forcibly removing Indigenous Peoples from their full homelands is a violence we can never reverse. The Courts majority states that when a treaty establishes a permanent home for a tribal nation, the U.S. government doesnt have to take the most basic steps to ensure the delivery of water needed for a livable home let alone a permanent home. The sad reality is that about one-third of the 180,000 people on Navajo Nation dont have access to clean, reliable water. That lack of water ripples across the Navajo Nations economy, affecting everything from health and infrastructure to food sovereignty and jobs. After this week, the Supreme Court will head off on vacation until its next session in October. If theres truth to recent reports about justices jet-setting around the world on billionaire-funded trips, Im guessing the judges will be far too busy to think about the impact of their ruling on Navajo Nation. Meanwhile, back on the reservation, Dine people will be getting in their cars and pickup trucks and traveling many miles to fill five-gallon containers with water, just so they can have one of the basic requirements of life. The Supreme Court got it wrong with their decision last week. And once again, the federal government failed to fulfill its responsibilities. Given history, I should have seen it coming. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Gummies, those sugary bears, worms or button-sized candies, seem harmless but they are far from it. Floridas Poison Control Centers are fielding an escalation of calls from people who have become seriously ill from overdoses of melatonin, THC and CBD gummies. Emergency department visits in Florida are rising, too. Reactions include nausea, vomiting, extreme lethargy, tremors, confusion and even trouble breathing. The increase in gummy overdoses is triggered by availability, new habits formed during the pandemic and inconsistent dosage issues. Gummies are easy to get and increasingly popular. In Florida, melatonin gummies are sold in grocery stores, drugstores and vitamin shops, while CBD gummies are available in convenience stores and smoke shops and THC products are sold in dispensaries (by prescription). However, the supplement industry, which includes melatonin, is not strictly regulated, so the dosage on the label may not be consistent with whats in the bottle or bag. Melatonin overdoses are up A 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at 25 brands of over-the-counter melatonin gummy bears and found that 88% had a dosage inconsistent with their labeling. Some were lower and some were as much as 3 times higher than the labeled dose. That should give Floridians pause, especially with the increasing use of melatonin triggered by sleep-disrupting stress and anxiety during the pandemic. The Sleep Foundation found an increasing number of parents are giving melatonin to children to help them fall asleep, unaware of the risks. You dont know what you are getting, said Dr. Heidi Cohen, with Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital in Hollywood. They say a milligram amount, but you dont know if that is what is in there. Too many milligrams can make you excessively sleepy and it can even be toxic for children. There have been deaths tied to melatonin overdosing. So far in 2023, Floridas Poison Control Centers have tracked 996 calls about melatonin-related illness, with 75% of these being for children ages 5 or younger. This accounts for a slight increase in pediatric cases (2.6%) from the previous year, said Wendy Blair Stephan, Health Education Coordinator for the Florida Poison Information Center. Stephan said Floridas Poison Control Centers also have logged another 47 cases of exposure to melatonin combined with other substances. Nationally, a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found over the last 10 years, more than 4,000 kids were hospitalized from melatonin overdoses; five children required ventilation and two died. My first question is why is the child not sleeping without an aid what is the problem? Cohen asked. That problem needs to be addressed with your pediatrician. You should not be just haphazardly medicating children to sleep, Marijuana gummies are the most dangerous Just as popular and even more problematic are gummies with Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) gummies, which are edible formulations of hemp and marijuana. Calls to Floridas Poison Control Centers about edible formulations of marijuana (containing THC) from Florida have risen consistently year over year since 2018 as availability increases. So far this year, Floridas Poison Control Centers have received 226 calls about exposures to these edible formulations of marijuana with 36% having occurred in children 5 or younger. Doctors say marijuana gummies are problematic for both adults and children. For adults, edibles can take up to two hours to take effect, so a common mistake is for someone to get impatient for the high to kick in and take more, then overdo it. Overdose symptoms include rapid heartbeat, trouble breathing and delirium. For some people, the gummy ingredients could interact with other medications. Everyone reacts differently, said West Boca Hospital emergency room doctor Charles Jeanpierre. People do not usually die from too much cannabis, but they can get very sick and require hospital care. Across the country, children are mistaking marijuana gummies for candy, and gobbling down too many. Because of the potency packed into some THC gummies, a small child who ingests them can be getting a fivefold overdose, pediatricians say. While too many vitamin and melatonin gummies can have harmful effects in children in rare cases, those symptoms are generally mild compared to the serious systemic effects being seen in the ERs with THC in little ones, says Stephan at the Florida Poison Information Center-Miami. I think its concerning, she said. In 2023, were seeing a 12% increase in cases of 0 to 5-year-olds, and 30% in the 6- to 12-year-old age group compared to last year, she said. This suggests that parents and grandparents still dont realize that these products pose a very attractive hazard. More than 7,000 confirmed cases of kids younger than 6 eating pot edibles were reported to the nations poison control centers over a recent five-year period. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning to parents after learning of increasing cases of elementary-aged children coming into the hospital after consuming what they thought was candy. South Florida emergency room doctors see the problem firsthand We are seeing the kids come in intoxicated, confused, unable to respond to questions, and theres a risk of when kids come in like this that they can stop breathing, said Cohen at Joe DiMaggio.. We run tests and urine screenings and find THC. Jeanpierre, medical director of the pediatric ER at West Boca Medical Center, regularly sees children who have gotten into their parents gummies. The ones who take THC gummies tend to have the most severe symptoms, he said. They come to the ER with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and even an increase in heart rate. We give them support treatment such as oxygen, anti-nausea medication, IV fluids or medication to drop the blood pressure. Jeanpierre said only the children who ingest large amounts of THC are sick enough to be admitted to the ICU. His advice for parents: if your child eats too many gummies or if you notice your child acting strangely, call poison control. Federal jurors in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial will soon decide whether to sentence the convicted gunman to death or life in prison two potential avenues for justice that in the years since the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history have found varying levels of support in an otherwise unified community. As expected, shooter Robert Bowers was found guilty this month of all 63 counts he faced stemming from the Sabbath morning massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue that left 11 worshipers dead as three congregations gathered to pray. Eleven counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 counts of use and discharge of a firearm to commit murder during a crime of violence were capital counts, making Bowers eligible for the death penalty. The 50-year-old shooters attorneys never contested he committed the 2018 attack, and the cases main focus is the issue now at hand: whether he is sentenced to death still an option amid a federal moratorium on carrying out executions or life in prison without the possibility of parole. For a death sentence to be handed down, the jury must be unanimous. But even in a community united not only its grief but in its hope justice will be done unanimity around the death penalty is elusive: In the years since the massacre, the victims families and congregations have expressed differing views about whether the shooter should be put to death. Some are convinced so egregious an attack warrants capital punishment, while others fear a death sentence could retraumatize their community or a life sentence would better honor the victims, theyve said. The divergence reflects a broader national split on capital punishment. Recent high-profile cases, too, have shown juries dont always send mass killers to death row, with the gunman who killed 17 people at a Parkland, Florida, high school and the terrorist who killed eight on a New York City bike path sentenced to life in prison after their juries declined to unanimously opt for death. Most of the families of those killed at the Pittsburgh synagogue want the shooter sentenced to die, according to a letter to the editor of the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle published in November and signed by seven of the nine families whose relatives were murdered. We are not a ruthless, uncompassionate people; we, as a persecuted people, understand when there is a time for compassion and when there is a time to stand up and say enough is enough such violent hatred will not be tolerated on this earth, reads the letter written to counter unspecified opinion pieces opposing the US Justice Departments decision to seek a death sentence. Please dont tell us how we should feel, what is best for us, what will comfort us and what will bring closure for the victims families. You can not and will not speak for us, it reads. The massacre of our loved ones was a clear violation of American law mass murder of Jews for simply being Jewish and practicing Judaism, driven by sheer antisemitism which the law rightfully deems is a capital offense. Others have offered a different view. The targeted Dor Hadash Congregation previously voiced its opposition to the death penalty in this case, as did the rabbi of New Light Congregation, who narrowly escaped the shooting in which his faith community lost three worshipers. CNN reached out to Rabbi Jonathan Perlman for comment on his prior position. I would like the Pittsburgh killer to be incarcerated for the rest of his life without parole, Perlman wrote in an August 2019 letter to then-Attorney General William Barr before the decision to seek a death sentence was made. He should meditate on whether taking action on some white separatist fantasy against the Jewish people was really worth it. Let him live with it forever. Perlmans focus, he wrote, was not letting this thug cause my community any further pain. We are still attending to our wounds, both physical and emotional, and I dont want to see them reopened any more. Many of us are healing but many of us (have) been re-traumatized multiple times, Perlman said. A drawn out and difficult death penalty trial would be a disaster with witnesses and attorneys dredging up horrifying drama and giving this killer the media attention he does not deserve. Barbara Caplan, left, and Stephen Cohen, co-presidents of the New Light Congregation, react June 16 to the guilty verdict. - Gene J. Puskar/AP While the Torah unambiguously allows for capital punishment, rabbis in the first and second centuries were hesitant to support its implementation, said David Kraemer, professor of Talmud and rabbinics at the Jewish Theological Seminary. They feared the flaws of a human court system out of concern innocents could be inadvertently punished, he told CNN. Those rabbis believed it best to err on the side of letting a guilty person go free in part because they believed the guilty would receive an appropriate punishment after death. I think the reason they were comfortable with that is because they believed that there was a divine court, Kraemer said, that would correct the error that the human court may have made. We want justice, victims sister says The Justice Department under Barr, an appointee of Republican President Donald Trump, initially chose to try the Pittsburgh shooting as a capital case, even as the US government at that time had not executed a federal death row inmate in almost 20 years. That changed in the Trump administrations waning days, when 13 federal inmates were put to death over six months ending in January 2021. The Dor Hadash Congregation lamented the Barr-era decision, writing afterward in late August 2019 it was saddened and disappointed the agency chose to push forward with a capital case, despite a letter the congregation said it had sent that same month asking both sides to agree to a plea deal giving the gunman life in prison without parole. A deal would have honored the memory of Dor Hadash congregant Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, who was firmly and unequivocally opposed to the death penalty, its statement read. It would have prevented the attacker from getting the attention and publicity that will inevitably come with a trial, and eliminated any possibility of further trauma that could result from a trial and protracted appeals. The congregation did not feel commenting on the death penalty was appropriate now that the trial has moved on from the guilt phase, its spokesperson told CNN. We remain very grateful to the Department of Justice and the US Attorneys office for their work in this matter over the course of the past 4 1/2 years, Pamina Ewing of Dor Hadash said. Then in July 2021 a day after he issued a moratorium on federal executions Democratic President Joe Bidens Attorney General Merrick Garland was sent a letter from seven of the nine families of those slain in the Pittsburgh synagogue attack, urging him to continue to pursue a death sentence in the case, according to Diane and Michele Rosenthal, the sisters of victims David and Cecil Rosenthal. The letter said the vast majority of the immediate victim-family members had not wavered in their desire for the death penalty. As such, we respectfully beseech you to uphold the prior DOJ decision on the death-penalty qualification of this Capital Murder case and permit it to proceed as originally decided. The letter aimed to reflect our support in seeking the death penalty in this particular tragedy, the sisters told reporters in April, weeks before the trial began. They spoke only for their own family, they said, adding the other signatories had agreed to let them share the letter. Ellen Surloff, left, vice president of Congregation Dor Hadash, and Jo Recht, president of the congregation, speak on June 16 after the gunman was found guilty. - Gene J. Puskar/AP The Justice Department under Garland is prosecuting the case, making it the second federal death penalty trial in the era of Biden, whod campaigned on a promise to abolish the punishment at the federal level but has taken few substantive steps toward doing so. Since his appointment two years ago, Garland has not authorized the department to seek the death penalty in any new cases, a Justice Department spokesman said, and he continues to assess new requests for authorization to seek or withdraw the death penalty on a case-by-case basis, consistent with federal law and the Justice Manual. Americans overall remain divided nearly down the middle on the death penalty, as they have been for years following precipitous drops in support for it over recent decades. About 55% of Americans say they are in favor of the death penalty for convicted murderers, a split thats been relatively unchanged for at least six consecutive years, polling from Gallup shows. And like in Pittsburgh where community members have supported each other before the trial and during it victims of violent crime and their families are no monolith. While some express opposition to capital punishment, others look to it for some semblance of closure or justice. The Pittsburgh synagogue massacre was not just a mass murder of innocent citizens during the service in a house of worship. It was an antisemitic hate crime, Diane Rosenthal said in April. The death penalty must apply to vindicate justice and to offer some measure of deterrence from horrific hate crimes happening again and again. We dont want to be here, she said, and we know the emotional toll this trial potentially brings. But we owe it to our brothers, Cecil and David. Added Michele Rosenthal: The suggestions published or reported that family members be relieved of the stress of a trial or that a cost-benefit analysis dictates a plea are offensive to our family, she said. Our family has suffered long and hard over the last four and a half years. We dont want to have to continue to defend ourselves and our position. We want justice. Beyond the families, many simply are bracing for the Pittsburgh synagogue trials penalty phase and how it may impact those touched by the wider ripples of the attack. After the gunmans conviction, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh opted to take no position on what justice is, its president and CEO told reporters. We trust the justice process, Brian Schreiber said. Whatever comes of the penalty phase, it will be gut wrenching, and reopen wounds, said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. They keep getting reopened for us here in our Pittsburgh community, he said, not just the Jewish community but this greater Pittsburgh region. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com RUSSIA-POLITICS Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to present the Russian Hero of Labour gold medals and national awards as the part of celebration the Russia Day in Moscow on June 12, 2023. Credit - Gavriil GrigorovSputnik/AFP/Getty 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. Surviving a rebellion is not the same as winning one, be it in Moscow, Washington, London, or even Londonderry, N.H. Its a tough lesson from history that is worth considering days after Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have weathered the most serious test of his leadership to date, repelling a mutiny that, at least for a few hours over the weekend, seemed as perilous as any stretch of Putins two-plus decades ruling Russia. By Monday, the Wagner Groups revolt seemed to have petered out, sending its architect into exile and giving diplomats and spies in the West a chance to catch up and remind themselves just how much they still dont know about Moscow and its vassal allies. Put another way, and borrowing from former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld: Western intelligence parties have a number of known unknowns about Putin, what comes after him, and the future of a vast former empire that stretches over 11 time zones. With nukes and oil both in play, not to mention strategic considerations about Russias geopolitical power vis a vis China and India, there was a whole lot of Monday-morning discussion of Washingtons blind spots when it comes to its rival after being given the first tangible evidence that the invasion of Ukraine may not be as popular as once argued inside the Kremlin. But theres also this corollary: a damaged leader can survive this style of challenge. The power of incumbency is one that has few rivals. Being commander in chief of Russias military complexand the worlds largest reserve of nuclear weaponscomes with an advantage. And the open secret is that it may not be in the Wests interest to have Putin ousted. A leadership vacuum in Russia could easily turn into a quagmire in the region, transitioning a stable and consistently vexing autocratic state into something approaching chaos. At the White House and State Department on Monday, spokesmen doubled-down on the standing assertion that the United States has no position in choosing Russias leaders. Theres a good reason for this vague diplospeak, and such a devils bargain is familiar to Russia wonks. As TIMEs W.J. Hennigan writes, the threat of loose nukes is one that haunts Western policy hands to no end, the stuff of nightmares. At present theres an accurate accounting of those nukes in an imperfect state, one that comes in between Venezuela and Republic of the Congo in rankings of civil and political freedoms. Autocracy, at least in this case, brings order. As Polish President Lech Walesa told George H.W. Bush during a 1991 period of uncertainty: We are afraid of one thing in the Soviet Unionanarchy. This isnt the first time Washington has faced deep uncertainty in Moscow that could upend the global order. Mikhail Gorbachev survived his 1991 coup attempt that found him locked in his dacha, cut off from the outside world with encircled troops, and pressured to resign for health reasons. Gorbachev prevailed after a few tense days in Augustyet, by December of that year, was giving a farewell address and watching as the Soviet Union dissolved. Thats the thing about the internal threats, be they military or political. The public can see weakness when seemingly invincible figures stumble. Once the aura is pierced, things can go south quickly. No matter the form of government, wounded leaders often soon find themselves with a newly minted honorific: Ex-. A strong history rooted in democratic norms is no guarantee that a political rebellion cant have similarly striking results. President Lyndon Johnson was the presumptive Democratic nominee for President in 1968 until anti-war Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota nearly won the New Hampshire primary and claimed 20 of its 24 delegates. A little less than three weeks later, LBJ was out of the race. It was similar when Ronald Reagan challenged incumbent President Gerald Ford in 1976 and Edward M. Kennedy sought to deny Jimmy Carter re-nomination in 1980. Both men won re-nomination and then lost the general election in November of those years. In the U.K., Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher faced her own Tory revolt in 1990, prevailed on the first round of voting, but a quick-moving Cabinet revolt forced the end of an 11-year run. For now, Putin survived the challenge. Even in its weakened and distracted form, the Russian military was never likely to allow a band of mercenaries to overthrow a governmentunless those professional troops believed in the cause. For now, they are not joining the rebels. But that doesnt mean they wont hear the echoes of 1917or 1991and suddenly remember how to march. After all, history is a tough mistress to defy. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Wagner boss Prigozhin might want to 'steer clear of any upper floor windows' for now, says military expert Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2017. SERGEI ILNITSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images A military expert says Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin "may want to steer clear" of windows. Two Russian tycoons linked to critical comments on the war have fallen out of windows in the last year. Wechsler added that Prigozhin should remember: "When you strike at a king, you must kill him." A US military expert said Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's aborted rebellion on Saturday could very well end in his death. "As for Prigozhin, he will need to reflect on Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous admonition, "When you strike at a king, you must kill him,'" said William F. Wechsler, senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council. "Indeed, for the time being, he may want to steer clear of any upper-floor windows, as in recent years Putin's adversaries tend to be especially clumsy around them." Prigozhin led his mercenary group in an uprising on Saturday, only to call it off after coming close to Moscow. The rebellion came to an abrupt end after Prigozhin struck an agreement with the Kremlin. As part of the deal, Prigozhin and his troops will not be prosecuted for the uprising, per the Associated Press. Instead, Prigozhin will be exiled to Belarus while the troops that did not participate in the uprising would be offered Russian Defense Ministry contracts. Wechsler's comments were part of a series of expert analyses published by the Atlantic Council on Saturday. He had previously served as a defense official during the Obama administration, where he worked on policies with an "emphasis on counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, information operations, and other sensitive operations." Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously been suspected of assassinating his rivals. Two critics of Putin's war in Ukraine have died in the last year after falling from building windows. In December, Russian tycoon Pavel Antov died after falling out of a hotel window in India. Antov had criticized the invasion of Ukraine on his WhatsApp account in June before claiming that someone else had sent the message, per BBC. Russian energy oligarch Ravil Maganov died after falling out of a window at a Moscow hospital in September. Maganov's death came almost six months after his energy company, Lukoil, issued a statement expressing "deepest concerns" about the war in Ukraine. "Prigozhin is undoubtedly aware of the fate that has befallen Putin's adversaries, in Russia and abroad. He came to an agreement because Putin has long been his patron, not his adversary the Russian military elite is his adversary," Wechsler told Insider. "In the end, Putin and Prigozhin avoided the kind of conflict that would have risked each or both of them losing everything, but the resulting agreement has diminished them both. Neither is fundamentally secure in their positions today," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin posted an 11-minute audio message on Telegram Monday. In the message, the Wagner boss expresses "regret" for shooting down Russian military aircraft. Prigozhin expressed no regret for his march, however, claiming the "public demanded it." Yevgeny Prigozhin has spoken out for the first time since his Wagner Group mutiny ended in a murky peace agreement, expressing "regret" for having shot down Russian military aircraft but claiming he was given no choice. The head of Wagner, a normally prolific poster, had remained conspicuously quiet in the day and a half after he had abruptly called off his march on the Russian capital following a reported deal negotiated by the president of Belarus. But in an audio message posted to his official press channel on Telegram on Monday more than 11 minutes long the mercenary leader explained that he decided against entering Moscow to avoid certain bloodshed. The intent was to make a point, he said: "We went to demonstrate our protest, not to overthrow the government." Prigozhin acknowledged the intervention of the Belarusian leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko, who he said "extended his hand" and offered to find a way for Wagner to continue operating " in a legitimate jurisdiction." He did not confirm that he has agreed to exile in Belarus, as claimed by Russian officials, nor offer any indication of his current whereabouts. He also did not apologize for his mutiny, saying only that he was sorry he was forced by circumstances to engage in an armed rebellion. "We regret that we had to hit air assets, but those assets were dropping bombs and launching missile strikes," Prigozhin said. And in a dig at his enemies in the military establishment, he argued that if Russia's armed forces had been able to advance in Ukraine as rapidly as Wagner's had in Russia itself seizing the city of Rostov-on-Don, home to a military command center and more than one million people, and making it within striking distance of the capital "then, perhaps, the special operation would have lasted a day." According to the warlord, whose forces have served as shock troops in Ukraine and deployed across Africa, he launched his "march for justice" to preserve his private military company in the face of an effort to absorb its fighters by the Russian Ministry of Defense, which had announced an effective take over of such mercenary forces on July 1. He also wanted accountability for Russia's military leadership, namely Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. "The purpose of the campaign was not to allow the destruction of the Wagner PMC and to bring to justice those individuals who through their unprofessional actions made a huge number of mistakes," Prigozhin said, insisting that the "public demanded it." Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider A Ukrainian soldier gestures as he fires toward Russian position on the frontline in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON To some Ukrainian forces, soldiers from the Wagner Group were the best-equipped fighters they had seen since Russia invaded last year. To others, it was their training that distinguished them: Ukrainian soldiers recalled battlefield stories of aggressive tactics or a sniper downing a drone with a single shot. But after the short-lived mutiny led by the head of the group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, it is not clear whether Wagner will still be a fighting force on the battlefield with its fate now in question. For now, the uncertain status of Wagner is bound to be a relief for Ukrainian soldiers. Although the front lines in Ukraine are likely to remain unchanged in the short term, depending on how events unfold in Russia, the Ukrainian military may be able to capitalize on the chaos and weakening morale to try to make some gains, according to independent analysts and U.S. officials. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Still, it is too soon to determine the long-term implications of the feud between Prigozhin and the Russian military establishment, U.S. officials said. In Bakhmut, Ukraine, Wagner played an outsize role in the campaign to take the eastern city, Moscows one major battlefield victory this year, and solidified an uneasy alliance with the Russian military only to see the partnership break once the city was captured. The previous relationship between Wagner and the Russian government is likely over, said Rob Lee, a senior fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Even had this not happened, it was unclear if Wagner would have played the same role in this war as it had in the battle for Bakhmut. The intense fighting in Bakhmut led to huge numbers of Russians being injured or killed in the first months of this year, U.S. officials said. In taking the city this spring, Wagner forces showed they had learned hard lessons from fighting over the past year, improving their tactics and making it far harder for Ukraine to mount a strong defense. Wagners contract fighters outpaced Ukrainian defenders by using savvy maneuvers on the ground and sending wave after wave of prisoner conscripts into the fight. But Bakhmut was a Pyrrhic victory for Prigozhin. The city was not a prize many in the Russian military thought was particularly important. Its strategic value was further diminished when Ukraines military seized high ground on Bakhmuts periphery, preventing Russia from using the city as a staging ground for attacks that could have led Moscow to take Kramatorsk, the next city it sought to expand its control of eastern Ukraine. Whats more, the events that unfolded during and after Bakhmuts capture seem to have precipitated the rupture between Prigozhin and Russias Defense Ministry. Prigozhins forces were able to take the city center only after Russias president, Vladimir Putin, ordered the regular army to fortify Wagners troops to guard their flanks from attacks by the Ukrainians. That influx of Russian troops was key to Wagners victory and reinforced the importance of the army. But Prigozhin may have learned a different lesson from the support he earned from Putin. After seizing Bakhmut, the Russian Defense Ministry took steps to integrate Wagner into the broader military, which would have reduced Prigozhins power. When Russia forced all volunteers fighting in Ukraine to sign contracts with the ministry, it meant that Prigozhin would have had to put his forces under the control of the military, said Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This is one of the reasons Prigozhin went mad, Stanovaya said, because he realized now he is out of Ukraine. Prigozhin became increasingly strident in his criticism of Russian military units after that, and U.S., British and Ukrainian intelligence began developing information that he might make an offensive move with his troops to force a change in the Defense Ministry. That intelligence was proved right Friday, as Wagner troops moved to take control of a southern Russian city. Just as quickly, the mutiny was over the next day, ending with the announcement that Prigozhin would halt his march on Moscow and accept exile to Belarus. The Kremlin announced that Wagner troops who did not participate in the revolt would be allowed to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry. Those who had joined the convoy would not be prosecuted. The statement suggested that Wagner in its current form would no longer exist. Although part of Prigozhins mercenary cadre is likely to continue under Russian army control, how many Wagner soldiers would be willing to fight under the ministrys umbrella is an open question. Ukraine will surely look to take advantage of the chaos caused by Prigozhin, but there did not seem to be any immediate defensive gaps to exploit, according to U.S. officials and independent analysts. And Prigozhins march, at least according to a preliminary analysis, did not cause any Russian units on Friday or Saturday to leave their positions in southern or eastern Ukraine to come to Moscows defense, U.S. officials said. While the drama was unfolding, there was no letup in the war: Russian forces fired more than 50 missiles across Ukraine before dawn Saturday. Wagner has been an incredibly important tool of Russian foreign policy, particularly in Mali, the Central African Republic, Syria and other countries. While the group will most likely be transformed under the Defense Ministrys control, it is not certain that the Kremlin will let it fade away as an effective fighting force. And, Prigozhin may also have some next move yet to play out. c.2023 The New York Times Company Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin resurfaced for the first time since launching a brief rebellion against Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, posting an 11-minute voice recording to social media. The march toward Moscow was intended to be a protest against the prosecution of the war in Ukraine and not aimed at regime change in Russia, Prigozhin said, according a Reuters translation. "We started our march due to injustice. We showed no aggression, but we were hit by missiles and helicopters. This was the trigger," the warlord said in the recording. "We showed a master-class on how Feb. 24, 2022 had to look. We turned around to avoid spilling the blood of Russian soldiers. We regret that we had to hit Russian aviation," he added. WHAT DOES PUTIN'S STANDOFF WITH WAGNER MERCENARY GROUP MEAN FOR RUSSIA? Prigozhin shocked the world this weekend when he turned his private military group against Russian forces, taking control of Russian military bases and beginning the march. The warlord relented on Saturday after Belarus held negotiations between the two sides. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Kremlin said it made a deal in which the mercenary chief will move to Belarus and he and his soldiers will receive an amnesty. The mutiny was the biggest challenge to Putin in more than 20 years. WAGNER CHIEF ORDERS TROOPS TO TURN AROUND FROM MOSCOW 'TO AVOID BLOODSHED' Members of Wagner group inspect a car in a street of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. President Vladimir Putin on June 24, 2023 said an armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries was a "stab in the back" and that the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had betrayed Russia, as he vowed to punish the dissidents. Prigozhin's statement offered no clues as to his current whereabouts, and it is not clear whether he has traveled to Belarus. "The aim of the march was to avoid the destruction of Wagner," he said, according to Reuters. Prior to the revolt, Prigozhin had been criticizing Russian military leaders including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, slamming them for allegedly failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the battle for Bakhmut. WHAT DOES PUTIN'S STANDOFF WITH WAGNER MERCENARY GROUP MEAN FOR RUSSIA? His march was in part to push for their ouster. Shoigu made his first public appearance since the rebellion on Monday, posting video of him inspecting Russian troops in Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is top adversary of Prigozhin's. Prigozhin's feud with the top military brass dates back years to the Russian military intervention in Syria, and the rift escalated in recent months during the fight for Bakhmut. Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report. Wagner Group shot down 6 Russian helicopters and a plane during its mini rebellion, Ukraine says, weakening Putin's air force at a time when it could prove critical A Mi-35M military helicopter in Russia's Krasnodar region on March 28, 2019. Vitaliy Timkiv/AFP via Getty Images Wagner forces destroyed six Russian helicopters and a plane amid its short rebellion, Ukraine says. It weakened Putin's air forces, though Russia is said to be attacking as before in Ukraine. Nonetheless, chaos like this gives Ukraine a "window of opportunity," a defense official said. Wagner Group forces took out six Russian helicopters and another aircraft during Yevgeny Prigozhin's short-lived rebellion, Ukrainian officials said Sunday, in a development that could hand Ukraine a defensive edge in the fighting. According to The Kyiv Independent, Yurii Ihnat, a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, emphasized the benefit to Ukraine, saying: "Mi-8 transport helicopters are powerful hardware that really helps the Russian army in its war against Ukraine." Reports differ on the exact specifications of the destroyed aircraft. Ihnat has said that Wagner took out two attack helicopters and four transport aircraft, while pro-Kremlin military bloggers were cited by The Kyiv Independent as saying three of them were electronic-warfare helicopters. The open-source weapons tracker site Oryx, whose helicopter tally matches that of the cited military bloggers, said it had documented evidence of the following Russian losses: a Mi-35 attack helicopter, a Ka-52 attack helicopter, three Mi-8 electronic-warfare helicopters, one Mi-8 transport, and an Il-22M airborne command post. It added that Prigozhin had captured a Russian MRAP patrol vehicle and a Tigr-M infantry mobility vehicle. Oryx said that Prigozhin had lost two trucks, two technical vehicles, and an infantry mobility vehicle to the Russian army proper. After an astonishing 36 hours, which saw Prigozhin direct his militia into action on Russian soil and then make a rush toward Moscow, Russian leadership and the paramilitary boss reached a wary agreement in which Prigozhin was exiled to Belarus. Hanna Malyar, Ukraine's deputy defense minister, told The Associated Press: "The enemy's weakness is always a window of opportunity. It allows us to take the advantage." It's too soon to see how the chaos between Wagner and the Russian military establishment will affect things on the ground, she said. On Sunday, as the Wagner debacle unfolded in Russia, Ukrainian soldiers near Bakhmut told Agence France-Presse that it did not appear to have affected the situation there. "As it attacked yesterday, Russia continued to attack today," a soldier identified only as Nazar told the outlet. Nonetheless, the loss of six helicopters in a single weekend is significant. In one year of defending against Russia, Ukraine had shot down about 30 of Russia's helicopters, Forbes reported in February. At that time, Russia had about 300 helicopters around half of them attack helicopters based near its western borders, The Kyiv Post reported. As the recent chaos unfolded in Russia, Ukraine said it had managed to push forward in its counteroffensive. As of early Monday local time, Ukraine's military said it had advanced half a mile around the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, The Guardian reported. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that Prigozhin's rebellion was evidence Putin had made a "big strategic mistake" in invading Ukraine last year, the outlet added. Read the original article on Business Insider US officials and analysts believe that the Wagner Group's rebellion, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, did not open up any "gaps in Russia's defence" and did not help Ukraine at the front. Source: The New York Times Quote: "Ukraine will surely look to take advantage of the chaos caused by Mr. Prigozhin, but there did not seem to be any immediate defensive gaps to exploit, according to American officials and independent analysts. And Mr. Prigozhins march, at least according to a preliminary analysis, did not cause any Russian units on Friday or Saturday to leave their positions in southern or eastern Ukraine to come to Moscows defence, American officials said. While the drama was unfolding, there was no letup in the war: Russian forces fired more than 50 missiles across Ukraine before dawn on Saturday." Details: The New York Times notes that the "mutiny" ended as quickly as it began: the next day it was announced that Prigozhin would end his march on Moscow and agree to "exile to Belarus". The Kremlin announced that Wagner Group forces who did not take part in the rebellion would be allowed to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defence. Those who joined the convoy marching towards Moscow would not be prosecuted. "The statement suggested that Wagner in its current form would no longer exist," the outlet states. The NYT has added that it remains an open question how many Wagner soldiers will be ready to fight under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Defence. It is noted that Wagner has been an important tool of Russian foreign policy, especially in Mali, the Central African Republic, Syria and other countries. "While the group will most likely be transformed under the Defense Ministrys control, it is not certain that the Kremlin will let it fade away as an effective fighting force. And, Mr. Prigozhin may also have some next move yet to play out," the NYT adds. Previously: The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has suggested that the armed attack by the Wagner PMC on Russia's military leadership in Rostov-on-Don would have a significant impact on the war, while CNN suggested that Prigozhin's mutiny would facilitate Ukraine's counteroffensive and could change the course of the war in its favour. Background: Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday released the first audio statement since an aborted armed rebellion he staged on Saturday, defending the move as a reaction to an attack on his force that killed some of his 30 fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in an 11-minute audio. He didnt offer any details as to where he was at the moment or what his future plans are. Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday released the first audio statement since an aborted armed rebellion he staged on Saturday, defending the move as a reaction to an attack on his force that killed some of his 30 fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in an 11-minute audio. He didnt offer any details as to where he was or what his future plans are. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video released Monday aimed at projecting a sense of order after the countrys most serious political crisis in decades. But uncertainty still swirled about his fate, as well as that of rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of President Vladimir Putin. A feud between Wagner Group leader Prigozhin and Russias military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against Prigozhin continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry video of Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders have lost Putins confidence and could be replaced. Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine in video broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, also a main target of Prigozhins ire, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Though his mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. The Defense Ministry has not commented. Prigozhin denied there were any casualties on his side, but media reports indicated the airstrikes hit some Wagner vehicles, and messaging app channels featured images of the damage. The U.S. had intelligence that Prigozhin had been building up his forces near the border with Russia for some time, suggesting the revolt was planned. That conflicts with Prigozhins claim his rebellion was a response to a Friday attack on his field camps in Ukraine by the Russian military, which he said killed a large number of his men. The Defense Ministry denied that. Russias RIA Novosti state news agency cited unidentified sources in the Prosecutor Generals office as saying the criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency carried a similar report. Should the case continue, Prigozhins presence in Belarus a staunch Kremlin ally would offer little protection against arrest and extradition. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin has to draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office on the day of the rebellion found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He claimed the money was intended to pay his soldiers families. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. Several Russian lawmakers called for tight regulations of private military companies under a new law set to be considered and some argued that Prigozhin must be punished. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has rowed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, a former military officer who runs Wagner, deserve a bullet in the head. I firmly believe that traitors in wartime must be executed, he said. Prigozhin appeared nonchalant in some of the last video taken during the rebellion. As a convoy carrying him in an SUV drove out of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don after its brief occupation Saturday, he was asked how he viewed the result of his revolt, according to footage posted on Russian social media. Its normal, we have cheered everyone up, the mercenary chief responded. Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhins rift with the military dates back years, to Russias intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces also were active. Putin stood back from the feud and Shoigu and Gerasimov remained mum, possibly reflecting uncertainty about the presidents support. Observers said that by failing to end the feud, Putin had encouraged Prigozhin to raise the stakes dramatically. Some analysts saw Prigozhins revolt as a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with Russias military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. Alex Younger, former head of Britains MI6 intelligence agency, said everyone comes out of this weaker. He told the BBC that Prigozhin didnt have a plan, he didnt have enough people to succeed, while Putin looked indecisive, first vowing to crush the rebels, then striking a deal. Russian media and commentators speculated that Shoigu could be replaced, but that Putin, who avoids making decisions under pressure, would likely wait before announcing a shakeup. Putin held calls Monday with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a pre-recorded video message that contained no mention of the mutiny. It was not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagners forces were key to Russias only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in an area of southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of several of Ukraines European allies discussed events in Russia over the weekend, but Western officials have been muted in their public comments. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told broadcaster RT that U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy contacted Russian representatives Saturday to stress that the U.S. was not involved in the mutiny and considered it an internal Russian matter. There was no immediate confirmation from the U.S., although Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that U.S. officials had engaged with Russia to stress the importance of protecting U.S. citizens and interests. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that the events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. The U.K. said issues of regime in Russia are for Russia to resolve, first and foremost. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the revolt showed that the war is cracking Russias political system. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. ___ Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels and Jill Lawless in London contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war The News Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian leader of the mercenary Wagner Group who led a short-lived uprising in opposition to the Kremlin over the weekend, said the rebellion was not meant to overthrow the Russian government, but still showed serious security problems in the country. In an 11-minute message posted to Telegram, Prigozhin said his forces turned around because they didn't want to spill Russian blood. He also claimed that no contract had been signed between Wagner and the Russian defense ministry, and that the unit was supposed to cease existing at the end by July 1, though it's unclear what that would've looked like. Prigozhin has reportedly fled to Belarus after Russian President Vladimir Putin accused him of leading an armed uprising against the government. Wagner troops marched toward Moscow on Saturday before reaching a deal with the Kremlin and turning around. Know More In his remarks on Telegram, Prigozhin said his group didn't march to overthrow Russia's leadership, but rather to hold those accountable who made mistakes during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He also said the rebellion exposed security issues with the country, and that he regrets that "we had to hit Russian aviation." Prigozhin claimed Wagner showed no signs of aggression but was still hit with missiles and artillery. Earlier this month, the Russian government ordered that all "volunteer units" should sign contracts to be under the control of the defense ministry by July 1, Reuters reported. The Akhmat group of Chechen special forces signed the contract, while Prigozhin refused to do so. Russia Political Infighting In this handout photo taken from video released by Prigozhin Press Service on March 3, 2023, Credit - Prigozhin Press ServiceAP A defiant mercenary commanders fleeting march on Moscow over the weekend sparked concerns among Western intelligence analysts about the stability of Russias military command and the security of the nations vast nuclear arsenal. U.S. officials say they havent seen any difference in the disposition of Russian nuclear forces since Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner paramilitary group, led his private army toward the nations capital. Wagner forces seized a key military facility in southern Russia on Friday and pushed northward through Russias central Voronezh region, where Russia maintains a nuclear-weapon storage facility under the command of the 12th Chief Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (MOD). The dramatic putsch ended Saturday when Prigozhin reached a deal with the Kremlin and halted the convoy about 120 miles south of Moscow. Though the immediate crisis was averted, U.S. intelligence remains vigilant, looking for signs of vulnerability to the worlds largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. The officials say the U.S. military has no reason to adjust conventional or nuclear-force postures and emphasized the Biden Administration continues to maintain long-standing, established hotlines and channels with Russia on nuclear issues. But the officials say Russia has a special responsibility to keep command, control, and custody of its nuclear forces and to ensure that no actions are taken that imperil strategic stability. Of course, when were dealing with a major power, and especially a major power that has nuclear weapons, thats something thats of concern, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS on Sunday. We havent seen any change in Russias nuclear posture. There hasnt been any change in ours, but its something were going to watch very, very carefully. Read more: Fearing 3-Way Arms Race, U.S. Seeks Nuclear Talks With Russia and China. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the state-owned RT television network Monday that Lynne Tracy, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry during the revolt to ensure the security of Russian nuclear weapons and the safety of U.S. diplomats working inside the country. Military and nuclear-security experts believe there was little risk Prigozhin or his forces would attempt to obtain the weapons at the Voronezh-45 base or any other installation throughout the country. But the short-lived uprising against Russian President Vladimir Putins government nonetheless highlights concerns in Washington about the safety and security of Russias nuclear weapons. Its the stuff of nightmares for an American president: the loss of a single Russian nuclear warhead into the hands of a terrorist group, rogue nation, or other bad actor. Securing Soviet loose nukes has been a top priority for Republican and Democrat Administrations alike since the Soviet Unions collapse in 1991. The U.S. spent billions of dollars aimed at establishing methods to prevent the loss, theft, or sale of the Soviet arsenal of 27,000 weapons, along with its bomb-grade plutonium and uranium. Russias nuclear-storage system is anchored by 12 central storage sites, such as Voronezh-45, and about 35 base-level storage facilities, says Pavel Podvig, a nuclear security and arms-control expert who leads the Russian Nuclear Forces Project. Under Russian doctrine, he says, weapons are stored separately from the planes, missiles, and systems that deliver them. The storage sites are reasonably well-guarded, and I dont see why Wagner would divert resources to get something they cannot use and that can get them in serious trouble, Podvig says. Read More: Putin Suspended the Last Remaining Nuclear Pact With the U.S. Heres What Happens Now. Long-term nuclear weapon storage sites are located inside areas that can be described as a military base within another military base. The areas are constantly surveilled and surrounded with barbed wire fences and guard posts. The warheads are inside concrete and steel bunkers. Affixed to the weapons are electronic safeguards, known as permissive action links, which are code-accessed and designed to rendered the weapons unusable if an unauthorized person attempts to arm them. The seizure of a nuclear weapons site would escalate a dramatic domestic dispute into a full-blown global crisis. But Olga Oliker, the International Crisis Groups director for Europe and Central Asia, says there arent many scenarios in which a paramilitary force like Wagner would be able to operationalize the nuclear weapons or find a strategic use for them. The first is really set up to be quite difficult. The second is just hard to imagine, she says. Russian weapons and facilities are under solid control and theres no evidence that Wagner or anyone else is looking to capture them. Not only would they be tremendously difficult to gain use of, theres no real logic for doing so. What would they do with them? Read More: Inside the Race to Arm Ukraine. Forces with the 12th Chief Directorate of the MOD, which are charged with protecting, maintaining andif called upondelivering Russias nuclear weapons arent likely to open its door to Wagner, says Andrey Baklitskiy, a senior researcher who studies weapons of mass destruction at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. The forces of 12th MOD main directorate have reasons to protect them really well, he says. But Baklitskiy admits that if Wagner kept up its push to Moscow, and had the fighting somehow escalated into a full scale civil war, we would be in an uncharted territory. U.S. intelligence had picked up signs that the rift between Prigozhin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu could break open in a sudden and dramatic way, officials said, but they had not anticipated how little resistance Russian forces would put up in the face of Wagners advance. The mercenaries military vehicles pushed eastward from Ukraine to the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, where they briefly occupied the military headquarters, then went north. They were about two hours from Moscow when the announcement came that a deal had been struck. TIME receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Outrider Foundation. TIME is solely responsible for all content. Chess pawn with an axe stuck in it Illustrated / Getty Images In a remarkable 24-hour period, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin staged a rebellion against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin accused Russia's military of killing his troops in an artillery strike, proclaimed that Russia had invaded Ukraine under false pretenses, and began a "march for justice" to Moscow. A column of Wagner fighters and armored vehicles captured Russia military bases and met little resistance as it quickly rolled toward Russia's capital. Putin called Prigozhin's mutiny a "stab in the back," and Wagner forces reportedly shot down six helicopters and an Il-18 command and control aircraft, killing at least 13 Russian airmen, when they attacked the Moscow-bound convoy about halfway to the capital from Rostov-on-Don. Then, when Wagner's column was about 125 miles from Moscow, Prigozhin abruptly called off the march, saying his troops would return to base to avoid bloodshed. The Kremlin claimed that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had brokered a deal under which Prigozhin would end his rebellion and retreat to exile in Belarus, he and his troops would not be prosecuted, and Wagner forces that did not participate in the mutiny would be invited to join Russia's regular military forces in Ukraine. Many Ukrainian troops have come to regard Wagner soldiers as the best-trained and best-equipped Russian forces they have encountered during Russia's 16-month invasion. What happens to Putin's war in Ukraine after Prigozhin's short-lived mutiny? What are the commentators saying? "For now, the uncertain status of Wagner is bound to be a relief for Ukrainian soldiers," The New York Times reported. And military experts predicted "the Ukrainian military may be able to capitalize on the chaos and weakening morale" in Russia's military to try to make some gains. "If there's chaos in the regime," Polish military analyst Konrad Muzyka told The Wall Street Journal, Russian "soldiers may choose their own lives over fighting for the regime." The Wagner mutiny did not appear to "substantially" affect Russia's offensive and defensive operations in Ukraine over the weekend, the Institute for the Study of War reported. Putin has "been dealt a severe blow," but he "objectively resolved the Wagner and Prigozhin problem by dissolving the former and expelling the latter," argued Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "Putin doesn't need Wagner or Prigozhin. He can manage with his own forces. He's now certainly convinced of that." It could be that a bunch of "poorly trained" Russian conscripts dropped on the Ukrainian front line as "cannon fodder" are now "thinking 'Why are we even doing this? Why are we here?'" Malcolm Davis at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute told CNN. If Putin is willing to forgive a mutiny that killed Russian airmen and "the Russian military leadership is incompetent, then you could see mass desertion" and more "mutinies and an unwillingness on the part of the rank and file to follow orders." What happens next? The "best outcome" from Wagner's rebellion would be that "internal frictions in Russia" distract the Kremlin and draw some "elite, loyal Russian army units" back to defend Russian borders and Moscow, providing "additional opportunities for Ukrainian breakthroughs in their current offensives," retired Australian Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald. "The worst outcome is that Putin, under pressure from hardliners, doubles down on Ukraine," but "the most likely outcome is somewhere in between." At a minimum, he noted, "the withdrawal of Wagner forces will leave a gap to be filled in eastern Ukraine." And not a small gap, retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges told Times Radio. "Russia has just lost 25,000 soldiers" with Wagner's dissolution, even if some mercenaries enlist, he said. "Every one of them is going to be looked at with suspicion and seen as unreliable." The Wagner "criminals" are "seasoned warriors who are ready to die," Russian opposition figure Gary Kasparov told the Kyiv Post, and one Wagner soldier who fought at Bakhmut is "worth 50" Russian National Guard troops that have "never faced such a task." "What comes next, surely, is more trouble for Putin in Ukraine," David Ignatius wrote at The Washington Post. "Prigozhin told the truth flat out in the days before his march on Moscow: Ukraine didn't threaten Russia, and Russia's invasion was unnecessary a mistake of epic proportions. Even Putin, the ice man, can't freeze the burning truth of his Ukraine disaster." That was "perhaps the true moment when Prigozhin 'crossed the Rubicon,'" when he "fatally undermined" Putin's invasion rationale, Ryan agreed. "Blaming the invasion, not on NATO or Nazis, but on Russian elites is perhaps the most dangerous idea that will be a threat to Putin henceforth." Putin is surely, irrevocably weakened now, but "there is a surplus of uncertainty in the wake of Prigozhin's mutiny," he added. And "there will be more unpredictable outcomes from the uprising, and Ukraine's response, in the coming days." You may also like Problematic Ford Explorer recall prompts federal investigation Did the Dobbs decision help or hinder Republicans? Putin's grip on power apparently damaged after Wagner mutiny Want to learn more about working for Amazon in Tallahassee? This upcoming session is for you. Amazon is beginning its hiring blitz in the capital city. After posting the first 100 jobs and getting a barrage of resumes, the mega-online retailer is beginning to fulfill its commitment to partner with community organizations to spread the word about future job opportunities it will have at its Tallahassee operation. With the help of the Office of Economic Vitality, the first of a series of Amazon Pre-Hiring "Information Sessions" will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library on 2817 S. Adams St. This is one of the three possible sessions available for those interested in future full-time job opportunities, starting at $16/hour, with the e-commerce giant. Owen Torres, a spokesman for Amazon, told the Tallahassee Democrat in March the company was initially focusing on building its leadership team. Now, the focus will be on filling other positions. Maegan Wynn, marketing coordinator for the Office of Economic Vitality, said Amazon received an influx of applications last week in response to 120 job listings posted on its hiring site. As of Friday, the listings for jobs in Tallahassee are no longer available on the specific hiring.amazon.com website because of the overwhelming number of applicants, Wynn said. Information about where and how to apply will be discussed in the informational session as well. "These sessions present an invaluable opportunity for job seekers to glean insights from Amazon representatives, enabling them to successfully navigate the hiring process and increase their chances of securing these highly rewarding positions, Keith Bowers, executive director of the Office of Economic Vitality Director, said in a prepared statement. Amazon Primer: A Tallahassee jobseekers guide to landing a job in the coming hiring blitz Coming online: Amazon hiring begins slowly for mega Tallahassee warehouse; property tax payday on horizon Community partner: Amazon selects Tallahassee Community College as education partner to train its employees Amazon has said there will be up to 1,000 positions available in the 2.8-million-square-foot fulfillment center on Mahan Drive, off Interstate 10. Slated to open later this year, the center has faced several delays including supply chain issues and declines in consumer demand due to the economic downturn, according to previous reports. The information session gives those attending an insight into the companys culture, positions available and qualifications required. Torres told the Democrat in March the company also has plans to provide job fairs at later dates. Democrat writer Kyla Sanford can be reached at ksanford@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Amazon to host pre-hiring information sessions in Tallahassee Watch: Fury after tourist carves fiancees name on to Colosseum Social media users condemned the tourists actions on the Colosseums walls - Gaia Squarci/Bloomberg A man caught carving a romantic message onto the walls of the Colosseum caused uproar in Italy. In a video posted online, a young man carrying a backpack was seen using a set of keys to carve the words Ivan + Hayley 23 in full view of other tourists. The moment was filmed by a bystander on June 23, according to the videos time stamp, but was only picked up by Italian media on Monday. The man, who was joined by a woman at his side, did not attempt to hide his actions when he noticed he was being filmed. Instead, he grinned at the camera and continued to scratch the bricks even as the person filming was heard saying: Are you f-----g serious, man? That is f----d-up, man. Stupid a-----e. The video, which was captioned: A-----e tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome, drew a furious reaction on social media: One user wrote in response: People like this should have their passports revoked. Another commented: They got his face, so hopefully hes arrested and charged. Italys carabinieri said it was investigating the matter. Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Italian culture minister, said: I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of most famous places in the world, a historical heritage such as the Colosseum, to carve the name of his fiancee. If caught, the man risks a fine of up to 15,000 (12,850) and being jailed for up to five years. Other tourists who have been arrested in the past for similar misbehaviour were given huge penalties. In 2014, a Russian tourist who carved his initials onto the Colosseum was handed a four-month suspended sentence and fined 20,000 (17,000). 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. Last week, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined Native News Online publisher Levi Rickert on Native Bidaske. The two discussed the Supreme Courts issuing of a 5-4 ruling against the Navajo Nation in its attempts to secure water rights to the Colorado River. The case, Navajo Nation v. Arizona rested on the merits of a 150-year-old promise from the federal government to fulfill the water needs of Native American reservations. One of the reasons why the case was filed was that we have treaty responsibilities within the federal government, Nygren told Rickert. It was trying to keep our federal partners accountable and make sure that they continue to help us and assist us in quantifying our water rights. The Navajo Nation brought the suit against the state of Arizona after their water rights came into question as the Tribes primary water source the Colorado River has dwindled by 20% over the past two decades from drought conditions in the region. The suit alleged a breach of trust and sought to compel the federal government to secure water for Navajo Nation by assessing the Tribes water needs, developing a plan to secure the needed water, and potentially building pipelines, pumps, wells, or other water infrastructure. Theres 30 to 40 percent of Navajo people without running water right now. People are still hauling water and filling up buckets of water from border towns, Nygren said. Thats what they are surviving on. Nygren also talked about the next steps of action for the Navajo Nation. The next steps are to sit down with the President of the United States and try to work out a congressional delegation to see if we can get this through Congress, Nygren said. Theres a prime opportunity to have all of Indian Country get united behind the Navajo nation and continue to stand on whats right. If we are going to go back to the time of a strong Navajo Nation, a strong Indian Country, we have to make sure that we have control of the basic things that make life sustainable and water is one of them, said Nygren. Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel, or view the embedded video below. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net This week at Harbor Park: Norfolk Tides open second half with Turn Back the Clock Night A look at the Norfolk Tides as they return home to begin a six-game homestand against the Charlotte Knights, the top affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Tides, first-half International League champions, enjoy a rare day off Tuesday, then begin a six-game homestand against Charlotte on Wednesday that runs through Monday. Norfolks record: 48-26 New in town: RHP Justin Armbruester made his Triple-A debut last week for the Tides, allowing two hits and striking out seven over five innings. Armbruester, 24, is a former 12th-round draft pick out of New Mexico. In the Charlotte dugout: OF Oscar Colas, rated Chicagos No. 2 overall prospect by MLB.com, rose from Class A to Triple-A last season, batting .314 with 23 home runs. The Cuba native is hitting .292 with five homers and 25 RBIs this season. Wednesday: 6:35 p.m., Turn Back the Clock Night 50-cent hot dogs, sodas and popcorn. Thursday: 12:05 p.m. Friday: 6:35 p.m., Negro League Tribute Saturday: 6:35 p.m., postgame fireworks. Sunday: 6:35 p.m., postgame fireworks. Monday: 6:35 p.m., postgame fireworks What a weekend for Wagner, elections after the war, exclusive with Ukraines Chief Rabbi Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Monday, June 26, 2023. After striking deal with Putin, Prigozhin and his fighters abandon march on Moscow In a bizarre turn of events, Wagner mercenary warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 24 abruptly called off his fighters march on Moscow, saying he had reached agreement with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to avoid bloodshed. Russians flee abroad in droves as rebellion erupts at home Amid the armed rebellion in Russia by Wagner mercenary company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russians are actively buying air tickets for destinations abroad, Russian news outlet Baza reported on June 24. Ukraines military intelligence comments on Prigozhin's rebellion The rebellion against the Russian military leadership led by the head of Russias Wagner mercenary company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is a consequence of conflicts between various groups in Russia, a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson said on June 24. Prigozhin may have been offered dismissal of Shoigu and Gerasimov, says SBU Wagner Group mercenary's leader Yevgen Prigozhin may have been promised that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other top military officials will be dismissed in exchange for ending his mutiny, Ukraines SBU security service said on June 25. Zelenskyy comments on military rebellion in Russia The longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries in Ukraine, the more chaos and problems it will have for itself, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram on June 24, commenting on the ongoing armed conflict in Russia. Wagner destroyed seven Russian aircraft during Prigozhin's rebellion Air Force During the rebellion of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, his militants destroyed seven Russian aircraft after launching preemptive strikes against them, the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat said on national television on June 25. Shocking photos of shallowed Kakhovka Reservoir published online The Kakhovka Reservoir has turned into a desert after the Russian military demolished the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and dam, a shocking photo posted by Ukrainian journalist and blogger Denys Kazansky on Telegram on June 25 shows. Ukraine to hold elections after war ends, says Zelenskyy Elections in Ukraine will be held in 2024 only if martial law is ended by then, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the BBC on June 22. Russians claim to have killed teenage partisans in Berdyansk Two Ukrainian teenagers have been murdered by Russian invasion forces in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Berdyansk in Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Vladimir, a representative of the occupation administration of Zaporizhzhya Oblast has said. Germany to donate to Ukraine 45 more Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns by year end Germany plans to transfer to Ukraine 45 more Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns this year, Christian Freuding, Head of the Special Staff Ukraine at the German Federal Ministry of Defence said in an interview with Welt am Sonntag outlet on June 24. Death toll in Kyivs Solomyanskyi District from Russian missile strike rises to five The bodies of two more people have been found under the rubble of a building in Kyiv's Solomyanskyi District hit by the fragments of a Russian missile in the early hours of June 24, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram on June 25. When will Ukraine have its own long-range missiles? Although Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov recently expressed optimism for the development of a Ukrainian missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, available information suggests that there is still a long way to go, an expert has told NV. EU approves massive expansion of artillery shell production EU member states have approved a project that envisages expanding the production of artillery shells to one million units per year, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU announced on Twitter on June 23. Chief Rabbi of Ukraine on Russian anti-Semitism interview 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. Ukraine on top of medals table at European Games after day two The Ukrainian team tops the medal table at the European Games in Poland after day two, having won four golds and two bronzes. 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 new weight-loss drug dubbed the 'triple G' could be stronger than Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro and as powerful as bariatric surgery Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images Retatrutide, a new injectable drug candidate from Eli Lilly, is delivering stunning weight loss in clinical trials. Doctors are comparing the results so far to bariatric surgery, calling it the "triple G." "Their mind is freed from the burden of trying to control every morsel of food" one doctor said. The clinical trial results for a new, injectable hormone pen have stunned researchers it's looking stronger than Ozempic or Mounjaro, and nearly on par with bariatric surgery. Results of two separate mid-stage clinical trials of the drug, called retatrutide, which is under development from drugmaker Eli Lilly, were released in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and The Lancet on Monday. Doctors discussing the results at the American Diabetes Association conference in San Diego were floored by the rapid weight loss that hundreds of people with obesity and diabetes achieved on this investigational drug, as well as the dramatic improvements to their blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. "We have not seen results like this before," said Dr. Ania Jastreboff, director of the Yale Obesity Research Center, and an author of the NEJM paper. Other doctors at the conference agreed that retatrutide could be a groundbreaking drug for both weight loss and Type 2 diabetes management. Conference attendees from around the globe clapped and gasped when the results were announced. "This raises the bar," Dr. Carel Le Roux from University College Dublin, an obesity researcher who was not affiliated with these studies, said during a press conference. "This is way beyond my wildest dreams." Retatrutide: The 'triple G' drug that frees the mind MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty Images Retatrutide is similar to Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro in that it is a once weekly injection of hormones that change the way we eat, leading to early feelings of fullness and decreased appetite. But unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, which mimic only one hunger-regulating hormone (GLP-1), or Mounjaro, which mimics two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP), retatrutide is a single molecule that mimics three different hunger-regulating hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. That "triple G" action, as some scientists termed it at the meeting, seems to have more potent effects on a person's appetite and satisfaction with food. "What our patients express is freedom," Jastreboff said. "Their mind is freed from the burden of trying to control every morsel of food that they put in their mouth for the rest of their lives." In the trial published in the NEJM, patients with obesity who were given the highest weekly dose of retatrutide (12 mg) lost an average of 58 pounds in 11 months. Their weight was still going down even when the trial ended, suggesting that longer, bigger trials yet to be completed may deliver even more impressive weight loss results. Every patient on the highest dose of retatrutide lost at least 5% of their body weight, and a quarter of those participants lost 30% or more of their weight. In a similar study of retatrutide for patients with Type 2 diabetes published in The Lancet, patients lost about 17% of their bodyweight in nine months, which is a remarkable feat, since it's typically harder for patients with T2D to lose the same amount of weight as other people with overweight and obesity. Side effects of retatrutide were similar to Ozempic and Mounjaro, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. "This is a real wow," lead Lancet study author Dr. Julio Rosenstock from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said. "Not a single drug has achieved 17% and you ain't seen nothing yet." Much like Jastreboff's trial, Rosenstock's trial ended while patients were still losing weight. Given more time, Rosenstock said he expects many of those patients with diabetes would achieve 20% weight loss on this drug. Importantly, about a third of the patients with type 2 diabetes on the drug also reverted to normal blood sugar levels while they were on the drug. But it will likely take several years before this drug is commercially available. Before the medication can undergo evaluation by the US Food and Drug Administration, and become available to the public, larger and longer phase 3 clinical trials will need to be successfully completed, a process which will likely take at least until the end of 2025. Read the original article on Insider President Joe Biden on Monday addressed the ongoing political crisis in Russia, rejecting the notion that the U.S. and Western allies were responsible for the aborted rebellion led by mercenaries in Russia over the weekend. Speaking at the White House at an event about broadband access, Biden said U.S. officials worked to ensure Russia could not blame the crisis on the West. "We made it clear the West had nothing to do with this," Biden said. Biden also said U.S. officials were prepared for "a range of scenarios" and that he convened allies on a Zoom call shortly after the crisis began. The comments came after an unexpected political crisis in Russia that threatened the stability of Vladimir Putins regime, and caught American officials, and others around the world, off guard. On Friday, Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, formerly a close confidant of Putin, accused the Russian military of attacking Wagner troops with missile strikes. Prigozhin and his forces occupied the city of Rostov-on-Don, near the Ukrainian border, and began moving toward Moscow. The mutiny was over by Sunday. For reasons that remain unclear, Prigozhin stopped his advance and struck a deal that would drop treason charges against him and require him to leave Russia for Belarus. On Sunday, Wagner troops withdrew from Russias southern Voronezh region. Prigozhin broke his silence Monday. We stopped when it became clear that a lot of blood would flow, he said in an audio statement posted on his Telegram channel. The demonstration of what we could do was sufficient. Our decision to return was driven by two factors. One, that we did not want Russian blood to flow. The second factor was that we went to demonstrate our protest, and not to overthrow the government of the country. Despite the apparent lull in the crisis, Biden has said the United States will continue watching the situation in Russia closely. "We're gonna keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events," Biden said Monday. The U.S. and its allies, Biden added, will also present a united front. "No matter comes next, I will keep making sure that our allies and our partners are closely aligned in how we are reading and responding to the situation. it is important that we stay completely coordinated," Biden said Monday. Photograph: Jeff Dean/AP A slew of investigations have opened up against the West Virginia state police department after startling claims surfaced in recent months including alleged hidden cameras in womens locker rooms, casino thefts, cover-ups, kidnappings, druggings and rape. The investigations were initiated after an anonymous five-page letter was sent to multiple state lawmakers. The contents of the letter, which were then covered by local media outlets, consisted of multiple damning claims. Those claims triggered leadership changes across the department as well as sweeping investigations into the West Virginia state police. In February, local reports emerged of the letter that was sent to a handful of the states highest-ranking politicians, including the governor, Jim Justice, and the attorney general, Patrick Morrisey. The letters allegations ranged from misuse of state and federal dollars, office affairs, illegal overtime practices, drunken fights, hidden cameras and sexual assault. The more we dug, the worse it stunk, Justice said about the allegations in March. He subsequently ordered the states department of homeland security, as well as the interim superintendent of the West Virginia state police, Jack Chambers, to launch a multipronged investigation into the alleged wrongdoings. One of the most disturbing claims involves at least one alleged hidden camera that was placed in the womens locker room at the West Virginia state police academy. On 23 March, attorney Teresa Toriseva filed the first of four notices of legal action to Morrisey and Chambers, who replaced former superintendent Jan Cahill after his resignation in March. Two retired West Virginia state police uniformed employees and a civilian, who regularly used the womens locker room throughout their careers and after their retirements, intended to sue the West Virginia state police after media reported on the alleged hidden camera, according to the letter reviewed by the Guardian. On 16 June, in her fourth and final notice of legal action, Toriseva revealed that her law office has gone from representing three women to 67, all of whom will be filing claims against the West Virginia State Police for creating a toxic and hostile environment. In addition to the dozens of women who attended or visited the academy from 1994 to the present day, there were at least 10 minors probably between the ages of 14 and 17 who were part of the state polices Junior Trooper academy and used the locker room, the letter said. Now weve got law enforcement officers destroying evidence Governor Jim Justice During their time at the academy and while under the supervision of West Virginia State Police employees, several of these women were subjected to varying levels of physical and emotional abuse and were most likely video taped on cameras now known to have been hidden on your premises, one letter read. All of these women were victims of a civil conspiracy perpetrated by instructors, staff, and leadership at the West Virginia State Police Academy. Toriseva says that an investigation by her firm suggests that the camera could have been placed as early as 1998 and continued recording until 2018. She also anticipates filing spoliation of evidence as Governor Justice confirmed that footage from the hidden camera had been deliberately destroyed. In a public address in March, the governor said that the employee behind the hidden camera had died and that three troopers later found a thumb drive. From that, they found the video, he said, adding that at least one of them immediately jerked the thumb drive out, threw it to the floor and started stomping on it. Now weve got law enforcement officers destroying evidence, he said as he ordered an all-out investigation into the matter. Another claim that surfaced in recent months is the alleged money theft at a casino by an off-duty state police captain, according to another anonymous letter reported by WOWK-TV. The alleged incident, which was caught on surveillance camera in May 2021 at a casino in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, revolves around a captain who has since retired after being confronted about the incident, WOWK-TV reports. The letter states that an appointee of Colonel [Jan] Cahill was caught on camera stealing an envelope of money after another man left it behind at a slot machine, according to the outlet. It also alleges that the West Virginia state police covered up the incident and no charges were filed. A report filed in March by the states homeland security department appears to confirm the incident. According to local outlets that reviewed the report, it details a security managers interaction with a customer who informed the casino that he lost an envelope which contained at least $500. The man told the security manager that he left his slot machine to get a drink from a vending machine and that he had left the envelope behind. Surveillance footage revealed another man picking up the envelope and exiting the casino, driving away in a truck. Casino security identified the vehicles licence plate number and forwarded the details to the state police, WVVA reported. An investigating trooper eventually identified the man, recovered the envelope and returned it to its original owner. State officials said that the investigating trooper did not report the incident to his superiors, according to WVVA. The trooper picked it up and took the money Any way you cut it, that money was stolen Governor Jim Justice Theres no way to look at this other than just this the trooper picked it up and took the money, said Governor Justice after details of the incident emerged. Basically, any way you cut it, that money was stolen. Disturbing allegations of rape have also surrounded the West Virginia state police. At least two lawsuits have been filed against the agency as of May. Two women, both represented by attorney Dante DiTrapano, have accused trooper Michael Miller of kidnapping and rape. In a notice of legal action to the state police published by West Virginia Public Broadcasting in March, DiTrapano revealed a handful of grisly allegations on behalf of one of his clients. The unnamed woman accused Miller of drugging, kidnapping and brutally raping her on the evening of 17 December and the early morning of 18 December 2021. The letter claims that Miller, while flashing his badge around the American Legion Post 19 club in Logan, West Virginia, changed my clients life forever. It states that the woman woke up naked in her bed with blood, urine and feces all over her before going into further horrifying allegations. Her earrings were ripped out of her ears, her hair was pulled out, her teeth were damaged, and she had been raped vaginally and sodomized with some instrument. This is all confirmed by the rape unit at the emergency department at [Charleston Area medical center] Womens and Childrens Hospital, in Charleston, West Virginia, the letter said, adding that Miller allegedly sent a Facebook message to the woman the morning after the incident, asking if he had left his hat in her car. The letter describes the woman as the loving mother of five beautiful children and a grandchild who now cannot ever go back to work and is suffering from PTSD and is in intense treatment and counseling in connection with the physical, mental, emotional, and psychological injuries visited upon her by Miller. It added that the incident had been reported to the FBI. Shortly after the first notice of legal action, DiTrapano filed another letter to the West Virginia state police in April, alleging similar actions against Miller on behalf of another unnamed woman. According to the letter reviewed by the West Virginia Record, on the evening of 9 July and the early morning of 10 July 2021, Miller drugged, kidnapped and raped the woman while repeatedly telling her that he was a trooper. In an interview with WVMetroNews, DiTrapano said that Miller was in a bar in Logan county where he flashed his badge around the woman, telling her that she needed to come with him after he allegedly drugged her drink. He then allegedly took her inside a truck and, alongside two other men, sexually assaulted and penetrated her. The letter goes on to accuse Miller of driving to another club where the naked woman managed to leave the vehicle with her belongings and her clothes, the West Virginia Record reports. DiTrapano claims that the woman tried to report the alleged incident to a friend who was a sheriffs deputy in Logan county. The information she got back from the Logan county deputy was Do not screw with the brotherhood, he told WVMetroNews. The West Virginia state police confirmed that the FBI was investigating allegations against a current employee and that an internal investigation would follow, WOWK-TV reported. With multiple investigations ongoing and legal actions being taken against the state police, the five-paged anonymous letters origins appear to have stirred up their own controversy in recent months. The whistleblower behind the letter has since come forward, with attorney David Moye identifying his client as Joseph Comer, a police corporal. After the letter was distributed, Comer was arrested for domestic battery and felony strangulation and was subsequently placed on administrative leave, a move which his lawyer regards as retaliation by the state police. On 23 February, a day before Comer was scheduled to have a grievance hearing about his concerns about the West Virginia state police, a criminal complaint was filed against him. It alleged that hed strangled a woman on 5 December 2022 during a scheduled child custody exchange. According to the criminal complaint reviewed by WOWK-TV, Comer left bruises on the womans neck. In another criminal complaint, Comer was accused of striking a woman in the head with a sippy cup on 12 December 2022 at the same location of the alleged strangulation, WOWK-TV reported. He revealed several of the things to Major [James] Findley who was the head of internal affairs hoping to get it investigated, but instead of Major Findley investigating it, he turned around and pretty much placed a target on my clients back, Cpl Comer, and started to discipline him, demote him, Moye told WTRF. They started investigating him rather than investigating the complaint that he made, he said. WCHS-TV has since revealed a series of internal emails among the West Virginia police departments high-ranking members as they strategized Comers arrest. On 24 February, Sgt KW Huddleston emailed Findley, who has since been transferred from director of the professional standards division to a first lieutenant slot, and wrote: We maybe need to start thinking about having something in place tomorrow when/if he shows up. Yes. He be [sic] here at 0900. Ill be here. I can pull him and his attorney and have it taken care of. Place on admin leave when serve dvp and then do warrant after everything secured, Findley replied, appearing to refer to a domestic violence protection notice. Timing if [sic] it is horrible, he added, to which Huddleston responded: Yes optics will suck but it is what it is. The sweeping investigations against the entire West Virginia state police have raised questions surrounding the states policing culture. When theres been public outcry, when theres been questions raised, the police are very, very quick to circle ranks and to always claim that their actions were justified and necessary. We see this regularly here in West Virginia, ACLU-West Virginias advocacy director, Eli Baumwell, said. To advocates like Baumwell, a policing overhaul requires several steps including rethinking the transparency and accountability measures that often protect officers who commit acts of wrongdoing. One of the things that we run into all the time is that they would use the loophole of open investigations being exempt to withhold any internal records about any potential misconduct. Theyll say its under investigation and they will hold it under investigation for, in some cases, years. That is a huge problem in terms of providing that transparency, Baumwell said. He continued: Police lean very heavily on civil service protection that we want people to have. We want everyone to get due process, especially if their livelihood is on the line. But they lean so heavily on protections that make it virtually impossible to actually discipline an officer, even when wrongdoing has been found and confirmed. Baumwell added: They need to actually have true oversight, true accountability, because thats not here. And thats one of the major things killing our trust. Where Pence can claim credit - and where he doesn't want it - for Trump accomplishments WASHINGTON As Donald Trumps No. 2, Mike Pence knew not to overshadow his boss. When Trump wondered why he wasnt the one delivering a get-tough-on-China speech that was generating attention, Pence reminded him theyd gone over every line together. After Trump realized millions of people were tuning in to the COVID-19 briefings led by the vice president, he reclaimed the spotlight. And when Trump said his schedule wouldnt allow him to address abortion opponents at their 2017 March for Life, Pence one of the movements top champions gingerly responded, Well, you know, they actually invited me, too. Now that Pence is running against Trump (and many others) for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, might he start taking more credit for his role in their administration? There are accomplishments, such as a 2017 package of tax cuts, for which Pence can legitimately say he helped Trump close the deal, said Scott Jennings, a Republican political adviser who has worked for President George W. Bush and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell. The problem for Pence, Jennings said, is the buck always stops with the president. I think its a difficult thing to argue, he said, because of the structural nature of how we view the presidency and the vice presidency. For Pence, whose approach to the vice presidency was rooted in his belief in servant leadership, its also not in his nature to say, `Hey, I did this thing, said Marc Short, a top Pence adviser who served as his chief of staff. But I think you'll see a natural separation, because Mike will still championing some of those things that I think President Trump is probably less comfortable with, he said. Republican presidential candidate and former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a campaign event, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Ankeny, Iowa. Differences with Trump That separation has already occurred on such issues as abortion, foreign policy, immigration, criminal justice and Social Security. Pence has distanced himself from Trumps policy of separating migrant families at the border a practice that another former Trump administration official has said Pence was instrumental in ending. He has called for a step back from the First Step Act, Trumps criminal justice act that reduced sentences for thousands of prisoners. U.S. President Donald Trump signs the First Step Act and the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in the Oval Office of the White House December 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. The First Step Act aims to help inmate be released early from their federal sentences for good behavior. He has criticized Trump for calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a genius, saying: "I know the difference between a genius and a war criminal." He is advocating changes to Social Security and Medicare, accusing Trump of being as negligent as he says President Joe Biden is in not addressing those expensive programs impact on the budget deficit. And he has accused Trump of retreating from the cause of the unborn, a reference in part to Trumps blaming Republicans underperformance in the 2022 midterms to many Republicans demanding no exceptions on abortion restrictions. Pence is proud of what they did for four years, Short said. But his concern is, candidly, the former president is now walking away from much of what they accomplished. In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Liz Harrington named a long list of Trumps historic accomplishments, including tax cuts, appointing three Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, renegotiating a North American trade deal and getting tough on China. And the best is yet to come, Harrington said. Unusually influential vice president? At the start of the Trump-Pence administration, there was much speculation that Pence could be an unusually influential vice president. Trump was the first president to have had no political or military background. And he hadnt shown much interest in the nuts and bolts of the job. Before their inauguration, Pence who had served a dozen years in Congress and one term as Indianas governor was being referred to in the media as Trumps chief fixer on Capitol Hill, the Oarsman for The Swamp, and key to the first 100 days. He was who lawmakers & cabinet officials knew to go to for help, Alyssa Farah Griffin, an aide first to Pence and then Trump, tweeted last November. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a press briefing with the coronavirus task force, at the White House, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Washington, as President Donald Trump looks on. Businesses, trade associations and other interests looking for help from the administration beat a path to Pence's door. No vice president has been lobbied as heavily as Pence since lobbying disclosure rules began in 1998. In Pences memoir, So Help Me God, he describes convincing Mexican officials that Trump was serious about imposing tariffs on Mexican products unless migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. could wait in Mexico while their cases were reviewed. I played my part, as usual, by delivering the message with a smile and then closing the sale, Pence wrote. Farah Griffin called Pence instrumental in ending Trumps least popular policies, the migrant family separation program and his executive order banning travel from some Muslim-majority countries. And she said Pence can take credit for the trade deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, judicial appointments and the tax cuts. fact: tax reform wouldnt have passed if not for post midnight persuasion by Pence & McConnell, she tweeted. Trump was prob in bed watching tv. David McIntosh, a longtime friend of Pences and head of the influential conservative group the Club for Growth, said Pence led the effort on Capitol Hill for the tax cuts and rallied outside advocacy groups like his to support it. Pence had the contacts and friendships to make sure the legislative process was getting done, McIntosh said. I think he can take a lot of credit for that. Eager to debate Trump On the other hand, Pence doesnt want accolades for the First Step Act, the 2018 law that represented a sea change in criminal justice policy that once sought the harshest punishments possible for offenders. Its goal was to chip away at spiraling incarceration costs and better prepare offenders for release by driving down rates of recidivism. Though Pence, in his 2022 memoir, had nothing but praise for the law he noted was a bipartisan achievement and another instance when Trump had done what other presidents had promised but never accomplished, Pence now says it wasnt tough enough on the worst criminals. As the bill was being put together, McIntosh said, Pence was behind the scenes arguing that this is a liberal agenda. But anytime Trump didnt agree with his advice, Pence viewed his role as vice president to show no daylight between them. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence arrive in the Rose Garden to speak on COVID-19 testing at the White House in Washington on Sept. 28, 2020. Now, Pence says, he is eager to air his differences with Trump. People ask me: How do you see yourself debating Donald Trump? And I invariably answer, Ive debated Donald Trump more times than I can remember. Just not with the cameras on, Pence told the Wall Street Journal. Id relish it. Id look forward to it. I think itll be great. Will Pence's experience matter? Since launching his presidential bid, Pence has pointed to his experience in the White House, Congress and as Indianas governor to argue he has the experience to put this country back on track on Day One. The presidency is no place for on-the-job training, Pence said during a CNN town hall. Jennings, however, doubts experience is going to be the determining factor among Republican primary voters. This is not going to be a primary decided on the finer points of tax policy or who did what on Capitol Hill, Jennings said. This is vibe primary. Does Mike Pence have the right vibe for the moment? `Go Home for Dinner' Mike Pence has some advice in new book This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened between Trump and Pence? Differences finally on display The White House on Monday condemned the harassment of a Wall Street Journal reporter after she pressed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his governments human rights record. NBC correspondent Kelly ODonnell asked at a press briefing about the online harassment of Sabrina Siddiqui, a Muslim journalist, including by some Indian politicians who are associated with Modis government. Were aware of the reports of that harassment. Its unacceptable, and we absolutely condemn any harassment of journalists anywhere under any circumstances, John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, told reporters. Thats just completely unacceptable, and its antithetical to the principles of democracy that were on display last week during the state visit, Kirby added. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre added that the Biden administration is committed to the freedom of the press. Siddiqui is a longtime White House reporter who covers the Biden administration. She was one of two journalists who accompanied Biden on a historic trip to Ukraine earlier this year. At a press conference during a state visit to the White House last week, Siddiqui asked Modi what steps he was taking to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities and uphold free speech in India. Modi said he was really surprised by the question and defended Indias democracy, saying democracy is in our DNA. Modi, who rarely takes questions from the press, added there is absolutely no space for discrimination, pushing back on accusations that his administration has allowed violence toward Muslims to go unchecked. Modi and his political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, have been criticized in the South Asian nation and abroad for pushing India toward Hindu nationalism. The country has seen a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment since Modi came to power, including communal riots in northeast Delhi in 2020. In February, Indian journalist Siddique Kappan, who is Muslim, was released from jail on bail after two years without a trial. Human rights groups allege his arrest was politically motivated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden unveiled plans for allocating nearly $42.5 billion to build out high-speed internet networks, touting it as a way his administration aimed to help all Americans even those who did not vote for him ahead of his 2024 reelection bid. Most Read from Bloomberg I promised to be a president for all Americans, whether or not they voted for me or whether or not they voted for these laws, Biden said at the White House on Monday, kicking off a week of events promoting Bidenomics. These investments will help all Americans. Were not going to leave anyone behind. The president and his aides are looking to refocus attention on Bidens legislative accomplishments, in particular his economic agenda, with polls showing lagging voter enthusiasm for Bidens reelection campaign. Biden highlighted the impact high-speed internet would have for rural communities areas of the country where Democrats have struggled to win voters. Connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is a bold goal for a great nation, especially one as vast and geographically diverse as ours, said Biden. We are all well on our way. We are just going to have to keep it going. Pushing Bidenomics The broadband event in the White Houses East Room is the first in a nationwide tour of top administration officials highlighting projects, grants and public-private partnerships funded through legislation passed during Bidens presidency. On Wednesday, the president will give a speech in Chicago on the impact of his policies on the US economy. In the weeks and months ahead, the president, members of his cabinet, and senior Administration officials will continue fanning out across the country to take the case for Bidenomics and the Presidents Investing in America agenda directly to the American people, senior Biden advisers Anita Dunn and Mike Donilon said in a memo released by the White House. Each state, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, is guaranteed at least $100 million under the initiative. The remaining funding will be allocated based on new maps drafted by the Federal Communications Commission that found some 7% of the nation was unserved by high-speed internet. But Mondays event in some ways reinforced the challenges the president and his staff face. Biden announced awards to US states and territories under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, created by his infrastructure law to fund planning and deployment of internet to communities lacking high-speed access. But states will still have an opportunity to challenge the federal awards over the next six months. The first tranche of funding slightly less than $8.5 billion wont be doled out until December. The remaining $34 billion wont be distributed until spring 2025 after the presidential election. Furthermore, theres concern that Buy American requirements in the legislation could hobble or delay the efforts, because there arent enough of the electronic components like routers needed for advanced fiber networks produced domestically. Read more: Bidens Buy America Rule Crimps Broadband Plan on Lack of Parts Internet service providers who are vying for the programs subsidies have asked the federal government to relax those requirements, but doing so would violate Bidens pledge to spur a domestic manufacturing renaissance. Low Polling Those complications could help explain why a Washington Post-ABC News survey earlier this year found that 62% of Americans believed Biden has accomplished not very much or little or nothing during his presidency, while just 36% say he has accomplished a great deal or a good amount. The White House is hopeful that the latest push will help remind voters of the presidents economic accomplishments. Read more: Bidens Broadband Plan Is Bold but Economic Payoff Unclear While voters regularly express concerns about Bidens age, his senior advisers noted that his signature legislative accomplishments share broad bipartisan approval. His speech in Chicago is intended to stress that the post-pandemic recovery has particularly benefited the manufacturing sector, as well as poor and middle class Americans. The core pillars of the Presidents economic plan are not only delivering results and growing our economy from the bottom up and middle out they are also strongly supported by the American people, Dunn and Donilon wrote in the memo. --With assistance from Ryan Teague Beckwith. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Pamela Dias, second from right, remembers her daughter, Ajike Owens, as mourners gather June 8 at Immerse Church of Ocala in Florida. Susan Louise Lorincz, the woman accused of firing through her door and killing Owens in front of her 9-year-old son was charged Monday with manslaughter and assault. Pamela Dias, second from right, remembers her daughter, Ajike Owens, as mourners gather June 8 at Immerse Church of Ocala in Florida. Susan Louise Lorincz, the woman accused of firing through her door and killing Owens in front of her 9-year-old son was charged Monday with manslaughter and assault. Florida prosecutors have declined to charge a white woman accused of fatally shooting her Black neighbor through the door of her apartment with second-degree murder, citing insufficient evidence. Susan Lorincz, 58, faces up to 30 years in prison if she is convicted on the charges she faces: one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault. Florida State Attorney William Bill Gladson announced the charges against Lorincz in a statement published Monday. Lorincz is accused of killing Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four with whom shed had a 2-year conflict, on June 2 by shooting her through her apartment door when Owens knocked. Owens came to Lorinczs door with her 9-year-old son after learning that Lorincz had taken her childrens electronic tablet, threw the tablet to the ground, threw a pair of roller skates at one of the children and called all of the children by racial slurs. The new charges come after Lorinczs June 7 arrest, when she was initially charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault. Her bond was set at $154,000. The culpable negligence, battery and two assault counts have since been dropped. Despite Owens family urging prosecutors to file murder charges against Lorincz, Gladson said in his Monday statement that second-degree murder charges wouldnt hold up in court. Gladson said that there was not enough evidence to prove that Lorincz had a depraved mind toward Owens at the time of killing her, a necessary component of the crime of second-degree murder. Depraved mind requires evidence of hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward the victim at the time of the killing, Gladson wrote. As deplorable as the defendants actions were in this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove this specific and required element of second-degree murder. As is always true in criminal cases, failure to prove beyond a reasonable doubt even one element of a crime will result in a not guilty verdict, Gladson added. In a police affidavit, Lorincz admitted to using racial slurs against the children and she claimed that she shot Owens through the door because she feared for her life, according to CNN. She stated that she never intended to hit the victim when she fired the gun and thought she hit really high when she shot, the affidavit said. Owens mother, Pamela Dias, has been pushing for Lornicz to be held accountable for Owens death. My daughter, my grandchildrens mother, was shot and killed with her 9-year-old son standing next to her. She had no weapon, she posed no imminent threat to anyone, Dias said at a news conference earlier this month. What Im asking is for justice, she added. Justice for my daughter. Lorincz is incarcerated at Marion County Jail. Her next court appearance is set for July 11. My office will do all it can to seek justice for Ms. Owens and her family, Gladson wrote. Related... A white former assistant teaching professor has filed a lawsuit against Penn State, alleging the university racially discriminated and retaliated against him until his resignation in August 2022. Zack De Piero, 40, served as an assistant teaching professor of English and Composition at Penn State-Abington from 2018 to 2022. During that time, he said he felt pressured by the administration to grade certain minorities easier, and he also objected to meetings and exercises seemingly centered on critical race theory, where white faculty were made to feel terrible. Once he reported what he perceived as discrimination, he believed university officials retaliated by filing a bullying and harassment complaint against him, in addition to handing him lower scores on his subsequent annual performance review. About half of Penn State-Abingtons student population identifies as minorities. The commonwealth campus is Penn States most diverse campus. Not only was Penn State deliberately indifferent to the racially hostile environment for De Piero, Penn State actively treated De Piero as the problem, suggesting mental health treatment and disciplining him for bullying when he dared to complain, the lawsuit read. As a result, De Pieros only option to escape the hostile environment was to leave Penn State. According to the lawsuit, two of De Pieros superiors Liliana Naydan, chair of the English Department and Writing Program coordinator; and Friederike Baer, division head of Arts & Humanities told the non-tenure line faculty member that student outcomes alone (i.e. grades) demonstrated whether a faculty member was racist. In a March 2019 email, De Piero said Naydan wrote, For me, the racism is in the results if the results draw a color line. Penn State pressured De Piero to ensure consistent grades for students across color line(s), otherwise his actions would demonstrate racism and he would be condemned as a racist, the lawsuit read. De Piero is suing Naydan, Baer and seven other administrators and university employees including Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi in addition to the university itself and 30 members of the board of trustees. The lawsuit was filed earlier this month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In an email to the CDT, the university largely declined to comment about De Pieros allegations or its approach to race and grading. Penn State does not generally comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Lisa Powers wrote. The university has repeatedly affirmed its active and ongoing commitment to diversity and equity, and made clear its desire to create an inclusive and respectful environment in which to live, work and study. After the May 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police, De Piero said the universitys antiracist activism reached a new fever pitch. In a June 2020 Zoom meeting Conversation on Racial Climate De Piero took exception when he said another administrator led the faculty in a breathing exercise in which she instructed the White and non-Black people of color to hold it just a little longer to feel the pain. Later that month, Aneesah Smith PSU-Abingtons director of diversity, equity and inclusion allegedly sent an email to all faculty and staff that said, Black and Brown people are calling on white people to stop being afraid of your own internalized white supremacy. De Piero also said, at different times, faculty were told white supremacy exists in language itself and reverse racism isnt racism in addition to having to watch a presentation titled, White Teachers are a Problem. The Individual Defendants, including but not limited to Naydan, condemned faculty in general and De Piero specifically for teaching while white, the lawsuit read. At Penn State, condemning faculty on the basis of race counts as demonstrating a commitment to antiracism. In April 2021, De Piero said he disclosed numerous racially discriminatory incidents involving Naydan, his direct supervisor, to division head Baer. He also filed a similar complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and, five months later, also filed a Bias Report with the universitys Affirmative Action Office. When De Piero met with the associate director of the Affirmative Action Office, De Piero said he was told, There is a problem with the white race and was given a phone number to seek mental health support. A few weeks later, he penned an opinion piece in Gannett-related media outlets to express his concerns on CRT. And, weeks later, administrators led a meeting for writing faculty based on a reading titled, The Myth of the Colorblind Writing Classroom: White Instructors Confront White Privilege in Their Classrooms. De Piero said during that meeting he felt singled out and targeted, and Naydan said their conversation caused her to feel uncomfortable, per the lawsuit. Naydan and a separate assistant teaching professor then filed a retaliatory complaint against De Piero for bullying and harassment, De Piero said. In December 2021, De Piero filed his second complaint about both discrimination and retaliation to two governmental agencies. Penn States Affirmative Action Office ultimately found De Piero was not discriminated against, but that he did bully his colleagues. That remains part of De Pieros employment record, which hes trying to get expunged. In June 2022, De Piero received his annual performance evaluation and disagreed with the lower scores. He said the service component of his work was rated only as fair to good, the equivalent of a 2 on a 5-point scale, when he used to receive scores more in line with a 4 out of 5. He resigned less than two months later. I envisioned a long, productive career at Penn State as a composition instructor and educational researcher, but the experiences of the past 2+ years have taught me that, at Penn State, Im unable to stand up for essential principles for civil rights, for workers rights, or for educational excellence without professional penalties being imposed, De Piero wrote in his resignation letter. I will now turn my attention to advocating for these principles from outside the Penn State University system. De Piero, who earned his doctorate in 2017 from UC Santa Barbara, currently works as an assistant professor of English at Northampton Community College in the Lehigh Valley. De Piero is seeking damages in an amount to be proven at trial. No trial date has yet been set. White woman charged after shooting through her door and killing Black mother in front of her son Susan Lorincz has been charged with manslaughter (Marion County Sheriffs Office) A white woman accused of fatally shooting a Black neighbour through her door in front of two of the victims young children has been charged with manslaughter. Susan Lorincz was arrested following the fatal 2 June shooting of Ajike AJ Owens in Ocala, Florida. State Attorney William Gladson said his office contemplated filing a second-degree murder charge but that prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence that Lorincz had hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward Owens. As deplorable as the defendants actions were in this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove this specific and required element of second-degree murder, Gladson said in a statement. I am aware of the desire of the family, and some community members, that the defendant be charged with second-degree murder. My obligation as State Attorney is to follow the law in each case that I prosecute. More to follow George Sanders and Dave Karger Classic Films' Appeal to LGBTQ+ Fans George Sanders and Dave Karger Women in slinky gowns or suits with big padded shoulders. Men (and sometimes women) in tuxedos or trench coats and fedoras. Hanging out in ritzy nightclubs or smoky dive bars. And somewhere in there, a character who, though its not stated, just has to read as gay. Hollywood glitz and coded portrayals those are some of the main reasons many LGBTQ+ cinephiles love films from the classic era, the 1930s through the 1950s and a little bit beyond, says out Turner Classic Movies host Dave Karger. Theres something about the old Hollywood glamour that the LGBTQ+ community appreciates, Karger says. The stars were larger than life theres something to be said for that, he notes. I can speak from experience, he adds. It was my gay male friends who helped introduce me to classic film. Also, while there were certainly some action movies in that era, the big screen wasnt yet dominated by superheroes and special effects films told stories of human drama, Karger points out. Unfortunately, under the studios self-censoring Production Code, in full effect beginning in 1934, meant that human drama couldnt include overtly queer characters. But under the code, there was a lot of coding depictions of characters that in-the-know audiences could identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Its fun to see how certain filmmakers managed to skirt those rules, Karger says. Thats all that we as a community were allowed for decades. Some of those coded (or perhaps not-so-coded) portrayals: Greta Garbo kissing a woman as the titular Queen Christina of Sweden. Farley Granger and John Dall as two men who are pretty clearly lovers in Rope. Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper obsessed with the late Rebecca de Winter in Rebecca. George Sanders (pictured, left) in his Oscar-winning turn as acid-tongued theater critic Addison DeWitt in All About Eve; Karger describes DeWitt as possibly my favorite character in my favorite film. Many of these and other coded queer characters arent likable, and theres no happily ever after for queer couples in classic-era films. But theyre often strong characters and memorable ones. As the Production Codes enforcement weakened in the 1960s (in 1968, it was replaced by the current rating system), portrayals of queer characters grew clearer but not necessarily better. These characters usually met with disgrace or death. Its not like great progress was made immediately, Karger says. Vito Russo wrote what is still the definitive analysis of queer characters in classic film, The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies, first published in 1981 and revised in 1987. The 1995 documentary based on the book will kick off TCMs Pride programming that starts Monday night and continues into Tuesday morning. Karger and writer-comedian Louis Virtel will introduce the slate of six films. Hes so smart and so funny, Karger says of Virtel, who happens to be a former Advocate intern. I cannot wait to hear what he has to say. Scroll on for info about the featured films. The Celluloid Closet (1995) Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot Vito Russos book is translated to the screen by the writing and directing team of Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Lily Tomlin narrates; the talking heads include Gore Vidal, Quentin Crisp, Armistead Maupin, Shirley MacLaine, Tony Curtis, and many, many more; and theres a wealth of clips from classic-era movies. I think The Celluloid Closet is an absolute must-see for any classic movie fan, LGBTQ+ or not, Karger says. 8 p.m. (all times Eastern). Pictured: Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon pose as women in director Billy Wilders 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot. The film was recently reimagined as a Broadway musical with an expansive view of gender. Rope (1948) Farley Granger, James Stewart, and John Dall Bisexual actor Farley Granger (left) and John Dall (right) star as two murderous young lovers. No, not a positive portrayal, but a fascinating one. James Stewart plays against his nice-guy image as a cynical professor. The film, adapted by gay writer Arthur Laurents from a play by Patrick Hamilton, was most noted on its initial release for director Alfred Hitchcocks experiment of shooting in long, continuous takes. It was judged a failure at the time, but its reputation has risen since. 10 p.m. The Children's Hour (1961) Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn It still wasnt a progressive time for queer characters. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine run a private school for girls, and a dissatisfied student claims theyre lesbians. We wont give away the ending except to say it isnt pretty. Based on Lillian Hellmans play and directed by William Wyler. Hellmans play had been adapted for film in 1936 as These Three, which turned the rumor of a lesbian relationship into one of heterosexual adultery. It was also directed by Wyler. 11:30 p.m. Queen Christina (1933) Greta Garbo and Elizabeth Young Greta Garbo stars as the 17th-century Swedish queen. She falls in love with a Spanish diplomat (John Gilbert) but also plants a kiss on the lips of lady-in-waiting Ebba (Elizabeth Young). Friendship or passion? Its open to interpretation. Garbo wears male clothing through most of the film as well. Directed by Rouben Mamoulian. 1:30 a.m. Victim (1961) Donald Churchill and Peter McEnery One of the first sympathetic portrayals of homosexuality. Dirk Bogarde (gay in real life) is a prominent British lawyer, a closeted gay man married to a woman, and he risks his reputation when he finds out about a blackmail plot against a former lover (Peter McEnery, pictured right, with Donald Churchill). Directed by Basil Dearden, the film takes a stand against the criminalization of gay sex. 3:30 a.m. Tea and Sympathy (1956) Deborah Kerr and John Kerr Well, sympathy for those accused of being gay. A prep-school student (John Kerr) is taunted by his classmates for being too sensitive. The headmasters wife (Deborah Kerr) takes it upon herself to affirm the youths heterosexuality. Famous line: Years from now, when you talk about this and you will be kind. Adapted by Robert Anderson from his play and directed by Vincente Minnelli. 5:30 a.m. Helen Brooke's from Linton Friends of the Granta says the Cambridgeshire river usually covers the water pipe and the bank where she is standing Fears supplying water to thousands of new homes "will pose a significant risk" have led to the first planning objections from the Environment Agency. It is the first time it has objected to new housing over water concerns. The planned homes are all in the south of Cambridgeshire, which could see more than 50,000 new homes by 2041. Some may now be built more slowly. Cambridge Water said it has "resilient, long-term" plans to increase supplies and is trying to reduce demand. The Environment Agency has raised concerns about five planning applications, including at least 4,425 dwellings. Bourn Airfield, west of Cambridge, could see 3,000 new homes built Plans to build 3,000 homes on Bourn Airfield and another 1,000 on Darwin Green on the outskirts of Cambridge are among them. The Environment Agency said water is a "precious resource that is under pressure across the country" and that taking more from natural stores is "posing a real risk to chalk streams, river, and wetland habitats". It added: "We have objected to some proposed development applications in the Greater Cambridge area on the basis that the water supply for these developments will pose a significant risk to our local water environment." The second and third phases of Darwin Green could see another 1,000 homes added to those built in the first phase 'Concern' over supply plans The East of England is the driest region in the UK and was declared to be in drought 10 months ago. In Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, most water is pumped from an underground chalk aquifer before being supplied to homes and businesses. Cambridge Water, which supplies the area, said it was "working hard to reduce water demand in the region" and "focusing on reducing leakage across our network". The company said it has "resilient, long-term" plans to increase supplies and was trying to reduce demand. To bolster supplies, the company hopes to transfer water from neighbouring Anglian Water and is supporting proposals for a new reservoir in the Cambridgeshire Fens, which might be complete in the mid-to-late 2030s. The River Granta in Cambridgeshire is a rare chalk stream that is fed by an underground aquifer, which is also used for drinking water Cambridge Water said it was "working closely with the Environment Agency" to boost supplies and reduce the amount of water taken from underground aquifers "to protect rare chalk streams in the region". "We're confident that we have a resilient, long-term solution to achieve this." Brookgate, the developer behind one site that would include 425 homes near Cambridge North Station, said it was proposing a "highly sustainable" development, which would exceed water efficiency standards. House-builder Countryside said new homes it is proposing at Bourn Airfield would be built to "high standards of water conservation". House building plans 'reckless' South Cambridgeshire MP Anthony Browne believes plans to build thousands more homes in his constituency would be "reckless" The Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire described house building proposals in his constituency as "reckless". Anthony Browne said: "The problem is we've got a really rapid rate of house building in one of the driest parts of the country and we've simply run out of water. "The district council has to go back to the drawing board and think again about how it can have a local plan that actually fits in with the reality of the environmental situation." South Cambridgeshire District Council is considering cutting water consumption regulations in new homes from 110 litres per person per day to 80 litres. Tumi Hawkins says some house building may need to be slowed down while new water infrastructure is built Councillor Tumi Hawkins, a Liberal Democrat who leads on planning for the authority, said some housing plans might have to be "slowed down" but that the growth in the area "is down to market forces". "We can't stop that. What we need to do is manage it in a sustainable way," she said. "We will look at each case on its own merit and work with suppliers Cambridge Water, Anglian Water but we also must manage the growth in the best way that we can." Helen Brookes says the River Granta supports species including brown trout and kingfishers Helen Brookes, 48, from Linton Friends of the River Granta, said the river is "vibrant" but "very vulnerable". "If you take too much out, then rivers like this dry up." Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 0800 169 1830 Wife and mother of Titan passengers talks about waiting to hear from the doomed sub Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, right, speaks with the media as U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, center, looks on during a news conference, Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard said it is leading an investigation into the loss of the Titan submersible that was carrying five people to the Titanic, to determine what caused it to implode. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) BOSTON (AP) Christine Dawood was on board a support vessel Sunday when she got word that communications were lost with the submersible carrying her husband and son, to view the Titanic wreckage. She didn't initially understand what it meant that the Titan submersible had lost contact with the ship an hour and 45 minutes into its voyage, Dawood told the BBC Monday. It would be four more days before she would learn the fate of her husband Shahzada Dawood and son Suleman Dawood, when authorities announced Thursday the vessel carrying five people had imploded and there were no survivors. We all thought they are just going to come up, she said. That shock was delayed about 10 hours or so. There was a time ... where they were supposed to be up on the surface. When that time passed, that is when the ... worry and not so good feelings started." Christine Dawood said she had loads of hope during the international search for the Titan, noting that it was the only thing that got us through it. There were so many actions on the sub that people can do in order to surface," she said of believing they may survive. It was like a rollercoaster, more like a wave ... We kept looking at the surface. Christine Dawood said she lost hope when they passed the 96 hour mark, sending a message to her family that she was preparing for the worst. Her 17-year-old daughter, Alina, was was still hopeful until the call with the U.S. Coast Guard about finding debris from the Titan. Before the launch, she recalled how she was laughing and joking with her husband and son. She was very happy for them because her husband and son had wanted to go down to the Titanic for a long time. An earlier trip in which she would have joined was cancelled due to the pandemic. Suleman was too young at the time go on the voyage. Shahzada was so excited to go down. He was like a little child, Dawood said. They both were so excited. Her son, Suleman Dawood, had an unusual goal in addition to seeing the Titanic wreckage. He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube at 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic," she said, noting that they were planning to film it. He was so excited about this. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that debris from the submersible had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic shipwreck on the ocean floor. The Titan imploded on its way to tour the Titanic wreckage, killing all five on board. Debris was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater. Investigators from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the French marine casualties investigation board and the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch are working closely together on the probe of the June 18 event that drew worldwide attention. As the investigation intensifies, memorials and funeral services for the five people who died are expected to happen soon. Along with Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, those killed on the vessel were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who piloted the Titan; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. A funeral prayer service was held early Monday in Karachi, Pakistan for Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood. Prayers will also be held for them Tuesday in Karachi at the Dawood Foundation, the charitable organization at which Shahzada was a member of the Board of Trustees. In loving memory of our beloved sons, please join the Dawood family as we pray to thank Allah for His immense blessings and forgiveness for Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, the foundation said on Twitter. The wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito leased a plot of land to an oil and natural gas company while the judge was weakening the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency, report says Associate Justice Samuel Alito sits during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on April 23, 2021. Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images In June 2022, Justice Samuel Alito's wife leased a plot of land in Oklahoma to an oil and gas company. Alito's wife stands to earn 3/16ths of the money generated from the land should extraction prove successful. Alito in several rulings before the court has been part of majority decisions to reduce the scope of the EPA. In June 2022, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito filed a lease for a plot of land in Oklahoma which would give her partial revenue from any oil or gas obtained from the designated area, according to The Intercept. In the lease, Martha Ann Bomgardner Alito came to an agreement with Citizen Energy III an oil and natural gas company which would give her 3/16ths of the revenue generated from potential oil and gas sales if the plot that she inherited from her late father could produce any fossil fuels. There are thousands of oil and gas leases across Oklahoma, where the energy sector is a critical economic driver. And Citizen Energy III isn't part of any specific cases in front of the Supreme Court, so there doesn't appear to be a clear conflict of interest regarding Bomgardner Alito's land in Oklahoma. But the oil and gas lease troubles many environmentalists given Justice Alito's role in weakening the scope of the Environmental Protection Agency in several cases that have come before the court. Jeff Hauser, the founder and director of the Revolving Door Project, told The Intercept that there is a broader issue of what the land could reap financially even if a company involved in a lease wasn't tied to a specific case in front of the court. "There need not be a specific case involving the drilling rights associated with a specific plot of land for Alito to understand what outcomes in environmental cases would buttress his family's net wealth," he told the outlet. "Alito does not have to come across like a drunken Paul Thomas Anderson character gleefully confessing to drinking our collective milkshakes in order to be a real life, run-of-the-mill political villain." In May, the Supreme Court limited the ability of the EPA to regulate wetlands in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which will affect the agency's ability to enforce the Clean Water Act. The decision frustrated President Joe Biden and served as a major blow to environmentalists. "It puts our nation's wetlands and the rivers, streams, lakes and ponds connected to them at risk of pollution and destruction, jeopardizing the sources of clean water that millions of American families, farmers and businesses rely on," the president said in a statement regarding the ruling last month. In the 5-4 majority opinion, Alito wrote that the Clean Water Act was a "great success," but also remarked that it could be a "potent weapon" for federal regulators. And last year, the Supreme Court in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency limited the federal agency's ability to control the level of carbon emissions from power plants. In the 6-3 vote, Alito joined the conservative bloc in the decision. Read the original article on Business Insider A Lexington woman has been charged with arson after she set fire to her apartment Saturday, resulting in the hospitalization and displacement of multiple people, according to the Lexington Fire Department. The fire was reported to the fire department shortly after 7:40 a.m., according to Maj. Derek Roberts with the Lexington Fire Department. It happened at an apartment complex in the 2800 block of Ryan Circle. Two people were trapped inside the building when firefighters arrived. Roberts said one was rescued from a second story window and the other was rescued from a second story deck. Both were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three people were displaced as a result of the fire, according to Roberts. The Red Cross was assisting those people, Roberts said. Melanie Hamblin, 40, has been charged with first-degree arson and four counts of second-degree wanton endangerment for allegedly starting the fire, Roberts confirmed. Hamblin set the couch, curtains and other furnishings inside her apartment on fire with a lighter, according to an arrest citation. Four other people were in the building at the time of the fire, including one inside Hamblins unit, according to court documents. Hamblin admitted to starting the fire to arson investigators. Hamblin was being held at the Fayette County Detention Center Monday on a $20,000 bond, according to jail records. Woman Faces Major Criticism After Saying The 'Trend' Of Grown Men Crying At Weddings Needs To Stop Man crying at his wedding, quotes from Twitter Megha Lillywhite, a best-selling writer on Substack, sparked an interesting debate about toxic masculinity, homophobia, and the inability to express emotions in a recent Twitter thread. The since-deleted tweet discussed her opinion that men shouldnt cry when they see their bride walking down the aisle at their wedding. Instead, she believes men should only cry when they are in extreme pain or dying. She also claimed that this behavior is extremely gay. Lillywhite declared that feminism has normalized the emasculation of men. The thread continues with Lillywhite defending her words by saying that as a woman, she is too embarrassed to cry in public and she would rather go somewhere private. In her mind, this further proves that men who are crying at their wedding are gay and doing it for show. RELATED: Groom Faces Backlash For Being 'Glued' To His Phone As He & His Bride Walk Down The Aisle Lillywhite proceeded to explain that the bride feels the same emotions as the groom, but they do not cry. She said that men crying at their weddings is a part of the feminist ritual. megha lillywhite men crying at weddings tweet Photo: @meghaverma_art / Twitter She wrote, modern women are unaware of the degree to which feminism has normalized the emasculation and disrespect of men in their lives, giving examples of behaviors that modern women do such as interrupting men with they talk, correcting men in public, and making men the butt of their jokes to defend this claim. To put the icing on the cake, she ended the thread by stating that she is unsurprised that men see marriage as a trap. RELATED: 9 Ways You Totally Emasculate Your Man (Without Even Realizing It) Photo: @meghaverma_art / Twitter Lillywhite concluded the thread by proclaiming a call to action. She said that since society is so emasculated and gynocentric, we need to understand how men and women should and should not behave in order to recalibrate to any healthy norm. RELATED: On Their Wedding Day, A Groom Tells His Bride The 2 Things Required To Keep Him Happy 'She Should Run' This paved the way for a conversation about toxic masculinity, homophobia, and the inability to express emotions in the comments. One user commented stating that Lillywhite was conforming to outdated gender roles. And another user commented, this men dont cry narrative is what gave us distilled toxic masculinity, a claim that has been proven by experts in the American Psychology Association who posted a video on their YouTube channel in which a father is teaching his son that boys dont cry, they fight, and they dont express emotions. The little boy was wondering what he is if boys dont do that because he was crying. Psychologist Bruce Purnell explains in the video that men feel pain and they dont feel that it is okay to express it. According to Purnell, this results in men having problems later in life such as having the inability to achieve, inability to thrive, and the inability to be in a positive relationship because we are emotionless. Lillywhite also used the word gay with negative connotations and in a way that can be seen as derogatory and homophobic. One user commented that she is homophobic in the comments. Lillywhite added a link to an essay she wrote on Substack that expresses her negative views on gay men and how therapy is harming modern men in response. RELATED: Boy Cries After Seeing His Formerly Single Mom In Her Wedding Dress 'I'm So Happy For You' The other large takeaway from this Twitter thread is the conversation about the inability of people, in general, to be capable of expressing their emotions. Lillywhite mentioned in the thread that as a woman she has trouble expressing her emotions publicly, so men shouldnt do it either. Women and men alike in the comments criticized this statement. One female user said that they dont feel ashamed to cry in public and there should be no reason to suppress those emotions. A male user stated that it is emotionally and physically unhealthy to suppress emotions. To conclude this conversation, one user said that they think thats the problem, people being embarrassed by their emotions, and not seeking help. I think thats a problem not just for men. This hits the nail on the head. The overarching theme here is that people are afraid or embarrassed by their emotions because society pressures them to tough it out, whether it be males or females. Emotions have no gender and everyone should be encouraged to express them freely. RELATED: Bride Cancels Wedding After Catching Groom Getting Breastfed By His Mom In The Restroom Tarah Hickel is a Washington-based writer and a frequent contributor to YourTango. She focuses on entertainment and news stories regarding trending topics and pop culture. This article originally appeared on YourTango Womans remains found at home being built 21 years ago identified, California cops say More than two decades after a womans remains were found at a home being built in California, theyve been identified, police said. The remains, which were found at a Redondo Beach home construction site in 2001, were identified as Catherine Parker-Johnson, the citys police department said in a June 23 news release. Construction workers happened upon a plastic bag in the backyard of a new home site, DNA Doe Project, the forensic genealogy nonprofit that helped identify the remains, said in a news release. Inside was a headless skeleton. The body couldnt be identified, police said. Authorities believed she died sometime between 1974 and 2001, the nonprofit said. Police said despite their investigation, the case went cold. Then, in 2019, they said they sought the help of DNA Doe Project, which uses investigative genetic genealogy to identify John and Jane Doe unidentified remains. 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. DNA Doe Project created a genealogical profile for the unidentified woman, police said. From there, the nonprofit said it tracked down her potential relatives, who offered DNA samples, allowing investigators to further zero in on the correct branch of the family tree and locate Catherine Parker-Johnson on that tree. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation collected DNA from Parker-Johnsons family in March, and a month later, the California Department of Justice confirmed the remains found more than 21 years ago belonged to Parker-Johnson, police said. Parker-Johnson was never reported missing, according to police. Family members last had contact with Catherine during May of 1981, police said, adding her last record of any contact was in August 1981 in Lennox, about 10 miles northeast of Redondo Beach. Parker-Johnsons death is being investigated as a homicide, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 310-379-2477. Redondo Beach is about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. 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 Man vanished in 1981 after visiting family in California. Now his remains are IDd Woman staged baby drowning in dogs water bowl to cover up real cause, Florida cops say A Florida woman has been charged with manslaughter after a baby in her care drowned while pinned under a booster seat in the bathtub, according to the Collier County Sheriffs Office. It happened Saturday, June 17, at a home east of Naples, and the woman is accused of staging a different scenario involving a dog bowl to hide the fact the child was left unattended, officials said in a news release. Investigators say 29-year-old Nicole Marie Laber strapped the baby to a booster seat and left the child sitting alone in the bathtub before calling 911 around 7:40 a.m. The infant drowned after the booster seat tipped over and trapped the child under a few inches of water, the sheriffs office said in a news release. The child was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The baby was an 8-month-old girl and the suspect is her mother, according to station WBBH-TV. Laber called the sheriffs office to report the drowning that morning, officials said, but staged the childs death to make it appear as if it were an accident. Laber initially told deputies she briefly left the infant inside the house unattended while she went to retrieve her dog and another young child. ... When she returned she found the infant slumped over on the floor, face-down, in the dogs water bowl, the sheriffs office said. Further investigation by deputies revealed Laber left the infant unattended in a bathtub while strapped to a booster seat. Laber was arrested June 23 and faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child, officials said. This is an absolute tragedy, said Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in the news release. But thanks to the dedication and skill of our detectives we now know what actually happened to this innocent baby and justice can be carried out. Forgotten toddler dies in hot car after family returns from outing, Florida cops say Little hand reaching from flipped van leads deputy to trapped child, Florida video shows Mystery trucker tackles man running from Florida deputies. Skills of a linebacker Woman, teen among 4 injured in Over-the-Rhine shooting Three people were shot in Over-the-Rhine on Sunday evening, according to Cincinnati Police Lt. Jonathan Cunningham. Officers were dispatched around 9:30 p.m. for a report of a shooting in the 1300 block of Clay Street, Lt. Cunningham said. When police arrived at the scene, they found a 26-year-old woman, a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old with gunshot wounds, Cunningham said. Police say one of the victims sustained serious injuries, but could not confirm who. The two other victims injuries were not life-threatening, Cunningham said. In addition, a 24-year-old man was grazed by a bullet, but did not need medical treatment, Cincinnati police said. More: 19-year-old killed in Westwood shooting As of now, there is no suspect information. This is an ongoing investigation. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Over-the-Rhine shooting: Woman, teen among 4 injured Prosecutors in Chicago dismissed murder charges brought against a 35-year-old mother and her 14-year-old son in the shooting death at a hot dog stand after "emerging evidence" came to light. The woman and her son had been charged after investigators said she told the teenager to shoot Jeremy Brown, 32, at a Chicago hot dog stand this month. But in a hearing late Monday, Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxxs office dismissed the charges. "Based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence, today the Cook County States Attorneys Office (CCSAO) has moved to dismiss the charges," prosecutors said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases. " Kansas City mass shooting: 3 dead, 5 injured after shooting in Kansas City, Missouri; person of interest in custody A 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son were initially charged with homicide after authorities say she instructed the teen to shoot a man at a hot dog stand in Chicago, but prosecutors later dropped the charges citing "emerging evidence." (Credit: Chicago Police Department) An argument, a signal and shots fired Surveillance video released by police shows the pair arrived at Maxwell Street Express in the city's South Side in a blue Lincoln Nautilus at about 11 p.m. The victim was in the vestibule of the fast food restaurant with the teen's mother when he was shot, police said. According to court documents obtained by local outlet WGN, the mother entered the business to get food while her son waited in the Lincoln outside. Shortly after, Brown entered the restaurant and an argument broke out between them, court documents show. Police said the mother was texting her son from inside the store, and he entered the restaurant during the argument. At some point inside the business, police wrote in court papers, the victim punched the mother in the head multiple times. Shortly after, police said, the woman's son pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots. Brown suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. It was not immediately known what the woman and Brown argued over. Jail records showed the woman was in custody with a $3 million bond Monday morning. But by Monday evening, her name was not listed on the jail record roster. 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: Chicago hot dog stand murder charges dropped against mother, teen son New Zealand PM to boost cooperation, promote ties in first China visit By Fan Anqi and Ma Jingjing () 08:30, June 26, 2023 New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, bringing a business delegation of 29 representatives from various fields, is making his first trip to China starting from Sunday, with a dual focus to boost the country's economy and promote ties with its largest trading partner. In the increasingly complex international situation and with the Biden administration accelerating its alliance-building, New Zealand has set a good example for Western countries of how to balance its relations with both China and the US, and maintain strategic autonomy, experts said. According to the Xinhua News Agency, Hipkins is paying an official visit to China from June 25 to 30, and will attend the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, in Tianjin at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Hipkins is accompanied by 29 delegates, representing a wide range of export sectors including tourism and education, said the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the country's international business development agency. "In the past, many may think that New Zealand, as a relatively small country, lacked diplomatic autonomy, but in fact it has more say in various aspects including economy and national defense, even more than its neighboring country Australia," Chen Hong, director of the New Zealand Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday. Grasping a major chance as the world enters the post-pandemic era, New Zealand has been able to exclude all kinds of pressures and influences to strengthen its relationship with China, setting a good example for other US allies of balancing well between its own interests in cooperating with China and its relations with Western countries, Chen said. China-New Zealand relations have maintained positive development over the past decades, with New Zealand making many "firsts" with China, for example, the first Western country to support China's accession to the WTO and the first country to sign a free trade agreement with China, Shen Shishun, an Asia-Pacific affairs expert at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday. Against the backdrop of growing protectionism and unilateralism, Hipkins' first visit to China underscores the importance the New Zealand government attaches to its major trading partner, Shen said. The economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand is complementary and has served as a ballast stone for bilateral relations, Shen said. China has reportedly been New Zealand's largest trading partner for years, accounting for around 30 percent of New Zealand's exports of goods and services, according to the website of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand. During Hipkins' visit, the two countries may strive to seek in-depth cooperation in more fields in addition to trade, tourism and education, Shen said, suggesting that the two sides continue to uphold multilateralism and win-win cooperation to deepen their friendly cooperation. Chen believes that another focus for Hipkins' visit is to boost its tourism industry. As an important pillar for New Zealand's economic development, the tourism sector has always seen Chinese visitors as a strong driving force, and it is eagerly looking forward to welcoming Chinese tourists back to New Zealand in the post-pandemic era. In addition, Hipkins is believed to wish to attract more Chinese students to New Zealand universities through this tour, Chen said, as most universities in the country have high rankings in the world and are known for their multicultural environment. Hipkins said prior to his visit that China is a "critical part of our economic recovery," as China represents nearly one-quarter of all New Zealand's exports, was our second largest source of tourists pre-COVID and is a significant source of international students, according to a release on the website of the New Zealand government. "The export of traditional goods like dairy, meat and wood to China remain important, but it's critical we also throw our support behind emerging sectors such as gaming and health and wellness," he said, read the government release. "The first visit of a New Zealand prime minister to China since 2019 is a symbol of the strength of the relationship between the two countries in the post-pandemic era," Teh-han Chow, Greater China CEO, Fonterra Co-operative Group, told the Global Times on Sunday. As a New Zealand company with thriving business operations in China, Fonterra is eagerly anticipating the Hipkins' visit, and believes that the visit will positively impact the bilateral relationship between the two countries, Chow said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Leah Robson is challenging the notion that women can't be plumbers Leah Robson was hard at work at her customer's house, setting up the heating. The customer in question was moving in, a single man with his own place. Again and again, someone working for the removals firm passed Robson as she toiled and asked, "Where do you want this, then?" Three times she found herself having to explain: "It's not my house, I'm not married to the man who's moving in, I'm just fixing the heating." Today, Ms Robson runs Your Energy Your Way, a firm that specialises in renewables, heat pumps, plumbing and similar services. She and other women in the industry argue that in 2023 the workforce behind many building trades should be far more diverse - and far too many people still assume that a woman couldn't be a plumber. According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the proportion of women plumbers is tiny, though the ONS estimates that their number grew from 2,700 (1.9%) in 2021 to 3,500 (2.4%) in 2022. "Even 2.4% is woeful, isn't it?" says Ms Robson. There is a similar proportion of women working in other building trades. The ONS cautions that its data is only an estimate, and is based on extrapolated results from a nationwide survey. Respondents included people who described themselves as plumbers or heating engineers. A government report published in January suggested that 5% of employees across 687 heating and cooling businesses were female, but the report noted: "The sector may be slightly less diverse than these numbers imply." The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF) has said it wants to see women making up 10% of all apprentices in the trade. Hattie Hasan founded her own plumbing company "I worked for 17 years without meeting another woman. Then I started to look for them," says Hattie Hasan, founder of Stopcocks Women Plumbers, a plumbing company. She and Ms Robson point out the value of social media in connecting women in the trade around the country - from Facebook groups to TikTok - as well as in-person events such as those run by Stopcocks. The company also has a register of 750 women tradespeople in the UK, including 100 plumbers. Employers sometimes assume that including women in their advertising or claiming to be equal opportunities is enough but it isn't, argues Ms Hasan. To actually encourage women into a job, plumbing companies should consider how to cater to their needs - from menopause support, flexible working for single parents, separate toilets and personal protective equipment that fits women correctly, which keeps them safe from dust and other hazards at work. "Some women we've spoken to have been told they have to buy their own clothes because it's more expensive for the company to buy it for them," says Ms Hasan. Women might find that working as a plumber is slightly easier at present if they are self-employed, suggests Ms Hasan, as that allows them to manage various commitments besides work on their own terms. She notes that she was forced to set up as self-employed trader herself, years ago, despite approaching multiple companies seeking work. Sovay Berriman says many customers are happy to see a female plumber Sovay Berriman is a self-employed plumber in Cornwall. She uses the business name "Plumbmaid", which she explains is not about being a maid in a subservient sense, but rather it is a reference to Cornish slang, where calling a woman "some maid" is a colloquial way of giving her especially high praise. "A lot of male customers as well find it a relief," she says, of being a woman in the industry. "They're just like, 'Oh, great!' - they're not having to be a bloke." While some are very supportive, Sovay Berriman has, like Ms Robson, faced her share of prejudice and says that the industry must work to push back against assumptions that tradespeople are, by default, men. She adds that she would be cautious about ascribing any particular attributes to either men or women in the industry, to avoid perpetuating stereotypes. It's not as if all women are better communicators than men, for instance. More technology of business: However, she points out that she feels her own skills have served her well. "I have found that customers are open to how I explain things," she says. "I don't know if that's about my gender but I do think potentially that's something that's more ingrained in society - that women are good at [communication]." Given the shortage of plumbers and heating system installers in the UK, having an industry dominated by white men is a real problem - it means, by definition, that there are huge resources of "untapped talent" out there, says Viven Kizilcec, consumer research manager at Energy Systems Catapult, a government-funded research group. Today, plumbing and heating are high tech trades that require knowledge of smart controls, renewable energy systems and efficient appliances. If more people were aware of this, a larger and more diverse cohort might take up the job, she suggests: "With these new green technologies, you are getting a much wider range of skills." Parental encouragement can make a big difference, notes Aimee Holloran, a business development manager at Samsung Electronics. She specialises in advising customers about heat pumps, but started out as a plumbing apprentice. Her dad got her into all kinds of things boys typically do, she says, including riding motorbikes. And her mum suggested the plumbing apprenticeship. Some companies are setting targets for improving gender equality. LiveWest, a housing association in the south west of England, has appointed seven female apprentices in the last year, across various trades, for example. It now has 21 women among a 471-strong trades workforce. Earlier this year, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) published advice for employers, suggesting that they make their diversity goals public, put together diverse interview panels when hiring people for jobs, and stick to inclusive language. Avoid obviously discriminating terms that continue to be used in job ads such as "tradesman", for example. "There is certainly still a long way to go" in terms of gender equality, says Kevin Wellman, chief executive of CIPHE. Ms Hasan agrees - and makes one final point. Women can bring new and improved approaches to plumbing, beyond simply expanding the workforce. People, she suggests, should stop questioning whether women can be merely "as good as" a man. "Since when has the way men do things been the high bar that we all have to reach?" she says, with a laugh. I worked as a Starbucks barista for a year. Here are 7 things I wish customers would stop wasting money on. Some people's drink orders end up wasting them money in my opinion. Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images I was a Starbucks barista for a year, and I saw plenty of customers waste their money. You can usually get a better value on iced drinks by asking for light ice. Grande and venti lattes have the same amount of espresso, but the latter costs more. I worked as a Starbucks barista for nearly a year, and I became extremely familiar with just how expensive the popular coffee chain is. As a stingy spender myself, I made several mental notes on ways customers would unnecessarily waste their money. Here's what I wish people would stop paying extra for plus ways to save a little cash. I wouldn't pay a premium for cold drinks filled halfway with ice Try ordering drinks with light ice. Nadir Keklik/Shutterstock The easiest way to avoid spending an arm and a leg on half a cup of ice with a hint of the beverage is just to specify that you'd like light ice. Trust me, baristas are aware that the oversized scoop of ice in a drink can be frustrating. But many are happy to replace the extra ice with liquid if you ask for it. Light ice is even an option on the app. It might be unnecessary to pay for a shot of vanilla syrup to sweeten a soy latte or cappuccino Starbucks charges customers for a pump of syrup added to an otherwise plain latte, cappuccino, or cup of coffee. But people might not know that the soy milk the chain uses is vanilla-flavored. The flavoring is more subtle than an actual pump of syrup, but if I already plan on ordering a sweetened coffee with milk alternative (which, unfortunately, also costs a bit more), I usually get soy and save on the extra fee. Otherwise, I'd end up paying one fee for unsweetened oat milk/almond milk and another for vanilla syrup. Unfortunately, for lovers of caramel, hazelnut, and peppermint syrups, you're stuck with the extra charge for the sweetener. If you're a regular customer, you may not need to pay out of pocket for Starbucks merchandise You can redeem rewards points for merchandise. Michael Probst/AP I refuse to pay out of pocket for any special Starbucks tumblers, mugs, or coffee beans. If there happens to be any irresistible merchandise, I'll make sure to take advantage of the Starbucks rewards program. If stopping by for a drink or food item is already part of your daily routine, then you'll easily rack up star rewards in the app that you can redeem for complimentary items. If you have 400 points, you can select any merchandise worth up to $20. You'll have to pay the difference if it's more than $20, but many of the basic items are within the price point. It's not usually worth ordering Americanos they're literally just espresso and water A grande Americano will cost you around $4, which is rather pricey for three shots of espresso with water. Instead, make your own. Ask for a doppio or triple shot of espresso (whatever you prefer) in a grande cup and then ask for added water. You can essentially get an Americano for almost a dollar less. If you're looking for a caffeine fix, stop wasting your money on hot venti lattes Grande and venti lattes have the same amount of espresso. Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images If you order a hot venti latte or cappuccino, you're still only getting two shots of espresso, which is the same amount you get in a grande. In a way, buying a venti latte means you're paying half a dollar more for a more diluted caffeine-to-coffee ratio. If you prefer iced lattes, a grande comes with two shots and a venti comes with three shots, so that's a different story. Don't miss out on the 'bring your own cup' discount Although many Starbucks stopped serving customers their orders in resuable cups during the coronavirus pandemic as a health and safety precaution, several locations have restarted the program. This prevents additional plastic use and saves you $0.10. Rewards members also earn 25 bonus stars when they use their own mug, which can then be used to pay for a milk alternative, syrup pump, or additional espresso shot. Stop paying for bottled water I've always been baffled by people who insist on buying bottled water from Starbucks. I can understand if you absolutely need something unopened, but other than that, there's no reason to pay full price for the one thing the chain offers for free. Don't be afraid to order any size cup of water. Baristas will even add ice if you ask for it. Read the original article on Insider Terrorist Imad Fayez Mugniyah pictured on FBI Most Wanted poster, an initiative of the War on Terrorism. (Photo by Mai/Getty Images) Even before September 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden was by far the worlds most well-known terrorist. He had spent the 1980s helping the Afghan mujahideen fight the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. By 1996, Bin Laden had declared war on the United States with the 1998 bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, and of course, the September 11th attacks. During the entire evolution of Bin Laden from freedom fighter to terrorist, there was another, more shadowy figure racking up an unbelievable kill count of Americans and other Westerners, and the CIA had no idea what he looked like. Imad Mugniyah was from the street of Beirut and began perfecting the suicide bomber attack at just 19 years old. While Bin Laden was aiding Afghanistan in fighting the Soviet Union, Mugniyah was a teen living in Lebanon during its decade-long civil war. Growing up in Beirut at the time, he watched as various factions fought the Israelis, the United States and each other. He was approached by Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps to create a new group, one that would soon make worldwide headlines. Mugniyah was no stranger to Islamic militancy. He had joined the Palestinian Fatah movement while very young. He was wounded while fighting against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in West Beirut. He would later join the newly-created Hezbollah. His first act of violence came very quickly. He recruited a young Lebanese man to drive a car packed with explosives into the Israeli in Beirut. Since suicide bombing was a new tactic at the time, no one was quite sure if the attack was actually an attack. Confirmation came later in 1983, when another suicide bomber hit the U.S. embassy in Beirut, killing 63 people, seven of which belonged to the CIA, including the agencys Near East Director, Robert Ames. Mugniyahs next targets were the U.S. Marine Barracks and the French Paratrooper in Beirut. Two suicide bombers in trucks filled with explosives hit the buildings in October 1983, killing 58 French troops and 241 U.S. Marines. The next year, his group bombed the U.S. embassy annex in East Beirut, killing 23 and wounding 90 others. He was far from finished. An image grab taken from the Hezbollah-run Manar TV February 13, 2008 shows an undated photo of top Hezbollah commander Imad Mughnieh at an unidentified time and place. Mughnieh, a shadowy Hezbollah military leader who was wanted by Interpol and the United States in connection with bloody attacks around the globe, was killed in Syria in a car bombing. An official with the Shiite militant group in Lebanon said that Mughnieh, in his late 40s, was killed on February 12, 2008 in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and blamed Israel for his murder. AFP PHOTO/MANAR TV (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images) For the next decade, he captured, tortured, and killed Western officials, including journalist Terry Anderson, who was held for six years, and the CIA station chief in Beirut, William Francis Buckley, who died in captivity. He also led targeted assassinations of IDF generals and Israeli officials throughout this period. In 1992, he was charged with the bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, along with an Israeli cultural building, which killed more than 100 people between the two attacks. In 1996, he masterminded the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 American airmen, as his kidnappings and assassinations continued. At this point, one might wonder why the CIA and American officials hadnt made as big a deal of Mugniyah as they did Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden, after all, topped the FBIs Most Wanted List until his death at the hands of Navy SEALs in 2011. Mugniyahs identity was a closely-guarded secret among terror groups, and the only photo that Western intelligence or Mossad had was the terrorists 25-year-old passport photo, and no one knew how to get to him. In the end, the CIA was able to positively identify Mugniyah because he met his estranged wife and son on the streets of Damascus when they came to confront him about an affair he was having. From there, the agencies were able to track and assassinate him in 2008. Neither the CIA nor Mossad will confirm they had a part in his killing. Before 9/11, Mugniyah was the worlds deadliest terrorist. He was killed by a shaped charge hidden in the spare tire of an SUV in a Damascus suburb after a nearly 30-year reign of terror. Hezbollah vowed revenge against Israel. Federal transportation officials are giving a final green light to New Yorks plan to toll drivers coming into parts of Manhattan, members of the New Jersey congressional delegation say. Sen. Bob Menendez and Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell, all New Jersey Democrats, said they are outraged after hearing the Federal Highway Administration will not require New York to do more outreach and environmental studies before putting in tolls that will affect New Jersey drivers. The New Jersey trio said highway officials are moving ahead with a Finding of No Significant Impact document about congestion pricing. In May, highway officials issued a letter approving the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority environmental assessment and issued a draft impact finding, which was out for 30 days of public review. New Jersey opponents of the tolling plan had hoped to get the administration to reconsider that decision and make MTA do a more exhaustive environmental impact statement, which could delay a tolling plan that has been repeatedly delayed. This is nothing more than a cash grab to fund the MTA, the New Jersey Democrats said in a statement to POLITICO. There is no excuse for FHWA and the Department of Transportations failure to require New York to meaningfully engage with stakeholders across New Jersey and to not adequately consult the New Jersey congressional delegation and other elected officials. The New Jersey delegation got wind of the administrations sign off and its plans to publish something in the Federal Register this week. After that, the MTA officials have said they would need about a year to set up the new tolling infrastructure. The MTA hasnt determined how much to charge drivers but has considered fares ranging from $9 to $23 for passenger vehicles and between $12 and $82 for trucks. The scenarios contemplate different combinations of potential discounts, credits and exemptions. We will not stop fighting until we defeat this plan and ensure New York is not allowed to balance its budget on the backs of hard-working New Jersey families, Menendez, Gottheimer and Pascrell said. Thats a Jersey promise. New York supporters, including environmental activists and transit advocates, argue the tolls will help reduce traffic, improve air quality and help the MTA improve its service. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat, said earlier this month he is preparing to lawyer up to challenge the tolling plan and he has threatened to hold up business at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to get back at New York. In a lengthy June 12 comment letter to highway officials, Murphy tried out some of the arguments a lawsuit might make, including that tolls would create traffic and air quality problems in his state and cause a financial hit to transportation agencies. Plus, New Jersey officials have long argued its unfair to charge New Jersey drivers who have already paid to cross bridges and tunnels another toll. Menendez, Gottheimer and Pascrell have also introduced legislation meant to punish New York for going ahead with congestion pricing. Yet, amid all of the bluster, there is a glimmer of possible compromise. In a recent interview, the head of MTA, Janno Lieber, suggested hed be open to sparing New Jersey commuters some of the tolls. Gottheimer, who has been in a monthslong war of words with Leiber, highlighted the MTA chiefs comments in a press release last week and said he was pleased to hear them. Historically, New York and New Jersey are codependent states that dont hesitate to fight over things like land, water rights or authority, including a recent trip to the Supreme Court that New Jersey won. On the New Jersey side, politicians lose little and gain a lot by criticizing New York. New York on Sunday became the latest in a growing list of states to pass legislation protecting access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors as more than a dozen other state governments have moved to ban treatments including puberty blockers and hormone therapy. New Yorks new safe haven law bars state courts from enforcing the laws of other states that authorize a minor to be removed from their home if their parents or legal guardians allow them to receive gender-affirming health care. The measure, which took effect immediately after it was signed Sunday by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, additionally prevents state law enforcement from cooperating with out-of-state agencies regarding the provision of lawful gender-affirming care in New York. The law also prohibits New York courts from considering gender-affirming care for minors as child abuse, unless such conduct would constitute abuse under the laws of this state. As other states target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and fear mongering, New York is fighting back, Hochul said Sunday in a news release. These new laws will enshrine our state as a beacon of hope, a safe haven for trans youth and their families, and ensure we continue to lead the nation on LGBTQ+ rights. Including New York, at least a dozen states and Washington, D.C., have enacted shield laws that protect access to gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, their families and their doctors. Meanwhile, 20 states have passed legislation that bans or heavily restricts transgender health care, including 17 that have done so this year. In five states Alabama, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Florida it is a felony to administer gender-affirming medical care to a minor. The Alabama and Florida laws are blocked by court orders. In May, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) signed a binding agreement not to enforce the states ban, pending further legal challenges. A federal judge this month struck down Arkansass ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, the nations first such measure. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Young Thug Atlanta rapper Young Thug, who remains in jail while awaiting trial on state racketeering charges, released a new album. The album titled, BUSINESS IS BUSINESS, dropped at midnight on Friday. Streaming on Apple Music and Spotify, the album features Drake, Future, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert and popular artists. Young Thug was arrested in May 2022 for his alleged connection to Young Slime Life, one of Georgias most prominent gang. The Atlanta rapper, who is one of 28 people named in an 88-page indictment, is facing charges for conspiracy to violate Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 11 Alive reported. Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is named in court documents as the founder of the YSL gang. Atlanta rapper Gunna, who is also named in the indictment, was released from jail after he plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. Young Thug, however, has been denied bond multiple times. According to Pitchfork, one judge said the artist is a danger to the community. Young Thugs attorney, according to 11 Alive, said theres no evidence to use against his client, but the court is unfairly using his lyrics and social media posts against him. Young Thug has continued to be featured in several songs while serving time. The rappers latest album is his first since 2021 when he released Punk, Pitchfork reported. A week before releasing his album, Young Thug posted a QR code to tease his fans. The 31-year-old artist was nominated for two 2023 Grammy Awards, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, after he was featured on Gunnas Pushin P track. There is still no date set for Young Thug to appear on trial and no jurors have been selected. The judge presiding over the rappers case expects the jury selection process to continue through September. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty At first glance, the video BRODYQUEST looks like nothing more than standard YouTube fodder from 2010. The jaunty, electronic trackwhich features an image of actor Adrien Brody journeying through oceans, famous landmarks, and into spacehas all the trimmings of the epic bacon internet it was uploaded onto. It was a viral sensationeven the actor himself has seen it. But its not the sort of video youd imagine, 13 years later, would be hosting anything other than a partially animated graveyard of Whos here in 2023? comments populating other memes that only exist now as monuments to nostalgia for a lost era. But head down to the 63,000 strong comments section, and suddenly this dead meme teems with life. Thousands of bite-sized statements relay the daily lives of their authors, ranging from the benign to the deep and intimate. Day 37: one starts. Someone from my work was arrested while I was on vacation. They were a huge jerk, I wish I coulda been there to see their stupid face get hauled away. Others comment on school, exams, parents, and struggles with gender and sexuality. I've been seriously practicing vocal masculinization and I sound pretty awesome! I also came out to one of my closest friends, and he said hes cool with it and goes by he/they, a segment from another comment reads. Day 767: Today makes one year since my best friend, and brother, Mojo passed away, one user, Duckable, has posted. He wasnt just a dog to me, he was my family. It has been incredibly hard without him, and I feel like my confidence has lowered and my anxiety has increased since his passing. Inspired by other commenters, Duckable, a transgender 18-year-old from Australia who prefers to remain anonymous, started logging daily journals on the BRODYQUEST video 896 days ago, in early 2021. I've had a lot happen in the [two-plus] years that Ive been writing these comments, she told The Daily Beast. My dog passed away, I was figuring out my personal identity, I was finishing high school and heading to university. Being able to write about these experiences definitely helped me manage the emotions I was feeling. For Duckable and the thousands of others in this videos comments sectionmany of them teenagersthis long-dead meme has become an anonymous safe space for processing difficult experiences, and an unlikely carrier of coming of age stories. BRODYQUEST isnt the only example of this phenomenonand in many ways, it is an outlier. YouTubes most sentimental comments sections seem to derive from more serious and earnest music videos, often from anime and games. On the video for Howls Moving Castle [OST - Theme Song], thousands of people have written diary entries inspired by an original user, Anxley, whose journaling throughout the 2020 lockdowns has seemingly granted him saint-like status. Anxley is still referenced regularly despite no longer participating. My future kid: hey mom, can you tell me a story, one comment, with 4.5k likes reads. Me: So it all started with a person named Anxley. Perhaps the most interesting example of the comments section as a public journaling tool is on the 15-year-old upload Reptilia Strokes Rock Band. The same user, picsmics4, regularly returned for over a decade to share their appreciation for someone elses grainy performance of the titular track on the video game Rock Band, as well as detailing their own mental health struggles. Recently catapulted into popularity in a video essay by YouTuber ShaiiValley, the comments void picsmics4 initially spilled their thoughts into has now become a thriving ecosystem of fans labeling it a gem of internet history and one of the most wholesome internet stories theyve ever heard. Picsmics4 was at first confused by the reactionbut has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support in this unlikely community. Today, it is as if the 15 years of echos all came ringing back at once, and they were more caring, loving and powerful than anything I ever imagined, they wrote recently. Yet while YouTube comments sections offer a refuge that feels increasingly rare on the internet these days, these communities are at risk of extinction. Thousands of videos are removed daily for copyright infringement, with over 754.3 million undisputed claims filed in the first half of 2022 alone. And earlier this year, Google announced that they would be removing inactive YouTube accountsprovoking an outpouring of rage on Twitter and Reddit, before later rescinding the statement. Thanks for reaching out, a rep from the company told The Daily Beast over email, when asked to clarify their position on inactive Google accounts with YouTube videos. Confirming we arent deleting accounts with YT videossee our tweet and blog post. Still, the initial controversy highlights the precarity these comments sections are under. While nonprofits like the Internet Archive and the volunteer-led digital preservation group Archive Team work to conserve content, finite funding and resources mean they can only cover a tiny fraction of whats at risk. These groups are, understandably, reluctant to direct their attention towards decades-old songs and music videos that have already been uploaded countless times on every streaming service imaginable, and have simply been hijacked by users looking for a private place to vent. Were not even good at preserving material that is on its face, a fundamental part of human culture, Archive Teams Jason Scott told The Daily Beast. I cant beat the tsunami of endless data being uploaded to YouTube. Oftentimes archivists are working alone to back up content on their own time. The Internet Checkpoint was a video uploaded to YouTube by user taia777 in 2012 that functioned as a hub where people came to post life updatesnamed after checkpoints in a video game. It was posted under a Japanese title, set against a backdrop of sprawling vines, and played the track Stickerbrush Symphony from Donkey Kong Country 2. Its unusual, esoteric vibes and tendency to show up in YouTubes Recommended section among otherwise unconnected content granted it a certain mythology among explorers of deep YouTube, and it became the subject of many video essays. Unfortunately for the checkpoints visitors, the video was removed some time in 2021, as were all of the comments posted underneath it. Although other users reuploaded the video, commenters took to Reddit to mourn their lost histories, some of which had been compiled over a period of many years. Luckily, solo archivist Rebane had, by chance, saved the entire taia777 channel and its content while archiving random YouTube videos. Comments were one of those things that I knew I wanted to get into my archival workflow at some point, Rebane told The Daily Beast. It was actually completely accidental or coincidental that I just happened to do it. Rebane uploaded taia777s videos and their associated comments to his website, hobune.stream, and posted links to these and the raw zip files on Reddit. Another user named Geauser decided to transfer the data into something more accessible at internetcheckpoint.page. Located on the page is a replica of the original Internet Checkpoint video along with an easy-to-scroll view of all of its saved comments. The comments were a really important part of this piece of art, Geauser told The Daily Beast. Some people just found it cool but other people were like, that means a lot to me because I'm now able to find my own comments. That's something that's very recurrent. People want to find their own comments, and temporarily re-live what they lived when the video was still up. For Rebane, however, the threat of erasure on YouTube is silent and covertand a trojan horse of internet repo agents have already been quietly homing in for some time. He pointed to YouTubes decision in 2017 to make private every unlisted video posted before this time as a prime example. Comments sections also frequently get disabled for other reasons, Rebane explained. YouTubes Made for Kids function often incorrectly assigns videos as being for children, especially animated oneswhich kills all comments attached to them. And while Google is protecting accounts with videos, thousands of inactive YouTube accounts made just for commenting are still at risk for erasure. According to Jason Scott, this isn't atypical for Google, which made the move in 2019 to remove annotations on YouTube. There was a massive ecosystem, right? People were creating works of art using annotations. They just said, were gonna get rid of it, said Scott. And Google will often make these decisions being like Were not going to support it, because out of 35 billion videos, only 7 million have them. Rebane has personally archived over a million uploads since 2017, and estimates that already about one-fifth of those videos have been removed from YouTube. I see tens of videos getting removed every day, sometimes over 100 a day, thousands every month, he said. If there is anything that someone values, then it should be archived because it's going to disappear from the internet. Direct preservation of the comments isnt the only way to ensure they remain an influential part of the internet. ShaiiValleys commentary on picsmics4, for example, not only brought new audiences to the comments section, but cemented the comments as a place of continued creative discussion, and something that could continue to influence people. Filipino artist Chiara Amasola spoke to The New Yorker last year about her work using YouTube comments to create the web experience Thesoundof.love, which compiles poignant messages users have posted about their lovers, family members, and nostalgic experiences, set to the songs they were attached to on the site. These kinds of works arguably highlight the urgency behind keeping the comments ecosystems alive. In 100 or 200 years, if historians were to look back at content generated on YouTube, a Mr Beast video would be less insightful than its comments, Geauser said. The video production is geared toward making money. Whereas the comments are non-filtered, human reaction. Geauser added that he feels there is something magical about YouTube commentsespecially in their ability to unite people. Im not really a religious or spiritual person, so I understand that the human brain has the capacity to create meaning out of things that are meaningless, he said. But when you go on a video thats been recommended to you and that video is 10 years old, and you go in the comments and all the people are like The algorithm brings us together, again. Welcome brothers and sisters. Its silly, but people are connecting. For now, on new uploads of the internet checkpoint and across YouTube, the journals continue, as young authors reckon with the struggles of adolescent life, and the impact of their digital footprint. The craziest thing happened today in relation to this comments section. I had a person reach out to me whos writing an article on comment section diaries like mine! Duckable logged, on her 897th day. Thats a surreal experience, and Im actually kind of interested to see where it goes. 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. YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, said Sunday he declined an invitation to ride on the Titan submersible, which imploded last week. The submersible made headlines when it went missing shortly after starting a descent toward the wreck of the RMS Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, on June 16. It was determined days later that the vessel, owned by private company OceanGate, suffered a catastrophic implosion that resulted in the deaths of all five on board. How long had the Titan journeyed before its catastrophic implosion? MrBeast took to Twitter to share his brush with fate with his followers. I was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it, he wrote. The tweet also showed a partial screenshot of a text conversation that read, Also, Im going to the Titanic in a submarine late this month. The team would be stoked to have you along. Im sure youre also welcome to join. Other potential passengers of the Titan tourist vessel turned down the opportunity, expressing concerns about the safety of the submersible, including Las Vegas businessman Jay Bloom. The two tickets Bloom initially had ultimately went to Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood. Its kind of surreal, Bloom said on Elizabeth Vargas Reports. He added, Every time I see a picture of the people that lost their lives on this tragic event, I look at that picture of the father and son who replaced my son and myself and think just how easily, but for the grace of God, that could have been our picture on the news. Its really sobering. The U.S. Coast Guard is now leading the investigation into what caused the implosion. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. New Zealand Leader Heads to China With Two Air Force Jets Due to Breakdown Fears New Zealand Leader Heads to China With Two Air Force Jets Due to Breakdown Fears (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins took two air force jets with him on a trip to China in case the one he was traveling in broke down. Most Read from Bloomberg Hipkins flew to Beijing on Sunday in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757, leading a delegation of company executives in the hope of expanding trade with his nations biggest export market. A second 757 accompanied the first as far as Manila in the Philippines, acting as a backup in case of any mechanical problems, the Prime Ministers office said Monday in Wellington. Given the importance of the trip and the long distance involved, it was considered that a backup aircraft was justified to ensure the success of the mission to our largest trade partner, a spokesperson said. The 757s are around 30 years old, are nearing the end of their economic lives, and are due for replacement between 2028 and 2030. Opposition parties said the need to take a second aircraft was an environmental embarrassment to the country and illustrated the poor state of its defense force. If weve got a climate emergency it doesnt make a lot of sense to have a second 30-year-old 757 trailing the other one, Christopher Luxon, leader of the main opposition National Party, told NewstalkZB. David Seymour, leader of the libertarian ACT Party, claimed the amount of CO2 emitted by the extra plane would be the equivalent of someone driving a Ford Ranger 606 times the length of New Zealand. Some people might bring a spare phone charger with them while traveling overseas in case they lose one or it breaks. Chris Hipkins needs to bring a spare Boeing aircraft with him, said Seymour. New Zealands out-of-date air fleet is becoming a source of national embarrassment. New Zealands aging air force fleet has a track record of stranding politicians due to mechanical problems. Last year, then prime minister Jacinda Ardern got stuck on Antarctica when her air force C-130 transport plane broke down. She had to be flown home by an Italian aircraft. When Ardern visited the US earlier in 2022 to meet with President Joe Biden, her Boeing broke down in Washington and she had to leave on a commercial flight instead. Another breakdown last year left Defence Minister Peeni Henare and a 30-strong delegation stuck in the Solomon Islands. In 2016, then prime minister John Key was stuck in the Australian city of Townsville overnight after the 757 carrying a trade delegation to India broke down. The air force dispatched a second plane, and Keys group had to shorten its visit to India by a day. Hipkins spokesperson said the second aircraft will now fly to Darwin in Australia to provide support for the return journey of the primary aircraft if required. (Updates with prime ministers office comments in second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE - Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins speaks to the media after meeting Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in Downing Street, London, on May, 5, 2023. The United States has Air Force One, a plane that can refuel in midair and act as a presidential command center. New Zealand has Betty, an aging Boeing 757 that officials on Monday, June 26, acknowledged was so prone to breakdowns they had sent a backup to ensure Prime Minister Chris Hipkins didnt get stranded in China, where he is leading a trade delegation. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) The United States has Air Force One, a plane that can refuel in midair and act as a presidential command center. New Zealand has Betty, an aging Boeing 757 that officials on Monday acknowledged was so prone to breakdowns they had sent an empty backup to ensure Prime Minister Chris Hipkins didn't get stranded in China, where he is leading a trade delegation. Officials were quick to point out they had sent the plane's twin only as far as Manila, about 80% of the distance from Wellington to Beijing. Back in New Zealand, acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni was left to explain. If we didnt have a backup plan and something did happen, and of course we hope it wont, then not only would they be stranded in China, but the cost that that would incur in terms of accommodation and trying to, at the last minute, organize some kind of plan to get them back would outweigh having a backup aircraft waiting somewhere just in case, she said. The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes that transport the prime minister are about 30 years old and are due to be replaced by 2030. Over the years, they have regularly broken down. In 2016, then Prime Minister John Key was on his way to India with a delegation when they got stuck in Australia until a backup plane was sent from New Zealand. Key was forced to cancel the Mumbai leg of his trip, a situation he described as suboptimal. Sepuloni said she didn't think the plane, which is sometimes affectionately called Betty, posed a physical danger to Hipkins and the 80 people traveling with him. My understanding is there hasnt been any event midair, or whilst in transit, that should cause any concern, she said. Political rivals were quick to jump on the situation. This government declared a climate emergency and says we need to deal seriously with China, said David Seymour, leader of the opposition ACT party. This one gesture has made a joke of both the government's climate emergency and its will to be taken seriously by a country that has an expanding blue-water navy in our backyard. Sepuloni acknowledged the situation wasn't OK. We recognize, yes, our kit needs to be updated," Sepuloni said. "And so theres a plan in place for doing that. Were just not at the point where thats happening right now. KYIV (Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised Ukrainian troops for advancing "in all sectors" on Monday after spending the day posing with and handing awards to front-line soldiers in the east and south of the country. "Today in all sectors, our soldiers made advances. It is a happy day," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address, delivered from a train after visiting two frontline areas. The president's office posted four videos of Zelenskiy's journey, which he said covered "hundreds of kilometres" and appeared to present encounters in at least three locations. One site was in eastern Donetsk region, a focal point in the 16-month-old conflict; one was located in what was described as the Berdiansk sector in the south -- in areas where Ukrainian forces have captured villages; and another was also on the southern front, further to the west. In the last of the videos, Zelenskiy said he had seen "various brigades, all different and absolutely heroic people. "Different but with one goal -- victory over the Raschists," he said, in a derogatory reference to Russian soldiers. The visit to Donetsk region, according to the president's office, involved the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, including soldiers who have fought Russian troops in the Bakhmut sector, where battles have been intense. The first video showed Zelenskiy handing out awards at an undisclosed indoor location and poring over maps with Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces. "I have the honour to be here today, talk to the commander and first of all thank you, thank you for protecting our country, sovereignty, our families, children, Ukraine," Zelenskiy said. A second video showed Zelenskiy at a fuel station. Dressed in his trademark military khaki T-shirt, he stood alongside troops in a queue at a counter and posed for photos with the soldiers and women working there. In the third video, Zelenskiy hands out awards, poses with soldiers and again examines maps with officers. Loud booms resound at least twice during the video. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday that Ukrainian forces had regained control over Rivnopil, a village west of a cluster of settlements recaptured in offensive operations. The village appeared to be the ninth retaken by Ukraine this month. Ukraine says it has been making advances since launching a counteroffensive, but Russian forces still hold swathes of Ukrainian territory following their invasion in February 2022. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski, Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the positions of Ukrainian defence forces on the Berdiansk front and presented Ukrainian soldiers with awards. Source: President Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "It was very important for me to visit the frontline positions of Ukrainian forces on the Berdiansk front. I was particularly glad to meet the 3rd Battalion of the Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Separate Presidential Brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am grateful to you for defending Ukraine, fighting for our independence and freedom the freedom of each and every one of us. Take care of yourselves. If you can protect your lives, you will protect Ukraine." Details: Zelenskyy also presented Ukrainian soldiers with awards. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Zelenskyy talks to servicemen and presents them with state awards During a visit to Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited frontline units of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group of Ukraines Ground Forces, who distinguished themselves in heavy fighting near Bakhmut, the president's press office reported on June 26. Lt. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander of the Ground Forces, briefed Zelenskyy on the operational situation at the front, along with the potential prospects for its future development. Zelenskyy then took the opportunity to speak with the servicemen, bestowing upon them state honors and expressing his wishes for their health and victory. Read also: General Syrskyi praises Ukrainian snipers sharp-shooting in Bakhmut video Each one of you makes Ukraine proud, the president said. You are formidable, resilient, and true Ukrainians. Everyone in the country who isn't on the front line fully understands the gravity of your job, which is currently the most challenging. Everyone is aware that the eastern direction is particularly difficult and volatile. I'm confident that you'll make a significant contribution to our future victory. Read also: Ukraines victory will look different than the Allies in Second World War Fukuyama Zelenskyy conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Golden Star order to Cpt. Oleh Olyva, commander of 81st Airmobile Brigade. Throughout his service, Olyva, along with his team, eliminated dozens of enemy troops. Despite sustaining injuries, the officer repeatedly declined hospitalization, choosing to stay on the battlefield with his comrades. Read also: Ukrainian troops liberate Rivnopil in Donetsk Oblast Zelenskyy also made a stop at a gas station in Donetsk Oblast where he shared a coffee with soldiers who were on duty. He wished them good health and success in their ongoing combat operations. 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 With Lynchburg City Council set to meet for its second regular meeting in June, appointments to the Lynchburg City School Board and one city councilors resolution to promote merit, excellence and opportunity in city government are expected to take center stage Tuesday night. City council has been expected to take up appointments to the school board for some time now. However, its a new item on the agenda that has drawn the interest of more than a dozen city residents who are set to speak during the meeting. Last week, At-large Councilor Martin Misjuns announced he would be bringing forth a resolution that he says will promote merit, excellence and opportunity in city government. The resolution is accompanied by a letter by Misjuns that says the item will contribute to improving workplace culture and ensuring our taxpayers are not funding unnecessary and divisive concepts in the workplace. Misjuns spoke with The News & Advance, explaining his reasoning for bringing forth the resolution, saying its not the governments job to politically indoctrinate their employees. The councilor said he showed up unannounced at a training session last week and finds it very inappropriate how our tax dollars are being spent on workforce training. In the resolution, Misjuns lays out a list of definitions for racist or sexist concepts, and essentially calls for the city to cease communications, training and professional development using public funds and employment practices that promote any of the concepts he listed. Among several examples, Misjuns categorized a racist or sexist concept as one that says one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; or that meritocracy or merit-based systems are either racist or sexist, according to the resolution. It also says that no city employee shall face adverse treatment or penalty for refusing to support any of the racist and sexist concepts he defined. The councilman claims the issue stems from divisive concepts he believes are being pushed in workplace training and professional development in the citys workforce, such as implicit bias, he said. Anna Bentson, the citys director of communications and public engagement said Monday, City staff is reviewing legal, fiscal and administrative impacts especially around programs and positions that receive federal funding should City Council choose to adopt Councilman Misjuns proposed resolution. While Misjuns said the resolution addresses merit, excellence and opportunity in city government, Ward I Councilor MaryJane Dolan doesnt see it that way. There is nothing in the resolution that even addresses those three items, Dolan told The News & Advance on Monday. I think its really harmful work of ideologies that could eliminate concepts to unify. Its designed to silence and dismantle systems of equity and inclusion, she added. When asked about his feelings on diversity, equity and inclusion training in city government, Misjuns said, We need to train people on the federal laws that are in place: Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination laws, the Virginia Human Rights Act and tell people they need to respect each other. We dont need to tell people that ... theres unconscious bias out there you dont even realize it. No, no way, he added. What theyre doing is basically fearmongering. Last year, the City of Lynchburg hired its first DEI strategist. And Dolan said implicit bias trainings are vital components of advancing the goals of DEI. And this is an attempt to deny that right. On the merits itself, Dolan said the resolution would take hours to debate. But ultimately, she categorized it as another attempt by some members of council to engage in culture war issues. If they believe discrimination is a serious problem, then we should work on our non-discrimination policies rather than invoking some national-level debate thats really just meant to ignite. This is a culture war lane, she added. We should not be here. With the item set for discussion, Misjuns said he wants the city to be a trailblazer with the resolution rather than waiting on other localities or the state to adopt similar measures. Asked again specifically about whether he supports DEI in the citys workplace, Misjuns said, Im in favor of supporting merit, excellence and opportunity in the workplace. Misjuns full resolution is provided in the June 27 Lynchburg City Council regular meeting agenda packet, accessible at lynchburgva.gov/city-council-meetings-video-minutes-agendas. Council set to appoint three to citys school board While council will discuss and potentially vote on Misjuns resolution, the governing body also will make appointments to the Lynchburg City School Board on Tuesday night, a decision that will surely shape the future of the school division as it nears a decision on the future of school buildings and programming with the release of the facilities master plan. The seats of three school board members Dr. Bob Brennan, Kim Sinha and James Coleman will expire on June 30, and council must appoint their replacements prior to the end of the month. Both Brennan and Sinha are eligible to seek reappointment to the school board, and interviewed last week. Coleman, a three-term member of the school board, is ineligible to be reappointed. Across two days last week, council held interviews for 16 candidates for three districts, with questions ranging from learning recovery methods, graduation rates, discipline in the schools and even changes in leadership. On Monday, Dolan criticized some of the questions her fellow councilors asked, saying its hard to evaluate a candidate when questions werent based on their experience. A lot of it was culture war stuff, DEI, CRT, she said about the questions. I think when you interview someone, you look at their resume and try to discern how their life experience is going to help them in the job youre interviewing for. I did not see that happening. On the other end, Misjuns said he thought there were a lot of great interviews and said it would be detrimental to the results we want to see out of Lynchburg City Schools to appoint incumbents back to the board. His focus, he said, is on ensuring the rights of parents are going to be put at the forefront of the school division after July 1. For the first time in over a decade, were going to change the trajectory of the school division in the right direction, Misjuns said. Ahead of the appointments, Dolan said if they put in the people I think they will be supporting, referring to several colleagues on council, I think the school board will begin to function very much like our city council. Council will be selecting from the following pool of applicants for its appointments to the school board: District 1: Brennan, Michael Brosmer, Christian DePaul, Jack Schewel, Deborah Trefzger and Rebekah Turner District 2: Michael Barron, Greg Barry, Letitia Lowery, Joan Pense, Sinha and Beth White District 3: Tecora Davis, Cheryl Giggetts, Andrew Glover and Farid Jalil Council will hold its work session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, followed by its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., where these two items will be discussed inside Council Chambers in City Hall, 900 Church St. in Lynchburg. After closing for almost a year, the Greater Shenandoah Historical Society Museum has announced an opening date. The Greater Shenandoah Historical Society Museum will reopen at 800 W Sheridan Ave. on Saturday, July 1, with regular hours of Wednesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. An official grand opening celebration is planned for later this summer. Museum Director Becky Barr said while making repairs to the museum last summer, the humidity in the building reached levels high enough to cause mold to grow. She said a company was hired to bring in professional dehumidifiers. Then permanent humidifiers were attached to the HVAC system in the building with gauges to monitor the humidity levels. Once the humidity levels were stabilized, the building had to be cleaned from top to bottom, along with all the items within the building. Barr remembers July 7, 2022, as the day they had to put the closed sign on the door. It's been a long year that encompassed a lot of work. During the process of cleaning the building, Barr said the storage room had to be cleared out and cleaned. It was a good thing and a bad thing, Barr said about clearing out the storage room. Because we found awesome things that were in storage that now we know that we have them, we can put them out on display. But with limited space and the newly found treasures, Barr said they had to devise ideas for displaying everything. One of those ideas is rotating displays, and the other is to turn the old storage room that is now emptied into another display room. Keeping it a secret for now, Barr said they would have several new displays to unveil during the grand opening. In years past, Barr said the museum used to have what they called the Collection Room. She is happy to announce they will implement this idea again, starting with a few collections that the museum already has that include sketches of Harley Greenwalt signs and Styrofoam cups Harley Greenwalt sketched on. The Collection Room will then be opened to the community for anyone who wants to loan their collections to the museum for a month or two and present a program on the display. Attracting more visitors to the museum is a high priority, and another way Barr says they hope to accomplish that is with new programs focusing on local history. Two of the upcoming programs are "A Walk Through History at the Rose Hill Cemetery" on Oct.1 and "A History of Beebeetown, Iowa, with Lillian Irvin" at 6 p.m. in the Delmonico Room on Nov. 15, Barr said Media Specialist Tori Hopp is also working on the 2024 Greater Shenandoah Historical Society Museum calendar and says they are taking pre-orders for the calendar now. Barr said they sold out of the 2023 calendars quickly. Hopp has also increased the society's presence on Facebook and given the website a much-needed facelift. One problem Barr said they run into occasionally is people inquiring if a particular donated item is still at the museum. She said the records are all on paper, with thousands of them. So she said they are in the process of scanning and digitizing those records to make them more easily assessable. Run by a nine-member board, Barr said society members are also an essential piece to keeping the museum running. She said they are asked to report the number of volunteers, visitors, and members when applying for grants or funding. She said membership is also a great way to support the community. Yearly memberships are $20 for individuals or $50 for familes. Barr said the past year has been financially rough, with the museum running off donations and grants. She said the board plans to focus on seeking additional grants, and donations are always welcome. The area spanning Sarpy and Douglas counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa was part of a region called Council Bluffs. The history of the area, which has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years, was discussed Saturday afternoon at the Sarpy County Museum by local historian, Troy Stolp, in a lecture called Council Bluffs-Omaha, 1804-1854, 50 Years That Made the Metro. The history of this area does not stop at geopolitical lines, Stolp said. And history is not linear but a web with many people and places converging and moving away to create events. Council Bluffs once referred to the area from Plattsmouth to Fort Atkinson, just east of present-day Fort Calhoun, on both sides of the Missouri River, Stolp said. Stolp said that Native Americans lived here during the Nebraska Phase, from about 900 to 1100 C.E., on both sides of the river, with Iowa sites from that time referred to as the Glenwood Culture. The local people were extremely resourceful using everything at their disposal to fashion the life of a society that lasted more than 400 years, Stolp said. In his opinion, he said, the Lewis and Clark expedition that passed through Council Bluffs ushered in the settlement era of the area. But before Thomas Jefferson sent the intrepid explorers to look at the property he had just purchased from France, other Europeans had been living among the Native people in this area. For as many reasons as there are people, men like Etienne Bourgmont arrived in the area fleeing from the French military in Detroit, escaping a fine and imprisonment in France for poaching. Bourgmont kept a diary of his explorations, but he stopped when he reached the mouth of the Platte River. Here, Stolp said, history is made of people and most people are just that -- people. Many of the Europeans who made this area what it is today were both noble and corrupt, he said. They took advantage of the Native peoples and their own. For example, he said, many of the earliest white explorers had families, wives and children, in the east or in Europe, yet thought nothing of marrying into Native tribes and taking advantage of that for their own gain. One such man was Manuel Lisa, a Spanish citizen and later an American, who -- while living in the West -- became a landowner, merchant, fur trader, U.S. Indian agent and explorer. He traded with the Sioux, Omaha and Ponce nations and later was instrumental in encouraging the tribes into alliances with the United States against the British during the War of 1812. Helping his efforts along was Lisa's marriage to Mitane, daughter of Big Elk, chief of the Omaha people. He was, at that time, also married to the mother of two of his children in St. Louis. Lisa would, in 1813, found a post in Nebraska called Fort Lisa, which is now part of Omaha. The Lewis and Clark expedition was supplied by Lisa, who started seven fur trading posts along the Missouri River. One of the points that Stolp made during his lecture was that these explorers would come to our present area and become landowners. All of the European men who came to explore this area knew each other, he said. Joshua Pilcher became a field representative in charge of the Missouri Fur Companys outposts and fur traders. Another man who would figure prominently in settling the area was Lucien Fontenelle, who formed a partnership with Pilcher until it was disbanded in 1828. Times were changing in Council Bluffs. When Fontenelle bought the Bellevue Trading Post, the larger game animals had disappeared, so farming became a necessity. The Potawatomi Nation was moved to Kansas in 1846 under the 1830 Indian Removal Act. Another friend of Fontenelles was Peter Sarpy, for whom the Nebraska county is named. Sarpy would set up a ferry, which was used by the Mormons who were being driven out of Illinois and Missouri. The Mormons, led by Brigham Young, left the Council Bluffs area for Utah, leaving behind many fine buildings for the settlers -- although some stayed behind, founding Kanesville, which would later be renamed Council Bluffs. During this period, Stephen Douglas helped get the Transcontinental Railroad through Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River at what is now Omaha. Before the railroad, the Lone Tree Ferry, which became known as the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company, was the crossing between the two cities. Rock music blasted. American flags unfurled. Tractors sat in the sun. Meanwhile, a jillion kids raced through the crowds. Treynor Days is everything a community celebration is supposed to be: a gathering exhibiting pride of place with fun for all. The old tractors down by the fire station were looking smart, even though one oldie needed a push to start. They sounded like what one might have heard in the country sides of Iowa during the 1950s. A very pleasant sound indeed. And there were the smaller "tractors," actually mowers, with children climbing all over them, hoping for the chance if even in their imagination to drive one of them. Walking along Main Street, aka Highway 92, revelers found The Occasional Collective, an outdoor market held for the first time as part of the community celebration. The market featured products that were sustainable and purchased from local vendors, such as home goods, wine, soap and cheeseballs. A portion of vendor fees and a percentage of the sales will go the Treynor Parks and Trails board to go toward a community splash pad, inclusive playground and trail. Cutting through the Treynor Community Center front yard could be a bit dangerous, as more than few children were vying for chances at the various carnival games such as Plinko, toilet roll toss, dart gun shooting and a contest where people tried to bounce a ping-pong ball into a jar, despite it appearing nearly impossible. Over at the tractor show, Griffin Goos climbed aboard an old Farmall tractor, looking mighty proud of himself. His father said the family farmed and one could see that Griffin felt comfortable around the big machines. Speaking of feeling comfortable around big machines, the Omaha Playhouse VROOM mobile sensory theater was also on the grounds. It is designed to provide a safe theatrical experience to children with autism or other sensory sensitivities. The show "Starshine!" takes children on a sensory-enriched journey through the galaxy. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment on a reaffirmation of a finding of no significant impact for the City of Treynor's wastewater project. The supporting materials are available at iowasrf.com/environmental-review, and comments are being accepted through July 19. Treynor is in the process of upgrading its wastewater treatment plant, which last had significant improvements in 1988 and now needs to comply with more recent regulations. We are putting in a new wastewater treatment facility with new technology, City Administrator Michael Holton recently told the Nonpareil. Its being built with future growth in mind. Its designed for 2,800 people. The Norfolk City Council convened on Monday in council chambers at city hall for its regularly scheduled meeting. All council members were present, with the exception of Justin Snorton. Also in attendance were 11 city staff members and more than 50 members of the community. The meeting laste An exhibition by artist Rodney Bode is displayed on temporary walls in the board/meeting room of the Norfolk Arts Center. The wall system, constructed by students in Northeast Community Colleges building construction program, has been designed to be installed for shows and then taken down in sections and placed in storage so the room may be utilized for other purposes. Matt Bryce (center), an information technology help-desk apprentice at Northeast Community College, is presented with his U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship credential from Kimberly Andersen (right), apprenticeship director, and Mike Auten, director of service center operations at Northeast. Bryce is one of three students to be among the first to complete apprenticeships through the new program at the college. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres affirmed that the Sahara was peacefully decolonized in 1975, when the Polisario was still unknown. Actually, the Polisario is an artefact whose advent came after the decolonization of the Sahara. On the sidelines of a visit to Paris, where he took part last week in the Climate Summit for a Global Financial Pact, Antonio Guterres was guest-lecturer at the Paris Institut des Sciences Politiques. Guterres shared with his audience of professors, students, and pundits from all over the world for more than one hour, his convictions and visions on current international issues, including that of the dispute created around the Moroccan Sahara. He said in this connection that that the Sahara was decolonized in 1975 following a tripartite agreement between Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania. At the time when the Sahara was peacefully decolonized in 1975 from the Spanish Protectorate, the SADR (self-proclaimed by the Polisario) did not exist, he explained. It was only after this decolonization that the world began to hear about the SADR, he said, insisting that Spain handed the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania. Concerning the little progress made since Morocco put on the table in 2007 the autonomy proposal, Guterres said that the UN was not the cause of the deadlock, but rather the parties hampering the resolution of the conflict, alluding to Algeria and the polisario. Morocco had actually proposed an autonomy initiative, a solution meeting the interests of all parties and which the Security Council has supported through all its latest resolutions, advocating a political and realistic solution to the regional conflict. However, the Polisario and its mentor have not adhered to the autonomy initiative, stubbornly calling for holding a self-determination referendum although the UN recognized that such a consultation is unfeasible and unrealizable. The Wagner Groups mutiny against the Kremlin last week (23-24 June) could have major repercussions for the groups operations in Africa, not least in the Central African Republic (CAR), Mali and other countries whose leaders have reportedly become very worried that the developments in Russia would bring an end to Wagners operations in their respective countries. The mercenary group, which launched an armed mutiny over the weekend, has built a spiders network of military, business and political relationships over the past decade that encompass several countries, including Libya, CAR, Mali, Sudan or Syria. The Wagner mercenaries have also gained notoriety in recent years for their involvement in various conflicts around the world, fighting side-by-side with Russian troops in the battlefields of Syria, as a stand-alone outfit in Libya, and for their involvement in the current conflicts in Sudan, Mali and the CAR. As news spread across the CAR on Saturday (24 June) about the stand-off between the Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, cabinet members in the restive African nation became very uncomfortable and started to phone each other with concern, according to media reports. The last thing the government wants to see at the moment is the exit of Russia from the country, a senior CAR government official told the media. The CAR government has a very close relationship with the Wagner Group that reportedly provided the country, over the past five years, weapons and hundreds of military advisers and Wagner mercenaries as an extension of the governments security forces. The Wagner fighters are said to have been intimidating locals and targeting citizens opposed to the private military companys presence, while also exploiting the countrys mineral resources. The Russians play a very important role in the security architecture of our country and if they are forced to pull out completely, things could become messy, said the senior government official, noting that the longer the mutiny lasted, the more worried CAR officials were. As the United States and the United Nations demand that Ethiopias government yield its control over the vast aid delivery system supporting one-sixth of the countrys population, reports are emerging of the first deaths from starvation due to the suspension of their food aid to Africas second-most populous nation. The urgently needed grain and oil have now disappeared for millions in Ethiopia caught in a standoff between the East African nations government, the United States and United Nations over what US officials say may be the biggest theft of food aid on record. They have taken the dramatic step of suspending their food aid until they can be sure it wont be stolen by Ethiopian officials and fighters. This move followed the discovery in March of enough stolen food aid to feed 134,000 people for a month in a single Tigray town, highlighting the sheer scale of the massive theft. Instead of feeding needy families, the food was found for sale in markets or stacked at commercial flour mills, still marked with the US flag. With USAID providing Ethiopias government with $1.8 billion in humanitarian assistance since 2022, the Biden administration is now under pressure to prove it can detect and stop the theft of aid paid for by US taxpayers so that it can maintain public support for aid to corruption-plagued Ukraine. But the delay in providing food aid causes widespread pain. Millions of Ethiopians went hungry during the war in the Tigray region while food stocks were looted, burned and withheld by combatants. Preliminary findings recently released by Tigray regional authorities said they have tracked the theft of more than 7,000 metric tons of donated wheat or 15 million pounds in their region, taken by federal and regional authorities and others. While Ethiopias government dismisses these findings as harmful propaganda, it has still agreed to a joint investigation with the US. The cost of air travel within the East African Community (EAC) region is still very high, which is also due to high operating costs and onerous visa requirements experienced by African airlines, regional legislators and a senior airline executive have complained. The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has recently called on EAC member state leaders to work hard to lower the cost of air travel to make it more affordable for citizens. As it adopted the report of its Committee on Communication, Trade, and Investment on the assessment of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA)s performance, it concluded the current state of the industry makes flying more of a preserve for those who are relatively well-off. There is a need to explore strategies to make airfares affordable, the Committee Chairperson, MP Shahbal Said Suleiman, noted, explaining that the taxes, charges, and fees that affect ticket costs are high in the EAC region. The parliamentary report also exposed that each EAC country puts in place a regulatory framework governing the air transport services sector, including charges per passenger and air navigation. Meanwhile, echoing these conclusions and recommendations by the EALA, RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo has drawn attention to the financial difficulties faced by airlines operating within Africa. Speaking during the 79th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Istanbul earlier in June, Makolo highlighted the high operating costs and burdensome visa requirements experienced by African airlines, which are translated into increased travel expenses for passengers on the continent compared to other regions. Despite some reduction in fuel prices, Makolo emphasized that operational costs for African airlines still remained exceptionally high that can be attributed to factors such as fuel prices, taxes, landing fees, navigation charges, and other operational expenses. She underscored the clear advantages of open skies and open borders and urged for a more rapid transformation of the aviation landscape across Africa. Gabonese will head to polls on August 26 to elect a new leader, parliamentarians and mayors after the countrys Elections council (CGE) announced the date Sunday. The CGE, Gabon Review reports, held a meeting Sunday and proposed the date that awaits the governments rubber-stamp. The Council proposed a timeline that breaks as follow: Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 6 p.m.: deadline for filling candidacies for all elections; Friday, August 11, 2023 at 00:00: launch of the electoral campaign for the single round of the presidential election; Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 00:00: opening of the electoral campaign for the single round of legislative and local elections; Friday, August 25, 2023 at midnight: close of campaigning for all elections. And Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.: convocation of the electoral college for all elections. The cabinet of President Ali Bongo is set to meet today Monday to discuss the timetable. The crumbling of the Polisario movement, whose members have ties with criminal groups, human traffickers and Al-Qaeda terror cells operating in the Sahel, is a source of serious concern for the region, said Alain Jourdan, President of the Geneva Geostrategic Observatory. The disintegration of this movement, financed by Algeria and once armed and used by Gaddafi to expand his influence in the region, is now worrying, said Mr. Jourdan during a conference held last week at the Geneva University on How the Sahel has become the epicenter of global terrorism? For Jourdan, Algeria, which expressed its willingness to help in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, is not a reliable partner. Its adamant support for the Polisario has become an extremely dangerous destabilizing factor in an already explosive regional context. Algeria has disqualified itself from playing such a role. We understand the efforts it is making to conceal the involvement of Polisario members in terrorist projects and trafficking of all kinds, added the former Director of Intelligence at the French external security service. The resolution of the Sahara issue hinges on negotiations leading to autonomy. However, I am not sure that everyone wants autonomy. What Algeria, which supports the Saharawis, wants is access to the Atlantic coast, he stressed. Bruneis Government has reiterated strong and unwavering support for Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its entire Sahara territory. The supportive stand was voiced by Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Foreign minister of this Southeast Asian country following talks he held Monday in Rabat with Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita. Brunei Darussalam lauds the serious efforts made by Morocco for a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Sahara regional conflict, said Mr. Yusof. For his part, Moroccos top diplomat praised the positive stance of Brunei, described as a friendly country which has always stood with the North African Kingdom. Brunei is member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and member of the Commonwealth. It is the third largest oil producer in Southeast Asia. It is also the fourth largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world. The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchez, has stressed the importance of his countrys relationship with Morocco as strategic, saying that bilateral cooperation encompasses a broad scope of areas. Our relationship with Morocco is strategic in every sense of the word, stressed Sanchez, who was a guest on Spanish televisions La Sexta program on Sunday evening. Morocco is important to us in terms of trade, economic access to a continent as important as Africa, security, the fight against terrorism and, without doubt, migration policy, said the Spanish Prime Minister. In this sense, I must tell you that the cooperation and collaboration we have with the Kingdom of Morocco is very positive, insisted Sanchez. On the question of the Moroccan Sahara, the Spanish Prime Minister affirmed that his country adopts a positive attitude, considering the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute. He noted that the United States, the international community and the main European countries support the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007. I have to face the fact that in the 50 years of this conflict, there has been no progress. Therefore, if the international community, the United States and the main European countries say that we must find other ways of resolving this conflict within the framework of the United Nations, and the UN Security Council resolutions, I think that Spain must adopt this constructive attitude, he said. Chile has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco with a view to finding a definitive solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara. Chiles position is unwavering in its support for Moroccos territorial integrity. This is a matter of principle in its foreign policy, which remains unchanged and is one of the constants of our countrys democratic governments, Chairman of the Chilean Senates Committee on Foreign Relations Francisco Chahuan told the press on Monday in Rabat, following talks with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The visit to Morocco by the Chilean Senates Committee on Foreign Relations supports the firm position of the State of Chile on the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, and we wish to work together so that other countries can back this proposal, particularly in the Latin American region, added Chahuan, who is on a visit to Morocco at the head of a large delegation from the Chilean Senate. Chahuan, who noted that the two countries face common challenges, expressed his countrys full readiness to strengthen cooperation with Morocco, through a free-trade agreement that would strengthen trade links between the two countries. He underlined in this connection his countrys great interest in Moroccos fertilizer sector, as well as in the development of the green hydrogen industry. As part of his working visit to the Kingdom, the Chairman of the Chilean Senates Foreign Committee will hold a number of meetings with Moroccan officials. North Plattes Community Redevelopment Authority Thursday will finalize tax increment financing arrangements for one housing project and decide whether to recommend City Council approval of another. Members will review the final TIF contract for the second stage of the Victory Village apartment complex and the newly unveiled TIF proposal for a $75.3 million, 128-lot Village Park Flats subdivision east of it along West A Street. The CRA meeting will start at 9 a.m. meeting in the City Hall council chamber, 211 W. Third St., and be livestreamed on the citys YouTube channel. For online access, visit ci.north-platte.ne.us/government/city-council/agendas-minutes. Council members May 16 gave narrow 4-3 approval to $2.23 million in additional TIF for DP Development LLC of Omaha to complete the 200-unit project. It received $1.6 million in TIF for the first 80 units, which were dedicated last July. DP will build 15 more eightplex apartment buildings north of the original 10 along Lakeview Boulevard north of West A Street. Those first units filled up quickly upon their completion, DP and city leaders have said. By the time they meet Thursday, the five CRA members will know the outcome of Tuesdays Planning Commission public hearing and vote on the Village Park Flats proposal between Victory Village and North Dixie Avenue. The planning panels meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the council chamber and also will be livestreamed. Blue Sky Development LLC of Roca, Nebraska, is seeking nearly $9.7 million in TIF aid to build out the 40-acre site in four stages. The initial phase would build 32 three-unit triplexes in a H-shape anchored on both sides by West A, Planning Administrator Judy Clark said. Future phases would add a half-dozen more triplexes, 48 single-family homes, 42 townhomes and three 32-unit apartment buildings, she said. A public park also would be part of the development. The $9.7 million in TIF assistance would leverage $65.6 million in private financing, according to the Blue Sky proposals draft redevelopment plan. The combined $75.27 million which doesnt include a projected $10.91 million in TIF interest over up to 15 years rivals the estimated value of the ongoing multiyear transformation of the former Platte River Mall into the District 177 apartment-retail center. Both the TIF principal and interest would be gradually repaid over up to 15 years from property taxes generated by the projects increased taxable value. Blue Sky wouldnt recover any amounts that might be left over when the 15-year clock expires. Related rezoning and replatting actions are also on Tuesdays Planning Commission agenda but arent part of the CRAs purview. OMAHA Less than a week after voting to leave the United Methodist Church, the mood among the congregation of Omahas Living Faith Methodist Church seemed like business-as-usual on the morning of June 4. That all changed when Pastor Jaime Farias gave the official news 10 minutes into the service: the congregation, along with 155 others across Kansas and Nebraska, had been approved for disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church during a regional conference held over Zoom on May 31. The crowd of 20-some churchgoers erupted into enthusiastic applause. Despite his congregations enthusiasm, Farias has mixed emotions about the breakup, which has centered around disagreements over the denomination's enforcement of sexuality laws. Im not happy, to be honest, said Farias, who has been involved with the church since he was a 15-year-old living in Mexico. God doesnt want this to happen the division, the discord, the disagreements. Along with several other Nebraska congregations, none of which are based in Lincoln, Living Faith is part of a broader disaffiliation movement in the Methodist Church that has resulted in clashes across the country. According to data from UM News, an outlet directly affiliated with the United Methodist Church, a total of 3,852 congregations have left the denomination in 2023, more than doubling the 1,826 who left in 2022 and nearly 13 times more than the 308 that left in 2021. The trend has been even stronger in the Great Plains Conference that encompasses Kansas and Nebraska, which has lost 156 congregations thus far in 2023, 67 in 2022 and four in 2021. The conferences 233 lost congregations since 2019 are the 16th most among the 55 conferences across the country. Sexuality at center stage The crux of the issue centers around sections pertaining to sexuality within the United Methodist Churchs code of conduct, known as the Book of Discipline. While the text mandates that the church not "reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends, it also asserts an incompatibility between Christian practices and homosexuality, effectively outlawing LGBTQ members from joining the clergy or marrying someone of the same sex. The specific edict has been subject to vigorous debate in the decades since it was first introduced in 1972 during the churchs first General Conference meeting, where congregations across the world gather every four years to vote on amendments to the Book of Discipline and establish other general guidelines. Multiple attempts have been made to amend the churchs laws, but every effort has fallen short, according to Great Plains Bishop David Wilson, the churchs first-ever Native American bishop who was elected in 2022. Every four years since the '70s, theres been legislation to change this, Wilson said. The conflict came to a head in 2019, when a special session of the General Conference was held to address it directly. Two factions emerged from that meeting, according to the Rev. David Livingston, a four-time delegate to the General Conference and board member of Kansas-based Mainstream UMC, a unity-focused advocacy group within the church. There were those in favor of reconciliation between the differing ideologies, known as the One Church plan, and those advocating for stricter enforcement and punishments for violations of the churchs laws. The 'One Church' plan was an attempt to say, Can we agree to disagree? Livingston said. The traditionalists said, No, this is what you have to believe, this is how you must behave. While the meeting resulted in strengthened restrictions on ordination, it left much to be desired from both sides, according to Wilson. A subsequent discussion of a split within the United Methodist Church led to the introduction of an exemption to the Book of Discipline known as Paragraph 2553, which allowed congregations to leave without forfeiting their assets to the UMC and paved the way for the current exodus. Wilson said the exemption was meant to serve as a short-term compromise before the General Conference reconvened in 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic throwing a wrench in the process of further in-person discussions and hastening the schism within the church. Many congregations were exasperated over the reluctance of the United Methodist Churchs American leadership to punish congregations in violation of the Book of Discipline while the dispute remained under mediation. Most folks got impatient and just said, Weve got to move on this, Wilson said. (But) it was inevitable; we all knew it was going to come. Competing interpretations For Living Faith, the issue has been front-and-center since its inception in the late '90s. Many of its founding members fled from another Omaha congregation, First United Methodist Church, following a scandal involving a same-sex union performed by the churchs Rev. Jimmy Creech in 1997 that resulted in a trial and acquittal for the minister. Diane West is one such member at Living Faith. She said she believed she was leaving the issue of same-sex ordination and marriage behind when she joined Living Faith in 1998, but said the United Methodist Churchs unwillingness to enforce its rules at other churches has been a drain on her and others at Living Faith. Theres no accountability in the denomination, and that wears on people over time, she said. Living Faith is one of many departing congregations that have joined with the Global Methodist Church, a denomination officially founded in May 2022 that has placed an increased emphasis on the doctrine of Methodism. A representative from the Global Methodist Church could not be reached for comment. While many who disagreed with the One Church plan have left already, some still remain. John Lomperis is a UMC General Conference delegate based out of Oregon and a contributor to the Institute for Religion and Democracy, an American Christian conservative think tank. An outspoken critic of his denominations leadership, Lomperis claims the United Methodist Church has been hijacked by a liberal faction, citing a litmus test the church employed during last falls elections that required bishops to accept the ordination LGBTQ+ ministers as decided by the Board of Ordained Ministry, which is responsible for deciding ordinations. In doing so, Lomperis said United Methodist Church leadership is in direct opposition to the doctrine it is officially bound by. Livingston disagreed with Lomperis characterization of the situation as a matter of abiding by religious law. He said Lomperis and other traditionalists reservations towards LGBTQ+ ordination and marriage hypocritically ignore other violations of the churchs doctrine, such as the case of many congregations refusing to practice infant baptism. Infant baptism is about as foundational to our specific theology methods as you can get, Livingston said. (Traditionalists) are not going to bring them up on charges because the issue for them is about sexuality. A self-described centrist in the debate that is seen by some as a battle between progressives and traditionalists, Livingston said he personally agrees with about 95% of the GMC's stances. Nonetheless, he said their adherence to the doctrine hinders their ability to fulfill the spirit of Methodism, which he said requires an inquisitive and inclusive approach, pointing to his own shifting beliefs. If I had been at the 2004 General Conference, I would probably not have voted the way that Im voting now, but my faith journey has continued to move, Livingston said. Such a view isnt compatible with everyone. Farias, the pastor at Living Faith, said that although he doesnt judge LGBTQ people, he disagrees with their way of life, and sees acquiescence to them in the denomination as an afront to the fundamental identity of Christianity. Christ and all followers of Jesus Christ in all times, from the beginning until today, we are counterculture, Farias said. You cant compromise your beliefs trying to fit in with the rest of the people. For Livingston, he believes that Methodism itself, which he said is heavily focused on the concept of Gods grace, requires a different orientation. If Im gonna get in trouble with God, I would rather get in trouble for who I include instead of who I exclude, he said. Im convinced that God would prefer that we get it wrong in favor of love and grace, instead of rule and judgment. Peace on the Prairie While the disaffiliation process has been messy in some parts of the country, according to both Lomperis and Livingston, the breakup has been much less so in the Great Plains conference, which allowed 156 congregations to leave in a 655-to-29 vote at the May 31 virtual meeting. Phil Fisher, the chairman of Living Faiths church council, said his churchs situation was no exception. Any time I had a question over email, (UMC director of administration) Scott Brewer would fire right back to me. He made it as easy as he could, Fisher said. We had a lot of help; all we had to do was just ask for it. Livingston attributed the ease of the process in the Great Plains to factors both cultural and pragmatic. It probably has something to do with just some of our Midwest sensibilities; weve always known that we have to work together and get along, he said. And by allowing churches to leave in an amicable way, Im hopeful that they also would be able to come back in an amicable way. Nonetheless, congregations in the Great Plains on both sides of the disaffiliation vote find themselves on diverging paths. For the United Methodist Church Great Plains conference, Bishop Wilson said that while he has no ill will toward those who have decided to leave, the greater sense of solidarity within the conference will allow it to fully turn its energy toward the issues that matter most to them. Theres a great feeling in the conference, Wilson said. We believe in our work of inclusion working towards social justice, and working around building our community in our local churches. Farias, who is retiring from the United Methodist Church after two decades of service and starting anew as a pastor in the Global Methodist Church, said hes embracing the bittersweet moment as a chance to reaffirm his lifes purpose. Im here to do whatever the Lord wants me to do, he said. I hope this church keeps following and learning and doing what is in the scriptures for them to do, and I just hope that I can be a good pastor for them. PhotoFiles: Early churches of Lincoln Aerial view of Lincoln churches in 1903 Early Catholic Church All Souls Unitarian Church Caldwell Memorial United Brethren in Christ Cathedral of the Risen Christ Christ Lutheran Church Ebenezer Congregational Church First Baptist Church First Congregational Church First Plymouth Church First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Grace Lutheran Church Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Church of the Nazarene Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Congregation B'nai Jeshurun St. John's Evangelical Church St. John Baptist Church St. Mary Catholic Church St. Matthew's Episcopal Church St. Patrick's Catholic Church Zion Congregational Church DeSantis tries to outflank Trump at the Faith and Freedom Coalition cattle call in Washington. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Theres a huge strategic dilemma at the heart of Ron DeSantiss 2024 presidential campaign. He wants to convince the MAGA Republicans most likely to vote in primaries that hes Trump without the drama, and perhaps even more radical than the 45th president. But thats at odds with the electability argument that hes better positioned to beat Joe Biden. Since DeSantis formally launched his campaign, Trump has maintained and even expanded his lead in virtually every poll of Republicans. The Florida governor has responded by leaning more heavily on a hard-core ideological pitch that may leave some anti-Trump Republicans, not to mention swing voters, cold. The Florida governor is trying to out-Trump Trump, and its not clear this strategy has much of a chance of success with the GOP base still in love with the 45th president. The DeSantis stump speech has been evolving in recent weeks. Now, as before, he touts his record in Florida as a model for his party and for the nation. But his early emphasis on such standard gubernatorial virtues as industrial recruitment and sound fiscal management has gradually given way to a presentation of DeSantis as a culture warrior who gazes at conservatisms enemies with a sort of unblinking reptilian stare, unlike Trumps many self-distractions and sideshow antics. DeSantiss remarks at the candidate cattle call hosted by the Faith and Freedom Coalition, the countrys most politically focused organization of conservative Christian activists, in Washington on June 23 represented his most strident effort yet to get to the former presidents right. Trump is generally seeking vengeance against his enemies in the federal government; DeSantis is promising accountability for alleged COVID tyrant Anthony Fauci specifically. Trump is a hero to the anti-abortion movement; DeSantis insisted on a draconian six-week abortion ban that Trump called too harsh. Trump wants to finish building his border wall; DeSantis wants to militarize the border to stop the invasion of immigrants, and even to blockade Mexican ports to stop delivery of chemicals used to make fentanyl. Trump appointed three hard-core conservatives to the U.S. Supreme Court; DeSantis would only appoint a justice as extreme as Clarence Thomas. Despite all of DeSantiss huffing and puffing, the Faith and Freedom Coalition event turned into a MAGA rally at which even the mention of Trumps name drew rapturous applause. When it came time for the former presidents keynote address, he was allowed to rant and rave to his hearts content in contrast to his rivals limited time slots. DeSantis may have successfully made himself over in Trumps image, but hes still overshadowed by the former president. The acid test for DeSantis wont come in any shared candidate event or even in the debates that begin in August (which Trump may or may not deign to attend). It will be in the Iowa caucuses, where in the recent past the candidate successfully depicting himself as the true conservative in the field has generally won (e.g., Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012, Ted Cruz in 2016). And indeed, it was the site of Trumps biggest defeat in 2016 (though of course he later denounced it as stolen). DeSantis has surrounded himself with veterans of the Cruz campaign. And that is very likely reinforcing his decision to run much like Cruz did, relying on a hard-core conservative message and an expensive field effort focused on the likeliest which often means the most conservative voters. Without question, this strategy will take a toll on the breadth of DeSantiss support among more moderate Republicans who have plenty of other candidates to choose from. And theres little evidence that general-election swing voters are really longing for an effective extremist (DeSantiss big 2022 performance in Florida, which is receding rapidly in voters memories, is now his only evidence for electability). But you can appreciate that unless DeSantis wins Iowa or over-performs expectations notably, hes probably sunk. Hes not looking that strong in New Hampshire, and in South Carolina hes fighting not just Trump but two Palmetto State rivals. So for the foreseeable future, DeSantis is going to campaign as not just steadier and more effective than Trump, but as the man who will leave the libs, as he likes to say, in the dustbin of history. Theres nothing cheerful or swing-voter-pleasing about the message being conveyed by his super-PAC in its latest video: It may be rather difficult to soften this image of DeSantis if it doesnt work to outflank Trump. And it clearly hasnt so far; Trump continues to lead his governor by 30 points in the national RealClearPolitics polling averages and leads in every early state poll as well. If that pattern continues, even as Trump faces indictment after indictment, Ron DeSantis may wind up in a narrow corner of the Republican Party into which he has painted himself very deliberately. Tim Scott on the stump in Iowa. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images One of the great traditions of the Republican Party is to seek politicians who make strident conservative ideology more palatable by exhibiting personal charm. That was the secret, after all, of Ronald Reagan, who sold Barry Goldwaters policies in a way that did not make voters want to bury him in an electoral landslide. Todays most prominent exhibitor of the politics of the iron fist in a velvet glove is 2024 Republican presidential candidate and U.S. senator Tim Scott. Almost invariably described as sunny and upbeat and optimistic, the South Carolinian often delivers savage right-wing talking points with a smile that seems to disarm or even lobotomize critics. A good case in point is the op-ed Scott penned Friday for the Des Moines Register on abortion policy, a red-hot issue among the likely caucusgoers of Iowa. He took the hardest line available, albeit one that shifts responsibility for making national abortion law to the Congress he would leave if elected president: I am 100 percent pro-life. When I am president of the United States, I will sign the most pro-life legislation the House and Senate can put on my desk. We should begin with a 15-week national limit. To be clear, that means preempting any state laws more generous to pregnant women than forced birth after 15 weeks of pregnancy (while leaving more draconian laws in place), and Scott makes no bones about the fact that this step is just for starters. The occasion for this line-drawing, of course, is the first anniversary of the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision ending 49 years of a federal constitutional right to choose pre-viability abortions. And Scott is definitely upbeat about that dark day for reproductive rights: One year ago this week, a generation of prayers, votes, and marches for life paid off in an historic victory. I was proud to vote to confirm Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, and I have never been prouder than I was last June 24 when they ignored the angry mobs, followed the Constitution, and overturned Roe v. Wade. The Dobbs decision further bolstered the right to life and allowed our nation to begin repairing a terrible decision. But hey, Scotts famous empathy for people who disagree with him is on display alongside his excitement over the historic victory: I will never pretend to know what a woman goes through when making this difficult decision, but I have provided a listening ear when dear friends of mine have experienced this life-changing choice themselves. In one friend, I saw the sadness and regret that followed in abortions wake. In another, I saw the peace and joy that came with choosing life. Watching both sides of that choice play out firsthand opened my eyes even wider. The choice, Scott pretty clearly believes, is between right and wrong, and hes eager to use the force of law to compel those dear friends of mine to do right. His tender-hearted concern for women does not extend to those who are advocates for abortion rights. He calls Janet Yellens common-sense observation that abortion is financially necessary for some women a disgusting, depraved statement. Scott is likely being driven to such uncivil rhetoric by the exigencies of his situation in Iowa. He needs a big showing there if he has any hope of surviving until his home state votes in February of 2024. And like successful long-shot candidates before him, hes chosen Iowas abundant and politically very active conservative Evangelicals as his chief audience. They and particularly their leaders are very focused on abortion policy. Earlier this week, longtime Iowa Evangelical kingmaker Bob Vander Plaats (the leader of the powerful Family Leader organization, who has backed successful upset bids in the caucuses by Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012, and Ted Cruz in 2016) joined a panel with Senator Lindsey Graham, author of a 15-week national abortion-ban bill. Vander Plaats made it clear that whether or not national anti-abortion groups make a national ban an absolute litmus test, he sure is, as the Register reported: A panel of anti-abortion advocates sent a message to Republican presidential hopefuls campaigning in Iowa: Embrace a national abortion ban or risk losing in the caucuses. We want a champion for the sanctity of human life, Vander Plaats told a crowd of around 50 at the church and hundreds more on a livestream. We want them to be clear on this issue, not nuanced on this issue. Graham, who is backing Donald Trumps comeback bid, acknowledged that his guy hadnt met the litmus test yet, but predicted he will get there. Ron DeSantiss local supporters can tout the six-week abortion ban he signed, which is very similar to the legislation sponsored by Vander Plaatss close ally, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds. And Mike Pence, who has taken the same decidedly churchy approach to the nomination fight as Scott, has already taken the same Ill sign anything! position on abortion. So Scott is under a lot of pressure to kick out the jams on this issue. Its just unclear his reputation for sunniness and uplift will survive his Iowa campaign. Opelika High School has been selected as one of 40 high schools across the country to receive a $5,000 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant. This grant will be used to help expand OHSs culinary arts and restaurant management program and improve students ProStart experience. The ProStart curriculum features hands-on and traditional instruction for students to gain real-life food service experience and skills. The curriculum combines culinary arts and business education with special industry speakers, class mentors, tours of local culinary facilities, and student competitions to help students learn fundamental skills in the restaurant and hospitality industry. ProStart students emerge with training and certifications to join the restaurant and food service workforce, stated a release from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The $5,000 grant will also allow OHS to update curriculum, classroom supplies and educational opportunities for the culinary program. Chef Judy Eldred, culinary instructor at OHS, said the grant funds will be used for projects that connect the OHS culinary program to the community. An important aspect of food service is hospitality, Eldred said. We plan to use these funds for projects that will help develop the interpersonal skills of our students and guide them to be entrepreneurs. Rachael Ray, an American chef who has hosted television shows on Food Network, established the Rachael Ray Foundation in 2016 to support causes she cares for most. This makes the fourth round of ProStart Grow Grants that Rays foundation has awarded. The daily investment that ProStart educators make in their classroom as they teach and mentor the next generation of culinary and restaurant management leaders is extraordinary, Ray said in the release. We are optimistic that these grants will give teachers some fresh opportunities to capture the imagination of their students and teach them why our industry is a place where they can build a career. Since creating these awards, the Rachael Ray Foundation has provided 113 high school grants, totaling $950,000, according to the NRAEF. The NRAEF expects this round of grants to benefit more than 3,500 students and 53 educators in the 2023-2024 school year. Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants make a huge difference to so many of our ProStart classrooms funding equipment, supplies, and unique experiences to teach students the fundamentals of culinary arts and restaurant management, said Rob Gifford, president of NRAEF. We are grateful for the partnership of the Rachael Ray Foundation in helping ProStart educators provide the best classroom possible for each of their students. Nearly 165,000 high school students at 1,850 schools are currently part of ProStart. Safety Measures in Warehouses and Fulfillment Centers Lets look at a few best practices for protecting workers. In the bustling hubs of logistics and supply chainswarehouses and fulfillment centersmaintaining worker safety is an unequivocal priority. While navigating the labyrinthine aisles stacked with goods, maneuvering heavy machinery and meeting the relentless demands of a round-the-clock industry, workers operate in environments rife with potential hazards. Consequently, implementing effective safety measures is not just a regulatory necessity, but a moral imperative for these organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers reported 2.6 million workplace injuries in 2021. The majority of those were in: health care and social assistance retail trade manufacturing transportation and warehousing. This article aims to delve into the innovative strategies and best practices being adopted across the industry to protect its invaluable human assets, all while ensuring operational efficiency and productivity. The Role of Technology in Safety Training Technology has become a crucial aspect of safety training for workers, particularly in warehouses and fulfillment centers. With the rapid advancement of technology, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have emerged as powerful tools to transform traditional training methods. By submerging workers in simulated dangerous scenarios, and teaching them how to handle these, the technologies provide a safe and controlled environment for learning the essential safety protocols. This practical, hands-on approach enhances retention and ensures workers are better prepared for real-world scenarios. For instance, a leading logistics company successfully implemented VR technology for safety training. The results showed a 100 percent reduction in lost time due to injury, a 32 percent reduction in reported near misses and higher incident reporting rates, which means they understood how to report incidents. The Importance of Data-Driven Risk Assessment Following technology-driven safety training, next up is predictive analytics, a game-changer in proactively assessing and managing safety risks. In the era of big data, reactive measures are simply not enough. Forward-thinking organizations are leveraging predictive analytics to identify potential safety risks before they become tangible hazards. After a series of major oil discoveries in its territorial waters, the impoverished South American country of Guyana emerged as one of the worlds hottest offshore drilling locations and the worlds fastest-growing economy. With over 30 significant oil discoveries, more than 11 billion barrels of oil resources identified so far, and growing petroleum production as well as exports Guyana is poised to become the wealthiest country in South America, a mantel once held by Venezuela. The rapid as well as catastrophic implosion of oil-rich Venezuela, which possesses the worlds largest oil reserves totaling 303 billion barrels, is a cautionary tale for petroleum rich nations. There are fears that Guyana could suffer a similar fate with many oil-rich countries suffering from endemic corruption, political instability and conflict. The rapid development of Exxons 30-plus oil discoveries, which went from first discovery to first oil in a mere four years, in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana now sees the former British colony pumping around 400,000 barrels per day. Petroleum exports are also soaring, with Guyana shipping an average of 265,693 barrels per day for 2022, according to data from Refinitiv Eikon published by Reuters, or more than double the 100,645 barrels daily exported during 2021. The key recipient of Guyanas oil exports for 2022 was Europe, which received nearly half of all cargoes shipped from the South American country. Those events have delivered a tremendous economic and financial windfall for Guyana. During 2020, when most countries economies contracted because of the pandemic, Guyana emerged as the worlds fastest-growing economy, with gross domestic product expanding by a notable 43.5%. Guyana returned to that position in 2022 when the economy grew by a whopping 62.3%, and the former British colony will retain that position during 2023 with GDP estimated to grow by 37.2%. The financial windfall for Guyanas government in Georgetown is tremendous despite the extremely favorable agreement secured by Exxon and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, in the Stabroek Block. For May 2023 alone, Guyanas Natural Resource Fund received $87 million in oil profits. Data from Guyanas central bank shows during 2022, the country earned $1.4 billion in revenue from petroleum, with nearly $1.26 billion coming from oil profits and $155 million of royalties. According to Finance Minister Ashni Singh oil revenue, from exports and royalties, will grow this year by 31% to $1.63 billion. This tremendous fiscal windfall is being used by Guyanas government in the capital Georgetown to fund the building of crucial infrastructure. In 2022, Georgetown allocated $96 billion to developing infrastructure in what is one of South Americas poorest nations. Of this, $64 billion alone was earmarked for the construction and maintenance of roads as well bridges. Improved infrastructure will go along way to bolstering the economy, developing trade as well as investment inflows and improving the lives of everyday Guyanese who still struggle with deeply entrenched poverty. There are fears that the vast oil wealth flowing into the country of less than one million will fuel already endemic corruption and poor governance, causing Guyana to fall victim to the oil curse. Georgetown only needs to look next door to Venezuela to see how an overreliance on oil and the vast wealth the fossil fuel generates to see how it can breed corruption, erode civic culture, foment conflict and even destroy a country. In less than three decades, Venezuela, after Hugo Chavezs socialist Bolivarian revolution began, emerged as a near-failed state. Not only has the OPEC members oil industry collapsed by Venezuelas economy had imploded, triggering the worst humanitarian crisis to ever occur outside of war, with an estimated seven million Venezuelans fleeing their homeland. Massive endemic corruption, economic myopia caused by an overdependence on oil rents when prices were high, and rising conflict over control of Venezuelas vast oil wealth all contributed to the states failure. There are fears that the massive oil boom underway in Guyana, coupled with the former British colonys history of corruption, chronic poverty, electoral fraud and political chaos, will create ideal conditions for the oil curse to emerge. While there are certainly risks of this occurring, there are many differences between Guyana and its neighbor Venezuela. The crisis which emerged in Venezuela during the 1980s oil price crash was rooted in a stagnant political system where the two major parties not only overlooked the growing economic fallout but for years ignored the needs of everyday Venezuelans. It is important to note that the administration of President Irfaan Ali is focused on strengthening governance frameworks with regard to Guyanas burgeoning oil industry, rooting out corruption and using petroleum profits to lift the population out of poverty. This includes reworking Guyanas production sharing agreement to eliminate the overly favorable terms conceded to the Exxon-led consortium for the Stabroek Block. The new PSA has a 10% royalty rate, compared to 2% for the Stabroek Block, and a reduced cost recovery ceiling of 65%, against 75%, with the 50/50 profit sharing unchanged. Georgetown also introduced a 10% corporate tax when none had existed previously. That goes a long way to addressing many of the criticisms of the lop-sided agreement secured with Exxon and its partners in the Stabroek Block. The new PSA will boost government income from any future oil production that occurs outside the Stabroek Block. Growing oil production, which is tipped to reach 1.2 million barrels per day by 2027, and additional discoveries will further boost Guyanas economic growth. That, in turn, will build considerable wealth for the tiny South American nation. For 2023, Guyanas GDP is forecast by the International Monetary Fund to reach $16.3 billion, which means its economy remains significantly smaller than South American heavyweights like Brazil with a GDP of $2 trillion, Argentina at $641 billion and Chile with $659 billion. It is on the basis of GDP per capita that Guyana will become the wealthiest country in South America. According to the IMF Guyanas 2023 GDP per capita will be $20,540 or three times greater than the $6,590 recorded for 2019 when oil production commenced. That number makes Guyana the second-wealthiest country in South America behind Uruguay, which has forecast 2023 GDP per capita of $21,680, and ahead of Chile where GDP per capita is expected to top $17,830 this year. BY 2024 Guyanas GDP per capita is forecast by the IMF to be $27,640 seeing it overtake Uruguay to become South Americas wealthiest country by a solid margin compared to any of the other major economies. ADVERTISEMENT By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The volume of crude oil sitting in stationary tankers jumped to the highest in more than two and a half years on June 23, as an unusual cluster of Saudi oil tankers is idle off Egypts Red Sea coast. Crude oil on stationary tankers has reached around 129 million barrels as of the end of last week, the highest floating crude volumes since October 2020, Vortexa data cited by Bloomberg showed on Monday. Recent data points have shown that while crude on floating storage has been rising, crude in transit and total crude volumes at sea have been falling, according to Bloomberg. Several OPEC+ producers began production cuts in May, which will now extend into 2024, while Saudi Arabia, the worlds top crude oil exporter and OPECs largest producer, will unilaterally reduce its output by 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in July, to around 9 million bpd. The cut could be extended beyond next month, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has said. The rise in floating storage is also due to an unusual cluster of mostly Saudi supertankers loaded with oil that has been idling off Egypts Red Sea coast for weeks. Signs have emerged that the cluster may have started to clear as two of the 11 tankers are no longer anchored near the Ain Sukhna oil terminal off Egypt. As of June 16, ten very large crude carriers (VLCCs) carrying around 20 million barrels of oil were floating off Ain Sukhna and another two supertankers were heading to the same location, Vortexa data showed. All 10 floating supertankers have been stationary for seven days or more and most of these cargoes loaded during or after the second half of May, Jay Maroo, Head of Market Intelligence & Analysis (MENA) at Vortexa, wrote in a note. It wasnt immediately clear what has caused the accumulation of tankers, while Saudi Arabia hasnt commented on the build-up of cargoes off Egypt. Most supertankers carrying Saudi Arabian crude typically deliver the oil to Ain Sukhna without transiting the Suez Canal. The most likely reason is a lack of storage, according to Bloomberg. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Crude oil demand is set to rise to 110 million barrels daily by 2045, which would be a 23% increase from current levels. This is what the Secretary General of OPEC, Haitham al Ghais, said today, as quoted by Reuters. The forecast comes a week after the International Energy Agency predicted oil demand growth will slow in the next few years, shrinking from 2.4 million bpd this year to 400,000 barrels daily in 2028, with peak demand in sight. The IEAs bearish forecast was driven by a view that the accelerated deployment of electric vehicles, higher fuel efficiency, and other technologies would hurt demand growth. OPEC, it appears, begs to differ. What the two seem to agree on is that Asia, and China and India in particular, will drive global oil demand for the observable future. However, even that growth may be undermined by electric vehicles, according to a recent report by Chinas National Petroleum Corporation, or CNPC. The research arm of the state-owned major forecasted that oil demand growth this year would be lower than previously expected because of the increase in EV sales. Yet that increase in sales is not a certainty. In fact, Beijing recently had to extend tax breaks for EV buyers to stimulate flagging sales. Initially set to be phased out this year, the subsidies were extended to the end of 2027. The total tax savings for buyers could reach $72 billion, according to CNBC. The IEA sounded a warning note about EV sales in its report, too. Growth in EV sales can only be sustained if charging demand is met by accessible and affordable infrastructure, either through private charging in homes or at work, or publicly accessible charging stations, the agency said in its report from earlier this month. Demand for oil from the petrochemicals industry, meanwhile, is seen to continue strong over the medium term by most forecasters, even if EVs begin to undermine demand for fuels. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Vladimir Putins grip on power in Russia came to the spotlight this weekend after the Wagner mercenary group marched on Moscow on Saturday before turning away from the Russian capital in a mutiny initially described as treason by the Russian president. Late on Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine, demanded the removal of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and armed forces chief Valery Gerasimov for consistently failing to supply ammunition to the Wagner group. Prigozhin led Wagner fighters to the large southern Russian city Rostov-on-Don, which was occupied by the mercenaries early on Saturday. Rostov-on-Don is the headquarters of the Russian Southern armed forces. The Wagner group then proceeded north to another large Russian city, Voronezh, and were heading to Moscow. But later on Saturday, Prigozhin said his forces were turning back from their march on Moscow, when they were just 120 miles from the Russian capital, after talks with Belaruss President Alexander Lukashenko, who had brokered a deal. Prigozhin will head to Belarus and will not face criminal charges, the Kremlin said. The truth is likely much more complex than the information officially given by all Russian participants in this weekends bizarre attempt at a coup. Prigozhin is a kind of dead man walking at this point, Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, told CNBCs program Squawk Box Asia on Monday. I would be very surprised that hes still with us in a few months time, Bremmer added. Many other analysts have also commented on Prigozhins revolt. ADVERTISEMENT Putin is vulnerable and the Russian state is decrepit, says Daniel Fried, former assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that the Wagner group mutiny showed cracks emerge that werent there before in Russia. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The United States largest producer of LNG, Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG), has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreement with Chinas ENN Energy Holdings. ENN will purchase ~1.8M metric tons/year of LNG on a free-on-board basis at Henry Hub prices for a 20-year term, with deliveries to commence mid-2026 ramping up to 0.9 million tonne per annum (mtpa) in 2027. The deal is subject to the completion of Chenieres Sabine Pass project, which is being developed to include up to three liquefaction trains with an expected total production capacity of ~20M tons/year of LNG. Current;y, Sabine Pass has six fully operational liquefaction units aka ?trains, each capable of producing ~5 mtpa of LNG for an aggregate nominal production capacity of ~30 mtpa. Cheniere processes more than 4.7 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas into LNG. Sabine Pass has multiple pipeline connections to interstate and intrastate pipelines, and is located less than four nautical miles from the Gulf of Mexico thus providing easy access to seafaring vessels. Last week, Cheinere entered another long-term liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreement with Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) that will see the Norwegian national oil company purchase 1.75M metric tons/year of LNG on a free-on-board basis for a purchase price indexed to the Henry Hub price, for a 15-year term. Last year, ENN signed a 13-year deal with Cheniere to purchase 900K metric tons/year, again based on Henry Hub prices. Henry Hub and European natural gas prices have jumped following turmoil in Russias political landscape over the past few days. Henry Hub natural gas was trading up 11.8% to $2.92/MMBtu, the highest level since early March after the Wagner mercenary group staged a short-lived revolt. While the immediate supply risks have disappeared, the market will likely have to start pricing in a larger risk premium for oil given the growing instability in Russia, ING strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey said on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Europes LNG imports rose last year to levels that surpassed its imports of natural gas via pipeline, according to new data from the Energy Institute. Europe scrambled last year to distance itself from Russian pipeline gas after Russia invaded Ukraine and threatened to cut off gas shipments to several European nations. As Bloomberg noted on Monday, the Energy Institutes data also showed that global natural gas production was fairly stable last year compared to 2021 levelsso the fact that Europes LNG imports had overtaken its Russian nat gas imports via pipeline is of particular note. The Energy Institutes data shows that Europes natural gas imports via pipeline in 2022 were 35% lower than the previous year, coming in at 150.8 bcmmost of which still came from Russia. Meanwhile, Europes LNG imports rose to more than 170 bcm. To achieve this level of LNG imports, Europe had to construct import terminals for LNG. Asia increased its imports of LNG also, while Russias overall share of the worlds nat gas pipeline exports fell to 29% last year, compared to about 43%, where its hovered for the last decade. Asia, however, isnt too concerned about locking in long-term deals to secure LNG suppliessomething Europe has been loathed to do as it sets its sights on cutting its emissions by 55% by 2030and then net-zero by 2050. Asia has no such reservations, and therefore has a leg up on Europe when it comes to securing LNG supplies. This leg-up for Asia has caused some to question Europes energy positioning in the run up to next winter, particularly if it turns out to be a rather cold winter. Norway is now the single-largest gas supplier to Europe. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A massive fight among hundreds of migrant workers from Central Asian states broke out over the weekend at Gazproms Kovykta gas field, where thousands of workers are under pressure to build new infrastructure to meet the terms of a natural gas supply contract to China, according to social media platforms. As of Monday, indications from Russian social media were that nine workers had so far been hospitalized after the initial fighting broke out on June 23 and then spread throughout the natural gas development complex in Eastern Siberia. Thousands of shift workers from the poorer states are building infrastructure at the Kovykta field, which was inaugurated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December last year, with Gazprom looking to rapidly ramp-up gas output to meet its commitments to China. Gazprom is under contract to supply China with 38 billion cubic meters per year after 2025, with all that gas to come from Kovykta and Chayanda located 800 kilometers apart and linked to China by the Sila Sibiri 1 pipeline. Gazprom started producing gas from the Kovykta gas condensate fieldone of the largest undeveloped natural gas fields in Eastern Russia with estimated reserves of 2 trillion cubic meters of natural gasonly last year Of Russias oil and gas giants, Gazprom has been feeling the bite of Western sanctions most keenly, based on its full-year profit reporting. Last month, Gazprom posted a huge drop in its FY 2022 profits as sanctions from Russias western customers took a toll. The companys profits for the year clocked in at 1.226 trillion rubles ($15.4 billion), 41% lower than in 2021 with the company citing a windfall tax imposed by Moscow last year as the reason for the decline. The state controlled company has decided not to pay dividends for the entire year 2022, having previously paid an interim dividend of 1,208 billion rubles ($15 billion) last autumn for the results recorded in the first half of 2022. Gazproms Deputy General Director Famil Sadygov has tried to put a positive spin on the bad situation: We did not wait for the results for the whole year, but offered the shareholders the opportunity to receive, in advance, a significant amount. Due to this fact, the received dividends have a real value higher than the amount paid at the end of the previous exercise, he told shareholders. The weak results have sunk Gazproms shares further, bringing 12-month losses to nearly 45%. In contrast, shares of its Russian oil and gas peers have fared better, with Rosneft shares up 25.7% while Novatek has gained 30.9%. ADVERTISEMENT By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Arabia could be looking to slash crude oil shipments to the United States from next month to effect a tightening of the worlds most transparent oil market. As the Kingdom prepares to cut unilaterally 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from its crude oil production in July, its crude shipments to the west could be much more affected than exports to its primary market, Asia, which lacks transparent oil inventory reporting like the U.S. does, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Javier Blas argues. On several occasions in recent years, Saudi Arabia has significantly lowered crude shipments to the United States in attempts to tighten the U.S. market, which reports oil and products data on a weekly basis, unlike China and India, which rarely if at all report commercial or strategic oil stockpiles. Early this month, the OPEC+ producers decided to keep the current cuts until the end of 2024, but OPECs top producer, Saudi Arabia, said it would voluntarily reduce its production by 1 million bpd in July, to around 9 million bpd. The cut could be extended beyond July, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said. The production level in July would be Saudi Arabias lowest since 2011, excluding the initial cuts after the Covid outbreak in 2020 and the lowered production after the attack on Aramcos facilities in September 2019. Even after the production cut Saudi Arabia announced for July 2023, Aramco, the worlds largest crude oil exporter, reportedly assured at least five North Asian refiners they would get the full crude volumes they had asked for in July. Prioritizing supply to its prized Asian markets, Aramco could lower shipments to the U.S., to force a tightening of the market that would be evident in inventory reports. Moreover, Aramco controls the largest refinery by capacity in the U.S., Motiva, and could influence supply to the 630,000-bpd facility in Port Arthur, too, Bloombergs Blas notes. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Aramco has inked a contract worth $11 billion with French TotalEnergies for the construction of a new petrochemical complex in the Kingdom. The facility will be integrated with a refinery in Jubail and will feature one of the largest steam crackers in the Gulf, Aramco said, with a capacity to produce 1,650 kilotons of ethylene and other hydrocarbon gases. The two companies also awarded construction contracts for the project to several local and foreign companies including South Koreas heavy industry major Hyundai Engineering & Construction, and Chinas Sinopec Engineering. South Koreas government hailed the deal, which is worth $5 billion, with the countrys land minister noting it would expand the cooperation between South Korea and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi state oil company has for several years now been investing heavily in petrochemical production capacity as a guarantee for long-term oil demand. Indeed, most forecasts that predict success for the energy transition note that petrochemicals will continue to be needed for decades yet. This latest project was first conceived several years ago and in December last year the two partners made the final investment decision. At the time, TotalEnergies said it would fund the project with $4 billion in equity, with Aramco holding 62.5% and the French company the rest. Construction should have originally started in the first quarter of this year. First production is scheduled for 2027. Saudi Arabias fellow OPEC member Iraq is also eyeing growth in petrochemicals. Earlier this year, reports emerged that the $8.5-billion Nibras petrochemical complex project had resurfaced in government plans and construction could begin shortly. The Nibras project is a partnership with Shell, which was originally agreed in 2015 but got shelved due to Iraqs internal conflicts and insufficient funds. Saudi Arabia has also been reported to be interested in taking a stake in the Nibras project. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Douglas County Health Department will administer free HIV tests at the Walgreens in the Benson neighborhood Tuesday as part of National HIV Testing Day. The department also will have experienced educators on hand during the event to answer questions about HIV prevention and treatment options. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Walgreens at 2929 N. 60th St. HIV testing is recommended as part of routine health care, yet many people are not being tested as often as advised, health officials said. National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity to normalize HIV testing and encourage people to make it part of routine health care. Testing events are occurring in more than 270 cities. The National HIV Testing Day Community Partnership is part of an ongoing effort since 2011 by Walgreens, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Greater Than HIV, local health departments and HIV/AIDS service organizations to broaden the reach of HIV testing and information in non-traditional settings. To date more than 76,000 free HIV tests have been provided. BioLytical Laboratories, Abbott Rapid Diagnostics and OraSure Technologies, Inc. are donating test kits. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 Matt Ray has spent his entire career at the Omaha Public Schools, experiencing each level of the district the past 27 years. From student teaching and then subbing throughout the district, to managing the school board and eventually becoming second in command, Ray has seen what it takes to run a school district. And now hes about to embark on the next stage of his career that he never imagined would come to fruition: leading OPS as interim superintendent. Rays role will officially begin Saturday, but he has been working on the transition from deputy to interim superintendent over the past couple of months in partnership with Cheryl Logan. Logan, who is resigning as superintendent of OPS after five years on the job, will have her last day Friday. Its been great to go into schools and listen to staff and just experience that transition with Dr. Logan and getting her expertise on whats happening and her insight, Ray said. I dont anticipate any hiccups or anything with our transition. Ive been in the role as deputy superintendent. Ive been in the role as the board secretary for 10 years. This is my 27th year in the district. I have a pretty good feeling about what happens big picture in the district were prepared for next year. The board appointed Ray on Feb. 22, citing his experience in past searches and within his roles in the district. We see Mr. Rays leadership, experience, expertise and care for the Omaha Public Schools every day, said Spencer Head, board president. Mr. Ray was key to the team that developed the strategic plan of action with input from students, staff and families. Were excited to work with Mr. Ray in this new role. Ray got a bachelors degree in criminal justice with the intent of becoming a park ranger, but his studies sparked the passion for educating others. He became a student teacher at Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary School in South Omaha before substituting around the district. He eventually returned to Ashland Park-Robbins as a fifth grade elementary teacher. Teaching transformed into an administrative role for OPS. He worked in student and community services, focusing on student due process and community engagement. His time there propelled him to higher roles in the department, where he eventually became executive director. Ray spent a decade as board secretary before also taking on the chief of staff title and becoming deputy superintendent. In recent years, many knew him as the person in the back of the board room as meetings went late on Monday nights, listening intently to presentations and making sure the agenda went smoothly. OPS board members were the people Ray said he went to first when he was interested in becoming the districts interim superintendent. I had an opportunity to work with an interim superintendent before in various roles in the school district, so I knew how important it was for that position to maintain the momentum of the school district and maintain the things that were happening, Ray said. Having someone (who knows) the history of the school district works out really well, because theres not that time period of learning (about) the school district the two or three months it takes to understand the complexities of operating such a large organization. Ray worked with Virginia Moon, former interim superintendent, for the 2012-13 school year after another superintendent search went awry. He said he didnt go into teaching to become a superintendent and didnt even have goal in mind as he was teaching full time. But each step he took throughout his career in the district has been preparing him to take on the responsibility, he said. OPS is receiving a new leader during a crucial time. The district is still recovering in a post-pandemic world while dealing with persistent challenges one of the most critical being its widespread staff shortages. Ray said the district needs to continue to hone in on recruiting staff to fill the gaps in schools. Well always be hiring, well always be looking for staff, but were committed to making sure that theres a teacher in every classroom for the next school year, he said. A recent public survey established during the superintendent search found that one of the top concerns from the public is the districts lack of transparency. About 35% of respondents said the districts level of transparency was poor, while 36% said fair, 22% good and 7% said excellent. Ray said that while the board has communicated often about its superintendent search, he is currently talking to others on what improvements are needed. I am listening to teachers, Im going to staff meetings and really trying to get input on things that we can work on next school year, he said. Because Ray can apply for the permanent superintendent job, hes not a part of the superintendent search in any capacity. As of the last board meeting, the district still anticipates on finding its next superintendent by February 2024. As for the job itself, Ray said its too soon to tell whether he will throw his name in. It will be a conversation I have with my family about what my next steps are, but Im committed to what were doing now, Ray said. Ill be committed in year 28 of my tenure with the Omaha Public Schools and making sure that were following the strategic plan and that were doing what we promised we would do. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 Many Nebraska parents are providing stimulating and supportive home environments for Nebraskas youngest children, which researchers found to be the most powerful element in ensuring healthy child development. Those successes are coming no matter where families live, their finances or parents backgrounds. But at the same time, early disparities in child development are evident in Nebraska based on family and community characteristics. About half of Nebraska families experience economic strain, which is associated with lower child development scores. Some 41% of families experience food insecurity. Those glimpses into the development of infants and children in the state are drawn from a new, first-of-its-kind report that will be released Tuesday by Kidsights Data, located in the University of Nebraska Medical Centers College of Public Health. The data behind it was produced using a new survey instrument, called the Kidsights Measurement Tool, which is designed to measure the development of children from birth to age 5 in the United States at the population level. Previously, no measurement tool had offered that view. The goal of the initiative, said Abbie Raikes, lead author and an associate professor within the college, was to create a tool that tracks development of children from birth to age 5 so it can be used to inform decision-making at the state and community levels. If we want to have insight into our own communities, our own states, and we want to have insight into child development starting early on, then we need to have a solution that gets us to that place, she said. And thats the reason why we invested into developing Kidsights. The tool was developed and tested for the first time in Nebraska in partnership with the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Services and Resources Administration. The effort was funded by the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Imaginable Futures, Pritzker Childrens Initiative, Overdeck Family Foundation and Valhalla Foundation. Raikes said researchers know that developmental disparities between groups of children based on family income, geography and other factors arise early in life and tend to persist and grow larger over time. But until now, the U.S. has had little if any data on preschool-level child development, much less from birth to age 5. Dr. Joan Lombardi, director of the Early Opportunities Initiative, said what happens in childrens early years lays the foundation for long-term health, education and well-being. The work by Raikes and other members of her team at UNMC, Lombardi said in a statement, are an exciting step forward in our understanding of the needs of young children, how to support families and how policymakers can respond accordingly. The effort originated with the World Health Organization. Raikes said she became involved while working at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She then moved to UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, where she served as an early childhood program specialist. One of the organizations new goals called for ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development in preparation for primary school; her job was to figure out how to measure progress toward the goal. After a few years, she and her husband, Adam Gouttierre, now an executive with Hudl, returned to Nebraska to raise their own children. Gouttierre is the son of Marylu and Tom Gouttierre, the former head of the University of Nebraska at Omahas Center for Afghan Studies. Raikes family has long been involved in issues surrounding education. Her mother is Helen Raikes, a veteran education researcher and retired professor of education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her father is the late Ron Raikes, a former Nebraska state senator who served as chairman of the bodys education committee. Abbie Raikes earned a doctorate in developmental psychology from UNL and trained in public health at Columbia University. My family has a very deep interest in making Nebraska a great place for all families and in particular focusing on ensuring there are equitable conditions for everybody in the state of Nebraska, she said. The Nebraska results were drawn from a sample of more than 2,500 Nebraska families with young children. The Kidsights team developed a methodology to generalize results from the sample to the underlying population, Raikes said. That means that Kidsights produces estimates that can be extrapolated to the population of young children as a whole. As Kidsights is used in other places, the team will collect data based on census estimates to generalize to each specific area. The teams next goal will be to find a new state or community to partner with to produce a new set of results for that area, she said. Over time, she said, the Kidsights team will create approaches that allow results to be compared between geographies comparing between states or cities, so that results can be used to better understand how state and local programs and policies affect child development. Raikes said the Nebraska result that was most surprising to her was the proportion of parents nearly 60% who reported at least one adverse childhood experience, such as abuse, neglect or the absence of a parent. Such experiences can have implications for parents health and were associated with lower scores on child development. Far fewer of children in the sample, however, had adverse experiences. She said she also was surprised how many young families have economic insecurity, defined as at least some time when they found it difficult to cover basics like food or housing on their familys income since their child was born. While there were no overall differences in child development scores between rural and urban families, rural families reported more supportive communities and greater levels of economic insecurity than families in urban areas, according to the report. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 ABUJA, Nigeria A new oil spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has contaminated farmland and a river, upending livelihoods in the fishing and farming communities in part of the Niger Delta, which has long endured environmental pollution caused by the oil industry. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, or NOSDRA, said that the spill came from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell that crosses through communities in the Eleme area of Ogoniland, a region where the London-based energy giant has faced decadeslong local pushback to its oil exploration. The volume of oil spilled has not been determined, but activists have published images of polluted farmland, water surfaces blighted by oil sheens and dead fish mired in sticky crude. While spills are frequent in the region due to vandalism from oil thieves and a lack of maintenance to pipelines, according to the U.N. Environmental Program, activists call this a "major one." It is "one of the worst in the last 16 years in Ogoniland," said Fyneface Dumnamene, an environmental activist whose nonproft monitors spills in the Delta region. It began June 11. "It lasted for over a week, bursts into Okulu River which adjoins other rivers and ultimately empties into the Atlantic Ocean and affects several communities and displaces more than 300 fishers," said Dumnamene of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre. He said tides have sent oil sheens about 6 miles further to creeks near the nation's oil business capital, Port Harcourt. Shell stopped production in Ogoniland more than 20 years ago amid deadly unrest from residents protesting environmental damage, but the Trans-Niger Pipeline still sends crude from oil fields in other areas through the region's communities to export terminals. The leak has been contained, but treating the fallout from the spill at farms and the Okulu River, which runs through communities, has stalled, NOSDRA Director General Idris Musa said. London-based Shell said it is working with a joint investigatory team, consisting of regulators, Ogoniland residents and local authorities, to identify the cause and impact of the spill. Shell's response team "has been activated, subject to safety requirements, to mobilize to the site to take actions that may be necessary for the safety of environment, people and equipment," a company statement said. NOSDRA confirmed the joint investigation, but a cause of the spill whether sabotage or equipment failure has not yet been revealed. Hundreds of farmers and fishermen who have been cut off from their livelihoods would insist on restoration of the environment and then compensation, Dumnamene said. Temperatures in the 80s and the possibility of rain later in the week are in the weather forecast for eastern Nebraska. The good news is that the temperatures dont look too hot going into the workweek, Suzanne Fortin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said Sunday. Were mainly seeing temperatures in the middle 80s through the bulk of the week. Omaha residents can expect to stay dry until Tuesday night into Wednesday, when there will be a 40% to 50% chance for rainfall. Thats when a high-pressure system will be parking itself over the central Plains, she said. A low-pressure trough could bring thunderstorms into the Dakotas, Colorado, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, Fortin said. Our best chances for rain will be Tuesday night into Wednesday. The high temperature Wednesday is predicted to be around 90 degrees. The next significant chance for rain moves into the area Thursday and is expected to continue into Friday, Fortin said. There seems to be a tropical low-pressure system moving into the western United States and bringing more rain (Thursday), she said. Were crossing our fingers that is going to play out (in eastern Nebraska). Friday into Saturday, a weak trough is forecast to move east through the Omaha area. That will mean higher chances for widespread precipitation and slightly cooler weather overall. High temperatures Friday and Saturday in eastern Nebraska are expected to be in the mid- to upper 80s. The Omaha area is likely to see temperatures close to 90 Friday, she said, while the forecast for northeast Nebraska calls for highs in the 80s. Looking ahead to the Fourth of July holiday Tuesday. The high temperatures in and around Omaha are again expected to be in the 80s, Fortin said, with another chance for precipitation. An 88-year-old inmate in the Nebraska Department of Corrections died Sunday at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln. Floyd E. Martin, formerly of Oconto, Nebraska, was serving a sentence of 35 to 40 years for second-degree sexual assault of a child in Custer County, according to a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Corrections. He began his sentence Nov. 6, 2008. The spokeswoman said Monday that a cause of death has not been determined. Martin was being treated for a medical condition, she said. As is the case whenever an inmate dies, a grand jury will conduct an investigation, the spokeswoman said. LINCOLN At an emotionally charged hearing that at times became unruly, a Lancaster County judge gave a Lincoln woman probation and a fine for her role in a September 2022 crash that killed Jeffery Zeiger, a motorcyclist whose friends and family were largely outraged by the judges ruling. My dads life is worth $1,000? shouted one of Zeigers daughters in the aftermath of the hearing, which transpired in front of a packed courtroom at the Lancaster County courthouse Friday. Seriously? Seriously? And 24 months of probation? the teen shouted, referring to the sentence that Judge Joseph Dalton had just given 33-year-old Marciyanna Nielsen for her role in the crash that killed the 45-year-old man. The outburst was one of many Friday morning, where more than 50 supporters nearly all of whom had attended in support of Zeigers family formed a standing-room-only crowd for Nielsens sentencing. Nielsen, who pulled her Hyundai sedan into Zeigers path on West O Street about 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24, pleaded no contest in April to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide, punishable by up to a year in jail. Many of the onlookers wept throughout Fridays hearing as Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Eric Decker centered his monologue on who the 45-year-old motorcyclist was to his friends and family. A father, a husband, a brother, a co-worker, Decker said. I think one of the victim impact statements describes him best: as a superhero to these folks. Jeff earned that title, the prosecutor added. He was that superhero to those people. He was there, not just in title, but he was there every day for those folks. And that, judge, is why thats a monumental loss to those folks. When Zeiger collided with Nielsens sedan that day, Decker said, he had been on his way home to build a shelf for one of his daughters and work on a car for another. He had been with his wife, Marissa, for 20 years. I think what those folks would like you, judge, to remember the most of is and whats so tragic to them is that they wont have a father to walk them down the aisle, to be there for holidays, Decker said, as once-quiet cries grew louder in the courtroom. Both Decker and Andrew Joyce, Nielsens attorney, noted that police investigators, including a drug recognition expert, detected no signs of drug or alcohol use playing a role in the crash a fact that drew the ire of some attendees, who seemed not to believe either lawyer. Joyce opened his comments Friday by acknowledging the outpouring of emotion from Zeigers friends and family for the 45-year-old, who he said was truly loved and a great man. Then, the attorney repeatedly described the crash in many of the same terms Dalton would later use in his ruling: an unintentional action, a horrible tragedy, an accident. Nobody wanted this to happen, Joyce said. He described Nielsen as a former employee of the Nebraska Department of Transportations Highway Safety Office a fact that drew scoffs from the crowd of observers. She wasnt on her phone or driving distracted, her attorney said, and didnt dart her way from Northwest 19th Street into Zeigers path. She had stopped for eight seconds before pulling onto West O Street, he said. I sincerely believe that she never saw the motorcyclist, Joyce said. Nielsen, reading from prepared remarks, repeatedly apologized to Zeigers loved ones even as she acknowledged that nothing I can speak of can bring Mr. Zeiger back. I can only imagine the suffering the family is experiencing as a result of this accident and will continue to experience on every holiday, birthday or a random Tuesday in perpetuity, she said. I am so sorry youre going through this. Im so sorry. Then came Dalton, the judge, who noted Nielsens lack of criminal record and lamented the accidental nature of the crime committed the kind of very difficult case the judge seemed to dread. This is one of those cases, unfortunately, that this court typically refers to as: but for the grace of God go I, he said. This could happen to anybody. Dalton described what statute allows up to a year of incarceration for the motor vehicle homicide charge that defendants used to be able to have dismissed through diversion court. Then, the judge said he saw Nielsen as a suitable candidate for probation, prompting outcries from the crowd of attendees some of whom hurled expletives toward the judge as others stormed out of the courtroom in tears. Understand this folks: This is a court of law, and you will be dignified in this courtroom, Dalton said, before threatening to clear the entire courtroom. If you cannot act in a dignified in a manner, I will have you excused. Less than a minute later, the judge sentenced Nielsen to two years of probation and the $1,000 fine, adjourning the matter as Zeigers family wept. LINCOLN Viktoriia Sukhatska figured she had several months to study before she would be allowed to take a drivers license test in Nebraska. But quick work by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles means the young Ukrainian woman hopes to get her license and more independence Monday, after spending a week cramming for the English-language exam. Sukhatska and her four siblings, ages 14 through 24, are among 1,024 Ukrainians who ended up in Nebraska after fleeing the Russian invasion and war in her home country. She landed a job, as a case manager with the Ukrainian Family Assistance program of the Refugee Empowerment Center in Omaha. She even bought a car. But government regulations prevented her from getting a license to drive the car. The situation left Ukrainians struggling to get around, whether to work or school or simply the grocery store. Weve got all these amazing people, but theyve not been able to get jobs because they cant get to the jobs, said Tanyaradzwa DeWolf, director of refugee services for the Refugee Empowerment Center in Omaha. It took action by the Nebraska Legislature to clear a path for Sukhatska and other Ukrainians in the state to be able to get drivers licenses and state identification cards. State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon sponsored the legislation that passed this year as part of Legislative Bill 138. Brewer, a retired U.S. Army colonel, has made multiple trips to Ukraine since the start of the war with Russia and is due back from his latest trip on Sunday. LB 138 allows the state agency to issue specially marked drivers licenses and state identification cards to people granted immigration parole status. The cards are marked to indicate that they do not meet the standards for use as federal identification. The law required the DMV to have the new process up and running by Nov. 1. But agency Director Rhonda Lahm announced Monday that her agency has already completed all the steps needed to start offering the licenses. The DMV recognizes the importance of moving quickly to make driver licenses available to those Ukrainians who have been displaced from their home country, she said. I am pleased we are able to issue these documents less than a month after the legislation was signed into law and well ahead of the statutory mandate. The law applies to all immigrants on parole status, Lahm said, which can be granted under federal law for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Humanitarian parole has been provided to Ukrainians since spring 2022. It also has been provided to many Afghans since the Taliban took over control of that country and is available for some people from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua. Public benefit parole most commonly is used for people admitted to testify as a witness in a trial. Immigration parole allows people to work in the U.S. while living here. DeWolf said several of the Ukrainians in Nebraska worked as truck drivers previously. Having a drivers license now means they can help with Nebraskas trucker shortage, she said. Lahm said people on immigration parole will need to meet all the same identification, verification and testing requirements as anyone else who applies for a Nebraska drivers license or state ID card. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 Police Intervene to Restore Order. An attempt by lawyers to Edmark majority and foreign partner, Mr Low Ban Chai to forcibly break in and gain access into the premises and seize vital documents was successfully prevented by vigilant security officers and the quick intervention of the police as the battle for the top multi-level network marketing company gathers momentum. The foreign partners lawyers, led by Donald Anih Esq., went to the Aromire Street, Ikeja Head Office of Edmark last week without the court bailiff and the Receiver/Manager, to carry out this take over without the necessary court processes. This attempted take-over was in total disregard of the Nigerian minority applications before the federal court and an attempt to render same ineffective before the next adjourned date of July 4, 2023. Edmark has been embroiled in crisis since May last year when the minority partner, Mr Maurice Etim had dragged the majority partner to court for oppressive and unfair conduct, aiming to completely edge him out of the business that he formed. Mr Etim alleged that Mr Low, with the advice of his lawyer Donald Anih Esq., secretly and fraudulently appointed two additional directors without any statutory meeting being held, and also has been using unlawful means to siphon money out of the company without Mr Etims knowledge. The court, led by Justice Aneke, immediately granted interim orders to preserve the assets of the company and a successful exclusion of the Nigerian director. Since then, despite being restrained by court, the foreign partner has refused to hand over the company management (documents and staff) to the Receiver/Manager, hence limiting the Receiver/Managers ability to preserve the companys assets and run the company. Also, Mr Low appointed cronies, including Mr Abass Abubakar who is now at large, to sell and collect the proceeds into his personal account instead of company account in complete disregard of the orders of the federal court to prevent the foreign partner from further looting from the company and from edging out the Nigerian Partner. The court order was good news to the Nigerian minority shareholder who had accused Mr Low Ban Chai of running the company in a manner that was oppressive, unfair and breached his rights as contained in Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) Sections 107, 235, 250 and 252. The foreign partner applied to Justice Aneke for an unconditional lifting of the interim order but the court directed him to place a bank guarantee before the court before same can be done. When foreign partner observed that Justice Aneke was not ready to lift the order until the condition was met, the foreign partner petitioned Justice Aneke to the Chief Judge and copied the National Judicial Council. The matter was then reassigned to Justice Osiagor, who coincidentally had sided with the foreign director and majority shareholder in a fundamental rights motion when he said the police cannot investigate the foreign minority directors he unlawfully appointed on allegation of signature forgery. The Police and the Nigerian director immediately appealed against the decision of Justice Osiagor because fundamental rights can only restrain an unlawful arrest and harassment of persons but cannot restrain police power to investigate or continue investigation of crimes. Also, a fundamental rights action ought not be used to delve into innocence or guilt in a criminal allegation of forgery. Hence, when the petition was reassigned to Justice Osiagor, the Nigerian directors counsel, Bidemi Ademola-Bello esq., appealed to the Admin Judge to reassign the matter on ground that the judge had expressed opinion on the substantive issue in the petition which forms the grounds of the foreign partners oppression and fraudulent management of Edmark. Despite being aware of the pending request to the Admin Judge, Justice Osiagor disregarded Mr. Etims application for reassignment and immediately yielded to the foreign directors request to unconditionally remove the measure put in place to preserve the assets of the company, including the Receiver/Manager despite the grave allegations against the goreign majority director. Without any application being moved, Justice Osiagor also appointed one Dr Samuel Ibrahim, of Andersen LP, as a forensic auditor to determine the value of Nigerian directors shares so that he can be paid off. The Nigerian partner was dissatisfied with Justice Osiagors handling of the matter, which appeared to be a continuation of the position taken in the earlier fundamental rights action. He therefore appealed Justice Osiagors decision and filed an application for stay of execution. He also filed a formal application requesting Justice Osiagor to recuse himself based on the right to fair hearing and the national policy for judges not to handle a matter where they have previously taken a position. At the moment, the matter is scheduled to come up before Justice Osiagor on July 4, 2023 for several applications including an application that Justice Osiagor should recuse himself. However, this latest attempt was aimed at kicking out the Receiver/Manager and taking over operations of the company before hearing of the case resumes. Today is a red letter-day in the annals of Nigerias history in particular and the world of Oil & Gas operations in general as one of Africas finest marks his birthday. It is a day that provides the needed opportunities for reflections on the past and the way forward, and also to thank God for his mercies and blessings upon a man who has carved a niche for himself as a leading player in the complex world of oil and gas. Mr Julius Rone OFR is a Nigerian icon of investments with global presence, an epitome of perseverance and an exemplary idol to youths in a country and continent where a great number of her young ones had been in constant search for credible and worthy mentors. Rone has proved that with focus, tenacity, and single mindedness, one can achieve the heights of his dreams even if the bed he sleeps on is laden with nails. While several have described the business environment in Nigeria as harsh, Rone has proved that the storm is merely a playground for the eagle. He took advantage of the Federal Governments Decade of Gas Initiative to have his company be the first, among both indigenous and foreign firms, to have built Nigerias first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas, FLNG, with the multiple advantages of creating massive employment for the people, reduce gas flaring considerably, allow for seamless transfer of energy, increase gas production for both local consumption and export, and create new windows of revenue for all stakeholders including the federal government. It takes a man with unwavering vision and the resilience needed to overcome enormous business challenges at the highest levels and across the Globe to have pulled the succesful signing of the Front-End Engineering Design, FEED, for the develooment of the FLNG facility with such international firms as JGC Corporation, Japan, Technip Energies, France, and Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), UK, all of which are global leaders in their respective fields of endeavour. At an age when many of his contemporaries are still struggling to figure out what life holds for them, Julius Rone already traverses the world of the lucrative oil & gas industry like a colossus not ready to let go of his laurels at anytime. Yet, the most striking quality about him is his unmistakable humility and humanness that have endeared him to all and sundry irrespective of class or social status. His elegant gait is without air, and for a man of his status, those who come across him can only be left awestruck by his simplicity. Not a man to shy away from public good, The Gas King has built a canopy of selflessness under which the less privileged and needy of society are both covered and catered for. He has consistently expanded his scope of philanthropy to ensure that beyond being lifted out of poverty, many more are empowered through mentorship and philanthrooy to become successful in life. It is not surprising then that he has earned for himself the enviable and fitting sobriquet of The Gas King and, in recognition of his quintessential qualities, officially bestowed with one of Nigerias rare Honours, Order of the Federal Reoublic, OFR, by the federal government. So, as The Gas King, Mr Julius Rone OFR, marks his 49th birthday today, June 25, the drums have rolled out in shimmering colours, and felicitations pouring in across continents to salute one of Niger Deltas great sons, Nigerias pride of success, and one of Africas finest businessmen. As the years roll by, things can only get better for him because those who put their trust in the Lord can never be ashamed! This plus size corper who broke down in tears during camp drilling has got people talking on social media. The lady whos undergoing normal camp drilling with her platoon members, left many speechless after she got stuck on the net. Her body weight also contributed to her predicament, hence she found it very difficult to cross, until a military and Man o War personnel came to her rescue after she cried out Invest In Social Force & Get 50% Click HERE >> To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data Click HERE >> Danfulani, who serves as the Chairman of the distribution committee, said that the beneficiaries included the members, stakeholders of the party, women, youth groups and associations. The former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has donated N200 million to some citizens of the state in celebration of the 2023 Eid-El-Kabir. Muslims will celebrate this years Eid-El-Kabir on June 29, 2023. A statement, however, made available to newsmen on Saturday through the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Zamfara State, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, confirmed Matawalles donation for the festive event. Danfulani, who serves as the Chairman of the distribution committee, said that the beneficiaries included the members, stakeholders of the party, women, youth groups and associations. Other beneficiaries were orphans and the less privileged, Islamic scholars, media practitioners, and social media handlers, among others. The gesture is aimed at assisting people to celebrate the upcoming 2023 Eid-el-Kabir festival with ease. The committee had already started the distribution of the money to all the beneficiaries, the partys State Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, quoted Danfulani. Danfulani thanked Matawalle for the gesture, describing it as timely as it will cushion the economic hardship among the citizens in the state, especially at the grassroots. The partys Chairman assured that the committee would ensure that all the targeted beneficiaries receive the gesture before Wednesday. By Izunna Okafor, Awka Chief Sunday Ezeofor has emerged the new Igwe-elect of Umuona community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. This is coming barely two weeks after the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led Anambra State Government dethroned the former monarch of the community, Igwe Humphrey Ejesieme, by withdrawing his certificate of recognition as a traditional ruler. The dethronement, according to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, was as a result of the monarchs non-performing of his duties as a royal father, as well as his involvement in fuelling the lingering leadership crisis in the community, which, he said, had lasted for years. However, barely two weeks after the dethronement of the monarch, the people of the community, on Saturday elected another person to be enthroned as the traditional ruler of the town. The Igwe-elect, Chief Ezeofor was unanimously chosen by the people of the community, as his co-contestants eventually withdrew from the Igweship race at the venue the of the election, thereby paving way for his emergence. The election was said to have been monitored by officials of the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs. The Igwe-elect, Chief Ezeofor, appreciated the people for finding him worthy of the traditional stool of the community, while also appreciating the State Government for intervening in the crisis rocking the community and for eventually restoring peace in Umuona. He further pledged to sustain the peace that has returned in the community, and to lead the people in the fear of God; while also assuring not to When contacted, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne acknowledged that he was aware of the election. He, however, noted that he was yet to see the outcome of the election or receive reports from the delegation from his office, on how the election went, so as to confirm that the process was free, fair, transparent, and that the election was done in strict adherence to the stipulated rules and guidelines. Related Spread the love The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Head of the Medical Team, Dr. Usman Galadima, disclosed that the 524-member medical team posted to seven clinics in Makkah and Madinah, had so far attended to 15, 860 and recorded six deaths since the commencement of 2023 pilgrims operation on the 26th May, 2023. He also said 30 of the pilgrims had psychiatric issues, seven pilgrims had fractures and eight cases of communicable diseases were recorded. Galadima also hinted that NAHCON would be operating 18 clinics to care for pilgrims at the Mashair sites. Galadima said: For the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims, we have put in place emergency response, ambulances in good shape; we shall continue health education and awareness campaigns. We will assist as many people as possible. Those we can take care of, we will, those we cannot, and we will take them to Saudi Hospital. We have been managing those with mental health in our clinics. And all of them will likely perform Hajj because they are a bit stable now. READ ALSO: Pilgrims warned against absconding, tarnishing Nigerias image The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Private Tour Operators says it has airlifted all the 95,000 Nigerians to join millions of other Muslims in Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj slated to commence Monday, June 25. NAHCON, which started the airlift operations 25th May, 2023, concluded the exercise on 24th June, 2023. Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allocated 95,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria. Of this figure, NAHCON gave 75,000 slots to 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and shared the balance of the remaining 20,000 among private tour operators. READ ALSO: Pilgrims warned against absconding, tarnishing Nigerias image Briefing stakeholders early Sunday morning during the pre-Arafah conference in Makkah, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, said all the 95,000 pilgrims were successfully airlifted. The NAHCON boss, who attributed the success of the airlift operations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government and the support of the Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the feat was last achieved about 10 years ago. Advertisement The chairman noted that every Hajj exercise was an experimentation in which new problems encountered were tackled and reviewed to prevent future occurrences. He expressed hope that this years operation would go down in history as the most outstandingly successful Hajj ever witnessed in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Osun State Pilgrims Welfare Board (OSBWB) has appealed to pilgrims over alleged poor treatment in the Holy land of Makkah. The appeal came on the heels of protest by the pilgrims who were said to have rejected poor food served to them in Makkah. Michael Olugbode in Abuja Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted two imported consignments of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 5,344.1 kilogrammes in Lagos. The drugs, were seized along the Epe-Lekki corridor and at the Alfa beach, also in Lekki area of Lagos state. A statement yesterday, by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the first interception was based on credible intelligence, adding that NDLEA operatives laid ambush for a white truck conveying 50 jumbo bags of the illicit substance weighing 2,434.1 kilogrammes along the Epe-Lekki expressway in the early hours of last Monday. He said the truck driver however jumped out of the vehicle and escaped in a security hilux van escorting the truck, after the anti-narcotics officers successfully demobilised the truck conveying the drug exhibits. Babafemi disclosed that in the second interception around Alfa Beach in Lekki, officers of the Marine Command of the agency last Tuesday, acting on intelligence, intercepted a boat loaded with the same imported substance weighing 2,910 kilogrammes upon arrival from Ghana. Two Ghanaians: Monday Saba, 30, and Hakeem Kwana, 27, found with the consignments were promptly arrested. In Niger state, two suspects: Abubakar Mohammed, 32, and Nuhu Sale, 43, were arrested on Sunday 18th June along Abuja expressway, Suleja with 31 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 517 kilogrammes, while a 30-year-old Amina Alilu was arrested with 171 kilogrammes of the substance last Wednesday at Ogbogodo village, Dekina local government area, Kogi state, the statement added. It also revealed that a suspected fake female security agent, Ogedegbe Dorcas, 34, was also nabbed at Ajegunle Asa Dam Area of Ilorin, Kwara State, with 30 kilogrammes of cannabis last Thursday, while in Oyo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted 42-year-old Segun Olajide with 49.2 kilogrammes of same substance last Saturday in Oyo town. He revealed that operatives in Edo State stormed Ekudo forest, Uhunmwode local government area where they destroyed a cannabis farm measuring 2.5 hectares, recovered processed weeds weighing 67 kilogrammes and arrested six suspects namely: Onyeka Onyedinma; Monday Onyedi; Alex Eboh; Edosa Imariagbe; Godbless Tunde and Godstime Osarobo in the early hours of Monday 19th June. Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), while commending the officers and men of the Lagos, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Edo and Marine Commands for blocking over five tons of illicit substances from going into circulation in the country in the past week, charged them and their compatriots across other formations to remain committed to the corporate goal of ridding Nigeria of the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. A group of concerned complainants who have gone to court to stop Kano state government from demolishing their properties have accused the Ag. Chief Judge of the state, Justice Dije Aboki, of denying them access to justice. Spokesman of the group Malam Inuwa Abdullahi told journalists that the Ag.Chief Judge abandoned their case and was rather lobbying for her confirmation as the substantive Chief Judge of Kano state. According to him, the Chief Judge is intentionally delaying the issuance of a directive to assign our case to a court. She is busy lobbying for her confrontation as the Chief Judge while our cases are suffering setback. The complainants, consisting of individuals who claimed their lands were issued notice of demolition without due process, stated that they have been struggling to obtain justice for their grievances, without success due to the action of the Chief Judge. Malam Abdullahi further complained that their cases have remained unattended to because no court have been assigned to it. Malam Abdullahi said that they have been pursuing legal remedies to challenge the notice of the state government, but the Chief Judges action has dwindled their hope of getting justice. He alleged that the Acting Chief Justice has failed to provide a directive to assign their case to a court, resulting in significant delays and uncertainty. According to him, we believe that Justice Abokis lobbying efforts to secure the position of Chief Judge have compromised her impartiality and undermined the integrity of the judicial process. 247ureports.com reports that last Friday, a Federal High Court sitting in Kano presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, barred Kano government from demolishing the property of one of the complainants located at No. 41 and 43 Salanta, along BUK Road, Kano. Related Advertisement By Lateef Taiwo The Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM has sent a strong note of warning to the Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to refrain from making further comments in support of enforcement of the anti-open grazing law of the state. FUNAM in a press release signed by its National President, Alhaji Umar Amir Shehu, said governor Alias recent statement that his government would sustain the enforcement of the law was a direct violation of the agreement they had with him before the 2023 elections. The statement reads: The Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM, views with great disappointment the recent statement made by the Governor of Benue State Reverend Father Hyacinth ALia who said that he will continue with the enforcement of the obnoxious anti-open grazing law of the state. Governor ALias statement is a violation of the understanding we had with him which convinced us and other groups of pastoralists to mobilize resources for his election. In case governor Alia has forgotten, we want to remind him of the consequences of his actions. This is the same way we warned Governor Ortom against daring us but he remained stubborn until we showed him what we are capable of doing. We have never failed in making good our intentions, and we will always get what we want. The Ortom administration had too much hatred for the Fulanis and we told him that the people of the state will not enjoy peace on account of that. Father Alia came to us and promised to be different and we believed and trusted him. We agreed to support ALia because he promised that he would allow our members who Ortom chased into Nasarawa and other states to return to Benue. He started well when he condemned the activities of those bastards called livestock guards and our people began to return to Benue state after his election. We also acknowledged the governors permission for the inauguration of the security organization we introduced in the state to protect our members called Al-Tershak Global Security managed by Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku. For peace to reign in Benue state, governor Alia must accept these conditions or be prepared to refund all that we spent on his campaigns and then face our fierce anger which will not spell good for the people of that state: 1. The governor should immediately retract his statement on the continued enforcement of the anti-open grazing law. 2. Hold a meeting with our representatives in Benue state within the next 72hours to explain why he abandoned our agreement with him. 3. Show our representatives the map detailing the areas he plans to carve and reserve for our members to reside and graze their cattle without molestation (as was agreed). 4. Direct security men not to harass our people in Guma, GWer west, Kwande, Logo, Agatu, Makurdi and other areas in Benue state. 5. Make himself available for an emergency meeting in Kaduna this week for a serious discussion. 6. Apologize to our members for his reckless utterances. 7. Desist from making further statements on the implementation of the failed anti-open grazing law. 8. Permanently ban the Benue state livestock guards and have all members of the organization arrested and prosecuted for their evil acts against our members. We must not fail to commend the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo who was quick to come and demand that governor Alia should abolish the anti-grazing law. We completely align ourselves with Alhaji Bodejos call. We will not be sending this warning a second time. We expect the Benue state governor to take heed and act accordingly. Related Advertisement Several protesters, under the aegis of the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, took to streets of Kano metropolis in the early hours of Monday to agitate the demolition of structures in the state by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Most of the public structures were put in place by former Governor Umar Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Meanwhile, no partisan identity was demonstrated by the protesters, but they, in consensus, demanded a halt to the demolition by the governor. The protesters, assembling at the site of a demolished Daula Hotel, Kano, displayed placards bearing inscriptions Gov Yusuf, your action is sending away investors; Dont bring insecurity to our state, Mr Governor; Let the law take its course. From the hotel, they marched to the police headquarters. The Convener of the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, Zahraddeen Sani Baba, on behalf of the protesters, declared: If the incumbent governor has any issues with his predecessor, we urge him to summon him to answer questions, instead of punishing innocent Nigerians and destroying their investments. The NNPP government in Kano had explained that the demolition is being enforced to restore the Kano Urban Development Master plan, which includes the removal of structures constructed in public spaces. The new state government also indicated commitment to restoring order and adhering to established regulations in allocation of land and property, including construction of structures. The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, has refuted reports that he took an oath of allegiance renouncing his Nigerian citizenship at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The deputy governor, in a statement, declared: the reports have deliberately set out to mislead members of the general public and to whip up sentiments against the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, and his Deputy. Hamzat, narrating what occurred at the tribunal on immigration witness that stimulated the distorted report, urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading information, which he referred to as distorted falsehood. The rejoinder from the deputy governor reads: REJOINDER: LAGOS DEPUTY GOVERNOR, HAMZAT TAKES OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO RENOUNCE NIGERIA IMMIGRATION LAWYER Introduction/ Background Our attention has been drawn to inaccurate reports of the proceedings of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, circulating on various online platforms to the effect that Lagos Deputy Governor, Renounced Nigerian Citizenship The aforestated is not what transpired at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on 21st of June 2023. In a bid to advancing the course of the Labour Party outside of the proceedings of the Election Tribunal, the reports have deliberately set out to mislead members of the general public and to whip up sentiments against the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, and his Deputy, The Distortion Of The Proceedings At The Tribunal The truth of what transpired at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which is verifiable from the Records of the Tribunal, accessible to the public, is detailed below: On the 21st of June 2023, the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal took the evidence of one Miss Olubusayo Fasidi, a U.S immigration lawyer who admitted to practicing in the United States of America. She was subpoenaed by the Petitioner [Labour Party] to give evidence as to the status of the 3rd Respondent [Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat] as a Nigerian Citizen before the Tribunal. However, Objections were raised as regards her status as a subpoenaed Witness, given that she had no Written Statement on Oath before the Tribunal; moreover, her Written Statement on Oath, filed out of time was eventually withdrawn by the Counsel to the Petitioner. Notwithstanding the Objections, the Tribunal in her overriding wisdom allowed the Witness to proceed to give oral evidence and reserved its ruling as regards the Objections raised till the final judgement. Thus, during the Examination-in- Chief, the said subpoenaed witness tendered two documents namely, a blank Form of Application for U.S Naturalization and a blank Oath of U.S Allegiance Document, tagged Forms 8CFR/337 and N400 respectively which were admitted and marked as Exhibits. When the witness was cross examined by the 1st Respondents (INEC) Counsel- the witness was asked whether she was a Nigerian citizen, and she answered in the affirmative. With respect to the question of whether the witness is a citizen of the United States of America, she equally answered in the affirmative; having naturalized prior to that time. When Counsel further asked the witness whether she has renounced her Nigerian Citizenship, the witness responded in the affirmative. The witness confirmed she was familiar with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution however she declined responding to questions bordering on the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution regarding dual citizenship and renunciation of citizenship (as provided for in sections 28 and 29 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), on the premise that her evidence is limited to her knowledge of the Immigration law of the United States of America, without more. During cross- examination by Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd Respondents (the incumbent Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State), enquired from the witness whether she entered the country with a Nigerian visiting visa, given her claims of renouncing her Nigerian citizenship, but the witness said she did not need a Nigerian visiting visa because she still retained her Nigerian passport. The witness was asked of the nature of her relationship with one Anna Nweke, to which she responded that Anna Nweke was the person who attested to the documents (Forms 8CFR/337 and N400) that she tendered as exhibits, as to where the attestation was done, she said that the attestation was done upon her arrival in Lagos State, Nigeria. When the witness was confronted with the fact that the only two documents, she was basing her claims on, were merely downloaded blank documents, the witness stated that she had downloaded the blank documents from the official website of the US Embassy. The witness was thus unable to produce the actual documents, the specific jurisdiction of the United States and the particular date when the 3rd Respondent [Dr. Hamzat] applied for naturalization or took the purported Oath of Allegiance. She equally admitted that she had not attended the ceremony admitting Dr. Hamzat as a citizen of the United States of America. During her cross examination by Counsel to the 4th Respondent (APC), the witness admitted to the fact that the American Constitution recognizes dual citizenship with particular reference to 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States ratified on July 9, 1868. The witness was challenged further that the documents she tendered supports the process of application for naturalization which ultimately culminates in the issuance of an American passport and nothing more. The witness in reaction to additional questions confirmed that she did not need to obtain a Nigerian Visiting Visa because she entered the country with her Nigerian Passport. With respect to the question whether the witness was aware that the 3rd Respondent [Dr Hamzat] fully disclosed the details of his American Citizenship in the Form EC9 submitted to INEC, the witness answered in the affirmative. When the witness was again asked whether she had ever sighted the Oath of Allegiance of US Citizenship Form of the 3rd Respondent, the witness responded in the negative. Conclusion/Advisory Flowing from the above, there is nowhere in the verifiable record of proceedings of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal of 21st of June 2023, when the evidence of one Miss Olubusayo Fasidi, a U.S immigration lawyer, was taken to support the misleading online reports that the the incumbent Deputy Governor of Lagos State has renounced his Nigerian Citizenship. Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard the deliberate falsehood being bandied about regarding the status of the citizenship of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State. The testimony of the witness in question is under serious challenge and in its final judgment the Tribunal will decide whether her testimony is admissible, given that she did not file a witness statement on oath and the self-contradiction of still using a Nigerian passport whilst claiming to have renounced Nigerian citizenship. A Family Court at Iyaganku has ordered that Skit maker, Skit maker, Abdullahi Maruf Adisa, popularly known as Trinity Guy be remanded in Agodi correctional facility in Ibadan, Oyo State over alleged sexual exploitation of a 10-year-old girl. He is to remain in prison custody, alongside Isiaka Ahmed, 40, and his wife, Rofiat, 29, who are parents of the victim until Tuesday, July 11 when the case would come up for mention. The court arraigned and remanded the trio on Monday on two-count charges of conspiracy and sexual abuse and exploitation. The defendants plea was rejected by the Magistrate, P.O. Adetuyibi for want of jurisdiction, saying the case file had been filed and duplicated at the state Ministry of Justice, Ibadan. PRESS RELEASE: UPDATES ON THE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT VIRAL SKIT INVOLVING CREATIVE CONTENT CREATOR, ABDULLAHI MARUF ADISA M AKA TRINITY AND THE (10) TEN YEAR OLD FEMALE MINOR1/7 Oyo State Police Command (@OyoPoliceNG) June 26, 2023 Recall that the Oyo State Police Command had on Thursday last week, invited Trinity Guy in connection with a prank video that involved the 10-year-old girl. Popular content creator, Abdullahi Maruf Adisa, AKA Trinity, has been contacted and invited to the Oyo State Police Command in connection with the disturbing viral skit content making the rounds across the Social Media space concerning a female minor. Updates would be provided soon, the command said in a tweet. Trinity Guy had caught the attention of the Spokesman of the Nigerian Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who requested his arrest over a recent prank video where he scared passersby with gunshots In that particular skit, Trinity Guy feigned he was under attack from gunmen. Unaware it was a prank, passers-by were seen scampering for safety from the supposed attack. The video generated outrage on social media, with many people calling out the comedian for the extreme prank. In the prank involving the small female minor, the skit maker was seen asking a visibly scared little girl to tell him the colour of his private part. The video has been drawing massive condemnation on social media. Retweeting the video, Adejobi called for the arrest of Trinity Guy, saying he should be detained and charged in court. The force image maker had previously warned skit makers who use pranks for a living to regulate them because they endanger Nigerian lives. In the heat of developments, Trinity Guy spoke up on the demand for his arrest by Adejobi. In a new video posted on Facebook, the skit maker expressed gratitude to his followers and also appreciated Adejobi for his fatherly role in calling pranksters who go overboard with their craft to order. According to reports, this is not the first time a Nigerian skit maker has gotten into trouble over an extreme or life-threatening prank. In August 2022, Eyinatayo Iluyomade, a 19-year-old Lagos-based comedian, was arrested and charged to court for an expensive joke. In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that a fake senator, Ifechukwu Tom Makwe has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commisison (EFCC) for alleged 5.7million (Five Million, Seven Hundred Thousand euros) internet fraud. Related The photos of the three medical students who were declared missing when their boat capsized on Saturday during a cruise trip in Calabar over the weekend have surfaced on social media. Naija News previously reported that medical students under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NIMSA) came from universities across the country to attend the NiMSA annual Health Week in Calabar. In a bid to explore the city, the students were said to have headed to the Marina Resort for a boat cruise. Sadly, the boat capsized during the cruise. Ten students were rescued, and three were declared missing. However, it was gathered that locals saw the floating bodies on Monday morning and alerted Marine Police. The Cross River Police Commissioner said they recovered the bodies of two males and one female, adding that the bodies will be kept under proper care and contact made with relevant families before handover. Below are photos of the individuals below; See photos below; The bodies of the three missing Nigeria Medical Students after a boat mishap at the Marina Resort on Saturday in Calabar have been recovered. The sad incident occurred when some students went for a boat cruise being part of activities to mark the Annual Health Week program of the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NiMSA) hosted by Cross River chapter. The Cross River State Police Commissioner, Gyogon Augustine Grimah while briefing the Press at the resort yesterday said it took the effort of the locals and the Marine Police to recover the bodies after floating at the early hours of Monday. He said the bodies of two males and one female was recovered after three days of rescue effort from both the locals and the Marine Police stationed at the resort waterways. We are all aware of the sad incident that was recorded on Saturday about three days ago around 3pm, at the Marina Resort here in Calabar where a boat capsized. Three Students were missing and we have not rested since that day, it had been rescued effort day and night and this morning we are here to let you know that the three bodies have been recovered. These are the locals, they did a very marvellous job and they have just delivered the three bodies to us. When the bodies were sited, our marine police rose to the scene, with efforts from both sides, the bodies have been recovered. On keeping the waterways safe to avoid such incidents from happening again, Grimah said, I will have to excuse myself from that now because it will depend hundred percent on the policies of the new government and his Excellency (Senator Bassey Otu) is not sleeping on that. He is already taking some action, you can see, the Marina Resort was shot down and that is to tell you that this incident is taking serious. All the measures to safeguard lives and property in this area of the economy is being addressed. He assured. Meanwhile, NiMSA has accused the management of Marina Resort of negligence, poor management over the boat mishap. Speaking at the scene of the incident on Sunday, the National President of NiMSA, Ejim Egba said, This ugly, avoidable and extremely traumatizing incident causing so much anguish to the medical students community nationwide was as a result of negligence, incompetence and the lackadaisical attitude of the crew members and the management of Marina resort. Factors that contributed to this occurrence include leaky boat, poor condition and integrity of the vests, poorly maintained engines resulting in the engine going off during the trip, fuel finishing before they got back to shore, little or no supervision by management, poor regulation and monitoring. The first set of student tourists had a safe landing though some concerns were raised of which they were assured of safety and competent expertise. The second set of 13 student tourists, one driver and a decant boarded and they took off. The driver of the first set handed over to another driver while he said he was going to get fuel. Not long after take off, the engine went off, water started entering the boat in an uncontrollably rapid speed and amount. At this point, the boat started sinking and finally capsized. The state Governor, however, has ordered indefinite suspension of activities involving boat cruising at the resort until further notice. Photo: Cross River State Police Commissioner, Gyogon Augustine Grimah at the Marina Resort in Calabar after receiving the bodies of the boat mishap victims. Over 50 filling stations have been sealed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Kogi state. They were sealed by the agency for operating without NMDPRA storage and sales licenses. The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Ogbe Orits Godwin who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Lokoja on Monday, said this is in line with Federal Governments directives that marketers apply online and obtain their stations license in line with the guidelines as enshrined in the petroleum Inspectorate Act He hinted that five of the filling stations sealed were under dispensing Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) popularly called petrol to customers in Kogi State. Godwin noted that the filling stations were shut down after a surveillance exercise was carried out by NMDPRA task force teams on Monday. Some of the filling stations sealed for under dispensing fuel according to Godwin are I.A.Muye located in Nataco, Biodun and Associates filling station, Total filling station Felele, Calma global solutions along Ganaja road, NNPC mega station after commissioners quarters Ganaja road and Nipco filling station located in phase one Lokoja. The State Coordinator of NMDPRA while acknowledging the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians, said the agency has discovered some sharp practices by petroleum marketers in the state adding that, anyone caught will be immediately sanctioned. The NMDPRA boss who debunked reports making the round that they have been compromised, asked the general public to report any petroleum marketer under dispensing fuel across the 21 Local Governments of Kogi State. According to him, NMDPRA will continue to monitor the sale of premium motor spirit and to ensure that those engaging in sharp practices are brought to book. More than 50 filling stations are under seal in Kogi State. Some of the filling stations were sealed for under dispensing, he told newsmen. They are to pay a fine to the federation account for the infraction and also those without a license or operating illegally will also face the full wrath of the law. Sanitisation is a continuous process as surveillance is routinely conducted. We will not rest until NMDPRA clamps down on all oil marketers engaging in sharp practices in Kogi State. As a reputable Government agency, we wont fold our arms and allow some selfish element to sabotage the governments efforts to ameliorate the suffering of the masses he stated. Former governor of Lagos state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has denied reports making rounds over an alleged 9.9bn linking to his account. Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had last two days secured an order from Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi to freeze the sum of 9.9bn linked to Ambodes account. The money according to the commission was domiciled in the First City Monument Bank, FCMB, account number 5617984012; Access Bank account number 0060949275 and Zenith Bank account number 1011691254, respectively. However, denying the report, Habib Aruna, Ambodes aide said that none of his accounts contained N9.9bn let alone being frozen by the EFCC. His words according to Punch, Those accounts were opened in the course of normal operations by the Lagos State Government for its administrative purposes and not for the former governors personal transactions as was being wrongly insinuated and have been operated to ensure smooth operations of government activities by previous and present administrations. The former governor was not and will never be involved in any unauthorized use of government property and resources. EFCC hands over Bades forfeited property to NEDC(Opens in a new browser tab) We strongly believe that after four demanding years as Chief Executive of Lagos State, Mr. Ambode is entitled to some deserved rest with his family and loved ones without the unwarranted attacks on his well-earned reputation. The United Kingdom (UK) says Nigerians can have confidence in the outcome of the presidential election that held on Saturday. Harriett Baldwin, UKs minister of state for Africa, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the result declared was consistent with the civil society parallel vote tabulation process. I offer my congratulations to President Buhari on securing a second term as the Nigerian President, she said in the statement. The UK is a long-standing friend and partner of Nigeria and the Nigerian people, and a stable and prosperous Nigeria benefits Africa and the world. The Nigerian people have demonstrated resilience and a commitment to democracy. The result declared by the Nigerian election commission is consistent with the result obtained through the civil society Parallel Vote Tabulation process. Along with our international partners, the UK believes the Nigerian people can have confidence in the result. Atiku had rejected the result describing the election as the worst in the history of Nigeria. Following the announcement on Wednesday, he said the election witnessed an implementation of grant theft of the peoples will. Reacting, however, Baldwin urged the opposition to challenge the result in a peaceful manner. We also recognise that independent Nigerian voices have expressed concerns about the conduct of the electoral process, in particular logistics and results collation, and reports of intimidation of election officials, she said. We urge any party or individual who wishes to challenge the process to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channel and we encourage Nigerian authorities to examine all allegations of wrongdoing carefully, and take the necessary action against individuals found responsible. My thoughts are also with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in election-related violence. No one should die in the exercise of their democratic rights. We will continue to support Nigeria and its civil society in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy. AGF, Abubakar Malami As a tax-related legal battle between telecommunication firm, MTN Nigeria Communication Limited, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, gathers momentum, the telco on Tuesday transported a 9,100-page document to court in a bid to prove its N3bn claim against the AGF. Several copies of the extraordinarily bulky document were brought in a coaster bus and delivered to the registry of the Federal High Court in Lagos. MTN sued Malami last year in protest against an August 20, 2018 letter in which the AGF demanded that the telecom firm pay N242bn and $1.3bn as import duties, withholding and value added taxes. The firms lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), described the AGFs N242bn and $1.3bn demand from MTN as malicious, unreasonable and one made on an incorrect legal basis. Olanipekun said in writing the demand letter to MTN, Malami acted beyond his powers and violated the provisions of Section 36 of the constitution on fair hearing with the purported revenue assets investigation he carried out on the firms activities covering 2007 to 2017. He is, on behalf of MTN, urging the court to award N3bn against Malami as general and exemplary damages. Justice C.J. Aneke, who is hearing the case, had in May dismissed the preliminary objection filed by Malami, challenging the competence of the suit. Justice Aneke rejected the AGFs argument that the suit was not filed within three months of cause of action and was statute barred. From the endorsement on the writ, this suit was commenced on September 10, 2018 and a simple calculation shows that from August 23, 2018 when the cause of action arose to September 10, 2018, when the suit was instituted, a period of three months had not expired, as envisaged, for the suit to be statute barred, the judge held as he declined the AGFs prayer to strike out the suit. Meanwhile, the Tuesdays proceedings in the case were stalled as counsel sought an adjournment. Justice Aneke adjourned till January 30, 2020. In the suit, MTN, through Olanipekun, is urging the court to declare that the AGF acted illegally by usurping the powers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, to audit and demand remittance of withholding tax and value added tax. The firm also wants the court to declare that with the self assessment exercise, the AGF usurped the powers of the Nigerian Customs Service to demand payment of import duties on importation of goods. It wants the court to declare that the purported self assessment conducted by the AGF was unknown to law, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region. 100 years ago June 24, 1923: Papers of incorporation were filed yesterday whereby Dee and S.M. Robinson of Peoria and Guy W. Martin and C.E. Irvin of Bloomington have taken a long-term lease on the Chatterton theatre, owned by A.E. DeMange, and plan to convert it into one of the most elaborate and up-to-the-minute play houses in the middle west. 75 years ago June 24, 1948: The Illinois branch office of the farm mortgages division of the Metropolitan Life Insurance company plans to move from Peoria to the Burr building, 319 N. Center St., according to Glenn E. Rogers, second vice president of the New York insurance firm. 50 years ago June 24, 1973: Bloomington received $2.1 million of the approximate $4 million requested for urban renewal work in the central business district and Forty Acres. Although the money comes in the form of a loan, it will be repaid at the end of the fiscal year with federal grants. 25 years ago June 24, 1998: Bloomington Gold is making its return to the Twin Cities this weekend after a five-year stay in Springfield. With it, tourism officials expect an influx of 30,000 to 40,000 people for the annual show that opens this morning at its new home, the Interstate Center on the cities' west side. It was previously held at the McLean County Fairground. 101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup' Visitation and funeral services will be held in Naperville this week for 21-year-old Eva Liu, who died after being attacked and thrown down a 165-foot ravine in Germany two weeks ago. A Bloomington woman, 22-year-old Kelsey Chang, was injured in the attack and spent several days being treated in a German hospital. The two women, friends who graduated from the University of Illinois in May, were attacked while visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, a popular Bavarian tourist site. A GoFundMe.com campaign to help pay for the services and the legal costs associated with bringing Liu's murderer to justice had raised more than $130,000 of its $150,000 goal as of Monday. Due to the uncertainties associated with this international case, the cost may become a significant financial burden to the family and could be a critical factor in the proceedings of the criminal and civil lawsuits, according to the post accompanying the campaign, organized by Lius twin sister, Alice. Funds will be used to cover any legal costs, and expenses of bringing her home, funeral, and memorials. Over the weekend, Lius body was returned to Naperville, where a visitation is scheduled for Thursday and funeral for Saturday. The attack took place on June 14. German police said the women were approached on a hiking path near the Marienbrucke, a pedestrian bridge over a gorge close to the castle, by a man identified by police as Troy Bohling, 30, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, who offered to show them a hidden spot with a more scenic view. Police said the man allegedly attacked Liu and when Chang rushed to her aid, he choked her and pushed down a sleep slope. Liu is believed to have been sexually assaulted before she was pushed into the same ravine, police said. Liu died of her injuries the following day. Chang survived after getting caught by a tree branch and was released from a hospital on June 19. A judge has ordered Bohling held in jail pending a potential indictment on possible murder, attempted murder and sexual offense charges, a process police have said can take months. Both Liu and Chang graduated in 2019 from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, where Liu was a residential student leader. In her free time, Liu volunteered at Ray Chinese School in Naperville and served on various club boards in college, the fundraising post said. After interning with Microsoft in summer 2022, she planned to start a job with the company in July. According to the GoFundMe post, Liu had an infectious smile and generous nature that brightened the mood of everyone that came in contact with her. Eva was a talented student, a kind and caring friend, and a lovely daughter. She had a bright future ahead that was unfairly taken away from her. TO HELP The family of 21-year-old Eva Liu is raising money to help cover the legal expenses that they say may be necessary to bring her killer to justice. The GoFundMe site is online at bit.ly/evaliu A look at some of the most notorious serial killers in the US since 1970 1970-2005: Samuel Little February-May 1971: Juan Corona 1972-1978: John Wayne Gacy 1974-1991: Dennis Rader 1975-1998: Robert L. Yates Jr. 1976-1977: David Berkowitz 1976-1986: Joseph James DeAngelo 1977-1978: Angelo Buono Jr. and Kenneth A. Bianchi 1977-1978: Ted Bundy 1978-1992: Jeffrey Dahmer 1978-1995: Theodore Kaczynski 1979-1981: Wayne B. Williams 1983: Henry Lee Lucas 1984-1985: Richard Ramirez 1984-1985: Charles Ng and Leonard Lake 1985-2007: Lonnie David Franklin Jr. 1989-1990: Aileen Wuornos 1989-1993: Joel Rifkin 1990-1993: Heriberto Seda 1997-1999: Angel Maturino Resendiz 2002: Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad 2005-2006: Mark Goudeau 2007-2009: Anthony Sowell 2014: Darren Deon Vann The Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) has named the industrial hub of the CEMAbility Village Project after Naa Torshie, the Administrator of the District and Municipal Assembly Common Fund. The integrated community and empowerment center project was envisioned and championed by the visionary leader of the church, Rev Dr Steve Mensah The project represents a profound commitment to serve the vulnerable and transforming lives. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the CEMAbility Village on Saturday , Naa Torshie stated that she is touched by the gesture. I would want to take this opportunity to express my sincerest appreciation to the church for naming the industrial hub of the village after my good self. The Administrator of the District Assemblies Assembly Common Fund added I dont take this gesture for granted! It is my fervent hope that by the grace of God, my vision to help establish a training and vocational institute at the industrial hub for the vulnerable, consistent with my aspiration to establish same across the country, within the shortest possible time will come to fruition. She explained that over the past decade, through the CEM foundation, there have been numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting those in need, particularly people living with disabilities. Today, we witness the birth of the CEMAbility Village. We are taking a giant leap forward in fulfilling our shared vision of creating a haven of hope and empowerment for the most deserving amongst us. As we gather here today, Naa Torshie stated I stand before you not only as a speaker but also as someone who shares a deep-rooted passion for serving the vulnerable. For over 25 years, I have dedicated my life to enhancing the standard of living for people living with disabilities. Also read You remain our heroines and heroes - Mahama to farmers and fishers In my role as the Administrator of the District and Municipal Assembly Common Fund, I have witnessed the transformative power of community-driven initiatives like CEMAbility Village. It is my firm belief that this ground-breaking project will bring about lasting change, not only for the residents of this village but for our entire society. Naa Torshie indicated It is an incredible privilege to have with us today a distinguished guest who not only shares our vision but has been a steadfast advocate for the vulnerable. I am honored to welcome the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Bawumia, whose presence here today reflects his commitment to uplifting the lives of the marginalized and most often unrecognized people. His support and endorsement of this project serve as a testament to the importance of our collective mission to build a better future for us all. The Common Fund Administrator urged all hands to be on deck to see the realization of the project. Let us forge ahead, hand in hand, as we break ground on CEMAbility Village. Together, we will create a community that embraces and celebrates the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. May this groundbreaking ceremony be the catalyst for a new era of compassion, empowerment, and lasting change. Spanning an expansive 2000 acres, CEMAbility Village will become a place of profound significance, housing 9,000 homes that will provide shelter, comfort, and a sense of belonging to 69,000 families. This visionary project is not just about the physical infrastructure but rather about creating a community that fosters unity, inclusivity, and holistic development. One of the crown jewels of CEMAbility Village is the state-of-the-art specialist hospital, boasting a capacity of 100 beds. This medical facility is a testament to our unwavering commitment to compassionate care and healing. It will offer specialized services, ensuring that those in need, especially the vulnerable, have access to quality healthcare. Through this hospital, we aim to bring relief, restoration, and renewed hope to the lives of countless individuals and families. 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 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 New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Mpraeso in the Eastern Region, Davis Opoku, has warned of dire implications in a standoff bewteen Perez Chapel founder, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare and the Nogokpo Community in the Volta Region. The man of God referred to Nogokpo in terms the leaders of the community said were derogatory hence summoning him to appear before them or face unannounced consequences. But the MP holds that the issue could have national security implications hence his call for the government through National Security and the Ministry of Religious Affairs as well as the Peace Council to move in to deescalate tensions. His views were contained in a Facebook post of June 23, which read: "What are the National Security, Peace Council and the Ministry of Religious Affairs doing over this Bishop Agyin Asare vs Nogokpo clash? "It's needless and dangerous for our National Security." The most recent development in that episode is of Agyinasare, last week, calling the bluff of the community. Speaking during a sermon, Archbishop Agyinasare said he was surprised that he was the focus of the nation for weeks in spite of all the challenges in Ghana. He warned that anybody who chooses to curse a child of God does so at his own peril. The blessing of Abraham, I will make your name great so that you can be a blessing. And take the verse three, it says, and I will bless anybody who blesses you and curse anyone that curses you. Once I become a Christian, you make a mistake if you curse me. What is a curse? A curse is an invocation of spiritual forces to do you harm. So, if God says anybody who curses you, he will curse. Then anybody who pours libations and mentions your name, invoking spiritual forces against you. He further stated that any person who pours a libation against a Christian sets him/herself up for a battle with the forces of God. What that person is doing is that they are activating a spiritual law, against themselves and their families if they take a calabash filled with palm wine or a glass filled with schnapps or akpeteshi, once they pour it and call your name, they have open a spiritual portal to fight them. If the world knew who we are and what we have once we become Christians... you dont joke with a child of God, he added. Background : The 14 days ultimatum the chiefs of Nogokpo gave for Agyinasare to appear before them over his Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters of the Volta Region statement, expired on Friday, June 16, 2023. The spokesperson of Nogopko, Nufialagah Mawufemor Kobla Nornyigbey, said that the chiefs and elders of Nogokpo would be meeting to determine the next set of actions to take against the archbishop. All the options are on the table for us. I mean all the options, Nornyigbey said when asked whether the chiefs of Nogokpo are going to invoke their deity. During the Supernatural Summit held at the Perez Chapel headquarters in Accra on May 25, 2023, Archbishop Agyinasare preached about divine protection and the existence of evil forces. In his sermon, he cited several examples to support his teachings, including an incident where his team experienced spiritual attacks after hosting a crusade in the Volta Region. During this crusade in Aflao we slept at Agbozume, that was where our hotel was and you have to go through Nogokpo. And Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region. We only have not said it but the second night I made Bishop Yaw Adu talk about witchcraft and we disgraced the witches and wizards. When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogokpo, Bishop Yaw Adus four-wheel drive, the tyre came out from under the car, he recounted. Agyinasare's statement went viral, leading to criticism from sections of the public. In response, a press conference was held at the Royal Palace of the Dufia of Nogokpo, Torgbui Saba V. The chiefs demanded the presence of Archbishop Agyinasare within the given period, accusing him of making derogatory remarks against them. They said he was to appear before them to explain the comments he made. 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 Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI Africa has punched holes in a campaign message of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the July 27 by-election in Assin North. The NPP has campaigned in the roundup to the poll that the National Democratic Cingress (NDC) candidate, James Gyakye Quayson, has not been able to help develop the constituency since he was elected in 2020. They have also argued that the people must not vote for a cadidate who had a criminal case pending referring to the Quayson's criminal trial before an Accra High Court. Cudjoe pointed out in a June 24 tweet that with the NPP in power, how is the party blaming an MP for lack of development of a constituency. "Ah, my NPP friends in government say NDC's Gyakye Quayson has not been able to develop Assin North in the last 6 years so voters should ignore him. I thought the NPP goverment has been in charge these 6 years. Asem b3n nie?" his tweet read. The by-election has attracted a lot of political activity in the past few weeks. Campaigns ended on June 25 ahead of the vote. Gyakye Quayson will come up against the NPP's Charles Owusu and other aspirants. 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 Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Ghana and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat transborder organized crimes. The move climaxes a three-day Cyber Peer Exchange Programme that was organised by the EFCC in Nigeria with its West African neighbours in attendance. The aim of the exchange programme was to strengthen regional collaboration and cooperation in the fight against Cybercrime and other Serious and Organised Crime. It was also aimed at providing an opportunity for the two institutions to exchange best practices and discuss existing challenges with regard to regional cooperation mechanisms and how to effectively cooperate to tackle Cybercrime and other Serious and Organised Crime. Signing the Memorandum of understanding at the EFCC Head Quarters in Abuja, Nigeria, Chairman AbdulKarim Chukkol said that there was an earlier MOU that was signed in 2019 but was never operationalized and as a result, he will ensure that this MOU does not remain on paper but will be operationalised fully. Mr. AbdulKarim Chukkol added that if ever there is a need to collaborate at any level whether formal or informal, EFCC is always available to make the collaboration a successful one. He expressed hope that EOCO will replicate all the positive things that they have learnt during the programme to further boost all the good work EOCO is doing. I hope as you go back to your country, some of the things you see, the positives, you will go and put into use. And, if there is any need to talk to us or seek our assistance in anything, especially in terms of asset forfeiture, in terms of cybercrime investigation and prosecution; we are always ready to partner with you. We have no choice because crimes are transnational today and this engagement, I think, will be a warning that crime does not pay. Wherever you are, we are going to use our slogan which says; we will get you anywhere, anytime, he said. Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs) was grateful to the EFCC for organising the peer exchange programme. She mentioned that her team has learnt so much during the programme and believes they are ready to work with her to change the tides of the office. She assured the Acting Chair of the EFCC that EOCO will do all it can in its power to implement all the great strategies that EFCC has in place to fight crimes and to make EOCO an organisation of world repute. I can say, the EFCC will be proud of us when you hear that the EOCO has also moved from the way we do things to a better way of doing it. I am very hopeful that all your effort will not be in vain. We have to operationalize this MoU because, if we dont, it means we have wasted everybodys time, and I assure you that when we go back if there is anything we need some clarification or explanation, we will not hesitate to reach out to you. She stated. The three-day Cyber Peer Exchange Programme was sponsored by GIZ Governance for Inclusive Development Programme, Co-funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 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 St. Marys Old Girls' Association (SMOGA) marked this year's Mothers' Day celebration with its maiden edition of SMOGA Heritage at the Deans Guest House, Korle Bu on Saturday, 17th June. The celebration, which was under the theme, Celebrating Mothers While Projecting our Culture and our Heritagesaw old students from all year groups adorned in colourful and gorgeous traditional cloth, complimenting with silk scarf (Wordasobor) as dress code. The Speaker and Mother Figure on the day was SMOGAN Alice Chinebuah (nee Koranteng) ESQ. (SMOGA '82/'84). In her address to SMOGANs, 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 our school is situated), a Former Assistant Headmistress, Mrs. Beatrice Sykes, Former teachers, staff and students of the St. Marys Senior High School, Accra Academy Old Boys and SMOGAN Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission who is also an old girl. On display were lots of finger-licking Ghanaian delicacies to savour and local drinks, provided by the various year groups. These included y)) k3 gari, abolo and one mouth thousand, )t) and ampesi, apapransa, agbeli kaklo, tuo zaafi, fufu with assorted soups, etc. set up indigenously. 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. The event was generally successful, hence members charged organisers to make it an annual affair. 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 The Kumawu Traditional Council in the Ashanti region led by Barima Satfo Tweneboah Kodua has categorically denied fake news attributed to the Paramount chief that the ongoing road construction has been halted after the by-election. The fake news which has gone viral claimed that "Kumawuhene, Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua has cried out that road construction in Kumawu has been halted, And that the contractor has left the site, Government deceived us". The Traditional Council wishes to set the record straight that the renowned Paramount chief has not made such a statement anywhere. The Council has therefore urged Ghanaians, especially the residents of Kumawu to treat the claim with the necessary contempt it deserves. The Council is fully aware that the Kumawu road construction is still ongoing. The project is being done by Joshob Construction firm, which experts say is applying road bond En 1, a soil stabiliser which would result in less maintenance after construction. It would be recalled that a few days after the by-election, a similar bogus allegation by faceless propagandists went viral that the contractor has left the site which turned out to be false. Many residents have also expressed shock about wicked lies against their Chief by these faceless propagandists. They have therefore appealed to the media to always crosscheck their facts before coming out with their reportage. Meanwhile, Hon. Samuel Addai Agyekum, the District Chief Executive(DCE) for Sekyere Kumawu, when contacted about the story which has gone viral about the project, equally expresses surprise about such fake reportage and called on the media to always cross-check their facts in order not to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians. In as much as we appreciate the work of the media in our development especially the infrastructure development of Sekyere Kumawu District, we urged the media not to reach to come out with fake reportage. Our doors are always opened to engage with the media and everyone for the seek of development, he added He said Nananom and its residents are very grateful to the Nana Akufo-Addo-led administration and the Ministry of Roads for the project. Source: Tntnewspapergh.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 OmniBSIC Bank, a leading financial institution in Ghana, successfully organized its second quarterly health walk in the heart of Accra. The objective of the event was to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle among the working community and the general public. Daniel Aseidu, the Managing Director (MD) of OmniBSIC Bank, shared his insights on the theme of the event, "Better Health Starts Here." He stressed the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in today's fast-paced world. Mr. Aseidu highlighted the need to enhance health awareness among the bank's clients and the broader public. He expressed concern about the rising number of premature deaths and emphasized that educating people about health awareness is a social obligation of the bank. "We want to encourage the general public to take care of their health, and we believe that events like this are a great way to do that. We are proud of all participants, and we hope that events like this will encourage the general public to take up a healthy lifestyle,"Mr. Asiedu added. The health walk covered a distance of 11.46 kilometers, commencing from Burma Camp and passing through 37 and Cantonments. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including OmniBSIC employees, representatives from other corporate organizations, and members of the public. To ensure participants stayed hydrated, water was provided throughout the walk. The walk concluded back at Burma Camp, with an invigorating aerobics session. Thereafter, participants were treated to nutritious meals. Lydia Donkor, the Deputy Commissioner of the Ghana Police Service, and the Director General of the Police Intelligence & Professional Standard Bureau (PIPS), applauded OmniBSIC Bank's efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles among Ghanaians. She urged everyone to incorporate fitness activities into their daily routines, emphasizing that this is the key to building a prosperous nation. "The attendance has been astounding, and I must commend OmniBSIC Bank for organizing this. I would advise us all to incorporate exercise into our daily routines because, as we are all aware, 'health is wealth.' If everyone in the nation is well, we can work towards creating a wealthier nation," she said. Mr. Sammy Awuku, Director-General of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA), praised the health walk as an excellent initiative to raise awareness about the importance of health and wellness in the community. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining physical activity in today's fast-paced world but highlighted the multitude of health benefits that regular exercise can bring, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mental health, and boosting energy levels. "In todays fast-paced world, it is easy to neglect physical activity due to busy schedules and sedentary lifestyles. However, incorporating regular exercise into ones routine can have numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mental health, and boosting energy levels," he said. He also stressed that exercise does not have to be intense or time-consuming, as even light to moderate activity like walking or yoga can have significant health benefits while improving cognitive function and productivity. The event also saw the presence of other distinguished personalities, including Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Chief Executive Officer of Special Investments Company Limited and Mr. Andrew Achampong-Kyei, the Managing Director of GLICO General Insurance Company Limited. In addition to the health walk, an exhibition fair was organized, providing participants with the opportunity to showcase and sell their products while networking with potential clients. OmniBSIC Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle among its staff. They have announced plans to continue organizing health walks every quarter, along with other initiatives aimed at fostering healthy living. 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 An Accra High Court has dismissed what it described as irrelevant claims made by private legal practitioner, Tsatsu Tsikata against Attorney General (AG) Godfred Yeboah Dame, purporting to be prejudicial to the trial of deposed Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson. Mr. Tsikata, while moving a motion last Tuesday asking the court to vary its decision to conduct the trial on day-to-day basis, relied on a supplementary affidavit which sought to bring to the attention of the court alleged prejudicial statements as well as alleged insulting comments made by the AG against the accused person. He had claimed that the Attorney General in several interviews to the media had averred quite conclusively that the fate of the deposed MP was going to be like Adamu Sakande, a former Member of Parliament for Bawku Central who was jailed for two years for lying under oath about his citizenship while he was filing his papers to contest for the parliamentary seat during the 2008 general elections. He further told the court that those comments by the Attorney General suggest that the presumption of innocence is no longer a part of the constitution and in effect the accused person is already a convict Mr. Dame, however, refuted the allegations and maintained that he had not said anything that was prejudicial to the criminal trial of Mr. Quayson, and that all the purported comments were based on the ruling of the Supreme Court which directed that the accuseds name be expunged from the 2020 parliamentary register. He further argued that the application is unknown to the rules and procedure of court, totally incompetent and would encourage discrimination if granted by the court only because it was filed by a politician when same consideration may not be given to a farmer or even a teacher. Ruling The court, presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh, in a ruling dismissed Mr. Tsikatas alleged prejudicial statements made by the Attorney General as not relevant to the issue and could not constitute grounds for it to vary its order to hear the case on daily basis. Although the judge had granted leave for Mr. Quayson not to attend court for the ruling, she upheld the Attorney Generals argument that adjournments are at the discretion of the court and not the convenience of parties, indicating that its decision was clearly within the law and no case had been made to show that the order was contrary to law. The court subsequently dismissed the application and maintained its decision to hear the case on day-to-day basis starting from July 4, 2023. Attorney Generals Reaction Mr. Dame, reacting to the courts decision, said he feels vindicated by it as he was always firm in his conviction that the motion was unmeritorious and unknown to the law and ought to fail as had happened. I have always maintained that the purported statements made by me to the media have nothing to do with the criminal trial of James Gyakye Quayson. Mr. Tsikata wanted to just abuse my person in court, and indeed used some unprintable language against me, Mr. Dame said. He added that, I have never said anything related to the criminal trial of Gyakye Quayson. Indeed, it is the Supreme Court ruling that described Gyakye Quaysons matter as being on all fours with Adamu Sakande, something that Mr. Tsikata attributes to me and takes umbrage with. Trial Mr. Quayson has been charged, among others, for deceiving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by making a false statement that he did not have a dual citizenship in order to acquire a Ghanaian passport. He has been charged with five counts of deceit of public officer, forgery of passport of travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory statement, perjury and false declaration of office. Mr. Quayson, who was booted out of Parliament by the Supreme Court, could be sent to prison for up to ten years if found guilty of perjury, a second degree felony, which will eventually affect his seat in Parliament should he win the Assin North by-election scheduled for June 27, 2023. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), together with the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation, has held the third edition of the Tech Entrepreneurs Forum (TEF) to address the digitalization deficit faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The event (TEF2023), held at the Holiday Inn Hotel on June 21, 2023, forms part of the wider Tech Entrepreneurship Month proved instrumental in harnessing the synergy between academia and industry, propelling the SME sector towards further digital transformation. This comes as SMEs play an even more significant role in Ghana's economy compared to the global average, accounting for over 80 percent of employment compared to 67 per cent globally and contributing to more than 70 percent of private sector output, compared to 52 percent globally. Despite the rapid digitalization witnessed over the past few years, many SMEs in the country continue to lag behind their regional counterparts due to cost and information barriers. Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Osei Assibey Antwi, was pleased with IIPGH and the AFOS Foundation for their efforts in organizing the Forum, saying it aligns perfectly with the government's plan to be prepared for the fourth industrial revolution. He further stated that the NSS is now prioritising technology in its operations and deploying personnel to gain hands-on technology experience, with the aim of not only enhancing their employability but also creating job opportunities. "We are thrilled with the success of the Tech Entrepreneurs Forum, which has brought together academia and industry to address the digitalization deficit faced by SMEs in Ghana. This event is consistent with the government's plan to be ready for the fourth industrial revolution, and we commend IIPGH and the AFOS Foundation for their efforts in making it happen, he said. ICT is the driving force of the fourth industrial revolution and digitalization is the ladder and without these, you would be left behind, he added while also commending the University of Cape Coast and Accra Technical University for their proactiveness in digitization and education. The Executive Director of IIPGH, David Gowu, highlighted that TEF2023 remained a significant component of the month-long Tech Entrepreneurship Month, emphasizing the importance of promoting and supporting technology-driven entrepreneurship in Ghana. He explained that it provided a crucial networking platform for corporate organizations, SMEs, independent consultants, and startups to showcase their innovative products and services while affording participants the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and explore opportunities for growth and digital advancement. Mr. Gowu further expressed plans to expand the Forum, starting with the fourth edition next year, to reach an even larger audience and have a more substantial impact on the SME digitalization landscape, thus an opportunity for SMEs to tap into. "The Tech Entrepreneurs Forum is a crucial part of our Tech Entrepreneurship Month, and we are proud to promote and support technology-driven entrepreneurship in Ghana. We have plans to expand the Forum, starting with the fourth edition next year, to reach an even wider audience and have a greater impact on the SME digitalization landscape, he noted. SMEs in attendance at the Tech Entrepreneurs Forum also benefited from the consultancy project services of DigiCAP Junior Consultants (JCs), who demonstrated their expertise in data analytics and business intelligence. The JCs, carefully selected from beneficiaries of the DigiCAP project, provided valuable insights and guidance to SMEs, aiding them in their digital transformation journey. The Project Manager at AFOS Foundation, Hanna Schlingmann, conveyed her enthusiasm for continuing the partnership, citing the exceptional work done by the Junior Consultants and the positive feedback received from SMEs. She emphasized the foundation's commitment to fostering growth and development within the SME sector through strategic collaborations and innovative initiatives. She added that TEF has laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skills development, ultimately propelling the SME sector towards greater digital readiness and competitiveness in the global market. "We are encouraged to continue our partnership with IIPGH owing to the outstanding work done by the Junior Consultants and the positive feedback we have received from SMEs. The Tech Entrepreneurs Forum has provided an excellent platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, and we look forward to fostering growth and development within the SME sector." In his presentation on the practical use of data analytics and business intelligence, Alex Ntow, CTO of Enterprise IT Business Solutions (EITBS), the guest speaker, laid the groundwork for Dr. Phanuel Wunu, Lecturer, UCC, and Technical Advisor at DigiCAP, to outline the Junior Consultants program. Abdul Aziz Gomda Alhassan, Esq, also gave an elaborate presentation on understanding the legal system for businesses. The JCs selected from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Accra Technical University (ATU) of the DigiCAP program, are currently in a stage of development where the demands of their training enable them to give consultancy services for free through internships. Therefore, SMEs all throughout the nation are encouraged to take advantage of this unique offer. They are enthusiastic learners with ICT and interpersonal skills that businesses need to address problems, such good client communication. They are taught to use a creative approach to problem-solving and can create solutions that satisfy customer needs by working collaboratively and iteratively. What benefits do businesses get from hiring JCs? Receive consultation at no cost; you just pay for expenses related to the recommended solution. Your repetitive business operations can be automated by JCs, allowing you to concentrate on providing your essential business solutions. No one size fits all, get tailored solutions to match your company issues modifying goods, services, and encounters to fit certain commercial requirements. Work with a youthful, motivated team of professionals who are passionate and skilled and have a new perspective on business issues. These benefits were unveiled to SMEs in a world cafe style parallel presentation, at the just ended Tech Entrepreneurs Forum (TEF2023) discussing possible solutions to offer industry partners and participants at the event. The vast potential that can emerge from digitalization is what the Ghanaian government is depending on. Professional and entrepreneurial abilities, as well as trained staff who can assist organizations in the problems of digitization, are in high demand. This is what AFOS and its supporting partners from industry (IIPGH) and academia (UCC and ATU), are helping with through its DigiCAP project in Ghana. By creating practice-oriented certification programs and supporting initiatives in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), AFOS supports digitization in Ghana. 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 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took on his predecessor John Dramani Mahama during the New Patriotic Partys final rally ahead of the June 27 by-election in Assin North. Mahama, who had also addressed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) final rally in Gangan made comments to the effect that the courts had been politicized and that led to the ouster of NDCs James Gyakye Quayson as Member of Parliament, which ouster led to the by-election. Akufo-Addo blasted Mahama for the comments describing it as unfortunate but unsurprising for a man who ever said that Ghanaians are forgetful. The president referred to the case of NPP MP Adamu Dramani Sakande who was jailed during Mahamas presidency over a dual citizenship case, a similar incident to what Quayson is facing in an Accra High Court. John Mahama says if not for politics, what the courts have said of Mr. Quayson will not be. Essentially that the Supreme Court has been politicized. Ghanaians easily forget and that is why he said that. What happened to Adamu Dramani Sakande during his presidency, he seems to have forgotten. It is the exact same thing that has befallen Quayson. Was it politics that led to Sakandes jailing during his presidency? Why is he relating it to that now, let us be truthful, we should be truthful, people should stop lying to people in the villages, he jabbed. He drummed the advantages of choosing the NPPs Charles Opoku over Quayson stressing that the constituency needs someone from the ruling party and not a lawmaker who could potentially be in jail or who would be frequenting the courts during his tenure. Dont elect someone who will be frequenting the courts Appeal, Supreme, High Courts, that is not what you need. I came to appeal to you to elect a lawmaker who can join government to continue the work government is executing in Assin North. Ghanaians are forgetful, does such a person think well of Ghanaians? We are not a forgetful people. What happened to Sakande, it is on the same path Quayson is traveling. It is not for me to say. The NPP is not interested in intimidating or scaring him, it is the laws that are after him, it is not me scaring him, it is the laws. If the laws come after you, it is not Nana Addo, it is the law, Akufo-Addo stressed stating that he has never sought to influence the courts in his time in office. The by-election has attracted a lot of political activity in the past few weeks. Campaigns ended on June 25 ahead of the vote. 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 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo graced the final rally of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Assin North on June 25 ahead of the June 27 by-election. He drummed support for the NPP's Charles Opoku stating that he was by far a better candidate than James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Just as he finished his speech and was about to return to his seat, he turned only to find Akua Donkor, founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) behind him, spotting a cheerful look. A surprised Akufo-Addo went on to dance along with Akua Donkor, with the latter requesting and getting a photo opportunity with the president as the teeming crowd sang along. The Assin North by-elect came about after the ouster of Quayson as lawmaker via a Supreme Court ruling citing processes leading to his nomination as parliamentary candidate in 2020. He has been retained as the NDC's candidate and will come up against Charles Opoku with analysts predicting a close race that could go in favour of the NPP. 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 Young talent injects new vitality into east China village Xinhua) 08:41, June 26, 2023 Young people play frisbee in front of a youth library in Yucun Village of Anji County, Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) HANGZHOU, June 25 (Xinhua) -- When he learned that Yucun Village in Anji County, east China's Zhejiang Province, was recruiting "global partners" last July, Anji native Chen Zhe decided to return from Shanghai to his hometown. "It's pretty bold for a small village to call for talent from all over the world," said Chen, who had been working in brand marketing in Shanghai prior to his move home. Yucun is a village rich in high-quality limestone resources, and more than half of its locals relied on quarrying in the 1980s and 1990s. However, as its environment deteriorated and several people lost their lives when mining for limestone, the locals decided to make a change. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which planned to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Yucun Village was the birthplace of the idea that "clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets." Over the two years following the launch of the Green Rural Revival Program, the village shut down its limestone quarries and cement factories. It then embarked on a path of green development by boosting its eco-tourism industry, and it has become a model of China's beautiful countryside after two decades of relentless efforts. This aerial photo taken on April 13, 2023 shows Yucun Village of Anji County, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang) In 2021, Yucun was named one of the "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. "Thanks to the program, Yucun has entered a new stage of development, and its rural areas are becoming more and more attractive to young people," said Wang Yucheng, Party chief of Yucun. When Chen returned home last year, he had only planned to stay there for a day or two, but his visit stretched to three months. During that time, local authorities invited more than 60 young people, including Chen, to work together to develop new business models for the village. Chen opened a Chinese comic-themed cafe in the newly built youth library in Yucun Village in March, leading a team with an average age of below 30. The modern building, converted from a cement factory, is shaped like a key, and it relies on a renewable photovoltaic power system to offset carbon emissions. This photo taken on June 5, 2023 shows a Chinese comic-themed cafe in Yucun Village of Anji County, Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Chen cooperated with the Shanghai Animation Film Studio to install models in the cafe that were based on characters from domestic animations such as "Monkey King Sun Wukong," "Calabash Brothers" and "Black Cat Detective," which are most familiar to millennials. Surrounded by clear waters and green mountains, Chen's cafe also sells cultural and creative products based on nostalgic cartoons, such as notebooks, phone cases and key chains. "It feels like Yucun is a laboratory with many possibilities, and it can inspire the development of villages across China," Chen said. "Rural revitalization depends on people, especially young people with ideas and vitality," said He Miao, Party chief of Tianhuangping Town, which administers Yucun Village. She noted that since the village's global partners program was launched in July last year, 42 projects have been introduced there, covering research and education, cultural creativity, the digital economy, and the agriculture and forestry industries. The program has attracted over 1,100 young people from home and abroad to work and live in Yucun and the surrounding villages. Chen Zhe shares his entrepreneurial experience in rural areas during a talent exchange event in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 20, 2023. (Xinhua) "We hope to inject new impetus into rural development," Chen said. In order to support young people starting businesses in Yucun, the local government proposed the establishment of a large community of young talent. The Qinglaiji Project, which has a scale of more than 30,000 square meters, will open at the end of June as a result of the first phase of construction, bringing convenience to young entrepreneurs by providing a working environment and accommodation facilities. The community provides high-quality apartments, youth hostels, digital nomad communes and boutique homestay facilities for the young people working in Yucun, with a total of more than 4,000 beds available, according to He. Xu Song, owner of a digital nomad commune in the young talent community of Yucun, said that digital nomads -- people who work remotely and have professional skills -- are an important group for rural revitalization. His commune aims to gather young people in Yucun, bringing new blood into local development. "Even before the construction of our commune has been completed, it has already attracted more than 40 digital nomads from across the country," Xu said. "A single room in the commune costs 2,000 yuan (about 279 U.S. dollars) a month, and a bunk in a room for six people only costs 400 yuan a month," Xu said. "We just set up a community platform for more young people to stay here, providing an inexhaustible supply of talent resources for the countryside." Zhang Hang, a digital nomad who was born in the 90s, and his team opened their studio in Yucun last year, focusing on making short videos. "We came to Yucun from the city because we yearned for the waters and green mountains here," he said. "Working in such an idyllic environment, we have improved both our moods and working efficiency." "Returning to Anji to start a business, I can be closer to my family and help create jobs for people in my hometown," Chen said. "Who can refuse a job surrounded by such beautiful nature?" Chen Zhe is seen at his Chinese comic-themed cafe in Yucun Village of Anji County, Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 10, 2023. (Xinhua) Chen said that 10 percent of his cafe's revenue this year will be returned to Yucun as part of the village's collective income. Last year, Yucun received 700,000 tourists, with its tourism revenue totaling about 35 million yuan and the per capita income of locals hitting 64,000 yuan. "We believe that hope for the future lies in the youth, and we hope to work with them to build a more beautiful countryside and expand a new path of green development," said Wang, Party chief of Yucun. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer for the 2024 elections, John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday (June 24), gave much currency to the partys campaigns after his triumphant entry to Assin-Fosu. Visiting the area for the second time in 14 days, the former President had a radio rally in Assin-Fosu on Sunday under the tagline fano fem. He was accompanied by Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman, Mr. Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary, and Dr. Ato Forson, Minority Leader. Others are Mr James Gyakye Quayson, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, National Communications Officer and the campaign manager for Mr. Quayson, and Prof Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Regional Chairman. The area largely dominated by farmers, the party had strategically assigned some Members of Parliament (MP) to specific communities based on ethnic and language persuasions to better understand the predictions of the people. Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the former Minority Leader and MP for Tamale Central, had visited some communities of northern Ghana extraction in the area. Mr Sam George, the MP for Ningo-Prampram had also intensified campaigns in communities, including Ningo, Senchiam, and Bongro among others. Dr. Kwabena Duffour, former finance Minister, had been in the constituency for days campaigning in Dansame and other communities in the hinterlands. He had also visited family and victims of people who died during former President Mahamas visit. Largely, the constituency remained calm as various party supporters clad in party colours joined the campaigns. Besides taking over the 95 hotels and guest houses in the Assin South, Assin Central, Assin North and Adansi South Constituencies, food prices had risen marginally. With a vacant seat to be filled, the by-election is seen as a crucial moment that could potentially shape the future of the constituency and also tilt the balance of power in Ghanas Parliament. The by-election follows the orders of the Supreme Court to parliament to expunge James Gyaakye Quaysons name from the records of parliament, creating an opportunity for a new representative to step into the role. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says and does anything just for power, this is the sentiment of the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini. Suhuyini's comments come on the back of Dr. Bawumia's revelation of working as a mini-cab driver, a by-day worker on farms, a dormitory cleaner among others during his high school and university days. The politician believes that these are just falsehoods that Dr. Bawumia wants to use to lure the unsuspecting public to vote for him to get power and it screams desperation. "The desperation of our senior brother, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia sometimes, you know, pushes him to engage in narratives and conducts that make anyone remotely related to him squirm. You feel ashamed. You feel embarrassed but perhaps maybe for political expediency, some quickly pick themselves up. But if you take out the politics and rationally analyse some of the things he says, you can't help but sometimes feel ashamed if you are in any way related to this man. "His desperation to be president is sometimes nauseating. He is willing to do and say anything for power. Just watch him from the days that he was running mate. He has no standards and he has no barriers when it comes to what he is required to do in order to get power," Suhuyini said on a panel on Good Morning Ghana. The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, during the submission of his nomination form disclosed that he had to engage in menial jobs to pay for his fees in Senior High School and Universities of Oxford and Canada. From Sakasaka Primary School to Tamale Secondary School to Oxford University to the Bank of Ghana as Deputy Governor and then to become Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. It has been an amazing journey and I thank God for how far he has brought me. I have been a by-day worker on farms during the holidays in Secondary school, I have been a warehouse boy even after finishing University, and I have been a mini truck driver. I was only able to pay fees for one term during my studies at Oxford University and I had to survive for the rest of my studies without paying fees, thanks to my colleagues. I only settled my fees in arrears after I worked following the completion of my PhD in Canada. I have also been a cleaner of dormitories in my university days in Canada, so I can say I have not had it easy at all," Dr. Bawumia said at the NPP headquarters on June 16, 2023. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar has expressed optimism about the outcome of the Assin North by-election to be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will go head-to-head in the contest in hope that their candidates will be elected into Parliament. Contesting on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party is Charles Opoku and for the National Democratic Congress is James Gyakye Quayson who was disqualified by the Supreme Court to hold himself as Member of Parliament for the constituency. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show, Fatimatu Abubakar noted that her party is actively on the grounds working to ensure their candidate wins the by-election. The Deputy Minister seized the moment to refute some claims by the National Democratic Congress regarding the NPP. She told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that the opposition party is sending a message to the electorates that the NPP wants them to vote for their candidate in order to get the numbers to legalize same-sex marriage. "The message they are circulating around Assin North is that President Akufo-Addo's government needs the numbers in Parliament so they can pass a law to legalize same-sex marriage in Ghana" but I know "you are well enlightened and won't believe this falsehood," she told Kwami Sefa Kayi. She, however, revealed that despite the NDC's claims against the NPP, the party is receiving positive feedback from the electorates as they have promised to give their candidate a resounding victory. 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 Kumawood actor, Agya Koo, is in Assin North where he is canvassing for votes for New Patriotic Partys (NPP) Charles Opoku to win the upcoming Assin North Constituency by-election. The actor took a tour of some markets in the constituency, campaigning for the NPP parliamentary candidate. A video circulating on social media showed a lot of market women following him in a bid to interact with him. In a statement, he cautioned the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that irrespective of the propaganda they have rolled out in the Assin North Constituency, the seat will never revert to them. He has mounted a spirited defence for President Akufo-Addo over attempts by his political opponents to use the controversial lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) for political capital. He accused leading members of the NDC of engaging in propaganda against President Akufo-Addo and the NPP over claims they are seeking for more numbers in parliament to throw out the legalisation of the LGBTQ+ bill, describing the claims as baseless. Ghanaians are aware that President Akufo-Addo and NPP will never accept LGBTQ+, so NDC members are just spreading propaganda to win sympathy votes in Assin North, but they will never succeed, Agya Koo told Ambassador TV. I dont understand why members of NDC think the people of Assin North will vote for propaganda over development. They have witnessed the good work of Nana Akufo-Addo and NPP in the constituency. 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 added. 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 Communication Specialist at the Energy Ministry, Kofi Abrefa Afena says a report that Ghana will face excessive power fluctuation (Dumsor) if some debts are not paid to Independent Power Producers (IPP) will not happen. He insisted on NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie' that the country will never experience dumsor again despite a threat by the IPP to cut supplies. This will never happen. Let me put it on record that, Dumsor will never happen under this government and the leadership of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as sector Minister, he told host Kwesi Aboagye. Kofi Abrefa Afena said negotiations are underway for the debt to be cleared by the government soon. Listen to interview 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 Former National Treasurer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah has appealed to the good people of Assin North to vote against the National Democratic Congress candidate for not obeying the laws of this country. Mr. Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah Speaking on Neat FM "Touch Light" with Mark Jerry likened the case of a dual nationality against Gyakye Quayson to that of a former NPP MP for Bawku Central who was jailed for contesting a parliamentary seat despite holding Ghanaian and British citizenship. According to him, a vote for Gyakye Quayson will mean a vote for a law breaker. This will show that the NDC and their leadership are not thinking for the peace in the nationIf they want to lead the country it should be a peaceful ground. We all know in the Gyakye Quayson situation that, somebody has been there before in the person of Adamu Sakande, so why try so hard to bring him knowing very well that the end will not be good." So after the election and the ruling of the court case comes out that youve been jailwhat do you expect to happenedthen it means your intention is to create chaos in the nation meanwhile youre not the only NDC who qualify for this position in that constituency. I will plead with the NDC leadership to think about the nation first and not to be power drunk and avoid a Chaos they intended to create in the country, he said. Mr. Abankwah Yeboah believes the ruling NPP candidate, Charles Opoku, will win the by-election due to his hard work and commitment to the constituency. It unfortunate but I know the NPP will win this election because our candidate is somebody who has done a lot of work there. 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 The Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has directed all bodyguards of members of Parliament (MPs) and other state officials who will be in Assin North in the Central Region for Tuesdays by-elections to hand over their weapons. They are not to carry such rifles with them, the IGP ordered on Monday, June 26, less than 24 hours to the polls. The directive comes after a crunch meeting between leadership of the Ghana Police Service and the political parties as well as the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) on Monday. The IGP, who led the police at the meeting, issued the directive to the bodyguards immediately afterwards, asking them to submit the weapons to the armourer of the nearest police station within the Assin North Constituency. They are also alternatively to submit the weapons to the Police Election Command Centre at Assin Breku. Such weapons can only be collected after the election and upon specific directives to do so, the IGP stated in a correspondence to the bodyguards. Bodyguards are not to carry their side arms (pistol) to polling stations and collation centres, he further directed. Punitive action shall be taken against anyone who disregards this instruction or fail to comply with this directive issued by the Inspector General of Police. Source: 3news.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 arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin is seen in the press release from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, March 17, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Getty Images The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin March 17, 2023, over war crimes in Ukraine, alleging he bears "individual criminal responsibility" for abducting thousands of children from occupied parts of the country. Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, was also cited by the court on similar charges. Advertisement They mark the first arrest warrants the independent tribunal, based in The Hague, has issued since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But the development will not guarantee the imminent arrest of Putin. The ICC, as it is often called, does not have its own police force and requires other supporting countries to enforce their warrants. "The ICC is doing its part of work as a court of law. The judges issued arrest warrants. The execution depends on international cooperation," the court's president, Piotr Hofmanski, said in a statement March 17. As Russian police aren't likely to arrest their country's leader, as long as Putin remains inside Russia, he is probably safe. Since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian government, Western powers and the United Nations have collected evidence of Russian violations of international humanitarian law, such as war crimes. This includes widespread sexual violence and the forced abduction and transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. Since 1998, I have worked in securing forensic evidence of these types of crimes in Afghanistan, Guatemala and other places. To me, it is apparent that identifying and collecting evidence of international crimes like killing civilians during conflict is beyond the capabilities and resources of local police crime scene teams, criminal investigators and prosecutors. It's also likely that the full extent of war crimes committed by both Ukraine and Russia won't be credibly investigated and possibly prosecuted until after the war finally ends. It surprises me that arrest warrants would be issued for the abduction of Ukrainian children. In order to successfully prosecute this crime, investigators will need to show that not only did the alleged abductors take the children against their will, but that they also did not intend to return the children to their legal guardians. This can be more challenging to prove than other kinds of war crimes. To put these upcoming indictments into perspective, it is also useful to remember that the International Criminal Court, an independent tribunal based in The Hague often known as the ICC, tends to focus on high-level cases that go after political leaders and is not tasked to provide answers to families of all victims. " " Thousands of teddy bears on display at a protest in Brussels in February 2023 represented abducted Ukrainian children. Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Phuket-based Soi Dog Foundation whose stray animal CNVR programme (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) is the largest of its kind in the world has endorsed the recent announcement by Dr. Tares Kassanairawiwong, the Director General of the Department of Disease Control, of the intention to work together with the Department of Livestock Development and the Department of Local Administration towards making Phuket the first rabies-free province in Thailand. Several leading authorities, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), agree that the most effective way to eliminate rabies in humans is to eliminate it in dogs. Vaccinating 70% of dogs in an area will result in the elimination of rabies. It is a similar situation with reducing stray dog numbers; neutering 80% of dogs in an area will lead to a sustained reduction in numbers, as long as a maintenance programme is kept up. This is provided that vaccinated and neutered dogs are left in place to build up herd immunity and prevent new, unneutered dogs taking over a territory. Soi Dogs CNVR Director, Dr. Tuntikorn Rungpatana, says this is precisely how the foundations large-scale programme works. Data collected by Soi Dog indicates that more than 80% of stray dogs on the island province have already been neutered and vaccinated as the foundation has strived for many years to help eliminate the deadly disease. Soi Dog is willing to work with all sectors to help make Phuket the first rabies-free province in Thailand, and we are thrilled at the latest announcement, stated Dr. Tuntikorn. Since Soi Dogs inception in 2003, the nonprofit organisation has cooperated with government agencies and the wider Phuket public on dealing with the perceived issues caused by stray dogs and cats, including the setting up of mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinics in each of the islands sub-districts and the establishment of community outreach and humane education programmes whose intention it is to teach local communities and schoolchildren how to interact with stray animals. Soi Dog has for many years also carried out vaccination and regular health checks of the dogs housed at the government-operated stray dog shelter. The recent announcement is a further step in the right direction as the effort to eliminate rabies can only be successful through a wider collaboration. Soi Dog Foundation acknowledges that the problem of stray animals cannot be solved by a single agency alone, but rather requires collaboration from all sectors, said Dr. Tuntikorn. The Director General of the Department of Disease Control and relevant departments are scheduled to hold a meeting in Phuket in July to discuss further, with Dr. Tuntikorn joining as Soi Dogs representative. A visit to the Soi Dog shelter will also take place so all parties can learn more about the foundations CNVR programme. Soi Dog has worked tirelessly for twenty years to help Thailand become rabies free and, last year alone, the foundations community outreach and humane education programmes saw over 10,000 animals treated and almost 11,000 children reached respectively. The nonprofit also continues to ramp up its efforts to eliminate rabies with the recent expansion of its CNVR programme to 14 teams, covering the entire Bangkok metropolitan area and southern Thai provinces, and anticipates passing the milestone later this year of one million dogs and cats reached nationwide by the programme since 2003. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A new Arctic sea ice map compares the 30-year average with recent ten-year averages. Credit: British Antarctic Survey The Arctic's climate is warming at least four times faster than the global average, causing irrevocable changes to this vast landscape and precarious ecosystemfrom the anticipated extinction of polar bears to the appearance of killer whales in ever-greater numbers. A new study suggests the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer as soon as the 2030saround a decade earlier than previously predicted. But to properly understand the pace and force of what's to come, we should instead focus on organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. These single-celled microbes are both the watchkeepers and arch-agitators of the Arctic's demise. Scientists like me who study them have become forensic pathologists, processing crime scenes in our Arctic field sites. We don the same white anti-contamination suits, photograph each sampling site, and bag our samples for DNA analysis. In some areas, red-colored microbes even create an effect known as "blood snow." In this complex criminal investigation, however, the invisible witnesses are also responsible for the damage being done. Microbes testify to the vulnerability of their Arctic habitats to the changes that humans have caused. But they also create powerful climate feedback loops that are doing ever-more damage both to the Arctic, and the planet as a whole. Zipping headlong into icy oblivion My first visit to the Arctic was also nearly my last. As a Ph.D. student in my early 20s in 2006, I had set out with colleagues to sample microbes growing on a glacier in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbardthe planet's northernmost year-round settlement, about 760 miles from the North Pole. Our treacherous commute took us high above the glacier, traversing an icy scree slope to approach its flank before crossing a river at the ice's margin. It was a route we had navigated recentlyyet this day I mis-stepped. Time slowed as I slid towards the stream swollen with ice melt, my axe bouncing uselessly off the glassy ice. I was zipping headlong into icy oblivion. In that near-death calm, two things bothered me. The water would carry me deep into the glacier, so it would be decades before my remains were returned to my family. And the ear-worm of that field season meant I would die to the theme tune to Indiana Jones. Thankfully, the scree slowed my slideI lived and learned, quickly, that dead scientists don't get to write up their papers. And I'm still learning about the tiny organisms that populate every habitat there: from seawater in the Arctic Ocean to ice crystals buried deep in the Greenland ice sheet. These micro-managers of all manner of planetary processes are acutely sensitive to the temperatures of their habitats. The slightest change above freezing can transform an Arctic landscape from a frozen waste devoid of liquid water to one where microbes get busy reproducing in nutrient-rich water, transforming themselves in ways that further amplify the effects of climate warming. The Svalbard region is now warming seven times faster than the global average. While much of the world continues its efforts to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, in the Arctic, that battle was lost long ago. Decades ahead of us all It's 2011, and Nozomu Takeuchi is visiting Svalbard from Japan. It has been a difficult year back home, following the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear incident, but Nozomua glacier ecologist and professor at Chiba Universityis unrelenting in his quest to measure the effects of climate change. Just hours after he stepped off a plane in the August midnight sun at Longyearbyen airport, we are marching up the nearest glacier. Above us, snow-capped mountain sides loom out of the swirling mist. Since the 1990s, Nozomu has been collecting samples and measurements from glaciers all over the world. When we reach our goal near the snowline, he opens his rucksack to reveal a bento box full of sampling kitstainless steel scoops, test tubes, sample bags, all arranged for efficiency. As he scurries around with practiced efficiency, I think of offering help but fear I would only slow him down. In truth, Nozomu is decades ahead of us all. Years ago, he made the link between the future of life and the death of ice, and these melting Svalbard glaciers are adding yet more points to his graphs. Just as we apply oodles of factor 50 to protect ourselves from the sun, so the billions of microbes sandwiched between the sky and surface of the glacier protect themselves by accumulating sunscreen-like pigments. And if enough of these pigments rest in one place under the sun, this area of "biological darkening" absorbs the heat of the sun much more effectively than reflective white snow and iceso it melts faster. Nozomu scoops up some of the so-called blood snow, heavily laden with algae. Under the microscope, their cells are indeed reminiscent of red blood cells. But rather than hemoglobin, these cells are laden with carotenoidspigments also found in vegetables that protect the algae from overheating. Other patches of the glacier are verdant green, rich in algae that are busy photosynthesizing light into chemical energy in this 24-hour daylight world. Further down the glacier, the professor crushes some "dirty" ice into a bag. A different kind of algae lives here that, depending on your point-of-view, is either black, brown or purple (perhaps it depends on the tint of your sunglasses). The pigment created is like the compounds that color tea, and the algae keep it in layers like parasols above the photosynthetic factories within their cellsensuring they have just enough sunlight to photosynthesize, but not enough to burn. Joseph Cooks film on the microbes that inhabit the Greenland ice sheet. Open Google Earth and as you zoom in on the Arctic, you may spot the large dark stripe that scars the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet. This is the "dark zone," but it's not caused by dark dust or soot. It's alive, laden with algaeand it has been darkening, and growing, as Greenland warms. Between 2000 and 2014, the dark zone's area grew by 14%. At 279,075 km in 2012, it was already more than twice the size of England than bare ice. Next morning, I am woken by the smell of chemicals, having slept beneath a coffee table. Nozomu is busy processing his samples: bags of melting ice pinned to a clothesline by bulldog clips. They resemble bunting around the crowded room, but this is no time for celebration. The tint of each bag adds a measurement which quantifies the link between these algae, their pigments, and the death of their icy home. The case becomes urgent By the summer of 2014, glaciologists all over the world have started to listen to the warnings of pioneering ecologists such as Nozomu. The glaciers are dying even as life blossoms on their darkening surfaces. The case has become urgent. I am in a helicopter, flying with colleagues to a camp in the dark zone on the Greenland ice sheetthe largest mass of glacial ice in the northern hemisphere. Covering 1.7 million km, its ice holds the equivalent of the water required to raise global sea levels by 7.7 meters. As we warm our climate, the rate of water flowing from this reservoir increases, with each degree Celsius added to global temperatures opening the drainage valve even wider. Feedback processes such as biological darkening have the potential to multiply the number of drainage valves that are open, hastening dramatically the rate at which sea levels rise. To monitor this effect, every day Karen Cameron, the leader of our camp this summer, walks to undisturbed patches of ice carrying a 100,000 backpack which contains a spectrometer to measure the darkness of the ice, capturing how it absorbs the solar energy that causes melting. The glaciologists are desperate for ground truth, and their models need data. Up to this point, none of their predictions of how the Greenland ice sheet would respond to our warming climate have included biological darkening. Even if the effect were modest, it could still topple the ice sheet from a predictable, straightline response to climate warming. All the time we are in Greenland, the only lifeforms we encounter are the flies that hatch from the fresh fruit and peppers in our food rations. These and the few types of glacier algae and several hundred kinds of bacteria that are biologically darkening the ice: a living scum scarring the surface of the ice sheet. My work focuses on how these tiny organisms adapt to their icy habitat, but the implications of their behavior are now of global concern. A filmmaker at the camp is weaving a thread between the ice melt in Greenland and its consequences for people living in coastal communities all over the worldfrom villages near my home on the west coast of Wales, to huge metropolises like Manhattan, Amsterdam and Mumbai, and even entire low-lying island nations in the Pacific. As smaller glaciers fade, and the larger ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica start to respond with full force to our warming climate, it is these communities, capitals and countries that will bear the brunt of the flooding, inundation and erosion that comes with rising sea levels. Before heading home, our helicopter takes us on a detour, high over the ice sheet. We fly over the brown-black-purple algae to brighter, higher elevations where the palette shrinks to the blue and white of water and ice, then snow and sky. Greenland makes its own weather and, in these higher elevations, we expect the ice to be frozen all year round. When we land and begin to collect snow samples and a small ice core, however, we find we are digging into slush. The ice has started to melt up here, too. We heave up our ice corer, and meltwater dribbles out from its bottom. In periods of extreme warming, much of the surface of the ice sheet can experience melting episodes, disturbing the slumbering microbes stored within the otherwise permanently frozen surface. It's a sobering moment for us all. Flying back to camp, I watch the streams become rivers and lakes as we head back over the dark zone, where melt and microbes dominate the icescape. I contemplate how much water, once locked in the ice, will become free to flow into the sea and into millions of homes by the end of the century. Popping a pingo The frozen lands of eight nations encircle the Arctic. Their soils store vast quantities of carbon: a third of the planet's entire quantity of soil carbon resides in this frozen ground. The carbon is a legacy of soils formed in past climates and preserved for millennia. However, human-induced climate change is reheating this leftover carbon, providing a luxuriant food source for microbes resident within the tundra, which then emit it as greenhouse gases. This is known as the permafrost carbon feedback loop. When even modest quantities of this vast carbon store reach the atmosphere, warming acceleratesresulting in faster thawing of the tundra and the release of yet more greenhouse gases. A highly darkened surface of the Greenland ice sheet, rich in algae and incised with rivers of meltwater. Credit: Arwyn Edwards, Author provided Furthermore, not all greenhouse gases are equal in their impact. While carbon dioxide is relatively abundant and stable for centuries in the atmosphere, methane is less abundant and shorter-lived, but remarkably powerful as a greenhouse gasnearly 30 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide, for the same volume. For more than three decades, Andy Hodson has worked at the frontier where microbes, carbon and the Arctic landscape meet. In 2018, we join him on a brisk spring day in Svalbard. It's -26C but the snowmobile commute is thankfully briefthen we work quickly against the cold. Hodson's plan is to "pop" one of the many pingos that populate the floor of this wide open valley. Think of pingos as the acne of the Arctic: they form as permafrost compresses unfrozen wet sediments, erupting as small hills blistering the skin of the tundra. The story of these microbes' lives is complicated. They only live beyond the reach of oxygenwhere oxygen is more prevalent, methane-consuming microbes thrive instead, quenching the belches of methane from below. Similarly, should mineral sources of iron or sulfide be nearby, then microbes that use them outcompete the methanogens. It all adds up to one of the greatest uncertainties for our civilization: the extent and composition of greenhouse gases escaping from Arctic lands. Estimates of the economic impacts from this permafrost carbon feedback tally in the tens of trillions of dollars to the global economy. We know it is bad news, but exactly how bad depends on the microbes in their microscopic mosaic. Hodson's field work shows that, during the Arctic winter, this pingo is probably the only source of methane in the immediate area, its chimney enabling the gas to escape from the depths of the ice before methane-consuming microbes can catch it. Annually, tens of kilograms of methane and more than a ton of carbon dioxide will escape from this pingo aloneone of more than 10,000 scattered across the Arctic, in addition to its other methane-producing hotspots. A near-perfect ecosystem Arctic lands are a patchwork of permafrost carbon feedbacks, and our future depends on the uncertain fate of the microbes within. While the ice melt enhances the growth of microbes in the short term, if it continues to the point of erasing habitats then the microbes will be lost with them. We recognize this danger for polar bears and walruses, but not the invisible biodiversity of the Arctic. Small does not mean insignificant though. To appreciate this, we can head back to the dark zone on Greenland's ice sheet and join Joseph Cook during our summer 2014 field season. He's lying on a mat improvised from a bath towel and a binbag wrapped in duct tape, peering into a dark, pothole-like depression in the ice. It's a cryoconite hole, and millions of them are dotted over the edges of the ice sheet. Where pingos contribute to climate warming by emitting methane, cryoconite is a good sink of greenhouse gases, but this creates its own problems. The earliest estimate of its ability to store carbon dioxide from the air on the ice surface of the world's glaciers exceeded Finland's total carbon emissions in the same year. Every cryoconite hole is a near-perfect ecosystemwith a singular flaw. Its inhabitants must melt ice to live. But the very act of melting the ice hastens the demise of their glacier habitat. Despite being found in some of the harshest locations on Earth, cryoconite is home for thousands of different types of bacteria (including the all-important photosynthetic cyanobacteria), fungi, and protozoa. Even tardigrades thrive in cryoconite. Cook is professionally besotted with the perfection of this near-frozen "microscopic rainforest." Its inhabitants are shielded and nourished at just the right depth and in the right shape for a busy ecosystem to be engineered by the interaction of sunlight with cyanobacteria, dust and ice to the benefit of all its inhabitants. The cyanobacteria use sunshine to capture carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into the slimy cement that builds each granule of cryoconite However, with vast numbers of cryoconite holes dotted across the ice surface, "swarms" of these holes help shape and darken the ice surface. This in turn influences the melting rate, as the surface is sculpted under the sun of 24-hour daylight. Writing in the journal Nature in 1883, Swedish polar explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskjold, who discovered cryoconite, thanked the organisms within cryoconite for melting away the ancient ice that once covered Norway and Sweden: "In spite of their insignificance, [they] play a very important part in nature's economy, from the fact that their dark color far more readily absorbs the sun's heat than the bluish-white ice, and thereby they contribute to the destruction of the ice sheet, and prevent its extension. Undoubtedly we have, in no small degree, to thank these organisms for the melting away of the layer of ice which once covered the Scandinavian peninsula." Taking DNA analysis to strange new places We return to Greenland in winter 2018 to explore cryoconite's singular flaw. Cook and I are joined by Melanie Hay, then a Ph.D. student in Arctic bioinformatics. Hay and I are taking DNA analysis to strange new places to learn more about the evolution and biology of cryoconite. Powerful advances in genomics are changing our view of the microbial world, but large DNA-sequencing instruments fare best in sophisticated labs. Microscope image of a cryoconite granule, showing biological darkening and cyanobacteria growing through it. Credit: Arwyn Edwards, Author provided Instead, we are using a stapler-sized nanopore sequencer hooked up to the USB port of a winterized laptop. Outside the tent, it is -20Cbut the DNA sequencer must run at body temperature. The only sustainable source of warmth is body heat, so I have snuggled up with the sequencer in my sleeping bag every night and in my clothes all day. That evening, we are caught in a storm of hurricane force. Becoming disorientated while moving between tents would be lethal, so we crawl in a human chain through the whiteout to our sleeping tents. Hay reaches her tent but Cook's is lost, so we squeeze into my one-person tent. Somehow I sleep soundly, while Cook is exposed to the full force of the night's terror. In the morning, we excavate Hay, whose snow-laden tent had collapsed in the night. The sequencing is complete, but storm damage to our generator means the camp is losing power, so she must work quickly. She identifies the cyanobacteria building the cryoconiteit's a short list dominated by one species: Phormidesmis priestleyi. This species, found in cryoconite throughout the Arctic, seems to be the ecosystem engineer of cryoconitea microscopic beaver building a dam of dust. But the flaw is the darkness of the near-perfect cryoconite ecosystems it creates. Like the neighboring glacier algae we met earlier, Phormidesmis priestleyi is biologically darkening Arctic ice, and eventually hastening the demise of the thousands of different types of organism contained in cryoconite holes. And so, this work shows us ever more clearly that the loss of the planet's glaciers is as much a component of the global biodiversity crisis as it is a headline impact of climate change. Last line of defense against antibiotic resistance The loss of the Arctic's microbial biodiversity matters in other ways too. Hay and Aliyah Debbonaire are both reformed biomedical scientists seeking cures from the Arctic in the form of new antibiotics. In the summer of 2018, we are in Svalbard looking for clues. The world is running out of effective antibiotics, and the Arctic's frontiers may be our last line of defense in this antibiotic resistance crisis. Countless species of microbes have evolved to live within its harsh habitats using all the tricks in the book, including making antibiotics as chemical weapons to kill off competitors. This means they may be sources of new antibiotics. And this is not their only application. From cheeses to eco-friendly biological washing powders, entire shopping aisles of products have been derived from cold-adapted microbes. As climate warming threatens to disrupt entire Arctic habitats, our opportunity to use, learn from, and protect this biodiversity may be lost forever. As our tiny plane returns to the nearest town, Longyearbyen, we fly low over the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which contains the fruits of more than 12,000 years of agriculture in the form of seeds from a million different varieties of crop. Nearby, a similar facility inside a disused coal mine stores essential computer programs on microfilmthe ultimate backup for our data-addicted world. Within a snowy kilometer, you can walk between the the alpha and omega of human innovation in civilization. Both facilities have chosen the fastest-warming town on the planet as the safest place to store these treasures of humanity. Yet no such facility is dedicated to the microbial biodiversity of the Arctic, despite its critical importance to the future of the world's biotech and medical sectors. Instead, it falls to microbiologists such as Debbonaire, racing against time to identify, nurture and screen the microbes of the melting Arctic. Her painstaking work accumulates towers of Petri dishes, each a temporary refuge for a different Arctic microbe. Eventually, they will be stored in ultra-freezers in laboratories scattered across the world. Such work is unglamorous to funders, so it is done piecemeal on the edges of other projects. Yet it represents our only attempt to save the microbes of the Arctic. The battle is lost Most of all, the Arctic matters because it is the fastest-warming part of the planet, and its microbes are responding first. What happens there carries implications for everyone. It is the harbinger of change for everywhere. Another Arctic microbiologist could strike plangent notes regarding permafrost or sea ice, but as an ecologist of glaciers I am drawn to glacial ice. Over the first fifth of this century, Earth's glaciers have discharged some ten quadrillion (ten to the power 25) tablespoons of melt a yearand within each tablespoon, the tens of thousands of bacteria and viruses that were once stored within that ice. What's to come is sadly predictable. Even the most modest warming scenario of 1.5C above the pre-industrial era will lead to the extinction of at least half the Earth's 200,000 glaciers by the end of the century. Depending on the urgency and effectiveness of our actions as a civilization, this century could also represent the "peak melt" in our history. Yet the battle to save many of these precious icy habitats is already lost. Instead, for scientists like me, our field work is now largely a question of documenting these "crime scenes"so at least the knowledge of life within ice can be preserved, before it melts away forever. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01531 Juan Luis Delgado, Ikerbasque researcher at POLYMAT and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford (U.K.), has published an article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society that explains the functioning of perovskite solar cells with top-level efficiency and improved stability. Perovskite solar cells could be the alternative to those of crystalline silicon currently on the market as they have advantages over conventional silicon panels, such as higher efficiency (efficiencies above 25%) and lower cost. Perovskite cells are manufactured by "solution processing," which is cheaper and less polluting than silicon purification. Their main drawback when it comes to commercialization is their stability, and it is in this area that scientific research, such as that which has been published in JACS, is currently focused. A team of Oxford University researchers led by Henry Snaith (University of Oxford, UK) and Juan Luis Delgado (Ikerbasque, POLYMAT and UPV/EHU, Spain) have joined forces to provide insights into the use of state-of-the-art additives to obtain highly efficient and stable solar cells. In 20192022 several research groups described the incorporation of a small amount of additive (methylenediammonium dichloride) to achieve the highest efficiency certified so far for perovskite solar cells (25.7% PCE). In this work, the role of the additive during perovskite crystal growth has been studied and it has been found that this additive decomposes over time to more stable chemical forms conferring improved perovskite stability (>1 year exposed to air). These results are extremely important and will have direct implications for the future development of stable, high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaic devices. More information: Elisabeth A. Duijnstee et al, Understanding the Degradation of Methylenediammonium and Its Role in Phase-Stabilizing Formamidinium Lead Triiodide, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c01531 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society 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: Carbon dioxide levels from the energy sector reached record levels last year, according to the Energy Institute. Global energy sector carbon dioxide emissions hit a record peak last year counter to Paris commitments, a key study warned Monday, and highlighted the "worst ever" impacts of climate change. UK-based global industry body the Energy Institute laid out the main findings of its Statistical Review of World Energy, conducted with consultancies Kearney and KPMG. "Carbon dioxide emissions from energy use, industrial processes, flaring and methane... continued to rise to a new high growing 0.8 percent in 2022," read the study. The annual review was historically published by energy major BP but it has been handed to the institute. Primary energy consumption grew about one percent last year from 2021, or almost three percent when compared with its pre-COVID level in 2019, the review found. Fossil fuels remain dominant at 82 percent of consumption, despite a strong showing from renewables. Meanwhile, wind and solar power together hit a record 12 percent of total electricity generation, helped by the biggest ever increase in capacity for both. Demand for fuel for transportation continued to rebound from pre-pandemic levels, although China held "significantly" below due to the ongoing impact of its prior 'Zero COVID' restrictions. Energy Institute President Juliet Davenport warned the sector was heading in the "opposite direction" to the goals of the Paris deal. "2022 saw some of the worst ever impacts of climate changethe devastating floods affecting millions in Pakistan, the record heat events across Europe and North Americayet we have to look hard for positive news on the energy transition in this new data," Davenport said. "Despite further strong growth in wind and solar in the power sector, overall global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions increased again. "We are still heading in the opposite direction to that required by the Paris Agreement." Under the 2015 Paris accord, nations pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century with the aim of limiting the increase in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees of pre-industrial levels. Richard Forrest, chair of Energy Transition Institute at Kearney, added that soaring greenhouse gas emissions reinforced "the need for urgent action to get the world on track to meet the Paris targets." He noted 2022 was a "turbulent year" that saw energy security top the agenda due to key producer Russia's invasion of Ukraineand rebounding post-pandemic demand. 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: As part of the study, researchers are also studying the tensile strength and stretching properties of sargassum seaweed. Credit: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami With the waves inside the 49-foot-long Air-Sea Interaction Saltwater Tank (ASIST) looking like small ripples rushing to a shoreline, University of Miami doctoral student Katie Simi stood on a small step ladder and dropped a clump of sargassum seaweed into the current. Just a few steps away, Maria Josefina Olascoaga, a professor of ocean sciences, recorded all the action with a high-definition camcorder, jotting down the speed of the brown macroalgae after it traversed the length of the tank. The whole process would be repeated more than a dozen times inside the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science's SUSTAIN Laboratory. While the experiment did not have the stunning visual effect of the simulated Category 5 hurricane conditions that are sometimes created in the tank's bigger brotherthe 75-foot-long Surge-Structure-Atmosphere Interaction wind-wave tankit was of profound importance. Using ASIST and other techniques, Olascoaga and team members from the Nonlinear Dynamics Laboratory are studying how the combined action of ocean currents, winds, and waves affects the transport of sargassum seaweed. Every year since 2011, the free-floating seaweed has inundated Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Florida coastlines during the hot summer months, emitting toxic fumes and wreaking havoc on coastal ecosystems as it decays. "Understanding and learning more about its movement in order to predict where it will end up is challenging," Olascoaga said. "Wave heights, current velocities, and wave energy all come into play. And that's where ASIST is helping us." During three days of simulations, Olascoaga and her team placed several samples of sargassum into the ASIST tank, adjusting wave and wind velocities to determine the parameters for a mathematical model for the motion of sargassum rafts, flexible stems kept afloat by bladders filled with gas. "The dynamical systems model envisions sargassum rafts as networks of floating particles of finite size connected by elastic springs," said Francisco Javier Beron-Vera, a physical oceanographer and research associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, who is coprincipal investigator with Olascoaga on her three-year study on the transport of sargassum seaweed. The results of their experiments are being analyzed. But they are just one component of the project. Specially modified drifters deployed within thick matts of sargassum and an analysis of the biomechanical properties of the seaweed will complement what has been learned from data gleaned from the tank experiments. Cedric Guigand, a senior research associate in the Department of Ocean Sciences, will lead a team of scientists up to 30 miles off the coast of Miami into the Gulf Stream to deploy 24 drifters equipped with GPS trackers into thick patches of sargassum, obtaining figures that will help validate the experiments conducted in ASIST. Guigand has attached strings from mops to the bottom of each drifter to ensure they stay entangled in the sargassum. "They look like Medusas," he said. Now, it's just a waiting game. Olascoaga and Beron-Vera are monitoring satellite ocean images, hoping to locate large matts of seaweed that can accommodate Guigand's drifters. Meanwhile, Nathan Putman and Taylor Beyea, scientists at LGLEcological Research Associates, which is participating in the study, are studying the tensile strength and stretching properties of sargassum seaweed, hoping to learn more about the forces that break it apart. Gage Bonner, a postdoctoral associate and member of the Nonlinear Dynamics Laboratory, is working out statistical problems related to forecasting the arrival of sargassum at coastlines. "It's something where we would be able to say, 'Okay, there's so much sargassum in this area. What times do we think it might start to arrive at various places?' It's a different aspect of the project that complements the other areas," Gage said. Gustavo Jorge Goni, a physical oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, who is also collaborating on the project, said the study will help shed light on other areas of marine transport such as the accumulation of debris pollution and search-and-rescue operations at sea. Olascoaga's study comes after satellite images recently revealed massive patches of sargassum, known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, headed this way. In some respects, the study is akin to storm forecasting, Olascoaga pointed out. "Of course, sargassum has its benefits. It's a vital habitat that provides food and refuge for fish, birds, crabs, and many other marine organisms," she said. "But still, we need to know how it is affected by ocean conditions to make any kind of predictions as to where it's going. And that's were our research comes in." 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: Landfast ice breaks out. Credit: Justin Chambers/AAD, Author provided There's more to Antarctic ice than meets the eye. Sea ice is not a uniform crust overlying the salty Southern Ocean. Our new research is the first to review the many crucial roles of "landfast" sea ice around Antarctica. Landfast ice is frozen seawater that is fastened to the coast. It acts like a belt around the Antarctic coast, regulating the flow of ice shelves and glaciers into the sea. And it's crucial habitat for Weddell seals and emperor penguins. Satellites can easily estimate the horizontal extent of sea ice, but determining the type of ice is far more difficult. Our deeper analysis of satellite images reveals landfast sea ice extent declined to a record low of just 123,200 square km in March 2022. That's well below the normal March range of 168,600295,200 square km. Much of the ice lost in 2022 had been present since 2000, when high-quality records began. If this trend persists, the consequences for the climate and for Southern Ocean ecosystems could be catastrophic. Getting a grip on landfast ice Antarctic sea ice drives the circulation of the world's oceans. The "overturning" circulation begins in Antarctica when very salty, dense brine (created as the ice forms) sinks to the bottom of the ocean. This "bottom water" spreads away from Antarctica to reach the northern hemisphere. Distribution of anomalies in Antarctic fast-ice extent in early-mid March 2022. Red shading indicates negative anomalies, with a value of -1.0 indicating a lack of fast ice in 2022, in a region that has had early-mid March fast-ice cover every year from 2000 to 2021. Inset (b) is a time series of early-mid March fast-ice extent from 2000 to 2022. Credit: Reviews of Geophysics, CC BY-NC This crucial circulation is projected to slow due to glacial melt, because the input of more buoyant fresh water dilutes the denser brine. This raises the specter of a further slowing or worse, total shut down of deep ocean currents as in the disaster movie, "The Day After Tomorrow." We know concentrated regions of sea ice formation tend to occur next to landfast ice, so the changes we are seeing are likely to further reduce this deep ocean circulation. Global climate models are not particularly skillful at reproducing the recent history of Antarctic sea ice, giving limited confidence in our ability to predict its future. There are many reasons for this, but one of the main ones is an overly simplistic representation of the sea ice. Landfast sea ice is not represented in any global climate model. These models treat all sea ice as if it's able to drift, whereas in reality up to 15% of ice should be held still by being anchored to land or grounded icebergs. This is a big problem because, as our study reveals, if we don't properly simulate it, we are likely to get all kinds of inaccurate flow-on effects, including an incorrect amount of sea ice (and hence dense water) produced by our models. Wildlife depends on landfast ice Landfast ice supports a unique community of algae, krill, small crustaceans called copepods, mollusks and fish. They are adapted to live within and below the ice where conditions are harsh. Icebreaker Aurora Australis in landfast ice. Credit: Jan Lieser These species form a complex food web around ice algae, using the ice as a nursery ground. Life within landfast ice requires wide-ranging survival strategies. Drastic changes could mean cascading effects on the entire food web. Seals and penguins rely on this environment for resting, hunting and breeding. Emperor penguins have a unique approach to raising a family that requires stable ice, which only landfast ice can provide. Reduced ice extent, increased fragmentation and earlier breakup can lead to population declines of this iconic species. Deeper knowledge is crucial for climate forecasts Only a few areas of Antarctic landfast ice are regularly sampled. These areas are found near Antarctic research stations and are generally separated by thousands of kilometers of coast. Additionally, scientists can often only safely collect sea ice cores from smooth ice thick enough to support people. So sampling is skewed to favor the unbroken creme brulee-type crust over the shattered meringue of rough landfast ice. To better understand rough landfast ice and a slew of other poorly understood ice types, we need repeat ice core measurements along with more detailed satellite studies. We also need the capability to model each ice type accurately. Our research has ensured landfast ice is earmarked for inclusion in the next iteration of our national climate model, which aims to better simulate the interactions between sea ice of all types and the Southern Ocean. Without this ability, we are missing a key ingredient in the recipe of Australia's climate future. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: On the moon, the landscape covered in what is called regolitha mixture of dust, larger particles, and fragments. Credit: NASA From 1967 to 1972, the American space agency NASA conducted a series of space missions to the moon. Nearly 400 kilograms of soil samples were transported back to Earth. NGIThe Norwegian Geotechnical Institute is now using CT-scans of 10,000 lunar particles from the Apollo expeditions to study how lunar soils will behave when humans start engineering structures for the lunar surface. In the near future, NASA's Artemis missions plan to send humans to the moon again for the first time in 50 years. This time, astronauts will potentially work and live on the moon for extended periods. But how to build a habitable base on the moon? What forces can the ground on the moon withstand? And with the conditions that are on the moon, how do materials, like a grain of lunar soil, behave? "Selenotechnics, a parallel to geotechnics here on Earth, is the study of how lunar soils, also called regolith, behave. Understanding the fundamental behavior of the lunar soils like their strength and grain shape is critical for obtaining realistic and correct knowledge about the ground conditions on the moon. At NGI, we are now creating an updated knowledge base on the fundamental properties of lunar soils," says Dylan Mikesell, a senior geophysicist and principal investigator. The updated knowledge base that NGI is now developing on the lunar material properties will be important in the preparation for future space missions and for actors who will build infrastructure or deliver equipmentsuch as a robotic rover. Moon dust and extreme temperatures When Neil Armstrong took humanity's first steps on the moon on July 21, 1969, he knew very little about what would greet him and the others on the Apollo 11 mission. As he stepped out of the spacecraft, he found a landscape covered in what is called regolith. This lunar soil, which is a mixture of dust, larger particles, and fragments, can be up to 10 meters thick. On the moon, there is no atmosphere, and very low gravity compared to Earth. And what little water is present, is contained in the form of icefrozen between these soil particles. Without wind and water in motion, nothing grinds down the sharp edges of geological materials, as on Earth. On the moon, therefore, a grain of lunar soil can be razor sharp and can be dangerous to equipment such as space suits. Add to this the fact that the temperature differences on the moon are extreme and can range from minus 130 to over 120 Celsius. Solar radiation can be over 200 times higher than on the Earth's surface, and particles in the atmosphere rain down over the landscape because the moon, unlike Earth, does not have a protective magnetic field. Another example that illustrates how the ground on the moon differs from the Earth is how the static electricity on the moon helps to hold two grains of soil together. Here on Earth, water has the dominant role in particle cohesion. That difference affects the strength of the clump of soil. Mimicking conditions on the moon "After all, we can't travel to the moon to work as lunar geotechnical engineers. At NGI, however, we have advanced testing methods for ground conditions on Earth. We use these as a starting point when analyzing the ground conditions on the moon," says Luke Griffiths, a senior researcher at NGI. 10,000 particles from the Apollo expeditions have been CT scanned and the data sent to NGI. Here, the lunar particles are extracted from the CT scans and are used to build a catalog of 3D grains. Computer simulation models can then be calibrated with NGI's lab tests for Earth. But how to recreate the special conditions on the moonsuch as reduced gravityso that material properties can be determined and tested? "By pushing the instruments as low as possible in our laboratory, we are able to mimic the conditions that are on the moon five meters underground. However, we are unable to push the instruments so low that we can mimic the moon's surface. Then the instruments come to a halt. This knowledge gap must therefore be modeled using computer simulation. It is the only way until we start conducting experiments on the moon," says Alex X. Jerves, a postdoctoral researcher at NGI. The distance from Earth to the moon is 384,400 kilometers. If humans are to live and work on the moon for extended periods, it will not be possible to transport all vital resources, such as water and energy, from the Earth to the moon. Knowledge about the resources found on the moon, and how these can best be utilized, is therefore importantso-called In Situ Resource Utilization, or ISRU. For example, how will the sun be utilized as an energy source on the moon? What knowledge do we have about the landscape of the moon and the metals and minerals contained in the regolith, mountains, and rock? Where do we need more knowledge to make use of the moon's resources? And to what extent can Norwegian expertise contribute to solving these challenges? "In its strategy towards 2030, the European Space Agency calls for European knowledge communities and industry to take a leading role in developing important ISRU technology. On behalf of the Norwegian Space Agency, NGI has mapped the expertise within ISRU that Norwegian actors can contribute to and further developboth in research and development, and commercially," says Sean Salazar, senior researcher at NGI. The study concluded that Norway has extensive experience in collecting, processing, and storing natural resources from the energy and mining industries, combined with specialized contributions in several technological areasfrom exploration sensors to energy reactor developments to satellite launches. "Norway is in an excellent position to contribute to future developments in how to maximize the moon's resources," says Salazar. Provided by NGI Norwegian Geotechnical Institute 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 tayra (Eira barbara), a generalist species, in Ecuadors Yasuni National Park. Credit: Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network By 2030, if the "30 by 30" initiative supported by more than 100 countries is successful, 30% of our land and ocean ecosystems will be designated protected areas meant to safeguard biodiversity and help limit the impacts of climate change. However, a study by Rice University ecologist Lydia Beaudrot and collaborators reports for the first time that tropical mammals living inside protected areas are not spared the effects of human activity even when it occurs outside of the protected boundaries. Based on the largest long-term camera-trap wildlife survey of its kind to date, the research sheds light on how anthropogenic stressors such as human population density and habitat fragmentation impact 159 mammal species in 16 protected areas across three biogeographic regions. The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, could inform biodiversity policymaking decisions by "30 by 30" participants. Comprised of millions of images collected over multiple years from over 1,000 camera-trap sites, the data set was assembled by a large-scale network of research stations that agreed to implement a consistent data-collection protocol as part of a partnership between Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Smithsonian Institution. "This data set is just phenomenalit was a herculean effort unlike anything attempted before," said Beaudrot, an assistant professor of biosciences. The study found that specialist specieswhich occupy specific habitats onlythrive when habitat fragmentation is low and are generally more susceptible to the negative impacts of human activities like hunting and land use than generalist species, which are able to live in more diverse habitats. Thus, a white-bellied pangolin living in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda should shuffle closer to its center, since specialists are likely to fare better the farther inward they are from the edge of a protected area. "Habitats are more varied at the edge of the protected area," said Asuncion Semper-Pascual, a postdoctoral researcher at the Norwegian University for Life Sciences and the lead author on the study. "There is usually this difference between forest cover and open landscape, such as an area used for agriculture, etc. Some generalist species thrive in this kind of diverse setting because it provides access to different resources." Generalist species, such as the tayraa dog-sized omnivore in the weasel family that is at home both under forest cover and in grasslands or cropland, only thrive near the edge of protected areas if human population density there is low. Understanding species-specific responses to different anthropogenic stressors can help set conservation priorities and guide protected-area managementlocally by focusing on the most vulnerable species in a region and globally by highlighting how landscape-scale factors impact biodiversity beyond the protected perimeter. We have to think about the situation holistically," Beaudrot said. "Conservation is going to work best when it's tackled in specific contexts and in concert with the people who live there so as to create win-win situations for both the people and the wildlife." "As more protected areas are created, we need to think carefully about the factors both within and outside protected areas that influence biodiversity," Semper-Pascual said. More information: Asuncion Semper-Pascual et al, Occurrence dynamics of mammals in protected tropical forests respond to human presence and activities, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02060-6 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: View of the hominin tibia and magnified area that shows cut marks. Scale = 4 cm. Credit: Jennifer Clark. Researchers from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History have identified the oldest decisive evidence of humans' close evolutionary relatives butchering and likely eating one another. In a new study published June 26, in Scientific Reports, National Museum of Natural History paleoanthropologist Briana Pobiner and her co-authors describe nine cut marks on a 1.45 million-year-old left shin bone from a relative of Homo sapiens found in northern Kenya. Analysis of 3D models of the fossil's surface revealed that the cut marks were dead ringers for the damage inflicted by stone tools. This is the oldest instance of this behavior known with a high degree of confidence and specificity. "The information we have tells us that hominins were likely eating other hominins at least 1.45 million years ago," Pobiner said. "There are numerous other examples of species from the human evolutionary tree consuming each other for nutrition, but this fossil suggests that our species' relatives were eating each other to survive further into the past than we recognized." Pobiner first encountered the fossilized tibia, or shin bone, in the collections of the National Museums of Kenya's Nairobi National Museum while looking for clues about which prehistoric predators might have been hunting and eating humans' ancient relatives. With a handheld magnifying lens, Pobiner pored over the tibia looking for bite marks from extinct beasts when she instead noticed what immediately looked to her like evidence of butchery. Nine marks identified as cut marks (mark numbers 14 and 711) and two identified as tooth marks (mark numbers 5 and 6) based on comparison with 898 known bone surface modifications. Scale = 1 cm. Credit: Jennifer Clark. To figure out if what she was seeing on the surface of this fossil were indeed cut marks, Pobiner sent molds of the cutsmade with the same material dentists use to create impressions of teethto co-author Michael Pante of Colorado State University. She provided Pante with no details about what he was being sent, simply asking him to analyze the marks on the molds and tell her what made them. Pante created 3D scans of the molds and compared the shape of the marks to a database of 898 individual tooth, butchery and trample marks created through controlled experiments. The analysis positively identified nine of the 11 marks as clear matches for the type of damage inflicted by stone tools. The other two marks were likely bite marks from a big cat, with a lion being the closest match. According to Pobiner, the bite marks could have come from one of the three different types of saber-tooth cats prowling the landscape at the time the owner of this shin bone was alive. By themselves, the cut marks do not prove that the human relative who inflicted them also made a meal out of the leg, but Pobiner said this seems to be the most likely scenario. She explained that the cut marks are located where a calf muscle would have attached to the bonea good place to cut if the goal is to remove a chunk of flesh. The cut marks are also all oriented the same way, such that a hand wielding a stone tool could have made them all in succession without changing grip or adjusting the angle of attack. "These cut marks look very similar to what I've seen on animal fossils that were being processed for consumption," Pobiner said. "It seems most likely that the meat from this leg was eaten and that it was eaten for nutrition as opposed to for a ritual." 3D model of marks 7 and 8 identified as cut marks. Credit: Michael Pante. While this case may appear to be cannibalism to a casual observer, Pobiner said there is not enough evidence to make that determination because cannibalism requires that the eater and the eaten hail from the same species. The fossil shin bone was initially identified as Australopithecus boisei and then in 1990 as Homo erectus, but today, experts agree that there is not enough information to assign the specimen to a particular species of hominin. The use of stone tools also does not narrow down which species might have been doing the cutting. Recent research from Rick Potts, the National Museum of Natural History's Peter Buck Chair of Human Origins, further called into question the once-common assumption that only one genus, Homo, made and used stone tools. So, this fossil could be a trace of prehistoric cannibalism, but it is also possible this was a case of one species chowing down on its evolutionary cousin. None of the stone-tool cut marks overlap with the two bite marks, which makes it hard to infer anything about the order of events that took place. For instance, a big cat may have scavenged the remains after hominins removed most of the meat from the leg bone. It is equally possible that a big cat killed an unlucky hominin and then was chased off or scurried away before opportunistic hominins took over the kill. Close-up photos of three fossil animal specimens from the same area and time horizon as the fossil hominin tibia studied by the research team. These fossils show similar cut marks to those found on the hominin tibia studied. The photos show (a) an antelope mandible, (b) an antelope radius (lower front leg bone) and (c) a large mammal scapula (shoulder blade). Credit: Briana Pobiner. One other fossila skull first found in South Africa in 1976has previously sparked debate about the earliest known case of human relatives butchering each other. Estimates for the age of this skull range from 1.5 to 2.6 million years old. Apart from its uncertain age, two studies that have examined the fossil (the first published in 2000 and the latter in 2018) disagree about the origin of marks just below the skull's right cheek bone. One contends the marks resulted from stone tools wielded by hominin relatives and the other asserts that they were formed through contact with sharp-edged stone blocks found lying against the skull. Further, even if ancient hominins produced the marks, it is not clear whether they were butchering each other for food, given the lack of large muscle groups on the skull. To resolve the issue of whether the fossil tibia she and her colleagues studied is indeed the oldest cut-marked hominin fossil, Pobiner said she would love to reexamine the skull from South Africa, which is claimed to have cut marks using the same techniques observed in the present study. She also said this new shocking finding is proof of the value of museum collections. "You can make some pretty amazing discoveries by going back into museum collections and taking a second look at fossils," Pobiner said. "Not everyone sees everything the first time around. It takes a community of scientists coming in with different questions and techniques to keep expanding our knowledge of the world." More information: Early Pleistocene cut marked hominin fossil from Koobi Fora, Kenya, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35702-7 Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Smithsonian This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The British Empire was not created through military might alone, historian Robert Travers points out in a new book; subsuming existing bureaucracy was another way the East India Company consolidated power in India starting in the 1770s. In "Empires of Complaints: Mughal Law and the Making of British India, 1765-1793," Travers, professor of history in the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, shows how British conquerors colonized and adapted systems of territorial governance created by the Mughal empirethe preceding power in parts of Indiaincluding Persian-language forms of bureaucratic record-keeping and Mughal practices of adjudicating local disputes. "The book emphasizes the durability of Mughal, Persianate ideas of imperial justice in early colonial India, revealing how Indian subjects invoked the memory of Mughal justice in making claims on British rulers," Travers said. Travers researched "Empires of Complaints" as a Faculty Fellow with Cornell's Society for the Humanities. The Law and Society Association awarded the book honorable mention for the James Willard Hurst Book Prize. "This very ambitious work demanded Travers move beyond the British-centric frame to go deep into Mughal archives," noted the award citation. "In doing so, he identified more push-back against British colonizing law than had been understood." Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences spoke with Travers about the book. How did the British Empire use judicial incursions to take power in India? My book focuses on judicial mechanisms of state-formation, showing how British conquerors used their military power to expropriate Mughal venues for adjudicating local disputes. By receiving Persian petitions from tax-paying subjects and issuing decrees in relation to disputes over hereditary land rights, the British used judicial processes to establish their own authority as arbiter of local claims, drawing selectively on earlier Mughal precedents. In this way, the British gradually established a new colonial system of land and tax law by adapting and transforming Mughal protocols for doing justice to petitioning subjects. What individual English and Persian documents did you draw from for this study, and what larger story do they tell? Though many tax and judicial records were kept in Persian, a major language of administration in Mughal India, relatively few of these documents survive compared with the voluminous English-language records of the East India Company. I was able to read a few Persian petitions, as well as several Persian treatises in which Indian officials tried to explain Mughal practices of governance to British rulers. These helped me to see how many of the Company's English-language records were actually translations from Persian originals, and how Indian litigants used Persian official documents to justify for their claims. There seems to have been a disagreement between the British and the South Asians over the very nature of law. How did conceptions of law from the two different cultures clash? The question of the changing nature of law in early colonial India is very complex and much debated among historians. My book suggests how Mughal tax administration had created a system of hereditary legal entitlements over land rights, and an extensive legal public of petitioners and agents accustomed to appealing to imperial authorities to reinforce local claims. In creating a new system of colonial law, the British made selective translations from Mughal administrative norms, as well as from "religious" forms of Muslim and Hindu law. But they also introduced important changes, including new codes of written law. It may be that the British desire for codified written laws clashed with earlier systems marked by locally variable forms of unwritten custom. The British also used new written regulations to reinforce the salability of hereditary land rights. Encouraging wealthy Indian merchants to buy up land rights of defaulting taxpayers, the British deployed forced sales of local fiscal entitlements to enforce higher taxes. This seems to have clashed with earlier Mughal understandings of the need to protect vulnerable peasants from excessive tax demands. How did administrative practice become racialized in this setting? British attempts to adapt Indian forms of law contributed to racialized practices of colonial governance. Company officials were constantly suspicious of Indian petitioners and their agents, who often made allegations of corrupt practices against British officials. Even as the British adapted Mughal legal forms to their own uses, they also drew on established European stereotypes about Islamic "despotism" to accuse Indian officials and petitioners of pervasive venality. British officials used this racialized language to justify their own supreme authority as the most trustworthy arbiters of Indian law, even as they continued to rely in practice on Indian experts and Persianate forms of law. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The submersible Titan that had garnered much of the world's attention for the past week experienced a "catastrophic implosion," according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The tragic result, authorities said, is that the five occupants on board are presumed to have died during the implosion. How does such an implosion happen, and what kind of impact would it have had Titan's crew? Northeastern Global News reached out to Arun Bansil, university distinguished professor of physics at Northeastern, to provide a basic overview of the physics involvedand the violent consequences associated with it. The brief conversation has been edited for clarity. What does it mean for a submarine to have "imploded?" What causes a water submersible to implode? How is it different from an explosion? Quite simply, an implosion is the opposite of an explosion. In an explosion, the force acts outwards, but in an implosion the force acts inwards. When a submersible is deep in the ocean it experiences the force on its surface due to water pressure. When this force becomes larger than the force hull can withstand, the vessel implodes violently. Officials overseeing the search for the submarine said the discovery of debris from the water craft is consistent with a catastrophic implosion. What would such an event have meant for the five occupants? Implosions like explosions are very violent. As the hull breaks apart under the huge external pressure, a large amount of energy is released, and the five occupants would have died instantly. The occupants would not have experienced pain or realized what hit them. Can you briefly explain, if you can, the engineering behind how submarines are able to navigate such crushing depths in the first placeand why Titan was presumably unable to? The key is the design of the hull that protects the vessel against the large external water pressure that is trying to crush the hull. Much of the existing technology is based on steel, titanium and aluminum. The performance of these materials under extreme stress is well understood. However, the Titan's hull had an experimental design. It used mostly carbon fibers, which have the advantage of being lighter than titanium or steel, so Titan could have more space for passengers. Properties of carbon fibers for deep sea applications are, however, not that well understood. It can crack and break suddenly. Also, Titan had previously gone for deep sea dives a few times, which would have contributed to the fatigue of the hull to make the hull more prone to catastrophic failure. 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: Artistic depiction of the Sarabosaurus. Credit: Andrey Atuchin/University of North Florida University of North Florida faculty member Dr. Barry Albright is part of a research team led by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) who have unlocked new evolutionary information following the discovery of a 94-million-year-old mosasaur in the gray shale badlands of the National Park Service Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah. Mosasaurs are fully marine-adapted reptiles that swam the seas while dinosaurs ruled the land. The ground-breaking find has been published in Cretaceous Research. The journey began nearly 11 years ago as Scott Richardson, a trained volunteer working under Dr. Albright, searched for fossilized remains of creatures that once swam in a vast seaway that covered most of the middle of North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, between 84 and 95 million years ago. In March 2012, Richardson found numerous small skull fragments and vertebrae of what proved to be an early mosasaur scattered across a broad shale slope. "During the time the Tropic Shale was being deposited, about 94 million years ago, mosasaurs were still very small, primitive, and in the early evolutionary stages of becoming fully marine adapted. For these reasons, their fossils are extremely rare and difficult to find," said Dr. Albright. A joint team from the BLM and National Park Service recovered nearly 50% of the specimen over the course of the next two field seasons, enough to determine its exact identity. Dr. Alan Titus, BLM Paria River District paleontologist, led a crew of BLM staff and volunteers on the research. The team included volunteer Steve Dahl who was later honored in the species name, Sarabosaurus dahli, or "Dahl's reptile of the mirage." The name alludes to both the ancient seaway in which this animal swam that has long since vanished and the mirages that accompany the region's extreme summer heat. "Mosasaurs from younger rocks are relatively abundant, but mosasaurs are extremely rare in rocks older than about 90 million years," said Dr. Titus. "Finding one that preserves so much informative data, especially one of this age, is truly a significant discovery." The oldest mosasaurs are small, about 3 feet long, but they evolved into gigantic lizard-like marine predators that dominated the oceans during the latter part of the dinosaur age. Their land-dwelling ancestors were similar to the modern Komodo Dragon, but through time their aquatic cousins evolved streamlined bodies, paddle-like fins, and tails that propelled them through the water. Early forms were more lizard-like in appearance and retained relatively primitive tails and limbs, but Sarabosaurus possessed one important difference, a new way to circulate blood into its brain. "Sarabosaurus sheds light on long-standing questions regarding the relationship of some early branching mosasaurid species, but also provides new insights into the evolution and antiquity of a novel cranial blood supply seen in a particular group of mosasaurs," said Dr. Michael J. Polcyn of the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, and Southern Methodist University, Dallas. More information: Michael J. Polcyn et al, A new lower Turonian mosasaurid from the Western Interior Seaway and the antiquity of the unique basicranial circulation pattern in Plioplatecarpinae, Cretaceous Research (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105621 Journal information: Cretaceous Research This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This photo shows the central working region of the device. In the lower section, the three large rectangles (light blue) represent the two quantum bits, or qubits, at right and left and the resonator in the center. In the upper, magnified section, driving microwaves through the antenna (large dark-blue rectangle at bottom) induces a magnetic field in the SQUID loop (smaller white square at center, whose sides are about 20 micrometers long). The magnetic field activates the toggle switch. The microwaves' frequency and magnitude determine the switch's position and strength of connection among the qubits and resonator. Credit: R. Simmonds / NIST What good is a powerful computer if you can't read its output? Or readily reprogram it to do different jobs? People who design quantum computers face these challenges, and a new device may make them easier to solve. The device, introduced by a team of scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), includes two superconducting quantum bits, or qubits, which are a quantum computer's analog to the logic bits in a classical computer's processing chip. The heart of this new strategy relies on a "toggle switch" device that connects the qubits to a circuit called a "readout resonator" that can read the output of the qubits' calculations. This toggle switch can be flipped into different states to adjust the strength of the connections between the qubits and the readout resonator. When toggled off, all three elements are isolated from each other. When the switch is toggled on to connect the two qubits, they can interact and perform calculations. Once the calculations are complete, the toggle switch can connect either of the qubits and the readout resonator to retrieve the results. Having a programmable toggle switch goes a long way toward reducing noise, a common problem in quantum computer circuits that makes it difficult for qubits to make calculations and show their results clearly. "The goal is to keep the qubits happy so that they can calculate without distractions, while still being able to read them out when we want to," said Ray Simmonds, a NIST physicist and one of the paper's authors. "This device architecture helps protect the qubits and promises to improve our ability to make the high-fidelity measurements required to build quantum information processors out of qubits." The team, which also includes scientists from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the University of Colorado Boulder and Raytheon BBN Technologies, describes its results in a paper published June 26 in Nature Physics. Quantum computers, which are still at a nascent stage of development, would harness the bizarre properties of quantum mechanics to do jobs that even our most powerful classical computers find intractable, such as aiding in the development of new drugs by performing sophisticated simulations of chemical interactions. However, quantum computer designers still confront many problems. One of these is that quantum circuits are kicked around by external or even internal noise, which arises from defects in the materials used to make the computers. This noise is essentially random behavior that can create errors in qubit calculations. Present-day qubits are inherently noisy by themselves, but that's not the only problem. Many quantum computer designs have what is called a static architecture, where each qubit in the processor is physically connected to its neighbors and to its readout resonator. The fabricated wiring that connects qubits together and to their readout can expose them to even more noise. Such static architectures have another disadvantage: They cannot be reprogrammed easily. A static architecture's qubits could do a few related jobs, but for the computer to perform a wider range of tasks, it would need to swap in a different processor design with a different qubit organization or layout. (Imagine changing the chip in your laptop every time you needed to use a different piece of software, and then consider that the chip needs to be kept a smidgen above absolute zero, and you get why this might prove inconvenient.) The team's programmable toggle switch sidesteps both of these problems. First, it prevents circuit noise from creeping into the system through the readout resonator and prevents the qubits from having a conversation with each other when they are supposed to be quiet. "This cuts down on a key source of noise in a quantum computer," Simmonds said. Second, the opening and closing of the switches between elements are controlled with a train of microwave pulses sent from a distance, rather than through a static architecture's physical connections. Integrating more of these toggle switches could be the basis of a more easily programmable quantum computer. The microwave pulses can also set the order and sequence of logic operations, meaning a chip built with many of the team's toggle switches could be instructed to perform any number of tasks. "This makes the chip programmable," Simmonds said. "Rather than having a completely fixed architecture on the chip, you can make changes via software." One last benefit is that the toggle switch can also turn on the measurement of both qubits at the same time. This ability to ask both qubits to reveal themselves as a couple is important for tracking down quantum computational errors. The qubits in this demonstration, as well as the toggle switch and the readout circuit, were all made of superconducting components that conduct electricity without resistance and must be operated at very cold temperatures. The toggle switch itself is made from a superconducting quantum interference device, or "SQUID," which is very sensitive to magnetic fields passing through its loop. Driving a microwave current through a nearby antenna loop can induce interactions between the qubits and the readout resonator when needed. At this point, the team has only worked with two qubits and a single readout resonator, but Simmonds said they are preparing a design with three qubits and a readout resonator, and they have plans to add more qubits and resonators as well. Further research could offer insights into how to string many of these devices together, potentially offering a way to construct a powerful quantum computer with enough qubits to solve the kinds of problems that, for now, are insurmountable. More information: T. Noh et al, Strong parametric dispersive shifts in a statically decoupled two-qubit cavity QED system, Nature Physics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-023-02107-2 Journal information: Nature Physics 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 Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) Credit: Sarita Jnawali of NTNC Central Zoo The United States, CC BY 2.0 Illegal wildlife trafficking risks triggering future global pandemics and loss of biodiversity and needs to be tackled, finds new research into the ways in global supply chains are being hijacked by criminals, from the University of Sussex. In a newly published paper in the Journal of Supply Chain Management, researchers from the University of Sussex' Business School found that traffickers often exploit legitimate supply routes to secretly and illegally move endangered species like pangolins and protected wildlife products like African elephant ivory in order to sell them. The study, which focused on wildlife trafficking in maritime supply chains, identified weaknesses that make supply chains vulnerable to exploitation. The researchers found that the capacity of large container ships combined with poorly guarded ports, understaffed authorities, and corruption all increase the likelihood of illegal wildlife going undetected. According to a 2019 report by the World Bank, it is estimated that illegal wildlife trafficking in items such as Pangolin meat, which is prized as a delicacy in parts of China and Vietnam, accounts for up to 23 billion U.S. dollars in global trade. Martin C. Schleper, Professor of Supply Chain Management and Sustainability in the University of Sussex Business School, said, "Despite different theories about the origin of COVID-19, previous research has shown that emerging infectious diseases are largely of zoonotic origin, and more than 70% of these emanate from wildlife. The close and uncontrolled contact between people and wildlife in illegal trafficking creates opportunities for zoonotic diseases to transmit from animals to humans. Unless illegal trafficking is comprehensively tackled, we are increasing the odds of future pandemics. "There has been insufficient global acknowledgement of situations in which supply chains are an integral part of wider societal problems. "We need swift action from those involved in supply chains and from governments around the world to tackle wildlife traffickers and their hijacking of supply chains. This could include a global ban on wildlife products, stricter enforcement of laws and regulations, and the development of technology to detect illegal activity." The paper found that there is an economic disincentive for suppliers, buyers, customers, monitoring agencies and carriers to tackle the problem. Instead, for supply chain members, maintaining the status quo and continuity of the chains reduces the risk of disruption for them. It finds that enforcement agencies do not have the capacity to check and companies have no fear of repercussions if any illegal wildlife is detected in their supply chains, resulting in a lack of willingness to engage with the problem, which can facilitate the flow of illegal products. The researchers say much more needs to be done to tackle the threat and to clamp down on traffickers. The paper makes various recommendations that could be introduced without destabilizing legitimate global supply chains. These include: explicitly excluding the transport of wildlife and products; the enforcement of legislation, such as the removal of legal loopholes to protect certain species; and ineffective enforcement. The researchers also recommend technological ways to aid detection of illegal products, such as adding "bio footprints" or DNA databases to scanning schemes or using big data analytics and data mining to help identify smuggling attempts. The researchers also claim that the public need to be better informed about the impact and the risks associated with illegal wildlife trafficking through social marketing and behavioral change campaigns, which could in turn help to address and decrease criminals' profitability from these illegal activities. More information: Sina Duensing et al, Wildlife trafficking as a societal supply chain risk: Removing the parasite without damaging the host?, Journal of Supply Chain Management (2023). DOI: 10.1111/jscm.12297 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 It's been a year since the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's 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 percentage39%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, it's my belief that the U.S. will continue to see more restrictionsnot fewerand 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 womenand those who assist themcan potentially face criminal charges for obtaining abortions in another state. Two states with the largest populations in total numbers of African AmericansTexas and Floridahave abortion bans. The states with the largest percentages of African Americans37% in Mississippi, 31% in both Georgia and Louisiana, and 26% in Alabamahave 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 traveleven more so than beforeto 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 women's 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 majority68%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 women's reproductive health challenges. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER ON THE SHEARS-MOSES COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO INCIDENTS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND INTOLERANCE OCCURING IN GENDEMA, FREETOWN AND KENEMA The Shears-Moses Commission of Inquiry into incidence of political violence and intolerance occurring in Gendema, Freetown and Kenema was established by His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President, by Constitutional Instrument No. 8 of 2009. The Commission consisted of Emmanuel Ekundayo Constant Shears-Moses Esq. as Chairman and Brigadier (Rtd) Mustapha Kahuta Dumbuya, Mr. William Jessie Siafa and Mr. Harun Alrashid Bah as Secretary. The Commissions terms of reference were: to review and determine the circumstances as well as establish the facts relating to incidents of political violence and intolerance that occurred during the month of March, 2009 in Gendema(Pujehun District), Freetown(Western Area) and Kenema (Kenema District); the roles and responsibilities of political parties, law enforcement agencies or other persons or groups in relation to the incidents of political violence and intolerance referred to in (i) above; to make necessary findings or conclusions that shall provide a full understanding of the circumstances that resulted in the incidents referred to in (a) above; and to recommend measures to be taken and mechanisms to be put in place to effectively prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future. The commission after its investigations observed that the root cause of the unrest and violence in the areas investigated has been the spate of political intolerance which if not nipped in the bud can have the tendency to recur. As a consequence of the observation made in paragraph (4), the Government accepts the following recommendations of the Commission:- that to eradicate political intolerance there must be- effective education in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions; workshops and seminars to be conducted for the security forces, consisting of the Army, Police, Prisons and Fire Force to enable them perform their functions fully, effectively and most importantly, impartially; that Parliamentarians, both from the majority and minority sides, should through concerted and peaceful means pursue their political objectives and be role models for their constituencies. They should also display respect for all shades of opinions and organize campaigns in their constituencies with strict adherence to electoral codes of conduct; that traditional rulers who constitute the nearest arm of government to the vast majority of people and have the ability to put them under restraint should be accorded due respect and be divorced from any form of political influence whilst encouraging them to guide their subjects to be peaceful and law abiding; that in view of paragraph (c) partnership between the traditional rulers and the Political Parties Registration Commission should be encouraged; that civil society groups which have influence over a sizable percentage of the populace be encouraged to lead in the efforts at eradication of political intolerance and violence. They are also to be encouraged to work with local communities and authorities to prevent the making of malicious statements; that Government recognizes that both the print and electronic media are vital if political intolerance and violence are to be eradicated, since they have the ability to reach all corners of the country. Government will therefore encourage them to give the necessary information in the public interest without being biased or partisan; that the media must be objective in their reports and comments and avoid inflammatory comments or statements which may have the tendency to inflame passions and promote political intolerance and hatred; that the Independent Media Commission should have improved monitoring machinery of the media and ensure strict observance of the code of conduct. The Government further accepts the following other recommendations of the Commission:- that the Political Parties Registration Act be amended to empower the Political Parties Registration Commission to penalize parties involved in political violence and other related political offences. This amendment should also empower the Commission to require every political party to organize seminars or workshops on the eradication of political violence in every constituency failing which a party should not be allowed to field candidates in any constituency where such requirement has not been fulfilled. that Government re-affirms its absolute abhorrence of violence, political or otherwise, and restates its implacable opposition to the use of the youths of Sierra Leone in that venture. Progress has been made in that regard, through the implementation of the National Youth Policy by the Youth Commission. Government further accepts that there is the need to get the youths to be more gainfully engaged. Government notes the recommendation that steps be taken against persons allegedly responsible for acts of violence in Freetown and Gendema to be relieved of their responsibilities and banned from holding public office for a period of at least five years. Government however regrets its inability to legally effect that recommendation as the banning of citizens from holding public office (other than by law) recommended by the Commission is not provided for in the laws of Sierra Leone accordingly; In the case of the Mayor of Freetown, Herbert George Williams, he was duly elected by popular vote for a term of four years. This mandate cannot therefore be overturned by the government through administrative action; Government notes the findings and recommendations of the Commission relating to the erstwhile Resident Minister, South, Musa Tarawallie, and assures the public that appropriate action will be taken in due course in that regard. Government further notes the recommendation of the Commission in respect of Mr. Mohamed Turay (alias Yete Yete) and Idrissa Kamara (alias -Leatherboot) and considering their respective ranks in the police force, will refer the matter to the Police Council in respect of the former and to the Inspector-General of Police in the case of the latter. Government is of the view that the violence under reference was perpetrated not only by members or sympathizers of political parties but also ordinary persons who may not have belonged to any political party. To combat or forestall this, Government is actively considering the enactment of the Political Violence Act which will provide for punishment and the banning of convicted individuals from holding public office for a number of years. Government accepts the recommendation of the Commission that members of the security forces who betray public trust to protect citizens and are found to have acted unprofessionally should be disciplined to serve as a deterrent to others. Government also wishes to state that in addition to the Police Council created by the Constitution, which is empowered to discipline serving police officers, it is in the process of creating an Independent Police Complaints Committee that will be staffed by persons and organizations of integrity and good standing. The proposed body will add an extra layer of disciplinary processes of serving police officers and will enhance public confidence in the Police. Regarding the recommendation for the restructuring of the Police, Government wishes to state that a restructuring exercise of the police was carried out a few years ago, and that the current challenges confronting the police are being addressed by the Police Council. Government intends to set up a Victims Board to alleviate the pain and suffering of victims of serious offences such as attempted murder, sexual assault, etc. It is therefore, in the light of this, not appropriate to establish a board only for the single offence of political assault. Government reiterates its firm and total commitment to a democratic Sierra Leone in which the rule of law, good order and fairness are the hallmark. In consequence, Government notes and applauds the observations of the Commission that in any liberal democracy there must be a determined willingness to accord basic rights and liberties to all persons everywhere. There is always a variety of ideas and beliefs in such a situation which run contrary to various segments of the population. If majority rule does not safeguard the free and divergent expression of the opinions of the minority, there is a risk of tyranny. Political tolerance at its height ensures protection of the rights of individuals with whom we strongly disagree, and dislike their view. Government would like to highlight the fact that the above principle is of general application. It also presupposes that the minority is equally committed to respecting the democratic rights of the majority, in particular, the right to government and carry out its constitutional mandate. The minority must abide by this democratic tenet as well as respect and enhance the integrity of our national institutions and not seek to disrupt the good order of society and in so doing impose a tyranny of the minority on the general populace. It is only through the adoption of this patriotic and national consciousness that our nascent democracy can be developed and strengthened. Government wishes to register its thanks and appreciation to members of the Commission and its support staff and all those who in various ways contributed to the achievement of its task. Issued this 23rdday of March, 2012 FRANKLY BAI KARGBO Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Two essential ingredients for a successful Le Diner en Blanc were in place Saturday night in Atlantic City: many hundreds of people packing appetites and dressed in their natty, summery whites. And, make no mistake, organizers required white attire no ivory, no off-white and no beige, the event website says. Also known as the Dinner in White, the concept launched in Paris in 1988 and has since been held in more than 140 cities in at least 40 countries. More than 2,500 people participated in the inaugural A.C. event, also held on the Boardwalk, in 2022, and organizers hoped to match or exceed that total this year. The goal, the website says, is simply a friendly gathering whose sole purpose is to create a magical evening, where guests are in good company, and in an environment, which is both unusual and extraordinary. The cost to register two people online was $48, plus a $14 fee, and the online FAQ states the event would be held rain or shine. Guests had the option to order food at an additional cost or bring their own. Champagne and wine were allowed, but no beer or spirits. Diners also were required to bring along their own folding tables and chairs. Guests met at different spots around the city and were escorted to the dining location the Boardwalk from Oriental to Atlantic avenues which remained unknown to them until shortly before the event began. The 2018 event in Paris set a record with 17,000 diners. 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. COLOMBO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The fifth round of negotiations on the proposed Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commenced in Colombo on Monday, said the President's Media Division (PMD). The PMD said it is done in keeping with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's vision of strengthening economic ties with major and emerging economies, with a particular focus on ASEAN countries. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Thailand from August 21 to 23, and three additional rounds are planned to conclude the agreement by February 2024, with the signing expected to occur in March 2024, said the PMD. The fourth round of negotiations on the trade agreement was held in March this year. Sri Lanka is Thailand's fourth-largest trading partner in South Asia, and Sri Lanka's main exports to Thailand include gems, jewellery, tea, spices, fiber, and metal products. In 2021, Sri Lanka imported goods from Thailand worth 355 million U.S. dollars and exported 59 million dollars' worth of commodities to Thailand, according to the PMD. PLEASANTVILLE The Board of Education was thrown into disarray Thursday as an argument over administrative positions led the board president to make an abrupt exit and force an informal adjournment. The discord comes as a new superintendent is set to begin her tenure and has vowed to listen to community members who say they have grown frustrated with the school board and what they describe as its characteristic dysfunction. The special meeting had been convened to consider staff transfers and terminations, as well as to entertain a motion to fire the school board solicitor. What generated controversy, however, was a matter not listed on the agenda that centered on the future of Assistant Superintendent Felicia Hyman-Medley. School board officials said Hyman-Medley had not yet had her contract renewed by the district. Toward the end of the meeting, which had run for about three hours, Board of Education member Elysa Sanchez motioned to renew Hyman-Medleys contract. Sanchezs motion received a second from her brother, board member Julio Sanchez. Elysa and Julio Sanchezs motion was made during a public comment period and went unrecognized. Board President Doris Rowell then motioned to end the meeting without motioning to close public comment. When she did not receive a second for her motion to adjourn, Rowell proceeded to leave the meeting room. Because only six members of the nine-member school board attended the meeting and one other member already had left, Rowells exit deprived the board of its quorum, ending the meeting without a formal adjournment. Hyman-Medley declined comment after the meeting. To treat this way is disgusting Before her exit, Rowell indicated the decision not to vote on a renewal for Hyman-Medley came at the request of the incoming superintendent, Marilyn Martinez, who wanted to review information about new hires. Martinez, who was hired by the board this month and will begin her tenure in July, was not present at the special meeting Thursday. When we hired the new superintendent, she had asked us to, she wanted to look over some things, Rowell said in response to a question of why Hyman-Medley had not been renewed. I just want to respect the wishes of the new superintendent. The conflict over Hyman-Medleys contract was ignited during the public comment session. Egg Harbor Township Board of Education member Juanita Hyman, the mother of Hyman-Medley, spoke during public comment and called on the Pleasantville school board to renew the assistant superintendents contract. She said her daughter had an extensive history at the district over two decades and had been a faithful employee and a hard worker. Noting that other administrators and staffers had their contracts extended, Hyman claimed her daughter was being singled out by the Pleasantville school board. To treat her this way is disgusting, said Hyman, who is also a former member of the Pleasantville school board and a former Pleasantville school nurse. She is the only one (not to be renewed). That tells me shes being targeted, and I want to know why. Hyman-Medley was promoted to assistant superintendent in September. Her contract began Nov. 1 and runs through June 30, and she is being paid an annual salary of $169,500, prorated for time served in the position, according to school board records. Hyman-Medley had previously had a long career in Pleasantville Public Schools that Juanita Hyman on Thursday said stretched back more than 20 years. She was previously a third-grade teacher at the Leeds Avenue School; a vice principal at both Pleasantville High School and Pleasantville Middle School; and a principal at the South Main Street School, according to a profile of her on the district website. She is an alumna of Holy Spirit High School and has graduated with a bachelors degree in political science, pre-law and African American studies from what is now Stockton University; and a masters degree in educational leadership and supervision from the University of Phoenix. In 2020, Hyman-Medley earned a doctorate in education and organizational leadership from Stockton. In 2018 when she was South Main Street principal, Hyman-Medley received a state proclamation of honor from then Assemblyman John Armato, D-Atlantic at a school assembly. The proclamation cited Hyman-Medleys founding of the Rise Up march, an anti-violence initiative in the city. Hyman-Medley is not a stranger to contentious board meetings. A recording of a 2019 school board meeting posted on Facebook by Vibe 609 Radio indicated that a group of supporters gathered to protest a proposal to move Hyman-Medley from South Main Street. Elysa and Julio Sanchez argued that Hyman-Medley has served admirably in her role as assistant superintendent and done as much as her colleagues who already have been extended for the next school year. They said the incoming superintendent was not in a position to evaluate the performance of Hyman-Medley during the last school year and that they should defer to the opinions of the current administration. At one point in their exchange with board members, Julio Sanchez said acting Superintendent Karin Farkas had recommended the school district renew the contract for Hyman-Medley. Farkas declined comment after the meeting. Im just going to publicly say I as a board member believe its unfair to wait for a new superintendent to evaluate and improve a contract based on work that was done prior to her working in the district, Julio Sanchez said. After the meeting, Julio Sanchez said he was unaware of a recommendation from Martinez that the school board not renew Hyman-Medley. He and Juanita Hyman said they believed members of the school board were motivated by personal grudges to remove the assistant superintendent. When confronted by that accusation during public comment by Juanita Hyman, Rowell denied she harbored any personal animosity toward Hyman-Medley and said the delay in the renewal was simply to accommodate the change in district leadership. Were not ignoring her, Rowell said of Hyman-Medley. Other conflicts The conflict over Hyman-Medley followed other contentious matters. Earlier in the meeting, the Board of Education voted against terminating its contract for attorney services with CGO Law P.C. Rowell, having expressed support for changing solicitors at a school board meeting earlier this month, numbered among those who voted in favor of the termination. Elysa and Julio Sanchez were among those who voted against terminating the contract. At its June 13 meeting, the school board voted 3-1, with two members abstaining, meeting to solicit proposals for a new solicitor. Preliminary minutes of that meeting indicate the vote had failed, leading to the proposed termination appearing on the agenda Thursday. No attorney from CGO Law, based in Sewell, Gloucester County, was present at the meeting Thursday. Filling in the solicitor role for the night was James Carroll, a former Pleasantville school board solicitor whom the school board retained this year to handle special assignments, Carroll, whose previous tenure as solicitor generated controversy on the board, said he was not interested in returning to the position but said it was important the school district did not hold a meeting without legal advice. Not that its legally required, but I have been at meetings where Pleasantville hasnt had a solicitor, and nothing good ever comes of it, Carroll said. The vote on the solicitor was preceded by an executive session that lasted more than two hours that primarily dealt with Donaldson hearings, which concern terminations or non-renewals of staff; and human-resource matters. Rowell left the meeting after Elysa Sanchez made another motion to renew Hyman-Medley. Please excuse me, but this is not the way this is supposed to go. I have to remove myself from this table, Rowell said. This is not how we should conduct ourselves at a board meeting, so Im going to remove myself as of right now. Im going to let you know, I am not abandoning my duties, but the way this is going, all I can tell you, its not proper.Im done. After the meeting, Jean Hovey, the New Jersey Education Association consultant to Pleasantville, said the events of the night were typical of how the school board operates. Meetings ending abruptly without a formal adjournment have occurred several times this past year, including at the June 13 meeting. Juanita Hyman contrasted the running of the Pleasantville school board with the neighboring Egg Harbor Township Board of Education, which held its final meeting of the year Tuesday. Were far more professional (on the Egg Harbor Township school board), and we do things by policy and state law, Hyman said after the meeting. Pleasantville Public Schools had been subject to state monitors since 2007, the same year when several then current and former members of the Pleasantville school board were arrested in a federal corruption probe led by then U.S. Attorney Chris Christie. The monitors tenure ended in October 2021, just days before the school board took a controversial vote to suspend outgoing Superintendent Natakie Chestnut-Lee. The school board has faced litigation from Chestnut-Lee, alleging she was retaliated against for calling attention to board misdoings. Julio Sanchez called for state to reassert control over the Pleasantville school district. He said Trentons reluctance to do so was reflective of its lack of care for the Black and Hispanic students who comprise the large majority of the Pleasantville student body. If this was happening in Mainland (Regional High School), you dont think the state would step in? Sanchez said. The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 11 at Pleasantville High School. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Stockton University is renaming one of its campus centers after a former economics professor who died in December, school officials said on Monday. The Center for Economic Development and Financial Literacy will include Elizabeth Betty Elmores name after a $2 million donation made by her husband, Richard, who, also taught at the university, Stockton officials said. Richard Elmore, also a former Mainland Regional High School teacher, said his wife made school history as Stocktons first woman lecturing in the economics department. Dr. Elmore was a Stockton treasure who always had time to share a story and laugh, and she never hesitated to ask probing questions when discussing issues of significance, President Harvey Kesselman said. She was a wonderful colleague who was deeply committed to our students and her peers. The centers goal is to develop engaged and informed students, citizens, voters, workers, consumers, savers and investors who understand the interdependence of national economies in the global community and the role of financial institutions in the sustainability of these relationships. Elizabeth Elmore was also the centers director while working at Stockton. The Elmores were married for 53 years, having met in Indiana while studying at the University of Notre Dame. The couples support for Stockton went beyond the lecture halls when they helped launch the Frances Leonilda Acerra Christopher Memorial and the Elmore Family Stockton Center for Economic and Financial Literacy funds. MIDDLE TOWNSHIP As artificial intelligence tools become more complex and varied, their uses in law enforcement have grown, allowing authorities to digitally age a photograph of a victim, detect patterns or connections that humans cant see, and hopefully solve crimes. Police here hope it will lead them to answers regarding the disappearance of Mark Himebaugh, a case that investigators have worked on for three decades. Its a new opportunity, Township Police Capt. Tracey Super said of polices use of Vollee Artificial Intelligence in its investigation. Its a new added thing, and we want to give it a shot. Police are partnering with technology company Vollee Artificial Intelligence for its AI services. They announced the addition to their investigation into the missing boy late last month, saying it could identify patterns in evidence not immediately discernible by the human eye. Vollees advanced AI capabilities accelerate digital evidence analysis by identifying new patterns and correlations across a wide variety of media and documents, which might otherwise remain hidden, Anil Balakrishnan, CEO of Vollee, said in May. Christopher Leusner, who recently retired as township police chief, saw a seminar by Microsoft on new technology being used in cold cases. Impressed with what he saw, he approached Microsoft and Vollee. What really attracted me to it was the ability to take large amounts of data, Leusner said. The artificial intelligence component of it and machine learning can identify connections between people, places and time that you may not have been able to identify through just a regular computer system or human being trying to read everything thats in a file. They also have the ability to look at open-source data. Under the pilot program, Microsoft will provide access to its law enforcement database while Vollee will provide components of its AI software, Leusner said. Microsoft declined to comment for this story. Over the years, law enforcement has turned to other means of technology, such as age-progression images provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for help solving homicides or missing persons cases, Super said. The addition of the latest technology comes as AI increasingly becomes prevalent in society. It also has, as its capabilities expand, become a pivotal tool in solving crime. There are going to be cases that you wont be able to solve without it, said Mark Desire, a criminal justice professor at Rutgers University. Using AI in law enforcement can range from tracking suspect movement to identifying a persons origins. With the isotope stuff, thats a little bit of AI, Desire said. If youve got human remains, you can tell what part of the world they may be from. Authorities hope new clues about Himebaugh or a possible person of interest in his case can surface through the technology. Himebaughs disappearance has haunted the community and law enforcement since he vanished from the townships Del Haven section in 1991. Days before Thanksgiving, Himebaugh, then 11, was seen near a local park around 4 p.m., according to the FBI. When he didnt come home, his mother, Maureen Himebaugh, contacted police, initiating a large-scale search for the missing boy. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt, gray pants, gray jacket and white sneakers, one of which was later found not far from his home, the FBI says. Nearby beaches and waterways were searched. Police handed out flyers with Himebaughs portrait to motorists passing through the area. His mother pleaded to the public through television appearances. Attempts to reach Maureen Himebaugh for comment were unsuccessful. Police still take in the occasional tip to this day about where the boy could be or what happened to him, Super said. Any time the Himebaugh story is in the news, well get tips, Super said. In criminal justice, AI has led to individuals being charged with crimes. It has also helped thwart crimes from happening, according to the National Institute, the search agency for the U.S. Justice Department. Pattern data analyzed by a computer can disrupt, degrade and prosecute crimes and criminal enterprises. Algorithmic methods also can prevent victims and offenders from falling into criminal pursuits and assist criminal justice professionals, the agency says. AI has the potential to be a permanent part of our criminal justice ecosystem, providing investigative assistance and allowing criminal justice professionals to better maintain public safety, the Institute says in an article it published on AI in 2019. Examples of AIs use in yielding criminal charges include an instance where a system developed by New York City police caught a man wanted in a set of Home Depot robberies in 2019. Its use in criminal justice, however, hasnt been without controversy. In 2022, a judge freed a man from Cook County jail in Illinois after hed been accused of killing a 25-year-old in Chicago. Evidence brought against him included security footage and a loud bang heard over a street-monitoring microphone used through ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system. Prosecutors said technology powered by a secret algorithm that analyzed noises detected by the sensors wrongly indicated the now-cleared offender shot and killed the man. He sat behind bars for nearly a year before his case was dismissed at the request of prosecutors, who said they lacked sufficient evidence. Still the upsides are big. Leusner hopes it can yield results for the team he left in charge. While chief, Leusner devoted several resources to the case, such as visiting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for a cold-case review in 2015. Im disappointed that we didnt solve it during my tenure, Leusner said. Its something that I know all the police officers that worked it under me were passionate about. It frustrates them and it frustrated me that we werent able to get closure, but my position is that theyre never going to give up. The Associated Press contributed to this report. GALLERY: Look back at Mark Himebaugh case Mark Himebaugh HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Himebaugh billboard DSC_0181 missing8 Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Cold Cases Cold Cases New reward offered for Himebaugh information Mother of child missing 20 years says all she wants is peace Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Mark Himebaugh disappearance 25th anniversary Vigil Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh The One Percent: The Mark Himebaugh Story Mark Himebaugh Maureen Himebaugh Mark Himebaugh 2 Himebaugh Update Himebaugh Himebaugh Investigation Himebaugh Case Himebaugh MT Committee01 0604 C.jpg Himebaugh Himebaugh Himebaugh Himebaugh Himebaugh Himebaugh Himebaugh Team of active and retired investigators to review Himebaugh disappearance Investigators to re-examine 1991 Himebaugh disappearance Investigators to re-examine 1991 Himebaugh disappearance Middle Township police release age-progressed photo of Himebaugh Cold Cases Cold Cases Cold Cases Cold Cases Cold Cases A 23-year-old woman was allegedly physically assaulted multiple times in 2020 and 2021 by her ex-husband and five of his friends. Pune police, have launched a probe into the case. The accused was assaulted by them, and they blackmailed her with videos of criminal acts. Following a court order, a FIR was filed in the matter on Saturday at a police station in Pune. The victim's father, who is in his late 40s, filed a complaint against the accused, who married his daughter, who back then was 23-year-old, in 2017. The FIR states that after a few years of marriage, the woman moved in with her father due to her husband's aggressive and abusive behaviour. The FIR claims that in February 2020, the victim was forcibly taken to an isolated location by the estranged husband after he visited his father-in-law's home in Pune. The FIR claims that her spouse and his five friends then took turns to assault her one at a time. Additionally, the woman was struck with wooden sticks. According to the FIR, the accused individuals repeatedly intimidated her and further exploited her sexually at various places in Pune in 2020 and 2021 while recording films of the crime. Body-worn police cameras can supply powerful evidence. The absence of body-camera footage because of malfunction or misuse has another kind of power. It can rob police, prosecutors, defense attorneys and citizens of the ability to know what really happened during an incident. Law enforcement officials from across the Quad-Cities and the top prosecutors from Scott and Rock Island counties say body cameras are crucial in efforts to protect officers, investigate cases and for keeping cops accountable to the public. A pair of cases from the Quad-Cities are examples of the importance of body-camera footage. 'A tool for establishing the truth' On Sept. 3, 2020, Bettendorf Police Officer Patrick Mesick shot and killed a man named Timothy Clevenger, who was holding a 3-year-old at knifepoint. The shooting at a day care was recorded by Mesick's body camera, capturing footage that showed a violent assault against a child and the split-second action by the officer to eliminate the threat. When Clevenger arrived, he had purchased a fillet knife and machete just 15 minutes before going to the house. Once inside, he ordered three adults and four children into the basement. He kept the little girl with him and intended to have firearms delivered to the house, police later learned. When police first arrived, they repeatedly announced, "Police!" and "Police! Open up!" As the door to the room where Clevenger held the child was forced open, an image came into focus on the video: Clevenger was on one knee with the child in front of his body, one arm around her neck and the knife sheath pressed to her throat. Mesick fired one shot from the doorway. It struck Clevenger in the head, and before his body hit the floor, another officer swept in and grabbed the girl, cooing over and over, "Come on, baby. Come on, baby." All of it was captured by the body camera, and then-Scott County Attorney Mike Walton needed little time to decide Mesick's decision to shoot was justified. There are seven major law enforcement agencies in the Quad-Cities: The sheriff's departments of Scott and Rock Island counties, as well as police departments from Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline, Moline and Rock Island. Over 500 officers at those agencies wear body cameras. Mesick is one of 49 Bettendorf police officers who wear cameras on the job. All 17 of the city's patrol cars are outfitted with dash cameras. Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham has been a prosecutor since 1990 and thinks body and dash cameras have advantages and disadvantages. From her perspective, law enforcement adopted body and vehicle cameras to help deal with false reports people make against officers. The cameras were a step toward providing officers with protection against such accusations. Cunningham says the public too often presumes allegations made against law enforcement are true, "but a lot are false." "So we view it (camera footage) as a tool that was necessary for establishing the truth of what was actually occurring during those encounters," Cunningham said. Cunningham pointed out one of the drawbacks of cameras: Court proceedings have become, in her words, "more complicated." In the past, trials revolved around more traditional evidence and witnesses and might take a few days. Cunningham said trials took longer today because of the need to present camera footage. Davenport has the area's largest police force, and all 155 officers are equipped with body cameras. Every car in the fleet of 44 has a dashboard camera. All of the equipment can generate a lot of footage. Cunningham also pointed to the extra layer of responsibility for officials created by the need to maintain footage as evidence. Those new responsibilities also require resources. "People want to think that it's a real positive, but quite honestly, it's creating a real strain on the criminal justice system," Cunningham said. Cunningham doesn't think body cameras alone tell the story of police conduct. She said prosecutors still had to look at witness testimony and the accounts of police officers. "You're going to look at all of it," Cunningham said. "So it's still the same in terms of the investigative process the investigative process is the investigative process. "What you see relative to the naked eye, when you're immersed within a situation, is a lot different than what you see from the narrow lens of a camera." Missing footage can be crucial One case in the Quad-Cities illuminates just how crucial missing body camera footage can be. Jaylan Butler was traveling with the Eastern Illinois University men's swim team on the night of Feb. 24, 2019, when the team bus pulled over for a dinner break at the rest area southwest of the Interstate 80 bridge. Moments later, Butler was on the ground with officers from multiple police agencies standing over him. Police from Hampton and East Moline, as well as at least two deputies from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, were involved in the arrest. They thought he fit the description of a Black man suspected of firing a gun at a vehicle on I-80 in Henry County, then fleeing. Former Hampton Police Officer Ethan Bush was among six officers who took Butler to the ground. On the video from Bush's body camera, obtained by the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus through a Freedom of Information request, the events leading up to the encounter at the rest area and following it were clearly visible. However, the portion containing the mistaken apprehension of Butler was missing entirely. Butler and the driver of the bus said that officers pointed guns at Butler, threatened to "blow his (expletive) head off," and one of them used a knee to hold him on the ground. The officers denied the actions and claimed Butler "resisted arrest." In his report from the night of Feb. 24, 2019, Bush wrote that his body camera was accidentally turned off "on multiple instances ... due to equipment, including the AR-15 sling making contact with the on/off." In a news release, Rock Island County States Attorney Dora Villarreal said the States Attorneys Civil Division is committed to defending the Office of the Sheriff and the deputies involved in this litigation and anticipates that a thorough discovery process will develop a more complete picture of the events that occurred on Feb. 24, 2019. The ACLU took up Butler's representation in a civil action against the officers and departments involved with the incident. The ACLU did drop its suit against two Rock Island County Sheriff's deputies and two unnamed officers. The lawsuit had accused them of false arrest, excessive detention, excessive force, battery and failure of bystander officer to interfere in an unconstitutional arrest, among other claims. But that didn't clear all the officers. Butler was awarded separate settlements from the East Moline Police Department and from Bush. The East Moline Police Department and Officer Travis Staes reached a settlement agreement with Butler that awarded him $50,000. A settlement also was reached with Bush, who was separated from the Hampton Police Department several months after the incident. The Hampton Police Department was not responsible for the Butler financial settlement, and the terms of the agreement were not required to be made public. Camera footage used to review officer conduct Body-camera footage has played important roles in a number of other cases. Villarreal has reviewed the conduct of a number of police and correctional officers in Rock Island County who used force including instances where police shot people, as well as two incidents in which correctional officers were accused of battering inmates at the county jail. In all of those cases, body camera and other video footage were pivotal in deciding whether the actions of the involved officials were appropriate, Villarreal said. The four correctional officers were fired and prosecuted for their behavior. The police officers involved in the shootings were exonerated. Here locally, I think that almost every single body-worn camera that I have reviewed has exonerated officers, Villarreal said. Villarreal is satisfied with the county's review process for use-of-force cases. That process includes a task force of local and state law enforcement conducting the investigation and presenting its findings to Villarreals office. Once she has the report, its Villarreals job to make a ruling on whether an officers conduct was justified. She says police are probably the biggest advocates for body-worn cameras because they can exonerate an officer whose conduct is questioned. The cameras can prove good conduct as well as bad, Villarreal said. I was a defense attorney when body cameras first started to come out here locally, and I knew that the officers were not fans of them, she said. They did not want them. And now I don't think there's any officer here locally that will tell you that they don't think they're great." Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, Villarreal said, local law enforcement has been more restrained in its approach to calls. Theyre a lot more worried that something might be perceived as wrong even though a lot of times they are jeopardizing their own safety, Villarreal said. Villarreal did admit officers being more deliberate in their actions can also be a positive. She says as time passes more transparency and accountability will be baked into policing. We've had very, very good experiences with body-worn cameras and been able to provide that accountability, that transparency, she said. And I continue to believe that that is extremely important, and we continue to strive to do that. 'Video is something we want for transparency' A complete recording of the Jaylan Butler incident could have helped investigators understand what officers were seeing and thinking during their interaction with the collegiate swimmer. Instead, the footage offered a gap during the most crucial moments of the incident. Illinois State Police said they were looking for Frank Maquan Scott, 25, of Cedar Rapids, based on vehicle information from the shooting. While Scott was 6-foot-6 and weighed 230 pounds, Butler was 5-foot-10 and weighed 160 pounds. The only similarity between the two is they are Black males. East Moline Police Chief Jeff Ramsey declined to talk about the specifics of the Butler case and if it impacted policing and accountability in the East Moline department. "I won't get into detail on this because it was a civil case and it was settled," Ramsey said. He did say policing is as transparent as ever, and that there are state laws, policies and directives in place that the department follows to ensure that it holds its officers accountable for their actions. "We have those processes in place, and we take them very seriously," Ramsey said. Few agencies remain camera shy Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 shows of the 142 agencies that answered questions on camera availability or use, 93 said they had both body and dashboard cameras for at least one of their members and vehicles. Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 shows of the 142 agencies that answered questions on camera availability or use, 93 said they had both body and dashboard cameras for at least one of their members and vehicles. Ramsey pointed out that body cameras were implemented about 18 months ago and officers now would not leave the station without their cameras. All 37 officers on the force have body cameras, and the 20 vehicles in the fleet have dash cams. "We want video," he said. "Video is something that we want for transparency. The officers want it because they feel that it protects them in some situations." Cameras protect the public as well, Ramsey said, and indicated the department's policy on body cameras is governed by state law. That policy includes review of footage recorded while officers are working. "As part of our body camera program, the supervisors are checking video randomly," Ramsey said. He added the department would not tolerate an officer violating the law or the rights of citizens. "Those are things that, if we get a complaint, we take very seriously," Ramsey said. Rock Island County Sheriff Darren Hart echoed much of what Ramsey said, noting body cameras have brought accountability to both sides of the interactions between law enforcement and the public. Everybody wants body cameras, Hart said. The Rock Island County Sheriff's Department has 65 body cameras and 60 patrol officers. All 42 vehicles in the fleet are equipped with dashboard cameras. If he can get the funding, Hart said, he wants to expand the camera usage in the sheriffs office by giving them to the countys jail staff. Should there be a complaint about a deputy, the sheriffs office has a process in place, overseen by its professional standards division, Hart said. That process includes gathering evidence like video and discussing the issue with the complainant. We need to be held accountable, just like, you know, the public that we serve, Hart said. While Illinois SAFE-T Act has provided opportunities for Illinois law enforcement agencies to get body cameras, Rock Island County and the Rock Island Police Department were equipping their deputies and officers earlier. We were ahead of the curve, Hart said. We've (the sheriffs office) had those since 2019. Like other agencies, Rock Island County spot-checks body camera footage, Hart said. It's for officer safety, Hart said. It's for accountability. Camera footage is used in court cases, Hart said. The footage also is used as a training tool for deputies. Tim McCloud, deputy chief of the Rock Island Police Department, pointed out the force had body cameras three years before George Floyd died. The police department numbers 71 officers and the department has 101 body cameras available. All 20 patrol vehicles are outfitted with dashcams. In addition to its uniformed officers and detectives, the department is equipping its community service section with cameras. Those employees are not sworn police officers. The cameras have other benefits as well, McCloud said. Reviewing the footage can reveal new information possible suspects, for example. The footage is also used as evidence in court. That stuff can go be played back for a jury in a courtroom, McCloud said. And they can see just what an officer is seeing on scene. McCloud said he thought the public saw the cameras as a positive. And I also tend to think that everybody tends to act a little bit better when they know they're on camera, McCloud said. The department has used body camera footage to address complaints, McCloud said. They'll say one thing, and you pull it up, and you're like, well, that's, that's not accurate, McCloud said. And sometimes you have to turn it around and show them and say, Look, here's what happened. What you're saying happened didn't happen. The Moline Police Department has 79 officers, and all are equipped with body cameras. There are dashcams for each of the 30 vehicles in its fleet. Moline Police Chief Darren Gault called his department "a leader in the area" in the use of body cameras. "Moline was one of the first cities in the greater region to obtain body cameras. We have had this program for nearly five years, long before the legislation pushed to make it mandatory," Gault said in a news release. "Body cameras are a valuable tool to aid in modern law enforcement. In 2023, Moline will receive their third-generation upgrade to the body cameras, and we continue to adopt the latest technology in this space," he added. Orion farmers Aaron and Dave Kunert were recognized at the Orion Area Food Pantry board meeting for their efforts in directing Bayer Fund America's Farmers Grow Communities donations to the Orion-area food pantry. The pantry received an award of $5,000 from Bayer Fund America's Farmers Grow Communities from Aaron Kunert's entry this year, while an award of $2,500 was received from Dave Kunert's entry in 2015. America's Farmers Grow Communities, a Bayer Fund program, partners with farmers to provide grants to local nonprofits to help their communities. Through the program, farmers enroll for the chance to direct a $5,000 donation to the local eligible nonprofit organization of their choice. The $5,000 donation will be used to help provide food to those experiencing food insecurity in the community, including children, through the pantry's backpack program. In addition, the board also recognized Aaron's father, Dave Kunert, who provided the pantry with a $2,500 donation from the program in 2015. Since 2010, the America's Farmers programs have awarded nearly $65 million to nonprofits, aspiring ag students and public schools across rural America. Last August, farmers entered a contest for the chance to direct a donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice. Farmers have directed donations to food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and other groups that reflect the spirit and support the vibrancy of rural America. To learn more about how America's Farmers are making an impact, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com.About Bayer Fund. We have been a little out of touch for the past two weeks. We just returned from a family trip to Europe. It was a trip of a lifetime for the boys a life experience that I hope they will remember. We spent a lot of time visiting friends of mine from my Rotary Youth Exchange 33 years ago. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone again and see what has changed in my small host town. Ive been planning this trip for five years, and I am so glad that we were finally able to do it. While on vacation, we made sure to point out to the boys differences in living conditions and farming there compared to here in Iowa. The houses and farms are much smaller, as is much of the equipment. They grow different crops there small grains and canola instead of corn and soybeans. They do have a lot of pigs like we do in Iowa, as well as dairy cows, but not many beef cattle. We were lucky to be able to visit a farm and chat with the farmers. They explained some of the different practices in agriculture there and how there are many more environmental regulations. Adhering to those regulations costs him a lot of money in specialized housing for his pigs and cattle. Its definitely a very different way of farming. We cannot imagine those practices being enforced here in the US it would raise the price of food, fuel, and fiber significantly. There is also drought where we visited, so we compared notes on how dry things are and how much it is affecting everyone. Robb was getting regular updates from home, so we knew that there wasnt any rain while we were gone. We had one rainy day at the end of our trip, but we didnt complain because of how important it was to my friends. As difficult as it was to get away for a vacation in the summer, we sure enjoyed our trip. I definitely got some pushback from my farm boys about leaving work behind and not being home to do work. It was quite a rush before we left to try to get everything done. Robb was spraying and fertilizing crops right up to the night before we left. We had to do a lot of preparation for the animals, as well as for hay wrapping while we were gone. Four different friends covered for us in different areas of the farm. I had so many different things to prepare as well at work, and then also at home. Im sure you can relate if youve ever been on a vacation. Now that were back, theres also a lot to do. Robb was back in the sprayer the day after we returned home. We had a new calf in the feedlot luckily he was all healthy and happy and appears to have been born shortly after we left. Everything went well at the hog buildings. The lawn needed mowing, and we discovered a giant dead oak tree had fallen across the fence from our pasture into the yard. I had two weeks worth of mail to go through and lots of bookkeeping to get through quickly before the end of the month. Had to make sure that I got all the bills paid on time! Luckily, I had planned to get home a couple of days before I had to go back to work. But the best part of coming home was seeing that the crops didnt look as bad as we were expecting, and then we got a good 1.5 inches of rain Saturday night! That was the best thing about getting home for us. What a great feeling to wake up Sunday to cooler temperatures and a puddle on the driveway. We didnt get as much as some parts of Iowa, but that 1.5 inches sure will make a difference for us. Carlos Ramirez, who was a police officer in Venezuela before he says he was persecuted by government officials, now sleeps on an air mattress on the floor of a police station in Chicago. He and his wife Betzabeth Bracho have nestled their suitcases on a bench at the 5th District police station in Pullman. About seven weeks since arriving in Chicago from San Antonio, Texas, they have established a routine for themselves. They came to the city because theyd heard its sanctuary label made it a friendly place for migrants. Before bed, they eat donated food and store-bought sandwiches in plastic containers, bathe in the public restroom, blow up their air mattress bed and call their two young sons across borders. Ramirez, 38, and Bracho, 33, havent been selected as part of the cohort of people with medical or special needs, families, or singles with other critical needs such as pregnancy who have been prioritized by the city for removal to temporary shelters, and like many recent arrivals, they are fine with that. Theyre getting better treatment at the police stations than they would at city-run shelters, they say, despite what onlookers might describe as inhumane living conditions. The Tribune spent a night at the 5th District station to observe what it is like for migrants to fall asleep on hard tile floors, with bright lights shining in their faces, residents spilling into the station at any hour of the night and police sirens occasionally blaring. As of Friday, there were 4,878 asylum-seekers in 13 city-run shelters and 460 waiting in police stations, according to a statement from Office of Emergency Management and Communications spokesperson Mary May. Police district census numbers are analyzed each morning, according to the statement, and decompression decisions are based off volume of clients at specific stations, people with special circumstances, availability of space and transportation plans. Individuals receive a service request number from 311 upon arrival in the system. This helps with tracking when they arrive, the statement said. As new arrivals and asylum-seekers continue to arrive in Chicago via bus and other means, City officials are working simultaneously to identify spaces to convert into temporary shelters and to assist individuals and families in identifying more permanent housing opportunities. Oftentimes when the number goes down, it quickly goes back up with additional asylum-seekers arriving, the statement said. Nearly two dozen buses have arrived from Texas since May 9, according to the city, including seven since the middle of this month. The city brought about 38 of the migrants to the 5th District station in early May and 12 remain, Bracho said on a recent night. 7:25 p.m. Bracho stood outside the station, and said she spent the day building houses. She said every day a man comes around 9 a.m. to pick up a group of men from the station in his truck and take them to a construction site. He drops them back off a little before 7 p.m. Ramirez can make $120 to $150 a day, and when she goes too, they make even more, Bracho said. In Venezuela, Bracho was studying to be a kindergarten teacher. Police officers mostly leave them alone, she said, but sometimes they give them bad looks. And they certainly dont try to help them, she said. Were not here because we want to be. I want to leave, she said in Spanish. My husband goes out every day to find work. I go out every day to find work. Id like to tell them were trying to make money so we can move out as quickly as possible. Two to three times a week, a volunteer brings them to a different location to shower. Tonight, they washed off using a plastic bucket of water which they fill up in the sink, then walked to a store nearby to get hot chicken. The store was closed Thursday evening, she said, so they ate the non-perishables they had saved. No es facil estar aqui, said Bracho. Its not easy living here. She pointed to a cluster of bikes leaning against the wall of the station and said a group of volunteers had donated them. Most of them were kids bikes, and the volunteers had asked if the migrants still wanted them. Theyd all said yes. Brachos sons 7-year-old Jose Ramirez and 11-year old Jubert Javier are living in Venezuela with their aunt and grandmother. 8:54 p.m. While Bracho showered and ate, others from Venezuela milled around the station. Huberth Espinoza, 65, lay on a metal bench outside with his 27-year-old son Kalil Espinoza sitting beside him. The bottom of his belly bulged out from his green T-shirt. Theyve been at the station for a month, he said. Espinoza said he also fled his country for political reasons, and is saving money to buy an apartment in the city. His face lit up when he described the way his country used to be, before Nicolas Maduro began cracking down on oppositional forces and before millions lost access to health care and nutrition. He said the inside of the police station can be loud and hostile at night, especially on the weekends. When its cold outside its worse, he said in Spanish. People urinate on the floor. Espinoza said he worked in solar electric in Venezuela. He said his 11 kids are scattered across Latin America, his wife in Chile. Like many, his journey to the United States was brutal, he said. We came through the mountains, crossing rivers, women were violated, people died, he said, recounting the months he spent passing through Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras. Crossing from Juarez to El Paso was the most difficult, he said, because he was separated from his son in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement roundup in the Franklin Mountains. When he got to the United States, he turned himself into authorities so he could be reunited with his son. They have a court date scheduled in September, he said. He cried thinking about that time without his son, looking up at the sliver of moon which shone down on the police courtyard. The two now sat side by side, tinkering with a phone and data card Espinoza bought. When it got late enough, they entered through the revolving door of the station, pulled a donated mat next to an EZ Pay kiosk and in front of a used prescription disposal box, layered it with donated blankets and laid down side by side. They scrolled on Espinozas new phone. 9:16 p.m. Police officers drove up and walked to the counter to start their shift as migrants wound down for the evening. Two women who didnt give their names to the Tribune lay close together on an air mattress and put a blanket over their heads, whispering. Later, they watched TikToks and laughed. 10:06 p.m. Sylvia Mares, a volunteer from the Chicago Police Station Response Team, entered. She walked around with a pen and paper, hoping to take down the names of people who might want to be moved to a shelter. Everyone she asked said no. They are comfortable here, they have a job and theyve had enough unknown in their lives recently, she said. And many of them have heard from their contacts that conditions at other shelters are worse than at police stations. The Tribune recently spoke to migrants from nine shelters who said that they are crowded in hotel rooms or sleeping on the ground, eating cold and unappetizing meals and unsure of where to find resources. Volunteers have said they are unable to enter shelters and provide donations such as clothes and hot meals, and the city has rejected numerous requests by the Tribune to see inside. Mares comes two to three times a day to bring migrants food and resources at Districts 3, 4 and 22, she said. Alejandra Mendez, 25, in District 5 is two months pregnant and Mares has been helping her. She took her to buy a pregnancy test, and has brought her to the hospital for routine checkups, she said. Im just doing what I can, she said. She calls them her kids and says they grow up so fast in three months. Mares was born in Chicago, but lived in Mexico for a large part of her youth. At Mares request, Ramirez gathered a group of people to go through the trash bags full of clothing donations in the back of her car. People stood outside and held up shirts and shorts for a full view. They draped corduroys and sweatshirts and plaid shirts over their shoulders. Look, so beautiful! said Mares in Spanish to a woman holding up a satin orange blouse. She whistled. This one is sexy, with a flower, she said to another, picking out a sweater. Ramirez and Bracho lingered and followed Mares to her car. She gave them rental assistance advice and tips about how to search for furniture once they have found an apartment. 10:38 p.m. Migrants refilled their trash bags after inspecting the clothing and entered the shelter to lie down. Through the windows of the station, people covered in blankets could be seen lying horizontal on the plastic mattresses. Old Easter decorations hung from the ceiling. Police officials walked briskly down the corridors on the second floor of the building, visible from the courtyard. 12:26 a.m. A man wearing mostly black came into the station and put his stuff on the bench next to Ramirez and Brachos neatly stacked suitcases. He spent a few minutes rummaging through his backpack, stretched his legs on the bench and started to snore. The station filled up and then emptied out with various residents from the neighborhood, some going up to the desk to talk to officers. One woman had an arm in a sling. A man entered and four officers urgently followed him out. 3:36 a.m. A woman walked inside and slowly staggered to the front. Is anybody going to get me a bologna sandwich? she said. Another woman entered the station, mumbling and pacing. She crumpled up on the floor at the foot of Ramirez and Brachos bed, covering herself with a light blue sheet, squirming. Officials sat at the counter and typed. The automatic door opened and closed. Some migrants covered their eyes with strips of cloth to block out the light. Mendez, the pregnant woman, got up to go to the bathroom for the third or fourth time, carrying a plastic bucket with her. 6 a.m. Sunlight flooded the station, streaming in the windows on the individuals and couples who had spent days and nights traveling miles, riding trains, crossing rivers and jungles to get here. But packaged sandwiches and a few police officers who stare is better than living in constant fear, Bracho said. Were uncomfortable, but all we can do is wait, she said in Spanish. She said she woke up feeling sad and stressed. She knew she would have to look for work, and wondered where and how she and her husband would find an apartment. SPRINGFIELD The excitement of the annual Illinois FFA Convention is amplified during the election of new state officers. This year, during the convention's 95th occurrence, suspense built when the internet was down and everything was handled by paper ballots. Tension filled the room, followed by an eruption of joy as a new state officer is announced. Four people among 6,000 in attendance at the BOS Center in Springfield earlier this month can relate to both the excitement of being elected as a state FFA officers and to using paper ballots. They shared the same experience 50 years ago. Foundations for success Accepting the title of state president in 1973 was Gene Schwarm, who grew up on a cattle farm in Loogootee in Fayette County. The University of Illinois graduate became a lawyer, later serving as a state court judge in Illinois for 23 years. He his experiences in FFA helped him in his career. I used the leadership, public speaking, and communication skills a lot of in my lifes work, he said. For him, one of the most memorable moments as FFA president in 1973-74 was going to Washington, D.C., to talk policy. That summer President Richard Nixon wasnt available, so we got to talk to Earl Butz, the Secretary of Agriculture, he said of being at the capital when history was being made during the Watergate era. Schwarm and his fellow officers reunited at the FFA convention on June 15. They said they hadnt kept in touch over the years but were looking forward to dining together at the past-officers luncheon. Serving as vice president with Schwarm in 1973-74, Darwin Hall said he also used skills honed in FFA during several years as a high school and college ag teacher and the rest of his career in feed sales in Lee County. It gave us more opportunities, he said. David Rothermel of Champaign County, who was elected secretary-treasurer 50 years ago when the convention was in Champaign, said the advice hed give incoming state officers is: Dont be shy. Make the most of every moment this year. Rothermel, who grew corn and soybeans in Champaign County for 30 years, has moved to Florida and works in real estate. Rounding out the team, Tom Scheider, who has farmed in the Stephenson County city of Freeport for 45 years raising hogs and corn and soybeans, said a highlight of being the FFA state reporter 50 years ago was producing the state FFA magazine. At that time, the end of the war in Vietnam was nearing, and people paid about 50 cents a gallon for gasoline, said Tom Kelly, the 1972-73 FFA secretary-treasurer the year before Schwarm and his team. Meet the new leaders After the tribute to past officers, new 2023-24 officers are elected and welcomed with fanfare. This year's victors are: Thaddeus "Thad" Bergschneider, president Eric Wisely, vice president Cooper Nelson, reporter Riley Kessler, secretary Benjamin Bremmer, treasurer Bergschneider graduated from tiny Franklin High School in Morgan County in a class of 13. He has three brothers and three sisters and raises sheep, chickens and turkeys. His Supervised Agricultural Experience project was raising 300 turkeys for the Thanksgiving market. Bucking bales with this guy made me want to run for state office, Bergschneider said as he was congratulated and hugged by neighbor Matt Wells, state president in 1997-98. After his year of service as an FFA officer, Bergschneider is headed to Purdue University to study ag economics. Wisely, a graduate of Nashville High School in Southern Illinois, said growing up with horses inspired him to join FFA. The newly elected vice president plans to study agriculture education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Nelson, of Canton in Fulton County, said that he never doubted that he wanted a career in agriculture after he had started in 4-H. He grew up on a small-scale farm showing lambs. He won a calf in the Fulton County Fair scramble when he was 14 years old and bred the heifer to start a small herd. Referring to his preparation for public office, Nelson said: You eat, breathe and sleep it. Without a pause, he added: The work starts now. Ive never felt happier, said Kessler, the secretary, who lives in Madison County and went to school in Macoupin County. New treasurer Benjamin Bremmer, of Stephenson County, is excited to be the first FFA officer elected from that community in 30 years. His family has a niche dairy market raising heifers. While he enjoys the Holsteins, he said being in that tractor seat is what hell miss most about farm life while serving as a state officer. Rock Island is seeking public input on the $7 million proposed downtown revitalization project. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, at the Holiday Inn in Rock Island. It will be in Ballroom 1 on the second floor. The major plan was presented to the City Council in April, highlighting the multitude of projects being proposed, including reconstruction of the 2nd Avenue pedestrian mall, a downtown dog park and improvements to the overall appearance of the downtown. Illinois Casualty Company has offered to donate land adjacent to its business and $100,000 dollars toward the development of an urban dog park in the 300th block of 21st Street. The city, in partnership with the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, has worked with design and engineering firms Streamline Architects and Veenstra & Kimm on streetscaping and improvements throughout the downtown historic district between 1st and 4th avenues and 15th and 21st streets. City Manager Todd Thompson said in a news release city officials were eager to hear ideas and feedback from the community. This $7 million investment into downtown Rock Island will restore vibrancy and create a place that is inviting to businesses and residents alike, Thompson said. The project is being funded with a $3 million grant from Rebuild Illinois, $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $1.5 million in tax increment financing district funds. Photos: 2022 Rock Island Grand Prix SHARAN, Afghanistan, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province, said a statement of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) on Monday. According to the statement, the confiscated arms and ammunition include 35 rocket shells, four pieces of mines, 14 hand grenades, thousands of bullets and explosive objects, and some other illegally preserved ammunition. They were discovered during operations in the Yusufkhil and Janikhil districts of the province. The statement did not mention if anyone had been arrested. Similarly, Afghan security forces discovered and seized weapon caches in northern Takhar province last week. The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to collect arms and ammunition from anyone living outside the security organs. The Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Family Physician of the Year. Each year the IAFP awards one family physician this title based on outstanding service to patients and community and devotion to family medicine. To nominate a family physician, visit https://iaafp.org/awards/ and send a letter of nomination to the Iowa Academy describing why the family physician should receive the this award. Letters also can be sent to: Iowa Academy of Family Physicians, 1515 Linden St., Ste. 220, Des Moines, IA 50309; or emailed to kcox@iaafp.org. The nomination deadline is Sept. 1, 2023. The 2023 Iowa Family Physician of Year will be honored during the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians annual Installation and Awards Banquet on Nov. 17, 2023, at the West Des Moines Sheraton. Taylor Ridge farmer Tom Mueller watched the weather radar late Saturday as storm systems approached the Quad-City region. Mueller was hoping that some of the thunderstorms and showers that were popping up would give his crops and cattle fields a good dose of much-needed rain. Most of Rock Island County is in a moderate drought, while there are sections in the far southeastern part of the county that have reached the severe drought stage. While much of the Quad-City region got a good dose of rain, Mueller got virtually nothing. This morning when I was checking my rain gauges, out of the best one I got two drops of water, he said, adding that what rain fell Sunday wet the cement and settled some dust, but hes still in the same position he was on Friday in terms of the drought conditions on his farm. Mueller said that at this time of year, the corn was reaching the stage where it was determining how big the ear would be and how many rows of kernels would be around the cob. Where with good rainfall and moderate temperatures there would be 15-18 rows of kernels around the cob, in dry and hot conditions such as a drought the cob could have only 12-14 rows, he said. Additionally, the kernels likely wont be as big. That adds up to a lot of corn gone and a lot of money out of a farmers pocket, he said. Even if we get a lot of rain, that may already have been determined, he added. Its never a good time for a drought, but this may be one of the worst times for corn, Mueller said. Pollination time is even more critical, but this is a critical time, too. The industry standard for a bushel of corn is 56 pounds, he said, so smaller kernels and less weight means it takes more to make a bushel. What may be the saving grace is that the genetics used today protects the corn better during times of stress, such as drought. Also, with little water near the surface, the roots are good and sturdy because they are chasing the moisture deep in the soil, so there is a good base for the stalks. Mueller also raises feeder cattle, and hes now concerned about the lack of rain for them, too. Water is drying up and grass is not growing, so it maybe he had to haul hay out for the cattle to feed. A worst-case scenario is hell have to move the cattle to a water source and haul in feed. If I had gotten an inch and a half of rain, I might have gotten out and danced in that, Mueller said. Scott County Farmer Robb Ewoldt said he got 1.4 inches of rain at the home farm and 1.7 inches of rain near the hog buildings. None of his fields got less than an inch of rain from the storms. Sunday a week ago, on June 18, his farm got 2.2 inches of rain. Even without that rain, Ewoldt would maintain optimistic for this years crops. A lot of people forget that we were dry up until the Fourth of July last year, he said. It wasnt as bad as this year, but we had a great harvest of corn and beans. Were better with the rain, but my crops were hanging in there, he said. Out of all our fields I have, one field Im concerned about. But the corn stalks have done well to protect themselves from the heat, as theyre supposed to do. The roots went down well in search of water. The leaves are a dark green color. If Im going to be dry, I want it now instead of August, Ewoldt said. It needs a lot more water per day in August than it needs now. There was a big difference between the drought in 2005 and 2012, he added. The genetics in 2012 allowed the crops to handle the dry weather, and a lot of our farming practices have changed, allowing us to keep more water in the ground. The markets responded dramatically to the chance of rain on Friday. On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, July corn dropped 29 to $6.30 per bushel. December corn dropped 32 to $5.88 per bushel. July soybeans dropped by 6 to $14.94 per bushel, while September soybeans dropped 26 to $13.21 per bushel. Meteorologist Matt Friedlein of the National Weather Service, Davenport, said there was a swath of storms that gave some areas a lot of rain. Tipton and Guttenberg received 1-2 inches of rain. Cedar Rapids received .96 of an inch, while Eldridge got .6 of an inch. The Quad-City International Airport received .83 of an inch, while the Davenport Municipal Airport received .69 of an inch. Friedlein said Rapid City, Illinois, received about 1.88 inches of rain. Yet, Keokuk, Iowa, only got .10 of an inch, while Burlington got .02 of an inch. The variability of the thunderstorms is typical, he said. There was widespread rain in the Interstate 80 corridor and north of there. South of that there were some distinct swathes of storms. Friedlein said the Rex Block that had been keeping the region warm and dry had not fully broken down, but the weather pattern over the next 10 days favored more chances of rain. The high Monday is expected to be 80 degrees with a chance of scattered showers. Tuesdays forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 87. Wednesdays forecast includes chances of rain with a high of 87, while Thursdays high is expected to climb to 94 degrees with a chance of showers before 8 a.m. Fridays forecast calls for a high of 95 under mostly sunny skies with a 40 percent chance of showers during the day and a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday. While area residents are anticipating the return of a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Oscar Austin, for the Fourth of July celebration in Eastport this year, after an absence since 2019, another Navy ship is expected to visit the port this fall. The USS Augusta is set to be commissioned by the U.S. Navy, and, although the commissioning ceremony is still subject to change, the Eastport Port Authority is anticipating it will occur at the Eastport breakwater from September 25 to October 2. While the Navy was looking at other ports in Maine for the commissioning, Eastport made a pitch to host the ceremony, pointing to its long history of hosting Navy ships over the Fourth of July. "We are well known and well respected by the Navy, and it's a natural fit for Eastport," says Chris Gardner, executive director of the port authority. "Our operation, experience and vetted status made us a great candidate, and of course the success of all our Fourth of July visits is well-known through the Navy." While most Navy ship commissioning ceremonies in Maine are held at Bath Iron Works, this vessel, a 418-foot Independence-class littoral combat ship, was built in Alabama, with work having been completed in May 2022. However, because she's named for a Maine city, the Navy wanted the vessel to be commissioned in the state. She is actually the second ship to be named for Augusta. "The Navy is excited to come, and we're working out the details to make sure this takes place," says Gardner, who says "all indications are that Eastport will be selected" as the port for the commissioning. "It's a huge coup for the Port of Eastport," he says, adding that there could be a number of significant dignitaries attending the series of commissioning events that will last for a week. Gardner points out that the commissioning ceremony celebrates a tradition dating back to the first ship ever commissioned by the U.S. Navy, the Margaretta, in 1775. That vessel was captured from the British in the Battle of Machias, the first naval battle of the American Revolution, and was then used as a privateer. "The commissioning team was very pleased to hear that they were going to be coming to the county home for that event," says Gardner. "This is almost the birthplace of commissioning" Navy ships, he points out. Gardner has reached out to those involved with the Margaretta Days Festival so that they are aware of the ceremony in Eastport. "It's a celebration of Washington County's heritage," he notes. "The port authority's ability to attract an event like this speaks well of the community and its long-standing support of the Navy," says Gardner. "That's indicated by the success of the Fourth of July visits over many years. Old Home Week is famous among Eastporters, but Eastport is famous within the Navy due to its Fourth celebrations." A federal judge in Rapid City sentenced a Montana man to three years in federal prison Monday afternoon for trafficking eagle parts. A federal jury found Harvey Hugs, 59, of Hardin, Montana, guilty in February of three counts of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in 2020 after a two-day trial at the federal courthouse in Rapid City. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Viken sentenced Hugs to one year in prison and one year of supervised release for each violation. The prison sentences will run consecutively, but the supervised release will run concurrently. Viken also ordered Hugs to pay a routine $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims fund, a standard and mandatory ruling. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was enacted in 1940. The act prohibits the possession, use and sale of eagles or their feathers and parts. Exceptions to the act include the use of eagles by Native Americans. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates the National Eagle Repository as a clearinghouse for eagles and eagle parts to provide Native Americans with eagle feathers for religious and cultural use. The maximum penalty for each violation of the act is two years in a federal prison, up to a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. According the U.S. Attorney's Office, Montana authorities received information in February 2020 that Hugs was involved in trafficking golden eagle feathers. Between Aug. 20, 2020 and Nov. 3, 2020, law enforcement recorded phone calls and text messages in which Hugs offered to sell various eagle feathers. On two separate occasions, he sold golden eagle tails for several hundred dollars each. On a third occasion, Hugs sold a set of golden eagle wings and a gold eagle tail for $1,000. He then shipped the feathers to South Dakota. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hugs' Montana home on March 3, 2021. They seized multiple items, including additional eagle tails and wings. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab in Ashland, Oregon determined that the items from Hugs' home genetically matched items he sold and shipped during the case. He was arrested in Billings, Montana by U.S. Marshals in June 2022 and appeared in court in Rapid City in July 2022. As the one-year anniversary of Dobbs is celebrated by some and lamented by others this month, South Dakota is in the midst of a ballot measure fight. Not even a week after the U.S. Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion to the people, activists announced they would gather signatures for a constitutional amendment. Despite being branded as a return to Roe, the proposed amendment is deeply flawed in ways that should concern Republicans and Democrats, pro-life and pro-choice South Dakotans alike. Given our states low signature threshold for placing an issue on the ballot and our relatively cheap media market for buying TV ads, the speed of the announcement from Dakotans For Health wasnt surprising. From Marsys Law to recreational marijuana, South Dakota has long been a target for wealthy outside special interest groups. Now Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are entering the ring in an attempt to impose one of the most radical abortion frameworks in the country. This measure goes far beyond what Roe ever did in three disturbing ways. First, the constitutional amendment puts women and girls at risk. Ironically, the side that constantly says abortion is health care is advocating for a measure that would eliminate even the most basic medical and safety protections for women when it comes to abortion. As former Attorney General Mark Vargo stated, the new legal framework created by the amendment would override existing laws and regulations concerning abortion. Abortion facilities would no longer be required to be licensed or to follow health regulations that clinics or hospitals must abide by. There will be no standards in terms of cleanliness, reporting of complications or ensuring access to a blood bank. Without oversight or accountability, South Dakota could easily become home to shady abortion mills like those operated in other states where women died. A second consequence of the abortion measure is the elimination of parental rights. The measure would nullify South Dakotas parental notification law and allow girls who arent old enough to get a tattoo or buy a lottery ticket to get an abortion without parents ever knowing. Removing parents from the equation through ballot measures and legal fights is a growing priority for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, with South Dakota as one of their latest targets. A similar ballot measure is underway in Ohio. That amendment is also led by the ACLU, which has a long, clear position of fighting for the removal of parental rights. In Alaska and Indiana, Planned Parenthood has run to the courts arguing that a so-called right to abortion cannot be burdened by parental consent. This dangerous agenda plays right into the hands of sex traffickers and abusive boyfriends who want to take their young victims to facilities to secure an abortion, no questions asked. Most disturbingly, this measure creates a constitutional right for late-term abortions. The language of the amendment is intended to deceive the voters into believing the measure would only allow first trimester abortions by saying regulation is allowed in the second trimester. However, if you read further, it says, Any regulation . . . must be reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman. This means babies who can smile, hear, suck their thumbs, feel pain, and are viable and can survive outside of the womb will be brutally torn apart. Even those who survive a botched abortion will no longer have their lives protected. The amendment allows no law protecting these babies. One of the men behind this measure is Rick Weiland, whom the Mitchell Daily Republic has aptly labeled as the serial ballot backer due to his involvement in multiple ballot measures funded by out-of-state money. Weiland calls South Dakota the test state in the coming state by state street fighting on abortion. As the mom of two boys and a baby girl on the way, Im not okay with my daughter and the girls of her generation being Rick Weilands guinea pigs. My baby girl, who as I write this could be born any day, has value now and she is worth protecting as she grows to become a teenager and a woman. Im not okay with a 64-year-old males attempt to strip away her rights and protections in order to further the abortion industrys profit motive. Im not going to stand for that, and as South Dakotans learn more about this deceptive ballot measure, they wont either. Kelsey Pritchard is a South Dakota mom of three and state public affairs director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Geneva: Press Emblem Campaign, the global media safety and rights body, while expressing its concern over the blockade on Asia Sentinel, an independent online media outlet focusing on Asian news coverage, urges the Singapore government (precisely the interior minister K. Shanmugam) to withdraw the ban immediately and unconditionally. Access to Asia Sentinels website has apparently been blocked in Singapore by the countrys Ministry of Communications and Information, according to local media, after we refused to comply with an order to correct a May 24, 2023 article concerning the use of government power against dissenters, said the media outlets on 3 June. It also added, Asia Sentinel cited statements confirming the veracity of our reporting. The government demanded that Asia Sentinel carry the correction at the top of our website for 30 days, which we refused to do. Currently Asia Sentinel remains inaccessible throughout the city state due to the government diktats. The development started with a piece titled Singapore Kills a Chicken to Scare the Monkeys, which was uploaded on 24 May, where the Singapore governments inherent pressure on the media was criticized. Its very unfortunate that the Singapore government wants to read only favourable stories about them and it has seemingly decided to reject all kinds of critical journalism. The concerned ministry should withdraw the arrogant approach to the acclaimed media outlet and allow its access to the interested Singaporian nationals, said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (www.pressemblem.ch). Asia Sentinel was created to provide a platform for news, analysis, and opinion on national and regional issues in Asia and its independent of all governments and major media enterprises. It has twice won the top award for investigative and interpretive reporting from the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) and its highly respected in the business, economics and diplomatic communities across the region. Singapores home affairs minister Shanmugam issued a statement threatening to take stern action against Asia Sentinel under a new law on online falsehoods and manipulation, which has been used by the government to tame the press, critics & political opponents. Asia Sentinel made a correction post on the concerned piece. Although the media outlet posted the Singapore governments demand, it stood by the story. The Declaration of Independence is a formal document that served as the signatory colonies statement that they were now free and independent States. It is a vital document in American history. On July 1, 1776, delegates from the original 13 colonies, making up the Second Continental Congress, met in Philadelphia to vote on Richard Henry Lees motion for independence. After some deliberation, ultimately 12 of the 13 delegates voted in favor. In recognition of those 12 delegates, here are 12 facts regarding the Declaration of Independence. 1. The drafted document was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, two days after freedom from Britain was approved. However, most delegates signed the document on August 2, 1776, while others signed on a later date. John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston never signed the Declaration of Independence. 2. John Dunlap was the official printer of Congress at the time. He worked all night and into the morning of July 5 to produce the large, single-sided sheet, known as a broadside. About 200 copies of Dunlaps broadside were made. 3. The University of Virginia owns two copies of a rare early printing of the Declaration. It is on display in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. It is believed the copy once belonged to George Washington. 4. Benjamin Franklin, George Read, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. 5. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were hidden at Fort Knox during World War II, two weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked. 6. Despite what the movie National Treasure will have one believe, the message on the back of the document is visible and reads Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776. 7. Richard Stockton, a lawyer from New Jersey, was a signer of the Declaration who later recanted his support of the American revolution. He subsequently swore his allegiance to King George III after being captured by the British. 8. In 1989, an original Dunlap Broadside was found hidden behind a picture a Philadelphia man bought at a flea market for $4. It later sold for $8.1 million. Ultimately, 26 copies of the original prints have been found. 9. The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4, even though independence was accepted on July 2. 10. Early on, not everyone in America was supportive of the Declaration of Independence. Partisan politics led to discord. Federalist John Adams was feuding with Republicans and Thomas Jefferson. The anniversary date of the signing was not widely celebrated until the Federalists were no longer involved in politics. 11. The one-year anniversary of Independence Day and the celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence slipped the minds of Congress in 1777. When they remembered it was July 3rd, they planned a last-minute celebration on July 4th, and each year thereafter. 12. John Trumbulls painting Declaration of Independence, which was made into a lithograph replica by Ralph Trembly, hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. It is a fictional depiction of the five-man drafting committee presenting their draft to Congress, and not the signing. The painting shows 42 of the 56 signees, since Trumbull couldnt get likenesses of all involved. The men featured in the painting were never all in the room at the same time during the Declarations debate and signing. 12-17-1990 (cutline): The Capitol Hotel played host to the wrecker's ball yesterday. The rundown hotel at Eighth and Grace streets had become a symbol of the decline in affordable housing in the city and a rallying point for advocates who pressed the housing needs of the homeless and poor. They failed however, to save the hotel from destruction. A parking lot will be built on the site. 01-18-1991 (cutline): The dilapidated Capitol Hotel was razed to make way for a parking lot and the first vehicle on the uncompleted lot has license number SHAIA 1. The property at Eighth and Grace streets is owned by Dr. Fred T. Shaia. It is managed by his son Lawrence, who has said they do not have detailed plans for the site but would entertain proposals from developers. 01-10-1991 (cutline): It's Almost Gone. Rubble is all that remains of the Capitol Hotel at 720 E. Grace St. as demolition, which began in mid-December, nears completion. The nearly 90-year-old structure was owned by Dr. Fred T. Shaia, who plans to convert the site into a parking lot. The 120-unit hotel, which has rented rooms to low-income people in recent years, became a symbol of the decline in affordable housing in the city and rallying point for advocates who sought assist the homeless and poor. The effort to save the structure failed. From the Archives: The Capitol Hotel The Capitol Hotel was located on 720 E. Grace St. Street in downtown Richmond. The 120-unit hotel was built in the early 1900s and served as a hotel for decades until the late 1980s when rooms were rented out as affordable housing. When the structure started to decline, the property owner decided to raze the hotel and build a parking lot in its place. Advocates who sought to assist the homeless and poor rallied to stop the demolition but the effort to save the structure failed. The hotel was ultimately emptied and closed in 1990. Residents were given 120 days notice to vacate. The Capitol Hotel was razed in 1991. Capitol Parking expanded a 30- space lot to hold 100 cars in its place. Today, the United States District Court Eastern District of Virginia Courthouse stands in the former Capitol Hotels location. Chesterfield County police are investigating a drowning Sunday. Police were called at 6:07 p.m. to help rescue personnel in the Swift Creek Reservoir in the 5700 block of Promontory Pointe Road. Responding officers learned an adult male had gone into the water and went under without coming back to the surface, police said in a statement. Chesterfield fire and emergency medical workers were on the scene Sunday night conducting what police said was a recovery operation. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (804) 748-1251. Officials check the label of packed anchovies in Kwale, Kenya on June 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) NAIROBI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Braving an early morning chill that swept over a scenic beachfront in Kenya's coastal county of Kwale recently, Abdi Dura offloaded a bucket full of anchovies, locally known as "dagaa," into a waiting truck for delivery to a processing factory in a nearby village. The 30-year-old father of two, who was born into a fishing family in a village on the shores of the Indian Ocean, said venturing into the deep waters in search of anchovies, a popular delicacy along the Kenyan coast, has always felt surreal. Currently, Dura is among hundreds of fishermen in Kwale who are supplying anchovies to Huawen Food (Kenya) Export Processing Zone Limited, a Chinese firm that has established a factory for processing, drying, and packaging the small fish in a serene village on the edge of Kwale County. On Friday, Huawen Food Limited facilitated the export of the first batch of dried anchovies to China at a ceremony graced by senior officials, investors, and local fishermen. Salim Mvurya, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, termed the inaugural shipment of anchovies sourced from local fishermen to the Chinese market as "a historic moment for the country." The first batch of anchovies from the Kenyan coast to be shipped to the Chinese market will be showcased at the third edition of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo slated for June 29 to July 2 in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province. On hand to witness the flagging-off ceremony for the small fish to the Asian nation were Dura and his fellow fishermen, who cheered the move, even as they looked forward to improved revenue streams. "It is an exciting moment to witness the maiden export of anchovies to the Chinese market," Dura said. "Now that we have secured a new market for the small fish, we expect our income to increase and look forward to purchasing new fishing gear to help improve the volumes of our catch." He said currently, he is able to supply three to four metric tons of anchovies daily to the processing factory established by Huawen Food Limited, cushioning him from market volatility locally. Granted permission by Chinese customs authorities to export sun-dried and frozen anchovies to the Asian nation, Huawen Food Limited has forged a partnership with local fishermen to facilitate a seamless supply of the small fish caught in the Indian Ocean waters, said Liu Zhiyong, the firm's executive director. According to Liu, the factory, upon completion of the two phases of development, is expected to handle the processing of about 200 metric tons of anchovies daily, boosting revenue streams for local artisanal fishermen. Mohamed Salim, 56, said since entering a partnership with Huawen Food Limited to supply anchovies to the company's factory, his income has been on an upward trajectory. With 36 years of experience as a fisherman, Salim said the export of anchovies to China is a giant stride that marks the beginning of transformed livelihoods for local fisherfolk and their dependents. "It is my hope that the export of anchovies to China will be sustained and open new opportunities for local fishermen," Salim said. Kenya and China, in January 2022, signed two protocols aimed at facilitating bilateral trade in avocados and aquatic products, setting the stage for the export of anchovies, popular worldwide for their rich nutrient content. Daniel Mungai, director general of Kenya Fisheries Service, said by securing a new market in China for its anchovies, the country's economy stands to gain from new foreign exchange earnings. Mungai said Kenya looks forward to cooperation with China in order to boost value addition on anchovies and revitalize the entire fisheries sub-sector that contributes 0.5 percent to the country's gross domestic product. Rishadi Iki Hamisi, the 70-year-old chairman of a fishermen's lobby in Kwale County that has inked a deal with Huawen Food Limited to supply anchovies, hailed the opening of a Chinese market for the small fish, describing it a "watershed moment" for coastal fishermen yearning for economic vitality. Mwanamgeni Juma, a 28-year-old mother of one, said attending the flagging-off ceremony of the first batch of anchovies destined for China gave her reassurance that the economy of her fishing village will be revived. Fishermen fish in Kwale, Kenya on June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Below is a rolling list of storm updates across metro Richmond this Monday evening. Download The Times-Dispatch app for weather updates while you're on the go. 10:24 p.m. Storms continue a few dozen miles west of the Richmond region. More rain overnight is likely, but the threat of severe storms is declining. Late night storms continue a few dozen miles west of #RVA. Damaging storm threat is waning, but still more rain overnight is likely in #RVA. pic.twitter.com/1yQvZ3dFn4 Sean Sublette (@SeanSublette) June 27, 2023 10:10 p.m. A Flood Watch is in effect until 2 a.m. Tuesday for the Richmond region and a wide section of the state. "Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible," the National Weather Service said in a statement. 8 p.m. Strongest storms moving across the West End and continuing into Hanover County including Ashland with wind gusts to 60 mph, through about 8:45 p.m. Expect a scattering of tree damage and potential power outages. Final wave of thunderstorms will cross the central and west side of the metro area between 9 and 10 p.m., then the threat of storms will subside for the night. Isolated damage is still possible before those storms clear by 10 p.m. 6:10 pm. Cirrus canopy of the current Fork Union and Louisa storms, as seen from Midlothian. #vawx pic.twitter.com/b4MyR2VF06 Sean Sublette (@SeanSublette) June 26, 2023 6:30 p.m. Intense cluster of thunderstorms continues from Fork Union to Louisa on a slow movement east toward Hanover and Goochland Counties. These storms have produced hail the size of ping pong balls (1.5" diameter), and have brought down trees near Zion Crossroads in Fluvanna County. Power outages are increasing in Fluvanna County. Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Richmond VA, Tuckahoe VA and Mechanicsville VA until 8:30 PM EDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH! pic.twitter.com/ALLbnUcHyi NWS Wakefield (@NWSWakefieldVA) June 27, 2023 A second area of storms near Farmville and Brookneal is strengthening and moving northeast toward Prince Edward and Amelia County, on a bearing to arrive in Chesterfield County after 8 p.m. ** 5:30 p.m. Strongest storms now within 50 miles of western Henrico County. Hail and wind gusts to 60 mph within these storms. This cluster is moving eastward at 20 mph, so they would not likely arrive in Short Pump, Wyndham, and Glen Allen until after 7 p.m. ** 5:14 p.m. Severe weather warning for Richmond 3-11 PM. Risk rating 3/5, wind gusts 60-75 mph. Charge devices, avoid flooded roads, bring outdoor items indoors. Stay updated. Call Homeward for homeless assistance. 5 libraries open until 8 PM. City Hall open for refuge at 4 PM. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/wFLyKVpQmK City of Richmond, VA (@CityRichmondVA) June 26, 2023 The Chesterfield Fire and EMS investigating a drowning have called off recovery efforts on the Swift Creek Reservoir. Police were called Sunday evening to help rescue personnel in the Swift Creek Reservoir in the 5700 block of Promontory Pointe Road. Fire department officials said they will be back on site Tuesday. ** 5 p.m. Nearest storms remain 60 miles west of Richmond and continue moving eastward. No threat to Richmond through at least 6 p.m. But those storms will cross into Buckingham and Fluvanna Counties in the next hour with heavy rain and vivid lightning. ** 4:30 p.m. Strongest storms remain along the U.S. 29 corridor between Charlottesville and Amherst. These storms are moving east and will largely miss the core of metro Richmond this evening, impacting areas from Ashland to Fredericksburg. However, more storms are expected to develop upstream from Richmond in the coming hours. ** 4:12 p.m. Henrico County Public Schools has announced that due to inclement weather expected later this evening, and out of an abundance of caution, all after-school and extracurricular programs and activities are canceled after 4:30 p.m. today, June 26. All HCPS schools and offices will also be closing at 4:30 p.m. 4 p.m. Thunderstorms remain several dozen miles west of metropolitan Richmond, with the first area of rain likely arriving after 6 p.m. ** 3:30 p.m. New Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been added southward from the one in northern Virginia, now includes all of metro Richmond and areas southwestward to the Roanoke Valley and southward to the North Carolina state line. The Watch in metro Richmond continues until 10 p.m. The primary threats are for scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 miles per hour and isolated large hail upwards of 1.5 inches in diameter roughly the size of a ping pong ball. Thunderstorm development will accelerate in the coming few hours, with the greatest threats being large hail and damaging winds. ** 3 p.m. Clouds are beginning to fill in west and southwest of Richmond, with new storms starting to generate westward near Smith Mountain Lake and across Franklin County. This is the area upstream from Richmond to be monitored for additional development in the coming few hours. But no imminent threat to metro Richmond for at least 1-2 hours. ** 2:30 p.m. Severe Thunderstorm Watch for northern Virginia, where storm development has started earliest. A Watch means conditions are rapidly becoming favorable for damaging thunderstorms with high winds and hail. The Watch does not include any of metro Richmond, but more thunderstorm development is expected upstream from Richmond as afternoon evolves into evening. *** 2 p.m. A Flood Watch continues until 2 a.m. Tuesday morning for metro Richmond and areas eastward, as thunderstorms may produce enough rain for flooding of small streams and creeks and in urban areas with poor drainage. *** 1:45 p.m. Risk of thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts remains for late this afternoon and early this evening across metro Richmond. No imminent threat of thunderstorms, but clouds are beginning to blossom along the Blue Ridge and areas to the west, which is the expected genesis area of the storms this afternoon. From the Archives: Beginnings of Busch Gardens Conservative state legislatures continue to attack transgender rights: Texas has banned transgender care for youth; Kansas passed a law erroneously defining gender as sex assigned at birth; Montanas House of Representatives banned Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the first trans legislator in the state, from the legislative chamber. These are only a few examples of a larger pattern in which states like Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Missouri have passed increasingly intrusive restrictions on gender expression. In response, some people are leaving these states to protect themselves and their families. These laws are highly discriminatory. They also display a shocking lack of awareness of the complex science of gender and sex. As an associate professor of biology, I know that sex and gender are intertwined, complicated, fascinating and nonbinary. The more scientists study gender/sex, the more nuanced and myriad variation we find. For sex assigned at birth, there are at least three categories female, male, intersex and they still greatly simplify true variation in hormone levels, genetics and anatomy. But now, according to many red-state legislatures, sex and gender are the same, binary and life-long. Scientists, on the other hand, have long accepted that biological sex is not the same as gender. The American Medical Womens Association defines gender as socially constructed and enacted roles and behaviors which occur in a historical and cultural context and vary across societies and over time. To treat gender and sex as synonyms is a grave error. In addition to sex assigned at birth, people have gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Each of these are different aspects of a person. Biological sex is also not binary due to the spectrum of outcomes that can be produced by biological processes. As wide as the variation in biological sex is, so too is variation in gender. Scientific fields from neuroscience to psychology challenge a gender binary. For centuries and across cultures, people have expressed gender identities that differ from their assigned birth sex. Many Native American cultures recognize multiple gender identities. The Navajo (Nadleehi and Dilbass), Lakota (Winkte) and Mohave (Alyha and Hwame) celebrate members who would now be called transgender. Such people are, in fact, considered gifted and are widely called Two-Spirit people. To be sure, science only takes us part of the way in understanding the true complexity of sex and gender. However, laws and policies, whether they address climate change or health care, should not be based in science denial. Such laws are harmful to the health of transgender individuals and ignore the facts of science. Rather than more anti-science legislation, we need better public education so that voters, and our politicians, understand the differences between sex, gender and sexuality. Science denial continues to play a strong role in American politics. But the world works the way the world works, and no amount of legislation can change that. Our educational system should teach the complexity of human bodies and identity. I challenge fellow scientists: psychologists, biologists, neuroscientists, medical doctors and nurses to join me in raising their voices against these harmful laws. We need to embrace the true complexity of human identity, not deny it or attempt to limit it. From the Archives: In 1974, a Richmond music festival turned into a full-on riot Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival Cherry Blossom Rock Festival 20181109_FEA_POD_jamDONE.jpg Archaeological progress along Mayan Train route near complete Riviera Maya, Q.R. Archaeological rescues along the Mayan Train route are the most extensive in INAH history and its progress near complete. The rescues carried out by the Secretariat of Culture of the Government of Mexico through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), are preparing to wrap up for good. INAH General Director Diego Prieto Hernandez reported that to date, work along Maya Train sections 1, 2, 3 , 4, 5 and 7 are 100 percent complete, while section 6 is 99 percent finished. The Mayan Train has given us the opportunity to carry out the most extensive archaeological salvage investigation in the history of our country, the product of which we will generate new knowledge about the civilizations and cultures that flourished in the Mexican southeast and articulated in their linguistic diversity, social, geographical and economic to the great pre-Hispanic Mayan nation, he said. The anthropologist recognized the work of the various specialists who collaborated hand-in-hand with the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (Fonatur), the Ministry of National Defense and the construction consortiums among others, in the recovery of archaeological heritage. The work was done through the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza), which optimizes public visits, research and conservation of 26 of these sites near the train route. As a result, Prieto Hernandez said that as of June 22, over 53,500 real estate (basements, albarradas, leveling, foundations or housing units) have been registered and preserved along with 1,111,608 ceramic sherds, 1,844 furniture elements (metates, figurines and other ceramic pieces), 765 vessels, 597 human bones and 1,348 natural features (caves, cenotes, or flooded and semi-flooded caverns). All of which, he says, have been identified in association with ancient human presence. The Muyil Archaeological Zone is approximately 20 kilometers south of Tulum. Photo: INAH Prieto Hernandez also presented the work being carried out in the Muyil Archaeological Zone in Quintana Roo, as part of the Promeza Project, which encompasses the investigation and conservation of archaeological structures, as well as the optimization of visitor services. As part of these actions, he added, the signage of the site has been renewed, the parking lot expanded and a new tourist entry and reception unit built, while an introductory room is set up to provide a more comprehensive experience of this pre-Hispanic settlement. This particular zone is located 20 kilometers from the ancient city of Tulum in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. He said that Muyil is also known as Chunyaxche and dates back to the Late Preclassic period (300-50 BC), to the Late Postclassic (1200-1450 AD). Chetumal man kidnapped for 10 hours located Chetumal, Q.R. A man who was reported kidnapped Saturday night was found Sunday. Marco R, the brother of a local Quintana Roo deputy, was given an express missing persons alert after being kidnapped Saturday evening. The 27-year-old was released by his captors early Sunday after being kidnapped in the community of Calderitas the evening before. He and a friend were reportedly intercepted up by a group of hooded men around 7:15 p.m. while on their way to a ranch party. Details surrounding the kidnapping are unknown. His friend was released by kidnappers around 10:00 p.m. Saturday night. Marco R was abandoned by his kidnappers around 4:00 a.m. Sunday and admitted to Chetumal hospital at 5:10 a.m., approximately 10 hours after he went missing. Normally police require an adult to be missing 24 hours before a public report is issued. Marco R is being treated for physical injuries including head trauma. He remains under police guard during the ongoing investigation. Nine kilometers of Jose Maria Morelos backroads being rehabilitated Jose Maria Morelos, Q. R. A historic section of jungle backroad that has been neglected for decades is being rehabilitated. Jose Maria Morelos Mayor Erik Borges Yam says the much used road is being expanded and leveled for better travel. He reported that three kilometers of the dirt road that leads to Rancho Viejo, which for decades was not attended to, began rehabilitation with considerable progress. It is the road from La Esperanza to Javier Rojo Gomez in a 3 kilometer section and from there to Rancho Viejo, which is another six to total nine kilometers of dirt road, he explained. He says the work being done will allow a greater opening on the sides and better vehicle circulation. Borges Yam carried out weekend supervision tours in all corners of the municipality due to ongoing public work projects. He was accompanied by councilor Luis Tun Sandoval, who also supervised the rehabilitation of the road that leads to Rojo Gomez and Rancho Viejo. People in this area have been abandoned for many years, but now they are cared for. They deserve the attention of their government. We are making public project efforts and there are considerable advances at the beginning of the third quarter based on the honest management of the peoples resources, Borges Yam explained. Quintana Roo and Texas Department of Agriculture agree to market local produce Riviera Maya, Q.R. The State of Quintana Roo has signed an agreement with the Texas Department of Agriculture to market local state produce. On Sunday, Governor Mara Lezama announced the new agreement. She said to promote the marketing of various agricultural products, increase economic development and combat food shortages in Quintana Roo, the Head of the Governors Office, Artemio Santos Santos, signed a Declaration of Bilateral Cooperation with the Assistant Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Daniel J. Hunter. Artemio Santos Santos signs agreement with the Assistant Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture Daniel J. Hunter. Photo: CGC June 24, 2023. The signing of the declaration of bilateral cooperation between Quintana Roo and the Texas Department of Agriculture, in the field of agriculture, livestock, trade and economic development, took place in Cancun Saturday. During talks, various strategies and lines of action were established to work in coordination with the Texas Department of Agriculture that included work on actions for genetic improvement in terms of bovine livestock. In terms of agriculture, actions will be sought to promote the marketing of the various products grown in the state such as pineapple, pitahaya, lemon, watermelon and oranges, among others. It was also proposed that Mexico producers opt to produce organic products which are in high demand in the U.S. and could generate a higher income for Quintana Roo producers. Hecho in Quintana Roo (Made in Quintana Roo) products will also be marketed in commercial stores throughout the state of Texas. Artemio Santos said both sides agreed on training and employment programs that the Department of Agriculture manages in rural areas of Texas, as well as organized visits from Texas buyers to learn about the producers and their processes, which could generate investment and marketing. Another part of the agreement is to promote products with the distinctive Made in Quintana Roo logo. Those products will be marketed in Texas commercial stores. Both sides will also hold events to promote gastronomy and local Quintana Roo products. In April, the state of Quintana Roo also signed an agreement with Amazon Mexico to promote state made products. The Secretariat of Economic Development (SEDE) signed an agreement for the marketing and promotion of products from Micro, Small and Medium businesses (MiPyMEs) with the Hecho in Quintana Roo (Made in Quintana Roo) labeled products to be promoted and sold on Amazon Mexico. Two more stuck sea turtles freed from rocky Isla Mujeres beaches Isla Mujeres, Q.R. Two more adults sea turtles required help being dislodged from rocks over the weekend. On Sunday, members of the Isla Mujeres Turtle Camp were part of a rescue in two separate reports. According to Isla Mujeres Mayor Atenea Gomez Ricalde, the first report was of a stuck turtle in the backyard of a residence on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. The turtle was located near the College of Bachelors in the Insular Zone and was rescued. Ricalde reported that specimen was a loggerhead turtle measuring 90 centimeters long by 83 wide. Before becoming stuck, she managed to lay 144 eggs without any problems. She was freed and able to return to the sea on her own. The second sea turtle was reported stuck on the eastern shores of the island near Skate Park. The Green sea turtle was measured to be 114 centimeters in length and 93 in width. Two more sea turtles required help maneuvering rocks while trying to return to the sea. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 25, 2023. Her rescuers noticed slight scratches on her body. She was treated, unstuck and released without further complication. Last week, Municipal Police of Isla Mujeres spent around three hours chiseling limestone to free a stuck sea turtle. The turtle found herself nose-down after trying to pass over rocks to return to the sea. She ended up tightly lodged between two rocks that required a hammer and chisel to free her. U.S. returns fugutive to Mexico to face murder charges Los Rosarios, Sinaloa The U.S. has returned a wanted man to Mexico to face murder charges. In compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the United States, over the weekend, Cruz G was extradited from the U.S. and handed over to Mexican authorities. According to the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), Cruz G has been on the run since 2007. He was wanted for the murder of a man in the town of Los Rosarios in the state of Sinaloa. According to the FGR, Cruz G allegedly killed a man with a firearm. Subsequently, the Government of the United States granted the extradition of the defendant to the Government of Mexico. He was handed over to Mexican authorities at the border bridge of San Ysidro, California, that joins with Tijuana, Baja California. He has since been transferred to the Judicial District of Sinaloa de Leyva where he will face charges. CHRISTIANSBURG Despite some concerns in the community over its future, the Starlite Drive-in Theater plans to open at the end of the month and has even booked a lineup of movies for several weekends, said a person close to the decades-old institution. The Starlite, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, usually opens its season during the spring a period that former employee Jonathon Taylor said typically begins around Memorial Day weekend and runs until roughly Labor Day weekend. However, the lines of cars frequently seen on Starlite Drive on weekend nights during this time of the year have been missing over the past several weeks, leading to speculation in the community about the future of the drive-in that has been family owned and operated since 1953. Taylor said there have been a few reasons for the delay. He said the venue struggled with attendance last year. Then, he said, there have been some financial challenges in addition to owner Peggy Beasley dealing with health issues. But Taylor said he, Beasley, and a friend of hers have been diligently working to prepare the drive-in for another season. He said theyve spent nights and weekends performing maintenance, painting and cleaning up the snack bar area, among other duties. Weve come a long way, Taylor said. Taylor, who said he works for a local college, said he was employed by the drive-in from 2013 to 2018. He said he started out ensuring patrons parked in the correct rows and later became responsible for putting the movies together and running the projector. Taylor quelled rumors and made an effort to assuage community concerns over the Starlite earlier this month when he put up a post on Facebook to address a few points about the drive-in. Among the points he stressed is that the drive-in despite not being currently open has not been sold and is still under Beasleys ownership. Taylor, who pointed out that he had talked to Beasley for a few hours the previous day, included a poll in the post and invited people to leave comments. The outcome of this poll and continued community support will determine the future of the Starlite Drive-in. Peggy wants nothing more than to keep it open, but decreased community support has hampered her ability to do so, Taylor wrote. This may be the last time we have the ability to keep a community gem open. Please feel free to select multiple [responses] and comment below, please be civil. The response selected the most46% of respondents, according to the results of the poll posted in the Everything Christiansburg group on June 11was a call to keep the drive-in open with a promise of support from the respondents. More than 500 people either commented on or engaged with the post within the first 15 minutes, Taylor said. The number of comments and engagements grew to about 5,000 over the next two days, before eventually reaching just under 6,000, he said. Taylor said they received some good suggestions. One they plan to implement is the employment of car hops to handle mobile ordering in the yard and deliver the food, he said. They plan to use two servers outside, he said. Taylor said theyre also shrinking the menu to streamline the concession stand. He said theyre removing the funnel cakes due to them being time consuming. Taylor, however, said theyre keeping other long-time favorites such as the hot dogs and chili, as well as the French fries and candy. He said theyre also bringing in larger containers for the popcorn. As far as the showings, Taylor said the drive-in plans to have a soft opening on the evening of June 29 with a sneak preview of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. That movie will be shown for the main opening weekend starting on June 30, he said. Movies are booked for the next few weekends following the June 30 opening, he said. They include The Little Mermaid the recently-released live adaption Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Mission: ImpossibleDead Reckoning Part One. The opening delay adds to what has been somewhat of a challenging run for Starlite the past several years. In 2016, the Starlite ended its long use of car-mounted speakers due to patrons frequently damaging the devices over the years and the high costs of repairing the antique items. The drive-in transitioned to using loud speakers for the movies, but the change triggered a legal battle with the town of Christiansburg over the noise caused by the new system. Although the Starlite emerged victorious in court, the outcome prompted Christiansburg to draw up new noise measures that the drive-in had to abide. Taylor said there is a long-term hope to bring back the car-mounted speakers. He, however, said funds will need to be raised and the drive-in needs about $25,000 for the project. The drive-ins Facebook page and website should be up no later than Saturday this week, Taylor said. The Starlites 70th season is a milestone that Taylor said prompted him to do everything in his power to keep the drive-in open. Taylor spoke about Beasleys family building and opening the drive-in the 1950s and how she eventually took it over after having already long worked for the family business. Theres a lot of family history in that drive-in, Taylor said. I like to do what I can for Peggy to keep it going. The Starlite is one of six remaining drive-ins in Virginia, according to driveinmovie.com, a site that maintains a searchable database of drive-in theaters in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The Starlite has increasingly become an antique over time due to the decline of drive-ins over the decades. About 330 drive-in theaters remain in operation in the U.S., far less than the 4,000 that existed during their peak in the late 1950s, according to driveinmovie.com. In astrology, Saturns Return usually means a period of intense change and growth. Per their website, Richmond-based vintage boutique Saturn Return assures you that they will help you with an enjoyable and inspirational retail experience that helps you find pieces that connect you with yourself. Between the unlimited amount of fun and fascinating things just in the entryway and the fact that it is situated comfortably beside breakfast staple City Diner (hey, goths get hungry, too), Saturn Return is here to help you get through it all. Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, Saturn Return originally started its journey further down the road on W. Broad St by Alchemy Coffee. Lovingly called the Goth Cowboy store, a nickname Saturn Returns owner, Erika, embraces with a bear hug, Saturn Return is a second-hand vintage boutique catering to a little bit of everything your goth heart could want. Whether it is skincare, your first pair of Doc Martens or Demonias, the gorgeous Victorian Chaise Lounge beside the front door, or that one Judas Priest shirt youve always wanted that has somehow managed to elude you, Erika and her team have you covered. Photo courtesy of Saturn Return Originally from further down south in Florida, Erika has always kind of known that she wanted to open a storefront of her own someday. This led to her pursuing a degree in fashion merchandising at SCAD in Savannah, GA, and working in a vintage shop post-graduation helped inspire what would ultimately be. I was 12 years old when my mom heard me talking about wanting my own store, said Erika. I had always been into fashion and stuff, but it wasnt until I started cultivating my own personal style that I had other people constantly asking me where I got things, [etc.]. And they were like Well let us know if you ever open up your own store because we will come shop there because they liked all the things I would wear on my person. I started working retail when I was 15 or 16 at a Rack Room Shoes outlet store. Knowing I wanted a store down the line, I started studying fashion marketing management at the Savannah College of Art and Design in order to prepare myself more for that. It wasnt until I got to manage a vintage store in Savannah after I graduated that I knew I wanted the direction and focus for my own business to be more vintage inspired as well as provide an offering for more vintage pre-owned and preloved accessories. Photo courtesy of Saturn Return Starting around 2013 is when Erika started to get more of a vision and focus about what she specifically wanted in what would eventually be Saturn Return. Taking a turn to get her feet wet in corporate retail such as Nordstrom, with the hopes of doing visual marketing as opposed to sales, helped make this clearer as well. Ultimately, what helped situate Erika further up north in Richmond was the growing and thriving punk and alternative scenes and how they were more community-oriented. She had friends who were living up here and enjoying it, and after visiting it herself, she decided to come plant roots herself. I think just from my personal experience there is something about the location that is, said Erika. Its the communal thing. One of the first things that I discovered was Best Friends Day, hang out at the river at some point, and we would have some other festivals that I was a part of. There was always some kind of congregation going on at some point. I think one thing is there is such an opportunity to commune in places like Richmond, and when you have that type of like-minded people all in one space who want a sense of community, there is the ability to re-commune, especially since the weather is better in Richmond than in, say, Florida. And honestly, it makes a difference. I have met way more people in Richmond who are into the same things than I did in Florida. Photo courtesy of Saturn Return Being someone who lives for second-hand shops like a Disney Adult lives for Epcot, I always have to ask folks who do this professionally how they dont just keep absolutely everything they come across. Unsurprisingly, this isnt just a struggle for me but a bit of a constant internal battle for folks running vintage and second-hand shops as well. Finding that one piece youve had your eye on for a while, or that one piece you didnt know existed and now, do I sling it in my own home or find a way to price it? Suddenly that one-inch sliver of cardstock feels heavy now. As I sit directly beside one of the most beautiful mourning capes I have ever seen in my life (which Erika notes as one of the pieces she struggled to keep or sell), and the corner of my right eye keeps casually darting back to the aforementioned Chaise Lounge by the door, wondering if it is remotely possible for me to get it in my 2012 Nissan hatchback I get it. Boy howdy, do I get it. Their selection is curated from a combination of Erikas adventures, and from folks who want to donate their own pieces. While these donations are usually clothing and accessories, occasionally Saturn Return does receive furniture as well, and they do feature local business in addition. Photo courtesy of Saturn Return We do buy from customers, so you can make an appointment online, said Erika. Most of the time, it is predominantly clothes and accessories, but from time to time we do have customers who know we will buy housewares and vintage knick-knacks for the house. My whole direction in the beginning was for this to be a lifestyle store. Now we carry new business fragrances and candles, so yeah, you could come here and get something for your house, for your body, for your feet. Eventually, I would like to try to offer more furniture and become less attached to new furniture we are technically selling. I do also go on buying trips as well in the city and other places such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well. Anytime I get the opportunity to travel, even if it is a personal trip, whenever I get the opportunity to shop. Saturn Return has been a quiet staple of Richmond and its arts and alternative communities for a handful of years, and as I sat in the entry room talking with Erika, it was clear that not only did it have its bevy of fans and loyalists already, but Erika as well herself. With five years down in her pocket, what does she hope that the next five look like? Photo courtesy of Saturn Return I would hope to have all of the different products we have wanted to sell, said Erika. I want more smaller-maker products [and] more locally made products. I tend to gravitate more toward female-owned businesses, obviously, so continuing that and trying to showcase that and products by women of color. Furniture was always something I was always hoping to offer more, but I struggle getting attached to things. Everything in here is something I would wear or own. Also doing more markets and events because this whole parking lot is mine technically. One of the visions I had with this space was to utilize it, so Id like to have more local makers have tables and show their wares. Ideally, in the next five years, Id like to have it set up to once a month. Saturn Return is located at 2239 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, and is open daily from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit their website at shopsaturnreturn.com or visit them on Instagram at @shopsaturnreturn. Representatives from the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia, China Agricultural University and Ethiopia's Wolaita Sodo University sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a launch of the Joint Research and Extension Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 26, 2023. Ethiopia and China on Monday launched the joint research and extension center supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fast-track renewable energy development in Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Wang Ping) ADDIS ABABA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia and China on Monday launched a joint research and extension center supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fast-track renewable energy development in Ethiopia. The Joint Research and Extension Center is expected to serve as a research, training and demonstration platform to enhance the capacity to access renewable energy technologies and facilitate the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While addressing the launch of the event, Ethiopian State Minister of Water and Energy Sultan Wali underscored the need to strengthen cooperation among Ethiopia, China and the UNDP on the exploitation of renewable energy resources. "We are reinforcing our bilateral cooperation through laying a structural foundation for our next generation in starting a research and renewable energy development center," Wali said. The state minister also emphasized the importance of cooperation with China under the South-South framework, with particular emphasis on the development of renewable energy sources. "The South-South cooperation framework is an opportunity to bring China's experience in biogas and solar (energy) to address Ethiopia's energy needs for productive use. It helps to coordinate and drive China's know-how and experience toward national development goals in Ethiopia," he said. With financial support from the Ministry of Commerce of China, the UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia (MoWE), the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, an affiliated entity of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and China Agricultural University (CAU) is implementing a "Biogas, Biomass and Solar Trilateral Cooperation Project (Transitioning to Sustainable Energy Uses in the Agro-Industry) Project." The project primarily envisaged supporting renewable energy technology dissemination and scale-up for Ethiopia's climate-resilient growth. The Joint Research and Extension Center, as one of the project deliverables, was established among the MoWE, CAU, and Ethiopia's Wolaita Sodo University. During the launch of the event, the three institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the joint center. UNDP Ethiopia Deputy Resident Representative Cleophas Torori extolled the UNDP's "long-standing" partnership with China and Ethiopia. He said as part of the efforts to bridge the energy access gaps and achieve the energy and climate targets in Ethiopia, the UNDP, in cooperation with China, is supporting the Ethiopian government in implementing the South-South cooperation initiative, with a focus on the renewable energy trilateral cooperation project. "In Ethiopia, we remain committed to helping the country realize the transition to a jobs-rich green economy through renewable energy solutions, tapping into the collaboration with the government of China," Torori said. Chen Qizhen, deputy director general of the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, said despite the challenges and uncertainties around the globe, the South-South cooperation framework is playing an increasingly important role. "As the supplement to the traditional North-South cooperation, the new model of South-South and trilateral cooperation injects fresh impetus to solidarity and cooperation, and ensures mutual benefit and common development among developing countries," Chen said. Yang Yihang, minister counselor for economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, expressed the Chinese government's commitment to assisting renewable energy development in Ethiopia under the South-South cooperation framework. You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Brita Stone is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. Sage Womens Health is located at 2029 Village Lane in Solvang. If youre interested in setting up an appointment call (805) 500-8056. Learn more at SageWomensHealthSYV.com. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. One of the things that makes the Atacama unique, even among deserts, is how long it has been so dry. The Atacama is the oldest desert on Earth and has been semiarid for an estimated 150 million years; the driest part of the desert receives only one-fiftieth of the annual precipitation that Death Valley receives, on average. This is in part due to the geographic location and formations around the Atacama Desert, which has the Andes Mountains on the east and the Chilean Coastal Range on the west, creating a double "rain shadow" where very little precipitation ever falls. Despite this lack of rain, the Atacama is also quite cool. Unlike more stereotypical deserts like the Saraha where triple-digit temperatures are the norm, the average temperature ranges between lows in the 30s and highs in the 70s (Fahrenheit), or 0 to the 20s in Celsius. Advertisement This might seem like a strange combination of factors, but it has its benefits. Virtually no rain and cool temperatures create a unique ecosystem that has long inspired scientists to explore the life (or lack thereof) in the Atacama and consider what it might mean for life on other planets too. Unlike other deserts, there are no cacti, insects or even pathogens in some parts of this plain. " " Mount Etna, a Decade Volcano off the coast of Sicily, erupts, in an undated photo. Wead/Shutterstock We humans have long been wary of volcanoes, and with good reason. We can't hear about Vesuvius' victims in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii or hear about the wide-ranging aftereffects of Indonesia's Mount Tambora eruption in 1815 one of the most monstrous volcanic eruptions in recorded history without feeling a little nervous. So, we humans keep a list of worrisome volcanoes to keep tabs on and study they're called the Decade Volcanoes, but not because they erupt every decade. Advertisement "The so-called Decade Volcanoes project was an initiative that began in the 1990s as part of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction," says Jon Major, lead scientist at the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington. "As part of that proposed initiative, the international volcano community, through an organization called International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI), identified 16 volcanoes worldwide as being worth more intensive study, owing to their history of destructive eruptions, the hazards they posed and their proximity to densely populated areas." Volcanologists use a variety of tools to assess the state of a volcano. They watch for earthquakes using seismometers, monitor for changes in ground surface elevation using GPS and satellite radar technology, and keep an eye on the release of volcanic gases that may indicate the movement of magma toward the surface. "This instrumentation network allows us to detect the earliest possible signs of potential volcanic activity so that we can inform emergency management authorities and the public," says Major. Here, in alphabetical order (and not order of destructive potential), are the 16 Decade Volcanoes: Latta is my hometown, Bethea said. I always wanted to do something to give back, and Im just glad Anderson Brothers Bank could make that possible. On behalf of the Latta Police Department and the Town of Latta, we couldnt be happier, Bryant said. Anderson Brothers Bank has been amazing in supporting us in all our endeavors that we ask of them. They are very community-minded, and we will forever be grateful for this considering were a small department and small budget; every little bit helps, and this is huge. TIMMONSVILLE, S.C. Florence County sheriffs deputies are searching for a burglar who broke into a residence under construction at 715 Cale Yarborough Highway on Saturday. According to the Florence County Sheriffs Office, the burglar stole a couch and an 82-inch flat-screen TV. Cameras captured images of a person and two vehicles one a silver Ford Focus and one a white Ford pickup with a utility trailer. Anyone with knowledge about the break-in is asked to call sheriffs investigators at 843-665-2121, extension 395. WASHINGTON 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 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. 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 xylazines impact, to craft ways of disrupting illegal supplies and to develop medicines to reverse its effects. We dont 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 doesnt mean that xylazine is doing it. In almost all cases, xylazine a drug for sedating horses and other animals is 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. Like other cutting agents, xylazine benefits dealers: Its 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. Xylazines effects are easy to spot: users experience a lethargic, trancelike state and sometimes black out, exposing themselves to robbery or assault. Its a delayed reaction, I could be walking down the street, its 45 minutes later, says Dominic Rodriguez, who is homeless and battling addiction. Then I wake up, trying to piece together what happened. Xylazine: What is it? 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. 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. Naloxone, a medication used revive people who have stopped breathing, doesnt reverse the effects of xylazine. With no approved reversal drug for xylazine, the Savage Sisters group has taken to carrying oxygen tanks to help revive people. 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 dont have the expertise to treat deep lesions that can expose tissue and bone. If you have someone out there whos ready to come in for treatment, you really want to act on that quickly, said Jill Bowen, who runs Philadelphias behavioral health department. Xylazine can be addictive and patients who stop taking it report severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and distress. Theres no approved treatment but physicians have been using the blood pressure-lowering drug clonidine, which is sometimes prescribed for anxiety. 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 drugs 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 werent looking for the drug until recently. What it is doing is making the deadliest drug weve 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 arent so sure. Startling study 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 xylazines 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 Yorks 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 xylazines long-term effects. She also noted that the study didnt track downstream effects of xylazine that could be deadly, including skin infections and amputations. 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 didnt 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. Photos: Tranq, the new fentanyl additive worsening Americas opioid epidemic "The Death of the Evolving Standards of Decency" | Main | Spotlighting the development of prosecutor-led resentencing movement June 26, 2023 Last official SCOTUS order list of Term and still no action on acquitted conduct cases (or big Second Amendment case) Because the Supreme Court typically wraps up its Term before Independence Day, court watchers expect the last handful of pending SCOTUS cases to be resolved this week. One notable criminal case remains, Counterman v. Colorado, though expected rulings on affirmative action and student debt relief are sure to garner the most attention. But, as regular readers know, my SCOTUS docket attention has often been focused on the large number of acquitted conduct cases that the Justices keep relisting. I believe there are now at least 13 pending cases coming from at least seven different circuits that raise acquitted conduct sentencing issues in some way, and the McClinton case in which I filed an amicus brief in support of certiorari has been before the Justices for more than a year. This morning brought the last "official" SCOTUS order list, and all the acquitted conduct cases are entirely missing from the order list yet again. I had really hoped that this final official order list might finally result in some resolution from SCOTUS, but I guess the waiting game continues. Also notable, especially for Second Amendment fans, the Fifth Circuit's controversial ruling in Rahimi (first discussed here), which declared unconstitutional 18 USC 922(g)(8)'s criminal prohibition on gun possession by those subject to certain domestic-violence protective orders, is now also in relist mode. The federal government, as noted here, sought quick SCOTUS review and the case received its first formal consideration by the Justices last week. But Rahimi is also missing from this morning's SCOTUS order list, and so will remain unclear when (as well as how) the Supreme Court will address this cert petition. I understand the Justices will often have one last "clean-up" conference and order list after the Justices complete its merits docket. (As noted in this SCOTUSblog post, last year's "clean up" order list produced a few cert grants and a lot of statements concerning cert denials.) So I think there may be one more chance for some resolution of these pending matters in this Term. But if not resolved in the "clean-up" conference, we may have to wait until at least September for any action on these cases. A few of many related posts: UPDATE: A helpful colleague pointed me to this interesting SCOTUSblog post from early 2022 that provides data on relists and eventual cert grants. I continue to believe and fear that the seemingly endless number of relists in the acquitted conduct cases is a result of multiple statements regarding denials of cert still being polished. But at some point time will tell. June 26, 2023 at 10:47 AM | Permalink Comments If I am counting right, it looks like the Supreme Court has granted certiorari in a grand total of sixteen cases (counting consolidated cases as one grant). Since there are seventeen argument days in the fall sessions, I would expect a significant number (at least six or seven) of grants from the wrap-up conference. While there are argument days with only one argument scheduled, the norm is still two arguments per day. If we end up with only twenty or so arguments from the first three months, that would be a very tiny number of cases. For contrast, this term, we had just under 60 cases which works out to eight or nine cases per argument session. That would imply 24-27 cases for the fall docket which would require at least eight grants from the wrap-up conference. Looking at the last three post-opinion order lists, the 2019 (Covid) term had four grants, the 2020 term had nine grants, and the 2021 term had three grants. Posted by: tmm | Jun 26, 2023 11:03:02 AM Thanks, tmm. I keep thinking they have to do more grants, and I am now expecting more than a few from the clean up order. I believe only two criminal cases are among those already granted --- both of interest to sentencing fans, covering FIRST STEP/Safety Value and ACCA drug predicates --- though there are also due process/forfeiture cases. So there is certainly plenty of "room" for more criminal cases. I am starting to convince myself we are getting grants on these matters soon, but I should know better than to get my expectations up. Posted by: Doug B | Jun 26, 2023 11:45:34 AM Even more so, since one of the cases that I was counting was dismissed this morning. For those of us in state practice, the civil forfeiture is so far the big case for the fall (maybe). As always on these cases (similar to the situation in Hansen), a lot depends on how narrow or broad the ruling ends up being. Posted by: tmm | Jun 26, 2023 3:55:05 PM Post a comment Last official SCOTUS order list of Term and still no action on acquitted conduct cases (or big Second Amendment case) | Main | Notable new PPI report on "Contending with Carveouts: How and Why to Resist Charge-Based Exclusions in Reforms" Law360 has this notable and lengthy new article, headlined "Minnesota Joins Prosecutor-Led Resentencing Law Movement," highlighting an interesting and important trend in enabling prosecutors to have a role in what might be called "right-sizing" sentences. I recommend the piece in full, and here are excerpts: The prosecutor-led resentencing law enacted by California in 2018 was the first of its kind in the nation. It was aimed at providing relief to youth who had been charged as adults, aging prisoners who are no longer deemed a threat to public safety, and individuals whose sentences are far out of line with more recently adopted sentencing laws and guidelines. Similar laws were later passed in Washington, Oregon, Illinois and Louisiana in recent years. While prisoners have only limited avenues to challenge their sentences or to seek release, prosecutor-led resentencing laws give prosecutors new discretion to identify people they no longer believe need to be in prison, and to file motions in court recommending them for a resentencing hearing. Judges can then resentence the prisoners to a shorter term or to "time-served," in which case they are released. In making resentencing decisions, courts can consider the age of prisoners when they committed their offenses, their rehabilitation efforts, and whether they pose a risk to others if released. Last month, Minnesota became the latest state to allow prosecutor-led resentencing. A provision in an omnibus bill signed by Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, on May 19 gives prosecutors the authority to defendants deemed safe for release. Minnesota Sen. Ron Latz, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said the measure gave prosecutors discretion to reevaluate sentences that may be considered too harsh by today's sentencing standards, or that might simply have been the product of overzealous judges or prosecutors. "It's another tool in the toolbox to seek justice in particular cases where the prosecuting authority thinks that justice will be served by a shorter sentence," he told Law360. The law's enactment adds momentum to a nationwide movement that seeks to bolster the role of prosecutors in reducing incarceration and curbing what advocates say are excessive prison sentences. Supporters of the resentencing movement say some incarcerated people can be safely released and that prosecutors are uniquely positioned to initiate the process to get them out of prison. "The justice system, and the role of the prosecutor, oftentimes feels like an assembly line," said John J. Choi, the district attorney of Ramsey County, Minnesota, which includes St. Paul. "I think the prosecutor's role should not just end once we've finished processing a case. We should always be thinking about ensuring that there is justice for those who are rehabilitated [and] who have done everything that we have asked them to do." Like the one enacted in Minnesota, prosecutor-led resentencing laws do not compel district attorneys to reconsider people's sentences; they only provide the authority to do so. But elected officials who oppose the laws argue the resentencing process leaves victims of crimes powerless. They also say that giving prosecutors the power to seek resentencing leaves them facing political pressure to use it. California Assemblymember Tom Lackey, a Republican who once served as a California Highway Patrol officer, said he voted against the prosecutor-led resentencing bill because he deemed it unfair to victims. "This bill and the energy behind it, and those associated with it, tip the scale of justice against victims of violent crime," he said. "The victim is totally ignored in this decision-making process. They are not included in this discussion on how that resentencing may impact them." But Michael A. Hestrin, the conservative district attorney of Riverside County, California, who used the prosecutor-led process to resentence Smith, said his office always engages with victims of crimes, considering their input when making decisions on resentencing. Ultimately, however, prosecutors should be trusted in their decisions.... More than 350 people have been released in California since the law passed, according to an estimate by For The People, a nonprofit advocating for prosecutor-initiated resentencing laws nationwide that spearheaded the efforts to get the law passed in the Golden State. With proper funding and the participation of all 58 county prosecutor's offices, the group believes some 26,000 people could be released in California. Nationally, the prosecutor-led process led to the resentencing of more than 450 people. Hillary Blout, a former prosecutor at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office who founded For The People and conceptualized, drafted and secured the passage of the first prosecutor-initiated resentencing law in 2018, said the breakthrough in California has inspired prosecutors elsewhere to advocate for similar policies. For The People's national policy manager, May Lim, said the organization assisted legislators in analyzing prison population data to help them understand the potential effects of prosecutor-initiated resentencing in the state. They focused on prisoners' ages comparing them to how old they were when they committed their offenses as well as the length of their sentences and how much time they had already served.... For The People also told stakeholders that part of the process of a prosecutor seeking resentencing involves engaging with victims of crimes to get their input. Most of the time, Blout said that victims are supportive of releasing perpetrators early through resentencing after learning that they have turned their lives around while in custody. "Some victims say, 'I didn't even know this person was still incarcerated'," she said. BARCELONA, Spain, June 26 (Xinhua) -- When Spain takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on July 1, the Spanish government might set energy as a priority in the following six months, a Spanish political expert told Xinhua in a recent interview. "As it involves 27 countries, it's difficult for the interests of just one country to predominate, but what is true is that the important thing is which issues are given priority on the agenda, which in Spain's case could be the issue of energy," said Jose Ramon Pin, Emeritus Professor at IESE business school. "This presidency, like all the other presidencies, will have been exhaustively prepared and as for the issues to be debated in the Council of Europe it will already be just about decided whether they go ahead or are postponed for further study," added Pin, who nevertheless stressed that Spain will have a chance to set the pace and direction of the talks. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez last week explained that his government's priorities while steering the EU's political debate will focus on strengthening European industrial sovereignty, accelerating climate transition, and forging unity to face global challenges. Pin said that the EU's agenda for the next six months will also depend on the pressure that other member states might bring to bear on competing issues of interest in Europe, such as fiscal discipline, and he agreed that the international situation should be a priority. Pin also said that the snap general election to be held on July 23 in Spain would not disrupt the country's EU Council presidency, noting that the parties in contention have a positive approach to Europe, and most voters see Spain's EU membership as highly beneficial for the country. Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses concerns about unstable security situation in southern Russia, warns of potential spread Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko) SINGAPORE The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has strongly urged Singaporeans to defer all non-essential travel to Russia. In an advisory issued on Sunday (25 June), the ministry expressed concerns about the "unstable security situation" in southern Russia, warning that it could potentially spread to other parts of the country. The advisory comes in light of recent events involving the Wagner mercenaries, who had threatened to storm the Russian capital of Moscow. Following mediation by Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin announced on Saturday that Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the rebel Wagner mercenary force, would be sent to Belarus. The Russian government assured that Prigozhin would not face charges, after he called off his troops' advance on Moscow. The conflict between Prigozhin and Russia's military brass had escalated when his forces captured a key army headquarters in southern Russia on Saturday and subsequently moved north to threaten Moscow. Singaporeans urged to exercise caution amidst rising security concerns Given the escalating situation, the MFA emphasised the need for caution. It said in its advisory that in past months, there have been incidents of shellings in Belgorod, drone attacks in Moscow, and a bombing in St Petersburg. Singaporeans currently in Russia had been advised to avoid inter-state travel until the situation stabilises. MFA has also reiterated that, due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, all travel to Ukraine should be deferred. The Singapore embassy in Moscow also issued a statement on Saturday, advising Singaporeans in Russia to stay indoors until the situation becomes clearer. It further reminded Singaporeans about its previous travel advisory issued on 25 October 2022, which advised against travel to Russia's Krasnodar territory and regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, and Rostov. The MFA urged Singaporeans to exercise vigilance and closely monitor local news updates. It also stressed the importance of taking necessary precautions for personal safety and urged individuals who have not done so to eRegister with the ministry. Singaporeans in Russia requiring consular assistance are advised to contact the Singapore embassy in Moscow during office hours at +7-49924-13702 or utilise the embassy's 24-hour emergency hotline at +7-90600-90069. For additional support, the MFA's 24-hour duty office can be reached at +65-63798800/63798855. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Vacationers at the Iowa Great Lakes region looked toward the sky Tuesday afternoon as a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 185th Air Refueling Wing, joined by a F-16 fighter jet, flew at a low altitude over the popular summertime destination. 185th 100th anniversary of air refueling Framed by the Chief War Eagle Monument, a KC-135 tanker from the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City flies over the city in a refueling for The Okoboji area was among the major landmarks in Iowa and North and South Dakota where airmen based in Sioux City took part in flyovers to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first air refueling flight in the United States. Over 150 refueling aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard performed flyovers in every state Tuesday. The units were spread out over different geographical areas, with the 185th assigned northern Iowa and South and North Dakota, said Master Sgt. Vince DeGroot, public affairs superintendent at the Sioux City air base. The KC-135 tanker took off Tuesday morning from Sioux Gateway Airport with a three-member crew pilot, co-pilot and boom operator along with an extra pilot, DeGroot said. An F-16 from the 114th Fighter Wing in Sioux Falls joined the tanker in a formation, flying over metro Sioux City before heading to western South Dakota, where they passed over the Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore. 185th tanker formation, West Lake Okoboji A KC-135 Stratotanker flies in formation with a F-16 jet over West Lake Okoboji Tuesday in a photo taken from inside the tanker operated by me The aircraft then entered North Dakota, flying above Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the western part of the state and then state capitol in Bismarck before returning to South Dakota for flyovers over the state Capitol in Pierre and metro Sioux Falls. The celebratory event concluded with two afternoon flyovers in northern Iowa over West Lake Okoboji and then Jack Trice Stadium on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. 185th tanker, Missouri River A KC-135 Stratotanker flies in formation with a F-16 jet over the Missouri River in the Sioux City area Tuesday in a photo taken from inside t At each site except Mount Rushmore, the aircraft flew at an altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 feet, the same height as for flyovers at football stadiums, DeGroot said. Everyone could see them pretty well, he said. The aircraft were restricted to a height of about 7,000 feet at Mount Rushmore because the site is a National Memorial. Local residents were able to track the Operation Centennial Contact flights online, using the call sign TANKR85. Rich History The first successful air refueling took place on June 27, 1923, according to the National Museum of the Air Force. On that day, 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, completing the historic mission. A century later, todays U.S. Air Force air refueling capabilities deliver rapid global reach for U.S. forces and their 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 U.S. Air refueling propels our nations air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential, Gen. Mike Minihan, the U.S. Air Mobility Command commander, said in a statement. 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. 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. 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. As Mobility Airmen, we write the next chapter of air refueling. In 2003, the 185th, which was established in the 1940s as a base for fighter jets, converted to refueling tankers and were re-designated the 185th Air Refueling Wing. Four years later, the unit began transitioning from KC-135E to KC-135R models, newer planes, with larger engines, capable of more missions. The 185th was the first Air National Guard tanker unit to integrate with active duty forces at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan, flying 288 combat sorties totaling 1451 hours while offloading a record-setting 15.8 million pounds of fuel to 621 receivers, according to the units website. The unit deployed over 30% of its members in support of Operations Jump Start, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom, according to the website. Costco shoppers, youve been warned. If you routinely borrow your mothers or neighbors Costco membership card, next time youre probably going to be stopped at the checkout. Issaquah, Washington-based Costco confirmed Friday that its membership policy hasnt changed shoppers still need an active membership to shop and its not transferable but its being abused. As Costco has installed more self-checkout lanes, the retailer said, it has noticed that nonmember shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them. So, the retailer is taking a more aggressive enforcement stance. We dont feel its right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members, Costco said in an emailed statement. As we already ask for the membership card at checkout, we are now asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers. The largest U.S. wholesale club, with sales last year of $222.7 billion, said in the statement that its annual membership fees, $60 for a Gold Star and $120 for Executive level, are what help it deliver lower prices. Costco reports membership fees separate from total sales. Fees amounted to $4.22 billion in its fiscal year that ended in August and were a good chunk of its profit last year of $5.84 billion. As of May, Costco had 124.7 million cardholders from 69.1 million households, according to the companys website. Costco is able to keep our prices as low as possible because our membership fees help offset our operational expenses, making our membership fee and structure important to us, the company said. Costco joins Netflix and others looking at how to stop rampant sharing of memberships and subscriptions. Netflix told its U.S. members in May that Netflix accounts are for you and the people you live with your household. Since its password-sharing crackdown, Netflix has added new subscribers at a rate it hadnt seen in years, according to published reports. IOWA CITY Iowa is receiving $43.5 million in federal funding to buy zero- and low-emission buses, with over half of those dollars going to Iowa City to expand it electric bus fleet and build a new transit facility. Iowa City will receive $23.2 million, which includes doubling the size of its electric bus fleet to eight. The project will improve transit system conditions, service reliability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Federal Transit Administration, which awarded the funds. Iowa Citys transportation director, Darian Nagle-Gamm, said the federal funds for additional electric buses and a new facility will be a game changer and a necessary piece to the puzzle of further improving the transit system for Iowa City residents. These two things happening at the same time is an absolutely amazing opportunity for transforming our transit system to this new sustainable technology in a new facility that will better meet our needs today and also better meet our needs for the future, Nagle-Gamm said. The Iowa Department of Transportation will get almost $17.9 million on behalf of five transit agencies, including the city of Coralville. The city of Dubuque also will get just under $2.4 million. The U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Transit Administration announced Monday almost $1.7 billion for transit projects in 46 states and territories. The grants will enable transit agencies and state and local governments to buy 1,700 U.S.-built buses, nearly half of which will have zero carbon emissions. Funding for the grants comes from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill. Monday's announcement covers the second round of grants for buses and supporting infrastructure. All told, the U.S. government has invested $3.3 billion in the projects so far. Officials expect to award roughly $5 billion more over the next three years. Iowa City Nagle-Gamm told The Gazette in May that the city is looking to expand its fleet of electric buses. The city currently has four electric buses that have resulted in significant cost savings and emission reductions in the first year. The $23.2 million will be used to purchase four additional electric buses and help with the cost of a new transit facility. This would bring the electric fleet total to eight. We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded the full amount that we were asking for, Nagle-Gamm said. About $19 million of it will be used for the transit facility and $4.2 million for the four electric buses, Nagle-Gamm said. One of the next steps will be to begin the procurement process for the electric buses. Nagle-Gamm expects it to be at least a year until those buses are in Iowa City. Eight is the total number of electric buses the city can have at the current transit facility with the existing electrical infrastructure. Nagle-Gamm previously said the current facility is at the end of its useful life and the age and condition of the property wont allow for further fleet expansion. The facility was built in 1984. In order to be able to expand our electric fleet and transition to a full lower (or) no emission vehicle fleet, most likely electric in our case, we need to build a facility that's purpose built for that transition, Nagle-Gamm said Monday. The funds will help cover about 75 percent of the facilitys overall costs. The city is in the beginning stages of getting a request for proposals out for the facilitys design and has been working on the federal environmental planning review process, Nagle-Gamm said. "That's probably the next big step is to bring the consultant on board to help us really imagine what we need from a facility perspective and operations perspective, Nagle-Gamm said. Other Iowa agencies The Iowa DOT will receive almost $17.9 million on behalf of five transit agencies. The agencies and funding breakdown is: Coralville Transit System will use $928,526 for two electric vehicles Clinton Municipal Transit Administration will use $1.5 million for three electric vehicles River Bend Transit serving Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine and Scott counties, as well as the Illinois Quad City area will use $7.7 million toward constructing a transit facility Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Authority serving Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story and Warren counties will use $6.1 million for five electric vehicles and facilities upgrades Southwest Iowa Transit Agency serving Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will use $1.5 million for three electric vehicles This funding will help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from transit vehicle operations, improve the resilience of transit facilities and enhance access and mobility within the service areas of these transit agencies, said Emma Simmons, transit planner with the Iowa DOT. The two electric buses for Coralville will primarily be used for the citys disability paratransit service, said Vicky Robrock, Coralville's director of parking and transportation. Robrock said the city is excited for the opportunity to introduce the first electric buses to its fleet. This funding also will assist with workforce development activities. Simmons said the Iowa department will create a skill-based curriculum around advanced vehicle technologies, engineering, maintenance and repair that can be implemented by schools across the state. Simmons said Iowa DOT has started conversations with two- and four-year colleges, including Western Iowa Tech Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, Indian Hills Community College, Northwest Iowa Community College and the University of Iowa. The city of Dubuque will get just under $2.4 million for its transit system, The Jule. The city will use grant funding to buy battery electric buses and charging equipment. This project will help the city improve service reliability and achieve its goal of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ELK POINT, S.D. The expected arraignment of a man charged with fatally stabbing his girlfriend in Dakota Dunes was delayed Monday after prosecutors successfully sought the removal of the judge presiding over the case. Union County State's Attorney Jerry Miller said in court filings he did not believe Circuit Judge Tami Bern could be impartial toward the prosecution if the case, in which Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales is charged with murder, were to go to trial. "I have good reason to believe and do actually believe that my office cannot have a fair and impartial trial before you in Mr. Castellanos-Rosales' case," Miller said in a letter he provided to Bern in his informal request to her to recuse herself from the case. After Bern denied the request, Miller made the same comment in an affidavit filed with the court. The request was forwarded to First Circuit Presiding Judge Cheryle Gering, who ordered Bern recused from the case and appointed Judge David Knoff to preside over it. Miller did not elaborate in his letter or affidavit on the reasons he believed Bern would not be fair to the prosecution. He declined to comment after Monday's hearing and was unavailable for comment in the afternoon. Knoff will reschedule Castellanos-Rosales' arraignment. Castellanos-Rosales, 39, of Sioux City, is charged with first-degree murder, contributing to the neglect of a child and contributing to the abuse of a child in connection with the April 25 stabbing death of 23-year-old Jordan Beardshear in her apartment at The Wellington at the Dunes apartment complex. Family and friends of Beardshear filled more than half the seats in the Union County courtroom Monday, and many wore T-shirts bearing a photo of Beardshear and the words "Justice for Jordy." According to court documents, witnesses saw Beardshear at her apartment complex while she was waiting for Castellanos-Rosales, whom she had been dating, to pick up their 1-year-old son. Later that evening, Castellanos-Rosales called Beardshear's mother to come to his home to pick up the child. Beardshear's body was discovered the following day. She had sustained stab wounds, defensive slashing wounds and trauma to her neck/throat area, court documents said. After executing a search warrant at Castellanos-Rosales' home, investigators found clothing suspected of containing blood. Castellanos-Rosales, who was born in Guatemala and is a U.S. citizen, fled to Mexico, where he was arrested May 12, and, after a stay in a Texas jail, waived extradition and was returned to Union County. CHEROKEE, Iowa A Cherokee man has pleaded not guilty of driving away from the scene of a fatal collision with a bicyclist in December. Casey Herwig, 29, entered his written plea Friday in Cherokee County District Court to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. His trial was scheduled for Sept. 12. Emergency personnel were called to Sixth and West Willow streets in Cherokee at approximately 8:30 p.m. Dec. 26 for a report about a bicyclist, later identified as 27-year-old Phillip Watterson, of Cherokee, lying in the street. Police investigating the incident were told Herwig had struck Watterson. According to court documents, Herwig's vehicle had damage that matched parts found at the scene of the collision. Herwig told officers he knew he hit something, but wasn't sure what it was. When asked if it was possible he hit someone, he said, "could've been," court documents said. He was arrested May 12. SIOUX CITY A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty of assaulting his mother. Carl Mohr, 49, entered his written plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of willful injury, assault causing serious injury, assault on a peace officer and domestic abuse assault. According to court documents, Mohr assaulted his 75-year-old mother on June 9 inside their home in the 400 block of John Street . Mohr punched his mother in the face at least 10 times while she was seated in a recliner. A medical examination revealed the woman had a broken left cheek bone, a broken bone in her hand caused by trying to shield herself from the blows, two brain bleeds and other cuts and bruises. When police officers arrived, Mohr refused to allow them inside the house and struck the closed door with nunchucks and threatened to kill the officers, court documents said. He finally opened the door and threw a broken piece of the nunchucks at one of the officers attempting to take him into custody. Officers found a glass methamphetamine pipe in Mohr's pants pocket. SIOUX CITY -- A new mural at Briar Cliff University has been completed. Nan Wilson, an assistant professor of art at Briar Cliff, began painting the mural on Jan. 8. On March 30, 1930, Sioux City Bishop Edmond Heelan and the Sisters of Saint Francis from Dubuque held a cornerstone dedication ceremony for Heelan Hall. New Briar Cliff University mural taking shape A new mural is taking shape in Heelan Hall at Briar Cliff, showcasing the university's cornerstone dedication ceremony in 1930. The mural showcases a well-known picture of Bishop Heelan and the founding sisters during the dedication ceremony. Wilson took the original picture and extended it, to show the event, but also what an onlooker would have seen beyond the picture, such as Sioux City at the time and the fields of prairie grass -- which is now the largest urban prairie in the United States. If you go out this doorway, this is what you saw back then, Wilson said. The project was initiated by Brian Hazlett. He is a professor of biology and environmental science at Briar Cliff and was inspired by attending a North American Prairie Conference in Winona, Minnesota. In the city's administration building, there was a similar entrance that had a mural. He thought it would be a good idea to do something similar to showcase Briar Cliff's history. Hazlett said many people know of Bishop Heelan, but he felt students in the future should know more about the founding sisters. The university received a $10,000 Gilchrist Foundation grant to pay for the project. SIOUX CITY The Warming Shelter will be restricting its services to certain populations this summer due to a lack of funding. Joe Twidwell, the emergency shelter's board president, made the announcement during the citizen comments portion of Monday's Sioux City Council meeting. Traditionally, the shelter had been open 24/7 from Nov. 1 until April 30. During the summer, the shelter had limited hours for people to get mail, do their laundry and shower. But, last year, the shelter's board voted to keep the shelter open 365 days a year. That plan has been stymied by monetary constraints. "The board has voted to restrict our services this summer, effective July 9, unless we get adequate funding, to serving families and those who have wheelchairs or are otherwise disabled with a walker," Twidwell said. Warming Shelter opens (copy) A person sleeps on the sidewalk in front of the Warming Shelter in this 2021 file photo. The emergency shelter, 916 Nebraska Street, is restri The shelter, 916 Nebraska St., had been averaging about 100 people a night. On a recent evening, when it housed 90 people, Twidwell said there were five families with eight children and nine people with permanent disabilities. Twidwell pointed out to the council that when City Hall, Aalfs Downtown Library and the Woodbury County Courthouse close for the day, there are no public restrooms and drinking fountains available downtown. He also noted there is no public computer access or Wi-Fi, which people use to apply for jobs and housing assistance, when the library's doors are shuttered. "We regret that we have to take this action, but, without adequate funding, again, our mission is to keep people alive during the most threatening times of the year," he said. Councilman Matthew O'Kane said it takes everybody coming together to find a solution. "Homelessness is a community problem and it takes a community solution," he said. During a Sioux City Rotary Club meeting last December, Twidwell said the shelter's budget is about $425,000 a year. He said the budget would need to nearly double to at least $800,000 to keep the doors open year-round. The shelter doesn't accept any government funding, due to certain rules that may apply. Without immigration, the white population in the U.S. would have declined last year. Immigration also propelled the expansion of the Asian population, which was the fastest-growing race or ethnic group last year in the U.S., while births outpacing deaths helped propel growth in Hispanic, Black, tribal and Hawaiian populations. Population estimates released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau show what drove changes in different race, ethnic and age groups last year, as well as since the start of COVID-19's spread in the U.S. in April 2020. The country grew to 333.2 million people by the middle of last year, a 0.4% increase over the previous year, according to the 2022 population estimates. For white residents in the U.S., immigration drove the expansion. Without it, the white population, including those who identify as more than one race, would have dropped last year by more than 85,000 people instead of growing meagerly by more than 388,000 residents, or 0.1%. When the focus is narrowed to white people who aren't Hispanic and identify only with a single race, there was a decline of more than 668,000 people in the white population since the number of immigrants couldn't overcome the steep drop in natural decrease that came from deaths outnumbering births last year. Population growth is propelled in two ways: through immigration and natural increase, when births outpace deaths. The data released Thursday speak to the complexity of the nation's ever-shifting population patterns and reinforce a level of nuance not always reflected amid the political debate over immigration. "Immigrant and refugee communities bring talent, culture and a set of skills that are needed in our community," said Arrey Obenson, president and CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, which helps newcomers adapt to life in the U.S. Since the start of the pandemic in April 2020, the white population grew by 391,000 people, all of it driven by immigration. Hamdullah Hamdard immigrated to St. Louis in September 2021 from Afghanistan, where he ran a media production company, after threats from the Taliban and deteriorating conditions made it unsafe for his wife, son, brothers and parents. He started a production company in St. Louis, runs a news outlet for the local Afghan community and is a communications manager for the International Institute of St. Louis. "I could start my own business once again, and I could pursue the dreams that I had in Afghanistan," said Hamdard, 31. The United States last year had 260.5 million people who identified as white, including those who identify as more than one race. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, had the biggest jump in the white population of any county, gaining more than 35,000 new white residents last year. Arizona's largest county also had the biggest gain in the overall population of any U.S. county, with a jump in 2022 of almost 57,000 new residents due to domestic migration. Immigration also drove Asian growth last year, accounting for two-thirds of the 577,000-person increase in people who identify as Asian, including those who identify with more than one race. That 2.4% bump was the largest of any race or ethnic group, and there were 24.6 million Asians in the U.S. last year. King County, Washington home to Seattle added almost 21,500 Asian residents, the most of any U.S. county last year. The Hispanic population in the U.S. grew by more than 1 million people last year, the biggest jump in pure numbers of any race or ethnic group. Two-thirds of that expansion was driven by natural increase, or births outpacing deaths. More than 63.3 million people identified as Hispanic last year, a 1.7% increase over the previous year. The biggest Hispanic growth in pure numbers was in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston, which added almost 35,000 Latinos last year. Natural increase also drove almost two-thirds of the 436,000-person jump in the Black population last year, a 0.9% increase from the previous year. The Black population stood at 50 million residents in 2022. Harris County, Texas, had the largest numeric gain of Black residents of any U.S. county, with almost 23,000 residents. The American Indian and Alaska Native population stood at 7.2 million residents last year, an increase of more than 93,000 people, or 1.3%. Maricopa County, Arizona had the biggest numeric gain, with more than 3,100 new residents. There were more than 1.7 million Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders in the U.S. last year, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas, had the biggest increase, with almost 1,500 new residents. The median age in the U.S. last year increased 0.2 years to 38.9 years between 2021 and 2022, fueled by aging baby boomers and millennials getting older. Sumter County, Florida, home to a large retirement community, had the highest median age in the U.S. at 68.1. "Without a rapidly growing young population, the U.S. median age will likely continue its slow but steady rise," said Kristie Wilder, a Census Bureau demographer. 30 counties seeing the greatest increase of renters 30 counties seeing the greatest increase of renters #30. Manitowoc County, Wisconsin #29. Saline County, Arkansas #28. Marquette County, Michigan #27. Florence County, South Carolina #26. Clay County, Missouri #25. Benton County, Washington #24. Tuscarawas County, Ohio #23. Olmsted County, Minnesota #22. Erie County, Ohio #21. Bay County, Michigan #20. Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska #19. San Patricio County, Texas #18. Hinds County, Mississippi #17. Washington County, Maryland #16. Tolland County, Connecticut #15. Washington County, Utah #14. Bulloch County, Georgia #13. Talladega County, Alabama #12. Carbon County, Pennsylvania #11. Chelan County, Washington #10. Wilson County, North Carolina #9. Shasta County, California #8. Lauderdale County, Mississippi #7. St. Clair County, Alabama #6. St. Landry Parish, Louisiana #5. Frederick County, Virginia #4. Dallas County, Iowa #3. Benton County, Oregon #2. Sullivan County, New York #1. Wilkes County, North Carolina (CNN) Human remains were found Saturday in Southern California near the area where investigators have been searching for missing British actor Julian Sands, according to authorities. Civilian hikers contacted the Fontana Sheriffs Station after they discovered human remains in the Mt. Baldy wilderness, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said in a news release. Investigators say positive identification of the remains should be completed next week. The search for Sands, who has not been seen since going hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles in January, was focused on the Mount Baldy area after investigators traced pings from his cell phone to that location. Poor weather and harsh conditions meant the active search had been mostly dormant until resuming last Saturday. More than 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies and staff participated in the search efforts, which were supported by two helicopters and drone crews as volunteers searched in remote areas across Mount Baldy and conducted aerial search and assessment efforts, according to officials. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said Monday despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions, and multiple search areas include steep terrain covered in 10 plus feet of ice and snow. Gloria Huerta, a spokesperson with the department, told CNN in January officials were forced to suspend their search efforts due to severe weather and an avalanche threat. Sands is best known for his television roles as Vladimir Bierko, an antagonist in the fifth season of 24, as well as Supermans father Jor-El in Smallville. On the big screen, he played the title character in two editions of the Warlock horror movie franchise and whose credits include Arachnophobia and Leaving Las Vegas. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Human remains are found in California wilderness near search area for actor Julian Sands, authorities say." Authorities are investigating the death of a ground worker at San Antonio International Airport who was ingested into a planes engine Friday. On Friday, June 23, Delta Flight 1111 had arrived at San Antonio International Airport from Los Angeles and was taxiing to the gate on one engine when a worker was ingested into that engine at about 10:25 p.m., the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement to CNN Sunday evening. The safety board said it is continuing to gather information about the event. An airport spokesperson said San Antonio International is working with authorities on their investigation. An accident occurred on the ground at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) Friday night that resulted in the fatality of an airline ground crew member, spokesperson Erin Rodriguez said in a statement. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation. We will share more information as details become available. Delta Air Lines said they were heartbroken over the loss. We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family members life in San Antonio. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time, a Delta spokesperson told CNN in an email. Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now Top 10 safest airlines to fly on right now Hawaiian Airlines Delta Airlines Alaska Airlines American Airlines United Airlines International: Qatar Airways International: Qantas Airways International: Etihad Airways International: Air New Zealand International: Singapore Airlines Safest low-cost airlines in 2023 Seward County routinely seizes money from motorists on Interstate 80, keeps the cash and never convicts the drivers of a crime. The countys sheriffs department and county attorney use this practice, known as civil asset forfeiture, so often that a third of all cases of this kind in Nebraska state courts come from Seward County, population 17,962, a Flatwater Free Press analysis of court records shows. The county has hauled in $7.5 million in forfeited cash in the past five years, some of it from civil forfeitures that state lawmakers thought they banned in 2016. In Seward County, nearly all civil forfeitures begin when a deputy stops an out-of-state driver on the countys 24-mile stretch of Interstate 80. Much of this money ends up in law enforcement hands, after drivers faced with a split-second choice between money or jail often sign a form and abandon their cash. Many in law enforcement say civil forfeiture is an important tool to take money out of criminal hands. The point is that were trying to dismantle these criminal organizations if you take their money, youre crippling their ability to conduct their criminal activity, said Amy Blackburn, an assistant U.S. attorney. Some defense attorneys and advocates say civil asset forfeiture is little more than a law enforcement money grab. The practice allows police and prosecutors to go after individuals who may not have done anything wrong, they say. Citizens can have their property taken from them without ever being accused of a crime, or convicted of a crime, and that is simply not our American system of justice, said Louis Rulli, a University of Pennsylvania law professor. Christopher Bouldin, pulled over in August 2020 for following too closely, didnt know anything about civil asset forfeiture when he stood with his dog on the westbound shoulder of I-80. Seward County Sheriffs deputies had just searched his rental van, finding no drugs or guns, but locating $18,000 in cash rolled in a blue sleeping bag. They alleged it was drug money. He argued that it was for his trip to Colorado he was driving west from Virginia and for the potential purchase of a car. Deputies zipped the cash in an evidence bag and then produced an abandonment form. They gave him a choice, Bouldin said. Sign this form, give up the cash and continue toward Colorado. Dont sign, and youre subject to felony charges. I cant believe Im getting robbed, Bouldin said he remembers thinking. In the past decade, Seward has seized money in at least 90 state civil forfeiture cases, nearly double any other Nebraska county. In those cases, they initially seized a total of $2.2 million from motorists. (Other cases are tied to partnerships with federal law enforcement, while still others result in criminal charges, often when guns and drugs are also located.) The $2 million eventually kept by the county was split, half to a state schools fund and half to a county law enforcement fund. That fund bought stun guns and bulletproof vests for the Seward and Milford Police Departments, a sheriffs cruiser and an $18,000 drone for the Nebraska State Patrol. It recently spent $15,000 on two ballistic shields after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The highway seizures that net this money often start when a Seward County deputy alleges a traffic violation speeding, improperly changing lanes, or like Bouldin, following too closely. The deputy then asks the stopped driver basic questions. Where are you headed? What do you plan to do there? Deputies note if the person seems nervous, how much luggage they have and if the vehicle smells of drugs. Theyre looking for indicators of criminal activity, said Seward County Sheriff Mike Vance. Sometimes, you ask them where theyre headed to, they dont knowthey borrowed the car, they dont know the name of the person who owns the car. Things like that will raise flags, he said. Defense attorneys and advocates argue those indicators can be weak. One case in Seward County cited a large amount of fast food wrappers in the vehicle as an indicator. Another cited a six pack of Red Bull energy drinks. What theyre really describing is totally innocuous things that lots of people do, said Dan Alban, senior attorney with the Institute for Justice. A controversial form In the past decade, 75% of Seward Countys state civil forfeiture cases happened after a driver signed a form similar to the one Bouldin was handed, according to the Flatwater Free Press analysis. These abandonment forms are constitutionally questionable, critics say. In the Omaha area, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office no longer uses them. Five states, including Wyoming, have banned them. They have to decide right then and there: Do they want to risk being prosecuted for a felony? said Daniel Stockmann, a Nebraska defense attorney who specializes in interstate drug cases. I think a lot of people make the decision on the fly to just abandon the money and move on. Wendy Elston, Seward County attorney, said that a motorist who signs an abandonment form is given a court date where they can fight to get their money back. I just look at it as a piece of evidence, she said. Its just a piece of paper to me, its not determinative. But it may not look that way to a driver signing the form on I-80. One version of the Seward County form says a person must abandon all claims to the above-described merchandise, and waive any further rights or proceedings. This can confuse motorists, Rulli said. How many motorists never challenge it, never go to court, because theyve signed a document giving up their right to contest and go to court? he said. Vance disputes the idea that Seward County uses the form as a pressure tactic. Drivers often readily admit guilt, even before the form is introduced, he said. In 2016, a man pulled over with $14,000 told deputies: I know youre going to take the money and let me go, so just get it done. Ive been through this with Homeland Security before, so just give me the disclaimer, according to court records. Losing cash in exchange for avoiding a felony is the cost of doing business for some of these drug dealers, said Joe Jeanette, a University of Nebraska at Omaha criminal justice professor. Other Seward County court records show that sometimes the form startles motorists and sometimes they claim feeling pressured to sign. One driver said he signed an abandonment form out of fear, when deputies brought up Homeland Security and possible felony charges in 2015. He later fought for the seized $10,400 in court. Another, arrested for drug money in January 2022, said prosecutors told his lawyer that if he abandoned the money, the criminal case would go away. In August 2020, Bouldin refused to sign the abandonment form as he stood on the shoulder of I-80. The Seward County deputies didnt arrest him, as they had said they might. But they did seize his cash while charging him with a misdemeanor for possessing drug money charges that were later dropped. The county attorney continued with the seizure in civil court to keep the $18,000. Bouldin received only a warning for a traffic violation. A loophole the size of Seward County Less than 3 miles off the interstate sit two aluminum buildings surrounded by corn and soybean fields. This is headquarters for Sewards interdiction task force, where it trains K-9 units for counties throughout Nebraska and stores specialized equipment and seized cars. Last year, using forfeiture funds, the department bought the building for $806,000. Sewards history with highway seizures goes back to 2004, when county leaders asked former Sheriff Joe Yocum to look for new revenue. He learned about highway interdiction. He knew Seward County is bisected by I-80. That there was an opportunity, Yocum said. Seward deputies have since regularly seized pounds of drugs, stolen guns and vacuum-sealed stacks of cash. Theyve rescued human trafficking victims, Vance said, and pulled over murder suspects. But they also encounter drivers like Bouldin drivers with no drugs but cash that deputies then seize. Its patently wrong when you take peoples assets without charging them (with) a crime, said former state Sen. Tommy Garrett. If law enforcement is doing their job, and really think that this is drug-related, then by God, they should charge the person and convict the person. In 2016, Garrett, a Republican from Bellevue, passed a law that he, other state senators and civil liberties advocates believed abolished civil asset forfeiture. The bills statement of intent said it required a criminal conviction to seize money. But the Legislature left two loopholes. Seizures over $25,000 could circumvent state law by being adopted into federal court. And law enforcement could still seize assets under state law if evidence connected the cash to drugs even if there were no drugs present. That allowance, unnoticed by bill supporters, left an opening for Nebraska police to continue with civil forfeiture, said Lee McGrath, senior legislative counsel for the Institute for Justice. Its the legal tactic Seward County now uses far more often than any other Nebraska county. Its absolutely frustrating, said Laura Ebke, a Libertarian and ex-senator who sat on the Judiciary Committee in 2016. To think that we got part way there, and then missed it because of this one little loophole Seward Countys use of civil asset forfeiture has grown since Vance was elected sheriff in 2018. Seward joined a new Department of Homeland Security task force focused on spotting crime on interstates and highways. In 2021 alone, Seward County seized a combined $2.3 million through civil forfeiture in state and federal court, according to a report to the state auditor. On a single September 2022 morning in the Seward County Courthouse, Judge James Stecker approved the civil forfeiture of $83,187 from five separate cases, all from people not convicted of a crime. We return very little money because we make very good cases, said Blake Swicord, coordinator of the Seward-based Homeland Security task force. If its not rock solid, were not going to take it. Money seized by civil forfeiture in Seward County is also rarely returned because its difficult and costly to fight. If someone tries, the burden of proof shifts to them, not the state. Because the case is civil, theres no right to a public defender. Bouldin fought, maybe harder than anyone ever stopped in Seward County. He contested the decision in district court and lost. He spent an additional $3,500 on a lawyer. He appealed all the way to the Nebraska Supreme Court. He lost again. Seward County kept the money. I was just angry, Bouldin said about learning hed lost the $18,000 for good. Imagine a volcano erupting, thats how I felt. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Photos: Nebraska drought threatening livestock and crops Friends and family say they had never seen Toraze Davis happier than on the day he married Johnnie Mae Dennis at Ebenezer Baptist Church in North Omaha. "Toraze had a small but very tight and loving circle of friends," Jewel Roberson of Tallahassee, Florida, said Sunday. "Anyone there that day who loved Toraze could see that it was the happiest time of his life." Davis, who often struggled with anxiety and depression, married the love of his life June 19. Within an hour of exchanging their vows, he was dead. A blood clot in his lung broke apart and stopped his heart. "We called 911, and they were there so quick, but he died in the ambulance," Roberson said. "He got all the medical attention that he could have gotten, but it just happened so quickly." The funeral service for Davis, 48, will be July 5 at the Good Shepherd funeral home, 3809 N. 90th St. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. with the service, which is open to the public, to follow at noon. Davis, an Omaha native, met Johnnie Mae when they both attended Omaha South High School. He graduated from the now-closed Father Flanagan High School. Although Davis could be introverted around people he didn't know, he liked to make friends and family laugh. Even on his wedding day, Roberson said, he brought levity to the ceremony. "The minister was having him recite the vows, and at one point, Toraze said, 'Yes,' instead of 'I will.' The minister had to tell him to say I will," Roberson said. "Toraze covered his face because he was so embarrassed, but everyone broke up. It was so cute and so sweet." Davis and Johnnie Mae have a 4-year-old daughter together and five other children from their previous relationships. He doted on family life, Roberson said. Cooking, fishing, yardwork and walking his dog were the kind of everyday events in which Davis found joy. He also was known for creating YouTube and Facebook content that "gave people a good laugh," Roberson said. He also was someone who sought out other people suffering from anxiety and depression. Davis was always ready to talk with other people who were hurting, Roberson said. "That was just the way he was," she said. "Loving, funny, family oriented and caring." Johnnie Mae, who works as a client care manager at ECO Supportive Living, has been stunned by the outpouring of support from the community in the days since her husband's death. Roberson said a GoFundMe page to help the family has been a tremendous lift with donations coming from as far away as Germany. "She didn't realize how much she has impacted the community and it has really rallied around her," Roberson said. "This family has endured much, but in my heart, I know they are going to be OK." In addition to his wife, Davis is survived by his parents, Norma Ruth Davis and Walter K. Lewis; sons, Toraze Jr., Taraejun, James Jr., JVaughn and Terrel; daughters, RickL, OCeann and Chantrelle; brother, Ricky; and sister, Izetta, all of Omaha. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses will return to Lincoln this year for an in-person convention at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The event, which is expected to be attended by about 5,200 people, will run June 30 through July 2 with "Exercise Patience" as this year's theme, according to a news release from the organization. After more than 100 years of in-person, public events in stadiums, arenas, convention centers and theaters, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted that tradition and forced Jehovah's Witnesses to transition to virtual programing. But according to Joshua Fischer, a local spokesperson, it wasn't quite the same. "The virtual conventions were fantastic in convenience and content, yet nothing can compare to being together in person," Fischer said. "With the resumption of large gatherings this year, we bring back the joy of fellowship together." This year's convention will feature six sessions that will explore the quality of patience. On Saturday morning, a live baptism will be performed, and a two-part, prerecorded drama will be featured on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. As part of this year's convention series, Jehovah's Witnesses will hold 6,000 events worldwide. In the U.S., 708 conventions in 144 cities from May through September are being organized. Attendees are expected from portions of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. All sessions are open to the public and attendance is free. For more information and a schedule of the 2023 "Exercise Patience" convention, visit jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/conventions. Photos: Inside Lincoln's beautiful houses of worship Westminster Presbyterian St. Patrick's St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Newman Center First-Plymouth stars St. Mary's St. Joseph Catholic Church First Christian Church First Presbyterian Church Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Sabah Mosque St. Luke United Methodist St. Teresa's Zion Church Salem Baptist Saint Paul United Methodist North American Martyrs St. John the Apostle First United Methodist Church Christ Temple St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Newman Center Compline at First-Plymouth Tifereth Israel Synagogue St. Joseph Catholic St. Patrick's First Presbyterian Zion Church St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Newman Center Saint Paul United Methodist First-Plymouth St. Patrick's Churches Mount Zion Baptist Church Holy Thursday 4.1 WASHINGTON President Joe Biden declared Monday that the United States and NATO played no part in the Wagner mercenary group's short-lived insurrection in Russia, calling the uprising and the longer-term challenges it poses for President Vladimir Putin's power a struggle within the Russian system. Biden and U.S. allies supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion emphasized their intent to be seen as staying out of the mercenaries' stunning insurgency, the biggest threat to Putin in his two decades leading Russia. They are concerned that Putin could use accusations of Western involvement to rally Russians to his defense. Biden and administration officials declined an immediate assessment of what the 22-hour uprising by the Wagner Group might mean for Russia's war in Ukraine, for mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin or for Russia itself. Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events and the implications from Russia and Ukraine, Biden said. But its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. Putin on Monday blasted organizers of the weekend revolt as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. Putin said the nation stood united, and he praised the rank-and-file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into bloodshed. Earlier in the day, Prigozhin defended his short-lived insurrection and taunted Russias military, but said he had wasn't seeking to stage a coup against Putin. 'Mafia mentality': US diplomat on Putin vs Prigozhin Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker talks to Christiane Amanpour about what the Wagner rebellion could mean for the future of Russia's Putin did not name Prigozhin in his televised address but said organizers of the mutiny tried to force the groups soldiers "to shoot their own. Putin blamed Russia's enemies and said they miscalculated. The Kremlin also showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, and early in the day authorities released a video of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal Prigozhin had demanded, reviewing troops in Ukraine. Prigozhin said he was acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russia's military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday. Prigozhin boasted Monday that his march was a master class on how Russia's military should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 500 miles toward Moscow without facing resistance. His bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt immediately clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. The independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was underway in Belarus, but the report couldnt be independently verified. The Belarusian military monitoring group Belaruski Hajun said Monday on Telegram that it had seen no activity in the area consistent with the report. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has clashed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed an official request with Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion, given that Putin vowed in a Saturday morning address to punish those behind it. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin can draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office amid the rebellion found $48 million in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay his soldiers families. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry published video of Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Shoigu and other military leaders have lost Putins confidence and could be replaced. Photos: Children of Ukraine war struggle after thousands of schools destroyed When millionaire Steve Fossetts plane went missing over the Nevada range in 2007, the swashbuckling adventurer had already been the subject of two prior emergency rescue operations thousands of miles apart. And that prompted a prickly question: After a sweeping search for the wealthy risktaker ended, who should foot the bill? In recent days, the massive hunt for a submersible vehicle lost during a north Atlantic descent to explore the wreckage of the Titanic has refocused attention on that conundrum. And with rescuers and the public fixated first on saving and then on mourning those aboard, it has again made for uneasy conversation. Five people have just lost their lives and to start talking about insurance, all the rescue efforts and the cost can seem pretty heartless but the thing is, at the end of the day, there are costs, said Arun Upneja, dean of Boston Universitys School of Hospitality Administration and a researcher on tourism. There are many people who are going to say, Why should the society spend money on the rescue effort if (these people) are wealthy enough to be able to engage in these risky activities? That question is gaining attention as very wealthy travelers in search of singular adventures spend big to scale peaks, sail across oceans and blast off for space. The U.S. Coast Guard declined Friday to provide a cost estimate for its efforts to locate the Titan, the submersible investigators say imploded not far from the worlds most famous shipwreck. The five people lost included a billionaire British businessman and a father and son from one of Pakistans most prominent families. The operator charged passengers $250,000 each to participate in the voyage. We cannot attribute a monetary value to Search and Rescue cases, as the Coast Guard does not associate cost with saving a life, the agency said. While the Coast Guard's cost for the mission is likely to run into the millions of dollars, it is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement related to any search or rescue service, said Stephen Koerting, a U.S. attorney in Maine who specializes in maritime law. But that does not resolve the larger issue of whether wealthy travelers or companies should bear responsibility to the public and governments for exposing themselves to such risk. This is one of the most difficult questions to attempt to find an answer for, said Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union, noting scrutiny of government-funded rescues dating back to British billionaire Richard Bransons hot air balloon exploits in the 1990s. This should never be solely about government spending, or perhaps not even primarily about government spending, but you cant help thinking about how the limited resources of rescuers can be utilized, Sepp said. The demand for those resources was spotlighted in 1998 when Fossetts attempt to circle the globe in a hot air balloon ended with a plunge into the ocean 500 miles off Australia. The Royal Australian Air Force dispatched a Hercules C-130 transport aircraft to find him. A French military plane dropped a 15-man life raft to Fossett before he was picked up by a passing yacht. Critics suggested Fossett should pay the bill. He rejected the idea. Later that same year, the US Coast Guard spent more than $130,000 to rescue Fossett and Branson after their hot air balloon dropped into the ocean off Hawaii. Branson said he would pay if the Coast Guard requested it, but the agency didnt ask. Nine years later, after Fossetts plane vanished over Nevada during what should have been a short flight, the state National Guard launched a months-long search that turned up the wreckage of several other decades-old crashes without finding the millionaire. The state said the mission cost taxpayers $685,998, with $200,000 covered by a private contribution. But when the administration of Gov. Jim Gibbons announced that it would seek reimbursement for the rest, Fossett's widow balked, noting she had spent $1 million on her own private search. We believe the search conducted by the state of Nevada is an expense of government in performance of government action, a lawyer wrote on behalf of the Fossett estate. Risky adventurism is hardly unique to wealthy people. The pandemic drove a surge in visits to places like national parks, adding to the popularity of climbing, hiking and other outdoor activities. Meanwhile, the spread of cellphones and service has left many feeling that if things go wrong, help is a call away. Some places have laws commonly referred to as stupid motorist laws, in which drivers are forced to foot the emergency response bill when they ignore barricades on submerged roads. Arizona has such a law, and Volusia County in Florida, home to Daytona, enacted similar legislation this week. The idea of a similar stupid hiker law is a regularly debated item in Arizona as well, with so many unprepared people needing to be rescued in stifling triple-digit heat. Most officials and volunteers who run search efforts are opposed to charging for help, said Butch Farabee, a former ranger who participated in hundreds of rescue operations at the Grand Canyon and other national parks and has written several books on the subject. Searchers are concerned that if they did charge to rescue people "they wont call for help as soon as they should and by the time they do its too late, Farabee said. The tradeoff is that some might take that vital aid for granted. Farabee recounts a call in the 1980s from a lawyer who underestimated the effort needed to hike out of the Grand Canyon. The man asked for a helicopter rescue, mentioning that he had an important meeting the following day. The ranger rejected that request. Best places for senior travelers in Latin America and the Caribbean The Bahamas Patagonia Panama Costa Rica Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, probably dodged a jail cell when he pleaded guilty recently to two tax charges. He also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program in return for prosecutors dropping a separate gun charge. The deal includes a recommendation of probation, which a judge must approve. Is there anything more? Hunter Bidens attorney told reporters that the agreement resolved a five-year federal investigation into his client. But the Justice Department released a statement saying the investigation is ongoing. Were there any findings about Hunter Biden trading his name for lucrative scores with foreign governments? Again, nobody is talking. But did it really take five years to weigh in on tax charges? Theres at least some evidence that he got special treatment. A Justice Department memo notes that pretrial diversion programs should not be available to those accused of an offense involving brandishing or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon. The gun charge involved Hunter Biden lying on a federal gun purchase form. Photos later surfaced of him naked, waving the firearm. Many Republicans have complained that the Hunter Biden deal provides evidence of a two-tiered justice system. Perhaps. The FBIs Russian collusion bungling sure has the hallmarks of naked partisanship. But when it comes to Hunter Biden, even in the firearm case, theres no evidence at this point that federal prosecutors acted inappropriately. The outcome of the tax charges seems consistent with similar cases, and The Wall Street Journal reports that DOJ has rarely pursued buy and lie gun cases. Hunter Biden had an incentive to cut a deal to minimize the controversy he might cause his father in the 2024 election. It may be too late for that, however. House Republicans continue to investigate allegations of Biden family influence peddling as they should. Politico reports that the House Oversight Committee has already collected suspicious activity reports from the Treasury Department tied to Hunter Biden and his business associates, as well as quietly subpoenaed a swath of bank documents. Then there is the FBI document that reveals that a source claims a Ukrainian made payments to the Bidens. The bribery claim remains hearsay, the Wall Street Journal observed, but Hunters financial dealings with shady foreign actors contain enough smoke to warrant a thorough probe. Indeed, if the Justice Department wants to help stamp out the allegations of special treatment, it must be more forthcoming about the status of the Hunter Biden probe and cooperate with any congressional efforts to learn more about the Biden familys business connections. Anything less will only stoke the flames of conspiracy. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt, the gravest threat yet to his power, as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. Speaking in a stern tone and looking tired in a five-minute TV address near midnight, Putin sought to project stability. He tried to strike a balance between criticizing the uprisings perpetrators to prevent another crisis, and not antagonizing the bulk of the mercenaries and their hardline supporters, some of whom are incensed at the Kremlins handling of the situation. Putin, whose troops are stretched thin in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, praised the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into major bloodshed. And he said the nation had stood united, although there had been localized signs of support for the uprising. Earlier in the day, the head of the mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led the rebellion, defended his short-lived insurrection. He again taunted Russias military, but said he hadnt been seeking to stage a coup against Putin. On Friday, Prigozhin had called for an armed rebellion to oust the military leadership. Putins address was announced by his spokesman in advance and billed by Russian state media as something that would define the fate of Russia." In fact, the address didnt yield groundbreaking developments. Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst, called the address weak. In a Facebook post, he said it was a sign that Putin is "acutely dissatisfied with how he looked in this whole story and is trying to correct the situation. The Kremlin later showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom the uprising had tried to remove. Putin thanked members of his team for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled Shoigu. Earlier, the authorities released a video of Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine. Putin, who declined to name Prigozhin, said mutiny organizers had tried to force the groups soldiers to shoot their own. He said Russias enemies had hoped the mutiny would divide and weaken Russia, "but they miscalculated. Western officials have been muted in their public comments on the mutiny, and President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved. Speaking at the White House, Biden said he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it, he said. Prigozhin said he had been acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement Monday, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The injustice apparently was a government order requiring Wagner soldiers, if they want to remain fighting, to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1, which might effectively disband the group despite its battlefield successes in Ukraine. Prigozhin also accused Russia's military of attacking his troops, prompting his march. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into mutiny when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in the southern Russia city of Rostov. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday. Prigozhin boasted that his march was a master class on how Russia's military should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. It remained unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said Lukashenko proposed finding a way to let Wagner "continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. In his address Monday, Putin didn't repeat threats he had made Saturday to punish the mutiny's leaders. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has clashed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed a request with Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. For months, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhin said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defense Ministrys command. He said Wagner had planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in Rostov, but they were attacked. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with the military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. It was unclear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday after visiting troops in the war-torn Donetsk region that his military had advanced there as well as in Zaporizhzhia. Today, our warriors have advanced in all directions, and this is a happy day, he said in his nightly address, without providing details. The events of the weekend show the war is cracking Russia's political system, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels and Jill Lawless in London contributed. SIOUX CITY The Sioux City Council, by voting in favor of its consent agenda Monday, approved a funding agreement for the construction of 11 affordable homes at the site of the former West Middle School. The city is directing $1.7 million in federal Home Investment Partnership funding, administered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to developer Dan Hiserote, owner of the property, who will build the homes. The Home Investment Partnership funds are being used to subsidize the construction of the homes. Construction is expected to cost around $269,727 per residence. The houses are expected to sell for less than the construction costs; thus the federal funds make up the difference. A further $700,000, funded through the American Rescue Plan, will be used to pay for infrastructure work at the development. A park at the site is being paid for through Community Development Block Grant funding. "This has been a labor of love for a group of us. I believe I started working on this probably one year into being on City Council, looking for infill, looking for places. I found out that property was vacant, and city staff contacted Mr. Hiserote," Councilwoman Julie Schoenherr said. "I'm so happy that we made it this far. I can't tell you how warm my heart is." New development_3.jpg Sioux City is working with Developer Dan Hiserote to build a total of 11 affordable single-family homes and a new park on the empty city block Because of the grants and federal monies, the project isn't expected to cost the city anything out of its own coffers. Hiserote, through an entity called West Middle LLC, took ownership of the property -- bounded by West Fifth and West Sixth Street, and Isabella and Myrtle Street -- from the Sioux City Community School District 16 years ago. The block has sat empty since the old West Middle School was demolished in 2002; it was replaced that year by the new West Middle School on West 19th Street. Construction on the homes should be complete by the end of 2025. Three of them will be situated on the portion of the property immediately south of the main block, across from West Fifth Street. The other eight will be on the main block. The park will be on the north half of the main block. Schoenherr described the homes as average size starter homes. She said each one will have three bedrooms, one bathroom, a full basement and a garage with a driveway. West Middle School house rendering A rendering of a proposed subsidized home, one of 11 to be built on the site of the former West Middle School, is shown. The purchase price of the yet-to-be-built homes has not been determined, but buyers have to meet income restrictions -- a family of four, for instance must earn $69,050 or less in taxable income per year to qualify to purchase one of the homes. "Owning these homes, with your mortgages, taxes, insurance per month, will probably be quite a bit cheaper than a lot of the rentals in town," Jill Wanderscheid, neighborhood services manager for the city, said last week. Two years ago, the city undertook a comparable project in partnership with Kelly Construction; a trio of affordable single-family homes were built along Center Street. Those houses sold for $140,000 to $145,000 each. "Those sold almost immediately," Wanderscheid said. Each of the homes at the West Middle School site will be between 1,000 and 1,300 square feet. "The architectural style of each home will fit in with the surrounding neighborhood; in a cottage or bungalow style," the city council's agenda item on the development said. The site is encircled on all sides by older single-family homes, most of them built in the 1910s or the 1920s. Journal reporter Dolly A. Butz contributed to this story. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with allies from different sectors, mounted events over the weekend to celebrate the Pride Month, with calls for the passage of the SOGIE Equality bill. Queer Filipinos and allies in Metro Manila flocked at two events on Saturday. Pride PH organized "Love Laban" at the Quezon Memorial Circle, while Metro Manila Pride conducted "Tayo ang Kulayaan" at the Circuit Event Grounds in Makati City. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday said the Love Laban crowd was estimated at around 110,000. Organizers claimed it was the biggest Pride event in Southeast Asia. Drag queens, queer artists, and social media personalities performed throughout the day to entertain the crowd. Various Pride events were also staged outside the Metro, like in the cities of Baguio, Binan, Cebu, Dumaguete, and Mandaue. A protest To mark the celebration of Pride Month in Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte launched the Right to Care Card program, which will empower LGBTQIA+ couples to make health-related decisions on behalf of each other. READ: QC gov't launches 'care card' for LGBTQIA+ couples "We want all of our residents, regardless of sexual orientation, to be with their partners in critical moments, and we are taking this important step to assure the rainbow community that they are cared for, recognized and valued in Quezon City," Belmonte said. Groups have explained that Pride is primarily a protest. With their witty and colorful placards, attendees marched for equality and inclusivity. Politicians pushing for the passage of the SOGIESC Equality bill a proposed measure that seeks to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics also attended Pride events. RELATED: CHR calls for 'swift progress' of SOGIESC bill Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to continue supporting, respecting, and recognizing the LGBTQ+ community and their importance to society. For Vice President Sara Duterte, "good things take time" as the LGBTQIA+ community waits for the passage of the bill. The version of the proposed measure in the House of Representatives has already passed the committee level. In the Senate, the bill was remanded to the committee on rules headed by Sen. Joel Villanueva. He is the son of CIBAC Rep. Eddie Villanueva, the founder of Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide. The senator already said he does not see any urgency in passing the SOGIESC bill. In 1979, when Steven Spielberg and George Lucas signed with Paramount Pictures to develop a film series based on classic Hollywood adventure serials, the deal they struck was to make five separate movies. The first, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in the summer of 1981 and became that years top-grossing movie, beating even the long-anticipated Superman II and remaining on screens in some cities for more than a year. By 1984, it was Raiders sequel, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, that had become the years most anticipated movie, banking that years biggest opening weekend, and the third entry in the franchise, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, became not only the highest-grossing movie of 1989 but the top-earning Indiana Jones movie yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given that track record, and viewed from the perspective of our own IP-crazed times, it seems inconceivable that Spielberg and Lucas decided not to move forward immediately with a fourth Indiana Jones picture (though Lucas did go on to produce a spinoff TV series, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles). The reason: They were unable to come up with a plot device that would credibly carry the beloved archeology-prof-turned-world-adventurer through another feature-length story. Lucas idea, a riff on the 1950s sci-fi films that would have been contemporaneous with a middle-aged Indy, was to introduce extraterrestrial beings into the previously earthbound Raiders universe. But, according to Lucas, that notion was struck down by both Spielberg and star Harrison Ford, who on hearing the pitch replied with a gruffness thats easy to picture: No way am I being in a Steve Spielberg movie like that. (Steves own response was so ambivalent as to recall Hamlet: I dont know, I dont know, I dont know.) Advertisement Almost 20 years would pass before Ford would once again don the fedora, in a Spielberg movie exactly like that. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, released in the summer of 2008 to mostly thuddingly bad reviews, featured a cursed glass knick-knack from outer space, an interdimensional portal housed in a Peruvian obelisk, and a famously nuclear-blast-proof refrigerator. Some critics, me among them, were so glad to see Indy again that they forgave the fourth movie its silliness and enjoyed its small pleasures (Cate Blanchett as a Russian dominatrix-style villain! John Hurt as an antiquities savant driven insane by the titular trinket!), but very few of us walked out expecting or needing a fifth. And yet 15 years later, with Ford about to turn 81, the Paramount prophecy has been fulfilled. With the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the Indiana Jones series is, as originally planned, a pentalogy, even if this last chapter is the first of the five not to have been co-written by Lucas or directed by Spielberg. Instead, James Mangold (Walk the Line, Logan, Ford v. Ferrari) is at the helmand if it isnt cinematic sacrilege to say so, his solidly entertaining if not inspired installment feels truer to the franchises swashbuckling spirit than the latest Spielbergian contribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the length of the movies opening sequence, an elaborately staged chase in the series grand first-act tradition, you might think Mangold had cutting-room-floor footage from the Raiders archive, given the smooth surface of Indys digitally de-aged face and the agility of his footwork as he escapes from a pack of Nazis on a moving train. With the war nearing its end, the Germans, under the command of true believer Jurgen Voller (a deliciously punchable Mads Mikkelsen), are trying to smuggle a trainload of pilfered treasure out of the country. Indy finds his friend and expedition partner, mild-mannered British archeologist Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), tied to a chair in the train car that doubles as Vollers interrogation chamber. The Nazis, Shaw explains, have gotten their hands on the Antikythera, a powerful ancient artifact supposed to have been invented by the Greek mathematician Archimedes with the aim of finding fissures in time. (This priceless doodad, the worlds oldest known analog computer, is real, though it is only known to predict such celestial events as eclipses, not time warps.) Advertisement After one more spectacular chase atop the racing train, Indy and Shaw escape with their lives as the audience encounters a time fissure of our own. Fast-forward 25 years to the summer of 1969: All of America is going wild over humankinds first trip to the moon. Well, all but for the now gray-haired and craggy-faced Professor Jones, whos grouchily sleeping off one too many slugs of whiskey in his lonely Manhattan apartment. His wife, Marion (Karen Allen, appearing only briefly), has just filed for divorce, for reasons that will be revealed later on; his job teaching archeology no longer seems to inspire either him or his glazed-eyed students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indys glum routine is thrown off by the sudden appearance of his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Helenas father, the now-deceased Basil, lost his sanity spinning paranoid (or were they?) theories about the missing half of his precious Antikythera. His daughter is determined to travel the world to find ita plan that would suit the motives of either a loyal daughter or a mercenary black-market antiques dealer. Meanwhile, Voller, a fascist so committed that he at one point appears to badmouth Hitler for not having believed hard enough in the Thousand-Year Reich, is working undercover as a U.S. government scientist. Herr Voller seeks the mystical Greek whim-wham for an even less noble purpose: Like some contemporary political figures I could name, he longs to travel backward in time to a place where life was simpler and made more sense. You know: Germany in 1944. Advertisement The abrupt entrance of Waller-Bridge into the Raiders-verse at first generates a wave of cognitive dissonance: What are Fleabag and Indy doing in New York in the late 1960s? But as we get to know Helena (whom Indy calls Wombat, an old childhood nickname), the alliance begins to make sense. She and her irascible godfather, for all their bickering as they hurtle in various hotly pursued vehicles from to Tangier to Sicily and back to New York again, are alike: two wisecracking skeptics with incurable wanderlust and a problem expressing sincere emotion. Waller-Bridges physical presence is both commanding and comical, her lanky frame and klutziness in the face of danger giving her an Olive Oyllike quality. Her relationship with Indy toggles between affectionate and prickly, landing at a place of grudging mutual acceptance that, perhaps because I am basic, I found genuinely touching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their travels, Indy and Helena cross paths with some figures familiar from earlier chapters of the saga, like Sallah (a likeable Egyptian character who, as played by Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies, should nonetheless perhaps have stayed back in the 20th century), and others new to this episode, like Helenas teenage sidekick Teddy (Ethann Isidore) and a Spanish boat captain (Antonio Banderas) who takes the gang on a dive to explore an ancient shipwreck. The cinematic references at play derive less from golden-era Hollywood than from previous Indiana Jones adventures: There is a callback to Indys fear of snakes, a clever reversal of a gag from the first movie involving a less-than-fair gunfight, and the familiar but still pleasing image of a globe traversed by a moving red line that establishes the protagonists location. (As the Muppets have noted, there are few more efficient modes of transportation than traveling by map.) Advertisement Related from Slate Sam Adams Michael Keatons Batman May Be Back, but Itll Never Feel the Same Read More Though the action is often wittily imagined and choreographed, no one could confuse Mangolds workmanlike direction with Spielbergs kinetic instinct for how to place and move a camera. Still, Dial of Destiny clips along nicely: Even at 2 hours and 22 minutes, the pace seldom drags. Above all, this movie understands, respects, and loves its title character, even in a loopy late sequence that drops the bullwhip-wielding scholar into a circumstance weve never seen or imagined him in before. A sudden third-act swerve into the supernaturala feature all the franchises movies have shared, if not quite at this level of implausibilitycould easily have lost the audiences goodwill, but by drawing on our long experience of the curmudgeonly grave-robbers passions, beliefs, and preferences, the movie manages to serve up a twist thats as psychologically credible as it is contrary to all known laws of physics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford has spoken in proprietary terms about his four-decade-long relationship with the character of Professor Henry Walton Jones Jr.: Im Indiana Jones. When Im gone, hes gone. Indy has been the great role of Fords career (sympathies to the also-memorable Han Solo) and one of the enduring movie characters of my lifetime. You might say that the last two chapters of his story, contractually intended from the start or no, were unnecessary (though Dial of Destiny certainly stands head and shoulders above The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and, depending on your taste, may surpass the second film in the series, the often cringingly xenophobic Temple of Doom). But now that Indiana Jones (though not, thankfully, the man who plays him) seems in fact to have made his last stand, I for one am grateful to have had the chance to stow away on his final adventure. A decade after its widespread adoption, its safe to say that U.S. schools utterly failed to acclimate our students to social media and to anticipate the profound damage it could do. The result of widespread social media use among students (said the U.S. surgeon general in a recent advisory) is increased anxiety, stress, and depression. Parents are lost, too. As a school technology specialist working with a population of middle- and high-schoolers, I see firsthand parents desperation when I host standing-room-only sessions about social media and mental health. Advertisement With the swift emergence of A.I., educators have an opportunity to do better. This summer, K12 schools must get to work drafting academic policies governing the use of A.I. and facilitating professional development for teachers about the new technology. Educators need to address this trend head-on with students while simultaneously redesigning instruction and assessment in an age of A.I. We cannot start this work quickly enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When social media was nascent, educators failed to see it as more than a purely social and extracurricular distraction, assuming that it didnt deserve pedagogical attention and that, if we just banned it, we could simply ignore it. Many schools brought in an outside consultant (sometimes, that was me!) to discuss the dangers of social media, and then proceeded to ignore it for the remainder of the year. Often, the extent to which social media instruction was included in curricula was a single unit in a special course like Health or Library. This neglect left students to navigate social media on their own, and ultimately forced parents to deal with the fallout, which ranges from bullying, bigotry, and body-image issues to misinformation, disinformation, and radicalization. We still dont fully understand how bad things will get. Advertisement I can already anticipate the ways that easy-to-access generative A.I. applications might amplify the mental health problems social media created. What happens in a world where A.I. produces infinite, personalized content fed through social media to studentsall of whom have underdeveloped impulse control? And if A.I. becomes a trusted source of information, will students similarly turn to the technology for social and emotional support? What happens when an A.I. becomes a stand-in for friends or mentors? So many students are already lonely and depressed. A.I., unchecked, could further isolate kids at a socially vulnerable time. Schools are already struggling to teach civic and character lessons in an age of social media algorithms that promote anger, grievance, and risk-taking. Inappropriate memes, risky viral challenges, and controversial anonymous accounts broadcasting conflicts between studentsand between students and their educational institutionsto a national audience routinely disrupt schools around the country. Advertisement Related from Slate Nikki Usher Sure, A.I. Essays Are Annoying. But Professors Are Grappling With Something Even More Challenging. Read More A.I. will similarly hinder skill development. We try to teach critical thinking, focus, and resilience. But with A.I., students can outsource to an app the assignments meant to teach and reinforce those skills. Instead of working through a challenging essay about Lady Macbeth, for instance, students can now prompt large language models to complete the task in half the time. Instead of placing themselves in someone elses shoes to develop debate points about a complex historical event like the Civil Rights Movement, students can ask an A.I. to step in. These learning losses and intellectual shortcuts will extend beyond the classroom and will affect how students, and eventually adults, confront adversity. Advertisement A.I.s possible effects are scary, and its no doubt tempting to turn away from them. But that was largely schools response to social media. That didnt work. This time, with the example of social media fresh in our minds, we know we cant count on technology companies to self-regulate or lawmakers to act quickly. Educators need to be proactive. If we try to simply ban A.I. from schools, we will replicate our past failures. If we hide behind the technologys terms of service, we ignore reality. And if we simply ask students to cite A.I. when they use it, we leave learning opportunities on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, we must acknowledge that students are going to use A.I. Many already do. Ive seen how students can be endlessly creative. They will impress us with how they manage to leverage this new technology. (Middle-school students I know have already used ChatGPT for help with Spanish homework and for assistance responding to slights from friends online.) We should encourage creativity and innovation here. At the same time, students need our informed guidance so that when they utilize A.I., they know that these models often produce falsehoods, are trained on biased and stolen data, and have negative environmental impacts. Students should have the opportunity to confront the ethics of A.I. and its implications for topics ranging from intellectual property to the job market to deepfakes, but they should do so in our classrooms, rather than on social media. Advertisement To that end, we need administrators to collaborate this summer to write policies that account for new A.I. features that will appear in the applications we already use, such as search, email, and word processing. We need academic integrity policies that acknowledge and teach rather than discipline students who reach out for assistance from an A.I. And we as educators need to work to understand the technology, to both enhance our own teaching and better support students. Some of my colleagues already use A.I. in exciting ways, including as a supplement to lesson planning and as a tool to generate research questions and tailor lessons to a range of student abilities. Schools should reserve time for every teacher to experience the potential and the pitfalls for themselves, which will improve teaching and learning in our schools. A.I. outputting a correct answer is not the same as the deeper, human learning we do in our classrooms every day. We should learn from our social media mistakes and teach students how to use, understand, and be skeptical of A.I. Done right, our lessons will spark discussions that embrace complexity, enhance critical thinking, and build empathyprecisely the values that social media has eroded. Last week, the House Republican majority finally made good on its pledge to censure California congressman Adam Schiff. It was an act of retaliation for Schiffs role in investigating Donald Trumps 2016 campaign ties to Russia and for Schiffs past statements about the evidence of collusion between Trumps campaign and Russia, as the resolution put it. The censure vote squeaked by, with 213 Republicans voting in support, and six voting present. The entire episode was actually a consolation prize for another consolation prize. What far-right House Republicans really wanted was an impeachment vote of Joe Biden; when they couldnt get that, they set their sights on a censure vote of Schiff, which included a call for an ethics investigation into the congressman and a possible $16 million fine, if he were found to have lied. It took two attempts, but the final text, stripped of the $16 million fine, narrowly succeeded, making Schiff just the 25th House member ever censured, and just the second since 2010. (In 2021 Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar was censured after he posted an animated video depicting himself killing his Democratic colleague Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.) After the vote, House Democrats shouted shame and disgrace at the GOP majority. Advertisement Tellingly, House Dems also patted Schiff on the back and cheered him. And Schiff doesnt seem to be taking it too hard. If anything, the censure voteespecially in its diminished form, which took weeks to accomplish, leading to near round-the-clock coverage on MSNBCwas effectively tailor-made to benefit Schiffs Senate aspirations in California. He joined the race for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Dianne Feinstein in January. Now hes campaigning off the censure like its going out of style. As Insider reported, Schiff sent nearly 20 fundraising emails referencing the censure vote in the weeks leading up to it, and he hasnt stopped since. Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Ben Mathis-Lilley House Republican Strategy of Elevating Unstable Clown People Reveals Itself to Have Downsides Read More A vote to censure, though uncommon, is basically meaningless. Its a public rebuke, but one that comes without any actual consequence. And its likely that the subsequent ethics investigation, which the censure vote calls for, will never get off the ground. To my Republican colleagues, [who] introduced this resolution, I thank you. You honor me with your enmity, Schiff said last week. Sounds about right. In many ways, the censure vote was a cherry on top of what has been a dream scenario for Schiff in advancing his Senate campaign. With Democrats in the minority in the House, there was little for them to do. Earlier this year, Republicans removed Schiff from the Intelligence Committee, also mostly a gesture that has allowed Schiff to make himself the lasting face of the anti-Trump resistancewhile having to do little in the way of actual legislating to prove it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Could House Republicans even be doing this on purpose? Their caucus is fractious, chaotic, and disordered. They cant agree on almost anything, or get much of anything done. For those reasons, it may be difficult to imagine that theyre also diabolical enough to be elevating a candidate in a hotly contested Democratic primary race. But there may be some method to the madness: Speaker Kevin McCarthy is from California; hes the most powerful Republican in the state. The censure measure advanced only with his endorsement, and McCarthy knows full well whats happening in his home states Senate contest. Republicans have an absolute zero chance of competing for the seat outright, but they could possibly push the field to the right. Advertisement Its not uncommon for the parties to play in each others primaries, after all. Spending to elevate unelectable, far-right candidates in Republican primaries proved to be one of Democrats most successful, if controversial, strategies in the 2022 congressional cycle. Advertisement And Schiff, a former member of the center-right Blue Dog caucus, is the most conservative member of the group of contenders for the sought-after seat. Despite some recent gestures at a rebrand, his track record in 11 terms in Congress is out of step with Californias devoutly progressive politics. Some state Democratic party figures also would much prefer to see a woman and/or a person of color win the role. California made history in the 1990s when it became the first state with two female senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein; it has been a point of pride for California Democrats ever since. Now the possibility of having Adam Schiff become a male senator alongside Alex Padilla, another male senator, has some feeling uneasy, and not just because Schiff is no friend of the left. Advertisement Despite it all, Schiff is cruising right along. Recent polling has him uniformly at or near the top of the pile of candidates, and his fundraising haul is astounding. His cash advantage over Rep. Katie Porter, who actually had to spend in her very competitive reelection race in 2022, and Rep. Barbara Lee, who does not share in the fundraising prowess of her competitors, is fearsome. Schiffs Burbank-area House district is not competitive for Republicans, which has allowed him to save his stockpile for a Senate primary that will shatter records in cost. Republicans have been coy about the edge theyre giving Schiff with these votes. California Republicans in particular refused to cop to it when asked by Insiders Bryan Metzger: You cant help what people do with fundraising and all of that, said Rep. Doug LaMalfa. Thats for someone else to worry about, said Rep. Kevin Kiley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its likely not lost on McCarthy. Advertisement Schiff and McCarthy are unlikely to be allies or pals anytime soon, and McCarthy is not known as a master operator. But theres no question that the seemingly pointless and toothless stunts hes overseeing could help move the Democratic-controlled state to the right, even if its just a nudge. For the state party, which has been frustrated for years by the conservative representation of Feinstein, who herself is well to the right of her constituents, that would be more than a minor annoyance. That, plus the favor McCarthy could curry with the Trump-supporting base, is more than motivation enough. This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. Monday brought new twists in the evolving drama of an apparently attempted mutiny against Russias military leadership and President Vladimir Putin. The developments illustrate the difficulty of quickly or easily assessing who has the upper hand in Russias opaque and disinformation-fueled system, especially considering the absence of reliable independent news reporting on the ground. Initial assessments also may be clouded by wishful thinking about Putins odds in Ukraine or his chances of political survival at home. The revolt on Saturday by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his paramilitary Wagner Group had seemed to come to an anticlimactic resolution with public announcements by both sides of a deal brokered by Belarusian strongman and Putin ally Aleksandr Lukashenko. It included dropping criminal charges of rebellion against Prigozhin and letting him leave for Belarus. Prigozhin himself seemed to publicly agree to the deal, declaring his march for justice to be over, turning around the Wagner convoy that had rolled within 125 miles of Moscow, and leaving the Russian Southern District Military Headquarters with smiles and waves streamed on video. But after a day of silence and mystery on Sunday surrounding the whereabouts of Putin, Prigozhin, and the officials Prigozhin had sought to oustDefense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Army Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimovsigns of a possibly more protracted power struggle emerged. The Russian Prosecutor Generals Office declared on Monday that the investigation of Prigozhin was in fact ongoing. Then, Shoigu resurfaced in state-distributed video, though undated, apparently intended to show him still firmly in charge. Even Putin was seen in a video congratulating young engineers at an industry forum, notably in a city south of Moscow that lies along the route Prigozhins convoy was taking to the capital just two days ago. More cryptically, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gave remarks that seemed aimed at reassuring regimes in Mali and the Central African Republic that Russian instructors, which in the past referred to Wagner forces but is now less clear, would continue their work there, which had focused on countering insurgencies. These relationships are beyond the scope of internal issues within the Wagner Group, Lavrov said. The recent upheaval within the groups leadership will not have any bearing on our collaboration with our partners and friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then Prigozhin himself finally resurfaced, if reported audio is to be believed. An early translation generated by artificial intelligence and distributed by Russia watcher Kevin Rothrock on Twitter, as well as emerging news reporting, has Prigozhin defending his Wagner Group and his mutiny. He confirmed that the impetus for the revolt was twofold: 1) a Russian Defense Ministry plan to wrest Wagner paramilitaries formally into the regular military as of July 1 and disband Wagner, and 2) an alleged airstrike on a Wagner camp by regular Russian military forces that Prigozhin says killed 30 of his soldiers. Though Wagner had long been an auxiliary force and dependent on the Ministry of Defense for ammunition, they began acting increasingly independently as Prigozhins vehement criticism of the militarys poor performance in Ukraine escalated in the past year. Advertisement But Prigozhin also seemed to try to assuage Putins ire over the rebellion, claiming on Monday that Wagners takeover of the southern headquarters and its convoy streaming toward Moscow two days ago was intended as a protest rather than a coup of what Prigozhin called a legally elected government. He noted, too, the ease with which they moved and the gaps it exposed in the regular militarys security. Advertisement Advertisement The shifting scenarios and statements, interspersed by long silences, and the notorious unreliability of any information emanating from Putins camp or from Prigozhin highlight the difficulty of discerning whats really going on behind the scenesor even knowing where those scenes are playing out. Prigozhin didnt say where he wasis he indeed in Belarus? If so, under what circumstances? A generally reliable Russian media outlet on Monday was reporting that camps were being built in Belarus, supposedly to hold detained Wagner forces. Or did Prigozhin escape the Kremlins clutches and go into hiding somewhere else, waiting to record a message until he had proper communications that could not be geolocated? (Prigozhins company had explained his absence on Sunday by saying he would answer questions when he will have access to proper communications, possibly suggesting he may be concerned for his safety or perhaps in custody.) Likewise, the Shoigu video was undated and not independently confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Staff The Failed Coup in Russia Read More While Prigozhins rebellion was indeed the most serious challenge yet to Putins more than two decades in power and exposes real cracksas U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken put it on Sundayin Russias leadership structures, predictions that Putin has been significantly weakened should be taken with a measure of caution. Its still early, and there are many potential theories about what has happened and what is to come. Beware also comparisons to Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachevhe was far weaker throughout his tenure than Putin ever was. Advertisement Furthermore, most of Putins visible acolytes remained on his side during the standoff with Prigozhin, and the president (once prime minister) has perpetuated his power for many years with a brutal carrot-stick combination of illegal largesse and well-founded fears of persecutioneven death. An unidentified senior western official told the Washington Post: If Prigozhin intended to drive a wedge between the command of Russian Federation Armed Forces and the Kremlin he failed. Andrei Kolesnikov of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told the Post that the ease with which the Wagner convoy pushed north toward Moscow from Rostov was more a factor of what the journalists paraphrased as the fear and apathy of local officials rather than active support for Prigozhin. Advertisement It is also too soon to draw the conclusion from this episode that Putin backs down when confronted. That depends on the veracity of the deal with Lukashenko, and whether Prigozhin is captured or killed by Kremlin forces. Still, it seems inevitable that Putins exposureand that of his inner circleto this kind of global embarrassment and the underlying instability it reflects will plant additional seeds of doubt internally about his strength and viability in the long run, not to mention about the viability of the war effort itself. Washington Post reporters Catherine Belton (the author of the book Putins People) and Robyn Dixon wrote: A recent sign that tension was mounting within the Russian elite was the public declaration earlier this month by an influential Russian MPKonstantin Zatulin, close to senior members of Russias FSB security agencythat Moscow had failed to achieve any of its war aims and that many of them had become senseless. Mikhail Zygar, former editor in chief of now-exiled Russian independent channel TV Rain and author of the 2016 book All the Kremlins Men, described in the New Yorker all the different clans within the Russian government and its military and security apparatuses. He observed, There is the growing feeling that [Putin] is a lame duck, and they have to prepare for Russia after Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard University Russian Studies professor Timothy Colton floated one scenario for what could happen next time: It is an open secret in Moscow that, whatever the complexities of public opinion at the mass level, many members of the Russian elite harbor deep misgivings about the war. This time, once it was clear which way the wind was blowing, they lined up with their absentee boss. How they will make future choices may be another matter. No more than ten or twelve members of Putins inner circleif they could agree among themselves, demonstrate Prigozhins appetite for risk, and contrive an institutional formula for a national-unity governmentcould bring an end to the Putin era. The Russian precedent is the ouster of Nikita Khrushchev by the Soviet leadership in October 1964 and the initiation of a generation of oligarchic rule. Advertisement As for Lukashenkos role, he is highly dependent on Putin, and Belarus is teeming with Russian forces, especially since Putin aided Lukashenkos crackdown on street protests by millions of Belarusians after his regime falsified election results in 2020. So its hard to imagine Prigozhin would really feel safe in Belarus, if he had a choice of whether to go at all. And considering Putins documented penchant for domestic and transnational repression/assassination, including in the United States, Prigozhin may be safe only as long as Putin wants him to be. Advertisement As the saga continues to unfold, one of the key unanswered questions is what the impact will be on the Russian war effort in Ukraine and Russian-sponsored military operations elsewhere. Advertisement Christopher Miller, a journalist with the Financial Times, reported on Sunday that Ukrainian officials said the power struggle in Russia brought no dramatic changes at the front line but created opportunities to exploit the distraction and damaged morale of their enemy. One Ukrainian soldier returning from the direction of Bakhmut, where the Wagner Group had been crucial to Russias extended and brutal capture of the city, told French news agency AFP, according to the Guardian: As it attacked yesterday, Russia continued to attack today. Advertisement If Prigozhin indeed manages to stay alive, ends up in Belarus, and solidifies his deal by continuing to aid Putin and his war in Ukraine, that could escalate the risk to NATOs eastern flank. Lithuanias president noted as much: If Prigozhin or part of the Wagner group ends up in Belarus with unclear plans and unclear intentions, it will only mean that we need to further strengthen the security of our eastern borders. Advertisement Another wild card in how all this plays out is the ramifications for Russian operations in Africa. The Wagner Group has been involved in Mali and the Central African Republic, under invitations from the governments to Russia to help fight insurgencies. The arrangements have dismayed Western countries that were trying to provide support but have largely exited as a result of the Russian involvement. Earlier this year, United Nations experts called for an investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by forces of Malis military junta and the Wagner Group. Separately, Open Source Intelligence Monitor reported on Twitter that the negotiations that led to the Putin-Prigozhin stand-down (if thats what it really is) are also reported to have included a Stipulation that the Majority of Wagner PMC Forces will be Redeployed out of Russia and Ukraine to Africa. That, too, could have significant ramifications for Russias strength on the front lines in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stepping back even further, while the Biden administration was admirably on top of Russias evolving plans for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the preceding months, and has gathered impressive allied support for Ukraine since then, any analysis of how the Russian power struggle plays out must take into account the initial overestimation of Russias military strength and organization. Just as the Russian militarys failures in Ukraine and Putins often bizarre behavior have exposed the underlying weaknesses of Putins regime, so too do they undermine arguments in favor of embracing autocrats based on a deluded impression of their stability. But how authoritarian regimes fall apart can vary tremendously and most often comes as a surprise, despite the worlds many years of experience with failed dictatorships. Advertisement Advertisement In any case, the fact that so much remains in flux in Russias leadership and that Wagner forces may be out of commission for the fight in Ukraine, at least temporarily, must be creating even more disarray than usual in the Russian war effort. But sheer numbers count, both in weapons and personnel, and Russia still exceeds Ukraine quantitatively. One question will be whether Ukraine can wield the new and improved weaponry flowing from the West and take advantage of the chaos in the Kremlin to resume outsmarting its foe, as it has so unexpectedly done at so many junctures in the past 16 months. More From Just Security: Perspectives on Gender Persecution: Colombias Transitional Justice Process Sudan Today Follows Decades of Justice Denied A year after Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health, the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, most commentary has painted it as the product of conservative excess. As the dissent and others have noted, the courts reliance on originalism is arbitrary. The decision takes no notice of how abortion rights affect womens liberties and equality. The breakdown of church-state separation that the decision represents is staggering, as is its undoing of any plausible division between politics and law. And Justice Alitos use of history, which leads him to rely on pre-Enlightenment accounts of womens worth, is blinkered at best. Advertisement Reading Dobbs in this way is appealing because it identifies a clear intellectual target and points to a straightforward political strategy, pitting liberal constitutionalism against conservative constitutionalism. But this simple interpretation misses the heart of the matter: The primary intellectual source of Alitos opinion is not originalism but the legal scholar John Hart Ely, a self-professed liberal who taught at Yale, Stanford, and Miami, and who was one of the most cited constitutional law professors of the 20th century. Unlike Alito, Ely self-identified as neither a hardcore textualist nor an originalist. Upon his death, a glittering roster of mostly liberal legal eliteshis colleagueseulogized him as one of the rare figures who had transformed their legal imagination. Advertisement Yet it was Ely who argued, in a 1973 essay that Alito would later cite in Dobbs, that Roe was not constitutional law at all and gave almost no sense of an obligation to try to be. While the first citation in Dobbs is to Roe itself, the second is to Ely. By the third paragraph of the opinion, Alito is relying almost entirely on Elys contentions. Of the five factors the Dobbs court deploys in favor of overruling Roebefore even getting to its arguments based on originalismat least four, and in particular the first two, rest primarily on Ely. Any assessment of Dobbs, and the increasingly conservative tilt of the court more generally, must therefore reckon with the legacy of Elys critique of Roe, and the opportunities for American constitutionalism it helped foreclose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ely attained his stature largely because many understood his magnum opus, Democracy and Distrust, as solving a central problem in constitutional law in the late 1970s and early 80s: how to protect minority rights without engaging in judicial overreach. Democracy and Distrust is usually cited for its discussion of how judicial minimalismthe idea that judges should only interpret the law, while legislatures should make itmight be made compatible with the Constitutions use of broad, sometimes imprecise language to protect rights. The book is part of a canon of legal theory that prides itself on being content-neutral. Less often discussed is an awkward fact: Democracy and Distrust assumes that Roe is the paradigmatic example of a case worth overturning. The essay Alito cites, Elys 1973 The Wages of Crying Wolf, laid the foundations for his later book. And though Elys theory is taught independently from his criticism of Roe, the two cannot be disentangled. To Ely, Roe served as a red line, marking what did and did not count as legitimate constitutional law. This opened the door to subsequent criticism of Roe. A now-famous passage in Dobbs quotes a series of liberal law professors criticizing Roe; these quotations are in some respects selective or misleading, but they are not merely window dressing. As some have noted, when Dobbs overturned Roe, institutional liberal responses were at first surprisingly muted; many arguments in defense of Roe depended on respect for precedent more than substantive reasoning. Elys continuing influence is at least part of the answer as to why. Advertisement One might, of course, ask why we should take legal reasoninglet alone its intellectual rootsseriously at all right now, given that the court appears to be comfortable reaching whatever conclusion it wants whenever it wants. But this court is not interested in the outcomes of single cases alone. The conservative majority has greater ambitions: to impose its conception of the Constitution as the only legitimate framework within which to interpret the law. This matters even if one thinks litigation at the Supreme Court is, for the foreseeable future, a lost cause. Constitutional arguments matter not just inside but also outside courts. As the general rise of conservative constitutional ideology has demonstrated, they also matter in the long run as well as the short term. Aiming beyond even the vast powers of his immediate jurisdiction, Alito wants Americans who have different views than his own to think that they have no hope of marshaling the Constitution to their cause. And at this moment, little liberal constitutional theory stands in his way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alito wants Americans who have different views than his own to think that they have no hope of marshaling the Constitution to their cause. And at this moment, little liberal constitutional theory stands in his way. None of this was preordained. Roe is frequently discussed in light of the culture wars of the 1980s and 90s. With these debates in recent memory, it is easy to cast Roe itself as controversial from the start: a flawed case with a troubled legacy. But this mistakes political agitation for unreliable legal footing. At the time it came out, Roe was understood by manyincluding the predominantly conservative Burger court, which decided Roe 72as a predictable extension of legitimate and deep-rooted visions of constitutional law. For almost a decade after, Roe appeared to be on a trajectory similar to that of Brown v. Board. The decision was debated, but also soundly defended by eminent legal scholars. It seemed on track to become part of the corpus of constitutional thought: a case that lawyers had to reason within, not merely one tolerated as precedent. By the 1990s, however, it had become a sign of intellectual seriousness inside liberal legal circles to say that Roe was a bad case. Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously criticized the reasoning in Roe in a lecture she gave shortly before her own nomination to the court. Advertisement The question, in other wordsand this is not just for those concerned with abortion rights, but for anyone concerned with both the courts sudden swerve toward overturning precedent and the future of constitutional law in generalis not, as Alito and many others have tried to make it out to be, how anyone could miss what a terrible case Roe is. Rather, it is how and why so many legal scholars have taken Elys arguments so seriously for so long. Ely raised a litany of objections to Roe. But fundamentally his argument boiled down to three claims, each of which would, in time, find its way into Dobbs. These formulations, which he first articulated in his 1973 essay and subsequently developed in his 1980 book, may seem abstract, even esotericthe sort of argument that cannot be parsed without elite legal education. But they are, in fact, relatively straightforward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, and most famously, Ely argued that Roe was substantive due process. To Ely, this meant that, by definition, Roes right to abortion was fictitiousthere was no grounding for it in the Constitution. Elys critique relied on the idea that when courts use the 14th Amendments due process clause to enforce certain constitutional rights, they are confusing substantive and procedural rights. Substantive rights are conventionally understood as the rights one has in civil, political, and private liferights to or against thingswhile procedural rights are about what one is entitled to during legal proceedings. The First and Second amendments are usually understood as substantive rights, for example, while the right to a jury trial is procedural. Roe, like several other cases, relies in part on the liberty protected by the due process clausea procedural clausewhile abortion rights, like many rights found in the Bill of Rights, are usually understood as substantive rights. As a result, Roes reasoning has often been labeled as substantive due process: It combines both substantive and procedural clauses of the Constitution. In itself, this is hardly a fatal critique: Legal scholars are not in the habit of criticizing the right to travel across state lines, which relies on a similar construction. Ely, however, argued that substantive due process was a tell, that courts are substituting their own values for rights. In other words, courts are inventing rights wholesale and, as a result, usurping the role of the legislature. Advertisement Second, Ely objected to the fact that in Roe, the Burger court drew together several provisions of the Constitution. Strikingly, his logic elided the fact that this was not unusual at the time, nor have other decisions that relied on the same doctrinal approach been singled out like Roe. Because the Bill of Rights is understood to have applied only against the federal government when it was drafted, any case protecting rights based on the first nine amendments must invoke the 14th Amendment if these rights are to apply against state legislatures (a process known as incorporation). For this reason, courts routinely combine the 14th Amendments due process clause and substantive rights based on single provisions in the Bill of Rights (for instance: gun rights or speech rights). Ely did not actively contest such cases, while, in sharp contrast, he objected vociferously to the use of the 14th Amendment in Roe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What made Roe different was its reliance on Griswold v. Connecticut, which had famously found a right to privacy, which included the right not to become pregnant, among the First, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, as well as being further supported by the Ninth. Specifically, Griswold protected the availability of birth control to married couples, which was extended to unmarried couples a few years later, in Eisenstadt v. Baird. While Roe did not perform an extensive textual analysis of these provisions, by drawing directly on Griswold and other decisions with similar reasoning for its ruling, it effectively relied on this inter-provision reasoning by reference. This reasoning dovetailed with Roes use of the 14th Amendmentwhat Ely criticized as substantive due processbecause Roe applied to the states, not the federal government. (It was state laws regulating abortion that were at issue.) Advertisement One might take the fact that Roe relied on multiple constitutional provisions as proof of its overdetermination. In other words, while Ely tolerated rights based on single provisions of the Bill of Rights in combination with the 14th Amendment, he disavowed Roes reliance on multiple provisions as creating fictitious fundamental rights. Alitos reasoning in Dobbs follows suit: He concedes the possibility of a privacy right but countenances it only so long as it is attached to either the First or Fourth Amendment. He states, as though in shock, that Roe found abortion rights to spring from no fewer than five different constitutional provisions. One might take the fact that Roe relied on multiple constitutional provisions as proof of its overdetermination. But instead, Alito and Ely hold out the presence of inter-provision interpretation as evidence of intellectual weakness. Third, Elys dismissal of Roe depends on his contention that abortion rights are not political process rights. Having made the idea that substantive due process was illegitimate a linchpin of his work, Ely argued that the only way to save cases that could be designated as suchincluding a swath of Warren court jurisprudence he was attached towas to reinterpret them as about political process instead. In what would become his signal contribution to legal theory, Ely argued that courts could articulate these unnamed fundamental process rights so long as they aided minorities thatand here he borrowed from a 1938 opinion by Justice Stonecould be termed discrete and insular. With this distinction, Ely was able to recategorize as legitimate a host of civil rights cases that might otherwise be termed substantive due process: They fell within his newly constructed safe harbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet this safe harbor did not extend to women. In Elys view, because women have the right to vote, because they are numerically not a minority, and because, unlike in cases of segregation, men and women cohabitate, women did not fall within his rubric of people whose political power is compromised. Dobbs takes a leaf from Elys book in this respect: Alito uses womens right to vote as evidence that the absence of abortion rights would place no unjustifiable burden on women as a political class. Ely avoided the question of gender relations, including their economic and power dynamics. He could thus deny that abortion access could be salient to the political process for women. At the same time, his logic affirmed political rights for fetuses, which he argued were discrete and insular minorities. Elys analysis therefore pointed in the direction of granting fetuses political personhood, as Dobbs would later gesture toward as well. Why did Ely seem so intent on negating the right to abortion? Ely claimed that his work was dictated by the demands of legal theory. In fact, he contended, his willingness to criticize Roe was actually evidence of his intellectual integrity, not cause for question. He regularly stated that, in theory at least, he supported abortion rights, if legislatures wanted to provide them. Yet, clearly, he was also motivated by ambition: In the legal academy of the 1970s, to argue against the grain on what seemed, at least for the time, a settled issue allowed him to position himself as willing to face hard truths for the sake of legal rigor. The moral complexity of abortion and the relative marginality of women in the legal academy helped to ensure that he risked little reputational damage in doing so. While many of his colleagues thought he was wrong on the law, they debated him in the spirit of amicable collegiality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of this, however, explains how Elys ideas came to determine the scope of constitutional law. Elysand Alitosviews were hardly destined for dominance. By 1973, when Roe was decided, courts had spent the previous 30-plus years articulating constructions of the Constitution that demanded more robust individual rights. These ranged from new criminal procedure requirements and the suspension of the death penalty to First Amendment, equal protection, contraceptive, and voting rights. Notably, this also included the articulation of a constitutional right to privacy. This sea change is often attributed to the Warren courts tenure, which began in 1953 and ended in 1969. But it had deeper roots: Among other things, the early 20th century legal giants Oliver Wendell Holmes, Louis Brandeis, and Hugo Black all argued repeatedly that robust individual rights held against state as well as federal power are integral to both the structure and continued existence of constitutional law. This expansion of rights prompted criticismsparts of which Ely later marshaled in his arguments against Roe. Some of these criticisms were in good faith; others, less so. What united those that rose to prominencesomething a young Ely no doubt observedwas how they anchored their authority in the aspiration to neutrality. In 1954, in Brown v. Board, the court had invalidated legislation in order to demand that states desegregate. While supportive of Brown, the legal scholar Alexander Bickel warnedvia what he famously termed the countermajoritarian difficultythat courts should be especially careful when invalidating legislation, lest legislatures flout their rulings and show courts to be powerless. Because we take legislation as representative of the will of the majority, courts are required to show legislation a degree of deference. They must justify themselves when they invalidate law in the name of constitutional rights. Ely would later claim that he was solving the countermajoritarian difficulty in Democracy and Distrust, by providing a nonpolitical way to decide which rights deserved fundamental protections sufficient to override legislation in this way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elys political process rights would similarly be informed by the search for content-neutral legal reasoning. The leading constitutional law professor Herbert Wechsler, meanwhile, insisted that Brownand thus court-ordered desegregationwas illegitimate because it violated the First Amendments free-association clause. What courts needed to do instead, Wechsler famously claimed, was to deploy neutral principles of interpretation. Elys political process rights would similarly be informed by the search for content-neutral legal reasoning. Yet by the early 1970s, criticism of the new jurisprudence had failed to gain serious tractionnot only with respect to racial equality, but also when it came to privacy rights. Leading up to Roe, the famous textualist Justice Hugo Black critiqued the justification for privacy rights used in Griswold. Lodging 1 of 2 dissents in that case, Black essentially argued that, because the word privacy is not in the Constitution, judges could not infer its existence as a right. But Black died in 1971, and his dissent in Griswold remained marginal. It did not stand in the way of the courts decision two years later in Roe. (In any case, its worth noting that Blacks underlying logic in his Griswold dissent is not in line with Dobbs. Black was a textualist but also a fierce advocate of individual rights. And though conservatives today frequently try to claim him as their own, Black dissented in Griswold at least in part to avoid resurrecting ordered liberty, the doctrinal test that the Dobbs court relies on.) Wechslers neutrality critique of desegregation, in the meantime, had been put to rest by Charles Blacks 1971 foreword about Brown in the Harvard Law Review, which pointed out that legal fictionthat separate could ever mean equalcould not trump legal reality. In the end, it was none other than Robert Bork, the conservative legal scholar who would go on to be rejected, famously, as a candidate for the Supreme Court, who laid the groundwork for Elys early writing on Roe. Bork had also taken note of Wechslers work: His 1971 article Neutral Principles and Some First Amendment Problems, written in a fit of animus against what he saw as the excesses of sexual liberation, repurposed Blacks textualism and rehabilitated Wechslers neutrality. Fatefully, he used both as a weapon against privacy and substantive due process instead of desegregation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bork condemned GriswoldRoes precursoras the height of judicial overreach, crafting two important arguments that Ely would later reproduce. First, Bork argued that if one allows for Griswold, one has to allow for Lochner v. New York, the universally maligned 1905 case that struck down maximum-hours protections for low-wage bakers. Lochner was a substantive due process case. It was based on what the court called the right to contract, and the Lochner court contended that this right existed in the 14th Amendment. Because neither the words right to contract nor privacy are in the Constitution, and because Griswold was superficially similar to Lochner, inasmuch as both relied on the 14th Amendment, Bork argued that Lochner was analogous to Griswold. Both, he argued, simply invented rights. Second, Bork drove a wedge between substantive due process and equal protection cases. A significant number of the new cases, including many that functionally furthered desegregation, had been decided on bases other than the equal protection clause alone. Several used inter-provision reasoning similar to that in Griswoldfor instance, by combining the due process and equal protection clauses. Still others understood the scope of the equal protection clause and the First Amendment to include voting rights and privacy rights, respectively. Bork denigrated virtually all of these cases as substantive due process. Meanwhile, he conceded that formal desegregation based on the equal protection clauseBrown, in effect, if not its reasoningwas legitimate. In doing so, he offered liberals a concession they had already won. Prefiguring both Ely and Alito, Bork used substantive due process as a label for doctrine that required both inter-provision interpretation and the 14th Amendment (what Griswold and most privacy cases draw on). Bork thus managed to conflate complexity (more steps) with weakness (not constitutional law). Not coincidentally, the argument managed to draw a dividing line between race and gender, and sidelined class too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borks formulations would prove invaluable to Ely, a 35-year-old Yale Law School professor and Borks junior colleague: more likely than not, they are what allowed him to draft his essay The Wages of Crying Wolf almost immediately after Roe came out. Swapping Roe for Griswold, Ely relied on the linkages Bork drew between Lochner, substantive due process, and privacy for the core of his criticism. Further, Elys idea of political process rightsthough still in its infancy in this essaymirrored the structure of Borks equal protection exception. This allowed Ely to argue he wasnt against newly recognized rights; he was simply rigorously testing their basis. Elys essay was more eye-catching than Borks, partly because his liberal bona fides (which he made it a point to announce) made it counterintuitive. Coming at a time when criticism of Roe hardly seemed likely to make any direct impact, The Wages of Crying Wolf owed much of its salience to its authors willingness to buck liberal celebrations of Roe. The legal reasoning in the essay, however, is cavalier, and its style is distinctive. Elys opening gambit asserts that, rather than law, Roe creates valuesor whatever. Ely expressly and repeatedly analogizes sodomy (which remained illegal) to abortion. A key passage compares prohibitions against both sodomy and abortion as cramp[ing] the life style of the homosexual and the mother alike. On what would become his signature contribution to the field of legal theorythe revival of Stones concept of the discrete and insular minorityhe writes: Im not sure Id know a discrete and insular minority if I saw one, but confronted with a multiple choice question requiring me to designate (a) women or (b) fetuses as one, Id expect no credit for the former answer. In such passages, it is hard to tell what Ely takes less seriouslythe people affected by the laws he is discussing (in this case, women) or the demands of legal analysis. His cadence might best be described as that of a law professor attempting to imitate J.D. Salinger. Substituting condescension for argument, Elys essay reads like a stunt, not a serious undertaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His cadence might best be described as that of a law professor attempting to imitate J.D. Salinger. Substituting condescension for argument, Elys essay reads like a stunt, not a serious undertaking. This stylistic approach garnered Ely attention, even fans. But serious logical flaws hobbled the essays appeal. From the outset, Elys equation of Roe and Lochner was far less stable than he made it appear. Because Roe relied on Griswolds inter-provision interpretation, and Lochner was based only on the 14th Amendment, Roe was not clearly analogous to Lochner. The problems with the analogy were evident from the lengths Ely went to to elide them. Soon after his essay was published, Ely began to use Lochnerize (to impose made-up substantive due process law) as a verb. Just as Bork had done with Griswold, Elys attempt to equate Roe with Lochner was an effort to make Roe unacceptable by association. As a rhetorical gesture, this worked: We use Lochnerize today to refer to making up things in the law. Regarding the legal matter, Ely was far less successfulat first. His peers pointed out problems with Elys arguments for the remainder of the decade. First, it was possible to persuasively defend Roes logic, as Laurence Tribe did in the Harvard Law Review foreword in 1973. Second, as Stanford Law professor Thomas Grey noted a few years later, the distinction between substance and process that critics of substantive due process depend on breaks down on close inspection. Finally, as Grey also pointed out, its not even clear that the reason Lochner was a bad case was because it was substantive due process. Lochners misuse of the word liberty, in other words, is more like Citizens Uniteds contortions around the term person than it is like Roe. Throughout the 1970s, these and other weaknesses meant Elys essay was mostly refuted or ignored. (In recent years, scholars including Reva Siegel, Pamela Karlan, and Samuel Moyn have called renewed attention to flaws in Elys thinking.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Had Ely not reformulated his essay more than half a decade later, it might have ended there. In 1980, however, Ely tempered his language and refined his argument. Democracy and Distrust is dedicated to the much-lauded liberal Chief Justice Earl Warren. No longer framed as a critique of Roe, Ely presented his arguments as the solution to Bickels countermajoritarian difficulty, the problem of how judges should decide cases that pit the constitutional rights of individuals against presumptively majoritarian legislation. Further, Ely argued that he had squared the circle between textualists desire for clear constitutional rights (largely a conservative demand) and the way that broad, textually enshrined constitutional provisions, such as the Ninth Amendment, supported (mostly liberal) demands for interpretation. Still leveraging his liberal credentials to frame his legal analysis, this time Ely positioned himself not as an entertainingly provocative young scholar but as the reasonable defender of progressive rights, reliable precisely because he put principle over party. In part because it was framed as such, Elys work became a liberal lodestar. Not coincidentally, the way in which the legal academy interpreted Roe shifted as well. The important thing to realize about Roe is that, as a legal matter, none of the problems frequently positedits moral difficulties, countermajoritarianism, the contention that it is like Lochnerare impossible to solve. Even the oft-cited difficulties around the viability testthe dividing line between a womans right and a states interest that marks when prohibiting abortion becomes constitutionalusually boil down to a repackaged argument that privacy rights dont exist. Such complaints suggest that Roe doesnt have a constitutional theory. But Roe did have a positive theory. It built on Griswold and a host of other cases. In doing so, Roe protected the indivisible connection between privacy and womens liberty. Further, most of these decisions were engaged in a similar endeavor: explicating how rights relate to one another, and why the structure of constitutional law requires some unenumerated rights in order to function. Roes underlying commitment to inter-provision interpretation, moreover, protected and built on a framework that justified more than just reproductive rights. It also undergirded cases with far-reaching redistributive implications, in particular those in which the court invalidated state laws for effectively discriminating on the basis of wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the 1980s, however, the Reagan Justice Department was ascendant, and the intellectual tide was turning against such interpretations. In the face of political headwinds, Ely offered liberals an argument with which they could theoretically safeguard at least part of the case law they were attached toprimarily racial equal protection rights and some election lawwithout being accused of being unreasonable or activist. Essentially, his bargain was this: Keep a limited set of precedents in a safe harbor called discrete and insular political process rights, but, by dispensing with Roe, give up the fundamental logic that had actually animated many of those rights in the first instance. Because Ely offered a general framework for constitutional lawone that appeared to save cases liberals were attached to while also demonstrating that he took seriously the concerns of conservative legal theoristshis work became an essential part of the architecture of liberal constitutional thought. Why didnt more legal scholars insist on revealing these problems with Ely, or on advancing the interpretive possibilities Roe presented? Prefiguring challenges we face today, center-to-left legal opinion fragmented. Leading lights of the critical legal studies movement, like Duncan Kennedy, doubled down on the point critics of Roe were making. Starting from what conservative critics of the Warren Court have taught us, Kennedy rejected the attempt to distinguish Lochner and Roe. In doing so, Kennedy played into the hands of conservatives. Many feminist legal scholars defended Roe, but others argued that womens rights were better bolstered through logic that excluded it. Some, like Catharine MacKinnon, viewed privacy as neo-coverture: a patriarchal space that only reinstated gender inequality. Others thought equal protection doctrine seemed the more pragmatic (if limited) route to gains in womens rights. Still others hoped that equal protection litigation could deliver bold and lasting change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainstream liberals, meanwhile, were by and large happy to let abortion rights become a womens question rather than a central issue in constitutional interpretation. Mainstream liberals, meanwhile, were by and large happy to let abortion rights become a womens question rather than a central issue in constitutional interpretation. In a Harvard lecture in 1980, for example, the liberal lion and D.C. Circuit Judge James Skelly Wright defended both racial equality and economic rights under what he called a creative implementation of the equal protection clause.* Yet while Wright respected core privacy rights as precedent, he advised against pursuing any grounds other than equal protection for constitutional rights going forward. To do otherwise, he said, recalling Ely almost verbatim, would risk judges imposing their own views on the citizenry on the pretext of enforcing the Bill of Rights or the Fourteenth Amendment. By the mid-1980s, adopting the language of neutrality had come to mean abandoning Roe. The ascendancy of Elys argument reached its denouement in the early 1990s. Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who by no means wished for Roe to be overturned, found the opinion too broad, and criticized the fact that it was based on privacy rather than on equal protection grounds. During her nomination to the court, Ginsburgs friends had to call to the White House to explain that she was most certainly not an opponent of the decision. In the eyes of supporters of womens equality and abortion rights, her nomination signaled progress. But it also masked how thineven self-defeatingthe fundamental logic of liberal jurisprudence had become. At the same time as she was confirmed to the court, Ginsburgs adherence to the idea that Roe was a bad case was also arguably a prerequisite of being taken seriously inside the academycertainly in the legal academy in which Ginsburg had been educated. The problem with relying on equal protection, as Ginsburg proposed, is that at the time Roe was decided, doing so would have undercut the case. Despite subsequent advances in equal protection doctrine, the protection it afforded women remains far less than that available as a fundamental rightthe right to privacy. Meanwhile, relying on equal protection, or hoping for the eventual promotion of womens equal protection rights to fundamental status via the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment or an equivalent doctrinal change, undercut liberals ability to defend Roe. It would require political conditions decades in the future to make Dobbs possible. But by this point, the interpretive die had already been cast. Although the 1992 decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey offered a measured reaffirmation of Roe, its logic was primarily anchored in Roes status as precedent. Not even Caseys restatement of Roe could undo the harm Ely had done to its legitimacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing the moral complexity of abortion rights, some would rather avoid the matternever mind that someone else will interpret the law instead. Many others have called for a politicalnot interpretiveresponse to the end of Roe, since they see constitutional interpretation as the same thing as federal courts, and those, for obvious reasons, as a dead end. Such an approach focuses on state law, Congress, and executive action. To some extent, this has borne fruit. Without a response rooted in constitutional interpretation, however, Alitos opinion, and others like it, will ultimately reign supreme. The past year has shown how new restrictions on abortion severely affect the lives of countless Americans; but beyond this, Dobbs also has implications for a much broader swath of law. If there is a future for constitutional law that exists outside what this court has constructed, it cannot exist in half measures. The constitutional proceduralism of the 1980s has left liberals and progressives with little constitutional capacity to defend Americans rights. It has also meant that, as Democrats head into the 2024 election season, they have not agreed on a constitutionalrather than moralargument for why abortion and related rights are more than merely majoritarian preferences. Liberals will need to build a coherent set of constitutional arguments with which to combat the jurisprudence set forth by this court. Doing so, however, will require them to break with the paradigm that Ely created. Following Ely, through a combination of political expediency, professional opportunity, and personal prejudice, the legal academy abandoned Roe. If liberals want to build a constitutional politics that gets around Dobbs, and indeed, one capable of saving existing constitutional rights, they will have to abandon Ely instead. What exactly is going on in Russia now, after Yevgeny Prigozhins failed coup attempt over the weekend? Its still hard to say, but we have a few perspectives to help you figure it out. Viola Gienger gives us a rundown of the latest developments Monday and what we know about the Wagner Group mercenary forces status now. You can also read Fred Kaplans initial assessment from shortly after the coup was called off: Whatever happens next, its a sign Putins control is slipping. Advertisement And What Next digs into the potential lasting ramifications. The liberal who doomed Roe Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forget Samuel Alito. It was John Hart Elys work that really underpinned the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade this time last year. Caitlin B. Tully reevaluates Elys legacy, and explains why it matters enormously to whats next for constitutional law. What is Zuck thinking? Mark Zuckerberg has seemingly taken Elon Musk up on his invitation to fight. Whats in it for him? Sam Graham-Felsen has a few ideas. Not so silenced! Advertisement Adam Schiff got censuredand now the California congressman is fundraising off of it like its going out of style. Advertisement Its such a good thing for him that it almost seems like Kevin McCarthy was helping him on purpose, Alexander Sammon writes. He breaks down what could be going on here. Porn patriot Louisianas anti-porn law is wrecking perfectly normal adult sex lives. Heather Schwedel spoke to Elizabeth Hanson, a military wife who is standing up for her constitutional right to watch porn while her husband is away (and when hes not, too), about why she decided to take up the cause. Indiana Jones last stand Dr. Jones is back for a contractually mandated fifth adventure. So how is it? Sure, this sequel may be unnecessary, Dana Stevens writesbut she quite enjoyed watching Indy travel around with Fleabag, punching Nazis. A long COVID quandary Is long COVID linked to mental illness? The research is preliminary. The topic is charged. But the question has a very real basis, Grace Huckins writes. She looks at what makes the topic so tricky, and why its important to talk about it anyway. Join us live! If youre in Washington, D.C., join Emily, John, and David for a live taping filled with their signature discussion, banter, and bickering. Featuring special guest Maryland Gov. Wes Moore! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Slate has * GROWING CURIOSITY ABOUT THE OUTSIDE WORLD much like the protagonist of Im a Virgo, Boots Rileys new absurdist comedy that takes on themes of race and class. Tyler Austin Harper calls it not only hilarious but also one of the most politically radical shows on television. Advertisement One thing were particularly curious about: Why is Kevin McCarthy nibbling on this babys hand? In case youre curious, too: Sol Werthan took a look at what is going on here. Thanks so much for reading! Well see you tomorrow. 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. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated decision in Haaland v. Brackeen, in which plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Thankfully, in a 72 majority decision, the court roundly rejected the plaintiffs arguments, leaving ICWA and Congress power to regulate in this area intact. The decision is unquestionably a major victory for tribes, for Native sovereignty, and for countless families nationwide. In support of the decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote his own concurring opinion, spending pages laying out the horrifying history that precipitated ICWA. As Justice Gorsuch outlined, the United States approach to Indian relations began with violence and displacement. Once tribes had been forced onto reservations, the boarding-school era began, in which officials systematically separated Indian children from their families and communities and sought to kill the Indian in children in order to save the man. By the middle of the 20th century, efforts aimed at assimilating (read: destroying) Indian communities shifted from boarding schools to the removal of Indian children from their families and promotion of adoption by private (white) families. The goal, as Gorsuch described it, was to allow civilized people to raise the children. In other words: to finish off tribal communities by amputating the newest generation. The private-adoption era was marked by the incredibly widespread separation of children from their families, often without justification or due process and under vague and culturally biased allegations of neglect, which frequently penalized parents for mere poverty. This widespread intervention in Indian families wrought immense harm on parents, children, and communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a devastating picture of a shameful period in American history. What Gorsuchs opinion doesnt acknowledge is that for many Black families, families of color, and poor families, the disaster continues today. The effort to destroy Native families stands out as uniquely genocidal. But it is not wholly different from the approach the United States has used against many families and communities deemed unworthy or undesirable. To the contrary, its a playbook weve seen over and over again in American history: during the Trump administration when immigrant families were separated at the border; in Texas, where officials threaten families of trans children with investigation and separation. And in the background, while each of these attention-grabbing examples hit the headlines, it continues to roil through Black communities, communities of color, and poor communities in the guise of the child welfare systemwhat many advocates are now more accurately calling the family regulation or family policing system. In Gorsuchs description of the pre-ICWA Native family separation crisis, parallels to todays family regulation system are undeniable. Advertisement Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern The Surprising Reason Neil Gorsuch Has Been So Good on Native Rights Read More First, government intervention in families continues to be incredibly commonand concentrated in certain communities. In the 1960 and 1970s, it was estimated that approximately 2535 per cent of all Indian children [were] separated from their families, according to an Association on American Indian Affairs report Gorsuch cited. Thankfully, we do not see such staggering removal numbers in todays family regulation system. In 2020, a little more than 200,000 children3 of every 1,000 American kidsentered foster care, with more than 400,000 children in foster care at any given time. But looking only at the number of children removed from home into foster care vastly underestimates the number of families impacted by the system. A 2021 study looking at data from the 20 most populous U.S. counties found that roughly 1 in every 3 children will have a CPS investigation during their childhood. Black children are particularly likely to experience an investigation, with rates as high as 62.8 percent. These investigations are themselves traumatic and destabilizing, while often being unnecessary: Of the 4.4 million reports that agencies received in 2019, more than half were found to be unsubstantiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, intervention in families continues to frequently lack adequate justification and is often inflected by racism and bias. The vast majority of investigations of familiesaround 75 percentcontinue to be for neglect, not abuse. Neglect remains, as Gorsuch described it, a vague ground susceptible to subjective, culturally biased interpretation. And parents continue to be penalized for poverty and poor housing, despite having little control over these conditions. Again, the historic parallels are obvious. In his opinion, Gorsuch recounts the story of one 3-year-old Sioux child, who was removed from her family on the States belief that an Indian reservation is an unsuitable environment for a child. As Gorsuch wrote: So it was that some Indian families, forced onto reservations at gunpoint, were later told that they live in a place unfit for raising their children. Advertisement This account might sound familiar to parents trying to raise their families in poverty, living in substandard housing and many government-run shelters or public housing units. Over the past few decades, the United States has hollowed out its safety net for families. Strict eligibility requirements put supports like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) out of reach for many families. Those who succeed in jumping through hoops to qualify find that the benefits themselves are so low they often dont come close to meeting families actual needs. For example, the maximum monthly TANF benefit amount for a family of four in D.C., where I work, is now $851. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is more than $1,800. Shelters and public and subsidized housing units are often plagued with dangerous and unhealthy conditions. Forced into these conditions by the United States legal and social structures, many parents are then investigated for neglect and, as Gorsuch put it, told that they live in a place unfit for raising their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third, although many parents facing separation from their children in todays system now have counsel during court-based hearings, the problem of coerced separations without due process still persists. Throughout the country, government workers pressure parents to relinquish children to neighbors and relatives in hidden foster care systems, operating without counsel, without due process, and sometimes with the same obfuscation and untruths Native families faced. Finally, family separation continues to cause immense harm. Parents targeted for investigation and separated from their children experience feelings of hopelessness, powerlessness, and questions about their worth similar to those Gorsuch described in Native parents. Children experience abuse at unacceptably high rates in foster care, as well as long-term material and emotional harms. Advertisement In 1978, Congress understood that enough was enough for Indian families. Its responseICWAthankfully survives. But as many advocates praised the Supreme Courts decision this month, they also noted that it is insufficient. Not only does ICWAs effectiveness for Indian families depend on stepping up its enforcement, but its protections also should be extended to all families. Even better, we should move toward a day when ICWAs protections are no longer necessary for any family. There are concrete legislative changes that would take us toward that future. Congress is currently considering how to fund the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), one of the major federal structures undergirding todays system. Congress could rethink its approach, sending money that goes to separating families to supporting them instead. States could repeal harmful mandatory reporting laws. Instead of investing in investigating and separating families, we could invest in things like housing, health care, child care, and universal basic income that would allow families to thrive on their own terms. But first, we need to reckon with our history, and confront how were repeating it today. Andrea Roberts was getting ready to submit a study for publication, and she was worried. A senior research scientist at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, she had just written a paper suggesting that people with high stress levels were more likely to develop long COVID after an acute infection. Roberts has spent the past decade studying the link between physical health and mental health. She knows that psychology can play a role in almost any illness; a few years ago, she discovered a link between PTSD and ovarian cancer. On paper, the new finding was no different from those in her previous studies, but this time she added a disclaimer to her article. Our results should not be misinterpreted as supporting a hypothesis that postCOVID-19 conditions are psychosomatic, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her worries were not unfounded. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Psychiatry on Sep. 7 of last year. A few days later, Jeremy Redfern, a member of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis administration, tweeted out the article and put long COVID in scare quotes. In the replies, people referred to long COVID as a self-fulfilling prophecy and symptom of liberalism. Roberts had meant to convey with the disclaimer that long COVID is not a fake condition, and that patients experiencing it are not duping doctors or themselves (as Redfern implied they were). In doing so, however, she used the word psychosomatic to mean fake. But thats not how psychosomatic is used in medicine, and she now has mixed feelings about the disclaimer. The actual definition of psychosomatic is a connection between your psyche and your soma, Roberts saysthat is, your mind and your body. That connection can look like so-called hysterical blindness, where a traumatic experience causes someone to lose their sight without any apparent damage to their visual system, or like the well-known (and uncontroversial) relationship between stress and heart disease. Based on that technical definition, Roberts says what shes showing in the long COVID study is actually psychosomatic. Advertisement Advertisement No serious doctor would deny that the mind and body are intimately linkedmany would even argue that it is meaningless to differentiate between the two, since the mind is really nothing more than the brain. But it wasnt just the right-wing Floridians looking to minimize long COVID who responded to her results. Pieces by mainstream journalists have suggested that linking depression and long COVID is tantamount to accusing all long COVID sufferers of being malingerers. As of yet, there is no conclusive proof that stress or mental illness can contribute to long COVID. But since Roberts paper, several other studies have found associations between post-COVID symptoms and mental illnesses like depression. None of this research proves that mental illness plays a role in causing long COVIDit might not play any direct role at allbut some experts see the connection as a promising path toward understanding, and treating, the condition. As long as the idea that mental illness is somehow less real than physical illness persists, however, investigating that link remains a risky propositionboth for the researchers, who might expose themselves to intense online criticism, and for the patients, who could see such studies weaponized against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being real or not is a very false dichotomy, says Tracy Vannorsdall, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins. And it doesnt do our patients, or our scientific thinking, any good. Theres a great deal of work to be done before scientists know for sure whether mental illness contributes to long COVID. The studies to date are imperfectmany of them depend on electronic health records, which can give a skewed view of patients, especially given how often mental illnesses are misdiagnosed. And two illnesses can be statistically related without one causing the other. Even if scientists do eventually discover that diseases like anxiety and depression can causeor exacerbatelong COVID, that wont imply that one has to be mentally ill to develop the disease. Though the physical dimensions of long COVID are not fully understood, their presence in some people is incontrovertible: People with long COVID are more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 spike protein circulating in their bloodstreams after recovering from the acute phase of the illness, and they also tend to show differences in their immune systems. Advertisement But physical and psychological causes are not mutually exclusive. Long COVID may really be a collection of different illnesses, each of which comes about in its own particular way, and psychological factors might be more important in some of those illnesses than in others. And there is no reason why the physical and the mental couldnt both contribute. I could have bad asthma, and I could have bad anxiety, and both could be contributing to my shortness of breath, says Adam Gaffney, a Harvard pulmonologist who has written about the possibility of psychological contributions to long COVID. The fact that I have severe anxiety doesnt mean I dont also have asthma. Advertisement Advertisement With these caveats in mind, many scientists and clinicians, including Gaffney, think the putative link between mental illness and long COVID is worthy of further investigation, both because of the studies that have come out so far and because the idea has what scientists call face validity: It just makes sense. Mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimers, among numerous other conditions, and long COVID itself often involves psychiatric symptoms. And yet no one would propose that a heart attack survivor was faking their illness. Advertisement Medically speaking, theres nothing intrinsically surprising about those relationships. The physical underpinnings of conditions like depression remain obscure. But if everything, at bottom, is physicaland scientific practice insists that it isthen so too is depression, even if we dont yet understand how, exactly, it happens in the brain. Mental illness is, however, sometimes treated as if its less a disease of the body and more an affliction of the immaterial soul. Theres such a duality in how we think about mental health and physical health, as though ones real and ones not, says Via Strong, a psychologist at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital who works with long COVID patients. But both are in your body, and both are realand if one shifts, so can the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From where the mind sits within your skull, it exerts a powerful influence over the rest of your body. The brain puppeteers the hormone system, which disseminates chemical signals through the bloodstream, and those chemicals can spark a wide variety of biological responses. In brief moments of upset, a rush of the hormone cortisol through the bloodstream can increase ones heart rate, slow digestion, and suppress the immune system. Basic bodily processes are put on pause; all available resources are devoted to the situation at hand. Advertisement In chronic stress, however, the brain commands the adrenal glands, a pair of conical organs that sit atop the kidneys, to release cortisol for far longer than they would typically. Over time, the hormonal system can start to malfunction, and the immune system goes haywire in response: Some immune cells stop working as effectively, and overall levels of inflammation may rise. The relationships here are complexjust as depression may cause inflammation, so too does inflammation raise ones risk of depression. But its clear that depressed people tend to experience more inflammation, and inflammation may play a role in long COVID. Advertisement Akiko Iwasaki, a Yale immunologist, says she isnt yet convinced that mental illness can contribute to long COVID. If it does, however, she says that the tight interrelation between the bodys hormonal and immune systems may offer a credible explanation. There is already some evidence of hormonal dysfunction in long COVID: In one study, Iwasaki and her colleagues found that long COVID patients had lower cortisol levels than healthy controls. Advertisement Mental illness wreaks its havoc on the body in indirect ways, too: It changes how people behave, from the quality of their sleep to the foods they choose to eat to the frequency of their social engagements. Michael Irwin, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA who studies the relationship between sleep and the immune system, thinks insomnia could potentially precipitate long COVID. He and his colleagues have found that people with insomnia tend to see their acute COVID symptoms linger longer, and two recent studies from other research groups have reported an association between sleep problems and long COVID. Advertisement This is hardly surprising. Irwin has helped establish that poor sleep can knock the immune system out of whack and trigger inflammation over the course of his decades-long career. And the link between stress and heart disease has been studied for more than half a centurybaby boomers grew up hearing about the idea that emotional challenges can cause bodily changes. Advertisement Nor does any of it seem particularly controversial. Hormone levels and lack of sleep are so concreteso indisputably realas to make for dry reading. Jaime Seltzer, an advocate for people with chronic illnesses and the director of scientific and medical outreach for the organization ME Action, is generally skeptical of research on long COVID and mental illness. But she is willing to entertain discussions about the physical effects of depression and anxiety. There are arguments that people can make for embodied reasons why this is happening, physiologically, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If tying mental health to long COVID were merely a matter of measuring cortisol levels and sleep patterns, maybe it would be easy to get everyone on the same page. But though a general reluctance to talk about COVID and mental health might stymie researchers who want to study hormones and immune molecules, such research is at best peripheral to the core controversy. The real difficulties start to arise when we leave behind the body and focus fully on the brain. When one of the first studies linking mental illness with long COVID risk was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2022, Francesca Beaudoin, director of the Long COVID Initiative at the Brown University School of Public Health, penned a response cautioning readers not to make hasty assumptions about psychological causes. Patients with [long COVID] already experience stigma and difficulty accessing care; our early work on [long COVID] should not exacerbate this, she wrote. Advertisement Beaudoin says her conversations with long COVID patients inspired her to write that response. They felt gaslit by the medical community, that they were being made to think that long COVID was in their heads, that it wasnt real and that they just needed to suck it up and move on, she says. She worried that the study would only reinforce that notion. Advertisement Advertisement Long-haulers are not the first patients to feel gaslit and ignored. For a long time, ME/CFSwhich is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome and bears a strong resemblance to some cases of long COVIDwas popularly referred to as yuppie flu. Some in the medical world also thought that the illness could have a social element: In 1970, two doctors published a paper in the British Medical Journal arguing that the condition, then referred to as benign myalgic encephalomyelitis, was really mass hysteria. Advertisement In deploying the term mass hysteria, the British doctors didnt mean to suggest that the patients were consciously faking their illness, but rather that their symptoms were purely psychological. But to many readers, the paper nevertheless seemed pejorative, and several clinicians and patients sent letters to the British Medical Journal expressing their indignation. It is essential to treat this disease seriously, wrote Betty Scott, a doctor who had worked with myalgic encephalomyelitis patients. If a diagnosis of hysteria is even hinted, the patient experiences a profound loss of confidence in his medical advisers. Today, many ME/CFS patients feel similarly about the idea that psychological factors may play a major role in their condition, and scientists have discovered a variety of biological changes in patients. That doesnt suggest that psychology is irrelevant, however. Patients are the experts on their own symptomsbut without medical examination, it can be impossible for them to tell whether those symptoms are rooted in biology, psychology, or both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Someone who develops memory problems, for example, might assume that theres something wrong with their brain tissuemaybe its inflamed, or maybe their neurons are dying. These explanations seem to match the often-disorienting experience of suddenly not being able to recall certain facts or struggling to formulate ideas. To many people, brain damage seems much more real than psychological issues like anxiety and depression. And memory difficulties can certainly arise from physical changes in brain tissue. But in some patients, cognitive difficulties represent a problem with the brains softwarethe patterns of neuronal activityrather than its hardware. Advertisement In her clinical practice, Vannorsdall, the Johns Hopkins professor, has encountered numerous patientssome with long COVIDwho complain of memory problems in their daily lives, but score well on formal memory tests. Her observations are backed up by a recent study, which found that someones likelihood of developing long COVID is correlated with their score on a self-reported survey of perceived cognitive deficits early in the illness course. Previous research has shown that those survey scores are unrelated to objective measures of cognitive functioningbut they are closely correlated with depression and anxiety. Advertisement These patients are experiencing genuine issues, even if they dont show up on clinical tests. Such memory loss can occur as a byproduct of mental illness. Someone with depression, for example, might start losing things more frequently because their inward rumination makes it difficult to focus on anything going on in the outside world. This shift can feel as real as a physical changebecause it is real. Advertisement The mind can even radically alter how someone experiences their own body. Tell a patient you are giving them a drug and they might start to feel better, even if theyve only taken a sugar pill; tell them the drug has side effects, and they may experience those, too. Ultimately, psychology is just a different way of looking at biology. Even though the brain is a physical object, we have to describe some of the things it doessay, emotionsin psychological terms. Painstakingly cataloging the associated patterns of neuronal activity is simply beyond the reach of contemporary neuroscience. Advertisement Perhaps the greatest testament to the minds astonishing power is the existence of functional neurological disorder (FND), a highly stigmatized condition in which people experience physical symptoms in the absence of any apparent biological cause. Patients with FND arent simply imagining their condition, nor can they wish it away: Whats going on in their brain is outside of their control. And the symptoms it causes can be severe. A substantial fraction of patients with seizures have FND, not epilepsy, and the lack of obvious abnormalities in their brains doesnt make their symptoms any less debilitating. Advertisement Contrary to popular perception, FND isnt just a catch-all bucket used to contain patients with poorly understood diseases. There are specific clues that doctors can use to identify FND, not unlike the mismatch between test performance and reported memory problems that Vannorsdall has seen in some of her patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But given the history of using psychology as a scapegoat for perplexing symptoms, its unsurprising that some of the fiercest long COVID controversy has centered on FND. David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System and a long COVID researcher, describes people who endorse the comparison between long COVID and FND as fringe scientists and fringe clinicians. And a recent article in the New Republic proposing that some cases of long COVID might qualify as FND sparked so much controversy that over 200 people signed a petition calling for extensive corrections to the article. (We very carefully reviewed the concerns raised in the petition with our fact-checking department, and we found that none of the listed objections merited correction, said Michael Tomasky, the editor of the New Republic.) Advertisement Some of that controversy is rooted in fear, and understandably so. Long COVID patients fear not only that their doctors might ignore their complaints and that their friends might secretly believe they are crazy, but also that scientists might fail to cure their disease, if they thoughtlessly assume all long COVID is really just FND, or is rooted in mental illness in some other way. Its undisprovable, Seltzer says. Advertisement Because the biology of mental illness remains poorly understood, and because there are so many mechanisms by which psychological difficulties could produce physical symptoms, it would be extremely difficult to demonstrate that depression and anxiety play no role in long COVID. But because there are specific signs and symptoms of FND, it is possible to test the more specific hypothesis that FND and long COVID are linked. Doing so might make sense. Strong, who has worked extensively with both FND and long COVID patients, says that some of her long COVID patients likely do qualify as having FND, though many do notafter all, long COVID likely comprises several different pathologies. And if some long COVID patients do turn out to have FND, that knowledge could help clinicians choose effective treatment strategies, like psychotherapy rather than, say, drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Yet a recent review failed to find any studies on long COVID and FND. The hypothesis that long COVID might in part correspond to a functional disorder remains untested, the authors wrote. Long COVID symptoms are real, regardless of whether they derive partly from psychological factors, are connected to a hormonal stress response, or have nothing to do with mental health at all. But you wouldnt know that from the way people talk. Theres an implicit, long-standing hierarchy in the way we legitimize human suffering, Gaffney says. That hierarchy isnt just evident in the excision of psychology from the long COVID discourseit also privileges more biological-sounding explanations, like those involving hormones, above those more grounded in the mind (though the mind itself is, of course, biological). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the reluctance of many people to talk about long COVID and mental health, Gaffney sees an implicit endorsement of the idea that mental illness is fundamentally different from, and less real than, physical illnesses. Nothing so clearly crystallizes that stigma than the abiding falsehood that people with mental illnessor physical symptoms that derive from mental illnesscan cure themselves if they just put their mind to it. Its an absurd idea on its face: Treating mental illness is notoriously difficult, and many people try numerous psychiatric medications before they find one that works, if they find it at all. People like Seltzer are understandably wary of being folded into that categoryaccused of having some moral failing rather than a genuine illness. Seltzer doesnt think she is stigmatizing mental illness by opposing research on psychological causes of long COVID. Rather, she says, people with conditions like ME/CFS and long COVID are simply trying to defend themselves against the stigmatizing beliefs held by others. Our culture stigmatizes mental illness, and this is being deliberately leveraged in a disease where there is not very good evidence of a mental health connection, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Vannorsdall disagrees with Seltzers assessment. Besides female sex, she says, anxiety and depression are some of the strongest risk factors that have been discovered to date. That might be down to anodyne hormonal factors, it could look more like FND, or perhaps some mysterious third factor contributes to both mental illness and long COVID and causes their association. Without further research, its simply impossible to discern what lies beneath the observed link between long COVID and mental illness. Advertisement Thats par for the course for science: Discover something mysterious, consider the possible explanations, and design studies to test them. But in such a charged environment, such research is a dicey proposition. Putrino rejects research into long COVID and FND on its face, but hes also uncomfortable with studies that examine long COVID and mental illness more generally. Even a study grounded in the most concrete details of depressions biology, he contends, has the potential to be misused. We never conduct research in a vacuum, he says. According to him, its poor scientific practice to ignore how people might leverage your research once its out in the world. Advertisement Related from Slate Jay Baruch Im an ER Doctor. Heres What Everyone Gets Wrong About the Medical Burnout Crisis. Read More Funding, too, can be divisive. Scientists wont be able to clarify the connection between long COVID and mental health with just a few well-designed studies. Theres not just one thing that is contributing to this, but theres really a constellation of factors, and many of those factors are all interrelated, Irwin says. Theres no straight pathway. Unknotting this complex tangle of factors will take lots of time and moneyIrwin says that scientists best shot is probably a longitudinal study that follows a large group of people over time, regularly taking physiological and psychological measurements and observing who develops long COVID. Advertisement Advertisement Such long-term studies, however, are famously expensive. Though organizations like the NIH have committed substantial funds to long COVID research, the available coffers are not bottomless, and conducting one expensive study can mean giving up on another. With ME/CFS, Seltzer says, theories about psychological causes became a sink for research funding without offering much benefit to patients, and she worries about that pattern recurring with long COVID. Advertisement Advertisement The researchers share that concern. I think its a little bit dangerous to be assigning the blame to mental health as a cause of long COVID, because then that takes away from the efforts of people like myself, trying to understand the root cause of this disease, says Iwasaki. Right now, however, the role of mental illness may be going understudied. The various papers that have looked into a mental illness link represent only an infinitesimal fraction of the long COVID research, and some issues, like long COVID and FND, havent been studied at all. But mental illness research is no distractionrather, it could prove a route to treating some patients. If psychological factors have a considerable role to play in generating and maintaining long COVID symptoms, then psychological treatments should be studied just as rigorously as drugs like Paxlovid. Advertisement Already, mental health care is central to long COVID care: Living with long COVID can be psychologically taxing, and COVID itself may be able to spark mental illness by infiltrating the brain. And theres also a possibility that psychological treatment could alleviate long COVID symptoms more broadly. In a recent trial, around 60 percent of long COVID patients recovered from severe fatigue after a four-month course of cognitive behavioral therapy, compared to about a quarter of those who did not receive CBT. Patients on CBT also saw a significant improvement in their bodily symptoms, like pain and dizziness. If mental illness can contribute to long COVID, thats all the more reason to pursue psychological treatmentsand understanding exactly how that connection works could help clinicians target those treatments more effectively. Thats really where we need to start, Vannorsdall says. Its really about getting people back to feeling good with the tools that we have available, and appreciating that if mental health tools are part of that package, it doesnt invalidate the realness of their experience and of their illness. State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better. Pope Francis is on the 40th anniversary of the disappearance Emanuele Orlandi prayed and expressed solidarity with her family, which her brother Pietro Orlandi welcomed as a sign that the Vatican was finally getting serious about the most famous unsolved case behind Vatican walls. The Pope said he wanted to express once again that he was with her family, especially her mother, and to offer his prayers, as well as to all other families who bear the pain of losing a loved one. At the weekly Sunday prayer, he addressed the crowds in St. Peters Square, including Pietro Orlandi and a group of his supporters holding up photographs and banners calling for truth and justice. In a comment for the agency Ansa Pietro Orlandi welcomed the Popes statements and called them a positive signal and a step forward. The taboo of Emanuele Orlandi has finally fallen. Prayer is a sign of hope that we will reach the truth. The Popes words are already a big step that we have been asking for for years and years, but it never happened, but we expect actions after these words, he told reporters. His sister, the 15-year-old daughter of a senior Vatican official, was last seen leaving a music school in central Rome on June 22, 1983, following decades of speculation as to what happened to her. There have been many theories floating around, with the case gaining renewed attention due to last years Netflix documentary series Vatican Girl (Vatican Girl), they reopened the investigation this year. Earlier this year, Pietro Orlandi aired on Italian television an audio recording of an alleged gangster who said that the girls were brought to the Vatican to be molested and that the Pope John Paul II knew that. In April, Pope Francis called the allegations offensive and baseless insinuations, he reported Reuters. In a few decades, drought will threaten Fatra, the Tatras and the south of central Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Around this time a year ago, Slovakia was experiencing one of its driest episodes in the history of measurements. Wells, streams in villages, and in some places even rivers dried up, and mayors urged residents to conserve water. Drought also destroyed crops and forest ecosystems. Exceptional in scope and length, the drought affected more than half of Slovakia and in some places it lasted more than 200 days. If the situation were to repeat this year, drought and climate change might become a substantial pre-election issue for the first time in the country. So far, 2023 has been different. "The situation is much more favourable this year. There is no danger of a drought such as the one that occurred last year," predicts climatologist Maros Turna from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. April and May were almost drought-free. At the beginning of June, drought appeared in northern Slovakia, but in a smaller area than a year ago. Moreover, it was very rainy two weeks ago. But even if the drought is not as strong a topic now as it was last year, it still remains one of the biggest challenges due to the climate crisis. In April, analysts from the Institute of Environmental Policy published a study that caused a stir, especially in local governments. They modelled which parts of Slovakia are and will be most at risk of drought. Currently, the issue mainly concerns the lowlands in the south-west of Slovakia, as forests there have largely been destroyed to allow for agricultural production. Here, the most threatened districts are Senec, Bratislava II and V. Municipalities that do not have a built-in water supply system are also in danger. In a few decades, the situation will change and the most vulnerable areas will be the districts of Medzilaborce and Snina in the east, Revuca, Poltar and Rimavska Sobota in central Slovakia, and the Mala Fatra and Nizke Tatry national parks. According to analysts, investments should gradually be redirected to these areas. Related article Related article Biggest river island in Europe most endangered by drought Read more Coordination missing What must the state do to better prepare for drought? The simple and general answer is to save, retain water and use it more efficiently. Chinese premier holds talks with Barbados PM Xinhua) 09:35, June 26, 2023 Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. Li held talks with Mottley, who is on an official visit to China, on Sunday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, who is on an official visit to China, on Sunday in Beijing. Barbados is a good friend and partner of China in the Caribbean region, Li noted. He said that under the new circumstances, China is willing to enhance strategic mutual trust with Barbados, deepen cooperation in various fields, and build China-Barbados relations into a model of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit for developing countries. China is ready to work with Barbados to promote the joint construction of a high-quality Belt and Road, and enhance exchanges and cooperation related to the economy, trade, culture and other fields. China encourages its enterprises to invest and do business in Barbados, stands ready to import more competitive products from Barbados, and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Barbados' economic and social development, he said. China understands the situation and special concerns of developing island countries in coping with climate change and other issues. China is willing to jointly seek solutions for financing difficulties, and to support developing countries as they accelerate their energy transformation and achieve sustainable development, he noted. Mottley said that Barbados attaches great importance to Barbados-China relations, and both countries are committed to improving people's lives and promoting sustainable development. She thanked China for sending medical teams to Barbados and providing support for its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbados is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of agriculture, energy, infrastructure construction, poverty reduction, tourism, culture and education, and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges, she said. Barbados opposes "decoupling and breaking the chain," and supports maintaining the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and maintaining the stability of international production and supply chains. After the talks, they jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the blue economy, local cooperation, medical and health care, and news media. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) The head of detention of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was sacked after a detainee who is a co-accused in the drug case of former Senator Leila De Lima was caught outside of the facility last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday. On midnight of June 21, detainee Jad Dera, five NBI security officers, and one employee were found in a van outside the agencys compound. READ: DOJ vows heads will roll after detainee found outside NBI detention facility Yung security officer, head of detention ng NBI, ay sinibak na po [The security officer, NBI head of detention, has been relieved], DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said. The agency said it was investigating the scope of the incident to determine if other officials were involved, and that the detention center chief was a person of interest. Meanwhile, the DOJ is eyeing Deras transfer to another facility after it was found that he had paid the NBI detention center personnel who were caught escorting him on June 21 sums in the hundreds of thousands for certain privileges. Marami po siyang privileges sa detention center ng NBI na hindi naman pwede ganun yung trato sa isang detainee kagaya po ng pagkain, kagaya po ng sleeping conditions, lahat po ito. Nalaman po natin na nababayaran po ng ating detainee na si Jad Dera, unacceptable po ito, Clavano said. [Translation: He had a lot of privileges in the NBI detention center that cant be tolerated for detainees such as food, sleeping conditions, all of these. We learned he was paying for these and this is unacceptable.] The DOJ said that Dera was a mayores or a high-ranking prisoner within the facility, which could be a reason he was allowed special privileges. We would like to curtail this and stop this practice by moving him from one detention center to another dahil po sinasabi po natin dati pa na yung familiarity with the detention center exposes some risks [because we think that familiarity with the detention center exposes some risks], Clavano added. He said that the agency also asked Bureau of Corrections Chief Gregorio Catapang to investigate if there were similar schemes within BuCor facilities. But experts warn of ethical pitfalls. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page This article was published in the Career & Employment Guide 2023, our special annual publication focused on the labour market, human resources and education. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an almost ubiquitous facet of our daily lives, whether in the form of automated cashiers and chatbots available non-stop for various online tasks, or in customer service centres in sectors across the economy, from banking to telecoms, e-commerce and health care. The human resources sector is no exception. But while HR professionals say AI can help with routine tasks, they are sceptical that it will ever fully replace a human worker, given that key aspects of their work require qualities that only humans possess. More information about the Slovak labour market Please see our Career & Employment Guide. Combinations of humans and AI will work more effectively than human experts or AI-based tools working alone, Martin Krekac, chairman and founding partner of the executive search company Jenewein Group, told The Slovak Spectator. The future harnessing of AI in the HR sector should involve optimally leveraging the strengths and weaknesses of human and artificial intelligence to maximise value creation and redistribute decision-making to increase overall agility, the expert says. Expanding role Until recently, Krekac said, it was expected that AI would play little part in HR as the field required a high level of emotional intelligence (also known as emotional quotient, or EQ). Her decision not to run for re-election opens up several scenarios. President Zuzana Caputova shortly before she announces that she will not run for office again in 2024. (Source: TASR - Pavol Zachar) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Zuzana Caputova will not run for re-election as president, and the names of potential successors are already flying around. Boris Kollar is alleged to have beaten one of his romantic partners. Slovakias parliament recognises the Ukrainian famine as genocide. If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk. Just one term for Madam President One term is enough, Zuzana Caputova has finally decided: she will not run for re-election. "I consider it very important to be honest with myself and with the people. I based my campaign and the entire performance of my mandate on that. If I didn't stick to that honesty, I would be going against what I built my relationship with the public upon," President Zuzana Caputova said in an interview with the Sme daily, which The Slovak Spectator has republished in English. Popularity in spite of hate campaign There is a lot we could say about Caputovas legacy as president at this point. But with a year to go before her term ends, it feels premature. Suffice it to say that she has held the top constitutional post during some of the most difficult moments that Slovakia (along with other countries) has so far experienced, foremost among them the pandemic and the war across the border. Her performance has not been flawless, but she has maintained the calm posture that inspired many of her voters to elect her as the countrys first woman president four years ago. That election victory, in which the candidate of the then-ruling Smer party was her main adversary, was seen as a rare victory for liberal forces in central Europe back in 2019, and proof that calm, reason and compassion could prevail over a campaign of vilification. That campaign did not end with her arrival in the Presidential Palace quite the contrary. Politicians allowed to sue media that disseminate untrue statements about other politicians. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Due to legislative chaos, a consumer protection bill with a provision that punishes the media for publishing untrue statements from politicians was passed in the Slovak parliament. The provision was proposed by OLaNO MP Milan Vetrak through the parliamentary constitutional committee headed by himself, and it is unrelated to the consumer protection bill with which it was passed. According to information of the daily Sme, Vetrak has been and still is involved in several lawsuits with the media for the protection of personal rights. Lawyer Tomas Langer says the bill means transferring responsibility onto the media. Politicians may be willing to file a lawsuit against the media, because they can get more money and earn a visible space in the media. In the past, OLaNO head Igor Matovic stated that Smer chair Robert Fico had 700 million in a bank account in Belize and that the latter's party stole 30 billion. Matovic provided no evidence to support either claim. Although the media verify such claims or at least add the necessary context, it is impossible to do so during live media briefings. Thus, should the provision go into effect and Matovic makes a similar statement, for example, Robert Fico and Smer may be motivated to file a lawsuit. President Zuzana Caputova is expected to veto the bill with the provision. After a backlash, Vetrak says that he is willing to discuss the wording of the provision with the media if the president vetoes the bill. If the media were unable to function properly, he would not recommend OLaNO MPs to break the president's veto. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230625/air-raid-sirens-sound-in-kiev-parts-of-ukraine-1111464660.html Air Raid Sirens Sound in Kiev, Parts of Ukraine Air Raid Sirens Sound in Kiev, Parts of Ukraine MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Air raid warnings were issued in several regions of Ukraine late on Sunday night, including the capital city of Kiev, according to air raid... 25.06.2023, Sputnik International 2023-06-25T23:56+0000 2023-06-25T23:56+0000 2023-06-25T23:56+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine dnepropetrovsk ukrenergo kiev /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/0d/1101812368_0:104:300:273_1920x0_80_0_0_f0640d0e9d3e617301048ed0b24c4635.jpg Air raid sirens went off in the Ukrainian regions of Dnepropetrovsk, Cherkassy, Chernigov and Kiev, as well as the city of Kiev and the Kiev-controlled parts of Zaporozhye region, shortly before midnight, the ministrys online map showed. Ukrainian media reported that explosions were heard in the Ukraine-controlled Zaporozhye and Kherson, as well as the regions of Cherkassy and Poltava, on Sunday night. Blasts were also reported in the Kiev region. Later in the night, air raid alerts were issued in the regions of Kharkov, Kirovograd, Nikolaev and Odessa. Precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure have been carried out by Russia since October 10 (two days after the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge). In February, the head of Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo said that direct damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure caused by Russian strikes may amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, with economic losses ranging in billions. ukraine dnepropetrovsk kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine, dnepropetrovsk, ukrenergo, kiev https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/australia-to-allocate-another-74-million-in-military-support-for-kiev-1111465418.html Australia to Allocate Another $74 million in Military Support for Kiev Australia to Allocate Another $74 million in Military Support for Kiev The Australian government announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine on Monday, in the amount of $74 million ($110 million AUD). 2023-06-26T05:09+0000 2023-06-26T05:09+0000 2023-06-26T05:09+0000 military ukraine australia m113 military aid foreign military aid special operation /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/07/1080097999_0:154:3091:1893_1920x0_80_0_0_870a76215b366eeae64a6f251870ed83.jpg "The Australian Government will provide a new $110 million assistance package to Ukraine <> This package responds to Ukraines requests for vehicles and ammunition," the government said in a statement. The release specified that the new aid includes 70 military vehicles, including: 28 M113 armored vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 MAN 40M medium trucks and 14 trailers, and 105mm artillery ammunition."In addition, Australia will extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for a further 12 months," the Australian government said. Australias new military air package for Ukraine brings the countrys total support for Kiev to about $528 million, including $408 million in military assistance. These commitments announced today bring Australia's total contribution in support of Ukraine to $790 million, including $610 million in military assistance. Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with financial and military aid since the start of Russias special military operation in February, 2022. The support evolved from light artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing to be supplied with fighter jets. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/russian-forces-attack-three-ukrainian-assault-groups-in-artemovsk-area---defense-ministry-1111464933.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/what-is-the-sarmat-missile-and-why-does-western-media-call-it-the-satan-ii-1111399194.html ukraine australia 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 australia, military aid, ukraine, 70 military vehicles, including: 28 m113 armored vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 man 40m medium trucks and 14 trailers, and 105mm artillery ammunition. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/beijing-condemns-us-indictments-of-chinese-persons-on-fentanyl-related-charges-1111476536.html Beijing Condemns US Indictments of Chinese Persons on Fentanyl-Related Charges Beijing Condemns US Indictments of Chinese Persons on Fentanyl-Related Charges Beijing has denounced the arrest and indictment of Chinese nationals and companies on fentanyl-related charges and has voiced a strong protest to Washington, the Chinese embassy in the United States said in a statement on Monday. 2023-06-26T15:58+0000 2023-06-26T15:58+0000 2023-06-26T16:02+0000 world china us-china relations us fentanyl /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/04/1110897010_0:168:3043:1879_1920x0_80_0_0_ff238e5b1c0271242c56bd5cb7de13e0.jpg "US law enforcement personnel ensnared Chinese nationals through "sting operation" in a third country and blatantly pressed charges against Chinese entities and individuals. This seriously infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese nationals and companies concerned," the statement said. "China strongly condemns this move. The Chinese embassy in the United States has lodged serious demarches and strong protest to the US side." On Friday, the US Justice Department announced that it has charged four China-based firms and eight employees for allegedly trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States.Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid painkiller highly sought by US consumers and not only for medical purposes. Opioid overdoses kills 130 Americans each day. This legally prescribed drug claims more lives in US annually than AIDS, melanoma and armed violence, according to CDC data. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/us-blames-beijing-for-fentanyl-crisis-charges-chinese-chemical-companies-1111448284.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us-china relations, china-us tensions, fentanyl crisis in us https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/biden-officials-reportedly-worry-that-ukrainian-offensive-is-behind-schedule-1111479307.html Biden Officials Reportedly Worry That Ukrainian Offensive is 'Behind Schedule' Biden Officials Reportedly Worry That Ukrainian Offensive is 'Behind Schedule' As the Ukrainian counteroffensive that started earlier this month now appears to be grinding to a halt, with Kiev troops failing to breach even the first Russian defensive line, US government officials have apparently become somewhat disappointed by this turn of events. 2023-06-26T19:03+0000 2023-06-26T19:03+0000 2023-06-26T19:03+0000 world ukraine offensive biden administration reaction /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/0c/1108320099_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_15cb02c1ad15a3e58e255df1471b0925.jpg According to one US newspaper, White House officials have been privately fretting about the progress of the Ukrainian offensive while publicly urging people to be patient, with one senior administration official describing its results as sobering.The newspaper also notes that, despite failing to produce any meaningful gains on the battlefield, Kiev forces have already lost a considerable amount of military hardware that was supplied to them by the West.Over 15 percent of the Bradley infantry fighting vehicles at least 17 out of 113 provided to Kiev by the United States have been destroyed or damaged during the futile attempt by Ukrainian forces to reach Russian defensive lines, if the media outlets information is to be believed.In the beginning of this month, Ukrainian forces launched what appears to be the much-anticipated "counteroffensive" that the regime in Kiev has been announcing for months.Despite being provided vast quantities of Western military hardware and weaponry by the US and its allies and receiving training from NATO instructors, the Ukrainian forces have so far demonstrated remarkable aptitude to losing that military hardware and taking heavy casualties without making any meaningful gains in the field. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/ukraine-gambles-on-coercive-call-up-as-counteroffensive-flounders-1111419114.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Andrei Dergalin Andrei Dergalin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Andrei Dergalin ukraine counteroffensive, ukraine counteroffensive results https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/counter-terrorist-operation-regime-lifted-in-moscow-moscow-region-1111467179.html Counter-Terrorism Operation Regime Lifted in Russian Capital & Moscow Region Counter-Terrorism Operation Regime Lifted in Russian Capital & Moscow Region The legal regime of a counter-terrorist operation has been canceled in Moscow and the Moscow region, Russia's National Antiterrorism Committee (NAC) said on Monday. 2023-06-26T06:26+0000 2023-06-26T06:26+0000 2023-06-26T14:08+0000 russia moscow counter-terrorism wagner aborted mutiny /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105735/24/1057352462_0:0:3077:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_d78cc137c17ca1a3ec45e110076968e0.jpg "We have lifted all restrictions related to the introduction of the counter-terrorist operation regime," Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin wrote on Telegram. On Saturday, June 24, a counter-terrorism operation regime was introduced in the Russian capital and the Moscow Region in order to prevent any possible terrorist acts related to the events surrounding the (PMC) Wagner private military company. At present, the situation in the Moscow Region is stable, the statement read, adding that the temporary restrictive measures in force on the territory of Moscow and the Moscow Region have been also lifted.The counter-terrorism operation regime was also dropped in Russia's Voronezh Region, which had also been put under these restrictions, the local office of the Federal Security Service (FSB) told Sputnik. moscow 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 national antiterrorism committee, counter-terrorism, prigozhin mutiny attempt, moscow counter-terrorism https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/denmark-to-speed-up-transfer-of-natos-f-16s-to-ukraine-1111473477.html Denmark to Speed Up Transfer of NATO's F-16s to Ukraine Denmark to Speed Up Transfer of NATO's F-16s to Ukraine Danish Defense Ministry announced that the Danish Air Force will replace its fleet of F-16 aircraft with F-35 jets two years ahead of schedule, accelerating the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine. 2023-06-26T15:38+0000 2023-06-26T15:38+0000 2023-06-26T15:38+0000 military ukraine denmark ministry of defense nato f-35 f16 jens stoltenberg foreign military aid military aid /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104810/51/1048105173_0:56:3000:1744_1920x0_80_0_0_37609f3cf7403cc11568639bd718ead2.jpg The Danish Defense Ministry has announced that its Air Force will replace its fleet of F-16 aircraft with F-35 jets two years ahead of schedule, accelerating the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine, Danish Radio reported.It was previously planned that the Danish Air Force would transition to F-35s in 2027. However, the Ministry of Defense has informed the country's parliament that the F-35s will be operational two years earlier from 2025.The Danish station stressed that the Defense Ministry's decision "clears the way" for the transfer of F-16 fighters to Kiev. Earlier, Poulsen said that Danish authorities expect Ukrainian pilots to begin training on F-16s in the country in August.Poulsen's statement contradicts NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's recent remark that it is not yet the moment for NATO to make a decision on the timing of the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.During a press conference held by the European Political Community in Kishinev this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that several NATO members have expressed their willingness to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.Earlier, Russia sent a note to NATO countries about arms deliveries to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any shipments of weapons to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target for Russia.The Russian Foreign Ministry has declared that NATO countries are "playing with fire" by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping Ukraine with Western weapons does not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative effect. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/confronting-russias-air-superiority-ukraine-begs-west-for-even-more-f-16s-1111363758.html ukraine denmark 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 denmar to supply f-16 to ukraine, danish air force, danish defense ministry, f-16 fighters for ukraine, military assistance to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/desantis-says-would-resume-keystone-xl-pipeline-if-elected-us-president-in-2024-1111477903.html DeSantis Says Would Resume Keystone XL Pipeline if Elected US President in 2024 DeSantis Says Would Resume Keystone XL Pipeline if Elected US President in 2024 Florida Governor and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis said on Monday that he would resume work on the Keystone XL oil pipeline between the United States and Canada, in addition to permitting other pipeline projects, if he is elected to be the next US president. 2023-06-26T16:51+0000 2023-06-26T16:51+0000 2023-06-26T16:51+0000 americas us ron desantis 2024 us presidential election keystone xl /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/0a/1108237560_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e894be5bdaf13b27af01c51502518c3d.jpg WASHINGTON, June 26 (Sputnik) - Florida Governor and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis said on Monday that he would resume work on the Keystone XL oil pipeline between the United States and Canada, in addition to permitting other pipeline projects, if he is elected to be the next US president. DeSantis pointed out that pipelines are the safest way to transport energy and pointed to the latest derailment of a train with tanker cars over the weekend in the US state of Montana. DeSantis also said he plans to permit "a lot of pipelines," noting that such a move would also be good for national security. The Keystone pipeline system transports oil from Western Canada to refineries in the United States. The system currently has three phases of the project operational, but with the fourth, Keystone XL, was suspended by the Biden administration. Keystone XL would run through the state of Montana, where US oil would be added to the system. President Joe Biden rescinded a construction permit for the pipeline granted by former President Donald Trump in 2019. Last year, the Biden administration said it had no plans to restart the Keystone XL project even amid concerns about rising gas prices and volatility in the energy market. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230609/desantis-says-weaponization-of-federal-law-enforcement-mortal-threat-to-free-society-1111023680.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ron desantis, ron desantis presidential campaign Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) Around 10,000 Filipinos in Russia are safe following 36 hours of chaos caused by members of a paramilitary group which threatened the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. In an interview with CNN Philippines, DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes said no Filipinos requested for repatriation even from the city of Rostov-on-Don, which was initially occupied by the Wagner private military group on June 23. "As far as Russia is concerned, the crisis has ended and averted but due to the ongoing political situation we have an advisory to our 10,000 kababayans to make sure that they are safe and sound and kung ano man ang mangyari [whatever happens] we are ready to bring them back home," Cortes said. The DFA official said that while the majority of the Filipinos in Russia live in Moscow, there are 11 Filipinos known to be in the city of Rostov-on-Don which was initially occupied by the Wagner group. RELATED: OFWs in Russia urged to be vigilant amid armed insurrection launched by Wagner fighters "All of the Pinoys are safe," Cortes said. "The Embassy was in touch [with these] 11 Filipinos making sure that they are aware of the situation and monitoring their safety." "This shows that the DFA and the rest of the Embassies in many parts of the world are ready and on hand in making sure that our kababayans are all accounted for," he added. Cortes said they did not receive any repatriation request from Filipinos in Russia unlike what happened in Sudan. The DFA said Filipinos in Russia are mostly professionals, skilled workers, and students. Thousands of Wagner fighters led by Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to threaten Putin's grip on power in a short-lived uprising near Moscow. The Kremlin, however, managed to avert the crisis by reaching a deal with the group to end the apparent insurrection. A CNN report said Wagner fighters will face no legal actions from the Kremlin side as part of their deal. Prigozhin, in the meantime, will head to Belarus. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that while the insurrection was short-lived, the move showed "cracks' in Putin's leadership. "This is just an added chapter to a very, very bad book that Putin has written for Russia. But what's so striking about it is, it's internal," Blinken told CNN. "The fact that you have from within someone directly questioning Putin's authority, directly questioning the premises that upon which he launched this aggression against Ukraine. That, in and of itself, is something very, very powerful. It adds cracks. Where those go, when they get there, too soon to say, but it clearly raises new questions that Putin has to deal with," he added. With reports from CNN International https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/germany-opposes-use-of-russian-frozen-assets-for-ukraines-rebuilding-1111468802.html Germany Opposes Use of Russian Frozen Assets for Ukraine's Rebuilding Germany Opposes Use of Russian Frozen Assets for Ukraine's Rebuilding Germany has opposed plans of the European Union to use the Bank of Russia's frozen assets for Ukraine's reconstruction and called for considering other options due to concerns that the decision could result in legal and financial challenges, the British news outlet reported on Monday, citing sources. 2023-06-26T08:40+0000 2023-06-26T08:40+0000 2023-06-26T08:40+0000 world ukrainian crisis russia-nato showdown russian economy under sanctions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/16/1102536924_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_c2b7cf7c931aa1dba1a51294f8a16823.jpg The report said that some members of the German government believed the plan would fail to gain enough support for realization since the legal threats were "too high." Berlin has been doing "everything it legally can" to identify and freeze the assets of sanctioned Russian citizens and entities, but Brussels's intention to use the funds for rebuilding of Ukrainian economy and infrastructure have raised "complex financial and legal questions," the newspaper reported. The report said that the EU was seeking to raise as many as 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) a year from the holdings of Russian central bank assets and that Kiev was also developing an alternative way for the bloc to use the seized assets as collateral, through which it could take loans to invest for a return and then allocate the money to Ukraine. The foreign ministers of the EU nations are expected to discuss the issue at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, the report added. Last week, European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand announced that EU representatives, commissioners and legislators would start discussing in July a legal framework that would enable confiscation of assets of Russian citizens and entities accused of violating EU sanctions. EU banks are holding 24.1 billion euros of assets belonging to individuals and private entities, Wigand added. The EU member states have also reported having more than 200 billion euros of Russian central bank's assets frozen in their banks. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/eu-freezes-26bln-in-private-assets-of-sanctioned-russians-since-february-2022---reports-1110637142.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230520/antonov-emerging-economies-to-turn-backs-on-washington-due-to-sanctions-harm-1110474980.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, russian assets, freezing of russian assets, russian economy under sanctions https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/germany-ready-to-deploy-combat-ready-troops-in-lithuania-1111472356.html Germany Ready to Deploy Combat-Ready Troops in Lithuania Germany Ready to Deploy Combat-Ready Troops in Lithuania Germany is ready to permanently deploy a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday. 2023-06-26T13:15+0000 2023-06-26T13:15+0000 2023-06-26T13:15+0000 military russia-nato showdown nato expansion germany lithuania /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/03/1106949028_0:30:3119:1784_1920x0_80_0_0_5301c05555e8e33daad621e14b210da6.jpg On Sunday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged NATO to strengthen the eastern flank, citing risks associated with Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's relocation to Belarus, per his agreement with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Pistorius added that the deployment would require certain infrastructure, including warehouses and barracks, as well as arrangements for the possibility of carrying out drills. German broadcaster reported that Germany could send 4,000 soldiers to Lithuania. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/lavrov-says-confrontation-with-west-opens-new-cooperation-opportunities-for-russia-1111282071.html germany lithuania 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 nato, nato expansion, germany troops, nato, lithuania, boris pistorious https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/journalism-is-not-a-crime-experts-lambast-eu-media-freedom-act-1111478605.html 'Journalism is Not a Crime': Experts Lambast EU Media Freedom Act 'Journalism is Not a Crime': Experts Lambast EU Media Freedom Act The European Media Freedom Act draft envisages installing spyware on journalists' phones for the sake of national security. Sputnik sat down with the international observers to discuss how the provision correlates with the act's name and European basic principles. 2023-06-26T18:33+0000 2023-06-26T18:33+0000 2023-06-26T18:33+0000 analysis julian assange europe united kingdom (uk) ukraine european union (eu) european federation of journalists (efj) sputnik rt edward snowden /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/05/1095292538_0:0:2048:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_75333e4506bf684530e67f30ee7b1f0f.jpg "There is no legitimate reason to spy on journalists," Lucy Komisar, an investigative journalist based in New York, told Sputnik. "Remember, this law targets people identified as journalists, not as spies or terrorists or criminals. Journalism is not a crime, unless Julian Assange does it. The real reason is to protect government officials from journalists reporting on officials misguided policies, abuses and corruption. Its quite ironic in view of the EUs self-congratulatory rules trumpeted as protecting peoples data from tech companies. Stealing data when a company does it is bad, stealing audio and written text when a government does it is just fine."Tightening Screws on Free PressThe bloc's new media regulation was proposed by the European Commission (EC) in September 2022. The initial draft stipulated that European governments could deploy spyware on journalists' devices "on a case-by-case basis" to ensure national security or to investigate "serious crimes," such as terrorism, human or weapons trafficking, exploitation of children, murder or rape.However, in May 2023, Politico obtained a document penned by French policy-makers who called to narrow journalists' immunity under the new EU rules and strike what they called "a fair balance between the need to protect the confidentiality of journalists' sources and the need to protect citizens and the state against serious threats."According to the media, Paris' argument was accepted by the EC. As a result, the draft legislation was amended to loosen safeguards for the journalists' immunity. The EC's original list of "serious crimes" allowing surveillance on reporters was replaced by a broader 2002's Council Framework Decision of the European arrest warrant consisting of 32 offenses.The development triggered a storm of criticism from European journalist organizations, NGOs and activist groups. In particular, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), representing over 300,000 members, denounced the EU's move as a "blow to media freedom". The EFJ warned that empowering EU governments to install spyware on journalists devices under the guise of "national security" would in particular have a "chilling effect on whistleblowers" and confidential sources.For their part, the British media warned that despite the UK leaving the EU, the bloc's legislation in its current form poses a surveillance risk to British journalists residing in the EU. European Digital Rights (EDRi), a network of digital rights advocates, urged the European Council to reconsider the legislation's spyware provisions.The proposed legislation will not only infringe the freedom of press but contribute to the further erosion of the public trust in the Western mainstream media which is increasingly merging with the government and elitist structures, according to Sputnik's interlocutors.One shouldn't delude oneself into believing that those proposing the spyware provision are really concerned about "national interests," echoed Lucy Komisar: "The security they are protecting is not that of European nations but of themselves," she pointed out.According to Komisar, much of the Western media "already walks in lock-step with their governments." The newly proposed bill "aims at the few courageous ones left, to keep the public from finding out about officials abuses and lies" and "to intimidate the few Julian Assanges who are left in European media that reach the broad public."Once the legislation is passed "real journalists will have to do what other critics of repressive governments do: user burner phones, have computers not connected to the internet, have secret meetings with brave sources," the investigative journalist projected.Bans and Censorship Do More Harm Than GoodMeanwhile, the latest developments don't seem surprising against the backdrop of the West's steady attack on freedom of speech over the last several years. One glaring example is WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange who has been persecuted for exposing the US-NATO criminal conduct in Afghanistan and Iraq and the CIA's cyber-spying techniques. Assange is indicted on 18 counts of violating the Espionage Act in the US. The WikiLeaks founder has been held in Londons high-security Belmarsh Prison for more than four years and is now facing extradition to the US.Likewise, Washington charged former NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower Edward Snowden under the Espionage Act for shedding light on the US global surveillance program and spying on American civilians in a clear contradiction with the nation's constitution. Snowden evaded Assange's fate by finding asylum in Russia. In September 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to the whistleblower.Most recently, the collective West has ramped up pressure against Russian media outlets by resorting to censorship and outright bans after the beginning of Moscow's special military operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine.In particular, in March 2022, the EU slapped sanctions and suspended the broadcasting activities of Sputnik and RT thus stripping Europeans of any alternative news about the Ukraine conflict and imposing a one-sided vision of what's going on in the Eastern European military theater. Concurrently, the UK passed legislation ordering social media, internet services and app store companies to block content from RT and Sputnik.Remarkably, some Western human rights advocates warned at the time that banning Russian media "does more harm than good": "History offers numerous examples of emergency speech restrictions threatening the very democracies they were supposed to protect," wrote Danish lawyer and free speech activist Jacob Mchangama in August 2022.The value of the concept of the freedom of speech is fading given that just a handful of European parliamentarians have shown any independence or courage to uphold this basic principle of the EU, according to Komisar. She expects that the draconian legislation may be passed, apparently with a meaningless disclaimer "this should not be used to attack a free press." https://sputnikglobe.com/20220708/how-uk-bill-shields-mainstream-media--axes-russian-news-under-guise-of-press-freedom--1097111750.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221102/disinformation-crusaders-how-big-tech-became-us-blobs-executioner-of-free-speech-1102998030.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20191226/the-west-is-entering-an-era-of-totalitarian-media-control---cybersecurity-analyst-1077872006.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230225/sy-hersh-on-us-proxy-war-on-russia-snowdens-expose--nord-stream-sabotage-1107779243.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220525/rt--sputnik-ban-eu-turned-into-nato-branch-limits-publics-access-to-information-activists-say-1095772379.html united kingdom (uk) ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova european media freedom act, spyware on journalists devices, spying on journalists, freedom of press, freedom of speech, wikileaks, julian assange, edward snowden, us censorship, eu sanctions rt and sputnik https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/lawyer-up-jurisdiction-debates-will-complicate-lawsuits-expected-over-titan-implosion-1111479638.html Lawyer Up: Jurisdiction Debates Will Complicate Lawsuits Expected Over Titan Implosion Lawyer Up: Jurisdiction Debates Will Complicate Lawsuits Expected Over Titan Implosion Following the catastrophic implosion of a tourist submersible near the wreck of the RMS Titanic last week, experts say lawsuits are almost guaranteed - if only lawyers can figure out which jurisdiction to file the suits in. 2023-06-26T18:18+0000 2023-06-26T18:18+0000 2023-06-26T18:18+0000 world titan us coast guard newfoundland titanic lawsuit /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 The lawsuits are likely to come from one of two places: the families of the four passengers who died on board the submersible Titan when it imploded on June 18, or from the US or Canadian governments, whose maritime authorities are investigating the case. The US Coast Guard (USCG) has opened a probe into the cause of the Titans implosion that will include an examination of accountability aspects, spokesperson Capt. Jason Neubauer told reporters on Sunday.Canadas Transportation Safety Board has also launched its own inquiry, as the US-based company OceanGate ran its fateful mission out of St. Johns, Newfoundland, the closest port city.However, the issue is greatly complicated by the fact that the accident happened in international waters about 370 miles south of Cape Race, the southernmost point on Newfoundland. While that happens to be the location of the wreck of the RMS Titanic, critics also say it was no coincidence that OceanGate founder Stockton Rush carried out such missions beyond the jurisdiction of regulatory authorities, whose inspections he scorned.A criminal prosecution is viable thats an easy answer, he said. The question is where?Will Kohnen, chair of the Manned Underwater Vessels committee of the Marine Technology Society, a professional organization based in Washington, DC, told US media that "The next step, it's not a technical issue - It's a political one."The case is also bogglingly international in scope: OceanGate is based in Everett, Washington, but the company and the submersible are registered in the Bahamas. The ship that deployed the submersible, the Polar Prince, is Canadian and operated out of Canadian port. Rush, OceanGates CEO, was American, but the passengers were from Pakistan, France, and the United Kingdom.In addition, Rush was on board the Titan when it was crushed by the deep seas incredible water pressure.Legal experts have told US media that the US Department of Justice could also sue under the Seamans Manslaughter Statute, a 19th-century law used to hold criminally responsible the captain or officers of a ship, as well as owners, inspectors, and company managers.Whether the law is able to be applied or not, changes to regulations that allowed the accident to occur are also likely.Even before the accident, OceanGate was already facing down lawsuits deriving from its business practices. On Monday, a Florida couple announced they would drop their suit against Rush since "honor, respect and dignity" are more important to humanity than money. The suit sought repayment of $210,000 for an expedition on board the Titan - then called the Cyclops 2 - that was slated to occur in June 2018, but was repeatedly delayed.According to local news reports, OceanGate refused to repay a $20,000 down payment, later presenting the family with a new contract requiring them to go on the delayed trip before they could be repaid. The company also reportedly failed to place the money in a separate escrow account, as required. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/report-secret-us-naval-system-detected-titan-implosion-same-day-vessel-went-missing-1111409772.html titan newfoundland 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 titan; titanic; lawsuit; submersible; implosion; liability https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/nato-secretary-general-military-committee-chair-start-visit-to-lithuania-on-monday-1111467012.html NATO Secretary General, Military Committee Chair Start Visit to Lithuania on Monday NATO Secretary General, Military Committee Chair Start Visit to Lithuania on Monday NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg together with Chair of the Military Committee Adm. Rob Bauer and permanent representatives on the North Atlantic Council will kick off their two-day visit to Lithuania on Monday. 2023-06-26T06:17+0000 2023-06-26T06:17+0000 2023-06-26T06:17+0000 military nato russia-nato showdown nato expansion nato chief jens stoltenberg /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106628/33/1066283363_0:0:2925:1645_1920x0_80_0_0_ceefc7848874860ce3e5a3cb269db9cc.jpg The visit is intended as part of the preparations of NATO's top-level summit in Vilnius, scheduled for July 11-12. The NATO officials are also expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the Ukrainian conflict. Stoltenberg will meet with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. After the meeting, they will attend the Griffin Storm 2023 drills together with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart, Arvydas Anusauskas. Later today, NATO chief will give a speech at the award ceremony for the Manfred Woerner Medal in Vilnius. On the second day of the visit, the NATO secretary general will hold talks with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230615/report-biden-administration-weighing-israel-model-for-ukraine-instead-of-nato-membership-1111165251.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nato expansion, russia-nato showdown, nato enlargement, jens stoltenberg https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/no-alternative-to-un-but-security-council-expansion-needed--ex-under-secretary-general-1111472471.html No Alternative to UN But Security Council Expansion Needed Ex-Under Secretary General No Alternative to UN But Security Council Expansion Needed Ex-Under Secretary General The United Nations Security Council should include countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to reflect the new realities of the world, former UN Under-Secretary-General Sergey Ordzhonikidze told Sputnik. 2023-06-26T14:25+0000 2023-06-26T14:25+0000 2023-06-26T14:25+0000 world the united nations (un) un security council (unsc) expansion sergei ordzhonikidze multipolar world multipolarity multilateralism /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/15/1093243885_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_fc00c731be55f056b4e4aacb0ec474e6.jpg In 1945, at the end of World War II, representatives from 50 countries gathered in San Francisco, United States, at the United Nations Conference on the Establishment of an International Organization to draft the UN Charter, which they signed on June 26, 1945.According to Ordzhonikidze, the creation of the United Nations was a huge step forward for humanity in terms of preventing war the right legal and political conclusions were drawn that war was unacceptable.Ordzhonikidze, who served as under-secretary-general of the United Nations from 2002 to 2011, recalled that the drafting of the UN Charter was essentially carried out by the Allied powers in the second half of World War II, which made it possible to coordinate the Charter and put it into effect.No Alternative to United NationsAccording to the former UN under-secretary general, there is currently no alternative to the UN, as the world has always experienced periods of war and peaceful coexistence.Ordzhonikidze emphasized that the UN is not a separate structure that exists apart from others. However, when member states disagree on certain issues and have serious contradictions, the UN cannot function because these states have completely opposite views on international peace and security issues.Need for UNSC ReformDespite the apparent lack of alternatives to the UN, the Security Council still needs to be reformed, and Russia has long advocated such reform, Ordzhonikidze said.According to Ordzhonikidze, the current composition of the Security Council is Western-centric. Moreover, both the West and especially the United States want to make the UN Security Council even more Western-centric by adding Germany and Japan.Ordzhonikidze believes that the UN Security Council first and foremost needs to include developing countries, which play a much more important role in international relations today than they did in 1945.There are currently 193 member states of the United Nations. In July 2011, South Sudan became the 193rd full member of the UN. The Security Council is the principal organ of the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It consists of 15 members. The five permanent members - the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China - have veto power. The non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for a two-year term. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230331/un-security-council-how-its-rotating-presidency-works-and-who-wants-to-reform-it-1108987011.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International united nations, un under-secretary-general, multipolar world, unsc reform, emerging centers of power . 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You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/putin-mutineers-wanted-russian-soldiers-to-kill-each-other-kiev-wanted-the-same----1111480880.html Putin: Mutiny Organizers Wanted Russian Soldiers to Kill Each Other, Kiev Wanted the Same Putin: Mutiny Organizers Wanted Russian Soldiers to Kill Each Other, Kiev Wanted the Same Russian President Vladimir Putin has chastised the organizers of the recent aborted mutiny perpetrated by forces of the PMC Wagner Group, stating that these people betrayed not only their country and their people but also the men whom they duped into participating in this "crime." 2023-06-26T19:23+0000 2023-06-26T19:23+0000 2023-06-26T20:32+0000 russia vladimir putin statement wagner aborted mutiny /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/10/1100873997_0:210:3019:1908_1920x0_80_0_0_f044c803061e3aacf971882939b12754.jpg In a speech delivered today from the Kremlin, Putin said that Russia's enemies and the "neo-Nazis in Kiev" along with their Western sponsors wanted the same outcome as the mutiny organizers: an internecine conflict in Russia where Russian soldiers would have been killing each other.He pointed out that the mutiny organizers were well aware of the fact that their mutiny would have been inevitably crushed, and that their actions were ultimately aimed at weakening Russia.At the same time, he stressed that the vast majority of the Wagner Group's soldiers and commanders are "Russian patriots devoted to their people and state," who proved their patriotism "with their courage on the battlefield, liberating Donbass and Novorossiya."He thanked Wagner Group members who stopped before crossing the "final line," and said that they can now continue serving Russia by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, or any other law enforcement agency, or to return home to their families. Those who want to move to Belarus may do so freely, the president added.Putin thanked all Russian servicemen, law enforcement officers and special services' members who "stood in the way" of the mutineers and "remained faithful" to their duty during this crisis, as well as members of the Wagner Group who did not participate in the mutiny. The Russian president also expressed his gratitude to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for "his efforts and contribution to the peaceful resolution of the situation." Putin did add, however, that it was the "consolidation of the entire Russian society that played a decisive role" in resolving this crisis."On Friday, PMC Wagner Group's founder and head Yevgeny Prigozhin accused the Russian military of launching a strike against a Wagner camp, even though the Ministry of Defense denied his allegations. Shortly afterward, a contingent of Wagner forces started to march on Moscow after seizing control of several administrative buildings in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. Prigozhins actions were condemned by Russian President Vladimir Putin who described them as armed mutiny and treason. The crisis was resolved peacefully on Saturday with the help of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who helped mediate a solution, with Wagner forces halting their advance upon the Russian capital and proceeding to return to their base camps. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/western-experts-salivated-prospect-of-doom-and-civil-war-in-russia-amid-mutiny-1111475391.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/back-to-normal-whats-going-on-in-moscow--beyond-after-wagners-aborted-mutiny-gamble-1111473644.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International pmc wagner group, wagner group aborted mutiny, russian president vladimir putin https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/rating-of-japanese-government-drops-by-15-percentage-points-in-june-1111468128.html Japanese PM's Cabinet Suffers 15 Percentage-Point Drop in June Approval Rating Japanese PM's Cabinet Suffers 15 Percentage-Point Drop in June Approval Rating The rating of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has dropped by 15 percentage points month-on-month to 41% in June, a poll released by Japanese newspaper showed on Monday. 2023-06-26T07:35+0000 2023-06-26T07:35+0000 2023-06-26T09:58+0000 asia japan fumio kishida poll /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102731/75/1027317577_0:238:2799:1812_1920x0_80_0_0_01a3b5a40f8b0474764ca334f35b4ce4.jpg This recent plunge in the PM's popularity marks the biggest decline since the establishment of Kishida's cabinet in 2021, the newspaper reported. Meanwhile, the number of those expressing distrust in the Japanese government has increased by 11 percentage points to 44% in June, the survey indicated. The distrust is presumably caused by the government's measures aimed at replacing paper insurance policies with plastic electronic identification cards intended for serving as a document containing medical and social insurance information, as well as pension and tax data. A wave of errors and failures during the registration process triggered a string of scandals across Japan, the report said. Moreover, 55% of those surveyed expressed disapproval of the government's plans to bolster the birth rate in the country by covering the cost of childbirth through health insurance starting in fiscal year 2026, while only 37% were satisfied with the measures. The Japanese government did not specify the sources of funding for this reform. The poll was conducted among 1,018 Japanese citizens aged 18 and over from June 23-25 via telephone interviews. To boost the birth rate in Japan, the government intends to disregard the upper household income threshold when allocating child allowances. Monthly government benefits will climb to 30,000 yen for a third child and subsequent children in a family. The payments will also be made until the end of the fiscal year (March 31 in Japan) when the child turns 18. These measures are expected to go into effect in October 2024. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/japan-piqued-as-biden-claims-credit-for-tokyos-ramped-up-defense-costs-1111412557.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230616/japans-opposition-submits-draft-resolution-of-no-confidence-in-cabinet---reports-1111204120.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230603/is-us-dragging-japan-into-conflict-with-russia-and-china-1110876946.html japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International fumio kishida, japan, fumio kishida rating, fumio kishida government https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/shoigu-visits-command-post-of-zapad-group-of-forces---defense-ministry-1111465861.html Shoigu Visits Battlegroup Zapad's Command Post Shoigu Visits Battlegroup Zapad's Command Post Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has checked the frontline command post of the Zapad Group of Forces and has ordered commanders to continue reconnaissance to uncover and suppress enemy plans, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. 2023-06-26T05:24+0000 2023-06-26T05:24+0000 2023-06-26T12:17+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine sergei shoigu russia russian defense ministry ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/1a/1111471400_27:0:1254:690_1920x0_80_0_0_273b4f871d50779bd86887c4ef69e274.png "In the course of work in the special military operation zone, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, checked the forward command post of one of the formations of Battlegroup Zapad's Forces. At the command post, the head of the Russian military department heard a report on the current situation, the nature of the enemys actions and the performance of combat missions by Russian troops in the main tactical directions," the Defense Ministry said. Shoigu spotlighted the battlegroup's effectiveness in pinpointing and destroying military equipment and concentrations of enemy personnel in the tactical areas of the Zapad formations area of responsibility. "The commanders of Battlegroup Zapad's Forces were tasked with continuing active reconnaissance in order to reveal the enemy's plans in advance and prevent their implementation on the distant approaches to the line of contact," the Russian Defense Ministry said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/russian-military-destroys-storm-shadow-missile-depot-in-western-ukraine-1111442832.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 Footage showing Russian Defense Minister Shoigu checking the forward command post of the Zapad group of troops in the zone of the special military operation Footage showing Russian Defense Minister Shoigu checking the forward command post of the Zapad group of troops in the zone of the special military operation 2023-06-26T05:24+0000 true PT0M47S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian defense minister sergei shoigu, zapad group of forces, special operation in ukraine Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) The Philippine government is optimistic that they can bring home the three Filipinos recently pardoned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government. READ: 2 of 3 pardoned Filipinos in UAE saved from death row Palace Two of the convicts were saved from death row due to drug charges while the other Filipino convict was charged with slander according to a statement released by Malacanang last week. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a request to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to pardon the Filipinos through a special letter. "Very frequent din magbigay ng pardon ang UAE sa ating mga kababayan na nagkaroon na ng sentensya o facing the maximum sentence. This is part of diplomacy," Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes told CNN Philippines on Monday. [Translation: The UAE government frequently grants pardon to Filipinos already sentenced by courts or those facing maximum sentences. This is all part of diplomacy] Cortes added that their priority now is to bring home the three pardoned Filipinos. "Inaayos ang papel nila, exit clearances nila para makauwi na sila ng maayos," Cortes said. [Translation: We are just fixing their papers including exit clearances so that they can come back home in the Philippines] Cortes added that he could not give a timeline yet on when they will be back in the Philippines, but it may happen very soon. The DFA official said that there are a handful of Filipinos on death row in the UAE mostly due to drug-related charges or murder. "Less than 10, hindi naman ganoon karami ang nasa [not that many are on] death row, many of our kababayans are still undergoing litigation procedures," Cortes said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/unsc-to-discuss-situation-around-nord-stream-probe-on-june-27-russian-mission-1111477407.html UNSC to Discuss Situation Around Nord Stream Probe on June 27 - Russian Mission UNSC to Discuss Situation Around Nord Stream Probe on June 27 - Russian Mission The UN Security Council will hold another meeting to address the situation with the investigation into the sabotage on the Nord Stream pipeline on June 27. 2023-06-26T16:46+0000 2023-06-26T16:46+0000 2023-06-26T16:46+0000 world nord stream pipeline destruction investigation /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/1d/1101346542_0:44:839:516_1920x0_80_0_0_e291252f9a9c4c28bc6fce9ff4486ffc.jpg "Today, we asked for another UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation with the undermining of the Nord Stream. We'll draw the attention of our colleagues to the fact that they are bringing everyone just short of tourists to the place of the explosion, and the Danish, German or Swedish authorities still do not provide information to the UN Security Council on the progress of the investigation," Polyansky said. In September 2022, a series of explosions caused serious damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 underwater pipelines on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, rendering inoperable the pipes that were designed to ship Russian natural gas directly to Germany.The destruction of the pipelines occurred mere months after US President Joe Biden promised in February 2022 that if Russia sends its troops into Ukraine, the US "will bring an end" to Nord Stream.In February 2023, American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh alleged that this act of sabotage was carried out by the United States at Biden's behest with Norway's assistance. According to him and his sources, US divers planted explosive charges on the pipelines in summer of 2022 under the cover of NATO naval drills in the Baltic Sea, with the charges being detonated remotely weeks later to avoid suspicion. 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 nord stream sabotage, nord stream explosions investigation https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/us-embassy-contacted-russian-foreign-ministry-over-events-around-wagner-pmc-1111466631.html US Embassy Contacted Russian Foreign Ministry Over Events Around Wagner PMC US Embassy Contacted Russian Foreign Ministry Over Events Around Wagner PMC MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - The US Embassy in Moscow has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry to discuss the diplomatic mission's security in connection with the... 26.06.2023, Sputnik International 2023-06-26T15:15+0000 2023-06-26T15:15+0000 2023-06-26T15:15+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine moscow russia us embassy russian foreign ministry lynne tracy pmc wagner /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/03/1f/1082502233_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_966eb9a746d3676e4d00e9ef2d56b17b.jpg "The embassy contacted [the ministry] by e-mail," the source said when asked if US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry over the embassy's security in connection with the events around Prigozhin.On June 23, PMC Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the Russian Armed Forces had fired missiles at a Wagner base. The Russian Ministry of Defense refuted these allegations, but shortly afterward, a contingent of Wagner forces seized several administrative buildings in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and embarked on a march on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to the nation, branding the Wagner heads actions as an armed insurrection and a betrayal of the homeland. Later, Putin agreed to his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko's mediation with Prigozhin, which lasted throughout Saturday. As a result of these talks, Prigozhin halted the march on Moscow by Wagner troops and ordered them to return to their field camps. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/russian-lawmakers-working-out-bill-to-regulate-private-military-companies-activity-1111465582.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230625/us-spies-stayed-mum-about-pmc-wagners-mutiny-despite-knowing-about-it-beforehand---media-1111464048.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/mutiny-averted-everything-we-know-as-prigozhin-halts-wagner-march-on-moscow-1111448622.html moscow 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 moscow, russia, us embassy, russian foreign ministry, lynne tracy, pmc wagner https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/western-experts-salivated-prospect-of-doom-and-civil-war-in-russia-amid-mutiny-1111475391.html Western Experts Salivated Prospect of 'Doom' and 'Civil War' in Russia Amid Mutiny Western Experts Salivated Prospect of 'Doom' and 'Civil War' in Russia Amid Mutiny Western press, politicians, and "Russia watchers" prophesized "doom" and "civil war" in Russia upon the PMC Wagner Group's mutiny, only to learn later that they were profoundly wrong. 2023-06-26T16:54+0000 2023-06-26T16:54+0000 2023-06-26T16:54+0000 world vladimir putin michael mcfaul russia moscow press wagner aborted mutiny pmc wagner nord stream iran /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/19/1111453567_0:138:3151:1910_1920x0_80_0_0_1031122b4260df3697798a226694bebf.jpg On June 23, Wagner PMC leader Evgeny Prigozhin announced that he and his 25,000 men were kicking off a "march of justice" towards Moscow amid the private military group's feud with the Russian Ministry of Defense, prompting the Federal Security Service (FSB) to charge the Wagner chief with inciting an armed mutiny.While Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the PMC leader against irresponsible and treasonous actions, Prigozhin's mutiny of June 23-24 caused nothing short of euphoria in the Western media sphere.Tom Nichols, a staff writer at The Atlantic, immediately projected on June 23 that the unfolding "crisis" could change the course of the conflict in Ukraine and lead to "a lot of bad things" in Moscow "in the next few days, or even hours."Eurasia Group scholar Ian Bremmer echoed Nichols on June 24: "Prospects for Ukraines counteroffensive - which hasnt gone well to date improving by the minute," he claimed on Twitter.Former US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, went even further by claiming that the "civil war" was already underway and promised a "big fight": "Russians will be killing Russians, probably in large numbers, unless Prigozhin surrenders," the American diplomat tweeted on Saturday.The Hill joined the chorus, predicting "combat and potential doom": as per the media, passions of ordinary Russians could be "enflamed" and "it's conceivable that some Russian soldiers will defect."The New York Times referred to Wagner's "seizure" of Rostov-on-Don as a "grave threat to President Vladimir Putin's government."While security had indeed been heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don, there had been no signs of a gathering storm or a mounting civil unrest in the country. The Associated Press reported that in Moscow "downtown bars and restaurants were filled with customers." The media added that "at one club near the headquarters of the FSB, people were dancing in the street near the entrance."An apparent cognitive dissonance with regard to the "civil war-that-never-happened" reached its apogee in the West after the news that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko struck a deal with Prigozhin and the latter's announcement that the PMC Wagner Group was returning to its field camps. Some Western netizens couldn't believe their eyes, claiming that "the odds of this being true are slim to none."McFaul also seemed perplexed by the sudden turn of events which brought to naught the West's "Russian civil war" fantasies: "I was wrong about this. Eager to learn why. There is so much to this story that we don't know yet," the diplomat tweeted.After dust settled, US intelligence analysts and officials said that they expected Prigozhin's march toward Moscow to become a disaster for Russia: "I do know that we assessed it was going to be a great deal more violent and bloody," an unnamed US official told CNN.It then turned out that US spies were aware of PMC Wagner Group's plot to launch its mutiny and armed insurrection, the Western media claimed. US congressional leaders were reportedly briefed last week on Wagner's military buildup and movements that apparently preceded their march on Russian cities. One American newspaper wrote that the US intelligence leadership decided not to make their findings public because Moscow might "accuse them of trying to organize a coup in Russia."However, the West's earlier calls to bleed Russia white and impose a strategic defeat on Moscow make one wonder whether the US and its allies kept their mouths shut because they believed that Wagner's mutiny would help them reach their objectives.After it became clear that no "civil war" was going to materialize in Russia anytime soon, "Russia watchers" went on persuading their followers that the settlement wasn't a clear demonstration of Moscow's ability to solve crises in a rapid and effective way, but a harbinger of Moscow's "defeat" and a "sign of weakness". Despite this face-saving maneuver, the recent events demonstrated that America's top Russia experts carried out nothing short of a "massacre against their own credibility," as Grayzone's Max Blumenthal assessed in his recent op-ed.In stark contrast to the Western press, politicians and intelligence brass, numerous foreign leaders immediately signaled their solidarity with Moscow and willingness to help Russia solve its domestic issues.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who successfully thwarted a military coup attempt in 2016, offered his helping hand to Moscow: "President Erdogan said Turkiye is ready to contribute to the speedy resolution of events in peace and tranquility," the Turkish presidents office said in a statement, warning external powers against taking advantage of the events.Iran signaled its support of the rule of law in the Russian Federation, stressing that the recent incident in Russia was the nations internal affair.Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also expressed support for the actions of Moscow in connection with the events of June 24.Kenyan Foreign Minister Dr. Alfred N. Mutua expressed his nation's "solidarity with the Russian leadership as they strive to achieve total stability and order."Im Chon Il, vice foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met with Russian Ambassador in Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora on June 25 and expressed his country's support for the Russian leadership during a the armed mutiny.Russia's immediate neighbors, Abkhazia, Belarus and Kazakhstan vowed support to Moscow and stressed the importance of constitutional order being restored in Russia. Minsk was especially instrumental in settling the conflict, with Alexander Lukashenko holding talks with Prigozhin the whole day on June 24.The mutiny of June 24 has become another litmus test that indicated what forces within the international community are walking the talk about the importance of the rule of law and human rights. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/back-to-normal-whats-going-on-in-moscow--beyond-after-wagners-aborted-mutiny-gamble-1111473644.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/lavrov-calls-western-medias-coverage-of-events-around-prigozhin-wishful-thinking-1111472057.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/prigozhin-agrees-to-stop-pmc-wagner-march-start-de-escalation-after-lukashenkos-mediation-1111446655.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230625/us-spies-stayed-mum-about-pmc-wagners-mutiny-despite-knowing-about-it-beforehand---media-1111464048.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/foreign-leaders-express-solidarity-with-russia-amid-wagner-mutiny-1111445545.html russia moscow iran china belarus Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova pmc wagner, wagner attempted mutiny, wagner rebellion, rostov-on-don, belarusian president alexander lukashenko, vladimir putin, settlement, fsb, russian special operation in ukraine, western media, us russia experts, us intelligence wagner mutiny https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/yellen-reportedly-plans-visit-to-china-in-july-amid-us-investment-curbs-on-beijing-1111483605.html Yellen Reportedly Plans Visit to China in July Amid US Investment Curbs on Beijing Yellen Reportedly Plans Visit to China in July Amid US Investment Curbs on Beijing US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is planning an early July visit to Beijing to hold high-level economic talks with her counterpart even as Washington readies new investment curbs on China, US media reported. 2023-06-26T22:15+0000 2023-06-26T22:15+0000 2023-06-26T22:13+0000 world china us us-china relations investment janet yellen us treasury biden administration /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/01/12/1081799952_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_9162f74d85eebf2ecaa044876a0419fe.jpg Yellen said in April that her trip to China had been long anticipated but held off until the "appropriate time." A US report, citing anonymous sources, said on Monday that the trip was being planned amid a Biden administration executive order that would regulate and potentially cut off certain US investments in China. The executive order is reportedly nearing completion and officials are aiming to have it ready as soon as late July. The Biden team has been at work for almost two years on the order regarding US outbound investment in China, which would cover certain investments in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Yellen seeks to meet her counterpart - Vice Premier for Economic Policy He Lifeng, who assumed this position in March. china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us treasury secretary janet yellen, china, us investment, beijing A pair of prospects for TheStable and the team of trainer Eric Patalan and driver Anthony MacDonald visited the winner's circle for the second preliminary of Kentucky Sire Stakes for freshmen on Sunday (June 25) at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel. Pick Pocket (pictured above) opened the card with a near front-stepping tour of the Southwest Kentucky oval to take the $25,000 division for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 1:56.2. Driver Anthony MacDonald circled the colt by Walner to the top past a :30.1 first quarter and strolled through middle fractions of :58.3 and 1:28.1 to win under wraps by 1-3/4 lengths over pocket-sitter Lupin K (driven by Andy Miller). G O A T (Atlee Bender) rallied down the center of the track for third and Yo Monty (Verlin Yoder) finished fourth. Eric Patalan conditions Pick Pocket for TheStable Pick Pocket Group and Hutchison Harness LLC. The colt rebounded from a second-place finish in leg one to deliver on a 1-9 promise and return $2.36 to win. Arson became the lone freshman to sweep their Kentucky Sire Stakes preliminaries with a 1:53.4 victory in the $25,000 division for pacing colts and geldings. Anthony MacDonald took over the lead with the Eric Patalan pupil after a :27.2 first quarter and stole a breather to a :57 half. Snap Count (John MacDonald) came charging as the tempo quickened up the backside and drew to equal terms with Arson after three-quarters in 1:25.4. Arson held his ground through the lane to maintain a quarter-length lead to the finish over Snap Count. Pocket-sitter Tua Many Captains (Andy Miller) tried to slip through a seam at the inside but settled for third and My Legend (Devon Tharps) took fourth. A colt by Captaintreacherous, Arson is unbeaten from two starts and races for owners TheStable Arson Group and Hutchison Harness LLC. He paid $2.82 to win. Trainer-driver Vernon Beachy decimated with his Tactical Landing filly Allegiant in the $25,000 division for trotting fillies. Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Allegiant slid to the lead and strolled through a clip of :30.2, 1:01.2 and 1:30.1 before saying goodbye to her competition. Allegiant hit the finish 6-1/4 lengths better than pocket-sitter Savannah Sound (Ernie Hendry) while stopping the clock in 1:58.1. Miss Dior (Verlin Yoder) levelled off from a first-over grind to finish third and ABC Letmebe (Joey Putnam) finished fourth. Ryan Smith owns Allegiant, now unbeaten from one start. She paid $3.74 to win. Team Miller landed a similar "Orange Crush" job in the $25,000 filly pace with Queen B And Me (Andy Miller), who clocked a 1:55.2 mile and won by five lengths. The daughter of Yankee Cruiser cleared command from the pylon post to a :27.4 first quarter, grabbed a breather to a :58.2 half and began drawing away from her peers to three-quarters in 1:26.4 before sealing the open-length romp. Highway Queen (Joey Putnam) stormed down the center of the track to take second with Muddinup (Devon Tharps) third and even-money favourite Fearless Bettor (Atlee Bender) fourth. Queen B And Me competes for owners Our Three Sons Stable LLC and Nisonger Stable LLC. She paid $9.76 to win. Oak Grove also featured a pair of $35,000 Open events on the pace. Trainer Erv Miller swept both undercard features with Im Sir Blake A (1:49.4 winning mile; $4.58 to win) storming from second over to win in the Open Pace and The Pantheist A (1:50.4; $6.58) surviving a first-over push to win the Fillies & Mares Open Pace. Atlee Bender steered both Open winners as part of a hat trick for Erv Miller, who also won later with Wolftrax (1:50.3; $7.18) in a $22,500 conditioned event. Live harness racing resumes at Oak Grove on Monday with a 10-race card highlighted by a $35,000 Open Trot, carded as Race 5, and a $22,500 Open 2 Trot, carded as Race 9. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 3 p.m. CDT. (Oak Grove Racing) Pickmepickme handily took a new lifetime mark of 1:56.2 winning her $14,684 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies at Bangor on Sunday, June 25). The 1-9 favourite has never been worse than third in any race with a purse, so Andy Harrington drove her like she was the best. When the wings folded for the opener at historic Bass Park, Harrington sent the Marc Tardif-owned, bred and trained daughter of Western Maverick right to the top. From that point, it was a fast-trip training mile as the fillies in tow followed right along through opening fractions of :29.2 and :59. With a comfortable 1-1/2-length advantage over her disciples, Harrington let Pickmepickme have her head following a 1:28 third panel. As their collective lead continued to build, the pair scampered home by four lengths to collect the lions share of the purse and retain a faster career record. Her last quarter was a snappy :28.2, further cementing her prowess within the division. Pickmepickme paid $2.20 for her backers, with the Tardif Taskforce enjoying the fillys 10th career victory in 12 lifetime starts. It was her second win a row as a sophomore and ninth consecutive victory lifetime. La Mambacita (Heath Campbell) finished second and Janie (Aaron Hall) was third. The second $14,684 division had another repeat filly winner in South St Dottie, who also took the coast-to-coast route to victory in the early, non-wagering race. Nick Graffam drove the daughter of Western Maverick for trainer Mike Graffam as they left from post five and won by 2-3/4 lengths. The final time of 1:58 was also a new lifetime mark for the filly, who appears to be improving with every start. Having just a single victory last year at two, Jan Donaway's homebred filly South St Dottie has won her last two sophomore Maine Sire Stakes events, lowering her mark in each instance. Her last quarter of :28.4 is indicative of her speed and agility, and should make her another filly to watch in the coming weeks and months of Maine-bred action. Katelyns Angel (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second and Ally Mac (Aaron Hall) was third. The Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes returns to Cumberland on Friday, June 30 for two $14,000-plus divisions for three-year-old trotters, with the three-year-old pacing colts the following day on Saturday, July 1. First post is 3:15 p.m. On Sunday, July 2, Maines three-year-old pacing fillies come back to Bangor for week three. Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (MSBOA) president Scott Pooler announced that the Maine State Harness Racing Commission has unanimously approved the MSBOA Board of Directors request that all Maine Sire Stakes races shall drawn by lot, not electronically. Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes originally scheduled for Union Fair have been moved to Bangor (July 26) and Cumberland (July 28). (Maine Sire Stakes) The Culpeper Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association held a small celebration May 20 to congratulate its latest certified firefighters, a class of 15. Graduates, instructors, department chiefs and families had the opportunity to socialize over a light lunch, followed by presentations of certificates and concluding with a cake, according to Association President Junior Perryman. Those passing the firefighting I and firefighting II state tests were Jason Baker, James Dunning, Colton Fletcher, Shane Kauffman, Courtney Kline, Justin Lloyd, Thomas Neil, Katie Plath, Charles Smith, Ryan Smith, Victor Sotelo, Tim Toler, Ryan Turner, Coleman Walters and Julia Waltman. According to Perryman, for over six months the group invested over 300 hours in classroom, homework assignments and practical exercises. At the conclusion of the training, the students participated in a Virginia Department of Fire Programs state certification tests, as well as practical skills evaluations, where they were required to demonstrate skills they learned. The program included safety ventilation, forcible entry, search and rescue, fire streams and suppression techniques, personal protective equipment, fire extinguishment, and hazardous materials mitigation. The content of the program is based on the National Fire Protection Association 1001 standard. We applaud their dedication in giving back to the community. Well done and stay safe! Perryman said. Those interested in volunteering with the association should see ccvfra.org for information about who they are and the eight different Fire/EMS stations in Culpeper, the association president stated. Training is free. The volunteer association works with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, which covers the cost of the classes, about $26,000. All PPE is provided by the departments. Time and sweat equity are all we request, Perryman said. The latest quote to hold an EMT class is $30,000, he added. Both FFI/II and EMT have a max of 24 students and the typical class size is 15-20, Perryman said. I have seen other jurisdictions, mostly the career agencies, have graduation ceremonies for their paid staff. I thought it would be good to do the same for those who do it for free. A small pat on the back goes a long way, the association president said. I think they all enjoyed our first and, for sure, the families were appreciative. Culpeper County just had 20 EMTs pass their state test, Perryman reported. Next May, they will include the volunteer EMS class at the graduation ceremony. The association hosts one FFI/FFII class annually and three EMT. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) Former Defense department officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. has returned as secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), the Presidential Communications Office said Monday. Galvez held the top post at the OPAPRU from December 2018 to January 2023. Isidro Purisima, who served as acting chief of OPAPRU, was subsequently named OPAPRU senior undersecretary on Monday. Galvez previously served as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff from April 18, 2018 to December 11, 2018. He was then appointed chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and the countrys vaccine czar at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Gilbert Teodoro as the new defense secretary. READ: Marcos names Gibo Teodoro as DND Chief, Ted Herbosa as DOH Secretary A Statesville man died in a crash Saturday night that troopers said involved an impaired driver. Chad Jeremy Hart, 48, was transported from the scene of the crash by Iredell EMS workers to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He died Sunday morning, the North Carolina Highway Patrol reported. Master Trooper Christopher Casey, in a news release, said that around 9 p.m. Saturday, Hart was riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was traveling west on Buffalo Shoals Road, Casey said. A 2007 Infiniti G35, traveling east on Buffalo Shoals Road, attempted to turn left into a gas station and turned in front of the motorcycle, Casey said. The motorcycle and car collided and Hart was thrown from the motorcycle, Casey said. The driver of the Infiniti, George Lee, 28, of Claremont, was not injured. Lee was arrested and charged with driving while impaired. A magistrate set bond at $15,000. Additional charges are pending. History was made Saturday night as Taylor Loyd became the first Miss Statesville in the Miss North Carolinas 85-year history to take the top prize. The 21-year-old daughter of Cinamon and Ashton Loyd told the pageant audience that she had originally entered the pageant because her mother was Miss Statesville in the early 90s and thats how she met her father, so in effect, if you think about it, she owes her very existence to the Miss Statesville organization. In addition to having her parents and younger brother, Preston, present in the audience, her maternal grandparents, Gary and Peggy Hinshaw of Randleman, as well as her paternal grandparents, AK and Pat Loyd, were there cheering her on. She was also accompanied onstage by her Carolina Princesses Noelle Smith and CoraLynn Caldwell. Loyd is no stranger to the Miss North Carolina Organization, as she had participated several times in the Outstanding Teen Division, placing high on each one of her attempts at the title. However, this was her first time in her quest for the Miss North Carolina crown. Her victory on Saturday night was also rather anticlimactic as she had been on everyones radar throughout the proceedings, especially after pulling off two preliminary wins in both the talent and evening gown preliminaries earlier in the week. Her talent presentation was an operatic aria to Amour, Ranime, mon Courage from C. Gounods Romeo et Juliette. Loyd will graduate in December from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Class of 2023. She will earn a Bachelor of Arts in psychology as well as a Bachelor of Arts in music, with a concentration in classical vocal performance. Her career ambition is to pursue a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling and a doctorate of psychology. Her Miss North Carolina scholarship wins in the amount of $26,500 should help her be able to achieve that masters degree without much too much trouble. Loyd will represent North Carolina at the upcoming Miss America Pageant, whose date and location is still to be determined. The Miss Statesville Organization was also well represented this week by two other candidates. First off, Miss Iredell County, Hannah Harvey. Hannah is a 2020 graduate of Appalachian State University and currently teaches. She would like to pursue completing her masters degree in educational leadership at Harvard University as well as a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from Appalachian in hopes of becoming a college professor in education. Her talent presentation was a musical theatre performance of Journey to the Past from Anastasia, the Broadway musical, in a costume she helped design. Harvey placed on Saturday night among the Top 16 semifinalists as well as receiving the Kay Dickinson Benefactor Award for Teaching. She had her two Iredell County princesses, Kara Justice and Makayla Blum onstage with her during the show. Statesvilles Outstanding Teen, Taytum Robbins, also scored a spot in the semifinals of the Outstanding Teen event held earlier on Saturday afternoon. She performed an acrobatic musical theatre dance to Roses Turn from the musical Gypsy. Her Carolina Princess was Ellie Smith. All in all after a long week of competition, Statesville was well represented as all three of the area participants either won or placed in the final results of the state wide contest. Your daily brief of the English-speaking on Syria. Russian airstrikes in northwestern Syrias Idleb resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians and left over 34 individuals injured. Simultaneously, a drone attack aimed at Syrian President Bashar Assads ancestral town of Qardaha occurred, killing one. Furthermore, a recent report revealed an escalation in torture practices within the regimes security apparatus, which granted security forces unrestrained authority to arrest, mistreat, exploit, and torment Syrian civilians. At least nine killed in Russian air strikes in Syrias Idleb At least nine civilians were killed and more than 34 wounded after Russian warplanes carried out numerous air strikes on Idleb in northwestern Syria, including a market crowded with shoppers, according to a group of emergency rescue volunteers, Al-Jazeera reported. Other agencies raise the figure to 13. The attack on Sunday targeted a vegetable market in the city of Jisr al-Shughour, in the eastern Idleb countryside, said the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets. A local monitor told Al Jazeera that two Russian Su-24s targeted Idleb City, Benin town and the al-Arbeen mountain area with five strikes, while a Russian Su-34 hit the market in Jisr al-Shughour. During our work today at the vegetable market, we were startled by an air strike that targeted the market where we were present, turning [it] into a pool of blood and the remains of victims, said Reda Hayshid, a 21-year-old vegetable vendor. Ahmed Yazji, who is on the Syria Civil Defences board of directors, said: In general, the Syrian regime and Russian attacks on the region have witnessed an escalation in the last few days, which puts a huge burden on our work because both [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia are known to double attack areas where we are present while trying to rescue the victims and the injured. Hayshid told Al Jazeera that the vegetable market in Jisr al-Shughour is considered a central one for most farmers in the area and its outskirts, who sell their crops there daily. The scenes of my friends whom I used to see daily in this market continue to haunt my imagination as some of them were taking their last breaths, while others have lost their limbs due to the air strike, Hayshid said. [The] Assad regime and Russia are fighting us, even our means of sustenance, and they care only about inflicting the highest possible number of casualties and injuries. Rami Jaafar, who was buying groceries at the market, left a mere 10 minutes before the bombing. He rushed back after the attack to check on his relatives who were working in the market. On my way back home with my family, we heard the sound of an explosion coming from the direction of the vegetable market. I quickly secured my family in one of the houses in Jisr al-Shughour and rushed to the market to check on my cousins who were there, Jaafar said The place was filled with dust, the smell of blood and gunpowder permeating the air. There was no sound except for the moans of the wounded and the ambulances that transported my cousins to the hospital, he added. SNHRs 12th Annual Report on Torture in Syria on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) released its 12th Annual Report on Torture in Syria on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The report highlights the close relationship between torture, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances in Syria. Since the start of the uprising in 2011, the regimes security apparatus has expanded its torture practices, with security forces having unrestricted powers to detain, degrade, abuse, and torture Syrian citizens. The regimes torture practices are seen across all governorates, indicating a deliberate and calculated policy that amounts to a crime against humanity. The Syrian regime has failed to launch investigations or hold anyone accountable for these violations, leading to impunity and an increase in torture figures. While some regime personnel have faced trials and convictions in other nations, their limited impact does not deter the regime. The report emphasizes the need for states to reconsider restoring relations with the Syrian regime without ensuring the release of detainees, as it gives the regime a green light to continue its atrocities. The report provides extensive documentation, including verified information and evidence, on the victims of torture in Syria. It aims to inform decision-makers about the reality of torture in the country. SNHRs methodology includes interviews with victims families and survivors, adhering to strict protocols to ensure safety and privacy. The report reflects only a fraction of the violations taking place, and the actual numbers of victims are much higher. Drone strike hits Syrian presidents ancestral town A drone attack targeted Syrian President Bashar Assads ancestral town of Qardaha on Friday with two projectiles, killing one person and lightly injuring another, Syrian state news agency Sana reported, The Arab News reported in the weekend. 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 Russias Hmeimim air base. 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 Assads government regained control over most of the country with help from his allies Russia and Iran. However, rebels against Assad still hold an enclave centred on the Idleb province in the northwest, close to Qardaha and Salhab, with backing from Turkiye and there are sporadic bouts of fighting between them and Syrian government forces. Water in Syria: Todays Thirst, Tomorrows Disasters Politician and analyst Fayez Sarah says in an op-ed in Asharq al-Awsat that the water crisis in Syria, exacerbated by the ongoing war and regional dynamics, poses significant threats to the populations basic needs, food security, and overall well-being, calling for urgent efforts to confront the crisis and prevent further disasters. Syria is not the only country facing water scarcity in the eastern Mediterranean. This is a prevailing situation across the regions countries (excluding Turkiye), as each country faces varying degrees of issues related to water. Sarah says Syria is facing severe water scarcity, compounded by the impacts of the war in the region. The country shares its water resources with neighbouring countries, making it dependent on agreements and understandings. Stormy climate effects have also led to a decrease in rainfall, contributing to a decline in running water and groundwater reserves. Unregulated and corrupt policies, the columnists add, have further exacerbated the water crisis, including the draining of rivers and groundwater due to the widespread use of pumps. The war and political conflicts have worsened the water situation, leading to a collapse in water management unity and the control of various authorities with limited knowledge and resources. Pollution, including the mixing of water with oil and sewage infiltration, has become widespread. Syrias northern neighbours, particularly Turkey, have also played a role in the reduction of the Syrian-Iraqi water share and control over local water sources in northwestern Syria. The writer concludes that the deteriorating water situation threatens the populations basic needs, food security, and electricity generation. Urgent efforts are needed to address this threat before it leads to further disasters. Participants in the talks agreed to schedule the ninth round of meetings of the Constitutional Committee for August or September, according to Athr Press. The Astana talks, held on June 20th and 21st in the Kazakh capital, emphasized the crucial role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in preparing and advancing constitutional reform, which requires popular approval. The statement called for the ninth round of committee meetings to convene as soon as possible. According to sources cited by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, the participants in the talks agreed to schedule the ninth round of meetings of the Constitutional Committee for August or September. They are currently deliberating on an alternative location to host the committees work, considering options such as Muscat and other cities like Amman. However, the final decision is still pending. It was also mentioned that the upcoming meetings would follow a new format, involving joint committees convening for extended durations compared to previous sessions. In an interview with The New Arab, an unnamed member of the Constitutional Committee representing the opposition shared that the specific venue for the ninth round has not been determined yet. The negotiating committee has proposed Cairo, Riyadh, or Kuwait as potential locations for the committees meetings. As for the position of the UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, the source clarified that he is open to holding meetings in any country as long as they are conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. Following a significant development, the oppositions Negotiating Committee recently concluded a meeting to reunify its components in Geneva on June 3rd and 4th. This marked the first such gathering in three years and aimed to address regional and international events impacting the Syrian issue. Furthermore, the committee sought to restore its legal status by uniting its diaspora, aligning with Arab and regional initiatives in the pursuit of a solution to the Syrian crisis. During the meeting, it was agreed upon to adopt a more flexible approach, including engaging in direct dialogue with Damascus, free from any restrictions or preconditions. Badr Jamous, the head of the negotiating body, expressed the readiness of the Syrian opposition to engage in direct negotiations with Damascus on all matters. In a statement to the Russian agency Sputnik, he emphasized that the Syrian Negotiation Commission firmly believes in a political solution as the foundation, with Resolution 2254 serving as their guiding principle for a ceasefire and political settlement. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Russian warplanes targeted a bustling market in the countryside of Jisr al-Shughour, situated in the northwestern region of Idleb, according to Zaman al-Wasl. Russian warplanes carried out a deadly strike resulting in the loss of nearly 40 civilian lives and numerous casualties. The incident occurred when they targeted a bustling market in the countryside of Jisr al-Shughour, situated in the northwestern region of Idleb, Syria. Reliable sources from the western countryside of Idleb informed Zaman al-Wasl that on Sunday morning, 10 civilians lost their lives and over 30 others sustained injuries. This devastating outcome followed the deliberate attack by a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 warplane on a vegetable and fruit market, commonly known as the tomato market, located on the outskirts of Jisr al-Shughour in the western countryside of Idleb. The sources further revealed that a significant number of the wounded are currently in critical condition. The severity of their injuries can be attributed to the two high-explosive missiles that were employed during the market assault, resulting in widespread destruction. Furthermore, in a separate incident on Sunday morning, Russian warplanes targeted the western periphery of Idleb city, claiming the lives of two civilians and causing injuries to others. On Sunday, multiple air raids were conducted by Russian warplanes targeting the vicinity of Ariha and Jabal al-Arbaeen in the southwestern countryside of Idleb. Additionally, artillery and missile shelling targeted the outskirts of the towns of Benin, al-Ruwaiha, Sarja, and Bzabour in the Jabal al-Zawiya area, located south of Idleeb Governorate. These attacks resulted in extensive destruction throughout the region. Simultaneously, there was a significant increase in the presence of Russian warplanes flying over the airspace of the Fourth De-escalation zone, encompassing Idleb and its surrounding areas. In a separate incident, two civilians lost their lives on Saturday as a result of Russian warplanes targeting an area near the city of Jisr al-Shughour in the western countryside of Idleb. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Prigozhin's political and financial future remains uncertain as he seeks exile in Belarus, Iyad el-Jaafara writes. During the tense hours of anticipation, analysts closely monitored the developments surrounding Yevgeny Prigozhins rebellion against the Russian Ministry of Defense. There were discussions about the possibility of this uprising extending into Syrian territory, where the Wagner militia was still actively engaged. However, analysts downplayed this possibility until the Belarusian-brokered deal brought an end to the Wagner rebellion within Russian borders. Nevertheless, Prigozhins political and financial future remains uncertain as he seeks exile in Belarus, which could have significant implications for the Syrian landscape. Prigozhin, a businessman who has utilized mercenary forces to pursue his investment and political ambitions, has made ambiguous and murky investments in the Syrian oil and gas sector. One of the most enigmatic aspects of these investments is Prigozhins connection with Mercury and Velada, companies that were granted contracts for oil exploration in Syria, approved by the regime-controlled Peoples Assembly in late 2019. According to the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, both of these companies are owned by Prigozhin. A report from early 2020 stated that Prigozhins companies had earned approximately $20 million per month in 2018 from the extraction of natural resources in Syria. In Syria, Wagner gained notoriety for its involvement in reclaiming oil and gas fields from ISIS fighters between 2016 and 2018. Subsequently, it assumed the responsibility of securing these fields, particularly in the outskirts of Deir z-Zor, along with the phosphate fields in the Syrian Badia. Some of these tasks are still being carried out by the militia in certain locations. Prigozhins most transparent investment was the contract signed by the Syrian State Oil Company with Evropolis in 2018. Under this agreement, Evropolis received 25% of the profits from oil refineries recaptured from ISIS. Interestingly, Evropolis was established just months prior to signing the contract, serving as a front for Wagners investment endeavors. In the spring of 2021, Bashar al-Assad endorsed an agreement with an undisclosed Russian company named Capital, granting them exploration rights for oil and gas in the Mediterranean. Connections have been confirmed between Capital and Wagners Evropolis, as the general manager of the former is listed as the chief geologist of the latter. This solidifies the notion that Capital served as a fresh front for Prigozhins investments in the Syrian oil sector. Since 2021, there is a dearth of documented information regarding the activities of these aforementioned companies in Syria. While Wagner continues to secure oil, gas, and phosphate sites in the eastern and central outskirts of the Syrian desert, obtaining data on the exploration or production endeavours of the militia-affiliated companies remains challenging. Consequently, Wagners financial operations in Syria appear to be limited to the safeguarding of natural resource fields. This situation places Vladimir Putin in a delicate position regarding Prigozhins influence in countries where he has served as an extension of Russias informal power for years. The Russian presidents optimal course of action may involve reinstating Wagner in its previous roles from 2015 to 2022, essentially utilizing them as an unofficial fighting force in countries and locations where the Kremlin aims to avoid implicating its official military institution. This approach would keep Wagner operational in Syria as it stands today, alongside Prigozhins enigmatic investments in the region. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. An elderly man crashed into a glass storefront in a Washington Way strip mall Saturday afternoon in Longview. No injuries were reported. Witnesses reported seeing the man reverse from a parking stall and accelerate backwards around 4:15 p.m. into the storefront of the hearing clinic HearingLife at 945 Washington Way, suite 111, according to Longview Sgt. BJ Mortensen. Mortensen reports no one was working in the clinic when the crash occurred and the exact cause of the accident is unclear. The man was cited for having no insurance, Mortensen reports. The Cowlitz County Sheriffs Office announced Saturday the arrest of a third suspect in connection to the 2022 murder of Alan Brice Nielsen, a Kelso man who was gunned down and later blown up with explosives. The arrest took place in Los Angeles, where the suspect allegedly fled, according to a sheriffs office press release. Carlos Chavez Velazco, 34, of Kelso who authorities say played a role in the death of Nielson, fled to Los Angeles shortly after Nielsens death in July 2022. He was discovered in a Los Angeles homeless shelter, where he was taken into custody by the Fugitive Task Force of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. Authorities discovered Chavez Velazco location after a digital forensic investigation, states the press release. Chavez Velazco is currently in the Los Angeles County Jail as he awaits extradition back to Cowlitz County, where he faces charges of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful disposal of human remains, and possession of explosive devices. The third arrest comes as Chavez Velazcos alleged co-conspirators, Jerome Adrian Markert, 48, who is in Cowlitz County Jail, is preparing for a possible July trial and Jethro Nichols Welter, 53, of Kelso, is awaiting his sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 11 after pleading guilty in May. Welter currently has a warrant out for his arrest for violating the conditions of his release, after skipping a meeting with his bail bondsmen, according to court records. According to the probable cause statement, the 52-year-old Nielson was shot on July 15, 2022, and he was blown up with 60 lbs. of targeting explosives five days later, allegedly in a failed attempt to conceal the crime. Cowlitz County Coroner Dana Tucker said the cause of Nielsons death could not be determined. Markert and Nielsen lived on the same plot of land at 2106 Holcomb Road in Kelso but in separate trailers. Markert, as stated in the probable cause statement on July 11, 2022, told a police informant that he blamed Nielsen for the death of his dog and allegedly said, an eye for an eye. Investigators found two legs, two arms, and a human skull still attached to the neck and upper shoulder, later identified as Nielsen. The victims torso was never recovered, as mentioned in the probable cause statement. Nokia announced it has achieved sustained average downlink speeds of over 2 Gigabits per second (Gbps) using millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), over a distance of 10.86 kilometers. This milestone download speed, the fastest recorded worldwide to date, was accomplished using Nokias 5G extended range mmWave solution at the OuluZone test facility in Oulu, Finland. The test utilized Nokias AirScale baseband and AirScale 24GHz (n258 band) mmWave radio and a Nokia FastMile 5G PoC CPE (customer premises equipment). Testing involved eight component carriers (8CC) in the downlink, aggregating 800MHz of mmWave spectrum. This enabled a top downlink speed of 2.1 Gbps, and an uplink speed of 57.2 Mbps. This achievement, which builds on a previous world record announced by Nokia in 2021, demonstrates the reach and connectivity speeds that 5G mmWave can deliver. It also lays the foundations for high-quality internet connectivity solutions delivered via FWA to areas where wired connections are not always possible. Nokias mmWave radio portfolio is comprised of compact, high- and medium-power solutions, offering a wide range of deployment options that provide flexibility in ensuring service continuity across a wide variety of environments. The Nokia FastMile 5G PoC device used in these tests is currently being trialed by major operators globally. High speeds over significant distances can be achieved with its high-gain 360 antenna (27dBi), which dynamically adapts to changing conditions to overcome mmWave deployment challenges. Ari Kynaslahti, Head of Strategy and Technology at Nokia Mobile Networks, said: We just set a new speed record for extended range 5G mmWave. This demonstrates that mmWave solutions will be an essential building block for operators to efficiently deliver widespread, multi-gigabit 5G broadband coverage to their customers in urban, suburban, and rural areas, complementing sub-6 GHz spectrum assets. This is a substantial achievement that reflects how we are constantly innovating and evolving our 5G services and solutions. 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 Austrian authorities said Monday they have extradited the suspected administrator of a vast dark web marketplace for drugs and other illicit goods to the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice has accused Milomir Desnica of running the Monopoly Market site and facilitating $18 million in illegal drug transactions using cryptocurrencies. Authorities in the U.S. and Europe last month announced the arrest of nearly 300 people on both sides of the Atlantic and the seizure of more than $53 million in a bust of the site, which was the largest operation of its kind. The dark web is a part of the internet that is hosted within an encrypted network and accessible only through specialized anonymity-providing tools. Desnica, a citizen of Croatia and Serbia, was arrested in Vienna last November and handed over to U.S. authorities Friday, Austria's Federal Criminal Police said. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has so far signed six pieces of legislation almost a year into his term as the countrys 17th president. But how do these compare with the priority measures he mentioned in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA)? LIST: Mandatory ROTC among BBM's priority measures in SONA 2022 Of the six laws he has enacted, only three were part of the 42 priority bills proposed by his administrations Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, while none were mentioned in his first SONA: - The SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934) - An Act Postponing the December 2022 Barangay and SK Elections (BSKEs) (RA 11935) - Amendments to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fixed term law (RA 11939) University of the Pilippines political science professor Maria Ela Atienza suggested that based on the number of laws passed, Congress may not really be unified in supporting the priorities of the president. Congress members may be hedging on some of the other priority measures or not really unified in terms of measures mentioned as priority by the president, she told CNN Philippines. She added that the supermajority in Congress supports the president only when his priorities coincide with their personalistic interests. This is the problem with having weak political parties. Instead of having support for programs and ideologies, those in the supermajority support the president based on personalistic interests, said Atienza. The House of Representatives is led by Marcos first cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez, while the presidents son, Sandro Marcos, is Ilocos Nortes 1st district representative and Senior Deputy Majority Leader. On the other hand, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri ran under the senatorial ticket of then presidential-aspirant Marcos in the May 2022 national and local elections. Twenty senators are part of the majority bloc while four are in the minority. Both House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Miguel Zubiri earlier said their respective chambers will support and focus on Marcos priority measures. Michael Yusingco, a research fellow at the Ateneo School of Government, agreed about the close and friendly relationship between Marcos and Congress. However, unlike the House of Representatives (HOR), he noted that the senators have not totally forgotten about their oversight responsibilities. So they may not be as subservient as the HOR, Yusingco told CNN Philippines. This means that the priority bills of the [president] may find some resistance in the Senate. At the very least, senators will take time to really determine the viability of the [presidents] priority bills. Urgent measures Marcos has certified three bills as urgent, namely: the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023, the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control Act, and the Public-Private Partnership Act. The MIF will be tapped for possible investments in agriculture, energy, digitalization, and the fight against climate change, among others. Zubiri has already signed the enrolled MIF bill which will be sent to Romualdez before being transmitted to Malacanang. However, Yusingco noted that the chief executive had misused the constitutional mechanism of certifying measures as urgent. The constitutional mechanism of certifying a bill as urgent has constantly been misused. The purpose of this provision is to allow a swift legislative solution to address an emergency or calamity. This has not always been the case. Case in point is the Maharlika bill, he said. The most worrisome fact about this situation is the publics acceptance that this is actually okay [] Unless this is addressed, we will continue to see our public officials flouting constitutional rules and principles, including certifying a bill as urgent," Yusingco added. Atienza likewise suggested that some of the bills labeled as urgent by the president were not convincing as measures requiring urgent certification as they do not address directly a public calamity or emergency. What should the Marcos administration fast-track? Atienza said that the Marcos administration should have pushed harder for measures supporting local agriculture, more investment on health, human resources, Public Services Act or open data system, National Land Use Act, etc. which he mentioned in the SONA. The National Land Use Act which provides for a rational, holistic management and development of the country's land and water resources was among the initial 19 priority measures that Marcos mentioned in his first SONA last year. The proposed measure has already been passed by the lower chamber but remains at the committee level at the Senate. For his part, Yusingco said the National Government Rightsizing Program which seeks to streamline national government offices by determining redundant positions and merging them should be fast-tracked by Congress. CSOs [civil society organizations] should also exert pressure on Congress to immediately act on this bill. The passage of this bill will have an immediate impact in terms of improving public service, Yusingco said. It will boost our anti-corruption efforts. More importantly, the window of passing this successfully is closing soon. Marcos earlier said that the rightsizing initiative was not meant to terminate employees but to upskill and reskill the current government workforce to improve state services and programs. The president also highlighted the Rightsizing Program bill as a priority in his first SONA. Just like the National Land Use Act, the Rightsizing Program bill has been passed by the House but has yet to reach the Senate plenary. Four versions of the measure are pending at the Committee level of the higher chamber. Moreover, aside from the Maharlika bill, other priority bills that are now up for Marcos signature are the condonation of unpaid amortization of loans of agrarian reform beneficiaries, and the establishment of regional specialty hospitals. 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: Share of carbon-neutral alternative. Credit: Production and Operations Management (2023). DOI: 10.1111/poms.14017 Many companies reduce emissions when manufacturing their products or compensate for emissions. By doing the math, it appears that both strategies might help the environment to the same extent. But do consumers differentiate between these measures when buying products and services? A study by Kuhne Logistics University (KLU), Universitat Hamburg, and the University of Tennessee shows: Yes. Consumers are willing to pay significantly more for products when companies reduce their own emissions, rather than just offsetting them. The results of the study are based on an online survey with around 200 participants and an experiment with around 80 participants. The work is published in the journal Production and Operations Management. Whether it's recycled aluminum at Apple's MacBook Air or compensation payments from Microsoft for emissions over the life of an Xbox, climate-friendly products are becoming more and more popular. But do consumers also pay attention to how a neutral climate balance is created? Companies use two ways to accomplish this goal: reducing emissions directly or compensating them afterward. "Both approaches can make a product climate-neutral and have a positive impact on the environment. Surprisingly, however, the consumers in our study were only willing to spend more on the respective product if emissions were reduced," says Prof. Christian Troester, Ph.D.. The reasons for this behavior are not entirely clear. "Consumers might show greater appreciation for companies that actively protect the environment by developing innovative processes," says Troester. There is one exception: If the emissions cannot be influenced by the company, for example, if they already arise during extraction of raw materials, compensation and reduction are perceived as equivalent. "The willingness to spend more money on a climate-friendly product tends to be higher the more environmentally conscious consumers are," says Dr. Nils Roemer of Universitat Hamburg. Recommendation to companies: Communicate green actions transparently Studies show that consumers are increasingly aware of the social and environmental consequences of their purchasing decisions, and many companies are therefore already taking action and acting more ecologically. However, not all of them communicate these measures for fear of being accused of "greenwashing"that is, of whitewashing their own activities. Clear communication about whether and how emissions are reduced is particularly important for companies, according to the study's results. "This allows companies that actively reduce emissions to differentiate themselves from competitors who merely compensate," says Prof. Troester. A clear breakdown of controllable and non-controllable emission components could also be important for this matter. In addition, it can be more expensive for a company to invest in innovative processes that reduce CO 2 emissions. However, the results of the study suggest that these investments may be worthwhile, as consumers are willing to pay for them. More information: Nils Roemer et al, Offset or reduce: How should firms implement carbon footprint reduction initiatives?, Production and Operations Management (2023). DOI: 10.1111/poms.14017 Provided by Kuhne Logistics University 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: Overparametrization in quantum neural networks (QNNs). a) Quantum circuit description of the QNN. By having a low (high) number of parameters one is not able (is able) to explore all relevant directions in the Hilbert space, and thus the QNN is underparametrized (overparametrized). b) The gray surface corresponds to the unconstrained loss function landscape. An underparametrized QNN explores a low dimensional cut of the loss function (1D cut over the red lines). Here, the optimizer can get trapped in spurious local minima (blue segment) that negatively impact the parameter optimization. By increasing the number of parameters past some threshold M c , one can explore a higher dimensional cut of the landscape (2D cut over the green region). As shown, some previous spurious local minima correspond to saddle points (blue segment), and the optimizer can escape the false trap. Credit: arXiv DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2109.11676 A theoretical proof shows that a technique called overparametrization enhances performance in quantum machine learning for applications that stymie classical computers. "We believe our results will be useful in using machine learning to learn the properties of quantum data, such as classifying different phases of matter in quantum materials research, which is very difficult on classical computers," said Diego Garcia-Martin, a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He is a co-author of a new paper by a Los Alamos team on the technique published in Nature Computational Science. Garcia-Martin worked on the research in the Laboratory's Quantum Computing Summer School in 2021 as a graduate student from Autonomous University of Madrid. Machine learning, or artificial intelligence, usually involves training neural networks to process informationdataand learn how to solve a given task. In a nutshell, one can think of the neural network as a box with knobs, or parameters, that takes data as input and produces an output that depends on the configuration of the knobs. "During the training phase, the algorithm updates these parameters as it learns, trying to find their optimal setting," Garcia-Martin said. "Once the optimal parameters are determined, the neural network should be able to extrapolate what it learned from the training instances to new and previously unseen data points." Both classical and quantum AI share a challenge when training the parameters, as the algorithm can reach a sub-optimal configuration in its training and stall out. A leap in performance Overparametrization, a well-known concept in classical machine learning that adds more and more parameters, can prevent that stall-out. The implications of overparametrization in quantum machine learning models were poorly understood until now. In the new paper, the Los Alamos team establishes a theoretical framework for predicting the critical number of parameters at which a quantum machine learning model becomes overparametrized. At a certain critical point, adding parameters prompts a leap in network performance and the model becomes significantly easier to train. "By establishing the theory that underpins overparametrization in quantum neural networks, our research paves the way for optimizing the training process and achieving enhanced performance in practical quantum applications," explained Martin Larocca, the lead author of the manuscript and postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos. By taking advantage of aspects of quantum mechanics such as entanglement and superposition, quantum machine learning offers the promise of much greater speed, or quantum advantage, than machine learning on classical computers. Avoiding traps in a machine learning landscape To illustrate the Los Alamos team's findings, Marco Cerezo, the senior scientist on the paper and a quantum theorist at the Lab, described a thought experiment in which a hiker looking for the tallest mountain in a dark landscape represents the training process. The hiker can step only in certain directions and assesses their progress by measuring altitude using a limited GPS system. In this analogy, the number of parameters in the model corresponds to the directions available for the hiker to move, Cerezo said. "One parameter allows movement back and forth, two parameters enable lateral movement and so on," he said. A data landscape would likely have more than three dimensions, unlike our hypothetical hiker's world. With too few parameters, the walker can't thoroughly explore and might mistake a small hill for the tallest mountain or get stuck in a flat region where any step seems futile. However, as the number of parameters increases, the walker can move in more directions in higher dimensions. What initially appeared as a local hill might turn out to be an elevated valley between peaks. With the additional parameters, the hiker avoids getting trapped and finds the true peak, or the solution to the problem. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said the countrys shortage of nurses cannot be considered as a crisis to justify the issuance of temporary licenses to nursing graduates who have yet to pass the board exam. Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source on Monday, PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto Jr. noted that only the Medical Act of 1959 has the provision that can support the plan of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa to hire unlicensed nurses amid the shortage in the country. However, this law only allows medical graduates to be given limited authorization by the secretary of health in times of national emergencies, he said. This would have been possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, or when Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban in 2013, he noted The Philippines is a major provider of nurses abroad. Citing 2021 data from the DOH, Cueto noted that about 50% of roughly 600,000 PRC-registered nurses are migrant nurses. While the remaining half are in the country, not all of them are practicing their profession, he said. Meanwhile, public hospitals are in immediate need of 4,500 nurses. The DOH also said the country is in need of nearly 130,000 of these medical professionals, which may take 12 years to fill. The PRC has said there is no legal basis for it to issue temporary permits to nursing graduates who have yet to pass the licensure exam and scored 70% to 74% as suggested by Herbosa. Under section 21 of Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act, a special or temporary permit may only be issued to licensed nurses from foreign countries or states who are well-known specialists, foreign licensed nurses whose services are for a medical mission, or foreign licensed nurses employed by schools as exchange professors, the PRC said last week. Cueto said the government should focus on hiring the 47,000 licensed nurses from 2021 to 2023 to address the shortage in the country. In a statement on June 23, Herbosa said the DOH and the PRC are exploring ways to fill the 4,500 vacancies as his plan poses legal challenges. One way is by hiring nursing graduates as nursing assistants. 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, the DOH chief said. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores (NYSE:AVAL Get Rating) and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends and profitability. Volatility and Risk Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores has a beta of 1.18, suggesting that its share price is 18% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach has a beta of 0.4, suggesting that its share price is 60% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 0.3% of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 7.8% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are owned by institutional investors. 12.8% of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores 4.63% 6.99% 0.74% Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 27.08% 7.94% 0.86% Earnings & Valuation This table compares Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores $6.60 billion 0.42 $496.58 million $0.25 9.40 Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach $358.80 million 1.82 $109.00 million $809.87 6.71 Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores has higher revenue and earnings than Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.8%. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach pays an annual dividend of $112.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores pays out 64.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach pays out 13.8% 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 This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores 0 0 0 0 N/A Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach 0 0 0 0 N/A Summary Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach beats Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores (Get Rating) Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. provides a range of financial services and products to public and private sector customers in Colombia and Central America. It offers traditional deposit services and products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and other deposits. The company also provides commercial loans comprising general purpose loans, working capital loans, leases, loans funded by development banks, corporate credit cards, and overdraft loans; consumer loans, such as payroll loans, personal loans, automobile and other vehicle loans, credit cards, overdrafts, leases, and general purpose loans; and microcredit and mortgage loans. In addition, the company offers pension and severance fund management services; investment banking, including services relating to capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and project finance transactions; mobile and online banking services; and bancassurance, insurance, trust, bonded warehousing and brokerage transactions, real estate escrow services, merchandise and document storage and deposit, customs agency, cargo management, surety bond and merchandise distribution services, and payment and collection services. Further, it is involved in equity investments in various sectors, including infrastructure, energy and gas, agribusiness, and hospitality; and treasury operations. The company was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Bogota, Colombia. About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (Get Rating) Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides various banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara Counties. It offers checking, savings, Christmas club savings, health savings, money market, and investment accounts; demand and time deposits; certificates of deposit; and retirement plans. The company also provides personal, home, small business administration, commercial real estate, real estate and construction, and commercial business loans, as well as lines of credit; financing for residential loans comprising single-family and multifamily loans; and credit, debit, and gift cards. In addition, it offers account management, receivables and payables, and risk management services; and merchant, electronic lockbox, mobile and remote deposit capture, digital wallet, direct deposit, escrow, faith-based and healthcare banking, and other services, as well as online and mobile banking services. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach was incorporated in 1907 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. All Season Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,654 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $438,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Macroview Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Elequin Securities LLC bought a new stake in American Express in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. My Personal CFO LLC bought a new stake in American Express in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. bought a new stake in American Express in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, PFG Private Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in American Express by 288.9% in the 4th quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 210 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.84% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Stephens cut their price target on American Express from $149.00 to $146.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on American Express from $182.00 to $180.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective 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. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on American Express from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on American Express in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $174.50. American Express Stock Up 0.1 % Shares of AXP traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $168.20. 408,746 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,376,659. American Express has a 52 week low of $130.65 and a 52 week high of $182.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The companys 50 day moving average is $160.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $161.57. The company has a market capitalization of $125.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.67, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.18. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The payment services company reported $2.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.66 by ($0.26). The company had revenue of $14.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.02 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 29.44% and a net margin of 13.00%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.73 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express will post 11.15 earnings per share for the current year. American Express declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, March 8th that permits the company to repurchase 120,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization permits the payment services company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. American Express Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.24%. American Express 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Rating). 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. Clarius Group LLC lowered its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) by 8.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,061 shares of the companys stock after selling 825 shares during the quarter. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $3,112,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $3,416,206,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,992,374,000 after acquiring an additional 5,440,731 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 21.6% in 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 acquiring an additional 4,412,664 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,411,740,000 after acquiring an additional 3,691,436 shares during the last quarter. Finally, T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $445,944,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 1.3 % Eli Lilly and Company stock traded down $5.93 during trading on Monday, reaching $452.91. 1,126,253 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,094,735. The companys 50-day moving average is $425.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $373.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.30. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52-week low of $296.32 and a 52-week high of $465.26. The firm has a market cap of $429.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.95, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.36. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to 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%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.62 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 71.86%. Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the companys 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 directly owns 102,333,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,866,977,066.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at $15,864,681.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.49, for a total transaction of $73,602,900.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,333,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,866,977,066.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 1,279,783 shares of company stock valued at $510,549,964 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have weighed in on LLY. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $432.00 to $485.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Guggenheim cut their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 12th. 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $431.00. 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. Recommended 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. Derbend Asset Management acquired a new stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm acquired 11,412 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $598,000. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Phocas Financial Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 54.8% in the 1st quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 565 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.77% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Insider Activity at Charles Schwab In related news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of $53.47 per share, with a total value of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $533,844.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Charles Schwab news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown acquired 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at $533,844.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Charles Schwab Stock Performance A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America upped their target price on Charles Schwab from $46.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Charles Schwab from $98.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 14th. Raymond James raised Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $63.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.68. Shares of SCHW stock traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $53.15. 2,322,896 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,891,098. The company has a market cap of $94.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.88. The companys 50 day moving average is $52.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $65.34. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1 year low of $45.00 and a 1 year high of $86.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.83% and a net margin of 34.82%. The firm had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.13 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.77 EPS. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 27.32%. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Get Rating) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EnPro Industries (NYSE:NPO Get Rating) had its price objective boosted by KeyCorp from $135.00 to $145.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. TheStreet upgraded EnPro Industries from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. StockNews.com started coverage on EnPro Industries in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Get EnPro Industries alerts: EnPro Industries Stock Down 0.7 % NPO stock opened at $125.81 on Thursday. EnPro Industries has a twelve month low of $76.14 and a twelve month high of $128.93. The company has a current ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of $2.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.67 and a beta of 1.44. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $105.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.48. EnPro Industries Dividend Announcement EnPro Industries ( NYSE:NPO Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.95 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.49. The firm had revenue of $282.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $273.40 million. EnPro Industries had a net margin of 19.21% and a return on equity of 11.87%. The firms revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.83 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that EnPro Industries will post 6.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 30th. EnPro Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 10.76%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On EnPro Industries A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in EnPro Industries by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 83,054 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $8,629,000 after purchasing an additional 4,066 shares in the last quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC grew its stake in EnPro Industries by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC now owns 194,797 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $20,237,000 after acquiring an additional 1,229 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in EnPro Industries by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 717,100 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $74,500,000 after acquiring an additional 30,213 shares in the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. grew its stake in EnPro Industries by 42.4% during the 1st quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 213,744 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $22,206,000 after acquiring an additional 63,614 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC grew its stake in EnPro Industries by 317.9% during the 1st quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 26,892 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,794,000 after acquiring an additional 20,457 shares in the last quarter. 94.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About EnPro Industries (Get Rating) EnPro Industries, Inc design, develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary, value-added products and solutions to safeguard critical environments in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Sealing Technologies and Advanced Surface Technologies. The Sealing Technologies segment offers single-use hygienic seals, tubing, components and assemblies; metallic, non-metallic, and composite material gaskets; compression packing products; hydraulic components; expansion joints; wall penetration products; and dynamic seals, resilient metal, elastomeric, and custom-engineered mechanical seals for chemical and petrochemical processing, pulp and paper processing, power generation, food and pharmaceutical processing, primary metal manufacturing, mining, water and waste treatment, heavy-duty trucking, aerospace, medical, filtration, and semiconductor fabrication industries. See Also Receive News & Ratings for EnPro Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EnPro Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Get Rating) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the ten analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $17.55. Several equities analysts have issued reports on IVZ shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Invesco from $18.00 to $18.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Credit Suisse Group upgraded Invesco from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $14.50 to $15.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. TheStreet cut shares of Invesco from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Invesco from $15.00 to $16.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Invesco in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a neutral rating and a $16.00 target price for the company. Get Invesco alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Trian Fund Management L.P. boosted its holdings in Invesco by 18.8% in the 1st quarter. Trian Fund Management L.P. now owns 54,034,034 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,404,885,000 after acquiring an additional 8,560,175 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Invesco by 14.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 52,105,335 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,201,550,000 after purchasing an additional 6,384,917 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Invesco by 5.6% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 47,752,801 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $783,146,000 after purchasing an additional 2,528,731 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Invesco by 58.2% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 25,414,143 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $348,174,000 after purchasing an additional 9,345,810 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Invesco by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 9,391,387 shares of the asset managers stock worth $154,015,000 after buying an additional 349,965 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.99% of the companys stock. Invesco Stock Performance NYSE:IVZ opened at $16.01 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 4.88 and a quick ratio of 4.88. The firm has a market cap of $7.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.35. The firms fifty day moving average price is $16.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.18. Invesco has a 1-year low of $13.20 and a 1-year high of $20.56. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The asset manager reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.02. Invesco had a net margin of 14.87% and a return on equity of 7.86%. The business had revenue of $1.42 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.56 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Invesco will post 1.64 EPS for the current year. Invesco Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 9th were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 8th. This is a boost from Invescos previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. Invescos payout ratio is currently 57.97%. About Invesco (Get Rating Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Rating)s share price shot up 7.6% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $8.49 and last traded at $8.38. 43,766 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 90,362 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.79. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, StockNews.com upgraded IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Get IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima alerts: IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Stock Up 2.7 % The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $6.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $5.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm has a market cap of $648.72 million, a PE ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.01. Institutional Inflows and Outflows IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima ( NYSE:IRS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima had a return on equity of 23.85% and a net margin of 86.42%. The business had revenue of $119.94 million for the quarter. Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the first quarter worth approximately $77,000. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the first quarter worth approximately $228,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the first quarter worth approximately $164,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the first quarter worth approximately $135,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. acquired a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the first quarter worth approximately $336,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 14.45% of the companys stock. About IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (Get Rating) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the diversified real estate activities in Argentina. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping malls, office buildings, and other non-shopping mall properties primarily for rental purposes. Read More Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares MSCI Chile ETF (BATS:ECH Get Rating) hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $28.54 and last traded at $28.62, with a volume of 138743 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.58. iShares MSCI Chile ETF Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $535.19 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.48 and a beta of 0.91. The firms 50-day moving average price is $29.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.33. Get iShares MSCI Chile ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Chile ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 51.2% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 865,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,908,000 after buying an additional 292,874 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 921.4% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 260,726 shares of the companys stock worth $7,504,000 after purchasing an additional 235,200 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 112.4% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 22,300 shares of the companys stock worth $642,000 after purchasing an additional 11,800 shares during the period. OLD Mission Capital LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI Chile ETF by 502.7% during the first quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 38,229 shares of the companys stock worth $1,100,000 after purchasing an additional 31,886 shares during the period. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Chile ETF during the first quarter worth about $1,387,000. About iShares MSCI Chile ETF iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Chile Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure broad based equity market performance in Chile. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Chile ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Chile ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) A total of 19,124 families have been affected by flooding due to heavy rains in Soccsksargen, with hundreds of locals still in evacuation centers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Monday. In a statement, the department said it has provided over 3.2 million worth of aid to 92,319 affected residents of Kabacan and Pikit towns of Cotabato, and in Glan town in Sarangani. The agency reported some 251 families or 612 people remained in an evacuation center in Glan, adding its regional field office is continuously validating and monitoring the number of both affected and evacuated families. Floods experienced in these areas were caused by heavy rains due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a weather system where trade winds from north and south hemispheres come together, authorities said. The DSWD said locals have been experiencing the effects of the weather disturbance since June 21. Shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (BATS:PICK Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $39.84 and last traded at $40.09, with a volume of 105848 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $39.75. iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $1.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $42.21. Get iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sentinus LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Sentinus LLC now owns 27,629 shares of the companys stock worth $1,092,000 after buying an additional 280 shares during the period. Family Firm Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Family Firm Inc. now owns 34,152 shares of the companys stock worth $1,162,000 after buying an additional 675 shares during the period. Greenline Partners LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 69.4% during the 3rd quarter. Greenline Partners LLC now owns 1,680 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 688 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 39.1% during the 1st quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock worth $128,000 after buying an additional 844 shares during the period. Finally, Credit Suisse AG lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF by 12.7% in the 3rd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 28,457 shares of the companys stock valued at $968,000 after purchasing an additional 3,201 shares during the period. About iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF The iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in materials equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of global metals mining, extraction or production firms, excluding gold and silver mining firms. PICK was launched on Jan 31, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $141.42 and last traded at $140.02, with a volume of 292241 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $140.86. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Trading Down 0.6 % The firm has a market capitalization of $9.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $140.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $141.68. Get iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. TimeScale Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 900.0% in the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 190 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company 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. Featured Stories 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. Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG Get Rating) was downgraded by research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Monday, The Fly reports. Several other research firms have also recently commented on LYG. BNP Paribas cut Lloyds Banking Group from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Credit Suisse Group cut their target price on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 70 ($0.89) to GBX 69 ($0.88) in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Barclays lowered Lloyds Banking Group from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com raised Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $57.29. Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Lloyds Banking Group Trading Down 0.5 % NYSE:LYG opened at $2.09 on Monday. Lloyds Banking Group has a fifty-two week low of $1.70 and a fifty-two week high of $2.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.30 billion, a PE ratio of 5.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.29. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $2.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.35. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Lloyds Banking Group ( NYSE:LYG Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.65 billion for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 21.31%. Sell-side analysts expect that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Waldron Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Great Diamond Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Ascent Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Pitcairn Co. bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. 2.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Lloyds Banking Group (Get Rating) Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions, and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manning & Napier Group LLC decreased its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) by 0.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 277,493 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 1,258 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Group LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $28,099,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Czech National Bank raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 205,402 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $20,799,000 after acquiring an additional 1,214 shares in the last quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co now owns 43,296 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $4,384,000 after acquiring an additional 750 shares during the period. City Holding Co. boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 47,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $4,785,000 after acquiring an additional 242 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 26,396 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,673,000 after acquiring an additional 1,780 shares during the period. Finally, Naples Global Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 22,454 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,274,000 after acquiring an additional 680 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.08% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was 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 $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 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 sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Several research firms have weighed in on ABT. Morgan Stanley cut 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 report on Tuesday, May 30th. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $107.00 to $103.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.26. Abbott Laboratories stock traded down $0.82 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $107.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 443,817 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,086,035. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $93.25 and a 52 week high of $115.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $106.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.36. The stock has a market cap of $186.47 billion, a PE ratio of 32.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 22.36% and a net margin of 13.98%. The company had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.64 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.73 EPS. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current year. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 62.01%. 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. Further Reading 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. Persimmon (LON:PSN Get Rating) had its price target cut by Jefferies Financial Group from GBX 1,396 ($17.86) to GBX 1,192 ($15.25) in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a hold rating on the stock. PSN has been the subject of a number of other reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 1,400 ($17.91) price objective on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Barclays reiterated an equal weight rating and set a GBX 1,300 ($16.63) price objective on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Peel Hunt reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 1,190 ($15.23) price objective on shares of Persimmon in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Persimmon from GBX 1,230 ($15.74) to GBX 1,300 ($16.63) and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Persimmon has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 1,474.33 ($18.87). Get Persimmon alerts: Persimmon Price Performance Shares of LON:PSN opened at GBX 1,059 ($13.55) on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of GBX 1,259.27 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,297.07. The stock has a market capitalization of 3.38 billion, a PE ratio of 605.14, a PEG ratio of -1.74 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a current ratio of 4.16, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Persimmon has a 12 month low of GBX 1,059 ($13.55) and a 12 month high of GBX 1,923 ($24.61). About Persimmon Persimmon Plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a house builder in the United Kingdom. The company offers family housing under the Persimmon Homes brand name; housing under the Charles Church brand name; and social housing under the Westbury Partnerships brand name. It also provides broadband services under the FibreNest brand; and timber frame, insulated wall panels, and roof cassettes under the brand Space4. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Persimmon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Persimmon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Everest Re Group (NYSE:RE Get Rating) and Hannover Ruck (OTC:HVRRF Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings and risk. Profitability This table compares Everest Re Group and Hannover Rucks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Everest Re Group alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Everest Re Group 5.34% 12.98% 2.79% Hannover Ruck N/A N/A N/A Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Everest Re Group and Hannover Ruck, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Everest Re Group 0 1 5 0 2.83 Hannover Ruck 2 0 1 0 1.67 Institutional & Insider Ownership Everest Re Group currently has a consensus target price of $423.83, suggesting a potential upside of 22.62%. Hannover Ruck has a consensus target price of $149.50, suggesting a potential downside of 29.48%. Given Everest Re Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Everest Re Group is more favorable than Hannover Ruck. 94.4% of Everest Re Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 20.0% of Hannover Ruck shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Everest Re Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Everest Re Group and Hannover Rucks revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Everest Re Group $12.06 billion 1.13 $597.00 million $16.86 20.50 Hannover Ruck N/A N/A N/A $7.97 26.61 Everest Re Group has higher revenue and earnings than Hannover Ruck. Everest Re Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hannover Ruck, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Everest Re Group pays an annual dividend of $6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Hannover Ruck pays an annual dividend of $2.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Everest Re Group pays out 39.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Hannover Ruck pays out 28.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Everest Re Group has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Everest Re Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Summary Everest Re Group beats Hannover Ruck on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Everest Re Group (Get Rating) Everest Re Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, and internationally. The company operates through Reinsurance Operations and Insurance Operations segments. The Reinsurance Operations segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Insurance Operations segment writes property and casualty insurance directly, as well as through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, South America, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The company also provides treaty and facultative reinsurance products; admitted and non-admitted insurance products; and property and casualty reinsurance and insurance coverages, including marine, aviation, surety, errors and omissions liability, directors' and officers' liability, medical malpractice, mortgage reinsurance, other specialty lines, accident and health, and workers' compensation products. In addition, it offers commercial property and casualty insurance products through wholesale and retail brokers, surplus lines brokers, and program administrators. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. About Hannover Ruck (Get Rating) Hannover Ruck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The company offers property and casualty reinsurance solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space businesses; catastrophe XL business; credit, surety, and political risks businesses; facultative business; and marine and offshore energy businesses, as well as insurance-linked securities and structured reinsurance. It also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality. In addition, the company offers group and individual retirement and lifestyle, credit life, and Takaful reinsurance products. Further, it provides various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover Ruckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover Ruck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in Hanover, Germany. Hannover Ruck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG. Receive News & Ratings for Everest Re Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Everest Re Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD SYNNEX (NYSE:SNX Get Rating) is scheduled to be releasing its earnings data before the market opens on Tuesday, June 27th. Analysts expect TD SYNNEX to post earnings of $2.41 per share for the quarter. TD SYNNEX has set its Q2 guidance at $2.25-2.75 EPS.Individual that are interested in registering for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. TD SYNNEX (NYSE:SNX Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The business services provider reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.74 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $15.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.74 billion. TD SYNNEX had a return on equity of 13.80% and a net margin of 1.11%. On average, analysts expect TD SYNNEX to post $11 EPS for the current fiscal year and $12 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get TD SYNNEX alerts: TD SYNNEX Stock Performance NYSE SNX opened at $96.21 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $9.08 billion, a PE ratio of 13.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.63. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $91.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $95.74. TD SYNNEX has a 1-year low of $78.86 and a 1-year high of $111.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.73. TD SYNNEX Announces Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Friday, April 14th were issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 13th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. TD SYNNEXs dividend payout ratio is presently 19.55%. Several research firms have issued reports on SNX. Barclays cut their target price on TD SYNNEX from $109.00 to $103.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. StockNews.com cut TD SYNNEX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on TD SYNNEX in a research note on Monday, May 1st. They set a buy rating and a $101.00 target price for the company. TheStreet upgraded TD SYNNEX from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, April 14th. Finally, Cfra reiterated a hold rating and issued a $100.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of TD SYNNEX in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $113.91. Insider Buying and Selling at TD SYNNEX In other TD SYNNEX news, CEO Richard T. Hume sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.83, for a total transaction of $1,377,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 193,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,736,964.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Richard T. Hume sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.83, for a total transaction of $1,377,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 193,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,736,964.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Simon Leung sold 10,174 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.47, for a total value of $900,093.78. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 32,931 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,913,405.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 43,998 shares of company stock valued at $4,041,355 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On TD SYNNEX Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Two Sigma Securities LLC acquired a new stake in TD SYNNEX during the 1st quarter valued at $223,000. Neuberger Berman Group LLC acquired a new stake in TD SYNNEX during the 4th quarter valued at $221,000. Mariner LLC acquired a new stake in TD SYNNEX during the 4th quarter valued at $221,000. Utah Retirement Systems acquired a new stake in TD SYNNEX during the 4th quarter valued at $218,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in TD SYNNEX during the 1st quarter valued at $216,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.54% of the companys stock. TD SYNNEX Company Profile (Get Rating) TD SYNNEX Corporation operates as a distributor and solutions aggregator for the information technology (IT) ecosystem. The company offers personal computing devices and peripherals, mobile phones and accessories, printers, supplies, and endpoint technology software; and data center technologies, such as hybrid cloud, security, storage, networking, servers, technology software, and converged and hyper-converged infrastructure, as well as computing components. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TD SYNNEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TD SYNNEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Rating) had its price objective boosted by Wedbush from $55.00 to $64.00 in a research note published on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. Wedbush also issued estimates for KB Homes Q4 2023 earnings at $1.61 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.55 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.56 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.80 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $2.05 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $2.07 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $6.98 EPS. Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn reissued a neutral rating on shares of KB Home in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of KB Home from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of KB Home from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the stock from $32.50 to $42.50 in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of KB Home from $37.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of KB Home from $51.00 to $56.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $50.04. Get KB Home alerts: KB Home Trading Up 0.9 % KB Home stock opened at $52.02 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.30. KB Home has a 12-month low of $25.31 and a 12-month high of $52.40. The stock has a market cap of $4.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.61. KB Home Dividend Announcement KB Home ( NYSE:KBH Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 21st. The construction company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.61. KB Home had a net margin of 10.98% and a return on equity of 20.85%. The firm had revenue of $1.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.32 earnings per share. KB Homes quarterly revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that KB Home will post 5.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 4th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.15%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 3rd. KB Homes payout ratio is 6.88%. KB Home announced that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, March 22nd that permits the company to buyback $500.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the construction company to repurchase up to 15.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity at KB Home In related news, CEO Jeffrey T. Mezger sold 150,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.26, for a total transaction of $6,789,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,472,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $66,648,835.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 4.44% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in KB Home during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. National Bank of Canada FI acquired a new position in shares of KB Home in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of KB Home by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 880 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 440 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of KB Home by 45.4% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 922 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 288 shares during the period. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. acquired a new position in shares of KB Home in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. 96.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About KB Home (Get Rating) KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A final permit issued Friday may be enough to get the Mountain Valley Pipeline across the remaining rivers, streams and wetlands that have long blocked the projects path to completion. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave its approval for construction through hundreds of water bodies in Southwest Virginia and West Virginia, as it was required to do by a recently passed federal law that fast-tracks the controversial project. Mountain Valley has previously said that it has completed more than half of the nearly 1,000 water body crossings along the pipelines 303-mile route. But on Friday, company spokeswoman Natalie Cox wrote in an email that there are approximately 643 total water resources to be crossed, including water bodies and wetlands, some of which may be crossed more than once. A number of factors including multiple crossings of a single water body in some cases and a single crossing that includes multiple water bodies in others make it difficult to come up with a precise number. But one thing seemed clear Friday: Mountain Valley now has approval to complete a natural gas pipeline delayed for more than four years by permitting complications and legal challenges. This announcement that the Mountain Valley pipeline finally has all permits needed to resume construction is great news, said U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, a champion of a project that starts in his home state. The $6.6 billion project was bailed out of its legal and permitting woes by a law, pushed by Manchin and passed by Congress three weeks ago, that includes a provision green-lighting the pipelines completion in broader legislation that suspended the federal debt ceiling and averted a disastrous government default. Opponents say the law mandated approval of a pipeline with a long history of environmental violations. Unprecedented and unconscionable congressional interference has placed Virginia and West Virginia communities and waterways at risk by forcing agencies to issue Mountain Valley Pipelines permits, said Jessica Sims, Virginia field director of Appalachian Voices. When work on the pipeline began in February 2018, construction crews struggled to control erosion along a route that takes it across steep mountain slopes and through clear-running streams. State regulators in Virginia and West Virginia have cited Mountain Valley with more than 400 violations of erosion and sediment control regulations over the past five years. Muddy runoff has also been an issue in long-running litigation. More than a dozen times, a federal appeals court has overturned government permits that were challenged by environmental groups. In addition to expediting completion of the pipeline, the debt ceiling law largely insulates it from future legal challenges. Perhaps the most prolonged court fight has involved water body crossings. In 2017, the Army Corps issued a so-called Nationwide Permit 12, a blanket approval that critics said took a one-size-fits-all approach to examining the environmental impact of running a 42-inch diameter pipe through streams and wetlands. The permit was set aside in 2018 by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A second approval from the Army Corps came in 2020, followed by a second rejection by the Fourth Circuit. Rather than seek a third nationwide permit that would likely face another court fight, Mountain Valley decided to seek an individual permit that requires an independent analysis of each water body crossing. That permit was issued Friday by the Army Corps. Plans call for the pipeline to cross water bodies by either digging through or borrowing beneath them. In whats called an open-cut method, construction crews temporarily dam a stream and dig a trench for the buried pipeline along the exposed bottom. The second method involves boring a tunnel for the pipe to pass below the water body. Boring is planned for the Roanoke River along the Montgomery-Roanoke county line. Although an application had been in the works for some time and was preceded in December 2021 by a required water quality certification from Virginias State Water Control Board the process was jumpstarted when Mountain Valleys completion was included in the must-pass law to raise the debt ceiling. The law limits judicial review to a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. and allows only a challenge of the law itself and not government permits issued to the pipeline. But environmental groups say they are exploring possible legal options. Before construction can resume, authorization is required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the lead agency overseeing the project. FERC approved the project in 2017 and has continued to support it since. We will request the administrative authorizations necessary for full construction in the near future and are currently developing our construction mobilization schedule, Cox wrote in her email. At a meeting Thursday, the State Water Control Board was told that work is expected to begin by the second or third week of July. Mountain Valley has said it hopes to complete the pipeline by years end. But Matt Stafford, manager of the Department of Environmental Qualitys office of water compliance, said final restoration of the completed right-of-way and other work could extend into 2024. Theres still, as we see it, a lot of work to do, Stafford told the board. Bottom-fishing demand helps VN-Index gain for fifth straight session By Huong Dung Mon, June 26, 2023 | 6:34 pm GTM+7 Vietnams benchmark VN-Index extended its gaining streak to five sessions on Monday thanks to strong bottom-fishing demand. Closing the session, the index, which represents the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), rose 2.65 points, or 0.23%, to 1,132.03, although it plunged over 12 points at a time in the morning. The major bourse saw 165 gainers and 258 losers, with nearly 1.04 billion shares changing hands for VND20.3 trillion ($862.65 million), an increase of VND2.1 trillion ($89.2 million) from the previous session last Friday. Blue chips were the main support for the VN-Index expansion as their VN30 index gained 4.46 points to 1,131.23, with up to 18 tickers gaining. The VN-Index rose 2.65 points to close at 1,132.03 onn June 26, 2023. Photo by The Investor/Trong Hieu. Securities stocks were under correction pressure after a long period of gaining. SSI of Saigon Securities went down 0.77%, VND of VNDirect Securities 1.78%, HCM of Ho Chi Minh City Securities 0.7%, VIX of VIX Securities 5.74%, and FTS of FPT Securities 2.4%. Notably, APS of Asia Pacific Securities hit its floor price with no buyers right at the opening (ATO) following the information that Hanoi police on Thursday launched a probe into the alleged stock market manipulation at Asia-Pacific Securities JSC, Asia-Pacific Investment JSC (API), and IDJ Vietnam Investment JSC. API and IDJ also suffered the same fate as APS. Among banking stocks, TCB of Techcombank increased 1.22%, ACB of Asia Commercial Bank 1.6%, OCB of Oriental Commercial Bank 1.08%, while STB of Sacombank fell 2.31% and MSB of Maritime Bank went down 1.54%. Real estate tickers also saw a divergence. QCG of Quoc Cuong Gia Lai Corp and EVG of Everland Group both fell to their floor prices; VHM of Vinhomes lost 0.89%, VRE of Vincom Retail 0.56%, ITA of Tan Tao Investment and Industry Corporation 1.58%, CTD of Coteccons Construction JSC 1.71%, and CRE of Century Land 2.31%. Meanwhile, BCM of Becamex IDC increased 0.87 %, NVL of Novaland 2.76%, DIG of DIG Corp 1.32%, VCG of Vietnam Construction and Import-Export 1.64%, and HDG of Ha Do Group 1.42%. Retail and airline stocks made positive performance, with MWG of Mobile World, PNJ of Phu Nhuan Jewelry, and FRT of FPT Retail gaining 3.38%, 0.79% and 1.77% respectively; VJC of low-cost airline Vietjet 0.11%; and HVN of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines 1.75%. Foreign investors were net sellers on the HoSE for the second session to the tune of about VND449 billion ($19.07 million). They mainly net sold VNM of Vinamilk, VRE, VPB of VPBank, VND, and SSI. The HNX-Index on the Hanoi bourse dropped 0.53 points to 231.01, while the UpCOM-Index on the unlisted public company market inched down 0.11 points to 85.6. Seoul (CNN) For a country with the worlds lowest fertility rate one that has spent hundreds of billions of dollars trying to encourage women to have more babies the idea of barring children from places like cafes and restaurants might seem a little counterproductive. But in South Korea, no-kids zones have become remarkably popular in recent years. Hundreds have sprung up across the country, aimed largely at ensuring disturbance-free environments for the grown-ups. There are nearly 80 such zones on the holiday island of Jeju alone, according to a local think tank, and more than four hundred in the rest of the country, according to activist groups. Doubts, though, are beginning to creep in about the wisdom of restricting children from so many places, fueled by concerns over the countrys growing demographic problems. In addition to the worlds lowest birthrate, South Korea has one of the worlds fastest aging populations. That has left it with a problem familiar to graying nations across the world, namely: how to fund the pension and health care needs of a growing pool of retirees on the tax income generated by a slowly vanishing pool of workers. And South Koreas problem is more acute than most. Last year, its fertility rate dropped to a record low of 0.78 not even half the 2.1 needed for a stable population and far below even that of Japan (1.3), currently the worlds grayest nation. (And even further below the United States, which at 1.6 faces aging problems of its own). With young South Koreans already facing pressure on multiple fronts from sky-high real estate costs and long working weeks to rising economic anxiety critics of the zones say the last thing the country needs is yet one more thing to make them think twice about starting a family. The government, they point out, should know this better than anyone. After all, its spent more than $200 billion over the past 16 years trying to encourage more people to have children. Critics suggest that, rather than throwing more money at the problem, it needs to work on changing societys attitudes towards the young. Society must be reborn With polls suggesting a majority of South Koreans support no-kids zones, shifting those mindsets wont be easy. But there are signs opinions may be shifting. In recent weeks, a pushback against the zones has gained momentum thanks to Yong Hye-in, a mother and a lawmaker for the Basic Income Party who, in a show of defiance to mark Childrens Day, took her 2-year-old son to a meeting of the National Assembly where babies are not usually allowed. Everyday life with children is not easy, she told the assembled lawmakers in an impassioned speech, during which she was pictured both cuddling her son and letting him wander around the podium. Our society must be reborn into one where children are included. That speech gained media coverage across the world, but it is not the only sign attitudes may slowly be changing. Jeju island a tourist hotspot off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula recently debated the countrys first-ever bill aimed at making such zones illegal (though if passed it would apply only to the island). The move by its provincial council comes amid growing concerns that the age limits imposed by many guesthouses and campsites on the tourism-dependent island may be damaging its reputation for hospitality. As Bonnie Tilland, a university lecturer who specializes in South Korean culture, puts it: Families with children who travel to Jeju on holiday are disgruntled if they drive to a scenic cafe only to be told that their children are not allowed. Other critics say the problem goes deeper than lost business opportunities. Some see no-kids zones as an unjustifiable act of age discrimination that runs contrary to the Korean constitution. In 2017, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea judged that no-kids zones violated the right to equality and called for businesses to end the practice in what was the first official statement on the matter by a state institution. It cited clause 11 of the constitution, which bans discrimination on the basis of gender, religion or social status, and pointed to a UN convention stipulating that No child should be treated unfairly on any basis. The ruling came in response to a petition by a father of three who was turned away from an Italian restaurant on Jeju. But it is not legally binding and critics say the ongoing popularity of no-kids zones highlights how hard it will be to change peoples mindsets. A fateful broth and a popular idea South Koreas embrace of no-kids zones is widely thought to date back to an incident in 2012, in which a restaurant diner carrying hot broth accidentally scalded a child. The incident caused a stir online, after the childs mother made a series of posts on social media attacking the diner. Initially, there was much public sympathy for the mother as the case appeared to have parallels to other incidents in which establishments had been forced to pay compensation following accidents involving children. But the publics mood began to change after security camera footage emerged showing the child running around moments beforehand, Tilland said. Many began to blame the mother for not reining in her childs behavior. Then discussion unfolded over the next few years on social media about the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians of young children in public spaces and private businesses, said Tilland, who used to teach at Yonsei University in Seoul but is now with Leiden University in the Netherlands. By 2014, she says, no-kids zones had become a familiar sight, most commonly in cafes but also in some restaurants and other businesses. Over the years, the zones have grown in popularity, with a survey in 2021 by Hankook Research finding that more than 7 in 10 adults were in favor, and fewer than 2 in 10 against (the rest were undecided). And it is not only childless adults who back them. In South Korea, so widely acknowledged is the right to some peace and quiet that even many parents see the zones as reasonable and justified. When Im out with my child, I see a lot of situations that may make me frown, said Lee Yi-rang, a mother of a two-year-old boy. Its not difficult to find parents who dont control their children, causing damage to facilities and other people. That makes me understand why there are no-kids zones, she said. Mother-of-two Lee Ji-eun from Seoul agrees. She thinks its a decision best left to the business owners and if a parent doesnt like that, then they can seek a kids-allowed zone. Not all parents are so understanding. Kim Se-hee, also from Seoul, said she feels attacked when I see a blatant no-kids sign like that posted at a shop. Theres so much hatred against mothers already in Korea with terms like mom-choong (mother bug, a derogatory term for mothers who care only about their children to the disregard of others) and I think no-kids zones validate that kind of negative sentiment toward moms, she said. No kids, no rappers, no professors Meanwhile, it would be wrong to suggest that it is only the youngest in society who are subject to such zoning requirements. On Jeju, its not unusual to see signs at camping grounds or guest houses stipulating both lower and upper age limits for would-be guests. There are no-teenager zones and no-senior zones, for example, and even plenty of zones targeting those somewhere in between. So numerous have the no-middle-aged zones become that they have collectively been dubbed no-ajae zones, in reference to a slang term for uncle. One restaurant in Seoul rose to notoriety after politely declining people over 49 (on the basis men of that age might harass female staff), while in 2021, a camping ground in Jeju sparked heated debate with a notice saying it did not accept reservations from people aged 40 or above. Citing a desire to keep noise and alcohol use to a minimum, it stated a preference for women in their 20s and 30s. Other zones are even more niche. Among those to have caused a stir on social media are a cafe in Seoul that in 2018 declared itself a no-rapper zone, a no-YouTuber zone and even a no-professor zone. But most such zones follow a similar logic that of preventing disturbance to other customers. For instance, no-YouTuber zones became popular in response to a trend known as mukbang (based on words for eating and broadcast) in which some livestreamers would show up at restaurants without prior consent to film themselves eating. Tilland says the appeal of such zones is complex, but derives in part from the strong pro-business sentiment in the country. A common mindset is that it is only natural that business owners should have a say on who they accept as clientele, she says. As for no-kids zones specifically, she has another theory. Koreans in their 20s and 30s, in particular, tend to have a strong concept of personal space, and are increasingly less tolerant of both noisy children in their midst and noisy older people, Tilland said. But such mindsets need to be re-examined if the country is to get a grip on its population problems, Tilland says, arguing they reflect a worrying intolerance for anyone existing in public places who is different from oneself. Deep-rooted attitudes that every category of people belongs in their place and for mothers this is home with children, not out participating in public life are one of the reasons young women are reluctant to have children, she said. No kids to kids first? Lawmaker Yong came to a similar realization after giving birth in 2021. She had suffered postpartum depression and stayed at home for the first nearly 100 days of her childs life. When she finally felt well enough to take her child for a walk the experience was alienating. When we tried to go into a cafe nearby, we were immediately denied entry because it was a no-kids zone, she recalled in an interview with CNN. I was helplessly in tears. It felt like society didnt want people like me. She says many new mothers feel this way, citing a case being investigated by the labor ministry in which a working mother, a computer programmer at a leading tech firm, killed herself and left a suicide note asking, Is a working mom a sinner? I am doing politics to create a society where working working moms dont have to (feel like) a sinner, Yong said. Her ultimate aim is to make childcare the responsibility of society as a whole, not of individual caregivers and parents, which she believes is the only way to overcome the population crisis. One way she hopes to bring about this change is by pushing for an equality bill that would outlaw discrimination based on age. But legislation isnt the only way, she says. She thinks the government and local authorities can achieve much simply by guiding businesses away from no-kids zones and learning from other countries where families with young children are fast-tracked through queues at public places like museums and zoos. There may be other ways to compromise too. Barista Ahn Hee-yul says he has faced situations in a cafe he once worked for where parents appeared unable to keep their children from causing a nuisance, yet he appreciates the need to strike a balance between the needs of parents and non-parents. I suggest no-kids times, instead of no-kids zones, he said, suggesting that venues for instance allow children until 5 p.m., after which its adults only. In the end, theyre just kids. Its the best middle ground I could think of. This story was first published on CNN.com, "In country with worlds lowest fertility rate, doubts creep in about wisdom of no-kids zones" 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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"I just think that if I knew more about (fentanyl), I would know how to help my family and help my mom out," said Lelia, who was a Naperville Central High School sophomore when Susan's partner overdosed. "When I learned more about it, I was really surprised that I was not taught this in school." For the last two years, she has been studying fentanyl whenever she was in a class that gave her freedom to investigate a topic of her interest, and in her senior year she took a humanities course focused on achieving measurable results on an issue. What she learned about fentanyl and how she put it to use contributed to two bills passed by Illinois lawmakers this spring aimed at educating high school students about fentanyl and preventing tragic outcomes for those using it. One bill requires high schools to "provide instruction, study and discussion on the dangers of fentanyl" beginning with the 2024-25 school year. The other requires all schools to maintain a supply of opioid antagonists, including Narcan or naloxone. Both bills passed legislative chambers without any "nay" votes and are on the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, whose office said he will review them. "(Lelia) really thought about if it was up to her, what should every student in our state know about fentanyl in order to protect themselves and protect other people in the community," said Seth Brady, a social science teacher at Naperville Central who taught Lelia's humanities course. Lelia learned all she could about the synthetic opioid that accounts for a large portion of the roughly 3,000 people who die each year from opioids in Illinois. Ingesting just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Other drugs are often cut with fentanyl because of its potency and because it is cheap and easy to manufacture and transport, said Maryann Mason, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Many users think they are taking the right dosage of a drug or opioid without realizing the concoction contains a lethal dose of fentanyl. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that "in 2021, toxicology testing found that 89% of the opioid fatalities involved a synthetic opioid" which is a "pretty good representation of fentanyl," according to the department's website and an emailed response to questions by the Tribune. "The (opioid) supply in the Chicago area is mostly fentanyl, over 90% fentanyl," Dr. Wilnise Jasmin, medical director of the Bureau of Behavioral Health at the Chicago Department of Public Health, said. "And when it comes to educating the youth about it, I think it's important for them to know specifically that because of its potency that would place them at an increased risk of experiencing an overdose." On Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced charges against Luke Napolitano a 20-year-old Barrington man who this past December reportedly sold another 20-year-old man "drugs laced with fentanyl that caused his death," according to a news release from Raoul's office. "Fentanyl-laced drugs are incredibly dangerous and continue to wreak havoc in communities across our country," Raoul said in the news release Monday. Napolitano has been charged with one count of drug-induced homicide, a Class X felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Dr. Howard Kim, an emergency and addiction medicine physician and assistant professor who studies opioid overdose at Northwestern, said teens should be more aware that fentanyl may be present in many commonly used illicit drugs in order to make smart and well-informed decisions. "High schoolers have always used drugs going back many, many generations," Kim said. "It's just the fact now that these drugs are contaminated with fentanyl." The more Lelia Peradotti learned, the more she realized how much her classmates could benefit from being more aware of fentanyl's dangers. After speaking with experts at Stanford University about what could be done to make a difference, Lelia started reaching out to lawmakers with the idea she had settled on: an amendment to the school code. Lelia contacted the office of state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, a Naperville Democrat, and submitted her idea for a legislation change via email. "Our young adults need to know the dangers fentanyl poses," Rohr said. "This bipartisan legislation takes proactive and age-appropriate steps, by working with high schools to educate students about the dangers of fentanyl in a conducive learning environment." The bills Lelia advocated for are among several measures passed during the spring legislative session targeting fentanyl and drug overdose prevention. A different bill increases access to fentanyl test strips, while another also expands the education of drug overdose in schools. Last year, Pritzker signed a test strip bill similar to the one passed during this session and he also launched the Overdose Action Plan that "prioritizes outreach to and engagement with individuals who are at risk for both fatal and nonfatal overdose," according to the announcement in March of 2022. Lelia struggled to make sense of what happened to her mom's partner, a man with whom she had become close. Her lack of understanding about what caused his overdose only added to her confusion and pain. "I had never heard of fentanyl, and in my health class my teacher touched on it super, super lightly," Lelia said. "And then I had done a very, very small research paper in my AP literature class and that's when I was kind of like, 'Oh my gosh, this is something that really needs to be talked about and isn't being talked about, at least on a lower level.'" When she enrolled in her humanities class, she had the chance to study the drug with a focus on enacting real change in her community. By her senior year, she was testifying in front of lawmakers on behalf of the bills she helped draft. "Originally, I had not planned on passing two bills but I felt that it was the right way to go about it to take action on this problem," she said. The second bill is a smaller adjustment to the state's existing laws. Right now, schools may hold a supply of an opioid antagonist such as naloxone or Narcan. This amendment would change that "may" into a "shall," thus mandating schools maintain a supply of opioid overdose prevention drugs. "I certainly think that it could be one of the most consequential bills that we passed," said state Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, who represents Glendale Heights, referring to the recent legislative session. "If a $22 dollar dose of Narcan saves one child's life in this state then it's all worth it, it's the most significant bill we passed." Regional Medical Center trustees continue to wind down the hospitals financial obligations, with a main focus being on the closing of outstanding accounts payables. They are working towards settlements with each one of those vendors, hospital Director of Finance Julie Ulmer said during a recent meeting. It has kind of slowed down a little bit. I am not sure how much longer it will take us. We have done all the big things. We have made slower progress now, she said. The Medical University of South Carolina is leasing the Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties, taking over the operations of the local hospital. The existing RMC Board is still responsible for closing out and maintaining specific financial accounts, such as payroll obligations, fees and pending litigation matters. Under the lease agreement, MUSC has agreed to pay up to $23.6 million of RMC accounts payables with the excess liability the responsibility of RMC. Through June 1, MUSC has paid $16.1 million of the $23.6 million. Currently, the hospital has about an $8 million balance left on accounts payables. Ulmer said the $8 million is about $1 million over what MUSC has said they would pay, but hospital attorney Laura Evans said, We are going to get about $1 million back from the insurance reserve fund. That is a premium refund, Evans said. That should be coming probably in the next 30 to 45 days. Trustee William Johnson asked how the hospital is doing financially. We are good right now, Ulmer said. You have $12 million in the bank. Under the agreement with MUSC, the hospital will use all its remaining cash on hand in excess of $2 million to discharge a portion of its accounts payable. The remaining $2 million will be used to help pay former RMC CEO David Southerlands severance package, attorney fees, data migration from the hospital's current electronic record to MUSC's system, directors and officers insurance, board activities and accounting and auditing fees In other matters, Bylaws Committee Chairman Dr. Frank Coulter said the bylaws committee is waiting information from its attorney about the official board duties and responsibilities. Trustees agreed the mission and vision of the board has changed and that any bylaw revisions should take into consideration the board's change in mission, vision and values in order to better align with MUSC. In other business: New MUSC Health Orangeburg CEO Walter Bennett introduced himself to board members. Bennett comes to Orangeburg from Pelham Medical Center in Greer, which is part of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. For the past 16 years Bennett progressed from a business operations manager to division director of operations. Bennett earned his bachelors degree in biology from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2004 and his masters degree in health administration from MUSC in 2006. He graduated from Manning High School in 2000. The hospital's new Executive Director of Operations Sem Ganthier also introduced himself to trustees. Ganthier arrives to the area from Alexandria, Louisiana, where he served as Vice President of Operations at Rapides Regional Medical Center for nearly six years. Prior to that, Ganthier was the administrator of the Medical Service Line at Greenville, North Carolina's Vidant Medical Center. He received his bachelors degree in health administration in 2006 from the City University of New York - Herbert H. Lehman College; his masters of public administration in health administration in 2009 from Long Island University; and his doctor of health sciences in healthcare administration/management from Nova Southeastern University in 2016. The board entered into closed session to discuss board duties and responsibilities and the board's responsibility for RMCs financial obligations prior to MUSC Health taking over on March 1. The next board meeting is tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 28. Concord, NH -- The N.H. Preservation Alliances new Preservation Trades Workforce Development Initiative has received critical support, as one of the recently-announced list of 20 non-profit organizations receiving tax credits through the N.H. Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) in 2023. A recently-completed research project emphasized and clarified the Preservation Alliances concerns about moderate to severe workforce gaps in the historic preservation trades and the need to grow and diversify the sector. The tax credits will help provide needed investment to support three campaigns directed at matching students to employers and historic buildings in need of work. In addition to direct benefits to these people and places, the Preservation Alliance will be investigating how to replicate and scale these models, and connect to new sources of funding that have not yet been available to this aspect of the construction field. Nearly everything that we do with old buildings, downtowns and village centers is predicated on access to a cohort of skilled craftspeople, said Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the Preservation Alliance. Rehabilitation work conserves energy, and keeps more money circulating in local economies than new construction. It also helps revive and sustain the character of our communities that draw young people, visitors and businesses, she added. Organizations awarded Tax Credit resources have demonstrated a strong commitment to their communities, commented Katy Easterly Martey, CDFAs Executive Director. These community builders are driving positive, long-lasting change in New Hampshire. These past few years have underscored New Hampshires reliance on its nonprofit infrastructure. We need a strong, effective nonprofit network with the capacity to support our communities and envision, create, and implement broad-based community economic development projects. Grants made to organizations are in the form of tax equity. New Hampshire businesses support the selected projects by purchasing the tax credits, resulting in the nonprofit receiving a donation and the company receiving a 75 percent New Hampshire state tax credit against that contribution. The credit can be applied against the Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, or Insurance Premium. To learn more about the project and/or purchasing tax credits, contact Maggie Stier at the Preservation Alliance (603-224-2281 or [email protected]). The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization that strengthens communities and local economies by supporting and encouraging the revitalization and protection of historic buildings and places. For more information on workshops, technical assistance and financial resources, visit www.nhpreservation.org or call 603-224-2281. The Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) is a statewide nonprofit public authority focused on maximizing the value and impact of community development, economic development, and clean energy initiatives throughout New Hampshire. The organization leverages a variety of financial and technical resources, including the competitive deployment of grant, loan, and equity programs. Those resources include New Hampshire state tax credits, federal Community Development Block Grant resources and the CDFA Clean Energy Fund. For more information about CDFA, its programs and this new list of grantees, visit www.nhcdfa.org or call 603-226-2170. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). A proposed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple location, announced in March, is causing controversy amongst Codyites as well as between residents and city officials. Debate has been growing since the location of the temple, which would be Wyomings third, was announced and culminated in a June 15 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting in Cody. For LDS members, temples are the most sacred places on Earth, and only confirmed members are allowed inside once the temple is dedicated. There are several similarities between Caspers temple and Codys proposed temple. They are alike in number of ordinance rooms (three, according to churchofjesuschristtemples.org), square footage and elevation. The biggest difference, however, is the type of location they are in. Land for the temple was given to the LDS church by Cody resident Glenn Nielson, whose grandfather, also named Glenn Nielson, founded Husky Oil. Said land is on Skyline Drive, very close to residential neighborhoods and situated in a rural residential zone. That a temple would be coming was announced in October 2021. It would be the only house of worship in Cody to be built in such a zone. There is one church that resides in an R1 (single-family residential) zone, Terry Skinner, Cody resident and member of Preserve Our Cody Neighborhoods, a group in opposition to the temples proposed location, said. Caspers site is just off of Wyoming Boulevard next to restaurants, businesses and a school in a commercial business zone, the Star-Tribune reported in January. Not only is the actual building considered holy, much more so than a meetinghouse (weekly place of worship), so is the way the church is led when choosing the next place to build a temple. There isnt like a calculus that says this is where the church is going to choose the location, Beth Worthen, communications director for the Casper Stake of the Church, said in January. It really is church leadership, and we believe (in) receiving revelation from Jesus Christ. Many of the members of the neighborhood group say that they are not opposed to the presence of an LDS temple in their city, just not at the location its planned for. This has never been about the LDS faith, Skinner said. We want to make that very, very clear. Its simply about the site that was selected is simply a poor site. Members of the LDS church in Cody view the temple with optimism and excitement, noting that they currently have to travel to Billings to worship at a temple. When the Cody Temple construction was announced, my reaction was both stunned shock and indescribable joy, Noma Walton, an LDS member who lives on the same street as the planned location, said in a statement provided to the Star-Tribune. I am especially thrilled that the temple will be built so close to my home. I have no doubt that the beauty, serenity and peace of this building and grounds will permeate and bless my neighborhood and the entire Big Horn Basin. At a nearly six-hour Planning and Zoning Board Meeting on June 15, supporters and opponents of the proposed temple met to debate whether or not the temple should be built in that spot in Cody, the Powell Tribune reported. Concerns centered on a couple of things: The location of the site, situated close to residential neighborhoods; The height of the steeple, which was proposed for 101 feet by city planner Todd Stowell; Light pollution spilling over onto residents homes and properties; Increased traffic along Skyline Drive; and Views of Codys natural landscapes obstructed. The city has a 30-foot limit on building height in rural residential zones. Stowells proposal for the steeple, which would rise to 101 feet, is that since the first floor of the temple would be occupied (the temple plans say that the building will only be one floor), and since the other 71 feet of the steeple is unoccupied space, that it doesnt count towards the height restriction. Stowell is also a member of the LDS church, which opponents claim is causing a bias. (City Attorney Scott Kolpitcke said that it does not, since state law defines conflicts of interest as relating to material gain, a story from the Powell Tribune noted.) At the meeting, the Planning & Zoning Board voted to: Not pass the height interp retation (Stowells proposal); Table the height exemption (the steeple height in an area limited by a 30-foot rule); Pass the fence height waiver (the fence is allowed to be 6 feet high on part of the grounds) Table the commercial site application plan (a commercial building in a rural residential zone); and Pass the conditional use permit. Id say that all of these problems stem from the location choice, Carla Egelhoff, another Cody resident and member of Preserve Our Cody Neighborhoods, said. Thats the bottom line. A different location, a different zone, and all this controversy would dissipate instantly. Preserve Our Cody Neighborhoods did a petition drive and collected 962 signatures in favor of the temple being built at a different location. They then put where those signatures came from into a density map with pins, which was provided to the Star-Tribune. The majority of the signatures came from in and around the neighborhood that the temple is supposed to be in. Moreover, Skinner said, the temple as proposed does not follow, and has not been following, the Cody Master Plan, a 5-year long study from 2009-2014 that involved more than 1,700 respondents and developed goals to preserve the natural beauty and character of the city. One of the foundational things to the Cody Master Plan is that there should always be a cooperative approach between institutions or businesses wanting to develop land and the community, Skinner said. But, he said, there was very little communication between the applicant (the Church) and the residents. According to Skinner, nearly 600 days elapsed between the announcement that Cody was going to have a temple and the first proposed neighborhood meeting by the Church. In our viewpoint, and that of many, many people who spoke in opposition on Thursday night, it does not follow that Cody Master Plan, Skinner said. The temple was announced for that location on March 13. Thats when Skinner, along with other residents, got involved. I was making almost weekly trips down to the City Hall trying to glean any information that was available at that time (through April), Skinner said. Residents didnt see proposed plans until May 5. Prior to that, nothing had been made available or communicated to the nearby neighborhoods, he said. Skinner claims the extreme lack of communication to involve the neighborhoods was intentional. When asked when she heard of the plans, Egelhoff replied, Well, I didnt find out before Terry did. In a statement provided to the Star-Tribune, Stake President for the Cody Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Andy Jacobsen said that one of the Churchs biggest goals is to be neighborly. We express our sincere appreciation to city officials for allowing us to participate in the process for the proposed construction of the Cody Wyoming Temple, he said. We reaffirm our commitment to following this process and being good neighbors within our community. The topics that were tabled during the June 15 meeting will be revisited during another meeting on June 27, set to begin at 11 a.m. A plan to share stewardship of Yellowstone National Parks bison between tribes and federal agencies is being proposed by a Montana bison advocacy group. Buffalo Field Campaigns executive director, James Holt Sr., a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, mailed a letter on June 16 to 31 tribes proposing a summit in November at Fort Hall, Idaho, to discuss the idea. The time has come for Tribal Nations to come together, to share our hearts and unite on behalf of Yellowstone Buffalo, Holt wrote. The group said in a press release that including tribes in bison management would be the beginning of true reparations for the long-standing practice of cultural genocide, or ethnocide, that is still being perpetuated by the cattle industry to preserve their monopoly on public lands forage in the West. The statement goes on to specifically target the Montana Department of Livestock for its involvement in bison management, the only wildlife species in the state overseen by the agency. And more Dallas Gudgell, who sits on the Buffalo Field Campaign board and is a member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, said the gathering and bison proposal is a first step toward an even larger objective tribal co-stewardship that also includes wolves and grizzly bears, with the goal of increasing protections for the keystone species. The group is hoping that a growing recognition of traditional ecological knowledge will provide momentum, Gudgell said, despite the obvious headwinds the group will face from state officials. The Buffalo Field Campaign was founded in 1997 by Mike Mease and Lakota elder Rosalie Little Thunder. The proposal to co-manage wildlife species has come as tribal voices have been elevated at the nonprofit, Gudgell said. After founding the nonprofit, Mease spent the next 12 years living in a tepee near Yellowstones West Entrance as he fought through litigation, advocacy and education to protect park bison from shipment to slaughter. At issue In his letter, Holt called the current management of Yellowstone bison politicized. Montana manages the species unlike any other wildlife because they may carry brucellosis, a disease that can cause pregnant cattle to abort. As a result, bison are allowed to roam only so far outside of Yellowstone in Montana before being killed or herded back into the park. Elk, which also carry brucellosis, are not similarly managed, although the state does track infections and attempts to keep elk and cattle separate in the spring. Scientists believe the disease is most easily transferred from an infected pregnant animals birthing tissue and fluids. Spring is when elk and bison give birth to their calves. Yellowstone officials, under a court-mediated settlement with Montana in 2000, agreed to reduce bison populations to limit their presence outside the park. To that end, the National Park Service captured Yellowstone bison and shipped them to slaughter for years, with the meat provided to cooperating tribes. The framework for the program was outlined under the Interagency Bison Management Plan, or IBMP. In 2005, the state of Montana began allowing limited bison hunting on public lands outside the park. The following year, the state recognized the Nez Perce Tribes treaty rights to hunt Yellowstone bison. At the time, then Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath said the state wasnt granting the Nez Perce the right to hunt. Instead, Montana was pre-empted by superior federal law from interfering with the rights certain tribes have from their treaties with the United States. Transfer More recently, Yellowstone officials have moved away from shipping bison to slaughter and are instead capturing bison for brucellosis testing. This winter, 282 bison were segregated for the program. Bison that pass repeated tests while in quarantine are eventually allowed to be shipped to the Fort Peck Tribe. From there the bison can be trucked to tribal partners through whats called the Bison Conservation Transfer Program. Montana will not allow the transport of live bison that have not completed quarantine protocols, unless they are going to slaughter. Since 2019, the Bison Conservation Transfer Program sent about 300 Yellowstone bison to 23 tribes in 12 states. Although the Park Service reduced its shipments of bison to slaughter, this past winter members of eight tribes shot around 1,100 bison that migrated outside the parks boundaries (hunting is not allowed inside the park). In all including hunting, culling and wounding loss the Park Service estimated the loss of bison this winter at around 2,300 animals. Yellowstones fall bison population was estimated at about 6,000 animals. Tribes must not settle for 6,000 wild buffalo when management should target populations of 50,000 or more, Holt wrote. Tribes must not settle for a few thousand barren acres outside Yellowstone National Park, when buffalo should have access to 8 million adjacent acres of suitable habitat on open and unclaimed federal lands. The unclaimed federal lands Holt referred to are mostly Forest Service acreage adjoining Yellowstone. In Montana, that would include portions of the 1.8 million-acre Custer Gallatin National Forest to the north and west of the park. Adding another wrinkle to the whole discussion, Yellowstones wild bison are being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency cited several reasons for providing protection, including: loss of migration routes, lack of tolerance for bison outside Yellowstone National Park, and habitat loss. Memo Included with Holts invitation to tribal leaders was a memo outlining Buffalo Field Campaigns legal basis for its idea. The memo pointed to Interior Secretary Deb Haalands order in March recognizing the importance of wild bison restoration on prairie grasslands through collaboration among state and federal agencies, landowners and tribes. Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. Haalands order was criticized in March by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. In a letter to the secretary, Gianforte said, Montana is a sovereign entity that exercises full authority over the management of bison within its borders. The utter lack of meaningful engagement from USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and NPS (U.S. National Park Service), and now the issuance of S.O. 3410, seems to demonstrate DOIs ill-advised and predecisional commitment to forcing any bison agenda it sees fit. His letter goes on to call the parks bison diseased and the animals increasing population as leading the Yellowstone ecosystem into ecological crisis. In May, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle obtained documents showing the National Park Service was concerned in 2022 that Montana may litigate if Yellowstone bison were not vaccinated and aggressively culled toward a target population of 3,000 animals. In 2016, bison were named the national mammal, further elevating discussions and work to preserve and restore a species that for thousands of years was essential to Native Americans livelihood on the Great Plains. The animals were nearly extirpated by Euro-Americans in the 1800s before conservation actions were undertaken. Yellowstones bison are a result of that conservation success, one of the few herds to remain relatively wild. Their genetics are also valued because they have only a tiny percentage less than 1% of cattle genes, a remnant of ranchers attempts to crossbreed the animals in the early 1900s. Treaties Treaty rights granted to tribes through agreements with Congress are at the center of the tribal push. Tribes have the legal authority to assert the implicit right of habitat protection for Yellowstone Buffalo under Treaty laws that are acknowledged as the supreme law of the land, the memo from Buffalo Field Campaign stated. Tribes can and should insist upon the recovery of the migratory species in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem where theyve become functionally extinct due to State and federal government actions. The argument is based on tribal sovereignty, the right of Native Americans to govern themselves. States have no authority over tribes unless authorized by Congress. However, in 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court expanded states authority to prosecute nonnative people who commit crimes against a native person on tribal lands. Buffalo Field Campaign is arguing that sharing management of bison would lay the foundation for true cultural reparations for the numerous tribes who negotiated treaties with the U.S. government in good faith in the 19th Century. After studying Buffalo Field Campaigns first announcement of its plans, Kekek Stark, a law professor at the University of Montana, said in February the groups arguments are legitimate. In comparing BFCs legal contentions to Northwest tribes claims regarding salmon fishing, Stark said, If a regulation is restrictive of treaty rights it must be necessary for conservation purposes. Holt wrote, A holistic co-stewardship model would be ecosystem-wide, population-based, honor treaty-reserved rights, continue to facilitate on-reservation restoration via the Ft. Peck Program, be co-created among tribal sovereigns, and respect the participation of all 28 Yellowstone-affiliated tribes. Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly had no comment on the proposal. When asked about the tension the plan would cause with states surrounding Yellowstone and involved in the Interagency Bison Management Plan, Gudgell said Montana had disqualified itself from buffalo management based on its past actions. The IBMP is not working and hasnt worked for quite some time, he said. Wyoming man dies in Iowa penitentiary A Wyoming inmate died Friday at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa, officials said. Scott Bailey was housed there following a compassionate transfer in 2014, the Wyoming Department of Corrections announced Monday. On Nov. 29, 1982, Bailey was convicted of first-degree murder by Judge McEwan in Sheridan County District Court, the statement said. He was born in Minnesota on Dec. 4, 1960. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of Baileys death, the statement said. No additional information will be released, as the Wyoming Department of Corrections does not release protected health information, the statement said. The North Antelope Rochelle Mine is expected to resume loading trains by Tuesday, and six injured employees have been released from the hospital after a tornado ripped through the largest American coal production site located 60 miles south of Gillette, officials said. The tornado was rated at EF2 according to the National Weather Service office in Rapid City. There was additional tornado damage near Clareton but its unknown if it was caused by the same twister that struck North Antelope Rochelle. Other parts of the mine will require power line restoration before they can return to operation, Peabody Energy, owner of North Antelope Rochelle Mine, said in a statement. Rail cars that were blown over and derailed in the storm will need to be recovered. On Friday night, the Campbell County Fire Department responded to a report of a tornado that struck the west side of the mine site shortly after 6 p.m. Officials performed search-and-rescue operations and contained various hazardous materials that leaked because of the weather conditions, the Campbell County Fire Department said in a statement. Four chiefs and 19 firefighters from Campbell, eight firefighters from Douglas along with a dozen other agencies responded to the catastrophe. Seven people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Campbell County spokeswoman Leslie Perkins said in a statement. Of those, five people were transported to Campbell County Health, one person was transported to Campbell County Memorial Hospital, and the remaining individual refused medical services. [A]ll six people they received for treatment were expected to be treated and released, Perkins said. All injuries reported were non-life threatening. The remaining employees were transported to Gillette on buses loaned from the Campbell County School District, and efforts were made to get employees who live in Casper and Douglas home, too, Perkins said. The North Antelope Rochelle Mine was the largest coal production site in the US as of 2021 manufacturing 62,799,005 short tons or close to 11% of the entire countrys coal, the US Energy Information Administration states. Power and gas were shut off after the tornado ripped through the mine Friday night, and operations were suspended until facility damages could be fully assessed, Peabody Energy said in a statement. By Saturday, the North Antelope Rochelle Mine workforce began the process of returning partial operations at the site, Peabody Energy said in a statement. Crews are focusing on restoring the train loading dock and the north facility, where some power has already been restored, the statement said. Peabody is coordinating with local authorities to ensure mine operations are restored as quickly and safely as possible, the statement said. We are grateful that all injured personnel have been released from the hospital; the health and safety of our people is our top priority at Peabody. Friday saw tornado watches in 11 Wyoming counties from Sheridan to Laramie counties. Watches were also in effect in southeastern Montana, parts of northeastern Colorado and eastern Nebraska. The National Weather Service office in Riverton told the Star-Tribune as of Monday morning there were four tornadoes reported in its coverage area along with a landspout near Little America but that they were still going through reports. (CNN) As a remotely operated robot maps out the debris field from the fatal Titan submersible implosion, investigators will be reviewing voice recordings from the mother ship that carried the vessel and its five occupants on its journey to the site of the Titanic wreckage, officials said. Canadian investigators boarded the ship, the Polar Prince, on Saturday to collect information from the vessels voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information, Kathy Fox, chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, said Saturday. The crew and family members were also being interviewed aboard the Polar Prince, which returned to St. Johns, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, with its flags at half-mast Saturday. The agencys mission isnt to assign blame, but rather find out what happened and why and to find out what needs to change to reduce the chance or the risk of such occurrences in the future, Fox said. A voyage data recorder stores audio from the ships bridge. The content of those voice recordings could be useful in our investigation, Fox said. The move is the latest in an expanding international investigation into the implosion, which killed all five people who were aboard the submersible during its descent to the Titanic shipwreck Sunday. Military experts found debris in the ocean about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic consistent with the loss of the small vessels pressure chamber, US Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said. Those killed were Stockton Rush, CEO of the vessels operator OceanGate Expeditions; British businessman Hamish Harding; French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet; and Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, who were British citizens. Communications between the submersible and its mother ship will also likely be scrutinized. The ship could communicate with the submersible by text messages, and its required to communicate every 15 minutes, according to the archived website of OceanGate Expeditions. Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is looking into whether criminal, federal, or provincial laws may possibly have been broken. Theres no suspicion of criminal activity per se, but the RCMP is taking initial steps to assess whether or not we will go down that road, RCMP Superintendent Kent Osmond said at a Saturday press briefing, adding the agency investigates all reportable offshore deaths. OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein urged people not to rush judgment over the implosion. There are teams on site that are still going to be collecting data for the next few days, weeks, maybe months, and its going to be a long time before we know exactly what happened down there, Sohnlein told CNN on Friday. So I would encourage us to hold off on speculation until we have more data to go on. The US Coast Guard, which was involved in the dayslong search and rescue operation, is also investigating the implosion, along with the National Transportation Safety Board. Remotely operated vehicles will continue to gather information from the sea floor, Mauger, the US Coast Guard Rear Admiral, said Thursday. The vehicles will work to map out the vessels debris field, which is more than 2 miles deep in the North Atlantic, Mauger said. Five different major pieces of debris from the submersible were found Thursday morning, officials said. 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. ROV missions are expected to continue for about another week, according to Jeff Mahoney, spokesperson for Pelagic Research Services, a company that specializes in ocean expedition. Any attempts to recover anything from the debris field will warrant a larger operation in tandem with Deep Energy, another company helping with the mission, because the debris will likely be too heavy for Pelagics ROV to lift by itself, Mahoney told CNN on Friday. The recovery efforts would include using rigged cabling to pull up any debris. Questions about Titans design The multinational investigation comes amid mounting questions about the Titans design. A CNN review of OceanGates marketing material, public statements made by Rush and court records show that even as the company touted a commitment to safety measures, it rejected industry standards that would have imposed greater scrutiny on its operations and vessels. The company strayed from industry norms by declining a voluntary, rigorous safety review of the vessel, according to an industry leader. And when submersible expert Karl Stanley was aboard the Titan for an underseas excursion off the coast of the Bahamas in April 2019, he felt there was something wrong with the vessel when loud noises were heard and sent an email to Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, sounding the alarm on suspected defects. What we heard, in my opinion sounded like a flaw/defect in one area being acted on by the tremendous pressures and being crushed/damaged, Stanley wrote in the email, a copy of which has been obtained by CNN. From the intensity of the sounds, the fact that they never totally stopped at depth, and the fact that there were sounds at about 300 feet that indicated a relaxing of stored energy /would indicate that there is an area of the hull that is breaking down/ getting spongy, Stanley continued. When asked for comment about Stanleys email, a spokesman for OceanGate told CNN they were unable to provide any additional information at this time. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Voice recordings and data from the mother ship that carried the Titan submersible before it imploded will be examined, investigators say." When it came time to say goodbye, Doolarie Badree just could not do it. The ailing mother cried, begged, wailed and bought time until, in the end, she let go of the daughter she could no longer care for. So that afternoon, her child, Renuca Badree, was taken from the home she had never left in all her 47 years of life. REMINISCING: President Christine Kangaloo addresses the Grant Memorial Presbyterian School graduation at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church on Friday. During her address, President Kangaloo referred to the photo on display of her on her graduation day from the school receiving her scroll from the then-principal, MacDonald Tikasingh. With concerns rising that more than 100 Venezuelan migrants who were held at a bar in St Jam 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. strategy session: In a screen shot from yesterdays public briefing, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine admits that the conversation in a leaked audio tape did in fact take place more than a year ago. Journalists were not invited to the briefing. In the background are other members of the Assembly. prominent role: Marcus Girdharie, a former UNC councillor who defected to the PNM, waves as he was presented as the candidate for his old seat, Marabella/Vistabella, during the PNMs presentation of candidates at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, yesterday. Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY Emmanuel Cario, centre, a patient at Mt Hope hospital cuts the ribbon at the unveiling of the Mobile Blood Donation Unit, which was presented to the Ministry of Health by the Peoples Republic of China at Amphitheatre B, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Champs Fleurs. From left are Davlin Thomas, NCRHA CEO; Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh; Dr Kenneth Charles of The UWI Blood Donor Soceity; Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne; and Chinese Ambassador to T&T, His Excellency Fang Qiu. Photo: ROBERT TAYLOR Hong Kong (CNN) China has voiced support for Russia after a short-lived insurrection posed the gravest challenge to the 23-year rule of Vladimir Putin, a close partner of Chinese leader Xi Jinping in his push for a new world order and strategic alignment against the US. A day after Wagner mercenary fighters turned back from their march toward Moscow, ending a brief and chaotic uprising by warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, Beijing released its first comment on what Putin had called an armed rebellion. This is Russias internal affair, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a terse statement posted online late on Sunday night. As Russias friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, it said. Beijings carefully crafted public comment came well after the brief mutiny had dissipated, with Prigozhin agreeing on Saturday to pull back his fighters in a deal with the Kremlin that would reportedly see him enter into exile in Belarus. It also came after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko flew to Beijing to meet with Chinese officials on Sunday, where the two sides reaffirmed their close partnership and political trust. Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Rudenko exchanged views on Sino-Russian relations and international and regional issues of common concern, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a one-line statement posted on its website, with a photo showing the pair walking side by side while smiling. Russias Foreign Ministry said Rudenko also held scheduled consultations with Chinas Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24, and reaffirmed its interest in strengthening the unity and further prosperity of Russia, the Russian ministry said in a statement. According to the Chinese readout, Ma told Rudenko that under the leadership of Xi and Putin, the mutual political trust and cooperation between China and Russia had grown continuously. Under the complex and grim international situation, it is necessary to follow the important consensus reached by the two leaders, communicate in a timely manner, ensure the stable and long-term relationship between the two countries, and safeguard the common interests of both sides, Ma was quoted as saying. Xi, Chinas most authoritarian and powerful leader in decades, has developed a close personal rapport with Putin over their shared ambition to challenge the US-led global order. The two autocratic leaders declared a friendship with no limits in February 2022, shortly before Putin launched his war on Ukraine. Despite its claims of neutrality, China has refused to condemn the invasion and instead provided much-needed diplomatic and economic support for Russia, a position that has alarmed Western nations, especially in Europe. As the devastating war drags on, Beijing has sought to portray itself as a peace broker in an effort to repair relations with Europe but it has also continued to deepen ties with Moscow. In March, Xi and Putin made a sweeping affirmation of their alignment across a host of issues and shared mistrust of the United States during the Chinese leaders first visit to Russia since the invasion. Right now there are changes the likes of which we havent seen for 100 years and we are the ones driving these changes together, Xi told Putin as they bid farewell at the door of the Kremlin. Three months on, the co-driving force for Xis vision has seen his grip on power severely challenged by an extraordinary show of defiance, shattering the veneer of total control the Russian leader has struggled to maintain. Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist with the Australia National Universitys Taiwan Studies Program, said the Wagner insurrection contradicts the narrative of Putin as a strong leader who enjoys full support of his people, and is here for the long haul as Chinas global partner of choice. If Putins rule is unstable, then supporting him is bad business, he said. Putins weakened grip was not lost on even the most hawkish and nationalistic Chinese scholars and commentators. Although Russias nightmare came to an end temporarily yesterday, this incident will definitely hurt Russia and Putins image, Jin Canrong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing, wrote Sunday on Weibo, where the Wagner insurrection was a top trending topic over the weekend. Jin, a government adviser known for his fiercely anti-US rhetoric, described the rapid turn of events as surreal. It is very dangerous for a country to support and keep such a large non-state military group this lesion may break out at any time, he wrote. Commenting on Twitter Saturday before Prigozhin aborted his insurrection, Hu Xijin, the former editor of the nationalist Global Times, said the armed rebellion has made the Russian political situation cross the tipping point. Regardless of his outcome, Russia cannot return to the country it was before the rebellion anymore, he said in the Tweet, which was later deleted. About a week ago, I wrote about a friend who was robbed on Stanmore Avenue. That was a Frida An 88-year-old woman was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash Saturday on Tucson's southwest side, authorities say. Nadeen Montez was driving a 2015 Nissan Versa west on West Irvington Place about 5 p.m. when she ran a stop sign at South Mission Road, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. Her vehicle was struck by a northbound 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. Montez was killed in the collision, the release said. The driver of the pickup truck fled after the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 or 88CRIME.org, to leave an anonymous tip. Tucson Unified School District will offer four opportunities in July for children to receive back-to-school immunizations at no cost. Parents must be present for children younger than 18. All recommended vaccines as well as COVID-19 vaccines for children, ages 5 and older, will be available. Insurance will be billed, or vaccines will be provided at no cost for those who are uninsured, TUSD says. Bring picture IDs, insurance cards and immunization records. The clinics will be: July 11, a Tuesday, 1-5 p.m., at Catalina Family Resource Center, 3645 E. Pima St. July 13, a Thursday, 1-5 p.m., Menlo Family Resource Center, 1100 W. Fresno St. July 18, a Tuesday, 1-5 p.m., Palo Verde Family Resource Center, 1302 S. Avenida Vega (entrance off of 22nd Street parking lot). July 20, a Thursday, 1-5 p.m., Southwest Family Resource Center, 6855 S. Mark Road Dr. Kylie Cooper chokes up thinking about the patients she left behind in Idaho. One who often comes to mind is Kayla Smith. Smith said she chose to end a desperately wanted pregnancy last year after discovering her fetus had potentially deadly heart defects and other problems. But Idaho banned nearly all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, so Smith had to go to Washington state. Cooper felt deeply saddened she couldnt care for her the way she normally would have. And this is one of the reasons Cooper, a maternal-fetal specialist, moved in April to Minnesota, which has broad abortion rights. Obviously it was a very difficult decision for me and my family, she said. But they needed to be where we felt that reproductive health care was protected and safe. Post-Roe, many maternal care doctors in restrictive states face the same stark choice: Stay or go? They must weigh tough questions about medical ethics, their own families and whether they can provide the best care without risking their careers or even winding up in prison. They know a lot is at stake for patients, too, due to current and projected widespread maternal care shortages in the U.S. Some doctors make a different choice than Cooper. OB-GYN Dr. Alecia Fields moved back to her native Kentucky around the time news first leaked about the Supreme Courts ruling. She practices in a conservative rural county and can no longer provide abortions part-time in Louisville like she once did. Fields feels an intense connection to her state and hopes to foster change from within. Nationally, 44% of counties had low or no access to obstetric providers, according to a 2022 March of Dimes report based on data gathered before the Supreme Court ruling. That figures jump to more than 50% in Kentucky, Idaho and some other states with restrictive abortion laws. Federal projections show a widening gulf between supply and demand for OB-GYNs nationally through 2035. And among the 24 states that have taken steps to restrict abortion, all but Ohio will see an even bigger need by then, according to The Associated Press' analysis of the federal data. Abortion restrictions, combined with the challenges of practicing in rural areas, threaten to expand so-called maternal care deserts," said Dr. Amy Domeyer-Klenske, who chairs the Wisconsin section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This won't just affect people seeking abortions, said McKay Cunningham, who teaches reproductive rights and constitutional law at the College of Idaho. It has ramifications that really just affect every woman, every family, that wants to have children. Staying in Kentucky As the midday sun glistened on Lake Cumberland, Fields knelt down to feed her backyard chickens. She and her husband, who is a stay-at-home dad, bought a house and barn on three acres to raise their two little boys. Thats how Fields, 36, grew up shuttling from her parents house in Lexington to her grandparents house in the country. You could just run and go anywhere and play anywhere, she said. Everybody kind of knew each other, came over for Sunday dinners and it just had a real warm feeling to it. At the University of Kentucky and later in medical school, Fields became an advocate for reproductive rights. She served on the board of Medical Students for Choice and learned abortion care during her residency in Rochester, New York. When she worked at a health center in Indianapolis, she drove to Louisville monthly to provide abortions at Planned Parenthood. Then last spring, she got a job offer from a health center in Somerset, Kentucky. It was a chance to serve a county where nearly 1 in 5 people live in poverty and some drive an hour or two for care. But Fields said the abortion decision leak brought up a lot of fears and made her wonder: What is this going to mean on the ground? Am I going to be criminalized? She decided to risk it. The idea of not being able to help them the way that I should was just was terrifying. Dr. Kylie Cooper, of the patients she left behind in Idaho Now, she tries to provide the best care possible given the limitations. She said her goal is to create a really safe space thats very open-ended, where patients can share whether their pregnancies are planned, how they feel about them and what they want to do. If necessary, she can point them toward information on out-of-state abortion providers and travel funds. She can also prescribe birth control and offer permanent sterilization something more of her patients are seeking. Fields displays her love for Kentucky on her dining room shelves, where she's placed a wooden cutout and colorful picture in the shape of the state, a horse statue and the framed saying home sweet home. She envisions staying for a long time and caring for generations of local families. I want to be settled, she said. To kind of put down roots and build on them. Leaving Idaho Cooper, like Fields, wanted to practice where she was needed and make a huge impact." She moved to Boise in 2018, and the job proved extremely rewarding. She handled the toughest cases, shepherding some women through loss and helping others welcome healthy babies despite serious pregnancy complications. She made deep connections with patients, families and coworkers. Her family loved Idaho. She and her husband, also a stay-at-home dad, lived in a great neighborhood and had a group of friends. The kids, 9 and 6, did well in school. We just had a good life, Cooper, 39, said. We had no plans to leave. That changed after Idaho banned abortion. Under state law, doctors who perform the procedure can be charged with a felony and have their medical license revoked. For some of Coopers patients, abortion was the best option and the only way to preserve life and health. The idea of not being able to help them the way that I should was just was terrifying, she said. A new poll by KFF, a nonprofit that does health care research, found 61% of OB-GYNs in states with abortion bans say they are very or somewhat concerned about their own legal risk when making decisions about patient care and whether abortions are necessary. Cooper's family is now settling into a new house in Minnesota. They're still unpacking. Theyre figuring out new schedules and looking for new friends. Basically, Cooper said, were trying to find what we had in Idaho. On June 18, Baha'is mark the 40th anniversary of a tragic event that deeply impacted us. Ten courageous women were unjustly hanged in Shiraz, Iran, for their belief in the Baha'i Faith and commitment to gender equality, unity in diversity, and peace. As Iranian-American Baha'is, we fled Iran due to persecution faced by Baha'is, Iran's largest non-Muslim minority. This commemoration holds profound significance, reminding us of the miscarriage of justice and our struggles. Ms. Simin Fahandej of the International Baha'i Community states that the story of these ten women continues to resonate, reflecting the unwavering spirit and sacrifices of Iranian women in their pursuit of equality. Today, as countless Iranian women strive for justice, echoes of the injustice suffered by the ten women in Shiraz can be heard. To honor their memory, the International Baha'i Community launching the #OurStoryIsOne campaign on June 18 on Twitter. Many representatives from the US, European Parliament, and NGOs have shown support through videos and statements, emphasizing the importance of gender equality. Foaad Haghighi Midtown Independence Day festivities 6/30, Bixby Freedom Celebration Bentley Park, 8505 E. 148th St. The annual Bixby Freedom Celebration is a free, community-wide event held the Friday before July 4. There will be a variety of food vendors, and a patriotic program will incorporate a public swearing-in ceremony of new military recruits. 7/1, Claremore Fireworks Spectacular Claremore Lake, East Blue Starr Drive Claremore will host its annual fireworks display at Claremore Lake on Saturday, July 1. Music, concessions and more will be available leading up to the fireworks show. The popular kids fishing derby will be held the morning of July 4. 7/1, New Orleans Square Block Party 701 E. 101st St., Broken Arrow The New Orleans Square Block Party, held at the New Orleans Square shopping center in Broken Arrow, is a family-friendly event will feature a car show, kids zone, live music, food trucks, merchandise vendors and a grand finale firework show. See the square's Facebook page for more information. 7/2, Fire on the Water CrossTimbers Marina, 12301 CrossTimbers Marina Drive, Sperry The sky over Skiatook Lake will light up with the annual Fire on the Water fireworks display. Boat owners can decorate their crafts with colorful lights and take part in the Boat Parade. crosstimbersmarina.com 7/3, Fourth on the Third VanTrease PACE, TCC Southeast Campus, 10300 E. 81st St. The Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College presents its annual patriotic concert in an outdoor setting. signaturesymphony.org 7/4, Folds of Honor FreedomFest River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave.; and Dream Keepers Park, 1875 S. Boulder Ave. This event features live music, inflatables, family picnics and fireworks along the Arkansas River. Fireworks are shot from the 21st Street Bridge. freedomfesttulsa.com 7/4-7/5, Tulsa Drillers Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza ONEOK Field, 201 N. Elgin Ave. The Tulsa Drillers take on the Wichita Wind Surge with massive fireworks displays planned. The games are at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, July 4-5. 7/4, Jenks Boomfest 300 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks This annual event at the Riverwalk offers a full day of family fun, including live music, food and more. The Oklahoma Aquarium will offer a front-row view to watch the show with paid admission. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. 7/4, Red, White and BOOM Owasso Golf and Athletic Club, 13604 E. 84th St. North, Owasso Owassos annual Independence Day celebration, Red, White and BOOM, is typically visible city-wide, and the fireworks will be accompanied by patriotic music that will be broadcast on KYFM-100.1 FM. The pre-show is packed with food trucks, bounce houses and more at Redbud Festival Park. 7/4, Duck Creek Fireworks Arrowhead Yacht Club & Marina, 32888 S. 4507 Road, Afton The Duck Creek Fireworks show has been a Grand Lake tradition since 1946. A fly-over by the WWII War Birds and F-16s will provide even more excitement to this annual event. duckcreekfireworksok.com The first questions from teachers at the first Eva K. Unterman Conference for Holocaust Educators in Tulsa were rooted in fear. Robust conversations come out of studying difficult parts of history, and that now scares some Oklahoma public school teachers. I want to take this back to the classroom, but what if one parent hears something they dont like, complains and then everything happens? asked a high school teacher. We all have questions in the back of our minds on how to incorporate these lessons. I have the same problem teaching the Tulsa Race Massacre, another said. How do we present facts without potentially offending people today? This is the chilling effect from the passage of House Bill 1775, promises from State Superintendent Ryan Walters to revoke the certifications of woke teachers, and accreditation downgrades from the state school board on the Tulsa and Mustang school districts. After years of advocacy on the part of Holocaust education supporters, the Legislature in 2022 passed a law that added Holocaust education to the the state curriculum for grades six to 12. About 210 teachers voluntarily attended Tulsa and Oklahoma City workshops to learn about how to teach this curriculum. Thats an example of how educators use their time off to improve lessons for students. But at the Tulsa workshop, I heard and felt teachers nervousness about getting into the substantive issues that often lead to conversations around bigotry, propaganda, discrimination and authoritative governments. Teachers worry about accidentally stumbling upon something a parent or more likely an activist will hear second or third hand and find objectionable. Some were uncertain about whether their administrators would have their backs. None had concerns about how their students would respond, having full confidence in the abilities of teens and preteens. Its the grownups who are struggling with these concepts. Jenks teacher Christina Henson has taught a Holocaust elective for years and presented a session on Hitlers victims. Nazi Germany murdered 6 million Jews and 5 million others (LGBTQ+, Roma, Jehovahs Witnesses, people with physical and mental disabilities, prisoners of war and others deemed unworthy). The best class is the class I facilitate and students lead the discussion, Henson said. I will teach the same thing several times a day, and each class will have a completely different discussion. They shape where things go. We teach history; thats what were presenting. Were not telling anyone how to feel about it, just that it happened. But its almost as much a current events class as history. This generation of kids are activists; they are incensed by what happens in the world and in their communities. Tulsa lawmakers Rep. John Waldron and Sen. JoAnna Dossett, both former public school teachers, reassured educators that the law is on their side. This was backed up by a representative from the State Education Department. HB 1775 was passed before the Holocaust curriculum was developed. The lessons were designed by a group of educators and Holocaust experts and are available on the State Education Departments website. The information is credible, well-sourced and approved by state officials and Holocaust educators. Right now, we do have elements in our state going after teachers, Waldron said. But the Legislature has stated this is an important lesson for our students. Teachers have a right and obligation to teach this difficult subject and open up conversations with students. The workshops separated experienced and new teachers into different tracks, but both received the same information. Educators were given teaching guidelines and lesson overviews, were shown how to work in state standards and heard from Holocaust survivor Eva Unterman. An example of a lesson is using Elie Wiesels Night to inspire original poetry and to dissect writing structure. Other related writing prompts include: Is society getting better, or are we still indifferent? I think my generation feels indifferent toward and I think my generation feels compassion toward Kids love talking about these questions, and they have opinions, said presenter Cheryl Kerbo, a former Holocaust educator. Charlotte Schuman, chairwoman of the Jewish Federation of Tulsas Council for Holocaust Education, has been a driving force for curriculum implementation. She says a goal is to expand these workshops into rural areas and eventually sponsor trips to international Holocaust sites for Oklahoma teachers. It is a credit to all those involved the lawmakers, advocates and educators for having overwhelming legislative support (47-0 in the Senate and 84-7 in the House). This curriculum didnt get the pushback seen in other types of history and social studies standards. This is heavenly, Schuman said, watching the teacher interactions. Its wonderful for our children to see us all come together. Some educators are fortunate to have a stand-alone elective on the Holocaust. But most are teaching other subjects and want to incorporate the curriculum. Henson said there are ways to introduce concepts in Holocaust education, even if a class has only one day. You can always tell students that you hope they hear something that inspires them to want to go home and look for more information, she said. You can send home resources such as book referrals and links to sources. When Henson finishes each Holocaust class, she gives the students this final thought: Tulsas Rainbow Library began expanding this summer in order to promote accessibility to books on queer topics by adding satellite locations. The Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library has over 3,500 materials on queer subjects, according to Oklahomans for Equality. The library was established in 1996 and is located on the second floor of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Library Director Michelle Simmons is changing the librarys goals to adapt to new challenges. What were doing now, with all of the book bans and all of the anti-trans legislation, is ensuring that books are not going to go away and that access to them is going to get easier rather than harder, Simmons said. In 2022, there were 1,269 demands to censor books, according to the American Library Association. Additionally, 82 anti-trans bills have been passed in 2023, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker. The library is attempting to support queer people in the face of legislation and book bans. The library was focused on cataloging its collection but changed course after Gov. Kevin Stitt was re-elected and state Superintendent Ryan Walters was elected in November, Simmons said. Walters tweeted about books like Flamer by Mike Curato and Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, one of the books in the librarys collection, in July 2022, when he was state secretary of education. In the tweet he said the books were disgusting. The books were banned from Tulsa Public Schools in July 2022, according to PEN America data. Post-election it turned into accessibility, Simmons said. Since then, weve been working on how to best create satellite locations, so weve opened up one and are hoping to get another one sometime in July. The first satellite location opened in June at All Souls Church, Simmons said. The second location is expected to open in July at House Church Tulsa, Lead Pastor Bonnie Lebak said. We chose to host the library because we want to make these resources available and stand in solidarity with younger LGBTQ+ people and with people who have limited access, Lebak told the Tulsa World. The library will provide the church with the first set of books and will list the churchs website on the list of available locations for those books, Lebak said. People can access the books during the churchs business hours and services but wont have to join a service. The library has received more funding and support as book bans have become more frequent, Simmons said. The books in the librarys catalog focus on queer topics. Most banned books are written by or about LGBTQ+ people or Black people, Indigenous people and people of color, according to the American Library Association. Simmons said most of the books in the collection would be banned if the people banning books knew they existed. Wheres our banned book section? is one of my favorite questions because I just go like, Here, its all of this, Simmons said. Because I think in some way or another, I think queerness has in some sense always been banned or been threatened to be banned. The library is important so that the titles in the collection remain available, Simmons said. Its important to have a library where somebody can go to feel comfortable about asking for books without feeling like theyre potentially outing themselves in that situation, Simmons said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding a lower court ruling regarding charter schools may have implications for a recently approved online Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. On Monday, the court declined to take up arguments in a case originally out of North Carolina involving a discrimination complaint over the code of conduct at a publicly funded charter school, thus leaving in place a ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that charter schools are state actors. The 4th Circuit previously held in Charter Day School v. Peltier that the school violated both Title IX and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by discriminating against students based on gender. The school in question required female students to wear skirts in order to preserve chivalry based on the belief that every girl is a fragile vessel, according to court documents. In a statement released Monday afternoon, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said that while he expects more lawsuits to come, the Supreme Courts decision not to hear arguments in the matter bolsters his offices position that the recent authorization of a state-sponsored private charter school is unconstitutional. The Supreme Courts decision not to take up the Peltier case is promising for all Oklahomans who are troubled by the possibility of state-funded religious charter schools. While the courts action may be taken as a favorable development in the effort to maintain secular public schools, I expect much litigation on this issue in the months to come. I will continue fighting to protect the Constitution and preserve religious liberty, just as my oath requires. Oklahoma statutes define charter schools as public schools and specifically prohibit them from affiliation with a nonpublic sectarian school or religious institution. However, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, which oversees all online charter schools, voted 3-2 on June 5 to sponsor St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. If or when it opens, it will be the nations first religious charter school. Ahead of the June 5 vote, Drummond and his representatives advised the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board that a vote of approval would be unconstitutional. The board has since retained private legal counsel to handle both the contract with Oklahomas Catholic leaders and litigation that arises in connection with the school. A spokeswoman for Drummonds office declined to comment as to whether Mondays decision would impact the timetable for any legal action challenging the online school. Meanwhile, the leader of the public policy arm of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa said he was not surprised by the Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case and noted that its details were distinct from those surrounding St. Isidore, including its focus on the dress code rather than religious liberty. At the end of the day, the 4th Circuit Courts decision specifically deals with North Carolina law, which is different from Oklahoma law, Catholic Conference of Oklahoma Executive Director Brett Farley said. To conclude that a charter school is a state actor in one state is not necessarily true in every other state, as every states charter school laws are different. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Chinese FM meets with Vietnamese counterpart Xinhua) 09:38, June 26, 2023 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is accompanying Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on a visit to China, in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is accompanying the Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh on his visit to China, on Sunday in Beijing. Noting that the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has entered a new era, Qin said China regards Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and attaches great importance to the prime minister's visit. It is believed that the visit will inject new impetus into work to deepen China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperation, Qin added. He called on both sides to strengthen strategic communication, accelerate the alignment of development strategies, and promote the greater development of bilateral ties. Bui Thanh Son said that Vietnam regards relations with China as its top priority, pursues the one-China policy with a clear-cut stance, and firmly supports the development and growth of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first visit to China, Bui Thanh Son said, noting that Vietnam looks forward to deepening pragmatic cooperation and making more achievements in bilateral relations with China through this visit. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is accompanying Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on a visit to China, in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (CNN) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greeces center right New Democracy party, has won a second four-year term as prime minister in a resounding electoral victory Sunday, preliminary results show. Mitsotakis, 55, is now set to return to the prime ministers office in a stronger position. We have high targets that will transform Greece, Mitsotakis said in his victory speech on Sunday. Today we will celebrate our victory, tomorrow we will roll up our sleeves. With nearly 96% of the vote counted, New Democracy has garnered over 40% of the vote, winning at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament. Main opposition leftist Syriza appears to be trailing far behind in early results with over 17% of the vote. Sundays elections were dominated by financial stability and cost-of-living issues, and New Democracy leaned heavily on its economic record. Mitsotakis, at Greeces helm during the Covid-19 pandemic and Europes energy crisis, had positioned himself as a safe pair of hands to boost growth in difficult global circumstances. His government staged a stunning turnaround in the economy, now on the brink of returning to investment grade on the global market for the first time since it lost market access in 2010. A total of eight parties have now crossed the 3% threshold to enter the Greek parliament so far. Smaller fringe parties ranging from the far left to the extreme right have also made significant gains. OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomas tobacco and vehicle registration compacts with Native American tribes netted the state about $81 million in revenue in the last fiscal year. The Oklahoma Senate on Monday will consider overriding Gov. Kevin Stitts vetoes of two bills that would extend for one year the current compacts. The bills have become embroiled in a political back-and-forth at the state Capitol as Stitt claims hes the only elected official with the power to negotiate state-tribal compacts, an assertion legislative leaders have refuted. Amid the dispute, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about what could happen if Stitts compact renegotiations are unsuccessful and the agreements arent renewed. Nobody seems to know for sure exactly how that would work, which is the whole reason that we have compacts in the first place, said Senate Majority Leader Greg McCortney, R-Ada. Legislative leaders have also pushed the compact extensions sought by the tribes in an effort to avoid disruptions to state revenue. The state received more than $57 million in tobacco tax revenue through the compacts in fiscal year 2022, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The state compacts with the tribes to evenly split tax revenue from the sale of tobacco products to non-Natives in Indian Country. During that same time period, the state earned more than $24 million from its motor vehicle licensing and registration compacts with the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Cherokee nations, while $6.3 million went to the tribes, according to Service Oklahoma. The funds that remained with the state were largely distributed to various school districts and earmarked for road and bridge construction and maintenance. Those figures are just a portion of the revenue the state makes through compacting with the tribes. For comparison, the state collected $191.5 million in tribal gaming fees in fiscal year 2022. Legislative leaders have said theyre extending the compacts to head off prolonged legal battles that could occur should the agreements expire. But Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, said advancing new compacts without the governors involvement could also lead to litigation. In a Friday news conference, Stitt urged senators to vote against overriding his vetoes of the compact bills. He said he offered two tribes new tobacco compact terms that include the same 50-50 split of tax revenue, but modify the definition of where the compacts would apply. That same offer would be open to any of the tribes, he said. Stitt expressed concerns that because the current compacts refer to a federal definition of Indian Country, which can be defined as the limits of a tribal reservation, the compacts, if renewed, could apply to 42% of the state because of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 McGirt decision that has affirmed the existence of eight tribal reservations in eastern Oklahoma. We cannot allow the definition to be Indian Country post-McGirt, Stitt said. A member of the Cherokee Nation who has a frosty relationship with many Oklahoma tribes, Stitt insists the compacts must be renegotiated amid ongoing litigation about whether the McGirt decision applies to the taxation of tribal citizens who live and work on their tribes reservation. He wants the tribes to agree in the compacts that they will not try to extend their taxing authority beyond current trust lands. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Stitts comments were just the latest example of the governor targeting Indian tribes. He urged the Senate to override Stitts vetoes. Oklahomans are fortunate to have elected leaders who know a good tribal-state deal when they see one even if Governor Stitt cant, Hoskin said in a statement. If the Senate overrides Stitts vetoes then the governor has more time to reach an agreement with the tribes, said Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. Small, the head of conservative think tank OCPA, has backed the governors push for new compacts. Renewing the current tribal compacts could strengthen the tribes arguments that the McGirt decision extends to civil matters, such as taxation, Small said. If the state wanted to handcuff itself and shoot itself in the foot and diminish its authority, theres nothing to prevent us from doing that, which is why it makes it so important that we go back to the drawing board, he said. Legislators consulted with several attorneys who dismissed such arguments related to the extension of the current compacts and the McGirt decision, McCortney said. I dont think its a sound legal argument, he said. Oklahoma has compacted with the tribes for decades. A 1991 Supreme Court ruling affirmed the states right to collect tobacco taxes from non-Natives in Indian Country and suggested Oklahoma and tribal nations work out arrangements through compacting. Stephen Greetham, an Oklahoma City attorney who specializes in Indian law and has worked with several local tribes, said compacts have long served both parties well. He said its frustrating to hear some state officials characterize the compacts as unfair for Oklahomans The network of intergovernmental compacts we have here are the product of hard work done by clear-eyed folks who stepped away from zero-sum game positions and short-sighted litigation to make the substantive compromises that have created revenue streams for Oklahoma and compacting Tribes while providing stability for everyone, including non-Tribal retailers, Greetham said in a statement. The House already overturned Stitts veto of House Bill 1005X, which would extend motor vehicle registration compacts until the end of 2024. The Senate on Monday will take up that bill and Stitts veto of Senate Bill 26X, which extends the tobacco compacts for one year. Should the Senate successfully override Stitts veto on SB 26X, the House will attempt an override vote in July. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Senate on Monday failed by one vote to override Gov. Kevin Stitts veto of a measure that would extend the states tobacco compacts with tribes. But the upper chamber is expected to return in July and vote again, with its leader saying he has the votes to override the veto. Senate Bill 26x would have extended the tobacco compacts until Dec. 31, 2024, but the override attempt fell one vote shy of the 32 needed to override Stitts veto. The compacts generate revenue for the state and for the tribes. The Senate did not take up an override attempt for a companion measure, House Bill 1005x, which would extend the tribes compacts for motor vehicle registrations. Earlier this month, the House overrode Stitts veto of that measure. Both compacts are to expire by the end of 2023. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the Senate does have the required votes to override the vetoes, but he said some members who would have voted yes were not able to attend the special session, which got extended until the end of July. The vote to override was 31-8, with nine members excused. I know of at least four yes votes that were not here today, Treat said. For those of you who nerd out on procedure, there is no final action on a motion to override. And so we fully anticipate that we will be able to override in a pretty good margin (at) some point in July. Stitt said the compact extension bills, which he vetoed on May 26, infringe on the chief executives authority to negotiate compacts. I am pleased by the Senates vote to sustain my veto of the Tobacco Compact extension and I believe that todays outcome underscores the states commitment to negotiating compacts in good faith, that are beneficial to all parties involved, Stitt said in a written statement. My original compact offer to extend the compacts previously negotiated and entered by Oklahomas Governor and tribal counterparts is still on the table for each tribe that has reached out and remains available to those that have not yet. I look forward to continuing to work with them to reach an agreement. Stitts proposal limits where the compacts would be applicable, which some tribes find objectionable. Treat said that if the compacts are not renewed, the tribes have no obligation to remit revenue to the state. When Stitt decided he didnt want to renew tribal hunting and fishing license compacts, the state lost about $35 million, Treat said. The tribes are still issuing hunting and fishing licenses for their lands, but the state gets no credit for them, Treat said. That was a stupid decision because Wildlife (The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation) is a non-appropriated entity, but they get a ton of federal excise tax when you buy hunting, fishing and camping gear, Treat said. A portion of that comes back to the state of Oklahoma. The tribes had purchased the licenses at a discounted rate from the state and provided them for free to their members. The federal excise tax is apportioned back to the states based on a number of factors, including the number of hunting and fishing licenses the state sold. Treat called the way Stitt has handled compacts a failure at every turn. In his first term, Stitt attempted to pressure the tribes to pay higher exclusivity fees for gaming rights. Some of the tribes sued and successfully obtained a judicial ruling that the compacts, with no changes, had automatically renewed. The Legislature could reserve the right to negotiate these compacts, Treat said. I wanted to give him another year to make it right. And if he didnt show progress, we could take it back. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. The Vietnamese governments standing committee has urged the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises to direct Vietnam Airlines to quickly transfer its fuel distributor Skypec to the state-run Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN). The prime minister assigned this task to the two firms in September 2022. The transfer is aimed at restructuring the national air carrier, addressing its huge financial losses and boosting PVNs capacity in fuel supply and production chains. The commission was told to report any obstacle during the transfer process to the relevant ministries, competent agencies, and Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai prior to July 15, according to the standing committees conclusion recently released by the Government Office. In early 2023, Vietnam Airlines announced that it was looking for consulting firms to help offload its stake in Vietnam Air Petrol Company Limited (Skypec), which has a capital of VND800 billion (US$34 million). The move was one of the airlines efforts in easing its financial distress. As per the conclusion, the Vietnamese governments standing committee asked Vietnam Airlines to follow competition regulations, and review and complete its restructuring plan to ensure its operation efficiency and cut costs. In 2021, Vietnam Airlines reported an accumulated loss of some VND10 trillion ($425.5 million), but the loss shrank to nearly VND2.625 trillion ($111.8 million) last year thanks to the airlines recovery. Skypec, wholly-owned by Vietnam Airlines, and Petrolimex Aviation are currently the two main jet fuel distributors in Vietnam. Skypec mainly fuels Vietnam Airlines planes and the aircraft managed by dozens of international air carriers. With its total storage capacity of over 220,000 cubic meters, Skypec runs a system of warehouses at major seaports and 18 airports nationwide. The fuel distributor can fuel more than 214,000 aircraft annually. Before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Skypec was one of the biggest earners for Vietnam Airlines. Aside from Skypec and Petrolimex Aviation, the local jet fuel supply market has Tan Son Nhat Petrol Commercial JSC and Noi Bai Aviation Fuel Service JSC. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A thick layer of fog covered many parts of Vietnams Mekong Delta provinces on Monday morning, affecting visibility and hampering traffic movement in the region. Many drivers said the fog reduced visibility to around 5-10 meters, making it difficult to see clearly further away when driving along the road. The dense fog also drifted over National Highways 1, 30, and 80 that link Tien Giang with Dong Thap and An Giang Provinces on the morning of June 26, 2023. Photo: Hoai Thuong / Tuoi Tre In Tien Giang Province, residents of many districts woke up to a dense blanket of fog the same day. The upper stories of high-rise buildings in the area were barely visible. The fog engulfed Cai Lay District, Cai Be District, and National Highways 1, 30, and 80 that link Tien Giang with Dong Thap and An Giang Provinces in the delta, reducing visibility to 200 meters. Similarly, Can Tho City experienced the dense fog, which had yet to disperse as of 7:20 am when it was sunny. The highest building in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam is shrouded in a blanket of fog, June 26, 2023. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre The entirety of Long Xuyen City and a branch of Hau River in An Giang Province were shrouded in dense fog, affecting road and waterway transport activities as visibility dropped. Trung, an inhabitant in Long Xuyen, said the fog might be caused by unusual weather patterns. The fog remained thick when I was driving to the Long Xuyen canal area at around 6:30 am on Monday, Trung elaborated. Fog covered an inner-city area in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, southern Vietnam, at 6:49 am on June 26, 2023. Photo: Buu Dau / Tuoi Tre Vo Van Thong, head of the Tien Giang Hydrometeorological Center, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that during the current rainy season, high daytime temperatures and low night-time ones result in the formation of fog. Le Hong Phong Bridge in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, southern Vietnam is obscured by fog on June 26, 2023. Photo: Buu Dau / Tuoi Tre Fog envelops a National Highway 30 section passing through Cao Lanh District, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam on June 26, 2023. Photo: Hoai Thuong / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has publicized an artists impressions of the second metro line project in the city, linking Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Tham Luong Depot in District 12. The 11.3-kilometer metro line carries a price tag of some VND47 trillion (US$2 billion). It will include a 9.3-kilometer underground section and a two-kilometer elevated section, with 11 stations, upon completion. MAUR is relocating technical infrastructure facilities, such as water and power supply, wastewater drainage, and telecom systems, to make room for the project. It will do the job in two phases lasting for 20 months. The Pham Van Hai underground station in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. The first basement of the station will accommodate a ticket selling area, a commercial area, and station operating units. The second metro line, along with the first metro line, will lay the foundation for the urban railway network development in the city and meet the travel demand of residents in the northwest of the city. Leaders of the municipal Peoples Committee have determined that the metro line will play an important role in the urban railway network in the city. The project will be a highlight with the application of diversified technology and the transit-oriented development model. A representative of contractors said they would mainly conduct the project at night in order not to affect traffic activities and the daily life of local residents. The metro line was initially expected to be put into commercial operation in 2016 but the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee later proposed pushing back the deadline for the completion of the project to 2030. Ho Chi Minh City will focus on constructing eight metro lines with a combined length of over 220 kilometers in the coming time. The second basement of the station is home to wastewater drainage, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, stairs, and escalators The entrance and exit of the Pham Van Hai underground station in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, where the transit-oriented development model is proposed for a trial The area where passengers wait for metro trains at the Tao Dan Station in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The design of trains for the second metro line in Ho Chi Minh City Nearly 87 percent of the site for the project has been cleared with 508 out of the 586 affected households and units handing over their land lots. An artists impression of a section of the metro line in front of Le Thi Rieng Park in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Childrens Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City has resumed liver transplantation after an eight-month suspension, said a hospital representative on Monday. One of the child patients set to undergo liver transplantation at the hospital is an 11-year-old boy residing in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam. This boy suffered from biliary atresia and underwent surgery, or Kassai operation, when he was one month old. His mother will be his liver donor. To support the Children's Hospital 2 in performing the operation, surgeons from University Medical Center in the city will take charge of removing part of the mothers liver. The Childrens Hospital 2 previously announced that it had performed no liver transplant between October last year and May this year, mostly due to an organ shortfall and the hospital having to wait for a project on organ transplantation to be appraised. Moreover, doctors at the pediatric hospital faced difficulties linked to medical certifications for performing organ transplantation on adults. In addition, the hospital has a modest number of operating rooms and a shortage of human resources. Lately, the hospital completed the construction of two modern organ transplant rooms. The municipal Department of Health helped evaluate the hospitals independent project on pediatric transplant. The project will be submitted to the Ministry of Health for appraisal and approval. If the project is approved, the pediatric hospital will be eligible to put the two new organ transplant rooms into service and perform liver transplantation for three child patients per month, instead of only one monthly. To perform pediatric transplants before, the pediatric hospital had to collaborate with University Medical Center and Cho Ray Hospital, also based in the city, so that they could carry out operations for adult liver donors. In related news, the demand for organ and tissue transplantation in children is on the rise, said Trinh Huu Tung, director at the Childrens Hospital 2, at a seminar on June 17. The Childrens Hospital 2 is the sole public healthcare center for pediatric transplants in the southern metropolis and the southern region. As for liver transplantation, the hospital reported 25 transplants linked to living liver donors, with the medical follow-up of 0.5-17 years. Eighty percent of the liver recipients survive, while liver donors did not experience complications post donation. The liver transplants at the hospital generated positive outcomes, partly thanks to the support of experienced medical centers at home and abroad, the director said. However, the hospital needs further support to solve issues linked to legality, finance, personnel, medical equipment, and medicine to better serve organ transplants, he said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese healthcare professionals have expressed deep concerns as the incidence of stroke cases continues to rise steadily, yet the countrys existing pre-hospital emergency network remains underdeveloped, inadequate, and deficient. The most recent data from the World Stroke Organization showed that a stroke occurs every three seconds, highlighting a concerning trend. Disturbingly, the risk of experiencing a stroke in ones lifetime has increased to one in four adults, as opposed to the previous ratio of one to six. According to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Huy Thang, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Stroke Association, the aforementioned ratio indicates a deteriorating trend in stroke risk. In Vietnam, the annual number of stroke cases surpasses 200,000, as reported by the Ministry of Health. However, Thang noted that the said figure is not the definitive total, as the 115 Peoples Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City alone handles and treats approximately 20,000 stroke patients annually, while there are over 1,000 hospitals throughout the country. Thang emphasized that in the event of a stroke, time becomes a critical factor as the patient loses approximately two million brain cells irreversibly within every passing minute. Furthermore, Thang cautioned that stroke is no longer solely prevalent among the elderly population. Statistics reveal that in 2019, 63 percent of stroke cases affected younger people. Alarmingly, low-middle-income countries, including Vietnam, account for 89 percent of stroke-related fatalities and disabilities. Therefore, the significance of pre-hospital emergency care to patients is escalating, and establishing an efficient pre-hospital emergency protocol is regarded as a needed objective to minimize the time taken for stroke patients to access the nearest medical facility. However, the pre-hospital emergency network remains underdeveloped and deficient within the healthcare system, not only in Ho Chi Minh City but also across Vietnam, despite its inclusion in the Law on Examination and Treatment since early 2023, according to Major General Tran Quoc Viet, director of Military Hospital 175, located in the southern metropolis. According to Dr. Nguyen Duy Long, director of the 115 Emergency Center in Ho Chi Minh City, only 11 out of Vietnams 63 provinces and cities currently possess independent 115 emergency centers, which operate separately from the hospital system. Specifically, the pre-hospital emergency network in Ho Chi Minh City is still incapable of covering all of the stroke cases transported by ambulances dispatched from Longs center. Therefore, healthcare experts are urging the Ministry of Health and the government to provide assistance in terms of staffing organization, equipment, stroke training, and treatment protocols for doctors, nurses, and technicians involved in pre-hospital emergency services. This support is crucial to enhance the efficiency of caring for stroke patients in the pre-hospital setting. For the time being, Military Hospital 175 has collaborated with the 115 Emergency Center in Ho Chi Minh City to provide pre-hospital stroke care within the city, according to Viet. This partnership has been authorized by the Ministry of National Defense and the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City. Military Hospital 175 aims to continuously assist in expanding the network of stroke treatment coordination with nearby hospitals, with the objective of providing more stroke patients with the opportunity to receive life-saving and restorative care. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nearly 10 tourists from a group of 37 individuals visiting Da Nang experienced unexplained cases of food poisoning on Monday morning, despite the fact that a member of the delegation claimed they did not dine together at the same location. Hospital 199, a medical facility operated by the Ministry of Public Security in Da Nang, reported on the same morning that their emergency department attended to the aforementioned tourists. Upon admission to the hospital, the patients presented symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and frequent defecation. Among the hospitalized individuals, some were in stable condition and discharged promptly. Currently, there are seven patients receiving hospital care, including two children. The patients reported that their pain began at 2:00 am on the same day and persisted. Upon admission to the hospital, the patients received medication and underwent tests, resulting in most of them showing improvement, said Dr. Cao Thi Xoan from Hospital 199s emergency department. However, two cases involving two pediatric patients born in 2015 are currently under close observation while awaiting test results. A food poisoning pediatric patient receives treatment at the emergency department of Hospital 199 in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, June 26, 2023. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre One member of the 37-tourist group told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that they arrived in Da Nang on Sunday for their trip. Throughout their stay, the group had only consumed two meals. However, the meals were not taken collectively but rather in small, independent groups. The affected tourists who experienced poisoning were uncertain about the cause and the specific locations where they ate and drank. Nevertheless, it was noted that a majority of the hospitalized individuals had dined at a restaurant in Son Tra District, although they were unable to recall the exact address. Nguyen Tan Hai, head of Da Nang Citys Food Safety Management Board, confirmed that he was aware of the incident and had dispatched personnel to the hospital to gather information about the poisoning incident. At noon on Monday, the Medical Center of Son Tra District and the Food Safety Management Board of Da Nang City initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the food poisoning. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Insiders wrapped a 21 year run in Melbourne yesterday, predominantly from its Southbank studios since 2007. ABC recently confirmed the show would move to Canberra where host David Speers recently relocated. This will save on travel costs for guests but see at least two crew roles disappear from production. Host David Speers said, It has been an absolute privilege to work with this team of professionals. They never miss a beat, no matter where the flow of the program sometimes goes. Im going to miss working with you, Danny and Goran, and our regular pre-show chats about whats gone down in politics during the week. He continued, To the whole Melbourne team, our graphics operator Katie Hawking, everyone in the control room there and the amazing crew here in the studio too. Live TV can have its moments, but knowing youre in the hands of a trusted team like this, some of the best in the business, it is incredibly comforting. So thank you all. It has been an honour sharing my Sunday mornings with you here in Melbourne. A spokesperson for ABC News said recently, Canberra is where Australias big national decisions are made and where the decision-makers, and most of the Insiders guests and panelists, are based. It makes sense for the program to be there, too. It means we are much closer to the action of Parliament House, as well as the Press Gallery, the public service, the diplomatic corps and Defence. In the world of melodrama mystery, writer / producer Jason Herbison (Neighbours) is positioning himself rather well as the go-to guy. New UK-Australian co-commission Riptide, produced for Channel 5 UK and Network 10, follows from Lie With Me, while Heat is still to come. Arguably pitched more to British audiences, than Australian, these feature prominent UK soapie actors in inviting Australian backdrops. But they are littered with good ol twisty murder mysteries. Premium drama they are not. Sordid, escapist fun they are. This time around Jo Joyner (EastEnders, Shakespeare & Hathaway) plays Alison, recently wedded to the wealthy Sean (Peter OBrien), living in a swank beachfront mansion on the Mornington Peninsula. Living with them is Alisons rebellious daughter Hannah (Asher Yasbincek), while the family is visited by Seans son Ethan (Benny Turland) and boyfriend Jesse (Benjamin Samaddar). But Ethan resents Alison for splitting his father from his mother Rachel (Ally Fowler) while Hannahs UK dad Michael (Ciaran Griffiths) is also bizarrely living nearby, in the hope of reacquainting with his ex. A messy house of cards already? When Sean fails to turn up from a morning of surfing, true colours are shown. Did Sean meet with foul play or did he slip away Harold Holt-style? And who to trust from this cast of potentially shady characters? Its all part of the fun Herbison manipulates across 4 episodes. Ethan uses candid pictures of Hannah circulating at school to blackmail Alison, while dashing neighbour and widower Dan (David Berry) consoles Alison in her grief. Joyner isnt particularly challenged by the material but makes for a convincing wife in distress. Ciaran Griffiths (Shameless, Coronation Street) is too one-note in an obvious push to portray him as a man with a mission. Both younger leads Asher Yasbincek and Benny Turland step up, with Turland clearly enjoying a shift from his wholesome role in Neighbours. Its always a pleasure to see David Berry, best known for Outlander and A Place to Call Home. It has to be said too, the men in this cast all have much better hair than the women. ridiculously lush. And wait for the shot where bubbling baked beans represent rising anger. Director Scott Major captures the peninsula backdrop looking glossy and alluring, with rolling surf, golden sands, spacious mansions and designer abodes which all look suspiciously the same (I didnt buy rebel Hannahs designer bedroom) and plenty of flowing beachcomber costumes. I would have liked a detective to lead the case, given the local constabulary never seem to take much initiative, but perhaps there were limitations in the casting budget. If Riptide gets a bit histrionic here and there, theres no denying it knows its audience well, and revels in its melodrama mystery without ever demanding too much of the viewer. Riptide screens 8:40pm Wednesday on 10. Bizarre and chaotic 36 hours in Russia feels like the beginning of the end for Putin (CNN) Desperately projecting that everything is as it was, the Kremlin is only emphasizing how much has changed. These were 36 hours that provided a glimpse of the end of Russian President Vladimir Putins rule. Almost every action was improbable, at best a week ago much was inconceivable, 17 months ago. A loyal henchman slams the premise of the invasion, then claims an airstrike targeted his troops, before taking a major military town without clashes, Prigozhin said, and then marching to within a few hundred miles of Moscow. But suddenly he executes a baffling reversal, turning back to avoid bloodshed, as the Kremlin claims Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus whom Putin seems to treat with contempt, brokered a dramatic reprieve, in which the insurrectionist who has his armor bound for Moscow, now opts for exile in Minsk. Even as the dust settles, it still makes little sense. It is important to remember we have yet to hear from Yevgeny Prigozhin that he has accepted exile in Belarus and see evidence his units have genuinely all stood down. He is an open proliferator of misinformation. We should be equally suspicious of the apparent bow with which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tried to tie this startling episode up with on Saturday night. Two hours earlier, Wagner were at the gates of the capital (almost), and then suddenly everything is forgiven. There are large parts of this story missing. We may never learn what they are. Many emotions could have altered Prigozhins course. Was the advance north too easy? Did he accept entering the capital would leave his men vulnerable, even to a weak Russian military response? Were the regular military not joining him in large enough number? Did he believe a climbdown would only grow his support? While on the surface, Prigozhins climbdown makes him appear weak, even finished, he has been the decision-maker over the past 36 hours. Putin has been left reacting. Silent initially, and then bombastically angry and confident, promising inevitable punishment for the scum. But hours later, this was all forgotten. Putins emotional state - were it known - is arguably less revealing than his actions. By letting Prigozhin go, and apparently sweeping the entire insurrection under the carpet, hes appeared the weakest yet in 23 years. It is possible his special services will now pursue Wagner and its supporters, slowly, away from the glare of the last two days. Yet the Kremlins solution to the problem was to climb down too. Its a move so antipathetic to everything Putin stands for, it can only suggest he had no other choice: that he lacked the forces to be sure he could hold Prigozhin back. That is perhaps the larger lesson of the so-called March of Justice. Not that a mercenary boss didnt send a modest-sized force into Moscow to execute a coup, but that the Kremlin had to let him go. Putins vulnerability is assured Putins position was clearly weakening because of the wars catastrophic mismanagement. But how he would be removed - what possible circumstances could permit that - was something that eluded officials and analysts. This was not a likely option. But now it has happened, we have a glimpse behind the thickset curtain the Kremlin relies upon to hide its infighting, incompetence and frailty, allowing it to project an outsized confidence a post-Soviet omnipotence. Its pretty ugly in there it seems. Now the rest of the world has seen this too from Ukraine to NATO to Putins allies. Notably some friends were quiet: Kazakhstan and Iran both of whom owe Russia a past debt called this an internal matter. That is not unqualified support. We can only guess whether the thought of Prigozhin in charge will cause such panic in the elite country houses of suburban Moscow that support for Putin sustains. Yet his vulnerability is now assured, for the first time in 23 years two decades in which he has accrued plentiful enemies and debts. (It is ridiculous to maintain the last two days have been an elaborate charade designed to somehow improve Putins position or provide a pretext for escalation. This is an entirely internal affair, distracting from the urgent needs of the war. Making the Kremlin head seem this unequivocally weak can in no way strengthen his position). So where does this leave Russia and its anxious adversaries? We cant know what comes next, but it is likely to follow the explosively erratic pattern of the last two days. Prigozhin may vanish for a few months. Putin may make some changes in his military staff. Things may seem normal. But they have absolutely changed and a post-Putin world and the dramatic force needed to impose it has been glimpsed. It feels like the beginning of the end for him. The most acute catalyst to any change will be the impact this bizarre drama has on the Ukraine frontlines. It is impossible to imagine that a series of fluctuations in Russias military presence has not weakened defensive positions in the south and east the very places where Ukraine is pushing forwards. The most optimistic assessment you could make is that Russian military morale must have felt a hiccup while watching its commander-in-chief and most prominent military figure engage in a 24-hour game of chicken. Would you genuinely give your life on the Russian front lines this weekend, given the mess you observe in the higher command? Ukraine claims to be already pushing forward. It is too early to know what impact the Justice March has had on the war. But the Kremlin must be acutely aware of the damage to both the positions of Putin and Prigozhin if this conflict which Moscow has framed as an existential battle against NATO is ultimately lost. Perhaps that stark recognition was quietly feeding the bizarre decisions and reversals as Wagner fighters made such easy progress on Saturday north on the M4 highway to Moscow. Seven News Sydney has signed off its final bulletin at Martin Place studios, wrapping 19 years and 6,873 days of broadcast. From tonight its new broadcast home is at a purpose built studio at Eveleigh headquarters. The new space is five-times larger than Martin Place, allows for permanent sets for all programs, with two complete control rooms and more than 40sq m of LED screens, while all newsroom operations will now be located on a second entire floor. Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: Today marks the beginning of a landmark chapter in Sevens history. For the first time in over 40 years, were uniting our entire Sydney operation under one roof. Martin Place has served as an exceptional home for us but as we aim to unite even more Australians across our much-loved news and public affairs content, our transition to the purpose-built, state-of-the-art studio space in South Eveleigh is a pivotal move. 7NEWSs relocation to South Eveleigh marks the start of this exciting phase and we look forward to Sunrise and The Morning Show joining our cutting-edge, new location soon. Network Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, said: Since first turning the lights on at Martin Place on August 30, 2004, Sevens News and Public Affairs team has broadcast a mammoth 70,000 hours of television from the Martin Place studio. Hundreds of careers started there, as did programs. Not all lasted but the constant demand for the content never wavered. It was a wonderful workplace for all of us, but it had served its time. Today marks a new beginning for 7NEWS. Monday, 26 June 2023 will be the first night our flagship 6.00pm bulletin will beam across Sydney from the state-of-the-art South Eveleigh studio. A big thanks to James and the Board for supporting and investing in the new home for Sevens News and Public Affairs operation. It is a world class facility. Floors two and five are purpose-made for functionality with the studios and control rooms on the second floor. The space on the studio floor five times bigger than Martin Place allows our sets to remain intact, unlike Martin Place where the small alleyway of studio floor required the constant bumping sets in and out, morning and night. You will see the difference that makes on-air. And the entire editorial teams on floor five, for the first time, assembled on one floor. This is Stage One of a two-stage process with Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show still broadcasting from Martin Place. They will join their 7NEWS and Seven Network colleagues in Eveleigh at the end of July when the new beginning will be truly underway. News director Jason Morrison also recently signed off after 8 years at the helm, to pursue other opportunities outside of the network. A morning bulletin came from Melbourne today, with Sport out of Sydney. Updated. Masimo Corporation MASI recently announced that Valencia, Spain-based Hospital La Fe will be expanding its telehealth and telemonitoring program with the Masimo W1 advanced health-tracking watch. The watch, which offers continuous measurements of key physiological parameters, is currently available outside the United States as a medical device that integrates with the Masimo SafetyNet remote patient management and telehealth platform. However, the Masimo W1 for use in medical applications has not yet been cleared in the United States by the FDA. The latest adoption of Masimos product is expected to significantly strengthen Masimos remote patient monitoring (RPM) business across the world. Significance of the Adoption Hospital La Fe has been using Masimo SafetyNet with Radius PPG tetherless monitoring as part of its enhanced recovery pathway program for post-surgical patients since last year. The hospital, based on the initial success of that program, is currently planning to equip patients scheduled for elective surgery with Masimo W1 watches in advance. This is aimed at improving pre-habilitation via analysis of the heart rate variability data gathered by the watch. Per Masimos management, Hospital La Fe adopting Masimo W1 to collect a set of insightful baseline data for their pre-operative patients will likely allow them to better understand individual patients normal and abnormal readings before undergoing invasive treatment. Hospital La Fes management believes that the future adoption is expected to test the effect of telemonitoring with Masimo W1 in the pre-operative setting for upgrading pre-habilitation and improving patient condition and engagement. Industry Prospects Per a report by Grand View Research, the global RPM system market was valued at $4.4 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $16.9 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 18.5%. Factors like the recent pandemic, the increasing geriatric population and the cost-effectiveness of the treatment are expected to drive the market. Given the market potential, the adoption of its health-tracking watch is likely to provide a significant boost to Masimos business globally. Recent Developments This month, Masimo announced that it is expanding its premium Denon brand to introduce its latest offering, Masimo AAT (Adaptive Acoustic Technology). The same month, Masimo announced that Fresno, CA-based Community Health System was adopting a variety of advanced Masimo monitoring technologies and solutions across its campuses. Also, in June, Masimo received the FDAs 510(k) clearance for its patient-worn, continuous multi-parameter vital signs monitor, Radius VSM. Price Performance Shares of Masimo have gained 15.9% in the past year compared with the industrys 9.3% rise and the S&P 500's 11.5% growth. Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks Currently, Masimo carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). A few other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Hologic, Inc. HOLX, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. MMSI and Boston Scientific Corporation BSX. Hologic, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated growth rate of 5.1% for fiscal 2024. HOLXs earnings surpassed estimates in all the trailing four quarters, the average being 27.3%. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Hologic has gained 13.9% compared with the industrys 9.3% rise in the past year. Merit Medical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 11%. MMSIs earnings surpassed estimates in all the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 20.2%. Merit Medical has gained 49.7% compared with the industrys 15.8% rise over the past year. Boston Scientific, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 11.5%. BSXs earnings surpassed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and missed in the other two, the average surprise being 1.9%. Boston Scientific has gained 42.7% against the industrys 23.8% decline over the past year. 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 Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hologic, Inc. (HOLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Masimo Corporation (MASI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (MMSI) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research (Reuters) - Meta Platforms on Monday launched Meta Quest+, a subscription-based service for its virtual reality (VR) headsets to shape a nascent but high-investment market. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, in a broadcast channel on social media app Instagram, said the Meta Quest+ subscription will be available from Monday at $7.99 per month, or $59.99 annually, for its Quest 2, Pro and soon for Quest 3. Apple has entered the market dominated by Meta, showcasing its $3,499 augmented reality headset called the Vision Pro. Still, Apple's headset is three times the cost of the priciest headset from Meta. Meta in March had cut the prices of its headsets as its bold bets on the metaverse failed to make a big splash. The social media company's flagship VR headset Meta Quest Pro is currently priced at $999.99, down from its launch price of $1,499.99, and Quest 2 is being sold for $299.99, according to Meta's website. Termed as the next big thing, the adoption of virtual reality headsets has been limited to the gaming community despite the devices now having more advanced features. (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) Myanmar junta authorities say they burned almost half a billion dollars worth of illegal drugs to mark the "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" (SAI Aung MAIN) Myanmar junta authorities said they torched almost half a billion dollars worth of illegal drugs on Monday but warned they were failing to stop a surge in the production and trafficking of narcotics. Head-high piles of heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine and opium were burned in the commercial hub Yangon, AFP reporters said, in an annual spectacle to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Televised torchings also took place elsewhere in the country, with a total of $446 million of narcotics going up in smoke, according to junta officials. But in a rare admission, the head of Myanmar's Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control said its efforts to crush the multi-billion-dollar trade were having no impact. "Even though countless drug abusers, producers, traffickers and cartels were arrested and prosecuted, the production and trafficking of drugs have not declined at all," Soe Htut told the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. The "Golden Triangle" border region between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand has long been a hotbed of illegal drug production and trafficking, particularly of meth and opium. This includes Myanmar's Shan state -- Southeast Asia's primary source of meth, according to the UN -- home to a patchwork of ethnic rebel groups and militias aligned with the country's army. Analysts say the military, which ousted an elected government and seized power in 2021, is not serious about ending the lucrative trade. The army is "actually the ultimate protection cartel of the trade, and have been for many years", independent analyst David Mathieson told AFP. The burning comes as the United Nations reported record seizures of crystal meth last year in Myanmar and said opium poppy farming had seen a revival in the chaos unleashed by the coup. More than 23 tons of crystal meth were seized in Myanmar in 2022, the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime said earlier this month. Wholesale and street prices for meth across Southeast Asia were falling or at record lows, it said. "The most powerful regional trafficking networks are able to operate with a high degree of certainty they can and will not be stopped," it said. Opium poppy production in Myanmar also ramped up dramatically following the coup, the office said in January, as political and economic turmoil drove farmers to cultivate the crop. The area of land used for opium poppy is now at just over 40,000 hectares, the UN said -- around half the size of New York City. Authorities in neighbouring Thailand said they destroyed 32 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly meth, with a value of around $607 million. bur/pbt A man meant to donate $150 to a GoFundMe page. He reveals what happened after he accidentally sent $15,000 A man meant to donate $150 to a GoFundMe page. He reveals what happened after he accidentally sent $15,000 A man has recalled the moment he realised he accidentally donated $15,000 to a food relief fundraiser instead of $150, and how he managed to remedy the situation. The individual, who goes by the username u/lazybear90 on Reddit, recounted the story, which took place in February of last year, on the subreddit TIFU. In the post, the 32-year-old man, named Michael, explained that he decided to share the story at the urging of his friends, before noting that the incident happened soon after he and his wife, then 31, had moved into a new apartment building in San Francisco, California, last year. After moving into the new building, the couple met one of their new neighbours, a 70-something-year-old retired veteran who Michael referred to as Joe and who the Reddit user described as a white American guy and a devout Hindu priest. According to Michael, one day he ran into Joe in the hallway, at which point the veteran informed him about a charity he managed for a community in Bangladesh. Michael wrote that he wanted to support his neighbour, and the charity, so he asked Joe to send him the GoFundMe link. The next day at work, I go on the GoFundMe page and donate $150. Or so I thought, the man continued, before revealing that, moments later, he received a warning from his credit card company about an unusually large transaction. Im confused and swipe to open the text message. It says I have made a payment of $15,041 to GoFundMe, he wrote, adding that he immediately began sweating and panicking. How could I have donated FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS? I spend the next 10 to 15 minutes retracing my steps, and finally I realise my credit card starts with the numbers four and one. It seems I had accidentally started typing my credit card information while my cursor was still in the donation box, and just like that 150 became 15041. Yikes. In an effort to rectify the mistake, Michael said he immediately called GoFundMes support line in a panic, and was eventually able to explain to a human operator what had happened. According to the man, the GoFundMe employee assured him that the fundraising company would be able to reverse the transaction and refund him the money in three to seven business days, which the Reddit user described as a huge relief. However, he said he then began to worry that the charity would be able to see the $15,000 donation before the charge was reversed, as he recalled that the amount was notable because it had doubled the amount raised by the charity overnight. I ask the agent if the charity will be able to see the donation on the GoFundMe page until it is refunded. What do you mean? the agent asks me. What do YOU mean what do I mean? was my response, he wrote. Will they be able to see the $15,041 donation?! Unfortunately, yes, the agent tells me. They will be able to see it until the refund process is complete. I tell him thats a big problem, as the entire GoFundMe had hardly raised that much at that point. Surely they will notice their fundraiser doubling overnight? According to Michael, at this point, he decided that he would knock on his neighbours door in the morning and explain the situation so that Joe would be able to pass along the information to his fundraiser contacts. However, the situation got trickier by the next morning, according to Michael, as he claimed he woke up to more than 40 Facebook notifications from an individual in Bangladesh thanking him for the donation. The man had sent me a video of himself from Bangladesh, surrounded by dozens of impoverished and hungry people holding bags of food, thanking me BY NAME (Michael) for my generous donation, he wrote, adding that he began to panic and pace around his apartment. Part of me wants to scream, part of me wants to crack up laughing. According to the Reddit user, who shared a link to some of the photos he allegedly received, the man in question had sent him literally hundreds of pictures of individuals in Bangladesh thanking him for the GoFundMe donation. The response from those helped by the fundraiser prompted Michael to rethink his decision to refund the entire charge, as he said he couldnt live with myself just donating $150 after seeing how the community responded to the $15,041. I decided the least I could do was to add a zero, and so I donated $1,500 once the original donation was refunded. The charitys host was incredibly gracious and understanding, and he explained to me that $1,500 goes very far in Bangladesh for urgent food relief, Michael continued, before adding a current link to the charitys GoFundMe. Michael concluded the story, which has since gone viral on Reddit, by noting that, ultimately, he believed the experience was a win-win, as he helped a great cause, and I got a funny story out of it. On the GoFundMe link, where it notes that the fundraiser has recently seen an influx in donations and raised more than $118,000 of its $148,000 goal, the organisers have acknowledged the impact Michaels Reddit post has had on the GoFundMe. Two weeks ago, a donors story went viral online, bringing our GoFundMe to over 2,800 amazing new donors from across the planet. Result: doors that were closed to us before are now opened. Resources which were out of reach are now available. This new capacity enables us to bring more food to more people more often, the GoFundMes organiser Jeffrey Dunan wrote, adding: Our field director in Bangladesh, Mr Shohag Chandra, is now able to prepare and host up to eight food-relief programs per month. Since January of this year, we have constructed a dedicated kitchen with commercial-grade cooking equipment. In the update, Dunan, who also goes by Vasanta Dasa, explained that the goal of the fundraiser is simple, to bring the best resources we can find to those who need it the most primarily to an underserved population (the elderly and the poor). According to Dunan, who wrote that he began the fundraiser in 2021, the charity provides meals and other supplies to people regardless whether they are Hindu, Christian, young, old, tall, small, etc. Hunger knows no boundaries, he wrote. In another update shared shortly after Michaels viral Reddit post, Dunan revealed that the fundraiser had received more than 1,800 donations in a single day because of the social media post. In the words of support section of the GoFundMe, many individuals have expressed their support for the charity while revealing that they learned about it from the viral post. Saw the Reddit story of Michael on the YouTube channel Smosh and just wanted to say that Michaels embarrassing story ended up fundraising for so much more than what would have been raised. So, in a sense, he did end up donating $15,041 and much more, one person wrote. On Reddit, where the original post has been upvoted more than 36,000 times, readers have also praised Michael for sharing the story, and for helping raise money for the GoFundMe as a result, Best post on here in AGES. Thank you for the great story and for helping out those folks. $1,500 is still very generous. Man, this got me good. I hope you didnt get behind on bills or anything after this mix up, one person commented. Another said: Youre a good guy, Michael. On the GoFundMe, a recent update includes photos of individuals living in Bangladesh holding up signs that read: Thanks Reddit. The Independent has contacted Michael and Dunan for comment. Marjorie Taylor Greene Claims Lauren Boebert Spilled On Their Spat To The Press Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) declared that Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) leaked details of a tense recent House floor encounter to the media. The feudbetween the Republicans reached new territory after the two each attempted to push impeachment resolutions directed at President Joe Biden on Wednesday and the Georgia Republican reportedly called Boebert a little bitch on the House floor. Greene, who confirmed the encounter last week, made the press leak claim as she labeled the move unfortunate during a Media Buzz interview with Fox News Howard Kurtz on Sunday. She added that Boebert has never responded to her and refused to do so after she asked her to co-sponsor her articles of impeachment aimed at the president. Then, when she introduced her own and forced them to the floor with a privilege resolution without even having the courage to talk to any other Republican in our conference before doing so except Speaker McCarthy and apparently a few others, Greene added. Yea, we had a tense conversation when she confronted me about things I had said about it but this is unfortunate that this becomes public on the House floor. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she finds it unfortunate that Lauren Boebert leaked the conversation where she called Boebert a little bitch to the press. pic.twitter.com/GPzNMh4TFy Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2023 Boebert, in an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity on Thursday, said Greene was not her enemy, before pivoting to criticism of Biden. HuffPost has reached out to Boebert, who was not available for immediate comment on Greenes claims. Related... Beto of Udinese Credit: Alamy Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Udinese centre-forward Beto this summer, who is keen on a move to the Premier League. The 25-year-old scored 10 goals in the Serie A last term and now his agents are working hard on finding him a new club. For example, Everton have been linked with a move for Beto in the past. But, given their ongoing financial issues, it seems unlikely they would be able to afford him. Now, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Betos representatives have made contact with Tottenham and Real Madrid to see if they are interested in signing the forward. However, so far, they have not got a positive response. This is largely due to his price tag. Indeed, Udinese reportedly want a fee in the region of 30m (25.6m) for his services, and no club is willing to pay that fee. As a result, its likely Udinese would have to drop their price tag for Tottenham to be interested in a deal. If they lose Harry Kane, however, they could potentially change their tune. But, as it stands, everything points towards the England international remaining at Spurs for another season. READ MORE: Man Utd to incur humiliating loss with Ten Hag willing to accept shock Tottenham transfer Tottenham need support for Kane However, even if Kane does stay, Tottenham could certainly do with some added support for Kane. Spurs brought in Richarlison for 60m last summer on the back of an impressive four-year stint at Everton. But, its fair to say the Brazil international didnt have the desired impact. Richarlison made 27 Premier League appearances last season, scoring just one goal. Now, it remains to be seen whether Ange Postecoglou will add attacking reinforcements to his squad. The manager currently has one eye on a few options. For instance, he is interested in reuniting with Celtic winger Kyogo Furuhashi at Spurs. Although, Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers doesnt want to lose him. For now, though, Postecoglous focus remains on improving his defence. This is no surprise, given they conceded an abysmal 67 goals last term the sixth-worst record in the Premier League. Therefore, as it stands, it seems very unlikely Tottenham will meet Betos 30m price tag. If Udinese drop their asking price, there is a possibility Spurs could be tempted. But, as mentioned, they have bigger priorities at the moment. READ MORE: Aston Villa eye sensational raid for Man City star with Tottenham plans handed damaging setback The article Serie A forward makes contact with Tottenham as Postecoglou considers Harry Kane cover options appeared first on Teamtalk.com. Schindler, an assistant professor of English, will travel to Sri Lanka, where she will teach teachers of English how to teach English at the Open University, and work on her project about the history of the discipline of English. "I proposed a research project that has two parts, but the goal of both of them is to understand South Asian and specifically Sri Lankan contributions to international Englishes," Schindler said. English is spoken more by non-native speakers than by native speakers, which makes English an interesting language because people who are non-native speakers or who are bilingual have shaped the history of English literature and English studies, Schindler said. "It's difficult because English is a global language, but it hasn't really accounted for how our international colleagues and friends and other English speakers around the world have shaped it," Schindler said. "So my goal with this is to understand what is Sri Lankan English, what's the history of English studies in Sri Lanka and then how does that help us understand this global language." Shelia Schulte, UNG associate vice president for international programs, recently returned from a Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Award trip to India. This Fulbright award is for international educators to learn about the higher education landscape in a particular country and to understand how to increase student mobility, faculty exchange and collaborative research interests. The purpose of the Fulbright-Nehru Program is to promote people-to-people collaboration that will lead to the exchange of knowledge. The Fulbright delegation of 14 administrators, all from different states and types of institutions, visited 14 Indian institutions of higher education in three different cities in a two-week time frame to see the variety of institutions that exist in India's complex educational system. "My goals for this experience were to find appropriate faculty exchange and research opportunities, consider possible study abroad programs for short-term, practice-orientated activities, and learn more about recruiting undergraduate Indian students to UNG," Schulte said. "Happily, all these goals were met along with enjoying rich interaction with the other Fulbright participants and Indian colleagues throughout the process." Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious and competitive fellowships that provide unique opportunities for scholars to teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright scholars also play a critical role in U.S. public diplomacy, establishing long-term relationships between people and nations. As a federally owned enterprise, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ provides advisory services to the Vietnamese Government in three priority areas: (1) Vocational training, (2) Environmental policy and sustainable use of natural resources, and (3) Energy. For further information, please visit www.giz.de/viet-nam. The NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC TIA) is a joint project of seven organisations, operating in China, India, and Vietnam and at the regional level. It aims at promoting a comprehensive approach on decarbonising transport, i.e., a coherent strategy of effective policies that are coordinated among various sector ministries, civil society, and the private sector. In each partner country, the consortium supports countries in facilitating and informing these stakeholder processes and developing selected climate actions. This enables partners to make a sectoral contribution towards achieving their NDCs and increase ambition in transport sections of long-term strategies and 2025 NDCs countries climate commitments at international level. As a regional initiative, the programme disseminates knowledge as well as experiences from China, India, and Vietnam in Asia. The consortium connects with regional stakeholders and other Asian countries in order to encourage taking a comprehensive approach to decarbonising transport. The objective of this tender is to develop, deploy and maintain a digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system for the transport sector in Vietnam, as part of the NDC Transport Initiative for Asia. The MRV system aims to enhance the transparency of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport sector and enable easy, regular data collection and reporting by enterprises, agencies, and units in the transport sector and provincial departments of transport. On behalf of the NDC TIA project, the GIZ Office Hanoi is conducting a public tender to seek qualified National Consulting Firm(s) (here after called NC) for the assignment as follows: a. Tentative duration: 01.09.2023 until 29.02.2024 b. Place of assignment: Hanoi/Vietnam c. Requirements: The selected contractor is expected to have extensive expertise and experience: - in development of web interface software systems, databases with 03 reference projects of minimum value of VND 2 billion); in conjunction with government software platforms with 03 reference projects; in using agile methods with 10 references projects. Projects that were outsourced cannot be counted. - 10 years of experience in software development for government agencies (ministerial, sectoral, local). - Additional of 3 reference projects for building analytical systems, synthesizing data from sources as well as giving reports and warnings would be an advantage for consideration. Projects that were outsourced cannot be counted. Interested NCs are requested to send 03 separate tender dossiers: A. Eligibility dossier in English only including: 1. Letter of interest (with Directors or authorised persons signature and company stamp). 2. NC profile (incl. Business license (for firm) or Decision of establishment (for association), Tax code registration, organisational chart, references for the summary of experience as described in the c. Requirements). 3. Audited financial reports of the last 3 years. Important/key information in the audited financial reports or in annual tax reports must be translated into English if documents are in Vietnamese. 4. Consortium (if at least 2 entities join the assignment): Consortium contract and nomination of consortium leader. B. Technical offer in English should contain the following information (in reference to the TOR and Technical Assessment Grid): Concept/approach/plan/backup plan to implement required tasks in the TOR. Human resources assignment with CV of proposed experts (in reference to the CV template). No cost and price should appear in the technical offer. C. Financial offer in English is to be quoted in Vietnamese Dong-VND (using the template provided). For your better preparation, receipt of tender dossier, please send email request to Question-from-bidder-PoS-VN@giz.de before 10.07.2023. GIZ is obliged to ensure the confidentiality of all bidding documents submitted. Important notes: 1. Request of tender dossier to be sent to Question-from-bidder-PoS-VN@giz.de before 10.07.2023. 2. Tender dossier related questions to be sent to Question-from-bidder-PoS-VN@giz.de before 24.07.2023. 3. Tender dossier to be sent to VN_PoS_Quotation@giz.de before 5 PM on 10.08.2023. Tender dossier composes of 03 separate document packages for A. Eligibility dossier, B. Technical offer and C. Financial offer in 01 email. 4. Sending documents to wrong email address will lead to disqualification of the bidder. 5. For data protection and information security reason: In case the total volume of your bids is below 10 MB, you can attach them directly in the email sent to us. In case the total volume of your bids is above 10 MB, the files must be sent via GIZ filetransfer system. We will provide the guidance on how to use filetransfer to interested bidders. Files sent via other applications/systems such as google drive, dropboxwill not be accepted. HCM CITY Faced with increased competition at home and stringent export requirements, food companies can remain competitive only by improving quality and production methods, experts have said. The ongoing weak global demand is affecting the industry as are issues related to barriers in export markets and the impacts of climate change on food production, they said. Viet Nams major markets like the US, EU and China have tough standards in terms of quality, food hygiene and safety that its exporters must comply with. Geopolitical instability, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict being a significant factor, and changing consumption patterns, with a shift towards plant-based protein sources, are also affecting the industry. Speaking at a seminar last Friday, Nguyen Thi Chan, head of the food department at TUV SUD Vietnam Company, said to remain competitive, local exporters must enhance production methods, trading habits and market approaches. They must ensure traceability for their products and improve quality to meet the strict requirements abroad, she said. For this, they need to continually innovate their production methods and study trade barriers, she added. Nguyen Tuan, deputy director of the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), said these challenges do not preclude opportunities for the industry. HCM City is focusing on developing a sustainable food processing industry, he said. To support food processing businesses, it has drafted a plan to attract investments and keep firms updated on the latest market trends, standards and quality requirements, he added. Leading F&B trade show The seminar was held by the ITPC and HCM City Food and Foodstuff Association as part of the second HCM City Food Exhibition (HCMC FOODEX 2023) to be held from June 28 to 30. Viet Nams leading food and beverage expo, which will have over 200 local and foreign exhibitors, will showcase agricultural products, seafood, spices, machinery and equipment, and processed foods. Visitors can also attend B2B matchmaking sessions and seminars and conferences on new trends and technologies, opportunities, challenges, and more. The Vietnamese culinary culture and other cuisines will be highlighted at the three-day fair. VNS HA NOI Some airports have overloaded infrastructure, said Nguyen Anh Dung, deputy director of the Department of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Transport at a seminar on mobilising resources for aviation infrastructure development on Friday. Viet Nam is currently operating 22 airports, of which 21 are managed by the State-owned Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV), Dung said. One airport Viet Nam has called and mobilised for investment in the PPP form is Van on Airport in Quang Ninh Province. The growth rate of the country's aviation industry is very high, averaging 16-18 per cent per year in the 2011-2019/2020 period, assessed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as the fastest-growing aviation industry in Southeast Asia and ranked fifth in the world. The very fast development of air transport has put pressure on the airport infrastructure. In the 2011-19 period, the investment results in Viet Nam's aviation infrastructure achieved the designed capacity for airports of 95 million passengers per year. While in fact, the highest time before COVID-19 in 2019, the output through Vietnamese airports reached 116.5 million passengers per year. "With such traffic, some of our airports have overloaded infrastructure, focusing mainly on the major hub airports of the country, namely Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Cam Ranh and a Nang, Dung said. "Our capital mobilised into these airports is mainly from the State budget and State-owned enterprises," he added. In the past, VN95 trillion (US$4 million) has been attracted, of which the State budget is about 13.5 per cent, the rest is capital from ACV. Pham Ngoc Sau, former Director of Van on International Airport, said that in terms of aviation output, there are currently about 100 million passengers per year. According to the Government's recent plan, there will be 279.5 million visitors by 2030, increasing by 2.7 times. In fact, the growth rate of the aviation industry is very fast. Viet Nam is one of the five countries with an average growth rate of 17-20 per cent per year. With such a rate, it only took us about three to five years to double the number of visitors, Sau said. "If we did not find solutions to implement projects in 2024-2025 to put into operation in 2027-2028, then we would continue to be overloaded in 2030," he noted. VNS HA NOI Samsung Vietnam on Friday organised an event to introduce the Solve for Tomorrow programme - Samsung's outstanding global social responsibility programme at Nam Tu Liem Secondary School in Ha Noi. The programme had the participation of South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee; Jo Sang Ho, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Southeast Asia (SEA); Kim Yong Sup, Vice President of Samsung Vietnam Complex; Hoang Thi Yen, Principal of Nam Tu Liem Secondary School and more than 20 students. Solve for Tomorrow organised by Samsung has created a creative thinking playground for students, which encourages them to apply STEM - science, technology, engineering, and math - to address social issues such as environment, safety, and sustainable development. At the event, First Lady Kim Keon Hee visited the display area of models of the competition's first prize-winning teams in the last two years and spent time talking with students participating in the Solve for Tomorrow programme. First Lady Kim said: Korea always accompanies and supports students on the path to pursuing their dreams. Hopefully, through the programme 'Solve for Tomorrow', the students will become more mature, thereby contributing more to Viet Nam and the world." Jo Sang Ho, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Southeast Asia (SEA), said: Since its official investment in Viet Nam, Samsung has actively contributed to Viet Nam's economic development with export turnover accounting for about 20 per cent of Viet Nam's total exports. Together with economic contributions, Samsung always strives to contribute to fostering technology talents, thereby increasing Viet Nam's fundamental competitiveness. The programme was first initiated in the US in 2010, then expanded to 55 countries around the world, attracting about 2.4 million students and teachers. It was launched in Viet Nam in 2019. In 2022, the competition attracted more than 70,000 middle and high school students nationwide. With the desire to get closer to and attract more students, this year, for the first time, Samsung conducts a roadshow journey in the northern, central and southern regions of Viet Nam. It is expected that this year's participation and entry rates would double those of the previous year. Additionally, Samsung offers a variety of possibilities to develop STEM education's research and application capabilities as well as students' capacity for problem-solving. Featured activities include providing high-quality online STEM courses that ensure face-to-face interaction between teachers and students; operating a team of senior professional advisors who are experts and employees of Samsung; sponsoring a functional classroom STEM Lab for the schools whose team won the first prize. VNS HA NOI The Government has just requested the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) to carry out plans to transfer Vietnam Air Petrol Company (Skypec) from Vietnam Airlines to PetroVietNam (PVN). The purpose is to support the restructuring of Vietnam Airlines and strengthen PVN's capacity in the supply chain and petroleum production. CMSC is also asked to report any issues that are beyond its authority and propose solutions to Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai before July 15. At the beginning of this year, Vietnam Airlines has consulted firms to implement Skypec's plan of transferring capital to resolve the financial issues. Skypec has a charter capital of VN800 billion (US$34 million), with Vietnam Airlines ownership rate of 100 per cent. Petrolimex Aviation and Skypec are currently the two main suppliers of aviation fuel in the domestic market. With an area of 220,000 square metres, Spkypec owns watershed warehouses at seaports and airports at 18 civil airports nationwide. It is capable of serving over 214,000 flights with a total annual output of over two million tonnes per year. VNS HA NOI Hoan My Medical Group, the leading private healthcare network in Viet Nam, and Asan Medical Centre, South Koreas largest general tertiary-care hospital will cooperate to advance medical treatment in Viet Nam. This consensus followed the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Viet Nam-Korea Business Forum 2023, held during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols first State visit to Viet Nam alongside a delegation of 200 business leaders. The agreement comes as the two countries seek to continue their close collaboration in trade and investment and build stronger bilateral business and economic ties. Under the MoU, Hoan My Medical Group and Asan Medical Centre will work together in several important areas. The two providers will exchange doctors, nurses, and medical technicians and support staff to enable both sides to share their knowledge and expertise in a wide range of medical fields. This strategic partnership will help to upskill the medical workforce in Viet Nam. It will equip doctors, nurses, and medical professionals with specialist knowledge and practical experience to improve clinical outcomes for patients. The two sides also aim to unlock new innovations in medical treatment, drive clinical improvements in a range of sub-specialities, and raise standards of healthcare. This agreement is an important milestone in the development of healthcare innovation in Viet Nam, said Dilshaad Ali Bin Abas Ali, CEO of Hoan My Medical Group. We are looking forward to working with Asan Medical Centre and its leading Korean clinicians, sharing with and learning from them to increase our mutual medical knowledge and improve our clinical expertise. This exchange of doctors, specialists, and surgeons will enable our 5,500-strong workforce to unlock new health innovations and drive vital improvements in medical diagnostics, treatment, and care." "Working with one of the worlds best hospitals will also help to drive our development of sub-specialities and accelerate our mission to provide outstanding healthcare here in Viet Nam throughout our nationwide network of 15 hospitals and six clinics, he said. "We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to impart the globally renowned medical expertise and knowledge of Asan Medical Centre in fields such as cancer treatment, organ transplantation, heart disease, and more," said Professor Seung-Il Park, President of Asan Medical Centre. "We are committed to making significant endeavours in broadening this collaboration to encompass physician training and providing medical treatment to Vietnamese patients afflicted with severe illnesses," he said. Hoan My is Viet Nams largest private healthcare network, with 15 hospitals and six clinics. Comprising a workforce of more than 5,500 dedicated professionals, it serves more than five million patient visits a year. Meanwhile, Asan Medical Centre is Koreas largest medical complex with 2,732 beds, and treats an average of 13,850 outpatients and 2,490 inpatients daily. It performs over 69,500 cases of complex surgeries each year. The centre has been acknowledged by US Newsweek in the Worlds Best Hospitals rankings, consistently holding the top spot in Korea for five consecutive years and ranking 29th globally. VNS HA NOI A programme to introduce African films screened in the Pan-African Film & TV Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) will take place in Ha Noi from today until the end of this month. Held for the second time in Viet Nam, the event is jointly organised by the Moroccan Embassy in Viet Nam, the Regional Office for Asia-Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), the French Institute in Viet Nam, and the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation to Viet Nam. It will offer Vietnamese film fans the chance to explore the continent through movies as African cinema is not widely popular in Viet Nam. The free event, which is open from June 26-30, introduces films that have won many awards at prestigious film festivals around the world. Among the movies screened, Horses of God, Night of the Kings, Dancing in the Dust, Freda, and Sun, will help the audience understand more about the daily life of African people and the intersection of past and present. This series of works has toured and won numerous international film festivals in France, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Most of them are films that have won awards at FESPACO over the years. The African film festival in Viet Nam opens with Horses of God, screened on June 26. The film narrates a fictional story while drawing inspiration from the real-life historical events surrounding a series of suicide bombings that rocked Casablanca in 2003. Its main character is a 10-year-old boy living in a slum area. Growing up in poverty and hardship, he is led down the path of becoming an extremist Muslim by circumstance. The film reaches a climax as he faces the danger of becoming a martyr for his faith. Horses of God won the Best Screenplay Award at FESPACO and the Francois Chalais Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. The Francois Chalais Award is given to works that celebrate human values and have strong journalistic impact. The film was also Morocco's official submission for the 2013 Academy Awards. The movies will be shown with Vietnamese, French and English subtitles, at Vietnamese Film Institute, located on 523 Kim Ma Street, Ba inh District. Entrance is free. FESPACO is the largest film festival in Africa. It has been organised biennially since 1969. The 28th FESPACO themed African Cinema and Culture of Peace took place in Burkina Faso from February 25 to March 4, screening 170 films, 15 of which were nominated for the "Yennenga Golden Stallion award. The first FESPACO in Viet Nam was held in March 2022, introducing four special feature films from Morocco, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Rwanda. VNS Film screening schedule SAINT HERBLAIN, FRANCE France-based association Art Space is organising a series of events to present Vietnamese culture at Carre International Cultural Centre in the city of Saint Herblain, France. The event will include an international exhibit and workshops titled "Connections" presenting paintings from the children of Viet Nam as well as 20 other countries. It will also feature a collection entitled Dreaming Hoi An by young artist Thao Nguyen, with vibrant and vivid photos of the ancient town. The project also includes workshops to explore Vietnamese culture and heritage at primary and middle schools such as Grand Bois, Jacqueline Auriol, Blanche de Castille, and Gutenberg in the cities of Nantes and Saint-Herblain, France. Almost a thousand French children have had the opportunity to understand Vietnamese culture through activities organised by 25 Vietnamese students from the US, UK, Australia, Viet Nam and France. The programme is part of the Toucher Arts project, which includes a series of seminars, concerts, exhibitions and workshops on Vietnamese culture at schools in France from June 20 to July 3, 2023. The event celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership between Viet Nam and France. Toucher Arts is hosted by Art Space Association, in cooperation with the Vietnam Bretagne Sud Association and APPEL Lorient Association. The project contributes to spreading Vietnamese culture to the world and also raises funds to help disadvantaged and disabled children in Viet Nam. At primary and secondary schools in the city of Saint-Herblain, students came together to promote Vietnamese culture to their peers, offering an engaging approach to discovering the vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese customs and heritage. Children experienced folk games such as the Cheraw dance and lion dancing, and learned about Vietnamese childhood toys like bamboo stilts, star lanterns, and bamboo dragonflies. They also learned about Mid-Autumn Festival and the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Teachers and staff participated in making star lanterns and red envelopes for lucky money. The exhibition encourages young art lovers to convey their thoughts about a world with strong connections and bonds, thereby expressing their desire for peace and friendship. The organisers of the "Connections" exhibition have received hundreds of paintings from Vietnamese children in Viet Nam and France. They also received entries from elsewhere in Asia, Europe, Australia, the Americas and Africa. Two hundred paintings were selected for display at the exhibition at Carre International. In addition, all submitted paintings will be introduced on the online exhibition at www.toucherarts.com. Exhibition participants can experience Vietnamese culture through calligraphy, decorating bamboo trays and creatinging ong Ho paintings. All activities are free of charge and all paintings on display are up for auction with the funds used to help disadvantaged, orphaned and disabled children in Viet Nam. Mr. Driss Said, Vice Mayor of Saint Herblain, said "I'm always happy to attend the events organised by Art Space, especially when their activities focus on promoting friendly relations between Viet Nam and France through cultural activities. "I'm also excited to have learned more about Viet Nam, a country with a rich and beautiful culture. I encourage people in Saint Herblain to participate in this interesting event to learn more about Vietnamese culture." VNS HA NOI The first Viet Nam-US Cultural Festival took place at the Viet Nam Centre for Exhibition of Cultural and Arts in Ha Noi on Sunday. The event was organised for Vietnamese Family Day 2023 on June 28, as part of activities celebrating the 28th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and the US (July 11, 1995 - 2023). A variety of activities were held during the festival, including art performances by Ha Nois children, comedy performances highlighting the differences between the cultures of Viet Nam and the US, self-defence classes for students and a rock music show. Pavilions featuring products from businesses around the country and abroad attracted many visitors. Representatives from firms and event organisers also attended a luncheon to share experiences in operations and management. An impressive check-in space showcasing Harley Davidson was arranged for 500 people. This activity attracted a large number of visitors with a passion for the brand. Visitors also enjoyed a culinary show with dishes made by famous chefs from restaurants around the capital city. According to the chairwoman of the Hanoi Association for Communication and Public Relations Pham Thanh Ha, the Viet Nam - US Cultural Festival 2023 successfully strengthened cultural bonds between the people from the two countries and raised awareness of Vietnamese Family Day. The Viet Nam USA Cultural Festival will be held annually to boost cultural exchange and promote trade, as well as introduce opportunities to study and travel with each other, she said. VNS BEIJING Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met officials of Viet Nams representative offices and the Vietnamese community in China on Sunday afternoon, within the framework of his official visit to China and his attendance at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF). PM Chinh said that his visit aims to deepen the traditional relations and neighbourliness between the two countries. He affirmed the Party and State always consider the overseas Vietnamese community of more than 5.3 million, including those in China, as an integral part of the great national solidarity bloc, one of the driving forces and a source of the country's development strength. The Party and State always pay attention to and have mechanisms and policies to support overseas Vietnamese to have full legal status, stabilise their lives, develop their economy, comply with the law of, and integrate into the host country, he added. The Government leader expressed his hope that Vietnamese people in China will continue acting as a bridge for the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations. He also said he believes they will have more substantive and effective contributions to Viet Nams nation-building and development cause. Regarding the communitys proposals, the PM asked related ministries, sectors and agencies to soon have response solutions. There are currently around 43,000 Vietnamese people living in China. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the Vietnamese Embassy and representative missions in Russia to prepare plans for protecting Vietnamese citizens in Rostov-on-Don and some areas in southern Russia where the security and order situation has shown complicated developments. The ministry recommended overseas Vietnamese residing in southern localities and Moscow follow the laws and instructions of local authorities. They are advised to stay indoors and refrain from joining activities with large numbers of people or making long trips within the territory of Russia. The OVs should also make evacuation plans, and keep regular contact with Vietnamese associations and Vietnamese representative agencies in Russia for urgent support when in need, the ministry said. The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia also urged Vietnamese expats in Russia not to go to Rostov, Voronezh and other provinces along the western and southwestern borders of Russia if not necessary. They are also advised not to approach military areas, petroleum depots and other places where access is restricted; not comment and share on relevant issues on mobile phones and social networks. For guidance and support in case of emergency or incidents of security and order, citizens can immediately contact the embassy via the hotline +79166821617 or call the Citizen Protection Hotline in Viet Nam: +84 9 81 84 84 84. VNS BEIJING Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China is a top priority in Viet Nams external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations. He made the statement during the talks with Chinese counterpart Qin Gang held in Beijing on Sunday. Son, who is accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on an official visit to China, underlined that Viet Nam attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China. Qin affirmed that China considers Viet Nam a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy as well as in its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two sides agreed that PM Chinhs ongoing visit is of great significance in continuing to reinforce and concretise high-level joint perceptions reached between the two countries during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to China last October, contributing to promoting the development of Viet Nam-China relations in a stable, healthy and sustainable manner. The two FMs hailed the positive development trend of the relations between the two Parties and countries recently. As the standing agencies of the Steering Committee for the Viet Nam-China relations, the two sides agreed to continue to work closely together in promoting meetings and exchanges at all levels between the two countries, while supporting ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries to deepen their partnership in all fields, expanding bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums, and properly settling disputes, thus maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region. Highlighting a number of issues of Viet Nams concern in cooperation between the two countries, FM Son proposed that the two sides strive for balanced and sustainable economic-trade collaboration. He suggested that China open its market and create optimal conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially farm produce to enter China, while increasing high-quality investment in Viet Nam and coordinating with Viet Nam in dealing with obstacles in a number of joint projects and speeding up the disbursement of Chinese grants in Viet Nam. Agreeing with Sons proposal, Qin underlined that the two countries are becoming increasingly important economic and trade partners of each other. China is willing to work with Viet Nam to optimise the supplementary advantages of the two economies, affirming that his countries will increase the import of Vietnamese products, especially farm produce, and create favourable conditions for custom clearance of goods through road border gates between the two countries, thus maintaining the smooth supply and production chain. China will also encourage its reputable businesses to invest in Viet Nam in areas of Viet Nams demand, he stated. The two FMs also had sincere and straightforward discussions on issues at sea, concurring to continue to strictly implement agreements and perceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and States, well control disputes and properly settle issues at sea. Son said that the two sides should respect each others legitimate interests in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. At the meeting, the two FMs also discussed international and regional issues of shared concern. VNS HA NOI The official visit of the President of the Swiss National Council Martin Candinas to Viet Nam from June 27 to 30 will be an opportunity to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries. Ambassador of Switzerland to Viet Nam Thomas Gass made the statement in a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency. The visit also aims to reinforce the excellent ties between the two parliaments, he said. During the visit, the Swiss official and his delegation will gain insight into the opportunities for cooperation with Viet Nam and discuss the signing of a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Trade Association (EFTA) so as to promote investment and trade cooperation between the two countries in the near future. According to the diplomat, EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation established to promote free trade and economic integration for the benefit of four member countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. These four countries are not included in the European Union-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). We look forward to accelerating the negotiation process of the Vietnam-EFTA; at the same time, strengthen bilateral cooperation to implement the Sustainable Development Goals in the fields of finance-banking, supporting the business-start-up community, science-technology, education-training, tourism, climate change response and people-to-people exchanges. These are also the topics that we want to discuss with Vietnamese leaders during the visit of President Martin Candinas, said the diplomat. During this visit, the delegation will supervise the management and implementation of a technical assistance package for Viet Nam worth 70 million Swiss Francs (CHF) (US$78.2 million) from the Swiss Government for the 2021-24 period, focusing on the fields of environmental protection and economic reform, along with other projects. Switzerland established its diplomatic relations with Viet Nam on 11 October 1971 and opened its first Embassy in 1973. Relations between Viet Nam and Switzerland have developed strongly over the past 50 years, extending beyond the political and the multilateral sphere to cover technical and economic cooperation, trade and investment, research and science, culture, tourism and people to people contacts. In addition to high-level contacts, trade and investment relations have also developed. Swiss direct investment in Viet Nam in 2022 amounted to more than CHF2 billion with more than 100 Swiss companies in the country, according to statistics from the Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam. Since 1991 when Switzerland became Viet Nam's technical and economic development partner, the country's government has provided CHF600 million to Viet Nam for socio-economic development. VNS BEIJING Viet Nam and China will expand cooperation in a range of fields, including finance, agriculture, transportation, environment, health, science and technology, and further improve customs clearance to avoid congestion of goods at the border gate. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the statement at the talks on Monday during the formers ongoing official visit to China. Highlighting the positive development of the relations between the two countries following the historic visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, PM Chinh said the Vietnamese Party, State and people consistently attach great importance to developing good relations with the Chinese Party, Government and people. He affirmed that this is a consistent and strategic policy and a top priority in Viet Nams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China always considers Viet Nam a priority in its neighbourly foreign policy. China always supports Viet Nam to successfully implement the cause of industrialisation and modernisation of the country and enhance its international role, he said. The two sides agreed to promote the effective implementation of the Viet Nam-China Joint Statement on further promoting and deepening the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic partnership. They also agreed to maintain exchanges and contacts at all levels, promoting exchanges and cooperation in the Party channel, between the two Governments, between Viet Nams National Assembly and Chinas National People's Congress. The two countries should also expand cooperation in key fields such as diplomacy, defence and security as well as strengthen substantive cooperation in all fields. The two leaders also agreed that Viet Nam and China build a land border of peace, stability, cooperation and development as well as control disagreements while maintaining peace and stability at sea, strengthening coordination in international and regional forums. PM Chinh suggested China accelerate the progress of opening the market for Viet Nams agricultural and aquatic products, create favourable conditions for the early establishment of Viet Nam Trade Promotion Offices in Chengdu (Sichuan) and Haikou (Hainan). He also expressed his wish that the two countries will coordinate with each other to improve customs clearance efficiency, avoid congestion of goods at the border gate; coordinate to completely solve problems in a number of cooperation projects in the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks", and speed up the implementation of China's grants to Viet Nam. The Vietnamese leader also suggested the two sides strengthen cooperation in the fields of finance, agriculture, transportation, environment, health, science and technology with a focus on green growth, circular economy, and climate change. The two countries should also exchange experience in macro-economic management, financial and monetary policy; further promote cooperation in farming, agricultural product processing, disease control, and protection of aquatic resources in the Gulf of Tonkin. They should also strengthen railway, road and sea connections, research and develop a number of standard gauge and high-speed railway lines connecting the two countries, while soon signing an agreement on search and rescue at sea and fully recover commercial flights. PM Chinh said the two countries should strengthen cooperation in water resource management in the Mekong-Lancang river basin and expects China to have more scholarships for Viet Nam. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said he highly valued Viet Nam's rapid economic development and dynamic business environment in the region. He said economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has a high degree of complementarity and has great potential. China will further open the market for Vietnamese goods, especially high-quality agricultural and aquatic products, and fruits. It will also create favourable conditions for quarantine, customs clearance and is willing to work together to resolve problems so that the two countries' trade relations can continue to grow sustainably and achieve new results. The Chinese leader suggested that the two sides strengthen strategic connectivity, especially in infrastructure and transport; promote cooperation in economy-trade and investment, especially in the fields of production, manufacturing, agriculture, cooperation in maintaining supply chains and production chains. Premier Li Qiang said that the Chinese government encourages Chinese enterprises, especially its large and high-tech enterprises, to expand investment in areas suitable to Viet Nams needs and its sustainable development strategies. The two sides also had sincere and frank discussions on maritime issues, agreeing to affirm the importance of properly controlling disagreements and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea). PM Chinh suggested the two sides strictly implement the high-level common perception and the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Viet Nam and China. He said the two countries should respect each other's legitimate rights and interests; settle disputes and disagreements by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while promoting the effectiveness of negotiation mechanisms on maritime issues. The two countries should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and strive to build a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is substantive, effective, and in line with the international law including UNCLOS 1982, he said. The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, agreeing to maintain coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums. PM Chinh affirmed the consistency of the One China policy and support for China to promote its increasingly important and active role in the region and in the world. He suggested that the two sides strengthen coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). At the end of the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing and announcement of four cooperation documents between the ministries, branches and localities of the two countries in the fields of immigration management, market supervision, and construction of smart border gate, research on marine environmental management in the Gulf of Tonkin. VNS HA NOI Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien has asked the Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam to promote defence cooperation between Viet Nam and Russia. At a reception for Russian Ambassador Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko in Ha Noi on Monday, the deputy minister stressed that Viet Nam always treasures the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia. He said along with the good development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, defence cooperation has continued to be rolled out effectively in the fields of delegation exchange, training, scientific research in the framework of the Viet Nam-Russia Tropical Centre, military technology and military history. Chien proposed that the two sides continue to effectively implement the defence cooperation plan for 2023, especially joint activities of the two defence ministries such as the 6th defence strategic dialogue at the deputy defence minister level, and the conference of the Coordinating Committee for the Viet Nam-Russia Tropical Centre. He urged Russia to accelerate assistance for the building of dossiers on the 70-year defence cooperation between Viet Nam and the Soviet Union/Russia Federation, and expand collaboration in cyber security and strategic research. Ambassador Bezdetko affirmed that the Russian defence ministry always wants to strengthen cooperation with the Vietnamese defence ministry under signed documents. He pledged to make the best possible preparations for the joint activities of leaders of the two defence ministries. VNS ONG THAP The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of ong Thap is expanding organic agriculture to improve quality and farmers incomes. Tran Ngoc An, its chairman, was the first in the commune to grow mango using organic methods, and has since been instructing others in their use. His 4ha mango orchard fetches him an income of VN400 million (US$17,000) a year. Organic mangoes cost VN10,000 a kilogramme to grow, VN1,000 less than by using traditional methods, he said. The weather remains hot in June these days because of climate change, but thanks to organic methods, mango trees still develop well and yield high-quality fruits, he said. Most mango farmers in the club have an area of at least 2,000sq.m. ong Thap, the deltas largest mango producing province, has 14,000ha under mango and an annual output 137,000 tonnes. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, deputy director of the province Peoples Committee, said mangoes are exported to highly demanding markets, and the adoption of Vietnamese and global good agricultural practice and organic standards has increased. We want to have all mango growing areas to have production codes and origin traceability and meet export requirements. Most farmers use organic fertilisers and plastic bags to cover young fruits to reduce the use of pesticides, and grow the fruit also in the off-season. The fruits are exported to many markets, including the EU, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Longan too In Chau Thanh District, many farmers grow longan using organic farming methods, mainly for export. Huynh Huu Thuan, chairman of the An Nhon Commune Farmers Association and deputy director of the An Hoa Safe Agricultural Product Co-operative, said in the past farmers used chemical fertilisers to grow longan and harvested 15-20 tonnes per hectare per year. But after switching to organic farming, they yield 30 tonnes and earn VN600 million ($25,500) per hectare. The co-operative is instructing its members in growing longan using organic methods, which also reduces costs, and the high quality means the fruit can be exported to large markets such as the US, EU, Japan, and South Korea. Phan Thanh Dung, deputy chairman of the Chau Thanh District Peoples Committee, said the administration acts as a link between farmers and co-operatives and farmers clubs in teaching them how to adopt GAP and organic standards and advanced techniques. Chau Thanh has more than 2,670ha under longan with an annual output of 40,000 tonnes. Its longan was granted the collective brand name of Chau Thanh longan in 2016, and the fruit is exported mostly to the US. Le Van Chan, deputy head of the province Plant Protection and Cultivation Sub-department, said the target this year is to grow 504,000ha of rice and 32,000ha of flowers and vegetables, with organic fertilisers used for 3 per cent of the former and 6-7 per cent of the latter. Growing organic rice ensures guaranteed demand and higher prices for farmers, according to the department. Le Quang Cuong, deputy chairman of the province Co-operative Alliance, said the alliance has stepped up advocacy about the benefits of organic rice. The switch to organic rice has also helped improve the environment and exports, he said. Many farmers in the province make organic fertilisers from agricultural by-products, animal waste and other natural materials, and this helps them reduce production costs. The province aims to increase the area under organic agriculture by 1 per cent a year in the 2022-25 period. VNS HA NOI Ha Noi joins Wellington and Auckland of New Zealand, Perth of Australia, and Bucharest of Romania in the top five cities in the world to make the most significant improvements to their overall livability rankings, according to CNN. The removal of COVID-19-related restrictions has overall boded well for global livability in 2023, Upasana Dutt, head of Livability Index at EIU, said in a statement. Education has emerged stronger with children returning to schools alongside a significantly reduced burden on hospitals and healthcare systems, with some notable improvements in cities across developing economies of Asia and the Middle East, she added. The EIU's index ranks 173 cities in five categories, namely stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Earlier, Ha Noi and Hue (in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue), were voted among the 10 winners in the "Best Cities" category at the 2023 Luxury Awards Asia Pacific by US travel magazine Travel+Leisure. Ha Noi is a destination for those who love light, poetic beauty, and the ancient appeal of time. Viet Nam's capital is famous for its centuries-old temples and architectural landmarks from French colonial times as well as its unique cuisine. Hue was formerly the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Viet Nam's last royal family. It is famed for its imperial tombs and UNESCO heritage sites such as the Imperial Citadel. VNS HCM CITY The Children's Hospital 2 in HCM City resumed liver transplants on Monday after an 8-month hiatus. The suspension of transplants was caused by difficulties in obtaining the necessary certifications for adult organ transplantation, limited operating rooms, a shortage of staff, and a shortage of organ donors for transplantation, according to the hospital. This led to many families with children suffering from end-stage liver disease having to seek treatment in Ha Noi, resulting in longer travel distances and higher costs. The hospital will perform liver transplant surgeries for two boys on the waiting list this week, Dan Tri (Intellectual) online newspaper reported. The first case is an 11-year-old boy named L.G.B. from Binh inh Province. He was born with biliary atresia and underwent an intestinal bypass surgery when he was just one month old. After more than 10 years of doctors' best attempts to help him, he has developed severe liver cirrhosis. A liver transplant is his last hope and his mother has decided to donate a portion of her liver to save him. The liver transplant surgery for B. was scheduled for Monday morning, with help from medical teams of two hospitals in HCM City. The surgeon from Children's Hospital 2 is responsible for the liver transplant, while the HCM City Medicine and Pharmacy University will assist in obtaining the donated liver. Three days later, Children's Hospital 2 will proceed with another liver transplant surgery for a second child. This case also involves a child with biliary atresia receiving a liver donation from the biological mother. Dr. Pham Ngoc Thach, deputy director of the hospital, said that despite the limited physical facilities, the current operating room is still capable of performing organ transplants. The hospital mainly encounters difficulties when operating rooms need to accommodate complex undertakings like open-heart surgeries and neurosurgery. Children's Hospital 2 has sent a request letter to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital for assistance in obtaining organs from adult donors for surgeries. Regarding the fact that patients from this hospital have travelled to Ha Noi in search of liver transplant opportunities, Dr. Thach said that Children's Hospital 2 maintains contact and will exchange information with the Vietnam National Children's Hospital to monitor the lab results and health status of the children. Children's Hospital 2 will publicly announce the resumption of liver transplants to allow parents to bring their children back for treatment if needed. The hospital will also have policies in place to support the expenses of families facing financial difficulties. VNS The workshop provided a platform for participants to discuss and strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member states to improve the health and wellbeing of migrants. It also called for streamlined collaboration for better access to healthcare services, especially for cross-border migrants. The Ministry of Health (MoH) of Vietnam led the workshop in collaboration with ASEAN member states, and with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Minister of Health, emphasised the importance of the workshop, saying, The International Workshop on Migration and Health for migrants in ASEAN is an excellent opportunity for all ASEAN members to collectively assess the current situation of migration, and its impact on socioeconomic development, in the region and the world. We can share lessons learned, initiatives, and policy recommendations to strengthen cooperation between member states. IOMs chief of mission Park Mihyung said, Healthy migrants contribute to healthy communities. I am proud that the IOM and ASEAN nations have taken a positive step towards advancing the migrant health agenda in accordance with the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM)." The GCM is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement that prioritises health as a cross-cutting issue, with references to health and healthcare access in several objectives. By aligning with the GCM with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and World Health Assembly Resolutions, we have a significant opportunity to promote the health of migrants, foster multi-sectoral partnerships, and develop data-driven policies in ASEAN, Mihyung added. ASEAN has long been a significant hub of origin, transit, and destination countries for migrants and their families. The region has the highest number of international migrants in Asia, following India and China. Over the past three decades, international migration within the ASEAN member states has witnessed a significant increase as people of diverse genders, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, and ethnicities migrate due to various push and pull factors. However, the burden of health issues within ASEAN remains complex, including infectious diseases, occupational health hazards and injuries, mental health challenges, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and maternal and children's health. Recent studies conducted by the IOM in the region have highlighted the challenges faced by cross-border migrants in accessing healthcare, including language barriers, discrimination, financial constraints, and a lack of portable health insurance across borders and official cross-border referral mechanisms for migrant patients. They can be made even more vulnerable in pandemic situations due to inadequate access to healthcare, as shown in the last few years. Migrant health is also a top priority for the ASEAN Health Sector under the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda, specifically, the ASEAN Health Cluster (AHC 3) on Strengthening Health Systems and Access to Care. The AHC 3 aims to enhance health systems capacity and capability to improve services for documented migrants, including migrant workers, especially women and children. In the current market context, how have investment preferences changed? Hung Truong, senior investment director at SK Vietnam, and judge for the KPMG Global Tech Innovator 2023 In the current market, investors are shifting their preferences towards innovative tech-driven startups in Vietnam. Sectors like AI, fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, agritech, and digital solutions are gaining interest. Investors seek companies leveraging advanced technologies to disrupt industries and drive growth. They prioritise market traction, revenue models, and profitability. Environmental, social, and governance considerations are also important, with investors looking for sustainability and social impact. In the private equity tech innovator competition, showcasing innovative solutions, scalability, market potential, and alignment with the aforementioned principles is crucial. Startups should emphasise addressing market gaps and unique value propositions to attract investors. What are the projections for the inflow of capital into Vietnamese enterprises, tech startups, and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the near future? Positive projections indicate a promising inflow of investment capital into Vietnamese enterprises and tech startups. The countrys supportive government policies and initiatives have generated significant interest from both domestic and international investors. Vietnams rapid economic growth and better conditions for startups have established it as an appealing investment destination in Southeast Asia. The thriving ecosystem, driven by entrepreneurship and innovation, has attracted a steady stream of investors. Tech startups, in particular, are expected to receive substantial investment due to advancements in technology and digitalisation across industries. Vietnams talented workforce and tech-savvy population further contribute to its appeal as an investment hub. Given Vietnams strategic location and its integration into the global economy, the country is poised to attract more investment capital. However, competition among neighbouring countries for investment is intensifying. To stand out and secure investments, entrepreneurs and startups must continuously enhance their value propositions, demonstrate scalability, and differentiate themselves in the market. Will they face any intense competition from other countries in the region, and what do experts think about the recent drop in valuations of tech firms? Vietnamese enterprises, including tech startups, face fierce competition from other countries in the Southeast Asian region. Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have established thriving startup ecosystems with strong support systems and access to capital. While Vietnam has made progress, its essential to recognise the competitive landscape and the advantages other countries offer, such as developed infrastructure and larger consumer markets. Regarding recent technology company valuations, the downturn is likely a temporary market correction rather than a permanent setback. Technology valuations are volatile and influenced by factors like market sentiment and economic conditions. Despite short-term declines, the long-term potential of tech companies remains strong. This situation presents opportunities for investors to identify undervalued companies with solid growth prospects. This downturn can also serve as a reality check, prompting companies to focus on sustainable growth, profitability, and building robust business models. What do you consider to be the greatest challenges facing startups today, and what measures can they adopt to help them? Startups face significant challenges in todays business landscape. Funding is a major concern, as economic downturns heighten investor caution and reduce confidence. Attracting and retaining top talent is difficult due to limited resources for competitive compensation. Market uncertainty during downturns can disrupt consumer spending patterns and decrease confidence. Startups must be agile and adaptable to navigate these challenges. Access to essential resources and support networks, such as incubators and mentorship programmes, may be limited during downturns, hindering growth and partnerships. The multifaceted challenges facing startups escalate further in economic downturns. Tech startups can overcome challenges by taking several measures. Building a strong network with mentors, advisors, and potential investors is of utmost importance. Networking events, incubator programmes, and competitions offer opportunities for valuable connections and guidance. Innovation and differentiation are crucial for standing out in the competitive market. A robust business plan showcasing growth and profitability potential is vital for attracting investors, and participation in competitions provides exposure and validation. Strategic partnerships with established companies enhance credibility. Demonstrating market traction and customer adoption is important for investor interest, and cultivating a culture of continuous learning and adaptability is key. Flexibility and agility are strengths in the evolving business environment. What advice would you give to companies who will participate in competitions such as the KPMG Global Tech Innovator? Participating in competitions can provide valuable opportunities for companies to showcase their innovations and attract potential investors. Here are some pieces of advice for companies participating in such competitions: Clearly define your value proposition: Articulate your unique value proposition and how your technology innovation addresses a specific problem or meets a market need. Highlight the key benefits and advantages of your solution compared to existing alternatives. Focus on market validation: Demonstrate market validation by showcasing evidence of customer interest, pilot projects, partnerships, or early adopters. This validates the demand for your solution and helps increase the confidence of potential investors. Develop a strong pitch: Craft a compelling and concise pitch that effectively communicates your vision, market opportunity, business model, and growth potential. Emphasise the scalability and long-term sustainability of your solution. Showcase traction and achievements: Highlight any achievements, milestones, or traction you have achieved so far. This can include customer acquisitions, revenue growth, product enhancements, or successful deployments. It demonstrates that your innovation is not just a concept, but has real-world applicability and potential. Build a strong team: Investors often consider the capabilities and expertise of the team behind the innovation. Showcase your teams qualifications, relevant experience, and track record in successfully executing projects or ventures. Investors want to see a team that can deliver results. Understand the competitive landscape: Conduct a thorough analysis of the competitive landscape and demonstrate your understanding of competitors and how your solution differentiates itself. Showcase any barriers to entry or intellectual property protection that give you a competitive advantage. Articulate your growth strategy: Present a clear and well-defined growth strategy that outlines how you plan to scale your business and capture a significant market share. Discuss your go-to-market strategy, distribution channels, and potential partnerships. Demonstrate a strong business model: Clearly explain your revenue model, pricing strategy, and potential for generating sustainable revenue streams. Provide insights into your cost structure, customer acquisition costs, and profitability projections. Leverage networking opportunities: Take advantage of the networking opportunities provided by the competition to connect with industry experts, potential investors, and mentors. Build relationships that can provide valuable guidance, support, and potential partnerships beyond the competition. Be open to feedback and learning: Be receptive to feedback from judges, mentors, and other participants. Use the competition as a learning opportunity to refine your business strategy, pitch, and value proposition. Adapt and iterate based on the insights gained throughout the competition journey. In overall, participating in competitions is not only about winning but also about gaining exposure, building relationships, and refining your business proposition. Leverage the experience to enhance your visibility in the industry and attract potential investors and partners. KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2023 Vietnam & Cambodia The KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator competition is looking for tech breakthroughs and ambitious entrepreneurs. Shortlisted companies will present their innovations and growth plans to top business, technology, and finance leaders. The country finalists will be announced through local, national, and social media, and the winner will be invited to compete on the global stage for the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator crown during Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. The application round ends on June 30, 2023. Dong Thap is marking a turning point in cooperation with investors from the likes of India For the first time, about 150 Indian enterprises in agriculture, agricultural engineering, food processing, seafood, IT, and tourism will join the India-Dong Thap Trade and Investment Conference 2023, held on June 27-29, to study investment opportunities in the province. The conference highlight is the meeting and discussion session connecting businesses from the two parties with the two topics of trade and investment and tourism and IT. These meetings and discussions will play an extremely important role in deepening the bilateral cooperation, bringing the locality a green and sustainable economy, and simultaneously becoming a leader in the digital transformation of the Mekong Delta. Investors will also join an extended field trip as part of the conference. A display area and exhibition of outstanding products, products of startups, and export products of Dong Thap will also be held. In addition, there will be an exhibition area about industrial parks and clusters; border-gate economic zones; exhibition booths; explainers on digital transformation model in education, agriculture, and tourism; as well as the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Dong Thap Business Association and Indian business partners. Nguyen Phuoc Thien, Deputy Chairman of Dong Thap Peoples Committee, said that all preparations for the conference were completed through thoughtful coordination between local authorities and related parties including the Consulate General of India in Vietnam and the community of Indian investors in the country. We are creating a good impression for the Indian business community on the investment environment of the province and the Mekong Delta region in general, ensuring practical, effective, and economical benefit as well as promising prospects of practical and extensive cooperation, Thien said. Vietnam and India established a strategic partnership relation in 2007, which was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016. In 2022, the two countries celebrated 50 years since establishing diplomatic relations in many localities in both countries. Bilateral trade reached $15.1 billion in 2022 and the figure is forecast to hit $20 billion by 2025. Vietnams export turnover to India last year reached $7.9 billion, up 26.7 per cent on-year, compared to 2021; Vietnams import turnover from India was approximately $7.1 billion, up 1.7 per cent on-year. By the end of 2022, India had invested in 346 projects here registered at more than $1 billion, ranking 24th out of 139 countries and territories doing business in Vietnam. To date, Dong Thap has attracted two projects from India: Sethia Hemraj Rice Oil and Olam Global Agri Vietnam. Madan Mohan Sethi, consul general of India in Ho Chi Minh City said, I believe that the event will mark a turning point in the cooperation and bring positive results going forward. We expect the province to dispatch highly-skilled labourers to India to learn about our mango processing experience. If our investors can open processing factories here, the province will become a new mango processing centre in Vietnam. Dong Thap is an agricultural province with abundant raw materials with a rice output of over three million tonnes per year; aquatic products with over 500,000 tonnes per year, and fruit trees 400,000 tonnes per year, especially mangoes. Dong Thap businesses grow the engine of local economy Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta is sparing no effort in aiding business development, with businesses the key enabler behind strong provincial achievements. Dong Thap province to upscale basa fish kingdom with festival The first-ever Basa Fish Festival will be taking place on December 16-17 in Hong Ngu city in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. Hai Duong, in a recent development, has successfully concluded an MoU with Doosan Group, a prominent multinational conglomerate, regarding a collaborative investment endeavour. The agreement aims to expand an existing electronic component manufacturing facility catering specifically to the automotive industry. Under the agreement, Doosan Group has committed to executing and overseeing the investment project's expansion in Hai Duong. The project's primary focus will be on the production of flexible printed circuit boards and battery management system components utilised in electric vehicles. Doosan Group will adhere to laws and prevailing regulations while engaging in import, export, and wholesale activities. The projected supplementary investment capital for this firm amounts to an estimated $120 million. Doosan Group's decision to embark on this venture follows its prior substantial investments in Vietnam, particularly in energy generation, encompassing coal and wind power projects. The upcoming project is slated to be implemented within Hai Duong's designated industrial zones, leveraging the region's favourable business environment and infrastructure. As of the beginning of June, Hai Duong successfully attracted a significant influx of foreign direct investment (FDI), totalling nearly $210 million. This substantial capital inflow predominantly gravitates towards newly sanctioned FDI initiatives, exhibiting a four-and-a-half-fold increase in the number of projects and an impressive six-fold surge in the registered capital when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Doosan Group, founded in 1896, traces its origins back to the establishment of Park Seung Jik Store in Baeogai. Over the span of more than a century, Doosan has evolved into a highly diversified conglomerate and has earned its status as one of the world's top ten largest heavy equipment manufacturers. Hai Duong to assist foreign-invested enterprises Hai Duong Peoples Committee has committed to removing the barriers for foreign-invested enterprises to create a more open and favourable investment environment that will entice investors to expand their operations. Chinas Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology to invest in Hai Duong Hai Duong province has proactively welcomed Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology, a prominent Chinese high-tech business specialising in lithium-ion battery materials and energy storage systems, highlighting its dedication to attracting high-tech investments and fostering a favourable business environment. UAEs non-oil foreign trade increased 28 per cent in 2021 and 17 per cent in 2022. What made UAE foreign trade increase so impressively while global trade was suffering significantly? Dubai Chambers president & CEO Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah talked with Thuc Minh at the 13th World Chambers Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Noah Rosa There are several reasons. First, we acted very fast during the pandemic outbreaks, so we reopened early. Second, a lot of relief policies and programmes were launched, increasing the friendliness and competitiveness of our business environment. I think that gave us, UAE and Dubai, big advantages to draw a lot of investments and helped new businesses to start despite the pandemic. When you have businesses remain or new ones enter the market, they need many things to (re)start. In addition, during the pandemic, we closed for only two weeks and were very active in dialogue with partners to find ways to continue global trade. We concluded several Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) with various partners to increase foreign trade and remove both tariff and non-tariff barriers. That had a vast impact, helped increase both exports and imports. The UAE has become a vibrant economy, and a business and tourist hub. How did you transform the oil-dependent economy into a vibrant economy over the last few decades? We have an internal process that involves the private sector in any draft laws and policy reforms. Normally, the government reaches out to the private sector through the chambers of commerce to make sure all the laws and regulations that impact directly or indirectly on businesses are reviewed and adjusted timely. We at the Dubai Chambers get all comments by the private sector, then communicate with the government on any policy or regulation that has impacted negatively on businesses or contributed to attract foreign investments. In 2022, for example, only through Dubai Chambers, we reviewed 81 draft laws. The average rate of adoption, or the governments acceptance of comments from private sector, is around 60 per cent, which is very high. In certain fields, such as family business laws, it is 90 per cent. That means our government is very resilient and really listens to the private sector. That also means the private sector trusts the government, and they will continue to give their comments. The private sector is fast moving. If they cannot move fast, they will move to other markets immediately. So, it is critical to have the policy side act fast and the involvement of all stakeholders. For certain business laws, not only businesses but also consumers, non-government organisations must be involved. Moreover, we value innovation. We have a good culture for innovation. Innovation is not only important for companies, but also helps draw talent. Thats why Dubai is home to 199 nationalities. We have received academics from all parts of the world coming to work here because they like our innovative culture. They want their ideas to be accepted and developed. Innovation cuts across all sectors, not only in technology as some people may have thought. And what matters is how we involve all sectors and players, even small- and- medium- sized enterprises in the innovative impulse. Can you tell us about your chambers? How are they structured? We have gone through the process of restructuring recently. We used to be one chamber. Now we break into three. Dubai Chamber of Commerce takes care of all domestic affairs, businesses, business policy reforms, and approves all business formalities of the city. Dubai International Chamber (DIC) focuses on attracting foreign direct investments into our city and helping Dubai companies to go global to invest outside or export more. The third one is Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy that helps develop the digital technology sector and at the same time increase the digitalisation in the economy. The DIC created in 2021 is mandated to do an initiative for Dubai Global. That is the network of representative offices and trade promotion officers. They focus on Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, apart from developed economies. Very soon this year, we will open an office in Ho Chi Minh City. We cannot tell the specific time just yet. But in July, we will bring a business mission to Vietnam to meet with all chambers of commerce in the country and with Vietnamese companies. Last month, we opened offices in Jakarta (Indonesia) and Singapore. We believe the ASEAN countries will continue to grow, and we should do more business and investment in the region. Dubai Chambers president & CEO Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah. Photo: Marc Bader That is good news. It means that you have found strong potential in Vietnam? Vietnam is very important to us, not only within the Southeast Asian region. We have witnessed Vietnam achieving continuous GDP growth year by year over the last 10 years. We at the Dubai Chambers always like to identify which partners to concentrate on. The UAE and Vietnam enjoy strong bilateral ties and we expect trade and economic relations to further grow following the recent joint declaration of intent to launch talks on establishing a CEPA between the two countries. There is a great opportunity for forward-looking Vietnamese businesses to benefit from Dubais vast potential for trade and investment. Similarly, Dubai businesses can benefit from investing in Vietnam, especially through export and re-export. Dubai is the most connected to the African continent. DP World (Dubai multinational logistics company) manages 25 ports in Africa. Emirates is the most connected airline in Africa. And there is a historical global treaty between Dubai and the continent. So, what we can offer to Vietnamese companies is through Dubai to go global. As Vietnam is among our top 10 exporters into Dubai, we believe that by having our physical office there, we not only encourage Dubais big companies to go to Vietnam but also to encourage even more Vietnamese companies to take advantage of what Dubai can offer. Its essential for us to ensure our office in Vietnam, once set up, to be very active. We will focus on outcomes with clear targets, for instance how many Vietnamese companies we have to attract and help grow, and how many Dubai companies go to Vietnam to spot investments. Based on the targets, we can measure success or learn from the areas of development and continue improvement. What sectors or industries have potential for Vietnam and Dubai to develop more? There are two main areas. The first one we concentrate on is attracting digital technology startups from Vietnam. We have big events that take place in Dubai, such as the Expand North Star Summit organised yearly in October. Last year, this event hosted 800 tech-startups from more than 100 countries and over 600 venture capital funds. This year, it will be made even bigger. Thats an opportunity for Vietnamese tech-startups to go to Dubai, showcasing their products and services to get funding. The second one focuses on traditional sectors. We know that Vietnam is strong in manufacturing. How can we help more Vietnamese products to go from Dubai to neighbouring regions like Africa, Middle East and Central Asia? Starting from last year, we have seen a lot of fruits coming from Vietnam. How can we increase the volume? We are happy to do that. Products of high potential for growth in exports from Vietnam to Dubai include coffee, tropical fruits, furniture, and cashew nuts. On the other side, we want to bring into Vietnamese market more products from Dubai and Africa such as spices, perfumes, and sausages, sustainably and more affordably. With the connectivity and logistics infrastructure we have, we are sure we can supply goods from our regions at very competitive prices. Dubai Chambers flashy booth at the 13th World Chambers Congress attracted many visitors. Photo: Marc Bader A common belief among businesses Vietnam is that Dubai is a financial hub where investment funds are abundant. How can they be accessible for Vietnamese companies? I invite Vietnamese tech-startups to come to Dubai this October to join the event I mentioned earlier. Last year, the funds awarded to startups at the event reached nearly $500 million. Its also worth mentioning that about 40 per cent of funds for startups in the Middle East region came to Dubai last year. That is therefore an ample opportunity for Vietnamese startups. What about funds for other sectors such as infrastructure or agriculture? Technology is crucial to us. But that doesnt mean we dont consider projects in other sectors. Its important to show us projects with a comprehensive profile, clarity on the terms and conditions and all requirements. We at Dubai Chambers can do the connectivity. If there are such project proposals, they can be communicated through us, then we can inform interested parties in Dubai. There is great potential for investments in sectors of mutual interest, including industry, energy, logistics, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure. High potential sectors for investment in Vietnam include agribusiness, construction, ecotourism, and food processing. With Dubais new Economic Agenda (known as D33), which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy by 2033, our outlook for stronger ties with Vietnam is very positive as both sides can leverage one anothers strategic partnerships and agreements. Vietnam-Dubai economic relations in numbers - In 2022, Dubai's total non-oil exports to Vietnam reached $309 million, while imports from Vietnam recorded $7.37 billion. - Dubais 2022 main exported and re-exported products to Vietnam included tobacco ($92 million), animal fodder ($38 million) and aluminium ($33 million), as well as perfumes and cosmetics, machinery, plastics, iron and steel, mineral fuels and bituminous, and medical instruments. - Meanwhile, Dubai imported from Vietnam electronics ($5.15 billion), footwear ($564 million) and machinery ($375 million), as well as knitted articles, inorganic chemicals, apparel, fruits and nuts, coffee, tea and spices, furniture, and leather articles. - As of May 31, 2023, a total of 170 members from Vietnam signed up with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, with 22 of them having registered between January and May 2023. Source: Dubai Chambers Trade relations between Vietnam and the UAE in figures. Source: Dubai Chambers Vietnam, UAE to soon kick off negotiations of comprehensive economic partnership agreement Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Ministerial Declaration on starting negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two nations right after Vietnam completed its procedures. PM calls for early finalisation of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with UAE Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hanoi on June 5, calling on the UAE to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon finalise talks on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Russian law enforcement forces are deployed on Red Square in Moscow on June 24 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the Vietnamese Embassy and representative missions in Russia to get plans ready for protecting Vietnamese citizens in Rostov-on-Don and some areas in southern Russia where the security and order situation has shown complicated developments. The ministry recommended overseas Vietnamese residing in southern localities and Moscow to follow the laws and instructions of local authorities. They are advised to stay indoors and refrain from joining activities with large number of people or making long trips within the territory of Russia. The OVs should also have evacuation plans in case necessary, and keep regular contact with Vietnamese associations and Vietnamese representative agencies in Russia for urgent support when in need, the ministry said. The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia also urged Vietnamese expats in Russia not go to Rostov, Voronezh and other provinces along the western and southwestern borders of Russia if not really necessary. They are also advised not to approach military areas, petroleum depots and other places where access is restricted; not comment and share on relevant issues on mobile phones and social networks. For guidance and support in case of emergency or incidents of security and order, citizens can immediately contact the embassy via the hotline 79166821617 or the call the Citizen Protection Hotline in Vietnam: 84 9 81 84 84 84. The signing ceremony took place amid a Honda delegations visit to Hola Park CodeCation campus, which is known for its green and modern technology environment, and is home to nearly 10,000 FPT Software engineers. Hondas and FPT Software Japan signed the agreement According to the agreement, FPT Software Japan will consider setting up an on-site team in Japan in charge of development, maintenance and operation of IT service works. It will also work closely with Honda, aiming to reduce development and operational costs incurred by Honda by up to 30 per cent, and prepare the Offshore Delivery Centre (ODC) dedicated to Honda and increase the workforce of the ODC to a few hundred people until the end of 2025. In 2021, both parties have also entered into a service agreement to launch a project for building a connected automotive system with a smartphone application. FPT Software has also developed Honda+ Cloud apps with modern features, benefiting 4.5 million customers in Vietnam for Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd. FPT Software is a partner to numerous renowned car manufacturers from Japan, Korea, and the European Union. They specialise in automotive applications, design, automotive software testing, and IT/ERP, providing solutions for next-generation vehicles. In 2022, FPT Software organised the Automotive Tech Show, attended by over 1,000 engineers and technology students. This event showcases their commitment to bolstering Vietnam's position in the global automotive technology sector. Honda is a global company and the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world since 1959. It is also the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines, with 14 million internal combustion engines per year. Honda is currently the world's No. 1 power supply manufacturer and supplies 30 million power supplies worldwide each year. Targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, Honda will develop electric vehicles globally and aim for 100 per cent EVs and FCVs by 2040. FPT and Mila expand strategic partnership to advance responsible AI On June 2, Vietnams largest IT service provider, FPT, and Mila - Quebec AI Institute announced the renewal of a three-year strategic partnership agreement to promote responsible AI. FPT Smart Cloud sets its sights on Indonesia: unleashing AI innovation to transform financial market Armed with a rich portfolio of AI-driven solutions and backed by an illustrious track record, FPT Smart Cloud aims to empower businesses, optimise operations, and foster sustainable growth across various sectors, particularly the banking, finance and insurance industries in Indonesia the largest economy in the Southeast Asia. A corner of Hanoi (Photo: tuoirtre.vn) Hanoi Hanoi joins Wellington of New Zealand, Auckland of New Zealand, Perth of Australia, and Bucharest of Romania in the top five cities in the world to make the most significant improvements to their overall livability rankings, according to CNN. The removal of COVID-19-related restrictions has overall boded well for global livability in 2023, Upasana Dutt, head of Livability Index at EIU, said in a statement. Education has emerged stronger with children returning to schools alongside a significantly reduced burden on hospitals and healthcare systems, with some notable improvements in cities across developing economies of Asia and the Middle East, she added. The EIU's index ranks 173 cities in five categories, namely stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Earlier, Hanoi and Hue (in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue), were voted among the 10 winners in the "Best Cities" category at the 2023 Luxury Awards Asia Pacific from US travel magazine Travel Leisure. Hanoi is a destination for those who love light, poetic beauty, and the ancient appeal of time. Vietnam's capital is famous for its centuries-old temples and architectural landmarks from French colonial times as well as its unique cuisine. Hue was formerly the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family. It is famed for its imperial tombs and UNESCO heritage sites such as the Imperial Citadel. PM seeks to amend Hanoi masterplan The capital's master plan amendment proposal will be presented to the Ministry of Construction to be discussed in August and to the National Assembly for approval at its meeting in October. Hanoi reserves resources for improving quality of peoples life With a population of about 10 million people, Hanoi is one of the most populous cities in the country, therefore the capital always faces many social issues, including security and order, employment, and social evils, among others. The MoU was signed at the 2023 Vietnam-Korea Business Forum, held during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols first state visit to Vietnam alongside a delegation of 200 business leaders. The agreement comes as the two countries seek to continue close collaboration in trade and investment and build stronger bilateral business and economic ties. Hoan My Medical Group and Asan Medical Centre will work together in several important areas. The two providers will exchange doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and support staff to share their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of medical topics. The strategic partnership will help to upskill the medical workforce in Vietnam and will aim to equip doctors, nurses, and medical professionals with the specialist knowledge and practical experience needed to improve clinical outcomes for patients. Through new centres of excellence, the two sides will aim to promote innovation in medical treatment, drive clinical improvements in a range of subspecialties, and raise the overall standards of healthcare. The agreement comes as the two countries seek to continue close collaboration in trade and investment and build stronger bilateral business and economic ties. This agreement is an important milestone in the development of healthcare innovation in Vietnam, said Dilshaad Ali Bin Abas Ali, CEO of Hoan My Medical Group, We are looking forward to working with Asan Medical Centre's clinicians, sharing with and learning from them to increase our mutual medical knowledge and improve our clinical expertise. Working with one of the worlds best hospitals will also help to drive our development of subspecialties and accelerate our mission to provide outstanding healthcare here in Vietnam throughout our nationwide network of 15 hospitals and 6 clinics, Ali added. Professor Seung-Il Park, president of Asan Medical Centre said, We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to impart the globally renowned medical expertise and knowledge of Asan Medical Center in fields such as cancer treatment, organ transplantation, heart disease, and more. New way out for medical investment While the problems related to the legal framework about joint venture and private investment engagement to be solved in the newly-adopted amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, bringing about new opportunities for businesses and health facilities, the enforcement will be the answer for long-year expectations. T&T Group and DB Group form strategic partnership to fuel investment opportunities T&T Group and DB Group have joined forces in a strategic alliance, aiming to drive investment collaboration across various sectors in Vietnam but with a primary focus on the insurance industry. Prudential Vietnam and VIB enter bancassurance partnership The extension of the strategic bancassurance partnership between the two businesses underscores the objective of both sides to bolster future confidence for Vietnams bancassurance sector. Nearly 1,000 yogis in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau gathers at the 9th International Day of Yoga 2023 (Photo: VNA) Ba Ria-Vung Tau Nearly 1,000 yogis in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau gathered at an event on June 25 to celebrate the International Day of Yoga 2023 (June 21). Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of the Ba Ria- Vung Taus Yoga Federation Nguyen Thi Lan said the event is a chance for yogis to meet, exchange experience and share expertise in the practice, spread a positive lifestyle, balance the mind, and relieve stress in life. For his part, Tushar Garg, Administrative Assistant Section Officer of the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, said Yoga brings several benefits to exercisers at every age groups. Practicing yoga helps improve health and working productivity, and creates positively impacts on social relationships while helping people maintain harmony with the surrounding environment, he added. The International Day of Yoga was first celebrated in 2015. This year, the day is themed One world, One health. Yoga emphasises the values of mindfulness, moderation, discipline and perseverance. Applied to communities and societies, Yoga offers a path for sustainable living. Yoga is a 5,000-year-old tradition from ancient India that combines physical, mental and spiritual pursuits to a harmony between the body and the mind and with the nature. In recognition of its health benefits for the world population, the United Nations General Assembly designated 21 June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY), following a call by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi in September 2014. Vietnam was a co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga and has been an important partner of India in promote and celebrate the International Day of Yoga. The immense popularity of Yoga in Vietnam demonstrates a sound awareness about benefits of practicing yoga and its role for deep cultural and people-to-people connection between the two countries. Ba Ria-Vung Tau province hitting targets in style Despite various challenges, and with proactiveness and timely implementation of the whole political system in addition to the confidence and support of the business community and individuals the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has achieved encouraging results in 2022, according to the provinces Party Committee Secretary and Chairman of the Peoples Council Pham Viet Thanh. LG Innotek said that the investmentwill be carried out between July this year and December 2025, with the new plant aiming to provide a wide range of components for the main camera module on Apple's iPhone. The Seoul-based supplier signed an MoU on expanding its current investment with Haiphong's representatives during an investment promotion trip in Korea on June 13, and the venture will increase the total capital of LG Innotek Vietnam Haiphong to over $2 billion. Cho Ji Tae, vice chairman of LG Innotek thanked Haiphong for its support for the completion of the investment expansion. The citys desire to improve the investment environment and reform its administrative procedures has been the driving force for our decision to expand in Haiphong, he said. LG Innotek Haiphong Vietnam Co., Ltd, started operating in October 2017, specialising in electronic and peripheral products. LG Innotek is an arm of LG Group in Vietnam, which has an accumulated export turnover of $50.6 billion with an average annual increase of 72 per cent.The groups export turnover accounts for approximately 43 per cent of the export value of the whole city. The group has contributed $530 million to the citys budget and has created over 31,000 jobs with an average monthly income of around VND13 million ($550). Korean investors to invest $1.5 billion in Haiphong Haiphong has granted the investment registration certificate for four projects with the total investment capital of $230 million, and simultaneously signed an agreement with SKC. Sao Do Group intensifies on-spot investment promotion Sao Do Group is doing its utmost with on-spot investment promotion opportunities when it joins the citys diverse working sessions with international delegations coming to Haiphong. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is welcomed by Vietnamese community in China (Photo: VNA) Beijing - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met representatives of Vietnams representative offices and the Vietnamese community in China on June 25 afternoon, within the framework of his official visit to China and his attendance at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF). PM Chinh said that his visit aims to deepen the traditional relations and neighbourliness between the two countries. He affirmed the Party and State always consider the overseas Vietnamese community of more than 5.3 million, including those in China, as an integral part of the great national solidarity bloc, one of the driving forces, and a source of the country's development strength. The Party and State always pay attention to, and have mechanisms and policies to support overseas Vietnamese to have full legal status, stabilise their lives, develop their economy, comply with law of, and integrate into the host country, he added. The Government leader expressed his hope that Vietnamese people in China will continue acting as a bridge for the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations. He also said he believes they will have more substantive and effective contributions to Vietnams nation building and development cause. Regarding the communitys proposals, the PM asked related ministries, sectors and agencies to soon have response solutions. According to Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sao Mai, there are currently around 43,000 Vietnamese people living in China. PM orders solutions to ensure power supply in dry season Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered drastic measures to ensure electricity supply in this dry season and the coming time. Nghi Son 2 Power Limited Liability Company (Photo: VNA) Seoul The Republic of Koreas Doosan Group said it is eyeing to expand eco-friendly energy investment in Vietnam as one of the future strategies that it is aiming at the potential clean energy market in the Southeast Asian country. Doosan Enerbility company has signed agreements with three companies operating thermal power plants in Vietnam to promote an environmentally friendly fuel conversion project. The signing ceremony was held within the frame work of the just-concluded state visit to Vietnam by the RoKs President Suk Yeol. The RoKs firm and Nghi Son 2 Power Limited Liability Company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy collaboration to research the application of carbon reduction solutions in electricity production, coal consumption, and greenhouse gas emission. The Vietnamese government has been accelerating the transition to eco-friendly fuels with a plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In 2020, coal accounted for about 30 per cent of power plants' capacity in Vietnam. The sector is considered to have a great potential in the future transition to clean energy. 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). Sotrans' warehouse in Phu My Industrial Park 1 in Long Thanh District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province. Photo sotrans.com.vn Hanoi - A Singaporean company, PSA Cargo Solutions Vietnam Investment, plans to continue increasing its stake in Vietnam's logistics provider South Logistics Joint Stock Company (Sotrans). Sotrans on June 20 received a public tender offer from PSA Cargo Solutions Vietnam Investment to increase its ownership from 24.9 per cent to 30 per cent of charter capital. PSA Cargo Solutions Vietnam Investment offers to buy another 5,010,921 shares of Sotrans, while the bid price is not disclosed. Sotrans is listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), with a ticker symbol STG. The company's shares ended last week at VND49,000 a share (US$2.08). At the closing price, it is estimated that PSA Cargo Solutions Vietnam Investment has to spend more than VND245.5 billion to purchase over 5 million STG shares. Previously, the Singaporean company on May 19 bought 24.47 million STG shares to raise its ownership from 0 per cent to 24.9 per cent of charter capital and become a major shareholder of Sotrans. In 2023, Sotrans set targets of more than VND2.9 trillion in revenue, up 13 per cent year-on-year, and VND388.43 billion in profit after tax. It plans to focus on specialising each member's business areas to maximise capacity and efficiency. Particularly, for Sotrans Logistics, the unit will concentrate on developing international and domestic freight forwarding and warehousing business. For Vietranstimex, it focuses on developing the segment of transporting super-long and super-heavy goods to meet important industries such as electricity, oil and gas, chemicals, cement, and traffic, in the domestic market as well as in Southeast Asia by cooperating with the largest partners in each market. Meanwhile, for Sowatco, it will exploit port and waterway transportation activities in Vietnam, and look for opportunities to expand business activities in the north. In the first quarter, Sotrans reported net revenue of over VND385.4 billion and net profit of nearly VND40 billion, down 48 per cent and 36 per cent over last year, respectively. Sotrans to cancel listing on HOSE South Logistics Joint Stock Company (Sotrans) will cancel its listing on HCM Stock Exchange and move to the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) by the end of this year. Sotrans approves full takeover by ITL Corporation South Logistics JSC (Sotrans HOSE: STG) has submitted a proposal to allow Indo Trans Logistics Corporation (ITL Corporation) to increase its ownership at the company to 100 per cent without making a mandatory public offering. ITL Corporation completes acquisition of Sotrans Group Indo Trans Logistics (ITL) Corporation today announced the successful acquisition of South Logistics JSC (Sotrans Group), raising its ownership ratio to 97 per cent. Producing textile products for export - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), agencies have been assigned to work with peers of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay on negotiations of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in a bid to swell trade and investment ties with the bloc. Currently, Vietnam has completed an internal review related to the negotiations, and hopes that the two sides will soon start negotiations to sign this agreement. Negotiations are expected to kick-start later this year or early next year. Mercosur is a South American trade bloc established in 1991. In 2021, Mercosur countries had a combined GDP of roughly $2.2 trillion, according to the World Bank, making Mercosur one of the worlds largest economic blocs. Mercosur is a high potential market for Vietnamese key consumer goods such as telephones, mobile phones and parts, electrical products, garments and textiles, and footwear, said the MoIT. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during a meeting with Brazilian President Lula Da Silva in Japan a month ago, asked Brazil to support the early start of FTA negotiations. Brazil has for many years been Vietnams largest trading partner in Latin America, with trade turnover last year standing at a record $6.78 billion. The Brazilian leader agreed on this proposal, saying that the FTA was necessary for Brazil and the whole Mercosur to expand trade and investment to Vietnam, whose consumption and economic conditions are developing strongly. Vietnam and Brazil have had a long and fruitful trading relationship. It is fair to say that trade between both sides is flourishing. However, more can be done to drive trade higher. A free trade deal between Vietnam and Mercosur could provide a broad range of opportunities for all parties involved. This may take some time to develop, but with impetus on both sides, it may not be too far off, said consulting firm Dezan Shira & Associates. By entering an FTA with Mercosur, Vietnamese businesses and manufacturers could gain increased access to this sizable market, fostering greater trade and economic cooperation between the two regions. The FTA will not only deepen economic ties but also foster greater collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and technological advancements, according to Dezan Shira & Associates. It would also align with growing interest in increasing South-South trade among the worlds emerging economies, led by organisations of developing states like the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping, the firm said. Last year, Mercosurs two-way trade with Vietnam grew 9.2 per cent as compared to the previous year to over $12 billion, including more than $3.3 billion worth of Vietnamese exports up 3.4 per cent, and imports of $8.7 billion up 11.6 per cent. According to the MoIT, Mercosurs nations are strong in producing and exporting farm produce, animal feed, industrial materials, and natural minerals, while Vietnams exports to Mercosur include electronics and telecommunications equipment, garments and textiles, and footwear. Vietnam and Mercosur are complementary in goods structure, and not in direct competition. Currently, Mercosur has no preferential trade deal with nations that have goods that directly compete against Vietnam. Thus, an FTA will help boost exports from Vietnam to the Mercosur market. Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino, Argentinian Ambassador to Vietnam, told VIR that trade between Argentina and Vietnam has grown steadily. Over the past 10 years, Argentina recorded a cumulative growth in exports to Vietnam of 600 per cent, while exports from Vietnam to Argentina in the same period increased by 700 per cent. This trend shows both countries have a sustainable relationship in trade. The products that Argentina exports to Vietnam are mainly agricultural goods that are incorporated into Vietnams value chain and then exported to other countries, the ambassador said. RoKs group eyes eco-friendly energy market in Vietnam The Republic of Koreas Doosan Group said it is eyeing to expand eco-friendly energy investment in Vietnam as one of the future strategies that it is aiming at the potential clean energy market in the Southeast Asian country. Dubai to set up chamber of commerce in Vietnam The wealthy and populous emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon open an office in Ho Chi Minh City to boost bilateral trade and investment, CEO of Dubai Chambers Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah told Thuc Minh during an exclusive interview in Switzerland. The government has specifically tasked CMSC with overseeing the transfer of Skypec from Vietnam Airlines to PetroVietnam, as part of the ongoing restructuring efforts initiated by the two corporations since September 2022. The proposed transfer of Skypec to PVN aims to support the restructuring process of Vietnam Airlines and enhance PetroVietnam's capabilities in the production and supply chain of petroleum products. In the event that any issues arise beyond the jurisdiction of CMSC, the committee has been instructed to report to relevant ministries and propose appropriate solutions. Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai is set to receive the report by July 15. Earlier this year, Vietnam Airlines announced its intention to divest its stake in Skypec, and subsequently invited consulting firms to develop and implement the transfer plan. This initiative was undertaken as part of the company's independent efforts to address financial difficulties, including negative equity and accumulated losses of billions of VND. Skypec, which is fully owned by Vietnam Airlines, currently holds a charter capital of approximately $33.3 million (VND800 billion). With a storage capacity exceeding 220,000 cubic metres, Skypec operates a network of storage facilities at major seaports and airports across Vietnam, serving 18 civil airports nationwide. The company has the capability to support over 214,000 flights annually, with a total fuel consumption exceeding two million tonnes. Before the pandemic, Skypec was considered a valuable asset for Vietnam Airlines. Within the domestic aviation fuel market, Skypec and Petrolimex Aviation are the two primary suppliers. Additional players include the Tan Son Nhat Petroleum Trading JSC, in which Sasco holds a 38 per cent stake, and Noi Bai Aviation Fuel Services JSC. However, the supply capacity of these two entities is relatively low compared to the larger players mentioned above. According to the conclusion, the government has urged Vietnam Airlines to comply with competition regulations and review and refine its restructuring plan. The objective is to ensure efficiency, cost reduction, and the prevention of sustained financial losses. In 2021, Vietnam Airlines experienced a gross loss of approximately $416.7 million but managed to reduce this figure to around $109.4 million last year, thanks to a recovery in revenue to 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. In addition to Vietnam Airlines, the government has also emphasised the need for timely approval of the restructuring plan for corporations and conglomerates within 2021-2025. The investment and business development strategies for these entities are expected to be finalised by July. Furthermore, the state capital management representative agencies are urged to effectively address and resolve the recommendations put forth by the corporations and conglomerates. Regular quarterly reports on the progress and resolution of challenges are also required to be submitted to the government. The conclusion statement highlights the importance of a resolute and timely approach by the state capital management agencies, ensuring that they fulfil their responsibilities and duties as the representative bodies of the state capital. This includes effectively addressing the tasks at hand, particularly in relation to the investment and development endeavours of the 19 corporations and conglomerates. Could you please tell us about what3words? what3words is a simple way to understand and share precise locations. A what3words address is a user-friendly way to share very precise locations with other people or to input them into platforms and machines such as ride-hailing apps or e-commerce checkouts. It is optimised for voice input and contains built-in error prevention to immediately identify and correct input mistakes. Chris Sheldrick, co-founder and CEO This technology has divided the world into a grid of 3 metre x 3 metre squares and given each square a unique combination of three words a what3words address. For example, 'letter', 'cookie', and 'shelving' identifies a specific entrance at the Ben Thanh market. Now, users can refer to any exact location with just three words whether it's a pick-up station, a building in a city, or a remote location in the mountains. Currently, what3words has been developed in 54 languages including Vietnamese, and is free to download on iOS and Android, and via the online map at what3words.com. It's an easy way to identify, find, and share precise locations anywhere in the world. How popular is this technology? Millions of what3words addresses are being used widely around the world by thousands of businesses to save costs, increase performance, and improve the customer experience. Our technology is being used by the logistics, e-commerce, automotive, mobility, and travel industries across the world. To date, what3words has been adopted by global brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Jaguar Land Rover, Careem, Lonely Planet, and many emergency services around the world. Every day, people are using our free app to arrange meet-ups in parks and on beaches, and to share running, hiking, and sporting locations. What about the Vietnamese market? Adoption of what3words in Vietnam is swiftly growing. Since our launch in the market last year, we've partnered with VinFast, which has integrated the location technology into its full fleet of electric vehicles. E-commerce giant Hoa Sen Viet Group became the first consumer retailer to add a what3words field at checkout, so customers of Reebok Vietnam, Beauty Box and TheFaceShop can get their parcels delivered to their most accurate location. Kilo, a Vietnam-based B2B e-commerce app has adopted what3words to enhance the delivery experience for wholesalers and businesses, and 7Eleven has also added a what3words field at checkout, so food deliveries can arrive at the right place and on time. Users of Vietnam's leading public transport app, BusMap, can navigate to precise what3words addresses, transforming multimodal city travel. And most recently, we announced our partnership with Vietnam Post, so consumers and businesses can use Vietnam Post's digital address system to find their what3words address. The current street address system in Vietnam still has many shortcomings, confusing people even when they come to what they think is the right address. In addition, postal codes are rarely used in Vietnam, addresses are long and complex, and street names are often duplicated. These are precisely the problems that what3words was developed to solve. What is the market share of what3words like in Vietnam? We are eager to work with everyone because we want to be an ideal option for users. In the UK now, what3words is popular in the automotive, e-commerce, and logistics sectors, and even within government. So, our ambition is to do the same in Vietnam. What3words operates internationally, but our other focused markets include Germany, Japan, South Korea, India, the UK, the US, and the Middle East. Why was Vietnam chosen as the eighth market? Vietnam is a really exciting and interesting market for us - it has a large population, is receptive to new technologies, and the demand for e-commerce deliveries is expanding rapidly. It's also got a very complex addressing system - all in all, it's a market that's perfect for our solution. Chris Sheldrick is co-founder and CEO of what3words. He used to manage large-scale music events around the world and was very aware of the sight of bands getting lost when finding the venue for the event or equipment getting lost during transportation due to the difficulties in finding the right address. He realised that the current address system was not good enough and that this was a worldwide problem. Chris spent years trying to distribute GPS coordinates and addresses, but he believed there was a better way. In the end, he redefined the address, a concept that seemed ingrained in our way of life, and changed how we think about locations by inventing a whole new global system based on the principle of human communication. He then co-founded what3words in 2013. Realising the impact this idea would have on the world, Chris built a small team with the goal of making what3words the global standard. Nine years later, his company has now developed to include more than 170 people and a series of offices spanning many continents around the world. Vietnam Airlines upgrades airport navigation tool Vietnam Airlines has added 67 airport maps to its mobile app, including nine domestic and 58 global maps, to help passengers breeze through the gates, lounges, and shops, as it continues investing in technology to enhance airport experience. Beltway No.4 is divided into seven component projects with a total area of recovery and site clearance of nearly 1,400 hectares, and the total investment of over VND85.81 trillion ($3.73 billion). To be developed under the public-private partnership model, the project is expected to be put into operation before 2027. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and leaders of ministries and agencies, as well as leaders of cities and provinces at the groundbreaking ceremony for Beltway No.4 Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said he appreciated the efforts of the authorities and people of the localities where the project goes through. He emphasised that infrastructure investment was one of three strategic breakthroughs that the Party and state were consistently interested in. The 13th National Party Congress determined to develop strategic infrastructure in general and transport infrastructure, especially the expressway system, aiming to have 5,000km of expressways by 2030 and 3,000km by 2025. Between 2000 and 2021, we have developed over 1,000km of expressways, the government leader noted. PM Chinh made a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Beltway No.4 project The ceremony is only the first step in the project implementation. The prime minister asked relevant authorities and agencies to continue to closely follow the progress, review the work, ensure the supply of construction materials, and accelerate it in accordance with set goals. It is necessary to continue to promote site clearance and resettlement for people, ensuring that people's new residential places are at least equal to or higher than the old ones, the PM said. Leaders of the government, ministries, agencies, businesses and people at the groundbreaking ceremony for Beltway No.4 According to Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung, the project will bring about many benefits, not only for Hanoi, Hung Yen and Bac Ninh but also for the northern economic region. Representing contractors of the beltway project, Dao Ngoc Thanh, chairman of Vinacone, said that contractors, consultants, and Vinaconex will mobilise all resources in terms of personnel, finance, equipment and machinery, applying the most modern construction methods to complete the work. Beltway No.4 is considered a crucial infrastructure project in the country. The 113km project will connect the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway section in Soc Son district, Hanoi and thee Noi Bai-Halong Expressway section in Bac Ninh. So far, Hanoi has cleared 671 out of 798ha of land for the project, reaching 84 per cent. Hung Yen cleared over 70 per cent, and Bac Ninh 80 per cent. Investment of 304.3 million USD proposed to upgrade Mekong Delta roads The Ministry of Transport has proposed projects to upgrade and improve three national highways, 53, 62 and 91B, in Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) provinces. How to unlock private capital for transport infrastructure According to Vietnams road network development planning for this decade, with a vision towards 2050, the countrys road network will have around 5,000km of expressways by 2030. The demand for capital for road network development by 2030 is about $39.13 billion to be mobilised from the state budget, non-budget capital and other sources, of which about $31.65 billion is for expressways. FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) A judge in southwest Florida handed down a death sentence Monday for a man convicted of killing an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter more than 30 years ago. Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning was following last month's 10-2 jury recommendation in favor of death for Joseph Zieler, according to court records. The same panel had found Zieler, 61, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. Florida law had previously required a unanimous jury recommendation for a convicted murderer to face the death penalty. But a new law signed in April by Gov. Ron DeSantis requires only an 8-4 vote in favor of execution. Zieler was jailed on an unrelated assault charge in 2016 when his DNA matched to the cold-case murders of Robin Cornell, 11, and Lisa Story, 32, authorities said. The girl and the woman were found in a Cape Coral apartment in May 1990, officials said. Robins mother had been out for the night and discovered the suffocated bodies when she returned the next morning. Investigators said both victims were sexually assaulted. Cape Coral is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Tampa. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee sheriff's deputy trying to stop a man from driving away was dragged by the vehicle and fatally shot the driver, officials said. A Shelby County sheriff's deputy approached a parked car Saturday as part of an enforcement action and tried to stop Jarveon Hudspeth, 21, from leaving the scene, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. It didn't release the deputy's name. For reasons still being investigated, the situation escalated and Hudspeth drove off and dragged the deputy about 100 yards, the statement said. At some point while being dragged, the deputy fired his service weapon at least once and hit the driver, who stopped about a half-mile later, the bureau said. Hudspeth died on the way to the hospital, and the deputy was hospitalized with serious injuries, officials said. When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, many in Texas, the largest state in the nation to ban nearly all abortions, began to cycle through the stages of grief. There was denial and anger, as thousands poured into the streets, promising to never stop fighting to turn back the clock and restore abortion access. There was bargaining, in the form of a last-ditch lawsuit to keep clinics open a few weeks longer, and depression, when it failed to change the new legal norm. Now, a year after the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, an uneasy acceptance has settled over Texas, as even the most ardent abortion advocates acknowledge these new laws arent changing anytime soon. I dont see the legal landscape of our state shifting in a major way, certainly not in the short-term future, said Neesha Dave, executive director for the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity, an Austin-based abortion fund. And so, unfortunately, we have had to figure out how to navigate the current legal landscape, if for no other reason than there are people who need abortion care today, yesterday, tomorrow. There are ongoing court challenges to Texas laws, but they are narrow and could drag through the courts for years. There is still momentum around meaningful political change, but that is the work of decades and much of the focus has shifted to shoring up the social safety net as a stop-gap measure. Meanwhile, despite exceptions to the law, the number of monthly abortions in Texas has dropped into the low single digits. Women are nearly dying from pregnancy complications, or actually dying after having to travel out-of-state for abortions, or facing million-dollar lawsuits for helping friends acquire abortion medication. An unknown number are having babies they never planned for. A year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson that there is no constitutional right to abortion, some long-time advocates see hope in the hopelessness. Theyve been sounding the alarm about the overturn of Roe and its consequences for years, and finally, people are forced to pay attention. There are so many more conversations happening about abortion today than there were two years ago, Dave said. I do think a tide is turning. It just takes time. Clinics closed, but abortions continue Dr. Alan Braid first started performing abortions in Texas shortly after Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. Over the last 50 years, he built two clinics, raised a family and merged the two after his daughter, Andrea Gallegos, came in to help run Alamo Womens Reproductive Services in San Antonio and Tulsa. Together, this multigenerational Texas family business weathered protesters and lawsuits and ever-increasing restrictions from the Legislature. But on June 24, 2022, that all came to an end. Immediately, the clinic stopped performing abortions. A few weeks later, they closed their doors for good. And one year later, Braid has moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Gallegos is preparing to move her family to Carbondale, Illinois, each to run one of the two new Alamo clinics. This is my home state, and I feel like Im abandoning it, in some sense, Gallegos recently told The Texas Tribune. But on the other hand, all we can do right now is to provide a viable option, even if it still feels crazy to say that a clinic that is 10, 13 hours away is a viable option. The New Mexico clinic primarily sees people driving and flying in from Texas, while the Carbondale clinic mostly gets people driving from Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and other southern states, Gallegos said. But even there, 10 hours from Dallas and two hours from the nearest airport, they see some Texans. People are making journeys that long to get to us, and theyre incredibly grateful for it, Gallegos said. But, of course, I will always be most concerned about the folks that cannot travel and the many more patients we dont see. People who have abortions tend to be low-income and already have at least one child, national statistics show. Many of their patients struggled to find time off of work, child care and transportation to make it to a local clinic, Gallegos said, let alone a multiday, out-of-state journey. As abortion restrictions have tightened over the last few decades, grassroots abortion funds have popped up across the state, helping Texans pay for the procedure and related costs. When Texas banned nearly all abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy in September 2021, these funds became the main infrastructure helping Texans to seek abortions in nearby states. But immediately after the ruling came down in late June, many of these groups stopped distributing funds, citing the legal uncertainty about their work. A group of these funds ultimately filed a federal lawsuit, asking a judge to clarify whether their work in-state that helped people travel out of state could make them vulnerable to prosecution. Because wed faced threats of criminalization from anti-abortion state leaders, we knew we couldnt resume our key work, this core part of our mission, with this uncertainty, Dave said. While they awaited a ruling, many of the abortion funds focused on funding other reproductive health care and distributing emergency contraception. Finally, six months after the suit was filed, a judge granted a temporary injunction and the abortion funds tentatively resumed paying for out-of-state abortions and travel. Dave said re-opening their funding hotline has revealed how much confusion persists, a year into this new landscape. I had a caller recently who did not realize they couldnt access abortion care at a clinic in Texas, Dave said. I was the one who had to tell them that. Dave walked her through her options, and ultimately Lilith Fund helped pay for a sonogram with a health care provider in Texas. The caller said there was just no way shed be able to get time off of work for a last-minute, out-of-state trip. Its just staggering and overwhelming to figure out for most people, Dave said. Were thrilled that we can support people as theyre navigating these barriers, but its still incredibly difficult. Such barriers are creating ripple effects, even for those who are able to travel out of state. In one particularly shocking case, a 26-year-old Dallas woman who traveled to Colorado to terminate her pregnancy was shot and killed by her boyfriend upon her return. It is believed that the suspect was the father of the child, the affidavit said. The suspect did not want the complainant to get an abortion. Its almost impossible to know the true number of Texans who are terminating their pregnancies despite the restrictive laws. While some are traveling to out-of-state clinics, others are quietly obtaining abortion-inducing medication at pharmacies just over the U.S.-Mexico border, through newly created whisper networks or by ordering the drugs online. Aid Access, an international telemedicine abortion provider, saw a surge in demand for the two-drug regimen since the decision came down, according to research from the University of Texas at Austin. Most of this is happening out of the public eye, but the ease of access has infuriated anti-abortion groups, who are seeking ways to crack down on the medication. In Galveston, three women who helped a friend obtain the medication are facing a million-dollar wrongful death lawsuit brought by their friends ex-husband. Two of the women have counter-sued. The ex-husband is represented by prominent anti-abortion lawyers, including former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell and state Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park. In a wider-reaching effort to stop the proliferation of the medication, a group of anti-abortion doctors and medical associations filed a lawsuit last year seeking to revoke approval of mifepristone, a common abortion-inducing drug. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Amarillo, formerly an anti-abortion religious liberty lawyer himself, agreed to stay the medications approval, effectively removing it from the market; the U.S. Supreme Court has put his ruling on hold temporarily. But while many people are finding ways to circumvent Texas laws, an unknown number are likely deciding to just follow through with their pregnancies. In a state with high, and increasing, maternal mortality, staggering uninsured rates and persistent housing issues, advocates say Texas is not prepared to support these parents. A 2022 study from the Commonwealth Fund found that states that restricted abortion access after the overturn of Roe already have worse maternal health outcomes, greater health care inequities and more maternity care deserts than states that have protected abortion access. Impact on wanted pregnancies Lauren Miller didnt know it yet, but on the day Roe v. Wade was overturned, a clock started ticking. June 24, 2022, was the first day of her last period before she got pregnant, the date doctors use to calculate gestational age. She didnt realize she was pregnant until about six weeks later when she started having frat boy burps at her sons 1-year-old checkup. That was my first symptom with my son, so my husband started teasing me like, youre pregnant, she recalls. It had taken us a while to get pregnant the first time, so I didnt think so, but I took a test and, yep, sure enough. Her excitement was immediately replaced with horrible nausea and vomiting, unlike anything shed ever experienced before. Within a week of that pregnancy test, shed thrown up more than her entire first pregnancy combined. Eventually, she had to go to the emergency room for dehydration. There, she learned she had hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness, and she had it for two she was pregnant with twins. I was just in complete shock, but then started getting really excited, she said. Ive always wanted three, so it was kind of like buy one, get one free at the Miller house. She told everyone and started planning a celestial-themed twins nursery. But soon, it became clear that baby B wasnt developing as quickly as his twin and had large fluid masses growing where their brain should have been. They did more tests and learned the situation was far worse than they initially thought. Baby B had Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, and was developing without a proper brain, heart or stomach. Everyone Miller spoke to the doctors, the specialists, the genetic counselors told her this baby wouldnt survive outside the womb. And they all said the same thing: Every day that he continues to grow, it puts his twin and yourself at greater risk, she said. But time and time again, thats where the conversation stopped. After presenting her with the problem, her doctors seemed frozen when it came time to discuss the solution. She saw the fear in their eyes as she peppered them with questions, trying to parse the silence to figure out what her next steps might be. Miller knew what was holding them back. While her pregnancy might eventually endanger her life, and the other life she was carrying inside of her, she wasnt yet on the brink of death, trapping her doctors in legal limbo. Eventually, one specialist stopped yet another test, ripped off his gloves, threw them in the trash and turned to Miller and her husband. He said This baby isnt going to make it to birth. You need to go out of state, she said. It was really refreshing that he was so blunt because nobody had been to that point. The Millers got together the money to buy a last-minute flight to Colorado, as well as child care for their 1-year-old. Five months pregnant with twins, still horribly nauseous, Miller shoved herself into a middle seat next to a man eating Whataburger and thought about what had brought her to this point. Instead of being able to do this 15-minute procedure in my doctors office and go home, Im sneaking out of Texas to do this shadowy thing, she said. I felt like the property of the state of Texas, just because I was carrying a baby that wouldnt even survive. At a hospital in Colorado, she took one last ultrasound photo of her two boys together, then had a selective fetal reduction. She considers it an act of love for all three of her sons, including Baby B, who they named Thomas. This was the most mercy we could give him, she said. And I dont intend to ever hide it from my boys, that Henry had a twin and if we hadnt gotten an abortion, he may not have made it either, and for Logan, you may not have had your mommy. But when they returned to Texas, that openness seemed fraught. Miller was too scared to talk with a therapist about her decision, and even at her next doctors visit, they all seemed to speak in code. Eventually, she connected with the Center for Reproductive Rights, which was assembling a lawsuit on behalf of women who had suffered pregnancy complications as a result of Texas abortion laws. They gave me my voice back, she said. I was nervous about speaking and being public, but I am in a place of privilege and I recognize I have to use that. The way the law is in Texas right now, layers of privilege determine who has access to health care. And it shouldnt be that way. The lawsuit asks the court to clarify Texas abortion laws, which currently say abortions are allowed only to save the life of the pregnant patient. Miller is one of 14 women, including her own OB/GYN, who say the vagueness of the law led to them being denied medically necessary procedures. The lawsuit does not ask the court to block the laws more widely, however. Molly Duane, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said they have to be realistic about what is achievable through the courts right now. We are cognizant of the fact that any lawsuit seeking to expand abortion access in the state of Texas will be an uphill battle, Duane said. I want to emphasize that this lawsuit is the beginning, not the end. Miller, who has always wanted three children, said this whole experience has made her and her husband very wary about getting pregnant again. In that sense, she said, these laws are having the opposite effect discouraging people from having wanted pregnancies by diminishing the quality of care they feel they can receive in Texas. If you want babies, you need obstetricians, she said. Whos going to want to come practice in Texas with these laws and this risk? That should scare every Texan, no matter how you feel about abortion. by Moreno Aguiari As we reported, the Museo Storico Aeronautica Militare (MUSAM) the Italian Air Force History Museum was officially inaugurated on May 4th, 2023 following an intense, 18-month renovation and redevelopment project leading towards the Aeronautica Militares centenary celebrations. However, due to permits and authorizations required, it didnt open to the public until June 16th. Situated at a historically relevant and picturesque site on the shores of Lake Bracciano, in Vigna di Valle, there could be no more beautiful setting for this magnificent collection of Italian aviation artifacts. In our previous article, we discussed the new buildings and overall improvements at MUSAM, but we finally had the chance to visit the museum in person during our recent trip to Italy. The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, General Aurelio Colagrande, facilitated a private visit to MUSAM, accompanying us on our tour. Amongst his many responsibilities, General Colagrande is in charge of the Italian Air Forces historical offices, including the museum. Describing the recent efforts he oversaw which both reimagined and expanded MUSAM, General Colagrande noted: We are extremely proud of the work accomplished. We feel that aviation enthusiasts will appreciate the improvements and layout of the collection. We still have to apply a few tweaks, but the overall result is already impressive. I last visited MUSAM as a young man in 1991. So much has changed in the interim, that this visit was essentially like seeing the place for the first time. For this occasion, I wanted to take as detached and impartial an approach as I felt possible. My overall impression is extremely positive, however, there is still plenty of room for improvement so let me explain. The museum is located by the shores of Lake Bracciano which helps create a very pleasant overall mood and ambiance, however, its geographical location and layout present some challenges as well. Reaching the museum from Rome via public transportation is extremely complicated presently, meaning that the only practical option is to travel by car. However, once you arrive, the available parking is exceedingly limited. General Colagrande revealed that the Air Force had considered relocating the museum but, after cost analysis and studying the logistic challenges involved, that idea was shelved. A shuttle to/from Bracciano train station would definitely help those tourists who will want to reach the museum without a car. Despite the difficulties involved in getting to the museum, once there, it has to be said that the new buildings and collection layout were clearly well thought out. The airplanes are properly spaced and lit by natural light (thanks to the big hangar doors). The new LED lighting system also provides perfect illumination where natural light is insufficient. Each airplane is accompanied by a descriptive sign in both Italian and English, although it also included a simple QR code linked to additional information about the artifact accessible via a cellphone or tablet. Personally, I would also like to see more historical photos and graphics on the walls supporting the overall story of the museum and the airplanes. The museums new sections are supported by well-conceived and stylish architecture, accompanied by flatscreen displays screening well-produced, historical videos. I definitely would like to see these screens throughout all of the museums hangars. A special mention must go to MUSAMs newly-built cafe, which offers an incredible view of the Macchi seaplanes definitely one of the coolest settings I have seen in museums across the world. Thanks to the additional buildings, the collection is now presented in a far more thoughtful and coherent manner than before. Visitors will be stunned by an amazing artifact as soon as they walk through the main entrance, thanks to the new exhibit dedicated to the Garnerin Balloon the worlds oldest surviving aviation relic, which dates back to the dawn of the nineteenth century. On December 2nd, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France at Notre Dame Cathedral. One of the highlights from that day involved the flight of a spectacular, hydrogen-filled balloon, designed by the Official Aeronaut, Andre-Jacques Garnerin. The balloon envelope, made of silk and waxed cotton, was contained within a raw silk net, decorated with more than 3,000 small glass lamps. A large sculpture of an imperial eagle hung below the balloon, shaped like an imperial crown. The balloon also carried the manufacturers identification card along with a prize of three hundred Francs for whoever found it. Following its launch during the evening of December 16th, a strong wind extinguished the lamps and also set the balloon adrift which, after twenty-two hours and nearly 1,400 kilometers of flight, landed at the gates of Rome in Italy. It struck a monument on the Via Cassia (then, mistakenly, believed to be the Roman Emperor Neros tomb). The impact detached the heavy imperial eagle, lightening the balloon, which regained some altitude to then end its flight in the waters of Lake Bracciano. A local fisherman retrieved its deflated envelope, which, since it fell in papal territory, became the property of the Vatican. It remained under Vatican ownership for over 170 years. But on July 22nd, 1978, Pope Paul VI (the first pontiff in history to fly on an Italian Air Force aircraft), donated it to the Museum as a token of his gratitude. In 2023, on the occasion of the Centennial of the Italian Air Force, the balloon was carefully restored, to preserve this exceptional relic for many more years to come. The Troster Hangar The Troster, the first pavilion on the itinerary, is MUSAMs oldest hangar. Made in Austria just after World War I, Italy received it as part of its war reparations package. Rectangular in shape, with an area of 1,100 square meters and a height of 12 meters, it is made of a metal lattice structure. Originally, there were two Troster hangars at Vigna di Valle, placed side by side and covered with wooden boards. Construction began in 1925, but by 1929 a camouflage-painted, sheet metal roof had replaced the earlier wooden covering. A concrete ramp was built on the lake shore in front of this hangar to allow seaplanes to transit to and from the water. The western-most Troster hangar ended up being demolished in 1970 to make space for the construction of the Velo Hangar. The remaining hangar underwent a radical renovation during the 1990s; sliding metal access portals were added which could be opened on the lakeside. The pavilion now houses displays with artifacts that date from the earliest aviation pioneers up until the end of World War I. Along with the hydroplane, that is, the prototype of the hydrofoil, several World War I aircraft are on display. There are four thematic areas, ranging from the establishment of the Vigna di Valle air base to the history of flying aces. The pavilion hosts only original aircraft, including the Bleriot XI-2, two combat veteran SPAD S VII, a Caproni CA-36, Ansaldo SV 5, the Hydroplane Crocco- Ricaldoni, the Macchi Hanriot HD1 that belonged to the ace Flavio Torello Baracchini (credited with 21 confirmed and nine unconfirmed aerial victories in only 6 months of WWI). Finally, the Troster hangar collection includes two Austro-Hungarian spoils of war: the only surviving examples of both the Lohner L.127 seaplane and Junkers J4 (fuselage only). The latter is considered to be the first armored aircraft in history. The showcases on display contain precious memorabilia from the pioneering era of flight, belonging to important figures of Italian aeronautical history. Among those figures is Francesco Baracca, the Italian Ace of Aces (34 victories) who died in 1918 on the Montello. ln the showcase dedicated to him, it is possible to see the engine and the machine gun of his downed SPAD and other memorabilia, including his emblem, the Prancing Horse. After Baraccas death, his mother gave this emblem to Enzo Ferrari, who chose to make it the now world-famous symbol for the car Modena-based manufacturer. The Velo Hangar The Velo Hangar, the Museums second pavilion, is named after the company which built it (between 1976 and 1977) to connect the Troster and Badoni Hangars. It consists of two parts; the first being a single-story airplane hangar, while the second (on two floors) accommodates the lobby, cafeteria, restrooms, offices and conference room. Made of prefabricated concrete elements, it spans an area of about 2,500 square meters. The collection of the Velo Hangar describes the golden age of Italian aviation between 1919 and 1939 which saw the rise and development of the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force). The itinerary recounts the polar flights of General Umberto Nobile, the great mass cruises promoted by Italo Balbo, the Schneider Trophy and other prizes awarded by Italian aviators, their war campaigns in Ethiopia, and the Spanish Civil War. The star of this pavilion is, without doubt, the Macchi MC.72. Designed by the engineer Mario Castoldi, the Macchi MC.72 represented the ultimate expression of aeronautical engineering technology of the time. This sleek racing seaplane was powered by a modified Fiat AS.6 engine, made from two AS.5s connected to two counter-rotating propellers; it was capable of generating more than 3,000 horsepower. The cooling system consisted of radiating surfaces distributed over most of the airframe. Conceived for the 1931 edition of the Schneider Trophy, it was finished too late to compete in the race. Despite its hazardous track record, involving two fatal accidents in 1931, the MC.72 continued to fly with the Reparto Alta Velocita (High-Speed Department) as a record-breaking aircraft. Indeed, it achieved a number of world absolute speed records, including 709.202 kilometers per hour in 1934 (with Marshal Francesco Agello at the controls). Despite other aircraft exceeding this speed subsequently, it remains noteworthy as it has yet to be beaten for the piston-engined seaplane category! The aircraft on display is none other than the 1934 record holder. The Badoni Hangar Built in 1930 by the Badoni company, this 60m x 60m metal hangar provided shelter and maintenance space for large seaplanes. The building still retains some vestiges of its original use. For instance, under the flooring, there are two platforms for balancing and centering aircraft. Furthermore, three deck girders supported manual chain hoists for lifting machinery and engines. And outside the main doors, there are two connections for the fuel pumps, fed by an underground pipeline, which allowed the refueling of seaplanes. These were moved by trolleys on tracks, still partially visible, which allowed them to be moved towards the water ramp or the crane (which still exists today) used for storage in the water. A long gallery built in the 1990s leads to the Skema Hangar. The hangar showcases memorabilia from the 1930s through the end of World War II and the early post-war period. There are aircraft that operated between 1935 and 1949, including Italys main fighters (Reggiane Re.2000 and Re.2002, Series 2 fighters such as MC.200 -202 -205, Fiat G.55) and Allied planes (P-51 Mustang) used by the Italian Royal Air Force during the Co-Belligerency Period (Supermarine Spitfire), and later by the Italian Air Force. Also present are the large, three-engined transports and bombers which Italy made famous (SIAI SM.82, SIAI SM.79, CANT Z.506, FIAT G-212) as well as other observation and liaison aircraft. In addition, there are experimental weapons and model airplanes on the balcony. Also worth mentioning is the wreck of a Reggiane Re.2000 recovered from the sea off the coast of La Spezia in late 2013. The Skema Hangar The Skema Hangar is the fourth and largest pavilion at MUSAM. Designed by aeronautical engineers, it is a steel-reinforced concrete structure that includes some prefabricated elements. Skema began the buildings construction in 1986, beginning by excavating about 100,000 cubic meters of lava rock for its foundations. It is a single bay, roughly 39m x 80m, with a mezzanine some 12 meters deep, also used to display aircraft and memorabilia, which can be accessed via a staircase or elevator. The Skema Hangar connects to the Badoni Hangar via a two-story metal and glass corridor, for a total area of some 4,200 square meters, when including the mezzanine and annex. The latter section, trapezoidal in shape and initially constructed from laminated wood in 2009, increased the exhibition area by about 1,000 square meters. Redevelopment of the Annex in 2022, saw the installation of new cladding, along with wheelchair access ramps. The Skema Hangar is devoted to the period from the end of WWII until the recent past (1946-2012). The exhibition includes both propeller and jet training aircraft, some prototypes, all-weather fighter-interceptor, fighter-bombers, and helicopters. Various exhibition areas are located on the balcony which describe the activities of Air Force Paratroopers, aerial photography cameras used from World War I onwards, and other, regularly rotating themes. Hangar 100 Hangar 100 is MUSAMs fifth pavilion. Conceived as a modern structure, it was completed in 2022 and provides an additional 1,800 square meter exhibition space for aircraft. The new pavilion consists of two, side-by-side buildings which form a single, rectangular space roughly 30m x 60m, with a maximum height of 11 meters at its peak. The pavilion features seven parallel arches connected to each other by a system of rectangular, galvanized steel tubes braced by steel cables. The pavilion houses aircraft flown between 1952 and 2020; exhibiting aircraft presently in the Italian Air Force fleet, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon (not on display at the time of my visit, Panavia Tornado, AMX Ghibli, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Piaggio P.166, and PD.808. There is also a focus on aerobatic teams, with an F-84G from the Tigri Bianche, and a FIAT G.91 and MB-339 PAN from the Frecce Tricolori. PRESS RELEASE Americas legacy and future on the moon, unique aircraft, advanced aviation technologies, and a variety of presentations are among NASAs highlights coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 on July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One aircraft in particular is expected to catch the aviation enthusiasts attention, the mighty Super Guppy! NASA has used the Super Guppy for decades as a means of transporting large cargo that would otherwise be difficult to move over significant distances. What many readers may not know is that much of this aircraft, NASA 941, first flew in 1953 as part of a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-97G Stratotanker (s/n 52-0828). NASAs activities will be centered at its pavilion in Aviation Gateway Park, just northwest of the FAA control tower on the AirVenture grounds. Other exhibits and programs will be showcased throughout the week at various other locations as well. Among the other NASA highlights at EAA AirVenture 2023 are: Monday, July 24 , 8 p.m., Theater in the Woods: NASA The Next Bold Step looks at the Apollo and Artemis programs, from the first steps on the moon to the next steps on the moon. Hosted by former space shuttle commander Charlie Precourt, the program will include NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke plus Gerry Griffin and Rick Weiss from the Apollo program, as well as Dr. John Blevins, Alex Kanelakos, and Dr. Ryan Watkins from the Artemis program. , 8 p.m., Theater in the Woods: NASA The Next Bold Step looks at the Apollo and Artemis programs, from the first steps on the moon to the next steps on the moon. Hosted by former space shuttle commander Charlie Precourt, the program will include NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke plus Gerry Griffin and Rick Weiss from the Apollo program, as well as Dr. John Blevins, Alex Kanelakos, and Dr. Ryan Watkins from the Artemis program. Tuesday, July 25 , 2:30 p.m., Forum Pavilion 7: Artemis Audience Astronauts will cover mission and science objectives, prelaunch preparation, crew training, and human research objectives the crew will likely complete. Experts in lunar and Mars mission planning and spacecraft development will cover what crews can expect while living and working on and around the moon, and how long-duration Artemis missions will function as partial analogs for human missions to Mars. , 2:30 p.m., Forum Pavilion 7: Artemis Audience Astronauts will cover mission and science objectives, prelaunch preparation, crew training, and human research objectives the crew will likely complete. Experts in lunar and Mars mission planning and spacecraft development will cover what crews can expect while living and working on and around the moon, and how long-duration Artemis missions will function as partial analogs for human missions to Mars. Monday-Wednesday, July 24-26 , Boeing Plaza: NASA Super Guppy parked on Boeing Plaza. This unique cargo airplane carries large spaceship parts from location to location. The airplane will also carry a full-size test article of the Orion space capsule. , Boeing Plaza: NASA Super Guppy parked on Boeing Plaza. This unique cargo airplane carries large spaceship parts from location to location. The airplane will also carry a full-size test article of the Orion space capsule. Wednesday, July 26 , 11:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 8: Preparing to Fly the X-59 will feature NASA research test pilot David Nils Larson discussing preparations for the agencys first flight of its X-59 quiet supersonic demonstrator aircraft. The unique X-59 aircraft is the centerpiece of NASAs Quesst program, which seeks to open the future to commercial supersonic flight over land. , 11:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 8: Preparing to Fly the X-59 will feature NASA research test pilot David Nils Larson discussing preparations for the agencys first flight of its X-59 quiet supersonic demonstrator aircraft. The unique X-59 aircraft is the centerpiece of NASAs Quesst program, which seeks to open the future to commercial supersonic flight over land. Thursday, July 27, 8:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 8: NASA Wicked Aeronautics Innovation focuses on the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions project, which explores various opportunities for aviation transformations for the good of American society. These high-risk expeditions aim to illuminate paths to desirable futures enabled by aviation, as well as the future of flight itself. Other NASA programs and activities are listed at the AirVenture schedule of events, available online at EAA.org/AirVenture and via the AirVenture app. Saving money can be difficult but there are ways to save some cash without even thinking about it. It can be automatic. Most banks will let yo At least six lawsuits have been filed in Scott County court aiming to hold the building owner and others liable for the building collapse at 324 Main St. in Davenport. After the collapse May 28, three men were found dead and an estimated 100 households were displaced. And one lawyer who has not yet filed in Scott County has met with tenants of 324 Main St. and surrounding buildings about joining a class-action lawsuit. George Jones, an attorney from southern Iowa, advertised on Facebook this week meetings with attorneys from his office on Thursday, who also were surveying the damage. A class-action suit allows a single person or a small number of people to represent the interest of a larger, similar group, according to the Iowa Judicial Branch. A judge must authorize class-action status. In the days after the building fell, filings in one suit brought by tenant Mildred Harrington indicated it would seek that status. Represented by West Des Moines attorney John Goplerud, they are suing Andrew Wold, Andrew Wold Investments, LLC, Bi-State Masonry, Select Structural Engineering and the city of Davenport. City releases contracts with firms investigating the collapse The city announced June 14 it had hired two firms to investigate the partial collapse at 324 Main St., SOCOTEC and White Birch Group. Communications with those groups started before that. In a signed "work authorization agreement" dated June 5, the SOCOTEC CEO Robert Vecchio writes "Client has engaged (SOCOTEC Engineering, Inc.) to perform a forensic investigation to attempt to determine the cause and origin of the partial building collapse." The SOCOTEC agreement doesn't go into detail about work to be performed but lists hourly rates of 14 titles that range from $120 an hour to $490 an hour. The White Birch Group submitted an agreement for "investigative support services" at 324 Main St. collapse incident in an emailed memo dated June 2. The scope of services listed include reviewing documents and evidence pertinent to the building collapse, reports issued, perform site evaluations and technical analysis, prepare exhibits, issue findings and conclusions "in oral and/or report format, whichever may be requested," and provide expert witness testimony in deposition. The agreement stated the project manager, Scott Nacheman, would bill at a rate at $370 per hour. Neither agreement gave a total cost estimate. An amendment to the city budget being voted on Wednesday includes $3 million for the 324 Main St. response and contracts signed. The bulk of the $3 million is for a demolition contract with D.W. Zinser. $500,000 of it is for the public safety response. Photos: Demolition continues Tuesday on the collapsed The Davenport apartments 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-103 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-114 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-097 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-065 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-084 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-058 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-076 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-109 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-066 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-105 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-086 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-056 UNITED NATIONS Somalias dire hunger emergency is spiraling upward with one-third of the population expected to face crisis or worse levels of food needs, but the U.N. has been forced to drastically cut food assistance because of a lack of funding, the head of the World Food Program said. Cindy McCain told the U.N. Security Council last week that the latest food security data show that over 6.6 million Somalis desperately need assistance including 40,000 fighting for survival in famine-like conditions. But she said WFP was forced to cut monthly food assistance, which had reached a record 4.7 million people in December, to just 3 million people at the end of April and without an immediate cash injection, well have to cut our distribution lists again in July to just 1.8 million per month. McCain, who visited Somalia last month, said she saw how conflict and climate change are conspiring to destroy the lives and livelihoods of millions of Somalis. She said the countrys longest drought on record, which killed millions of livestock and decimated crops, recently gave way to disastrous flash floods in the south. Urging donors to be as generous as they were and hauling Somalia back from the abyss of famine in 2022, McCain warned that the survival of millions of Somalis is at stake. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Somalia in April to ring the alarm and appealed for massive international support for Somalia. But the results of a high-level donors conference for three Horn of Africa countries Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya on May 24 were very disappointing. It raised less than $1 billion of the more than $5 billion organizers were hoping for to help over 30 million people. Only in the past few years has Somalia begun to find its footing after three decades of chaos from warlords to the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group and the emergence of Islamic State-linked extremist groups. Last May, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalias president between 2012 and 2017, was returned to the top office by legislators after a protracted contest. Somalia has faced numerous attacks from al-Shabab and recently the government embarked on what has been described as the most significant offensive against the extremist group in more than a decade. The African Union has a force in Somalia providing support to government forces battling al-Shabab. Last year, the Security Council unanimously approved a new AU transition mission known as ATMIS, to support the Somalis until their forces take full responsibility for the countrys security at the end of 2024. Photos: United Nations' climate agency's State of Global Climate 2022 From the Midwest to the Northeast, many in the U.S. have been dealing with the smoke from the record breaking Canadian wildfires for over a month now. Hazy skies have been common and extremely low air quality has occurred in spots. Why is this happening and will it be more common in the future? Dr. Emily Fischer, an associate professor at Colorado State University and a member of Science Moms, studies how climate change impacts wildfires. She joins the podcast this week to explain why this year's Canadian wildfire season has been so bad and how wildfires and their smoke will behave as the planet continues to warm. She also talks about her research flying in airplanes above wildfires and shares the harrowing story of how she and her family had to flee from the Cameron Peak fire in Colorado in 2020. Episode Preview We want to hear from you! Have a question for the meteorologists? Call 609-272-7099 and leave a message. You might hear your question and get an answer on a future episode! You can also email questions or comments to podcasts@lee.net. More episodes about climate change About the Across the Sky podcast The weekly weather podcast is hosted on a rotation by the Lee Weather team: Matt Holiner of Lee Enterprises' Midwest group in Chicago, Kirsten Lang of the Tulsa World in Oklahoma, Joe Martucci of the Press of Atlantic City, N.J., and Sean Sublette of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia. Episode transcript Note: The following transcript was created by Adobe Premiere and may contain misspellings and other inaccuracies as it was generated automatically: Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Across the Sky, our national Lee Enterprises weather podcast. I'm Matt Holiner, covering weather for Lees Midwest news sites and apps from Chicago. But of course, it's not just me. I'm joined by my fellow meteorologist Joe Martucci in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Sean Sublette in Richmond, Virginia. The fourth member of our team Kirsten Lang is also home on maternity leave. But she'll be back in just a couple of weeks. And we're definitely looking forward to it. Now, for this week's episode, it's something that if you haven't experienced yourself, I'm sure you've heard about it. The Canadian wildfires and all the smoke associated with them. Now, we've been dealing with this story for weeks, but the worse was on Wednesday, June seven, when the Northeast and mid-Atlantic were absolutely covered in smoke and New York City recorded its worst air quality ever. Now, Joe, you're awfully close to New Jersey, and I know you were impacted as well. So for those of us that weren't there and you describe what that was like. Well, I'll tell you, when my wife said because she works in New York City, it looks like Mars out there in New York, it was orange everywhere. Smell like you wanted to roast a marshmallow. That you know, that's what she said. Even down by, you know, our office closer to Atlantic City. It was a it looked like a cloudy day out. I mean, like with no sun whatsoever. It looked just like a dark, a dreary day out there. You could still smell the wildfire smoke as well. And you know, if you smell the wildfire smoke, it's kind of already through like those those articles that aren't good for you to breathe in are already getting into your system. You can smell the wildfire smoke. So. And a New York City in northern well, say north Jersey, we won't get into the central north south Jersey debate, but it was definitely a once in a generation type of area. Yeah, we certainly hope once in a generation because, man, I just saw the pictures and those pictures were just incredible. I mean, the images that were coming out and I think that's why it just becomes such a national story because you just never had seen these things over New York City, these orange skies. And you're right. I mean, that's what I assumed because the pictures I saw, it really looked like like Mars. It's like, whoa, we've seen pictures like this from California before and in Colorado. But up in the Northeast like to see these images. It was it was pretty incredible. So I can imagine it was a it was quite the experience. Yeah, definitely. Quite. Did you experience anything? We get into this in the show, but yeah, it's really been about, you know, five, six weeks of it at least. Wildfire smoke in the sky might not be smelling it every day, but it's just been persistent here across the area. Yeah. And you know, well, we we just wanted to dive into all of this deeper so, you know, why are Canada's wildfires so bad this year? Why has so much of the smoke ended up over the U.S.? What are the short term and long term impacts from this smoke exposure? And, you know, we found the perfect guests for this episode helps answer all our questions. Dr. Emily Fischer from Colorado State University. She's an atmospheric chemist who studies wildfire smoke, and she's even flown over wildfires to collect samples of. So it was a great conversation and one we'll bring you right after this break. Welcome back, everyone, to the Across the Sky podcast. Our guest this week is Dr. Emily Fischer, an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on how climate change is affecting wildfires and the impact of wildfire smoke on people. She's also a member of Science Moms, an organization of climate scientists and mothers. We're helping other moms better understand climate change. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of British Columbia, a master's degree from the University of New Hampshire, Ph.D. from the University of Washington. And we are thrilled to have her on the show. Dr. Fischer, welcome across the sky. Thanks so much for having me, Matt. And so as we do with all our guests, I'd like to start by asking you what got you interested in whether what made you want to start studying the atmosphere and specifically how it interacts with wildfires? I have been interested in the weather from the time I was a child. I was ten when Hurricane Bob came through Rhode Island. I'm originally from the East Coast, though. I live in Colorado now, and I was fascinated, impressed, amazed at the ability to predict something like that and to and to prepare for that level of a natural disaster. And I was a kid who I mean, I called my local weatherman, who was John GLASSIE, and I feel like I should reach out to John Garcia and tell him, look, it turned out I got a Ph.D. in atmospheric science, but he called me back. He was on air when I called, Right. And I asked him what made wind. So I've just been fascinated in the atmosphere and I care deeply about air quality. And I think we all have issues that we care about and we don't always control what things we care about. Some of us are interested right, in health care, access to health care, and some of us are interested in environmental issues and some of us are interested in animals like. And I just happen to care about air quality. And so as soon as I figured out that that was a thing that I could study, you know, as I started as an undergraduate, I never looked back. So and then if you spend any time living in the western U.S., fires are a thing. And I like to work on projects that have a global relevance, but a local component. And I think that really helps me understand them more deeply. So I, I experienced the phenomenon. I have sort of this local understanding of how it's impacting people and it's sort of connected to a broader picture. So fires fall in that category. And some of the other things that I work on also fall in that category. There they stand this local to national to international space. But, you know, if you live in in the West, anywhere you're going to interact with fires and smoke. And it it's a thing that will draw your attention. Yeah. And I know most of your research on wildfires has been focused in the United States, but of course, this time they're occurring in Canada and having impacts here in the U.S. So, you know, what can you tell us about why the fires in Canada this year have been so much worse than in previous years? So this year it comes down to aridity or dryness. And so it has just been very dry. Wildfires are very responsive to environmental conditions. And so just imagine tossing a match into a dry brown fire of old versus tossing that match into a well-watered lawn. Right. And or a snow covered area. And so if you have a very dry, dry conditions, that's exactly what will lead to the chance of wildfires. And then it's just a matter of whether you have an ignition source and leads show here. So I am in New Jersey. Yes. And a couple of Wednesdays ago, we had New Jersey turning into more. For some reason or another, it's orange everywhere, at least in the northern half and state with the wildfire smoke. New York City, you still have the worst air quality in the world. Where I am in South Jersey. It wasn't quite orange, but it was very, very easy. And it has been really since the middle of May, both with Alberta wildfires. And then what's happening in Quebec and Ontario, in Nova Scotia here, I guess that is 360 view like what actually caused the smoke to recede? Unprecedented levels, you know, in the northeast, because it's not like we haven't seen wildfire smoke before, at least here in northeast. There's a few issues and one is the fires that are occurring are large and they're so large, some of them, that they're creating their own weather right there. These are big, big, big wildfires and fires that are that large. They create very, very dense amounts of smoke. So much so that when you fly through them and maybe we'll talk about this earlier, I mean, you can't see anything, right? It's it's ten times as dense as what you saw experiencing have experienced in New Jersey. There's been just very efficient transport of the smoke to these populated areas in the northeast. And it's new for to the northeast, but it's not new for the western cities. So San Francisco, Seattle have been experiencing these kinds of smoke filled conditions quite frequently over the last couple of years. And it's just a matter of when the wildfire is extremely active. The winds just happen to push that smoke in a certain direction at that level of the atmosphere. And so the, you know, faster and more efficient and more narrow, that smoke plume is the more concentrated it's going to be when it gets to its receptor region, which, you know, was your neighborhood this time. So that's as simple as it is. And the smoke from wildfires is injecting in various levels of the atmosphere throughout the day in the early morning. And, you know, overnight it's injecting lower in the atmosphere as it grows throughout the day, it tends to inject higher. But if you have conditions where that smoke, you know, mixes back down into the lower atmosphere, you can get, you know, really concentrated plumes moving very efficiently and and at all levels of the atmosphere, actually. So so, yeah, I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry. I have family in New Jersey, too. So. So I feel your pain. Well, apology accepted. So it's no problem there. But yeah, it was definitely a generation, you know, this type of event for us here. I wanted to ask one brief follow show. I know you're going to ask, but I just wanted to, you know, ask in May. So we hear the wildfire smoke in bay, but it wasn't as hazy. And then, you know, early June came and it became a lot thicker. Would you be able to just talk about the differences between what we saw in May as opposed to what we, you know, the more notable world wide event that happened in early June when it's more concentrated, you're receiving smoke that's fresher, more dense, and you're getting it a more direct a direct transport pathway. And I think because I wasn't there at all during that more recent event, you were even able to smell the smoke, right? Yeah, you are absolutely right. Yeah. And then a few months maybe it's just a few weeks ago, months ago, a month and a half ago, the prior smoke event. Right. You couldn't smell it. Right, Right. Yeah, right, exactly. Yeah. So the compounds in smoke that you can smell, they have a lifetime of about a day. So when you can smell the smoke, it's often more concentrated and fresher. And when you can't smell the smoke, but you see that haze, it usually just means it's been processed in the atmosphere for over a day. So it's it's taken longer than a day to get to you. And if something is taking longer to get to you, there's also more opportunities for dilution, for deposition, for for the things that are in smoke to come out. And so that's really the difference between those those two events is, is the distance. And I sort of duration of time that passed between the fire and the smoke coming to your neighborhood. Yeah. And to follow up about the transport of that particulate matter, as Joe knows, and most of us in the weather field know, the the upper level winds or the steering winds were kind of unusual for this time of the year anyway, which is part of the reason the smoke got got this far south. Even here where I was in Virginia, we had a fair bit not as thick as in the Northeast, but we got some here. And as you mentioned, this is something that is much more common in the western United States. Can I get you also to speak a little bit more about how this does fall back in to the warming climate? Oftentimes, I hear that, well, somebody started a fire, but I try to remind people and you jump in, if I'm a little off base here, that the the origin of the fire isn't isn't the important thing. I mean, it's not that it's not important, but the conditions of the land that surround it will really govern how much how fast it spreads and how far it spreads. So can I get you to riff on that just a little bit? Is that kind of kind of the right idea? Yes, on you're totally right. And in fact, my group has has worked on this and I can talk a little bit about that. So I'm not with Canadian fires, but with wildfires in the western U.S. and in the southeastern United States is where we've specifically focused on this link. And other other people have worked in Canada. And and so in general, you can look back at our fire records over the last 30, 40 years and that interannual variability and burn area is linked to environmental conditions. And which environmental condition is most important depends on the ecosystem. So in some places it is the precipitation that is the best explainer that we have of that year's burn area and other places. It is the aridity that that best explains in the Rocky Mountains, where I live, that interannual variability and burn area is really very tightly linked to our our aridity and so we have also looked at this as a function of ignition source and human started fires and lightning started fires both they're there year to year burn area that they produce the sort of severity and extent of the fires that are started by both of those ignition sources, lightning or human ignition sources, they vary with environmental conditions. So you are absolutely right. It's it's not net it's not the ignition source. Right. That we are priming the environment or conditions that will facilitate large fires. And so as we look forward with climate change and I mean, climate change is happening right now also. But one thing we know very well is that temperatures will continue to rise. And one thing the second thing that we know very well over North America is that in general it will be drier. And so that just that alone will facilitate more periods of time where large fires could occur. And and yes, so it's interesting, you know, in the West, there's been a lot of work, right, to educate people about fire safety and and to be careful with ignition sources, but particularly in in certain times of year. And probably more work needs to happen in, you know, other parts of the world where where typically we haven't been so vulnerable to fires. Yeah. It's not what we want to hear. We talk about climate change and how we could be seeing more of these types of events. And what I want to dive into now is, is some of your research because it sounds really cool. I know some of it is involved actually flying over wildfires to sample the smoke. So can you tell us about this and what is actually snow smoke made out of? That's kind of a key question. What are the components that are actually in wildfire smoke? Sure. So in 2018, I led what was at that time the one of the largest yield missions in atmospheric chemistry to study wildfires. And we worked with the National Science Foundation, National Center for Atmospheric Research, C-130 research aircraft. And so we filled that research aircraft with so many different instruments. It was like a flying chemistry lab. And we took that facility and we visited more than 20 different, very large wildfires. And if you remember, 2018 was a very active wildfire year. So we're talking about like the Carr Fire, the Mendocino complex, some of these really, really big wildfires. And so what we would do was go behind the wildfire or upwind of the fire and see what was happening and figure out the background atmosphere that the smoke was, that the fire was injecting the smoke into. And then we would come around downwind of the the fire and we would as soon as it was safe. So outside of the updraft, you know, these are large fires They're making very large, very large updrafts. We would turn the plane directly into the smoke, directly into the outflow, and then we would go out the other side. And it's like many minutes pass. It's a little unnerving. It smells like you can't see anything. It's very red. It's very eerie. As a parent of small children, I was like, What am I doing right now? Why am I doing this? And then you come out the other side, you know that, get a sample of that, the air on the other side, and go right back in. And we we mow the lawn or shoveled the snow, I guess is the time of year where you'd mow the lawn, mow the lawn through the smoke plume. And we we did that again and again and again to understand how the smoke changes in that very, very close to the fire in that first couple hours and really understand what's happening and what's what's in the smoke. So what's in smoke? It is a very complex mixture of gases and particle jets. And so the fine particulates are very different than a typical urban air pollution mixture. They are generally what we call organic carbon. So these are chemical compounds with urban carbon bonds. It's a we don't have perfect characterization of of chemically of exactly all of that, but most of the aerosol has organic carbon and then you have a lot of carbon containing gases. So there's lots of carbon monoxide, for example, anytime you have incomplete combustion. So there's a lot of carbon monoxide, there's a lot of carbon dioxide, there are a lot of what we would think of as hazardous air pollutants. So things like formaldehyde, benzene, these are all organic compounds that you don't really want to be breathing. Those are in there. There's also quite a few nitrogen containing compounds is nitrogen in the wood and in the material that's being burnt. And so that's what my team studies. So so that's what smoke is made out of. And it every single one of those compound, every single one of those chemicals, they all interact differently with sunlight and with water. So they have different solubility, they have different deposition rates, they have different what we call fatalis rates are how quickly they're broken down by sunlight. They react differently with other compounds in the smoke. And so it's a very interesting mixture. It's very chemically active, particularly in the first couple of hours. And then some of the chemistry slows down with with time as it and it becomes it's ever evolving because it's going from concentrations concentrated to dilute and that that will change the composition a little bit too because it changes the chemistry. Does that help? Yes, I figured it was going to be a little bit more complex than we think. I know there are a lot of different elements that make up smoke, but also when you were describing flying through the smoke, it reminded me a lot of some of the hurricane hunters that we've had on this podcast. It's been very similar going back and forth through the hurricane, back and forth, through the wildfire smoke. And honestly, I think kind of just as scary as well. That would be a pretty nerve wracking experience. I'm not sure I'd be up for that, actually. But I mean, these are wonderful pilots, very safe activity. I would say. It just feels it feels like you shouldn't be doing it. And, you know, we're very careful not to interfere with the firefighting teams and the firefighting teams aren't trying to fly in the smoke where you can't see anything. So it it it's you know, there's lots of aircraft around wildfires. And the key thing for us was to stay out of the way of the firefighters. But, you know, you you operate in very safe conditions. You're you know, you remain 2000 feet above the ground. And and because you can't see anything, so you don't want to run into Mount St Helens, for example. So so but it it yeah, it was unnerving for me, but I don't think the pilots were nervous. The other thing that we did on that field program, which was really difficult but so fascinating, was try to sample smoke cloud mixtures. So in those cases we would be looking for these. I know this is a weather podcast, so I'll just get it into a tiny bit of detail here. There were these beautiful cumulus fields, right? And we would go sample the smoke under them and then move up into these little puffy clouds and try to collect the cloud droplets. So we were taking the plane and going zooming cloud to cloud. And, you know, I was in the cockpit. So not getting as sick as I would have gotten. I always medicate on these planes, but the back of the plane was definitely getting sick. But it was kind of amazing to, you know, try to capture the cloud particles that were impacted by smoke. Yeah. Just one other thing that you can do while you're up there in the smoke and take advantage of it and sample the clouds as well. Okay. Well, we're going to take a quick break, but coming up, we're going to chat more about wildfires, smoke and the impacts of climate change is having on them. So don't go anywhere. More across the sky in just a bit. Welcome back to the Across the Sky podcast. Everyone released new episodes every Monday on all our early news sites and apps, but also on all podcast platforms. And we even have a new YouTube channel. So really, wherever you like to get your podcast, you can find us there. We're back with Dr. Emily Fischer from Colorado State University chatting about wildfires and smoke. And Emily, one of the things that came up in my research for this episode is that you and your family actually had to flee from the Cameron Peak fire while backpacking in 2020. Now, I assume is pretty scary. So can you describe that experience? So 2020, right. The pandemic summer, we were looking for things to do with the kids we had. We had taken them to Rocky Mountain National Park a few weeks prior and had this great backpacking experience. So we, you know, kind of at the last minute said, let's go up near Cameron Peak, because that's just a little bit to the north of where I live. And so we we camped out one night and the next morning we got up and my kids were very whiny and we didn't make it that far. So we had, you know, we stopped a little early for lunch and I said, okay, we can just sit and paint or do something if if you guys don't feel like walking very far. And so we sat down by a tree to have lunch and I came, you know, stood up after lunch and there was a big bubble, big bubble on the back side of Cameron Peak. And I just looked at my husband. I was like, That's not a cloud like that. That's not a cloud. And I know that because in 2018 I had been flying all over the place looking at many wildfires, knows that we have to go now. And so we had to make a very quick decision of whether we were going uphill, which would have meant we had to have to cross like ten, 11,000 feet with the kids or to go back down the way we came. And so we just grabbed our children's hands and we ran out. And my daughter, who's eight now, was five at the time, and she ran six and a half miles and about two and a half hours. And it was this. Thankfully, the smoke was running parallel to us so we could see the massive plume. And I didn't know what was going to happen. Right. I mean, but we did make it out. But there was no we were we were about between one and two miles from the start of the of the fire. And when we got out, the Rangers, they the fire didn't have a name. Right. So I like finally get out. We get out. I turn the key of the car over to make sure everything's going to be okay. Kids in the car, I tell them, you can start crying now like you can. You can do whatever you need to do now, because it had been, you know, a few hours of like, here's a saver. You get one sip of water, watch your ankles, no talking, right. Just just running, running out. And they and this is quite rugged terrain where this is and that you could tell because it was very hard to fight this fire. And so we got out and I was like, what's the name of the fire? And the fire had no name. And actually the pictures that my husband took were used by the the Forest Service and some of their investigative work about the cause of the fire. And so so the Cameron Peak fire turned into at that time, Colorado's largest. And it just you know, I watched that every incident management report every single night for that. And it burns, you know, right through in October. And it basically burned until it snowed. And so we it started in August and it just continued on. And that smoke was sort of covering Fort Collins. And it would was just very smoky here. There was ash falling on us all the time and your 2020. So you could really only be with people outside. So we were sitting, you know, in the backyard with my brother, just like ash falling on us. And it's like what the world says so dark. And so that summer one, my kids are quite traumatized. It's very hard to get them out hiking now unless it's actively raining. And so actually, I'm going to come to the East Coast this summer and I'm excited to take them a little bit to the New Hampshire mountains and sort of introduce them to hiking again in a non-Western way where the sort of threats are smaller. But I also that summer, like lived my grass, right? So I had a student at the time I actually had coffee with this morning, Steve Bry, and he had been working on the link between climate and wildfires. And, you know, summer 2020 was incredibly dry and it was not surprising that from August to September we had an extreme fire season here. And so I felt like I was living in those graphs. I felt like I understood those calculations. And in a much deeper way. And I would, you know, honestly cry some days that summer because I was like, this is what climate change feels like. This is what this feels like. And at the same time, there was some really great work happening to try to understand the return cycle for events like that and that maybe 6 to 8 years. And that's a horrible type summer to have every six years. So, so I feel like that experience. Yeah, it helped me understand fires and their impacts in a in a new way, in a very nonacademic, nonacademic way and also kind of taught me and it inspired some of my more recent work to think about how we communicate about wildfires so that people can protect themselves and their loved ones and they're sort of vulnerable members of their family. When smoke comes to town. So. So yeah, that's what that experience was like. Not great. I'm happy everybody was okay. It's certainly possible that we wouldn't have been had the winds been different. Yeah, that is absolutely harrowing. And so congratulations on on getting out with the kids and that they were all right. My kids are 24 and 20 now, so that's no longer an issue, but better communication. And you talking about coming back here to the East Coast to do some hiking, is there a way or have you found any kind of good way to communicate what that risk is like in the western United States for people who have not been there? Obviously, we had this big, big plume of smoke in the northeast a few weeks ago. Would you say like, yeah, this is what we deal with all the time? Or would you say like you know, this is something that we're accustomed to all the time? How do you kind of convey the risk and what you what you contend with there in the West United States versus someplace that is, you know, in the east, it as a more a more humid climate and tends to be more forested in the first place. Well, there's a few things to think about with respect to this general question. And the first one is, while I do not want to diminish the risk of these fires and my family has run from a wildfire, and there's incredibly sad loss of life and property associated with wildfires. So I do not want to diminish that. But more people are impacted by the wildfire smoke and the health impacts are driven by the smoke because just the sheer number of people that are impacted by smoke is much larger. And so as you think about preparing for wildfires, that preparation really needs to happen across the U.S. with respect to the wildfire smoke, because the fire seasons are bad, fire seasons are very severe fire seasons. The frequency of them is going to increase. Unfortunately, and that's due to climate change and a legacy of land management decisions. And so we have to invest in our forests and work on preventing further climate change in order to address that. So we have to prepare for more smoke. And so preparing for more smoke will look different depending on your work and your home and your lifestyle. And whether you have someone in that is you yourself are sort of a member of a vulnerable group or not. So vulnerable groups are people with preexisting respiratory and cardiovascular issues and or the very young or the elderly and so in my family I have an older house, but I have a portable AC unit that I'm ready if the smoke comes so that I can close the windows and have it not be blazing hot. And I have a number of air filters that are ready to go and I don't need them all the time. But I have a sort of kit, the like now wildfire smoke is coming Kit and I would encourage families to do that. And in fact, my mom in Rhode Island, I she was hit by smoke. And, you know, she's funny. She's like, I have the windows open. And I was like, nope, no, no, you don't like close those up. And I'm in the ship. Use some air filters and this is how you're going to make yourself a clean air space in case those winds shift that plume a little bit further north. Because at the time it was just a little bit in southern Rhode Island and was more to the south. So I think sort of working with people so that they know what to do and how to protect themselves and whether they need to protect themselves is what we actually need to do, because the smoke is not going anywhere. It's coming more and more. Emily, changing gears a little bit here, you might tell us a little bit about more of the work you do with science moms here and where people find more information about it. Sure. Science Moms is a group of scientists who are also mothers. All of us work on some something tied to climate change. So for me, that's why my work on wildfires, which are very tightly linked to climate change. And so what we're aiming to do is in a nonpartisan and we're not politicians, right? Most of us many of us are academics, nonpartisan way explain the fundamentals of climate change and help mothers understand what this issue means for their families, for their children, and also to give them confidence to speak out about the issues. So you don't have to understand every little bit about climate science in order to understand that this is, you know, one of the most important issues of our time. And we absolutely have to take action now. We have about ten years to do a what needs to be done to slow this thing down. So so that's what science moms is. And we're trying to offer information on fires, on drought, on all the way to what do I do in my own home, to decarbonize it. We're offering, you know, all of that in one sort of space for mothers. And so you can find out about that at science moms dot com and there's videos of me and my colleagues, you know trying to explain things and trying to offer helpful advice and we, you know, showcase some of technologies too, and show how we use them. For me, like I'm a big fan of the E-bike that reduces my transportation and car carbon use substantially. So kind of show that and how we might go about that. So I even have done some videos on how do you call somebody that represents you and what are the things that you can say if you are concerned about climate change and its impact on your kids? And and so those are that those are the kinds of things that we're doing in it in an educational sense. Yeah, I really like the stuff that comes out of science on I'll do great work, you know, And as we wrap up here, you know, I'm sure being involved with science lives, but also your research, you know, people come to you, you know, and trying to understand it a little bit better. So when somebody comes to you and they're and they're worried about the future and climate change and the impact it's going to have on wildfires, you know what? What do you tell them? You know, you try and relax them because it is a stressful thing. We talk about climate change because there's so much negativity around it and we think about all the bad things that can happen. But what's kind of a silver lining that you see to trying to help relax people and focus on solutions and what we can do to help mitigate the risk if we're going to see increased wildlife or what kind of stuff can we do to handle that situation. You know, what is your response to somebody who's feeling a little uneasy? How can you hopefully make people feel a little bit a little bit more relaxed? Yeah, I think it helps to just work on the issue. So and there's a very hands up. You feel better once you start working on something that that applies to everything, right? Sometimes starting the job is the hardest piece of doing something right. So so, you know, I'm telling them to do what they can do. So that might be share information about climate change, swap things in their home and speak up to people that represent them. And then I am also telling them that there is there is. Oh, right. So we caused this problem. We understand what the solutions are and we have the technical capacity to change the way we produce and use energy. And so we just need the will to do that. And so there I think things could be much worse if we didn't know how to solve the problems. Right. But but we actually know how to solve the problem. We just have to decide. And so I encourage people to put that pressure on people that represent them at all levels of government, because that is one of the most important things that you can do. And it's very, very important and it's something that anyone can do. So, yes, it's the only thing, you know, I would say if you have children, be careful about how you talk about climate change to children. With my own kids, I tell them this isn't a weight that you have to carry right now. This is an adult problem and I'm working on it. And that is helps to reduce the anxiety in my house that that I'm not ignoring it. Right. I'm not pretending it's not an issue. And these are these are the ways that I'm working on this issue. So so those are those are my little pieces of advice I would give you. Yeah, I think that's great advice, you know, and focus on the solutions rather than I think you can. It's easy to focus on all the negativity and then focus on the worry about all the bad, but like are things we can do and focusing on what can we do that actually you can turn that anxiety a little bit into positive outcome and maybe actually lead to a solution to this big problem. Well, and this has been a great conversation, but where can people find out more about your research and size bombs? So I'm in the atmospheric science department at Colorado State University. I'm the only Emily professor there, so it's easy to find me there. And you can find out more about science moms at science moms dot com in that building YouTube videos and Instagram and all the ways that you can follow that. Awesome. I'm sure people will definitely be expecting that out. Well and we thank you so much for joining the podcast and hopefully we can have you back on again soon. I would love to. This has been really fun. Great. Well, going to take one more quick break, but we're going to be back with some closing thoughts in just a second. So stay tuned. More across the sky. I mean, and we're back on across the sky. And I can say I have a better understanding of how wildfires and wildfire smoke work after that conversation. Guys, what about you? Yeah, for for me just to hear that harrowing tale of her having to pick up the kids and literally run for hours to get out of the way of this thing in northern Colorado really puts it all into perspective. And the important thing here to remember, I think sometimes we forget, we focus on the fires themselves so often and the flames. But it's the smoke, which I think so many of us saw, because a couple of weeks ago that is far more pervasive and does more long term damage and affects more people in terms of health impacts. I think that's the other thing. We we need to be cognizant of, even if we don't live in an area that is especially close to two fires in and of themselves. And I just, you know, keep going back to her story that she had in Colorado when she was backpacking through there with their kids. I mean, you have kids, her her husband running, you know, away from the fire. And I you know, like she said, it was the biggest fire in Colorado's history. I mean, you know, that's something I lose a deer for a while. And she definitely made mention of that. Yeah, That was, you know, really a great story. And just the you know, the kind of take away for me is that, you know, after we dealt with what we saw over the Northeast, but again, we've been dealing with it in the Midwest as well, just all the talk, it just seems like, you know, never at this level. We're talking about so many days with the hazy skies and the reduced air quality. But now, unfortunately, it looks like that's that's where we're headed. These things are becoming more common, whether it's in the West or up in Canada is the conditions for wildfires, because the weather is getting more extreme. The conditions that cause wildfires, again, we've seen these things are becoming more common. So this is just one more thing we have to add to the list of things that we need to be prepared for and things we need to be working on. Solutions for, which actually ties back into last week's episode. We really want to thank you, our listeners, for checking out last week's episode, which was all about climate change solutions with Project Drawdown. Dr. Kate Marble And we actually did get some listener feedback on that episode, including an email from Steve who wrote More Electric Cars, High speed Trains and nuclear energy, as well as sealing methane, sources will cut most of the greenhouse gas emissions. All this needs to be done ASAP. We cannot wait for everyone to get on board. Tomorrow is not soon enough and see if I couldn't agree with you more. So thank you for the email and if you have a comment about the show or have a weather question you'd like us to answer, send us an email at podcasts at Lee Dot Net Podcasts at we dot net. Or if you'd like to hear your voice on the podcast, fix a voicemail by calling 60927270996092727099. We'd love to hear from you. And finally, before we wrap up, it is almost here perhaps the most anticipated episode of The Cross the Sky yet the Nathan's hot dog eating contest. And I can't believe I just said the joke. You've been hyping this one for weeks, so I'm going to give you one more chance here. Why do people need to do it in? If you love hot dogs, if you love New York City, if you love America, you'll love this episode. I love you, Joe Martucci. God bless you, brother. It's going to be great, George. George's great. Tremendous. Yes. If you see him up there on stage, you know, he's all energy. He was much more, you know, what shall we say, preparing, you know, definitely a little more subdued, which is a good thing, Not a bad thing. A good thing as we go into the hot dog eating contest, he's definitely saving up his energy for the fourth. So check it out. I think Sean is going to be absent from that episode. That's what I heard. I might take that one off. You like Hot Dog Shore? I do. I do. But I. I prefer bratwurst because I can enjoy it a little bit longer. No offense to Nathan. He makes a great hot dog and all, but I prefer the Johnsonville stuff, which I think is made up by you there. Matt, About the Johnsonville brats, the John Civil rights. Very good. They are very tasty. Well, maybe there was a brat eating contest. You know, we talked about I think it was an ad eating contest. There are other eating contests that are going to discuss in this episode. So it's going to be an experience. I hope you join in. This will be probably certainly our most unique episode of Across US Yet. But for now, that's going to do it for this week's episode of Across the Sky. If you like the show, please give us a rating or poster review on your favorite podcasting platforms and episodes out. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) When North Dakota restricted which bathrooms transgender students can use in public schools and universities this year, the school district in the state's largest city promised to ignore the new rules. A Republican legislator then called for confiscating its state funding, but the law doesn't include that possibility. The defiance in Fargo shows that it's not exactly clear how bathroom laws will play out in local communities after being enacted in at least 10 states with Republican-controlled legislatures. In Kansas, GOP state Attorney General Kris Kobach said Monday that his state's new law, which takes effect Saturday, gives schools a legal defense if transgender students argue that it's discriminatory not to let them use facilities in line with their gender identity. Parents and students will be able to sue one another, he said, but the law does not create a right to sue schools. Even Florida's law, allowing the state to threaten the licenses of educators who don't comply, says a transgender student or staffer must first be asked to leave a restroom and refuse. Some schools already have gender-neutral bathrooms and changing spaces or allow trans students to use staff restrooms. In others, trans students try to make it through the day without using a restroom. Advocates for transgender people worry that bullying will increase. Especially in smaller towns where, say, that bullying could be really bad because transgender individuals are really misunderstood, said Caedmon Marx, outreach chair for LGBTQ+ advocacy group Dakota OutRight and a 23-year-old nonbinary Bismarck State University student. While the laws focus mostly on transgender students, critics believe they also encourage harassment of trans adults at work and while they're shopping and eating out and even harassment of cisgender people, or those whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. By men, I get harassed for going into a womens restroom because people think that the way I look, the way I dress, they way my hair is that Im a man, Kansas state Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Kansas City-area Democrat and a lesbian, said during a debate over the Kansas bathroom measure. This is going to just open up the doors for that. North Carolina Republicans enacted a bathroom law in 2016 but rolled it back following protests and economic boycotts. A new wave of anti-LGBTQ+ measures began building in 2020, when Idaho enacted the nation's first law barring transgender athletes from girls and women's sports. State lawmakers across the U.S. considered hundreds of proposals this year. Supporters argue that bathroom laws protect the privacy of cisgender women and girls. They've also pitched the laws as safety measures, without citing evidence of threats or assaults by transgender people against cisgender women or girls. In North Dakota, Republican state Rep. Robin Weisz, chair of a committee that handled bathroom legislation, said some lawmakers worried about "being taken over by a radical agenda on gender identity. A GOP colleague, state Rep. Bill Tveit, said: "Our whole society is catering to it and encouraging it, and I dont think that thats where were at, nor should be. States' laws vary in their sweep. Florida and North Dakota are applying their restrictions to state universities and prisons. Arkansas is making it a misdemeanor for transgender adults to be in any public changing room associated with their gender identities if a minor is present and the purpose is arousing or gratifying a sexual desire. Kansas' law applies not just to restrooms and locker rooms, but to rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, prisons and other detention centers. State laws also differ in what they say about enforcement. If an Oklahoma school violates that state's 2022 law, its district can lose 5% of its state funding, though none have so far. Florida schools and universities must have policies for punishing students who don't comply, and educators who flout the law could risk losing their state licenses. Starting in July 2024, the state attorney general can sue schools that don't comply. Arkansas mandates a minimum fine of $1,000 for defiant educators, and Iowa residents can file complaints with the state's attorney general. Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma and Tennessee allow private lawsuits against schools. But laws in Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky and North Dakota don't spell out any enforcement regime. Transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people and LGBTQ+ rights advocates predict that states will rely on vigilante enforcement by private individuals. Sarah Warbelow, legal director for the Human Rights Campaign, expects lawsuits from people dedicated to making life impossible for transgender people. All the laws permit schools and other institutions to make special accommodations for trans students, such as providing gender-neutral bathrooms, so long as they aren't allowed into facilities associated with their gender identities. In Kansas' largest school district in Wichita, schools already have worked with individual students and their parents to make accommodations. In northeastern Iowa, the Decorah school district sought guidance on what the signs outside its single-use restrooms should say. We're following the law, Superintendent Tim Cronin said. We're not trying to editorialize on any of this. In Des Moines, Iowa, the school district already had been preparing for a bathroom law for several years, and the facilities were in place when the state's law was enacted, spokesperson Phil Roeder said. The Shawnee Mission district in the affluent Kansas suburbs of Kansas City is adding gender-neutral restrooms, too, with most of the work completed. But in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Al Stone-Gebhardt, an 18-year-old transgender man, recently graduated from a high school that didn't have gender-neutral restrooms. After using the girls restroom during his junior year, he planned to use the nurse's but was turned away the first day of his senior year. His mother, Erika DuBose, acknowledged flipping out when her son texted her about it. She sent an email to school staff that demanded, HOW DARE YOU DENY MY CHILD THEIR BIOLOGICAL NEEDS?" To avoid using any restroom at school, her son was wasn't eating or drinking much. The school became more accommodating, they said. It is literally putting trans students at risk, Stone-Gebhardt said. Having to choose between being hydrated and being outed is extremely traumatic and inherently problematic, as well. Warbelow said states can expect some civil disobedience." In the liberal community of Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, the home of the University of Kansas' main campus, the local district attorney declared that she wouldn't prosecute violations of the new state law. Kobach dismissed those comments as meaningless, saying the Kansas law doesn't call for criminal prosecutions. In Fargo, one of North Dakota's rare politically blue places, the school board backed Superintendent Rupak Gandhi's public statement that, "We will not participate in anything that we think is going to subject students to further discrimination or increase their self-harm. That prompted Tveit to email fellow state lawmakers, suggesting the district lose its state funding. But North Dakota's Legislature won't be in session again until 2025. I think any law that goes into place needs a specific penalty, Tveit said, because without a specific penalty, then you have this defiance. Hanna reported from Topeka, Kan., and Murphy, from Tulsa, Okla. Also contributing were Associated Press Writers Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Ark., and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa. Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna U.S. states with laws restricting what bathrooms transgender kids can use in public schools are wrestling with how those laws will be enforced. At least 10 states have enacted such laws and transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people expect states to rely on what they call vigilante enforcement by private individuals. Arkansas and Florida threaten educators' licenses. Oklahoma promises to cut funding if school districts don't comply. Arkansas, Oklahoma, Idaho and Tennessee allow private lawsuits against schools. But Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky and North Dakota dont spell out any enforcement mechanism. Enforcement questions came to a head in North Dakota recently when the Fargo school leaders promised to defy the state's rules. With strategies they've never used before, Marion and Iowa City officials have gained public safety leverage over a bar and a lounge troubled by calls seeking police help to deal with disturbances, gunshots being fired and homicides. The March 17 fatal shooting inside Cocktails & Company in Marion and the Oct. 23 fatal shooting outside Iowa City's H-Bar a hookah lounge that doesn't sell liquor caused authorities to take decisive action in an attempt to prevent further disturbances and gun violence at the businesses. Using a new state law in the case of Marion, and an old city ordinance not used before in Iowa City, the cities compelled the businesses to close hours earlier. Marion also placed limits on capacity and programming at Cocktails & Company, and Iowa City insisted its police officers be allowed inside the H-Bar when it's open to perform "community caretaking functions." City officials and police, however, say they are limited in what they can do to prevent a potentially volatile mix of bringing a gun into a bar because there are no restrictions against it unless owners ban weapons themselves and report incidents. In the case of the Iowa City hookah lounge, officials could not turn to a threat of suspending or revoking a liquor license because the business is not required to have one. And in the case of an April 10, 2022, mass shooting at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge in downtown Cedar Rapids where three people died and 10 were injured the city of Cedar Rapids wasn't able to take nuisance abatement action against the business after the shooting because it closed. Dimione Walker, 29, of Coralville, and Timothy Rush, 33, of Cedar Rapids, have been convicted in the two separate fatal shootings inside the bar. But police said they have continued to provide an "active law enforcement presence" in the downtown area. Patrol officers interact with bar owners, employees and patrons, police said. Calls for service drive some of the interaction while others are "proactive." "We review policies and procedures following any type of violence in that area with a hope for identifying preventive measures," Cedar Rapids police said in a statement. Police and city officials point out that incidents of shots fired and shootings at clubs haven't been prevalent in Linn and Johnson counties although they can be deadly when they do happen. The 121 reports of shots fired between January 2022 and May in Cedar Rapids include the fatal shootings at Taboo and two other shots fired incidents outside bars. During this same time period, there have been 12 homicides in Cedar Rapids, which includes the three Taboo fatalities. Incidents of shots fired in Marion were not available, but there has been only one fatal shooting during that time period at Cocktails & Company. Of the 24 shots fired reports during the same time period in Iowa City, there has been one person injured in a shooting outside the H-Bar and another person fatally shot outside the lounge. The H-Bar fatal shooting is the only homicide in Iowa City during this time period. Public safety nuisance law Marion relied on a new public safety nuisance law House File 2340 which deems a bar is in violation if a gun has been discharged, a dangerous weapon was used in an assault or if there had been a riot on at least three separate days within a 12-month period where law enforcement had to respond. State lawmakers, when the bill was proposed in 2022, said it would give communities local control that going through the state to yank a liquor license to shut down a problem bar took too long to address immediate public safety issues. This bill was passed in response to a now-defunct Davenport bar that had numerous service calls for gunfire and fights. The law also allows a county or city attorney to sue a bar for creating a public safety nuisance and to get a temporary injunction to close it pending a trial. But the city of Marion didn't go that far in dealing with Cocktails & Company, 1625 Blairs Ferry Rd. Marion Police Chief Michael Kitsmiller told The Gazette the city found an alternative that would keep Cocktails & Company in business while giving the city leverage by tying restrictions, which will make the bar safer, to the bar's liquor license renewal. Kitsmiller said the owners worked with the city because they all want to make the environment safer. Ryan Evans, owner of the bar, declined to comment. "It's the first time we've done this," the police chief said. Before the fatal shooting, Cocktails & Company had numerous service calls for fighting and intoxicated patrons in the parking lot, Kitsmiller said. According to Marion police, 276 calls for service to the business between May 15, 2021, and March 17 included 216 bar checks there. A majority of the other calls were not related to medical, fire or domestic abuse incidents. But city and police officials decided serious action was needed after Cameron Tyray Barnes, 32, was fatally shot March 17. Duval Walker, 28, of Cedar Rapids, has been charged in that homicide. It is the first fatal shooting in a Marion bar, and the city wanted to address the issue as soon as possible. A surveillance video showed Walker starting a fight and punching Barnes in the face, according to a criminal complaint. The two were separated by others in the bar, but then Walker pulled out a handgun, hid it behind his leg while charging at Barnes and firing one shot that killed him, the complaint stated. Consent agreement As a condition of renewing the Cocktails & Company liquor license, the owner had to sign a consent agreement acknowledging the city could prove at a hearing there were conditions that would support a suspension, a public safety nuisance and a municipal violation relating to a nuisance property. In lieu of the city pursuing those violations, however, the bar agreed to close at midnight instead of 2 a.m. It also agreed to limit capacity to 171 people inside and 72 on the patio. The bar also cannot have live music events during its license renewal period of May 1 through April 30, 2024. If Evans fails to comply, it would be a violation and the city could take further action. Iowa City action Iowa City filed a nuisance abatement petition against the H-Bar, 220 S. Van Buren St., which is licensed to sell tobacco but doesn't have a liquor license. The lounge opened Dec. 31, 2021, and started having service calls Jan. 1, 2022, according to the petition. The city was limited in what it could do about the issues to ensure people are safe inside and outside the lounge, which is close to apartment buildings and a convenience store, Assistant Iowa City Attorney Liz Craig told The Gazette. Craig said it would have been preferable to reach an agreement with owners before proceeding to filing a nuisance abatement petition which she said the city has not done before but the city couldn't reach one with the H-Bar owners: James Miller, Katrell Sykes, David Sykes and Malik Maxwell, doing business as Groundwork LLC. Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 23, 2022, there were 173 calls for service at the hookah lounge, which included large fights and a firearm being recovered from an individual who was barred from carrying guns. Craig said there also were two dangerous incidents near the lounge involving shootings in August 2022, when a woman was shot multiple times and seriously injured in an alley. Then, in October, Waymond Thomas, 36, of Iowa City, was shot outside the lounge following a fight that started inside. He later died at the hospital. That same night, another fight that started inside and continued outside. Three people have been charged in relation to the incidents, including a voluntary manslaughter charge against Antonio Steven Scotton, 19, of Cedar Rapids. A temporary agreement, in place until the case is resolved, was reached with the H-Bar owners in December. They agreed the lounge would close no later than 2 a.m., which is earlier than the hours it had advertised for Friday and Saturday nights. The owners also agreed to allow Iowa City police officers to enter during open hours to perform "community caretaking functions." Contempt However, the hookah bar continued to violate the temporary injunction, and the city filed a contempt action for four separate violations of staying open past 2 a.m. In one of the violations on April 9, a man "stumbled out of the H-Bar and appeared to be intoxicated," an officer wrote. The officer later found him passed out in his car with the engine running. Next to him was an AR-15 rifle. Last month, a judge found the H-Bar in contempt and ordered the owners to pay $2,000 in sanctions. According to service calls since the contempt order, there have been two incidents on April 23 and 30 in which police officers observed the H-Bar opened past 2 a.m., which could possibly be used in another contempt action. Police declined to comment on any further potential action. No law against guns in bars Police and city officials agree they are limited on what they can do about people carrying guns into bars under Iowa law. It would up to the business owners to prohibit weapons. Iowa City police Sgt. Paul Batcheller said police could make an arrest only if a person was carrying a weapon while intoxicated. Many of the Iowa City downtown bars put up signs prohibiting weapons a few years ago when guns laws changed and carry permits were no longer required, Batcheller noted. Officers keep an eye on the bars where there might be problems, based on previous issues, and do bar checks for underage drinking and respond to calls for fights and other disturbances. Iowa City announced in March it's also planning to install 13 cameras in the downtown Pedestrian Mall this summer, which will give police access to video footage when they are investigating shots fired and other incidents. The new cameras will provide more coverage area than what is currently available. Batcheller said the late night patrol also has been watching the H-Bar, but the lounge had been an "anomaly." Because it is not required to have a liquor license, police were not automatically allowed inside to make a routine bar check. Police would have to get permission from the owners. That's why the provision was added to the temporary agreement about allowing police to enter during business hours. Rod Hunt, co-owner of Green Gable Inn, 1227 J Ave. NE, in Cedar Rapids, said he displays a sign on the bar's door to say no weapons are allowed inside. He said he has "no tolerance" for people who "misbehave" or have weapons in his business. So he was upset when Cedar Rapids police issued a news release in March that a bar brawl resulted in shots fired outside Green Gable. Such information can hurt a business. Hunt said as soon as that fight started in the bar, employees and regular patrons helped get the individuals out of the bar. Shots were fired but that was nearly a block away from the bar, which was confirmed by police. Hunt said the individuals involved in the fight were not regular customers and they would not be allowed back in the bar. Dale Todd, a Cedar Rapids City Council member and chair of the Public Safety Committee, said it's the bar owners' responsibility to monitor what happens inside the business. Police can't afford to redeploy officers to the bars and "babysit" them when they are "serving cheap alcohol" and customers become combative. "If you have to carry a gun into a tavern, it might not be a place you should go," Todd said. "And (for bar owners), it might be time to reevaluate your business model. Don't enable activity that's going to get you in trouble." Counties with the worst droughts in Iowa Counties with the worst droughts in Iowa Iowa statistics #25. Webster County #24. Fremont County #23. Shelby County #22. Sioux County #21. Kossuth County #20. Humboldt County #19. Carroll County #18. Mills County #1. Pocahontas County (tie) #1. Crawford County (tie) #1. Plymouth County (tie) #1. Clay County (tie) #1. Cherokee County (tie) #1. Palo Alto County (tie) #1. Osceola County (tie) #1. O'Brien County (tie) #1. Harrison County (tie) #1. Dickinson County (tie) #1. Sac County (tie) #1. Monona County (tie) #1. Woodbury County (tie) #1. Emmet County (tie) #1. Calhoun County (tie) #1. Buena Vista County (tie) The Polk County District Court approved a settlement agreement Monday in a lawsuit against Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds office filed by journalists and media organizations who sought to require her office to respond to public record requests. Reynolds settled the lawsuit after the Iowa Supreme Court refused to dismiss the case. Clark Kauffman and the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Randy Evans and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council and Laura Belin and Bleeding Heartland filed the lawsuit in 2021, asserting the governor had violated Iowas open records law by refusing for up to 18 months to provide numerous records the journalists requested. The reporters had emailed the governors office with eight different open-record requests between April 2020 and April 2021 and renewed each request at least once. In each case, they received no response until filing a lawsuit in December 2021. In a statement, the governor's office acknowledged the settlement but said problems stemmed from demands during the height of the pandemic. The COVID-19 response put unprecedented demands on the governors team to meet the immediate needs of Iowans," Kollin Crompton, the governor's deputy communications director, said in a statement. "As a result, responses to requests were unintentionally delayed, which is not acceptable. Our office has assessed our internal processes and we continue to reevaluate the process to improve timeliness. Under the terms of the settlement, the governors office agreed to allow a state District Court to resolve any future open records disputes with three plaintiffs that may arise over the next year. The State Appeal Board last week approved $135,000 to cover legal fees for the organizations. Our clients and other members of the press like them fulfill a vital role in our democracy by keeping the public informed and the government accountable to the people, said Thomas Story, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which represented the journalists and media organizations. Throughout this litigation we have emphasized one crucial point: Nobody is above the law, Story said. We are pleased the Governors Office has agreed to a one-year term of judicial oversight of its compliance with Iowas open records law. If it becomes necessary, we look forward to working closely with the Governors Office to ensure our clients can access public records in a timely manner and report on state government so that 'we the people can understand, oversee and engage with our elected officials. "We note the Governors Office has stated it has revisited its open records policies and has committed to doing better moving forward. For our clients and us, this settlement agreement is about ensuring that it indeed will. Photos: Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers the condition of the state address Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. The rebellion by armed mercenaries lasted less than 24 hours and was the gravest threat yet to Putins authority. Putin praised the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into bloodshed. Earlier in the day, the rebellions leader, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, defended his march on Moscow. He taunted Russias military, but said he hadnt been seeking to stage a coup against Putin. Putin on Monday sought to project an image of stability and control after the gravest threat yet to his power. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Monday lifted its hold on a Louisiana political remap case, increasing the likelihood that the Republican-dominated state will have to redraw boundary lines to create a second mostly Black congressional district. For more than a year, there has been a legal battle over the GOP-drawn political boundaries, with a federal judge, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and opponents saying that the map is unfair and discriminates against Black voters. The map, which was used in Louisiana's November congressional election, has white majorities in five of six districts, all currently held by Republicans. This is despite Black people accounting for one-third of the state's population. Another mostly Black district could deliver another congressional seat to Democrats. Im super excited, said Ashley Shelton, head of the Louisiana-based Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, one of the groups challenging the maps. What this does is it puts us back on track to realize a second majority-minority district. In a written statement, the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus said, while work still needs to be done, it is very confident the state will have two majority-Black districts by the 2024 congressional election. As I have consistently stated, this is about simple math, basic fairness, and the rule of law," Edwards said Monday. I am confident we will have a fair map in the near future. Every 10 years, state lawmakers armed with new U.S. Census Bureau information redraw political boundaries for seats in the U.S. House, state Senate, state House, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Public Service Commission. The process ultimately affects which political parties, viewpoints and people control the government bodies that write laws, set utility rates and create public school policies. The Louisiana case had been on hold pending the decision in a redistricting case involving Alabama. Monday's order follows the court's rejection earlier in June of a congressional redistricting map in Alabama. In both states, Black voters are a majority in just one congressional district. Lower courts had ruled that the maps raised concerns that Black voting power had been diluted, in violation of the landmark federal Voting Rights Act. The justices had allowed the state's challenged map to be used in last year's elections while they considered the Alabama case. In Louisiana, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick struck down the map in June 2022 for violating the Voting Rights Act, saying evidence of Louisianas long and ongoing history of voting-related discrimination weighs heavily in favor of Plaintiffs. Dick ordered lawmakers to hold a special session to redesign the map and include a second majority-Black district. However, lawmakers failed to meet their deadline and, as a result, Dick said she would enact a map of her choosing. The Louisiana case had been appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans when the high court put the issue on hold. The justices said the appeal could go forward before next years congressional elections. U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, Louisianas only Democratic and Black congressman, applauded the Supreme Court for lifting its hold. This decision shows that in a healthy democracy fair and equitable representation matters, whether to the people of Louisiana or anywhere else in the world, Carter tweeted. The redistricting process in Louisiana proved to be a political tug-of-war, with the Republican-dominated Legislature and Democrats, including Edwards, fighting over the boundaries since February 2022. Along with the legal battle, the debate over the map included Edwards vetoing the boundaries and the Legislature overriding his veto the first time in nearly three decades that lawmakers refused to accept a governors refusal of a bill they had passed. Republicans have stood by their statements that the map is fair, and argue that trying to include the states widely dispersed Black population in two separate congressional districts would result in two districts with very narrow Black majorities that could actually diminish Black voting power. McGill reported from New Orleans and Cline from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Follow the AP's coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court. I thought some people could be trusted. That they sincerely love their Motherland as real patriots to the marrow of their bones. But it turned out that for the sake of personal ambitions, benefits and because of arrogance, people can not give a damn about affection and love for the Fatherland. I talked with Prigogine, urged him to leave his business ambitions and not mix them with matters of national importance. I thought that he heard me, but it turns out that this anger in him all this time only grew. A chain of unsuccessful business deals caused a deep-seated and long-lasting resentment in the businessman, which reached a peak when the authorities of St. Petersburg did not provide his daughter with the desired land plot. The arrogance of one person could lead to such dangerous consequences and draw a large number of people into the conflict. I call on all PMC fighters to continue to be sober in their decisions. Think about the future of the country, about your families and children. Such actions can lead to disastrous results. Now everything ended peacefully, without bloodshed, but it could happen. The extreme measure would be the harsh suppression and destruction of anyone who encroaches on the integrity of the Russian Federation. Kadyrov WtR Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (25 June 2023) The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) continued their attempts to launch an offensive in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, South Donetsk, and Zaporozhye directions. In Donetsk direction near Artyomovsk, the competent and courageous actions of the defending units of the Yug Group of Forces successfully repelled ten enemy attacks in the areas of Orekhovo-Vasilevka, Kurdyumovka, Yagodnoye, Zaliznyanskoye, and Dubovo-Vasilevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) last night. Another four Ukrainian attacks have been repelled close to Krasnogorovka, Avdeevka, Mariynka, and Pervomaiskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Up to 430 Ukrainian troops, 11 infantry fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised during the actions. An ammunition depot of the 110th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been obliterated close to Avdeevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces has repelled enemy attacks close to Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Karamazinovka, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic). Air strikes, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers engaged units of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the 15th Regiment of the Ukrainian National Guard near Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova, and Kuzmino (Lugansk Peoples Republic). Two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been disabled close to the Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has suffered losses of up to 130 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and two D-20 howitzers in this direction in the past 24 hours. Three Ukrainian servicemen surrendered. Two attacks by the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade in the direction of Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by artillery and heavy flamethrowers of the Vostok Group of Forces in South Donetsk direction near the Vremevka salient during the day. In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian troops repelled an attack by units of the 47th Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). Moreover, Operational-Tactical and Ground-Attack aviation struck enemy manpower and hardware near Orekhov and Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region). Total losses of the enemy in the past 24 hours in these directions have amounted to over 170 Ukrainian troops, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, two Msta-B howitzers, and one D-30 howitzer. Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Kushugum (Zaporozhye region). In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and military hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Krasnoye Pervoye, Novomlynsk, Kotlyarovka, and Masyutovka (Kharkov region). Up to 25 Ukrainian servicemen and two pick-up trucks were eliminated. In Kherson direction, over 50 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system have been eliminated during the day. In addition, an ammunition depot of the 126th Territorial Defence Brigade was destroyed near Kazatskoye (Kherson region). Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 108 AFU artillery units at their fire positions, manpower, and military hardware in 137 areas during the day. Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 60th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Ogurtsovo (Kharkov region). Russian air defence forces have intercepted one Tochka-U tactical missile and one HIMARS MLRS projectile during the day. Moreover, four Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Kolomyichikha (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Soledar, Bakhmutskoye, and Novopetrikovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In total, 444 airplanes and 240 helicopters, 4,779 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,348 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,131 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,228 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,179 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. WtR People in Portage will be able to pleasantly park themselves for pleasure at a new pocket park. The city of Portage recently received a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to fund the construction of a pocket park and further the revitalization of downtown Portage. The park, located alongside the National Ice Age Trail, will be at the intersection of Edgewater Street and Wisconsin Avenue. It will include outdoor seating, public art installations, a dog station, shade trees, and an event space. What Ice Age Trail Community status could mean for Portage and Baraboo tourism Portage and Baraboo could see a boost in tourism as the Ice Age Trail Alliance recommends local hotspots to weary travelers. Construction will begin this summer. It will create yet another valuable community amenity that will attract and retain residents and boost Portages labor participation rate, said Portage Director of Business Development and Planning, Steve Sobiek. On National Prairie Day, locals reintroducing plants to landscape National Prairie Day is June 3. Locals are doing their best to reintroduce native prairies to Wisconsin's landscape. The park, the city notes, will give the community a new space to enjoy. They anticipate it will be used by Ice Age hikers, be a lunch spot for employees of neighboring businesses, a respite for visitors visiting downtown, a place for outdoor meetings, classes, special events, and more. Investing in vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and raise families is critical to attracting and retaining workers in our state, said Missy Hughes, CEO and Secretary of WEDC in a statement. These grants will help communities create new gathering spaces in thriving downtowns to draw in residents, visitors, new businesses, and investments. WEDCs Vibrant Spaces grant program is designed to assist in creating lively and engaging communities that make it easier to recruit and retain residents, sustain a robust workforce, and enhance local quality of life. Grants in amounts of $25,000 to $50,000 are given to local communities to develop and enhance public spaces. WEDC leads economic development efforts for the state of Wisconsin by advancing and maximizing opportunities for businesses, communities, and people to thrive in todays current competitive landscape. The organization works with more than 600 statewide partners to advance those efforts. The city of Portage has until Dec. 31, 2024, to complete the project per the grant agreement. GALLERY: Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program at Portage VFW Post 1707 Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon and Program COLUMBUS The Columbus City Council voted in favor of naming June as Pride Month but decided to postpone a decision on flying a Pride flag during its meeting on Tuesday. Seven people spoke up in favor of the flag being raised during the meeting, with no one asking the city not to fly the flag. Councilperson Ian Gray, who had donated the Progress Pride flag last year when it was first flown, drafted the resolution asking the council to fly the flag this month as well as proclaiming June as Pride Month. Several supporters of Grays resolution spoke at last months committee of a whole meeting as well. The Pride flag beautifully represents inclusivity, acceptance and unity, Travis Heiman said. When you display the Pride flag downtown, you make a statement that you stand with the LGBTQ+ community and promote an inclusive society. It encourages dialog, understanding and empathy as well a sense of belonging and community for all. Tonight you will send a message to our LGBTQ+ citizens either positive or negative, Heiman added. I urge you to send a positive message by issuing a proclamation for Pride Month and raising the Pride flag downtown as a positive step of unity for all citizens of Columbus. Alderperson Adam Steiner opposed the resolution, saying he felt that the council should maintain a neutral stance. We have to be representative of everybody, Steiner said. The diversity we have is on this council, its on this panel, and it is in this community itself and not in our flag or banner. Steiner said that the government must be representative of everybody and that the council as well as the community embody the diversity in the city. Gray objected, and said it is the councils job to make these decisions. He added that America has never remained neutral. We have been quite the opposite of neutral, Gray said. That is just a nonstarter for me. Mayor Joe Hammer opposes the resolution and said the entire city is not on board with flying the pride flag. I support anybody their right to live their lives as they choose to live, says Hammer. Again, the [American] flag on my right represents all citizens of the United States. The flag on my left, the state flag, does represent all citizens of the United States. Alderperson Molly Finkler suggested declaring June as Pride Month, but removing flying the flag this June and revisiting the idea next April, which the council approved. Columbus celebrates Red Bud Day Red Bud001.jpg Red Bud002.jpg Red Bud003.jpg Red Bud004.jpg Red Bud005.jpg Red Bud006.jpg Red Bud007.jpg Red Bud008.jpg Red Bud009.jpg Red Bud010.jpg Red Bud011.jpg Red Bud012.jpg Red Bud013.jpg Red Bud014.jpg Red Bud015.jpg Red Bud016.jpg Red Bud017.jpg Red Bud018.jpg Red Bud019.jpg We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The Great Workroom at SC Johnsons headquarters looked like this in the 1950s. SC Johnson corporate headquarters, Racine, Wisconsin The buildings Wright designed for SC Johnson, the maker of household brands like Glade, Off! and Windex, made Architectural Digests 2017 list of the 100 Most Important Buildings of the 20th Century. They remain part of a working company headquarters. Although the roof of the administration building (1939) leaked in the early years, its open office plan, top-lit space and lily pad columns were unusual then. The 15-story cantilevered Research Tower (1950), which features Pyrex tubes instead of windows, closed in 1982 because it no longer met safety codes; it was renovated in 2013. Like many other Wright towers in the Midwest, Research Tower marks that here is something important, here is something where we transformed the wealth of agriculture or industry into a wider world, says Aaron Betsky, professor of architecture at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. They also present a different shape to the rolling hills or flatness of the land, adds the former president of the School of Architecture at Taliesin in Scottsdale. The company gets about 15,000 visitors a year, says Adrienne Pedersen, a spokeswoman for SC Johnson. On various tours, which are all free, visitors will see the Administration Building, including the Great Workroom, Research Tower (a third-floor laboratory has been recreated to what it would have looked like years ago), and some Wright-designed furniture, including a three-legged chair, she adds. There also is a gift shop, and a gallery offering rotating Wright-related exhibits. Tour times and days change seasonally. The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel was the first building at Florida Southern College. John Waters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida Floridas oldest private college hosts the worlds largest collection of Wright-designed structures in one place. It also is the only Wright-designed college campus. Of 18 buildings designed, 13 were built over more than two decades starting in the 1930s. The college offers several tours, including a night tour, ranging from $5 to $125 per person. Members of AARP, AAA and the military can get a 10 percent discount. Dont miss: the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, with a 65-foot-tall bell tower and vaulted skylights; Fletcher Theatre, the only Wright-designed theater-in-the-round to be built; Wrights only constructed planetarium; the Water Dome; and the Esplanade, a more than mile-long system of covered walkways between buildings. The Lindholm Oil Company gas station features a cantilevered roof and glass-fronted lounge. By McGhiever - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 Lindholm Oil Company gas station, Cloquet, Minnesota This is the only Wright-designed gas station that is still operational. With a cantilevered copper roof, glass-fronted lounge and skylighted garage bays, its not your average roadside station. Tourists visit from all over the world, says Chris Chartier, business owner of the now-named R.W. Lindholm Service Station. He leases the building and lets visitors roam and walk up to the lounge. Wright represents a sense of the possibilities and beauty of the landscape that is such a part of this country, says Betsky, the architecture professor. I suggest you look at what he did and not the myth he built up around himself. Cyprium Metals Secures A$21million of Funding Perth, June 26, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cyprium Metals Ltd ( ASX:CYM ) is pleased to advise it has secured an 18-month, A$21.0 million equivalent USD-denominated secured loan facility with Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP. The facility has refinanced the existing short term Secured Loan Deed facility with Avior Asset Management No. 2 Pty Ltd and provides working capital to advance the development of Nifty. Cyprium and Nebari have executed formal loan documentation for a Senior Secured Loan Facility (Loan Facility) to provide up to USD14.5 million in two Tranches, with USD7.5 million drawn at closing and USD7.0 million available to be drawn subject to a limited number of conditions precedent. Key terms of the Loan Facility The material terms of the Loan Facility are as follows: - Funded amount: up to USD14.5 million, net of original issue discounts (OID) - Facility term: until 31 December 2024 - Coupon: Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) +6.5% p.a. payable monthly - OID: 5.0% on Tranche 1 and 10.0% on Tranche 2 - Amortisation: 100% bullet on maturity - Warrants: 2-year, 1 for 5.5 warrants which will be priced at either a 20% premium to the share price of a future equity raise or, if no equity raise is completed by 31 December 2023, the warrant strike price shall be priced at A$0.088 per share - Security: over the assets of Cyprium and its projects The Loan Facility contains other terms and conditions that are customary for an agreement of this nature. It is anticipated that this facility will be rolled into a larger, longer term development financing facility in the near term (likely within 12 months), pending the finalisation of the Nifty life of mine study on the integrated copper oxide Heap Leach SX-EW starter operation and the larger scale sulphide open pit (refer to CYM ASX announcement dated 23 May 2023 "Cyprium Metals Corporate Update"). These studies are currently underway and anticipated to be completed by Q1 2024. Management Comment Mr Donner, an executive with Cyprium commented "We are very pleased to have secured financing with Nebari, who are a highly respected and experienced financier of mining projects globally. We look forward to working with Nebari in relation to this facility and also potential future facilities associated with the development of the large open pit project at Nifty." About Nebari Nebari Partners, LLC (Nebari) is a United States-based investment manager, specialised in privately offered pooled investment vehicles, including Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, which is funding this transaction. The growing Nebari team has deep experience with leading global mining companies and financial institutions. Nebari is known for partnering with motivated and capable management teams, focused on achieving clear goals, supported by technically strong assets. Andre Krol, Managing Director with Nebari commented: "We are excited to partner with Cyprium during its further definition of the Nifty project, and look forward to participating in the future project financing process". About Cyprium Metals Ltd Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX:CYM) is poised to grow to a mid-tier mining business and manage a portfolio of Australian copper projects to deliver vital natural resources, strong shareholder returns and sustainable value for our stakeholders. We pursue this aim, in genuine partnerships with employees, customers, shareholders, local communities and other stakeholders, which is based on integrity, co-operation, transparency and mutual value creation. loading......... Malibu, CA, June 26, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report we speak with Adam Smith, co-founder and VP of Business Development of Oroco Resource Corp. ( CVE:OCO ) ( ORRCF:OTCMKTS ). Mr. Smith discusses the company's recent advance at its Santo Tomas copper project and the market's increasing interest in copper and acquisitive activity by the world's major mining companies. The company boasts a copper resource of 8.5 billion pounds valued at $32 billion. The company plans to complete an extensive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) this year. To listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/1W35N2PK About Oroco Resource Corp Oroco Resource Corporation (CVE:OCO) (OTCMKTS:ORRCF), founded in 2006, is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a history of and expertise in the development of resource opportunities in Mexico. Oroco is led by a management team with significant experience in exploration, discovery, development and operations in the mineral sector. Oroco's focus is on the confirmation and expansion of the historical resource of the Santo Tomas porphyry copper project in Sinaloa State, Mexico, while continuing its assembly of neighbouring mineral concessions and the acquisition of certain other rights associated with the project. Oroco has a controlling interest in 8,908.79 hectares of contiguous mineral concession that cover and surround the known core of the Santo Tomas mineralized structure as well as the potential extensions of the historical resource to the north and south. This controlling interest increases as Oroco funds the additional exploration and development of the project. The Santo Tomas project is a copper porphyry deposit which is historically defined by a total of 106 diamond drill and reverse circulation drill holes, totalling approximately 30,000 m. In July of 1994, Bateman Engineering Inc. conducted an economic assessment of the Santo Tomas project based on technical work by a team that included Mintec, Inc., Mountain States Research and Development, Inc., and Minetek S.A. de C.V. Bateman completed this study, termed "Santo Tomas Project, Sinaloa, Mexico, Pre-Feasibility Study." Current drilling activity is intended to confirm the historical project data and to further define the extent and quality of the resource. While the economic assessment by Bateman contains favourable metallurgical test results and engineering designs that remain broadly acceptable today, the Company considers these historical economic studies and associated mineral resource estimates to be only conceptual in nature until confirmed by current technical programs. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. Hong Kong: Views on banking system sought The Monetary Authority today issued a public consultation paper on the review of the three-tier banking system, inviting interested parties to submit their comments on or before September 25. The current three-tier structure of the banking system, for example licensed banks (LBs), restricted licence banks (RLBs) and deposit-taking companies (DTCs), had a history of four decades and aimed to strike a balance between flexibility of market entry and protection of small depositors. The authority noted that it has recently conducted a review of the three-tier banking system to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Based on the reviews results, the authority proposes to simplify the three-tier banking system into two tiers. One of the main proposals in the consultation paper is to maintain LBs as the first-tier institutions and merge DTCs into the second-tier institutions, which will continue to be called RLBs. The requirements of the minimum $100 million capital, the minimum $500,000 deposit size and no restriction on deposit maturity concerning the second-tier institutions will remain unchanged. The authority also proposed to provide a transition period of five years for existing DTCs to upgrade to the second-tier institutions. The authoritys Chief Executive Eddie Yue explained the goal behind the review of the three-tier banking system. The review aims to simplify the structure of Hong Kong's banking system, enhancing its vital role in strengthening Hong Kongs status as an international financial centre, and to revitalise institutions in the category of deposit-taking companies and enhance their flexibility and efficiency in conducting business and meeting customers' needs. Click here for the consultation paper. This story has been published on: 2023-06-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. WIC holds symposium for member representatives in Nishan Chinadaily.com.cn) 10:43, June 26, 2023 A symposium for the World Internet Conference (WIC) member representatives was held during the World Internet Conference Nishan Dialogue on Digital Civilization in Nishan, Qufu, East China's Shandong province, on June 25, 2023. [Photo/wicinternet.org] A symposium for the World Internet Conference (WIC) member representatives was held during the World Internet Conference Nishan Dialogue on Digital Civilization in Nishan, Qufu, East China's Shandong province, on June 25. The symposium has as its theme "Embracing the Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Cooperation: Confidence and Recovery". The Nishan Dialogue is the first thematic event held by the WIC as an international organization, said Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the WIC. He said the event is also an important symbol of the continuous expansion of the WIC business. Ren stressed the principles of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, and deepening exchanges and cooperation, in a bid to provide new momentum for the social and economic development of the world. He added that people should build consensus on governance to make the internet development more sustainable; boost digital economy to promote the building of an open world economy; deepen scientific and technological exchanges to facilitate the sharing of internet innovations worldwide; and insist on communication and mutual learning to inject impetus into civilization progress. Around 40 member representatives of international organizations, world-leading internet companies and industrial institutions, attended the symposium. 12 member representatives, namely John Hoffman, CEO of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association Ltd; Mohamed Ben Amor, director general of the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization; Robin Li, founder and CEO of Baidu Inc; Daniel Zhang, chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group as well as president and CEO of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence; Zhang Zhiyong, executive director and chairman of the board of the China Tower; Zhou Hongyi, founder of the 360 Security Group; Zhao Jiazhen, co-chief executive of Shanghai Xunmeng Information Technology Co, Ltd; Cheng Wei, chairman of the board and CEO of DiDi Global Inc; Chen Xudong, chairman and general manager of IBM Greater China Group; Hou Shengli, vice-president of Cisco Greater China; Qian Kun, global senior vice- president of Qualcomm; and Jiang Tao, vice-president of Intel Corporation, held in-depth exchanges. They said that through digital cooperation and technological innovation, as well as technology empowering industries, numerous opportunities could be created for business departments of different countries. The representatives urged actions to bridge the digital divide, establish and improve an international digital cooperation mechanism, and enhance regulations on moral principles, so as to promote digital cooperation. They also called on all parties to work together to realize sustainable development goals. (Source: wicinternet.org) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Chanel/Instagram/Cover Images/BauerGriffin Celebrity Natasha Lyonne commends the 'Twilight's Saga' beauty, 'Juno' actor, and 'The Last of Us' star for not apologizing for refusing to 'fall in line' under Hollywood's pressure. Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Natasha Lyonne feels her fame and success is "tenuous." The 44-year-old actress has found significant success during her career, starring in movies such as "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" and the "American Pie" franchise - but Natasha believes that her recent run of success remains very fragile. "I can no longer claim outsider status. I claimed it for so long, but reality is reality, you know ... that's over now. I know how special all of this is, but having been on the other side of it, I also know how tenuous it is, too. In the 40 years of this career, I've had maybe ten different '15 minutes of fame'. They come and go, so who knows how long this run lasts?" the actress explained to The Independent. Natasha felt under pressure to "fall in line" during the early years of her career. But she believes that the landscape of the movie industry has changed significantly since then. The "Orange Is the New Black" star said, "You see Kristen Stewart or Elliot Page or Bella Ramsey, these people just owning their personalities and not apologising. There was so much apologising for existing in the 90s. Part of the job of being a young actress was that you had to fall in line." Natasha believes that her "different" personality was both a positive and a negative for her during the early years of her career. The actress also recalled being made to feel "uncomfortable" by some of the people she worked with. She explained, "They love that you're different and that's why you're getting work, but they're also gonna make you feel uncomfortable about it all the time. And let you know that you're not this generic thing in a spaghetti-strap number." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity As she turns 44 years old, the 'Never Have I Ever' actress dishes on 'the best birthday gift' for her while declaring that she is healthier and happier than she has been 'in years.' Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Mindy Kaling becomes healthier than she's been "in years" at the age of 44. The actress posted on social media on Saturday, June 24 to celebrate her 44th birthday, and to acknowledge that she's now happier and healthier than she's been for a long time. "Look I know I'm clearly materialistic but the best birthday gift to me, for the rest of my life, are these two guys," Mindy wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself and her kids - Katherine, five, and Spencer, two. "I was never a 'kid' person. When my mom passed though, it just clicked in me, I wanted kids with such intense certainty. I bet some of you can relate." "Now I'm just trying to be present for them (hard for me! I'm impatient!), being up for anything (again hard for me, I am not whimsical!), and stay healthy for these two guys (ALSO hard! I just want to eat cheesesteaks every meal in front of the TV) for until I'm an old gray skeleton they're like 'mom, you gotta go.' My doctor told me that this year I was the healthiest I've been in years. That's a pretty damn good gift, right (sic)?" Mindy acknowledged that she's been through lots of "ups and downs" in her life. But the actress is also really appreciative of where she's currently at in her personal and professional life. She continued, "I'm usually kind of low-level anxious, so I'm just gonna take one minute on my birthday to acknowledge that I am happy. Man, there are ups and downs in this life!! But my ups seem to be the most important ones right now. Thanks for my birthday love. (Also maybe I will buy myself that trendy Dior bag that looks like a kidney bean) [heart emoji] (sic)." You can share this post! Cover Images/M10s/John Rainford Music The Japanese-British calls out The 1975 frontman over his racism controversy as he previously admitted to watching Ghetto Gaggers and joked about receiving sexual pleasure from women being 'brutalized.' Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Rina Sawayama has held grudges against Matty Healy and she used her Glastonbury 2023 set to call him out. While introducing the song "STFU!", the Japanese-British ripped The 1975 frontman over his racism controversy. "I wrote this next song because I was sick and tired of microaggressions," the 32-year-old declared on the Woodsies Stage on Saturday, June 24. "So, tonight, this goes out to a white man that watches Ghetto Gaggers, and mocks Asian people on a podcast... he also owns my masters... I've had enough." Ghetto Gaggers is a pornography series that is known for its misogynistic and racial content. Matty previously admitted to watching it and joked about receiving sexual pleasure from women being "brutalized." Matty, who was recently linked to Taylor Swift, made the statement on "The Adam Friedland Show". At that time, Adam and co-host Nick Mullen also made a comment about Ice Spice, calling her an "Inuit Spice Girl" and "chubby Chinese lady" while mocking Chinese and Hawaiian accents. Matty, who was a guest in the episode, laughed along and did not stand up for the 23-year-old femcee. He also encouraged the hosts to do an "impression" of a Japanese Nazi. Matty later issued an apology in April, admitting he's "kind of a bit sorry" for the Ice Spice comments. "I don't want anything like that misconstrued to be mean," he said during a concert in New Zealand. "I don't mind being a bit of a joker... It's OK for me to be, like, a trickster or whatever, but I don't want to be seen as, like, being barmy." However when speaking to New Yorker, Matty said anyone who is offended by the episode is "deluded." He elaborated, "You're either lying that you are hurt, or you're a bit mental for being hurt. It's just people going, 'Oh, there's a bad thing over there, let me get as close to it as possible so you can see how good I am.' " You can share this post! Cover Images/Jose Perez/Freddy Baez Music During her 'Eras Tour' stop in Minneapolis ahead of 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)' release, the 'All Too Well' songstress asks fans to spread 'kindness' and 'gentleness.' Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Taylor Swift has encouraged Swifties against cyberbullying John Mayer. Less than two weeks before releasing "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" which was believed to include her story with her ex-boyfriend, the "Shake It Off" songstress personally asked fans to spread "kindness" and "gentleness" on social media. The 33-year-old made the request in between her onstage performances on Saturday night, June 24, during her "Eras Tour" stop at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. "I was hoping to ask you, that as we lead up to this album coming out, I would love for that kindness and that gentleness to extend onto our internet activities," she told concertgoers. The "Blank Space" hitmaker went on to explain the reason she re-releases the album as saying, "So what I'm trying to say is, I'm putting this album out because I want to own my music and I believe that any artist who has the desire to own their music should be able to. That's why I'm putting out this album." Taylor further assured fans, "I'm 33 years old, I don't care about anything that happened to me when I was 19 except the songs I wrote and the memories we made together." She continued, "So what I'm trying to tell you, is that I am not putting this album out so you should feel the need to defend me on the internet against someone you think I wrote a song about 14 million years ago when I was 19." Although Taylor did not bluntly mention John's name, she later surprised the crowd with a rare live performance of "Dear John". The track, which she last performed in 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand, is widely believed to be about John whom she dated from 2009 to 2010. Elsewhere in her speech before her "Dear John" performance, Taylor addressed Swifties' interaction with each other. "I get to stand on this stage every single night of this tour and watch some of the most beautiful things happen," she said. "I watch you guys make friends with each other. I watch you bond. I watch you give each other friendship bracelets." Taylor additionally shared, "I see so many beautiful interactions happen, and I hear so many stories about friends that were made at these shows, and I watch it happen, and it's the most unbelievable thing to watch." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The 'Bad Girls Club' alum films herself fangirling over the 'Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2' hitmaker, who sits right in front of her at the award-giving event, but Internet users think that Natalie does too much. Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Natalie Nunn may get a little bit too excited at the 2023 BET Awards. The "Bad Girls Club" alum fangirled over femcee Ice Spice, who sat right in front of her, but Internet users thought that Natalie did too much. In an Instagram Story video, Natalie filmed herself calling the "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" hitmaker, saying, "My baby Spice!" The latter turned her head and waved at the camera, before returning to have a conversation with someone next to her. Natalie, however, kept calling Ice Spice to no avail. Natalie also posted another video, which saw her bragging about having one thing in common with the "In Ha Mood" raptress. "She's my sister and we've both Capricorns," Natalie shared. Ice Spice was also seen sweetly making a half heart gesture with her hand. Upon watching the first video, some Internet users criticized Natalie for disturbing Ice Spice with her camera. "I hate people that don't know when to stop filming, like she turned and gave you face but shut up already," one critic wrote. "So awkward," one other commented. "annoying want clout chaser from ice spice," another person said. Echoing the sentiment, someone else wrote, "she's annoying like girl move." Ice Spice, meanwhile, stunned on the red carpet at the award-giving event at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 25. The 23-year-old star arrived in a sheer floor-length number that hugged her curves with her signature red mane. This year marks the first time the New York rapper became a nominee at the awards ceremony as she's up for four categories. She's nominated for Best Collaboration for her hit "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" with Pinkpantheress, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Best New Artist and BET Her. Of her seemingly instant rise to fame, Ice Spice said in Teen Vogue's June issue, "I'm most proud of staying grounded so far, because I've already been through so many things that I know a lot of people would've lost their f**king minds." She added, "The whole lifestyle change is super drastic, especially coming from where I come from, not coming from s**t and not having a lot growing up, to now -- it's the complete opposite.... Even though it's a positive change, it's still a change." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity One day before assuring his fans that he is safe and sound, the 'Off the Grid' rapper was reported to have been involved in an altercation at L'Arc that overflowed into the streets. Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Fivio Foreign has deemed himself a "drug baby." One day after it was reported that he was roofied at a nightclub in Paris, the "Off the Grid" rapper showed his fans that he is safe and sound. The 33-year-old uploaded a snap on Instagram Story on Sunday, June 25. Over the picture, he wrote, "Wat kinda lies these people puttin out. How can you lace me Imma drug baby." He added a slew of face with tears of joy emojis. The snap that the "City of Gods" rapper let out was a selfie of himself sitting on an airplane seat. In the photo, he could be seen putting one of his hands in the air as he posed with his middle finger up. Fivio Foreign assured his fans that he is safe and sound. Fivio was reported by TMZ to be involved in a bizarre altercation on Saturday, June 24 at Paris nightclub L'Arc. Before the dispute, he took the stage at the venue for Paris Fashion Week. His representatives did not specify the reason behind the dispute, but it was enough of an issue that cops approached him. Fortunately, the New York rapper was not arrested or imprisoned even though police did have a talk with him, according to his representatives. In photos shared by the outlet, the altercation between the hip-hop artist and another party seemed to have overflowed into the streets. The "Headshot" rapper could be seen looking confused while being held by a number of men in the photos. Another snap captured police arriving at the place. According to the outlet, his rep claimed that an individual in the pub roofied him and it caused him to behave erratically in the club. Fivio being involved in an altercation in Paris came more than one month after he publicly apologized to a videographer named Peezus Niice, who claimed that he was not paid and was being ghosted by the rapper. Fivio asked Peezus in a tweet replying to the videographer's threat, "Damnn Yu never got paid ?" "I deff waznt aware yu never got paid.. was alot of things not being handled rite bacc in these days but things more on point now Not even sure if I used these vids but imma make sure yu get paid NP," he continued. "I Apologize." You can share this post! Music The former member of Leaders of the New School was initially scared to launch his solo career after he split from bandmates Charlie Brown, Cut Monitor Milo, and Dinco D. Jun 26, 2023 AceShowbiz - Busta Rhymes didn't plan to be a solo artist. The 51-year-old rap star - who shares six children from various relationships - had become a member of Leaders of the New School alongside Charlie Brown, Cut Monitor Milo, and Dinco D from the late 1980s until the early 1990s when he found himself suddenly out of work when they split and did not initially want to be a solo artist because he was "scared" but ended up getting his foot back in the door by taking weed into the studios. "I was scared when Leaders of the New School broke up because I ain't never wanted to be a solo MC. I didn't like the responsibility of making a full song. I'm good with getting to the 16 bars, busting everybody's a** and getting up out of there," he said as he was honoured with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday, June 25. "So I got kicked out the group and I was scared, this was 1993 and I didn't put out a solo album until 1996 and I was trying to figure out what I had to do to feed my oldest child. So, the scenario had me hot in the street at the time and I thought I would use that to my advantage." "I knew all of the receptionists that worked at the studios, and I would call them - 'Who's working in there tonight?' And they would tell me, and I would go to this little weed spot." "So I would go to this location that I will not disclose and I would get this slow burning cigar called White Owl Cigars and I would call these studios to find out who was in them. I would just pop up because I knew they were gonna be happy to see me anyway." "So, I'd pull up to the studio and act like I had been working in the studios the night before and had left something. So this was my way of finding out how to feed my son. When they kicked me out, I couldn't do these shows and get the show money no more." The "Gimme Some More" hitmaker - whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr. - added that everything that his on-stage persona embodies comes from both his heritage and having the chutzpah to "whip up a 16-bar verse" whilst his weed was being passed around the studio. "He added, "Everything that Busta Rhymes embodies as far as going to get it and not taking no for an answer comes from being a Caribbean raised in a Jamaican home and the same determination as the group when we wanted to go on." "We wanted it so bad, we did everything to get on. But with that point being said, when my weed was going round that studio, I would quickly whip up a 16 bar verse before that weed came back to me." You can share this post! , ! Actualno.com, . . - . ! . One of the most gifted Indian actors to star in Bollywood films is Arjun Kapoor. The actor made his acting debut in 2012 with Parineeti Chopra in Ishaqzaade. Since then, he has appeared in a number of successful films, including 2 States (2014), Gunday (2014), and Ki & Ka (2016). He began his career in Bollywood as an associate producer and AD for films like Wanted and Kal Ho Naa Ho. The stylish actor even made an appearance on television in 2016 when he served as host of the well-liked reality series Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. In a comedy programme called AIB Roast, which took place in January 2015, Bollywood actors Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh performed together in a comedic act. Brands Endorsements: Social media presence: Arjun Kapoor also has a strong fan base on social media, with 10 million followers on Facebook, 15.1 million followers on Instagram and 6.1 million followers on Twitter. He has announced charity closet sale on the occasion of his birthday Langoor Digital, a leading global digital marketing transformation group, has joined forces with WAKEFLO, an innovative manufacturing modernization solutions company, to bring forth groundbreaking advancements in the aluminum extrusion industry. WAKEFLO is a pioneering extrusion line modernization firm that leverages the power of digital and technological interventions to unlock the full operational potential of manufacturing plants. By integrating cutting-edge digital technologies, data-driven insights, and industry expertise, WAKEFLO's digital transformation experts facilitate the development of hyper-connected manufacturing plants. In this strategic partnership, Langoor Digital takes charge of WAKEFLO's digital and go-to-market strategy and brand creation. With a primary focus on global markets, including North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan, the agency is dedicated to establishing a strong digital footprint for WAKEFLO, driving brand awareness, and stimulating demand for its services. Utilizing a diverse array of digital strategies, Langoor Digital effectively engages C-suite leaders across various geographical regions, further enhancing WAKEFLO's industry prowess. Expressing enthusiasm for the partnership, Pragun Khaitan, CEO of WAKEFLO, stated, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Langoor Digital, whose creative and digital marketing teams will play a vital role in introducing our cutting-edge software solutions to aluminum manufacturers in key markets such as North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan. We anticipate a mutually beneficial and enduring partnership with Langoor Digital." Venugopal Ganganna, CEO of Langoor Digital, echoed the excitement, highlighting the exceptional efforts of their creative, digital marketing, and development teams in establishing WAKEFLO's brand identity and website. Venu emphasized, "With unwavering dedication, our digital marketing experts consistently refine strategies to amplify WAKEFLO's global presence. We eagerly anticipate a long-standing collaboration as we empower WAKEFLO to deliver intelligent software solutions to the esteemed global manufacturing audience." Through their combined expertise and unwavering commitment, Langoor Digital and WAKEFLO are poised to revolutionize the manufacturing landscape, driving digital innovation, and providing unparalleled insights to the industry. Senco Gold and Diamonds, the leading jewellery retail chain from Eastern India, is thrilled to announce its association with the highly anticipated film "Satya Prem ki Katha," starring Kartik Aryan and Kiara Advani. As an in-film branding partner, Senco Gold and Diamonds will showcase their exquisite jewellery in the movie and unveil an exclusive limited edition bridal collection inspired by the film's captivating designs. "Satya Prem ki Katha" revolves around the enchanting love story of Satya Prem and Katha, boasting mesmerizing visuals and a musical wedding theme. This seamless association with the film perfectly aligns with Senco Gold and Diamonds' commitment to offering exceptional artisanship and elegance. Kiara Advani, the renowned Bollywood actor who portrays the character of Katha, also serves as the national brand ambassador for Senco Gold and Diamonds. This partnership highlights a natural extension of the collaboration, creating a synergy between the film's narrative and the brand's values. Ms. Joita Sen, Director of Senco Gold and Diamonds, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, "We are thrilled to collaborate with the film 'Satya Prem ki Katha' and unveil an exclusive jewellery collection that captures the essence of the movie's love story. At Senco Gold and Diamonds, we are dedicated to create designs that reflect classic trends that resonate with our customers' aspirations and desires." Senco Gold and Diamonds has also introduced a special collection featuring polki, kundan, antique, diamond, and gold bridal jewellery under the SatyaPrem Ki Katha label. Customers can now explore this extensive range and indulge in the exquisite craftsmanship at Senco Gold and Diamonds' stores and website. Price range for this collection starts from approx. 1 lakh INR. Additionally, to cater to the young girls who perceive jewellery as an extension of their self-expression, Senco Gold and Diamonds has unveiled the "Gossip from the House of Senco" collection inspired by Satya Prem Ki Katha. This everyday wear collection offers affordable and contemporary pieces that reflect the latest trends. Team of Satya Prem Ki Katha shares their excitement about the collaboration, stating, "The intricate artistry and timeless beauty of Senco Gold and Diamonds perfectly complement the essence of 'SatyaPrem ki Katha.' This association brings a touch of authenticity and grace to the film, elevating the overall visual experience for our audience." In an exciting campaign, customers purchasing the exclusive SatyaPrem Ki Katha Collection will have a unique opportunity to meet the lead cast of the film, adding an extra touch of magic to their jewellery experience. Bollywood actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has recently completed shooting an advertisement with TVA Productions, capturing the essence of the world-renowned brand French Connection & FCUK, which has launched exclusively on Myntra, Indias leading fashion e-commerce platform. The excitement began when photos of Siddhant Chaturvedi surfaced on social media, prompting speculation about his involvement in an ad campaign. The truth is revealed as the ad unveiled, showcasing the actor's impeccable French Connection & FCUK attire. Siddhant Chaturvedi is widely acclaimed for his remarkable talent and dedication to delivering captivating performances to entertain audiences. The collaborative synergy between Siddhant Chaturvedi and TVA Productions manifested in an extraordinary portrayal of the unique fashion concept, as the actor's genuine commitment and magnetic energy became the driving forces behind the shoot's success. Every frame captured spoke volumes about the seamless coordination between Siddhant and the production team, showcasing their shared dedication towards delivering a compelling visual narrative. French Connection, a renowned UK-based international retailer and distributor of apparel and accessories is known for its commitment to uniqueness, self-expression, and individuality. In a strategic partnership, Myntra collaborated with TVA Group to launch French Connection & FCUK on their platform. Nihal Ranjan, Senior Vice President - House of Brands, Myntra, expressed his thoughts on the collaboration, stating, "The launch of French Connection on Myntra is a significant investment to enhance the premium shopping experience on our platform. We collaborated with TVA to develop and produce the brand's launch campaign. Their creative approach to capturing the brand's philosophy and their exceptional production quality impressed us. TVA delivered the project within a remarkable two-week timeframe, from concept to launch." The TVA team skillfully crafted and executed the ad and campaign photoshoot. Dhruv Abrol, the founder and CEO of The Voice Authority (www.tva.group), shared his perspective on the shoot, saying, "It has been an absolute honor to meet and exceed the expectations of renowned brands. Siddhant Chaturvedi is an incredibly talented actor who demonstrated exceptional dedication on set. Despite the challenges, we were able to achieve the best possible outcome. Working with esteemed brands like Myntra, French Connection, and FCUK was a pleasure. Siddhant Chaturvedi's stardom is well-deserved, and collaborating with him was a fantastic experience." LOS ANGELES As TikTok faces the possibility of a US ban, former Disney CCO Zenia Mucha, who was renowned for her combative demeanour in defending the illustrious brand, has joined the company as its head of communications. Mucha's hiring as TikTok's chief brand and communications officer is a part of a bigger leadership reorganisation that also saw COO Vanessa Pappas step down earlier this week and chief of staff Adam Presser promoted to head of operations. Mucha is no stranger to TikTok or the criticism the app is under. She is well recognised for using her influence at Disney to extend beyond communications. She was reportedly a member of a group of consultants who prepared TikTok's CEO for a congressional appearance, according to a Wall Street Journal report from March. Safety worries about TikTok, particularly if it shares sensitive data with the Chinese government, have been a major source of motivation for campaigns to outlaw the network in the US and other countries. Federal devices in the US are not allowed to use the app. The same is true, among others, in the UK, Canada, France, and Australia. After nearly 20 years with the company, Mucha left her position as CCO and head of corporate communications at the end of 2021. She was one of a number of senior executives who departed Disney along with executive chairman Bob Iger, who has since been reinstated as CEO. Italian automobile manufacturer has been present in the Indian market for around two decades now. Its iconic scooter, Vespa, has completed 10 years in India. Piaggio has also ventured into the three-wheeler market with its innovative line of vehicles. The Piaggio MP3, introduced in 2006, is a three-wheeled scooter that offers enhanced stability and safety compared to traditional two-wheeled scooters. The companys commercial vehicle division produces light commercial vehicles and delivery vans, catering to various transportation needs. Over the years, Piaggio has expanded its operations globally, establishing manufacturing facilities in countries like Vietnam, China, India, and Spain. The company has a strong presence in Europe and Asia and continues to develop innovative solutions in the realm of urban mobility. In conversation with Adgully, Apoorva Saigal, Head of Corporate Communications and 2 Wheeler Marketing, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, shares about their growth, media mix strategy, brand communication strategies and the journey of Vespa. What kind of growth has Vespa seen over the years? From its early days on the streets of Italy to its global success, Vespa has left an indelible mark on the world. Since its inception, the Vespa has always stood for a unique and distinctive lifestyle, modernity, and zeitgeist, wrapped in legacy and luxury with a passion to embrace the future. Today, the brand is rapidly progressing to a massive 1 billion euro evaluation while seamlessly defining the design trends for over 7 decades. In India, the worlds favourite scooter has completed a decade, and we are delighted with the icon it has become in the country. The Vespa range in India is differentiated, with the inclusion of special editions and multiple design languages, amplifying the exclusivity of every single version and different aesthetic elements to satisfy each customers taste. Over the past decade, we have widened our portfolio to cater to different customers through differentiated offerings Vespa ZX and VXL (Classic range), Vespa Racing 60s, Vespa SXL (Sports range), and the latest addition of the Vespa Dual. Every variant tells a different story and is created for the riders of today the dreamers, go-getters, innovators, and explorers. Our customers are discerning, well-travelled and well-spoken, which means it is not only how things look and feel that matters to them, but also the stories behind them that make them more precious. For them, their Vespa is the enabler and the enhancer of experiences, the coolest way of amplifying journeys. What is your USP? What makes consumers opt for Vespa over any other two-wheeler brand? The Vespa is an absolute luxury and lifestyle offering from the Italian auto giant, Piaggio Group. It is the essence of an Italian lifestyle, of irreverent spontaneity, and living to the fullest. For years, Vespa has won over entire generations with its charisma that transmits freedom and its unconventional style. In its intense history, Vespa has been the protagonist of cultural and social revolutions, musical and custom movements, cinematic films, works of art and songs. It has dictated fashion and trends and it has transcended frontiers to conquer the entire world, an icon of unique design. There is so much regard for Vespa and what it represents, that Financial Times was quoted saying, A Vespa is part of your wardrobe, not garage. Any customer who comes into our stores, knows they want a Vespa and nothing else! What are the distribution strategies for Vespa as well as the media mix strategies? Our media mix strategy is divided into Digital, PR, Association led, and Experiential. Our target audience is always on-the-go digital natives that are looking to resonate with the brand through shared experiences. Hence, our associations are with partners who reach the right audience by telling the Vespa or Aprilia story. For example, we have partnered with Elle magazine to curate interesting and engaging content throughout the year for Vespa, which will be consumed both offline and online. We also did some engaging activations at the Times Fashion Weeks for Vespa in Pune and Mumbai that resulted in great digital conversations for the brand while engaging audiences on the ground at the event. Likewise, we are also leveraging the maiden Indian MotoGP for Aprilia to reach newer audiences and also put out fun content for existing fans. This year, Vespa and Aprilia will see some unique marketing come to life! What are the upcoming plans and marketing campaigns in 2023? As mentioned, there is a Vespa for every customer and we are consciously re-aligning brand communication and imagery that amplifies the exclusivity of every single Vespa variant. We believe there is a need for scooter segmentation in India, in the same way, there is a definite segmentation for motorcycles. India still lacks the scooter segmentation that is seen in developed markets around the world where scooters have been segmented based on their performance, features, and value. Going ahead, our marketing strategy will be distinctly centered around creating and promoting the luxury scooter category for Vespa in India to ensure it is properly elevated from the mass and commuter segment. We are doing this with highly credible luxury and lifestyle-conscious partners, and you should look forward to some great content and event co-creations for the brand throughout the year. We are also deploying some unique strategies to ensure the right visibility for the brand. To give an example, we unveiled the new Vespa Dual Tone at a Fashion show rather than opting for the traditional two-wheeler launch. This successfully helped reach the right audience and further push the lifestyle proposition for the brand. How has the journey of Vespa been and what are the brand communication strategies? Vespa is celebrating its 77th year in the world and will continue to narrate its story on self-expression, modernity, and zeitgeist. In the next decade, we intend to shift our gears to further establish our influence and become the only choice of scooter for elite and affluent consumers. As part of our strategic plan, we will work on Repositioning, Brand & Product Experience, and Customer Delight. We, thus, concentrate all our efforts on giving affluent Vespa customers an opulent brand experience in India. Our marketing plan will also be clearly focused on boosting the Vespa brand above the commuting class by developing and promoting a luxury scooter category. What are the key marketing trends that you are seeing in 2023? Marketing is evolving exponentially across various sectors. Trend mapping is key to staying relevant amongst our customers. The marketing trends for 2023 include: Increased use of AI and automation: With the growth of digital marketing and the availability of data, AI and automation will become more prevalent in the marketing industry. Marketers will rely on AI tools to analyse data and develop insights to better target customers. Increased adoption of immersive technologies: Immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are likely to become more prevalent in the marketing industry. These technologies allow brands to create unique and engaging experiences for customers, which can help them stand out from the competitions. Focus on personalised marketing: In order to stand out from the competition, marketers will need to focus on delivering personalised experiences to customers. This will involve leveraging data to understand individual customer preferences and tailoring marketing messages to those preferences. Greater emphasis on video marketing: Video marketing has already been growing in popularity and this trend is likely to continue. As more people consume content on their mobile devices, short-form video content will become increasingly important for marketers. Rise of influencer marketing: Influencer marketing has already become a popular strategy for many brands, and this trend is expected to continue. In India, micro-influencers are likely to gain more popularity as they are seen as more relatable and trustworthy by their followers. Federal Department of Finance Bern, 26.06.2023 - The second Point Zero Forum international fintech conference will be held in Zurich from 26 to 28 June 2023. As a platform for leaders from the public and private financial and economic sectors, the forum aims to drive innovation in the digital economy and establish itself as a key event in the international fintech world. The Forum is a joint initiative of Switzerland and Singapore, and the conference will be opened by Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. The Point Zero Forum serves as a platform to connect political authorities, investment circles and innovative entrepreneurs in order to shape the future of financial services. Around 1,000 participants are expected in Zurich. The Forum's main focus will be on the use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector and the technological possibilities for promoting sustainable financial services. These topics should be discussed by financial and supervisory authorities, central banks, investors and innovative financial companies and startups. According to Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter: "In the future too, Switzerland should play a leading role in international financial services. Like Singapore, Switzerland is among the world's most dynamic and innovative financial centres. The Point Zero Forum is an important meeting place for strengthening financial innovation in Europe and around the world." The complete programme for the three-day forum can be found on the dedicated website. Address for enquiries FDF Communications Tel. +41 58 462 60 33 kommunikation@gs-efd.admin.ch Publisher Federal Department of Finance https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html State Secretariat for International Financial Matters http://www.sif.admin.ch Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research Dubendorf, St. Gallen und Thun, 26.06.2023 - Researchers from Empa and Imperial College London are developing a heat-resistant drone that can analyze the source of danger at close range in the event of a building or forest fire. This allows firefighters to optimize the strategy of a high-risk operation before entering the danger zone. Where others rush out, they have to go in: Firefighters put themselves in dangerous situations during rescue operations sometimes right in the midst of a sea of flames. Last year, Swiss fire departments were called out for more than 12,000 firefighting missions. Since temperatures in a burning building can reach lethal levels of around 1,000 degrees Celsius, it is essential to avoid any unnecessary risk. Flying robots could support such missions: Researchers at Empa and Imperial College London are currently developing a heat-resistant drone that can provide initial data from the hot spot. Based on this information, the men and women of the response team can optimize their strategy before venturing into the inferno. "Before they go directly into the danger zone, the firefighters naturally don't know what exactly awaits them and what difficulties they will encounter," says Mirko Kovac, head of Empa's Sustainability Robotics Laboratory and the Aerial Robotics Lab at Imperial College London. Here, for example, drones equipped with cameras and CO2 (carbon dioxide) sensors could provide important information about the distribution of fire sources, unexpected hazards or trapped people. Too hot for normal drones Drones are already being used to fight fires, taking aerial photos, lifting fire hoses onto skyscrapers or dropping extinguishing agents in remote areas, for example to contain the spread of forest fires - but only at a safe distance from the source of the fire. "To fly closer, the extreme heat generated by a fire is too great for conventional drones," says David Hausermann of Empa's Sustainability Robotics lab. Close to the fire, the frame melts and the electronics give up. "More than aerial photos of the fire site from a safe distance are not possible with commercial drones," Hausermann says. The researcher's goal, therefore, was to develop a drone that could withstand the heat and thus provide fast and accurate data from the center of the hot spot. Ultra-light and tough Hausermann worked with firefighters to determine the requirements of a drone in a fire mission and set out to find a material that could protectively surround the heart of the drone the motors, batteries, sensors and electronics. He found what he was looking for with colleagues from Empa's Building Energy Materials and Components lab: The researchers led by Shanyu Zhao and Wim Malfait were able to synthesize an insulating material that can withstand high temperatures and thus make the drone more fire-resistant. When designing the FireDrone, the researchers were inspired by nature, or more precisely by animals such as penguins, arctic foxes and spittlebugs that live in extreme temperatures. All these animals have corresponding layers of fat, fur or produce their own protective layers of thermoregulating material that enable them to survive under extreme conditions. Suitable for spacesuits The material in question is an aerogel, an ultralight material consisting almost entirely of air-filled pores enclosed in a hint of polymer substance. In this case, the materials researchers chose an aerogel based on a polyimide plastic. Polyimide aerogels are also being researched by NASA, for example, for the insulation of space suits. However, Shanyu Zhao did not rely on polyimide alone to synthesize the aerogel: The composite material consists of polyimide and silica and is also reinforced with glass fibers. "Laboratory analyses have shown that this comparatively fire-resistant material is particularly well suited for use in drones," says aerogel researcher Zhao. Flight into the inferno The prototype of the FireDrone has already performed well in initial tests at Empa's flight arena in Dubendorf. The flight characteristics and controllability of the drone, which is about 50 centimeters tall, were excellent even with an aerogel insulation jacket and an additional built-in cooling system, as well as aluminum cladding to reflect heat. The design, which the researchers just published in the journal "Advanced Intelligent Systems," was convincing in this "dry run." However, whether the aircraft would also pass the test of fire had to be demonstrated by tests under conditions as real as possible, which are typical of a fire operation. The Empa team was able to use such a real-life scenario on the training grounds of the Andelfingen training center. While Stefan Keller, training coordinator for the fire department of the Canton of Zurich's building insurance, and the training center's logistics crew lit a gas fire in an oversized metal bowl, the drone pilots steered their device right into the inferno. The result: The FireDrone prototype survived several test flights. Satisfied, drone researcher Hausermann takes stock: "Even after several flights, the electronics, thermal imaging camera and CO2 sensors of the FireDrone are undamaged and ready for further testing." A next step would now be to test the FireDrone in a fire, which, unlike the comparatively clean gas flame, shows a strong soot development. Firefighting expert Stefan Keller is also impressed by the results: "If a drone makes the initial reconnaissance of the situation, we don't have to send firefighters into the danger zone immediately. For us, this progress is enormously interesting." The FireDrone could also be used in extremely cold environments, such as in polar regions and on glaciers. The team has also tested the drone in a glacier tunnel in Switzerland to study how the system behaves in very cold temperatures. Discussions are already underway with potential industry partners to further develop the prototype. "The use of drones is often limited by environmental factors such as extreme temperatures," said Mirko Kovac. "With the FireDrone, we are showing a way to significantly expand the future range of applications for drones in extreme environments." Address for enquiries David Hausermann Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics Phone: +41 58 765 41 45 David.Haeusermann@empa.ch Prof. Dr. Mirko Kovac Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics Phone: +41 58 765 4689 mirko.kovac@empa.ch Dr. Wim Malfait Building Energy Materials and Components Phone: +41 58 765 49 83 wim.malfait@empa.ch Publisher Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research http://www.empa.ch It has been almost nine years since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, but in these nine years he has hardly addressed the media or attended press conferences. He goes to his favorite lap anchors and answers that mutually pre-decided questions, which has nothing to do with nationalism or policymaking. The lap anchors are warned not to ask any question that will embrace the PM of India. To hold a press conference, especially in front of honest or bold journalists, requires serious guts, and in simple, plain words, a BJP leader lacks on this front. PM Modi doesnt want to take the risk of answering the questions of the media in general. Though he is a great speaker, he doesnt want to dilute his image as a strong PM by facing genuine press conferences because a couple of hard-hitting questions are enough to cause him damage. The Prime Minister should come out in the open and answer the questions of the journalists, but that is just a fictional scenario considering the current mess in India. One journalist was fortunate enough to ask a hard-hitting question to Modi, but soon after that awkward moment, the BJP IT cell randomly attacked the journalist, calling her Pakistani. Sabrina Siddiqui, the journalist from the United States who questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on discrimination against minorities in India during his visit to the US, was trolled and abused by the BJPs right-wing social media users. The online attack on Siddiqui, highlighting her Muslim inheritance and connections to Pakistan by giving the impression of having a parent from that country, was led by the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s information cell, Amit Malviya. Malviya referred to Sabrinas question as motivated on Twitter and claimed that Modi gave her a fitting answer, which he claimed was a blow to the toolkit ganga derisive term used by the head of the ruling partys IT cell to refer to those who have questioned the BJP and the prime minister on various topics. At the press conference in the White House, Sidduqe asked Modi, 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? In an unusual occurrence, PM Modi answered questions during a joint press conference on June 22 with US President Joe Biden at the White House since he took over India in 2014. It was a rare moment in Modis tenure as prime minister when a journalist could pose a question to him, let alone on alleged human rights violations of minorities in India. Modi, in response, expressed surprise that people thought minorities during his regime were being discriminated against. Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live in a democracy. Our government has taken the basic principles of democracy and proven that democracy can deliver. And when I say deliver, this is regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender. There is absolutely no space for discrimination. 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? asked Siddiqui. Responding to a question, PM Modi strongly defended Indias record on democracy and his governments performance and human rights, saying that the basic foundation stone of his government has been Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas, which means together for everyones growth with everyones trust. We are a democracy. India and America both have democracy in their DNA. Democracy is in our spirit; we live it, and 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, and sabka prayas and walks ahead with them. These are our foundation principles, which are the basis of how we operate and 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 . Following his election as prime minister in 2014, PM Modi has not addressed the media in a single press conference. He showed up for a press conference in May 2019 but did not take any questions. Sabrina Siddiqui is one of the most high-profile Muslim American journalists. She is a White House reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Washington, D.C., where she covers the Biden presidency. She also covered the White House and the 2016 presidential election while working at the Guardian before 2019. Siddiqui is a graduate of Northwestern University and lives in Washington with her husband. Her father is proud of India, and on many occasions she was seen supporting and cheering for India. Whatever it is, asking sensible questions is her job, and the BJP IT cell should understand the duties of journalists. By attacking Sabrina Siddiqui, we are exposing how much we care for democratic rights. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against two men for allegedly shooting at a 25-year-old local journalist after two days of the incident. Journalist Mannu Awasthi resident of PD Nagar, was allegedly shot at by unidentified assailants on Saturday. Mannu Awasthi was riding his scooter in an area under the Kotwal police station limits at around 10 pm when the incident took place. He was taken to the district hospital with injuries on his right shoulder. From there, he was referred to a hospital in Kanpur, according to statement to police. The FIR was registered against Anshu Gupta and Deepak Singh at the City police station under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapons), 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal on the basis of a complaint lodged by the victims father. The FIR, registered on Sunday, also mentions four-five unidentified accomplices. Surendra Awasthi, the victims father, alleged that the pair had threatened his son before the incident as well and he had sought protection. The victim is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kanpur and his condition is stated to be out of danger. The motive behind the attack was not immediately known. The police said all possible angles are being looked into. Mannu Awasti had submitted a complaint to senior officers, including the Superintendent of Police (Unnao), in March, alleging that he had received threats to his life from suspected land mafia. He also alleged that a BJP MLA was putting pressure on him over a story he had done on the land mafia. The FIR, however, did not mention any BJP leader. After returning to India from his foreign visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked BJP president J P Nadda and other leaders what was happening in India, party leaders, who had gone to receive him at the airport, said. Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked what the prime minister asked them after meeting them at the airport. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said the prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the partys public outreach programme going on. We apprised him about that, he said. Last week, our Anne Dachel prepared a list of questions to pose to VIDS - Vaccine Injury Deniers - as a follow up to Robert Kennedy's podcast with Joe Rogan. You can read it along with a transcript here. ### By Anne Dachel We Dont Have Any When Robert Kennedy, Jr. was interviewed by Joe Rogan on June 15, 2023, he pointed out glaring malfeasance on the part of U.S. health officials. WHERE ARE THE VACCINE SAFETY STUDIES? Kennedy said: And thats the problem with not doing real placebo controlled trials. None of the vaccines are subjected to true placebo controlled trials. It is the only medical product that is exempt prior to licensure. I said this for many, many years: Not one of these 72 vaccines has ever been tested pre-licensing in a placebo controlled trial where youre looking at vaccinated vs unvaccinated kids, looking for health outcomes. Never been done. Tony Fauci was saying, [Kennedys] lying. Hes not telling the truth. This is vaccine misinformation. I said to him, Tony, youve been telling people Im a liar when I say no vaccine has ever been, none of the mandated vaccinesnone of them have ever been tested in a placebo-controlled trial safety test prior to licensing. And I said, Can you show me one vaccine that has been subject to a safety test. Show me one study that shows that. He made this show of looking through They had brought in from NIH, this big tray full of file folders, and he made a show of looking through that at the time. He couldnt find whatever he was looking for. Then he said, Its back at NIH in Bethesda, and Ill sent it to you. Well, he never did. So Aaron and I sued him, sued HHS and said, Show us one study thats ever been done on pre-licensing safety testing for vaccines. After a year of stonewalling, they finally gave us a letter and said, We dont have any. They literally dont have any. So nobody knows what the risk profiles for these products are. So theyre telling people they avert more harm than they cause, but theres no science behind that statement. Its just a guess work. Joe Rogan challenged vaccine defender Dr. Peter Hotez to come on camera and debate vaccine safety with Kennedy. THATS WHATS MISSING The most important question that everyone needs to ask, that has to be answered, is simple: Where are the double blind studies demonstrating that each vaccine is safe for children? This is the norm in drug development. One group gets the actual product and another group gets a placebo, neither group knowing which one they receive. Researchers then study the side effects to see if theres a problem. In the case of vaccines, something mandated for children to be able to attend school, this is critical. If health agencies really had piles of these studies, the debate would be over. They could shut Kennedy down immediately. YES, VACCINES ARE SAFE. THESE STUDIES PROVE IT. SO WHERE ARE THOSE STUDIES? This report from 2017 explains how double blind tests really work. In the case of the HPV vaccine, researchers included toxins in the placebo group, namely ALUMINUM. Of the 16 HPV vaccine randomized trials, only two used an inert saline placebo. Ten of the sixteen compared the HPV vaccine against a neurotoxic aluminum adjuvant, and four trials used an already-approved aluminum-containing vaccine as the comparison. One does not have to be a scientist to understand that using aluminum-containing placebos is likely to muddy the comparison between the treatment and control groups. Critics of the HPV vaccine have pointed to the aluminum adjuvant as the most likely cause of adverse reactions, and some researchers have questioned the safety of using aluminum adjuvants in vaccines at all, due to their probable role as a contributor to chronic illness. The aluminum-containing placebos appeared to provoke numerous adverse reactions among the presumably unwitting patients who received them, allowing the pharma researchers to mask the cascade of similar adverse reactions among the groups that received the vaccines. Although both placebo and study groups suffered numerous adverse events in these studies, there were minimal differences between the two groups. The similar adverse outcomes in both groups allowed industry researchers and government regulators to claim that the vaccines were perfectly safe, despite manifold disturbing reactions. The Mexican researchers meta-review confirms the difficulty of ascertaining vaccine-attributable differences from this mess; the researchers identified only a few indications of significantly increased systemic adverse events in the HPV vaccine group vs. the control group across the 16 pre-licensure trials. If this is the kind of science officials have to show vaccine safety, it is obvious why Dr. Hotez is wont come on with Kennedy. And no wonder the pharma shills in the media are telling Hotez to run away and hide. On June 24th, the New York Intelligencer published, Anti-Vaxxers Dont Want a Debate; They Want a Spectacle, by Sarah Jones. Ms Jones, like everyone else in the mainstream media, assumes theres no question that vaccines are safe. There no need to be fair and balanced. Jones choice of descriptive words made it clear who was the good guy and who was the baddie. She wrote: With the presidential candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a noted vaccine opponent, and the popularity of vaccine-hostile commentators like Joe Rogan, Dr. Peter Hotez, a highly regarded Texas-based vaccine scientist. Most of all, Jones endorsed Hotezs refusal to debate with Kennedy. Its just too dangerous. Whatever the personal cost, Hotez is right to refuse a debate, many experts say, because doing so would provide anti-vaxxers like Kennedy with an opportunity to spread their baseless views even further. A debate may also validate the harassment that Hotez has faced. Jones went on to cite experts who opposed giving the anti-vaccine group any public platform. All they have are lies so theres no reason to talk to them. Jones is not the only one in the media saying Hotez cant risk talking to Kennedy. On June 24th, t the Houston Chronicle run a story with the headline, Why Hotez is right not to debate RFK Jr. Time Magazine said this: Hotez is right not to take the bait. Rogan is unqualified to moderate such a debate, and has himself peddled disinformation about vaccines. Debating anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists like RFK Jr. is a fools errand, which always backfires, as history has demonstrated repeatedly. These debates give the false impression that there are two equivalent sides, and therefore can cause real public health damage. Members of the media arent really interested in this topic. None of them have ever researched evidence in both sides or the glaring conflicts of interest rife in our federal health agencies. None would dare question any aspect of the mantra, VACCINES ARE SAFE; VACCINES SAVE LIVES. Thats why they ignore every one of Kennedys claims about vaccine dangers. Its so much easier to start out coverage calling Kennedy names and reminding everyone that there are no problems with vaccines, all the experts say so. NBC News: Kennedy, a once-fringe anti-vaccine activist, has received a warm embrace from some of the most popular alternative media figures. An NBC News review found nine videos posted on YouTube this year that are still up in which Kennedy shares medical misinformation related to vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic. WHO said Covid-19 vaccines are highly effective and called for countries to vaccinate at least 70% of their populations. TIME: Joe Rogan, Americas most popular podcaster, recently called for Professor Peter Hotez, an internationally recognized pediatric infectious disease doctor and vaccine scientist, to come on his podcast to debate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), a prolific spreader of medical disinformation. CNBC: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaccine activist whos now running for president, Forbes: One of the more vocal figures misinforming the public has been Kennedy. He went on Rogans show recently to once again back Covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theories. Kennedy also reiterated the debunked notion that theres a link between childhood vaccines and autism. Vanity Fair described Kennedy as a raging anti-vaxxer. ON June 23rd, the New York Times run this headline on an opinion piece: Its Not Possible to Win an Argument With Robert F. Kennedy Jr., claiming its too dangerous to debate Kennedy. Los Angeles Times: Kennedy has now paddled back into the American political discourse by announcing his candidacy for president in April on the Democratic ticket. His family connection appears to have brought attention to his campaign; the question is whether the dazzlement of the Kennedy name will be sufficient to blind voters to his history of promoting spectacularly dangerous health policies through misrepresentations and outright lies. The dangers from Kennedys campaign should be clear. One is that a Kennedy candidacy that gains any real traction alone will increase the political credibility of anti-vax claptrap, which already has more than enough. Whats missing in all of this is the overwhelming evidence that we are a nation of the sick and disabled. Over half of Americans are chronically ill. Every couple of years CDC officials announce another breath-taking increase in the autism rate, now conservatively at one in every 36 kids (except if you live in California where its one in every 22 kids officially). Our schools are filled with kids who cant learn or behave as children have always been expected to, yet were told its all normal and acceptable. Robert Kennedy Jr.s real crime here is that hes pointing out whats happening. That is simply not allowed. Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism. Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Childrens Health Defense) Hardcover Illustrated, August 15, 2023 by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author), Brian Hooker (Author) Based on over one hundred studies in the peer-reviewed literature that consider vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Each of these studies is analyzed and put in context of the difference in health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated infants, children, and adults. Given the massive push to vaccinate the entire global population, this book is timely and necessary for individuals to make informed choices for themselves and their families. The candidate representing Alabama has been named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2023. The annual scholarship program, founded in 1958 as Americas Junior Miss, held its national competition Thursday through Saturday in Mobile. Carrington Hodge of Helena was declared the winner. The title comes with a $40,000 cash scholarship. According to information released by organizers, Hodge earned preliminary awards in the fitness, talent, self-expression, and interview categories along with a satellite award totaling $46,000 in cash scholarships across the three-night competition. Hodge is the daughter of Terra and Carl Hodge. According to organizers, she is a graduate of Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School and plans to attend Vanderbilt University, studying for a career in pediatric neurosurgery. Hodge previously told AL.com that she entered after being encouraged by her ballet teacher, and also was encouraged by seeing a friend, Julianne Abenoja, win the state title in 2022. Knowing that Alabama senator Katie Britt was first runner-up in the Americas Junior Miss competition in 2000 also inspired her, she said. The 2022 winner of the Alabama program and I have danced together since we were eight, said Hodge. So, watching her go through the local program and the state program and being so successful as first runner up at the national program really made me want to get involved with the program as well. Maggie Haimelin of Tennessee was first runner-up. Madison Parker of Indiana was second runner-up and Megan Tandar of Utah was third runner-up. Overall, cash scholarships worth $155,000 were awarded during the 2023 competition. MORE: Irondale student Carrington Hodge will represent Alabama in 2023 Distinguished Young Women contest The names kind of an inside joke on the owner and his investors. Dashu means uncle, says Yi Xue, owner/manager of Dashu Japanese Cuisine & Bar, a recently opened Huntsville eatery. We said were going to call it Dashu because were all middle-age. The twist is dashu, pronounced dye shoe, is a Chinese word for uncle. You see, this Japanese restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama, was started by a Chinese-American dude from Kingsport, Tennessee. Xue has worked in and/or run Chinese and Japanese restaurants in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama for decades. This time, he decided to do a Japanese restaurant instead of Chinese with Dash -- located in the Airport Road space formerly home to Italian eateries Luciano and Bacchus -- for two main reasons. One, he felt the Huntsville market was saturated with Chinese restaurants. And two, he says a Japanese restaurant requires fewer employees to run effectively than a Chinese restaurant. Nowadays its hard to find help, Xue says, referring to the difficulty many restaurants nationwide have had staffing in recent years, back to when the pandemic started. Dashu opened in late April and currently employs a staff of six or so. Their head sushi chef, Justin Lin, comes to Huntsville after experience in New York and Texas restaurants, Xue says. My first visit to Dashu, my blood pressure lowered after just a few steps inside. The place has a tranquil vibe with Japanese-themed decor, mellow lighting and, playing on the sound system, piano jazz. The SEC Network flicked on a muted TV screen, yeehaw counterpoint to the torii imagery and paper lanterns. An early-morning shooting in a Birmingham neighborhood left one person dead. Birmingham police identified the victim as Christen Taylor Adams. He was 22 and lived in Birmingham. Just after midnight, West Precinct officers responded to a report of someone shot in the 4800 block of Avenue N in Ensley. Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said someone in the area heard shots fired and called 911. The citys gunfire detection system Shot Spotter also registered at least nine rounds fired. When officers arrived on the scene, Wade said, they Adams had sustained a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene. A young male was shot to death Monday, June 26, 2023, on Avenue N in Birmingham's Ensley community. (BPD) Investigators are still trying to determine what led up to the deadly shooting. Adams is Birminghams 63rd homicide this year. Of those, one was an officer-involved shooting from an outside law enforcement agency and four others have been ruled justifiable. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 93 homicides, including the 64 in Birmingham. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A child predator operation led by Fultondale police officers and Covenant Rescue Group led to criminal charges against 11 suspects. The operation was held Thursday and Friday. Multiple other law enforcement agencies including Leeds, Warrior, Homewood and Irondale police departments also assisted. Fultondale police officials, who announced the arrests on Sunday, said none of the suspects live in Fultondale. Those charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and electronic solicitation of a child are: - Jamon Jamonte Jackson, 25, of Bartow, Georgia. - Domingo Cruz, 34, of Bessemer. - Ariel Quezada, 25, of Pinson. - Rolando Santana, 27, of Jasper. - Dominique Powell, 37, of Tarrant. - Angelo Wilson, 58, of Birmingham. - Alexis Reyes, 22, of Columbiana. - Brian McLeod, 27, of Pleasant Grove - Jayson Sparksm 55, of Cullman. - Alexader Osala, 32, of Bessemer. Osala is also charged with aggravated assault of a police officer and resisting arrest. - Robert Newton, 22, of Trussville. He is also charged with attempting to elude and resisting arrest. Authorities said Newton backed into an unmarked police vehicle in an attempt to flee. He then refused medical treatment. Fultondale police said he remains at large because the Jefferson County Jail refused to accept him because he had been involved in a vehicle accident. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office released this statement regarding the jails refusal to book Newton: Our policy is not to accept an injured prisoner until they have been medically cleared. It is the arresting agencys responsibility to provide that medical clearance. 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. 2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Alabama is claiming it could conduct next months planned execution by nitrogen hypoxia, becoming the first in the nation to use the new method. But the prison system disputes the agencys claim, saying they arent ready. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office made the remark in a court filing last week, arguing against James Barbers wish to die by the approved but not yet tested method. Barber, who is set to die at some point during a time frame beginning at midnight on Thursday, July 20, and ending at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 21, has asked a federal court to call off his lethal injection and rule that he is only allowed to die by nitrogen suffocation. In a court filing, the Alabama Attorney Generals Office wrote that if the federal judge decides to rule in Barbers favor, such an injunction should be limited in scope so as to permit Barbers July 20, 2023, execution to be conducted by nitrogen hypoxia. Read more about James Barbers set execution date here. Alabama has never released a protocol for nitrogen hypoxia executions, nor said the prison system is ready to conduct such executions. A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Corrections said in an email response that nothing has changed since our last response regarding nitrogen hypoxia. The Alabama Department of Corrections has completed many of the preparations necessary for conducting executions by nitrogen hypoxia, said spokesperson Kelly Betts. The protocol for carrying out executions by this method is not yet complete. Once the nitrogen hypoxia protocol is complete, ADOC personnel will need sufficient time to be thoroughly trained before an execution can be conducted using this method. When contacted by AL.com to ask why the office said the state was ready to use the new method, representatives from the Alabama Attorney Generals Office did not respond. In the same court filing, the Alabama Attorney Generals Office also argued against Barbers claim that the team who sets the intravenous lines for the lethal injections are not properly trained or qualified. Barbers execution, if it goes forward, will be the first in Alabama since last summers controversial execution of Joe Nathan James Jr. There were two scheduled executions last fall-- that of Alan Miller and Kenneth Smith-- that were called off just before midnight on their respective execution dates because the IV teams could not set up the lines needed for the three-drug lethal cocktail. Those failed attempts were followed by Gov. Kay Ivey issuing a three-month halt to executions and the prison system conducting an internal investigation into the lethal injection process. Following the Barber was convicted in Madison County for the 2001 slaying of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps. Epps was beaten to death with Barbers fists and a claw hammer in her Harvest home, according to court records. She suffered multiple skull fractures, head lacerations, brain bleeding, and rib fractures. The Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office has arrested a man in connection with the theft of several items from the home of a couple who recently died. Steven James Pickering, 36, faces two counts of first degree property theft, two counts of third degree burglary, second degree theft, first degree criminal mischief and fourth degree property theft. According to the sheriffs office, a home on Arnold Lane in the Petersville community, owned by a couple who had recently died, was broken into several times between June 14 and 18. On June 20, investigators and deputies executed a search warrant at Pickerings residence when he was not there. A boat, an ATV, tools, electronics, and other items were recovered. Still missing, however, were other items reported stolen - a small ATV, two kayaks, a welder, and collectible Cabbage Patch dolls in their original packaging. Pickering was arrested on Saturday, according to the sheriffs office. A north Alabama man filed a federal lawsuit this week against 10 police officers as well as the city of Sheffield after a police dog attacked him on his front porch two years ago. The federal lawsuit asserts that police had no reason to be on Marvin Longs property nor to suspect him of a crime. The dog bit Longs leg after police took him to the ground, according to the lawsuit. Body camera footage released by his attorneys shows Long on the ground as an officer shouts, Bite him! Bite him! Related: Unarmed Black Alabama mans lawyers obtain bodycam footage showing police dog attack for no reason The lawsuit said the encounter with police began when Long, who is Black, stepped outside his home in Sheffield a small northwest Alabama town that is part of the Shoals region because of a large police presence on his street on June 21, 2021. Police arrested Long on charges of resisting arrest and obstruction. A judge in Sheffield City Court found him not guilty of the obstruction charge, court records show. He faces trial on the misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest. After he was released from jail, Long went to the hospital for treatment of the dog bite wound on his left leg, a knot on his head and back pain, according to the lawsuit. The suit says Long suffered the head and back injuries when police took him to the ground. Its sickening, Long attorney Harry Daniels said in a press release Monday announcing the lawsuit. We expect to see this kind of brutality on old news reels or hear stories about it from our parents or grandparents. But here it is, in 2023. Apparently not much has changed in Alabama in 60 years. [Read our series Mauled: When police dogs are weapons] Keith Worsham, the attorney for the city of Sheffield, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Edgar Black, the attorney for Colbert County, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Long is suing Colbert County deputies Daniel Cruise, Tommy Mills, Bradley Skipworth, Curtis Burns, Jonathan Harkins, Tim Vanderford and Tyler Evans, as well as the following Sheffield police officers: Max Dotson, Brett Evans and Darien Fountain. The lawsuit says each defendant filed to intervene and stop the attack. According to the lawsuit, Long walked into the street out of concern after noticing the police presence in his neighborhood. Long walked near a law enforcement vehicle but never touched it, the lawsuit said. Evans told Long to get away from the car or he would be charged with obstruction. Long walked away from the vehicle before questioning the deputys order, according to the lawsuit and body camera footage his lawyers obtained and released to the press earlier this month. Read more: Police dog attacks are an ugly secret in Alabama Mills, another deputy, then cursed at Long, telling him to kick rocks motherf----- and referred to him by another profane term, according to the lawsuit. Long continued walking away, the lawsuit said, and eventually reached his front porch. After arresting two of Longs neighbors in connection with a drug raid, the deputies and police officers approached Long as he stood on the porch. Long repeatedly told law enforcement officers to leave his property, the lawsuit said, and they refused. Long then turned to go inside his house, the lawsuit said, and without legal cause or just provocation, the law enforcement officers brutally grabbed Long to prevent him from entering the house. As a result, (Long) instantly collapsed to the ground in pain while being violently slammed and aggressively wrestle Long on the ground as he was grabbing onto the porch railing and screaming for Help! Help! Law enforcement officials then began to frisk Long without probable cause or Longs consent, the lawsuit said. Further, without legal justification while (Long) was lying on the ground helpless and in severe pain, an officer (Nick Risner) released a police K-9 that viciously attacked and mauled (Long), the lawsuit said. Officer Nick Risner yelled over and over to the police K-9, bite him! bite him! get him! good! Risner, a Sheffield police K-9 handler, died Oct. 2, 2021 a day after being shot in the line of duty during a shootout in Muscle Shoals. Dotson was also shot in the same incident. Long continues to suffer as a result of the attack, the lawsuit said, including PTSD-type symptoms. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages that include medical bills as well as punitive and other damages. Atlanta-based attorney Harry Daniels and Birmingham lawyer Roderick Van Daniel filed the lawsuit on Longs behalf. These officers werent satisfied with violating Mr. Longs civil rights and siccing their police dog on him while he was unarmed, defenseless and crying for help. They made up circumstances so they could charge him with a crime, Van Daniel said in the press release. If we let criminal cops assault an innocent man and then charge him for the crime, none of us are safe. Alabama poll workers are getting a pay raise. Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 435 ensuring raises for election inspectors and clerks. Under current law, election inspectors and clerks receive $50 per election. The state supplements that amount to bring the total compensation for inspectors to $100 and $75 for clerks. Under the new bill, inspectors and clerks will receive a $50 boost, bringing total compensation to $150 for inspectors and $125 for clerks. Counties can provide additional subsidies as well. READ MORE: Gov. Kay Ivey: Alabama will always fight to protect our babies The bill was sponsored by State Rep. James Lomax, R-Huntsville, who said the additional funds are designed to recruit and retain poll workers. Poll workers are an important part of our election process and are generally the unsung heroes on election day, Lomax told AL.com. They work long hours every election helping people navigate the voting process while making sure the system runs efficiently and fairly. There has been a struggle nationwide for communities to attract new poll workers, and this increased stipend should help us recruit and retain dedicated poll workers. " The raise applies only to statewide elections when the state reimburses the county for expenses and not in the case of special county or non-statewide elections. Former long time Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Anne-Marie Adams has died. Adams served as clerk from 2000 to 2018. She was 77 years old. The Birmingham native had lived in Hampton, VA in recent years to be closer to family. A funeral mass celebrating her life is 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 961 Center Street, Birmingham, with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Adams died June 13. While her office was at the Jefferson County Courthouse, Adams as clerk was a frequent presence around the county as she traveled to educate the public about her office, how elections work, and to encourage more citizens to participate in the elections process. Thats one of the reasons that I have worked so hard with absentee elections - people didnt trust the process or they didnt think that absentee ballots were counted unless it was a very close election, she told Al.com when running for re-election in 2012. If you put character and integrity into a situation like that, you get people to trust you and trust your way of doing things. Jefferson County Tax Assessor Gaynell Hendricks praised Adams, a friend and colleague, as a stalwart who remained committed to her official duties and to her community. Anne-Marie Adams was the epitome of a true and dedicated public servant, Hendricks told AL.com. The breadth and depth of her knowledge about the court system are unsurpassed. We could always depend on Anne-Marie to keep us informed on voting laws. She loved her position as county clerk. She will be missed. Elections and public service were a family tradition for Adams. She is the widow of former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Oscar Adams Jr. Oscar Adams was the first Black person to sit on Alabamas highest court with his appointment by Gov. Fob James. He was then elected in 1982, making him the first Black person in Alabama ever elected to a statewide office. Mrs. Adams was also the sister of the late Bob Jones, who served as Birmingham city attorney under former Mayor William Bell. UPDATE: The charges have reportedly been dropped: BREAKING NEWS: Prosecutors have dropped all charges against Carlishia Hood and her 14-year-old son in the shooting death of 32-year-old Jeremy Brown, citing a further review of evidence in the case. Cell phone video shows Brown punching Hood three times before the shooting. CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) June 26, 2023 ORIGINIAL ARTICLE: A 35-year-old mom was waiting for her food at an Illinois fast food restaurant when she and a 32-year-old man began arguing, according to local news reports. The argument evolved into a physical fight, WMAQ reported, and Carlishia Hood texted her son to come inside the Maxwell Street Express in the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago. As the 14-year-old son left the car and went to his mom, the 32-year-old man identified as Jeremy Brown began punching Hood in her head, WFLD reported. Prosecutors said the teen fired a gun, shooting Brown in the back, according to WFLD. Authorities said the boy followed Brown as he ran from the restaurant, and his mom told him to keep shooting until Brown was dead. 35 year old Carlishia Hood & her teenage son are facing murder charges in the fatal shooting of 32 year old Jeremy Brown in Chicago Brown punched the mom 3 times after an argument. Hood texted her son and pointed outside at him. The son came in and he shot the victim in the back pic.twitter.com/cS7wDwsW5x Crime With Bobby (@crimewithbobby) June 25, 2023 After the fatal shooting, the mom and son drove home together, according to WMAQ. Officers with the Chicago Police Department responded to the restaurant shooting shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday, June 18, McClatchy News reported. Brown was found with two gunshot wounds to his back, according to WFLD. A video obtained by WLS shows the teen take out a gun while inside the restaurant and later leave with his mom. Hood and her son have been charged with first-degree murder, WKRC reported. The mother is also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The ethics committee of the Alabama Republican Party on Sunday dismissed a complaint brought against former Congressman Mo Brooks by the vice president of the state school board, Wayne Reynolds. As a member of the state GOP executive committee and the Limestone County GOP executive committee, Reynolds said he based his complaint on comments Brooks made in an interview with Montgomery radio station WACV. In the interview, Brooks spoke at length about China and criticized how its communist party runs the country. Communist China is very much aware of my views, Brooks said in the interview. And so they did everything they could to assist the election of somebody else to the United States Senate in 2022. Brooks, of course, lost in the Republican Senate primary runoff last year to now Sen. Katie Britt. Reynolds objected to Brooks comments suggesting Chinese influence in the Senate race that Britt handily won. Brooks has since been elected as GOP commissioner for the 5th Congressional District the district he represented in Congress for six terms. The position includes a spot on the Republican state steering committee and given those responsibilities, Reynolds said he believed Brooks statements were out of line. Its a victory for freedom of speech, Brooks said Monday. For my part, I did what I felt was right, Reynolds said Monday, adding that he accepts the findings of the committee. Since the complaint was filed last month, Brooks maintained he did nothing wrong. I would hope that Wayne Reynolds, a state school board member, would spend more of his time trying to improve a government-run school system that is failing far too many Alabama children, Brooks said. He was elected for that purpose. Not to dishonestly harass other Republican executive committee members. A Florida mom is out on bail after being charged with child neglect in a disturbing case in Charlotte County. Chloe Wisniewski, 21, was arrested Friday after a four-month investigation, according to court records. According to the arrest affidavit, on Feb. 14, Charlotte County deputies went to a home in Port Charlotte, about an hour south of Tampa, on Feb. 14 to investigate a dog bite. They met with Wisniewski, who said she placed her baby, whose age was not released, in a bassinet so she could take a quick shower. While in the bathroom, the woman heard screaming, and exited to see the new family pet Apollo, a 3-month-old pit bull mix they had gotten the night before, chewing on the infants hand. She said she immediately pulled the dog off of the baby, wrapped the wounds in a cloth, and called 911. After emergency crews stabilized the baby, she was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where she required surgery for her injuries. Surgeons amputated three fingers from her left hand and partially amputated two fingers from her right, says the complaint. Charlotte County Animal Control took custody of Apollo, and the Department of Children and Families conducted an assessment of the mother. A urine analysis tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, authorities said. The case was forwarded to the Charlotte County Sheriffs Offices Major Crimes Unit, which conducted the months-long probe. Authorities found probable cause that Wisniewski did, by culpable negligence, fail to provide the baby with the care and supervision and services necessary to maintain physical health, causing permanent disfigurement to the child. As for Apollo, local station NBC-2 reports that he was quarantined as part of protocol, and transferred to the Animal Welfare League. As the baby recovers with family members, Wisniewski, who posted $7,500 bond on Monday, was granted supervised visitation. 2023 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The former executive director of the Alabama Ethics Commission said the loss of anonymity protection for people who file ethics complaints will result in fewer whistleblowers reporting what they believe are illegal acts. SB103 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will require the Ethics Commission to tell a person under investigation who filed the complaint that sparked the probe. Legislators said public officials should know the identity of their accuser in an ethics investigation, just as they would in a criminal or civil trial. Jim Sumner, who was executive director for 17 years before retiring in 2014, said the commission has always protected the identity of whistleblowers. The Ethics Commission investigates alleged violations of the ethics law and campaign finance law. If the five-member commission votes that it has found probable cause, it forwards the case to the state attorney general or a district attorney for possible prosecution. The purpose of the ethics law is to prohibit elected officials, public officials, and public employees from using their positions for personal gain. It is a bold move for an employee to step forward and file a complaint against somebody that they work for in a small municipality or a rural county or a state agency, against their boss, against their supervisor, Sumner said. I think with this now being changed in the statute, a lot of people who did feel comfortable making those bold moves, knowing that they would be protected, now will not do that. So I cant help but think that the numbers will go down and unethical behavior will go unreported. The ethics law includes a section to prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers. It says a supervisor shall not discharge, demote, transfer, or otherwise discriminate against a public employee for reporting a violation or truthfully testifying. It says a supervisor who violates that would be subject to a lawsuit in state court. Lawmakers said SB103 strengthened the whistleblower protections to offset concerns about disclosing their identity. But Sumner said that change was not substantive and said he does not think the whistleblower protection will prevent the chilling effect of the new law. The House and Senate passed SB103 on June 6, the last day of the legislative session. Gov. Kay Ivey signed it into law. Tom Albritton, Sumners successor and the current executive director, declined to comment on the legislation. Orr said legislators told him stories about baseless ethics complaints. They indicated that they were familiar with certain accusations where people would just kind of sit in the shadows and make stuff up or come up with flimsy accusations and run an accused through the wringer while the accuser is able just to stay anonymous, Orr said. If somebody is going to make some allegations, they need to own it, Orr said. And if they believe their allegations are firmly rooted in fact and knowledge that they have first-hand, then I would want them to come forward. But what do they have to be embarrassed about or anything else if their allegations are based on fact? Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, called for adding the name disclosure requirement to SB103 at a committee meeting. Figures said the idea came up during an ethics orientation meeting for the Legislature in January. She said there was broad support among lawmakers that the accused should know who filed a complaint. Its almost like throwing the rock and hiding your hand, Figures said. You want to call somebody out but then you dont want to face up to it that you were the one that filed the complaint. So if its justly done and you have nothing to hide, then file the complaint. Its not to keep anybody from filing the complaint. Because if were wrong, were wrong, you cant get around that. But we should at least know who filed the complaint. SB103 passed the Senate and the House without a dissenting vote. It takes effect in September. The Ethics Commission investigates signed, written complaints. The staff conducts a preliminary investigation to determine if reasonable cause exists to conduct a full investigation or if the complaint should be dismissed. The law prohibits the commission from making complaints public until they are disposed. Sumner said he cannot remember the commission ever disclosing the name of a complainant, although some people who file complaints do make that public. Under Orrs bill, the commission wont make the name of the complainant public, but will inform the person accused. Orrs bill made another substantive change in the ethics law. It requires the commission to provide the person under investigation any statement, evidence, or information received from the complainant, witnesses, or other individuals or discovered in the course of the investigation. That can include exculpatory information, or information favorable to the defense. Defendants in criminal cases are entitled to exculpatory evidence, called Brady material because of a 1963 Supreme Court decision. Sumner favored the portion of the bill requiring the sharing of exculpatory evidence and said that was the standard policy when he was director. The commission changed that policy under Albritton and voted 4-0 last year to adopt an advisory opinion that the commission was not required or permitted to disclose exculpatory information. Attorney General Steve Marshall opposed the change and filed a lawsuit against the commission last year. Marshall said the practice of not sharing evidence favorable to the accused tainted the cases forwarded by the Ethics Commission to his office and undermined what was intended to be collaboration with the commission on enforcing the ethics law. The Ethics Commission disputed Marshalls characterization of its policy. In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, the commission noted that it is similar to a grand jury in that it does not determine guilt or innocence but probable cause. The commission is bound by some of the same secrecy restrictions as grand juries. And the commission said all the information in a case, including exculpatory evidence, is turned over to the AGs office or district attorneys to consider as they decide how to handle a case. Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, who sponsored SB103 in the House, said one difference between the Ethics Commission and grand juries that makes the sharing of exculpatory evidence important is that the commission resolves many cases -- minor violations of the ethics act -- with administrative penalties. The person accused can agree to an administrative penalty, pay a fine, and avoid any potential criminal prosecution. Administrative penalties must be unanimously approved by the five-member Ethics Commission and by the attorney general or a district attorney. In November 2021, Marshall rejected proposed administrative resolutions in two cases sent over by the Ethics Commission because the commission had not provided exculpatory evidence to the accused. Marshall said agreement to an administrative penalty carries an implied admission of guilt. He said his office could not rely on the commissions findings in those cases because the exculpatory evidence was not shared. Almond said it made sense to address that concern in the law. A lot of times people quote, plead guilty, without all the facts, and then later on they find out things that if they had known that they wouldnt have pled guilty to the charge, Almond said. We felt that because they are asked to make a decision it was only fair at that point that they have all information alleged against them. Sumner said the commissions policy of not providing exculpatory evidence caused an uproar that resulted in legislation that went beyond just that issue. When you make an extreme decision, youre going to get an extreme reaction, Sumner said. So it allowed the Legislature to go in and actually get at something thats probably been a burr under everybodys saddle. As a public official and an employee and on the receiving end of an ethics complaint, they want to know who filed that complaint. So, something that we had done for 40 years, through the history of the commission to protect the complainant has now been done away with. The protection of the complainant is the Holy Grail of the ethics act, Sumner said. And with that exposed, then I think that very few people will be willing to step forward and make those complaints. A few severe storms will be possible on Monday afternoon in parts of south and east Alabama. The strongest storms could have wind gusts up to 60 mph, hail and heavy rain. Storms will be more likely starting this afternoon during the days peak heating. NOAAs Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe storms for the eastern part of Alabama today. A Level 1 risk means isolated severe storms will be possible. The storms could be generated by a lingering front that has yet to push through Alabama. Conditions will be the most favorable for storms the farther south and east you go. However, the weather service did note there will be the potential for additional storms later tonight in southwest Alabama if another complex of storms (or MCS) forms and drops into the region. Thats not a sure thing, however. Another storm complex moved through Alabama early Monday morning, and it prompted several severe thunderstorm warnings throughout the state. Those storms had moved into Florida as of Monday morning. Those not getting rain could face very warm temperatures on Monday, and a heat advisory will be in effect for western parts of the state. More heat advisories will be likely in the coming days, and rain chances look to drop off starting on Wednesday for much of Alabama. Today were trying something new. Near the bottom of this post theres an option to take a very short quiz on Alabama news trivia. The material is gleaned from recent publications of this newsletter, so surely -- surely -- everyone here will do really well on it. Get the Down in Alabama newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to the daily Down in Alabama newsletter: Methodists push for change Since last year, 330 churches have left the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Thats just a little more than half its congregations. This past Friday, reports AL.coms Greg Garrison, the Conference voted to push the deonomination to open the church to blessing same-sex marriages and the ordination of openly gay clergy. This is the looming issue that caused churches to disaffiliate. The resolution appeals to the UMCs General Conference, which meets next spring in Charlotte and could vote on changes to the denominations Book of Discipline. Child-sex crackdown Late last week in Central Alabama, law enforcement arrested 11 people on charges of electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson. Fultondale Police and Covenant Rescue Group led the operation with assists from police in Leeds, Warrior, Homewood and Irondale. Those arrested were mostly from the Birmingham area up to Jasper and Cullman, with one from Bartow, Georgia. Bringing the heat If youve found any of 2023 a little warmer than you like, you might want to buckle up this week. Weather reporter Leigh Morgan reports that parts of the state could get into triple digits before we reach the weekend -- and well have humidity on top of that. The heat that folks in Texas and Louisiana have been experiencing is going to shift eastward and into Alabama this week. Were looking at Thursday, Friday and Saturday temperatures up to a hundred degrees and heat indexes soaring higher -- perhaps topping 110 in southwest Alabama. Quoting We have never seen this type of emergency a large, underground fire emitting smoke affecting possibly thousands of residents and businesses in this state before, and we simply were not equipped to deal with it. -- State Sen. Lance Bell, after a state investigation looked at the Moody landfill fire that started in November and is still not completely out. More Alabama news Know our state? Ace our quiz How well do you know Alabama, Alabamians and Alabama news? We have a quick quiz to see, pulled from some of the items that have appeared in our newsletter recently. The podcast The newsletter Its almost beyond belief that 10 people have drowned on Alabama and Florida Panhandle beaches in less than two weeks, with eight of those in the last eight days. That rate, nearly a drowning a day, has left one sheriff desperate for the public to understand the risks involved in entering the Gulf waters when the risk is elevated. He took to the departments Facebook page to vent his frustration. Im beyond frustrated at the situation that we have with tragic and unnecessary deaths in the Gulf, wrote Bay County (Fla.) Sheriff Tommy Ford. I have watched while deputies, firefighters and lifeguards have risked their lives to save strangers. I have seen strangers die trying to save their children and loved ones, including two fathers on fathers day. Of the 10 drownings since June 15, six have been on Bay County beaches, including three on Saturday which claimed a 68-year-old Michigan man; a 63-year-old Georgia man; and a 39-year-old Georgia woman. On the same day, a 58-year-old man from Tennessee drowned on Miramar Beach in Walton County. Ford calls the lifeguards, deputies and firefighters who respond to water rescues heroes, and bemoans the resistance beachgoers often seem to have to obeying safety warnings. These same heroes, who have risked it all to save others, have been cursed and given the finger, while trying to warn visitors of the life-threatening dangers, Ford wrote. We have used the tools provided by the county commission to fine violators $500 for entering the water on double red flags. We dont have the resources or time to cite every single person that enters the water but we do our absolute best to use it as a deterrent to entering the water. Joethan Phillips understands Fords frustration. As the Beach Safety Chief for Gulf Shores, he says one root of the problem is people simply not understanding the flag system. I think thats a lot of it, Phillips told AL.com. I just think a lot of people dont know what the flags mean or even if theyre there. There are five different flags or combinations of flags to alert beachgoers to the current conditions: Double red flags: The water is closed to the public. Violators can be arrested and fined. Single red flag: High hazard, indicating high surf and/or strong currents. Anyone other than the strongest swimmers are advised to stay out of the water. Yellow flag: Medium hazard, indicating moderate surf and/or currents. Green flag: Low hazard, with calm conditions. Purple flag: Stinging marine life present, such as jellyfish or stingrays. As noted the single red flag, indicating high hazard, is meant to alert those who are not strong swimmers to remain on the shore. Its worth noting that in the recent spate of drownings, the average age of the male victims was 56 and in most of the cases, single red flags were posted. In Okaloosa County, the sheriffs department says knee deep is too deep when single red flags are flying. Phillips noted, however, that each case is different. In some of the recent drownings, the victim had gone into the water to assist a family member who had come under distress due to the current or surf conditions. Phillips is hopeful the Beach Safe Campaign, launched in a cooperative effort by Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, along with local tourism groups, will help educate the public on beach safety. The campaign includes billboards, a text message system to alert users to the current beach conditions, safety flag logos and videos on rip currents, with those materials also shared with condominium owners and other industry partners, Phillips said. Were working hard through the beach safety initiative to reach out and provide as much information as we can to everyone, he said. Strong rip currents have been singled out in several recent incidents, including those where the swimmers were ultimately rescued. Bay County took to Facebook again Monday to drive the message home that rip currents can be deadly. You say you are a good swimmer, an experienced swimmer, a competitive swimmer. But you are no match for a rip current, read the post, which was accompanied by aerial photos taken from a BCSO helicopter showing the underwater trenches caused by rip currents just off shore. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, read the caption. We hope so. Further illustrating the dangers of rip currents, data from the National Weather Service shows that between 2002-2021, rip currents have been responsible for more deaths (191) along the Alabama and Florida Panhandle coast than tornadoes, lightning, tropical weather systems, and flooding -- combined (170). Phillips was asked about beachgoers who ignore the red flag warnings and go into the water, thus putting his personnel at risk. Thats right, but thats also what we train for, he said, to go into the Gulf waters and pull people out. Sarah, the Duchess of York, underwent surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a spokesperson. The 63-year-old was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer following a routine mammogram. The surgery was a success and Sarahs prognosis is good, the duchesss spokesperson said. She was released from King Edward VIIs Hospital in London on Sunday to recuperate at home in Windsor. Sarah, the former wife of Prince Andrew and the mother of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, spoke about the diagnosis on her new podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, set to be released Monday. She recorded the segment before her operation. Once a favorite target of Britains tabloids, the former Sarah Ferguson has previously published her memoirs and authored a number of childrens books as well as a historical romance for adults. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pavilion on Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m., on the campus. The state-of-the-art structure is the only one of its kind in North Carolina. North Carolina Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr. will be the ceremonys keynote speaker. There will also be a live drone demonstration at the event. The university broke ground on the complex in January 2022. It is located adjacent to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, and other military facilities in southeast Virginia, the Tidewater and the Albemarle region. ECSUs UAS Pavilion allows for opportunities in UAS education, research and training, and develops careers for individuals with interest in a diverse range of occupations from public safety, disaster response and homeland security to healthcare and agriculture. ECSU offers the only four-year Aviation Science and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) degree programs in North Carolina. The Aviation Science programs three areas of specialization include: Flight Education; Aviation Management; and Professional Aeronautics. Enrollment in the program totals more than 180 students, with a nearly 60 percent minority student population. Further, ECSU is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABInternational). Newly introduced legislation would reinstate a monthly child tax credit along with a $2,000 baby bonus for new parents. Democratic Congressmembers Rosa DeLaura, Connecticut, Suzan DelBene, Washington and Ritchie Torres, New York, reintroduced the American Family Act, legislation that would make the child tax credit, expanded during the COVID pandemic, permanent and expand who is eligible. When we expanded and improved the Child Tax Credit in 2021 under the American Rescue Plan, it provided unprecedented economic security for American families. It was the largest tax cut for middle-class and working families in generations, DeLauro said in a statement. These monthly payments helped parents pay bills, keep healthy and nutritious food on the table, afford school clothes and supplies, pay for a music lesson or a new pair of cleats, or manage a mortgage or rent payment. It lifted nearly 4 million children out of poverty in one year alone. It worked, and it is time we get it working for families and children once more. Two-hundred-and-four members of Congress, including Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, are co-sponsors of the legislation. Under the provisions of the bill, families with children 6 years of age and under would receive a payment of $300 per month, or $3,600 a year. That amount would drop to $250 a month, or $3,000 per year, per child ages 6 to 17, tacking on an extra year over the previous CTC which ended once a child turned 17. Currently, the CTC is $2,000 payable at tax time and not in monthly installments. Baby bonus The CTC proposal is adding an extra provision to the existing CTC a baby bonus. The legislation would increase the size of the credit in the month a baby is born to $2,000, Roll Call reported. This means for a child born in January, the family could receive up to $5,300 a year, before dropping to $3,600 the following year, based on income. The current child tax credit, which expired in 2025, is available in the full amount for married couples filing jointly who earn up to $400,000 or, for individuals who earn up to $200,000. The credit drops incrementally above those income levels. You can see more on the status of the bill here. An Uber driver died in a Texas hospital after being shot last week by a woman who believed he was taking her to Mexico, police said. Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, was shot the afternoon of June 16 while on U.S. Highway 54 in El Paso. An investigation found that Piedra, who worked for Uber, was driving 48-year-old Phoebe Copas across town, El Paso police said. At some point during the drive, Copas believed she was being taken to Mexico and shot Piedra, according to police. Officers could not find evidence that indicated a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination, police said in a news release. Piedra, who was critically wounded, was taken to a hospital and placed on life support. His family took him off life support Wednesday, and police said Thursday that he died. Copas was initially arrested on a charge of aggravated assault, which was upgraded to murder after Garcias death. Copas bail is set at $1.5 million, and her attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Police are continuing to investigate the shooting. A GoFundMe page started by Piedras family for hospital and funeral expenses says Piedra was the sole provider for his family and was happy to be working again after being sidelined by a recent surgery. It has raised more than $50,000. 2023 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Thirteen masked protesters carrying a banner identifying them as the white nationalist group Patriot Front protested Saturday Prattvilles first-ever Pride picnic, which had been planned as a celebration of the towns LGBTQ community. Anna Evans of Prattville owns a shop downtown that hosted the event on the banks of the Autauga Creek. About 100 people came to celebrate at what was supposed to be a laid back event. Evans even brought her 3-year-old to wade in the water. She said the organizers expected some protesters, but thought they would be people they recognized from the community. Instead, she said the masked protesters appeared to be from outside the city and caused some panic as they marched through town to the picnic site. They started walking down the street of downtown Prattville and it was kind of alarming, Evans said. People were actually kind of freaked out. Patriot Front is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. It branched off from other white nationalist groups after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., according to the center. On Memorial Day, drivers on I-65 near Clanton reported Alabama Department of Transportation signs displaying messages for the group. ALDOT said a contractors portable message board was hacked to display those messages. Patriot Front is reported to be responsible for over 80% of white supremacist propaganda distributed since 2019, by distributing banners, fliers, posters, and stickers. In July 2022, Patriot Front US was spray painted in blue and red letters beneath the 12th Court North bridge in Birminghams Fountain Heights community. A month earlier, Wesley Evan Van Horn, of Lexington, Alabama, was one of 31 masked Patriot Front members arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to riot during a Pride event in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. Evans said the Prattville protesters began chanting something about protecting American virtue and things became tense as they squared off with attendees at the picnic. Counter protesters from the picnic used colorful umbrellas to try to shield the attendees, Evans said. Prattville police arrived and told members of the Patriot Front to leave the people at the picnic alone, Evans said. That prevented things from escalating between the two groups. Evans said she was shocked that Patriot Front showed up to a small event in a suburb of Montgomery and believes the group may have been traveling around the area looking for festivals or marches to disrupt. She believes the event was the first Pride celebration for the city of Prattville and said she would continue to plan similar parties even after the frightening clash with the white supremacists. Hopefully if someone showed up again like the Patriot Front we would be better prepared, Evans said. I feel like people in the community just need to know who these people are. Sign up for Alabamafication: Kyle Whitmires newsletter, Alabamafication examines the outsized influence of this very strange state, taking aim at corruption, cruelty, incompetence and hypocrisy while also seeking out those righteous folks making their state and country better places for all. This is an opinion column. The less schools work like prisons, the better. The lunchroom food is bad enough. Cutting up in class shouldnt get you thrown in the hole. But before 2011, many Alabama schools were doing just that putting disruptive students in seclusion, as administrators called it. Or as they call it in the pokey, solitary confinement. The Alabama State Board of Education told school systems to knock it off. In 2011, the board passed a statewide policy banning the practice, and that was supposed to be that. Or perhaps thats what we in the wider public were supposed to believe. A few years ago, my colleague at AL.com, Trisha Crain, picked up on something interesting. At least some schools were locking kids up, anyway, and the Alabama Department of Education knew as much. Whats more, the state superintendent doesnt seem to have done anything to enforce the board policy by putting a stop to it. SEND TIPS: Has this happened to you or your child? Help us break this story out. School systems have to give some data to the U.S. Department of Education, which revealed Alabama schools were putting students into seclusion as recently as 2018. But the data stops there. The state was supposed to be collecting reports each year from the school systems, too. Crain asked to see that data by submitting a public information request three years ago. And this is where the story stuck for three years. This isnt a column about brutal conditions in Alabama schools or about Alabamas worst-in-the-nation open records law. Its about both of those things. This is a story about how our broken records law hides law-breaking, how one thing enables the other. Since she first asked for this data, Crain has repeatedly followed up, only to be fed more excuses for why the state school board couldnt release the information yet, but often with the promise that it was coming soon. You may get them on Monday but if not definitely Tuesday, the departments director of communications, Michael Sibley, wrote in July. In 2022. Tuesday came and Tuesday went. Then another 50 Tuesdays went by with nothing but more excuses they were getting the records together, they were digitizing hard copies, they were redacting names every excuse but a flat tire. And therein lies the problem with Alabamas worst-in-the-nation open records law. While that law says clearly that public documents are subject to inspection upon request, it sets no deadlines for public agencies to produce those records. If public officials dont want you to see something, they can drag their feet forever. Earlier this year, state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decaur, and state Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, attempted to set deadlines on open records requests by amending the open records act. However, that bill died on the last day of the legislative session after Gov. Kay Iveys office told lawmakers she didnt want to sign it. RELATED: Kay Iveys open records promise was a poisoned apple An executive order Ivey issued in January would seem to fix the problem. It sets a 45-day deadline for answering records requests. However, it also allows state agencies to reset the clock by requesting more time and it doesnt limit how many times they can reset that clock. In reality, its no deadline at all. It still leaves the public with nowhere to appeal a denial, or a delay, or just being ignored. And perhaps most crucially, there are no teeth in the law, no state agency to enforce the law, And here is how that plays out. Lets be clear about whats going on here. The Alabama Department of Education is not giving Crain this data because it doesnt want to. From what we can see, its probable that Alabama schools have been locking students in solitary confinement despite a 12-year-old state board policy forbidding the practice. And its probable that the state board has known for years that this was happening and has done nothing to stop it. But once Crain gets those records, probable become provable and that would be the sort of thing that might get people fired. It certainly would be embarrassing for everyone involved, including the president of the state board. That would be Kay Ivey, who leads the board as part of her duties as governor. Kay Ivey, the woman who killed the open records reforms that would have stopped this sort of stonewalling. When Crain asked the governors spokeswoman how the governor felt about the very body she leads ignoring her executive order, she refused to answer the question. Instead, she directed Crain back to the same officials who had stonewalled her for three years. That silence says everything. Our public officials dont want public records to be made public because then they might be held accountable. Thats so obvious, everyone can see it. Even from the hole. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for AL.com and the 2023 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. Sign up for his weekly newsletter and get "Alabamafication" in your inbox every Wednesday. More columns by Kyle Whitmire Kay Iveys open records promise was a poisoned apple How Alabama Democrats could blow a Supreme Court victory The moment Alabamas lawyers turned a sure thing into blistering defeat Alabama state Rep. John Rogers has been the feds target for 35 years. He isnt afraid. Dr. Meagan Carpenter sees an average of 40 patients a day, although that number can reach into the 60s on days when she does rounds at the nursing home. Breaks from her practice in rural Washington County are rare, though she does stop by a restaurant, Jakes, during its lunch service. One woman wants her help planning her upcoming 90th birthday party. The waitress tells her she works too hard so she brings her a second piece of cake after she finishes her first. The sheriff, whos eating at a nearby table, asks her about her recent Disney cruise - the first vacation shes had in a long time. These are not just my patients. We go to church together, the ballpark together and eat at restaurants together, she said. Like many rural physicians, Carpenter has a large caseload of Alabamians who often find health care hard to access. Twenty-three counties in Alabama dont have any local pediatricians. The states medical association has estimated that Alabama is short about 3,000 doctors. An internal medicine specialist and pediatrician at Chatom Primary Care and chief of staff at the Washington County Hospital, Carpenter splits her 23,000 active patient charts with one other doctor and three nurse practitioners. She gets to work around 6 a.m. and sees about 20 patients before her lunch break at noon. Theres no telling when her day will end. Sometimes she sleeps overnight at the hospital when she has critical cases. Rural places push you toward your full potential because of all the challenges, said Carpenter. Its just you, or you and your partner, and thats all you have to rely on. Meagan Carpenter stands outside of the emergency department at Washington County Hospital, a small hospital in southern Alabama that serves rural communities. Carpenter wants additional state support for rural physicians. Savannah Tryens-Fernandes/AL.com Many of Carpenters patients come to her from Clarke, Choctaw and Wilcox counties, where there are no pediatricians, or from Mobile County, where there are several doctors but it can be hard to secure an appointment. She even has patients who come to her from Mississippi. She treats patients from across backgrounds, including people from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian reservation - the only place in the United States where MarinescoSjogren syndrome is found. She treats about four people who have the rare genetic disease, which can lead to intellectual disability, muscle weakness and coordination problems. The nearest mental health care specialist has a one year waitlist, so she provides those services to her patients as well if needed. You have to be all of the things people need, she said. Rural physician shortages Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law this month to help address shortages of doctors in Alabama. The Physicians Workforce Bill will recruit out-of-state physicians to practice in the state, accelerate licenses for international doctors and create an apprenticeship program for medical school graduates. From the rural perspective the bill could bring more providers to rural areas, said Farrell Turner, president of the Alabama Rural Health Association. That could make health care providers more accessible to rural residents and reduce the time and cost many must now incur to travel to reach providers. The state also has a tax incentive program in place, which provides $5,000 in tax income credits to rural physicians. The program is intended to help recruit more doctors to Alabama communities that often cant compete with larger urban areas. According to the Department of Revenue, to qualify for the tax credit, doctors must work and reside in a community with less than 25,000 people and a hospital with an emergency room. But theres an issue with the law if someone has an address in a community without a hospital, they dont qualify, which leaves Carpenter and many other rural physicians out. Carpenter lives in an unincorporated area of Washington County, called Tibbie. The hospital where she works is less than 10 miles from her home, which sits on the border of Chatom and is zoned for Chatom public schools. Tibbie is too small to have a gas station, grocery store, or restaurant, so she shops and eats in Chatom. Chatom, which has a population of just over 1,000 residents, is only about 10 square miles and real estate doesnt often come available. Its almost as if Im being penalized for living in too rural of a ZIP code, she wrote in a letter to the Alabama Tax Tribunal appealing their eligibility requirements. Am I being punished for not finding a home suitable for my family within such a small geographic space? Carpenter previously received the incentive until a rule change in 2020. The new stipulations arose from a ruling in Phillip & Jennifer L. Dean v. State of Alabama Department of Revenue where a judge determined that where a doctor lives and works must both be communities of less than 25,000 people with a hospital. Her partner, Dr. James Donald, was her professor in medical school and recruited her to join his practice four years ago. She knew she wanted not only to practice alongside her mentor, but also to practice in a rural town. Carpenter moved to Washington County so she could be integrated in her community - something she thinks is important to being a good doctor. In 2022, she received the Early Career Pediatrician Award from the Alabama chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is given each year to a pediatrician that has gone above and beyond in their field of practice. I know who momma and daddy are, what they died from and what to look out for. I know their children and their extended families and what the ramifications of a bad outcome are. Youre responsible to all of them, she said. During COVID, the trust she had with her patients helped get her community vaccinated. Carpenter and Donald were the first to get vaccinated and invited the town to come and watch so they could see it was safe. While she has no intention of leaving her community, she does worry that when the day comes, she wont be able to recruit a replacement without incentives. Rural physicians are a dying breed. One day Im going to retire and I want people that are qualified to take my place, she said. A 2020 report by the Alabama Office of Healthcare Workforce found that most of the states physicians are concentrated in more urban areas, and that while the ratio of doctors to population may suggest there are enough in the state, the distribution leaves many communities without adequate coverage. All of the counties in Alabama without pediatricians are rural, with populations less than 30,000 people. Only a fraction of people who are graduating from pediatric residency go into private practice and very, very few of them go outside of major metropolitan centers because it can be extremely frightening, Dr. Wes Stubblefied, pediatrician and district medical officer at the Alabama Department of Public Health, told AL.com last year. In small rural communities, work life balance is hard to maintain when youre the only doctor. With the younger generation of physicians, theyre thinking about what their quality of life is going to be. What are my opportunities for outside interests? What if I have a family or Im thinking about having a family? What does that look like? Are there stable school systems and opportunities for my kids? And you know its not wrong to think about these things in addition to all the other access issues. A bill to establish a new tax incentive law and redefine a rural community to include unincorporated areas of counties even if they dont have hospitals, HB283, was introduced this year but failed to make it out of the House. Carpenter is waiting to see if a judge will rule on her case. As the only internal medicine specialist and pediatrician who practices full-time in our county, my services are invaluable to one of the most medically underserved counties in the state, she said. I am, without a doubt, the reason this tax credit exists. This needs to be rectified not only for me but for future generations of true country doctors out there who have been punished by wording. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits over Alabamas congressional districts have submitted a dozen proposed plans for the Legislature to consider as it prepares to draw a new map. The maps are posted on the Legislatures website and have tables showing the population breakdown by race for each of the seven districts. The Supreme Court ruled June 8 that the current map likely violates the Voting Rights Act. A three-judge federal court has given the Legislature until July 21 to approve a new map to be used in the 2024 elections. Under Alabamas current map, one of the seven districts is majority Black, District 7. The state has had a similar map since 1992. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, who represents District 7, is the only Democrat and only Black member of the states congressional delegation. Blacks make up about 27% of the state population. To fix the Voting Rights Act violation, the courts said the state needs a second district that is majority Black or close enough to that for Black voters to have a chance to elect a representative of their choice. The courts found that Alabamas Black population is large enough and geographically compact enough for a second majority Black or near majority Black district. All 12 of the proposed plaintiffs maps show District 2 as the second majority Black district. District 2 and District 7 have slightly more than 50% Black population under all 12 proposals. Under the current map, the population of District 2 is 30% Black. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, represents District 2, which extends from the Montgomery area down to the southeast corner of the state. The Legislatures reapportionment committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed maps Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Alabama State House. All the committees meetings will be livestreamed here. On the select location tab, select Room 200. The reapportionment committee, with a majority of its members Republicans, is expected to introduce its own proposed map before the special session, which can start no later than July 17 to meet the courts deadline. If the Legislature fails to approve a plan by July 21, the three-judge court will draw the map. The court has a cartographer and a special master ready to do that. If the Legislature approves the plan, the plaintiffs in the litigation have until July 28 to file any objections. The court would hold a hearing on that beginning on Aug. 14 at the federal courthouse on Birmingham Read more: Heres the Alabama redistricting map Supreme Court Voting Rights Act plaintiffs want adopted Heres what Alabamas new congressional districts could look like Could new congressional map cost Democrats their only Alabama seat? After years of plans, renovations, and more than $10 million in city dollars, the A.G. Gaston Motel historic site will open to the public on Thursday, Birmingham city officials announced today. The National Historic Landmark, located on Fifth Avenue North in downtown Birmingham will be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for now. Visitors will get to enter the courtyard and tour a new exhibit dedicated to the motels founder, Birmingham businessman and trailblazing entrepreneur Arthur George A.G. Gaston. The grandson of formerly enslaved people, Gaston was born in abject poverty in Alabamas Black Belt in 1892 and rose to fame as an early Black millionaire in America. The Carver Theater, 1947 The motel is jointly owned by the city of Birmingham and the National Park Service. The park service manages the 1954 wing of the motel, which includes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s War Room 30 where he strategized plans for the Civil Rights Movement. The city manages the 1968 wing, which includes the coffee shop and now the Gaston exhibit. The National Park Service will assist in staffing the city-owned side of the motel, including recruiting and training volunteers. The NPS-owned side, originally built in 1954, is not yet open to the public. It is our hope that the gift of the restored Gaston Motel will serve to inspire residents and visitors for current and future generations to come, Mayor Randall Woodfin said in a statement this afternoon. This historic site is hallowed ground. The strategies, meetings, and work of activists that took place here contributed in part to the freedoms we have today. The buildings exterior is completely renovated to its original appearance. Additionally, the Mellon Foundation awarded a $1.1 million grant to support restoration of the interior coffee shop and original dining room, which now houses a new A.G. Gaston historical exhibit and a catering kitchen. The motel site reopens in conjunction with the citys observance of the 60th anniversary of major civil rights events of 1963. During most tumultuous periods of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham, luminaries including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. turned to the Gaston Motel for refuge. The motel was also the site of Room 30, known as the war room, where King, along with the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, gathered to develop strategies in the fight to end segregation. Their late-night negotiations and strategy sessions were intense. But the leaders emerged from Room 30 with a unified plan as they walked down to the courtyard to deliver messages to supporters and the public. 63-3720 May 10, 1963 Kingwalker Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker announce an agreement with Birmingham businesses to desegregate certain sevices and jobs in the city. The leaders met with the media inside the courtyard of the A.G. Gaston Motel to make the announcement. Tom Self photo. 63-3720 Tom Self News conference at Gaston Motel 35mm May 10, 1963 ML King and Wyatt Tee Walker Black and White scan In addition to its civil rights connection, the motel with its supper club and modern amenities became a safe and welcoming place for overnight guests and event goers in Birminghams Black community. Gaston built the motel in 1954 as one of the few public accommodations for Black people in the city. It closed in 1986, by then converted into a senior apartment building. The city bought the property when Gaston was in the process of divesting his business empire. Gaston died in 1996 at age 103. The motel in 2017 was included as part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument by President Barack Obama in his final days in office. [Read more and see photos: Descendants of AG Gaston tour new exhibit at their grandfathers motel] The designation allowed the National Park Service to acquire the 1954 wing of the motel with plans for additional programming in the coming years. Restoration began in 2019. The city of Birmingham committed $10 million to restore the 1968 portion. Meanwhile, the Park Service is restoring and will manage the 1954 portion, including Kings room. This weeks opening of the citys exhibit is a portion of a larger restoration plan. Additional renovations led by the National Park Service will include a recreation of Kings room. Some other rooms will also be restored for public viewing. National Park Service work is ongoing. The concept of restoring much of the original motel and incorporating a new institution around it is similar to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, which integrates the old Lorraine Motel as a centerpiece. King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in 1968, and his hotel room and balcony are preserved as a centerpiece of the exhibit. Likewise, an eventual centerpiece at the Gaston Motel in Birmingham will include Room 30. Admission is currently free. Beginning in late summer, an admission fee will be charged to visitors to help support the cost of operations. Group and commercial tours must be pre-arranged to accommodate for the motels capacity. Schedule tours may be made at gastontours@birminghamal.gov. Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested she may be assassinated after claiming the television in her Washington, D.C. home turned on by itself over the weekend, the Georgia congresswoman said in a bizarre tweet. Last night in my DC residence, the television turned on by itself and the screen showed someones laptop trying to connect to the TV, Greene tweeted Sunday. Just for the record: Im very happy, she said, claiming she also has no concerns about her health. Im also very healthy and eat well and exercise a lot. I dont smoke and never have. I dont take any medications. I am not vaccinated. So Im not concerned about blood clots, heart conditions, strokes, or anything else, Greene tweeted. Last night in my DC residence, the television turned on by itself and the screen showed someones laptop trying to connect to the TV. Just for the record: Im very happy. Im also very healthy and eat well and exercise a lot. I dont smoke and never have. I dont take any Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) June 25, 2023 The Georgia congresswoman, a top ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., also said she doesnt have anything to hide, and appeared to suggest that her outspokenness could make her a target for government assassination: I just love my country and the people and know how much theyve been screwed over by the corrupt people in our government and Im not willing to be quiet about it, or willing to go along with it, she tweeted. Greene is a noted conspiracy theorist. She was stripped of her committee assignments by the Democratic-controlled House in the last Congress after claiming the Sandy Hook and Parkland school shootings were staged, the 2020 election was stolen and blamed California wildfires on Jewish space lasers. Lacking either a moral compass or a consistent foreign policy, Democrats and their fellow travelers in the media have been guided in recent years by what they call Rahms Rule -- in brief, never let a serious crisis go to waste. Adopting that rule came naturally to President Barack Obama. In a March 2012 meeting with outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Korea, a hot mic picked up Obama telling Medvedev, Its important for him to give me space. This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility. The him, of course was Putin. Said Medvedev, I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir. Vlad got the message. Obama and his cronies had no real values. They were flexible enough to be played, and he was just the man to play them. This past weekend, while most sane observers were withholding judgment on events in Russia, Democrats and their neocon allies were noisily doing backflips to exploit the seeming crisis in their political favor. Having no inside skinny on the fluid state of affairs in Russia, I will wait until the dust settles to venture even a preliminary comment. I do, however, know something about the Democrats impressively flexible relationship with Putin and Russia over the course of these last 15 years. As it happens, the Obama White House began sucking up to Russia soon after the January 2009 inauguration. Speaking at a February 2009 conference in Munich, Vice President Joe Biden signaled Obamas flexibility, telling the audience, It is time to press the reset button and to revisit the many areas where we can and should be working together with Russia. Two years later, Biden made an unusual speech at Moscow State University. There he listed the many new areas of cooperation between Russia and the United States and cited with pride the fruits of that relationship. Just two years prior, only 17 percent of Russians held a positive view of the United States, said Biden. By the time of his speech in March 2011, that figure had increased to 60 percent. During his 2011 speech, Biden boasted of visiting a high-tech hub on the outskirts of Moscow called Skolkovo. Biden thought Skolkovo held the potential to become Russias Silicon Valley. With a proven talent for taking care of those close to him, a talent he would hone in the Ukraine, Biden encouraged American venture capitalists to invest there. Even apolitical observers were troubled by this exchange of capital and information. EUCOM, the American militarys leading intelligence think tank in Europe, called American involvement in Skolkovo an overt alternative to clandestine industrial espionage -- with the additional distinction that it can achieve such a transfer on a much larger scale and more efficiently. Bill Clinton meanwhile secured States permission to meet with Skolkovo honcho Viktor Vekselberg. Clinton happened to be in Russia at the time to give his infamous $500,000 speech, paid for by a Russian investment bank with ties to the Kremlin. On that same trip, Clinton met with senior Rosatom official Arkady Dvorkovich. Rosatom was the entity that controlled all things nuclear in Russia, including the arsenal. At the time, Rosatom was seeking the State Departments permission to buy Uranium One, a Canadian company with vast U.S. uranium reserves. This deal raised eyebrows even at the New York Times. As Jo Becker and Mike McIntire reported in April 2015, too late to make a difference, the Russians took control of Uranium One in three discrete transactions from 2009 to 2013, during which time a flow of cash made its way to the Clinton Foundation. The chairman of Uranium One alone donated $2.35 million. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, securing Uranium One was like finding a pony under his tree on Christmas morning. As Rosatom CEO Sergei Kiriyenko told Putin in a staged interview, Few could have imagined in the past that we would own 20 percent of U.S. reserves. Obama did his Russia-friendly flexing center stage during his final debate with Mitt Romney in 2012. Earlier in that year, Romney had called out Obama for his overture to Putin. During the debate, Obama countered with a scripted zinger: The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold Wars been over for twenty years. As Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler noted, the jab spawned approving headlines. Vladimir Putin served as prime minister during Obamas first term and was elected president eight months before Obama humbled Romney on national TV. Obama had a friendly relationship with Russia during those first four years and expected more of the same, especially with his newfound flexibility. As should have been expected, the newly re-elected Putin read Obamas flexibility for the weakness it was. Russia annexed the Crimea, refused to accept international inspection of its nuclear sites, and gave rogue NSA contractor Edward Snowden safe harbor. In July 2015, whatever tensions existed between the White House and the Kremlin eased considerably when Obama called Putin thanking him for his help securing the Iran nuclear pact. Obama had reason to be grateful. No foreign leader had more influence over the mullahs than Putin. As Obama told Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, We would have not achieved this agreement had it not been for Russias willingness to stick with us and the other P5-Plus members in insisting on a strong deal. In July 2015, it was still respectable for an American president to collaborate with Putin. To secure the Iran deal, Obama chose to deep-six Putins darker deeds. These included not only his annexation of Crimea but also a string of suspected political assassinations. In 2015, no one would have predicted that within a year Russia would emerge as a monstrously subversive country hell-bent on throwing the 2016 election to Donald Trump. No one would have predicted this scenario because it defied common sense. Russia had a proven pawn in Obama and a friend in Hillary. It did not need an unpredictable Donald Trump. Putin has eaten Obamas lunch, therefore our lunch, for a long period of time, said Trump in 2014 while slamming Obamas failure to stand up to Putin in Crimea. Russia was never a real concern of Obamas, but to frame Trump, the White House had to frame Russia too. Enter Christopher Steele stage left. For the last seven years, the Democrats have been trying to convince voters that Putin-Trump collusion was real. In fact, their entire foreign policy, including the war in Ukraine, can be traced back to that one dirty trick. Weekend talk shows were crowded with one-trick ponies. Notable among them was Pelosi Republican Adam Kinzinger, now a CNN senior political commentator. The same Adam Kinzinger who literally cried while lamenting the ersatz insurrection of January 6 spent the weekend urging on a real and potentially bloody insurrection in Russia. Exploiting the crisis to his best personal advantage, Kinzinger gloated that the Prigozhin coup would be a massive blow to the people here in the United States like, say, Tucker Carlson, who have been parroting Putin talking points. The even more mindless echoes from Kinzingers rant caused Tucker Carlson to trend on Twitter. Commentator John Oberlin spoke for many, saying, Putin tool and Russian apologist Tucker Carlson has been discredited 100s of times. This is yet another example. It's also a blow to many Republicans, MTG & Elon Musk as Russian tools. That Yevgeny Prighozin emerged, for the moment at least, as something of a hero on the left would probably even surprise Prighozin. A year ago, the New York Times described his group as having targeted civilians, conducted mass executions and looted private property in conflict zones. The name Wagner Group, the Times tells us in a reductio ad Hitlerum, was reportedly selected to honor the composer Richard Wagner, a favorite of Hitlers. The medias moral flexibility did not go unnoticed. Said security expert Max Abrahms in a concise summary of the weekend madness, The most amazing thing about the pundits this weekend isnt that they got the situation in Russia wrong but their sadness upon realizing that a psychopathic group of prisoners critical of Putin for not arming them enough against Ukrainians didnt seize the worlds biggest nuclear arsenal. Between the swooning and cheering for the Wagner Group to take over Russia and its nukes, and the ongoing worship of the Azov Battalion, added commentator Glenn Greenwald wryly. I don't think there's been this much open cheering of actual Nazis since the Nuremberg rallies. Jack Cashills book Untenable: The True Story of White Ethnic Flight from America's Cities will hit the shelves on July 4. Pre-order today. Image: Kremlin.Ru In the week of June 12, 2023, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) published a document titled Creating a Safe, Supportive, and Affirming School Environment for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students. The document instructs teachers that if the student doesnt want their parents to know that they are transitioning they should hide the information from them. The document gives a hypothetical example of a student with the legal name Kevin coming out as a transgender girl who asks teachers to call him Kimi but who wants teachers to still call her Kevin when talking to her parents. Teachers are instructed to do what Kevin wants in order to keep Kevin safe. The authors of the document explain: The paramount consideration in those situations is protecting the health and safety of the student, assuring that the students gender identity is affirmed and that their privacy and confidentiality are safely maintained. The assumption the NYSED is making is that affirming students belief that they have a different gender identity than their biological sex, makes them safe and that parents who disagree with such students are heteronormative oppressors who make those students unsafe. NYSED headquarters in Albany, NY The NYSED document also says that to satisfy the requirements of Education Law 801-A that requires that students receive instruction in civility and respect for others: schools will want to consider adding inclusive curricula; for example, teaching about and reading books by authors of diverse identities and including a multicultural representation of images, decorations, and artwork around their classrooms. If offered, sexual health curriculum must be inclusive of all identities. There are opportunities and avenues for diverse identities to be included in every academic discipline. In other words children should be taught to celebrate different gender identities in every class, be it math, history or sex ed. Such inclusive classes lead children to identify as having different genders. The NYSEDs document in effect is instructing schools to persuade children that they have a different gender and when the children are persuaded, to hide that information from their parents. Although the document writers say doing this will make children safe, once children are persuaded that they are a different gender, they become very unsafe. They are likely to start taking puberty blockers, cross-hormones and undergo surgery to alter their bodies. Thousands of people who transitioned regret having done so but the changes are irreversible. The NYSED instructs teachers to prevent the only people who might prevent children from ruining their lives, their parents, from knowing what is happening. The NYSED policy is only one example of the policies of more than 168 districts governing 5,904 schools nationwide that prevent faculty and staff from disclosing to parents a students gender status without that students permission. An underlying problem that leads to the above disastrous polices is the lack of recognition by teachers, who should know better, of how suggestible children are and how well intentioned but misguided efforts to help these children can persuade them of self-destructive beliefs. Dr. Lisa Littman showed in 2018 that adolescents sometimes adopt a transgender identity in response to social cues and pressures. This phenomenon is known as social contagion and its occurrence among teenage girls was described in Abigail Shriers book, Irreversible Damage. One only has to look at the Satanic panic that started in the 1980s to find examples of how therapists trying to help children can convince them of destructive false beliefs. In their zeal to help their patients, therapists recovered false memories of sexual abuse by their parents. Patients who didnt remember any such abuse were told to keep trying to remember in order to get well. This led to the breakup of families, to innocent parents being sued by their children and long prison sentences for those parents. People who worked for day care centers became targets of false recovered memory testimony of children who were interviewed in a highly suggestive manner. Sarah Hughes, in an article titled American Monsters wrote: Hundreds of accusations were made that devil-worshipping pedophiles were operating America's white middle-class suburban daycare centers. Communities around the country became embroiled in trials against center owners, the most publicized of which was the McMartin Preschool trial in Manhattan Beach, California, still the longest and most expensive criminal trial in the nation's history. Members of the McMartin family were falsely charged with hundreds of acts of sexual abuse of children in their care. Accusations, bizarre and some even physically impossible, were made by children from the McMartin preschool; nevertheless arrests and the pretrial investigation took place from 1984 to 1987, and trials ran from 1987 to 1990. The case lasted seven years but resulted in no convictions, and all charges were dropped in 1990. There were many other such daycare cases. In one, children accused nursery school teacher Margaret Kelly Michaels of raping them with Lego blocks at the Wee Care Nursery School; in another, children accused a couple who ran their day care of transporting them to Mexico to be sexually abused by soldiers before returning them to Austin to be picked up by their parents. All these nonsensical accusations of abuse are dwarfed by the real abuse carried out by our schools against our children who are being brainwashed into voluntarily ruining their lives with cross sex hormones and mutilating themselves with double mastectomies and other sex change surgery. Photo credit: Matt H. Wade CC BY-SA 3.0 license When the current occupant of the White House openly asserts that white supremacy is the greatest threat to America, it shows that demonizing whites is now an acceptable part of American life. Conservative writer Ed Brodow dubs this phenomenon the new national sport in the subtitle of his book The War on Whites. In a Townhall article, he says hating whites is a disease of epidemic proportions that must be called out for what it is racism. He explains how, in the woke-perverted world of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), white people by dint of pigment alone are the default oppressors, obliged to feel guilty and do penance for imagined crimes of systemic racism. This reversal has its roots in critical race theory (CRT) and Marxist ideology, which are working overtime to replace the American ideal of equality (of opportunity, not outcome) with a distorted version of equity. The word itself means fairness or impartiality. But the new discourse interprets it to mean providing special opportunities to minorities and groups perceived as disadvantaged and denying them to the majority and those perceived as advantaged. With woke ideas well entrenched in academia and diffusing therefrom to the corporate world and government, this perverse interpretation is increasingly translating into a sidelining of whites. Although government programs are required by the Constitution to be non-discriminatory, instances abound of anti-white racism becoming their salient feature. Such discrimination even extends to COVID relief programs, as if whites were not affected (or were less affected) by the pandemic. Fortunately, these are being challenged as unconstitutional in federal lawsuits. One involves a discriminatory COVID relief program for businesses in Massachusetts. The $75 million program is deceptively called the Inclusive Recovery Grant Program, but accepts applications only from firms owned by minorities, women, veterans, the disabled, or LGBTQ+. Challenging this, the pro bono Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Brian Dalton, whose New England Firearms Academy cannot receive aid because he happens to be heterosexual and white. Dalton, a retired law enforcement officer, opened the academy in 2013 to provide firearms and safety training. During the pandemic, he was forced to sell assets and use his savings to cover business expenses. Upon reopening, he incurred additional costs to comply with mandated safety measures. So, he wanted to apply when the program was first announced, but found he was ineligible. In Brian Dalton et al v. Hao and MA Growth Capital Corp, filed on May 31st at the U.S. District Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, PLF attorneys argue that the program violates the 14th Amendment guarantee for equal protection under the law. They rightly characterize the program as inclusive in name, but in fact exclusive in its application. Broadening the argument to make a case for the American ideal of individual rights, the PLF states on its website: When the government benefits or burdens us based on traits we cannot control, it unjustly diminishes our individuality and institutionalizes and reinforces stereotypes. Such treatment also hinders opportunity. Business owners have a right to be treated as individuals, and not as part of a group to which the government arbitrarily assigns them. Our country has had a terrible history of discrimination that cannot be remedied with more discrimination. A similar case was filed in 2021 by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) on behalf of Tennessee restaurateur Antonio Vitolo against the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA prioritized women and minorities during an initial three-week period for grants from the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a COVID relief program. White males were relegated to the back of the line. On May 27, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled (with Judge Bernice Donald dissenting) that such prioritizing amounted to racial gerrymandering. It ordered the government to fund Vitolos grant application, if eligible. In 2020, two whites and a Chicano sued Oregon in two lawsuits for racial discrimination when it designated $62 million in COVID relief specifically for blacks, presuming that the pandemic affected them disproportionately. Under pressure from the nightly Black Lives Matter (BLM) mayhem in Portland, state officials initially defended the program. Later, though, they admitted to its potential unconstitutionality. In an editorial commentary, the WSJ called the program blatantly unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut had denied a request from one of the plaintiffs to block disbursements, but agreed to examine the constitutional issues later in this litigation. Eventually, the state settled both cases, paying out grants to 1,252 non-black applicants. In December 2020, Etienne Hardre, a barbershop owner from Colorado Springs, sued the state of Colorado for denying him relief under a state program due to minority eligibility criteria. Hardres business was hit hard by the pandemic lockdown and the restrictions under which he could reopen at reduced capacity. The program requirements were later amended, but still conferred preference to minorities. The case, however, was closed, with the judge saying in an April 19, 2021 order that it was filed before implementing regulations had been adopted in short, too early. There are other examples, too, of government programs discriminating against whites. The California Underserved and Small Producers Program (for drought relief) advantages farmers of color and illegal immigrants by awarding them 50% of available funding. A Covid relief grant in Stamford, CT, and the Source Grow Grant of Cook County, IL, both reserve one-third of funding for small businesses owned by minorities, women, the disabled, and veterans. The latter was rescinded for redesigning after PLF filed a lawsuit. White-bashing is so pervasive now that a Rutgers professor, Brittney Cooper, had no qualms about saying we got to take these [white] motherf*****s out, and another from Drexel, George Ciccariello-Maher, tweeting that All I want for Christmas is White Genocide. Anti-white racist screeds abound: White Fragility, by Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson, and How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, for instance. Denver councilwoman Candi Lee CdeBaca believes in correcting what she perceives as past inequities committed by whites through higher taxes on white-owned businesses. Describing herself as more of an anarchist than a communist, she justifies such punitive measures to redistribute wealth to minority businesses on the grounds that capitalism was built on stolen land, stolen labor, and stolen resources. Throughout the university system, faculty keep such extremism alive in the classroom, fanning the embers with CRT and DEI. One technique Leftist academics have deployed successfully, as Australian authors Harry Richardson and Frank K. Salter point out in their book Anglophobia: The Unrecognized Hatred, is the weaponization of victimhood, actual or perceived. Young, impressionable minds often catalyzed by the induced guilt of being born white absorb these ideas and perpetuate them after graduation through activism and at their workplaces. Race has become such a dominant factor in government funding, university admissions, and hiring and promotion decisions that there is a climate of tremendous animosity against whites, who are excluded while favored categories are given preference. Former Republican Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich calls it a cult of anti-white racism. What is lost to the CRT-DEI ideologues is that racism is always wrong, regardless of who is targeted. Government benefits and special privileges must be distributed on objective criteria of need and merit, not by arbitrary classifications of race, sex, or sexual orientation. The latter is both unjust and unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. Worse, such policies encourage privilege seeking and wallowing in victimhood, both of which demean the human spirit, its quest for excellence, and its ability to rise above circumstances. This threat to our meritocracy signals the end of an America that achieved greatness through endeavor, innovation, and excellence. We cant allow that to happen. Graphic credit: GDJ Pixabay license Shades of Hillary Clinton's "home brew" email server! Ace sleuth Peter Schweizer, who has an impeccable record digging up revelations of the Biden crime family's misdeeds, revealed to Maria Bartiromo's outstanding Sunday morning series, Sunday Morning Futures, that Hunter Biden had been paying for an expensive telephone used by his father, the thenvice president, that could call anywhere on Earth. It would be very surprising, indeed, if this phone were equipped with the scrambling devices normally employed to protect secret conversations of U.S. officials, especially when dealing with overseas parties. Were any secrets compromised this way? Here's the transcript of what he told Maria Bartiromo, followed by the Grabien video: BARTIROMO: "Look, you both have broken so much news on this story. Peter, you broke a lot of this years ago, about the Biden family influence peddling, and you've got new information this morning, breaking news on a cell phone that Joe Biden was using. Tell us about that." SCHWEIZER: "Yeah. I mean, it's interesting, what is the line of communications between Hunter Biden and his business partners and Joe Biden when he's vice president of the United States? It's not the government phone, it's not Joe Biden's personal phone. We know from the laptop that Hunter Biden's business paid for a private phone line that Joe Biden used while he was vice president. It was from AT&T, it was $300 a month, it was a global phone where you could access somebody anywhere around the world. We shared that phone number and that account information with people at the House Oversight Committee. My hope is that, if they haven't already, they will subpoena those records because I think it will give an indication on how tight the communication was. And that may be the phone, for example, that the Ukrainian, the Burisma executive might have used in this allegation that the he talked to Joe Biden and recorded conversations. I would just say one other thing, Maria, as it relates to that sort of shakedown phone call with Henry Zhao that we alluded to, Henry Zhao in 2015 had already sent $5 million to the Bidens. He was the head of a Harvest Investment firm. And what's interesting is, in the correspondence there, Hunter Biden again talks to Zhao in the context of 'This is a deal that's important to my family,' involving his father. Let's also keep in mind we fixate on the criminal element of this, we also have to focus on the espionage element of this. Henry Zhao paid $5 million to Hunter Biden from an account that was part of a company that he co-owned with the family of the minister of state security of China, who's in charge of the entire spy apparatus. And you see that in every deal that Hunter Biden did in China, these individuals that are sending him money have ties to Chinese intelligence." BARTIROMO: "Unbelievable. We have to take a quick break and then talk more about that and the 17 recordings that the Burisma executive has." Whenever Republicans and Democrats are interviewed, they seem to be asked questions about Trump's legal issues. Yet, when they are interviewed, they are rarely asked what they think of Biden's legal issues. Here are some sample questions that could be asked of Obama, Hillary, Schiff, Swalwell, and fake Republicans like Kinzinger and who all seem to adore the camera and the adulation that the media provides them: Did Biden illegally take classified documents when he was Senator and Vice President? Did he mishandle them by keeping them in multiple unsecured locations and clearly moved them around? Is it logical that the first time he found out that he had them was in the fall of 2022, and turned them in as soon as he knew, since that is the reason we are told he is being treated differently than Trump? What do you think is the real reason the Justice Department treats Trump so much differently than Biden and why they let Hillary skate when she obviously mishandled classified documents and obstructed justice? Was there ever actual evidence of Trump colluding with Russia or was the collusion of the Justice Department, media, and other Democrats to spread the lies about Russian a concerted effort to mislead the public and to destroy Trump based on the fictional dossier paid for by Hillary and the DNC? Wasn't it election interference when there were endless investigations and coverage of Russian collusion while there was never evidence of it in the first place? Should the FBI officials who lied repeatedly to the FISA court in order to illegally spy on people surrounding Trump have been prosecuted? If not, why not? Wasn't that election interference? Do you think that people that interfere in elections should be severely punished? Treasury sanctions Russian officers for election interference 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. So why do you think Mark Zuckerburg, who spent $400+ million in 2020 to influence elections, wasn't severely punished when he was found to have committed election bribery? Shouldn't he have been prevented from spending money in any future election? Isn't it inconceivable that he didn't also illegally spend money in other states to interfere in elections? Why do you think that the media and other Democrats continue to mislead the public that the 2020 election was clean? Election report finds Facebook moguls Zuck Bucks broke law, swayed election outcome in Wisconsin A 2020 election integrity probe in Wisconsin reported findings Tuesday that a nonprofit group funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg committed election bribery when it targeted $8.8 million in get-out-the-vote funds to five heavily Democratic jurisdictions. Mr. Gableman a former state Supreme Court justice who was appointed to run the probe last year by Wisconsins Republican House speaker, outlined numerous problems discovered in the aftermath of the election, including security gaps that tend to enable bad actors to operate in the shadows, and a catalog of the numerous questionable and unlawful actions of various actors in the 2020 election. The report details a bribery scheme implemented by the Chicago-based Center for Tech and Civic Life, a liberal voter advocacy group heavily funded by Mr. Zuckerberg. Why aren't Democrats who challenged the 2000, 2004, and 2016 election called election deniers who want to destroy Democracy? Why weren't there endless hearings and arrests related to these protests? From 2016: Anti-Trump protests, some violent, erupt for 3rd night nationwide For the third night in a row, anti-Donald Trump demonstrators took to the streets in several big cities and on college campuses across the United States, including an outburst of smashed windows and a dumpster fire in Portland that police countered with pepper spray and flash-bang devices. Many members of the media, along with other Democrats, continually called Trump an illegitimate President in order to influence and interfere in elections and to destroy his agenda. From 2022: Wasn't it massive election interference when the media, 51 former intelligence officials, the Justice Department, and other Democrats colluded to bury the story of the Biden laptop to hide the Biden family corruption from the voters in 2020? Do you believe Joe when he says he never discussed business or was involved in business with Hunter despite all his international travels and despite all the times Hunters business associates visited the White House? Should Biden have threatened to cut off $1 billion in taxpayer funds to Ukraine if they didn't fire a prosecutor looking into corruption at Burisma, where Hunter earned around $1 million per year for essentially a no-show job? Wasn't that blackmail? Democrats always seem to be concerned about gun crimes and people paying their fair share so why are they OK that Hunter is getting off so easy despite lying on a gun application and appearing to commit serious offenses of tax fraud and tax evasion? Hunter Biden illegally deducted over $100,000 in payments toward a sex club membership and a prostitute from his taxes, according to congressional testimony given by two IRS whistleblowers. (source) The only reason a family like the Biden's, who don't seem to make business investments and who seem to have no product or service to sell other than the Biden name, would have to set up a series of LLC's with multiple family members would be to gather up money and make it hard to track. The media, Justice Department officials in DC and NY, and other Democrats had continual witch hunts concerning Trump's taxes in search of crimes, yet they have little to no interest in doing a deep dive into the Biden family taxhttps://www.colourbox.com/image/old-fedora-felt-hat-with-a-press-card-image-1383259es no matter how much evidence of wrongdoing they see. Essentially, Joe Biden, along with John Fetterman and Diane Feinstein, are seat fillers who do what they are told, and most of the media just repeats talking points telling the public how great Democrat policies are and how evil and dangerous Republican policies and politicians are. The reason supposed journalists don't ask Democrats and fake Republicans tough questions is because they haven't been concerned about facts and leftist corruption for a long time. Image credit: Colourbox Yes, that sound you hear is Mayor Eric Adams singing his version of "Magic Bus." You know that song by The Who that goes like this: "Every day I get in the queue (Too much, Magic Bus) / To get on the bus that takes me to you (Too much, Magic Bus)." Well, it turns out that Governor Greg Abbott's critic has been doing a little "transporting of migrants" himself. This is the story: New York City Mayor Eric Adams used taxpayer funds to send migrants to red states including Texas and Florida with some even being sent as far as South America and China despite trashing Republican governors for sending them to the Big Apple. Adams, a Democrat, spent about $50,000 of the city's money to send 114 migrant households elsewhere in the world as the city is overrun with asylum seekers in the tens of thousands. A total of 28 families were sent to Florida with 14 being sent to Texas, a few were sent to Colombia and one family to China. The migrants were allowed to choose where they were sent, reports Politico. The Adams bus has a route to Colombia and China? Why not? Mayor Adams is a generous man when he is spending someone else's money. He will tell the driver to take you wherever you want to go. According to the story, New York City reports that 78,700 migrants have arrived and 48,700 are still under the city's support system. Why are they still under your support system? Have you offered them work? Or an opportunity to pay back the city's taxpayers? The mayor has criticized everybody but Biden and his open border policy. He is calling for Congress to carry out immigration reform, but that's a lot of wishful thinking. The mayor needs to be more honest and address the actual problem. So that bus that you see somewhere around the country is the mayor sending migrants to other places. He wants them out of New York but keeps boasting about the sanctuary city that he runs. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Mateusz Walendzik. At this writing, it appears that the trial of President Trump will take place in the Fort Pierce Courthouse in Florida, and the N.Y. Times noted that the jury pool will politically favor President Trump. Although there is some truth to that statement, which acknowledges the political nature of the trial, the real question is, "What is the NYT's narrative?" Is it to blunt the fallout from the dreaded acquittal or to amplify the public impact of the desired guilty verdict? It is too early for the former. But how could the NYT be so confident of victory that it would commit ink so far in advance to prepare the narrative? Well, how could Pelosi routinely brag that the Democrats would win elections and be right more often than not? Both elections and the venire (the people summoned to jury duty) depend upon voter registration rolls. Democrats know about voter registration rolls. It would not be difficult to alter the software to summon only registered Democrats. Am I being paranoid? There are two answers to this. On a personal level, I trusted William Barr. I even made excuses for him at first. But after learning that his first job was with the CIA, I cannot avoid concluding that he was part of a swamp scheme that included Mueller and Durham. Barr is now saying President Trump is "toast," which sounds like "mission accomplished." Barr seems unconcerned about the jury pool. That worries me. On a legal level, the venire list for a particular panel is public record unless the court orders otherwise. The judicial system acknowledges that there is a public interest in ensuring the fair selection of jurors. It would be prudent for President Trump's attorneys to obtain the venire list and confirm that it is a random sample of the voter registration list. Trust, but verify. Centinel is a pen name meant to recollect the insight and prescience of the Anti-Federalists. Image: National Archives. Ron DeSantis was in south Texas this morning and, in a speech to supporters at a small venue that allowed for questions, he focused on the border war in America, where Texas is the front line. DeSantis promised that, if he becomes president, he will stop illegal immigration, both at the border and across America. His prescriptions are very good, for they utilize every bit of government authority available to him and to the border states. Bill Melugin conducted an interview with DeSantis before the latter gave his speech. In the following tweet, Melugin summarizes the key points DeSantis was preparing to make: NEW: GOP presidential candidate @RonDeSantis shares his plan for border w/ @FoxNews - Mass deportations. Says Trump admin failed to deliver on this promise. - Border wall, partially funded by taxing remittances - Cut off federal funding of NGOs - End catch & release - pic.twitter.com/XS5kRPRQFe Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 26, 2023 Ive embedded a video of the full speech below, but here are a few of my favorite points from the main speech: Its not just Latin Americans coming across the border. People are coming from Libya, Tajikistan, and China, with many of the illegal aliens appearing on government watch lists. Children are being rented and sold to adult males so that they can gain easier entry as the childs parent. Hell provide more resources to the Coast Guard to police maritime illegal entry, which is a big problem in Florida. Hell authorize instant deportations because illegal aliens wont make dangerous journeys or spend thousands of dollars knowing theyll be turned back at the border. Hell properly enforce asylum laws, which require that people claim asylum as soon as they reach safety, rather than cross the border illegally and claim asylum after the fact. His administration will support only legitimate asylum claims, not the 90% or so of fake claims. If the federal government cant or wont do its job on immigration, DeSantis would deputize local authorities to enforce those same laws. [This would get around administrative agencies refusing to do their jobs.] Hell crack down on local jurisdictions engaging in illegal sanctuary activity by turning off the federal money spigot. Hed use rules of engagement when cartels destroy the walls to provide openings for people to cross. I say, use force to repel them. Hed lean hard against the drug cartels. Image: Ron DeSantis in Eagle Pass. YouTube screen grab. During the Q&A (and can you imagine Biden doing that?), De Santis also said that states such as Texas have a right to declare and help repel an invasion of their sovereign territory. I like everything DeSantis had to say on the subject. My concern is that, if elected, hell discover, as Trump did, that hes fighting a multi-headed hydra. The Democrats, of course, will be the most obvious adversary because theyre politically invested in illegal immigration, which swells their voting rolls. Indeed, Texas has now become majority Hispanic, although its unclear whether the count includes illegal immigrants. The real question, though, is whether this new majority is conservative or if Democrat policies have succeeded in flipping Texas from red to blue. There are other, less obvious adversaries, as well. We know that the Deep State, with backing from activist judges, will do everything it can to block any of these initiatives. Thats because its out in the open now that its members (and too many judges) are no longer impartial government servants but, instead, Democrat party foot soldiers. The worst damage, though, will come from Republicans. Weve learned that many of them support illegal immigration, whether because they want cheap, easily-abused labor or because theyre so terrified of the term racist theyll do anything to avoid that label. In this regard, please recall that, during his first two years, Trump had a Republican majority in Congress and couldnt do a darn thing about the border. I know that Vivek Ramaswamy and Trump are willing to be clear about the need to repel the border invasion. I await such full-throated statements from other Republican candidates. Sadly, Tim Scotts and Nikki Haleys websites are such a mess, not to mention looking as if the same generic consultants prepared both, that I couldnt find a straightforward statement of their core policy promises. Who's in the basket By Dr. Robert Owens web posted June 26, 2023 Saul of Tarsus was the first great persecutor of the church. In a blaze of glory, he met the resurrected Jesus while on his way to Damascus to attack the church there. Then, instead of attacking the Church Paul started preaching fearlessly about this Jesus who rose from the grave. The Jews sought to kill Paul because he was preaching Jesus as the Messiah who bore our sins on the cross, died in our place, and rose from the dead to bring us life. As the enraged Jews looked everywhere in Damascus for Paul, he was lowered in a basket from the walls to make his escape. When we share the Gospel with even just one person, and they receive the message and are born again we never know who might've just climbed in the basket. Long long ago and far far away back in the dream time before Facebook, Amazon, and streaming, my wife and I felt the call to hold church services on the campus of a state university. Everyone told us that would be impossible what with the judiciously manufactured liberal imposed mythical Constitutional separation of church and state doctrine. I questioned God, "Are you sure?" My wife and I questioned each other, "Are you sure?" Though we tried to resist as much as we could the calling wouldn't leave us alone. I traipsed from office to office asking one bureaucrat after another for permission to hold church services in a public building on the campus of a state university. Discouragement stalked me as I scuttled from "No," to "No," to "No way!" In the natural I was skeptical when I started and after a month or two of pushing that big rock up that steep hill all I could do was encourage myself in the Lord to keep plodding on. All we had was prayer. Happily, that was all we needed. I finally located the right bureaucrat. He was the one in charge of renting space to outside groups. After a diligent search and several misdirected wrong turns, I located his office buried deep beneath a massive pile of bricks and steel. Then I learned he was never in his office. Whenever I showed up his secretary would tell me, 'He just left," "He's off for the day," or "You just missed him." I tried coming at every hour of the day on every day of the week. After a month or so it got to be a running joke between me and the secretary. I'd pop in and she'd laugh, "He just left," or one of her other variations of "You're wasting your time." Then one day I walked in and there was the invisible bureaucrat standing in the middle of the room. Before the Secretary could laugh or say anything I blurted out, "I want to rent a room to hold church services." To my surprise he said, "No problem." Then as he vanished into his inner sanctum he tossed, "Becky draw up a contract for the second-floor meeting room in the Student Union at the regular rate." Within a week we were singing praises to God and preaching the Gospel on the campus of that state university. Everyone said it couldn't be done. We didn't think it was possible. But God did it. For the next six months every Sunday we carried our keyboard, guitar, and a box of Bibles into the upper room. Every Wednesday, as part of our rental agreement, we had an informational booth in the Student Union inviting people to the service. The response was underwhelming but as church planters and domestic missionaries we were used to empty seats. We had some students who came. We had a few who came more than once. And we had one who came faithfully time after time. This one student eventually confessed Jesus as his personal Lord and confessed that God had raised Jesus from the dead. He stepped from the darkness into the light, from death into life and now more than twenty-five years later he's still praising God and trying his best to share the life, the light, and the joy he found with others. As a couple of believers who've devoted most of our lives to preaching the Gospel, if this one born again believer is the totality of all we've done and all we will do before the curtain comes down that's more than enough. Thank you, Father, for allowing us to see the fruit from Your vine. As slim as the attendance was, we praised God every day for the opportunity and gave him glory for opening a door everyone thought could not be opened. Then they shut us down. They cancelled our contract and slammed the door shut. I went to see the long elusive bureaucrat to find out why. He told me a delegation of local pastors came to the school to complain because we were holding services on campus and they weren't. The religious spirit did its best to stop the Spirit. But we know He opens doors, and no one can shut what He's opened until the appointed time. The anointing moved on and we knew God had accomplished what he'd sent us there to do. Someone had climbed into the basket. This reminds me of another time God called me to do something. He called me to stand in front of an abortion mill. I am the ever-remorseful father of four aborted babies. Forgiven but ashamed of what I did, but not too ashamed to confess my sin publicly if there's even the slightest chance doing so might save a life and save someone else from living with the pain and emptiness I feel. For about six months several days a week I stood a lonely vigil in all types of weather with a handmade sign reading, "I repent for aborting my children" on one side and "God Forgave me" on the other. People would drive by and honk. Some would give me the thumbs up. Others would use another digit to send a different message. The police came and told me I had to leave. But I was on public property, and I refused. The people from the abortion mill tried several tactics to chase me away. Some people on their way in to end the lives of their children stopped to berate me and call me everything except a child of God. No matter what the weather, no matter how vile the abuse I stayed there because I felt God called me to bear witness, so I stood my ground. Then one day a couple stopped by on their way into the abortion mill and read me the riot act. They told me what a terrible person I was. They told me it was their choice. They yelled and gestured as loudly as anyone ever did. Then about a half hour later they came back and in tears told me God had convicted them and they'd changed their mind. They were going to keep their baby. Immediately I felt released from that call. Someone had climbed into the basket. You might not know who's in the basket. You may never know. All we need to know is that when God says stand there and hold the rope, we need to do our part and leave the results up to Him because it's not about who we are and what we do. It's all about who He is and what He's done. This is an excerpt from the book Hope by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon. Home Now that the strange Russian ending to the military mutiny by the Wagner Group PMC, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, is on the insurrection seemingly vanished into thin air with Prigozhin packed off to Belarus numerous speculations have taken hold. Two of the best to sink one's teeth into come from historian Edward Luttwak and former FBI special agent Mark Wauck, who highlight two different, but related things: that the entire rebellion was consistent with Russia's disastrous history with wars based on a hidebound military and legal structure, and that the mercenary group, Wagner, was easily purchased by the CIA for a coordinated operation that coincided with many events in the run-up and that Putin got word and rolled it up quickly and effectively. One can only think as one reads this: one, two, many Milleys. Russia has as many Gen. Milleys as we do and the results are pretty much the same. Luttwak's essay, for the online magazine UnHerd, is extremely entertaining, beginning with his summary: Why do Russia's wars always start with disaster? The answer is straightforward: because the autocrats who rule Russia be they Tsars (with the exception of Napoleon's nemesis Alexander I), Joseph Stalin or Vladimir Putin appoint obedient toadies sadly lacking in military talent to command their forces. And none is more out-of-his-depth than Sergei Shoigu, Putin's minister of defence. Shoigu studied engineering and skipped military service altogether. Nonetheless, he was rapidly promoted all the way to full general and then minister of defence by Putin because of his uncritical loyalty, which was further guaranteed by his obscure Tuvan origins that gave him no Muscovite power base to threaten the Kremlin (his birthplace is much closer to Beijing than to Moscow). As for Putin's chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov, his incompetence is of a very modern sort, indeed postmodern. Just like some telegenic US generals with PhDs but no actual hands-on combat experience, Gerasimov preached "post-kinetic" warfare, in which cyber war, "information war" or "hybrid war" replaced old-fashioned infantry, armour and artillery combat . It was Gerasimov who cooked up the brilliant plan that so convinced Putin as well as the CIA, the US director of national intelligence and their fashionably post-kinetic military advisors that the air-landed seizure of the Antonov field on the first night of the war would open the door to Kyiv. In other words, the mutiny was possible based on something I noted earlier how could Putin even allow a mercenary group to get so powerful? The answer is, they were competent at winning their war on Ukraine through ground combat, while the Russian army suffered from much of the same whiz-kid delusions that have made U.S. wars such disasters a belief that ground combat is irrelevant, that masses of troops are less important, and that information war is now more important than "kinetic" war. The mercs of Wagner had no such delusions, and when they were told to go get a city, they were able to go get a city, such as Bakhmut. Corruption and bad priorities had deprived the mercenaries of the ammo they needed, which prompted negative statements from Prigozhin, all of which seemed to have prompted a ballet of coordinated actions that led to the mutiny which will be later described by Wauck. But as Luttwak summed it up, the discontent between the competents and the incompetents was real: This is what Yevgeny Prigozhin expected from Putin: the swift dismissal of Shoigu and Gerasimov and their replacement by officers old-fashioned enough to have "kinetic" skills, and who would focus on building up effective infantry, armour and artillery units to capture Kyiv and conquer Ukraine. Instead, with Gerasimov and Shoigu inexplicably still in charge, the Russians continued to rely on "information warfare" to demoralise the Ukrainians into surrender, with non-stop propaganda and terror air attacks against random buildings in Kyiv and most other cities. And that didn't work the way they thought it would work. Luttwak goes into fantastic detail about how previous generals were shot for this incompetence, but Putin, very similar to Chile's Augusto Pinochet, whom I've studied closely, has always been legally obsessed, focused on what the law says, so there has been less shooting of generals. Luttwak does think Prigozhin will eventually get shot, though he's a goner. This brings us to Wauck's exploration of the issue, which begins with his dismissal of the more hollow theories floating around that Putin and Prigozhin planned this together, or that it was simply a CIA plot. What he found was that Putin, being legally obsessed, indeed, had his hands tied as to how he could conduct his war, and turned it into what was called a Special Military Operation or SMO. Sound like Vietnam? Or Iraq? Or Afghanistan? It does to me. None of those wars was called an official war, either. That meant he could employ Russian troops only for operations on Russian soil, which would have been the parts of eastern Ukraine they had already "annexed" from the 2014 invasion. But mercenaries could do anything. They already had experienced mercenaries, from the Wagner Group, who had shown their competence and mettle in previous Russian conflicts in places like Syria and central Africa. Putin got them to do the heavy lifting in attempting to take over Ukraine. One problem: They were mercenaries, meaning they did their fighting for money, which made them susceptible to a CIA payment. There was, after all, that missing $6.2 billion from the Ukraine accounting in the U.S. aid to Ukraine, which Wauck didn't bring up, but plenty of people are talking about it on the internet. It may or may not be related. But the argument is, somehow Prigozhin got paid to wreak havoc with the Russian military command, which was creating problems for his effective mercenaries in the withholding of ammunition and other support. Then, as Wauck notes, the coordination began: This farce, goofy as it turned out, appears to have been planned and even choreographed. Prigozhin announced his action and headed for Rostov to confront the Russian military leaders at the Southern Command. Prigozhin's deputy, Utkin a former Russian general hit the road for Moscow. My suggestion is that the original plan was for Prigozhin to actually "arrest" the military commanders in Rostov and charge that they were responsible for the Ukrainian "breakthrough". Since that "breakthrough" never developed and the D-Day action had been launched on a wing and a prayer, Prigozhin was necessarily improvising in Rostov. He arrived in Rostov accompanied by or met by prepared contingents of the National Guard. It sounds like he did a bit of shouting, but got nowhere. My suspicion is that the military there had been prepped by the FSB (more below), and that they informed Prigozhin: It's over, turn around and go back. You'll receive instructions on your future later. In the meantime, get in touch with Utkin [Prigozhin's top general] and tell him the same. While this was playing out the Western MSM but especially the UK outlets were broadcasting all sorts of alarmist and totally bogus "news". Even a few US outlets, like The Atlantic, got on board, with [Anne Applebaum's] goofy story about Russia "sliding into civil war" with Putin meeting his Nicholas II fate. Some things you just can't make up. This all has the appearance of a desperate and prearranged effort to create mass alarm amongst the Russian public in favor of a would-be savior Prigozhin. Most intriguingly, there are (unconfirmed) reports of Moscow residents receiving phone calls urging them to get out in the streets in support of Prigozhin MI6/CIA in action? As we know, by this time it was all winding down. By this account, then, the FSB would have known of the plot well ahead of time. The reactions of the Russian authorities, both civil and military, appear to have run like clockwork. It was all under control. Interestingly, today both the WaPo and the NYT are running stories in which the CIA claims that, Oh, yeah, we've known about this plot for months and we were worried about Russia's nukes if instability resulted. Hmmm. How about this. Maybe the CIA was actually part of the original plot that's how they knew about it! And maybe the narrative about being worried about the nukes was the one they were going to deploy if Prigozhin gained some traction to justify some sort of NATO intervention, to gin up nuclear hysteria in Russia, something of the sort. And so the stories claim that Zhou[Joe Biden] was briefed on it all one pictures him absently licking an icecream cone while getting the brief, then asking when he can leave for the beach house. This sounds pretty credible as a scenario. It goes to show that big plots can't be kept secret, the outlines are always out there, and the presence of a giant intelligence outfit with more power than the state itself can always spring into action. Sound like the U.S.? And that Russia is loaded with a lot of Gen. Milleys who couldn't win a war if they tried, but keep patting themselves on the back for it and larding themselves up with medals and defense contract money streams. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate how these things happen, given that if a Milley situation could exist there, too, same as here, so could a Prigozhin. It's what happens when a competent disruptor (Luttwak calls him a "maverick") turns up in a sea of bureaucratic Deep State sludge that amounts to the military. And when intelligence agencies have more power than the state in the course of events. Combine them, and get Prigozhin. Sound like the U.S. is immune? Lucky us. Image: Twitter screen shot. This dramatic and important policy change almost slipped by unnoticed (for now), but you can bet Israel's mortal enemies, the ones who want to drive the Jews into the sea, have noticed and are saving this concession for use when most impactful. But Senator Ted Cruz noticed, and Sunday issued a press release condemning the Biden administration officially boycotting cooperation with Israeli scientific and technical personnel living in Judea and Samaria. Judea and Samaria in red. The press release reads: PUBLISHED:06.25.2023 SEN. CRUZ CONDEMNS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANTISEMITIC DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ISRAEL WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the Biden administration instated a boycott against scientific and technological cooperation with Jews living in Judea and Samaria. Sen. Cruz said, "Joe Biden and Biden administration officials are pathologically obsessed with undermining Israel. Since day one of their administration they have launched campaigns against our Israeli allies that are granular, whole of government, and done in secret. "This new boycott of Israeli Jews is yet another example. The State Department is telling the entire U.S. government not to cooperate with Jews in Judea and Samaria. And of course it was sent to Congress in secret, and only revealed because reporters found out. "The Biden administration defends funding scientific research in Wuhan with the Chinese Communist Party, but they're discriminating against and banning cooperation with Jews based on where they live. "I will do everything possible to reverse this decision and prohibit such antisemitic discrimination by the U.S. government in the future." The social justice warrior (SJW) wheel has come full circle in Oakland, California. Four months ago, I wrote about the brutal murder of a well known SJW activist and proprietor of a popular bakery there: The large and influential social justice warrior community in the San Francisco Bay Area is reeling with the news of the death of one of their prominent members, 48-year-old Jennifer Angel. Ms. Angel was the founder and owner of a well known bakery in Oakland, Angel Cakes, and was an outspoken and active proponent of left-wing causes, as acknowledged in a statement issued by family and friends following her death. We know Jen would not want to continue the cycle of harm by bringing state-sanctioned violence to those involved in her death or to other members of Oakland's rich community. As a long-time social movement activist and anarchist, Jen did not believe in state violence, carceral punishment, or incarceration as an effective or just solution to social violence and inequity. The outpouring of support and care for Jen, her family and friends, and the values she held dear is a resounding demonstration of the response to harm that Jen believed in: community members relying on one another, leading with love, centering the needs of the most vulnerable, and not resorting to vengeance and inflicting more harm. Ms. Angel's death was particularly horrifying, as recounted in the San Francisco Chronicle: Angel Cakes owner Jennifer Angel was leaving her parking spot in the garage of the Wells Fargo on the 2000 block of Webster Street on Monday afternoon when a car pulled up in front of her and blocked her from leaving, her fiance, Ocean Mottley, told The Chronicle. A robber then broke her passenger side window and grabbed something from the car, after which Angel ran after the thieves, suspects, Mottley said. In the process of trying to chase them down, Angel, 48, got caught in the door of the fleeing vehicle and was dragged more than 50 feet before falling in the middle of the street, hitting her head multiple several times [sic], Mottley said. Now the suspected murderer has been arrested, and the person or people administering her estate are pleading for no incarceration if the perp is found guilty. KTVU-TV reports: Ishmael Jenkins Burch, 19, of San Francisco, was charged with murder and second-degree robbery by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office in the killing of Jen Angel in February. Burch also faces one battery charge for a second robbery nearby on the same day. He was arrested June 2. Burch is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. (snip) After news of Burch's arrest, Angel's estate released a statement that read in part: "To believe in restorative justice and transformative justice is to believe in a deeper and more effective form of accountability than is possible under our current criminal legal system," the statement read. Later adding," We honor Jen Angel's life, legacy, and values by saying no to incarceration, policing, state violence, and perpetuating cycles of harm in her name." Ishmael Burch mug shot via KTVU. I am uncertain if a statement from the administrator(s) of an estate has any legal standing at all, compared to an actual victim impact statement from a victim. But few would doubt that's the statement reflects Ms. Angel's views, at least as they stood prior to her brutalization and death. We have no way of knowing what thoughts flew through her mind, conscious or unconscious, as she absorbed the impact of the violence and finally succumbed to it. But if the estate's statement has the effect of releasing a suspect found guilty into the community, Ms. Angel's legacy could result in harming the innocent victims of any further crimes the suspect might commit. She is not the only victim! So are the people who live in fear of crime, particularly a crime committed in a nice, upscale neighborhood, such as where Ms. Angel was robbed. Fortunately, at least from this perspective, Burch is facing charges for another crime, whose victims may not be as charitable as Ms. Angel was before the attack that cost her life. But the idea of an SJW activist releasing a violent perp on the community from the grave is a haunting emblem of our times. Sony is a leading company in the wearable audio market, and were all looking forward to the Sony WF-1000XM5. These are the companys upcoming TWS earbuds, and they promise to be an improvement over the previous version. Well, according to the European price, it seems that the Sony WF-1000XM5 might have a price increase. Sonys new earbuds have been popular, but the Sony WF-1000XM4 were a hit among audiophiles. If youre looking for a great audio experience, you dont want to spend too much money, and you dont mind using an older set of earbuds, then you can look into picking up a pair of those earbuds. You can find them on Amazon as low as $199 if you look. The European price of the Sony WF-1000XM5 point to a price bump When the Sony WF-1000XM4 launched back in 2021, they retailed for 279. While thats still a hefty price, the Sony WF-1000XM5 could see a 15% price increase. According to Notebookcheck.com (via Techradar), the Sony WF-1000XM5 might cost 319.99 in Europe. Thats about a 40 increase. If this is true, then we might be looking at a price of $319.99 in the US and 287 in the UK. Thats unfortunate for people who were expecting a comparable price to 2021s release. However, as you can expect with a two-year jump, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are going to be a notable improvement over the Sony WF-1000XM4. Rumors have it that these earbuds will come with two in-house chips that will give them superior audio quality. Aside from that, the microphones will also see an improvement along with the drivers. Also, theyre expected to be almost 20% lighter at about 5.9g. Right now, its hard to tell if these earbuds will be worth the extra money, but it seems like they will. If youre a fan of Sonys earbuds, then you might just have an amazing experience with these new earbuds. The Pixel Fold officially launches tomorrow, June 27. Many customers who pre-ordered the first-gen Google foldable were expecting to receive it this week. But instead of a shiny new foldable, some of them are receiving cancelation alerts. The company seems to have canceled some Pixel Fold pre-orders because it couldnt verify the payment. Ordered May 10th and order canceled early this morning because payment couldnt be verified. Geeze Im glad a random $2,000 charge wont go through at 3 am on a Sunday and now I get to wait another month for my fold, a Reddit user whose Pixel Fold pre-order was canceled by Google posted on Sunday morning. Many others commented, saying that they have received similar cancelation alerts. Googles customer support staff told some buyers that the company is aware of the issue and looking into it. The problem is seemingly caused by banks raising fraud concerns over a big payment and holding off the transaction. But a few people who called their banks to clear the payment are also finding that their Pixel Fold pre-orders have been canceled. Some others say the bank didnt notify them about a failed transaction, so Google could also be at fault here. Unfortunately, the companys support staff isnt giving the same response to everyone. It told some affected customers that their orders would be processed for shipping as soon as it fixed the issue. They dont need to place a separate order. But it has asked most of them to re-order the Pixel Fold. The problem is that orders placed today have waiting times longer than two months, depending on the color and storage variant. Advertisement New Pixel Fold buyers will have to wait until late September to get it As pointed out by PhoneArena, the 256GB Pixel Fold in Porcelain currently has an estimated shipping date of August 30 to September 8. The same device in Obsidian color will arrive a little early, between August 2 and August 10. But if you order the 512GB variant in Obsidian, you may have to wait until September 21 to get your hands on it. Its disappointing for these people, some of who placed their orders as early as May 10, the day pre-orders opened. Gonna go buy a phone from a company who [sic] can actually take my money, a frustrated user wrote after Googles support staff failed to provide them with a satisfactory response on the issue. Interestingly, the company gave one affected customer some Google Play credit for making them deal with all the inconvenience. So if youre facing a similar issue, dont hesitate to ask Google for something in return. Hopefully, the company will fix the problem soon, and Pixel Fold pre-orders will reach customers on time. If you use Google Meet for educational purposes, then its new feature might interest you. Yes, the platform is getting a new feature which will enhance the virtual learning experience. This feature will help users to pair up their video tiles with other users during presentations. Since this new feature is an educational entry, it is obvious that it wont be available to everyone. First, it will only be accessible to Google Workspace users paying the subscription price. Next, some new features will only be available to educational institutions, such as schools. Asides from the tile pairing feature, netizens also have their eyes on other features that are also rolling out. One of these features first found its way to the Google Chrome browser and is also usable on the Meet platform. Together, they will impact the learning experience while using Googles suite of educational tools. Taking learning to the next level with Google Meet tile pairing and other features If you are on a video call using the Google Meet platform, then the new tile pairing feature might be functional. The use of this feature steps into the spotlight when the call involves more than one person making a presentation. With this feature, users can pair their tiles together and all be highlighted while they make their presentation. This will help other users to easily spot those who are making the presentation. Educational institutions will find this new feature very helpful during virtual learning where students have presentations to make before the class. Sectors aside from education can also make good use of this feature to bring their presentations to life. Advertisement In addition to this feature, Google Meet sessions can now hold up to 1,000 attendees. Well, only institutions using the Google Educational Plus subscription package will be able to admit that many people for a meeting session. This can house over 500 contributors and 500 viewers, with the contributors having audio and video access and the latter engaging in things such as polls. Another important educational feature Workspace users are getting is the School Information System (SIS) integrations, and app licensing. This brings certain creative apps to Chromebooks across the US for free. Lastly, Chromes ability to convert image PDFs to text is also making its way to the Workspace suite of apps. Together, all these features are going to have a positive impact on how students learn. They will also have an impact on the work of other fields. In the coming weeks, these features will arrive for usage by Google Workspace users. A good screen can improve your projection quality by 80%. Especially when dealing with ambient light, using an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen allows you to even use the projector in daylight or outdoor environments with strong light, truly making it a large-screen laser TV that can replace a regular television. You hop onto YouTube to see other people play games, but the company might let you play games yourself. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal (via Engadget), the company could be looking to be your next gaming platform. YouTube is testing Playables, a way to let you play games on the platform. A streaming service offering games? If that sounds familiar, then you know about Netflixs gaming service. If you have an active account, then youll gain access to a selection of exclusive games. Theyre both available on Android and iOS devices. YouTube might let you play games on the platform with Playables Right now, this is still in the early testing stages, so theres no telling if this will see the light of day. According to the report, YouTube is doing early testing for this feature. By early testing, we mean that only employees were invited to see the product. Basically, Playables will allow you to play certain games using the YouTube platform. An internal email uncovered by the Wall Street Journal says that it wouldnt matter if youre using the mobile platform or the website, youll still have access to these games. At this point, were still wondering what kind of games YouTube will bring to Playables. We only know about one game, and thats Stack Bounce. Youve probably seen the ads for this game and games like it. Theres a bouncing ball on a tower with layers of circular blocks. You have to break as many layers as you can. When it comes to games, this is as simple as it gets, so we can bet on there being a slew of simple mobile games like these on the Playables platform. However, this is all early testing, so we dont know what other games to expect. If this service is like Netflix Gaming, then you should expect a wide range of mobile games. While its testing a popular game, we cant rule out exclusive titles for the platform. Only time will tell if the company plans on releasing this product. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' disappointing visit to China: No Chinese agreement to a mediation role By Yoni Ben Menachem web posted June 26, 2023 The visit of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to China and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping received extensive coverage in both Palestinian and Chinese media. The timing of the visit was deemed important in light of China's growing influence in the Middle East and the circumstances surrounding the Palestinian issue. Arriving in China during a period of Chinese success in the economic, scientific, and technological sectors, Abbas had high expectations that China would mediate the stalled negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel. Additionally, he hoped China could facilitate reconciliation between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions, which have remained divided since 2007. The PA saw Abbas' meeting with the Chinese president as an opportunity to revive the Palestinian issue and place it back on the international agenda. China has consistently supported the Palestinians in the United Nations and the Security Council as a permanent member. It consistently backs decisions favoring the Palestinians and maintains a firm stance in support of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 lines, with eastern Jerusalem as its capital. China also opposes Israel's settlement policy in Judea and Samaria. In the visit's closing statement, the Palestinian Authority said issues regarding China's policy toward Muslims in Xinjiang (Uyghurs) have "nothing to do with human rights and are aimed at excising extremism and opposing terrorism and separatism. Palestine resolutely opposes using the Xinjiang problem as a way of interfering in China's internal affairs," the joint statement said. China Promised Road Building and Chinese Language Lessons However, it appears that Abbas' hopes were dashed during his visit to China. The achievements of his visit were minimal, as reported by the PA's official news agency, WAFA, on June 14, 2023. Abbas signed an agreement with the Chinese to improve road infrastructure in Ramallah, discussed implementing Chinese language programs in Palestinian schools, and negotiated visa exemptions for Palestinians with diplomatic passports. Despite the media hype in the Palestinian Authority and some Arab outlets, senior officials within the Palestinian Authority expressed disappointment with the outcome of Abbas's visit to China. China continues to support Israel as a Jewish state and invests in settlement projects in Judea and Samaria. There are currently no indications that China intends to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians to revive the stalled negotiations. Likewise, China has not shown any intention to assist the Palestinians in achieving permanent member state status at the United Nations. Presently, the Palestinian Authority holds only observer status. A senior Palestinian official noted the significant disparity between China's verbal promises and their practical willingness to take action. Abbas returned to Ramallah empty-handed, as his expectations of China pressuring Israel were not met. China cannot suddenly become a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States remains the primary mediator since the signing of the Oslo Accords, and Israel is unwilling to accept Chinese mediation. While China supports the convening of an international peace conference leading to direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Israel opposes this idea, viewing it as a means of exerting international pressure on Israel and attempting to impose a solution desired by the Palestinians. In summary, China defines itself as a neutral country. However, from the Palestinian perspective, its support for the normalization process between Israel and Arab countries, as well as its opposition to rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip, raises doubts about its neutrality. The Palestinian opposition views Abbas' visit as yet another failure in his policy, emphasizing the urgent need for him to step down from the political stage as soon as possible. Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Home Amber Heard says the things in her life she has been through, including her multimillion-dollar US lawsuit with ex-husband Johnny Depp, are certainly not gonna stop my career. The Aquaman star said over time she had learned that she was not in control of stories other people create around her. Last year, Depp sued Heard for defamation over a 2018 article she wrote in the Washington Post, which his lawyers said accused him of being an abuser. Following a six-week trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, jurors returned a verdict in the actors favour. The Aquaman star said she had learned that she was not in control of stories other people create around her (Yui Mok/PA) In December, Heard said she had made the very difficult decision to reach a settlement in the case, which PA understands to be in the amount of one million dollars. She has recently appeared at the Taormina film festival in Sicily, to promote her first major film since the trial In The Fire. The festival is also due to screen Depps latest project, Jeanne Du Barry. Speaking to US outlet Deadline after appearing at the festival, Heard addressed the lawsuit, but reiterated that she was at the festival to support a movie. A big thing I had to learn,(was) that Im not in control of stories other people create around me, she said. Thats something that probably Ill appreciate as a blessing further down the line. Right now, I just kind of want to not have, you know, stones thrown at me so much. Im here to support a movie. And thats not something I can be sued for. Heard added that having had a decades-long career in the industry ought to have earned her respect for her improbable success. What I have been through, what Ive lived through, doesnt make my career at all, she told Deadline. And its certainly not gonna stop my career. Set in 1899, In The Fire follows a 38-year-old American psychiatrist called to solve the case of a disturbed child in Columbia, following accusations that the child is the Devil. Car maker Aston Martin has announced it has struck a deal with US company Lucid for the supply of electric vehicle batteries. The Warwickshire-based company said Lucid an electric vehicle manufacturer will provide powertrain components for initial and certain future BEV (battery electric vehicle) models. Under the proposed agreement, Aston Martin would issue new shares and cash payments to Lucid worth 182 million, making the US-based business a 3.7% shareholder. The agreement is subject to shareholder approval. Aston Martin is aiming to launch its first BEV in 2025. Executive chairman Lawrence Stroll said: The proposed supply agreement with Lucid is a game-changer for the future EV-led growth of Aston Martin. Based on our strategy and requirements, we selected Lucid, gaining access to the industrys highest performance and most innovative technologies for our future BEV products. We will not only leverage the significant investments Lucid has made to develop its world-class technologies, but will also further enhance and differentiate the drive experience through the work Roberto (chief technology officer Roberto Fedeli) and his teams are already developing, aligned with our ultra-luxury, high-performance strategy. Sales of conventionally-fuelled new cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2030. Suella Bravermans plan to house asylum seekers on barges was branded unworkable as she missed her own target for the first vessel to be in place. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, which will house around 500 people, is not yet in Portland Port, Dorset despite Mrs Braverman promising MPs it would be in the dock a week ago. The barge is currently in Falmouth, Cornwall for checks, maintenance and refurbishment work. On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary told the Commons we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight. Home Secretary Suella Braverman promised the boat would be in Portland by June 19 (Yui Mok/PA) Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise. Bravermans plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this governments asylum policy. The Home Secretary needs to get her priorities straight. She should focus instead on tackling the backlog of asylum cases created by her governments sheer incompetence, which has created the need for this plan in the first place. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said the plan was unworkable (Aaron Chown/PA) The Home Secretary wants to use barges and sites including converted military bases to house asylum seekers and reduce the 6 million daily cost of hotel accommodation while people await a decision on their status. The Bibby Stockholm was the first barge secured under the plan, but its journey to Portland will now take place in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office. Within weeks of its arrival, the first group of asylum seekers are expected to be placed on board, building up in phases to its eventual capacity of 500. Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks official spokesman said: I believe it will be in place fairly shortly. A Home Office spokesman said: The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels. This is why we will be using alternative accommodation options, such as barges, which are more manageable for communities, as our European neighbours are doing. We are continuing to work extremely closely with Dorset and Portland councils, as well as the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact in Portland and address the local communities concerns, including through substantial financial support. The Foreign Secretary will renew UK backing for Swedens bid to join Nato during a visit to the country this week. James Cleverly insisted accession must happen as soon as possible to make us all safer ahead of travelling to Gotland, a strategically important island just 200 miles north of Kaliningrad home to Russias Baltic Fleet. It comes amid objections from Turkey which have slowed down the process for Swedish membership. Turkeys government claims Sweden has been lenient towards groups it says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and others linked to a 2016 coup attempt. Nato wants to bring Sweden into the fold by the time the leaders of member nations meet for a summit in Lithuania in July. During his visit, Mr Cleverly will meet Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billstrom and hold a discussion on European security as part of Almedalen Week, an annual event on Gotland. Ahead of the trip, he said: The UK and Sweden relationship goes back over a thousand years and plays an ever more pivotal role in European security today. My message to our Swedish friends is clear, the UK is doing all that we can to support their accession to Nato, which must happen as soon as possible to bolster our defences and make us all safer. The Foreign Secretary will also meet Swedish defence minister Pal Jonson to discuss strengthening cooperation including through joint exercises and training between the countries armed forces. Sweden and Finland applied to join Nato together following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Finland became the 31st member of the military alliance in April after the Turkish parliament ratified its request. The UK Governments controversial Illegal Migration Bill violates human rights, the Scottish migration minister has said. Emma Roddick said Scottish Government would develop reasonable mitigations for the Bill, ahead of leading a debate on the legislation at Holyrood. The Scottish Government says the proposed law will undermine the devolution settlement by restricting the powers of ministers and remove the entitlement of a significant number of human trafficking victims to access support. If passed, the Bill would see the law changed so that people who come to the UK illegally through a safe country are not allowed to stay instead being detained and removed, either to their home country or a safe third country such as Rwanda. It is back in the House of Lords on Wednesday. Migration minister Emma Roddick will lead a debate on the UK Governments controversial illegal migration bill (Fraser Bremner/PA) Ms Roddick said: We have been clear in our opposition to the UK Governments Illegal Migration Bill, which violates human rights obligations and will push some of societys most vulnerable people deeper into exploitation and destitution. The Bill will also hinder the ability of Scottish Ministers to provide support and assistance to people who have been exploited in horrific situations. It is our view that this overreaches into the Scottish Parliaments devolved competencies, undermining our commitments to victims of trafficking and exploitation Scottish Ministers and wider civic society are united in our stance that this Bill has no place in Scotland. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to develop reasonable mitigations against the impacts of the Bill, within our devolved powers and budget. Maggie Chapman, the Scottish Greens justice spokesperson, called the Bill the most extreme and racist piece of legislation she could remember and called for it to be fought in the international human rights court. She added: The Scottish Government and our Parliament must stand with local authorities, public bodies and third sector agencies who, despite the immense hostility of the Home Office, are doing invaluable work with vulnerable people. Scotland is a nation of immigrants, and immigrants are an important part of our countrys future. We want to be open and welcoming to those who seek refuge here, wherever they come from. Scottish faith leaders have also joined forces to voice their opposition to the Bill, with the Church of Scotland, the Episcopal Church, the United Reformed Church and the Chief Imam of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society called for more compassion to be shown to some of the most vulnerable people on earth. Religious leaders have joined others across the UK to feature in a video produced by Together with Refugees, a coalition of more than 500 national and local organisations representing refugees who believe in showing compassion to people fleeing their homes. Scottish Parliament officials have said the Bill does not meet the criteria for lodging a legislative consent memorandum, which would require Holyroods consent to the legislation. A Home Office spokesperson said: Through the Illegal Migration Bill, we will stop the boats by detaining those who come to the UK illegally and swiftly returning them to a safe third country or their home country. It is only right that we protect the most vulnerable by not creating incentives for criminal gangs to target specific groups. We have amended the Bill to make clear that an unaccompanied child under 18 can only be removed in very limited circumstances. Where a removal decision is made, detention will be for the shortest possible time with necessary support provisions in place. The entrance to the Irish National Theatre, In Abbey Street, Dublin.The theater was founded as a national theater for Ireland by WB Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904. (noel bennett via Getty Images) Irelands national theatre and culture minister have condemned an attack on a Ukrainian actor in Dublin at the weekend. Gardai said they are investigating a report of an assault of a man aged in his 20s on Eden Quay on Saturday. Actor Oleksandr Hrekov had travelled to Dublin to perform in a Kyiv theatre companys production of Brian Friels Translations. After the final performance on Saturday, he was attacked near the Abbey in what has been called an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence. Mr Hrekov was brought to the Mater Hospital with serious injuries that required stitches; a spokeswoman for the Abbey Theatre said he is recovering well. No arrests have been made, gardai said. I condemn the cowardly attack on Oleksandr Hrekov The production of #TranslationsUkraine @AbbeyTheatre was an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible https://t.co/ZH2DYF9DNY Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 26, 2023 Culture minister Catherine Martin has condemned the cowardly attack, along with other Irish politicians. She said that the production of Translations was an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine. I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible, she said on Twitter. It has saddened us all greatly that an artist invited to Ireland by us, particularly an artist coming from a war zone for a brief moment of respite, should have experienced this pic.twitter.com/VDa1AGV5H9 Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) June 26, 2023 A spokeswoman for the Abbey said: We were honoured to welcome and work with our Ukrainian colleagues from the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre over the last ten days, showing their production of Brian Friels Translations to sold out houses at the Abbey Theatre. They are a group of incredible and resilient artists using their art as an act of resistance to speak to their lived experience in a powerful and deeply moving way. A 27-strong theatre company travelled from Kyiv to perform the canonical Irish text, which illuminates the determination of a people to persist and ensure their culture endures in the most difficult of circumstances. Unfortunately, one of the cast was attacked near the Abbey on Saturday evening, after the final performance. This was an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence, that left the cast member needing stitches and treatment in hospital. Both the Abbey Theatre and the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre condemn this behaviour and stand together against bullying and violence of this nature. The cast member is recovering well and began the journey home to Kyiv with the rest of the company yesterday. The spokeswoman added: This incident will not overshadow the joyful and important collaboration between our two theatre companies. This is only the beginning of the Abbey Theatres artistic relationship with our friends at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre. Irelands national theatre and culture minister have condemned an attack on a Ukrainian actor in Dublin at the weekend. Gardai said they are investigating a report of an assault of a man aged in his 20s on Eden Quay on Saturday. Actor Oleksandr Hrekov had travelled to Dublin to perform in a Kyiv theatre companys production of Brian Friels Translations. After the final performance on Saturday, he was attacked near the Abbey in what has been called an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence. Mr Hrekov was brought to the Mater Hospital with serious injuries that required stitches; a spokeswoman for the Abbey Theatre said he is recovering well. No arrests have been made, gardai said. I condemn the cowardly attack on Oleksandr Hrekov The production of #TranslationsUkraine @AbbeyTheatre was an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible https://t.co/ZH2DYF9DNY Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 26, 2023 Culture minister Catherine Martin has condemned the cowardly attack, along with other Irish politicians. She said that the production of Translations was an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine. I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible, she said on Twitter. It has saddened us all greatly that an artist invited to Ireland by us, particularly an artist coming from a war zone for a brief moment of respite, should have experienced this pic.twitter.com/VDa1AGV5H9 Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) June 26, 2023 A spokeswoman for the Abbey said: We were honoured to welcome and work with our Ukrainian colleagues from the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre over the last ten days, showing their production of Brian Friels Translations to sold out houses at the Abbey Theatre. They are a group of incredible and resilient artists using their art as an act of resistance to speak to their lived experience in a powerful and deeply moving way. A 27-strong theatre company travelled from Kyiv to perform the canonical Irish text, which illuminates the determination of a people to persist and ensure their culture endures in the most difficult of circumstances. Unfortunately, one of the cast was attacked near the Abbey on Saturday evening, after the final performance. This was an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence, that left the cast member needing stitches and treatment in hospital. Both the Abbey Theatre and the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre condemn this behaviour and stand together against bullying and violence of this nature. The cast member is recovering well and began the journey home to Kyiv with the rest of the company yesterday. The spokeswoman added: This incident will not overshadow the joyful and important collaboration between our two theatre companies. This is only the beginning of the Abbey Theatres artistic relationship with our friends at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre. A former police officer turned criminal defence barrister has been jailed for 16 years for the rape and indecent assault of a teenage girl more than 30 years ago. James Boyle, now aged 69, was a serving officer with Cambridgeshire Police when the offending happened between 1986 and 1991. The defendant, of Sunbury Place, Edinburgh, was working as a criminal defence barrister at the time of his arrest. Judge Philip Grey said Boyle told his victim, at the time of a rape when she was under the age of 16: I know this is wrong but I just cant help myself. Sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday, the judge said that Boyle had evaded responsibility for such serious offending for more than 30 years. He said the defendant had lived a lie and that none of his professional accolades would have been available to him if he had been convicted at the time. The abuse was reported to police in 2018 after an exchange of messages on social media. Boyle was found guilty of two counts of rape, one of them when the girl was under the age of 16, and of one count of indecent assault following an earlier trial at Cambridge Crown Court. Reading her victim personal statement to the court, the woman said that images and memories invade (her) dreams. She said the trial, which took place because Boyle denied the offences, was extremely distressing and harrowing. The judge told Boyle that on your instructions the victim was cross-examined for three days. You showed her no mercy then just as you had her at your mercy as a child, he said. Stephen Kamlish KC, mitigating for Boyle, said he had lost weight since being in custody, was diabetic, and suffers with hypertension, gout, anaemia and high cholesterol. Hes just broken really as a result of his time in prison, Mr Kamlish said. The judge agreed that Boyle had lost a significant amount of weight since you were incarcerated. He said that, as a former police officer convicted of sexual offences, Boyles sentence would be a hard sentence to serve but added: This has been brought about by you. He sentenced Boyle to 16 years in prison and ordered that he pay a 4,500 contribution to prosecution costs. The defendant must sign the sex offenders register. After Boyle was led to the cells, the judge turned to the victim to praise her courage. It takes an enormous amount of courage and perseverance to stick with it through interminable delays that really shouldnt happen and through a long period of giving evidence, he said. You deserve enormous credit for having done that. Harrison Ford says he is scared by the prospect of artificial intelligence (AI) being used as a creative tool in the film industry. The veteran Hollywood actor, 80, said the AI techniques used to de-age him in the latest instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise had not been at the expense of live action. Ford returns for the final time as the whip-cracking, globe-trotting archaeologist in Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen and Toby Jones. Though most of the film is shot in a modern setting, it also contains flashbacks to 1944, when Jones was in his Nazi-fighting prime. Asked about the use of de-ageing techniques at the films London premiere, Ford told the PA news agency: I dont want to be younger, I dont want to be better looking. The veteran Hollywood actor, 80, said the AI techniques used to de-age him in his final Indiana Jones film had not been at the expense of live action (Ian West/PA) I just want to tell a story in which it was useful to see Indiana Jones the way we used to see him. He continued: We wanted to see him the way he was in 1944. Well, they were able (to) because Ive worked with Lucasfilm for so many years (and) they have an endless number of images of me, which artificial intelligence used to find the right angle with the right light, so on and so forth. Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge arrive for the UK premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in London (Ian West/PA) But I acted those scenes, there was nothing creative (about the AI). This did not replace a repetitive task, you know, in a factory. This was like being a librarian its not a creative. He added: What scares me about AI is when it begins to pretend to be a creative opportunity. Ford attended the premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on Monday, and was joined by his fellow cast members. Ford has said that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will be his last in the franchise (Ian West/PA) The actor first starred in 1981s Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark, following up with four sequels and has said Dial Of Destiny will be his last. Asked how he felt about being replaced by another actor, of either gender, he told PA: I wouldnt care to tell you the truth. This is the last Indiana Jones movie that Im going to do. Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny will be released in the UK on June 28. Police have confirmed that human remains found in Ballymena earlier this month were those of Chloe Mitchell. Ms Mitchell, 21, was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of June 3 in the Co Antrim town. A huge search operation took place following her disappearance. Detectives launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found on June 11. Human remains have been confirmed as those of Chloe Mitchell (Family handout/PA) Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar said: The identification process on human remains found in Ballymena has now concluded and have been confirmed as those of Chloe Mitchell. A funeral service will be held in her Ballymena home at noon on Thursday, which will be livestreamed on Facebook and on a large screen in King George Harryville Park. Alan Francey Funeral Services said Ms Mitchell would be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by the entire family circle. Vigils to remember Ms Mitchell were held in her home town and in Belfast earlier this month. Two men have appeared in court on charges connected to the death of Ms Mitchell. Brandon John Rainey, 26, from James Street in Ballymena, is charged with murder while Ryan Johnston Gordon, 34, from Nursery Close, Ballymena, is charged with assisting an offender. Is the High Church of Woke collapsing? By Mark Alexander web posted June 26, 2023 You're not affiliated with the Episcopal Church, so why does this matter? Because it is the church of the most influential, wealthy, white leftist protagonists, and a template for how they can infuse their rotten ideology into any denomination. Ironically, 50 years ago the Episcopal Church had a reputation of being "Republicans at Prayer," but now it has devolved into a cesspool of degenerate ideology. Our Founders were forthright about faith as an indispensable support to sustain American Liberty. They understood that faith and family were the primary pillars supporting the freedom of our Republic. John Adams declared: "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Benjamin Rush added: "The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments." But today, we are saturated in the cultural effluent of a country whose degraded politicians have, over the last five decades, outlawed public faith expressions and stripped our once-enviable academic institutions of their religious and civic curriculums. Currently, they are endeavoring to normalize and institutionalize the greatest cultural threat to the faith and family pillars their gender cult orthodoxy, even in its most deviant manifestations, now to include embracing gender dysphoria. That warped agenda was given a significant boost by Joe Biden six months ago, when he signed the misnamed Respect for Marriage Act, which accomplished the Left's goal of disrespecting and demoting marriage. Basically, this legislation further codified the Left's redefinition of marriage by establishing national reciprocity forcing states to recognize "same-sex marriage" licenses from other states, much as they do driver's licenses. (Still waiting on national reciprocity that forces states to recognize "right to carry" licenses!) Marriage is the foundation of the family, which in turn serves as the foundation of society. The Christian marriage paradigm is built on a foundation of five principles: First, God is the creator of the marriage relationship; second, heterosexuality is God's pattern for marriage; third, monogamy is God's design for marriage; fourth, physical and spiritual unity is God's plan for marriage; and fifth, marriage was designed to be permanent. Marriage as an institution has been under assault from many quarters, one of the most menacing being the challenge to traditional sexual morality. It is no small irony that not only have homosexuals successfully challenged the status of traditional marriage, but sexual immorality leading to broken marriages also fosters homosexual pathology. The Left's long-war strategy against marriage is to redefine its timeless "binary" definition as between a man and a woman by attempting to redefine gender. Ironically, it is leftist women who are leading the charge. It is not motivated to placate their gender-dysphoric constituents but to empower government by eroding Liberty, the nemesis of their statist agenda. They know that the best way to accomplish that is to attack faith and family, starting with children. The result now is a younger generation besieged with woke culture and gender disorientation, though the good news is that susceptibility to disorientation declines after adolescence. Leftists also know that the best way to undermine faith is to infuse their agenda into long-established Christian denominations. That seeding sprouted first in the historic Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA), the American branch of the World Anglican Communion. Why ECUSA? Because it has deep roots in American history and is also enormously wealthy. Just one of its churches, Trinity in lower Manhattan, which dates to the 17th century, has a portfolio in excess of $6 billion. The earliest record of an Anglican Book of Common Prayer service on American soil dates to almost 200 years prior to the Revolution (19 June 1579), as conducted by Sir Frances Drake's crew. In the Colonial period, the Episcopal Church was the official church of Virginia (1609), Massachusetts (1620), New York (1693), Maryland (1702), South Carolina (1706), North Carolina (1730), and Georgia (1758). The longest continually inhabited church in America is Bruton Parish, established in 1715. It is adjacent to William and Mary College in colonial Williamsburg. Revolutionary leaders including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry attended Bruton when they were convened as members of the Virginia House of Burgesses. General Washington was a devoted Episcopalian. During the Revolutionary era, he served as a vestryman and had a designated pew at Pohick Church in Mount Vernon, Virginia, which he was instrumental in founding. Weather permitting, he frequently attended Christ Church in Alexandria, 10 miles north of Mount Vernon (a two-hour trip by carriage). According to his family, Washington's days began and ended with private devotions in his library, and he reserved most Sundays for family only, accepting very few visitors. His daughter, Eleanor Custis Lewis, wrote of his faith: "I should have thought it the greatest heresy to doubt his firm belief in Christianity. His life, his writings, prove that he was a Christian. He was not one of those who act or pray, 'that they may be seen of men.' He communed with his God in secret." (Matthew 6:5-6) Washington himself professed that, should we want our Liberty secure and freedom to endure, we must "acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, obey his will, be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore his protection and favors." Unfortunately, some 200 years after the American Revolution, many Episcopal Church leaders have abandoned the church's venerable legacy and forsaken the Almighty's providence. Liberals in the church endeavor to interpret the Bible eisegetically versus exegetically in order that it comports with their contemporary social agenda rather than its "original intent" much as leftists interpret the so-called "living Constitution" in order to undermine Rule of Law. In other words, they reject the authority of the Bible (as outlined in the Episcopal Articles of Faith), much as they reject the authority of our Constitution. So significant is this rejection that many bishops in the World Anglican Communion now view the U.S. as a "mission field" and are establishing their own Anglican Church plants within ECUSA diocese. But ECUSA's most overt rejection of biblical authority came 20 years ago in 2003, when "enlightened" U.S. bishops rebuffed the World Anglican Communion and codified their rejection of scriptural authority by ordaining Vicky Gene Robinson, a divorced father of two residing with his homosexual partner, as Bishop of New Hampshire. This action was heretical, a willful violation of Scripture and the historic faith order and governing canons of the church, codifying a schism between the American Church and World Anglican Communion. A year later, the World Anglican Communion called on the Episcopal Church to "repent." The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, head of the Church of England and primus inter pares, or "first among equals," in World Communion standing, then issued a covenant affirming that national churches agree to maintain "biblical standards" of Anglican doctrine in other words, abide by Scripture. At its 2015 triennial General Convention, ECUSA delegates voted overwhelmingly to allow "weddings" for same-sex couples. "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female...'" (Jesus speaking in Matthew 19:4) For the record, I am a former fifth-generation Episcopalian, who, until 30 years ago, held leadership positions in the church. But in 1990, I could see on the near horizon how wealthy white left-elitists were doing what they do best: undermining the foundational pillars of the church. I first realized the extent of the wealthy leftist infiltration when I picked up a "welcome" tract from a rack in the entrance to our church entitled, "The Episcopal Church" and subtitled, "A Church for Thinking Christians." Apparently, those who attend other churches must be ignorant. I protested the actions of a small but very vocal group of homosexual advocates who were systemically undermining the most fundamental of church tenets, scriptural truth, in an effort to normalize gender confusion pathology. Daring to speak out against their agenda, I was labeled by their screeching Rainbow Mafia thugs as pharisaical, intolerant, a judgmental bigot, and a hater "homophobic" in current parlance accusations that serve only to preclude discussing this issue consequentially. Those who apply such labels do so only as a means of arresting discourse. One could more accurately ascribe the label of "heterophobic gender deniers" to those who deny the indisputable science supporting binary gender. Unfortunately, there are some Christians who in fact are judgmental, and, frankly, they miss the central message of the Gospel. But the "judgmental" accusation is often a deliberate misreading of John 8:1-11 (a passage not found in some early manuscripts), where Jesus challenged Pharisees who were preparing to stone an adulterous woman. To the Pharisees standing in her judgment, Jesus said, "Who among you has not sinned, let him cast the first stone." However, those who invoke the "grace" aspect of this account to correctly assert that we should not stand in judgment neglect to mention the second part of what Jesus then does. After the Pharisees dispersed, Jesus turned to the woman and said, "Go now, and sin no more." Jesus shows her love and grace but calls out her sin he clearly does not embrace it. Indeed, Jesus did not seek out sinners so he could embrace their sin, but as recorded in Luke 5:30-32, when Pharisees complained, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." But Episcopal Church leaders have embraced sin to the point that it is now heralded as a virtue-signaling pillar of the church. Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop and Primate (read: Apostate) of ECUSA, declared, "Being a Christian is ... about following in the footsteps of Jesus, taking his teachings seriously." But embracing sin in the name of "love and inclusion" is neither "following in the footsteps of Jesus" nor "taking his teachings seriously." The national ECUSA website has a whole "LGBTQ" section devoted to their "legacy of inclusion" and asserting that "Leadership is a gift from God and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression." They have overturned the maxim "love the sinner, hate the sin" and perverted it into "love the sinner, embrace the sin." "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20) Jesus was clear about God's design, about male and female, about man and woman. Jesus called us to love all people, including those who have been led astray by pathological distortions of God's design. He did not call on us to embrace those distortions and call them "normal," thereby abandoning our brothers and sisters to its misery and destruction. There is nothing "loving" about that. The passage in Matthew refers back to Genesis. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27) Later in Matthew 19:10, Christ also says: "Not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth..." (In the Greek text, one finds the word "eunouxoi," meaning one with a congenital defect or castrated, and without the ability to consummate marriage. The reference is distinctly different from the Greek word for homosexuals or sodomites as referenced by Paul. Homosexual advocates sometimes incorrectly invoke this passage as justification.) Jesus was also clear about churches that indoctrinate youth with their errant teachings. "If anyone causes one of these little ones those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." (Matthew 18:6) But disagreement with the social agendas of homosexual advocates has no direct correlation with one's capacity to love or have compassion for homosexuals. Nor is such dissent related to judgment, which is for God alone. Rather, it is about discernment between right and wrong, and obedience to objective truth rather than the cult of subjective relativism popularly justified under the contemporary aegis of "tolerance" and "diversity." The Apostle Paul warned: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) And it would seem that time is now. This adulteration of timeless Scripture is akin to preaching a false "prosperity gospel," what theological historian Albert Mohler notes is a "theology not centered on God and his glory, but an anthropocentric psychological message aimed at making individuals merely feel better about themselves." In 1993, my priest and bishop, after lamenting I had "made more waves in the Diocese than any lay person in its history," kindly suggested that I leave the church. But I refused to abandon my fellow Episcopalians to the coming moral collapse of this once-great church until we had children of our own who we wanted to raise in a genuine faith community. Thus, I did leave in 1996, seeing on the far horizon the collapse of all but the structural remnants of the church. The only thing I miss today is the beautiful historic liturgy of the "Book of Common Prayer." And indeed, in the decades since, that collapse is well underway. Homosexual advocates have now redefined the doctrines of the Episcopal Church, in effect discarding the most fundamental tenet of the church's foundation, Scripture. And the result? In its May 2023 edition, Anglican Watch noted, "It's official: The Episcopal church is dying." In fact, two years ago before the ChiCom Virus pandemic struck, Eastern Illinois University political science professor Ryan Burge had been documenting the "Death of the Episcopal Church," its plummeting attendance that coincided with its decades-long rejection of scriptural authority. Today's ECUSA membership of 1.52 million is 400,000 fewer than it was in 2012. Assessing this hemorrhage in membership, the Episcopal News Service declared there is still "room for optimism," which is as delusional as declaring that men can have babies. The church is in need of a reality check. Rev. Dwight Zscheile, an Episcopal priest and professor, warned: "The overall picture is dire. Not one of decline as much as demise within the next generation unless trends change significantly." When contemplating the demise of the Episcopal Church, I am reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan, who, unlike the priest and the Levite, rendered assistance to the poor man who had been robbed and beaten. "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" (Jesus in Luke 10:36) When the gender devolution cult infests a once-great and faithful denomination, and too few courageous congregants remain to stand in love and truth for the welfare of those who have been seduced by gender dysphoria and other gender confusion manifestations, the result is apostasy the abandonment of the foundational tenets of faith and the consequence is the abandonment of the church by its members. But as noted previously, ECUSA is enormously wealthy, and its errant teachings will survive long after its last Christian communicant has left the building. Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Measures to turbocharge the switch to electric motoring will be set out by Labour on Tuesday. Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh will announce a plan to rapidly scale up UK electric vehicle battery production which it will claim could create 80,000 jobs and spark more than 30 billion in investment. At a central London conference attended by international automotive manufacturers and investors, she will also urge the Government to take urgent action on the incoming rules of origin provisions with the EU. Goods sold in the EU by UK manufacturers will need certain percentages of local content from 2024 to avoid tariffs, causing growing concern in the automotive industry. Ms Haigh will tell the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders event: Labour are urging the Government to prioritise an agreement with the European Union to ensure manufacturers have time to prepare to meet rules of origin requirements and make Brexit work for them. But lets be clear: its the Governments own failures that have made securing a deal necessary. They have had years and years to ramp up the UKs battery capacity and have failed. And while the Conservatives stand back, Labour in government will turbocharge the transition to electric vehicles and create the conditions for our proud car industry to not just survive the enormous upheaval of the decade ahead, but thrive. She will say that Labour will build resilience and security by ramping up domestic battery capacity and expanding the roll-out of electric vehicles chargers, adding: Our vision is one where good jobs in the industries of the future are brought back here to our industrial heartlands. The son of a nationalist councillor murdered almost half a century ago has said a proposed Legacy Bill is designed to cause pain and hurt to families seeking the truth about what happened to their loved ones. Patsy Kelly was speaking as his mother Teresa launched legal action in Belfast in an attempt to force the Attorney General to order a new inquest into the death of her husband, also called Patsy Kelly. Mr Kelly found dead in July 1974, three weeks after being reported missing. Patsy Kellys widow, Teresa, has launched legal action in an attempt to force the Attorney General to order a new inquest (Niall Carson/PA) Earlier this year, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland found that the RUC investigation into Mr Kellys murder was wholly inadequate, with the actions of some officers indicative of collusive behaviour. Mr Kelly was last seen alive in the early hours of July 24 1974 as he drove away from the Corner Bar in Trillick, Co Tyrone, where he worked. His body was found in Lough Eyes, near Lisbellaw, in Co Fermanagh, three weeks later, on August 10. He had been shot six times. While loyalist paramilitaries claimed responsibility for the murder, the Kelly family believe the killing was perpetrated by members of an Ulster Defence Regiment army patrol. No-one has ever been charged or prosecuted. Following the ombudsmans report, the family reiterated their demand for a fresh inquest to be ordered. An original inquest in 1975 delivered an open verdict. However their request was turned down by the office of Northern Irelands Attorney General, Dame Brenda King. Mrs Kelly took the judicial review application to Belfast High Court on Monday in an attempt to overturn that decision. However, the hearing took place against the backdrop of the passage through Parliament of controversial legislation aimed at addressing the legacy of Northern Irelands Troubles, which is expected to become law next month. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict. A recent amendment introduced by the Government further stated that ongoing inquests, other than those at the point of verdict, will cease on May 1 2024. The court was told that the proposed legislation means there is urgency in the bid to get the Attorney Generals decision reversed. Speaking outside court, accompanied by his mother, Mr Kelly said: My father was murdered almost 50 years ago and since then weve been faced by delay after delay, denial after denial. Our family should not have to go through these ongoing delays. We want the truth. This is about nothing else, simply the truth. He added: It is very, very clear that the Legacy Bill is designed and its aim is to cause as much hurt and to inflict as much pain to those families, similar to ours, hundreds of others, who have dared to seek truth and justice. Its ultimate aim is to inflict as much pain as possible on families like ours. During the preliminary hearing, a barrister for the Kelly family said the whole legal process around the case has been characterised by delay. (L to R) Solicitors Darragh OKane and Adrian OKane, Patsy Kellys widow Teresa, son Patsy Kelly Jr, and Sinn Fein representatives Declan McAleer MLA, Orfhlaith Begley MP, and Nicola Brogan MLA at the High Court in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) The barrister said matters now have a sharper focus due to the progress of the Legacy Bill through Parliament. He said: This proposed legislation is at a significantly advanced stage and appears on its face to be imminently about to become law. No party to these proceedings should be blind to the progress of that Bill. He said the urgency of the case has arisen because, when the Bill receives Royal Assent, the Attorney General will no longer have the authority to order a fresh inquest. Barrister for the Attorney General, Tony McGleenan KC, said the court should proceed on the basis of the law as it stands, rather than speculating on what it might be. High Court judge Mr Justice Scoffield noted that the Attorney General has committed to providing a further decision on whether there should be an inquest imminently. He said his strong view is that that should happen by Friday of this week. He said he will not make any directions in the application ahead of the redetermination by the Attorney General. An activist, who was the first Muslim woman to lead a Pride parade in Britain, says her mission in life is to promote the inclusivity of sexuality and gender. The PA news agency is interviewing a series of people celebrating Pride Month in June, including Saima Razzaq, 38, from Birmingham. Ms Razzaq is the director of change and communications at Birmingham Pride, and she uses her platform as part of the LGBT+, South Asian, and Muslim communities to carve out a space within the intersection. Ms Razzaq, who is a lesbian but also uses the queer umbrella to describe her sexuality, became the first Muslim woman to lead a Pride parade in Britain at Birmingham Pride in 2021. Leading Pride was a monumental moment and obviously now I work at Pride as a result of that, Ms Razzaq told PA. Saima Razzaq (right) at Birmingham Pride (Saima Razzaq) After taking part in the Birmingham Pride Parade on May 27 this year, Ms Razzaq said she will be talking to and working with the community in the city for the remainder of Pride Month. Now, the thing is about getting into conversations within my own community, she said. Its about organising and working with the everyday communities of Birmingham, and taking them on this journey and working towards, what can we do next?' When did you come out and how did your family respond? Ms Razzaq said her mother approached her about her sexuality when she was 29 while they were driving to pick up a takeaway. She made me drive and she waited until we were on a dual carriageway and said, do you like women? I was like, oh my god, why now?, Ms Razzaq recalled. Since that moment, Ive seen a massive change in my mum. Now, shes changing her language. Saima Razzaq with her mother and brother in a family photo (Saima Razzaq) Ms Razzaq added she looks up to members of her family, and she regards them as her superheroes. People look up to influences and all these famous people, I dont, I look up to my aunties and uncle theyre my superheroes, she said. Even though my aunties and my uncle might not understand my queerness, theyre there. She added: Faith is really important for me, and just because Im queer, doesnt mean Im not Muslim, and theyve not othered me for that either. Again, I think its really important for me to have this supportive family to allow me the space to do this. What is your relationship with your faith? Ms Razzaq said her faith helps her to do better and to fulfil her mission in life. I am a Muslim, I have a relationship with God, I feel very connected with God, like right now, I feel the most connected Ive ever been. Saima Razzaq (middle) with members of the Birmingham Pride Senior Leadership Team (Saima Razzaq) She added: The Koran tells me to focus on where I am and the people Im surrounded with and to do better and to fulfil my mission in life. I feel my mission in life is to promote the inclusivity of sexuality and gender. There is a really positive thing happening in Birmingham, and in time, InshaAllah, the wider world will see it. Have you experienced any hate or abuse since coming out? Ms Razzaq said that while everyone is happy for her in regards to her sexuality, she receives far more Islamophobia and racism for being a woman of colour in a leadership position. Everyone is really happy for me to be queer, but when I suddenly say, yes Im also Pakistani, Im also Muslim, and Im proud of those intersections, its a narrative that people arent that familiar with, she said. Birmingham Pride Mubarak everyone! Today I stand in solidarity with all my fellow Queer Muslims who are persecuted the world over. I count my blessings each day for my privileged existence. There is no shame in our existence and we will not be erased. Allah loves equality pic.twitter.com/I7jmfpLNgX Saima Razzaq (She/Her) (@McSaima) May 27, 2023 People arent used to that side of the story. I get far more Islamophobia and racism for being a woman of colour in leadership. Ms Razzaq said she has been the victim of several hate crimes, including someone urinating on her bed on the narrow boat where she lives. Ive had my car stolen, for example, in a really horrific way, Ive had people urinate in my bed on my boat, Ive had horrible calls. She added that she doesnt need anybody to judge my Muslimness, and she finds that its those who are not of the faith that tend to judge her more. And actually, its non-Muslims who will judge my Muslimness more than Muslims, she said. Our communities will work through things, but we need everyone else to allow us the space to work through things as well. Saima Razzaq (left) with Ferhan Khan, a Muslim LGBT+ activist, at Birmingham Pride in 2022 (Saima Razzaq) What are the challenges within the intersections of faith and queerness? Ms Razzaq said it isnt easy for those in faith communities to bring up the subject of queerness, but she said she has noticed more people in South Asian communities coming out. Everyone will have difficulty bringing in the subject of queerness because it has been so polarised. It isnt easy for most people in faith settings, and I think its really important that we reclaim this narrative. What Ive noticed since Ive come out is, and thats just within the circle Im part of, Ive seen other South Asians come out, and their parents support them in that journey. On what advice she would give to someone in a faith setting who wished to come out, she said: The most important thing to remember is that youre valid, youre absolutely valid. Your queerness or your gender identity is absolutely valid, be your authentic self. There are people like you, and for me, finding other queer South Asians, other queer Muslims, has been the best part of my journey. Liz Truss has urged the UK and its allies to prepare for a potential implosion of Russia following the Wagner Groups mutiny. The Tory former prime minister acknowledged that Vladimir Putin has been significantly weakened after Yevgeny Prigozhins mercenary group halted a march on Moscow to avoid shedding Russian blood on Saturday. However, she warned against complacency, insisting we must not use this time to let up in our support for Ukraine. The former foreign secretary also reiterated calls for Ukraines Nato membership to be fast-tracked and stressed any discussions about deals, concessions or lifting of sanctions should be off the table until war criminals are held to account. Speaking in the Commons after James Cleverly made a statement on the situation in Russia, she said: Its clear that Putin has been significantly weakened in Russia. We must not use this time to let up in our support for Ukraine. So, first of all, we need to make sure the Ukrainian membership of Nato is fast-tracked at the Vilnius Nato summit. Secondly, we need to make sure there is no talk of deals or concessions or lifting of sanctions on Russia in any circumstances until the war criminals are held to account. Finally, we and our allies, including the Ukrainians, including the Poles, including the Baltic states, need to make sure that we have a plan in the case of the implosion of Russia. Does he agree? The Foreign Secretary replied: I have said regularly that Ukraines transformation on the battlefield proves how serious they are about the reform programme that will see them ultimately become a member of Nato. That action should mean that however long that Nato membership would otherwise have taken, it should of course now be truncated. Mr Cleverly added: She is absolutely right that we should recognise that some of the talk about cutting a deal, Ukraine sacrificing some of its sovereign land in the pursuit of what would only be an artificial and perhaps even just temporary peace, is completely inappropriate. Putin will not stop until he has been ejected from Ukraine by the Ukrainian people, and to that end we will continue to support them until they have achieved that end. Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, said: Putin may be wounded, Putins days may be numbered but he is likely to stoop low in order to stay in power and to justify his invasion of Ukraine. Elsewhere in the Commons, Mr Cleverly promised to keep a very, very close eye on the whereabouts of Wagner fighters, amid reports 8,000 will be based in Belarus. Conservative MP Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) told the Commons: The latest news, if it is to be believed, is that 8,000 Wagner mercenaries are going to be joining Yevgeny Prigozhin in Belarus in a small town called Asipovichy where some bases, I understand, are being built under dictator (Aleksandr) Lukashenkos request. Without wishing to speculate whether this brigade-sized force is going to in the short to medium-term be a greater threat to Lukashenko or to Putin, will he reassure us that their movements, that this base, is going to be very closely monitored given its proximity not only to Russian nuclear weapons and weve seen the very dual loyalties that the Russian army has towards Wagner but also now their proximity to Nato borders? Mr Cleverly replied: Im not at all sure Id be very comfortable with 8,000 Wagner fighters being my friends anywhere or anytime soon. We have made it absolutely clear to the Belarussian government that we expect them not to be involved and not to facilitate attacks into Ukraine. We will, of course, keep a very, very close eye on reporting around the locations and activity of those Wagner fighters in Belarus. Mr Cleverly would not be drawn on calls to proscribe the mercenary Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation. Labour MP Dan Jarvis said: It was widely reported back in May that the UK Government was actively considering proscribing the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation. Accepting it is early days, can I ask the Foreign Secretary whether an assessment has yet been made as to what the ramifications would be for Putin if he sought to amalgamate the Wagner Group into the Russian conventional armed forces? Mr Cleverly replied: We do of course keep the decisions around proscription of organisations open but he will also know that we do not typically comment on future proscriptions or designations. We have, of course, looked at the implication back in June when the announcement came out that volunteers were going to be contracted to the Russian ministry of defence we did, of course, look at the implications of the sanctions structure and others on that. Im not at liberty to discuss the outcome of those deliberations. More than 100 million of Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers are still yet to be claimed, with only a few days left until the June 30 deadline. Many people on prepayment meters, often the most vulnerable, have not received the Government discount that was paid out between October 2022 and March 2023. Any household with an electricity supply in England, Scotland and Wales is eligible for a 400 discount, with those in Northern Ireland eligible for 600 under the Northern Ireland Energy Bills Support Scheme. The discount was sent automatically to those paying by direct debit, with six instalments of 66/67 sent each month over the winter. People on traditional prepayment meters were due to receive vouchers by text, email or post which they can redeem when they top up at the usual point. Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) said that, given many prepayment users are on a low income, the 400 is a lifeline, but they must redeem their vouchers by June 30 to take advantage of it. Those with unclaimed vouchers are urged to contact their electricity supplier as soon as possible. The Energy Bills Support Scheme will close in a week. #Prepayment customers must redeem their vouchers by this deadline or they will expire. It's vital money when #EnergyBills have never been higher. Please share with friends and family who aren't online. pic.twitter.com/mvaX78psfg National Energy Action (@NEA_UKCharity) June 23, 2023 NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said: As energy bills have spiralled, National Energy Action knows how crucial the Governments Energy Bills Support Scheme has been. The 400, paid in six instalments of 66 or 67, has helped many people this winter. But prepayment customers often some of the most vulnerable were paid in vouchers and millions remains unclaimed. Some customers didnt receive them, others struggled to redeem them. We urge anyone who hasnt yet claimed their vouchers to do so before the June 30 deadline and, if you have friends and family that may not have used their vouchers, spread the word. It may be the support that keeps their lights on, their oven cooking, their hot showers running, through the summer. Its vital money at a time when its never been needed more. 'The poorest households continue to be trapped in the worst conditions', says our chief executive @adam_scorer as the Committee on #FuelPoverty releases its annual report. Over 1.5 million low-income households are feeling the worst impacts of the #EnergyCrisis. pic.twitter.com/aRrl3dP05M National Energy Action (@NEA_UKCharity) June 24, 2023 Many of the areas of lowest take-up are in London, which has 13 of the top 15 constituencies for unclaimed support. The top 15, with the percentage of vouchers not redeemed, are: Cities of London and Westminster 44% Hampstead and Kilburn 44% Ealing Central and Acton 41% Brent Central 39% Finchley and Golders Green 39% Glasgow Central 38% Hendon 36% Westminster North 35% Chelsea and Fulham 35% Hornsey and Wood Green 35% Brighton Pavilion 34% Holborn and St Pancras 32% Greenwich and Woolwich 31% Ealing North 31% Ilford North 30% London has had the lowest redemption rate for months and there were more than 650,000 vouchers unclaimed at the end of March when the scheme was supposed to have ended. NEA said the poor take-up is not because of a lack of need but because many people are not aware and the charity is urging people with friends and family who may be eligible to contact it. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: Far too often support payments under this scheme have not found their way to vulnerable households. There is now less than a week to go before this support will be lost to households forever. If anyone feels they have missed out on Energy Bills Support Scheme payments they should contact their energy firm immediately. The mother of the teenager who died on the Titan submersible gave up her place to her son after the original trip was postponed due to Covid. Suleman Dawood, 19, and his father Shahzada were among five people who died when the vessel imploded on a journey to view the wreck of the Titanic. Christine Dawood told the BBC her son had been disappointed that he was not old enough to accompany them on the original trip scheduled before the pandemic. It was supposed to be Shahzada and I going down, she said. I stepped back and gave the place to Suleman because he really wanted to go. Christine Dawood is the mother and wife of Titan victims Suleman Dawood, 19, and Shahzada Dawood (BBC Breakfast/PA) Asked how she felt about the decision, she simply said: Lets just skip that. She said both of them were so excited and her son had taken a Rubiks Cube with him because he wanted to break a world record. Mrs Dawood said her son loved the famous square puzzle so much that he carried it with him everywhere and dazzled onlookers by solving it in 12 seconds. She told the broadcaster: He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube 3,700 metres below sea at the Titanic. The family boarded the Polar Prince, the subs support vessel, on Fathers Day hoping for the trip of a lifetime. Mrs Dawood and her 17-year-old daughter Alina were still on board when word came through that communications with Titan had been lost. She and her daughter held out hope to begin with after they did not initially return. She said: We all thought they are just going to come up so that shock was delayed by about 10 hours or so. By the time they were supposed to be up again, there was a time. when they were supposed to be up on the surface again and when that time passed, the real shock, not shock but the worry and the not so good feelings, started. Suleman Dawood took a Rubiks cube aboard Titan (Engro Corporation Limited via AP) We had loads of hope, I think that was the only thing that got us through it because we were hoping and we talked about things that pilots can do like dropping weights, there were so many actions people on the sub can do in order to surface. We were constantly looking at the surface. There was so many things we would go through where we would think its just slow right now, its slow right now. But there was a lot of hope. She said she lost hope when 96 hours had passed since her husband and son boarded the submersible, which indicated they had run out of oxygen. She revealed that is when she sent a message to her family saying she was preparing for the worst. Her daughter held out a bit longer, she said, until the call with the US Coast Guard when they were informed debris had been found. The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic (American Photo Archive, PA) The family returned to St Johns in Newfoundland, Canada, on Saturday, and on Sunday held a funeral prayer for Shahzada and Suleman. Mrs Dawood said she and her daughter have vowed to try to learn to finish the Rubiks Cube in Sulemans honour, and she intends to continue her husbands work. She said: He was involved in so many things, he helped so many people and I think Alina and I really want to continue that legacy and give him that platform when his work has continued and its quite important for my daughter as well. Alina and I said we are going learn how to solve the Rubiks Cube. Thats going to be a challenge for us because we are really bad at it but we are going to learn it. A murder investigation has been launched after a teenager was pulled out of a canal in west London with a stab wound. Police were called at around 5.45pm on Sunday to reports of a male with a stab injury in the canal by Scrubs Lane, Ladbroke Grove, the Metropolitan Police said. The force added that a 17-year-old boy was pulled from the water and was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.10pm. His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. No arrests have been made in the murder investigation launched after the incident, police said. Anyone with information is urged to call 101, tweet @MetCC and quote CAD5828/25June or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Ministers could spend 169,000 on every asylum seeker forcibly removed to a third country such as Rwanda, according to the Home Offices own estimates. Nearly two in five people would need to be deterred from crossing the Channel in small boats for the Illegal Migration Bill to break even, the economic impact assessment published on Monday said. Judges will hand down their judgment on the stalled Rwanda policy on Thursday as the Government desperately battles to fulfil its promise to stop the boats. Home Secretary Suella Braverman promised the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge would be in Portland by June 19 but it has not yet arrived (Yui Mok/PA) Last year 45,755 people were detected to have made the perilous journey. The Home Office document said the policy of relocating migrants to safe third countries could save between 106,000 and 165,000 per person. However, it said the figures are highly uncertain and that the measures would need to deter 37% of people from crossing for the costs to be recouped. The 169,000 cost includes flights and detention, as well as a 105,000 per person payment to third countries. The sum is an estimate not based on the true cost of the commercially sensitive Rwanda scheme. Despite Government efforts, Kigali is the only capital to have agreed to such a scheme with the UK. Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for Parliament to support her legislation, arguing that the assessment shows that doing nothing is not an option. We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer, she said. I urge MPs and Peers to back the Bill to stop the boats, so we can crack down on people smuggling gangs while bringing our asylum system back into balance. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said the plan was unworkable (Aaron Chown/PA) The document said that the asylum system could cost 32 million a day by the end of 2026 if recent trends continue without the reduction of hotel usage. The assessment said that it is not possible to estimate with precision the level of deterrence the Bill will have. It noted that academic consensus is there is little to no evidence that policy changes deter people leaving their home countries and seeking refuge. Instead, shared language, culture and family ties were accepted to be strong factors influencing choice of final destination. The document said evidence from a variety of countries such as Australia gives a stronger basis to think a policy change in the UK could have an impact. But it acknowledged asylum seekers may not be aware of UK law when making their journeys and may push on regardless because they consider the benefits to be larger than the risks. The assessment process does not consider the potential cost of making further agreements to expand the scheme beyond Rwanda, while noting that its estimates for the cost of third-party schemes was based on an National Audit Office study of the cost of the UKs Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme. It should not be considered to represent the actual cost of any current or future relocation agreement with a third country, the assessment notes. The Refugee Council, which criticised the assessment, pointed in particular to the assumption that individuals will spend on average four years in the asylum system. Chief executive Enver Solomon said the document fails to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the Bill. He added: It does very little to predict the actual cost of implementing the Bill, and offers no estimates of the number of arrivals after the Bill becomes law. The Home Office admits in this assessment that it does not know how much of a deterrent effect the Bill will actually have, yet it still relies on this assumption to claim financial savings will be made. The assessments predictions of future costs if the Bill is not implemented assume no improvements to decision-making efficiency, accommodation costs, or broader system enhancements. The reality is that making quicker decisions remains the most effective way to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the impact assessment a complete joke. By its own admission, this failing Conservative government is totally clueless on how much this Bill will cost or what the impact of any of its policies will be. They are taking the country for fools, the Labour MP said. The few figures the Home Office has produced show how chaotic and unworkable their plans are. The document came as Ms Bravermans plan to house asylum seekers on barges was branded unworkable as she missed her own target for the first vessel to be in place. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge is due into Portland, Dorset within the coming weeks, according to the Home Office (Matt Keeble/PA) The Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, which will house around 500 people, is not yet in Portland Port, Dorset, despite Mrs Braverman promising MPs it would be in the dock a week ago. The barge is currently in Falmouth, Cornwall, for checks, maintenance and refurbishment work. On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary told the Commons we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise. Bravermans plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this Governments asylum policy. The Home Secretary wants to use barges and sites including converted military bases to house asylum seekers and reduce the 6 million daily cost of hotel accommodation while people await a decision on their status. The Bibby Stockholm was the first barge secured under the plan, but its journey to Portland will now take place in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office. The chief executive of Ofwat has written to South East Water asking for an urgent meeting because of its hosepipe ban on customers. David Black said that resilience of supplies is well below what would be expected of a water company and that he is concerned about restrictions being brought in during the years first spell of hot weather. Burst pipes from freeze-thaw impacted 286,000 properties in December 2022 and the hot weather led to 6,000 properties experiencing interruptions, low pressure or their supply cut off two weeks ago, with some schools forced to close. As a result, South East Water has introduced a hosepipe ban for its customers in Kent and Sussex, citing an increase in demand. Some exemptions apply, such as for people with disabilities, though for most people, watering their garden, washing their car or filling up a paddling pool is now prohibited and those breaching the restrictions could face a fine of up to 1,000. The companys chief executive David Hinton claimed in a letter to customers that people working from home since the pandemic is a key factor behind the ban as it has driven up demand for water by around 20%. He also blamed low rainfall since April, which he said had left water butts empty, as well as a recent spell of hot weather which he said led to a spike in demand for drinking water. Much of the UK has experienced a similar lack of rain and increased demand though other water companies said their supplies are in good condition and there are no plans to restrict its use. Hosepipe bans have been imposed in parts of the South East and South West (PA Graphics) Mr Black said South East Water is one of the sectors worst performers and it needs transformative change to be able to provide a level of service that customers deserve. In a letter to the company board he said: I am concerned that the most recent event occurred in the first spell of hot weather this year, and that you experienced similar supply interruptions due to peak demand in July 2022. This suggests that the resilience of supplies is well below what would be expected from an essential service provider and that transformative change is required at South East Water to ensure customers receive the levels of service they deserve. These incidents also took place in the context of South East Water being one of the sectors worst performers with respect to supply interruptions for the last two reporting years. He said Ofwat has received complaints from customers who did not receive an adequate response from the company over the recent cuts to supply. Today, a hosepipe restriction in Kent & Sussex has been introduced to bring down the demand for water and help restore supplies to those who have been without for many days. Please see the website for more information: https://t.co/KRHrhRA8ap#SouthEastWater #WaterLatest pic.twitter.com/jyaZrWuDGp South East Water (@sewateruk) June 16, 2023 South West Water has had a hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban, in place since last summer for customers in Cornwall, which has since been extended to parts of Devon. The area has remained in drought status throughout the year. Other water companies said that while there are no plans for similar restrictions, they are encouraging people to be mindful of how much they are using. Yorkshire Water said in mid June that water use had increased by 130 million litres per day enough to supply the whole of Bradford. Paul Riordan, Southern Waters head of demand, said: Our water resources are in a good position, following a relatively wet winter, and we have no plans to impose restrictions on customer use in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex or anywhere else at this time. However, as the warm and dry weather continues across our region, we are seeing extremely high demand, so we would urge our customers to use water wisely wherever possible to ensure there remains enough to go round. The Prince of Wales will tour the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness and ensuring the issue is rare, brief and unrepeated. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past as he tries to emulate Finland, where the problem has been virtually eradicated, with his initiative called Homewards. The five-year project will initially focus on six locations, to be announced during Monday and Tuesday, where local businesses, organisations and individuals will be encouraged to join forces and develop bespoke action plans to tackle homelessness with up to 500,000 in funding. (PA Graphics) The future king, who was first taken to a homeless charity when a schoolboy by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales said: In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need. Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the UK hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate. William, patron of the homelessness charities Centrepoint and The Passage, will begin a two-day tour of the UK to launch his project on Monday starting in London. (PA Graphics) He added: I am fortunate to have seen first-hand the tireless work of people and organisations across the sector, the tangible impact their efforts can have and what can be done when communities are able to focus on preventing homelessness, rather than managing it. Its a big task, but I firmly believe that by working together it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated and I am very much looking forward to working with our six locations to make our ambition a reality. Homes will be a focus of the programme, with each location supported to deliver an innovative housing project that will test new ways to unlock homes at scale within the location and beyond. The six chosen areas, which includes one in London, were selected after a bidding process and the findings and results of the initiative will be used to create models that can adopted by other parts of the UK. The Prince of Wales meets a member during a visit to the Mosaic Clubhouse in Lambeth (Chris Jackson/PA) There are around 300,000 people experiencing homelessness across the UK on any given night according to Matt Downie, chief executive of the charity Crisis, one of a number of homelessness partner organisations of Homewards. Mr Downie described the factors pushing people into homelessness as complex, citing a severe shortage of genuinely affordable homes, rising rents, the increasing cost of living, years of low wages and insecure work that have left people unable to cope with sudden economic shocks and a welfare system unable to support them. Relying on temporary solutions like hostels and bed and breakfasts was costing billions he claimed, adding: Homelessness is not inevitable, as a provider of services to thousands of people across Britain every year. We know that in most cases its preventable, and in every case it can be ended. The six chosen areas, which includes one in London, were selected after a bidding process (Chris Jackson/PA) He went on to say: The best way to tackle homelessness is to stop it happening in the first place. Weve seen it in other countries such as Finland, where homelessness is all but ended, and weve seen it when we follow innovative programmes that give people housing first. We know we can do the same here with the right choices and by working together. With levels of homelessness only set to increase innovative programmes like Homewards are more necessary than ever. Accompanying the launch is a new Ipsos survey commissioned by Williams Royal Foundation aimed at helping to improving understanding about the issue. It revealed one in five (22%) of 3,473 adults questioned in May have some personal experience of homelessness either directly (9%) or via family (8%) or friends (7%). The research found 72% of those questioned thought homelessness had got worse during the past 12 months, while 73% believed that ending homelessness was not given enough attention by society. William and Kate joined clients of the homeless charity The Passage for an arts and craft session in December 2018 (Yui Mok/PA) The future king described his project as an additive to what is already being done in a Sunday Times interview but Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, criticised the plans and called on him to directly challenge the Government for, it claimed, causing homelessness. Graham Smith, Republics chief executive officer, said: Homelessness is the result of government policy and lack of investment, it isnt something that can be resolved by charity or royal patronage. He highlighted the princes three homes, Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom property in Windsor Castles Home Park, Kensington Palaces 20-room Apartment 1A and Anmer Hall, a mansion on the Kings private Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Mr Smith said: It is also, in part, the result of economic inequality, something represented by the super-rich royals who live in multiple palatial homes. In the newspaper interview William was asked if there were plans for affordable housing on Duchy of Cornwall land he inherited on becoming the Prince of Wales and replied There is. Absolutely. Social housing. Youll see that when its ready. A royal source said: The prince believes that rather then just continue to shine a light on the issue, that its time to take action. And yes, he may be in the position he is in, but this isnt about big gestures, this isnt about a PR stunt. This is about trying to deliver systemic change to the way that we as a society think about homelessness. Shifting standards of evidence will doom woke CEOs By Scott Shepard web posted June 26, 2023 ESG, stakeholder capitalism, sustainability, equity whatever the label, in each case, the fact on the ground is a corporation taking a left-wing political or social position and claiming that the move will be good for the corporation's bottom line. That second part is crucial because if a company were to take a partisan position that hurt the bottom line, the responsible directors and executives would have violated their fiduciary duty, which could bring shareholder lawsuits that might result in personal losses for the executives or at very least distinctly compromise their continued tenure at the company. As I have considered in these pages, some executives already face such lawsuits and the actions that potentially lead to further suits have already begun, while more must reasonably be expected at similar companies. The most recent example is Target, which is being challenged for making public commitments and spending shareholder assets to support, among other things, pressuring school teachers to keep knowledge of children's gender dysphoria from parents while fostering educational behaviors likely to exacerbate the social pressure on young people, especially girls, to embrace fringe and potentially damaging behavioral styles. When faced with massive revenue and share-price losses resulting from public outrage at Target's position, CEO Brian Cornell claimed that he had stuck to his fiduciary duty. "I think those are just good business decisions, and it's the right thing for society, and it's the great thing for our brand," Cornell said. Since that statement, Target has continued to claim that its hard-left partisanship is good for its bottom line. In order to do that, it has asserted that it just can't tell what has caused the downturn in stock price since the start of the controversy, which despite some recent recovery still represents a more than 10 percent decline. The thing is, though, in order to make the claim that such provocative and partisan moves are "the great thing for the brand," Target has to assert that it does know that taking these political positions now is going to have significant medium- to long-term benefits for the brand. It's very difficult to see how both of these claims could possibly be true at the same time. If Target executives don't really know what causes significant shifts in the current and recent share price, that might be a reason to consider replacing them or for them to consider replacing some members of their staff. But it makes it nearly impossible to believe that they can know with any degree of certainly what's going to happen years and decades from now, so as not only to justify but necessitate their taking significant risks and spending great piles of shareholder money to take highly controversial positions today. First, if Target doesn't know what's causing huge losses now, it can't by its own admission know that it's going to make up those losses in the future because it doesn't know to what causes to allocate those current losses. Second, in order to have an objective, competent and reasonable belief that the future will make up for the present, Target has to "know" all sorts of things that from here look highly unlikely. It has to "know" that this kids-and-trans thing is a fixed new development, and not something that will be looked back on in a few years with astonishment and horror by just about everyone. It further has to "know" that this fixed development will quickly be accepted by the vast majority of its once, current and potential customers, a fact nowhere in evidence. It has to "know" that the current generation, unlike every other generation in known history, won't get more staid, thoughtful and conservative as it gets older, or shed the fads of its youth, but will continue on its current course forever. It has to "know" an awful lot of things. It does not know those things. It certainly does not know all of those things, while not being able to figure out that massive public objections and customer abandonment have negative effects on revenue and share price. Its claims that these partisan-political moves are "the great thing for the brand," then, should face significant scrutiny should its executives' decision-making processes be reviewed by a court. This toggle switch for corporate standards of evidence bedevils many of the claims that partisan ESG moves are "doing well by doing good." Most of the "E" efforts in recent years boil down to trying to force companies to abandon affordable and dependable energy for the expensive and unreliable (and still dirty) kind. When claiming that this facially ridiculous move is good for corporate value, the proponents point to "stranded asset" theory the claim that the world's governments are going to force companies to make this shift anyway, so better not to sink any more assets into plans to use the affordable and dependable energy. The problem with this claim is that it doesn't seem very true. Just this past weekend the climate alarmists were fretting that European electorates seem disinterested in shivering in the dark, as will be required of them if they keep to political-schedule decarbonization plans. Some African countries that have experimented with going the expensive- and unreliable-energy route, have suffered accordingly, and now other African countries show a growing intent to steer clear. In the United States, unlawful federal regulatory mandates are being and will be challenged, and will be swept away entirely the next time the White House changes parties. In other words, all of these current indicators suggest that "stranded asset" theory is based on an entirely false premise. And that's beside the fact that China and India give every indication that they will not decarbonize, making the whole exercise pointless. But somehow, Larry Fink and the others "forcing" decarbonization "behaviors" just can't figure out what to make of this crush of current facts, while continuing to "know" that the whole world really is going to go forward with decarbonization on an arbitrary, politically devised schedule. Again, of course, they can't "know" that. More to the point, they can't be baffled by or dismissive of what's happening on the ground right now, but so certain of how things are going to play out in the future in ways resolutely contraindicated by current events and historical precedent that they just have to make facially terrible and profoundly partisan business decisions. Rejecting replete current evidence to believe something about the future contravened by that mounting pile of real, on the ground evidence is not objective analysis. It's faith or it's deliberate falsehood. The courts may not be able to establish which of those two options apply (though they may well be able to), but they should have no problem concluding that there is a legally fit way to run a railroad or a retail chain or investment house. Scott Shepard is a fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research and Director of its Free Enterprise Project . This first appeared at RealClearMarkets . Reprinted with the kind permission of the NCPPR. Home The Prince of Wales has announced the first of the flagship areas where he hopes to end homelessness with his new Homewards project. William said he is excited to be launching the five-year initiative in the London borough of Lambeth, one of six locations where new partnerships will be forged between councils, businesses, charities and individuals to eradicate the issue. In a speech to mark the event, held on Monday morning at an organisation supporting local residents with mental health issues, the future King said he is pleased to be at the start of our path to ending homelessness. The Prince of Wales during a visit to Mosaic Clubhouse in Lambeth, London, which supports people living with mental health conditions (Chris Jackson/PA) He said: Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good. William spoke about his personal connection to the issue, telling the audience, which included representatives from leading homelessness charities, how Diana, Princess of Wales took him to The Passage in December 1993. He said: My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11, with my mother. The visits we made left a deep and lasting impression. I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heart-breaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home. (PA Graphics) William, who will visit and reveal the remaining five Homewards locations on Monday and Tuesday, said: Lambeth will become part of a network of six flagship Homewards locations across the UK, all committed to creating and delivering a plan to prevent homelessness in their areas. They will all put collaboration at the heart of the response, forming locally led coalitions of committed people, organisations and businesses. Their in-depth knowledge of the specific issues and requirements of their local areas will drive forward the work and we will be here to support you, bringing together an unprecedented network of individuals and organisations with expertise, resources and the commitment to end homelessness. Invited to the launch, held at mental health organisation Mosaic Clubhouse in Brixton, south London, was Big Issue seller Dave Martin, 61. Last summer he was joined at his pitch in west London by William who helped him sell the magazine. (PA Graphics) Mr Martin welcomed the princes Homewards initiative which will encourage local groups in the six chosen locations to join forces and develop bespoke action plans to tackle homelessness with up to 500,000 in funding. He said: I think its really personal to him. His mother used to go to The Passage thats where he experienced homelessness for the first time, thats why its really important to him. The prince sat down with the core Homewards Lambeth team which included Lambeth Council leader Claire Holland and a number of organisations from the voluntary sector. He told them: I hope we can just collaborate more, convene more, scale more, and hopefully see where we end up in five years time. William also chatted to users of the Mosaics services, and tried his hand at being a barista at a stall run by an organisation which works with homeless charities training rough sleepers to make the perfect coffee. Later on Monday, William used a lathe in a carpentry workshop run by Faithworks, a Christian charity which provides training for homeless people at St Johns Church in Poole, Dorset. The Prince of Wales used a lathe during a visit to Faithworks carpentry workshop (Andrew Matthews/PA) After helping to carve the bulb planter tool, William, who wore a mask and goggles for health and safety purposes, described the experience as hypnotic. He added jokingly: I am good at destructive things like destructive gardening but not so much constructive things, so this is a different take. William was shown how the centre provides training and support to help people move into education and employment. The carpentry workshop, which first opened in 2018, uses donated and recycled wood to create goods to be sold by local businesses, such as a kitchen chopping board presented to the prince. Daniel Matthews, 43, one of the trainees, praised William for using his high profile and position to back the centre and tackle the issue of homelessness. The Prince of Wales put on a mask before using a lathe (Andrew Matthews/PA) He said: It is important he is willing to take his time and show people at the top have a touch with people who are perceived to be at the bottom. Louis Phelps-Vandarl, 47, added: He was born into it, wasnt he, hes just a lad really, its nice that someone that high up is taking an interest in local charities. Clayton Jeynes, 41, said: It shows his heart is in a good place and he wants to get to the roots of common problems in England and help people from disadvantaged backgrounds and help them flourish and gain skills and highlight to a wider audience the problems on the streets. Explaining the support of the service, he added: We all go through times where we could be self-conscious or lost in life and its like a gentle guidance back into learning to socialise and be productive in a positive way. William next visited Maindee Primary School in Newport, South Wales, where he and Homewards advocate Geri Horner, the former Spice Girl, hugged as they met before speaking to teachers and staff about how they are working to prevent homelessness in families. The prince told agency representatives taking part in the programme: I know this school is doing great work, so Im interested to see how we can use what youre doing here in terms of identifying early intervention opportunities and collaborate so it can be rolled out as best practice. He and the singer spoke to a number of the children who were busy working on art projects about what the term home means to them. The Prince of Wales and Geri Horner with members of staff during a visit to Maindee Primary School (Bronwen Weatherby/PA) Sylayman Torofdar, 11, told the PA news agency: It was so exciting having him here. He told us to keep up the good work and to stick together, which meant a lot. I told him thank you for everything you do. Headteacher Jo Cueto said: The homelessness issue was something that was highlighted to us during Covid when we were visiting families to drop off meal vouchers and work packs, and its something weve been working really hard to try and support families with ever since. This project is crucial now to take stock of where we are in Newport and to find solutions though multi-agency working. It is clear Prince William is dedicated to doing just that and to, as he said, making it everyones business to make sure the most vulnerable in society are supported. As she left the school, Ms Horner declared the school amazing. Earlier in the visit, she had told staff: This is such a positive and inspirational school, and shows just how possible it is to tackle homelessness when everyone works together. The singer also called William lovely and kind. A legal bid to have the long-delayed extradition hearing of a man suspected of rape in the United States thrown out of court has failed. Nicholas Ross, who allegedly faked his own death to avoid prosecution, continued to deny his identity when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday. The 35-year-old, who arrived at court wearing a legal gown, previously claimed in court to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight but a sheriff ruled last November that he is Nicholas Rossi. Asked by the clerk of court if he was Nicholas Rossi, the accused replied no. His lawyer, Mungo Bovey KC, then moved for the extradition hearing to be scrapped citing a recent decision to move Rossi to a prison south of the border so that English police can question him about an alleged rape there. Nicholas Rossis bid to have extradition proceedings thrown out failed (Andrew Milligan/PA) Mr Bovey argued it would be wrong to press ahead with the hearing then, potentially, set terms for Rossis extradition to the US based on his current medical condition before knowing whether he would be charged in England. He said should charges be brought and proven, then Rossi could end up serving a custodial sentence in England during which his health could deteriorate before being extradited under the terms set in Edinburgh when he was in better health. Mr Bovey said: In my submission we are in an awkward position by reason of a decision apparently made in the Crown Office. Advocate depute Alan Cameron argued the extradition hearing ought to continue, however, saying Mr Boveys argument rested on possibilities. After a lengthy adjournment, sheriff Norman McFadyen decided the hearing should go ahead but added that the subject of Rossi being wanted for questioning in England being raised at its outset was deeply unsatisfactory. Rossi was arrested and detained, while he was being treated for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, in December 2021, in connection with an alleged rape in Utah. It has been alleged Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution. The hearing continues. In this handout photo released by Russian Presidential Press Service on Monday, June 26, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin Video address to the participants and guests of the 11th International Youth Industrial Forum "Engineers of the Future 2023" n Moscow, Russia, (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the nation on Monday for unity after an armed rebellion over the weekend was aborted less than 24 hours after it began. Earlier in the day, the mercenary chief defended his short-lived insurrection in a boastful statement. In his first appearance since the rebellion ended, Putin also thanked most of the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into bloodshed. He said all necessary measures have been taken to protect the country and the people from the rebellion. He blamed Russia's enemies and said they miscalculated. The Kremlin also tried to project stability on Monday when authorities released a video of Russia's defense minister reviewing troops in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary group, said he wasn't seeking to stage a coup but was acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russia's military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Prigozhin taunted Russias military on Monday, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. The bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said only that Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt immediately clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. The independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was underway in an area of Belarus about 200 kilometers (320 miles) north of the border with Ukraine. The report couldnt be independently verified. The Belarusian military monitoring group Belaruski Hajun said Monday on Telegram that it had seen no activity in that district consistent with construction of a facility, and had no indications of Wagner convoys in or moving towards Belarus. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has had rows with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed an official request with Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion, given that Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed in a Saturday morning address to punish those behind it. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin can draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office amid the rebellion found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay his soldiers families. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry published video of defense chief Sergei Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Shoigu and other military leaders have lost Putins confidence and could be replaced. Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhins statement appeared to confirm analysts' view that the revolt was a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Prigozhin said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defense Ministrys command, and the force planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He accused the Defense Ministry of attacking Wagners camp, prompting them to move sooner. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with the military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. It was unclear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of several of Ukraine's European allies discussed the events in Russia over the weekend, but Western officials have been muted in their public comments. Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved in the short-lived insurrection. Speaking at the White House, Biden explained that he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it, he said. Biden said the U.S. was coordinating with allies to monitor the situation and maintain support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg concurred Monday that the events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy had contacted Russian representatives Saturday to stress that the U.S. was not involved in the mutiny. The events show the war is cracking Russia's political system, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. People who share intimate images without the consent of those depicted could face jail time after calls from campaigners for a crackdown on so-called revenge porn. Laws introduced on Tuesday will remove the requirement for prosecutors to prove perpetrators intended to cause distress by disclosing such material in order to secure a conviction. Amendments to the Online Safety Bill will make the sharing of intimate images without consent a base offence with a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment, the Ministry of Justice said. Love Island contestant Georgia Harrison, a revenge porn victim, at a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament (PA) Revenge porn was criminalised in 2015 but before now prosecutors had to prove there was an intention to cause humiliation or distress. TV personality Georgia Harrison, whose ex-partner Stephen Bear was jailed earlier this year for posting intimate footage of her on his OnlyFans account, was among those to call for a change to legislation. It follows a review by the Law Commission which also recommended reforming measures protecting against intimate image abuse. Harrison said: The reforms to the law that has been passed today are going to go down in history as a turning point for generations to come and will bring peace of mind to so many victims who have reached out to me whilst also giving future victims the justice they deserve. Im so grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this campaign and it just goes to show how amazing our country is that the Government have reacted so quickly to push through these amendments. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said: We are cracking down on abusers who share or manipulate intimate photos in order to hound or humiliate women and girls. Our changes will give police and prosecutors the powers they need to bring these cowards to justice, safeguarding women and girls from such vile abuse. The legislative changes will also deliver on Government plans announced last year to ban the sharing of deepfake pornography explicit images or videos that have been digitally manipulated to look like someone else without the consent of those depicted. Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said: Intimate image abuse causes significant distress to victims and survivors and often exists as part of a wider pattern of abuse that continues offline. I am pleased to see these changes in the Online Safety Bill that will hold perpetrators to account for this insidious form of abuse and hope to see it pass soon. Ruth Davison, Refuge chief executive, welcomed the amendments amid woefully low conviction rates for intimate image abuse. She said: At Refuge, we know that conviction rates for intimate image abuse remain woefully low. The amendments to the Online Safety Bill announced today will make it easier to prosecute perpetrators of intimate image abuse, ensuring justice and better protections for survivors. The NSPCC, which has argued tougher measures should be added to the Bill to protect women and children from harmful behaviour online, said more needs to be done. Rani Govender, senior child safety online policy officer at the charity, welcomed the move to bolster protection against intimate image abuse, but added: More needs to be done if the Online Safety Bill is to tackle the creation and sharing of child sexual abuse material which takes place on industrial levels. The Government should act today by closing a loophole in the legislation that will let tech bosses off the hook if they fail to address the way their products contribute to child sexual abuse. Stirling University lecturers are to commence a three-day walkout after their pay was docked by 50% for participating in a marking and assessment boycott over pay. Students have previously voiced concern that their degrees could be devalued as members of the University and College Union (UCU) refuse to mark exams or assessments in a dispute with the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA). It has seen academics at 145 universities across the UK take part in the marking boycott since April 20, with the union vowing to continue until an improved offer is made. But Stirling academics have said half of their pay is being deducted as a result of taking part in the boycott. Lecturers are still working their normal hours at the university and providing support for students, UCU Scotland has said, however the union argues the wage deduction does not reflect the percentage of time staff spend marking and assessing work. Now, the union has announced lecturers in Stirling will walk out on Tuesday before returning to teaching on Friday June 30. It follows similar action taken by Edinburgh, Dundee and Queen Margaret universities. Mary Senior, UCU Scotland official, said: Staff choose to work in universities because they want to teach and support students. The very last thing staff want to do is take industrial action, but over 10 years of pay being held down and worsening conditions has left us with no option. The principal at Stirling, Gerry McCormac, should stop trying to circumvent lawful industrial action short of strike and join the increasing number of principals and vice-chancellors calling for new, meaningful talks to resolve the dispute. Last week, higher education minister Graeme Dey said the marking boycott was regrettable after it emerged some students will graduate from university without knowing their degree results. Raj Jethwa, chief executive of UCEA, said: Policies on withholding pay are clear and factual, communicated to staff, and aimed at protecting students. HE institutions have a duty to protect their students and so they reject partial performance and as UCU knows they are legally entitled to withhold full pay for partial performance of duties such as MAB. HE institutions respect employees right to take lawful industrial action and, in turn, UCU needs to respect the employers right to withhold pay for not fulfilling contracts. Each autonomous HE institution is of course fully focused on managing this period of potential disruption as best they can for their students. We are disappointed that UCU is encouraging its members to target students. An injury to one is an injury to all. Strike action begins at Edinburgh College #FightingforFE @EISFela pic.twitter.com/X3YeZhVwcr EIS (@EISUnion) June 26, 2023 A Stirling University spokesperson said: The university is disappointed that this additional strike action is taking place. Our focus is on ensuring all our graduating students and their guests can celebrate and enjoy their graduation day, and we are grateful to all those staff across the institution who have worked hard to make this happen. A small number of staff continue to participate in the marking and assessment boycott, as part of sector-wide industrial action. Marking and the facilitation of assessments form part of the contractual duties of teaching staff. Staff who are not fulfilling their contractual obligations will have part of their pay withheld. Meanwhile, members of the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) at Edinburgh College began industrial action in response to compulsory redundancies. The unions general secretary, Andrea Bradley, said members were left with no option in the face of wilful intransigence by the management of the college. The college rejected the appeal of one member of lecturing staff who faces redundancy from Friday. She added: Given the size and scope of Edinburgh College as an organisation, the EIS would have anticipated meaningful discussions and offers of retraining or upskilling for the colleague who faces unemployment as of Friday. Despite retraining or upskilling being raised on several occasions by EIS representatives, and despite a so-called recruitment freeze having been abandoned, these discussions have not taken place, thereby limiting suitable alternatives to redundancy for the colleague who also happens to be an EIS branch rep. An Edinburgh College spokesperson said: The college continues to hold talks with our local EIS-Fela (Further Education Lecturers Association) branch and to explore all suitable alternative employment opportunities in this case. Rishi Sunak has insisted an expansion of lung cancer screening will save thousands of lives after a report found the NHS is performing substantially less well on life expectancy than foreign health services. The Government has announced a nationwide rollout of a pilot scheme that encourages people to get on-the-spot chest scans in trucks that operate from supermarket car parks. The initiative is aimed at increasing the number of lung cancer cases diagnosed early in order to improve prognosis. The Prime Minister defended the measures after a report by The Kings Fund found that the NHS lag(s) behind our peers on healthcare outcomes including cancer and is not by any means where we should be. As well as our immediate priority to invest record sums in the NHS to cut waiting lists, I want to make sure that the NHS is fit for the future, he said during a visit to one of the health screening facilities in Nottinghamshire. Todays announcement the expansion of lung cancer screening is a good example of that. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in the UK and we know that if you catch it early then you can much more improve the chances of people surviving it. He said the pilot scheme, which was initially targeted, had made an enormous difference and on being rolled out nationally would save thousands of peoples lives. Pressed about the findings of The Kings Fund report, the Prime Minister conceded that there is work to do but insisted he could fix outstanding issues. Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who spoke with reporters following Mr Sunak, refused to say whether the number of cancer deaths could be linked to austerity policies pursued by the Conservatives during the past 13 years. Rishi Sunak said the pilot scheme had made an enormous difference (Phil Noble/PA) Asked whether spending cuts were one of the reasons behind deprivation and poor health, he said: Theres a range of factors why this programme is targeted in communities like this, its because there are high rates of smoking and we know there are often high rates of smoking in deprived communities, and that is what this programme enables us to do, is to target the checks together with early intervention into the most deprived communities. The Kings Fund report found that the UK is significantly lagging behind its peers in terms of cancer survival rates, one of several factors dragging down life expectancy. The NHS performs poorly on healthcare outcomes across several different major disease groups and health conditions linked to avoidable mortality, according to the report. It had the fourth and second highest rates of preventable and treatable mortality in 2019 among the 19 health systems in the report, with 119 deaths and 69 deaths per 100,000 people respectively. Siva Anandaciva, the reports author and chief analyst at The Kings Fund, said at a briefing: On healthcare outcomes specifically, both for the outcomes that a system can control and those wider measures that rely on services that keep us healthy we lag behind our peers. We are not by any means where we should be. Rishi Sunak has said it is too early to determine whether the chaos triggered by the Wagner mercenary mutiny in Russia will provoke a regime change for Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister said Britain is preparing for a range of scenarios after the halted rebellion cast uncertainty over the future of the Russian president. Culminating a bitter feud, warlord Yevgeny Prigozhins troops were just 120 miles from Moscow before he called off the uprising after a deal brokered with the Kremlin. The image of Mr Putins iron grip on Moscow has been dented by images of the private army leaving Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. Mr Sunak said he agrees with US secretary of state Antony Blinkens assessment that the dispute has exposed real cracks in the Russian presidents authority. Its a situation that weve been monitoring for some time, in the instability that will be caused by Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, the PM said during a visit to Nottingham. Pressed whether it could precipitate a regime change, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: Its too early to predict with certainty what the consequences of this might be. But of course we are prepared, as we always would be, for a range of scenarios. Mr Sunak shared a call over the weekend with the USs Joe Biden, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Olaf Scholz. Mr Prigozhin had demanded the ousting of defence minister Sergei Shoigu, who he has frequently clashed with during the invasion of Ukraine. Mr Putin accused Mr Prigozhin of being behind a treason before dropping charges after his former ally agreed to stand his troops down and move to Belarus. Downing Street also declined to discuss the impact of the chaos in Russia, during what the Prime Ministers official spokesman described as relatively an early stage. Asked if the UK is opposed to regime change in Moscow, he said: Issues of regime in Russia are for Russia to resolve first and foremost. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who has shared a call with his G7 counterparts, will update the Commons on the situation on Monday afternoon. A suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence has been identified for the first time, with police apologising for mistakes in the original investigation 30 years ago. The Metropolitan Police said Matthew White was arrested twice over the murder, but on both occasions there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. Mr Lawrence was stabbed to death on April 22 1993 in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, after he was set upon by a gang of white youths shouting racial slurs and brandishing weapons. The bungled original investigation hampered by racism and alleged police corruption meant it took nearly 20 years for two of the 18-year-olds killers to be brought to justice, with three named suspects never prosecuted. Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris were jailed for life for Stephen Lawrences murder (PA) Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 2012 at the end of a trial that hinged on tiny traces of forensic evidence found years after the crime. Two of the three remaining suspects, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have since served jail time for drug dealing, while Luke Knight has remained free. The identification of White, who died aged 50 in 2021, comes after a BBC investigation which claimed he had a central role in the case. White was first arrested over the murder in March 2000 and again in December 2013 but, on both occasions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence, the Met said. In a statement prompted by the BBC investigation, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. Following the 2012 convictions, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large. White was first brought up in the investigation in May 1993 when he told officers he had visited the homes of two other suspects on the night of the murder, Scotland Yard said. He was seen by police officers when he refused to attend the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry before being re-interviewed during the post-inquiry investigation. Suspects (L to R) David Norris, Jamie Acourt and Luke Knight leave the Stephen Lawrence Murder Inquiry (Justin Williams/PA) Between March and April 2000 White was arrested and interviewed under caution after new information was received from a new witness but denied any involvement in the murder. In May 2005, prosecutors advised that there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence. Following the convictions of Norris and Dobson, a seven-year post-conviction investigation was launched. In 2013 it was discovered that a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message about a relative of White who may hold information in 1993. The relative was not named and was misidentified in what the Met has called a significant and regrettable error. It was not until 2012 that the relative was correctly identified and new information was obtained. The Met said White was arrested for a second time in December 2013 based on the new information but in October 2014 a further CPS advice file found that no further action should be taken. In February 2020, White was seen and spoken to again but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress any further before he died in August 2021. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced in 2020 that, following an investigation launched in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the CPS to consider whether four former police officers who were in senior roles at various times during the opening weeks of the murder investigation may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes may advance the case. Armed forces personnel have spoken of their fear that they might not return home from Afghanistan as they worked in chaotic conditions during the allied withdrawal nearly two years ago. The Taliban seized power in a lightning offensive across the Central Asia country in August 2021 as US and Nato troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from the country after two decades of war. In a three-part Channel 4 series titled Evacuation, British military personnel open up about their experience of assisting thousands of British passport holders, embassy staff and vulnerable Afghans during Operation Pitting. The operation saw members of the armed forces, along with Border Force and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff, evacuate more than 15,000 people to the UK in just over sixteen days. In candid interviews, the servicemen and women open up about the desperation they encountered among those looking to flee, of being surrounded by Taliban forces as they worked and the horrors of dealing with the aftermath of a suicide bomb attack. As the Taliban encircled Kabul, one lieutenant colonel from UK Joint Force Headquarters, named only as Mike during the documentary, described the surreal experience of emptying bottles of wine and champagne at the British Embassy in the capital a collection which was said to belong to the then-ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Laurie Bristow. He said he also chiselled the royal crest off the outside of the building. A sergeant major in the British Armys Parachute Regiment, known only as Gaz, said that, although the 2021 experience had been completely different to his three previous combat tours of Afghanistan, it was harder, both physically and mentally. Diana Bird, a Royal Air Force Police squadron leader, said that, after terrified Afghans breached the fences of Kabul International Airport, she feared for her safety. The runway has people all over it, so nothing can take off or land that is big, she said. The Taliban are surrounding the airport, so we arent driving out. There is nowhere to go, the country has fallen. I really thought, I may not be going home. This may have been a trip too far. British armed forces spoke to Channel 4 about their experience during the withdrawal and evacuation (MoD/PA) With many of her team on their first overseas mission and not yet into their 20s, she described how she basically took a sixth-form field trip to Kabul. Ms Bird recalled being brought to tears as Afghan women, who said they had received threatening letters from the Taliban, begged for their lives to be allowed on a repatriation flight. She had to explain to them that they did not meet our criteria to be helped. You absolutely feel for each and every one of these people. But we couldnt save everybody, she said. During Op Pitting, which began on August 13, British forces and officials processed those eligible for evacuation from the Baron Hotel near the capitals airport. Sgt Maj Gaz told his Paras team to err on the side of compassion when dealing with complex cases. He added: In quite vague terms, you had British foreign policy being dictated by a 19-year-old lance corporal at the front gate of the Baron hotel. While allied forces worked on evacuating people, the perimeter of the air field was struck by a suicide bomber on August 26, 2021. Officials declared at the time that at least 13 US troops and 60 Afghan nationals were killed and more than 150 people were injured in a complex attack at the airport. Lance corporal David Mitchell, describing the aftermath, said: Legs (were) off, arms off, bits all over the walls. It looked like people had been put in a blender and tipped out everywhere. Operation Pitting worked while Kabul airport was surrounded by Taliban forces (MOD Crown copyright/PA Wire) Sgt Maj Gaz said: There was a little girl in a nice multi-coloured dress and she had been blown up on to the wall, dead. Ive seen some grim stuff and that was grim. After the final civilian flights left Kabul, attention turned to destroying British military vehicles and other kit left behind to prevent the Taliban from using them. Gaz recalled that billions of pounds of equipment was left on site after the troops flew home. A number of those interviewed said the evacuation made them question Britains involvement in the two-decade effort in Afghanistan. Some 456 British personnel lost their lives during the conflict and UK governments spent more than 22 billion on the deployment since the September 11, 2001, Islamist terror attack on the US sparked an allied invasion the following month. LCpl Mitchell, giving his view on the Afghanistan war, said: I just think that place is failed. If we were going to do that (evacuate), we should have done it 20 odd years ago. Let the Taliban take over and just have it, basically. I just think we should have done that in the beginning if that is what we were going to do. A lot of us would have been saved as well. But Im not a politician. Reflecting on the exit, an RAF wing commander, whose name was only given as Calvin, said: My existence for 20 years, in some ways, felt as if it had been completely undone. Hadnt we done a good job undoing 20 years worth of effort and activity in 14 days? You do what the democracy asks you to do and, at the end of it, it just raises the question about why. RAF Polices Ms Bird said she was still coming to terms with her part in Op Pitting and said there were things she did that she was not necessarily proud of. But it was the right thing to do, she added. I think to a certain extent Ive got to forgive myself as well, which will take time. Evacuation will begin airing on Channel 4 on Sunday July 2. The Wagner mutiny in Russia was an unprecedented attack on Vladimir Putins authority that exposed cracks in domestic support for the war in Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary has said. James Cleverly said the mask slipped when warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin drove a coach and horses through the Russian presidents case for the invasion during their bitter row. The feud between Mr Prigozhin and the Kremlins military top brass culminated with him sending his mercenaries on a march towards Moscow over the weekend. A civil war was avoided by a deal brokered between the factions but Mr Cleverly said the chaos showed Ukraine not Russia has the strategic patience to win the war. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace sounded a note of caution about over-analysing the dramatic events of the weekend, warning against over-crediting its destabilising impact. Rishi Sunak said it is too early to determine whether the rebellion could spark a regime change in Moscow but said the UK is preparing for a range of scenarios. Giving an urgent statement to MPs on Monday, Mr Cleverly said: The Russian governments lies have been exposed by one of President Putins own henchman. Now, the full story of this weekends events and the long-term effects will take some time to become clear and it is not helpful to speculate. But Prigozhins rebellion is an unprecedented challenge to President Putins authority and it is clear that cracks are emerging in the Russian support for the war. Mr Cleverly reiterated demands for the Kremlin to withdraw troops from Ukraine, arguing that the Wagner bosss public row with military leaders had undermined Mr Putins case for the war. He drove a coach and horses through President Putins case for war, the Foreign secretary said. He has made it clear that this war of aggression was driven by the egos of President Putin and the immediate cohort around him. They wanted to recreate an imperial Russia as they had in the past and the lives of thousands of Ukrainians and others have been lost in pursuit of one mans ego. Mr Cleverly added that everybody should note that one of Putins proteges had publicly destroyed his case for the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the Rusi conference on Monday evening, the Defence Secretary warned against allowing Mr Prigozhins challenge to distract from the main focus of supporting Kyiv. While it directly challenged the narrative for war, he said: We shouldnt necessarily over-credit the destabilisation, that somehow this is a massive derailment of the Kremlin. It was just another of the cracks we have been seeing in public discourse, he added. Liz Truss, the former prime minister and foreign secretary, urged Britain and its allies to have a plan in the case of the implosion of Russia. Vladimir Putin accused Mr Prigozhin of being behind a treason (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP) Mr Prigozhin had demanded the ousting of defence minister Sergei Shoigu, who he has frequently clashed with during the invasion of Ukraine. The mercenaries were just 120 miles from Moscow before a deal brokered with the Kremlin halted the uprising. Mr Putin accused Mr Prigozhin of being behind a treason before dropping charges after his former ally agreed to stand his troops down and move to Belarus. The image of Mr Putins iron grip on Moscow has been dented by images of the private army leaving Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. Speaking to broadcasters, Mr Sunak said he agrees with US secretary of state Antony Blinkens assessment that the dispute has exposed real cracks in the Russian presidents authority. Its a situation that weve been monitoring for some time, in the instability that will be caused by Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, the PM said during a visit to Nottingham. Members of the Wagner Group in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (AP) Pressed whether it could precipitate a regime change, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: Its too early to predict with certainty what the consequences of this might be. But of course we are prepared, as we always would be, for a range of scenarios. Mr Sunak shared a call over the weekend with the USs Joe Biden, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Olaf Scholz. In the Commons, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that Ukraine was making gradual but steady tactical progress during its long-awaited counter-offensive. Russia does not appear to have the uncommitted ground forces needed to counter the multiple threats it is now facing from Ukraine, which extend over 200km from Bakhmut to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, he said. (Photo : Elijah NOUVELAGE / AFP) (ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images) The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) said that there were at least three dead and five injured resulting from shootings over the weekend. There were at least three dead and five injured from Kansas City shootings in Missouri over the weekend as law enforcement personnel are investigating the facts of the attacks. The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) deployed officers to respond to calls about a shooting on 57th Street and Prospect Avenue at around 4:30 a.m. local time Sunday. There, law enforcement personnel discovered the bodies of three people in a parking lot and the street near the intersection. Kansas City Shootings In a statement, the KCPD said that of the three victims, two were adult males while the other was an adult female, adding that they were declared deceased when found. Furthermore, officers received information that five victims were transported to various hospitals by private vehicles or ambulances as they suffered non-life-threatening injuries, as per USA Today. Police added that preliminary information indicates that before the incident, a large gathering of people was in the parking lot at the intersection. They also noted that detectives were confident that there were many witnesses to the case that could provide valuable information. Mayor Quinton Lucas also posted on Facebook, sharing his condolences to the victims' families. He added that if the business where the people gathered knew that so many would be present, without security, selling alcohol, and thwarting laws, it should be closed. The KCPD also responded to another shooting at around 3:00 a.m. local time near 31st Street. The number of victims injured in that particular incident was not immediately known, but some were found to be in critical condition. Police have put up a $25,000 reward for information submitted anonymously that could help the investigation into the shootings. A statement by the KCPD said that if anyone was in or around the area at the time of the incident, they should contact Homicide detectives, according to CNN. Read Also: Vatican To Release Evidence Related to 1983 Disappearance of 15-Year-Old Girl Increase in Homicide Cases Furthermore, law enforcement personnel said they were working with Partners for Peace to monitor risks of retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. The shooting comes with a 28% increase in homicides in Kansas City this year. Before the weekend shootings, the KCPD said it had investigated 91 homicides this year, an increase from 20 during the same time last year. One resident living near the crime scene, Cherron Barney, said the shooting sounded like war. At the time of the incident, Barney was asleep but immediately woke up after hearing the gunshots. After a while, she said there was a pause in the shootings before the sounds started again. She argues that lawmakers must change gun laws in the area to protect residents. One of the cousins of one of the victims said that they had been at Bridger's in Westport until about 3:00 a.m. They then went to the parking lot on the East side, and everything seemed to be okay. Then, someone started shooting, and people in the area began running and pulling out their own weapons, said the Kansas City Star. Related Article: Titan Sub: The Life of 5 Victims Before the Tragic Blast @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ben Wallace has appeared to further play down his prospects of emerging as Nato chief in the future, after ruling himself out of the race to replace Jens Stoltenberg. The Defence Secretary had already ruled himself out of the running to replace the outgoing Nato secretary general, telling The Economist last week its not going to happen and there are a lot of unresolved issues in Nato. There had been speculation Mr Wallace could emerge as a leading contender to take on the key defence job. Earlier in the month, US President Joe Biden said he would support a Nato leader from the UK when he met with Rishi Sunak at the White House. Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg (James Manning/PA) Mr Biden had indicated that Mr Wallace was a very qualified individual, but it remains to be seen who will get the job. But speaking at the Rusi conference on Monday, the Defence Secretary seemed to suggest that a switch to Nato was not on the horizon in the short or even medium-term. Giving a very brief answer, he said: I am not going to be doing it this year, next year or the year after. It is for others to take up that job. Stephen Lawrence, 18, was murdered in south east London in April 1993. (PA) A suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence has been publicly named for the first time. A BBC investigation found that the Metropolitan Police mishandled inquiries relating to Matthew White, who died in 2021, aged 50. The force has apologised for mistakes it made in the original investigation 30 years ago. It said White was arrested twice over Stephen's murder, but on both occasions there wasn't enough evidence for a prosecution. The 18-year-old was stabbed to death on 22 April 1993 in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Eltham, south east London, after he was set upon by a gang of young white men shouting racial slurs and brandishing weapons. The failure of the first police investigation into the murder led to a public inquiry that concluded the Met was institutionally racist. What happened to Stephen Lawrence? Stephen Lawrence, 18, from Plumstead, was stabbed to death by a gang of young white men in Eltham, south east London, on 22 April 1993. He had been waiting for a bus at the time with his friend, Duwayne Brooks, who said six white youths forced Stephen to the ground and stabbed him. Stephen collapsed after running more than 100 yards from where he was attacked. He died soon afterwards. Watch: Stephen Lawrence honoured at memorial service 30 years after his murder Within days of the murder, five main suspects were identified: Gary Dobson, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, Luke Knight, and David Norris. However, no arrests were made by the Metropolitan Police until two weeks after the murder and officers did not search the suspects' houses for four days. Neil Acourt and Knight were charged with murder, but the charges were dropped in July 1993 after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) cited insufficient evidence. The following year, Stephen's family, led by his mother Doreen and his father Neville, launched a private prosecution against the five suspects but this fell through because of a lack of evidence. In 1997, following Stephen's inquest, in which the five suspects refused to answer questions, an inquiry was ordered by then home secretary Jack Straw. The resulting Macpherson Report, published in 1999, found the Metropolitan Police was "institutionally racist". A memorial plaque dedicated to Stephen Lawrence near the scene of his murder in Eltham, south east London. (Getty Images) A memorial to Stephen Lawrence close to where he was murdered in April 1993. (Getty Images) Following a cold case review and new scientific evidence, comprising a stain of Stephen's blood on Dobson's jacket and fibres from Stephen's clothing and his hairs on Norris and Dobson's clothes, Dobson and Norris were found guilty of murder in January 2012. They were each given a life sentence, with a minimum term of 15 years and two months for Dobson and 14 years and three months for Norris. Two of the three remaining suspects, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have since served jail time for drug dealing, while Luke Knight has remained free. Why is the Stephen Lawrence case so important? The Macpherson Report, ordered in the wake of Stephen's murder and carried out by High Court judge Sir William Macpherson, concluded that the Metropolitan Police was "institutionally racist". It found that the original police investigation into Stephen's murder was incompetent. The report recommended abolishing the double jeopardy rule to allow a retrial upon new and compelling evidence, a change which came into effect in 2005 and eventually led to the conviction of Dobson and Norris for Stephen's murder. Jack Straw said ordering the Macpherson Report was the most important decision he made during his time as home secretary. The report made 70 recommendations in all for reform across policing, criminal law, government, the NHS and schools to address issues of institutional racism. Baroness Doreen Lawrence at a memorial service for her son Stephen in April to mark the 30th anniversary of his death. (Alamy) Dr Neville Lawrence pictured in April before the 30th anniversary of his son Stephen's murder. (PA) Up to 67 of these recommendations let to changes within two years of the report's publication, including targets for the recruitment of black and Asian police officers. The report also led to the creation of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, now known as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Issues with racism and policing, however, very much remain an issue in the UK. In March 2023, 24 years after the publication of the Macpherson Report, an inquiry by Baroness Casey - commissioned after Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard - found that the force was still institutionally racist, as well as institutionally misogynistic and homophobic. On the 30th anniversary of Stephen's death in April, a month after the publication of the Casey Report, Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted the force "did not dig deep enough" to confront racism after Stephen's murder. He said: Thirty years on from Stephens murder, we offer our sympathies to the Lawrence family on their unimaginable loss. On behalf of the Metropolitan Police, I apologise again for our past failings which will have made the grief of losing a loved one all the more difficult to endure. We have let black communities down. They feel over-policed and under-protected." Watch: Met Police chief apologises for 'ghastly' Casey Report findings A new poll found that just more than two of three respondents are concerned about President Bidens mental and physical health. The NBC News poll found that 68 percent are concerned that Biden, 80, does not possess the necessary mental and physical health to serve as president, with 55 percent saying they have major concerns. By comparison, 32 percent said that they have minor or no concerns with Bidens health. When asked about whether they are concerned about former President Trumps mental and physical health, 55 percent said they are concerned, including 44 percent who have major concerns. Forty-four percent said they have minor or no concerns that Trump, 77, has the mental and physical health needed to serve as president. Sixty percent of respondents also said they are concerned about Biden being reelected to serve another four years in the White House, including 46 percent who reported having major concerns. Fifty-eight percent answered the same way for Trump, including 51 percent saying they have major concerns. The poll, which was taken after Trump was indicted by the Justice Department on charges related to his handling of classified materials, also found that the former has a comfortable lead over his opponents in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, and that his lead has grown since April. The poll also found that nearly half of Republicans want Trump to continue as the leader of their party. The poll was conducted June 16 to 20 among 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Amazon (AMZN) is set to hit a major milestone in 2024: Becoming the largest retailer in the US, according to JPMorgan analysts Doug Anmuth and Bryan M. Smilek. If this comes to pass, Amazon will be unseating Walmart (WMT) as the country's largest retailer. It would be a seismic shift, one driven by increased e-commerce penetration, faster delivery times, and the stickiness of Amazon Prime. JPMorgan estimates show that, in 2023, Amazon's gross merchandise volume, or GMV, will grow 11.6% year-over-over to $477 billion. This kind of growth shows the sort of resilience that Wall Street has been hoping to see out of e-commerce businesses, which had a tough 2022. Though e-commerce businesses like Amazon saw major booms during the pandemic, last year saw a pullback. It was the first year since 2009 that US e-commerce grew less than 10%, the analysts noted, adding just 8.5% year-over-year, "likely driven by macro pressures, the resurgence of [brick-and-mortar] retailers, and the shift toward omnichannel retail following the pandemic," Anmuth and Smilek wrote on June 20. This year, Amazon's GMV is growing due to "solid growth in under-penetrated categories" like grocery and apparel, "faster delivery speeds, with 2023 tracking toward Amazons fastest delivery speeds ever," and the "Prime flywheel," the idea that the company's much-discussed subscription service builds momentum at every step in the experience, the analysts wrote. Amazon's e-commerce business will also benefit from increased business-to-business capabilities, new fintech offerings like Buy With Prime, and estimated growth in the number of third-party sellers operating in the company's marketplace, they added. JPMorgan estimates that there will be about 300 million Prime members globally by the end of this year. In 2021, then-CEO Jeff Bezos said the company had "more than 200 million Prime members worldwide." Amazon also has a massive grip on the e-commerce marketplace and, at the end of 2023, JPMorgan analysts expect the company's e-commerce market share to be 42.2%, an increase of 106 basis points year-over-year. View of delivery vans at Amazon Hub in North Las Vegas (DeeCee Carter/MediaPunch /IPX) JPMorgan's bullishness on Amazon also ties back to the belief that the company will leverage generative AI in its e-commerce operations, suggesting that a "ChatGPT-style product search would create an interactive conversational experience" which the analysts believe would "enable Amazon other retailers to provide a more personalized customer experience" and that AI could also "could enable Amazon and other retailers to leverage a breadth of customer purchase history and data and enhance personalized recommendations." Big tech government scrutiny There's a catch, however: in recent months, so-called "big tech" companies, Amazon included, are seeing increased scrutiny from the federal government. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said he is investigating what he called Amazon's "abysmal safety record" and, though it's far from the first time Sanders has gone after Amazon, it's certainly one of the most formal, and is unlikely to be the last. Additionally, last week the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Amazon, alleging that the company has been tricking customers into signing up for Amazon Prime and making it harder to cancel those subscriptions. The lawsuit is the byproduct of an FTC investigation that began back in 2021. For Amazon, it's a gut-punch of a lawsuit, alleging that the company violated several consumer protection laws and that the court should issue an injunction to stop Amazon's Prime subscription practices. This new Amazon lawsuit comes on the heels of FTC actions against many of tech's biggest names, including Alphabet (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), and Apple (APPL). Allie Garfinkle is a Senior Tech Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @agarfinks and on LinkedIn. Click here for the latest trending stock tickers of the Yahoo Finance platform. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance. Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. DENVER The shooter who pleaded guilty to killing five people and injuring 17 others at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs was sentenced Monday to life in prison. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, who identifies as nonbinary and uses Mx. Aldrich, walked into the popular Club Q on Nov. 19, 2022, and opened fire. The shooter was charged with 323 criminal counts including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and bias-motivated crimes. The sentencing by Fourth Judicial District Judge Michael McHenry was expected to close the chapter on one of the worst mass killings in Colorado history, but the grief experienced by family and friends of the victims, as well as survivors, will continue indefinitely. People visit a makeshift memorial near the Club Q nightclub on Nov. 21, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) FBI special agent Mark Michalek, who is in charge of the Denver field office, said during a news conference Monday that the agency has opened a case against Aldrich in conjunction with the Department of Justice. He did not provide additional details. FBI officials said later that an indictment or further charges could come from the DOJ or the U.S. Attorneys Office in Colorado. On the night of the shooting, the shooter first entered the club around 10:15 before walking back to the parking lot. The shooter re-entered shortly before midnight, wearing a ballistic vest and carrying an AR-15-style assault rifle and allegedly carried out the attack. The shooter was tackled and disarmed by patrons before being taken into custody by authorities. The victims were aged 22 to 40. Survivors and family members of the victims addressed the court Monday during the sentencing portion of the hearing. Jeff Aston, the father of Daniel Aston, 28, said his son was a gifted poet with a contagious smile. A positive force has been taken out of the world. He was in the prime of his life. He was happy, he had hopes, dreams and plans that will never be realized, Aston said. Losing him has caused us incredible grief and sadness. Some family members said the punishment should be similar to the pain and destruction that the shooter caused. This man doesnt deserve to go on. What matters now is that he never sees the sun rise or a sunset, said Adriana Vance, the mother of Raymond Green Vance, 22. She described her son as a kind, loving and gentle man who touched many people. He was always there for his family and friends and people he didnt even know, the mother said. Army veteran Richard Fierro, who was at Club Q celebrating a birthday with family and friends, is one of two people who subdued the shooter. On Monday, he called the shooting an act of terrorism. This terrorist has shown no remorse for human life. His decision to murder and maim that night is one that is unforgivable, said Fierro, staring directly at the shooter, who was seated with hands cuffed and folded next to defense lawyers. This terrorist is a coward and chose to target the innocent. That night I was forced to act in a way that was inhumane, Fierro said. A drag performer of Club Q who survived the shooting said he lost his partner and sense of safety. We as queer people were attacked. I forgive this individual as they are a symbol of a broken system of hate and vitriol pushed against us as a community, the performer said. The massacre came 17 months after the shooter was arrested following a standoff that the suspect livestreamed with El Paso County sheriffs deputies. After the suspect was arrested and jailed on suspicion of multiple counts of felony menacing and kidnapping, prosecutors decided not to pursue the case and the records were sealed, according to KUSA. The suspects mother, however, had reported that her child was threatening to cause harm to her with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons, and ammunition, the sheriff's department said in a news release. Richard Fierro, with his brother Ed, left, by his side, describes how he took the shooter down the night of the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs in 2022. (Helen H. Richardson / Denver Post via Getty Images file) In interviews, others who survived the shooting described the terror they felt when the shooter started firing bullets indiscriminately. Michael Anderson, a bartender at Club Q, recalled in November that he heard a few popping sounds and initially assumed someone inside the club might have been clapping. Then I looked up, he said, and I realized people were running. CORRECTION (June 26, 2:30 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the first name of the shooter. The shooter is Anderson Aldrich, not Anthony. House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R) called for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to declassify all data reviewed in the probe into the origins of the COVID-19 virus and into the possible link to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, calling a recent report released by the agency not sufficient. On Friday, the ODNI released a report summarizing the findings of its research. It concluded that while some researchers at the institute were ill in 2019 with symptoms that were consistent with COVID-19, the symptoms were not necessarily diagnostic of the illness. The report was issued in compliance with a law passed by Congress that required all information related to this probe by the ODNI to be declassified. In an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation, Turner criticized the report for summarizing the findings, rather than giving a transparent look at the data and predicted this would set up a potential battle with Congress. What they did is they basically went in and did a paper on what they believe about the intelligence theyve looked at, Turner said of the report. Weve asked to open the curtain and release the intelligence, and they went behind the curtain, read the stuff and came out and said, Well, this is what we think about it. This is not sufficient, Turner said. And certainly, this is going to set up a battle between Congress and the Director of National Intelligence to make certain that that the law that was passed unanimously, both the Senate and the House and was signed by the president is complied with, but also the American public get the answers they deserve. When moderator Margaret Brennan asked about a classified annex of the report, Turner said the very existence of the annex contradicts the essence of the law, which requires the information to be declassified by the American public. Actually we just got this late late Friday, so I havent had access to it in a classified setting, but even releasing a classified annex goes against what the law says. The law says, declassified, not, give us more classified information. I mean, my committee has already seen a significant amount of this intelligence. Giving my committee more intelligence doesnt give it to the American public. And thats what the declassification law was about. In the executive summary of the report, the ODNI said the classified annex was necessary to protect sources but that the findings were consistent with what was released in the report. A classified annex to this report includes information that was necessary to exclude from the unclassified portion of this report in order to protect sources and methods, but the information contained in the annex is consistent with the unclassified assessments contained in this report, read the executive summary of the report, which was released Friday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. When we think of medicine, we think of a prescription, a pill, but medicine comes in so many forms, said Piialii Lawson, a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner. Lawson, who comes from a long line of ancestral weavers and kahuna lapaau (Native Hawaiian healers) who revered the power of plants, shares his practice with guests of the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. He grew up just a few miles away from the resort. As Lawson explained, medicine is correlated to your needs. I need to go in the water; thats the medicine for the day. Maybe I just need to eat a cheeseburger. What does our body need right now, he added. With a deep connection to nature, Native Hawaiians have turned to plants for centuries to help cure any ailments or for preventative purposes in an ancient practice known as laau lapaau (laau meaning plant and lapaau meaning to heal.) A lot of times we see plants like, oh, theyre nothing, they're just there, but plants are there to serve a purpose, to provide medicine, he said. Its been with our ancestors in indigenous cultures around the world. Lawson is a Native Hawaiian practitioner who runs workshops at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Koolina. Kava, or awa in Hawaiian, was believed to help muscles relax or with insomnia. People were given parts of the kukui plant as a laxative, and the nut was used to help heal ulcers and sores. Olena, or turmeric, was used as an anti-inflammatory. The list goes on. At the Four Seasons Resort this summer, Lawson is running a weekly workshop where people create their smudge sticks from native plants they pick right on the property. After the stick dries, people can burn it as a way of bringing balance to your body, your heart, maybe your house and car. He also offers another workshop, a Muhala Sound Healing Ritual. What is smudging? Smudging is a sacred practice used by many native cultures to ward off evil spirits and energy, especially in ceremonial rituals. The most popular plant to comprise smudge sticks is white sage, mainly by tribes in California and Mexico who also incorporate it in their food, medicine and more. Smoke holds cultural and religious significance for many worldwide, like how the Chinese, Japanese, Egyptians and others are known to burn incense. This workshop is really about how we can connect to the energy and intentions of that and create our own smudge stick using plants that are already around us, Lawson said. Coral reefs are dying. What one Hawaii resort is doing to help. A focus on sustainability Lawson has always enjoyed the tradition of burning sage but wanted to give the practice a sense of place in Hawaii. Its not difficult to find a smudge stick in a store, especially one that sells other New Age items like tarot cards and crystals. The mainstream popularity of white sage smudge sticks has caused overharvesting of the plant, negatively impacting the indigenous cultures deeply rooted in the practice. Something similar is happening to the dry forests where palo santo is harvested, a wood burned by indigenous communities in Central and South America in religious ceremonies that's now become popular in the Western world. At the end of the workshop, guests will be able to take home their own sustainable smudge stick. Why dont we use plants here? Why are we getting stuff from the mainland? Its taking away from their practice, Lawson said. As a native person, we have to be mindful of other native practitioners. Spirituality is being mindful. Lawson began to experiment in 2020 with what Hawaiian-grown plants could work in a smudge stick. So far, hes the only workshop in Hawaii doing something like this with smudge sticks, and he doesnt know of other practitioners doing it either. As practitioners, we limit ourselves because of what were told, were afraid of exploring new things because someone may say, oh thats not appropriate, Lawson said. But our ancestors always adapted. What is it like to make your own smudge stick with Lawson? Before we even start harvesting plants, we need to follow protocol, the necessary Hawaiian code of conduct: asking for permission from ancestors and spirits. Hawaiians follow protocol when entering sacred spaces like Mauna Kea or gathering flowers for leis. For our protocol, we recite a short prayer in Hawaiian that Lawson wrote that expresses gratitude before we forage for plants. We walk to a sprawling shrub with branches growing small round leaves and purple flowers right by the pool. The pohinahina is an endemic plant related to the mint family with a light, herbally scent, capturing the energy Lawson is looking for. Lawson showed me how to bend leaves into a smudge stick. I snip off 12 cuttings, measuring the traditional Hawaiian way: with my body. I hold the tip of my index finger to the tip of my thumb up to each branch, a length called kikoo. Around the corner of the resort by the koi pond, we scan the ground for lauae ferns, recognized by the spores on its fronds. Although it originally hails from Australia, it is ubiquitous in Hawaii, so these plants offer a sweet, almondy scent. Ive seen these plants everywhere, from the mall to the beach, but overlooked their potential. We sit back down and wrap the pohinahina cuttings into the fern fronds tightly into a bundle. He places a selenite crystal to help with cleansing in the center before fastening the bundle closed with twine. Guests can take the smudge stick home and wait a few weeks for it to dry out. Once the stick is ready, people can light it and cleanse their own space. Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This Oahu resort lets guests make ancient medicine in unique workshop By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday said a brief uprising by Russian mercenaries against the Kremlin was part of a struggle within the Russian system and the United States and its allies were not involved in it. "We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this," Biden said in his first comments on the uprising by Wagner mercenaries that fizzled over the weekend. At a White House event, Biden addressed the dramatic power struggle that erupted over the weekend when the mutineers barreled toward Moscow only to stop before reaching the capital. Biden said he had directed his national security team to update him on the situation "hour by hour" and to prepare for a range of scenarios, which he did not detail. Russian intelligence services were investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny, the TASS news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Monday. The U.S. intelligence community "was aware" that the mutiny orchestrated by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's mutiny "was a possibility" and briefed Congress "accordingly" before it began, said a source familiar with the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Biden said he spoke with key allies on a video conference to make sure everyone was on the same page and coordinated in their response. "They agreed with me that we had to make sure that we gave (Russian President Vladimir) Putin no excuse - gave Putin no excuse - to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO," he said. Biden, who spoke to Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelinskiy on Sunday, said he would be speaking to him again later on Monday or Tuesday morning to make sure they were "on the same page". He also planned to speak later with the leader of another ally whose name he did not disclose. He said he and his team would continue assessing the fallout from the incident. "It's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going," he added. He said his message to allies was "it's important that we stay completely coordinated". (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart, Kanishka Singh and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Mark Porter, Alistair Bell and Alex Richardson) (Photo : Theo Wargo/Getty Images) New York City Mayor Eric Adams joins thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters in a Pride March backing the rights of members of the community. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joins thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters in a Pride March on Sunday as many expressed concern regarding potential conservative backlash. The event had bubbles and confetti rain as revelers marched from Toronto to San Francisco while cheering through Pride Month's grand crescendo. The parade strolled and danced down Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village while cheering and waving rainbow flags to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising. LGBTQ Pride March in New York More than five decades ago, the incident involved a police raid on a gay bay that triggered days of protests while also launching the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights. As most attendees celebrated the event, many remained mindful of the rising conservative countermovement. This includes lawmakers implementing new laws that ban gender-affirming care for transgender children. In a statement, 22-year-old transgender woman Ve Cinder said she was not trying to be very heavily political. However, as per Politico, she noted that she would be very annoyed and hurt when the situation targets her community. Traveling from Pennsylvania to participate in the largest Pride event in the United States, Cinder shared that she is scared for her future and her trans siblings. She added that she worried about how the country looks at human and basic rights. Various parades held in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, were among the events roughly 400 Pride organizations across the United States have this year. Many of which are focused specifically on the rights of transgender people. Non-binary activist AC Dumlao, the chief of staff for Athlete Ally, which is a group that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ athletes, is one of the grand marshals of New York City's parade. A spokesperson for NYC Pride, Dan Dimant, said that uplifting the trans community has always been at the core of the events and programming. On Friday, an annual drag queen parade in Manhattan involved LGBTQ activists who chanted, "We're here, we're queer, we're coming for you children." Various video footage shared on social media showed that marchers also chanted, "We're here, we're queer, we're not going shopping," according to Fox News. Read Also: Wyoming Judge Temporarily Blocks First-in-the-Nation Abortion Pill Ban Defiance Against Conservative Backlash Several members of the controversial LGBT group Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence could be seen at the event held on Friday. The anti-Christian group made headlines when the Los Angeles Dodgers decided to honor them at the team's annual LGBTQ pride celebration that was held in June. In the last few years, each Pride Month celebration has become a defiant show of new and ever-greater challenges to the LGBTQ community. In the previous year, various US states have passed laws banning drag performances and transgender health care. On the other hand, protests and physical attacks on LGBTQ events and their supporters have cast a pall over gay bars and community centers. Juli Culling, whose daughter is a part of the community, said she was marching for her child. She had crossed the United States with her 18-year-old trans daughter from Southern California to look for a more welcoming home. Culling let her child pick a city, who subsequently decided on New York, said the New York Times. Related Article: Florida Law Banning Minors From Attending Drag Shows Blocked by Federal Judge @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the ongoing tensions in Russia on Sunday as well as the United States continued support for Ukraine. Zelensky said in a statement on Twitter that the conversation he had with Biden was a positive and inspiring chat, adding that he thanked the president for the unflagging support of Ukraine. He added that they discussed the further expansion of defense cooperation, especially about long-range weapons. We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored, Zelensky said in a statement on Twitter. Zelensky said he thanked Biden for the support of the fighter jet coalition, noting that its essential to increase Ukraines capabilities to protect their skies. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group chief, launched an armed rebellion to oust Russias defense minister on Friday, alleging that Sergei Shoigu ordered a strike on Wagners field camps in Ukraine. The rebellion was short-lived, Prigozhin ordered his forces to stop their advance on Moscow over the weekend and reportedly reached a deal with the Kremlin, agreeing to move to Belarus. The White House said in a statement that Biden and Zelensky discussed support as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia. They discussed Ukraines ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid, the White House said in a statement. The leaders also discussed recent events in Russia. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two Congress members are calling for an expansion of San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. (David McNew / Getty Images) In a bid to expand wilderness protections to the mountains and foothills just north of the Los Angeles Basin, California Rep. Judy Chu and Sen. Alex Padilla have asked President Biden to add 109,167 acres to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument an act they say would help preserve an area that is rich in historical and ecological significance and is within just an hours drive of 18 million people. The move would increase the monument by roughly a third, and extend its boundaries to the back door of San Fernando Valley neighborhoods including Sylmar, Santa Clarita and Pacoima. It would also give the U.S. Forest Service greater ability to protect natural resources and manage crowds in areas left out of the 2014 monument designation by then-President Obama. From increased access to nature for underserved communities, to protecting the source of one-third of L.A. County's drinking water, our region's economy, health and environment will extensively improve from such a designation by the president," Chu (D-Monterey Park) said. "I hope that President Biden will recognize the importance of these lands," she said. Ellie Lopez takes a picture on her phone of snow on the hills above homes in Sylmar on Feb. 25. (Eric Thayer/For The Times) Read more:Kayaking down the L.A. River is not for the faint of heart. Can we change that? In a June 8 letter to Biden, the California Democrats asked the president to bypass Congress and issue a presidential proclamation under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The law authorizes presidents to create national monuments on federal land to protect objects of historic and scientific interest. The pair said the president needed to act unilaterally, because the Republican-controlled House of Representatives seemed unwilling to approve a package of conservation bills that would not only expand the monument, but also create 31,000 acres of new wilderness areas and add 45.5 miles to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Sadly, the problem comes down to the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, which is trying to shrink environmental protections, Padilla said. Our request would establish better protection for more areas of the San Gabriel Mountains for conservation and improve public access to a range that has served as a glorious backdrop to the downtown L.A. skyline in countless advertising campaigns and postcards, he said. The proposed expansion would come with no new government money for managing and maintaining the monument, although advocates hope funds will come from public and private donations and from adjusting the Forest Service budget. The monument is not a national park, but by most estimates it meets the requirements for that level of attention, said Belen Bernal, executive director of Nature for All, a coalition of environmental and community groups that has long campaigned for more parks and safe outdoor opportunities in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. After a hike above Pasadenas Eaton Canyon in 1877, John Muir described the San Gabriel Mountains as the place where Mother Nature is most ruggedly, thornily, savage. Stretching from Santa Clarita to San Bernardino, the San Gabriel Mountains watershed provides Los Angeles County with 70% of its open space and roughly 30% of its water. Read more:Nature gone mad? Eagles kidnap baby hawk twins; kill one, raise other as their own Its rugged canyons, wrinkled slopes and waterfalls are home to 22 species of rare and endangered species of plants and animals including the San Gabriel River dudleya, Nelsons bighorn sheep, mountain yellow-legged frogs, western pond turtles, Santa Ana suckers, tricolored blackbirds and California condors. Bigcone Douglas fir trees only grow in the mountains of Southern California. A road winds trough the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. (David McNew / Getty Images) The proposed 182-square-mile expansion would push the monument's boundaries to the southwest and include portions of Big Tujunga Creek, the Arroyo Seco, the upper Los Angeles River and the upper Santa Clarita River. The area encompasses Bear Divide, a slot in a ridgeline overlooking the city of Santa Clarita that is used by thousands of migrating birds as they make their way from Central America toward the Arctic. But the region is also susceptible to fires and to crowds, who bring vandalism, drug deals, car burglaries, trash, illegal campfires and emergency rescues. Read more:Criminal charges filed against Watts metal recycler and its owners If the expansion is approved, it would mark the fourth time that Biden has used his executive powers to establish or expand a national monument without congressional approval. He joins a long list of chief executives who see creating a monument as a way to enhance their legacy, and woo potential voters in an impending election year. Presidents dating back to Theodore Roosevelt have invoked the Antiquities Act to sidestep Congress to protect areas of historic or scientific interest. Critics say the tactic unreasonably limits logging, grazing, mining or other activities including rock collecting across wide swaths of the West. Of the total 17 national monuments in California, only two were established by Congress: the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, in 2000, and Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument, in 2019. The proposal to expand the San Gabriel Mountains monument comes at a time when the Biden administration has pledged to safeguard Indigenous, cultural and environmental sites under its America the Beautiful initiative, which seeks to conserve and connect 30% of the nations lands and water by 2030. But for John Monsen, a Sierra Club activist, it represents a step toward the dream of creating what he describes as an "arch of protection" stretching from the Cajon Pass in the east to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in the west. On Monday morning, the earthy smell of burning sage filled the air as Native Americans and officials led by Chu and Padilla gathered at Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena to publicly call on Biden to expand the monument. With that goal in mind, Ellie Morales Recalde, 10, of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno/Tongva, helped lead a ceremony. Later, as the officials were preparing to leave, she gazed up at the rocky slopes and said, It is important to protect these mountains because they are a place of natural beauty and healing. They are also our ancestral land, she said. The mountains and Gabrieleno Tongva are still here. Survivors. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Dutch authorities arrested a man and his daughter on suspicion of sending millions of euros to organizations linked to the Palestinian militant group Hamas, prosecutors said on Monday. The 55-year-old man and his 25-year-old daughter from the town of Leidschendam on the outskirts of The Hague on June 22 were detained on suspicion of breaching sanctions regulations by funding the militant group that runs the Gaza Strip. The public prosecution office said in a statement that the pair are suspected of sending about 5.5 million euros ($6 million) to bodies "related to the organization Hamas, which was sanctioned in 2003. The father and daughter are also suspected of participating in a criminal organization whose purpose is to support Hamas financially, the prosecution statement said. They remain in custody. Their names were not released, in line with Dutch privacy regulations. Searches by Dutch authorities of a home in Leidschendam and a business in Rotterdam uncovered cash which was seized and a bank account holding 750,000 euros ($820,000), prosecutors said. They added that the man and woman were likely involved in a foundation that supported Hamas financially, continuing the work of another foundation that had been placed on a sanctions list. They did not name the foundations. There is no formal presence of Hamas in the Netherlands. Even so, there are several pro-Palestinian and pro-Gaza organizations in the Netherlands that are an important link in the international network that collects money for Hamas, the statement said. DUBLIN (Reuters) - The European Commission is due to finalise a new data transfer pact with the United States by mid-July, a lawyer for Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), the bloc's lead regulator for many big tech firms, said on Monday. The European Union and United States agreed in March 2022 on the new mechanism to safely transfer EU citizens' personal data to the U.S. after Europe's top court threw out the two previous data transfer frameworks because of concerns about U.S. intelligence agencies accessing Europeans' private data. The two sides have since been working through the detail and Catherine Donnelly, a lawyer for the DPC, said the Irish regulator understood the pact will be presented to the College of Commissioners, the Commission's collective decision-making body, by mid-July. A spokesperson for the Commission said it is currently finalising the framework and reiterated that it expects it to be in place this summer. The timing of the new deal is being watched particularly in Dublin where the DPC last month ordered Meta Platforms to stop transferring data belonging to EU users of Facebook across the Atlantic. The social media giant said it expects the new pact to be fully implemented before it has to suspend transfers. That would mean its previous warning that a stoppage could force it to suspend Facebook services in Europe would not come to pass. Meta was also granted a stay by the Irish High Court earlier this month stopping the clock on the DPC's May 22 order that it had five months to cease all transfers. The stay was extended until July 31 by Judge Denis McDonald on Monday, pending further direction on Meta's challenge of the order in the Irish courts. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin, additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels, editing by Christina Fincher) BERLIN (Reuters) -Berlin is ready to station a 4,000-strong army brigade in Lithuania permanently in coordination with NATO defence planning following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the German defence minister said on Monday. "Germany stands by its commitment as a NATO member, as Europe's biggest economy, to stand up for the protection of the eastern flank," Boris Pistorius said during a visit to Vilnius on Monday, without giving a timeline. He said however that the necessary infrastructure must be in place as a precondition. In the past, Berlin said it would take Lithuania years to provide barracks, housing areas for families, depots and training grounds. "We agree that the brigade will grow step-by-step as the infrastructure is established," Pistorius said, adding that such a deployment could not be completed within "a few months". The deployment must also be compatible with NATO's regional plans detailing how it would respond to a Russian attack, the minister stressed. Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said he was aiming for the infrastructure to be in place by 2026. "We are simplifying the procedures...in order to be able to finalize the building of infrastructure by 2026," he said. "But I will not be angry if the minister of defence will finalize in 2025." Germany already leads NATO's multi-national battlegroup in Lithuania, a reinforced battalion of some 1,000 troops. Beyond this, a German brigade is on stand-by in Germany to rapidly reinforce troops in Lithuania if needed. Vilnius, however, has long demanded the permanent presence of a full German brigade. Pistorius and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg travelled to Lithuania to attend an exercise that will test the swift reinforcing of the existing German-led NATO battlegroup to the size of a brigade, a scenario to be enacted in case of heightened tensions or a conflict with Russia. Stoltenberg welcomed Germany's announcement but rejected calls for an immediate bolstering of troops along the alliance's eastern flank in response to the mutiny in Russia. "It's not all about presence, it's all about the ability to have early warnings and indications, and then react quickly if there is a need - and this exercise demonstrates exactly that," he said. NATO leaders will meet for a summit in Vilnius On July 11-12. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; editing by Matthias Williams, Frank Jack Daniel and Angus MacSwan) Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) challenged the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Monday to an MMA fight for charity, reigniting the animosity between them that was on full display during a viral moment at a Senate hearing in March. An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ill give you 3 days to accept, Mullin wrote in a tweet Monday. Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, responded to a tweet from union president Sean OBrien, who called Mullin a clown and a fraud and challenged him to quit the tough guy act and find him any place, anytime. Greedy CEO who pretends like hes self made. In reality, just a clown & fraud. Always has been, always will be. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings. You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy, OBrien tweeted several days ago. In OBriens tweet, he appeared to be mocking Mullin for his height, attaching a photo of Mullin using a step behind a podium and circling the step beneath Mullins feet in the photo. At a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in March, OBrien told Mullin who owned nonunion plumbing companies before selling his majority shares in 2021 that Mullin was out of line for accusing him and other union leaders of sucking the paycheck out of union workers to pay for what Mullin described as the union leaders exorbitant salaries. Mullin pushed back saying, Dont tell me Im out of line, and, You need to shut your mouth. The Hill reported OBriens salary was roughly $193,000 in 2019; Mullin, meanwhile had a net worth $31.6 million and $75.6 million in 2020, according to the newspaper Tulsa World. The latest development, however, seems to come from a moment in a more recent hearing, when Mullin was making a similar argument about union bosses taking money from workers. He mentioned OBrien as an example, though Mullin appeared to forget OBriens name, calling him OMalley instead. Hey, JohnWayne Mullin..First off, my names OBrien not OMalley. Secondly, you should get your facts straight because every time you speak in these hearings youre full of sh*t. The more you run your mouth, the more you show the American public what a moron you are, OBrien responded in a tweet with a clip of the hearing. He followed up with two more tweets directed at Mullin: one to which Mullin responded by challenging OBrien to a fight and another tweet that said, What have you done for working people in OK @SenMullin? Last time I checked, your state ranks near the bottom in median wages. Sounds like you need to shut your mouth & get to work for the people of your state. They deserve action, not your phony man of the people spiel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Wichita police say a 47-year-old man called 911 early Sunday to report he may have killed his wife and shortly after officers arrived at the residence they placed the suspect in custody, when he became unresponsive and died, according to a news release. Wichita police also found a deceased 44-year-old woman inside the residence in the 2700 block of North Parkridge upon arriving at 5:21 a.m. Sunday. The woman died of an apparent gunshot wound in what is being investigated as domestic violence, police said. The male who was taken into custody became unresponsive, Wichita police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said in a media release. Officers notified Sedgwick County EMS of the males status and medical aid was rendered. The male shooting suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. In the interest transparency and accountability, Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan has requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation inspect the suspects death. Wichita police encourages domestic abuse survivors to contact local service providers for assistance at at wichita.gov/wpd. Former President Barack Obama. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's finance minister has derided comments by former President Barack Obama that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government should protect the rights of minority Muslims, accusing Obama of being hypocritical. During Modi's state visit to the United States last week, Obama told CNN that the issue of the "protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India" would be worth raising in Modi's meeting with President Biden. Obama said that without such protection there was "a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart". Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she was shocked that Obama has made such remarks when Modi was visiting the United States aiming to deepen relations. Indias Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) "He was commenting on Indian Muslims ... having bombed Muslim-majority countries from Syria to Yemen ... during his presidency," Sitharaman told a press conference on Sunday. "Why would anyone listen to any allegations from such people?" The U.S. State Department has raised concerns over treatment of Muslims other religious minorities in India under Modi's Hindu-nationalist party. The Indian government says it treats all citizens equally. Biden said he discussed human rights and other democratic values with Modi during their talks in the White House. Modi, at a press conference with Biden last week, denied any discrimination against minorities under his government. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday issued via the Kremlin website his first statement since an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, congratulating participants of an industrial forum. It was not immediately clear when or where Putin's statement was recorded. Putin made a national address to the Russian people on Saturday condemning the mutiny by Wagner mercenaries as a "stab in the back" and vowing to crush it. He has not commented publicly on the subsequent deal, announced late on Saturday, that appeard to defuse the crisis and avert possible bloodshed by allowing the Wagner fighters to return to base and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to move to Belarus. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Gareth Jones) A mans huge mistake paid off big in the end. On May 26, Redditor u/lazybear90 posted an almost-unbelievable story on the r/TIFU subreddit, which has since gone viral. In it, the California resident details an experience donating to a charity on GoFundMe that went sideways in a grand way. A few grand, actually. This happened in February of last year, but my friends have been telling me I need to post this story online so here goes nothing, wrote the Reddit user, who asked to be referred to by only his first name, Michael. My wife and I (both 31 years old, at the time) moved into a new three-unit apartment building in San Francisco, Michael wrote, adding that one of their neighbors is a retired veteran in his 70s who is also a devout Hindu priest. One day, Michael ran into his neighbor, who tells him about a hunger charity he manages for a community in Bangladesh. I wanted to support my neighbor and the charity. Michael said that the next day at work, he went to the GoFundMe page for the charity, one named Urgent Food Relief Needed: Bangladesh and donated $150. Or so I thought, he wrote. Moments later, I get a text on my phone warning me of an unusually large transaction on my credit card, Michael wrote. Im confused and swipe to open the text message. It says I have made a payment of $15,041 to GoFundMe. Immediately Im sweating. How could I have donated FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS? Man accidentally donates $15K instead of $150 to food relief fundraiser, goes viral (Imgur) Michael said he then retraced his steps, finding out that he didnt leave the donation amount window when he thought he did, typing the numbers 4 and 1 in addition to his intended donation. It seems I had accidentally started typing my credit card information while my cursor was still in the donation box, and just like that 150 became 15041. Yikes, he wrote. After some panicked moments, a call to GoFundMes customer support secured him a refund, he said, but he was informed it would be processed in three to seven business days and that the charity organizer would be able to see his donation until then. I tell him thats a big problem, as the entire GoFundMe had hardly raised that much at that point. Surely they will notice their fundraiser doubling overnight? he wrote. And he was right. Michael said he had planned on explaining what happened to his neighbor, the GoFundMe organizer, as soon as he could, but he had a rude awakening the next morning. I looked at my phone and saw I had 40+ notifications on Facebook. Someone had sent me a friend request, had liked many of my old posts, and had sent me many messages, Michael wrote. Immediately I was concerned when I saw that the individual messaging me had a Hindu name, but I never could have imagined what I saw when I opened his first message The man had sent me a video of himself from Bangladesh, surrounded by dozens of impoverished and hungry people holding bags of food, thanking me BY NAME (Michael) for my generous donation, Michael continued, adding that the people in the video then give him a round of applause. At this point, Ive leapt out of my bed and Im pacing. Part of me wants to scream, part of me wants to crack up laughing. Michael said the man, who runs operations for the charity in Bangladesh, sent multiple pictures of people thanking him for his five-figure donation, and to prove it links to the images themselves. Literally hundreds of photos of frail, elderly, disabled, and malnourished individuals holding signs with my name, Michael wrote. Michael said that he ended up donating $1,500 once the original donation was refunded, feeling guilty about the chaos his mistake caused. The charitys host was incredibly gracious and understanding, and he explained to me that $1,500 goes very far in Bangladesh for urgent food relief, Michael wrote. Ultimately I think the whole experience was a win-win. I helped a great cause, and I got a funny story out of it. But the story doesnt end there. Thanks to the power of the internet and Michaels smart decision to link to a second GoFundMe for the same charity, titled Urgent Food Relief & Assistance in Bangladesh something spectacular happened. People from Reddit moved by the story donated to the fundraiser and let the organizer, Jeff Dunan (also Vasanta Dasa), know that the Reddit post brought them there. (Dunan did not respond to a request for comment from TODAY.com.) Heard the story of the guy on reddit who accidentally donated 15,000 instead of 150, but bumped it up to 1500. Great story, wanted to do my part, wrote one participant who donated $100. That person is one of more than 3,700 contributors to the fundraiser, with some donating amounts as high as $5,000. Two weeks ago, a donors story went viral online, bringing our GoFundMe to over 2,800 amazing new donors from across the planet. Result: doors that were closed to us before are now opened. Resources which were out of reach are now available, wrote Dunan in a June 10 GoFundMe update. This new capacity enables us to bring more food to more people more often. Additionally, popular YouTube channel Smosh Pit presented the story on June 18 as part of its series Reading Reddit Stories, which drove even more donations to the charity. Many people commented on the GoFundMe that they heard about it on Smosh, and at the time of this writing, the fundraiser has over $118,000 in donations. For Michael, the virality of his extremely expensive mistake came as a shock. When I posted the whole story online, I never, ever anticipated that it would blow up the way that it did, he tells TODAY.com. I remember when it got 100 upvotes on Reddit, I called my neighbor and was like, Hey, Jeff, you might see some donations trickling in. People seem to be enjoying the story on Reddit. And sure enough, he called me an hour later and said, Five people donated, and we were excited about that. Michael later posted an update to Reddit detailing the impact his post had on the charity. He said that before his post, the charity had approximately $12,500 from 26 total donations. My neighbor, the organizer of the charity, had told me the charity was running on fumes and looking to cancel some of its programs, he wrote. But now, thanks to the Reddit community, as well as others across the internet, the charity has received much more money than Michael had to take back. We are still stunned by the influx of support from each of you. We are humbled by the confidence shown by you, Dunan wrote in a June 21 update. Michael says he has received so many messages of support, both from Redditors who read his story and from the charity organizers, who have sent updated images saying Thanks Reddit. The guilty feeling never quite went away when the donation went from $15,000 to $1,500 but it certainly has now, Michael says. The online community more than covered for me and now I feel so proud of this whole story. This article was originally published on TODAY.com (Photo : Aris Messinis / AFP) (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) Greece's New Democracy Party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed his party's landslide victory as a mandate for reform. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of Greece's conservative New Democracy Party, hailed the recent landslide victory in parliamentary elections as a mandate for reform. Greek voters gave reformist Mitsotakis another four-year term as the country's prime minister. Official results from almost 90% of voting centers nationwide on Sunday showed that the New Democracy Party had more than 40% of the vote. Greece's Elections On the other hand, Mitsotakis' party's rival, the left-wing Syriza Party, suffered a crushing defeat, getting only 18%, which was even worse than its 20% in the last elections that were held in May. The reformist hailed the "strong mandate" following his party's overwhelming win. He said that the people of Greece had given his party a safe majority, adding that major reforms would rapidly proceed. Mitsotakis' New Democracy Party is projected to win about 157 or 158 of the 300 seats in parliament because of a change in the electoral law that gives the winning party bonus seats, as per Aljazeera. During the previous election held in May, the New Democracy Party was left five seats short of a majority despite winning 41% of the total vote. The recent results come over a week after a migrant ship capsized and sank off the western coast of Greece. The incident left hundreds of people dead and missing, and the entire incident brought into question the actions of Greek authorities and the nation's strict migration policy. However, the tragedy, considered one of the worst in the Mediterranean in recent years, did not heavily influence the latest elections as domestic economic issues were at the forefront of voters' minds. Aljazeera reporter John Psaropoulos, who was in Athens, said that votes in the region were more concerned with the nation's economy. He added that this issue was something that people trusted the New Democracy Party more than Syriza. Read Also: EU Countries Seek To Prevent Russia From Circumventing Sanctions Over Ukraine War New Democracy Party's Victory Mitsotakis is credited with successfully returning the country's economy to stability and growth after suffering a severe debt crisis and three international bailouts. Furthermore, while many residents are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, voters still supported the New Democracy Party that promised lower taxes and improved public health, according to BBC. The New Democracy Party leader said he could not promise any miracles but added that his party has "high goals" to improve the country. In a statement, former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras denied allegations that he would resign, saying it was a matter for his party members to decide. Tsipras was known to have served as Greece's prime minister from 2015 to 2019, considered some of the most turbulent years for the country's nearly decade-long financial crisis. However, his Sunday election performance questions his prospects for a striving political career. After the May elections, Tsipras struggled to rally his supporters, a task made even more difficult by splinter parties that formed behind some of his former associates, said NPR. Related Article: India's Opposition Parties Join Forces To Defeat Governing Modi Administration @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fighters of the Wagner Group mercenary army stand on a tank in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin appears for now to have survived what many saw as a coup attempt, striking a deal with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group mercenary army, which had advanced to the outskirts of Moscow over the weekend. Prigozhin agreed to call off his drive toward the Russian capital, withdraw forces from the captured city of Rostov-on-Don and leave Russia for Belarus. But the dramatic show of force left Putin considerably weakened on the world stage, triggering speculation that the episode marked the end of his iron grip on Russia. Heres how the weekend unfolded in photos Wagner Group fighters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) The Wagner Groups band of mercenaries, which had been fighting for Russia in its war on Ukraine, crossed into southern Russia and seized a military outpost in Rostov-on-Don without a fight. A Wagner Group fighter in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) Prigozhin then led his soldiers toward Moscow on a march for justice to remove what he labeled as Russias incompetent and corrupt senior military leadership after an alleged strike on a Wagner military camp killed 30 of his fighters. Military vehicles operated by the Wagner Group in Voronezh, Russia, along the M-4 highway which links Moscow to the country's southern cities as smoke from a burning fuel tank at an oil depot rises in the background. (Stringer/Reuters) Wagner Group fighters during a stop on the highway in Voronezh, Russia, on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) The Wagner convoy drives in Voronezh toward Moscow on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) Putin vowed to strike back hard, denouncing Prigozhins rebellion as an armed mutiny that would be met with a harsh response from regular Russian troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a televised address in Moscow on Saturday. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin via Reuters) Any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline, Putin said in remarks on Saturday morning from the Kremlin, invoking the bloody legacy of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. This is a knife in the back of our country and our people. Hours later, Prigozhin announced that the column of troops would halt its advance on Moscow in a deal apparently brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a key Putin ally. Wagner Group fighters pull out of Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday night. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Prigozhin said his goal was to avoid shedding Russian blood, but he did not say if the Kremlin agreed to his demand for replacing Russias military leadership. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday night. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Prigozhin, seated in the back of an SUV, leaves Southern Military District headquarters. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Russian police cars during the Wagner Group's pullout from Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. (Stringer/Reuters) On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since the short-lived mutiny, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video aimed at projecting a sense of order. But the questions swirling around Moscow continue to mount. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Col. Gen. Yevgeny Nikiforov talk on board an aircraft at an unknown location on Monday as they visit Russian troops involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via Reuters) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the events yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine. I think what were seeing in Russia over the last days demonstrates the fragility of the [Putin] regime, Stoltenberg said Monday. And, of course, it is a demonstration of weakness. NASAs first spacecraft to collect a sample from an asteroid will complete its 7-year mission later this year when OSIRIS-REx drops off some of asteroid Bennu in Utah. OSIRIS-REx a fancy acronym for Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer collected an estimated 2 pounds of asteroid rocks and dirt known as regolith in 2020. Before the spacecraft used its pogo-stick-like arm to vacuum up regolith, it first took two years of spaceflight to catch up with the asteroid and then orbited the small world, mapping its surface. 'LOSS OF SIGNAL:' NASA SUCCESSFULLY CRASHES DART SPACECRAFT INTO ASTEROID FOR PLANETARY DEFENSE In September, OSIRIS-REx will deploy a small capsule with Bennu dirt inside, setting it on a trajectory for Earth. The capsule will hopefully land on Sept. 24 with the help of a parachute in Utah. The landing zone is within a 250-square-mile area at the Department of Defenses Utah Test and Training Range. The remote area near the U.S. Armys Dugway Proving Ground was founded after the Pearl Harbor attack. As the sample return date nears, the team has been rehearsing procedures to collect and protect the sample from contaminants. In August, a helicopter will drop a replica of the return capsule in the middle of the landing zone about the size of Rhode Island. The OSIRIS-REx mission team will use tracking cameras and radar to practice recovery operations during this dress rehearsal. When the real thing happens, the capsule will be collected with every effort to maintain a pristine sample and won't be opened until it's brought to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Lockheed Martin built and operates the spacecraft for NASA and is responsible for the capsule recovery. On opening day, a Lockheed employee will have the honor of opening the capsule lid. Asteroids are essentially fossils of our solar system, and scientists believe Bennu contains material that may date back to the formation of our solar system. The sample will be analyzed to learn more about how we got here and how Earth could deflect a potentially-hazardous asteroid like Bennu when that becomes necessary. NASA will also share some of the sample with JAXA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency. Japan became the first nation to collect a sample from an asteroid. More than 13 years ago, JAXA's Hayabusa spacecraft collected a sample from asteroid Itokawa and then two years ago, Hayabusa collected and returned a sample from another asteroid called Ryugu. After the drop-off, OSIRIS-Rex will begin a new mission to study near-Earth asteroid Apophis. On the next leg of its journey, the spacecraft will be called OSIRIS-APEX with a new principal investigator, University of Arizona planetary science professor Daniella DellaGiustina. Instead of chasing down an asteroid and collecting a sample, this time, OSIRIS-APEX will wait for its subject. Asteroid Apophis is set to make a close flyby of Earth in 2029, close enough to see it with the naked eye. EVERYTHING SCIENTISTS WOULD WANT TO KNOW IF AN ASTEROID WAS HEADING TOWARD EARTH The OSIRIS-Rex mission holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the smallest object orbited, but Apophis is smaller than asteroid Bennu. It will be a new challenge in spacecraft navigation. Netflix UK viewers are rushing to watch a new title after it was finally added to the service. Often, movies and TV shows get released on the platform on the same day in various territories. But there are times when certan countries have to wait a bit longer than others for something to arrive. One such instance arose in December, when the film adaptation of the Matilda musical was added to Netflix in the US and Canada mere weeks after its theatrical release. This caused some confusion among subscribers in the UK and Ireland, who believed they would be able to stream the film on Christmas Day. However, it was revealed by Sony Pictures Releasing International, who distributed the film domestically, that it would be available to stream on Netflix in the UK and Ireland six months later. This is because Netflix owns the international rights to the film, which was directed by Matthew Warchus. On Sunday (25 June), the film was finally added to the streaming service and swiftly rose to the top of the most-watched charts. However, theres some sad news for Netflix users elsewhere: the film will be removed from the service in many territories on 30 June. Matilda the Musical premiered at the London Film Festival in October 2022. The Independent called it a frothy, whimsical delight, praising child star Alisha Weirs lead performance. Alisha Weir in Matilda the Musical (Sony Pictures Releasing UK) The film is adapted from the successful stage musical, which featured lyrics by Tim Minchin. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The Netherlands and Belgium have joined an international investigation into atrocities committed against the Yazidi minority in Syria and Iraq, the European Union's judicial cooperation agency said Monday. The Joint Investigation Team was established by France and Sweden in October 2021 and supported by The Hague-based Eurojust to identify and prosecute foreign extremists who targeted Yazidis during the armed conflict in Syria and Iraq. Eurojust said the teamwork already has borne fruit, including in France, where a Yazidi victim of a French jihadist couple was identified. That led to to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity being added to an existing case. The joint investigation team is part of a broader international effort to mete out justice for atrocities targeting Yazidis, a minority considered heretics by the Islamic State militant group. A United Nations probe concluded in 2021 that crimes committed against Yazidis by Islamic State extremists amounted to genocide. IS attacked the heartland of the Yazidi community at the foot of Sinjar Mountain in August 2014. During the weeklong assault, IS killed hundreds of Yazidis and abducted 6,417, more than half of them women and girls. Most of the captured adult men were likely eventually killed. Women and girls were considered commodities for rape and servitude. Prosecutions of returning foreign militants for crimes against Yazidis already are underway in Europe. A German woman was convicted last week of keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave during her time with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and sentenced to nine years and three months in prison. The state court in the western city of Koblenz convicted the 37-year-old woman of crimes against humanity, membership in a foreign terrorist organization and being an accessory to genocide, German news agency dpa reported. Authorities have identified her only as Nadine K. in line with German privacy rules. In February, Dutch authorities announced that they were prosecuting a woman who traveled from the Netherlands to join IS on a charge of slavery as a crime against humanity. The woman allegedly used a Yazidi woman as a slave in Syria in 2015. The case marked the first Dutch trial of an alleged IS member for crimes against a Yazidi victim. From the first time she sat down in her ninth grade English class, Tracy Oliver made an impression on Doris Honore. Oliver was one of five Black students in her gifted and talented English class at Columbias Spring Valley High School. Honore remembers Olivers strong writing, dedication and charm, but she most often repeats one phrase about Oliver. This is a young lady on the move, Honore said. At 14 and 15, when other students were settling into activities theyd started years ago, Oliver said she wasnt afraid to try something new, whether it be softball, student government or cheerleading. Theres this idea that if you dont learn something, when youre younger, then youve missed your window, Oliver said. I just dont feel like that. As a kid, she had dreams of taking on a career that was glamorous or outside the box, but she never imagined herself where she is now, a screenwriter writing widely popular movies and TV shows. Her TV show Harlem has been running since 2021, and her work on the movie Girls Trip made her the first Black woman to write a film that grossed over $100 million. She wrote Barbershop 3 and Little. And her newest movie, The Blackening, a comedy horror movie that is a play on the trope of the Black character being killed first in horror movies, came out this month. I cant imagine younger Tracy even wrapping her mind around this, Oliver said. Growing up, Oliver often watched local productions with her family and participated in music, dance and theater, which she said instilled a lasting interest in the arts. Now, she loves the opportunity to sit in a theater surrounded by people watching something she wrote. Oliver said she always had an eagerness to stay busy and appreciates that her job gives her the chance to continue to learn and master new things, something she continued to do after leaving Columbia. After graduating from Spring Valley High School in 2003, Oliver attended Stanford, where she originally wanted to pursue musical theater after her experience with local theater in Columbia. I remember I complained to my mom about just never getting the role that I wanted, Oliver said. She said, Well, youre in school. So why dont you learn how to write and then write stuff for yourself? And then I was like, Huh, I guess I could. Oliver has since taken multiple opportunities to try new jobs in the industry and has worked as a writer, director and producer. She wrote and produced The Blackening and saw it as another opportunity to take on a new challenge with the movies limited budget and unique genre. While she had written comedies before, Oliver had never worked on a horror film. We kind of had to figure out the right balance between horror and comedy, so that was a learning experience in itself because I couldnt point to one movie that was exactly that, Oliver said. I would say that there was a lot of learning. The movie is now playing in theaters across the country and is currently rated 87% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the films clever handling of horror cliches. But before she made it in Hollywood, Olivers mother, Gwendolyn Oliver, said Tracy was an overachieving student, doing everything from sports to theater to being Spring Valleys first Black female student body president. You didnt have to raise Tracy, you just had to support her and her endeavors, Gwendolyn Oliver said. She always had a strong mind about everything, and she had decided very early on that she was gonna be successful. Tracy Oliver poses for a picture in her Spring Valley High School track uniform. According to Honore, part of what set Tracy Oliver apart as a writer early on was her commitment to improving her skills and being the best she could be. I think her writing was always personal, and not only that, she really went deep, Honore said. You know when you give an assignment, most students do it so they can hurry up, get done with it, turn it in, thats that. Not her. Olivers success has helped empower Spring Valley students and people in the Columbia community, Honore said. I was listening to an interview from a reporter from Atlanta, and she said to (Oliver), How did a young lady all the way from South Carolina get to Stanford and Hollywood? Honore said. Like that was an impossible thing for someone that lives in South Carolina. South Carolinians are often undermined and underestimated, according to Honore. Its just the fact that people tend to devalue the aggressiveness, the optimistic attitude that she has, Honore said. Just young ladies in general, Black or white. Just the potential she has for greatness. As a kid, Oliver said she didnt realize being a screenwriter was an option. She hopes to see more students from Columbia interested in writing and plans to continue actively changing what it means to be mainstream in the industry. I always felt like an outsider when I was in theater, and I was kind of hoping that people would give me opportunities or ... imagine a world in which I could play a certain part, Oliver said. So now Im like, Well, if I have the power and position to be able to write certain roles that can just expand opportunities, then I want to be able to do that. Oliver often writes about experiences that are relatable to the general public and features characters who are normal people. She credits these abilities to her experience growing up in Columbia. I think that growing up in the South was a huge asset for me. I wouldnt trade it for anything, Oliver said. Its hilarious when people would be like, Wow, your writing feels just so real and so grounded and Im like, Sure, but also because thats how I grew up. Thats who I am. Yeah, I didnt know what it meant to have a private plane and all that stuff. Tracy Oliver poses for a picture after her graduation from Spring Valley High School. Oliver attended Stanford University before becoming a screenwriter and producer. She still sometimes pictures her family and friends back home as a litmus test for how her work might be received. I wouldnt be able to write something like Girls Trip if I just didnt know normal Black women, like my mom and my friends, Oliver said. I think that if I write something that, like, my moms church group will enjoy, then I can bank on most of the the Midwest and the South. Gwendolyn Oliver and Honore both plan to watch Tracy Olivers newest movie and are looking forward to what she does next. As for Tracy Oliver, she is still on the move. I never liked to just do one thing, and Im always kind of unpredictable, Oliver said. So I think theres a world in which, you know, maybe I do take a break from writing and dabble back in acting or directing and just try something different. The Blackening is playing now in theaters across Columbia. ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AP) Philippine forces searched Monday for a former town vice mayor whose armed followers helped him resist arrest, triggering a gunbattle that left four people dead and displaced thousands of villagers in the south, officials said. Police backed by army troops attempted Saturday to serve Pando Mudjasan with arrest warrants over alleged killings and search his home for suspected illegal firearms and explosives in Maimbung town in southern Sulu province. He and his men, however, opened fire at the law enforcers, sparking clashes that dragged on for a day, police and military officials said. A police commando was killed and 11 other law enforcers, including a solder, were wounded. Three of Pando's men were killed but he escaped with a gunshot wound, police and the military said. The fighting forced more than 5,000 residents of Maimbung to flee to safety. The army deployed more soldiers to search for Pando and more than 20 armed followers on Monday, officials said. "We've sealed some areas to prevent sympathizers from gaining entry, army Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio told reporters, without elaborating. "We in the police and military will enforce the law. We will not cower or avoid anybody because the law always has to prevail, national police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said. In addition to being a former vice mayor of Maimbung, Pondo is also a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front in Sulu province, but the Muslim insurgent group, which signed a 1996 peace pact with the government, has not condoned his criminal actions, Boquio said. The 1996 peace pact halted decades of fighting between government forces and the Muslim secessionist rebels but did not call for the disarming of the insurgents, who returned to their villages in Sulu and outlying islands to try to live normal lives but kept their firearms. A rebel faction, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, continued to fight the government after 1996 and then separately forged a 2014 peace pact that further eased clashes in the south, the homeland of minority Muslims in the largely Roman Catholic country. However, a large number of private armies, unlicensed firearms, spotty law enforcement in remote communities and the continued existence of smaller armed Muslim groups such as the brutal Abu Sayyaf have allowed violence to flare at times. SOUTHPORT, N.C. (AP) A pilot was killed when a single-engine plane crashed into a home a few blocks from an airport in coastal North Carolina on Sunday, and three people in the home escaped without injury, officials said. Firefighters found the plane fully engulfed in flames, with the exterior of the home burning, too, Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew said in a social media post. The people in the home at the time got out on their own, and the fire was contained within 15 minutes, he said. The plane had taken off from nearby Cape Fear Regional Jetport, Drew said. Only the pilot was aboard the Mooney M20R when it left the airport at 4:15 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. A preliminary FAA report shows that the pilot was killed. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. Airport Director Howie Franklin said staffers told him that the pilot radioed about five minutes into the flight saying he wanted to come back, the Wilmington Star-News reported. But he didnt make it, Franklin said. Gov. JB Pritzkers administration wasted no time last week in exercising new authority granted by lawmakers to limit the number of enrollees in a pair of state-funded health care programs for low-income noncitizens. In a move that drew intense backlash from immigrant rights advocates, Pritzker on Friday signed House Bill 1298 then immediately filed emergency rules authorized by the law to temporarily pause enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program as of July 1. That state-funded program serves individuals aged 42 to 64 years who would be eligible for Medicaid benefits based on income levels but not their citizenship status. A similar program serving noncitizens age 65 and older, known as Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors, will remain open unless enrollment reaches 16,500, at which time it will also be paused. As of June 7, there were 14,594 people enrolled in HBIS, according to the administration, which projected in March that enrollment would increase to 21,000 in the upcoming fiscal year. The Healthy Illinois Campaign, which advocates for health care equity for noncitizens, called the freeze immoral and shortsighted, saying it will force people to forgo cancer treatment, diabetes care, mental health care, and countless other kinds of necessary medical treatment. By slashing live-saving health coverage for Illinois immigrants, Gov. Pritzker is turning his back on the communities he claims Illinois welcomes and aligning himself with anti-immigrant Republicans around the country, the organization said in a statement. Pritzker had previously defended and celebrated the programs when he signed them into law, agreeing with advocates that it is cheaper to provide preventative care to noncitizens rather than making them rely on emergency room visits to treat conditions that have gone undiagnosed due to a lack of health care benefits. But a news release Friday from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services billed the changes as a necessary move to ensure programs do not exceed the funds available and appropriated by the General Assembly an amount pegged at about $550 million. Compared with the traditional Medicaid population, month-over-month enrollment has grown at a higher rate, and per-enrollee costs have tracked higher among the HBIA and HBIS-enrolled populations due to more prevalent, untreated chronic conditions and higher hospital costs, IDHFS said in a news release. The emergency rules will now be considered by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a bipartisan 12-member group of lawmakers from both chambers of the General Assembly. The rules will remain in place for 150 days, although HB 1298 allows the administration to refile an identical rule after that time. JCAR could vote by a three-fifths majority or eight votes to suspend the rules. It could also object to them, leaving them in place while requesting a response from the administration. But nothing in law requires JCAR to act on the rules, in which case they would remain in place. Costs in question Advocates hailed the 2020 launch of the HBIS program as setting a national precedent for providing health care for immigrant seniors regardless of their legal residency status. But it far outpaced the initial estimate of $2 million annually that was cited by its House sponsor at the time, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, who has since moved on to Congress. We have to protect something so fundamental to our humanity as providing health care coverage to people, regardless of documentation status, Ramirez said in a statement after the governor announced the changes. Its extremely disappointing to hear that the state administration has decided to stop immigrants from accessing life-saving health insurance under the pretense that it costs too much, especially since the alleged costs of the program are in question. The Pritzker administration in March noted the HBIS program cost the state $187.5 million in the prior 12 months, and it projected that cost would increase to $285 million in the upcoming fiscal year. Expansions of the HBIA program have similarly outpaced expectations, leading the administration to project a total price tag of $1.1 billion for noncitizen health care in the upcoming fiscal year if enrollment wasnt capped. That number was about 5 times what Pritzker had proposed spending in his February budget. Advocates accused the governor of overestimating those numbers and caving to calls by Republicans to curtail the programs spending. GOP lawmakers held several news conferences in the waning days of the General Assemblys spring session to call for a suspension of the programs, which they said would entice new immigrants to come to the state and thus become increasingly expensive. When he signed the states Fiscal Year 2024 budget earlier this month, Pritzker said capping program enrollment would help limit spending to about $550 million. Thats more than we expected, but not nearly as much as it might have cost if we didnt have the tools necessary (to limit program growth), Pritzker said. The HBIA pause does not affect current enrollees, but the administration also announced enrollees of both programs will soon be subject to copays and coinsurance if their health care is not otherwise eligible for federal reimbursement. That includes a $250 copay for inpatient hospitalizations and $100 for an emergency room visit. Enrollees receiving certain outpatient services at hospitals or surgical centers would be subject to 10 percent coinsurance. IDHFS said in a statement that enrollee payments under the new coinsurance requirement could range from $3.70 to $202.95, depending on the service received. Ramirez suggested those changes would result in higher costs for those already enrolled in the program and place additional financial strains on our safety net hospitals. Health care providers would be responsible for collecting those cost-sharing payments and would bear the cost of nonpayment. In January, enrollees will also be transferred to the states Medicaid managed care program, a system overseen by private insurers. That change is aimed at generating additional dollars through the states tax on managed care organizations. IDHFS also noted in a news release that the department is looking to maximize federal reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, as well as pursuing supplemental prescription drug rebates for those covered under the programs. It will also seek reimbursement from large public hospitals namely the Cook County Hospital System that received payments in excess of the rates paid to non-large public hospitals under the program. The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus urged eligible noncitizens to enroll in the program in June before it is paused. Eligible individuals can enroll online at abe.illinois.gov/abe/access. As we pride ourselves as being a welcoming state, we should not be cutting health benefits and creating barriers to health care, the Latino Caucus said in a statement. The caucus had advocated for an expansion of the program to individuals aged 19-41, which would have cost a projected $380 million alone, according to the administration. That expansion would have ensured health care coverage for low-income noncitizens of any age, as those aged 18 and under are already covered under the states AllKids program. Latino Caucus members have not given up and will pursue closing the gap in coverage until we achieve health care for all residents, the caucus said in a statement. The often-disenfranchised communities we represent sent us to Springfield to be their voice; we will never turn our backs on them. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. The United Kingdom recorded its joint hottest day so far this year. But despite that, thunderstorms and heavy rains are set to pour around northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. UK Records Hottest Day of the Year According to the BBC, the UK sizzled on Sunday, June 26, as temperatures soared to 32.2C (89.8F), the joint hottest day of the year. Notably, the hottest temperature recorded was in Coningsby in Lincolnshire. It is worth mentioning that the hottest recorded temperature last year, on July 19, 2022, climbed to a staggering 40.3C. As The Independent reports, many people are enjoying the hot weather. Beaches and parks are filled with people. Thousands of folks took the chance to sit back and relax at the beaches amid the weekend heat. However, The Met Office, alongside the UK Health Security Agency or UKHSA, issued a yellow weather warning for the heat across the country for the entire weekend. The Met Office is urging people to take precautions against the heat. Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota advised people to drink water to stay hydrated and wear sun protection since the UV levels are strikingly high. On top of that, she also says, "Make sure you are not putting any disposable barbecues on any grassland area." After recording the hottest joint temperature for the year, the weather in the UK is cooling down by next week. According to The Guardian, folks in the southeast are most likely to breathe fresher air in the coming week. To be more precise, London's temperature is encountering "quite a significant drop," Bokota says. The temperature in the largest city of the UK should not exceed 24C on Monday. Beyond that, the Met Office meteorologist notes that it is "likely to feel a lot more comfortable than it has done for the last couple of weeks." Read Also: UK Man Dies as Hot Air Balloon Bursts Into 'Fireball' Mid-Air, Crashes to the Ground Thunderstorms in the North Amid the scorching weather across the country, thunderstorms and heavy rains are right around the corner. The Met Office also issued yellow thunderstorm warnings in various locations, such as northeast England and Eastern Scotland, between 1 pm and 9 pm on Sunday, June 25. Another warning encompasses Northern Ireland from 2 pm to 7 pm on Sunday. The national weather service of the UK stresses that the hottest day of the year could "turn into a thundery Sunday for some." Some people are already reporting heavy downpours and hail as the scorching heat brings thunderstorms to some parts of the country. Related Article: US Crypto Crack Down Intensifies; Will Cryptocurrency Companies Move to UK? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin's former chief strategist on Monday urged an end to mercenary groups in Russia after a mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner militia, cautioning that they interfered with the chain of command. Vladislav Surkov, once known as the Kremlins puppet master by friends and foes alike, said "private military companies" were an idea imported from the U.S., created to engage in proxy wars. "How can a military unit be private in our understanding? This is completely inconsistent with Russian political, managerial and military culture," Surkov, who left the Kremlin in 2020, said in an interview published by his associate Alexei Chesnakov. Such groups, Surkov said, risked turning Russia into "some kind of Eurasian tribal zone" while dividing the command of the armed forces as Russia fought what the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" (SVO) in Ukraine. "Why do we need them today when we are openly participating in the battle for Ukraine? This is not a proxy war, this is the SVO," Surkov said. "The army must be strengthened not only with weapons, but also with unity of command." As first deputy chief of the Kremlin administration from 1999 to 2011, Surkov helped Putin forge his tightly controlled political system. He then worked in the government and later returned to the Kremlin as an adviser to Putin. He cast Prigozhin as an "oligarch", detailing the mercenary's criminal past in St Petersburg. In 1981, aged 20, Prigozhin was sentenced to 13 years in jail for robbery and assault, including choking a woman until she lost consciousness, according to court documents from the time. "That's all you need to know about Prigozhin," said Surkov. Prigozhin said on Monday that a one-day mutiny by his Wagner force had been intended not to overthrow Russia's government but to register a protest over what he said was its ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin last month said his nickname "Putin's chef" was stupid as he could not cook, quipping that "Putin's butcher" might be more apt. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey) In the end, the uprising was short-lived. But for a brief and chaotic 36 hours, Russian President Vladimir Putins grip on power appeared to be under serious threat, as thousands of Wagner fighters led by warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin closed in on the countrys capital. With the private mercenary group claiming to have seized key military sites in two Russian cities, the Kremlin was forced to deploy heavily armed troops to the streets of Moscow and warn residents to stay indoors. But the face-off never came. On Saturday, the Kremlin said a deal had been reached to end the insurrection, with Prigozhin heading to neighboring Belarus and Wagner fighters turning back from their march. Belarusian officials told CNN on Saturday they have no details on what Yevgeny Prigozhins status will be in the country and could not confirm whether Prigozhin had already arrived. Now is the moment when blood can be shed, Prigozhin warned on Saturday. Therefore, realizing all the responsibility for the fact that Russian blood will be shed from one of the sides, we turn our columns around and leave in the opposite direction to the field camps according to the plan. Wagner fighters pull out of the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, on Saturday, after briefly occupying the strategic facility. - Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters Wagner fighters will face no legal action, and the Kremlin has always respected (Wagners) heroic deeds, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. You will ask me what will happen to Prigozhin personally? The criminal case will be dropped against him. He himself will go to Belarus, Peskov said, adding that the situation had been resolved without further losses. Restrictions remained in place along a major highway Moscow and in the Tula region on Sunday, after Prigozhins attempted advance brought traffic to a grinding halt. The abrupt about-face follows a rare, remarkable challenge to the Kremlin that threatened to plunge the country into crisis and destabilize its already stumbling war efforts in Ukraine. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a staunch Kremlin ally, condemned Prighozhins actions and said, bloodshed could have happened. The arrogance of one person could lead to such dangerous consequences and draw a large number of people into the conflict, he added. The threat of civil war leaves the country and the Putin regime in a very different place Sunday than it had been just two days prior. And with Russia possessing the worlds largest nuclear arsenal, that instability has other nations on edge, prompting emergency meetings and high-level talks. Threat to Putin Putin has built a reputation as an autocrat with an iron grip on power since he became president in 2000 with his reign second in length only to Joseph Stalin, the Communist leader whose image Putin has tried to rehabilitate. The mysterious deaths of Putin critics over the years, and more recent critics of the Ukraine war, has only bolstered the Kremlins veneer of total control and the consequences for those who step out of line. That has now been shaken badly by the Wagner insurrection with experts warning Putin may be more exposed than he has been in the last 23 years. Putin is clearly weakened. There is blood in the water, said Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the US-based think tank McCain Institute. She added that this near-crisis could be seen as an opportunity for Putin critics or rivals within the Kremlin. Ukraines national security adviser, Oleksii Danilov, said on Sunday that the short-lived Wagner uprising was the first stage of dismantling the Russian leaders tenure. Putins regime has been stabbed in the back with a knife, if not instantly fatal, but certainly inevitable, although delayed in time, he added. The countdown has begun. At the same time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the developing situation in Russia saw cracks emerge that werent there before, adding: We havent seen the last act yet. Blinken told CNNs Dana Bash that the situation is extraordinary, but said its too soon to tell where this is going to go. Some international observers have expressed surprise at what they view as a lackluster Russian response to the insurrection, with the lack of a rapid, cohesive strategy highlighting the militarys weakened capabilities. Putin will also have to contend with shaky public sentiment within Russia. Civilian support for the war in Ukraine remains high, but cracks had begun to show by early this year, with some Russians tuning out the propaganda on air and others finding ways to circumvent Internet restrictions. In the months since, the war has arrived on Russian soil as Ukraine launched its counteroffensive. Russias Belgorod region saw a cross-border attack by anti-Putin Russian nationals in May, while the Kremlin itself came under alleged drone attacks. The emerging split between Moscow and some of its civilians was on clear display Saturday, as Prigozhin and his forces prepared to depart the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, where they had briefly occupied a key military facility. A video verified and geolocated by CNN show Prigozhins vehicle stopping as a resident approached to shake the Wagner boss hand; around them, residents cheer. The location adds to the moments significance: Rostov-on-Don is an important regional capital with logistical and strategic value, housing the headquarters of Russias Southern Military District. Chechen forces were retreating from the territory on Sunday, Russian state media TASS reported, having been deployed to quell the Wagner insurrection. Further north, the governor of Voronezh said on Sunday Wagner units were departing steadily and without incident, after traveling through the region in their advance towards Moscow. They also withdrew from nearby Lipetsk, according to the regional government. All of this is spilling out into the Russian heartland, said retired US Army Brig. Gen. Peter Zwack on Saturday. Beth Sanner, former deputy director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration, said the incident could see Putin double down on repression in Russia in a bid to wrest back control as well as step up its fighting in Ukraine, in the face of international scrutiny. He has been humiliated, Sanner said. Hes going to try to reassert (his strength) Putin will not just stand there and allow all of this to flourish and blossom. World on edge The insurrection has also turned a spotlight to Russias nuclear capabilities and what might push Putin to use them questions that have loomed over the war in Ukraine ever since it began. Putin has repeatedly engaged in nuclear saber-rattling, announcing earlier this year that it would store tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, one of Moscows closest allies, which helped launch the initial invasion of Ukraine. The first of those weapons arrived this month. On Saturday, two US officials told CNN that they had not seen any change to Russias nuclear posture since the insurrection started. A State Department spokesperson added that the US has no reason to adjust our conventional or nuclear force posture, and that it has long-standing, established communication channels with Russia on nuclear issues. But those channels are now significantly narrower than before. Earlier this year, Russia suspended participation in its only nuclear arms control treaty with the US meaning the two nations are no longer required to share information like the location of certain missiles and launchers. US intelligence officials had anticipated last year that there was an internal power struggle between the Wagner group and the Russian government, as the invasion of Ukraine stalled, according to top US officials. They even saw signs that Prigozhin was making preparations for a major challenge, including by amassing weapons and ammunition, said one Western intelligence official and another person familiar with the intelligence. But they didnt anticipate Prigozhin would storm the Rostov region and the insurrection unfolded so quickly that it caught US and European officials off guard, sources say. US officials convened emergency meetings on Friday night to assess the events, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and the European Union on Saturday. The leader of the US, United Kingdom, France and Germany also spoke on Saturday, before Wagner pulled back from its advance, according to Downing Street. Countries near Russia are also on guard, with the president of former Soviet state Kazakhstan scheduling an emergency meeting of his Security Council on Sunday. The council will form a plan to contain any possible negative consequences of the insurrection that could impact Kazakh citizens or the economy, said the presidential office. Meanwhile, Russias deputy foreign minister, Andrey Rudenko and top Chinese diplomats discussed the upheaval in Russia during their meeting in Beijing on Sunday, according to a statement from Russias foreign ministry. CNNs Mariya Knight, Uliana Pavlova, Anna Chernova, Svitlana Vlasova, Priscilla Alvarez and Matthew Chance contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was shown speaking to officers in a video released by his ministry on Monday, the first time he had appeared in public since a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group demanding his dismissal. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had seized control of Russia's military headquarters in southern Russia and sent forces towards Moscow in a bid to settle scores with President Vladimir Putin's defence minister and ally, and with Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff. Shoigu, in the clip shown on state television, was shown flying in a plane with a colleague and hearing reports at a command post run by Russia's Zapad (West) military grouping. There was no sound on the video and it was not immediately clear where or when the visit had taken place. Putin also appeared in a video posted on the Kremlin's website greeting participants of an industrial forum, although it was also not immediately clear when that had been recorded. The mutiny ended when the Kremlin said criminal charges against the mutineers were to be dropped in exchange for their return to camps, with Prigozhin to move to Belarus, whose leader, Alexander Lukashenko, helped broker the deal. Speculation quickly spread on Russian social media channels that Prigozhin might have secured concessions, notably changes in the military leadership. Gerasimov, who is in direct command of Russia's campaign and rarely appears in public, has not been seen since the mutiny. But Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin advisor who remains close to the authorities, said the defence ministry video was "a signal to everyone that Shoigu is in office and will probably remain defence minister now". "Putin will not do anything under pressure from a mutineer," Markov said. REPORTS SAY PRIGOZHIN STILL BEING INVESTIGATED Moreover, the Kommersant newspaper and Russia's three main news agencies reported that the criminal case against Prigozhin remained open and was still being pursued. It cited an unidentified source at the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying there had not been enough time to close the case, while TASS news agency cited a source close to the prosecutor's office as saying "the investigation is ongoing". Prigozhin's "March for justice", aimed at toppling a military elite whom he cast as treasonous and corrupt, has raised fears of turmoil in Russia while undermining Putin's reputation as unchallenged leader. In an address to the nation on Saturday, Putin had vowed to crush the mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolutions of 1917 and then civil war, and to punish those responsible. The apparent ease with which Prigozhin was able to strike a deal with the Kremlin a few hours later, having captured the southern city of Rostov and sent an armed convoy towards Moscow, raised questions about the extent of Putin's authority. But on Monday, ministers were rallying round. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told a televised government meeting that Russia had faced "a challenge to its stability", and must remain united behind Putin, before a succession of deputies reported how stability had been maintained throughout. The whereabouts of Prigozhin, who was seen leaving central Rostov on Saturday night, were not clear. He has insisted that he is a patriot not a traitor, and that he was not attempting a coup. Last month, he said Russia could face a revolution similar to those of 1917 and lose the war in Ukraine unless the Russian elite got serious about it. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) said on Monday that House Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) comments saying he shouldnt run for reelection wouldnt deter him from seeking a second bid. Dear Media, I plan on continuing to serve the people of NY3. Providing excellent constituent services to the people of NY03 and proposing common sense conservative legislation for the betterment of our nation. Speaker McCarthys comments do not change my intention of running, Santos tweeted. McCarthy was asked during an appearance on Fox & Friends whether he was part of Santos reelection campaign. No, I am not. No he shouldnt run for reelection, he said. Were going to keep that seat with another Republican, yes we are, he added later. Santos is being investigated by several groups, including the House Ethics Committee, U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of New York and Nassau County district attorneys office. Santos faces 13 charges by the U.S. Attorneys Office alone, including wire fraud and making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Santos seat lean Democrat. Santos is facing at least one Republican challenger, Afghanistan war veteran Kellen Curry, along with several Democrats vying to take his seat in 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sarah McBride attends "Out in Office" panel at Tribeca Celebrates Pride Day at 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studio on May 4, 2019 in New York City. (Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) Delaware state Sen Sarah McBride announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Delawares sole congressional district, which would make her the first openly transgender member of Congress. Ms McBride announced her candidacy in a video on Monday morning. My commitment is to the people in Delaware who arent seen, who dont shout the loudest or fund political campaigns, she said. Everyone deserves a member of Congress who sees them and respects them. Ms McBride became the first openly transgender state senator in the United States when she won her election in 2020. Prior to that, Ms McBride worked for the Human Rights Campaign and was also the first openly transgender person to speak at a major partys convention when she spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. She first came out as transgender in an op-ed for the student newspaper of American University, where she had served as student body president. Ms McBride also worked for former Delaware attorney general Beau Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, who represented Delaware in the Senate for 36 years before he became vice president. When I came out, it was support from Beau and the rest of the Biden family that made me feel safe in Delaware, like I belonged here, she tweeted in 2019, to which Mr Bidens account tweeted: Thanks Sarah. I'm proud of you and so is Beau. In 2018, Ms McBride released her book Tomorrow Will be Different, which detailed her life and the loss of her husband Andy who was also transgender. Mr Biden wrote the foreword for the book. Ms McBrides candidacy comes shortly after Rep Lisa Blunt Rochester, the states incumbent congresswoman, announced she would run for Delawares Senate seat after Sen Tom Carper announced that he would not seek another term in the Senate. Delaware is a solidly Democratic state, meaning that the winner of the Democratic primary will most certainly win the general election in 2024. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Tens of thousands of North Koreans marched in anti-U.S. rallies over the weekend, pledging merciless revenge against U.S. imperialists, as the country marked the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War, state media said Monday. More than 120,000 people participated in Sundays mass rallies in the nations capital, North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said. While the 1950-53 conflict was triggered by a North Korean surprise attack, the demonstrators mobilized in Pyongyang promoted their governments version of events and accused the United States of provoking the war and leaving Koreans with wounds ... that can never be healed. Meanwhile in South Korea, a North Korean defector-turned-activist said he flew balloons carrying some 200,000 anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and COVID-19 medical supplies across the border Sunday night, continuing his yearslong campaigns that have often triggered angry responses from the North. Photos sent by Park Sang-hak showed a placard with a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a message that highlighted how his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, was responsible for starting the Korean War. The North has not commented on Parks latest ballooning stint. North Korea is extremely sensitive about any outside attempt to undermine Kims leadership and weaken his absolute control over the countrys 26 million people. At the rallies Sunday, North Koreans also expressed pride in Kims expanding nuclear weapons and missile programs, insisting their country now has the strongest absolute weapon to punish the U.S. imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dare provoke. Photos published by the Norths Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed a stadium packed with likely tens of thousands of people in COVID-19 masks, raising their fists in the air and holding signs that read: Lets eradicate U.S. imperialist invaders and The entire U.S. mainland is within our striking range. The rallies came amid heightened tensions in the region, as the pace of North Korean weapons demonstrations and the United States joint military exercises with South Korea have both intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat. In their latest telephone discussion over North Korea, the U.S. and South Korean nuclear envoys accused Pyongyang of distorting history by repeating old claims that the United States caused the Korean War, South Koreas Foreign Ministry said. The South Korean official, Kim Gunn, and President Joe Biden's special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, also noted how Pyongyang in likewise manner was blaming Washington and its Asian allies for recent tensions triggered by its intensified weapons tests and verbal threats of nuclear conflict. They vowed tighter diplomatic and security cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo to cope with the threat, the South Korean ministry said. Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles of various ranges as Kim attempts to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. mainland and South Korea. The North is also speeding up efforts to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit, following a failed first attempt in May. There are signs that North Korea is planning a huge military parade in Pyongyang where it would likely showcase its new military hardware. Recent commercial satellite images have shown troop and vehicle movements and the building of structures suggestive of preparations for a parade, likely for the July 27 anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement. Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South's military was closely analyzing the North's presumed parade preparations but did not provide specific details. At a military parade in February, Kim and his daughter took center stage and his military rolled out what appeared to be a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which was likely the same system the country flight-tested for the first time in April. If perfected, the weapon would give Kim a more mobile and harder-to-detect weapon to target the continental United States. Everyone who lives in the Midwest understands the weather can sometimes be unforgiving and even deadly. Some people scramble to find sturdy houses or ones with storm bunkers. But sometimes the homes can look like a survivalist from the forest lives there. Property grounds Enter this house for sale in Luther, Oklahoma, for $314,000, which is a mix of a minimalists dream that doesnt forgo style or safety. Family room This truly unique architect-designed home is located on 5 acres and offers a wealth of possibilities for the discerning buyer, the listing on Realtor.com says. The home has been thoughtfully tailored with luxurious interior finishes to create the ultimate Airbnb experience while also providing an ideal opportunity for those seeking a minimalist lifestyle without compromising on opulence and details. Conveniently located within a 3-mile radius of three highly regarded wedding venues, this property holds immense potential for hosting special events. Kitchen The 830-square-foot home comes complete with one bedroom, one bathroom and a storm shelter that can fit up to 10 people. It also has the following features: Heated/cooled storage container Motion detection lights inside and out So much more It was engineered for wind shear and for high energy efficiency, listing agent Mike Schwerdtfeger told Realtor.com. They recessed all of the baseboards so the baseboards dont protrude out into the room like a normal home. Bedroom The serenity of nature also captivates all around the acreage of the home, including trees, wildlife and a pond. Luther is about 25 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. Doomsday chic? Remodeled missile silo for sale has amenities you wont find elsewhere Whimsically vibrant house or bad guys fortress in Spy Kids? See Vermont listing WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a bid by Apple Inc and Broadcom Inc to revive their challenges to Caltech data-transmission patents in a patent infringement case in which the university's earlier $1.1 billion jury verdict against the companies was thrown out. The justices turned away an appeal by Apple and Broadcom of a lower court's ruling affirming a trial judge's decision to prevent the companies from contesting the validity of the patents as they defended against the California Institute of Technology's lawsuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which specializes in patent cases, ruled against the companies' arguments because they failed to bring them up during earlier proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apple and Broadcom have argued that they should have been allowed to raise the patent challenges during the trial. A jury found that the companies infringed Caltech's patents, ordering Apple to pay $837.8 million and Broadcom to pay $270.2 million. The Federal Circuit took issue with the amount of the award, and sent the case back for a new trial on damages. Caltech, located in Pasadena, California, sued Cupertino-based Apple and San Jose-based Broadcom in 2016 in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging that millions of iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and other devices using Broadcom Wi-Fi chips infringed its data-transmission patents. Apple is a major purchaser of Broadcom chips, and in January 2020 reached a $15 billion supply agreement that ends in 2023. Broadcom has estimated that 20% of its revenue comes from Apple. The Federal Circuit also upheld the trial judge's decision to block the companies from arguing that the patents were invalid because they could have made the arguments in their petitions for USPTO review of the patents. Apple and Broadcom told the Supreme Court that the Federal Circuit misread the law, which they said only blocks arguments that could have been raised during the review itself. President Joe Biden's administration urged the justices in May to reject the case and argued that the Federal Circuit had interpreted the law correctly. Caltech has also sued Microsoft Corp, Samsung Electronics Co, Dell Technologies Inc and HP Inc, accusing them of infringing the same patents in separate cases that are still pending. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington. Additional reporting by Andrew Chung in New York.) (Photo : Pavel Byrkin / SPUTNIK / AFP) (PAVEL BYRKIN/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese President Xi Jinping praises Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership while also downplaying the recent Wagner group rebellion as simply Moscow's "internal affairs." Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership and downplayed the Wagner group's recent rebellion as simply Moscow's "internal affairs." Xi also called for regional stability but argued that such a situation would only be possible after a short mutiny challenged the Russian strongman's rule. Xi Jinping Shows Support of Russia Throughout Saturday, the mercenary Wagner Group seized control of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and marched toward Moscow. The soldiers demanded military leadership reforms from President Putin. Meanwhile, Western governments issued concerned statements that assured they were monitoring the fast-evolving situation in Russia. Beijing sat quietly throughout the ordeal and only spoke out after the Russian strongman reached a deal late Saturday with Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end the military rebellion. As per Politico, China's Foreign Ministry said that the matter was a part of Russia's domestic affairs. The ministry added that China fully supports Russia in safeguarding national stability and delivering regional development and prosperity. On Sunday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu hosted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko. The former said that under the strategic guidance of the Chinese president and the Russian strongman, the Chinese-Russian political trust had deepened even further. However, Beijing revealed that it wanted Moscow to keep China informed as quickly as possible about various political matters. On the other hand, Russia's Foreign Ministry said that Rudenko's trip to China was a follow-up to Xi's trip to Russia that was made in March. That particular visit aimed to entrench and expand bilateral ties between the two countries. Furthermore, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Rudenko exchanged views with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang regarding Sino-Russian relations and various international and regional issues that were of common concern between the two nations, according to Reuters. Read Also: India's Opposition Parties Join Forces To Defeat Governing Modi Administration Failed Wagner Rebellion It was not immediately made clear when Rudenko arrived in Beijing or whether or not his trip was made in response to the Wagner group rebellion over the weekend. The mutiny was thwarted by a deal allowing Prigozhin and his troops to avoid criminal charges in exchange for the group pulling its troops back to base and toward Belarus. On the other hand, Prigozhin said that his troops' rebellion march on Moscow was made to remove corrupt and incompetent commanders. He blamed such officials for botching the war in Ukraine. On Saturday, the Chinese state-controlled newspaper Global Times said that hyping up the rebellion would only create an "illusion" that Russia has many internal contradictions and thoughts that the "building is collapsing." China and Russia, while not being formal allies, have maintained relatively close ties throughout the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. However, the United States and other Western countries have called on Beijing to condemn the war and stop supplying Russia with arms that it could use to support its war. Following a phone call with United States President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that they discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. He called on the public to put global pressure on Moscow until international order is restored, said The Guardian. Related Article: Eric Adams Join Thousands in LGBTQ+ Pride March From New York to San Francisco @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. LONDON (Reuters) - Countries must take decisive action at talks aimed at accelerating decarbonisation in the shipping industry, the United Nations' shipping agency chief said on Monday, as pressure for change builds. Shipping, which transports around 90% of world trade and accounts for nearly 3% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, is facing growing calls from environmentalists and investors to deliver more concrete action including a carbon levy. Delegates of the U.N.'s shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), are meeting in London this week for preliminary discussions ahead of next week's crucial session of the IMO's marine environment (MEPC) committee. The IMO has pledged to halve greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from ships by 2050, from 2008 levels, a commitment that lags European Union and U.S. plans to reach zero net emissions by that date. The MEPC will finalise the draft 2023 strategy on reducing GHG emissions from ships and examine other measures including various proposals for a carbon levy. "It is now time to work together on increasing the level of ambition for 2050 and establish the intermediate check points by 2030 and 2040," IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said in a speech to delegates. "Do not wait for the last minute at MEPC to make the compromises and find the solutions, a positive outcome from this group is key to a success next week, and for the future work of this Organization." Lim said 2023 was "IMO's year of decisive climate action". "The stakes are high and the expectations even higher." (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a North Carolina public charter school's defense of its blocked requirement that girls wear skirts - a student uniform policy that its founder explained is aimed at treating women like "fragile vessels." Turning away an appeal by Charter Day School Inc, the justices left in place a lower court's decision that the dress code discriminated against students based on gender in violation the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment promise of equal protection under the law. Charter schools in North Carolina are tuition-free, open to attendance by all, and receive state funding for each student. They are run by private, nonprofit corporations rather than a public school district. At issue in the case was whether Charter Day School in the southeastern North Carolina town of Leland, which offers a "traditional-values-based education" to students from kindergarten to Grade 8, was subject to the Constitution's equal protection provision when it enforced the skirt policy. The school said its uniform policy was designed to foster classroom discipline and "mutual respect between boys and girls." The school's founder, Baker Mitchell, told parents that the policy was aimed at preserving chivalry, with women "regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor," according to court papers. The plaintiffs alleged that the skirts requirement was rooted in gender stereotypes, violating the 14th Amendment. Under school policy, boys may wear pants or shorts. Ria Tabacco Mar, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, who represented the three students and their parents or guardians who sued the school, hailed the court's action. "Girls at public charter schools have the same constitutional rights as their peers at other public schools - including the freedom to wear pants. We will continue to fight for all girls to learn in safe and equal schools," she said. Mitchell expressed disappointment in Monday's decision. He warned of ripple effects for charter schools, "threatening their autonomy, subjecting them to the same rules, regulations and political machinations that have crippled government-run school systems, and worst of all, leaving many low-income parents and students with no option other than poorly performing district schools." The plaintiffs sued under a federal law commonly known as Section 1983 that allows individuals to take state officials to court for alleged violations of their constitutional or statutory rights. The school defended against the lawsuit by claiming it is not a state actor and therefore cannot be sued under Section 1983. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 ruled that charter schools in North Carolina are state actors because they are publicly funded, their employees are considered public school employees and the state has delegated to them a duty to educate students. The 4th Circuit then found Charter Day School's dress code unconstitutional. The skirt requirement telegraphs to children that female students are fragile and warrant different treatment than males - "stereotypes with potentially devastating consequences for young girls," the 4th Circuit ruling stated. In its appeal, the school said the 4th Circuit's ruling undermined charter schools by treating "private operators as the constitutional equivalent of government-run schools, squelching innovation and restricting parental choice." Asked by the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether or not to hear the case, President Joe Biden's administration filed a brief urging the justices to deny the school's appeal. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The aborted mutiny by Russia's Wagner mercenary group at the weekend demonstrates the weakness of the Russian leadership and the scale of the Kremlin's strategic mistake in waging war on Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday. Russia sought to restore calm on Monday after Wagner fighters halted a rapid advance on Moscow, withdrew from the seized southern Russian city of Rostov and headed back to their bases late on Saturday under a deal that guaranteed their safety. Their commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was to move to Belarus under the deal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin said. "The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President (Vladimir) Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine," Stoltenberg told reporters on a visit to Lithuania. "Of course, it is a demonstration of weakness," he added. "It demonstrates the fragility the Russian regime but it is not for NATO to intervene in those issues, that's a Russian matter." Confusion over the weekend's extraordinary events has left Western governments groping for answers to what could happen next in the country with the world's largest nuclear arsenal - and to its war on Ukraine. Mikhail Mishustin, who leads Putin's cabinet as his appointed prime minister, acknowledged on Monday that Russia had faced "a challenge to its stability", and called for public loyalty. Stoltenberg said NATO was monitoring the situation in Belarus and, again, condemned Moscow's announcement to deploy nuclear weapons there. "We don't see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons but NATO remains vigilant," he said, adding NATO's deterrence was strong enough to keep its people safe in a "more dangerous world". At the same time, Stoltenberg assured Kyiv of NATO's continued support. "If Russia thinks it can intimidate us from supporting Ukraine, it will fail," he said. "We stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." Stoltenberg was in Lithuania to attend an exercise that will test the swift reinforcing of the German-led NATO battlegroup in the country to the size of a brigade, a military unit comprising up to 5,000 troops, a scenario to be enacted in case of heightened tensions or a conflict with Russia. He described the drills as a clear message that NATO was ready to defend every inch of allied territory. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Bart Meijer; Editing by Alison Williams, Conor Humphries and Alex Richardson) A generation of flyers will remember the name Air Afrique, the pan-African airline that operated from 1961 to 2002. In its twilight years, the carrier accrued significant debt, and the downtown in air travel after the September 11 attacks in New York City eventually put the company out of business. An Air Afrique plane is pictured in Mauritania in April 1973. - Michel Renaudeau/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images But before then, the carrier which was co-owned between the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Cote dIvoire, Gabon, Mauritania, Niger, the Republic of the Congo and Senegal was known as one of the most reputable in West Africa, not only for its service (the airline flew to cities as far away as New York and Abu Dhabi, and throughout Europe) but for its reputation as a peripatetic cultural juggernaut. Balafon, its in-flight magazine, would spotlight artistic work from across the continent; its canon stands now as an early anthology of modern West African creativity and idealism. Model Ismael Savane pictured in an Air Afrique T-shirt during Paris Fashion Week Mens Spring-Summer 2023 on June 23, 2022 in Paris. - Melodie Jeng/Getty Images And today, the airline and its publication are being remembered with a new yearly title, aptly called Air Afrique and produced by an arts collective of the same moniker. With support from the Italian fashion label Bottega Veneta, the new magazines first issue launched during the Spring-Summer 2024 menswear shows in Paris on June 23, with a party at the citys Centre Pompidou, the famed arts and culture complex. It aims to uplift the work of a new generation of creatives from across the global African diaspora. We want to revive the African transcendence that Air Afrique represented, Lamine Diaoune, the founder and creative director of the Air Afrique collective, said in a statement. Our mission is to preserve this heritage, to put Air Afrique back in the cultural conversation, and to build on their example of cultural engagement. We would watch a lot of African movies from the sixties and seventies and eighties. In those films, you had a lot of references to the airline, because it was a really powerful symbol, explained Djibi Kebe, a co-founder of the Air Afrique collective and a contributor to the new magazine. We also spoke with ex-employees of the airline, and we went to Abidjan (in Cote dIvoire) and Dakar (in Senegal) to interview them. It was super helpful because they had a lot of archives of the moment. We were born in the nineties or the 2000s, so we didnt know much about it. But its really a big part of West African history, so we decided to come together in 2020, Kebe continued of the collective. Weve done exhibitions, cine-clubs, and have gotten people talking about the airline, and the way it helped African artists and African filmmakers. It really was about more than just flights. An Air Afrique stewardess, pictured during training in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, in 1971. - Air Afrique In 2022, the collective installed a sixties-style Africa-centric travel agency at the Kaleidoscope Manifesto Festival in Paris, as just one example of how theyve been able to revive and retell the airlines story. It got the fashion worlds attention. Bottega Veneta, which has publicly committed to collaborating with independent print media platforms and previously helped to relaunch BUTT, the cult-favorite magazine that documented alternative gay culture and sexuality, came calling. With our print partnerships, we recognize the craft, creativity, and quiet power of smaller-scale publications which give voice to specific communities, a Bottega Veneta spokesperson said in a statement announcing Air Afriques launch. Each magazine exemplifies quality design, editorial rigor, and a clarity and originality of vision. When Bottega approached us asking what we wanted to do with the project, we said, the magazine. Right away, says Kebe. The cover of Air Afrique magazine's first issue, featuring the French rapper Tiakola (far right). The Air Afrique collective consists of founder and creative Director Lamine Diaoune, co-founders Djiby Kebe and Jeremy Konko, editor-in-chief Amandine Nana, editors Zhedy Nuentsa and Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam and graphic designer Axel Pelletanche. - Air Afrique Air Afriques first issue is a gorgeous, lushly hued testament to the then-and-now of mid-to-late century West Africa and its modern global diaspora. The magazines content was overseen by its editor-in-chief, Amandine Nana. (All members of the Air Afrique collective have backgrounds in creative fields; each also has projects outside of the group, too.) Replications of archival pages from Balafons back issues stand alongside new work, with threads and connections neatly woven between the two. What was interesting was creating discussioms between the (Balafon) archives and now, Nana said. One example of this in the new magazine is a photo essay which pairs the work of Paul Kodjo, a post-independence photographer from the Ivory Coast, with text from the writer and archivist Marie-Helene Tusiama, who was commissioned to dream up dialogues that might have existed within the photos, Nana explained. It becomes cinematic. The visually-striking editorial, called Scenes damour a Abidjan, features a series of black-and-white compositions of the Ivorian capital in its contemporary emergence, its denizens impeccably stylish, and energizedif hesitant, in a wayby the feeling of being on the edge of something new. Beneath an image of two women standing in front of a dilapidated colonial-era building, Tusiama imagines one saying: Abidjan is the city of everything is said and everything is known. There is much more to take in: A softly-lit cover, shot by Kebe through a nostalgic lens, of the French rapper Tiakola. Theres an original photo of Pope Jean-Paul II aboard an Air Afrique jet in 1980 during one of the pontiffs African tours. A trio of vibrant blankets designed by Abdel El Tayeb. - Courtesy of Bottega Veneta And there are brand new Bottega Veneta campaign images, showcasing a capsule collection of limited-edition blankets designed by the Franco-Sudanese designer Abdel El Tayeb. El Tayeb is a member of Bottega Venetas studio, and was commissioned by the brands creative director, Matthieu Blazy, to imagine the throws from wool, leather, and shearling out of the houses own archives. Labeled under his own brand El Tayeb Nation, the blankets are Afro-futuristic in look, yet inspired by the vibrant patterns of the traditional clothing worn by El Tayebs mother. Ultimately, says Kebe, the collectives primary goal is to make a conversation. To understand the world we live in today, and to be inspired by our past I believe all points of view are eventually connected, at some point. And so, just as travel itself can open up new perspectives and enrich a persons view of the world, so can an in-flight magazine. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The labor force continues to evolve as freelance and part-time work popularity is on the rise, with just over a third of us workers now partaking in one of the two. But it's not just a means to an end for those out of work. Many workers are gladly leaving full-time jobs for part-time or gig work. Government data released in early June shows 21.8 million Americans work part-time for non-economic reasonsin other words, by choice. The number of people working part-time for economic reasons has declined over the past year. That rise of freelance work isn't new to the pandemic; a survey from UpWork and the Freelancers Union shows a trend upward over the past decade. "We as a society have come to depend on these acts. And, you know, to have a labor pool that's available on demand to get us groceries or packages, and things like that. So really, this gig work is here to stay," said Lindsey Cameron, Assistant Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. "But I think the bigger thing to think about is that these companies are predicated on having their workforce be independent contractors because they're on-demand companies, because you can access the labor on demand whenever you want to. It's much harder to have that for employees because then you're having to pay for all the unpaid waiting time." The strong labor market has enabled workers to pursue more flexible work schedules and lifestyles. After employers added more jobs for the spring, the Labor Department reported there were nearly two openings for every worker seeking a job. Megan Bryant works part-time in addition to teaching as a host for SudShare, an online service that connects households with gig workers able to take on laundry needs. The flexibility of part-time or freelance work has a huge appeal. "This is where it's at. Nobody wants to go sit and do an office job, and you know that there's no flexibility. This works around my own schedule," Bryant told Scripps News. SEE MORE: Stress in the workplace reached an all-time high in 2022 But historically, there have been concerns about the overall security of gig economy jobs, namely fair pay and a lack of benefits like healthcare. As Cameron explained, "It's roughly about a 30 to 40% increase to have someone as an employee as opposed to an independent contractor, because an employee here in the States gets a lot of additional protection, and unemployment insurance, worker's comp, access to health insurance." Some independent contractors may have a more complicated tax system as well, paying an estimated quarterly tax on their income rather than once a year. This confusion can lead to reporting mistakes. And because taxes are not automatically withheld from paychecks, as they would be for full-time employees, the salaries might look higher at first glance than they actually are. Employers like Amazon Flex and Instacart have been hit with class action lawsuits for withholding pay or a lack of pay transparency. In 2022, the city of Washington, D.C., sued the delivery service Shipt for allegedly misclassifying their employees as freelance contractors. This would allow the company to avoid paying benefits, to shift basic costs to the workers, and to avoid paying the minimum wage. But there has been some momentum for legislation to protect workers. The Freelancers Union helped pass laws in these cities that allow freelancers to reach out to their municipality for help if they're not getting paid on time. This year, New Jersey and Illinois passed laws making it easier for temporary workers to speak up about dangerous working conditions. "I often feel like some of this legislative action we're having around these types of workers are revisiting policies that were put in place during the New Deal in the thirties," Cameron noted. "I think unfairly people often call these laws like Prop 22, AB-5 the Uber laws, but they're not Uber laws. I mean, they're just much bigger legal conversations about where employee protections should lie and what does control looks like and affects a much bigger swath of workers than just folks who are using their phone, you know, to access a job." Americans' relationship with the nine-to-five is changing, and that's only accelerated with the pandemic and rise of remote work. There are pros and cons to part-time jobs or freelance gigs, but above all, it's clear that the gig economy as we know it is here to stay. Bathing beauty contest for prizes at Coney Island, 1923. Bettmann/Getty Images New York City's Coney Island became hugely popular at the turn of the 20th century. Its beach, amusement parks, and annual events all contribute to its longstanding popularity. Here's what the iconic tourist attraction looked like 100 years ago. In the late 19th century, Coney Island began its rapid development into what is now an iconic tourist destination in New York City. By 1868 just a few years after the end of the Civil War a guidebook listed Coney Island as the "best beach on the Atlantic coast," and the popular waterfront brought in up to 30,000 visitors every weekend. By the turn of the 20th century, Coney Island reached its peak in popularity. Visitors flocked to both Coney Island's beaches and newly built amusement parks, which "offered magical wonders for people of every socio-economic class to enjoy," according to Seton Hall University's History of New York. Today, the destination attracts 5 million visitors annually, and it is popular among New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike. Annual events like Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest and the Mermaid Parade keep people coming back for more. Here's what Coney Island looked like 100 years ago, in the early 1900s. Coney Island started to flourish as a resort town in the 1860s, and by the 1890s pictured its first amusement park opened, drawing even more visitors to its sandy beaches and boardwalk. Coney Island in the 1890s. Bettmann/Getty Images Source: Seton Hall University A photo taken just before the turn of the century shows hundreds of beachgoers swimming in the water and gathering on the sand. Coney Island in 1898. Robert L. Bracklow/The New York Historical Society/Getty Images A photo from Coney Island's heyday in 1900 shows a group of modestly dressed young women sharing a meal on the sand. Women eating lunch at Coney Island in 1900. Universal History Archive/Getty Images Source: Heart of Coney Island These women stopped for some frozen custard while strolling along the boardwalk. Women enjoying frozen custard on the Coney Island boardwalk in 1900. George Rinhart/Getty Images In 1920, these happy beachgoers went for a swim to beat the summer heat. People in the ocean at Coney Island in 1920. Bettmann/Getty Images Some visitors chose to spend their time at Coney Island dancing on the beach. Dancers on the beach at Coney Island in 1925. FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Others enjoyed playing ball games on the sand, like this group of friends in 1923. Beachgoers playing ball games at Coney Island in 1923. Bettmann/Getty Images These visitors relaxed and socialized by the ocean in the summer of 1925. Beachgoers at Coney Island in 1925. The New York Historical Society/Getty Images Crowds swarmed the waterfront on hot summer days, while other visitors enjoyed the rides at the amusement park behind them. The beach at Coney Island with the amusement park in the background in 1928. ullstein bild Dtl./Getty Images Coney Island was filled with rides and attractions by the early 20th century. Amusement rides at Coney Island in 1900. Buyenlarge/Getty Images This image from 1905 captures the magic of Luna Park, one of Coney Island's amusement parks. Luna Park at Coney Island in 1905. Universal History Archive/Getty Images In 1903, four onlookers watched riders on the Shoot the Chutes water ride. Four people watching the 'Shoot the Chutes' amusement ride at Luna Park, Coney Island, US, circa 1903. Bettmann/Getty Images From the top of the Ferris wheel, these women caught a scenic view of a packed Coney Island on a summer day. Two women ride the Ferris wheel at Coney Island in the year 1900. Keystone-France/Getty Images A man greases the chain on the Cyclone, the amusement park's best-known roller coaster, which opened in 1927. Man greasing chain of the Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster in Coney Island. Bettmann/Getty Images Source: NYC Parks A century ago, Coney Island was home to an annual "Bathing Beauty" contest. In 1923, these contestants posed for a photo at Steeplechase Park. Bathing beauty contest for prizes at Coney Island, 1923. Bettmann/Getty Images These competitors lined up while participating in 1928's beauty contest. Beauty contestants at Coney Island in 1928. Bettmann/Getty Images Coney Island was home to a variety of performers, like the one pictured below. Today, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow still exists, and features acts such as sword swallowers and fire eaters. Visitors attending a show at Coney Island in the early 1900s. Keystone-France/Getty Images Source: ConeyIsland.com Advertisements for cold beverages like Sunkist and Tally-Ho Beer lined the boardwalk. Sunkist Lemonade and Tally-Ho Beer billboards at the Coney Island boardwalk in 1929. The New York Historical Society/Getty Images In 1922, the boardwalk was packed with people in their bathing suits. Bathing suit beauty contestants on the boardwalk at Coney Island in 1922. Underwood Archives/Getty Images Having been one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, it wasn't uncommon for the boardwalk to be tightly packed. Crowded boardwalk at Coney Island in 1927. Bettmann/Getty Images Read the original article on Insider Phoebe Copas, 48, has been charged with the murder of Uber driver Daniel Garcia (El Paso Police Department ) A Kentucky woman who allegedly shot and killed her Uber driver because she falsely believed he was kidnapping her to take her to Mexico has been charged with his murder. Phoebe Copas, 48, hailed an Uber driven by 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia to go to meet her boyfriend at the Speaking Rock Casino in the Mission Valley district of Texas border city El Paso at about 2.20pm on 16 June, according to police. Ms Copas allegedly saw roadway signs stating Juarez, Mexico, and thought she was being taken over the border against her will, according to a criminal complaint obtained by KTSM. Police say she grabbed a silver and brown handgun from her purse and allegedly shot Piedra Garcia multiple times in the head, causing the vehicle to collide with barriers before coming to a stop on US-54 near Loop 375, according to court documents. Ms Copas is accused of taking a photo of the critically wounded Uber driver and sending it to her boyfriend before calling 911, the criminal complaint states. Piedra Garcia was rushed to hospital where doctors advised his family that his head injuries were unsurvivable, and he was taken off life support on 19 June, his wife of 29 years Ana Piedra wrote on a GoFundme page. Ms Copas was initially charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, which was later upgraded to murder. She is being held in the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $1.5m bond. Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, was allegedly shot in the head by an Uber passenger Phoebe Copas (GoFundme) Police said in court documents that the location where Piedra Garcia was fatally shot was not close to a bridge or point of entry into Mexico, and there is no evidence to support her claims. The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination, El Paso Police said in a statement. Ms Piedra said that her husband was the familys sole provider and had started driving an Uber in April after knee surgery. He was very happy to finally be able to work and bring home income, she wrote on a fundraising page last week. Today we unfortunately had to disconnect my husband as the doctors did not give any chance that he would survive, after being disconnected he sadly passed. In a statement to the El Paso Times, Piedras niece Didi Lopez described her uncle as hardworking and really funny. He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that, if he saw you in a bad mood, hed come over and try to lift you up, she told the news site. Ms Lopez said the family had been told that the suspect had panicked after wrongly believing she was being taken to Mexico. And so her instinct was to shoot him and she shot him multiple times in the head. A fundraiser has raised more than $70,000 for the drivers family. An Uber spokesperson told The Independent the rideshare company was horrified by the riders actions and had been in touch with the drivers family. Violence is not tolerated on the Uber platform and we banned the rider as soon as we were made aware of what occurred. Our Public Safety Team stands at the ready to assist police as needed. (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images) A San Antonio airport worker has died after being ingested into a plane engine, the second such incident in the last six months. A San Antonio Airport worker was killed after being ingested into a plane's engine on Friday, said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Authorities said the incident began after Delta Flight 1111 arrived at the airport and was taxiing to the gate on one engine at around 10:25 p.m. when the tragedy occurred. The plane, identified as an AIrbus A319, had just arrived after flying from Los Angeles International Airport. San Antonio Airport Worker Dead The victim was a staff employed by Unifi, a company Delta contracts with to support its ground-handling operations. On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the deceased was an airport ramp worker. A spokesperson for Delta noted that the company was heartbroken and grieving the loss of the life of an aviation family member in San Antonio. They added that they were giving their full support to the victim's family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time, as per CBS News. In a statement, Unifi said that based on its preliminary investigation, the tragic incident was not connected to the company's operational processes, safety procedures, or policies. Also, officials have not yet publicly identified the victim of the tragedy. The recent incident is the second to have happened in the last six months and follows the death of a 34-year-old ground crew worker. That employee died after being ingested into a plane's engine at the Montgomery, Alabama, airport late last year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said the tragedy could have been avoided if proper safety procedures were followed. In a statement, OSHA Area Director Jose A. Gonzalez said that proper training and enforcement of safety procedures could have prevented such a tragedy. Last year's fatality resulted in the regional carrier Piedmont Airlines being fined $15,625 by the OSHA on Wednesday. According to the South China Morning Post, the decision to issue the fine comes as Piedmont is a subsidiary of American Airlines. Read Also: Titan Sub: The Life of 5 Victims Before the Tragic Blast Ground Crew Worker Ingested Into Plane Engine Regarding the American Airlines incident last year, the NTSB conducted an investigation that found the crew at the Montgomery Airport held two safety briefings 10 minutes before the plane arrived at the gate. Officials told employees only to approach the aircraft once the engine was shut off and a beacon light was turned off. However, when the plane arrived, the pilot was alerted that the front cargo door was being opened just as he was about to shut down the right engine. Video footage of the incident showed the victim, Courtney Edwards, walking toward the plane's rear while holding what appeared to be an orange safety cone. A short while after, the woman suddenly disappears from view, and the incident subsequently occurs. A co-pilot later reported that the airplane shook violently and experienced an immediate automatic shutdown. A GoFundMe was launched after the incident to help the victim's three children. As of June 16, 2023, it has raised more than $114,000, more than four times its initial goal of $25,000, said the New York Post. Related Article: Kansas City Shootings: At Least 3 Dead, 5 Injured in Weekend Attacks @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. The Australian government will provide a new A$110 million ($73.5 million) package to Ukraine including 70 military vehicles to defend against Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday. The fresh commitments take Australia's total contribution for Ukraine to A$790 million, including A$610 million in military support, since the conflict began in February 2022, according to Reuters. "This additional support will make a real difference, helping the Ukrainian people who continue to show great courage in the face of Russia's illegal, unprovoked and immoral war," Albanese said during a media briefing in Canberra. Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defense equipment including scores of Bushmaster armored vehicles. YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. Although Armenia and Azerbaijan both want to swiftly sign a peace treaty, there are outstanding issues standing in the way, analysts concur. The United States has great desire and capabilities to contribute to the normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but nonetheless this doesnt mean that the U.S. will solve all issues instead of us or that it ought to, political scientist Areg Kochinyan told ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has departed for the U.S. to hold another round of talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. What matters here is how effectively Armenia is working with the American side and to what extent could the desires and capabilities of the U.S. serve to the normalization of relations, Kochinyan added, noting that the Washington platform is a very promising format. There are fundamental disagreements regarding the main four packages. These are the protection of rights and security of Armenians of Artsakh, the basis for the delimitation and demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, unblocking of connections and the existence of a guarantor of the document itself. You certainly cant solve all issues with one meeting, but if progress were to be recorded and positions were to be brought closer in one of the packages during the Washington talks, then the meeting could be deemed as a success. Now what matters is to differentiate the fundamental issues and engage in focused talks around separately viewed issues, Kochinyan said, adding that a general or packaged logic for resolving issues is a deadlock. The analyst said that authorities ought to approach the process pragmatically, because it is easier to reach agreements in case of a phased process rather than a packaged option. Meanwhile, political scientist Hrant Mikayelyan says that Armenia, Azerbaijan and the U.S. all want a swift signing of a peace treaty. But on the other hand, theres a desire in Azerbaijan to change the negotiations process in terms of content, with the purpose of coercing more concessions from Armenia. In such conditions, it is highly likely that a final peace treaty wont be signed at this phase. In the beginning the talks were proceeding around the status of Artsakh, then the main objective was to ensure stability, but now Azerbaijan says that there is no Nagorno Karabakh conflict at all, whereas the Armenian government insists that the Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh must be given firm guarantees of protection of their security and rights. International organizations and structures are also calling for this, but Azerbaijan is ignoring these calls, seeking to navigate the talks in a course that would be beneficial only for itself, Mikayelyan warned. The expert said that the calls by international organizations wont bring Azerbaijan into the constructive arena given the fact that it has disregarded the International Court of Justice ruling on the Lachin Corridor. Azerbaijan is thinking that if it succeeds in carrying out a policy of ethnic cleansing and no one is interfering then it should continue doing so and then deal with the consequences, he added. Russia, the U.S., European organizations have all called on Azerbaijan to open Lachin Corridor, but Baku is ignoring the demands. Azerbaijan wont change its conduct unless faced with sanctions, Mikayelyan said. Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since December 2022. The United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan on February 22 to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has so far ignored the order. Furthermore, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor in violation of the terms of the 2020 ceasefire statement. Manvel Margaryan YEREVAN, 26 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 26 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.55 drams to 386.55 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.79 drams to 421.49 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.59 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.00 drams to 491.31 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 98.41 drams to 23994.49 drams. Silver price down by 3.88 drams to 277.64 drams. YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. The EU should develop a new strategy in case of instability in Russia, ARMENPRESS reports, citing "RIA Novosti", the head of EU diplomacy, Joseph Borrell, announced at the meeting of foreign ministers of the EU countries in Luxembourg. "Developing a strategy for such a situation takes time and we will work on it. Everyone will analyze the possible scenarios of the development of the situation. It is clear that now our vision of Russia is completely different," he said. Earlier, the foreign ministers of the EU countries discussed the latest developments in Russia and the Ukrainian conflict in Luxembourg and agreed to strengthen the military support to Kyiv. YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. On June 26, President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a working meeting, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President of Artsakh. Issues related to the military-political situation and solutions to the increasing humanitarian problems in result of the blockade were discussed. President Harutyunyan emphasized the importance of operational assessment of needs and problems, as well as quick response on the part of relevant structures as the situation changes. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the National Assembly Artur Tovmasyan, the Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan, heads of the law enforcement bodies, other officials. by John Ai Nothing is known of the whereabouts of Zhang Sheng, a young man who carried a sign at Peking University calling for an end to one-party rule. After last years crackdown, political signs are back in the Chinese capital. The missing man held his protest at the same site where students gathered to demand an end to zero-COVID policies. Beijing (AsiaNews) A young man has gone missing after he held up a sign at Peking University calling for an end to one-party rule and saying that a revolution had begun. One one-man protest was carried out near the campus cafeteria, at the same spot where students gathered last November to demand an end to the zero-COVID policy. When asked about the whereabouts of the young man, Peking University refused to provide any information. Pictures posted online last Thursday show a young man outside the student eatery, as he was being detained up and dragged away by security forces. He was holding a sign that said: Abandon the one-party dictatorship, embrace the multi-party system" followed by a YouTube and Twitter username, Hobbie Septem. A second sign on the ground read: The democratic revolution begins. With the pictures circulating on the Internet and social media, and his sudden disappearance, many have begun to worry about his fate and personal safety. From his social media accounts and posts in support of a democratic revolution and pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, it was possible to identify him as Zhang Sheng. After Chinese authorities cracked down on demonstrations and arrested dissenters last year, explicit political slogans and hymns to democracy and the end of one-party rule have popped up again in the capital Beijing. Last October, just before the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China, a man called Peng Lifa unfurled banners on Sitong Bridge, not far from Beijings main universities, demanding an end to dictatorship and the zero-COVID policy, as well as the removal of "supreme leader" Xi Jinping. By triggering a series of nationwide protests in 2022, anti-lockdown activists forced Chinese authorities to end its restrictive pandemic policies. At the time, protesters held up blank (i.e. white) paper, turning it into the symbol of the protest, which was later dubbed the Blank of White Paper movement. In anticipation of this years anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre of 4 June 1989, local authorities in Beijing removed road signs to Sitong Bridge. The bridge also no longer appears on the capitals digital navigation map. Egyptian President al-Sisi invited to the G20 in Delhi during the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Egypt in 26 years. During his stay, Modi visited the al-Hakim mosque, a place dear to a small Islamic community in Gujarat, allied with the BJP. This comes after he dismissed a reporters question in Washington centred on allegations that several Indian laws and policies violate the rights of Muslims. Cairo (AsiaNews/Agencies) After his US visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant stop in Cairo, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This is the first visit to Egypt by an Indian prime minister in 26 years. During his stay, Modi officially invited al-Sisi to attend the G20 summit in New Delhi in September. Egypt is one of the countries that have officially asked to join the BRICS group (a global forum that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa set up as an alternative to the G7). The summit in Cairo also provided the two leaders with the opportunity to sign a series of bilateral agreements on issues ranging from agriculture to the protection of their archaeological heritage. Culture and religion also played an important part in Modis visit, particularly as it might affect Indias domestic affairs. In fact, the prime minister visited Cairos 11th century al-Hakim mosque, which was recently restored thanks to Dawoodi Bohra, an Indian Ismaili Shi'a group. Originally from Egypt, the community of about half a million is concentrated in Modis home state of Gujarat, where he started his political career that led him to the prime ministers office. Relations between Hindus and Muslims in the state remain tense, especially since communal riots broke out in 2002 causing major bloodshed. Although they are Muslim, the Dawoodi Bohra have a long-established relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modis ruling Hindu nationalist party, this according to Mint, an Indian online business publication. As a sign of the close ties, the prime minister has described the community as patriotic, noting its support when he was in power in Gujarat. This gives his visit to the Cairo mosque strong political overtones as he praised Indian Muslims for its restoration. Still Modi's ties to Dawoodi Bohra are at odds with the situation back home, where the BJP is accused of consistently pushing forward anti-Muslim laws and policies since the prime minister came to power. For many India watchers, minority rights have been dealt a severe blow under the Modi administration. The issue was highlighted by the first question posed by a Wall Street Journal reporter to Modi during his press conference in the United States. Generally, the Indian prime minister does not hold press conferences; the last one he gave before his US visit was in London in 2015. When responding to the question about allegations of mistreatment of Muslims in India, Modi said that he was surprised by the query, answering evasively that since India was a democracy there could be no discrimination or violation of human rights in the country. Photo: Narendra Modis Twitter account (Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A brief look into former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political career, where he changed his stance on former United States President Donald Trump. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has recently joined the 2024 presidential race after filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday. The Republican lawmaker is expected to officially announce his run for president of the United States on Tuesday during a town hall at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. The situation comes as the state rejected him in 2016, the last time that he ran for president, Chris Christie's Political Career In 2011, Christie served his first term as governor of New Jersey, and at the time, he received an invitation from Nancy Reagan to speak at the presidential library named for her late husband. It was a stage that all GOP lawmakers seeking the White House had to cross. The New Jersey lawmaker had already taken himself out of the running in the 2012 field to challenge President Barack Obama's bid for a second term. This came even as Republican insiders pushed him to reconsider his decision over concerns for Mitt Romney's chances for success, as per Inquirer. In 2013, Christie ran for a second term, where he emphasized his ability to work with Democratic lawmakers in Trenton and across his home state. The situation resulted in the Republicans achieving a 22-point Election Day victory in a deep blue state. More than two weeks later, the former New Jersey governor took over as chair of the Republican Governors Association. It was just the type of organization an aspiring presidential candidate could utilize to foster relationships and bag big-dollar donors. Despite being talked up and a super PAC being launched with eyes on the 2016 elections, critics complained that Christie's big sweep was all about himself. This means he left his fellow GOP members behind as his wide margin showed no signs of "coattails" down the ballot in legislated races that Democratic lawmakers dominated. Read Also: Eric Adams Join Thousands in LGBTQ+ Pride March From New York to San Francisco Downed Hopes for the Presidency While Christie was once considered a frontrunner in the 2016 nomination, his campaign struggled amid allegations that his aides closed lanes on a bridge into New York City as a form of retaliation against a local mayor, according to the Daily Mail. The scandal spread just after the Republican won his re-election bid as New Jersey governor, and it involved triggering traffic jams on various access lanes to the George Washington Bridge. The effort was made to try and punish Fort Lee's mayor for allegedly not backing Christie's re-election campaign. Authorities sentenced two of Christie's aides to 13 months and 18 months in prison, respectively, before the Supreme Court overturned their convictions. The former New Jersey governor denied knowledge of the incident and was free of prosecution. However, it was still seen as a death knell for his political career and his hopes for the 2016 presidential elections. Now, Christie is expected to join the town hall event next week, where he will take questions from anchor Anderson Cooper and an audience of voters. The 60-year-old Republican has moved to set himself apart from other GOP candidates by verbally criticizing his party's frontrunner, former United States President Donald Trump, said USA Today. Related Article: Xi Praises Putin's Leadership, Downplays Wagner Rebellion as 'Internal Affairs @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United States wants to move refugees temporarily in third countries. The Philippine government has yet to decide, but some senators have raised question. The Philippine president's sister fears some refugees could be American spies. Meanwhile, Afghans who worked with the US military find themselves stranded in third countries where they are often persecuted. Manila (AsiaNews) Some Philippine government officials and politicians are opposed to a US request to temporarily host about 50,000 Afghan refugees before they are moved to the United States. While the proposed arrangement is humanitarian in nature, it will not involve the admission or hosting of Afghan refugees, said the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement. The request was presented in Manila back in October last year, this according to Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to Washington and cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who added that if the request is granted, the United States will cover all costs. Speaking to the Senate, he noted that the people in question are not refugees, but former employees of the US government who will arrive in groups of about 1,000 people at a time. After the Taliban came back to power on 15 August 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans who had worked with the US military or media were evacuated to neighbouring Pakistan and other third countries where their applications for a US visa are being assessed. In total, about 150,000 are still pending after almost two years. Pakistan had barred entry to US officials to conduct interviews with refugees and hindered the establishment of resettlement centres. Meanwhile, in the last 18 months, the residence permits of asylum seekers who had managed to obtain them have expired. Without papers, Afghans cannot study or work and can be arbitrarily sent back to the border or arrested by local authorities, who often extort money from them. Ambassador Romualdez explained that the United States simply asked for assistance in processing visas, which will be issued at a special facility in the Philippines. While the Philippine government has stated that it is considering the proposal (a decision should be reached by mid-July), Senator Imee Marcos, sister of the president and head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has started a probe into the request, concerned that some refugees might spy for the Americans. During the past year, security and espionage threats have substantially increased because of the sharp escalation in tension between the rival superpowers," she said. Doesnt the fact that the US no longer wants to house these foreigners in safe havens within the territory of the US raise concerns for us? They are claiming that there will be very low risk in security, that highly vetted groups will be the only ones coming, and that the Special Immigrant Visa is assured, and yet, they dont want them, Marcos added. The Philippines National Bureau of Investigation and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency also expressed concern that sleeper cells" might be activated. Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo, is also opposed to the US request, saying the proposal could undermine the country's sovereignty. [I]t seems that the vetting process will be done by (the US). Therefore, this is an interference into our exclusive determination as to who can enter our country, her spokesperson said. Filed the restrictions imposed to contain Covid-19, Saudi authorities speak of an edition with numbers higher than before the pandemic. From religious tourism and pilgrimages at least 12 billion dollars in the Wahhabi kingdom's coffers. The climate of detente with Tehran favours a return of Iranian believers. More than 32 thousand health workers ready to intervene in case of emergencies. Riyadh (AsiaNews) - A "record-breaking" pilgrimage, with numbers even higher than those recorded in the years preceding the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that have characterised the editions of recent years. Under these auspices the Hajj opened yesterday, the major pilgrimage to Mecca, the most important holy place in Islam and which, according to the Saudi authorities, in 2023 will record "the highest" influx of believers "in history" exceeding the maximum reached so far of 2.5 million. In 2020, in a context of global lockdowns and closures for the Coronavirus, Riyadh has limited the event to a few thousand citizens and local residents. In contrast, last year there was a vaccination requirement for participants. This is the first year that it is back at full capacity and without any special restrictions, for an event that ends with the feast of Eid al-Adha (of sacrifice), when Muslims slaughter cattle and distribute the meat to the poor. Pilgrimages to Mecca (Hajj and Umrah) represent a substantial source of income for Saudi Arabia, which under Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (Mbs) has embarked on an ambitious reform programme to free the economy from oil revenues. The flow of tourists and worshippers to the holy sites of Islam guarantees revenues of more than 12 billion dollars every year, for an event that besides the religious element also holds profound value from an economic and political point of view. The rituals associated with the Hajj began yesterday and will end between the evening of 30 June and 1 July, when the new moon of the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and last in the Islamic calendar, should be seen. This year, one of the main challenges will be the weather, with days when the temperature is expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius and above, adding to the record number of pilgrims and creating the conditions for critical moments in terms of health and public order. This is why Riyadh has allocated more than 32 thousand nurses and doctors, thousands of ambulances scattered at strategic points in the city and along the route taken by the faithful to treat cases of heatstroke, dehydration and fatigue that are anything but rare. I am living the best days of my life,' Abdelazim, a 65-year-old Egyptian who has been saving money for the past 20 years to reach the ,000 needed to make the major pilgrimage to Mecca, confided to Afp. Yesterday evening, the faithful began the journey to Mina, some 8 km away from the Great Mosque of Mecca, before gathering at Mount Arafat where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon. Lastly, the 2023 edition is characterised by the climate of detente and the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Saudis (the reference point of Sunni Islam in the world) and Iran, which has a Shiite majority, while at the same time guaranteeing an improvement in services for pilgrims. Sayid Mahdi, in charge of the approximately 2,800 worshippers expected by the Islamic Republic, confirms the climate of greater "cooperation" with the authorities in Riyadh in the search for accommodation and the organisation of logistics. Mohammed Hossaini, one of the Iranian participants in the Hajj, has already been on Saudi territory for four days to celebrate the Hajj and the Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) in one trip. 'I am very happy,' he says, 'that relations between the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia are improving.... This will also improve the journey of Muslims to the house of God'. The major pilgrimage (Hajj) is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, and every Muslim is obliged to make it at least once in his life. In the past it has been used by Riyadh as a political weapon, denying entry visas and participation to Iranian (Shia) or Syrian worshippers because of the war. It has also been the scene of incidents or attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths: in 2015 a stampede through the crowd claimed at least 2,300 lives; in 2006 more than 360 pilgrims died during the stoning ritual, in which pilgrims throw stones and pebbles at three tombstones symbolising the rejection of Satan; in 1989 a double attack outside the great mosque resulted in one fatality and 16 wounded, and 16 Kuwaiti nationals were executed for the attack. by Melani Manel Perera The document was drafted by various third sector groups. Of more than 550 bodies found from the massacres carried out by the military since the 1980s, only very few have been identified and returned to their families. An activist mother: 'The witnesses of those crimes are disappearing'. Colombo (AsiaNews) - Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is accused of tampering with police records to obstruct investigations into mass graves discovered in an area where he served as a military officer during a Marxist rebellion in 1989. The charges are contained in a report entitled 'Mass Graves and Failed Exhumations' published by a number of activist groups: Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS), International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) and Families of the Disappeared (FoD). "Witnesses to crimes are gradually disappearing: 178 mothers of missing persons have already died in recent years. We protest and fight for justice, not knowing when we will get it," said Manuvel Uthayachandra, mother and president of Families of the Disappeared. The paper highlights how successive Sri Lankan governments have interfered in the investigation of mass graves, pointing out that only 20 mass graves have been partially exhumed in the last 30 years and of over 550 bodies found almost none have been identified. "None of Sri Lanka's numerous commissions of enquiry have been mandated to examine the mass graves, while efforts to uncover the truth have been hampered," says the paper, which focuses on the failure of investigations in Matale district in central Sri Lanka and Mannar town, located in Northern Province, where a mass grave was discovered in 2018. Magistrates and forensic experts were suddenly relocated, police delayed the execution of court orders, lawyers of the families were denied access to sites, no effort was made to find living witnesses, no ante mortem data was collected, and in the very rare cases where someone was convicted, they were later pardoned,' it goes on to say. "For the families of the disappeared, it is a story of unresolved tragedy; family members are forced to live and die without ever finding their loved ones." According to the report, when the mass graves in Matale were discovered in 2013, Rajapaksa, then a defence official, ordered the destruction of all police records older than five years at police stations in the region. It is suspected that the mass graves date back to the period of the communist rebellion against the Sri Lankan government, fought between 1987 and 1989. Rajapaksa, as a military officer, was involved in operations against the rebels. Later elected president in 2019, he was forced to step down in 2022 due to violent protests by citizens during the worst economic crisis in the country's history. Brito Fernando, of Families of the Disappeared, explained that after three decades and 20 exhumation attempts, only a handful of bodies have been identified and returned to their families. 'We all know that tens of thousands of bodies lie in shallow graves across the island, so we cannot describe the lack of progress as bad luck: it is a clear lack of political will,' he added. These words are echoed by K.S Ratnavale, executive director of the Centre for Human Rights and Development, who said in a press release: 'The Attorney General's Department regards these mass grave investigations as part of normal criminal proceedings and is hostile to the families of the victims. This has been evident in the Mannar mass grave investigations'. by Shafique Khokhar The victim was just eight years old when she was beaten and raped by a neighbour. Human rights activists hope this decision sends a strong message against child abuse in Pakistan. Sahiwal (AsiaNews) In an historic decision, a court in Sahiwal sentenced Muhammad Boota to life imprisonment after he was convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting Liza, an eight-year-old Christian girl. The violent attack, which took place on 2 September 2021, shocked the community, raising concerns about childrens safety and protection in Pakistan. After she was brutally beaten and raped by a Muslim man from her neighbourhood, the victim was rushed to the DHQ hospital in Sahiwal, where she was placed in intensive care. Preliminary medical reports confirmed the heinous nature of the attack, leaving no doubt about who was responsible. After his arrest in another city where he had tried to escape, Muhammad Boota was charged under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Punishment for rape). Now, given irrefutable evidence, he was handed down a life imprisonment. Joseph Jansen, a human rights activist who has supported the family involved in this case since the start, praised the court's decision. This decision sends a strong message against child abuse," he explained, noting however that this verdict involves a particularly odious case but one that is far too common as many girls and young women from minority groups are abducted for the purpose of forced marriage. Voice for Justice coordinator Ashiknaz Khokhar is worried about the girls future. Traumatised by the incident, she is currently under treatment by psychologists and doctors to help the healing process. For women's rights advocate Nadia Stephen, human rights violations in Pakistan need to be urgently addressed, especially in cases of child rape, forced religious conversions, and blasphemy. To this end, Stephen urges activists to join their voices in order to raise awareness, condemn these acts, and promote a healthy society and human rights in Pakistan. Photo: Flickr/lukexmartin 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 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Egypt on 24-25 June, during which he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Modi and Al-Sisi declared the elevation of India-Egypt relations to the level of strategic partnership. During his visit, Modi also received Egypt's highest civilian honour Order of the Nile from Al-Sisi. Modi's visit to Egypt is important from several perspectives. India has been making positive overtures towards Egypt for the past several years. India and Egypt, two civilisational states, were once close partners. Both were colonised by the British and therefore shared a common anti-colonial vision. When both gained independence, they became part of the Non-Aligned Movement which chose not to ally with either the US-led capitalist bloc or the USSR-led communist bloc, but maintained cordial relations with all. The India-Egypt bonhomie that began in the 1950s under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Gamel Abdel Nasser ended in the late 1970s when Egypt reconciled with Israel and India focused more on the Gulf countries for energy security. Since the last decade, India has once again readjusted its focus on Egypt. In the midst of emerging geopolitics, Egypt is a crucial country for India. Egypt's location as an African, Arab and Mediterranean country makes its engagement strategically important for India. The reason is that in the last decade, India's interactions with the Arab world and African countries have grown. Through Egypt, India could expand its reach into the Mediterranean region, as Egypt connects the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. The recent acceleration of India-Egypt relations is facilitated by frequent high-level visits from both sides. In 2022, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar visited Egypt. On India's Republic Day on January 26 this year, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade. Al-Sisi is scheduled to visit India again in September this year to attend the G20 Summit. Egypt is one of the countries invited to the G20 Summit under India's presidency this year. Defence has become an important area of cooperation between India and Egypt. Cooperation includes joint exercises between the Armed Forces of the two countries, ship visits to each other's ports, joint training programmes and defence production. Bilateral defence ties received a boost in 2022 during a visit to Egypt by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The two countries agreed to enhance defence ties by engaging in joint defence technology production, transfer and localisation. Cairo also expressed interest in acquiring India's Tejas aircraft. Egypt is already one of the 42 countries to which India exports its defence products. In addition to defence cooperation, India is also expected to gain an important economic base in Egypt. Egypt is considering offering a special land area to Indian companies in the Suez Canal Economic Zone to attract Indian investment. On the sidelines of Modi's visit to Cairo, a delegation from the Suez Canal Economic Zone led by its chairman Waleid Gamal Eldien visited New Delhi to discuss possible investment opportunities in sectors such as green hydrogen, renewable energy and infrastructure. By investing in the strategically located Suez Canal Economic Zone, India would have access to a vital international maritime trade route connecting Europe, East and North Africa with Asia. Modi also rekindled the civilisational factor in India-Egypt relations. Modi visited Egypt's historic Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo. This mosque was built by the Fatimids in the 11th century. Modi also met members of the Dawoodi Bohra community. This community has its origins in the Fatimids of Egypt and also has a significant presence in India. Modi personally enjoys very close ties with the Dawoodi Bohra community in India since long. Modi's meeting with Dawoodi Bohras also counters the narrative that the Muslim minority is discriminated against in India. This sends a strong message to the whole world in general and Muslim countries in particular about the Modi government's approach towards Muslims in India. Modi travelled to Egypt on his way back from a successful state visit to the US. This can be interpreted as India's diplomatic balancing act, as Egypt has shown an inclination towards China and Russia. Egypt also applied for BRICS membership (a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and received Russia's backing. Countries committed to BRICS favour replacing the US dollar as the currency of exchange, a clear anti-US move. However, India's approach to Egypt should be seen independently of pro- and anti-US positions in global politics. The outreach to Egypt is part of India's increasing focus on Africa, which has received less attention in India's foreign policy. Moreover, India's economic counter-attack on China is always based on offering a constructive alternative. India emphasises working on mutually beneficial projects as opposed to China's debt diplomacy initiatives. India is following the same pattern with Egypt, which is facing economic difficulties at the moment. Strategically, closer ties with Egypt would also be an important step for India to monitor China's activities, particularly through its naval base in Djibouti. India is reconnecting with Egypt. Frequent engagements between the two countries are necessary to continue the momentum gained over the past decade. (Niranjan Marjani is an independent political analyst and researcher from Vadodara, India specialising in international relations and geopolitics. His areas of work are Indian foreign policy, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, Central Asia and the Middle East. He contributes articles to Indian and international publications. He is a consulting editor of The Kootneeti Espanol, an Indian magazine on international relations published in Spanish. He also consults as a political risk analyst to Indian and foreign corporate entities). Twitter: @NiranjanMarjani Hunter Biden, the son of United States President Joe Biden, struck a deal with federal prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and illegally purchasing a gun. The US attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, announced the plea deal of the president's son on Tuesday, June 20. Hunter Biden's Plea Deal According to The Washington Post, Biden is facing two charges. One is his failure to pay his taxes, whereas the other centers on his lie about his gun purchase. Biden will plead guilty to failing to pay his taxes in two instances, specifically in 2017 and 2018. He failed to pay his taxes worth a whopping $100,000 after earning roughly $1.5 million each year. WaPo reports that Biden grappled with financial problems after struggling with his loans. Despite that, the president's son still paid the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after reportedly taking a loan from one of his rich buddies. On top of that, the 53-year-old Biden will also admit to unlawfully purchasing a gun, according to Weiss. As per a report by Vox, the president's son admitted that he lied about his gun purchase. In 2018, he claimed in a federal form for purchasing a gun that he was not a drug user then. However, he previously admitted that he was a drug user when he purchased the weapon that year. After his claim, Biden successfully purchased a gun, denying that he was "an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance." Yet, the president's son narrated in his book that he had a cocaine addiction during the said period. He recalls that he smoked the illegal substance so damn frequently or roughly "every 15 minutes." Although Biden admits to unlawfully getting his hands on a gun, he is not pleading guilty to the gun charges. And as such, Washington Post reports that the prosecutors are no longer prosecuting him under some conditions for them to ditch the charges. It is under the diversion program, which typically occurs in cases wherein the offenders with drug use problems have no signs of being violent. Read Also: Hunter Biden Probe: IRS Whistleblowers Claim Sweeping Misconduct How Did These Charges Start? These charges against Hunter Biden came about after years of investigating his work that dives into foreign interests for the past years. The investigation by the Department of Justice, which Weiss led, formally began in 2018, when Donald Trump was still the President of the United States. Initially, investigators looked at Biden's work, involving tycoons from China and Ukraine. But later, the investigation shifted its focus to other issues they discovered. They are now looking into Biden's failure to pay his income tax for two years and his unlawful gun purchase. Related Article: Biden Bribery Scheme: Audio Recordings with Burisima Exec Prove That Allegations Exist @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Aston Martin partners with Lucid to get access to state-of-the-art technology for the companys future electric powertrains. The British company announced a supply agreement with the American luxury carmaker in exchange for a 3.7% stake, according to Reuters. BEV Photo: Lucid Motors ICE Photo: Lucid Motors Aston Martin (AM) will launch its first all-electric model in 2025 and plans to go combustion-free by 2030, and teaming up with amanufacturer is more cost- and time-effective than developing everything in-house.Until the market witnesses the first fully electrified Aston, the company will introduce a plug-in hybrid, the Valhalla mid-engined supercar, in 2025 (if all goes according to plan). The second phase of switching to electron power is to provide an electric alternative for all models in Aston Martins lineup a move that is supposed to be a reality from 2026 onward.Rather than investing vast amounts of funds and time in developing an entirely new platform by itself, Aston Martin relies on Lucids current and future solutions for the BEV platform. However, the emblematic carmaker wont simply transplant Lucid heart into Astons body. Instead, it aims to create a single all-electric platform on which all future models will be based, from hypercars to SUVs, sportscars, and supercars.Subject to shareholder approval, the British luxury sportscar maker will issue 28.4 million new ordinary shares to Lucid Group and phase $232 million in cash payments. According to Lucid, the total value of this deal - a premiere for the American company - is north of $450 million. Overall, AM has allotted over 2 billion ($2.55 billion) in advanced technologies for the next five years in traditional internal combustion and battery-electric technologies.Although the Lucid deal is crucial for Aston Martins accelerated electrification, the Brits wont cut existing ties with its existing partner, Mercedes-Benz. The Germans will provide the low-volume British manufacturer with powertrain and electronic platforms for all three types of architectures (, hybrid, and BEV).Aston will fully benefit from Lucids and Mercedes expertise on battery efficiency (both in storage capacity and physical size of the cells), inverter technology, and twin-motor platforms (the key point in the limitless four-wheel torque vectoring tuning).With great (electric) power comes great responsibility; this mantra has pushed Aston Martin to pay closer attention to other high-tech solutions for high-speed machines. Brembo is currently developing a brake-by-wire system that controls the braking force electronically. The computer-assisted stopping architecture is claimed to improve vehicle range and brakes responsiveness while reducing pad wear.`Power is nothing without control` is a Pirelli dictum that Aston Martin has more than fully learned (through its Formula One team, for one). The Brits and the Italian tire manufacturer will introduce the Pirelli Cyber Tire technology with the latest generation of the P Zero R. An array of sensors gather real-world-usage data to assess each tires load separately, giving accurate range estimates. According to a recent Jato Dynamics report, the worldwide automotive industry had more than 40 new vehicles during the year's second quarter. 43, to be more precise, with almost half of them catering to the whims and desires of the biggest car market in the world China. SUV So, that means, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, we are only interested in 24 of them. Interestingly, no less than seven of them belonged to Toyota the 2024 Tacoma mid-size pickup truck superstar, the Yaris Cross for emerging markets, the all-new Alphard for Asian regions, and the Lexus LM, LBX, TX, or the GX 550 off-road hero. And here's the fun fact they are not slowing down anytime soon.Instead, the North American and European regions have already gotten a most beloved 'warning' that great Toyota Land Cruiser (Prado or 250) things are coming, for example. Meanwhile, the Halo oto channel on YouTube, which provides fresh automotive info that is corroborated with their virtual designs, has kept their antennas out for confirmation that a new flagshipis coming - so now there is a CGI take on the next, fourth generation Toyota Century!The nameplate has been around since late 1967 as a secluded range of full-size luxury cars and limousines primarily exclusive to the Japanese market they act as the JDM counterparts to the unrelated, global Lexus LS line. Just three generations have been produced since the nameplate's inception, with the original lasting from 1967 to 1997. The second iteration was, meanwhile, the only one to escape the land of the Rising Sun with limited export-spec models reaching Europe, China, and the Middle East and some of the left-hand-drive units even traveling to America for promotional and testing duties as well as corporate cars for North American executives.So, even if the current third-generation G60 Century is nowhere around the United States with its 5.0-liter 2UR-FSE V8 engine taken from the previous-gen Lexus LS600h, there are now renewed hopes that a potential transformation into a flagship ultra-luxury SUV for global markets could mark the official return of the nameplate in America, too. For now, the channel's host only has hints from the Toyota presentation of the Alphard and Vellfire to back the claims. However, that was more than enough for the resident pixel master to imagine the potential looks of the hypothetical Toyota Century SUV.Naturally, if the rumors pan out, this could lead to an exciting situation with Toyota instead of Lexus challenging the established ultra-luxury SUV norm and going after the Bentley Bentayga, Aston Martin DBX, Lambo Urus, BMW XM, Ferrari Purosangue, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan norm. Would you approve of such a wild scenario, and do you think the potential return to the US of the Toyota Century stands a chance against the aftermarket hype of Urus widebody transformations and Cullinan Black Badge customizations? The truck market is fascinating in the sense that it takes no nonsense: cost is king. That said, people are still trying to propose a feasible carbon-neutral alternative to diesel trucks. Electric semis do not seem to be a solution. Their battery packs will rapidly degrade with fast charging, this process takes a long time, and they are much heavier than other trucks, which restricts their cargo capacities. According to Alexander Vlaskamp, fuel cell trucks do not make the cut either because of hydrogen prices. Photo: Nikola ICE Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota The MAN CEO told the Austrian newspaper Der Standard that "hydrogen is far too expensive, almost four to five times what it would be interesting for our customers to use it. Therefore, hydrogen will only be used in a small segment in Europe, such as for special transport." This would be the reason for MAN to bet on buses and trucks with battery packs. A bit more context may help explain that.MAN belongs to the Volkswagen Group, which is betting everything on battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Vlaskamp even said that this technology "is mature and most efficient." Although the second part is true, the first is a lot more controversial. The debates regarding range, thermal runaway risks, battery pack swapping, and new cell technologies show nothing is set in stone for BEVs, even if automakers such as Tesla and Volkswagen would love us all to believe this is the case.That said, any executive from the German automaker that said anything against BEVs and in favor of fuel cells would have to fear getting the pink slip. On the other hand, they would also avoid stating anything that would be easy to deny or which had no factual confirmation. That said, hydrogen prices must really be high, which makes the cost per mile of transportation more expensive than it should be. If the transportation expenses are higher, so are the prices of the products that need to be transported.Anyone trying to manufacture and sell hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will have to worry about two things: maintenance costs and refueling expenses. Toyota knows that and already announced its Hydrogen Factory to address the situation. Summing its plans up, it will present a fuel cell that will only demand repairs much later than a diesel engine would in 2.5 times what antruck requires. However, the larger maintenance-free interval would not help if hydrogen prices were as high as Vlaskamp stated they currently are. Toyota is working to bring that down with hydrogen production.On June 26, the Japanese automaker announced its first pieces of equipment to make green hydrogen from chicken manure and food waste would be installed in Thailand in November 2023. The hydrogen will be extracted from biogas coming from these renewable sources. Toyota will also make green hydrogen with renewable energy and electrolysis but will use fuel cell technology to do that. The Japanese automaker did not clarify in which way fuel cells can help electrolysis be more efficient.Supposing Toyota , Nikola, and other companies that want to promote hydrogen use succeed, the MAN CEO may have to review the company's plans due to the more competitive operating costs. Meanwhile, Vlaskamp recognizes he will have a lot of work with the company's battery electric trucks. As he pointed out, it will be a challenge to use them as refrigerated trucks or garbage trucks. They need energy respectively to keep the storage chamber cold and to compact trash, which will significantly reduce their ranges.Another challenge will be to fast charge these trucks and buses. European truck drivers have to stop for 45 minutes each four hours for safety reasons. That would be the ideal moment to recharge their trucks, but the battery packs in these machines are much larger than those in BEVs, which already take around 30 minutes to fast charge. Another hurdle is that fast charging does not take place all the way until 100% capacity but only until 80%. That's a measure to save time and preserve the battery pack. The resulting shorter range adds to other difficulties a truck powered by batteries could face, such as cold weather and steep terrain with long climbs.Vlaskamp estimates that Europe will need "over 20,000 stations along trunk roads and motorways by 2030 in order to carry out around 30 percent of logistics transport electrically." Remember, they will not be stations for BEVs : they will have to be designed specifically for trucks, which "will cost several billion euros." The MAN CEO will also have to find a way to make these electric trucks cheaper. In his words, "e-trucks are significantly more expensive to buy than today's diesel vehicles." His argument is that " they are far cheaper " to operate, which is only accurate, while the battery pack does not have to be replaced. Try to see if anyone repeats that story that they will last as much as the truck, as they do with BEVs: no one would dare to say that, at least with the current cell technology. But on the other hand, it's not a secret that Crash Detection is also a double-edged sword. Due to the way it works, relying on internal sensors to determine the likelihood of a crash, Crash Detection ends up being activated in the most unusual moments without the owner even being aware of the whole thing.The Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester, Tennessee, turned into a Crash Detection fiasco for the local authorities, as the Apple Watch on the wrist of festivalgoers ended up dialing 911 over and over again.As it turns out, it was all caused by how people danced and moved their hands. The smartwatch detected the sudden gestures as possible crashes , eventually dialing 911 to ask for help. Because of the loud music, the Apple Watch owners couldnt hear the watch asking for input or feel the vibration feedback, with the device eventually initiating a 911 call.Scott LeDuc, director of the Coffee County 911 Communication Center, says the number of 911 calls was unexpected, so the local emergency teams contacted Apple to discuss their options. The iPhone maker even wanted to send its own engineers to the festival to work together with the first responders on addressing the floor of false 911 calls, but a decision was eventually made on the phone.The Manchester Police Department eventually took to Twitter to ask Apple Watch owners going to the festival to disable the Crash Detect system altogether until the event comes to an end. This idea alone produced a substantial decrease in the number of false calls.Crash Detection works by analyzing readings from the smartwatch's sensors, including the accelerometer and the gyroscope, to determine a potential crash. The device then asks the owner for input, trying to reduce the likelihood of an accidental call to emergency services . If no response is given, the smartwatch dials the local emergency phone number and provides the first responders with location information, such as your current coordinates.Police authorities in several regions previously recommended Apple Watch owners to avoid hanging up on an accidental 911 call initiated by the smartwatch. The best thing to do if this happens is to stay on the line and tell the operator that the smartwatch triggered the call. Otherwise, the 911 operator would try to reach back to you without knowing if the original call was started because of a real emergency.Crash Detection is available only on the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch SE. SUV EV Just think of it for a second. In Europe (right in the heart of fashion aka Milan, Italy), they recently launched their smallest crossover to date, the cool Lexus LBX , which is a subcompact CUV with premium allure and almost the same DNA as the XP210-series Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid only a little more powerful (134 hp) and lots more luxurious. Then they also featured a double ensemble in America, where they introduced the 2024 TX and GX 'tag' team.The former is an upcoming full-size luxury crossoverwholly based on the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander that will be produced together with its sibling in Princeton, Indiana (TMMI Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana) and is seen mainly as a spiritual successor of the Lexus RX L due to its family-oriented three-row capabilities. The latter, meanwhile, feels like the culmination of decades of experience both in the rugged off-road field of Land Cruiser SUVs as well as the novel approach to elevating tough SUVs beyond the call of duty, as it happened with the Range Rover and G-Class.So, the 2024 GX 550 has been admired by fans and critics alike for its rugged atmosphere, great underpinnings (TNGA-F body-on-frame platform shared with J310 Lexus LX, among others), and fresh off-road capabilities mixed with adventurous Overtrail+ ideas. But all these only revolve around the hyped sectors of CUVs, SUVs, and trucks. What if Lexus enthusiasts want something else like a passenger car with some inherent off-road qualities?Well, in that case, it is time to move into the parallel universe of automotive CGI, where Sugar Chow, the virtual artist better known as sugardesign_1 on social media, has finally returned to his ethos of 'Touring the world!' After imagining stuff like the Xiaomi SM11 sedan, the firstfrom the Chinese technology company, the Ferrari Roma limousine that may never be, or little Chinese SUVs acting as base campers, he is now back in full swing with his self-professed passion for all types of station wagons even the rugged ones.So, just in case the run-of-the-mill Subaru Outback isn't enough for you, here is the digital idea of a Lexus ES 'Off-Road' Estate, a station wagon that's way tougher than your premium Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain or Volvo V90 Cross Country. Unfortunately, unlike those three, it's also merely wishful thinking. But that also opens up a world of digital opportunities, like making it a seventh-generation mid-size executive SW packing front and rear black plastic bumpers, a fender-flared widebody Estate, and (above all) an overlanding fan's dream ride. Cool, right? (Photo : DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images) A Florida man and his adolescent stepson perished while hiking in the extreme heat of Big Bend National Park in Texas. Officials report that a Florida man and his 14-year-old stepson perished while hiking in the extreme heat of Big Bend National Park in West Texas. On Friday, the man, age 31, was hiking the Marufo Vega Trail with his two stepsons, ages 14 and 21. Man, Stepson Dead During Hiking Adventure in Big Bend National Park According to the National Park Service, temperatures were 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) at the time. Like other regions of Texas, the park is experiencing extreme weather, with daily high temperatures between 110 and 119 degrees Fahrenheit (43 and 47 degrees Celsius). During the hike, the 14-year-old became ill and lost consciousness. According to the park service, his stepfather hiked back to his vehicle while the boy's elder sibling attempted to carry him back to the trailhead. According to the National Park Service, the 14-year-old youth became nauseated and passed out on the Marufo Vega Trail around 6 p.m. on Friday. Friday at six o'clock p.m. Central Daylight Time, authorities were alerted to the emergency. At 7:30 p.m., a team of park rangers and US Border Patrol agents arrived on the scene and discovered that the 14-year-old had perished. At 8 p.m., when authorities began searching for the father, they discovered that his vehicle had overturned at Boquillas Overlook. According to the park service, the man was pronounced deceased at the site. Per Yahoo, authorities did not immediately disclose the two victims' identities, and the causes of their deaths were not immediately known. According to the National Park Service, the trail is extremely rugged. The difficult trail meanders through rocky cliffs in the hottest portion of Big Bend without any shelter or water. Summertime temperatures along the Rio Grande and in the deserts of Big Bend range between 110 and 119 degrees Fahrenheit. Saturday, a heat advisory was issued for the arid areas of the Big Bend. The National Park Service stated that "trekkers should be OFF TRAILS in the afternoon" and recommended that hikers remain hydrated and limit their exposure. In March, a 64-year-old woman perished while hiking in Big Bend after collapsing. A 56-year-old man perished in February after experiencing chest symptoms while hiking the Pinnacles Trail in the park, according to CBS News. Read Also: Wagner Chief Claims Russian Missile Attack Killed Mercenaries; Moscow Says Leader Is Inciting Civil War US Heatwave A record-breaking heat wave hits its third week in Texas, as temperatures reach triple digits in the broader southern United States and tens of thousands of people in affected states lack power and air conditioning. More than 40 million Americans are under a heat advisory. Cities in Texas have experienced a record-breaking heat index, which combines temperature and humidity. Corpus Christi has reached 125F (51C), while Rio Grande Village and Del Rio have reached 118F and 115F, respectively (46C). In addition to New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, states such as New Mexico, Louisiana, Kansas, and Missouri are experiencing extreme heat, with the National Weather Service predicting that temperatures will continue to rise through the week of July 4. The humidity follows a weekend of damaging storms that left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity. As it is known, the heat dome has settled over Mexico and sections of the southwestern United States. It is caused by ocean air that has become trapped in the atmosphere and is extremely heated. This week, Texas's electric utility exhorted consumers to reduce air conditioning use to alleviate strain on the grid. The New York Times reports that emergency personnel in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, region have responded to a record number of complaints due to the heat and power outages. NBC reports that residents of Jackson, Mississippi have been without power and air conditioning for nearly 100 hours. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 702 heat-related fatalities occur annually in the United States. In 2021, 69 Oregonians perished due to heat caused by a heat dome. A county in Oregon filed a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies on Thursday, alleging that the oil and gas companies are responsible for the recent heat wave. Older individuals, small children, pregnant women, those with chronic conditions, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to health and safety risks posed by persistent heat. Persons of color and low-income inhabitants are disproportionately affected by heat, whether due to their occupations or proximity to heat-aggravating industries and heat-trapping highways. At home, vulnerable communities may lack adequate cooling systems. Related Article: San Antonio Airport Worker Dead After Being 'Ingested' by Plane Engine @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Otilia believes that if its eco, green, or groundbreaking, people should know about it (especially if it's got wheels or wings). Working in online media for over five years, she's gained a deeper perspective on how people everywhere can inspire each other. Full profile At the moment, the name LiquidPiston may not mean all that much in this world, but chances are that will change very soon. That's because the Connecticut-based company has set out to effectively reinvent the rotary engine. The last we heard of these guys was back in April 2023, when they made the XTS-210 rotary engine available for the masses, not only for the American military, which has taken an interest in this new tech.The XTS-210 is described by its maker as a rotary engine with just two moving parts, the rotor and the shaft. It works like a two-stroke engine, delivering six combustion events per revolution of the rotor.Technically, the powerplant is scalable, and could offer from one to 1,000 hp, depending on need and application. The tech shown in April is at the bottom of that scale, being capable of developing 25 horsepower.That may seem tiny by any standard, but you should keep in mind the troop comes from just 210cc of displacement, and from a piece of hardware that's 80 percent smaller and lighter than powerplants of comparable power levels.That's possible thanks to both supercharging and the use of a technology called High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). As per LiquidPiston, that's a thermodynamic cycle engine design that "combines the advantages of Diesel, Otto and Atkinson," and that results in "up to 30% improved efficiency" and ten times more power.The engine has been designed primarily with use for power generation and propulsion for VTOLs. The tech is so impressive that the U.S. Army is already looking at the tech for possible use in drones, sea, and air vehicles, either as a primary engine or an auxiliary power unit. For that, the Army awarded LiquidPiston a $9 million contract at the end of last year.Now the U.S. Air Force (USAF) is joining the Army, as it announced a Strategic Funding Increase "to produce a new class of hybrid power solution and a new engine program based on its X-Engine heavy fuel platform and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC) optimized thermodynamic cycle."The funding increase means the company could receive up to $15 million, with the powerplants resulting from the increase to be used for both ground and airborne applications.Neither party said when are we to expect a real-life application of the technology, but given America's drive to modernize its arsenal, but also the push to become more fuel efficient and less harmful to the environment, we expect the tech to be tested and adopted quite rapidly.How rapidly? Word is the U.S. Army will get its hands on the first LiquidPiston engines at as soon as next year. So far, we know of no civilian application for the tech. It was back in late 2019 when we learned the first in-depth details for an experimental electric aircraft that was to bring about a new era of air mobility. The project had all the components to succeed, including the involvement of NASA, and everybody had their hopes up. And now we learn of the project coming to an end. kilowatt At the core of the idea was an Italian-made Tecnam P2006T aircraft, modified to use an electric propulsion system instead of the factory-equipped one. The platform was to be gifted with no less than 12 60-motors, six on each wing that would have been more than enough to allow the machine to reach a maximum altitude of 14,000 feet (4,300 meters) and cruise at 172 mph (277 kph).A quick look at how the Tecnam (codename X-57 Maxwell ) looks now (main photo of this piece) makes it painfully clear that didn't happen. What's more, NASA said last week it is pulling the plug on the project in September, dropping at the same time any plans for a test flight until then.What that means work on the electric aircraft will end, even if the agency expects documentation and close-out activities to continue for a few more months. Somewhat contrary to what we were led to believe, NASA says "the objective was not to develop a prototype, but to develop a test platform for technologies and design methods."So, what happened? No specifics were provided, but we do get bits of info about challenges encountered over the past few years, including "mechanical issues late into its lifecycle and a lack of availability of critical components required to develop experimental hardware."The years spent on developing the Maxwell led however to "hundreds of lessons learned" and revolutionary development in areas ranging from battery technology to cruise motor control design."Although an exact picture of these lessons is not yet public, we do have some info on the most notable successes of the project. The first such breakthrough would be the fact NASA found out how to keep the temperature of the lithium-ion batteries to acceptable levels while they discharge.Then, the cruise motor controllers, which convert battery energy into power for the motors, have been designed in such a way that "they do not generate excessive heat and can be cooled off by the air flowing through the motor."New inverters were designed to be in line with mass and thermal requirements, and so were filters meant to fight electromagnetic interference. NASA and the team who worked on the project plan to share all their findings with the international community, meaning that even if the X-57 project went bust, lessons learned with it might indeed help electric aircraft become a reality someday. Whether if and when that will actually happen in the real world remains to be seen. Once you have a great eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) concept ready to roll, it's time to find the right manufacturing partners. In the case of the French aircraft developer Ascendance Flight Technologies, these are an advanced materials expert and an innovative manufacturer in the aerospace sector. VTOL Ascendance, a Toulouse-based aviation startup, gave us a glimpse of itsconcept more than two years ago. The company was founded by four former Airbus experts who have worked on the e-Fan team. Their VTOL concept wasn't a fully electric one. It combined a conventional propeller at the front with an electric motor connected to the three fans mounted on the wings and the front of the aircraft.Towards the end of 2021, the French startup released more information about its flagship product. Officially named Atea, the final concept boasted an eight-propeller configuration with two fixed wings and two propellers.The hybrid propulsion system, combining batteries with conventional kerosene, ensured a range of nearly 250 miles (400 km), significantly more than all-electric eVTOLs. And, even though it couldnt promise zero emissions, it was able to drop emission levels down to 80% compared to conventional helicopters.Atea was also described as a more efficient alternative to helicopters in terms of noise pollution. According to Ascendance, Atea was four times quieter than a commercial helicopter thanks to a disruptive duct design, with vertical rotors integrated into the wings. As a mid-range hybrid aircraft, Atea would be best suited for two-hour passenger trips in urban areas or from one city to another.The company's initial propulsion system developed into a comprehensive solution that can work with any existing aircraft, not just the Atea VTOL . Called Sterna, this technology integrates a thermal combustion module that can be powered by more than one alternative to conventional fuel, including SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) and hydrogen. This will help lower emission levels even more compared to standard helicopters.Ascendance is now ready to take the next step. Solvay and Airborne are the two partners that will help bring the Atea concept to life. Solvay will provide its expertise in advanced composite materials, structural adhesives, and polymers.Airborne is also a composites specialist known for combining aerospace manufacturing with state-of-the-art digital automation systems. The innovative materials and techniques are supposed to ensure that Atea is an efficient, sustainable product, and large-scale manufacturing can be achieved with a minimal environmental footprint.This partnership comes after another milestone this year when the French startup got a 21 million ($22.6 million) investment. It also claims to have secured nearly 250 LOI (letters of intent) for the purchase of its Atea aircraft, plus separate agreements for the Sterna hybrid propulsion system. As planned, Ascendance is on track and ready to launch its hybrid air taxi in 2026. SUV kW TDI EV WLTP A recent report from across the rumor mill stated the complete redesigns the fourth iteration of the Superb and second generation Kodiaq would arrive from behind the curtain sometime this fall as 2024 models. Well, there's no telling if Skoda will follow suit with a double ensemble presentation like the 2024 Lexus TX and GX superstar SUVs for the North American market because so far, only the next Kodiaq got its time on the red carpet to shine its technical specifications under the spotlight.The Skoda Kodiaq was introduced in 2016 as the flag-bearer not just of a new design language but also of the crossover hostilities. Frankly, to me, it felt like the beginning of the end for my understanding of the CUV range as the company started ushering one K-named crossover after another The Karoq compactin 2017, the smaller Kamiq subcompact CUV in 2019, and recently also the Kushaq for emerging markets from 2021. And don't say the Enyaq is an exception because it's still too hard to make it out from the pack, despite the slightly different name and the lack of local polluting emissions.Anyway, now Skoda is trying to shed some light on the second-generation Kodiaq that will arrive soon on the market with "increased interior space," powertrain outputs from 110(150 ps/148 hp) to 150 kW (204 ps/201 hp), plus an all-new plug-in hybrid option rocking "an electric range of more than 62 miles (100 kilometers)." Of course, that is not the end of the highlights list, which also includes stuff like the "new interior concept" with a 12.9-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system "and well-organized center console," more Simply Clever features than ever before, and second-gen full LED Matrix headlights plus additional high-tech assistance systems.Skoda is not the one to give up on diesel power, so there are two gasoline TSI and two dieseloptions the base 1.5 TSI will feature mild-hybrid tech while the 2.0 TDI has 142 kW (193 ps/190 hp) and the first-ever Kodiaq iV tops the range with 201 hp and the promisedrange of over 100 km/62 miles. Don't expect that kind of mileage in real-world situations, but the greaterrating will probably yield impressive results in everyday traffic as well.The successful Kodiaq "the model that kickstarted Skoda's (current) SUV campaign" has sold close to 800k units worldwide to date, so it's safe to say that it may be an essential model introduction for the Czech brand. So, the seven-seater CUV has grown by six centimeters to offer more space inside the cabin, has more headroom (+15 mm), and the luggage capacity has surged by 75 liters to a total of 910 liters, according to preliminary data.What you shouldn't expect, at least by the looks of this camouflaged prototype, is a design revolution. Instead, the company goes after good-ol' tradition and will give you a Skoda-flavored CUV that's easy to mistake for a VW, given the technical combinations of 1.5 and 2.0 TSI, 2.0 TDI, and six- or seven-speed DSG with or without 4x4 combinations. Everybody's dream home looks different. Those who want to enjoy plenty of space for socializing or having friends over will prefer a configuration that puts the living room at the forefront. Despite size limitations, even homes on wheels can do this. The beautiful, luminous Snowdrop rearranges the pieces of the puzzle for an unexpected result. Photo: Mobi House Photo: Mobi House Photo: Mobi House Mobi House is, by far, one of the most prolific tiny house builders in Europe, offering an incredibly diverse range. They're also more flexible than most when it comes to furnishings. Customers can opt for the standard version of a fully furnished house, the comfort version that adds all the household appliances, or the more affordable DIY version, where they take care of the equipment and furnishings themselves.Customization also extends to the final size of the home on wheels , as long as the weight stays within 3.5 tons (the road-legal limit). The team at Mobi House works with three main trailer sizes: six meters (19.6 feet), 7.2 meters (23.6 feet), and 8.4 meters (27.5 feet).This brand's designs are very diverse in terms of layout and style but have three major features in common. First of all, they're built from high-quality materials, including Scandinavian spruce for both the exterior and interior paneling. Secondly, they're fitted with the best in terms of insulation and heating (which makes them perfectly livable all year round). Lastly, they're road-legal and adapted for easy transportation.Mobi Snowdrop is among the largest models offered by the Polish brand, sitting on a 7.2-meter, two-axle trailer. It's a two-loft design with one functioning as the main bedroom and the second one more suitable for storage. What makes Snowdrop different than any other tiny house i n the same size category is the atypical layout of the main floor, where the living room takes up most of the space, while the kitchen is placed at one end of the house.Two things make Snowdrop as bright and luminous as all Mobi House designs: the extensive use of glass (large windows and elegant French doors) coupled with an all-white interior, mimicking the tranquil atmosphere of traditional farmhouses. What's unusual is that once you step inside, you're greeted by an unusually large convertible sofa sitting at the center of the house.This type of two-loft tiny often comes with a symmetrical main floor layout and one or two staircases leading to the loft areas. In this case, however, the living room takes center stage, flanked by the kitchen at one end and the bathroom at the other end.Even with this unusual placement, the living area still gets plenty of light and great views because the large sofa sits under the windows and in front of the entry doors. Thanks to the modular design (one of the key elements when it comes to tiny house furniture), it also integrates generous storage spaces. At night, it can be converted into a main floor bed for extra accommodation.Stylish overhead shelves provide extra storage with zero clutter, and there's enough room for a foldable table that can turn into a dining table for the whole family. As for the chairs (also foldable), they hang neatly on the kitchen wall, staying out of the way when not in use.The kitchen is quite small for a house this size due to its atypical placement. Still, it's designed to integrate all the basic appliances perfectly and still include abundant storage space in the form of soft-close drawers and overhead cabinets.The smaller loft sits right above the kitchen, flanked by multiple windows that keep it well-lit during the day. A rustic-style protection railing made of rope makes the loft feel more spacious by not obstructing the view. Although suitable for storage, this room is flexible enough for different activities, thanks to the abundant natural light, additional lighting fixtures, and electric sockets.The second loft, which serves as the main bedroom, connects to the first floor via a beautifully-crafted staircase with a stylish, asymmetric design and illuminated railing. The main storage area, which would typically face the kitchen, is unobstructed in this case, making it a lot easier to access. The bathroom is also located at this end of the house, fitted with all the basics. The main bedroom benefits from multiple windows for cross-ventilation and features an elegant, wood-crafted protection wall.Snowdrop's comfort version includes an electric oven and electric fridge for the kitchen and a TV in the living room. A combination of a digitally-controlled underfloor heating system and an electric heater keeps the temperature cozy in colder seasons.The Mobi Snowdrop tiny home ultimately feels very spacious because it allows a higher degree of flexibility for the main floor. It also encourages socializing, which can sometimes be an issue with smaller models unless they come with an outdoor deck. Snowdrop has all the qualities of a permanent family home, with the added benefits of greater mobility and sustainability. Android Auto 9.9 beta is now available for download, allowing users to try out the latest improvements before they become available for everybody on the Google Play Store.The first release of the month was Android Auto 9.5 (the stable version), with Google then coming up with several subsequent builds, including two new betas for version 9.8 and now 9.9. The stable channel has also been promoted to 9.8.At the time of writing, the most recent versions of Android Auto are 9.9.1325 in the beta channel and 9.8.6324 in the stable ring.Google did not provide a changelog for Android Auto 9.9 beta, but this is no longer a surprise. The company rarely shares information on the improvements in its app updates, so the only way to find out if this version comes with something worthy is to install it. Sure enough, this isn't necessarily the most convenient option, but given Google typically remains tight-lipped on Android Auto updates, users must do the hard work and decipher the company's inexistent changelogs.On the other hand, Android Auto 9.9 is still in the beta stage , so users shouldnt install it unless they are willing to send feedback to Google. Testing builds help the company further polish new releases before the production launch.At the same time, beta builds also come with an increased likelihood of issues. Using such a version as a daily driver is not recommended, as you could end up struggling with bugs that wouldnt normally be there in a stable build. Sure enough, Android Auto is still suffering from major stability and reliability issues in all channels, but even so, running a beta build produces an even bigger chance of problems.If you're not part of the Android Auto beta program, your only option when it comes to downloading this latest release is to get it manually. You can find the new build on this page After you save the APK file on the device, you must browse to its location and begin the installation by just tapping the installer. By default, Android does not allow manual app installation , so it blocks third-party app sources, such as standalone APK installer. Special permission requests will appear during the update, so make sure you allow the process to complete.At this point, it's unclear when Google will ship the stable version of Android Auto 9.9, but given the fast release cadence, I believe it wouldnt take more than a couple of weeks for this build to promote from the beta channel to the production ring. Tesla is preparing for production at Giga Texas, with recent drone footage showing that the production line is already busy. The video shows four Kuka robots on the production line assembling the Cybertruck, presumably during pre-production trials. EV Ground control to Major Tom!!! ???????????? ???????????????????? Cybertruck is a GO! Has production begun in Texas @elonmusk ??? pic.twitter.com/WnHi1Fa6Be Greggertruck (@greggertruck) June 23, 2023 Cybertruck with megatrunk in New Zealand pic.twitter.com/h386xoFca4 Tim ???????? (@NZ_Tim93) June 24, 2023 Tesla is expected to start production of the Cybertruck in August, with a delivery event planned at the end of the third quarter, as Elon Musk promised earlier. Judging by the number of pre-production Cybertrucks spotted on public roads, things are already advanced. A new video recorded at Giga Texas shows the progress made at the Cybertruck production line.Last year, Tesla decided to cover the windows of the casting area at Giga Texas while trying to prevent drone operators from peeking inside. At the time, only one of the 9,000-ton Giga Presses was installed, with another one on the way. On June 23, the window covers were removed, allowing Tesla enthusiasts to see what was cooking inside. Among other things, Joe Tegtmeyer spotted both 9,000-ton Giga Presses installed.These giant die-casting machines are already in operation. We saw earlier this month that Tesla was stockpiling dozens of Cybertruck rear megacastings at Giga Texas. Those were likely the result of machine calibrations and were not production-ready yet. If anything, the best crop will make it into a prototype or pre-production vehicle headed for crash testing.Shortly after, more footage leaked from inside Giga Texas, showing a Cybertruck on a conveyor belt at Giga Texas. Neither the robots nor the production line was moving, which might indicate that Tesla is still testing and calibrating the machines. Two photos leaked along with the production line video, revealing a parts bin and what looks like a stamped Cybertruck stainless-steel door panel.While this indicates that series production is still a few months away, as predicted, it also tells us that Tesla wastes no time getting everything ready. In the meantime, an earlier leak revealed that prototypes are already in New Zealand for the winter testing season. A new video shows a camouflaged Cybertruck inside a trailer, presumably being unloaded on the proving grounds. The Cybertruck in the video has the frunk wide open, revealing the massive storage space.The images show that the frunk opens similarly to the Ford F-150 Lightning. The hood includes the daylight running lights in the upper part, while the headlights remain attached to the front bumper below. You can guess by the large opening that loading big and heavy objects would not be an issue, especially as the hood appears wider than that of the F-150 Lightning.We're still anxiously awaiting the final specifications and pricing of the Cybertruck. Despite the 1.5 million reservations, Tesla is yet to announce the technical details. Themaker will have the convince the customers that its electric pickup is better than the rivals from Ford, Rivian, GM, and Stellantis. Besides that, it still needs to accelerate battery cell production, which seems to be the main problem that prevented an earlier production launch. The refreshed Tesla Model 3 is a very popular topic, surpassing even the Cybertruck. According to new reports from China, the trial production has already started at Giga Shanghai, with an official reveal planned for next month. Mass production should start in September, with deliveries scheduled for 2024. According to several Chinese media sources, the new Tesla Model 3 will be confirmed for release next month. Mass production will officially start in September and will launch volume deliveries in 2024. @Tesla #Teslachina pic.twitter.com/QnBl7rH8X2 WuWa (@bentv_sh) June 26, 2023 $TSLA Note) Tesla China Model 3 RWD vehicles are currently in stock at zero. pic.twitter.com/nfXdJGjcpY Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) June 24, 2023 With the Cybertruck production imminent, many might think it is the most popular Tesla model. Google begs to disagree, and based on the number of searches, the Model 3 and Model Y are by far the most popular Tesla models. The electric sedan surpassed the best-seller in June, as the official launch of the refreshed model is approaching fast. By then, Tesla still needs to calibrate the production line and conclude the final testing of the Project Highland prototypes.The refreshed Model 3 is shaping up as the most radical redesign in Tesla's history. This is not very difficult, considering how subtle the changes were for the Model S and Model S. Even after repeated updates that culminated earlier this year with the release of the Hardware-4 versions, it's hard to tell a 2023 Model S apart from its earlier versions. This should not be the case with the Tesla Model 3, and we've seen pictures showing a significantly improved design.The updates are not skin-deep, as Tesla aims to overhaul the Model 3 from manufacturing to technology. Last week, we learned that the Model 3 could feature a steer-by-wire system , which would be unprecedented for a mass-production vehicle. Toyota promised a steer-by-wire system for the Lexus RZ, but it's still years away from production. Besides that, the upcoming Model 3 should have new features such as RGB ambient lighting, ventilated seats, Hardware 4 computer, and an additional front camera for the Tesla Vision system.As Elon Musk planned his China visit in May, rumors indicated that the refreshed Model 3 would start production on June 1. Tesla's boss would be there to pop the champagne and potentially reveal the new model to the world. Nothing of the sort happened, though, and Musk left just as silent as it arrived in Shanghai. Tesla China even denied the production start rumors, something it had done before even when the rumors proved true.We have fresh reports claiming that trial production is already underway at Giga Shanghai. This is still a small-batch production, with pre-production vehicles destined mostly for testing. The information has not been confirmed yet, so take this with a grain of salt. Chinese media also claims mass production will start in September, with deliveries planned for 2024. This doesn't sound right, as Tesla aims to start deliveries as soon as mass production begins.Tesla is undoubtedly pressed to sell the new Model 3 as soon as possible. According to Tesla enthusiast Tsla Chan (@Tslachan), no Model 3 RWD vehicles are available in China's inventory . With the Project Highland rumors coming daily, people are more likely to postpone the purchase until the new model arrives. This could affect Tesla's sales numbers for the rest of the year. The name Eysink has been part of the automotive and motorcycle world since the late 1800s. However, the Dutch brand has been somewhat reborn as Eysing, a manufacturer of e-mopeds aimed at bringing back cool and retro styling. Photo: Eysing EV kW Photo: Eysing Folks, the name Eysing has been spotted on our pages before. Just last year, this manufacturer shook hands with Pininfarina to give birth to a special edition machine dubbed the PF40 . As my colleagues dubbed it, it is an "Electric Piece of Rolling Art," and I couldn't agree more. However, there are two other machines on the Eysing website that need our attention, mainly because they don't cost as much as the PF40, which is currently selling for a cool 13,780 ($15,000) without taxes and fees. This time around, we'll be exploring the Pioneer, starting at 5,500 ($6,000 at current exchange rates), and the Tailor Made, going for 10,110 ($11,000).Now, let me begin this article by simply saying that, although these buggers have that whole retro motorcycle styling, they are nothing more than electric mopeds. Nonetheless, you'll be riding the coolest and clean-cut moped in town. You may even be handy with a toolbox, in which case, you can throw on a bigger motor, mess with the software, and remove the top speed limit of 45 kph (28 mph). That's right; 28 mph is the top speed on these babies. It might be a bummer for most.Since most of what the Eysing mopeds stand for has to do with that styling, let's start with that. What we can clearly see is that the tone set for the bodywork is that of old-school scrambler bikes. A tight wheelbase and dropped handlebars set the rider in a rather scrunched-up position with a bit of a lean towards the front; classic indeed. The larger-than-average tires also help this moped lean towards the moto side of things. A few other features that give off a retro look are the seat, "gas tank," the headlight, and those fenders, not to mention the spoked wheels.But don't be fooled; this is a very modern, and styling is about the only thing that's classic on these machines. For example, the framework resembles the times of old, but because there's no engine, the space is left empty. Because of this, we're looking at an EV that only weighs around 60 kg (132 lbs), so rather nimble and fun. Maybe you can figure out a way to carry cargo in that engine bay.The powerhouse for these mopeds is actually a rear-hub mounted motor with 1.5of power and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) of torque. Again, it's "limited" to 45 kph (28 mph), so you can probably figure out some ways around that. After all, it's more than enough power to reach higher speeds. I am, however, still trying to figure out what I see on the front hub. Is that another motor? Once coupled with a 1,720 Wh battery pack, Eysing states you can ride for up to 80 km (50 mi) at 25 kph (15,5 mph). But the battery is removable, so you won't have to haul your Eysing up flights of stairs or risk tripping people with cables running out of your house into the street.Now, the Pioneer stands as sort of the Flagship for this brand simply because it expresses the essence of what the Eysing crew offers. For this version, three color options are available, and you can even select the seat style and leather color. Simple, sweet, and to the point. But, when we start to consider the Tailor Made, things take on a bit of a different spin. After all, there's a clear reason why you're paying nearly double for this version compared to the Pioneer.Now, the Tailor Made option is just that, a bespoke design made exclusively for you. If you opt for this version, you'll be in touch with the minds and hands at Eysing themselves, in the process, bringing to life the e-moped that characterizes you and your lifestyle. However, some aspects remain the same as the Pioneer. The framework, wheelbase, and components added to the Tailor are the same as those on the Pioneer. Simply put, the price difference goes into the colors and motifs you wish to plaster onto your Eysing.What does all this mean for folks like you and me? Well, quite a whole lot. The first question has to do with this EV being worth the $6,000 price tag. Is it? After all, most people would pay this much for a machine that can go a bit faster than just 28 mph. If you opt for a Tailor Made or a PF40, you might as well buy a new car.But, if there is a fall in rates over the next few months to years, the Eysing mopeds stand a good chance of transforming into a bit of a subculture. Just imagine a couple of these babies loaded up in the back of your RV or fifth wheel. From there, it's rolling through European backroads on "of-era" machines. Best of all, they're electric, so you can enjoy the sounds of the natural world around you without disturbing some billionaire's Riviera home.Where does this leave willing buyers in North and South America? Well, in the dark because Eysing is not shipping outside of Europe. But if you've got the will and the bucks, I'm sure there's a way to get your hands on one (Photo : EGOR ALEEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected Russian troops for the first time since a mercenary mutiny demanded his ouster. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with military commanders as he frantically clung to his position. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the commander of the weekend's extraordinary uprising by Wagner mercenaries, demanded his head. Russian President Vladimir Putin's associate Prigozhin stated that Shoigu and army chief General Valery Gerasimov were to blame for Russia's inept conflict in Ukraine. Russia Shows Defense Minister on TV The 68-year-old Shoigu was not spotted publicly as the Wagner insurgents drew within 120 miles of Moscow before calling off their rebellion. According to The Sun, Putin has not been seen in public since the mutiny abruptly ended late Saturday night, and Prigozhgin's location is unclear. In the aftermath of the failed rebellion and amid rumors that he had already been removed from office, Shoigu was anxious to maintain the impression that he was still in command. In footage released by his ministry early this morning, he can be seen meeting Russia's Western contingent of soldiers fighting in eastern Ukraine while wearing military fatigues. According to the ministry, Colonel-General Yevgeny Nikiforov briefed him on "the actual situation at the front" and "the character of enemy actions." Shoigu was captured on camera during both a meeting with senior officers and an aerial tour of the battle positions. However, it was impossible to determine the date of the visit. One image depicts the time on Shoigu's wristwatch to be just before one o'clock. However, Russian pro-war bloggers assert that the footage is from Friday before the 24-hour uprising began. Despite the war's ignominious setbacks, Putin has not dismissed a single member of his top team, many of whom are now in their late sixties or early seventies. Gerasmov, 67, is also still employed despite Prigozhin's demands that he be dismissed and even prosecuted. The 62-year-old Wagner leader has not been seen since he agreed to turn back his coup forces marching on Moscow. As part of the quick-fix agreement with Putin, he was supposed to go into exile in authoritarian Belarus, but there is no indication that he has done so. Moscow is abuzz with rumors that Putin, 70, has chosen Tula governor and former deputy defense minister Alexei Dyumin, 50, to replace Shoigu as the next defense minister. Read Also: Father, Stepson Die While Hiking in Big Bend National Park During Scorching Heat Wagner Mutiny Per Daily Mail, Prigozhin has been warned to be "extremely cautious around open windows" after reaching an amnesty agreement with the Kremlin following the attempted mutiny of his mercenary group over the weekend. Following clashes with Russia's regular forces en route to Moscow, Prigozhin abruptly suspended his troops' "march for justice" on Saturday after reaching an agreement that he claimed would prevent carnage and a potential civil war in Russia. Under the provisions of the agreement, which ended the most significant challenge to Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule, Prigozhin will go into exile in Belarus and will not be prosecuted, but he will no longer command the powerful Wagner group. Despite the agreement, the Russian newspaper Kommersant and three major news agencies reported on Monday that the case against Prigozhin is still open and being investigated. Between 12 and 20 years in prison could await him. In addition, despite the agreement, a former CIA director warned the warlord on Sunday to "be extremely cautious around open windows." While some of Prigozhin's supporters praised him as a hero, members of Russia's convict army issued a threat against the Wagner warlord, accusing him of betrayal for abandoning his rebellion against the Kremlin. Shoigu's emergence appeared to be a signal from Putin to Prigozhin that the embattled Russian dictator would not dismiss his defense minister despite a demand from the Wagner chief to do so. A group of prisoners-turned-fighters said in an online video that Prigozhin's decision to retreat before reaching Moscow was "cowardice." They claimed that his supporters now confronted retaliation from the Russian military and that he had "double-crossed" them by reaching an amnesty agreement with the Kremlin. According to The Telegraph, the video originated from one of the Storm-Z brigades of the Russian army, which are comprised of convicted criminals offered amnesty in exchange for battling. While Wagner has also recruited prisoners under the same conditions, Storm-Z units are distinct from the mercenary organization. Despite this distinction, Prigozhin is regarded as an unofficial commander-in-chief by the majority of the units' soldiers. Related Article: Wagner Chief Claims Russian Missile Attack Killed Mercenaries; Moscow Says Leader Is Inciting Civil War @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Coming straight from kelsonik's imagination, who erroneously calls it a shooting brake when it's, in fact, a station wagon, this long-roof version of the fifth-gen Toyota Supra has got to be one of the least desirable digital takes on it we've seen so far. And this comes from someone who has a soft spot for sporty wagons and deep love for stuff like the bigger and much more powerful Audi RS 6 Avant.Mind you, a five-door version of the latest-gen Toyota Supra isn't exactly a hot family car, and we think it looks much better as a real shooting brake, with two doors and a tailgate opening into a generous cargo area. We have seen multiple unofficial takes on such a body style , and we adore most of them. The same goes for the model's German sibling, the new BMW Z4, because, if you forgot, both share many nuts and bolts.Starting with a real Supra, the rendering artist rearranged its pixels to make the front doors smaller and add a pair of doors at the rear. The roofline is longer here, and the rear three-quarter panels are smaller and less muscular. It lacks the side trim and the reflectors on the front bumper. Out back, it is actually quite pretty with the tailgate design. The digital illustration portrays it with the real taillights, bumper, and diffuser, and it retains the dual exhaust tips. The wheels also carry over, and the pixel manipulator brought the entire body closer to the road via a few mouse clicks.You can rest assured that the Japanese automaker does not intend to expand the modern-day Supra family with a new member wearing different attire. The model will soldier on as a two-door coupe, and that's a smart move considering that low-slung machines have lost significant ground to SUVs (actually, most high-riders out there are crossovers). Anyone who wants an open-top view of the sky above can opt for the BMW Z4 instead, which is the same car beneath the different-looking skin.Both are on sale in the United States. The 2023 Supra has an MSRP of $44,640 with the 2.0-liter engine and $53,600 with the 3.0-liter unit. The top-of-the-line grade, aka the A91-MT, starts at $59,445 in our market. For the Z4 , you are looking at $52,800, excluding destination, for the sDrive30i and $65,300 for the punchier M40i, which brings 382 horsepower to the party. At the end of this week, we will once again be on the verge of having commercial flights to space become an every-month occurrence. Sure, we believed that was about to happen a couple of years ago as well, but this time one of the companies involved in this industry, Virgin Galactic, seems to be determined to make the activity commonplace. Back in May, Virgin conducted the final test flight, sending a bunch of its employees to the edge of space in a bid to test the customer experience on board the Unity spacecraft. All went according to plan, so now Richard Branson's company is on the verge of starting monthly flights to the edge of our world.The first flight is called Galactic 01, and as announced ever since several weeks ago, it will take up there members of the Italian Air Force and National Research Council of Italy, which take the trip for scientific purposes.It was today, June 26, when the company revealed both the tentative date for the flight, and the names of the people traveling on the Unity. Galactic 01 is scheduled to depart New Mexico on June 29, 2023, carrying with it two pilots and a crew of four people. One of them, Collin Bennet, is on Virgin's payroll. It's a name you might already know, as he has already been up there as part of the Unity 22 trip, together with his boss, Branson, and a bunch of others.Bennet will accompany three Italians: Colonel Walter Villadei and Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Landolfi from the Italian Air Force, and National Research Council engineer Pantaleone Carlucci.The European trio will conduct a total of 13 experiments as part of the mission they themselves call Virtute 1. During their 90-minute journey to space, the crew will look into things like biomedicine and thermos-fluid dynamics, but the exact details of the research were not announced.Because of the nature of the flight, "Virgin Galactic will share a global livestream" of the mission. If you're interested in how things will unfold, you can follow the stream here starting on June 29 at 11 AM ET.Although this is a private, commercial mission to space, the presence of air force professionals on board still makes it look a bit like some sort of an official deal. The true spaceflights for civilians are expected to begin in early August, when Galactic 02 will depart.The names of the people who will pay about half a million dollars for a short but intense journey beyond the Karman line were not yet announced, but just like it happened today, we expect to get the full details a few short days before the actual mission. EV Countless quarter-mile battles between the electric hyper sedan and all sorts of other machines have kept enthusiasts up at night. The ultra-powerfultook on the supercar establishment and was pinned against various modified rides. It won some races, lost others, and has always returned to the drag strip to prove its mettle, dropping jaws because this vehicle runs 9s without any modifications.In fact, it was even clocked at roughly 8.7 seconds, with an exit speed of 157.8 mph (254 kph). It seems out of this world for a car intended to be a daily driver, with a posh and comfortable interior and generous cargo capacity. It's not a bargain, but it doesn't break the bank either, with an MSRP of just under $110,000 in today's market.The Tesla Model S needs some pre-race prepping to hit 60 miles an hour in less than two seconds (albeit not from zero, as you probably know). First, the driver must engage the Drag Strip mode, which sharpens the parameters for a few minutes. The Cheetah Stance adjusts the adaptive suspension on its own a few seconds after pushing the brake pedal and hitting the right one, and only then you're good to go . And it will stay true to its official spec sheet if the asphalt is covered in a grippy resin for extra off-the-line traction.This is a true beast that can cause mayhem with a skilled driver holding the wheel. And the guy behind the Tesla Plaid Channel on YouTube has proved numerous times that he can handle all that power. One of his latest ventures into the world of drag racing took him to the Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida earlier this month. The video you are about to watch shows his Model S Plaid engaging in a quarter-mile battle with something you don't normally see at the drag strip: a hearse.But this is no ordinary hearse intended for peaceful final rides, as it has been heavily modified. It, too, is an extremely-fast machine in a straight-line sprint and has a nitrous system for temporary boosts. But does it have what it takes to put the Tesla in its corner? You are one mouse click away from finding out. The footage is a little over six minutes long and shows other fun stuff, so if you were looking for an excuse to take a short break, then this is it. Without further ado, scroll down and click the play button. 26 June 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) By Akbar Hasanov, Day.az If you suffer for a long time, then something will work out. Apparently, this is the life credo of a very solid layer of Armenian politicians, political scientists, public figures, and journalists. The devastating defeat of Armenia in the 44-day war and the subsequent examples of the diplomatic fiasco of official Yerevan poke out for the eternal question - who is to blame and what to do? Each of the political forces in the country calls its opponents guilty. Supporters of the current government blame their predecessors, especially the "Karabakh clan" headed by Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan. Their general postulate boils down to the statement that "everything was stolen, lost, ruined before us." Supporters of the previous government, and they still remain, deny their main guilt in the defeats of Armenia on the battlefield and in the diplomatic arena. They blame everything on the current government, personally on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, calling him a "surrender", a "defeatist". They blame him for allowing the start of the 44-day war, for not stopping it, for losing in the end. At the same time, both those and others periodically blame the world community for everything. Everyone is blamed - the USA, France, Russia for the fact that they, being co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, did not help Armenia to keep 20% of the occupied Azerbaijani lands. Absurd? Yes, if you think from the point of view of a sane person. But in the case of Armenia, a completely different "logic" works. According to it, not only Turkiye and Azerbaijan are to blame for all the troubles of Armenia, but also Israel, Pakistan, and more recently all European countries that buy Azerbaijani oil and natural gas, develop mutually beneficial relations with our country. Absurd again? Certainly. At the same time, there is another, relatively new trend. It consists in recognizing the colossal superiority of Azerbaijan over Armenia. Moreover, in completely different directions. For example, former officer of the RA Armed Forces Narek Nersisyan noted the absence of logical and other prerequisites for large-scale military-technical cooperation with Western players. And most importantly, he believes that Azerbaijan uses its ties with Western players much more efficiently. "Being in fairly good relations with Moscow, Baku simultaneously manages to protect its interests in the course of dialogue with the West, receive various privileges, military assistance. And Armenia does not have any specific strategy," he complains. And here, too, there is nothing to argue. An honest and accurate analysis of the existing realities, nothing more. Furthermore, honored Artist of Armenia David Amalyan stated that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev managed to unite the Azerbaijani people. "I have deep respect for President Ilham Aliyev. He has character. He graduated from several universities and has a high intellect. I don't want to say everything on the air, but in 30 years we have turned into a tribe, and the Azerbaijani leader has managed to rally the whole people. I believe that this is temporary for us, and I hope that we will also have such a leader who will put everything in order," he said. Interesting girls dance. The recognition that the Armenians are not a nation, not a people, but a tribe - does not sound like intellectual masochism, but like a bitter statement of reality. At the same time, it should be added that the optimism expressed by the artist Amalyan about the fact that soon everything will change in Armenia is more like an attempt to sweeten the pill. So as not to be heavily bombarded with rotten tomatoes. But he is far from the only one who "suddenly saw the light" and realized that Armenia to Azerbaijan is like walking to the moon. Earlier, Armenian politician Vladimir Poghosyan said on the air of the Noyan Tapan program that the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will go down in the history of his people and state. And it is true. "If we talk about Ilham Aliyev, then this is the real President of his country. Whatever we say, whether we like the Azerbaijanis or not, Ilham Aliyev is the real head of his state. Our politicians do not have the qualities that the Azerbaijani leader has," - Poghosyan stated. As you can see, this is already a trend. Quite, however, understandable and logically arising from the existential crisis in which Armenia has plunged for a long time. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 13:00 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more One of the countless Armenian provocations is the falsification of historical facts. According to the fake report of the Armenian publication, allegedly the church in Azerbaijan's Lachin district (Surb Hambartsum berdzora) is being turned into a mosque by Azerbaijanis. This fact already testifies to the frivolity of the claims. However, a simple logic says that this church cannot be attributed to the historical values of the Armenian people, but on the opposite side, the logic works differently. The church, which was built in 1998, is located on the southwestern outskirts of Lachin. It should simply be recalled that before the occupation of Lachin in 1992, Armenians did not live in this region at all. Not only were there no Armenians, but no one who professed the Christian faith. Just interesting, this time on the basis of what international law is Armenia, which has destroyed the rich eastern, Islamic and Azerbaijani (ancient Albanian) cultural heritage in the region and built a church in its place, making such claims? After the Patriotic War, the glorious army of Azerbaijan destroyed the so-called historical epics that Armenia wanted to build falsely. Dozens of false and forged churches were destroyed in Zangilan, Gubadli and other areas untouched by Armenians. Alexei Naumov, a Russian historian and political analyst, shared the same opinion with AZERNEWS. He noted that historical political memory cannot have anything to do with reality. For this, it is enough to give an example of the false ancient church built by the Armenians at the end of the 20th century, in 1998. The Russian historian says that according to Armenians, it is not important that the church is fake, the main thing is how Armenians can present it to people. This is a true Armenian logic, and this baseless logic gets its deserved result after the liberation of Azerbaijan's lands from occupation. In his comment, Naumov also touched on the general perception of the Armenian leadership about Azerbaijan. "We understand that the government led by Nikol Pashinyan is trying to portray Azerbaijan as an aggressor country, a country in which there is religious, national, linguistic intolerance." the political analyst said. The expert, calling all these accusations absurd, continued that; because we understand that today Azerbaijan is a rare example of a truly multinational state united by the Azerbaijani national identity. And in which various languages are represented in the broadest way, religious groups in which, in general, the religious question does not play a dominant role. According to him, Azerbaijan is a secular state, where the issue of religion is the issue of each individual citizen of Azerbaijan. "Of course, Azerbaijan needs to counteract the attempts of falsification in this recent history, of those revanchist forces that want to change the reality on earth," Alexei Naumov added. In conclusion, the russian pundit added that the most importantly, we must understand that despite all the attempts to slander Azerbaijan and distort reality, Azerbaijan gradually restores the facts by regaining its occupied historical lands. "And of course, Azerbaijan will show the whole world its profound, multinational hospitable character. Therefore, the distorters of historical truth and witnesses of the ancient church of 1998 have no chance," Naumov added. --- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 22:07 (UTC+04:00) In an effort to bolster regional connectivity and enhance trade, the railway administrations of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have come together to collaborate on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), Azernews reports. As noted by the Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ - Kazakhstan Temir Zholy), a trilateral agreement was signed between KTZ and the Georgian Railway during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, to Georgia. Prior to this, a similar agreement was also signed with the Azerbaijan Railways CJSC in Baku. The agreement, which was based on the joint activity arrangements reached among the partners on May 4, 2023, in Tbilisi, sets out the fundamental principles for the establishment and operation of a joint venture (JV) dedicated to the development of the TITR. To facilitate the opening, registration, and operation of the JV, a roadmap has been devised, with plans to establish it within the Astana International Finance Center by the end of this year. TITR or Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional corridors. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A return of former internally displaced persons to Azerbaijan's Lachin region is underway within the Great Return program. Lachin residents expressed their gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Vice- President Mehriban Aliyeva for comprehensive state care, as well as to the Azerbaijani army, heroic soldiers and officers, who liberated Azerbaijan's territories from Armenian occupation, Azernews reports. They also paid tribute to the memory of themartyrs, who gave theirlives for the country's independence. A total of 70 families, including 266 people, are provided with permanent residence in Lachin. Resettled families will live in the houses in which they lived before the Armenian occupation. Their houses have been restored and reconstructed after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands. Following the liberation of its territories from Armenia in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the Great Return program, which envisions the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native lands. The program's implementation should be carried out until 2026. It has defined the following target indicators for the development of Azerbaijans Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions: Infrastructure, Economic recovery, Social development, Balanced development of the environment. Under the state program, Azerbaijan has identified a number of grandiose goals as it envisages the resettlement of 34,500 families to the liberated territories by 2026. The relocation of families to houses to be built in stages is carried out in accordance with the scheduled restoration work. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 08:20 (UTC+04:00) Azerpost LLC, subordinate to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, will provide services to citizens on a rotational basis in connection with the holidays, Azernews reports. Here is the list of Azerpost offices that will be open on 26, 27, 28, 29 June, and 2 July: - Main post office No 1, 09:00 to 18:00; - Post Office No. 63 of Post Office No. 2 from 10:00 to 17:00; - Post Offices No. 124, 138, 144 of Post Office No. 2, 09:00-17:00; - Post Offices No. 2, 40 of Post Office No. 3, 10:00-17:00; - Post Office No. 44 of Post Office No. 4, 09:00-17:00; - Regional customer service offices, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On 30 June, in addition to the above-mentioned branches, the following post offices will also be open as usual due to production reasons: - Post Offices No. 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 21, 25, 33, 52 post offices No. 1, 10:00 to 17:00; - post offices 9, 17, 53, 54, 63, 73, 83, 111, 114, 117, 122 post offices 2 from 10:00 to 17:00 - Post offices 34, 104, 118, 119, 123, 129, 132, 133, 142, 149 post offices 3 from 10:00 to 17:00;; - Post Offices 39, 42, 45, 50, 77, 89, 90, and 93 of Post Office #4, from 10:00 to 17:00. From 1 July all post offices in the country will serve citizens. On ordinary days, post offices will provide postal services to the population on public holidays, including telegrams, letters, parcels, special holiday greetings, and military dispatches, as well as receiving money transfers and collecting utility bills. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on amending the "Regulations on the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan". According to the decree, in the first sentence of paragraph 5.5 of the "Regulations on the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan", approved by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 4, 2012 No. 646, the word "two" is replaced by the word "one", and the word "four" - the word "three". --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 09:25 (UTC+04:00) President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on amending the "List of Legal Entities under Public Law Exempted from Value Added Tax for Performing Works and Providing Services through Funds Allocated from the State Budget. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The staff at numerous U.S. Starbucks shops went on strike on Sunday to protest the baristas' union's allegations that managers at some American cafes removed rainbow flags and other decorations honoring LGBTQ+ Pride Month. On Sunday afternoon, June 25, a small group of Starbucks employees demonstrated in front of the Astor Place branch in downtown Manhattan close to the Pride parade route, yelling, "New York is a union town! On strike! Shut it down!," as reported by Reuters. While some customers chose not to enter to support the strike, union members distributed pamphlets and spoke with onlookers about the action. Some baristas and other employees at the coffee business claimed they were incensed by the issue when Pride marches were taking place in Seattle, the home of Starbucks, as well as New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Chicago. What Starbucks Has to Say According to a spokesperson, they support the LGBTQIA2+ community. They only said that it is inaccurate to report that Starbucks stores are banning any decorations as there has been no change to company policy. They also said that they are concerned about spreading false information about our inclusive store environments. Though the conflict is now receiving media attention, it started brewing a year ago, according to the Workers United union, when the company allegedly threatened union organizers, many of whom identified as queer or trans, with reduced hours if they didn't quit their jobs. This would prevent them from being eligible for health insurance, which would have covered gender reassignment surgery and other affirming procedures. Read also: Starbucks Union Alleges Pride Decorations Banned at Some Outlets Starbucks Refutes the Claims Starbucks has refuted that it altered the coverage, labeling them "false claims" in a letter dated June 14 to Lynne Fox, the president of Workers United International. Since 2012, gender confirmation surgery has been covered by the company's health insurance. In 2018, it also started covering procedures that other insurance plans would classify as "cosmetic," such as breast augmentation, hair transplants, and feminization of the face. In the letter, the coffee chain referred to the union's claim as "blatant fear mongering" and disputed that it had prohibited Pride decorations. Starbucks has worked hard to earn a reputation as a progressive business that values its employees and clients who identify as LGBTQ+. It started providing elusive benefits, including health insurance for same-sex domestic partners, in 1988. Later, it joined the American legal system. The Supreme Court supports marriage equality. With some of the more than 300 company-owned unionized Starbucks stores in the U.S., negotiations have been ongoing since late 2022. Stronger anti-discrimination provisions have been requested by pro-union baristas from Starbucks, among other things. No newly unionized U.S. cafe has yet agreed with the business for a labor contract. Related article: Starbucks CEO Gives Stern Warning To Those Who Support Traditional Marriage @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 26 June 2023 10:51 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has had a phone conversation with the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The ministers discussed the current situation and prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran, Azernews reports. The sides noted the importance of negotiations and mutual contacts between the relevant bodies and officials of the two countries in several areas of bilateral and regional relations, including economic and transport projects. At the same time, the importance of continuing the talks on issues that need to be resolved on the bilateral agenda and their resolution was emphasized. During the telephone conversation, views were also exchanged on several multilateral and regional issues. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 12:15 (UTC+04:00) On the occasion of 26 June Armed Forces Day, several events will be held in the Army Corps, formations, and special educational institutions of the Azerbaijan Army. The military units will organize classes on socio-political training, round tables, conferences, excursions to museums, exhibitions of books, photographs, and pictures, as well as demonstrate the documentary and feature films. The graves of Shehids will be visited and meetings with their families will be held, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry. As part of the events, marches of servicemen accompanied by military orchestras will be organized in Baku, Barda and Shusha cities. Concert programs with the participation of the collectives of military orchestras, the Army Ideological and Cultural Center named after Hazi Aslanov, the Ideological and Cultural Center of the Ganja Garrison, cultural houses of districts, as well as representatives of culture and art will be presented at the festive events. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 11:43 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov has congratulated the personnel of the Azerbaijani army on the occasion of June 26 - the Day of the Armed Forces, Azernews reports. The statement reads as follows: Gentlemen officers, fellow ensigns, midshipmen, cadets, sergeants, soldiers, sailors, and civilian workers! I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of June 26 - the Armed Forces Day and wish each of you success in your sacred and honorable service for the strengthening of the defense of the Azerbaijani Republic. Azerbaijan, whose independence is eternal and irreversible, plays a major role in establishing and protecting lasting peace and stability in the region. The building of the National Army, founded during the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which is known as the first democratic republic in the East, has entered the modern stage on the basis of the historical succession principle in a newly independent country. Separate Azerbaijani corps provided the legal basis of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Army on June 26, 1918. The creation of a unified command in the Azerbaijani Army, which is considered a glorious page in Azerbaijan`s military history, and the 105th anniversary of which Azerbaijan celebrates today with great pride and honor, as well as the formation of the Azerbaijani army as a regular one, are the result of bold steps taken by National Leader Heydar Aliyev in this direction. Thanks to President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, who successfully continued the political course of the great leader in the field of army construction, today our armed forces are on par with the armies of the world. This makes each of us happy and proud. As a result of the special attention and care of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the country's defense capability is increasing day by day, and the unity of the people, the state, and the army has become monolithic. The brave Azerbaijani army under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief won a glorious victory in the 44-day Karabakh War and liberated our historical lands occupied by the enemy for almost thirty years. Azerbaijan's territorial integrity has been restored thanks to the wise and far-sighted policy of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the strength of our army. Today, on our lands liberated from occupation, where our tricolor flag is flying majestically, the courageous Azerbaijani army is strengthening its positions and making its worthy contribution to the restoration and construction work initiated at the highest level under the leadership of the president. The families of martyrs, our fighters who lost their health during military operations, and war veterans are always in the spotlight of our state. We express our gratitude to Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the attention and care shown to improve their social and living conditions. I am sure that strictly following the Azerbaijani Constitution and the military regulations, you will strengthen your combat and moral and psychological training and increase your skills, which will undoubtedly help you achieve new success in the service. As always, on this holiday we honor our martyrs who fell in battle, defending the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. I congratulate you on June 26 the Day of the Armed Forces of the family of martyrs and our soldiers,who lost their health during the fighting, who stood steadfastly in defense of our Motherland, and I convey my best wishes to them. Once again, I heartily congratulate all the personnel, and wish you good health, long life, family happiness, and success in your noble service to Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Today, the Azerbaijan Army, which turns 105, is a source of pride for each of us, as well as the main guarantor of our security, Azernews reports, citing MP Sevil Mikayilova's comments for Trend. In her statement, Sevil Mikayilova stressed that the history of the Azerbaijan Army's development is connected with the name of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. It was after his coming to power in 1969, when the training of military personnel started in Azerbaijan. At the cost of great efforts, Heydar Aliyev managed to establish a military high school named after the outstanding general Jamshid Nakhchivanski (1971), a school that trains military personnel in Azerbaijan. "After the signing of the cease-fire agreement in the Armenian-Azerbaijani military conflict on May 12, 1994, the formation of the Azerbaijan National Army accelerated," Sevil Mikayilova said. She emphasized that the process of building an army in Azerbaijan has entered a completely new stage under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. "Thanks to the attention and care of the President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, increasing the professionalism of the military, raising the fighting spirit and morale-psychological training of the personnel, equipping our Armed Forces with the most modern weapons and equipment was always kept in the foreground. As a result of this successful policy, our Armed Forces led by Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev wrote a glorious page in the history of Azerbaijan with a brilliant victory in the 2020 Patriotic War," she added. "Today, the professional operations conducted by the Azerbaijani Army and the historical victory it achieved are studied in the world's leading military training centers," said Sevil Mikayilova. She outlined that the Azerbaijani Army is the strongest army in the South Caucasus region and is among the 50 strongest armies in the world: "The pace of dynamic development of the Azerbaijani Army, which consists of the Ground Forces, Air Force and Navy, is very high. Even after the Civil War, the pace of development of the Azerbaijan Army has increased rapidly. New formations are being created in the Azerbaijan Army that are agile and fast in maneuvering and can successfully perform combat missions in high mountains and difficult conditions. The creation of new purpose-built commando military formations in our army by the order of President Ilham Aliyev is an indicator. Commando military units are equipped with professional military personnel with high physical and combat training". Speaking about the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Sevil Mikayilova stressed the fact that the Turkish state is Azerbaijan's most reliable partner and ally. She also touched upon the professionalism and combat experience of the Turkish Armed Forces created the basis for adapting the Azerbaijani Army to the model of the Turkish Armed Forces. "The initiative of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to rebuild our National Army based on the model of the Turkish Army is an army building strategy aimed at the challenges of the modern era and further increasing Azerbaijan's defense capacity. Joint cooperation between the Turkish military industry and our national military industry will make important contributions to achieving the set goals". The Azerbaijani MP added that Azerbaijan also cooperates militarily with Israel, Pakistan and other countries. As the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev said, the improvement of the Azerbaijan Army will continue. "We are sure that the steps to be taken will, of course, lead to the creation of a more agile, more combative and highly combat-capable Azerbaijani Army," she concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 13:24 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has left for a working visit to the United States. His visit is organized at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Azernews reports. It is planned to hold a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as another round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the "Bilateral agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations" draft. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 12:58 (UTC+04:00) A parade of cadets has been held in Baku to mark the 105th anniversary of Azerbaijani Armed Forces. On this occasion, a parade of cadets of the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum was held in the central streets of Baku city, accompanied by a military orchestra, Azernews reports. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 15:46 (UTC+04:00) Talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Washington may last several days, Azernews reports. "The meeting will start tomorrow. There is a possibility that the negotiations will continue for several days. The main topic is the peace agreement," said Aykhan Hajizada, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. On June 26, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, went on a working visit to the US. During the visit, bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken, as well as another round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the draft peace agreement are scheduled. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 16:04 (UTC+04:00) The leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan has visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports with reference to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. A bouquet of flowers was laid at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev, installed in the courtyard of the hospital, then a minute of silence was paid to the memory of the great leader and Azerbaijani servicemen who became martyrs. Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov has met with the servicemen undergoing treatment in the hospital, asked about their health, and wished them to recover as soon as possible and return to service. Having conveyed the congratulations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the minister presented festive gifts to military and medical personnel. The staff of the hospital and the servicemen undergoing treatment expressed their deep gratitude to Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the conditions created here, as well as for the comprehensive care. The leadership of the Ministry congratulated medical workers on the holiday and gave appropriate instructions to improve the quality of service for servicemen undergoing examination and treatment. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 26 June 2023 17:30 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan and Turkiye are considering the issue of joint production of unmanned systems, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said in an interview with local TV. According to the minister, the public will be informed about the decision in the future, Azernews reports. "We have very close cooperation with fraternal Turkiye, there is a joint project. The question is not only about the purchase of new flying unmanned systems, but also about their joint production and operation here," he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 27 June 2023 01:41 (UTC+04:00) Negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the United States will continue until June 29. According to Azernews, Matthew Miller, press secretary of the US State Department, said this during a briefing last day. "We expect talks to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, and continue through Thursday this week. Secretary Blinken will meet with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we will have more details within a week. We remain confident that the world is in within reach, and direct dialogue is the key to resolving outstanding issues and achieving a sustainable and dignified peace," he said. It should be noted that on June 26, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, went on a working visit to the United States of America. During the visit, it is planned to hold a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as the next round of talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the draft "Bilateral agreement on peace and establishment of interstate relations." Aykhan Hajizade, head of the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, told Trend that the talks may last several days. "The meeting will begin tomorrow. It is likely that the negotiations will continue for several days. The main topic is a peace agreement," he said. The Danish government said Monday, June 26, the training of Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper fighter jets has begun. It also said they have sped up the retirement of their F-16s by two years. Acting Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the aging fleet of Vipers would be replaced by F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which would begin their service to the Royal Danish Air Force by 2025 instead of 2027. "We will also consider whether we should make a concrete donation to Ukraine of the Danish F-16 fighters, and how many there should be," he added. Denmark has ordered 27 F-35A fighter jets to replace its 30 aging F-16s beginning in late 2023. Ukrainian fighter pilots must spend six to eight months of training before a possible donation of Danish F-16s could be materialized, Lund Poulsen told Danish broadcaster DR. Should the fighters be transferred, they must be in Danish service until 2024. Ukraine has long been asking for Western fighter jets to bolster its air defenses against Russia's invasion. After initial reluctance, the US and other NATO countries agreed to allow Ukrainian pilots to receive F-16 training without any concrete promise of handing over any planes. NATO has earlier planned to train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 in Romania. Read Also: Prigozhin Leaves Russia for Belarus After Aborting Wagner's March to Moscow Sweden Trains Ukrainian Pilos on JAS-39 Gripen Jets The news came as the Swedish Armed Forces were also tasked to train Ukrainian pilots and other aviation personnel on the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. Ukraine has previously invited the Swedish government to assess the possibility of supplying and training Ukrainian pilots on the Gripen to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses. The JAS-39 was a contender to Ukraine's bid to Westernize its military assets. It was developed in the 1980s for use in a possible conflict with the Soviet Union, which meant it was easy to maintain, cheap to operate, and could use roads as runways without compromising combat effectiveness if compared with the F-16. In addition, the Gripen is a swing-role aircraft capable of any type of mission with its 10 weapon hardpoints. Sweden also recently received a joint intention from Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic to purchase a total of 1,000 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles after the Swedish government pledged to donate several units of the highly-acclaimed IFV aside from some artillery pieces in January. Related Article: Russia Allegedly Trying to Cover-Up Putin's Worst Daily Air Force Losses @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 26 June 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister Francesco Lollobrigida on Saturday made the case for Italy's bid for UNESCO status for its food in New York, Azernews reports, citing ANSA. Speaking at an event celebrating the bid organized by ICE Agenzia foreign trade agency at Gotham Hall, Lollobrigida said "there is a commitment and a will to certify our heritage made up of production, and transformation, which make Italian cuisine a treasure". He said he hoped Italian food would make the list of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage joining Japanese, French and Mexican cuisine on the roll of honour. "This will certify that it is a heritage that deserves to be defended, safeguarded and valorized". Premier Giorgia Meloni's government has launched a drive to protect and boost Italian food products and cuisine worldwide, safeguarding them from an unending assault from 'Italian-sounding' inferior clones, among other things. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Two of the top producers of security cameras worldwide are Hikvision and Dahua, but nobody is certain how many of their units are parked along UK streets. Big Brother Watch, a privacy advocacy group, made 4,510 Freedom of Information requests to public entities around the UK between August 2021 and January 2022. Of the 1,289 respondents, 806 acknowledged using Hikvision or Dahua cameras; 227 councils, 15 police forces, and 35 councils utilize Hikvision, respectively. Panorama discovered Hikvision cameras outside the Department for International Trade, the Department of Health, the Health Security Agency, Defra, and an Army reserve center. Hikvision cameras are also employed to monitor numerous other government buildings, according to BBC News. Security professionals worry that the cameras may be exploited because it disrupts computer networks, which could lead to civil unrest. The country's key infrastructure, including power supplies, transportation networks, and access to fresh food and water, is at risk, warns Prof. Fraser Sampson, the UK's surveillance camera commissioner. What Hikvision Has to Say Hikvision claimed to Panorama that it is a separate business and poses no threat to UK national security. Panorama tested if it was possible to hack a Hikvision camera in collaboration with US-based IPVM, one of the world's foremost specialists in surveillance technology. The one that was put in a BBC studio was provided by IPVM. (Photo : by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images) SULHAMSTEAD, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 01: The CCTV cameras at the Bull Inn in Stanford Dingley, which were pointed out, during the Old Bailey jury site visit to scene where Pc Andrew Harper died on July 1, 2020 in Sulhamstead, United Kingdom. Hikvision claims that this flaw was not purposefully incorporated into the design of its products, and it emphasizes that as soon as it became aware of the problem, it released a firmware update to fix it. It further states that the test conducted by Panorama is not typical of current hardware. More than 100,000 cameras are still susceptible to this problem, according to Conor Healy, who claims that they are all online. Read also: Chinese Z-20 Surpasses US Black Hawk Technologically Capacity Than Its Template Is China Spying On the UK? Chinese CCTV cameras have been under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns about their potential for spying. These concerns stem from the fact that Chinese companies are required by law to cooperate with the Chinese government and that the Chinese government has a history of using surveillance technology to suppress dissent. There are a number of ways in which Chinese CCTV cameras could be used for spying. For example, they could be used to collect facial recognition data, which could then be used to track people's movements or identify them. They could also be used to listen in on conversations or to record video footage of people's activities. In addition, Chinese CCTV cameras are often connected to the internet, meaning malicious actors could hack them. If a Chinese CCTV camera were hacked, it could spy on people or launch cyberattacks. The concerns about Chinese CCTV cameras have led some governments to ban the use of these cameras in sensitive areas. For example, the UK government has banned using Chinese CCTV cameras in government buildings and military bases. Related article: Prince Harry Wins Legal Right To Sue UK Government Over Removal of Police Protection; What's Next? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Archived Results for Monday, June 26th, 2023 Newer Older Entries Page 1 Page 2 Lynn Deatherage's Letter to the WDN; Not Published as of July 18th, 2023 Publisher's Note: This "Letter to the Editor" to the Washington Daily News was written by Lynn Deatherage, my wife, early on May 22nd, 2023, and promptly sent by email to the proper address, as advertised, that same morning. That email was not returned as the address sent to must have been correct. So far, it has been 6 days, here in the age of quickened information, and Lynn's correspondence with the WDN editor, seeking just public redress, has not been published, and subsequent corrective action has not been taken. That being the case of such poor purpose by the Washington Daily News, Eastern North Carolina NOW will NOW publish this intended public correspondence as our Journalistic ideals command us to remain abjectly serious about: Freedom of Speech; the consequences of a Free Press; the intended honesty in all journalistic endeavors; and the guaranteed right of informing the People in a manner where only the truth is paramount. With this First Amendment to Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech, however, comes certain responsibilities; responsibilities that we hold dear at Eastern NC NOW as a major player in the "Public Square." Lynn Deatherage's Letter to the WDN; Not Published as of May 28th, 2023 In regard to your recent "Sound Off" section in the Washington Daily News, May 20th issue, an "anonymous caller," whose sole objective was to denigrate a duly elected county commissioner, I wondered what the purpose really was here. It takes zero effort, and no accountability for a so-called "anonymous" entity to make a false accusation, and far longer for honorable people to refute these lies. I am curious, how does this make you feel as the publisher? In no way does this adhere to the standards listed in your mission statement. Firstly, this isn't "news" and secondly, as mentioned, it is not true. Is not publishing the truth the most important factor in publishing the "news?" Please feel free, at some point, to do your due diligence as is your journalistic duty to discover the truth, and move forward with integrity. Does not your readership deserve that? In an atmosphere of growing divisions amongst people, how does your "Sound Off" section really help? If anyone should feel humiliated, it should be you for your publication. I welcome and expect your public apology as soon as possible. Sincerely, Lynn Deatherage, 252.944.3952 This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is CJ Staff U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar recommends that the U.S. Supreme Court reject a case involving a disputed skirt requirement for girls attending a charter school in Brunswick County.Prelogar agrees with a 10-6 majority on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that Charter Day School is ain the context of the disputed requirement. The solicitor general filed her brief in the case Monday, more than four months after the U.S. Supreme Court sought her input.Prelogar wrote.Prelogar added.The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to take a case when it grants a petition for a writ of certiorari.School choice proponents say thelabel applied in the Charter Day School case could subject charter schools across the country to more harmful government regulation.The Brunswick County-based charter school is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a June 2022 decision from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Appellate judges rejected the school's dress code. The 4th Circuit also ruled that the private operators of the publicly funded charter school wereThe John Locke Foundation filed an amicus, or friend-of-the-court, brief in October 2022 urging the Supreme Court to take the case. Locke's brief focuses on theissue.wrote attorney Dan Gibson, who filed the brief for Locke.The case started with a complaint from parent Bonnie Peltier. She objected to Charter Day School's dress code requiring female students to wear skirts. Peltier's attorneys argued in a federal lawsuit that a publicly funded school could not adopt that type of policy.Gibson wrote.the Locke brief added.With more than 3.4 million students attending nearly 7,700 charter schools nationwide, theissue has national importance, Gibson argued.he wrote.according to the Locke brief.Gibson wrote.he added.according to the brief.The 4th Circuit's decision conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent and rulings on similar issues in other federal circuits, Gibson argued. The brief urges the high court to settle theissue.Gibson wrote.according to Locke's brief.The full 4th Circuit decided the Charter Day School case with a split 10-6 vote.Senior Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, an Obama appointee, wrote the majority opinion.Keenan wrote.Judge Marvin Quattlebaum, a Trump appointee, authored one of two dissents.he wrote.Three 4th Circuit judges would have rejected Peltier's case completely.wrote Judge Harvie Wilkinson, a Reagan appointee, in the second dissent.Regardless of the 10-6 split among 4th Circuit judges, the U.S. Supreme Court faces no obligation to take up Charter Day School v. Peltier. If the high court takes the case, justices would consider arguments in the term that starts next fall. DeSantis responds to a reporter's question about Biden's Pride party: "This transgender flashing people nude...I think even the White House had to acknowledge it was inappropriate. "But I would ask them: If it's inappropriate to do that at the White House - which I certainly... pic.twitter.com/GNsvgzNV4K DeSantis War Room (@DeSantisWarRoom) June 15, 2023 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed President Joe Biden during a press conference on Thursday for the administration hosting afar-left Pride month event at the White House over the weekend where transgender activists took their tops off.DeSantis also took aim at the administration for how the U.S. flag was displayed at the White House as the administration decided to display the far-left pride flag - which promotes transgenderism and the Marxist Black Lives Matter group - in the middle of the White House.DeSantis said.Biden faced backlash at the start of the week after a video from Saturday's event went viral that showed transgender activist Rose Montoya taking his top off after meeting the president.Montoya, a man who claims he is a woman, met with Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and covered his bare prosthetic breasts with his hands while being recorded on camera in front of others in attendance.DeSantis said.After facing significant backlash over the event, the White House claimed that the behavior wasa White House spokesperson said. Greece's governing traditional conservative New Democracy Party, running on a platform of cracking down hard on illegal immigration, has won an absolute majority in the second round of Greece's parliamentary election. New Democracy has won 158 seats in the 300 seat parliament, a gain of 12. ,meaning they will be able to govern alone this term without need of a coalition. Other parties of the right winning seats were the populist nationalist Greek Solution Party which won 12 seats, the religious and Eurosceptic conservative Democratic Patriotic Movement Victory, which won 10 seats, and the far right Spatans which won 12 seats, entering parliament for the first time. The major parties of the left all lost seats, the far left Syriza winning 48 seats, a loss of 23, the center left Panhellenic Socialist Movement winning 32, a loss of 9, and the Communists winning 20, a loss of 6. However, the left wing populist nationalist Course of Freedom Party, which is strongly Eurosceptic and sovereigntist, won 8 seats, entering parliament for the first time. Overall, the Greek right won 192 seats and the Greek left 108. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/left-fragments-as-new-democracy-romps-home-in-greece/ Sweden's conservative government has reversed the energy policies of its Social Democrat predecessors and scrapped its green energy targets, saying that wind and solar power are "unstable". Instead it is focusing on nuclear power to provide energy for Sweden. The new conservative coalition in neighboring Finland has announced a similar policy to concentrate on nuclear power instead of wind and solar. https://redstate.com/mike_miller/2023/06/25/sweden-shocks-europe-abandons-unstable-green-energy-agenda-returns-to-nuclear-power-n766866 Meanwhile, North Carolina's RINO legislative leadership, Phil Berger and Tim Moore pushed through a wind / solar boondoggle for North Carolina in their Green New Deal, HB951, selling out to Governor Roy Cooper and the left on energy policy. That has already given NC ratepayers their first of what will be many rate hikes from this flawed policy, the first being 18%. It has also contributed to the Christmas blackouts with the premature closure of the Brunswick coal plant under the Green New Deal policy. There will be more pain for consumers to come. Japan has confirmed balloons have flown over its airspace and has plans to shoot down any more that would float overhead in the future. According to the BBC, the Japanese government has provided evidence of China's alleged spy balloon program, including flights to its airspace and into Taiwan's. China, on the other hand, has not directly addressed the evidence presented by the British public broadcaster. The information was released when US-China relations were brought to their lowest point after a high-altitude balloon drifted over US airspace last February. It was shot down over the US Atlantic coast a few days later. China earlier claimed the balloon was a civilian weather airship used for scientific research, and the appearance of such in US airspace was an unintended and isolated event. But former CIA East Asia analyst John Culver told the BBC the newest information on spy balloons over Japanese airspace proved that the spy balloon incident "had been not just a one-off, but a continuing effort dating back at least five years." He added the Chinese balloons were "specially designed" for long-range missions, with some of them alleging to have "circumnavigated the globe." Read Also: China Slams Biden for Calling Xi a 'Dictator' Chinese Balloons Detected over Japan, Taiwan, Data Expert Says The new open-source intel was presented with the help of Synthetaic, an AI company that sifted through huge amounts of data captured by satellites. The company's founder, Corey Jaskolski, found evidence of one balloon crossing northern Japan as early as September 2021. It was the first time the images were published. The BBC also gathered similar reports of Chinese balloons detected over Taipei by Taiwan's weather service in late September 2021. Jaskolski believed the evidence pointed to this balloon being launched from deep inside China, but the BBC could not confirm the speculation independently. He also cross-referenced the photos taken in Taiwan with their satellite imagery, saying they found the balloon off the coast of Taiwan "[w]ithin 90 seconds". Japan is an ally of the US, with a sizeable force deployed there than in any other foreign country in the region. Japanese defense ministry spokesperson Yuko Murakami said the government was "taking all precautions to monitor the situation on a daily basis" and would even be willing to shoot down balloons to protect the country's public interest. The US State Department believed the Chinese balloons were equipped to gather signals intelligence (SIGINT) after discovering multiple antennae on the downed balloon shot in February. The agency added the balloon was "likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications." Related Article: Marjorie Taylor Greene Disappointed Over FBI, Homeland Security's Inaction Against Chinese Spy Balloon @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Florida surgeon general has signed an emergency suspension order for Manuel Barbeito, MD, a Miami-based physician who has been in prison for overprescribing since September, the Miami Herald reported June 25. Dr. Barbeito was sentenced to five years and 10 months of prison last year after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and dispense a controlled substance. He worked at Miami-based General Care Center, which the report described as "an all-cash pill mill." He received $1,500 to $2,000 per week plus a $120 cash bonus for every opioid prescription he wrote between March 2018 to November 2019 to patients who did not have a legitimate medical need. His sentence was reduced to three years and six months after he was prepared to testify against General Care's shadow owner. Wilmington, N.C.-based family medicine physician Mark Armitage, MD, agreed to pay $170,000 to resolve allegations he prescribed opioids and other drugs outside the usual course of professional practice. From 2009 to 2018, Dr. Armitage wrote nearly 9,000 prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, according to a June 23 news release from the U.S. Justice Department. For example, he allegedly wrote prescriptions for a combination of an opioid, benzodiazepine and muscle relaxer, a trio frequently sought by drug abusers, on 400 occasions over a two-year period. Additionally, according to the report, Dr. Armitage allegedly continued to prescribe a mother of four opioids and controlled substances even after she exhibited numerous signs of abuse and acute narcotic withdrawal. Dr. Armitage, who had previously surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration registration to prescribe controlled substances, also agreed to not reapply for authorization to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances until April 30, 2024. UnitedHealth Group's Optum has agreed to merge with Amedisys, a home health and hospice provider. The merger was valued at $3.26 billion when it was pitched by Optum earlier in June. The agreement calls for the acquisition of Amedisys' outstanding common stock in an all-cash transaction for $101 per share, according to a June 26 news release from Amedisys. According to the release, the merger "unites two organizations dedicated to providing compassionate, value-based comprehensive care to patients and their families." Amedisys has about 18,000 employees in 522 care centers across 37 states and Washington, D.C. A new surgery center has been approved for development at Pease International Tradeport in New Hampshire, Seacoastonline reported June 26. Alexander Slocum, MD, a board-certified surgeon practicing in Portsmouth, N.H., proposed the development of a three story, 50,000-square foot building. The center is estimated to be an $18 million to $30 million project. The proposal gained unanimous approval from the Pease Development Authority at a recent meeting, according to the report. The center will provide both outpatient surgical and procedural specialty services. Construction is planned to begin sometime Spring 2024, and Dr. Slocum hopes for the center to be operational in the next two to three years. A proposed ASC in Glen Carbon, Ill., faced vocal resident opposition at a zoning commission meeting, The Telegraph reported June 23. The plan is for Maryville's Mid-America Plastic Surgery Center, owned by Ryan Diederich, MD, to relocate and build a new facility. Nearly a dozen residents attended the meeting to express concern about the development of the 40,000-square-foot ASC. Residents expressed concerns about the increase in traffic, stormwater drainage, effects on property values and increased lighting from the development. The panel voted unanimously to annex the land in question and rezone it for commercial use, but tabled the preliminary site plan. The decision now goes to the full board for a final vote. Powder River Surgery Center in Gillette, Wyo., has acquired the city's first robotic surgical assistant, according to a June 24 news release. The robot, Zimmer Biomet's Rosa Knee, was first utilized by Dr. Stanford Israelson, followed by a Campbell County Chamber of Commerce showcase, according to the report. The 600-pound robot utilizes a touch screen and a camera tower to create a 3D map of the patient's knee, allowing for precise surgical planning and positioning of the knee implants. The robotic assistant does not replace the surgeon's expertise but serves as a tool to improve surgical outcomes. Provided in partnership with Zimmer Biomet, the machine costs approximately $1 million. Powder River plans to perform 100 total knee replacements using the Rosa Knee within the next 12 months to meet the deal's volume requirements, the report said. Staten Island (N.Y.) University Hospital, part of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, will discontinue an overnight ambulance tour that operates south of the Huguenot neighborhood on the South Shore of Staten Island, a hospital spokesperson confirmed to Becker's June 26. A statement from the hospital says the decision to modify one of the shifts that runs through the New York City Fire Department emergency medical services system came after thorough review. "This has been a grossly underutilized shift that we run to supplement the FDNY system. We are continually exploring methods to better serve the community and to enhance Staten Islanders' ability to access the care they need," the hospital said. "Discussions were had with FDNY regarding this change so they can evaluate if an adjustment was needed for their deployment." SIUH is a 668-bed specialized teaching hospital with two main campuses and various community-based health centers and laboratories, according to its website. An American Eagle Embraer E175 was struck by lightning after it landed during a thunderstorm in the US state of Arkansas Monday. In a video reported by Viral Press, the man behind the camera has been recorded saying that while the lightning bolt did not hit the plane, "it still would have made an amazing video." Seconds later, another flash hits the tail of the aircraft, causing people behind the cameraman to react loudly. A stream of sparks could also be seen coming off the tail. Jason William Hamm, the man behind the footage, said the plane was "fine," "taxiing to the gate normally after an extended wait on the taxiway due to the storm." Technicians came to the plane after the passengers had gotten off to assess any damage done to the aircraft. Read Also: British Man Dies After Being Struck by Lightning in Greece Another Thunderstruck Flight The incident was the latest of multiple incidents of passenger planes being struck by lightning over US airspace. In March, seven passengers were hospitalized after a Lufthansa Airlines Flight 469 from Austin to Frankfurt made an emergency landing in Washington DC after being struck by lightning. The plane plummeted 1,000 feet (305m) while the seatbelt sign was turned off. The passengers during that flight panicked and screamed in terror after the plane hit a traumatic wave of turbulence at 37,000 feet (11,277.6m) while flying over Tennessee. Related Article: Taylor Swift Concert Delayed Over Severe Weather Warning in Nashville @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Becker's Hospital Review website uses cookies to display relevant ads and to enhance your browsing experience. By continuing to use our site, you acknowledge that you have read, that you understand, and that you accept our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy Oracle Health was the leader in global EHR market share, according to the KLAS Global EMR Market Share report. Oracle Health serves more than 2,400 inpatient hospitals globally, according to a June 26 press release from Oracle. The EHR vendor has been inking EHR partnerships with large multihospital systems in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. The planned merger between St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare and Kansas City, Mo.-based Saint Luke's Health System could give the two systems huge "negotiating power" with insurers, according to analysts, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported June 25. The merger of BJC, which has 40 percent of the market's patient discharges and $6.3 billion in total revenue, and Saint Luke's, with 20 percent of the market share, will likely give the combined system "greater leverage in its negotiations with employers and insurers," according to the publication. In order to keep Saint Luke's and BJC in their networks, the conglomerate would give payers more incentive to agree to its price demands. "It continues to be the case that the hospitals are trying to gain the upper hand on the insurers," John Romley, PhD, professor at the Los Angeles-based University of Southern California who studies health policy and economics, told the publication. "That was true 10 years ago. That's true today." Other analysts, such as Ryan Barker, an independent healthcare policy consultant based in St. Louis and former director of the Missouri Foundation for Health, told the publication he is also worried about the merger's impact on pricing. A 2019 paper published in the Rand Journal of Economics found that cross-market mergers within a single state could lead to increases in hospital service prices as much as 7 percent to 9 percent. "If it goes unchecked we're gonna have a handful of large health systems that deliver care all across the United States," Louise Probst, BSN, executive director of the St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, which represents many of the area's largest employers in negotiations with healthcare providers, told the publication. On May 31, both of the health systems signed a nonbinding letter of intent to form an integrated academic health system, with the deal expected to close by the end of 2023, pending regulatory review. BJC and Saint Luke's did not respond to requests to comment from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Judy Fox is the new president and CEO of Rutland (Vt.) Regional Medical Center. The hospital announced her appointment June 23 with an article in the Rutland Herald. Ms. Fox has served the hospital for 33 years, according to the newspaper, beginning her career there with collections positions when she was still in college. Eventually, Ms. Fox became the hospital's chief financial officer. She was named interim CEO in November when the previous leader, Claudio Fort, stepped down. Hospital Board Chair Mark Foley said she was named to the permanent role after an "extensive national search process," according to a prepared statement. Officials at Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are monitoring a COVID-19 outbreak among patients and staff members. The hospital did not disclose how many individuals were affected, but said the outbreak was contained to a single unit. "We promptly isolated the patients and thereafter initiated universal masking on the affected unit in accordance with infection control protocols," a spokesperson for BIDMC told Becker's June 26. "We continue to closely monitor this situation and will adjust this plan going forward as needed, and have reported the cluster to the Department of Public Health and Boston Public Health Commission." Many hospitals and health systems nationwide sunsetted universal masking rules this spring amid declining COVID-19 activity. The CDC loosened masking recommendations for healthcare workers last September, saying facilities in areas without high transmission can decide whether to require them. Mountain View, Calif.-based El Camino Health CEO Dan Woods told Becker's that its new innovation fund will allow the health system to accelerate its beta testing and research partnerships with nearby Silicon Valley. The health system used a donation from philanthropists Pamela and Edward Taft to launch a fund dedicated to healthcare technology innovation. El Camino joins dozens of others looking to take innovation and investment processes in-house. To learn more about El Camino Health's strategy with its innovation fund Becker's reached out to Mr. Woods. Question: How does being located near Silicon Valley affect El Camino's innovation strategy? Dan Woods: Being in this part of the country has provided El Camino Health with the fortunate opportunity to partner and collaborate with industry innovators in creating novel ways to approach healthcare delivery. Our proximity to Silicon Valley provides an ideal beta testing environment and proving ground for technologies and solutions. The El Camino Health Innovation Fund allows us to accelerate these developments. El Camino Health has a long-standing commitment to innovating. This is evident from our adoption of the first computerized physician order entry system in 1971, to the recent adoption of the FloPatch sepsis management system and incorporation of mental health assessments into mother-baby care. For more than 60 years, our patients have come to expect innovative, personalized solutions to their care needs. El Camino Health has consistently embraced new tools, equipment, and technology while developing best practices to improve patient care. Q: What is the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare? DW: From reviewing records in our EHR to help predict falls so our care teams can ensure patient safety to discovering the early signs of patient decline to assisting radiologists in prioritizing workflows in reviewing images, AI is already being used at El Camino Health. As a result of the fund, we will be better able to responsibly incorporate AI in other service areas to improve work efficiency, ensure patient safety, and enable better care experiences for our patients. One example of improving work efficiency is using artificial intelligence and machine learning with an ambient listening capability so physicians will no longer need to type into their notes in the computer during patient visits. However, I believe we are scratching the surface of AI in healthcare and that a decade from now AI will be incorporated into areas we cannot imagine today. Q: How are innovation projects selected? DW: At El Camino Health, we have an Innovation Committee that reviews various new innovation project requests. The committee selects projects based on how they will make a difference in four key areas: Clinical care funding research and innovation in patient care, Medical technology funding advanced diagnostic and treatment tools, Clinical research funding clinical trials that provide additional and better treatment paths for patients Compassionate care services funding for programs focusing on personalized comfort and healing to patients Projects are also evaluated for the benefits provided to El Camino Health's goal of setting the standard for the best healthcare experience in the Bay Area by delivering dependable clinical excellence in a caring, convenient way. Q: How do you handle healthcare investment during a time of economic uncertainty? DW: It is important to continue to invest in our operations in light of the current economy. Economic uncertainty should not overshadow the need for staying at the forefront of medical advancements. Furthermore, adopting innovative solutions is one way we can streamline operations, reduce costs, and optimize resource allocation. The El Camino Health Innovation Fund will enable us to continue making these important investments in innovative projects so we can advance the science of medicine and care provided at El Camino Health. Q: How will patients benefit from the fund? DW: The programs made possible by the El Camino Health Innovation Fund, by the gracious donation of the Tafts, have the potential to revolutionize patient care. El Camino Health is targeting ways to relieve patient suffering across the care continuum from diagnostic imaging, patient wait times, patient outcomes, pain and anxiety, and more. All of the programs will be of great benefit to our patients. Some of the innovative programs will be more visible than others to patients but all of them have the goal of improving patient healing, wellness and overall healthcare experience. From NYU Langone suing Northwell Health over the shade of purple it used in its advertising campaign, to Ascension facing a lawsuit for allegedly taking employees' fingerprints without consent, here are 12 hospital lawsuits and settlements Becker's has reported since June 14: 1. As of June 23, 150 people have joined a class-action lawsuit against Cambridge, Mass.-based Harvard University and the school's former morgue manager in a case related to stolen human remains. 2. Edward Calloway, former financial director for G.B. Cooley Hospital in Monroe, La., was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for federal wire fraud. 3. The state of Iowa will pay $5 million to settle allegations of medical negligence made against the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. 4. Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., will pay $2 million to settle allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act by failing to keep accurate records of controlled substances, including opioids. 5. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Munster, Ind.-based Community Hospital and its operator Munster Medical Research Foundation Inc. for disability discrimination after it allegedly failed to accommodate a nurse who suffered a work injury. 6. Good Samaritan Hospital, based in San Jose, Calif., paid an undisclosed amount to settle claims that the health system failed to prevent a June and July 2020 data breach that compromised patients' protected health information. 7. Columbia, S.C.-based Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, St. Francis Hospital and St. Francis Physician Services agreed to pay $36.5 million to resolve allegations that it made illegal kickback payments to surgeons tied to the volume or value of referrals. 8. St. Louis-based Ascension is facing a lawsuit for allegedly taking employees' fingerprints without their consent. 9. MercyOne, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is facing a lawsuit for a May data breach in which an unauthorized party accessed its network, compromising the protected health information of 20,000 patients. 10. New York City-based NYU Langone Health is suing Northwell Health over the shade of purple it used in its advertising campaign, stating that the New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based health system copied its "distinctive advertising and marketing campaigns." 11. San Francisco will pay $2.2 million to 11 patients to settle a patient abuse scandal lawsuit at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. 12. Trinity Health, based in Livonia, Mich., is facing a class-action lawsuit for a March data breach that compromised the protected health information of 21,000 patients. Laboure College of Healthcare, a private college in Milton, Mass., will shut down its nursing program this December, following a decision from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, Fox affiliate WFXT reported June 20. The decision comes after the college's associate degree registered nurse program was approved, but given an initial warning from the board in September 2022, according to documents. The warning was related to the program's failure to achieve an 80 percent first-time pass rate of the NCLEX exam. However, as of June 20, the board notified the school of its vote to "withdraw approval" of the program entirely. The college stated in its own news release it has petitioned for a hearing with the board to appeal the decision. "We believe our case for appeal is strong and persuasive. Laboure's program was placed on warning by [the Board of Registration in Nursing] in September 2022 for not meeting the threshold of an 80 percent first-time pass rate in the NCLEX exam," the school stated in its release. "Upon being placed on warning, significant steps were taken to assist our students. The cohort of students who graduated in December 2022 and took the NCLEX passed at a rate of 81 percent. Self-reported results for students who graduated in Spring 2023 also indicate an 81 percent passage rate. The improvements made to the Laboure ASN program are measurable, and they are having a direct impact on student success." As of now, the board has reportedly agreed to a hearing with the school, which is set for July 12. If the decision stands, the 1,340 students enrolled in Laboure ASN program will be forced to find new places to continue their degrees. Becker's reached out to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for comment on the matter and received the following statement: "The Board voted on June 14, 2023, to withdraw approval of the Laboure Associate Degree Nursing program. Students enrolled in the graduating cohort(s) may write the NCLEX contingent upon the parent institution providing evidence of completion of all program requirements. The parent institution shall notify in writing all enrolled students who are not in the graduating cohort that the Board has withdrawn the programs approval and provide information regarding transfer and NCLEX eligibility." The North Carolina attorney general sent a letter to Asheville, N.C.-based HCA's Mission Health accusing it of having only a single medical oncologist on staff, the Citizen Times reported June 22. The June 20 letter said that the medical oncology practice "now includes only one physician, where it once had as many as fourteenit is inconceivable that HCA could provide the hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who reside within this expansive geographic area with the quality of care that they need and deserve using a single oncologist." The letter stated the situation puts into question HCA's compliance with the terms of its 2019 acquisition of Mission Health. The attorney general first raised concerns about the oncology department in a May 11 letter, which expressed concern about staffing, mentioned receiving reports that the center was instructed to stop scheduling chemotherapy sessions and that the facility was poorly maintained. HCA's North Carolina Division President Greg Lowe refuted the accusations in a May 22 response. The letter conceded that, despite numerous attempts to increase staff, Mission had struggled with staffing in the oncology department; however, "there [was] no practice or plan to discontinue chemotherapy services or the adult oncology practice at the Cancer Center." Spokesperson Nancy Lindell, division director of public and media relations at HCA, shared the following statement with Becker's June 22: "Mission Health remains committed to providing quality oncology services and treatment to cancer patients in Western North Carolina, and there are no plans to reduce services at the Cancer Center nor to close the Mission Medical Oncology practice, but quite the contrary. Mission has undertaken $12.4 million in capital improvements in the past four years at the Cancer Center with additional patient experience investments currently underway. Mission also deploys nurse navigators, pathologists, radiologists, and reconstructive physicians to offer comprehensive and specialized care from diagnosis through survivorship. We continue to recruit for and welcome new physicians and care providers to our team." The attorney general requested information on the oncology practice, including the number of oncologists employed by the hospital since the sale, the number of patients seen by those oncologists and a write-up of a plan to staff the practice. The hospital has until July 3 to respond. As temperatures climb to dangerous highs in areas of the Southern U.S., including in South Florida, employees from a Miami VA hospital said they are concerned about ongoing issues with the facility's air conditioning system and how the machine's faults are affecting vulnerable patients, CBS News reported June 25. The unit has reportedly had issues for more than a week, which led to the evacuation of the facility's third floor, but patients still remain on floors one and two, employees told CBS. Some patients have already had to be transferred to the ICU or emergency department because of the conditions, an employee said. However, a spokesperson for the Miami VA said that it moved 35 patients and 26 employees from a Miami facility to another in West Palm Beach as AC repairs are being made. "A limited number of patients were preemptively moved to other areas of the hospital (not the emergency department), ensuring maximum safety for our patients," the spokesperson, Ken Griffin told CBS. "We are continuously monitoring patient safety and comfort as we work through this issue. The claim that residents needed the emergency room is false, although the emergency room is available for anyone who feels they may need their service." The system expects to return patients to the Miami facility within three days, according to the outlet. Torture is prohibited everywhere and at all times. It is illegal, immoral, and a stain on our collective conscience. Today, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, I reaffirm the United States' opposition to all forms of inhumane treatment and our commitment to eliminating torture and assisting torture survivors as they heal and in their quests for justice. READ NEXT: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Historic Investments to Build Community Climate Resilience Torture destroys lives, families, and communities. Yet, every day, people around the world are subjected to this horrific violation of their human rights and human dignity. In Ukraine, we have seen evidence of appalling brutality by members of Russia's forces. Patterns of abuse included torture to compel cooperation with occupation authorities and during interrogations, such as through beatings, electrical shock, mock executions, and use of sexual violence. Inside Russia itself, reports of torture in places of detention are commonplace, including against activists and critics of government policies. In Syria, tens of thousands of Syrians remain forcibly disappeared and subject to torture, with families often never knowing the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. In North Korea, there are widespread credible reports of torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane, and degrading punishment by the government, including in political prison camps, and against women specifically, such as sexual violence, forced abortion, and forced sterilization. We see reports of torture from every region of the world: no country is immune. It is our firm belief as a nation that we must hold ourselves to the same standards to which we hold others. This is why we continue to ensure that torture remains prohibited in all of its forms, without exception. This is also why the United States will continue to be the world's largest contributor to the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which has provided desperately needed assistance to survivors of torture and their families from around the world as they undertake the long process of physical, psychological, economic, and social recovery. It is why we are providing the largest ever funding amount for the U.S. Survivors of Torture Program in the Office of Refugee Resettlement at HHS, and have requested even more funding in coming years, to help survivors and their families build new lives in the United States. It is why we work to promote justice for victims and survivors around the world. And, it is why we must take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment as a nation to ending the practice of torture once and for all. I call on all nations around the world to join me in supporting rehabilitation and justice for torture survivors and in taking action to eliminate torture and inhumane treatment for good. READ MORE: Statement from President Joe Biden on New Steps Against Perpetrators of Sexual Violence in Conflict @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two women were shot and killed at a Diamond Bar, Calif.-based assisted living facility, Fox affiliate KTTV reported June 24. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to the call around 8 a.m. Police found two women with gunshot wounds at the Happy Home Care for Elderly. The women were pronounced dead. Police have not said whether the victims were employees or residents of the facility, NBC affiliate KNBC reported. Police told NBC and Fox they arrested a 40-year-old employee who worked as a live-in caretaker at the facility. Neighbors told KNBC that the Happy Home Care housed six residents and some employees. Editor's note: Becker's had reached out to the facility and will update this story if more information becomes available. Fungal infections are on the rise in part due to more people with compromised immune systems and deadly pathogens adapting to warmer temperatures and physicians need to be ready, experts told The Wall Street Journal in a June 22 report. "It's going to get worse," Tom Chiller, MD, head of CDC's fungal diseases branch, told the news outlet. In many cases, fungi aren't being considered as the culprit of recurring symptoms until it's too late for treatments to be effective. When antibiotics don't work the first time or there's confusion over what's causing symptoms, fungi should be considered right away, specialists told the Journal. Fungal pathogens becoming more resistant to standard treatments is another key concern. Part of the challenge is the lack of training physicians receive in medical school around identifying and treating fungal infections, experts said. Typically, only a few hours of curriculum are dedicated to the topic. "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," George Thompson, MD, infectious disease specialist at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., told the Journal. Four more notes that illustrate the threat posed by fungi: Between 2020 and 2021, at least 2,800 people in the U.S. died from fungal infections related to COVID-19, which is a significant risk factor for fungal infections. Clinical cases of Candida auris grew 95 percent from 2016 to 2021. Health agencies consider C. auris among the pathogens that pose the greatest threat to public health. The multidrug-resistant pathogen carries a 30 percent to 60 percent death rate. Between 250,000 and 500,000 Americans are infected with the mold Histoplasma each year. A Missouri agency planned to auction off personal protective equipment it bought with federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the event was abruptly canceled after the agency learned it could not resell the items, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported June 22. The state's mental health department bookmarked 50,000 protective masks, 18,000 hospital gowns, 11,000 shoe covers, and about 2,000 goggles and 2,000 face shields for the auction, according to the news outlet. Healthcare products purchased through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds are not allowed to be resold. Before the auction was canceled, $9 was bid for all of the hospital gowns, $102 for the masks and $110 for the protective goggles. A spokesperson with the department told the Post-Dispatch the medical supplies are stored at Fulton State Hospital and the agency is "working with other state agencies to identify a solution." When it comes to recruitment and retention, healthcare organizations must focus on experienced nurses as well as new nurses. Focus on the latter group involves preparing new graduates as they begin practice while exposing them to today's healthcare environment. At Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health, this involves a residency program for registered nurses with less than 12 months' experience. The program is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. The program "surrounds those nurses during the entirety of their first year of practice, making sure that we support them," said Michael Vaccaro, RN, senior vice president of nursing at Novant Health. "Because it's a challenge when you first become a nurse and step into an acute care facility. And so we provide a lot of support structure to those nurses as they enter the organization, and we've seen our residency program pay dividends." Novant Health has 36,000 employees and an estimated 6,000 registered nurses. New nursing school graduates in the residency program spend a year in the program and rotate across up to as many as four departments. "We want to make sure that nurses coming out of school and transitioning to practice find the right fit for them. So we give our residents the opportunity to work in four different departments over the course of their first year of practice," Mr. Vaccaro told Becker's. He said this allows nurses to identify the unit that fits best for their practice and also incentivizes departments across Novant Health "to really roll out the red carpet for new graduates." Overall, Novant Health views the program as a success as far as retention. The health system will hire about 700 residents this year through the nurse residency program. It has also seen a retention rate of more than 85 percent among new nurses after one year of practice. Mr. Vaccaro said the connections with peers and the social learning community provided through the program is among the factors contributing to this retention. "We've seen some real success in training those nurses as they transition to practice and retaining those nurses," he said. "We're looking to grow that even larger than where we will be this year." In addition to the nurse residency program, Novant Health has implemented a clinical teaching associate program. Nursing schools provide a critical pipeline for hospitals and health systems. And this pipeline is even more important for these organizations as they seek to fill vacancies by nurses who left their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Colleges and universities have launched nursing programs and partnerships nationwide to fill the pipeline. Potential students have also expressed interest in entering the nursing workforce. The number of students in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs decreased by 1.4 percent last year, according to data released in May by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The data also showed that nursing schools turned away thousands of qualified applicants in 2022 due largely to a shortage of faculty and clinical training sites. With all these factors and others in mind, Novant Health created a clinical teaching associate position. Mr. Vaccaro said nurses at the health system in this position can function as adjunct faculty for colleges to allow them to expand some of their clinical groups and to potentially expand some of their class sizes by using clinical teaching associates. "We're trying to partner with colleges and universities to grow the capacity of what the schools have in terms of training," he said. "We're trying to think about how we can help support the capacity of schools." Mr. Vaccaro acknowledged, however, that there is no one program or initiative that will quickly address workforce challenges hospitals are facing. "I think everybody wants an easy answer. Everybody wants to be able to flip a switch and change it," he said. "I think what I would say is it really does require multiple strategies. So thinking about how do you build a better pipeline? How do you create a better work environment for people so that you're retaining those folks? And how do you think more creatively around how you deliver care? I think you've got to do work in all of those buckets to really move into the future." Bloomington, Minn.-based Twin Cities Orthopedics has opened a new facility in Forest Lake, Minn., further expanding its presence in Washington County. The new Forest Lake location features TCO's 12th orthopedic urgent care clinic in the area, providing specialized care for sudden and acute injuries, according to a June 26 press release sent to Becker's. The location will also offer comprehensive physical therapy services. Average payout to homes here from financial aid schemes was 2,220 The overall support package for households across the UK since last summer is expected to cost an estimated 78bn Households in Northern Ireland have benefited by over 2 billion from government support measures to combat energy cost rises, it has been revealed. New figures from The Department for Levelling Up for 2022/23 and 2023/24 have shown the UK-wide energy support schemes put in place by government cost more than furlough during the Covid pandemic with the average NI household receiving 2,221 from support measures. The Department said that equates to an 8.8% increase in the average household income. The figures also show that poorer households across the UK benefited most from the financial support to help meet rising energy bills with the poorest 10% of households in Northern Ireland receiving an average of 2,799 in payments since July last year. This is the equivalent of an extra two months net salary more than 20% of their annual disposable income. The overall support package for households across the UK since last summer is expected to cost an estimated 78bn UK-wide and is the largest single fiscal intervention by the UK Government since the Second World War. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said the figures demonstrate the commitment of government to help those in need of support. Northern Ireland residents have faced significant challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis and energy price rises, he said. Amidst these difficult circumstances, the UK Government has stepped in to support people. Despite energy being a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, the scale of the cost-of-living challenge gave us no choice but to step in, he added. Id also like to remind those on pre-payment meters to claim their UK Government vouchers worth up to 600 before June 30, to fully benefit from the support available. Of the 2bn of financial support in Northern Ireland, more than 1bn was provided in the form of the Energy Price Guarantee, which capped the energy bill for a typical home at 2,109 per year, and the additional 600 provided to every home to cut energy bills. The 600 Energy Bill Support Scheme payment was 200 more than most households in Great Britain received reflecting the fact that around two thirds of households in Northern Ireland use home heating oil as their primary source of heat so would not have benefited from the gas component of the Energy Price Guarantee. A further 0.7bn was provided through targeted cost-of-living payments to those who already received certain UK benefit payments. The remaining funds were spent on other support measures which included the freeze in fuel duty. The report shows that total support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is around 13bn, and while in Northern Ireland the average support was 2,221, families in Wales received an average of 1,914 and those in Scotland 1,850. Government figures showed the poorest 10% of households are set to gain 2,799 in Northern Ireland, 2,482 in Wales and 2,302 in Scotland. Both routes will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays Easyjet launched new flights to London Luton and Manchester from Belfast City Airport on Monday. This brings the total number of destinations served from the city airport by the airline to six. Both year-round flights will operate up to four times a week and will help maintain connectivity between the regions with fares starting from 24.99 one way. Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, said: These new routes not only bolster our route network but underline our commitment to meeting customer demand and offering unparalleled connectivity across the UK. Both routes will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays." Easyjet staff celebrate the new routes. Ali Gayward, UK Country Manager at easyJet, added: We are delighted to be celebrating the launch of our new domestic service from Belfast City to London Luton and Manchester for the first time, further strengthening our network in Belfast City. We are proud to be the largest airline in Northern Ireland and remain committed to offering customers great value fares and more choice when they fly with us. TUI has announced that from May 2024 it will carry passengers direct from Belfast International Airport to Cyprus and Tunisia. TUI has announced that from May 2024 it will carry passengers direct from Belfast International Airport to Cyprus and Tunisia In addition, it will double its capacity of flights available from Belfast International Airport to Costa Dorada and Lanzarote. Flights will take off weekly every Thursday from May 16 until September 12. Holidaymakers will have the opportunity to discover resorts including Ayia Napa, Nissi Beach, Protaras and Alaminos and can choose from a range of hotels and guest experiences. Tunisia is a popular holiday destination with its collection of ancient towns and villages offering markets, medinas and mosques. TUI will operate weekly flights each Sunday from May 26th 24 until September 29thh, 24 and local holidaymakers can choose from resorts include Hammamet, Monastir, Port El Kantaoui, Skanes, Sousse, Yasmine Hammamet and Mahdia. TUI will also double their flight programme to Costa Dorada and Lanzarote to provide holidaymakers, with ten and eleven-night holiday options now available. Welcoming the changes for TUIs Summer 2024 programme, Craig Morgan Head of Ireland for TUI, said: We are delighted to be able to announce these exciting additions to our holiday programme for summer 2024 from Belfast International Airport. As well as doubling our capacity for holidaymakers travelling to Costa Dorada and Lanzarote we are thrilled to see the welcome return of Larnaca, Cyprus which is among one of our most requested destinations and the popular destination of Tunisia. Graham Keddie, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport, said: TUI are one of our longest serving customers and we very much welcome the addition of new services to both Larnaca and Tunisia. These destinations have long been requested by our passengers and we are delighted that TUI have expanded their range of destinations to include them. TUI also recently announced it has doubled capacity of flights from Belfast International Airport to Florida. From next June, TUI will operate eight departures direct from Belfast to Florida throughout June and July using TUIs own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Flights will take off weekly on Tuesdays and Saturday from 18th June 2024 offering fourteen-night holidays in Orlando. Thousands of North Koreans marched in anti-US mass rallies Sunday (June 25) in Pyongyang to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War, North Korean state media said. More than 120,000 attendees pledge to bring "merciless" revenge against "U.S. imperialists'' at the capital's Mayday Stadium. While the event commemorated the North Korean surprise attack on its southern neighbor, the demonstrators promoted their government's version of events, accused the United States of provoking war, and left Koreans with "wounds...that can never be healed." 'U.S. Within Our Missiles' Range,' Pyongyang Rally Slogans Say During the rally, North Koreans expressed pride in Kim's expanding nuclear weapons and missile programs, insisting their country has the "strongest absolute weapon to punish the U.S. imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dare provoke." Photos published by North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun showed the stadium filled with people in COVID-19 masks, raising their fists in the air, and holding signs reading "Let's eradicate U.S. imperialist invaders" and "The entire U.S. mainland is within our striking range." The rallies came amid heightened tensions in the region, especially during North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology in its failed attempt to launch its first spy satellite in orbit, as well as the U.S. and South Korea's joint military exercises. Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles of various ranges to display its dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the U.S. and South Korea. The Hermit Kingdom has also been expediting efforts to launch its military reconnaissance satellite into orbit following a failed first attempt in May. Recent military intelligence also showed troop and vehicle movements, as well as the building of structures for a rumored parade in Pyongyang on July 27, the anniversary of the Korean War armistice. The military parade in February rolled out in a parade of what appeared to be a fleet of new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) that were used during its first flight test in April. If perfected, the weapon would give Kim a more mobile and harder-to-detect weapon to target the continental United States. Read Also: U.S. Nuclear Submarine Returns to South Korea After North Korea Resumes Missile Tests Fighting the North with Words Meanwhile, Park Sang-hak, a North Korean defector-turned-activist in South Korea, said he flew balloons carrying some 200,000 anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and COVID-19 medical supplies across the border Sunday night. The move was part of his long-running campaign that often triggered angry responses from the north. Photos sent by Park showed a placard with a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a message about how his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, was responsible for starting the Korean War. North Korea has not commented on Park's latest ballooning stint. According to the South Korean foreign ministry, U.S. and South Korean nuclear envoys accused Pyongyang of distorting history by repeating old claims that the U.S. caused the Korean War. In their latest telephone discussion over North Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry official Kim Gunn and Washington's special representative to Pyongyang, Sung Kim noted how the North Koreans were blaming the U.S. and its Asian allies for recent tensions triggered by its intensified weapons tests and verbal threats of nuclear conflict. Related Article: North Korea Slams Official Responsible for Failed Spy Satellite Launch, Calls Shortcoming the 'Gravest Failure' @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Co Tyrone-born business leader is a rarity in Silicon Valley where less than 5% of the top 150 public tech companies in Silicon Valley have women as CEOs, Tara Cobham writes Sarah Friar receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) for distinguished service to the international technology industry from Ulster University From bigotry and rudeness to endlessly polarised arguments that leave everyone involved angry, social media can be a pretty unpleasant place sometimes. But local networking app Nextdoor aims to change all that, and is going so far as using AI to encourage users to be kinder in their conversations with their neighbours, both real and virtual. As one of the few female CEOs in Silicon Valley, Sarah Friar has faced her own challenges in overcoming prejudice to rise to the top. Now living and working in San Francisco, the Co Tyrone native tells The Independent her journey has not been easy, having frequently found herself in rooms with few if any other women. She is talking about the reality no one wants to hear that you do have to work harder as a woman in the tech and business worlds. According to Harvard Universitys Gender Diversity in the Silicon Valley report, less than 5% of the top 150 public tech companies have women as CEOs. Sarah, whos from Sion Mills, describes how her journey to becoming CEO of a community-based company is rooted in her childhood experiences, as her mum and dad were Nextdoor before the internet. We sat down for dinner and inevitably there would be a knock at the door, she says. Whatever they [the neighbours] needed, my parents would be there. There was an inordinate sense of a community helping itself because no one else was coming for you. When my idealism is at its maximum for Nextdoor, its that feeling the sense of community and changing the world at a grassroots level. Launching in 2008, Nextdoor aims to connect people with others in their local area and is now used by more than 305,000 neighbourhoods around the world including one in four UK households. Dubbed the friendly social media app, it allows users to offer and receive help from people living nearby, and meet those they might otherwise not come across in real life. In a departure from other social platforms, members have to use their real names and addresses when posting, which helps to prevent trolling and bots online, and kindness reminders using artificial intelligence encourage users to rephrase abusive language. Amid the rise of identity politics, Sarah says she wishes there was more of an attitude of were all human, were all together, although she is optimistic current divisions will not last forever. She says her experiences growing up in Northern Ireland should inspire hope: The Northern Irish hated each other, but somehow they got together and made peace and it has stuck. Sarah Friar receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) for distinguished service to the international technology industry from Ulster University Sarah recently returned to her home country to celebrate the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, where she sat on a panel with the likes of Hillary Clinton. She marvelled at where Northern Ireland is now compared to the country ravaged by sectarian violence that she experienced as a child. The businesswoman, who has now lived and worked in America for over two decades, says she left Northern Ireland because there was not enough economic opportunity at that time and she had that Irish wanderlust. She held executive roles at Goldman Sachs, as well as leadership positions in both London and South Africa at McKinsey, which then funded two years of business school for her in the US, where she fell in love with Silicon Valley. But, she says: I was one of very few women engineers in my class. Then I went into finance no women. Then I went into tech no women. Prior to serving as CEO of Nextdoor, Sarah was CFO of Jack Dorseys fintech company Square. Despite having already been successful in raising over $3bn for the company, she remembered a time she pitched to investors, and afterwards they only wanted to speak with Jack. She cites examples where she had made comments in business meetings and a few moments later a man says the same thing and its like he cured cancer. Sarah says she has had to learn to stay true to her values and is better at calling those things out now. Its about not being afraid to have that conversation. That doesnt mean that path is going to be easy, because you could end up being the woman in the room who is too strident or too loud, she says. I do have an Im just going to do it attitude. Then, the minute you get a seat at the table, you grab someone else and pull them up. In a bid to make lasting change, Sarah founded Ladies Who Launch in 2013, a not-for-profit that empowers, supports and provides a community for female and non-binary entrepreneurs. But there is clearly still a long way to go last year, companies founded solely by women garnered just 2.1% of funding invested in start-ups in the US, according to the latest PitchBook data. The whole chain is male-dominated, she says. Its getting better, but its not good enough. The comedian shared a stage with Carl Frampton to talk about their experiences of living here Carl Frampton and Patrick Kielty at the Docs Ireland Film Festival at Cineworld in Belfast yesterday Its not often that comedian Patrick Kielty is lost for words but he was remaining tight lipped last night on the payments scandal that has rocked his new employers at RTE. Kielty was on stage alongside former world champion boxer Carl Frampton as they discussed their documentary film-making work in the closing event of the Belfasts Docs Festival. While the pair were lined up to talk about all things Northern Ireland, the main topic of conversation in the audience at the Sunday night showcase at Cineworld in the SSE Arena concerned Mr Kieltys new employers. The Co Down comedian is due to take over the top job in Irish television later this summer as host of The Late Late Show, replacing scandal hit Ryan Tubridy. Last week it emerged that presenter Ryan Tubridy was paid 345,000 more than publicly stated between the years 2017 and 2022. On top of his salary, a separate agreement saw that Mr Tubridy was guaranteed by RTE an additional annual income of 75,000 intended to come from a commercial partner. Kielty will take over from Tubridy as host when The Late Late Show returns to the air later this year. Members of the media were warned in advance of the show that Mr Kielty would not be taking questions on the controversy around the broadcaster. A spokesperson for RTE said this decision was made as RTE is not ready to launch the Late Late Show plans as of yet and didnt want to take away from the documentary festival. The spokesperson said it was not as a result of the payment scandal engulfing the station. We want to launch the new season of the Late Late Show properly later in the summer, they said. Despite all that, Kielty was still quizzed briefly on the RTE fallout. But all he would say was: Id need a few more beers before I could talk about that. The event itself saw the two men share their experiences of life in Northern Ireland. They have both been involved in making documentaries about Northern Ireland in recent years. And both were full of praise for the impact being made by Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland. Its one of the best pieces of television Ive ever seen, said Frampton, whose foray into documentary films has seen him cover mental health issues amongst men in Northern Ireland. I honestly think young people in schools should be made to sit down and watch it all. Kielty said the programme in which he appeared in the final episode, had shown him how much Northern Ireland needs to see those from different communities as people. It brought back memories for me of the week of the Shankill bomb, he said. People around Botanic where the Empire Comedy Club had started up were frightened. I had a gig in the Ardoyne cancelled that week but decided to go ahead with it. It was the only time theyve had to lock the doors from the inside. But nearer the time of the Good Friday Agreement I had a show in Newtownards. Mo Mowlam called me for a ticket. She said her plus one was to be Billy Hutchinson. She knew even then that we all needed to see each other as people and communicate as people. Ive always remembered that. Both Kielty and Frampton have been big supporters of integrated education and spent time discussing how Northern Ireland needs to introduce more cross-community schools. In my town of Dundrum we had 1,000 people, 100 kids and two schools. Children went to each school and 12 years later came out knowing a different version of history. They were then thrown into society and we expected it to work. In one of his documentaries, Kielty visited Shimna Integrated College. I had unionist and nationalist sitting side by side the best of mates, but able to disagree. It felt like a rinsing off of old attitudes. But it will take another generation before we get to where we need to be. He was also full of praise for the efforts of Carl Frampton to shine a light on issues concerning men and mental health. I had no idea about intergenerational trauma, Kielty said. I know the time is coming when I will be sitting in Dundrum with my kids having an ice cream and the office where my father was shot will be there. The conversation will happen. But I can tell them their granddad was the first person killed in the Troubles in Dundrum and also the last. "Thats the good news to come from it all. Despite their strongly-held convictions on creating a better Northern Ireland through generating conversations, neither man sees a career in politics. I look at the DUP and Sinn Fein and even if they do agree on something they have to be seen not to, said Frampton. What are we supposed to do about that? For Kielty, the belief is that if unionists want to protect the Union, then they have to make Northern Ireland more comfortable for nationalists. And the same in Ireland. Unionists would need to be made to feel welcome and at home, he added. RTE presenter Claire Byrne said her fee with the national broadcaster has fallen since she stopped hosting her weekly current affairs television programme (PA) RTE presenter Claire Byrne said her fee with the national broadcaster has fallen since she stopped hosting her weekly current affairs television programme. Byrne was speaking on her daily radio show for the first time since a scandal emerged over undisclosed payments to RTE star Ryan Tubridy. She had not been on air since the scandal began after going on a family trip to Co Kerry. I saw and heard the news coming in just as everyone else did, she said. I had no prior warning, no inkling that there was a problem on the horizon and I wasnt even aware that presenter fees were subjected to a Grant Thornton review. I knew absolutely nothing about it. Just like everyone else, Ive been grappling over the last few days with what has happened and the implications of it for all of us here in RTE and for you, who rely on us and expect us to be completely transparent. Byrne said she heard heartbreaking expressions of broken trust made by RTE viewers and listeners to call-in show Liveline over the matter. As programme makers, our aim is always to be consistent, fair and professional and to respect the hard-earned trust that you, the audience, has placed in us. Byrnes fee has been published by RTE on a biennial basis because she is among the top 10 on-air earners in the organisation. The fee that has been published for me most recently is correct, as are those published in the past, she said. I have never sought, been offered or discussed any kind of commercial or side deal. No other payment exists or has ever existed beyond my published fee. Secondly, my most recent published fee was 350,000 euro. That was the fee agreed by RTE for me to present this radio programme and Claire Byrne Live and, as you know, I decided not to continue with that television show for personal and family reasons. And so in order to be fully transparent with you, I want you to know that my RTE fee now is 280,000 euro and that fee is for presenting this programme. That last contract was negotiated by Noel Kelly. Byrne was speaking on her daily radio show for the first time since a scandal emerged over undisclosed payments to RTE star Ryan Tubridy, above (PA) I recently presented the television quiz show Irelands Smartest and for that I was paid a separate fee of 25,000 euro. That contract was negotiated by other members of the NK Management company. Byrne said she acknowledged this was a significant fee and beyond what many people could hope to earn. There are others who will, no doubt, have more to say about it, I am sure, but my personal decision here this morning is to be open and honest with you, she said. But my decision to do this is not meant to set a precedent for others or to force anyone else to release their information. That is a matter entirely for themselves. I felt that, for me, it was the right thing to do today. With that fee that I earn comes a duty for me to treat this position with respect and I hope that you can trust me and the team of journalists I work with to cover this story with the same rigour and balance as we would any other story on this programme. Dark tourism: From Titanic to the Troubles, why do people visit sites with tragic histories? The ill-fated trip to see the Titanic wreckage is just the latest in a long line of morbid attractions that people have taken to visiting, writes Andrew Madden The Paris Catacombs Andrew Madden Mon 26 Jun 2023 at 07:40 Appearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court today by video-link from Hydebank Wood, 35-year-old Kelly Ann Bradley confirmed that she understood the four charges against her, all alleged to have been committed on September 28 last year. Bradley, from the Antrim Road area in the north of the city, faces two counts of conveying list A articles into HMP Maghaberry, namely buprenorphine and bromazolam and two counts of having the class C drugs with intent to supply. None of the alleged facts were opened in court, but a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case against Bradley, which was conceded by her defence lawyer. Bradley was told she had the right to comment on the charges and to call evidence on her own behalf, but she declined. Remanding Bradley back into custody, District Judge Rosie Watters returned the case to Craigavon Crown Court for trial, scheduling the arraignment to be heard on September 26. Family of murdered Nationalist Cllr Patsy Kelly attend Belfast High Court where a preliminary Judicial Review hearing was taking place. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 26th June 2023 Northern Irelands Attorney General is to reconsider her decision not to order a fresh inquest into the murder of a nationalist councillor nearly 50 years ago, the High Court heard today. Dame Brenda King is to review the case of Patsy Kelly and make a further determination by this Friday. A judge indicated that the victims family should be informed immediately of the outcome to the process. Mr Kelly, 35, was shot dead after being abducted on his way home from work at a pub in Trillick, Co Tyrone in July 1974. The independent nationalist councillors body was found weeks later in a Co Fermanagh lake. No-one has ever been convicted of his murder. Earlier this year a Police Ombudsman report identified inadequacies in the RUC investigation into the killing and found evidence of collusive behaviour. Although loyalists claimed responsibility, the victims family suspect soldiers from the Ulster Defence Regiment were involved. Mr Kellys widow, Teresa, launched judicial review proceedings in May after the Attorney General denied their request for a fresh tribunal into his death. Her concerns have been heightened by the UK Governments controversial legacy bill which would put an end to all Troubles-era litigation and inquests. In court today counsel for Mrs Kelly, Desmond Fahy KC, submitted: This was a brutal murder of her husband where she properly seeks a fresh inquest. However, he argued that she could be deprived of any effective remedy once the legislation completes its anticipated passage through Parliament next month. On the day and hour this bill becomes law, the Attorney General will not have the authority to order a fresh inquest, Mr Fahy contended. That is the urgency of the applicants position. Part of the challenge involves claims that there are enhanced human rights considerations due to the victims status as an elected representative. Mr Justice Scoffield was told Dame King has now pledged to make a redetermination decision by June 30. Despite fears of a limited impact, a senior barrister representing the Attorney General insisted all aspects of the familys request will be reconsidered. Tony McGleenan KQ also argued there is no certainty about the final shape of the legacy bill. Asked when he expected the legislation to obtain Royal assent, he replied: Probably before the Parliamentary recess, but thats no more than a guess. Adjourning the hearing, the judge indicated that proceedings should await the redetermination decision. He told Mrs Kellys legal representatives: I see no reason why that shouldnt be made by this Friday and communicated to you by this Friday, or at the very least the outcome and written decision by Monday. If that is not favourable to your client you can come back (over the summer) to make your submissions. 94% of parents at the nursery school backed the proposal. Downshire Nursery School will now submit plans for integrated status to the Department of Education Pupils and staff at Downshire Nursery School celebrating their successful parental ballot to Transform to Integrated status. A Co Down nursery will become the latest school in Northern Ireland to move officially to integrated status after parents voted overwhelmingly to support the proposal. 94% of parents at Downshire Nursery School in Banbridge voted in favour of plans to transform the school in a ballot put to them this month, carried out by Civia Election Services. Every adult registered as a parent or guardian was eligible to vote in the ballot. Kathryn Campbell, Principal of Downshire Nursery School, said a spirit of integration had been apparent at the school for some time. The Governors, staff, parents and pupils of Downshire Nursery School are delighted with the result of the Integration ballot, he said. "On my appointment to Downshire Nursery School, the spirit of integration was clearly apparent within the school. To create a pathway of choice for parents from the first steps of their childs educational journey is of huge importance to us as a school community. "Downshire Nursery School has always welcomed children of all abilities from all faiths and cultures and this official step to become an Integrated nursery school demonstrates the support within the local community. "We are very much looking forward to working with the Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) to proceed through the process to become fully integrated. Read more Parents at Northern Irelands largest school vote for integrated status "We have been providing high quality pre-school education for over forty years and we look forward with pride and positivity to the next forty. Tina Merron, Chief Executive of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) said the school would become part of a growing network of schools offering integrated education in the area. We commend the Board of Governors for giving their parents this opportunity, she said. Downshire Nursery School will now submit plans for integrated status to the Department of Education "The results from other parental ballots held in recent years suggest that when parents are informed and engaged on the issue of Integrated status for their childs school, then an overwhelming majority tend to vote in favour. "This is most encouraging and reflects the results of many public attitude surveys held on this important issue. A development proposal including a Transformation Action Plan will now be put together and submitted to the Department for Education, where a final decision will be made by Permanent Secretary Mark Browne. It comes after Northern Irelands largest post-primary school Bangor Academy also voted to move to integrated status earlier this month. Parents at the 1,836-pupil school voted by almost 80% to become integrated, with principal Matt Pitts describing the result as overwhelmingly positive. The entire school community, teachers and Board of Governors look forward to working closely with The Council for Integrated Education and the Integrated Education Fund to proceed through the process to become fully Integrated, he said. Cooper was a happy doggy last night playing the river in Orangefield Park A warning has been issued by a pet owner on social media after their dog was left with suspected neurological damage having recently been playing in a Belfast river. Golden Retriever Cooper was playing at a river in east Belfast before he quickly succumbed to what the owner described as toxins. In a social media post, Coopers owner said their vet has prepared us for the worst. "Cooper was a happy doggy last night playing the river in Orangefield Park escaping the heat. It only took 30 minutes for the toxins to take their toll on him, they wrote. Read more Vets issue warning after Belfast dog nearly dies following reaction to garden soil He has been admitted to the vet with suspected neurological damage. Please do not let your dogs into the river in Orangefield Park or other rivers. We will find out the results later but the vet has prepared us for the worst with other dogs fatally affected by the same thing. Keep your dogs safe. Users on social media were quick to leave their messages of support for Cooper, with one writing: Poor Cooper.. were all thinking of him. Hope he pulls through. Another said: Thinking of Cooper and his family today. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said they were investigating the incident. "NIEA received a report at 11:40am on June 26 of a dog that had become unwell following contact with the river in Orangefield Park the previous evening, said a spokesperson. "An officer has been tasked to investigate for evidence of pollution or algae issues. If anyone wishes to report water pollution they can do so by phoning the incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. There was a large police excavation in September 2001 at two houses in west Belfast's Rodney Parade when search for remains of John Rodgers (13) and Thomas Spence (11) who disappeared in 1974 According to PSNI data, 40,177 cases of young people disappearing have been investigated in the last seven years. While the vast majority were quickly found in all but two cases, the children were located each one has to be recorded and investigated by police. While the cases may include the same young person disappearing on more than one occasion, a Policing Board member said the figures were alarmingly high. John Rodgers went missing in November 1974 John Blair said a young peoples strategy recently launched by the PSNI must examine why so many cases occur. The PSNIs website details guidance for families who want to report someone missing, including a list of information they require to aid in their search. This includes basic information such as the persons physical description and where they were last seen, along with any medical conditions they have and if the person in question is addicted to drugs or alcohol. We understand that you may not know the answers to any of these questions but they help us to build up a picture of the missing persons lifestyle and assess any immediate risks to their safety and wellbeing, the guidance states. Police will commence a missing person search and will attend with you to record further details whilst the search is in progress. You may be asked for a recent picture of the missing person to help us locate them. A search for a missing person, especially a high risk missing person, uses police officers from all over Northern Ireland. We will keep you updated with our progress. It is vital that if you receive any communication with the missing person while we are searching for them, you let us know as soon as possible. It may help us locate them and ensure their wellbeing faster. Thomas Spence disappeared in November 1974 Once we locate someone we will ensure their physical and mental wellbeing. If required, we will task medical or mental health professionals to assess the person. You should note that if you report an adult missing and we locate them, they may not wish their location known. In this instance we will update you that they are safe and well, but we cannot disclose their location. Alliance Party MLA John Blair, a member of the Policing Board, expressed concern. Police statistics show that an alarmingly high number of young people are reported missing each year in Northern Ireland, he said. Whilst, in truth, most of these issues are resolved swiftly and locally, this must remain a matter of concern and high priority given issues around safeguarding and vulnerability as well as the fact that younger people are more likely to be victims of crime than older people. The PSNI, as recently as June 13, launched its Children and Young Peoples Strategy with assistance from young people in drafting this and taking it forward. The strategy aims to maximise inter-agency co-operation and actions and it is vital that this work also includes examination of issues around children reported missing. One of Northern Irelands most notorious missing persons cases is that of Thomas Spence (11) and his best friend, John Rodgers (13), who vanished after leaving their west Belfast homes to catch the school bus on November 26, 1974. In 2001 police detained a man and questioned him over the boys disappearance, but he was later released without charge. A haul of more than 10 million illegal cigarettes, representing around 5.3m in unpaid taxes, was seized at Belfast Port by HMRC after being found inside a container scanned by Border Force (Handout/HMRC/PA) More than 10 million illegal cigarettes have been seized at Belfast Port. The haul, which represented around 5.3 million in unpaid taxes, was seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after being found inside a container that was scanned by Border Force. No arrests have been made but HMRC has launched an investigation. Lucie Irving, assistant director of the fraud investigation service at HMRC, said tobacco fraud can be used as a resource for organised crime groups. Cheap cigarettes come at a cost as they often fund organised crime and other illegal activity that causes real harm to our communities, such as drugs, guns and human trafficking, she said. This is a huge seizure of illegal cigarettes and our streets would have been flooded with them had they not been discovered. We are determined to stamp out tobacco fraud by working closely with our partners in the UK and internationally to bring those responsible to justice. More than 10 million illegal cigarettes have been seized at Belfast Port (Handout/HMRC/PA) Darren Brabon, assistant director of Border Force Northern Ireland Command, said the seizure of the cigarettes will help prevent harm to young people and the local community. Illicit cigarettes are dangerous, harmful and fund organised criminal gangs, he said. Children and young people are key targets for those who peddle illegal tobacco and cigarettes, encouraging them to take up smoking and exposing them to crime. This seizure is another example of our commitment with HMRC and partner agencies to stop these illicit items from entering the country and harming our communities. The illicit tobacco market costs the UK around 2.5 billion a year. Anyone with information about cigarette fraud is urged to contact HMRC online. A ransomware organization has conducted a cyber attack that has affected students from New York City, tens of thousands have gotten their data stolen, although reports say some cases were worse than others. NYC Ransomware Attack The attack was directed at the New York City Department of Education. Around 45,000 students were impacted wherein some of the students had their social security numbers and birthdates stolen. Reports say that the attack affected faculty members as well. The organization behind the hack is said to be the Clop ransomware organization, which was done through a MOVEit file transfer software, as mentioned in Engadget. It was made possible by the zero-day vulnerability in the software which also made other companies susceptible to hacks. The New York City Department of Education expressed that the safety and security of their students and staff, including their information and data, is of "utmost importance" for the department. Finding out which confidential information was stolen has been a priority. More importantly, the department has been trying to determine how the attack affects all the individuals who had their data stolen. Upon learning more about the extent of the attack, students and faculty members will be notified. The department is also offering access to an identity monitoring service to those who have been impacted by the attack. With data like names, birth dates, and other information accessed by the threat actors, the victims might be subjected to fraudulent activities like identity theft. Sadly, the recent incident is just an addition to the ongoing breaches that the ransomware gang has carried out. Given that the zero-day vulnerability also affected others, the hacker organization saw it as an opportunity to launch a series of attacks. Read Also: Crown Resorts Confirms Ransomware Attack Following GoAnywhere Data Breach Other Ransomware Attacks The Clop ransomware gang also claimed responsibility for other attacks in the past, stating that they have breached the servers of "hundreds of companies." The hacker group said that they started exploiting the vulnerability back on May 27th during the US Memorial Day holiday. As you know, holidays often mean that fewer workers are in, meaning that threat actors are less likely to get caught while breaching a system. According to Bleeping Computer, conducting attacks during holidays has been a common tactic for the Clop ransomware group. The ransomware organization threatened to post the stolen data from the MOVEit hacks on their leak website if the ransom is not paid, although it's still unknown whether the breach of the New York Department of Education is included. The threat actors did not immediately use the data to perform fraudulent activities, nor did they extort any of the victims. This may be an indication that the hacker group is still determining which data is important and could be of use. In some cases, the ransomware organization would wait for more than a month before even demanding a ransom, which is the case for the GoAnywhere MFT attacks, according to reports, so it might be a while before ransom demands are given for the students' data. Related: 5 Alarming Ransomware Facts You Shouldn't Ignore The Northern Ireland Office and PSNI have been urged to disclose evidence relating to the Bloody Sunday killings in their possession since 1998. Declassified files revealed that the NIO and then NI Secretary Mo Mowlam drafted a statement in January 1998 in which she said a criminal investigation should be launched against soldiers for the Bloody Sunday killings. On January 30, 1972, 13 civilians were killed in the Bogside area of Derry. A 14th man died later. In her draft statement, Ms Mowlam could not rule out prosecutions and was prepared to give an unequivocal commitment that once an investigation had concluded the relevant authorities would consider the appropriate action. According to documents, all evidence the Government had was passed to then RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan, and he had given it clearance, saying the idea of an independent person to give validity to the process was being considered. A draft letter from Prime Minister Tony Blair to then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern went even further. It explained that his officials had examined in detail the assessment, the supporting material that was passed to the previous government by John Hume MP and some of the relatives of those killed. Some of the allegations opened up complex lines of inquiry which the UK Government followed up on. The key part of Blairs draft statement reads: The most significant of these were the allegations by a named soldier that some of his colleagues shot and killed unarmed civilians. We have now made contact with the former soldier through an independent lawyer acting on our behalf. It appears to us that the material encompasses allegations of criminal offences such as to make a criminal investigation appropriate. Accordingly we concluded that we had to pass all our findings to the police. We have handed over all the material that we received to the RUC. The information was not made public, the documents say, to avoid prejudicing a police investigation. However, a police investigation never materialised it was abandoned in favour of a long, drawn-out inquiry. There have no subsequent successful prosecutions, raising questions over what happened to this file. When questioned about the whereabouts of the file; asked whether it was passed to the Saville Inquiry and if this evidence could be central to prosecution cases against soldiers, the PSNI and NIO refused to answer questions directly. Neither organisation could confirm whether they still have the file. Its understood the file was not passed to the Public Prosecution Service as a criminal investigation was not mounted at the time. However, the NIO and PSNI should still have it in their possession. The NIO merely stated criminal prosecutions are a matter for the prosecuting authorities. The NIO has vowed that its new Troubles Legacy legislation would put victims and families first. At the same time, it has refused to comment on the whereabouts and significance of a file relating to Bloody Sunday. Soldier F is the lone paratrooper facing prosecution over events on Bloody Sunday. The PSNI said that whilst there are ongoing legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. Tony Doherty, chair of the Bloody Sunday Trust, whose father Patrick was murdered on Bloody Sunday, said: We would welcome the release of any information held by the NIO or PSNI regarding Bloody Sunday, including the documents referred to. As to the then Blair governments deliberations as to the best course of action, a criminal investigation by the RUC would not have received our support at that time, given their own role in the events and the sectarian nature of the force itself Even on reflection the wisest course of action was clearly the tribunal of inquiry that the Blair government established in January 1998. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described it as completely unacceptable that the Bloody Sunday families had to learn about this evidence following the release of declassified files. To find out that a criminal investigation was considered and not pursued will only have compounded the sense of hurt and frustration they deal with as they continue to fight for truth and justice, he said. Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy said families have a right to, and deserve, full disclosure about the circumstances surrounding the death of their loved ones. Sinn Fein has responded after criticism that the party did not sign a joint statement opposing intimidation of prison officers and the PSNI. The statement was released in response to a video of "individuals removing Prison Service recruitment advertisements and posting anti-PSNI posters. The statement was signed by the leaders of the other four main Stormont parties Alliances Naomi Long, the DUPs Jeffrey Donaldson, the SDLPs Colum Eastwood and the UUPs Doug Beattie. When asked by the Belfast Telegraph why Michelle ONeill had not signed the letter, Sinn Fein said its support for the Prison Service and the PSNI is consistent. There is no place for intimidation in our society and everyone, including all public servants, should be able to work free from intimidation, they added. A man removing the poster at a bus stop. Sinn Feins policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly was on the record this weekend of condemning threats to Alliance Councillor Michael Long and his party colleagues for speaking out against sectarian and Nazi symbols associated with a loyalist bonfire, the flying of flags to intimidate and mark out territory and the destruction of the prison service poster. During the weekend a video emerged on social media showing Northern Ireland Prison Service recruitment posters being removed from a bus stop in Londonderry by members of a republican group. The video also shows posters opposing the PSNI being put up. The full statement in support of PSNI and prison workers signed by the leaders of the other parties said: We offer our full support to all those working within these services, and to the recruitment process underway within the Prison Service. There can be no place for those who engage in threats or intimidation towards those who serve the community as Prison Officers or within the PSNI. Those engaging in such tactics do not speak for the people who we represent as political leaders. We encourage everyone in our society to consider the PSNI and the NI Prison Service as valuable career opportunities. Suella Braverman urged MPs and peers to back the Bill to stop the boats (Victoria Jones/PA) Ministers could spend 169,000 on every asylum seeker forcibly removed to a third country such as Rwanda, according to the Home Offices own estimates. Nearly two in five people would need to be deterred from crossing the Channel in small boats for the Illegal Migration Bill to break even, the economic impact assessment published on Monday said. Judges will hand down their judgment on the stalled Rwanda policy on Thursday as the Government desperately battles to fulfil its promise to stop the boats. Home Secretary Suella Braverman promised the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge would be in Portland by June 19 but it has not yet arrived (Yui Mok/PA) Last year 45,755 people were detected to have made the perilous journey. The Home Office document said the policy of relocating migrants to safe third countries could save between 106,000 and 165,000 per person. However, it said the figures are highly uncertain and that the measures would need to deter 37% of people from crossing for the costs to be recouped. The 169,000 cost includes flights and detention, as well as a 105,000 per person payment to third countries. The sum is an estimate not based on the true cost of the commercially sensitive Rwanda scheme. Despite Government efforts, Kigali is the only capital to have agreed to such a scheme with the UK. Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for Parliament to support her legislation, arguing that the assessment shows that doing nothing is not an option. We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer, she said. I urge MPs and Peers to back the Bill to stop the boats, so we can crack down on people smuggling gangs while bringing our asylum system back into balance. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said the plan was unworkable (Aaron Chown/PA) The document said that the asylum system could cost 32 million a day by the end of 2026 if recent trends continue without the reduction of hotel usage. The assessment said that it is not possible to estimate with precision the level of deterrence the Bill will have. It noted that academic consensus is there is little to no evidence that policy changes deter people leaving their home countries and seeking refuge. Instead, shared language, culture and family ties were accepted to be strong factors influencing choice of final destination. The document said evidence from a variety of countries such as Australia gives a stronger basis to think a policy change in the UK could have an impact. But it acknowledged asylum seekers may not be aware of UK law when making their journeys and may push on regardless because they consider the benefits to be larger than the risks. The assessment process does not consider the potential cost of making further agreements to expand the scheme beyond Rwanda, while noting that its estimates for the cost of third-party schemes was based on an National Audit Office study of the cost of the UKs Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme. It should not be considered to represent the actual cost of any current or future relocation agreement with a third country, the assessment notes. The Refugee Council, which criticised the assessment, pointed in particular to the assumption that individuals will spend on average four years in the asylum system. Chief executive Enver Solomon said the document fails to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the Bill. He added: It does very little to predict the actual cost of implementing the Bill, and offers no estimates of the number of arrivals after the Bill becomes law. The Home Office admits in this assessment that it does not know how much of a deterrent effect the Bill will actually have, yet it still relies on this assumption to claim financial savings will be made. The assessments predictions of future costs if the Bill is not implemented assume no improvements to decision-making efficiency, accommodation costs, or broader system enhancements. The reality is that making quicker decisions remains the most effective way to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the impact assessment a complete joke. By its own admission, this failing Conservative government is totally clueless on how much this Bill will cost or what the impact of any of its policies will be. They are taking the country for fools, the Labour MP said. The few figures the Home Office has produced show how chaotic and unworkable their plans are. The document came as Ms Bravermans plan to house asylum seekers on barges was branded unworkable as she missed her own target for the first vessel to be in place. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge is due into Portland, Dorset within the coming weeks, according to the Home Office (Matt Keeble/PA) The Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, which will house around 500 people, is not yet in Portland Port, Dorset, despite Mrs Braverman promising MPs it would be in the dock a week ago. The barge is currently in Falmouth, Cornwall, for checks, maintenance and refurbishment work. On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary told the Commons we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise. Bravermans plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this Governments asylum policy. The Home Secretary wants to use barges and sites including converted military bases to house asylum seekers and reduce the 6 million daily cost of hotel accommodation while people await a decision on their status. The Bibby Stockholm was the first barge secured under the plan, but its journey to Portland will now take place in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office. Stephen Lawrence was murdered while waiting for a bus in south-east London in 1993 (Family handout/PA) A suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence has been identified for the first time, with police apologising for mistakes in the original investigation 30 years ago. The Metropolitan Police said Matthew White was arrested twice over the murder, but on both occasions there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. Mr Lawrence was stabbed to death on April 22 1993 in an unprovoked, racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, after he was set upon by a gang of white youths shouting racial slurs and brandishing weapons. The bungled original investigation hampered by racism and alleged police corruption meant it took nearly 20 years for two of the 18-year-olds killers to be brought to justice, with three named suspects never prosecuted. Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris were jailed for life for Stephen Lawrences murder (PA) Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 2012 at the end of a trial that hinged on tiny traces of forensic evidence found years after the crime. Two of the three remaining suspects, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have since served jail time for drug dealing, while Luke Knight has remained free. The identification of White, who died aged 50 in 2021, comes after a BBC investigation which claimed he had a central role in the case. White was first arrested over the murder in March 2000 and again in December 2013 but, on both occasions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence, the Met said. In a statement prompted by the BBC investigation, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. Following the 2012 convictions, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large. White was first brought up in the investigation in May 1993 when he told officers he had visited the homes of two other suspects on the night of the murder, Scotland Yard said. He was seen by police officers when he refused to attend the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry before being re-interviewed during the post-inquiry investigation. Suspects (L to R) David Norris, Jamie Acourt and Luke Knight leave the Stephen Lawrence Murder Inquiry (Justin Williams/PA) Between March and April 2000 White was arrested and interviewed under caution after new information was received from a new witness but denied any involvement in the murder. In May 2005, prosecutors advised that there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence. Following the convictions of Norris and Dobson, a seven-year post-conviction investigation was launched. In 2013 it was discovered that a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message about a relative of White who may hold information in 1993. The relative was not named and was misidentified in what the Met has called a significant and regrettable error. It was not until 2012 that the relative was correctly identified and new information was obtained. The Met said White was arrested for a second time in December 2013 based on the new information but in October 2014 a further CPS advice file found that no further action should be taken. In February 2020, White was seen and spoken to again but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress any further before he died in August 2021. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced in 2020 that, following an investigation launched in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the CPS to consider whether four former police officers who were in senior roles at various times during the opening weeks of the murder investigation may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes may advance the case. Centre-right leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been formally sworn in as Greeces prime minister after easily winning a second term with a record margin over the left-wing opposition, but also facing a parliament that includes legislators from new far-right parties. With 99.7% of the vote counted, his New Democracy party had 40.55% more than twice the main opposition Syriza partys 17.84%. It was the largest margin of victory in a Greek election in half a century and slightly expanded New Democracys 20 percentage point lead in an election held five weeks earlier. Mr Mitsotakis, 55, was sworn in after President Katerina Sakellaropoulou formally gave him the mandate to govern. My aim was to secure a stable government with a parliamentary majority. Unfortunately, two elections were needed for that, he said in a televised meeting with Ms Sakellaropoulou. I have committed to implement major, deeply needed reforms over the next four years, (and) have a strong mandate to do that. ND won in 58 of the countrys 59 electoral regions, capturing traditional socialist and left-wing strongholds, some for the first time. Mr Mitsotakis spoke with Ms Sakellaropoulou about the surprise election showings by four marginal parties three from the far right and one from the far left. Their entry raises the number of political groups represented in parliament from five to eight. I think our democracy is mature enough to handle whatever temporary turbulence (ensues), the prime minister said. Held under a new electoral law that boosts the first party, Sundays vote gave ND a comfortable majority of 158 seats in the 300-member parliament, with Syriza getting 48. A May election had failed to provide Mr Mitsotakis with a majority due to the electoral system then in force, which prompted the new vote. Kyriakos Mitsotakis with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP) The centre-left Panhellenic Socialist Movement, or PASOK, elected 32 legislators and the Stalinist-rooted Communist Party got 20. The remaining 42 seats will be shared between three far-right parties including one endorsed by a jailed former senior official in a defunct, Nazi-inspired party and a fourth party representing the far-left. Mr Mitsotakis campaigned on a platform of securing economic growth and political stability, cutting taxes and boosting incomes as Greece gradually recovers from a nearly decade-long financial crisis. Greek government bonds are still rated below investment grade, although that is widely expected to change this year amid a booming economy and the prospect of stable government. Mr Mitsotakis faces several challenges. He must maintain the economic rebound amid a cost-of-living crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, and improve relations with neighbouring Turkey which nosedived in 2020 over offshore gas drilling rights but has stabilised in recent months. His new cabinet announced on Monday largely rotated key members of his previous government. Supporters of Kyriakos Mitsotakis celebrate outside his party HQ in Athens (Yorgos Karahalis/AP) Harvard-educated Mr Mitsotakis comes from one of Greeces most prominent political families. His late father, Constantine Mitsotakis, was prime minister in the 1990s, his sister was a foreign minister and his nephew is the mayor of Athens. Despite scandals late in his first term, including revelations of wiretapping targeting senior politicians and journalists and a deadly February 28 train crash that exposed poor safety measures in public transport, voters returned to power a prime minister who delivered economic growth and lowered unemployment. His first government pursued a tough border policy, greatly reducing the flow of people smuggling boats, but has been accused of illegally deporting migrants back to Turkey, which it has denied. His main rival, 48-year-old Alexis Tsipras, was prime minister from 2015 to 2019 during the height of Greeces financial crisis. Despite the election result, he has shown no inclination to resign as party leader and there have been no open calls from within his party for him to do so. All three of the far-right parties that crossed the 3% support threshold required to enter parliament oppose immigration. The issue did not receive much attention in pre-election campaigning despite a June 14 shipwreck of a migrant boat that left more than 500 people missing and feared dead in the Mediterranean Sea off Greece. The New Zealand Prime Ministers official plane is so prone to breaking down that officials have sent an empty back-up jet to ensure Chris Hipkins does not get stranded in China. The ageing Boeing 757, known as Betty, is one of two such aircraft used by New Zealands leaders. Officials were quick to point out they had sent the planes twin only as far as Manila, about 80% of the distance from Wellington to Beijing, where Mr Hipkins is leading a trade delegation. Back in New Zealand, deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni was left to explain the situation. If we didnt have a back-up plan and something did happen, and of course we hope it wont, then not only would they be stranded in China, but the cost that that would incur in terms of accommodation and trying to, at the last minute, organise some kind of plan to get them back would outweigh having a back-up aircraft waiting somewhere just in case, she said. The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes that transport prime ministers are about 30 years old and are due to be replaced by 2030. Over the years, they have regularly broken down. In 2016, then-prime minister John Key was on his way to India with a delegation when they got stuck in Australia until a back-up plane was sent from New Zealand. Mr Key was forced to cancel the Mumbai leg of his trip, a situation he described as sub-optimal. Ms Sepuloni said she did not think the plane posed a physical danger to Mr Hipkins or the 80 people travelling with him. My understanding is there hasnt been any event mid-air, or whilst in transit, that should cause any concern, she said. Political rivals were quick to jump on the situation. David Seymour, leader of the opposition ACT party, said: This government declared a climate emergency and says we need to deal seriously with China. This one gesture has made a joke of both the governments climate emergency and its will to be taken seriously by a country that has an expanding blue-water navy in our backyard. Ms Sepuloni acknowledged the situation was not ideal. We recognise, yes, our kit needs to be updated, she said. And so theres a plan in place for doing that. Were just not at the point where thats happening right now. Vladimir Putin has thanked Russia for its unity after an armed rebellion over the weekend was aborted less than 24 hours after it began. The president was speaking after mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin defended his short-lived insurrection in a boastful statement. In his first appearance since the rebellion ended, Mr Putin also thanked most of the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into bloodshed, and said all necessary measures have been taken to protect the country and its people from the rebellion. He blamed Russias enemies and said they miscalculated. The Kremlin also tried to project stability on Monday when authorities released a video of defence minister Sergei Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine. Mr Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, said he was not seeking to stage a coup but was acting to prevent the destruction of his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military leaders has festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles towards Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. Yevgeny Prigozhin (Prigozhin Press Service/AP) The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Mr Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel reported he was at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Mr Prigozhin taunted Russias military on Monday, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 500 miles towards Moscow without facing resistance. The bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Mr Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Mr Prigozhin said only that Mr Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Mr Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it was not clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was under way in an area of Belarus about 120 miles north of the border with Ukraine. Members of the Wagner Group took over Rostov-on-Don on Saturday (Vasily Deryugin, Kommersant Publishing House/AP) Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Mr Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Mr Prigozhin has not been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian legislators called for his punishment. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current legislator who has had rows with the mercenary leader, said Mr Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday, when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. Sergei Shoigu with military chiefs at an undisclosed location in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP) The Defence Ministry published video of Mr Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Mr Shoigu and other military leaders had lost Mr Putins confidence and could be replaced. Before the uprising, Mr Prigozhin had criticised Mr Shoigu and General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Mr Prigozhins statement appeared to confirm analysts view that the revolt was a move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defence Ministry by July 1. He said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defence Ministrys command, and the force planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He accused the Defence Ministry of attacking Wagners camp, prompting them to move sooner. Spanish escapism never tasted so good at El Tapas Gra in the Maiden City Having heard good things about El Tapas Gra, I was looking forward to checking it out. On arrival, we were seated promptly, presented with the menu, and our drinks order taken all in record time. A good start. According to the menu, the name El Tapas Gra is a play on words: gra which means love in Irish and tapas which refers, of course, to small plates or appetisers in Spanish cuisine, hence the restaurants motto love of small plates. Diners can choose from the nibbles section, la charcuterie, tapas de vegetables, tapas de mariscos, tapas de carne, sides, and desserts. Its suggested two diners order five to six dishes between them to share. After a lengthy discussion there were just so many options my dining partner and I decided on three items each to begin with. Menus remain on the table throughout the meal, which eliminates any concerns about not having ordered enough food. We opted for the homemade hummus with charred flatbread, crispy calamari, pil pil prawns, buttermilk fried chicken, patatas bravas with tomato romesco and aioli, and manchego mac n cheese. The calamari arrived first, a generous portion drizzled in creamy lemon aioli atop a bed of pickled slaw. The crispy batter was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the tender calamari was mild and almost sweet in flavour. The macaroni cheese dish was hearty, warming and packed full of flavour. The gooey cheesy goodness was topped with burnt onion crumb. Served in a miniature cast-iron saucepan, the pil pil prawns were served with a dollop of sauce on top and toasted bread on the side. Manchego mac n cheese at El Tapas Gra The rich garlic, chilli and red pepper sauce perfectly complemented the fresh juicy prawns and we adored it. One aspect I rated about the dining experience, was that food left the kitchen as and when it was cooked. I enjoyed that surprise element of different dishes arriving throughout the course of the evening and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. Prawn pil pil at El Tapas Gra For dessert, we shared the traditional Basque cheesecake which was sensational (sorry if youre jealous). The baked cheesecake was light and fluffy with creme caramel-style bittersweet notes. It was presented on a swirl of tangy cherry sauce, the top was lightly scorched to perfection and it tasted every bit as good as it appeared. Basque cheesecake at El Tapas Gra Located at 7 Waterloo Place, the restaurant is bang in the centre of Derry, conveniently located next to Waterloo Street which is home to a number of popular pubs and bars if youre planning on making an evening of it. You could also pop upstairs for a nightcap to its sister bar, cocktail and tapas lounge, The Dirty Spaniard. Top tip: I parked in the nearby off-street car park at William Street. I suggest you dont do that unless you plan to leave before 10pm as thats when the car park barrier comes down for the night. The food Hummus 6 Calamari 8 Pil pil prawns 7.50 Fried chicken 7.50 Bravas 5 Mac n cheese 6.50 Cheesecake 6.50 Drinks 5.60 Total 52.60 The rating Suga performs onstage during his concert, 'D-DAY in SEOUL', at Jamsil Arena, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of BigHit Music By Pyo Kyung-min In an explosive display of charisma, Suga, a member of K-pop powerhouse BTS, set the stage ablaze during his two-day solo concert in Seoul on June 24 and 25. Attracting a crowd of 15,000 fervent fans, the idol released a whirlwind of energy that left no doubt about his ability to command the spotlight, even without his fellow BTS members by his side. Taking over the Jamsil Arena for an unforgettable weekend, Suga unleashed an outpouring of his passion for hip-hop music. The arena teemed with an ocean of devoted fans, known as ARMYs, each clutching "BTS Army Bomb" official group light sticks, which they held up as radiant symbols of their support for BTS and its members. Chants of Suga's name rippled through the air, long before he stepped foot on stage. Although BTS had temporarily pressed pause on their group activities in 2022, Suga managed to seize the moment. He dropped his full-length solo album, "D-Day," on April 21, marking a triumphant return after a three-year hiatus from solo projects since his smash hit "D-2" in 2020. Suga kicked off the show with the electrifying title track "Haegeum" from his latest album, instantly igniting a frenzy of thunderous screams from his fans. The star took the stage with other popular tunes he composed such as, "Daechwita", and "Give it to Me". Some 15,000 fans wave "BTS Army Bomb" official group light sticks in the air while they watch BTS member Suga perform in Jamsil Arena, Sunday. Courtesy of BigHit Music Suga embarked on the global tour "Suga | Agust D-Day," starting the journey with a show-stopping performance at the UBS Arena in Belmont, New York, back in April. From there, he crisscrossed the globe, electrifying audiences across nine cities, including stops in Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, before finally arriving at his hometown of Seoul. "The concert today is the last journey of my 'D-Day' tour," Suga said amid the pulsating beats of "Agust D." "Please enjoy, and let's not leave any regrets behind." An eruption of the fans' unified voices echoed through the air, expressing unwavering love and support. Suga performs onstage during his concert, 'D-DAY in SEOUL', as his fans wave "BTS Army Bomb" light sticks, Sunday. Suga's solo concert was held in Jamsil Arena, Seoul, for two consecutive days, June 24, and 25. Courtesy of BigHit Music One of the highlights of the concert was Suga's dazzling display of musical versatility. He seamlessly transitioned from one instrument to another, skillfully strumming the guitar and cascading his fingers across the piano keys. "My songs usually contain a lot of anger in them, but tonight, I'm afraid my softer side is gone for good." Suga said after performing "Seesaw", "SDL" and his "People" series. "Do you like my angry side? Should I stay this way?" He chuckled. The concert not only showcased Suga's solo creations, but also breathed new life into beloved BTS songs such as "UGH!" and "Ddaeng," mesmerizing the audience who eagerly sang along to every lyric. As the stadium reverberated with the powerful words of the BTS Cyphers Pt. 3 and 4 "I love, I love, I love myself" a collective roar filled the air, an anthem of self-love resonating with thousands of souls. Suga performs onstage during his concert, 'D-DAY in SEOUL', at Jamsil Arena, Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of BigHit Music Indonesias president said Monday he had ordered an investigation into a large religious boarding school accused of deviating from Islams teachings, after protesters demanded the institution be shut. The Al Zaytun school in West Java province has been under scrutiny since a video clip went viral on social media after being posted online in April. It showed the campuss mixed-gender Eid al-Fitr prayer, which some Muslims consider a violation of Islamic norms of segregating prayers between the sexes. The school is also allegedly run by supporters of the Indonesian Islamic State (NII), a movement that waged an armed rebellion against the government in the 1950s and 1960s, but was crushed by the military, according to the groups former members. Be patient. I have ordered the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs and the minister of religious affairs to look into it, President Joko Jokowi Widodo told reporters, although he did not specify which issues were being investigated. Islam is a touchy subject in the worlds largest Muslim-majority country. And as Indonesia goes to the polls next February, observers have cautioned against parties and candidates pandering for votes among ultra-conservative religious groups. On Monday, Jokowi was quick to deny allegations that his inner circles were protecting the Al Zaytun school. No way, he said, when addressing the controversy. The allegations were made by Imam Supriyanto, the founder of the Indonesian Boarding School Foundation, who said on a television talk show last week that some retired generals close to Jokowi had connections with Panji Gumilang, the founder of Al Zaytun. Imam named Moeldoko, Widodos chief of staff, and Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono, a former intelligence chief, as among those close to Jokowi who were protecting the school. Moeldoko bragged about Al Zaytuns food self-sufficiency And I know he gave Panji access to the police at all levels, making him powerful, Imam had said. Moeldoko admitted he had a friendship with the schools founder, but denied any wrongdoing. He said he had visited Al Zaytun twice to deliver lectures as part of his political communication duties. Is there a problem? We need to communicate well. Thats the KSPs (Chief of Presidential Staff) job, to talk to anyone, the presidential chief of staff told reporters on Monday. Indonesian Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko gestures during an interview with Reuters at his office in Jakarta, May 28, 2019. [Willy Kurniawan/Reuters] Al Zaytun, whose campus sprawls over 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres), was inaugurated by President B.J. Habibie in 1999. Over the years, high-ranking officials and politicians have visited the school. Al Zaytun has faced scrutiny from religious authorities and former members of NII, a group that analysts have said has spawned militant offshoots such as Jemaah Islamiyah, which was behind a series of deadly bombings in Indonesia in the 2000s. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the countrys top Muslim clerical body, said in a 2002 study that it found strong signs of Al Zaytuns relation and affiliation with the NII through the schools founder, Panji. MUI also said it found signs of deviation from Islamic doctrines at the school. Panji Gumilang should face legal action for his alleged crime, Ichsan Abdullah, MUIs law and human rights deputy secretary-general, said Monday. The national police said they were still collecting evidence before naming any suspects. They also said they would cooperate with a team from the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to probe Al Zaytuns alleged violations. Al Chaidar, a terrorism expert and former NII member, said Al Zaytuns initial funding was collected from the groups members. But he said over time, Al Zaytuns mission changed. Their mission is now only to collect money, not to establish an Islamic state he said. Women deserve equal rights Panji and Al Zaytuns management did not respond immediately to BenarNews inquiries. But Panji told the Liputan6 news website that his school did not deviate from Islam. He said the mixed-gender prayer was a way to give women equal rights. Women deserve equal rights. So, we make them equal, because its the right thing to do, he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, protests against Al Zaytun and Panji have broken out in West Java and Jakarta. On Thursday, some groups of local residents rallied outside Al Zaytuns complex in Indramayu regency, demanding the school be disbanded. On Monday, the Alumni Brotherhood 212 staged a rally in front of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta urging the government to shut down Al Zaytun and arrest Panji for being heretical due to the practices at the school. Panji Gumilang clearly blasphemed Islam with his deviant teachings that are not part of the four accepted schools of thought in Islam, said Novel Bamukmin, the groups spokesman. The Setara Institute, a human rights group, urged the government to be fair in handling the case of Al Zaytun and to focus on its alleged legal violations. The government should not get too involved in the debate over whether the schools religious teachings were deviant or not, and should not take populist measures, Setara said in a statement. Tria Dianti in Jakarta contributed to this report. Soldiers gesture aboard a military truck as they are deployed to remote villages in Jolo, Sulu, southern Philippines, Oct. 17, 2014. Thousands of civilians have fled their homes in the southern Philippines Sulu islands amid a standoff following a deadly weekend gunbattle between police and armed former guerrillas, officials said Monday. As of late Monday, the standoff was still ongoing and at least one policeman and three suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front, a former separatist rebel group, were reported killed in related violence over the weekend. The military said the violence began Saturday when followers of Pando Mudjasan, a former town vice mayor and leader of the MNLF, fired upon police officers as they prepared to serve him an arrest warrant for murder and illegal firearms and ammunition. Police said Mudjasans armed followers housed inside a fortified compound opened fire on the police as they approached the village of Bualo Lipid in Maimbung town. One member of the police Special Action Force (SAF) unit and three followers of Mudjasan were killed in the fighting. Ten policemen and a soldier were also reported to have been wounded, while two civilians were hit by stray bullets, the police and military said. The violence has displaced about 5,000-6,000 civilians, Maj. Andrew Linao, spokesman for the militarys Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said Monday. The civilians were sheltering in the Maimbung town gymnasium and being assisted by local officials. They fled because they are very afraid, and we are calling on everyone to calm down, Linao told reporters. But that is what usually happens when you have a firefight near a populated community. Civilians near the conflict area were being advised not to return to their homes amid ongoing tensions in the area. Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio, commander of the Armys 1101st Brigade, said Mudjasan and his brother were injured but were able to escape, according to intelligence reports. But Mudjasan and his followers have not escaped from Sulu, an island province in the far southern Philippines, although it was unclear how many of their followers were still inside the compound, Linao said. Linao said the area where the fighting was concentrated had been cordoned off, with troops and soldiers moving closer in. The operation of the SAF and police unit is ongoing to serve the warrant, capture and neutralize Pando [Mudjasan], Linao said. Our effort is continuing now and our Army has set up checkpoints and blockades to prevent them from escaping. Mudjasans group was composed of 20 to 30 individuals prior to the clash on Saturday. But the number of his fighters grew to around 50 individuals during the fighting, officials said. Political warlords controlling their own private armies is a pervasive problem in the Philippines, especially in the southern Mindanao region where many of these officials were once members of insurgent groups who command their own forces. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was once the countrys largest separatist force until it signed a peace deal with the government in 1996, although that agreement failed. A splinter group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), would later sign a deal that would supersede the old peace pact and create an expanded Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao now controlled by MILF. Some ex-MNLF fighters became elected local officials in Jolo, with their former rebel commands forming their own private armed security, officials said. Military coordination and talks with the Sulu-based MNLF leadership were continuing to ensure that the law enforcement operation was aimed only at Mudjasan due to his criminal charges, officials said. Mudjasans illegal activities were not sanctioned by the MNLF leadership, officials said. The fugitives group was composed of sympathizers and (Mudjasans) relatives from the MNLF, Brig. Gen. Boquio said. Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel in Cagayan de Oro, southern Philippines, contributed to this report. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. GREAT BARRINGTON When the sorceress Alcina sets a spell in motion during the opera that bears her name, she entrancingly waves her wand over her forest of once-human trees; her imprisoned lover, Ruggiero; the orchestra that played behind her and the audience itself. Opera review What: La liberazione di Ruggiero dallisola dAlcina by Francesca Caccini, libretto by Ferdinando Saracinelli, based on Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto, directed by Gilbert Blin, music directors Paul ODette and Stephen Stubbs Who: Boston Early Music Festival With: Mireille Lebel, Cecilia Duarte and Colin Balzer Where: Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle St., Great Barrington Information: bemf.org Little do we know at the Mahaiwe, though, that, far before Alcina sang out her magic, the Boston Early Music Festival had already put us under a much more powerful enchantment. Sign up for the In The Berkshires This Week newsletter Sign up In its two-day Berkshire jaunt presenting Francesca Caccinis La liberazione di Ruggiero dallisola dAlcina, BEMF crafted a spellbinding spectacle. Taken alone, some voices may have been a little overmatched, some orchestrations a little peculiar, some costumes a little cartoonish, but when brought together on the stage, they transported us to the music room of a Florentine palace and coronated us the kings and queens, dukes and duchesses, being sung to. The opera, billed here as Alcina, is the earliest known to be composed by a woman, and its sensibilities and accompaniment reflect the baroque dawn of the art form. Based on the Orlando Furioso, it tells us of Melissa, a force for good who wishes to free the erstwhile knight Ruggiero from his ensnarement by Alcina on her island of lust and magic. He must return to the marital love of Bradamante and the martial cause of his homeland. After breaking Alcinas spell, Melissa and Ruggiero work to rebuff her renewed advances, free her other captives and send her away for good. Its plot is a bit odd to our modern ears, the story moralistic even by opera standards and bookended with bizarre courtly tributes that drag on far too long. Yet Caccinis music making, utterly ingenious, anchors Alcina and renders it a rare treat well worth BEMFs painstaking attention. Concertmaster Robert Mealy told me in an interview long before Saturdays production that Caccinis youth, spent singing with her two sisters, may have influenced how she viewed treble parts in arranging an unusual trio of violins. Here, Caccinis three main characters may well display that intuitive, unique sense of harmony. The two mezzo-sopranos provided a masterclass in the varied dimensions of their voice type. Cecilia Duarte as Melissa was deep, tender and earthy, her voice smoldering as, above it, the rising smoke curled into the buttery, quintessentially operatic ringlets of Mireille Lebels Alcina. The air that hung around them, at least in the first act, was the silvery, gossamer tones of Colin Balzer in Ruggieros upper register. In the second act, something curious happened: As Ruggiero was freed, so was Balzers voice. It expanded downward and strengthened as he gathered his mettle, in steps at first as Melissa invested him once more with his shield and sword and pike, then all at once as he fought back against his tormentor. Balzer channeled his characters evolution through his expressive eyes, in turns stupefied and flashing. Lebel acted Alcinas various, complex motivations expertly. She nodded vigorously as Ruggiero affirmed his love, protesting too much to words she knew were hollow. In the second act, Alcina crumbled. Returning gray-haired as her spells faded, Lebel found new ways to give her voice in languid ss, gnashing ks and sultry fs over to madness. The climax was conceived brilliantly by Stage Director Gilbert Blin as a chorus of shears commanded to destroy the plants that Alcina has fashioned from her former lovers and rivals. The snicker-snack of the blades became percussion in a production that mostly lacked it. The chorus throughout was inconsistent. Sometimes, like in the arias of Neptune and Oreste, they were warm and enjoyable. Other times, they were not up to the task or misguidedly nasal and downright unpleasant. The orchestra was entirely as advertised. The regal blew out its otherworldly tones in Alcinas last gasp and earlier the organ and lirone shook us to our core during scenes of high drama. The strings, which struggled with moments of discordance in the first act, came into their own for the rollicking second act dances. The recorders, in an earlier dance, were wondrous. Movement throughout was clear and dramatic, from the tugging and swaying of implanted trees against their rooted feet to the swirling handiwork of magical spells. Without sets, with the orchestra onstage and the costumes just a tad crafty, the spells transport us. We are sitting beside Christina of Lorraine, watching the enjoyments written by our favorite composer just for us. If the festivals orchestra has raided our instrument cabinet and its performers our costume box, so be it. How magical it is, as Alcinas henchwomen say, to pass our hours beside that fine sun. This is a subscriber exclusive story. Subscribe today to access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home Aimbridge Founder and CEO Hwang Sang-youn / Courtesy of Aimbridge By Anna J. Park Hwang Sang-youn is a trailblazer who has not hesitated to change his life's path during the last three decades of his career. His diverse work experiences as a stellar engineer, stock analyst, CFO and CEO led the 52-year to establish a private equity company of his own, Aimbridge LLC, earlier this year. He made the decision to open his own business shortly after resigning from his previous post as a head of the private equity business at Brain Asset Management late last year. Prior to the position, he served as CEO at Chong Kun Dang (CKD) Holdings, one of the major pharmaceutical companies in Korea, and as the CFO at MDimune, a bio-therapeutics venture firm. During his career path, constant challenges in new fields have expanded Hwang's realm of expertise. The bio and finance expert started his career as a chemistry researcher back in 1995, after receiving both bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Seoul National University. After working as a researcher at LG Chem for five years, he decided to become a stock analyst in the bio and chemistry industries. During the next 13 years as a stock analyst, he rose to become a famed analyst, his chemistry expertise aiding him to discover hidden gem companies, including Celltrion, Chong Kun Dang, Bukwang Pharmaceutical, KCC, OCI and more. He was selected as the best analyst of chemistry and pharmaceuticals almost every year. Hwang recounted that he could make differentiated reports on such firms, particularly in new drug and solar energy sectors, based on his depth of knowledge accumulated as a chemical engineer. His capacity for precise insight into the industries made him the youngest head of research at Mirae Asset Securities from 2008 to 2013. "Then I had a chance to study at the University of Washington from 2013 to 2014 as a visiting scholar. During that time, I got to study the venture capital and private equity scene of the U.S. and was impressed that the country has an ample number of angel investors of more than 300,000. I also realized that venture capital and private equity funds have a more direct impact on economic development than publicly traded stocks," Hwang told The Korea Times during a recent interview. This realization led him to work as the CFO at MDimune, the bio venture firm, and as the CEO at Chong Kun Dang (CKD) Holdings, after returning to Korea. While working as a management executive at various firms, ranging from venture and pharmaceuticals to asset management, he identified a problem of the general lack of analysis on non-public companies. This awareness led him to set up his own private equity firm based on in-depth research on both the industries and individual companies. "My direct motivation for entrepreneurship stems from the fact that the venture capital and private equity markets have relatively insufficient information and suffer from severe information asymmetry, compared to the public stock market," Hwang highlighted. "Also, the need for systematic analysis of non-public companies is becoming increasingly important due to the rising number of individual investors entering the market," he explained. Currently, in order to find lucrative deal opportunities, Hwang is working on developing a corporate valuation assessment solution to establish a thorough database, utilizing the financial information of 37,000 local firms that are subject to external audits. "The firm aims to expand its business, based on the database. I believe a private equity firm can grow sustainability long-term, only if it has a solid research and analysis capacity," Hwang stressed. As his firm is still in the starting phase, it is focusing on providing consulting and research advisory services for now, aiming gradually to expand to forming private equity funds in the future. You are the owner of this article. Most states have some iteration of the castle doctrine on their books: If someone breaks into your home, you have the right to use deadly force to defend yourself. In Massachusetts and in a handful of other states, one has a duty to retreat first, depending on the circumstances. That means that if somebody breaks into your house and theyre menacing and threatening you, and youre by the back door, you have a duty to run out the door before you use deadly force, said Elizabeth Quigley, a Pittsfield-based defense attorney. But if you cant retreat, then you have the right to use whatever force is necessary to repel the force directed at you. So-called stand your ground laws, which expand on the castle doctrine, gained traction throughout the United States in the early 2000s. Florida became the first state to enact such a law in 2005, and it codified a Floridian's ability to use fatal self-defense tactics, including in public, even when retreat is plausible. Since then, approximately 30 states have implemented similar laws. In 2022, Arkansas, North Dakota and Ohio repealed their duty to retreat laws, according to the Associated Press. A 2023 study from the journal JAMA Network Open found that states with stand your ground laws had increased homicide rates from 1999 to 2017, resulting in nearly 700 more gun deaths annually. From 1999-2017, stand your ground states had a homicide rate of 0.55 per 100,000 persons and a suicide rate of 1.24 per 100,000 persons, where as non-stand your ground states had 0.31 homicides per 100,000 persons and 1.03 suicides per 100,000 persons. These findings suggest that adoption of SYG [stand your ground] laws across the U.S. was associated with increases in violent deaths, deaths that could potentially have been avoided, the study reported. A Feb. 9 confrontation between two men intruder and homeowner in Adams begs the question: How do such incidents comport with Massachusetts laws governing reasonable force? The Berkshire District Attorneys Office says it continues to investigate the Adams case. The office is proceeding carefully, and will not say if it expects to file any charges. In this case, the electric hand drill that intruder Mark Bednarz had he was reportedly using it on the homeowner Thomas Grangers safe likely qualifies as a dangerous weapon, Quigley said. In turn, Granger told an Albany, N.Y., television station that he used a bat in the fight with Bednarz. Utilizing a bat as a dangerous weapon could be considered deadly force, Quigley said. The rules of engagement are such that you have the right to use deadly force to repel deadly force. Brockton defense attorney Kevin Reddington, who has represented clients in Massachusetts self-defense cases, told The Eagle that an intruder doesnt necessarily need to be armed to be lawfully killed, though it does make mounting a defense a little tougher. You dont know whether the person is armed; he could be making a gesture that you think hes armed, Reddington said. Quigley said there have been other, similar cases to the Spring Street incident across Massachusetts. Theyre called imperfect self-defense cases, where somebody is convicted of assault, she said, speaking broadly. In my opinion, [if] someone comes at you with a drill, you have the right to shoot them dead. But people wind up getting charged all the time, and sometimes juries will convict people for using too much force to repel an aggressor. Asked what it takes for the state to prosecute a homeowner in self-defense cases, Reddington said the manner of the death is critical. He used the example of Bednarzs reported manner of death to make his point. Theyll look at the autopsy report [to] see how many times and where the guy hit him, Reddington said. If its one blow with a bat, thats very telling. If its two or three blows with a bat, and one in the face, that might get more into the area of malice and intent. The toxicology report is important too, Reddington said, to make sure the person involved was in full control of their faculties and not affected by drugs at the time of the incident. Quigley said jurors typically arent quick to convict people defending their home in cases like this. I dont know many people on a jury who would convict a guy for doing what this guy did, Quigley said. Most people feel that the guy got what he deserved if hes breaking into someones house and assaulting them with a drill. Reddington echoed Quigley, saying that from his experience, juries usually side with the homeowner. Massachusetts has in recent years had a low number of home invasions and burglaries per year compared to other states. According to state statistics, in 2022, there were almost 10,000 burglary/breaking and entering cases in Massachusetts, with 1,661 of those offenses having been cleared, meaning the case was closed by arrest or other means. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, from 2011 to 2021, which is the most recent year where statistics were available, burglary offenses decreased from around 35,000 to 10,000 in Massachusetts. Per U.S. News and World Report, Massachusetts has the lowest property crime rate in the country at 1,053 per 100,000 residents. In Massachusetts, incidents like the one in Adams on Feb. 9 have been uncommon, based on an Eagle survey of the states 11 district attorney offices. In 2004, New Bedford homeowner Charles Chieppa shot and killed a suspected burglar. Frank Pereira Jr., 24, broke into Chieppas basement at 4 a.m. Chieppa, 60, heard the sounds, alerted a neighbor to call 911 and encountered Pereira in the back yard. There, Chieppa fired four shots. Prosecutors had argued Chieppa killed Pereira out of rage and not self-defense. Chieppa was reportedly swearing and screaming at Pereira, and Pereira, said to be carrying a knife, was fatally wounded in the back. After three hours of deliberation, a jury acquitted Chieppa of second-degree murder. "I think the verdict speaks loud and clear that self-defense is alive and well in the commonwealth of Massachusetts," Reddington, who was Chieppas attorney, said after the 2007 trial and verdict. Reddington explained why he thought the jury ruled in his clients favor in this case: The guys a hard-working, good citizen living in his house. Hes got these people breaking into his garage, breaking into his house total bedlam down there, and I think jurors basically had had it with that. In 2008, a jury agreed it was self-defense not murder when it acquitted Lawrence Martin in the 2004 death of Andrew Campbell. Campbell was Kimberly Lynchs ex-boyfriend. Lynch was in a new relationship with Martin. One night in May 2004, Lynch and Martin were returning to her home when she saw Campbell waiting outside her address. Instead, Martin dropped Lynch at her moms house. He returned to Lynchs home where, Martins attorney said, Campbell attacked him. Martin ended up stabbing Campbell repeatedly, and the jury agreed it was self-defense. Campbell was not armed with a weapon. Martins defense was predicated on Campbells history of alcoholism, that Campbell had violated restraining orders against Lynch, and that Martin was significantly smaller than Campbell. Yeah, Andrew Campbell shouldnt have been there, Campbells attorney said in 2008, according to The Patriot Ledger. But he didnt deserve to die, and he didnt deserve to die like this. RELATED STORIES Who was Mark Bednarz, the man who died after breaking into an Adams home? Here's what we know and what we don't about the break-in and fight between Mark Bednarz and Thomas Granger Susan Phillips is a former reporter for The Berkshire Eagle. She lives in Windsor after living abroad and in Washington, D.C. 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 Hyundai Card Vice Chairman and CEO Ted Chung, left, poses with Visa CEO Ryan Mclnerney after signing a strategic data partnership at the latter's headquarters in San Francisco, June 21. Courtesy of Hyundai Card By Lee Min-hyung Hyundai Card has signed a strategic business partnership with Visa to seek potential opportunities in the area of payments data, the Korean credit card company said Monday. "We look forward to working with Visa and combining both companies'?expertise to provide advanced solutions that meet the needs of our partners and customers,"?Hyundai Card Vice Chairman and CEO Ted Chung said.? "In addition to bolstering our data capabilities, we envision a future where our data-driven technologies will transform the way individuals and businesses interact with financial services." Chung visited Visa CEO Ryan Mclnerney in San Francisco to formalize the partnership. Both firms will leverage data science-related resources and expertise to jointly develop innovative data products, they said. Hyundai Card will offer its innovative data analytics platform globally by leveraging Visa's network which spans over 200 countries. The firm's customized marketing solutions supported by artificial intelligence (AI) will be provided to Hyundai Card's private label credit card (PLCC) partner firms. "Our partnership with Hyundai Card marks an exciting milestone where we are leveraging data analytics to drive innovative payments experiences," Visa CEO Ryan Mclnerney said. "Visa and Hyundai Card are deeply aligned in our strategies on responsible data use and value-creating data innovation to address evolving consumer preferences and expectations. We look forward to working with Hyundai Card to be at the forefront of innovative solutions that help individuals, businesses and economies thrive." Beyond data analytics, Hyundai Card will also feature Visa as the company's preferred global payment brand and support Visa's diverse initiatives, including virtual cards and business-to-business payments. North Korea fires a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile from the Sunan area in Pyongyang, in this Nov. 19, 2022 photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap North Korea's foreign ministry on Monday accused Seoul and Washington of pushing tensions to "the brink of a nuclear war" akin to the 1950-53 Korean War, saying it will continue to bolster its self-defensive capabilities. In a research report released by the foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies, North Korea likened the current military tensions in the region to the night before the outbreak of the Korean War as it slammed the United States and South Korea for their "delusional anti-communist military confrontation" and "rhetorical threats." "Such bellicose moves of the U.S. have pushed the military tensions on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia already plunged into an extremely unstable situation closer to the brink of a nuclear war," the ministry said in the English-language report released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The North argued that the U.S. is "resorting to the worrying hostile acts of wantonly encroaching upon the sovereignty and security" of the North more persistently this year than ever before and has reached a threshold that can no longer be tolerated. It then warned that a war on the peninsula would "rapidly expand into a world war and a thermonuclear war unprecedented in the world," causing "the most catastrophic and irreversible consequences" to peace and security in the region and the rest of the world. Pyongyang will continue to further accelerate its efforts to bolster "its self-defensive capabilities for safeguarding its sovereignty" unless the U.S. withdraws its "anachronistic hostile policy" and persistent military threat against the North, the report said. (Yonhap) Hearing loss is an under-diagnosed medical condition that significantly impacts the physical and mental health of those who have any degree of hearing difficulty. Disabling hearing loss is being called the 'invisible epidemic.' It affects more than three million South Africans and over 1.5 billion people globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in just two more decades, this number will exceed 2.5 billion. To help create more awareness, Bonitas Medical Fund is offering free online hearing screening for all South Africans. One of the biggest concerns associated with hearing loss when it is not treated properly is the long-term impact it has on the quality of life. Prevention and early detection are important, after all, hearing is the foundation for speech and language development, as well as learning and communication. This is why Bonitas Medical Fund has introduced an online hearing screener on its website www.bonitas.co.za. "We have partnered with hearConnect to make this functionality available to all South Africans," says Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas. The online, validated speech-in-noise hearing test uses the latest in audiological technology. This is combined with the highest standards of clinical expertise and available on the website. In just two minutes you can test your hearing status. All you need is access to a computer or your mobile, headphones or ear plugs, a quiet area, and then youre all set to take the test. If the screening test indicates you are experiencing hearing loss, hearConnect is available to guide you through the next steps. "Our partnership with hearConnect includes a full audiology benefit management programme for our members. This includes a follow up with ongoing treatment steps if hearing loss is detected." The introduction of this programme has also improved audiology benefits for Bonitas members offering full cover for all consultations, tests and treatment needs without any unwanted co-payments. This is subject to the use of an audiologist on the hearConnect Audiology Network, hearConnect treatment protocols and clinical pathways. There are many challenges associated with hearing loss. These include language development that impacts our ability to read, write, spell and concentrate. It affects social skills resulting in isolation, depression, loneliness, cognitive impairment, unemployment and an increased risk of dementia. Hearing loss also has a direct impact on healthcare costs. "As a medical scheme, we know that patients with untreated hearing loss experience more inpatient stays compared to those without hearing loss," says Callakoppen. "This has a direct impact on healthcare utilisation costs. There is a 17% increased risk of emergency department visits, readmissions and rate of hospitalisation as well as longer hospital stays." What causes hearing loss? Hearing loss can come about as you age or as a result of loud noises, illnesses and disease, genetics and trauma (contact sport) can also cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, also reduce your ability to hear. Dont blast your eardrums Overexposure to loud music, or any loud noises, can be harmful. Research indicates that hearing loss results from a combination of sounds being too loud, listening to loud sounds over an extended period and the frequency of exposure. A BMJ Global Health review recently reported that pumping tunes, listened to via earbuds or even live, could be placing up to 1.35 billion young people at risk of hearing loss worldwide. The gift of hearing "Our new ABM programme, with hearConnect, supports our initiative with Gift of the Givers and sponsorship to test over 15,000 learners this year. The learners are from Grade R to Grade 12 at schools in in six areas within KZN," explains Callakoppen. "This project uses a South African manufactured portable audiometer, called the Kuduwave. Its a state-of-the-art, medically certified device that has revolutionised the testing and diagnosis of auditory related deficiencies. It combines a headset, audiometer and sound booth into a single, lightweight device, which can be used in just about any location. "The combination of the online testing through hearConnect and the Kuduwave means we are able to offer a comprehensive hearing testing solution in South Africa," says Callakoppen. Capital Legacy has announced that its chief operating officer Brandon Garbutt, will be leaving at the end of the year. Source: Capital Legacy chief operating officer, Brandon Garbutt. Garbutts decision was met with surprise and sadness when the news was relayed to staff and management earlier this month. Garbutt said that it had not been an easy choice to make. Its been an unbelievable journey of extremely hard work, late nights, lots of travel, stresses, unmistakable successes and, of course, fun, he said. At this time of my life, however, I feel that I have done what I set out to do here and now its time for me to reassess my direction and to focus on my family. Capital Legacy founder and chief executive officer Alex Simeonides, said that although the news had come as a surprise to many, he and Brandon have been in discussions about this for some time now. It takes a true leader to understand when its a good time to leave a business, said Simeonides.In the eight years of working side-by-side with Garbutt, we have both grown and learnt so much from each other. It has been the most memorable era of my corporate life; he will be truly missed. Invaluable contributions Garbutt has been an integral part of the Capital Legacy team for the past eight years and has been instrumental in orchestrating a new business engine for the company, bringing new products to market, and building great management teams. His remaining six months at Capital Legacy will be focused on completing some pivotal projects that the company is currently working on, as well as assisting Simeonides in carefully crafting the succession plan that will take Capital Legacy well into the future. I wanted to leave the business in a great position - as a true market leader when it comes to wills and estates. We have achieved this!, said Brandon. The business is forging ahead in the local market and I am looking forward to watching it become one of the formidable brands in South Africa. "I am, and always will be, incredibly grateful to everyone at Capital Legacy, including the entire leadership team and especially to Simeonides for his support, guidance and most of all his friendship. I am proud of what weve achieved together over the last eight years at Capital Legacy! Only 35% of South African companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) recognise biodiversity as being material - this is according to the fourth annual Biodiversity Disclosure Project Ratings Image: Supplied One of the first organisations to focus on measuring corporate biodiversity performance globally, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), through its National Biodiversity and Business Network, launched the Biodiversity Disclosure Project (BDP) in 2018. The BDP makes a case for why companies should acknowledge their biodiversity dependencies and impacts and reduce their negative impacts. The BDP annual ratings report presents scientific assessments of how each company listed on the JSE and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) report on their biodiversity policies and performance. Assessment The assessment asks eight key questions about how companies mainstream biodiversity - from having any policy that recognises and measures dependencies and impacts, having a biodiversity strategy, targets, and key performance indicators (KPI), to disclosing performance and having a monitoring system. Each question has a maximum score of four (giving a maximum possible score of 32). Each assessed company was contacted with draft results which they could bolster with any additional information before publication. Releasing the latest Biodiversity Disclosure Project Ratings of South African Companies at a national Indaba held to celebrate International Biodiversity Day on 22 May 2023, Dr Gabi Teren, programme manager of the EWTs National Biodiversity and Business Network (NBBN), stressed that while there was a minimal improvement since the previous ratings report, more work is urgently needed. For the fourth annual assessment (2021-2022 reporting period), 267 JSE-listed companies and 27 State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) were evaluated. The top three scoring organisations, out of the 294 assessed, were Anglo-American (18/32), Sibanye-Stillwater Limited (17.5/32), and British American Tobacco PLC (17/32). Overall recognition of biodiversity (ie. achieving any score above zero out of 32) has risen from 22% of 354 companies in 2020 to 35% of 294 companies in the 2021 reporting period. The results, however, suggest that fewer companies are now disclosing or implementing biodiversity action plans, with average scores for this specific question lower than in previous years. Sector ratings The report details each sectors performance, giving an overview of trends with examples from sustainability reports. Unsurprisingly the basic materials sector was again the highest-performing sector, with 78% of companies recognising biodiversity as material. Given its environmental legacies, historical and ongoing stakeholder concerns, and a strong policy/legal environment focused on no-net loss of key biodiversity components, this is imperative for the sector. Leading companies should go beyond only having strongly worded policies and targets and move to measuring, managing, and disclosing their biodiversity footprints with science-based evidence to support their commitments. The financial sector scores poorly overall, with only 7 out of 44 companies showing any recognition of biodiversity. Finance institutions have far-reaching opportunities to address the biodiversity crisis by actively engaging with their clients and scrutinising their investment portfolios. A cross-sectoral portfolio and client base also make financial institutions susceptible to biodiversity risks. First Rand and Absa lead the sector ratings by at least assessing and acknowledging these emerging risks. Global framework The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), finalised in December 2022, commits South Africa and 195 other countries to implementing the GBF goals and targets, and several of these are related to businesses. The Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, gave the opening speech at the NBBN Indaba and stressed how there needs to be greater private-public sector collaboration to meet the goals of the GBF. Sustainable development and transformation require the private sector and government to work together to achieve common goals. In the case of biodiversity conservation, businesses can contribute significantly by adopting environmentally responsible practices, promoting sustainable development, and minimising negative impacts on fragile ecosystems. However, achieving these goals will require the government to draw up supportive policies and enforce environmental regulations effectively, Creecy said. The event concluded with round-table discussions (view here) of how South Africa is moving forward with the change leaders in South African businesses, such as Anglo-American, Mondi, First-Rand and Glencore. Jonathon Hanks, who led the JSE Sustainability Disclosure Guidance Project, said that companies should recognise the effectiveness of reporting but that it is only effective if we hold companies to account. The BDP gives everyone that tool to do so. In the week following the reports publication, Nedbank was called out for its low scores at their AGM by an activist investor, Gordon Laing, showing how shareholders are beginning to hold businesses accountable for biodiversity commitments. Disclosure requirements Target 15 of the GBF requires businesses to assess and disclose biodiversity dependencies, impacts and risks and reduce negative impacts. The target pushes companies to move beyond voluntary broad sustainability disclosure, and much like greenhouse gas emissions, they need to accurately measure and disclose their impacts on ecosystems and species and have clear, actionable targets in place to reduce those impacts. If South Africa is to meet its commitment of conserving 30% of nature by 2030 (Target 3 of the GBF), then business will need to play a bigger role, and there is still much room for improvement among companies that need to account for their biodiversity assets. Through the BD Protocol developed by the EWT and partners, it is now possible for any company to: Develop biodiversity impact inventories Measure their biodiversity footprints Set up science-based biodiversity targets Disclose their performance in a standardised, coherent and credible manner. For more information, see: nbbnbdp.org Over the past few days, the South African government has made headway with two hot topics around the long-awaited legislation for the "two-pot" retirement system and the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill. Source: Supplied. Yolandi Esterhuizen, director: product compliance, Sage Africa and Middle East and registered tax practitioner. As important as these milestones may be, it might be a while before they begin impacting employers and employees. Lets take a closer look at what these developments will mean. The latest news includes the publication of the 2023 Draft Revenue Laws Amendment bill, and the passing of the 2023 Draft Revenue Administration and Pension Laws Amendment bill for comment by the National Treasury (NT) and the South African Revenue Service (Sars). These drafts relate to the introduction of a two-pot retirement system. Separately, the National Assembly has passed the NHI bill. The two-pot retirement system refers to a significant reform in retirement laws that aims to get the right balance between encouraging people to preserve retirement savings and allowing them to access retirement funds in a financial crisis. The reform was partly inspired by the financial and economic hardships many South Africans endured during the Covid-19 crisis. Under the proposed bill, the new retirement regime proposes the creation of the following components within retirement funds: Specno, a venture builder startup in Cape Town, was founded in 2018 by Stellenbosh University students Daniel Novitzkas and Jacques Jordaan. In the five years that have passed since then, Specno has grown into a top-rated user-experience agency in South Africa that employs 50+ full-time staff. From left to right: Daniel Novitzkas and Jacques Jordaan We caught up with Novitzkas and Jordaan to gain some more insight into what Specno is about and to get some valuable advice for young entrepreneurs... What inspired you to start this venture builder, and how did you turn it into the successful company it is today? Novitzkas: We started a venture builder because we were trying to build a venture before Specno. It was something that we felt could really change the world because it was about solving food shortages and addressing the climate problems of the world. Through raising a round of capital and trying to scale that business, we realised how insanely difficult it actually is to build a successful company or the technology scale-up in South Africa. During that time we also met dozens if not hundreds of entrepreneurs in their first year and realised that it wasn't just a problem that we were facing, but a problem that so many entrepreneurs were facing. We learned that these entrepreneurs are the people that really are best suited to solve the problems around them and to actually create a better world. So Jacques and I wanted to effectively start a company that would make it easier for founders to go from idea through to scaling a successful company. We started to identify the challenges that we could actually solve and since then, Specno has been about obsessing over how to create value for our clients, startups, and the community as a whole. Thats what contributed to our success, just having quite a clear understanding of what we're doing and having a very ambitious goal of wanting to help a million entrepreneurs. That goal has helped us to attract some of the smartest minds in the industry to come and build this company with us. Follow this link to get a peek into our future. What were some of the key strategies or approaches that contributed to Specno's success? 1. The desire to constantly improve and be very willing to accept that failure is just a part of the process of bettering yourself but at the same time, also keeping in mind that there are many brilliant people that we could learn from. So we really studied many other successful companies. We learn what behaviours create success, and we began to codify those behaviours and perspectives into Specnos DNA where effectively, people were being trained in how to build startups. 2. Attracting young talent, and giving them an environment where they could really just showcase their ability, do what they're passionate about, and solve a problem. How has the local ecosystem supported Specno's growth? Are there any specific challenges or advantages of operating in this region? You often hear when you talk about building a startup that it takes a village to build a startup You can almost never build a successful company in isolation, and the more that weve built, the more we've realised partnerships and adding value to our community is crucial towards not only building your own company but building an ecosystem. In the early days, we were lucky enough to go through an accelerator where we met incredible mentors, advisors, investors, and other founders who became our peers, our friends, and who became our clients. It was quite crucial to put ourselves out there and to really tap into the local ecosystem. That being said, this is a very nascent ecosystem where there are not a lot of experienced founders that have scaled companies. Already now we find ourselves at a point where not a lot of our people have access to the correct type of mentors who have gone through what our people are facing. If you look at ecosystems like Silicon Valley, there are a lot more mature, people who know how to do things, which is not necessarily true of this ecosystem. So it's still a lot of trial and error. Weve got a big population, but a small consumer market which does mean that it's a very challenging environment to build in. We have no neighbouring economies that are valuable in terms of expanding into those economies. So geographically, South Africa is a very difficult place to build a startup, but one of the advantages of that difficulty is relatively low competition. And so, those that are hungry and ambitious and are tenacious by design or as a consequence of South Africas environment, those entrepreneurs end up doing a lot better and are capable of already competing on a global scale. What are some of the unique challenges that young entrepreneurs in South Africa face when starting and scaling their ventures? 1. Access to funding - It's extremely difficult for people that have really great ideas and good work ethic to actually secure the funding to be able to execute successful businesses. Thus, often people need to bootstrap or start very scrappy businesses, which really reduces their ability to scale. Quite a few opportunities need upfront investment to actually be successful. Therefore, a lot of successful ideas fail due to a lack of funding. In South Africa, the landscape, it's extremely difficult to get seed funding. It's almost non-existent to be able to get seed funding, especially for a tech idea in South Africa. 2. Access to a support network - In Silicon Valley and similar places it's a lot easier to start a business because there's a lot of people around you starting businesses and they are a lot more willing to share and help out. This includes being willing to share their network, introduce you to people that could help you benefit, and move forward. There are also a lot of highly skilled and talented people that are able to actually jump in and help you build out what you need to build out. In South Africa, that is still very much lacking. Everybody is protecting their IP, which makes it extremely difficult for people to learn from others' mistakes. So they then need to make those mistakes themselves which often lead to failures within startups. 3. Access to the knowledge and insights to actually execute effectively- There are not enough people teaching startup theory - like what it actually takes to build a startup and especially how to build tech startups. As a result, people jump into it quite blindly, without knowing what to expect, as well as without the correct structures in place to be able to be efficient and effective, which also then leads to a high failure rate. Are there any specific skills or areas of expertise that you believe young entrepreneurs in South Africa should focus on developing? One thing young entrepreneurs should focus on as a skill to learn sales-led product development. Learn how to: speak to customers how to understand the buyers' journey how to convert a decision maker how to train additional people how to sell how to take that information back to the engineering team how to inform product decisions. The nice thing is once you learn that, that can then be applied to investors, to potential employees, and of course to clients. South Africa as an ecosystem is very immature in sales-led product development. Not only do we not understand how to build products and run agile and sprints and lean, but we also don't know how to scale sales. People still view sales as such a dirty word, but sales are the process of understanding your customers and understanding what solutions will actually solve problems that your customers are having. And then obviously, how to build a pipeline to find more and more of those customers. You were doing your customers a real favour by helping educate them on how to solve a challenge that they're facing, and then you're coming to them with a solution that adds value. What advice do you have for young aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own technology ventures? One of the biggest things is to just throw your hat over the fence so that you have to climb over and fetch it, which basically means that you're not going to start until you actually start. The trap that most entrepreneurs fall into is spending way too much time waiting for the perfect idea. There is a middle ground: You don't want to just dive headfirst into the first idea you come up with, but your idea doesn't need to be perfect. You just need to find one that has the possibility of working whether it's been done in another market or not. You actually want the competition. Once you have an idea, then just absolutely obsess over learning. View it as a CV that you're building and every different phase of the startup is an opportunity to build on that personal brand and that personal CV and those experience levels, so learn from other entrepreneurs, learn from the opportunity to fail. Don't be afraid of failure, but obviously desire to win. Understand the cost of winning and the sacrifice that will be involved. Ultimately I would say you just want to put time and effort into your startup and be willing to learn with as many hours as you possibly can. A mass rally by workers, youth and students against "U.S. imperialism" in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the start of the 1950-53 Korean War, June 25, is seen in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agenc More than 120,000 people participated in mass rallies in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to denounce what they claim is a "war provocation of aggression" by the United States on the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, the North's state media said Monday. The Sunday rallies were attended by workers and youth, as well as secretaries of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Ri Il-hwan and Pak Thae-song, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, when tank-led North Korean troops invaded South Korea. The United States and 20 other allied countries fought on the side of South Korea under the U.N. flag. The KCNA said participants blamed the U.S. for the war and noted that there would have been "no such deep-rooted enmity as June 25 and the land of the motherland would not have been stained with innocent blood" should the North have had strong power. In what appeared to be an attempt to justify the regime's nuclear and missile program, the KCNA said that the "Korean people have firmly grasped the strongest absolute weapon to punish the U.S. imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dare provoke." The participants, who held marches and shouted anti-U.S. slogans, also warned of taking revenge and giving "merciless punishment" to the U.S., saying it is their "duty" to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists, the KCNA said. (Yonhap) In a groundbreaking revelation, it has come to light that Dr. Peter Hotez, an esteemed vaccine researcher, has been entangled in a web of funding, collaboration, and research with Chinese military scientists potentially involved in the development of COVID-19. The intricate tale weaves together key Chinese military virologists and culminates in the smoking gun evidence surrounding COVID-19s notorious furin cleavage site. At the center of this narrative lies Dr. Hotez, a distinguished professor at Baylor College of Medicine, who secured a substantial research grant (R01AI098775) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) led by Dr. Anthony Fauci. This grant, amounting to over $1 million per year, supports Dr. Hotez's project titled "RBD Recombinant Protein-Based SARS Vaccine for Biodefense," with Dr. Shibo Jiang listed as a Principal Investigator. Dr. Shibo Jiang, a professor at Fudan University, boasts an impressive academic background. After completing his Master's degree from the Peoples Liberation Army's Guangzhou First Military Medical University () and his Medical Doctor degree from Xi'an Fourth Military Medical University (), he pursued postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University in New York from 1987 to 1990. Subsequently, he held various positions at the New York Blood Center's Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute until 2010, including Head of the Viral Immunology Laboratory. Since then, he has served as a professor at Fudan University's Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology in Shanghai, China. During his time in the United States, Dr. Shibo Jiang also acted as a visiting professor at several prestigious People's Liberation Army (PLA) universities, including the First and Fourth Military Medical University, the Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), and Southern Medical University (formerly known as the First Military Medical University). Despite his collaboration with the Chinese military, he received research grants totaling over $20 million from NIAID under Dr. Fauci's leadership between 1997 and 2016. Professor Jiang, a member of China's renowned Thousand Talents Plan, actively collaborated with PLA scientists on numerous scientific papers supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the First Military Medical University, and the AMMS. However, concerns have been raised regarding the nature of these collaborations, as a 2020 FBI report indicates that such talent recruitment plans usually involve undisclosed and illegal transfers of information, technology, or intellectual property detrimental to U.S. institutions. Professor Shibo Jiang obtained his Masters and Medical Doctor degrees from the Peoples Liberation Army's Guangzhou First Military Medical University () and the Xi'an Fourth Military Medical University (). Together with Dr. Zhou Yusen, a distinguished PLA virologist and fellow AMMS alumnus, Professor Jiang co-invented multiple U.S. patents and published numerous scientific papers on SARS and MERS coronaviruses, often with the support of NIAID funds. Dr. Yusen, the former director of the PLA's AMMS Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity at the Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, filed the world's first patent application for a COVID-19 vaccine in China on February 24, 2020, just a month after the country acknowledged human-to-human transmission. This discovery raises suspicions that the Chinese military may have been working on a vaccine even before officially notifying the World Health Organization about the outbreak. Dr. Zhou Yusen, a Peoples Liberation Army officer, filed the worlds first patent application for a COVID-19 vaccine in China on February 24, 2020. The patent application listed Dr. Yusen as the lead inventor and was submitted by the PLAs Academy of Military Medical Sciences. The archived website of the Peoples Liberation Armys Academy of Military Medical Sciences which was taken offline in 2017. Source: PLAs AMMS via Internet Archive Interestingly, concerns surrounding the origins of the COVID-19 virus intensify when examining the furin cleavage site. Dr. Richard Ebright, a respected molecular biologist, and laboratory director, highlights the unique nature of the furin cleavage, stating that: SARS-CoV-2 is the only member of the SARS-related betacoronavirus group that contains a furin cleavage site. The SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site exhibits unusual codon usage, and the SARS-CoV-2 furin cleavage site is located at a position that previously has been used to engineer coronaviruses having enhanced infectivity. Further compounding the intrigue, Dr. David Baltimore, a renowned US virologist and co-discoverer of reverse transcriptase, expresses his belief that the furin cleavage indicates a laboratory origin for the virus, stating, When I first saw the furin cleavage site in the viral sequence, with its arginine codons, I said to my wife it was the smoking gun for the origin of the virus. With an esteemed career, a Nobel Prize, and extensive scientific expertise, Dr. Baltimore's observations carry significant weight. Of additional concern is Professor Jiang's expertise in inserting furin cleavage sites into coronaviruses. Phylogenetic tree of coronavirus spike protein sequences. A) Noting genera of coronavirus. B) Subtree of Betacoronavirus, noting subgenera. Sarbecovirus (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV), Merbecovirus (e.g., MERS-CoV), Embecovirus (e.g., human coronavirus OC43 and human coronavirus HKU1, both causing common cold), and two small subgenera Hibecovirus and Nobecovirus. Source: Journal of Stem Cell Research The furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 in the region of the S1/S2 junction is unique among sarbecoviruses. Source: National Academy of Sciences Moreover, Professor Jiang and Dr. Lanying Du, another prominent Chinese virologist funded by Dr. Fauci and Dr. Hotezs R01AI098775 grant, have collaborated on various scientific papers with the PLAs AMMS and the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The untimely death of Dr. Yusen, who fell from the roof of the Wuhan Institute of Virology within three months of filing the patent, further fuels suspicions surrounding the origins of COVID-19. Dr. Du, the widow of Dr. Yusen, published at the PLAs AMMS before migrating to the United States, where she joined Professor Jiang at the New York Blood Centers Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute. Remarkably, a U.S. Senate report reveals that the data referenced in Dr. Yusen's patent could not have been generated as quickly as claimed, suggesting that he and his team may have started developing a COVID vaccine as early as November 2019. Furthermore, at least five publications funded by Dr. Fauci and Dr. Hotez's grant list Dr. Zhou Yusen, a Peoples Liberation Army officer central to the COVID-19 origin controversy at the Wuhan lab, as a co-author. These findings raise concerns about the connections between Dr. Fauci, Dr. Hotez, Dr. Jiang, Dr. Du, Dr. Yusen, and the Chinese military scientists potentially involved in the origin of COVID-19. Additionally, both Professor Jiang and Dr. Du have published scientific research for the AMMS, which was added to the U.S. governments Foreign Entity Blacklist in 2021 due to its use of biotechnology processes to support Chinese military end uses. Dr. Hotez's involvement in this complex situation becomes evident when examining his subcontracted funding for these scientists connected to the People's Liberation Army and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, particularly in the field of artificially inserting furin cleavage sites into coronaviruses. During a February 2021 interview, Dr. Hotez discussed their collaboration, stating, "About ten years ago, we got approached by a group at the New York Blood Center led by Shibo Jiang and Lanying Du that had a pretty good idea for coronavirus vaccines." Notably, in 2013, Professor Jiang and Dr. Du, along with their Chinese military colleagues, demonstrated the artificial insertion of a furin cleavage site similar to the one found in the COVID-19 virus. This study was funded by the Chinese government and a private Chinese biotech company, while Professor Jiang and Dr. Lanying also received funding from Dr. Fauci and Dr. Hotez. A study published by Dr. Shibo Jiang, Dr. Lanying Du, Dr. Shi Zhengli, and Dr. Ralph Baric, an American scientist considered a pioneer in gain-of-function research on coronaviruses, demonstrated the introduction of a human protease cleavage site into the spike protein of coronaviruses, enabling cross-species transmission to humans. Notably, this aligns precisely with the furin cleavage site found in the S1/S2 junction of SARS-CoV-2. While Dr. Hotez criticizes congressional hearings on the origins of COVID-19, stating that they are inviting fringe elements to testify and promote outlandish conspiracy theories, even warning that investigation will undermine the fabric of science in America, it is crucial to examine the mounting connections between Dr. Hotez, Dr. Fauci, Dr. Jiang, Dr. Du, and Dr. Yusen with Chinese military scientists, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and the suspicious furin cleavage site. This evidence demands a thorough investigation to uncover the truth about the origins of the COVID-19 virus, a truth that holds profound implications for people worldwide. Related Articles: Thursday, June 22, 2023 - Dr. Peter Hotez vs Decency Dr. Peter Hotez -- the authoritarian, portly puppet of the pharmaceutical industry -- doesn't just assault basic human decency with his horrendous appearance and obesity; he also offends common sense and sensibility, to quote Jane Austen, with his public utterances. Its time to get to know the nefarious actor that is Peter Hotez, the Anthony Fauci of Houston, a vaccinologist mRNA evangelist who has never developed a successful vaccine. Matt Orfalea's latest mashup takes on Dr. Peter Hotez, bowtied mass-producer of contradictory health advice. Research team finds novel coronavirus with MERS spike protein in Wuhan "rice sequencing study," undermining argument denying COVID lab manipulation. Monday, February 13, 2023 - Pfizers Business Model is Actual Fascism The corporate media and their Antifa footsoldiers bandy about the term fascism quite freely. Somehow, through magnificent logic-pretzel contortions, they claim that resistance to government mandates to inject yourself with experimental drugs is not resistance to fascism, but fascism itself. The video states that "political solutions" are needed to address what it says is misinformation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared tho There are three shocking takeaways from the class action settlement documents that were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York last week in the Jeffrey Epstein victims case against Wall Street megabank, JPMorgan Chase. (See settlement documents linked at the end of this article.) First, the attorneys for the unnamed victims are requesting $87 million in legal fees from the $290 million settlement amount, plus another $2.5 million in expenses. The victims, on the other hand, are guaranteed no minimum monetary payment but must file a release form before they learn if they will get a dime. This language appears in the settlement documents: All Class Members shall be bound by all determinations and judgments in the Litigation concerning the Settlement (including, but not limited to, the releases provided for therein) whether favorable or unfavorable to the Class, regardless of whether such Persons seek or obtain by any means (including, without limitation, by submitting a Questionnaire and Release, or any similar document) any distribution from the Net Settlement Fund. The third shocking takeaway is that we could find no news story from mainstream media, which has heavily covered this story, that mentioned these and other egregious terms of the settlement. JPMorgan was sued for facilitating Epsteins child sex-trafficking for more than a decade by providing him with millions of dollars in hard cash from his accounts, sometimes as much as $40,000 to $80,000 a month, to pay off victims and enablers. The bank failed to file the Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) that it is legally mandated to file with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Epsteins quid pro quo with the bank included him referring valuable business deals and clients to JPMorgan Chase. These allegations were substantiated by 22 pages of internal bank emails released in a related case brought against the bank by the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The law firms representing Epsteins victims Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Edwards Henderson Lehrman (EHL) filed the lawsuit on November 24, 2022. The terms of the $290 million settlement were filed on June 22 of last week. The proposed $89.5 million payday for these attorneys for seven months work comes to approximately $426,000 a day, including weekends. The Boies and EHL law firms did bring extensive intellectual capital to the case. Attorneys at both firms have been representing Epstein victims for years. But the large sums of money they will collect under the settlement, the releases from any liability they have included in the settlement for themselves and JPMorgans attorneys, together with the lack of protections for the victims, should have raised red flags among the multitude of journalists who covered this story. In addition to having to first sign a release form in order to file a claim for a monetary award with the Claims Administrator (who is also released from liability), Epsteins victims will have to officially opt-out of this settlement in writing or be forever bound by its terms. Even if the victims never hear about this settlement or never receive a notice about the terms of this settlement, if they dont opt-out in writing, they are bound by the terms of the settlement meaning that they cant assert their claims individually against JPMorgan Chase, its executives or personnel that covered up for Epstein, in a lawsuit of their own. The relevant section of the settlement reads: No Class Member is relieved from the terms of the Settlement, including the Releases provided for therein, based upon the contention or proof that such Class Member failed to receive actual or adequate notice. The claims that victims are releasing are sweeping in scope. The settlement includes this problematic language in one part of the release: This release is intended to release, to the maximum extent allowable under law, any claims, rights and causes of action against Released Defendant Parties of every nature and descriptionincluding both known and Unknown Claimswhether arising under federal law, state law, statutory law, common law, foreign law, or any other law, rule, or regulation, that could be brought to recover damages from the Released Defendant Parties on behalf of a Member of the Class by any other party, including any sovereign or government, relating to or arising from any Member of the Classs harm, injury, abuse, exploitation, or trafficking by Jeffrey Epstein or by any person who is in any way connected to or otherwise associated with Jeffrey Epstein, as well as any right to recovery on account thereof. By purporting to extinguish damages recoverable by any sovereign or government, attorneys for plaintiffs and JPMorgan appear to be attempting to undercut the related case being pursued in the same court by the U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General. JPMorgan has been in a legal war with the Virgin Islands over its Epstein charges against the bank and has vowed not to settle. JPMorgan has attempted to undermine the Virgin Islands case by smearing the reputation of the Virgin Islands. The bank has released emails and documents revealing compromised politicians in the Virgin Islands or their family members who provided favors to Epstein. The suggestion that private litigants and their attorneys can quash a government entitys right to bring claims under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act is quite a stretch. What this language in the release might do, however, is to give JPMorgans attorneys a new talking point in their quest to have the court dismiss the Virgin Islands complaint. The language in the release form that releases any person who is in any way connected to or otherwise associated with Jeffrey Epstein, as well as any right to recovery on account thereof does not specify that it is referring just to employees of JPMorgan Chase. It could be read to mean that victims are releasing the powerful friends of Jeffrey Epstein that he referred to the bank as clients. In the tangle of legalese in the settlement documents, a victim and potentially, even their outside attorney might not understand exactly what is being released. Because Epstein victims who dont opt out in writing will be bound by the onerous terms of this settlement, it is, thus, very critical, that class members actually receive the settlement notice with the opt-out instructions. But instead of the notice being mailed by registered/return receipt mail with a signature required, the settlement documents indicate the notice will be sent by first-class mail or email. Moreover, even if a victim can prove that they didnt receive the notice, they still relinquish their rights to bring a separate lawsuit if they dont file a written opt-out within the time prescribed. There is also a Confidential Term Sheet referenced in the settlement documents which we could not locate on the court docket. There is a reference to this term sheet as follows: Within 14 days after the end of the Notice Period, Defendant [JPMorgan Chase] has a right to terminate the Settlement pursuant to 10 of the Term Sheet. If, indeed, this Confidential Term Sheet has not been made public on the court docket, it would appear to constitute a secret, separate side agreement between the plaintiff attorneys and JPMorgan Chase. That could result in outside attorneys for Epstein victims raising a stink. Or not. Few attorneys are willing to get in the way of a $89.5 million payday for fellow attorneys. One possibility as to what might trigger JPMorgan terminating the settlement is if too many Epstein victims file written notices of opting out meaning that the bank could be sued all over again by a different set of class action attorneys, who could then build on the devastating discovery documents already obtained in the current lawsuits by Epstein victims and the Virgin Islands. Epstein victims who dont believe the settlement terms are fair are able to file written objections and appear at a final Settlement Hearing. But there is also this caveat in the settlement documents about that final Settlement Hearing: The Court may adjourn or change the date and time of the Settlement Hearing without further notice to the Class. The settlement documents propose to name Simone Lelchuk as the Claims Administrator with wide discretion on whether to make monetary awards to victims and how much. Lelchuk was also named as the Claims Administrator in a related case that the same attorneys for Epstein victims settled in May with Deutsche Bank. Lelchuk was one of the two attorneys selected in July of last year to mediate hundreds of sexual assault victim claims that were filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York under the Child Victims Act. Lelchuk and her mediation partner, Jed Melnick, were also named as mediators/Claims Examiners in Harvey Weinstein sexual assault/sexual misconduct cases, with four of the claimants filing an objection that raised ethics violations against the pair. (See paragraph 58 at this link.) The hoops and hurdles and legal mazes that Epsteins victims are being forced to navigate in this settlement must be seen in a larger context. Epsteins victims have been egregiously denied due process since 2006. In July 2006, the Palm Beach, Florida Police Chief, Michael Reiter, handed a deeply investigated case over to the FBI, including the identification of 34 sexual assault victims of Epstein. According to the in-depth reporting of Julie Brown in the Miami Herald in 2018, by November 2006, the FBI had initiated interviews with potential witnesses to Epsteins crimes and his victims from Florida, New York and New Mexico. It took just eight months of FBI interviews for the U.S. Attorneys office to have a 53-page Federal indictment ready to file against Epstein. But the indictment was never filed. The case was corrupted by U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta and Epsteins lawyers. A deal was worked out where federal charges were dropped against Epstein and he was allowed to plead guilty to only Florida state charges: one count of soliciting sex from a minor and one count of soliciting sex from an adult woman. Epstein was able to serve just 13 months in jail in Palm Beach County, where he was given a work release program that allowed him to work at an outside office 12 hours a day and be driven there in his limousine by his private chauffeur. The terms of the deal were sealed in such a way that it denied Epsteins victims knowledge of what went down. In February of 2019, a federal judge ruled that the secrecy of the deal violated the federal Crime Victims Rights Act. Congressional leaders were even briefed days prior to Saturday's events, after US intelligence reportedly observed the mercenary firm mustering forces and amassing weapons in preparation for possibly making a move against the defense ministry. Wagner members standing guard outside military HQ in Rostov-on-Don Saturday, via AP. Describing the Congressional briefings, The New York Times reported late Saturday that "U.S. spy agencies had indications days earlier that Mr. Prigozhin was planning something and worked to refine that material into a finished assessment, officials said." "The information shows that the United States was aware of impending events in Russia, similar to how intelligence agencies had warned in late 2021 that Vladimir V. Putin was planning to invade Ukraine." But unlike in the case of those prior invasion warnings of February 2022, the US administration stayed silent ahead of the dramatic Wagner events, likely hoping that it would create destabilization in the Russian state, and negatively impact military operations in Ukraine. So far, there's been little evidence to suggest the whole short-lived mutiny by Wagner led to significant Ukrainian gains along the frontlines. The Times explains the rationale of its intel sources as follows: U.S. officials felt that if they said anything, Mr. Putin could accuse them of orchestrating a coup. And they clearly had little interest in helping Mr. Putin avoid a major, embarrassing fracturing of his support. While it is not clear exactly when the United States first learned of the plot, intelligence officials conducted briefings on Wednesday with administration and defense officials. On Thursday, as additional confirmation of the plot came in, intelligence officials informed a narrow group of congressional leaders, according to officials familiar with the briefings who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Whenever a show is over, claim to deserve a place in the credits. https://t.co/gNcN6HPMN8 Moon of Alabama (@MoonofA) June 25, 2023 While over the past months Prigozhin has made his personal hatred for Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and top general Valery Gerasimov well known, the intelligence that Washington supposedly had seems very specific and appears to have accurately predicted events, a mere few days before they unfolded. While the Kremlin has thus far refrained from blaming the tumultuous events on US or NATO countries, it has indirectly hinted and warned that the West could exploit the situation. "The attempted armed mutiny in our country has aroused strong disapproval in Russian society, which firmly supports President Vladimir Putin," a Foreign Ministry statement said Saturday. "We warn the Western countries against the slightest attempts to use the internal situation in Russia for achieving their Russophobic aims. Such attempts are futile and evoke no support either in Russia or among soberly-minded political forces abroad." But soon after, Secretary of State Blinken did just that, in Sunday news shows pushing the talking point that the Wagner mutiny exposed "real cracks" in Putin's government: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday said the short-lived rebellion from Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin shows real cracks within Russia as it wages its war on Ukraine. Prigozhin himself, in this entire incident, has raised profound questions about the very premises for Russian aggression against Ukraine in the first place, saying that Ukraine or NATO did not pose a threat to Russia, which is part of Putins narrative. And it was a direct challenge to Putins authority. So this raises profound questions. It shows real cracks, Blinken said on CBS Newss Face the Nation, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian MFA released a rather peculiar statement right as the Wagner hysteria was coming to a close. Russia called out US-led/sponsored wars, and brought up past failed CIA black ops such as the Bay of Pigs. Are the Russian government hinting they just foiled another CIA stunt? https://t.co/rmlSf2Dou7 Clandestine (@WarClandestine) June 24, 2023 A beefed up military presence in major cities and in the south of Russia has remained throughout the weekend. Moscow's iconic Red Square has stayed closed throughout Sunday, with extra security measures still in place. Sky News and others have meanwhile commented on Putin not being willing to forgive "betrayal": Dmitry Kiselyov, in his Russian state TV programme, has claimed the swift resolution of the Wagner Group's mutiny shows Russia is a united nation. Part of his show has been tweeted by Francis Scarr from BBC Monitoring. Mr Kiselyov also played an archive clip of Vladimir Putin saying he is able to forgive many things, but not "betrayal". There is considerable speculation about how Mr Putin will react to the mutiny. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said it could take weeks or months to play out. On Saturday in Putin's televised remarks to the nation which addressed the crisis as it was unfolding, the Russian president called the mutineers' actions "a knife in the back of our people." They knew it all the time of course. After seeing 12 hours of propaganda insinuating the FSB was defecting, Putin was flying away, in a bunker. Moscow was about to be taken. Multiple helicopters taken out. Yeah. Terrible psy-op. Cost $6.2 billion Rambling Infantryman (@Veteran4Amer1ca) June 25, 2023 Meanwhile, with Prigozhin headed into 'exile' in neighboring Belarus as part of the Lukashenko-mediated ceasefire deal, speculation still abounds over the confusing situation, and several dominant theories have emerged. What's clear is that President Putin took the matter very seriously. "Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he keeps the situation of the special operation under control around the clock," a statement in TASS said. The president "has been staying up quite late lately," the statement said. 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. Kering annonce l'acquisition de la maison de parfums Creed Kering annonce l'acquisition de la maison de parfums Creed Credit photo Reuters PARIS (Reuters) - Kering annonce lundi avoir signe un accord en vue de l'acquisition de 100% du capital de la maison de parfums Creed, jusqu'alors detenue par des fonds controles par BlackRock Long Term Private Capital Europe et par Javier Ferran, l'actuel president du createur du parfum Aventus. (Reportage de Mimosa Spencer, redige par Tangi Salaun) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, second from left, checks crops in a rice paddy in North Hwanghae Province after the September 2020 floods. Korea Times file Violent crimes committed by soldiers against civilians increase amid deaths due to worsening starvation, says defector By Kang Hyun-kyung Dozens of North Korean soldiers were embroiled recently in a violent dispute with health authorities in the reclusive state, according to a defector. Citing a source, Lee Ae-ran, an expert in North Korean cuisine, who became the first defector to earn a doctoral degree in the South, said that the deadly clash occurred as the soldiers took collective action against North Korean authorities, which is a rare occurrence in the totalitarian state. According to Lee, the soldiers arrived in Pyongyang early to prepare for a military parade scheduled for July 27 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement that halted fighting in the Korean War. "Some of them had the flu and were separated from other soldiers for social distancing purposes. After they recovered, the soldiers were ordered to go back to their units against their will," she told The Korea Times in a telephone interview, Friday. "All of the soldiers who participate in the military parade are supposed to get special gifts from Kim Jong-un. The soldiers were upset when they were kicked out and headed directly to the health authorities to confront their decision to send them back to their military units." Security personnel guarding the health authorities deterred the rebellious soldiers triggering a clash, which led to some soldiers getting killed. "In North Korea, challenging the authorities is an unthinkable act," Lee said. "Collective action, committed by soldiers in particular, is deemed as a serious threat to the regime, because soldiers are the ones who are allowed to be armed. The North Korean regime took the case very seriously because of that." Lee said she recently heard numerous accounts of violence involving soldiers, including cases of sexual assault on civilians and theft, adding that North Korean residents have been increasingly anxious of such troops, who locals refer to as bandits. She added that what is happening there reminds her of a sequence of ominous events that had occurred in the North before the great famine in the 1990s. Among other things, Lee said a food shortage was a critical factor that pushed the soldiers to become violent and rebellious. "When people are starving, isn't it natural for them to become unruly and harbor resentment toward the government?" she asked. Her testimony about the violent confrontation involving the soldiers comes as North Korea suffers from an extreme food shortage. Tim Peters, a Seoul-based American humanitarian activist, said North Korea has been going through severe food shortages since COVID-19. "My contacts in North Korea confirmed the food situation as very dire, and has been so through the years of the pandemic," he told The Korea Times. North Korea has gone through chronic crop shortages for decades. But this time, activists who are familiar with the North said that the food situation is more severe than in the past. Some said North Korea is experiencing the worst famine since its foundation in 1948. Peters said COVID-19 dealt a big blow to the impoverished North as an extended border lockdown, which has been in place since May 2020, blocked trade with China. On top of the pandemic, he added that North Korea's systemic inefficiencies due to its top-down management of the agricultural sector and the development of weapons of mass destruction are also among other reasons causing the worsening food situation in the North. He said poor people are suffering the most. "Food shortages to the most vulnerable in the North have been exacerbated by rising food prices that further puts vital food out of the reach of those who need it desperately," he said. North Korea holds a large gathering in Pyongyang on Sunday to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. According to North Korea's state media, some 120,000 people participated in the event, which was held as a rise in starvation grips the North. Yonhap Deaths due to starvation are increasing in the North and even in its capital, according to media reports. Previously, Pyongyang was thought to be a relatively affluent part of the country. In a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, Elizabeth Salmon, the U.N. special rapporteur for human rights in North Korea, said that about 40 percent of North Koreans are malnourished because of food shortages. Seo Jae-pyeong, president of the Seoul-based non-profit group, Association for North Korean defectors, said that the food situation in the North is even worse than the Arduous March period in the mid-1990s when a great famine killed hundreds of thousands of people. Despite the dire food situation, Seo said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is still in control. "There has been no sign of social unrest whatsoever, because the society is tightly controlled by the Kim regime," he said. "Even though people died of starvation, their neighbors or families kept their mouths shut about the cause of their deaths because they are not allowed to speak to others about it. Those who breached this rule are sent to prison camps." The North Korean regime fabricated the causes of their deaths and told residents that they died because of fever, pneumonia or other diseases, according to Seo. The great famine of the mid-1990s created drastic social changes in the North, such as the introduction of certain capitalist elements. Markets popped up across the totalitarian country as hungry residents became determined to make a living by selling products smuggled in from China. It remains to be seen how the latest famine will affect North Korean society. But Lee said that the famine might lead to social unrest or political chaos in the North. "These days, people are different. North Koreans are no longer obedient to the regime," she said. Seo, however, remained cautious about discussing repercussions caused by the famine, such as a groundswell of protest against the North Korean leader. "This is not the first time North Korea was hit hard by food shortages," he said. The famine occurred at a time when rumors about the North Korean leader's health are rampant. Based on an estimate, the National Intelligence Service said that Kim is believed to weigh around 140 kilograms. He is also believed to be suffering from a cardiac-related disease and diabetes. In addition, Kim is rumored to have a kidney problem. At the same time, his children are still too young to ascend to power. If Kim was to be unable to rule as the nation battles the famine, few know how a possible leadership vacuum could impact the North. NEW DELHI (PTI): China has been helping the Pakistan Army build its defence infrastructure besides providing Unmanned Aerial and Combat Aerial Vehicles, setting up communication towers and laying underground cables along the Line of Control, officials said. This, according to the officials, is part of efforts to further shore up China's position as an all-weather friend of Pakistan while ensuring the safety of the growing Chinese enclaves on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) set up on the pretext of securing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road and hydel projects built in the occupied territory. The officials said that the recently developed SH-15, a 155mm truck-mounted howitzer gun, has also been spotted at some places along the Line of Control (LoC) after it was displayed on Pakistan Day last year. Known as a 'shoot and scoot' artillery weapon, Pakistan had signed a contract with Chinese firm North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco) for the supply of 236 SH-15s and, according to London-based Janes Defence magazine, the first batch was delivered in January 2022. Though the presence of senior PLA officials at forward posts, as was detected in 2014, was not found, some intercepts suggested that Chinese troops and engineers were setting up infrastructure along the LoC, including building underground bunkers, the officials said. The Army has officially maintained silence on the issue but has been constantly updating the intelligence agencies, sources said. The Chinese military's presence, according to experts, is due to Beijing's 46-billion-dollar CPEC under which Gwadar Port in Karachi will be linked to China's Xinjiang province through the Karakoram highway, an area under the illegal occupation of China. The officials suggested that Chinese experts were digging some tunnels in the Leepa Valley located in PoK, preparatory to building an all-weather road that will serve as an alternative route to reach the Karakoram highway. It may be mentioned here that a Chinese telecom company took over Pakistan's telecom company in 2007 and formed China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak), which is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation. In August last year, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), while renewing the mobile licence of CMPak (Zong) for PoK, gave permission for expanding Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in the region. India has strongly objected to the presence of the Chinese in Gilgit and Baltistan regions in the past, and officials said the Army was completely prepared to frustrate any moves from across the border. India and Pakistan have been observing a ceasefire since February 25, 2021. Srikanth Kondapalli, professor of Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University who has been part of a think-tank on Indian policy towards China, feels that arms transfers to Pakistan are part of a design to secure China's interests in the region. He said that in line with its often-stated stand of being Pakistan's "all-weather" friend and to balance India by pursuing the overall regional dominance policy, Beijing has stepped up its arms transfers to Pakistan. "China had initiated an Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2014 in violation of sovereignty concerns of India in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "In addition to road expansion of the Karakoram Highway, China has sent an estimated 36,000 'security guards' into PoK to protect its hydro-electricity projects and other infrastructure projects from terror attacks," he said. Kondapali said that China had also been constructing "well-off society" villages in PoK. "Modern warfare also requires 24/7 surveillance and China has been supplying 10 CH-4A drones, specifically designed for high-altitude missions over land and sea that can fire from up to 5,000 metres, in addition to 48 Wing Loong-II drones, used as a surveillance and aerial reconnaissance and precision strike platform, to Pakistan since 2018," he said. 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. The US-led effort aims at returning humans to the Moon by 2025, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond. (Image: NASA) WASHINGTON (PTI): 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. India has 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 in Washington 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 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 Indiathat 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. While the Indian Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones (in picture), Indian Air Force and Indian Army will each get eight Sky Guardian drones. (File photo) NEW DELHI (PTI): India is yet to finalise the cost and specific terms of purchase of 31 MQ-9B long endurance drones from the US and it will examine the "best price" offered by the manufacturer to other nations before concluding the procurement, the Defence ministry said on Sunday while trashing reports in a section of social media on the price as well as the acquisition process. It said the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) accorded to the procurement by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) noted the estimated cost of USD 3,072 million (one million=10 lakh) as provided by the US Government, adding the price will be negotiated once policy approval from Washington is received. The DAC headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 15 accorded the AoN or initial approval for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones from the US under the foreign military sale (FMS) route. The AoN included the number of unmanned aerial vehicles to be procured along with associated equipment. India and the US firmed up the drone deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to Washington. The Defence Ministry, in a statement, described the reports in social media on the price and the terms of purchase relating to the drones as "speculative" and said they are being spread with "ulterior motives". "These are uncalled for, have ulterior motives and aimed at derailing the due acquisition process. The price and other terms and conditions of the purchase are yet to be finalised and subject to negotiations," it said. "In this regard, all are requested not to spread fake news/ misinformation which can have serious impact on the morale of the Armed Forces and adversely impact the acquisition process," it added. The Sea Guardian drones are being procured for the three services as they can carry out a variety of roles, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting among others. While Indian Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, Indian Air Force and the Indian Army will each get eight Sky Guardian drones. The Ministry said it will compare the acquisition cost of the drones with the "best price" offered by manufacturer General Atomics (GA) to other countries and that the procurement process would be completed as per the laid down procedure. "The AoN noted the estimated cost of 3,072 million US dollars provided by the US Government. However, price will be negotiated once policy approval of the US Government is received," it said. "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered by General Atomics (GA) to other countries. The procurement is in progress and would be completed as per the laid down procedure," it added. The Ministry said under the foreign military sale (FMS) route, a Letter of Request (LOR) would be sent to the US Government where Tri-Services requirements, details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be included. "Based on the LOR, the US Government and MoD will finalise the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) where details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be negotiated and finalised in accordance with the FMS programme and the price and terms offered by the US Government and GA to other countries," it said. The high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drones are capable of remaining airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kg of bombs. In 2020, the Indian Navy had taken on lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from General Atomics for a period of one year for surveillance in the Indian Ocean. The lease period has been extended subsequently. Giancarlo Esposito has arrived in Dublin ahead of a new project. The Breaking Bad star tweeted ahead of his first day on set for his new project, adding it gives him the chance to visit his "buds" in Ireland. Advertisement Esposito visited some of Dublin's top spots, such as the Forty Foot in Dun Laoghaire, where he posed for photos with some "young bucks". He also posted photographs from Trinity College's library and the Apples and Atoms statue outside the Institute of Physics. Visiting my buds in Ireland! So much love! 1st day on set for a new project coming up soon! Am I ready? You bet I am! More to come! Also got to hang with the Irish young bucks at Forty Foot, I love the fuckin Irish! pic.twitter.com/HZkSiGXf9M Advertisement Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) June 25, 2023 Advertisement The 65-year-old told his 1.7 million followers on Instagram and 624,000 Twitter followers: "I love the f***in' Irish". He also assured fans he will keep them up to date on this new project. Esposito has a long list of credits, including his portrayal of Moff Gideon in Disney's live-action television series The Mandalorian, Akela in The Jungle Book and Pastor Ramon Cruz in The Get Down. However, the Danish-born star is best known for playing Gus Fring, a ruthless drug lord and fast-food mogul in Breaking Bad. In 2012 and 2023, he won the Critics Choice Award for best supporting actor in a drama series for his portrayal of Fring. Rock band Muse will take their tour Will of the People to Ireland and the UK later on this year. They will play in Dublin's 3Arena on September 27th before they make the journey to Manchester's AO Arena to play on September 29th. Advertisement Next, Muse will take to the stage on October 1st and 2nd at the O2 Arena in London. Their support acts Nova Twins will support Muse on the Irish and UK leg of their tour. Muse is made up of Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme. The Will of the People tour will showcase the band's seventh consecutive album which shot to number one on the UK Official Album Chart. This was the bands seventh consecutive studio album to top the chart. Their first album to top the charts was Absolution in 2003. Since their formation in 1994, the three-man band has released nine studio albums. Advertisement Tickets will go on sale on July 7th at 9am. So far this summer, Muse have performed at Plymouth, Huddersfield, Glasgow and Milton Keynes and are headlining at major festivals across Europe and Asia throughout the summer. Tributes have been paid to mother of two, Joanna Wisniowska, who died on Sunday after attempting to rescue her young son after he got into difficulty swimming off Ballycroneen beach in East Cork. Ms Wisniowska, who was a native of Strzyzow in Poland, entered the water in a bid to help her 10-year-old son shortly before 1pm on Sunday. The boy managed to make his way onto rocks on the shore, but Ms Wisniowska got into difficulty in the water. Advertisement She was taken from the water by the RNLI and transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where she later died. Cork East Sinn Fein TD Pat Buckley described Ms Wisniowska, her partner Maciej and their children, Stanislaw and Zofia, as being deeply rooted in the community. Advertisement The family are fully integrated into the town. I think they even have an Irish nickname. It is a pure and utter tragedy. Mr Buckley said every effort would be made to assist the grieving family in the coming days. Advertisement In a Facebook post, the RNLI said the lifeboat crew from Ballycotton, along with their colleagues in Crosshaven Lifeboat station, were requested to launch on Sunday afternoon by Valentia Coast Guard. Local coast guard units from Ballycotton and Guileen located one of the swimmers on the rocks who was winched to safety by the crew of Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117. The second casualty was rescued from the water in a joint operation by both lifeboat crews and transferred into the care of waiting emergency services. Sadly, we learned later that the woman we rescued did not recover. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to their family and friends and our thoughts are with the young child who was brought to safety. Advertisement We also wish to acknowledge the incredible work of our colleagues in the other agencies who worked tirelessly, to try and save a life. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam. Ms Wisniowska was a certified massage therapist who previously ran her own mobile massage business. She also worked in the spa at the Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork. The family had lived in Cloyne, Co Cork for several years. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, welcomes North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for talks in Vladivostok, Russia, in this, April 25, 2019 photo. The Wagner Group's recent rebellion may have killed North Korea's dream project in Russia, an expert said Monday. AP-Yonhap Expert says Pyongyang's hopes of taking advantage of Moscow ties now look dim By Jung Min-ho When Russia's military forces took control of Luhansk and Donetsk, two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, North Korea seized an opportunity, becoming only the second state after Syria to recognize their independence in a move to back Moscow. Then followed the news that the North was offering 100,000 soldiers to help stabilize the regions and that it was supplying munitions to the Kremlin through the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary group with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. All this suggests that North Korea was keen to take advantage of the war. First, by selling Russia weapons during the conflict and then by taking part in its reconstruction. That plan may now have been seriously perhaps fatally disrupted after Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, initiated an open military rebellion, an analyst told The Korea Times, Monday. "It is very possible that North Korea made several deals with the group. The cancellations of the deals would cause immediate damage to the regime," said Cho Han-bum, an expert on Russia at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a think tank. But to North Korea, more serious damage from Prigozhin's one-day revolt that began Friday night has been inflicted on its long-term diplomatic strategy regarding Russia, its critical ally that can offer far more than money, he noted. Wagner Group mercenaries pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday. Reuters-Yonhap An attack on a Ukrainian actor in Dublin at the weekend has been condemned and an investigation is underway. Gardai said they are investigating a report of an assault of a man aged in his 20s on Eden Quay on Saturday. Advertisement Actor Oleksandr Hrekov had travelled to Dublin to perform in a Kyiv theatre companys production of Brian Friels Translations. After the final performance on Saturday, he was attacked near the Abbey Theatre in what has been called an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence. Mr Hrekov was brought to the Mater Hospital with serious injuries that required stitches; a spokesperson for the Abbey said he is recovering well. No arrests have been made, Gardai said. Advertisement I condemn the cowardly attack on Oleksandr Hrekov The production of #TranslationsUkraine @AbbeyTheatre was an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible https://t.co/ZH2DYF9DNY Advertisement Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 26, 2023 Advertisement Minister for Culture Catherine Martin condemned the cowardly attack. She said that the production of Translations was an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine. I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible, she said on Twitter. Advertisement It has saddened us all greatly that an artist invited to Ireland by us, particularly an artist coming from a war zone for a brief moment of respite, should have experienced this pic.twitter.com/VDa1AGV5H9 Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) June 26, 2023 Advertisement A Abbey spokesperson said: We were honoured to welcome and work with our Ukrainian colleagues from the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre over the last ten days, showing their production of Brian Friels Translations to sold out houses at the Abbey Theatre. They are a group of incredible and resilient artists using their art as an act of resistance to speak to their lived experience in a powerful and deeply moving way. A 27-strong theatre company travelled from Kyiv to perform the canonical Irish text, which illuminates the determination of a people to persist and ensure their culture endures in the most difficult of circumstances. Advertisement Unfortunately, one of the cast was attacked near the Abbey on Saturday evening, after the final performance. This was an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence, that left the cast member needing stitches and treatment in hospital. Both the Abbey Theatre and the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre condemn this behaviour and stand together against bullying and violence of this nature. The cast member is recovering well and began the journey home to Kyiv with the rest of the company yesterday. The spokesperson added: This incident will not overshadow the joyful and important collaboration between our two theatre companies. This is only the beginning of the Abbey Theatres artistic relationship with our friends at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre. A Dublin-based solicitor denies allegations that he intimidated or harassed a law student who has made a complaint about him to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the High Court has heard. The student, Sumaia Samanta, has asked the court for an injunction restraining solicitor Imtiaz Khan, practising under the style and title of IMK Solicitors, from deliberately and punitively harassing, intimidating her and causing her intentional emotional distress. Advertisement Ms Samanta, who claims she made a complaint after she was not paid for work allegedly done for the defendant's firm, also wants the terms of the injunction applied to any alleged agent, associate of, or person acting on Mr Khan's befall. Last week, her lawyers David O'Brien BL, instructed by RNL Solicitors, secured permission from Mr Justice Brian O'Moore to serve short notice of her injunction application against Mr Khan. Advertisement When the matter returned before the court on Monday, Robert Beatty SC, for Mr Khan, said his client and that application for an injunction is "unstateable" and should be dismissed. Counsel said the matter had received some attention in the media and as a practising solicitor his client was anxious that the application be heard as soon as possible. Advertisement After making directions in the case, Mr Justice O'Moore adjourned the application. The judge added that he hoped to be in a position to fix a hearing date when the matter returns before the court. Previously, the court heard Ms Samanta holds a law degree from Bangladesh, and is currently studying at the Law Society of Ireland with a view to qualifying as a solicitor, She claims she worked for the defendant, who is based in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, in late 2022 In her affidavit, the plaintiff. with an address in Leixlip, Co Kildare, states her role included promoting the firm via her social media, and YouTube channel to members of Ireland's Bangladeshi community. Advertisement She says she was to be paid commission for every new client she brought into the firm, and her travel expenses. However, she claims that she was not paid and, as a result, made a complaint to the WRC about Mr Khan. Since making the complaint she claims she has been subjected to an alleged malicious campaign of intimidation and harassment, which she claims is "designed to pressure me into withdrawing my WRC claim against him." As a result of the defendant's alleged actions, she has come before the court seeking various orders including an injunction and damages against Mr Khan. Solicitor Ammi Burkes behaviour in court during her challenge to the rejection of her unfair dismissal claim was extraordinarily unusual and unprecedented, a High Court judge has said. In a written ruling on Monday explaining her earlier dismissal of Ms Burkes case, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger said she was satisfied the court has power, under its inherent jurisdiction, to dismiss a case on grounds of the applicants conduct. Advertisement A persons obligation to respect a court and its processes go hand in hand with their rights to litigate and their rights to fair procedures, said the judge. Corporate bodies, such as the respondent Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and notice party law firm Arthur Cox, Where the court finds an applicants conduct is an abuse of process, the court has jurisdiction to dismiss their proceedings, she said. On May 4th Ms Burke engaged in a blatant abuse of the court process that rendered it impossible to continue hearing her case. Advertisement Last May, as the court and lawyers strained to be heard over Ms Burkes loud chanting, the judge dismissed her challenge to the WRCs rejection of her claim of unfair dismissal from Arthur Cox. Ms Burkes conduct was undoubtedly an abuse of process, Ms Justice Bolger said then, adding that she would explain her decision later in a written ruling. Advertisement The hearing of Ms Burkes judicial review came to an abrupt halt during its third day, as Ms Burke repeatly expressed, in a raised voice, her discontent that Ms Justice Bolger had supplied copies of case law that had been cited in submissions by the WRC and Arthur Cox. Ms Burke, of Castlebar, Co Mayo, incessantly accused the judge of litigating the case of Arthur Cox and the WRC. Arthur Coxs senior counsel Peter Ward said Ms Burke was deliberately and consciously obstructing the administration of justice. She was showing precisely the behaviour the WRCs adjudication officer was subjected to by Ms Burke and her mother for an entire day during the hearing of unfair dismissal claim there in April 2022, he added. The WRCs senior counsel, Catherine Donnelly, agreed with Mr Wards application for the case to be dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement In her judgment on Monday, Ms Justice Bolger said the hearing last May was descending into chaos due to the applicants extraordinary behaviour. Ms Burkes scripted mantra of objections to a decision that had already been made and her conduct was devoid of any attempts at persuasion and appeared to be designed solely to collapse the hearing before the court. It could not be objectively viewed as having any other purpose or outcome, and this, said Ms Justice Bolger, has to be the very definition of an abuse of the courts process. There was no justification for Ms Burkes behaviour, which came against the backdrop of an escalating pattern of her refusals to accept earlier decisions of the court. Advertisement The court had was compelled to grant the application by Arthur Cox and the WRC to dismiss her claim. There was no alternative option identified or available to the court that would have enabled the hearing to continue, the judge added. Ms Justice Bolger noted Ms Burke had earlier, during her own submissions, made various baseless claims and repeatedly objected to what she described as interruptions from the court. These interruptions included the judges queries about what document Ms Burke was reading from. Throughout the hearing the judge had to leave the courtroom due to Ms Burke speaking loudly over her and other lawyers in spite of frequent requests to her not to do so. There was also a pattern of refusing to accept the courts decisions, the judge added. Ms Burkes High Court judicial review was brought over a WRC adjudication officers rejection of her complaint that she was unfairly dismissed from Arthur Cox in November 2019. The officer said he inquired into her claim but the hearing could not continue due to persistent interruptions from the Burke family. Advertisement Ms Burke claimed she had an unblemished record during her time at the law firm from May 2016 until she was fired without warning in November 2019. Arthur Cox denied she was unfairly dismissed, saying she received three months pay in lieu of notice and a 70,000 ex gratia payment. The firm accepted reviews of her employment were positive, but certain exchanges she was involved in led to a breakdown of trust and confidence. A jury has been sworn in to hear the trial of a 35-year-old man accused of the murder of Derek Reddin in Dublin almost four years ago. Andrew Lacey appeared before the Central Criminal Court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Reddin (31) at Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin, on a date unknown between October 14th and October 15th, 2019, both dates inclusive. Advertisement Mr Lacey, of Riverside, Loughlinstown, Dublin, spoke only to reply not guilty when the single charge on the indictment was read to him by the registrar. Before the jury was sworn in, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring told potential jurors that if there was any reason why they could not serve then they should bring that to her attention. She told the panel the accused man, Mr Lacey, is employed with the parks department in Dun Laoghaire. Advertisement The judge said the case relates to a single allegation of murder alleged to have occurred sometime between October 14th and 15th, 2019 at Loughlinstown Drive in Dublin. A jury of eight men and four women has been selected to hear the case, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday before Ms Justice Ring and is expected to last for approximately two weeks. The majority of people across the UK oppose the British governments controversial Bill to deal the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Amnesty International has said. The Bill proposes an effective amnesty from prosecution for Troubles-related offences in exchange for cooperation with a truth retrieval body. Advertisement The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict. Amnesty commissioned Savanta to carry out a UK-wide poll which indicates that nine in 10 adults believe people should still be prosecuted for serious crimes, even if they were committed decades ago, while only 6 per cent say they should not. Advertisement The Bill, which is expected to become law next month, will be under consideration by the UK House of Lords this week. Amnesty has strongly urged peers to reject the Bill, and is calling for Parliament to throw the Bill out. Advertisement Findings from the poll include that seven in 10 (68 per cent) of UK adults said people accused of serious crimes, such as murder, should not be able to receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the crimes, while only one in five (19 per cent) say they should and 13 per cent said they didnt know. Advertisement Two thirds (65 per cent) of UK adults said victims and/or the families of victims of serious crimes, such as murder, should have access to an independent inquest. Nine in 10 (87 per cent) UK adults say that people should still be prosecuted for serious crimes, such as murder, even if they were committed decades ago, while only 6 per cent say they should not (7 per cent didnt know). Advertisement More than half (53 per cent) of UK adults say that those accused of killings in relation to The Troubles, should not be able to receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the crimes, while only one in five (22 per cent) say they should (25 per cent didnt know). It also found that six in 10 (58 per cent) Conservative voters said that those accused of killings in relation to The Troubles, should not be able to receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland deputy director, said the findings could not be clearer. The majority of the UK public is opposed to this bill. It is out of step with victims, out of step with the Governments own electorate and as this poll shows at odds with public opinion across the UK, she said. These morally repugnant plans are an affront to decency, human rights and the rule of law and must be scrapped. The Government has continued to ignore widespread concern from the UN, Council of Europe bodies, US Congress, Irish Parliament, Amnesty and many others. If they push this Bill through, they will also now be ignoring their own voters. These figures must give the Government pause it is, quite frankly, reckless to proceed with a Bill so strongly opposed. Ms Teggart said Parliament has a significant decision to make in the weeks ahead. Will they stand with victims, or will they join the UK government in this act of betrayal and sacrifice victims rights to protect perpetrators, she said. Savanta interviewed 2,171 UK adults aged 18 and over online between June 16-18, 2023. Data were weighted to be representative of England, Scotland and Wales by age, sex, region and social grade. The survey also took into account peoples voting habits. Facebooks parent company Meta has been granted an extension of an interim stay on a decision that it must suspend the transfer and storage of user data from Europe to the US. On Monday, Mr Justice Denis McDonald, who heads the Commercial Court, agreed to continue to the end of July a stay he granted to Meta earlier this month against the decision made by the Data Protection Commission (DPC). Advertisement The stay had been granted on an ex parte basis, with only Meta's side represented, and adjourned to allow the DPC to respond. When the case returned on Monday, Catherine Donnelly SC, for the DPC, said she understood the EU Commission will give a decision next month on whether the US offers an adequate level of data protection, or what is known as an "adequacy decision". Advertisement Counsel said the adequacy decision "may render all this unnecessary". In its decision, the DPC fined Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd 1.2 billion and ordered it to cease unlawful processing and storage of personal data of millions of Facebook users in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all EU countries and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Advertisement It followed a successful legal challenge by Austrian privacy campaigner, Max Schrems, over concerns that EEA users data is not sufficiently protected from US intelligence agencies when it is transferred across the Atlantic. Declan McGrath SC, for Meta, told the court on Monday that his side will be opposing an application by Mr Schrems on behalf of the digital rights organisation he set up, NOYB (None of Your Business), to be joined as a notice party in the case. Eileen Barrington SC, on behalf of the US government, said she would be seeking to be joined as an "amicus curiae" (friend of the court). James Doherty SC, for NOYB, said his side had not been supplied with the papers in the two cases, one a judicial review and the other a statutory challenge, being brought by Meta. However, it had now been agreed that, subject to an undertaking as to confidentiality which his client will provide, Meta would supply the papers, he said. Advertisement The judge said he would hear both the US government application and the NOYB application in two weeks. He continued the stay on the DPC decision until July 31st and gave directions on the exchange of documents for the hearing of the full stay application on that date. A pedestrian who falsely claimed he was injured in a collision between a bus and a car has been given 150 hours of community service in lieu of 18 months' imprisonment. After witnessing a collision between the two vehicles in Dublin city centre in 2017, David Gregan went to a solicitor's office and claimed he had been injured as a result of the crash, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court previously heard. Advertisement Gregan (43) claimed he had suffered soft tissue injuries including to his shoulders. The parties in the case were Dublin Bus and Trinity College as the car involved in the accident was registered to the college. However, an anti-fraud claims investigator for the insurance company involved reviewed CCTV footage of the crash and found Gregan although present on the footpath was not near enough to be hit by the two vehicles involved, the court heard. Advertisement Gregan withdrew his claim in 2018 and no payment was ever made, although the other parties were at a loss of 9000 due to legal fees, Detective Garda Damien McKenna told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting. Gregan, of Abbeylea Close, Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a solicitor within the State on October 20, 2017. He has no previous convictions. Advertisement Defence counsel said Gregan has worked in the security industry for 25 years. He was previously the victim of an assault as a result of his work, where he was hit with the end of a gun, the court heard. He is separated from his wife and has a history of mental health difficulties. Judge Martin Nolan said it was clear Gregan had succumbed to temptation of what he thought was easy money. He noted Gregan's lack of criminal convictions and said he did not believe Gregan deserved a custodial sentence. He sentenced Gregan to 150 hours of community service in lieu of an 18-month prison sentence. The High Court's refusal to adjourn proceedings brought by a financial fund-appointed receiver seeking the repossession of a house owned All-Ireland winning hurler and manager Davy Fitzgerald is to be appealed to the Court of Appeal. As a result of the appeal, a stay has been placed on proceedings brought by receiver James Anderson of Deliotte, who was appointed by Pepper Finance Ireland DAC, seeking the possession of a property, which Mr Fitzgerald owns at Clonara, Sixmilebridge in Co Clare. Advertisement The court heard Mr Fitzgerald's sister, Helen Fitzgerald, has resided there for several years. Mr Fitzgerald acquired the property with loans from ACC Bank that were purportedly acquired by Pepper in 2019. Last week, Mr Justice Garrett Simons dismissed Ms Fitzgerald's pre-trial application to have the repossession proceedings adjourned until the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) had adjudicated on an issue she raised. Advertisement She claimed that as a tenant of the property, her tenancy can only be lawfully ended by the service of a valid notice of termination. Advertisement She claims that no such notice has been served on her, and has made a referral to the RTB, whose functions include the provision of a dispute resolution service for tenants and landlords. She further claimed that the receiver's repossession proceedings should be put on hold and adjourned until the RTB had determined the matter. The application was opposed by the plaintiffs. Refusal The judge refused the adjournment application and said the case should be readied for hearing before the High Court on the grounds that the determination of issues raised by Ms Fitzgerald, including if she can assert that she has a binding tenancy against the plaintiffs, lies with the High Court and not with the RTB. Advertisement There was nothing in the 2004 Residential Tenancies Act which states that the RTB has exclusive jurisdiction to decide whether a valid tenancy ever existed, the judge added. When the matter was mentioned before Mr Justice Simons on Monday, the judge said that the receiver and the fund were entitled to their legal costs. However, after being told that the matter was being appealed, the judge placed a stay on the repossession application and the costs orders pending the outcome of the appeal. Advertisement The judge also gave the sides liberty to apply to the court should the need arise. Advertisement When the dispute was previously mentioned before the courts last year, Mr Fitzgerald's lawyers raised several issues about loans he acquired from ACC, including the ones acquired by Pepper. Mr Fitzgerald's claims include that he is the victim of a fraud that has resulted in proceedings being brought against him before a Portuguese court. Mr Fitzgerald claims his name had, without his knowledge or consent, been put on "false" mortgage documentation in respect of "six or seven" properties in Portugal. He has brought proceedings over the fraud he claims has been committed against him, which he has linked to the repossession action. Mr Fitzgerald also claims the repossession claim should be before the Circuit Court, and not the High Court. Advertisement Mr Fitzgerald further claims he wants to redeem the mortgage of over 200,000 but says he cannot do so because Pepper is demanding an interest surcharge of 25,000, to which he claims it is not entitled. Mr Fitzgerald's counsel have raised questions about the validity of the transfer of the loans from ACC to Pepper, and claims that he was given insufficient and heavily redacted information about his loan from Pepper. Lawyers for the fund and the receiver rejected Mr Fitzgerald's criticism of them. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the outgoing director-general of RTE should still appear before Oireachtas committees examining corporate governance at the national broadcaster after she resigned following the scandal over undisclosed payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy. Dee Forbes was suspended from the position last week and was already due to step down from her role next month. Advertisement In a statement, Ms Forbes said: I regret very much the upset and adverse publicity suffered by RTE, its staff and the unease created among the public in recent days. Advertisement 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. Her resignation follows the revelation that Tubridy was paid several hundred thousand euro more than RTE had previously declared. Advertisement RTE apologised last week after admitting that between 2017 and 2022 former Late Late Show host Tubridy received a series of payments totalling 345,000 above his annual published salary. Advertisement Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to the media during the third day of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy at Dublin Castle. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Ms Forbes said she had consistently co-operated with the processes directed towards answering questions surrounding payments to Tubridy. Speaking to reporters during an event at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: I think people would like to hear her side of the story and her version of events. Advertisement It is still open to her to attend the committee hearings and I think she should. He said he was very disappointed about the RTE payments scandal but has confidence in the broadcasters board. Advertisement The Government has initiated a thorough review of the governance of RTE and has suspended work on reforming the TV licence in the interim. Mr Varadkar added: I do want to point out that RTE is a big organisation, the vast majority of people who work in RTE would have no knowledge or involvement in this whatsoever and indeed the board would have only known about it relatively recently. We need to make sure we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Mr Varadkar said there is a need for individual accountability over the matter. Advertisement On the negotiations for the controversial payments, Ms Forbes said in her statement: I did not at any stage act contrary to any advice. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation. At all times, I and the representatives of RTE acted in good faith. I fully accept and acknowledge responsibility for my part in these events as director-general. Ms Forbes said RTE began discussions around the renewal of Tubridys contract in early 2020, which contained payments that had been negotiated and put in place prior to her arrival at the broadcaster. RTE had committed to reducing fees paid to top talent by 15 per cent. As director-general, I led the discussions with the agent for Ryan Tubridy together with other RTE senior executives. The agreement meant a commercial partner would enter into a separate commercial contract with Tubridy for 75,000 in exchange for the provision of three events annually. RTE guaranteed and underwrote the payments. She said the pandemic restrictions meant that the commitment to the commercial client could not be met in 2020 and 2021 and was only delivered in 2022. The commercial partner informed us that the commercial arrangement was not going to work for them in the long term. At this point, only one 75,000 euro payment had been made. Advertisement Payment was sought for the 2021 and 2022 contractual commitments that now fell to RTE under the guarantee even though RTE had never expected to become liable for them and had not budgeted for them. Because of the commercial nature of the arrangement, it was decided to pay the invoices from the commercial barter account which was in credit. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation. At all times, I and the representatives of RTE acted in good faith. I fully accept and acknowledge responsibility for my part in these events as director-general. This statement is directed to the events of 2020-2022. I understand from media reports and RTEs statement that the board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments and the board has not raised those questions with me. She later added: I want to reiterate that I have engaged fully with the board during this process. However, the board has not treated me with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague or a person. RTE presenter Ryan Tubridy is at the centre of the row. Photo: PA/Damien Eagers. All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing. Advertisement I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. I care very deeply about RTE, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster and its reputation. I will continue to do so as RTE moves forward under the new director-general. A Government review of the RTE funding model has been ongoing but a final decision on the outcome has been paused pending the completion of an external review of governance and culture at the broadcaster, which was ordered at the weekend. On Saturday, a senior executive emailed staff at RTE to apologise and inform them that new contracts have been paused pending the implementation of further oversight measures. Following further weekend media scrutiny, in particular over its financial arrangements with advertising partners, RTE issued a statement on Sunday insisting it was legally compliant in respect of how it operates commission and volume discounts with media ad buying agencies. Media Minister Catherine Martin announced the external review on Saturday after meeting the chairwoman of the RTE board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, in Dublin. Minister Catherine Martin met RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh (Nick Bradshaw/PA) Ms Martin warned that the scale of the issues facing RTE was verging on an existential crisis and a root and branch review was required. Advertisement Executives from the broadcaster have been invited to appear before two separate parliamentary committees in Dublin in the week ahead. Ireland Dee Forbes resigns as RTE director general followi... Read More On Friday, Tubridy apologised unreservedly for not asking questions when RTE published incorrect figures for his earnings. He said he would not be presenting his daily radio show on RTE Radio One this week. On Saturday, interim deputy director general at RTE Adrian Lynch apologised to staff at the broadcaster. Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster, who is a member of both the Oireachtas Media Committee and the Public Accounts Committee, has said that Dee Forbes would be doing the staff at RTE a disservice if she does not appear before the Oireachtas committees this week. If, as she says in her resignation statement, that she cares deeply about RTE and the people that work for it, she needs to come and answer most of the questions. If she doesn't, she'll be doing both RTE and the people that work for it, that she cares deeply about, a huge disservice because it's all about accountability and transparency. Advertisement Ms Munster told RTE radios Morning Ireland that Ms Forbes, along with the executive board of the station and the chief financial officer and anyone with any knowledge of what went on all needed to come before the Oireachtas Committees. Advertisement The questions that needed to be answered, she said, included who initiated the deal, who signed off on it, who knew about it, and who also knew that they had signed off on erroneous salary figures, knowing full well that in at least one case that those figures were not correct and that they deliberately concealed those secretive payments. We need answers to all of those questions. And Dee Forbes is a key component". It would be doing RTE a disservice if Ms Forbes did not attend, she said. Another question was why did top management get involved in a separate commercial deal? And then concealing those payments. There was a whole series of questions about how salary figures were published, which they knew were not correct as the actual earnings were completely different, Ms Munster added. Advertisement Those questions needed to be answered now, there had been a serious breach of trust. Ms Munster told Newstalk Breakfast that it would send out the wrong message if Ms Forbes did not come before the committee. When asked if the committee wanted to hear from Ryan Tubridy, Ms Munster said not at this stage. When it comes to the Public Accounts Committee and the good governance and the spending of public money, it's the RTE top management that are responsible for the spending of public money and good governance practices and to ensure that they are in place to ensure the highest level of corporate governance is adhered to. So it's primarily Dee Forbes and the members of the Board that we need to speak to." Advertisement The chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley has said that if Dee Forbes is medically able to attend the PAC meeting this week, then she should do so It was important that the central players, the people who had been involved in dealings with agent Noel Kelly come before the committee. He wanted to know who came up with this idea, who designed it, who put that backup system in place despite these powerful accounts, who had oversight and who knew about it? Advertisement Mr Stanley thought it was a very strange decision commercially for RTE to step in and make the payment when the commercial agreement fell through. He added that he had been very encouraged since last Thursday by the manner in which the story had been reported by RTE as diligently and impartially as anybody else. That had been encouraging to see and he was happy that it had not been hampered. However, he was very concerned at the lack of corporate governance within the station and called for any external review to be carried out quickly. There also needed to be full transparency about the financial assistance received by RTE. The sooner that happens the better. Ireland Dee Forbes resigns as RTE director general followi... Read More Public sector broadcasting needed to be protected, but he was concerned about the approach by RTE management. If the attitude they had taken before previous meetings of the Committee was going to continue then that would cause further harm and damage to the brand of RTE. At a later stage the committee would also consider talking with Noel Kelly, the agent who handled the deal. Advertisement Minister of State Neale Richmond has said that the Cabinet will discuss on Tuesday the controversy over the discrepancy between what Ryan Tubridy reportedly earned and what he actually did earn. Public confidence in RTE needed to be restored, there needed to be full transparency, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. The statement of resignation by Dee Forbes on Monday raised more questions rather than providing any answers, he said. It would be helpful if she were to come before the two Oireachtas committees this week. Senior management at RTE also had questions to answer. The priority this week was getting answers, he said. From left, Embassy of Kyrgyz Republic Attache Sanzhar Valibekov, Embassy of Kazakhstan Counselor Timur Jaikov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan Vitaliy Fen, The Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, SK Supex Council Vice President Park Hoon and Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Research Division Executive Director Kang Seog-gu pose during The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" at the KCCI headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Kwon Mee-yoo Amid the final push in the campaign to host World Expo 2030 in the southeastern city of Busan, Korea seeks to leverage this opportunity to channel efforts to address global challenges and boost global relations, with a particular focus on Central Asia. Central Asia is a region deemed crucial for Korea's future, given its abundant resources and potential for mutual growth. Encompassing five countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan the region is renowned for its vast natural resources and young, skilled labor force. The Korea Times hosted a roundtable titled "Future of Korea-Central Asia Economic Cooperation" at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) headquarters in central Seoul, Friday, to discuss the potential synergy between Korea's technological prowess and Central Asia's resource wealth, which can open avenues for fruitful partnerships that can bolster economic progress, sustainability and diplomatic relations. At the roundtable, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea Vitaliy Fen, Counselor at the Embassy of Kazakhstan Timur Jaikov and Attache at the Embassy of Kyrgyz Republic Sanzhar Valibekov discussed bilateral issues with SK Supex Council Vice President Park Hoon and KCCI Research Division Executive Director Kang Seog-gu, moderated by The Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin. Representatives from the Embassy of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were not able to attend the roundtable due to unavoidable circumstances. SK Supex Council Vice President Park Hoon speaks during The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Park from SK Supex Council emphasized the significance of Central Asia as a key partner for South Korea, stating that Central Asia's mix of abundant resources and Korea's technology and capital can create substantial synergy. Park highlighted the various projects SK has been involved with in Central Asia, including copper production and expressway construction, but noted these initiatives were mostly one-off projects. "Recently, as we have been participating in the World Expo 2030 bid activities, we have had opportunities to meet with foreign missions in Korea and visit various countries, including Central Asia, to promote Busan's World Expo 2030 candidacy," Park said. "What we realized during this process was that there were more diverse areas for investment in Central Asia." SK Supex Council is the decision-making body for the Korean conglomerate SK Group, which plays a notable role in Korea's Expo bid. This involvement is spearheaded by the group's Chairman Chey Tae-won, who is also co-chairing the committee bidding for Busan to host the World Expo 2030. "In my opinion, the World Expo is more than a venue to showcase technology; it's a platform for jointly addressing global concerns, such as climate change and food shortages. I believe this provides an excellent opportunity to cultivate stronger ties between Korea and Central Asian countries," Park said. While their focus has primarily been on Central Asia's resources, the SK executive noted that there are other sectors ripe for collaboration as well. "For example, Central Asia is currently grappling with desertification, opening up avenues for partnership in reforestation projects. The ongoing development of new cities offers further potential for cooperation, especially in infrastructure and smart city initiatives," he said. "If a car factory is established, we could contribute by supplying batteries and there have been discussions around materials for batteries too. These represent just a few of the potential areas for cooperation." Kang Seog-gu, executive director of the Research Division at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), speaks during The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" at the KCCI headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Kang of the KCCI agreed that Central Asia holds significant importance for South Korea's future in terms of resources, trade and mutual growth. "In preparation of this meeting, I contemplated the importance of these five countries to Korea. To better illustrate this significance, I even hand-drew a map to visually highlight the importance of Central Asian countries to Korea," Kang said. "Korea's economy relies heavily on trade, but the dynamics surrounding trade are changing rapidly and we are also confronting issues such as climate change. Given these circumstances, Central Asia is becoming increasingly more important to Korea." Kang said Korea perceives Central Asia as a promising new trade partner in light of the changing structure of trade. "In the process of transformation to a net-zero economy, Central Asia can supplement Korea's resource limitations and help navigate through the ever-changing trade environment. Recognizing Korea's technological and manufacturing expertise, I see an opportunity for mutual growth if Korea's advanced technology and manufacturing skills are combined with Central Asia's resources," Kang said. Kang reflected on his life's journey, growing up in a period of rapid economic development in Korea, a trajectory that mirrored his personal growth. "Growing up in a rural area, I wore rubber shoes and our house didn't have electricity until I was 7. Despite these humble beginnings in the countryside, I pursued my education and my personal growth coincided with Korea's economic development," he said. "Through my life journey, I realized how a country's economic growth can elevate an individual's happiness and quality of life. I believe this principle applies to Central Asia as well. If Central Asia's economy continues to expand, I am confident that it will foster happiness and fulfill the dreams of its people." Kang encouraged Central Asia to seize opportunities in new fields such as climate change and digital transformation. "Reflecting on Korea's experience, I see significant opportunities for Central Asia, particularly in the context of climate change... In today's world, we're moving towards digital transformation and Central Asia should embrace this shift actively as digitalization is an irreversible trend," he said. "As societies become more prosperous and develop, the quality of life becomes a crucial aspect. Medical and health care services are necessary to any prospering society. Korea is quite advanced in these areas and we could offer more support and collaboration in these sectors to Central Asia." Participants to The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" discuss new areas for cooperation between Korea and Central Asia at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Updated: 7.30pm Miriam O'Callaghan has become the latest RTE presenter to confirm her previously reported remunerations were correct. Advertisement O'Callaghan joined fellow presenters in confirming their reported pay figures were correct, and that they had not received any payments under barter arrangements. It comes as RTE is scrambling to deal with the fallout of a review into payments made to former Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy and the understatement of his salary. Claire Byrne and Joe Duffy both confirmed their published remunerations were correct on their respective radio slots on Monday, while Brendan O'Connor said he was party to no such barter payments while discussing the matter on his show on Sunday. O'Callaghan joined her colleagues by issuing a statement on Monday evening, in which she said she has been "incredibly sad" since the story came to light. Advertisement Advertisement "For the purpose of transparency, honesty, and clarity, I want to put on the record that my most recently published fee from RTE 263,500 is correct, as are the published fees for previous years," O'Callaghan's statement read. Anger "I have never received additional payments from RTE that were not publicly declared," O'Callaghan said. She added there is "profound shock, anger, and sadness" among those working at RTE. O'Callaghan's remarks echoed those made by Byrne earlier on Monday, who told listeners of her show that she has been "grappling" with the news since it broke last week. Advertisement The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) confirmed that, "in response to request from member" the union will stage a lunchtime protest at RTE in Donnybrook on Tuesday. "The NUJ are acutely aware of the ongoing anger of members and also of the powerlessness that many members are feeling. "This will be an opportunity for NUJ members to stand together and express in unity their anger and the urgent need for answers as soon as possible, for the public and for staff," the NUJ said. Earlier, union representatives called on Dee Forbes to appear before Oireachtas committees over the matter, despite offering her resignation as RTE director general. Advertisement Advertisement The NUJ also called on executives with knowledge of the bizarre arrangements to appear before the Media committee and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this Wednesday and Thursday. Brian Stanley TD, chairman of the PAC, said TDs and senators would have to accept the situation if there are serious medical issues. In an interview on RTE radio, he said: What I would expect is that, medically, if she is fit to attend on Thursday, I would expect her to come. Advertisement RTEs education correspondent Emma OKelly, who is chair of the NUJs Dublin broadcasting branch, said this is one of the most important weeks for the public service broadcaster. When asked whether Ms Forbes should be among those before the committee, she said I hope she does. I noticed in her statement that she said she cares very deeply about RTE and I welcome that, and Im glad to hear it, she told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne programme. However, in my experience, RTE has a habit of thinking that if you say something, it is true simply by virtue of the fact that you have said it. Anyone who cares very deeply about things or people knows that that is expressed in actions. So, I would like to see that expressed in action and the first way of expressing that is to agree to attend before committees. Advertisement She added: Anybody who had any knowledge of any of this needs to appear before the committee. Also, these numerous internal communications that she spoke of, RTE needs to publish those internal communications, it needs to do so ASAP, not wait until Wednesday or Thursday. Those should go up on the RTE website by close of business today. NUJ secretary Seamus Dooley told RTE Radio that executive board members who were involved in the deal should be the ones who appear before the committees, saying it would be bizarre if those with no knowledge of the payments were put up before it. He said if deputy director general Adrian Lynch was unaware of the payments, it did not make sense for him to appear and take a punishment beating from TDs angry about this while others are absent. Mr Dooley said the deal was grubby in the extreme and that a fundamental rethink of commercial dealings at RTE was needed. Ms Kelly said that for years she had heard concerns from staff on zero-hour contracts, struggling to get resources and equipment repaired in RTE. Theres a culture in the organisation that people have been unhappy with for a very long time. Also, the issue is with transparency, theres been a culture of secrecy in this organisation that I as a union rep have been aware of for so long and that absolutely needs to change, she said. Advertisement So morale, people are furious, theyre angry, this is a really important week for people probably the most important week ever in RTE. People are watching very carefully, theyre waiting until Wednesday and Thursday to see whats said, but also theyre watching today, tomorrow. Nobody can wait for this external review, seven months (away), that is out of the question. Germany is willing to send around 4,000 troops to Lithuania on a permanent basis to strengthen Natos eastern flank, German defence minister Boris Pistorius has said. During a visit to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Mr Pistorius said: Germany is prepared to permanently station a robust brigade in Lithuania. Advertisement He said infrastructure and facilities will need to be created to accommodate the soldiers and their families. In response to Russias invasion of Ukraine early last year, the German government pledged last June to have a combat brigade ready to defend Lithuania in the event of an attack, German news agency dpa reported. Mr Pistorius cited history within Nato as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine as being behind the decision (AP) Advertisement Until now, however, there have been differences over whether the soldiers should be permanently stationed in Lithuania or only sent there temporarily for exercises. The Lithuanian government has demanded a permanent presence, which the German government was very reluctant to provide for a long time. Advertisement Mr Pistorius explained the German governments decision to offer the brigade to Lithuania was not only because of Russias war on Ukraine, but also because of Germanys own history, saying that until the end of the Cold War, Germany was the country on Natos eastern flank. We were the ones who could always rely on our Nato partners to stand by us in an emergency and to stand up and fight with us for our freedom and security in Germany, he said. Advertisement Now, Poland and the Baltic countries are particularly exposed, he said. Soldiers pose for a photo after the Lithuanian-German military exercise Griffin Storm 2023 (AP) We as the Federal Republic of Germany explicitly acknowledge our responsibility and our obligation as a Nato member state, as the largest economy in Europe, to stand up for the protection of the eastern flank, Mr Pistorius said. Advertisement Lithuanian president Gitanas Nauseda welcomed the announcement, and said his country wants to build up the needed infrastructure by 2026. We have a strong political willingness in Lithuania to find the necessary financial resources to be able to finance the infrastructural needs, Mr Nauseda said after meeting Mr Pistorius and Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg. Mr Stoltenberg also welcomed Germanys announcement and praised the country for its leadership and dedication to helping support the organisations collective defence strategy. Advertisement Germanys military, the Bundeswehr, has already been present in Lithuania, which borders Russia and Belarus, for six years with several hundred soldiers. Advertisement There, Germany leads a Nato battlegroup with currently about 1,600 soldiers, including about 780 from the Bundeswehr, dpa reported. It was not immediately clear what would happen to this unit when the new German brigade is stationed in Lithuania. Mother-of-two Nicola Bulley could have started drowning within seconds of entering the cold river where her body was found, the inquest into her death in the UK has heard. Professor Michael Tipton, a world expert in drowning, said there would have been a fairly rapid incapacitation after Ms Bulley went into the River Wyre on the morning of January 27th. Advertisement It may have been just seconds before she began to lose consciousness, the hearing was told on Monday. Prof Tipton said he agrees with Home Office pathologist Alison Armour, who conducted a post-mortem examination and concluded Ms Bulley drowned. Advertisement He said Ms Armours finding of water in the stomach and lungs is consistent with a gasp response under water, with liquid entering the bodys organs, which he said is seen in two-thirds of drowning victims. Advertisement Ms Bulley vanished after dropping off her daughters, six and nine, at school, and taking her usual dog walk along the river in St Michaels, Lancashire, on January 27th. Her mobile phone, still connected to a work Teams call, was found on a bench overlooking the water. Her body was found in the river about a mile from the bench on February 19th. Advertisement Prof Tipton told the inquest: In my opinion, given the nature of the likely entry into the water, I would suspect Nikki had a gasp response under the water, initiating the drowning process. On the balance of probability there was a fairly rapid incapacitation due to the cold shock. It could have been an estimated 20 to 30 seconds before Ms Bulley lost consciousness, the inquest was told. Advertisement Two breaths of water would have been a lethal dose for someone of Ms Bulleys size, Prof Tipton said. He added: We estimate the temperature would have been around 3 to 5 degrees (in the river) so there would be a particularly powerful cold-shock response. Advertisement Cold water expert Dr Patrick Morgan said: (After falling in) the heart rate goes excessively high, the blood pressure surges excessively high. The heart pumps no blood and the brain switches off. The potential conscious time here quoted are optimistic it is potentially shorter. Advertisement On the occasion that the individual has taken that initial gasp on the surface of the water and then gone below, the duration would be 10 seconds that you could hold your breath and very likely one or two seconds at best. A police underwater search specialist said he believes Ms Bulley fell into the river before floating downstream to where her body was eventually found. Police outside County Hall in Preston, Lancashire, on the first day of the inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley (Danny Lawson/PA) A video of Pc Matthew Thackray in the river, near to where Ms Bulley is believed to have fallen in, was shown to the court. In it, he said: There is a large vertical slope from the bench and into the water. On the day there was a steady flown downstream. The river was 4 degrees, so almost freezing, and if she fell in, the muscles would probably seize, making it difficult to swim properly. He estimated she would have floated at a metre a second downstream. Pathologist Ms Armour said the evidence of water in Ms Bulleys lungs and stomach led her to conclude the cause of death was drowning and that Ms Bulley was alive when she entered the water with no third party involved. Ms Bulleys partner Paul Ansell, her sister Louise Cunningham and parents Ernest and Dot Bulley sat in the public gallery listening to the evidence during the two-day hearing at the Prestons County Hall. Advertisement Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, asked Ms Armour to sum up her findings and conclusion after the post-mortem tests. Ms Armour said: I conclude the cause of death as drowning. The lungs themselves showed classical features we see in drownings. In my opinion, Nicola Bulley was alive when she entered the water. Ms Armour said the presence of water in Ms Bulleys lungs showed swallowing the liquid was an active process and suggests she was alive when she went in the water. She said there were no brain bleeds or natural diseases and only normal therapeutic levels of medication in Ms Bulleys body. A low level of alcohol was consistent with the natural process of decomposition, the inquest heard. There was some bruising to Ms Bulleys body, but it did not contribute to her death, the hearing was told. Dr Adeley asked the witness: Is there any evidence of third-party involvement playing any part in her death? Ms Armour replied: No. There was not. Ms Bulley, a mortgage adviser originally from near Chelmsford and living in Inskip, was immediately deemed a high risk missing person when she disappeared, sparking a huge police search operation, with hundreds of local search volunteers and intense media and public interest. Advertisement Police urged people not to speculate and maintained from early on there were no suspicious circumstances and Ms Bulley may have gone into the water due to an issue with her springer spaniel dog Willow. A police officer walks past a missing person appeal poster for Nicola Bulley and yellow ribbons and messages of hope tied to a bridge over the River Wyre in St Michaels (PA) Ms Bulleys family and friends said they did not believe the police theory and urged people to continue searching. Mr Ansell, her partner of 12 years, gave TV interviews appealing for help saying their daughters wanted their mother home. As the days passed and speculation continued online, Lancashire Police revealed Ms Bulley had struggled with alcohol and perimenopause. This prompted widespread criticism of the force, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak questioning the police approach and an investigation being opened. Shortly before the inquest began, coroner Mr Adeley addressed the social media controversy surrounding Ms Bulleys death. He said the inquest would deal with only proportionate evidence from reliable sources and not explore all the theories by those who contributed to social media. He added: At the centre of this inquest are two children who have lost their mother, a partner and parents who have lost a daughter. Mr Adeley said anyone with the slightest idea of disrupting the hearing would be dealt with immediately. The inquest continues. A new oil spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has contaminated farmland and a river, upending livelihoods in fishing and farming communities in part of the Niger Delta. The region has long endured environmental pollution caused by the oil industry. Advertisement The countrys National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Nosdra) said the spill came from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell that crosses through communities in the Eleme area of Ogoniland, a region where the London-based energy giant has faced long-standing local resistance to its oil exploration activities. The volume of oil spilled has not been determined, but activists have published images of polluted farmland, water surfaces blighted by oil sheens and dead fish mired in sticky crude. While spills are frequent in the region due to vandalism from oil thieves and a lack of maintenance to pipelines, according to the UN Environmental Programme, activists have described the spill as a major incident. Advertisement The spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has upended livelihoods in the fishing and farming communities of part of the Niger Delta (AP) Advertisement Fyneface Dumnamene, an environmental activist whose non-profit Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre monitors spills in the Delta region, said the spill which began on June 11 is one of the worst in the last 16 years in Ogoniland. He added: It lasted for over a week, burst into Okulu River which adjoins other rivers and ultimately empties into the Atlantic Ocean and affected several communities and displaced more than 300 fishers. Mr Dumnamene said tides have sent oil sheens about six miles further to creeks near the nations oil business capital, Port Harcourt. Advertisement Shell stopped production in Ogoniland more than 20 years ago amid deadly unrest from residents protesting against environmental damage, but the Trans-Niger Pipeline still sends crude from oil fields in other areas through the regions communities to export terminals. Nosdra director general Idris Musa said the leak has been contained, but treating the fallout from the spill at farms and the Okulu River, which runs through communities, has stalled. Response has been delayed, Mr Musa added, blaming protesting residents. But engagement is going on. The apparent deadlock stems from mistrust and past grievances in the riverine and oil-abundant Niger Delta region, which is mostly home to minority ethnic groups who accuse the Nigerian government of marginalisation. Advertisement Advertisement Africas largest economy overwhelmingly depends on the Niger Deltas oil resources for its earnings, but pollution from that production has denied residents access to clean water, hurt farming and fishing, and heightened the risk of violence, activists said. Mr Dumnamene said the communities are very angry because of the destruction of their livelihoods resulting from the obsoleteness of Shells equipment and are concerned the regulator and Shell will blame sabotage by the residents. Pollution has upended livelihoods in the Okulu river in Ogoniland (AP) Advertisement Oil companies often blame pipeline vandalism by oil thieves or aggrieved young people in affected communities for spills, which could allow the firms to avoid liability. Shell said it is working with a joint investigatory team, consisting of regulators, Ogoniland residents and local authorities, to identify the cause and impact of the spill. The firms response team has 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, a company statement said. Nosdra confirmed the joint investigation, but a cause of the spill whether sabotage or equipment failure has not yet been revealed. Mr Dumnamene said hundreds of farmers and fishermen who have been cut off from their livelihoods would insist on restoration of the environment and then compensation. Advertisement At the request of the Nigerian government, the UN Environment Programme conducted an independent environmental assessment of Ogoniland, releasing a report in 2011 that criticised Shell and the Nigerian government for 50 years of pollution and recommended a comprehensive, billion-dollar clean-up. While the government announced the clean-up in 2016, there is little evidence of restoration on the ground. The government says community protests and lawsuits by local activists have hampered progress. Ledum Mitee, a veteran Ogoni environmental activist and former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, said: A credible clean-up would have been a beacon of hope for the Niger Delta and other areas in Africa that have suffered oil pollution, but no credible clean-up is ongoing. It is a cover-up, and we do not see the impact. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his removal, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video released to project a sense of order after the countrys most serious political crisis in decades. But uncertainty still swirled about his fate, as well as that of rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement A feud between Wagner Group leader Mr Prigozhin and Russias military leaders which has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles towards Moscow, before turning around on Saturday after less than 24 hours. Advertisement Yevgeny Prigozhin sits inside a military vehicle posing for a selfie with a civilian in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (AP) The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Mr Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Advertisement Russian media reported a criminal investigation against Mr Prigozhin was continuing, and some legislators called for serious punishment. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to a counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defence Ministry video of Mr Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders had lost Mr Putins confidence and could be replaced. Mr Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine in video broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. Advertisement The Wagner Group chief had called for Mr Shoigu to be removed from his post (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP) Advertisement General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov, also a target of Mr Prigozhins anger, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Mr Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Advertisement Though his mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15 people. The Defence Ministry has not commented. Mr Prigozhin denied there were any casualties on his side, but media reports indicated the air strikes hit some Wagner vehicles, and messaging app channels featured images of the damage. The US had intelligence that he had been building up his forces near the border for some time, suggesting the revolt was planned. That conflicts with Mr Prigozhins claim his rebellion was a response to a Friday attack on his field camps in Ukraine by the Russian military, which he said killed a large number of his men. The Defence Ministry denied that. Advertisement Spoke today with Polish Foreign Minister @RauZbigniew to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia. The United States will continue to closely coordinate with Allies and partners. Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 24, 2023 Advertisement Russias RIA Novosti state news agency cited unidentified sources in the Prosecutor Generals office as saying the criminal case against Mr Prigozhin has not been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency carried a similar report. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. Several Russian legislators called for tight regulations on private military companies under a new law, and some argued that Mr Prigozhin must be punished. Before the uprising, he had condemned Mr Shoigu and Gen Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. His rift with the military dates back years, to Russias intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces were also active. Mr Putin addressed the nation on Saturday before the rebellion was called off (Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) Mr Putin stood back from the feud and Mr Shoigu and Gen Gerasimov remained quiet, possibly reflecting uncertainty about the presidents support. Observers said that by failing to end the feud, Mr Putin had encouraged Mr Prigozhin to raise the stakes dramatically. Advertisement Mr Putin held calls on Monday with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a recorded video message that contained no mention of the mutiny. It is not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion will mean for the war in Ukraine, where western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagners forces were key to Russias only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The UK Ministry of Defence said on Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in an area of south-east Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. A Serbian court has ordered the release of three police officers from Kosovo who were detained earlier this month as tensions escalated between the Balkan foes and US and European Union officials demanded that they be set free. A court in the central Serbian town of Kraljevo said it was releasing the police officers, and they later returned to Kosovo. Advertisement The court said in a statement that the three were charged with illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices, and that they will be allowed to remain free pending potential further proceedings. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti tweeted that we confirm that the 3 kidnapped police officers have been released. Even though we are joyous that they get to return to their families, this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation & must be reprimanded. The Serbian aggression must be held accountable. Advertisement The three were detained in mid-June. Serbian authorities said they had crossed into the country from Kosovo, while Kosovar officials insisted they had been kidnapped inside Kosovo and transferred to a Serbian prison. Advertisement The confiscated equipment of the three Kosovo police officers (Serbian Ministry of Interior via AP) The dispute had increased tensions between the two countries that had flared into recent violent clashes in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo, stirring fears of a renewal of the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians. The EU summoned the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to Brussels last week in a bid to ease the tensions. Advertisement The meeting produced no breakthrough as EU officials urged both sides to make an immediate effort to defuse the situation. Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognise Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence. Western efforts to resolve the crisis increased recently to avert possible instability in the Balkans as the war rages in Ukraine. Tensions flared anew late last month, including with violent clashes, 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 in April after Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Serbia has demanded that Kosovo police and the mayors pull out from the northern region bordering Serbia and that several ethnic Serbs, who had been detained in Kosovo in the past few weeks, should be released. Belgrade has heightened army readiness, threatening a military intervention over alleged torture of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. In response to Kosovos actions in taking over the municipal buildings, the United States cancelled the countrys participation in a US-led military exercise and halted high-level visits to Pristina. Washington and most EU states have recognised Kosovos independence, while Russia and China have backed Belgrades claim to the territory. Advertisement Serbia lost control over Kosovo after Nato intervened in 1999 to stop the war, forcing Belgrade to end a brutal crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians. A tornado has struck an Indiana home, killing one man and injuring his wife while two people died in Arkansas after a tree fell on to a house as severe weather rumbled through a number of states. The tornado that struck the home on Sunday evening was part of a storm system that pushed through Martin County, Indiana, WXIN-TV reported. A tornado also touched down on Sunday afternoon in Johnson County, south of Indianapolis, damaging at least 75 homes, authorities said. Advertisement Sheriffs officials in Arkansas said two people were killed and a third injured on Sunday night in the central community of Carlisle when a tree fell on to a home, KTHV-TV reported. Workers survey downed trees in Greenwood, Indiana (Jenna Watson/Indianapolis Star/AP) The Indiana man was killed when the tornado hit the home in an isolated wooded area. His wife was flown by helicopter to hospital, said Cameron Wolf, Martin Countys emergency management director. Advertisement Advertisement The newer log cabin-style house was destroyed as a storm that also had large hail and other strong winds raked the area about 85 miles south west of Indianapolis. A tornado also touched down on Sunday afternoon in Johnson County, south of Indianapolis, causing damage in communities including Greenwood and Bargersville, officials said. Michael Pruitt, deputy fire chief of Bargersville, told the Indianapolis Star a search and rescue operation did not find any deaths or injuries after the fire department responded to a report of a structure collapse resulting from the Johnson County tornado, which he said was on the ground for about 15 minutes. Bargersville Fire Chief Erik Funkhouser said in a news conference that at least 75 homes suffered moderate to severe damage in a three-mile area. Advertisement A family survey tornado damage in front of their home in Greenwood (Jenna Watson/Indianapolis Star/AP) Obviously, this is a very dangerous scene for the area, he said. We have power lines that are down all throughout that three-mile area. Mr Pruitt said affected homes could be without electricity for days. Advertisement Survey teams are set to visit Martin, Johnson, Daviess and Monroe counties on Monday to assess damage from the severe storms and tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis. Advertisement In Memphis, Tennessee, a utility company reported about 120,000 homes and business were left without power on Sunday as storms carrying strong winds knocked down trees and caused other damage. Detroit-based DTE Energy reported that about 75,700 of its customers in south-eastern Michigan were without power. Jackson-based Consumers Energy reported outages in south-western Michigan. Michigan Indiana Power reported on Sunday evening that about 4,000 of its customers in south-western Michigan and northern Indiana lost electricity due to the storms. More than 2,000 outages were reported in Benton Harbour, Michigan. Advertisement Vladimir Putin has condemned organisers of a weekend revolt as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. The rebellion by armed mercenaries, which lasted less than 24 hours, was the gravest threat yet to the Russian presidents authority. Advertisement He said the nation had stood united, and praised rank-and-file mercenaries with the Wagner Group for not letting the situation descend into bloodshed. Advertisement Earlier in the day, the rebellions leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, defended his short-lived insurrection. He taunted Russias military, but said he had not been seeking to stage a coup against Mr Putin. The president did not name Mr Prigozhin in his televised address but said organisers of the mutiny had tried to force the groups soldiers to shoot their own. Mr Putin blamed Russias enemies and said they miscalculated. Advertisement The Kremlin showed Mr Putin meeting top security, law enforcement and military officials, and earlier in the day authorities released a video of defence minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal Mr Prigozhin had demanded, reviewing troops in Ukraine. Advertisement We started our march because of an injustice, Mr Prigozhin said in an 11-minute statement, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. Yevgeny Prigozhin (Prigozhin Press Service/AP) The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military leaders has festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. Advertisement They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles towards Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Mr Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel reported he was at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Mr Prigozhin taunted Russias military on Monday, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 500 miles towards Moscow without facing resistance. Advertisement The bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Mr Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Advertisement Members of the Wagner Group took over Rostov-on-Don on Saturday (Vasily Deryugin, Kommersant Publishing House/AP) Mr Prigozhin said only that Mr Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Mr Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it was not clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was under way in an area of Belarus about 120 miles north of the border with Ukraine. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Mr Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Mr Prigozhin has not been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian legislators called for his punishment. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current legislator who has had rows with the mercenary leader, said Mr Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. Advertisement Sergei Shoigu with military chiefs at an undisclosed location in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP) Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday, when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defence Ministry published video of Mr Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Mr Shoigu and other military leaders had lost Mr Putins confidence and could be replaced. Before the uprising, Mr Prigozhin had criticised Mr Shoigu and General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Mr Prigozhins statement appeared to confirm analysts view that the revolt was a move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defence Ministry by July 1. Advertisement He said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defence Ministrys command, and the force planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He accused the Defence Ministry of attacking Wagners camp, prompting them to move sooner. The leader of the Wagner mercenary group has defended his short-lived insurrection in an audio statement, after Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since the uprising that demanded his removal. In an 11-minute audio statement, rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin denied trying to attack the Russian state and said he acted in response to an attack that killed 30 of his fighters. Advertisement We started our march because of an injustice, he said in a recording that gave no details about where he is or what his future plans are. Mr Prigozhin taunted the Russian military, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the invasion of Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin sits inside a military vehicle posing for a selfie with a civilian in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (AP) Advertisement He also mocked the military for failing to protect the country, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 500 miles without facing resistance and block all military units on its way. Advertisement The video of Mr Shoigu inspecting Russian troops was aimed at projecting a sense of order after the countrys most serious political crisis in decades, but uncertainty still swirled about his fate, as well as that of Mr Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of Russian president Vladimir Putin. A feud between Mr Prigozhin and Russias military leaders which has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles towards Moscow, before turning around on Saturday after less than 24 hours. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Mr Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Advertisement Russian media reported a criminal investigation against Mr Prigozhin was continuing, and some legislators called for serious punishment. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to a counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. Advertisement The Defence Ministry video of Mr Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders had lost Mr Putins confidence and could be replaced. Advertisement The Wagner Group chief had called for Mr Shoigu to be removed from his post (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP) Mr Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine in video broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov, also a target of Mr Prigozhins anger, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Mr Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Advertisement Though his mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Mr Prigozhin expressed regret for downing the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russias Defence Ministry has denied attacking Wagners camp, and the US had intelligence that Mr Prigozhin had been building up his forces near the border with Russia for some time, suggesting the revolt was planned. Spoke today with Polish Foreign Minister @RauZbigniew to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia. The United States will continue to closely coordinate with Allies and partners. Advertisement Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 24, 2023 Russias RIA Novosti state news agency cited unidentified sources in the Prosecutor Generals office as saying the criminal case against Mr Prigozhin has not been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency carried a similar report. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. Several Russian legislators called for tight regulations on private military companies under a new law, and some argued that Mr Prigozhin must be punished. Before the uprising, he had condemned Mr Shoigu and Gen Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. His rift with the military dates back years, to Russias intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces were also active. Mr Putin addressed the nation on Saturday before the rebellion was called off (Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) Mr Putin stood back from the feud and Mr Shoigu and Gen Gerasimov remained quiet, possibly reflecting uncertainty about the presidents support. Observers said that by failing to end the feud, Mr Putin had encouraged Mr Prigozhin to raise the stakes dramatically. Mr Putin held calls on Monday with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a recorded video message that contained no mention of the mutiny. Advertisement It is not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion will mean for the war in Ukraine, where western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagners forces were key to Russias only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The UK Ministry of Defence said on Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in an area of south-east Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. Russia sought to restore calm on Monday after an aborted mutiny by Wagner Group mercenaries over the weekend, while Western allies assessed how president Vladimir Putin might reassert authority and what it could mean for the war in Ukraine. Ending their short-lived mutiny, Wagner fighters halted their rapid advance on Moscow, withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov and headed back to their bases late on Saturday under a deal that guaranteed their safety. Their commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, would move to Belarus under the deal mediated by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Advertisement Monday has been declared a non-working day in Moscow to allow time for things to settle, and there was little evidence of increased security in the Russian capital on Sunday evening. Defence minister Sergei Shoigu, one of the main targets of Prigozhin's anger, visited Russian troops involved in the military operation in Ukraine, state-run RIA news agency reported on Monday. Advertisement But Putin, who has held power for more than two decades, had still to comment publicly since the de-escalation of one of the biggest challenges to his rule. Confusion Confusion over the weekend's extraordinary events has left governments, both friendly and hostile to Moscow, groping for answers to what could happen next in a country that has the world's largest nuclear arsenal. Advertisement US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested the turmoil could take months to play out. "We've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade," Mr Blinken told NBC's "Meet the Press" program on Sunday. Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko held talks in Beijing on "international" issues on Sunday. It was unclear if his visit to his country's strongest ally was precipitated by the Wagner mutiny. "The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilise the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24 and confirmed its interest in strengthening the cohesion and further prosperity of Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said. Advertisement Beijing's response was characteristically measured. China's foreign ministry issued a statement vouching support for Russia's efforts to maintain national stability and referring to the recent tensions in the country as Russia's "internal affairs". Advertisement Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed the events in Russia in separate phone calls with US president Joe Biden and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Mr Biden and Mr Trudeau both expressed their ongoing support of Ukraine as it pursues a counteroffensive to recover territory seized by Russia, according to official statements. "The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored," Mr Zelenskiy said on Twitter. Advertisement Putin said he was giving top priority to the conflict in Ukraine in excerpts from an interview aired by state television on Sunday that appeared to have been recorded before the mutiny. State television said Putin would attend a meeting of Russia's security council this coming week, without elaborating, and Belarus' Belta news agency said Putin and Lukashenko spoke again on Sunday, after at least two calls on Saturday. In a televised address during Saturday's drama, Putin said the rebellion put Russia's very existence under threat, vowing to punish those behind the revolt and drawing parallels with the chaos of 1917 that had led to the Bolshevik revolution. "The myth of the unity of Putin's Russia is over... It's the inevitable outcome when you support and finance a legion of mercenaries," Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani was quoted as saying by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. Advertisement Prigozhin's whereabouts unknown Advertisement Under the deal, brokered late on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a criminal case opened against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, Prigozhin would move to Belarus, and Wagner fighters who rallied to his cause would face no action, in recognition of their previous service to Russia. Prigozhin, 62, was seen leaving the district military headquarters in Rostov late on Saturday in a sport utility vehicle. His whereabouts since were not known. A former Putin ally and ex-convict whose forces have fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month war in Ukraine, Prigozhin said his decision to advance on Moscow was intended to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the war. This month, Prigozhin defied orders to place his troops under Defence Ministry command. He launched the rebellion on Friday after alleging the military had killed some of his men in an air strike. The Defence Ministry denied this. Wagner, whose men in Ukraine include thousands of ex-prisoners recruited from Russian jails, has grown into a sprawling international business with mining interests and fighters in Africa and the Middle East. Serhiy Nayev, commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces responded to speculative reports that Wagner fighters could be moved to Belarus to attack Ukraine from the north. "If this happens and the enemy tries to cross the state border, it will be nothing but a suicide for them, Mr Nayev said in a post on the military's Telegram account. Park Ku-yeon, second from right, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, speaks during a daily briefing at the government complex in Seoul, June 26. Yonhap Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima plant was finalized years ago as the most realistic alternative, and there is no point in talking about other ways to dispose of the water now, an official said Monday. Amid concerns about health hazards, critics have suggested alternative ways, other than releasing the wastewater into the ocean, such as solidifying the water within concrete or storing the water in massive tanks. "That part is something that was discussed for more than four years in the mid-2010s," Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said of other methods during a daily briefing on the Fukushima release plan. "At the time, there were extremely complex discussions within Japan, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was in the final decision," Park said. "The current method of releasing it into the ocean was finalized as the most realistic alternative when scientific precedents and safety were comprehensively taken into account." Suggesting the IAEA reverse the decision would contradict the principles of faith and trust, Park said. Meanwhile, Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the plant, aims to complete the trial operation of its discharge facility on Tuesday, Park said. Starting Wednesday, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, the country's top nuclear regulator, will begin the trial operation of other dilution and transfer facilities. In response to heightened public concern, the Seoul government launched a daily press briefing earlier this month to keep the public updated on the release of contaminated water from the plant planned for this summer. (Yonhap) Scott Morrisons best-known family holiday an ill-fated summer jaunt to Hawaii with his wife Jen and the girls while Australia burnt became a defining moment of his prime ministership. Scott Morrison and family popped up in Florence Credit: John Shakespeare Now a backbencher, Morrison is free to get away from it all without causing a major political crisis. And that means, just like about half your Instagram feed, the Morrisons are off on Euro summer. CBDs spies, who cannot be outrun, spotted the former leader and clan enjoying lunch in Florence on the weekend at the Ristorante dei Priori, in the citys main square, a stones throw from the famed Uffizi gallery. Our informant described the joint as nice but not ritzy, and given the location and three-star Tripadvisor score, we are thinking its giving off tourist trap vibes. The former PM skipped the final sittings of parliament to head to Britain, where he gave a few speeches, including a strange rant to the Oxford Union about the age of self-loathing and Western guilt. Advertisement Review Eating outSydney 17 courses, 10 guests, more than two years to book: Is Yoshiis Omakase worth the $350 price tag? Youll need superpowers and a budget to match just to make a booking. So does Crown Sydneys three-hour Japanese chefs dinner deliver? Terry Durack June 27, 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 1 / 10 The tiny 10-seat counter. James Brickwood 2 / 10 Mont Blanc-style monaka pastry with chestnut filling. James Brickwood 3 / 10 Lobster-filled crepe money bag. James Brickwood 4 / 10 Yoshii Ryuchi at his eponymous omakase. James Brickwood 5 / 10 Squish sushi is cut to resemble a pine cone. James Brickwood 6 / 10 A box of sashimi treasures. James Brickwood 7 / 10 Kagoshima A5 wagyu kushiyaki with red miso and Western Australian truffle. James Brickwood 8 / 10 Fresh yuzu filled with tataki tuna dressed in miso vinegar. James Brickwood 9 / 10 Tempura soybean curd. James Brickwood 10 / 10 Charcoal ice-cream. James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat Good Food hat 17 / 20 How we score Japanese$$$ Most omakase restaurants are difficult to get into. But you have to have the strength of a Mandalorian, wisdom of Yoda and faster-than-a-speeding-bullet swiftness of Superman to get in to Yoshiis. Not to mention a lazy $350 per person. Seats are released at noon on the first day of each month for the following month. Given the range of my superpowers, it has taken 2 years for me to get here. Crowns executive Japanese chef, Yoshii Ryuchi, and head sushi chef, Hyota Sugihara, welcome their 10 guests as they prepare the evenings 17-course dinner, made up of five entrees and 12 nigiri. Advertisement Mont Blanc-style monaka pastry with chestnut filling. James Brickwood Yoshii-san, who ran the acclaimed Yoshii in Pyrmont, then The Rocks for 14 years, works quietly and confidently, willing his guests to observe, experience and interact. The first dish is a statement of intent; a whole fresh yuzu (Japanese citrus), grown by Mountain Yuzu in Victorias Ovens Valley. Hidden inside is cherrywood-smoked tataki toro (tuna), dressed in miso vinegar; fresh and citrusy. Yuzu: Everything you need to know Then comes a beautiful ceramic vessel tied with a red silken tasselled cord. Opened, its a box of sashimi treasures that we have seen being made in front of us, from cuttlefish to kingfish to a rosette of Tasmanian salmon. A tiny, deep-fried river crab is more crunch than flavour I notice one guest slips hers into her bag instead of eating it. An intricate four-colour maki roll is a Rubiks cube of textures, and fresh wasabi, from Tasmanias Shima Wasabi farm, makes everything more fun. Advertisement There is a little money-purse of crepe filled with lobster, in a gentle dashi broth. A wondrous tempura roll of soybean curd filled with snow crab and topped with N25 caviar. A super-rich, mouth-filling concoction of wagyu kushiyaki with truffle red miso sauce, tiled with Manjimup truffle. Omakase is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of sake, and a glass cooler of Chokyu Junmai Ginjo (180ml, $40), delivers clarity and smoothness without sweetness. A welcome surprise: the wine list has a number of bottles under $100, such as the 2020 Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay ($18/$85). After a 10-minute break to stretch legs, its time for the business end of dinner: 12 courses of nigiri. The performance ramps up, the knifemanship ever more precise, the warmed, vinegared rice tamped and shaped by hand with speed and grace. We hear the kitchen uses no gas or electricity, and even the rice is cooked in a claypot over charcoal. Each nigiri is so distinct, there is little sense of repetition. Imperador is topped with Okinawa sea salt. Chutoro from New Zealand is rich and is surprisingly refreshing, followed by otoro bluefin tuna from Chiba, as fatty as wagyu. Squid is cut and carved matsukasa-style, transforming into a snow-white pine cone, its flesh permed into curlicues. Lobster-filled crepe money bag. James Brickwood Advertisement On two occasions, citrus juice is squeezed over the fish at the last second, and on two occasions, I think it would have been better without. But thats omakase for you. The chefs are alive to the differences in their ingredients from day to day, and you are in their hands. Yoshiis Big Mac is over-the-top with scampi and diced tuna belly, roofed with sea urchin and deep blue scampi caviar. Unagi (sea eel) is daubed with Yoshii-sans 31-year-old master sauce. Were in the home straight, with sweet, mousse-like tamago omelette. Then a dramatically black charcoal ice-cream with a charcoal tuile, ho hum. Finally, the charm of a monaka (crisp wafer shell) filled with new-season chestnuts done Mont Blanc style, as mousse, and as marron glace. I can see why people get hooked on omakase. Its a rare privilege to be so close to the creation of your meal, and a timely reminder, in this casual era, that dining can reach ceremonial heights. Yoshiis is hellishly expensive, but its also three-hour performance theatre; dinner and a show. Not even Taylor Swift gives you sushi as well. The low-down Vibe: High-end temple of raw fish gastronomy Go-to dish: Sashimi box, part of the tasting menu Drinks: Whos who of French champagne, compelling list of sake, 10 whites and 10 reds. Nobus entire wine list is on call if needed. The essential guide to Sydney's best omakase dining Collection 12 hatted restaurants: Catch up on every Good Food Sydney review of 2023 (so far) Real estate investment trusts, miners and financials lifted the Australian sharemarket out of a losing streak on Tuesday despite a negative lead from Wall Street overnight. Shaw and Partners senior investment advisor Craig Sidney said the turnaround in markets was largely a result of strength in the resources sector. The Australian sharemarket was stronger today than what it has been after down days in the last four sessions even on the back of the US being weaker, Sidney said. Most of the strength seems to have been with resources. BHP accounted for about 30 points of the upside in the market today and together with Fortescue, they made up almost all the upside. Overnight in the US, stock indices drifted lower as Wall Streets pullback from its big recent rally carried into a second week. Trading was mostly quiet in financial markets around the world as the fundamental question remains the same, and unanswered for investors: Will the economy be able to avoid a painful recession after central banks around the world hiked interest rates at a blistering pace to get inflation under control? Adding to the uncertainty was a short-lived armed rebellion in Russia over the weekend. The war in Ukraine has already helped push upward on inflation around the world, but investors mostly looked past the brief mutiny by mercenary soldiers. This upcoming week does not have many economic or earnings reports that can help answer investors main question. A report on Friday will show how the Federal Reserves preferred measure of inflation behaved in May, but data already arrived earlier this month on prices at the consumer and wholesale levels. More emphasis will be on Junes inflation data, which will arrive next month. Also upcoming is the next monthly jobs report, which will arrive in two Fridays. For now, traders are betting those reports will push the Fed to raise rates by a quarter of a percentage point at its next meeting on July 25-26, according to data from CME Group. The Fed has been hiking its key overnight interest rate at a breakneck pace since early last year, though it refrained from making a move earlier this month. More importantly, much of Wall Street expects a hike next month to be the final one of this cycle. The Fed, meanwhile, has suggested it could raise rates twice more because inflation remains stubbornly high even if it has come down from its peak last summer. The difference in expectations is minor, but each successive hike could mean a much bigger impact on the economy than the last. Read the full markets wrap here. Scott Morrisons best-known family holiday was memorable for all the wrong reasons. An ill-fated summer jaunt to Hawaii with Jenny and the girls while Australia burnt in 2019 became a defining moment of his prime ministership. Now a backbencher, Morrison is free to get away from it all without causing a major stir. And that means, just like half your Instagram feed, the Morrisons are off on a Euro summer. Scott Morrison and his family popped up in Florence. Credit: John Shakespeare CBDs spies, who cannot be outrun, spotted the Morrison clan enjoying lunch in Florence this weekend, at the Ristorante Dei Priori, in the citys main square and a stones throw from the famed Uffizi Gallery. Our informant described the joint as nice but not ritzy, and given the location and three-star TripAdvisor score, its giving tourist trap vibes. The former PM had skipped the final sittings of parliament to head to the UK, where he gave a few speeches, including a strange rant to the Oxford Union about the age of self-loathing and Western guilt. Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro has been ordered to pay more than $10,000 after equipment was damaged during a scuffle with a freelance cameraman in Sydney last year. Barilaro was filmed grabbing a camera on the evening of July 23 after he emerged from dinner at Manly and Matthew Costello began filming him. At the time, Barilaro was embroiled in a scandal over his appointment to a lucrative taxpayer-funded trade job in New York City. John Barilaro pictured leaving court in February. Credit: Kate Geraghty Barilaro was charged in August with assault and malicious damage, but both charges were dismissed on mental health grounds in February. Costello sued Barilaro in the Local Courts small claims division last year for trespass and conversion, arguing his Sony camera was irreparably damaged by Barilaro. He originally argued the camera was worth $11,740.50, before this was revised to $8500. The recent cinema confectionary symposium (C8) resulted in too many Jaffa sagas to fully recount, but the one offered by Mike Fogarty of Weston (ACT) hints at an early example of interactive cinema: In the 50s, any developing romantic scenes were greeted with whoops of encouragement from young terrors. One of us would then drop a Jaffa on the linoleum floor, and it would slowly gather momentum, rolling down from one step to another tap, tap, tap. Then more were released, until the tapping overcame the soundtrack, with the whole audience in hysterics. Embarrassed courting couples then resumed their pashing practice. Like Glenys Quirk, we love our Throaties (C8) and know theyre hard to find, says Judy Copleston of Westleigh. Try a petrol station, but easiest is to order a bunch online from Pharmacy Direct. #Team Throaties vs #Team Irish Moss? suggests Judy Klein of Double Bay. Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook is also a sucker for the latter and asks: Why is there an ongoing shortage? Col Burns of Lugarno chips in: We must have had the same Ephesus (C8) guide Bob Phillips. When I questioned him about who held the latrine course record for XXXVI holes, without any hesitation he replied that the coveted Brown Jacket was last held by Incontinentia Buttocks who narrowly defeated Gregorius Normanus when he uncharacteristically failed to choke on the XVIIIth hole. Bob has actually been in touch with a revision to the tale: My wife, Bronwen, reminded me that there was an American lady standing by, who in a loud voice asked the group: Does anyone know why the Romans built so many ruins? Isabelle Butler, a senior lawyer at the legal service, said issues repeatedly arose for international students around the exemption from Victorias tenancy laws that some universities get for properties they lease. Students facing issues in housing exempt from the tenancies act can only complain to their university or use consumer laws, which can take months to resolve and mean few students take this route. Butler said many leases with university accommodation tied rent payments and contract breaches to a students enrolment record. If they stop paying their rent or some kind of dispute occurs, they can be threatened with not being allowed to re-enrol, which can have really significant consequences for international students who can have their visas cancelled. Butler said the exemption should be removed from the 1997 act, which was put in place long before universities and private providers were landlords on such a large scale. Its not fit for purpose in todays world when you have unis and huge commercial providers making a profit why should they be exempt? They are businesses. Australias biggest private provider, UniLodge, manages 30,000 beds on and near universities across the country. It has a formal affiliation to provide accommodation at the University of Melbourne, La Trobe and RMIT universities, among others. The company remained profitable during the pandemic despite its occupancy falling, by continuing to manage buildings for universities and by dropping rents to attract more local students. Last June, UniLodge posted a $6.6 million after-tax profit, up from $5.2 million the year before. Its 2019 after-tax profit was $6.04 million. International student Jordan Alber last year rented a small $350-a-week apartment at the University of Melbournes Lofts on Swanston Street, Carlton. UniLodge manages it for the university. Loading The New Zealand-born screenwriting masters student found the room while overseas but miscalculated his expenses. When he tried to break his contract, Alber, 32, was told he couldnt. One of my arguments was, Im going to drop out because I cant afford the contract. They didnt give a shit. Alber said he was told: [A] contracts a contract. It took three months for him to be released from the contract, but the pressure led to him deferring his course. The Lofts are exempt from the Residential Tenancies Act. If Alber had been in accommodation governed by the act, he could have paid a break fee or applied to the state administrative tribunal for a rent reduction. A spokesman for the University of Melbourne said it worked closely with UniLodge to manage its accommodation, and to ensure residents were aware of university policies and processes, and support services relating to rent payments. Students could receive financial aid, counselling and well-being services. An email to Alber, though, shows little support on offer after he asked to terminate his lease. The universitys student accommodation team told him it could not waive his lease conditions, and instead wrote: We encourage you to find a replacement student for your room so that your liability for accommodation fees can end on the day the replacement student starts paying for your room ... The replacement student must be a postgraduate student of the University of Melbourne in order to be eligible to live at The Lofts. UniLodge chief executive Tomas Johnsson said the majority of the companys privately owned and operated student accommodation was, unlike The Lofts, covered by the Residential Tenancies Act. Loading UniLodge legally complies with all the relevant regulations as applied under the various regulatory mechanisms in place across the country, he said. Individual student circumstances ... can be addressed by welfare programs, payment plans and other arrangements. Johnsson said UniLodge took student wellbeing seriously and had worked hard during the post-COVID period to provide a welcoming environment. In those instances where we may have fallen short, our teams are motivated to improve further. Youthlaw senior lawyer Stephanie Pashias said greater clarity was needed about which student accommodation providers were exempt from the act. Its extremely confusing for students. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said he was aware that finding suitable accommodation was increasingly challenging for international students. Loading NSW has a similar tenancy act to Victoria. Sean Stimson, a senior solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre, said its international student service regularly saw accommodation contracts linking enrolment to housing, which authorised the education provider to withhold academic results or graduation and block access to classes until outstanding rent was paid. Stimson highlighted the case of a Pakistani international student, who, due to health issues, deferred his studies and returned to Pakistan. When the student tried to end his lease with another purpose-built student accommodation provider, it told him his proposal would be considered. But when the student returned to Australia three months later, he was told he needed to pay thousands of dollars in rent arrears. During the dispute process, the student got a letter from his education provider saying he could not enrol in his course because of the outstanding accommodation fees which meant his student visa was at risk of cancellation. The legal service helped him negotiate a lower payout, but Stimson said this interlocking of education and accommodation costs should not be allowed. Men are living longer and exercising more than five years ago, but eating fewer vegetables and are more obese, new national data reveals. Released on Tuesday by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness, the comparative report between men and women reveals an increase in life expectancy, with women now expected to reach an average age of 85.4 compared to 84.6 in 2017, while men can expect to live to 81.3 years, an increase from 80.5 years in 2017. Only 4 per cent of men are hitting their target of five serves of vegetables each day, a new national report reveals. Credit: James Brickwood When it comes to diet, theres been no improvement for men, with only four per cent meeting the vegetable guideline of at least five serves a day, while only 13 per cent of women are hitting their leafy greens target, up from 6.67 per cent in 2017. Men are getting fatter. In 2022, 75 per cent were carrying a little extra weight or registered as obese, up five per cent from five years ago, while 60 per cent of women were recorded as being overweight or obese, a number that remains stagnant. Dozens of historically significant Indigenous cultural artefacts are set to be returned to their traditional owners under a landmark deal being arranged between the German and Australian governments. It is believed the transfer would be the first official return of Indigenous cultural items from continental Europe to Australia. The Ethnological Museum in Berlin has dozens of Aboriginal artefacts in its collection, many purchased from explorer Emile Clement. Sources said around two dozen objects housed in German cultural institutions including shields, woven bags and necklaces have been identified as high priority for return to Australia. German ambassador Markus Ederer said the German government regarded the issue as significant and he expected it to be raised in high-level meetings between German and Australian officials this year. Australia will provide Ukraine with an extra 70 vehicles in a new $110 million package of assistance that military experts and the federal opposition say falls well below what is needed to make a significant contribution to the fight against Vladimir Putins forces. While the Ukrainian government has publicly welcomed the announcement, experts said Ukraine would be privately disappointed by the limited scope of the package, which comes at a pivotal moment in the countrys long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia. Ukraine has suffered heavy losses on the battlefield in recent weeks, but is seeking to take advantage of the chaos and division caused by Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhins aborted rebellion against Putins top defence officials over the weekend. The package announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday includes an extra 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 trucks and 14 trailers plus an additional supply of 105-millimetre artillery ammunition. Participants to The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" discuss new areas for cooperation between Korea and Central Asia at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Uzbekistan Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea Vitaliy Fen speaks during The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Economic cooperation is a priority of Uzbek-Korean relations. We consider interaction in the field of investment and innovation as an important mechanism for accelerating the modernization and diversification of our national economy. At the beginning of June of this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Pak Jin visited Uzbekistan and held a number of meetings and negotiations. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the delegation of the Republic of Korea and during the meeting topical issues on further strengthening the Uzbek-South Korean relations of friendship and a special strategic partnership, primarily in the trade, economic, investment, financial and technical fields, were discussed. The three key areas of long-term cooperation between our countries were identified as: "green" development, digitalization and strengthening the social protection system. We consider the forum "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" an important platform for multilateral interaction. Over the past years, Korea has been a reliable partner for the stable and sustainable economic development of the countries of Central Asia. We thank the Korean side for supporting the integration processes currently taking place in Central Asia. The most important task for Uzbekistan remains the fight against climate change, including minimizing the consequences of the Aral Sea disaster. We highly appreciate the importance of the project implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute together with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) to improve the ecosystem in the Aral Sea region. Kazakhstan Counselor at the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Korea Timur Jaikov speaks during The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Seoul in August 2021. During that visit our bilateral relations were upgraded to an Expanded Strategic Partnership. Kazakhstan is willing to further foster strategic partnerships with the Republic of Korea in all areas of mutual interest. We attach special significance to our economic cooperation. Bilateral trade turnover and mutual investments show steady growth dynamics. Korea is the second most important trading partner of Kazakhstan in Asia and it is one of the top 10 investors in Kazakhstan. In order to further strengthen and develop our economic cooperation we propose to focus on infrastructure, energy, mining and metallurgy, pharmacy, car manufacturing, agriculture, etc. We have many success stories of cooperation in the field of infrastructure. The construction of Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD) was finished this month. SK E&C and Korea Expressway participated in this project. In the field of energy currently, we actively cooperate with Doosan Enerbility. The project for the construction of a gas power plant in the Turkistan region with this company will be one of the major projects with the participation of Korean companies. We have great potential for cooperation in the field of geology and rare metals. Currently, the government of Kazakhstan and the Korea Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources are considering the exploration of lithium deposits in Kazakhstan. We are ready to continue to cooperate in all areas and taking this opportunity we invite Korean businesses to invest more actively in Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan Attache at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea Sanzhar Valibekov speaks during The Korea Times' roundtable on "Korea-Central Asia Partnership" at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in central Seoul, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk The relations between Kyrgyzstan and Korea are actively developing. Last year, our Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev visited Korea and this year, the Speaker of the Parliament Nurlanbek Shakiev also visited Korea with an official delegation. The Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Korea is working to facilitate more high-level visits, including President Sadyr Japarov, who is highly supportive of Korea. One of the biggest achievements in our relations is the opening of direct flights between Bishkek and Seoul. This started about two weeks ago, on June 11. We strongly believe that establishing this direct route will help our relations in trade, economy, investment and collaboration to develop. In particular, I want to say that my ambassador was on the first flight by T'way Air and also a lot of Korean businessmen were on the same flight to Bishkek. We also want to say that Kyrgyzstan is interested in Korean companies and hopes for more Korean companies to be active in Kyrgyzstan. In a recent case, we have our full-pledged cooperation with KT Corporation and recently signed an agreement of creating a joint company with KT and KT's subsidiaries BC Card and Smartro. Korean financial organization BNK Capital also opened a representative office in Bishkek in May 2023. I fully agree with my colleagues from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan strongly believes that investments from Korean companies in our countries will serve to strengthen our collaborations as well as the development of our regions. Turkmenistan Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Korea Begench Durdyyev / Courtesy of Embassy of Turkmenistan A year ago, just after Anthony Albanese had become prime minister and Peter Dutton had become opposition leader, the two men were publicly quite nice about each other. Dutton said they had a good relationship and that he thought Albanese would say that weve got a respect for each other. Albanese seemed to confirm this, saying he had a much better relationship with Dutton than with Scott Morrison, and that Peter Dutton has never broken a confidence that Ive had with him. Illustration by Joe Benke Credit: Publicly, at least, that relationship seems to have been deteriorating for some time. A month ago, Albanese said Dutton was making statements unworthy of the alternative prime minister of this nation. Last week he repeated this, adding that Duttons new comments about the Indigenous Voice to parliament were devoid of empathy and without a heart. Dutton, for his part, had accused Albanese of being tricky and displaying contempt towards Australians. In high school we were taught about the pathetic fallacy: the way, say, rain in a novel could seem to meaningfully reflect the moods of the characters falsely, of course, because rain is just rain. Last week, Canberra had its own pathetic fallacy. There was a cold snap, which seemed to capture the mood. In a column, journalist David Speers wrote that, during the bitterness of the recent housing debate, something between the Greens and Labor had snapped. Something between Dutton and Albanese had seemed to snap too. And then there was the way most MPs and journalists seemed suddenly to snap out of the feverish madness that had come upon them the previous week, consumed with the various disputes around denied allegations of sexual violence and parliament. Bangkok: Authorities in Myanmar destroyed more than $US446 million ($668 million) worth of illegal drugs seized from around the country to mark an annual international anti-drug trafficking day on Monday, police said. The drug burn came as UN experts warned of increases in the production of opium, heroin and methamphetamine in Myanmar, with exports threatening to expand markets in South and South-East Asia. Smoke and flames billow from burning illegal narcotics on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar on Monday. Credit: AP Myanmar has a long history of drug production linked to political and economic insecurity caused by decades of armed conflict. The country is a major producer and exporter of methamphetamine and the worlds second-largest opium and heroin producer after Afghanistan, despite repeated attempts to promote alternative legal crops among poor farmers. In the countrys largest city, Yangon, a pile of seized drugs and precursor chemicals worth $US207 million was incinerated. The destroyed drugs included opium, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, kratom, ketamine and crystal meth, also known as ice. Latest News Is commercial lending about to boom? Broker, property adviser discuss whats ahead for the market Finsure fights modern slavery An estimated 15,000 people live in modern slavery in Australia The Australian Mortgage Awards will be a highlight of the 2023 social calendar, gathering the best of the mortgage industry for a night of celebration and recognition. As preparations for the 2023 event ramp up, past winners and industry leaders reflect on the importance of these prestigious awards. For Brenden Lowbridge, director and finance strategist at Newcastle brokerage Money Links, he described the level of energy and enthusiasm at the 2022 Australian Mortgage Awards as unmatched. "The AMAs is a high-energy event, with the industry's best all in one room, music pumping, and drinks flowing," Lowbridge said. "I am excited just thinking about it." Reflecting on his triumph at last year's event, where he was crowned Broker of the Year Regional, Lowbridge (pictured above left) expressed his delight. "Winning the award last year was excellent recognition for the Money Links team," he said. "They got a real buzz from the win, and they deserve it. They are all excellent at what they do." Lowbridge said that winning such a prestigious accolade had significantly helped his business, strengthened relationships, and boosted credibility with his business partners. He also highlighted the positive impact it has had on attracting young talent to his organisation. As a staunch advocate for regional brokers, Lowbridge encouraged others in his field to seize the opportunity the AMAs present. "I think the fact that the AMAs recognise the productivity of brokers in the regions is brilliant," Lowbridge said. "If you have provided excellent client outcomes, experienced strong growth in your team or settlements, it is worth making a submission." How to win the prestigious Productivity Award Daniel Pym (pictured above right), Loan Market Double Bay, winner of the Equity-One Broker of the Year - Productivity Award in 2021, also shared his excitement about winning the prestigious accolade. "It's great to make the finals, but once you've been nominated a few times, it feels amazing to win it," Pym said. "It was a real thrill to win at the AMAs. It was a culmination of a lot of effort from myself and my staff." Pym's success is underscored by his impressive track record of multiple award nominations and victories. With nine wins out of 15 industry award finals, he attributed his success to his commitment and dedication. "The reason I won the Productivity Award was mainly because my turnover increased by 250%," Pym said. "It was a stupidly busy time of my life, but we managed to employ three additional staff members, which helped us grow to where we are today." While industry recognition and peer acknowledgment was undoubtedly gratifying, Pym (pictured above right) said that the true value lay in establishing credibility with clients. "It's all about having that credibility with your clients," he said. "If they see that you've won some awards, then they will be more likely to give you a go." For brokers considering entering the awards, Pyms advice is to focus not only on generating impressive numbers but also delivering exceptional service. "It's important to think about how to run a business and make sure you're not just writing big numbers but that customers are actually happy with your service," he said. "That's the combination the judges are looking for." Highlighting the industrys best The Australian Mortgage Awards (AMAs), now in its 22nd year, has become a highly anticipated event for the mortgage broking industry. Organised by Key Media and supported by Australian Broker and Mortgage Professional Australia, this year's awards will recognise outstanding leaders and businesses in the industry across 27 categories. The broker of the year awards will be presented in five categories, encompassing commercial, residential, regional and specialist lending, along with a young gun of the year award. The lender awards include distinctions such as fintech lender of the year, bank of the year, and non-bank of the year. Notably, Westpac continues its 14-year partnership as the event sponsor, demonstrating its unwavering support for the awards. Premium partners include NAB and PRPTY360. The 2023 AMAs have also garnered sponsorship from Adelaide Bank, ANZ, CBA, Equity-One, Bankwest, FBAA, Firstmac, Gateway Bank, La Trobe Financial, Liberty, MFAA, Mortgage Choice, OnDeck Australia, Pepper Money, PropTrack, Q2, Rate Money, Resimac and ubank. Maxiron Capital is as the social media sponsor, while FINSTREET sponsors the VIP post-awards event. Fifo Capital is the photo booth sponsor, and PRPTY360 is the champagne sponsor. The Australian Mortgage Awards gala black tie-dinner will be held on Friday, October 13 at The Star Event Centre in Sydney. Nominations for the 2023 Australian Mortgage Awards close on Friday, June 30 and tickets are selling fast. Latest News Is commercial lending about to boom? Broker, property adviser discuss whats ahead for the market Finsure fights modern slavery An estimated 15,000 people live in modern slavery in Australia Bendigo Banks unique community bank model is celebrating its 25th year of community-owned and operated banking in Australia. Established in 1998 with branches in Rupanyup and Minyip, the secret to the banks success can be attributed to its profit-for-a-purpose model, which sees a majority of the profits generated by each independently owned and operated community bank directed back to the community. In a statement, Bendigo Bank said the community model is on track to collectively return a total of $300 million in profits in its anniversary year. And thanks to funding from co-investors such as local, state, and federal governments, capital raised undergoes a multiplier effect, enabling projects totalling over an estimated $1 billion. Marnie Baker (pictured above left), Bendigo Bank CEO and managing director, said the strength of the shared value model proved that Australians will support a genuine banking alternative if provided with quality products and excellent, award-winning service backed by a trusted financial institution. Bendigo Banks vision is to be Australias bank of choice and our purpose is to feed into the prosperity of our customers and their communities, Baker said. The community bank model is aligned with both our vision and our purpose, and we are immensely proud of its success. I want to thank our community bank customers for their support, our team members for delivering quality service, local shareholders for backing their communities and all the passionate locally based directors for their hard work and dedication. She also acknowledged the board of Rupanyup/Minyip and the local community for their hard work and the important role they played in piloting the unique model. Sarah Franklyn (pictured above right), Community Bank national council chair, said the milestone was a ringing endorsement of the profit-with-purpose, social enterprise model. The internationally acclaimed model has expanded from a concept designed to empower communities at risk of losing face-to-face banking services, to a network of more than 300 branches across Australia that support economic growth and their grants and sponsorships underpin and strengthen the social fabric, Franklyn said. As the custodians of one of Australias most successful social enterprise movements, we are pleased to celebrate the amazing outcomes achieved in the last 25 years and look forward to working together to evolve and adapt this unique model for the next generation, she said. Bendigo Bank and its community partners will mark its 25th year with celebrations at community banks around Australia. Use the comment section below to tell us how you felt about this. Latest News Is commercial lending about to boom? Broker, property adviser discuss whats ahead for the market Finsure fights modern slavery An estimated 15,000 people live in modern slavery in Australia Clawback will likely continue to be a problem despite cashback offers from some major lenders ending this week, according to some senior mortgage brokers. Anthony Waldron (pictured above left), CEO Mortgage Choice, said with some customers refinancing multiple times a year, brokers have often been left with nothing to show for the hours spent on processing the loans. Brokers as business owners rightly feel their income is being affected at no fault of their own, Waldron said. As an industry, we need to work on a solution that helps protect brokers when a customers circumstances change. The contentious issue has left some brokers feeling like their financial loss was not considered after a near-record number of lenders extended cashback incentives earlier this year. But while Westpac, NAB, and ING are ending their cashback deals from this Saturday, July 1, and CBA having already ended its offer in May, 26 lenders are still offering cash incentives for homebuyers at the time of writing, according to Rate City. These cashback offers which currently go up to $10,000 are an alluring temptation for some homebuyers, with many looking to refinance after rolling off low interest fixed rate loans. And while only six lenders are offering cash incentives for new loans, the majority are targeting this group of refinancers. Adele Andrews (pictured above second from left), director of Australian Property Home Loans, said cashback offers were a double-edged sword that skewed the market dangerously. They are a great sweetener if everything else is right and the client is going to be better off long term, but unfortunately they have become a reason to move and a distraction from what we, as brokers, are trying to do in order to improve the position overall, said Andrews. It is not uncommon for a client to come to you and ask for a refinance based on who is offering the best cashback the exact wrong reason to do it. The impact on brokers Small businesses dominate the mortgage landscape, with 62% of broker offices being made up of sole or dual operators, according to the MFAAs latest IIS report. With that, many brokers experience much of the same pains of other small business owners such as an increase in business running costs, professional indemnity insurance, and outsourcing services. Add in industry-specific costs such as rising aggregator fees and net of offset transactions, and its easy to see why lenders clawing back commissions could be damaging to a brokerages bottom line. Andrews said she had been very fortunate with only one clawback, but it hurt a lot. They just feel so terribly unfair when you have moved heaven and earth to get the right outcome for someone, worked late, worked a weekend and did whatever it takes only to have it all ripped from under your feet, she said. An FBAA report last year revealed that the average annual clawback value per annum to a broker had risen from $10,229 in 2018 to $15,077 in 2021, being a 47.4% increase. In the same period, lender-causing cashback incentives increased by 59.1%. That was at a time in mid-2021 where only 24 lenders were offering cashbacks between $1,000 and $4,000, according to Rate City. However, not all brokers have been severely impacted by clawbacks. Aaron Bell (pictured above second from right), director of Home Loan Village, said the situation had meant that some clients preferred to refinance more often than they otherwise would have, and he had been subject to more clawbacks over the last two years as a result. That being said, it hasnt been a huge overall impact and my general thought process is to think through the clients best interest rather than ever complain to a client about the way we are paid as I'm sure the vast majority of brokers would not complain to their clients either, said Bell. Loan Link broker Alma Zubovic (pictured above right) said she had been in the fortunate situation where no clawbacks had occurred but acknowledges that if things keep going the way they are, it may not remain that way. All I can do is maintain frequent contact with my client base and maintain the service that Ive provided thus far, said Zubovic. Lessons for brokers While cashbacks may still be sticking around a little longer, some brokers remain optimistic about a cashback-free future. Bell said it was a just phase over a period of time that meant the economics of broking were slightly different, but now the industry was moving into a new time. He said that in the new environment, rates and ongoing service is going to be key. Its very important right now for brokers to understand those key service indicators of lenders over at least over a medium period, Bell said. Its going to be about who is better at repricing current lending, who makes this process easier and who is more easily able to match their current best in market rates. Andrews said that now more and more lenders had pulled out of the cashback market, it would create room for brokers to educate and ensure that clients were in a truly better position and not just stuck somewhere with a band aid fix until the cashback runs out. But Andrews noted that without the backup of cash to mitigate loss through cashbacks, the implications on ones broking business could be very problematic. Honestly, the world would be better off without cashbacks and clawbacks as far as I am concerned. Keep the industry fair and pure, she said. Latest News Is commercial lending about to boom? Broker, property adviser discuss whats ahead for the market Finsure fights modern slavery An estimated 15,000 people live in modern slavery in Australia This article was produced in partnership with Bizcap Access to business financing is crucial for the growth and success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, traditional lenders have tightened their lending criteria in recent years, making it increasingly challenging for SMEs to secure the funding they need. In response to this changing landscape, there has been a notable rise in SMEs turning to brokers and financial service providers for assistance. Lets explore the current dynamics of SME business lending in Australia, highlighting the difficulties faced by SMEs and the growing trend of them seeking broker support. There is an opportunity that exists for new-to-industry brokers and finance professionals. Partnering with Bizcap - one of the leading financial service providers in Australia - is the best way to take advantage of the opportunity that exists. The challenge of obtaining business funding for SMEs SMEs play a vital role in the Australian economy, contributing to job creation and economic growth. However, a survey recently revealed that 30% of businesses would find it difficult to meet their financial commitments through 2023. Attracting employees, managing cash flow and the rising cost of doing business were the reasons cited for the lack of confidence. Another survey found that 46% of SMEs considered non-bank lenders as a viable alternative to traditional lenders. When you couple this with the rise of traditional lenders tightening up their business lending policies, there is a great opportunity for brokers to jump in and match these SME business owners with lenders such as non-banks. Rising trend: SMEs seeking broker assistance Considering the challenges to accessing traditional financing, SMEs are increasingly turning to brokers and financial service providers for help. Brokers offer a range of benefits to SMEs, including access to a wider network of lenders, expertise in navigating complex loan processes, and tailored financial solutions. As a result, a number of surveys show there has been a significant rise in SMEs seeking broker assistance. One showed that 55% of SME owners are planning to invest in their businesses in the next six months, while 41% said they would be seeking new funding options in 2023 - this presents a significant opportunity for new-to-industry brokers and finance professionals to provide valuable support to SMEs and establish themselves in the industry. Bizcap: a leading financial service provider Bizcap is a trusted and reputable financial service provider, having helped over 15,000 small businesses since the company's inception in 2019. Bizcap is also Australias most open-minded lender, who specialise in supporting SMEs who need fast access to business finance. They welcome businesses: that have defaults or judgments from past hardships; that have been declined from other lenders; with poor credit scores (no minimum credit score requirement). By becoming accredited with Bizcap, new-to-industry brokers and finance professionals can access a wide range of financing options tailored to the needs of the many SMEs in the Australian economy. Bizcap offers fast funding solutions (loans funded within 3 hours), including unsecured loans and short-term loans, with the ability to fund businesses within three hours. Getting accredited with Bizcap offers several advantages for new-to-industry brokers and finance professionals. Firstly, it allows brokers to tap into the rising trend of SMEs seeking broker assistance, positioning themselves as trusted advisors and helping SMEs overcome financing challenges. Secondly, Bizcap provides training and support to its accredited brokers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in the SME lending space. Lastly, brokers working with Bizcap benefit from competitive commission structures and a seamless end-to-end loan management process. What are you waiting for? The dynamics of SME business lending in Australia have undergone a significant shift, with traditional lenders tightening their lending criteria, making it harder for SMEs to access financing. However, this challenging landscape has created a rising trend of SMEs seeking assistance from brokers and financial service providers. As a new-to-industry broker or finance professional, this presents a tremendous opportunity to support SMEs in their quest for business financing. In an ever-evolving financial landscape, brokers must stay ahead of the curve to effectively support their SME clients. Partnering with Bizcap presents an incredible opportunity for Brokers to harness the power of fast funding and open doors to funding options previously inaccessible to SMEs. By getting accredited with Bizcap, you can leverage this trend, access a wide range of financing options, and provide valuable solutions to SMEs. Call 1300 922 223 to get accredited with Bizcap or click here. Bizcap is a leading business lender operating in Australia and New Zealand. Launched in 2019, the business has dedicated itself to helping SMEs secure the funding needed to grow their operations, having helped over 15,000 business to-date. With loan options from $5K - $4M (funded in as little as 3 hours), and a dedicated support team, we work with our broker partners and clients to make the whole process easy. Several former employees of crisis-stricken Byju's have not received the provident fund (PF) component of their salaries in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), a report by the Hindu Businessline (HBL) said on Monday. The data from EPFO, according to the report, also shows that the edtech unicorn's parent Think and Learn Pvt Ltd has not paid the monthly deposits for most of its employees in 2023-24 (FY24). The company made contributions for December 2022, January, February and March on June 19. Moreover, all employees did not receive the payment. The HBL report also said that in some cases, PF due for 2020 was paid only in June this year. Notably, the EPFO rules state that a company should deposit the PF money for a month by the 15th of the next month. Any delay may attract penalties ranging from 5 to 100 per cent. Also Read: Edtech major Byju's tells investors it will file 2022 earnings by Sept Byju's has been in a fix after several of its board members resigned last week, including those representing Peak XV Partners, Prosus, and Chan Zuckerberg. Its auditor Deloitte has also resigned, cutting short its term that was to end in 2025. The consultancy said there was a "significant impact" on its ability to audit the firm as it did not receive financial records from Byju's despite several reminders. Byjus has appointed BDO as its new auditor. In a statement last week, Byju's confirmed the resignation of board members attributing it to their shareholding falling below the minimum required threshold. Also Read EPFO raises interest rate to 8.15% for FY23 from 8.1% last year: Report Uptick in PF enrolment, 1.38 cr net users joined EPFO scheme in 2021-22 EPFO's new guidelines: How can employees opt for higher pension under EPS? How much you need to pay to get higher EPS pension? New circular clarifies EPFO fixes 8.15% interest rate on employees' provident fund for FY23 Lulu Group to invest Rs 10,000 cr in India to complete ongoing projects Vodafone Idea in contact with vendors to launch 5G, funding delay a hurdle NFT startup Tegro raises seed funding from Polygon at valuation of $100 mn Reasonably priced OMC stocks to gain as marketing margins may revive Infosys inks $454 mn deal with Danske Bank; to acquire its India IT centre "We want to reassure all stakeholders that we are actively working towards constituting a diverse and world-class board commensurate with the company's size and scale," it said. According to the news agency Reuters, Byju's has told investors it will file 2022 audited earnings by September and 2023 results by December. DBS Bank India has appointed Rajat Verma as managing director and head of institutional banking for India. Niraj Mittal, the current head of institutional banking for India, will be taking up a new role as country head of the DBS Bank in Australia. He was instrumental in deepening the large corporate franchise across major conglomerates in India, the press release by the bank said. Until recently, Verma was the managing director and country head of commercial banking, HSBC Bank. With 26 years of banking experience, Rajat has demonstrated an outstanding record of steering business growth and delivering results. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the Delhi College of Engineering. In his new role, Rajat will lead the growth of the institutional banking franchise for DBS Bank in India with presence across over 350 locations with over 530 branches. Surojit Shome, managing director and CEO of DBS Bank India, said, "DBS Bank India is on a strong growth trajectory, and we are very pleased to have Rajat on board to accelerate the momentum. He is a seasoned banker with a proven track record of delivering value to institutional clients across diverse sectors and markets. His appointment reinforces our commitment to growing our business in India. Also Read Post-LVB integration, DBS aiming to treble growth in 5 years: MD & CEO DBS Bank India offers Morningstar-curated investments on risk preference Foreigners feel more welcomed in India than Indians in their country: Study HSBC India ropes in former India skipper Virat Kohli as brand influencer Canara Bank initiates process to launch IPOs of two non-core arms: Report Meta, CAIT to upskill 1 mn traders on use of WhatsApp Business application Pernod Ricard's India head of corporate affairs Yashika Singh quits Byju's is not my work; it is my life: Byju Raveendran tells shareholders Epsilon to establish EV battery component factory in US, sets aside $650 mn TCS enters strategic partnership with Standard Life International DAC Verma said that this appointment marks a career milestone for him. "DBS has been recognised as one of the best banks in the world and is making great strides in the industry. I look forward to building on this solid foundation, he said. Contract manufacturing firm Foxconn has started reaching out to some major business houses in India in a bid to find a new partner for its semiconductor business, The Economic Times (ET) reported. This comes when the Taiwanese company's joint venture (JV) with Anil Agarwal's Vedanta Group has been facing several hurdles. In September 2022, the two companies formed a JV, where Vedanta has a 67 per cent stake, to set up a semiconductor fab at Dholera in Gujarat. A government official cited the ET report as saying that the Centre is concerned about Vedanta Group's "financial stability" and has suggested that Foxconn onboard a different partner. Foxconn, after this, held informal discussions with a few companies to explore a potential partnership. This includes "two large domestic corporate groups". The names of these companies, however, were not mentioned in the report. Vedanta Resources Ltd recently raised $450 million from two companies, Trafigura ($200 million) and Glencore ($250 million), to repay its debt via pledging of equity. Both of these companies are VRL's rivals. The ET report quoted experts as saying that this highlights the dire financial situation of the company. Also Read Vedanta-Foxconn JV set to get govt approval for its chip-making plant Foxconn lines up Rs 4,110 cr for new Hyderabad plant, 25,000 jobs likely India's semiconductor market to touch $64 bn by 2026: Counterpoint-IESA Govt invites new applications for semiconductor manufacturing unit Indian Semiconductor Mission: Centre invites more companies to set up units PM Narendra Modi's US visit: Why Amazon, Google raised their India bet 81% of edtech platform users face refund, trust issues: LocalCircles survey Addverb's mega robot-making unit in UP touted to power 3,000 jobs Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to bring Go First back on runway Goldi Solar investing Rs 5k cr to boost module manufacturing capacity: MD Foxconn and Vedanta also reportedly have differences over the changes to be made in their applications to reapply for incentives under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). The JV applied for incentives under ISM in early 2022, but the Centre has not yet approved it. The Centre has also opened another round of applications earlier this month. According to reports, the Centre had asked VedantaFoxconn to onboard a technology partner with licence-grade semiconductor technology. Moreover, it had also asked Foxconn to take the lead in the JV. Leader of the minor opposition Justice Party, Lee Jeong-mi, second from right, speaks at a press conference opposing Japan's planned release of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, June 26. Yonhap The leader of the minor opposition Justice Party went on a hunger strike in front of the Japanese Embassy on Monday to protest Tokyo's plan to release radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. During a press conference to launch the strike, Lee Jeong-mi said she decided to fast because the government "remains silent when the release of the nuclear contaminated water is imminent" at a time when some 84 percent of Koreans are opposed to the release. "People engulfed in anxiety are lamenting and wondering just where our country is," she said. She went on to accuse President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration of acting like a "parrot" of the Japanese government and merely repeating Tokyo's stance on the release. "We could no longer watch our government go along with the lies of the Japanese government. The lies from our 'parrot-like' government are the real horror story," Lee said. Saying that there's growing discontent with the release plan in Japan as well, Lee said her party could work with Japanese civic groups and opposition parties to convince Japanese people to oppose the plan and ultimately pressure Tokyo to rethink discharging the radioactive water into the ocean. "This hunger strike will become a flare for gathering such public opinions. We will deliver the rational and fair voice of the citizens of Korea," she said. Rep. Kang Eun-mi of the Justice Party also said in a radio interview that she was surprised to see a stronger-than-expected disagreement against the plan among Japanese lawmakers and civic groups when she made a protest visit to Japan last week. Lee's hunger strike will continue for an indefinite period, and will be accompanied by other Justice Party lawmakers and members in a relay. The party also plans to launch a nationwide campaign against the release, she said. (Yonhap) French spirits giant Pernod Ricard's India head of corporate affairs, Yashika Singh, has resigned, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday. Singh, who headed corporate affairs for the Indian market, with focus on regulatory matters, including related to manufacturing and government policy, resigned last week, the sources said. She also headed the communications portfolio. Separately, Rajesh Mishra, chief operating officer of Pernod Ricard India and former chief financial officer, will relocate to Malaysia in a new senior leadership role later this year, the sources added. Singh and Mishra did not respond to requests for comment. Pernod did not comment on Singh's exit. Without naming Mishra, it said internal employee movements were in line with its succession strategy and had no connection with ongoing regulatory issues. An Indian federal agency has accused Pernod of illegally making profits by giving false information to Delhi city authorities in 2021, and using corporate guarantees to back retailers in violation of city rules. Also Read Aurobindo Pharma's P Sarath Reddy becomes approver in Delhi liquor case Tipplers beware! These liquor brands may soon go off the shelves in Delhi Pernod Ricard India appoints Jean Touboul as MD with effect from May 1 New Delhi rejects renewal of Pernod's liquor sale licence, cites probes ED alleges France's Pernod violated Delhi city rules to boost market share Byju's is not my work; it is my life: Byju Raveendran tells shareholders Epsilon to establish EV battery component factory in US, sets aside $650 mn TCS enters strategic partnership with Standard Life International DAC Byju's yet to pay provident fund for several months to many ex-employees Lulu Group to invest Rs 10,000 cr in India to complete ongoing projects Pernod also cannot retail its products in New Delhi as its licence has been rejected. The company denies any wrongdoing. Pernod's statement on Monday said its employees "have consistently cooperated with the authorities, and we remain committed to maintaining this approach". Pernod India head Paul-Robert Bouhier resigned from his position in April, three months into his job. Jean Touboul was later appointed as the new head. The Centre on Tuesday will review its ambitious production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to sort out teething issues faced by beneficiaries of the scheme, and the focus will mainly be on sectors where the progress has been slower-than-expected. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will hold the first-of-its kind review meeting that will see officials from all the ministries responsible for rolling out the PLI scheme. The meeting will also see participation from the beneficiaries or the companies participating in the scheme. The Centre has allocated Rs 1.97 trillion towards PLI schemes for 14 key sectors, including telecom, textiles, automobiles, white goods and pharmaceutical drugs, among others. This scheme not only aims to boost domestic manufacturing, but also create jobs, curb cheap imports and boost exports. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), as on date, the government has paid Rs 2,874 crore to beneficiaries in eight sectors. They are mobile manufacturing, IT hardware, pharmaceutical drugs, bulk drugs, medical devices, telecom, food products and drones. Progress has been slow in the case of the remaining six sectors steel, textiles, battery, white goods, solar PV and automobiles. Here, incentive disbursements are yet to begin, government officials had said earlier this month. A detailed analysis regarding this is being done by individual ministries. Ajay Srivastava, former trade ministry official and founder of think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that in order to make the scheme more effective, the government must watch out for possible misuse of the incremental sales criteria for granting PLI incentives. Besides, the criteria for the scheme should also be simplified to ensure there is no misuse. Also Read Apple unlikely to apply for subsidies under PLI 2.0 scheme: Report Budget 2023: Many PLI schemes are in the pipeline, says Piyush Goyal Centre likely to discontinue second phase of Fame-II scheme after FY24 In a first, Centre to review PLI scheme to sort out teething issues Cabinet to approve Rs 25,000 cr scheme for semiconductor manufacturing Centre approves Rs 56,000 cr for 16 states for capital investment Letter to govt seeks open consultation on digital competition law Focus on stable power grid, renewables, not on green hydrogen, says GTRI A crude shock from Moscow: Testing times for India's energy security Centre approves Rs 56,415 cr to 16 states as special assistance for capex PLI criteria for various sectors include thresholds on investments, production, sales, degree of localisation, inputs used and many more. Manufacturers may not be able to tick on all the boxes. For example, in one case, the government suspected the invoice value and disallowed the incentive of a few hundred crores. In most cases, it is difficult to ascertain the actual value of a product or invoice. Doing this makes incentives subjective and delays the settlement of claims. Guidelines should be few and transparent, said a GTRI report authored by Srivastava. The report also suggests that the best way to simplify PLI is to incentivise local production of components and not the final product. Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda, said it is difficult to monitor how it is being used. If a company, which applied for the scheme, goes for an expansion, it is difficult to find out how much of it is happening. This is because of PLI and what is happening in the normal course, Sabnavis said. The scheme should be a one-time incentive and should not be extended beyond the end date. Companies should not be dependent on this scheme, Sabnavis said. ON AGENDA India has been the fastest growing economy in the last decade and is expected to become the worlds 3rd largest economy by 2027, surpassing Japan and Germany, Nitin Paranjpe, chairman of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the countrys largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) major said in his speech at the companys 90th annual general meeting. He added that the country is steadily emerging from the shadows of being a poor nation. Paranjpe said that against the challenging global backdrop, India appears to be a silver lining. He said there are five factors that will help India in its growth journey which include a young workforce, rising consumption, enviable digital infrastructure, quest to become a favoured investment destination and a growing culture of innovation and enterprise. The challenges that also stand in front of the country include boosting employment and employability, agriculture and allied sectors, participation of women in the workforce, creating a healthy society, and ensuring sustainable growth. While talking about agriculture and allied sectors he said that currently, nearly 60 per cent of the countrys population is agriculture dependent, but it contributes to about one-fifth of GDP. On the one hand, there is a need to increase agricultural productivity and on the other, we need to move people out of agriculture dependent livelihoods, Paranjpe said. Also Read HUL well placed to partner India growth story, says Chairman Nitin Paranjpe Hindustan Unilever's FY23 annual report: Top 10 highlights you should know HUL Q4 net profit up 10% YoY, FMCG giant declares dividend of Rs 22/share Price hikes to drive HUL Q4 revenue, ad-spends to dent margin: Analysts Hindustan Unilever's royalty hike move hits investor mood, stock dips 4% Army adjudged best organisation in defence ministry for procurement on GeM Svamitva scheme: Giving property ownership rights to India's villagers Onion, tomato production likely to decline in 2022-23, shows data Instant line of credit, industry networking top priorities of MSMEs: Survey RBI to engage external managers for small part of FX reserves: Das He added, Also, the future of jobs in agriculture and allied sectors will need to be created across the value chain from farm to fork. While talking about the capacity to adapt and lead change, Paranjpe said that the deployment of 5G and increasing smartphone penetration in the country, can provide a major tailwind to businesses such as its own business. Adding that the company is already on a journey to become an intelligent enterprise. Through our People Data Centre, combined with social listening, we are capturing insights and consumer trends faster than ever before, enabling us to develop solutions in line with the evolving needs of Indians. Our Agile Innovation Hub, a physical zone developed for collaboration and innovation, is helping us speed up product design, development, and testing, in order to launch innovations faster, Paranjpe said. Also the companys direct-to-consumer platforms are directly engaging with digital-native consumers which enable an end-to-end shopping experience. While answering shareholders questions, Paranjpe said, This company (HUL) has produced over Rs 900 crores of incremental turnover coming from products which did not exist, completely new offerings, brought into the market in the last two years. He added that many brands are new and are 'digital only' brands and some of them are catering to new spaces particularly in beauty. As many as 58 stakeholders including civil society groups, tech experts, and academics on Monday sent a letter to the secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) seeking an open consultation on the Digital Competition Bill, as the draft legislation is reportedly in its final stages. The letter expressed concerns that the current discussions for drafting the upcoming law that would regulate anti-competitive practices in the digital space were informed by only a few stakeholders. According to media reports, the inter-ministerial Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL) is close to finalising its report and is likely to submit it by the first week of July. We are concerned that the proposed Digital Competition Act would impact a wide range of subjects, such as digital inclusivity, user experience, data protection and security, foreign investment, cost of doing digital business for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), indirect impact on the cost for consumers, etc., reads the letter addressed to Manoj Govil, secretary of MCA. The letter also requested the ministry to publish comments submitted during the public consultation on the draft Bill and provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to submit counter-comments, similar to other government consultations on policies of public interest. The letter is endorsed by civil society groups CCAOI, Internet Society India, and CUTS, as well as technical communities such as DeepStrat, India Internet Foundation, and Indian Network Operators Group. Since the internet and digital are cross-cutting, there has to be open consultation from people, so that there is a nuanced Bill coming up. There is a concern that the Digital Competition Act gets heavily tilted towards big tech. However, when regulations are made they are not made only for big tech, said Amrita Choudhury, director of CCAOI. Also Read 16-member panel set up to draft Digital Competition Act within 3 months Notifying changes in competition law may face CCI quorum challenge Govt panel concludes stakeholder discussion on digital competition law Pine Labs partners ICICI Bank to enable Digital Rupee on PoS terminals Digital competition Bill based on standing committee report: Sinha Focus on stable power grid, renewables, not on green hydrogen, says GTRI A crude shock from Moscow: Testing times for India's energy security Centre approves Rs 56,415 cr to 16 states as special assistance for capex Flexible office space is the most preferred option for corporates in India MSMEs to face headwinds due to economic slowdown in US, Europe: CRISIL A parliamentary committees report last year underlined the need for ex-ante regulations cautionary rules based on anticipated changes for big tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon. The House panel said the government must frame a definition for Systemically Important Digital Intermediaries (SIDIs) with high revenues, market capitalisation, and the number of active users. In February, the MCA formed a 16-member panel to evaluate the proposal and prepare a draft for a Digital Competition Bill. However, it has been facing criticism for including only government officials and senior lawyers many of whom represent big tech companies apart from a few industry bodies. Amol Kulkarni, director (of research) at CUTS International, said: Civil society, technical organisations, academia and even individual users bring the user interests from the grassroots. For any nuanced regulation, the voice of end users and their interests need to be considered; else regulations run the risk of disproportionately favouring government or business. The current CDCL comprises representatives from the government including Competition Commission of India and Niti Ayog, industry associations, law firms, and one from academia. There are no civil society organisations in the committee. Submissions from select external stakeholders have probably been invited. That is why we are requesting an open transparent consultative process so that the Indian community can contribute to the discussion, he added. The third and final infrastructure working group (IWG) meeting under Indias G20 presidency began in Rishikesh on Monday, with a focus on creating liveable cities. A number of delegates participated in the two sessions and an event on the sidelines. The delegates discussed two work streams under the theme, Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable. Australia and Brazil chaired the first and second sessions respectively. A high-level seminar on creating liveable cities, organised by the Indian presidency and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, complemented the meeting. The discussions allowed G20 decision-makers to learn and deliberate on key challenges from climate change to infrastructure resilience, fast urbanisation, and inclusiveness besides exploring the role of technology and digitisation. The delegates also shared a unique perspective on launching one of the worlds most ambitious new city developments: Nusantara in Indonesia. Also Read Gala dinner showcases spirituality, pilgrimage & heritage at G20 ACWG meet Three-day-long G20 event in Kashmir to begin today: All you need to know Udayshivakumar Infra IPO: Shares to be allotted today; learn how to check G20 Presidency: India to focus on health emergency prevention, preparedness Crisis in multilateralism affecting developing nations most: PM at G20 meet Horticulture output to rise marginally at record 350.87 mn tonne in 2022-23 India actively considering CEPAs, FTAs to boost textile exports: Goyal Centre approves Rs 1,255-crore capital investment for Arunachal Pradesh Centre aims to raise Rs 45,000 crore through road monetisation in FY24 Charitable or religious? Trusts have to disclose to avail of tax benefits Last year, the Asian nation decided to move its capital city to Nusantara after several studies showed that its current capital, Jakarta, is sinking at an alarming rate due excessive groundwater extraction. The decision to move the capital about 1,000 kilometres away in the rainforests of Borneo was also influenced by the fact it has the lowest incidence of earthquakes among major Indonesian islands. The projected cost of building the city is nearly $32 billion. Indonesian officials have also said that Nusantara will be a sustainable forest city, a factor that has been among the top priorities of the IWG. A panel discussion on The Voice from Cities was also held on the sidelines of the event. The participants deliberated on fundamental questions regarding challenges faced by mayors, city executives, and citizens on achieving a sustainable and inclusive future. The event had representatives from Harvard University, World Resources Institute, C40 Cities, and the University of Cambridge. Atiqul Islam, the mayor of Dhaka, Bangladesh, also shared his views on ways to support municipalities and cities in making them sustainable and inclusive. The other panelists were Shruti Narayan, C40 regional director, and Yin Jin, director of research, architecture and urbanism, University of Cambridge. The delegates were also hosted for ratri bhoj par samvad (conversation over dinner). Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was present at the dinner, said: The experiences and ideas being shared in the G20 meeting will pave the way for the welfare, development and prosperity of the entire humanity, and the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) will be further enhanced. Meanwhile, rain continued to play spoilsport. A flight carrying four delegates, scheduled to arrive in Dehradun earlier on Sunday, had to be diverted to Lucknow because of the onset of monsoon in the state. The flight reached Dehradun in the afternoon. A number of other delegates also reached early Monday morning, after their flights were similarly diverted. Nearly 37 delegates reached Dehradun on Sunday morning, and were welcomed by local artists with Gadhwali, Jaunsari and Kumaoni folk songs. The second day of the IWG meet, scheduled on Tuesday, will have three sessions with the primary objective being furthering work on the implementation of QII indicators. Axis Bank on Monday said it will continue to grow 4-6 per cent faster than the industry in the medium to long term, helped by focus on rural and semi-urban markets, improving digital infrastructure and Citibank India retail business. Fiscal year 2023 was a breakout year for digital banking platform Axis 2.0 and the early leadership in building proprietary in-house digital native capabilities with full stack engineering, product and a design team of about 400 people have started yielding results, according to Axis Bank Managing Director and CEO Amitabh Chaudhry. "Given the powerful integrated platform we are building, we will continue to grow 400 to 600 bps faster than the industry in the medium to long term. "The significant strides we made during the year on our customer obsession journey, digital capabilities, Bharat Banking and successful acquisition of Citibank India Consumer Business further give us the confidence in sustaining this performance," he said in a message to shareholders. In March last year, Axis Bank completed the acquisition of Citibank's consumer business and Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) consumer business. The positioning in the credit cards business has strengthened with the card advances market share improving by 450 basis points (bps) to 16.3 per cent, led by the acquisition of a quality and complementary credit card franchise. Also Read Axis Bank shares slide 2.4% post Q4 results; what should investors do? Analysts raise Axis Bank's earnings forecast; to track deposit growth ahead Axis Bank CEO flags risks of slowing economic growth, says report Axis Bank-Citi deal: Synergies seen FY25 onwards on deposit, AUM attrition Superstar Amitabh Bachchan injured on sets of 'Project K', returns home RBI finalises norms for banks to hold capital for operational risks RBI slaps penalties on Standard Chartered Bank-India, other entities 'RBI need not rush to ease rates unless certain of stable-low inflation' Govt to launch portal for unclaimed shares, dividends by February 2024 RBI's pivot to rate cuts to begin only in early 2024: Rating agency S&P According to the bank's annual report, the liability franchise received a boost with over 100 bps improvement in CASA ratio and access to over 1,600 Suvidha corporate relationships. The integration of Citibank India Consumer Business remains well on track with about 3,200 Citi employees now integrated into the Axis organisation structure, it said. Early traction from the Citibank customer base has been quite positive, it said, adding the interactions with several high-value customers suggest their acknowledgment of the seamless transition, continuation of highest levels of service, access to Axis Bank's extensive network of branches and wide product portfolio under the One Axis umbrella. "We have already started incremental onboarding of erstwhile 'Suvidha' salary accounts on Axis Bank platform for additional locations across the country where Citi was hitherto not present. While the acquired Citi business being entirely retail runs at a higher cost, it comes with higher return ratios and is ROE accretive post integration," it said. It does not impede the ability to deliver aspirational Return on Equity (ROE), the report said. "We have identified 60+ synergy initiatives across the bank as we look to drive revenue and cost benefits. We believe that this integration between two highly complementary institutions will enable us to create the gold standard in the retail space," it said. During the fiscal 2022-23, the report said the bank witnessed strong growth in deposits and advances led by focus on improving quality and granularity across businesses. On advances, it said, the bank continued to grow faster than the industry with domestic loan book growth of 23 per cent y-o-y. One of the notable changes pertains to the long-term capital gains on Specified Mutual Funds. Previously, investors enjoyed the benefit of indexation while calculating these gains. However, under the new provisions, this indexation benefit will no longer be available for specified mutual funds that invest less than 35% of their proceeds in the equity shares of domestic companies. "This means that investors will now need to calculate their long-term capital gains without factoring in indexation," said Aditya Chopra, Managing Partner, Victoriam Legalis - Advocates & Solicitors. Furthermore, debt mutual funds will now be taxed based on the applicable slab rates. "This implies that the tax on income from debt-oriented mutual funds will be determined by the individual's income tax bracket. It is essential for investors to consider this change and understand the impact it may have on their overall tax liability," said Chopra. Union Budget 2023 changed the way mutual funds are taxed in India. Investors should be aware of the revised regulations to effectively plan their investments and understand the tax liabilities associated with them. Tax varies depending on type of MF you are investing in To understand the taxation on mutual funds comprehensively, investors should consider the factors that influence the taxes levied. Firstly, there are two types of mutual funds: debt-oriented and equity-oriented. The tax treatment differs based on the type of fund. Moreover, dividends received from mutual fund investments are also subject to taxation. What is capital gains When investors sell their capital assets (mutual fund units) at a higher price than the initial investment, the resulting profit is termed as capital gains and is subject to taxation. The holding period of the investment also plays a crucial role in determining the tax rate applicable to capital gains. According to Indian income tax regulations, longer holding periods result in lower tax amounts. Therefore, investors who hold their mutual fund investments for an extended period will be liable to pay a comparatively lower tax on their capital gains. Dividends vs capital gains Returns in mutual funds can be earned through dividends and capital gains. "Dividends are a portion of the profit distributed among investors by mutual fund houses. They are paid when companies have surplus cash to share with their investors. On the other hand, capital gains are realized when the selling price of the mutual fund units exceeds the purchase price. Both dividends and capital gains are taxable in the hands of mutual fund investors", explained Chopra. Taxation of Dividends Offered by Mutual Funds As per the amendments made in the Union Budget 2020, dividends offered by any mutual fund scheme to investors are added to their taxable income and taxed at their respective income tax slab rates. Moreover, tax implications of income earned from shares, mutual funds and ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) largely depend on the type of investment, the holding period and the amount of profit earned. Short-term capital gains (STCG) for equity shares are taxed at 15%, while long-term capital gains (LTCG) are taxed at 10% after the exemption upto Rs.1 lakh on aggregate LTCG in a financial year.To understand the taxation on mutual funds comprehensively, investors should consider the factors that influence the taxes levied. Firstly, there are two types of mutual funds: debt-oriented and equity-oriented. The tax treatment differs based on the type of fund. Moreover, dividends received from mutual fund investments are also subject to taxation.When investors sell their capital assets (mutual fund units) at a higher price than the initial investment, the resulting profit is termed as capital gains and is subject to taxation. The holding period of the investment also plays a crucial role in determining the tax rate applicable to capital gains. According to Indian income tax regulations, longer holding periods result in lower tax amounts. Therefore, investors who hold their mutual fund investments for an extended period will be liable to pay a comparatively lower tax on their capital gains.Returns in mutual funds can be earned through dividends and capital gains. "Dividends are a portion of the profit distributed among investors by mutual fund houses. They are paid when companies have surplus cash to share with their investors. On the other hand, capital gains are realized when the selling price of the mutual fund units exceeds the purchase price. Both dividends and capital gains are taxable in the hands of mutual fund investors", explained Chopra. Previously, dividends were tax-free in the hands of investors as the companies paid dividend distribution tax (DDT) before paying dividends. Also Read Sensex slips 347 pts on profit-taking, Nifty holds 18,500; RIL, SBI dip 2% RIL, ITC lift Sensex 418 pts, Nifty regains 18,700; MRF tops Rs 1-L mark Sensex rises for 3rd straight day, up 85pts ahead of Fed outcome; RIL leads RIL, ITC, HDFC twins lift Sensex 345 pts up; Bank Nifty hits new peak Sensex rallies 467 pts, Nifty tops 18,800; RIL, HDFC duo lead, IT caps gain Money can't be accepted once booking annulled Respond to I-T notice on time or risk refund adjustment against tax demand Apple to launch credit card in India, in talks with NPCI for Apple Pay Car insurance: Add-on options can save your vehicle from monsoon damage Betting on gold? How to pick between gold ETFs and sovereign gold bonds Equity MF treated the same as equity shares "Equity mutual funds are treated the same as equity shares from a taxation standpoint, so STCG are taxed at 15% for equity mutual fund units held for 12 months or less and LTCG are taxed at 10%, if the holding period exceeds 12 months, on cumulative capital gains over Rs. 1 lakh for a financial year," said Vipul Jai, Partner,PSL Advocates & Solicitors Debt funds vs Equity MFs The tax rates and holding period for Debt Funds are quite different from equity Mutual Funds. In the case of Debt Mutual Funds, STCG are gains derived from units held for 3 years or less and LTCG apply to units held for more than 3 years which are taxed as per applicable Income Tax slab rate of the investor and 20% with indexation respectively. Capital Gain Tax on Hybrid Funds Capital gain on Hybrid Mutual Funds depends on the asset allocation of such a fund. If the hybrid fund is equity oriented then the tax treatment is the same as of equity mutual funds. "Similarly, hybrid funds are debt oriented then the tax treatment is the same as debt mutual funds. If the fund invests more than 65% of its corpus in equity and equity related securities then it is an equity oriented fund. Otherwise, it is a debt oriented fund," according to Scripbox, a digital wealth manager. According to Jai, India has four types of ETFs in India Index, Sectoral, Gold and International. LTCG and STCG on Index and Sectoral ETFs are taxed at 15% and 10% (on aggregate gains exceeding Rs.1 lakh in a Financial Year) respectively, similar to equity mutual funds. Whereas for Gold and International ETFS, if the holding period is less than 36 months, STCG are taxed as per income tax slab rate of the investor and LTCG is taxed at 20% with indexation for holding period exceeding 36 months. Securitiestransaction tax Apart from the taxes mentioned above, all equity-oriented funds also incur a securities transaction tax of 0.001 per cent at the time of redemption. Investors receive the fund after STT deduction, so you do not have to pay it separately. SIP taxation Tax on systematic investment plans is calculated for each individual unit. The holding period from the date of purchase to the redemption date determines whether it will be considered for short-term or long-term capital gains tax. If redemption is carried out in parts, then the first-in, first-out rule is applied, meaning that the first units purchased are considered sold first. For example, if you decided to redeem your investment after 12 months of SIP payments, all of your gains would not be free of tax. Only the gains earned on the first SIP will be tax-free as only that investment would have completed one year. The rest of the gains will be subject to short-term capital gains tax. Can mutual fund investments help me get a rebate on income tax? Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, tax benefits are applicable in the case of ELSS or Equity Linked Saving Schemes. You can get up to Rs.1.5 lakh in tax deduction and save around Rs.46,800 each year on taxes. However, ELSS has a minimum lock-in period of three years. Any short-term capital loss from the sale of equity shares can be offset against short-term or long-term capital gains, and if not fully set off, can be carried forward for eight years. Similarly, long-term capital losses can now be carried forward and set off against any other long-term capital gains, but not short-term gains, said Chopra. Are mutual fund taxes payable every year? If you opt for a mutual fund scheme, you need to pay the applicable taxes only when you redeem the units or sell the scheme. It does not count on every year. However, your total income for the financial year in question includes your dividend income from mutual fund schemes. So, you need to pay tax for this dividend income if your income is liable to income tax, said ClearTax. Short-term capital gains (STCG) arise when equity shares listed on a stock exchange are sold within 12 months of purchase. These gains are taxable at a rate of 15%.For instance, X purchased 100 shares of a company for Rs.500 per share and sold them within 6 months for Rs.600 per share. The calculation of STCG would be as follows - Sale price = 100 shares x Rs.600 = Rs.60,000, Expenses on Sale (brokerage) = Rs.500, Purchase price = 100 shares x Rs.500 = Rs.50,000, Short-term capital gain = Sale price - Expenses on Sale - Purchase price = Rs.60,000 - Rs.500 - Rs.50,000 = Rs.9,500.On the other hand, long-term capital gains (LTCG) occur when equity shares are sold after holding them for more than 12 months.Prior to the introduction of the Budget 2018, LTCG from equity shares and equity-oriented mutual funds were tax-exempt. However, the revised provisions state that if a seller makes a long-term capital gain of over Rs.1 lakh on the sale of such investments, a tax rate of 10% (plus applicable cess) is applicable, without the benefit of indexation, explained Chopra.Consider X who purchased shares for Rs.100 and sold them for Rs.120, with the stock value being Rs.110 as of 31st January 2018. Out of the capital gains of Rs.20, Rs.10 is taxable as LTCG at 10% without indexation. These new provisions are effective from 1st April 2018.Suppose X invested in a specified mutual fund that falls under the new provisions of Budget 2023. After holding the investment for five years, he decided to sell his mutual fund units at a profit. Previously, he would have been able to calculate his long-term capital gains by considering the benefit of indexation. However, under the revised regulations, X must now calculate his capital gains without the indexation benefit. Additionally, the tax on his capital gains will depend on his income tax slab rate, as debt mutual funds are now subject to applicable slab rates." Investing in fixed deposits is a great disadvantage, particularly if you fall under the highest income tax bracket, as the interest is added to your taxable income and taxed at your income tax slab rate. This is where mutual funds score better. When you invest in a mutual fund, you get the benefit of expert money management and tax-efficient returns," said ClearTax. The decision to remove 20 per cent retaliatory customs duty on imported American apples will have a "zero" impact on Indian farmers as the government has sufficient policy space to support growers if there is any implication of the move, a senior government official said on Monday. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Peeyush Kumar said that India is not giving anything "extra" by removing this duty and it was not that "we have opened a floodgate" for American apples. In fact, it is a win-win deal for India as it restores market access for domestic steel and aluminium products in the American market, which was impacted due to the imposition of high duties by the US in 2018. The decision to remove these additional duties was part of an agreement reached between India and the US, during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington and New York. India and the US have also agreed to terminate six trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). These remarks assume significance as Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a tweet alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "wants Apple to invest (not investigate) in India. But does he even care for the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh? He has avenged his election loss in Himachal by slashing import duties on American apples. Never before has India seen a more petty PM!" India will remove these duties on eight US products including chickpeas, lentils and apples, which were imposed in 2019 in response to America's measure to increase tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products. India imposed retaliatory duties on 28 US products. America imposed an import duty of 25 per cent on steel products and 10 per cent on certain aluminium products on grounds of national security. Also Read Apple opens its first official store in Mumbai; what we know so far Centre reduces import duty on sunflower oil, soyabean oil to 12.5% Centre unlikely to offer import duty concessions to Tesla: Report Import duty case: Japan urges India to rescind decision of appeal in WTO Govt cuts import duty on refined soybean and sunflower oils to 12.5% Vigilance wing intensifies probe against K Sudhakaran in graft complaint Candlelight march to pray for peace in Manipur, internet ban till 30 June World now listening to India with more attention: Defence Minister Rajnath Withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras Bill or face stir: SGPC chief Dhami tells govt BSF trying to scare voters in Bengal's bordering areas: Mamata Banerjee "There would be zero impact on Indian farmers due to the duty removal" because the import duty on apples still is at 50 per cent, Kumar told PTI. Now India is also getting greater market access for its steel and aluminium products in the US, "so it was not that, we are giving something extra," he said. Import of apples from the US decreased sharply from USD 145 million (127,908 tonnes) in 2018-19 to only USD 5.27 million (4,486 tonnes) in 2022-23. It indicates that the market share of the US apples was taken by other countries due to imposition of additional retaliatory duty on American apples, as the imports from countries other than the US increased from USD 160 million in 2018-19 to USD 290 million in 2022-23. The US's import share in the import market segment was taken by countries like Turkey, Chile, New Zealand and Italy. After the removal of additional duties on the US apples -- as a part of the resolution of a WTO dispute which would result in the restoration of market access for Indian steel and aluminum exports to the US -- would compete on level-playing field with other countries, while it does not result any additional negative impact on domestic apple producers. Earlier the commerce ministry in May imposed MIP (minimum import price) of Rs 50 per kg on apples, except for Bhutan. This MIP will be applicable on apples from the US as well as other countries (excluding Bhutan), which would prevent flooding and protect domestic growers from predatory pricing and poor-quality/ cheap imports. "While Indian apple growers will continue to gain from the MFN duty and the MIP that was imposed for all countries except Bhutan, removal of additional duties for the US will result in competition in imports in the premium market segment ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers," another official said. There is no reduction on MFN (most favoured nation) duty on apples, which is still applicable on all imported apples including on the US at 50 per cent. Congress West Bengal president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary shot off a letter to West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose on providing security cover to the media personnel during the ensuing panchayat election in the state. In the letter he descibed the state of West Bengal to be on the 'volcano of violence'. "I beg to state that prior to the Panchayat Elections, 2023, the state of West Bengal is literally on the volcano of violence with as many as 10 persons having been fallen victims to crude violence since the Issuance of notifications for the said elections on 8th June," he wrote. "The unchained beasts of violence and Intimidation are likely to swagger over the entire state following the articulate and inarticulate commands of the leadership of the ruling party," he wrote in the letter mentioning that under such circumstances the electorate including media personnel and vote-workers are not safe. Furthering his demand for protection to media personnels during polls, Choudhury said, "It is known to Your Excellency that in a democratic set-up like ours the mass media are regarded the fourth pillar of democracy. Before and during the poll the media personnel cover the entire clection scenarios taking serious risk of their life." Choudhury reminded the Governor that in the past, many media persons wore injured and killed in the incidents of violence. "The entire media world and I myself will remain ever beholden to you, if you kindly issue order or do whist is required for providing security cover for the media persons on duty," he requested. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), enters his party's office at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. The slogan emblazoned on the wall behind him reads "Discharge of Fukushima wastewater into the ocean is radiation terrorism." Yonhap By Lee Hyo-jin The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are clashing as the party seeks to take collective action with Pacific Rim nations against Japan's planned release of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The foreign ministry and the opposition party seem to be on the same page that Tokyo's imminent wastewater release from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is a shared concern for Korea and the Pacific nations. However, the DPK sees that Korea should immediately unite with the Pacific countries against Japan, while the foreign ministry views that the matter should be handled prudently based on the results of the ongoing safety reviews. Last week, the DPK sent official letters to the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member countries calling for collective actions against Tokyo's imminent discharge of the wastewater as Japan is currently making final preparations to carry on with its plan once the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gives the greenlight, wrapping up its ongoing safety inspection. The Pacific Island Forum (PIF) is a group of 18 independent and self-governing states in the region. "Our party did what the government failed to do," DPK floor leader Rep. Park Kwang-on said during a party meeting, Monday. He also refuted the foreign ministry's statement expressing regrets about his party's move. Mentioning the ministry's statement released the previous day, Park argued, "It is unclear whether the National Assembly and political parties should refrain from pursuing international solidarity concerning the lives and safety of the public, or whether we are only expected to only engage in activities praising or supporting the government." He went on to say that sending the letter to the PIF was a part of the diplomatic activities by the parliament to represent the voices of the public. On Sunday, the foreign ministry sent a text message to reporters expressing regret that the DPK has undermined the government's unified diplomatic approach on the Fukushima wastewater release. "The letter, which does not provide any scientific basis, disregards not only the joint efforts for safety review (on the treated wastewater), by the international community including the IAEA, as well as the research conducted by our own country," the statement read. It also said the DPK's action is disrespectful of the ministry's role of engaging in diplomatic activities as a government organization with the constitutional authority to do so. "Criticism against the government is allowed, but the approach to expressing such criticism differs in domestic and international contexts," Foreign Minister Park Jin told reporters, Monday, implying that the opposition party's move was inappropriate. Ruling People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Yun Jae-ok, center, eats raw fish at Garak Market in Songpa District, Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of PPP A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Monday set aside a single bench direction to the CBI to probe into an allegation of tampering with documents and misrepresenting information provided in nomination papers of two panchayat poll candidates in Howrah district. The court, however, directed the West Bengal police to inquire into the matter under the supervision of a one-man commission of Justice (retd) Debiprosad Dey. The order of the division bench presided by Justice Arijit Banerjee came on an appeal by the state government challenging the direction of the single bench for CBI investigation. The police were directed by the division bench to file a report on the enquiry after three weeks before the single judge, before whom the petition was initially moved. Panchayat elections, however, are scheduled to be held in West Bengal on July 8. Justice Amrita Sinha had on June 21 directed the CBI to probe the allegations by July 5 and to file a report before the court on July 7. On a challenge by the state, the appeal bench on June 23 stayed the CBI probe till Monday. Also Read CPI-M MP files affidavit in Cal HC for suo motu proceedings against Mamata WB CM Mamata blames opposition for violence in panchayat poll nomination Deadline for nomination for demat, trading accounts extended till Sept 30 CBI to find reasons behind teacher recruitment outsourcing: Cal HC BJP Ministers file nomination ahead of Karnataka Assembly polls Indians can now zip through arrivals at US airports via automatic kiosks Armed forces being equipped with latest weaponry, says Rajnath Singh Modi govt opened new avenues for Jammu & Kashmir's youth: Jitendra Singh Wrestlers move Delhi court, seek copy of charge sheet against Brij Bhushan Passengers miss train as railway officials forget to make announcement Two petitioners - Kashmira Begum and Anjuna Bibi - candidates for panchayat polls under Uluberia I block, raised allegations against the returning officer concerned, claiming that the documents filed by them at the time of nomination were tampered with. "In our opinion, this is not such a case that calls for CBI enquiry. However, since allegations are made of infringement of constitutional right of the petitioners, some enquiry is necessary," the court said. Maintaining that the court has full confidence in the state police, the bench said that justice must not only be done but also must be seen to be done. Therefore, to dispel any public perception or apprehension of the petitioners that a fair and impartial probe may not be held, the court has requested Justice (retd) Dey to act as a one-man commission to supervise, the division bench said. The division bench, also comprising Justice Apurba Sinha Ray, directed the state to provide logistical support to the retired judge. The court noted that Dey has declined to receive any remuneration saying that this assignment amounts to rendering social service in public interest. People gathered in Kohima on Sunday, June 25, for a candlelight march to pray for the restoration of peace and normalcy in neighbouring Manipur. The march was led by the Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship at the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Convention Centre. People of Kohima could be seen holding placards, and sending messages of peace and tranquillity to the people of Manipur and praying for normalcy in Manipur. Some of the placards read, "We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Manipur", "No peace, No future", "Stop spreading hate speech", "Love peace for Humanity", and many others. More than 120 people have lost their lives in Manipur violence, while more than 3000 were injured. On May 3, Manipur city witnessed widespread violence as clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) for a demand to include Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The violence between Meitei and Kuki communities began more than a month ago. Police have destroyed more than 12 bunkers in Manipur allegedly constructed by militants in the past 24 hours. Also Read As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today Changing nature of violence in Manipur is concern for HM: Biren There is no crisis in Manipur BJP, says CM; gives details of ministers Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected at all costs: CM Biren World now listening to India with more attention: Defence Minister Rajnath Withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras Bill or face stir: SGPC chief Dhami tells govt BSF trying to scare voters in Bengal's bordering areas: Mamata Banerjee Arvind Kejriwal promises to redevelop all MCD schools in 5 to 7 years PM Modi chairs meeting with senior cabinet colleagues after US State visit Manipur police also issued a statement where they informed that more than 135 people have already been arrested for various charges like curfew violations, theft in abandoned houses, arson cases, etc. "A total of 1100 arms, 13702 ammunition and 250 bombs of different kinds have been recovered so far. Flag marches, area domination, cordon and search operations are continuing in various parts of the state," Manipur police said in its statement. The ban on internet service in the state has further been extended for five more days, till June 30, to prevent any mishappening and disturbance of peace and public violence. PM Modi monitoring the situation In an all-party meeting, Amit Shah assured of restoring peace in the region as the opposition questioned PM Modi's "silence" on the matter. Shah said that PM Modi is monitoring the situation closely and guiding the team with full sensitivity. Shah further added that Manipur is returning to normalcy, and no person has died since June 13. 36000 security personnel and 40 IPS officers were sent with essential supplies, including medicines. According to an ANI report, the security forces also launched operations acting on specific intelligence, in village Itham in Imphal East district on June 24. Resultantly, 12 KYKL cadres were apprehended with arms, ammunition and war-like stories. The G20 events hosted in Goa has offered the coastal state an opportunity to showcase its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to the world which will boost its tourism sector in the long run, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said. Dubbed as 'Pearl of the Orient', Goa's scenic beaches, sunny skies and sand draw tourists by hordes from various parts of the country and abroad. The coastal state just hosted two back-to-back crucial G20 events -- fourth Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting (June 19-20) and Tourism Ministerial meeting (June 21 -22), taking the total number of G20 meetings hosted so far in Goa to seven, while two more G20 events are slated to take place here in July. "We are hosting altogether nine meetings of the G20, Sawant said in an interaction on the sidelines of the meetings. Addressing a gathering of G20 delegates here in the inaugural session of the fourth and final TWG meeting of the influential bloc, he said the crucial meeting would ensure in shaping a roadmap for sustainable tourism and promoting international cooperation. At the end of the two tourism track events, a Goa Roadmap and Action Plan and ministerial outcome document was also released. Also Read Goa debt swells to Rs 24,000 cr, repay it before taking loans: Oppn Maharashtra salutes Chhatrapati Shivaji on 393rd birth anniversary Maximum crimes in Goa are committed by migrant labourers: CM Sawant Goa aims for 100% renewable energy usage across all sectors by 2050: CM Goa CM Sawant to meet stakeholders to review functioning of new airport Monsoon arrives in MP, IMD issues alert for heavy rains in some districts NIA arrests fourth accused in CPI (Maoist) revival case in Bihar's Magadh Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on 3-day tour, set to visit different districts Changing nature of violence in Manipur is concern for HM: Biren Puri to meet 25 Delhi school principals, share achievements of Modi govt Five inter-related key priorities of the G20 tourism track, including green tourism, digitalisation and destination management, were "endorsed by all G20 countries" for achieving sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth in the sector, officials said on June 21. "We have got the opportunity to host altogether nine G20 meetings. The preparations that we have done for the G20... we have entirety changed...Goa. We are focused on our culture, heritage, and spiritual and wellness tourism," Sawant told PTI here. Asked about the impact of the G20 events on Goa and its overall profile, he said, "Definitely after the G20 meetings, the state will be on the world map. At present, the tourism sector is on the world map, and it will give further boost to wellness and spiritual tourism in Goa. He also said that many private sector entities are ready to invest in cruise tourism in Goa. Two dedicated sessions on cruise tourism were held as part of side events on June 19. After the conclusion of the ministerial meeting, a group pf G20 delegates on June 22 visited the historic Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, a UNESCO world heritage site that also holds the holy relics of St Francis Xavier. The delegates also visited Museum of Christian Art (MoCA), ancient Mangeshi Temple in Ponda, and a Portuguese-era mansion built in 1590 where a grand luncheon was hosted for them, as the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting concluded successfully in Goa. Underling that the meeting was taking place in Goa, one of the major tourist attractions in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recorded video message, to delegates at the inaugural session of the ministerial meeting had urged them to take out some time from their serious discussions and explore the natural beauty and the spiritual side of the state. Sawant said the G20 events give an opportunity for Goa to showcase the heritage and culture of the state. And, being a tourist place, it is an opportunity to showcase our Goa as a whole to the G20 countries, he said. G20 delegates were welcomed on a red carpet at the airport and hotels with traditional Goan music and dance, sea shells-made garlands, and local beverage 'kokum'. The gala dinners hosted at some of the luxurious hotels in Goa were complemented with vibrant cultural performances, in which many delegates also joined in. Sawant, in his address, to the delegates at the opening session of the TWG meeting said, "As we gather here today in Goa under the theme 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', we embark on a collective journey towards a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world by urging to embrace the diversity of our planet and work together towards 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. The COVID-19 pandemic and challenges it brought have highlighted the importance of developing resilient practices in the tourism industry, the chief minister added. He also spoke on reinventing the Goa tourism after the pandemic that had broken the back of the sector globally since its outbreak in 2019, grounding flights and bringing operations of hotels and other establishments of the hospitality industry to a grinding halt. "Goa, being the first state in India, to receive the global safe travel stamp from the WTTCII, is committed in reinventing its tourism sector after the pandemic in a more responsible manner," the chief minister added. He emphasised that through collaborative efforts aimed at promoting sustainable tourism practices to ensure that rich natural resources and environment are preserved for generations to come, "our state has been instrumental in developing tourism infrastructure for private investors to enhance the tourism offerings, in turn benefiting tourists". Moreover, the state has been instrumental in developing a forward looking Tourism Master Plan to enable strategic and sustainable development of tourism industry, Sawant said while sharing the dais with Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways S Y Naik, and Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt. "We actively engage in conservation efforts to protect our natural resources, including our beaches, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries. We encourage eco-friendly practices among our hospitality industry, promote waste management initiatives, and educate tourists about the importance of preserving our environment," he asserted. Goa also has been introducing new tourism services such as e-bicycle tours, hanging and floating restaurants, adventure activities like bungee jumping, showcasing freedom struggle at the Marque Aguada Lower Fort Central Jail, spiritual tours, and various experiential tours offering unique and unforgettable moments for tourists, Sawant said. "May our discussions be fruitful, our collaborations be enduring, and our shared vision of a prosperous and inclusive world be realised. Let us utilise this platform to forge alliances, share best practices, and collectively work towards a future where our global family can thrive together," he added. An IAS officer in Gujarat has claimed students of some primary schools in Chhotaudepur district cannot even read a word or do simple mathematical calculations, promoting the state education department to seek a report on it from authorities. Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Dhaval Patel, serving as the commissioner of geology and mining in Gandhinagar, expressed shock and anguish over the state of education in the tribal-dominated Chhotaudepur district. In a letter sent to the education department on June 16, Patel termed the education being imparted to tribal children as "rotten" and claimed such education will only ensure the next generation of tribals continues to work as labourers and never progress in life. State Education Minister Kuber Dindor, who also has charge of the tribal development portfolio as cabinet minister, on Monday said he has sought a report from officials about the observations made by Patel. "I have asked officials of my department to give a detailed report so that we can make required changes. There are some issues in the remote tribal areas. I also belong to that region. There is lack of awareness even among the parents of students. We will try to make them aware and fill the gaps wherever required," Dindor told reporters at an event in Godhra. Patel was one of the several IAS officers in the state government who were sent to different districts as part of the 'Shala Praveshotsav' drive to evaluate the overall education scenario in government primary schools assigned to them. Also Read Govt asks IAS, IPS, IFS officers to inform about mkt related transactions Govt seeks to fill up posts with hires from non-IAS pool, sparks debate Rajasthan government transfers, posts over 70 IAS officers, six DC Budget Session: Army starts posting 108 women officers in Colonel rank DoPT asks UPSC to recruit private sector specialists for top jobs BSF trying to scare voters in bordering areas: CM Mamata Banerjee Heavy rainfall blocks Manali-Chandigarh Highway, restoration work begins The Cape Town Convention Bill: What is it, and why is India introducing it? Temples in Maharashtra begin dress code 'vastra sanhita' for devotees Mahoba to become first UP district with 100% piped water connections: CM Asked about Patel's observations, Gujarat Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya said the purpose of sending IAS officers as well as other senior officials in the field is to find flaws so that they can be corrected. In the letter sent to education secretary Vinod Rao on June 16, Patel said he visited six different government-run primary schools of the tribal-dominated Chhotaudepur district on March 13 and 14 as part of the 'Shala Praveshotsav' drive. Patel said he felt guilty after seeing the "extremely low level of education" in five out of six schools. Recalling his visit to Timla primary school, Patel in the letter said "students of standard-8 were reading every letter of a word separately as they could not read an entire word. They were finding it difficult to do simple mathematical calculations." At Bodgam primary school, students could not give antonyms for simple Gujarati words, like "day". Moreover, a girl student of Class-8 could not show where the Himalayas and Gujarat were on the Indian map, Patel mentioned. "At Wadhwan primary school, the level of education was extremely pathetic. Class-5 students cannot do a simple subtraction of 42 minus 18. They even failed to read questions written in English in their question paper they had attempted earlier. Since everyone had written the correct answer in English, I suspect the teacher might have helped them," observed Patel. He said except for Rangpur primary school, all other schools that he visited in Chhotaudepur disappointed him. "I felt guilty when I saw such low level of education in five out of six schools. We are doing injustice to these tribal children by imparting such rotten education," Patel said in the letter. "We are actually ensuring that the next generation of tribals continues to work as labourers and never progress in life. I wonder how a student cannot do simple addition or subtraction even after spending eight years with us?" he said. Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said the Narendra Modi government has opened new avenues for Jammu and Kashmir's youth, particularly the residents of border villages. Addressing the National Security Conclave here in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was the chief guest, Jitendra Singh said earlier, most of the defence equipment was imported from other countries, but after the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over in 2014, it is now the other way round. The export of defence equipment from India has gone up six times in the last nine years, he asserted. Youths are India's biggest asset with people up to 40 years of age making up 60 per cent of our population. With avenues open for the elderly people, 60 years and above, India will emerge as a developed nation during the Amrit Kaal by the centenary year of the country's Independence, Singh, the minister of state for personnel, said. He said the Modi government has opened new avenues for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the residents of border villages. Earlier border villagers used to take shelter in a block or gram panchayat buildings, but the Union government first sanctioned bunkers for civilians and later approved family bunkers also, the minister said. Also Read Modi govt created futuristic avenues for India's youth: Jitendra Singh Technology-driven governance hallmark of 9 yrs of Modi govt: Jitendra Singh Hockey India names senior men's core group ahead of Asian Champions Trophy Modi govt scapped 2,000 obsolete rules, laws in 9 years: Jitendra Singh Development of rural districts high on govt priority: Jitendra Singh Wrestlers move Delhi court, seek copy of charge sheet against Brij Bhushan Passengers miss train as railway officials forget to make announcement Maha Dy CM Fadnavis dares Uddhav to release details of family properties Indian passengers stranded at Paris airport after Air France cancels flight Sebi launches ASBA-like facility for secondary market to secure investor Singh said national security will be further strengthened with two landmark agreements signed during the historic visit of PM Modi to the US. One is the deal for manufacturing jet engines for the LCA Tejas fighter jets, and the other is that US warships will now be berthing at our Naval Shipyards for extensive repairs. This demonstrates the trust reposed in our capabilities by the US, he said. Singh said the country's defence infrastructure will gain from the Indo-US pact on quantum computing. "In the nine years of the Union government, India has turned the tide from being just an importer of defence items to being an exporter of arms and ammunition. There has been a substantial jump in the export of defence items," the minister said. He said "all this" helps in creating jobs for the youth. "In J&K, the youth are also gaining with the launch of several startups in lavender cultivation and under the Aroma Mission," said Singh, a Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur constituency. As the monsoon reached the Northern and Western parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. "Active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over East-central, Northwest and West India over the next 4-5 days and the Southwest monsoon is likely to advance further into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the remaining parts of the Western Himalayan Region today, June 26," the IMD said. In a press release, the agency stated further, 'The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of north Arabian Sea, some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, remaining parts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, today, the 26th June'. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab during the next 2 days, IMD added. "For East and adjoining Northeast India, Fairly widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorms and lightning is very likely to continue over the region during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy falls are very likely over Odisha on 26th; over Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh on the 29th and 30th of June. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely over parts of East India during the next 2 days and over northeast India during the next 5 days," the Met agency said in a release. "For Northwest India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is very likely over Western Himalayan Region and over the plains of northwest India during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy rainfall with Extremely Heavy Falls is very likely over East Rajasthan on 29th June, and heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 26, 27 & 28. Isolated heavy/heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh on 26th & 27th; over West Uttar Pradesh on June 26," it added in the release. Also Read IMD disagrees with Skymet, says India will have a normal monsoon this year 28% excess rainfall in India in pre-monsoon season so far, says IMD Stalled monsoon in India likely to gain momentum in 3-4 days: IMD officials 2023 monsoon to be 'normal'; NW India might get 'below normal' rains: IMD Monsoon rains over Kerala likely in next 48 hours, says IMD forecast Nagaland gets first HIV-1 viral load lab in Naga Hospital Authority Kohima Several nations eager to confer their highest civilian honour on PM: UP CM Mob attacks BSF outpost in Meghalaya, 5 injured; CM says keeping watch Delhi's state food commission not constituted as mandated: Officials India summons Pakistani diplomat over attacks on Sikh community members "For Central India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy/very heavy falls, thunderstorm & lightning over the region (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & Vidarbha) during next 3-4 days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Chhattisgarh on 26th; East Madhya Pradesh on 26th & 27th; West Madhya Pradesh on 27th and 28th and over Vidarbha on June 27," it added. "For South India, Light/moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall during the next 5 days and isolated thunderstorms and lightning are very likely over the region during next 2 days. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala & Mahe on the 27th June. Isolated heavy rainfall also likely over Telangana on 26th; Coastal Karnataka during 26th to 30th; South Interior Karnataka on 29th & 30th June," it stated. "For West India, light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is very likely over the region during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to very Heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan and Goa, Gujarat State and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on June 26 to 30," it added. IMD also issued Agromet advisories for rainfall, thunderstorms/gusty winds and heatwave over several parts of the country. The release further stated, "Make arrangements for draining out excess water from crop fields to avoid water stagnation in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Telangana and North Eastern States and provide staking to vegetables." "Impact and Action Suggested due to extremely heavy/very heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh East Rajasthan during 26th-29th; Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand on 26th and 27th; West Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on 26th; Gujarat Region on 27th; Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra during 26th-28th June," the IMD stated in its press release. Earlier today, due to the heavy rainfall experienced in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, urges tourists to prioritize their safety when planning a visit to the state. RS Bali, Cabinet Minister Rank and Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Coorporation appealed to the tourists to go through the State Disaster Management Authority website before planning a visit. "The past 24 hours have witnessed substantial rainfall in HP, resulting in landslides on multiple routes leading to tourist destinations. As a result, tourists are advised to check the website of the State Disaster Management He further advised tourists to strictly follow guided trek routes as traffic congestion may eventually clear, the primary concern lies with tourists venturing onto unguided trek routes. The HPTDC Chief added, "Furthermore, tourists already in the state are cautioned against approaching rivers and hilly areas. Tourists should also gather information regarding road conditions before visiting their desired tourist spots". Additionally, Bali emphasized that the tourists must ensure that the GPS function on their mobile phones is enabled at all times, allowing their location to be tracked throughout their journey. He advised them to avoid driving in conditions of mist, rain, and fog and make the most of their stay and travel experiences in the hills while also showing respect for the mountains' sacredness. Meanwhile, due to the bad weather, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami issued instructions in view of rain and snowfall during the Char Dham Yatra and directed officials to be extra vigilant. "The government has stopped the Char Dham Yatra due to bad weather conditions en route. snowfall, rains and landslides have occurred at various places and traffic has been disrupted because of the same. We appeal to the travellers coming for Char Dham Yatra to continue their journey once the weather clears up," said Pushkar Singh Dhami. The forecast by the Met Centre stated, "Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand in next 24 hours. Thunderstorms and lightning will accompany the rains". CM Dhami obtained information from the Disaster Control Room about the present weather condition, rain situation, water-logging and damages caused due to rain in the state. Haridwar received 78 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by Dehradun (33.2) and Uttarkashi (27.7), as per the India Meteorological Department. Instructing the officers, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the districts under the state where heavy rains are continuing and there is a possibility of heavy rains further. Moreover, the bad weather has also affected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that PM Modi's visit to Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district has been postponed due to the possibility of heavy rains on Tuesday (June 27). Speaking to ANI, CM Chouhan on Monday said, "Due to the possibility of heavy rains tomorrow (June 27), PM Modi's program scheduled in Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district has been postponed. The program has not been cancelled, soon the new date of his visit will be decided according to the weather conditions. The arrangements for the program will also continue in Lalpur. PM Modi's programs in Bhopal will remain the same." According to the schedule, PM Modi is to visit the state on Tuesday to launch five Vande Bharat trains. Meanwhile, the approach road of a bridge connecting Meerut's Hastinapur and Bijnor has washed away in the Ganges owing to the strong flow of water caused due to heavy rains. As a result, traffic in several villages has come to a standstill. Earlier today, six people have died and around 10 people have been injured in heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh that triggered landslides and flash floods in several places in the State, according to official estimates. Onkar Chand Sharma, Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Himachal Pradesh today said, "Six people have died till now and around 10 people are injured. A total of 303 animals have died. The complete report is still awaited." "The loss due to rain is expected to be Rs 3 crore. Meanwhile, 124 roads have been damaged which includes two national highways," the senior Disaster Management official said. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the Chandigarh-Manali highway at 7 Mile in Mandi. Aerial shots showed vehicles moving at a snail's pace or at standstill further ahead. Owing to severe weather conditions with incessant rain on Sunday, the Mandi-Kullu National Highway (NH) was blocked by the Mandi police. The alternative route of the Mandi-Joginder Nagar Highway was also blocked on Sunday by the local police. Meanwhile, District administration Ramban of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered for closure of all schools, upto class 10 for the day amid ongoing heavy rains across the district. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramban, Mussarat Islam ordered the closure of the schools up to class 10. "In view of heavy rains and the warning of flash floods, all schools up to the secondary level (Class 10) shall remain closed in Ramban district today (June 26). Teachers will attend to their duties," Mussarat Islam said. A Meteorological Department (MeT) official said that from June 25 to 28, generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate thunderstorms was expected in many places. Updating on the Monsoon in several states of India, IMD on Sunday informed that Southwest Monsoon has covered several states of India. Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of IMD said that the monsoon would move forward in the next two days. "Southwest monsoon is active now. It has covered the whole of Maharashtra including Mumbai. Monsoon has also arrived in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and parts of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu. It will move forward in the next 2 days and will cover other parts also," Mohapatra said. "Southwest monsoon is active now. It has covered the whole of Maharashtra including Mumbai. Monsoon has also arrived in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and parts of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu. It will move forward in the next 2 days and will cover other parts also," Mohapatra said. Earlier in the day, Monsoon arrived in Madhya Pradesh and an alert for heavy rains has been issued in some parts of the state. "Monsoon has arrived in Madhya Pradesh. There is a possibility of heavy rains in Bhopal, Katni, Raisen, Vidisha, Narmadapuram, Jabalpur, Shahdol, Seoni, Sagar, Sehore, Chhindwara, Balaghat and Betul on Monday," said Pramendra Kumar, Meteorologist, IMD Bhopal. According to the met office, Betul recorded the highest rainfall of 120.6 mm while Gwalior recorded the minimum rainfall which is 0.1mm in the last 24 hours. Significantly, rains have been lashing several parts of the state resulting in heavy damage to the infrastructure. It also caused the blockage of several roads and highways. Due to incessant heavy rainfall in Gujarat's Nadiad, it has also affected normal life. Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar on Monday urged the industry to adopt advanced technologies for their operations in order to compete at the global level. The Minister of State (MoS) for Power was speaking at the inauguration of 'Advance Industrial Technology Demonstration Centre' at National Power Training Institute (NPTI) at Badarpur here. "Advance technology is a must for the growth of the country. Today, if we have to compete with the world, we will have to adopt advanced technologies," Gurjar, who is also the MoS for Heavy Industries, said. Reduced consumption of energy will bring the production cost of various industries and help them to compete in the market, he said. NPTI Director General (DG) Tripta Thakur said industries like iron and steel, cement, pulp & paper, and textile together contribute around 30 per cent to the total commercial energy consumption in India. "The institute under the guidance of the Ministry of Power will educate on best practices and technologies to these sectors to help them adopt energy-efficient solutions which will result in the reduction of energy consumption," she told PTI. Also Read Internet banned in Saharanpur as precaution ahead of Gurjar community march Heading in right direction by maximising use of digital platforms: Khattar Last date to pay first installment of advance tax announced; check details HCL Tech Q4 preview: Weak software segment to drag profit by 4-9% QoQ Kataria made rich contribution to public service, social justice: PM Modi Passengers stranded for three hours after Air India pilot refuses to fly IndiGo air hostess offers bunch of chocolates to Dhoni, video viral Facing higher scrutiny, IPA plans monthly meetings with members on quality 20% duty removal on apple imports to have zero impact on farmers: Official Vigilance wing intensifies probe against K Sudhakaran in graft complaint The centre inaugurated has been set up by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to questions about the treatment of Muslims in India at a press conference in the United States on Sunday. She also lashed out at former US President Barack Obama questioning his comments on Indian Muslims saying the US had itself "bombed six Muslim-majority nations" under his administration. She also accused the Congress and other opposition parties of raising "non-issues, without data" in the face of electoral defeats. Sitharaman Slams Obama: FMs Statement Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Sitharaman said, "When PM Modi was visiting the US, a former President of the US spoke about Indian Muslims". "In the press conference that was held in the United States, the Honourable Prime Minister himself stated that his government operates in accordance with the "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" principle and does not discriminate against any community. However, the fact remains that when people join this debate and highlight issues that are, in a sense, non-issues, she added. We want friendship with the United States, but we also hear comments about India's religious freedom there. A previous president under whose rule six nations with a prevailing Muslim population were bombed with over 26,000 bombs; how can individuals trust his accusations?" She continued, citing Iraq, Syria, and Yemen as examples. Sitharaman slams Obama: Obamas statement During PM Modi's recent visit to the United States, Obama said in an interview that India could "start pulling apart" if the Indian government doesn't protect the rights of minorities. Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' Incredible rich diaspora truly an asset to both countries: Biden's top aide Biden surprised over records at old office post calls for damage assessment US House committee to release Trump's personal tax returns for 6 yrs US reopening visa, consular services in Cuba post-2017 health issues Delhi Police destroys 16,000 kg seized narcotics on Int'l Drug Abuse Day PM Modi to visit MP on Tuesday; flag off five Vande Bharat trains Thakur inaugurates hockey astro turf ground at BSF headquarters IAS officer points out flaws in education system, minister seeks report BSF trying to scare voters in bordering areas: CM Mamata Banerjee "If I had a discussion with PM Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the freedoms of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India, at some point, starts pulling apart," Obama added. Passengers waiting for the Hubballi-Secunderabad Express at Kalaburagi railway station on Sunday morning missed the train due to the station officials' failure to announce the arrival and departure of the train, as well as its platform information, according to a report in The Times of India. Railway officials admitted that they 'forgot' to announce the change in schedule. According to the passengers, the Hubballi-Secunderabad Express was supposed to arrive at Kalaburagi railway station at 5:57 am and depart within three minutes at 6:00 am. However, the train was delayed by 32 minutes, as notified by the railway authorities through an LED screen display. The passengers were waiting in the corridor at platform No 1, but the train arrived on another platform and left for Secunderabad after stopping for a few minutes. The passengers waiting for the train were not aware of when the train arrived and left, as there were no announcements made. They only came to know that the train had left the station after the announcement for the next train on the same route, the Hussain Sagar Express, was made. The train had arrived at Kalaburagi station at 6:35 am and left by 6:44 am, The Times of India quoted sources as saying. A few passengers met the station manager and expressed their displeasure at the state of affairs. The manager said the staff had forgotten to make the announcement and assured that he would look into the matter. He then sent the travelers to Secunderabad on another train, the Hussain Sagar Express. The passengers said that they were supposed to reach Secunderabad but ended up reaching Hyderabad Deccan by afternoon. Some travelers also alleged that although they had booked their tickets in advance, they had to travel standing at the mercy of travelling ticket examiners (TTEs) and passengers of Hussain Sagar Express.Passengers also said they had to take buses to reach Secunderabad from Hyderabad Deccan, as the two cities are 8 kilometers apart. Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, Mumbai, Shivraj Manaspure was quoted as saying that the issue will be looked into. 350 passengers on an Air India flight from London to Delhi were stranded in Jaipur for about three hours after the pilot refused to fly citing working hours on Sunday, according to a report in India Today. Flight AI-112 was diverted to Jaipur early Sunday because of bad weather in Delhi. The plane circled in the sky for about 10 minutes before being diverted. The pilot of the Air India flight refused to fly the plane, citing flight duty time limitations and duty hours after it made an emergency landing in Jaipur. The flight had received permission to resume its journey to Delhi from the Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) after about two hours. But the pilot refused to continue the flight and left the aircraft. The stranded passengers were asked to look for alternative arrangements. Some of the passengers were transported to Delhi by road after about three hours, whereas others were able to reach Delhi on the same flight after a replacement crew was arranged. In its official statement, Air India stated that the AI-112 flight could not take off from Jaipur due to flight duty time limitations. The airline said, "While the aircraft was waiting for Delhi weather to improve and take off, the cockpit crew came under FDTL, that is Flight Duty Time Limitations. Pilots cannot operate a flight once they come under the FDTL, as laid down by regulatory authorities. Air India accords top priority to the safety of its passengers and crew and strictly adhering to the regulations of the operation, immediately arranged a fresh set of crew to operate the flight." Also Read Sachin Pilot may launch his 'Pragatisheel Congress' on June 11: Report Explained: Why is Sachin Pilot holding a day-long protest in Rajasthan Overcast morning in Delhi with 25.4 deg C minimum temp, air quality drops One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been Denied boarding due to overbooked flight? How to get Rs 20,000 as refund IndiGo air hostess offers bunch of chocolates to Dhoni, video viral Facing higher scrutiny, IPA plans monthly meetings with members on quality 20% duty removal on apple imports to have zero impact on farmers: Official Vigilance wing intensifies probe against K Sudhakaran in graft complaint Candlelight march to pray for peace in Manipur, internet ban till 30 June A passenger named Adit was among those who were stranded at the Jaipur airport. Sharing videos of distressed passengers speaking with the Air India staff, he wrote on Twitter, Still unorganised as ever. Passengers are hungry, tired, fatigued, and frustrated with the inept service of what is meant to be a national airline. South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Gunn, right, and his U.S. counterpart, Sung Kim attend a press conference for South Korean correspondents in Washington D.C., June 12. Yonhap The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States held phone talks Monday to discuss North Korea's denuclearization and the outcome of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China, Seoul's foreign ministry said. Kim Gunn, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and his U.S. counterpart, Sung Kim, agreed to cooperate closely in communicating with Beijing over the North's nuclear issue, according to the ministry. The two envoys agreed the recent U.S.-China meeting served as an "important opportunity to reaffirm" that North Korea's denuclearization was in the common interests among the international community and vowed to continue urging China to play a "constructive role" in the nuclear issue. During his visit to China earlier this month, Blinken met Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to work toward stabilizing their ties so that it "does not veer into conflict." The nuclear envoys discussed ways to step up cooperation to block North Korea's nuclear and missile program financing through cryptocurrency theft and overseas workers. The two sides also criticized North Korea's attempt to "distort history" by claiming the 1950-53 Korean War was "a war of aggression provoked by the U.S.," warning such propaganda moves will only backfire. Earlier in the day, North Korea accused Seoul and Washington of pushing current tensions on the peninsula to "the brink of a nuclear war," likening it to the Korean War. (Yonhap) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off five new Vande Bharat Express trains on Tuesday, June 27, Mint reported citing information from the prime minister's office (PMO). This is the first time that five Vande Bharat trains will begin their service together. The PMO announced that the five Vande Bharat trains will serve on these routes: Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express; Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express; Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express; Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express; and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express. Rani Kamlapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express service will provide improved connectivity between Jabalpur and the Central Region of Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, this service is expected to provide hassle-free connectivity to tourist attractions such as Bheraghat, Pachmarhi, Satpura, etc. The train will reduce the travelling time by about 30 minutes when compared with the fastest train service available at present. Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express will ensure a smoother travelling experience between the Malwa and the Central Region. This train service will serve travellers visiting Mahakaleshwar, Mandu, Maheshwar, Khajuraho, and Panna. This service reduces the existing travel time by about 2 hours and 30 minutes, the PMO statement said. The train between Madgaon (Goa) and Mumbai will be Goa's first Vande Bharat Express. Operating between Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Goa's Madgaon station, it will save an hour for its passengers. The Vande Bharat Service between Dharwad and Bengaluru will benefit tourists, students, and industrialists alike. It will connect the cities of Karnataka-Dharwad, Hubbali, and Davangere. Also Read First batch of Vande Bharat sleeper trains to be out by March next year Assam's latest Vande Bharat Express: Train timing, tickets prices, and more Vande Bharat sleeper train plans hit a roadblock as RVNL wants higher stake Alstom, Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives in race for Vande Bharat tender Megha-HCC joint venture lowest bidder for BKC bullet train station Bombay HC fumes over last-minute stay application on LOCs to travel abroad India changed mindset of world including US on terrorism issue: Rajnath 4 dead in lightning incidents as Rajasthan receives first Monsoon rains What is YSRTP and how relevant it is in regional politics of Telangana India's vulnerability to flash floods and how to prepare for them The Hati-Patna Vande Bharat train is the first one to serve the Jharkhand-Bihar region. The train is likely to help tourism, education, and industry in the region while saving around 90 minutes for its passengers. With the introduction of these five trains into service, the existing network of semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains will reach 23. These trains are known for their comfort-oriented seating and onboard amenities. The trains offer advanced safety features along with an improved overall experience. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to the US and Egypt an important milestone in India's diplomacy, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said the grand welcome that he received in the two countries was a recognition of his efforts to take the country to a greater height in geopolitics. The US, which is an economic superpower and has a distinct identity in the world order, accepted India as an equal partner and entered into agreements under which the two countries will work together, Vaishnaw told a press conference at the BJP headquarters here. That is a major and a very big achievement, he added. Prime Minister Modi returned to India on Sunday night after his six-day state visits to the US and Egypt. Modi's US visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space, technology and trade. In Egypt, the prime minister held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people cooperation. The two countries elevated their relationship to a "strategic partnership". Also Read Egypt to offer exclusive industrial cluster to India in Suez Canal EZ India should consider free trade agreement with Egypt, say exporters Biden's economic diplomacy push with China sends high risk, low reward Firm says cargo vessel 'MV Glory' ran aground in Egypt's Suez Canal PM Narendra Modi arrives in Egypt's Cairo on a two-day state visit Fortis ties up with RED.Health for emergency response network across NCR Strictly follow govt guidelines while offering sacrifice on Eid: Jamiat Rajya Sabha MP Hardwar Dubey passes away at 74, PM, Prez mourn Several commuters stranded as floods block highway in Himachal Pradesh Electrocution incident: Delhi Police seeks info from electricity authority Egyptian President El-Sisi also conferred PM Modi with the 'Order of the Nile' award, the highest state honour of Egypt. The way our prime minister was accorded a grand welcome, his programmes were held and the bilateral decisions were taken... All that was recognition of the efforts that the prime minister has taken over the nine years of term to place India at a greater height in geopolitics, Vaishnaw said. It is an important milestone, he added. The railways minister said a major change in India's global positioning was witnessed during the prime minister's visit to the US and Egypt. Not only in the US but in Europe, Africa, South East Asia, everywhere Prime Minister Modi's visit is being discussed. People are considering this visit a milestone, he said. Vaishnaw said India has earned a distinct identity in the world today due to Prime Minister Modi's independent foreign policy and his government's 'India first' approach in the decision making process. Modi ji has kept an independent foreign policy over the nine years, giving highest importance to national interest. All decisions are taken in national interest, he said. Be it an Islamic country or any other nation, all the countries are reposing trust in India and Modi's leadership today with clarity of purpose with which they engage with India, Vaishnaw added. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will on Monday meet the principals of 25 prominent public schools in Delhi to share the achievements of the Narendra Modi government. At the event, to be held at India Habitat Centre at 12.30 pm, Puri will brief the principals and their spouses about the various achievements of the Modi government during its nine years, BJP leader Neel Kant Bakshi said. The BJP is carrying out a month-long outreach campaign across the country during which senior leaders and Union ministers are interacting with different sections of society to inform them about the achievements of the party-led government at the Centre. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived here for a day-long visit during which he will address a national security conclave before reviewing with senior BJP leaders the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday. Accompanied by Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Singh was received at the airport by the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ravinder Raina and other senior leaders, including MP Jugal Kishore and Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma, they said. Shortly after his arrival, Singh drove to the University of Jammu, the venue of the security conclave -- organised to highlight the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government. Around 1,500 special invitees, including defence experts, retired decorated army officers, academics, doctors and youth, are attending the conclave. During the non-political event, the defence minister will share the "strong position" of India in defence and other matters concerning the nation's security and the safety of its citizens, Raina said on Sunday. After addressing the conclave, the minister is scheduled to chair a meeting of senior BJP leaders at the party's Trikuta Nagar headquarters to review the prevailing political situation and also discuss organisational matters, he added. Also Read Robust defence finance system backbone of strong military: Rajnath Singh Number of startups increased 300 times in 9yrs under PM: Jitendra Singh Need to promote innovations useful for defence, civil sectors: Rajnath Rajnath embarks for Jammu, day after 5 soldiers killed in Rajouri Defence industry fulfilling security needs of friendly countries: Rajnath Oilseed exports may grow by 10-15% this fiscal as traders get good orders Mob attacks BSF outpost in Meghalaya's East Khasi, 5 injured: Officials Amit Shah expresses anguish over Odisha road accident that killed 12 people CM Kejriwal demands L-G Saxena's resignation over Pragati Maidan robbery Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao leaves for visit to Solapur in Maharashtra Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's model of governance, several countries are "eager to confer their highest civilian honour on him". Addressing a public meeting here, Adityanath said, "The standard of prosperity moves ahead with security, good governance and service. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, new standards have been set in the country in nine years. Recently, in the United States and Egypt, the warm welcome that was accorded to the prime minister by the presidents, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, citizens and artistes is a living example of this." "At the same time, it gives an opportunity to 140 crore Indians to hold their heads high with pride in the world. Overwhelmed by the country's model, which the prime minister has set up, various countries are eager to confer their highest civilian honour on him," he added. Talking about the "New India", Adityanath said, "Today, no country can dare to create any disturbance by crossing over the Indian border. Terrorism, separatism and Naxalism have become things of the past. Under the prime minister's leadership, India has strengthened its external and internal security." Varanasi is an example of what should be the model of infrastructure in the country, he added. "The country's first inland waterway has started between Haldia and Varanasi. It will facilitate the export of fruits and vegetables grown by the farmers of Varanasi and eastern Uttar Pradesh across the globe. The produces of Uttar Pradesh's farmers are already getting global recognition," the chief minister said. He also said while India is giving free ration to 80 crore citizens, Pakistan is conducting raids in its bylanes and localities for one kg of wheat on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of independence. "This is the 'durgati' (misery) of Pakistan. India was ruled by the British for almost 200 years, but has become the fifth-largest economy in the world, leaving the United Kingdom behind, while Pakistan is forced to shed tears of blood for its poverty," he said. Also Read China to send its first civilian to space on Tuesday, says space agency CM Yogi Adityanath calls for maximum participation in G20 conferences in UP Yogi Adityanath govt to present its largest-ever annual budget today PM SHRI scheme to benefit students studying in 1,753 UP schools: CM Yogi UP CM Yogi Adityanath hails PM Modi's tenure as 'full of achievements' Mob attacks BSF outpost in Meghalaya, 5 injured; CM says keeping watch Delhi's state food commission not constituted as mandated: Officials India summons Pakistani diplomat over attacks on Sikh community members DGGI officers busts syndicate operating 569 fake firms, arrests mastermind NSA Doval meets top leadership of Oman, focus on boosting bilateral ties Hitting out at the opposition, Adityanath said, "They are making all efforts to hatch a conspiracy against the prime minister. People who never talked to each other are seen sharing the stage against the prime minister. They call themselves the disciples of J P (Jaya Prakash Narayan) and (Ram Manohar) Lohia. They did their politics throughout their lives using their names and today, they are standing with the Congress, which had strangled democracy. All of us have to be alert towards this." The chief minister appealed to people to ensure the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory from all the seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. A Srinagar-Jammu IndiGo flight entered Pakistan's airspace on Sunday for a short duration due to bad weather and was diverted to Amritsar, the airline informed. "IndiGo 6e-2124 entered Pakistan airspace for a while due to bad weather and the flight was diverted to Amritsar," an official told ANI. Sources said that the flight was about to land at the Jammu airport but due to bad weather, it was asked to divert to Amritsar. However, after briefly entering Pakistani airspace, the flight landed safely in Amritsar. The official added that both countries were informed before the flight entered Pakistan airspace. In a similar incident on June 11, an IndiGo Amritsar-Ahmedabad flight entered Pakistani airspace for around 30 minutes due to bad weather. The incident took place at around 7:30 pm due to bad weather conditions with the plane going up to Gujranwala (close to Lahore). The flight eventually returned to India at 8:01 pm. Also Read Fine or imprisonment: What happens if you open emergency door of a flight? Indigo Kolkata-Delhi flight grounded at IGI airport after tail strike Sale of petroleum products halves in Pakistan, high inflation to blame Air India Express safety woes linger as jet makes emergency landing Indigo flight takes off within seconds of landing, passengers panic Rajnath Singh arrives in Jammu, to address national security conclave Oilseed exports may grow by 10-15% this fiscal as traders get good orders Mob attacks BSF outpost in Meghalaya's East Khasi, 5 injured: Officials Amit Shah expresses anguish over Odisha road accident that killed 12 people CM Kejriwal demands L-G Saxena's resignation over Pragati Maidan robbery "IndiGo flight 6E-645, operating from Amritsar to Ahmedabad had to take a deviation over Atari into Pakistan airspace due to bad weather. The deviation was well coordinated with Pakistan by Amritsar ATC via telephone. The crew was in continuous contact with Pakistan on R/T and the flight landed in Ahmedabad safely post the deviation," IndiGo said in a statement on the incident. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that it is an "internationally allowed" practice in bad weather conditions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the government will never let the sanctity of India's borders be violated and talks are going on at military and diplomatic levels with China to resolve issues in a peaceful manner. Addressing a national security conclave here, Singh said there have been perceptional differences between India and China on the boundary issue for a long time. "I want to repeat that there have been some activities on the LAC since 2013, but I outrightly reject (claims) that there has been any significant change or encroachment on the LAC after our government was formed, Singh said. Paying glowing tributes to soldiers martyred in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in 2020, the minister said the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to make some changes on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which foiled attempts by the Chinese PLA to change status quo and said the country will remain indebted to the brave soldiers for their sacrifice and their courageous feat in Galwan will be remembered with pride by future generations. "We are pained when attempts are made to question the bravery of the soldiers to corner the government. The people of the country are proud of their armed forces," he said, He said India wants the resolution of issues with China through peaceful means. Also Read Robust defence finance system backbone of strong military: Rajnath Singh Centre trying to resolve issues of wrestlers: Union Minister Karandlaje Unexploded shells to be cleared from Kargil in time-bound manner: Ladakh LG Eveready will focus on growth but in a profitable manner: Mohit Burman 3 yrs post Galwan, Chinese strategist 'explains' border tensions with India 5,000 scooters for the specially abled this fiscal year in Rajasthan Electricity prices to hike in Delhi: AAP, BJP indulge in blame game CCTVs at waterlogging-prone spots on G20 delegates' routes: Delhi govt Economic offences pose serious threat to country's financial health: Court RBI to engage external managers for small part of FX reserves: Das The talks are going on at military and diplomatic levels. We want to assure you that we will not compromise on India's border, its honour and self-respect. "We will never allow violation of the sanctity of our borders," the defence minister said, adding that the government has learnt from the 1962 war with China and has focused on building border infrastructure. He said the border residents are the strategic assets for the country and the government wants people to settle in the forward villages and is undertaking massive infrastructure development works for their benefit from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Rohtang tunnel (on Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh) was constructed by our government which completed the project pending for 26 years in six years. This Atal tunnel is very strategic in nature as it will facilitate movement of our troops (round-the-year), he said. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing roads in Ladakh, which will also benefit the border residents, he said, adding massive border infrastructure development projects have also been undertaken in other border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Arunachal Pradesh. The border infrastructure is imperative from a security perspective. The border residents are our strategic assets and their interests are paramount to us. We want people to settle in the border village, construct their homes and live there, he said. Ruling BRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday left for a visit to Solapur in Maharashtra. Rao, who was travelling by road in a massive convoy of about 600 vehicles, was accompanied by state ministers, MPs, MLCs, MLAs and party senior leaders, an official release said. During his two-day visit to Maharashtra, Rao would reportedly offer prayers at Lord Vitthal temple at Pandharpur town near Solapur and at Goddess Tulja Bhavani temple at Osmanabad and also attend an event where a popular leader from NCP would join the BRS. After renaming the TRS as BRS in December last year, Rao, also known as KCR, has been making efforts to strengthen the party in neighbouring Maharashtra. He has addressed public meetings at Nanded and other places in Maharashtra, highlighting his 'Telangana model' of development. Several activists and leaders from NCP and other parties in Maharashtra joined the BRS during the last six months. Also Read Telangana needs to be wary of people nurturing dynastic rule, graft: PM CM KCR announces Rs 10,000 per acre assistance for crop loss for farmers Telangana celebrates state formation day, KCR launches 21-day fete Veteran Samajwadi Party leader Hari Shankar Tiwari passes away at 90 K Chandrashekar Rao to skip PM Modi's programme in Telangana today No discussion held on 'PM post' during Oppn meeting in Patna: Sharad Pawar Moderate to heavy rain likely to occur in Mumbai today: BMC officials Rain lashes several parts of Haryana, Punjab in 24 hours: Weather office G20 events will boost tourism sector further in Goa: CM Pramod Sawant Monsoon arrives in MP, IMD issues alert for heavy rains in some districts Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh has proposed a dress code called 'vastra sanhita' for temples, which has already been adopted by over 100 temples and shrines in the state. This code prohibits devotees visiting the temples from wearing clothes that are considered 'indecent'. The Mahasangh is also advocating for a ban on the sale of liquor and meat within a 500-meter radius of temples and shrines. According to Sunil Ghanwat, the coordinator of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, their main concern is with what type of clothes devotees should not wear, rather than specifying what they should wear. Ghanwat clarified that they have no issue with devotees wearing modern outfits like trousers and shirts, as they consider it appropriate for the times. The prohibited articles of clothing include revealing, tight-fitting, and torn clothes. Ghanwat emphasised that their aim is to maintain the sanctity of the place of worship and prevent people from coming to temples inappropriately dressed and creating content for social media. He stated that temple visits are not the same as conventional tourism, and they want to ensure that the sanctity of the temples is preserved. The Mahasangh, which includes temple trustees, managers, priests, advocates, and activists, has already convinced 131 temples in Maharashtra to adopt their dress code, according to a report by India Today. The organisation was established in February in Jalgaon and launched its dress code campaign in May from Nagpur after objections were raised by some devotees regarding the dress code imposed by the famous Tuljabhavani Temple in Maharashtra's Dharashiv district. The Mahasangh aims to implement the dress code in a significant number of temples by the end of the year. Ghanwat, who is also associated with the right-wing Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), pointed out that similar rules exist for temples, churches, and gurdwaras in states like Goa, Uttarakhand, and in the southern part of India. He compares it to professionals like doctors, policemen, and advocates who wear uniforms or follow a prescribed dress code. He questions whether people follow a dress code when visiting five-star hotels. Also Read QR code, the smudgy pattern on a square, is becoming a tool for marketing No lungi-nighty outdoors: Noida society issues dress code, withdraws later Indian Railways to run tourist train between Ayodhya and Nepal's Janakpur Construction of Ram temple likely to be completed months before deadline UP temple bans entry for Muslims, introduces dress code for Hindus Mahoba to become first UP district with 100% piped water connections: CM PM Modi to flag off five new Vande Bharat trains on June 27; see details Bombay HC fumes over last-minute stay application on LOCs to travel abroad India changed mindset of world including US on terrorism issue: Rajnath 4 dead in lightning incidents as Rajasthan receives first Monsoon rains In addition to the dress code, the Mahasangh has also demanded a ban on the sale of meat and liquor within a 500-meter radius of temples to maintain their sanctity, particularly in pilgrimage centers like Pandharpur, Dehu, and Alandi, which are revered by members of the Vaishnavite Warkari sect. Ghanwat claims that meat is being slaughtered and sold near some temples. The India Today report added that when Ghanwat was asked about animal slaughter being part of rituals in certain shrines, he clarified that the Mahasangh has no objections to these traditions but opposes the commercial sale of liquor and meat near temples. They are requesting a meat and liquor-free area of at least 500 meters and would welcome it if the pilgrimage centers revered by the Warkaris could become meat and liquor-free as well. According to the Free Press Journals the Gopalkrishna Mandir at Dhantoli in Nagpur city, the Sankatmochan Hanuman Mandir at Belori in Saoner, the Shri Brihaspati Mandir at Kanholibara and the hilltop Durgamata Mandir at Manvta Nagar were some of the first temples to start imposing these new dress code from the end of May itself. These shrines have placed notices at the entrance of every temple asking devotees to adhere to their clothing rules and maintain decorum of the temples by following the Indian culture. The decision regarding the dress code was announced during the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh meeting on February 4 and 5 where trustees from temples across the states gathered together. The Indian government plans to introduce the Cape Town Convention Bill in the monsoon session of the Parliament in July this year. The move is aimed at making the process easier for aircraft leasing companies to seize the planes of airlines that miss rental payments. The proposed Bill will give primacy to the Cape Town Convention in case of conflict with any other local law, mainly the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016. The Cape Town Convention The Cape Town Convention (CTC) is a global treaty that guarantees the rights of lessors to repossess leased high-value equipment such as aircraft, engines, and helicopters in case of payment defaults. It was adopted at a conference in Cape Town in November 2001 under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT). Also Read Govt may expedite Bill that assures lessors on repossession of aircraft New bill could give aircraft leasing firms more power to repossess planes Market regulator Sebi suspends small town-linked incentive for MFs Tourism industry in Joshimath is going down with the 'sinking' town NTPC's hydel project not linked to 'sinking' Joshimath, says PowerMin Temples in Maharashtra begin dress code 'vastra sanhita' for devotees Mahoba to become first UP district with 100% piped water connections: CM PM Modi to flag off five new Vande Bharat trains on June 27; see details Bombay HC fumes over last-minute stay application on LOCs to travel abroad India changed mindset of world including US on terrorism issue: Rajnath The convention aims to solve problems of obtaining certain rights to aviation assets such as aircraft engines, helicopters and airframes, which, by their nature, have no fixed location. India is now a signatory to the convention, but the Indian Parliament has not ratified the same. Hence, the law prohibits such recovery once a company initiates bankruptcy proceedings. Go First case Go First filed for bankruptcy this year. The airline's total debt to financial creditors was Rs 6,521 crore as of April 28. The airline owes over Rs 2,600 crore to aircraft lessors, which include SMBC Aviation, CDB Aviation's GY Aviation Leasing, Jackson Square Aviation, and BOC Aviation. Go First blamed Pratt and Whitney, its engine suppliers, for the crisis. The airline said that P&W supplied faulty engines, which halted their flights. Cape Town Convention in India The recent admission of Go First's insolvency resolution plea by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) made the lessors concerned over leasing aircraft to India-based airlines. They feel that the country is a "risky jurisdiction". To reassure the lessors, the Centre has started to rework the Cape Town Convention Bill. The reworked Bill, once approved, will be presented before the Parliament. If passed, the Cape Town Convention Act will guarantee the rights of lessors to repossess their leased equipment. If necessary, the Act will empower the Centre to make rules for implementing the convention and protocol in India. This is also expected to boost lessors' confidence in the Indian civil aviation space. It is also expected to lower the lease rentals in India and help finance high-value mobile equipment, like airframes, helicopters and engines. The blowback from the crisis is also being felt by other airlines, especially SpiceJet. The situation has led an international body representing aircraft lessors to give a negative outlook on India. Worried lessors also filed for the deregistration of six aircraft with SpiceJet, which has defaulted on lease rentals. The Aviation Working Group (AWG), a company that maintains an index of how well a country meets CTC compliance requirements, said that India remains on the 'CTC Compliance Watchlist'. Usually, insolvency resolution drags for a really long time, and the lessor is unable to recover the aircraft due to the moratorium. Data from the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India shows that till December, as many as 610 cases have been resolved under the IBC, with the average time taken being more than 600 days. People working on the draft Bill said that it would make it mandatory to return the aircraft to the lessor within two months from the start of the bankruptcy process. In India, there are no domestic laws to enforce the provisions of the Cape Town Convention, and therefore if there is a conflict with a domestic carrier, the latter prevails. Lessors, however, don't give importance to this accession as it is not backed by legislation. A government official said, "Feedback from the industry has revealed that there are certain provisions of the convention that are in conflict with laws which fall outside the jurisdiction of the civil aviation ministry. Hence, lessors are asking for a separate law which has legal backing. This is to ensure that even in future if any law is passed, the protection of lessors under the convention remains unaffected." A separate legislation will benefit Indian airlines as countries that have implemented the Cape Town Convention are eligible for a 10 per cent discount on the loan processing fee to acquire aircraft. Dried coffee berries from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / gettyimagesbank By Ko Dong-hwan Ethiopian Ambassador to Korea Dessie Dalkie Dukamo / Korea Times file The top representative of Ethiopia to Korea is meeting the people of Seoul over the next month to impart information on his country, which is famous for coffee, as well as offer information on the African continent. Ethiopian Ambassador Dessie Dalkie Dukamo is joining the weekly sessions hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ambassador will lead the second session on July 11. The Tuesday-only program with four sessions will continue until July 25. The ambassador's participation comes as the African country and Korea mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. The ambassador will speak about various topics regarding his country from current affairs to history, culture and arts. Different professionals will be leading the other sessions which will be limited to 30 participants per session. In the first session on July 4, Park Yun-rae from the ministry's African and Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau will provide details about the current bilateral relationship. A Korean NGO president Kim Kwang-il, who has been promoting the value of Ethiopian veterans who fought in the Korean War, will shed light on the Kagnew Battalion which is famous for remaining undefeated after engaging in 253 battles in the war. Mongolian Ambassador to Korea Erdenetsogt Sarantogos speaks at the Seoul Lifelong Education Institute's main campus in central Seoul, May 23. Courtesy of Seoul Lifelong Education Institute An African Studies professor from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will share tales on Ethiopian history, culture and current issues, while a Korean coffee expert will immerse participants into the world of Ethiopia's No. 2 top export. The class is part of an education program co-organized by the ministry and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to share information with the public about different countries that have embassies in the city. Ambassadors or other representatives from the embassies take the podium in front of the class. The Ethiopian class is held at the main campus of Seoul Lifelong Education Institute in central Seoul which is under the city government. Application for the class, first-come-first-serve, begins on Tuesday at the websites of the institute and Seoul Lifelong Education Portal. The program kicked off with Mongolia last May. Following Ethiopia, it continues with Canada in September and Turkey in November. India to start FTA talks with African Customs union in next 3-4 months India and the five-member South African Customs Union (SACU) nations are exploring a free-trade agreement (FTA) and are expected to begin talks in the next three to four months, people aware of the matter said. SACU, which comprises South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini, is the worlds oldest Customs union, dating back over a century. Read more Late pick-up, but monsoon on track to cover entire country by early July Read more The southwest monsoon strongly picked up pace over the past two days, covering almost all major parts of the country, including Delhi and Mumbai. As the monsoon has again become active, there is a possibility that it will cover the country by the first week of July, which is normal, D Sivananda Pai, scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and a well-known authority on Indian monsoons, told Business Standard. Rupee vs rupiah: In high-yield battle, Indian assets may beat Indonesia's In the battle between Asias two highest-yielding major markets, Indian assets look more promising than those of Indonesia. While the Indian rupee has been the second best to the rupiah in terms of carry returns so far in 2023, that looks set to change in second half of the year as investors including Amundi SA and HSBC Holdings Plc see the former as the standout choice. The Indian currency offers higher compensation for risk than the rupiah, with a carry-to-risk ratio of 2.8 compared with just 0.5 for Indonesia, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Read more Also Read Top Headlines: Govt's dividend from PSBs, Meesho hints at IPO in '25 & more Top headlines: Meta layoffs, angel tax exemption, new Parliament & more Top 5 headlines: MSCI drops 2 Adani firms, Twitter to get new CEO and more Top Headlines: Govt asks P&W to supply engines, stricter Sebi norms & more Student visas were never part of FTA discussions with UK, says Piyush Goyal Fight to continue in court: Wrestlers on ending protest against WFI chief Odisha CM expresses grief over bus accident, announces Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia 12 killed, several injured in bus accident in Odisha's Ganjam district NIA conducts searches at many locations in Kashmir in terror-related case Latest LIVE: 10 killed, several injured in bus accident in Odisha's Ganjam PSBs have a human capital problem: Do their top execs need a pay overhaul? In FY23, the State Bank of India (SBI) reported a 57.4 per cent jump in its net profit to Rs 55,684.17 crore. But the chairman of the countrys largest bank, Dinesh Kharas annual pay for this creditable performance was just Rs 37 lakh (his peers at state-run banks are no better off). Look at his private bank rivals most pocketed in excess of Rs 7 crore annually plus stock options. Talk of perks at state-run banks not being taken into account in such comparisons amount to mere quibbles. Read more India, Egypt elevate ties to 'strategic partnership' during PM Modi's visit The Vigilance Wing of the Kerala Police has intensified its probe against KPCC chief K Sudhakaran on a complaint of graft and misappropriation of funds filed by his former driver two years ago. As part of its investigation, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has sought the details of the income sources of his wife. In a notice dated June 15, the VACB Kozhikode unit sought the service particulars and salary details of Smitha Sudhakaran from the school authorities where she was working. The Vigilance bureau has sought details like the net salary, including Pay/DA, leave surrender, and other details, for a period starting in 2001. According to the complaint lodged by his former driver, Prashanth Babu, in 2021, Sudhakaran allegedly siphoned off Rs 32 crore from the funds received by the K Karunakaran Trust for building a memorial to Congress stalwart and former Kerala chief minister Karunakaran-- a project that never took off. The complaint also alleges that the KPCC president swindled funds collected for the construction of the Kannur DCC office. Also Read Will continue as KPCC chief, file defamation case on Govindan: Sudhakaran Praveen Srivatsava sworn in as Central Vigilance Commissioner by Prez Murmu KPCC chief Sudhakaran arrested by Crime Branch, later released on bail Fight erupts between CPI(M), Congress in Kerala over fake certificate issue Kerala Cong observes black day, holds protest against Sudhakaran's arrest Candlelight march to pray for peace in Manipur, internet ban till 30 June World now listening to India with more attention: Defence Minister Rajnath Withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras Bill or face stir: SGPC chief Dhami tells govt BSF trying to scare voters in Bengal's bordering areas: Mamata Banerjee Arvind Kejriwal promises to redevelop all MCD schools in 5 to 7 years Talking to reporters in New Delhi, where he reached to meet senior Congress leaders, Sudhakaran said the Left government has started investigating his financial sources. "They have issued a notice to the principal of the school where my wife was working. Let them probe. I have nothing to hide," Sudhakaran said. When the case was registered in 2021, Sudhakran had dared the Marxist party-led government to prove the corruption charges against him and said he would end his political life if the investigators were able to do so. On June 23, the state Crime Branch arrested the senior Congress leader after questioning him in a cheating case in which the prime accused is controversial antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. Sudhakaran has reached New Delhi along with Leader of Opposition in the state V D Satheesan, and is expected to hold meetings with senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and discuss various matters, including the police cases. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday warned that an agitation will be launched against the AAP-led Punjab government if the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was not withdrawn. Dhami also slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of interfering in SGPC matters and trying to implement the anti-Sikh thinking of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal with a motive of capturing the SGPC. Dhami was addressing a special general house session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) here against the state government's move of bringing the bill. The Punjab Assembly on June 20 had passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is aimed at ensuring free telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. Addressing SGPC members here, Dhami, while condemning the Bill, asked the Punjab government to withdraw it immediately. If the state government does not stop interference in Sikh matters, then a morcha (agitation) will be started against it after performing 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht and then it will be the responsibility of the state government, he said Dhami said any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 can be made only with the approval of a two-third majority of SGPC members. Also Read People throng SAD office to pay homage to Badal; PM pays floral tributes Pro-Khalistan slogans raised on 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar Punjab govt passes Bill to eliminate undue control over Gurbani telecast Procure maize at MSP to prevent distress sales by farmers: Sukhbir Badal Khalistan a dangerous ideology, threat to national security: Report BSF trying to scare voters in Bengal's bordering areas: Mamata Banerjee Arvind Kejriwal promises to redevelop all MCD schools in 5 to 7 years PM Modi chairs meeting with senior cabinet colleagues after US State visit PM Modi should sack Manipur CM Biren Singh: Congress President Kharge 5,500 flats in Delhi up for grabs in DDA's fourth phase housing scheme The SGPC chief asserted that neither the Centre nor the Punjab government has any right to amend the law. On Mann's charge that Dhami was being dictated by SAD leaders, the SGPC chief said he cannot be dictated. Taking a swipe at Mann, Dhami said the chief minister speaks what he is asked to say by Kejriwal. It is not happening like this. It is the conspiracy of 'Babu' Kejriwal, said Dhami while apparently referring to the Bill. Mann on Sunday had slammed the SGPC chief for his meeting with the SAD leaders and had said Dhami would announce an already decided verdict on opposing the bill. SGPC member Jaswant Singh Prain asked the SGPC to make its agreement with the PTC channel public. Currently, Gurbani is broadcast from the Sikh shrine by PTC, a private channel often linked to the Badal family. The SGPC has been opposing the bill, claiming the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 can only be amended by Parliament. The SGPC special general house session on Monday completely rejected the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 while calling it a direct attack on the independence of the apex gurdwara body. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami also warned that an agitation will be launched against the AAP-led Punjab government if the Bill was not withdrawn. The special general house session of the SGPC was convened here against the state government's move of bringing the Bill. The Punjab Assembly on June 20 passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is aimed to ensure free telecast of 'Gurbani' from the Golden Temple. The session was also attended by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Sultan Singh and SGPC members. In the house, the SGPC members jointly condemned the Punjab government's interference in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, and the management of SGPC and announced that it will not be tolerated. Also Read Withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras Bill or face stir: SGPC chief Dhami tells govt Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Act to end right over Gurbani telecast: CM Mann Punjab govt passes Bill to eliminate undue control over Gurbani telecast SGPC passes budget of Rs 1138.14 cr for FY 2023-24 in its general meeting State scan: Punjab may be seeing a resurgence in extremist Sikh politics 3,410 inspections of child-care homes carried out through govt's MASI app Talks on with China to resolve border issues in peacefully: Rajnath Singh 5,000 scooters for the specially abled this fiscal year in Rajasthan Electricity prices to hike in Delhi: AAP, BJP indulge in blame game CCTVs at waterlogging-prone spots on G20 delegates' routes: Delhi govt In a resolution passed on this occasion, a warning was given to start a 'morcha' (agitation) after offering 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht, as per Sikh traditions, against the anti-Sikh decision of the state government. The resolution was presented by Dhami and approved by the SGPC members present in the house. According to the resolution, the SGPC demanded the government to withdraw the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, or be ready to face an intensified struggle. Dhami said the amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, is possible only with the recommendations of the SGPC. Referring to the pact between senior Akali leader Master Tara Singh and former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959 and Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, Dhami said before making any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, the approval of two-thirds of the members of SGPC's general house cannot be ignored. However, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is making this interference with the aim of implementing the anti-Sikh ideology of his Delhi-based boss and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and to usurp the Sikh organisation SGPC, Dhami alleged. He said in the resolution that the anti-Sikh intention of the state government will not be allowed to succeed at any cost and a struggle will be fought against it. Shortly after the SGPC's meeting, Mann took a swipe at Dhami and said the SGPS chief called a special session only to criticise him. Calling Dhami a chief spokesperson of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mann said it was unfortunate that instead of dwelling on a serious issue related to spreading the message of Gurbani, the SGPC session has been merely confined to his backbiting. Mann said he failed to understand why the issue of the free-to-air broadcast of the Gurbani took a backseat in the session. Rather the session was nothing more than an "assembly of leaders to shield the family ruling the roost in the SGPC", Mann said while making an apparent reference to the Badal family. People are aware of everything and they know how the SGPC and its president are acting as a stooge of the family at the helm of affairs in SAD (Badal), he said. In the resolution, a public apology was sought from the chief minister and AAP MLA Budh Ram, for allegedly interfering in the Gurdwara management, insulting 'kes' (unshorn hair) and hurting the dignity of 'Raagi Singhs' of Harmandir Sahib. The resolution said the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 brought by the Punjab government is a direct attack" on the jurisdiction and independence of the SGPC because it does not have any right to go beyond its jurisdiction to make an arbitrary and unconstitutional decision regarding the SGPC affairs. Those who expressed their views in the SGPC House included SGPC junior vice-president Avtar Singh Raya, general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, members Rajinder Singh Mehta and Kiranjot Kaur. The speakers said the mistake of the Mann government is unforgivable and a strong response must be given. Meanwhile, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur asked Dhami to initiate the process to launch its own satellite channel. She repeatedly asked Dhami to give assurance in the house about the launch of the SGPC channel but her mic was allegedly turned mute when she sought assurance from the SGPC president in this regard. Kaur, without naming Badals, said the move of SGPC to bring this special session was not only to protect the PTC channel but also to protect the interest of one particular family. Currently, Gurbani is broadcasted from the Sikh shrine by PTC, a private channel often linked to the Badal family. SGPC members Kiranjot Kaur, Jaswant Singh Prain and Gurpreet Singh also suggested Dhami to launch its channel and said that there would be no dearth of funds for this. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Dhami said all the members present expressed strong resentment against the government for which he is grateful to them. He clarified that in the struggle to be started following the Sikh traditions, the protests will be started from the Akal Takht under the leadership of SGPC members and Shiromani Akali Dal constituency in-charges. He, however, made it clear that before starting the protest, and adopting the constitutional means, the President of India and Union Home Minister will be approached, about which the communication has been initiated. About the Gurbani broadcast, Dhami said it is the responsibility of the SGPC to deliver Gurbani Kirtan from Harmandir Sahib to 'Sangat' and for this progress is being made actively. He said some meetings of the sub-committee have been held and in due course, a decision will be taken. Meanwhile, AAP leader Malvinder Singh Kang slammed Dhami for rejecting the Bill and said it was a shameful attempt to save the politics of one family. Whereas today the committee had an opportunity to act according to the sentiments of the Sikhs and free this great institution from the influence of the Badal family, said Kang who is the chief spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party. Kang termed the SGPC's rejection to broadcast free Gurbani as unfortunate and questioned Dhami whether it was in line with Sikh traditions to forward your own political agenda, limit the broadcasting rights to one particular channel and build a business of crores through advertisement, TRP etc., all in the name of Gurbani. Questioning Dhami on what basis he termed the Mann government's decision as anti-Sikh, Kang said, Doesn't he know that Bhagwant Mann was also elected by the Sikhs of Punjab? So, according to Dhami only the three elected MLAs of the Akali Dal represent the Sikhs, then what about the rest of the MLAs. The demand for flexible office space is emerging as India's top short-term portfolio strategy, as 47 per cent of companies want to increase its use over the next 12 months, according to a survey by property consultant CBRE. Flexible office space is a workspace designed to provide employees with a variety of different places and ways to work. These spaces can be easily modified to fit the needs of any new project or role. The CBRE survey further pointed out that 56 per cent of the respondents intended to have more than 10 per cent of the total office portfolio as flexible spaces by 2025, indicating that flexible spaces will continue to be a key component of occupiers' portfolios. The survey also pointed out that as "return to office" plans are ramped up in a hybrid environment, occupiers would strive to find the middle ground between supporting flexibility and ensuring predictable occupancies can utilise their space optimally. "As a result, formulating hybrid working rules and policies that balance business goals with workforce needs would be at the top of occupiers' agendas," CBRE said. Remote hiring is expected to focus on a combination of work-from-home (WFH) and satellite offices, enabling new employees to periodically visit the office to connect with colleagues and become acquainted with the company's practices and culture. According to CBRE, this hybrid approach was favoured by 35 per cent of the respondents. Also Read Comfort and security: what does it take to set up a smart home Govt considering registration of flats even if developers go bankrupt Residential real estate sales to grow by 8-10% in FY22-23: CRISIL study Women returning to work after break find most demand in telecom, HR sectors Office space demand for properties larger than 100,000 sq ft high: Report Tata Play opens up its OTT aggregation platform to wider audience We will bring vehicles that will run 100% on ethanol soon: Nitin Gadkari Centre holds meetings with RBI over stalled real estate projects 'Boeing supports Make in India initiative, to play a key role in expansion' US market share in apples, almonds, and walnuts plunged in five years "In terms of office portfolios, our survey reveals that occupiers will continue to expand into flexible office spaces. An impressive 87 per cent of respondents expect to either maintain or increase the percentage of flexible spaces in their portfolios over the next two years. We anticipate a significant occupier interest in allocating over 10 per cent of their office portfolios to flexible spaces over the next two years," said Anshuman Magazine, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) - India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa, CBRE. The survey highlighted a change in companies' approach to bringing employees back to the office, which diverges from the trends seen in 2021 and 2022, despite the prevalence of hybrid working arrangements. In the quarter that ended on March 31, 96 per cent of respondents said they preferred working in the office for at least three days per week. However, there has been a significant rise in the inclination towards fully office-based strategies, as 40 per cent of respondents opted for this approach in the previous quarter, compared to 18 per cent in July 2022. "The increased focus on return-to-office (RTO) plans by occupiers, driven by factors such as WFH fatigue, attrition, and moonlighting, has resulted in a gradual upswing in office occupancies since the second half of 2022, majorly across sectors including BFSI, engineering & manufacturing, life sciences, e-commerce, media & marketing," said Ram Chandnani, managing director, Advisory & Transactions Services, CBRE India. "Our latest survey findings point out that nearly one-third of the respondents reported a utilization rate of more than 75 per cent." Tata Play will be expanding the services of its over-the-top (OTT) aggregation app Tata Play Binge to all users, including those who do not subscribe to Tata Play DTH, according to a report in The Hindu Businessline. The app was launched nearly three years ago, but until now, only DTH subscribers could use it on their television sets. The expanded app will offer access to 27 national, regional, and international OTT services in 13 languages. This means that users will be able to watch a wide variety of content from different platforms, all in one place. The OTT lineup does not feature Netflix and Amazon Prime. But Tata Play CEO Harit Nagpal said that the company is in talks with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to integrate their platforms into the Tata Play Binge OTT aggregator. He also said that Apple TV will soon be integrated into Tata Play Binge, as the commercial integration has already been completed and the app is currently being integrated on the back end. Binges expansion is a part of Tata Groups strategy to give customers a larger portfolio of digital products. The Tata Group launched its super-app Tata Neu last year to integrate its curation of products in e-commerce and financial services under one larger platform. OTTplay, Scope, and YuppTV are the other aggregation apps that have been launched in India apart from Tata Play Binge. Nagpal said, more companies need to launch aggregation services to stimulate the fledgling market. Nagpal said that with Tata Play Binge, users can pay a single monthly fee of Rs 249 for access to 22 OTT apps and Rs 349 for access to 27 OTT apps. He added that all of the content from these apps can be accessed on a single app and that users can arrange the content according to their language and genre preferences. Also Read Telecom regulator to meet OTT cos on action against phishing, spam calls Viewership of premium videos up in India, Disney+ Hotstar most dominant Delhi HC grants MeitY time to frame rules for content on OTT platforms World No Tobacco Day: Govt bans tobacco promotion on OTT; notifies rules Wall Street job cuts likely to surpass 11K as CEOs unwind hiring binge We will bring vehicles that will run 100% on ethanol soon: Nitin Gadkari Centre holds meetings with RBI over stalled real estate projects 'Boeing supports Make in India initiative, to play a key role in expansion' US market share in apples, almonds, and walnuts plunged in five years US-India defence cooperation: Fighter jet engines to ship repairs The development comes amid the DTH industrys struggles over the last two years due to the emergence of streaming services. Tata Play is the biggest DTH provider in the country Shares of ICICI Securities, the investment banking and broking arm of ICICI Bank, soared more than 10 per cent after the company made public its delisting proposal. The companys board will meet on June 29 to discuss the proposal. Shares of ICICI Securities rose 10.4 per cent to close at Rs 622, valuing the firm at Rs 20,000 crore. At present, ICICI Bank holds 74.85 per cent stake in the company. The private sector lender will have to attempt to buy the remaining 25.15 per cent stake in order to take ICICI Securities private, which is valued at Rs 5,000 crore currently. However, delisting bids in India are often expensive and favour the public shareholders. ICICI Securities got listed in 2018 after selling shares at Rs 520 apiece in the IPO, which had failed to garner full subscription. Ideaforge Tech IPO subscribed 3x Drone manufacturer Ideaforge Technologys IPO received bids for nearly three times the number of shares on offer on Monday, the first day of the issue. The retail investor portion of the IPO was subscribed over 10 times, while high networth individuals (HNIs) bought 3.5 times the number of shares on offer. The employee quota was subscribed nearly 7 times. The institutional investor portion has seen only a few bids so far. On Friday, Ideaforge had raised Rs 255 crore from anchor investors, which included Pinebridge, Nomura, Tata AIG, Invesco, Axis MF were among the anchor investors. IdeaForge is looking to issue new shares worth Rs 240 crore in the IPO, which will also see Rs 327 crore worth of secondary sale. Amid technological advancements in the securities market, Sebi on Monday asked stock exchanges to provide certain basic minimum facilities to the investors at Investor Service Centres (ISCs) and upgrade the knowledge of officials of these centres. In order to reach out to investors across India, Sebi asked stock exchanges to use the existing ISCs and open additional centres, wherever required. The ISCs can be set up either by one stock exchange or jointly by two or more exchanges, as per their mutual agreement. The new directive would come into force from the 90th day from this Monday, while those related to knowledge upgradation will be compiled in a phased manner, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a circular. The markets regulator, in December 1997, asked all stock exchanges to open or maintain at least one ISC for the benefit of the investors. Such centres are required to provide counselling services and provide certain basic minimum facilities to the investors. The major stock exchanges were allowed to open as many ISCs as required. Subsequently, Sebi in July 2013 mandated that apart from the ISCs that are operating in metro cities -- New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata -- stock exchanges having nationwide terminals will open ISCs in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Indore, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Gurgaon, Patna and Vadodara. With regard to basic minimum facilities for investors, Sebi said that ICS would be required to provide a dedicated desktop or laptop with internet connectivity to enable the investors to access various relevant information available in the public domain and also to access the grievance redressal portal of the market regulator and stock exchanges. Also Read SEBI plans to restrict borrowing by AIFs to prevent systemic risk Sebi posts guidelines for Investor Protection Fund, Investor Services Fund 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 Nykaa Investor Day 2023: How analysts view the e-retailer's growth plans Sebi comes out with disclosure formats of governance compliance for REITs Shares of Shree Cement decline nearly 6% amid tax survey reports Wealth management firms go beyond metros to tap post-Covid surge in demand ICICI Securities surges 10% on buyback plan, valuation hits Rs 20,000 cr Recession risk, rate rises drive down private equity deals to 4-yr low ICSs will have to give facilities for receiving investor complaints in both physical and electronic forms. Further, one dedicated staff would be posted at the ISC to register investor complaints and also to guide and counsel the investors. Such investors' centres need to provide financial daily newspapers with at least one in the regional language of the place where the ISC is situated. In case, the financial newspaper is not available in the regional language of the place, any leading newspaper in that regional language would be provided. Besides, all the ISCs should have arbitration and appellate arbitration facilities, including a video-calling facility for investors for attending their online arbitration or grievance redressal meetings. For the up-gradation of knowledge of officials at ISCs, stock exchanges will have to ensure that all the officials at ISCs have been provided adequate training on various areas of the securities market, how to counsel or guide the investors to appropriately lodge their complaints, including lodging of complaints on SCORES platforms, how to resolve the investor grievances, promotion of investor education and awareness to enhance securities market literacy and retail participation. The training on the securities market would cover an overview of both primary and secondary markets, functions and operations of exchanges, clearing corporations and depositories, and functions and operations of market intermediaries dealing with investors, such as stock brokers, depository participants, mutual funds, advisers, research analysts, portfolio managers, Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs). Patna to New Delhi LIVE: Wagner head releases 11-min audio in 1st message since halting mutiny Top headlines: Standoff in Imphal ends, Wagner chief orders to halt march Russia's Wagner group appears to do U-turn on Bakhmut withdrawal Latest LIVE: Traffic movement on NH 3 in Mandi halted due to flash floods The attempted mutiny by Russias largest private mercenary army, Wagner Group, headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has raised serious doubts about the regimes grip on power. By extension, it raises crucial questions for India too. Ever since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February last year, India has reaped the dividend of Moscows economic isolation from the G7 and its allies by buying larger quantities of oil at discounts of up to 30 per cent from the benchmark Brent crude index. In 2021, Russia accounted for just 3.4 per cent of Indias overseas crude To read the full story, subscribe to BS Premium now, at just Rs 249/ month. Key stories on business-standard.com are available only to BS Premium subscribers. Already a BS Premium subscriber?LOGIN NOW Register to read more on Business-Standard.com Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US unambiguously signals another reset in relations between India and the worlds sole superpower. Relations have been considerably enhanced by an impressive haul of technology announcements such as the deal between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics, the signing of the Artemis Accords and Microns proposed semi-conductor joint venture in Gujarat. But, as the top edit suggests, these deals will present an acute test of Indias capabilities in technology absorption, project execution and diplomatic balancing. Read it A British man climbs Lotte World Tower, the tallest skyscraper in the country, in Seoul without permission, June 12. Yonhap A British free climber was referred to the prosecution for possible indictment after he climbed up to the 72nd floor of the tallest skyscraper in Seoul without permission earlier this month, police said Monday. George King-Thompson, 24, was taken into custody while climbing up the outer wall of the 123-story Lotte World Tower in southern Seoul with his bare hands on June 12, before he was escorted inside the building and captured by police. On Monday, the Seoul Songpa Police Station said it forwarded the case to the prosecution for investigation on charges of business obstruction and not on the initial charges of trespassing, as he technically did not enter the building. King-Thompson is currently staying in Korea after being banned from leaving the country. The free climber began his ascent up the skyscraper at around 5 a.m. on June 12 before reaching the 72nd story of the 555-meter-high building, the world's fifth tallest, at 8:47 a.m. He was then allowed to ride a gondola-like lift and escorted inside the tower through the opening of a smoke ventilation system, and was detained by the police waiting for him inside. Lotte World Tower authorities said they will review taking legal action against the free climber after investigation results are out. (Yonhap) The BJP's Rajasthan unit will organise mass contact programmes across the state on June 27 to generate awareness about the Centre's welfare schemes, party state secretary Vijender Poonia said on Monday. The initiative is a part of the BJP's national campaign to mark the completion of the Modi government's nine years in office, he said. The programmes will be organised at district and booth levels to inform people about the central government's schemes for the welfare of the poor and to provide good governance, he said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address 10 lakh BJP booth workers from Bhopal. As many as 170 workers have been selected from 25 Lok Sabha constituencies of Rajasthan and they have gone to Bhopal to take part in the event, said Poonia, who is also the Rajasthan incharge of the booth dialogue programme. Prime Minister Modi will interact directly with 10 workers from each Lok Sabha constituency at 11 am on Tuesday during the programme, he said. Also Read As public health emergency ends, Covid-era support programmes fading away A hard lesson for Byju's Raveendran amid mass firings, delayed results Rajasthan farmers to get Rs 500 cr in FY24 to build greenhouses, shade nets Newly married couples get contraceptives at mass wedding in MP; sparks row Exchange programme established to increase contact among soldiers: PM Modi Former Telangana minister, ex-MP among 35 BRS leaders set to join Congress Yediyurappa's protest on poll guarantee implementation a gimmick: K'taka CM BSF trying to scare voters in bordering areas: CM Mamata Banerjee Eshwarappa displeased over indiscipline in BJP, blames Cong turncoats What is YSRTP and how relevant it is in regional politics of Telangana West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BSF of intimidating voters in bordering areas on behalf of the BJP, prompting a strong denial from the border-guarding force, which dubbed the allegation as "far from the truth". Banerjee also asked the police to closely watch its activities while criticising the BSF for "shooting innocent villagers". "I have information that in the run-up to the panchayat election, some BSF officials are visiting the border areas, threatening people and forcing them not to vote. I urge the voters to fearlessly participate in the polls," she said at a rally here. Referring to the alleged shooting of villagers by the BSF last year, whom the border force had claimed as smugglers, the CM said, "Police will lodge FIRs in such cases, and the law will take its own course. They don't have the right to shoot and kill anyone. It seems killing people in Cooch Behar has become a norm. No one is above the law. In a statement, the BSF Guwahati Frontier, under whose jurisdiction is Cooch Behar, emphatically denied Banerjee's charges. It is to appraise that the allegations leveled against BSF by the CM West Bengal during a rally at Cooch Behar, is totally baseless and far from the truth," the release said. Also Read BSF trying to scare voters in bordering areas: CM Mamata Banerjee US to control land sales to foreigners within 100 miles of 8 military bases BSF fires at Pakistani drone, forces it back across border in Gurdaspur Two Pak intruders shot dead by BSF along Punjab border; guns recovered 5 Glock pistols, 90 bullets dropped by Pak drone recovered by BSF in Punjab BJP harasses industrialists who want to make donations to Cong: Gehlot J'khand cabinet gives nod triple test to decide OBC quota in civic polls Union minister Puri meets school principals, shares Centre's achievements AIMIM prez Owaisi takes dig at PM Modi over Manipur violence, China Bring back Modi govt to sustain pace of development: Gambhir tells voters It said the BSF is a professional force entrusted with the responsibility of securing the international border of India, and "has never intimidated any border population or voters in the bordering areas for any reason. "No complaint of intimidation of any person in the border area has been received so far by BSF or any other sister agency. BSF is fully committed to the peaceful and unhindered electoral process in the border and other areas," the statement said. It added that BSF personnel are also being deployed for election duty, which they perform under the overall supervision of the local administration. The BJP, too, dubbed the chief minister's allegation of using the BSF to serve its political purpose as baseless. "Such comments are unacceptable and an insult to our security forces. This reflects the mindset of the TMC, which has been against the BSF since its jurisdiction was increased," BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said. The BJP-led central government in 2021 had amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50-km stretch, instead of 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. This had snowballed into a major political issue in Bengal, with the ruling TMC passing a resolution in the state assembly opposing the Centre's decision. Banerjee also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Manipur, where over 100 lives have been lost in ethnic strife since May. "Earlier, we might not have given much importance to panchayat polls, but this time, you have seen how we have conducted the mass outreach campaign... We will ensure that there is no corruption in the panchayat," she asserted. The TMC supremo asked people to send photographs of those who seek bribes, and claimed "prompt action will be taken against the corrupt. Taking a swipe at BJP's slogan of double-engine government', Banerjee said it would deflate in the rural polls and then again in the Lok Sabha elections. Around 5.67 crore voters are likely to exercise their franchise in the July 8 panchayat polls to elect nearly 75,000 candidates in zilla parishads, panchayat samiti and gram panchayats. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the Manipur violence and said the first thing he should do is sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh if he is really concerned about the state. No amount of "propaganda" by the BJP-led government can cover up its "abject failure" in handling the Manipur situation, Kharge said. He said reports indicate that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has finally spoken to Modi on the situation in the northeastern state and added, "For the last 55 days, Modiji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak." "If Modiji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is sack his chief minister," Kharge said on Twitter. More than 100 people have so far lost their lives in the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. Kharge said, "No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with (the) Manipur violence." The Congress chief also demanded that the government confiscate all stolen weapons in the northeastern state. Suggesting several steps to restore peace in Manipur, Kharge said the government should start talking to all the parties and find a common political path. Also Read As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Shielding governance failure will not resolve Manipur's problems 'Not consulted over CM's presence': Kuki members to boycott peace committee Manipur violence: Kharge-led delegation to meet Prez Tuesday; Cong slams PM Rs 60,000 cr required annually for 5 Congress 'guarantees': Karnataka CM Congress claims corruption in purchase of laptops under Safe Kerala project Maha Dy CM Fadnavis dares Uddhav to release details of family properties Probe into 17-yr-old bank 'scam' under BJP rule resumes: Chhattisgarh CM BJP to organise mass contact programmes in Rajasthan on Tuesday "End the blockade with the help of security forces. Ensure the availability of essential commodities by opening and keeping the national highways safe. "A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate," he said. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh met the members of the Manipur Tribals' Forum, who discussed the situation in their home state with the veteran leader and handed over a memorandum to him. "Today evening I met with the Manipur Tribals' Forum, Delhi who poured out their pain and anguish at the state of the affairs in Manipur over the past 55 days. I shared our solidarity with them and assured them of all possible support from the Congress party to ensure return of peace and normalcy in Manipur," Ramesh said. The Manipur Tribals' Forum members presented a memorandum to him, the Congress leader said while sharing it on Twitter. "Besides the points made in it, they stressed that the incumbent CM Biren Singh should be removed immediately for any progress to happen towards dialogue and reconciliation. "They also provided a detailed day-to-day account of what has happened in Manipur since the Union Home Minister made the appeal for 15 days of peace," Ramesh said. Singh briefed Shah here on Sunday on the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent". Modi chaired a meeting on the situation in Manipur with senior cabinet colleagues and officials on Monday after returning from his State visits to the United States and Egypt. Union minister Bhupendra Yadav on Sunday claimed the agenda of the parties that came forward in the name of protecting democracy is to save their families but they will bite the dust in Bihar and other states in elections. Yadav was referring to the meeting of the Opposition parties, including Congress, held in Patna on Friday. The Minister of State for Environment spoke at a public function organised in Mumbai by the Bharatiya Janata Party to condemn the 48th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. He alleged these family-centric parties want to protect their families first instead of helping people. "Those people who are hatching a conspiracy against democracy and trying to protect their families first will not only lose general elections in various states but will be wiped out also in Bihar, which has always been a contributor to our democratic processes, the minister said. He claimed these parties have come forward in the name of protecting democracy but in reality, they have joined hands to save their families at the cost of democracy. 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 BJP CEC meeting today to finalise candidates for Karnataka Assembly polls Opposition leaders discuss roadmap for 2024 LS polls in mega meet in Patna UP local body polls: Final phase of voting on Thursday in Ghaziabad Under Shah's guidance, state has been able to control violence: Manipur CM Thackeray family looted Mumbaikars in last 15 years: Shrikant Shinde 'Telangana has been left behind in terms of development': JP Nadda Cong imposed Emergency, now accusing BJP of suppressing democracy: Rajnath Kite-flying to spymaster: Meet Ravi Sinha, Secy, Research & Analysis Wing "People will not spare these parties with such double standards, he said. Referring to Maharashtra politics, Yadav said there is a general feeling among the people that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena had betrayed the BJP after (2019) elections. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday said police have resumed probe into a 17-year-old "scam" in the Indira Priyadarshini Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank after a court in Raipur gave the go-ahead. The alleged irregularities of Rs 22 crore were unearthed in 2006 when the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power and 11 persons were arrested at the time, as per police. Promising stern action against those who had embezzled hard-earned money of account holders, the CM said, "The court has ordered for further investigation into it. Our police officials have been looking into case related files and will take further action accordingly. "The important thing is that labourers, farmers, small businessmen who had lost their hard earned money should get it back.The entire embezzled money will be recovered and returned to account holders," he added. The irregularities were unearthed when Raman Singh was chief minister and a narco test was also conducted on the accused but the probe did not move forward and nor was money returned to depositors, Baghel alleged. In a tweet last week, Baghel had said, "The court has allowed investigation into the Indira Priyadarshini bank. In narco test, one of the prime accused and then bank manager Umesh Sinha had said he had given crores of rupees to then Chief Minister Raman Singh and his cabinet colleagues Amar Agrawal, Brijmohan Agrawal and Ramvichar Netam. Other people, including the bank operators were also given money." "The corruption should be unearthed and the guilty should be punished, he had further said in the tweet. Also Read Chhattisgarh tribal leader joins Congress, says tough decision to quit BJP Chhattisgarh liquor scam case: ED should arrest CM Baghel, says AAP Weakened BJP in Chhattisgarh struggles to find a face to counter Baghel Baghel announces allowance for unemployed youth from next financial year CM rubbishes liquor scam allegations in Chhattisgarh, calls ED a BJP agent BJP to organise mass contact programmes in Rajasthan on Tuesday Former Telangana minister, ex-MP among 35 BRS leaders set to join Congress Yediyurappa's protest on poll guarantee implementation a gimmick: K'taka CM BSF trying to scare voters in bordering areas: CM Mamata Banerjee Eshwarappa displeased over indiscipline in BJP, blames Cong turncoats A Raipur police official said a case was registered after a "scam" to the tune of Rs 22 crore was unearthed in the cooperative bank in 2006-07 and 11 persons, including bank manager Umesh Sinha, were arrested. After a probe, a chargesheet was submitted in the court, the police official said said, adding all 11 accused are currently out on bail. "Recently, the state's deputy advocate general had submitted an application in the court seeking reinvestigation into the case. Following the court's order, the narco test FSL report and other documents of the case were handed over to Raipur police on Sunday," the official informed. 'Narco test' involves intravenous administration of drugs such as sodium pentothal, scopolamine and sodium amytal that cause a person to enter various stages of anaesthesia, during which, in a hypnotic stage, he or she gets less inhibited and may divulge information. Shiv Sena leader and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde on Sunday launched a scathing attack on former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray, accusing them of looting Mumbai and pushing the 'Marathi manoos' out of the city in the last 15 years. Shinde, the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was addressing the party's 'Shakha Sampark' drive at Versova in Mumbai. He sought to know why the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had acquired body bags during the COVID-19 pandemic period at a cost of Rs 6,719 apiece, whereas the same body bags were bought for Rs 350 each by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). Shinde also accused Uddhav Thackeray of leading the BMC to become the most corrupt municipal body in Asia. The Shiv Sena undivided ruled the BMC for more than 25 years. The party split last year following the rebellion by Eknath Shinde and 39 other party MLAs against Uddhav Thackeray. "How is it possible that TMC buys body bags at Rs 350 each and BMC buys them at more than Rs 6,500 per bag? This is just one of the many instances of how the Thackeray family has looted Mumbaikars when people were dying," Shinde was quoted as saying in a release issued by the Shiv Sena here. "Uddhav Thackeray led the BMC to become the most corrupt municipal body in Asia. His 15 years in BMC made it the most corrupt civic body across the continent. It is time to think about what our Marathi manoos and our Shiv Sainiks gained under his leadership. "Our Marathi people have to leave their city and go to either Thane or Kalyan-Dombivali. They are pushed outside Mumbai and only Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray are responsible for this," Shinde said. Also Read Thackeray faction's ex-corporators camp outside Shiv Sena office at BMC HQ Elections can happen any time, we are prepared, says Uddhav Thackeray Maharashtra legislature: Oppn members accuse Shinde govt of corruption Thackeray, Shinde factions of Shiv Sena face off at party office in BMC Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde to visit Ayodhya with Shiv Sena leaders today 'Telangana has been left behind in terms of development': JP Nadda Cong imposed Emergency, now accusing BJP of suppressing democracy: Rajnath Kite-flying to spymaster: Meet Ravi Sinha, Secy, Research & Analysis Wing SP's moves to embrace symbols of Hindutva are targeted at the 2024 polls Record number of OBC ministers serving in Modi government: Fadnavis Instead of accusing CM Shinde, Aaditya Thackeray should first look into their 15 years of stint and give answers to people, he added. "Those accusing us of being 'khokhe' (corrupt) should not forget that the SIT probe will soon reveal who received how many 'khokhes'. It will be clear whom the links of Suraj Chavan and Sujit Patkar will eventually reach in the ED investigation," he added. The Mumbai police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a probe in connection with CAG's report on Rs 12,000-crore worth contracts awarded by the BMC. CM Eknath Shinde is always on the move and works tirelessly for public welfare, he said. "Since Eknath Shinde himself is very active as a CM, the administration has also become active. The officers know that if they don't work, they will be taken to task. The CM will clean the nullahs of corruption by doing good work in the BMC. He has worked in every corner of the state in the last 11 months," he said. Many decisions have been taken in a short span of 11 months which were not taken in the two-and-a-half years before that, Shinde said. Maharashtra is blessed to have a chief minister that works among people day and night, he said. "CM Shinde has taken a step to take the saffron flag forward. He is trying to take the Hindutva ideology of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray forward," he added. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday alleged that the Trinamool Congress was complicit in violence in West Bengal and practising double standards by speaking for democracy to oust the BJP and denying the same in the state. The statement comes days after the CPI(M) and Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) took part in a meeting of opposition parties which resolved to fight together against the BJP. Referring to the panchayat polls in West Bengal, Yechury alleged that it has become a norm that elections under the TMC will be marked by large-scale violence and terror. He said 10 people have already lost their lives including a young CPI(M) activist Mansoor Alam. "They can't say they want democracy in India and therefore, oust the BJP, and then in Bengal ... you throttle democracy. That is not acceptable," he said at a press conference at the end of a two-day Polit Bureau meeting in Delhi. "Despite such politics of violence and terror, the people of West Bengal are resisting this murder of democracy and courageously coming forward to establish people's panchayats. "In the last panchayat elections, 34 per cent of the seats were uncontested due to unprecedented terror. In these elections, resisting such terror, the uncontested seats have drastically reduced by nearly two-thirds," Yechury said. Also Read BJP slams TMC's Abhishek Banerjee over his remark on Bengal Panchayat polls Bengal panchayat poll: Raj Bhavan to directly monitor reports of violence MHA offers to deploy 337 companies of central forces for WB panchayat polls All-party meeting over West Bengal panchayat polls scheduled for today BJP using money & muscle power to win Tripura polls, says Sitaram Yechury First thing PM Modi should do is sack Manipur CM: Cong chief Kharge Rs 60,000 cr required annually for 5 Congress 'guarantees': Karnataka CM Congress claims corruption in purchase of laptops under Safe Kerala project Maha Dy CM Fadnavis dares Uddhav to release details of family properties Probe into 17-yr-old bank 'scam' under BJP rule resumes: Chhattisgarh CM Opposition parties have alleged that their candidates were intimidated and assaulted to prevent them from filing nomination papers by people owing allegiance to the ruling Trinamool Congress at various places, but the TMC has denied the charge. Widespread violence during the filing of nominations for the three-tier panchayat polls has left at least eight people dead and several injured in various parts of the state in the past two weeks. On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the CPI (M) and the Congress, saying their actions of "playing second fiddle" to the saffron camp in the state are throwing a spanner in her efforts to form a grand opposition alliance against the BJP at the Centre. Speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, Yechury said, "The PM speaks like Gandhi abroad and like Godse while in India." He claimed that the PM's official state visit to the US has further cemented India as the "subordinate junior partner of US imperialism". "In its quest for strengthening its global hegemony, the US sees India as a crucial strategic and military partner to isolate China. "Biden administration's refusal to raise issues of human rights and democracy in India under the Modi government has come in for widespread criticism, with even former President Barack Obama raising concerns. 75 members of the US Congress have raised issues of concern on the Modi government's record on human rights and democracy," Yechury said. The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Telangana Party (YSRTP), a regional political party in Telangana, was founded by Y S Sharmila, the daughter of former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR). Founded on July 8, 2021, the party is led by its founder as president of the party. The headquarters of the party is located in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Sharmila's entry into politics Sharmila's father YSR had passed away in a plane crash in 2009. Sharmila joined her brother, Y S Jagan, on the Odarpu Yatra to console the families of the supporter who died of shock or by suicide after hearing the news of YSR's death. It was reported that as many as 122 people had died due to shock or by suicide after Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's death in a tragic helicopter crash. The then Congress leadership was unhappy with the 'Odarpu yatra', as they saw this as an attempt by Jagan to garner support for the chief minister post in the state. Also Read Andhra CM seeks investments, announces Visakhapatnam as new capital We are a phone call away: Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to investors We want to make Andhra a logistics hub for south Asia: CM Jagan Mohan Reddy AP investors summit sees Rs 1.17-trn MoUs on Day 2; RIL inks Rs 50k-cr pact India gets its new Parliament building, amid prayers, grand celebrations Trying Oppn unity but Cong, CPI(M) singing different tunes in WB: Mamata Key NCP leaders to take call on Ajit's desire for party role: Sharad Pawar Oppn leaders' Patna meeting a photo session, says BJP Chief JP Nadda Good work of Kerala people marred by petty politics of LDF-UDF: JP Nadda Electricity usage above 200 units in Delhi to cost more, Atishi slams govt The yatra was successful and it established Jagan as a strong political figure in the state. In November 2010, he resigned from Congress and founded his own party, Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). But in May 2012, Jagan was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on embezzlement charges. Following his arrest, Sharmila took charge of the partys campaigning from 2012 to 2013. After Jagans release, Sharmila continued to campaign for the YSRCP as the second most prominent leader of the party, which went on to win a landslide victory in the 2019 elections. The fallout Despite registering a massive victory, the family relations reportedly grew astray. There are reports of a fallout on the issue of assets and Sharmila shifted her base to Telangana. Launch of YSRTP In 2021, Sharmila launched the YSR Telangana Party, with a promise to bring back her fathers legacy. A year later, Sharmila's mother, Vijayamma, resigned from her son Jagans YSRCP and joined her daughters party. Sharmila toured Telangana on a 'padayatra', walking over 3,500 km to meet voters. Merging with the Congress? Speculations are rife that Sharmila will merge her party with the Telangana Congress Party. It is reported that she is considering contesting from the Paleru constituency in Khammam district for the upcoming Telangana elections. However, Telangana Congress president A Revanth Reddy is in no mood for any sort of electoral understanding between the Congress and the YSRTP. There were recent reports that the YSRTP president would shift into Andra Pradesh politics. She clarified that she will stay in Telangana and fight for the people in the state. Sharmila tweeted, Some people are cooking stories and trying to create a rift between me and the people. My appeal to those trying to create a rift is to focus on the ruling of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and the corruption in the ruling. My future is with Telangana, my fight is for Telangana. ChatGPT has garnered a great deal of attention in the tech industry since its launch in 2022. Due to its capacity for simulating human-like responses and handling a variety of tasks, this AI chatbot has become incredibly popular. People soon found that this generative AI chatbot could be used for a variety of tasks, such as creating music, poetry, and even essays. ChatGPT is now a requirement in the tech sector because of its continued development. There are reportedly many job opportunities for professionals who are skilled at using this AI chatbot. Let's take a look. ChatGPT can land you a Rs 1.5 crore job A survey by ResumeBuilder stated that 91 per cent of companies with job openings are looking for candidates who are skilled in ChatGPT. According to respondents, AI has the potential to increase productivity, save time, and improve overall company performance. Furthermore, a Business Insider report indicates that companies on LinkedIn are willing to offer annual salaries of up to $185,000 (approximately Rs 1.5 crore) to individuals skilled in ChatGPT. For instance, Recruiting from Scratch, a US-based HR firm, is currently looking for a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Audio. The job requirements include familiarity with current AI tools and platforms such as ChatGPT and Midjourney. The salary range for the position is $125,000 to $185,000 per year. Also Read ChatGPT adds real-time web browsing feature to compete with Google Bard ChatGPT arrives on Apple App store for iPhones: Everything you need to know Google Bard: What we know so far about generative AI chatbot in the works Aadhaar Mitra: Everything you need to know about UIDAI's AI-based chatbot Chatbot firms in India to generate over 20% of digital customers' revenue Generative AI to flexi batteries: Here's WEF's list of top 10 emerging tech With Vedanta JV facing hurdles, Foxconn reaches out to other companies Digital twins will reshape business and society by 2035, shows data Explained: How AI-powered assistants are altering the lives of coders I see generative AI as a helper, regulation is needed: Salesforce India CEO Likewise, Interface.ai, a conversational AI tool, is seeking a remote Machine Engineer with experience in natural language processing and large language models such as ChatGPT. This position may pay up to $170,000 per year. Srinivas Njay, CEO of Interface.ai said that proficiency in large language models is a critical requirement for the role as it helps their customers, such as banks and credit unions, improve their efficiency in customer engagement. AI tool to create new job opportunities The rise of ChatGPT has frequently raised concerns about job displacement. However, many experts believe that this AI tool will actually create new job opportunities. One such emerging profession is Prompt Engineering, which is gaining traction in the industry. In March of this year, a San Francisco-based AI startup called Anthropic made headlines by posting a job advertisement for a Prompt Engineer and a Librarian with a salary of up to $335,000 (around Rs 2.7 crore) per year. It's worth noting that the demand for AI Prompt Engineering positions extends beyond San Francisco. Users can find numerous job openings for Prompt Engineers worldwide by exploring platforms like LinkedIn or other job-searching websites. As the role grows in popularity, several online platforms have begun to offer courses specifically focused on it, aiming to help individuals acquire and master the necessary skills in this field. This May 10, 2022 file photo shows the presidential office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Yonhap The presidential office suggested Monday that legal action could be taken against those found guilty of colluding to profit from difficult questions on the annual college entrance exam. Controversy arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the education minister earlier this month to exclude material not covered by public education from the College Scholastic Ability Test. The instruction came amid criticism the test included "killer" questions that students without private tutoring could not solve, leading to a spike in private tutoring costs. "I understand the education ministry is receiving various reports" related to the private education industry, a presidential official told reporters. European Union ministers urged caution on Monday over a failed revolt by mercenary soldiers in Russia. This came after the incident raised troubling questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power and whether Wagner group fighters might install themselves just over the border in Belarus. At the talks in Luxembourg, some EU foreign ministers likened the short-lived uprising led by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Putin unleashing Frankenstein's monster of his own creation, and to some powerful and evil spirit. But several others, concerned that they might be seen to be offering support, were at pains to point out that the revolt remains an internal Russian affair, and that many questions remain unanswered, including Prigozhin's precise whereabouts and whether he may be taking troops with him. Most seemed to agree that the incident will have security implications for Europe and that the important thing is to help Ukraine take advantage of the situation. We are analysing this carefully, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters. There are also risks involved, which we are still unable to assess at the moment. For us Europeans, the only thing that matters is to support Ukraine. Also Read Why is the world discussing Russian President Vladimir Putin's health? Russia and US relations are going through a deep crisis: Vladimir Putin Russia to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, says Vladimir Putin Russia maintains economic stability despite challenges: Vladimir Putin African leaders visit Russia to discuss peace plan, after Ukraine trip Amsterdam's Hermitage museum to be renamed after Russia's war on Ukriane Indian passengers stranded at Paris airport after Air France cancels flight Fukushima nuclear plant to release treated wastewater into sea: Operator Pakistan Army sacks officers for failure of duty during May 9 violence Pakistan's central bank raises key policy rate by 100 basis points to 22% EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who was chairing the meeting, said that the monster that Putin created with Wagner is acting against his creator. He added that "the political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking. It's now the moment to support Ukraine, more than ever, Borrell said. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told reporters that Putin can't get rid of the ghosts he summoned, and they're going to haunt him now. He cited the revolt as proof that "there are cracks in the power structure. Prigozhin was granted exile in Belarus, just 35 kilometres from Lithuania's capital Vilnius. It remains unclear what charges he might face, if any. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who brokered the deal, gave few details. Russian leaders, whether civilian or military, have not commented on the situation. Wary of the insecurity that this might mean for his country, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said he wants to see very specific plans from his allies to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, including Estonia, Latvia and Poland. We're seeing how fast things can transpire. It took half a day for a military detachment to move 200 kilometres away from Moscow. So imagine, how fast can they do that crossing Belarus and appearing on Lithuania's border, he said. Still, Landsbergis insisted that the West should not be distracted by events in Russia, even if the revolt has revealed a grey zone of unpredictability inside the country. All we have to do is keep focused on Ukraine, he said. Wagner troops have played a crucial role in the Ukraine war, capturing the eastern city of Bakhmut, an area where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. But Prigozhin has increasingly criticised the military brass, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of munitions. The Russian mercenary leader who led a mutiny that nearly reached Moscow said in a message released on Monday his forces had not intended to overthrow Russia's government, and had demonstrated the weaknesses in Russian security. In the first public remarks released since he was last seen on Saturday night smiling in the back of an SUV as he withdrew from a city occupied by his men, Yevgeny Prigozhin said his fighters called off their campaign to avert bloodshed. His statement came on the day when Russian President Vladimir Putin issued via the Kremlin website his first statement since an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, congratulating participants of an industrial forum. It was not immediately clear when or where Putin's statement was recorded. Senior Russian officials, at the same time, rallied around Putin, while state media said authorities were still investigating the mercenary leader whose weekend mutiny appeared to be major threat to the Russian leaders 23-year-old rule. Prigozhin, in an 11-minute audio message released on the Telegram messaging app on Monday evening, said: "We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country. Our march showed many things we discussed earlier: The serious problems with security in the country, he said. He made no reference to his own present location, two days after he said he was leaving for Belarus under an agreement brokered by that country's president to end his mutiny. Prigozhin shocked the world by leading the armed mutiny, only to abruptly call it off as his fighters approached the capital after racing nearly 1,000 km. Russias three main news agencies reported on Monday that a criminal case against Prigozhin had not been closed, despite an offer of immunity having been publicised as part of the deal that persuaded him to stand down. The headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, according to a report in The Moscow Times, said Monday it was working in normal mode. On the first working day after fighters of the powerful Wagner Group seized a military headquarters and marched on Moscow, officials still gave no details about the deal that abruptly ended the mutiny. Mikhail Mishustin, who leads Putins cabinet as his appointed prime minister, acknowledged Russia had faced a challenge to its stability, and called for public loyalty. We need to act together, as one team, and maintain the unity of all forces, rallying around the president, he told a televised government meeting. There was no word about the revolt from Putin himself, who had said on Saturday the rebellion put Russia's very existence under threat and vowed to punish those behind it. The Kremlin released a video from him congratulating participants of an industrial forum, containing no indication of when it had been filmed. In another move apparently intended to convey normality, authorities released video showing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The mutineers had demanded he be sacked, leading to speculation that his removal might have been part of the arrangement that ended the revolt. Russia's national Anti-Terrorism Committee said the situation in the country was stable. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who had told residents to stay indoors on Saturday as the mutinous fighters raced to within a few hundred kilometres of the capital, said he was cancelling a counter-terror security regime. Saturday's extraordinary events left governments, both friendly and hostile to Russia, groping for answers to what happened behind the scenes and what could come next. Cracks Russias ally China, where a senior Russian diplomat visited on Sunday, said it supported Moscow in maintaining national stability. Ukraine and some of its Western allies said the turmoil revealed cracks in Russia. The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg as he arrived for a meeting with ministers from across the 27-member bloc. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the invasion of Ukraine, which Putin calls a special military operation to counter threats, was destroying Russia, and the West would continue to back Kyiv. Ruble at lowest in 15 months Prigozhin, whose men had been welcomed on the streets of Rostov, had demanded that Defence Minister Shoigu and the army's top general be handed over to him. A defence ministry video on Monday showed Shoigu flying in a plane with a colleague and hearing reports at a command post with no indication of when or where it had been filmed. The ruble weakened temporarily by almost 3 per cent against the US dollar on Monday, the most this year, after a mutiny by mercenary commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose brief uprising represents the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putins political control in his almost quarter century in power. The ruble then erased losses to trade 0.1% higher at 84.59 per dollar. (BLOOMBERG) Embassy's eviction: No relief in Aus Australias highest court on Monday dismissed Russias application for an injunction that would have prevented Moscow's embassy being evicted from a site in Canberra. In dismissing the application, High Court Justice Jayne Jagot described Russia's challenge on constitutional grounds to a law terminating the lease as weak and difficult to understand. (AP) Exiled opposition leader warns of threat to Belarus Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhins announced relocation to Belarus has created a new threat to the countrys independence as well as the safety of its NATO neighbors, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said. (BLOOMBERG) US President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and discussed the recent events in Russia, the White House said. The two leaders also discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unflinching US support, which includes ongoing security, financial, and humanitarian assistance. "President Biden spoke today with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to discuss support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. They discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering US support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid. The leaders also discussed recent events in Russia," the White House readout of President Joe Biden's Call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said. Earlier on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that everyone who chooses the path of evil "destroys" himself, as he took a sharp dig at Moscow hours after the Wagner group launched a rebellion against Russian military facilities. Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy said, "Everyone who chooses the path of evil destroys himself. Who sends columns of troops to destroy the lives of another country and cannot stop them from fleeing and betraying when life resists. Who terrorizes with missiles, and when they are shot down, humiliates himself to receive Shahed drones. Who despises people and throws hundreds of thousands into the war, in order to eventually barricade himself in the Moscow region from those whom he himself armed". Accusing Russia of using "propaganda" to "mask its weakness", the Ukrainian President said that this attack by Wagner group exposes Russia's "full-scale weakness". Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' India-US agree on restoring peace in Ukraine: Biden administration Zelenskyy wants Putin trial for war crimes, Russia accuses US on drones Signs of fighting in Ukraine after Russia says unilateral truce in force Ukraine's economy fell 30.4% in 2022, largest annual drop in 30 years Russian air strikes kill 9 in Syria's Idlib in one of the deadliest attacks India, US friendship among most consequential: Biden after hosting PM Modi Adventure tourism: Extreme travel is inspiring new types of insurance Russia back in financial investors' focus after the weekend mutiny Cash-strapped Pakistan Parliament approves Rs 14.48 trn budget for 2023-24 "For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it. And all this is one person, who again and again scares by the year 1917, although he is able to result in nothing else but this," he said. However, on Sunday the Wagner mercenary chief decided to halt its March to Moscow after the Belarusian president stated he was in talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin about an agreement to "de-escalate tensions. Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus wrote, "At 9 p.m. tonight, the Presidents spoke again by phone. The President of Belarus Lukashenko informed the President of Russia about the results of negotiations w/ the leader of the Wagner Group. President Putin thanked his counterpart for the work done." On Saturday morning earlier, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a Telegram post, announced that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into southern Russia and were ready to go "all the way" against the Russian military, TASS News Agency reported. He said he and his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. "But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way," he said, adding, "We are moving forward and will go until the end." However, later, as soon as the armed mutiny came to an end, Russia also announced that the charges against Wagner Chief Prigozhin would be dropped. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (pictured) took two air force jets with him on a trip to China in case the one he was traveling in broke down. Hipkins flew to Beijing on Sunday in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757, leading a delegation of company executives in the hope of expanding trade with his nations biggest export market. A second airforce 757 accompanied the first as far as Manila in the Philippines, acting as a backup in case of any mechanical problems, the Prime Ministers office said Monday in Wellington. Given the importance of the trip and the long distance involved, it was considered that a backup aircraft was justified to ensure the success of the mission to our largest trade partner, a spokesperson said. The 757s are around 30 years old, are nearing the end of their economic lives, and are due for replacement between 2028 and 2030. Opposition parties said the need to take a second aircraft was an environmental embarrassment to the country and illustrated the poor state of its defense force. New Zealands aging air force fleet has a track record of stranding politicians due to mechanical problems. North Korea held massive rallies against the United States in the capital city Pyongyang, condemning its imperialism. The protestors gathered in huge numbers where they shouted slogans like "war of revenge" to destroy the United States, marking the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. According to the local news agency KCNA, around 120,000 people gathered across the capital with placards on Sunday. The secretaries of the ruling Workers Party of Korea also joined the rallies in Pyongyang. Most of the people in the capital could be seen wearing white shirts, marching and punching in the air with their right hand. Photos released by state media showed people holding placards that read, The whole US mainland is within our shooting range and The imperialist US is the destroyer of peace. Around 2 million people died in the Korean War that took place on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea to reunite the Korean Peninsula under Pyongyang. In this three-year war, big countries like the erstwhile Soviet Union and China backed northern troops and fought against the US-led United Nations forces. Amidst the anniversary of the war, North Korea attempted to put its first military spy satellite into orbit to boost its US military monitoring activities, after it failed in its first attempt on May 21. Also Read North Korea's Kim Jong Un lays out key goals to boost military power Kim Jong-un says N Korea has finished development of 1st spy satellite S Korea, US to hold simulated drill to prevent North Korea's use of nukes Kim Jong Un claims North Korean successes, says it faces challenges North Korea to boost nuclear warhead production 'exponentially': Kim Jong Int'l agencies investigates loss of Titan submersible carrying 5 people PCB chairman election faces delay as two former members approach court Lightning strikes kill 10 as pre-monsoon rains lash Pak's Punjab province Putin weakened by Wagner Group mutiny, Ukraine missed opportunity China's economic recovery worsens with weak consumer spending data According to a state media report, North Korea now has the most potent absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists, and the avengers on this land are burning with the indomitable will to take revenge on the enemy. North Korea has been testing various weapons, which include its much-talked-about intercontinental ballistic missile which is raging up tension with the South and the South's main ally, the United States. The country has also accused Washington of sending strategic assets to its region, making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war. North Korea and South Korea are technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty. President Vladimir Putin's position is absolutely stable and there is no change in overall situation in Russia, a senior Kremlin diplomat said on Monday, days after a brief rebellion against Putin by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russia's special presidential representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy said Prigozhin wanted to become Russian president but it was a "mistake". Shvydkoy, currently on a visit to India, was speaking to a small group of reporters here. "The current situation in Russia is stable and the contemporary position of President Putin is also absolutely stable," he said, replying to a question. Shvydkoy, a former minister of culture, said Russians get fully united when the country faces any challenging situation. "The situation is more or less the same. Russia is totally united," he said while refusing to elaborate further. Also Read Why is the world discussing Russian President Vladimir Putin's health? Russia to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, says Vladimir Putin Russia maintains economic stability despite challenges: Vladimir Putin Russia and US relations are going through a deep crisis: Vladimir Putin African leaders visit Russia to discuss peace plan, after Ukraine trip Cooperation should not undermine regional peace: China on Indo-US deals Reaching ambitious climate targets will run into financial problems: EU New Zealand PM's plane so prone to breakdowns he took backup on China visit Japan to take over global leader in chipmaking compounds for $6 billion Saudi Aramco sees 'sound' oil outlook for H2CY23 on China, India demand The rebellion by Prigozhin and the forces loyal to him marked the most serious challenge to President Putin in more than two decades of his rule and triggered questions over his leadership. "He (Prigozhin) decided he will be the next Russian president. That was a mistake," Shvydkoy said. The short-lived revolt ended on Saturday when Prigozhin ordered his troops back. The Kremlin said it had made a deal that the mercenary chief will move to Belarus. In his comments, Shvydkoy strongly pitched for expansion of cultural ties between India and Russia. He said there is a huge opportunity to increase exchange of students between the two countries. The visiting diplomat has already held talks with senior officials of the ministries of culture, external affairs and education. "Many Indian and Russian universities want deeper cooperation. Some Russian universities may be wanting to have chapters in India," he said. The diplomat said there is huge scope for expansion of cooperation between India and Russia in areas of agriculture, medicine and biotechnology, among others. "We must open new phases in our cultural ties," he said. Calastone and Schroders to collaborate on a tokenised investment vehicle project Announcement follows recent Calastone whitepaper outlining a vision for tokenised investments 97% of institutions agreed that it will revolutionise asset management Calastone, the largest global funds network, today announces it is collaborating with Schroders to explore the capabilities of a tokenised investment vehicle for variable capital companies (VCCs). The collaboration follows a multi-year investment by Calastone into Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and tokenisation, with the ultimate aim to manufacture and distribute tokenised investment vehicles through Calastones Distributed Market Infrastructure. Digitalising the core operations of collective investment vehicles presents the opportunity to transform the value chain and create better value for investors by reducing costs, and laying the foundation for more flexible investment products that are more aligned to the digital experiences consumers find elsewhere. Adam Belding, CTO, Calastone, commented: Weve been working with DLT for many years, exploring different types of DLT and looking for the use cases where it can add real value. Tokenising fund units will not provide the transformation that the industry is looking for, however operating collective investments on a native DLT platform, and applying DLT and tokenisation at all levels of the fund from trading, to administration and distribution, provides a much more fundamental transformation. Our work with Schroders shows that this future could be much closer than some imagine. We believe that used in the right way DLT is a powerful platform for providing, managing, securing and distributing tokenised assets, helping to unlock meaningful improvements in operational efficiency and product innovation. Peter Hilborne, Chief Operating Officer, Operations at Schroders said: "We are in a transformative era where distributed ledger technology will redefine finance with a positive impact on asset management. At Schroders, we understand the vital role tokenisation and digital assets may play in modern economic arrangements, and we are delighted to be working with Calastone to contribute to the advancement of the digital asset ecosystem. We look forward to collaborating with various industry players to bring this pioneering technology to market, ushering in an era of exciting possibilities. ENDS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626572068/en/ Compact build promises the longest shelf life in the industry No-charging design means lower costs for brands and more convenience for consumers Innovation to play a leading role in unburdening smokers from the harms of cigarettes, says leading aerosol expert FEELM, part of leading atomization technology company SMOORE, showcased its new TOPOWER disposable vape battery solution during a major industry event in the Middle East. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230625009090/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) The pioneering power technology is intended for markets that allow higher puff counts and has been designed to increase the endurance of single-use devices. Compared with mainstream batteries, it offers 30% more capacity with the battery size remaining unchanged and can deliver over 6,000 puffs without needing to be recharged. TOPOWER also provides a constant power output, which reduces the loss of taste caused by voltage drop. FEELM says the new innovation also boasts the longest shelf life in the industry, promising just 1% power attenuation over six months and 3% over a year which the brand says is 1/10th the level seen in traditional batteries. Speaking on TOPOWER, Rex Zhang assistant president of FEELM said: This is our new battery technology customized for higher puff disposable vape, with large puff vaping without charging, ultimate-low discharge, Ultimate-high energy density. He added: The end goal for our industry is to create a smoke-free future and unburden adults from the harms of deadly cigarettes technology is going to play a leading role in achieving this. Rex Zhang, said the no-charge element of TOPOWER was beneficial not just for brands, but for consumers as well. He said the battery solution eradicates the need for additional charging cables, which eliminates the necessity for internal charging devices and consequently saves on production costs. He also said consumers would no longer need to worry about when and where they could next plug their disposable in, reducing user anxieties and creating a more convenient vaping experience. TOPOWER has been incorporated into two solutions FEELM Maxs ceramic coil disposable solution and Power Alpha's mesh coil solution to ease the low battery anxiety of as many users as possible. FEELM Max and Power Alpha have already been extensively commercialized and have achieved considerable success in multiple countries. The commercial value added by the solutions and technology opens up a plethora of possibilities for brands. This years World Vape Show in Dubai was undoubtedly the perfect platform for FEELM to promote TOPOWER and the technology is a testament to FEELMs unwavering determination to innovate and evolve. About FEELM As a flagship tech brand belonging to SMOORE, FEELM is the worlds leading closed vape system solution provider. Based on the world's leading Ceramic Coil Heating Technology, FEELM combines authentic Flavor Reproduction Technology with innovative electronics technology, bringing ultimate sensation and premium vaping experience. About SMOORE Founded in 2009, SMOORE is a global leader in atomization technology solutions, covering reduced-risk products, medical, pharmaceutical, and beauty atomization technologies. With inter-disciplinary atomization research and a diverse product portfolio, SMOORE is committed to becoming an advanced platform, aspired to make life better. With continuous R&D investment and leading manufacturing capacity, SMOORE has 14 technology research centers worldwide and products are available in more than 50 countries and regions. SMOORE announced IPO in Hong Kong on July 10, 2020. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230625009090/en/ Education Minister Lee Ju-ho announces measures to reduce private education expenses during a news conference in Seoul, June 26. Yonhap The Ministry of Education announced Monday that extremely difficult questions not taught in schools will be eliminated from the annual college entrance exam as part of the government's efforts to reduce private education expenses. The ministry said it will push for a "fair College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) centered on public education" by cracking down on a suspicious collusion between public and private educators that has led to the appearance of the so-called "killer questions" on the test. The announcement came as spending on private education for primary, middle and high school students soared to a record 26 trillion won ($20 billion) last year, despite a 0.9 percent fall in the total number of students. As the inclusion of killer questions in the CSAT has driven parents and students to seek private education, the government has vowed to terminate what it calls a cartel between public educators and the private education industry. Some former CSAT test-makers have been accused of selling practice killer questions, mostly based university curricula, to private cram schools or being hired by private academies as teachers. The ministry said it will ensure the CSAT would not be advantageous to students who have been repeatedly trained in problem-solving skills by cram schools and that students who have studied diligently in public education would be fairly evaluated by the test. People participate in a water gun festival at Nanji Hangang Park in western Seoul, Aug 3, 2019. Newsis By Ko Dong-hwan Seoul and Busan ranked among the top six Asian cities with the best living conditions for people overall, according to the Economist. The Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) "The Global Liveability Index 2023" put Seoul in fourth and Busan in sixth among Asian countries. The assessment behind the report, released on June 21, was based on categories of stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Alongside the Korean cities in the EIU ranks were Osaka on top followed by Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong in that order. One of the currently active global city branding evaluations that quantify challenges presented to an individual's lifestyle and quality of life, EIU studied 173 cities worldwide for this year's review. The group has been updating the index annually for over 70 years. Haeundae Beach in Busan in 2019 / Courtesy of Visit Busan Rep. Kim Nam-kuk appears for a meeting at the Ethics Investigation Advisory Committee regarding his dubious cryptocurrency trading at the National Assembly in Seoul, June 15. Newsis An advisory panel of the parliamentary ethics committee was to hold a meeting Monday to determine the level of disciplinary measures against independent lawmaker Kim Nam-kuk accused of dubious cryptocurrency dealings. The Ethics Investigation Advisory Committee had held three rounds of meetings since early this month to see if there were any irregularities surrounding Kim's once massive virtual assets holdings, and its chair has said the panel hopes to make a conclusion at its fourth meeting Monday. The first-term lawmaker has come under fire following revelations that he had owned around 800,000 Wemix coins in 2021, worth around 6 billion won ($4.5 million), a significant amount inconsistent with his frugal image, spurring suspicions about where the money came from and whether he used insider information. Further fueling criticism of Kim were revelations that the young lawmaker had traded cryptocurrency coins while attending at least two meetings of the judiciary committee of the National Assembly in May and November of last year. Since the scandal surfaced, Kim quit the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and became an independent. The advisory panel, consisting of outside experts, is supposed to deliberate on the level of disciplinary measures against lawmakers referred to the ethics committee, and the panel's decision is usually endorsed by the committee. Earlier this month, the advisory panel questioned Kim to examine whether he had violated any laws in trading the assets. Kim refused to provide additional transaction data than what had been reported in the media, said Yoo Jae-pung, the advisory group's chair. Kim, however, admitted to trading coins while he was attending a supreme council meeting, Yoo said. (Yonhap) 1B Science Park Drive - Wet Lab ready-Units 1B Science Park Drive occupies a prime location right at the entrance of Geneo, the upcoming life sciences and innovation hub at Singapore Science Park I. With approximately 28,700 sqm of workspaces, the wet lab-ready units in the new Grade A building come with a chilled water system, central air-conditioning, raised floors and false ceilings. Tenants looking to co-locate their office and laboratory activities can enjoy maximum flexibility and operational efficiency here. As part of Geneo, the development will be supported with 3,600 sqm of retail, F&B and lifestyle amenities. With its underground connection to Kent Ridge MRT station, inhabitants can enjoy excellent convenience and accessibility getting here. Expected to be fully completed by 2025, 1B Science Park Drive's wet lab-ready units offer the option of converting to lab set-ups for biomedical R&D. For more information, please visit geneo.com.sg. 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... President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday to come up with measures to unify the government's oversight responsibilities for the foreign labor force, citing growing labor shortages at industrial sites, his spokesperson said. Yoon gave the instruction during a weekly meeting with Han at his office, saying the labor shortages are becoming serious despite the government's efforts due to "structural" reasons of a decline in the working age population, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon. "The president instructed the prime minister to come up with measures to unify oversight of the foreign labor force, which is scattered across ministries, to ensure it is managed comprehensively and flexibly in line with changes in the market," Lee said during a press briefing. "The prime minister reported that he would form a task force to unify oversight of the foreign labor force and swiftly come up with remedies," he said. Currently, the legal and administrative responsibilities concerning foreign workers are scattered across ministries, with the labor ministry handling nonprofessionals working for small and medium-sized companies, the agriculture ministry and local governments handling seasonal workers on farms, and the oceans ministry handling the hiring of seamen, the presidential office said. (Yonhap) FREETOWN (June 25, 2023) As the first day of tabulation draws to a close following the June 24 election in Sierra Leone, The Carter Center expresses concern about reports indicating a lack of transparency during parts of the tabulation process. The Carter Center calls for maximum transparency in the days ahead as election officials complete the tabulation of votes and prepare to release final results. In particular, we urge the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish results at the polling station level to allow for cross-verification by party agents, citizens observers, and international observers, and in accordance with international best practices. The Carter Center also urges all stakeholders to remain patient as the tabulation and results processes conclude. Only the ECSL can issue final results. We call on political parties not to release data on results gathered by their agents until after the ECSL. On election day, Carter Center observers witnessed Sierra Leoneans turning out to vote across the country, sometimes waiting hours to do so, in a demonstration of their commitment to democracy. To ensure that the will of the voters is respected, it is essential to ensure maximum transparency and verifiability of the final results. The Carter Center has been involved in Sierra Leones elections since 2002. For the June 24 elections, the Center deployed observers across all of Sierra Leones 16 electoral districts. Carter Center observers have been observing the tabulation process in the five regional centers, maintaining a 24-hours-a-day presence in the Western area and nearly 24 hours a day in other regions. ### Contact: In Atlanta, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org In Freetown, Nicholas Jahr, nicholas.jahr@cartercenter.org The Carter Center Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Provisional dispatches data show a mixed trend in June 2023 26 June 2023 All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) is yet to release overseas and local cement dispatch data. Local cement sales are expected to grow by two per cent MoM in June 2023, but down 16 per cent YoY in the FY22-23 (July 2022-June 2023), according to a local research house. Topline Securities said Pakistans total cement sales in June 2023 are expected to increase by two per cent MoM, reaching 4Mt. Similarly, local dispatches are also anticipated to rise by two per cent MoM to 3.5Mt. The limited growth can be attributed to lower working days due to the Eid holidays. This takes the average daily sales of the sector to 135,000td in June 2023, Topline's analysts estimated. Total cement dispatches in June 2023 are expected to be down around 23 per cent YoY, with local dispatches likely down by 30 per cent YoY. This decline is attributed to the overall economic slowdown. This takes the full-year FY22-23 cement industry sales to fall by 16 per cent YoY with local sales also posting a decline of 16 per cent YoY. Exports Exports during June 2023 are expected to increase by 100 per cent YoY and seven per cent MoM, reaching 0.57Mt mainly due to a 10 per cent decline in average coal prices during June 2023. It is worth noting that the decline in coal prices in recent months has made exports viable once again and experts anticipate that the upward trend in exports will continue. In FY22-23, export sales are expected to decline 13 per cent YoY due to the global economic slowdown and uncompetitive export prices as a result of higher domestic production costs. Utilisation and price trends Industry utilisation during June 2023 is anticipated to clock in at 59 per cent, with a full-year FY22-23 average of around 54 per cent. As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statics (PBS), cement retail prices in June 2023 averaged PKR1123/bag (US$3.92/bag) in the north, an increase of PKR30/bag from May 2023. In the south, average cement prices clocked in at PKR1166/bag, with no change from May 2023. Published under Vietnamese cement and clinker exports surge ICR Research By 26 June 2023 Total cement and clinker exports from Vietnam increased by 66 per cent to 2,633,428t in May 2023 when compared with May 2022. Cement exports surged by 69 per cent YoY to 1,974,348t while clinker exports advanced by 56 per cent to 659,080t in May 2023. Clinker was exported by non-VNCA members only, who supplied 659,080t of clinker to overseas markets, up 65 per cent YoY. They also exported the largest volume of cement 1,374,323t an increase of 56 per cent YoY. VICEM exported 331,113t of cement, up 55 per cent, while other VNCA members saw cement exports of 268,912t, up 267 per cent YoY, in May 2023. Meanwhile, cement dispatches in Vietnam declined 19 per cent YoY to 5,044,095t in May 2023, according to the Vietnam National Cement Association, VNCA. Of this total, 1,606,922t were dispatched by VICEM, down 18 per cent YoY and 1,037,173t, down 25 per cent YoY, by other VNCA members. Vietnams other cement producers sold 2,400,000t. January-May 2023 In the five-month period between January and May 2023, cement sales in Vietnam declined 16 per cent YoY to 23.689Mt. VICEM sales were down 16.8 per cent to 7.638Mt while other VNCA members saw their sales shrink by 26.1 per cent YoY to 4.741Mt. The countrys other cement producers reported a 12.1 per cent decrease in sales to 11.31Mt. Total exports reached 13.018Mt in the January-May 2023 period, which represents a decline of 15 per cent YoY. Cement exports advanced 19 per cent YoY to 8.381Mt during this period, but insufficient to offset the 44 per cent YoY drop in clinker exports to 4.637Mt. VICEMs cement exports declined by 17 per cent YoY to 1.3Mt, but other VNCA members saw their export sales increase by 60 per cent YoY to 0.793Mt. Non-VNCA members reported a 26 per cent upturn in cement exports to 6.298Mt. In terms of clinker, VICEM exported 54,905t, down 87 per cent YoY, while other VNCA members exported 26,810t, down 96 per cent. Vietnams other cement producers sold 4.555Mt of clinker overseas, down 37 per cent YoY. Published under Argos strike in French Guiana ends ICR Newsroom By 26 June 2023 The three-week strike at Argos Guyane in French Guiana has ended. On 24 June and following several days of talks, an end-of-strike was signed between the parties and the companys activities will resume on 26 June. The strike centred around three claims: a request for financial expertise, the arrival of the new CEO and the departure of the managers in place. While the first two claims were fully met, in terms of the departure of the current managers a different solution was found. From now on, executives will report directly to the CEO, bypassing the current managers. The strikers believe that this is a transitional period. Gary de la Rosa, CEO, also pledged to return in mid-July, for a week, to take stock of the hiring of an administrative and financial director and for "an internal reorganisation". Thereafter, he should also return to Guiana every two months for 10 days. "Argos Guyane highlights the importance of social dialogue, within the framework of workers' rights and the rights of the company, and recognises the willingness of the parties to find joint solutions. We also appreciate the accompaniment and mediation of the General Directorate of Cohesion and Populations (DGCOPOP) in the dialogue process to put an end to the cessation of activities," said Argos in a statement as it confirmed its commitment to continue to serve the country's development and its construction industry. Published under Derba Cement to expand capacity to 15,000tpd ICR Newsroom By 26 June 2023 Ethiopia-based Derba Midroc Cement, part of the Midroc Ethiopia plc, plans to expand its cement capacity to double its daily production to 15,000tpd with a new plant in Mughar Valley, Oromia not far from its existing plant. When completed, the producer will be the largest cement producer in Ethiopia. To implement the project, Derba looks to sign an agreement with China National Building Materials (CNBM) this week. Prior attempts to expand the production capacity in 2017 were constraint by a lack of power supply, according to Haile Assegide, Derbas general manager. The company requires a supply of 94MVA. However, the installation of a 23km-long power transmission line from nearby Chanco, representing an investment of US$12m, is progressing in line with the project schedule. The project contractor, Sinohydro Construction Ltd, has already completed the civil work, said Mr Assegide. The new plant is expected to start production in the next two years, with construction to commence in the next six month. It will provide more than 3000 job opportunities and help to meet the demand for cement. According to the study conducted by the Ministry of Mines, despite domestic demand reaching 36Mta, the actual supply provided by the countrys cement sector currently stands at 7.6Mta. Mismatches in demand and supply are further exacerbated by the 60 per cent drop in production from the target set at the outset of this year. Industry insiders attribute the considerable deficit to recurrent security issues, the inadequacy of input supplies, and the forex crunch haunting the import-export sector. Published under President Yoon Suk Yeol is weighing replacing the unification and industry ministers in a small-scale Cabinet reshuffle, a source at the presidential office said Monday. The source told Yonhap News Agency that Yoon is mulling replacing the chiefs of the unification and industry ministries, but uncertainty still remains due to unspecified "variables." Kim Young-ho, a professor at Sungshin Women's University and the chief of an advisory committee designed to lay out a new vision on unification, is being considered as the most likely successor to Unification Minister Kwon Young-se. Kwon, a longtime politician, reportedly voiced his willingness to return to the ruling party in a bid to run for next year's general elections. Bang Moon-kyu, minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, is reportedly deemed as a potential successor to Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang. Yoon has been also weighing a sweeping reshuffle in vice ministers to give a boost to key state projects in his administration's second year in office. (Yonhap) Rain falls on Jeju International Airport on the southern island of Jeju, June 25. Yonhap The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol is working in emergency response mode to monitor possible damage from the annual monsoon season, which began over the weekend, an official said Monday. Heavy rains soaked the nation overnight, with the capital area and other inland regions receiving 10-20 millimeters of rain per hour as of 7 a.m., according to the national weather agency. Yoon instructed the government upon returning from a trip to France and Vietnam on Saturday to thoroughly prepare against damage from the monsoon, especially casualties. Pedestrians holding umbrellas cross a road in Busan, Monday, as the annual monsoon season starts. Yonhap Gov't enters emergency response mode as monsoon season begins By Lee Hae-rin Seoul and its surrounding areas are forecast to see up to 100 millimeters of heavy rain with a chance of thunderstorms for two days until Tuesday as the annual monsoon season has begun, the state weather agency said Monday. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said the country will see heavy showers from Monday to Tuesday, with Seoul forecasted to receive 40 millimeters to 100 millimeters of rain per hour during the daytime. The national weather forecast agency issued heavy rain warnings for Jeju Island and southern provincial areas, Sunday, and expanded the forecasts to South Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province on Monday morning. The areas surrounding Seoul and inland areas of Gangwon, Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang provinces saw 20 millimeters to 40 millimeters of rain per hour by Monday night while rural southern regions and Jeju Island were expected to receive as much as 60 millimeters of rain by Tuesday morning, the KMA said. The KMA expects the nation to see a brief lull in the rain Tuesday afternoon, but heavy downpours are forecast to resume on Wednesday and continue through Saturday. Meanwhile, the government went into a 24-hour emergency response mode nationwide to monitor for damage caused by torrential rains, Monday. An official inspects a rainwater pump station in Seoul's southern Gwanak District to prepare for heavy rain as the annual monsoon season begins, Monday. Yonhap An officer working an extra job at Walmart, 2020 Gunbarrel Road, was notified by an employee about an incident that occurred prior to police arrival. The employee showed the officer a video of a customer selecting a suitcase and placing it in a shopping cart. The customer then proceeded to the trading card section and began emptying cases of MLB trading cards into the suitcase. He zipped up the suitcase and proceeded to the self-checkout, where he scanned only the suitcase. As he was trying to pay for the suitcase, he was approached by a Walmart employee, who asked him to open the suitcase, revealing the concealed merchandise. The customer then left the store and the employee was able to recover the merchandise. * * * A woman told police her girlfriend's ex-boyfriend went to her place of work at the Speedway, 4355 Hwy 58, while she was not present, asking her coworkers question about her. She also said she had seen him at various locations on multiple occasions, however, she did not give specifics. Police informed her of the process to obtain a TPO against the man. * * * The owner of the property surrounding the cul-de-sac at 5598 Clear Creek Dr. told police he wants all people found in the homeless camps to be trespassed from the property and is willing to prosecute. * * * Concerned patrons of the Circle K, 3729 Tennessee Ave., called police saying a man in the parking lot was lying down. They said they spoke with the man and he said he was just dehydrated. Police spoke with the man and identified him. He said he was from the Cleveland area and currently lives at the Red Roof Inn off of Williams Street. He told police he was just dehydrated and did not need an ambulance or any medical attention. He said he was dehydrated from walking around all day and just wanted to sit down. Police offered the man a ride back to the Red Roof Inn and he got in the patrol vehicle, and as we they were leaving the gas station turning on to Tennessee Avenue, he asked to get out and walk to the hotel. Police let him out and pointed him in the direction of The Red Roof Inn. The man has no Watson history nor any negative returns. * * * A woman on Ohls Avenue told police she had heard someone to the rear of her residence banging on the fence, but she did not observe anyone outside. Responding officers checked the property and did not locate anyone in the area. * * * Police found a couple sitting inside a silver van (TN tag) just south of 7720 Lee Hwy., behind the cemetery. The woman said they were just eating breakfast together in a secluded area. Both of them were queried in NCIC and did not have any active warrants. The woman had a revoked license, so the man said he will be driving them to their next destination. * * * Police observed a red and black dirt bike with the rear fender broken off and melted down (consistent with riding wheelies in a reckless manner), parked behind the Motel 6 at 7707 Lee Hwy. The dirt bike is not street legal and does not have a license plate. The VIN number was queried and did not yield a return. There is a chance that this bike may be involved in reckless driving and evading police, but there is no evidence of that at this time. * * * Employees at the Circle K, 4026 Shallowford Road, told police someone came into the store and grabbed two 12-pack boxes of Corona and exited the store without paying. The suspect got into a dark colored car that left the scene. Over my lifetime Ive attended a number of stage plays, including a couple on Broadway in New York City and others produced by local theatre groups. Members of the audience get caught up in the action, the singing, the storylines being performed. But usually, the stuff thats happening behind the scenes escapes our attention. Things like the simple but necessary acts of raising and lowering the curtain; moving scenery and stage props around; controlling the lighting for maximum impact; helping actors with costume changes. If done properly, we shouldnt be consciously aware of such things. But wed notice, wouldnt we, if the curtain didnt go up on schedule or if it suddenly lowered at the wrong moment? Or if an actresss wig were askew? Or if the percussionist in the orchestra hit the bass drum or cymbals at the wrong moment? What brings this to mind is understanding that of all the great things God does, one of His best is working behind the scenes, fulfilling His plans in ways we cant always see and sometimes couldnt even imagine. Our pastor has been taking us through the Old Testament book of Ruth, a wonderful story of tragedy and loss, redemption and restoration. The account of widow Naomi, who lost her husband and two sons years after moving to the pagan country of Moab, and Ruth, her faithful daughter-in-law. The story includes numerous circumstances that just so happen seeming coincidences that prove integral to Gods overall purpose and plan. To summarize the story, after Naomis husband, Elimelech, and her sons have died, she resolves to return to Bethlehem, her hometown. One daughter-in-law, Orpah, decides to remain in Moab, but Ruth utters the words (Ruth 1:16) that songstress Patti Page turned into a hit tune decades ago: Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; your people will be my people. When they arrive at Bethlehem, Naomi and Ruth are destitute. In those days there was no welfare program; all they could count on was the law of gleaning, at harvest time leaving some grain behind for the poor and aliens to gather. Naomi sends Ruth to gather what little food she can find. Ruth unknowingly happens to start working in a field owned by Boaz, a member of Elimelechs family. Boaz happens to be a kind man who takes compassion on lowly Ruth, even though as a Moabitess she is from a people despised by the Jews. Boaz introduces himself to Ruth and decides to reciprocate the favor she has shown in staying with Naomi. He directs her to work in his fields only, knowing men in other fields would likely take advantage of her. He generously feeds her and instructs his laborers to leave extra gleanings for her to collect. The story gives other examples of how Boaz, much older than Ruth, extends kindness to her exceeding anything she could have hoped to receive. On the face of it, this story might seem like a simple case of being in the right place at the right time. However, in reviewing the human lineage of Jesus Christ that opens the New Testament gospel of Matthew, we read these words: Boaz, the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth (Matthew 1:5). It goes on to state Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of King David. Boaz, through Ruth, became the great-grandfather of the king of Israel. God had a plan. God carried out His plan. And Ruth, an unlikely heroine, became a key part of His plan. Looking over the course of our lives, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, we too can find instances of things that just so happened, seeming coincidences that were actually God at work in His way, in His time, for our good and His divine purposes. I think back over my life. My first newspaper job was in a small Ohio town where I worked as a journalistic jack-of-all-trades, doing everything from news reporting to editorials, to obituaries and wedding announcements, to taking photos. During that time, I also met my wife. Nearly seven years later I was hired as editor of a community newspaper in Texas, where I not only honed my craft as a journalist as well as a publisher, but also began attending a church with my family where we met Jesus Christ. A few years later I was looking for the next step for advancing my career when the only job opportunity that presented itself was an editorial position with a marketplace ministry called CBMC. I wont recount dozens, even hundreds of other circumstances that transpired as God unfolded His plan for me and my family. But I assure you, these were not coincidences. They could not all have happened, one following another, if God had not been at work behind the scenes [doing] immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). The words from the old praise song remind us, When you dont understand, when you cant see His plan, when you cant trace His hand, trust His heart. I love the promise of Philippians 2:13, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. * * * Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: BABB, PHOEBE ROSE 1735 URBAN TRAIL CHATTANOOGA, Age at Arrest: 20 years old Arresting Agency: Red Bank DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BALLANGER, JEREMY ANDREW 4611 WOODMORE VIEW CIRCLE CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS BROCK, SHIRLEY DENISE 6324 HIXSON PIKE APT A14 HIXSON, 373433048 Age at Arrest: 60 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS HARASSMENT BROWN, ELEANOR BARRETT 7842 HUNTINGTON FOREST DRIVE HIXON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 39 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff BURGLARY CALLOWAY, RAWLAND 5216 POLK ST CHATTANOOGA, 00000 Age at Arrest: 43 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff ASSAULT CHANEY, DAVONTE TAQUAN 1522 HAPPY VALLEY RD ROSSVILLE, 30741 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT CONNAR, MELISSA DAWN 727 E 11TH STREET HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37403 Age at Arrest: 43 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff FUGITIVE (FT OGLETHORPE GEORGIA) COUSIN, RAVON MALEICK 7102 TYNER CROSSING DR CHATTANOOGA, 374211097 Age at Arrest: 25 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DISORDERLY CONDUCT PUBLIC INTOXICATION DONEGAN, NATHANIEL DAYWON 4712 JERSEY PIKE APT 301 CHATTANOOGA, 374162330 Age at Arrest: 20 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF BURGLARY OF AUTO DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE DISORDERLY CONDUCT POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED EVADING ARREST RETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICER RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS ERSKINE, JOKOBIEA 8155 ZOE DRIVE OOLTEWAH, 37363 Age at Arrest: 27 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge ALIAS CAPIAS FANT, JAMES 2717 ROSSVILLE BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT GAINES, KARON DURRELL 2708 WOODSIDE STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37407 Age at Arrest: 33 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD AGGRAVATED ASSAULT GARCIA, RENE A 4145 PARKWAY CITY ATLANTA, 30308 Age at Arrest: 48 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE LIGHT LAW VIOLATION GRAY, JEFFERY REID 1424 AUGUST DR HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 43 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) GREER, DAVID B 1046 OLD MILL LN HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: TWRA Game/Fish BOATING RULES AND REGULATIONS BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BOAT (VESSEL) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER VIOLATION HODGE, BRIAN ANTHONY 94 PICKETT RD SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, 373777742 Age at Arrest: 47 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE JENKINS, SAINH DESHAWN 3012 WOODSIDE ST CHATTANOOGA, 374071252 Age at Arrest: 19 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS EVADING ARREST POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE LAWRENCE-GREEN, AUDREY ELAINE 2317 E 5TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 55 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) LEIVA, MORALES AXAL AMILCAR 383 ROXBURY CIRCLE HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 45 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE MATHIS, MARCUS DEWAIN 3711 HOYT ST CHATTANOOGA, 374111526 Age at Arrest: 45 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DISORDERLY CONDUCT MCCARY, MISTA JULIUS 834 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE RECKLESS DRIVING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MCCROSKEY, NAKEEHA DEWAYNE 800 MCCALLIE AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374032612 Age at Arrest: 47 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC ASSAULT THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER $1,000.00 MCDONALD, DANIEL JACOB 158 ORCHARD AVE ROSSVILLE, 30741 Age at Arrest: 34 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge DISORDERLY CONDUCT PUBLIC INTOXICATION MELVIN, VESTA LAMAR 3412 1ST AVENUE APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37407 Age at Arrest: 54 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) PARKS, JAMES JOSEPH 5700 ROPER ST APT 66 EAST RIDGE, 37412 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff ASSAULT PAYNE, STEPHEN MURRAY 458 BEREAN LANE HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 33 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) PICKLESIMER, HOYLE LEE 10113 BIRCHWOOD PIKE HARRISON, 37341 Age at Arrest: 38 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) PIERCE, CHERYL SUE 3820 THRUSHWOOD DR CHATTANOOGA, 37415 Age at Arrest: 58 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD ASSAULT DISORDERLY CONDUCT RAINES, JONATHAN TYLER 16861 US 11 WILDWOOD, 30757 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) REDDEN, LAURA BETH 5970 DAYTON BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 374151212 Age at Arrest: 46 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION OF FOR RESALE SCHMUCKER, AUSTIN WADE 557 CARDINAL RD RINGGOLD, 30736 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY SHEPARD, LUCAS JOEY 915 W PINE ST Rossville, 307412983 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE SMITH, DYLAN SETH HOMELESS RED BANK, 37415 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA STEWART, DAVID EUGENE 990 SNYDER LOOP GRAYSVILLE, 37327 Age at Arrest: 41 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SUTTON, TAMIA AALYAH 51I EACS CHATTANOOGA, 374113325 Age at Arrest: 21 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE NO PROOF OF INSURANCE OPEN CONTAINER LAW DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT (PARKED VEHICLE) FAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY TAYLOR, CHRISTOPHER NICHOLAS 762 ASHLAND TER CHATTANOOGA, 374153536 Age at Arrest: 40 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD AGGRAVATED ASSAULT THOMAS, CODY WILLIAM 11186 DAYTON PIKE SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy PUBLIC INTOXICATION TOPACIO, MICHAEL JAMES 6220 SHALLOWFORD RD CHATTANOOGA, 374216921 Age at Arrest: 33 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSSESSION OF FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE VELAZQUEZ MORALES, DARMI REYNAU 1615 GLOWMONT DR CHATTANOOGA, 37412 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge DOMESTIC ASSAULT FALSE IMPRISONMENT WATKINS, NATHAN ANDER 1703 STANFIEL ST. CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 44 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankDOMESTIC ASSAULTYANG, JAY SUH2700 APPLEBROOK LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 77 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPUBLIC INDECENCY Here are the mug shots: BABB, PHOEBE ROSE Age at Arrest: 20 Date of Birth: 09/14/2002 Arresting Agency: Red Bank Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BALLANGER, JEREMY ANDREW Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 06/06/1986 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) CONTRABAND IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS BROCK, SHIRLEY DENISE Age at Arrest: 60 Date of Birth: 08/09/1962 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS HARASSMENT BROWN, ELEANOR BARRETT Age at Arrest: 39 Date of Birth: 01/17/1984 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): BURGLARY CALLOWAY, RAWLAND Age at Arrest: 43 Date of Birth: 12/06/1952 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): ASSAULT CHANEY, DAVONTE TAQUAN Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 09/07/1999 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT CONNAR, MELISSA DAWN Age at Arrest: 43 Date of Birth: 10/19/1979 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): FUGITIVE (FT OGLETHORPE GEORGIA) ERSKINE, JOKOBIEA Age at Arrest: 27 Date of Birth: 01/18/1996 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): ALIAS CAPIAS FANT, JAMES Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 01/17/2001 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT GAINES, KARON DURRELL Age at Arrest: 33 Date of Birth: 04/19/1990 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOM ASSUALT) POSS. OF HEROIN FOR RESALE POSS. OF MARIHUANA FOR RESALE POSS. OF FENTANYL FOR RESALE GRAY, JEFFERY REID Age at Arrest: 43 Date of Birth: 05/20/1980 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) LAWRENCE-GREEN, AUDREY ELAINE Age at Arrest: 55 Date of Birth: 12/24/1967 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MATHIS, MARCUS DEWAIN Age at Arrest: 45 Date of Birth: 12/01/1977 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): DISORDERLY CONDUCT MCCARY, MISTA JULIUS Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 05/26/2001 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT W/DAMAGE TO VEHICLE RECKLESS DRIVING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MCCROSKEY, NAKEEHA DEWAYNE Age at Arrest: 47 Date of Birth: 08/04/1975 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC ASSAULT THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER $1,000.00 MCDONALD, DANIEL JACOB Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 01/30/1989 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Charge(s): DISORDERLY CONDUCT PUBLIC INTOXICATION MELVIN, VESTA LAMAR Age at Arrest: 54 Date of Birth: 08/01/1968 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) PAYNE, STEPHEN MURRAY Age at Arrest: 33 Date of Birth: 11/02/1989 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) PICKLESIMER, HOYLE LEE Age at Arrest: 38 Date of Birth: 08/03/1984 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) RAINES, JONATHAN TYLER Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 05/03/1992 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 06/25/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) We can say with a good degree of confidence that the vast majority of United States citizens desire to be good citizens. It is hard to imagine many people, if asked, would say that they strive to be poor citizens. We may disagree on what it means to be a good citizen, but within our own definitions, we all want to be good ones. An important component of being a good citizen is being an informed and knowledgeable citizen. That means having a working knowledge of how our government is structured, how it functions, the role of the different branches of government, their separate powers, the branches responsibilities, and the limitations on their powers. Without such knowledge, it is nearly impossible for us to fulfill our duties or wisely exercise our privileges as citizens. Recent National Assessment of Educational Progress Report Collectively, how do we rate as informed citizens? Unfortunately, national surveys generally show we are not acquiring and retaining the knowledge that makes for good citizenship. A recent example is the latest report of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is often called the nations report card. This assessment is required by Congress to assess and track the educational achievements of students in U.S. schools. The latest NAEP report, released just a few weeks ago, demonstrates that students are moving backward, not forward, in critical civics knowledge. The NAEP shows that only 22 percent of eighth graders were proficient in civics, including the U.S. political system, principles of democracy, and other topics. Meanwhile, only 13 percent of eighth graders were proficient in history. Both measures demonstrate a decline from the 2018 assessment. This was the first decline recorded since the NAEP civics assessment was first administered in 1998. This decline in civics proficiency, while only by two percentage points, is especially discouraging given the recent increase in focus and attention on civics education and knowledge. The recent NAEP report appears to show that we are falling further behind, rather than progressing as hoped. The Founders Assumed an Informed Citizenry The founders hoped and assumed that the nation would have an informed citizenry. Thomas Jefferson stated this assumption frequently: A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny. If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy. I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power. Convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, and that they are not safe unless enlightened to a certain degree, I have looked on our present state of liberty as a short-lived possession unless the mass of the people could be informed to a certain degree. Other founders agreed. James Madison stated, Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. Sam Adams stated, If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security. Benjamin Rush stated, Where the common people are ignorant and vicious, a nation, and above all, a republican nation, can never be long free. Knowledge of Civics Does Not Come Through Osmosis. How did the founders expect successive generations of citizens would become informed and knowledgeable about our government? While today we think of schools and colleges as major sources of civics knowledge, at the time of the founding, public education was largely unknown, and a college education was rare. One figure is that in 1800, only around twenty-five colleges existed in the new United States. Yale, as the largest college in the United States, had only 217 students in 1800. Across the new country, just over one thousand students attended college. Obviously, then, the founders did not think that succeeding generations would learn about the values, ideas, ideals, and beliefs of citizenship from schools. Nor did they assume that this knowledge would be passed on by osmosis or through drinking the water. Rather, they must have assumed that this necessary knowledge would be passed down through families, churches, public institutions, newspapers, and other available sources. The founders must have assumed that what makes us Americans would be intentionally passed down from one generation to the next. Conclusion We are blessed today with a large number of schoolselementary, secondary, public and private, and colleges and universitiesand these schools must play an important role in civics education. However, we cannot rely on schools alone to educate current and future generations on civics. We each must play our part, too. If you know about civics, look for opportunities to pass that knowledge on. Civics education is still today, as it was during the time of the founding, a job for each and every one of us. Curtis L. Collier United States District Judge Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee Carrie Brown Stefaniak Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Past President, Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Karen L. Sheng Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Shaw Industries Group Inc. announces that Claude Ricky Cook, a Shaw driver for the past 38 years, has been inducted into the National Private Truck Councils Hall of Fame. Mr. Cook received the honor for amassing 4.4 million miles without a preventable or moving accident and became the fifth Shaw driver in the NPTC Hall of Fame. Ricky and our previously inducted Hall of Fame drivers embody the epitome of excellence and serve as prime examples of why Shaws greatest asset is always our people, said Dean Orem, Shaws vice president of global logistics. Rickys accomplishment affirms Shaws commitment to a culture of safety and makes me proud to be on the same team. Congratulations Ricky on this well-deserved honor. Only four drivers are selected each year from NPTC member fleets and only 144 have ever made the rank. These inductees represent the best of the best," said Tom Moore, NPTC executive vice president. "They are the cream of the crop. They are the pinnacle of excellence in this industry. They are the people that everyone aspires to be like. We thank them for their years of service, their dedication, their focus, their extreme sense of care, their honesty, their embodiment of the golden rule they live it every day. This is a real tribute to a job well done for them. Mr. Cook joined Shaw in 1984 and has served in many roles, from spotter to trainer and driving nearly every rig in the fleet. He is currently a tanker driver hauling materials from the railyard to Shaws Plant SI in Chickamauga. I got cold chills when I was told the news, recalled Mr. Cook. It is a huge honor and a great pleasure to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Mr. Cook takes safety seriously and works hard to remain up to date on all training and certifications. He competes in state-level driving competitions and teaches defensive driving for the next generation of professional drivers, further embracing Shaws commitment to workplace safety. For more information on Mr. Cooks career and this years inductees, please visit nptc.org. (Editors Note: This is the second of three parts of a historical essay recently written by longtime Sale Creek historian and author Curtis Coulter about the long-forgotten story of how World War II prisoners of war housed at area military bases and camps were used in the once-thriving peach industry in Sale Creek. Part 2 takes up after POWs were secured and arrived in the area from Fort Oglethorpe and Camp Forrest near Tullahoma). The first group arrived early in the spring and began the process of pruning trees, clearing brush, and spraying the trees and young fruit. An Eldridge family member told the Chattanooga Times reporter, The forty who had been here all along seemed just heartbroken when they were detailed to another place. They had worked on the peaches for months spraying, dusting, and thinning. They had shown such interest in their work, and they wanted to see how the peaches turned out. Weve never had better workers. Neither the book nor the article explained where this group of forty prisoners camped while in Sale Creek, but it is possible that they were housed at Grovers farm on North Lee Pike near Browns Bridge because the large encampment had not been constructed at that time. When I asked several elderly members of the community in 1990 about the number of prisoners in Sale Creek, I tended to get two types of answers. Some said that there were only 25-30 in all. This must have been a reference to the advance party of forty that arrived early and stayed through the spring and early summer. Others replied that there were at least eighteen eight-man tents located in the prison compound. Actually, the number of tents required for this group would have been a minimum of thirty-one plus other tents for cooking and other uses. This second reference had to have been a reference to the main body of 247 prisoners that arrived in mid-July of 1945. Plus, the actual compound was not erected until the middle of July. Prisoners of war were expected to work on tasks that were assigned to them by the War Manpower Commission, which certified the need for labor and decided the number of prisoners that were needed for a particular project. In the case of the Sale Creek camp, the commission decided on 200-250 prisoners that would be needed to save the Sale Creek peach crop of Grover Eldridge. Editors note: No prisoners worked for the Ell-Dee Orchard Company. The prisoners were secured under private contracts by which the farm owners or operators paid the Treasury of the United States the standard area rate for certain types of farm labor on an hourly basis. The prisoner of war got the standard rate of eighty cents per day, which was also approximately the same as the pay for a private in the United States Army. The wage was not paid directly to the prisoner but was given in credit to the prisoners account in the camp to which he was assigned, in this case, Camp Forrest. The prisoner could draw on that account at the camp commissary in order to get personal toiletry items, cigarettes, or soft drinks. A discrepancy was noted concerning the pay allocated for the prisoners. One source said the contract called for $0.30 per hour, which amounted to almost $50.00 per month, which was the same as an Army private. Another source said that the prisoner was paid $0.80 per day which would amount to approximately $16.00 - $20.00 per month based on a five-day week. The most authoritative source appears to be $0.80 per day. At this point, everything was set to go. Several days before the group of 247 prisoners arrived, Army troops in large trucks began arriving in Sale Creek and proceeded to the campsite. That site was located about 200 yards south of the Leggett Road railroad crossing and on the west side of the tracks. In my younger years, that large ten or twelve-acre field was known as Carl Reavleys pasture, which stretched a couple of hundred yards south from Pat Hoffmans sawmill to the lower Sale Creek railroad crossing at Reavley Road. Then it went west along Reavley Road to Back Valley Road, then northwest several hundred yards, and then turned east again following Pat Hoffmans sawmill property back to the main gate on Wall Street. The prison compound did not cover the whole field but was about seventy-five yards deep from the railroad and stretched from Hoffmans Mill to Reavley Road. All of the following conversations included in this story were either taped or noted verbatim by this author and then transcribed into "A Sentimental Journey Down Country Roads." None has been altered with the exception of some spellings of words or corrections in grammar. All the recorded conversations took place in the winter and spring of 1990. In a 1990 interview, George W. (Billy) Ray talked about the construction of the camp. He was thirteen years old at the time, but he had a vivid recollection of some of the sights and sounds. At that time, he was working for Grover Eldridge in the Hamilton Orchards shed across the railroad tracks from the Ell-Dees packing house. He related that one day in July a group of soldiers came into town and began stringing barbed wire in the field across the railroad from Grovers facility. We used to go down there along the railroad and play on the old planer sawdust pile. That thing was bigger than a house. Wed get boards that Pat Hoffman had discarded and get up on that pile and slide down just like you would if it had been snow, he recalled. Well, we kept seeing them build a big old fence right down beside the planer mill. I guess it was right over there where they were going to put that coal crusher one time, somewhere around there close. Well, we kept wondering what was going on. Being kids, we were curious and too afraid to go and ask. Then along about peach season, they started putting up tents. They didnt have any permanent structures or portable structures, just tents, you know. Another fifteen-year-old boy who remembered the camp quite vividly was Alvin Ray Davis, who recollected vivid details. When asked about the size of the camp, he said that it was a large, barbed-wire enclosed compound that extended from Pat Hoffmans sawdust pile at the end of Wall Street all the way to its southern boundary at Reavley Road. From the railroad, it extended about seventy-five yards deep, forming a long rectangular shape. He also recalled a large number of eight-man tents. In addition, there were always several Army trucks parked in the compound. Those trucks were used daily to transport the prisoners to the various Eldridge orchards scattered all over Hodgetown, Lee Pike, and Bakewell. The entrance for the trucks was from Wall Street close to the Perry A. Wall house, and the gate for prisoners to exit the compound was along the railroad side of the camp, opposite the packing house. On July 19, 1945, trucks began arriving carrying the 247 prisoners. For the first couple of days, the prisoners settled in and prepared their living quarters. They were also oriented to the task they were assigned to do. West Tennessee native and U.S. Army 1st Lt. John B. Luders of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee commanded the 247 German prisoners which included 171 enlisted men, 29 non-commissioned officers, and one officer. That sum totaled 201 prisoners. There is no mention of the other 46 prisoners; however, there were cooks and a doctor in the group, so those individuals as well as possibly others could have accounted for the missing forty-six. Billy Ray continued, One day they brought them in and said they were the peach pickers. Why, I guess there were a couple hundred prisoners in there. I know there was a bunch of them. They picked for Grover Eldridge. They didnt pick for Ell-Dee at all. I dont know how Grover swung the deal, and I dont even know where they came from. I know that the guards were out of Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia. There were at least twenty or twenty-five Army soldiers guarding the Germans, at least that many and maybe more. There had to be that many in order to guard that many Germans, he continued. Editors note: First lieutenants usually commanded a platoon of approximately forty soldiers. Willard Hodge also remembered the guards and the fact that he had talked with them on several occasions. He confirmed that all of the guards were sent to Sale Creek from Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Sylvia, his wife, also recalled the wire fences higher than a mans head and topped with barbed wire. She also stated something that no other interviewee mentioned the ground inside the compound was covered with wood shavings and sawdust from Pat Hoffmans sawmill next door, probably to help combat dustiness in dry conditions or mud when rainy. In the interview, Billy was asked about whether there were any escape attempts. He replied to his knowledge none of the prisoners ever tried to escape. [Authors note: At this point, the war was over and the prisoners were waiting to be repatriated back to Germany.] It wouldnt have done them any good. Probably ninety-nine percent of them could not even speak English. Youd hear them talking in German when they got off the trucks at the end of the day. Of course, they probably wouldnt have spoken English in front of anyone anyway, but I never heard any of them speak English. Actually, there was no possible place for the prisoners to go, even if they had escaped; therefore, there were never any known escape attempts. That fact was echoed by Al Davis, who said that there were no attempts of which he was aware, and that even if they had, there was nowhere for them to go, just the same as Billy Rays words. As a young teenager at the time, Al had the presence of mind to approach a guard and ask him that question. He said the same thing as Billy Ray and Al Davis. The guard further stated that the prisoners did not want to escape at this point, probably because the war was over, Germany had lost, and they were waiting to go home. There was a rumor, unfounded and most likely false and promulgated by a prejudiced local town person who was trying to either inflame or scare people, that one or two of the prisoners did escape and were captured near Dayton, but there was never a confirmation of that rumor. Actually, no trustworthy account ever surfaced about an escape attempt, plus, as mentioned above, the war was over, and there was no reason for the prisoners to even try at this point. Al Davis repeated something that Billy Ray mentioned below, namely that the guards did not want people hanging around close to the fence. He said that the guards would absolutely not allow anyone to loiter around the sides or the along the back of the compound fence; however, if someone wanted to talk to a prisoner along the railroad gate, the guards allowed it if permission was requested. With that being the case, Al asked the guards on a number of occasions and was granted permission to talk with several of the Germans. One day he struck up a conversation with an older prisoner who said that his home was in a town near Berlin and that he had been captured in the North African campaign just like most of the other prisoners. During their conversation, he vented to Al his hatred of Adolf Hitler and told the young American boy that he was disgusted with the Fuhrer. As the man spoke, he spat each time he mentioned Hitlers name. He further stated that his entire family had been killed in an Allied bombing raid for which he blamed Hitler and the Nazis. A distinction needs to be made here. Regular German prisoners of war were separated from hard-line Nazis. As a rule, the United States Army did not allow hardened Nazi Party members to be in camps with ordinary Wehrmacht troops. They did not get along, and the Nazis stirred up trouble for their fellow POWs as well as with the Army troops and any locals with whom they might be in contact. In addition, all German troops were not Nazis. In another conversation, one of the prisoners said that America was a beautiful country and that he would like to live there. Billy Ray continued, The guards were armed, of course, and guarded the fence at all times. Sentries with bayonet-tipped rifles patrolled the outside of the fence and kept anyone from getting too close. They did not want you hanging around the fence. About the closest we ever got was, like I say, over there on the railroad tracks along the side except for the time the guard took me inside. The episode to which Billy referred took place several days after the prisoners arrived and began work. At that time most children rarely wore shoes during the summer while they worked in the orchards or around the packing houses. While turning peach baskets one day, Billy stepped on a piece of rusty barbed wire and cut his foot. He left it unattended for a couple of days until it became very painful, and he developed a limp from the injury. Mrs. Georgia Eldridge, Grovers wife, noticed Billy limping around that morning and feared that the cut had become infected. She called one of the Armys guards from the compound and told him to take Billy over to the camp and let the German doctor see if he could do something about the cut on his foot. She told the guard to take me over there, and he did. The doctor looked at my foot and said, Ya, ya, no lines, no lines. No blood poisoning, which meant that there were no tell-tale red streaks extending up the leg which would have signaled blood poisoning. The doctor spoke broken English while talking to Billy. He continued, He swabbed a little Q-tip type of thing into the cut and cleaned it out. Billy made a complete recovery from the injury and was always appreciative of the German doctors care that day. As a result of the doctor visit, Billy was one of only a minute handful of local people who went inside the German compound. The other instance will be covered later in this treatise. The Prisoners Work in the Orchards After a couple of days of settling into their quarters, the prisoners went to work. Many were assigned to actually pick the peaches. Each morning the Armys trucks began shuttling prisoners and their guards to the Eldridge orchards which by this time were the largest in Sale Creek because the Ell-Dee and partnership orchards were beginning to shrink in size because of the loss of the twenty-eight year old Shipley Hill Orchard (over 100 acres), and the deteriorating state of the massive Big Ridge Orchard (over 200 acres). In addition to the pickers, some of the prisoners were detailed to work around the packing house. Al Davis related that the only jobs the prisoners were allowed to do was (1) picking the peaches, (2) loading baskets onto box cars, and (3) unloading supplies. They were never allowed in the packing houses where women, children, and old men were working. Al remembered quite well one incident that happened as a group of prisoners unloaded basket liners one day from a train car. Basket liners were cardboard or heavy paper liners that went on the inside of the peach baskets to protect the fruit from being bruised or cut against the wooden slats. The liners were packaged inside one another much like cupcake wrappers. Then they were wrapped in brown paper packaging. These were the large bundles that the prisoners were unloading that day. As the work progressed, one of the bosses in the packing house noticed that the prisoners were dropping a lot of the bundles off the train and onto the ground, supposedly by accident. In actuality, they were hoping that one of the bundles would break open so that they could see what was in the package. Finally, the boss in the shed told the burly sergeant what the prisoners were doing. This sergeant was a veteran of the North African campaign and had been wounded in action there. He had been sent back to the United States to recuperate. That was the reason he was guarding prisoners in Sale Creek. Editors note: All or nearly all of the prisoners of war had been part of Erwin Rommels Afrika Korps and had been taken prisoner in North Africa as well. When the sergeant heard about the problem, he walked over to the prisoners and told them, Now, I know that all of you let on like you do not understand English, and I know for a fact that you do understand English, so Im telling you just one time. If one more bundle of liners hits the ground, then Im going to blow your rear ends off. Al Ray Davis said that the remainder of the bundles were handled like they were eggshells. He continued by saying that this incident dispelled the notion that none of the German prisoners could speak English. Many of them could, they just did not speak it unless they were spoken to by an American or unless they had a good reason to do so. In his book, Dr. Antonio Thompson quotes from an Army inspection report that On most days, POW labor worked out great, however, on July 23, 1945, the men did not perform the job as they had before. While that was never fully explained, what it likely meant was that they did not reach their quota. Their U.S. military supervisor addressed this by requiring them to work longer the next day. According to 1st Lt. Luders, and in response to the inspection report, he noted on August 1, 1945, that the POWs had completed 276 man-days of work on the camp and 2,294 man-days of work in agriculture. Because of the effectiveness of the German POWs, in 1946 when the peach crop topped 90,000 bushels, orchard owners who needed help lamented the fact that the German POW labor was not available The only other misbehavior by a prisoner of which local people were aware involved an incident in which some of the graders on the sorting line noticed several peaches come through with swastikas scratched in the skins. They collected several specimens and called one of the guards and showed him. He told them, Just dont worry about this, itll never happen again. Ill see to that. No one knows what happened, but the incident was never repeated. To close their story in the orchards, the fact of the matter is that the 247 prisoners did a marvelous job of saving Grover Eldridges peach crop that year. Nearly all the peaches were picked and shipped. There are no figures for the final count of bushel baskets, but it was a very profitable year for Eldridge. To be continued Maggie Haimelin of Chattanooga on Saturday was selected as the first runner-up in the Distinguished Young Women National Finals competition and was presented with a cash scholarship of $20,000. Ms. Haimelin earned preliminary competition awards in the fitness and talent categories for $2,000 in additional cash scholarships. Following a selection process that began in her home state of Tennessee, Ms. Haimelin began preparing for the 66th annual scholarship competition. The competition was held at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Al. Thursday was the first night of preliminary competition and Friday was the second night of preliminary competition. Ms. Haimelin is a graduate of Notre Dame High School. In the fall, she will attend the University of Alabama with plans to become a physician assistant. She is the daughter of Barbara and Daniel Haimelin. Carrington Hodge of Helena, Al., was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2023 and presented with a $40,000 cash scholarship. Madison Parker of Indiana was selected as second runner-up and Megan Tandar of Utah was selected as third runner-up. $155,000 in total cash scholarships was awarded during the three-day competition. Communist China is moving quickly to replace the U.S. as the worlds preeminent superpower and its no surprise. The only thing standing between the Chinese Communist Party and global domination is one of the weakest presidents in U.S. history. Joe Biden has proven time and again that he would rather kowtow to Beijing than stand strong against our nations greatest adversary. Instead of standing up to the Chinese, President Biden makes excuses for their aggression. Earlier this month, Biden suggested that the Chinese government never intended to deploy a spy balloon over the U.S. on a week-long intelligence-gathering mission. Now, he claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping was unaware of the spy balloon flight. Biden laughably asserted that the balloon was blown off course. Who believes that? Meanwhile, Chinas tentacles are reaching closer to our shores. China has reportedly maintained a spy base in Cuba since 2019, operating alongside four other suspected electronic eavesdropping facilities owned by Chinese telecom companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE. This is happening just 100 miles from Florida and could allow China to intercept electronic commercial and military communications in the U.S. Chinas predatory moves dont stop there. Beijing is working to establish a military training facility on the northern coast of Cuba, which would mean a major troop presence on Floridas doorstep. The close range all but ensures additional surveillance and espionage from the Chinese. The U.S. must do everything it can to ensure this facility is not built. These alarming developments arise as Biden prepares for yet another retreat. After 21 years of maintaining port security units at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. Coast Guard has ended its maritime security detachment there. Pulling security assets out of Gitmo at a time when China is embedding itself in Cuba is a dangerous move. It's yet another one of Bidens catastrophic foreign policy blunders that will be felt for years to come. When Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to China last week, he should have challenged this aggression. He should have made clear that the United States will hold the CCP accountable for COVID. He should have informed Xi that his government will face consequences for continuously bullying Taiwan and that intellectual property theft and unfair trade practices will no longer be tolerated. Instead, Blinken bent the knee to President Xi and then failed to persuade him to resume military-to-military communication. As a perfect representation of the way China views America under Biden, Xi sat at the head of the table during his meeting with Blinken while the Secretary of State was placed to the side. In contrast, when former President Trumps Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Xi, the two sat side-by-side. Joe Biden wants to meet with Xi Jinping, and Blinkens visit was clearly nothing more than an attempt to butter up high-ranking CCP officials. This isnt just embarrassing, it is grossly irresponsible. China is taking advantage of our feckless president by embarrassing his deputies on the world stage, launching full-scale surveillance operations against our national security installations, and shifting military assets ever closer to the U.S. The last thing that Biden and Blinken should be doing is capitulating to Beijing. In order to combat an increasingly aggressive China, we should instead build up our military and make deterrence a priority. Communist China is the Soviet Union of the 21st century. Its time we start acting like it. Senator Marsha Blackburn By Sho Chang-young Over the past few decades, two seemingly unrelated trends of significance have emerged, capturing global attention and concern. One is the mysterious disappearance of bees; the other is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). Bees, the diligent workers that sustain our ecosystems, have undergone an alarming decline in population worldwide. Termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), this phenomenon has been attributed to a range of factors such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change and diseases. The consequences of this decline are far-reaching, as bees play a vital role in pollinating flowering plants, including many crops that support global food production. Their disappearance poses a major threat to biodiversity and food security. Whether or not he was right, Einstein is said to have made an eerie warning that if the bees disappeared, the human race would become extinct. Still, some people do not worry about it. Even in our country, there has been controversies over this issue for a long time, and the government has taken a lukewarm attitude. However, it is undeniable that CCD was officially recognized relatively late at our national level, too. While bees face a dire fate, the field of AI has experienced distinguished progress in recent years. AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as problem-solving, learning and decision-making. It has made noteworthy advancements in various domains, including health care, transportation and finance. The technology holds immense potential for improving human lives and addressing complex challenges. Today, various articles have been pouring in about the amazing practical use of AI, such as Open AI. Without a doubt, there also exists substantial reluctance. Discussions surround the possibility of easily replacing most human jobs and the fact that even the realm of human creativity can be violated. However, despite the pessimistic self-blame that "we are summoning the devil now," AI will continue to evolve. Then, are the above-mentioned two remarkable tendencies completely unrelated to each other? I consider, regardless of their outward disparate nature, the declining bee population and the thriving AI industry are intertwined in some ways. First, AI technologies have been instrumental in monitoring and analyzing the factors contributing to CCD. By processing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can identify patterns, track the spread of diseases and predict environmental changes that affect bee health. This AI-powered analysis can help scientists and beekeepers develop more effective strategies for conservation and disease management. Additionally, AI innovations have the potential to mitigate the impact of declining bee populations on food production. Robotic pollinators, inspired by the behavior of bees, are being developed to supplement natural pollination procedures. These AI-driven solutions could serve as a temporary bridge to address the pollination deficit caused by declining bee populations. Such ideas may represent the bright side of a complex relationship between nature and technology. It is imperative that we continue to explore and leverage AI's capabilities to protect our environments as a whole and keep the delicate balance of our planet. Along with that, I would like to emphasize that we must try to control the combination of nature and technology in a way that does not lead to an apocalyptic tragedy for humanity. An eco-friendly federation of AI and beekeeping would be a good model for this, and we should keep an eye on its evolution. The writer (sochan57@naver.com) is a retired principal of Gunsan Girls' High School. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Housing, such as the efficiency homes built for Cherokee Nation elders in Hulbert, has been a priority of the CN and the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation for many years. Debates about the place of Christianity in public life regularly resurface in Europe. Recently, after the Pentecost Monday holiday, the mayor of Grenoble, France, sparked controversy when he argued French society has evolved beyond religious days off. Pointing to the large number of secular people who dont follow the church calendar and Muslims who celebrate different religious days, Eric Piolle proposed removing Christian holidays from the civic calendar. The French currently celebrate Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, All Saints Day, and Christmas. Those days off could be replaced, Piolle said, by days to commemorate key moments in French history. We asked five evangelical leaders from French-speaking Europe: Should Christians embrace proposals to replace public religious holidays with secular ones? Pierre-Sovann Chauny, systematic theology professor at the Faculte Jean Calvin, Aix-en-Provence: No. Removing Christian religious feasts from the civil calendar should be rejected. We need to maintain an awareness of what French history owes to Christianity and should continue to emphasize the public character of the spiritual life of Christians. These holidays also provide Christians with opportunities to bear witness throughout the year to the life, death, resurrection, and reign of Christ. Finally, the existence of these holidays consolidates our religious freedom. Their removal could, on the contrary, be a step toward persecution. Fabien Fourcasse, pastor of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Amiens: I'd say no. Its our tradition. Besides that, the presence of religious holidays on the calendar expresses something of God's plan for society. Too often, believers confine themselves to God's plan for the individual. By celebrating these holidays publicly, we indicate that God has a plan for the whole of creation: humankind, but also animals, plants, minerals, and so on. But promoting the presence of Christianity in the public sphere calls on believers to proclaim and live according to Gods plan, and allow more people to know Christ. Victoria Declaudure, author and Assemblies of God pastor in Angers: Id say yes. No biblical text requires evangelical believers to celebrate any particular day. Some of the proposed secular holidays, such as the celebration of the end of slavery or the advance of womens rights, would resonate very positively with the gospel. Its hard to imagine doing away with Christmas or Easter, though, which are deeply rooted in European culture and history, and which are celebrated by everyone according to their own sensibilities. Jean-Rene Moret, author and pastor of the Evangelical Church of Cologny, Switzerland: Yes. There are no mandatory holidays for Christians, according to the New Testament. Following Paul, one can consider all days as equal, or pay attention to particular days (Rom. 14:5). The situation where Christians have been able to determine the calendar of entire societies is atypical; our mission is not to maintain it. On the other hand, where possible, we should insist that believers of different faiths be allowed to take the days off they need for religious holidays. Gilles Boucomont, author and Protestant United Church of France pastor in Paris-Belleville: Lets reevangelize the country instead of fighting over days! Massive de-Christianization means that having mainly Christian dates for public holidays seems out of step with the realities of French society. Only 10 percent of Christians are somewhat devout, and some of these holidays dont even unite all French Christians, like August 15, celebrating the Assumption of Mary, and Ascension Thursday, which isnt even celebrated by Catholics in other countries, like Spain. [ This article is also available in Francais. ] By Gwynne Dyer What just happened? What just happened? Up until late afternoon Moscow time on Saturday, Russia was in a state of acute crisis, with Yevgeny Prigozhin pulling his Wagner army of mercenary soldiers out of Ukraine and sending some of them racing up the highway towards Moscow instead. Their task was to force Russia's military leadership to quit due to their corruption and incompetence. Why? There is no good reason to believe that the Wagner founder had tacit support from President Vladimir Putin or anybody else. Prigozhin is known for his emotional and reckless behavior, and the regime certainly seemed to be taking his threats seriously. Machines were digging tank traps across the main roads on the outskirts of Moscow, protected by machine-gun emplacements, and the population was being told to stay home. Several Russian air force helicopters that tried to attack the Wagner convoy coming up the M4 were shot down in the course of the day. Putin had already been on national television Saturday morning denouncing the "traitors" in the strongest terms. "All those who consciously chose the path of betrayal ... will suffer an inevitable punishment," he vowed but twelve hours later he cut a deal that involved no punishment whatever. Or rather, Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus and Europe's longest-ruling dictator, announced that he had cut a deal in which Prigozhin would order all the Wagner troops to return to their bases and then go into exile himself in Belarus. Both he and his 25,000-odd Wagner soldiers would get an amnesty: nobody would be punished. The only explanation Prigozhin offered for his about-turn was that he did not want to shed "Russian blood". That seems unlikely, given that he has already said (a) that 20,000 Wagner fighters were killed in the battle of Bakhmut, and (b) that he knows the invasion of Ukraine was justified on entirely false pretenses. So the prospect of a few more Russian deaths to rid the country of the two men he blames for both provoking and bungling the war in Ukraine, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Defense Staff Valery Gerasimov, seems unlikely to have made him change his mind at the last moment. Maybe there was some other calculation in play, but what was it? Hundreds of analysts in a dozen countries are working on that mystery right now, because Russia is still an important place, and Putin's power has clearly been damaged by this bizarre incident. At the very least, the lack of popular resistance to Prigozhin's attempted coup (if that's what it was) is deeply worrying for Putin. The populations of the Russian cities that the Wagner troops occupied, Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh, were generally welcoming to them, and even applauded and cheered as they pulled out again on Sunday. Moreover, none of the Russian regular army units the Wagner troops encountered showed any hostility to them, or tried to impede their movements in any way, although they were obviously acting without official authorization. This should be deeply worrying for the Kremlin. In addition, why on Earth did Putin let the tin-pot Belarusian dictator Lukashenko do his negotiating with Prigozhin for him? It makes Putin look even weaker when the appearance of strength is a dictator's most important asset. I realize that I am asking questions here and not providing answers, but it is at least clear that there is a lot more going on within the Russian elite than is visible to outsiders. Loyalties and expectations are shifting and even the "window of opportunity" that the Ukrainian leaders have been hoping for may open sometime soon. In the meantime, consider this. Yevgeny Prigozhin put a spray of angry messages up on Telegram during the crisis, and one, in particular, will circulate and resonate among the younger Russians whose lives the war in Ukraine is blighting. Prigozhin's people have been fighting in the Donbas since 2014, and he knows where the bodies are buried. "We were hitting [the Ukrainians], and they were hitting us. That is how it went on for those eight long years, from 2014 to 2022. Sometimes the number of skirmishes would increase, sometimes decrease." "On Feb. 24 [2022, the day of the invasion], there was nothing extraordinary happening in Ukraine. Now the Ministry of Defense is trying to deceive the public, deceive the president and tell a story that there was some crazy aggression by Ukraine; that together with the whole NATO bloc Ukraine was planning to attack us." "The war was needed so that Shoigu could [get a promotion]. The war was not for 'demilitarizing' or 'denazifying' Ukraine. It was needed for an extra star." One should add that it was also needed as Putin's legacy project (reuniting at least the Slavic bits of the old Soviet Union), but you would not expect Yevgeny Prigozhin to get into that. Gwynne Dyer's new book is "The Shortest History of War." He can be reached at Gwynne763121476@aol.com First trans-identified lawmaker in US charged with distributing child sex abuse images The first trans-identified legislator elected in the United States was charged with distributing images of child sex abuse in connection with another case involving a woman accused of taking sexually explicit photos of preschool-age children. On Monday, Sgt. John Cinelli, the public information officer for the Nashua Police Department in New Hampshire, provided The Christian Post with a statement detailing the arrest of 39-year-old former Democratic state Rep. Stacie Laughton. Laughton previously served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2020 to 2022. Police arrested Laughton Thursday on a felony arrest warrant, charging him with the distribution of child sex abuse images. The former representative was also charged with three additional counts of distribution of child sex abuse images. Police arrested Laughton after responding to a "local facility for a juvenile matter" on Tuesday, where they spoke with reporting parties who accused Laughton of distributing images of child sex abuse. Laughton was held on preventative detention. Cinelli told CP that the former lawmaker was held at the Hillsborough County Jail in Manchester. He couldn't confirm whether Laughton was still there because the case was no longer within the department's jurisdiction. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts confirmed to CP Monday that an investigation is ongoing. The spokesperson did not provide further details about the connection between Laughton and Lindsay Groves of Hudson, who allegedly took sexually explicit photos of children at the Creative Minds Early Learning Center in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, where she worked. According to the U.S. Justice Department's Thursday statement, Groves was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distribution of child pornography. Between May 2022 and June 2023, Groves allegedly took nude photos of the children at the facility during bathroom breaks and diaper changes. At least four of the photos contain images of children believed to be around 3 to five 5 old. The suspect reportedly sent the photos to her partner, but sources have yet to confirm whether Laughton is the partner who received the images. Groves is believed to have sent over 2,500 text messages to her partner discussing the photos and their transfer. "The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000," the DOJ statement reads. "The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000." "Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case," the statement continued. WMUR9 reported Friday that Laughton waived his arraignment and was ordered to be held due to concern that he is a threat to himself and the public. The Creative Minds Early Learning Center is cooperating with investigators and parents are demanding answers. "I want to know how entangled my daughter is with all of this," one parent, Rosemary Denommee, told the outlet. "I don't know if I'll get those answers." The child sex abuse charges are not the first time that Laughton has faced legal troubles. While he has been elected to the State House three times, he has been forced to resign twice. In 2012, Laughton became the first trans individual to win a New Hampshire State House election, but he could not take office due to a 2008 credit card fraud conviction, according to WMUR9. Laughton was also accused in 2015 of calling in a fake bomb threat. In 2022, he was accused of misusing the state's emergency texting system by texting 911 during non-emergencies. In 2022, Laughton was accused of stalking Groves, who he identified to police as his wife. Groves is facing federal charges in Massachusetts and is set to appear for an arraignment on Wednesday. Christian students slaughtered in terrorist attack on high school dorm in Uganda NAIROBI, Kenya Islamist terrorists killed at least 37 students, most of them Christians, at the dormitories of a private high school in Uganda, and kidnapped six others on June 16, sources said. Shouting the jihadist slogan Allahu akbar [Allah is greater], according to the BBC, the assailants killed the students at Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese District, hacking the girls with machetes and burning the boys to death by setting their dormitory on fire. Five non-students at the school were also killed, Ugandan officials said, and four students were wounded. A survivor, student Edgard Mumbere, told Morning Star News that armed assailants shouted for the boys to open their dormitory door, with one attacker saying, This school is propagating Christianity in Uganda and getting support from Christians in the West Islam should be the dominant religion in Uganda. The boys kept silent while one student went to peek out the door, Mumbere said. The student rushed back saying the attackers were armed with machetes, axes and guns. This prompted us to hide under the beds, and shortly we heard gunshots followed by fire on dormitories, Mumbere told Morning Star News. They threw a bomb on our dormitory, and the whole room was full of smoke, and we couldnt breathe. Some of us managed to get out of the dormitory but were shot and managed to survive bad injuries. Mumbere said initially he found a way to climb up to the ceiling area and hid there, but he fell down from too much smoke. I tried to smear blood on my face and whole body, and I pretended to be dead, he said. One came and checked and saw nothing, and that is how I survived. Most of the victims belonged to fellowships of the Church of Uganda, Crossway Church, Kasese Pentecostal Church, All Saints Kasese Town, Independent Baptist Church and Kasese Central Baptist Church, a Morning Star News contact said. Mpondwe is close to Ugandas border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Islamic State affiliate Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is based, and Uganda President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday (June 17) blamed an ADF splinter group for the atrocity. Neither the ADF nor the Islamic State took responsibility for the massacre as they normally would, and first lady Janet Museveni, who is also Education Minister, said at a press conference that parties seeking to take over the school might have used the terrorists to achieve their ends. President Museveni said the success of a joint Ugandan-DRC effort to defeat the ADF had compelled the group to attack a soft target on the Uganda side of the border. It is safer for them to splinter into small groups which, they hope, may not be seen by our eyes, he told local press. That is how their desperate, futile, criminal and terrorist schemes come in. They start imagining that if they flee Congo, re-enter Uganda, kill people that are not armed (soft targets), that action would force us to recall our army from Congo to defend the Uganda villages, and that would save them from the losses they are now suffering. Police have reportedly arrested at least three people in the course of ongoing investigations. A pastor at Crossway Ministries Churches in Kasese said great fear among Christians has swept across the area. The families of the deceased requested financial support and prayer. The ADF is considered one of the most lethal of more than 120 armed groups in the eastern DRC. Originally based in western Uganda, the ADF has operated in the DRCs North Kivu Province near the border since the late 1990s. In 2019 the ADF split into two factions, with one merging into the Islamic State Central Africa Province. The U.S. government in 2021 designated the ADF as a foreign terrorist organization with links to the Islamic State. The June 16 attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented. Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country. Atheist defends Christian evangelist amid arrest for publicly preaching on homosexuality Evangelist Ryan Schiavo, an American street preacher, was arrested last month in the United Kingdom after publicly preaching about his beliefs on homosexuality and his legal plight is raising some eyebrows. Schiavo was accused of violating Section 4A of the Public Order Act, a law intended to curb unpalatable behavior in the public square. [The law] bans people from causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress, Christian Post reporter Ryan Foley told The Christian Post Podcast. And the law declares a person guilty of an offense if he uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior or disorderly behavior or displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting. Among other aspects of the story, Foley also shared that, in the midst of Schiavos detainment, an atheist man who openly disagreed with Schiavos views stood up to defend him. Despite those efforts, Schiavo was detained. Read the full article on the matter and listen to the discussion: Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app. And be sure to subscribe to the Christian Post Podcast on your favorite platforms: Edifi Anchor Breaker Google Podcasts Apple Podcasts Pocket Casts RadioPublic Spotify London street preacher alleges 14 police officers confronted him for 'homophobic language' A West London street preacher alleges 14 police officers confronted him on Aug. 20 while preaching in Uxbridge because they claimed to have received multiple complaints from pedestrians about "homophobic language." Rev. Peter Simpson, the minister of Penn Free Methodist Church, Buckinghamshire, wrote a post published by The Conservative Woman blog this week in which he said that the officers approached him on High Street to ask him to stop preaching. The encounter happened after he finished sharing for about 20 minutes aloud in the streets about the "immorality of abortion" and about "the biblical teaching that marriage can be only between one man and one woman." Simpson said he shared Bible texts in the neighborhood where he stood, which included the verse in Romans 3:23: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." He also referred to "the sinful hearts of all men." "I made a brief reference," he said, alleging that what started as two cops became 14 who approached him. "[They] came up to me and said that 'multiple complaints' had been received about 'hate speech.'" Simpson claimed that the police officers gave him the impression that he would be arrested if he refused to stop preaching and remove himself from the premises. "I reluctantly complied," Simson said. "I suggested to one of the officers that they were acting as judge and jury, rather than trying to make inquiries." A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement that officers "received complaints that a man preaching at the location was using homophobic language." "Officers attended, spoke to the man and gave words of advice," the spokesperson told Christian Today. "No arrests were made." Simpson was reportedly present when Met officers also arrested another street preacher, Rev. John Sherwood, in April for preaching outside of the Uxbridge subway station on the topic of Genesis 1. Sherwood allegedly said God designed families to have a mother and a father, not two of the same gender. "I responded that the police would have no objection whatsoever to a Pride parade being held in Uxbridge, yet that would be highly offensive to Bible-believing Christians," Simpson wrote in a blog for The Conservative Woman. "The officer did not appear to appreciate the logic behind this argument." Sherwood's arrest transpired on suspicion of an offense under Section 5 of the Public Order Act for "allegedly making homophobic comments," according to the Met. Sherwood's case was later sent to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after being released with no charge following an overnight stay in a police station. The Christian Legal Centre is representing Sherwood, and the CPS has until October to decide if he will be prosecuted or not. The legal center has reported that the decision will be released soon. There have been other reported cases of Christian preachers being confronted in England. Christian preacher and lay minister Mike Overd was confronted by police from Avon and Somerset in April. He is believed to be the first Christian preacher to be prosecuted for violating COVID-19 regulations banning outdoor gatherings. In defense of Overd, the Christian Legal Centre said the preacher was carrying out his work as a minister by "offering pastoral support" for those struggling during the pandemic while remaining separated from pedestrians by over 2 yards (2 meters). Overd was also asked to leave the premises for his preaching and was fined $83 (60). Crown Prosecution Service later dropped Overd's case. On July 22, Ryan Schiavo, who identifies as an "evangelist and missionary," was arrested in London for preaching that "homosexuality is a sin." "I was preaching the Gospel on the streets as I frequently do, but it was about a 30-minute message, and in the course of a long message I can touch on many topics that I believe are pertinent," he told The Christian Post in an interview. "At one point, I talked about the issue of homosexuality and transgenderism. I said that homosexuality is a sin; I talk about how it's destructive, and the damage the transgender agenda is doing to children right now in the schools because it's being pushed on children at a very young age here." He also told CP that he preached in the streets the message that "the churches that have rainbow flags on them" were "not real churches." Schiavo was arrested and given a mental health evaluation. He was later released. A growing culture of impunity: NGO highlights disturbing trend in global religious persecution Western leaders willful deafness and blindness toward autocrats condemned In a report published this week, Aid to the Church in Need sheds light on the escalating culture of impunity surrounding religious persecution worldwide. It reveals that over 4.9 billion people reside in countries with severe violations of religious freedom. These 4.9 billion people live in 61 countries, where the state of religious freedom, as secured in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, looks grim, says the report, titled the 2023 World Religious Freedom Report, that covers the period from January 2021 to December 2022. It means that 62% of humanity lives in countries where people are not free to practice, express or change their religion, ACN says. Culprits of religious freedom violations range from armed terror groups to authoritarian governments, but the rule continues to be one of impunity for attackers who are rarely, if ever, brought to justice or criticized by the international community. Of the 61 countries, 28 are marked in red, denoting hot countries where persecution is rampant, while an additional 33 are marked in orange, indicating high levels of discrimination. The situation has worsened in 47 of these countries since the previous report, with only nine showing signs of improvement, the report says. The growth of impunity has been remarkable over the last two years, said Marcela Szymanski, ACNs head of advocacy, in a virtual press conference where the report and its executive summary were presented. Normally, the West would be at least saying something Oh, you don't do that, or Im looking at you, Im going to impose some sanctions, Im going to reduce your trade facilities, etc. Now, they are not doing anything, she said. There is willful deafness and blindness towards these autocrats because they (leaders in the West) need them. Political leaders in Europe, the United States, and other nations often readily jeopardize their commitment to civil rights and religious freedom, swayed by their policy imperatives, she continued. United States President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who departed on Saturday, at a time when a spate of violence in the northeastern state of Manipur was ongoing. The visit occurred amid criticism of the Biden administration for purportedly overlooking severe violations of religious freedom in India. Szymanski added, Its unbelievable that the same countries that you see (marked in red and orange) are the same countries where you have material for sustainable energy development and for fossil fuels. So there you are in a very dangerous combination of dependency and wishful thinking about principles. The ACN report reveals that half of the countries with the most severe restrictions on religious freedom are in Africa, where a rise in jihadist activity, especially in the Sahel region, continues to be of great concern. But Asia where China continues to try to exert totalitarian control over all areas of society, including religion, and India, where state-sponsored ethno-religious nationalism manifests itself, among others, in the form of harsh anti-conversion laws is also a continent of particular concern. The study attributes this alarming trend to a combination of factors, including the global climate impacted by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fallout of the war in Ukraine, the military and economic concerns around the South China Sea, and the rapid increase in the cost of living worldwide. Autocrats and fundamentalist group leaders view religious communities as threats to their power and authority and retain and consolidate power globally, the report highlights, saying they were found to be responsible for increased violations of religious freedom. The oppression of religious communities was facilitated by a range of tactics such as terrorist attacks, destruction of religious heritage and symbols, electoral system manipulation, mass surveillance, anti-conversion laws and financial restrictions, ACN points out. The report also identifies several significant trends that have emerged during the study period. Firstly, it highlights the emergence of hybrid cases of persecution, characterized by a combination of polite restrictions on religious freedom through controversial laws and the normalization of violent attacks against individuals of certain faiths. Governments in various regions discriminated against religious communities through the implementation of laws that restricted their freedom of religion, while violent attacks against these communities went largely unpunished, ACN explains. The report also notes a shift in the profile of persecuted religious communities, with majoritarian religious groups now increasingly experiencing persecution alongside traditional minority communities. This trend was observed in countries such as Nigeria and Nicaragua. Another troubling aspect highlighted in the report is the muted response from the international community toward religious freedom violations by strategically important autocratic regimes such as China and India. This growing culture of impunity allows key countries like Nigeria and Pakistan to escape international sanctions despite revelations of severe violations against their own citizens, the report points out. The rise of opportunistic caliphates was also observed during the study period, particularly in Africa. Transnational jihadist networks altered their tactics by focusing on hit-and-run attacks to establish isolated communities in poorly defended rural areas with valuable mineral resources. This shift in strategy has led to increased insecurity, revolts and military coups in affected regions. The report further highlights divergent trends within Muslim communities, with disenfranchised youth increasingly attracted to Islamist terrorist and criminal networks in Africa, while growing numbers of Muslims in Iran and elsewhere identify as non-religious. The Jewish community in the West has not been spared from religious persecution either, according to the report, which shows an increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes following the COVID-19 lockdowns, with reported incidents rising from 582 in 2019 to 1,367 in 2021 in countries belonging to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Abductions, sexual violence, and forced religious conversion remain rampant and largely unpunished in various regions, particularly West Africa and Pakistan, the report continues. Worsening poverty and increased armed conflicts have fueled abductions and human trafficking, with religious minority women and girls disproportionately affected. The report also sheds light on the manipulation of religious data in some countries as a means of maintaining political power. Faith communities seeking to preserve their status have exaggerated the number of faithful by providing misleading information during official registrations or postponing population census indefinitely. Lebanon, India and Malaysia are cited as examples of this trend. Furthermore, the study reveals an increase in scrutiny and mass surveillance targeting faith groups, particularly in Western countries. Social media platforms have been used to marginalize and target religious communities, undermining fundamental liberties such as freedom of conscience, thought, religion, expression, movement and assembly. In Western nations, the emergence of "cancel culture" and "compelled speech" has further threatened religious freedom. Individuals who hold differing views for religious reasons have faced harassment, legal threats, and job loss for failing to conform to prevailing ideological demands. Social media has played a significant role in driving this trend. The report highlights the insertion of derogatory content about minority faiths in school textbooks in countries like India and Pakistan, which could have far-reaching consequences for inter-faith relations in the future. The proliferation of anti-conversion legislation and reconversion initiatives has also been noted, particularly in Asia and North Africa. Harsher implementation of existing laws and new legislation aim to consolidate political power for religious majorities, while economic benefits are offered to those who join or return to the majority religion. The welfare of entire families, particularly in poverty-stricken areas, is compromised when individuals convert or revert, CAN says. Religious leaders and Church personnel have increasingly become targets of organized criminal groups in Latin America, the report adds. Those who champion the rights of migrants and other disadvantaged communities have been subjected to abductions and even murder for speaking out against criminal gangs and taking action against them. On a positive note, the report indicates record participation in popular religious celebrations following the COVID-19 lockdowns. After years of restrictions, the return of major religious feasts has attracted millions of faithful worldwide, serving as a public expression of popular religiosity. The report concludes by underscoring the global rise of authoritarian governments and fundamentalist leaders. This deadly effect on religious freedom is exacerbated by a culture of impunity, with perpetrators of religious persecution rarely facing prosecution in 36 countries. The silence of the international community toward violations of religious freedom, particularly in strategically important countries, contributes to this culture of impunity. Africa remains the most violent continent in terms of religious persecution, with jihadist attacks intensifying and spreading to neighboring countries. Nearly half of the "hot countries" identified in the RFR map are located in Africa, with regions such as the Sahel region, Lake Chad, Mozambique, and Somalia being particularly affected. Pastor shoots wife, himself at hotel months after celebrating first year as leader Just two days before he shot his wife and mother of their three children at the Hampton Inn & Suites McComb in Mississippi last Wednesday, a 25-year-old Louisiana pastor declared to his friends and family on Facebook that he was flawed but still favored by God. I may not be a perfect man, but Ill always be a family man, wrote Danny Prenell, Jr., senior pastor of Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, in a June 19 post included with a picture of his smiling wife, Gabrielle Prenell, 27, and their three young children. On June 21, investigators say Pastor Prenell, who celebrated his first anniversary as pastor of the church in January, shot his wife twice at the hotel, before shooting himself once around 3:30 p.m., WGNO reported. McComb Police Chief Juan Cloy confirmed with KALB that the couples children were with them at the time of the shooting. He said they were placed in CPS custody. The chief detective on the case, Vickie Carter, told The Christian Post Monday that shes still hospitalized," adding: "Hes out of the hospital and he has been charged with aggravated domestic violence and disturbance of a business at this point." "It could be more charges later but thats what he is being charged with at this time," Carter said. Carter told CP that Gabrielle Prenell, who was shot in the stomach and her arm by her husband, remained hospitalized in stable condition. She said detectives have not yet had an opportunity to interview her because of her condition. The detective further stated that Pastor Prenell suffered one gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen, but she could not reveal anything about what he has revealed to police about what happened because the investigation is still active. A representative at the Hampton Inn & Suites McComb declined to comment when contacted by CP Monday. A photograph of the crime scene taken by The Enterprise-Journal shows police tape, towels a pillow and what appears to be blood in a hallway on the first floor of the hotel. Prior to starting his job at the Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Prenells Facebook page says he served as a deputy sheriff at Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. The office did not immediately confirm Prenells employment when contacted by CP. The young pastor, who has a very active presence on social media, said he is frequently told that he is wise beyond his years. At the age of 25, I often hear that Im far beyond my years. However, I never get satisfied with where I am. ... Im constantly looking for more, he wrote in an April Facebook post. People with small minds will keep u locked up into what can fit into their heads. The God I serve doesnt have a limit, and Im staying faithful because I know my cup shall run over. Earlier that same month, in another statement celebrating the birthday of his wife and one of their children, Pastor Prenell called her his queen and the woman that I love and owe my life to. First let me say to my Queen, my wife, the woman that I love and owe my life to I love you so much and Im grateful God has allowed you another year. Ive watched your growth on all levels and youre a great mother, wife, and my best friend, he wrote. Im proud to be your husband because you are a woman of class, discretion, integrity, and most importantly youre a woman of God. I pray God continues to allow you many more birthdays because I honestly do not know what Id do without you. In church remains, German archaeologists discover the truth of 'Atlantis of the North Sea' Once upon a time, in the marshes of the Wadden Sea, which spans the western coasts of Denmark, Germany and parts of the Netherlands, a great center of trade and commerce arose. Known as Rungholt, the city grew rich off the the region's abundant amber, salt and whales, and became an essential stop for North Sea traders. However, as often follows money and power, its people grew vain and arrogant. When they first built dikes to keep the great sea at bay, they shouted back, "Defy us if you have the courage, Blanke Hans," using a local nickname for a rough and wild sea, "White Hans." One Christmas morning in the 14th century, its townspeople decided to defy God himself, like the biblical builders of the Tower of Babel before them. A group of young men tried to make a mockery of the church by tricking a priest into giving last rites to a pig disguised as a man. When the priest refused, they beat him senseless. Barely escaping with his life, the priest prayed that the men would be punished. God answered him with a vision leave the island at once. Shortly thereafter, Blanke Hans found its courage. The winds roared, the waves raged, and Rungholt was wiped from the face of the earth. All its thousands of inhabitants died. It was a great drowning of men. At least, that's the legend, which proliferated in church sermons, chronicles and art across the region of North Frisia for six centuries. A parable about the vice of arrogance and the dangers of wealth and prosperity. As a mythic lost city, it would sometimes be called the Atlantis of the North Sea. The reality of Rungholt is something different, a group of German archaeologists announced last month, after discovering what they believe to have been the central church of the medieval settlement. Archaeologist Ruth Blankenfeldt, a member of the Rungholt Project, a collective of archaeologists who have been researching the area for years, pointed out that the remains indicate a structure large enough to have been the center of a parish and thus likely Rungholt. "The find thus joins the ranks of the large churches of North Frisia," Bente Sven Majchczack, an archaeologist at Kiel University in Germany who also is a member of the Rungholt Project, said in a statement. Still, the researchers cautioned against taking much of the legend as truth. For one, even calling Rungholt a city is a stretch. "It's not a city as you might think with streets and houses. It's a dwelling mound between dikes in the outlands," Ulf Ickerodt, another member of the Rungholt Project, told Religion News Service. Dwelling mounds, or terps, provided living spaces above the height regularly flooded by changing tides. The earthworks, though common in the area, were no minor feat of engineering in their time. What is historical, however, is the calamity that destroyed the city: "the great drowning of men" in Dutch, the Grote Mandrenke a massive storm surge in 1362, which caused flooding around the North Sea and killed as many as 25,000 in what is today the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. "The Grote Mandrenke really had a huge impact, changing the areas that were settled into ones that were no longer inhabitable," Ickerodt said. "The destruction of dike zones was quite common in the Wadden Sea area, but not in this amount." That's something that hangs in the collective memory, and three centuries later, a Lutheran priest, Anton Heimrich, inscribed the story into his North Frisian Chronicle, the oldest extant record of the legend. "The Protestant priest uses Rungholt as a motif of transience or impermanence meaning, 'Be good. Otherwise, punishment will follow,'" Ickerodt explained. "This is a religious motif that was combined with collective knowledge that there was a village or city or some formation that had been destroyed." Another two centuries after Heimrich, the German poet Detlev von Liliencron further immortalized Rungholt's tale in his ballad "Trutz, Blanke Hans." "Today I traveled over Rungholt, the city went under six hundred years ago," begins the poem. "The waves are still beating wildly and indignantly, as when they destroyed the marshes." Liliencron's telling casts the legend as a warning, less about man's arrogance and defiance of God but that of nature, comparing Rungholt to Rome and painting Blanke Hans, i.e., the unpredictable nature of the seas, as a monster whose body stretches from "the shores of England" to "the sands of Brazil." By Liliencron's time, Rungholt was seen as something primarily of myth, but changing tides in the Wadden Sea in the 1920s began to reveal evidence that there had been a medieval settlement there, and for more than a century archaeologists have tried to pin down the exact location of the legendary town. "The search for the church of Rungholt was always a focus and often discussed," Majchczack said, according to Vice. "A main question was always the character of Rungholt as suchwas it a town, even a city or just a regular, but possibly important village in the marshes?" The descriptions of both Liliencron and Heimrich exaggerate Rungholt far beyond anything the archaeologists have found evidence for, but they illustrate how settlements and natural disasters can remain in the collective consciousness centuries on. "Rungholt is a prominent example of the effects of massive human intervention in the northern German coastal region that continue to this day," the archaeologists' statement said. In addition to the mound where the church was found, some 54 similar mounds remain yet to be investigated. Religion News Service Who was the Venerable Bede and why is he important? Bede was known as the Father of English History. This title was earned mainly through his five volume book called "Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum", which translates as "An Ecclesiastical History of the English People". The Penguin Classics edition calls it "A History of the English Church and People". His models and inspiration were Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament; Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History of the Early Church written during the reign of Emperor Constantine; and the History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours written in the sixth century. His book was dedicated to King Ceolwulf of Northumbria who commissioned it. Bede the historian He starts with a description of Britain and the story of the arrival of the Romans in Britain. For the early Roman history, he drew on Roman historians such as Pliny. For the history of the English in Britain, he drew on many sources including research done for him by travelling monks at the Vatican archives. He did not make things up and he was a very careful historian. Other information came from answers to letters he wrote to various people around England, and oral history from trusted people. In all, he acknowledged about 144 different sources. England at the time of Bede There had been Christianity in Britain under the Roman Empire. However pagan Anglo-Saxon tribes had come from continental Europe after the Roman withdrawal from Britain. Angles and Saxons established kingdoms across what became England, leaving the local British population in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Cumbria. At the time, England was divided into separate tribal kingdoms and over a thousand years later we still see the names of these kingdoms preserved in the names of the successor counties such as Kent. The Kingdom of the East Saxons is now Essex, and the Kingdom of the South Saxons is Sussex. The Middle Saxons lived in Middlesex. The Eastern Angles lived in the Kingdom of East Anglia with its Northern Folk and Southern Folk, which are now Norfolk and Suffolk, and parts of the Kingdom of Northumbria are still called Northumberland. Bede perceived these various Anglo-Saxon tribes as one people who he called the "gentii Angloram", linked by ethnic origin, speaking dialects of the same language, which we now call English. This identification of the English as one people also distinguished them from the native Britons, who today we might call the Celts. It is thanks to his book that all the Anglo-Saxon tribes are together known as the English. The English language The language the Anglo-Saxons spoke was an inflected Germanic language, before the influence of French which crept in after the Norman conquest. It is so different to modern English that Old English is often considered a separate language, which for most people has to be translated into modern English. Significance of his History Without Bede's History of the English People, we would know very little history of England from before the eighth century. Without Bede, we would not know about Pope Gregory's mission to the English when he sent St Augustine, (called St Augustine of Canterbury so as not to confuse him with St Augustine of Hippo), who arrived in Kent in AD 597. Without Bede telling us the story of the first English church established at Canterbury in Kent, it would not be clear why the senior Anglican bishop is the Archbishop of Canterbury. Without Bede we would not know about the Synod of Whitby in AD 664, when the British (Celtic) and English traditions of the Church agreed on a common date for Easter. Attitude to women It is interesting to see how Bede honoured the importance of women. He recognised the influence of the Christian wives of the Anglo-Saxons kings, and he mentioned by name the royal princesses who became abbesses. He particularly highly respected Abbess Hilda, who he tells us presided at the Synod of Whitby. In fact, abbesses were called to councils and Parliament until mediaeval times. Christian faith Bede's work was driven by his strong Christian faith. He was not only a historian but also an able biblical scholar. He knew the Bible well and wrote commentaries on many parts of the Bible as well as homilies on the Gospels which were for reading aloud in church services. In these he drew on homilies by his hero, Pope Gregory the Great, who he regarded as the Apostle to the English. Bede's books were copied, read and used throughout Western Europe and the Bible was so important to him that in later life he attempted to translate parts of the New Testament into Old English. Polymath Bede was a polymath, who during his life wrote about 40 books on matters of history, theology, astronomy and science. His empirical approach to science led to his belief that the world was round. He even divided history into six periods, akin to the later theological dispensational view of history. But who was Bede? We know some details of Bede's life because he wrote a short biography at the end of his Ecclesiastical History. He tells us that he entered the monastery of Wearmouth aged seven, and then moved to Jarrow. He had to learn Latin, the language of learning, and then read all the books in the library. He was ordained as deacon at age 19, which was exceptionally young., and in AD 703, he became a priest. He says that he finished writing his history in AD 731, when he was 59 years old, meaning he was born about AD 672. In fact the reason we use the term "AD", at all, is mainly due to Bede, who used the term Anno Domini as a dating mechanism numbering years since the birth of Jesus Christ. Prior to that, dates were usually given by reference to the ruling monarch. Bede died in 735, when he was still trying to finish his translation of the Gospel of John into English. Legacy Later King Alfred the Great had Bede's History translated from Latin into Old English, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle used it as a source for early history. During the English Reformation, Catholics quoted Bede to show that the English Church was destined to be part of the Catholic world, whilst Protestants quoted it as evidence that the British Church had a separate history, and the Church of England was returning it to its independent heritage. In reality, Bede's work had neither agenda, but simply served to tell the history of England and the English, to give moral instruction to the reader, and show what he saw as God's plan for the English. Centuries later, inspired by Bede, and in places quoting Bede, Winston Churchill wrote a modern equivalent, to bring the story up to date, which was published in 1958 as his four volume "History of the English Speaking Peoples". Modern commemoration Bede died in AD 731 on 25 May - which is the day that he is still remembered in the Anglican and Catholic calendars. Bede became known as the Venerable Bede because of his holiness, and his tomb at Jarrow attracted great numbers of pilgrims. His remains were later translated to Durham Cathedral where people still visit his tomb. The Venerable Bede was belatedly canonised by Pope Leo XIII in 1899, as St Bede the Venerable, and he is often considered the patron saint of scholars and historians. There are many churches, monasteries, and schools around the world that are dedicated to Bede and his legacy continues to serve as an inspiration to Christians around the world. Testament to this is the fact that some 1,300 years later, his writings are still in print and still widely read and studied. World Council of Churches celebrates 75th anniversary The World Council of Churches held an ecumenical celebration in Geneva over the weekend to mark its 75th anniversary. Hundreds gathered from around the world in the city's Saint Pierre Cathedral for a commemorative service. The World Council of Churches (WCC) was formed in 1948, when Europe was still recovering from the destruction of World War Two. The very first Assembly of the WCC met in Amsterdam from 22 August to 4 September 1948, and was attended by 351 delegates from 147 churches. Working for peace and reconciliation was one of the WCC's principal aims when it was founded. Addressing the service on Sunday, the moderator of the WCC's central committee, Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, recalled the founding vision of the ecumenical organisation. "People came together in Amsterdam in 1948 with a clear purpose of leading the churches of the world together and making them an instrument of peace," he said. "They clearly declared that war is against the will of God and that our task as Christians is exactly to overcome nationalism and other forms of division between peoples, which had just resulted in this terrible world war with so many million victims. "Reconciliation was from the very beginning of its existence, part of the very DNA of the WCC." Reflecting on whether member churches were living up to the legacy of Amsterdam and acting as instruments of peace in conflict zones, he said, "I wish the answer was a clear 'yes.' But it is not. Too often, we still put our national or political loyalties before our loyalty to Jesus Christ, and sometimes we don't even notice it. "That is why we have to listen to the biblical witness about Christ again and again." The anniversary service fell during the meeting of the WCC's central committee in Geneva, where the organisation's headquarters are based. An anniversary cake was cut by former WCC deputy general secretary, Georges Lemopoulos, and Maria Yaziji, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, the youngest member of the current central committee. In a video message to the celebration, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, noted that the WCC faces many challenges "that can be difficult sometimes". "But the rewards, the blessings, the light that we shine into the world, the salt that we can be of the earth, and the example, serving others as our Lord, serve the whole of humankindall of these things make the World Council of Churches, a wonderful platform for us to come together," he said. Vietnam emerges as alternative to China Prompted by a rapid realignment of global supply chains, the economic map of South Korea is also shifting fast. Such changes are conspicuous in the nation's recent relations with two major trading partners the United States and China. The central Bank of Korea (BOK) said Thursday that South Korea registered a $7.78 billion deficit in trade with China in 2022, posting a shortfall for the first time in 21 years. This was due to the hefty reliance on China for exports paired with the drastic drop in prices of semiconductors. In contrast, the nation registered a record surplus of $67.79 billion in trade with the U.S., riding on the booming exports of cars plus the rise in dividends resulting from increased direct investment into the U.S. What is noteworthy is that such changes in the economic landscape involving the three nations are not temporary, but structural. Against this backdrop, Vietnam has emerged as a major economic partner for Korea. It became Korea's third-largest trading partner, surpassing Japan, last year when the two countries marked the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship. Seoul's surplus in trade with Hanoi stood at $34.2 billion, compared to $28 billion with the U.S. Vietnam continued to provide an increasing surplus for Korea, ranking fifth in 2012, fourth in 2013, third in 2017 and second in 2020, before finishing in first last year. This surplus continued to grow even during the past financial crisis period. Korea has also been the largest investor in Vietnam. And the two nations have become essential and close economic partners 50 years after they locked horns during the Vietnam War. Korea-Vietnam relations were elevated into a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" last year. It is encouraging that representatives from 205 enterprises, including major conglomerates, accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeol on his visit to Vietnam during June 22-25. The two nations are poised to double their trade volume to $150 billion by 2030. This is essential for Korea, in particular, as Vietnam has emerged as the alternative for China. Fresh from the summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, Friday, Yoon said the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, security, economy and industry. "Vietnam is the core cooperative nation for us in terms of Indo-Pacific strategy and Korea-ASEAN alliance," Yoon said. As mentioned above, a "decoupling" from China in the economic sector has become unavoidable with the rearrangement of the global supply network initiated by the U.S. A cozy economic relationship with China is unlikely for some time given the newly emerging Cold War era amid the escalating hegemonic competition between the U.S. and China. All these and other factors prompt the need for Korea to fortify relations with India, ASEAN member states and Middle Eastern countries. And Vietnam has been the central part of such cooperation. Vietnam can play a significant role in enabling Korea to boost its exports and inject fresh air into its economy. Vietnam is replete with key minerals such as rare earth materials, while Korea is equipped with technologies in refining and adding value. So it is promising for the two nations to have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the relevant area. They also agreed to cooperate closely in efforts to reduce carbon emissions, which have emerged as a pressing global issue. Against this backdrop, Yoon's recent visit to Vietnam is all the more meaningful. Market diversification has been the most urgent task facing the nation with its heavy dependence on exports. Based on the outcome of the recent visit, both Seoul and Hanoi should facilitate further efforts to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation substantially in the economic and security sectors. Nexon Foundation Chairman Kim Jung-wook, right, poses with Association of Teachers for Computing Chairman Kang Sung-hyun, left, and Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education Superintendent Do Seong-hoon at the education office in Incheon, June 7. Courtesy of Nexon By Park Jae-hyuk Around 10,000 elementary school students living in remote parts of Incheon will take coding classes by 2024, according to Nexon Foundation, Monday. The nonprofit organization founded by the gaming firm signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) about the provision of the classes with the Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education and the Association of Teachers for Computing (ATC) on June 7. The agreement came after the foundation signed similar MOUs with the education offices of South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island. Nexon Foundation seeks additional cooperation with education offices in other provinces so as to narrow the regional gap related to coding education. In 2020, the foundation sponsored the ATC's development of the High-5ive Challenge, an education program created to help children learn about computer programming by using toy bricks. After launching the program, Nexon Foundation made efforts for children living nationwide to learn about coding more easily. During its test operation in 2021, the program received favorable reviews from students in 115 classes nationwide. Based on this success, Nexon Foundation is currently offering the education program to over 28,000 students in Incheon, South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island, providing them with 7,000 sets of toy bricks to aid in learning to code. In addition, Nexon Foundation has run programs to teach coding to preschoolers and students with disabilities. The foundation has also taught teenagers about computer programming, based on Nexon's experience in developing popular games, such as MapleStory, KartRider and Crazy Arcade. "With various social contribution activities related to coding education, we will continue to support creating an educational environment where anyone can learn about coding without difficulty," Nexon Foundation Chairman Kim Jung-wook said. "For children and teenagers, we will contribute to society by doing what Nexon is good at." Renault Korea Motors factory in Busan / Courtesy of Renault Korea Motors By Park Jae-hyuk Renault Korea Motors is facing uncertainties about its plan to manufacture 200,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in Busan annually, as battery makers here remain reluctant to increase their domestic production, according to industry officials, Monday. During Renault Group Senior Vice President Francois Provost's recent closed-door meeting in Korea with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the French firm's executive is said to have complained about difficulties securing enough EV batteries here. Renault Group Executive Vice President Guido Haak also asked Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon to support the company's planned investments in the city, during their meeting in Paris last Tuesday. Their remarks came as LG Energy Solution, SK On and Samsung SDI regard Renault's EV production capacity in Korea as insufficient for them to build new plants here. Renault Group Executive Vice President Guido Haak, left, speaks with Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, second from right, during their meeting at the carmaker's headquarters in Paris, June 20. Courtesy of Busan Metropolitan Government Labor group members hold a rally in front of the labor ministry's Seoul branch office, May 25. Yonhap By Lee Kyung-min Up to 69,000 jobs will disappear if the state-mandated hourly minimum wage is raised to 10,000 won ($7.68) next year, according to a study by a business lobby group, Monday. Young, low-income groups and small businesses will be affected the most by the possibility of fewer jobs, a hardship certain to exacerbate the prolonged economic slowdown defined by the dreaded combination of drops in consumption and business activity in the economy. Experts say rapid across-the-board wage hikes should be revised to better reflect the needs of employers, after a thorough review of the intensity of labor and the productivity of specific industries. Otherwise, more businesses will be pushed into bankruptcy, amplifying default risks in the economy. Members of the minimum wage commission that represent labor groups said that the figure for next year should be raised to 12,210 won. The 26.9 percent year-on-year increase will translate to a monthly income of over 2.55 million won, provided that 209 hours are worked. Study The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), a business lobby group, said that between 28,000 and 69,000 jobs will be slashed if this year's minimum wage of 9,620 won is raised to 10,000 won next year. In addition, the lobby group also predicts the possibility of between 194,000 to 470,000 jobs disappearing, if the minimum wage is set to the level recommended by the labor group (12,210). The lobby group added that the 10,000 won minimum wage would mean that workers aged from 15 to 29 would see up to 18,000 jobs being lost. Additionally, 125,000 jobs for young people could be lost, if the figure were to be set at 12,210 won. As many as 29,000 jobs will disappear for the bottom 40 percent of the country's income earners, according to the business lobby, if the minimum wage is raised to 10,000 won. At least 207,000 jobs will be lost for the low-income bracket in the case of a 12,210 won minimum wage. Small businesses with four or fewer workers will see 29,000 jobs being lost in the 10,000-won minimum wage scenario. The cut is forecast to affect up to 196,000 jobs, in the 12,210-won scenario. The wage increase of nearly 50 percent in just six years is a fixed cost, over which businesses have little wiggle room unless they let a significant number of workers go, according to the former chairman of the Korea Economic Association, Lee In-ho. "Years of hardship faced by small businesses and low-income groups are not in any way mitigated by the figure increasing 48.7 percent from 6,470 won in 2017 over the past few years," Lee said. "Recent spikes in energy and raw materials costs only dim the prospects for an earlier-than-expected rebound." The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise representing the country's small businesses said the over-12,000 won figure is simply unacceptable. "The commission is turning a blind eye to the hardships of low-income businesses," they said. "The current minimum wage system has been applied uniformly for 35 years with no regard for small businesses, which have to hire part-timers to make ends meet." Negotiations at the commission will likely push back the June 29 deadline by about a month. The deadline for making the minimum wage public for the following year is Aug. 5. P&G Korea ESG Leader Daisy Ye introduces the Life Cycle Assessment and the company's effort to protect the environment in "Panda talks" held with World Wide Fund for Nature in Seoul, May 2022. Courtesy of P&G Korea By Kim Jae-heun Household goods maker P&G Korea is developing sustainable products to help consumers protect the environment, while improving awareness of climate change, the company said Monday. It recently conducted a global survey to understand local consumers' perceptions and practices of environmental sustainability. The results showed Koreans have a higher willingness (81 percent) to protect the environment in their daily lives than the global average (78 percent), which includes American and French consumers. Furthermore, 72 percent of Korean consumers said they are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products, showing high interest in environmental sustainability. However, only 65 percent were actually taking part in eco-friendly practices, which is slightly below the global average of 66.6 percent. P&G Korea suggests using its Downey Deep Clean detergent, which can wash clothes well in cold water with a washing machine. The household goods maker said its product can help save up to 90 percent of electricity and 60 liters of water compared to when using other brand products that only dissolve in hot water. "In order to slow down the climate crisis, it is important for everyone, including the government, businesses and consumers, to work together in their respective positions," P&G Korea ESG Leader Daisy Ye said. "We will continue to introduce sustainable products so that small actions in our daily lives can build up to make a big difference while providing consumers with various information on sustainability such as LCA." The company is promoting the concept of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the importance of consumers' participation in protecting the environment with it. LCA is an approach to measuring and evaluating environmental impacts at all stages of a product's life cycle such as raw material supply, manufacturing, packaging, delivery, use and disposal. It helps understand the sustainability of a product quantitatively and comprehensively. For example, people recognize glass cups are more eco-friendly than paper cups, but it is not necessarily true from an LCA point of view. Glass requires a lot of energy in the manufacturing process compared to paper and much carbon is emitted in the transport process, because the material's heavier weight. Also, much water is required to wash it after use. 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 Korean Air, Korea's biggest carrier, said Monday it has delivered the first AH-6 helicopter fuselage commissioned by Boeing Defense, Space Security (BDS). Korean Air signed a deal with Boeing in December 2021 to manufacture eight fuselages for AH-6 helicopters that will be assembled by BDS, the company said in a statement. Korean Air manufactured the country's first helicopter 500MD and sold a total of 309 500MD helicopters to the military, public organizations and private companies from 1977 to 1988, it said. The national flag carrier has also exported 516 500MD fuselages and recently successfully carried out an unmanned 500MD project. Helicopter fuselage manufacturing requires advanced and specialized technology for parts such as the canopy and landing gear. Korean Air said it will continue to collaborate with Boeing to expand its overseas sales and new aircraft development and manufacturing business in the future. (Yonhap) Hunter Biden. Donald Trump. The Titanic submersible implosion. These were the stories that the three main US cable news networks were covering near the top of the 8pm Eastern hour on Friday even as extraordinary events were beginning to unfold in Russia, where the Wagner mercenary groupled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former ally of (and chef to) President Vladimir Putinwas in the early throes of open mutiny against Putin and his defense ministry. While reports on the developing situation did feature, the networks relative lack of focus on itand, in particular, CNNs wall-to-wall coverage of the sub implosion, with Anderson Cooper anchoring from the maritime hub of St. Johns, Newfoundlandirked various prominent media-watchers. This is so embarrassing for the American networks, the journalist David Mack wrote on Twitter. Each one is doing the most on-brand story but ignoring the real one. While the level of media attention to the sub story had long since jumped the shark, it should be said, in fairness to the networks, that it wasnt totally clear to international observers what was actually happening in Russia. (Not that a lack of clarity has ever stopped the networks from airing wall-to-wall coverage; again, look no further than the sub story.) There was some real-time information and insight to be found in early news reports and on Elon Musks Twitter, butto a greater extent than in geopolitical crises pastone had to know where to go looking for it. And even well-placed experts were struggling to find reliable sourcing. The main sources of info are an army that lies about everything; a warlord who owns an infamous troll factory and lied about it for years; and the Kremlin, Max Seddon, the Moscow bureau chief at the Financial Times, wrote. And Russia destroyed the media, so there arent any good independent sources. As the hours passed, we heard more from voices inside Russia, including via the few remaining independent Russian outletsnot least Meduza, a site that publishes in both Russian and English and now operates from exile in neighboring Latviaand on-the-ground correspondents from international news organizations, including CNN (whose coverage various prominent media-watchers would end up praising). The real home of the event, Semafors Ben Smith noted, was Telegram, which, for Russians, is a combo of WhatsApp and Twitter; at one point on Saturday, Meduza reported that the platform was experiencing technical difficulties in parts of the country, possibly due to the surge in demand for breaking news coverage. (Not so much a home of the event? The funhouse-mirror world of Russian state TV. State channels did broadcast an emergency news bulletin and an address in which Putin denounced the mutineers as traitors and vowed to neutralize them. They also broadcast shows about cooking and astrology, and documentaries about the late former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and the illegal production of caviar. Sturgeon Lake, anyone?) By the time Putin spoke, Wagner forces had taken effective control of Rostov-on-Don, a key Russian military hub close to the border with Ukraine, and begun a march toward Moscow. The march continued into the afternoon, meeting surprisingly scant resistance. A bloody showdown looked to be imminent. Then, in the evening, we learned that a deal had been reached to halt the advance: Wagners soldiers would return to the front lines of the war in Ukraine and Prigozhin would go into exile in Belarus (whose president, Alexander Lukashenko, had brokered the deal between Prigozhin and Putin) in exchange for an effective legal amnesty. Putin, a man who punishes journalists and peaceful domestic opponents as if they were traitors, had apparently agreed to give an actual traitor no punishment at all. If only for now. Yesterday morning, Steve Rosenberg, the BBCs Russia editor, posted a picture to Twitter of a vehicle that he spotted while out driving in Moscow. The question WTF IS GOING ON? was plastered across the cars rear window. Couldnt have put it better myself, Rosenberg wrote. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Ever since the mutiny began, journalists and experts on the Russia beat have proposed answers to that question, some of them compelling, many more conjectural. Prigozhin, we have known for some time now, had had it with Putins top military officials, accusing them of trying to hobbleand of outright physically attackingthe forces at his disposal. But FilterLabs, a group that, among other things, attempts to monitor sentiment trends in Russian traditional and social media, reported that public support for Prigozhins mutiny appeared not to be strong enough for it to have much chance of success upon reaching Moscow; the British newspaper the Telegraph reported, citing UK security sources, that Putin had threatened Wagner leaders families. At time of writing, it was still not clear where either Putin or Prigozhin actually was, or might do next. (Yesterday afternoon, the latters press office told a Russian TV station that Prigozhin says hi to everyone and will answer questions when he has good reception on his cellphone.) I suspect that this is a moving picture, Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, said as he performed a(n almost) Full Ginsburg on US TV yesterday, and we havent seen the last act yet. If most observers seem to agree that the last shoe has yet to drop in this story, they also seem to agree that Putin has already emerged from it greatly weakened, even if his hold on power remains intact for now. Over the years, much coverage of Putin has traded in archetypes, often depicting him as a ruthless, 4D-chess-playing strongmanrevered at home, due in no small part to the hermetically sealed information environment he has created; dreaded, in almost Bond-villain terms, abroad. The truth, of course, has always been messier, and more uncertain. For starters, while Putin has indeed tried to suck the air out of Russias domestic media, there have long been gaps in the seal. Online readers can use VPNs and other tools to access restricted independent media. As the war in Ukraine has dragged disastrously on, a new cadre of pro-war bloggers have periodically challenged Putin from the right, for not being hardline enough. Mikhail Zygar, the former editor in chief of the independent Russian channel TV Rain, told The New Yorkers David Remnick over the weekend that these bloggers are now more important than propagandists on state TV. They pose themselves as representatives of some true Russia, Zygar said. They are careful, but they do not denounce Prigozhin. And repression does not always equal control. Writing in The Atlantic yesterday, Anne Applebaum argued that by distorting the domestic information space, Putin has, above all, encouraged widespread popular apathywhich has discouraged opposition to his rule, but also meant that, as Wagner forces marched on Moscow, Russians en route didnt rise up to stop them. Internationally, not everyone has always bought the media caricature of Putin as a strategic genius. (A remark that I once heard on a panel discussion about the Trump-Russia scandal, to the effect of the power dynamics in the Kremlin being far more farcical than one might intuitively think, has long stuck with me, though apparently not so much that I can remember who said it.) Putins prosecution of his war in Ukraine already punctured this image; if nothing else, the mutiny might finally deflate it and conjure a different media archetype in its stead: one of a paper tiger whose foes just grew real teeth. The truth, of course, will be messier than this image, too. Over the weekend, Zygar remarked to Remnick that the wall between inner Russia and virtual Russia is not that huge. He was referring to his own ability to report on the countrys political machinations from exile (he fled Russia last year following the invasion of Ukraine), which he feared would dissipate in his absence but which has proven durable as bureaucrats have continued to share their thoughts with him. The wall metaphor is an apt one for the broader work of figuring out WTF is going on in Russia, which has long been a challenge for observers and journalists both inside and outside the country (and thus a mitigating factor in their not diving into covering it feetfirst). If we once projected a cliched image of Putin onto the wall, the war, and now the mutiny, have blown some holes in it. On a granular level, its still hard to see everything behind the wall. But with each new hole, it becomes more obvious that Putin built the wall around himself. And that it may be obstructing his vision as much as ours. Other notable stories: Saturday marked one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade . (CJRs Betsy Morais wrote about the anniversary in Fridays newsletter .) Politico s Josh Gersteinwho was one of the reporters who broke news of the decision a month before it was confirmed, after obtaining a leaked draft opinion in the case looked back on how the decision has since changed the court and how it is perceived by both the public and the media, with justices giving their law clerks stricter warnings about confidentiality, and a series of investigative stories about the justices personal ethics triggering an internal debate between advocates of greater transparency and those who insist on their privacy. Conservatives have long claimed that, prior to Elon Musks takeover of Twitter last year, the platforms bosses wantonly censored pro-Trump speech, including, following the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, Trumps own account. But details from a company video call the day prior to the insurrection obtained by Drew Harwell, of the Washington Post show that bosses actually discouraged staff from clamping down on tweets that werent flagrant breaches of Twitters rules, even if they appeared to encourage violence. Per Harwell, bosses then dragged their feet on suspending Trump postJanuary 6. Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that the media mogul Barry Diller was exploring a sale of the Daily Beast . Benjamin Mullin now reports , also for the Times , that Diller subsequently entered discussions to combine the Daily Beast with The Ankler , a startup news operation that covers Hollywood, under a joint venture, but that the idea ultimately went nowhere. Janice Min, cofounder of The Ankler , said that a deal ultimately didnt make sense; Diller now says that the Daily Beast is no longer for sale. Recently, I wrote in this newsletter about the ouster of Geoffroy Lejeune, the editor of the hard-right French magazine Valeurs Actuelles , amid a dispute over its editorial direction. Last week, Lejeune was surprisingly tapped to lead Le Journal du Dimanche , a mainstream Sunday newspaper whose parent company is in the process of being acquired by a right-wing billionaire. In response, staffers at the title went on strike . And, after Spotify parted ways with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Wall Street Journal s Erich Schwartzel and Sarah Krouse report that the couples deal with Netflix isnt likely to be renewed either. Ultimately, Prince Harry and Meghans Hollywood foray is looking like a flop, Schwartzel and Krouse write, adding that the couple have struggled to make content that stretched beyond their own experiences. ICYMI: A year since Dobbs Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. NORFOLK, Va. (AP) When the Titan submersible made its fateful dive into the North Atlantic on Sunday, it also plunged into 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. Were at a point in submersible operations in deep water thats kind of akin to where aviation was in the early 20th century, said Salvatore Mercogliano, a history professor at Campbell University in North Carolina who focuses on maritime history and policy. Aviation was in its infancy and it took accidents for decisions to be made to be put into laws, Mercogliano said. 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. Thursdays announcement by the U.S. Coast Guard that the Titan had imploded near the Titanic shipwreck, killing all five people on board, has drawn attention to how these expeditions are regulated. Mercogliano said such operations are scrutinized less than the companies that launch people into space. In the Titans case, thats in part because it operated in international waters, far from the reach of many laws of the United States or other nations. The Titan wasnt registered as a U.S. vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety, Mercogliano added. Nor was it classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. Stockton Rush, the OceanGate CEO who died on Titan, had said he didnt want to be bogged down by such standards. 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. The Titan was a small vessel that was launched from another ship, the Canadian icebreaker Polar Prince, a setup that Mercogliano likened to pulling a boat on a trailer, in terms of regulatory purposes. The highway patrol has jurisdiction over the car and over the trailer, but not over the boat, he said. The boat is cargo. 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. Mike Reiss, a writer for The Simpsons television show who went on a Titanic expedition with OceanGate in 2022, recalled that his waiver said he would be subject to extreme pressure. And any failure of the vessel could cause severe injury or death. I will be exposed to risks associated with high pressure gases, pure oxygen, high voltage systems which could lead to injury, disability and death, Reiss said Thursday, going by memory. If I am injured, I may not receive immediate medical attention. Thomas Schoenbaum, a University of Washington law professor and author of the book Admiralty and Maritime Law, said such documents may be upheld in court if they are worded well. If those waivers are good, and I imagine they probably are because a lawyer probably drafted them, (families) may not be able to recover damages. At the same time, OceanGate could still face repercussions under the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993, Schoenbaum said. But it may depend on which arm of OceanGate owned the Titan submersible. Rush, the late OceanGate CEO, told AP in 2021 that it was an American company. But he said OceanGate Expeditions, which led dives to the Titanic, was based in the Bahamas. Schoenbaum said the 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. There are also questions of whether the Titan was insured or if the Canadian icebreakers insurance could come into play. The countries where lawsuits may be filed could also depend on contracts signed by passengers and crew. I would be very surprised, in a high-risk operation like this, if the contract did not address which law applies and where any claim can be filed, said George Rutherglen, a professor of admiralty law at the University of Virginia. Another problem is whether OceanGate survives and, if it does, who to sue, said Steve Flynn, a retired Coast Guard officer and director of Northeastern Universitys Global Resilience Institute. The company, which closed its Washington office in the aftermath of the tragedy, may also lack the ability to pay damages. If they were held liable, my guess would be they would be unlikely to have the many, many millions of dollars that if I were on a jury I would award, said Richard Daynard, distinguished professor at Northeastern University School of Law. In the meantime, Rutherglen said, he expects the U.S. will respond with tighter regulations given the loss of life and the millions of dollars spent by the Coast Guard. These wrecks at the bottom of the sea have become more accessible with advancing technology, Rutherglen said. It doesnt mean that its necessarily become safer to go down and take a look. The International Maritime Organization, which regulates commercial shipping, could take some kind of action, he added, and Congress also could pass legislation. Nations such as the U.S. could, for example, block ships engaging in such expeditions from docking in their ports. I would just be surprised if any incident with all of these costs involved wrongful death, expensive rescue would not lead to some initiatives, he said. Mercogliano, the Campbell University professor, said the Titans fatal implosion could lead to new safety regulations, just as the sinking of the Titanic did. The Titanic disaster killed 1,500 people in 1912 and led to requirements that ships carry enough lifeboats for all passengers, among other things. We dont quite have (safety standards) yet with submersibles. But I do think that one of the long-lasting implications of this disaster may be seeing that happen, Mercogliano said. Not everyone agrees. Forrest Booth, a San Francisco-based partner at Kennedys Law, said the International Maritime Organization has no authority to impose its will. There could be a move for states to adopt an international treaty on the deep ocean, Booth said via email. But that will be resisted by some nations that want to do deep-sea mining, etc. I do not think much of substance will happen after the media attention of this event dies down. Top photo: This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the companys Titan submersible. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. WASHINGTON (AP) Free medical clinics and legal aid clinics, where college students and their instructors help their communities while also learning more about their professions, are now commonplace. Google hopes to add cybersecurity clinics to that list. Google CEO Sundar Pichai pledged $20 million in donations on Thursday to support and expand the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics to introduce thousands of students to potential careers in cybersecurity, while also helping defend small government offices, rural hospitals and nonprofits from hacking. Pichai said the new initiative addresses both the rising number of cyberattacks up 38% globally in 2022 and the lack of candidates trained to stop them. Just as technology can create new threats, it can also help us fight them, Pichai said, announcing the commitment at Googles Washington offices. Security was critical to the work I did early in my Google career, including when we built our Chrome browser. Today, its core to everything we do, and the current inflection point in AI is helping take our efforts to the next level. The tech giant launched the Google Cybersecurity Certificate program last month to help prepare people for entry-level cybersecurity jobs. It also partnered with universities in New York on a research program to create learning and career opportunities across the cybersecurity sector. Making sure we protect and safeguard both the consumer services and the enterprises services we provide is foundational to the company, which is why we treat it as such, Pichai told The Associated Press in an interview after the announcement. Weve been building security from the ground up for a long time and training to innovate and stay ahead. Googles announcement had support from Congressional members on both sides of the aisle. Republican Rep. Jay Obernolte of California said addressing cyber threats is essential to the countrys economic competitiveness as well as national security. He added that China will likely produce twice as many computer science students with doctoral degrees this year than the United States. We need to incentivize students to pursue careers in fields like cybersecurity to reverse that trend, he said. We must all embrace the idea of becoming lifelong learners. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas said Googles initiative helps democratize cybersecurity, providing more employment opportunities and more protection to those not located in Silicon Valley. Small businesses literally can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, Castro said. Im grateful to Google for building on their commitment to support the growth of a workforce necessary to do everything from securing critical infrastructure in local communities to bolstering our national security. Pichai said there are currently more than 650,000 open cybersecurity jobs and there is a need for a diverse workforce to address the issue. We have seen this in the past when weve gone to communities and open data centers in rural communities, he said. It creates a spark. It inspires more people These are catalyzing moments. Justin Steele, director of Google.org, the companys philanthropic arm, said the initiative appealed to his team because it seeks projects where the funding can spawn change on multiple levels. Its a challenge, Steele said. But theres a huge opportunity here. Steele anticipates the cybersecurity clinics will have students help small organizations that lack their own technology departments with threat assessments and installing defenses. Those students get hands-on experience and they get to increase their marketability for all of these open jobs in cybersecurity, Steele said. We get to diversify the field of cybersecurity by training these students and we get to protect critical U.S. infrastructure. Ann Cleaveland, executive director of the Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity at the University of California, Berkeley, said the clinics can help organizations get over a sense of nihilism about dealing with hackers. While many groups think there is nothing they can do against a state-supported hacker or ransomware attacks, the clinics can offer low-level solutions that can combat a large number of threats. Students can really help organizations overcome 80 to 90% of the problems and give them a much more resilient stance, said Cleaveland, adding that the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics hopes to establish clinics in every state by 2030. Mark Lupo, coordinator of the University of Georgias clinic, known as CyberArch, said demand continues to increase for the clinics services because more and more data is at risk. We have continued as a society to bring more of our sensitive information online, so that vulnerability has only increased, he said. The malicious actors understand that sensitive data can be monetized, which, at some point in the past, was not even a thought. Now that theres money there, theyre going to gravitate toward that. That makes cybersecurity and all hands on deck issue, said Cleaveland, who is co-chair of the consortiums executive committee. She said Google.orgs donation will help the consortium establish new clinics, as well as provide mentors to the students staffing them. The funding is critical, especially for the smaller universities and colleges and for some of the minority-serving institutions, she said. And I think it will be transformative just in terms of making other institutions of higher education aware of the opportunity to have a cybersecurity clinic. Kevin Harris, program chair of the Department of Computational and Information Sciences at Stillman College, said he is ready to apply for a grant from Google. org to expand the cybersecurity clinic at his school, the first member of the consortium at a historically Black college or university. Were still pushing to make the field more inclusive, Harris said. When you look at an unfilled demand of 700,000+ jobs, why shouldnt everyone be able to take advantage of those opportunities no matter where youre located? Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The countrys largest public pension fund says the personal information of about 769,000 retired California employees and other beneficiaries including Social Security numbers was among data stolen by Russian cybercriminals in the breach of a popular file-transfer application. It blamed the breach on a third-party vendor that verifies deaths. The same vendor, PBI Research Services/Berwyn Group, also lost the personal data of at least 2.5 million Genworth Financial policyholders, including Social Security numbers, to the same criminal gang, according to the Fortune 500 insurer. 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, 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 dont pay up. Genworth disclosed the hack Thursday of the MOVEit instance managed by PBI Research in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Minnesota-based PBI Research did not immediately return a phone message seeking details on which of its other customers may have been affected. The companys website lists the Nevada, New Jersey and Tennessee public pension funds as among customers of its mortality verification service. This external breach of information is inexcusable, CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost said in a news release. 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. CalPERS had more than $442 billion in assets as of Dec. 31 and about 1.5 million members. Security experts say such so-called supply-chain hacks expose an uncomfortable truth about the software organizations use: Network security is only as strong as the weakest digital link in the ecosystem. The stolen data included names, birth dates and Social Security numbers and might also include names of spouses or domestic partners and children, officials said. 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. The agency did not elaborate on those safeguards, citing security reasons. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Dan and Jennet Foster, owners of Minuteman Press, celebrated their move to a new location in Westlake June 15 with dozens of friends and customers who came out to join in the festivities. We originally opened on Great Northern Boulevard, then acquired a little Mom and Pop (space) in Fairview (Park) on Center Ridge that is now Panda Express, Jennet said. We were also in North Olmsted on Lorain Road between Columbia and Clague roads. Then we decided it didnt make sense to have two places, and we knew we needed more space. So, we moved at the end of January for a soft opening in Westlake, because we needed time to get all settled in. Dan commented on what their printing, marketing and design business can offer: We tailor things for our customers, and we can provide consulting for an approach (they may not have thought of). They can always come and discuss their project thoughts and needs with us. When asked about the artificial intelligence movement and how it might impact their business, Dan said with confidence, We believe it will only make us more productive. For more information on Minuteman Press and its offerings, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/oh/westlake/. The stores is now located at 26145 Center Ridge Road, (Unit A in the back) in Westlake. Phone: 440-356-6361. Read more from the West Shore Sun. CLEVELAND, Ohio Authorities on Monday arrested an Aurora man accused of singing battle hymns during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and leading a group toward a violent fight between rioters and police defending the Senate chamber. Trevor Cain, 38, is charged in federal court with obstruction of an official proceeding, entering and remaining in a restricted building, parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol and two counts of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building. Cain will make his first court appearance in U.S. District Court in Akron before his case is transferred to Washington D.C. An attorney for Cain is not listed in court records. Cain is among the 55 Ohioans charged in the U.S. Department of Justices investigation into the attack. More than 1,000 people have been charged in the case, with some 300 sentenced to prison. The FBI used surveillance cameras and videos from Cains phone and the phones of other rioters to identify him. Eleven people sent tips people to the FBI that fingered Cain as the person depicted in photos and videos from the riot, according to court records. Cain wore a TRUMP bandana and carried a Betsy Ross American Flag with the number 76 stitched into it. He said in videos taken by himself and others that he believed people needed to revolt against the government, court records say. He was inside the building for about 30 minutes. Cain travelled to Washington D.C. as part of a seven-bus caravan coordinated through an organization called Free Ohio Now to attend then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal Rally. During the rally, Trump urged the crowd to fight like hell to stop the certification of Joe Bidens election as president. Cain marched to the Capitol with hundreds of others and walked into the building through the Senate Wing door while filming a first-person video on his phone and narrating his journey. Cain walked to the Crypt and led other rioters in battle hymns and chants as they walked up a flight of stairs to the Rotunda. Yeah we had to break a door and a window to get back in here. Hey, but its our house so its okay anyways, he said in the video. As he walked around the rotunda, Cain compared himself and others inside the building to the patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War. Welcome to history, ladies and gentleman, Jan. 6, 2021, when we took our country back, he said. When we said no more to the career politicians. No more to these commies. Not on my watch. Not on anybodys watch whos a patriot. He sang more battle hymns before walking up to a group wearing military-style gear and asked which side of the building housed the Senate and House, according to court records. Cain led a group of rioters to the Senate wing, singing battle hymns. When they arrived, a large group was already fighting with Washington D.C. Metropolitan police officers who were guarding the Senate chambers. Cain warned the group when the officers started pepper-spraying the crowd, according to court records. He walked around the building for a few more minutes before he left. He later gave an interview to someone who posted it on YouTube in which he said history was in the air and that protestors were storming like the beaches of Normandy. Cain said he believed the election was stolen from Trump and that Biden was a commie agent and lived in his basement. He said Trump was for the people and believed he was making history. FBI agents interviewed Cain twice for about two hours, once on Feb. 5, 2021 and once on May 3, 2022. Cain told investigators that the rioters entered the building because of the riots over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd in 2020, because of coronavirus lockdowns and what he believed to be the stolen election, according to court records. During those interviews, Cain said he never witnessed violence or vandalism during his time inside the building, court records said. He told investigators he had no intentions of overthrowing the government or hurting any elected officials. Cain said he believed that pissed off patriots were allowed into the building and that he stayed in hallways that the public is usually allowed to tour, court records said. Cain also told FBI agents that he regretted his decision and realized his actions were wrong, according to court records. Adam Ferrise covers federal courts at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. You can find his work here. CLEVELAND, Ohio ABCs Good Morning America will broadcast the United States of Breakfast from Cleveland during the 8 a.m. hour on Tuesday, June 27. Restaurants Grumpys Cafe, 2621 West 14th Street, Cleveland, and Martha on the Fly, 2173 Professor Avenue, Cleveland, are competing for the title. Update: Good Morning America names best breakfast restaurant in Cleveland The United States of Breakfast is GMAs week-long search for the best breakfast from four cities. The competition starts Monday in Houston, then travels to Cleveland, Boston and Philadelphia. The theme of the Cleveland competition is Cleveland Comforts. On Friday, June 30, the winner in each city travels to New York City to compete live, in-studio on GMA. In addition to the national title, the winner receives $10,000. Good Morning America producers chose the two popular Tremont neighborhood restaurants after researching the Greater Cleveland culinary scene. They made their selections based on several factors including quality product; Interesting backstory, diversity in ownership as well as reviews by the media and community. In Cleveland, guest judges are former gymnast Dominique Moceanu, Cood Morning Cleveland anchor Mike Brookbank and a former Cleveland Browns player Josh Cribbs. Judges for the finale showdown on Friday, June 30, are Barbara Corcoran (investor and television personality on Shark Tank), Carson Kressley (television personality), Adam Richman (actor and television personality) and Leah Cohen (chef and restaurateur). . CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As Yelp Clevelands Community Director, Lauren Kotmel is at the helm of a vibrant, buzzing community of locals who drink, shop, and play their way through the city via peer recommendations on Yelp. Summer is here and Lauren gave us the scoop on an eclectic mix of food and drink trends taking over Cleveland. Embrace the summer season with these local trends from small businesses in the Greater Cleveland area and discover a new favorite spot. Want to see your favorite spot make the list next time? Support local, pen your first review and join the Yelp Elite Squad today. Follow @YelpCleveland for more local food and drink trends. Asparagus salad - Blanched asparagus, romaine, Parmesan, hard-boiled egg, tomato, Kalamata olives, lemon, tomato-olive vinaigrette from Souper Market - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com Asparagus salad Asparagus salad is a fresh way to eat your colors. Its proof that well-balanced simple ingredients can create amazing flavors. For a healthy and bright take on this trending summer salad, Noble Beast Brewing is serving up summer accompanied by spring radish, cotija cheese, black pepper croutons, and tarragon vinaigrette. For a more casual take, this Souper Market salad comes with parmesan, hard-boiled egg, tomato, Kalamata olives, lemon, and tomato-olive vinaigrette. Watermelon Habanero Margarita - Freshly muddled watermelon, lime, tequila from Blue Habanero located at 6416 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com Watermelon cocktails Watermelon cocktails are the epitome of summer sipping. With their vibrant hue and juicy sweetness, they bring a refreshing burst of flavor on hot days. Yelp Elites are raving about the watermelon habanero margarita from Blue Habanero in Gordon Square for its spicy kick.. For a more effervescent cocktail made with watermelon juice, the Leaving You is Bittersweet from Jaja will hit the spot. Vegan Firebird Pizza - Buffalo sauce, Vegan Party Sauce, vegan buffalo chicken from Ohio Pie Co. with locations in Rocky River- 19565 Detroit Rd. Rocky River and Brunswick - 1315 Pearl Rd. Brunswick - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com Vegan pizza Yelpers are continuing to hunt down the best vegan pizza in Northeast Ohio. Locally, you can find delicious vegan pizza at Booms Pizza in Lakewood made with vegan pepperoni, while the new Geracis Slice Shop in Downtown Cleveland offers a spicier take with crushed red pepper. Adventurous eaters dont want to miss Ohio Pie Co. currently offering six vegan specialty pies, including the Yelper favorite Vegan Firebird. Lechon Kawali (crispy pork belly) from Kainan Filipino Restaurant & Carryout located at 5382 State Rd., Parma - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com Filipino food Picture this: crispy pork belly thats so tender it melts in your mouth, savory adobo with a perfect blend of soy sauce and vinegar, and dishes with a kick of garlic and spices thatll wake up your senses. Its all about the bold flavors, the vibrant colors, and the love that goes into each dish. Grab a plate of homemade Filipino food and dig in at Melys Kainan in Parma or Nipa Hut Oriental Food Market in Parma Heights to expand your palette with this trending global cuisine. Mojito -- mint and lime -- is just one of Mount Granita's developing flavors. (Photo by Paris Wolfe) Italian ice Italian ice is a frozen dessert from Italy made by blending water, sugar, and various flavors. It has a slushy, refreshing texture similar to sorbet or shaved ice and is the perfect summer treat to cool you down. For delicious Italian ice in Cleveland, Yelpers are loving the brand new Mount Granita Italian Ice in Little Italy, while Corbos Bakery is a long-time Yelp favorite for this delicious dessert. RELATED: Tinned fish, pierogi pizza, fresh tapas & more: Yelp Clevelands spring food trends for 2023 Nachos, slushies, tteokbokki & more: Yelp Clevelands winter food trends for 2023 WILMINGTON, Del. Sarah McBride, who became the first openly transgender person to hold a state senate seat in the nation, announced Monday she will run for Delawares at-large U.S. House seat. If she is successful, she would become the first openly transgender member of the U.S. Congress. McBride, 32, announced she will run for the seat currently held by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a fellow Democrat, who said last week she will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Thomas R. Carper, who is retiring. In a video announcing her Congressional bid, McBride spoke of unifying people through hard work to create a better community. Too many politicians want to divide us, to tell us teachers, doctors, even our own neighbors are the enemy, she said. Blocking out the noise and focusing on what actually matters isnt easy. My commitment is to the people in Delaware who arent seen, who dont shout the loudest or fund political campaigns: parents busy raising their children, seniors worried about paying for prescription drugs, working people struggling to keep up, McBride said. Everyone deserves a member of Congress who sees them and respects them. Both elections will take place next year. McBride, considered a rising star in Delaware politics is no stranger to firsts: In 2012 as an intern in Barack Obamas administration, she became the first openly transgender person to work at the White House. She collected more than 70% of the vote in 2020 to win her Wilmington-based State Senate seat and was unopposed for a second term last year, the New York Times reported. A former national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, the countrys largest LGBTQ advocacy group, she also has ties to President Joe Biden and his Delaware-based family, The Washington Post reported. Biden wrote the forward for a memoir on the pursuit of transgender equality that McBride wrote in 2018 titled Tomorrow Will Be Different. She also worked on the Delaware attorney general campaigns of Beau Biden, the presidents son who died in 2015. Her candidacy comes during an onslaught of Republican-led policies that target L.G.B.T.Q. people. Seventeen states have passed bills this year directed at gender-affirming care for transgender youth, a sharp uptick from the three states that had previously approved restrictions, The Times said. States like Florida, where laws prevent public schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity, are debating whether to ban LGBTQ-related information for K-12 students. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference with African leaders, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 16. Reuters-Yonhap Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed the weekend's turmoil in Russia in phone calls with the leaders of the United States, Canada and Poland on Sunday, and that the "weakness" of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin had been "exposed." The phone calls took place after an extraordinary failed mutiny by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday that raised questions about Putin's grip on power as Ukraine presses a counteroffensive in its south and east. "We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored," Zelenskyy said after a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden. He said he and Biden had also discussed further expanding defense cooperation with an emphasis on long-range weapons, coordination ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius next month and preparations for a "Global Peace Summit" he has promoted. WASHINGTON Student loan payments paused during the pandemic will restart this fall, regardless of how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on President Joe Bidens student loan forgiveness program. Biden had already announced that the pause would end late in August. Language in the debt ceiling legislation cemented those plans. As a result, an estimated 45 million people who owe a combined $1.6 trillion for paused student loans more than Americans owe for any kind of consumer debt other than mortgages will have to start making payments again. How much those payments will be could be affected by the Supreme Courts decision on Bidens forgiveness program, a ruling expected this week. Regardless, student loan interest will start accruing again on September 1. Payments will restart in October. That means tough decisions for many borrowers, especially those in already-difficult financial situations, The Associated Press reported. Simply not paying is a bad idea Experts caution that borrowers who just dont pay might be hit with serious consequences, such as lower credit scores and perhaps exclusion from future aid and benefits. Delinquency and bankruptcy should be options of last resort, experts say. It might be possible to find short term relief through deferment and forbearance. Those would pause payments, though interest may continue to accrue. Related Stories: How much student loan debt are students graduating with at 16 Ohio colleges? New student loan debt help: How to apply for forgiveness program SAVE Have a student loan? Debt ceiling deal means youll need to restart payments Biden student loan relief plan struck down. Whats next? Advisers say if you have trouble making payments, you first should check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan, which determines your payments by looking at your expenses, Associated Press said. You can determine this by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. If youve worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives student debt after 10 years. Borrowers who are temporarily unemployed should be able to qualify for a $0 payment plan, Carolina Rodriguez, Director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program at the Community Service Society of New York, told The AP. Many others qualify based on income and family size. The repercussions of falling into delinquency can be pretty severe, Rodriguez said. The federal government can administratively intercept tax refunds and garnish wages. And it can affect Social Security, retirement, and disability benefits. Does it make financial sense at that point? Probably not. Bankruptcy protection may not apply Bankruptcy protection may be an option, but it is difficult to have your loans discharged, or canceled because borrowers must prove a very hard standard of financial circumstances, called undue hardship. Abby Shafroth, senior attorney and director of the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project at the National Consumer Law Center, said that new guidance on student loan bankruptcy has been coming out in recent years. Though it is difficult to get your loans discharged through the bankruptcy process, an increasing number of borrowers are eligible to get their loans discharged that way, she said. A lot of people write that off as theres no way, its impossible. But its increasingly possible. Rodriguez recommends anyone considering that option should consult a bankruptcy attorney who understands student loan bankruptcy. Some other options Many borrowers may still be eligible to have loans canceled under a number of programs, Shafroth told The AP. They might apply if: Your school closed before you could complete your program. Your school lied to you or misrepresented the outcome of what your enrolling would be. You have a disability. Borrowers should look at the Student Aid website to see what their options might be before missing payments, she said. Going into default Borrowers who fall behind on their loan by 270 days roughly 9 months will start seeing the loan appear on their credit reports as being in default. At that point, its not just behind, its in collections, Shafroth told The AP. That means the government can garnish wages (without a court order) to go towards paying back the loan, intercept tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks and other benefit payments. Thats when you become ineligible to take out new federal student aid. A lot of people go into default because they werent able to complete their degree the first time. This prevents them from going back to school. The Biden administrations Fresh Start program allows borrowers who were in default before the pause, and those who were behind in payments but not yet in default before the pause, a chance to get current through August 2024 and not be subject to the collection processes. These defaulted loans are now being reported to credit bureaus as current. And these borrowers have also been granted permission to apply for federal student loans again, to complete degrees. But the borrowers must act before the grace period expires. The Supreme Court decision Whether many could see balances reduced or erased is still up in the air. That will depend on whether the Supreme Court disallows student loan forgiveness that Biden has sought to implement. Bidens plan would forgive up to $20,000 in debt for some people with outstanding balances. Bidens plan would cancel $10,000 of federal student loan debt for those who make under $125,000 a year. People who received Pell grants for low-income families could qualify for an additional $10,000 in debt cancellation. A decision is expected this week in two cases contesting Bidens forgiveness plan. Court watchers speculate that the court appeared ready to reject the plan, but others also suggested the court might find those challenging the plan did not have standing and could throw the case out. Editors note: This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. By Nathalie Alonso In January, acclaimed Cuban American author Meg Medina was named the eighth National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature. She is the first author of Latino heritage selected for the role, an honor established in 2008 by the Childrens Book Council, the Library of Congress and the nonprofit Every Child a Reader. The ambassador raises national awareness of the importance of young peoples literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people. During her two-year term, Medina will visit schools and libraries across the country to expand the rollout of her platform Cuentame: Lets talk books, which encourages dialogue about books among children, families and communities. Medina was born in Virginia to Cuban parents and raised in Queens in New York City. She now lives in Richmond, Va. Medina has built a writing career around strong Latina protagonists in her work, which includes award-winning picture books such as Evelyn del Rey Is Moving Away, Mango, Abuela, and Me, and Tia Isa Wants a Car, the last of which won the 2012 Ezra Jack Keats Award, which celebrates new authors and illustrators of picture books that reflect multicultural diversity and the universal qualities of childhood. Medina has also written young adult novels, like The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, which won the 2014 Pura Belpre Award, and Burn Baby Burn, which was long-listed for the National Book Award in 2016. Medina also won the John Newbery Medal in 2019 for her middle grade novel Merci Suarez Changes Gears, which became the first book in a trilogy aimed at pre-teen audiences. Prior to becoming a childrens author, Medina was a freelance journalist and a classroom teacher, working with kids of all ages. In an interview with palabra, Medina reflected on a variety of topics, including Latino representation in childrens books, the value of embracing bilingualism in literature, navigating book bans and censorship, and how shes using her platform to encourage discussion about books outside of the classroom. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. 8 1 / 8 Cuban American author Meg Medina palabra: Youve received many awards and accolades in your career. Where does being named National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature, and the first of Latino heritage, rank for you? Medina: When you receive other kinds of book awards, its lovely, certainly. You get a pretty seal on your book. People are more aware of your work. But you receive it without anything to do. When you are the ambassador, its a little different. I think of it as being in service. You agree for two years to be in service to your country, and specifically to the children of this country. Im in service to all of the children in this country I think its 74 million. Im happy to serve them. But Im also keenly aware that for Latino families and children, this is an opportunity for them to see that we can have rich literary lives, that our lives and our stories are part of the literary story of the United States. palabra: What does that balance look like? How do you make sure that Latino kids feel represented while balancing that with Im an advocate for all kids. Medina: Rarely do I read a story outside of my own cultural heritage and say, This is only for that group. Almost always I could read a story written by anyone and say, Oh, that feels familiar to my family, or that feels familiar to me. I know how that feels. And so proceeding through that, always remembering that in the seats are kids who would have been like I was when I was little and there are also kids who dont have that experience. And they are all part of that reading family in that moment with me. My job is really to be myself and to welcome them in and meet them where they are. I think thats what that balance looks like. Theres no way for me to not be a Latina. Theres just no way that you can talk to me about my work and not talk about my experience, about language, so thats going to be part of it everywhere. But childhood is part of it. Family is part of it. Growing up is part of it. And those are the conversations that we can all have together. palabra: You and I grew up without representation. Now, your novels and picture books center strong Latina protagonists. How does the experience of not having seen your life reflected in books inform your choices about what to write and your desire to write in the first place? Medina: To be perfectly honest, that didnt stop me from being a reader, because my family was very steeped in story, in oral storytelling. A lot of times we think that the things in our home are not literacy activities because were not necessarily seeing them through print. But in recipes, in oral stories about Cuba, about their neighbors, about their lives, about what it took to get here all of those things created for me an ear for story and an interest in human beings. I didnt see myself in Nancy Drew or Charlottes Web or any of the books that I read, but I did have this sense of story. I liked story. I liked escaping. But it wasnt until I got to college that I started to see Sandra Cisneros, even Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And my first emotion that I remember back then was a little bit of comfort, like, here they are the people that sound like my family. There we are. And also a little rage. Like, why has it taken so long? Now, when Im writing, I dont want that experience for kids. So I write books that feature the people who are in their classroom, and in their neighborhood, and in their families. And I try to draw them the way I experienced people, the way they are with their good points and bad points and I just tried to draw it as authentically as I can. palabra: We spend a lot of time talking about the need for more representation. One in four children in the U.S. are Latino, but when you look at the juvenile books published in recent years, the percentages of childrens books by Latino authors and featuring Latino characters and subjects doesnt reflect that. Why is that a problem? Why does representation matter? Medina: Because its the truth. When we dont tell someones story, when we refuse to have it on the shelf, when we dont publish enough of it, were saying it doesnt exist. Its a form of erasure. We cant erase people. Our job is to embrace the children in the seats and to help them read books, not only about themselves, but about the kids who they are sharing a classroom with. On a very basic level, its just accurate. You want accuracy in the books that we publish for children. palabra: What is the importance of kids seeing themselves in books as theyre cultivating that love of reading? Medina: That theyre there, that they matter, that they are worthy of being in a book, that their stories arent a side note or somehow less important. All of those are implied messages when we dont center children from a range of backgrounds, when we decide that only a certain kind of child is worthy of being the main character. Giving kids a chance to see characters like them in a range of roles tells them that in life they have a range of roles that they do exist, that they do have agency and power. Its only fair. palabra: You use a lot of Spanish in your work. And bilingualism is sometimes seen as something to overcome. What role has being bilingual played in your life and what do you think that offers readers? Medina: I have loved being bilingual. I think that language is a fraught subject in our community, because sometimes Latinos use whether you speak Spanish as a litmus test of how Latina you really are. I cant get on board with that. I use translanguaging, the use of Spanish words and Spanglish words, invented words that we are very familiar with in our community. I use those because thats how we sound. It wasnt a larger mission that I had in the moment that I was using it. Thats how we sound. Our language is elastic. Our language expands to represent us. I think only good things happen when we conquer more than one language. If nothing else, you have more people that you can speak with and understand. But theres so much research on the brain power of bilingualism, the lasting power of bilingualism on mental acuity, and the positive effects it has on kids in school. Its wonderful. I would like to see bilingualism really supported early on in elementary school. palabra: As a Latina author, what has been your experience in publishing? What challenges have you faced? Medina: I came to childrens publishing around 2005 and there was a nascent interest in publishing more voices, but we were still operating very much in old models, which looked like, Im sorry, we already have our one Latina writer. When my first book came out, it got nice reviews but it was a very quiet book and it died. Its no longer in print. So I didnt have this meteoric rise that some folks have. I think the first thing that really turned eyes to my work was the Ezra Jack Keats Award for Tia Isa Wants a Car. That award made a huge difference in my career because it turned librarians eyes toward my work. And I have found that in childrens publishing, you cant overstate the role of teachers and librarians in your career, because they often are the ones who are reading the books first and bringing it to kids. palabra: Youve met a lot of Latino kids in the course of your career. When they meet you, when they see an author who looks like them and speaks like them, what are those reactions like? Medina: Carino. Thats how it is. Ive gone to schools where they have never met a Latino author or never had an author at their school. They want to tell me: I speak Spanish or I have an abuela or My tias name is They look proud. They look relieved to me and they look seen. And that feels really good. palabra: How has the experience of having been a teacher informed your work? Medina: Schools can just be difficult places, with lots of absurd situations. Everything is so arbitrary. Having been in that space with kids for a long time and feeling the frustration that they feel sometimes, that powerlessness, and also feeling the unity that can happen in a classroom. When a teacher and their students can create that sacred space where they can learn, breathe together, and spend time together, thats a beautiful thing. I try to capture all of that. I try to remember the moments of frustration. I try to draw the adult characters, remembering parts of myself, parts of colleagues. I think being a teacher helps me have just one more lens, one more way that I experienced kids. palabra: Lets talk about Cuentame: Lets talk books. How did you come up with a platform that is centered around sharing stories and the oral tradition you mentioned earlier? Medina: Cuentame we always say that when we meet a friend. Like, Whats up? It feels like a very comforting phrase to me, a friendly phrase and an opening phrase. And it was important to me that whatever my platform was, that it would firmly reflect who I am. I am a Latina author. I want to reach all children, but this is the body and the experience that I inhabit. So its in both languages: Cuentame: Lets talk books. Its both of those things together. palabra: Youre coming into the role of ambassador in the midst of culture wars and childrens books overwhelmingly books by people from marginalized communities, people of color ending up on banned lists. In some states, teachers can get in trouble for having certain books on their shelves. How are you navigating all of this? Medina: The role of the ambassador comes through the Library of Congress, with Congress being a bipartisan body. Im not speaking for the position of ambassador in this particular case, but as an author and as a person. I think that its never a wise idea to create impediments for kids and reading. And my role as ambassador is pro-kid. I am extremely pro-library, and Im extremely pro-teacher, having been one. A lot of this is couched as a parent power thing. I think the truest power that you can have with your kid is one thats based on communication. I think forbidding kids to read things, to take things (out of) libraries, I dont think that that is the best path to creating that kind of strong bond with your child. My feeling is you should read books together, you should discuss them. You can argue about them if you want to. You will have different opinions about them. But I think all that should be done with books, but not banning them. Its a bit of a delicate dance as ambassador. I cant come out blazing on the issue but I do have my own really strong thoughts on that. And that is that, I think banning books is not a good idea. I think that parents do have a right to be in conversation with their own kids about what they are allowed to read and not read. I have grave concerns when parents are allowed to make those decisions for everyones children in a district or in a classroom. palabra: Youve had your work censored with Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. And Mango, Abuela, and Me ended up on a banned list. What is that like as an author? Medina: I have worked in a number of nonprofits that support children and literacy. Im serving as ambassador. Im a mother. I was a teacher. So to say that something that I have written is in some way, vulgar or dangerous or damaging to children, I take as the deepest insult. I think often what happens is that groups are really good at zeroing in on a small piece of the work instead of looking at the totality of the work. With Yaqui, you could look at the cover and just say, Oh, that word completely makes it off-limits. But if you read the work, what would you be denying the child? Youd be denying them a chance to talk about bullying, about Latinidad, about family, about school, about their parents, about what to do if theyre in that situation. Youre denying a much richer conversation by not trusting them to be able to read and think and have ideas. palabra: Children have lost instruction time because of the pandemic and reading scores have dropped for children of various backgrounds. How is that factoring into your approach to the role of ambassador? Medina: Im trying not to lean into those statistics. I think that we need very targeted and focused work where the deficiencies are, but all of the other ways to support reading cannot be done with that same mindset of digging out of a hole and that really sad, frantic urgency. I really think that we are better served when were giving kids not only the tools they need to unlock words, but also giving them great books, new voices, fun ways to talk about books and interact with books, (making) lots of books available at home, in their classrooms, in their schools. Cuentame. We want to lather them up in lots of books and stories. Nathalie Alonso is a Cuban American journalist based in Queens, New York, where she was born and raised. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including National Geographic, Outside, Refinery29, AFAR, and TIME for Kids. She is also the author of several forthcoming books for children, including Hispanic Star: Sonia Sotomayor and Hispanic Star: Ellen Ochoa (Roaring Book Press, 2023); Old Clothes for Dinner?! (Barefoot Books, 2024); and Call Me Roberto! (Calkins Creek, 2024). She is on the faculty for the Highlights Foundation. Since 2006, Nathalie has worked as an editorial producer, translator and reporter for LasMayores.com, the official Spanish language website of Major League Baseball. She received a B.A. in American studies from Columbia University. Learn more about her work at NathalieAlonso.com. Carlos Bernate, born and raised in Bucaramanga, Colombia, is a gender-fluid photographer, videographer, communications specialist and writer. Their work is focused on human rights, identity and social humanitarian-related issues. In 2016, Bernate completed a four-year degree in Photography & Film from the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Bogota, Colombia. Carlos work has been published internationally, notably in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg Businessweek among many others. They have also been recognized with several honors and awards. For example, AI-AP American Photography selected Carlos as both a 2021 and 2022 winner and three awards by The Virginia Press Association in 2019. Their stories have also been exhibited worldwide in Portugal, Argentina, Colombia and the USA. Currently, theyre dedicated to documenting their community in Richmond, Virginia, where they have been based since 2017. Additionally, Carlos works as a communications coordinator for a Latin American non-profit organization called Sacred Heart Center in Richmond. Ricardo J. Partida, a New York City-based photographer, filmmaker and educator, focuses on documentary work centered around capturing the complexities of immigrant families. Through his lens, he hopes to illuminate their stories, cultural heritage and the challenges they encounter. As an educator, Ricardo empowers aspiring storytellers, equipping them with skills to amplify their voices and share their unique narratives. His work aims to demonstrate the power of visual storytelling in fostering connections across diverse communities. The Reckon Report is a weekly newsletter that goes deeper in todays most-discussed headlines. Subscribe today and stay ready for the proverbial water cooler. This column by Sikowis Nobiss, Nehiyaw/Saulteaux of the George Gordon First Nation decolonizes the news by bringing an Indigenous perspective to current events affecting our world. Earlier this month Indigenous Peoples across the nation took a collective sigh of relief when the Supreme Court of the United States voted to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act known as ICWA. This was the latest attack on this vital piece of legislation that has protected Native American and Alaska Native children for decades from systems rooted in white supremacy and colonial violence. I was also relieved, yet as an Indigenous organizer I feel jaded about celebrating this win. ICWA is the bare minimum of what we inherently deserve, but the colonial urge to control every aspect of our lives means that, over the years, this important piece of legislation has been ceaselessly attacked. This urge is fueled by religious fundamentalism, capitalistic greed, and white supremacy that is built into the structures that govern this country. ICWA was passed in 1978 after generations of Native American and Alaska Native children were abducted illegally or legitimately by state child welfare and private adoption agencies. The act protects the best interests of Native children that are removed from their homes by placing them with family members or members of their Indigenous communities. According to The National Indian Child Welfare Association, before ICWA, 25%35% of all Native children were being removed [from their homes]; of these, 85% were placed outside of their families and communitieseven when fit and willing relatives were available. In other words around one-third of Native children were being stolen from their homes and placed in majority white, Christian families. Considering the history of abduction, mistreatment and murder of Indigenous children in this country, it is no wonder that Tribal Nations, organizations and grassroots leaders fought for ICWA. When Native children are surrounded by their communities, they are better able to self-identify as Indigenous and carry forward tribal culture and tradition. But the implications of this recent attack on ICWA were much larger than protecting a 45-year-old federal law that protects the well-being and best interests of Indian children and families. By allowing tribal governments to make decisions about their own citizens, ICWA respects the inherent sovereignty of tribal nations. According to the Lakota Peoples Law Project, If ICWA was overturned, It would have created a domino effect that threatened to end Native and Indian designations, leading to the erosion or total erasure of Native rights in the only homelands Indigenous North Americans have ever known. The plaintiffs were even represented by the same lawyers that worked against Tribal Nations during the Dakota Access and Line 3 pipeline fights, continuing the centuries-long threat to Tribal sovereignty for the sake of land and resources. The act of stealing our children is rooted in over five centuries of severe colonial violence and systematic genocide. Starting in 1887, thousands of children were stolen from their homes and forced to attend boarding schools (aka, residential schools) with the sole intention of killing the Indian to save the man. The premise behind this famous saying written by Richard Henry Pratt, founder of Carlisle Indian school was to uplift the colonial status quo of the doctrine of discovery, which maintained that god-fearing Christians had a responsibility to civilize savage Indigenous Peoples around the world by forcing them into Christianity and assimilating them into colonial civilization. This resulted in countless children being torn from their homes by government-sanctioned religious fundamentalists, and forced into internment camps charading as boarding schools where they were horrifically abused, beaten, molested, and murdered in the name of being reshaped into the image of European Christians. The ongoing threat to ICWA is just one example of the colonial obsession with controlling brown and Black bodies and ways of life. We have been fighting for bodily autonomy, reproductive liberation and control of our families for centuries. Indigenous Peoples have not been able to move our bodies, use our bodies or control our families since imperialist forces invaded our lands. This has resulted in decades of enforced sterilization, the oppression of Two Spirit peoples, and Indigenous women being disappeared, killed and sex trafficked at higher rates than any other population in the country. We went from internment camps, to reservations where we needed permission from Indian Agents to leave, to being disproportionately jailed and murdered by police. At the same time, this history is being forcefully erased, whitewashed and romanticized through recent bans on critical race theory across the country. The day after ICWA was upheld, the 6 week ban on abortion was thrown out by the Iowa supreme court. I felt a similar sense of relief and exhaustion as I am acutely aware that, like ICWA, attacks on my community and the few legal protections that we have will continue until the colonial systems that perpetuate these issues are uprooted. We need a national movement in order to make the kind of real and lasting change that is needed to weed out hundreds of years of entrenched white supremacy and religious fundamentalism within our governing structures. The symptoms are easily discussed but the underlying disease of white supremacist, colonial-capitalist, Christian fundamentalism still leading this country must absolutely be at the forefront of the conversation. To do this, White and privileged folks need to look beyond what affects just their own circles and do better to increase power and equity within oppressed groups so we can shed a brighter light on the colonial oppression and erasure of Indigenous Peoples across the nation. Sikowis Nobiss, MA is Nehiyaw/Saulteaux of the George Gordon First Nation and the founder and Executive Director of Great Plains Action Society. When she imagines a strong political infrastructure, societies built on compassion, and a regenerative economy, she sees a focus on relationships and community. She believes we can get there through Indigenous ideologies and practices, which are the antitheses to christian fundamentalism and colonial capitalism. Sikowis is mom, a writer, a speaker, an organizer and an earth defender fighting to decolonize the world. Learn more about Great Plains Action Society at greatplainsaction.org. The Perspectives section at Reckon covers the people powering change, the challenges shaping our time and what it means for all of us. For the first time in his more than 20-year rule, President Vladimir Putins power appeared to hang in the balance this weekend. And even though the rebellious Russian mercenary forces who descended on Moscow have turned back, Putin will struggle to project the image of a man in total control that he once did. That could set the stage for further challenges to his rule at home and could weaken Russias hand in the war in Ukraine. With spectacular ease and a stated aim of ousting Russias defense minister, Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner troops swept into Rostov-on-Don, a city of 1.1 million people, and seized the military headquarters there. They then continued hundreds of kilometers (miles) north on a lightning march toward the capital without meeting any serious resistance. Some were even cheered a sign that Prigozhins positioning of himself as an enemy of a corrupt and incompetent elite resonated and a detail that will not be lost on those surrounding Putin in the coming days. This whole episode has sowed really profound anxiety across Russias elites, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the Institute for Strategic Studies. The actions of the Russian leaders one-time protege severely shake confidence in Putin among those around him who matter. For several tense hours, the Kremlin seemed powerless as Wagner convoys rolled through Russia, smashing occasional roadblocks and shooting down aircraft sent by the military in a desperate attempt to stop them. With the bulk of Russian forces tied up in the fighting in Ukraine, authorities rushed a motley collection of troops and police to protect Moscow, dug up roads and even blew up bridges to slow down the onslaught. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov vanished from public view on that decisive day, amplifying the sense of weakness and lack of control. In a televised address to the nation broadcast early Saturday, a somber-looking Putin accused Prigozhin of betrayal and compared the situation to the collapse of the Russian empire in 1917. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors as he addresses the nation Saturday after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, called for armed rebellion and reached the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his troops. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)AP But hours later, the Russian leader granted Prigozhin amnesty on condition that he goes into exile in Belarus. While the Kremlin tried to cast the deal as a wise move that helped avoid a looming bloodbath, it was a remarkable compromise for a man who has relentlessly suppressed any sign of dissent and sometimes violently silenced foes daring to criticize him. The quick pardon for Prigozhin stood in contrast to the Kremlins methodical crackdown on dissidents and critics of the war in Ukraine, who have faced prosecution, forced exile or even violent deaths. For many in Putins Russia, his handling of the revolt was a sign of unforgivable weakness. Prigozhin demonstrated that its possible to capture a city of a million people with impunity, put demands to the countrys leadership, refuse to obey its orders and mount military marches on Moscow while killing Russian soldiers on the way, said Viktor Alksnis, a retired Soviet air force colonel and current hardliner who expresses views shared by many Russian hawks, who have been increasingly critical of Putins rule and his handling of the war in Ukraine. Russia has moved a step closer to its final and irreparable collapse. The blow to Putin comes on top of repeated Russian failures in his 16-month war in Ukraine. Gould-Davies noted that the mutiny has destabilized the military and badly hurt troop morale, opening new opportunities to Ukraine, now in the initial stages of its counteroffensive. This is Russians killing Russians on Russian territory while Russia is trying to contain a Ukrainian counteroffensive, Gould-Davies observed. This is not what Russia wants in wartime. While the deal with Prigozhin could bring some Wagner troops under the control of the Defense Ministry a demand that the mercenary leader had previously rejected, precipitating the conflict its a small compensation for the huge damage to the government authority that the crisis has inflicted. Kirill Rogov, a political analyst who has long studied Putins politics, observed that the problem was of the Russian presidents own making: He tolerated Prigozhins feud with the top military leaders as part of his strategy to shift blame for the military blunders in Ukraine and play members of the elite against one another in an apparent belief that he could fully control Prigozhin. Golems creator always thinks that he can be stopped and he makes him look increasingly convincing in order to scare others, Rogov wrote in a commentary, referring to a clay creature brought to life in Jewish folklore. Putin did stop Prigozhin in the end but at a steep price. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Intercontinental O2 Hotel in London, Britain, June 21. Reuters-Yonhap The unprecedented challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Wagner fighters has exposed fresh "cracks" in the strength of his leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday. Blinken and members of the U.S. Congress said in a series of television interviews that Saturday's turmoil in Russia has weakened Putin in ways that could aid Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces within its territory while benefiting Russia's neighbors, including Poland and the Baltic states. "I don't think we've seen the final act," Blinken said on ABC's "This Week" program after an aborted mutiny by forces led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. Blinken said tensions that sparked the action had been growing for months and added the threat of internal turmoil could affect Moscow's military capabilities in Ukraine. "We've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go, and when they get there. But certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead," Blinken told NBC's "Meet the Press" program. Blinken described the turmoil as an "internal matter" for Putin. "Our focus is resolutely and relentlessly on Ukraine, making sure that it has what it needs to defend itself and to take back territory that Russia seized," Blinken said. U.S. officials expect to learn more soon about the events that unfolded in Russia, including details of the deal with Prigozhin mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that led Wagner fighters to return to their bases. "It may be that Putin didn't want to debase himself to the level of negotiating directly with Prigozhin," Blinken said. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors as he addresses the nation after Yevgeny Prigozhin called for armed rebellion and reached the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his troops, in Moscow, Russia, June 24. AP-Yonhap In this photo released on Monday by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, and Yevgeny Nikiforov, the commander of the Western Military District, right, inspect a command post of one of the formations of the Zapad group of Russian troops at an undisclosed location of Ukraine. AP-Yonhap Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video released Monday aimed at projecting a sense of order after the country's most serious political crisis in decades. But uncertainty still swirled about his fate, that of rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of President Vladimir Putin. A feud between Wagner Group leader Prigozhin and Russia's military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and march seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal that Prigozhin will move to Belarus and receive an amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported that he had been seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against him continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscow's mayor announced an end to the "counterterrorism regime" imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry video of Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders have lost Putin's confidence and could be replaced. Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. The video was widely broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. In this handout photo taken from video released by Prigozhin Press Service, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, records his video addresses in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday. AP-Yonhap General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, also a main target of Prigozhin's ire, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday that Putin has given his word that Prigozhin will be allowed to go to Belarus. The RIA Novosti state news agency cited unidentified sources in the Prosecutor General's office as saying the criminal case against Prigozhin hasn't been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency carried a similar report. Should the case continue, Prigozhin's presence in Belarus a staunch Kremlin ally would offer little protection against arrest and extradition. Several lawmakers called for tight regulations of private military companies under a new law set to be considered and some argued that Prigozhin must be punished. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and currently a lawmaker who had a rift with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, a former military officer who runs Wagner, deserve "a bullet in the head." "I firmly believe that traitors in wartime must be executed," he said. Prigozhin appeared nonchalant in some of the last video taken during the rebellion. As a convoy carrying him in an SUV drove out of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don after its brief occupation Saturday, he was asked how he viewed the result of his revolt, according to footage posted on Russian social media. "It's normal, we have cheered everyone up," the mercenary chief responded. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors as he addresses the nation after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, called for armed rebellion and reached the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his troops, in Moscow, Russia, Saturday. AP-Yonhap Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the war's longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhin's rift with the military dates back for years, to the Russian military intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces also were active. Putin stood back from the feud and Shoigu and Gerasimov remained mum, possibly reflecting uncertainty about the president's support. Observers said that by failing to end the feud, Putin had encouraged Prigozhin to raise the stakes dramatically. Alex Younger, former head of Britain's MI6 intelligence agency, said it appeared that "neither side was in control" during the rebellion. He told the BBC that Prigozhin "didn't have a plan, he didn't have enough people" to succeed, while Putin looked indecisive, first vowing to crush the rebels, then striking a deal. "Everyone comes out of this weaker," Younger said. Russian media and commentators speculated that Shoigu could be replaced, but that Putin, who avoids making decisions under pressure, would likely wait before announcing a shakeup. Putin held calls Monday with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a pre-recorded video message that contained no mention of the mutiny. Some analysts saw Prigozhin's revolt as a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said Prigozhin's mutiny "wasn't a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin," but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with Russia's military leadership. A man takes down the poster with writing reading "Join us at Wagner", which is associated with the owner of the Wagner private military contractor, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is seen above a highway on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday. AP-Yonhap Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a televised address in Moscow, Russia, June 26, in this still image taken from video. Reuters-Yonhap Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt as "traitors" who played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies. The rebellion by armed mercenaries, which lasted less than 24 hours, was the gravest threat yet to Putin's authority. Putin sought to project stability, praising the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into "bloodshed." He said the nation had stood united, although there had been some localized signs of support for the uprising. Earlier in the day, the rebellion's leader, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, defended his short-lived insurrection. He again taunted Russia's military, but said he hadn't been seeking to stage a coup against Putin. On Friday, Prigozhin had called for an armed rebellion to oust the military leadership. Putin's address was announced by his spokesman in advance and billed by Russian state media as something that would "define the fate of Russia." In fact, the address didn't yield groundbreaking developments. Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst, called the address weak. "The fact that it took place indicates one thing: Putin is acutely dissatisfied with how he looked in this whole story and is trying to correct the situation." Gallyamov wrote on Facebook. The Kremlin also showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom the uprising had tried to remove. Putin thanked members of his team for their work over the weekend. Earlier, the authorities also released a video of Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine. In his first appearance since the rebellion ended, Putin spoke in a stern tone, looking tired, in a five-minute TV address to his nation near midnight. He declined to name Prigozhin, but said mutiny organizers had tried to force the group's soldiers "to shoot their own." He blamed "Russia's enemies" and said they "miscalculated." Western officials have been muted in their public comments on the mutiny, and President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved. Speaking at the White House, Biden said he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give "Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO." "We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it," he said. Prigozhin said he had been acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. "We started our march because of an injustice," he said in an 11-minute statement Monday, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into the mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in the southern Russia city of Rostov. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday. Prigozhin boasted Monday that his march was a "master class" on how Russia's military should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. It remained unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said Lukashenko "proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction." That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasn't immediately clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasn't been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. Russian President Vladimir Putin, back to the camera, chairs a Security Council meeting in Moscow, Russia, June 26. AP-Yonhap Not every corner of Wall Street has benefited from a stronger-than-expected first half of 2023. Markets are showing signs of slowing down in recent days after a string of gains . Investors are seemingly turning their attention to comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last week, in which he indicated rates will have to go up further before the end of the year. Investor excitement over artificial intelligence has helped lift stocks with exposure to AI, from the explosion of Nvidia to tech players such as Google parent Alphabet and Microsoft . But not all sectors of Wall Street have been as fortunate. The worst-performing corners of the market in the first half of the year have been utilities, finance and energy. CNBC Pro used FactSet data to scan for stocks within these sectors that could potentially stage a comeback in the second half of the year and meet the following criteria: The stock is a member of the S & P 500 utilities, financials and energy sectors. 55% or more of analysts covering the stock maintain a buy rating. Average analyst forecast implies 25% or more upside. PayPal stock thrived during the Covid-19 pandemic due to consumers relying on the platform to shop online. The stock has fallen off course in 2023, however, and is down more than 6%. Still, more than 60% of analysts covering the stock polled by FactSet maintain a buy rating, while the average price target implies more than 34% upside from current trading levels. PYPL YTD mountain PayPal stock has slipped more than 6% from January. In energy, Halliburton posted a stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings report in April , highlighted by a 33% year-over-year increase in revenue. However, the stock is still down nearly 20% in 2023. Analysts are big believers in Halliburton stock, however, with nearly 83% of those covering the company rating shares as a buy. The average analyst price target implies roughly 54% upside to the stock's current trading levels. HAL YTD mountain Halliburton stock has slumped more than 19% so far this year. MetLife stock has pulled back 25% in 2023. The slump in the stock price hasn't swayed analysts' optimism, however. More than 66% of analysts polled by FactSet covering MetLife rate shares as a buy, while their average price target implies nearly 40% upside from the stock's recent trading levels. MET YTD mountain Shares of MetLife have declined more than 25% from the start of 2023. Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Monday's key moments. Equities down, as energy outperforms Stick with Palo Alto Networks Watch Wells Fargo 1. Equities down, as energy outperforms Stocks edged down in midmorning trading Monday, as Wall Street entered the final trading week of the first half of 2023. The S & P 500 was down 0.13%, even as energy the index's biggest loser year-to-date was outperforming. The Club's three oil-and-gas firms Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), Coterra Energy (CTRA) and Halliburton (HAL) were solidly in the green Monday. The health-care sector, meanwhile, was pulled down by a more-than-5% decline in Pfizer (PFE) stock after the pharmaceuticals giant pulled the plug on a weight-loss pill trial amid safety concerns. 2. Stick with Palo Alto Networks Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is well on its way to becoming the first cybersecurity company to reach a $100 billion market capitalization, Morgan Stanley said Monday. Analysts at the firm designated the stock their top cybersecurity pick, and hiked their 12-month price target by 18%, to $302 per share. Jeff Marks, the Club's director of portfolio analysis, said Monday that investors should be patient with Palo Alto shares as the stock hit a fresh all-time high Monday, climbing to around $247 apiece. "This would certainly be a name to turn to" if it were to pull back, he said. 3. Watch Wells Fargo Wells Fargo (WFC) will be in the spotlight after Wednesday's close when the Federal Reserve releases the results of its annual bank stress tests. It's been tough to own bank stocks this year, Marks noted Monday, following the regional banking crisis that started with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March. But the stress tests are one of three important events the sector needs to get through, he explained. The other two are second-quarter earnings, which Wells Fargo is set to report before the bell July 14, and special fees the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation plans to implement to help replenish its deposit insurance fund. Wells Fargo stock was up slightly Monday morning, trading around $40.60 a share. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long PANW and WFC. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. China on Sunday described an aborted rebellion by a Russian mercenary force as an "internal affair" and expressed support for the Kremlin's efforts to maintain national stability. "This is Russia's internal affair," said a Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson in a statement. "As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity." Separately, China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko on Sunday. Both sides "highly praised the current state of Russia-China relations," according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. They also talked about "prospects for further strengthening foreign policy coordination and cooperation between Moscow and Beijing at multilateral platforms," the Russian foreign ministry said, adding the two countries will "work together to consistently strengthen" relations. On Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Russia's paramilitary organization Wagner Group, accused Russia's defense ministry of deliberately bombing Wagner fighters and claimed that Moscow's justification for invading Ukraine was based on lies. His troops reportedly took control of the strategic Russian city of Rostov-on-Don before advancing to within 200 kilometers from Moscow on Saturday. But less than 24 hours later, Prigozhin abruptly announced his fighters would turn back and halt their advance toward the capital. JD.com set up an "Innovative Retail" division that houses its grocery business 7Fresh. It comes as the company has undergone a management reshuffle. Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com on Monday said it set up a new business focused on groceries and brought a company veteran back to lead the unit. The "Innovative Retail" unit will house JD's grocery store business 7Fresh and group buying unit Pinpin, a spokesperson confirmed to CNBC. Yan Xiaobing, who retired from JD in 2021 after leading the company's international business, will return to head up the Innovative Retail group, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, JD Logistics, JD.com's logistics arm, announced CEO Yu Rui is stepping down as chief executive due to health reasons and is succeeded by Hu Wei. JD's management reshuffle comes amid sweeping changes taking place across Chinese technology giants. Alibaba , JD's biggest e-commerce rival in China, split its company into six separate business units this year, the biggest restructuring in its history. Last week, Daniel Zhang, Alibaba's current CEO and chairman, announced plans to step down from the positions and lead the company's cloud computing unit. Alibaba co-founder Eddie Wu will take over as CEO while Joe Tsai, another veteran at the company will become chairman. One of the business units Alibaba separated out in its restructure is a "local services" group, which covers its food delivery and grocery businesses. Alibaba plans to raise outside capital and take some of these units public as spinoffs. Both JD and Alibaba are contending with a weaker economic backdrop in China and have been engaged in a price war to attract users. Both are coming off the back of an annual sales promotion campaign called "6.18" as it centers around the date of June 18. The grocery businesses for both companies are part of a strategy to expand beyond traditional e-commerce and become further embedded into Chinese consumers' shopping habits. JD's latest reshuffle comes after it changed its CEO this month. Sandy Ran Xu, who was the company's finance chief took over from Xu Lei as CEO. Xu was only in the job for a year and stepped down due to personal reasons. Attorneys for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday asked a federal court to dismiss Disney 's lawsuit that alleges political retaliation against the company, arguing that he and at least one other defendant are "immune" and that Disney lacks standing to sue them. The attorneys also argued that Disney's complaint that DeSantis targeted the company after it denounced the controversial state classroom bill derided as "Don't Say Gay" by critics "fails to state a claim on which relief can be granted." A spokesman for Disney did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the court filing. The governor's bid to dismiss the lawsuit comes as he has leaned into his drawn-out battle with Disney while campaigning in the Republican presidential primary. The fight between DeSantis, the top GOP contender behind former President Donald Trump, and Disney, one of Florida's top employers, has been brewing for well over a year. The 27-page motion to dismiss was filed by attorneys for DeSantis and Meredith Ivey, named as secretary for Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity. "Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor and Secretary, who are also immune from suit," they argued in a filing in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee. The entertainment giant's lawsuit centers on the special tax district encompassing Florida's Walt Disney World, which for decades allowed the company to essentially self-govern its operations there. After Disney criticized the Republican-backed classroom bill, DeSantis and his allies moved to dissolve that special tax district. The district, formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was ultimately left intact, following fears that neighboring counties would be saddled with debt if it were dissolved. But it was renamed as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and its five-member board was replaced with DeSantis' preferred candidates. Disney struck development deals before those new board members took over. The new board members accused the company of thwarting their power and voted to void the contracts, prompting the company to sue. The governor's attorneys argued in Monday's filing that "any alleged injuries that might flow from" the clashes over the district and the contracts "are not traceable to the State Defendants, and enjoining the State Defendants would not provide Disney relief." Neither DeSantis nor Ivey enforce any of the legislative acts at issue in the suit, the attorneys wrote, and Disney's attempts to link them to those laws "are unpersuasive." "Signing a law is not 'enforcing' a law," they argued, adding that "Disney's claims against the Governor run square into his legislative immunity" and its "allegations of retaliatory intent do not change the analysis." Disney filed its First Amendment lawsuit in federal court in late April. Days later, the DeSantis-appointed board countersued in state court. Disney filed a bid in May to dismiss that state-level suit. The board responded in opposition in a filing dated June 19, writing, "Disney's motion is classic Imagineering, inviting the Court to make believe that reality is whatever Disney dreams up." Eli Lilly (LLY) bolstered its position in the budding weight-loss drug market after new data showed its oral obesity pill was highly effective in a mid-stage study. Eli Lilly shares are taking a breather Monday, but we see no reason to join the sellers. Our long-term faith in the Club holding is firmly intact, as the pharmaceuticals giant once again shored up confidence in its quality drug pipeline. People who took the highest dose of Lilly's orforglipron lost nearly 15% of their body weight, on average, after 36 weeks, according to results published Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine . That compares with 2.3% weight loss for the placebo trial group. The phase-2 study enrolled 272 people who were obese, or overweight with a weight-related health condition. Eli Lilly funded the trial. Orforglipron belongs to the same class of drugs known as GLP-1s as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and riva l Novo Nordisk 's (NVO) Wegovy. Mounjaro currently has regulatory approval in the U.S. to treat type-2 diabetes but is awaiting clearance to be used as an anti-obesity medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy, which is marketed for diabetes under the name Ozempic, for weight loss in 2021 . Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are injectable drugs. Jim Cramer has said Mounjaro could become the best-selling drug of all time . The class of drugs mimics a hormone in the gut that, when released, reduces appetite. Drugmakers believe that oral GLP-1 drugs could potentially expand the weight-loss market , even if they are slightly less effective than the injectable versions. LLY .SPX YTD mountain Eli Lilly's stock performance so far in 2023 compared with the S & P 500. Novo Nordisk on Sunday released its own trial results for an oral GLP-1 drug, Rybelsus, which helped late-stage study participants lose about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Novo Nordisk is further along in its development of Rybelsus for weight loss than Lilly's orforglipron, and likely can submit data to U.S. regulators later this year. Eli Lilly, on the other hand, is just starting its large phase-3 studies, meaning it'll take a few years before orforglipron could hit the market. Bank of America analyst Geoff Meacham told CNBC on Monday that 2026 is a "reasonable" expectation, assuming late-stage studies go well. Despite the differing timelines, Meacham and other analysts who cover Eli Lilly expressed confidence in the competitiveness of orforglipron, which achieved similar weight-loss results to Rybelsus in a shorter trial period. "It's not a zero-sum game," Meacham said. Analysts at UBS described orforglipron as "best-in-class," noting that its safety profile is also "highly competitive" to Rybelsus in similar mid-stage studies. Overall, the analysts wrote in a note, orforglipron implies "dominant positioning for LLY in yet another subsector of diabetes/obesity." Orforglipron also doesn't have food-and-water restrictions around taking it, which is a difference compared with Rybelsus and potentially a "big driver" of market share for Lilly down the road, Meacham explained. Patients who currently take Rybelsus for type-2 diabetes are instructed to do so on an empty stomach when they first wake up. Bottom line It will be some time before orforglipron can hit the U.S. market for weight loss and type-2 diabetes. But the most-important takeaway Monday is that Eli Lilly has once again shown the quality of its drug pipeline, particularly in obesity and diabetes, which we have long believed sets the company up for durable growth in the years ahead. It's a key reason why the stock deserves a premium to the industry, and why we've patiently owned it since 2021. We currently have a 2-rating on the stock, meaning we recommend waiting for a pullback before buying more shares. Eli Lilly stock is down about 1.3% Monday afternoon, likely on some profit-taking following a solid move up last week. Additionally, Pfizer 's (PFE) more-than-3% decline Monday appears to be weighing on the broader health-care sector. Pfizer's decline comes after the company ended development for one of its oral obesity-and- diabetes drugs , citing safety concerns. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Eli Lilly and Company, Pharmaceutical company headquarters in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain. Cristina Arias | Cover | Getty Images Many employees are still struggling with low levels of well-being with most of them saying that their health worsened or stayed the same last year, according to a survey from Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence. A new report highlights that leaders do not have "a firm grasp" of their employees' well-being. Many employees are still struggling with low levels of well-being with most of them saying that their health worsened or stayed the same last year, according to a survey of 3,150 people conducted in March by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence. However, the C-suite indicated a much different perspective: More than three out of four executives inaccurately believe that their workforce's well-being improved. The C-suite is so focused on the macro picture of their organizations, that it's difficult for them to see the macro picture of their employees' well-being. Dan Schawbel Managing partner, Workplace Intelligence "This shows that executives are disconnected from the reality of the workforce," Dan Schawbel, managing partner at Workplace Intelligence told CNBC. "The C-suite is so focused on the macro picture of their organizations, that it's difficult for them to see the macro picture of their employees' well-being," While 77% of executives believe that workers' mental well-being improved, only 33% of employees surveyed feel so, said the report. An even lower percentage felt their social and financial well-being (27% and 30% respectively) are in a better place. Work continues to be a obstacle to well-being Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence found that most respondents are motivated to achieve well-being, with 84% saying that improving their mental, physical and financial health is a "top priority" this year. In fact, 74% say it's more important than advancing their career, the report said. However, obstacles such as a heavy workload, long work hours and stress topped the list of obstacles that respondents say are getting in the way of improving their well-being. For example, nearly three-quarters of employees say they struggle to take time off or disconnect from work, with about half reporting that they "always" or "often" use all of their vacation time each year. It is hence not surprising that many workers also say they frequently feel negative emotions and fatigue, said the report. Around half say they "always" or "often" feel exhausted (52%) or stressed (49%). "Year-over-year, work is the leading cause of burnout. Employees are overworked, and with the recent layoffs over the past six months, there's been more work for fewer people," Schawbel said. He added that the new mandate to return to offices part-time could potentially reduce working hours and burnout, but companies still need "good management" and prioritize well-being regardless of work arrangements. What companies can do The report stressed that the poor state of employees' mental and physical well-being should be especially concerning for leaders. It added that there's been a "notable increase" in the percentage of respondents who are considering leaving their jobs for another that would better support their well-being. Managers play a pivotal role in improving well-being, as they "interface directly" with employees on a daily basis, said Schawbel. If organizations resist improving their workforce well-being or advancing human sustainability, they will increasingly find it difficult to compete for talent that values these critical missions. Dan Schawbel Managing partner, Workplace Intelligence Russia's President Vladimir Putin issues a statement in Moscow on June 24, 2023 as Wagner fighters stage rebellion in the biggest threat to Putin's quarter-century grip on power. Oil prices pared early gains on Monday, tracking a broader calm in financial markets as investors watched warily to see if there'll be further fallout from an attempted insurrection in Russia that could disrupt energy supplies from one of the world's largest oil producer nations. Mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner group of private militia, marched toward Moscow on Saturday, in what was seen as the biggest threat to Vladimir Putin's 23-year grip on power. The militia group reportedly took control of southern city of Rostov-on-Don where several major oil and gas pipelines intersect before the armed rebellion was abruptly called off, less than 24 hours after it began. "Collectively the world would have breathed a sigh of relief at least on the oil market side that the disruption in the Russian state did not go through the worst that people feared," Alok Sinha, Standard Chartered global head of oil & gas and chemicals, told CNBC Monday. West Texas Intermediate futures were up about 0.8% at $69.74, after initially rising as much as 1.3% to just below $70 a barrel earlier Monday, followed by last week's almost 4% decline. Brent crude were trading about 0.8% higher at $74.47. Russian President Vladimir Putin grimaces during his joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (not pictured) at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, June 15, 2023. WASHINGTON Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday the organizers of an armed mutiny over the weekend will be "brought to justice" and that his military would have put down the rebellion anyway. The Russian president's comments were his first since hundreds of Wagner Group mercenaries, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, marched on Moscow over the weekend in what appeared to be an armed rebellion against Russia's military leadership. "This is criminal activity, which is aimed at weakening the country. This was a colossal threat," said Putin in a televised address to the nation. In exchange for his turning back, a criminal case against Prigozhin was dropped and he was permitted to leave Russia for Belarus. As of Monday afternoon, Prigozhin was believed to be staying in a hotel in Minsk, Belarus, that did not have any windows, according to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The mutiny took the world by surprise and catapulted a taboo question to center stage across Russia: whether Putin's grip on power might not be as ironclad internally as it looks from the outside. After they took control of the southern city of Rostov on Saturday, Wagner fighters and hundreds of armored vehicles came within 200 miles of Moscow before Prigozhin ordered them to turn back. In his speech Monday, Putin thanked those involved in the mutiny "who made the only right decision they did not go to fratricidal bloodshed, they stopped at the last line." He then said Wagner Group soldiers would be permitted to join the Russian army, to leave the country for neighboring Belarus, as Prigozhin did, or simply "to return to your family and friends." Putin's decision to grant unilateral clemency to the Wagner mercenaries seemed out of character to some Russia scholars, coming as it did from an autocratic ruler who regularly jails civilians for publicly criticizing his administration. Prigozhin has said his goal was never to seize political control of the Kremlin and overthrow Putin, but rather to protest a planned dissolution of his Wagner Group, his private army. In this Oct. 17, 2022 file photo, a man walks in front of residential buildings in Shanghai. SCMP Homeowners in Shanghai hoping to sell their flats are offering discounts of up to 10 percent to attract a dwindling population of would-be buyers amid a weak property market and bearish forecasts for the economy. The home-selling spree under way in the mainland's commercial and financial hub, which is likely to further depress prices, is the latest sign that mainland China's property market is stuck in what some experts are calling a "death spiral". "More homeowners have decided to cash out because they are betting that home prices will continue to fall," said Song Yulin, a senior manager with property agency Lianjia. "Some of them have made plans to migrate to foreign countries and they are happy with the current prices even if they have to offer a discount." About 200,000 pre-owned flats in Shanghai were up for sale at the end of April, up from about 100,000 in mid-March, according to data by Centaline Property. This hefty surge in the number of available homes has turned the secondary market into a buyer's market, according to Tan Taipeng, a manager with property agency 5I5J. "It is not unusual that buyers ask sellers to slash the prices by 10 to 15 percent because they have a lot of options now," he said. "This is a rare scene in Shanghai's home market, where the supply of used homes has been limited." A 10 percent price reduction could translate into 1.5 million yuan ($208,920) less in profit for a homeowner in Shanghai, since a three-bedroom flat in the city's downtown areas could sport a price tag of 15 million yuan. However, as beneficiaries of what has been a buoyant home market in China's most developed metropolis, most of the sellers are still reaping a tenfold or greater investment return, even after a 10 percent price cut, Tan said. As would-be buyers take a wait-and-see attitude, transaction volume has declined quickly. A total of 24,000 pre-owned homes changed hands in March, followed by 17,700 units in April, according to Centaline. May transactions fell another 13.3 percent to 15,300. A visitor takes in the view from the observation deck at Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, April 9. SCMP Within five years of moving to Europe, businessman Douglas Loewe "fell in love" with Barcelona, he said. He decided to buy a home there, spending about 500,000 euros ($545,000) to purchase an apartment in the city's famous Eixample neighborhood in 1999, the senior operating partner at Macquarie said. But by 2017, Loewe felt the two-bedroom penthouse needed an overhaul. The main living area of Loewe's apartment in Barcelona, called Aribau 133 Sobre Atic. Douglas Loewe Within a year, he had transformed the "deteriorated" two-bedroom penthouse into a three-bedroom space that is now worth 1.7 million to 2 million euros, Loewe said more than double the amount he spent to purchase and renovate the property. Renovating the apartment Loewe had renovated the apartment once before, but "it needed refreshing on a lot of levels" after almost 20 years, he said. He hired Matthew Coe, founder of the property investment firm VistaFutura Associates, to renovate the entire apartment. In total, Loewe said he spent about 250,000 euros on the renovation. "It was an incredible return on my investment because [Coe] was able to help bring my vision to life," he said. It took less than a year to renovate and "every stage was right on schedule," he added. Loewe on one of the two terraces in his apartment. Douglas Loewe The pair tapped a pool of resources to coordinate the renovation, buying furniture from boutique stores and engaging a design firm to construct the kitchen, Loewe said. Coe said one of the biggest challenges his clients face is imagination, especially when it comes to old apartments. "Building that confidence that we can end up with something that they're going to love takes a big leap of faith," he said. Inside the apartment The penthouse originally consisted of two top-floor apartments that had once been used as an office, but Loewe decided to combine them when he purchased it, he said. The final renovation displays a use of space that is "almost surreal," he added. The living area before the renovation (top) and after (bottom). Douglas Loewe The apartment features an open plan with a microcement floor and wood along one wall, Loewe said. His favorite feature in the home is a Leon Rosen desk that is his "prized possession." He had purchased the lacquered desk in Manhattan from Rosen's high-end furniture company The Pace Collection, which sold fine contemporary pieces, according to Incollect magazine. "The Leon Rosen is virtually scratch proof and water repellent ... it is both gorgeous and extremely practical at the same time," he said. Loewe also added furniture that was affordable yet comfortable, "so you didn't feel like every time you sat down on the sofa you were worried about depreciating the assets," he quipped. In searching for his ideal property, Loewe said, he had in mind a safe neighborhood like Eixample and proximity to "excellent amenities" like a farmer's market, a good-quality gym and restaurants. The apartment's terrace before (top) and after renovation (bottom). Douglas Loewe Located "around the corner" of the apartment is tapas restaurant Paco Meralgo, which is "a Barcelona institution," Loewe said. The penthouse's two terraces offer "spectacular 360-degree views," which include the towering La Sagrada Familia, the hill of Tibidabo and the ocean, he said. Purchasing property in Barcelona "The real estate market in Spain is open to buyers from around the world," Coe said. Pricing "compares favorably to most U.S. cities, even midsize cities" such as Denver, Chicago and Miami, he said. Foreigners can buy property in Barcelona's city center for "less than half of what they would pay" in those cities, he added. The apartment's kitchen area before the renovation (top) and after (bottom). Douglas Loewe Coe's clients tend to be either Northern European or American, although he has had several clients from the Asia-Pacific region. Most Northern Europeans view Barcelona as "a good place to escape to in the winter" and search for small apartments, he said. The renovated dining area of the apartment. Douglas Loewe WASHINGTON President Joe Biden said Monday that the United States was not involved in the aborted weekend rebellion in Russia led by the leader of the mercenary Wagner Group. "We made clear we are not involved, we had nothing to do with it, this was part of a struggle within the Russian system," Biden said from the White House. Biden said he monitored developments as they unfolded with his security team and spoke with close allies over Zoom. They agreed not to allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to blame the situation on the West or NATO, he added. "It's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen," Biden said. "But no matter what comes next, I will keep making sure that our allies and our partners are closely aligned in how we are reading and responding to situations." Biden said he also spoke at length with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to assure him the United States would keep supporting Ukraine's defense as Russia continues its assault on his country. Biden said he was convening a call with heads of state after he finished his remarks to ensure they are "on the same page." Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, took control of the strategic city of Rostov-on-Don on Saturday and advanced an army within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of Moscow. The rebellion lasted less than 24 hours, but marked a significant challenge to Putin's control of the nation. The revolt ended after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin. Head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin left the Southern Military District headquarters on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Stringer | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Yevgeny Prigozhin used his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin to get rich and build a private army then marched it on Moscow in a stunning challenge to his former boss's rule. The Wagner mercenary group chief now appears to have abandoned that rebellion for exile in Belarus, in a deal that leaves more questions than answers. "Prigozhin would be naive to think this is over," Michael A. Horowitz, a geopolitical and security analyst who is the head of intelligence at Le Beck consultancy, told NBC News. Here's a look at the man behind Russia's biggest insurrection in its post-Soviet history, who went from prison to leading a military revolt that got within a hundred or so miles of Moscow. Who knows what's next. How did Prigozhin build Wagner? A St. Petersburg native like Putin, Prigozhin, 62, has one of the most varied biographies among the Kremlin elite. He has admitted to serving 10 years in prison as a young man, though he has not said what for. He then grew a hot-dog stand into a chain of upscale restaurants, eventually drawing the Russian president's attention and earning lucrative contracts to cater for public school and Kremlin events, which earned him the nickname "Putin's chef." Over time, Prigohzin has catered to a variety of Putin's other needs. The Russian leader has sought to project influence around the world from his neighbors in eastern Europe to the Middle East and Africa and Prigozhin has helped him do it. Around 2014, he created Wagner, according to a member who was recruited to the mercenary outfit by Prigozhin in its early days. The Kremlin had just seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and had its sights on the eastern Donbas region, where a conflict was brewing after mass protests in Kyiv toppled a pro-Russian government. Suddenly, Putin had a war on his hands but did not want to send in regular army troops or call up a draft and face the possibility of Russians coming home in body bags. So Prigozhin provided a solution. He created a force of undesirables, people with military experience or a history of violence who were looking for jobs and may be less likely to be missed if they were killed. Wagner's early operations in Ukraine were somewhat successful, and the conflict there continued without pushback from the Russian public. The Kremlin has always denied any official military presence in eastern Ukraine, and while Prigozhin had previously refuted suggestions that he was connected to Wagner, last year he admitted on social media that he had created the group in 2014 and it had taken part in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Read more from NBC News: Drowned zoo animals and rescued pets: Ukraine counts 'catastrophic' environmental cost after dam blast Ukraine pleads for more U.S. support as Russia's advantage in the air hampers counteroffensive Mines, disease and more: The dangers in Ukraine's floodwaters Prigohzin's next mission got much more attention, particularly from the U.S. He founded the Internet Research Agency, the bot farm that interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, polluting social media with disinformation, lies and skepticism about the legitimacy of the electoral process. Whether it swayed the outcome of the election remains an open question, but the U.S. intelligence community called it out and sanctioned Prigozhin, who said last year that he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue to do so. After that came Russia's intervention in the war in Syria. Putin wanted to back President Bashar al-Assad and fight rebels backed by the West, but, again, do it off the books with few official Russian casualties. There, Wagner once again became instrumental to his efforts, and its fighters remain on the ground in the Middle Eastern country many years later. Ever the entrepreneur, Prigozhin also expanded his operations into Africa. In the Central African Republic, Prigohzin discovered that if Wagner propped up the weak government and helped it fight off a rebellion, the group could help itself to the impoverished country's resources, mainly gold and blood diamonds. Now the man who restarted his life with a single hot-dog stand had an army that was battle tested, experienced in disinformation, and perhaps most crucially, had its own independent source of funding. From Bakhmut to Moscow: What sparked the rebellion? With the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Prigozhin was able and eager to again prove his value to Putin. As the Russian army came up against surprisingly strong resistance, Wagner's mercenaries came in handy in the bloodiest of battles. To bolster their ranks, Prigozhin turned to a place he knew well, promising convicts in Russian prisons freedom if they could survive more than six months on the front lines. Wagner led the fighting for several key Ukrainian cities, including Bakhmut, an eastern city that became a key symbolic prize for Putin when he claimed to have seized it last month at the cost of thousands of men. While he touted his mercenary forces as game changers in Ukraine and gradually entered the public spotlight, Prigozhin increasingly clashed with the military establishment in Moscow. Using his well-oiled social media machine, Prigozhin emerged as a leading voice for hardliners and influential pro-war figures who were critical of the Kremlin's approach to the war. He accused the Defense Ministry and its head, Sergei Shoigu, of downplaying Wagner's role and not supplying his fighters with sufficient ammunition, while blaming "incompetent" military leadership for Russia's failures in Ukraine. watch now The bitter feud escalated in recent weeks as Moscow gave all private mercenary forces until July 1 to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, which Prigozhin refused. The standoff then exploded and Prigozhin launched an armed rebellion on Friday after alleging that the Russian army fired at his mercenaries. While Putin initially seemed happy to let the internal squabbles play out, it appears even the Russian leader may have underestimated just how powerful and daring Prigohzin had become. "I think what really triggered his decision to carry out a mad dash toward Moscow was the order issued earlier this month," said Horowitz, referring to the demand that his fighters sign Defense Ministry contracts. Prigozhin saw this as a "prelude to disbanding" the private army he had worked for years to build, Horowitz said. This was a signal for the mercenary chief that "Putin had sided with his enemies," he said, adding that Prigozhin "may have felt that his own safety was no longer guaranteed, in the long run, and that if he did not act he would end up sidelined (at best) or dead. He had nothing to lose." Ahead of the rebellion, U.S. intelligence agencies had collected information that Prigozhin had been planning to challenge Russia's senior military leaders and briefed congressional leaders about it last week, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News. They added that the intelligence revealed that Wagner had been amassing forces and weapons, although the intelligence wasn't definitive. What now? A man waves the Russian national flag as the members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the organizers of an attempted mutiny criminals and said his military would have crushed the uprising anyway. Putin's comments were his first since mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led the private militia Wagner Group to march on Moscow over the weekend. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden sai that the United States was not involved in the aborted weekend rebellion in Russia. "We made clear we are not involved, we had nothing to do with it, this was part of a struggle within the Russian system," Biden said from the White House. Prigozhin's private militia Wagner Group on Saturday seized control of the strategic city of Rostov and advanced an armed convoy to within 200 kilometers of Moscow. Less than 24 hours later, the rebellion was over, and Prigozhin announced that Wagner would be turning back in order to avoid spilling Russian blood. The rebellion has raised questions about President Vladimir Putin's grip on power and what could be next for the country. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the mutiny exposed "cracks" in Moscow, while Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer told CNBC on Monday that despite the deal, Prigozhin is a "dead man walking." Russia's defense ministry said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited troops in occupied Ukraine Monday, in his first public appearance since the weekend. Shoigu's future had been called into question following the mutiny, but the Telegram post indicates that he remains in charge. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has reportedly been exiled to Belarus. A Ukrainian police officer walks past a 24-storey building partially destroyed following a Russian missiles strike in Kyiv early on June 24, 2023. Sergei Supinsky | Afp | Getty Images Ukrainian forces can look to take advantage of the Wagner Group's short-lived armed rebellion, analysts said, with confusion among Russia's military leadership expected to considerably weaken their war effort. A weekend of mayhem has left observers of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine questioning what could happen next. The extraordinary 24-hour period posed what many regard as the greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power in his more than two decades of rule. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious boss of the Wagner private militia group, launched an apparent insurrection over the weekend, sending an armored convoy toward the Russian capital. The rebellion was abruptly called off late Saturday, however, in a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin agreed to de-escalate the situation and ordered his fighters advancing on Moscow to return to their bases. John Barranco, the 2021-2022 senior U.S. Marine Corps fellow at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said the Wagner rebellion could not have come at a better time for Ukraine. "Whatever Prigozhin's real motivations are, or the outcome of his revolt and then apparent about-face, a few things remain clear: Massive amounts of confusion have been sown in Russia's rear area, and whatever confidence rank and file Russian soldiers had left in their leadership is gone," he said in a blog post. A spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC. A war without Wagner Barranco said that once an army loses confidence in its leadership, morale falls through the floor and the will to fight often goes with it. Describing Wagner as what had been Russia's most effective unit in Ukraine, Barranco said the mercenary group will almost certainly be disbanded and it was not yet clear whether its fighters will be absorbed into the Russian army. Tony Brenton, former British ambassador to Russia, agreed that the Wagner mercenary group had been the most effective component of Russia's military in Ukraine to date. "The fact that, apparently, Prigozhin is now out of [the war] and maybe Wagner is also out of it will weaken Russia's performance on the battlefield," Brenton told CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" on Monday. watch now Ultimately, Barranco said the recent turn of events is likely to provide Ukraine's military leadership with something of an opportunity after more than 16 months of fighting. He said the best chance for a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive would be to seek to force Russian forces back from their 600 miles of layered fighting positions in the country. "It is unlikely even the most audacious among the Ukrainian military leadership ever envisioned launching an attack on Russia's Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, where Russia's war in Ukraine is being run, but that is precisely what the Wagner Group's sudden rebellion has done," Barranco said. What happened over the weekend? A former ally of Russia's longtime president and a man known as "Putin's chef," Prigozhin said via Telegram on Saturday that he was prepared to go "all the way" against Russia's military and rejected Putin's core justification for invading Ukraine in February 2022. In return, Putin vowed to crush what he described as an armed mutiny, accusing Prigozhin of "treason" in a televised address. Members of Wagner group sit atop of a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. Stringer | AFP | Getty Images The Wagner rebellion was thought to have come within just 200 kilometers (120 miles) of Moscow before Prigozhin made the abrupt decision to abort the mission. The rebel leader's unceremonious exile to Belarus came in exchange for calling off the insurrection. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Sunday that things were "moving in the right direction" after he discussed events in Russia and Ukraine with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. "We agree that the russian authorities are weak and that withdrawing russian troops from Ukraine is the best choice for the kremlin," Reznikov said on Twitter. The Institute for the Study of War, however, said that the ability of Russian forces to conduct both offensive and defensive operations in Ukraine had not been "substantially impacted" by the Wagner Group's rebellion over the weekend. Head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin left the Southern Military District headquarters on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Stringer | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Fighting along the entire front line was reported to have continued as usual, the U.S-based think tank said citing sources from both sides, with Russian forces conducting a relatively high number of ground attacks near the devastated city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in recent days. CNBC was not able to independently verify the reports. Nuclear security concerns Asked whether this latest episode could fuel concern over the security of Moscow's nuclear arsenal, Brenton said that the likelihood of nuclear weapons being deployed in Ukraine was "pretty close to zero." "Don't worry, I think the likelihood of that still remains very low," Brenton said. "I don't see the level of political instability in Russia as anything like at the level where real civil war [or] a real breakout of order that you start worrying about nuclear weapons falling into the wrong hands." watch now A jogger passes the front of the U.S. Supreme Court, where rulings are expected early this week, in Washington, U.S., June 26, 2023 WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Louisiana's appeal seeking to prevent the state's congressional map from being redrawn over claims that it unlawfully dilutes the influence of Black voters. The move via a brief unsigned order was expected after the Supreme Court's ruling on June 8 that buttressed a key part of the landmark Voting Rights Act in a similar case concerning congressional districts in Alabama. The court order noted that the case should be resolved in lower courts "in advance of the 2024 congressional elections in Louisiana." he Supreme Court's ruling in the Alabama case could lead to a new map being drawn in Louisiana in which Black voters would have a chance to elect their preferred representative in two of the state's six congressional districts instead of one. In the Alabama case, the Supreme Court unexpectedly upheld a lower court ruling that said the Republican-drawn map in that state discriminated against Black voters by making it difficult for them to vote for candidates of their choosing. In June 2022, the Supreme Court, following an approach similar to its handling of the Alabama case, allowed Republicans to use their preferred map that a judge had struck down for violating the Voting Rights Act. Using the new map, Republicans won five of the six districts in November's midterm elections. The Louisiana case had been on hold at the Supreme Court pending the outcome of the Alabama case. It is one of several cases likely to be directly affected by the Alabama ruling. With Black voters generally more likely to vote for Democratic candidates, the ruling is likely to be a boon to Democrats seeking to win control of the House of Representatives. Lawrence Hurley Republican presidential candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives onstage to speak at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 24, 2023 in Washington, DC. A federal judge on Monday rejected prosecutors' request to submit a sealed list of 84 witnesses whom former President Donald Trump is prohibited from speaking with about the facts of his criminal classified documents case. In a follow-up order, Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, granted a request from the government to hold a pretrial hearing to discuss how classified information will be handled in the case, and to appoint a "Classified Information Security Officer." The hearing, which defendants are not required to attend, is set for 10 a.m. ET on July 14. The judge's orders in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida, came three days after special counsel Jack Smith moved to file the witness list under seal with the court. Trump, the first-ever former president to face federal charges, pleaded not guilty this month to 37 counts including willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice. His aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty to six charges at the same arraignment hearing. As a condition of their release, a magistrate judge barred Trump and Nauta from speaking with certain witnesses about the facts of the case except through their lawyers. Smith, who led the probe into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents, asked the court Friday to file the witness list under seal "in order to implement" the magistrate judge's release condition. A footnote in Smith's court filing suggested that there are 84 names on the list. The special counsel noted that the Department of Justice has shared the list with lawyers for Trump and Nauta, who reserved the right to object to the release condition but were taking no position on the DOJ's motion to file the list under seal. Cannon nevertheless denied the government's request to implement the condition. "The Government's Motion does not explain why filing the list with the Court is necessary," Cannon wrote in her order. "It does not offer a particularized basis to justify sealing the list from public view; it does not explain why partial sealing, redaction, or means other than sealing are unavailable or unsatisfactory; and it does not specify the duration of any proposed seal," the judge wrote The DOJ's motion was denied without prejudice, meaning the prosecutors can try again. Earlier Monday, a coalition of roughly three dozen press outlets asked to intervene in the case in order to urge that the witness list be unsealed. "Full transparency at every step of this historic case is essential," attorneys for the coalition wrote. They pointed to the First Amendment, common law and the principles of an open judicial system in their appeal to see the witnesses. Trump's counsel has indicated that the list includes the ex-president's longtime acquaintances and staffers, the news outlets noted. "The American public's interest in this matter, and need to monitor its progress every step of the way, cannot be overstated," they argued. Cannon's order denied their motion as moot. She directed a court clerk to return fees to the attorneys who had filed to appear in the case on behalf of the news outlets. It is not unusual for news organizations to intervene in lawsuits to argue for more transparency and information. In another high-profile pending criminal case, a press coalition successfully pushed for the public release of the identities of the people who guaranteed a $500,000 bond for embattled Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. Those bail backers, whose names had been hidden, were revealed Thursday to be Santos' father and aunt. Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and owner of private military company Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin are displayed among others for sale at a souvenir shop in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, June 4, 2023. With a so-called 24-hour coup by Russia's mercenary boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ending in an anticlimactic pullback, Russian President Vladimir Putin was able to avoid a dramatic and bloody standoff with his one-time ally. Nonetheless, the fact that the outspoken Prigozhin could even mount an armed mutiny with his private military company, the Wagner Group, with little resistance and an apparently muted response is widely seen as a deep political blow for Putin and his regime. "Prigozhin's armed rebellion indicates a political crisis within Russia and shatters the myth of Russia's invincibility and overwhelming power," Hanna Liubakova, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, and a journalist and researcher from Belarus, said in a note Sunday. Prigozhin and his mercenary forces on Saturday seized one of the Russian military's key bases in the south of the country, and the city of Rostov-on-Don, before proceeding north to Moscow. However, the rebellion was dramatically called off before the rebels reached the capital city. Russia experts and political analysts characterized the uprising as "24 hours that shook the Kremlin" and the biggest challenge to Putin and the Russian elite in decades. "Even in a Russia accustomed to crisis and chaos, the events over the weekend were extraordinary," Chris Weafer, chief executive of the Moscow-based economic consultancy Macro-Advisory, said in a note Sunday. "A heavily armed and determined military force got to within 200 kilometers of Moscow a feat historically achieved, or attempted, by very few armies," Weafer noted, adding that the revolt raises "serious questions which will lead to tensions at the upper echelons of power in Russia." There had been a tense lead-up to the weekend's events with Prigozhin having a long-running and increasingly ferocious dispute with the country's military leadership, accusing them of treachery and mismanaging the invasion of Ukraine. Prigozhin also accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and army commander Valery Gerasimov of turning their backs on his mercenary force that has played a key role in Russia's intense attritional warfare in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, for months. Tensions came to a head several weeks ago when the Defense Ministry announced that all private military companies, including Wagner, would have to sign contracts. Putin endorsed the move but Prigozhin refused to sign only to then lead his fighters on the ill-fated revolt last Friday. APJL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power, will export entire power generated from this 2x800 MW Godda Ultrasupercritical thermal power plant (USTCPP) directly to Bangladesh on commercial basis. Adani Power on Monday, June 26, 2023, announced that it has commissioned Unit 2 of the 800 MW power project in Godda district, Jharkhand. The project is part of the 2x800 MW Ultra-supercritical power project of Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited (APJL). Share Market Live NSE APJL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power, will export entire power generated from this 2x800 MW Godda Ultrasupercritical thermal power plant (USTCPP) directly to Bangladesh on commercial basis. The power will be exported to Bangladesh through the dedicated 400 kV transmission lines, with net capacity of 1496 MW. APJL has 25-year contract with Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Adani Power in a release said that the power project achieved commercial operations at 24:00 hrs Bangladesh Standard Time on June 25, 2023 (23:30 hrs India Standard Time) following successful completion of Reliability Run Tests, as per contract. The company in its releaser says that the project, which has deployed for the first time in India state-of-the-art Ultra-supercritical technology, also incorporates for benign operations Flue Gas Desulphuriser (FGD) and Selective Catalytic Reconverter (SCR) equipment, to minimize emissions and in compliance with futuristic norms announced by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MOEF&CC). Shares of Adani Power were trading 2.85 percent higher at Rs 249.30 per share on NSE at 1:42 pm. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it aims to decide on the possible 30-day suspension of the village level polls in Negros Oriental by September at the earliest amid peace and order concerns in the province. We hope to come up with a decision by the last part of September, ang latest na (the latest is) early part of October, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia told CNN Philippines The Source. Garcia said the Comelec, joined by officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, will visit the province on Tuesday to assess the situation there and to hold a public hearing regarding the matter. Nine mayors have already called for the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections because of a "lingering atmosphere of terror" in the aftermath of the brutal murder of Governor Roel Degamo. Garcia said such a statement from local chief executives will help in the en bancs decision-making, but this will not be the final basis since all groups must be consulted first. In case of postponement, the BSK polls in Negros Oriental will be moved from October 30 to November 30. Garcia noted that the Comelec can only implement a 30-day suspension under the Omnibus Election Code. A longer postponement will need legislation from Congress, he added. Speaking to CNN Philippines, National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) Secretary General Eric Alvia noted that the province's problem of lawlessness and violence from armed political groups has been around for a long time. "I don't know if one month is sufficient to really solve the problems in the province. It's a long-term process to stabilize what's going on in Negros," he said. But for Alvia, postponing the BSK polls in Negros Oriental should be the Comelec's last option. "You should never, as much as possible, delay or postpone an election because you're depriving voters of their right to choose and their right to seek their leaders," he said. "Elections, if done properly, could be in fact a stabilizing process to calm things down in the province." One way for the Comelec to push through with the polls in the province is by putting Negros Oriental under its control, Alvia said. "Given the fact we are having elections nationwide, the province of Negros may have to share or have to demand meager resources from the law enforcement agencies, so I think that is one of the reasons also why they want a separate elections from the regular national BSKE to focus more resources on the province," he pointed out. Alvia said the final say on the issue would be on the Comelec depending on the information it would gather from law enforcers regarding the situation on the ground. CNN Philippines' Paige Javier contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Monday he would push for the gradual increase of funding for the Department of Health (DOH). While the countrys spending on health is still prioritized, with at least a 5.28% share of the gross domestic product (GDP), Herbosa said he wanted to triple the allotted budget. The secretary noted the DOH secured more than 300 billion from the national expenditure program. Id love to have, like the US that spends 17% of its GDP, Japan and Singapore spend like 15% I still have to triple it, he said during a briefing. However, he admitted that many government agencies face budget absorptive capacity issues. So I need to do this slowly, he said. Herbosa said that the government must slash spending on infrastructure, arguing that it takes too long before Filipinos can feel the changes. Pero yung medical assistance for indigent patients, ramdam agad (But the medical assistance for indigent patients can be felt immediately) he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) A review center is offering free review programs for all unlicensed nurses who are either employed in government or private facilities. No requirements needed. All you have to do is show proof of employment in any government or private institution, Dr. Carl Balita said during a briefing with the Department of Health. He is the owner of the Dr. Carl E. Balita Review Center, which has more than 100 review centers across the Philippines. Balita said unlicensed nurses wanting to avail of the free review courses can visit their office for diagnostic tests. A username and password would then be provided for accessing the program. The materials are already there, the handouts, and the program, Balita said. I reached out to the secretary to offer this and I know there will be more coming because the nursing crisis that we see, we really need to address it before its too late, he added. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier expressed his desire to hire unlicensed nursing graduates to address the shortage. READ: PRC wants to prioritize hiring 47,000 licensed nurses to work in PH Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Monday said the government should focus on hiring the 47,000 nursing board exam passers from 2021 to 2023 to fill the 4,500 vacancies in public hospitals and address the shortage in the country. A positive initiative of the DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] under Secretary [Bienvenido] Laguesma and the PRC under our chairperson Attorney Charito Zamora is exploring how to tap these 47,000 passers, PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto Jr. told CNN Philippines The Source. We have to know where they are, how can they be conducted where they are needed, meaning what regions and what provinces, or cities, or municipalities are they needed now so that we can have a strategy of mainly focusing more on those who passed because we have more than enough, he added. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier said he plans to hire nursing graduates who failed to pass the board exam but were able to attain a rating of 70% to 74% to address the 4,500 vacancies in government hospitals. However, the PRC has said it has no power to issue temporary licenses for this group. Republic Act 9173, or the Philippine Nursing Act, only allows this for licensed nurses from foreign countries or states who are well-known specialists, foreign licensed nurses whose services are for a medical mission, or foreign licensed nurses employed by schools as exchange professors, the PRC said on June 22. Cueto also mentioned the Medical Act of 1959, but he noted this only allows the DOH secretary to grant temporary permits to medical graduates during national emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic. READ: PRC: Shortage of nurses not considered a national emergency to issue temporary licenses Data from the Department of Health showed that of around 600,000 PRC-registered nurses as of 2021, 50% are working abroad, Cueto said. While the rest are in the Philippines, not all of them are practicing their profession, he added. The PRC official also said that in 2021, there are around 110,000 nurses working in private facilities, while only 42,000 are in public hospitals. A comprehensive approach should be put in place to entice these medical professionals to work in the country, Cueto said. He noted that one way is through an ongoing program focused on continuing professional development of nurses in their careers. He also suggested granting education benefits to the children of nurses. As suggested by Herbosa, hiring the nursing graduates as assistant nurses may be also a good strategy as long as they will be under the supervision of a licensed nurse, Cueto said. READ: Herbosa: DOH working with PRC to address nurse shortage Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte wants to talk with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community to address the needs of its aging members. Belmonte said the city government wants to understand the challenges faced by the LGBQIA+ community to come up with appropriate services and benefits. Gusto ko sana makahanap ng members of the community na senior citizens na pwede kong interviewin, konsultahin, gusto ko malaman anong serbisyo na pwede kong ibigay sa kanila, said Belmonte in an interview with CNN Philippines during a panel discussion organized by the German Embassy in Makati. [Translation: I want to meet with members of the community who are senior citizens and interview and consult them. I want to know what kind of services they need.] According to Belmonte, the plan to provide extra benefits to senior LGBTQIA+ individuals is still in the "exploratory stage." The QC mayor noted that some of LGBTQIA+ members no longer have their families as they grow old. Chances are they never married, chances are they have no children, and chances are sila yung nangangailangan ng tulong ng pamahalaan at hindi natin sila nakikita [they need governments help and we dont always see their plight], Belmonte said. Meanwhile, Belmonte noted that three hospitals in the city currently recognize the local governments right to care cards that enable LGBTQIA+ couples to make health-related decisions in behalf of each other. These are Quezon City General Hospital, Rosario Maclang Bautista Hospital, and Novaliches District Hospital. Belmonte hopes that more hospitals will follow suit. We will explore if pwedeng mandatory kung hindi naman anong incentives ang pwedeng ibigay para lahat ng ospital sa QC sumunod at i-honor ang cards, she said. [Translation: We will explore if we can make it mandatory in all QC hospitals, but if not we will check if we can give incentives so that all QC hospitals will honor the cards] German envoy: LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights In the same panel discussion on creating safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community, German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel stressed her countrys support for human rights, which also covers LGBTQIA+ rights. A lot has been achieved in the area of LGBT rights and a lot has to be done and these are areas for more cooperation and projects, Reiffenstuel told CNN Philippines. The German envoy also lauded the initiatives of the QC government to institute reforms for the LGBT sector. Giving the best practice showing how things can work. Its a good example and can give guidance to more cities, towns, and barangays, said the German envoy. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed a resolution suspending the franchise of Cebu Pacific Inc. due to "a history of unsatisfactory service to the public." In a two-page resolution dated June 26, Rodriguez, the chairperson of the House committee on constitutional amendments, cited complaints of passengers who experienced flight cancellations and delays, and "unreliable" customer service. "Reports online show that Cebu Pacific's financial statement reveals that revenues from rebookings, refunds, and cancellation of flights allegedly grew by 270 percent or P1.45 billion, reaching nearly 2 billion in the first quarter of this year; showing the Cebu Pacific is more interested in more profits than good service to the riding public," the resolution read. Cebu Pacific told CNN Philippines that it will stand by its earlier statement, and will address the concerns before the House of Representatives. "Cebu Pacific acknowledges the difficulties and frustrations that our passengers have been experiencing lately. This is primarily driven by fleet availability issues affecting the global aviation industry along with specific environmental factors, Cebu Pacific said in a statement dated June 21. "We express our sincerest apologies to our passengers for the disruptions and assure you that we are committed to resolving these challenges," Cebu Pacific said during the Senate hearing on June 21. The company added it currently has supply-chain problems with Pratt & Whitney, the manufacturer of the engines for its Airbus fleet. The airline also noted delays in the deliveries of its aircraft. The Makabayan bloc also filed in January a bill that seeks to establish a Magna Carta for airline passengers. The bill lists the rights and obligations of both passengers and air carriers and government agencies dealing with air travelers and airlines. RELATED: Makabayan bloc wants Magna Carta for airline passengers amid issues vs. Cebu Pacific Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) The hunt for former Maimbung, Sulu vice mayor Pando Mudjasan continues as around 6,000 residents flee the town after the recent shootout between his followers and government security forces. According to the Sulu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, 1,757 residents have fled from Barangay Bualo Lipid, 2,322 from Barangay Laum Maibung, and 2,376 from Barangay Poblacion. A total of 6,455 affected residents have left their homes after the firefight on Saturday where one police officer was killed and 13 others were injured. The clash erupted after authorities served search and arrest warrants against Mudjasan for murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said authorities had expected trouble in serving the warrants on Mudjasan, who is said to be a leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Talagang may layers of defense kung nasan siya, he said. Papalapit pa lang sa lugar kung saan si vice mayor, nagkaroon na ng encounter. Naging mahigpit ang labanan at palitan ng putok, Maranan said. [Translation: There were many layers of defense in the areaAs the authorities neared the former vice mayors place, an encounter ensued. There was a shootout and a heavy exchange of gunfire.] The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said Mudjasan and his men are members of a potential private armed group that was also involved in an encounter in Bualo Lipid in 2017. Mudjasan is facing multiple murder, frustrated murder, double murder charges. The ex-vice mayor and his group are still on the run from authorities following the encounter. Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan has tagged Mudjasan and his men as terrorists. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao remains on full alert status following the incident. CNN Philippines correspondent Crissy Dimatulac contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) In a bid to achieve a higher conviction rate in courts, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have set up a training program to bridge the gap between prosecutors and law enforcers. Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said the training program for law enforcers is a first of a series to be conducted nationwide to improve case build-up or evidence gathering capability for cases that are worthy of filing in court. Pinapasama na ho natin ngayon ang mga prosecutor sa mga police officers, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) para makatulong siguro sa pagturo kung anong magandang ebidensya dahil pagdating sa isang crime scene, yung mga law enforcement agencies kadalasan ay di nila ma-determine kung anong magandang ebidensya or testimonies na kailangang kunin, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano explained. [Translation: We are asking prosecutors to join police officers, the NBI to help in pointing out useful evidence because in crime scenes, law enforcement agencies often cannot determine what evidence or testimonies should be taken.] According to the DOJ, 80% of cases filed by prosecutors are dismissed by courts because of lack of evidence or due to technicalities. Clavano said it is worse in the prosecution level where 90-95% of complaints filed are dismissed due to lack of documents or technicalities. Top PNP leaders said they are aware of the problem. At this moment, meron lang kaming 21.4% conviction rate. Hopefully, after this training tataas ang conviction rate. Sana matupad ang hangarin na mapataas at mabigyan ng tamang hustisya ang mga nabibiktima ng krimen, PNP acting chief for directorial staff PMGen Emmanuel Peralta said. [Translation: At this moment, we only have a 21.4% conviction rate. Hopefully, after this training, the conviction rate will rise. I hope that the desire to increase the conviction rate is achieved so that justice will be given to victims of crime.] Justice Secretary Boying Remulla earlier issued a department order tapping prosecutors to help law enforcers in the investigation and case build-up. CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. The events of the last weekend in Russia have given rise to all sorts of speculation. On Friday evening, the head of the Wagner mercenary army, the oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, launched a march for justice with the stated aim of removing the head of the Armed Forces and the Minister of Defence. By Saturday, he had taken control of Rostov-on-Don and was marching with a heavily-armed column towards Moscow. Putin denounced him as a traitor and promised those involved would be dealt with accordingly. However, by the end of the day, suddenly, Prigozhins column turned back and a deal was announced, brokered by Belarusian President Lukashenko. The motivation behind the actions of the different actors is shrouded in mystery, but these events reveal something about the character of Russias war in Ukraine and of Putins regime itself. Rather than engage in empty speculation, let us first concentrate on the known facts. On Friday, 23 June, Prigozhin released a series of provocative videos on Telegram, in which he questioned the motives for Russias invasion of Ukraine: saying it was unnecessary, that Russia was not under threat from Ukraine and that Russia should have reached an agreement with President Volodymyr Zelensky when he came to power. The war wasnt needed to return Russian citizens to our bosom, nor to demilitarise or denazify Ukraine. The war was needed so that a bunch of animals could simply exult in glory, he said. This was, of course, the exact opposite of what Prigozhin himself had said at the time of the beginning of Russias invasion, which he was enthusiastic about. He also launched yet another attack on the Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu, and the head of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov for their conduct of the war in Ukraine, and demanded that they should be removed. Wagners commanders have come to a decision, he said. The evil being spread by the countrys military leadership must be stopped. He then announced that Wagner fighters were going to take over Rostov and that anyone attempting to stop them would be destroyed. This was a serious challenge, one that the Russian authorities were quick to describe as an attempted coup, announcing that they were opening criminal investigations against Prigozhin for armed rebellion. He responded by saying: "This is not a military coup, but a march of justice," in an attempt to appeal to the ranks and officers of the army. Brewing tensions come to the fore Prigozhin also launched yet another attack on the Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu / Image: Presidential Press and Information Office, Wikimedia Commons This was not the first time Prigozhin had attacked the army leadership. For months there had been tensions, with allegations by the Wagner chief that his troops were not given enough ammunition and other supplies to carry out the war. There was also a constant conflict over who should take credit for advances in the front, particularly in the long battle for Bakhmut in which Wagners mercenaries (many recruited from Russian jails) played a key role. This seems to have been the key issue. At a certain point in the war in Ukraine, when things did not go to plan and Putin was not keen to resort to full mobilisation for fear of the potential political fallout, he decided to rely on the forces of Wagner, a Private Military Contractor (a fancy name for a mercenary company) run by his friend and oligarch Prigozhin. Wagner forces were already being used by Russia in Africa and previously in Syria in order to extend its spheres of influence, by offering the services of these mercenaries to different African governments. This is part of a more general trend we have seen towards the contracting out of certain aspects of war to private companies. The United States has spent billions of dollars in hiring the services of PMCs (such as scandal-ridden Blackwater), which have provided tens of thousands of men and women for the imperialist wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, amongst others. The use of Wagner PMC in the Ukraine War was a very profitable enterprise for Prigozhin, who used the conflict not only to line his own pockets but to build his own power base and project his image through an army of hired bloggers and telegram group military analysts. This led him to come into conflict with the army leadership. Once the battle for Bakhmut was over, the army leadership thought it was the right time to move against Wagner. A decision was made that all Wagner operatives who wanted to continue fighting in Ukraine were to sign individual contracts with the Ministry of Defence. That spelled the end for Prigozhins lucrative business in this particular war, but also represented a serious setback to the political ambitions he had developed. He declared that none of his men were going to sign such contracts. Putin, who until that point had been balancing between Shoigu and Prigozhin, in a typical Bonapartist fashion, publicly backed this decision in a big blow to his mercenary oligarch friend. One thing a Bonaparte cannot allow is anyone with ambitions undermining his own power. Prigozhin now had only two options: abide by the demand and see the end of Wagners participation in the Ukraine War, or defy the decision with a show of strength and try to get a better deal from Putin. This also explains his recent comments about alleged successes of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. He wanted to give the impression that his own fighters, a sizable, experienced, battle-hardened core, were indispensable at the front. In the early hours of Saturday 24 June, his forces had taken several key military buildings in Rostov, including the headquarters of the armys Southern Military District and the airfield, without firing a shot. In a video posted on Telegram, Prigozhin was seen at the headquarters, talking to Deputy Defence Minister Yevkurov and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Alekseev. In another video, posted at 7.30am, Prigozhin demanded that Defense Minister Shoigu and Chief of the Russian General Staff Gerasimov be "handed over" to him, otherwise he threatened to "go to Moscow." Significantly, Putin compared the situation with that of 1917 / Image: , Wikimedia Commons By 10am, Putin made a televised speech. Actions that split our unity are a stab in the back of our country and our people, he said, adding: And our actions to defend the fatherland from such a threat will be brutal Those who prepared the military mutiny, who raised weapons against combat brothers, have betrayed Russia, and will pay for this. At the same time as leaving no-one in any doubt as to his position, he was also appealing to the ranks of Wagner by describing them as heroes who liberated Soledar and Artemivsk, towns and cities of the Donbas. They fought and were giving lives to Novorossiya and the unity of the Russian world. Their name and glory were also betrayed by those who are trying to organise the mutiny. Significantly, Putin compared the situation with that of 1917: Exactly a strike like this was dealt in 1917 when the country was in WW1, but its victory was stolen. Intrigues, and arguments behind the armys back turned out to be the greatest catastrophe, destruction of the army and the state, loss of huge territories, resulting in a tragedy and a civil war. This is of course false, it was the disaster of WW1 that triggered the 1917 February Revolution, not the other way round. But it confirms the reactionary pro-Czarist imperialist nature of Putins ideology. That should be clear to everyone (he also attacked Lenin and the Bolsheviks for having artificially created Ukraine when justifying its invasion over a year ago). But that hasnt stopped the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and various other Communist parties shamefully backing Putin or having illusions about the progressive nature of his regime and the war in Ukraine. Desperate, defeated adventure Having thrown down the gauntlet and been rebuffed by Putin, Prigozhin had no other alternative than to desperately launch himself into an adventure. He was probably calculating or at least hoping that he had wider support amongst the ranks of the army, amongst officers in high ranking positions and generally within the structure of the state and political power. His column of a few thousand heavily armed men advanced quickly in the direction of Moscow during the day. Rather than strengthening their positions in the towns and cities they passed, they seemed to be on a mad dash to reach Moscow before the Russian army had time to organise the defence and stop them. What were his intentions? The Financial Times Max Seddon quotes someone he describes as having known the warlord since the early 1990s to speculate about Prigozhins aims: I dont think he had anything particular in mind. He just decided to go and convince Putin that he should get to keep all the money they took away from him Then the situation got completely out of control. At some point he realised he didnt know what to do next. You get to Moscow, and then what? You open the doors of a dozen prisons, some unimaginable freaks come out, the country goes to shit, and then you get to the Kremlin... and you dont know what to do. That seems plausible. Up until that point, there seemed to have been very little in the way of armed clashes. The only resistance Prigozhin faced was an attack from the airforce, which Wagner repelled, downing several attack helicopters. By the end of the afternoon, Wagners column had reached Elets, in the Lipetsk region, just 250 miles from the capital Moscow. Speed and surprise had been on their side up until that point. This can be explained because the military leadership did not want to redirect any forces from and therefore weaken the front, in case the Ukrainian army attempted to take advantage of the situation. And also because the poorly armed and less experienced conscripts along the road to Moscow were not in any mood to face up to a heavily armed column of battle-hardened mercenaries. By the end of the day, however, Chechen troops had arrived and were surrounding Rostov-on-Don, and military defences had been erected at the entrances to Moscow. Belarussian media announced that a deal had been brokered by President Lukashenko / Image: Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Wikimedia Commons Then there was yet another sudden twist. At 8.30pm Belarussian media announced that a deal had been brokered by President Lukashenko, and Prigozhin announced that having reached a point where there was going to be bloodshed, his forces were turning back, away from the capital. The terms of the agreement, as announced by presidential spokesperson Peskov, mean that Wagner mercenaries that had not participated in the armed rebellion would be allowed to sign up for the army in Ukraine, while those who had participated would not be prosecuted on account of their military merit. Moreover, a criminal investigation against Prigozhin was going to be dropped and he would be offered safe passage to Belarus. By 11pm, Wagners forces and Prigozhin himself left Rostov-on-Don. In effect, the original intention, which was to remove Wagner from the Ukrainian war, or at least to subordinate it to the Army command, had been achieved and the armed rebellion diffused with hardly any loss of life. Prigozhin had no other alternative other than to accept this deal. He had not managed to rally any support for his bid and he was aware that he had no chance of actually winning in an open military conflict with the army, even if he managed to reach Moscow. He had at least saved his life and perhaps been offered the possibility of keeping his assets and Wagners lucrative operations in Africa. In any case, there is no honour among thieves, and now that Prigozhin has laid down his weapons, his position has become much weaker. Already on the morning of Monday, 26 June, Russian media reported that the criminal case on organising an armed rebellion, the main defendant of which is Prigozhin, has not been terminated and continues to be investigated by an investigator from the investigative department of the FSB. As some have commented, if there is one thing a Bonapartist leader like Putin cannot forgive, that is betrayal. Prigozhin may now find it very difficult to take out any life insurance policy! Threat neutralised, but cracks remain It is clear that, in the attempt to hold the line in the Ukraine war, Putin had taken a big gamble in using mercenary forces that are not directly under his control or chain of command. The state had partially lost the monopoly of violence. And this is not just the case with Wagner. The state-owned energy company Gazprom has also been allowed to create its own armed militia. But Prigozhin had become full of himself and was developing ambitions as a result. This threat had to be eliminated. In launching his open defiance of Putin, Prigozhin did not find the support he thought he could count on, and he has now been neutralised as a threat. If, as seems the case so far, Shoigu and Gerasimov remain in their jobs, then Prigozhins defeat will be complete and he has merely strengthened his rivals. Prigozhin did not find the support he thought he could count on / Image: Fargoh, Wikimedia Commons Of course, as the Russian comrades of the IMT pointed out in their statement, there was nothing to choose from, from the point of view of the Russian working people, between Putin and Prigozhin. This was a quarrel between a reactionary oligarch and the head of a reactionary oligarchic regime, the content of which was the struggle for the loot and the relative distribution of power. It is ironic that Western imperialist commentators were gloating about the possibility of a successful coup by Prigozhin, a reactionary mercenary. The more sober-minded representatives of the ruling class were a bit more wary. The Financial Times editorial commented: The weekends unrest serves as a reminder, too, that if Putin is ever toppled, it could be by more hardline elements determined to prosecute the war in Ukraine in still more vicious fashion. The Western bourgeois media was full of all kinds of speculation, that this was the end of Putin, an imminent collapse of Russias war efforts in Ukraine, and so on. In fact, both Western intelligence and the Ukraine high command have commented that no gaps emerged in the Russian line of defence during these events. During events such as these, it is advisable not to be influenced by idle speculation and to stick to what is actually known. It is also advisable to be patient and wait for the facts to emerge. So far, the oligarchs that count have lined up behind Putin. No section of the army officer caste came out in favour of Prigozhin and he did not get any support from the population. The only real concrete result is that the Wagner group, and Prigozhin in particular, have been removed as a direct threat to Putin, which is what Putin was working towards. Does this mean that is all is well with the Putin regime? No, it does not. What the Prigozhin adventure reveals is that there are cracks in the regime. For now these will be papered over and Putin will rally the forces around the need to unite in defence of the fatherland. The relatively quick end of Progozhins adventure will send a signal to anyone who may have been thinking of supporting him. However, in the long run, what today may seem a small crack can widen. Then the scenario after further fighting in Ukraine, with more young men being butchered can change radically, and the memory of 1917 really could come back to haunt Putin. Not in the caricatured manner that he has presented it in relation to Prigozhin, but as a real workers revolution that would sweep away the oligarchs and the regime that represents them. Since announcing a partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI earlier this year, Microsoft has been deploying its Copilot generative AI assistant across its suite of Microsoft 365 business productivity and collaboration apps. Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, and a range of other applications will be connected to the AI assistant, which can automate tasks and create content potentially saving users time and bolstering productivity. With the M365 Copilot, Microsoft aims to create a more usable, functional assistant for work, said J.P. Gownder, vice president and principal analyst at Forresters Future of Work team. The concept is that you're the pilot, but the Copilot is there to take on tasks that can make life a lot easier. M365 Copilot is part of a larger movement of generative AI that will clearly change the way that we do computing, he said, noting how the technology has already been applied to a variety of job functions from writing content to creating code since ChatGPT-3 launched in late 2022. Whether or not Copilot will be the catalyst for a shift in how collaboration and productivity apps work remains to be seen, he said. So far, there have only been demos of the Microsoft tool; its in early testing with a limited number of customers and is expected to be generally available later this year. Though generative AI tools have proliferated in recent months, serious questions remain about how enterprises can use the technology without risking their data. M365 Copilot is not fully enterprise-ready, especially in regulated industries, said Avivah Litan, distinguished vice president analyst at Gartner. She pointed to various data privacy and security risks related to the use of large language models (LLMs), which underpin generative AI tools, as well as their tendency to hallucinate or provide incorrect information to users. What is Microsoft 365 Copilot? The M365 Copilot system consists of three elements: Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, and Teams, where users interact with the AI assistant; Microsoft Graph, which includes files, documents, and data across the Microsoft 365 environment; and the OpenAI models that process user prompts: OpenAIs ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4, DALL-E, Codex, and Embeddings. These models are all hosted on Microsofts Azure cloud environment. Copilot is just part of Microsofts overall generative AI push. There are plans for Copilots tailored to Microsofts Dynamics 365 business apps, PowerPlatform, the companys security suite, and its Windows operating system. Microsoft subsidiary GitHub also developed a GitHub Copilot with OpenAI a couple of years ago, essentially providing an auto-complete tool for coders. The key component of Copilot, as with other generative AI tools, is the LLM. These language models are best thought of as a machine-learning network trained through data input/output sets; the model uses a self-supervised or semi-supervised learning methodology. Basically, data is ingested and the LLM spits out a response based on what the algorithm predicts the next word will be. The information in an LLM can be restricted to proprietary corporate data or, as is the case with ChatGPT, can include whatever data its fed or scraped directly from the web. The aim of Copilot is to improve worker productivity by automating tasks, such as drafting an email or creating a slideshow. In a blog post announcing the tool, Satya Nadella, Microsoft chairman and CEO, described it as the next major step in the evolution of how we interact with computing. With our new copilot for work, were giving people more agency and making technology more accessible through the most universal interface natural language. There is much optimism about the time-saving potential of AI in the workplace. A Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology study earlier this year noted a 14% productivity gain for call center workers accessing an (unnamed) generative AI tool; meanwhile, Goldman Sachs Research estimates that a generative AI-led productivity boom could add $7 trillion to the world economy over 10 years. However, businesses should temper any high hopes for immediate benefits, said Raul Castanon, senior research analyst at 451 Research, a part of S&P Global Market Intelligence. There is significant potential for productivity improvement. However, I expect this will come in waves, he said. In the near term, we will probably see small improvements in employees day-to-day work with the automation of repetitive tasks. Though Copilot could save workers' time by consolidating information from different sources or generating drafts, any productivity gains will come in marginal increments. Furthermore, Castanon said, these examples are activities that do not add value, i.e., they are overhead tasks that for the most part, do not directly impact the activities where value is created. This will come in time. Copilot pricing and availability Microsofts Copilot is available to a limited group of Microsoft 365 customers now as part of its early access trial. Chevron, Goodyear, and General Motors are among those now testing the AI assistant. While Microsoft has no set date for release, Copilot is expected to be widely available late this year. The Microsoft 365 roadmap states that Copilot in SharePoint will roll out to users beginning in November, but Microsoft declined to say whether this would mark the general availability date across the rest of the suite. Pricing also remains unknown. The launch of a Premium tier for Teams, which is required to access AI features such as an intelligent meeting recap, speaker timeline markers, and AI note-taking, could indicate that Copilot will be available for higher-tier M365 customers. Microsoft declined to comment on availability. Settling on a strategy is key to success. The best of products can be strangled in the crib by bad licensing and poor accessibility, said Gownder. If, for example, Microsoft were to include Copilot as part of its E5 enterprise offering, many smaller businesses might not get access to the technology, slowing its overall growth. "This is a big risk for Microsoft, in my view, because on the one hand they want everyone to use Copilot if it's not widely available, then it doesn't become the de facto standard that everyone uses, Gownder said. But they also want to monetize it. How do you use Copilot? There are two basic ways users will interact with Copilot. It can be accessed directly within a particular app to create PowerPoint slides, for example, or an email draft or via a natural language chatbot accessible in Teams, known as Business Chat. Microsoft Copilotcan help a Word user draft a proposal from meeting notes. Interactions within apps can take a variety of forms. When Copilot is invoked in a Word document, for example, it can suggest improvements to existing text, or even create a first draft. To generate a draft, a user can ask Copilot in natural language to create text based on a particular source of information or from a combination of sources. One example: creating a draft proposal based on meeting notes from OneNote and a product roadmap from another Word doc. Once a draft is created, the user can edit it, adjust the style, or ask the AI tool to redo the whole document. A Copilot sidebar provides space for more interactions with the bot, which also suggests prompts to improve the draft, such as adding images or an FAQ section. During a Teams video call, a participant can request a recap of whats been discussed so far, with Copilot providing a brief overview of conversation points in real time via the Copilot sidebar. Its also possible to ask the AI assistant for feedback on peoples views during the call, or what questions remain unresolved. Those unable to attend a particular meeting can send the AI assistant in their place to provide a summary of what they missed and action items they need to follow up on. In PowerPoint, Copilot can automatically turn a Word document into draft slides that can then be adapted via natural language in the Copilot sidebar. Copilot can also generate suggested speaker notes to go with the slides and add more images. The other way to interact with Copilot is via Business Chat, which is accessible as a chatbot with Teams. Here, Business Chat works as a search tool that surfaces information from a range of sources, including documents, calendars, emails, and chats. For instance, an employee could ask for an update on a project, and get a summary of relevant team communications and documents already created, with links to sources. Microsoft Copilot can aynthesize information from different sources about a project. How does Copilot compare with other generative AI tools for productivity and collaboration? Most vendors in the productivity and collaboration software market are adding generative AI to their offerings, though these are still in early stages. Google, Microsofts main competitor in the productivity software arena, has announced plans to incorporate generative AI into Workspace suite. Duet AI for Workspace, announced last month and currently in a private preview, can provide Gmail conversation summaries, draft text, and generate images in Docs and Slides, for instance. Slack, the collaboration software firm owned by Salesforce and a rival to Microsoft Teams, is also working to introduce LLMs in its software. Other firms that compete with elements of the Microsoft 365 portfolio, such as Zoom, Box, and Cisco, have also touted generative AI plans. On the vendor side, many are jumping on the generative AI bandwagon as evidenced from the plethora of announcements in the first half of the year, said Castanon. Despite the overhype [about generative AI], this indicates the technology is being rapidly incorporated into vendors product roadmaps. Although its difficult to compare products at this stage, Copilot appears to have some advantages over rivals. One is Microsofts dominant position in the productivity and collaboration software market. While competitors such as Cisco Webex and Grammarly may be comparable to Copilot in terms of accuracy, said Castanon, Microsofts ability to apply its AI assistant to a suite that already has a large customer base will drive adoption. The key advantage the Microsoft 365 Copilot will have is that like other previous initiatives such as Teams it has a ready-made opportunity with Microsofts collaboration and productivity portfolio and its extensive global footprint, he said. Microsofts close partnership with OpenAI (Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in the company on several occasions since 2019 and has a large non-controlling share of the business), likely helped it build generative AI across its applications at faster rate than rivals. Its investment in OpenAI has already had an impact, allowing it to accelerate the use of generative AI/LLMs in its products, jumping ahead of Google Cloud and other competitors, said Castanon. What are the generative AI risks for businesses? Along with the potential benefits of generative AI, businesses should consider risks. There are concerns around the use of LLMs in the workplace generally, and specifically with Copilot. At [this point], Microsoft 365 Copilot is not, in Gartners view, fully enterprise-ready at least not for enterprises operating in regulated industries or subject to privacy regulations such as the EUs GDPR or forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act, Gartner analysts wrote in a recent report (subscription required). While Copilot inherits existing Microsoft 365 access controls and enterprise policies, these are not always sufficient to address the risks posed by the use of LLMs, Gartner said. Several risks can arise when deploying Copilot in its current form, said Litan, one of the authors of the Gartner report. She argued that additional controls are likely needed before Copilot launches. Content filters to avoid hallucinations One concern for businesses is the ability to filter information entered in an LLM by users and the results AI tools generate. Content filters are required, for instance, to prevent unwanted information being passed on to users, including hallucinations where LLMs respond with incorrect information. Hallucinations can result in bad information going out to other partners, your employees, your customers, and in the worst case it can result in malicious activity being spread around your whole ecosystem, said Litan. So you have to filter these outputs for policy violations, and hallucinations and malicious activity. There's a lot that can go wrong. While Microsofts Azure OpenAI Service offer content-filtering options for specific topics (hate, sexual, violence, and self-harm), theyre not enough, said Litan, to eliminate hallucination errors, appropriation of copyrighted information, or biased results. Customers need to create filters customized to their own environment and business needs, she said. But theres no ability [in Copilot] to put in your own enterprise policies to look at the content and say, 'This violates acceptable use.' There's also no ability to filter out hallucinations, to filter out copyright. Enterprises need those policies. While third-party content filtering tools have begun to emerge, theyre not production-ready yet, said Litan. Some examples are AIShield GuArdian and Calypso AI Moderator. A Microsoft spokesperson said the company is working to mitigate challenges around Copilot results: We have large teams working to address issues such as misinformation and disinformation, content filtering, and preventing the promotion of harmful or discriminatory content in line with our AI principles, the spokesperson said. For example, we have and will continue to partner with OpenAI on their alignment work, and we have developed a safety system that is designed to mitigate failures and avoid misuse with things like content filtering, operational monitoring, and abuse detection, and other safeguards. The Copilot paid preview will be used to surface and address problems that arise before a wider launch. We are committed to improving the quality of this experience over time and to make it a helpful and inclusive tool for everyone, the spokesperson said. Data protection is a must Data protection is another issue because of the potential for sensitive data to leak out to an LLM. That happened when Samsung employees accidentally leaked sensitive data while accessing ChatGPT, prompting a company ban on OpenAIs chatbot, Googles Bard and Microsofts Bing. Microsoft said Copilot can allow employees to use generative AI without compromising confidential information. According to the company, user prompt history is deleted after accessing Copilot, and no customer data is used to train or improve the language model. However, businesses will need legally binding data protection assurances around this, Gartner suggested in its report. Microsofts Azure shared responsibility model means customers take responsibility for securing their data, but thats problematic when data is sent to the LLMs. Users have complete responsibility for their data, but they have no control over what's inside the LLM environment, said Litan. There are also compliance considerations for those in regulated sectors due to the Copilot LLMs complex nature. Because so little is known publicly about LLMs, its difficult for companies to guarantee data is safe. Prompt injection attacks are possible The use of LLMs also opens up the prospect of prompt injections, where an attacker hijacks and controls a language models output and gains access to sensitive data. While Microsoft 365 has enterprise security controls in place, they're not directed at the new AI functions and content, said Litan. The legacy security controls are definitely needed, but you also need things that look at the AI inputs and outputs. The model is a separate vector. It's a different attack vector and compromise vector. Security is hardly ever baked into products during development until there is a breach, she noted. Microsoft said its team is working to address these issues. As part of this effort, we are identifying and filtering these types of prompts at multiple levels before they get to the model and are continuously improving our systems in this regard, the company spokesperson said. As the Copilot system builds on our existing commitments to data security and privacy in the enterprise, prompt injection cannot be used to access information a user would otherwise not have access to. Copilot automatically inherits your organizations security, compliance, and privacy policies for Microsoft 365. How will Copilot evolve? Ahead of a full launch, the company's plan is to deploy its AI assistant across as many Microsoft apps as it can. This means generative AI features will also be available in a variety of tools, including OneNote, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Viva, among others. Copilot will also be available natively in the Edge browser, and can use website content as context for user requests. For example, as youre looking at a file your colleague shared, you can simply ask, What are the key takeaways from this document? said Lindsay Kubasik, group product manager for Edge Enterprise, in a blog post announcing the feature. Microsoft also plans to extend Copilots reach into other apps workers use via plugins essentially third-party app integrations. These will allow the assistant to tap into data held in apps from other software vendors including Atlassian, ServiceNow, and Mural. Fifty such plugins are available for early access customers, with thousands more expected eventually, Microsoft said. To help businesses deploy the AI assistant across their data, Microsoft created the Semantic Index for Copilot, a sophisticated map of your personal and your company data, and a pre-requisite to adopting Copilot within an organization. Using the index should provide more accurate searches of corporate data, Microsoft said. For example, when a user asks for a March Sales Report, the Semantic Index wont just look for documents that include those specific terms; it will also consider additional context such as which employee usually produces sales reports and which application they likely use. How can M365 customers prepare for Copilot? Given the various challenges, businesses interested in deploying Copilot can start preparing now. (Microsoft recently touted a series of commitments to support customers in deploying AI tools within their organizations.) First of all, they should do proof of concepts and look at filtering products to try to minimize the risks from errors and hallucinations and unwanted outputs. They should experiment with these and use them, Litan said. Gownder suggested businesses consider providing guidance to employees about the use of generative AI tools. This is needed whether or not they deploy Copilot, as all businesses and IT departments will have to contend with employee use of generative AI tools. IT [might] say, We're banning ChatGPT from the corporate network, but everyone has a phone, so if you're busy, you're going to use that, said Gownder. So, there is some impetus to figure this out. One way to prepare employees is to educate them about the pitfalls of the technology. This is true for Copilot, the consumer version of ChatGPT, or any other chatbot an employee might use. If you ask ChatGPT to give you an answer to something, thats a starting point, not an end point, said Gownder. "Do not publish and use something straight out of ChatGPT. Any factual claim that the ChatGPT output makes, you need to double-check it against sources, because it could be made up. This is all changing so quickly, so standing up programs to help people understand the basics of generative AI, and [also] the limits, will be good preparation no matter what happens with Copilot, he said. The Pandora's Box is open: generative AI will be coming to you soon, even as BYO [bring your own AI] if you choose not to deploy it. So you better have a strategy in short order about this. Heartfelt Taman Jurong farewell for Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who now runs for Singapore Presidents office Several thousands of Singapore residents turned up for the weekend farewell for Senior Minister and Singapore presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam, organised at Taman Jurong Community Club. Tharman Shanmugaratnam at an earlier event always a peoples man. Photo courtesy: Instagram/leehsienloong Tharman, as he is called, was given the heartfelt farewell on Saturday. Once he decided to run for president, he stepped down from his political assignments. However, as the Member of Parliament for Taman Jurong since 2001, the farewell was a major event. Mothership Singapore, which reported extensively on the farewell, said that residents had to register for the farewell in advance. To manage all the attendees, there were two sessions of the farewell one from 9am; another from 4pm. Many memento photographs were taken with Tharman by the residents, who queued from morning to get inside. They also scribbled their wishes and thanks for Tharman on the memory wall at the venue. One message read: Dear Mr and Mrs Tharman, to have Tharman as Singapores President is Singapores blessing. Wishing [the] future president well and [I am] grateful to have SM serving the nation for [22] years. Mothership quoted long-time local residents, Malay couple Saanea Abdullah and Mohd Kasim, as saying, [Tharman] cares for the residents... He is always around. Tharman announced his presidential candidature earlier this month. He informed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on June 8 of his intention to resign from the Peoples Action Party (PAP), resign from his ministerial position, and run for the office, as the term of President Halimah Yacob comes to an end. The Senior Ministers presidential election rivals in terms of who else has filed the application are Singapore entrepreneur George Goh and former secondary school teacher Seng Soon Kia. Indian-origin woman in Singapore jailed for fatally abusing maid to serve three more years for evidence tampering Indian-origin Singapore resident Prema S Naraynasamy, who was sentenced to 14 years in jail for fatally abusing her daughter's Myanmarese maid, today had an additional three years added to her punishment for removing crucial evidence in the case. Prema pleaded guilty to one count of instigating her son-in-law Kevin Chelvam to cause evidence of the offences to disappear. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@AndyVermaut The 64-year-old will now serve a 17-year sentence for her role in abusing 24-year-old Myanmar national Piang Ngaih Don, who died of a brain injury with severe blunt trauma to her neck in 2016 after 14 months of repeated abuse. Prema was given an additional three-year jail term for asking her son-in-law to remove a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) recorder that held evidence of her 43-year-old daughter Gaiyathiri Murugayan and her crimes involving Piang's abuse. Prema pleaded guilty to one count of instigating her son-in-law Kevin Chelvam to cause evidence of the offences to disappear, Channel News Asia reported today. The offence, involving the CCTV recorder, occurred when Prema knew the authorities were heading to their house. When Chelvam arrived home, Prema directed him to dismantle the CCTV recorder to dispose of it, as she did not want police to get hold of the footage. Chelvam, 44, then a police officer, was initially reluctant to do so but allegedly complied with his mother-in-law's insistence. Prema later slipped the recorder into her daughter-in-law's bag while the police were in the house and told her in Tamil, "I have kept something in your bag, do something with it." The daughter-in-law gave Prema's son the recorder, who then asked a friend to keep it. Despite the CCTV recorder passing from her daughter-in-law's hands to her son's friend, the police managed to recover it after questioning Prema's son. District Judge Jill Tan said the background to the offence was "a series of unspeakably cruel abuses" committed by Prema and her daughter. Gaiyathiri was sentenced to 30 years in jail in 2021 for her role in the case. Her appeal against her sentence was dismissed. 06/26/2023 Photo (c) Oleg Breslavtsev - Getty Images United Airlines has just made Transportation Secretary Pete Buddideg happy. The companys latest app helps take the airline off the hook when it comes to addressing at least part of a consumers rights on cancellations and delays. Now, instead of stressing out and waiting in line to talk to an agent or search for options when a flight has been disrupted, Uniteds new self-service tool automatically presents travelers with personalized re-booking options, bag tracking information, as well as meal and hotel vouchers. The companys decision came from finding itself in a tough spot. Even though United had the lowest mainline flight and seat cancellation rates of any airline in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2023, it still has the most flights impacted by weather given the location of four of its seven major domestic hubs Chicago, Washington D.C., Denver, and Newark. "Our goal is to get our customers to their destination on time, but we know things don't always go as planned and that's when a tool like this can make a real difference," said Linda Jojo, chief customer officer for United. If you fly United, heres how it works Suppose youre flying United this summer and run into an issue, forcing your flight to be delayed by more than 60 minutes or even canceled completely. In that case, you should automatically see all available options for delays and cancellations on the home screen of the United mobile app. Here's how it works: Get notified: Before you do anything else, click the link in the automatic text notification or enter flight details in the mobile app or united.com to open the tool. Once you do that, your reservation is already loaded in the app, and youll see a prompt right on the home screen. Check flight and re-booking status: Step two is to confirm the status of your flight and see if you've been re-booked. If you want another flight option, United also offers those and lets you book based on your preference. Track your bags : Follow the status of your checked luggage to see when it is checked in, loaded on your flight and received at your final destination. View eligible vouchers : Receive hotel, meal and/or rideshare vouchers if eligible. Connect to a United customer service agent virtually: Call, text or video chat with a United agent who can offer the same assistance as the agents at the airport. What it doesnt cover yet While Uniteds new app takes some of the sting out of a canceled or delayed flight, the Department of Transportations (DOT) customer service dashboard says there are still some holes in what it would like the airline to do. Those include: Cash compensation when a cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time Credit/travel voucher when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time Frequent flier miles when cancellation results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time However, United isn't the only major U.S. carrier that hasn't stepped up to make those perks available to stranded passengers. American, Delta, Southwest, et al yet to have agreed to those caveats, as well. As of now, according to the agency's dashboard, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines are the only ones offering credit/travel vouchers when cancellation results in passengers waiting for three hours or more from the scheduled departure time. And only Alaska offers frequent flier miles when cancellation results in passengers waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time. 2023 Banglsdesh SAFE HVACR Expo (SAFE HVACR) was held on 11-13 May at Dhaka Convention and Exhibition Centre. On May 9, the organizing committee of RACC and some Chinese exhibitors who organized by RACC departed from Kunming Changshui International Airport to Bangladesh to attend the Expo. This year, the committee has organised joint exhibitors such as AUX, Omisen, Feisi, Hongsen, Nanyang and Shenya, ect to promote the RACC Expo to exhibitors and visitors at the Bangladesh refrigeration exhibition, and widely invite global buyers to come to the RACC site for purchasing. Welcome friends of Bangladesh refrigeration exhibition to come to the RACC site to discover more oppoturnities of cooperation! SAFE HVACR is Bangladesh's professional exhibition for the air conditioning, refrigeration and cold chain industry. According to official information, over 60% of SAFE HVACR exhibitors are from overseas. This year the pavilions from China, India, Singapore, Italy, Korea Malaysia, Taiwan, Turkey, Thailand and the UAE have attended the exhibition. Attending SAFE HVACR will be the best way to open up the market in and around Bangladesh. Departure from Kunming Changshui International Airport on 9 May 2023 RACC global refrigeration industry event is a great combination of global supply, international buyers, new channels, new business opportunities! Looking forward to meeting you in Ningbo in October 2023! 2022 Bangladesh SAFE HVACR Highlights 2022 Bangladesh SAFE HVACR was a 3-day exhibition, which attracted more than 9,500 visitors from 14 countries and regions worldwide, including 350 foreign visitors, with over 120 exhibitors and a total area of 4,800 square feet. Bangladesh has experienced high economic growth in recent years. With a population of over 17 million, the country now boasts the highest GDP in South Asia and the largest market preceded only by India. As a result, there is a high demand for air conditioning and ventilation products and services in Bangladesh, and the government is placing great emphasis on the application of green building methods and technologies, which has helped increasing the demand for intelligent HVAC systems in the country. The general circumstances of Bangladesh's trande and market Over the past decade, Bangladesh has been one of the most dynamic economies in South Asia and the world, with an average GDP growth rate of over 6%. At present, Bangladesh's political and social order is basically stable. The last two governments have advocated the implementation of market economy, improved the investment environment and actively created export processing zones. By 2026, the country will have officially entered the ranks of developing countries. In 2021, the amount of China-Bangladesh trade reached 25.14 billion US dollars,the year-on-year growth was 58.4%. And China's exports to Bangladesh was 24.09 billion US dollars among which, year-on-year rose 59.8%, and imports from Bangladesh was 1.04 billion US dollars, up 30.9% year-on-year. In recent years, the bilateral trade volume between China and Bangladesh has grown rapidly. Bangladesh has become the third largest trading partner of China in South Asia. China, as one of the major import sources for Bangladesh, ranks first with 33.3% import share, while the second and third ranked India and Singapore have 16.4% and 6.4% import share respectively, which shows China's prominent role in Bangladesh's import source countries. Bangladesh is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia's three largest economies - China, India and ASEAN - and is a bridge and nexus for multi-party cooperation. Bangladeshi exports enjoy preferential trade treatment such as duty-free and quota-free in Europe, the US, Japan, Canada, Australia and other countries. Theres having a legacy and reputation that forever locks you into human history, and then theres a step above that: being a household name. Someone thats easily recognizable to most people despite the staggering shortcomings of the American education system. Some people are part of the daily lexicon because of their current fame or amount of airtime, but some remain touchstones years after their death, and not just because, again, most American public school history textbooks are old enough to have been printed on the Gutenberg press. The funny irony of this kind of status is that, although a whole lot of people know their names, the knowledge of them is often fairly shallow. You might remember a picture from a middle-school overhead projector or a single test question, but its rarer for someone to have a deep knowledge of the name in question. This also naturally lets some of these people slide by with a history that is a whole lot less cut-and-dry than your mental image lets on. Here are five household names who really shouldnt be Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. 5 Charles Lindbergh Public Domain Thank you for the beautiful medal, Mr. Nazi, sir! Lindbergh is most widely known for two things: 1) piloting an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean; and 2) having his baby stolen. Going off just those two things, of course he seems like an easy hero a tough-as-nails flyboy with a tragic family history. The problem here, though, is also twofold. First, the only thing that Lindbergh hated more than being told he couldnt fly across the Atlantic Ocean was, uh, Jews. The second is that a family tragedy hits slightly less hard when the father in question has multiple other families in secret. Advertisement Lets start by addressing his anti-Semitism, especially during World War II. He got himself started on the wrong foot from the jump in 1938, when Hitler offered him a medal and, uh, he accepted. Not exactly the guy you want as your biggest fan. Only a short time later was Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, where Nazis murdered hundreds of Jews, destroyed their houses and burned their synagogues. After that, people urged Lindbergh to return the medal, and he said, Well, no need to go giving medals back willy-nilly (paraphrased). That pretty neatly established where his sympathies lied, but he also decided to give some speeches full of sadly not-that-old-fashioned rhetoric like, We must ask who owns and influences the newspaper, the news picture and the radio station. As for those secret families, he cheated on his mourning wife just about as much as youd expect a relentlessly horny man with access to a private plane would. Advertisement 4 Hugo Boss Public Domain A Hitler supporter, despite having the exact opposite mustache. Lindbergh might have been supporting the Nazis in the ol marketplace of ideas, but theres another famous name that supported them in the regular marketplace of goods and services. That name, which is still seen today at all manner of luxury fashion stores, and, maybe most embarrassingly, displayed prominently on any number of mens polos, hats and overpriced T-shirts, is Hugo Boss, a German tailor who landed a cushy government contract in the 1930s. The German government at that time, of course, being the Nazi party. Advertisement Advertisement The brown shirts that gave the German Sturmabteilung their nickname, as well as the uniforms for the SS and Nazi party at large, were all manufactured by Boss. Apologists say things like, what else was he supposed to do, not make shirts for Hitler? to which, first of all, the answer is: yes. Secondly, Boss was a long way from an objector forced to pump out uniforms at gunpoint. He was a card-carrying member of the Nazi party starting in 1931. You dont need to scrub the internet for a source on his involvement either, as the company has acknowledged and apologized for its past. Sure, it literally built their business and theyre named after a full-ass Nazi, but theyre not happy about it, or anything. 3 Dr. Oz Public Domain I showed you how pooping works on TV, now vote for me! Advertisement Now, before I spend this whole article covering people who get off the hook for being Nazi sympathizers, and I truly could, lets move on for the sake of variety. On to a name that only a couple years ago, you would think was completely made up: Dr. Oz. Which would be somewhat appropriate, to be honest, given that the primary field that Mehmet Oz traffics in is bullshit. Was Dr. Oz, at least at one point, a trustworthy and even genuinely talented surgeon? Yes, he was. From there, though, he quickly decided that he liked being on TV a lot more than he liked saving lives, and followed the real-doctor-to-unsettling-psycho pipeline that Ben Carson established, finally reaching the same ultimate result of a failed political career. Pretty much ever since he stuck that heart in a New York Yankees chest, everything about Dr. Oz has been toxic. The medical advice he trumpeted on daytime TV was usually questionable at best and straight-up fake at worst. His political opinions are both horrible and thin, with the most accurate image presented being a status-obsessed carpetbagger. Every minute he was ever on your parents TV was actively harmful. Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully, the piper seems to have finally demanded payment, and his political missteps may have tanked his chances of even ending up back on television. 2 Pretty Much Every Serial Killer Public Domain Let s take as many pictures of the guy as we can so women on Twitter can call him Daddy later, that ll show him! I could have picked any number of specific names to use: the Night Stalker, Ted Bundy, Son of Sam, take your pick. The real problem here is the treatment that they receive, and are possibly motivated by, when chopping up living, breathing people. Yes, theyre usually receiving death sentences, not Congressional medals of honor, but as they say, Any press is good press. Advertisement Especially as the serial killer seems to have given way to the mass shooting for psychopaths in search of fame and attention, its a debate thats worth having, especially as Netflix continues to fill up with documentaries and slightly-too-glossy content about serial killers past. Maybe the saddest part of applying it to modern mass murderers is that its going to end up being the ubiquity of the crime, not the effort of a news organization, thats going to deny them fame. Winning an Oscar or a Grammy or a freaking Nobel Prize is an achievement that youd think would have no downside. It would be all sunshine and rainbows as you take your little statue or medal on a tour of all the after-parties and pretend to feed it champagne and whatnot. Sometimes, though, these honors come with drawbacks that nobody ever talks about. In fact, you might not even get a statue. 5 You Cant Sell Your Oscar Winning an Oscar seems like a fast pass to the A-list, but if you believe in curses, it might doom you. Plenty of formerly successful Hollywood heavyweights have picked up weird habits and fallen on hard times. When they start looking around for items to sell to pay off their turtle-racing debts, that little gold man on the shelf proves mighty tempting. The Academy is well aware of that, which is why Oscars won after 1951 cannot be sold unless they are first offered to the Academy for $1. The rule applies even after the winner has died, so if your producer dad left you with nothing but a box of the film industrys most prestigious awards, he basically left you with nothing. It might seem like a jerk move, but it makes sense. Oscars won before the rule went into effect have gone for less than $1 million, and those are pretty finite, so the price would certainly fall if there was a fresh influx every year. That means just about any asshole with a sizable but not unimaginable nest egg could put an Oscar on their mantle and hope no one looks at it too closely, and the Academys gotta protect their brand. You know how many Best Sound Editing awards are out there in the homes of people who arent necessarily rich, whose kids will inevitably need braces? Well, as far as the Academy is concerned and this is a direct quote fuck them kids. 4 You Might Have to Share Custody of Your Oscar Its fairly clear-cut who directed or performed in a film, but when it comes to the best song or score, there are all kinds of complicated rules about who actually wins the Oscar. Officially, only two people can win for Best Song, though they may occasionally bend the rules for a third songwriter and they reserve the right, under very rare and extraordinary circumstance(s), to award a fourth, but five is right out. Advertisement The rules are even more strict for Best Score. No more than two people can win, and thats only if they each contributed exactly 50 percent of the work. Let the other guy lay down a single note more, and that little resume boost goes right out the window. When there are more songwriters or composers than the allotted number of gold guys, they may have to agree to accept a group statuette to display two months out of the year until its the next guys turn. We know what youre thinking: Dont we always see huge groups of dudes go up to accept the Oscar for Best Picture? Whats the difference? The answers are yes, though its slightly deceptive, and the difference isnt terribly clear. A maximum of six producers can take home a statue for Best Picture, so its less than the number of people on the stage, but more than the musical talent. Why? Fuck you, thats why. These rules are airtight the freaking Beatles had to share an Oscar. Trent goddamn Reznor had to share for Soul, and thank goodness he already had one for The Social Network because that man deserves something to show for the weirdest successful pivot in Hollywood. Advertisement Advertisement 3 You May Not Win the Nobel Prize Even If Your Work Does Similarly, only the top three people who worked on a project are given a Nobel Prize, but rather than being forced to share an award, the rest of the team gets nothing. No medal, no fancy party, not even the right to call themselves Nobel laureates. Thats fine for, say, the peace and literature prizes, as you dont even necessarily have to leave solitary confinement to make strides in those fields, but that hasnt been true of science in decades. As a result, people get snubbed. In the case of the 2013 physics prize for work with the Higgs boson particle, more than 5,000 people got snubbed. Advertisement The reasoning behind why the Nobel committee cant just change the rules is that Alfred Nobel left very specific instructions in his will for awarding his prize, but if they followed that to the letter, they could only give it to one person. We must conclude, therefore, that its solely out of spite, especially when you consider incidents like the man who took out a full-page ad in the New York Times in 2003 demanding recognition for his role in inventing the MRI, the subject of that years prize in medicine. Under other circumstances, that would be some messy bullshit, but its hard to argue he was wrong. 2 Winners of the Palme dOr Cant Win Anything Else The Cannes Film Festival is the Oscars of weird indie shit, and its Best Picture is the Palme dOr, literally the Golden Palm. But imagine if everyone nominated in other categories for their work in the Best Picture winner was automatically booted off the list. No Best Screenplay, no Best Director, no acting awards. Thats the situation with the Palme dOr. The director gets the award, so they cant complain, but nobody else gets one, and theyre not eligible for any other awards. It evens the playing field in the sense that one movie cant sweep every category, but its not exactly fair if one movie just rules. Advertisement Advertisement The rule has no doubt caused a lot of grumbling among screenwriters and actors over the years, but its only been broken once, in 2013 for Blue is the Warmest Color. In addition to the films director, Abdellatif Kechiche, the jury presented its two lead actresses with Golden Palms as compensation for their ineligibility in the acting categories. Kechiche was not happy about this, which isnt surprising, as stories from the set dont paint him as the cuddliest guy. At least he was allowed to sell it. Virtually no one had Roseanne Barrs back after her 2018 racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett, the Black senior advisor to Barack Obama who the comic compared to a lovechild of the Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes. Despite the unlikely success of her Roseanne reboot, ABC yoinked the show from its schedule, calling her insults abhorrent, repugnant, and inconsistent with our values. Talent agency ICM dropped her. The deepest cut came from TV daughter Sara Gilbert, who tweeted, Roseannes recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least. Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. Amidst all the backlash, one of the only people who stood by Roseanne (the only person?) was John Goodman, her longtime Roseanne co-star. In an interview with The Times, Goodman revealed that he was surprised at the response (to the tweet). And thats probably all I should say about that. I know for a fact that shes not a racist. You can call it loyalty to a friend or a questionable career move, but five years later, Goodman isnt backing off that support. At the time I remember going to some kind of junket where they saw the pilot, and then the interviews, and it just turned into attack, he recently told Variety. And that made me very uncomfortable with them just attacking Roseanne. Yeah, I felt bad for her. I just feel terrible about the whole thing. We had a great time. And I love her. Shes just her own person. Advertisement ABC recently renewed The Conners for a sixth season, continuing the retitled show that Frankensteined back to life after Roseanne was axed. Even though the show killed Roseannes character, could Goodman and Barr ever share an onscreen reunion? (After all, the earlier iteration of the show killed Goodmans character, Dan, and here we are.) I dont know, Goodman says on the prospect of working together again. If shed liked to I just dont know. I miss her. I wish her well. But a Conners reunion seems extremely unlikely, as Roseanne still holds a mighty grudge against Sara Gilbert. How dare Gilbert call out the Planet of the Apes tweet as abhorrent! "It was (Gilberts) tweet that canceled the show," Roseanne told Megyn Kelly last month, apparently washing her hands of the idea that her own tweet might have had something to do with it. Play Advertisement Advertisement Condemning Barrs words, in her view, was an act of violence. "They just tried to kill me and I felt like they killed my character and my character," she said. "I thought they were sending a message over the airwaves because they knew I had mental health issues. I thought they wanted me to kill myself. And all my friends did too. They said, They're trying to push you to suicide. Instead, Gilbert and the scores of celebs who denounced Roseanne pushed her to Fox Nation, where grievances could be screamed to the rafters under the guise of stand-up comedy. It just proves once and for all, outrage is never canceled. Personal data of over 45,000 public school students was compromised in a breach involving the file-transfer software MOVEit, according to a community letter sent to families and staff by the New York City Department of Education. "DOE used MOVEit to transfer documents and data internally as well as to and from vendors, including third party special education service providers," the letter said. The breach is the latest expoit of a SQL injection vulnerability found in MOVEit Transfer, a widely used file transfer software by Progress Software. Documents exposed before patching Although the New York City DOE, with the help of the NYC Cyber Command, fully patched the software hours after learning of the vulnerability, there were already 19,000 documents accessed without authorization, the DOE's internal investigation revealed. The servers have been taken offline out of caution, according to Emma Vadehra, the chief operating officer of the DOE. "Currently, we have no reason to believe there is any ongoing unauthorized access to DOE systems," she added. Preliminary results from the internal investigation also revealed that approximately 45,000 students, excluding DOE staff and related service providers, were affected. A surge of large-scale data breaches has affected Australia particularly in the last 12 months. These attacks disrupted critical infrastructure services and governments at a scale that affected a large portion, if not most, of the population. The cost of rebuilding systems, investigating the causes of the incident, reissuing documents, and possible fines for Australian organizations has been significant. Optus, for example, has put at least $140 million towards such expenses, according to its half-year financial results published in November 2022. More recently, several entities have surfaced as victims of the vulnerability found in MOVEit Transfer. This included the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the very organisation to which organizations must report cyber breaches. The profitability of PII and the risks in APIs As one of the largest economies in Asia Pacific, Australia has become a high-priority target for attacks. Personally identifiable information (PII) is one of the targets for cybercriminals due to its high value. "Personally identifiable information in Australia is very important, and when you have PII that means that your chances to get paid nowadays in Australia...some actors may find them better than they used to be before," Guy Segal, VP security services for APAC at Sygnia, tells CSO. Having PII in hand enables cybercriminals to perform other crimes. "With more Australians conducting their shopping and banking online, cybercriminals are also stealing PII of Australians, which enables them to commit any number of crimes, such as opening a credit card or bank accounts and applying for loans," explains Dean Houari, director of security technology and strategy for APJ at Akamai Technologies. It isn't just PII that is leaked. Compromised credentials were the second-most frequent attack vector, used in 24% of attacks in 2022, according to a Sophos study of 200 IT professionals in mid-sized organizations in Australia. Although, the same report found that ransomware attacks in Australia decreased from 80% in 2021 to 70% in 2022, the latter was still 4% higher than the global average. Most attacks are still phishing attacks and, Gartner analyst Richard Addiscott explains. These are used to either drop malware or gather credentials. "Were also seeing far more focused attacks on identity infrastructure itself, where the vast majority of investment over the last few years and it hasnt been small, has been on the authentication practises of our end users rather than protecting the actual infrastructure that these identity systems sit on. So, these are a lot more fragile than we might expect." A cybersecurity incident at a third-party vendor has impacted the personal information of pilots of at least two US airlines, including American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Personal information, including name and social security number, driver's license number, passport number, date of birth, Airman Certificate number, and other government-issued identification numbers were compromised, according to breach notifications from the airlines. Breach at third-party vendor On May 3, both airlines were informed that their third-party vendor, pilotcredentials.com, had experienced a cybersecurity incident involving some files within its systems. An unauthorized actor accessed the third-party vendor's systems on or around April 30 and obtained certain files provided by some pilot and cadet applicants during their hiring process, the airlines said in their notifications. "The incident was solely limited to the third-party vendor's systems, and no American networks or systems were affected or compromised," American Airlines said in its breach notification, adding that the investigations were launched immediately and the law enforcement authorities were notified. Personal information of 5,745 pilots of American Airlines and 3,009 pilots from Southwest Airlines has been leaked due to the incident, according to the airlines report to the Office of the Maine Attorney General. 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. Thousands of village halls across Britain are facing closure because they do not comply with new anti-terrorism legislation introduced after the Manchester Arena atrocity. Jobsworths are insisting that venues of all sizes have to implement strict security measures, including training and evacuation plans. Presumably, just in case Islamic State ever decides to target a monthly meeting of the Much Culling In The Marsh cribbage club. The Mail on Sunday reports that one village hall, at Kingsclere in Hampshire, is already facing closure. Chairman Sharon Morris said in a submission to the Commons home affairs committee that it will be impossible to implement the measures being demanded. 'Trustees have duties, but those duties appear to make us responsible for the way in which community organisations conduct their functions. We simply cannot have that level of responsibility.' Under the new proposals, volunteers at venues with a capacity of more than 100 people would have to undergo anti-terror training. They are already suffering from onerous 'elf'n'safety regulations, which has led to even the women who arrange flowers in churches being subjected to intrusive background and 'safeguarding' checks. Understandably, many refuse to comply. If this law had been in force during World War II, the Home Guard would have been banned from meeting in the church hall (Pictured: Bill Pertwee as Warden Hodges in the 1970's British sitcom 'Dads Army') Kingsclere village hall marked its 100th anniversary in 2021 with a flypast from a Spitfire. But if this law had been in force during World War II, the Home Guard would have been banned from meeting in the church hall. The Kingsclere Women's Institute faces being wound up. So do the mother and toddler group and the local Pilates class. It's the same story across the country. Smaller country pubs could also be under threat. There's never been a credible terrorism scare in Kingsclere, although the village did experience a spate of bicycle and prize-marrow thefts a few years ago. Yet the Home Office is reluctant to back down. 'The first duty of the Government is to protect the public and we are committed to improving the security of public venues,' said a spokesman. There speaks the authentic voice of the Great British Jobsworth. Nearly eight decades after the end of the war, the Warden Hodges Tendency is alive and well. These mad plans must be resisted at all costs. We are The Village Hall Preservation Society... John Cleese says he is cutting the famous Always Look On The Bright Side crucifixion scene from his new stage adaptation of Life Of Brian because it has lost the power to shock. When the film came out in 1979 there was a horrified reaction from religious organisations. In Britain, 39 local authorities either refused to allow cinemas to show it or imposed an 'X' certificate. Across the world it was banned outright as far afield as Singapore, South Africa and, for some reason, Norway. For all I know, it still is. However, Cleese is still sticking with the scene in which Stan, played by Eric Idle, is ridiculed because he claims it is his right to have a baby, even though he doesn't possess a womb. How times and mores change. Forty years ago, blasphemy was considered beyond the pale. Today, mocking Christianity is no big deal. But if Cleese insists on a character maintaining that men can't give birth, he'll run the risk of the stage play being cancelled, the theatre being raided by the police and finding himself up on a charge of committing a 'transphobic hate crime'. John Cleese (pictured) says he is cutting the famous Always Look On The Bright Side crucifixion scene from his new stage adaptation of Life Of Brian because it has lost the power to shock. Andrew Pierce's story about deputy leader Angela Rayner being frozen out of Keir Starmer's inner circle struck a chord with me. In the days when I covered the Labour movement, the party was riven with factional infighting. Most of the unions who bankrolled the party were split between Left and Right. Policy was carved up in advance. I can remember one conference in Blackpool where my old mate Terry Duffy, the engineers' leader, had convened an early morning meeting of moderates in his delegation to decide how to vote on the day's agenda. Five minutes after it started, the door swung open and in walked a leading Left-winger. 'What's going on here, then?' he asked. 'We're having a cactus meeting,' Terry replied. 'Don't you mean a caucus meeting?' 'No, this is a cactus meeting. The pricks are on the outside.' Elton John brought down the curtain on the Glastonbury Festival with a barnstorming greatest hits set, which may prove to be his last ever live performance in England. He paid tribute to the late George Michael, who would have been celebrating his 60th birthday, and was joined onstage by an assortment of guest stars, most of whom I'd never heard of. I couldn't help wondering how many of the 200,000 crowd crammed together in the field in front of the Pyramid stage are still working from home, post-Covid. To capture the zeitgeist, Elton could have invited some of them onstage to join him in a reworked version of his 1978 hit, Part-Time Love, co-written with Gary Osborne. It helps if you sing along . . . Part-time jobs. We're working from home. And we're eating Hobnobs For lunch and tea. Watching Bargain Hunt. On the BBC We won't go into town. We're still staying locked-down Because you, me, everybody's. Got a part-time job. Part-time jobs. We're terribly nervous. In the Civil Service So we won't turn up. On Mondays and Fridays. And alternate Tuesdays We'll just do as we like. That's when we're not on strike Because you, me, everybody's. Got a part-time job. Elton John brought down the curtain on the Glastonbury Festival with a barnstorming greatest hits set, which may prove to be his last ever live performance in England Elton (pictured) paid tribute to the late George Michael, who would have been celebrating his 60th birthday, and was joined onstage by an assortment of guest stars, most of whom I'd never heard of And just as the Glasto crowd had once serenaded Jeremy Corbyn, surely in the interests of political balance Elton could have rewritten Candle In The Wind as a tribute to the now departed Boris Johnson. It would have been worth it, if only to watch the furious reaction of the Left-wing luvvies in the audience. So with apologies to Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin . . . Goodbye, World King. So they've screwed you after all You had the nerve to champion Leave. While those around you backed Remain They've crawled out of the woodwork. And conspired to topple you For having the audacity. To get us out of the EU. Though it seems to me you've lived your life. On a gamble and a whim. But when push has come to shove. You found a way to win. And that's why they resent you. Want to bury you for good. Because you've always reached the parts. These losers never could. Maybe Boris could have turned up and sung a defiant chorus of I'm Not Standing, which would have definitely ensured that Sunday night was alright for fighting . . . When Vladimir Putin first embarked on his illegal invasion of Ukraine, he arrogantly believed fighting would last a matter of days. Nearly 18 months since and how deluded that assumption now looks. Rather than simply roll over, the Ukrainian people have met Russian aggression with dogged resistance inspired by the leadership of their extraordinary president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Far from being able to hail himself as a bold conqueror, the Russian president instead spent the weekend having to suppress a humiliating mutiny from his own mercenaries. Their efforts may have faltered, but Putins image as Russias unchallengeable tsar has been shattered. His ashen-faced appearance on Russian television on Saturday in which he pitifully described the Wagner Groups attempted uprising as a stab in the back showed a leader whose notoriously iron grip on the country appears finally to be loosening. Vladimir Putin's ashen-faced appearance on Russian television on Saturday in which he pitifully described the Wagner Groups attempted uprising as a stab in the back We must, of course, beware the wounded tiger. Doubtless Putin will already be plotting recriminations against Ukraine to reassert his dwindling authority. But, however terrifying that prospect might be, the West must hold its nerve. For the remarkable events which unfurled in Russia over the weekend may yet prove to be a turning point in this brutal conflict. Western leaders must seize it as a golden opportunity to end Putins vile atrocities, redoubling their efforts to give Zelensky whatever tools necessary to finish the job. Admittedly, this is hardly an easy sell to a public growing increasingly weary of the conflict as well as struggling with a cost of living crisis. But allowing Putin to continue his barbarous behaviour would only encourage him to expand his ambitions and embolden tyrants everywhere. No less than global freedom is at stake. The right medicine? For as long as most people can remember, the NHS has been facing a recruitment crisis. Indeed, were it not for the thousands of fantastic foreign medics employed on our hospital wards, the heath service would be well and truly sunk. So Rishi Sunaks plans to embark on what he describes as the largest expansion in training and workforce in the NHSs history is long overdue. In fact, his proposals to increase the cap on medical school places represents just the sort of innovative, One Nation Conservative initiative which delivered Boris Johnson a landslide victory in 2019. Mr Sunak is going to need to channel much more of his old bosss boldness and energy, if he is to stand any chance at the next election. Rishi Sunaks plans to embark on what he describes as the largest expansion in training and workforce in the NHSs history is long overdue. Just Stop Now! Deranged Just Stop Oil activists have unleashed misery on thousands of ordinary working people through their selfish antics. Roads and motorways have been blocked; funerals and vital hospital appointments missed. Meanwhile, acts of wanton destruction have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to public property. Now, California-based entrepreneur Trevor Neilson, whose Climate Emergency Fund has handed the group more than 1million, has described the activists tactics as harming the cause. Time for the eco-idiots to finally pack up their paint cans and go home? n Homelessness can be a complex issue. But it is nothing less than shameful that nearly half of the 300,000 people estimated to be sleeping rough are children. So it is truly heartening that the Prince of Wales is launching a 3million programme to end homelessness within five years. Such a pledge may seem ambitious. But we salute Williams drive and determination. A botched war and now a narrow escape from a coup plot the Kremlin clock is ticking ever faster for Vladimir Putin. The stability that he brought Russia after the chaos of the 1990s is over. His reputation for competence and effectiveness is in tatters. In the savage dog-eat-dog world of Russian politics, such displays of weakness are fatal. The man who rose to power in 1999 could now be gone in months, weeks or days. Even in Russia's rigged political system, Putin's chances of winning another six-year term in the presidential contest due in March next year have shrivelled. Indeed, he might well no longer be in office by then. Enforced retirement on the grounds of 'ill health' perhaps, or maybe a sudden terminal illness. Even a slip through an open window, an assassin's bullet or a dose of poison in his borscht would do the trick. Article 92 of Russia's constitution lays down that if the head of state is 'incapable of fulfilling his duties' his temporary successor is the prime minister. That would be Mikhail Mishustin, a competent, low-key 57-year-old bureaucrat who is hardly a household name even in Russia. But real power after a palace coup would lie elsewhere, probably with a Kremlin insider. Nikolai Patrushev, the national security adviser, is one candidate. His well-connected, fast-rising son Dmitry, currently agriculture minister, is another. Any such new leader would make Putin the scapegoat for the disastrous Ukraine war, and try to end it as quickly as possible. A botched war and now a narrow escape from a coup plot the Kremlin clock is ticking ever faster for Vladimir Putin The best known such figure was the former crime boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner private army A neat solution, but not a durable one.Many in Russia fear that what lies ahead is a 'Time of Troubles' (Smutnoye vremya), in which feuding clans battle for wealth and power. The phrase originally referred to the lawless period after 1598, when the tsarist throne changed hands six times in 15 years. Echoes of this nightmarish era still resonate today. Russians also recall the upheavals of 1917, when the Bolshevik Revolution plunged Russia into a five-year civil war, and 1991, when the Soviet Union broke up after a failed hardline coup. According to Igor Girkin, a military veteran with a wide following among nationalist Russians, last weekend's chaotic and violent events show that another 'Time of Troubles' has already started. I fear he is right. I have long said that the best way to understand Russian politics is not from reading academic tomes but from watching the U.S. television series The Sopranos. The foul-mouthed, brutal people who run Russia would be quite at home in the world it depicts of grubby protection rackets in suburban New Jersey. But this is chilling fact, not entertaining fiction. Behind Putin's facade of pomp and patriotism lies a world of rotten state institutions, populated by gangsters and goons. The best known such figure was the former crime boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner private army. Since the failed coup, they may be out of the picture, for now. But other semi-independent private armies abound. Bloodthirsty Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov runs one of the biggest. This hirsute tribal chief's mafia outpost in the mountainous Caucasus region, run under sharia law, has long been outside Kremlin control. The state-controlled energy giant Gazprom has two militias: Potok (stream) and Fakel (torch). The defence minister Sergei Shoigu has Patriot, which hires experienced soldiers on hefty salaries of 5,000 a month or more a fortune by Russian standards. These legions serve many purposes. Apart from spearheading Russia's efforts in Ukraine, the Wagner Group in particular spreads Kremlin influence across Africa and was largely responsible for saving the brutal Assad regime in Syria. Yet the existence of these 'military contractors' is a sign of how deeply Russia has decayed. It would be inconceivable for British companies such as the energy giant BP, or the catering contractor Sodexo, to have private armies, let alone for Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, to have his own personal fighting force. The Kremlin is belatedly trying to rein in these legions. But the lesson of the past few days is that central power is weak. Just like the boyars [barons] who clashed in the first Time of Troubles, the big players in modern Russia know that they need their own private militias, and the bigger the better. As these rivalries boil over, long-buried ethnic grievances could resurface too. Regional chiefs, who have long chafed at Moscow's intrusive rule, could all too easily try to assert their independence. The Muslim peoples of central Russia Tatars, Bashkirs and others could exploit the crisis to regain the freedom they briefly tasted more than 100 years ago. Perhaps the most alarming prospect is 'loose nukes': the thought of Russia's stockpile of thousands of nuclear warheads falling into the hands of terrorists The Kremlin is belatedly trying to rein in these legions. But the lesson of the past few days is that central power is weak Although mafia bosses may invoke religious, patriotic or regional sentiments, promising a rapprochement with the West or demanding a tougher stance against it, the real rows are about money. The increasingly likely result is that Russia's fate will now resemble interwar China's, with a weak central government battling powerful criminal warlords. In the 1920s and 1930s that country's nominal leaders Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the first Chinese republic, and his successor Chiang Kai-shek, were buffeted by foreign intervention, communist insurrection and the ambitions of regional leaders. The fighting claimed the lives of two million soldiers, with another five million civilians dying from hunger and other privations. In Britain we may have largely disconnected our oil and gas supplies from Russia, but that is no cause for complacency if the giant country spirals downwards into disorder. Perhaps the most alarming prospect is 'loose nukes': the thought of Russia's stockpile of thousands of nuclear warheads falling into the hands of terrorists. Another worry is Chinese attempts to exploit the post-Putin era. The thinly populated eastern regions of Russia are home to its most desirable natural resources. Decision-makers in Beijing have long looked hungrily over their shared border at Russia's natural wealth: hydrocarbons, minerals, timber, water and crops. It would be ironic if Putin's attempt to rebuild the old Russian empire ended in his country becoming part of the new Chinese one. Yet these are not the worst outcomes. A post-Putin junta or strongman could turn the country into a nuclear-armed rogue state like North Korea or Iran, bristling with weapons and determined to make trouble. Given our repeated failures to contain Putin's ambitions, we will struggle to deal with a regime truly bent on nuclear confrontation. All these fears create bargaining chips for leadership hopefuls. Many in the West prize stability above all. It is all too easy to imagine a successor to Putin saying that we must make concessions now, otherwise Russia will break up, go rogue or fall into Chinese hands. Such concessions might involve arm-twisting Ukraine to accept whatever peace deal is on the table, or soft-pedalling the rearmament of Nato. One thing in all this is certain change will catch us flat-footed. Over the past 30 years I have watched in dismay and anger as our governments have eviscerated Britain's expertise in understanding Russia. Spies, diplomats and analysts with lifetime experience in Kremlinology, their skills honed by the high stakes of the Cold War, were cast on to the scrap heap. Russia was now a friend, our pinstriped masters insisted, and it was time to focus on trade, investment and cultural ties. Paying any attention to the dark side Russia's Sopranos was a waste of taxpayers' money. When it comes to the fall of Putin, our foresight is even more limited. Whether we like it or not, the Putin era with the illusions it fostered in Russia and abroad is coming to an end. Be prepared. Whether you're besotted with your set of wheels or you simply see it as a way to get from A to B, it's easy to forget that it's one of your biggest assets. Sitting right there on your driveway could be a money pot waiting to be delved into as your car may be worth more than you think. Because of lockdown, used car prices rose dramatically during 2020-21 and, while they began coming down last year, they are about 30 per cent higher than in 2020, on average*. On the up: Rising used car prices means your current model could be worth more than you think That means the average used car is now selling for an impressive 4,000 more than at the beginning of the pandemic. With that in mind, do you know how much yours is worth? How much for the motor on your drive? If a person was to offer you a certain amount for your car, would you know if you were being offered a good deal or getting swizzed? In an exclusive survey for Cazoo, 2,000 people were asked if they had any idea of the current value of their car and over a quarter said NO! Men were more likely to feel confident in estimating their car's value than women (78% and 70% respectively), and younger drivers aged 18 -29 were almost 20% more likely to say they had a good idea of how much theirs is worth than older people aged 60+. Over a quarter of people have 'no idea' how much their car is worth - especially those over 60 And there was a wide disparity in towns and cities across the country, with more than eight in ten Geordies confident in what theyd get for their current model while less than two thirds of Nottingham respondents were so sure. Don't assume - check it out! Even if you do think you know what your trusty steed is worth, its worth double checking as it could be worth more. A lot more. Of the 25% of survey respondents whod had their car valued in the past 12 months, a huge TWO THIRDS said they were shocked by how much it was worth. A massive 87% of Glaswegians couldnt believe what they were told, closely followed by motorists in Nottingham, Belfast and Brighton. 7 in 10 of young people were left 'shocked' at how much their car was valued at It was less astonishing to switched-on Sheffield though with just 65% of them raising an eyebrow at the news. Surprisingly, the younger you were, the more open-mouthed you were likely to be with nearly seven in ten 20-somethings expressing amazement at the price (meanwhile just 45% of over-60s got excited). You may pocket more than you think... Nearly half (49%) of those surveyed had sold a vehicle in the past five year. Of these, over a quarter an incredible 27% admitted they got MORE dosh than expected. This was particularly true of younger drivers, with more than four in ten being delighted with what they received. More than a quarter (27%) of those who sold a car in the last five years got MORE than they expected Londoners were most happy with the amount that landed in their banks, along with those in Norwich, Nottingham and Cardiff too. Overall, disappointment was quite low with just 14% of sellers unhappy with the amount they received. Spend, spend, spend! So, what do you do with all the money you didnt expect to have then? Well, most people sensibly ploughed it into a new car (63%) or popped it in the bank (20%) for a rainy day. Kids come first: Around 1 in 10 people said that they'd spend the money they got from selling their car on their children Others preferred to splash the cash. 10% of respondents splurged on designer clothes or something else theyd been dreaming of while others treated themselves and their family to a holiday. Children came out on top too with 11% using the money to pay for a school trip or university fees while many bought a special gift for their partners. Meanwhile, just in case you were wondering, nearly 7% admitted they simply frittered the dough away because why not! SO, WHATS IT WORTH? Do you have two minutes? Then you have time to find out what your car is worth whether you want to sell it or youre just being curious. You can get an instant online valuation with Cazoo. Answer a few questions and hey presto youll get the answer in seconds. And if you want, you can sell it to them for that price theyll honour that price for a week. Alternatively, you could use the valuation to part-exchange your car for another from their site. You dont even have to leave your living room if you dont want to drop it off at one of their Customer Centres, theyll pick it up from your home for an extra charge. And if you part exchange, they'll deliver your Cazoo car when they pick up your old one! Click HERE to find out how much your car is worth you may be surprised! *Used car prices are rising AGAIN - but electric vehicle values are falling | This is Money The Duchess of Edinburgh was thought to have been the late Queen's favourite member of her extended family - and even trusted to watch old war films with the monarch at the weekend! Brought up in Kent by a tyre company executive father and a secretary mother, Sophie has distanced herself from the turmoil that followed her in her early days as a royal. But it seems that other members of the family enjoy Sophie's company just as much as Queen Elizabeth thanks to her natural warmth and common sense. She has stepped into her ranks and new position of seniority with natural ease. Here The Mail's new Royals section looks at times when the Duchess has been there to share a (loud!) laugh or give a hand of comfort to the rest of the family, even in the public eye... Sophie's a winner - again! As Kate Middleton's reaction at Ascot shows, she is a hugely popular member of the Royal Family King Charles seems tickled in the Duchess of Edinburgh's company at Royal Ascot in 2022. Almost as much as Sophie! The Princess of Wales and the Duchess couldn't contain their laughter in a carriage at Ascot in 2017 Princess Anne, too, seems charmed by Sophie as they attend the Westmorland County Show in 2021 The late Queen, Princess Anne and Sophie all seem amused as they attended the Centenary Annual Meeting of the National Federation of Women's Institute at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015 Even Prince William is not immune. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh attended a private screening of Rhino Man at Battersea Power Station in June Sophie was in full force at the London Olympics in 2012. Prince Philip and husband Edward seem amused The Princess of Wales turned and smiled while she shared a word with the Duchess in 2013 at the service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the late Queen's Coronation The good humour seems infectious - another warm moment with Kate and Camilla at the annual procession of members of the Order of the Garter in 2012 She's off again! Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and the Duchess were spotted laughing together at the Rugby Sevens during the Commonwealth Games in 2022 The Duchess shared a moment of laughter with King Charles and Queen Camilla while watching a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from Buckingham Palace balcony in 2018 Another fit of balcony giggles, this time with Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Queen Elizabeth II, Zara Tindall and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Ascot in 2019 Pensive, for once. Prince Philip and Sophie seemed in cahoots as they smiled together while waiting for the start of the Epsom Derby in 2011 The Duchess laughs in response to the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Windsor Horse Show The late Queen and Prince Philip seemed to enjoy a show at Buckingham Palace during a children's party in 2006 Prince Harry was seen sharing a joke with Sophie was they arrived for a thanksgiving service for the Queen Mother at St George's Chapel at Windsor in 2012 The Duchess seemed to keep Queen Camilla in high spirits at a memorial service for Lord Lichfield at Wellington Barracks If you want to make your ice last longer, use boiling water to make cubes It's an often overlooked requirement at a party, but when ice runs out it is a blow to the celebratory spirit. The art of freezing ice may sound simple, but to do it successfully depends on many factors. In fact, ice expert Camper English, who is author of The Ice Book, is so dedicated to the practice that his freezer is 'still completely dedicated' to making cubes, according to Tasting Table. He shared his expertise with the publication from why you should ditch silicone trays to stop your ice getting smelly, to ensuring you have the right cube size for the right drink. Drawing from his advice and other experts on the internet, FEMAIL has pulled together a quick guide to ice that will help you plan your next soiree just in time for summer - and why boiling water will help your cubes last longer. Freezing ice successfully depends on many factors. Ice experts provide the do's and don'ts in regard to what kind of trays, liquids and storage to use (stock image) 1: How to avoid smelly ice and why silicone trays are the enemy Air circulates through 'freezer-fridge combination units,' therefore, smells can migrate from your fridge to your freezer. That means that your ice could easily absorb any smell from food items that aren't even close to each other. Another way to prevent smells is to buy a tray with a cover, or keep the ice in air-tight freezer bags or containers, as suggested by Epicurious. Silicone ice trays absorb any odors from both your fridge and freezer. To avoid this, the Tasting Table, recommends removing your ice from the silicone tray between two to four hours, when the ice has taken shape, and place in a Ziplock bag instead. If you do end up wanting to continue using silicone trays, The New York Times suggests: 'Soaking your silicone item in a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water for a while' to get rid of the odor. It also recommends soaking the trays in baking soda and water for a few hours as a second option. To prevent any unwanted odors, properly clean out your ice trays and bake the tray for a short amount of time in the oven. Make sure to read the labels on the tray to see if you can place it in the oven, and for how long. If you see any ice buildup that you can't get rid of, that means that there is 'mineral buildup' and the tray needs to be disposed of instead. Ice experts warn that using silicone trays can pick up food odors. Ziploc bags and air-tight freezer bags or containers, prevent it from sublimating (stock image) 2: Always think about timings and make sure you plan ahead Start freezing ice early if you have an upcoming gathering, and begin getting ready a week ahead of time. Put your ice into Ziploc bags. It's better to have more ice than less for your guests, so stock up, so you don't run out. To prevent ice from melting at a party, especially outside, Hunting Waterfalls recommends using a plastic cooler because metal coolers attract heat. A cheap Styrofoam cooler can also keep your ice cool for the whole day. Whichever material you go with, keep the top closed when it's not in use. The Tasting Table advises that when it comes to 'freezing sugary liquids and carbonated beverages,' there are a few tips to keep in mind. Camper states that the first, is knowing that 'flavored ice is usually opaque.' The second thing is 'flavored frozen liquids tend to be softer and squishy, and those work better in smaller cubes.' The third tip is that liquids such as soda don't 'freeze well' and can make 'a mess.' He said two juices that were great to use were cranberry and orange. Camper also recommends having fun and playing around when it comes to ice sizes because he believes that it will 'elevate your drink experience significantly.' He states that for starters, large cubes are best for drinks that you want to 'sip slowly and doesn't need a lot of dilution, such as a whiskey on the rocks.' His said small ice cubes were ideal for 'room temperature' beverages, such as soda that 'you want to get cold, fast.' Soda doesn't freeze well, therefore, use cranberry or orange juice instead (stock image) 3: How to make ice last longer and stop it from clumping together Camper warns to not leave your trays in place long enough for ice to sublimate from solid to gas. The best way to slow down this process is by putting your ice cubes in Ziploc bags or closing them in tight Tupperware. If you want to make your ice last longer, you can freeze boiling water because 'the ice will freeze with less air bubbles, making your ice denser overall,' as suggested by Hunting Waterfalls. If you've got ice in a bag but it starts to melt, ice expert Camper told Tasting Table to put it in the freezer for 10 minutes before breaking it apart - this little trick will stop it from becoming a single unwieldly block. If you would like an even simpler solution, Everybody Craves recommends storing your ice in paper lunch bags, which prevents the ice from sticking, because the 'paper absorbs any extra moisture that the ice gives off.' 4: Experiment with edible additions and ditch your ice machine to get your creative juices flowing If you plan on putting decorative flowers in your ice, make sure they're edible, such as chamomile and violet, so that they're not a safely hazard If you plan on putting decorative flowers in your ice, make sure they're edible, such as chamomile and violet, so that they're not a safely hazard. Citrus peels are best to freeze, and can be cut into any shape, or letter, or twisted for decor. You can even use edible glitter to spice up the look and use transparent cups so that the ice can be visible. The View From Great Island recommends 'layered ice cubes,' which consist of ice being frozen in stages. For example the first layer of the cube could be juice like pineapple, or lime. After that is frozen, you can add the next juice flavor. If you're a coffee drinker, you can freeze Bailey's Irish cream for your coffee. It's also best not to solely depend on your ice machine because you'll be stuck with one shape, and won't experiment with finding out your favorite type of ice. Advertisement Ivanka Trump's summer of vacations continued over the weekend as she and husband Jared Kushner joined DJ David Guetta on a yacht in Spain. The former first daughter looked stunning in a tie-dye blue bathing suit as she took a dip in the waters at Es Calo, Formentera, with her manicured nails and reflective sunglasses in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com. The 41-year-old fashion icon had earlier sported a knit white dress as she, Jared and their friends all arrived in the seaside village. Jared, meanwhile, kept it casual in a white t-shirt and dark blue board shorts with flip flops. The trip came just days after Ivanka posted photos of herself surfing in Costa Rica for the Summer Solstice. Former First Daughter Ivanka Trump is seen here talking to DJ David Guetta on board a yacht Sunday in Spain The 41-year-old fashion icon looked stunning in a one-piece blue tie-dye bathing suit with her manicured nails and reflective sunglasses as she enjoyed some time in the sun Ivanka is pictured in a conversation with the French DJ, though it is unclear what the two were discussing Ivanka had earlier worn a knit white dress to cover up her bathing suit with white sandals, while her husband Jared kept it casual in a white t-shirt and navy blue board shorts with flip flops Ivanka and Jared started their voyage on the mainland of Spain trekking over rocks and sand before they joined others on a speedboat to a yacht. The two later held hands as they walked along the sandy beaches of the coastal community. Once on the yacht, Ivanka tried to soak up the sun. She was pictured with other lovely ladies and Jared sitting up top, where she later sunbathed. The former presidential advisor was seen engaged in conversation with many others onboard as they enjoyed some refreshments. Ivanka and Jared also took some time to walk on the shores of Es Calo, Fomentera in Spain Jared and Ivanka later held hands as they walked along the sandy beaches of the coastal community, The couple arrived at the yacht via speedboat with many other friends on Sunday Ivanka is pictured still in her cover-up as Jared spoke on the phone Sunday onboard a yacht in Spain Ivanka could be seen actively listening and engaging in some of the conversations onboard the yacht Ivanka was seen taking photos from the top of the ship with some other lovely ladies, and her husband Jared Ivanka later took the opportunity to sunbathe on top of the yacht as she continued to check her phone Throughout the trip, Ivanka could be seen trying to take it all in, with her phone out to take a lot of pictures. Her Instagram Story featured the waves crashing behind the ship as it sped away, as well as views of the sunny Spain coast. It is unclear where Ivanka and Jared's three children, Arabella, 12, Joseph, 10 and Theo, 7, were while the parents were yachting the day away. Jared and Ivanka have been on a worldwide adventure for weeks, enjoying some time in Greece and traveling to Jordan for the royal wedding of the Crown Prince Hussein and his new wife, Rajwa. Ivanka and Jared held hands as they walked on the beach in Spain Throughout the trip, Ivanka could be seen trying to take it all in, with her phone out to take a lot of pictures. It is unclear where Jared and Ivanka's children were as they enjoyed the Spanish coast on Sunday Jared and Ivanka are pictured docking at Es Calo in Spain for their day-long adventure on Sunday Most recently, the former White House senior adviser took to Instagram to share a photo of herself carrying a surfboard from the Surfer Factory, a surf school based in the Central American country. She was dressed in a sporty black one-piece featuring a stomach cutout as she walked across the sand toward the water, smiling as her blonde hair blew in the breeze. 'Soaking up the Summer Solstice,' she captioned the image, which was posted on the first official day of summer. The couple started their trip in Athens, where she posed for pictures in front of the Acropolis, and then headed to the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. Ivanka chatted with friends as they spent the day at the sea and on the beach Ivanka, 41, was walking along the beach with her husband Jared as the two continued their summer of vacations in Spain The former first daughter and her husband also visited Hydra, a popular island just off the coast of mainland Greece. Ivanka shared over a dozen of pictures from the trip, including lengthy captions about the sites they had visited and what they meant to her. 'During the pandemic I reread "The Odyssey" and fell in love [with] Homer's epic poem once again. (I loved Robert Fitzgerald's translation.) Walking in the footsteps of Odysseus these past few days has been an extraordinary experience - ancient ruins and mythical landscapes came alive before my eyes as I explored this breathtaking country,' she wrote in her final post. 'Thank you, Greece, for bringing the Odyssey to life in the most enchanting way possible. Here's to new adventures and embracing the spirit of Odysseus within us all!' The couple seems to be enjoying life as private citizens as they announced in November they would not be engaging in her father's re-election campaign and wanted to stay out of politics. She said in a statement at the time: 'This time around, I'm choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. 'While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena.' It's unclear what is in store for her career wise - if anything. Prince Andrew has been spotted for the first time since his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson revealed she'd undergone a single mastectomy for breast cancer. The Duchess of York, 63, today thanked her followers in a heartfelt Instagram post praising their 'kindness and support' following her diagnosis. The royal is now urging all people to get checked and said her diagnosis was a 'wake up call' to get 'super fit'. Speaking on the Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah podcast, she said it was 'vital' that everyone get screened for cancer, and that 'so many people' in her family have died of cancer. Meanwhile the Duke of York, also 63, appeared to keep calm and carry on as he was spotted driving his car before going for a horse ride in Windsor. Scroll down for video The Duchess of York has revealed she had a double mastectomy after a mammogram which detected her breast cancer Prince Andrew was pictured driving in Windsor today following the revelations about his ex-wife's breast cancer The Duchess of York shared a sweet post to Instagram thanking her followers on Monday Sarah and Andrew were married from 1986 to 1996 and share daughter Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie together. The appearance comes as Sarah - nicknamed Fergie - explained her step-father Hector Barrantes, died of prostate cancer aged 50 in 1990, while her father Ronald Ferguson also died of cancer and used his diagnosis to urge people to get checked. 'It's vital that we wake everyone up to go get screened, not just breast cancer, all the checks,' she said. Sarah added that her father Ronald 'went on the radio and told people to get checked' after his diagnosis, only to be hit with a horrible response. 'He said "It doesn't matter if you see it feel fine. Cancer can be so silent, go get screened, go get checked. 'Most of his friends called him up and said "no on wants to hear from you Ronald'. she said. 'But we're taping the podcast today, and tomorrow I'm going for a single mastectomy. It's very important that we speak about it, when it airs, I'll have been through this' the Duchess added. 'I don't care if no one wants to hear from me, I'm telling you I'm doing this, and I'm telling people to go get screened'. Prince Andrew appeared to keep going as normal after his ex-wife's diagnosis The Duke of York, 63, was seen riding in Windsor Sarah Ferguson, 63, said she put off getting routine checks until her sister Jane Ferguson, who lives in Australia insisted that she get checked (the pair are pictured together) Sarah, Duchess of York, has undergone an operation to treat breast cancer, it has been revealed The mother-of-two added that she now might 'do an Iron Man' or travel to Austria, Wales and Scotland to 'climb mountains.' 'I'm taking this a real gift to change my life. To nurture myself, to stop trying to fix everything else. I think "are you going to take yourself seriously now Sarah?". 'I'm going to get fit, I'm going to understand it. I'm going to be super fit, super strong, really understand what caused this and look at it straight on'. 'I love joy, and this is my chance. I can't make another excuse, I have to go through this operation and be strong and fit.' The Duchess of York (centre) with her two daughters, Princess Beatrice (left) and Princess Eugenie (right) The Duchess added that her check-up was on a 'hot day' and that she didn't want to 'travel to London from Windsor' for the appointment. 'It was easy to put off,' she explained. 'My sister said "no go, I need you to go". She was ringing me up about something else and getting forceful with me saying I had to go.' The Duchess added that she went to the Royal Free Hospital in north London for her test, which involved injecting dye into her body so doctors could spot the cancer. 'It was only a shadow they wouldn't have...found out that there is an issue.' Speaking ahead of the operation, Sarah added: 'I have to go through this operation, and I have to be well and strong. And therefore, no choice is the best choice. 'I'm going to go out there and get super, super well super strong. On the first episode of her podcast, Fergie insisted she is 'very shy' and said she 'trusts too much' and 'too many people' (pictured with her co-host Sarah Jane Thomson) 'And I want to always if I have to shout about this from the top of the mountains then I'll shout out because I think it's vital that we need to wake everybody gets screened not just breast cancer, prostate, all the checks.' She added she is 'hugely thankful' to hospital staff involved in the mammogram which detected her breast cancer and believes her experience 'underlines the importance of regular screening'. After undergoing surgery at the private King Edward VII hospital in Marylebone, central London, she has been told her prognosis is good and she is recuperating at Windsor with her family. In a statement, a spokesman said Sarah wanted to 'express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days'. It is understood that she spent five days in the King Edward VII Hospital, which is regularly used by the Royal Family, before her release this weekend. Her spokesman said: 'Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated? What is breast cancer? It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts. When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule. Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare. Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body. The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated. What causes breast cancer? A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit. How is breast cancer diagnosed? Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours. Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer. If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray. How is breast cancer treated? Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used. Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour. Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying. Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer. How successful is treatment? The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage. For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000 Advertisement 'She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully. 'The duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family. 'The duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days. 'She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening.' A friend of the duchess said: 'It has all happened very quickly, to be honest. But Sarah is in the best of hands and is keen to get the message out about the importance of regular screening given her experience.' The duchess, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, is mother to Princess Eugenie, 33, and Princess Beatrice, 34. Beatrice was seen greeting friends with a hug near the hospitality area at the Glastonbury Festival yesterday. A mother-of-two who was told her cancer is incurable at the age of 37 has 'managed to outlive the sell-by date,' and says her next goals are to go clubbing with her son and watch her daughter graduate. Carla Whitbread, 48, from Lymington, was at the height of her teaching career when she discovered she had a 'huge' lump measuring 3.9cm in her left breast. She was fast-tracked to Southampton General Hospital by her GP, where she underwent a mammogram, sonogram, and biopsy all in one day in September 2011. Carla, who now works part-time for a recruitment company, said she used to wash her body with a sponge, meaning the tumour went undetected for 'a very long time'. After an MRI and a bone scan the following month in October 2011, she was told she had metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Carla said she has been counting 'every day, every week, and every month' since her diagnosis. Pictured: Carla on the day of her 185th Herceptin treatment in June 2023 Carla Whitbread, 48, from Lymington, said discovered she had a 'huge' lump measuring 3.9cm in her left breast. Pictured: Carla in early 2012 This meant the cancer had spread to her liver and bone and was 'incurable'. 'My diagnosis felt like a life sentence a death sentence even,' she said. She underwent 23 rounds of chemotherapy, which left her 'completely bald from top to bottom', and then started receiving Herceptin, a targeted cancer drug. Carla is married to her husband Justin, 49, and has two children Etienne, 18, and Spencer, 16. After chemotherapy, the mother-of-two set herself milestones, such as reaching her 38th and 40th birthdays and going on her next summer family holiday. But when she hit 45, she thought, 'There's something special going on here because I've managed to outlive the prognosis'. Now, more than a decade after her diagnosis, Carla feels 'lucky' to be alive but she said she is 'an exception to the rule' and she wants to fight for better treatments that can lead to a better quality and longer extension of life for those living with MBC. 'In the very beginning, I went through some really, really dark times I just prepared to die,' she said. Her next goals are to go clubbing with her son when he turns 18 in two years time and to see her daughter graduate and hopefully one day become a doctor. Pictured: Carla with her children in 2013 'Then I thought, 'Right, I don't know how long I have left, but I know I don't have very long'. 'I could either go under the duvet and cry for whatever time I have left, or I can get up, dust myself off, and go and make the best of whatever it is I have left. 'That's how I look it at every morning 'Am I alive? Yes. Well, let's go for it'.' Europa Donna The European Breast Cancer Coalition works to raise awareness about breast cancer and MBC, which is when the disease has spread from where it started in the breast to other parts of the body. The median expected survival range for MBC is approximately three to five years depending on the continent and country. In Carla's case, by October 2011, her cancer had spread to her liver and bone, meaning it was incurable and she did not know how much time she had left. 'When I was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, I asked my oncologist, 'How long do I have to live?' Carla said. 'There was a pause of about two seconds, and she then turned around and asked me, 'Do you really want to know that?' Carla said she used to wash her body with a sponge, meaning the tumour went undetected for 'a very long time'. Pictured: Carla at the airport before jetting off to Mallorca 'I thought through it, and my answer to her was, 'No, I don't want to know', and of course I later found out that the prognosis for metastatic breast cancer was not good at all.' Carla began her chemotherapy the same month, and she knew this was going to be 'a terrible phase'. The treatment left her with no eyelashes, eyebrows, or nose hair; she vomited every day; she had 'a permanent head cold' and burst ear drums; and she felt extremely fatigued. However, she wanted to 'do whatever it took to survive' and since she said she had already 'come to terms with dying', the side effects were 'the least of (her) worries'. She explained: 'When you are dealt with the card of, "You have incurable cancer", and when you start looking at the prognosis and you think, "If I'm alive in five years, I will be a success story", losing your hair was the least of my worries. 'I just wanted to survive; I did not care about anything.' After completing her 23 rounds of chemotherapy, which took place over six months, she then started receiving Herceptin treatments through a drip every three weeks. She continues to receive this drug to this day and is now on her 186th treatment, but she said it has been difficult seeing other women lose their lives to MBC during this time. Carla says she has Herceptin treatments every four weeks and CT scans every nine months. Pictured: Carla (right) and a friend completing a Cancer Research UK Race for Life 5k 'This is my story of having treatment again and again with people sitting in those chairs, and going back three weeks later and those people no longer being there,' she said. 'Those of us with metastatic breast cancer, we do not know how long we have, and however long we have, we don't know the quality of life that we will be able to have during that time. 'That's why we need to advance treatments and we really need to raise awareness of this specific kind of cancer because this is the kind of cancer that kills.' Carla said she has been counting 'every day, every week, and every month' since her diagnosis. Along with the Herceptin treatments, which she now has every four weeks, she has CT scans every nine months and takes Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy drug to treat breast cancer. She said she used to be 'consumed by cancer', but after hitting several birthday milestones, she has since adjusted to 'a new normal' and wants to 'make every single second count'. She is looking ahead to her 50th birthday next year, something she 'never in a million years thought (she) would be actually thinking about'. Her next goals are to go clubbing with her son when he turns 18 in two years time and to see her daughter graduate and hopefully one day become a doctor. 'Before, I couldn't even plan for the week after because I thought I'm not going to be here, and now, little by little, I can plan longer and longer term,' she said. Carla is now an executive committee member of the UK division of Europa Donna, and she is part of Forca Strength Against Cancer, a UK registered charity formed by her friends after her diagnosis. Carla said she used to be 'consumed by cancer', but after hitting several birthday milestones, she said she wants to 'make every single second count'. Pictured: Carla with her husband Justin Carla said she has 'lived more in these last 11 years than (she's) lived in the 37 years before,' but explains that her story is not often the norm. Pictured: Carla on the day of her 100th treatment in 2018 Alongside her job, she also volunteers to teach English to Ukrainians at the local museum, does private tutoring for students taking their French and Spanish GCSEs, and helps to provide meals to people undergoing cancer treatment through Forca's nourish programme. She said she has 'lived more in these last 11 years than (she's) lived in the 37 years before', but she explained that 'this is not a regular story'. Carla is now on a mission to raise more awareness of MBC and, through her work with Europa Donna and the launch of its Cancer Currency campaign - which aims to highlight the value of those living with MBC - she wants to strive for more funding to improve treatments and survival. 'I have managed to outlive what this disease allows most people to live,' she said. 'Therefore, I feel that it is my responsibility now to be the voice of those women. 'When they get the diagnosis and their bodies get weaker, I feel like I need to be the stronger voice on their behalf. 'I feel like I need to leave this world a better place because I have lived, and whatever time I have left, that is what I'm going to dedicate myself to.' A bride who beat stage three cancer asked her doctors to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. Sheri Shaw, from New Bern, North Carolina, included her oncologist Dr. Van Morris and Dr. Emma Holliday her radiation oncologist in her big day after crediting them for saving her life. The newlywed, 70, exchanged wedding vows earlier this month in an emotional ceremony with her partner Bill James. The couple, who met online, had been dating for about a year when Shaw was diagnosed with cancer. Speaking to NBC News Sheri said: 'Dr Morris and Dr. Holliday always say, "We do what we do because we give people another life", I wouldn't of even been around to marry him if not for them. Sheri Shaw, from New Bern, North Carolina, who beat stage three cancer asked her doctors to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day 'In the ceremony when the pastor said 'who gives this women' they both said we do and they truly did because they gave me life.' Dr Holliday said: 'It was such a joy and a celebration of everything that life after cancer should be.' Sheri was diagnosed with rectal squamous cell cancer in 2020 after experiencing rectal bleeding for a few months. Shaw, who is a retired nurse, went for a colonoscopy however the results came back normal. The newlywed, 70, exchanged wedding vows earlier this month in an emotional ceremony with her partner Bill James What is rectal squamous cell cancer Squamous cell cancers are the most common type of anal cancer. This type of anal cancer starts in squamous cells, which make up the lining of the anal canal and anal margin. The symptoms most frequently encountered are rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits and weight loss. Surgery has always been thought to offer the best chance of a cure. Surgical options often depend upon tumor characteristics, such as size, location, depth of invasion, and local and distant metastasis. Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement Sheri decided more tests were needed and she insisted on getting a sigmoidoscopy, a procedure where a flexible narrow tube with a light and small camera is used to look inside the rectum and lower colon. Shaw's main treatment was radiation, which she underwent five days a week and chemotherapy. Two years after her diagnosis Sheri was given the all clear and James proposed in January 2023. From the moment they got engaged Sheri new she wanted the people who saved her life to be a part of their big day. Speaking to Today.com she said: 'It was a no brainer. I had to have them here. I wanted them to celebrate and see what they actually did for me in real time,' Brooke Kinsella has opened up about celebrating her son's birthday on the anniversary of her brother's death. The ex-EastEnders's brother Ben was stabbed to death in North London aged 16, during an unprovoked attack in 2008. Speaking on today's Lorraine, the ex-EastEnders actress turned knife crime prevention campaigner, revealed that she faces a 'roller-coaster' of a day as she prepares to mark both the 15th anniversary of her brother's death and her son's birthday on 29th June. The campaigner, who founded the Ben Kinsella Trust with her family, said she believes her brother sent her a baby boy on that fateful date to make it 'a little bit better.' Her son is named Ben after her brother. Brooke Kinsella has opened up about celebrating her son's birthday on the anniversary of the death of her brother Ben, who was stabbed to death in 2008 in North London Brooke's son Ben, who is named after his late uncle, will turn one on Thursday, as the family marks 15 years since the death of Brooke's brother Speaking of giving birth to her son on the day of her brother's death, Brooke said: 'You couldn't make it up. It's taken a bit of getting my head around, because he turns one on Thursday, which is this huge year for the charity and my family,' She added the anniversary would be a 'rollercoaster of a day.' 'I truly believe it was Big Ben sending me Little Ben to make a really tough day a little bit better, because I can't now just lie in bed or be sad. I'm going to have to get up and make the day for Ben [her son] as well,' Brooke said. 'I called my mum as soon as I found that he had to come that date, and she said "Brooke, it's a sign",' the actress recounted. 'I watched my mum and dad wake up on this horrendous day and grieve and be sad and they put their brave face on for their other children and that's what I will have to do now going forward,' she concluded. Reflecting on the 15th anniversary of her brother's death, Brooke told Lorraine: 'I don't think there would have been any reason that would have helped or make it okay, it was just so unnecessary, the most precious life stolen for absolutely no reason.' And she also regretted the fact that 15 years on after her brother's death, the reality of knife crime in the UK has not improved. 'I would give anything 15 years on to be sitting here saying we are in a better place and that all that work from the Ben Kinsella Trust and my family and so many other families has helped, but we're not, we're just as bad as it's ever been,' she said. Since she stopped acting, Brooke has campaigned to tackle knife crime in honour of brother Ben, who was just 16 when he was killed (pictured) 'It's such a complex issue, the work that we do at the Ben Kinsella Teust which is so important to us is early intervention. 'Quite simply, children aren't born carrying a knife, it's a learned behaviour. Prevention is better than cure, it's about "let's not wait for them to make a mistake". 'Let's get in there, let's teach them about the consequences their choices will have, and trying to educate them and give them the tools to make the right choices, to keep themselves safe,' she continued. Brooke stressed the importance of deterrents and punishment and justice for the victims and their families. Ben was stabbed to death in June 2008 on a night out with friends when he was just 16 years old (childhood pictures) She said that her parents have 'never slept properly again' since her brother was murdered and that while they put on brave faces every day, 'the light went out from their eyes the day he died' 'But we just need to teach our children, carrying a knife is not going to protect you. And that's what the majority of them think at the moment. 'They are scared, they hear about knife crime everywhere, and they are scared. And we need to eradicate that myth,' she went on. She also stressed the importance for more people to get involved in the national effort to end knife crime. 'It's a collective action, we can't do it on our own, we need everybody to do their little bit,' she said. Brooke took to Instagram last year after welcoming her son on the day of her brother's death. Sharing a picture of her baby, she wrote: 'Ben Ross Boardley 29/06/22. A perfect miracle given to us on a day when so much was taken away. 'Named after the very best of men. He will do them so proud, I know it already.' The 38-year-old star - who played Kelly Taylor in EastEnders for three years from 2001 to 2004 - announced in March last year that she and her husband Simon were to welcome a sibling into their family for their daughter Elsie, two. The actress - who founded the Ben Kinsella Trust in his memory and has been awarded an MBE for her charity work - previously admitted that it was 'heartbreaking' for her that her daughter Elsie would never meet her uncle. She said: 'Its a double-edged sword. Being Elsies mum is everything Ive ever wanted, but on the other hand I cant help but think about everyone who isnt here to meet her. For me, the main person missing out is Ben. 'Obviously, I love Elsie more than anything and having loved Ben so much as well its heartbreaking to know the two of them will never get the chance to meet.' Back in 2018, Brooke assisted the team on EastEnders during their research for a knife crime storyline which saw the character Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) stabbed to death by a gang member. In 2008, Ben who had been out celebrating the end of his GCSEs, was walking home when he was separated from his friends and cornered by three men, who wrongly believed he was involved in an earlier argument in which they were 'disrespected'. Michael Alleyne, 18, was jailed alongside fellow gang members Jade Braithwaite, 20, and Juress Kika, 19, after they stabbed 16-year-old Kinsella 11 times after he left the Shillibeers Bar in Islington with friends. The Duchess of York praised her daughters as 'great working mothers' Sarah Ferguson has praised her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as 'great working mothers'. The Duchess of York, 63, was talking on her podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, where she discussed work-life balance following the Covid-19 pandemic. She said that Beatrice, 34, - who shares daughter Sienna and stepson Wolfie with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi - and Eugenie, 33, who shares sons August and Ernie with husband Jack Brooksbank - work 'very very hard' and that she's 'very proud of them'. Fergie added the sisters, who are often pictured partying in London's swankiest clubs and on exotic holidays, are 'huge advocates' for charity and a 'great representation of the late queen's values'. 'They're both working mums, my girls are incredible,' she explained. Sarah Ferguson has praised her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as 'great working mothers. Beatrice is pictured leaving Maison Estelle private club in Mayfair in April 'It's both private and public, it's not about working or non-working. They work very very hard privately and publicly,' she added. The mother-of-two said the pair have an 'extraordinary' work-life balance. 'I'm so proud of them, they're great mothers,' she added. Beatrice and Eugenie receive no income from the Sovereign Grant, the government-funded 82.2 million that covers Royal Household salaries as they aren't on any official royal engagement rosters. This means they have had jobs outside of the The Firm, but this hasn't stopped them from having busy social schedules often getting snapped at parties and on foreign holidays. Fergie added the sisters, who are often pictured partying in London's swankiest clubs and on exotic holidays, are 'huge advocates' for charity and a 'great representation of the late queen's values'. Beatrice is seen in Mayfair in May However, they have hardly struggled, with the late Queen setting up a 1.4million trust fund for the girls after their parents divorce, while their father, the Duke of York, paid more than 400,000 for their private school education. The pair also have paid peppercorn rents to live at various royal palaces. Beatrice studied History and the History of Ideas at Goldsmiths University before taking on roles at boutique private wealth firms. She also worked as an associate at Sandbridge capital, a small consumer focused private equity firm, and as a Business development associate at Sony pictures television before resigning in 2014. She currently serves as Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at Afiniti, a multinational data and software company based in Washington, D.C. Beatrice and Eugenie (pictured) receive no income from the Sovereign Grant, the government-funded 82.2 million that covers Royal Household salaries as they aren't on any official royal engagement rosters Meanwhile, sister Eugenie, works as an associate director for Mayfair-based art gallery Hauser & Wirth, although she is currently on maternity leave. The royal, who like her sister receives no money from the Queen, graduated from Newcastle University in September 2009, after studying English Literature and the History of Art. After completing her studies, Eugenie moved to New York to work for online auction firm Paddle8, before moving back to London in 2015 to start a career with Hauser & Wirth. Her husband, Jack Brooksbank, previously worked as an ambassador for Casamigos, the Tequilia-brand found by George Clooney and Rand Gerber prior to this, he worked as a manager at the upmarket London nightclub Mahiki. He is currently working in marketing and sales for Discovery Land Company. On top of their jobs, Beatrice and Eugenie work with various charities. 'Beatrice goes out there and fights for dyslexia, she goes out there and talks about how she had special needs at school,' Sarah explained. 'Eugenie talks publicly about her scoliosis, she talks openly about how important it is to de-stigmatise the scar [on her back], so many people wear backless dresses now. 'They're ambassadors for teenage cancer, so much of what they do is unseen and unheard 'They're on a global stage, and I always tell them"no one wants to see a grumpy princess" 'They still hold themselves with such propriety, they're extraordinary examples of the late queen's values and they're loyal to the king and the wonderful prince of wales 'They're huge advocates'. This is the awkward moment Prince William appeared to reach for a handshake - only to be met with a very friendly hug from Geri Horner. The Prince of Wales, 41, seemed to want to keep their greeting more professional, while former Spice Girl Geri appeared keen to share a friendlier welcome with the future King by ignoring his outstretched hand in favour of a hug. Prince William teamed up with Geri this afternoon as he made the third stop of his whirlwind 48-hour tour of the UK to launch his project aimed at ending homelessness. His initiative, called Homewards, seeks to make 'rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past'. It will focus on six locations - one of which is in London, with others in Dorset and Newport. Three are yet to be announced. The Prince of Wales made his first stop to the first location this morning, visiting Mosaic Clubhouse in Lambeth, south London, which supports people in the borough who have mental health conditions. This is the awkward moment Prince William appeared to reach for a handshake - only to be met with a very friendly hug from Geri Horner The Prince of Wales, 41, seemed to want to keep their greeting more professional, while former Spice Girl Geri appeared keen to share a friendlier welcome with the future King by ignoring his outstretched hand in favour of a hug Prince William (pictured left) teamed up with Geri this afternoon as he made the third stop of his whirlwind 48-hour tour of the UK to launch his project aimed at ending homelessness This was followed by a second visit this afternoon, to the Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth. Faithworks is a charity which runs practical projects in urban Dorset with the aim of ending loneliness, food poverty and homelessness of all sorts. He crossed the border into Wales to make his third stop of the day, visiting Maindee Primary School in Newport, where he was joined by former Spice Girl Geri as he met with pupils at the school. Geri, who is an advocate for the project, joined William as they learnt about how educational facilities can help support children and their families by preventing homelessness by intervening as early as possible. The former pop star praised the school, describing it as 'positive', and saying it was inspiring for the pupils. Prince William's appointment in Newport followed his earlier engagements in Bournemouth and London. During his visit to the Mosaic Clubhouse in London, William was snapped with a familiar face - Big Issue seller Dave Martin, who he met last Summer during an engagement selling copies of the magazine. Prince William (right) has embarked on a two-day tour of the UK to launch his Homewards initiative. His third stop of the day was Maindee Primary School in Newport, where he was joined by Geri Horner (left) The prince and the showgirl: William was snapped embracing the iconic pop star during his visit to the school During his Maindee Primary School visit today, Prince William, alongside the former Spice Girl, chatted with pupils He also spoke with other Clubhouse members, who opened up about their experiences of homelessness, and how the centre has helped them. The focus of his trip was how to break the association between suffering from mental health conditions and subsequently finding themselves on the streets. While at the Clubhouse, he met with representatives from Old Spike Roastery - a specialty coffee social enterprise that offers the homeless community employment opportunities. The royal also gave a short speech, during which he said he was delighted to be at the Mosaic Clubhouse, and described how it had been 'inspiring' to hear about the organisation's 'vital' work which attempts to break the link between mental health challenges and homelessness. Geri Horner (centre) is an advocate for Prince William's Homewards initiative, which he launched today The royal, alongside Geri Horner, learnt about how educational facilities can intervene at the earliest possible instance to prevent homelessness Geri is said to have described Maindee Primary School, which she visited with Prince William today, as 'amazing' Geri famously kissed the then-Prince of Wales, Charles, when the Spice Girls met the royal in 1997 Geri embraced the now-King Charles again, when she met the monarch during a reception at Buckingham Palace in May During his speech, William discussed the impact that visits to homeless shelters with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, had made on him. She first took him to homeless charity The Passage when he was a schoolboy. He said: 'My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11 with my mother. The visits we made, left a deep and lasting impression. 'I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heart-breaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home. 'Through these visits, I have seen first-hand the breadth and complexities of homelessness. 'A personal thank you to people such as Dave Wilson, who is here today and who gave me an induction in selling The Big Issue last summer.' William, who is patron of Centrepoint and The Passage, thanked these organisations for helping him to 'understand not just their own work, but the tremendous impact of the sector more widely'. The royal was snapped while speaking to members of staff during his visit to Maindee Primary School in Newport this afternoon Prince William, Prince of Wales and Geri are seen during the visit to Maindee Primary School for Homewards in Newport SELFIE: Staff took advantage of their famous visitors, and took the opportunity to take a snap of themselves with William and Geri As part of the engagement, Prince William and Geri Horner sat down with staff and talked about the role educational establishments can play in preventing homelessness He continued: 'I know that great strides have been made, with success stories proving that progress is possible. 'Here in the UK, there is a strong tradition of collaboration between local authorities and the voluntary sector, and it is exciting to see social enterprises providing opportunities to people at risk of homelessness.' And he revealed that he had been inspired by work done in Finland, showing that 'deep collaboration across the public, private and third sector, backed by a long-term commitment, can put places on a path to ending homelessness'. The royal concluded his speech saying: 'So, I am pleased to stand here today to officially at the start of our path to ending homelessness. 'Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good. 'I am delighted to be at the beginning of that journey launching Homewards here in Lambeth. 'Lambeth will become part of a network of six flagship Homewards locations across the UK, all committed to creating and delivering a plan to prevent homelessness in their areas. The royal also met representatives from Old Spike Roastery, a social enterprise which offers employment opportunities to the homeless - during his visit to Mosaic Clubhouse During the visit, Prince William also spoke with representatives from the Old Spike Roastery social enterprise (pictured) who offer employment opportunities to the homeless community William (pictured meeting representatives from Old Spike Roastery) says there is a 'unique opportunity' to 'develop innovative new solutions' when it comes to homelessness 'They will all put collaboration at the heart of the response, forming locally led coalitions of committed people, organisations and businesses. 'And we will be here to support you, bringing together an unprecedented network of individuals and organisations with expertise, resources, and the commitment to end homelessness. 'We will support you to deliver sustainable change and I'm so grateful to you all for joining us on this journey. 'Through Homewards we will demonstrate that together we can finally end homelessness.' Following the London trip, he headed south, where he made a stop at the Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth. During this visit to Faithworks, a charity which operates in urban Dorset, he announced the second of the six locations as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. At Faithworks' carpentry workshop, trainees learn practical woodworking skills and techniques. Prince William's first stop today was the Mosaic Clubhouse in south London. He met with various members of the Clubhouse to discuss their experiences - and find out how the organisation has helped them - including Big Issue seller Dave Martin (pictured) who he met last Summer Big Issue seller Dave Martin (pictured, right) met Prince William last Summer, when the royal undertook a surprise undercover engagement selling the magazine As well as meeting with Big Issue seller Dave Martin, Prince William also spoke with other members of the organisation (pictured) about their lived experiences Prince William is snapped as he visits the Mosaic Clubhouse in London today, at the start of his two-day UK tour launching his homelessness campaign The royal also gave a short speech during the visit, during which he described how his mother took him to visit a homelessness shelter when he was 11-years-old Prince William made the first stop of his UK tour today with a visit to the Mosaic Clubhouse where he spoke with members (pictured) William's five-year project has taken inspiration from similar initiatives in Finland, which have made huge strides in battling homelessness William (pictured leaving the Mosaic Clubhouse today) was first taken to a homeless centre by his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, when he was 11-years-old The centre Prince William visited today in Lambeth is the first of six locations that will be part of his Homewards project He said the areas will become a 'network of six flagship Homewards locations across the UK, all committed to creating and delivering a plan to prevent homelessness in their areas' They are also able to benefit from 1:1 support with life issues and building relationships within a supportive community. Prince William's visit put the spotlight on how empowering people with skills can help get them into employment and therefore prevent the cycle of repeat homelessness. During the trip, he spoke with trainees about how the support they have received in the workshop has been transformative: and about their hopes for the future. And he got his hands dirty, using a lathe in the carpentry workshop. After helping to carve the bulb planter tool, William, who wore a mask and goggles for health and safety purposes, described the experience as 'hypnotic'. He added jokingly: 'I am good at destructive things like destructive gardening but not so much constructive things, so this is a different take.' William was shown how the centre provides training and support to help people move into education and employment. The royal is snapped putting on mask mask before using a lathe during a visit to Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth Prince William got stuck into the action during the Dorset trip, where he learnt about how the charity is helping homeless people His second trip of the day focussed on how 'empowering people with skills can help get them into employment and therefore prevent the cycle of repeat homelessness' During the second stop of the day, Prince William (pictured) announced that the second of the six Homewards locations is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole The royal then travelled south to Bournemouth, where he visited the Faithworks Carpentry Workshop The carpentry workshop, which first opened in 2018, uses donated and recycled wood to create goods to be sold by local businesses, such as a kitchen chopping board presented to the prince. Daniel Matthews, 43, one of the trainees, praised William for using his high profile and position to back the centre and tackle the issue of homelessness. He said: 'It is important he is willing to take his time and show people at the top have a touch with people who are perceived to be at the bottom.' Louis Phelps-Vandarl, 47, added: 'He was born into it, wasn't he, he's just a lad really, it's nice that someone that high up is taking an interest in local charities.' Clayton Jeynes, 41, said: 'It shows his heart is in a good place and he wants to get to the roots of common problems in England and help people from disadvantaged backgrounds and help them flourish and gain skills and highlight to a wider audience the problems on the streets.' Prince William's full speech in London today Prince William spoke about his Homewards project today while visiting the Mosaic Clubhouse in Lambeth, south London Good morning everybody. I am personally delighted to be with you all here today in this beautiful garden at the Mosaic Clubhouse, such a cornerstone of the Lambeth community. It has been inspiring to hear about the vital work you are doing to break the link between mental health challenges and homelessness. After so many years in the making, today is the day we launch Homewards a transformative five-year programme that will demonstrate that it is possible to end homelessness. My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11 with my mother. The visits we made, left a deep and lasting impression. I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heart-breaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home. Through these visits, I have seen first-hand the breadth and complexities of homelessness. A personal thank you to people such as Dave Wilson, who is here today and who gave me an induction in selling The Big Issue last summer... And also to the fantastic teams at my patronages, Centrepoint and The Passage, who have really helped me to understand not just their own work, but the tremendous impact of the sector more widely. I know that great strides have been made, with success stories proving that progress is possible. Here in the UK, there is a strong tradition of collaboration between local authorities and the voluntary sector, and it is exciting to see social enterprises providing opportunities to people at risk of homelessness. I am also encouraged by international examples, like Finland, that have shown that deep collaboration across the public, private and third sector, backed by a long-term commitment, can put places on a path to ending homelessness. So, I am pleased to stand here today to officially at the start of our path to ending homelessness. Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good. I am delighted to be at the beginning of that journey launching Homewards here in Lambeth. Lambeth will become part of a network of six flagship Homewards locations across the UK, all committed to creating and delivering a plan to prevent homelessness in their areas. They will all put collaboration at the heart of the response, forming locally led coalitions of committed people, organisations and businesses. Their in-depth knowledge of the specific issues and requirements of their local areas will drive forward the work. And we will be here to support you. Bringing together an unprecedented network of individuals and organisations with expertise, resources, and the commitment to end homelessness. We will support you to deliver sustainable change and I am so grateful to you all for joining us on this journey. Through Homewards, we will demonstrate that together we can finally end homelessness. Thank you. Advertisement Explaining the support of the service, he added: 'We all go through times where we could be self-conscious or lost in life and it's like a gentle guidance back into learning to socialise and be productive in a positive way.' Following his three visits today, the prince will continue his short tour tomorrow. Then, he will continue to speak about the Homewards programme, which he says has been inspired by similar work in Finland, which has made huge strides in reducing the problem of homelessness. The prince's five-year programme, which will initially focus on six locations, from which local businesses, organisations and individuals from the locations will be encouraged to join forces and develop 'bespoke' action plans to tackle homelessness with up to 500,000 in funding. Announcing the project ahead of kicking off his UK tour, William said: 'In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need. 'Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the UK hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate.' He added: 'I am fortunate to have seen first-hand the tireless work of people and organisations across the sector, the tangible impact their efforts can have and what can be done when communities are able to focus on preventing homelessness, rather than managing it. 'It's a big task, but I firmly believe that by working together it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated and I am very much looking forward to working with our six locations to make our ambition a reality.' Homes will be a focus of the programme, with each location supported to deliver an innovative housing project that will test new ways to unlock homes at scale within the location and beyond. The six chosen areas, which includes the one in London, were selected after a bidding process and the findings and results of the initiative will be used to create models that can adopted by other parts of the UK. There are around 300,000 people experiencing homelessness across the UK on any given night according to Matt Downie, chief executive of the charity Crisis, one of a number of homelessness partner organisations of Homewards. Mr Downie described the factors 'pushing' people into homelessness as 'complex,' citing a 'severe shortage of genuinely affordable homes,' rising rents, the increasing cost of living, years of low wages and insecure work that have left people unable to cope with 'sudden economic shocks' and a welfare system unable to support them. Relying on 'temporary' solutions like hostels and bed and breakfasts was costing billions he claimed, adding: 'Homelessness is not inevitable, as a provider of services to thousands of people across Britain every year. 'We know that in most cases it's preventable, and in every case it can be ended.' He went on to say: 'The best way to tackle homelessness is to stop it happening in the first place. 'We've seen it in other countries such as Finland, where homelessness is all but ended, and we've seen it when we follow innovative programmes that give people housing first. 'We know we can do the same here with the right choices and by working together. 'With levels of homelessness only set to increase innovative programmes like Homewards are more necessary than ever.' A new survey commissioned by the Royal Foundation revealed one in five of 3,473 adults questioned in May have some personal experience of homelessness either directly (nine per cent) or via family (eight per cent) or friends (seven per cent). The research found 72 per cent of those questioned thought homelessness had got worse during the past 12 months, while 73 per cent believed that ending homelessness was not given enough attention by society. While giving his first interview since becoming the Prince of Wales, William discussed his commitment to helping the homeless. He said 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.' Some 60 dogs and cats have been rescued from a certain death at the hands of butchers at the Yulin Dog Meat festival - however, this is 'just a drop in the ocean', animal campaigners have warned. The annual festival, which began around 2010, sees dogs and cats - who are often stolen pets - brutally tortured and killed in the street before they are made into dishes for stalls and restaurants to serve. Over the 10-day event, which is now underway, it is thought that up to 10,000 dogs and 5,000 cats are killed and eaten. However, some animals will now avoid this fate, after being saved by campaigners with London-based charity NoToDogMeat, which is raising money to continue its rescue efforts. They bargained for the lives of eight dogs at a slaughterhouse described as 'unsanitary', learning in the process that the dogs had been fed on dead puppy meat. Workers with London-based charity NoToDogMeat have rescued 60 dogs and cats from a certain death at the Yulin festival (pictured: some of the rescued dogs) Authorities have now been told about the facility in Nanning city, which kills around 100 dogs a day. However, animal advocates say there is little the police and council are doing to stop the slaughter. There is a thriving dog meat trade in Nanning, with the meat being sold by shops and restaurants to tourists and locals as a health tonic. Qin Xi Zhao, leading the operation, who runs NoToDogMeat shelter in Heibei, said: 'This has been a devastating time for campaigners, I have no words. 'In total we have saved around 60 animals, dogs, cats and puppies, but that is just a drop in the ocean. 'We have seen killing methods at Yulin this year that we haven't seen for 10 years and have even been warned away by authorities about our presence at the festival, like we are spoiling the fun. 'We feel like we are losing the fight but will not stop trying to end this cruelty.' The rescued animals (including this dog) 'will need urgent veterinary and behavioural care as they recover from trauma' says the charity Alongside rescuing dogs, NoToDogMeat has also saved 26 cats. According to the organisation, the cats were 'set to be boiled alive with live snakes to create a gruesome Tiger Dragon Fight soup'. Shelters, including NoToDogMeat's shelters in Hebei and Beijing, will take in all of the rescues, who will need urgent veterinary and behavioural care as they recover from trauma. London lawyer Julia de Cadenet founded NoToDogMeat in 2009, after witnessing for herself the horrors of the cruel trade. She said: 'This year, now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted it is like the lust for cruelty and a spectacle is keener than ever. A number of cats (including this kitten) were also saved. The charity says some of the cats were due to be boiled alive, alongside live snakes, as part of a 'Tiger Dragon Fight soup' 'It is very disturbing that members of the general public do not seem to be repulsed by what is going on around them, and that the authorities have done nothing to enforce their own rules on this trade.' According to the charity, dogs are not classed as food in China after a decree by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2021. This, it says, should have effectively outlawed the festival, but 'local authorities are reluctant to enforce the ban due to the money it brings to the area'. Julia continued: 'This is nothing to do with culture or tradition, everyone knows that being cruel to animals is wrong, and this festival which started in 2009 needs to end. 'Shame on the authorities, and the people of Yulin who stand by and let this happen.' An influencer who describes herself as an 'investigative journalist' is facing furious backlash after posting a glowing review of her trip to budget fashion brand Shein's factory in China - while ignoring the company's long history of labor abuse allegations. Dani Carbonari, 30, who is better known as Dani DMC online, has been slammed for posting numerous videos praising Shein - after the company paid to have her, and a slew of other online stars, fly to Guangzhou to visit one of its main facilities. Dani, who is originally from New York but now lives in LA, documented the vacation on her Instagram account, where she has gained more than 481,000 followers, and she defended the fast-fashion retailer against reports that claimed it doesn't treat its workers fairly. In one of her videos, Dani called the visit to the factory 'one of the most life-changing trips of her life.' An influencer who describes herself as an 'investigative journalist' has come under fierce fire for offering a gushing review of a Shein factory after she was sent to tour it on a sponsored trip Dani Carbonari, better known as Dani DMC online, 30, has been slammed online for posting numerous videos praising Shein The company paid to have her, and a slew of other online stars, fly to Guangzhou, China, to visit one of its main facilities. She's seen during her travels 'Getting to see the whole process of Shein clothing [being made] from beginning to end with my own two eyes was so important for me,' she said. 'Shein is such a developed and complex company, it was so beautiful to see first hand.' Dani documented the vacation on her Instagram account, where she has gained more than 481,000 followers, and she defended the fast-fashion retailer against reports that claimed it doesn't treat its workers fairly The video featured a montage of clips taken from inside the factory, which showed workers sewing clothes as Dani and the other influencers watched on. 'I was really excited and impressed to see the working conditions,' added the 30-year-old. Dani explained that she 'interviewed' one of the employees who 'works in the fabric cutting department' - and that the worker was 'surprised by the rumors' of mistreatment. 'I was able to interview a woman who works in the fabric cutting department, and you know me, [I'm] an investigative journalist, so I asked her all of our questions,' she continued. 'She answered them honestly and authentically. She was very surprised by all the rumors that have been spread in the US.' Dani concluded: 'I think my biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker - get the facts and see it with your own two eyes. One of her videos featured a montage of clips taken from inside the factory, which showed workers sewing clothes as Dani and the other influencers watched on 'Getting to see the whole process of Shein clothing [being made] from beginning to end with my own two eyes was so important for me,' she said 'I was really excited and impressed to see the working conditions,' added the 30-year-old 'There's a narrative fed to us in the US and I'm one that always likes to be openminded and seek the truth, so I'm grateful for that about myself and I hope for the same for you guys.' The video was one of several that Dani posted during the trip - which resulted in her producing six TikTok videos and three Instagram posts documenting her time in China with the brand. And while none of the videos appear to have been paid for by Shein, the trip is understood to have been entirely comped for all of the online stars who were invited. Other influencers who were also on the trip included Destene Sudduth, Aujene Butler, Fernanda Stephany Campuzano, Kenya Freeman, and Marina Saavedra. In a post of her own, Aujene - who has wracked up one million followers - similarly defended Shein. 'As a public figure, I feel a responsibility to shed light on certain topics and bring awareness to a few of the many issues we have in the world,' she captioned a video that she posted from her trip to China. 'Child labor and fair wages are serious topics and were some of the qs you guys were curious about and wanted me to ask. 'When asking a few of the workers and employees about these topics everyone we came across was content with their salary and the idea of child labor was something they looked at me crazy for. 'A lot of the people are just trying to make an honest living and said their kids and the children they know are just like our kids in the states. Dani explained that she 'interviewed' one of the employees who 'works in the fabric cutting department' - and that the worker was 'surprised by all the rumors' of bad working conditions '[I'm] an investigative journalist, so I asked her all of our questions,' Dani continued. 'She answered them honestly and authentically. She was very surprised by all the rumors' 'They arent trying to work in factories, they're tryna be on Tiktok and IG. Seeing how advanced Guangzhou was first hand was pleasantly surprising.' Dani concluded: 'I think my biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker - get the facts and see it with your own two eyes' Shein, which began in 2008 as a 'low-cost Chinese apparel merchant,' has become a worldwide phenomenon, earning more than $100 billion in sales last year, according to Time magazine. Back in October 2022, however, an explosive report emerged from Channel 4 in the UK which claimed that Shein workers got as little as four cents for each item they made, and that they were often forced to work 18-hour shifts, seven days a week, with only one day off per month. Swiss watchdog Public Eye also reported a month later that the brand was running 'informal factories' set up in residential buildings and didn't provide employees with any contracts, which is against Chinese labor laws. It's also been said that some of Shein's factories lacked important safety infrastructures - like fire exits - and that there were bars on its windows. In December 2022, Shein announced that it would be investing $15 million into improving standards in its factories. Many were furious over Dani and the other influencer's positive posts about their trip, and tons of online users quickly flooded her Instagram posts with angry messages At the time, the retailer said in a statement: 'We know we have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of workers in our supply chain. 'In light of the recent report in the news, we launched an investigation into the claim that two of our suppliers had unacceptable working conditions at their facilities.' Many were furious over Dani's - as well as the other influencer's - positive posts about the trip. And while she turned off the comments on her videos, tons of online users quickly flooded her other Instagram posts with angry messages. 'Your dress looks just as cheap as your morals,' one person wrote on a photo that Dani posted following the trip, in which she was modeling a Shein gown. 'This is disgustingly irresponsible,' said someone else. Another user added, 'The worker that made that dress got paid four cents.' 'The way you got paid more to wear that dress than the person that made it probably ever will,' read a fourth comment. A different person commented, 'You should be ashamed.' 'This hurts my heart. The things people do for money and clout, despite knowing others will suffer for it,' someone else wrote. Suzanne Lorrey, 29, from Manchester, was fuming after the bank froze her card A woman had her dream Miami holiday ruined after her bank account was frozen on the way to the airport. Suzanne Lorrey, 29, from Harpurhey, Manchester, had been saving for months and was due to fly out last Friday to see her boyfriend for the first time in 18 months. Before leaving she opened an HSBC Global Money Account - which allows customers to spend or send money abroad without additional fees. The night before her departure, Suzanne sent 500 to the account and the next day on the way to the airport transferred her money into dollars. But Suzanne was left horrified when she then got a phone alert stating her account had been frozen and put 'under review'. Suzanne Lorrey, 29, from Harpurhey, Manchester, had her dream Miami holiday ruined after her bank account was frozen on the way to the airport Panicking and anxious about her flight the next day, she went into a HSBC bank but was told there was nothing they could do and she would have to wait for the account to be reviewed. Stranded in Heathrow Airport, Suzanne said she was then unable to board the plane as she had no money and missed out on her trip. Suzanne, a telesales agent said: 'I have been planning for this holiday for a long time, I started paying it off in February. 'Altogether, including flights and accommodation I have spent just over 3,000 which I can't get back. 'There was no way for me to go on holiday, I had another bag to check in that I was going to pay for at the airport. 'I was going to use that 500 - everything I needed was on that card. 'I had no choice but to come back to Manchester, I was there at the check-in point until check-in closed.' While travelling to Heathrow, Suzanne said she kept calling the bank who told her she would have to wait for the review process to finish and then got off the train and to visit the nearest branch. Panicking and anxious about her flight the next day, she spoke to customer service in an online chat but was told there was nothing they could do and she would have to wait for the account to be reviewed Stranded in Heathrow Airport, Suzanne said she was then unable to board the plane as she had no money and missed out on her trip But she alleges staff told her they could not help because the branch was about to close. She added: 'I was crying on the phone to the bank, even when I was in the branch I was crying - I was stranded. 'I called the bank around 60 times and I kept being told there was nothing they could do. 'I still tried to go to the airport and continue on my journey. 'I spent the night at the airport on live chat with the bank, I was desperate, I needed to check into the flight. 'I came back to Manchester the next morning.' Suzanne's account is still under review and she has missed her three-week holiday to Miami. Suzanne's account is still under review and she has missed her three-week holiday to Miami She said: 'It has destroyed my entire year, this was my trip for the year. 'The last time I saw my partner was in March last year, he has been working in America for 18 months. 'It's not even about the money, I want my holiday. I should be on a beach right now. 'I should not be in England right now, I want my flights and I want them to compensate me for my accommodation. 'It isn't easy to see my boyfriend, he lives in California and we have both missed out.' An HSBC UK spokesperson said: 'We apologise for any uncertainty and inconvenience this has caused. We were complying with our statutory obligations.' Former footman Paul Whybrew, nicknamed 'Tall Paul' within the royal household for his 6ft 4in stature, is part of a team entrusted with the sensitive task of sorting through the late Queens private diaries and letters. Mr Whybrew has been entrusted by the King to work out what will be archived and what will remain confidential, The Mail On Sunday reported, with the newspaper dubbing him the 'keeper of the Queens secrets'. It perhaps comes as no surprise since Paul served the Queen for 44 years and was one of the handful of loyal staff who kept her company in her final days at Balmoral. Pointing to the closeness between the late monarch and her trusted aide, he even captured a behind the scenes look at one of her photoshoots. His candid images show Queen Elizabeth II standing next to a remote stream called Gelder Burn on her Balmoral Estate, while being photographed by Julian Calder and Mark Cator to mark the 60th anniversary of the late monarch's Coronation. Pointing to the closeness between the late monarch and her trusted aide, Paul Whybrew even captured a behind the scenes look at one of her photoshoots (pictured) For the occasion, the Queen was dressed in the green velvet mantle of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the Scottish counterpart to Englands Order of the Garter. From her shoulders, held by white satin ties, there was the Collar of the Order made of golden thistles and rue sprigs, from which, in turn, a tiny St Andrew and his saltire cross was placed. With the heather, the sky, the hills and the babbling brook flowing down towards the mighty River Dee, everything is gloriously Scottish, with one honourable exception. Given the abundance of greenery involved, the Queen decided to match it all with the emerald-festooned Vladimir Tiara. In Paul's photos from behind the scenes, the late Queen proudly poses while the photographers capture their desired image. The magnificent scene was one of more than 100 portraits in the book Keepers, a landmark publication to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queens Coronation. His candid images show Queen Elizabeth II standing next to a remote stream called Gelder Burn on her Balmoral Estate, while being photographed by Julian Calder and Mark Cator to mark the 60th anniversary of the late monarch's Coronation For the occasion, the Queen was dressed in the green velvet mantle of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the Scottish counterpart to Englands Order of the Garter Paul (pictured right) featured in the spoof James Bond sequence shown at the London 2012 Olympics, greeting 007 star Daniel Craig at Buckingham Palace and introducing him to the Queen, before accompanying them along a corridor with the corgis Queen Elizabeth II and her then aide, Paul Whybrew (left), look around a door at Windsor Castle in 2004 Written by Alastair Bruce and photographed by Julian Calder and Mark Cator, the book celebrated the bewildering range of official titles and appointments that have evolved over more than a thousand years. Mr Whybrew, who worked for the Queen for many years, was reported to be so close to the monarch that he would sometimes sit with her watching television. He featured in the spoof James Bond sequence shown at the London 2012 Olympics, greeting 007 star Daniel Craig at Buckingham Palace and introducing him to the Queen, before accompanying them along a corridor with the corgis. In 1982, he apprehended the intruder Michael Fagan who had broken into the Queens bedroom at the Palace, with the footman congenially distracting him by offering him a drink and serving him a whisky. Meanwhile, The Queen kept a handwritten diary, which could offer an unprecedented look at the late monarchs thoughts and views on political and family life during her long reign. Her ancestor Queen Victoria charted her thoughts every day in her journals, and the 141 volumes of private diaries have been digitised and released online. Paul Whybrew (far left) with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh driving down Fleet Street for the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencers royal wedding in 1981 (PA) Paul Whybrew (centre) in his black uniform as the State Hearse carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to Windsor Castle (Aaron Chown/PA) Mr Whybrew is working two days a week on the project, using gloves to protect the papers from the Queens desk as he sifts through letters and correspondence. He is part of a team from the Master of the Households Department and the Royal Collection Trust. The late Queens wardrobe is among the other items which require cataloguing, but it is understood that Angela Kelly, who was Elizabeth IIs confidante and senior dresser for many years and has since moved out of the Windsor estate, is not currently involved. Mr Whybrew was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his royal service in Elizabeth IIs demise honours following her death, and he took part in ceremonial processions on the day of her funeral. With his mother's belongings safely being handled by Tall Paul, the King is said to be confident that the Palace can preserve her legacy while protecting her secrets. A former aide said: 'Paul is so discreet that he'll take the Queen's secrets to the grave.' She also shared some pictures from her hangout with the French music producer Ivanka Trump was seen cuddling up to her husband, Jared Kusnher, as they continued their lavish vacation in Spain - hours after the pair partied the night away with DJ David Guetta. The former White House advisor, 41, posted a snap of the intimate moment to her Instagram Stories on Monday morning. It showed her leaning her head against her husband-of-14-year's neck as they wrapped their arms around each other. Ivanka donned a tiny, white crop top with a floral design and matching trousers that left her midriff on full display. Ivanka Trump was seen cuddling up to her husband, Jared Kusnher, as they continued their lavish vacation in Spain - hours after the pair partied the night away with DJ David Guetta Inside look: The daughter of former President Donald Trump, 41, posted a snap of the intimate moment to her Instagram Stories - while sharing a slew of photos from the trip Surprising friendship: The former White House advisor also uploaded some videos and pictures from her hangout with David, 55 She completed the look with a pair of dark shades and left her long, blond hair loose around her face. She posted a clip that showed the French music producer DJing at an event. In the video, David was seen standing behind a DJ table as music blasted to a crowd of adoring fans and he danced along to the beat Jared, for his part, wore a white T-shirt and blue shorts, as well as a cap to shield him from the sun. They both smiled from ear to ear as they posed together in front of a pastel sky. The daughter of former President Donald Trump shared a slew of other photos and videos from the trip - including some from her hangout with David. She posted a clip that showed the French music producer, 55, DJing at an event, which she captioned with a few hand praising emojis. In the video, David was seen standing behind a DJ table as music blasted to a crowd of adoring fans and he danced along to the beat. On her Story, Ivanka also shared a snap of her and Jared cheering him on from the sidelines. Ivanka and Jared were photographed spending time on a yacht with the Titanium artist hours earlier. Photographers caught the trio soaking up the sun and going for a dip in the waters near the village of Es Calo in Formentera, Spain. Supportive: On her Story, Ivanka also shared a snap of her and Jared cheering him on from the sidelines Another image featured Ivanka posing in a mirror while wearing a skimpy, white dress with spaghetti straps Ivanka and Jared were photographed spending time on a yacht with the Titanium artist on Sunday. Ivanka and David are seen chatting on the yacht Photographers caught the trio soaking up the sun and going for a dip in the waters near the village of Es Calo in Formentera, Spain. Ivanka and Jared are seen before getting on the yacht The mother-of-three wore a tie-dye, blue, one-piece bathing suit with a lacy, white knit dress over it for the outing The mother-of-three wore a tie-dye, blue, one-piece bathing suit with a lacy, white knit dress over it for the outing, while Jared opted for another white tee and navy shorts. As for David, he dressed casually in just a pair of red shorts and no shirt. The 41-year-old also uploaded some other snaps from the trip to her Stories, including some that showed the stunning views she's encountered, and others that featured the delicious-looking meals she's consumed. Another image featured Ivanka posing in a mirror while wearing a skimpy, white dress with spaghetti straps. Ivanka and Jared have been traveling a lot this summer. They enjoyed some time in Greece in May, before heading to Jordan for the royal wedding of the Crown Prince Hussein and his new wife, Rajwa. Ivanka also posted a photo of herself surfing in Costa Rica for the Summer Solstice last week. Jared opted for another white tee and navy shorts. As for David, he dressed casually in just a pair of red shorts and no shirt Ivanka uploaded some other snaps from the trip to her Stories, including some that showed the stunning views she's encountered, and others that featured the meals she's consumed Ivanka and Jared have been traveling a lot this summer. They enjoyed some time in Greece in May (left), before heading to Jordan for the royal wedding of the Crown Prince Hussein (right) Jet-setter: Ivanka also posted a photo of herself surfing in Costa Rica for the Summer Solstice last week She and her husband relocated to Miami, Florida, with their three children in January 2021 after her father left the White House. She then announced that she was officially quitting politics in November 2022, explaining at the time that she will be prioritizing her private life instead of joining her father's upcoming presidential campaign. 'I love my father very much. This time around, I'm choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family,' she said. 'While I will always love and support my father, going forward I will do so outside the political arena.' Over the last year, the jet-setter has also visited Poland, Morocco, London, Prague, Utah, Egypt, Qatar, Paris, and Jerusalem. Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer were amongst the glamourous guests at a star-studded fashion party held at London's Connaught Hotel on Sunday evening. Lady Amelia wore a beautiful black velvet dress with a corseted bodice and puff sleeves embellished with sequins to the event celebrating Fashion Trust Arabia's winners launching into London designer store Matches. Meanwhile, her twin sister Lady Eliza wore a striking metallic gown by Australian designer Rebecca Vallance - a favourite of fellow royal Zara Tindall. The stunning 30-year-old sisters - nieces of the late Princess Diana - who moved to London from South Africa to model, both wore their blond hair brushed back, showing off dainty diamond earrings. Also in attendance was Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath, who looked equally elegant. The nieces of the late Princess Diana, Lady Amelia Spencer (left) and twin sister Lady Eliza Spencer, looked glamourous in striking gowns Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath, wore a sleek silk gown by Romanian designer Almaz, paired with a fashionable miniature handbag, also in black Wearing a sleek black gown in silk by Romanian brand Almaz, Emma had a silky shawl with feather cuffs draped across her arms. The 37-year-old carried a black handbag with gold detailing. With her hair swept back off her face, she embodied old school glamour with red lipstick and smoky eyes make-up. Emma looked relaxed at the event, socialising with New Zealand-born fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, one of Kate Middleton's best-loved designers. The special event celebrated a partnership between the winners of 2022 Fashion Trust Arabia prize, co-founded by Tania Fares, and London's exclusive designer boutique Matches. The winners, six designers from across the Arab world, are now launching their collections on Matches' e-commerce platform. The ready-to-wear award went to Saudi sisters Siham and Sarah Albinali while Artsi Ifrach, from Morocco, won the evening wear award. Emma is pictured with New Zealand-born designer Emilia Wickstead at the event Lady Amelia Spencer (left) and Lady Eliza Spencer pictured with co-founder and co-chair of Fashion Trust Arabia Tania Fares Sudanese Eilaf Osman received the accessories award for shoes and handbags and Fatma Mostafa, from Egypt, won the jewellery award. The debut talent award went to Arab fashion design graduate Kazna Asker from Yemen. Huge fashion fans, Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer were also spotted at US designer Veronica Beard's summer party at The Serpentine last week. This is the emotional moment a man who was left in a London phone box as a baby met his half-sister for the first time on Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace. Chris Mason, now 56, an engineer from Surrey, was found just before Christmas 1966 - and knew nothing of his biological family until appearing on the ITV documentary, which aired this evening. He was adopted by loving parents who brought him up with their two birth children in Wimbledon, southwest London, but over the years his efforts to find his blood relatives had drawn a blank. Chris's wife Alison and their four children aged 23 to 29 were so eager to find out where Chris really came from that he applied to Long Lost Family. The show's experts followed up DNA matches, learning that Chris's late birth mother Elizabeth was an Irishwoman who married a US airman and moved to Maine. Through the programme, Chris met his maternal half-sister Marie, who is nine years older. Chris Mason meeting his maternal half-sister Marie (pictured left) in Spring Hill, Florida, for the first time In emotional scenes which aired tonight, the siblings met for the first time and shared photographs of their families, as well as a hug with one another. Elsewhere in the programme, the Long Lost Family team discovered Chris' birth father, Italian-born Dominic, now 79 and a businessman in Florida. Chris and his father - who had no idea his son existed until Long Lost Family matched up their DNA - met in the US during the show. However, sadly, Chris's birth mother Elizabeth died in 2008. Trapped in an abusive marriage, she became an alcoholic and passed away aged 69. It transpires that Elizabeth had left her marriage at one point, and Chris was conceived during a brief relationship with Dominic. But after Elizabeth reconciled with her husband, he kicked her and the children out when he learned she was pregnant. They fled to England where Elizabeth gave birth before returning to the US and her husband. Thanks to the researchers, Chris was bowled over to eventually meet Marie and his half-brother Bobby (another sister had died) and learn about his heritage. Before meeting her new brother, Marie told the cameras: 'I hope today brings Christopher peace. I'm anxious. Is he going to like me? Are we going to get along?' In emotional scenes which aired tonight, the siblings met for the first time and shared photographs of their families, as well as a hug with one another Chris (pictured as a youngster), now 56, an engineer from Surrey, was found just before Christmas 1966 - and knew nothing of his biological family until appearing on the ITV documentary, which aired this evening Chris (pictured with his discovered family members) was adopted by loving parents who brought him up with their two birth children in Wimbledon, southwest London, but over the years his efforts to find his blood relatives had drawn a blank Chris's mother, Elizabeth, pictured left, and his father Dominic, pictured right The two seemingly become emotional upon meeting one another for the first time, and share a hug before sitting down to chat. When Chris asked his sister about why his mother abandoned him, Marie said: 'My father would've never accepted you unfortunately. I believe that it broke her heart to have to leave you, but she knew what was best for you. 'That's why. I think that's the only reason she would leave a child... for your welfare not hers.' 'I didn't blame her for anything,' replied Chris. 'I couldn't have wanted for a better life... It's a shame I didn't get to tell her that,' he added. Speaking to Lorraine earlier today, Chris and his daughter Elena opened up about meeting his father, who now lives in Maine, with Chris revealing how 'welcoming, friendly and loving' his family have been since their reunion. Chatting via video link from the US, his half-sister revealed she had tried to find Chris in the 1970s, but had been unsuccessful. Both talked of how thankful they had been to find each other, with Chris revealing Marie and his other siblings will be coming to visit him in the UK in August. Elsewhere in the programme, the Long Lost Family team discovered Chris' birth father, Italian-born Dominic, now 79 and a businessman in Florida (pictured together) Chris's wife Alison and their four children aged 23 to 29 (pictured) were so eager to find out where Chris really came from that he applied to Long Lost Family 'They were really open and friendly and loving. If the tables were turned, I just hope we would have been the same. It's a big thing for them, someone knocking on your front door after 55 years,' Chris said of his siblings. Chris revealed he was raised in a loving family with siblings in London after being found in a phone box 50 years ago. He told Lorraine that he's always known he was adopted, after his mother explained to him when he was five or six years old that he had been found in the streets. Chris, himself a father-of-four, said this knowledge had never bothered him, but his daughter Elena was curious to learn more about where he came from, and signed him up for the show. She added she was also spurred on to sign Chris up because time to find living relatives runs out as they get older. Chris said he still can't believe that the show is about his own experience, and said the programme was 'amazing'. Unfortunately, his mother, an Irish woman, died before he could meet her. However, Chris found out a large family had been hoping to find him on the other side of the pond. Thanks to Long Lost Family, Chris was able to meet his father, Dominic, who grew up in Italy but now lives in Maine with his family. The show's experts followed up DNA matches, learning that Chris's late birth mother Elizabeth was an Irishwoman who married a US airman and moved to Maine. Through the programme, Chris (pictured left as a youngster) met his maternal half-sister Marie, who is nine years older Chris and his father (pictured as a young man) - who had no idea his son existed until Long Lost Family matched up their DNA - met in the US during the show 'There has been a lot of meetings and greetings, it's been a really great example,' Chris told Lorraine. He said it had been 'wild' to find he had a large family, revealing he had a half-sister named Marie, two brothers called Jeff and Michael, and another sister called Julie that he met thanks to the show. He added some of his siblings would come to London soon, and that they were planning a trip to Italy, where their father grew up. Speaking of his birth mother, Chris said: 'It's closed a circle. It was never a real concern, but if I'd have the chance, I'd have loved to have told my birth mother that if she had any problems or worries or guilt over what she had to do, it must have been a horrendous position that she was put in.' He added he did not resent his birth mother Elizabeth for her decision. 'Back in the 1960s it was a different time. She must have been scared. The only way is to go forward, you can't judge what people go through,' he said. Marie also spoke from the US on the show via a video link and revealed she had always thought her mother had had another child, but didn't know the full story. She revealed she went looking for Chris in the 1970s, but was unsuccessful because she was looking in the wrong area of the city. 'It was amazing. When we finally met, it was a relief that I could finally say "I've found him". Thank god for the show. I wished I'd done the DNA [test] years ago,' she said. A mum was furious after her teenage daughter accidentally stained her brand new kitchen counters yellow - but photos of the incident leave much to the imagination. Alexandra, from Queensland, recently had her kitchen refurbished for the first time in 19 years and spent an 'arm and a leg' on the effort. While the mum was happy her 16-year-old wanted to cook dinner for the whole family, her delight turned to despair when she found a carrot 'stain' on her cutlery drawer. The Queensland mum shared photos of her 'ruined' kitchen - but hundreds were shocked when they couldn't see the stain at all. 'Is this woman taking the p*ss?' a confused commenter asked. Alexandra, from Queensland, recently had her kitchen refurbished for the first time in 19 years and spent an 'arm and a leg' on the effort The woman provided some background information about the stain. 'I've got a brand new handle-less kitchen and my 16-year-old was kind enough to cook dinner today,' she shared. 'Unfortunately, she didn't realise that carrot can stain quite badly and opened drawers with dirty hand after grating the carrots. So now I have a yellow stained cutlery drawer.' Alexandra added, 'The finish is a white satin 2pac. I've used dish washing detergent on a non scratch scourer and then used pink stuff on rag. Most of the colour came off but there's still a slight yellow stain.' The mum admitted that while she thought the stain was faint, she still wanted it removed. 'It's new and I want to remove the stain completely but I don't want to scratch the finish. Does anyone have any idea how best to clean a lacquered surface like that?' The Queensland mum shared photos of her 'ruined' kitchen - but hundreds were shocked when they couldn't see the stain at all Many were still confused about the image and thought she was joking. 'There's no stain that I can see,' a woman said. 'Where is the stain? Am I blind?' another asked. A third wrote, 'I've literally got perfect vision and can't see any stain.' While some others chose to give her some advice anyway. 'It will fade,' a mum said. 'My kids have spilt red cordial and it sits for a while, but then after a few regular cleans it just ends up fading away.' Another shared, 'This happens to my white bench top, I was told just spray any kitchen spray (like Ajax) and leave it for 10 minutes and it should just wipe off. This works for me with carrots or capsicums.' 'When my 2pac kitchen went in the kitchen company told me to use car polish because it retains the sheen,' a woman revealed. A young Aussie living in London has shared the things she has started doing differently since moving to the UK 10 months ago. Emily Brogan, who is originally from Brisbane, said she 'loves' living in London but has had to stop smiling and greeting people she passes on walks and carries an umbrella with her everywhere regardless of the weather forecast. It wasn't all negative, however, as Emily said she enjoys being able to buy a coffee in London after 5pm unlike in Australia where the cafes close in the afternoon. The Aussie said she has had to adjust to people not responding kindly when she says 'Good morning' or smiles at them on her walks. 'In Australia, it is very common to say, 'Morning', 'G'day' to every second person on your hot girl walk. Could be Ted Bundy and I'd be like, 'Oh, you right there?',' she said in a TikTok clip. Scroll down for video Emily Brogan, from Brisbane, 'loves' living in London but has had to stop smiling at people she passes on walks and carries an umbrella 'everywhere' regardless of the weather forecast 'I learnt my lesson the first few weeks, I'd just be friendly smiling at men, women, whoever, it was as if I was saying, 'F*** you', 'F*** you', 'F*** you' or they'd literally give me the biggest resting b**** face.' Emily now dons an unfriendly expression on her walks both because of Brits' response as well as the harassment she's received from men. She said she doesn't risk smiling at anyone for fear of attracting unwanted attention even, she joked, if she's walking past 'literal gay man' with 'an LGBT flag wrapped around him, rainbow hair, that says, 'I'm gay' on a t-shirt'. 'I am that paranoid about being harassed, the men in London, they are something different, let me tell you,' Emily said. Emily said she has developed 'the worst caffeine addiction' while living in London as the cafes are open much later than in Australia. 'I'll be walking home from work and I'm like, 'I might get a coffee for s***s and gigs', I mean, what am I going home to do?' she said. Emily said she has developed 'the worst caffeine addiction' while living in London as the cafes are open much later than in Australia 'This is a real pro of the cafes here, I mean they do open later which is annoying because I feel like most people here are more night owls than morning people but I love that for me.' Lastly, Emily says she has to bring an umbrella 'everywhere' after being caught in an unexpected downpour too many times. 'You know how some people have a coin collection? I have a f***ing umbrella collection,' she said. Emily 'never thought she'd be that person' who checks the weather every morning before leaving the house but has started looking to see if rain is predicted. 'The weather man is like, 'Nah she'll be right, she'll be sunny'...and 10 minutes into being outside I find out the weatherman has been telling porky pies. I do have trust issues now,' she said. 'It starts pissing rain and I'm like, 'What is this? Is this a p***-take? Before I moved here everyone was like London has s*** weather and I was like, 'Nah, evil eye, you're just jealous', they're not jealous, they're just telling the truth.' Emily's hysterical takes racked up more than 2.7million views and had many Brits quick to defend their country. Many pointed out people are friendlier outside the big cities like London and that people in rural England will happily smile and say 'Hello' to strangers on the street. 'I swear London is a different country to the rest of the UK,' one user laughed. 'Live in Yorkshire and everyone says morning, can't have a walk through the park without it,' another pointed out. Others were shocked at how early Aussie coffee shops close and agreed with Emily's umbrella habit. 'Omg you can't get a coffee past 5pm in Australia? Damn! As a Canadian, I'm shook!' someone wrote. 'I moved back to Australia a few years ago and still find it hard to not want to carry an umbrella everywhere I go,' a second added. 'I physically refuse to believe that London weather is worse then Melbourne weather,' an Aussie said. Bar hoppers have discovered a stunning rooftop cocktail joint on top of a library in the middle of an Australian capital city. The Library Bar can be found through a secret side entrance and up the elevator in the State Library of NSW in Sydney's city centre. The cosy bar is the perfect place to watch the sun go down while sipping on a cocktail with has 360-degree views of the Sydney city skyline and harbour. Guests enter through grand timber arched doors and a series of hidden hallways before reaching the lift which climbs four floors up to the secret gem. Sydney locals and travellers are flocking to the magical bar which has a period-style aesthetic to match the historical building's roots. Scroll down for video Sydneysiders have discovered a secret rooftop bar hidden in a side entrance of the State Library of New South Wales with breathtaking city and harbour views Diners can sit out on the alfresco deck adorned with twinkling fairy lights and take in the panoramic views Blogger Evelien Langeveld, known as Sydney Guide online, documented her visit to the 'hidden gem' in an online clip that has racked up more than 398,000 views. 'This one's such a gem and so well-hidden we had to ask the library staff for directions,' she said. 'The Library Bar is a beautiful secret rooftop bar on top of Australia's oldest library.' While many were familiar with the haunt that has been a favourite lunch spot for library staff since the 1940s others were shocked they had no idea it existed. 'Surprise date night with the wife is in order,' one man replied and another viewer wrote: 'Oh wow! Will plan a visit soon!'. 'Just stumbled upon this awesome bar a few weeks ago and now we're itching to go back!' someone else commented. While many were familiar with the haunt that has been around since the 1940s others were shocked they had no idea it existed 'This one's such a gem and so well-hidden we had to ask the library staff for directions,' blogger Evelien Langeveld, known as Sydney Guide online said in an online video Guests enter through grand timber arched doors and a series of hidden hallways before reaching the lift which climbs four floors up to the secret gem 'We loved the vibes, and to top it off, they had a delightful live jazz concert when we visited. Also the staff was absolutely amazing! Can't wait to go back.' Diners can sit out on the alfresco deck adorned with twinkling fairy lights and take in the panoramic views. During cooler weather, the indoor bar offers a more intimate experience with plush seating in a dimly-lit space. There is also a baby grand piano which is often occupied by a pianist playing relaxing jazzy tunes. The menu is an homage to the library's history as well as gourmet spirits, beers and produce sourced from all over New South Wales from Surry Hill's Poor Tom gin to Rosebery's Archie Rose vodka and even the Alto Olives of the Southern Tablelands that garnish the martinis. The Major Mitchell's Cockatoo is a favourite cocktail that is dedicated and named after David Scott Mitchell, an avid booklover who donated his collection of Australian literature to the State Library in 1907. The door to the Library Bar can be found on Hospital Road to the left of the main entrance. After months in hospital he was discharged and is now able to talk and walk A baby boy who was born at just 22 weeks and faced a lifetime of disability has defied the odds and started to walk and talk. Eli James, now a year old, weighed just 1lb 3oz when he was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, in March last year. He was so small his mother's wedding a ring could fit on his wrist. Paloma Aguilar, 34, and her husband Eliesar, 45, were told that if their son survived, he would likely face permanent physical and mental disabilities. But after being discharged from the ICU in late July, he has gone from strength to strength. Mrs Aguilar said: 'He's starting to walk right now and saying his first words - Dadda was the first. Everyone has been surprised with his progress.' Eli James was born at 22 weeks weighing just 1lb 3oz. He was so small that his arms were the same size as his mother's fingers. He is pictured above in hospital shortly after birth But after several months in hospital and a steady supply of breast milk the youngster survived. He is now starting to talk, with his first word being 'dadda', and walks around his home in Las Vegas, Nevada The baby spent several months in hospital receiving round-the-clock monitoring. The above image shows his hand was so small that an entire ring could fit over it. She added that her son was a little smaller than other one-year-olds but was catching up 'quite fast'. Babies born earlier than 22 weeks are generally too physically underdeveloped to be successfully treated with intensive care and have almost no chance of survival. But each year in the US about 5,000 babies are born in the uncertain window between 22 and 23 weeks, when chances of survival are very low but not zero. Studies indicate that between a fifth and third of babies born at 22 weeks and given intensive care survive. Eli - the youngest of four children - was born at 22 weeks and one day. Mrs Aguilar said her pregnancy had been going to plan until her waters suddenly broke one day after a scan. She said: 'We had an ultrasound one Friday when I was 22 weeks, and everything appeared normal. 'Then my water broke that Friday evening, at midnight, and early Saturday morning, I went to the hospital. 'When I arrived, they told me that I was three centimeters dilated and that the baby was not viable.' Doctors tried to help Mrs Aguilar to delay the birth, but warned that an infection was putting both mother and baby at risk. She was diagnosed with chorioamnionitis, a bacterial infection of the fetal membranes surrounding the baby and in the placenta. It can also spread into the amniotic fluid, or the liquid that surrounds and protects the fetus. Paloma Aguilar, 34, and her husband Eliesar, 45, pictured with baby Eli. He is their fourth child His mother said that part of what pulled her son through, pictured above, was a regular supply of fortified breast milk Mrs Aguilar tried to delay the birth, but three days after her waters broke, she gave birth to her son. Speaking about the birth, Mrs Aguilar said: 'It was actually quite painful even though he was small, because it happened so fast. 'So I didn't have anything to help me with the pain. He just came out on the bed when the nurse was barely coming in to see me. 'They showed him to me briefly before taking him away.' The young family is pictured above. Eli survived after being born at just 22 weeks Pictured above is Eli at the family home. He has now turned one year old After the birth, Ms Aguilar, her husband and Eli faced an incredibly difficult time as the infant fought for his life. She explained: 'When I saw him, it was scary. 'But I always have faith. I had faith that if he made it this far, that he was strong. 'Even getting a PICC line [used to administer medication and nutrition] in him was scary. 'The doctor told me that they had brought in the smallest needle in the country, which was as thin as a piece of hair, and even that was too big to fit through his veins.' Ms Aguilar said that Eli's incredible fight for his life lasted several months, and while he was 'mostly stable', one evening, medics once again feared for his life. 'There was one point where he like got really sick, and they called us at three in the morning to the hospital because he wasn't doing well,' she revealed. 'There was always ups and downs, but for the most part, he was he was stable.' A job advert for a brain cancer surgeon potentially paying as little as 33,000 per year has sparked outrage online. Barts Health NHS Trust advertised for a neuro-oncology fellow, accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons. The fellowship, which specialises in the management and treatment of brain and spinal cord tumours, was listed for between 33,790 and 53,132. However, the 12-month fixed term contract, based at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, is applicable only to those ranked CCT/ST8. As an ST8 (specialty trainee year eight) medics have already completed a decade working as a junior doctor following a five-year medical degree. CCT-level medics qualify as consultants, who can easily earn upwards of 100,000-a-year. Some choose to take a fellowship to 'bridge the gap' between senior trainee and a consultant. In a Twitter post attracting 9.1million views and over 1,000 retweets, one user wrote 'the UK needs a hard reset'. 'Speechless. I hope no-one applies', responded another user. 'UK is one of the least attractive countries to work as a doctor' and I'd like to say I'm shocked. I'm afraid I'm not,' were among other responses Upon graduation, all medical graduates must complete a two-year general training programme before embarking on specialty training which can take up to eight years. As an ST8, candidates will have also completed consultancy exams or are about to complete them. A Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), the next level, confirms that a doctor 'has completed an approved training programme in the UK and is eligible for entry onto the GP Register or the Specialist Register'. Among the post's responsibilities include working on-call at the Royal London Hospital, supervising a ST3 trainee specialty trainee year three out of hours and attending a weekly multidisciplinary neuro-oncology clinic held at St Bartholemew's Hospital. The fellow is also expected to 'regularly review pre- and post-operative neuro-oncology patients'. But taking to social media, Brits shared their outrage at the expected salary requirements in the job ad, which was listed at the end of May. In a Twitter post attracting 9.1million views and over 1,000 retweets, one user wrote 'the UK needs a hard reset'. 'Speechless. I hope no-one applies', responded another user. 'UK is one of the least attractive countries to work as a doctor' and I'd like to say I'm shocked. I'm afraid I'm not,' were among other responses. And Professor Stefan Marciniak, a specialist lung doctor at the Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, simply said: 'Its literally brain surgery.' On TikTok, newly qualified medic @Saifs.Space, who will begin as a foundation year one doctor in London shortly, said: 'This is the person that operates on you or your family member's brain tumours when you're so unwell and this is highly skilled and highly specialised work.' In the video, watched over 291,000 times, he added: 'This is just so shameful. This is what we feel our healthcare professionals are worth in the UK. 'That's just not it.' Responding to the TikTok, users expressed their outrage over the salary expectations. 'I'm so sorry that is ridiculous - this country is a joke', one responded. Another questioned: 'Is it even worth me starting med school this September?' Barts Health NHS Trust is one of the largest acute trusts in the NHS in England. Established in 2012, it runs five hospitals throughout the City of London and East London. Disgruntled NHS medics say the pandemic has shone a light on how poorly they are valued in the UK, a factor that helped launched a wave of strike action across the UK to boost their pay. The British Medical Association (BMA), the organisation behind the action, says the workforce has suffered a 26 per cent real-terms cut to their pay since 2008/09. Addressing this translates to a 35 per cent pay increase. If ministers were to accept, some medics would see their salaries increase by up to 20,000. The BMA's co-chair Vivek Trivedi has suggested that the BMA are willing to negotiate a deal that would see this restoration completed over a number of years, rather than in one big jump. This chart shows the number of UK registered doctors who have requested documents for a job application overseas over the past five years. Interest peaked in 2022, but 2023 is also on track to be a bumper year While Australia topped the list for both destinations other countries like the US and the United Arab Emirates are also of interest for UK medics looking for greener pastures Australian figures suggest roughly half of UK medics who apply for a job in Australia are successful, with nearly 950 getting in 2021-22 compared to the 1,800 who applied in the 2022 calendar year More than 650,000 NHS appointments in England have been cancelled due to health service strikes since December, official figures show However, ministers claim unions' demands for double digit pay rises are simply unaffordable and would have to come at the expense of patient services. There are very little signs of any compromise in the near future and while the dispute continues NHS waiting lists are rising to record levels. The lowest paid junior doctors, in their first foundation year, earn an annual salary of 29,384. This, the BMA argues, can equate to around 14.09 per hour. But this is dependent on them not working weekends or nights, or earning overtime. The basic wage of the most senior junior doctor ST6 to ST8, in their final years of specialty training is capped at 58,398 per year. The pay in the job advert that sparked outrage matches the pay-scale for specialty registrars, which begins at 33,790 per year and extends to 53,132. These are still junior doctors, who are training to become consultants. Although qualified as consultants once awarded a CCT, some medics find the step-up 'challenging', according to the Royal College of Surgeons. Such fellowships, usually offered on a 12-month basis, 'help bridge the gap', support skills development for the medic in question, and can provide a post while the doctor applies for consultant level positions. However, such CCT-roles have been criticised in the past as a cost-saving measure used by some hospitals to avoid having to pay a consultant level salary. Consultants can be paid upwards of 110,000-a-year. As is common across many sectors, junior doctors earn more if they work overtime, overnight, or at the weekend. Growing anger among medics over poor pay and working conditions has already seen record numbers of British doctors, nurses and midwives also try to move abroad with Australia top of their list. Almost 25,000 applications to get documents needed to secure a job overseas were made to UK healthcare regulators in 2022. The vast majority represent NHS workers. Figures obtained by MailOnline reveal nearly 7,000 doctors applied for documents to support an application to work abroad from the British medical regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC), in 2022. This was up from 6,100 in 2019. Separate figures for 2023, which only go up until May, suggest this year will see an even bigger exodus, with almost 3,500 applying for their documents so far. Abby and Erin Delaney, 6, were born conjoined at the head in 2016 Conjoined North Carolina twins who survived separation surgery despite just a two percent chance of survival have graduated kindergarten. Abby and Erin Delaney, 6, were born at 30 weeks in July 2016, conjoined at the head due to a one in a million developmental condition that occurs when an early embryo only partially separates in utero. They weighed just six pounds combined. In June 2017, the girls underwent an intricate 11-hour procedure to separate their skulls at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Despite low odds, the operation was a success. The girls now have developmental delays, but their mother, Heather Delaney, said they are both thriving as they approach their seventh birthday. 'Watching them graduate, it was like we were dreaming,' Ms Delaney, 33, said. 'It's one of those things where you feel like it'll never come.' Abby and Erin Delaney were born at 30 weeks, separated by their skulls. They were given just a two percent chance of survival The girls are now approaching their seventh birthday and are thriving, despite developmental delays 'We don't yet know what they can accomplish, so the sky is the limit for them.' Twins conjoined at the head are known as craniopagus conjoined twins. Doctors told the Delaney family that the chance of having craniopagus twins was one in 2.5 million. According to CHOP, it's the least common form of conjoined twins, accounting for about two percent of cases. About 70 percent of these children are female, and in the case of craniopagus twins, they are always genetically identical and share the same sex. It's unclear what exactly causes conjoined twins, but there are two theories. One is fission, in which an early embryo splits into two spheres but doesn't completely separate. These spheres then develop independently into conjoined twins. The second theory is fusion, in which an identical twin pregnancy contains two early twin embryo spheres that merge and join at a random point. About 40 percent of these twins are stillborn, with another 33 percent passing shortly after birth, often due to organ failure and other abnormalities. Ms Delaney learned at just 11 weeks pregnant that she was carrying conjoined twin baby girls. She was admitted to the hospital at 27 weeks but went into labor naturally at 30 weeks. 'When we first found out we went into shock first, we had no idea what to think,' she said. 'It's something you only see on TV, I thought this doesnt actually happen to people.' Erin (left) and Abby (right) graduated from kindergarten earlier this month, a milestone their parents never thought possible. 'I'm so proud of them both,' their mother, Heather Delaney, 33, said Abby and Erin were born via c-section at 1:02am on July 24, 2016. They shared a skull, skin and their superior sagittal sinus - a critical vessel which carries blood away from the brain. Despite being told of the two percent survival rate, the parents were told their girls might be candidates for separation surgery once born. It would be the first surgery of its kind at CHOP due to the rarity of the girls' condition. It also had risks - ranging from mild brain damage to death - and the twins had several minor surgeries to prepare ahead of their separation. On June 6, 2017, Abby and Erin underwent an 11-hour separation surgery. The parents said it was 'tough and go,' particularly with Abby, who had lost '10 to 15 times her blood volume,' Ms Delaney said. 'They replaced her entire body's worth of blood several times when the surgeons had to clip her sagittal sinus to separate her from Erin. 'The surgeons actually told us they had never given that much blood to a patient in one go before and the patient had survived.' It took five months before both children could finally be discharged from hospital to return to their Statesville, North Carolina, home. The surgery took 11 hours, and Abby in particular had a 'touch and go' experience. She lost '10 to 15 times her blood volume,' Ms Delaney said. 'They replaced her entire body's worth of blood several times when the surgeons had to clip her sagittal sinus to separate her from Erin. The surgeons actually told us they had never given that much blood to a patient in one go before and the patient had survived.' Both girls are left with several intellectual disabilities. Approaching their seventh birthdays, Ms Delaney said currently the little girls are developmentally around the 15-month mark. They are both non-verbal, but Erin has been walking since she was five, and now Abby is starting to walk too. 'When Abby can run too, I'll be in trouble it's hard enough chasing one,' Ms Delaney said. Earlier this month, Abby and Erin have graduated from kindergarten, a milestone the parents could have never dreamed of when the twins were babies. At their graduation, Erin got a 'dolphin award' for her 'adventurous heart' and love for exploring. Abby was given the 'deer award' for being a 'gracious friend who treats all people in a gentle and kind way.' 'I'm so proud of them both,' Ms Delaney said. Though the girls don't remember their surgery, they see photos around the house from when they were still conjoined. 'One day we'll sit them down and talk about it properly - we want them to be proud of who they are and where they've come from,' Ms Delaney said. The average age at which people are diagnosed with 'gender dysphoria' has fallen from 31 to 26 as more transgender kids seek care, a study reveals. Researchers analysed the medical records of 43million patients aged four to 65 and found the number with a diagnosis has 'increased significantly' in recent years. Gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder is described by the NHS as a sense of unease that a person might have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. The new global study found 155 people per 100,000 were diagnosed with the condition between 2017 and 2021, with biological females likely to be identified younger. Researchers say the rise in prevalence over this period may be due to increased social acceptance and wider provision of specialist gender clinics, such as the controversial Gender Identity Service for children at the Tavistock Centre, in London. This graphs shows the total number of male to female and female to male gender transformations carried out in the NHS in England since 2000 Lead author Dr Ching-Fang Sun, from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, said: 'Year-over-year, the data reflected a general increase in the prevalence of diagnosis, most notably during adolescence and young adulthood.' The average age of gender dysphoria diagnosis fell from 31 in 2017 to 26 in 2021, according to the findings published in the journal General Psychiatry. However, the average age was 27 for people whose biological sex at birth was female and 30 for those whose biological sex at birth was male. The estimated prevalence of gender dysphoria among those with female sex at birth rose sharply at the age of 11, peaked between the ages of 17 and 19, and then fell below that of those of male sex at birth by the age of 22. For those whose biological sex is male at birth, the estimated prevalence of gender dysphoria started to increase at the age of 13, peaked at the age of 23, and then gradually decreased. The paper said a rising number of patients with gender dysphoria could be down to 'increased availability of speciality gender clinics' and the lower age at diagnosis 'suggests an increasing gender non-congruent youth population'. The researchers wrote: 'The phenomenon might be related to increased accessibility of gender care as well as a gender-minority-friendly social context. 'Gender identity development heavily leans on social processes, including exploration and experimentation with external feedback. The number of male to female procedures carried out in the NHS vastly dwarfs the number of female to male ops This diagram shows one method surgeons use to create a new penis, it involves harvesting skin and blood vessels from another of the body such as the forearm, and attaching it to the groin. After a recovery period the medics then connect it to the bladder allowing the patient to urinate from the penis and also form a new scrotum. The final stage is to add an implant that allows the patient to activate an erection. The surgery can be offered to both trans patients as part of gender surgery as well as biological males whose genitalia has been damaged 'There is now increasing acceptance of gender-neutral pronouns and gender-non-congruent chosen names. 'Gender minority youth are no longer receiving consistent toxic feedback regarding their identity. 'Additionally, digital platforms such as video games provide a 'transitional playground' that allows youth to explore their identity with more freedom and less worry compared with traditional social situations. 'The concept of gender is a cultural construct rather than a genetic fact. 'The decreased mean age of GD suggests less oppression of gender minority youth and increased awareness of gender diversity.' The study, which drew 80 per cent of its patients from the US, noted that 'questions have been raised concerning the increasing number of youth who seek professional care for gender dysphoria, especially adolescent assigned females at birth'. However, the researchers said current studies on gender dysphoria are 'significantly limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, or out-of-date data sets' and they wanted to 'uniquely illustrate an updated epidemiological trend by providing an estimated prevalence of GD and explore how sex assigned at birth and age influence GD'. New gender clinics are due to open in England later this year after an announcement in July 2022 that London's Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) clinic would close following concerns around a rise in demand, long waiting times for assessments and 'significant external scrutiny' around its approach and capacity. This month, the NHS confirmed puberty blockers will not routinely be offered to children treated at the new regional gender identity clinics, and the health service here has previously acknowledged a 'lack of clinical consensus and polarised opinion on what the best model of care for children and young people experiencing gender incongruence and dysphoria should be'. Sajid Javid said he felt compelled to shut down the Tavistock transgender clinic when he was health secretary because it was 'bordering on the ideological' and failing children. He took action after hearing the findings of a government-commissioned review into the service, conducted by Dr Hilary Cass, a senior paediatrician. A slew of lawsuits against Merck alleges the company covered up links between its asthma drug and severe effects on patients' mental health. Since the German pharma giant launched its Singulair pills in 1998, the drug has been linked to dozens of suicides, cases of depression, and anxiety. Merck, which did not publicly disclose the impact Singulair can have on psychological health, billed the medication early on as a safe way to help asthmatic children breathe easier with minimal to no effects on their developing brains, adding that side effects were usually mild and similar to a placebo. Singulair comes in a generic version called montelukast. In 2020, montelukast was the 14th most popular medication in the US But an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following reports of severe adverse reactions found that between 1998 and 2019, there were 82 suicides associated with the active ingredient in Singulair, 19 of which were confirmed to be in children under 17. Singulair is extremely common in the US with roughly nine million prescriptions filled for it every year. Virginia-native Nicholas England fatally shot himself in the head at age 22 mere weeks after going on the generic version of Singulair Australia-born Harrison Sellick tried to kill himself at just five years old a couple of years after going on Singulair. His mother Vanessa said he began having 'really long meltdowns' starting at age two as well as 'general comments about death and self-loathing' There is not yet a class action suit against Merck but a barrage of lawsuits have cropped up across the US over the past three years in the hope of holding the company accountable for what many grieving parents argue constitutes negligence and a failure to warn about the serious health risks. Singulair has been a massive cash cow for Merck and has netted roughly $50 billion in revenue. It is an incredibly common drug for asthma. In 2020, the total number of prescriptions for Singulair and the generic version called montelukast exceeded a staggering 31 million. Its typically used alongside a corticosteroid inhaler, which can intercept an asthma attack when it comes on. The FDA received thousands of reports of adverse mental health reactions to montelukast in the decade following its approval. The reports merited a new warning to be slapped on the medications label in 2008 that pointed to its potential psychiatric risks. Litigants in the growing number of suits against Merck have argued not only that the company designed and marketed a defective drug, but also that it obscured from the public the very real effects that it could have on neurological health. Plaintiffs suing Merck over negligence have zeroed in on a specific 2004 patent that many say proves the company knew that the medication, generically known as montelukast, could have an impact on the brain. The patent states that montelukast could potentially treat a condition called cerebral spasm. Following the FDAs initial 2008 warning spurred by reports of severe depression and agitation in patients, Austrian cell biologist Julia Marschallinger set out to study whether the drug could have applications for treating dementia in older people. Subsequent research by Dr Marschallinger and her colleagues at the Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine in Salzburg found promising results pointing to its ability to reduce inflammation in the brain and improve memory in aging animals. The Austrian researchers said in 2015 that a substantial amount of montelukast had reached the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier, a network of blood vessels and tissue that serves as a protective layer lining the inside of the brain and keeps toxins out. However good this news might have been for the field of dementia research, it could potentially prove incriminating for Merck, which insisted to the FDA in 1998: Studies in rats with radiolabeled montelukast indicate minimal distribution across the blood-brain barrier. The FDA drew on Dr Marschallingers research in 2020 when it rationalized issuing a new Black Box warning, the most severe kind that the agency can implement, to be placed on Singulair. The warning stipulated that Because of the risk of mental health side effects, the benefits of montelukast may not outweigh the risks in some patients, particularly when the symptoms of disease may be mild and adequately treated with other medicines. Dr Marschallingers findings have also been cited in numerous court filings against Merck in cases alleging negligence. In one case that was ultimately decided in Mercks favor in 2021, the parents of an alleged victim named RSB said their child suffered neuropsychiatric injuries and was institutionalized. RSB's parents argued that because montelukast is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it exerts a systemic effect upon the central nervous system that results in adverse neuropsychiatric events. 'Plaintiffs further allege that the risk of new neuropsychiatric events is greater in pediatric patients. One such negatively affected pediatric patient was Melbourne, Australia native Harrison Sellick. According to his mother Vanessa, Harrison was prescribed montelukast when he was two years old but over the next three years developed behavioral problems and suicidal thoughts. Ms Sellick told Daily Mail Australia that her son, now 17 and off the medication, tried to take his own life at just five years old: He started having really long meltdowns that would last for an hour and a half. There was general comments about death and self-loathing. Meanwhile, in Virginia, 22-year-old Nicholas England fatally shot himself in the head in 2017 just two weeks after starting on the generic version of Singulair. His parents, who have tried to take legal action against the drugmakers, said their son did not have previous mental health disturbances before the suicide. But the Englands had no legal recourse against Merck or the generic manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals. Most of the lawsuits against Merck are in the early stages, but the company has already had some legal success by using an argument known as preemption, which argues that federally regulated products or services such as an FDA-approved drug should be immune from lawsuits alleging state-law violations. In the 2021 case concerning RSB decided in Merck's favor, drugmakers relied on the preemption argument. DailyMail.com has reached out to Merck for comment but has not heard back. The Government was aware that even a 'moderate' pandemic would cause major problems for its infrastructure years before coronavirus struck, the Covid-19 inquiry heard today. Minutes from a Department of Health (CORR) board meeting, routinely attended by ministers, experts and top civil servants, suggested a lack of resilience to withstand major demand on resources in a crisis. Yet ministers decided to ditch plans for a quarantine facility which would have alleviated some of the pressure. The 2016 meeting, a 'deep dive' into infectious diseases, revealed it was 'more likely than not that even a moderate pandemic would overrun the system'. It said: 'At the extreme, there would be significant issues if it became necessary to track or quarantine thousands of people.' The document added there was a lack of planning relating to social care. In the Inquiry's first week, its chief lawyer, Hugo Keith KC, presented the Inquiry with an extraordinarily complicated flow chart detailing the government's chain of command in helping to protect Brits from future pandemics. The diagram, created by the Inquiry to reflect structures in 2019, links together more than 100 organisations involved in preparing the country for any future infectious threats Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the former deputy chief medical officer, today also conceded to the Covid Inquiry that local health directors were 'under significant pressure' as a result of funding cuts in the years before the pandemic Professor Dame Jenny Harries: Austerity put local health directors 'under significant pressure' Local health directors were 'under significant pressure' as a result of austerity in the years before the pandemic, England's former deputy chief medical officer also told the Covid Inquiry today. Professor Dame Jenny Harries told the Covid inquiry councils responsible for public health locally had to deal with significant cuts to their finances from central government. Dame Jenny said she agreed with Kate Blackwell KC, counsel to the inquiry, that the ring-fenced public health budget was reduced over time 'due to austerity'. But she added: 'Those figures need to be taken in context if there are 152 top tier authorities, and a 200million cut in a year, that's just about 1million (per authority), it is an important million for that local population. 'Nevertheless, I know that directors of public health were under significant pressure. 'Local authorities actually were often much more efficient at commissioning services. 'So they could almost generate savings from that, and get just the same public health outcomes. 'But nevertheless, they were significantly under pressure.' Advertisement And it said there were 'concerns about how resilient the somewhat fragmented system would be - especially in light of previous or future funding cuts'. The department board's notes said the system would 'very rapidly be overwhelmed' in the event of a major disease outbreak. The inquiry was shown a decision to fund 'high-end quarantine facilities had already been deferred by ministers'. Emma Reed, who in early 2018 became director of emergency planning, resilience and response, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), said she was never briefed about the serious concerns flagged two years earlier. Ms Reed said: 'There was no discussion with me about quarantining. 'There was no discussion with me about track and trace.' The inquiry is now in its third week of its first module, examining the extent to which the UK was prepared for the Covid 19 pandemic and whether it had the adequate resilience to withstand the pressures of a major public health crisis. Witnesses - including senior politicians and scientists - have told inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett the UK prepared for the 'wrong type' of pandemic, the Government did not ask the 'right questions' of experts, and failed to learn pandemic lessons from abroad following other outbreaks such as Sars. Campaign groups have suggested austerity had an impact on the UK's ability to withstand Covid. Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the former deputy chief medical officer, today also conceded local health directors were 'under significant pressure' as a result of funding cuts in the years before the pandemic. She was asked to comment on figures which suggested council health budgets were cut by 200 million in 2015, and faced further reductions over the following years in the run up to the pandemic. Dame Jenny, a former deputy chief medical officer for England, said she agreed that the ring-fenced public health budget reduced over time 'due to austerity'. But she added: 'Those figures need to be taken in context - if there are 152 top tier authorities, and a 200 million cut in a year, that's just about 1 million (per authority), it is an important million for that local population 'Nevertheless, I know that directors of public health were under significant pressure. 'Local authorities actually were often much more efficient at commissioning services. So they could almost generate savings from that, and get just the same public health outcomes. 'But nevertheless, they were significantly under pressure.' Former chancellor George Osborne last week denied suggestions the austerity-era policies left the UK under-prepared for the pandemic. Government data up to May 23 shows the number of deaths of people whose death certificate mentioned Covid as one of the causes, and seven-day rolling average. Baroness Hallett told the inquiry she intends to answer three key questions: was the UK properly prepared for the pandemic, was the response appropriate, and can lessons be learned for the future? Government data up to June 20 shows the number of Covid cases recorded since March 2020. As many as 70 witnesses will contribute to the first module on pandemic preparedness Earlier, Rosemary Gallagher, an expert in infection prevention and control at the Royal College of Nursing, said there was a 'significant' national workforce shortage in the lead-up to the pandemic. She said: 'The resilience of the health and care workforce is absolutely essential in order to be able to deliver healthcare services that meet the public's needs. 'We know we went into the pandemic with a significant shortage - about 50,000 nurses short. 'Therefore that immediately put us at risk when we needed to surge capacity to support patients who were infected either at home or in hospitals.' Latest figures show there are currently more than 700,000 registered nurses in the UK. It was estimated to be around 670,000 at the start of the pandemic. Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary in the 18 months prior to and then during the pandemic, is due to be grilled on the Government's preparedness for Covid when he gives evidence to the inquiry tomorrow morning. HSBC is planning to ditch its massive Canary Wharf headquarters for a smaller office in the City of London. The banking giant will up sticks from the 45-floor skyscraper, which has been dubbed the Tower of Doom by some staff, towards the end of 2026. The rise of home working following the pandemic has left swathes of empty desks in offices in towns and cities around the world, including the UK. With many firms seeking less space, HSBC is aiming to move to Panorama St Pauls, the redeveloped former offices of telecoms group BT in the Square Mile. Panorama offers a modern office environment in the City, well-connected to major transport links and amenities, the bank said. Downsizing: HSBC is to leave its 45-floor Canary Wharf skyscraper (pictured) - which has been dubbed the tower of doom by staff - towards the end of 2026 HSBC shares rose 0.3 per cent, or 1.9p, to 604.1p. The decision is a huge blow to Canary Wharf, where HSBC has been based since 2002 when it corralled its retail, business, corporate and investment bankers into the tower from various offices across London, at the cost of nearly 1billion. Officially known as 8 Canada Square, the towering steel and glass edifice was designed by British architect Norman Foster, the brains behind other notable London landmarks including The Gherkin skyscraper in the City. His company also designed Apples sprawling headquarters in California, US. The HSBC tower houses around 8,000 employees across nearly 1.8m square feet of office space. The banks new site in the City is a 556,000-square- foot premises. In 2007, HSBC sold the tower to Spanish property firm Metrovacesa in a deal that made it the first building in Britain to fetch more than 1billion. The bank bought the property back in 2008 when Metrovacesa faced financing issues during the global recession. It was then sold in 2009 to a South Korean pension fund before being acquired by its current owner, the Qatari governments sovereign wealth fund, in 2014. But the banks shift to Panorama comes as firms look to cut back on their real estate costs. The rise of home working means staff are spending less time in the office. In 2021, the banks boss Noel Quinn scrapped an executive floor on the 42nd floor, claiming it was empty half the time as HSBC bigwigs frequently criss-crossed the globe to manage its operations. The news of the move was greeted with elation in the City and touted as a sign of the Square Miles ongoing status as a major global financial centre. HSBCs decision to return here to the heart of the City of London is a huge vote of confidence, said Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation. This move further solidifies the Citys reputation as a prime destination for financial services firms. We are confident that HSBC will thrive and find great success. But the decision is likely to raise further questions about the future of Canary Wharf as owners the Qatar Investment Authority and Canadian asset manager Brookfield look to wean the area off its reliance on major investment banks amid a drought of global dealmaking. Several projects are being drawn up to broaden its appeal, including plans for an 820,000-square- foot laboratory tower, which is designed to lure life sciences companies to the area. There are also proposals to build student accommodation and residential flats as well as revamp the Middle Dock area of the site to introduce more green space and leisure areas to attract recreational visitors. Aston Martin has struck a deal with a US company to develop electric cars in a move hailed as a game-changer by its billionaire boss. The agreement deepens ties between the Warwickshire firm and Saudi Arabia, with the Middle Eastern kingdoms sovereign wealth fund owning large stakes in both parties, while also shunning an existing partnership with German giant Mercedes-Benz. Aston Martin will pay 182million in cash and shares to Lucid Motors, an electric vehicle (EV) firm in California in which the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has a 55 per cent stake. The deal will give the company access to Lucids battery systems and other components which power the car, including engines, axles and transmission. Aston plans to spend at least 177million on parts as it looks to launch its first electric vehicle in 2025. Power play: Aston Martin has struck a deal with a US firm Lucid Motors to help it develop electric cars in a move hailed as a 'game changer' The deal gives Lucid a 3.7 per cent stake in Aston, making it the sixth-largest shareholder behind other backers, including executive chairman Lawrence Stroll (pictured) and the PIF who own 21 per cent and 17.9 per cent respectively. Aston shares surged 10.8 per cent, or 35.2p, to 362.4p, while Lucid climbed 5.6 per cent on Wall Street. The proposed supply agreement with Lucid is a game-changer for the future EV-led growth of Aston Martin, Stroll said, saying it would get access to the industrys highest performance and most innovative technologies. Aston has ditched an agreement to buy batteries from Mercedes-Benz, allowing it to avoid financial commitments made to the German car maker. It will still use some electric systems and engines from Mercedes that date back to the deal in 2020. Mercedes is also a major Aston shareholder, with a 9.4 per cent stake. The deal is a major boost for Lucid, which has struggled with mounting losses and shrinking cash reserves. It follows news last month that Geely, one of Chinas biggest manufacturers, doubled its stake in Aston to 17 per cent. Geely, which owns brands including Swedens Volvo and Norfolk-based Lotus, has tried to buy Aston several times. In 2020, it was beaten by a consortium led by Stroll. Lucids parts will provide a welcome boost for the UKs EV industry, which is struggling with a shortage of batteries as well as growing concerns about the rollout of charging points ahead of a planned ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. Nat Rothschild, the billionaire chairman of Volex, which makes power cords and charging plugs for EVs, has said that ministers need to provide a strong blueprint on rolling out charging infrastructure. Germany faces an uphill battle to shake off recession after a slump in business confidence. In a fresh setback for Europes largest economy, the influential IFO institute said morale in the private sector fell for a second month in a row in June. Sentiment in the German economy has clouded over noticeably, said Clemens Fuest, the president of the German economic think-tank. The findings fuelled fears that Germany dubbed the sick man of Europe due to its economic woes faces another quarter of contraction, having declined in the final three months of last year and the first three months of this year. That would extend recession in the country, confirming Germany as the laggard among the G7 economies. Ongoing recession: Morale in Germany's private sector has fallen for a second month in a row Germanys economy shrank by 0.5 per cent in the final quarter of 2022 and by a further 0.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2023. The probability has increased that GDP will also shrink in the second quarter, said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of surveys at the IFO. Independent economists agreed. Carsten Brzeski, from ING, said: The optimism at the start of the year seems to have given way to more of a sense of reality. Franziska Palmas, of Capital Economics, added: German GDP probably contracted for the third quarter in a row. Commerzbanks chief economist Joerg Kraemer said: We feel confirmed in our forecast that the German economy will shrink again in the second half. He has now vanished and is thought to have hidden his fortune overseas, or transferred it to his son, Jordan, who still flaunts his lavish lifestyle in Texas Prosecutors say he was the 'kingpin' of the Medicare scam, but judges granted bond despite protestations from state attorneys and previous flight attempt Palestine-born Khalid Satary was arrested in 2019 as part of an investigation into fraudulent Medicare claims, after previously being jailed for music piracy With millions of dollars in his pocket, a 'history of deceit' and a previous attempt to jump the country with an illegal passport, most would have viewed alleged fraudster Khalid Satary as a flight risk. The Palestinian national, or 'DJ Rock' as he was once known, had already served three years in a US jail in the mid-2000s after he was found to be the ringleader of a $50million music piracy ring. More than a decade later, he was back in court facing charges for a cancer testing scheme, which allegedly cost taxpayers $500million in illegal Medicare reimbursements. The racket had made Satary rich and, as state attorney Timothy Loper argued at a bond hearing, 'it's not that difficult, when you have $20million at your disposal, to get out of this country when you're looking at decades in prison'. Prosecutors wanted him held in jail pending trial. But, in a galling decision for US taxpayers, a federal judge allowed him to post bond in 2019 and travel around the country without restrictions. Satary is now nowhere to be found. Alleged fraudster Khalid Satary, 51, (left) was added to the FBI's Most Wanted list in January after disappearing while awaiting trial over his alleged alleged involvement in a $2bn Medicare fraud. Family companies raided during the investigation include those placed under the name of his son Jordan, 28, (right) The Satary's amassed allegedly amassed vast personal wealth from their scam, including this former $2.6million family home in Delray Beach, Florida It is thought he could be anywhere from New Orleans to Jordan, while court records show he has allegedly transferred up to $10million of his assets offshore. In January, he was added to the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list after he failed to show up for a hearing. Now DailyMail.com has unearthed evidence of Satary's vast personal fortune and the lavish lifestyle he enjoyed while he transferred assets to his son, Jordan, 28, in an alleged bid to conceal his scam from prosecutors. The family had amassed an empire of properties and luxury cars, including a $2.6million mansion in Delray Beach, Florida, and a $1.2million home with a swimming pool in a gated community in Suwanee, Georgia. Incredibly, all this had been established - allegedly with fraudulently obtained taxpayer cash - after authorities tried and failed to deport Satary in 2008 following his sentence for music piracy. It begs the question, why on earth did the courts set him free? Living the American dream Satary, who was born in Gaza in 1972 before moving with his family to Dubai, came to the US in 1992 on a student visa and settled in Atlanta, Georgia, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Around a decade after arriving in the country, his piracy conviction revealed that he kept large amounts of cash that he regularly transferred overseas to Jordan, the UAE, Egypt and Israel, according to an FBI affidavit. When he was released from jail in 2008, the federal government attempted to deport him, but could not find a country that would accept him. Satary wasted little time in taking advantage of his reprieve and switched his focus from music to Medicare. He opened a series of diagnostic labs, billing millions to the taxpayer, and quickly rebuilt his wealth. The 51-year-old purchased his family home in Suwanee for $1.2million in 2014, placing it under his son's name, a ploy he often used to conceal his wealth, prosecutors allege. For several years his family and associates lived the American dream, driving expensive cars and courting powerful Georgia politicians. But the net began closing on Satary at the height of the opioid epidemic, when his family's labs, including those under the name of his son, were raided as part of a federal crackdown on alleged 'pill mills' that were linked to hundreds of opioid deaths. Photographs on Khalid Satary's Facebook page appear to show the family's $1.2million mansion with a swimming pool in a gated community in Suwanee, Georgia The property was placed under Jordan's name, a ploy his father often used to conceal his wealth, prosecutors claim. It was later transferred to an associate for $1, records show 'Kingpin' of $500m scam that targeted elderly Satary nor any figures connected with his labs were charged in the case, but just two years later his laboratory empire was the biggest scalp in Operation Double Helix, a federal probe that took aim at fraudulent Medicare reimbursements. As many as 35 people have been charged in the sting, covering a combined $2.1billion in unnecessary genetic tests, of which Satary's labs are allegedly responsible for around a quarter. The centers in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida and Georgia collected around $200million in reimbursements. He pocketed vast sums of the cash himself, while the rest was used to pay kickbacks to crooked middlemen and doctors who were part of his alleged scheme. Satary is yet to be tried, but other defendants have pleaded guilty and confessed to working with him. Prosecutors say there is a 'mountain of evidence' against him, which points to him being the 'kingpin' of the operation. His labs allegedly used middlemen to recruit senior citizens for 'free' cancer screening tests, even if they didn't need them. These middlemen would then bribe doctors to sign off these tests as 'medically necessary', prosecutors say. Satary's labs would process the tests before claiming Medicare reimbursements at up to $10,000 a pop, using the money to pay off those involved in the alleged scheme. Satary Sr was added to the FBI's Most Wanted list after he failed to show for a court hearing Prosecutors claim messages show Satary explaining the scam to unnamed conspirators. One chain sent in October 2017 allegedly shows him telling an associate how he would be wired $23,687 for referring patients to Clio Laboratories in Lawrenceville, Georgia, which operated under Jordan Satary's name. Neither Khalid nor Jordan's lawyers responded to a request for comment by DailyMail.com, but the former's lawyers have argued in court documents that the claims against him are 'generalized' claims of wrongdoing that lacked a 'smoking gun'. Jordan has not been charged in the US. To flee or not to flee Satary Sr's attorneys claimed he did not pose a flight risk, arguing he had no passport or driver's license and his failed deportation showed no other country wanted him. Furthermore, he had known he was under investigation for months prior to his arrest and had made no attempt to flee, they said. Yet this was not entirely true. Satary had in fact told the FBI in 2016, shortly before the 'pill mill' raids, that he had tried to move to Qatar, allegedly paying millions of dollars for a black market Jordanian passport, but was defrauded. Yet US Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby ordered Satary released with no domestic travel restrictions in 2019. Prosecutors appealed and the following week US District Judge Wendy Vitter confined him to the northern district of Georgia. Khalid and his son Jordan appear together in several Facebook posts, with Khalid placing several of his businesses under his son's name to hide his involvement in alleged fraud The pair both appear to share a love of music, with Khalid a former DJ and now music promoter, while Jordan's Instagram posts show him at an array of glitzy concerts Prosecutors claim Khalid has transferred much of his wealth to his family and associates, including depositing $25million into a bank account in his wife's name over two years His bond was set at $500,000, which Satary put up in cash. But when the pandemic delayed his trial, he successfully applied for looser restrictions until he was allowed to travel freely throughout the country for his new business venture as a music promoter for Arab pop artists in the US. This enraged state attorneys, who argued that no bond amount could stop him fleeing due to his proven ability to hide and transfer his vast wealth to associates and overseas. Between January 2017 and August 2019, Satary deposited $25million into a bank account in his wife's name, with 'virtually all of the money directly traceable to the Medicare fraud scheme', prosecutors allege. In 2016, his son transferred the family's Suwanee home to an associate for $1, Gwinnett County records show. Meanwhile, a further $21million has been moved to an unknown location. 'Mr Satary knows how to hide money,' state attorney Loper said. Hidden wealth overseas Satary Jr continues to live the high life in Houston, Texas, despite an arrest warrant under his name in Jordan, for his alleged role in concealing his father's ill-gotten gains Jordan claims to be the chairman of an advertising agency with offices in Atlanta and Houston His social media profiles show off his lavish lifestyle and carry inspirational posts telling followers to 'attract friends who force you to think bigger and live life 11/10' His Instagram documents extravagant holidays to mansions in Dubai His profiles are also littered with pictures of luxury cars, in keeping with his family's past Jordanian court records indicate where he might have hidden it. The documents, provided to DailyMail.com by Hussam Abdallat, a Jordanian anti-corruption activist living in exile in London, allegedly show Satary used his son's companies and other associates in the US and Middle East to secretly move millions of his vast fortune offshore. Those involved allegedly include several high-ranking Jordanians, including a member of parliament, a diplomat and a senior customs official. Records show pending arrest warrants in the country for Satary and his son, whose Instagram profile shows him continuing to live the high life in Houston, Texas, where he claims to be the chairman of an advertising agency. In keeping with his family's past, his posts show off fast cars, glitzy concerts and luxury holidays to Dubai, alongside captions such as 'attract friends who force you to think bigger and live life 11/10(go big or stay home).' Meanwhile, the FBI is left floundering. Its January appeal claimed the elder Satary 'has ties or may travel to Houston, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Delray Beach, Florida; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates'. In other words, he could be anywhere. Her ancestors famously toiled underground for generations, mining coal for slave wages in the north of England. Yet the pits where Kate Middletons forebears cut coal have a curious resonance. For they were owned by the Bowes-Lyons, family of the late Queen Mother. Stranger still, The Mails Royals section can reveal that some of Kate's distant relatives had originally owned the mines where less fortunate branches of her family would later work. And that the Princess of Wales is actually related to the Queen Mother and her descendants - including William, of course. Kate Middleton's ancestors both owned and worked in mines from the late Queen Mother's Bowes-Lyon family. They are connected by the figure of a 17th century nobleman, Sir William Blakiston of Gibside Hall near Newcastle, as this family tree shows Catherine Middleton leaves Westminster Abbey with husband William after marrying into the Royal Family in 2011 A regal Kate speaks to Buckingham Palace guests in 2022. She is wearing the Lotus Flower Tiara often worn by the Queen Mother Sir Thomas Conyers is an eighteenth century ancestor of Catherine Middleton. But his side of the family fell on hard times, with some descendants working in the mines his family had once owned The story begins with a 17th century landowner called Sir William Blakiston, who owned the magnificent Gibside estate, once painted by Turner, in Northumberlands Derwent Valley. On what was to become the royal side of the family, elder son Sir Ralph Blakiston, inherited the estate from his father while younger brother Nicholas, who was Kates predecessor, was given some of the familys coal mines. Yet within only a handful of generations, their fortunes had diverged. One of Sir Ralphs descendants would be the richest woman in Britain, while one of Nicholass heirs ended up in the workhouse. It was a twist of fate ensuring that, several generations later, Kates mother Carole Middleton grew up a very long way from being aristocratic, let alone royal. It was Sir William Blakiston who had originally created the family fortune: a wealthy landowner, he married his wife Jane at the parish church of Grindon, in County Durham, in 1581, when he was 19 years old, and had seven children including heir Ralph and spare Nicholas. After inheriting the Gibside estate on the death of his father, George, in 1586, he replaced the old house with a spacious mansion, Gibside Hall, displaying the Royal coat of arms alongside the Blakiston crest over its entrance after being knighted by James I in 1617. The Blakiston fortunes flourished over the next century. Sir Ralph became 1st Baronet of Gibside on July 30, 1642. And Gibside heiress Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir Ralph, married MP and Trinity College Cambridge graduate Sir William Bowes, in 1691, so uniting two of the wealthiest families in Britain. He owned Streatlam Castle, a Baroque stately home and country pile which stretched 1,190 acres and incorporated 20 farms, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, another of the Queen Mothers family seats. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother, came from a family which had owned mines in the north east of England. She is pictured with the Lotus Flower Tiara sometimes worn by Kate today The Harrison family pictured in Hetton-le-Hole, a mining town near Sunderland in 1919. Left-to-right middle row are: Kate's great-grandfather Tom Harrison, great-great grandfather John Harrison and great-great grandmother Jane Harrison Boldon Colliery in Co Durham. Kate Middleton is descended from north east miners - and from north east mine owners! Elizabeth Blakiston's granddaughter Mary Eleanor Bowes, born in February 1749 and brought up at Gibside, became the wealthiest heiress in Britain, when her father Sir George Bowes, who controlled a cartel of colliery owners, died when she was 11, leaving her a vast fortune. Elizabeth was great-great-great-grandmother of the Queen Mother. On her 18th birthday, she married John Lyon, 9th Earl of Strathmore, who owned Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. To protect her inheritance, her fathers will stipulated that her husband should assume her surname but his son and heir the 11th Earl of Strathmore, chose to style himself Thomas Bowes-Lyon and the name stuck. The 10th Earl contracted tuberculosis in the early years of their marriage and died at sea on his way to Portugal, in 1776, leaving the woman, who became known as the Unhappy Countess, a widow and mother of five at the age of 27. When, she died on April 28, 1800, she was buried in Westminster Abbey. Her tombstone stands in Poets Corner. But it was the other, less fortunate side of the family that would eventually lead to Kate Middleton. Initially, both Sir Ralph and Nicholas Blakiston and their descendants could enjoyed the fruits of the family mining fortune, mingling with aristocrats and landowners and marrying heiresses. When Nicholass great-granddaughter Jane Blakiston wed baronet Sir Ralph Conyers at Durham Cathedral on June 11, 1719, it was she who was seen as elevating their position and grandeur. The 5th Baronet was landed gentry his great-grandfather was Sir John Conyers, a Royalist army officer, who was created a baronet by Charles I in 1628 and granted a 100-a-year pension. The family lived in considerable style during the 17th century. But, while he inherited the title from his second cousin, Sir Baldwin Conyers, the fourth baronet, in 1731, he did not inherit the family estate, Horden Hall, a Grade II* listed 17th century manor house in County Durham, so was forced to make a living as a glazier. His four children had to survive on their wits. His oldest son Blakiston, who became the 6th baronet, joined the navy, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant,. Through the generous patronage of the Bowes family, he was offered the lucrative post of collector of the port of Newcastle, which enabled him to build a fortune. When he died in 1791, his brother Nicholas inherited the title but he left his riches to his nephew George, who squandered the whole fortune in the space of three years in scenes of the lowest dissipation. By the time Kates great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather Sir Thomas became the 9th and final baronet, there was no money left. Unlike his older brother, he refused to beg to his rich Bowes-Lyon relatives for help and, at the age of 72, ended up in the parish workhouse of Chester-le-Street. Genealogist Sir Bernard Burke, who complied Burkes Peerage, wrote: In that work-house room, among other parish paupers, is poor old Sir Thomas Conyers, the last Baronet of Horden, bearing up manfully and patiently against his bitter adversity. Rich benefactors rallied around and found Sir Thomas alternative lodgings but he died two weeks later, on March 15, 1810, leaving his three daughters in inferior situations, and no son to inherit the title. So it was that his family ended up working in the very mines owned by their distant relatives: Sir Thomas granddaughter Jane Hardy was the first to marry a miner, setting a tradition which would go down through the generations. She married pitman James Liddell, who was Kates great-great-great-great-great grandfather, and their son Anthony followed in his footsteps, working in the Gibside mines near Gibside Hall. But, when Anthonys daughter Jane Kates great-great grandmother - married miner John Harrison, in 1860, they migrated to the pit village of Hetton-Le-Hole, in County Durham. It was here - in a simple pebbledash bungalow - that Kates great-great grandfather John, a deputy at Lyons Colliery, set down roots, marrying wife Jane and having nine children, including Kates great-grandfather Thomas, who was born in 1904. Dorothy and Ronald Goldsmith, Catherine Middleton's grandparents on her mother's side. It is Dorothy's drive and ambition that is often credited for the improvement in the family fortunes Gibside may only have been 16 miles down the road in distance but it was a world away for the Harrisons. Little did they know that a century later, their descendant would be living in Kensington Palace. On the death of the last baronet, Burke wrote: A time may yet come, perchance, when a descendant of one of these simple artizans may arise, not unworthy of the Conyers ancient renown. And it will be a gratifying discovery to some future genealogist, when he succeeds in tracing in the quarterings of such a descendant the unsullied bearing of Conyers of Durham. Holidaymakers travelling on major airlines could be forced to fork out thousands of dollars in additional baggage fees due little-known changes rolled out during the Covid lockdowns. As Covid-19 travel restrictions brought the aviation industry to its knees, prominent national carriers - including Malaysian Airlines, Etihad and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - quickly moved to restructure fare systems as they struggled to stay afloat. Some airlines quietly broke down their economy class fare - which traditionally included free checked baggage - into different price categories depending on the number of inclusions, such as meals, luggage allowance, or seat selection. The new schemes were touted as a means to reduce costs for passengers who would pay less if they packed light. But now, as travellers return to the skies, some economy passengers are being slugged with exorbitant baggage fees after selecting cheap fares that had restrictions that did not exist in pre-Covid times. Some major airlines changed their economy fare structure during Covid to offer lower-class tickets without traditionally-inclusive checked baggage. Pictured: a woman at Sydney Domestic Airport in December 2020 A traveler who bought Malaysian Airlines flights from Sydney to London return with her husband was revising the final details of their honeymoon plans in late April when she realised they were not entitled to any checked baggage for the first leg of the trip. When she called the airline, staff informed them they had purchased economy lite tickets - which allows each passenger just 7kg of carry-on luggage - and would would need to pay $1,750 AUD to add two 23kg checked bags. 'We were shocked. It was almost the same price as a ticket and something we had not factored into our budget,' the woman told Daily Mail Australia. 'It would have only cost $20 to have the baggage option if we had selected it at the time. But $1,750 is absolute robbery. It was not a stress you want a week before you're due to depart.' Rather than fork out the fee, the couple luckily had a different economy fare ticket with checked baggage included for the way back, so decided to fly over with only 7kg of carry-on each and buy everything else - suitcase included - once they arrived in Europe. Despite the two legs of the flights having different fare classes, the woman said there were nothing built into the booking process to warn them. Travellers are being stung with hundreds of dollars of additional fees after accidentally booking the wrong tickets An Australian woman says she was told she would have to pay $1750AUD to add baggage to her Sydney to London after she and her husband accidentally purchased economy lite tickets. Pictured: Malaysian Airlines 'unbundled' economy fares Pictured above are the Malaysian Airline rates for excess baggage in USD as of June 2022 'I understand we should have been more careful, but I feel there should be a pop up notice or something to at least warn you before you proceed that your order has a massive baggage discrepancy between your flights - especially for long haul.' Another traveller who was caught out by the same changes slammed the fare divisions as a 'trap'. 'So, you want to fly somewhere internationally, and you choose Economy Class. In the pre-pandemic days your fare included 20kg checked in baggage allowance,' they wrote online. 'You think, OK economy fare I will book. Look closely at the three categories of Economy ticket. If you just take the basic you will have ... zero checked in baggage allowance! Yes, zero, just like the budget airlines. 'We missed the small print and booked basic, now we have had to pay a lot extra for 'Extra Baggage'. A Scam. Under the fare, the couple were only permitted to take two 7kg carry on bags (pictured) The pair decided to put the $1,750 towards buying a new suitcase and clothes (pictured) for their four-week holiday once they arrived in Europe 'Other airlines might be employing the same trick to con people out of paying exorbitant amounts for, what was once, the basic checked in luggage allowance!!!! Shame on you Malaysian Airlines!' TIMELINE OF ECONOMY FARE CHANGES *Malaysian Airlines launches its Economy Flexible Fare Family' in June 2020 - which include lite, basic and flex fare options. *Etihad - introduces hand baggage-only economy 'deal' fares to 14 countries in July 2020 *S7 Airlines - introduces new fare system, with economy divided into basic, standard and plus. Business standard and plus) in November 2020. *KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - introduces lite fares in March 2021. Checked baggage allowance depends on the route *Virgin Australia introduced Economy Choice, Economy Flex and Economy Lite Economy lite in August 2021 for domestic and international short haul and trans-Tasman flights *Fiji Airways introduces their new 'Fly Your Way' unbundled economy fare concept in February 2023 Advertisement University of Sydney Professor Rico Merkert, who is an expert in transport and supply chain management, said many major airlines began decoupling what were once complementary services from the price of a seat as a way of boosting profits. He said this process, which is called 'unbundling', took inspiration from the pay structure that underpins the business models of low-cost carriers such as Ryanair or Jetstar. 'Low-cost carriers essentially sell you a seat and everything else comes on top,' Professor Merkert told Daily Mail Australia. 'This would include items such as checked in baggage allowance (if any), seat selection, ticket restrictions (cancellations/change fees), credit cards fees and all sorts of other things, all of which are called ancillary revenues.' 'During COVID-19 many full-service carriers adopted some of those practices and introduced economy lite fares. 'When yields for the seats are not sufficiently high enough, airlines tend to find other ways (i.e., ancillary revenues) to boost their revenues.' Professor Merkert said this practice happens across the world and passengers need to look at the total cost of the ticket rather than just the seat. 'In Europe and the U.S. there exist consumer protection regulation around that issue to avoid passengers getting too excited when they get quoted a fare of say $20 when at the checkout it is actually closer to $150 per sector,' he said. Additional baggage fees vary by airlines and routes, with some charging customers a set fee per bag while others impose a price per kilogram. Malaysian Airlines was among several major airlines that changed fare structures during the pandemic KLM Royal Dutch Airlines rolled out its Economy Light fare in March 2021 Etihad's additional baggage fees are calculated at cost per kilogram for most routes except to the US and Canada, which are at a set rate per bag Other variables include how far in advance baggage is purchased and whether the passenger adds it online or at the airport. An aviation industry insider told Daily Mail Australia it costs bigger aircrafts, such as 747s, around 35 cents per kilogram of baggage to account for fuel. On the Malaysian Airlines website, the fees for excess baggage vary by destination country and distances travelled, with the rate for Australia listed as $22USD (or $32.50AUD) per kilogram. While unbundling was not a new concept at the start of the pandemic, the strategy rapidly evolved during Covid-imposed lockdowns as airline passenger numbers plummeted by 95 per cent. In June 2020, Malaysian Airlines launched its new 'Economy Flexible Fare Family' featuring three options: lite (cabin baggage up to 7kg and a complementary meal), basic (additional enriched miles upgrade and 20kg checked baggage) and flex (which has several other perks including free travel insurance). Fiji Airways introduced their new 'Fly Your Way' unbundled economy fares earlier this year Etihad was next to amend its fare structure - rolling out its aptly-named 'hand-baggage-only' 'deal' fare to passengers travelling to 14 countries (which had only previously been available to Gold Cooperation Council nations). November 2020 saw Russia's S7 Airlines divide its economy class into basic, standard and plus, while KLM Royal Dutch Airlines added economy light to its pre-existing standard and flex fare options in the following March. In August 2021, Virgin Australia brought in Economy Choice, Economy Flex and Economy Lite options for domestic and international short-haul and trans-Tasman domestic flights. At the time, Virgin Australia said the decision was made after the company 'looked at its fares, pricing and bookings and found that on average 30% of customers did not use their checked baggage allowance'. Meanwhile, in February this year Fiji Airways joined the trend with its new 'Fly Your Way' unbundled Economy fares, featuring four options: Lite, Value, Comfort and Plus. Daily Mail Australia also contacted Malaysian Airlines, Etihad, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for comment. The supreme leader of the Taliban has claimed his government has taken the necessary steps for 'the betterment of women's lives' in Afghanistan. Under the regime, which swept back to power in August 2021, women are banned from public life and work and girls' education is severely curtailed. The statement from Hibatullah Akhundzada was made public on Sunday ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, which will be celebrated later this week in Afghanistan and other Islamic countries. Mr Akhundzada, an Islamic scholar, rarely appears in public or leaves the Taliban heartland in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province. He surrounds himself with other religious scholars and allies who oppose education and work for women. In his Eid message, he said that under the rule of the Islamic Emirate, concrete measures have been taken to save women from many traditional oppressions, including forced marriages, 'and their Shariah rights have been protected'. A woman begs while carrying her daughter inside a tea shop in Kabul (Rodrigo Abd/AP) Moreover, 'necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of society in order to provide them with a comfortable and prosperous life according to the Islamic Shariah', his message added. Lately, Mr Akhundzada appears to have taken a stronger hand in directing domestic policy, banning girls' education after the sixth grade and barring Afghan women from public life and work, especially for nongovernmental organisations and the United Nations The message was distributed in five languages: Arabic, Dari, English, Pashto and Urdu. Mr Akhundzada said the negative aspects of the previous 20-year occupation related to women's wearing of the hijab and 'misguidance' will end soon. 'The status of women as a free and dignified human being has been restored and all institutions have been obliged to help women in securing marriage, inheritance and other rights,' he added. Despite initial promises of a more moderate rule than during their previous stint in power in the 1990s, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures since seizing Afghanistan in August 2021 as Nato forces were pulling out. They have barred women from public spaces, like parks and gyms, and cracked down on media freedoms. The measures have triggered a fierce international uproar, increasing the country's isolation at a time when its economy has collapsed and worsening a humanitarian crisis. Mr Akhundzada reiterated his call for other countries to stop interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs. He said the Taliban government wants good political and economic relations with the world, especially with Islamic countries, and has fulfilled its responsibility in this regard. His message also condemned Israel's behaviour towards Palestinians and called on the people and government of Sudan to set aside their differences and work together for unity and brotherhood. Grief-stricken families of soldiers killed at war have alleged they were deceived out of hundreds of thousands of life insurance dollars by an Army employee who exploited them. Following the exploitation and fraud allegations, lawmakers are now pushing legislation that would strengthen the military's oversight of financial counselors who assist the survivors of deceased service members. The move comes after a Washington Post report revealed that Army employee, Caz Craffy, had allegedly taken control of life insurance funds belonging to grieving families, engaging in unauthorized investment trades that earned him substantial commissions. The four military families, who received life insurance benefits of up to $500,000, accused Craffy of depleting their accounts without their consent. In interviews with The Washington Post, the four families accused Craffy of going far beyond his duties as an Army civilian employee by taking direct control of their life insurance money through brokerage firms where he also was employed. Craffy has not publicly commented on the allegations. Military financial counselor, Caz Craffy, allegedly scammed grief-stricken families of soldiers killed at war out of hundreds of thousands of dollars Sharon, whose son, Sgt. Thomas Anastasio, died in January 2019, said Craffy disrespected her, her son and her family after her life insurance investment accounts dwindled by $200,000 'It's unimaginable. He disrespected me. He disrespected my son. My family,' said Hartz, mom to Anastasio The families lost a combined amount of $750,000, according to Natalie Khawam, an attorney for three of the families, and Marc Fitapelli, who is representing the fourth. The families, all of whom live in the New York metropolitan area, claim Craffy leveraged his Army position to generate clients, and exploited their grief before strip-mining their accounts through investment trades that earned him commissions of up to $4,500, often without their consent. The amendment, which already has bipartisan support, would require financial counselors employed by the Department of Defense to submit records annually verifying that have 'no conflicts of interest' or 'stand to improperly benefit from their position' when they are hired. The amendment has been approved by the House Armed Services Committee and added to the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act, pending reconciliation with the Senate's version. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), the measure's sponsor and a former Navy helicopter pilot, said she first learned of the issue after reading the report. She emphasized the need for high standards among financial counselors. 'DOD financial counselors should be held to the highest standard to ensure they are providing sound guidance to our service members and their family members,' she said to the Washington Post. The families that were the victims of the alleged scam lost a combined amount of $750,000, lawyers say Sharon Hartz (right) with her son Sgt. Thomas Anastasio, her daughter Morgan (center) and her younger son Mason, are one of the four families who said they were scammed by Craffy A congressional bill, which already has bipartisan support, would require financial counselors employed by the Department of Defense to submit records annually verifying that have 'no conflicts of interest' or 'stand to improperly benefit from their position' when they are hired. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a retired Air Force general who has backed the amendment, said the legislation would help 'prevent predatory financial practices.' Advocates argue such incidents target vulnerable military families who rely on these types of counselors. The families affected by the alleged misconduct supported the legislative effort, with one widow expressing her desire to protect other families from being exploited during their most vulnerable moments. Natasha Bevard, whose husband, Rodney C. Bevard, died by suicide in 2020 after a long military career, hailed the legislative effort. In the devastating days that followed her husband's suicide, the Army appointed Craffy as a financial advisor to help her manage the life insurance funds paid to his family. Bevard, 42, had given Craffy responsibility over about $370,000 to invest conservatively, she said, hoping the money would grow modestly over time. Bevard began to get suspicious of Craffy, following a series of troubling messages she received. One message he sent wrote: 'DON'T LOOK AT ANY STATEMENTS.' Messages mockups show texts between Craffy and some of the victims In December 2021, as the market experienced a third consecutive year of growth, Craffy suggested their losses were due at least in part to the coronavirus pandemic SSG Rodney C. Bevard's widow had given Craffy responsibility over about $370,000 to invest conservatively Craffy has not publicly commented on the allegations She did not want to gamble with the stock market, according to the Washington Post, and allegedly lost more than $200,000 while working with Craffy. 'What hurt me the most,' she said, is that 'these were the kids' accounts.' she said to the Washington Post. 'My ultimate goal,' Bevard said in a statement provided by her attorney, 'is to make sure no other Gold Star family will be taken advantage of financially. Especially at their most vulnerable mental state.' Sharon Hartz lost her son, Sgt. Thomas Anastasio, in January 2019. She said the life insurance money her family received helped them cope with the loss. Hartz, 57, said she met Craffy days after her son's funeral, and they became friends. He even invited her to his wedding. But today, after her life insurance investment accounts are setback $200,000, she is filled with regret. 'It's unimaginable. He disrespected me. He disrespected my son. My family,' she said to the Washington Post. Craffy was reportedly fired from his New Jersey brokerage firm in November amid a financial regulatory investigation into his conduct, according to the nongovernmental Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He was barred by the authority, on December 8, 2022, after he refused to cooperate in an active investigation into his alleged misconduct. Craffy left the Army in January after his behavior initiated an internal review to ensure its financial counselors have followed ethical and legal standards. The review determined that 'the situation in question was an isolated incident,' Army spokesperson Sgt. Anthony Hewitt, according to the Washington Post. Khawam, one attorney representing nine families who have financial losses after dealing with Craffy, said Congress and the Pentagon 'must put in place safeguards to ensure this never happens again.' Police said there was evidence of a break in and told locals to lock their doors They included an elderly couple and the woman's mother, in her late 90s An elderly couple that failed to appear at church on Sunday to renew their wedding vows in a celebration of their 50th anniversary were later found murdered in their home along with the wife's mother, who was 97. Jill and Bruno D'Amore, 73 and 74, described as 'fantastic Italian people who wouldn't hurt a soul', celebrated their wedding anniversary on Saturday night and were due to renew their vows at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Sunday. But they never showed up and at around 10.15am, shortly after mass had begun, were found dead in their home alongside Jill's mother, Lucia Arpino, who had attended that Sunday mass for more than 60 years. The three were said to have died of stab wounds and blunt-force trauma and there were signs that the house - located Newton, Massachusetts - had been broken into, police said on Sunday night. The Newton Police Chief advised residents to keep their doors locked and check their surveillance cameras in case anything had been captured on video. No suspects had been identified as of Sunday night. Jill and Bruno D'Amore, 73 and 74, and Jill's mother, Lucia Arpino, 97, were found dead in their Massachusetts home by a neighbor after they failed to attend Sunday mass The D'Amores and their mother were expected at church on Sunday morning but did not show up, causing a neighbor to check in on them at their house (pictured) Police said there was evidence of forced entry into the elderly couple's home and a separate incidence of burglary was reported that morning around half a mile away A neighbor who went to check in on the family at their home in the Italian-American neighborhood of Nonantum called 911 at 10.14am after discovering their bodies, Newton police said in a press release. Jim Sbordone, a retired Newton Fire Department lieutenant who was also close friends with the D'Amores, told The Boston Globe that the family had long been patrons of the nearby Our Lady Help of Christians Church. 'They were fantastic Italian people who wouldn't hurt a soul, and they would just do anything for anybody,' Sbordone told the newspaper. 'These were great people. 'This isn't the type of thing that happens in the neighborhood,' he said. 'I hope it never happens again to anybody.' Cousins of the D'Amores, Paul and Ginny Arpino, noted in a tribute that prior to Covid, Jill's mother Lucia had not missed a mass in over 60 years. 'She and her husband Alberto sat in the "North End" section of our church,' they wrote. According to an obituary published in the Boston Globe, Alberto left her widow after passing away in 2014 aged 87. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said during a news conference on Sunday night that half a mile away in Newtonville there had been a separate attempted burglary that morning, at around 5.40am. She said authorities were still working to establish if the two events were related and if so, in what order they had occurred. She also appealed to members of the community report anything suspicious. The D'Amores were due to attend Sunday mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church (pictured on Monday) with Jill's mother and later renew their vows to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Relatives of those killed, Paul and Ginny Arpino, said Lucia Arpino, 97, would sit with her late husband Alberto at the north end of church and before Covid had attended every Sunday mass for more than 60 years Their three bodies were reported to police soon after 10am on Sunday morning, according to police. Pictured is an officer at the scene on Monday afternoon 'This is the night to lock your doors and windows even if you do not normally do that. 'It's a warm night, people may have air conditioners going, be vigilant,' she said during the conference. Newton Police Chief Chief John F. Carmichael Jr. said that there would be additional police presence on the streets on Sunday night. 'I am very concerned with such a violent crime taking place and whereas this individual or individuals is still at large, we do really emphasize again be vigilant,' he said. A neighbor that lives two doors down from the couple but wanted to remain anonymous also expressed confusion and shock at such a seemingly arbitrary act of violence. 'Why them?' they told The Boston Herald. 'Why a nice couple like them? Why this neighborhood? Nothing like this happens in this neighborhood.' He said the victims were a 'very, very nice couple'. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan (pictured at the lectern) said authorities were still working to establish if the triple murder and another incident around half a mile away were related Newton Police Chief Chief John F. Carmichael Jr. (pictured at the lectern) said that there would be additional police presence on the streets on Sunday night The pair were regular attendees of the church and Jill is listed on its website as being involved in decorating it 'in keeping with the liturgical seasons'. 'Jill had taken on the ministry of beautifying our church's environment. Without a single day of liturgical training she simply followed her heart, caring for the flowers and decorating for the liturgical seasons. She spent endless hours in the care of our church,' wrote the couple's cousins, Paul and Ginny, in a tribute. The the church's pastor Rev Dan Riley, told The Globe he had known the family since he moved to the Roman Catholic parish more than six years ago. Riley described them as 'just the best vision you could have of a Catholic Italian-American family' 'They had family warmth, a tomato garden outside, hospitality. They were just great people,' he added. The man was airlifted to a hospital for unspecified injuries Video shows the moment a shark grabs a man and pulls him into the water A fisherman had a terrifying run in with a shark in the Florida Everglades Shocking video shows the minute a shark bit a fisherman and pulled him off a boat at Everglades National Park in Florida. The footage showed the man reaching near the water as the shark jumped up and pulled him in. The man was left scrambling to get back on the boat as his friends screamed. Blood was splatted on the side of the boat as the man made it back inside. According to local outlets, the man was airlifted Friday to a hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue after park rangers initially responded to the scene. Wildlife officials are now using the video to urge those going fishing to exercise basic precautions while out on the water. 'PSA: please don't make the same mistake and please keep your hands and feet in the vessel,' wrote one fishing guide who shared the video to Instagram. Shocking video shows the minute a shark bit a fisherman and pulled him off a boat at Everglades National Park in Florida The man was airlifted to a hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue The video was sent to Local 10 by Michael Russo, who identified himself as one of the people on the boat when the horrific attack occurred. In a since-deleted post, Russo shared the details surrounding the heart-stopping moment when his friend Nick was bitten. 'Today was one of the scariest days on the water I have ever had,' Russo wrote in a caption that was re-shared by fishing guide Mark Gore. 'It started off great and we were crushing the fish but the sharks were eating some, despite our best efforts. After releasing a snook, Nick washed his hands in the water and was immediately bit by a large [lemon] shark,' he continued. According to Russo, there was no chum or blood in the water when the shark bit Nick while he was attempting to cleanse his hand, calling it 'unprovoked.' 'The sharks are no joke in the Everglades and the warnings about keeping your hands out of the water are not an exaggeration,' he added. In the video, Nick - who is seen wearing white - appears to drop a fish back in just before dipping his hands back in the murky waters. When he leans down the second time, the long grey shark jumps up out of the water and grabs at the man's hand, which hits the side of the boat as he is pulled in. It's unclear what kind of injury the man sustained in the attack. In the video, Nick - who is seen wearing white - appears to drop a fish back in just before dipping his hands back in the murky waters. The man, identified by his friend as Nick, was pulled underwater by the shark Russo wrote that Nick was rushed back to the dock and taken to the Jackson South Medical Center via helicopter, where he is being treated with 'the best care possible.' Blood could be seen on the side of the boat as the man went into the water The attack occurred in Florida's Everglades (pictured) Russo wrote that Nick was rushed back to the dock and taken to the Jackson South Medical Center via helicopter, where he is being treated with 'the best care possible.' Gore's post also compiled responses from other captains and fishermen who have warned against hands and feet in the Florida waters. 'I could show you a dozen places where there are packs of these lemon sharks lurking below. We can't fish in those areas anymore because it's so bad. Anywhere from the size of the one in this video to 250lbs plus,' Captain Mike Venezia said. 'All it takes it two seconds and a lapse of judgement to find yourself in a dangerous situation,' Gore wrote. According to reports, shark attacks are common in the Everglades. Cops have raided the home of a slain bikie's wife to arrest three alleged members of the Alameddine crime clan following a wild Westfield brawl. Officers from NSW's Raptor squad swooped on Jade Heffer's north Parramatta home before dawn on Friday where they found three associates of the Alameddine gang. Ms Heffer, the wife of slain Lone Wolf bikie Yusuf Nazlioglu, is not accused of any wrongdoing, nor of possessing any knowledge of the alleged events during the Westfield brawl which led to the arrests. Six men, allegedly with links to the Alameddine clan, were involved in a bust-up which saw punches thrown and luxury bags flown at a Westfield Mall in Sydney's CBS last Wednesday. Cops raided the home of a slain bikie's glamorous wife Jade Heffer (pictured, left) after she was allegedly harbouring three members of the Alameddine crime clan following a wild Westfield brawl. Ms Heffer's husband Yusuf Nazlioglu (right) was gunend down in June last year and police believe she is now dating Ahmad Alameddine Ms Heffer can be seen sitting on the kerbside on the right behind the police officer. She had a hoodie pulled down over her face and flicked her middle fingers at the camera as cops searched the home for cash or other evidence Police will allege in court the brawl was sparked by a 'power struggle' that has been 'fracturing' the group ever since their leader Rafat Alameddine and some of his allies left Sydney for Lebanon last year, according to the Daily Telegraph. Friday's pre-dawn raid saw four simultaneous search warrants, which led to the to the arrest of the Alameddines alleged new Sydney-based leader Ali Elmoubayed, his brother Khaled Elmoubayed, and associates Samijan Azari and Ahmad Alameddine. Three of the men were found at Ms Heffer's home. Police believe she is now dating Ahmad after her husband Nazlioglu was gunned down as he drove his Mercedes into the basement of his apartment block in Rhodes, in Sydney's south west, a year ago. Pictured: A photo Jade Nazlioglu posted on social media, the day before her husband was shot dead A total of $30,000 cash was found in Ms Heffer's North Parramatta home (pictured) Samimjan Azari (pictured) and five others have been charged with affray over the wild Westfield brawl last Wednesday Ms Heffer was pictured sitting on the kerbside in the early-morning raid with a hoodie pulled down over her face and flicking her middle fingers at the camera as cops searched the home for cash or other evidence. A total of $30,000 cash was found in the North Parramatta home. Cops also found two handguns in the backyard of the neighbouring home, on a concrete driveway leading up to a shed. Police allege in court documents the four men who were arrested, fought against former associates and cousins Mohammad and Zane Zreika after the two groups had a chance run-in near the shopping centres valet parking section. Rafat Alameddine (pictured, left), the clan's leader, has been living in Lebanon since November last year when he left Sydney as a free man just weeks after being cleared of assaulting an Uber driver The Zreika cousins were arrested on the day of the fight. All four men were later charged with affray, refused bail, and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Khaled Elmoubayed and Ahmad Alameddine were granted bail, while Ali Elmoubayed and Samimjan Azari were refused bail. The Zreikas are set to face Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on the same charges on July 12. Rafat Alameddine, the clan's leader, has been living in Lebanon since November last year when he left Sydney as a free man just weeks after being cleared of assaulting an Uber driver. Stockton Rush is said to have been 'predatory' in securing clients for the trips Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush was on a 'predatory' mission to find wealthy clients to endorse his submersible's deep sea trips to the Titanic, industry leaders claimed last night. Mr Rush perished on board the Titan last Sunday along with his four passengers when the vessel imploded while en route to the Atlantic seabed. Insiders say the OceanGate boss was having difficulty finding rich customers to make the operation profitable. He also used his powers of persuasion to stop clients being steered away on safety grounds by respected figures within the exploration community, the Times reports. Patrick Lahey, president of Triton submarines, told the newspaper: 'He could even convince someone who knew and understood the risks... it was really quite predatory.' Stockton Rush perished on board the Titan last Sunday along with his four passengers when the vessel imploded while en route to the Atlantic seabed Insiders say the OceanGate boss was having difficulty finding rich customers to make the operation profitable Mr Rush speaks to Mr Bloom about taking part in one of his firm's trips to the Titanic wreck Mr Lahey has experience at all levels in the manufacturing of deep sea vessels and was a close friend of Mr Rush's second mate Paul-Henri 'PH' Nargeolet, 73, a skilled mariner and Titanic expert. Mr Lahey said: 'It's terribly sad that PH's life ended that way but PH knew the risks. I told him in very candid terms why he shouldn't be out there. He understood. I believe PH thought in some way that by being out there he could help these guys avoid a tragedy but instead he ended up in the middle of one. 'I told PH that going out there in some way sanctioned this operation. I said: "You're becoming an ambassador for this thing; people look at you and your record and the life you lead and things you've done, which are extraordinary, and in some way you are legitimising what [Oceangate] are doing."' Mr Rush, a self-style innovator, never sought certification or classification for his vessel. He insisted regulators could not keep up with his technology. His combination of a cylindrical carbon fibre hull with titanium end caps was deemed by industry experts as a dangerous design flaw and it has been suggested as the likely cause of the Titan's implosion. Mr Lahey, who has worked for 43 years in the field and whose Titan subs featured in the BBC's Blue Planet, added: 'At the very time this monstrosity was being made, I was building the most capable subs of our age.' A father and son who gave up their two tickets on the doomed Titan submersible say the OceanGate CEO flew on an 'experimental' plane to convince them to buy tickets. Financier Jay Bloom had turned down tickets aboard the submersible for him and his son Sean after fearing they wouldn't survive the trip. Speaking to NewsNation, Mr Bloom said that concerns had been raised after Mr Rush flew to Las Vegas to convince him aboard an 'experimental plane'. Mr Bloom said: 'It was very concerning. The major red flag for my son was when Stockton came to see me in Las Vegas in March. Mr Bloom had been considering going on the doomed submersible but major red flags caused him to back out of the adventure Jay Bloom and his son Sean were close to going on the doomed voyage to the Titanic and were even offered a last-minute discount The Titan submersible imploded last week with five men on board 'He said he was flying in in a two seater experimental plane that he built so he was coming to Las Vegas on an experimental plane that he built to take me on an experimental sub that he built to take me to the bottom of the Atlantic ocean.' Mr Bloom continued: 'It's kind of surreal. Every time I see a picture of the people who lost their lives on this tragic event. 'I look at the picture of the father and son who replaced my son and myself and think how easily but for the grace of God that could have been our picture on the news. 'When Stockton first approached me with the idea it sounded very sexy, very exciting, a real bucket list kind of item. 'My son is a big fan of the Titanic, so I thought it would be great for us to do something together. The allure of the proposition is so compelling. 'My son talked to his friend and they voiced concerns, about the vessel, the marine life, some of the materials that were used in the construction.' The US Coast Guard is currently investigating the cause of the undersea implosion of the Titan submersible and has not ruled out finding human remains - while also hinting that the probe could lead to criminal charges. Captain Jason Neubauer, who is chairing the US Coast Guard investigation, made the comments as the search and rescue aspects of the response came to an end. British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were killed on board the submersible, alongside Stockton Rush and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Salvage operations are continuing and investigators have mapped the accident site, Cpt Neubauer told a press conference in Boston on Sunday. The Coast Guard opened what it calls a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) on Friday, he said, and is working with the FBI to recover evidence. Cpt Neubauer said the convening of an MBI is the highest level of inquiry conducted by the US Coast Guard. It is unclear how long it will take. The US Coast Guard said it does not charge for search and rescue operations. This includes a salvage operation at the debris site on the seabed about 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the bow of the Titanic wreck, about 2-1/2 miles (4 km) below the surface. The findings will be shared with the International Maritime Organization and other groups 'to help improve the safety framework for submersible operations worldwide,' Cpt Neubauer said. Captain Jason Neubauer said the Coast Guard opened what it calls a 'marine board investigation' on Friday and is working with the FBI to recover evidence Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush led the expedition last Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of all five men on board Commander Paul-Henry Nargeolet, an expert on the Titanic, lost his life in the Titan tragedy Shahzada Dawood, 48, (right) one of Pakistan's richest men, who along with his teenage son Suleman Dawood, 19, (left) died on the Titan 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' He said the Coast Guard is in touch with the families of the five people killed, and that investigators are 'taking all precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains.' Yesterday the sons of British billionaire Hamish Harding paid tribute to the 'best father' who they say 'constantly sought to be the best man he could be'. Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said: 'The MBI is also responsible for accountability aspects of the incident and it can make recommendations to the proper authorities to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary.' The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that all five people aboard the submersible had died after the vessel suffered a 'catastrophic implosion.' One of Mr Harding's sons, who was not named on the statement issued through Action Aviation, has hailed the billionaire for being a 'tenacious, hard working businessman' and for having 'inspired me more than anyone will ever know'. The adventurer and his wife Linda have two sons, Rory and Giles. Mr Harding is also the stepfather to her two children from a previous relationship, Laurena and Brian. As Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin heads for exile, the rebellion which brought Russia to the brink of civil war appears to be over... for now. In an extraordinary 24 hours of mayhem, the mercenary leader had come within 120 miles of Moscow after taking a major city and key military sites in a lightning advance. As Prigozhin boasted his men were 'ready to die' for their cause, Russian troops armed with machine guns, tanks and helicopters scrambled to the capital to face down the assault. But the surprise assault was called off the warlord suddenly retreated after striking an 11th-hour deal with the Kremlin. Despite its abrupt end, the military coup is destined to go down in history as the gravest threat ever faced by Vladimir Putin during his rule. In an extraordinary 24 hours of mayhem, the mercenary leader had come within 120 miles of Moscow. Pictured: A member of Wagner group stands guard in Rostov-on-Don with a machine gun today Russian troops armed with machine guns, tanks and helicopters scrambled to the capital to face down the assault The dramatic events were set in motion with an explosive video by Prigozhin calling for an armed rebellion late on Friday. It came amid escalating tensions between the warlord and Russian generals who had tried to neutralise him by ordering his men to sign up with the regular army. In a direct challenge to the Kremlin, the rebel leader bragged he had 50,000 fighters ready to battle with the Russian army and called on regular soldiers to join them. Dressed in military fatigues, he described the move as a 'march for justice' against the top brass including defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Shortly after midnight, his men were said to have crossed Russian borders with Ukraine in multiple locations and were soon marching towards Rostov-on-Don. The key southern city lies 60 miles from the border of Ukraine where Wagner was serving alongside Russian forces. Dressed in military fatigues, he described the move as a 'march for justice' against the top brass including defence minister Sergei Shoigu Shortly after midnight, his men were said to have crossed Russian borders with Ukraine in multiple locations and were soon marching towards Rostov-on-Don.. Pictured: A local resident walks past members of Wagner group in Rostov-on-Don READ MORE: Humiliated Prigozhin is sent into exile in Belarus after aborting his Wagner mercenaries' march to Moscow Advertisement In response the Kremlin opened a criminal case against Prigozhin branding him a 'foreign agent' who had launched an 'armed rebellion'. 'Operation Fortress' which requires all military to be at 'full readiness' had by now been activated in Rostov and Moscow. By 1am Russian forces were on high alert and with soldiers, armoured trucks and military helicopters being deployed to key locations. Photos showed soldiers setting up machine gun nests, as Putin signed into law a measure which allowed people to be detained for up to 30 days. At around 2am, Rostov's residents were told to lockdown in their homes as terrified people resorted to panic buying food. Around this time Wagner's chief claimed his forces had shot down a Russian helicopter which 'opened fire on a civilian convoy' but no further details were given. At 3am, officials in Russia's Voronezh region urged residents to avoid the M4 north-south motorway that connects Moscow to the south because of a military convoy. The day began with the warlord announcing he had taken Rostov-on-Don. At 5.30am on Saturday, he said the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District was seized 'without firing a single shot' and claimed up to 70 Russian soldiers joined them. The Kremlin's defence ministry issued a statement appealing to fighters to abandon Prigozhin, saying they had been 'deceived and dragged into a criminal adventure'. Standing between Russian flags in a TV address at 8am, Putin admitted that it was a 'complicated situation' and that the rebels had taken control of military sites in Rostov. He warned of 'inevitable punishment' for those responsible. By 9am, roads to Moscow were blocked while sandbags and moats were built in a bid to slow the rebels' advance. Sources suggested Wagner had taken control of military sites in Voronezh, a city halfway between Rostov and the capital Moscow. Standing between Russian flags in a TV address at 8am, Putin admitted that it was a 'complicated situation' They were said to have been met with some resistance with gunfire and explosions being heard. Shortly before 11am, Prigozhin responded to Putin's statement saying he was 'deeply mistaken' to call him and his forces traitors, adding that his men would not surrender. Later in the morning, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov backed Putin and revealed his fighters were already heading to the 'zones of tension', adding: 'The rebellion must be crushed'. At lunchtime authorities in the Lipetsk region confirmed that the rebels were moving 'equipment' through the region less than 250 miles from Moscow. At 2.16pm one of Putin's planes took off from Moscow apparently heading for St Petersburg. But the Kremlin denied reports that he had fled the capital. A series of private jets also took off from Moscow while tickets on commercial flights out of the city sold out as British nationals were urged to leave amid fears of violent clashes. Later in the morning, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov (pictured) backed Putin and revealed his fighters were already heading to the 'zones of tension' Oligarchs including Arkady Rotenberg and Russia's richest man Vladimir Potanin reportedly left Moscow for Azerbaijan and Turkey on private aircraft. By 3pm, the rebels' two-mile-long convoy had managed to pass through the halfway city of Voronezh, later reaching the town of Yelets. Shortly before 4.30pm, Moscow declared Monday a 'non-working day' and announced powers to restrict movement, monitor communications, carry out searches and even forcibly evacuate. The conflict was greeted warmly in Kyiv with Ukraine's forces believed to have taken full advantage of the chaos by stepping up their attacks along the frontline in northern Bakhmut. As the mayhem unfolded president Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted: 'For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it.' An adviser to Ukraine's defence minister said that they were 'running out of popcorn' while closely watching the uprising. Ukraine claimed that a week ago it liberated an area near Krasnohorivka in south-west Donetsk, which had been under Russian control since 2014. The victory was kept secret until Saturday for 'tactical reasons'. But in a shocking twist, Prigozhin called off the attack after striking a truce with Putin. His army was just 120 miles away from Moscow when he ordered it to halt at 6.30pm. 'We got to within 200km of Moscow in 24 hours, without spilling a drop of the blood of our fighters. 'Now, the moment has come, when blood could be shed,' Prigozhin said. It came after Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko brokered a last-minute deal that involved the Kremlin dropping plans to abolish the Wagner military company. The deal also included plans for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and the criminal charges against him and his men being dropped. By around 8.30pm, Wagner troops were reported to have started to leave Rostov and were said to have completely withdrawn by 11pm. A couple told of their horror after discovering teachers were aware their autistic teenage daughter was taking sex hormones when they had no idea. The parents said they were put in an 'impossible situation' after staff hid her 'social transition' from them. They had met the headteacher at her large secondary in south-east England and made it clear they did not agree to her being called a boy's name or pronouns. But then they found out some teachers had been calling their daughter, now 16, a boy's name. Horrified, they hired lawyers to demand to see the school's records. These revealed some staff knew the pupil was taking cross-sex hormones to make her body more masculine and using a chest binder to flatten her breasts. The parents had met the headteacher at her large secondary in south-east England and made it clear they did not agree to her being called a boy's name or pronouns (Stock Image) The teen was also given advice on gender ID by a youth project which runs classes at schools. 'This is a safeguarding issue,' said her father. 'We feel our daughter's mental and physical health is being put at risk and we have been shut out from any discussion. 'When we met the headteacher we agreed there would be no social transition at school. There were teachers who disregarded that. We feel we are living in a Franz Kafka novel.' Social transitioning means a person being treated as a gender different to their biological sex but with no medical intervention. The pupil's father also told The Sunday Times: 'The institutions have put us in an impossible situation. We have only ever sought to act in the best interests of our daughter. We believe that some of the professionals whose job it is to safeguard children may have acted in her worst interests by enabling, encouraging and facilitating life-changing medicalisation with irreversible consequences.' The school denied failing in its safeguarding duties and said the pupil has a right to privacy about her medical information. Reminders were sent to staff not to use her preferred name, it added. Ministers are split over a long-awaited gender policy which could see pupils given the green light to socially transition. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan plans to allow pupils to choose their own pronouns if their parents give consent. But figures in Downing Street, including equalities minister Kemi Badenoch, fear a backlash. The guidance for schools is expected in the coming weeks. A major Commonwealth Bank outage has left millions of Australians unable to access their money or transfer funds. Customers received a 'current balance unavailable' alert while trying to access the app on Monday morning. Desktop users trying assess their fund online were met with the message: 'Sorry, something's gone wrong.' Netbank users are also unable to access their accounts, transfer funds online or use their cards to make purchases. The Commsec brokerage app and website is also down for many customers, while others reported ATMs have also been affected. Commonwealth Bank has launched an urgent investigation into the glitch impacting 'multiple services' and told Daily Mail Australia further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. 'We're aware some customers are experiencing difficulties accessing some of our services and we are urgently investigating,' the bank posted online. 'We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We'll provide an update soon.' The update added: 'We're aware that customers continue to experience issues accessing some of our services. We'll keep everyone updated here and also on commbank.com.au/updates.' The bank has since urged frustrated customers to be patient and not ring its call centres which have been flooded with high volume of inquiries. Millions of Commonwealth Bank customers have been affected by the outage on the bank app Millions of Commonwealth Bank users are unable to access NetBank internet banking Commonwealth Bank branches are open but have warned of delays as they continue serve customers with other banking needs. 'Please be aware our branch staff will not have further information. We thank you for your patience and, please be mindful of the wellbeing of our people as they continue to service customers,' the bank added. Aussies have unleashed on the bank, as the outage leaves them unable to pay for daily essentials such as groceries, medication and petrol. Some complained they hadn't been able access their funds since 6.30am. 'Super frustrating not being able to do anything this morning because I can't access funds to complete any tasks,' one said. One woman added, 'Just had to ditch the shopping at Coles 'cause I couldn't transfer money over from one account to my card account.' Another wrote: 'Awesome when I'm at the chemist getting medication for my unwell children. Thanks, Commbank.' Customers currently travelling overseas have also been left in the lurch. 'Card declined which we are using for accommodation in the USA, extremely embarrassing and left us exposed to having no accommodation. Homeless in the US. App won't even allow to communicate,' one man commented. Many have demanded compensation for the inconvenience, prompting some to leap to the bank's defence. 'Commonwealth has not done it on purpose. Most of them would also need to transfer for various reasons themselves, you know, being people and all. Besides, they didn't create technology,' one said. 'It's a pain in the bum. It's caused issues for many. They are aware, that's why they have apologised and are trying to fix it. Be better, for god's sakes'. What you need to know about the Commonwealth Bank outage: Is the Commonwealth Bank app down? Both the Commonwealth Bank app and Netbank online banking services are down for millions of customers. The outage impacts customers trying to assess their balances through the Commbank and Commsec apps What Commbank services are down? The Commbank App, Commsec app, Netbank and Commsec website are down for some users. Many customers are also reporting ATMs have also been impacted. Has Commonwealth Bank been hacked? Commonwealth Bank didn't disclose why the internet banking and the app are down when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. What has Commonwealth Bank done to address the issue so far? 'We're aware some customers are experiencing difficulties accessing some of our services and we are urgently investigating,' the bank posted on social media. 'We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We'll provide an update soon.' An update posted at 10.30am AEST added: 'We're aware that customers continue to experience issues accessing some of our services. We'll keep everyone updated here and also on commbank.com.au/updates.' A second updated posted 20 minutes later states: 'Our call centres are experiencing high volumes of customer enquiries at the moment due to this incident and there are longer than usual wait times.' A later update states: 'Our branches are open but there may be delays as we serve other customers, and please be aware our branch staff will not have further information. We thank you for your patience and, please be mindful of the wellbeing of our people as they continue to service customers.' A spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that the bank will provide further updates as more information becomes available. A notoriously lax open prison was found to be flooded with 'unsuitable' convicts. Nearly half of prisoners at HMP Ford had to be sent back to secure jails after they made inmates feel unsafe. The West Sussex Category D facility has had 86 escapes in the last seven years, the third highest in the UK. Attention has been drawn to the prison over the years. In 2015, it was revealed that 39 criminals were on the run from a notorious open prison. Among their number were two murderers, as well as drug dealers and fraudsters. Nearly half of prisoners at HMP Ford (pictured) had to be sent back to secure jails after they made inmates feel unsafe The West Sussex Category D facility has had 86 escapes in the last seven years, the third highest in the UK. File image Some had been awol from Ford Open Prison for as long as 10 years. Two years earlier prisoners were sent letters politely informing them not to take drugs and asking why inmates want to escape. Bosses at Ford Open prison admitted in a letter there had been an 'increase' of Class A drugs and reminded them of the 'risks' of taking them. Local MP Nick Gibb said officials need to be tougher on drug use inside the prison and said residents expect a 'zero tolerance' approach. An Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report found 167 prisoners were returned to 'closed conditions' in the prison grounds in ten months to October 31 last year. It noted this 'seems a large number in the context of an operational capacity of 389'. The IMB referred the Mail to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). The MOJ pointed to a framework of ways for inmates to be recategorised. The Parole Board said it has an advisory role in inmates being sent to open prisons. Ex-chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal said: 'It really tells you how bad it has got if nobody is able to identify who is responsible.' The IMB declined to comment. He is one of the giants of 20th century literature. But not even that could save Ernest Hemingway from the attention of the politically correct. The Nobel Prize-winner is the latest to be slapped with trigger warnings by publishers over language and attitudes. Penguin Random House is reissuing the Old Man and the Sea authors works and in the latest edition of his 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises it says: The publishers decision to present it as it was originally published is not intended as an endorsement of cultural representations or language contained herein. His Men Without Women short story collection has a similar warning. The Sun Also Rises is considered one of the greatest American novels, but has faced criticism for anti-Semitic tropes. Nobel Prize-winner Ernest Hemingway is the latest to be slapped with trigger warnings by publishers over language and attitudes Trigger warnings have also hit the books of childrens author Roald Dahl. Successive TV and film adaptations of the 1952 classic The Old Man And The Sea have been awarded U and PG certificates, suitable for children, but a content warning has been issued to History and Literature students at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, an area renowned for its fishing industry. Mary Dearborn, the author of Ernest Hemingway, A Biography, said: This is nonsense. It blows my mind to think students might be encouraged to steer clear of the book. The world is a violent place and it is counterproductive to pretend otherwise. Much of the violence in the story is rooted in the natural world. It is the law of nature. Jeremy Black, emeritus professor of history at the University of Exeter, added: This is particularly stupid given the dependency of the economy of the Highlands and Islands on industries such as fishing and farming. 'Many great works of literature have included references to farming, fishing, whaling, or hunting. Is the university seriously suggesting all this literature is ringed with warnings? The content warning was revealed in documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday under Freedom of Information laws. The novel tells the story of Santiago, an ageing fisherman who catches an 18ft marlin while sailing in his skiff off the coast of Cuba. Fans of the novel believe Santiagos battle with the forces of nature is a reference to Hemingways own struggles, while others have seen the story as a metaphor for Christianity The novel tells the story of Santiago, an ageing fisherman who catches an 18ft marlin while sailing in his skiff off the coast of Cuba Unable either to tie the giant fish to the back of the tiny vessel or haul it on board, he proceeds to hold the line for an unspecified number of days and nights. Despite suffering intense physical pain, Santiago feels compassion for the captured animal. Only when the fish begins to circle his craft does he reluctantly kill it, but he is then forced to fight with, and kill, several sharks intent on devouring the corpse. Santiago chastises himself for killing the marlin and tells the sharks they have killed his dreams, before eventually making it to shore. Fans of the novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, believe Santiagos battle with the forces of nature is a reference to Hemingways own struggles, while others have seen the story of bloodshed, endurance and sacrifice as a metaphor for Christianity. A pupil in Scotland told their school they identified as a fox amid what teaching unions have warned is a 'toxic' environment for staff. Secondary teachers have been left fearing disciplinary action for either denying children their rights or indulging bizarre whims. Union leaders are now demanding that ministers and councils act decisively to clear up the moral minefield. Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ordered headteachers to confront outlandish identities after children in England and Wales declared themselves to be cats, dinosaurs, horses and even a moon. Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, said: 'The Scottish government's policy has opened the door to all sorts of strange things, and it's an environment that is very toxic. Secondary teachers have been left fearing disciplinary action for either denying children their rights or indulging bizarre whims. File image A pupil in Scotland told their school they identified as a fox 'Our job is to try to protect teachers and stop them from getting into more trouble than they're already in. 'It's a very difficult time for teachers because of the Scottish government and the actions it took and then [the Gender Recognition Reform Bill] getting blocked by Westminster. They feel they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. 'Our legal advisers have highlighted the case of someone in Scotland who thought they were a fox, and the complications of such a case. 'Our advice to teachers is that if a child tells them something like this, they mustn't keep it confidential speak to a senior person at the school, and tell the young person that is what you will do.' Scottish Conservative spokesman for children and young people Meghan Gallacher said: 'Our teachers, who are under enough pressure already due to a lack of support from the SNP, should not be left feeling like they have to walk on eggshells in the classroom. 'As those representing teachers point out, the SNP's policies are contributing to toxic situations like this. Ministers must ensure that a common-sense approach is taken and our teachers are fully aware of what guidance to follow when these issues arise.' How schools deal with identity came into sharp focus in England last week after a teacher was recorded telling a 13-year-old she was 'despicable' for challenging the theory around multiple genders and contesting a classmate's apparent belief that she is a cat. Meanwhile, reports emerged of a Welsh pupil being allowed to 'miaow' when answering questions in lessons and another wearing a cape and claiming to be a moon. No further information is known about the Scottish pupil identifying as a fox. Last night, Stuart Waiton, chair of the Scottish Union for Education, which opposes transgender ideology in the classroom, said: 'Many teachers get stuck trying to follow government guidelines that encourage transgenderism and therefore encourage children to "self-identify". 'It's really the abdication of adult responsibility. It's also pushed by activist teachers who think they're progressive but are in fact doing immeasurable harm to children.' A Scottish government spokesman said: 'Schools should be a safe, supportive environment for all pupils, regardless of gender, where everyone's rights are respected. All local authority guidance to schools should reflect this. 'The Scottish government, Education Scotland and their partners have frameworks and programmes aimed at ensuring equality and diversity are at the heart of the school experience.' A former trans rights activist clashed with marchers in New York City while naked men riding bikes past children turned heads in Seattle as hundreds of thousands of people around the country turned out for Pride Sunday. The heated moment in Washington Square Park in NYC shows a crowd becoming physical with the woman who was holding a sign that read 'Defend Female Sex Based Rights.' She was quickly surrounded as the mob began smacking her sign from all directions as she screamed 'stop f****** touching me.' The woman, who identifies on social media as 'LGBT Nonprofit Whistleblower' K Yang, had her sign ripped violently out of her hands as she was hit in the head with a cup of water. The annual Seattle Pride Parade was also interrupted by a startling scene, when entirely nude adults with their genitalia on full display were seen riding bikes past children . The two Pride events attracted tens of thousands of people who came out Sunday for marches, parades and gatherings to mark the last weekend in June and the end of Pride month. A crowd of Pride marchers attacked a woman in Washington Square Park for holding up a sign that read 'Defend Female Sex Based Rights' NYC PRIDE- Former trans activist @StopXXErasure was just attacked by Pride attendees in Washington Square Park for holding up up a sign that says Defend Female Sex Based Rights pic.twitter.com/FkAtLLj4Ik Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 25, 2023 Seattle's Pride parade included a group of entirely naked bikers who waved and past children as their exposed genitalia were on full display In Seattle, the explicit footage posted by a Post Millennial staffer showed naked men with pride flags painted on their bodies riding down the street and waving to crowds of people, including many children. Children and their parents can be seen on the sidelines, clapping and cheering for the naked gang. They were some of the videos shared online Sunday showing explicit conduct at some of the nation's Pride parades. Gays Against Groomers was another target of the Pride parade in New York. The organization is described as gays against the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children under the guise of LGBTQIA+. One pride participant was captured on video, making rounds on social media, walking up to the organization's truck and spitting on it twice. The group is now asking their followers on social media for help identifying the culprit. Found the groomer! Gay man at NYC Pride walks up to our truck and spits on it twice! What`s on your hard drive, buddy? The only people that have a problem with our message are pedophiles and predators, and we have quite a knack for making them tell on themselves. @GAG_NewYork pic.twitter.com/YIHRnlRiPG Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) June 25, 2023 The men's bikes were decorated in signs that read: 'challenge body shame, build self-esteem' Spotted among the amalgam of drag queens and activists marching down Fifth Avenue were figures like Adams - one of roughly 100,000 participants in the parade that cops have warned comes 'amid an elevated threat environment worldwide' involving the gay community Signage plastered throughout the parade's planned route, meanwhile, touted how the city was 'protecting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers' during the festivities - a stance reiterated by Hochul and several others the city tabbed to preside over the event Young school children lines up to participate in the 52nd Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago The streets of Manhattan transformed into a sea of rainbows with New Yorkers proudly proclaiming their love, acceptance and celebration of the LGBTQ community New York politicians such as Eric Adams were out in full force for Pride Sunday - after the NYPD said it was beefing up security in anticipation of the event Adams has said that any hateful actions toward LGBTQ New Yorkers on Sunday will not be tolerated. He was seen waving flags and marching with fellow revelers as they marched People in Pride colors attend and march during the 2023 New York City Pride on Sunday This year's march - the 53rd in the city's history - is expected to draw roughly a million spectators, while featuring some 60 floats that speak to the LGBTQ situation not only in New York, but across the country To mark Pride, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new legislation, protecting access to gender-affirming care in New York, and urged other states to do the same Attorney General of New York Letitia James is seen attending the 2023 New York City Pride March Sunday While there were no specific threats to Manhattan's march by the time it started , an assessment by the NYPD noted the event will take place 'amid an elevated threat environment worldwide' involving the gay and trans communities - and would thus require heightened security Also in attendance were this year's parade grand marshals, which included activist Hope Giselle (pictured) The city's mayor has said that any hateful actions toward LGBTQ New Yorkers Sunday - or any other day - will not be tolerated The roots of the Pride Movement began with the Stonewall Uprising in 1969. One year later, the first NYC Pride March was held on Christopher Street The parade went without a hitch, despite gloomy forecasts for later in the day New York Senator Schumer was also seen riling up attendees, touting the importance of New York's LGBTQ community into a megaphone A wide array of vehicles including motorcycles and three-wheelers also took part in the parade Marchers made their opinions known with several strongly worded signs and posters Parades in New York, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco were among events that roughly 400 Pride organizations across the U.S. held this year, with many focused specifically on the rights of transgender people. New Yorks lively parade goers marched down Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village, while waving rainbow flags to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising, where a police raid on a gay bar triggered days of protests and launched the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights. Pooliticians were out in full force Sunday after the NYPD said it was beefing up security in anticipation of the event. Spotted among drag queens and activists were figures like Mayor Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul, and Chuck Schumer - three of roughly 100,000 participants taking part in the parade's main procession. Always slated toward the end of June, the parade, as always, also commemorated the 1969 uprising by New York's LGBTQ+ communities known as the Stonewall Rebellion - while preaching the continued importance of LGBTQ+ rights. 12-year-old Layla Williams performs with her fellow Bud Billiken dancers in Chicago's 52nd annual Pride Parade Sunday The Pride colors are spelled out with balloons are marchers head down the streets Myles Sexton smiles for a portrait as they walk in the Toronto Pride Parade in Toronto on Sunday People participate in the 52nd Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson greets parade goers as he walks in Chicago's Pride Parade Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (R) and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton (L) participate in the 52nd Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday The parade is the final event of a month of celebrating and honoring the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LBGTQ) community Jon Batayola, left, and Daniel Biginton embrace under an umbrella as they await the beginning of Chicago's annual Pride Parade Sue Doster, co-chairperson of the city-funded Pride organization, earlier in the week explained that organizers were thrusting a spotlight on the rights associated with those of the trans community, whom have been the targets of Republican legislation as of late. Speaking of city and state-led campaigns that have sought to bar things like drag story hours geared toward kids, Doster said: 'They're attacking these people because they're less likely to stand up and fight back. '[This] is why it's important that we all come together in solidarity and speak up when we see these injustices.' At noon on Wednesday, millions descended on downtown Manhattan to make their support for that and other linked causes known - all while cops urged locals to be wary of increased incidents of violence due to the greater LGBTQ climate. It also comes two years after parade organizers banned NYPD officers from participating in uniform, while moving to reduce their presence on the scene. The ban will be reviewed in 2025 Grand Marshal Billy Porter was one of many to speak Sunday about the injustices LGBTQ people have faced as of late Bashing city and state-led campaigns that have sought to bar things like drag story hours geared toward kids, organizers said: 'They're attacking these people because they're less likely to stand up and fight back.' While there were no specific threats to Manhattan's march by the time it started, an assessment by the NYPD noted the event will take place 'amid an elevated threat environment worldwide' involving the gay and trans communities - and would thus require more security Residents and revelers made the most of weather attending an array of outdoor parties that sprouted up all across the city Meanwhile, both a literal and figurative dark cloud were cast over the festivities thanks to tenuous forecasts from not only the city's police force, but its meteorologists - with a storm poised to slam Manhattan around 2pm It was not clear from the department's statement what exactly that increased detail would be comprised of, though Chief of Patrol John Chell on Friday that the number will be well into the thousands The Manhattan parade often attracts scantily clad, sometimes rowdy revelers - and this time was no different, with police this time around warning the march comes 'amid an elevated threat environment worldwide' involving to the LGBTQ community Senator Chuck Schumer is seen posing with a citizen while marching down a cordoned off Fifth Avenue on Sunday People ride in a motorcycle with a sidecar at the 54th annual NYC Pride March, in New York While there were no specific threats to Manhattan's march by the time it started , an assessment by the NYPD noted the event would take place 'amid an elevated threat environment worldwide' involving the gay and trans communities - and would thus require heightened security. The parade comes as over the last few weeks, several Pride flags and transgender Pride flags stationed across the city have been ripped down and destroyed. Chief of Patrol John Chell noted the success of the city's previous Pride parade: 'I worked [it] last year. It was wonderful there were no incidents. We plan on having the same event this year.' Even pets got in on the action with this pup displaying rainbow colors Approximately 1 million people lined the streets of Manhattan on Sunday to celebrate Pride Supporters liners the streets to show support and celebrate Canada's LGBTQ community Always slated toward the end of June, the parade, as always, also commemorated the 1969 uprising by New York's LGBTQ+ communities known as the Stonewall Rebellion - while preaching the continued importance of LGBTQ+ rights Each year, the city explodes in an array of colors and activism for its LGBTQ-themed parade - and this year was no different, with this year's theme 'Strength in solidarity' Millions descended on downtown Manhattan to make their support for that and other linked causes known - all while cops urged locals to be wary of increased incidents of violence due to the greater LGBTQ climate The march kicked off at around noon at 25th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, drawing a bevy of uniquely clad revelers - as organizers said they are seeking to call attention to the current plight of the transgender community Various New York agencies also attended the event - proudly making their presence known as they marched from Fifth Avenue, through Greenwich Village, toward Chelsea No incidents of violence were immediately reported, but officers are reportedly on high alert As usual, confetti was commonplace during the outdoor excursion, which began on Fifth Avenue, looped through Greenwich Village, and ends in Chelsea This year, a premium was put on the T in LGBTQ - due to recent criticism leveled toward trans people Several couples made their orientation known during the parade - known for its proud displays of homosexuality Participants posed and wave as they moved down Fifth Avenue Sunday, enjoying the sunny weather as rain was forecast toward the parade's end Between the million or so attendees and hundreds of thousands of other revelers, roughly 2million attended the parade Sunday - with an amalgam of music, dancing and rainbows Police officers stand guard as New Yorkers march during the NYC Pride parade on Sunday. The force is on high alert this year due to an outflow of anti-LGBTQ sentiment This year's march is expected to draw a million spectators, 100,000 participants and 60 floats A person participates in the 52nd Chicago Pride Parade in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday In a internal statement sent around by the NYPD, cops cited previous acts of mass violence such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando as reasons to bolster security this time around. Adams has said that any hateful actions toward LGBTQ New Yorkers Sunday - or any other day, for that matter - will not be tolerated. While some people whooped in celebration during the parade, many were mindful of the growing conservative countermovement, including new laws banning gender-affirming care for transgender children. 'I'm not trying not to be very heavily political, but when it does target my community, I get very, very annoyed and very hurt,' said Ve Cinder, a 22-year-old transgender woman who traveled from Pennsylvania to take part in the country's largest Pride event. 'I'm just scared for my future and for my trans siblings. I'm frightened of how this country has looked at human rights, basic human rights,' she said. 'It's crazy.' In Chicago, 16-year-old Maisy McDonough painted rainbow colors over her eyes and on her face for her first Pride parade. She told the Chicago Tribune shes excited to 'be united' after a tough year for the community. 'We really need the love of this parade,' she said. Parents could be able to see sex education lesson plans and other materials under a new law proposed by a Conservative MP. Miriam Cates, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, will today introduce a 'sex education transparency' Private Members' Bill. It would create a legal duty for English schools to share materials used in relationships and sex education (RSE) lessons with parents, and prevent schools from using unpublished materials if they are produced by a third-party provider. It comes amid an urgent review into the harmful and graphic sex ed material being peddled to youngsters in schools. The review, launched by Rishi Sunak, is likely to propose changes to the curriculum following complaints from parents about the use of explicit material for young children. Miriam Cates, the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge will today [Monday] introduce a 'sex education transparency' Private Members' Bill. It would create a legal duty for English schools to share materials used in relationships and sex education (RSE) lessons with parents Schools will also get film-style age ratings in a bid to protect children, the Department for Education (DfE) has already announced. The proposal comes after Clare Page, 47, lost a legal fight to see the sex education lesson plan used at her daughter's school. A judge ruled that the commercial interests of the third-party provider outweighed the public interest in having the school hand over the material. In March, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan wrote to all schools warning them not to keep parents in the dark over their sex education material. Taylor Swift's highly anticipated The Eras Tour in Australia is expected to sell out in a flash, with the pre-sale site already going down during the first release of tickets. But Swift fans, known as Swifties, can take a string of steps to ensure they have the best chance of getting their hands on tickets to her Sydney and Melbourne shows. The American Express pre-sale site opened at 10am on Monday with two VIP packages available: It's Been a Long Time Coming + Karma is My Boyfriend. It crashed almost immediately and instead had the message: 'We're sorry. We are momentarily experiencing technical difficulties. We are working on bringing our services back online. We apologise for any inconvenience.' The main pre-sale for all tickets will go live at 10 am on Wednesday in Sydney and 2 pm in Melbourne, with a general sale on Friday. With millions of Aussie fans and just 450,000 tickets available across all five shows, here, Daily Mail Australia lists some of the tips to help fans ensure they won't be missing out. Taylor Swift will be heading to Australia in February next year for her highly anticipated The Eras Tour Know when tickets are on sale and sign up for pre-sale The first of the pre-sale tickets were released on Monday, and were for VIP packages only. Only those with American Express cards were eligible and tickets will be on offer for 48 hours or until sold out. Frontier Touring's pre-sale for all other tickets as well as packages will open on Ticketek at 10am on Wednesday in Sydney and 2pm for Melbourne. General sale will then open at 10am on Friday in Sydney and 2pm for Melbourne. For pre-sale access, concert-goers will need to sign up to frontiertouring.com/taylorswift where they will then be given a unique code. Fans should take a screenshot or write down their code. On the pre-sale day, they can head to taylorswift.ticketek.com.au, put in the code and join the queue to buy tickets. Fans are also reminded that Ticketek is the only authorised seller of Swift's Eras Tour tickets in Australia. Tickets will only be available to access via the Ticketek App, which will need to be downloaded with the latest version before the shows. There is a limit of four tickets per customer for each of Swift's shows. Pre-sale for all tickets to Swift's concerts open on Wednesday morning Sydney time Make sure your Ticketek account and credit card details are up to date The last thing Swifties need when logging on to their Ticketek Australia account is the realisation they've forgotten their password. Fans are advised to update their personal details on the site, and write down their email address and password so they can log in immediately. If they don't have a Ticketek account, they'll need to make one before trying to get a ticket. Credit or debit card details linked to fans' Ticketek accounts should also be updated in the event someone may have lost or bought a new card. Frontier Touring shared the news of Taylor's Down Under Tour to Twitter at 2am on Wednesday, writing: 'Were enchanted to announce Taylor Swift is returning to Australia', before revealing she will be joined by special guest Sabrina Carpenter' Make a game-plan with the people you're hoping to go with A maximum of four tickets can only be bought by one person at a time for Swift's The Eras Tour. So it's a good idea for Swifties to choose who and how many people they hope to go with well before the tickets go on sale. Another tip is for each person to select a different concert date when trying to buy tickets to help boost their chances. Swifties should also have an idea of which ticket they want. A reserve seats are listed at $379, B reserve is at $309, C reserve at $239, and tickets go to as low as $79 for G reserve. In addition, VIP packages start from $349.90 and go up to a whopping $1249.90 for the It's Been A Long Time Coming bundle. This package includes one A reserve floor ticket, four Taylor Swift prints, a tote bag, merchandise, souvenirs and a VIP Tour laminate/ matching lanyard. A maximum of four tickets can only be bought by one person at a time for Swift's The Eras Tour Organise flights and accommodation if you don't live in Sydney or Melbourne Some fans coming from New Zealand or other parts of Australia have already bought flights and accommodation in the hopes they'll have a ticket to the concert. Swifties have recommended getting in early as by the time the songstress arrives in Australia, flights, hotels and Airbnbs will likely be booked out. Where and when is Swift playing in Australia? Swift will be performing in Melbourne at the MCG on February 16 and February 17. She will then head to Sydney for shows at Accor Stadium on February 23, February 24 and February 25. All of Swift's shows in Australia are all ages, but fans under 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. How long will the concert be? Swift will be treating her fans to 44 songs over more than a three-hour set. American artist Sabrina Carpenter will be opening for the star during her Australian leg, as well as in Singapore, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. How much are tickets? As well as the VIP packages, there are seven areas of seats for concert-goers. The entire concert is seated with A reserve tickets costing $379.90, followed by B Reserve at $309.90. C Reserve tickets cost $239.90, D Reserve is at $199.90 and E Reserve is at $159.90. F Reserve seats cost $119.90 while the cheapest tickets will be in G Reserve at $79.90. The lower the price, the further away from the stage seats are. The most expensive VIP package, It's Been A Long Time Coming, costs a whopping $1249.90. That package includes an A reserve ticket, four Taylor Swift prints, and exclusive VIP merchandise. The Karma Is My Boyfriend package is on sale for $899.90, while the I Remember It All Too Well package costs $749.90. The last three packages are the Ready For It, which comes at $599.90, It's a Love Story at $399.90, and We Never Go Out Of Style at $349.90. The Whitehall watchdogs report into Labours secret talks with Partygate inquirer Sue Gray is expected to give her a six-month ban this week. It is believed the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) will find party leader Sir Keir Starmer began talks last October with the then-senior civil servant about becoming his new chief of staff. That was five months before Ms Gray who led the Partygate probe into lockdown breaches in No 10 quit her job as a second permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office. The report is expected to recommend she is banned from working for Labour for six months, which will effectively allow her to take up the role in the autumn. It is believed that a second report, by the Cabinet Office, will say she fell short of both the civil service code and her job contract when she held the secret talks with Labour. The report is expected to recommend Partygate inquirer Sue Gray is banned from working for Labour for six months, which will effectively allow her to take up the role in the autumn It is believed the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) will find party leader Sir Keir Starmer began talks last October with the then-senior civil servant It will say she should have declared any potential conflicts of interest when approached by Sir Keir, and could have been sacked had she not quit when her planned move was revealed in March. Tory critics had urged Acoba to block her move to Labour, fearing she could use privileged information to benefit the party. The Cabinet Office wanted her blocked for a year, with another six month ban on contacting anyone in Whitehall. An unnamed Tory was quoted in The Sun on Sunday saying: Damning information in the report will show Starmers a total hypocrite on standards and not a man of his word. Sir Keir has said he is confident Ms Gray did not break any rules in talking to his party about a job. Police are upping their efforts in the desperate search for a 22-year-old woman who has spent two freezing nights missing in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. Nada Rokic was last seen at bushland party Twisted Arcade off Wearne Rd in North Bannister, about 94km south-southeast of Perth, late on Saturday evening. It's understood she was wearing a dark jumper and pants, but isn't wearing any shoes. Temperatures in the area dropped into the single-digits about the time Nada was last seen. Police are upping their efforts in the desperate search for a 22-year-old woman who has spent two freezing nights missing in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region The Bureau of Meteorology reported an overnight low of 6.3C at nearby Wandering about 3am Sunday. It dropped further to 2.5C about 9.30pm Sunday. Friends of the Perth DJ, and those in the local DJ community, have posted on social media to try help find Nada. 'Nada is out in the cold, lost and she needs our help,' posted Bianca Jervis to her Facebook page on Monday morning. 'Even with people looking she's probably way to low on energy to call out for help.' People are asking anyone who may have given her a ride back to Perth from the event to contact police. WA Police on Monday have set-up a forward command post at the Threeways Roadhouse in North Bannister to assist in the search. Nada is described as being about 177cm tall, of a slim build, with black hair and brown eyes. Sightings, or information as to her whereabouts, should be reported immediately to police on 131 444. An Australian children's author has leapt to the defence of a US teacher who faces losing her job after she read his book about a non-binary child to her class. Katie Rinderle, a fifth grade teacher from Cobb County, Georgia, was recently forced on administrative leave while the school district investigates whether she has violated the state's new divisive concepts laws. She bought 'My Shadow is Purple' at a book fair at Due West Elementary which she read to her students at the school in March, followed by a class discussion about inclusion and acceptance. Students were then asked to self reflect and write their own shadow poem. Written and illustrated by Australian author Scott Stuart, the story centres around a non-binary child who doesn't identify with being a boy or a girl. Ms Rinderle could become the first teacher to be fired under a trio of Georgia's censorship laws, including the recently enforced Protect Students' Rights Act, commonly known as the 'divisive concepts' law. Mr Stuart has weighed into the controversy to launch a scathing attack on school systems in the US and insists there's nothing sexual or pornographic in his book banned in several American states. Katie Rinderle faces a termination hearing in August over reading a children's book to her class @scott.creates And the book was purchased AT THE SCHOOL at a book fair. original sound - Scott Stuart He has also expressed his disgust that the much-loved teacher may now lose her job after a parent complained about 'pornographic' material and 'inappropriate topics' in the book. 'This entire thing is so disgusting,' Mr Stuart said. 'To be very clear - there is nothing sexual or pornographic about this book. It's a book of acceptance and inclusion.' 'We need to be supporting teachers, not vilifying them.' Mr Stuart doubled down on his support for Ms Rinderle in a TikTok video which showed examples of her students' 'profound' reflections of the book along with positive feedback from their parents. 'So a teacher has just been fired for reading one of my books,' he began. 'It had parents reaching out saying this kind of lesson was something they wanted in the class.' Ms Rinderle vowed to fight the termination and faces a hearing in August. 'This is a teacher who gets phenomenal feedback from the principal, her students, the parents,' Mr Stuart continued. 'Her teaching is described as transformative and key to the school's success.' My Shadow is Purple was nominated for a 2023 Australian Book Industry Award. It was described as a heartwarming and inspiring book about being true to yourself, and one that considered gender beyond binary in a vibrant spectrum of colour. 'This whole thing just really goes to show how much more interested the school system in US is in playing politics than they are in educating kids,' Mr Stuart fumed. 'It's gross, it's disgusting.' The Cobb County School District told FOX 5 it's confident its actions are 'appropriate, considering the entirety of the teacher's behavior and history' and remains committed to strictly enforcing all board policy and the law The teacher's termination sparked a furious response from the book's author Scott Stuart My Shadow is Purple is about a non-binary child who doesn't identify with being a boy or a girl Ms Rinderle's lawyers argue the new divisive concepts laws passed in Georgia last year make no mention of gender or sexuality. 'Divisive concepts or controversial issues laws they're vague. They're very difficult to understand, and now in practice out in our public schools they're being used to take good teachers and remove them from the classroom,' attorney Craig Goodmark said. 'She's not giving up, she believes that she has not violated any rules or policies that she understands. She believes that she created a lesson that was a legitimate lesson,' Ms Rinderle says the district has never answered her question of what exactly does 'divisive concepts' mean? 'School districts label certain topics 'pornographic' and 'divisive,' Rinderle said. 'Yet when I asked [school administrators] what 'divisive concepts' means, they said they didn't know and told me they would research it. They never told me.' Mr Stuart's support for the teacher from the other side of the world sparked widespread support. 'Having your books available when I was a kid would have been GAME CHANGING. hope that teacher gets a positive outcome,' one viewer commented. It also prompted support from US educators who vowed to stock Mr Stuart's book on library shelves. A school librarian in the Pacific north-west wrote: 'We have 3 copies of My Shadow is Pink, and two copies of My Shadow is Purple. They are in our top 10 checked out books in our library. I have read it to every student in our school. We discuss being different and accepting people the way that they are. Even with the kinders.' Another wrote: 'Just ordered a couple copies to put in my Little Free Library here in Texas.' Anthony Albanese's government has unveiled a $110million package to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion - in the wake of the brief Wagner group rebellion. Mr Albanese announced the support package at a press conference in Canberra on Monday alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles. Ukraine will receive a further 70 military vehicles, including 28 M113 armoured tanks, 14 special operations 28 trucks and 14 trailers, Mr Albanese announced. Artillery ammunition will also be supplied, along with $10million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This money will assist Ukrainian citizens impacted by the invasion by providing shelter, clean water, health services and sanitation. Mr Albanese said he is prepared to 'continue to engage with Ukraine and President [Volodymyr] Zelensky for as long as it takes'. Mr Albanese announced the support package at a press conference in Canberra on Monday alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles Onlookers clapped and cheered 'Wagner' as the troops were told to depart from Rostov by their leaders 'This latest package of support demonstrates that Ukraine can count on Australia,' he said. 'We support international efforts to ensure Putin's aggression fails and that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails. 'Australia is unwavering in our resolve to condemn and oppose Russia's actions and to help Ukraine achieve victory.' In total, the Australian contribution to Ukraine's efforts to resist Russian invasion now tops $790million. The announcement comes after a brief revolt in Russia at the weekend where Wagner mercenary group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's forces moved from their camps in Ukraine into Russia itself on Friday. They took over a regional military command in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, before advancing toward Moscow. The bizarre uprising played out with dizzying speed - but the mercenary group's march on the capital was called off just as suddenly on Saturday. Russian state media reported that Wagner troops would return to Ukraine while Prigozhin would be exiled to Belarus. Crowds lined the streets and cheered as the private military company withdrew its troops from Rostov People gathered to bid farewell to Prigozhin, with one man even reaching through his car window to shake the exiled Wagner leader's hand Mr Albanese said the conflict had no bearing on his decision to boost funding or make his announcement today. 'We have been working on this proposal with a view to taking her to cabinet this morning, for some time,' Mr Albanese said. 'The events obviously occurred over the weekend, but this has been in the works. You will note, there have been announcements approximately every four months or so.' Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the internal conflict demonstrated 'the divisons in Russia' and calls into question 'the decision to illegally and immorally invade Ukraine. I would again, if I may, say to any Australians who remain there that our advice is to leave'. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) allege the 'short-term fix' of an apparent truce with the Wagner Group will likely 'substantially damage' Putin 's government and war efforts, claiming it demonstrated security weaknesses and the 'inability' to repel internal threats quickly. Globally, more than 50 nations have now provided financial aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded. A Kentucky woman has been accused of fatally shooting her West Texas Uber driver after mistakenly believing she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico, according to police. Phoebe Copas, 48, remained jailed on Sunday in El Paso, Texas, after being charged with murder last week in the death of 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia. The shooting took place at about 2pm on June 16 as Piedra was driving Copas to a location in southeast El Paso. Copas, who is from Tompkinsville, Kentucky, was in El Paso visiting her boyfriend, according to authorities. During the ride, Copas saw traffic signs that read 'Juarez, Mexico,' according to an arrest affidavit. El Paso is located on the U.S.-Mexico border across from Juarez. Believing she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico, Copas is accused of grabbing a handgun from her purse and shooting Piedra in the head, according to the affidavit. Phoebe Copas, 48, from Kentucky has been arrested and charged with murder in El Paso, Texas, for allegedly fatally shooting her Uber driver, Daniel Piedra Garcia Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, was driving to a location in southeast El Paso to visit her boyfriend but saw signs saying 'Juarez, Mexico' leading her to believe she was being kidnapped Copas is seen being stretchered away following the incident The vehicle he was driving crashed into barriers before coming to a stop on a freeway. The area where the car crashed was 'not in close proximity of a bridge, port of entry or other area with immediate access to travel into Mexico,' a police affidavit stated. 'The roadway Copas was traveling on is a normal route to drive to the destination requested by the Copas. 'The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas' destination,' police said. Police allege that before she called 911, Copas took a photo of Piedra after the shooting and texted it to her boyfriend. When police arrived on the scene at about 2:20pm they found Copas being helped out of the car by her boyfriend. At center, Ana Piedra, the wife of Daniel Piedra Garcia, is comforted by family and friends during a vigil for her husband who was fatally shot while driving for Uber Ana Piedra, the wife of Daniel Piedra Garcia, wipes away tears during a memorial for him Friends, family, community members and fellow Uber drivers gathered to remember Piedra She dropped everything she was holding in her hands onto the ground, including a brown and silver handgun. Video shot by CBS4 saw Copas being taken away by ambulance. Piedra was found slumped over in the driver's seat of the car having been shot in the head. He was hospitalized for several days before his family took him off life support after doctors told them he would not recover. 'He was a hardworking man and really funny,' Piedra's niece, Didi Lopez, told the El Paso Times. 'He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that, if he saw you in a bad mood, he'd come over and try to lift you up.' The family believe Piedra was working his last ride of the day when he picked up Copas. The family believe that Piedra was working his last ride of the day when he picked up Copas A GoFundMe campaign set up by Piedra's family said he was their sole provider and had only recently started working again after being injured in his previous job Police investigate on top of an overpass following the shooting in which Piedra was shot 'He picked her up, but time went on, and so his wife, was calling him and calling him and texting him, and he wouldn't answer his phone. So, then that's when she started calling everybody else,' Lopez recalled. 'They started calling all the hospitals, trying to see if he was there. And then someone had mentioned the article that came out about an Uber driver being shot. They called the El Paso Police Department and that's when they told them that it was him. And so for us to go to the hospital. That's how we found out.' Copas, who is being held on a $1.5 million bond, was originally charged with aggravated assault but the charge has since been upgraded to murder after Piedra died. A GoFundMe campaign set up by Piedra's family said he was their sole provider and had only recently started working again after being injured in his previous job. 'I wish she would've spoken up, asked questions, not acted on impulse and make a reckless decision, because not only did she ruin our lives, but she ruined her life, too,' Lopez said. 'What we were told originally was that the lady saw the sign on the freeway that said it was Mexico,' she explained. 'She panicked and thought that my uncle was kidnapping her. And so her instinct was to shoot him and she shot him multiple times in the head.' 'We just want justice for him. That's all we're asking.' A small business owner was left shocked after losing $15,000 in minutes after his credit account was hacked. Western Australian man Aaron Scott found out $8,000 had been drained from his ANZ credit account at 4am. Mr Scott immediately tried to contact the bank and drove to his local branch when he lost another $7,000. Mr Scott, who runs a fitness business in Albany, has lashed out at the bank for only resolving the issue after a frantic and stressful four weeks. A small business owner has gone through a time of dread fear, worry and stress after $15,000 was stolen from his bank account When his phone beeped one morning in late May, it was a text message from his bank, ANZ, saying his password had been changed. Mr Scott checked his account and saw that $8,000 had been stolen from his credit account in amounts of $500 and $1,000 at around 4am early one morning. Frightened and panicked, Mr Scott rang the bank's helpline, where he was told to go to his local branch in person to have the account closed. In the 10 minutes it took him to drive to his local ANZ branch, another $7,000 was stolen from his account. 'If my money is not safe in the bank, where is my money safe?' Mr Scott told news.com.au. After 40 minutes on the phone to the bank's fraud department, he was none the wiser as to what happened and was sure he was going to lose the $15,000. The bank officials had no answers to his questions and the call was filled with long periods of silence, he said. Though ANZ was able to track the money to another bank, staff told Mr Scott the $15,000 could not be recovered. The businessman does not know how the hackers were able to get into his account and was frustrated to be asked if he had accidentally given away his bank details, or given criminals online access to his accounts. 'There's no way I gave remote access to anyone,' he said. A bank investigation eventually found the money was stolen in an 'unauthorised transaction' and that Mr Scott was not at fault. The news came as a relief for Mr Scott who thought he would be the one who would have to pay back the money he didn't spend. When Aaron Scott's phone beeped one morning in late May, it was a text message from his bank, ANZ, saying his password had been changed. An ANZ bank logo is pictured Mr Scott said there is 'no way' he gave scammers access to his bank account details He said the thought of permanently losing the money greatly distressed him and that it was the first thing he thought of every morning. Mr Scott earlier lodged a case with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and told police under the impression the bank would not reimburse him. But a few days after the case was lodged, and having spent weeks trying to resolve the issue himself, ANZ finally paid the money back into Mr Scott's account. 'It was poorly handled. Whilst I'm not their biggest customer, I've had those accounts for 27 years. It was a s*** experience,' he said. In a statement, Shaq Johnson, Head of Customer Protection at ANZ, said he knows how stressful this type of experience can be for customers. 'We consider all cases for reimbursement on their specific circumstances,' the bank said. 'In the last 12 months we have increased our reimbursement and goodwill payments for fraud, scams and unauthorised transactions.' 'We always try to work constructively and positively with our customers we know this can be a stressful time for them,' he added. A toddler just weeks away from his first birthday has died after being run over by a reversing car while he was playing on a driveway north of Brisbane. Emergency services found the baby boy in a critical condition when they arrived at the Deception Bay home at about 10.15am on Monday. The infant is understood to have suffered serious head injuries in the collision. The baby's grandmother Carolyn Glenn said her son and the baby's mother had traveled to the Redcliffe Hospital with paramedics. 'I'm just numb,' Ms Glenn told the Courier Mail. Tributes left after a toddler died after reportedly being run over by a car out the front of a home north of Brisbane 'You see this stuff happen to other families, I can't believe it's happened to us.' The baby's aunt said the little boy had been about to celebrate his first birthday. Stuffed toys have been placed on the driveway of the George Street residence. Deception Bay, in Queensland's Moreton Bay region, is 30km north of Brisbane. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Police for comment. The network is now struggling to survive, and Warner Bros. Discovery executives are considering selling it Don Lemon claimed in a new sit-down interview he was fired for simply telling the truth and refusing to platforms 'liars, bigots, insurrectionists' Don Lemon claimed he was fired for simply telling the truth and refusing to platform 'liars, bigots, insurrectionists and election deniers,' he said in his first sit-down interview since losing his job at the network. Lemon was ousted from his longtime anchor role on the 24/7 news network in April after getting into arguments with several of his co-hosts on CNN This Morning and following a viral interview in which he attacked presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. His firing came as the newly-installed CEO Chris Licht planned to make some changes to the network, including having it lose its notorious woke angle. He, too, has since lost his role. Lemon, 57, now insists he was 'standing up for what is right' as he slammed Licht's proposal to have more conservative voices on the air as a 'dereliction of journalistic duties.' 'I have a responsibility, not only as a journalist, but also as an American, to tell this truth and to abide by the promises of the Constitution, because the Constitution says "a more perfect union. Not a perfect union'',' he said. Don Lemon claimed in a new sit-down interview that he was fired for simply telling the truth and refusing to platform 'liars, bigots, insurrectionists and election deniers' He hit out at now-fired CEO Chris Licht, who said he planned to include more conservative voices on the notoriously woke network CNN is struggling to survive, with some insiders saying its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is even considering selling the property all together. In his first sit-down since he was unceremoniously fired, Lemon took aim at his former employer, saying he has a duty as a journalist to tell the truth. 'In order to fulfill the promise of the Constitution, we have to stand up for what is right,' Lemon told ABC24 Memphis. 'We have to stand up for the truth.' When asked about his now notorious interview with Ramaswamy, Lemon continued to say: 'I don't believe in platforming liars and bigots and, you know, insurrectionists and election deniers and put them on the same footing as people who are telling the truth for what's right, people who are abiding by the Constitution. 'I think that would be dereliction of journalistic duties to do those sort of things. 'That is what has gotten me to this point, and that is what is going to carry me forward,' he continued. 'To know that I am doing the right thing, that I am standing up and abiding by the Constitution which my profession demands that I do because we are listed in the First Amendment of the Constitution.' Lemon said he now plans to spend the next few months with his fiancee Tim Malone and their dogs. 'People are concerned about me and more worried about me than I am myself,' he claimed. 'I'm fine.' During a segment of CNN This Morning in February about GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, Lemon said women who were older than 40 years old were 'past their prime,' causing outrage among staffers and viewers alike. He later faced further criticism when he was interviewing GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy , and he spoke about being black in America. His remarks aired this weekend - and filmed earlier this month while Lemon was in Memphis to speak at an NAACP conference - marked the first time he has spoken out on-camera about his ouster since April when Lemon, himself, announced he had been fired. On the day he was let go, Lemon tweeted: 'I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. 'At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. 'It is clear that there are some larger issues at play. With that said, I want to thank my colleagues and the many teams I have worked with for an incredible run. They are the most talented journalists in the business, and I wish them all the best.' But the CNN anchor had been mired in controversy in the months before his ouster. During a segment of CNN This Morning in February, Lemon said women who were older than 40 years old were 'past their prime,' causing outrage among staffers and viewers alike. He made the comments while discussing presidential candidate Nikki Haley's proposal that politicians aged 75 and up should face mental competency tests. Lemon, who is five years older than Haley said the politician should tread lightly on the topic because 'a woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.' His co-hosts Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins responded with apparent incredulity to the comment, only for Lemon to double down and insist that if viewers 'Google it' they would see he was right. Both co-anchors reportedly stormed off the set after the segment, and Lemon's position at the network was cast into doubt as staffers and viewers alike called for his sacking over what they said was just another incident in a long pattern of troubling misogynistic behavior from Lemon. Sources inside CNN told DailyMail.com that females told management to pick between them and Lemon, saying 'if Don doesn't go, others have threatened to quit.' 'People are hurt by his actions and are not going to let this go. It is like every woman over 50 in America has taken this as a personal insult. The female staffers at CNN definitely have. He needs to make his vacation a permanent one,' the source said. Lemon was not ousted at the time however, and instead was forced to deliver an apology to staffers, saying 'What I said came out wrong and I wish I hadn't said it. I believe women of any age can do anything they set their minds to. The people I am closest to in this organization are women.' Lemon announced his own firing in a tweet on April 24 after creating controversies at the network Lemon stepped out with his partner Tim Malone and their three dogs close to their luxury Manhattan apartment the day after his firing It came hours after his former colleagues thanked him for his 'contributions' to the network after they fronted CNN's This Morning show for the first time without him He later faced further criticism when he was interviewing GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and he spoke about being black in America. 'When you are in black skin and you live in this country, then you can disagree with me,' Lemon snapped at Ramaswamy, an Indian-American man, before repeatedly accusing him of lying and failing to provide evidence. Ramaswamy said in the aftermath: 'It all comes down to what the mission of your organization shows. If CNNs mission is to advance a woke, progressive orthodoxy, Don Lemon is a perfectly fine host to have on-air to cut off guests.' Still, just a few days after he was fired, Lemon told Extra TV at the Time 100 gala that he was 'stunned' to learn of his termination after being a network staple for 17 years, but doesn't have any 'regrets.' 'I live my life with no regrets. I did what I did and I own it, and so no, I don't look back and I don't want to change things in the past,' he told the outlet. 'There are lots of things that come your way that are unexpected, but I'm a survivor. I come from strong, sturdy stock in Louisiana and a lot of people are rooting for me and who love me. 'Life goes on. Thats behind me and well see what happens in the future.' On the day he was let go, Lemon tweeted: 'I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned' Lemon rose to glory in the Trump years as CNN's primetime liberal mouthpiece under the leadership of former CEO Jeff Zucker. But after Trump left office and CNN's ratings started to plummet, Zucker was ousted and his replacement, Licht, vowed to return CNN to more even-keeled journalism. Last November, Lemon was bumped to CNN This Morning, where he broadcast alongside the 40-year-old Harlow and 30-year-old rising star Collins, and reportedly spent the following months griping about his new posting ultimately leading to his sacking. Soon after, Licht was also fired following a disastrous article in which he expressed doubts about the news network and its woke coverage. But Lemon dismissed the criticism about CNN when approached by The Atlantic reporter Tim Alberta, saying: 'A lot of people are Monday-morning-quarterbacking about what happened' at the network. 'You have to remember the time that we were in. Every single day, we were being attacked by the former administration. And thats not hyperbole We had bombs sent to this very network.' Lemon rose to glory in the Trump years as CNN's primetime liberal mouthpiece under the leadership of former CEO Jeff Zucker. Last November, Lemon was bumped to CNN This Morning from his primetime anchor spot Zucker, pictured in 2019, is reportedly looking into a return to CNN and is 'likely to make a bid' on the network, an insider claimed Now, insiders say Warner Bros. Discovery is considering selling the struggling network including to previously ousted Zucker. The 58-year-old is allegedly preparing to capitalize on ex-CEO Chris Light's surprise sacking to take over the network in time for the 2024 presidential election. But insiders alleged that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav's future plans are not yet clear, and several options are on the table for the mogul. Alongside potentially remaining in his current position, one outcome could see a landmark deal struck, depending on the ongoing merger negotiations between NBCUniversal parent Comcast and Paramount. If that merger, which has been in the works since 2021, is pulled off them Comcast would reportedly be looking to sell CBS News to avoid antitrust violations. In that scenario, it has been predicted that Zaslav's Warner Bros. Discovery could look to combine CNN and CBS in a blockbuster merger. 'I could see a sale next year,' said one industry insider. 'Once Warner reduces its leverage, it will be more willing to sell non-core assets including CNN.' Another media investor told The Post that to reap the best returns, CNN should be 'absorbed' by a corporation that already owns numerous cable channels - a strategy that would be both cost-cutting and offer expansive programming power. A further industry insider, who works on media mergers, added that Zaslav's public sacking of Licht after just a year on the job is a 'sign it is readying the cable news network for a sale'. A cybersecurity expert has revealed what may have caused a massive outage at one of Australia's biggest banks. The Commonwealth Bank glitch left millions of Australians unable to access their accounts and transfer funds online, withdraw cash or use their cards to make purchases on Monday. The Commsec brokerage app and website was also down while many others reported ATMs were also affected as the bank launched an urgent investigation into the outage. While the bank remains tight-lipped about what caused the outage, a cybersecurity expert believes a recent rollout of the bank's updated app, rather than a security issue, caused the disruption. CommBank app v5.0 went live last week with a new look home screen and an enhanced search for users to easily find features, transactions and functions in the one place. Professor Paul Haskell-Dowland, an Associate Dean for Computing and Security at Perth's Edith Cowan University, told Daily Mail Australia it's not uncommon for glitches to occur after an app's system and software has been updated. A major Commonwealth Bank outage caused widespread inconvenience on Monday 'These problems often happen after an upgrade to an app and early indications suggest this is more likely to have been a system glitch,' he said. 'These glitches happen from time to time.' 'There's no indication to suggest this was a security issue. If it was something more significant, we would have heard a lot more from the bank by now.' A customer service representative reportedly told one caller who rang the bank's helpline the issue occurred after the app update was rolled out, the ABC reported. Many customers were able to log back into their accounts by mid-afternoon. 'Services are recovering following intermittent issues that some customers experienced across our banking services today,' the bank stated in a 4pm update. 'Please note there may be delays in some payments as we continue to bring services back online. 'We are very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. We know how much customers depend on us and sincerely apologise to those who have been impacted today.' Professor Haskell-Dowland said extensive work and planning goes into the rollout of an upgraded bank app. 'These systems are incredibly complex and sometimes things go wrong,' he explained 'When it does, it becomes big news and impacts on so many people. The outage might be short-lived but the consequential implications can last for days.' Cybersecurity expert Professor Paul Haskell-Dowland (pictured) believes a recent upgrade to the bank's app is the most likely cause for the outage Professor Haskell-Dowland urged affected customers to not panic but double check their accounts and transactions once they can log back in on the app. 'We have a very high reliance on digital transactions so it's not a bad idea to always have a small amount of cash on hand for emergencies,' he said. Earlier on Monday, Aussies unleashed on the bank, as the outage leaves them unable to pay for essentials such as groceries, rent, medication and petrol. Some complained they hadn't been able access funds since 6.30am. 'Super frustrating not being able to do anything this morning because I can't access funds to complete any tasks,' one said. One woman added, 'Just had to ditch the shopping at Coles 'cause I couldn't transfer money over from one account to my card account.' Another wrote: 'Awesome when I'm at the chemist getting medication for my unwell children. Thanks, Commbank.' Customers currently travelling overseas were also left in the lurch. 'Card declined which we are using for accommodation in the USA, extremely embarrassing and left us exposed to having no accommodation. Homeless in the US. App won't even allow to communicate,' one man fumed. The glitch left millions of Australians unable to access their accounts and transfer funds online Commonwealth Bank customers were unable to access NetBank internet banking Many have demanded compensation for the inconvenience, prompting some to leap to the bank's defence. 'Commonwealth has not done it on purpose. Most of them would also need to transfer for various reasons themselves, you know, being people and all. Besides, they didn't create technology,' one woman wrote. 'It's a pain in the bum. It's caused issues for many. They are aware, that's why they have apologised and are trying to fix it. Be better, for god's sakes'. Commonwealth Bank is yet to comment what caused the technical issue or how many of its 7.7million customers were directly impacted, despite questions sent by Daily Mail Australia on Monday morning. 'We're aware some customers are experiencing difficulties accessing some of our services and we are urgently investigating,' the bank posted online. 'We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We'll provide an update soon.' The Commonwealth Bank is yet to confirm what caused Monday's widespread outage The bank's call centres and branches were overwhelmed with inquiries from frustrated customers 'Our branches are open but there may be delays as we serve other customers, and please be aware our branch staff will not have further information,' a later update stated. 'We thank you for your patience and, please be mindful of the wellbeing of our people as they continue to service customers.' Four workers have suffered facial injuries after an explosion rocked a factory in Queensland. Emergency services were alerted to the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks facility on Kay McDuff Drive in Thabeban, south of Bundaberg, at just past 2pm on Monday. The four contractors had been installing a boiler before the explosion erupted and the sprinkler system was triggered. Paramedics have rushed to the scene of a workplace emergency in Bundaberg, with four workers suffering facial injuries after an explosion They have been transported to Bundaberg Hospital, according to a spokesperson for the Queensland Ambulance Service. One of the four workers has been left in a serious condition with respiratory concerns, while the other three are in a stable condition. A spokesperson for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said all workers are currently accounted for during their first check, however found no evidence of a fire. A second check of the factory is set to commence this afternoon. Reports from both QFES and Queensland Police indicate the explosion was triggered by a gas leak. Bundaberg Brewed Drinks chief executive John McLean confirmed an 'explosion event' had occurred at the site. The factory makes popular drinks including ginger beer and lemon, lime bitters. The bereft mother of the teenager who died in the Titanic sub disaster with his billionaire father today revealed she was meant to be on board - but gave her spot to her only son because he 'really wanted to go'. Christine Dawood and her husband Shahzada Dawood, 48, had initially booked a trip to see the world's most famous wreck for themselves off the coast of Canada but had to cancel due to the pandemic. Christine, who is German-born, said that when their family reserved spots on this year's OceanGate Expeditions mission she 'stepped back' because her son Suleman, 19, was so keen. He became obsessed with the Titanic after completing a Lego model as a teenager. The 19-year-old also wanted to become the first person to complete a Rubik's Cube at the depths of the Atlantic, his mother revealed. When asked by the BBC: 'You gave up your space for him, how does that make you feel?', an emotional Mrs Dawood bowed her head in grief and said as her voice broke: 'Let's just skip that'. In an extraordinary interview where Mrs Dawood was praised for her composure in the face of interminable double mourning, she revealed how she and her daughter Alina, 17, were on the Titan's support ship Polar Prince, and hugged and joked with the 'excited' Shahzada and Suleman as they said goodbye and went to get in the doomed sub. But hours later they lost communication on June 18. On that day she and Alina believed they would be fine after they did not initially return. But Mrs Dawood said she had finally 'lost hope' on Thursday when 96 hours had passed since her husband and son boarded the submersible, meaning they had run out of oxygen. Her daughter held out a bit longer, she said, until a call with the US Coast Guard hours later when they were informed debris had been found something they did not know about until that point. It was then announced the Titan had imploded and the five adventurers on board were dead. Christine said that when their family reserved spots on this year's OceanGate Expeditions mission, she 'stepped back' because her 19-year-old son Suleman 'really wanted to go'. She and Suleman are pictured together Christine Dawood and her husband, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, had initially booked a trip to the Titanic wreck for themselves but had to cancel their trip due to the coronavirus pandemic. The couple are pictured together The US Navy had detected sounds 'consistent with an implosion' soon after Titan lost contact on Sunday, but it was deemed 'not definitive' and the detail was not released publicly - with the search and rescue mission continuing until debris was found. Speaking about initially holding out hope, Mrs Dawood told the BBC: 'We all thought they are just going to come up, so that shock was delayed by about ten hours or so. 'By the time they were supposed to be up again, there was a time.... when they were supposed to be up on the surface again and when that time passed, the real shock, not shock but the worry and the not so good feelings, started. Search for lost sub that descended into doom: Timeline of Titan's disappearance SUNDAY 1pm (BST): Titan begins dive to the wreck, launching from its support ship, the Polar Prince, about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, Canada 2.45pm: Vessel loses contact with the Polar Prince 10.40pm: Alert raised with US coastguard MONDAY 2am: A joint US-Canadian maritime search operation is launched with a 'unified command' centre set up on Polar Prince TUESDAY 7pm: Coastguards reveal the passengers have just 40 hours of oxygen left WEDNESDAY 5.30pm: US Coastguard confirms that a Canadian P-3 aircraft has detected 'underwater noises', later described as 'banging sounds' THURSDAY 12.08pm: Titan's theoretical oxygen reserves run out 4.48pm: US Coastguard confirms that it has discovered debris from the submersible Advertisement 'We had loads of hope, I think that was the only thing that got us through it because we were hoping and... there were so many actions the people on this sub can do in order to surface... they would drop the weights, then the ascent would be slower, we were constantly looking at the surface. There was that hope. 'There was so many things we would go through where we would think "it's just slow right now, it's slow right now". But there was a lot of hope.' She said she 'lost hope' when 96 hours had passed since her husband and son boarded the submersible. She revealed that is when she sent a message to her family saying she was 'preparing for the worst'. Her daughter held out a bit longer, she said, until the call with the US Coast Guard when they were informed debris had been found. UK-based businessman Shahzada and Suleman were two of the five victims killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic, according to the US Coast Guard. Mrs Dawood revealed that she had planned to go with her husband to view the Titanic wreck in the OceanGate sub, but that their trip was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. 'Then I stepped back and gave them space to set [Suleman] up, because he really wanted to go,' she said. 'I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time.' Mrs Dawood shared how she and Alina hugged and joked with Shahzada and Suleman before the pair entered the submersible. Suleman, a student at Strathclyde University, had taken his Rubik's Cube on the trip as he hoped to break the world record for solving the puzzle at the greatest depth, she revealed. 'He said: "I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 meters below sea [level] at the Titanic,"' Mrs Dawood recalled. Her son, she said, was practical and intellectual, and wouldn't go anywhere without his Rubik's Cube - which he taught himself to solve in just 12 seconds. Christine Dawood revealed she had been 'really happy' for Shahzada and Suleman to embark on this journey together, adding that the teen had planned to solve the Rubik's cube while 3,700 meters below sea Suleman, (pictured) a student at Strathclyde University, had taken his Rubik's Cube on the trip as he hoped to break the world record for solving the puzzle at the greatest depth. Christine recalled: 'He said: "I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 meters below sea [level] at the Titanic"' 'Suleman did a 10,000-piece lego Titanic. He applied for a world record because he wanted to solve a Rubik's Cube at the deepest point.' READ MORE: US Coast Guard hasn't ruled out finding human remains as it probes Titanic sub implosion Advertisement While his application was rejected, they were still planning to film the attempt. Mrs Dawood said she and her daughter have vowed to try to learn to finish the Rubik's Cube in Suleman's honour, and she intends to continue her husband's work. She said: 'He was involved in so many things, he helped so many people and I think Alina and I really want to continue that legacy and give him that platform when his work has continued and it's quite important for my daughter as well. 'Alina and I said we are going learn how to solve the Rubik's Cube. That's going to be a challenge for us because we are really bad at it but we are going to learn it.' And the heartbroken mother said through tears: 'I miss them. I really, really miss them.' As well as her husband and son, three others died on board Titan: OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush, 61, British businessman Hamish Harding, 58, and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, a former French navy diver and experienced Titanic diver. Suleman Dawood, 19, was the youngest victim of the Titan sub tragedy. He is pictured with his father, the vice-chairman of Engro Corporation Limited, Shahzada Dawood OceanGate's Titan sub submerged at 8am on Sunday, June 18, around 400 miles southeast of St John's, Newfoundland, according to the US Coast Guard. It lost contact at 9.45am but it wasn't reported to the Coast Guard until 5.40pm Mrs Dawood said those above water tried to remain hopeful, telling themselves: 'There were so many actions the people on this sub can do in order to surface... they would drop the weights, then the ascent would be slower, we were constantly looking at the surface. There was that hope.' She and her daughter held out hope to begin with after being they did not initially return. She said: 'We all thought they are just going to come up so that shock was delayed by about 10 hours or so. 'By the time they were supposed to be up again, there was a time.... when they were supposed to be up on the surface again and when that time passed the real shock, not shock but the worry and the not so good feelings started.' Despite the bleak outlook as the hunt dragged on, she said her teenage daughter never lost hope of her father and older brother's rescue. Billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, who lost his life onboard Titan, is pictured looking out to sea before boarding the submersible French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet (left) Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition, also lost their lives on Titan Alina's mother said of her daughter: 'She is such an incredible young woman, she is so self-aware. 'She believes in science, and she really believes, just like if you board a plane, that the science, the mechanics, the engineering will work.' Mrs Dawood said at 96 hours she tried 'really hard' not to show her daughter that she had lost hope. After news emerged on Thursday that debris from the sub had been found, the family returned to St John's in Newfoundland, Canada on Saturday. Yesterday, they held a funeral prayer for Shahzada and Suleman, which Christine said had 'helped'. Paying tribute to her son, she admitted he had been a 'mother's boy' but that he also 'loved his father'. Five people lost their lives onboard the Titan submersible after it suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic When asked what the family's last words to each other were, she told the BBC: 'We just hugged and joked actually, because Shahzada was so excited to go down, he was like a little child. 'He had this ability of childhood excitement, they were both so excited.' Mrs Dawood and her husband met at university, she said, when she didn't speak any English. She recalled how the history buff knew more about her native Germany's history than she did, and that he was obsessed with documentaries. 'He would make us all watch David Attenborough, and the children loved it. 'His enthusiasm brought the best out of me, and so I really learned to love history as well. He was really able to, through his knowledge, inspire and motivate others.' Doreen Lawrence today expressed fury at Scotland Yard after a sixth suspect in her son Stephen's murder was named as Matthew White, whom she said evaded justice 'because of police failures'. Stephen Lawrence, 18, an aspiring architect, was murdered on his way home in an unprovoked attack by a gang of racists in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. Today, the Metropolitan Police named White as the sixth suspect, after BBC News detailed a series of police failings in handling information linked to him. White, who died two years ago of a drug overdose aged 50, was treated as a witness by Scotland Yard - but the BBC's report claimed that a relative contacted police and stated White had been there when the murder took place in Eltham. His stepfather Jack Severs, who died in 2020, was only spoken to for the first time in 2013 and was shocked that it had taken two decades to be visited by Scotland Yard, telling Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll sarcastically: 'You're rushing this job.' Mr Severs said that in the days after Stephen's murder he saw White in the street in Eltham and his stepson admitted being there when the teen was killed. White acted like it was an 'everyday occurrence' and insisted Stephen 'had deserved it', he said. White also matched the description of a 'fair-haired attacker' who 'stood out' and may have struck the first blow on Stephen. All the other five suspects had dark hair. He was spotted twice in streets near the murder scene on the night in question. The original investigation was hampered by racism and claims of corruption, with one of the suspects being the son of convicted drug smuggler Clifford Norris. Metropolitan Police detectives had five names passed to them within days of Stephen's murder, but only two of five or six attackers have ever been brought to justice - Gary Dobson and David Norris, who were jailed for life in 2012. In a statement issued through her solicitor today, Baroness Lawrence said: 'The fact that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) were incompetent in the investigation of my son's murder is so well-known and established that it doesn't bear repeating. Doreen Lawrence has said she hopes no other victims will go through what her family has had to endure, following further revelations about the failures in the probe into her son's murder Matthew White was today named as the sixth suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder. He died of a drug overdose aged 50 in 2021. Police failed to trace his stepfather who stated that White had admitted being there when the murder took place in 1993 'I knew this at the time of the murder but few listened to my concerns. In the 30 or so years since Stephen's killing, revelations continue to keep coming as to the extent of the failings by the MPS in the investigation. 'The latest revelation that a key suspect in the murder could have, and should have, been properly and thoroughly investigated is shocking but unsurprising. I have got used to the litany of failings in my son's case. 'What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. 'It should not have taken a journalist to do the job that a huge, highly resourced institution should have done.' Only two of the five suspects have been brought to justice - but after the 2012 murder trial of Dobson and Norris, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: 'On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large.' Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks was clear that he saw a group of six white youths cross the road and 'engulf' Stephen, who was hit pn the head with a bat and stabbed, leaving a ten-inch knife wound in his neck. Stephen Lawrence: The racist murder that marked Britain Jamie Acourt and his brother Neil were teenagers when Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. Two of the other suspects, Gary Dobson and David Norris, were convicted of murder in 2012 and jailed for life following a DNA breakthrough. But the Acourt brothers have never been convicted. At the time of Stephen's death, the Acourts described themselves as the Krays, modelling themselves on the brothers who dominated London's criminal underworld in the 1960s. The gang they were in is believed to have been responsible for a string of violent attacks, invariably featuring knives. Luke Knight was named as the fifth suspect by the Daily Mail. He has never been charged and denies being involved. The case has brought great shame on the Metropolitan Police. Stephen's parents Doreen and Neville Lawrence have continued to campaign for justice for their son and have shone a light on racism and corruption in the Met. Advertisement White was arrested twice on suspicion of murder in March 2000 and in December 2013. The Met claim that on both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence. The Metropolitan Police today apologised again for its handling of the case. They admitted they had made 'many mistakes in the initial investigation', including not tracking down Jack Severs. 'This was a significant and regrettable error,' the force said. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: 'The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. 'Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. 'On the 30th anniversary of Stephen's murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.' The BBC investigation also found: Another witness told police in 2000 that White had admitted being part of the attack. But again officers failed to trace him; Another UK police force asked the Met to consider if White was present during the murder, but Scotland Yard apparently did not follow this up properly; White had an alibi but lied. Detectives accepted his account; He was the only person who fitted the description of the 'fair-haired attacker' seen by Duwayne Brooks. Clive Driscoll, the officer who finally convicted Dobson and Norris, claims that former Met Commissioner Cressida Dick suggested to him in 2012 that he should not try to get the other suspects - despite the judge in their trial saying the police should try to get the remaining three or four; Mr Driscoll continued to investigate but says he was made to retire before he could finish that work; Dobson and Norris were finally convicted in 2012 of murdering Stephen, 18, at a bus stop in south-east London in April 1993. Dobson was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months, while Norris received a minimum of 14 years and three months and will be eligible for parole next year. Two of the other gang members, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have served time in prison for drug dealing in the intervening years but the final suspect, Luke Knight, has not been convicted of any offence. All five men were named by The Daily Mail as Stephen's killers. Two original suspects, Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris (right), were convicted of murdering Stephen in 2012 and jailed for life after new evidence came to light Jamie Acourt (left) and his brother Neil were also suspects but were never convicted. They were later jailed for drugs offences Another Lawrence murder suspect, Luke Knight, remains living in south London. He denies involvement in Stephen's killing Matthew White was never named in relation to the case until 2012, during the trial of Dobson and Norris. He was described as a crucial witness who had seen them in the aftermath of the attack. It was later claimed that he had seen Dobson after he stripped his clothes off and had a shower. It was also claimed that he had seen the suspects washing a blood-stained knife. But police never called him as a witness at the Old Bailey and he gave only a short statement. He alleged that the murder may have been an initiation by someone who wanted to join the Acourts' gang, which terrorised the area. The BBC has revealed that Matthew White died in 2021 of a drug overdose in a bedsit. He was said to be suicidal and depressed at the time. At his inquest there was no mention of the Stephen Lawrence case, but perhaps tellingly a relative said in a statement: 'Matthew was a lovely lad that happened to go to the wrong place at the wrong time.' White had a string of convictions and spent time in jail having become hooked on heroin. His most recent conviction came in 2020, for shoplifting right next to where Stephen died on Well Hall Road in Eltham. He tried to steal from a shop but was confronted by a black man, who White told would be 'Stephen Lawrenced' and then attacked him. 'Remember you're in Eltham, remember where you are, remember what happened to Stephen Lawrence. I can call my boys, they can come down and they can deal with you,' he said. The victim said White mentioned Stephen Lawrence 'in almost in every threat' and even referenced the nearby bus stop the 18-year-old was at when he was set upon and killed. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced in 2020 that, following an investigation launched in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the CPS to consider whether four former police officers who were in senior roles at various times during the opening weeks of the murder investigation may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes may advance the case. The betrayal of Stephen 30 years ago and how Scotland Yard has spent years and 50million trying to put them right Scotland Yard spent years battling to right the wrongs committed in the first months of the inquiry into Stephen Lawrence's murder. More than 50million was spent as seven investigations and countless reviews poured over every possible lead, clue and piece of evidence. Meanwhile, a landmark public inquiry led to changes in 'double jeopardy' laws which barred suspects being tried for the same crime twice. In the 1993 murder inquiry detectives failed to act quickly on tip-offs made within days identifying the key five suspects. Four days after the stabbing surveillance officers stood by as a young man left the Acourts' family home carrying clothing covered in a black bin liner. Over the next six years, police faced a private prosecution, inquest and public inquiry into their failure to bring the men to justice. Two further murder inquiries were launched, however in 2004 prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to put anyone in the dock. A bold decision two years later to submit every exhibit for a full forensic review by a private firm led to a breakthrough. In 2007 experts at LGC Forensics began working through 30 items of clothing seized from the homes of the suspects. The discovery of tiny flakes of Stephen's blood and fibres from his clothes ultimately led to Gary Dobson and David Norris being arrested in 2011 and charged with his murder. On January 3, 2012, they were found guilty and jailed for life. Police vowed to continue fighting to bring the remaining three suspects to justice. In 2016 police released CCTV of a man seen close to the murder scene and appealed for help identifying a woman whose bag strap was found nearby. It led to 30 calls from the public but despite extensive inquiries any new leads came to nothing. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been warned to be 'very careful around open windows' after striking an amnesty deal with the Kremlin following his mercenary group's attempted mutiny over the weekend. Following clashes with Russia's regular forces en route to Moscow, Prigozhin abruptly halted his troop's 'march for justice' on Saturday after striking a bargain that he said would prevent bloodshed and a possible civil war in Russia. Under terms of the agreement - which ended the biggest challenge to president Vladimir Putin's 20-year rule - Prigozhin will go into exile in Belarus and will not face prosecution, but will no longer lead the powerful Wagner group. However, despite the deal, Russia's Kommersant newspaper and three main news agencies reported on Monday that the case against Prigozhin remains open and is still being investigated. He could face between 12 and 20 years in prison. What's more, despite the agreement, a former CIA director on Sunday warned the warlord to 'be very careful around open windows.' Speaking on CNN's 'State of the Union,' retired US General David Petraeus seemingly was referencing the number of prominent Russians who have died in unclear circumstances, including in falls from windows, since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. 'Prigozhin kept his life, but lost his Wagner Group,' Petraeus said. 'And he should be very careful around open windows in his new surroundings in Belarus'. Meanwhile, as Prigozhin was hailed as a hero by some of his supporters, members of Russia's convict army issued a threat against the Wagner warlord accusing him of a betrayal after he abandoned his coup against the Kremlin. And on Monday morning footage was broadcast on Russian state TV showing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected Russian troops - his first public appearance since the failed mutiny plunged the country into chaos. Shoigu's emergence appeared to be a message from Putin to Prigozhin, signalling the embattled Russian despot would not axe his defence minister from his post despite a demand from the Wagner boss to do so. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (centre) inspected Russian troops in footage broadcast in the country this morning - his first public appearance since a failed mutiny by Wagner forces plunged the country into chaos Yet Shoigu, 68, who was out of sight on Sunday, was seen in footage released by his ministry early today (pictured) dressed in military fatigues meeting Russia's Western group of troops and receiving a report from Colonel-General Yevgeny Nikiforov Shoigu's emergence appeared to be a message from Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured on Saturday) to the mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, signalling the embattled despot would not axe his defence minister from his post Members of Russia's convict army (pictured) issued a threat against the Wagner warlord - accusing him of a betrayal after he abandoned his coup against the Kremlin In a video posted online, a group of prisoners-turned fighters said Prigozhin's decision to pull back before reaching Moscow was 'cowardice'. They said his supporters now faced retaliation from Russia's military, and that he had 'double-crossed them' by striking an amnesty deal with the Kremlin. According to The Telegraph, the video came from one of the Russian army's Storm-Z brigades which are made up of convicts offered pardons in exchange for fighting. While Wagner has also recruited convicts from prisons under the same terms, Storm-Z units are separate from the mercenary group. Despite this distinction, many fighters in the units consider Prigozhin as an unofficial commander-in-chief. Prigozhin, who once served jail time himself, toured Russian prisons recruiting fighters - promising them freedom in exchange for six months of service. In the video, one of the Storm-Z fighters claimed the Wagner boss had 'leaked' at the last minute - Russian jail slang to suggest he lost his nerve, The Telegraph reports. 'You promised everything to our guys, and our Storm unit and others were ready to fight firmly for you,' the fighter says, speaking directly to camera. 'Then you turned the steering wheel in the other direction.' According to some reports, retribution for supporting Prigozhin was already being doled out. According to Radio Liberty, Russian political scientist and publicist Mikhail Serenko was detained in Volgograd on Saturday evening. His family said he was suspected of aiding Prigozhin's insurrection attempt. As some of his previous supporters turned on him, a top pro-Putin military figure demanded Prigozhin should put a bullet through his own head. His leading Wagner private military company commander Dmitry Uktin must do the same, demanded Putin MP and reservist Lt-Gen Andrey Gurulev on live TV. If not they should be executed, he made clear as poisonous recriminations begin among Putin's circle over Saturday's events. The hardline general - now a loyalist MP and the most prominent state TV military analyst - said 'only a bullet to the forehead' was good enough for the men behind Saturday's coup. 'This is the only salvation for Prigozhin, and Utkin,' he said. The footage shows Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (right) listening to a report being presented on the area's military situation, studying maps and taking a helicopter ride (pictured) to inspect Russian positions Shoigu (centre) was facing down a demand from coup-plotting Prigozhin that his head should roll along with chief of the army Gen Valery Gerasimov Shoigu is the first of three powerful Russian leaders whose diverging interests led to the Wagner Group occupying Rostov-on-Don to be seen since the revolt ended. He is facing down a demand from coup-plotting Prigozhin that his head should roll - along with chief of the army Gen Valery Gerasimov - over Russia's faltering, 16-month long invasion of Ukraine that has seen hundreds of thousands of casualties. Prigozhin has repeatedly blamed Shoigu and Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, for his fighters' deaths and has made clear his disdain for the fact that he has visited the frontlines in Ukraine while the pair have remained in Russia. Putin and Prigozhin have made no public statements since Wagner retreated. Yet Shoigu, 68, who was out of sight on Sunday, was seen in footage released by his ministry early today dressed in military fatigues meeting Russia's Western group of troops and receiving a report from Colonel-General Yevgeny Nikiforov. A defiant Shoigu - fighting for his job - 'listened to a report from the commander of the Western group, Col-Gen Nikiforov, on the current situation at the front' and the 'nature of enemy actions' according to reports. The footage shows the defence minister studying maps and taking a helicopter ride to inspect Russian positions. It was initially not possible to ascertain when the visit took place. One picture shows the time on Shoigu's watch as being shortly before one o'clock. However it remains unclear if his visit to the war command post was earlier today or yesterday - or if older footage was suddenly released to show him in charge. Rumours are swirling in Moscow that Putin, 70, has lined up Tula governor and ex-deputy defence minister Alexei Dyumin, 50, to be the next defence minister, replacing Shoigu. He is a trusted former Putin bodyguard who once saved the Kremlin leader from attack by a vicious brown bear. He is rumoured to have played a role in the pact which stopped the coup march into Moscow on Saturday. And he is believed to be involved in secret funding channels used by the Kremlin elite. Putin has not fired any of his top team - many now in their late sixties or early seventies - during the war. Gerasmov, 67, also remains in post so far despite Prigozhin's demands for him to be fired and even prosecuted. Meanwhile on Monday morning, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said he was cancelling a counter-terrorism regime imposed in the Russian capital during the Wagner mutiny. Sobyanin made the announcement in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging application on Monday. Russian media cited local Federal Security Service (FSB) offices as saying similar regimes had been cancelled in the Voronezh and Moscow regions. Separately, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee said the situation in the country was 'stable'. The anti-terrorist regimes were imposed in the three regions on Saturday, as a column of the rebellious Wagner mercenaries moved towards Moscow, exchanging fire with security forces and bringing down Russian military aircraft. Prigozhin was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, to the cheers of some local people. Yevgeny Prigozhin (right) the owner of the Wagner Group military company, sits inside a military vehicle posing for a selfie with a local civilian after retreating to the group's base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday Members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on Saturday This was after agreeing a deal to turn back his coup forces marching on Moscow. Some shook his hand through the car window. Trucks carrying armoured vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. Within hours of Prigozhin's announcement that his forces would return to base to avoid 'spilling Russian blood', the Kremlin said he would leave for Belarus. In exchange, Russia will drop the 'armed rebellion' charges against Prigozhin and not prosecute Wagner troops, it added. However, the criminal case against Prigozhin remains open, Russian media has said. Putin on Saturday vowed to crush what he called a treasonous mutiny, before it was reported that the Kremlin had struck the Belarus deal with the Wagner leader. Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was continuing its investigation as part of the case. It cited an unidentified source as saying there had not been enough time to close the case. Russia's three main news agencies - TASS, RIA and Interfax - also reported that the criminal case against Prigozhin remained open and that the investigation was continuing. 'The criminal case against Prigozhin has not stopped,' TASS cited a source close to the prosecutor's office as saying. 'The investigation is ongoing.' The Belarus deal removes Prigozhin's control of Wagner, but it's unclear whether any of his fighters would follow him to Belarus, either out of a sense of loyalty or due to dismay with being absorbed into the Russian military as contract soldiers. 'These personnel could potentially sign contracts with the MoD on an individual basis, demobilize in Russia - (or) travel to Belarus in some capacity,' the Institute for the Study of War think tank said in its report on the failed rebellion. If in Belarus, there would be concerns about whether they could get access to the Russian battlefield nuclear weapons. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's security council, was worried about them gaining control of Russian weapons as the uprising roiled on Saturday. 'The world will be put on the brink of destruction' if Wagnerites obtain nuclear weapons, Medvedev warned. Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24 Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24 In their lightning advance, Prigozhin's forces on Saturday took control of two military hubs in southern Russia and got within 120 miles of Moscow before retreating. The mutiny was the culmination of Prigozhin's long-standing feud with the Russian military's top brass over the conduct of the Russian operation in Ukraine. People in Rostov-on-Don cheered Wagner troops as they departed late Saturday, a scene that played into Putin's fear of a popular uprising. Some ran to shake hands with Prigozhin as he drove away in an SUV. Yet the rebellion fizzled quickly, in part because Prigozhin did not have the backing he apparently expected from Russian security services. The Federal Security Services immediately called for his arrest. Putin had on Saturday denounced the revolt as treason, vowing to punish the perpetrators. He accused them of pushing Russia to the brink of civil war. Later the same day, however, he had accepted an agreement brokered by Belarus to avert Moscow's most serious security crisis in decades. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated the truce with Prigozhin. Moscow thanked him, but observers noted that an intervention by Lukashenko, usually seen as Putin's junior partner, was itself an embarrassment. Ukraine revelled in the chaos, stepping up its own counter-offensive against Russian forces, while analysts also said the deal had exposed weakness in the Russian president's grip on power. Zelensky's senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted that 'Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence'. Russia insisted the rebellion had no impact on its faltering Ukraine campaign, and said Sunday that it had repelled new offensive attacks by Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian soldiers leaving the front line Sunday said the revolt had not noticeably affected fighting around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. 'Most people, most military, understand very well that the circus from Russia is still here,' said Nazar, a 26-year-old bearded soldier, parked at a service station on a road leading out of the Bakhmut area. Kyiv, however, said the unrest offered a 'window of opportunity' for its long-awaited counter-offensive. Wagner's fighters, made up of volunteers and ex-security officers but also thousands of convicts, were often thrown into the front of Russia's advance in Ukraine. The outfit also conducts several operations in the Middle East and Africa, largely seen as having Moscow's blessing. A man sits atop an armored vehicle in southern Russia as residents in the street talk with military personnel on Saturday, while awaiting news of Wagner's march on the capital Residents of the southern Russian city of Rostov take photos of an armoured vehicle in the street as they talk with military personnel on Saturday, June 24 The US had intelligence that Prigozhin had been building up his forces near the border with Russia for some time. That conflicts with Prigozhin's claim that his rebellion was a response to an attack on his field camps in Ukraine on Friday by the Russian military that he said killed a large number of his men. The Defense Ministry denied attacking the camps. US Rep. Mike Turner, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said Prigozhin's march on Moscow appeared to have been planned in advance. A young and healthy apprentice tradie has died after he collapsed during a game of OzTag - with friends and family sharing tributes to a 'loving soul with a heart of gold'. Caleb Pace, 20, died in Gold Coast Hospital at about 4.30am on Friday after he was 'fighting for his life' in a coma. The exact cause of his death is not yet known. Caleb, who worked as an apprentice electrician in the Gold Coast, was playing a game of touch football when he collapsed on the field and went into cardiac arrest on June 20. Bystanders performed CPR on the young man as an ambulance was called to the sporting ground. Caleb was taken to hospital where he was put on life support and placed in an induced coma. Apprentice tradesman Caleb Pace (pictured left with mother Michelle and brother Cy), 20, has died just three days after he collapsed on the field during a game of OzTag in the Gold Coast A GoFundMe page was set up by family friend Jessica Trevor to support his devastated mother Michelle, father Tony and brother Cy, 19. 'Everyone who has been privileged enough to have met you and known you is praying,' Ms Trevor wrote on the page. Tributes have flooded social media in the wake of the tragedy. His parents and brother said he was an 'incredibly generous, giving, caring, kind and loving soul with a heart of pure gold'. 'He will always be remembered as a true angel by all who knew him and had the privilege to meet him,' they told the Gold Coast Bulletin. Michelle expressed her anguish over the loss of her son in a post to Facebook, saying her heart was 'broken' and she was 'in so much pain'. 'My baby is gone and life will never be the same,' she wrote. 'He was the kindest, purest soul you would ever meet.' 'His smile, his laugh, his warmth.' 'He was an angel on earth and now he has his wings.' Friends and family have shared tributes to the Caleb (pictured left with friends), describing him as a 'generous', 'kind' and 'loving soul' Michelle expressed her anguish over the loss of her son in a post on Facebook, saying that her heart was 'broken' and she was 'in so much pain' One friend said Caleb 'was so loved and was taken too soon'. 'You will be loved and missed by all who met you,' wrote another. One woman added that the tragedy 'broke my heart'. Ms Trevor said the funds raised through the GoFundMe page would go towards financially supporting Caleb's family and allow them to grieve in peace. 'The aim of this GoFundMe is to help this family be a family again,' she said. She added that the money would also help find a new home for Michelle and Cy in Queensland after Michelle struggled to find a place for her and her two sons amidst the state's rental crisis. The GoFundMe page can be found here. A woman who falsely accused her neighbours of being paedophiles has been ordered to pay the couple damages of $280,000 after destroying their hopes of becoming foster parents. Zoe Anne Gooding posted the outrageous accusation against Mianka Rodgers and Michael Usher on a Facebook group for Bushland Beach locals living in the far north Queensland city of Townsville on September 10, 2021. After Mr Usher sued Ms Gooding over the post, she allegedly hit him with her car - twice fracturing his rotator cuff and breaking three ribs. She has been charged over the incident and was ordered to pay Mr Usher $15,000 compensation - a figure that was included as part of the overall $280,000 sum. Townsville's District Court also heard that Ms Gooding attempted to blame a hacker for the defamatory post on the Bushland Beach Crime Watch group. The post titled 'Paedophile Holbourne Street', stated: 'When it's your kid being touched then you wouldn't be saying it's a wild accusation' and remained live at least one and a-half hours. When Ms Gooding was asked 'how do you know?' she replied: 'We know cos they tried getting our 6 year old to go with them multiple times'. A woman from the north Queensland city of Townsville has been ordered to pay $280,000 for falsely accusing her neighbours of being paedophiles After receiving pushback Ms Gooding blamed a hacker. 'Hi everyone. So looked like my fb had been hacked. Neighbour just went mental and we were wondering why. Have reset my settings. Apologies' she wrote. However, this did not satisfy other group members. 'You put a post up about a paedophile and there apparent address. Gonna need a bit more explaining than 'we got hacked',' one wrote. Ms Gooding lived next door to Ms Rodgers and Mr Usher up until September 2021. The couple often invited Ms Gooding, her then-husband and child to their house, where the visitors swam in the pool. The neighbours also attended local events or Christmas barbecues together. In awarding damages on Friday Judge John Coker said Ms Rodgers and Mr Usher had planned to become foster parents but abandoned this because of the fallout of the defamatory post. Judge Coker ruled Ms Rodgers and Mr Usher's reputations were gravely injured as the defamatory allegation was 'of the worst possible kind' and left a 'permanent smear'. 'It is extremely difficult if not impossible to remove the stain or smear of that kind of statement,' Judge Croker said. In ruling in their favour the judge noted defamed couple saw their hopes of being foster parents crushed Judge Coker said Ms Gooding 'should have, but did not, retract the publication, pronouncing its falsity to those members of the group who saw the publication'. Her failure to apologise led the judge to award $65,000 in aggravated damages as part of the overall sum. The defamatory post was made visible to almost 4900 members of the Facebook group. Ms Rodgers told the court about 30 or 40 people in her neighbourhood told her they knew of the post. As a consequence Ms Rodgers and Mr Usher felt ostracised and they saw their relationships with other locals deteriorate. Mr Usher told the court a colleague at his Tacoma Plumbing worksite asked him if he was the person referred to by Ms Gooding's post. 'I told him 'I thought so' and he just laughed at me saying 'what a joke',' Mr Usher told the court, saying he feared what the repercussions might be if others made the same connection. Ms Rodgers told the court she and Mr Usher 'had no choice but to take steps to try and restore our reputation as best we could'. 'It is important that people understood clearly that Mick and I are not paedophiles,' she said. 'However, I do not believe that whatever we do we will ever be able to wash the stain away entirely. Zoe Gooding has by her conduct detrimentally affected our lives forever.' A man has been crushed to death between a truck and a wall in a horror incident in Melbourne's Hosier Lane. Emergency crews were called to the scene about 7.15am on Monday following reports a man had been struck. Police say the driver of the truck became trapped between his vehicle and a wall. Paramedics were called to the accident but the driver died at the scene. The deceased man has yet to be formally identified. Police were called to the scene of a horrific accident in Melbourne's Hosier Lane on Monday morning A worker from restaurant Movida Next Door reported the accident involved a garbage man picking up bins for the Hosier Lane eateries. The worker believed the truck's handbrake may have failed. As a consequence of the accident the laneway was closed off from morning until later in the day. Police are investigating the incident but are not treating the death as suspicious. WorkSafe have also been called to investigate. Hosier Lane is a well-known tourist drawcard in central Melbourne, with a continually changing range of graffiti art surrounding trendy cafes and bars. A riding instructor who had a horror horseback accident at a top country hotel where Prince Harry spent the night before his wedding is suing for 200,000. Katie Haigh, 26, has gone to the High Court to seek damages over the impact of her accident at the Coworth Park hotel - which has extensive royal connections. Ms Haigh sustained brain injuries in the incident which happened after a horse bolted during a lesson she was giving in wet weather. She is seeking damages from the five-star hotel in Surrey, which is home to the Guards Polo Club. The hotel has filed a defence and is expected to contest the claim. Katie Haigh, 26, has gone to the High Court to seek damages over the impact of her accident at the Coworth Park hotel - which has extensive royal connections Ms Haigh is seeking damages from the five-star Coworth hotel in Surrey, which is home to the Guards Polo Club As well as being the venue he chose to spend the night before his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, Harry and his older brother Prince William frequently played polo in the grounds of the elegant Georgian hotel. Ms Haigh sustained her life-changing injuries on a wet day in December 2019. She was giving a lesson, riding a palomino horse called Soda, as she tried to teach a beginner rider to rise at the trot, when her horse suddenly shot forward uncontrollably and bolted, according to her claim. She says that Soda was very fresh, and the pair were riding on a track where the horses were used to being exercised at canter, before he galloped off. Ms Haigh, who was born without a right foot and wears a prosthetic, soon lost her left stirrup and, worried that the pupil's horse Enzo might follow and that Soda would head for a tarmac area or jump a fence, she decided to deliberately come off the horse on the rubber track, and fell at high speed. Her injuries included a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, injuries to her spleen and lungs, amnesia, and cognitive difficulties which means she cannot form new memories day to day, she says. This stops her from living independently, and she also has problems with fine motor skills, struggles to find the right words and to multi-task, and suffers with fatigue, stress and anxiety. Her intellect is not affected. The accident happened on December 12 2019 and the grass area the hotel usually used for teaching had been waterlogged, she says. Ms Haigh sustained brain injuries in the incident which happened after a horse bolted during a lesson she was giving in wet weather Now Ms Haigh, of Sanderstead, Surrey, accuses Coworth Park of negligence and of breaching its strict liability duty under the Animals Act 1971. She accuses the hotel of negligently requiring her to ride an unsuitable horse with a propensity to bolt, failing to heed her concerns about the horse's safety, failing to properly exercise horses so that staff had to ride fresh horses, and failing to exercise Soda, a 16hh thirteen-year-old mare, in the week of the accident. The hotel negligently failed to provide a suitable and safe track to teach beginners, so that they had to be taught on the oval track. This meant she had to teach on an area the horses recognised as their canter or gallop track with experienced riders, failed to properly assess the risks, and failed to have a safe place and system of work, she says. Ms Haigh, who had joined the hotel as an equestrian assistant in September 2019, also accuses the hotel of causing her to carry out an inherently dangerous task in telling her to take a lesson the way she did with Soda, failing to take adequate care for her safety, and exposing her to an unnecessary risk of injury. She also says that under the Animals Act, the hotel is strictly liable to her, as the damage she suffered was likely to be severe when caused by the horse, and that whenever a horse bolts it is likely that the rider will be thrown off and the damage severe. Ms Haigh is seeking damages and provisional damages allowing her to return to court for more compensation if she develops epilepsy as a result of her head injury Either Soda was unusually prone to bolt, or she bolted because she was fresh because of lack of exercise, she claims. Ms Haigh is seeking damages and provisional damages allowing her to return to court for more compensation if she develops epilepsy as a result of her head injury. Afternoon tea at the luxury hotel costs 55 per person, and rooms cost from 630 a night. The hotel has been contacted for comment. China's state-run media has said the Wagner mutiny in Russia threatens Vladimir Putin's 'political stability' in rare criticism of Moscow from Beijing. The weekend saw the Kremlin on the brink of collapse after Wagner warlord and one-time Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday ordered his mercenary army to storm the Russian capital, in what he called a 'march for justice'. But with its soldiers reaching within 120 miles of Moscow, the Wagner group halted its advance, withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov and headed back to its bases late on Saturday under a deal that guaranteed their safety. While he survived the mutiny, analysts have said Putin's position has never been weaker, with the crisis showing to the world just how divided Russia is. This has not gone unnoticed in China, with state-run outlet The Global Times saying the situation was 'trending in the direction the West and Ukraine would prefer'. China's state-run media has said the Wagner mutiny in Russia threatens Vladimir Putin's 'political stability' in rare criticism of Moscow from Beijing. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands in Moscow, March 21 Writing for the Global Times, writer and former editor-in-chief Hu Xijin (pictured) predicted that the Wagner mutiny would have a major impact on Russia's security and that mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin would meet a 'tragic' end Since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, leaving it internationally isolated, China has emerged as Russia's most important ally. But analysts have said the weekend's once-in-a-generation security crisis compounded fears in Beijing that Russia - a strategic partner central to its global ambitions - is not as stable as it hoped. China officially weighed in on Sunday evening - well over 24 hours after the mutiny began - with Beijing pledging its support for Russia's efforts in 'protecting national stability'. The foreign ministry also said the issue was an 'internal affair'. By the time the ministry issued its statement, the rebellion in Russia had been quelled, with the Kremlin announcing Prigozhin would leave for Belarus and that Moscow would not prosecute him or Wagner's members. Writing for The Global Times - also just before Wagner stood its force down - writer Hu Xijin predicted that the mutiny would have a major impact on Russia's security and that Prigozhin would meet a 'tragic' end. 'Overall, the Wagner mutiny has had a significant impact on Putin's administration and Russia's political stability,' Mr Xijin wrote. 'Anything could occur next. But I have a bold judgment: whatever will be staged in Russian politics next, Prigozhin's personal political end will be tragic.' Mr Xijin, the former Communist Party secretary of the publication, also said that the situation was 'trending in the direction that both the West and Ukraine would prefer'. He claimed that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia on the battlefield, and therefore must rely on efforts to 'stimulate and drive internal unrest in Russia'. State-run China Daily, meanwhile, urged in another article for Russia and Ukraine to renew their efforts for peace talks. 'Now is the time for all peace-loving countries in the world to rally to the cause of persuading the two belligerents to sit down and talk,' the China Daily article said. 'No country is in a position to savour the experience of schadenfreude while witnessing the Moscow drama as if it is safely watching a deadly fire from across a river. 'China is willing to work with all parties in pursuit of a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and it will do all it can to facilitate the process of diplomatic negotiations, and create and accumulate the conditions for the final settlement of the crisis,' the piece added. The weekend saw the Kremlin on the brink of collapse after Wagner warlord and one-time Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin (seen on Saturday) on Friday ordered his mercenary army to storm the Russian capital, in what he called a 'march for justice' Analysts say they believe Beijing opted for a 'wait-and-see' approach to the crisis, driven in part by an understanding that the rebellion exposed fissures in Putin's grip. 'China has already been surprised at Russia's poor military performance in Ukraine,' Susan Thornton, a former senior US diplomat specialising in Asia, told AFP. 'This event will likely be seen as a further indicator of weakness/decay.' China's leaders have long framed Putin's Russia as a bulwark against the West. Prior to the latest unrest, Beijing likely 'did not doubt that Putin is the undisputed leader of Russia', Victor Shih, an expert on Chinese politics at UC San Diego, said. But with his authority challenged in such a 'blatant way', Professor Shih told AFP, 'China will now think very hard about power dynamics in Russia.' China is Russia's largest economic partner, with trade between them reaching a record $190billion last year, according to Chinese customs data. China's imports of Russian crude oil since the invasion of Ukraine have almost doubled, customs data showed earlier this month. Beijing says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine war, but has been criticised by Western countries for refusing to condemn Moscow and for its deepening partnership. 'It was probably quite shocking for Beijing and for Xi Jinping personally that Russia's internal defence mechanisms all failed,' Bjorn Alexander Duben, an expert in Beijing-Moscow ties at China's Jilin University, told AFP 'It will certainly want to learn lessons from that.' China has long grappled with dramatic events concerning its northern neighbour - its leadership pointing to the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union and the chaos that followed as vindicating Beijing's rigid system of government. 'China is used to those dramatic changes in Russia, though may not necessarily like them,' Yu Bin, a professor at Wittenberg University. The weekend's events might also accelerate Beijing's efforts to play peacemaker in a bid to end the Ukraine war on Moscow's terms. State-run outlet The Global Times said the situation in Russia and Ukraine was 'trending in the direction the West and Ukraine would prefer'. Pictured: A BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system is seen in action near the frontlines in Ukraine, June 25 'The latest events are likely leading to a new low in Chinese assessments of Russia's state capacity and political stability in Russia,' UC San Diego's Professor Shih said. 'This is a clear sign that the invasion of Ukraine is undermining fundamental stability in Russia.' According to Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, China may have calibrated its response in part out of concerns of embarrassing an ally. 'China treads very, very carefully,' he said. 'I think that the insurrection in Russia came as a surprise, you see the (Chinese) media and everybody is very cautious in the official statements.' A Titanic historian whose great-grandmother and great-uncle survived the disaster more than 100 years ago has called for an end to 'tacky and obnoxious' trips to visit the doomed liner. Shelley Binder condemned deep-sea tourism trips to the Titanic 'grave site' after five men were killed instantly last week when an OceanGate submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' on its way to see the 1912 shipwreck. 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. Ms Binder, whose great-grandmother Leah Aks and great-uncle F. Phillip Aks were among around 700 survivors of the Titanic disaster, said that it was a 'miracle' she was here today, but that some families' bodies were never recovered and it's their 'last resting place'. 'For those families... they think it's tacky and obnoxious to go there,' she told The US Sun. Ms Binder is certain that her great-grandmother and great-uncle would not have approved of the $250,000-a-head trip to visit the shipwreck - a view that many other relatives of Titanic passengers also share. She said: 'My gut feeling is [that my great-grandmother] would not be in favor of it. She died in 1967, so she probably wouldn't be able to comprehend such an idea. Shelley Binder (pictured), whose great-grandmother and great-uncle survived the Titanic disaster more than 100 years ago, has called for an end to 'tacky and obnoxious' trips to visit the doomed liner Ms Binder's great-grandmother Leah Aks (right) and great-uncle F. Phillip Aks (center) survived the Titanic disaster Ms Binder (center) wants to put an end to the Titanic tourist trips after five men were killed instantly on their way to see the 1912 shipwreck This is the first full-sized digital scan of the Titanic shipwreck. The disaster killed around 1,500 people in 1912 'But would she sanction it? No. Her experience on the Titanic affected her tremendously for the rest of her life. She was completely devastated by this [and] tortured by this. 'And I know my great-uncle was not in favor of it. When they found the Titanic in 1985, he told me: 'I wish they would just leave the ship alone.' Her great-uncle was just 10 months old when he got separated from his mother in the early morning hours of April 15 when the ocean liner collided with an iceberg and began to sink. Somehow, the pair ended up on the same rescue boat - the Carpathia - and were reunited in the ship's hospital wing. Ms Binder added that those who lost loved ones on the Titanic view the wreck as a mass burial site as opposed to a tourist attraction. She described the disaster as a 'horrific' incident in which men, women and children died 'in the most painful way possible'. She added that you can see the wreckage without having to physically go 12,500ft deep down into the Atlantic. The retired professor continued: 'Is there really much they were going to see by looking out those windows? Why don't you just get a huge pit in your backyard and burn $250,000 and then watch the 8k footage of the wreck they recently uploaded online?' The Titan submersible, pictured here, imploded last week with five men on board the vessel 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 billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding (pictured) lost his live in the devastating implosion French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was also in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Relatives of both survivors and fatalities who were passengers on the doomed ocean liner, have joined forces to tell MailOnline that they share the same view that those who perished in 1912 should be left alone. 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 last week, 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.' Meanwhile, Meme Bell, whose relative Sam Williams was a crew stoker fireman who died on the Titanic, told this paper: 'It should be left alone now... Its not a tourist attraction it's a graveyard.. Let them rest in peace.' Mr Williams, who was born in Southampton in 1884, was unmarried and left behind a pregnant girlfriend who named her son Sam in honor of him. Marilyn Furze, whose great uncle was a ship steward, added: 'This is my great uncle's resting place Alfred John Harding from Southampton. l believe it should be left alone.' He was the son of Alfred John Harding and Mabel Alice Stainer - both of whom hailed from Hampshire. And Ellie Bryant said: 'My husband's great grandfather rests at the bottom of the sea with the ship. First class passenger John Bradley Cummings. Let him be.' Mr Cummings, who was born in Boston in 1872, was married to Florence Briggs Thayer - who was also on the Titanic when it started sinking. They were both among the group of first-class passengers taken to lifeboat 4. Mr Cummings told his wife he would follow in a later boat but he did not survive. It comes as the US Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the undersea implosion of the Titan submersible, which vanished last Sunday, and has not ruled out finding human remains - while also hinting that the probe could lead to criminal charges. Christopher Arthur Shulver (pictured), a fireman on the Titanic who survived the sinking before dying in an explosion on the RMS Adriatic, another White Star Liner, in 1922 Sam Williams (left) was a crew stoker fireman who died on the Titanic, while Mr Cummings was a wealthy passenger (right) Captain Jason Neubauer, who is chairing the US Coast Guard investigation into the implosion of the vessel, said they are in touch with the families of the five people killed, and that investigators are 'taking all precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains.' The US Coast Guard said last Thursday that all five people aboard the submersible had died after the vessel suffered a 'catastrophic implosion.' Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, confirmed that the Coast Guard has launched a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) into 'the loss of the submersible and the five people on board' He added: 'The MBI is also responsible for accountability aspects of the incident and it can make recommendations to the proper authorities to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary.' Following the devastating incident, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush has come under fire for hunting around for rich client to endorse his expedition because he was struggling to make a profit. Insiders say Rush, who perished on board, used his powers of persuasion to stop clients being steered away on safety grounds by respected figures within the exploration community, The Times reports. Patrick Lahey, president of Triton submarines, told the newspaper: 'He could even convince someone who knew and understood the risks... it was really quite predatory.' Rush, a self-style innovator, never sought certification or classification for his vessel. He insisted regulators could not keep up with his technology. Around 1,500 passengers lost their lives when the Titanic (pictured) collided with an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic His combination of a cylindrical carbon fibre hull with titanium end caps was deemed by industry experts as a dangerous design flaw and it has been suggested as the likely cause of the Titan's implosion. Mr Lahey, who has worked for 43 years in the field and whose Triton subs featured in the BBC's Blue Planet, added: 'At the very time this monstrosity was being made, I was building the most capable subs of our age.' 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. A family has sued Macy's after their three-year-old toddler was left maimed by a six feet tall male mannequin that was allegedly not secured properly. The child, identified only as 'ZK', was with his parents at the department store in Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, Long Island, when he pulled on the male mannequin. A lawsuit filed this week in Manhattan Supreme Court alleges that the dummy fell and injured the boy's face because it was not properly fastened to its base. The incident happened in June 2019 but the family's attorney Michael Brumer told the New York Post that marks on the child's forehead and nose are still visible. The attorney added: 'We were told by a security guard that it's not the first time those mannequins have tipped over.' A family has sued Macy's after their three-year-old toddler was left maimed by a six feet tall male mannequin that was allegedly not secured properly (File image) The child, identified only as 'ZK', was with his parents at the clothes store in Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, Long Island, when he pulled on the male mannequin The family's attorney Michael Brumer told the The New York Post that marks on the child's forehead and nose are still visible (File image) The lawsuit, filed by the boy's father Atalla Khalaf, claims ZK suffered severe personal injuries and mental anguish, according to Fox Business. The family want damages to cover the medical expenses as well as compensation for the child's injuries. Injuries from dummies have been the cause of several lawsuits in previous years, it has been reported. According to TribLIVE, a woman sued Men's Warehouse in 2019 when a mannequin draped in a tuxedo fell onto a her head in Westmoreland, Ohio. Macy's, a department store company in New York, first opened in 1858. MailOnline has contacted Macy's for comment. A British man has died after falling into a pool in a notorious party resort on a Greek holiday island. The 20-year-old was at the well-known Karma Beach Club in Laganas on the Greek island of Zante (Zakynthos) when he lost consciousness in the pool at 10pm last night, according to ERT Zakynthos. One of the bar staff reportedly spotted the man face down in the pool and alerted a lifeguard. The lifeguard pulled the man - who was described in local news either as British or Irish - out of the water and gave him CPR, but he was pronounced dead after being taken to Zakynthos hospital by a private ambulance. The bar manager told local newspaper Topontiki the man didn't drown and that all safety measures were followed. The 20-year-old was at a 'well-known club' in Laganas on the Greek island of Zakynthos when he lost consciousness in the pool at 10pm last night (file image of Laganas) The devastated club owner told a local TV station: 'The man entered the pool and moved from one side of the pool to the other. The bar woman saw him and she was concerned because he looked very white in the face.' He said that they called a male nurse and that CPR was performed on the man as they thought he was dead. As the man showed no response, they also used a defibrillator. The club owner added: 'We tried three times but it made no difference, then he was taken to the hospital. We're all devastated and in shock. I've been doing this job for 40 years and this is the first time something like this has happened.' An autopsy will be carried out in the city of Patras to determine the young Briton's cause of death. Zante Police is investigating to find out what happened and spoke to the manager and staff at the club. Earlier this month, a 64-year-old British tourist was found by other holidaymakers on the Alykanas beach in Zante. The incident took place on Friday, June 9, at around 9.15am local time with the ambulance and coastguard workers sprinting to the scene. The man was taken to Zakynthos General Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. According to reports, no lifeguard was present at the beach at the time of the incident. A preliminary investigation is being carried out by the Port Authority of Zakynthos. Just Stop Oil (JSO) eco-zealots have seen two protests disrupted by members of the public this morning before being shut down by police - with a motorcyclist driving through a march. Elsewhere in the capital, an enraged cyclist attempted to push protesters out of the road, telling them to 'f****** move' as he shoved them out of the way of a waiting car and bus. The group began its tenth week of slow marches today and proudly announced that it had caused blockages on key roads across north, south and west London this morning. However, in what is becoming a disturbingly common occurrence, there were ugly interactions between the group and fed-up commuters. In Camberwell shortly after 8am, a motorcyclist refused to be held up by the rush-hour slow march, ploughing through their banner and tossing it on the ground as he rode away. A Just Stop Oil demonstration has been thwarted by a motorcyclist in London The unnamed motorcyclist drove straight through the group's latest demonstration After racing off, the driver was seen to toss the group's crumpled banner away A cyclist was also seen trying to remove the protesters from the road in London today In ugly scenes the man pushed, shoved and swore at the demonstrators clogging up the road The brazen rider was seen careering straight through two protesters holding up the JSO sign which he then gathers and disposes of. Meanwhile in Islington, a lone cyclist took matters into his own hands and began to try and move all of the protesters off Holloway Road himself. In a video released by JSO, the cyclist can be seen telling the group to 'f****** move'. At one point, the man yells: 'Go and protest properly you s******** *****.' The Metropolitan Police confirmed enforcement actions had been taken after today's slow march, which saw four groups march in different locations on the capital. A spokesman said: 'Officers issued a Section 12 condition to move out of the carriageway to Just Stop Oil protesters on Holloway Road, Islington, at 08.28. 'The road was cleared two minutes later, and traffic is now moving.' The embarrassment comes following a difficult week for the group, who were slammed as 'performative' by one of their original funders. American entrepreneur Trevor Neilson co-founded the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF), a group that bankrolled Extinction Rebellion and JSO, Mr Neilson has since resigned his position and described their methods as 'unproductive'. The 50-year-old Californian businessman stepped down in 2021 but has since decided to speak out to criticise the groups' protest tactics, which include 'slow marches' and blocking roads. Major events have also been disrupted by JSO, including the Rugby Cup final at Twickenham and the Epsom Derby, with Wimbledon suspected to be the next sporting event under threat. 'It's become disruption for the sake of disruption,' Neilson told The Times. 'Working people that are trying to get to their job, get their kid dropped off at school, survive a brutal cost-of-living crisis in the UK, you know, there's a certain hierarchy of needs that they have.' Mr Neilson was once an enthusiastic supporter of the controversial tactics employed by the climate groups, but said their activities have caused him increasing unease. 'If at the same time they have a pink-haired, tattooed and pierced protester standing in front of their car, so that their kid is late for their test that day, that does not encourage them to join the movement,' he added. 'It's just performative. It's not accomplishing anything. I absolutely believe that it has now become counterproductive, and I just feel like that has to be said by somebody that was involved in the beginnings of what it has become.' The incident is just the latest example of members of the public reaching their wits' end with the protesters The group were left visibly shaken following the angry intervention by the motorcyclist JSO's demonstrations have been hampered in recent weeks by the police's ability to enact Section 12 conditions - making it an arrestable offence to stay in the road. Today's incident is just the latest example of members of the public reaching their wits' end with the activists. Last week, a furious van driver appeared to scream 'get out of the f***ing road' at relentless protesters. The frustrated van driver honks his horn at the protesters before managing to get past them. As the van drives past, he appears to shout 'get out of the f***ing road' at demonstrators - who 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.' Previously protesters were drenched in water by a furious Londoner on a balcony during yet another traffic-halting protest. 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. 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 This is the adorable moment a four-year-old crept into his little brother's room and encouraged him to climb out of his crib so they could keep playing. The footage, captured on a baby monitor, shows Yaakov Hal mischievously convincing two-year-old Elisha to swing his leg over the top of the crib and promises to catch him. Elisha bravely sticks his leg over the barrier and Yaakov is so overcome with pride that he yells 'My big boy!' Once the toddler makes a successful landing Yaakov says: 'I told you. As long we're together, nothing can stop us.' The boy's mother, Tiffany Ashley Hal, 32, went to investigate after hearing talking in the bedroom and was shocked to find Elisha had escaped from his crib. Yaakov Hal, four, (left) mischievously encouraged his two-year-old brother Elisha (right) to climb out of his crib so they could keep playing 'I was like, ''Excuse me mister, how did you get out of your crib?'' Yaakov looked at Elisha smiling and then he looked at me and said, ''I helped him, mommy!''', she said. Tiffany added: 'When I saw the video, I was so touched and full of love that I let them play for a half hour. It was too sweet.' The mother, who lives in Toronto, Canada with her family, believes the recent 2023 release of 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' is to blame for the antics and brotherly love. 'Yaakov already takes his big brother role very seriously,' said Tiffany. 'That movie reaffirmed his role even more.' In the movie Mario repeatedly says that same line to Luigi. The Hal family have now replaced Elisha's crib for a toddler bed. The footage, captured on a baby monitor, shows Yaakov mischievously convincing two-year-old Elisha to exit the crib Elisha swings his leg over the top of the crib and Yaakov promises to catch him Yaakov is so overcome with pride for his brother that he yells 'My big boy!' when he does it The pair have achieved their mission and start playing with their toys together The boys' mother Tiffany believes the recent 2023 release of 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' is to blame for the antics and brotherly love Even though Tiffany explained to the boys the danger of Elisha escaping from his crib, and the importance of going to bed when it's time to, she could not be too upset with them. 'I don't ever want to ruin or discourage their bond, so I just kept praising them,' she said. 'My husband and I are huge on family values and we really teach our boys how important it is to love one another, to always protect and be there for each other. 'At the end of the day, there is no one closer to you than family.' A British tourist in India has died after a motorcycle accident on a remote Himalayan highway saw him plunge 1,600ft off the edge of a cliff into a gorge. The as yet unidentified Brit embarked on a road trip as part of an eight-man motorbike tour to the tribal Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, the northernmost state of India and home to the Himalayan mountains. The unfortunate tourist reportedly lost control of his motorbike after hitting a stone in the road and veering off track while travelling along the NH-5 highway near Kashang Nala. His motorbike is said to have been knocked off course and hit a roadside barricade, which catapulted him over the barrier and sent him tumbling some 1,600ft to his death. Rescuers are seen rappelling down the gorge to extract the body of the motorcyclist The British man died after plunging into a deep gorge while riding a Himalayan road A member of the search and rescue team told Indian outlets that rescuers and members of the local police force from Reckong Peo town rappelled into the gorge and extracted Barrett's body. His body was sent for a post-mortem and subsequently handed over to the next of kin. MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for comment and further information. The Indian district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh is an extremely popular destination for tourists, particularly bikers. The tribal areas offer tough and challenging terrain, with rocky mountain roads often the only option for reaching more remote areas. A 63-year-old man has died in hospital months after being brutally bashed, allegedly by a teenager. Richard Matthews suffered critical brain injuries after the assault about 100 metres from his home in Innisfail, Queensland, on April 10. He died at Innisfail Hospital over the weekend. Richard Matthews suffered critical brain injuries after the assault about 100 metres from his home in Innisfail, Queensland, on April 10 A 17-year-old boy was charged with causing grievous bodily harm following the incident and at this stage the charge remains unchanged in light of Mr Matthews' death. Mr Matthews appeared to be showing signs of a recovery but took a turn for the worse after his brother Bill unexpectedly died from a stroke earlier this month. 'It's a pretty devastating time for our family,' Mr Matthews' nephew Kodi told the Cairns Post. 'I believe the stress of Richie being injured contributed to my father having a stroke. Dad was travelling from Cairns to Innisfail every second day to see him.' He added that the 'random attack' had 'ripped his family apart'. Mr Matthews was a big rugby league fan and supported Manly. The youngest victim of the Titan sub disaster had dreams of breaking a Rubik's Cube world record while exploring the Titanic wreckage in the depths of the Atlantic. Suleman Dawood, 19, loved the coloured cube and would dazzle friends by solving it in 12 just seconds, his heartbroken mother Christine has revealed. The talented teenager had applied to Guinness World Records and was 'so excited' to try and solve the puzzle some 3,700 metres below the ocean surface. His father Shahzada, who also died, had taken a camera on the doomed voyage to capture the moment. Suleman could complete a Rubik's Cube at a 'quite impressive' speed and was known to show off his skills. Since his death, poignant footage of him solving the puzzle as a challenge in a Glasgow city centre bar around Christmas last year has come to light. A companion who witnessed the university student's party trick said Suleman had his 'whole life in front of him.' Suleman Dawood, the youngest victim of the Titan sub disaster, wanted to break the Rubik's Cube world record while exploring the Titanic wreckage in the depths of the Atlantic. The 19-year-old is pictured working on the puzzle Suleman could complete a Rubik's Cube in just 12 seconds. Since his death, poignant footage of him solving the puzzle (pictured) as a challenge in a Glasgow city centre bar around Christmas last year has surfaced Suleman Dawood and Shahzada Dawood were two of the five victims killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck Suleman's mother said he loved the famous cube puzzle so much that he carried it with him everywhere. He was also adept at solving it at high speed. The teenager, who recently completed his first year at Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, had contacted officials about attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the puzzle while on the OceanGate voyage. She told the BBC: 'He said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic.' Shahzada, a UK-based businessman and one of Pakistan's richest men, had planned to document his son's attempt. The father-son duo were two of the five victims killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck. Suleman's love for the puzzle was referred to in a statement from his family released overnight which said he was, 'remembered fondly by colleagues as a tall young man walking around with his beloved Rubik's cube and a smile on his face'. 'He loved science fiction literature and volleyball but his greatest quality was the humility he espoused which was a true reflection of his parents' upbringing.' Last December the teen showcased his skill at a bar in Glasgow. Christine Dawood said Suleman had applied to Guinness World Records and was 'so excited' to try and solve the puzzle 3,700 metres below the ocean surface. She and her son are pictured together Last December Suleman showcased his Rubik's Cube skills at a bar in Glasgow (pictured) A witness to his party piece said 'he was able to do it in seconds' and failed Suleman's attempt (pictured) as 'quite impressive'. The teen is understood to have carried the puzzle with him everywhere he went A witness to his party piece recalled: 'It was last Christmas. The bar was quite crowded and Suleman did the Rubik's cube - he was able to do it in seconds. 'It really was quite impressive. I gather he'd carry one round and do it all the time, that's how he got so fast.' They added: 'It's so sad seeing this now as it shows what a bright boy he was, so full of life and fun. 'He's got his whole life in front of him at this point on when he does this as a trick in the pub and of course he had no idea what was going to happen to him just a few months later. It's awful.' A friend of Suleman earlier this week described him as 'fun-loving' and a Rubik's Cube whiz. Christine said she and her 17-year-old daughter Alina have vowed to try to learn to finish the Rubik's Cube in Suleman's honour. The grieving mother said: 'Alina and I said we are going learn how to solve the Rubik's cube. That's going to be a challenge for us because we are really bad at it but we are going to learn it.' She also revealed how she intends to continue her late husband's work. 'He was involved in so many things, he helped so many people and I think Alina and I really want to continue that legacy and give him that platform when his work has continued and it's quite important for my daughter as well. Five people lost their lives onboard the Titan submersible after it suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic Christine Dawood said her husband, Shahzada Dawood, was 'so excited he was like a child' at the prospect of seeing the Titanic wreckage. The couple are pictured together The Dawood family boarded the sub's mothership, Polar Prince, on Father's Day hoping for the trip of a lifetime. Christine says Shahzada was 'so excited he was like a child' at the prospect of seeing the Titanic wreckage. She and Alina were still on board the Polar Prince when word came through that communications with Titan had been lost. Christine said they held out hope to begin with after being the sub did not initially return. She said: 'We all thought they are just going to come up so that shock was delayed by about 10 hours or so. 'By the time they were supposed to be up again, there was a time.... when they were supposed to be up on the surface again and when that time passed the real shock, not shock but the worry and the not so good feelings started. 'We had loads of hope, I think that was the only thing that got us through it because we were hoping and... we talked about things that pilots can do like dropping weights, there were so many actions people on the sub can do in order to surface. 'We were constantly looking at the surface. There was so many things we would go through where we would think 'it's just slow right now, it's slow right now'. But there was a lot of hope.' Christine and her daughter Alina were on board the sub's mothership, Polar Prince (pictured), when word came through that communications with Titan had been lost She said she 'lost hope' when 96 hours had passed since her husband and son boarded the submersible, which indicated they had run out of oxygen. She revealed that's when she sent a message to her family saying she was 'preparing for the worst.' Alina held out a bit longer, she said, until the call with the US Coast Guard where they were informed debris had been found. The family returned to St John's in Newfoundland, Canada on Saturday, and on Sunday held a funeral prayer for Shahzada and Suleman. Pizzerias in New York City have blasted 'unfunded' new rules to slash carbon emissions by 75 per cent that could see wood and coal-fired ovens being scrapped. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) drafted the new rules which could require pizzerias with ovens installed before May 2016 to buy expensive emission-control devices. It comes as Greenhouse gas emissions have hit 'an all-time high' - with 54 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide having been emitted each year for the past decade. The owner of one joint in Brooklyn explained he already installed a 'scrubbers' device that filters the smoke but this could cost restaurants $20,000. 'Oh yeah, it's a big expense!', Paul Giannone, the owner of Paulie Gee's in Greenpoint, told the New York Post. 'It's not just the expense of having it installed, it's the maintenance. I got to pay somebody to do it, to go up there every couple of weeks and hose it down and you know, do the maintenance.' Pizzerias in New York have blasted 'unfunded' new rules to slash carbon emissions by 75 per cent that could see wood and coal-fired ovens being ditched A city official claimed that less than 100 restaurants in the Big Apple would be affected (File image) Defending the rules, DEP spokesman Ted Timbers said in a statement: 'All New Yorkers deserve to breathe healthy air and wood and coal-fired stoves are among the largest contributors of harmful pollutants in neighborhoods with poor air quality.' Other famous pizza destinations are facing the same problem, with a city official claiming that less than 100 restaurants would be affected. Pizzerias which could be impacted include Lombardi's in Little Italy, John's of Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, and Grimaldi's near the Brooklyn Bridge. One anonymous restaurateur told The Post: 'You take away the char, the thing that makes the pizza taste great, you kill it.' He added: 'This is an unfunded mandate and it's going to cost us a fortune.' Even some customers have spoken out, warning city officials not to go near their pizzas. Saavi Sharma, 32, of Brooklyn Heights, said: 'I'm all for responsible environmental practice but tell Al Gore to take one less private jet or something. Give me a break!' One angry person wrote on Twitter: 'New York officially outlawing properly made pizza.' Another wrote: 'Some of NYC's most legendary pizzerias will be punished. These pizzerias have perfected a style of pizza that millions of NY'ers have craved for decades. 'Is the current agenda from the elected class to just destroy everything old New York?' The DEP drafted the new rules which could require pizzerias with ovens installed before May 2016 to buy expensive emission-control devices The owner of one Brooklyn joint explained he already installed a 'scrubbers' device to filter the 'smog' but this could cost restaurants $20,000 (File image) Some customers have even spoken out, warning city officials not to go near their pizzas (File image) Under the mandate, food places with coal-and-wood-fired ovens are required to hire an architect or engineer to look at the feasibility of installing emission controls devices to achieve a 75 per cent decrease in particulate emissions. If the report finds that a reduction of 75 per cent or more is not possible it must identify any emission controls able to provide a reduction of at least 25 per cent or an explanation of why emission controls cannot be installed. Restaurants will have the option to apply for a variance or waiver, but would have to provide evidence to prove a hardship. The DEP rules comply with Local 38 of 2015 approved by former Mayor Bill de Blasio. MailOnline has contacted the DEP for comment. Italians are furious after a tourist was filmed by an English-speaking man scrawling 'Ivan + Hayley' into the wall of Rome's ancient Colosseum. A bystander filmed the tourist as he carved the names into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old building using a set of keys. The man can be seen scratching 'Ivan + Hayley 23' into one of the bricks, likely trying to mirror the date of their visit, which according to the English-speaking man who recorded the footage, was last Friday, on June 23. The man carving the walls, who was wearing shorts and a blue T-shirt, grinned into the camera when he realised he was being filmed. The video was shared on Reddit with the caption: 'A******e tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome'. A bystander filmed the tourist as carved the name into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old building using a set of keys. According to the English-speaking man who recorded the footage, the incident happened last Friday, on June 23 It appears he carved 'Ivan + Hayley 23' into the Colosseum walls In the video, the English-speaking man filming the footage said to the other: 'Are you serious man? That is f***ed up man. Stupid a******e.' Other users were quick to comment, sharing their outrage and speculating that the man was called 'Ivan' and 'Hayley' was his girlfriend. They also called on the poster to send the video to police, so the vandal could be arrested. READ MORE: Vandals target the Colosseum: Exclusion zone could be set up after words are daubed on one of its pillars Advertisement If caught he could face a massive fine which in the past has been up to 17,000. He could even face up to a year of jail time. In a statement, Italy's Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano said: 'I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, a historical heritage such as the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee. 'I hope that whoever made this gesture at the Flavian Amphitheatre will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.' Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, told MailOnline:The Carabinieri police are now tracking down this man and we will see if we can get him. 'When you get uneducated people at the Colosseum this kind of hooliganism happens and I hope there are no copycats. A spokesperson for the Carabinieri paramilitary police in Rome added:We have been informed of this incident and are looking to identity the culprit and when he is caught, he will be punished. This is not the first time tourists have been fined for vandalising what is believed to be the world's largest amphitheatre. In 2020, an Irish tourist was arrested for allegedly carving his initials into the Colosseum. The Carabinieri police said a 32-year-old man was caught by the Colosseum's private security and immediately reported to officers. The man's two initials, about 2in high, were said to have been carved with a metal point on a pillar of the first floor in September 2020. The unnamed man was accused of damaging a historical and artistic landmark. In the video, the English-speaking man filming the footage said to the other: 'Are you serious man? That is f***ed up man. Stupid a******e.' Other users were quick to comment, sharing their outrage and speculating that 'Hayley' was the man's girlfriend In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 17,000 (20,000) for carving the letter 'K' on a section of brickwork In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint, officials have said Fines start at 1750 (2,065), while a sentence could be as much as one year in prison. Archaeologist Federica Rinaldi, responsible for the ancient Roman amphitheater, said people who carve their initials into the monument want to 'appropriate' it. She added: 'The Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.' The Colosseum, considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is a World Heritage Site. This is along with 54 other Italian sites which comprise the city's historic centre. In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint, officials have said. The name 'Balto' and the word 'Morte' (death) were sprayed onto the pillar overnight. In 2015, two American tourists were arrested for carving initials into the Colosseum. Before they were spotted, the women, 21 and 25, were able to carve a J and an N into a brick wall on the first floor of the west side of the Colosseum Two Brazilian men who attempted to climb over a gate into the Colosseum on the same day were apprehended by the authorities when they fell 13 feet (four metres), one fracturing his hip bone. CCTV was studied to see if they were responsible for the the graffiti. Francesco Prosperetti, special superintendent for the Colosseum, said: 'We worry that this could become a game and people could start competing over it.' In 2015, tw o American tourists were arrested for carving initials into the Colosseum. Before they were spotted, the women, 21 and 25, were able to carve a J and an N into a brick wall on the first floor of the west side of the Colosseum. After carving the 8in-high letters, the women posed together for a selfie. The women, just two of six million tourists that flock to the Colosseum every year, used a coin to engrave the letters, La Stampa reported. They are said to have broken away from their tour group - but other tourists saw what had happened and alerted security. Police charged the women with 'aggravated damage on building of historical and artistic interest', according to Repubblica. After they were caught, the women apologised to Piazza Dante police and Captain Lorenzo Iacobone. They said: 'We apologise for what we did. We regret it but we did not imagine it was something so serious. We'll remember for a lifetime.' According to The Guardian, the section damaged dates back to the 1800s - a key period of restoration. A spokesman for the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome is quoted as saying: 'It's not an original wall but it's nevertheless antique.' In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 17,000 (20,000) for carving the letter 'K' on a section of brickwork. Construction on the Colosseum began sometime between 70 and 72CE and seated around 50,000 spectators. They came to watch gladiators in combat with each other and dangerous animals, including lions. Other tourists have repeatedly caused chaos in Rome, like in 2018, when two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain at one of Rome 's most famous monuments One of the Britons can be seen removing his underwear as the two men frolicked in the water at the foot of Altare della Patria in the Italian capital Other tourists have repeatedly caused chaos in Rome, like in 2018, when two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain at one of Rome's most famous monuments. One of the Britons can be seen removing his underwear as the two men frolicked in the water at the foot of Altare della Patria in the Italian capital. Others filmed as the men laughed and jokingly flexed their muscles in front of bemused tourists. Their antics were captured on camera by a tour guide at the landmark - a monument to war dead that was originally built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the unified Italy. In the footage, two men - reported as being British by local media - are seen posing for photos in the fountain wearing only their briefs. Several people position themselves by the wall, dipping their feet into the water and taking photos. One of the men then pulls his underwear down and hides his genitals between his legs to pose naked for photos. Numerous visitors walk past the Britons as they continued to misbehave. The footage caused outrage on social media. One Italian wrote online: 'English sons of b*****s, always playing up and attention-seeking.' Local media said at the time that this was yet another assault on Italy's heritage. The Government today denied claims of a Cabinet rift over the idea of bringing in airline-style pricing for train tickets that could lower costs on less-used routes but hammer regular commuters. The Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT) are said to be at odds over an idea backed by the industry that would allow it to heavily discount tickets at off-peak times and on under-used routes. Earlier this month official figures revealed overall journeys were down on pre-pandemic levels, with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) giving a provisional estimate of 389million journeys made in the UK in the first quarter of 2023 - 88 per cent of the 443million in the same period in 2019. According to The Times the Treasury is resisting efforts by the DfT to introduce the tickets over fears it would be offset by increasing the already high cost of tickets on popular routes used by regular commuters at peak times. There were also concerns it would add to the 11billion cost to the taxpayer of subsiding the railways already. The Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT) are said to be at odds over an idea backed by the industry that would allow it to heavily discount tickets at off-peak times and on under-used routes. Demand-based pricing' is being trialled on some LNER services. The Uber-style price surging is an attempt to better manage capacity while also raising revenue, the Department for Transport (DfT) said - and could be rolled out across the country if it proves successful. Sources at the DfT downplayed the idea of a rift, saying it was moving on with trials of single-leg pricing - where passengers buy two singles instead of a return. It is also trialling 'demand-based pricing' on some LNER services. The Uber-style price surging is an attempt to better manage capacity while also raising revenue, the Department for Transport (DfT) said - and it will be rolled out across the country if it proves successful. Some of Britain's intercity train operators are enjoying a post-pandemic boom with more passenger journeys now being taken than in 2019, official data has revealed. More people went on London North Eastern Railway, East Midlands, Grand Central and Hull Trains in January to March this year than the same period four years ago. But operators on London commuter routes are suffering, with Southeastern, Chiltern and South Western Railway all at less than two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels. This reflects the shift towards working from home as fewer people travel into the office. A Hollywood mogul has told the corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu that the Israeli Prime Minister and his wife demanded a 157,000 'supply line' of champagne and jewellery, and complained if cigars were not the right diameter. Arnon Milchan, an Israeli producer of Hollywood blockbuster films, described how he routinely delivered tens of thousands of dollars worth of such gifts to Netanyahu and his wife Sara in return for providing personal and professional favours. The 78-year-old producer appeared by videoconference from a hotel in the British city of Brighton, near where he is based. He said the Netanyahus used code words to keep the extravagant gifts under the radar. He told prosecutors via video: 'We called shirts "dwarves," cigars we called "leaves", champagne we called "roses".' When prosecutors asked who initiated the gift-giving, Milchan said it had begun as a kind gesture but quickly became 'routine'. Milchan - who later admitted the gifts 'disgusted' him - is a key witness whose testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him. A Hollywood mogul has told the corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu (seen arriving to Jerusalem's district court on Sunday) that the Israeli Prime Minister and his wife demanded a 157,000 'supply line' of champagne and jewellery, and cigars in return for favours Prosecutors hope Milchan's testimony, which began Sunday and was expected to run through this week and next, will paint a picture of plush favors granted to Netanyahu and his wife that allegedly spurred the Israeli leader to use his position of power to advance Milchan's interests. The defense will try to lay out its case that Netanyahu wasn't acting in Milchan's personal interests and that the gifts were just friendly gestures. Prosecution and defense lawyers are questioning Milchan in a hotel conference room in Brighton. While no journalists are allowed to be present there, Netanyahu's wife Sara, on a private visit to Britain, will sit in. The producer cited security fears to avoid having to give evidence in Israel. He told the trial that the Netanyahus had objected when they were sent new kinds of champagne or cigars, recalling a specific time when he sent the wrong type. He said: 'Immediately Mrs Netanyahu caught on [and told me] that it was not the right champagne... We smiled and fixed it,' according to The Sunday Times. On the Prime Minister complaining about cigars, Milchan said: 'Sometimes [the cigars] weren't the same in diameter. He [Netanyahu] said it wasn't right... so we bought him the diameter he wanted.' Milchan's testimony, expected to last six hours a day, is being aired in a Jerusalem courtroom for judges and other lawyers - who can also ask questions of him - and for journalists and other attendees to watch. Netanyahu, who has attended some of the hearings during his trial, arrived at the courtroom shortly after testimony began, flanked by his security detail and aides. Arnon Milchan (pictured in Brighton on Sunday) appeared in court by videoconference from a hotel in the British city of Brighton, near where he is based. He said Netanyahu and his wife Sara used code words to keep the extravagant gifts under the radar Prosecutors hope Milchan's testimony, which began Sunday and was expected to run through this week and next, will paint a picture of plush favors granted to Netanyahu and his wife that allegedly spurred the Israeli leader to use his position of power to advance Milchan's interests Milchan, who is not charged in the case, greeted him in Hebrew using Netanyahu's nickname: 'Shalom, Bibi!' Israeli Channel 13 aired footage of Sara Netanyahu and Milchan, 78, walking separately up the stairs in the hotel. A screen was set up in the Jerusalem courtroom to air the testimony. According to the indictment, Milchan, whose production credits include such hits as 'Pretty Woman,' '12 Years a Slave' and 'The Revenant,' gave Netanyahu and his wife boxes of cigars and crates of Champagne over a period of several years. Along with jewelry, they amounted to a value of nearly $200,000 - what the indictment describes as a 'supply line' of lavish gifts. The indictment accuses Netanyahu of using his influential perch to assist Milchan to secure a US visa extension by drawing on his diplomatic contacts, among them former Secretary of State John Kerry. Prosecutors also accuse Netanyahu of working to push legislation that would have granted Milchan millions in tax breaks. 'Considering the many links between the defendant Netanyahu and Milchan, the defendant Netanyahu should have entirely avoided dealing with Milchan's affairs,' the indictment says, adding that Netanyahu and Milchan, an Israeli citizen, have had ties since 1999. Milchan is testifying in one of three cases being brought against Netanyahu. The other two, for which he is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, accuse Netanyahu of exchanging regulatory favors with powerful media moguls for more positive coverage. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, claiming he is the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by a liberal media and a biased justice system. Netanyahu's legal woes have dogged him politically, putting his fitness to rule while on trial at the center of a political crisis that sent Israelis to the polls five times in under four years. They also have fueled accusations by critics that Netanyahu is pushing a contentious government plan to overhaul Israel's judiciary as a way to escape the charges. Netanyahu denies those accusations. Milchan said that Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara (seen together in 2019) used code words to keep the extravagant gifts under the radar The trial, which began in 2020 and has still not heard from Netanyahu himself, has featured more than 40 prosecution witnesses, including some of Netanyahu's closest former confidants who turned against the premier. Witness accounts have shed light not only on the three cases but also revealed sensational details about Netanyahu's character and his family's reputation for living off the largesse of taxpayers and wealthy supporters. Milchan's aide, Hadas Klein, testified last year that the family 'loves gifts.' The idea of a plea bargain has repeatedly surfaced, but prosecutors for now appear determined to see the trial through, despite reports last week that the judges warned them that the more serious crime of bribery will be hard to prove. A man in his 30s has sadly died after collapsing at London's notorious Fabric nightclub. Police were called to a medical emergency shortly before 2am on Sunday. Despite efforts to resuscitate the man, he tragically died at the scene. Detectives say the death is being treated as unexpected and are trying to trace the man's next of kin. Staff closed the club after the incident, according to reports. A Met Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 0142hrs on Sunday, 25 June to a venue in Charterhouse Street, EC1 to a report of a man who had collapsed. Detectives say the death is being treated as unexpected and are trying to trace the man's next of kin (file image) Queues outside the notorious London nightclub in July 2021 (file image) 'Officers attended. A man in his 30s was receiving medical treatment upon their arrival. 'Despite further efforts to resuscitate the man, he was pronounced dead at 0211hrs. 'The death is being treated as unexpected at this early stage. Enquiries are ongoing. 'The coroner has been informed. Officers are in the process of tracing next of kin.' One clubber told The Sun: 'The club closed suddenly, with everyone escorted out. 'Later, the door staff said someone had died and nobody was allowed near the club.' A London Ambulance Service spokesman told MailOnline: 'We were called at 1.22am on Sunday 25 June to reports of a person unwell at Fabric nightclub, Charterhouse Street, EC1. 'We sent a number of resources to the scene including an ambulance crew, a medic in a response car, and an incident response officer. 'Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.' The popular nightclub was forced to close back in September 2016 in the wake of two drug-related deaths. Its licence was revoked after Islington Council found it had a 'culture of drug use'. However, the Farringdon club was allowed to reopen in January 2017 after all parties agreed to new licensing conditions, including a raised entry age and tougher security measures. Conditions included a ban on anyone under the age of 19 entering the venue between 8pm on Fridays and 8am on Mondays. The club also pledged to introduce a new ID scanning system, used on entry, and to improve search procedures and introduce covert surveillance in the venue. MailOnline has contacted Fabric for comment on Sunday's incident. Families of the Titan submersible victims could sue its operator OceanGate, the maker of the vessel and companies that provided parts, legal experts have said. Lawyers said relatives could seek damages from any outside parties involved in the Titan's construction if they were found to be negligent and a cause of the implosion. Experts say wrongful death and negligence lawsuits could be filed by families of the victims, who paid $250,000 each to travel 12,500ft below the surface of the Atlantic. The five passengers who died are thought to have been asked to sign liability waivers before they boarded the vessel, which imploded near the Titanic wreck on June 18. This waiver could play a big role in legal action as families consider their options, but a major complicating factor is that the disaster happened in international waters. Legal experts say the implosion occurred 'basically in a regulatory no man's land' and jurisdiction will be hard to establish both for the families and the investigations. Any disputes relating to the waivers would likely be governed by the laws of the Bahamas, where OceanGate is registered but families could also try to declare the waiver to be invalid in the US and bring a lawsuit there, or in their home countries. US legal expert Dr Nick Oberheiden, of Federal-lawyer.com, said families could win more than $100million if they sue OceanGate - and could choose to pursue it as a group claim, which might improve their chances of winning by sharing resources. Among the OceanGate chiefs who could be involved in any legal action are logistics director Scott Griffiths, chief financial officer Doug Gorder and ex-Nasa astronaut Scott Parazynski - but there is no suggestion yet that any would be implicated. Among the OceanGate chiefs who could be involved in any legal action are logistics director Scott Griffiths (left), chief financial officer Doug Gorder (centre) and ex-Nasa astronaut Scott Parazynski (right) - but there is no suggestion yet that any would be implicated A door with signage removed at OceanGate's headquarters at the Port of Everett on June 20 A file photograph of Titan which has been used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic A statement from OceanGate is posted at the entrance of the firm's base at the Port of Everett The Associated Press has reviewed one of the liability waivers, signed by a person who planned to go on an OceanGate expedition, which required passengers to acknowledge risks involved with the trip on the Titan and any support vessels. OceanGate chiefs who could be involved in Titan legal action SCOTT GRIFFITHS OceanGate's director of logistics and quality who is responsible for planning and executing all missions Scott Griffiths, Director of Logistics and Quality, is one of the leadership team who takes responsibility for all of the expeditions, according to his LinkedIn. He has worked for OceanGate since 2013, becoming the logistics boss in 2020, and creates the 'risk assessment' documents for each dive the company makes. The company website states: 'He has spent the past seven years supervising the maintenance, testing, and operation of Antipodes, Cyclops 1, Titan, and OceanGate's patented launch and recovery platform, and additionally he has led numerous OceanGate Expeditions across the globe a Mission Director.' Mr Griffith also piloted several deep submersibles on numerous expeditions including five dives to the Titanic wreck. Before joining OceanGate in 2013, Mr Griffith was a principal of a design consulting firm where he oversaw projects and managed all sectors of the firm: architects, engineers, forensic consultants, project managers and office staff. DOUG GORDER Chief financial officer of OceanGate co-founded company that created security management tools for the US Navy and FBI Doug Gorder is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the company, as well as working with the leadership team to achieve the company's mission. Before working at OceanGate he co-founded Vigilos which provided physical security management tools to the US Navy and FBI. He has raised over $85million in venture and angel financing for a dozen companies. Mr Gorder was also a co-founder and chief financial officer for The Cobalt Group, which serves the motor car industry. It completed an initial purchase offering in 1999 and was bought in 2010 by Automatic Data Processing for $400million. He obtained a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Washington State University and an MBA in Finance and MIS from the University of Washington. SCOTT PARAZYNSKI NASA astronaut on board of directors raved about $250K trip 12,500ft below the surface on sub to view Titanic Scott Parazynski is one of six directors of OceanGate, and is a former Nasa astronaut who has been to space multiple times. The a highly decorated physician and best-selling author joined the Titanic Survey Expedition in 2021 and boasted about the experience. 'It's tougher to go to the bottom of the ocean than it is to the far side of the moon,' Mr Parazynski said. 'We saw thing that maybe human eyes have never seen before.' Mr Parazynski was featured on the promotional video for OceanGate Expeditions among other guests and crew members who gushed about the $250,000 experience that descends 12,500ft into the Atlantic Ocean. Parazynski, who has crewed five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks, earned his Level 1 submersible pilot credentials during his previous work with OceanGate. 'Every time you take to the sea, you know there's so many things that have to go right,' he said on the video. 'All the electrical systems and navigation systems that have to check out this is a very complex vehicle. It is a very well engineered and very safe but and the team is very focused on safety first.' In 1992 he was selected to join Nasa's Astronaut Corps and led the first joint US-Russian spacewalk while docked to the Russian space station Mir; serving as Senator John Glenn's crewmate and 'personal physician'; and assembly of the Canadian-built space station robotic arm. Advertisement The waiver said that passengers could experience physical injury, disability, emotional trauma and death while on board the Titan. Passengers also waive the right to take action for 'personal injury, property damage or any other loss' that they experience on the trip. The form also makes it clear that the vessel is experimental and 'constructed of materials that have not been widely used for manned submersibles.' Meanwhile a CBS reporter who made the trip with OceanGate Expeditions in July 2022 reported that the waiver he signed mentioned the possibility of death three times on the first page alone. Legal experts said that what the investigation into the disaster uncovers will determine much about any legal case from families, including what caused the vessel to implode. Liability waivers - sometimes referred to as release forms - are typical before doing recreational activities that carry some measure of risk, such as sky diving or scuba diving. By signing the document, passengers generally accept the risk and dangers related to the activity and if they are injured, absolve the company's owner of liability. Matthew Shaffer, a trial lawyer with the maritime personal injury law firm Schechter, Shaffer and Harris, said the forms are commonplace before doing any kind of 'ultra-hazardous recreational activity.' 'A good release will cover any and all potential harm and you are going to spell it out in simple language as possible,' he said. 'You can get killed. You can get hurt. You can get maimed and you are not going to have any recourse. You're releasing us of any liability for anything bad that is going to happen to you as a result of you engaging in this activity.' The legality of these documents depends on the state where they are signed, according to legal experts. In the US, signed waivers have been upheld in cases involving scuba divers in Florida and skiers in Colorado. A court weighs the document against other factors, including whether the person signing it understood the form and the risks they were taking, as well as how unusual and dangerous the activity. Mr Shaffer said a court will also consider whether an owner or operator withheld information from the passenger, or knowingly exposed the passenger to 'probable harm.' Another question is whether there was 'gross negligence involved.' Regardless of whether or not there was a waiver, Mr Shaffer and others have said they expect families of those who died on the submersible to sue not only OceanGate, but also the maker of the vessel and companies that provided parts. 'The waiver is certainly going to be a significant factor stemming from this disaster and it depends a lot on the court and the facts that come out,' he said. But 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. Mr Shaffer, who is based in Texas, added: '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.' OceanGate could argue it was not grossly negligent and that the waivers apply because they fully described the dangers inherent in plumbing the deepest reaches of the ocean in a submersible the size of a minivan. 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. But families could collect from the company's insurance policy if it has one. 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. 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 would be a difficult burden to meet. Boats and maritime equipment at OceanGate's base in Everett, Washington, on June 20 A view of OceanGate equipment within the boatyard at the Port of Everett complex on June 22 Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood both died in the Titan tragedy on June 18 (From left) Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding also died in the disaster If OceanGate were to fail in such a case, families would be free to file negligence or wrongful death lawsuits. Adventurer couple drop Oceangate fraud lawsuit after Titan submersible tragedy A pair of adventurers who sued OceanGate for fraud said they have dropped their lawsuit against the company that owned the Titan submersible. Adventurers Marc and Sharon Hagle Sharon and Marc Hagle sued OceanGate after they put money down for a trip to the Titanic wreckage site and the voyage never happened. The couple said the trip was both rescheduled and cancelled, and they were told they would not receive a refund. The Hagles are adventurers who became the first married couple on a commercial space flight last year, according to Purdue University, Mr Hagle's alma mater. The couple said in a statement to The Associated Press last Friday that they have decided to drop their legal action in the wake of chief executive Stockton Rush's death, along with four passengers, and the loss of the Titan at sea. 'Money is a driving force in our economy, but honor, respect and dignity are more important to the human soul,' the statement read. 'We wish the entire OceanGate family and the families of those aboard the Titan the very best as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.' Advertisement 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. 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. A complicating factor in the recent disaster is that the disaster happened in international waters. According to the waiver the Associated Press reviewed, any disputes would be governed by the laws of the Bahamas, where OceanGate Expeditions Ltd is registered. 'If the law of the Bahamas is not favorable to the families, then I predict they will bring a lawsuit in the United States or their home countries,' said Kenneth Abraham, the Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, who is aware of the waiver's terms. Declaring the waiver to be invalid in the US could then become part of the legal argument, he said. But Steve Flynn, a retired Coast Guard officer and director of Northeastern University's Global Resilience Institute, said possible lawsuits might not succeed given the challenges of establishing jurisdiction. The implosion happened 'basically in a regulatory no man's land,' Mr Flynn said. He added: 'There was essentially no oversight. To some extent, they leveraged the murkiness of jurisdiction to not have oversight.' A view of a boat with OceanGate branding within the boatyard at the Port of Everett on June 22 Titan is prepared for its dive to view the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean on June 18 A file photo of people on board the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules plane flies over L'Atalante during the search last Wednesday Another problem is whether OceanGate survives and, if so, who to sue, Mr Flynn said. Among the five passengers dead was the chief executive of the company who led the expedition, Stockton Rush. READ MORE Wife and mother of Titanic sub disaster victims reveals she was due to be on doomed vessel but gave her place to her 19-year-old son - and was NOT told about implosion so held out hope for four days Advertisement Even if it does survive, OceanGate is unlikely to be held liable in court unless the company misrepresented the safety of the vessel, said Richard Daynard, distinguished professor at Northeastern University School of Law. He added that the case is otherwise a prime example of assumption of risk on the part of the explorer. The company, which closed its Washington office in the aftermath of the revelations about the implosion, might also not have the ability to pay damages, Mr Daynard said. 'If they were held liable, my guess would be they would be unlikely to have the many, many millions of dollars that if I were on a jury I would award,' he said. The cost of the search will stretch into millions of dollars for the US Coast Guard alone. The Canadian coast guard, US Navy and other agencies and private entities also rushed to provide resources and expertise. Norman Polmar, a naval historian, analyst and author based in Virginia, said there was no other comparable ocean search - especially with so many countries and even commercial enterprises being involved. Some agencies can seek reimbursements - but the US Coast Guard is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement pertaining to any search or rescue service, according to Stephen Koerting, a US attorney in Maine who specialises in maritime law. 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. A 19-year-old college student sent a selfie to her family moments before a sleeping driver plowed into her on a Queens sidewalk where she was waiting to meet her younger sister, it has been revealed. Ava Conklin had just finished a shift as a hostess at the luxurious Rockaway Hotel and was waiting at a bus stop to meet her 14-year-old sibling Peyton for a picnic in Central Park. She sent a selfie to her family at 2.14pm Saturday. Tragically, at 2.17pm, a 29-year-old driving a 2021 Hyundai Venue mounted the sidewalk at Rockaway Beach Blvd. and Beach 108th St., plowing into the teenager who was sitting on a bench at the bus stop. Her sister stepped off a bus, texting 'I'm here', only to see Ava's lifeless body sprawled on the floor, the Daily News reports. Peyton, who said Ava's favorite music was still playing in her headphones after she was hit, recognized her sister's purse and the back of her head as she lay on the ground wounded. Ava Conklin sent this selfie to her family moments before a sleeping driver plowed into her on a Queens sidewalk Ava was sat on a bench waiting for her sister to arrive when the car mounted the curb and killed her 'All I could do was scream,' Peyton told the Daily News. 'A bunch of people tried to calm me down but I told them, 'Don't try to calm me down! That's my sister!' Ava's heartbroken stepmother, Jennifer Duffy, added: 'How does four minutes change your whole life?' Peyton, who said she 'idolized' her sister was eventually pulled away from the horrifying scene by two firefighters before their father arrived to find his daughter dying. He was devastated to find out that he was not allowed to enter the ambulance as she passed away. Medics rushed the injured college student to Brookdale University Hospital but despite their efforts, she did not survive. An NYPD spokesman confirmed that police took the driver into custody and questioned him, but he was later released without charges. He could yet face charges as police continue to probe the fatal crash. Cops said that the unnamed driver was going west on Rockaway Beach Blvd. when he fell asleep at the wheel. He was driving in the right lane, which turned into a sidewalk and he came up on to the curb. He slammed into three metal benches where Ava was waiting for her sister to arrive. The impact of the crash caused severe chest trauma. Ava sent this photo of herself with two thumbs up from work on Friday. She tragically died the next day Ava's favorite music was still playing in her headphones after she was hit, according to her sister Peyton Peyton called her stepmom immediately but the phone call dropped. Ms Duffy, who felt something was wrong, then received a phone call from a man who said: 'You're daughter was just hit by a car,' before he hung up. As well as Saturday's selfie, Ava had also sent her family a picture of herself giving two thumbs up while at work on Friday - the day before she was fatally struck. Ms Duffy was told that the driver worked for an auto body shop and had been delivering parts overnight. But she still could not understand how he fell asleep, claiming he would have had to had swerved past cars to hit her daughter. Ava, who had just finished her first year as a Psychology student in Vermont, was living in Hell's Kitchen with her mother. She dreamed of having children of her own one day, it's reported. Ava's father, who lives in Broad Channel, was too heartbroken to speak about her daughter Sunday. The teenager was described as the 'emotional mediator' by Peyton, while her stepmom said she 'really stepped in as a big sister' when the eldest sibling went to the military. A female worker has won almost 6,000 in a sex discrimination case after a male colleague told her to 'go back to your stripping job' as 'that's all you're good for' - before he then won nearly 5,000 over the way the company handled her complaint. Ashleigh Fountain was told by Waqar Butt she was going to be sacked and as a 'lusty woman' she would be better suited to a career taking her clothes off for money, an employment tribunal heard. He claimed he made the remark because Ms Fountain had 'antagonised' him and wasn't being a 'good friend' during the project they were working on together. But, due to his comment, she sued the recruitment company which hired her and has now won 5,960 in compensation. In an unusual twist, Mr Butt himself won almost 5,000 after successfully claiming race discrimination over the firm's handling of her complaint against him. He claimed a manager called him a 'liar' and used 'racist language' with phrases such as 'I know you people'. Ashleigh Fountain has won almost 6,000 in a sex discrimination case after a male colleague told her to 'go back to your stripping job' The tribunal in Southampton, Hants, heard that Ms Fountain and Mr Butt worked on a Brexit-related haulier project as part of their work with Elevate Staffing from 12 November 2020. Their job was to quiz HGV and lorry drivers at motorway service stations to provide an understanding on the changes impacting them as a result of Britain leaving the EU. The company told the tribunal Mr Butt was removed from this project in December due to behaviour issues and complaints against him due to 'inappropriate comments towards women'. On December 9, Ms Fountain - who is from the Portsmouth area - reported being threatened by a colleague to manager Tara Stephens. As part of the investigation, the tribunal heard Ms Stephens said: 'I asked Waqar what had happened and he said Ashleigh had antagonised him and was not being a good friend. 'Apparently, they had had an agreement about Ashleigh giving Waqar lifts to work and therefore that's why they bid for the same shifts. 'I tried to make out he was sexist. He said he would never do that sort of thing as he is a gentleman. Waqar then went back to the conversation about Ashleigh not doing her job properly and how she was never there. 'I tried to bring him back to today's events so many times but he didn't want to talk about it he just said that I needed to sack Ashleigh.' Ms Stephens told the hearing about a time she heard the pair arguing: 'I heard raised voices. Waqar was shouting at Ashleigh and as he walked away, he said "you're going to be sacked, you will have to go back to your stripping job as that's all you're good for".' Ms Fountain said he told her that 'a stripper job would be more suited' to her 'as a lusty woman'. While working on the project, Mr Butt had also complained that Ms Fountain had been late to work, sleeping at work and bunking off. When discussing this with Ms Stephens, Mr Butt claims she called him a 'liar' and used 'racist language'. He told the tribunal: 'Her bias was surely towards [Ms Fountain] and I very soon realised she wasn't there to listen to my side of the story or take any evidence or proof. The bias could be women to women or British to British. '[She] kept calling me 'liar' and 'sexist' and phrases like "I know you people" or "I've dealt with people like you", which were quite racist.' Employment Judge Jonathan Gray said: 'We find that the matters proven on the balance of probability to have occurred on 9 December 2020 are abusive and demeaning verbal references on the grounds of sex by [Mr Butt] towards [Ms Fountain]. 'This is less favourable treatment when compared to a hypothetical male comparator as we accept that such comments would not be made to a man. 'In respect of the concerns over racist conduct towards [Mr Butt] him not being believed by Ms Stephens, there is sufficient [evidence] in our view [to form] the racial connection to the comments "I know you people" and "I've dealt with people like you." Ms Fountain won her claim for sex discrimination, but a claim of victimisation was dismissed. Mr Butt was awarded 4,768 in total. A 28-year-old man charged with murdering a 'beloved' 76-year-old church leader at her 500,000 home, is set to appear in court today. Grandmother Nelly Akomah, 76, was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her home near Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park stadium in south London on 21 June. Hugo Da Silva Pires, 28, and Catia Feliciano, 31, were arrested together at Stansted Airport last Friday and taken into custody. Da Silva Pires, of Thornton Heath, south London, was charged with murder, burglary and fraud. Feliciano, of the same address, was charged with fraud and perverting the course of justice. Hugo Da Silva Pires, 28, and Catia Feliciano, 31, were arrested together at Stansted Airport following the death of Nelly Akomah, 76 (pictured) Church leader Nelly Akomah, 76, (pictured) was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her south London home on 21 June Police outside the scene of Ms Akomah's home in Thornton Heath, south London, on June 13 The pair will both appear at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Monday as police investigations continue. Heartbroken friends described Mrs Akomah as a 'lovely' person, while fellow churchgoers said she was as an 'understanding' leader of the Croydon group of the Upper Tooting Methodist Church in south London. Paying tribute to the mother-of-two, the president of Ms Akomah's Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, Dame Susan Solanke, said: '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.' A post-mortem examination carried out on Thursday June 22 was inconclusive, police said, amid further tests taking place to establish a cause of death. This is the electrifying moment a bolt of lightning struck an American Eagle plane full of passengers moments after it landed during a storm in Arkansas. The Embraer E175 was waiting for the storm to pass before travelling to the gate when the terrifying flash of electricity blasted the aircraft yesterday afternoon. The cameraman, named in Viral Press as Jason William Hamm, can be heard talking about a previous bolt which struck moments earlier, saying: 'I don't think it hit the plane, it still would have made an amazing video though.' Just seconds later another ferocious flash hits the tail of the aircraft, causing people behind Mr Hamm to hoot with excitement. A stream of sparks can be seen coming off the tail as onlookers shout 'woah' and another says 'wow, that would not be good'. Amazing footage shows the Embraer E175 waiting for a storm to pass before travelling to the gate when a terrifying flash of electricity blasts the tail of the aircraft A stream of sparks can be seen coming off the tail as onlookers shout 'woah' and hoot with excitement Mr Hamm said today: 'The plane was fine, it taxied to the gate normally after an extended wait on the taxiway due to the storm.' After the strike the plane travelled to the gate and passengers got off before technicians came to assess any damage done. The Embraer E175 is not the first to be hit by lightning - with one shocking video showing the moment a plane carrying 140 passengers was struck as it prepared for landing. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was flying at approximately 30,000 feet and was coming in to land at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Dramatic footage captured from within the cockpit shows a powerful lightning bolt strike the nose of the plane as the pilots navigate a heavy storm. In March a Lufthansa Airlines flight from Austin to Frankfurt made an emergency landing in Washington DC after being struck by lightning and plummeting 1,000 feet while the seatbelt sign was turned off Flying the aircraft in almost complete darkness, the pilots were stunned by the sudden lightning strike only yards outside their window. In March seven people were hospitalized after a Lufthansa Airlines flight from Austin to Frankfurt made an emergency landing in Washington DC after being struck by lightning and plummeting 1,000 feet while the seatbelt sign was turned off. Terrified passengers were surrounded by a 'lot of broken glass' and left screaming in terror after Lufthansa Flight 469 hit a traumatic wave of turbulence at 37,000 feet while flying over Tennessee. The flight landed at Washington-Dulles International Airport around 9pm, just three hours into the 10.5-hour flight to Germany. A 13-storey building often used to house holidaymakers over the summer months has collapsed in Egypt, leaving numerous people buried under rubble. The tower block in Egypt's northern city of Alexandria suffered a catastrophic collapse this morning, sending clouds of smoke into the sky. The exact number of people trapped beneath the rubble is unknown. Civil defence first responders gathered at the scene of the collapsed 13-storey building in the Sidi Bishr district. The rescue teams are still searching the site, trying to locate survivors and clear away the debris after several cars reportedly crashed into the rubble. The building in Alexandria suffered a catastrophic collapse and the exact number of people trapped beneath the rubble is unknown. Rescue teams are searching the site, trying to locate survivors and clear away the debris Municipal officials have not yet provided an official count of casualties, but the Alexandria state governor Muhammad al-Sharif said the building was ripped apart by a 'vertical split'. The governor said the building was usually rented out to holidaymakers during the summer months. There was also a supermarket in one of the ground-floor properties Municipal officials have not yet provided an official count of casualties, but the Alexandria state governor Muhammad al-Sharif said the building was ripped apart by a 'vertical split'. The governor said the building was usually rented out to holidaymakers during the summer months. There was also a supermarket in one of the ground-floor properties. He added that the top floor had been removed prior to the collapse after residents became concerned of its stability. Eyewitnesses reportedly said they heard an explosion before the building collapsed. Civil defence first responders gathered at the scene of the collapsed 13-storey building in the Sidi Bishr district Municipal officials have not yet provided an official count of casualties Eyewitnesses reportedly said they heard an explosion before the building collapsed. Nearby hospitals have been on high alert and prepared for the arrival of potential victims, reports suggest Civil defence first responders speak with a policeman (white) at the scene of a collapsed 13-storey-building in the Sidi Bishr district of Egypt's northern city of Alexandria A police report seen by local media outlets states the building collapsed due to a 'vertical split' in the structural integrity of the building So far, one person has been confirmed as injured, according to Albawaba Nearby hospitals have been on high alert and prepared for the arrival of potential victims, reports suggest Nearby hospitals have been on high alert and prepared for the arrival of potential victims, reports suggest. Footage circulating on social media shows crowds gathering next to the rubble of the collapsed building, watching the rescue teams as they attempt to clear away the rubble. Videos show bulldozers attempting to remove the rubble while horrified locals gather around the rescue teams. So far, one person has been confirmed as injured, according to Albawaba. Russia's invading troops are facing 'multiple threats' along a 125-mile section of the front line, with Ukraine's forces making ground around Bakhmut, Britain's Ministry of Defence has reported, amid the fallout from the weekend's Wagner mutiny. After calling off his troops' 'march for justice' toward Moscow, mercenary warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin was expected to go into exile in Belarus as part of a deal that pulled Russia and Vladimir Putin back from the brink of a potential catastrophe. As the world watched the brief armed rebellion unfold, many questioned whether Ukraine would take advantage of the chaos and step up its counteroffensive which has made small gains into Russian-held territory in recent weeks. While there was no initial sign of a major new push to capitalise on the confusion in the Russian ranks, there were reports of Kyiv's troops attacking three fronts: around the Russian-held city of Bakhmut, and along the border between western Donetsk and eastern Zaporizhia oblasts, and further west in the Zaporizhia oblast. In its most recent intelligence update, Britain's MoD said Ukraine had 'gained impetus in its assaults around Bakhmut' - a city lost to Russia in May. Amid the fallout from Wagner's failed rebellion there were reports of Kyiv's troops attacking three fronts: around the Russian-held city of Bakhmut, and in regions in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts. Pictured: A huge explosion is seen in a video showing Ukraine's forces destroying a Russian anti-aircraft missile system A Ukrainian soldier on a Swedish CV90 fighting vehicle near Bakhmut, June 25. According to reports, Ukraine's forces have made advances around the city that was taken by Russia in May Ukraine's forces are reported to have conducted operations of three fronts in the south and east of Ukraine: around the Russian-held city of Bakhmut, and along the border between western Donetsk and eastern Zaporizhia oblasts, and further west in the Zaporizhia oblast. These moves came as Wagner PMC took Russia to the bring of civil war over the weekend 'In a multi-brigade operation, Ukrainian forces have made progress on both the northern and southern flanks of the town,' the ministry said. It added that there was 'little evidence' that Russia could reinforce its ground forces with reserves 'against the multiple threats it is now facing in widely separated sectors, from Bakhmut to the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, over 200km away.' The intelligence update came as Ukrainian military leaders insisted they were making progress in a multi-direction offensive targeting Russian lines in the south and east of the country, as footage showed Ukrainian forces taking out Russian hardware. 'We are knocking the enemy out of his positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut,' ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said. 'Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward,' he said. Deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said Ukraine had recaptured 17 square kilometres (6.5 square miles) of ground in the past week, bringing the total for June's offensive to 130 (50 square miles). She also said Ukraine's forces had recaptured another formerly Russian-held settlement on the southern front, and urged them to keep advancing. 'Defence forces returned Rivnopil under our control. Let's push on,' Malyar posted on her Telegram channel today, referring to a rural community in the Donetsk region. The village is in the same region as a number of other small settlements liberated by Ukraine in recent weeks, as its forces continue their push south - likely with the goal of reaching the Sea of Azov and splitting Russia's forces in two. The biggest pocket of reclaimed territory is south of Vugledar, including Rivnopil. In its most recent intelligence update, Britain's MoD said Ukraine had 'gained impetus in its assaults around Bakhmut' - a city lost to Russia in May. Pictured: A tank is seen firing towards Russian positions on the frontlines near Bakhmut, June 17 According to the British MoD, Ukraine's forces made advances to the north and south of the city of Bakhmut (pictured, June 22), which has been the focus of an intense 10-month battle But Ukraine has also launched operations pushing towards Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region, and is battling further north in Donetsk to secure the flanks around the city of Bakhmut. Footage showed Ukrainian forces taking out a Russian Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system - resulting in a huge series of explosions. The aerial clip shows the Russian war machine beginning to manoeuvre away, retreating into some undergrowth to hide, with one Russian soldier seen nearby, before the area is hit by a huge explosion, with its ordnance apparently detonating as well in a series of smaller explosions. The images were obtained from the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 26th June, along with a statement saying: 'Enemy Strela-10 air defence system salutes in honour of the soldiers of the 56th OMPBr.' It was not immediately clear where the strike took place. President Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted that the advance has not gone as fast as had been hoped, despite Ukraine starting to deploy more Western-supplied weapons and tanks. In an ominous sign for Russian, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said over the weekend that the main assault of the counteroffensive is yet to begin. But there has been a breakthrough in the Mokri Yaly river valley, south of Velika Novosilka in the Donetsk, and the recapture of Rivnopil would be a continuation of this advance. Russian forces had confirmed that there was fighting for Rivnopil on June 16, two weeks after the official launch of Ukraine's summer counteroffensive. A Ukrainian MSLR BM-21 'Grad' fires towards Russian positions, near Bakhmut at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 21 Meanwhile, some 80 miles away, Ukrainian residents in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, near Bakhmut in the eastern region of Donetsk, told AFP that four explosions rocked a residential district overnight. The blasts severed water and sewage pipes, shattered windows and threw up stones that hit yards and roofs, but municipal authorities said no-one was hurt. 'It was a 'fun' night, we haven't had this for a long time, it's been quiet for a month or so,' said 66-year-old Lyubov, showing off the new hole in her cement-shingled roof. The wine-growing and salt-mining city of Bakhmut, in Ukraine's eastern region of Donbas, was captured in May by Russian forces led by Prighozin's private army. The victory was short-lived, however. With the Wagner chief feuding with Shoigu and Russian commander General Valery Gerasimov, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive. The Western allies - who are backing Ukraine with modern weaponry, training and cash - see Putin's grip on power weakened by both Wagner's revolt over the weekend and the operation in Ukraine. NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, visiting Lithuania ahead of the alliance's Vilnius summit next month, said the chaos in Russia showed that Putin had weakened his own position at home by ordering the occupation of Ukraine. 'The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine,' he said. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, opened a meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg by declaring that the crisis was undermining the Kremlin's power. 'What has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system,' he said. Wagner leader Prigozhin was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, the nerve centre of the operation in Ukraine, overnight on Friday. He was cheered by some local people, and some shook his hand through the car window. Trucks carrying armoured vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. His withdrawal came after Moscow announced that a deal had been struck for Prigozhin to go into exile in Belarus and for his men to receive an amnesty. In exchange, they halted their march on Moscow after coming within 120 miles of the Russian capital, according to reports. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, records his video addresses in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Vladimir Putin delivers a live televised address to the nation after Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an armed rebellion against the Russian government On Monday, however, Russian news agencies reported that Prigozhin himself was still under investigation for trying to organise an armed rebellion. 'The criminal case against Prigozhin has not been dropped,' the three main Russian news agencies quoted a source in the prosecutor's office as saying. Zelensky and US President Joe Biden discussed the revolt on Sunday, ahead of the NATO summit. 'The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored,' Zelensky said on Twitter, adding that he had again asked for 'long-range weapons' for Ukraine. A rare World War Two German tank was prevented from appearing at a UK exhibit after French officials halted it at Dunkirk. The one-of-a-kind Nashorn tank was set to be a major exhibit at Tankfest at Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset. But its owners were stopped from getting on a ferry with it at the French port where 330,000 Allied troops retreated from the German Blitzkrieg 83 years ago. They were told there was an issue with their paperwork that would take three weeks to resolve and so they had to abort their visit to Britain, it is understood. As well as Tankfest, the 24 tonne machine will also be unable to appear at The Yorkshire Wartime Experience, one of the country's largest military vehicle shows, in August. The tank stopped at the Port of Dunkirk - its owners were stopped from getting on a ferry with it at the French port The tank and transporter stopped at the Port of Dunkirk - the tank was set to appear at a UK exhibit A spokesperson for the Dutch restoration group which owns the historic tank, said: 'Due to missing paperwork the Nashorn was stopped at Dunkirk harbour. 'We are all disappointed that we were not able to display the Nashorn in the UK on this occasion.' They vowed to bring the German tank to Britain next year. The tank was stopped on the back of a low loader vehicle and the restoration group is arranging for it to be taken back to Holland. The Nashorn - which is valued between 5m to 10m - is one of only three in existence and the only one that can be driven. Less than 500 were made by the Nazis from 1942. They were lighter and more mobile than the German Panzer tanks but could still destroy Allied armour. A team of engineers in the Netherlands established the Nashorn Restoration Project in 2015 to bring the vehicle back to life. They have nicknamed the Nashorn 'Phoenix' after the restoration was delayed by a fire. The one-of-a-kind Nashorn tank was set to be a major exhibit at Tankfest at Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset Soldiers in action during a battle scene exercise demonstration at the Tank Museum Tankfest and The Bovington Tank Museum The Tank Museum is a collection of armoured fighting vehicles at Bovington Camp in Dorset. Tankfest showcases a line-up of historic and modern running armour, from the Museum's collection to the British Army who are putting on a display of the vehicles that are used on operations today. Visitors will have the opportunity to browse the Museum's ten powerful, interactive exhibitions, including the brand new 'Tanks for the Memories', which presents the tank as a cultural icon through the mediums of TV, media, models, games and film. 'At Tankfest we are proud to be able to display what is the greatest display of historic moving armour in the world,' Tank Museum Curator David Willey said. Advertisement The project team led by project leader, Robby van Sambeek, was determined to continue with the restoration and launched a fundraising campaign to bring the Nashorn back from the ashes. With donations from the tank community and military vehicle restorers, museums and historians, the Nashorn has risen again. Stuart Wright, who runs The Yorkshire Wartime Experience said: 'The Nashorn was going to Tankfest last weekend and we were going to collect it for our August show to be a surprise star attraction. 'The restoration group used an independent company to fill all the paperwork in for the tank, which is owned by a consortium in Holland. 'It came from Holland to France. When unloaded the tank it was stopped by the French customs who have said they didn't have the correct paperwork to let the tank on to the ship.' Stuart added: 'This is the only running World War Two Nashorn in the entire world. 'Any German tank is significant as virtually all of them were captured or destroyed. 'It is so valuable that it is estimated to be worth five to 10million.' The fate of the tank is in stark contrast with the 330,000 British Expeditionary Force troops who were successfully evacuated from Dunkirk's beaches in May 1940. The mass evacuation enabled the British to 'fight another day'. France surrendered to Germany in June 1940 after succumbing to the German Blitzkrieg, a 'lightning war' involving tanks, and were Nazi-occupied until the Allied Normandy invasion on D-Day on June 6, 1944. A Tortoise heavy assault tank in action at The Tank Museum (stock image) A spokesperson for the Tank Museum said: 'Sadly, one of this year's special TANKFEST guests, the Nashorn, was unable to make it to Bovington. 'Due to circumstances beyond the control of either the Friends of the Nashorn or The Tank Museum, the vehicle was prevented from crossing the Channel, being stopped at Dunkirk. 'Whilst this was disappointing for all concerned, the Friends of the Nashorn enjoyed a fantastic weekend with us in Bovington. 'We hope to welcome them, and the Nashorn, to The Tank Museum for TANKEFST 2024.' MailOnline has contacted The Port of Dunkirk for comment. The owner of Gymshark has given fans an insight into how the sportswear brand's clothes are made after he toured factories in Vietnam, Singapore and Bangladesh. British billionaire Ben Francis posted a YouTube video of his week-long trip which included a visit to a factory in Hanoi where he saw workers on the production line. Mr Francis, who is worth 1billion just 11 years after founding the Birmingham-based company, also took part in one of two daily exercise sessions held for employees. He said many observers 'would imagine something that is far from what it actually is' when thinking of a clothes factory, describing the modern site as 'state of the art'. The 31-year-old from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, also pointed out embroidery machines and the firm's new 'Crossover Leggings' product which retails for 40. The average wage of workers at this site was not given, but data from the Fair Labor Association in 2020 revealed workers at Gymshark factory Maxport in Hanoi got an average monthly net wage of VND5.8m (195), up from VND3.6m (119) in 2015. Promoting a positive image surrounding Gymshark's production lines is clearly key for the brand, especially after the 'sweatshops' scandal for Boohoo in 2020 when it emerged workers on 3.50 an hour were making clothes at a Leicester factory. British billionaire Ben Francis visits a Gymshark factory in Vietnam in a new YouTube video The Gymshark owner visits a factory in Hanoi where he sees workers on the production line Mr Francis takes part in one of the factory's two daily exercise sessions held for employees Mr Francis points out the firm's new 'Crossover Leggings' product which retails for 40 The 31-year-old from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, watched workers make Gymshark products Father-of-two Mr Francis posted his video, entitled 'I Travelled 12,840 Miles to Visit Our Gymshark Factories' last Friday and it has attracted 23,000 views so far. The 41-minute clip sees the business owner visit factories in Vietnam, including one in Hanoi where he looks at a scale model of the site and then a video presentation before going for a tour. While looking around, he starts off by saying: 'So then this is trims coming in here. Oh look, Gymshark trims, pair of Gymshark trims. How cool, this is great His guide then tells him: 'The principle in the factory - all the trim they check, every single bit.' Mr Francis adds: 'This is what you want, this is proper. These are all embroidery machines down here, so you can see that it's running now. So this is where you'd have logos embroidered and things like that.' He then goes outside and points out how the factory is 'growing fruits and things like that, literally in between the different buildings'. Looking at the new 'Crossover Leggings' product, Mr Francis says: 'Here we go, this is the new stuff that's just gone live isn't it, what do they call it, the cross-legging? 'This is really cool to see isn't it, this is amazing. We're now walking down the line, so all of this is Gymshark's production, so this is the leggings that are being made here. 'What you'll see on here is all of the raw materials come in on this tray. It will then move over here and the panels will then get marked and they'll all get stitched together as we move down the line.' Their tour is then interrupted by the daily exercise sessions which he is told are held for workers twice a day. Mr Francis watches workers at the Gymshark factory in Vietnam in his new YouTube video The owner of Gymshark said he wanted to give fans an insight into how the clothes are made Mr Francis posted the YouTube video of his trip to Vietnam where he toured the factory The exercise sessions are held twice a day for employees at the Gymshark factory in Hanoi Mr Francis is worth 1billion just 11 years after founding the Birmingham-based firm He says: 'Oh, time for the exercise? Come on. What do we do? How often does this happen? Twice a day. This is quite nice... I feel good, I feel happy.' Mr Francis adds: 'I just feel like when people think of a clothing factory and i feel like the views are fairly outdated and people would imagine something that is far from what it actually is. 'And it's nice for people to be able to walk around with us and see this place because it is stunning and it's state of the art and it's beautiful and we make great product here. 'It's really important for me that we work with the best factories and factories that are really thoughtful in their design and make sure that we can also produce the best product and do best by those who are helping produce our product around the world. Mr Francis, 31, is pictured in Gymshark gym gear with his Canadian model wife Robin Callant Mr Francis married Canadian fitness model and influencer Robin Gallant in September 2021 Mr Francis and Robin Gallant (pictured in Dubai) welcomed twin sons last December Mr Francis is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle by Prince William on May 10 for his services to the business sector 'And then hopefully by seeing places like this it gives you guys, the customers, the confidence that we're producing the best product in the best way and we are doing right by our people around the world.' In the company's most recent modern slavery statement, it states that product supply chains are divided into five tiers - tier one for manufacturing sites where items are produced; tier two for garment panel dyeing or printing; tier three for knitting and weaving; tier four for yarn spinning; and tier five for raw material origins. Among the other countries involved in production for Gymshark are Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, China and Pakistan. Mr Francis dropped out of Aston University in 2012 to focus on his business full time while still keeping his job as a Pizza Hut delivery driver to pay the bills. American model Sofia Richie is pictured wearing Gymshark clothes in Los Angeles on June 5 Victoria's Secret model Jasmine Tookes (left) wears Gymshark leggings in Los Angeles in April 2021, while model Kaia Gerber (right) wears Gymshark workout tights in March 2021 American model Lori Harvey wears Gymshark clothes in New York in September 2022 In May, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle by Prince William for his services to the business sector. In a Forbes billionaires list released in April, the father-of-two was estimated to have a net worth of $1.2billion (1billion), making him the UK's youngest billionaire. Mr Francis married Canadian fitness model and influencer Robin Gallant in September 2021 and they welcomed twin sons last December. He originally started the company alongside friend Lewis Morgan, who stepped back in 2014 after selling his shares but is still worth 125million. District Vice President John Corkins is named in the suit for his DEI comments He clashed with fellow faculty member Andrew Bond over his comments online A California school administrator who was named in a lawsuit brought by a faculty member said he wanted to bring voices who opposed diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives 'to the slaughterhouse.' Professor Daymon Johnson filed a suit against Bakersfield College after claiming he was targeted for being outspoken about his political beliefs. It was filed after Johnson replied to a post from another faculty member who had called America a 'f***ing piece of s**** nation.' Writing on social media, Andrew Bond said: 'Maybe Trump's comment about s***hole countries was a statement of projection because honestly, the US is a f***ing piece of s*** nation. Go ahead and quote me, conservatives.' Johnson then lashed out and called Bond a 'Social Justice Warrior', and said he should 'move to China' to 'post about the Communist party and see how much mileage it gets him'. Professor Daymon Johnson (pictured) launched a lawsuit against Bakersfield College after claiming he was 'targeted for investigation' for being outspoken about his political beliefs It was filed after Johnson replied to a post from another faculty member at Bakersfield who had called America a 'f***ing piece of s**** nation' Bond filed a complaint with the college against Johnson for 'harassment and bullying', which sparked Johnsons' lawsuit with The Institute for Free Speech. The lawsuit also stated that recently fired professor Matthew Garrett was let go after being outspoken about anti-racist initiatives from the district. Bakersfield College is a public institution operated by the Kern Community College District, with the District Vice President John Corkins being named in the suit for lashing out against faculty who opposed the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He said: 'They're in that five percent that we have to continue to cull. Got them in my livestock operation and that's why we put a rope on some of them and take them to the slaughterhouse. 'That's a fact of life with human nature and so forth, I don't know how to say it any clearer.' Corkins later apologized for his comments at a public meeting, adding: 'My intent was to emphasize that the individuals who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting have my full support.' Johnsons' lawsuit states that Corkins was referring to Bakersfield College staff and that he 'refrains' from expressing his political views 'for fear of being subjected to further investigations and termination.' The suit added: 'The First Amendment, however, guarantees Professor Johnson's right to express himself, and it forbids the state from mandating that he subscribe to or promote any official ideology. District Vice President John Corkins (left) was named in JOhnsons suit for saying that five percent of staff should be taken to the 'slaughter house'. Andrew Bond (right) filed a complaint with the college against Johnson for 'harassment and bullying' after the pair clashed online Corkins later apologized for his comments at a public meeting, adding: 'My intent was to emphasize that the individuals who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting have my full support' 'The five percent that Defendant John Corkins referred to are faculty of Bakersfield College. 'They must be slaughtered, so to speak, for transgressions including the failure to censor their colleagues' Facebook posts, all in opposition to the school's official ideology.' 'Plaintiff Daymon Johnson has special reason to be concerned about his future as a Bakersfield College professor should he continue to express his views. 'Indeed, Bakersfield College has already subjected Professor Johnson to a lengthy and intrusive investigation merely for criticizing and questioning a colleague's views. 'The First Amendment forbids the state from mandating that he subscribe to or promote any official ideology.' Bakersfield College did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. Two girls aged ten and 11 say they were sexually assaulted in the sea off Bournemouth beach yesterday. Officers were called at 3.45pm to reports a man had touched the girls inappropriately while they were swimming near the pier. Dorset Police said they arrested a 43-year-old man from London on suspicion of sexual assault. The girls' allegations are the latest reports of sexual assault in the seaside town. Earlier this month, police said they were looking for a group of men after a 17-year-old boy claimed he was sexually assaulted in the sea. Huge crowds headed to Bournemouth beach over the weekend to enjoy the sunny weather Meanwhile, a 19-year-old man is awaiting trial after a 15-year-old claimed he raped her in the sea in front of thousands of holidaymakers. A spokesman for Dorset Police said today: 'Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward as they investigate two reported sexual assaults at Bournemouth Beach. 'We received a report at 3.45pm on Sunday of a disturbance in the area of Pier Approach. Officers attended and it was reported that two girls - aged ten and 11 years - had been touched inappropriately by a man when they were in the sea near to the pier. 'Following inquiries, a 43-year-old London man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.' Detective Constable Cameron Carter, of Bournemouth CID, said: 'We are carrying out a detailed investigation into these incidents and I am keen to hear from anyone who witnessed what happened who has not already spoken to police. 'I would also urge anyone with relevant mobile phone footage to please get in touch.' The spokesman added that local officers would continue to carry out regular proactive patrols of the beach and surrounding area, working with partners as part of the force's summer policing operation to provide a visible presence in the vicinity to tackle reported crime and anti-social behaviour. Anyone with information was asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111. Pornhub owners said governments should stop the crackdown on adult websites to help make porn normal and 'boring' - just as 'cannabis in Canada has become boring'. Solomon Friedman, the founder of Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) - who bought Pornhub's parent MindGeek - told AFP we should be proud of sexual expression and talk about it openly. He spoke out after website owners in France became locked in talks with regulators on how to make a 2020 age verification law work in practice. The issue rose up the political agenda when President Emmanuel Macron promised to make protecting children from porn a priority. It comes after a number of adult websites were pulled from Utah in May after they were ordered to verify the ages of users. A number of adult websites were pulled from the US state of Utah in May after they were ordered to verify the ages of users Now residents in the state can no longer log onto Pornhub to ensure minors cannot access the content. While the law was supposed to solely ban minors, Pornhub retaliated and barred all state residents claiming the state law was not the 'most effective solution for protecting children'. Mr Friedman told AFP: 'I think society has moved in the direction where we are proud of sexual expression. 'The fact that it's adult is going to be boring, just like the fact that (legalized) cannabis in Canada has become boring.' Two of MindGeek's sites have not put in place any age verification and face a court ruling on July 7 that could ban them. READ MORE: Pornhub BLOCKS users in Utah after state passes new law that requires sites to verify ages so minors can't access adult content Advertisement 'We do not want any underage users on our websites whatsoever,' said Mr Friedman. But he pushed back on the idea that the onus should fall on the websites, instead calling for the operating systems to find a solution. 'We are strongly in support of age verification solutions that do two things: protect children effectively and do not expose personal data,' he said. 'The only solution that accomplishes both of these goals is device or browser-based verification,' he said, adding that it would be 'a very simple step for Google and Apple'. Canadian private equity firm ECP's ownership of MindGeek has brought under its control a stable of other sites including YouPorn. MindGeek got into hot water in 2020 when the New York Times published allegations that its sites were hosting material depicting rapes and sex involving minors. The article sparked heavy pressure from regulators in several countries and Visa and MasterCard stopped processing payments. The owners spent two years trying to sell the firm, which is largely based in Canada but has a complex corporate structure spanning many of the globe's tax havens, with its official headquarters in Luxembourg. The new owners - who include two lawyers, an ex-police officer and an Italian investor who made his fortune in the legal sale of cannabis - are keen to distance themselves from the New York Times allegations. Mr Friedman said the company had completely changed in the past few years. He boasted that eight million pieces of content were taken down in 2021 - a claim AFP could not verify. 'A content removal request automatically results in the content being removed,' he said. 'We review it after it's removed.' In addition, uploaders had to provide identification, all content was scanned by algorithms to filter out copyright-protected material, and it is then viewed by company staff before it hits the web. Mr Friedman said his firm was brought in initially only to check that MindGeek was working within the law. Pornhub owners have said governments should stop the crackdown on adult websites to help make porn normal and 'boring' (File image) 'And what we found is not only does it comply with the law but it was an extraordinary investing opportunity, but it's an opportunity that required specialised skills,' he said. ECP decided that they had those skills and bought the company - though it has been a stiff test since then. The Utah exit followed an early battle in Louisiana, which has a similar age verification law. Residents in Utah can no longer log onto Pornhub after lawmakers passed a law requiring the raunchy site to verify ages so minors can't access the content. While the law was supposed to solely ban minors, Pornhub retaliated and barred all state residents claiming the state law was not the 'most effective solution for protecting children.' Utahns noticed the ban on Monday when they came across an invalid page reading, '403 - This state is not whitelisted.' A 403 code means a website is forbidden. Mr Friedman said their sites were still online in Louisiana as the rules are slightly different - they are not required to collect personal information. He said he did not want to prejudge any outcomes in France, but could not rule out the possibility his sites would have to pull out. The issue has risen up the political agenda since President Emmanuel Macron promised to make protecting children from porn a priority during his bid for re-election last year. Digital minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who has labelled children accessing porn websites a 'scandal', has directly challenged ECP to explain how they will comply with the law. Solomon said he had reached out to Barrot's office and promised to produce a report soon, insisting his firm was committed to 'talk openly and proudly about the porn industry'. This is the moment a lorry carrying illegal immigrants was cracked open by British police as part of a probe into a million-pound people-smuggling gang - whose leader has now been jailed for more than a decade. Mohammed Hossain, 54, who also ran a Bangladeshi cafe in east London, was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison on June 23 after admitting to smuggling hundreds of people in and out of the UK. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said he made more than 1m by acting as an illegal 'travel agent' and helping fugitives flee justice for crimes including murder and child abuse. Hossain's gang charged customers up to 15,000 to enter the country illegally, but only about 1,000 to leave because of the lower risk. Investigators found he enjoyed a luxury lifestyle with a fleet of expensive cars and reportedly sent at least one of his children to a 12,000-a-year private school. Ringleader Mohammed Hossain, 54, made at least 1m by acting as an illegal 'travel agent' and helping fugitives flee justice for crimes including murder and child abuse Video footage released by the NCA, often dubbed Britain's FBI, show a lorry being searched on the side of the M25 in March 2021. Clips recorded by police bodycams show the trailer is mostly empty bar a large crate at the back which a group of migrants are seen hiding behind. The group are seen slowly putting their hands above their heads as they are ordered out of the vehicle by police. Hossain used a network of cabbies and lorry drivers to move people in both directions across the Channel and arranged for taxis to drop off migrants at their pick-up locations. Following his arrest a ledger was found outlining details of the hundreds of men, women and even children who used his services. Officers also found a document outlining terms and conditions for those who wanted to be transported, including offering refunds if they were caught. Hossain worked with a gang of trusted associates including right-hand man Noor Ullah, 30. The pair were in regular contact as they planned to break into a lorry at South Mimms service station on the M25 to place people inside in March 2021. NCA investigators also found they set up a safe house in Bethnal Green, east London, to accommodate migrants. They were arrested in May 2021, following a covert National Crime Agency investigation codenamed Operation Symbolry. Hossain, of Woodford Green, admitted conspiring to move people into and out of the UK between December 2018 and May 2021. Hossain worked with a gang of trusted associates including right-hand man Noor Ullah, 30 (Pictured: Ullah being arrested) Ullah, of Leytonstone, admitted conspiring to smuggle people out of the UK between September 2020 and May 2021. He was sentenced to two years five months He was jailed for ten and a half years at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Hossain denied he was the ringleader but Judge Sandy Canavan found he had told a 'tissues of lies' when he gave evidence in a hearing before sentencing. She told him: 'You have lied time and time again. Dishonesty, greed and wickedness have led you to where you are today.' Ullah, of Leytonstone, admitted conspiring to smuggle people out of the UK between September 2020 and May 2021. He was sentenced to two years five months. Lorry drivers included Romanian national Marius Halmaghe, who was stopped on the A2 in Kent on October 1 2020, with four migrants. He was sentenced to 31 months in prison. Three days later on October 4, Alexandru Fuiorea, a Romanian living in Luton, was arrested as part of an intelligence-led operation on the M2. Officers found 18 migrants in the back of his truck, which was heading towards Dover. Fuiorea was jailed for three years and eight months. Romanian Mihai Valeriu Postolache and his partner Roxana Gabriela Stan were arrested after five migrants were discovered in their HGV after they arrived at Dover on November 6, 2020. They were later sentenced to 33 months and 14 months respectively. Moment police crack open lorry trailers carrying illegal immigrants Another trucker Sebastian Gabriel Podar, from Turda in Romania, was arrested as part of an NCA operation in Dover in December 2020. Nine migrants were discovered in the back of his HGV, which was booked to go on to a ferry to France. Among them was a man wanted for child sexual offences by Nottinghamshire Police. Podar had previously been stopped in London, with six migrants found inside his vehicle. He admitted two counts of attempting to facilitate a breach of immigration law, and on May 19, 2021 he was jailed for six years. Turkish lorry driver Hakan Zengin was arrested on March 21 2021 on the M25 with seventeen migrants in his lorry. He admitted immigration offences and was sentenced to two and a half years. NCA senior investigating officer Chris Hill said: 'Our investigation has successfully dismantled the UK arm of this people-smuggling network from top to bottom, including the organisers, middle-men and the lorry drivers being used. 'We believe they smuggled hundreds of people into and out of the UK, including fugitives wanted for murder and child abuse offences. 'People smugglers don't care about safety or border security - they just see people as a commodity to be profited from. This can have fatal consequences, which is why tackling it is such a priority for the NCA.' The investigation was supported by the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police, Surrey Police, Hertfordshire Police, Thames Valley Police, Essex Police and Immigration Enforcement. Anyone with information about this type of illegal activity, particularly lorry drivers who police know can be approached by organised criminals, should contact the police on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. A gang of Proud Boys have clashed with a rival group of masked Neo-Nazis who tried to join their anti-Pride protest in Oregon. Dramatic videos posted online caught the shocking moment dozens of protesters shouted profanities and beat the newcomers with an American flag pole while trying to tear away their balaclavas on Saturday. The scuffle involved the Proud Boys - a right-wing group involved with the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 - and a local band of neo-Nazis known as Rose City Nationalists. Dramatic videos posted online caught the moment dozens of protesters shouted profanities and beat the newcomers with an American flag pole while trying to tear away their balaclavas The scuffle involved the Proud Boys - a right-wing group involved with the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 - and a local group of neo-Nazis known as Rose City Nationalists Footage from a protest in Oregon City, Oregon yesterday. Rose City Nationalists (white nationalist group) decides to push into area where they were unwelcome. When told to leave, they refused and got physical. Proud Boys fought back and removed their masks, and them, from the pic.twitter.com/o4vOG5pf9h HoneyBadgerMom (@hunnybadgermom) June 25, 2023 One woman involved in the anti-Pride demonstration said that 'white nationalists walked into our protest' and 'local Proud Boys made it clear they weren't welcome'. Videos of the violence posted online show members of the Proud Boys group squaring up to a handful of men wearing black hats, gloves, face masks and sunglasses to obscure their identities. Proud Boys can be heard shouting: 'Get the f*** out of here', 'be gone bi****' and 'get the f*** out of here you racist motherf*****s' while shoving the nationalists away and beating them with American flagpoles. The neo-Nazis slowly back away down the sidewalk but some push back as the exchange becomes more heated. The neo-Nazis slowly backed away down the sidewalk but some push back as the exchange becomes more heated Several of the Rose City Nationalists members lose their masks amid the brawl Some members of the rival groups took a tumble and began grappling on the ground Twitter ceo Elon Musk even weighed in on the conflict, demanding to know the identities of the neo-Nazis - adding 'always remove their masks' in a second tweet WHO ARE THE PROUD BOYS? Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes started the all-male Proud Boys in 2016. McInnes and the Proud Boys have described the group as a politically incorrect men's club for 'Western chauvinists' and deny affiliations with far-right extremist groups that overtly espouse racist and anti-Semitic views. The Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center designated the Proud Boys as a hate group, saying that its members often spread 'outright bigotry' and 'anti-Muslim and misogynistic rhetoric' over the internet, and have posted social media pictures of themselves with prominent Holocaust deniers, white nationalists and 'known neo-Nazis.' The then-national leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, marched in the infamous Charlottesville Unite the Right rally in 2017. Proud Boys have been involved in a series of high-profile violent clashes at political events. In NYC in October 2018, police arrested Proud Boys members who brawled with anti-fascist protesters following a speech by McInnes at a Manhattan Republican club. Proud Boys members also have frequently clashed with counterprotesters at rallies in California and Oregon. Most recently, the group took part in the siege on the Capitol on January 6. Advertisement A fight breaks out in the middle of the group with members from both sides shoving each other aggressively into the road, while car horns beep and traffic pauses. Several passers-by film the combat on their phones as some members of the rival groups take a tumble and begin grappling on the ground. The fight spills further onto the road and members of the Proud Boys demand the neo-Nazis are 'de-masked', while a local security official is seen calling for calm. Several of the Rose City Nationalists members lose their masks amid the brawl, and they back away with gloved hands covering their faces as the Proud Boys continue their advance. A video taken from a wider angle shows at least 20 people were involved in the street combat, and a woman can be heard shouting: 'Get them out of here!' One woman involved in the anti-Pride protest shared images on Twitter of the demonstration before the fight broke out. A handful of women are pictured brandishing signs reading 'Drag is misogyny' and 'children don't belong around sex clowns'. Meanwhile, a drag queen dressed in a glittery jumpsuit is shown speaking with a camera further down the sidewalk. The anti-Pride protester wrote on Twitter: 'Say what you will about PBs (Proud Boys), but my friends and I certainly appreciated them getting those creepy white nationalists away from us.' 'We were just standing there with our sign, waving at drivers (who mostly honked, waved, yelled, and gave thumbs up in support - only a few flipped us off & yelled insults), when suddenly these dudes in black masks were walking up to us with their flyers.' She added that she considered the drag queen event as Oregon City's 'first Pride event'. Some people on Twitter said the neo-Nazis were Feds, and Twitter ceo Elon Musk even weighed in on the conflict. 'Who were the unmasked individuals?' Musk replied to one video, adding: 'Always remove their masks' in another comment. The father of one of the four children killed in the Oatlands crash tragedy has revealed he is dying of cancer. Bob Sakr, the dad of Veronique Sakr, shared on social media that he has been battling cancer for nearly a year and that he has about two weeks left to live. Veronique, 11, was killed on February 1, 2020, when Samuel William Davidson's ute mounted a kerb and ploughed into her and cousins Sienna Abdallah, Angelina Abdallah, and Antony Abdallah as they walked to buy ice creams. Bob Sakr, the dad of Veronique Sakr, shared on social media that he has been battling cancer for nearly a year and that he has about two weeks left to live Mr Sakr said his cancer had 'gone into attack mode' and that doctors had told him his life was coming to an end. 'I haven't booked my ticket, and I am not in a hurry, but I am preparing for what's to come next,' he said. 'I'm not one in saying bye, but instead prefer to say, 'See you next time I'm looking at you'.' Davidson was drunk and on drugs when he crashed into the four children. He was initially jailed for 28 years with a non-parole period of 21 years, but was re-sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison with a non-parole period of 17 years, after his original sentence was deemed manifestly excessive. Veronique's mother, Bridget Sakr, said at the time that the sentence reduction was 'unfair'. 'We've always said forgiveness and justice are two different things,' she said. 'It was a crushing sentence apparently, but it was our children that were crushed.' Pictured left to right: Sienna Abdallah, eight, Veronique Sakr, 11, Antony Abdallah, 13, and Angelina Abdallah, 12, were killed drink and drug driver Samuel Davidson in 2020 Samuel Davidson was initially jailed in April 2021 for 28 years with a non-parole period of 21 years (pictured, Davidson's arrest following the crash) Davidson failed in a bid earlier this year to reduce his sentence once more, claiming he had been subject to an unfair amount of jail time due to the incorrect use of sentencing principles. Stephen Odgers SC, representing Davidson, said Davidson had prior good character, with the offence leading to his first time in court. This meant he had a good chance of being rehabilitated. He said how parole and non-parole periods were determined in relation to the length of a sentence meant people with a better chance of rehabilitation were left worse off. 'It is very odd that a person with good prospects is worse off than a person with poor prospects,' the barrister told the court back in March. 'But in NSW, good prospects of rehabilitation hurt you.' Mr Odgers added that if the case was to be heard, the defence would raise the issue of Davidson's ADHD, but conceded it wasn't a basis for which the appeal should be granted. Mr Sakr is seen kissing his daughter's coffin at her funeral at the Santa Sabina College Chapel in Sydney Samuel William Davidson failed in his final bid to reduce his sentence after killing three members of the Abdallah family (above) and their cousin Davidson said during a court appearance in May last year that his ADHD was making prison life difficult. Crown prosecutor David Kell SC said at the time that he had gone off his ADHD medication on several occasions before the tragedy and had binged on alcohol and illicit drugs. Davison was driving erratically and speeding when he struck the children in Oatlands, in Sydney's northwest. He had pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and to charges related to injuries caused to three other children in the crash. Former Fox host Dan Bongino has claimed his wife was dragged out of a glitzy Palm Beach Italian restaurant on Friday night for waiting in the wrong line for the restroom. The pro-Trump podcast host, 48, said his wife Paula was 'UFC-style' removed from Cucina Palm Beach by an employee after enjoying a night out for his friend's birthday. Politico first reported Bongino was forcibly removed - but he took to his podcast The Dan Bongino Show to slam the narrative, and said he was in fact defending his wife Paula. Bongino said that he had picked up the group's tab and left his server a cash tip when he suddenly saw a ruckus erupt out of the corner of his eye. He said a man was 'bear hugging' a woman and carrying her out. He later realized it was his own wife, after seeing her bracelet. Bongino said that he thought they were going to slam Paula to the ground outside as he shouted: 'Get your f***ing hands off my wife.' Bongino said that he had picked up the group's tab and left the waitress a cash tip when he suddenly saw a ruckus erupt out of the corner of his eye. He said a man was 'bear hugging' a woman and carrying her out Politico first reported Bongino was forcibly removed - but he took to his podcast The Dan Bongino Show to slam the narrative, and said he was in fact defending his wife Paula Dan Bongino pictured with his wife, Paula. They share two kids together The political commentator told his show: 'I wasn't thrown out of anywhere. I want to be clear about that.' Bongino said that the group of couples had been having a great night out - and even broadcasted a clip he took minutes before the outburst, showing himself and his wife smiling and bopping their heads to the lively music inside the restaurant. While it's unclear what led to Paula's removal, Bongino claimed his wife was queuing in the wrong line for the restroom. The story broke after Politico said that Bongino was thrown out of the establishment, to which Bongino said: 'That's an absolutely FASCINATING take on what really happened. Does Politico support physical violence against women?' Bongino, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress three times, is said to have ordered bottle service at Cucina before he was removed by staff. In March 2021, Fox News announced that Bongino had been signed to host a weekend program, called Unfiltered with Dan Bongino. But he announced that he parted ways with the company in April 2023, citing 'failed contract negotiations.' Announcing his departure earlier this year, he said: 'Regretfully, last week was my last show on Fox News Channel. 'The show ending last week was tough. Its not some big conspiracy theory, I promise you. Theres no acrimony We just couldnt come to terms on an extension. Thats really it,' he said. Dan and Paula were enjoying the Friday night celebrating one of their friend's birthdays An interior image of Cucina Palm Beach restaurant 'I really enjoyed myself there. They were good for me for ten years Its a sad day. They did give me the opportunity to do one last show, I dont want you to think they showed me the door. Thats on me, not on them, but I thought it was best to go this way for now.' Bongino's show, which aired Saturdays at 9pm eastern was a success for the network. The final episode drew 1.18million viewers and ranked as the highest-rated primetime show of the day. Unfiltered was the top show in primetime on Saturday with 1.3million viewers and 134,00 viewers in the key demographic. During his stint with Fox Nation, he also hosted Canceled in the USA - where he interviewed people who had been canceled for their beliefs. In a statement, Fox News wished their former host well: 'We thank Dan for his contributions and wish him success in his future endeavors.' Before becoming a political commentator, Bongino worked in the NYPD and then the US Secret Service as a special agent. He lives in Palm City, Florida, with his wife Paula and their two daughters. The Bongino breakup with Fox News happened on the heels of the network agreeing to pay Dominion Voting Systems a $787million settlement in a defamation suit. Referring to the optics of the split's timing, Bongino said, 'the timing's not great.' Fox News agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5million in an 11th-hour settlement, averting a defamation trial about the network's coverage of the 2020 presidential election. Dominion had accused Fox News of repeating conspiracy theories regarding Donald Trump's defeat to Joe Biden, and filed a $1.6 billion lawsuit against the network. Dominion lawyer Justin Nelson said in a news conference that Fox is paying $787,500,000 to settle the defamation case, a number which he says 'represents vindication and accountability.' 'Lies have consequences,' he said. Residents of New Jersey were warned to brace for potential tornadoes on Monday afternoon - as a violent weather system that spawned several twisters Sunday made landfall in the Tristate. Now hitting cities such as New York and Philadelphia, the east-moving storm has already claimed one life in rural Indiana - where a twister struck a home and killed an unnamed occupant, officials said, while a downed tree killed another in Atlanta. Meanwhile, thousands more Americans have been left without power in states in the Southeast and Midwest, after four tornados tour through the latter, and are now sending thunderstorms barreling through the Northeast. The weather has already wreaked havoc in Indiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky, with Indiana seeing four separate twisters as a result. Millions of Americans are bracing for a possible superstorm that's already left 500,000 without power in the Southeast, while spawning monster tornados in the Midwest. Pictured is the storm's predicted path come 4pm, when it is expected to hit communities in the Northeast The system brings a slight possibility of tornadoes, after at least three were seen in parts of Indiana Sunday night, killing one. Debris is seen being lifted into the air by one of these twisters, which hit the community of Greenwood in the southern part of the state This, along with possible hail and flash flooding, saw a total of 2,067 flights set to fly out of, into, or within the US delayed, and another 758 canceled. According to FlightAware, most of them were from New Jersey's Newark International, seen here Monday morning By 4pm Monday, the storm was battering the entire Tri-state - as well as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC - bringing with it damaging winds of upwards of 70 mph and lightning, and several inches of rainfall. Officials in those areas, though, maintained Monday that portions of the Garden State - where the probability of a tornado is typically small - were most at risk of the aforementioned metros when it comes to a twister. This, along with possible hail and flash flooding, saw a total of 2,067 flights set to fly out of, into, or within the US delayed, and another 758 canceled Monday morning - as many anticipated the continued bad weather on the East Coast According to the flight tracker FlightAware, nearly 150 of those were from New Jersey's Newark International, and another 124 from LaGuardia in New York, where the most pronounced weather was anticipated. Counties in North Jersey near the well-traveled airports - such as Warren, Hunterdon, and Somerset - were under tornado warnings Monday afternoon as the weather began to hit, with rain and highspeed winds throughout the state. By 4pm, those warnings all expired - though it is not immediately clear whether any twisters or wind damage have been reported in these areas. Much of the rest of the state, as is the case with nearby cities like New York and Philadelphia, remained on heightened thunderstorm alert as of 4:30pm, as the weather is set to persist into the night. Meanwhile, in Southern Indiana, which bore the brunt of Sunday's storm, officials are searching for other victims in a mess of debris wrought by a twister in Martin County, some 85 miles southwest of Indianapolis and 80 miles northwest of Louisville. Meanwhile, in Southern Indiana, which bore the brunt of Sunday's storm, officials are searching for other victims in a mess of debris wrought by three twisters, one in Martin County, some 85 miles southwest of Indianapolis, and two in nearby Johnston County One of them tore through the small city of Greenwood - thrusting debris into the air and causing general unrest Officials in the community of roughly 65,000 would not comment on whether anyone had been injured or killed in the storm, but said they are continuing to evaluate the extent damage seen after the storms Other problems have been damaged roofs and downed power lines, with the possibility of power outages for several days. Around seven miles southwest in the town of Bargersville, at least 75 homes were damaged after a third tornado struck an area three to four miles in length, bringing down power lines but leaving injured, officials later confirmed at a news conference Ninety miles southwest, another tornado tore through the small city of Greenwood - thrusting debris into the air and causing general unrest. Officials in the community of roughly 65,000 would not comment on whether anyone had been injured or killed in the storm, but said they are continuing to evaluate the extent damage seen after the storms. The city's Fire Department warned in a statement to Facebook, 'Please stay clear of areas affected by this evening's weather as many areas around Johnson County have tornado damage.' Around seven miles southwest in the town of Bargersville, at least 75 homes were damaged after a third tornado struck an area three to four miles in length, bringing down power lines but leaving injured, officials later confirmed at a news conference. Officials in the town, another rural community of about 10,000, said they were also working to complete a secondary search of impacted areas. Another twister stuck Monroe County's Stanford, downing trees that still needed to be removed Monday. The Red Cross has since set up shelters with locals to determine the needs of the three affected communities, as well as surrounding settlements also struck by the severe weather. The National Weather Service kept tornado watches in place for the state as well as nearby Kentucky Sunday night, as the storm moved from the Great Lakes region and Midwest toward the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Another twister stuck Monroe County's Stanford, downing trees that still needed to be removed Monday In total, about 10,000 people in the Hoosier State were without power - a number that has since decreased to about 2,000 as of Monday morning as the storm moves east About 25 percent of the flights leaving Indianapolis International Airport were delayed on Sunday - part of more than 2,000 cancellations over the weekend that continued Monday in cities now set to be hit by the still-moving system Other problems have been damaged roofs and downed power lines, with the possibility of power outages for several days Workers in Greenwood survey downed trees after tornado touched down in several areas Sunday afternoon The National Weather Service kept tornado watches in place for the state as well as nearby Kentucky Sunday night, as the storm moved from the Great Lakes region and Midwest toward the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast As the storm pushes east, more than 90 million are under severe weather alerts as Monday, particularly in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, south and west New Jersey, and Raleigh, North Carolina - where a Level 3 of 5 risk notice is in place. Winds of 60 mph and lightning are all extremely possible, meteorologists warn, along with golf ball-sized hail and flash flooding. Meanwhile, roughly 2,600 Indianians remain without powers Monday morning as the storm continues to move east - though farther south, where storms also struck Sunday, the situation is markedly worse. Collectively, in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, roughly 300,000 are still without power, according to poweroutage.us, which compiles data from utilities. Another 130,000 in nearby Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, are also powerless, as 70,000 in Michigan near the Great Lakes. Chad Swain of the National Weather Service said that the twister-laden thunderstorms were likely spurred by the collision of hot and humid air and a moving cold front. He said the million or so living along the Interstate 95 corridor in the Northeast can expect some warm and muggy weather to accompany the mess of storms likely to hit this afternoon, with temperatures expected to remain in the 80s. Amid the mess of delays - added to more than 2,000 seen over the weekend - travelers have been advised to check the status of their flights before making their way to the airport, especially as the day progresses. The three most affected airports Monday morning were the aforementioned Newark Liberty and New York's LaGuardia, as well as Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. As the storm pushes east, more than 90 million are under severe weather alerts as Monday, particularly in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, south and west New Jersey, and Raleigh, North Carolina - where a Level 3 of 5 risk notice is in place Damaging winds of upwards of 60 mph and lightning will be the primary threats come 4pm when the system is expected to make windfall, with the slight possibility of tornadoes - particularly in New Jersey Aside from the twisters, millions living along the I-95 corridor in the Northeast can also expect several inches of rain, with Philly and New York forecast to see over five a piece into Tuesday Aside from the possible twisters, millions living along the I-95 corridor in the Northeast can also expect several inches of rain, with Philly and New York forecast to see more than five apiece into Tuesday, Very large hail, potentially more than two inches in diameter, will also be a cause for concern toward the southwest, namely in the central Carolinas and parts of South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. The storms - which produced nearly 400 storm reports across a dozen states, including four tornadoes - come as nearly 40 million people are sweltering under a heat wave affecting much of the US South, including Arizona to Alabama. Creating temperatures above 110 degrees Monday, the weather is expected to spread and continue through the beginning of next week, contributing to a significant risk of heat-related illnesses, especially as the longevity of the heat wave increases.' Roughly 430,000 residents currently without power in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia are currently braving those conditions, with each state forecast to see temperatures well into the 90s Monday afternoon. Officials in those states are currently working to restore power. Millions in the Northeast remain on increased alert. A tanker truck carrying potentially explosive ammonium nitrate has overturned on a Maryland highway - sparking mass evacuations. The truck carrying the materials tipped over on the southbound side of Interstate 81 in Hagerstown, about an hour west of Baltimore. Authorities have asked businesses within 1,500 feet of the scene to evacuate and the road will remain closed for an extended time. According to Maryland State Police, the crash happened at around 6:15am on Monday. They said on Twitter that the crash happened along the northbound side of the road near Halfway Boulevard. A tanker truck carrying ammonium nitrate has overturned on a Maryland highway, causing evacuations in the area According to Maryland State Police, the crash happened at around 6:15am on Monday First responders are headed to the scene but it's unclear if there is any injuries. However, images released by local ABC affiliate WJLA show the overturned truck on the side of the road without any fire visible. Police have said the road will remain closed for an 'extended time' and have asked people to avoid the area. In their last public update posted at 9am EST, they added that the northbound I-81 has been reopened. The southbound road remains closed. DailyMail.com has reached out to Maryland State Police for more details. Ammonium Nitrate is a chemical used to make fertilizers and explosives. It's also used as a nutrient in producing antibiotics and yeast. Earlier this month, a section of Interstate 95 near Philadelphia collapsed after a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped over on an off-ramp and caught fire, killing the driver and shutting down the major East Coast transportation artery. Earlier this month, a section of Interstate 95 near Philadelphia collapsed after a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped over on an off-ramp and caught fire A general view shows the partial collapse of Interstate 95 after a fire underneath an overpass in Philadelphia earlier this month I-95 is the East Coast's main north-south highway and stretches 1,924 miles from the Canadian border in Maine to Miami. Speaking to reporters at the site of the deadly overpass collapse, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said there's 'no question' the incident will impact the price of goods by raising the cost of shipping. On average, about 160,000 vehicles per day used the impacted section of interstate, he said, some 8 percent of which were commercial trucks, or about 12,800. Officials have said that it could take several months to rebuild the collapsed portion of the interstate. The collapse is snarling traffic in Philadelphia as the summer travel season starts, upending hundreds of thousands of morning commutes, disrupting countless businesses and forcing trucking companies to find different routes. The Odysseus submersible, which discovered debris of Titan, is leading the search for more wreckage and has completed four dives The Navy's Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, which can pull large objects from depths of 20,000ft, has been withdrawn from the mission The submersible which discovered the Titan vessel's wreckage has completed four more search dives at the site - but the U.S. Navy has ruled out using its most advanced deep sea recovery tool to pick up the pieces. Odysseus 6k found wreckage from Titan, which imploded beneath the Atlantic with five people on board, after a huge search and rescue operation. The French-owned submersible is now leading a search of the seabed - 12,500ft beneath the ocean surface - to find any further pieces of wreckage or remains of the crew who perished in the disaster. But a Navy recovery system that can pull wreckage from depths of 20,000ft has now been withdrawn from the mission. The Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System had been deployed amid hopes it could rescue Titan if the vessel was found intact. Officials have said it won't be used following the grim news that Titan suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' which has likely broken it into smithereens. All five crew are dead and Coast Guard chiefs have said their remains may never be found. The U.S. Navy has said its Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, which can salvage objects from depths of 20,000ft, won't be used in the search after Titan was crushed to smithereens Odysseus 6K, which discovered wreckage of the Titan submersible, has completed four more searches of the seabed to look for further pieces or remains of the five crew who perished The capabilities of FADOSS were highlighted in 2021 when it successfully recovered a downed U.S. Navy helicopter from a depth of around 20,000ft 'Efforts to mobilize equipment such as the Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System have been discontinued,' said a Navy official. Instead, the official said, 'efforts are focused on helping map the debris field in preparation for recovery efforts and to support investigative actions'. Pelagic Research Services, which operates Odysseus, said it was working closely with authorities in the ongoing search for Titan wreckage. The searches are part of a wider investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard which will also consider whether OceanGate, the company which launched Titan, is culpable for any 'misconduct, incompetence, negligence, unskillfulness or willful violation of law'. Ed Cassano, CEO of Palagic Research Services, said: 'We continue to work tirelessly in our support role of this mission, alongside the incredible crew of Horizon Arctic, led by Captain Adam Myers.' Horizon Arctic is the vessel which launches Odysseus. Cassano added that the team has been 'successful in investigating identified objects of interest'. The recovery was described as 'remarkably difficult and risky' because of the depths. Titan had been headed to the wreckage of the Titanic, 12,500ft underwater where the pressure is immense. The Titan submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' while journeying to the Titanic's wreckage 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 The Navy's FADOSS was considered a crucial tool because of its track record of plucking large objects from the ocean's depths. In 2021 it pulled a downed MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from 3.6 miles beneath the ocean near Japan. The helicopter crashed into the Pacific in 2020. The crew managed to abort the craft and nobody was hurt. But it's believed the nature of the damage to Titan led officials to withdraw FADOSS from the mission. The US Coast Guard is currently investigating the cause of the undersea implosion of the Titan submersible and has not ruled out finding human remains - while also hinting that the probe could lead to criminal charges. Captain Jason Neubauer, who is heading up the investigation, said salvage operations are continuing and investigators have mapped the accident site. The Coast Guard opened what it calls a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) on Friday, he said, and is working with the FBI to recover evidence. Cpt Neubauer said the convening of an MBI is the highest level of inquiry conducted by the US Coast Guard. It is unclear how long it will take. The US Coast Guard said it does not charge for search and rescue operations. The findings will be shared with the International Maritime Organization and other groups 'to help improve the safety framework for submersible operations worldwide,' Cpt Neubauer said. Stockton Rush perished on board the Titan last Sunday along with his four passengers when the vessel imploded while en route to the Atlantic seabed Shahzada Dawood, 48, (right) one of Pakistan's richest men, who along with his teenage son Suleman Dawood, 19, (left) died on the Titan He said the Coast Guard is in touch with the families of the five people killed, and that investigators are 'taking all precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains.' Yesterday the sons of British billionaire Hamish Harding paid tribute to the 'best father' who they say 'constantly sought to be the best man he could be'. Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said: 'The MBI is also responsible for accountability aspects of the incident and it can make recommendations to the proper authorities to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary.' The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that all five people aboard the submersible had died after the vessel suffered a 'catastrophic implosion.' One of Mr Harding's sons, who was not named on the statement issued through Action Aviation, has hailed the billionaire for being a 'tenacious, hard working businessman' and for having 'inspired me more than anyone will ever know'. The adventurer and his wife Linda have two sons, Rory and Giles. Mr Harding is also the stepfather to her two children from a previous relationship, Laurena and Brian. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Republicans will begin an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Merrick Garland by July 6 following bombshell IRS whistleblower testimony that the top Justice Department official interfered in the criminal investigation into Hunter Biden. The Republicans plan to take this action following new allegations by IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, a 14-year veteran of the agency, claiming that Hunter Biden has been given preferential treatment by investigators looking into his tax affairs and lying on a gun permit application. Shapley pointed to a WhatsApp message sent on July 30, 2017, by Hunter to Chinese Communist Party official Henry Zhao, threatening him to follow his 'orders' and saying his dad was with him. Shapley alleges he raised concerns about the WhatsApp message to DOJ prosecutors, who rebuffed his concerns. McCarthy said on Fox & Friends Monday that U.S. Attorney David Weiss - who led the investigation into Hunter and charged the president's son last week for violating federal tax and gun laws after a 5-year probe - must appear before the House Judiciary Committee. In addition, the speaker said that an impeachment inquiry into Garland will begin by July 6 if the IRS whistleblower claims check out. We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee. If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into https://t.co/Q3LLeJhW85 Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 25, 2023 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' 'By July 6, because of the allegations by the IRS, because of the whistleblower, and the DOJ - Garland - what he is saying and what David Weiss is saying privately are two different things,' the speaker said. 'And if it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, we're going to start impeachment inquiries on the attorney general,' McCarthy pledged Monday on Fox & Friends. He said 'what's interesting is the IRS whistleblower that has no political background, took copious notes, can tell you the date, can tell you the people in the meeting.' McCarthy said the discrepancies between what U.S. Attorney Weiss has said versus what Attorney General Merrick Garland has said is the key issue at hand. According to the whistleblower, 'U.S. Attorney Weiss stated that he subsequently asked for special counsel authority from Main DOJ at that time and was denied that authority.' However, Garland publicly defended himself Friday, saying that Weiss 'was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own.' 'I don't know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution,' Garland told reporters. 'Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department by claiming that we do not treat cases alike. This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy,' Garland continued. The speaker had alluded that the House might move forward on impeachment articles in a tweet over the weekend. 'We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee,' McCarthy said Sunday. 'If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garland's weaponization of DOJ,' he continued. Sen. Ted Cruz on his 'Verdict' podcast said last week that the Hunter WhatsApp text proves Biden's business ties to China. McCarthy says he's 'glad' that Cruz has caught up to the work that the House has been doing to uncover the Biden family's ties to foreign payments. 'Every single day we're bringing people in,' said McCarthy on the work of his Republicans. 'This is why you have the bank statements now. This is why you know about the 1023 This is why you know about WhatsApp. We're continuing to do our information much different than anybody else,' said McCarthy, referring to the internal FBI FD-1023 form uncovered by the House Oversight Committee that allegedly says Joe and Hunter Biden each got $5 million from a Ukrainian foreign national in exchange for policy decisions. 'Now we've found the president has lied to us because he said they've never dealt with anything in China,' the speaker added. 'Now, the [IRS] whistleblower says that he was in a meeting with the Chinese company as the vice president.' According to the whistleblower, in WhatsApp, Hunter sent a menacing message to a Chinese Communist Party official, and hinted that his father would see to it that he would be punished if he did not comply with the unspecified demand. Hunter Biden is seen with his father, President Joe Biden Mark Lytle, an attorney for IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, told Fox News on Friday that attempts to try and confirm where Hunter and Joe Biden were when Hunter claimed in July 2017 that his father was sitting beside him were rebuffed by prosecutors 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' 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. Hunter's lawyers have insisted the WhatsApp was the ramblings of a troubled man in the midst of a drug addiction: the White House has repeated its insistence that Joe Biden had no knowledge of his son's business affairs. On Friday, a lawyer for Shapley claimed that his attempts to get to the bottom of the WhatsApp story had been rebuffed by prosecutors. 'The agents wanted to follow up on this and the prosecutors told them not to because, oh, well, maybe Hunter Biden was puffing or something like that,' said Mark Lytle, Shapley's attorney. On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee released testimony from two IRS whistleblowers - including Shapley - who said the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered with the investigation of the tax evasion case against Hunter Biden. Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri who chairs the committee, claimed that testimony 'outlines misconduct and government abuse at the IRS and FBI in the investigation of Hunter Biden. '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 Biden's alleged tax crimes.' The committee said on Thursday: 'The allegations point to a steady campaign of: unequal treatment of enforcing tax law; Department of Justice interference in the form of delays, divulgences, and denials, into the investigation of tax crimes that may have been committed by the President's son; and finally, retaliation against IRS employees who blew the whistle on the misconduct.' West Virginia State Police has been hit by a slew of lawsuits and allegations after a whistleblower sent an anonymous five-page letter to multiple state lawmakers. The police department has been accused of covering up alleged hidden cameras in the women's locker room, a theft from a casino and allegations of a trooper drugging, kidnaping and raping two women. A letter was delivered to Governor Jim Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in February, who then launched a full-scale investigation. Justice said: 'The more we dug, the worse it stunk.' Several claims were made, including the misuse of state and federal dollars, office affairs, illegal overtime practices, drunken fights, hidden cameras and sexual assault. The state's Department of Homeland Security was brought in to head up a multi-pronged investigation which was supported by the interim superintendent of the West Virginia state police. A letter, written by Cpl Joseph Comer (pictured) was delivered to Governor Jim Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in February, who then launched a full-scale investigation Dante DiTrapano, Attorney, is representing two women who say they were raped by a state trooper. What is the latest on this? Dante shares the latest with @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nEhk6 pic.twitter.com/OOx9TWwTv3 MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) April 6, 2023 Jack Chambers replaced former superintendent Jan Cahill after his resignation in March, with one of the allegations claiming that an appointee of Cahill was caught stealing on surveillance footage, but nothing was ever done. One of the most serious allegations claims that at least one hidden camera was placed in the women's locker room at the police academy. Teres Toreiseva initially filed a lawsuit in March against the WVSP after four women came forward, and then refiled in June to represent 67 women. She said that all the women will be 'filing claims against the West Virginia State Police for creating a toxic and hostile environment'. Following reporting on the allegations, more women came forward and it is thought that in addition to the dozens of women who used the facilities since 1994 there were at least ten minors who used the locker room as part of the junior trooper academy, aged 14 to 17. In a letter to the WVSP, she said: 'During their time at the academy and while under the supervision of West Virginia State Police employees, several of these women were subjected to varying levels of physical and emotional abuse and were most likely videotaped on cameras now known to have been hidden on your premises. 'All of these women were victims of a civil conspiracy perpetrated by instructors, staff, and leadership at the West Virginia State Police Academy.' Toresiva claims that the camera could have been placed as early as 1998 and continued recording until 2018. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has launched a probe into the series of allegations made against the state police Several claims were made, including the misuse of state and federal dollars, office affairs, illegal overtime practices, drunken fights, hidden cameras and sexual assault Governor Jim Justice said of the allegations after they came to light: 'The more we dug, the worse it stunk' Gov Justice also confirmed that the employee who had placed the camera had died, and three troopers later discovered a thumb drive of the footage. He said: 'From that, they found the video. At least one immediately jerked the thumb drive out, threw it to the floor and started stomping on it. 'Now we've got law enforcement officers destroying evidence.' Jack Chambers replaced former superintendent Jan Cahill (pictured) after his resignation in March Two lawsuits have also been filed against WVSP since May, claiming that trooper Michael Miller kidnapped and raped them. Miller is accused of 'flashing his badge' at the woman at a pub in Logan, West Virginia, on December 17, 2021. The incident, which has been reported to the FBI, has left her suffering from 'PTSD' and is 'intense treatment and counseling' following the alleged attack. In a letter sent to the police department, they claim that she 'woke up naked in her bed with blood, urine and feces all over her'. It continued: 'Her earrings were ripped out of her ears, her hair was pulled out, her teeth were damaged, and she had been raped vaginally and sodomized with some instrument. 'This is all confirmed by the rape unit at the emergency department at [Charleston Area medical center] Women's and Children's Hospital, in Charleston, West Virginia.' Miller also allegedly sent a Facebook message to the woman the morning after the incident, asking if he had left his hat in her car. One of the most serious allegations claims that at least one hidden camera was placed in the women's locker room at the police academy. A lawyer is representing 67 affected women Cpl Comer claims he was forced to reveal his concerns publicly after first going through the chain of command A second woman then filed a lawsuit saying that she was 'drugged and kidnapped' by Miller on July 9, and was raped repeatedly as he told her he was a trooper. The trooper was reportedly in a bar where he is accused of drugging the woman and telling her she had to go with him. He then allegedly put her inside a truck and raped her along with two other men, before driving her to another club, where she managed to escape. The following day she reportedly trying to report the incident to a sheriff's deputy in Logan but was told, 'do not screw with the brotherhood'. Another alleged incident resulted in Superintendent Cahill resigning after an off-duty police captain was caught on surveillance footage in May 2021 'stealing an envelope of money'. In a letter sent by Dante DiTrapano, attorney for the women, they claim that she 'woke up naked in her bed with blood, urine and feces all over her' The whistle-blower letter claims that the WVSP covered up the incident and no charge were filed after the envelope was recovered and returned to its original owner. A report filed in March claims that a customer lost an envelope containing at least $500, and the trooper was allegedly caught on camera picking up the envelope and leaving before being down by a Trooper. Governor Justice added: 'There's no way to look at this other than just this the trooper picked it up and took the money. Basically, any way you cut it, that money was stolen.' Corporal Joseph Comer came forward as the whistleblower behind the letter and was arrested for domestic battery and felony strangulation shortly after. He was then placed on administrative leave, which his lawyers claim was a 'retaliation' by the state police. On 23 February 2023, a day before Comer was scheduled to have a grievance hearing about his concerns about the West Virginia state police, a criminal complaint was filed against him. He is accused of strangling a woman on December 5 during a child custody exchange, leaving bruises on her neck. Comer has also been accused of striking a woman in the head with a sippy cup on 12 December 2022. Another alleged incident resulted in Superintendent Cahill resigning after an off-duty police captain was caught on surveillance footage in May 2021 'stealing an envelope of money' A report filed in March claims that a customer lost an envelope containing at least $500, and the trooper was allegedly caught on camera picking up the envelope and leaving He claims he was forced to reveal his concerns publicly after first going through the chain of command and finding that those in positions of power were allegedly some of the ones engaged in questionable conduct. His lawyer, David Moye claims that he has spoken about his allegation to Major James Findley - who was the head of internal affairs - but instead of 'investigating it, he turned around and pretty much placed a target on my client's back,' Findley has since been transferred from director of the professional standards division to a first lieutenant slot. Speaking to EyewitnessNews Comer said: 'When I started going through my grievance process I realized how bad it was and the magnitude of how bad it was. 'It took me a little bit because I wanted to keep faith in some of the administrators because I knew them as troopers. 'I knew them as they took rank. I wanted to truly believe that they weren't succumbing to what was going on. 'But when I realized into my grievance process who was involved and what was being manipulated I realized then just how bad it was.' West Virginia State Police and lawyers for the women and Cpl Comer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. A former trans rights activist who rejected LGBTQ groups said the movement is like a cult for children - before she was attacked at NYC Pride for holding up a 'stop female erasure' sign. Kay Yang, 36, works as a 'deprogrammer' to help parents and children who have been 'indoctrinated' by the 'cult-like' transgender agenda. Yang herself previously went by they/them and worked as a 'trans educator' in schools for years. She posted a video of her being attacked at the New York City Pride parade on Twitter, with the caption: 'My name is K. Yang, I'm a former trans rights activist & LGBT non-profit whistleblower. 'I was just kicked, hit, pushed, mobbed by dozens of people in Washington Square Park. Males who identify as females called me 'b***h' & assaulted me.' Yang was holding a sign that read 'Defend Female Sex Based Rights' when she had her placard ripped violently out of her hands as she was hit in the head with a cup of water on Sunday. Kay Yang, 36, works as a 'deprogrammer' to help parents and children who have been 'indoctrinated' by the 'cult-like' transgender agenda - after she previously went by they/them and worked as a 'trans educator' in schools for years The activist was physically attacked amid the Pride crowd. Her placard was ripped from her hands One person wrote: 'You are courageous. We need more people like you to stop the woke madness!' While another added: 'You are incredibly brave and courageous!! 'Thank you for standing up for the rights of women and girls! We need more women like you in this world.' A third person said: 'I am so saddened and sorry that they did this to you. I respect your courage to be present, place yourself in harms way and to take a stand against this heinous medical atrocity.' Yang is the creator of StopFemaleErasure.com and the activist behind 'The Deprogrammer.' She used to go by the pronouns they/them, but she left LGBTQ activism behind when she realized the movement was leading to children accepting certain sexual ideas which 'groomed' them. Kay Yang rejected LGBTQ groups and said the movement is like a cult for children Yang told the Epoch Times that a trans man she knew molested a 16-year-old boy - but her friends did not seem 'alarmed.' She described the movement as 'like a cult except parents don't realize their child is being indoctrinated.' It was after this that she was 'brought back to reality' and turned her back on campaigning for LGBTQ causes and became a deprogrammer in 2018. Yang had previously worked at an LGBT non-profit funded by the New York State Department of Health. She began her career as a trans activist in 2012, where she would visit local businesses and schools to offer to 'educate' employees and kids on gender ideology. Yang admits her former job was 'indoctrinating' youth with 'gender identity' ideology in New York public schools. Speaking about her role in 2012, Yang told NYPost: 'I thought I was on the cutting edge of promoting rights for gay people. 'But then I started looking deeper into where this was coming from and who was paying for it, and I started to get very disillusioned. 'We were with children talking about sexuality and gender identity without the knowledge or consent of their parents. 'It's part of a global agenda to restructure society, re-structure our social norms and the economy. Yang was seen screaming as her sign was snatched from her during the Pride event She began her career as a trans activist in 2012, where she would visit local businesses and schools to offer to 'educate' employees and kids on gender ideology. Yang admits her former job was 'indoctrinating' youth with 'gender identity' ideology in New York public schools Yang holding her sign at NYC Pride on Sunday 'They are undermining the sexually dimorphic nature of reality and breaking down the differences between the sexes to break down our identity. They are constructing identities for us and they want us to adopt them.' Yang, who was attacked in NYC during the Pride parade, now says that the gender identity industry has 'spread its tentacles into every facet of our society.' She previously told Fox: 'I think it is going to get worse. The gender identity industry has really spread its tentacles into every facet of our society, I think that's clear. 'This is a coordinated attack on our children and it's being done and in the name of trans rights. It's being perpetrated on the local level, the state level, and a federal level.' Through her work now, Yang says that she 'exposes the intersections of corporate-government-non-profit collusion driving the 'transgender rights movement'; a smoke screen for a massive social engineering and propaganda war being used to facilitate female erasure in language and in law on a world-wide scale.' The activist also said that the LGBTQ agenda is just the 'colonization of the female body and female reproductive control.' Yang said that she is trying to highlight how these organizations 'normalized practices of child sexualization' and also the 'proliferation of bio pharmaceutical transhumanist technologies' to 'frame these agendas as foundational to the colonization of the female body and female reproductive control.' Through her work now, Yang says that she 'exposes the intersections of corporate-government-non-profit collusion driving the 'transgender rights movement' Speaking about parents of children who have been privy to trans ideas from a young age, she previously told the NYPost: 'A lot of these parents are completely bewildered. 'A lot of them noticed a marked difference in their children's behavior. Then all of a sudden 'she' identifies as 'he.' 'A lot of this is like a cult except parents don't realize their child is being indoctrinated not from an old-fashioned cult that takes you away somewhere but through schools and their devices. 'This is happening to kids everywhere, even those with a robust family life.' Yang's own family escaped China during the Cultural Revolution led by Mao and his Red Guards - and she likened Mao's actions to the indoctrination methods taking place in the US. Parades in New York, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco were among events that roughly 400 Pride organizations across the U.S. held this year, with many focused specifically on the rights of transgender people. New Yorks lively parade goers marched down Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village, while waving rainbow flags to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising, where a police raid on a gay bar triggered days of protests and launched the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights. Politicians were out in full force Sunday after the NYPD said it was beefing up security in anticipation of the event. Spotted among drag queens and activists were figures like Mayor Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul, and Chuck Schumer - three of roughly 100,000 participants taking part in the parade's main procession. Always slated toward the end of June, the parade, as always, also commemorated the 1969 uprising by New York's LGBTQ+ communities known as the Stonewall Rebellion - while preaching the continued importance of LGBTQ+ rights. Canadian police and members of the Transportation Safety Board (TSB), who are now investigating the disaster, were seen boarding the ship to question passengers exited the ship several hours later The 41 people onboard which included family members of the Titan's five victims had remained near the sub's dive site since the launch of the doomed June 18 mission under the Atlantic Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the passengers and crew of the Polar Prince support ship finally disembarking the vessel after returning to St. John's Harbor on Saturday morning Advertisement After a long, arduous week at sea, passengers and crew of the Titan submersible's mothership left the vessel for the first time since the launch of the doomed underwater craft hours after being interrogated by investigators onboard, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show. Docking at 8:15am local time as the sun broke through the morning haze, the Polar Prince support ship returned to its home port at St. John's Harbor in Newfoundland Saturday as authorities announced their probe into the fatal disaster. The 41 passengers and crew which included family members of the victims had remained near the OceanGate sub's dive site on the Atlantic since the launch of the ill-fated June 18 mission, which ended in a catastrophic implosion that killed all five explorers on board the craft. But even after a traumatic and torturous six-day journey under intense media glare, it would take another several hours after the ship's arrival for everyone aboard to begin exiting the Polar Prince and finally mark the end of the nightmare expedition. Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the passengers and crew of the Polar Prince support ship finally disembarking the vessel after returning to St. John's Harbor on Saturday morning The support vessel, which had launched the doomed Titan submersible under the Atlantic on June 18, had remained at sea near the dive site amid the search for the missing craft Passengers, including Abbi Jackson (far right) a 22-year-old videographer employed by the company, were seen on the deck of the ship on Saturday as they anxiously waited to disembark Crew members and relatives were seen looking somber as they received a briefing onboard upon their return to land, docking at the Canadian Coast Guard's Atlantic headquarters. Canadian police and members of the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada swiftly boarded the ship to begin their questioning before anyone could even disembark. Canadian officials, some of whom were dressed in hi-vis vests and hard hats, and law enforcement officers were seen getting on and off the boat throughout the day, with exhausted passengers and crew members trickling off as the afternoon rolled on. Rib boats were also spotted towing what appeared to be the Titan submersible's launch platform away from the Polar Prince and further along the port. Photos show people milling on deck, some passengers ducking into cabins with one woman covering her head as she exited the ship. One frustrated young passenger could be seen flipping the bird at photographers as she dragged a suitcase downstairs. Abbi Jackson, a 22-year-old videographer employed by the company onboard the mothership, was among those spotted on the deck of the ship Saturday as passengers anxiously waited to disembark. The ship docked at the Canadian Coast Guard's Atlantic headquarters Saturday morning around 8.15am but its occupants did not begin exiting vessel until about 11 hours later With an investigation into the incident and OceanGate's practices now underway, passengers appeared less than thrilled to be under an intense media glare By 7pm Saturday, large groups finally began walking off with their bags and other belongings before hopping into vans and taxis, and driving off Some passengers seemed to be at pains to avoid cameras and public attention, with one woman covering up in a hoodie, sunglasses, and face mask Polar Prince ship returns to shore Saturday morning after the Titan disaster. Two Canadian Coast Guard vessels that took part in the search effort also returned to St. John's harbor on Friday evening Jackson had shared a video of the moment the OceanGate Expeditions submersible began its doomed voyage to the Titanic wreck in selfie footage posted to TikTok. The post, captioned 'watching a submarine go down to the Titanic', pans away from the ship's deck to show Titan on the surface of the Atlantic some distance away. She also filmed one of the sub's doomed passengers, Paul Henri Nargeolet, who has been dubbed 'Mr. Titanic' for visiting the wreckage 37 times. The 77-year-old could be seen sitting on the side of an inflatable boat before waving and smiling at the camera. Jackson later shared her thoughts on the missing sub on Instagram, where she thanked well-wishers for their concern and asked them to pray for the missing crew. By 7pm Saturday, large groups finally began walking off with their bags and other belongings before hopping onto vans and taxis, and driving off. Some passengers, the majority of whom had traveled to St John's from other parts of the country for the expedition, were then taken to the Double Tree Hotel and the local Alt Hotel in the city. The ship's crew and passengers were seen looking somber as they finally disembarked at the Canadian Coast Guard's Atlantic headquarters A TSB chairwoman confirmed the passengers and crew were interviewed by officials and were cooperating with the investigation Some passengers, the majority of whom had traveled to St John's from other parts of the country for the expedition, were then taken to the Double Tree Hotel and the local Alt Hotel in the city While the ill-fated underwater mission has come to an end, members aboard the support ship and OceanGate's crew still face a safety and a potential criminal probe into the incident The Polar Prince had taken part in a massive search effort for the Titan about 435 miles south of St. John's, which came to an end on Thursday following confirmation the sub had imploded deep underwater, likely soon after it launched the previous Sunday. Shortly after authorities announced that debris discovered near the Titanic wreck confirmed the Titan's implosion, both US and Canadian authorities announced they were launching investigations into the disaster and the safety practices relating to the incident. In a press conference Saturday, TSB chairwoman Kathleen Fox confirmed they had conducted interviews onboard and said they had received 'full cooperation' from passengers and crew. Later on Saturday Canadian police also revealed they are considering a separate criminal probe into the catastrophe. Speaking at a news conference that day, Superintendent Kent Osmond with the RCMP said that they have begun probing whether or not a criminal investigation is necessary. 'A team of investigators has been established with the sole purpose of answering the question of whether or not a full investigation is warranted,' Osmond said. 'Such an investigation will proceed only if an examination of the circumstances indicate criminal or federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken. Despite undergoing a traumatic and arduous journey at sea, people aboard the Polar Prince were still subjected to hours of waiting and questioning upon their return to St. John's Canadian officials, some of whom were dressed in hi-vis vests and hard hats, and law enforcement officers were seen going on and off the boat throughout the day The Polar Prince had taken part in a massive search effort for the Titan about 435 miles south of St John's, which came to an end on Thursday with the confirmation the sub had imploded deep underwater, likely soon after it launched 'It would have been inappropriate for the RCMP to initiate this action during the recovery efforts,' Osmond said. 'Following the US coastguards announcement earlier this week, we will now look at the circumstances that led to those deaths. 'Our investigators are engaged and active in this manner as of this morning.' Two Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) vessels that took part in the search effort also returned to St. John's harbor on Friday evening, with one remaining on site at the scene of the disaster. A crowd gathered by the dock to watch the return of the Terry Fox and the Ann Harvey, while the John Cabot remained on site provide assistance and support to the recovery and salvage operations. The US Coast Guard said on Friday that a formal inquiry has not yet been launched, because maritime agencies are still busy searching the area where the vessel was destroyed. Debris was located about 12,500 feet underwater, several hundred feet away from the Titanic wreckage it was on its way to explore. On board the doomed sub alongside Nargeolet were British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, 58, UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush. Abbi Jackson, a 22-year-old videographer on the mothership, Polar Prince, shared a video of the Titan (seen here just to the left of her camera) moments before it went under water Miss Jackson also filmed one of the sub's passengers, Paul Henri Nargeolet dubbed Mr. Titanic shortly before he boarded the missing craft The OceanGate submersible, the Titan, lost contact with the mothership during its descent to the shipwreck Sunday morning on June 18 READ MORE - Sound of BANGING is heard in search for missing sub Advertisement At 9.45am an hour and 45 minutes into the dive it lost contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince. But it wasn't reported as missing to the US Coast Guard until 5.40pm, eight hours later. Canada's Coast Guard wasn't alerted until even later 9.13pm on Sunday night. Last year, the Titan lost communications with the mothership for two hours during a similar dive. It resurfaced, and the mishap was documented jokingly by a CBS reporter who happened to be on board at the time. The company has not yet explained why it took so long to alert the Coast Guard when the Titan lost communications last Sunday. In a statement last Tuesday, it said: 'For some time, we have been unable to establish communications with one of our submersible exploration vehicles which is currently visiting the wreck site of the Titanic. 'Our entire focus is on the wellbeing of the crew and every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely. The Titan sub is shown on Sunday morning, seconds before submerging at around 8am with five people onboard The Polar Prince is the expedition ship being used in the dives. It didn't alert the Coast Guard until 5.40pm TIMELINE OF EVENTS: The Titan lost contact with the surface sparking panic. All timings given in BST, five hours ahead of EST. 'We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible. 'We pray for the safe return of the crew and passengers, and we will provide updates as they are available.' 'We haven't even found them yet. If we do, I would raise it to 15 per cent. It is bleak I don't want to say it but I'm trying to be realistic. 'Miracles do happen [like the Thai boys who were lost in a cave in 2015] but this is a different situation. 'This is a desperate race against time.' Paul Henri Nargeolet dubbed Mr. Titanic' (left) was taking part in the expedition, along with Stockton Rush, CEO of the OceanGate Expedition Among those taking part in the expedition is billionaire Hamish Harding, CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted to social media about being there on June 18, the day the submersible started its voyage Sulaiman Dawood, 19, who is missing on board the submarine is pictured with his mother Christine Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are amongst the five people missing in the submarine that set off to see the wreck of the Titanic, it was revealed today But as it turns out the five aboard were almost certainly already dead. OceanGate compared the search to trying to find a 'minivan' in the enormous ship's wreckage. READ MORE - Friend of missing billionaire Hamish Harding says he pulled out of joining him on sub due to 'safety concerns' Advertisement 'The problem, it is most likely on the bottom at this point because it wasn't found on the surface and it doesn't seem to be making any noises so this leads me of a pessimistic thought-process that they are unable to turn on the hull. 'We're then talking about trying to find a minivan amongst the wreckage of the Titanic. 'Once they find it though we've got to get it up to the surface which means either freeing it if it's lodged in the Titanic somehow.' Talking before confirmation that the submersible was lost 'Or more likely, they have lost the ability [to surface], so we need to hoist them which needs a ship with a 2.5mile-long cable. 'The most difficult part will be getting the hook on to it. It's like that arcade game except you can't see, so paint the walls black, and make it 2.5miles long and there's wind in there so it is blowing around. 'All is not lost yet because they still have oxygen but imagine the sub is on the far side of the moon that is a better representation. 'Even if you find it, how do you get it back up? They can't open it from the inside it's bolted from the outside.' Marquet lamented the fact that there are few other if any other vessels with the capability of diving to 12,500ft to rescue them. 'The US and Royal Navy have a long history of operating submarines and they don't go as deep as these guys do. They are in uncharted territory. If our subs went that deep, everyone would be dead. The 22-foot deep-sea vessel that imploded with five people on board as it dove towards the wreck site of the Titanic 'The sub would rupture there would be a crack in the hull, or a pipe would burst, it would fill with water sink to bottom. And the pressure... everyone would die.' 'At this pressure it's 400 times the pressure of sea level. That is hard to conceive . 'It would take all the air in a room and collapse it to the size of a trash can. At these pressures, if it sprung a leak, they would be dead before they know it.' Aaron Amick, a US Navy contractor and veteran, echoed his concerns. 'I know everyone is waiting on the US Navy to save the day, but our rescue sub is limited to 2,000ft depth. 'There is no one able to reach the Titan who can rescue Titan. Her only hope is to find a way to the surface on her own where we can help,' he said. Amick likened the Titan to a 'tomb' dropped in the water with no emergency air breathing devices onboard. 'They basically lock 5 people in a tomb and drop it to the bottom. The crew never had a chance,' he said, adding that occupants can only get out if it is on the surface. 'Loss of power or structural failure are my two best guesses. Both? Sitting on the bottom either way,' he said. Glastonbury's famous faces were accused of hypocrisy by green campaigners today after using helicopters to get home from the event. The Worthy Farm music extravaganza - which closed with Elton John's dynamite performance last night - was abuzz with the small aircraft choppering in and out. Most are understood are operated by independent companies but are able to land at a special pad set up near the festival, which cuts out the heavy queueing to get on and off site. Celebrities this year known to have taken them included This Morning's Holly Willoughby, Laura Whitmore and Made in Chelsea stars Olivia Bentley and Verity Bowditch. Ms Whitmore, 38, posted a video of the field of aircraft as she left - before showing herself arriving at Soho Farmhouse. The footage was on her public instagram page, followed by 1.5million of her fans. Today Cotswolds National Landscape, which campaigns against climate change signaled its views on those who had flew in. Over a picture of Foo Fighters star Dave Grohl, who took the green option of a train, the organisation said it was a climate-friendly 'good choice'. Laura Whitmore watches Sophie Ellis-Bextor as she performed at Glastonbury Festival Ms Whitmore posted a video of her leaving the festival by helicopter and showed the field A number of the other small aircrafts could be seen on the grass as she left the music event There were a number of messages from people disgruntled about the number of helicopters It added: 'Very encouraging to see the Foos choosing public transport over private helicopters to get to Glastonbury.' Other members of the public were less diplomatic, with one declaring: 'If you want to know what the wealthy really think about climate change all you had to do was listen to the helicopters that were going in and out of Glastonbury every 10 minutes since Friday lunchtime.' On Twitter, a user called Tony railed: 'This is why people get hacked off with the virtue signalling that goes with Glastonbury. 'A quick glance shows the place buzzing with helicopters getting the rich and famous home.' Glastonbury is proud of its green credentials and publicises them to festival guests at the event Made in Chelsea stars Olivia Bentley and Verity Bowditch arrived by helicopter for the event The reality TV pair posed up in the chopper and had some snacks on the way to Somerset When the pair arrived at the music extravaganza they posed up beside the blue helicopter Another put it: 'All heading home today greenwashing they just don't care hypocrisy is a power trip they play by different rules.' The helicopter trips cost between 2,500 and 11,500 from London but can be shared between different parties. They land at a special heliport near to the festival as well as a helipad at Camp Kerala, which is a posh glamping spot. Their use seems to be at odds with the event's green credentials and environmental messages. 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 The festival was contacted for comment, but did not respond before publication. As well as Ms Whitmore, Made in Chelsea stars Olivia Bentley and Verity Bowditch arrived by helicopter. The choice raised eyebrows, given Verity's Clean Kitchen business, which is plant-based and eco-friendly. One fan remarked: 'its an interesting move from a vegan who supposedly advocates for sustainabilty.' On Thursday 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. A Colorado gunman who killed five people at a LGBTQ+ nightclub was sentenced to life in prison on Monday after victims called the defendant a 'monster' who hunted down patrons in a calculated attack. Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, who wore a blue plaid shirt and blue tie in court, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder - one for each person inside Club Q on the night of the shooting. Aldrich also pleaded no contest to two hate crimes, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor. People in the courtroom wiped away tears as the judge explained the charges and read out the names of the victims. 'You are targeting a group of people for their simple existence,' Judge Michael McHenry told Aldrich. The guilty plea comes just seven months after the shooting and spares victims' families and survivors a long and potentially painful trial. Aldrich will serve five consecutive life sentences, plus 48 years on each attempted murder, totaling an additional 2,208 years. Anderson Aldrich pleaded guilty during his arraignment in El Paso County District Court on Monday in the November 19 attack at Club Q Those killed in the shooting were identified as Kelly Loving, 40; Daniel Aston, 28; Derrick Rump, 38; Ashley Paugh, 34; and Raymond Green Vance, 22 'Like too many other people in our culture, you chose to find a power that day behind the trigger of a gun, your actions reflect the deepest malice of the human heart, and malice is almost always born of ignorance and fear,' the judge continued. Relatives and friends of victims were able to give statements in court to remember their loved ones and survivors spoke about how their lives were forever altered just before midnight when the gunman walked into Club Q and indiscriminately fired an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. Those killed in the shooting were identified as Kelly Loving, 40; Daniel Aston, 28; Derrick Rump, 38; Ashley Paugh, 34; and Raymond Green Vance, 22. 'This thing sitting in this court room is not a human, it is a monster,' said Jessica Fierro, whose daughter's boyfriend was killed that night. 'The devil awaits with open arms.' Sabrina and Jeff Aston, the parents of Daniel Aston - one of the bartenders at Club Q - spoke about losing their son. 'Losing him has brought us incredible grief and sadness,' Jeff Aston said. 'We will never hear one of his stories again. I'll never again hear him laugh at my dad jokes.' Aston's mother, Sabrina, was among those who said they would not forgive the crimes. Wyatt Kent, Aston's partner, chose to forgive Aldrich without excusing the crime. 'I forgive this individual, as they are a symbol of a broken system, of hate and vitriol pushed against us as a community,' Kent said. 'What brings joy to me is that this hurt individual will never be able to see the joy and the light that has been wrought into our community as an outcome.' Aldrich's body shook slightly as the victims and family members spoke. The defendant also looked down and glanced occasionally at a screen showing photos of the victims. 'I intentionally and after deliberation caused the death of each victim,' Aldrich had told the court after pleaded guilty to the charges on Monday. Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado - where the shooting happened Aldrich, then 22, was formally charged last December 6 and charged with and charged with 323 criminal counts, but did not enter a plea at the time On November 19, 2022, Aldrich, wearing body armor, opened fire at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub. Apart from those killed, nearly two dozen others were wounded by gunfire or otherwise injured before being stopped by 'heroic' patrons. The shooting at Club Q was reminiscent of a massacre in 2016 when a gunman killed 49 people at the gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, before he was shot dead by police. Aldrich, then 22, was formally charged last December 6 and charged with and charged with 323 criminal counts, but did not enter a plea at the time. The most severe charges carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, Aldrich could face a death sentence in federal court if prosecutors decide to bring charges under the U.S. code, which still has capital punishment on its books for certain crimes. Monday's hearing follows a series of jailhouse phone calls from Aldrich to The Associated Press expressing remorse and the intention to face the consequences at this court hearing. Before Aldrich carried out the deadly shooting, the suspect had threatened to kill their grandparents in 2021 for standing in the way of a plan to become 'the next mass killer' Aldrich is pictured last year, showing up at the house where their mother was renting a room, after threatening to blow up their grandparents' basement Several survivors told the AP about the plea agreement after being approached about Aldrich's comments to the publisher. They said prosecutors had notified them that Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they and them pronouns, would plead guilty to charges that would ensure a sentence of life behind bars. Aldrich originally was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder and hate crimes. The U.S. Justice Department is considering pursuing federal hate crime charges, according to a senior law enforcement official familiar with the matter who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing case. The attack at Club Q came over a year after Aldrich had been arrested for threatening their grandparents and vowing to become 'the next mass killer.' But, charges were ultimately dropped in that case. Aldrich was then arrested after a standoff with SWAT officers that was livestreamed on Facebook and the evacuation of 10 nearby homes, telling officers 'If they breach, I'm a f----ing blow it to holy hell!' Aldrich eventually surrendered. However, the charges against Aldrich were thrown out in July 2022 after Aldrichs mother and grandparents, the victims in the case, refused to cooperate with prosecutors, evading efforts to serve them with subpoenas to testify, according to court documents. Other relatives told a judge they feared Aldrich would hurt their grandparents if released, painting a picture of an isolated, violent person who did not have a job and was given $30,000 that was spent largely on the purchase of 3D printers to make guns, the records showed. Aldrich was released from jail then and authorities kept two guns - a ghost gun pistol and an MM15 rifle - seized in the arrest. But there was nothing to stop Aldrich from legally purchasing more firearms, raising questions immediately after the shooting about whether authorities should have sought a red flag order to prevent such purchases. Club Q victim Kelly Loving, 40, a transwoman was among the five people killed in the shooting Derrick Rump, 38, was 'active in the local LGBTQ community' and beloved by friends, family Raymond Green Vance, 22, was tragically killed during the club massacre Daniel Aston, 28, was one of the innocent victims killed by the lone gunman Ashley Paugh, 35, a married mother was one of five victims The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said it would not have been able to seek a court order stopping Aldrich from buying or possessing guns because the 2021 arrest record was sealed after the charges were dropped. There was no new evidence that they could use to prove that Aldrich posed a threat 'in the near future,' the sheriffs office said. Investigators later revealed that the two guns Aldrich had during the Club Q attack - the rifle and a handgun - appeared to be ghost guns, or firearms without serial numbers that are homemade and do not require an owner to pass a background check. Aldrich told AP in one of the interviews from jail they were on a 'very large plethora of drugs' and abusing steroids at the time of the attack. But they did not answer directly regarding the hate crimes charges. Candles, flowers, cards sit outside Club Q in memory of the five victims that lost their lives Investigators at the scene of the Club Q nightclub, where Aldrich arrived with an AR-15 rifle When asked whether the attack was motivated by hate, Aldrich said only that was 'completely off base.' Aldrich's attorneys, who have not disputed Aldrich's role in the shooting, have also pushed back on hate being the reason. Some survivors who listened to the recorded phone calls saw Aldrich's comments as an attempt to avoid the death penalty which still exists in the federal system. Colorado abolished it in 2020 and life without prison is now the mandated sentence for first-degree murder in the state. They objected to Aldrich's unwillingness to discuss a motive and their use of passive, general language like 'I just cant believe what happened' and 'I wish I could turn back time.' Russia today jailed one of its most eminent hypersonic scientists for allegedly leaking secrets to a NATO country as a western diplomat warned that Putin and his spies 'see treason lurking around every corner.' Professor Valery Golubkin, 71, has been sent to a strict regime penal colony for 12 years after being convicted of high treason by the Moscow City Court. Golubkin, a professor at a Moscow institute studying aerodynamics who is seen as a world expert in hypersonic technology, was detained in 2020 on suspicion of handing over secrets to an unnamed NATO country. According to reports, he was accused of handing the information involving aerodynamics to scientists from the Netherlands. Golubkin worked for the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). Professor Valery Golubkin (pictured in court on Monday), 71, has been sent to a strict regime penal colony for 12 years after being convicted of high treason Golubkin, a professor at a Moscow institute studying aerodynamics who is seen as a world expert in hypersonic technology, was detained in 2020 on suspicion of handing over secrets to an unnamed NATO country He was the author of more than 120 scientific papers in the field, and was engaged in theoretical developments while having only the third form of access to state secrets - suggesting he never worked on 'top secret' projects. Multiple top scientists have been held on national security accusations by Vladimir Putin's regime in the past two years with the FSB security service accused of purging some of Russia's top academics. Critics of the Kremlin say the arrests often stem from unfounded paranoia, something the authorities deny. Golubkin insisted no secrets were involved and he only shared information cleared by the Russian authorities. 'Putin and his spies now see treason lurking around every corner,' said a Western diplomat in Moscow. Putin has prioritised the development of hypersonic missile technology, yet this has failed to bring him much advantage in the war in Ukraine. Moscow often boasts about its hypersonic weapons (that are able to travel more than five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5) as being 'unstoppable'. However, few have been seen in action, and Kyiv has said it has been able to shoot down such missiles in a major blow to Putin's goal of developing an arsenal that can rival that of the United States and other western nations. Specifically, Ukraine said in May that it had shot down six Russian Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles. Russia dismissed Kyiv's report. Golubkin's trail was held in secret. His lawyer Alexander Timoshenko said earlier: 'He does not admit guilt. 'He is a theoretical physicist, he explained to me what he was doing, [concerning] theoretical physics. He did not have access to state secrets.' Another Russian colleague and Golubkin's supervisors Anatoly Gubanov, was arrested for high treason in December 2020. The Moscow court where scientist Golubkin was sentenced on Monday is seen (file photo) Putin has prioritised the development of hypersonic missile technology, yet this has failed to bring him much advantage in the war in Ukraine. Pictured: A Russian fighter jet carries a Kinzhal (dagger) hypersonic missile, a model that Ukraine has been able to shoot down Golubkin said his arrest was in connection to Gubanov's testimony, and that he passed two of his reports on to co-workers in the Netherlands on Gubanov's orders. According to Russia Free Press, another of Golubkin's lawyers Ivan Pavlov said Russia's FSB security agency 'saw treason in the fact that Golubkin took part in the official international project HEXAFLY-INT (High-Speed Experimental Fly Vehicles).' He did so, Pavlov said, 'under a contract concluded between TsAGI and the European Institute, during which, at the direction of his superiors, he sent reports on the work performed.' Human rights project Pervy Otdel, said: 'Three commissions confirmed that there was no classified information [in the Golubkin case]... Those reports were available to be published and shared with international partners.' The grieving wife and mother of two of the Titanic submersible victims did not know about the possibility of an implosion during an agonising wait for the vessel to resurface - until a call with the US Coast Guard confirmed they had found debris. UK-based billionaire Shahzada and his son Suleman Dawood were two of the five victims killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic, according to the US Coast Guard. The US Navy had detected sounds 'consistent with an implosion' soon after Titan lost contact on Sunday, but it was deemed 'not definitive' and the detail was not released publicly - with the search and rescue mission continuing until debris was found. Wife and mother of Shahzada and Suleman, Christine Dawood, has said that she believed they would initially be fine when they first lost communication. But she lost hope after 96 hours - followed by the call from the US Coastguard which confirmed debris had been found. Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulemanlost their lives on the Titan submersible Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine) was a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity. She said his enthusiasm 'brought out the best' in her In an extraordinary BBC interview where Mrs Dawood was praised for her composure in the face of interminable double mourning, she revealed how she and her daughter Alina, 17, were on the Titan's support ship Polar Prince, and hugged and joked with the 'excited' Shahzada and Suleman as they said goodbye and went to get in the doomed sub. Hours later they lost communication on June 18. On that day she and Alina believed they would be fine after they did not initially return. But Mrs Dawood said she had finally 'lost hope' on Thursday when 96 hours had passed since her husband and son boarded the submersible, meaning they had run out of oxygen. Her daughter held out a bit longer, she said, until a call with the US Coast Guard hours later when they were informed debris had been found something they did not know about until that point. It was then announced the Titan had imploded and the five adventurers on board were dead. Christine Dawood paid tribute to her son and husband in an interview with the BBC Suleman Dawood, 19,was the youngest victim of the Titan sub tragedy. He is pictured with his mother, Christine Christine revealed that she had planned to go with her husband to view the Titanic wreck in the OceanGate sub, but that their trip was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. 'Then I stepped back and gave them space to set [Suleman] up, because he really wanted to go,' she said. After contact was lost with the vessel, Christine and her daughter Alina, 17, waited for news at the site where Titan was last seen during the search and rescue mission. 'We had loads of hope, that was the only thing that got us through it because we were hoping,' she said. As well as her husband and son, three others died on board Titan: OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush, 61, British businessman Hamish Harding, 58, and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, a former French navy diver and experienced Titanic diver. Christine said those above water tried to remain hopeful, telling themselves: 'There were so many actions the people on this sub can do in order to surface... they would drop the weights, then the assent would be slower, we were constantly looking at the surface. There was that hope.' She and her daughter held out hope to begin with after being they did not initially return. She said: 'We all thought they are just going to come up so that shock was delayed by about 10 hours or so. 'By the time they were supposed to be up again, there was a time.... when they were supposed to be up on the surface again and when that time passed the real shock, not shock but the worry and the not so good feelings started.' Despite the bleak outlook as the hunt dragged on, she said her teenage daughter never lost hope of her father and older brother's rescue. Billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, who lost his life onboard Titan, is pictured looking out to sea before boarding the submersible French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition, also lost their lives on Titan Salvage operations are continuing and investigators have mapped the accident site, Cpt Neubauer told a press conference in Boston. He also said the convening of a Marine Board of Investigation is the highest level of investigation conducted by the US Coast Guard. It is unclear how long it will take. The US Coast Guard said it does not charge for search and rescue operations. The Coast Guard opened what it calls a marine board investigation on Friday, Neubauer said, and is working with the FBI to recover evidence. This includes a salvage operation at the debris site on the seabed about 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the bow of the Titanic wreck, about 2-1/2 miles (4 km) below the surface. The findings will be shared with the International Maritime Organization and other groups 'to help improve the safety framework for submersible operations worldwide,' Neubauer said. The wife of a paramedic who was tragically killed at work has introduced their newborn daughter to the world five weeks after the tragedy. Steven Tougher, 29, was stabbed to death in a McDonald's car park in Campbelltown, in Sydney's south-west, on the morning of April 14. His death came just a month before his daughter Lili-Mae was due - and only seven weeks after he and his wife Madison got married. Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, has been charged with Mr Tougher's murder. He remains in custody and is due to face a Sydney court later this year. Madison named their 'little bundle of joy' Lili-Mae Stevie Tougher, to honour her father's memory, and said she's been a 'gift' during such an incredibly difficult time. Madison Tougher, the wife of hero paramedic Steven Tougher, has introduced the couple's daughter, Lily-Mae (pictured, Madison holding Lily-Mae) 'She's brought so much love and happiness into everyone's life and my life especially,' she told A Current Affair. When Lily-Mae was born, an emotional Madison said Steven was 'definitely in that room'. 'He was really looking forward to being a dad and that breaks my heart more than anything. We were so close,' she said. While initially keeping the news of the birth of the couple's daughter private, Madison felt now was the time to bring the good news to the world. 'I just feel like now is the right time,' she said. 'I just think the world needed to know that Lily was here, and the man Steven was.' Madison also opened up about the traumatic turn of events in her life during the interview. 'We had a marriage certificate in March, April I had a death certificate and then May I've had a birth certificate,' she said. 'Completely wrong order.' Steven Tougher (pictured) was allegedly stabbed to death at a McDonald's carpark at Campbelltown in Sydney's south-west in April The horrific stabbing happened only a month before Lili-May was due and seven weeks after Steven and Madison (both pictured) were married But when reflecting on Steven and her newborn, she tearfully added: 'He's definitely in his little girl. She's very special.' Steven's parents, Jeff and Jill, say Lily-Mae has been 'the glue that's going to mend so many broken hearts'. 'She'll hold us together,' Jeff added. The Tougher family are now calling for the introduction of 'Steven's Law' - which would introduce harsher penalties for thugs who attack emergency workers. It would also see paramedics don body-worn cameras and stab vests, as well as establishing a police and ambulance alert system. NSW Ambulance is trialling body-worn cameras on paramedics until November. 'We can make their workplace safer through simply issuing these things and a set of laws that go with it,' Jeff said. Steven's parents, Jeff and Jill (pictured), said their granddaughter would be the 'glue' that holds them together The family are now pushing for 'Steven's Law' to be introduced as a way to carry on the legacy of their compassionate, loving son At Steven's memorial service in early May, Madison said she had made a 'new vow' to her late husband and 'forever love'. 'On that day, I made a promise to you, I vowed to love you for the rest of my days and I became your wife,' she said. 'Today, just seven weeks later, I make a new vow to you. 'Today I vow that our two beautiful children will always know what a selfless hardworking, kind, compassionate person you were. 'They will forever understand how their dad was a hero who helped people through the most painful and sickest times.' Madison vowed to teach the couple's two children their father had been a 'hero' during the paramedic's celebration of life back in May Steven had been nearing the end of a night shift when Fineanganofo allegedly lunged at him and repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach at a McDonald's car park (above) NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dr Dominic Morgan posthumously presented Steven with a pandemic service medal and national medal at the service, which was held at the University of Wollongong. His family was handed the National Medal of Service by Governor-General David Hurley in recognition of the duties he would have completed. Steven had been nearing the end of a night shift when Fineanganofo allegedly lunged at him and repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach. He and his colleague had been 'working hard all night' and were taking a meal break at the time in a McDonald's car park. As police rushed to the scene and arrested his alleged attacker, Steven was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition where he sadly died. Fashion and homeware brand Cath Kidston is set to disappear from high streets as it closes more shops. It once had over 100 shops worldwide but is now set to close its last in the coming days. Although the brand was bought by Next in March this year, that sale did not include the remaining four physical shops, which have since continued trading. Next's 8.5million acquisition only gave them the brand name, website domains, and intellectual property. Afterwards, the stores were set to continue trading until stock ran out. The last Cath Kidston store, in London, will close on Wednesday Cath Kidston has been on UK high streets since 1993, but will not last there beyond its 30th anniversary Cath Kidston is known for its floral designs and iconic label, giving things a vintage feel Three of the four Cath Kidston shops are closed for good as of today, and the last one is not far behind. Stores in Ashford, York, and Ellesmere Port all had their final days of trading on June 25, and the London branch in Piccadilly is the sole survivor. That store is due to close this Wednesday. Cath Kidston is known for its floral designs and label, giving things a vintage feel, and has been on high streets since 1993. By 2012, there were Cath Kidston stores in Japan, Korea, and China. The store mainly moved online after going into administration in 2020, which saw 1000 staff lose their jobs and 60 shops closed. In April, CK Acquisitions Limited - the continuing part of Cath Kidston not taken in by Next - went into administration having not made its annual accounts which were due at the end of March according to Companies House. A 19-year-old man has gone on trial accused of the manslaughter of four people who died after a small boat he was allegedly piloting capsized in the English Channel. Senegal national Ibrahima Bah denies unlawfully killing four men, including one named as Hajratullah Ahmadi and three other unidentified males. Jurors at Canterbury Crown Court were told Bah was himself a migrant and that he was piloting the vessel before it capsized in the early hours of December 14 last year. He denies four counts of manslaughter, alongside another charge of facilitating the commission of a breach of UK immigration law. Assisted by a Wolof interpreter, Bah, of no fixed address, stood in the dock wearing a dark grey sweatshirt and grey trousers. Ibrahima Bah, 19, (pictured in a previous court sketch from April 2023) is facing four counts of manslaughter after a boat he was piloting capsized in the English Channel The incident saw a UK fishing boat attempt to save passengers travelling on a boat in the English Channel after they heard cries for help in the early hours of the morning. A Royal Navy patrol boat, two RNLI lifeboats, a French coast guard patrol boat and an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter subsequently joined a rescue operation after being alerted to the situation at 3.05am. Four people died during the incident while another 39 individuals were rescued, including two who were airlifted to hospital. Bah's trial, presided over by Mr Justice Cavanagh, is expected to last up to four weeks, and be decided by a jury of six men and six women, with two reserves. In his opening address to jurors, Mr Justice Cavanagh told members of the jury to put any 'bias, emotion, sympathy and prejudice' to one side. 'The charges against this defendant arise from events on a small boat that was crossing the Channel from France and which contained migrants, most of who were seeking asylum in the UK. This defendant was one such migrant,' he said. 'You will also be aware that he is facing serious charges including four counts of manslaughter and one count of doing an act to facilitate a breach of UK immigration law. 'You cannot fail to be aware that crossings of the Channel by migrants have been much in the news in recent years and can give rise to strong views and strong emotions. Jurors at Canterbury Crown Court (pictured) were told to put any 'bias, emotion, sympathy and prejudice' aside while deciding the case 'You must put all of that to one side. Any views that you may have about the Channel crossings or about those who undertake the crossings must play no part in the process of evaluating the evidence or coming to your verdicts in this case. 'You must decide this case solely on the evidence you see and hear in this courtroom. 'This defendant is entitled to exactly the same fair trial as anyone who comes before these courts. 'You must therefore keep a cool head and your decision must be a decision in which bias, emotion, sympathy, prejudice and matters of that sort play no part.' Adding that they must remain 'cool, calm, careful and dispassionate', the judge reiterated: 'This case must be decided by you solely on the basis of what happens in this courtroom.' The prosecution opening is expected to start at 10am tomorrow. Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger's lawyers have claimed DNA evidence from two other men was found at the scene of the brutal killings of four college students. In documents filed on Thursday, the attorneys said there was 'no connection' between the 28-year-old suspect and the students fatally stabbed in their off-campus Moscow home. 'There is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims,' read the filing by attorney Jay Logsdon and reviewed by DailyMail.com. 'There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr. Kohberger's apartment, office, home, or vehicle.' Kohberger pleaded not guilty last month to the murders of roommates Maddie Mogen, 21. Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, last November. Bryan Kohberger's attorney say there is 'no connection' between the 28-year-old suspect and the University of Idaho students fatally stabbed in their off-campus Moscow home Kohberger pleaded not guilty last month to the murders of roommates Maddie Mogen, 21. Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20 The defense team stated a second male's DNA was found inside the Moscow home and that police allegedly found DNA from a third man on a glove discovered outside the home A Ka-Bar knife similar to the one thought to have been used in the murders The filing states that 'by December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males' DNA within the house where the deceased were located.' The defense team stated a second male's DNA was found inside the Moscow home and that police allegedly found DNA from a third man on a glove discovered outside the home. 'To this date, the Defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than the STR DNA profiles.' The filing, an Objection to State's Motion for Protective Order, argues the defense team should have access to all the data and investigative genetic genealogy that led prosecutors to claim Kohberger's DNA, collected with a buccal swab, was a 'statistical match' to DNA found on a knife sheath discovered at the scene. Last week prosecutors claimed DNA found on a knife sheath left at the Idaho murders scene is a 'statistical match' to a cheek swab taken from suspect. The FBI said they used databases in publicly held DNA sites similar to 23andMe. Prosecutors previously argued Kohberger had no right to FBI data uncovered from the method. In their filing, the defense team said: 'Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not accept that his defense does not need this information. 'The state apparently only wants to prevent Mr. Kohberger from seeing how the investigative genetic genealogy profile was created and how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation.' The filing accused the government of failing to release the information because 'somehow people will stop sharing their genetics if they were to realize the government is watching.' Detectives found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was partially under Mogen's body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents filed on June 16. The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf The home where the murders took place, on King Road in Moscow, a quiet cul de sac near the University of Idaho campus A sample of DNA left on the sheath is 'at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source,' prosecutors said in the filing. When DNA is found at the scene of the crime that does not belong to victims, the first thing police do is run it through their own database to check if it matches the DNA of any previous offenders. This process is referred to as a short tandem repeat (STR) comparison and tests the sample against 20 DNA markers - enough to identify the person if their own DNA is already in the system, or, in some cases, if the DNA of an immediate relative is in the system (eg a parent or a sibling). A criminal affidavit that was filed last January, shortly after Kohberger was arrested, says that DNA matching the suspect's was found on a knife sheath recovered at the crime scene close to the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. Investigators later closely matched the DNA on the sheath to DNA found in trash taken from Kohberger's parents' home in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested in December 2022. 'A traditional STR DNA comparison was done between the STR profile found on the Ka-Bar knife sheath and Defendant's DNA. The comparison showed a statistical match,' the new filing read. The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. Prosecutors have not said if they will seek the death penalty. There is currently a little under a month left for prosecutors to decide whether they will pursue the death penalty in the case. NewsNation reported that prosecutors have met with the victims' families to discuss the matter, with Kernodle's mother, Cara Northington, favoring prison for life for Kohberger if he is convicted. Her father, Jeff, on the other hand, is reportedly i favor of the death penalty for the alleged killer. The Goncalves and Mogens are also in favor of the death penalty, and the Chapins have not made their position public. A 'brilliant' cardiothoracic surgeon has died two weeks after he was knocked down to the ground in a brutal road rage attack in Brooklyn. Dr. Jaime Yun, 56, a beloved married father of two, died on June 16 from a traumatic brain injury he sustained due to a violent brawl that took place on June 8 just miles away from the hospital where he worked. Yun, a respected and gifted surgeon, was in his vehicle around 11:30am at the corner of Schenectady and East New York Avenue in Crown Heights, when a verbal dispute took place between him and motorist Dexter Alexander, 31. According to police, Yun hit the side-view mirror of Alexander's vehicle with a stick, and that is when Alexander reportedly punched Yun in the face causing him to hit the pavement, Daily News reported. When medics arrived they found Yun on the ground with a massive head injury. They transported him to King County Hospital where he was initially expected to survive until his health grew more dire and he died days later. Dr. Jaime Yun, 56, a victim of a road rage attack in Crown Height's Brooklyn earlier this month succumbed to his injuries and died on June 16 Family and friends were heartbroken over his sudden and senseless death and described him as 'brillliant,' and someone who 'excelled in everything he did.' He is survived by his wife Tyan, his children, Christopher and Lauren, and five brothers Alfonso, Julio, Enrique, Fernando and Jairo, their wives and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Yen Yu Yun Chang and Cecilia Yun Yee Yun's death was ruled a homicide by the city's Medical Examiner's office and Alexander was arrested and charged with assault. It is unclear if the assault charges against Alexander will be upgraded following Yun's death, The New York Post reported. Yun was a devoted heart surgeon and served his community and worked at a hospital in the East Flatbush area of Brooklyn. Family and friends were heartbroken over his sudden and senseless death and described him as 'brillliant,' and someone who 'excelled in everything he did.' Yun was born in Venezuela and later moved to Colombia with his parents and five brothers. They immigrated from Colombia to New York in the 1970s. He was an exemplary student and an over achiever from a very young age. Yun attended Bronx Science High School after he was valedictorian at his elementary school, and he graduated summa cum laude at Columbia University before attending New York University Medical School. Loved ones said 'Jaime cared deeply for the people around him.' He knew he wanted to be a doctor at a young age and make an impact on the lives of many, according to his obituary. One of his medical school professors gave him the nickname '99' because his exam scores were always in the 99 percentile. Yun enjoyed being a mentor, and loved to be in the operating room and teach medical students to be a better version of themselves, his loved ones said. He was also known to have a quirky sense of humor and was usually the first one to laugh at his own jokes. Yun was a devoted family man and extraordinary heart surgeon. One of his neighbors called him an 'amazing human being' The corner of Schnectady and East New York in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (pictured) where the June 8th road rage incident took place that later took the life of Dr. Jaime Yun, a respected and devoted heart surgeon 'Family was everything to Jaime and his children were the light of his life. He beamed with pride after both his kids attended his alma mater and was excited to talk about his days as a Lion,' according to his obit. 'He visited campus often in the past five years to hang out at his sons fraternity house and watch his daughter play lacrosse. He was an enthusiastic spectator and his excitement was contagious to many people on the sidelines.' During the COVID-19 pandemic his family, his neighbors in the Manhasset, and his patients described him as 'selfless.' Neighbor Vihas Patel called him an 'amazing human being.' Many paid tributes to the special person Yun was in an online tribute book. 'In this time of sorrow, let us all remember Dr. Jaime for the unique and wonderful person he was - always quick with a laugh or sharing his wisdom gently yet confidently,' a close friend wrote. 'He will be fondly remembered for his generous nature as well as his immense intellect and dedication to his work. 'Memories of those warm teddy bear hugs shall provide comfort in our grief. Dr. Jaime's gentle presence in the background brightened so many lives, and we shall dearly miss him.' Another wrote: 'Jaime was one of the kindest, smartest and funniest people I have ever met. He had such a brilliant mind and was so dedicated to his job of being a cardio thoracic surgeon.' 'He truly enjoyed working and helping people. One of them being Stu. It touched my heart when he and Stu got along so famously like they had known each other forever. Jaime will be so missed but knowing Stu, he will be hanging out with Jaime and, might I say, partying to freestyle together.' Yun is survived by his wife Tyan, his children, Christopher and Lauren, and five brothers Alfonso, Julio, Enrique, Fernando and Jairo, their wives and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Yen Yu Yun Chang and Cecilia Yun Yee. A wake was held on Friday at the Fairchild Funeral Home in Manhasset, followed by his funeral at the chapel. A private gravesite burial was held on Sunday at Flushing Cemetery. A shocking video shows the moment a man suspected of possessing a gun tried to suffocate a police officer whilst asking him if he 'wants to die'. Max Hallam was jailed for two and a half years last Tuesday for the vicious assault on Sergeant Dave Cayton in June 2022 - that was only ended when police colleagues arrived and threatened to taser him. Hallam, 58, was approached by Sergeant Cayton after reports of a gun sighting in the Swansgate car park in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. However, Hallam quickly turned violent, punching Sergeant Cayton to the ground and attempting to strangle him whilst bizarrely claiming he was in his right as 'an English noble'. Video captured from the perspective of Sergeant Cayton's body camera shows him speaking to Hallam next to the latter's car. In the video, Max Hallam (pictured) is seen viciously turning to the police officer and shouting 'No, you f***ing get your hands off of it' - before attacking him Bodycam footage then captures the two brawling in the car park which sees Hallam gain the upper hand The brutality is only stopped when Sergeant Cayton's colleagues arrive and threaten to tase Hallam A bloodied Sergeant Cayton is then able to arrest Hallam in the car park Sergeant Cayton asks: 'What's the concern?' Hallam replies 'The concern? Wait a sec,' as he mumbles before opening the boot of his car and rifling through some bags. Sergeant Cayton then says 'That's what I'm interested in' as he approaches the boot to inspect what Hallam is procuring. Hallam then viciously turns to the police officer, shouting 'No, you f***ing get your hands off of it.' The two then break into a scrap with Sergeant Cayton attempting to pepper spray Hallam, who resists before throwing a hard punch at the officer, knocking him to the ground. Hallam then pounces on him, attempting to suffocate the officer whilst maniacally ranting: 'I identified myself to you clearly. Now you're going to have to check this out with the Prime Minister aren't you?' Sergeant Cayton demands that Hallam gets off him, wheezing desperately for breath as Hallam chokes him. The clip then shows Hallam atop the Sergeant as he launches into a bizarre monologue: 'Do you want to die? Ask yourself. You're with an English nobleman, I can kill you - lawfully! 'I've identified myself. The Prime Minister's going to see you. I've restrained you, I can f***ing kill you. You can't believe the s**t you're in pal. Every word I've said to you is true. 'You've just attacked British nobility.' Max Hallam was jailed for two and a half years last Tuesday for the vicious assault The clip then cuts to a body cam angle of one of Sergeant Cayton's colleagues, who rushes to his aid with other officers, yelling at Hallam to get down whilst pointing a taser at him. Hallam finally lets go, before being arrested by Sergeant Cayton himself, who appears bloodied and bruised by the attack. The bag Hallam had in his car was later found to contain an air rifle. Hallam, previously of Wellingborough, went on to be charged with intentional non-fatal suffocation, which he admitted at a court hearing in January. Sergeant Cayton sustained injuries included a haemorrhaged right eye, bruising, reddening and multiple abrasions, according to a statement by Northamptonshire Police. Northamptonshire Police released the footage on Friday following Hallam's sentencing at Northampton Crown Court last Tuesday. Investigating officer Detective Constable Neil Carr said today: 'What Max Hallam put Sergeant Cayton through is horrendous. 'The body-worn video of the incident graphically illustrates the level of force involved and the prolonged period Hallam was suffocating him for. 'Not being able to breathe is the stuff of nightmares and I am glad that the court has recognised the severity of this offence with a significant custodial sentence.' Sergeant Cayton added: 'I'm satisfied with Hallam's sentence. He will have served a significant amount of time in custody by the time he is released, which hopefully also reduces risk to the public.' Chief Constable Nick Adderley said: 'The protection of my officers is a cornerstone of my role, and I'm really pleased Hallam has been given a substantial prison sentence for his attack on Sgt Cayton. 'The body-worn video of this incident is utterly chilling, as was reading Sgt Cayton's subsequent statement in which he detailed how he genuinely believed he would die. 'Any assault on one of my officers is unacceptable. We will always seek to prosecute those responsible, and it is right that the courts take the sentencing of such offences so seriously.' A 27-year-old man has died after his boat ploughed into a ferry near Miami at 4am, while his friend was hospitalized and the city's harbor was plunged into chaos. Cristian Gaston Fernandez, of Cutler Bay, was found dead by Miami Fire Rescue divers, while his friend, Angel Dominguez, 29, of Hialeah, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, authorities have said. The Miami men were on board a 30-foot boat which crashed into a Fisher Island ferry near Dodge Island at around 3.40am on Sunday. Ferry workers pulled Dominguez from the ocean, and he told them about his missing friend before he was taken to the hospital. Gaston Fernandez was found dead in the water around five minutes later, officials said. A man has died while his friend is severely injured after their 30-foot boat crashed into a ferry in Miami Port in the early hours of Sunday morning The 30-foot long vessel was submerged after the accident and took agencies several hours to recover from the water at Dodge Island, Miami Miami Port shut down following the fatal crash, leaving an estimated 15,000 cruise passengers stranded at sea close to the Florida coast, according to Cruise Industry News. Cruise ships constantly dock at Dodge Island, and after Sunday's incident three liners - the Norwegian Escape, Carnival Celebration and MSC Seascape - were locked in limbo for around 15 hours. Investigators say the crash was an accident, and an official described the rescue mission from the scene. 'When we arrived on the scene we found one patient that the coastguard had recovered from the water,' he told NBC. 'He was transported to the Ryder Trauma Center. He began asking for his friend, so at that point we were notified that that was a second occupant in the boat. 'We found the other victim underwater after about a five-minute search. Unfortunately the victim was deceased at the scene.' Videos posted online showed hundreds of dejected cruise passengers sitting on the floor of a waiting area ahead of their trip on a Carnival Celebration, which they were not able to board for almost a day. Other clips showed and endless crowd of people standing crammed together waiting for their MSC voyage to begin, while stacks of luggage lay waiting in the same area. Stranded MSC cruise passenger Barnabas Johnson said he and his pregnant wife had been on their feet waiting for the ship for several hours, before the port re-opened. 'We're stuck,' Johnson told NBC. 'There's nothing we can do. We can't go home. We can't leave. We can't cancel our trip. We can't get money back.' A man has died while his friend is severely injured after their 30-foot boat crashed into a ferry in Miami Port in the early hours of Sunday morning Miami Port in Florida was shut after a fatal boat crash, as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigated and salvaged a sunken vessel involved Passengers awaiting for Carnival Celebration ship to allow passengers on after fatal accident earlier this morning at Port Miami. All cruise ships were delayed docking the ship and getting passengers off. It is 7:38p m and passengers are still coming off the cruise ship. pic.twitter.com/Mz0KMFHBBF Pat Pullar (@TalkingPoints4U) June 25, 2023 The deadly boat crash caused around 15 hours of delays for an estimated 15,000 cruise passengers and many more waiting to board the Fisher Island ferry I'm trying to get to Kansas City, but I don't know when! We're still onboard & unable to dock/disembark because the Port of Miami is shut down! Didn't have that on my bingo card! Thousands of cruise passengers currently stuck, onboard, and on land (waiting to board)...a mess! pic.twitter.com/fS96e4aeLS Dr. Gourjoine M. Wade (@DrGWadeSpeaks) June 25, 2023 Thousands of passengers were stuck on cruise liners, while thousands more were trapped in waiting areas unable to board the idling ships for around 15 hours Not a good day to take a cruise out of Miami lol pic.twitter.com/LbfddCHeyx Ryan RC Rea (@volvoshine) June 26, 2023 'People are hungry,' he said. 'People are thirsty and they're telling us that it's gonna be a long wait.' Videos posted online also showed huge cruise liners suspended in the water at intervals. One passenger on board joked that they were 'sitting in the dock of the bay' with 'no idea' when they would be able to leave. 'We are in the water... we're just kind of sitting because there was an accident in the shipping channel that leads to the Port of Miami,' he said on Twitter. 'So all the cruise ships, including ours, are just literally sitting in the dock of the bay waiting to get in, because we can't get there. 'I've got no idea when we're going to not only get to the port, but get to our destination.' The US Coast Guard said it 'established a temporary security zone limiting inbound and outbound vessel traffic' for Miami Port while Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigated. Later on Sunday they said the 'sunken vessel' was still posing 'significant hazard to navigation' around the port. Several hours later, the US Coast Guard said the vessel had been 'successfully recovered', adding that the Captain of the Port had authorized a reopening. A teenage mother sobbed in the dock as she was jailed for a minimum of 12 years for crushing her newborn son's skull with her foot and stuffing cotton wool in his mouth when she was 15 years old. Last week, Paris Mayo, now 19, was convicted of murdering her newborn son after giving birth in silence, worried she would disturb her ill father who lay upstairs on dialysis treatment with her mother at their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, in March 2019. Described as a 'pathetic and vulnerable individual' who was not supported by the people around her, the court heard how Mayo had a 'frightening' and 'overwhelming' birth but did not cry out as she was 'anxious not to disturb her parents'. The teenager, who claimed she did not know she was pregnant, then assaulted baby Stanley, leaving him with injuries comparable to those seen in a car crash. But while the initial assault, believed to have been caused by her foot on his head, caused serious damage 'he remained alive'. Passing sentence Mr Justice Garnham, who described the case as 'sad and terrible', told Mayo that she then 'decided you had to finish Stanley off' by stuffing five pieces of cotton wool into his mouth two of which were found lodged deep in his throat. Mayo then put Stanley's lifeless body in a bin bag and left it on the front doorstep of their home before going upstairs to bed. Chillingly, the killer had texted her older brother George Mayo saying: 'When you go outside, can you put the black bag in the bin, it's just full of sick from last night, please.' 'Killing your baby son was a truly dreadful thing to do,' the judge told her as she jailed her for life with a minimum tariff of 12 years. Mayo has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years for her crime Paris Mayo, now 19, cried in the dock after jurors at Worcester Crown Court found her guilty His remains were discovered the following morning by Mayo's mother who called the 999. Mayo claimed she did not know she was pregnant and that baby Stanley was dead when she gave birth to him. Her defence lawyer, Bernard Richmond KC, said Mayo was 'immature' and had not been supported by people around her. He told the court Mayo's family life was difficult and at times her father could be 'emotionally cruel' and would made her feel 'worthless'. She described how she started having sexual intercourse with people at the age of 13, and used it as a way to get people to like her because she felt 'insecure'. During her trial, it was heard that her father Patrick Mayo had been upstairs on dialysis treatment with her mother Coralie Brown at the time their daughter gave birth to Stanley. Before the judge passed his sentence, Mr Richmond said: 'When faced with a decision she had to make, she did not face up to it. By the time she had to, the decision she made was woefully, woefully wrong. 'This was a 15-year-old girl who was vulnerable and used by people around her and wasn't supported.' He added that Mayo's mother had not been able to face seeing her daughter in the dock, and explained that when he was alive, her father Patrick could be 'emotionally cruel'. Mr Mayo, who had a number of health ailments and was receiving at home dialysis upstairs in the house when his daughter gave birth, died 10 days after Stanley was born. Mayo asked her brother George to take the bag containing Stanley's body outside - he had no idea what was inside Mr Richmond added: 'Paris's dad died the day before her first interview. It has been said she killed him too, and that adds to the burden upon her. 'This will, in every sense of the word, be a life sentence. It will be a lonely, isolating and frightening time for her.' For the prosecution, Jonas Hankin KC argued that the killing of baby Stanley was premeditated. He said: 'Paris Mayo clearly intended to prevent the discovery of the pregnancy or the existence of the baby. 'A decision was made to eschew help from her mother, father, or the emergency services and kill her baby.' Jailing her for a minimum of 12 years, Mr Justice Garnham said it was a 'sad and terrible' case. He said: 'You did nothing to prepare yourself for giving birth. You were frightened and traumatised by this event. 'I have no doubt it was painful and overwhelming for you. It seems you did not cry out, so anxious were you not to disturb your parents upstairs. 'As soon as Stanley was born, you decided he could not live and you assaulted him about the head. 'How you did this is not clear, but I suspect you crushed his head, probably beneath your foot. It certainly caused him serious damage, but that assault did not kill Stanley. 'He remained alive. You decided you had to finish Stanley off by stuffing cotton wool balls into his throat. 'As difficult as your circumstances may have been, killing your baby son was a truly dreadful thing to do.' Mayo, who cried as she was led back to the cells, will serve at least 12 years before she can be considered for parole. Mayo inflicted complex skull fractures on baby Stanley at her parents' home (pictured) in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire Paris Mayo's mother Coralie Brown had not been able to face seeing her daughter in the dock, the killer's defence lawyer said today at her sentencing Throughout her trial, Mayo had told the court that she was unaware that she was pregnant. Earlier Worcester Crown Court heard Stanley had been conceived in the summer of 2018 and by the autumn Mayo was suffering from sickness and back and abdominal pain. Bernard Richmond KC, defending, asked whether at any time before Stanley was born she knew she was pregnant. 'No, I was always scared of the thought I might be. I had never taken a test,' Mayo told the jury. 'I was more suspicious I could have been, rather than actually knowing if I was or not. 'I would just try and make excuses to myself to what I thought was wrong. I was worried I might be as I was putting on weight, but I was trying to put it down to other things. 'I was eating bigger portions of food and eating throughout the day.' Mr Richmond asked: 'Was there a stage before the birth you said to yourself, 'I am pregnant'?' to which Ms Mayo replied: 'No.' Describing her on-and-off sickness in the autumn of 2018, Mayo told the court: 'I think there were times when I was sick, but it would go back and come away it was irregular. Mayo (pictured) will have to serve 12-years of her life sentence before she is considered for release 'I thought it was a stomach bug that went away, or I had eaten something that disagreed with me.' When Mr Richmond asked: 'Did you ever equate that with being pregnant?', Mayo replied: 'No.' Jurors were told the accused had been taken to see her GP in October 2018 by her mother and during the examination was asked if she was having sex. Ms Mayo told the court: 'She asked me at that time if I was having sex and at that time I told her no because at that time I wasn't,' she said. 'I think I must have misunderstood how she was asking it. I felt like I could have told her if I felt comfortable enough, but I didn't know how to go about it.' Mr Richmond asked if her mother knew she had been having sex and she replied: 'I think she knew I had but she thought I had stopped having sex with people. 'I think she knew before that I had lost my virginity but believed I had stopped having sex with people.' Paris Mayo (pictured outside court), who is now 19 but was 15 at the time of the incident, killed her newborn Stanley Mayo Stanley's remains were discovered the following morning by Ms Mayo's mother Coralie Brown (pictured) The jurors were told Stanley would have been conceived when Mayo was 14 with the teenager losing her virginity at 13. Explaining why she started having sex so young, she said: 'I just thought it was a way to get people to like me because I was quite insecure about the way I looked and the way I was made to feel about myself at home because my family situation was quite bad. 'I was always being patronised and belittled and told I was worthless. I just wanted to feel a bit more validated and the way I felt to get that was to have sex with people.' Mayo told the jury she only acknowledged to herself being pregnant shortly before she gave birth. 'He wasn't crying or making any noise and his eyes weren't open,' she said. 'I started to panic because he wasn't crying or making a noise and I got really scared. It all happened so fast, I don't really remember a lot about it. 'I just remember he hit his head and that was really it. The cord was around his throat when I undone it and that was when it was broken.' Mr Richmond asked: 'Stanley had skull fractures. Did you do them to him deliberately?' Ms Mayo replied: 'No.' Asked about putting cotton wool balls in Stanley's mouth, she replied: 'To me it looked like there was stuff coming out of his mouth. When I was questioned I said two because that's all I remember doing.' Asked how she felt about it all, Ms Mayo said: 'It makes me feel really horrible because I knew I didn't want to hurt him. Paris Mayo, who was 15 when she murdered her newborn son by fracturing his skull and stuffing cotton wool in his mouth after giving birth alone, is jailed for a minimum of 12 years 'I do feel stupid that I didn't go and tell anyone and get help. I loved him. I always think about what he would be like and how he would have been.' However after being cross-examined for weeks, Mayo's claims were proved to be false and it was proven she had deliberately hidden her pregnancy. The Crown Prosecution Service said Stanley's 'short life was filled with pain and suffering when he should have been nurtured and loved'. During the trial her interviews with police at Hereford police station were re-read in court. Responding to questions about how the baby ended up in a black bin bag, she said: 'I was just that exhausted and tired, that's when I got back up, went to the kitchen and that's when I got the bag to put him in. 'Like a black bag. I don't know why I just wanted it all to be over with.' She added: 'I didn't pick him up and just chuck him in there, because that's horrible. 'I opened it up and put it on the floor, so he wouldn't fall in or hurt himself, I picked him up and I cuddled him goodbye. 'He still wasn't doing anything. I kissed him on his forehead, gently placed him in there, (and) put the placenta in next to him. 'I tied it (the bag). I picked it up from the bottom where he was, walked by the front door and put the bag there. 'I knew my mum was going to see it there, I left it there to find - on purpose.' When asked by police how two of the cotton wool balls could have got into the baby's throat, she claimed to be 'panicking because he had all this blood coming out of his mouth', and started 'cleaning it up'. Pictured: Mayo arrives at court Mayo's responses to officers' interview questions, given on April 3, 2019, were read by prosecution barrister Chloe Ashley. When asked by police how two of the cotton wool balls could have got into the baby's throat, she claimed to be 'panicking because he had all this blood coming out of his mouth', and started 'cleaning it up'. Mayo said: 'My whole finger never went into his mouth. 'I could have been a bit rough or something, they could have gone down (his throat) like that.' Later, asked why she did not ask her mother, who was upstairs asleep, for help, Mayo replied: 'I didn't want her to be ashamed of me.' She told police how she was likely 'in denial' about her pregnancy - having been studying childcare, including the different stages of pregnancy at school at the time. After suffering painful cramps throughout the preceding 48 hours, it was sometime around 9.30pm, after her parents had gone to bed, that she delivered her son alone, in a downstairs sitting room. 'When I was stood, I got sharp pain, I put my head on my arms and heard something make a noise - you could hear something hit the floor,' she said. 'I looked down and I saw him (baby Stanley) and I just thought 'oh God'. 'When I saw the baby, he was on the floor, I saw his umbilical cord was around his throat, he wasn't crying, making any noise, he wasn't moving, he wasn't like a normal baby colour.' She placed the baby on a rug, and went to the kitchen, fetching water and a towel to clean up, but then saw Stanley 'had blood coming out of his mouth and I was like 'oh no'.' Mayo said her father had left clean cotton wool balls in the room, as he was treating an ear infection, and said she reached to pick some up to 'absorb' the blood in her newborn's mouth. 'I knew I couldn't help him, knew he wasn't going to come alive, so I just wiped all this blood up and left it (the cotton wool) in there (his mouth)... so it would absorb all the blood.' After allegedly placing the newborn in a bin bag, she went upstairs to bed and 'went straight to sleep'. Asked if she was responsible for the death of baby Stanley, she replied: 'No.' But a jury found her guilty after a six-week trial at Worcester Crown Court. In a statement, a spokesman added: 'The prosecution built a case based on medical evidence which proved that Paris Mayo's 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.' Speaking outside Worcester Crown Court last week, 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 could've, and would've, supported her. 'The death of a new-born baby is utterly heart-breaking, even more so when the person who is responsible is the baby's 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 U.S. Supreme Court has tossed out a Republican-led bid to overturn a ruling that said Black voting rights had been diluted in Louisiana after officials redrew its electoral map. In a short order published on Monday (June 26), justices refused to rule on the case, sending it back to be decided by a lower court. The move came after a senior Republican official had sought the backing of America's top court after Black voters accused the Pelican State of discrimination. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin wanted to quash a federal judge's decision that the map delineating Louisiana's six U.S. House of Representatives districts was done so on racial grounds. One-third of Louisiana's residents are Black. Justices went a step further two weeks ago in a similar case involving Alabama, directly ordering the state by 5-4 to overhaul its electoral boundaries. The court found then that race had played a role in the changes to the voting map contrary to the federal Voting Rights Act. In that ruling, judges elected not to further roll back protections contained in the Voting Rights Act as it had done in two major decisions in the past decade. The Louisiana case will now go forward to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ahead of next year's elections to choose a new House of Representatives. The plaintiffs said the Republican-drawn unlawfully packed large numbers of Black voters into a single district and dispersed the rest into the five others in numbers too small to enable them to elect their preferred candidates. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, had vetoed the congressional map approved by the states GOP-controlled legislature. But state lawmakers moved ahead with a motion to override that veto. Governor John Bel Edwards had unsuccessfully tried to block the overhaul of the electoral map One of the lawsuits claimed the plan 'continues the State of Louisiana's long history of maximizing political power for white citizens by disenfranchising and discriminating against Black Louisianans.' The plaintiffs in court papers said that 'stark racially polarized voting almost universally leads to the electoral defeat of Black-preferred candidates' in Louisiana. Electoral districts in the United States are redrawn each decade to reflect population changes as measured by a national census, last taken in 2020. In most states, such redistricting is done by the party in power, which can lead to map manipulation for partisan gain. Democrats have accused Republicans of exploiting state legislature majorities to draw electoral maps that dilute the clout of Black and other minority voters. Republicans have said the consideration of race in drawing electoral maps must be limited. The Duchess of Sussex has been dismissed as a talentless broadcaster by one of Hollywoods most powerful figures. Jeremy Zimmer, who has guided the film careers of stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Damian Lewis, gave his withering verdict on the abilities of the American former actress after streaming giant Spotify axed its 18million deal with her and Prince Harry after just one podcast series. Zimmer, the chief executive of United Talent Agency, said he was not surprised that Spotify had ditched the couple. Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent, he said. Speaking to the news website Semafor at the Cannes Lions advertising festival in France, Zimmer added. And, you know, just because youre famous, doesnt make you great at something. Despite sending a personal letter herself, Meghan Markle's (pictured) request for Taylor Swift to join her on her Archetypes podcast was declined Spotify is said to have pulled the plug on its deal because it expected more content from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their Archewell Audio team, according to Variety magazine. Archewell delivered just one series 12 episodes of Meghans Archetypes show last year on the social stereotypes around women and a 30-minute festive special in 2020 featuring a handful of celebrity friends and their son, Archie. Archetypes was an initial ratings success when it was released last summer and talks for a second series were said to be under way before they reportedly stalled. Spotify was said to have paid a staggering 18million to sign the Sussexes up for a multi-year partnership. The Sussexes highlighted a joint statement from themselves and Spotify saying they had mutually agreed to part ways. Yesterday, it was claimed that pop superstar Taylor Swift rejected the chance to appear on Meghans podcast, even though the duchess sent her a personal invitation. Jeremy Zimmer, the chief executive of United Talent Agency, said he was not surprised that Spotify had ditched the Sussexes After Meghan sent her a handwritten note, Ms Swift declined through her representative, according to the Wall Street Journal. And while the couples 80million Netflix deal has still seen only a documentary about themselves and series Live To Lead materialise, it appears they are about to delve into the world of Charles Dickens. The Sussexes are said to be working on a prequel to his 1861 novel Great Expectations, which focuses on a character based on Miss Havisham, taking place before the events of the novel. Bad Manners will see the character cast as a strong woman living in a patriarchal society. The show is in development but has yet to get the green light from Netflix, it has been claimed. Harrys documentary about the Invictus Games is thought to be nearing completion. Meghan and Harry attending the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 6, 2022 According to the Wall Street Journal, it is unlikely Netflix will renew the couples deal when it ends in 2025. It reports that problems have arisen due to the couples inexperience as television producers and difficulty in finding material to fit in with their brand. A spokesman for the talent agency WME that recently signed Meghan said: The team behind Archetypes remain proud of the podcast they created at Spotify. Meghan is continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform. Zimmer is the grandson of legendary Hollywood studio chief Dory Schary. In 1991 he helped found United Talent Agency through a merger of Bauer/Benedek and Leading Artists Agency. He helped build UTA from a boutique literary agency into one of the three major talent agencies and has been CEO since 2012. The talent agency represents stars such as Timothee Chalamet, Chris Pratt, Kevin Hart and Lizzo. To read Richard Edens sparkling social diary, Eden Confidential, buy the Daily Mail on Tuesdays Jill Biden has been reassuring donors that 'nothing' can slow down Joe Biden as a new poll shows a majority of voters remain concerned about his mental and physical health to be president. 'Nothing can slow him down and now he's ready to finish the job,' the first lady said at fundraisers in Minnesota and Tennessee on Saturday, where donors gave millions of dollars to Biden's re-election effort. The president is coming off a series of stumbles: he tumbled at the Air Force Academy and had a near fall in Hiroshima when he tripped on a set of stairs earlier this month. And a new NBC News poll shows voters remain concerned if President Biden, 80, has the stamina to complete another four years in office. Jill Biden has defended President Joe Biden's health, 80, at recent Democratic fundraisers The poll found that 68 percent are concerned that Biden does not possess the 'necessary mental and physical health to be president' while 32 percent said that they have minor or no concerns. Additionally it found that 60 percent are concerned about Biden 'being re-elected and serving another four years as president' while 40 percent are not concerned. Biden is the oldest president in American history. If elected to a second term, he would be 86 when it's finished. When the NBC poll asked about whether voters are concerned about former President Donald Trump's mental and physical health, 55 percent said they are concerned while 44 percent said they have minor or no concerns. Trump turned 77 last week. The poll was conducted June 16 to 20 among 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. Biden has dismissed questions about his age, particularly as he campaigns for a second term in the White House. And the White House argues he has the experience and record of accomplishments to do the job. His doctor has declared him healthy and fit to serve but has conceded the president's gait is 'stiff.' Biden has tripped before - twice boarding Air Force One: in March 2023 and in March 2021. 'Nothing can slow him down and now he's ready to finish the job,' Jill Biden said at fundraisers in Minnesota and Tennessee on Saturday - above the first lady at Nashville's Pride Festival President Joe Biden is helped up after falling at the Air Force Academy in early June - the incident renewed questions about his health But the image of Biden sprawled on stage earlier this month during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony - and then being helped up by officials - renewed questions that were already out there about his stamina. The incident quickly went viral and showed Biden's vulnerability to the age issue. And the topic is not likely to go away any time soon. Biden is running for a second term and will be out on the campaign trail in a way he wasn't during the 2020 campaign when most of his events were virtual due to the COVID pandemic. This time around, he'll be on public display - and under greater scrutiny - in a number of events and settings, meaning it could be a matter of time until another trip or fall occurs. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has broken his silence after abandoning his armed uprising on Saturday evening, insisting that he marched on Moscow to stop the Kremlin taking control of his mercenary army and denying a plot to overthrow Vladimir Putin. Speaking in an 11-minute audio clip posted on Wagner-affiliated Telegram channels, Prigozhin claimed the armed uprising was a 'master class' on how Russia's assault on Kyiv should have looked. He said he only called off his group's surge for the Russian capital to avoid spilling Russian blood, adding that the uprising was intended to register a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin described his Wagner mercenary fighters as 'perhaps the most experienced and combat effective unit in Russia, possibly in the world', and said his private military company had done 'an enormous amount of work in the interests of Russia'. He also claimed he launched the uprising to 'prevent the destruction of the Wagner group', noting that they had been ordered to hand over their weapons to the Russian military and had suffered casualties in air strikes at the hands of Russia's air force. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023 Servicemen from private military company (PMC) Wagner Group ride a tank reading 'Siberia' on a street in downtown Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, on June 24, 2023 Russian outlet Meduza claimed the mercenary leader frantically called Putin (pictured) en route to Moscow having realised he'd made a mistake, only for the Russian leader to ignore his call and serve a chilling reminder of who remains in charge 'The purpose of the campaign was to prevent the destruction of the Wagner PMC and to bring to justice those who, through their unprofessional actions, made a huge number of mistakes during the special military operation,' Prigozhin said. 'We went to demonstrate our protest, and not to overthrow the government in the country.' Prigozhin, who did not reveal from where he was speaking, bragged that the ease with which it had advanced on Moscow exposes 'serious security problems'. It comes despite reports from the news website Meduza that claimed the mercenary leader frantically called Putin en route to Moscow having realised he'd made a mistake, only for the Russian leader to ignore his call and serve a chilling reminder of who remains in charge. Prigozhin also claimed that despite not showing any aggression towards Russian forces, the Russian air force launched an aerial bombardments on his troops, killing 30 people. This, he said, 'was the trigger' that motivated him to order Wagner mercenaries to seize Russian soil. READ MORE: Wagner chief 'frantically tried to call Putin en route to Moscow after realising he had gone too far and did not have support within Russian army - but Vladimir refused to speak to him' Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured) allegedly attempted to contact the Kremlin directly Advertisement He said: 'We covered 780 kilometres in a day. Not a single soldier on the ground was killed. We regret that we were forced to strike at [Russian] air assets, but they dropped bombs and launched missile strikes.' Up to 15 Russian air force pilots are believed to have been killed by Wagner forces amid the attacks. Prigozhin added: 'When we walked past Russian cities on June 23-24, civilians greeted us with Russian flags and with the emblems and flags of the Wagner PMC. They were all happy when we passed by. Many of them are still writing words of support, and some are disappointed that we stopped, because in the "march of justice", in addition to our struggle for existence, they saw support for the fight against bureaucracy and other ills that exist in our country today. 'We started our march because of injustice. On the way, we didn't kill a single soldier on the ground. In one day they reached a point just 200 kilometres from Moscow, (and) they took complete control of the city of Rostov. 'We gave a master class in how it should have been done on February 24, 2022 (when Russia sent troops into Ukraine). We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and the legally elected government.' Prigozhin concluded his statement by saying that he ordered troops to stop their surge some 200km outside Moscow in the recognition that any further progress would've resulted in armed conflict and many deaths. He said: 'We stopped at the moment when the first assault detachment, which approached 200 kilometres to Moscow, reconnoitered the area and it was obvious that at that moment a lot of blood would be shed. 'Therefore, we felt that the demonstration of what we were going to do, it is sufficient.' The Wagner leader also confirmed that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was instrumental in helping carve out a deal between the Kremlin and Prigozhin that would see the latter escape punishment for organising the uprising. Lukashenko is said to have offered Prigozhin refuge in Minsk in turn for his safety and amnesty for any Wagner troops that participated in seizing the southern city of Rosotv-on-Don and marching for Moscow. However, several Russian media outlets reported that a criminal investigation against Prigozhin remained open, with some legislators calling for serious punishment after Putin on Saturday declared he would 'punish the traitors who betray Russia'. Though Wagner's armed uprising on Russian soil came as a surprise to most, Prigozhin's hatred for Russia's military command has long been established. Wagner leader also confirmed that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (pictured) was instrumental in helping carve out a deal between the Kremlin and Prigozhin that would see the latter escape punishment for organising the uprising Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24, 2023 This image captured from a video shows citizens standing near military vehicles on a street of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023 Prigozhin has long expressed hatred and distrust of Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu (centre) Before the uprising, he had condemned Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian army chief General Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the war's longest and bloodiest battle. In a televised address on Monday Putin said the solidarity from Russian citizens had shown that any blackmail attempts were 'doomed to fail' and that the organisers of the mutiny had betrayed their country. 'From the very beginning of the events, steps were taken on my direct instruction to avoid serious bloodshed,' Putin said. 'Time was needed, among other things, to give those who had made a mistake a chance to come to their senses, to realise that their actions were firmly rejected by society, and that the adventure in which they had been involved had tragic and destructive consequences for Russia and for our state.' Earlier in the day Putin held calls with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a recorded video message that contained no mention of the uprising. It is not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion will mean for the war in Ukraine, where western officials say Russia's troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. Fighting continued in Ukraine, where Kyiv's forces claimed new victories in their battle to evict Russian troops from the east and south of the country, but in the Russian capital authorities stood down their enhanced security regime. READ MORE: Russia's invading troops are now facing 'multiple threats' along 125-mile front line with Ukraine's forces making ground in Bakhmut, UK MoD says amid Kremlin's Wagner mutiny turmoil Ukrainian forces destroy the Russian Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system in a formidable blast in Ukraine in undated footage released by the Land Forces of the Legislative Assembly of Ukraine on June 26, 2023 Advertisement The Kremlin, meanwhile, was at pains to stress that there had been a return to normal, having announced at the weekend that Prigozhin would be permitted to seek exile in Belarus and that there would be a general amnesty for his troops. Putin himself did not directly address the dramatic events, but made a video speech to a youth forum dubbed the 'Engineers of the future' and praised companies for overcoming 'severe external challenges'. Wagner headquarters in Saint Petersburg said it remained open for business, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the firm would continue to operate in Mali and the Central African Republic. Putin, his office said, had spoken to Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi by phone and had received Tehran's 'full support'. He also received a call from Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who also expressed his backing. Defence minister Shoigu appeared in more pre-recorded footage on state television, apparently visiting troops in Ukraine, but it was not clear when the piece was filmed. Officials in Moscow and in the Voronezh region south of the capital lifted 'anti-terrorist' emergency security measures imposed to protect the capital from rebel assault. Ukrainian military leaders, meanwhile, insisted they were making progress in the south and east of the country, and President Volodymyr Zelensky made a morale-boosting trip to troops fighting Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut. 'We are knocking the enemy out of its positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut,' eastern ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said. 'Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward.' Deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said Ukraine had recaptured the rural settlement of Rivnopil, on the southern front in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian residents in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, near Bakhmut, also in Donetsk, told AFP that four explosions rocked a residential district overnight. The blasts severed water and sewage pipes, shattered windows and threw up stones that hit yards and roofs, but municipal authorities said no one was hurt. 'It was a "fun" night, we haven't had this for a long time, it's been quiet for a month or so,' said 66-year-old Lyubov, showing off the new hole in her cement-shingled roof. The wine-growing and salt-mining city of Bakhmut, in Ukraine's eastern region of Donbas, was captured in May by Russian forces led by Prighozin's private army. The victory was short-lived, however. With the Wagner chief feuding with Shoigu and Gerasimov, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive. The Western allies backing Ukraine with weaponry and cash see Putin's grip on power weakened by both Wagner's revolt and the operation in Ukraine. NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, visiting Lithuania ahead of the alliance's Vilnius summit next month, said Putin's Ukraine campaign had weakened his own position at home. Germany, meanwhile, boosted Europe's defences on its eastern flank facing Russia, announcing it would station a powerful 4,000-strong army brigade in Lithuania. The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is typically reserved for especially heinous crimes in which a victim is killed, but each state can determine what specific circumstances make a murder eligible for a death sentence. As of June 2023, there are 27 states that have the death penalty and 23 that do not, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. All of the prisoners currently on death row and all of those executed in the modern era were convicted of murder, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. When the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, the Supreme Court left open the possibility of imposing the death penalty for offenses other than murder, such as rape or even armed robbery. However, the Court soon ruled that the death penalty would be unconstitutional for the rape of an adult where no death had occurred. There is proposed legislation to strike the death penalty from U.S. statutes and resentence the more than 40 inmates still on federal death row to life. Prisoners can remain on death row for years the average is a little over a decade. As of June 2023, there are 27 states that have the death penalty and 23 that do not, according to the Death Penalty Information Center There is also a federal death penalty in which the federal government can seek death sentences for a limited set of crimes, but federal executions are much rarer than state executions. In 2021, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a halt to federal executions after a historic use of capital punishment by the Trump administration, which carried out 13 executions in six months. This means the Justice Department wont issue orders to execute anyone, at least while the moratorium is in place. But the moratorium doesnt stop the department from pursuing the death penalty and it doesnt stop prosecutors from continuing to fight legal action by death row inmates trying to avoid execution. For example, in Colorado this morning, 23-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich who pleaded guilty to the murders of five people in the November 2022 Club Q shooting, was sentenced to life in prison. It's now the mandated sentence for first-degree murder in the state after Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020. However, Aldrich could face a death sentence in federal court if prosecutors decide to bring charges under the U.S. code, which still has capital punishment on its books for certain crimes. Anderson Lee Aldrich who pleaded guilty to the murders of five people in the November 2022 Club Q shooting, was sentenced to life in prison - the most severe punishment and the mandated sentence for murder after Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020 Photographs of victims of the shooting on display at a memorial near the club Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they and them pronouns, told the Associated Press in one of the interviews from jail they were on a 'very large plethora of drugs' and abusing steroids at the time of the attack. Some survivors who listened to the recorded phone calls saw Aldrich's comments as an attempt to avoid the death penalty which still exists in the federal system. They objected to Aldrich's unwillingness to discuss a motive and their use of passive, general language like 'I just cant believe what happened' and 'I wish I could turn back time.' Aldrich originally was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder and hate crimes. The U.S. Justice Department was considering pursuing federal hate crime charges, according to a senior law enforcement official familiar with the matter who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing case. The status of those deliberations were unclear Monday and no federal charges were mentioned during the court hearing. In another high profile case, the state of Idaho announced on Monday that it will seek the death penalty for Bryan Kohberger if he's found guilty at trial of murdering four university students. Idaho, which does have the death penalty, will become the fifth state to authorize the firing squad as a method of execution and may become the first state to mandatorily impose it on a death row prisoner since 1976. Idaho's Governor Brad Little signed HB 186 into law on March 24, 2023, and it goes into effect on July 1. Kohberger is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in the slayings of four Idaho University students last November. Bryan Kohberger's attorney say there is 'no connection' between the 28-year-old suspect and the University of Idaho students fatally stabbed in their off-campus Moscow home Kohberger pleaded not guilty last month to the murders of roommates Maddie Mogen, 21. Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20 Prosecutors have not said if they will seek the death penalty but NewsNation reported that they have met with the victims' families to discuss their wishes if Kohberger is convicted. Xana Kernodle's mother, Cara Northington, indicated that she preferred to see Kohbberger in prison for life rather than the death penalty. Kernodle's father, Jeff, on the other hand, is reportedly in favor of the death penalty for the alleged killer. The families of Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen are also in favor of the death penalty, while Ethan Chapin's family have not made their position on the matter public. In documents filed on Thursday, the attorneys said there was 'no connection' between the 28-year-old suspect and the students fatally stabbed in their off-campus Moscow home. 'There is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims,' read the filing by attorney Jay Logsdon and reviewed by DailyMail.com. 'There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr. Kohberger's apartment, office, home, or vehicle.' States with the death penalty Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming. States without the death penalty Alaska (1957), Colorado (2020), Connecticut (2012), Delaware (2016), Hawaii (1957), Illinois (2011), Iowa (1965), Maine (1887), Maryland (2013), Massachusetts (1984), Michigan (1847), Minnesota (1911), New Hampshire (2019), New Jersey (2007), New Mexico (2009), New York (2007), North Dakota (1973), Rhode Island (1984), Vermont (1972), Virginia (2021), Washington (2018), West Virginia (1965), Wisconsin (1853). *Years are when each state abolished the death penalty Death penalty states with a gubernatorial hold on executions California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a halt to the death penalty in March 2019. 'I will not oversee the execution of any person while Governor...Our death penalty system has been, by all measures, a failure.' Pennsylvania In 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced continuation of the hold on executions begun by Gov. Wolf and encouraged the legislature to approve the abolition of the death penalty. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown continued Gov. Kitzhaber's hold on executions and said there 'needs to be a broader discussion' about the death penalty, and that the hold would continue until that discussion is resolved. She commuted all death sentences of those on death row in 2022. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs stated: 'Under my administration, an execution will not occur until the people of Arizona can have confidence that the state is not violating the law in carrying out the gravest of penalties.' Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told The Associated Press on December 8, 2020 that lawmakers must choose a different method of capital punishment before any inmates can be put to death in the future, and it's 'pretty clear' there won't be any executions next year. The plane was registered in Arizona and had taken off from Kentucky The pilot, Daniel, was found unresponsive and declared dead at the scene The passengers have been identified as Denise Jones, 23, and Daniel Jones, 49 A pilot was killed after his small plane dived into an Arkansas lake after he had reportedly signaled the aircraft was in distress. The small-engine aircraft, a Cessna 177 Cardinal, went down in Lake Hamilton, southwest of Little Rock, on Monday morning, according to the Garland County Sheriff's Office. A 'responsive' female passenger was rescued at the scene by first responders and taken to the hospital where she is being treated. Divers also recovered an unresponsive male passenger from the plane. Police later confirmed he had died. The passengers have been identified by police as Denise Jones, 23, and pilot Daniel Dale Jones, 49. A plane carrying at least two people has crashed into an Arkansas lake after the pilot reportedly signaled the aircraft was in distress. The search pictured above The survivor was airlifted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock for treatment. Authorities said the pilot had requested permission to land at nearby Hot Springs airport due to 'aircraft distress.' 'Once the plane did not land at the airport 911 authorities were contact and were already in route to the location off Port Au Prince,' police said on Facebook. The doomed plane was traveling from Kentucky. 'It has been confirmed that they were en route to the Hot Springs Airport and their last location is being investigated by the FAA as well as the reason for the distress call,' police said in a statement. Multiple agencies are currently working to get the aircraft out of the water Images shared on social media appear to show that the plane has completely gone underwater about 100 feet off the shore. Local reporter Rolly Hoyt said multiple agencies are currently working to get the aircraft out of the water. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The plane is registered to a company from Phoenix, Arizona, according to 12News. Earlier this month, a two-year-old, her mother and two others died after an unresponsive business plane flying over Washington DC crashed in Virginia. Rescuers were forced to call off the search with no survivors found after finding the wreckage at the crash site and shredded debris. It is still not know what happened to the pilot or why the plane turned around after closing in on its Long Island destination. The family of the victims suggested the plane could have lost pressurization, as other experts suggested the pilot may have suffered from low oxygen levels. A defence barrister at a leading chambers who raped a teenage girl while he was a serving police officer has been jailed for 16 years. Evil James Boyle, 69, attacked his terrified victim over a five-year period between 1986 and 1991, including when she was aged under-16. He told her on one occasion: I know this is wrong but I just cant help myself. The brutal sex assaults happened at a number of locations in Cambridgeshire, where Boyle rose to become a chief inspector and was head of the forces legal services. He later became a barrister at Nexus Chambers in London, which is headed by Michael Mansfield KC who has represented the families of Stephen Lawrence, Jean Charles de Menezes and the Bloody Sunday victims, as well as Mohamed Al-Fayed at the inquest into the deaths of his son Dodi and Princess Diana. James Boyle (pictured), 69, attacked his terrified victim over a five-year period between 1986 and 1991, including when she was aged under-16 Boyles legal expertise was used at crown courts and the Court of Appeal, according to his entry on LinkedIn. Sentencing the pervert at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday, Judge Philip Grey told him he had evaded responsibility for such serious offending for more than 30 years. The defendant had lived a lie and he would have achieved none of his professional accolades if he had been convicted at the time. The repeated abuse only came to light in 2018 when it was reported to police by the victim, who has an automatic right to anonymity, through an exchange of messages over social media. The judge also criticised Boyle for forcing the woman to sit through three harrowing days of cross-examination during his trial, telling him: You showed no mercy then, just as you had her at your mercy as a child. In a victim impact statement, the woman told the court the images and memories [of the sex attacks] invade my mind, while the trial had been extremely distressing and harrowing. Boyle joined Cambridgeshire Police in 1981 and served with the force for 22 years, earning the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He studied subjects at various institutions including an MA in education at the University of East Anglia and a postgraduate diploma in law at the University of the West of England before joining Nexus Chambers at Lincolns Inn in 2010. A judge at Cambridge Crown Court (pictured) has jailed Boyle for 16 years today But behind the respectable facade he hid the sordid crimes until they finally caught up with him. Boyle, who had been living in Edinburgh recently, was convicted of two counts of rape one involving a child under 16 and one count of indecent assault following the trial in April. Stuart Kamlish KC, defending, told the court his client had lost weight since being in custody, was diabetic and suffers with hypertension, gout, anaemia and high cholesterol. Hes been broken really as a result of his time in prison, he said. Judge Grey agreed Boyle who must also pay 4,500 towards prosecution costs and sign the sex offenders register - had lost a significant amount of weight since you were incarcerated and noted as a former police officer convicted of sexual offences his jail term would be a hard sentence to serve. But he added: This has been brought about by you. After he was led to the cells, the judge praised the victim for her courage and perseverance in seeking justice. Boyle who was working when he was arrested holds a current certificate to practise law. But he can expect to be disbarred when his details are passed to a disciplinary tribunal of the Bar Standards Board. A spokesman at Nexus Chambers said: Hes not been here since Ive been here and thats about five years. As far as I know, hed retired. Detective Sergeant Carla Hillyer, of Essex Police who investigated the case, said: Boyle worked as a criminal defence barrister, he knew this system and what the victim was up against. A Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesman commended the bravery of the victim. These were horrendous offences over a prolonged period, for which he has now, thankfully, faced justice. The Supreme Court is entering its final week before summer recess and 10 cases remain on the docket. The high court left some of its most politically contentious battles for this week - including affirmative actions and student loans. The decisions will come down at a time when the court has come under fire for justices' hobnobbing with ultra-wealthy members of the business class - at times accepting free gifts from friends who would later have business before the court. Here are the most closely-watched cases left on the docket: Biden's student loan forgiveness: Green-lighting the $400 billion program would be a political boon for the president with young voters The Supreme Court is considering two challenges to Biden's student loan forgiveness program -- which would forgive between $10,000 and $20,000 in debt for those making under $125,000. After payments were deferrred due to the pandemic the Department of Education (DOE) instituted the plan using the post-9/11 HEROES Act-- a bill designed to forgive payments under wartime conditions. The bill allows the Education secretary to waive 'any statutory or regulatory provision' relating to student loan repayment during 'a war or other military operation or national emergency.' Republicans challenging the policy say Biden overstepped his authority by authorizing forgiveness without consent of Congress. Chief John Roberts and the court's other conservatives have already expressed skepticism of the plan. Activists and students protest in front of the Supreme Court during a rally for student debt cancellation Court must rule on whether business owners can refuse to offer goods and services to LGBTQ weddings In 2018 the Supreme Court narrowly ruled in favor of baker Jack Phillips when he refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, but left the broader question of whether businesses can deny service to LGBTQ customers based on religious beliefs up in the air. At the center of this case is Lorie Smith, a graphic designer who is seeking to expand her business and create wedding websites, but wants to be able to refuse to make websites for gay couples out of religious objections to same-sex marriage. Smith has not yet moved forward with the business and brought a suit challenging Colorado's public accommodations law - which says businesses cannot refuse to serve LGBTQ people. Smith has said she is willing to work with all people but draws the line at producing websites that celebrate same-sex marriage- while LGBTQ advocates say she is looking for a license to discriminate. At oral arguments the conservatives on the court seemed to view the matter through a free speech lens and suggested artists should not be forced to express a message that violates their religious beliefs. Affirmative action: Schools like Harvard take race into consideration in admissions decisions - but that may come to an end A conservative group is asking the court to reverse decades of precedent in race-conscious admissions policies that schools say help them achieve diversity on campus. The University of North Carolina and Harvard, in the cases before the court, argue race is one factor among many in their admissions criteria. Attorneys for Students for Fair Admissions argue that Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark 1954 decision that desegregated schools, requires race neutrality. During arguments justices on both sides of the aisle seemed to agree race as a factor in admissions should not continue forever - but disagreed on whether conditions have been met to do away with affirmative action. The right side of the bench seems poised to rule against the schools - which would be a major victory for affirmative action opponents who say admissions should be color-blind to prevent discriminating against other groups, including Asian Americans. Demonstrators against Harvard University's admission process hold signs and American flags while gathering during a protest at Copley Square in Boston, Massachusetts State legislature wants unchecked authority to redraw congressional maps - could be used gerrymander in favor of whatever party rules This case could have wide-reaching impacts on the U.S. electoral map - depending on whether or not the court grants state legislatures autonomy over drawing congressional district boundaries. The Moore v. Harper case, brought by Republicans in North Carolina, arose after the state supreme court struck down the state's 2022 congressional map - deeming it an illegal partisan gerrymander and replacing it with court-drawn maps that favor Democrats. The North Carolina lawmakers cited the Elections Clause of the Constitution that stipulates the 'manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives' must be prescribed in 'each state by the legislature thereof.' The long-dormant doctrine they cite, the Independent Legislature Theory, says that state legislatures should be allowed to set rules with little to no interference from courts. If the Supreme Court were to rule in the North Carolina Republicans' favor, Democrat-led state legislatures could also use the case to gerrymander in their own favor. Religious accommodation: Court mulls whether postal worker should be allowed to refuse to work on Sunday for religious reasons A former mail carrier, an evangelical Christian, has sued the Postal Service for failing to accommodate his request not to work on Sundays. A lower court ruled against the worker, Gerald Groff, arguing his request would put an 'undue burden' on the USPS and force other workers to pick up the slack for him. But the Supreme Court seemed sympathetic to Groff during oral arguments, and hinted they might have thought the lower court was too quick to rule against him. Boys had 'widely known of' a Snapchat group chat about girls at a school attended by a 14-year-old teenager who is believed to have killed herself, a pre-inquest review heard. Mia Janin, a year 10 pupil at the Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton, north-west London, was found dead at her family home in Harrow on March 12, 2021. Her father, Mariano Janin, told a previous pre-inquest review hearing in March that she was 'cyber bullied'. Assistant coroner Tony Murphy, sitting at Barnet Coroner's Court, told on Monday how male pupils at JFS set up the social media group, which was about some of the female pupils. Rabbi Cohen, former deputy headteacher at the school, told the boys to close down the group after Mia's death and Mr Murphy said it would have been helpful if the group chat had been 'preserved' to see 'what, if anything, it contained about Mia'. Mia Janin (pictured) was found dead at her family home in Harrow on March 12, 2021 Her father, Mariano Janin, told a previous pre-inquest review hearing in March that she was 'cyber bullied' Emails suggest bosses at JFS 'only became aware of the group chat after Mia's sad death', Mr Murphy said. On March 17 an email was sent to the school about the group chat, the hearing was told. Lily Lewis, counsel for Mia's brother Douglas Stewart, said a Snapchat group was 'quite widely known of'. She said Mr Stewart wishes to put questions to Rabbi Cohen about what he knew either before Mia's death or in the immediate aftermath. Rabbi Cohen said in a statement he thought 'he'd done a good thing' but the family 'would certainly disagree', Sefton Kwasnik, counsel for Mia's father, said. Susan Jones, counsel for JFS, said the school has 'always co-operated' in terms of information disclosure. She said there could be multiple social media groups, adding: 'There's nothing that's come to my attention that JFS were aware of any group chat prior to March 17.' Gary Lesin-Davis, counsel for Rabbi Cohen, said: 'All the evidence points to the fact that he or the school did not know of the presence of this social media group.' He added: 'How can the school or its employees act on something when it was not known?' Mr Lesin-Davis said there are a number of social media sites included in the material for the inquest, including a group where 'images and videos of girls' were shared. Pictured: The Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton, north-west London where Mia was a year 10 pupil Last month, the Metropolitan Police apologised after confirming they have lost a sim card from Mia's main phone and a second mobile. Mr Janin told the hearing he will 'not accept the telephone was lost within the police department'. Mr Murphy said that although the phone could not be found the data from it has been analysed. He also added that the events involving Rabbi Cohen have the potential to be relevant in relation to preventing further deaths as it 'would have been helpful if the content had been preserved to see if anything in the content is about Mia'. He said Rabbi Cohen will not be called as a witness of fact but will be called as a witness in relation to preventing further deaths. The inquest is set to take place over two days on a date yet to be confirmed in the New Year. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org. The local school district has said it wasn't aware the 'inappropriate' material would be offered after the seminar A Planned Parenthood organization has been banned from schools in a Canadian province after children were offered an 'A to Z' guide that included descriptions of extreme sex acts. Planned Parenthood Regina, in Saskatchewan, delivered a seminar to Grade 9 students at Lumsden High School before children were able to take the card game that included a series of explicit terms and definitions. Some parents complained and the Saskatchewan Education Minister, Dustin Duncan, announced that Planned Parenthood Regina has now been suspended from working in the region's schools. 'It's completely inappropriate to be in a classroom and has no part of being in a classroom,' Duncan said. A spokesman for Prairie Valley School Division, where the school is based, said the material was 'inappropriate' and it has asked Planned Parenthood to remove it from 'future school presentations'. As well as explicit descriptions, the A to Z also include references to bizarre terms like 'Cathodillia', which it said was 'being attracted to one's television set' Each word was accompanied by a letter card which included a cartoon depiction of the term Planned Parenthood had delivered a sexual health presentation to a Grade 9 health class. The controversial 'A to Z' guide - which was 'intended for gay, bi and queer young people' - was not referred to in the presentation but it was 'available at a side table after the presentation'. Definitions of extreme sex acts included explicit language and were accompanied with cartoon portrayals. DailyMail.com has not reported some of the material because of its explicit nature. The school division spokesman said: 'While the presentation itself was aligned with the Saskatchewan curriculum, the presenter brought a secondary resource which was not. 'A single copy of this resource was taken by one of the students.' The presentation took place last week and Duncan announced the ban on Planned Parenthood in schools on Thursday. Planned Parenthood Regina, which is led by Executive Director Julian Wotherspoon, said in a statement it was 'disappointed' to be banned from schools. 'Q' was used for 'Quickie' Along with explicit descriptions, the A to Z also made bizarre references to terms like 'cathodillia', which is 'being attracted to one's television set'. The card game was produced by the Aids Committee of Toronto in 2014. ACT was approached for comment. Planned Parenthood Regina, which is led by Executive Director Julian Wotherspoon, said in a statement it was 'disappointed' to be banned from schools. 'Earlier this week, our staff had the opportunity to engage the bright and curious students of Lumsden High School on the topics of contraception, STBBI prevention, and consent,' the statement began. It added: 'As part of our education and outreach programs, we also bring along secondary materials targeted to address specific questions that youth may have about sex, sexuality, and their health. 'At this visit, a resource the school did not approve ended up in the hands of a student. 'Planned Parenthood Regina apologizes for the difficult position that our Prairie Valley School Division partners have been put in as a result of this incident.' A North Carolina charter school will not be able to force girls to wear skirts as part of a strict dress code after a Supreme Court ruling on Monday. The justices left in place a decision by a lower court that found Charter Day School in Leland discriminated against students based on gender and violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by enforcing the stringent rules. The school told parents the policy was put in place because girls should be treated as 'fragile vessels' and deserve 'gentle treatment' from their male classmates. Administrators also sparked a backlash from parents by saying they wanted to 'preserve chivalry' and have 'mutual respect between boys and girls'. Boys are allowed to wear pants and shorts. Parents have been fighting the rules the school argued was to promote discipline for years. Charter Day School in North Carolina will not be able to force girls to wear skirts as part of a strict dress code after a Supreme Court ruling on Monday 'Classical Charter Schools of America [aka Charter Day School, Inc.] will, of course, comply fully with the Fourth Circuits ruling, as we did during the 2022-23 school year. But we want to be clear that CCS-A also intends to stay true to the unique classical academic program that has served our students well for the past 24 years', the groups founder Baker A. Mitchell said in response to the ruling. Charter schools in North Carolina are tuition-free, open to attendance by all, and receive state funding for each student. They are run by private, nonprofit corporations rather than a public school district. Charter Day School in the southeastern North Carolina town of Leland offers a 'traditional-values-based education' to students from kindergarten to Grade 8. It was subject to the Constitution's equal protection provision when it enforced the skirt policy. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, three students and their parents or guardians sued the school alleging that the skirts requirement is rooted in gender stereotypes, violating the 14th Amendment. The plaintiffs sued under a federal law commonly known as Section 1983 that allows individuals to take state officials to court for alleged violations of their constitutional or statutory rights. The school defended against the lawsuit by claiming it is not a state actor and therefore cannot be sued under Section 1983. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 ruled that charter schools in North Carolina are state actors because they are publicly funded, their employees are considered public school employees and the state has delegated to them a duty to educate students. The justices left in place a decision by a lower court that found Charter Day School in Leland discriminated against students based on gender and violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by enforcing the stringent rules The 4th Circuit then found Charter Day School's dress code unconstitutional. The skirt requirement telegraphs to children that female students are fragile and warrant different treatment than males - 'stereotypes with potentially devastating consequences for young girls,' the 4th Circuit ruling stated. In its appeal, the school said the 4th Circuit's ruling undermines charter schools by treating 'private operators as the constitutional equivalent of government-run schools, squelching innovation and restricting parental choice.' Asked by the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether or not to hear the case, President Joe Biden's administration filed a brief urging the justices to deny the school's appeal. President Joe Biden said on Monday that neither western nor NATO allies were involved in the short-lived insurrection in Russia by the Wagner Group, warning Russian President Vladimir Putin not to place the blame on them. Biden, in his first public remarks on the attempted coup, said when he spoke with allies over the weekend on a zoom call they all agreed that 'we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse -- we gave Putin no excuse -- to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO.' 'We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within Russian system,' Biden said during remarks in the East Room of the White House. He noted the situation in Russia remains 'to be seen' but noted he asked his national security team to come up with a 'range of scenarios' to respond as needed. Biden, who spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, said he expects to speak with him again in the next day or two. 'The ultimate outcome of all of this remains to be seen, but no matter what comes next I will keep making sure that our allies and our partners are closely aligned in how we are reading and responding to the situation. It's important we stay completely coordinated,' Biden said. President Joe Biden said that neither western nor NATO allies were involved in the short-lived insurrection in Russia by the Wagner Group Russia remains in turmoil after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led a failed armed uprising on Saturday evening. The White House has been careful not to speculate what is happening inside of Russia's halls of power. 'We believe it's up to the Russian people to determine who their leadership is,' National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said of whether or not Putin remains in power. He also noted it's unclear what happens to the Wagner Group and its soldiers. And he declined to speculate on what the uprising means for Ukraine's counter-campaign against Russian forces. 'Ukrainian forces are still fighting for their country,' he said. 'Whatever occurred in Russia this past weekend did not change those facts.' 'What we're going to stayed focused on is making sure that Ukraine can continue to succeed on the battlefield and not speculate about what this might or might not do on the political spectrum inside Russia,' he noted. Putin, who had been out of sight since an address on Saturday, reappeared Monday to say he gave direct instructions to avoid bloodshed 'from the very beginning of the events.' 'Civic solidarity has shown that any blackmail attempts to create internal unrest are doomed to failure,' Putin said, visibly angry as he spoke. Earlier in the day, in his first remarks on his attempted coup against Putin, Prigozhin, who was banished to Belarus, claimed his march on Moscow was a 'master class' on how Russia's assault on Kyiv should have looked. Speaking in an 11-minute audio clip posted on Wagner-affiliated Telegram channels, Prigozhin said he only called off his group's surge for the Russian capital to avoid spilling Russian blood, and said the uprising was intended to register a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine, not to overthrow the government in Moscow. He described his Wagner mercenary fighters as 'perhaps the most experienced and combat effective unit in Russia, possibly in the world', and said his private military company had done 'an enormous amount of work in the interests of Russia'. And he claimed he launched the uprising to 'prevent the destruction of the Wagner group', adding that they had been ordered to hand over their weapons to the Russian military and had also suffered casualties in air strikes at the hands of Russia's air force. The Wagner leader also confirmed that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was instrumental in helping carve out a deal between the Kremlin and Prigozhin that would see the latter escape punishment for organising the uprising. Lukashenko is said to have offered Prigozhin refuge in Minsk in turn for his safety and amnesty for any Wagner troops that participated in seizing the southern city of Rosotv-on-Don and marching for Moscow. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24, 2023 Prigozhin was last seen in public late Saturday, smiling and shaking hands with supporters after he ended his short uprising and turned back his soldiers marching on Moscow. Since then, his location has been unknown. The Kremlin said on Saturday that the deal to end hostilities would include Russia dropping the case against Prigozhin. Several Russian media outlets, however, reported that a criminal investigation against Prigozhin remained open, with some legislators calling for serious punishment after Putin on Saturday declared he would 'punish the traitors who betray Russia'. Though Wagner's armed uprising on Russian soil came as a surprise to most, Prigozhin's hatred for Russia's military command has long been established. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been seen since Saturday Before the uprising, he had condemned Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian army chief General Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the war's longest and bloodiest battle. The Kremlin, meanwhile, claims Putin is busy and working. Russian officials said he spoke with the mir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran, to shore up their support. President Joe Biden abruptly dismissed questions on Monday about whether he ever lied about his involvement in his son's business affairs. He has faced fresh questions in the past week after an IRS whistleblower revealed details of a WhatsApp message sent by Hunter Biden. In it, Biden's son tells a Chinese associate that he was with his father as he demanded that he make good on a deal. But the president has always maintained that he had no knowledge of his son's overseas business affairs, and he was asked whether he had lied about that. 'No,' he told a reporter as he left a White House event on high-speed internet infrastructure. President Joe Biden abruptly dismissed questions on Monday about whether he ever lied about his involvement in his son's business affairs as he left a White House event Last week, a lawyer for the president's son suggested that his well-documented addiction meant any words of messages spoken or sent during that period had no connection to anyone in his family. At the same time, a statement from the White House counsel's office triggered speculation that officials were watering down their position from one in which the president did not discuss Hunter's business dealings. 'As we have said many times before, the president was not in business with his son,' said Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson. Hunter Biden's business affairs are back in the limelight after two twists last week. First it emerged that the 53-year-old will likely avoid prison after he reached a plea deal ending a five-year federal investigation into his tax affairs and gun ownership. Republicans then responded by releasing transcripts from two IRS whistleblowers who complained that the Justice Department undermined investigators' attempts to bring tougher penalties, even though their claims contradict the Trump-appointed prosecutor who brought the case. Either way, Republicans are intent on making administration officials pay. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says they will begin an impeachment inquiry into Attorney General Merrick Garland by July 6. Whistleblower Gary Shapley pointed to a WhatsApp message sent on July 30, 2017, by Hunter to Chinese Communist Party official Henry Zhao, threatening him to follow his 'orders' and saying his dad was with him. Shapley alleges he raised concerns about the WhatsApp message to DOJ prosecutors, who rebuffed his concerns. McCarthy said on Fox & Friends Monday that U.S. Attorney David Weiss - who led the investigation into Hunter and charged the president's son last week for violating federal tax and gun laws after a 5-year probe - must appear before the House Judiciary Committee. In addition, the speaker said that an impeachment inquiry into Garland will begin by July 6 if the IRS whistleblower claims check out. We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee. If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into https://t.co/Q3LLeJhW85 Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 25, 2023 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' 'By July 6, because of the allegations by the IRS, because of the whistleblower, and the DOJ - Garland - what he is saying and what David Weiss is saying privately are two different things,' the speaker said. 'And if it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, we're going to start impeachment inquiries on the attorney general,' McCarthy pledged Monday on Fox & Friends. He said 'what's interesting is the IRS whistleblower that has no political background, took copious notes, can tell you the date, can tell you the people in the meeting.' McCarthy said the discrepancies between what U.S. Attorney Weiss has said versus what Attorney General Merrick Garland has said is the key issue at hand. According to the whistleblower, 'U.S. Attorney Weiss stated that he subsequently asked for special counsel authority from Main DOJ at that time and was denied that authority.' However, Garland publicly defended himself Friday, saying that Weiss 'was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own.' 'I don't know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution,' Garland told reporters. 'Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department by claiming that we do not treat cases alike. This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy,' Garland continued. The speaker had alluded that the House might move forward on impeachment articles in a tweet over the weekend. 'We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee,' McCarthy said Sunday. 'If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garland's weaponization of DOJ,' he continued. Sen. Ted Cruz on his 'Verdict' podcast said last week that the Hunter WhatsApp text proves Biden's business ties to China. McCarthy says he's 'glad' that Cruz has caught up to the work that the House has been doing to uncover the Biden family's ties to foreign payments. 'Every single day we're bringing people in,' said McCarthy on the work of his Republicans. 'This is why you have the bank statements now. This is why you know about the 1023 This is why you know about WhatsApp. We're continuing to do our information much different than anybody else,' said McCarthy, referring to the internal FBI FD-1023 form uncovered by the House Oversight Committee that allegedly says Joe and Hunter Biden each got $5 million from a Ukrainian foreign national in exchange for policy decisions. 'Now we've found the president has lied to us because he said they've never dealt with anything in China,' the speaker added. 'Now, the [IRS] whistleblower says that he was in a meeting with the Chinese company as the vice president.' According to the whistleblower, in WhatsApp, Hunter sent a menacing message to a Chinese Communist Party official, and hinted that his father would see to it that he would be punished if he did not comply with the unspecified demand. Hunter Biden is seen with his father, President Joe Biden Mark Lytle, an attorney for IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, told Fox News on Friday that attempts to try and confirm where Hunter and Joe Biden were when Hunter claimed in July 2017 that his father was sitting beside him were rebuffed by prosecutors 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' 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. Hunter's lawyers have insisted the WhatsApp was the ramblings of a troubled man in the midst of a drug addiction: the White House has repeated its insistence that Joe Biden had no knowledge of his son's business affairs. On Friday, a lawyer for Shapley claimed that his attempts to get to the bottom of the WhatsApp story had been rebuffed by prosecutors. 'The agents wanted to follow up on this and the prosecutors told them not to because, oh, well, maybe Hunter Biden was puffing or something like that,' said Mark Lytle, Shapley's attorney. On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee released testimony from two IRS whistleblowers - including Shapley - who said the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered with the investigation of the tax evasion case against Hunter Biden. Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri who chairs the committee, claimed that testimony 'outlines misconduct and government abuse at the IRS and FBI in the investigation of Hunter Biden. '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 Biden's alleged tax crimes.' The committee said on Thursday: 'The allegations point to a steady campaign of: unequal treatment of enforcing tax law; Department of Justice interference in the form of delays, divulgences, and denials, into the investigation of tax crimes that may have been committed by the President's son; and finally, retaliation against IRS employees who blew the whistle on the misconduct.' Stephen Lawrence murder suspect Matthew White arranged to meet a police officer to discuss the racist killing - but the officer didnt turn up, a relative today claimed. Scotland Yard has taken the unusual step of naming White as the sixth suspect in the case that shocked Britain after the BBC revealed a series of alleged police failings in handling information linked to him. Now a relative has told MailOnline that Whites stepfather Jack Severs was said to have arranged for his stepson to meet the officer, who he knew, to tell him what happened the night Stephen was stabbed to death waiting for a bus in Eltham, south-east London in 1993. When the officer failed to arrive, Mr Severs arranged a second meeting, but this time White didnt meet the officer and the hugely significant potential lead was never followed up, it is claimed. Mr Severs' wife Carol said: Jack told me that Matthew had spoken to him about what happened that night. Stephen Lawrence murder suspect Matthew White (pictured) arranged to meet a police officer to discuss the racist killing - but the officer didnt turn up, a relative today claimed White (pictured) was today named as the sixth suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder. He died of a drug overdose aged 50 in 2021 Police failed to trace his stepfather who stated that White had admitted being there when Stephen's (pictured) murder took place in 1993 He said he had arranged for a policeman that he knew to come to the house to speak to Matthew because Matthew was too scared to go to the police station. But the policeman never turned up. So Jack arranged him to come another time. But that time Matthew didnt turn up. No further meetings were ever arranged as far as I know.' It wasn't until two decades later in 2013 that Mr Severs was spoken to by Scotland Yard for the first time, telling Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll sarcastically: 'You're rushing this job.' Mrs Severs, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, described White as thick, vulnerable and easily led but declined to talk any further about the case. What does it matter now? Jacks dead, Matthews dead and that Lawrence boy is dead. What good does it do raking over all of this? she added. White, who died two years ago of a drug overdose aged 50, was treated as a witness by Scotland Yard during Stephen's murder investigation - but a BBC report claimed that a relative contacted police and stated White had been there when the murder took place in Eltham. Mr Severs, who died in 2020, was only spoken to for the first time in 2013 and was shocked that it had taken two decades to be visited by Scotland Yard, telling Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll sarcastically: 'You're rushing this job.' Mr Severs said that in the days after Stephen's murder he saw White in the street in Eltham and his stepson admitted being there when the teen was killed. White acted like it was an 'everyday occurrence' and insisted Stephen 'had deserved it', he said. White also matched the description of a 'fair-haired attacker' who 'stood out' and may have struck the first blow on Stephen. All the other five suspects had dark hair. He was spotted twice in streets near the murder scene on the night in question. Images of Matthew White from surveillance footage taken in Eltham days after the murder of Stephen Lawrence A photo of the bus stop taken this year at the scene of Stephen Lawrence's murder The original investigation was hampered by racism and claims of corruption, with one of the suspects being the son of convicted drug smuggler Clifford Norris. Metropolitan Police detectives had five names passed to them within days of Stephen's murder, but only two of five or six attackers have ever been brought to justice - Gary Dobson and David Norris, who were jailed for life in 2012. Only two of the five suspects have been brought to justice - but after the 2012 murder trial of Dobson and Norris, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: 'On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large.' Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks was clear that he saw a group of six white youths cross the road and 'engulf' Stephen, who was hit pn the head with a bat and stabbed, leaving a ten-inch knife wound in his neck. White was arrested twice on suspicion of murder in March 2000 and in December 2013. The Met claim that on both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence. The Metropolitan Police today apologised again for its handling of the case. They admitted they had made 'many mistakes in the initial investigation', including not tracking down Jack Severs. 'This was a significant and regrettable error,' the force said. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: 'The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. 'Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. 'On the 30th anniversary of Stephen's murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.' Two original suspects, Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris (right), were convicted of murdering Stephen in 2012 and jailed for life after new evidence came to light Jamie Acourt (left) and his brother Neil were also suspects but were never convicted. They were later jailed for drugs offences Another Lawrence murder suspect, Luke Knight, remains living in south London. He denies involvement in Stephen's killing Dobson and Norris were finally convicted in 2012 of murdering Stephen, 18, at a bus stop in south-east London in April 1993. Dobson was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months, while Norris received a minimum of 14 years and three months and will be eligible for parole next year. Two of the other gang members, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have served time in prison for drug dealing in the intervening years but the final suspect, Luke Knight, has not been convicted of any offence. All five men were named by The Daily Mail as Stephen's killers. Matthew White was never named in relation to the case until 2012, during the trial of Dobson and Norris. He was described as a crucial witness who had seen them in the aftermath of the attack. It was later claimed that he had seen Dobson after he stripped his clothes off and had a shower. It was also claimed that he had seen the suspects washing a blood-stained knife. But police never called him as a witness at the Old Bailey and he gave only a short statement. He alleged that the murder may have been an initiation by someone who wanted to join the Acourts' gang, which terrorised the area. Jurors have been told that the prosecution's case against murder-accused neonatal nurse Lucy Letby is 'fuelled and riddled by the presumption of guilt'. The 33-year-old has been accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. On Monday, Letby's defence barrister Ben Myers KC addressed the jury of eight women and four men and said: 'What is really at work is best described as the presumption of guilt. That is what is being used. 'The prosecution case is fuelled by it and riddled by it. 'No matter what Lucy Letby says, or doesn't say, it is slotted into an ever-flexible, ever-changing theory of guilt. Letby's (pictured) barrister told jurors the nurse was an 'excellent' band five nurse 'Everything is treated as evidence of guilt. 'I am going to ask you to do something different. I am going to ask you to approach the evidence with something else at the forefront of your mind - that's something called the presumption of innocence. 'Being fair and working on the basis that someone is innocent until proven guilty is how our law works.' Mr Myers said it is 'hard to imagine' allegations that are 'more upsetting and distressing' but urged jurors to 'guard against' sympathy and a 'natural desire to point blame and to seek retribution'. He said the prosecution has characterised Letby as 'manipulative and calculated' in a way that 'serves their case'. He told the jury: 'She was a 25-year-old Band Five nurse, an excellent one. 'But without being rude or complimentary, that's what she was. Looking after dozens or hundreds of babies - not just the 17 we have spent these nine months looking at.' Referring to her cross-examination in evidence, Mr Myers said: 'She is not a genius with an infallible and excellent memory. 'She is somebody who was ready to stand up for herself at some points and someone who could remember pieces of evidence from the years she has been waiting for this trial. It's not like there is loads else to do in prison. 'This is someone who was scared and anxious, and struggling to hold it together. 'The prosecution portrayal is back to front. They have to make her into someone she is not. 'They have done that to compensate for the fact they don't have the evidence they need.' Letby's barrister pointed out to the jury that despite the nurse being under suspicion by an increasing number of doctors over nearly 12 months, there is no evidence of her doing any of the alleged harmful acts. Mr Myers also said WhatsApp messages sent by the nurse during the period were 'normal'. She was a 'young professional woman with a life' and the conversations related to 'social activity and banter'. 'Only when you started with a presumption of guilt could they be interpreted differently,' he continued. Referring to Letby's claim under cross-examination that she didn't know the meaning of the expression 'go commando', he said: 'She may not know what it means'. Mr Myers claimed that the prosecutor had 'humiliated' her about something 'completely unrelated to what we were talking about', in front of the public, 'in front of her mum and dad' who were in court at the time. He referred to that a part of the cross-examination that mentioned Letby's 'boyfriend' - a registrar who worked with her on the unit - as 'belittling' and 'over-bearing'. Mr Myers said that rather than underpinning the medical evidence put forward by the prosecution, its main expert witness, the paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans, actually undermined it. He claimed he was not a specialist neonatologist and had not practiced in paediatrics for 13 years, calling him 'an expert at being an expert'. Mr Myers went on to claim that Dr Evans had 'touted' his services to Cheshire Police and from an early stage became 'a full member of the prosecution team, saying that he 'is not neutral. He is not independent in any way'. 'He is more interested in coming up with theories that support the prosecution case rather than evidence that fits the facts'. It was claimed by Mr Myers that Dr Sandie Bohin, another paediatrician, had been brought in to peer review her colleague, but in reality she had repeatedly gone as far as she could to support him, but with 'rather more subtlety'. He said that she was 'every bit as much a part of the prosecution team as him'. Letby sat impassively in the glass-panelled dock as Mr Myers detailed what he claimed were examples of his client being condemned as guilty regardless of what was happening or sometimes not happening on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital. 'So, she's present when something happens? Guilty. Not present when something happens? Guilty. 'Just left the unit? Guilty. Just turned up for work? Guilty. A baby in her care doesn't show signs of deterioration? Guilty. A baby in her care does show signs of deterioration? Guilty. 'She cries when giving evidence? Guilty. She doesn't cry when giving evidence, or doesn't cry 'at the right times'? Guilty'. Mr Myers said the case was littered with allegations that Letby had force-fed babies, injected air down their tubes, and performed assaults with unidentified objects, and yet at no point had she been seen doing 'even one of the harmful acts alleged against her'. He paused momentarily, then raised his voice to say: 'Not guilty'. Mr Myers said there are two possibilities to explain what happened on the neonatal unit between 2015 and 2016. Either the deaths and collapses happened as a result of a baby's condition, maybe in combination with the state of the unit at the time, or staffing pressures or failings in care, he said. He added: 'Then there is the possibility that a young woman - a well-trained and apparently dedicated neonatal nurse - decided to kill children or try to kill them for reasons that are beyond comprehension and unidentified - and makes no sense on the basis of what we see and did so, it seems, out of the blue. Mr Myers also told the jury that the period of the indictment coincided with the same time that the hospital took on 'too many babies with too many high care requirements'. Court artist sketch of Letby (middle) who has been accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016 He carried on by claiming that a 'gang of four' senior consultants, Dr Stephen Brearey, Dr Ravi Jayaram, Dr John Gibbs and a doctor who cannot legally be identified, had not given evidence 'without motives of their own'. Letby has said the four consultants pinned blame on her to cover up failings on the unit. Mr Myers said: 'One by one these senior consultants have lined up in their evidence to do their bit to do down Miss Letby. Some blatantly, some understated, but all designed in fact to assist this prosecution. 'The blame for absolutely everything has been heaped on her.' He said the unit was 'unusually busy' between 2015 and 2016, caring for babies with 'more complex needs' but with no change in staffing levels. Letby, from Hereford, denies all the allegations and the trial continues. A farmer who once led national protests against soaring fuel prices over 20 years ago has been found dead after a court case. Richard Haddock, 66, of Churston, Devon, was found in the Churston Ferrers area at around midday on Sunday, after appearing at Exeter Crown Court in a case prosecuted by the Environment Agency last Friday. He pleaded guilty to six offences; four of failing to comply with or contravening a permit and two of operating a regulated facility at Churston Court Farm otherwise than in accordance with a permit in a case involving the illegal disposal of waste. The National Farmers' Union paid tribute to Richard Haddock of Churston, Devon, after his body was found at the weekend. Police previously released a statement saying a man in his 60s was found dead in Torbay over the weekend. Mr Haddock (pictured) was a prominent figure of a national fuel protest in 2000 Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the area following reports of concerns for the welfare of the man in the area. Ambulance crews were also sent to the scene where they found a deceased male. His next of kin have been informed. A spokesperson added: 'This death is not being treated as suspicious and file is being prepared for the coroner.' The ex-activist owned a farm shop in Churston and also farmed land there and in Brixham. Mr Haddock was also a leader of a national fuel protest in 2000 which came to prominence after blockading forecourts over soaring fuel prices. On Monday an NFU spokesman said: 'We are extremely sorry to hear about the death of former Devon NFU chair Richard Haddock.' Mr Haddock was a well-known figure in Torbay having previously been elected and served on Brixham Town Council and Torbay Council. He was chairman of the town council until May of this year and served on Torbay Council as a Conservative and senior councillor until 2019. Mr Haddock was a former National Farmers' Union Devon chairman. He was popular with members and known for his forthright views. He farmed land in the Brixham area and established Churston Farm Shop. Mr Haddock was also a former National Farmers' Union Devon chairman. He was popular with members and known for his forthright views The shop was reportedly closed on Monday. NFU President Minette Batters said 'Richard was well known to many of us in the South West and throughout the industry for his campaigning work on behalf of farmers and growers. 'He served in a number of high profile NFU positions including county chair in 1999, and South West regional board chair in 2006/7. 'He was also chair of the regional livestock board and NFU national livestock board chair in the early 2000s. 'On behalf of the NFU and its members, I offer our condolences to Richard's wife Caroline and all his family and friends at this very sad time.' Nicola Bulley's partner said 'she's struggling' as he was told in a phone call that her phone and dog Willow were discovered by a bench, an inquest heard. Paul Ansell said the words after Willow was found alone at the scene in Lancashire, on January 27. Retired care worker Susan Jones told the court that around 10am that morning she received a call from Penny Fletcher - who had discovered Willow and the phone. She then ran into Ms Fletcher's daughter-in-law, a woman referenced only as Anne-Marie - who recognised Nicola Bulley from a photograph on the phone lock screen. Anne-Marie then rang the local school as well as speaking to Mr Ansell - who had said 'she's struggling'. Ms Bulley was alive when she fell in the River Wyre - but the icy water in January this year could have killed her in just 25 seconds, the inquest into her death also heard today. The mother-of-two had not been drinking and died by drowning with no sign of foul play or an attack by a third party, Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, was told. Ms Bulley's partner Paul Ansell and her family attended the hearing on Monday morning. Mr Ansell appeared to be wiping away tears as he heard the evidence about the cause of her death. Mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, 45, vanished while walking her dog in Lancashire on January 27 Paul Ansell, Ms Bulley's partner of 12 years, wiped away tears as he heard evidence about her death today A police diving team at the River Wyre near St Michael's-on-Wyre in Lancashire on February 19 Ms Bulley's friends Heather Gibbons and Hannah Swale arrive for the inquest today. They helped lead the search Professor Michael Tipton, a world-leading expert on the effects of falling into cold water, gave evidence about how a typical response to plunging into a river where the temperature was 10C or below was to 'gasp' and inhale one or two litres of water. Commenting on Ms Bulley's build and the heavy outdoor clothing she was wearing on the day she went missing, he said: 'It would only take one or two breaths to cross the lethal dose for drowning.' Someone in that situation would have around 25 seconds before they lost consciousness, he said, experiencing 'very rapid incapacitation'. Police diver Matthew Thackray said photographs shown to the hearing of the riverbank above which Ms Bulley was last seen showed there was a steep 'cliff edge' into the water where she fell. The 45-year-old mother vanished while walking her dog next to the Wyre after the morning school run on January 27. It became the most high profile missing person case of recent years. Lancashire Police faced a furious backlash over its handling of the case and for revealing Ms Bulley suffered from 'significant issues with alcohol' in the past as well as battling the menopause. Extra security brought in for Nicola Bulley inquest to prevent it being disrupted Extra security is in place for the inquest into Nicola Bulley's death due to the social media interest in the case, the coroner said. Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, said 'additional security provisions' have been put in place by police and the county council. He added: 'This is to ensure the safety of everyone attending the inquest.' The coroner also warned attendees not to disrupt proceedings, following 'unusual online commentary' about Ms Bulley's death. At the outset of the hearing, Dr Adeley warned that extra security had been imposed as a result of 'substantial social media interest' and 'unusual online commentary' around Ms Bulley's disappearance. Addressing the hearing at County Hall in Preston, he said: 'If anybody has the slightest idea of contemplating disrupting this inquest, or matters in the precinct of this court, they should be aware this may amount to contempt of court.' He said anyone who attempted to do so would be given a 'short period' to arrange legal representation before facing penalties which could include a fine or imprisonment. Advertisement Giving evidence at County Hall in Preston today, Dr Alison Armour said that there was 'no evidence' Ms Bulley was harmed before she fell in the Wyre. She died as a result of drowning and was alive when she fell into the water, the Home Office pathologist then said. Ms Bulley had not been assaulted or injured before she died, Dr Armour added. Dr Adeley asked her: 'At the time of her death she had no alcohol in her bloodstream?' Dr Armour replied: 'That's my opinion.' Dr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire, told Mr Ansell and his family: 'I'm sorry that you are attending this court under these circumstances.' He was told to refer to Ms Bulley as Nikki during the hearing, which had extra security as a result of 'substantial social media interest' and 'unusual online commentary' around Ms Bulley's disappearance. While friends of Ms Bulley arrived through the same entrance to the building as media, members of her family avoided waiting photographers by using a different way in. Police patrolled around the building as the hearing went on, some of them on horseback. A walker has described the moment she discovered Nicola Bulley's phone and dog Willow next to the River Wyre. Penny Fletcher, who runs a nearby campsite, St Michael's-on-Wyre told the inquest: 'I saw a springer spaniel loose, it was near the bench and going right towards the river where it drops down very steeply. 'I wouldn't say it was acting chaotic at all, it was a bit giddy, yes.' Ms Fletcher found the phone, as well as a dog harness, and tied Willow to the bench. She later found out it was Ms Bulley's dog and heard that she had gone missing. She called her daughter-in-law who recognised the description of the dog as Ms Bulley's and exclaimed: 'Oh no, it's Nikki's dog and Nikki has gone missing'. People who saw or had text contact with her in the hour before said Nikki had seemed herself. Ms Bulley had agreed to a playdate for one of her children and a night out with friends that Saturday. A mother who bumped into Nicola Bulley on the morning of her disappearance said there was 'nothing of concern'. Kay Kiernan, a receptionist, told the inquest she spoke to Ms Bulley about her dog Willow while dropping off her children at school at just after 8.30am. She said: 'She was not happy, but who is on a Friday-morning school run? She wasn't sad, just how I normally knew her.' Ms Kiernan went on: 'There was nothing of concern.' A dog walker who saw Ms Bulley as she was walking Willow on the morning of her disappearance spotted a man dressed all in black at the end of a nearby lane. Heating engineer Richard Fife said the 'stocky', round-faced man appeared to be waiting for a lift beside the main road through the village. But he thought it was 'odd' that he was still there when he returned from exercising his Labrador, he said in a statement read to the hearing. By the time he drove that way in his van, the man had gone. After Ms Bulley was reported missing he contacted police about his sighting of the man, who he hadn't seen before. A PSCO walks towards an appeal poster for Ms Bulley in St Michael's-on-Wyre in February Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson (left) and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith (right) of Lancashire Police update the media in St Michael's-on-Wyre on February 15 Mothers who spoke to Ms Bulley as they dropped their children off at the village primary school that morning told the hearing she had seemed 'normal'. The disappearance of Nicola Bulley led to intense public interest, a conspiratorial social media frenzy, criticism of police and media and questions in Parliament. Her body was found in the River Wyre on February 19 around a mile from where the mother-of-two, aged 45, vanished, while walking her dog in St Michael's on the Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27. Here is a timeline of events after her disappearance: - January 27 8.26am - Ms Bulley left her home with her two daughters, aged six and nine, dropping them off at school and engaging in a brief conversation with another parent around 15 minutes later. 8.43am - She then took her spaniel, Willow, for a walk along the path by the River Wyre. 8.50am - A dog walker who knew her saw her, and their pets interacted briefly before they parted ways. 8.53am - Ms Bulley sent an email to her boss, followed by a message to her friends six minutes later. 9.01am - She logs on to a work Microsoft Teams call. 9.10am - Last known sighting of Ms Bulley by a second witness. 9.20am - Her phone was back in the area of the bench before the Teams call ended ten minutes later, with her mobile remaining logged on after the call. 9.33am - Another dog walker found her phone on a bench beside the river, with her dog darting between the two. 10.50am - Ms Bulley's family and the school attended by her children were told about her disappearance. Police are called and she is deemed a 'high-risk' missing person. - January 28 Lancashire Constabulary deployed drones, helicopters and police search dogs as part of the major missing person operation. - January 29 Around 100 locals meet in the village hall to organise a search party. Police urge caution, describing the river and its banks as 'extremely dangerous'. - January 30 Police hold first press conference. Superintendent Sally Riley, from Lancashire Constabulary, said officers were 'keeping a really open mind about what could have happened', and that they were not treating Ms Bulley's disappearance as suspicious. - January 31 Ms Bulley's family release a statement saying they had been 'overwhelmed by the support' in their community, and that her daughters were 'desperate to have their mummy back home safe'. - February 1 Ms Bulley's parents, Ernest and Dot Bulley, tell the Daily Mirror of the 'horror' they face over the possibility of never seeing her again. - February 2 Officers from the North West Police Underwater and Marine support unit search the area close to where Ms Bulley's mobile phone was found. - February 3 Lancashire Police said it was working on the hypothesis that Ms Bulley may have fallen into the River Wyre. Supt Riley urged against speculation, but said it was 'possible' that an 'issue' with Ms Bulley's dog may have led her to the water's edge. - February 4 Ms Bulley's friend, Emma White, cast doubt on the police theory that she fell into a river, telling Sky News it was based on 'limited information'. In a Facebook post, Ms Bulley's sister Louise Cunningham urged people to 'keep an open mind' as there is 'no evidence whatsoever' her sister fell in the river. - February 5 Peter Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), began three days of searching the river after being called in by Ms Bulley's family - but nothing is found. - February 6 Ms Bulley's partner Paul Ansell, in a statement released through Lancashire Police, said: 'It's been ten days now since Nicola went missing and I have two little girls who miss their mummy desperately and who need her back.' - February 10 Police urged people to refrain from indulging in commentary and conspiracy theories about Ms Bulley's disappearance as speculation increases online. - February 15 Police hold a press conference at force HQ and reveal Ms Bulley was classed as a 'high-risk' missing person immediately after she was reported missing due to 'vulnerabilities'. They later 'clarify' the vulnerabilities and disclose Ms Bulley's struggles with alcohol and perimenopause. - February 16 In a statement released through Lancashire Police, Ms Bulley's family said the focus had become 'distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her private life' and called for it to end. Home Secretary Suella Braverman demanded an 'explanation' over the disclosure of Ms Bulley's private information by the force, following growing criticism of the move. - February 17 Lancashire Police announced it was conducting an internal review into the handling of Ms Bulley's disappearance and the Information Commissioner said he would ask the force questions about the disclosure. - February 18 Ms Braverman met with police leaders to discuss the handling of the investigation after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also expressed 'concerns' about the revelations into Ms Bulley's private life. - February 19 At 2.32pm, Lancashire Police reveals a body has been found in the river after it was called earlier that day at 11.36am to an area of the River Wyre, about a mile from where Ms Bulley first disappeared. - February 20 The force confirmed the body had been identified as Ms Bulley. In a statement, Ms Bulley's family said she was 'the centre of our world'. - June 26 Inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley begins at County Hall, Preston. Advertisement Kay Kiernan, a receptionist, said her 'mannerisms' were 'the same' as normal. She said they spoke for two-three minutes during which Ms Bulley commented about how she couldn't believe that at the age of seven her dog Willow was classed as 'old'. Another, Claire Chesham, also went to walk her dog along the footpath following school drop-off and saw Ms Bulley exercising Willow between the two riverside fields. She described it as an 'absolutely idyllic' scene and recalled thinking she wished her dog was as obedient as Willow. Asked if Ms Bulley had a ball with her, she said she hadn't seen one. Lucy Musella, a waitress, said she had been messaging Ms Bulley about her daughter going on a play date with her on January 28, the next day. She said at 8.13am on the day of her disappearance she messaged Ms Bulley to say that 'my daughter would love to come and play'. At 8.59am, Ms Bulley messaged back with a time for the playdate and a smiley face emoji. Dr Alison Armour said watery fluid and fragments of dirt found inside Ms Bulley's body were 'typical features we see in cases of drowning'. The coroner then asked if there was 'any indication' that Ms Bulley suffered 'assault or harm' on the day she vanished. 'No there was not,' Dr Armour replied. She confirmed there was no evidence of 'third party involvement' from her examination. Home Office pathologist Dr Armour, who carried out the post mortem after Ms Bulley's body was found on February 19, concluded the cause of her death was drowning. She said she based this opinion on the presence of 'watery fluid' in her stomach and lungs as well as fragments of dirt found in her throat. 'In my opinion I consider Nicola Bulley was alive when she entered the water as it is an active process to swallow water and inhale fluid into the lungs,' she told the hearing. Traces of alcohol found in her blood following toxicology reports were consistent with bacterial activity after her death, she said, while medication including paracetamol was within 'therapeutic levels'. Neither bruises found on her arms and legs nor any underlying disease had contributed to her death, she said. Dr Armour said there was no evidence of 'trauma' to Ms Bulley's neck. Police diver Matthew Thackray said specialist divers searching the water for Ms Bulley had to be helped out of the river by colleagues. The coroner asked: 'If you were in the water trying to get a foothold, would it be possible?' 'Not at all,' he answered. He said water temperature on the day was 4C which would have felt 'almost freezing'. A key area of speculation during the search for Ms Bulley was whether it would have been possible for a casualty or a body to be pushed over a nearby weir by the current. Beneath the weir, the Wyre becomes tidal as it flows towards the treacherous sands of Morecambe Bay. In a video, Pc Thackray could be seen floating easily over the weir, despite the lower water level compared to when Ms Bulley went missing. He clarified the water temperature on January 27 as being 3.6C with the water flowing at around twice the speed as when he filmed the clip for the coroner. Nicola Bulley may have only been able to hold her breath for 'one or two seconds at best' in the river, an inquest into her death heard. Cold water expert Dr Patrick Morgan said: '(After falling in) the heart rate goes excessively high, the blood pressure surges excessively high. 'The heart pumps no blood, and the brain switches off. The potential conscious time here quoted are optimistic... it is potentially shorter. 'On the occasion that the individual has taken that initial gasp on the surface of the water and then gone below, the duration would be 10 seconds that you could hold your breath, and very likely one or two seconds at best.' Ms Bulley's body may have sunk under the surface of the river after she fell in, an underwater search expert has said. Dr Lorna Dennison Wilkins told the inquest in Preston: 'Nikki might have had some buoyancy in her clothing which would have dispelled. 'Once that happened, she would have lost that buoyancy and her body would have sunk under the surface, was my assessment.' The 45-year-old mortgage adviser's body was found in the River Wyre in Lancashire on February 19 - around a mile from where she vanished on January 27. Ms Bulley's phone was found on a bench overlooking the water in the village of St Michael's-on-Wyre, while still connected to a work Teams call. Large rocks in the river immediately beneath the bank where Ms Bulley was last seen had probably been placed there deliberately in the past to combat erosion, Pc Thackray said. The hearing was shown a video filmed by Pc Thackray in April as he floated downriver from the point Ms Bulley was last seen. He said it was not possible to stand up in the river until around 40m downstream and its level was around half-a-metre lower than on the day Ms Bulley went missing. Speaking on the video about the water temperature, he said: 'If you fell in accidentally, cold water shock would probably have taken effect and caused you to gasp and your muscles to seize so you can't swim properly.' Police divers were seen back in the river in April in an operation which Dr Adeley's office later said was intended to assess the stability and topography of the bank. Paul Ansell, her partner of 12 years, gave TV interviews appealing for help - saying their daughters wanted their mummy home. As the days passed and speculation continued online, Lancashire Police revealed Ms Bulley had struggled with alcohol and perimenopause. This prompted widespread criticism for disclosing her personal information, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak questioned about the police approach and the force facing investigation. An independent review of Lancashire Police's handling of the case is currently under way by the College of Policing, ordered by Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden. Part of the review will include inquiries made by the Information Commissioner's Office over the force's disclosure of Ms Bulley's personal information. The Independent Office for Police Conduct also looked at a welfare check on Ms Bulley carried out by police 17 days before she went missing. Media watchdog Ofcom is also in contact with both ITV and Sky after criticism of the broadcasters by Ms Bulley's family. The inquest, expected to last two days, continues. Friends of Ms Bulley hold missing person appeal posters in St Michael's-on-Wyre in February Two Russian fighter jets have been scrambled after British warplanes approached them over the Black Sea, Russia's defence ministry has claimed. A pair of Su-27 fighter jets are said to have intercepted three British military planes when they were approaching the Russian border. 'As the Russian fighter jets approached, the foreign warplanes turned around and distanced themselves from the Russian border,' the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said the planes involved were two British Typhoon jets accompanied by an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft. 'The Russian planes safely returned to their airfield. There was no violation of the Russian border,' said the ministry. In a short clip released by the ministry, an RC-135 with the words 'Royal Air Force' written on the side can be seen. Pictured is a British an RC-135 in areleased by Russia 's defence ministry The ministry said the planes involved were two British Typhoon jets accompanied by an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'An RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft and its two Typhoon escorts carried out a routine operation in international airspace over the Black Sea on Monday 26 June 2023. 'Russian aircraft were observed in the area. The RAF and Russian aircraft and their crews operated in a safe and professional manner throughout. 'At all times, the patrol flew in international airspace and at no time did it enter Russian airspace.' It comes as the boss of Russia's Wagner mercenary group re-emerged earlier today, two days after leading an aborted mutiny. As tensions rise, Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had never intended to overthrow the government and giving few clues about his own fate or the deal under which he stood down, adding his fighters had halted their campaign in order to avert bloodshed. 'We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country. 'Our march showed many things we discussed earlier: the serious problems with security in the country,' he said in an audio clip. He said his goal had been to prevent his Wagner militia's destruction, and to force accountability on commanders who had botched Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. He claimed his fighters had not engaged in combat on the ground in Russia, and regretted having to shoot down Russian aircraft that had fired on them. 'We halted at the moment when the first assault unit deployed its artillery (near Moscow), conducted reconnaissance and realised that a lot of blood would be spilled.' Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Servicemen from private military company (PMC) Wagner Group ride a tank reading 'Siberia' on a street in downtown Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, 24 June 2023 Prigozhin shocked the world by leading Saturday's armed revolt, only to abruptly call it off as his fighters approached the capital having shot down several aircraft but meeting no resistance on the ground during a dash of nearly 800 km (500 miles). Russia's three main news agencies reported on Monday that a criminal case against Prigozhin had not been closed, an apparent reversal of an offer of immunity publicised as part of the deal that persuaded him to stand down. US President Joe Biden said today that neither western nor NATO allies were involved in the short-lived insurrection in Russia by the Wagner Group, and warned Putin not to place the blame on them. Biden, in his first public remarks on the attempted coup, said when he spoke with allies over the weekend on a zoom call they all agreed that 'we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse -- we gave Putin no excuse -- to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO.' 'We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within Russian system,' Biden said during remarks in the East Room of the White House. There was no word about the revolt from Putin himself since Saturday, when he said the rebellion put Russia's very existence under threat and vowed to punish those behind it. Incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea in recent months, as Moscow pursues its offensive in Ukraine. In May, Moscow said it had intercepted four American strategic bombers above the Baltic Sea in two separate incidents in the space of one week. Russia also scrambled warplanes to intercept French, German, and Polish aircraft. In April, an American Reaper MQ-9 military drone crashed in the Black Sea after a confrontation Washington blamed on two Russian fighter jets. A California man who filmed two tourists etching their names into the wall of the Colosseum has branded them 'jerks' and said he 'wanted to do something about it'. Geographer Ryan Lutz, 38, filmed the tourist as he carved the names into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old landmark using a set of keys. The man can be seen scratching 'Ivan + Hayley 23' into one of the bricks before grinning at the camera. Lutz exclusively told MailOnline: 'I couldn't believe it when I saw what this jerk was doing to the brickwork. 'I'm fascinated by history and culture and here was this dumba** defacing it which is a crime and I wanted to do something about it. Geographer Ryan Lutz, 38, filmed the tourist as he carved the names into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old building using a set of keys A bystander filmed the tourist as he carved the names into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old building using a set of keys. According to the English-speaking man who recorded the footage, the incident happened last Friday on June 23 'That's why I took the video and I showed it to the security guard at the site and I pointed the couple out to them. 'He said there was nothing he could do as he hadn't actually seen them defacing the wall but he said I should speak with his boss. So I did and he told me the police had been called. 'That was the last I heard and then I left the Colosseum and carried on with my day. I posted the video in the hope that someone would recognise and identify them and then they will be punished. 'I think both of them, whoever they are, are idiots and I have a horrible gut feeling these two jerks are American because it's the sort of thing we have a reputation for doing. 'But I respect culture and history and I'm grateful to be a visitor to a place like Rome and be hosted by such wonderful people and then two idiots do something like this. 'They clearly have no shame and when he looked at me in that bizarre way and he just smiled you can hear what I thought of him. 'I don't understand what would possess someone to do something like that and I really hope that are caught and punished.' The couple spoke English, and were likely trying to mirror the date of their visit on June 23 last Friday. Lutz's video was shared on Reddit with the caption: 'A******e tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome' Lutz exclusively told MailOnline: 'I couldn't believe it when I saw what this jerk was doing to the brickwork' It appears he carved 'Ivan + Hayley 23' into the Colosseum walls The man carving the walls, who was wearing shorts and a blue T-shirt, grinned into the camera when he realised he was being filmed. Lutz's video was shared on Reddit with the caption: 'A******e tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome'. In the video, Lutz can be heard saying to the other man: 'Are you serious man? That is f***ed up man. Stupid a******e.' Other users were quick to comment, sharing their outrage and speculating that the man was called 'Ivan' and 'Hayley' was his girlfriend. They also called on the poster to send the video to police, so the vandal could be arrested. READ MORE: Vandals target the Colosseum: Exclusion zone could be set up after words are daubed on one of its pillars Advertisement If caught he could face a massive fine which in the past has been up to 17,000. He could even face up to a year of jail time. In a statement, Italy's Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano said: 'I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, a historical heritage such as the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee. 'I hope that whoever made this gesture at the Flavian Amphitheatre will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.' Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, told MailOnline: 'The Carabinieri police are now tracking down this man and we will see if we can get him. 'When you get uneducated people at the Colosseum this kind of hooliganism happens and I hope there are no copycats.' A spokesperson for the Carabinieri paramilitary police in Rome added: 'We have been informed of this incident and are looking to identity the culprit and when he is caught, he will be punished.' This is not the first time tourists have been fined for vandalising what is believed to be the world's largest amphitheatre. In 2020, an Irish tourist was arrested for allegedly carving his initials into the Colosseum. The Carabinieri police said a 32-year-old man was caught by the Colosseum's private security and immediately reported to officers. The man's two initials, about 2in high, were said to have been carved with a metal point on a pillar of the first floor in September 2020. The unnamed man was accused of damaging a historical and artistic landmark. In the video, the English-speaking man filming the footage said to the other: 'Are you serious man? That is f***ed up man. Stupid a******e.' Other users were quick to comment, sharing their outrage and speculating that 'Hayley' was the man's girlfriend In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 17,000 (20,000) for carving the letter 'K' on a section of brickwork In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint, officials have said Fines start at 1750 (2,065), while a sentence could be as much as one year in prison. Archaeologist Federica Rinaldi, responsible for the ancient Roman amphitheater, said people who carve their initials into the monument want to 'appropriate' it. She added: 'The Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.' The Colosseum, considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is a World Heritage Site. This is along with 54 other Italian sites which comprise the city's historic centre. In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint, officials have said. The name 'Balto' and the word 'Morte' (death) were sprayed onto the pillar overnight. In 2015, two American tourists were arrested for carving initials into the Colosseum. Before they were spotted, the women, 21 and 25, were able to carve a J and an N into a brick wall on the first floor of the west side of the Colosseum Two Brazilian men who attempted to climb over a gate into the Colosseum on the same day were apprehended by the authorities when they fell 13 feet (four metres), one fracturing his hip bone. CCTV was studied to see if they were responsible for the the graffiti. Francesco Prosperetti, special superintendent for the Colosseum, said: 'We worry that this could become a game and people could start competing over it.' In 2015, tw o American tourists were arrested for carving initials into the Colosseum. Before they were spotted, the women, 21 and 25, were able to carve a J and an N into a brick wall on the first floor of the west side of the Colosseum. After carving the 8in-high letters, the women posed together for a selfie. The women, just two of six million tourists that flock to the Colosseum every year, used a coin to engrave the letters, La Stampa reported. They are said to have broken away from their tour group - but other tourists saw what had happened and alerted security. Police charged the women with 'aggravated damage on building of historical and artistic interest', according to Repubblica. After they were caught, the women apologised to Piazza Dante police and Captain Lorenzo Iacobone. They said: 'We apologise for what we did. We regret it but we did not imagine it was something so serious. We'll remember for a lifetime.' According to The Guardian, the section damaged dates back to the 1800s - a key period of restoration. A spokesman for the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome is quoted as saying: 'It's not an original wall but it's nevertheless antique.' In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 17,000 (20,000) for carving the letter 'K' on a section of brickwork. Construction on the Colosseum began sometime between 70 and 72CE and seated around 50,000 spectators. They came to watch gladiators in combat with each other and dangerous animals, including lions. Other tourists have repeatedly caused chaos in Rome, like in 2018, when two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain at one of Rome 's most famous monuments One of the Britons can be seen removing his underwear as the two men frolicked in the water at the foot of Altare della Patria in the Italian capital Other tourists have repeatedly caused chaos in Rome, like in 2018, when two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain at one of Rome's most famous monuments. One of the Britons can be seen removing his underwear as the two men frolicked in the water at the foot of Altare della Patria in the Italian capital. Others filmed as the men laughed and jokingly flexed their muscles in front of bemused tourists. Their antics were captured on camera by a tour guide at the landmark - a monument to war dead that was originally built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the unified Italy. In the footage, two men - reported as being British by local media - are seen posing for photos in the fountain wearing only their briefs. Several people position themselves by the wall, dipping their feet into the water and taking photos. One of the men then pulls his underwear down and hides his genitals between his legs to pose naked for photos. Numerous visitors walk past the Britons as they continued to misbehave. The footage caused outrage on social media. One Italian wrote online: 'English sons of b*****s, always playing up and attention-seeking.' Local media said at the time that this was yet another assault on Italy's heritage. An Army dentist accused of using revenge porn against an SAS hero who single-handedly fought terrorists in a hotel siege has been arrested for breaching her bail conditions. Major Jennifer Wilson, 42, is charged with disclosing private sexual photos and footage of Special Forces sergeant Christian Craighead, 47, with the intent to cause distress. She is also accused of stalking Mr Craigheads girlfriend, Tobi-Jayne Cadbury, 36, the great-great-great-granddaughter of chocolate baron Richard Cadbury. Last week MailOnline revealed how Wilson had been suspended from practising as a dentist by the General Dentist Council and she was arrested a short while later after contacting Ms Cadbury on social media. She had been released from custody earlier this year with the understanding that she lived at home and didnt contact Ms Cadbury but is understood to have messaged her via a fake Facebook account. Major Jennifer Wilson, 42, who is accused of using revenge porn against an SAS hero who single-handedly fought terrorists in a hotel siege has been arrested for breaching her bail conditions Wilson is charged with disclosing private sexual photos and footage of Special Forces sergeant Christian Craighead, 47, with the intent to cause distress Police were called and she appeared before High Wycombe Magistrates on Friday for breaching her bail but the court ruled not to take any further action. She was granted bail again. A breach in bail conditions by a defendant usually leads to a custodial sentence being reimposed but it is not clear why this didnt happen. Last month Wilson, a Royal Army Medical Corps employee, appeared via video link at Aylesbury Crown Court where she had been expected to enter a plea to the stalking charges. But Judge Catherine Tulk adjourned the case. Wilson, who had been held in custody at Bronzefield womens prison in Surrey since her arrest in July last year, was granted bail provided she makes no contact with any of the named witnesses or the complainant. The court heard that Wilson will be living in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and will have to make every device in her possession with an internet connection available to the police. Judge Tulk told her: It is absolutely essential, not just that you stick to the bail conditions but that you demonstrably abide by them. It is alleged that married Wilson released private sexual photographs and films of Mr Craighead last year. Wilson is also accused of stalking Mr Craighead's girlfriend, Tobi-Jayne Cadbury, 36, the great-great-great-granddaughter of chocolate baron Richard Cadbury Mr Craighead earned a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross award after fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists who attacked the DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2019 - saving dozens of lives The Who Dares Wins legend earned a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross award after fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists who attacked the DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2019 - saving dozens of lives. The off-duty former SAS fighter rushed to the scene of the attack and, armed with an assault rifle he kept in his car boot, spearheaded the rescue alongside local security forces. Wilson was represented in court by counsel, Brent Martin. Nigel Ogborne was the prosecutor and the hearing was adjourned to July 28. The judge was told that the charges Wilson presently faces may be amended. A formal indictment will be delivered at the next appearance and Wilson will be able to enter pleas. Thames Valley Police declined to comment while an official at High Wycombe magistrates court confirmed Wilson had appeared, said bail was 'continuing' and that her case was now listed for next month. This is the moment Stephen Lawrence murder suspects Neil and Jamie Acourt are confronted over allegations of their involvement in the racist killing that shocked Britain. Stephen Lawrence, 18, an aspiring architect, was murdered on his way home in an unprovoked attack by a gang of racists in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. The Acourt brothers, who have previously denied any involvement in the attack, have been confronted in a new BBC documentary on the case - as today the Metropolitan Police named Matthew White as a sixth suspect. Neil Acourt initially responds with 'f*** off' to reporter Daniel De Simone, who asks him: 'Why did Matthew White say he saw you attack Stephen Lawrence?' Mr De Simone continues: 'Matthew White says you actually stabbed Stephen Lawrence. Did you stab Stephen Lawrence? Have you got no comment at all? Did he lead you across the road that night?' Neil Acourt (pictured) is confronted over new claims of his involvement in the racist killing of Stephen Lawrence In a second clip, Jamie Acourt (pictured) is asked: 'Are you part of the group that attacked Stephen Lawrence? He runs away from the reporter Stephen Lawrence, 18, an aspiring architect, was murdered on his way home in an unprovoked attack by a gang of racists in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993 In a second clip, Jamie Acourt is asked: 'Are you part of the group that attacked Stephen Lawrence?' and 'Where you there when Stephen Lawrence was attacked?' Both men can be seen hurriedly walking away from the reporter, who continues to follow them with his camera and ends the clip by saying: 'Neil Acourt fleeing rather than answering questions. Absolutely no comment at all. It's 30 years since Stephen Lawrence was killed and he is still out, and he is still not answering questions.' White, who died two years ago of a drug overdose aged 50, was named as a suspect today after BBC News detailed a series of police failings in handling information linked to him. He was treated as a witness by Scotland Yard - but the BBC's report claimed that a relative contacted police and stated White had been there when the murder took place in Eltham. His stepfather Jack Severs, who died in 2020, was only spoken to for the first time in 2013 and was shocked that it had taken two decades to be visited by Scotland Yard, telling Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll sarcastically: 'You're rushing this job.' Mr Severs said that in the days after Stephen's murder he saw White in the street in Eltham and his stepson admitted being there when the teen was killed. White acted like it was an 'everyday occurrence' and insisted Stephen 'had deserved it', he said. White also matched the description of a 'fair-haired attacker' who 'stood out' and may have struck the first blow on Stephen. All the other five suspects had dark hair. He was spotted twice in streets near the murder scene on the night in question. The original investigation was hampered by racism and claims of corruption, with one of the suspects being the son of convicted drug smuggler Clifford Norris. Matthew White was today named as the sixth suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder Jamie Acourt (left) and his brother Neil were also suspects but were never convicted. They were later jailed for drugs offences Metropolitan Police detectives had five names passed to them within days of Stephen's murder, but only two of five or six attackers have ever been brought to justice - Gary Dobson and David Norris, who were jailed for life in 2012. In a statement issued through her solicitor today, Baroness Lawrence said: 'The fact that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) were incompetent in the investigation of my son's murder is so well-known and established that it doesn't bear repeating. 'I knew this at the time of the murder but few listened to my concerns. In the 30 or so years since Stephen's killing, revelations continue to keep coming as to the extent of the failings by the MPS in the investigation. 'The latest revelation that a key suspect in the murder could have, and should have, been properly and thoroughly investigated is shocking but unsurprising. I have got used to the litany of failings in my son's case. Stephen Lawrence: The racist murder that marked Britain Jamie Acourt and his brother Neil were teenagers when Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. Two of the other suspects, Gary Dobson and David Norris, were convicted of murder in 2012 and jailed for life following a DNA breakthrough. But the Acourt brothers have never been convicted. At the time of Stephen's death, the Acourts described themselves as the Krays, modelling themselves on the brothers who dominated London's criminal underworld in the 1960s. The gang they were in is believed to have been responsible for a string of violent attacks, invariably featuring knives. Luke Knight was named as the fifth suspect by the Daily Mail. He has never been charged and denies being involved. The case has brought great shame on the Metropolitan Police. Stephen's parents Doreen and Neville Lawrence have continued to campaign for justice for their son and have shone a light on racism and corruption in the Met. Advertisement 'What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. 'It should not have taken a journalist to do the job that a huge, highly resourced institution should have done.' Only two of the five suspects have been brought to justice - but after the 2012 murder trial of Dobson and Norris, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: 'On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large.' Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks was clear that he saw a group of six white youths cross the road and 'engulf' Stephen, who was hit pn the head with a bat and stabbed, leaving a ten-inch knife wound in his neck. White was arrested twice on suspicion of murder in March 2000 and in December 2013. The Met claim that on both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence. The Metropolitan Police today apologised again for its handling of the case. They admitted they had made 'many mistakes in the initial investigation', including not tracking down Jack Severs. 'This was a significant and regrettable error,' the force said. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: 'The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. 'Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. 'On the 30th anniversary of Stephen's murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today.' The BBC investigation also found: Another witness told police in 2000 that White had admitted being part of the attack. But again officers failed to trace him; Another UK police force asked the Met to consider if White was present during the murder, but Scotland Yard apparently did not follow this up properly; White had an alibi but lied. Detectives accepted his account; He was the only person who fitted the description of the 'fair-haired attacker' seen by Duwayne Brooks. Clive Driscoll, the officer who finally convicted Dobson and Norris, claims that former Met Commissioner Cressida Dick suggested to him in 2012 that he should not try to get the other suspects - despite the judge in their trial saying the police should try to get the remaining three or four; Mr Driscoll continued to investigate but says he was made to retire before he could finish that work; Dobson and Norris were finally convicted in 2012 of murdering Stephen, 18, at a bus stop in south-east London in April 1993. Dobson was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and two months, while Norris received a minimum of 14 years and three months and will be eligible for parole next year. Two of the other gang members, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have served time in prison for drug dealing in the intervening years but the final suspect, Luke Knight, has not been convicted of any offence. All five men were named by The Daily Mail as Stephen's killers. Two original suspects, Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris (right), were convicted of murdering Stephen in 2012 and jailed for life after new evidence came to light Another Lawrence murder suspect, Luke Knight, remains living in south London. He denies involvement in Stephen's killing Matthew White was never named in relation to the case until 2012, during the trial of Dobson and Norris. He was described as a crucial witness who had seen them in the aftermath of the attack. It was later claimed that he had seen Dobson after he stripped his clothes off and had a shower. It was also claimed that he had seen the suspects washing a blood-stained knife. But police never called him as a witness at the Old Bailey and he gave only a short statement. He alleged that the murder may have been an initiation by someone who wanted to join the Acourts' gang, which terrorised the area. The BBC has revealed that Matthew White died in 2021 of a drug overdose in a bedsit. He was said to be suicidal and depressed at the time. At his inquest there was no mention of the Stephen Lawrence case, but perhaps tellingly a relative said in a statement: 'Matthew was a lovely lad that happened to go to the wrong place at the wrong time.' White had a string of convictions and spent time in jail having become hooked on heroin. His most recent conviction came in 2020, for shoplifting right next to where Stephen died on Well Hall Road in Eltham. He tried to steal from a shop but was confronted by a black man, who White told would be 'Stephen Lawrenced' and then attacked him. 'Remember you're in Eltham, remember where you are, remember what happened to Stephen Lawrence. I can call my boys, they can come down and they can deal with you,' he said. The victim said White mentioned Stephen Lawrence 'in almost in every threat' and even referenced the nearby bus stop the 18-year-old was at when he was set upon and killed. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced in 2020 that, following an investigation launched in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the CPS to consider whether four former police officers who were in senior roles at various times during the opening weeks of the murder investigation may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes may advance the case. The betrayal of Stephen 30 years ago and how Scotland Yard has spent years and 50million trying to put them right Scotland Yard spent years battling to right the wrongs committed in the first months of the inquiry into Stephen Lawrence's murder. More than 50million was spent as seven investigations and countless reviews poured over every possible lead, clue and piece of evidence. Meanwhile, a landmark public inquiry led to changes in 'double jeopardy' laws which barred suspects being tried for the same crime twice. In the 1993 murder inquiry detectives failed to act quickly on tip-offs made within days identifying the key five suspects. Four days after the stabbing surveillance officers stood by as a young man left the Acourts' family home carrying clothing covered in a black bin liner. Over the next six years, police faced a private prosecution, inquest and public inquiry into their failure to bring the men to justice. Two further murder inquiries were launched, however in 2004 prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to put anyone in the dock. A bold decision two years later to submit every exhibit for a full forensic review by a private firm led to a breakthrough. In 2007 experts at LGC Forensics began working through 30 items of clothing seized from the homes of the suspects. The discovery of tiny flakes of Stephen's blood and fibres from his clothes ultimately led to Gary Dobson and David Norris being arrested in 2011 and charged with his murder. On January 3, 2012, they were found guilty and jailed for life. Police vowed to continue fighting to bring the remaining three suspects to justice. In 2016 police released CCTV of a man seen close to the murder scene and appealed for help identifying a woman whose bag strap was found nearby. It led to 30 calls from the public but despite extensive inquiries any new leads came to nothing. An Amber Alert has been issued for a mother and her two-month-old baby girl after they were thought to have been kidnapped by the girl's father, who is considered armed and dangerous. Sabrina Sanchez, 31, and two-month-old Itzel Sanchez were last seen around noon on Sunday with husband and father Efrain Sanchez-Jiminez, 25, in the Lancaster area, the California Highway Patrol tweeted early Monday. Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Sargeant David Contreras told DailyMail.com Sanchez-Jiminez is suspected of sexually assaulting a family member before he disappeared with his wife and child, who left 'under duress.' Cops added the baby was not the victim of any sexual assault, according to what has been reported to them. The department further stated that Sanchez had made 'recent threats to murder his wife and child and is believed to be armed with a handgun.' The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber alert in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, Imperial Counties. As of Monday afternoon there have been no leads, officials said. Mother: Sabrina Sanchez, 31, was last seen on Sunday around noon. She is described as 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a red and black dress, pink shorts and black shirt Suspect: Efrain Sanchez-Jiminez, 25, is the baby's father and Sabrina's husband. He is considered by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as 'armed and dangerous' 'It is believed the victims left with the suspect out of duress and fear for their safety, after he previously committed a sexual assault upon a family member,' the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department noted in a press statement. 'Suspect Sanchez has made recent threats to murder his wife and child and he is believed to be armed with a handgun. Suspect Sanchez should be considered armed and dangerous.' Sanchez-Jiminez's car is a silver 2007 Buick Lucerne with a Colorado license plate number of AUI-X94, officials said. Sanchez-Jiminez's car is a silver 2007 Buick Lucerne with a Colorado license plate number of AUI-X94, officials said The Amber Alert that was issued by the California Highway Patrol at 12:55am on Monday Sanchez is described as Hispanic, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and silver shorts. Sabrina Sanchez is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a red and black dress, pink shorts and black shirt. Baby Itzel has brown eyes and dark hair The sheriff's department is urging anyone to call 911 if they see Sanchez-Jiminez. He is facing the death penalty for the murders of Robin Cornell and Lisa Story Joseph Zieler, 61, was convicted of murdering an 11-year-old and her babysitter A man who was convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter in 1990 punched his own attorney and was wrestled to the ground in court Monday. Joseph Zieler, 61, on Monday was sentenced to death in the slayings of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter, Lisa Story, 32, who were raped and suffocated. While in front of a judge, Zieler asked for the cameras in the room to be taken down before using an expletive and then elbowing attorney Kevin Shirley in the face. Three bailiffs quickly tackled the man - who appeared to have 'killer' etched on his teeth - to the ground before escorting him out of the courtroom within seconds. In May, a jury in Lee County, Florida recommended the death penalty and Monday's appearance was to appeal to the judge hours before he gave his sentence. Joseph Zieler (pictured) who was convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter in 1990 punched his own attorney and was wrestled to the ground in court Monday In May, Zieler was found guilty of assaulting and murdering 11-year-old Robin Cornell (left) and her 32-year-old babysitter Lisa Story (right) in May 1990 Zieler, who was arrested in 2016 - 26 years after the cold case murders - was expected to plead with the judge against the jury's death recommendation. After the elbow was thrown, Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning asked Shirley if he was okay to which the attorney responded that he had taken harder hits before. The punch came as Zieler - who was still in handcuffs - appeared to be trying to quietly deliver a message to his long-time counsel. 'It seemed like he didn't want our conversation to be picked up by the microphones. So he waved me down and I bent over, and he struck me,' Shirley told Fox 4. Branning kept the convicted murderer outside the courtroom for several minutes as he ensured that Shirley was okay after the blow. The mother of the 11-year-old girl Zieler murdered, Jan Cornell, was in court Monday and watched the incident play out, expressing shock and surprise. After being dragged back in, the man reportedly growled at the judge and those watching, exposing the word 'killer' written on his teeth. Despite the shocking message inside his mouth, he refused to have relatives speak on his behalf, claiming he is innocent in the crimes. 'I have nothing to do with this,' he said. 'I maintain my innocence.' Judge Branning ultimately denied a motion Zieler had filed for a new trial and decided not to overturn his conviction. He was sentenced to death by the judge inside the courtroom several hours later. Zieler, who was arrested in 2016 - 26 years after the cold case murders - was expected to plead with the judge against the jury's death recommendation. Pictured: Zieler walking into court Three bailiffs quickly tackled Zieler (pictured) and escorted him out of the courtroom The convicted murderer appeared to have the word 'killer' etched onto his teeth in court Jan Cornell (right) looks at pictures of Robin Cornell (center) and Lisa Story (right) during a joint press conference following the announcement that Zieler was sentenced to death 'Justice for Robin and justice for Lisa has happened,' said Jan Cornell on Monday afternoon The sentence provides closure to the families who had been searching for justice since they were discovered inside a Cape Coral apartment more than 30 years ago. Cornell and Story were found beaten, assaulted, and suffocated in May 1990. In September 2016, police announced that Zieler had been arrested for their killings after police matched his DNA to traces found at the scene. 'The semen that was found on the bed sheet where Robin was sleeping matches the defendant to a frequency over 1 and 700 billion,' investigators said during the trial. Story was looking after Cornell when Zieler attacked them. Jan Cornell, Robin's mother who had gone to stay at her boyfriend's home for the night, returned the next day to find their bodies. The murders were counted among famous unsolved crimes and were featured in America's Most Wanted in 2010. Jan returned to find the front door locked and entered the house through the back sliding doors, which had been left ajar. Inside an upstairs bathroom, she found her daughter's lifeless body lying face down. During Zieler's trial, Jan told the jury that the last thing she told her daughter was 'Good night, I'm going to Donnie's, I love you.' She cried as she told those in the courtroom that he daughter was a vibrant fifth-grader who loved to jump rope and play outdoors. Jan Cornell (left holding a picture of daughter Robin Cornell) stands alongside State Attorney Amira Fox (at podium) and Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore (in uniforn) Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the attack on Cornell and Story was personal and alleged Zieler had it out for Jan. 'This sounds like someone was really angry at you,' said attorney Lee Hollander. Zieler was found guilty in the murder by the jury in early May and was later charged with harassment of Jan Cornell, whom he sent a letter to from prison. 'Justice for Robin and justice for Lisa has happened,' said Jan in a press conference with State Attorney Amira Fox and Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore Fox said she hoped the verdict would bring a sense of peace to the victims' families. 'I hope the verdict and sentence recommendation have finally brought some sense of justice and closure to the families of Lisa Story and Robin Cornell,' Fox said. 'I want to thank them for their incredible patience and understanding as we all worked together to bring this case to closure over the years,' she continued. Jesse Watters, the renowned conservative political commentator and news anchor, will take over Tucker Carlson's prime time slot on Fox News. Watters, 44, is a seasoned Fox News veteran - having worked at the network since he graduated college in 2001 and slowly making his way up the ranks. He's also married not one, but two, of his female colleagues during his 22 year tenure. His current show, Jesse Watters Primetime, which only began airing last year, currently boasts an average of about 2.6 million viewers a night, while his long-running Saturday show, Watters' World, drew in 1.9 million viewers before being pulled in 2022. Watters, whose rise can be traced back to his days as a production assistant on the O'Reilly Factor when he was just 24, when he gained notoriety as a dogged man-on-the street correspondent. A combination of quippy, ambush-style interviews and charisma saw Watters' O'Reilly Segment, years later, become a full-blown weekly series airing every Saturday, nearly a decade-and-a-half into his O'Reilly tenure. The father-of-four will now take over as Fox News' new main main - running the show during the 8pm EST slot. His permanent primetime show Jesse Watters Primetime debuted on January 24,. 2022 - and in June 2023, Fox News announced Watters would be named permanent host of the networks 8pm EST hour Jesse with his second wife, Emma. She worked on his Fox show when they started dating. He proposed to her after his divorce from his first wife was finalized in 2019 During his long tenure, he also featured on the Fox News show Outnumbered, and was a co-host on the roundtable series The Five. His permanent primetime show Jesse Watters Primetime debuted on January 24, 2022 - and in June 2023, Fox News announced Watters would be named permanent host of the networks 8pm EST hour. The Philadelphia-born political commentator went to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated with a Bachelor's in History before starting his work with Fox News. Watters married Noelle Inguagiato in 2009 - and the pair had twin daughters together. Noelle also hosted a short lived fashion and style show on Fox News titled iMag in 2011. They met at Fox in 2002, and Noelle worked as a style guide on The O'Reilly Factor and was an anchor for Outnumbered - two shows Jesse worked on. Watters married Noelle Inguagiato in 2009 - and the pair had twin daughters together Jesse and his first wife, Noelle But just nine years after their wedding, she filed for divorce, after Watters admitted having an affair with a producer on his show, Emma DiGiovine. Emma, from Cranford, New Jersey, joined Fox News in 2015 and eventually became an associate producer for Watters' World. But after the couple told Fox News' HR department about their relationship, Emma was moved on to Laura Ingrahams The Ingraham Angle. Watters recently revealed that he actually let all of the air out of the tires of Emma's car so he could give her a ride home when he was trying to date her. He said the tactic 'works like a charm.' She stopped working at Fox News in 2018. Watters proposed to Emma in August 2019, after his divorce with his first wife was finalized. At the time, Donald Trump offered his congratulations on Twitter. Emma, from Cranford, New Jersey, joined Fox News in 2015 and eventually became an associate producer for Watters' World. She married Jesse in 2019 Watters proposed to Emma in August 2019, after his divorce with his first wife was finalized Jesse and his wife Emma, with three of his children. His fourth child was born in April 2023 The couple share their family life on social media. They have two kids together, one son and one daughter, making Jesse a father-of-four Jesse and his first wife, and their two twin daughters Jesse and Emma pictured in February 2019 Watters and his wife Emma now share loving photos of their life on social media - including their holidays with Watters' two older children and the son and daughter they share together. Watters has also drawn criticism over his years at Fox. When doing a segment from Manhattans Chinatown in 2016, he asked Asian people offensive questions - including whether they knew Karate, which is a Japanese term, or if they bowed when saying hello. He also wrote a book, How I Saved the World, which was published in 2021 and became a New York Times bestseller. He's now taking over Tucker Carlson's slot - after the popular host was ousted in April. Carlson's ouster came days after Fox were forced the fork over a historic $787million settlement to a voting hardware firm over claims the anchor and other network hosts spread lies about its machines during the 2020 election. The suit was filed back in March 2021 - at the height of Carlson's success - and specifically singled out statements made on air by the TV talker, as well as Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs, Jeanine Pirro and Maria Bartiromo. During discovery for the case, multiple text messages sent by Carlson to colleagues over the course of the 2020 election were made public, reportedly embarrassing the network to no end Sent to colleagues such as Laura Ingraham, they revealed how Carlson secretly despised Donald Trump behind the scenes - despite praising the then-president, whose win helped propel his success, in public. One sent on November 5 of that year - days after Joe Biden was declared victorious - seemed to show Carlson realizing a Trump loss could spell trouble for the network, given how heavily he had leaned on the politician over the past several years. Jesse is a pro-Trump political commentator. He is pictured here with the former president in 2017 The Philadelphia-born political commentator went to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated with a Bachelor's in History before starting his work with Fox News 'He could easily destroy us if we play it wrong,' Carlson wrote about Trump in one of many startling text messages obtained by the voting firm - which claimed in court that the correspondence served as proof he knowingly spreading false information. On November 17, Carlson griped about attorney and frequent Fox guest Sidney Powell for pushing the voter fraud conspiracy - despite seemingly agreeing with the theory himself several times on the air. 'Sidney Powell is lying. F***ing bitch,' he wrote. A day later, in a message to Ingraham, Carlson elaborated, 'Sidney Powell is lying by the way. I caught her. It's insane.' Then, after the insurrection on January 6, Carlson took aim at the ex-president himself, saying he could not wait for him to be out of office - and more importantly, out of news headlines 'We are very close to being able to ignore Trump most nights,' Carlson wrote in one message. 'I truly can't wait.' He added: 'I hate him passionately.' The messages, attorneys hired by the Toronto based voting firm said, served as proof that Carlson and others knowingly spread false information that their machines played a part in Biden's win. After a jury was selected, and after Fox had promised a high-powered, bitter court battle, the network inexplicably backed down, agreeing to fork over the largest civil settlement in history. Ron DeSantis traveled to the southern border on Monday to unveil his plan to tackle the migration crisis by allowing the use of deadly force. The governor and presidential candidate said that the best way to deter cartels is by taking down coyotes and smugglers and making it clear they will be met with force from border enforcement if they break U.S. laws. 'If you drop a couple of these cartel operatives, they'll stop coming,' DeSantis said at a press conference in front of the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas on Monday. DeSantis has repeatedly taken aim at former President Donald Trump for failing to deliver on promises he made while campaigning when he got into office like constructing a wall along the entire southern border. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas on Monday for a campaign stop where he unveiled his plan to tackle the migration crisis Speaking to a crowd in Eagle Pass, Texas on Monday, DeSantis vowed to change the rules of engagement when dealing with cartels and smugglers saying force and mass deportations would go into use 'I was in Arizona the other day, and you know, you have like walls and it just kind of stops,' DeSantis detailed during a campaign stop at the border in Texas. 'The guy from the cartel just kind of hangs out where it stops and he motions for people to go over.' 'So having just one piece, I mean, you got to finish the job, and there's a lot more you got to do on that,' the Florida governor insisted. DeSantis' trip on Monday was the second time he has visited the southern border since he announced his presidential campaign just one month ago, which highlights the importance the governor is placing on the migration crisis. Speaking to reporters at a popular crossing point in Eagle Pass, Texas on Monday, DeSantis said that as president he would on day one reverse all executive orders implemented by President Joe Biden that allowed migrants to overrun the southern border. 'We'll have a new sheriff in town on January 20, 2025,' he told Fox News. Under President Joe Biden's leadership, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has encountered approximately 5.5 million migrants crossing the southern border. Border hawks argue that the end of pandemic-era expulsion policy Title 42 last month has not helped alleviate an overworked agency dealing with an overrun border. DeSantis said that as president he would implement a more forceful directive from the Department of Homeland Security to allow border enforcement agents to deter cartels from smuggling humans and drugs over from Mexico into the U.S. DeSantis says that former President Donald Trump has not delivered on his promises to address the southern border crisis A U.S. Border Patrol boat surveys that waters of the Rio Grande River during DeSantis' visit to the rea Monday touting his immigration policies 'Even in places where there were really serious steel beams and everything, these guys in the cartels, they can cut through the really fortified steel beams,' DeSantis said to a crowd of Texans on Monday. 'I'm just thinking to myself, you spend all this money on that and you just let them cut through with impunity and do it. And so, you know, I think you need adequate rules of engagement.' 'If someone was breaking into your house, you would repel them with the use of force, right?' the candidate questioned. 'Yet if they have drugs, these backpacks, and they're going in and they're cutting through an enforced structure, we just supposed to let them in.' 'I say use force to repel them. If you do that one time. They will never do it again,' DeSantis assured to cheers. Along with using force and completing the wall, DeSantis laid out this week several other initiatives he plans to implement at the border if he becomes president. One of the most controversial plans would be mass deportations of illegal and undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. DeSantis also wants to end so-called 'catch and release' strategies, which has allowed thousands of migrants to disappear into the country. DeSantis said Monday that he would reverse all executive orders implemented by President Joe Biden that allowed mass migration and a breakdown of the U.S. immigration system The presidential candidate agrees with Trump that birthright citizenship needs to end meaning that just because someone is born in the U.S. doesn't mean that are automatically a citizen. DeSantis says birthright citizenship is something that Trump has promised to end, but failed to do so in four years as president. Speaking with Fox's border beat reporter Bill Melugin, DeSantis said that he rejects the interpretation of U.S. law that Democrats embrace claiming that all migrants entering the country must be processed. Instead, the Florida governor says he would allow for force and for enforcement officers to turn back migrants arriving at the border. 'They can be repelled that's sovereignty 101,' DeSantis explained. Enduring an uncomfortable flight can often destroy a vacation - but for some, an unpleasant journey can start long before the plane even takes off. Some of the biggest headaches happen at the airport. Airline industry expert AirHelp has just tabulated its annual list of the world's worst airports when it comes to summer travel - three are in Texas, and another in Hawaii. Each airport was awarded a rank based on the number of disruptions it experienced last month - a percentage calculated only after the facility reached a minimum sample set of 5,000 flights. The results, published Monday, are somewhat unnerving - especially for travelers looking to navigate the notoriously difficult summer travel season, when more than 24 million Americans are forecast to fly across the country. With the highly trafficked Fourth of July weekend around the corner, the list will help travelers decide which airport to avoid come Saturday - the start date of the looming travel rush. Scroll to see some of the worst offenders. Airline industry expert AirHelp has tabulated its annual list of the world's worst airports when it comes to summer travel 10. Baltimore/Wash Intl. Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) - Maryland 22.57 percent of flights disrupted With lengthy wait times and a nearly 25 percent disruption rate, Baltimore/Wash Intl. Thurgood Marshall Airport - the more popular of Baltimore's two airports - is one of the usual suspects when it comes to compilations of the country's worst flying facilities With lengthy wait times and nearly a quarter of all flights disrupted, the more popular of Baltimore's two airports is one of the usual suspects when it comes to compilations of the country's worst flying facilities. AirHelp pegged the three-runway airport's disruption rate - which pertains to cancellations and delays - at 22.57 percent, a figure astoundingly close to the number of flights delayed there last year, measured at 22.41 percent. That said, if you're looking to travel from Maryland or the nearby Washington area, a better bet would probably be venturing the 30 or so miles to Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington in DC, or Baltimore's other option, Martin State. 9. Dallas Love Field (DAL) - Dallas, Texas 22.62 percent of flights disrupted Dallas Love Field took the ninth spot in AirHelp's new study - unsurprising given the fact it was one of the most disrupted in the country this past summer, when 35 percent of its flights ran late - or not at all With a 22.62 percent disruption rate, Dallas Love Field took the ninth spot in AirHelp's new study - unsurprising given the fact it was one of the most disrupted in the country this past summer, when 35 percent of its flights ran late - or not at all. The North Texas outpost's track record when it comes to punctuality is also dubious, with only three-quarters of its flights last year considered 'on time,' per a study from Forbes Advisor. It's definitely an airport to avoid for summer travel if you can help it. 8. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - Texas 25.38 percent of flights disrupted The second busiest airport in the world, Dallas/Fort Worth International was the first of the top ten to crack the 25 percent mark The second busiest airport in the world, Dallas/Fort Worth International was the first of the top ten to crack the 25 percent disruption mark - achieved thanks to its penchant for holding up countless passengers purely due to its size. Hayley Berg, lead economist at airline tracker Hopper, described the phenomenon last year, when the airport recorded 35,972 delays on arriving and departing flights between June and August, and 4,398 cancellations. 'DFW is definitely going to be high volume, and with high volume just means that on a percentage basis, more people are going to be disrupted when a disruption happens.' 7. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Intl. Airport (FLL) - Florida 26.29 percent of flights disrupted One of the most notorious airports on AirHelp's list - and another in a somewhat hot locale - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International is known for its mind-numbingly long lines, as well as the strange travelers it regularly draws One of the most notorious airports on AirHelp's list - and another in a somewhat hot locale - Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International is known for its mind-numbingly long lines, as well as the strange travelers it regularly draws. Not far from Miami (Miami International did not make the list), the airport in recent years played witness to a bird smuggling operation, a passenger handing out vodka in a security line and its fair share of colorful passengers. With these interruptions, its not surprising that the only airports to beat out FLL last year in terms of delays was the notoriously slow Newark Airport in North Jersey, and the next airport on the list, another Florida locale further north, Orlando International. FLL had 26 percent of its flights delayed in 2022 - a near identical percentage to the rate recorded in May by AirHelp. 6. Orlando International Airport (MCO) - Florida 26.67 percent of flights disrupted Next up, some 200 miles north, was Orlando International - which last year saw some 28.24 percent of its 108,330 flights delayed Next up, some 200 miles north, was Orlando International - which last year saw some 28.24 percent of its 108,330 flights delayed. Commonly thought to be the worst airport in the Sunshine State - beating out others such as Tampa and Miami International - it regularly graces lists laying out the US's worst airports, due to a host of delays and cancelations. According to Airhelp, the North Florida facility - just a few miles from the city's Downtown - the airport saw a little over a quarter of its flights last month either delayed or canceled outright, a rate similar to the one it recorded last year. Steer clear if you can. 5. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - California 27.03 percent of flights disrupted The only airport in California to make the list, San Francisco International is notorious for poor holiday travel - a fact not missed by AirHelp's in-depth analysis The only airport to make the list in California, San Francisco International is notorious for poor holiday travel - a fact not missed by AirHelp's in-depth analysis. The airport accounted for 9.1 percent of national aviation system delays last year, according to Forbes Advisor - bested only by Newark Liberty International - which surprisingly did not make AirHelp's list - and just ahead of New York's La Guardia. For those reasons, it's earned the dubious distinction of 'slowest airport on the West Coast' - though a few others further up on the list are not far from the Pacific themselves. 4. Honolulu International Airport (HNL) - Hawaii 28.83 percent of flights disrupted Perhaps the most surprising of the top-ten entries, Hawaii's Honolulu International has become known for its delays - as the facility has struggled to handle surges in passenger volume amid several delayed construction projects Perhaps the most surprising of the top-ten entries, Hawaii's Honolulu International has become known for its delays - as the facility in recent years has struggled to handle surges in passenger volume amid several delayed construction projects. Even after years of growth in the last decade, customer satisfaction in the airport has been stagnant - with even a Hawaiian vacation not enough to wash the bad taste from travelers' mouths. Even after shelling out $270million to modernize the midsize facility last year, customer satisfaction still leaves much to be desired. With outdated and rundown facilities and restrooms, old technology, inflexible and inferior design, and poor management, the place does boast a certain charm, but, in the words of one fed-up regular: 'Keep the charm while making improvements.' 3. Denver International Airport (DEN) - Colorado 29.58 percent of flights disrupted Another extremely busy airport to make the list was Denver International, which is among the ten busiest airports in the country Another extremely busy airport to make the list was Denver International, which is expected to be among the ten busiest airports in the country come the Fourth of July. Eric Napoli, vice president of legal strategy at AirHelp, described how airports that in the spring typically command heavy traffic often do not have the staffing necessary come summertime 'in order to handle that peak season.' The airline expert said: 'Youll see those types of airports performing particularly poorly.' Last month, nearly 30 percent of the facility's flights were canceled or delayed. 2. Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) - Texas 31.77 percent of flights disrupted Boasting an eye-watering disruption rate of 31.77 percent, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport is another facility that's been mired by recent construction projects, leading officials to instruct travelers to add extra time to their plans to account for delays Boasting an eye-watering disruption rate of 31.77 percent, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport is another facility that's been mired by recent construction projects, leading officials to instruct travelers to add extra time to their plans to account for delays. It's orders like these, as well as the absence of signage telling travelers where to go, that recently earned it the nickname 'Worst Airport in the Country', granted by none other than the Houston Chronicle. However, that frustration existed long before its $1.3 billion International Terminal Redevelopment Program began. The strong Texas heat does not help its case either. 1. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) Las Vegas - Nevada 34.61 percent of flights disrupted Last and, according to AirHelp, decidedly least, Harry Reid International Airport in Sin City is one of the busiest airports in the country - and apparently also one of the worst when it comes to delays and cancellations Last and, according to AirHelp, decidedly least, Harry Reid International Airport in Sin City is one of the busiest airports in the country - and apparently also one of the worst when it comes to delays and cancellations. According to the airline tracker, Las Vegas' most famous airport by far had the most disruptions this past month, with more than 35 percent of all flights embattled in some way. The rate is likely due to tourism, especially during major holidays. Worsening matters is the possibility that many flying out of the facility likely spent previous days engaging in various acts of debauchery, making wait times especially long. Fortunately, there are three less-traveled alternatives elsewhere in Vegas - North Las Vegas Airport and Boulder City Municipal - but be prepared to drive several miles in the region's notorious desert to reach them. Vladimir Putin last night insisted that a bloody civil war has been averted after the 'failed' Wagner coup, which stunned the country with an aborted march on Moscow over the weekend. In a short pre-recorded TV address, the warmonger accused Ukraine and its Western allies of wanting Russians to 'kill each other', and denounced Yevgeny Prigozhin's mutineers as 'criminals' and warned he would bring them to 'justice'. Putin then claimed that Ukraine and the West hoped that the rebellion would lead to civil war in Russia, in baseless remarks which appeared to suggest he was accusing Kyiv and its allies of having a part in the extraordinary weekend developments. The president attempted to reassure Russians that a civil war had been avoided and that the Kremlin was back in control of the country. In a desperate bid to assert his authority, the despot snarled: 'From the start of the events, on my orders steps were taken to avoid large-scale bloodshed. 'It was precisely this fratricide that Russia's enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other.' Putin made no mention of Prigozhin, who is understood to have agreed to stand donw, go into exile in Belarus and give up control of the Wagner group in exchange for amnesty - in a deal brokered by Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin had earlier defended his aborted mutiny as a bid to save his mercenary outfit and expose the failures of Russia's military leadership in Ukraine - but said it was not a challenge to the Kremlin itself. Putin has vowed to hunt down Wagner chiefs who led the weekend coup in new TV statement In his speech, Putin slammed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured) and his 'criminal activity which aims at weakening the country' Members of the Wagner Group pictured departing from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24 In his blistering address, Putin claimed that he had ordered that bloodshed be avoided and offered Wagner fighters to join the Russian army or leave the country after their mutiny. 'From the start of the events, on my orders steps were taken to avoid large-scale bloodshed,' he said. 'It was precisely this fratricide that Russia's enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other,' he said. He then went on to claim that any armed rebellion would have been suppressed, stating: 'The organisers of the rebellion, despite their loss of rationality, could not fail to understand this. 'They were well aware, including the fact that they were engaging in criminal actions, causing division and weakening the country, which is currently facing an enormous external threat and unprecedented pressure from abroad.' Of Ukraine and the West, he said: 'They rubbed their hands together, dreaming of revenge for their failures on the frontlines and during the so-called counteroffensive, but they miscalculated.' The Russian despot also paid tribute to pilots killed fighting the aborted military coup, confirming their deaths for the first time while thanking Russians for showing patriotic solidarity in the face of the Wagner advance. Putin said it showed Russia would not succumb to 'any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil'. 'The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences,' Putin said. There has been no official information about how many pilots died or how many aircraft were shot down. Some Russian Telegram channels monitoring Russia's military activity, including the blog Rybar with more than a million subscribers, reported on Saturday that 13 Russian pilots were killed during the day-long mutiny. Among the aircraft downed were three Mi-8 MTPR electronic warfare helicopters, and an Il-18 aircraft with its crew, Rybar reported. Earlier, Putin met with the country's top security officials, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was seen for the first time since the attempted coup. As part of the mutiny, Prigozhin had called directly for Shoigu to leave his post, blaming him for Wagner's battlefield struggles. Putin met with the country's security officials, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu arrives for a working meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) chairs a working meeting with the heads of Russian law enforcement agencies at the Kremlin in Moscow Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin arrives to attend a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with heads of Russian law enforcement agencies Russian state media said earlier that Putin, who on Saturday declared he would 'punish the traitors who betray Russia', would make 'a series of important announcements' this evening. 'Putin this evening will make a series of important statements,' state television quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The Russian state channels Vesti and Perviy Kanal also had banners that read: 'Address by the president of Russia: soon.' Belarus' Lukashenko was also expected to make a statement this evening, but this was then cancelled by his press office. His team sent a cryptic message on Telegram before Putin's address: 'A lot of questions, stuffing, versions and assumptions... The first one will TELL everything, ANSWER everything. Very soon! Follow the agenda!' Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu seen for the first time since the coup attempt PMC Wagner Group servicemen seen pulling out of downtown Rostov-on-Don and returning to their bases on Saturday night Russian Federal Guard Service Director Dmitry Kochnev arrives to attend a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin It comes as Prigozhin broke his silence after abandoning his armed uprising on Saturday evening, insisting that he marched on Moscow to stop the Kremlin taking control of his mercenary army and denying a plot to overthrow Putin. Speaking in an 11-minute audio clip posted on Wagner-affiliated Telegram channels, the former Putin ally and warlord claimed the armed uprising was a 'master class' on how Russia's assault on Kyiv should have looked. He said he only called off his group's surge for the Russian capital to avoid spilling Russian blood, adding that the uprising was intended to register a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin described his Wagner mercenary fighters as 'perhaps the most experienced and combat effective unit in Russia, possibly in the world', and said his private military company had done 'an enormous amount of work in the interests of Russia' - alluding to the group's activities in Syria, Africa and Ukraine. He also claimed he launched the uprising to 'prevent the destruction of the Wagner group', noting that they had been ordered to hand over their weapons to the Russian military and had suffered casualties in air strikes at the hands of Russia's air force. Earlier US President Joe Biden said that neither western nor NATO allies were involved in the short-lived insurrection in Russia by the Wagner Group, warning Putin not to place the blame on them. Biden, in his first public remarks on the attempted coup, said when he spoke with allies over the weekend on a zoom call they all agreed that 'we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse - we gave Putin no excuse - to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO.' 'We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within Russian system,' Biden said during remarks in the East Room of the White House. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was seen for the first time today since the attempted coup Commander of National Guard (Rosgvardia) Gen. Viktor Zolotov arrives to attend a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin He noted the situation in Russia remains 'to be seen' but noted he asked his national security team to come up with a 'range of scenarios' to respond as needed. Biden, who spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the weekend, said he expects to speak with him again in the next day or two. 'The ultimate outcome of all of this remains to be seen, but no matter what comes next I will keep making sure that our allies and our partners are closely aligned in how we are reading and responding to the situation. It's important we stay completely coordinated,' Biden said. And yesterday officials warned that Britain must prepare for the sudden collapse of Putin's regime, amid fears the 'mortally wounded' despot could carry out a 'Stalin-style' purge to cling on to power. Western officials warned that Putin's grip on Russia is crumbling as questions mounted over his whereabouts following the attempted coup by the Wagner mercenary forces, led by his former ally Yevgeny Prigozhin. A senior source in the UK Government told The Times that Britain 'must prepare for a whole range of scenarios' and that 'this could be Chapter One of something new'. Meanwhile, Alicia Kearns, the chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, warned that Putin may launch a purge to survive, as his propagandists furiously question why the march towards Moscow was allowed to progress as far as it did. President Joe Biden said that neither western nor NATO allies were involved in the short-lived insurrection in Russia by the Wagner Group The senior Tory MP also suggested Russian intelligence may have hidden the coup from Putin, as it emerged that both Britain and the US had intelligence that Prigozhin was building up forces near the Russian/Ukraine border for several days. Western leaders have expressed concern over the turmoil in Russia, which has the world's largest nuclear arsenal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that the whirlwind 24-hour mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, showed 'real cracks' in Putin's hold on power. Daniel Hoffman, the CIA's former Moscow station chief, suggested a rogue Russian leader could steal a nuclear warhead if Putin's grip on power falters. At least five Secret Service agents have reportedly testified in front of a grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's role in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The case is one of two being pursued by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who earlier this month brought charges against Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents. In the second case, a grand jury is weighing whether to bring charges over the then president's conduct in the run-up to the attack and attempts to interfere in certifying the 2020 election results. Sources told NBC News that five or six agents had appeared in accordance with subpoenas they received. But it is not known how close they were to Trump or what information they may have offered. At least five Secret Service agents have reportedly testified in front of a grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's role in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol The case is one of two being pursued by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who earlier this month brought charges against Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents However they may be in a position to confirm or deny details of an account given by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson when she appeared before the House Jan. 6 committee. She told the committee that she had heard secondhand that Trump wanted Secret Service agents to drive him to the Capitol to join the protesters on Jan. 6. When they refused for safety reasons he tried to grab the steering wheel of his vehicle and reached for the driver, according to her account. Trump later denied that account. Investigators will also want to know about communications between agents ahead of Jan. 6. It emerged last year that all text messages between agents on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021 had been lost, apparently because of a software upgrade. Hutchinson, who worked for chief of staff Mark Meadows, was the break-out star of the January 6 hearings with her testimony about Trump's behavior as he sought to overturn the 2020 election. She testified that Trump wanted to join the pro-MAGA crowd at the U.S. Capitol. That crowd ambushed the Capitol and fought with law enforcement for hours on January 6, threatening the lives of Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress. Cassidy Hutchinson, who worked for chief of staff Mark Meadows, was the break-out star of the January 6 hearings with her testimony about Trump's behavior In the hours beforehand, Hutchinson testified that Trump tried to grab the SUV's wheel and 'lunged' at a security official, when told by Secret Service agents they were taking him back to the White House, after he delivered his speech on the Ellipse, and not to Capitol Hill. She also recounted how she saw the aftermath of Trump throwing his food, after learning that then Attorney General Bill Barr had told the Associated Press there was no evidence of widespread election fraud. Hutchinson testified that a valet motioned her into the White House dining room 'and then pointed toward the front of the room near the fireplace mantel and the TV.' 'Where I first noticed there was ketchup dripping down the wall. And there's a shattered porcelain plate on the floor,' she said. 'The valet had articulated that the president was extremely angry at the attorney general's AP interview and had thrown his lunch against the wall.' The View's Ana Navarro defended Hunter Biden's presence at the White House state dinner, saying President Biden 'will never give up on his son,' while her co-hosts argued he should not have been invited. Navarro was reacting to Hunter's presence at the state dinner for India's prime minister Thursday night and the criticism that followed. In a clip shown on The View Friday, Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly refused to answer reporters' questions about Hunter's presence at the state dinner. Navarro got emotional following the clip as she talked about the president's relationship with his troubled son. 'The Hunter Biden story, the scandal, the this, the that it's also the story of a father's love, and Joe Biden has never and will never give up on his son Hunter, and will never treat him lesser than,' Navarro said. The president's son attended the State Dinner for Indian PM Narendra Modi Thursday night The View's Ana Navarro defended Hunter Biden's presence at the White House state dinner, saying President Biden 'will never give up on his son' 'He is a father first; take it or leave it. That's who he is, that is part of his heart,' she continued. 'There was 380 people at this dinner. It's not like Hunter was sitting at Merrick Garland's lap. It was a bunch of peopleand I think that the reason he's been able to get out of addiction is because Joe Biden embraced him entirely the entire time.' Sunny Hostin also defended the father and son duo, adding: 'What seems to get lost in all of this discussion about Hunter Biden is his addiction. He's an addict. He has had this addiction for many years, and to various things, and I wonder where our compassion is. 'I mean people are talking about 'Well, this is nepotism,' and perhaps it is, and I hate nepotism. I think things should be earned and not given, but no one wants to talk about the fact that Ivanka [Trump] got, you know, three Chinese patents after her dinner with President Xi from China at Mar-a-Lago,' she claimed. She added that the scandal is actually 'a father trying to keep his son, who suffers from addiction, close.' 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 America's disgraced First Son was once again thrust into the center of White House festivities on Thursday night, dressed in a flashy tuxedo and hobnobbing with the most powerful people in the world at a state dinner in honor of India's prime minister. President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi toast during an official state dinner at the White House on June 22, 2023 In attendance were celebrities, powerful politicians, global leaders and Attorney General Merrick Garland, who leads the Justice Department that just handed Hunter no more than a pathetic slap on the wrist for tax and gun crimes Co-host Sara Haines said she didn't fault the Biden's for inviting their son - but said Hunter should have 'sat this one out.' 'What I take issue with, is, he should have sat this out, if we're being honesthe just got charged with a felony charge, misdemeanors, you're going to a dinner where your dad is front and center, he's trying to campaignlike, sit it out. Sit at home just for a minute. Just take a seat. This is about your dad and your family,' she said. Alyssa Farah Griffin added: 'If I was charged with a felony and misdemeanor, I would not be at a state dinner with the most powerful people on the planet. 'So, I think the optics were bad, and I guarantee that Biden's staffers were trying to talk him out of being there, and Merrick Garland, who's tried to remain above the fray in this, and is now seen hobnobbing with them.' Last week the president's son agreed to plead guilty to federal misdemeanor tax charges and a felony gun charge that will not have him see any jail time. When Jean-Pierre was questioned about Hunter's presence at the dinner, she said, 'I'm just not going to get into discussions, personal family discussions.' When Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned about Hunter's presence at the dinner, she said, 'I'm just not going to get into discussions, personal family discussions' 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.' A white Florida woman accused of shooting dead her black neighbor after a dispute over her children playing in the yard will not be charged with her murder. Susan Lorincz, 58, is accused of shooting mother-of-four Ajike 'AJ ' Owens, 35, dead in front of Owens' young son after a bitter two-year dispute between the pair came to a tragic end on June 2. State Attorney, William Gladson, confirmed that Lorincz would be charged with manslaughter because there was 'insufficient evidence' to prove she had a 'depraved mind' when she allegedly shot dead Owens in Ocala, Florida. In a statement, he confirmed he had been considering charging Lorincz with second-degree murder - but will instead charge her with manslaughter with a firearm which she could face up to 30 years in prison. He said: 'Given the facts in this case, aiming a firearm at the door, and pulling the trigger is legally insufficient to prove a depraved mind. State Attorney, William Gladson, confirmed that Lorincz would be charged with manslaughter because there was 'insufficient evidence' to prove she had a 'depraved mind' when she allegedly shot dead Owens Owens, 35, (pictured) was shot dead in front of her son, 10, after a bitter two-year dispute between the pair ended in tragedy in Ocala, Florida 'Case law has consistently held that extreme recklessness or impulsive overreactions are, in and of themselves, insufficient to prove second-degree murder. ' Since the night of the defendant's arrest in this case, I have indicated that I would be transparent in my decision-making process. Prior to making this decision, my office consulted with the victim's family, and their attorney. 'The defendant will be prosecuted for the offense of manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. My office will do all it can to seek justice for Ms. Owens and her family.' Lorincz was arrested four days after the fatal confrontation and admitted to cops that she shot Owens through her front door when the mom approached her property amid a row over her children 'trespassing' and arguing with Lorincz.' She remains in Marion County Jail after appearing in court in a suicide prevention vest or turtle suit on June 8. Lorincz, who has lived in the area for 15 years, told officers that she 'feared for her life' during the incident. The affidavit shows there were two surveillance cameras inside Lorincz's home, with one facing the patio and the other attached to the sliding door. Lorincz, an insurance agent, claimed that the cameras were functional but only record motion and 'at night sometimes do not capture anything.' Lorincz wore a suicide-prevention vest and spoke to confirm her name and date of birth before telling the court that she had filed for disability at her court hearing on June 8 A patched bullet hole, upper right, is seen on the front door of Lorincz's home after she fired her Remington 380 gun and fatally struck Owens who came knocking Lorincz, an insurance agent, told police during her interview that Owens' children had been 'trespassing' on her property in Ocala, Florida, and one threatened to 'beat her up' The cameras are accessible through her phone, and after initially declining to give the passcode, Lorincz handed over the phone. Officers could not see any recording after 8.40pm the night of the incident, but Lorincz denied deleting any recordings. Lorincz was left in possession of her phone for two hours after being placed inside of a police car and footage shows her accessing it briefly. However, it is unclear what she did on the phone from the view of the camera, and it was subsequently taken into evidence. Lorincz told cops that Owens' children had been 'trespassing' on her property, with neighbors revealing that she 'had a problem with kids' and would record them before taunting them with slurs as well as waving her guns around in their direction. Phyllis Wills, 33, told NBC that Lorincz would 'harass' her kids, adding: 'Everybody in this neighborhood has feuded with this lady over our children.' Other parents said they called her a 'Karen' after she repeatedly filmed their children and called the police about their antics. Owens went over to Lorincz's home to confront her over allegations she threw a rollerblade at one of her children earlier in the day and smashed a tablet, before swinging an umbrella The women lived across the road from each other and Lorincz had called 911 at 8.54pm on June 2 to complain that the children were trespassing and shouting outside her door An arrest affidavit revealed Lorincz told 911 that a 'female tried to break down her door while yelling' so she shot her 'It's an apartment complex. These are children who, you know, they're, they're going to do things,' Willis said. 'Every time they've went even in the patch of grass over there, she would be like, 'Get off of my lawn, you b****** or you retards or you N-word.' She would wave guns at them.' When interviewed by police, one of Owens' sons claimed that Lorincz had previously called them 'B******' and 'jack****s' as well as saying: 'This isn't the underground railroad, slave.' Owens went over to Lorincz's home to confront her over allegations she threw a rollerblade at one of her children earlier in the day and smashed a tablet, before swinging an umbrella at them. An arrest affidavit revealed that Lorincz had called 911 at 8.54pm on June 2 to complain that the children were trespassing, telling officers that they were shouting outside her door. Minutes later, officers then received several other emergency calls advising shots heard in the area, with Lorincz calling again to say that a 'female tried to break down her door while yelling' and she shot her. Owens' children appear with family members at New St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Monday after the mother-of-four died in hospital Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said Lorincz's version of events was 'BS' as accounts from Owens' children matched surveillance footage from a neighbor's home Owens' family lawyer Ben Crump is calling for the charges to be increased to murder, as well as an additional case for 'racially abusing' the children Owens reportedly told her son, 12, to call 911 after she was hit by the bullet, with the young boy telling officers she 'was only knocking on the door'. She was rushed to hospital, where she later died. Lorincz said that she fired the Remington 380 gun and admitted to owning a 22 Ruger claiming she only purchased the gun 'for protection after an altercation' with Owens. She told cops that she felt like she was in 'mortal danger' and was 'fearful for her life', before claiming she 'never intended to hit the victim' and she 'hit really high'. Authorities had come under pressure to arrest and charge Lorincz in a case that has put Florida's divisive stand-your-ground law back into the spotlight with Sheriff Woods describing it as 'simply a killing.' Lawyers for Owens' family are now calling for the charges to be increased to murder, as well as an additional case for 'racially abusing' the children. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said: 'There's evidence there to increase the charges. Especially when you think about what happened, with her harassing the children with racial epithets and profanity.' Florida's largest police union said on Monday (June 26) that it would back Governor Ron DeSantis for president in a blow to ex-commander-in-chief Donald Trump. The 30,000-strong Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) said DeSantis has been the 'most effective governor in the nation,' The group's president, John Kazanjian, said the 44-year-old will 'make public safety a top priority in the White House.' The PBA is the biggest police union in Florida. Some of their members were deployed at Donald Trump's recent Miami courthouse appearance over his alleged mishandling of classified White House documents. 'In major cities and communities across America, many Americans are grappling with increased crime rates that not only jeopardize public safety, but also threaten the quality of life in their communities,' he said. 'The ideological experiment of defunding the police and scapegoating law enforcement for America's social problems has failed.' The union boss said DeSantis is the 'one candidate for president who has a proven track record in enhancing public safety and investing in the essential men and women who help maintain public safety every day.' He pointed to Florida's move to invest over $100 million to increase salaries of officers and $20 million to support the fight against the killer drug, fentanyl. The latest Sunshine State budget included the wage hikes police officers as the Governor looks to court former Trump voters with his law and order credentials. The PBA made its first presidential endorsement in eight years when in 2020 it called for Trump to be re-elected 'to keep America safe.' DeSantis, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, hit the campaign trail in Texas earlier on Tuesday where he hit out at Joe Biden for failing to tackle organized crime. DeSantis gave a speech at Eagle Pass in Texas earlier on Monday in which he vowed to finish Trump's border wall Trump trashed DeSantis on his Truth Social platform, accusing him of being 'a failed candidate' who was aping the former president's policy ideas He vowed that under his presidency he would 'stop the invasion at our southern border' and 'fight the drug cartels.' The Governor also claimed that he would finish building the border wall started by Donald Trump, but axed by Biden on his first day in the White House. The real estate mogul lashed out at DeSantis on his Truth Social platform, branding him 'a failed candidate.' Last month, DeSantis signed a new bill into law in Florida that could see child rapists convicted in Florida executed . The 44-year-old governor approved a bill that would potentially allow the death penalty for those who commit sexual battery on children under the age of 12. He said he was making the move because pedophile rapists should face 'the ultimate punishment.' The legislation runs contrary to a 15-year-old Supreme Court ruling on the issue, but the Governor has effectively dared justices to strike it down. The law says the defendants could receive death sentences based on the recommendations of at least eight of 12 jurors. Judges would have the discretion to impose the death penalty or sentence defendants to life in prison. If fewer than eight jurors recommend death, defendants would receive life sentences. But juries would still need to unanimously find defendants guilty of any crime before the sentencing phase would begin. Florida has executed more than 100 death row inmates since the death penalty was reinstated there in 1976. Governor Rick Scott approved the most death warrants, signing off on 28 during his time in office. A severe weather warning has been issued for central and northern Australia with a blast of torrential rain, near-freezing temperatures and even snow. An unseasonal 3,000km rain band stretching from the Pilbara and Kimberley, across the outback and across to the eastern seaboard, is expected to intensify and wreak chaos in the coming days. Flood warnings have been issued for the hordes of tourists and campers who have flocked to the region during the winter school holidays. Uluru received 30.6mm in 12 hours on Monday about 10 per cent of its annual average with more heavy rain forecast for Tuesday, The unseasonal weather event at the popular tourist attraction is expected to create stunning waterfalls against the world-famous rock and change the colour of its red face, sparking an influx of visitors. A 3000km rain band stretching from the Pilbara and Kimberley, across the outback and across to the eastern seaboard has hit the country Rain is forecast in Alice Springs every day for the next week with overnight temperatures forecast to dip as low as 3C. 'It's quite a prolonged event For the month of June, the region would typically receive 5 to 20 millimetres. So, to be predicting 50 to 100 millimetres is well in excess of average,' Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Billy Lynch told the ABC. Snow is also expected on some of the desert's highest peaks later in the week. '(Different weather models) need to be treated cautiously, but it is indicating that on Friday and Saturday there is a significant cold pool moving across Central Australia,' Mr Lynch said. 'So, as strange as it sounds, I'm not willing to rule out the chance of snow on some of those very high peaks.' Flood warnings have also been for southern and western parts of the Northern Territory. 'Widespread daily rainfall totals of 10-30 millimetres are likely for parts of the flood watch area from (Monday) until Saturday, increasing to 20-50 millimetres across the southwest on Tuesday, with isolated heavier falls,' a BOM alert states 'Event rainfall totals from (Monday) to Saturday could reach 50-100 mm, exceeding the June average of 5-20 mm.' Rare snow is forecast on central Australia's highest peaks later in the week Pockets of northern and central Australia will cop a heavy deluge on Wednesday. The wettest regions are pictured in blue Further south, emergency crews are bracing for heavy rain in South Australia's north as a private dam remains at risk of failure in the Adelaide Hills. The State Emergency Service was on Monday night continuing to monitor dams at Hope Forest and Basket Range, after risk abated of the latter dam failing. A watch and act warning remained in place for the Hope Forest dam, with some road closures in place for residents. Nearby homes could be flooded if the dam fails, after continual rain in the past days raised its risk profile. Elsewhere across the country, it will be a wet Wednesday in Sydney with more showers forecast in the coming days and maximum temperatures in the teens. Rain is also forecast in Melbourne, Hobart and for the rest of the week In the nation's capital, Canberra will escape the wet but will need to rug up as early morning temperatures dip to as low as zero on Friday. Brisbane will be sunny for the rest of the week, as will Perth over in the west. Large swathes of Australia will need their umbrellas this weeks, including Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide The bosses of the water company responsible for the first hosepipe ban of summer have been summoned to an 'urgent meeting' with watchdogs. Regulators at Ofwat wrote to South East Water after the restrictions, which came into effect for its customers in Kent and Sussex yesterday, followed a litany of other failures by the supplier. Burst pipes from freeze-thaw hit 286,000 properties in December and the hot weather led to 6,000 properties having interruptions, low pressure or their supply cut off two weeks ago, with some schools closing. The firm has paid two of its bosses 1.7million combined in pay and bonuses over two years. Ofwat chief executive David Black said that 'resilience of supplies is well below what would be expected' and that he is concerned about a ban being brought in during the year's first hot weather. Ofwat chief executive David Black said that 'resilience of supplies is well below what would be expected' and that he is concerned about a ban being brought in during the year's first hot weather (Stock Image) Mr Black claimed South East Water is one of the sector's worst performers and it needs 'transformative change'. His remarks came as it emerged South East Water's chief executive David Hinton and chief financial officer Andrew Farmer gave themselves bonuses worth 422,838 in 2021/22. Between them, they received 948,374 in pay plus bonuses in that period and 765,631 in the 12 months before that. The company has admitted it lost 92 million litres a day on a three-year rolling average in 2021/22. Five other water and sewage company bosses have given up their bonuses this year due to sewage discharges into rivers. Analysis of Companies House records by the Liberal Democrats shows South East Water made 161.4million in operating profits since 2020. The party yesterday tabled a parliamentary motion calling on water companies to give customers a discount if hosepipe restrictions are enforced. Lib Dem environment spokesman Tim Farron said: 'This is a complete farce. People are paying full price for a service they aren't receiving. The Government needs to get a grip on profiteering firms.' South East Water has been contacted for comment. Oklahoma senator and former MMA fighter Markwayne Mullin accepted Sean O'Brien's challenge to a fight after the teamster boss lobbed shots at him on social media. Mullin suggested he and the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Monday to fight him for charity in Tulsa on September 30. 'Greedy CEO pretends like he's self-made. In reality, just a clown & fraud. Always has been, always will be. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings. You know where to find me. Anyplace, anytime cowboy,' O'Brien wrote on Twitter days ago. 'An attention-seeking union Teamster boss is trying to be punchy after our Senate hearing. Okay, I accept your challenge. MMA fight for charity of our choice. Sept 30th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, suggested he and the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Monday to fight him for charity in Tulsa on September 30 The pair previously traded barbs at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in March where Mullin went after Sean O'Brien's salary 'I'll give you 3 days to accept,' Mullin wrote in a tweet Monday. The pair previously traded barbs at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in March where Mullin went after O'Brien's salary. Mullin, who owned and operated a non-union plumbing business before selling his majority shares in 2021, accused O'Brien and other union leaders of 'sucking the paycheck' out of union workers to pay their 'exorbitant' salaries. Mullin claimed he and his employees underwent intimidation when they started getting contracts over union workers. 'They would show up at my house. They'd be leaning up against my trucks. I'm not afraid of a physical confrontation, in fact sometimes I look forward to it. That's not my problem. But when you're doing that to my employees?' Mullin said. 'For what? Because we were paying higher wages? Because we had better benefits, and [weren't] requiring them to pay your guys' exorbitant salaries?' he added before asking O'Brien what he made as a salary. O'Brien tried to answer but Mullin cut him off - and noted O'Brien had made $193,000 in 2019 while the average driver made $35,000 a year. As of 2021, the value of Mullin's assets ranged from $31.6 million to $75.6 million, according to Tulsa World. His salary in Congress is $174,000. 'And what do you bring to the table?' he asked O'Brien. 'That's inaccurate. State facts. That's inaccurate,' O'Brien shot back. 'What job have you created one job other than sucking the paycheck out of somebody else?' asked Mullin. 'You're out of line, man,' said O'Brien. 'Don't tell me I'm out of line,' Mullin quipped, 'You need to shut your mouth.' The latest challenge to a fight however seems to come from a more recent hearing where Mullin again referenced O'Brien's salary, but called him by the wrong name. 'Hey, JohnWayne Mullin..First off, my name's O'Brien not O'Malley. Secondly, you should get your facts straight because every time you speak in these hearings you're full of sh*t. The more you run your mouth, the more you show the American public what a moron you are,' O'Brien tweeted, with a clip of the hearing. In another follow-up tweet O'Brien wrote: 'What have you done for working people in OK? Last time I checked, your state ranks near the bottom in median wages. Sounds like you need to shut your mouth & get to work for the people of your state. They deserve action, not your phony 'man of the people' spiel.' In 2006 and 2007 Mullin fought in three mixed martial arts fights, winning all three. Former Brexit minister Lord Frost will today issue a 'radical' call to revive Tory fortunes by slashing taxes, halting the rush to net zero and holding a referendum on the European Convention on Human Rights. In a call to arms, he will warn that the Government has lost its way and needs to embrace 'real Conservative' policies in order to have any hope of defeating Labour. Lord Frost will acknowledge that the Government has failed to deliver on the promise of Brexit, but will argue that it is not too late to show the public that it has the ideas to transform the country. In a speech to the Legatum Institute think-tank, he will say: 'The Brexit referendum was about change. The 2019 Election was about change. 'We haven't delivered it, but there is still time to paint a picture of how we want Britain to be different, how we can change the country in the interests of everyone who lives here.' Lord Frost will warn that the Government has lost its way and needs to embrace 'real Conservative' policies Lord Frost who was Boris Johnson's former Brexit negotiator will warn that the Tories have spent too much time 'playing Westminster politics' like in the David Cameron era rather than focusing on the country's problems. And he will urge Rishi Sunak to start 'showing how things can be different in future. And ensuring we have actual control over the government machine so it can deliver'. He will issue a ten-point prospectus, which he acknowledges will be seen by some as 'impossibly radical'. Proposals include reducing the tax burden to the level it was two decades ago, which would require tax cuts worth around 100 billion. He will call for an end to the race to net zero, saying the 2050 target enshrined in law is unachievable, and calling for the planned phase-out of gas boilers and petrol cars to be axed. Lord Frost will argue that the country needs to build millions more homes, including on the green belt in the South East an idea that is anathema to many Tory MPs in the run-up to the next Election. Net immigration should be slashed from its current level of 600,000 to under 100,000. And ministers should offer a referendum on the UK's continued membership of the European Convention on Human Rights. 'Some of this will sound impossibly radical,' he will say. 'This is an indication of how far we have let things drift. 'There is no point in doing only things which are acceptable to public opinion but which do not solve our actual problems. Instead, we have to set out a way of dealing with our problems and then persuading voters of it. 'If we want our children to be richer than us, the usual expectation of every generation since the Industrial Revolution, we are going to need to do some radical things.' Lord Frost was given a peerage by Mr Johnson after negotiating the terms of the UK's exit from the EU and went on to serve in the Cabinet before dramatically quitting during the pandemic in 2021, citing 'concerns about the current direction of travel' of the Government. He has since established himself as a major figure on the Tory Right. He has announced plans to stand for Parliament as a Conservative candidate, which would require him to give up his peerage if he is elected. Fresh fears have been raised that a future Labour government would go soft on Brexit after it emerged Sir Keir Starmer is being advised by a host of prominent Remainers. The Opposition leader has in recent months had a briefing from Lord Cooper of Windrush, a former Tory polling guru who was suspended from his party over his opposition to government policy on the EU. The pair were schoolmates as well as members of the East Surrey Young Socialists and Lord Cooper now 'wants Starmer to be prime minister', according to a report. Sir Keir himself has been given advice on how to run the country by Sir Tony Blair, who wanted Britain to adopt the euro. His Shadow Cabinet is also receiving training on how to operate in government from the handful of serving Labour MPs who have ministerial experience, including Sir Ben Bradshaw, who called for a second referendum. Fresh fears have been raised that a future Labour government would go soft on Brexit after it emerged Sir Keir Starmer is being advised by a host of prominent Remainers The Opposition leader has in recent months had a briefing from Lord Cooper of Windrush (pictured), a former Tory polling guru who was suspended from his party over his opposition to government policy on the EU Sir Ben, standing down at the next election, told Times Radio that previous Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had been a 'disaster' for the country because he failed to help Remain win. He added: 'You know, Brexit may well not have happened if it hadn't been for Corbyn, if we'd had a better, stronger leader who could have articulated the case of staying in the European Union more strongly to our working class base.' Moves are also afoot to insert pledges in Labour's general election manifesto that would move Britain closer to Brussels. The Labour Movement for Europe wants to make access to the single market a priority for the party's first term in power calling for full membership. The group also wants automatic alignment between the UK and EU on workers' rights and for Labour to support a trade pact called the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention. These are ideas being proposed to the party's National Policy Forum. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy gave a speech last night at a conference organised by anti-Brexit group Best for Britain at which he promised a Labour government would make improving relations with Brussels a priority. 'If you do not think Britain's relationship with Europe is of fundamental importance to our future, you are living in a fantasy,' Mr Lammy told the event. He vowed to 'improve our trade deal with the EU' when it comes up for review in 2025. But former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost warned: 'It's clear that, whatever the leadership says in public, Labour would push us back towards the EU if they ever got the chance.' Publicly, however, Sir Keir who previously branded the Leave vote 'catastrophic' and campaigned for a second referendum has ruled out bringing Britain back into the EU. He has pledged to make Brexit work and said arguments about rejoining the single market or customs union are 'in the past, where they belong'. Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson said: 'Labour aren't hiding that their number one priority is to beg the EU to allow us back crawling on our hands and knees into their political union. 'Sir Keir spent years trying to block Brexit and overturn the largest democratic vote in this country's history - and still can't get over his EU obsession. Only the Conservative Government can be trusted to protect Brexit.' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested someone was trying to hack into her television over the weekend to spy on her in her Washington, D.C, residence. Due to previous outlandish claims, many are dismissing the congresswoman's concerns, which she shares in a ranting Twitter post Saturday morning. While unclear who Rep. Greene is claiming was spying on her, she said she knows a lot of people who have 'been screwed over by the corrupt people in our government.' Rep. Greene, colloquially known by her initials MTG, backed up her claim by sharing some of her health data including that she isn't worried that she had a stroke in that moment she saw her television turn on by itself because she is not vaccinated against COVID-19. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said Sunday that someone hacked into her television at her D.C. residence and suggested they were trying to spy on her The lengthy tweet on Sunday included a statement of the congresswoman saying she is 'happy' and 'healthy,' as a way of suggesting the suspect television activity could be hints someone is attempting to assassinate her MTG, is a known conspiracy theorist and has pushed questionable claims in the past, including that Jewish space lasers were to blame for the California wildfires in 2020. She also believes that coronavirus vaccinations are leading to other medical issues, like spontaneous heart failure. 'Last night in my DC residence, the television turned on by itself and the screen showed someone's laptop trying to connect to the TV. Journalist Matt Binder speculated that what MTG was experiencing was her neighbor mistakenly trying to screen cast their device to the incorrect television. It appears MTG shared her health information to set the record in writing on Twitter that she is happy and in good health in case she mysteriously disappears or dies as a suggestion she is worried about an assassination attempt. 'Just for the record: I'm very happy. I'm also very healthy and eat well and exercise a lot,' the Crossfitting congresswoman said. 'I don't smoke and never have. I don't take any medications. I am not vaccinated. So I'm not concerned about blood clots, heart conditions, strokes, or anything else.' She insisted: 'Nor do I have anything to hide.' The pro-Trump lawmaker has been known to push conspiracies in the past. One journalist on Twitter said it was likely a neighbor accidentally trying to screen cast to the wrong television 'I just love my country and the people and know how much they've been screwed over by the corrupt people in our government and I'm not willing to be quiet about it, or willing to go along with it,' MTG concluded. The tweet was posted to her personal account. She did follow-up on her official congressional Twitter Sunday afternoon with a link to a Newsweek story claiming: 'MTG says she is being spied on. While hacking into smart TV's is possible, she has shared misinformation about COVID before and she's a conspiracy theorist.' 'You know what they say about conspiracy theories,' she added. Sir John Major has told how his professional relationship with Margaret Thatcher began with a 'furious row'. The former prime minister detailed a fiery exchange between himself and Lady Thatcher while he was serving her as a whip. Speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival, sponsored by the Daily Mail, Sir John also admitted his 'Victorian upbringing' may have influenced how he responded to her because she was a woman. Lady Thatcher endorsed Sir John's leadership campaign after withdrawing from the 1990 Tory leadership contest herself, ending the first female prime minister's 11-year premiership. Sir John served as prime minister between 1990 and 1997. However, the pair disagreed on a number of issues including Britain's relationship with Europe. Speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival, sponsored by the Daily Mail, Sir John also admitted his 'Victorian upbringing' may have influenced how he responded to her because she was a woman Lady Thatcher endorsed Sir John's leadership campaign after withdrawing from the 1990 Tory leadership contest herself, ending the first female prime minister's 11-year premiership Yesterday he spoke of how, as a whip, he had been tasked with reporting back 'unfavourable' opinions of Tory MPs who were unhappy with Lady Thatcher's economic policies. 'I reported exactly what the party thought', Sir John said. 'Margaret was outraged. I don't think anybody had told her before how upset, nervous, the party was over the economic policy at the time... And she attacked me as the messenger. 'At the end of the meeting, sitting at the back had been a number of people one of whom was Margaret's husband. Denis came over and tapped me on the shoulder and said, "She'd have enjoyed that, don't worry". The other group said to me, "Well that's the end of your career." ' The pair found common ground the very next day. Sir John said: 'I was sitting on the Treasury bench... and Margaret came in from the prime minister's office behind the Speaker's chair and sat down beside me and said, "I've been thinking about our conversation last night. I think we'd better start again and talk about it". And we did and five weeks later she put me in her government.' Yesterday Sir John spoke of how, as a whip, he had been tasked with reporting back 'unfavourable' opinions of Tory MPs who were unhappy with Lady Thatcher's economic policies When he was 13 a politician bought him tickets to visit the House of Commons. 'The atmosphere reached out, grabbed me, and I thought this is where I wish to spend my life,' he said. Born to a 63-year-old father, Sir John, now 80, said he had a 'Victorian upbringing'. He admitted his 'strict upbringing' influenced how he 'behaved' towards other people and 'particularly... women'. Addressing how this affected his relationship with Lady Thatcher, he said: 'I felt a little restricted in publicly responding, though privately we did talk about it sometimes quite fiercely.' Embattled beer company Bud Light served as an official sponsor of the Toronto Pride parade Sunday when naked men marched in the street as children and families lined the sidewalks. The annual event featured a float adorned with Bud Light signs, on which girls in shorts and colorful Bud Light shirts danced to music. It also saw a group of nudists walking through the streets and scantily-clad performers dancing on a Bud Light-sponsored stage. The decision to sponsor the event comes just weeks after the company apparently sponsored an 'all-ages Pride event' in Arizona. The company is still seeing its profits tumble, with sales plummeting another 27 percent for the week ending June 10, as it continues to face backlash for a controversial partnership featuring trans TikToker Dylan Mulvaney. Bud Light served as the official sponsor of the Toronto Pride Parade on Sunday, despite its recent controversy with LGBTQ influencer Dylan Mulvaney The beer brand sponsored a stage where a group of scantily-clad performers wearing stockings over their heads performed Videos posted online showed a group of nudists walk through the streets at the Pride parade as families watched Footage captured by The Post Millennial's Beth Basich from Sunday's Pride Parade showed dozens of attendees marching in the streets in full view of children who went to the festival with their families. One carried a sign saying, 'Life is short: Play Naked' and 'Be bare, be bold' as the crowd cheered them on. Another of the naked marchers held up a sign saying: 'Proudly celebrating my diversity.' Other footage showed a stage, clearly adorned with Bud Light branding, featuring scantily-clad dancers wearing fishnets, nipple stickers and nylons over their face with cartoon-like eyes drawn onto it. The footage was shared online and drew condemnation as people questioned the 'family friendly' atmosphere. There were also videos from Pride events in Seattle and New York City. In Seattle, the explicit footage posted by a Post Millennial staffer showed naked men with pride flags painted on their bodies riding down the street and waving to crowds of people, including many children. Children and their parents can be seen on the sidelines, clapping and cheering for the naked gang. In New York City, millions of people turned out for Sunday's pride march. However, it wasn't always peaceful as a heated moment in Washington Square Park in NYC shows a crowd becoming physical with the woman who was holding a sign that read 'Defend Female Sex Based Rights.' She was quickly surrounded as the mob began smacking her sign from all directions as she screamed 'stop f****** touching me.' The woman, who identifies on social media as 'LGBT Nonprofit Whistleblower' K Yang, had her sign ripped violently out of her hands as she was hit in the head with a cup of water. Bud Light also sponsored a float at the parade, as it celebrated its 10 year partnership with Pride Toronto Bud Light also provided $100,000 to various organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community across Canada Bud Light signs were clearly visible on the stage where the risque dancers were performing during the Pride events in Toronto Bud Light served as a sponsor for Pride events across North America, including gathering in Chicago, San Francisco and Toronto. On its website, Bud Light Canada affirms it 'has been a proud partner of Pride Toronto for the last 10 years,' and says: 'This year, we're commemorating this milestone with Pride Toronto by featuring them on our can design, as well as continuing as the official beer sponsor of the festival.' There are several sponsors listed for the Toronto Pride Month celebrations - including Amazon, Captain Morgan, Crest, Home Depot, Neutrogena and Sephora. Bud Light also stated it provided $100,000 to various organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community across Canada and has created a range of Bud Light beer cans to commemorate the partnership. DailyMail.com has reached out to Bud Light's parent company, Anheuser-Busch, for comment. The risque Pride parade came just weeks after Bud Light apparently co-sponsored an 'all-ages Pride event' in Flagstaff, Arizona The beer company was listed as a sponsor on a poster for the Pride in the Pines event on June 17, but after it received criticism on Twitter, Flagstaff Pride recalled the poster and posted a new one eliminating any mention of Bud Light, saying: 'We put out an incorrect promotional poster, which included Bud Light as a sponsor.' Earlier this month, Bud Light was listed as the sponsor of a 'family-friendly' Pride event with drag queens in Flagstaff, Arizona Bud Light executives also denied they were sponsoring the event, which featured drag queens but was listed as a 'family festival event' and a 'safe space' for all visitors. But Bud Light was still listed among the sponsors on the organization's website, and a poster for the Pride in the Pines festival on the site said it was 'presented by Bud Light.' The company continues to reel from its ad campaign with Dylan Mulvaney, who posted a video announcing she was partnering with Bud Light in early April. In the controversial promotion, Mulvaney, 26, posted a video on April 1 of herself cracking open a Bud Light on her Instagram page. She showed off the customized can with her face on it - one of many corporate freebies she gets and promotes to her millions of followers. Bud Light was accused of alienating their traditional customer base by partnering with Mulvaney, which led many conservatives - including Kid Rock - to boycott the brand. Conservatives have continued with the boycott, leading to the Belgian based brewer to place two executives responsible for partnership Alissa Heinerscheid, the vice president of marketing, and her boss, Daniel Blake on leave in April. 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. The beer giant is continuing to reel from the effects of its disastrous ad campaign featuring trans TikToker Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light commemorated her first full year as a transgender woman with a beer can featuring her face. It has also apparently created Pride beer cans for the Toronto festival Ever since that disastrous ad campaign, the beer giant lost its crown as America's bestselling beer to Modelo, a Mexican lager brewed by Grupo Modelo - which is also owned by Bud manufacturer Anheuser-Busch. Bud Light's sales dropped 26.8 percent for the week ending June 10, the worst week-on-week performance since its early April advertising campaign. It's a deeper drop from the week ending on June 3, which saw a 24.4 percent drop, according to Bump Williams Consulting and NielsenIQ. The new low beats the previous worst - an almost 26 percent drop - for the week ending May 25. Anheuser-Busch's other US brands - including Budweiser, Michelob Ultra and Natural Light - have also seen a significant decline in sales since the controversy. Bud is down 10 percent, while Natty Light and Michelob are down 2.3 and 2.4 percent, respectively. 'This was a tough week for Bud Light and other beer brands,' Bump Williams, owner of the consulting company, said. The once-popular beer company saw its worst week in sales, dropping 26.8 percent the week of June 10 Recently, Anheuser-Busch's chief marketing officer said that the Bud Light partnership with Dylan Mulvaney was a humbling reminder it needs to understand its consumers better. Marcel Marcondes ironically made the comments while accepting an award for 'Creative Marketer of the Year' at Cannes Lions - a lavish industry conference in the south of France dubbed the 'Oscars for the adverting industry.' Though AB was named the winner of the award before the fiasco erupted, it was not officially awarded until Monday, meaning there was a mighty elephant in the room. Some even said the company should turn down the award, the Wall Street Journal reported. 'In times like this, when things get divisive and controversial so easily, I think it's an important wake-up call to all of us marketers first of all to be very humble,' he said. 'That's what we're doing, being very humble, and really reminding ourselves of what we should do best every day, which is to really understand our consumers. 'Which is to really celebrate and appreciate every consumer that loves our brands - but in a way that can make them be together, not apart.' The session was described in programming notes as a talk in part about AB InBev's 'relentless focus on connecting with consumers in meaningful ways,' The Wall Street Journal reported. Marcondes has worked at AB InBev for nearly two decades, according to his LinkedIn profile, and now oversees its global marketing strategies of AB brands including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA, Stella Artois and others. 'It's tough to see the controversial and divisive debates that have been happening in the US in the last couple of weeks involving lots of brands and companies, including and especially Bud Light,' Marcondes said during the presentation. 'It's tough exactly because what we do is all about bringing people together.' 'That's what Bud Light stands for - it exists to make beer easy to drink and easy to enjoy,' he said. 'That's what we all, as a team, will be doing moving forward as a group. That's what leaders do. Bud Light is coming back. It's going all around the country, reconnecting with consumers, moving forward. That's what you can expect from Bud Light in the US.' Flight paths for the new multi-billion dollar Western Sydney Airport set to open in 2026 have been released, sparking fears some areas will be impacted far more than others. The $5.3 billion Western Sydney International Airport in Badgerys Creek, 45km from the CBD, will be the first in New South Wales with no curfew, with flights taking off and landing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are fears that this will heavily impact people living in Sydney's west. While resident's in the city's inner-west and eastern suburbs already experience a lot of flight noise from the Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport in the city's south, it has a curfew in place between 11pm and 6am. The proposed flight paths for the new airport, along with estimated aircraft noise impacts, became available on Tuesday for surrounding communities through an online interactive Aircraft Overflight Noise Tool. The tool allows people to type in their address to get a clear picture of the preliminary flight paths, including the expected altitude at that location, daily aircraft numbers and the predicted aircraft noise. The $5.3 billion Western Sydney International Airport in Badgerys Creek, 45km from the CBD, will be the first in New South Wales with no curfew, with flights taking off and landing 24 hours a day, seven days a week Wind conditions will ultimately determine which of the two main runway directions - known as Runway 05 and Runway 23 - will be used through the day and night. When Runway 05 is used, all aircraft will arrive from the south-west and depart to the north-east, while Runway 23 will see all planes arriving from the north-east and departing to the south-west. A third runway direction, which can be used at night when air traffic demand is lower, is designed to minimise the impact of noise on the most heavily populated areas of Western Sydney. The online tool shows that Erskine Park is one of the suburbs most affected by aircraft noise when Runway 05 is used. In 2033, residents in Erskine Park are predicted to experience 20 to 49 flights exceeding 70 decibels over 24 hours, according to the ABC. This is the level that stops conversation inside, when all the windows are closed. When Runway 23 is used, residents around Greendale are most affected, predicted to experience 20 to 49 flights exceeding 70 decibels over 24 hours. Supporting material explains the approaches to the preliminary flight paths design and noise modelling. When Runway 05 is used, all aircraft will arrive from the south-west and depart to the north-east (pictured) When Runway 23 is used all planes will arrive from the north-east and depart to the south-west (pictured) The federal Transport Department will hold community information and feedback sessions across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains in the coming months. Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said the tool provided 'additional transparency' to the community. 'Communities will be able to find out more information and speak with the flight path design team at these events,' Ms King said on Tuesday. 'The Albanese government is committed to balancing the needs of the community, environment, industry and users of the broader greater Sydney airspace, while maintaining safety as a priority, in the design of [the airport's] flight paths,' she said. Construction of the airport, which will open in 2026, is past the halfway mark (pictured) But Peter Dollin of the Residents Against Western Sydney Airport (RAWSA) community group said he is concerned about the noise impacts. 'There's an absolute inequality going on here between eastern Sydney and Western Sydney,' he told the ABC. 'Sydney Airport has the benefit of a curfew, there'll be no curfew for this airport.' The preliminary flight paths were developed according to airspace design principles reflecting community feedback from 'proof-of-concept' flight paths released in 2015. These include minimising flights over residential areas and reducing the impact on the community of aircraft operations at night. Later this year, the federal government will release a draft environmental impact statement examining the noise, social and environmental impacts of the preliminary flight path. It will include a draft noise insulation and property acquisition policy. The airport will initially have capacity for up to 10 million passengers and around 81,000 air traffic movements a year by 2033. Earlier this month, Qantas and Jetstar became the first airlines to sign a deal with the airport. The tool is available at: wsiflightpaths.gov.au Bryan Kohberger could be executed by the state of Idaho if he is convicted of murdering four students, prosecutors confirmed Monday, noting the killings were 'especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity'. Kohberger, 28, is accused in the November 13 killings in the town of Moscow of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The four students were found stabbed to death in their beds in the home they shared in the college town. The case shocked and terrified the small community: Kohberger, a criminal psychology student, was arrested on December 30 at his family home in Pennsylvania. On Monday prosecutors informed the judge that they intended to seek the death penalty. Bryan Kohberger is pictured in court in Moscow, Idaho on June 9. On Monday, prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty against the 28-year-old Kohberger pleaded not guilty last month to the murders of roommates Maddie Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20 The Latah County Prosecutors' Office informed the court they would seek the death penalty because the killings were 'especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity'. Prosecutors stated the death penalty was appropriate because there were multiple victims; the defendant 'exhibited utter disregard for human life'; the defendant 'acted with reckless indifference to human life'; and the defendant represents a threat to society. Prosecutors added they had not been provided with any mitigating circumstances that could be used to argue why Kohberger shouldn't be put to death. NewsNation reported prosecutors have met with the victims' families to discuss the matter, with Kernodle's mother, Cara Northington, favoring prison for life for Kohberger if he is convicted. Her father, Jeff, on the other hand, is reportedly in favor of the death penalty for the alleged killer. The Goncalves and Mogens are also in favor of the death penalty, and the Chapins have not made their position public. On Thursday, lawyers for Kohberger claimed DNA evidence from two other men was found at the scene. The attorneys said there was 'no connection' between their client and the students fatally stabbed in their off-campus Moscow home. 'There is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims,' read the filing by attorney Jay Logsdon. 'There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr. Kohberger's apartment, office, home, or vehicle.' The defense team said that a second male's DNA was found inside the Moscow home and that police allegedly found DNA from a third man on a glove discovered outside the home A Ka-Bar knife similar to the one thought to have been used in the murders The filing states that 'by December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males' DNA within the house where the deceased were located.' The defense team said a second man's DNA was found inside the Moscow home and that police allegedly found DNA from a third man's DNA on a glove discovered outside the home. 'To this date, the Defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than the STR DNA profiles.' The filing, an Objection to State's Motion for Protective Order, argued the defense team should have access to all the data and investigative genetic genealogy that led prosecutors to claim Kohberger's DNA, collected with a buccal swab, was a 'statistical match' to DNA found on a knife sheath discovered at the scene. Earlier this month, prosecutors claimed DNA found on a knife sheath left at the Idaho murders scene is a 'statistical match' to a cheek swab taken from the suspect. The FBI said they used databases in publicly held DNA sites similar to 23andMe. Prosecutors previously argued Kohberger had no right to FBI data uncovered from the method. In their filing, the defense team said: 'Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not accept that his defense does not need this information. 'The state apparently only wants to prevent Mr. Kohberger from seeing how the investigative genetic genealogy profile was created and how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation.' The filing accused the government of failing to release the information because 'somehow people will stop sharing their genetics if they were to realize the government is watching.' Detectives found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was partially under Mogen's body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents filed on June 16. The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment, and 'not guilty' pleas were entered on his behalf The home where the murders took place, on King Road in Moscow - a quiet cul de sac near the University of Idaho campus A sample of DNA left on the sheath is 'at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source,' prosecutors said in the filing. When DNA is found at the scene of the crime that does not belong to victims, one of the first thing police do is run it through their own database to check if it matches the DNA of any previous offenders. This process is referred to as a short tandem repeat comparison and tests the sample against 20 DNA markers - enough to identify the person if their own DNA is already in the system, or, in some cases, if the DNA of an immediate relative is in the system, such as a parent or a sibling. The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment, and 'not guilty' pleas were entered on his behalf. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. Migrant interpreters should undergo 'LGBT sensitivity training' because they risk influencing asylum claims with their own unconscious bias, a committee of MPs has claimed. The Women and Equalities Committee made the extraordinary recommendation in a report calling for better treatment of asylum seekers by increasing taxpayer-funded support. It claimed that interpreters can 'adversely affect' asylum claims and should receive diversity training to avoid 'application of stereotypes' for gay and transgender claimants. It also called for their benefits to be boosted by a third, legal aid for help challenging deportations to be increased and for children to be exempt from the Rwanda asylum deal. But it sparked a backlash, with critics branding the recommendations 'woke'. One senior Tory MP said: 'We have to end this woke nonsense and the idea that we can counter perceived unconscious bias by adopting politically correct policies, which actually threaten to prohibit perfectly sensible opinions.' Migrant interpreters should undergo 'LGBT sensitivity training' because they risk influencing asylum claims with their own unconscious bias, a committee of MPs has claimed The Women and Equalities Committee made the extraordinary recommendation in a report calling for better treatment of asylum seekers by increasing taxpayer-funded support Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense Group of Tory MPs, said: 'We grant far too many asylum claims. It's not just about deterring people who aren't legitimate that we need to focus on, but also raising the bar in what we perceive as an appropriate case' Sir John Hayes, chairman of the Common Sense Group of Tory MPs, added: 'We grant far too many asylum claims. It's not just about deterring people who aren't legitimate that we need to focus on, but also raising the bar in what we perceive as an appropriate case.' The report said it had 'heard allegations' that people claiming asylum based on gender and sexual orientation can be disadvantaged by 'biased or prejudiced interpreters'. Charity Rainbow Migration was among those the committee spoke to. It told MPs that some interpreters were deliberately providing a poor service because of their own prejudices 'for example, by mistranslating, rebuking or judging people'. The committee report concluded: 'We recommend the Home Office establish a programme of religious impartiality and LGBT sensitivity training for all language interpreters on its approved list.' Meanwhile, weekly support payments to asylum seekers should be increased from 45 to '70 per cent of the standard over-25s rate of Universal Credit'. This would boost it to more than 60 a week for an individual. The committee is chaired by Tory MP Caroline Nokes. The wife of one of Boris Johnson's Partygate inquisitors attended a second 'party' which was potentially lockdown-busting, it was claimed last night. Baroness Jenkin held a bash to celebrate the 15th anniversary of co-founding the Women2Win group, according to the Guido Fawkes website. This was just two weeks before throwing a 'birthday drinks' party to mark her 65th birthday, which was attended by her husband, Sir Bernard Jenkin. There is no suggestion he attended the first Women2Win anniversary gathering. Sir Bernard, a member of the privileges committee which investigated Mr Johnson over his statements on Partygate, has been accused of cowardice and hypocrisy for repeatedly dodging questions over claims that he attended the December 2020 bash to celebrate his wife's birthday. The event, held in the Commons office of Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing, took place at a time when all indoor socialising was against Covid regulations in England. Baroness Nicholson pictured on the left has no drink, whereas Anne Jenkin (on the right) has a drink in hand. The selfie was taken by Resham Kotecha at a Women2Win 15th anniversary event and was posted 25 November 2020 Bernard Jenkin pictured with his wife Anne Conservative Party Summer Ball at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road June 6 2011 Last Monday, Sir Bernard voted in favour of the privileges committee report that he co-authored condemning Mr Johnson's statements to Parliament about Downing Street gatherings during lockdown all but ending the ex-premier's Commons career. MPs who are refusing to talk about 'gatherings' A group of MPs have maintained their silence for nearly two weeks about the alleged lockdown-busting party for Sir Bernard Jenkin's wife's birthday. The Tory grandee and Baroness Jenkin have both repeatedly refused to answer the Mail's questions about the December 2020 gathering, which they both allegedly attended. News of it emerged on June 14. Also present at the 'birthday drinks' bash for Baroness Jenkin were said to be former culture secretary Maria Miller and fellow Conservative MPs Miriam Cates and Virginia Crosbie, who was parliamentary private secretary to then-health secretary Matt Hancock at the time. The gathering was in the office of deputy speaker Dame Eleanor Laing, who was also said to be present. But all have refused to say anything. The Mail caught up with Sir Bernard last week, but he refused to answer any questions about whether any rules had been broken. Before claims about the party were fully aired, Sir Bernard told the Guido Fawkes website that he 'did not attend any drinks parties during lockdown', but could not recall whether he drank any alcohol at the birthday gathering. Scotland Yard is assessing whether any rules were broken. Advertisement This was despite Sir Bernard himself potentially facing a police probe for allegedly breaking lockdown rules, something Mr Johnson's allies say makes him a 'hypocrite'. Sir Bernard has maintained his silence over the affair for nearly two weeks, and refused to answer any of the Mail's questions when this newspaper caught up with him in Parliament last week. Scotland Yard is assessing whether any rules were broken at the event, where there was allegedly alcohol and cake on offer and at least ten attendees. One source said social distancing 'went out of the window' at the gathering. The earlier Women2Win bash took place in the Westminster offices of the Policy Exchange think-tank, Guido Fawkes reported last night. An image obtained by the website appeared to show Baroness Jenkin with a cup in her hand. It is not clear what she is drinking. One attendee insisted it wasn't a party, but described the gathering as 'joyful' and 'a celebration, definitely'. It was unclear how many people were there in total. Mr Johnson and David Cameron addressed the event online via Zoom. Former prime minister Theresa May was present in person and was said to have stayed briefly for a few pictures before quickly leaving after discussing the success of Women2Win, which encourages more Tory women to stand for political office. Mrs May was last week among the MPs who backed the privileges committee's report into Mr Johnson. At the time of the parties, lockdown regulations made clear that 'you must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household... or support bubble'. Everyone who could 'work effectively from home must do so', official guidance added, with no justification provided for an indoor social celebration. The event, held in the Commons office of Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing (pictured October 13 2020), took place at a time when all indoor socialising was against Covid regulations in England Sir Bernard Jenkin was blasted by loyalists of the former prime minister Boris Johnson (pictured April 28 2021) for refusing to come clean over his alleged participation in a 'birthday drinks' bash for his wife Anne But shortly before the event in Policy Exchange's offices in November 2020, a message posted on the Women2Win Instagram account said: 'Happy birthday to us! Here is our wonderful co-founder Anne Jenkin and director Charlotte Carew Pole getting ready for our celebration this evening. 'When Anne Jenkin and Theresa May founded Women2Win 15 years ago there were 17 Conservative women MPs. Today there are 87 and we think that deserves a (socially distanced) party. 'We are about to start our 15-year anniversary event but want to give a shout out to all our amazing supporters!' Baroness Jenkin did not respond to requests for comment last night. Downing Street has urged people at the centre of allegations about several alleged lockdown-busting parties to cooperate with the police. There is no suggestion the police are looking into the latest gathering. The father of murdered Stephen Lawrence berated Scotland Yard last night after it emerged there was a sixth suspect for the race-hate killing. Neville Lawrence said it was 'appalling' to learn that Matthew 'Matty' White had escaped justice for 28 years. White was arrested twice over the 18-year-old's murder but no further action was taken amid police blunders and missed opportunities. He died in 2021 of a drugs overdose aged 50. Dr Lawrence said: 'During the 30 years we have spent fighting for justice for Stephen, we have uncovered so many flaws in the police investigation that it hardly comes as a surprise. Almost from the outset we have had to rely on journalists to bring us the truth. Neville Lawrence said it was 'appalling' to learn that Matthew 'Matty' White had escaped justice for 28 years Dr Lawrence said: 'During the 30 years we have spent fighting for justice for Stephen, we have uncovered so many flaws in the police investigation that it hardly comes as a surprise' 'The Daily Mail has fought our cause admirably, publishing crucial stories that helped to put two of Stephen's killers in prison, while White's part in the murder was exposed by the BBC. If only the Met had done its job with as much conviction as the Press, Matthew White might well have been caught too.' Stephen's mother Doreen Lawrence also reacted angrily, saying: 'What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. 'Constant and repeated apologies from the Metropolitan Police will not bring my son back and will not give me justice. 'The failure to properly investigate a main suspect in a murder case is so grave it should be met by serious sanctions. Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen.' Leaked police files and surveillance pictures linking White to the case raise serious questions about Scotland Yard's decision in 2020 to end its investigation. So far only two of the original five main suspects have been convicted of Stephen's 1993 murder. After an acclaimed campaign for justice by this newspaper, David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life terms for the murder in 2012. The other three Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt have not been convicted of the crime. They have denied any involvement. The BBC investigation also found: A relative of White, his stepfather Jack Severs, was spoken to for the first time in 2013 and expressed shock that it had taken two decades to be visited by Scotland Yard. Mr Severs, who died in 2020, tried to speak to the Met after the murder, but wrong information was put in a database. When traced, Mr Severs said White admitted being at the scene of the attack, telling a respected senior detective, Clive Driscoll, sarcastically: 'You're rushing this job'. Another witness told police in 2000 that White had admitted being part of the attack. The Met again failed to trace White's relative, who could have corroborated the alleged confession. The Met was asked in 1997 by an independent police force to consider whether White could have been present during the murder and then formally told to establish his role in the case, but this request was not properly followed up. White lied to police about where he had first heard about the attack and his alibi was false, but police accepted his claims. Leaked police files and surveillance pictures linking White (pictured) to the case raise serious questions about Scotland Yard's decision in 2020 to end its investigation The father of murdered Stephen Lawrence (pictured) berated Scotland Yard last night after it emerged there was a sixth suspect for the race-hate killing In 1993 White looked like the prominent unidentified attacker described by Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks, but the Met failed to share the description with all investigators. Mr Driscoll, the officer who convicted two of Stephen's killers, said Met chief Cressida Dick suggested in 2012 he should not bother going after the other suspects. Mr Driscoll went on to arrest White, but was then made to retire before he could complete his investigation. The Met has repeatedly said there were six attackers and Mr Brooks, who witnessed the murder, said this on the night of the crime. Thirty years seeking justice for Stephen April 22, 1993: Stephen Lawrence murdered in Eltham, south-east London. May-June, 1993: Neil Acourt, Jamie Acourt, Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and David Norris arrested. July 1993: The Crown Prosecution Service formally discontinues the prosecution. September 1994: The Lawrence family begins a private prosecution against Neil Acourt, Knight and Dobson. It fails two years later. February 1997: An inquest jury finds that Stephen was 'unlawfully killed by five white youths'. The Daily Mail runs a front page story with pictures of the suspects under the headline 'Murderers'. February 1999: The Macpherson Report finds the police guilty of mistakes and 'institutional racism'. November 2011: The trial of Dobson and Norris for Stephen's murder begins. January 2012: The pair are found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey and jailed for life. October 2015: The National Crime Agency announces that the Met is being investigated for alleged corruption over its initial handling of the case. August 2020: The Met announces there are no further lines of inquiry in the murder probe as it effectively closes the case. June 2023: Identity of sixth suspect revealed. Advertisement The 1999 public inquiry into the stabbing in Eltham, south-east London, said there were 'five or six' attackers. In 2020, then commissioner Dame Cressida effectively closed the murder inquiry. Declaring the case 'inactive', she said all identified lines of inquiry had been followed. Dame Cressida, who resigned after a tumultuous five years which included the bungled VIP abuse inquiry Operation Midland, said she had assured Stephen's family new information would be examined. But there are now questions over whether White could have given further evidence or even a death bed confession. He was initially known as Witness K but in 2011 was named publicly at the trial of Norris and Dobson, but not as a suspect. Other key BBC revelations include the disclosure that White told witnesses he had been present during the attack, that evidence showed his alibi was false, and that surveillance photos of White showed a resemblance to witness accounts of a fair-haired attacker. Responding to the revelations, BBC presenter Paul Gambaccini, a major critic of Dame Cressida and her predecessor Lord Hogan-Howe after he was arrested by the Met over false sex allegations, called for the pair to be 'stripped' of their gongs. 'Their honours diminish the country,' he said. In a statement, the Met said White was twice held on suspicion of murder. It revealed that the Crown Prosecution Service advised there was no prospect of conviction. Scotland Yard chiefs yesterday apologised again for their handling of the Lawrence case. The force admitted it had made 'many mistakes in the initial investigation', including not tracking down Mr Severs. 'This was a significant and regrettable error', it said. On his 2021 death in his bedsit, White is said to have been suicidal and depressed. He had a string of convictions and spent time in prison having become hooked on heroin. According to the BBC, his last conviction came in 2020, for shoplifting in a store next to where Stephen died on Well Hall Road in Eltham. He was confronted by a black man who White then attacked, saying he would be 'Stephen Lawrenced'. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has submitted a dossier of evidence to the prosecutors to consider whether four former Lawrence case police officers may have committed misconduct in public office. All four retired officers vehemently deny any wrongdoing. Ron DeSantis' lawyers claimed in a Monday filing that the Florida governor is immune from Walt Disney Co.'s lawsuit against him after losing control of their special governed district Reedy Creek. The motion to dismiss argues that while the lawsuit garnered national attention, it isn't valid, and that the federal district court where the suit is filed does not have jurisdiction over the case. DeSantis took control earlier this year of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and appointed his own board to oversee operations of the area encompassing nearly 30 square miles of Orange and Osceola counties in Orlando, Florida. The newly named Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will now be held accountable to paying all Florida taxes and will not be able to govern itself, DeSantis vowed when stripping the previous board of its power. Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis' lawyers filed a motion asking a federal judge to dismiss Disney's lawsuit against the Florida governor Disney Co. immediately moved to sue DeSantis over no longer holding power over the land where the Disney World parks and resort sit. The company claimed it was a power grab by the governor in their ongoing feud. 'Although Disney grabbed headlines by suing the Governor, Disney like many litigants before it who have challenged Florida's laws has no basis for doing so. Neither the Governor nor the Secretary [of Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity] enforce any of the laws at issue, so Disney lacks standing to sue them,' DeSantis' attorneys wrote in their motion. They deemed the Disney lawsuit 'meritless for many reasons.' Disney's war with DeSantis started last year when the then-CEO spoke out against the governor for his Parental Rights in Education law, which was dubbed by critics the 'Don't Say Gay' bill. The measure prohibits the classroom instruction or discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in students from kindergarten through the third grade. Earlier this year, that law was expanded to cap out at the sixth grade. DeSantis pushed back on Disney's denunciation of the law, claiming that the company was in favor of indoctrinating kids and was going 'woke' by pushing a general-centric ideology onto minors. Speaking out against Disney has become a cornerstone of DeSantis' stump speech on the campaign trail as he continues to feud with what he calls the 'corporate kingdom.' DeSantis married his wife Casey at a ceremony at Walt Disney World in 2009 the couple now has three children Part of his mission became to strip Disney of the power it held for decades over Reedy Creek. Due to the special district designation, leadership at Disney was able to govern the area like a local government would. This is something DeSantis said was not OK because it gave Disney special privileges that other companies in the state did not hold like tax exemptions. Disney sued to try and hold onto power. Lawyers for the governor say that one of the reasons the lawsuit is 'meritless' is because the existence of 'a special district cannot bind the State to transfer a portion of its sovereign authority to a private entity.' Police are hoping to return a wad of cash to its owner after a taxi driver found it in the back seat of his car. The driver discovered the cash during a routine clean at the end of his shift and swiftly handed it over to police at Moorabbin police station in Melbourne's south. Victoria Police Sergeant Michael Gridley told A Current Affair on Monday night that police had already received a few calls from people claiming the money belonged to them. 'We've had a couple of calls in from people thinking that it may be their grandfather's or someone from as far away as Ballarat,' he said on Monday night's program. Police are looking for the rightful owner of cash left in a Melbourne taxi (pictured) The taxi driver discovered the cash during a routine clean at the end of his shift and handed it over to police 'But at this stage, it's all been speculation on their behalf and nothing to really lock us into believing that it is (their) money.' Police would not disclose how much cash was left in the taxi, with the onus placed on the owner to prove it belonged to them. The person will need to describe how the cash was packaged, prove how the money was withdrawn, and prove that they took a ride in the cab the money was found in. 'We'd also like to know how it was packaged, to help us identify that it's definitely yours because there is no identification with it,' Sergeant Gridley said. The rightful owner has three months to come forward to police and prove that the cash belongs to them before police will return the money to the taxi driver who found it. Sergeant Gridley said he hopes the story is a reminder to members of the community that turning into lost belongings to police is the right thing to do. 'I'd like to think that most members of the community would do this if they came across this amount of money,' he said. Teddy bears that read your children stories sounds like a premise for a horror film but one expert says it will become a reality in just five years. Allan Wong, co-founder of toymaker VTech, thinks teddies will be fitted with AI that will offer an alternative to parents reading to their kids. Like a cross between ChatGPT and Furby, the toy would listen to everything the child says and use the data to create personalised bedtime tales just for them. AI-enabled teddies will likely be available in 2028, Wong said, although he admitted the possibilities of smart tech are 'a little scary'. Smart toys by created Wong's firm have already been the subject of a Which? report as they could potentially be vulnerable to hacking by strangers. As the child becomes more attached to their toy and reveals more about his or her daily life, the ted would become smarter and smarter (file photo) READ MORE: Furby gets ChatGPT upgrade A Furby appears to reveal plot to 'take over the world' in chilling online footage Advertisement Wong said AI-enabled teddies would use chatbot-style methods to 'generate stories customised for the kid rather than reading from a book', freeing up the parents to do other activities. As the child becomes more attached to their toy and reveals more about his or her daily life, the ted would become smarter and smarter. 'You can incorporate not only the kid's name, but the kid's daily activities,' Wong told the Financial Times. '[It] knows you go to which school, who your friends are. It can actually be telling a story and talking almost like a good friend. 'The kids... can actually talk to the toy, and the toy can actually give [them] a response so many, many possibilities.' VTech has already released a wide range of smart kids' toys including touchscreen tablets, smartwatches, cameras and the KidiSnap Touch a phone-like device that takes photos and lets users message their friends. It's unclear if Wong's company is working on AI-enabled teddies to add to the list, although he said it's watching the potential of AI in products 'very closely'. Such a teddy would have to be fitted with a microphone to listen to what the child says 24/7, unless it was switched off, as well as a speaker to talk to the child, much like the popular 1990s Furby toy. Allan Wong (pictured) is co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong toymaker and eletronics company VTech Some sort of device embedded in the toy would take the audio, process it and deliver a reply to the child, perhaps similar to the Furby that a programmer hooked up to ChatGPT earlier this year. Wong admitted that toymakers should be aware of the potential security and privacy concerns before such a device ever came to market. READ MORE: Smart toys are vulnerable to HACKING report says The Vtech KidiGear Walkie Talkies could allow someone to start a two-way conversation with a child from a distance of up to 200 meters, Which? found Advertisement As the teddy becomes like a 'good friend' to the child, he or she wouldn't think twice about telling it very personal information that could somehow wind its way back to the company. Jake Moore, security specialist at ESET, said such a gadget could potentially expose lots of sensitive data potentially about mum or dad. 'Every time information such as the childs name and interests is input into any AI algorithm, the data is stored, analysed and potentially even shared for a price too with third parties, which can create security and privacy issues in the future,' Moore told MailOnline. 'Children need to adapt to the new age of AI but they need to be taught the risks as well along with how and when to limit the sharing of personal data.' The 'scary' concept of AI teddies has already been alluded to by London non-profit organisation 5rights Foundation, which works to protect children online. In 2021, 5rights revealed a pretend toy range called 'Twisted Toys' as part of a campaign to highlight potential dangers of giving smart devices to children. The range included a Share Bear which gathers and shares a childs data and a Pocket Troll which scrutinises every moment of a childs day and bombards them with unkind comments. There was also a storybook of terms and conditions that would take hundreds of hours to read and a 'stalkie talkie' letting strangers interact with children. Campaign group 5Rights launched 'Twisted Toys', including a Share Bear (pictured) which gathers and shares a childs data Wong thinks generative AI algorithms such as ChatGPT that can be used to create new content is currently 'not mature' enough to apply to toys. It will take time to sort out privacy issues and waiting for costs of the technology to fall before examples hit the market. Global interest in generative AI, which learns how to take actions from past data to create new content, has surged since the release of ChatGPT by Microsoft-backed OpenAI late last year. Its success allegedly created a panic at Google and fears that its days as the world's number one search engine could soon come to an end. Google scrambled to come up Bard, which was given a limited release in March before a global release last month and it performed better than its rival ChatGPT when the two were tested by MailOnline. As well as ChatGPT and Bard, there's My AI built into social media app Snapchat, YouChat from US search engine You.com and Ernie Bot from Chinese company Baidu. Henry was suffering from rapidly declining health when the book was released Markings made by pious passages suggest the king was beset by a fear of God From having two of his wives beheaded to waging bloody wars on Scotland and France, history has rightly portrayed Henry VIII as something of an ogre. But a new study shows the king was vulnerable and 'anxious' in his later years and beset with the fear of God, likely due to all his wrongdoings. A copy of a prayer book once used by the Tudor king in the final years of his life has distinctive markings next to particularly pious passages, researchers found. It shows his mind was engaged with thoughts of 'physical suffering, sinfulness and divine wisdom' as well as the forgiveness of God as his health rapidly declined. The markings were made by Henry in a prayer book found at Wormsley Library near High Wycombe, called 'Psalms or Prayers'. In this copy of 'Psalms or Prayers' at the Wormsley Library, Henry VIII drew a manicule - a mark in the shape of a hand with its index finger pointing - at a passage that read: 'Turn away thine anger from me, that I may know that thou art more merciful unto me than my sins deserve' Henry VIII (1491-1547) was 'anxious' in his later years and beset with the fear of God, a new study shows. Pictured, a portraiture of Henry VIII by the workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger 1497/1498 READ MORE: Henry VIII was 'refined, cultivated and prudish', historian says Charles Laughtons famous portrayal of Henry as a coarse, gluttonous buffoon in the 1993 film, The Private Life of Henry VIII Advertisement The book was published anonymously by his sixth and final wife Catherine Parr in 1544, three years before his death in 1547. The new study was conducted by Micheline White, Associate Professor of English Literature at Carleton University, Canada, who thinks the markings will be a surprise for many. 'It's not what we might expect,' Professor White told The Times. 'We tend to think of Henry being very confident and he exerted his authority with impunity, but in these particular annotations we see traces of a Henry who's pretty anxious.' Professor White studied two copies of Psalms or Prayers, one already known to be owned by Henry at the Elton Hall Collection in Cambridgeshire. The other, housed at the Wormsley Library, has to date remained unknown to scholars but Professor White is convinced it was once Henry's. In them are what are known as 'manicules' handwritten marks in the shape of a hand with the index finger extending in a pointing gesture. Markings in the book are similar to those in other books known to belong to the king not just his Elton Hall copy of 'Psalms or Prayers' but also the 1530 collection of scriptural texts 'Collectanea satis copiosa' and Marulic's 1487 theological compendium 'Evangelistarium'. Markings in the copy of the prayer book at Wormsley Library are similar to those in other books known to belong to the king including his copy of Marulic's 'Evangelistarium' (1487). Pictured, Henry's manicule in 'Evangelistarium' Pictured, the title page of 'Psalms or Prayers' by Catherine Parr (1544). This is the copy taken from the Wormsley Library READ MORE: Henry VIII became disabled when he was plagued with leg ulcers The king suffered severe injuries in a jousting accident in 1536 Advertisement 'I demonstrate that a copy in the Wormsley Library also has markings, and I argue that there is good reason to believe that they were made by Henry,' Professor White says in her study, published in the journal Renaissance Quarterly. In the Wormsley copy of 'Psalms or Prayers', there are eight manicules and also three trefoils a pattern of three dots, similarly used to mark out notable sections. One manicule was drawn next to a passage that says: 'Take away thy plagues from me, for thy punishment hath made me both feeble and faint.' It continues: 'For when thou chastisest a man for his sins, thou causest him by and by to consume and pine away.' Another manicule was etched by the king next to the words: 'Turn away thine anger from me, that I may know that thou art more merciful unto me than my sins deserve.' Meanwhile, an ink trefoil made by the king marks a verse in which the speaker worries that his sins 'will cause God to forsake him'. It says: 'O Lord God forsake me not, although I have done no good in thy sight.' According to Professor White, these markings indicate particular sections that the king wanted to keep in mind and 'clearly resonate with Henry's dire physical predicament' from 1544 onwards. The king had been obese most of his life and during his final years he suffered from chronic headaches, leg ulcers, gout and physical disability. Ink trefoil 1 in 'Psalms or Prayers' in copy from The Wormsley Library. This passage says: 'If any seem to be perfect among men, yet if thy wisdom forsake him, he shall be reckoned nothing worth' 'In May 1544, the imperial ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, told the Holy Roman Emperor that in addition to his age and weight Henry had the worst legs in the world, but that no one dare tell him so,' says Professor White. 'Henry may have been reticent about his medical woes in front of his subjects and military allies, but in the margins of Parr's book he engaged head-on with some unpleasant facts. 'He was England's divinely ordained monarch, yet his aging, sinful body was feeble and faint, and although he believed his actions were just, he also believed that God sent sickness as a punishment and might forsake him. 'In marking these verses in Parr's book, Henry both confronted the ugly truth and revealed himself to be an exemplary monarch by responding to the crisis by begging God to turn away his anger and extend mercy.' Deluxe copies of Parr's 'Psalms or Prayers' were distributed as gifts as part of Henry VIII's wartime campaign against France. As he read Parr's book during this time of international and domestic conflict, Henry would have felt that it was 'imperative' to call upon God for 'wisdom and guidance'. After Henrys death in January 1547, Parr married a former suitor, Thomas, Lord Seymour of Sudeley, who was admiral of England from 1547 to 1549. Sadly, Parr died in September 1548 shortly after giving birth to a daughter, Mary Seymour, while Seymour was convicted of treason and beheaded the following year. Seymour is purported to have had a flirtation with the teenage Princess Elizabeth while the future monarch was in his and Catherines care and while his new wife was pregnant. President Joe Biden has promised every American will have access to fast internet by 2030 by allocating $42.5 billion in funding to states. Biden held a briefing Monday to discuss the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, or BEAD, which was approved in 2021 by Congress through the infrastructure bill. The amount each state receives will depend on the number of unserved locations and jurisdictions lacking internet speeds above 100 Mbps. Texas, which ranks among the top 10 with the fastest, is set to receive the most funding of $3.1 billion and California, which places 50th, is getting the second highest - $1.9 billion. Figures compiled by Wise Voter show that Maryland, Virginia and DC have the fastest speeds nationwide, while the slowest speeds are in Montana, South Dakota and California. Internet speeds are based on several explanations, such as those with higher income are more likely to purchase higher-speed service packages, and providers offer higher bandwidth services in more affluent cities than in poorer areas. Internet speeds are based on several explanations, such as those with higher income are more likely to purchase higher-speed service packages, and providers offer higher bandwidth services in more affluent cities than in poorer areas 'High-speed Internet is no longer a luxury... Yet, more than 8.5 million households and small businesses are in areas where there is no high-speed Internet infrastructure, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable Internet options,' Biden said Monday. Allocated funds range from $27 million to over $3.3 billion, with each state receiving a minimum of $107 million. Approximately 19 states are set to receive over $1 billion, with the top 10 allocations in Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington. The US US Virgin Islands is set to receive the least amount, $27.1 million, along with Maryland, which will get $267.7 million. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients said: 'We have a historic opportunity here to make a real difference in people's lives and making sure that we deliver on that potential is what we're about every day and to make sure that people feel that at their kitchen table, in their communities, in their backyards.' Zients compared the broadband effort to President Franklin Roosevelt's efforts in 1936 to bring electricity to rural America. Broadband companies such as Verizon, Comcast, Charter Communications and AT&T have been reluctant to provide access to low-population, rural communities because the investments are expensive and the regions do not offer a lot of subscribers. The lack of broadband access drew attention during COVID shutdowns that forced students into online schooling. States are expected to submit initial plans later this year to unlock 20 percent of the funding. The remaining money will be released once the plans are finalized, which could take until 2025. Under the program's rules, states must prioritize connecting predominantly unserved areas before bolstering service in underserved areas or those without internet speeds of 100 Mbps/20 Mbps and community anchor institutions, such as schools and libraries. Figures compiled by Wise Voter show that Maryland, Virginia and DC have the fastest speeds nationwide, while the slowest speeds are in Montana, South Dakota and California Wise Voter provided data about each US state's average download speed, which is calculated by taking ever town and city's speeds. READ MORE: Five easy tips that you can implement right now that could boost your Wi-Fi speed by up to 50% Nobody wants to be the person who constantly freezes on Zoom calls, but Wi-Fi often fails to deliver the goods at a crucial moment. Advertisement Maryland ranks as the top state with the fastest internet, which is partially due to Verizon deploying high-speed, fiber optic broadband internet service across the state in April. This initiative provided nearly 4,000 new households and businesses in Charles, Garrett, Cecil, Howard, St. Mary's and Washington County access to the Fios network. This rural broadband project is built in partnership with the state of Maryland and the FCC to deliver fast, fiber broadband service (with symmetrical download and upload speeds between 300Mbps to 2Gbps) to residents in rural parts of the state. The entire state of Maryland averages 506.70 Mbps. Virginia is second with 505.60 Mbps, Washington D.C. has 473.80 Mbps and Delaware ranks third in the US with 469.70 Mbps. Washington state averages 451 Mbps, Rhode Island has 433.30 Mbps and Pennsylvania has the seventh fastest, with 430.80 Mbps. New Jersey ranks eighth with 427.80 Mbps, followed by Texas with 425.90 Mbps and Georgia with 414.90 Mbps. Wise Voter has ranked California with the slowest average internet speed in the US, with just 93 Mbps. Reports show that 301 school districts within the state have slow internet speeds - there are about 940 total. The University of California found that 25 percent of the 39 million people in the state do not have internet, and 10 percent rely on a mobile phone connection. However, San Francisco has an average download speed of 232.5 Mbps and San Jose, where Silicon Valley is located, has 180.5 Mbps. Montana is 50th with 100.5 Mbps, South Dakota with 191.7 Mbps and Iowa with 193.9 Mbps. Alaska had long held last place in the US but improved its speeds dramatically over the past two years, possibly due to Elon Musk's Starlink going live in 2022. Past research has shown dolphins are more similar than we may have realised Dolphins produce whistles with higher frequencies in the presence of offspring It's the amusing habit we all immediately adopt when speaking to very young children. But high-pitched baby talk is not confined to humans dolphins do it too, according to a new study. Researchers analysed the noises made by 19 wild adult female bottlenose dolphins, which were recorded during catch-and-release health assessments near Sarasota Bay in Florida. They specifically looked at the dolphins' high-pitched whistles, made both in the presence and absence of their offspring. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops) use high-pitched voices for their babies just like humans do, the study finds READ MORE: Dolphins shout when there's underwater noise In experiments, University of Bristol researchers fitted movement tags to bottlenose dolphins Advertisement They discovered the dolphins consistently produced whistles with higher maximum frequencies and greater frequency ranges in the presence of their offspring, compared with the whistles they made when they were alone or with other individuals. The researchers, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, said this shift in communication may help get the attention of their young and promote bonding and vocal learning. Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, they said: '"Motherese" is a speech pattern that is nearly universal across cultures and languages in human caregivers interacting with children. 'But evidence among non-human species is sparse. Here, we report evidence for motherese in the bottlenose dolphin, a species that shows parallels to humans in their long-term mother-offspring bonds and lifelong vocal learning. 'The median age of calves in our sample was two years, which is well within the range of ages for child-directed communication occurs in humans.' Bottlenose dolphins grow up to 13 feet (4 m) long and 1,300 pounds (590 kg). They travel alone or in groups of about 12, but herds of hundreds of dolphins have been spotted. Pictured, Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus; file photo) According to the authors, the findings also suggest that bottlenose dolphins are a promising animal to help study the evolution of vocal learning and language in humans. Previous studies have shown adult male zebra finches alter the acoustics of their songs when singing in the presence of juveniles compared to when singing alone or to females. Meanwhile adults squirrel monkeys and rhesus macaques use different vocalisation types when communicating with young monkeys compared to older ones. Separate research from the University of Florida suggests that baby talk can help babies produce their own speech. By mimicking the sound of a smaller vocal tract, scientists believe adults are cluing babies in to how the words should sound coming out of their own mouths. Cuts on a bone of a mysterious human relative suggest they were butchered and likely eaten by one of their own 1.5 million years ago, revealing the oldest evidence of cannibalism. Researchers from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History found the markings on the left tibia from a relative of Homo sapiens that lived in what is now Kenya. Approximately nine of the 11 cuts match the type inflicted by stone tools, while a now-extinct saber-tooth-like animal was responsible for the others. The project's Lead researcher, Briana Pobiner, said that the cut marks do not prove that the human relative who conducted the butchering also ate the leg, but it seems like the likely scenario. Scientists reanalyzed the tibia and found markings that were made from stone tools The bone was discovered in 1970 by paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey and has since been housed at the National Museums of Kenya Nairobi Museum. Pobiner recently took another look at the tibia in search of animal bites but instead found marks that look like cross-stitching. 'The information we have tells us that hominins were likely eating other hominins at least 1.45 million years ago,' Pobiner said in a statement. 'There are numerous other examples of species from the human evolutionary tree consuming each other for nutrition, but this fossil suggests that our species' relatives were eating each other to survive further into the past than we recognized.' Most bone surface modifications found are short, narrow linear marks with a straight trajectory and a closed-V-shaped cross-section oriented in the same direction. 'The cut marks are also all oriented the same way, such that a hand wielding a stone tool could have made them all in succession without changing grip or adjusting the angle of attack,' researchers shared in a press release. And the cuts are all gathered in the same area on the bone, according to the study published in Nature. None of the stone-tool cut marks overlap with the two bite marks, which makes it hard to infer anything about the order of events that took place. The project's Lead researcher, Briana Pobiner, said that the cut marks do not prove that the human relative who conducted the butchering also ate the leg, but it seems like the likely scenario Approximately nine of the 11 cuts match the type inflicted by stone tools, while a now-extinct saber-tooth-like animal was responsible for the others For instance, a big cat may have scavenged the remains after hominins removed most of the meat from the leg bone. It is equally possible that a big cat killed an unlucky hominin and was chased off or scurried away before opportunistic hominins took over the kill. 'These cut marks look very similar to what I've seen on that were being processed for consumption,' Pobiner said. 'It seems most likely that the meat from this leg was eaten and that it was eaten for nutrition as opposed to for a ritual. 'So, this fossil could be a trace of prehistoric cannibalism, but it is also possible this was a case of one species chowing down on its evolutionary cousin.' Scientists have found evidence that at least three hominin species existed in the region 1.5 million years ago where the fossil was found: Homo erectus, Homo Habilis and Paranthropus boisei. Pobiner told The Washington Post that she is unsure where the mysterious victim falls into place but is conducting further research. She has examined 199 fossilized bones in the collection, and the tibia is the only one with butchery marks, which suggests cannibalism was not a widespread practice. The discovery, however, suggests there could be food scarcity at some point, forcing the ancient humans to consume whatever they could to survive. Former Hannah Montana star Emily Osment is engaged! The 31-year-old actress - who is the sister of Oscar-nominated actor Haley Joel Osment - shared the exciting news via her official Instagram account over the weekend, with pictures of her fiance Jack Anthony by her side. 'This magical, beautiful, kaleidoscope of a person asked me to marry him this weekend,' she captioned her post, adding: I did not know life could be this sweet or I could ever be this deliriously happy.' Osment currently stars in the TV series Young Sheldon and has also appeared on shows including the hit sitcom Mom and Young & Hungry. She continued in her post: 'I am so proud of the life we have built together and the people we have become over the last few years. This love is so big and so uniquely ours and I know it can do anything.' 'I am so honored to stand next to you every day. I love you, Jack." Emily Osment is engaged! Former Hannah Montana star reveals stunning ring as shares candid snaps with fiance Jack Anthony Best of both worlds: The former Hannah Montana star appeared to get the best of both worlds as her engagement ring featured not one but two stones: a diamond on the left and what appeared to be an emerald stone on the right It seemed as though Osment's beau picked an adorable way to pop the question as well. The proposal - which took place in Yosemite National Park in California - involved two pin badges with baby photos of the pair. One badge that showed Anthony as a small child had the question, 'Will you marry me?' while another badge, featuring Osment as a child, had the answer, 'Yes.' Not much is known about her fiance Anthony, whose own Instagram account is set to private. As for her new bling, the former Hannah Montana star appeared to get the best of both worlds as her engagement ring featured not one but two stones: a diamond on the left and what appeared to be an emerald stone on the right. Throwback: The second photo provided a better close-up of the actress's new bling in front of two custom buttons featuring pics of the pair, from their childhood days Pretty in pink: Osment looked stylish in chic in a pink sundress and a pair of wedges as she attended the CLD Pre-Festival House 2023 this past April in Beverly Hills Celebrities flooded the comments section of Osment's Instagram post to offer their congratulations to the newly engaged couple. 'Congrats Emily." wrote actor Daryl Sabara, who worked with Osment in the second and third Spy Kids movies, wrote in the comments section. 'I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!!,' actor Gregg Sulkin exclaimed in the comments section. 'Congratulations!." Iain Armitage, Osment's co-star on Young Sheldon added. The news comes just two months after the actress was spotted attending the CLD Pre-Festival House 2023 on April 11, 2023 in Beverly Hills, where she looked stylish in a pink sundress and a pair of wedges. Osment's engagement also makes her the latest former Disney Channel alum to get engaged. Dylan Sprouse, who starred in the Suite Life of Zack and Cody and The Suite Life on Deck with his twin brother Cole Sprouse, recently announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend, model Barbara Palvin, on Instagram on June 15. Kyle Sandilands is finally free to enjoy a work-free honeymoon with wife Tegan Kynaston in Saint-Tropez as his KIIS FM radio goes on break this week. And the newlyweds made the most of their time in paradise on Saturday as they headed out for a meal with Kyle's longtime manager and friend Bruno Bouchet and radio producer 'Intern' Pete Deppeler. The foursome were spotted strolling down a sun-drenched road en route to the restaurant, with Tegan turning heads in a very leggy ensemble. The slender blonde, 37, stunned in a pink floral mini skirt and white crop top, while adding height to her frame with Gucci wedge shoes worth $1200. She completed her glamorous ensemble with a silver Gucci handbag worth $5,340 and a pair of oversized sunglasses. Tegan Kynaston, 37, (left) put on a leggy display in a mini skirt as she strolled in Saint-Tropez with her husband Kyle Sandilands, 52, (right) on Saturday Kyle, 52, meanwhile wore a black T-shirt, matching trousers and sneakers. He also wore a very fashionable pair of aviator sunglasses, and draped a plaid navy jacket over one arm. Peter and Bruno also dressed to impress in matching white button-up shirts and jeans. The honeymooners were joined by Kyle's longtime manager and friend Bruno Bouchet (right) and radio producer 'Intern' Pete Deppeler (left) for the outing Tegan stunned in a pink floral mini skirt and white crop top, while adding height to her frame with Gucci wedge shoes worth $1200 She completed her glamorous ensemble with a silver Gucci handbag worth $5,340 and a pair of oversized sunglasses On Sunday, the foursome indulged in a private yacht tour around the French Riviera before stopping off at a coastal town for lunch. One Instagram video shared by Peter shows the group relaxing on the back of the yacht as it zips around the sun-drenched coastline. Waving at the camera with a broad smile, Peter tells the camera: 'Hey guys, Intern Pete here. I've made my way to the south of France for the honeymoon of the year!' Kyle meanwhile wore a black T-shirt, matching trousers and sneakers Peter and Bruno also dressed to impress in matching white button-up shirts and jeans 'We're here! We're here on a boat!' he screeched, as Kyle and Tegan awkwardly turned around and waved at the camera. The group later visited the upmarket Saint Tropez restaurant Senequier, which is famed for its celebrity clientele. After lunch, Kyle joined Peter and Bruno for a dip in their hotel pool, before joining Tegan for dinner at another upmarket restaurant. On Sunday, the foursome indulged in a private yacht tour around the French Riviera before stopping off at a coastal town for lunch One Instagram video shared by Peter shows the group relaxing on the back of the yacht as it zips around the sun-drenched coastline The ritzy outing comes after it was revealed Kyle and Tegan's honeymoon is a no-expense-spared affair. According to Yahoo Lifestyle, an insider has revealed that the KIIS FM presenter has spent around $500,000 on the three-week holiday. He has reportedly splashed the cash on private jets, famous chefs, and luxury chateaus that cost $8,200 a night. The group later visited the upmarket Saint Tropez restaurant Senequier, which is famed for its celebrity clientele After lunch, Kyle joined Peter and Bruno for a dip in their hotel pool It's also expected that the radio host spent money kitting out his wardrobe for the trip to ensure he was looking his best in Saint-Tropez. Kyle tied the knot with his wife Tegan in a $1million ceremony at the heritage-listed Swifts mansion in Sydney's Darling Point last month. Aussie celebrities in attendance on the day included NSW Premier Chris Minns, Today host Karl Stefanovic, and 'King of the Cross' John Ibrahim. The couple share one-year-old son Otto. The Abbie Chatfield-hosted dating show FBoy Island airs its explosive finale on Monday night - and it can be revealed two of its female cast members find love. The Binge reality series tasked its three beauties with gauging which of their potential suitors is genuine and which is a 'fboy' in their pursuit of love. Brunette beauty Molly O'Halloran made the right call in choosing genuine contestant Nick Brown and Ziara Rae Freeny found love with hunky Izaya Leota, according to the Daily Telegraph. By correctly choosing a genuine guy over a fboy the women not only found love but also walked away with $50,000 in prize money to share with their new partner. Unfortunately, Sophie Blackley chose fboy Joshy Allen, which means she did not find love and he was awarded the entire share of their prize money. The Abbie Chatfield (pictured) hosted dating show FBoy Island airs its explosive two-part finale on Monday night and two of its female cast members find love However, in a shock twist, Allen opted to share the winnings with Blackley before disappearing from her life. Melbourne based Molly, 27, told the news outlet she is still in a long distance relationship with Sydney based Nick, months after filming ended. 'We see each other every other weekend and pretty much just chat every day. Are there any jobs going in Sydney?' she said. The Binge reality series tasks its three beauties with gauging which of their potential suitors is genuine and which is a 'fboy' in their pursuit of love 'I am not here for just a fling or a two second relationship, I am an all or nothing girl.' 'We are not wanting to rush things and put pressure on the relationship. We are wanting to have fun and get to know each other better.' Elsewhere, Ziara said she had a good feeling about Izaya and was excited to see where things lead. Brunette beauty Molly O'Halloran made the right call in choosing genuine contestant Nick Brown. Both pictured 'We will see what happens, we are both really young so it is kind of hard as we are both still at home. We are hoping a month away in Bali will give us some answers,' she said. Chatfield hosted the 10-part reality series which followed the three ladies as they attempted to find love out of 24 suitors. However, the twist is that half of the men are time-wasting 'f**k boys' and the other half are genuinely looking for love. Ziara Rae Freeny found love with hunky Izaya Leota. Both pictured Indy Clinton has revealed she is expecting a baby girl with her husband Ben Azar. The Australian influencer, 26, and her husband revealed the gender of their third baby on Sunday by popping a large black balloon to reveal pink confetti. The couple were joined by their two-year-old son Navy and eight-month-old daughter Bambi as they gasped in excitement. Indy and Ben shared a kiss after discovering the gender of their unborn child as Navy threw confetti in the air. It comes after Indy revealed she is pregnant with her third child in a TikTok video last week. Influencer Indy Clinton has revealed the gender of her third child with her husband Ben Azar on Sunday In the clip, the young mother cradled her baby bump in a long knitted white dress as she posed on the beach. Friends and followers of the mother jumped to the comments to congratulate her. One person wrote: 'KEEPING UP WITH CLINTON!!! Congratulations gorg'. While another said: 'This is EVERYTHING'. And a third commented: 'SORRY WHAT???? omg congratulations'. The pregnancy announcement came one week after the influencer said her husband was in the 'dog house' for a week. Indy posted a video to her TikTok of a remorseful-looking Ben giving her flowers and begging her for forgiveness. 'He's been in the dog house for a week so I finally let him out,' she wrote next to the footage. The Australian influencer, 26, and her husband revealed the gender of their baby by popping a large black balloon to reveal pink confetti, indicating they are having a girl According to an alleged friend of the influencer, he was in the dog house after Indy found photos on his phone of him visiting a venue she didn't approve of while on a work trip. She then reportedly decided to get back at him by running wild with his credit card, maxing it out at The Star casino in Sydney. The alleged friend of the influencer described her punishment to Instagram celebrity watchdog account Dutch Minty: 'He was away for work and lied about it. 'So, she took the kids and went to max out his credit card as payback.' Kurt Russell and longtime partner Goldie Hawn have been soaking up the sun and fun on their summer getaway to Greece. And as the weekend approached the couple were spotted frolicking in the gorgeous blue water of Achladies Beach in Skiathos, which is a small Greek island in the northwest Aegean Sea. With a coastline indented with inlets, capes and peninsulas, Russell was seen behind-the-wheel of a speedboat as he made his way towards the beach, where his longtime love was waiting with a couple of friends. Dressed in a black-and-white polka dot sun dress and black sandals, the Academy Award winning actress looked out to the water horizon and spotted Russell cruising in to pick her up from a beach jetty. Eventually, the former Escape From New York star arrived where she was standing and she and their two friends climbed aboard the speedboat. Greek vacation: Kurt Russell, 72, and longtime love Goldie Hawn, 77, enjoyed another day of fun in the sun on their summer holiday to Skiathos, Greece Russell, 72, looked beach ready when he arrived in the speedboat in black, burgundy and tan shorts and a black t-shirt. With the sun glaring down and the temperature in the upper 70s Fahrenheit, the former Disney star also sported cool dark sunglasses. He was all smiles when he slowed down next to the jetty and began a conversation with Hawn. The former Private Benjamin star appeared to be wearing a black swimsuit underneath her stylish sun dress, along with cool dark sunglasses. Rounding out her beach look, Hawn had her blonde tresses pulled back into a loose ponytail, but still had plenty of hair that fell to each side of her face and a part in the middle. With the help of their two friends, Russell could be seen reaching out to grab his lady's hand as she stepped on to the boat. Need for speed: With a coastline indented with inlets, capes and peninsulas, Russell was seen behind-the-wheel of a speedboat as he made his way towards the beach, where his longtime love was waiting with a couple of friends Summer ready: Dressed in a black-and-white polka dot sun dress and black sandals, the Academy Award winning actress looked out to the water horizon and spotted Russell cruising in to pick her up from the beach jetty Arrival: Eventually, the former Escape From New York star arrived where she was standing and she and their two friends climbed aboard the speedboat Helping hands: Russell and their friends helped the actress climb into the speedboat A few days after arriving in the area, the Greek City Times reported that Russell and Hawn had lunch in traditional tavernas on the island by the sea and were 'friendly with everyone.' It was also reported that they like to take small excursions to the neighboring islands, while always keeping Skiathos as their base. But like all things, their holiday in the sun had to end. 'Last day in Skiathos this year. Bye bye paradise,' Hawn shared in the caption of an Instagram post on Friday, along with a photo of herself on the beach reaching towards the heavens with a gorgeous sunset as the backdrop. In the driver's seat: Russell stayed behind-the-wheel of the boaat for their sight-seeing cruise Tour guide: The former Disney star could be seen explaining something to his lady Summer getaway: Russell and Hawn arrived in the area just over two weeks ago 'Bye bye:': The Oscar-winning actress bid farewell to 'paradise' in an Instagram post that included a photo of herself standing in the water while reaching towards the heavens The sandy beach of Achladies, where the couple had been staying, is a lovely stretch that forms a small but scenic cove. Speedboats included, the area offers all kinds of sea and water sports, such as surf and water ski rentals that are easily accessible by foot, car, bus or boat from Skiathos Town. Hawn and Russell actually first met on the set of the live-action movie musical The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968), but didn't start their romance until met up again to shoot their second film together, Swing Shift, in 1983. While opting not to marry, the couple have been an item now for more than 40 years, and are the proud parents of four children, between the two and their past romances, resulting in seven grandchildren. Margot Robbie continued to channel the pink Barbie theme as she joined her fellow co-stars at at a photo call for the anticipated film in Beverly Hills on Sunday. The Oscar-nominated actress, 32, who recently kicked off the press tour with a series of Barbie-themed snaps, flashed a cheerful smile while stepping onto a glitzy set at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel. The Australian-born star showed off her stunning frame wearing a pink and white polka dot minidress which was held up by halter-styled fabric wrapped around her neck. The front portion of the eye-catching ensemble contained a triangular-shaped cutout for a stylish flare. She slipped into a pair of classic, white heels that coincided with the color scheme of the outfit, while draping a yellow purse over her shoulder for a bit of contrast. Embracing the character: Margot Robbie, 32, continued to channel the pink Barbie theme as she joined her fellow co-stars at at a photo call for the anticipated film in Beverly Hills on Sunday Stunning: The Australian-born star showed off her stunning frame wearing a pink and white polka dot minidress which was held up by halter-styled fabric wrapped around her neck Margot's long blonde locks were parted to the side, allowing the strands to effortlessly flow down past her shoulders in elegant waves. She opted for minimal accessories, and added a pair of dangly, pearl earrings along with a pearl bracelet placed on her left wrist. Her makeup was classically done for the event, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes, as well as a light pink blush on her cheekbones that offered a radiant glow. The star additionally wore a glossy, rosy pink tint to her lips for a final touch to her overall look with the press tour now in full swing. Robbie joined a few of her fellow castmates at the photo call, as well as the writer and director of the live-action film, Greta Gerwig. While Margot herself embraced her inner Barbie and the pink theme, her co-stars opted to don ensembles with muted colors, such as tan and gray. Ryan Gosling, who tackled the role of Ken in the upcoming fantasy comedy, was seen sporting a pair of black pants that were secured with a dark brown leather belt. He additionally wore a plain white shirt as well as a cardigan that contained hues of white and a very light, pastel pink in a lowkey reference to the pink Barbie theme. Making a statement: She slipped into a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels that coincided with the color scheme of the outfit, while draping a yellow purse over her shoulder for a bit of contrast Special day: Robbie joined a few of her fellow castmates at the photo call, such as Ryan Gosling (left) as well as the writer and director of the live-action film, Greta Gerwig (middle) Celebrating: Margot's husband, Tom Ackerley, who is one of the producers on the project, also joined his wife for the exciting festivities Gerwig was seen wearing a tan-colored pleated skirt that fell down past her knees and also added a darker, long-sleeved sweatshirt on top. The filmmaker slipped into a pair of closed-toed black heels to complete her outfit for the photo call. Other stars in attendance included cast members Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, and Michael Cera. Margot's husband, Tom Ackerley, who is one of the producers on the project, also joined his wife for the exciting festivities. Both Kate and Issa have been cast to portray different variations of Barbie, while America and Michael play humans from the real world. The group could be seen posing in front of a pastel pink convertible that was placed on a strip of fake grass on an outdoor patio located at the lavish hotel. A large, pink and white Barbie poster bordered with fake palm trees was placed directly behind the sleek vehicle. Another large sign that was a cutout of the letter 'B' for Barbie was also the perfect spot for a quick photo session. Earlier on Saturday, Margot dressed to impress in a separate, all-pink outfit to celebrate the official start of the Barbie movie global press tour in a slew of snaps shared on the film's main Instagram page. The blonde beauty put on a leggy display in a light pink, pleated miniskirt and donned a matching bralette top that showed off her toned frame while posing on a scenic Beverly Hills street. Reunited! Other stars in attendance included cast members Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, and Michael Cera Muted tones: Gerwig was seen wearing a tan-colored pleated skirt that fell down past her knees and also added a darker, long-sleeved sweatshirt on top rather than a vibrant pink outfit Hitting the road! Earlier on Saturday, Margot dressed to impress in a separate, all-pink outfit to celebrate the official start of the Barbie movie press tour in a slew of snaps She slipped into a pair of open-toed, pink heels and easily slung a pink purse over her right arm for a fashionable flare. Margot accessorized the Barbie-themed ensemble by adding a pair of dainty earrings and threw on a pair of white-rimmed sunglasses for a finishing touch. The actress flashed a cheerful smile towards the camera, while a row of palm trees stretched out behind her and lined the crystal clear blue sky in sunny Los Angeles. In the caption of the post shared on the film's official Instagram page, it read: 'Its the best day ever! The Barbie press tour has officially begun,' followed by a red heart emoji. Ahead of the film releasing in theaters next month on July 21, a global press tour will first take place to count down the days until Barbie's big premiere on the big screen to anticipated fans and viewers. The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness. Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in England, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles. Excited: The actress flashed a cheerful smile towards the camera, while a row of palm trees stretched out behind her and lined the crystal clear blue sky in sunny Los Angeles Let the count down begin: The live-action Barbie movie is slated to premiere in theaters on July 20 in Australia, and the following day on July 21 in the U.S. and U.K. Catering to all audiences: During an interview with Vogue last month in May, Margot explained that the movie aimed to cater to both fans of the Mattel dolls, but also those that don't like or even 'hate' the dolls; Ryan and Margot seen in April in Las Vegas During an interview with Vogue last month in May, Margot explained that the movie aimed to cater to both fans of the Mattel dolls, but also those that don't like or even 'hate' the dolls. 'We of course would want to honor the 60-year legacy that this brand has,' she explained to the outlet. 'But we have to acknowledge that there are a lot of people who aren't fans of Barbie.' 'And in fact, arent just indifferent to Barbie. They actively hate Barbie. And have a real issue with Barbie. We need to find a way to acknowledge that,' the star added. The live-action Barbie movie is slated to premiere in theaters on July 20 in Australia, and the following day on July 21 in the U.S. and U.K. Kris Jenner is one proud grandma. The Kardashian/Jenner family matriarch is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her latest grandchild. Kourtney Kardashian, 44, and her husband Travis Barker, 47, hosted a gender reveal party, revealing they were expecting a baby boy in the coming months. Expressing her joy on Instagram, Kris, 67, wrote, 'I cant wait to meet this beautiful new grandchild!! What a blessing!!!!!! #luckynumber13!!!!! Congratulations Travis and Kourt!!' The parents-to-be, who are expecting their first child together, entertained their guests in style at a rock and roll themed bash at their palatial home in Calabasas, CA. Can't wait: Kris Jenner, 67, is looking forward to the arrival of her next grandchild. 'I cant wait to meet this beautiful new grandchild!! What a blessing! #luckynumber13!!! Congratulations Travis and Kourt!!' she wrote on social media after the gender reveal party Saturday (Pictured in New York in May) Guests first checked in at the Will Call desk, where they were given a backstage pass. They were then asked to choose either a blue or pink wristband, indicating their guess for the sex of the little one. A concert inspired poster read Baby Barker at the top with 'baby' in blocks and Barker in a gothic script. A drum at the center of the art piece read 'World Tour with special guest Kravis,' referring to the combo name by which many of their fans refer to the reality star and her rock star husband. In the foyer of the house friends and family were met with a table decorated with abundant amounts of baby's breath and black and white drums. After Kourtney and Travis discovered, along with everyone else, that they were having a boy courtesy of a cascade of blue streamers launched into the air, their pals were treated to a buffet by Chef K, who regular caters parties for the Kardashian/Jenner clan. Goodies included a lot of vegan friendly dishes, including vegan sliders, corndogs, falafel, and more. Guests also noshed on nachos, salad, and tapioca noodles. Will call: The parents-to-be entertained guests at a rock and roll themed bash at their home in Calabasas, CA. Guests first checked in at the Will Call desk and then asked to choose either a blue or pink wristband, indicating their guess for the sex of the little one Kravis: Kourtney and Travis used the nickname 'Kravis' on the concert-style poster at the party Drum roll: Kourtney and Travis learned the gender at the same time as their guests after a drum roll and streamers of blue paper were launched into the air revealing a baby boy was on the way Nosh: Chef K, a family favorite, catered the event which included nachos, falafels, corndogs and more A variety of desserts was on the menu, including fruit, black and white cookies with either 'Mom' or 'Dad' written on them, and cake pops. Partygoers were encouraged to take photos with disposable cameras or to leave a memory for the happy parents. The couple, celebrated their one-year anniversary May 15. One month later on June 16, they made the news public when the Poosh founder held up a sign that read 'Travis, I'm Pregnant' at a Blink-182 concert in Los Angeles. Noodles: Partygoers were treated to Tapioca noodles in takeaway boxes Sweet stuff: A variety of desserts was on the menu, including fruit, a caked with white icing and black hearts. Black and white cookies shaped like microphones or with 'Mom' written on them, were served Memories: Partygoers were encouraged to take photos with disposable cameras or to leave a memory for the happy parents Kourtney was clearly showing at the party, but the couple have not revealed when the baby is due. Her fans theorized she was about 19-20 weeks along after she posted some bikini snaps with the words 'sweet summer' followed by emojis for a lime, an avocado, a pear and a mango next to them. According to an article on Parents.com, the fetus is the size of an avocado at week 16, a pear week 17 and a mango during week 19 of gestation. The new addition will have lots of siblings. Travis is dad to daughter Alabama, 17, son, Landon, 19, and step-daughter Atiana de la Hoya 24, from his marriage to ex wife Shanna Moakler. Kourtney has three kids - Mason, 13, Penelope, 10, and Reign, eight, with her former partner Scott Disick. Kris is a grandmother of 12: Mason, Penelope, Reign; North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm (Kim Kardashian's kids); True and Tatum (Khloe Kardashian's kids); Stormi and Aire (Kylie Jenner's kids) and Dream (Rob Kardashian's daughter). Fans are begging Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little to confirm alleged romance rumours as their chemistry heats up in Paris. The radio presenters are currently hosting their Hit FM show in the City of Love, and fans are convinced their relationship has finally progressed from friendship to l'amour. 'Can you guys just become a couple already? The chemistry between you two is out of this world and you can hear it on the radio', an Instagram user commented on a video of Tommy, 38, and Carrie, 42, exploring Paris last week. 'They make a cute couple. I'm convinced there is a little tryst going on,' another user wrote, while someone else added: 'Can't wait until the big secret comes out about you two'. Another video showed Carrie laughing at Tommy as he practiced his French accent while co-hosting their radio show. Fans are begging Carrie Bickmore, 42, (right) and Tommy Little, 38, (left) to confirm alleged romance rumours as their chemistry heats up in Paris. The pair are pictured together at a Pink concert in Paris last week Followers couldn't resist pointing out the obvious spark between them, with one commenting: 'They have such great chemistry.' While the main reason for their trip is work, Carrie and Tommy are making the most of their time together in Paris. 'This is one of their bigger trips together, and while it is for work, they're having the time of their lives,' an insider told Woman's Day magazine on Monday. 'Can you guys just become a couple already? The chemistry between you two is out of this world and you can hear it on the radio', an Instagram user commented on a video of Tommy and Carrie exploring Paris last week 'This is one of their bigger trips together, and while it is for work, they're having the time of their lives,' an insider told Woman's Day magazine on Monday. Carrie and Tommy are pictured at Disneyland in Paris last week 'They've been sightseeing all over, and even though they've been [to France] separately before, getting to experience it together has been very special.' Carrie announced her split from her partner-of-11-years Chris Walker this year, while Tommy has reportedly been single since his breakup with girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021. Tommy rushed to the mother-of-three's side in January when she confirmed her split, leading insiders to speculate their friendship could evolve into something more. Carrie announced her split from her partner-of-11-years Chris Walker (left) this year, while Tommy has reportedly been single since his breakup with girlfriend Natalie Kyriacou in 2021 In recent months Tommy has shared several gushing tributes to Carrie on Instagram, and in one post called her the 'best in the business' who 'lifts up everyone around her and makes them look good'. Ahead of her last day on The Project last November, Tommy also treated the blonde to a private helicopter ride across Melbourne. He is often seen close to her at glitzy events, including the 2022 Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) last October, where he didn't leave her side even as guests got up from their tables and mingled with others. Tommy rushed to the mother-of-three's side in January when she confirmed her split, leading insiders to speculate their friendship could evolve into something more The duo are regularly seen posing for cosy selfies on social media, which has prompted curious fans to question whether romance is on the cards. 'You guys make a lovely couple,' one recently commented on a photo of the pair. 'Get a room already, you two,' another said. Their professional relationship began in 2016 when Tommy joined Carrie on the panel of The Project. A year later, the pair began co-hosting Hit Network's Melbourne drive show in 2017, and immediately gained a cult following thanks to their entertaining and organic banter. Riley Keough enjoyed a lunch outing with her husband Ben Smith-Petersen and their baby daughter on Sunday in Calabasas, California. The 34-year-old actress kept it simple in a plain white T-shirt and tan trousers for the family outing with Ben, 31, and their girl. Riley accessorized with a straw hat and earrings and had her long red hair twisted into a long braid. Ben also wore a plain white T-shirt and dark brown pants for the family outing. Riley and Ben ate outside with their daughter after grabbing some food at an upscale supermarket. Familly outing: Riley Keough enjoyed a lunch outing with her husband Ben Smith-Petersen and their baby daughter on Sunday in Calabasas, California The granddaughter of music legend Elvis Presley earlier this month agreed to pay $1.4 million to her grandmother Priscilla Presley, 78, to take control of the family trust amid reports of a family feud. Riley had been at loggerheads with her grandmother Priscilla since the death of Riley's mother Lisa Marie Presley in January, at the age of 54. Lisa Marie welcomed daughter Riley and son Benjamin with ex-husband Danny Keough - who she was married to from 1988 to 1994. Benjamin by suicide in 2020 at age 27. She welcomed twin daughters Harper and Finley in 2008 with then-husband Michael Lockwood, but the pair divorced in 2016. Priscilla recently took to Instagram to put an end to any signs of a family feud by posting a picture with Riley with her twins Harper and Finley. 'Happy Graduation girls! Youre now in high school!!!,' Priscilla wrote as a caption while celebrating the graduation of Harper and Finley, 14. Priscilla as part of the settlement agreed to relinquish control of her late daughter's Promenade Trust, leaving Riley as sole trustee. Their settlement also grants Priscilla's wish to be buried at Graceland, Elvis' home in Memphis, Tennessee. Simple style: The 34-year-old actress kept it simple in a plain white T-shirt and tan trousers for the family outing with Ben, 31, and their girl Cute couple: Ben and Riley are shown in March in Los Angeles at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Happy family: Priscilla Presley, 78, recently took to Instagram to put an end to any signs of a family feud by posting a picture with Riley and her late daughter's twins Harper and Finley Elvis family: Riley, the late Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla are shown in June 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee, at a screening of the Elvis biopic Riley most recently starred in the Amazon Prime Video series Daisy Jones & the Six in the lead role as Daisy Jones. Her acting credits include the films: The Runaways (2010), The Good Doctor (2011), Magic Mike (2012), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), American Honey (2016), It Comes At Night (2017), Logan Lucky (2017), and War Pony (2022). She's also starred in the TV series The Girlfriend Experience (2016) and The Terminal List (2022). Riley can next be seen in the upcoming Hulu true crime miniseries Under The Bridge based on the book of same name by late writer Rebecca Godfrey, who died last October of lung cancer at age 54. A release date has not yet been announced for the miniseries. Sara-Marie Fedele rose to fame as a fresh-faced 21-year-old on the inaugural season of Big Brother Australia back in 2001. And on Monday, the former reality star made a rare TV appearance on Channel Seven's Sunrise with her former co-star Blair McDonough. Sara-Marie looked very different to how fans may remember her as she revealed why she used to wear her iconic bunny ears and do her famous 'bum dance. 'I used to wear the bunny ears so I didn't have to do my hair and I used to do the bum dance to send a signal to my sisters to let them know I was happy,' she explained. 'And I wore my pyjamas because we weren't going anywhere so I didn't bother to be dressed. They were very simple things that [made me famous].' You'll NEVER guess what Big Brother's Sara-Marie Fedele looks like now! Reality star famous for the 'bum dance' over 20 years ago made a rare TV appearance on Monday Sara-Marie appeared on Big Brother in 2001 and became one of the most popular contestants. Fans of the hit show still recognise the former reality star for her iconic bunny ears and 'bum dance.' She finished third on the series, but had incredible success after her eviction by starting her own sleepwear line, writing a book and even releasing a pop single called I'm So Excited (The Bum Dance). Sara-Marie returned to Big Brother in 2002 for the show's celebrity edition, and then enjoyed a stint as a presenter on the children's show Totally Wild. Sara-Marie looked very different to how fans may remember her as she revealed why she used to wear her iconic bunny ears and do her famous 'bum dance on Sunrise She made a rare TV appearance on Channel Seven's breakfast show Sunrise with her former co-star Blair McDonough In 2005, she appeared as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars and in 2008 returned as a panelist on Big Brother's spin-off show, Big Mouth. She also enjoyed a stint working as a plus-size model under the BGM talent agency. Before her stint on Big Brother, she worked at a strip club in management. Sara-Marie now lives a quiet life in Perth and is a proud mother to an eight-year-old daughter. His estranged wife alleged Costner told the kids via Zoom without her present Sources claimed he hoped to keep things amicable by following their prenup Baumgartner is understood to have served Costner the papers a day after he told their kids Kevin Costner was reportedly 'blindsided' after his wife Christine Baumgartner served him with divorce papers at the start of May. That's because he thought the two had agreed to a more amicable divorce procedure, in which he would serve her the papers before following the procedure outlined in their prenuptial agreement, according to sources who spoke to The Sun. Instead, Christine, 49 who is requesting $248,000 per month in child support payments served him papers the day after he informed their children of the split. DailyMail.com has reached out to Costner's representative for comment. The 68-year-old Yellowstone actor 'sat his family down, told them he and their mum were getting a divorce and his lawyer was getting the paperwork drawn up,' a source claimed to the publication. Didn't see that coming: Kevin Costner, 68, was reportedly 'blindsided' when his wife Christine Baumgartner served him divorce papers, according to The Sun; Costner and Baumgartner seen in Santa Monica in February 2022 'He wanted everything to be peaceful for the sake of his kids and told Christine he didnt want a messy divorce because hed already been through one,' they continued. But 'first thing the next morning, boom, Christine sneak attacks him and serves him with her own set of divorce papers. 'Kevin was so shocked,' the source added. 'Christine has since made him look terrible, and has continued to do so.' However, Baumgartner has previously shared a different, less flattering version of how their children learned of their impending divorce. In a court filing obtained earlier this month by People, she claimed that Costner told the three children about the divorce via a Zoom chat while he was in Las Vegas filming on location. The handbag designer added that she was not present during the Zoom call, and she noted that she was puzzled about why the children had to be told in that way, as Costner would be returning home in a matter of days. 'I am still confused by his motivation to do this via a very short Zoom session, especially since he was planning on being home five days later,' she wrote. She added that she feared the children might learn of the split from an outside source, and she shared research with him that she had done that indicated a unified front with both parents was the best way to announce the divorce to the kids. However, Baumgartner claimed that Costner was adamant about sharing the information before her and on his own. 'He disregarded my proposal to do what I felt was right based on research and my relationship with the children. Instead, he insisted that he had the right to tell them that we were getting divorced "first" and tell them privately "without me present,"' she claimed. It's unclear if the alleged Zoom session could be the same event described by the source, or if there may have been two dates at which Costner spoke to the children about his separation from Baumgartner. Smooth sailing? Costner reportedly planned to serve the papers first, and he hoped for an amicable divorce according to the couple's 2004 prenup; Costner pictured in a still for Yellowstone Out of the blue: A source claimed Baumgartner served Costner the papers a day after he told the children about their split; seen together in 2015 in LA Costner and his estranged wife share sons Cayden, 15; and Hayes, 14; along with their younger daughter Grace, 13. He also has four older children from previous relationships. With his ex-wife Cindy Silva, he shares adult children Annie, 39; Lily, 36; and Joe, 35. He also has a 26-year-old son named Liam from a short-lived relationship with Bridget Rooney. The latest development in Costner's newest divorce comes after People reported that Baumgartner was requesting a whopping $248,000 per month in child support payments from the JFK star. She is also requesting that the actor pay for their private schooling in its entirety, as well as any healthcare and extracurricular costs that may arise. Baumgartner's request may be an eye-popping figure to pay monthly, but she claims the amount is less than the children's lifestyle currently requires. According to the documents, Costner earned around $19.5 million in 2022, and his family's expenses were around $6.6 million for the same period, with their net income after expenses and taxes was said to be around $7.6 million. DailyMail.com exclusively revealed earlier this month that Baumgartner was refusing to leave the couple's $145 million mansion, despite Costner's attempts to get her to vacate the premises. He claimed in a court filing obtained by DailyMail.com that he was essentially 'homeless' while his estranged wife refused to leave. He added that he hoped she would be gone by the time he returned from shooting in just a few days, and he noted that he planned to begin editing his project at home. The couple's prenuptial agreement from 2004 requires her to leave the property if they should separate, while giving her access to a $1.2 million fund to find a new house. However, she would likely choose something near her children in Southern California, and with the currently prices for housing in the area, that amount would likely only allow her to purchase a very small home. A friend complained that the Dances With Wolves star should be thinking of his family's welfare more than trying to adhere to document that is nearly two decades old. Baumgartner previously claimed in court filings that Costner told their three kids about the divorce via a Zoom call without her present while he was filming in Las Vegas Costner has claimed he is essentially 'homeless,' as his estranged wife is refusing to leave their primary home, despite their prenup requiring her to leave and to use a $1.2 million fund a paltry sum for Southern California real estate to buy a home 'Kevin should be thinking of the kids instead of himself. She also said Kevin has plenty of other houses he can choose from to make his primary home,' they claimed. Costner's latest troubles come amid difficult negotiations on his hit Western series Yellowstone. The show's creator and showrunner Taylor Sheridan has been negotiation with the actor to get him to return to film some final episodes to send of his character, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series will be reportedly ending after the conclusion of the second part of Yellowstone's season five, though scripts have reportedly not been written yet, and the ongoing WGA writers strike will prevent work being done on them until it is resolved. An Australian influencer has shared concerning claims that she has been spending hours in the sun without any protection. Jessica Roberts took to her Instagram Story on Monday to lament her lack of a tan after sunbathing while on holiday in Greece. In one video, the interior designer explained how she's been out in the sun for hours with no SPF and hasn't burned or got a sun tan. 'So I've been sitting in the sun for a solid week - at least five hours a day, no sunblock on, literally only wearing olive oil,' Jessica said. 'Can confirm I'm still white and haven't burned.' Jessica Roberts took to her Instagram Story on Monday to lament her lack of a tan after sunbathing while on holiday in Greece. In one video, the interior designer explained how she's been out in the sun for hours with no SPF and hasn't burned or got a sun tan 'So, if you're planning on coming to Greece to get a nice tan, you won't,' she added. 'The sun isn't stong enough.' In another clip, the Melbourne-based mother-of-three proceeded to plug a tanning product she'd been using in an attempt to get a bronze glow. The product, which was Caroten's Gold Shimmer Intensive tanning gel, contains 'a strong blend of tanning oils and an advanced intensive tanning system', according to their website. But despite applying to her skin 'every single day', Jessica said she'd seen no tanning results. In another clip, the Melbourne-based mother-of-three proceeded to plug a tanning product she'd been using in an attempt to get a bronze glow 'There's no SPF in this at all,' she said in the video. 'It's like putting olive oil directly on your skin. And, yep, I'm not even burning in this heat... I've been a solid four to five hours a day baking in no suncreen but this and I've not not a single bit of colour on me. 'I'll keep trying guys. I'll come back with a Euro glow.' Daily Mail Australia have approached Roberts for comment. What are the signs of a skin cancer? There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma: Most deadly form of skin cancer and if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes in colour, size or shape. Basal cell carcinoma: Most common, least dangerous form of skin cancer. Red, pale or pearly in colour, appears as a lump or dry, scaly area. Grows slowly, usually on areas that are often exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma: A thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate. Grows over some months, usually on areas often exposed to the sun. More likely to occur in people over 50 years of age. Advertisement Tanning with or without any sunscreen or SPF is dangerous, and can cause skin cancers like melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, and basal cell carcinoma. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, stage-one melanomas are localised but invasive, meaning it has penetrated beneath the top layer into the next layer of skin. It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in 17 people will be diagnosed by the time they are 85 years old. In some cases, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body and may require radiation and chemotherapy. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Professor Tanya Buchanan, Cancer Council Australia CEO explained against the dangers of the tanning trend. 'A suntan is a sign of skin damage. When skin is exposed to UV radiation, more melanin is produced causing the skin to darken. This is what we know as a suntan. There is no such thing as a safe suntan,' she said. 'Concerningly, nationally representative data in 2019 showed that two in five adults (40%) reported they like to get a suntan, and 62% of respondents reported having tanned skin. 'Sun damage accumulates over time, so even if youre seeking a suntan but not burning, youre still increasing your risk of skin cancer. 'Thats why we encourage Australians to embrace their natural skin tone and protect their skin from the sun. 'Whenever the UV is three or above, its important to Slip on sun protective clothing, Slop on SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, Slap on a broad brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses.' Madeline Holtznagel has shared precious moments from her recent trip to Japan with her billionaire pub baron boyfriend, Justin Hemmes. The model, 26, took to Instagram to post several photos from her holiday which they enjoyed with a number of other friends. In one, Madeline teased her followers by wearing a ring on her wedding finger while cuddling up to Justin, 50, as they enjoyed a bowl of Udon noodles together at a restaurant. The bling appeared to be a pretty turquoise dress ring she teamed with her outfit. Another photo saw her wearing a different ring on the same finger as she posed in front of a bathroom mirror for a selfie. Madeline Holtznagel, 26, has teased her followers by sharing moments from her recent trip to Japan with her billionaire pub baron boyfriend Justin Hemmes, 50. In one photo, the model wore a dress ring on her wedding finger while cuddling up to the pub baron The couple were all smiles in the photos, looking happy in love. Another sweet moment saw Justin pedalling a bicycle as his girlfriend grinned while sitting on a tray positioned at the front of the bike. Madeline and Justin have since departed Japan and are now enjoying a romantic holiday in the Maldives. The pair have been dating for several years now. She even spent lockdown at his Vaucluse mansion in 2020. The model took to Instagram last week to post several photos from her holiday that featured a number of other friends Another photo saw her wearing a different ring as she posed in front of a bathroom mirror for a selfie She now reportedly lives in a Coogee penthouse he owns. While they used to prefer to keep things low-key, the couple are now fixtures of Sydney's social scene. Madeline recently wished her publican boyfriend a happy 50th birthday, telling Justin she 'adores' him in an Instagram post. She shared a gallery of nine photos from the pair's exotic travels across the world, including days at the beach, journeys on private jets, and camping in the woods. The loved-up couple were all smiles in the photos, looking happily in love Another sweet moment saw Justin pedaling a bicycle as his girlfriend grinned while sitting on a tray at the front of the bike Justin made his debut on the Australian Financial Review's annual Rich List in 2018, with an estimated net worth of $951million. Last year, his net worth grew to $1.2billion, making him the 97th richest person in Australia. In February, Madeline received a stark warning over her relationship. Agents reportedly warned Madeline she could be missing important opportunities in the modelling industry because she is prioritising her relationship over her career. The pair have been dating for several years now. She even spent lockdown at his Vaucluse mansion in 2020 'It's not like Madeline is going out with a Hemsworth,' one industry source told The Daily Telegraph. 'I don't think this relationship with Justin will have much of an impact on her career. If anything, she will be more known as a bit of a celebrity model as opposed to a fashion model.' Another source close to the couple said: 'It's all well and good now, but there might come a time when the relationship runs its course and she will need her modelling career, so she can support herself financially.' Pip Edwards has built a multi-million dollar fashion empire with her activewear label, P.E Nation. And on Monday, the 42-year-old looked on top of her game as she joined co-founder Claire Tregoning to direct a campaign shoot for the brand at Sydney's Bronte beach. Pip dressed casually for the photoshoot in an oversized P.E Nation grey jumper and black track pants as she provided clear direction to the models and photographers. She showed off her youthful visage by going makeup free, and tied her short blonde locks back. The activewear designer completed her look with a pair of comfortable sneakers and sunglasses. Makeup free Pip Edwards showed off her ageless visage as she joined P.E. Nation co-founder Claire Tregoning on the set of a campaign shoot in Sydney on Monday Pip dressed casually for the photoshoot in an oversized P.E nation jumper and black track pants as she provided clear direction to the models and photographers Pip was seen chatting with an assistant and photographers as models posed on the sand. Meanwhile, Claire also dressed for comfort in grey track pants and a white T-shirt as she walked alongside Pip on the beach. She accessorised her look with white and black sneakers, sunglasses and wrapped a beige jumper around her shoulders. The campaign shoot comes just weeks after Pip announced she was downsizing P.E Nation due to 'challenging market conditions'. She showed off her youthful visage by going makeup free for the day, and tied her short blonde locks back The activewear designer completed her look with a pair of sneakers and sunglasses 'In response to the challenging economic conditions, the board of P.E Nation has implemented measures to streamline and restructure the business,' Edwards stated in an official release to The Daily Telegraph. 'Regrettably, this has resulted in the difficult decision to make six staff redundant.' Pip added: 'These measures align with the overall restructuring efforts, which are necessary to secure the continued growth and success of the business.' The businesswoman launched her activewear label P.E Nation in 2016 with her friend and business partner Claire, turning it into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries. Pip was seen chatting with an assistant and photographers as models posed on the sand Claire also dressed for comfort in grey track pants and a white T-shirt as she walked alongside Pip on the beach She accessorised her look with white and black sneakers, sunglasses and wrapped a beige jumper around her shoulders Earlier this year, Pip was forced to deny rumours of a falling out with Claire - whose office had been cleared out and turned into a 'creative space' following a months-long absence. The pair went on a business trip to the UK together in November 2022, where they promoted their athleisure company, took selfies in London, and lunched with the likes of former foreign minister Julie Bishop. But Daily Mail Australia revealed there were rumours swirling the deep friendship at the core of the business may have crumbled during their luxury trip away. A source with knowledge of the company's internal dealings alleged: 'Pip and Claire have had a falling out.' The campaign shoot comes just weeks after Pip announced she was downsizing P.E Nation due to 'challenging market conditions' The businesswoman launched her activewear label P.E Nation in 2016 with her friend Claire, turning it into an international brand sold by 600 individual retailers in 95 countries The source said Claire took one month off in December, extended her break for another month in January, and then opted for another three months' leave. Her office in the company's Sydney headquarters has now been cleared and repurposed as a 'creative room'. A P.E Nation spokeswoman denied that the pair are feuding, insisting they remain 'committed and collaborative business partners'. 'Claire is taking some well-earned time off and remains an important part of P.E Nation,' the spokeswoman said. '(She) is taking a well-earned sabbatical for a few months.' Earlier this year, Pip was forced to deny rumours of a falling out with Claire - whose office had been cleared out and turned into a 'creative space' following a months-long absence The pair went on a business trip to the UK together in November 2022, where they promoted their athleisure company, took selfies in London, and lunched with the likes of former foreign minister Julie Bishop But Daily Mail Australia revealed there were rumours swirling the deep friendship at the core of the business may have crumbled during their luxury trip away Claire reiterated the message when contacted for comment, adding: 'The business and Pip have both been great supporters of my sabbatical and I am grateful to have this time off with my family.' She did not respond to questions about her office at headquarters being cleared out, however the P.E Nation spokeswoman admitted it has been repurposed for the duration of her absence. 'Whilst Claire is not in the office, we are using her office space for other purposes, including a meeting and creative room,' they said. The source said Claire took one month off in December, extended her break for another month in January, and then opted for another three months' leave Neighbours star Jodi Gordon was spotted puffing on a vape as she caught up with her makeup artist friend Max May in Bondi on Monday. The mother-of-one, 38, who recently celebrated her one-year sobriety milestone, was seen visiting a local cafe with Max and his dog, before excusing herself from the table to smoke the electronic cigarette. Looking typically chic for the casual coffee date, the brunette sported an all-black outfit consisting of reflective leggings, a long-sleeved top, running shoes and a puffer jacket. She completed her look with drop pearl earrings, a black cross-body Gucci bag worth $2,500 and a pair of edgy sunglasses. Jodi and Max, who have been friends for years, looked relaxed as they kicked back at the cafe before taking a stroll around the leafy locale. Neighbours star Jodi Gordon, 38, (pictured) was spotted puffing on a vape as she caught up with her makeup artist friend Max May in Bondi on Monday Max meanwhile dressed down in a white T-shirt and loose brown trousers, while draping a grey hoodie across his shoulders. The sighting comes as Jodi continues her sober lifestyle, after recently celebrating one year since her stint in a Sydney rehab facility. In April 2021, Jodi underwent 'immersion therapy' at an alcohol rehabilitation clinic called The Sydney Retreat in Stanmore, where clients are offered a '30-day recovery program' for $8,800. The mother-of-one, 38, who recently celebrated her one-year sobriety milestone, was seen visiting a local cafe with Max (left) and his dog, before excusing herself from the table to smoke the electronic cigarette Looking typically chic for the casual coffee date, the brunette sported an all-black outfit consisting of reflective leggings, a long-sleeved top, running shoes and a puffer jacket She completed her look with drop pearl earrings, a black cross-body Gucci bag worth $2,500 and a pair of edgy sunglasses The pals chatted and basked in the winter sun at an outdoor table Jodi and Max, who have been friends for years, looked relaxed as they kicked back at the cafe before taking a stroll around the leafy locale Speaking to Stellar about her sobriety in June last year, Jodi said: 'Alcohol is definitely my poison. I've chased this illusion that I can drink like a normal person for far too long.' 'It got really bad when I was doing Neighbours,' she added. 'In my industry, I think there's a lot of keeping up with appearances. I was trying to present something beyond [what] I could pretend to control, trying to do my best, but just sinking,' she said. Jodi is now committed to leading a healthy lifestyle, telling Daily Mail Australia in July last year: 'I've made some big changes this year. It's been a journey of getting my life to a place where I'm making changes, really taking time to invest in myself.' Max meanwhile dressed down in a white T-shirt and loose brown trousers, while draping a grey hoodie across his shoulders Max is one of Australia's leading celebrity makeup artists, with notable clients including Rose Byrne, Teresa Palmer and Lara Bingle Speaking to Stellar about her sobriety in June last year, Jodi said: 'Alcohol is definitely my poison. I've chased this illusion that I can drink like a normal person for far too long' 'I feel really good. I take life as it comes and do everything I can to make sure I am doing the right things for my body and mind,' she said. Jodi is also preparing for her big TV comeback on Amazon's newly-rebooted season of Neighbours. In May it was announced that she and her on-screen lover April Rose Pengilly would return for the new season in their former roles of Elly and Chloe respectively. April confirmed the news on Instagram at the time, sharing a black and white photo to Instagram of herself and Jodi alongside the caption: 'We are excited to announce that Chelly are back!' 'We will both be appearing in the new Neighbours, and will be back on set very soon. Thank you all so much for your support. We cant wait to share Chloe and Ellys next chapter with you!' Jodi is now committed to leading a healthy lifestyle, telling Daily Mail Australia in July last year: 'I've made some big changes this year. It's been a journey of getting my life to a place where I'm making changes, really taking time to invest in myself' Jodi is also preparing for her big TV comeback on Amazon's newly-rebooted season of Neighbours In May it was announced that she and her on-screen lover April Rose Pengilly would return for the new season in their former roles of Elly and Chloe respectively April confirmed the news on Instagram at the time, sharing a black and white photo to Instagram of herself and Jodi alongside the caption: 'We are excited to announce that Chelly are back!' Kourtney Kardashian and her husband, Travis Barker, threw a lavish gender reveal party over the weekend and the expectant mother shared an inside look from the bash on her Instagram stories on Sunday. The Poosh founder, 44, who announced that both she and the Blink-182 drummer are expecting a baby boy at the festivities, unveiled to the world that she was pregnant on June 16 while attending Barker's concert in Los Angeles. The TV personality uploaded various clips to her stories to give a closer look at the special party that was held on Saturday for close friends and family, including sister Khloe. One reel began at the entrance outside of the couple's Calabasas home to show that when guests arrived, they were greeted with silver, star-shaped balloons placed near an open doorway. To the left, a will call section was set up to allow all guests to check in and grab 'All Access' passes as well as either blue or pink wristbands. Gender reveal: Kourtney Kardashian and her husband, Travis Barker, threw a lavish gender reveal party over the weekend and the expectant mother shared an inside look from the bash on her Instagram stories on Sunday Grand entrance: One reel began at the entrance outside of the couple's Calabasas home to show that when guests arrived, they were greeted with silver, star-shaped balloons A small sign placed on top of the will call table read, Guestlist: Baby Boy Parker (blue wristband) and Baby Girl Parker (pink wristband). The camera then panned to a large, colorful poster that imitated a promotional sign for a band. It read: Baby Parker World Tour with Special Guest Kravis. The next reel was taken once attendees passed will call and entered a spacious room that was lined with windows that allowed natural light to spill inside. Black, heart-shaped balloons lined the walls and guests strolled over to a circular table in the middle of the room which contained baby breath flowers, small drums, a microphone, and glasses filled with what appeared to be champagne. Kourtney also gave a look at the tasty concessions menu that was available during the fun bash. Some yummy food guests had the chance to try included beef & vegan sliders, egg rolls, nachos, fruit, flatbread, and also cookies. The Kardashians star, who recently showed off her growing baby bump in a green bikini, additionally shared a photo of a full set of drums placed outside that were partially covered with blue streamers. The two lovebirds notably revealed the gender of their baby by playing a drum roll which then prompted blue streamers to launch high into the air to reveal that the pair are expecting a baby boy. She also uploaded a snap of a backyard at dusk and showcased a tree that was also filled with blue streamers after the party. Will call: To the left, a will call section was set up to allow all guests to check in and grab 'All Access' passes as well as either blue or pink wristbands Special passes: Once guests checked in at the will call table, they were given an 'All Access' pass to enter the party Rock n' roll theme: A small sign placed on top of the will call table read, Guestlist: Baby Boy Parker (blue wristband) and Baby Girl Parker (pink wristband) Cute: The camera then panned to a large, colorful poster that imitated a promotional sign for a band which read: Baby Parker World Tour with Special Guest Kravis Decorations: Black, heart-shaped balloons lined the walls and guests strolled over to circular table in the middle of the room which contained baby breath flowers The businesswoman included an image of a circular-shaped cake that was covered with a white, sugary frosting and black icing that made black-shaped hearts. On the inside, the cake was dyed blue in celebration of their baby boy on the way. One of the last snaps uploaded to her Instagram stories was a black and white photo of a special area for guests to take memorable photos. On a wooden table was an assortment of cameras next to a sign that read Tour Memories: Take a photo & Leave a note. A stack of small sheets of paper and pens were also seen in the picture. Earlier on Saturday, Kourtney shared the memorable moment the gender reveal took place. She could be seen sitting on Travis' lap as they sat at his drum set. Wind blew around the couple as their excited guests cheered them on. The Blink-182 drummer began to do a drum roll for the attendees which then launched blue streamers into the air. The lovebirds, who rung in their one-year anniversary last month May, shared a happy kiss in celebration. The post comes shortly after Kourtney excitedly revealed she is expecting her first child with Travis Barker earlier last week on Friday while supporting her husband at a Blink-182 concert in Los Angeles. The star notably revealed that she had stopped her IVF journey last year in September. She currently already shares son Mason, 13; daughter Penelope, 10; and youngest son Reign, eight, with her ex, Scott Disick. Along with her three children with Disick, her husband Travis is also father to son Landon, 19; and daughter Alabama, 17, whom he shares with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler. Celebratory welcome: Small drums, a microphone, and glasses filled with what appeared to be champagne for the guests at the entrance After the reveal: The Kardashians star additionally shared a photo of a full set of drums placed outside that were partially covered with blue streamers Tasty: Kourtney also gave a look at the tasty concessions menu that was available during the fun bash for the guests So yummy: Some yummy food guests had the chance to try included beef & vegan sliders, egg rolls, nachos, fruit, flatbread, and also cookies Time for cake: The businesswoman included an image of a circular-shaped cake that was covered with a white, sugary frosting and black icing that made black-shaped hearts Boy on the way: On the inside, the cake was dyed blue in celebration of their baby boy on the way The Blink-182 drummer is also a father figure to Atiana De La Hoya, 24, who is Shanna's other daughter from a previous relationship with the boxer Oscar De La Hoya. During the concert, the reality star held up a handwritten sign that read, 'Travis I'm pregnant,' referencing to the band's 1999 music video titled, All The Small Things. The TV personality shared a clip from the moment that Barker saw the sign and jumped into the crowd to congratulate his wife. Two days later, she proudly showcased her growing baby bump for the first time with an Instagram carousel, with one image showing the drummer gently kissing her stomach. In the caption, Kourtney wrote out, 'Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for Gods blessing and plan.' Fun activities: One of the last snaps uploaded to her Instagram stories was a black and white photo of a special area for guests to take memorable photos Drum roll: Earlier on Saturday, Kourtney shared the memorable moment the gender reveal took place and she could be seen sitting on Travis' lap as they sat at his drum set The moment of the reveal: The Blink-182 drummer began to do a drum roll for the attendees which then launched blue streamers into the air Reference: During the concert, the reality star held up a handwritten sign that read, 'Travis I'm pregnant,' referencing to the band's 1999 music video titled, All The Small Things Growing family: She currently already shares son Mason, 13; daughter Penelope, 10; and youngest son Reign, eight, with her ex, Scott Disick Her sisters also congratulated the Poosh founder on social media, including Kim and Khloe. Her mother, Kris Jenner, also joined in to publicly expressed her excitement at becoming a grandmother once again. She shared a photo of Travis kissing Kourtney's bump and added the caption, 'Congratulations you two!!!!! I love you so much!!!!' Earlier on Sunday, Jenner took her main Instagram page to repost the gender reveal video and once again gushed about becoming a grandmother. 'I cant wait to meet this beautiful new grandchild!! What a blessing!!!!!! #luckynumber13!!!!! Congratulations Travis and Kourt!!' the reality star happily penned in the caption. Negan shocked Maggie Rhee with the brutal killing of a member of the Buraz on Sunday's episode of the new spin-off series The Walking Dead: Dead City on AMC. The former leader of the Saviors who savagely murdered Maggie's husband Glenn Rhee showed he can still be ruthless after they captured a member of the Buraz who attacked them. Negan [Jeffrey Dean Morgan] held the man at knifepoint as he addressed the Buraz members who were gathered below him. 'Knock, knock,' Negan said. 'Who's there? Butter. Butter who? Well, you butter get out your umbrellas because it is about to goddamn rain.' Negan then cut the man's neck and blood squirted down on the Buraz members. Brutal killing: Negan shocked Maggie Rhee with the brutal killing of a member of the Buraz on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City on AMC Maggie [Lauren Cohan] watched in horror as Negan then stabbed the man in the stomach letting his blood and intestines spray down over the people on the floor below. 'Now, I don't know if you have checked tonight's forecast, but if I see even one mole hair on one of your ugly ass faces, it won't be just a rainstorm,' Negan said. 'Hell, it won't be a thunderstorm. It'll be a goddamn hurricane!' Negan then threw the man over and the people below ran out of the building. 'We got to go,' Negan told Maggie. The episode titled Who's There? opened with Negan and Maggie following a woman who took her bag up a long ladder in a building. The woman named Esther only spoke Hebrew and ziplined to the next skyscraper and told them to follow her. Esther took them to her group and then Tommaso [Jonathan Higginbotham] pulled a weapon on them. Negan said they were friendly. 'Does it look like we need friends?' Tommaso said. 'We own this city. There are thousands of us.' Maggie told them that they were headed north to Canada, but just wanted to get supplies before they could continue the journey. Looking on: Maggie [Lauren Cohan] watched in horror as Negan slit the man's throat and then him in the stomach letting his blood and intestines spray down Cruel joke: 'Knock, knock,' Negan said. 'Who's there? Butter. Butter who? Well, you butter get out your umbrellas because it is about to goddamn rain' Throat sliced: Negan slit the man's throat open and blood rained down on the Buraz Spilling out: The man spilled his guts after Negan stabbed him the stomach Bulls***,' said Amaia [ Karina Ortiz]. Tommaso took away their weapons and moved them to a room. Maggie tried to blame Negan for being locked up. 'I'm pretty sure that we are here because you spun some yarn about Canada and a shipwreck that reeked of bulls***, Maggie,' Negan said. 'Should I have told them the truth?' Maggie said. 'We give a little, they give a little,' Negan said. 'That's how it works.' Negan told Maggie what he knew about the Croat [Zeljko Ivanek ]. 'I took him and kept him from brain-painting the walls,' Negan said. 'Soon he was calling me his brother - buraz. Said that I made him feel safe.' Negan said he thought he was helping him but that the Croat had a skill set for handling people. 'He was your torturer?' Maggie said. 'He took it too far,' Negan said. Building rides: The woman named Esther only spoke Hebrew and ziplined to the next skyscraper and told them to follow her Exit strategy: 'We got to go,' Negan told Maggie after killing the prisoner City life: Zombies were scattered all over New York City Inside information: Negan told Maggie what he knew about the Croat [Zeljko Ivanek ] Negan said he soon realized that The Croat was 'a rabid dog that needed to be put down.' 'I had one shot,' Negan said. 'I missed. Blew off his ear. The rest of him got away.' 'So he's going to want to kill you?' Maggie said. 'He sure is,' Negan said. 'You didn't think to tell me this before?' Maggie said. 'I do know how he operates, Maggie,' Negan said. Perlie Armstrong [Gaius Charles] woke up in the dry cleaners and saw that Maggie and Negan had escaped. He held an envelope with the return address for a Joel Armstrong on Oliver Street and later made his way during the day to the address and broke down the front door and entered the apartment. Perlie saw family pictures and then found his brother in a chair where he had shot himself in the head. Family search: Perlie made his way during the day to the address and broke down the front door and entered the apartment where he found his dead brother He took the rosary from his hand and laid it across him. Walkers came to the door and Perlie escaped through the fire escape. When he was walking in the alley, however, he got caught in a trap. Tommaso meanwhile angrily told Negan and Maggie that they had led the Croat's people to them. 'Everyone take one second and unbunch their undies,' Negan said. 'Cause whoever these Burazi are, we aren't with them.' Negan said they would help them. Tommaso said they shouldn't trust them. Negan held a sharp bone to his neck and said they actually wanted to help them. Amaia decided to give them them back their weapons. Maggie and Negan hid as a group of people wearing motorcycle helmets stormed in. Amaia, Tommaso, and Luther [Michael Anthony] overpowered the men and they all made it safely to the roof. One of the motorcycle people followed them holding Ester hostage and then stabbed her. Tough spot: Maggie and Negan had to gain the trust of Tommaso who disarmed them both Negan took the man hostage and then brought him back into the building before slitting his throat and letting his blood rain down on the other members of his group. Maggie and Negan escaped and huddled with the others. 'Thanks for your help,' Amaia said. 'Yeah, I was lying about the thousands of us out there,' Tommaso said. 'Those people we lost, that's it.' Tommaso said their boat was probably sunk by now. 'You get on the island but you don't get off,' Tommaso said. Maggie then admitted that the real reason they were here was because of the Croat. 'He has my son,' Maggie said. 'So you want to get to the psycho,' Amaia said. 'That we can help you with. You know, if you're looking to die. ' Masked men: The Croat and his men came across Perlie in their trap Save haven: Perlie was promised safety by the Croat Tough time: Nina walked with Ginny who was having a tough time at Alexandria The Croat found Perlie in his trap and released him. 'Don't worry you are safe now,' the Croat said. Ginny [Mahina Napoleon] meanwhile tried unsuccessfully to fit in with others at Alexandria. At night, she packed up her things and left the compound heading to New York City. The Walking Dead: Dead City will return next Sunday on AMC. Sofia Vergara looked incredible as she shared a picture of herself sunbathing topless while wearing a thong bikini on Instagram on Sunday. The Modern Family star, 50, was catching some rays by the pool in the backyard of her Beverly Park home, which is perched in the mountains above Beverly Hills. 'Lo mio es el verano!' she wrote in the caption, which translates to her love of summer or 'My thing is summer.' The selfie snap gives her 29.8 million fans and followers a clear look at her tanned back and bottom, as her skin glistens under the glaring sun. She can be seen crossing her legs while laying out on a towel the moment the image was shot. Summer lovin': Sofia Vergara, 50, shared a photo of herself sunbathing topless and wearing just a thong bikini bottom on Instagram on Sunday While out sunbathing, the America's Got Talent judge had her dark brown tresses styled long, straight and flowing down past her shoulders with a part in the middle. The Barranquilla, Atlantico, Columbia native appears to be relaxing by the pool of her 17,100-square-foot home situated on a 1.85-acre lot in the Beverly Park area that cost a cool $26 million, according to Realtor.com. She and her husband of more than seven years, actor Joe Manganiello, moved into the posh property in 2020. The actress ended up putting on a top for another photo taken by the pool that she captioned: 'Hello summer,' along with a watermelon icon with eyes. Vergara can be seen staring straight into the camera with a subtle seductive look, and her hair falling down over her chest and down her back. This picture also gave viewers a look at the back part of her Southern California Tuscan style home that comes complete with lots of greenery. In recent days, Vergara has been making a promotional push for her very own beauty brand, Toty, which is in collaboration with Cantabria Labs, the makers of Heliocare. With a mission to protect your belleza against photoaging, we're excited to reveal our 360 Suncare Solutions - combining sunscreen, skincare, makeup, and wellness. All you need is toty,'' she wrote , in part, in an Instagram post earlier this week. The Toty line uses proprietary PLE Fernboost Technology, which employs a powerful antioxidant rich in bioactive compounds to protect the wearer sun damage, according to Harper's Bazaar. 'I wanted to bring something like Heliocare to the United States,' Vergara revealed during the interview with Bazaar.com. 'Weve had a million meetings to create something that will protect the skin and also fit the U.S. guidelines.' Fun in the sun: After going topless while sunbathing, the former Modern Family star put on a top and snapped another photo taken by the pool, with the caption: 'Hello summer' Summer sun: A photo taken of the greenery around the backyard of her $26 million property also ended up on Vergara's Instagram Stories Jon Hamm has tied the knot with his fellow Mad Men co-star Anna Osceola, as they wed at the Anderson canyon in Big Sur, California, the site of the show's finale. The pair's nuptials may come as a surprise to some, given Hamm's comments in 2012 that he was not keen on the idea of marriage. But who exactly is his new wife Anna Osceola? Who did she play in Mad Men? Read on below for everything you need to know about Jon Hamm's new wife. Jon Hamm and Anna Osceola tied the knot in the same location in northern California where the couple filmed the 'Mad Men' series finale back in 2015 Anna Osceola is an actress who began her career as a teenager in 2007, with her first appearance coming in the TV movie 'Not Another High School Show' Jon Hamm and Anna Osceola attend 'Confess, Fletch' screening at The West Hollywood EDITION on September 7 2022 Who is Anna Osceola? Anna Osceola is an actress who began her career as a teenager in 2007, with her first appearance coming in the TV movie 'Not Another High School Show'. Since then, Osceola has gone on to appear in a number of crime-related shows, including 'NCIS' and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. The pair's wedding - which took place on Sunday June 25 - included a star-studded guest list, with Larry David, Tina Fey, Brooke Shields, Billy Crudup and John Slattery all in attendance. Big Sur served as a fictional hippy-style retreat in the last-ever episode of the iconic Mad Men' series in 2015 which featured Jon as his iconic character Don Draper and Anna as a receptionist at a retreat where Draper stayed. Their appearance on-screen together in 2015 coincided with Hamm's split from actress Jennifer Westfeldt, who he had been in a relationship with for 18 years. Hamm and Osceola subsequently made their red carpet debut in 2022, and they also appeared alongside one another in the crime comedy feature Confess, Fletch, which premiered that year. Hamm previously admitted that he had no interest in ever walking down the aisle, but in a 2022 interview with Sirius XM, he revealed that everything had changed once Anna came into his life. '[I'm in] another place in my life where I feel very settled and comfortable. I'm in a relationship right now and it's comfortable,' he said. Anna Osceola and Jon Hamm are pictured together in attendance at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Not only did the show Mad Men help launch a major career for Hamm, but it also brought his future-wife, Anna Osceola, into his life. They are pictured here together in the show The star added that he recently became focused on improving his mental health and substance abuse issues through therapy - after spending years struggling with the trauma he faced as a child, after losing his mother to colon cancer at age 10. He said getting professional help 'opened up the possibility of things like being married and having kids.' 'I've been really thinking about all that stuff, that's made the relationship that I'm in now even more meaningful and opened up the possibility of things like being married, having kids, defining a new version of happiness, life, wellness,' he continued at the time. 'It sounds hokey and whatever, but it's real and for one of a better word, it's what I'm working for. What else is there other than that?' Ekin-Su Culculoglu has revealed her plans to return to Turkey to restart her acting career. The Love Island star, 28, who is of Turkish origin and lived in Istanbul for two years, used to star in a soap there called Kuzey Yldz Ilk Ask. She played character London-based photographer Isil in the show - which has now been cancelled. But keen for another big role in the country she recently told The Sun: 'I would actually love to go back to Turkey at some point and reconnect with some old agencies out there, who I was in a soap with. 'I speak both English and Turkish so why can't I have a career in both countries? Star: Ekin-Su Culculoglu has revealed her plans to return to Turkey to restart her acting career (pictured in Turkish soap Kuzey Yldz Ilk Ask in 2020) Tough: It comes after earlier this month her beau Davide admitted that he and girlfriend Ekin-Su still face 'struggles' with their relationship (pictured this month) 'It is a hard industry and I think people always tell you, 'You can't do this, you can't do that,' but you have to keep pushing yourself really. Even when people say no, you have to keep going. 'The old show's finished now, but if there was a new project in Turkey, I definitely wouldn't say no.' It comes after earlier this month her beau Davide admitted that he and girlfriend Ekin-Su still face 'struggles' with their relationship. The couple, both 28, won the eighth season of the ITV2 reality show last summer, and although they have been loved-up ever since being crowned it appears that it hasn't always been plain sailing. The Italian businessman spoke candidly about their relationship in an interview with The Sun, in which he reflected on the realities of their life in the spotlight. He said: 'Me and Ekin-Su had our struggles due to our public positions and we still have them sometimes. 'If there's something that I would change or would have done differently [with Ekin-Su in the villa] maybe I would have taken things a bit more slowly.' Davide went on to say that despite this the couple are still very much in the throes of romance, particularly because they have the 'same background.' Career: The Love Island star, 28, who is of Turkish origin and lived in Istanbul for two years, used to star in a soap there called Kuzey Yldz Ilk Ask Complicated: The couple, both 28, won the eighth season of the ITV2 reality show last summer, and although they have been loved-up ever since being crowned it appears that it hasn't always been plain sailing 'The best thing about dating Ekin-Su is that we understand each other - not just because we are literally the same person,' He went on. 'She is my copy-paste.' They moved in together after winning Love Island last year but earlier this year were forced to dismiss claims their relationship was a showmance. In April, Ekin-Su was said to be left 'fuming and upset' after finding messages and pictures from two models on Davide's phone. A source said at the time: 'It all exploded last Sunday after she found messages on Davides phone discussing their time together. 'He had been messaging both of the girls and she suspected they had all met up one night. 'Ekin-Su contacted one of the girls to tell them she knew about things. She was furious and really upset.' A representative for Ekin-Su declined to comment on the story. MailOnline had also reached out for comment from Davide who is yet to respond. Davide's interview came after Ekin-Su revealed that she has 'no friends left' after being thrown into the public eye. The beauty spoke candidly to Cosmopolitan about her struggles with personal relationships. She admitted that since finding fame, people don't 'want' to be her friend because of her 'status'. The star even revealed that close friends, such as one she has known for over 10 years, went on to sell stories about her. Despite reflecting that she has 'no friends left', Ekin-Su insisted that she is 'much 'happier this way, particularly with the support of her boyfriend Davide. She told the publication: 'I've lost every friend I had. I don't have any friends. I have one friend and that's it. Fame game: Ekin-Su and Davide rose to prominence after they appeared on Love Island and won the ITV2 dating show last summer (seen on the show) 'Unfortunately, with the fame, you see people's true colours. People just want to be your friend because of your status, and it's a hard industry to trust. 'No, I don't actually have friends left. People I'd known for 10 years who were in my lifeSelling stories is not very nice. I wouldn't do that to someone. If they were happy, I would support them. 'Unfortunately, I had that coming out of the villa, I had to delete people out of my life. 'But I am happier this way. Sometimes keeping your circle small is the best, and you don't always need friends. So long as you know who you are, that's fine.' Married At First Sight star Jessika Power has confirmed her split from boyfriend, Connor Thompson. The Australian reality star, 31, shared a racy lingerie-clad photo to Instagram on Sunday revealing the sad news. 'I keep uploading this and taking it down. I've been so worried about being too 'single' too 'happy'. But I'm neither.., I am going to get through this with my brain intact, if not my heart,' she wrote of the split. Fans of the reality star-turned-successful influencer rallied around her by offering their kind words. 'He didn't deserve you,' one fan wrote. Fans have rallied around reality star Jess Power, 31, after she revealed her heartbreak following her shock split from hunky UK boyfriend Connor Thompson on Sunday. Pictured 'Stay strong my fellow Libra, you are such a catch! Hang in there girl!' another added. 'Nothing hurts more than heartbreak, be kind to yourself. Sending love, you've got this!' yet another added. ''You've got this Jessika Power. You heart maybe broken but you will find strength. We love you, remember that. Stay strong. Better days are coming.' Fans threw their support behind the star after her announcement on Instagram Jessika last week confirmed she split with her English boyfriend after two years, saying that the decision was mutual. Connor also confirmed the split to Daily Mail Australia on June 22. Jessika has since unfollowed her beau on Instagram and has also revealed her plans to move back to Australia. The former Married At First Sight star recently confirmed she has split from her boyfriend Connor Thompson (left) after two years She also shared a post to her Instagram story asking her fans to recommend a removalist company to bring her belongings back home. The reality TV star also shared a cryptic quote to her Instagram about 'happiness and respect'. 'Staying in a relationship just because you love somebody is not worth it. Love is not all you need. Respect is what you need. Time is what you need. Reassurance is what you need. Happiness is what you need. A best friend is what you need,' it read. In September last year, Jessika revealed Connor had met all of her family and they all approved. Jessika recently posted to her Instagram Story asking fans to recommend a removalist company to bring her belongings back home to Australia The reality TV star also shared a cryptic quote to her Instagram about 'happiness and respect' 'He's met my family in Perth and my family on the Gold Coast,' she said at the time. 'I haven't introduced most of my boyfriends to my family, but every single family member, even my dad, love him.' She added: 'My nan asked me the other day when we're getting married!' Jessica and Connor returned Down Under in August last year to promote Celebrity Slim, which she is the face of. The blonde rose to fame on season six of Married At First Sight Australia in 2019. Phoebe Waller-Bridge looked incredible in another winning look as the Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny press tour headed to Italy on Sunday. The actress and writer wowed on the red carpet at the Taormina Film Festival in a slinky white dress. The halter-neck number highlighted Phoebe's tanned and toned figure, with racy cut out detail at the front flashing more skin. She added chic silver and amber jewellery to her look as she posed up a storm alongside the movie's leading man Harrison Ford and her partner Martin McDonagh. Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is the fifth and final film of the beloved franchise created by legendary director George Lucas. Stunning: Phoebe Waller-Bridge looked incredible in another winning look as the Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny press tour headed to Italy on Sunday Ready for her close up: The actress and writer wowed on the red carpet at the Taormina Film Festival in a slinky white dress Ford last played Indiana Jones aka Henry Jones Jr in 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull starring Shia LaBeouf and Cate Blanchett. The latest movie hit is set in the year 1969, following Ford's Indiana Jones set against the backdrop of the American 'space race.' Franchise newcomer Phoebe joins the sequel as the globe-trotting archaeologist's goddaughter Helena Shaw, along with Mads Mikkelsen as villain Jurgen Voller, an ex-Nazi who now works for NASA, and Toby Jones as Basil Shaw, an ally of Jones. Other newcomers include Antonio Banderas as Renaldo, a friend of Indy, Thomas Kretschmann as Colonel Weber, Toby Jones as Basil Shaw and Boyd Holbrook as Klaber. The movie first premiered at the recent Cannes Film Festival and has a reported budget of $300million. Last week, Phoebe weighed in on the future of Indiana Jones as she attended the premiere for the fifth instalment in Los Angeles. The actress insisted the franchise should not be revived with anyone other than Harrison Ford because he helped create 'a perfect moment in cinematic history'. When asked if the films could be revived without Harrison, she said: 'I don't think it should be. I think he is Indiana Jones and I think Indiana Jones is him. Strike a pose: The halter-neck number highlighted Phoebe's tanned and toned figure, with racy cut out detail at the front flashing more skin Her plus one: She added chic silver and amber jewellery to her look as she posed up a storm alongside her partner Martin McDonagh A-list talent: Indiana Jones himself Harrison Ford was also in attendance alongside Mads Mikkelsen, another newcomer to the franchise who plays villain Jurgen Voller Talented cast: Mads looked dapper in an olive green shirt and trousers as the cast took to the stage at the film festival Anticipated: Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is the fifth and final film of the beloved franchise created by legendary director George Lucas Newcomer: Franchise newcomer Phoebe joins the sequel as the globe-trotting archaeologist's goddaughter Helena Shaw Excited: Last week, Phoebe weighed in on the future of Indiana Jones as she attended the premiere for the fifth instalment in Los Angeles 'Whatever magic chemistry happened between that script and Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford is a perfect moment in cinematic history.' James Mangold has directed the latest instalment while Steven [Spielberg] was at the helm of the first four films. Phoebe added that she feels James has done 'the most beautiful job' of bringing the series to an end. 'It was wonderful to be by Harrison's side prodding him and poking him and being annoying as Helena all the way through the movie. It was incredible,' she said. Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny arrives in UK cinemas on June 28. Newcomer: Phoebe as Indiana's goddaughter Helena Shaw in the movie Letters of intent signed by major auto companies with top economic planner German and Chinese carmakers are optimistic about more exchanges and cooperation as the two countries are forging closer relations in the automotive industry. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen signed letters of intent with China's National Development and Reform Commission in Berlin during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Germany last week. The deals are aimed at promoting the two countries' cooperation in new energy vehicle-related research and development, and facilitating the automotive industry's transformation toward smart electrification. BMW's strong ties with China are a "win-win" as the vehicle industry shifts toward greener, more connected vehicles, said CEO Oliver Zipse. "The BMW Group has deep and long-standing ties with China Strong partnerships between BMW Group and Chinese partners will continue to deliver a win-win during the transformation of our industry," he said. Last month, the German car manufacturer announced that it is investing 10 billion yuan ($1.42 billion) in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, to build a battery plant for its next-generation Neue Klasse vehicles that will be locally produced from 2026. BMW announced the plan during its joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive's 20th anniversary celebrations. To further prepare for the Neue Klasse vehicles' local production, a new extension of its Shenyang R&D Center was also opened during the anniversary event. Founded in May 2003, BBA has been fundamental to the BMW Group's successful integration into the Chinese market, manufacturing most of BMW's models at its plants in Shenyang. The carmaker said that since 2010, nearly 100 billion yuan has been invested in its production base in Shenyang, where the designed production capacity has risen to 830,000 vehicles per year. In China, the BMW Group has established its largest R&D and innovation network outside Germany, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing in Jiangsu province. China, a major marketplace and global leader in innovation, will offer more opportunities for cooperation between Chinese and German companies, said Jochen Goller, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China. "Now China is a big marketplace and also leading in innovation," Goller told Xinhua, noting that the country has transformed the automotive industry into a leading technology market in certain areas. Volkswagen Group signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Ministry of Education last week to collectively drive the development of vocational education within China's automotive industry. The cooperation will draw upon Volkswagen's extensive experience in implementing "dual education "programs in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, digital technology and e-mobility, to foster industry talent development. Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said: "Building a strong talent base is decisive to the progress of technologies, industries and wider society. "Thus, Volkswagen is making an important contribution to the Chinese education system and to the development of young talents in an automotive market that is leading the world in the transformation to smart mobility," he said. The carmaker has already launched two Volkswagen Competence Centers in Tianjin and Hefei, capital of Anhui province, to support vocational education and complement China's higher education system. The two centers provide training courses, ranging from vehicle assembly and battery technologies to intelligent manufacturing, for 500 teachers from automotive education institutions over three years. In addition, the centers will offer practical skills training opportunities for around 1,500 students over three years, and will continue to support the Sino-German Advanced Vocational Education program by providing training and seminars for member institutions. The carmaker has built a Volkswagen College in Hefei with Hefei University and Hefei Economic Development Zone. As the first Sino-foreign cooperative education institution in Anhui, the college is implementing the "dual education" methodology in China's higher education system. A total of 88 students have enrolled in the three majors available at the college, which are Data Science & Big Data Technology, Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering and Inorganic Non-metallic Materials Engineering. Chinese carmakers including SAIC and Nio are bullish about the potential of cooperation with German companies. William Li, chairman and CEO of Nio, said Chinese and German companies can enhance their respective strengths through cooperation. Nio set up its design center in Munich in 2015. An innovation center was established in Berlin in 2022, to focus on smart cabin functions as well as autonomous driving. The Chinese startup now has around 1,300 employees in Europe, with the majority of them based in Germany. Chen Hong, chairman of Volkswagen's Chinese partner SAIC Motors, said it is the responsibility of carmakers to accelerate the growth of environmentally-friendly vehicles and the rise of NEVs are yielding new business opportunities. He said SAIC sold 120,000 vehicles in Europe in the first five months of this year, of which more than 70,000 units were NEVs. She is currently soaking up the sun with husband Mark Wright at a friend's wedding in Ibiza. And Michelle Keegan looked nothing short of sensational as she took to her Instagram to share a slew of snaps on Sunday. The couple have jetted abroad after the former TOWIE star 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 former Corrie actress Michelle, 36, flaunted her toned abs in a strapless bronze bikini while enjoying a lavish boat trip. Throwing her arms in the air the stunner also wore a cream crochet skirt and shielded herself from the sun beneath a chic fedora and shades. Body! Michelle Keegan, 35, showcased her abs in a tiny bikini during her sun-soaked Ibiza getaway on Sunday Gorgeous: She later slipped into a colourful maxi dress by Siedres as she continued to celebrate her friend's destination wedding She later headed off with her fellow wedding guests for an evening celebrations where she turned heads in a very colourful dress by Siedres. The figure-hugging frock accentuated her curves and featured a racy thigh-high split as Michelle posed up a storm for the camera. She opted for a radiant make-up palette with her high-lighted tresses styled effortlessly in loose curls. The brunette beauty toted her essentials in a beaded bag and added extra height to her frame in a pair of nude sandals. She captioned her bikini snap: 'A little bit of Ibiza magic'. Michelle attended the wedding ceremony in a in a bronzed halterneck silk dress on Friday alongside hubby Mark, 36 . She wowed in the figure-hugging full-length gown as it elegantly clung to her slender frame as she cosied up to her husband. They looked smitten as they posed for a sweet photo at the celebrations, which was uploaded to Instagram. Pose: The figure-hugging frock accentuated her curves and featured a racy thigh-high split as Michelle posed up a storm for the camera Stunning: She opted for a radiant make-up palette with her high-lighted tresses styled effortlessly in loose curls Fun in the sun: She captioned her bikini snap: 'A little bit of Ibiza magic' 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. 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'. 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. Mesmerising: Michelle attended the wedding ceremony in a in a bronzed halterneck silk dress on Friday alongside hubby Mark, 36 Celebration time!: Mark, meanwhile, opted for a semi-unbuttoned shirt which showed-off the rest of radio presenter's muscular physique as they posed with the bride and groom 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. Victoria Beckham escaped to the country for the weekend, sharing photos from her fun family time with husband David and youngest child Harper. The family left their London pad behind to head to their 12million Cotswolds retreat for a low-key weekend. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Victoria shared snaps as she cosied up to David and Harper. 'Jadore @davidbeckham #HarperSeven,' the Spice Girl captioned the video, a reference to her daughter's J'Adore Dior t-shirt. Victoria meanwhile swapped her signature glam look for a low-key outfit of white jeans and a grey t-shirt for the Sunday snap. Family time: Victoria Beckham escaped the country for the weekend, sharing photos from her fun family time with husband David and daughter Harper Escape to the country: The family left their London pad behind to head to their 12million Cotswolds retreat for a low-key weekend On Saturday Victoria, 49, took to Instagram to share a sweet video of David and Harper cooking together - and fans were seriously impressed by the 11-year-old's skills. The duo whipped up a storm as they prepared fresh salsa before making chicken burritos in their Cotswolds kitchen. In the video, Harper was seen chopping onions as she showed off her cooking skills while making the salsa, while David prepared the burritos. As music played, Harper was also seen flashing a huge grin as she performed some salsa dance steps and waved a tea towel in the air. David also revealed that their lunch choice had been inspired by Victoria's best pal's new movie Flamin' Hot, which they watched on Friday night. He said: 'We are making burritos, inspired by Flamin' Hot movie by Eva, our friend.' The clip then showed Harper and David busy at work making rice and guacamole to complete their tasty burritos. Alongside the video, Victoria penned: 'Salsa Saturday!! When @Davidbeckham and #HarperSeven are inspired by @Flaminhotmovie @Evalongoria!! Kisses @peggygou.' Chef: On Saturday Victoria , 49, took to Instagram to share a sweet video of David and Harper cooking together - and fans were seriously impressed by the 11-year-old's skills Cooking: The duo whipped up a storm as they prepared fresh salsa before making chicken burritos in their Cotswolds kitchen Victoria's close pal Eva, 48, has made her directorial debut with Flamin' Hot, which was released on June 9. The movie, streaming on Hulu and Disney+, is based on the true story of how a janitor called Richard Montanez invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Fans took to the comment section to comment on the stunning kitchen and their cooking skills. One wrote: 'Harper is the real star of the kitchen', another added: 'Oh my god. A normal-looking fridge not all stacked in rainbow order and everything decanted into identical bowls! I am a Beckham!!!' A third chimed: 'Loving the kitchen and when did little Harper suddenly grow up?! And why doesn't my kitchen have a David Beckham in it?! Loving the father daughter time.' Lila Moss's boyfriend has been revealed as a student and fashion marketer called Yoni Helbitz, with the pair seen out in London on Sunday evening. A source told MailOnline that the pair, who were first pictured together as friends two years ago, have been dating for around a year. Model Lila, 20, the daughter of supermodel Kate Moss, 49, and magazine editor Jefferson Hack, 52, cut a casual figure as she enjoyed quality time with Yoni, 22, - who looks just like her famous father. Yoni's official job title is e-commerce coordinator / fashion marketer for fashion brand Self Portrait where he has been working for just two months. Before that, he worked as an e-commerce co-ordinator for James Lakeland Ltd and he also had a six months stint as an estate agent. Lila Moss's boyfriend revealed! Lila, 18, looked smitten as she cuddled up to her fashion marketing boyfriend Yoni Helbitz, 22, during a romantic dinner date in London on Sunday Family: Lila who is the daughter of Supermodel Kate Moss, 49, and magazine editor Jefferson Hack, 52, enjoyed quality time with her beau (left) - who struck a striking resemblance to her famous father (right, pictured in 2001) Lila went braless beneath a tight white crop top for the outing which she teamed with colourful polka dot and ruffled skirt. She slicked back her blonde tresses into a bun and slipped her feet into ballet bumps as she accessorised with gold jewellery. Yoni, who hails from London, is also studying and will finish his degree next year. He donned a grey T-shirt which he paired with matching jeans and a pair of Adidas trainers. They shared a giggle as they strolled together before stopping for a bite to eat at an Italian restaurant. Jefferson and Kate - who dated from 2001-2004 with Lila being born in 2002 - have an amicable relationship and would ensure their daughter spent a regular amount of time with each of them in her childhood. Back in 2016, Jefferson admitted that despite Lila having two famous parents, she found them both to be 'deeply uncool'. Speaking to the Sunday Times Magazine, he explained his daughter keeps himself and her model mother rooted in the 'real' world. Despite her mother's status as a bonafide British icon, thanks to her status in the fashion industry, and Jefferson's own achingly cool CV, Lila - wouldn't label her parents as cool. Out and about: The model, 20, cut a casual figure for the summer outing with Yoni, who she has been dating for around a year, but has been friends with for longer Busty: Lila went braless beneath a tight white crop top which she teamed with colourful polka dot and ruffled skirt Low key: She slicked back her blonde tresses into a bun and slipped her feet into ballet bumps as she accessorised with gold jewellery Al fresco: The couple later enjoyed an alfresco dinner together Parents: Kate and Jefferson dated from 2001-2004 with Lila born in 2002 (pictured together in 2001) 'She thinks me and her mum are deeply uncool,' he explained. 'I dont think her music tastes are cool Capital radio and Justin Bieber. She keeps me real.' Lila was certainly following in her mother footsteps as she posed for a daring Marc Jacobs campaign earlier this month. She appeared in a guise fans had never seen her in before for the snaps, where she posed alongside music legend Debbie Harry. One dress Lila donned featured a geometric tribal print, while she paired it with a neon yellow handbag and platform boots so tall that fans did a double take. She also wore the same white boots alongside a stripy dress, as she showed the world exactly why she's qualified to follow in her mum's footsteps in fashion. It was little surprise that the up-and-coming model was chosen to appear in Marc's campaign, as she revealed her mum has been 'close friends' with him for years. Kate previously appeared in a Marc Jacobs campaign last year, and even revived her iconic pink hairstyle for the promotional images. Lila was officially declared the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty back in 2018, having known the designer for a long time - and now she's out of her teens, her business relationship with him looks set to continue. Dinner date: She exhibited her natural beauty, having opted to apply a minimal amount of make-up Conversation: The couple chatted intently throughout their Italian meal Causal: He donned a grey T-shirt which he paired with matching jeans and a pair of Adidas trainers Stroll: Lila beamed as she walked arm in arm with her handsome companion Playful: Her boyfriend put on a playful display and flashed the peace sign Dating: Yoni has shared a number of photos of Lila on his Instagram page, with the two friends for years before reportedly getting together last year Sweet: Photos show the couple out and about around London and on holiday together Travelling: One photo shared by Yoni at the end of last year shows the couple on a beach break together Romance: Another photo of the rising star of the modelling world sees Lila posing for her beau who captioned the snap with a heart and world emoji Close: Lila and Yoni were pictured together in London back in September 2021 when they were still friends Speaking to Nylon aged just 17, Lila could barely contain her excitement at being selected by him for one of her first campaigns. Declaring her love for his fragrance, Daisy, she praised his creativity and stated that his brand has always felt 'very young and feminine'. Despite constant comparisons to her famous mum in the old days, Lila is now holding her own, as demonstrated by the new fashion campaign. She stars alongside not just Debbie Harry, but up and coming actress Ever Anderson, rapper BK the Rula and designer Mowalola, whose outfits are sold in Selfridges. Lila gazed moodily at the camera, as she accessorised her outfits with a pair of black velour gloves, while she added to the atmosphere by posing with a black cat. The campaign images were shot by Chris Rhodes, who has also worked with brands including Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. Baby faced: Lila was certainly following in her mother footsteps as she posed for a daring Marc Jacobs campaign earlier this month Hard to miss! Kate previously appeared in a Marc Jacobs campaign last year, and even revived her iconic pink hairstyle for the promotional images Meanwhile, Lila has admitted she feels 'jealous' of her mother's extensive wardrobe, mainly due to the fact that they can't share shoes. She wears a size five, while Kate is a six - but she has confessed that she sometimes raids her impressive clothing collection. 'I come out in her outfits, and she goes, "Im so jealous, its so cute!" and Im just like, "Its all yours!"' Lila chuckled in an interview with Vogue. Her 'tastemaker' dad Jefferson Hack is also in the fashion business, having founded iconic style magazine Dazed. Meanwhile, Lila - who is 5ft 6in - has admitted: 'I like to wear shoes with a bit of a platform because I probably will be the shortest girl at the show!' If that's the case, her sky high platforms for the new Marc Jacobs campaign will have her on cloud nine. Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Furness are enjoying the English summer. The actor and his actress wife headed out to watch American pop star Pink perform at the American Express presents British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park on Sunday. The Logan star, 54, kept things casual in a simple white T-shirt that sat close to his famously muscular frame. He added a pair of dark navy shorts and white sneakers, as well as wearing black framed glasses. Hugh had his salt and pepper locks on display in a styled coif and wore a red wristband into the concert. Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Furness are enjoying the English summer. Both pictured Deborra-Lee, 67, looked chic in two layered black T-shirts paired with loose fit white jeans. She had her blonde hair half up in an undone bun held by a clip, with a pair of glasses sitting atop her head. The Shame actress opted for a clean makeup look with a hint of bronzer and a soft pink lip gloss. The A-list couple appeared to get VIP treatment when they entered the venue, meeting up with friends in a private section. The actor and his actress wife headed out to watch American pop star Pink perform at the American Express presents British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park on Sunday The Logan star, 54, kept things casual in a simple white T-shirt that sat close to his famously muscular frame He added a pair of dark navy shorts and white sneakers, as well black framed glasses Hugh had his salt and pepper locks on display in a styled coif Hugh recently revealed he and his wife had 'very different ideas' about parenting when they first adopted kids. The actor shares adopted children Oscar, 22, and Ava, 17, with the fellow Aussie, who he wed in 1996. Speaking to The Radio Times Hugh said: 'You fall in love with someone and you work out your relationship, it's great! All of a sudden, we had kids'. 'The way I was parented, the way she was parented all of a sudden whoosh! And it wasn't just Deb and I, it was somehow our pasts coming together'. Deborra-Lee, 67, looked chic in two layered black T-shirts paired with loose fit white jeans She had her blonde hair half up in an undone bun held by a clip The Shame actress opted for a clean makeup look with a hint of bronzer 'We had really different ideas about being a parent. And we never really pre-discussed it. 'We just assumed: we love each other, we don't argue, that's going to be fine!' the star added. Hugh and Deborah married just one year after meeting on the set of Australian drama Corelli in 1995. The actor previously said he knew he was going to spend the rest of his life with his beloved after just two weeks of knowing her. The A-list couple appeared to get VIP treatment when they entered the venue They met up with friends in a private section Hugh recently revealed he and his wife had 'very different ideas' about parenting when they first adopted kids Hugh also recently said he is working on himself and healing his past wounds thanks to therapy. The Wolverine star told WHO Magazine that he's already begun treatment. 'I just started it recently. It's helped me a lot... We all need a village,' he told the publication. 'You need a friend you can unload everything. [Also] having someone really smart, who's a little a bit removed from your world can be really helpful.' The actor shares adopted children Oscar, 22, and Ava, 17, with the fellow Aussie Speaking to The Radio Times Hugh said: 'You fall in love with someone and you work out your relationship, it's great! All of a sudden, we had kids' 'The way I was parented, the way she was parented all of a sudden whoosh! And it wasn't just Deb and I, it was somehow our pasts coming together,' he added Hugh added that he is learning to make peace with his past and communicate better with his loved ones through the sessions. He said it's helped him most with, 'Understanding my past and how it's informing my thinking unconsciously - getting to really understand some of the patterns that I was unconsciously just repeating. 'And, most importantly, helping me to be more relational with the people I love in my life, and really understanding and living in their shoes and being clear to be able to see them,' the star added. Hugh has had a difficult past and was just eight years old when his mother Grace abandoned her family in Australia and returned to the UK. 'We had really different ideas about being a parent. And we never really pre-discussed it. We just assumed: we love each other, we don't argue, that's going to be fine!' the star added Hugh and Deborah married just one year after meeting on the set of Australian drama Corelli He told Australia's Who magazine in January 2018 that his mother leaving him as a child was 'traumatic'. She left Australia and returned to her native England in the late '70s, leaving her husband, Christopher Jackman, to raise their children alone. After the couple divorced, Hugh's sisters, Zoe and Sonya, went to live with Grace in the UK; Hugh and his brothers, Ian and Ralph, stayed in Sydney with their father. 'It was traumatic,' Hugh said, recalling his difficult childhood. 'I thought she was probably going to come back. And then it sort of dragged on and on.' The actor previously said he knew he was going to spend the rest of his life with his beloved after just two weeks of knowing her Hugh also recently said he is working on himself and healing his past wounds thanks to therapy The Greatest Showman star added that after his mother left the family, he saw her about 'once a year'. It wasn't until he was '12 or 13' that it dawned on him his mother would never return. Fortunately, Hugh and his mother reconciled years later. He told The Sun newspaper in October 2011: 'I am 43 now and we have definitely made our peace, which is important. 'I was always quite connected with my mum. I have a good relationship with her.' She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. And Kendall Jenner looked casually chic as she stepped out for lunch at Loulou restaurant in Paris on Sunday. The model, 27, put on a leggy display in a khaki mini dress as she strutted her stuff along the pavement. The stylish number featured cut-off sleeves and a figure-hugging shape, clinging to every inch of her enviable figure. She completed the look with a pair of black stiletto heels and toted a stylish black handbag in arm. Gorgeous: Kendall Jenner looked casually chic in a very short dress and heels as she stepped out for lunch at Loulou restaurant in Paris on Sunday The star kept accessories to a minimum, opting for a simple silver bracelet and banded gold hoop earrings. Kendall wore her dark tresses in a sleek style over her shoulders and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look. The beauty is currently dating Bad Bunny, aka Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, 29. Neither Kendall nor the Puerto Rican rapper has spoken publicly about their relationship, but a source told People in May, the pair were 'getting more serious.' 'They are very cute together. Kendall is happy,' the insider claimed. 'He is a fun guy. Very much a gentleman and charming. She likes his vibe. He is very chill. The source also revealed 'it was a slow start,' to the relationship, 'but they spend almost every day together now.' It comes after Kendall received online backlash after making comments attempting to distance herself from nepotism. Wow! The model, 27, put on a leggy display in a khaki mini dress as she strutted her stuff along the pavement Love life: The beauty is currently dating musician Bad Bunny, (pictured) aka Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, 29 In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the supermodel discussed her discomfort with fame and revealed she doesn't feel like a 'Kardashian.' 'I understand that I fall under the umbrella of the Kardashian sisters. It's just weird to me because I am just like my dad in so many ways,' she said. In another part of the profile, Kendall said, 'I consider myself one of the luckiest people on the planet to be able to live the life that I live, but I do think that it's challenging for me a lot more than it's not.' Critics took to social media to highlight the contradictions of Jenner's comments in the article, which was titled How Kendall Jenner Wants to Ditch the Nepo Baby Playbook. And since the piece came out, old footage from a scene of an early episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians has re emerged on social media. The outtake shows Kendall's mom, Kris Jenner, securing her a meeting with agency Wilhelmina Models. Jenner is just a teenager in the clip, busying herself with an ice pop and her cell phone as her mom enters the room as says, 'So guess who just called me. Wilhelmina modeling agency. They would love to have a meeting with you.' Criticism: It comes after Kendall received online backlash after making comments attempting to distance herself from nepotism - pictured earlier this month Then, in a confessional interview, Kris admits: 'I spent the last two days calling everybody I know so that I can make sure that I set Kendall up with the best modeling agency possible.' She adds, 'This is actually a really big deal and I'm so surprised this is happening so fast for her.' The snippet has been posted with a more recent clip from a Keeping Up With The Kardashians reunion in which Kendall insists she achieved her modeling success independently from her family. While being interviewed by Andy Cohen, Kendall stresses, 'I took my last name off of my name on all my modeling cards so that I was taken completely seriously. 'I mean, I literally went to the middle of nowhere castings. I definitely worked my way to where I am now.' She added, 'I think it's just a perception that people have that I just was like, "Give it to me" and I had it. It definitely was not that.' A controversial Australian influencer has quit social media after a series of attacks from people she calls her 'haters' left her feeling unsafe and suicidal. Emma Claiir, who received backlash in April when she admitted to killing two cats when she was a child, told her 105,000 followers on Monday that she was leaving Instagram following the criticism. 'As most of you know I gave birth on the 12.4.23 to the most amazing, precious little boy and he changed my life completely,' she began her very lengthy post. 'I was so excited to share my life with you all, share where things were from and just be real with my postpartum journey and experiences with my baby. 'But unfortunately that all became not possible when I shared a story from when I was kid on my podcast. I quickly became canceled and the death threats started rolling in,' she went on. A controversial Australian influencer has quit social media. Emma Claiir (pictured), who received backlash in April when she admitted to killing two cats when she was a child, told her 105,000 followers on Monday that she was leaving Instagram following the criticism 'The story got taken out of proportion and turned into something it never was. People started a witch hunt on me and were doing everything to make sure my life was ruined. 'I lost my job, my mental health was impacted massively and people were just having a laugh about it. 'I realised it was taking me away from my son and making me not present with him so I took a small break.' Emma continued: 'Since my return after that people decided it was okay to spread cheating rumours, make up lies and try to continue to ruin the life of a new mother who was already pretty open about her mental health struggles in life. 'Not only did I have haters trying to ruin my life and spread hate and rumours but I also had close friends doing the same. 'Friends who I thought were there for me, friends who I trusted and friends who I thought would never stab me in the back. 'I lost my job, my mental health was impacted massively and people were just having a laugh about it,' she wrote at length in the post, some of which is seen here 'These friends shared my personal life onto tattle, joined in on the lies and rumours to make it seem legit and shared something I posted on my private Instagram page which was for family and friends only where I spoke openly about a dark place I was in,' she said. 'This was breaking point for me. I suddenly began to feel unsafe in my own bubble, I started to feel unsafe in my own home, my anxiety was through the roof when I went out in public, I was constantly feeling violated, the death threats became louder and the lies and rumours also became louder.' Emma said that her mental health has been suffering and she considered ending her own life. 'People were going to all lengths to ruin my life. Messaging my friends with nasty messages, messaging brand and companies that were following me with threats and so much more. People were dehumanising me daily and laughing at my struggles,' she said. 'My mental health finally crumbled. I entered a very dark space that was extremely scary and unfamiliar. 'Not only did I have haters trying to ruin my life and spread hate and rumours but I also had close friends doing the same,' she said 'I was constantly telling myself that the only thing that would make this all go away is if I took my own life.' She went on: 'The only way to make the haters happy is if I disappeared for good and officially left this world. 'Maybe my son and my husband really would be better off with out me and I should just let them go, maybe my friends and family would also be better off with out me so I should just let them go. 'These are thoughts no new mother should be having.' The influencer concluded by telling her followers, 'always remember that the online space can be horrible, fake and harmful whether you have a following or not, so it's okay, strong and powerful to walk away when needed.' She previously took a break from social media earlier this month after being accused of 'toxic positivity' in regards to posts about her baby. She previously took a break from social media earlier this month after being accused of 'toxic positivity' in regards to posts about her baby 'It's just been brought to my attention that my last [post] about having a hard mum day is a form of toxic positivity and can be harmful to other mums out there struggling and that I need to be doing better,' she wrote. Emma went on to say at the time that she was 'going into hiding' for a while to protect her mental health. 'It seems like nothing I post these days is good enough and everything I post is wrong and right now I can't be bothered trying to please everyone,' she snapped. 'I try my best to be somewhat real and relatable on here and hope that I can help at least one person feel better or less alone, but it's just becoming harder to show up when I'm constantly getting told I'm wrong or toxic or need to do better.' Emma drew widespread criticism and was dropped by makeup company MCoBeauty in April after she admitted to two incidents of historic animal cruelty on an episode of her podcast Simply Chaotic. Emma said at the time that she was 'going into hiding' for a while to protect her mental health Three more brands then cut ties with Claiir, including a vegan makeup company that promotes how it does not test its products on animals. Lust Minerals confirmed in a lengthy Instagram post at the time that it would no longer be working with Claiir. 'We are deeply saddened by the events that have taken place regarding Emma Claiir. Lust Minerals does not condone any cruelty of any kind. We stand by our values - our products are cruelty-free and vegan-certified,' the statement read. 'As a company, we take matters like this very seriously and have therefore made the decision to end all activity with Emma Claiir. Our community is our number one priority.' Fashion retailers Glassons and Princess Polly also distanced themselves from Claiir and said they would not be partnering with her in future campaigns, according to screenshots of DMs the brand sent to customers. The screenshots, obtained by 'snark' account Influencer Updates AU, confirmed both labels had severed ties with Claiir as a result of her cat controversy. Emma drew widespread criticism and was dropped by makeup company MCoBeauty in April after she admitted to two incidents of historic animal cruelty on an episode of her podcast Simply Chaotic Claiir had shared the bizarre confession earlier this week on her podcast, after she was asked by her co-host Kristy Jean to tell a personal secret. The mother of one left Jean stunned by admitting: 'I killed my cat.' Chuckling awkwardly, Claiir continued: 'I didn't mean to... I was young, I was a child. 'I was swinging my cat around. Like, I was thinking it was just a stuffed toy. And I accidentally let go of it.' Claiir clarified the animal died 'from the fright', rather than because of any injuries from being hurtled across the room. After sharing a laugh with her co-host, Claiir added: 'I just want to say, I'm giggling about it now, but this happened years and years and years [ago]. 'And, like, I was a f**king little child.' Incredibly, Claiir went on to admit she 'also killed her best friend's cat' by accident. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Disney+ has released the trailer for season two of The Bear, which will hit Australian screens on July 19. The clip shows chef Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White, trying his best to rework his sandwich shop into an upscale eatery. Now that Carmy has landed upon a bundle of cash from his late brother Mikey, he wants to create a food destination. However, things don't exactly go to plan with him seen stressing out over the journey to launch his shop into something brilliant. Disney+ has released the trailer for the new season of The Bear, starring Jeremy Allen White, ahead of its Australian premiere in July. Pictured The crew must work together to create a brilliant new venue with minimal time and just a couple of happy helpers. The numbers are crunched, the contractors are hired, and the demolition is complete for the space. However, at home, he tries to find new recipes that will draw in the crowds but it is not as easy as he thought. Richard 'Richie' Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) work to transform their grimy sandwich joint into a next-level spot in season two The crew hit plenty of roadblocks, including staffing, which is no easy task. Disney+ described the new season as about 'food', 'family', 'insanity of the grind' and the 'beauty of sense of urgency'. 'They undertake transformational journeys of their own, each forced to confront the past and reckon with who they want to be in the future,' the description reads. Disney+ described the new season as about 'food', 'family' and the 'insanity of the grind' and the 'beauty of sense of urgency'. Here is chef Sydney Adamu, played by Ayo Edebiri Now that Carmy has landed upon a bundle of cash from his late brother Mikey, he wants to create a destination eatery. Seen here stressing out The Bear season one was a huge hit. The cast includes Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colon-Zayas and Matty Matheson, with Edwin Lee Gibson, Oliver Platt and Molly Gordon in recurring roles. Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk is also joining as a guest star, Variety exclusively reported earlier this year. Season two debuts on Disney+ on July 19. Sarah Harris has admitted that since she joined the line-up of The Project this year, it has not been smooth sailing. The television host tells this week's issue of TV Week that even airline staff have taken pity on her over the show's recent controversies. 'The show has had some particularly tough weeks,' the 41-year-old told the publication. 'I've had airline staff come up to me on the plane and say, "It's been a rough week in the headlines here's another glass of wine or a few extra chocolates." 'People are incredibly kind,' she added. Sarah Harris (pictured) has admitted that since she joined the line-up of The Project this year, it has not been smooth sailing. The television host tells this week's issue of TV Week that even airline staff have taken pity on her over the show's recent controversies Harris went on to say that needs to block out the negative attention for her 'own mental health'. 'I'd rather give it a go and fail spectacularly than wonder what could have happened,' she added of her decision to join the current affairs program. It comes after Sarah spoke out about the scandal enveloping The Project earlier this year after the program aired a controversial 'Jesus joke'. The left-leaning current affairs program was under fire after gay comedian and cabaret performer Reuben Kaye joked that he admired Jesus Christ because, 'I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more'. The left-leaning current affairs program was under fire after gay comedian and cabaret performer Reuben Kaye (pictured) joked that he admired Jesus Christ because, 'I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more' The Project host told The Matty Johns Podcast that the unfortunate incident, which was broadcast on February 28, should never have taken place. 'During the scandal that we had on The Project, it was sad and it was scary, the joke should have never gone to air and it kind of took us all by surprise,' she said. Sarah went on to say that she had to disable comments on her popular Instagram page as she was getting abuse and death threats, with some aimed at her children. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed that it received hundreds of complaints from the public after The Project's lewd 'Jesus joke' caused widespread outrage. 'The show has had some particularly tough weeks,' the 41-year-old told the publication The backlash from Muslims and Christians was swift and brutal, forcing the show's presenters to issue a grovelling on-air apology as religious groups organise protests of Channel 10's headquarters. It follows the mass departure of the show's biggest stars, Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Helliar. Tommy Little was also quietly removed as a regular panellist. New stars Sam Taunton and Michael Hing have joined the show for 2023, alongside Sarah and existing panelists Waleed Aly and Hamish Macdonald. Georgie Tunny, who has already been a regular fixture on the current affairs show, will also appear on the new season. It follows the mass departure of the show's biggest stars, Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Helliar. Pictured (L-R): Tommy little, Helliar, Hamish Macdonald, Bickmore, Waleed Aly, Wilkinson and Gorgi Coghlan Wilkinson announced she was quitting effective immediately in December, and long-time anchor Carrie Bickmore confirmed her departure in October. Helliar also announced he was leaving The Project and explained he decided to quit following the departure of his co-host Carrie. Last year, OzTAM ratings revealed Channel 10's flagship current affairs program had lost almost a third of its audience since 2011. The struggling show saw its metro ratings plummet to an all-time low of just 367,000 last year. That's a 30 per cent decline from its five-city audience of 538,000 a decade earlier. Johnny Depp performed live with his rock band, Hollywood Vampires, in Paris on Sunday. During their concert tour stop, the 60-year-old actor took the stage and was jamming on the guitar with his fellow bandmates: Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen. The Golden Globe winner looked every bit the rocker as he modeled a distressed denim vest over a graphic T-shirt and black jeans. Meanwhile, Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard has been busy this past weekend in Italy promoting her comeback movie About Love. The Jeanne du Barry star who is the father of Lily-Rose Depp, the leading actress in the controversial series The Idol also donned a rasta crochet hat over his shoulder-length waves. The Pirates of the Caribbean alum further accessorized with layers of bracelets and rolled up his sleeves to show off the ink adorning his arms. Rocking out: Johnny Depp performed live with his rock band, Hollywood Vampires, in Paris on Sunday. During their concert tour stop, the 60-year-old actor took the stage and was jamming on the guitar with his fellow bandmates: Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen The Kentucky native put on a flashy display in various statement rings as well as a thin scarf and pendant necklaces around his neck. For an additional touch, he sported dark eyeliner for an edgy appearance. Earlier this month, the Hollywood Vampires kicked off the European leg of their tour in Bucharest, Romania after having to postpone several concerts due to Depp's ankle injury. Next, the group will be performing in Hamburg, Germany on Tuesday and continuing to make stops around Europe before concluding their tour back in the United States at the end of July. Previously, Depp formed the rock supergroup with Cooper and Perry in 2012. Since the inception of Hollywood Vampires, the group has also, at one point, performed with and included: Brad Whitford, Buck Johnson, Bruce Witkin, Duff McKagan, Robert DeLeo, Chris Wyse, Glen Sobel, and Matt Sorum. The group performs covers of legendary hits helmed by artists such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Doors. They also perform original songs penned by Depp and his bandmates. Rocker chic: The Golden Globe winner looked every bit the rocker as he modeled a distressed denim vest over a graphic T-shirt and black jeans Edgy: The Jeanne du Barry star who is the father of Lily-Rose Depp, the leading actress in the controversial series The Idol also donned a rasta crochet hat over his shoulder-length waves Showing off: The Pirates of the Caribbean alum further accessorized with layers of bracelets and rolled up his sleeves to show off the ink adorning his arms Flashy accessories: The Kentucky native put on a flashy display in various statement rings as well as a thin scarf and pendant necklaces around his neck Back on tour: Earlier this month, the Hollywood Vampires kicked off the European leg of their tour in Bucharest, Romania after having to postpone several concerts due to Depp's ankle injury His rock band: Previously, Depp formed the rock supergroup with Cooper and Perry in 2012 Passion for rock: The group performs covers of legendary hits helmed by artists such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Doors. They also perform original songs penned by Depp and his bandmates. Next, the group will be performing in Hamburg, Germany on Tuesday and continuing to make stops around Europe before concluding their tour back in the United States at the end of July The band name was originally inspired by and derives from a celebrity drinking club named The Hollywood Vampires that formed by Cooper in the '70s. Though Depp is primarily known as a star of the silver screen, the actor is evidently talented on the guitar and has been playing for decades. Back in the day, he dropped out of high school to pursue his dream of becoming a rock star and, coincidentally, became a Hollywood star. The identity of model Lila Moss's boyfriend was recently revealed to be Yoni Helbitz. The 22-year-old fashion marketing student put on a loved up display with Kate Moss's daughter, 20, on Sunday, with the couple strolling arm-in-arm while enjoying a day out in London. While Lila soars up the ranks with a glittering modelling career, often attending swanky A-list events with her super model mother, 49, Yoni has a somewhat more down-to-earth role as e-commerce coordinator / fashion marketer for fashion brand Self Portrait. He's been working for the fashion brand for just two months, having previously worked as an e-commerce co-ordinator for James Lakeland Ltd and an estate agent for six months. The happy couple had kept their romance relatively under wraps, yet Instagram posts by Yoni reveal that they have been enjoying each other's company for quite some time. Here he is: The identity of model Lila Moss's boyfriend was recently revealed to be 22-year-old fashion marketing student Yoni Helbitz Sweet: The happy couple had kept their romance relatively under wraps, yet Instagram posts by Yoni reveal that they have been enjoying each other's company for quite some time The duo are said to have been dating for around a year, though their friendship dates back longer with Yoni and Lila first pictured together as friends two years ago. And the couple certainly appear to be enamoured with each other, with one photo showing the pair posing for a romantic snap with their cheeks touching and Lila's arm draped over his shoulder. While another snap shows the young lovers out and about on a city walk, and while model Lila is happy to pose for a picture, Yoni adopts a playful scowl for the camera. Lila and Yoni have also enjoyed sun-soaked romantic holidays together in the past, with one photo shared by Yoni at the end of last year showing the couple on a beach break together. And while his girlfriend is used to the camera, she pulled a hilarious unimpressed face as Yoni snapped a photo of her. They've even headed to Disneyland together, with a picture showing the duo enjoying a lavish dinner with friends in 2021. The duo certainly let their hair down during the occasion, with Lila seen dressed as Tinkerbell while Yoni was suited and booted as Prince Charming. Meanwhile, Lila and Yoni appeared to have headed on a countryside staycation last June and student Yoni appeared keen to document the trip with a bikini-clad snap of his girl in a field. Romantic getaway: Lila and Yoni have enjoyed sun-soaked romantic holidays together in the past, with one photo shared by Yoni at the end of last year showing the couple on a beach break Larking around: While his girlfriend is used to the camera, she pulled a hilarious unimpressed face as Yoni snapped a photo of her Fun times: They've even headed to Disneyland together, with a picture showing the duo enjoying a lavish dinner with friends in 2021 Getaway: Meanwhile, Lila and Yoni appeared to have headed on a countryside staycation last June and student Yoni appeared keen to document the trip with a bikini=clad snap of his girl in a field Dates: The fashion marketer's page also featured several snaps of himself enjoying dinner dates and days out with Lila amid their blossoming romance Can't get enough: Though Yoni is happy to share images of his famous girlfriend on social media (pictured), Lila keeps her page relatively professional, with her Instagram mainly filled with modelling shots of herself The fashion marketer's page also featured several snaps of himself enjoying dinner dates and days out with Lila amid their blossoming romance. Though Yoni is happy to share images of his famous girlfriend on social media, Lila keeps her page relatively professional, with her Instagram mainly filled with modelling shots of herself. Amid their city walks and holidays, Yoni no doubt has to pull himself away from his model love seeing as he's still studying and will finish his degree next year. On Sunday Yoni, who hails from London, kept close to Lila as they enjoyed quality tie together in the capital. Job: While Lila shines in her glittering modelling career, Yoni has a somewhat more down-to-earth role as e-commerce coordinator / fashion marketer for fashion brand Self Portrait Young love: The duo are said to have been dating for around a year, though their friendship dates back longer with Yoni and Lila first pictured together as friends two years ago Lila went braless beneath a tight white crop top for the outing which she teamed with colourful polka dot and ruffled skirt. While Yoni, who looks remarkably like Lila's magazine editor father Jefferson Hack, 52, kept things casual in a grey T-shirt teamed with matching jeans and a pair of Adidas trainers. They shared a giggle as they strolled together before stopping for a bite to eat at an Italian restaurant. Noah Schnapp has celebrated his first Pride Day in New York City. The Stranger Things star, shared a photo of himself splashing elatedly in the water fountain in Washington Square Park alongside other revelers in an Instagram post Sunday. The 18-year-old actor was dressed in a black tank top with 'Straight Outta The Closet' written on it in rainbow colors and white pants. He wore a rainbow headband and wrist bands. 'First pride' he wrote next to the social media post. Pride: Noah Schnapp, 18, shared photos from his 'First Pride' on Instagram, six months after the Stranger Things star came out as gay 'Yess!! Welcome,' commented his Stranger Things co-star Amy Beth McNulty. On Thursday the Canadian actress shared a selfie of herself posting, 'Mini pool out, cats out, suns out, Im out. Happy pride month x.' The comment was followed quickly by, 'Also Im 21 please dont hate me x.' Noah delighted many of his fans when he took part in the annual NYC LGBTQ Pride March. He was accompanied by his mom Karine, dad Mitchell and friends Sophie Levy and Katy Totah. He later shared a photo with his mom and another as she played in a rooftop pool surrounded by fellow Pride participants. Noah publicly came out in January via TikTok lip-syncing someone saying 'You know what it never was? That serious. It was never that serious. Quite frankly, will never be that serious.' Over the video he wrote, 'When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was "we know."' Family: Noah's fans were delighted when he took part in the annual NYC LGBTQ Pride March. He was accompanied by his mom Karine and dad Mitchell Style: The 18-year-old actor was dressed in a black tank top with 'Straight Outta The Closet' written on it in rainbow colors and white pants. He wore a rainbow headband and wrist bands and proudly waved a Pride flag Friends: Noah's friends joined him in the celebration, seen here with friend Sophie Levy, mom Karine, and pal Katy Totah. 'Happy Pride #loveislove' the proud mother wrote on Instagram Coming out: Noah came out publicly in January via TikTok, about six months after confirming his Stranger Things character Will Byers was gay. Noah will reprise his role for season five, but there's been no word as to when production will begin In the caption to his TikTok video, the Tutor star wrote, 'I guess Im more similar to Will than I thought.' Last July, ahead of the final two episodes of the fourth season of the hit Netflix show, Noah confirmed that his character Will Byers was gay and in love with his best friend Mike, played by Finn Wolfhard. 'It was always kind of there, but you never really knew, is it just him growing up slower than his friends?' the Tender Fix founder told Variety. 'Now that hes gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing. Now its 100% clear that he is gay and he does love Mike.' Coming out does not seem to have hurt Noah's career. He routinely shares photos and videos from his collaborations with major brands, most recently Kiehl's skincare and Glossier. Noah's role as Will in Stranger Things will continue for one more go 'round, although there's been no word on when production for season five will begin, or when it will be released. Pregnant Lindsay Lohan is expecting a baby boy with her husband Bader Shammas. The Mean Girls star, 36, who wed Shammas in 2022, is set to welcome her son imminently, reports TMZ, with the new arrival the star's first child. Lindsay, who has lived in Dubai for the past eight years, announced in March she was expecting her first child. She and Shammas got engaged in November 2021 and it was confirmed last year in July that the couple had wedded. 'I am the luckiest woman in the world. You found me and knew that I wanted to find happiness and grace, all at the same time,' she gushed at the time in the caption as she posed for a cute snap with Shammas. Baby joy: Pregnant Lindsay Lohan is expecting a baby boy with her husband Bader Shammas Cute: The Mean Girls star, 36, who wed Shammas in 2022, is set to welcome her son imminently, reports TMZ , with the new arrival the star's first child DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Lindsay for comment. Lindsay added: 'I am stunned that you are my husband. My life and my everything. every woman should feel like this every day.' In March Lindsay happily announced her pregnancy. She shared a photo of a white onesie that contained black lettering that read, 'Coming soon...' In the caption, the actress wrote, 'We are blessed and excited!' At the time, the Hollywood star told the DailyMail.com: 'We are very excited for our new family member to arrive and we are looking forward to this next chapter of our lives!' She added: 'We are beyond happy for this blessing in our lives and we cannot wait to become parents.' The star recently told Allure Magazine: 'I can't wait to see what the feeling is and what it's like to just be a mom. Happy tears. That's just who I am. 'Though now, it's probably baby emotion. It's overwhelming in a good way.' The mum-to-be also revealed she's been seeking parenting advice from her Freaky Friday co-star and onscreen mother Jamie Lee Cutis, 64. Vacation mode: Lindsay has been happily showing off her baby bump of late 'I spoke to Jamie Lee Curtis recently. And she was like, '"You just bring the baby with you and everything will be fine."' However, she admitted that telling her husband, financier Bader Shammas, she was pregnant was a little underwhelming, recalling: 'It was so unexciting. I walked into the room, I threw the test down. I was like, "Guess what?" He goes, "We are?"' Lindsay, who has lived in Dubai for the past eight years, announced in March she was expecting her first child. Speaking about her day to day life since moving from Los Angeles, she confesses: 'Sometimes, I call it The Truman Show, because it's the same thing every day. 'But I love it. I really love structure, because I didn't think I had that when I was young. Everything was coming so fast and I had so many things happening. My only structure was filming and being on set.' James Bye and his wife Victoria have revealed the name of their newborn baby son after welcoming him to the world earlier this month. The EastEnders actor, 39, who plays Martin Fowler in the BBC soap, and Victoria took to Instagram on Monday to give an update on their first two weeks with their fourth baby - Rufus. The couple also shared three new pictures of their baby as he lay in his crib fast asleep and sporting a very stylish head of wispy brown hair. In a lengthy post, Victoria wrote: 'Rufus Gray 18.06.23 8lb 1oz. 'Hello little Roo xx Youre here Our new little Bye Happy family: James Bye and his wife Victoria have revealed the name of their newborn baby son after welcoming him to the world earlier this month News: The EastEnders actor, 39, who plays Martin Fowler in the BBC soap, and Victoria took to Instagram on Monday to give an update on their first two weeks with their fourth baby - Rufus 'You kept us waiting for such a long time little one, but oh wow were you worth the wait. 'Were absolutely over the moon, smitten kittens and just head over heels for you. Our precious little rainbow and boy have you brought the sun with you. (Like seriously, were all melting) 'And erm, check out the hair! A little styler like your brothers already. Its safe to say. Were just in love. 'This first week has been a whirlwind of you. Remembering all the nappy changes, the yellow poo! The sore boobs and becoming a full on milk wench. 'The relationships with your brothers, watching them be amazed by you. Your tiny toes fitting in their hands, their muddy, sticky kisses all over your face. Bringing woodlice to show you a sure fire sign youre one of the gang already. 'And then theres been us. The cuddles, oh all the cuddles I cant get enough. Not really believing youre here. 'Your Daddy & me feel like the happiest pair with our crazy, funny little family charging around us, and you, slap bang in the middle, a windy smile on your face amidst all the noise and chaos. Dogs barking, school runs & armpit farts galore whilst you dribble sicky burps, cooing away, happy as larry Yep, you fit right in. 'And then theres the quiet time. In the middle of the night, when it feels like were the only ones awake me and you against the world. And I whisper to you thank you. For being here. For completing us Not quite believing how I got so lucky as you look up searching for me in the dark and let rip with a poonami. Joyous: Victoria shared a heartwarming update about her first days with baby Rufus, their fourth child 'And I laugh and reach for another nappy, exhausted, sleep deprived but oh so happy. As your little scrunched up body rests warm against mine. And I breathe in your milky smell 'My little boy - I couldnt love you more 'Its the start of a whole new chapter, a new adventure, a whole new start with you - our little Roo 'This is just the beginning. And I cant wait xxx.' James and Victoria announced last week they had welcomed their fourth child together. The pair are already parents to boys Edward, eight, Louis, six, and Hugo, three. Sharing some heartwarming snaps of their newborn the couple admitted 'Its been a long old journey to get him' after their lengthy fertility struggles. The pair looked every inch the proud new parents as they posed in bed with their newborn son - whose name they did not disclose - on their chest. Glimpse: The couple also shared three new pictures of their baby as he lay in his crib fast asleep and sporting a very stylish head of wispy brown hair The full post read: 'Oh baby. Hes here 'After a long induction, a long labour, lots of ups & downs & all the drama along the way (oh dont you worry Ill be filling you in on everything ) our hearts are near to bursting with the arrival of our precious baby boy 'I just cant believe I have him, here, in my arms, safely home and ours to keep for always. It still hasnt sunk in Im definitely still in shock and I still cant believe hes mine. 'Its been a long old journey to get him and now as he lays against my chest, whimpering softly, already starting to root for some booby time I feel like Im the luckiest mama in the land. 'Im soaking it all in. Letting my hair sit like a birds nest on my head, letting the washing pile up, letting the hours while away as I hold him, and sniff him (oh that smell ) because Ive waited so long for this moment. And Im loving every second xx Out and about: Baby Rufus could be seen laying in his buggy in one of the new pictures shared by Victoria 'The boys are all besotted, James is in love, theres so much thats happened, ooh I just cant wait to fill you in but for now - we just wanted to say thank you. 'To our friends, family & all of you lovely lot all of your support & kindness & messages. Well, Its meant the absolute world. 'Im going to take a few days to cocoon away and let my sleep befuddled brain catch up & then Ill be back with all the details. And ALL the baby spam. 'Much love The Byes (all SIX of us!) xxx' Here come the boys: The baby is the couple's fourth son, with the pair already parents to boys Edward, eight, Louis, six, and Hugo, three Delighted: The couple admitted they were told of the pregnancy while James was in the midst of a rigorous training routine for the twentieth series of Strictly Come Dancing Victoria had been keeping her followers updated with her pregnancy journey, often sharing snaps of her growing baby bump on the family's Instagram page. In March, James and Victoria revealed the gender of their fourth child and hinted at their baby's due date. The couple took to their family Instagram account to share that they are expecting a baby boy in a sweet video. Revealing their happy news, Victoria cradled her blossoming baby bump before she was joined by James and their three sons for the grand reveal. Ex EastEnders actor Toby-Alexander Smith looks unrecognisable in his new period drama role. The star, 32, previously played Walford bad boy Gray Atkins in the BBC soap for three years from 2019 to 2022. On Monday he took to Instagram to share a snap of himself as his new character, which his fans are hoping is from Bridgerton. In the picture, he could be seen sitting on a sofa in a blue paisley waistcoat and white shirt. He had on a pair of beige trousers and black boots as he smouldered for the camera. All change: Ex EastEnders actor Toby-Alexander Smith, 32, looks unrecognisable in his new period drama role (pictured in 2021) Soap star: The actor previously played Walford bad boy Gray Atkins in BBC soap EastEnders for three years from 2019 to 2022 (seen on the soap) The British screen star captioned his post: 'Whos the new guy?' Taking to the comments section, his followers inundated him with comments to ask if he would be appearing in Bridgerton. 'Please say Bridgerton,' wrote one person. While someone else responded: 'Hoping this is Bridgerton!' Someone else suggested: 'Hopefully a love interest for Eloise.' While another person wrote: 'Omg omg omg @toby_alexander_smith please be Bridgerton.' Meanwhile, Toby-Alexander is set to marry fiancee Amy Walsh after the pair recently announced their engagement. Emmerdale actress Amy took to Instagram last August to announce Toby-Alexander had proposed on a beach in Ibiza. New role: On Monday he took to Instagram to share a snap of himself as his new character, which his fans are hoping is from Bridgerton Happy news: Meanwhile, Toby-Alexander is set to marry fiancee Amy Walsh after the pair recently announced their engagement The couple - who have been in a relationship for more than three years - welcomed their first child together, daughter Bonnie Mae, in December 2022. Toby-Alexander was first to make the announcement, posting a shot of himself and Amy cosied up on the beach with her new bling on show, as he wrote: 'So this happened...' Amy shared three snaps to her main grid, captioned: 'Before. During. After.', which showed them dining at luxurious beach restaurant Aiyanna Ibiza. Amy and Toby have been in a relationship since 2019 after meeting by chance in the Strictly Come Dancing audience and moved in together in 2020 because of the pandemic. If you identify an account that belongs to you, you can claim the balance If you identify any account that belongs to you, then you can claim the balance The Reserve Bank of India is on a mission mode to make the banks identify the beneficiaries of unclaimed deposit accounts and settle the dues. Banks classify accounts under operative, inoperative and unclaimed. Operative and Inoperative accounts A saving, as well as a current account, is classified as 'inoperative' or 'dormant' if there are no transactions in the account for over a period of two years. Interest credited by the bank on the balance in the account and any charges debited by the bank is not considered transactions for this purpose. Unclaimed Deposits Further balances in savings / current accounts which are not operated for 10 years, or term deposits not claimed within 10 years from the date of maturity are classified as Unclaimed Deposits. Unclaimed deposits transferred to RBI Balances in unclaimed deposits are transferred to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund maintained by the Reserve Bank of India. Recently, the Reserve Bank has also announced the setting up of a Centralised Web portal for the public to search unclaimed deposits across multiple banks. A new initiative by RBI The Reserve Bank of India has announced a 100 Days 100 Pays campaign for banks to trace and settle the top 100 unclaimed deposits of every bank in every district of the country within 100 days. This campaign will start on 1st June 2023. Why unclaimed deposits? There are various reasons the customers leave their deposit accounts without operating for a long time. Account holders shift their residence from one town to another town or from one place to another place within the same town or city. Sometimes fixed deposit receipts are misplaced and the depositor could have lost track of the deposit. How to trace unclaimed deposits? Individual banks have provided search facilities on their website. As mentioned earlier, the RBI is trying to provide a separate portal for all the banks. Until that materializes, one has to verify bank-wise. The search facility is also not uniform across banks. For example, the Indian Bank website mandates you to provide just the name of the account holder. When you search, you will get details of the address and signatory, which you can match. The Punjab National Bank portal has made feeding address details optional. The State Bank of India portal has made it mandatory to provide the address. But even if you provide the name of the city or town, it opens and provides details. There is no need to feed the complete address. The Bank of Baroda portal allows you to search by providing your name or address or even an authorized signatory. This seems to be more user-friendly. One is also not sure whether all the banks have provided this facility as one notices that banks like UCO have not made it available on its website. Such banks just provide a PDF file containing all the names and one has to use Control-Find to search. It is time for RBI to ask banks to provide it in a user-friendly format. (The writer is a retired banker) Educating SMEs about the global value chain and applying best practices will help them grow their business by strengthening their e-commerce platform Cross-border trade is an area with great potential. As the fourth digital business revolution begins, e-commerce is democratizing global markets by opening the door for SMEs to do e-business wherever they are. Referring to the digital revolution AI (Artificial Intelligence)while addressing the US Congress during his recent visit to US, Prime Minister Narender Modi defined AI as -America and India. Hope AI partnership potential rises to the next level and will also fuel the e-commerce export potential for Indian SMEs. The bone of the debate is how India can use it with its size and capabilities. India's current e-commerce exports are still well below their potential. E-commerce exports are only $2 billion, which is less than half per cent of $447.46 billion exports in 2022-23. It is estimated that global e-commerce exports will reach $2 trillion by 2025. To explore the potential of e-commerce in the range of $200 billion to $ 250 billion by 2030, India needs to solve the SME exporter's problems by formulating an E-Commerce Export policy. However, the new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 reflects India's ambition to become an export hub and provides some measures for e-commerce exports. FTP took several initiatives to increase the value limit of exports through couriers by increasing e-commerce exports from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs per shipment. E-commerce through Dak Niryat Kendra to SMEs providing outreach services from states like Punjab and other external border regions to access international markets. The current regulations place a heavy burden on exporters. The backbone of the Indian economy is 64 million small and medium-sized businesses, which account for 45% of Indian production and 40% of exports. But there are no relevant laws. Why a Separate E-Commerce Export Policy? Since the requirements for e-commerce exports are very different from those for general commodity exports, the e-commerce export policy should be a stand-alone document covering all aspects of legal compliance. E-commerce exporters face many challenges, from return policies to payment and compliance issues, and 90% of e-commerce exporters in India are small and medium-sized businesses. To this end, FISME (Indian Small and Medium Enterprises Federation) has conducted detailed studies on the e-commerce export policies of some major countries promoting the e-commerce export business. Indias SMEs are waiting for the special e-commerce export policy to be enacted as the draft was placed in the public domain in 2019. Since then, the business has grown in many ways but is looking to create a good environment to promote e-exports. The e-commerce export policies of China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other countries have helped many small and medium-sized businesses to sell worldwide. At first, China dominated cross-border e-trade, but now even countries like Vietnam and Cambodia have surpassed China because their banks, customs and shipping in the middle are more synchronized for any type of fast international trade. The E-Commerce policy has to align with the amendments proposed in the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Law of 2020 by the Department of consumer affairs. In addition to the Direct Foreign Trade Law and the Consumer Protection Law, e-commerce is also regulated by the Information Technology Act and the Competition Act. Green Channel Needed It is important to synchronize the entire ecosystem. The e-commerce export policy should be jointly formulated by the customs and the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) and Reserve Bank of India(RBI) after necessary changes in their regulations, including redefining the responsibilities of sellers and simplifying payment facilitation, accounts and procedures. National Trade Ecosystem to bring together the RBI, Customs, DGFT, GSTN, India Post, couriers, e-commerce companies and the user to form a centralized technology platform as a single green channel for e-commerce exports, simple documentation and customs clearance for shipments to ensure delivery on time. Another major issue is certificate compatibility. Anyone entering the e-commerce business should be familiar with e-commerce, e-payment, e-signature, e-shipping and other digital solutions. SMEs rely on online platforms for value-added services such as international expansion and on-time payment guarantees. However, it is said this is against FEMA (Exchange Administration Act) regulations as the platform is responsible for collecting payments while ownership of the product remains with the seller. Refunds are a major issue for third-party e-commerce exporters, and RBI guidelines for business-to-business (B2B) exporters need to be revised accordingly. The 25% discount limit is limited to e-commerce sales, discounts and returns. Exporters must have annual turnover and all import restrictions must be lifted. These exporters can be facilitated with separate customs clearance regimes for their goods, waive import duties on rejected goods, and treat returned goods as non-commercial goods, reducing costs and expediting the delivery of goods worldwide. It is customary and allows these exporters to refund. India allows 100% FDI in the e-commerce model but does not allow FDI in the inventorybased model. Sometimes sellers-commerce and e-commerce platforms ignore rules that prohibit high discounts and seller privileges. They also tried to clarify the rules for foreign direct investment in e-commerce. The way forward Hope AI (America, India) mutual trust sharing has an opportunity to support our SMEs exports and level the playing field through an e-commerce export policy. Educating SMEs about the global value chain and applying best practices will help them grow their business by strengthening their e-commerce platform. It also needs to protect unknowing small businesses from cyber scams. States can work with Districts Industries Centers (DICs) to establish Export Facilitation Cells (EFCs) to identify products and markets and meet export compliances. There is no doubt that cross-border e-trade can play a major role in helping India to achieve the one trillion US dollar export milestone. The E-commerce domestic market size of $22 billion in 2019, grew to $49 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $60 billion in 2023. The e-commerce domestic market performance over the past three years proves beyond any doubt that at a certain level of confidence and certainty in the robust ecosystem which builds a broader base for a good market of e-commerce, no stone to be left untouched as Indian SMEs are poised to become the global market leaders. (The author is Vice-Chairman of Sonalika Group, Vice Chairman of Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board. Views expressed are personal) International collaboration in New Education Policy (NEP) may change the educational paradigm of the country In recent years, international collaborations in education have been on the rise, and so is the case with India. Such collaborations allow teachers, students, administrators, institutions and universities to compare, exchange and collaborate on a range of emerging educational, scientific, technological and teaching issues and methodologies to create an effective and contemporary system of education to cater to the newer needs of the youth. Such collaborations dont just open up the window to the world-class education system, they also offer a better international, social, cultural, economic and geopolitical understanding to the students, besides generating a sense of empathy and new skill sets in the youth. It is encouraging that the Government of India has made a number of strides in the recent past. On the one hand, it brought into force the New Education Policy (NEP) to change the educational paradigm of the country, it goes on to collaborate with top institutions and universities of the world to make the educational system competitive enough, on the other. To promote the internationalisation of Indian education, NEP focuses on facilitating research, teaching collaborations and faculty & student exchange programmes with high-quality foreign Institutions. It does encourage high-performing Indian universities to set up campuses in other countries, along with facilitating universities from the top 100 universities in the world to operate in India. In the process, India has identified Skill Bench-marking as a high-priority area in its foreign engagements. It has either done some kind of collaboration or is in the process of inking it with UAE, Australia, Singapore, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, the US, UAE and the United Kingdom. Only recently, Union Education Minister held a meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce with a focus on forging stronger linkages in the skilling sector. The collaborations aim to strengthen institutional mechanisms for making the Indian skill ecosystem more vibrant as well as for building the workforce of the future with a focus on 3S-Skilling, Start-ups and SMEs. Just a couple of days earlier, India and Australia also signed an ambitious agreement, which will help ease the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries. They also agreed to establish a joint task force for mutual recognition of qualifications, which covers both education and skill qualifications of the two countries and will help facilitate two-way mobility of young people for education and employment purposes. Earlier, known for its best school education, Finland evinced interest to collaborate with India on the knowledge front. India can benefit from Finlands best practices in ECCE, teacher training, and digital education among others. Finnish Universities may also collaborate with Indian Higher Education Institutions through joint, dual degrees and twinning programs. Moreover, research also suggests that those having had their education from international universities are better able to adapt to changes at the fast face and adapt to the changing realities and circumstances. They find more similarities than differences with students from other parts of the world, hence working effortlessly with them. They are also better prepared to discover new career avenues and opportunities than their counterparts receiving education domestically. International collaboration can be extremely rewarding for schools, especially in less developed and developing countries. India still faces a shortage of quality teachers and teaching methodologies to rise to the occasion. Here, such relations and collaborations may prove highly fruitful, as they allow teachers to learn newer things by questioning their incumbent process, practices and notions, reinvent themselves and adopt new strategies. (The writer is a senior journalist) Modi's State visit has strengthened the ties between the two countries and reinforced his association with the diaspora and business leaders The Indian Diaspora in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Australia has become a robust and influential community. Modi has been working to win over this community even as Gujarat's chief minister. He has continued to build strong relationships with them in countries like America, Great Britain, and Australia, which has proven beneficial. Prime Minister was pleased that he received top honours from Washington. It included a state dinner at the White House, prestigious guest accommodations at the Blair House, and an opportunity to address the U.S. Congress for the second time in nine years. Modi's cooperation with the U.S. has increased despite a previous visa denial. It was due to India's growing economy, strong military and educated immigrant workforce. The ties have moved from a non-interference policy of PM Nehru to this more engaged approach. Over the decades, the BJP has built a powerful overseas lobby. "The Friends of BJP" is an influential organization in America. From the 60s, the Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh had been functioning in the U.S. as the Sangh Parivar's overseas outfit. During the earlier BJP regime, the diaspora received increased recognition. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated the Pravasi Divas and conferred honours upon Indian Americans. He also appointed an NRI as a roving ambassador. Nevertheless, the U.S. government declined to acknowledge a second envoy. Modi pampered them by providing many facilities, like a more accessible visa regime and an Overseas Indian card. The Diaspora wants voting rights, but this will take a long time. Throughout his speeches, including his address to the U.S. Congress, Modi expressed great admiration for Indian Americans. He presented India as a rapidly growing global power. Instilling a sense of national pride in them, he used their support to strengthen his constituency in India. Indian Americans responded by showing up in large numbers to interact with Modi. They chanted slogans such as 'Modi Modi', 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', and 'Vande Mataram' upon his arrival in New York. They cheered him during President Biden's welcome speech on the South Lawn of the White House. The PM called them "the real strength" of the U.S.-India relationship. "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," he replied. Applauding the diaspora, Modi said they were "brilliant in every field, not just Spelling Bee," and have played a significant role in the country's relationship with America. The diaspora reciprocated enthusiastically. In 2014, Modi's meeting at the Madison Square event impressed Americans. Later the "Howdy Modi" rally in Houston surprised President Trump. Both Biden and Modi acknowledge the political power of the four-million-strong Indian American community. They are the second-largest and fastest-growing community in the U.S. Their votes are crucial in several swing states. In the 2020 elections, 74% of Indian American voters supported Biden, highlighting their importance in the political landscape. Modi has had the opportunity to meet and interact with three American Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden. All three have included more members of the Indian Diaspora in their administrations. Currently, Biden has appointed 130 Indian Americans to key positions. Vice President Kamala Harris and presidential hopeful Nikky Halley are both trailblazers in their own right. Some business leaders are heading over two dozen American companies, including Google chief Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. India and the United States have strengthened business and defence ties over the past decade, with India becoming a member of international groupings like Quad and G20. However, in Washington, groups favouring and against Modi came together to either support or protest against him. Modi's human rights track record has not gone unnoticed. On June 20, 75 U.S. Senators and Members of Congress wrote a letter to President Biden, highlighting concerns over issues such as the "shrinking of political space and the rise of religious intolerance." Moreover, six lawmakers boycotted Modi's address to the U.S. Congress. Despite their differing opinions, Washington and New Delhi agree that the visit was necessary and beneficial for the two countries. Modi acknowledged the success of his visit, stating that he had participated in multiple programs and discussions to enhance the friendship between India and the USA. The South Block intends to capitalize on the visit's success and pave the way for the upcoming G20 summit in September in New Delhi. These efforts are expected to enhance the Prime Minister's reputation both nationally and internationally. (The writer is a senior journalist. Views are personal) The Emergency is etched in the memory of the nation as its darkest hour. Many individuals paid the price of upholding democracy and its values In the Independent history of India, June 25, 1975, was the darkest day, which will haunt generations to come. The direct consequence of the Emergency was the suspension of various democratic rights. Many draconian laws were enacted during this period, posing a serious threat to democratic values. It adversely impacted civil liberties. All the fundamental rights listed in Articles 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 42 were suspended. Fear was all-pervasive. Uncertainty had gripped us. The entire country had become a de facto prison. At that time I was working as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Pracharak for Nizamabad and Adilabad zone, belonging to the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh, now in Telangana. I had come to know that all my colleagues had been arrested. The Lok Sangharsh Samiti had been formed to carry out the agitation against Emergency. JP Narayan was spearheading the movement. I used to wear a kurta and pyjamas but had to go to pants, a shirt, coat and tie. I did not go for any haircut. I changed my name to Dharmendra and went underground and kept mobilising people for agitation against the Emergency. At that time all newspapers were censored and only government news was published. So, we started a bulletin with facts and distributed it among the people secretly. I would like to share with readers some incidents and horrible experiences we underwent during the Emergency. We had called some people to gather at Ramalaya temple in Nizamabad for a secret meeting. It was also an occasion to celebrate the marriage of engineer Venkatshwar Reddy. Around 300 people came. I and ABVP worker Indrasen Reddy alias Jaan were getting ready for the meeting. But cops in devotees clothes were looking for us. They inquired from the people what was going on, and were told that Satyanarayna Vratha had been organised. When we moved towards the meeting hall, they followed us. Left with no option, I and Reddy jumped off from the 20ft temple wall. Though Reddy was alright, I sustained an ankle injury. I and Indrasen Reddy ran away to a bus stop 20 km away. We reached our secret place in Hyderabad from Medak district, now in Telangana. At the temple, police arrested some people and inquired about us. Police asked them where Bandaru Dattatraya was. The situation was terrible. A large number of people had been arrested and harassed. Still, we were not demoralised. We continued with our agitation and mobilising the people. Finally, we reached the Bellampally mining area. Warangal Vibhag Pramukh Shridhar Ji was with me. We were having a meal at a small hotel when the police took us into custody. They took us to the police station and started questioning us. Within a few hours, Shridhar disclosed his identity but I did not say anything. I was quite determined not to disclose my identity. The police kept me in another room. Shridhar was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and was sent to Warangal Jail. However, the police were not ready to give up on my case. They continued questioning and torturing me. Police wanted to know: How many more friends were in my group? Where were their hideouts? Where is your printing press? What is the source of finances? What is your communication network? For three days, I did not share anything with them. One day, Murali, a head constable from Adilabad, came to the police station. He hailed me as he knew me: How are you, Dattatraya Garu? Everybody in the police team was astonished. They tortured me and warned me of severe action and even electric shocks, but I did not reveal anything to them. At last, they arrested me under the MISA and sent me to Chanchalguda Central Jail, Hyderabad. In jail, I met people of different ideologies and even Naxalites, who had been arrested under MISA. Former Union Ministers Bangaru Laxman, A Narendra, N Narasimha Reddy, former Labour Minister of Telangana, Mohammad Abdul Aziz, chief of Andhra Pradesh unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Cherabanda Raju and Varavara Rao were also in our jail. There were others as well belonging to different ideologies and outfits, including Anand Marg, but all united in protesting against the Emergency. I discussed issues of national importance and challenges arising out of the Emergency for democracy with different people. I also studied a lot. Meanwhile, my elder brother Manik Prabhu expired due to jaundice. I was allowed to take part in his funeral under police escort. Later, I got one month's parole as well. In jail, every week my mother late Eshwaramma used to come to meet me with fruits and eatables. She used to sell onions at Osmangunj market as a small vendor. Every time her visit used to give encouragement and confidence to fight for democratic values. One day my mothers brother my maternal uncle came to her. He told her that if I give an undertaking not do such things, he shall be able to get me pardoned. But my mother did not accept his condition. She said: My son has not done anything wrong. He is fighting for a greater cause of the nation. My mother told me this during a jail visit. Even the police officer, who used to accompany her during the meeting, was surprised to hear her words. He just folded his hands in respect. Though my mother had not studied at all, she was very much influenced by the dedication and work culture of the Sangh people. (The author is the Governor of Haryana. The views are strictly personal) Following the success of "Scoop", Netflix and Hansal Mehta on Monday announced a multi-year partnership where the filmmaker will create several series for the streamer in the coming years. The Netflix series, inspired by journalist Jigna Vora's memoir "Behind the Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison", has emerged as one of the most critically acclaimed shows this year. Mehta, also known for films such as "Aligarh", "Shahid" as well as series "Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story", said he is happy to take his partnership with Netflix forward. "As a filmmaker, the idea of creating diverse and dynamic stories constantly keeps me on my toes. What excites me about this partnership with Netflix, which is home to some of the finest talent, is the potential for my work to reach viewers across the world. "As was the case with 'Scoop', Netflix is engaged in the creative process right from scripting, all the way to marketing and distribution which is critical for the success of any creative collaboration. This long-term partnership with them is only going to empower me to dive into a variety of undiscovered stories," the National Award-winning director said in a statement. Monika Shergill, vice president - content, Netflix India, described Mehta as "a master of his craft" who has an eye for spotting stories that have a broad appeal. "Being a nuanced storyteller, he is able to tell these stories like no other. 'Scoop' marks yet another success for our series line-up this year, and with this partnership we look forward to never before seen stories that audiences will love," Shergill added. The first season of "Scoop" followed Jagruti Pathak (Karishma Tanna), a star crime reporter at a Mumbai newspaper who makes headlines after she is accused of her rival Jaideb Sen's (Prosenjit Chatterjee) murder. India and Oman on Monday reviewed the entire spectrum of their bilateral ties during talks between National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and the Oman leadership including Sultan Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, there. The two sides also explored ways to further strengthen military and security ties and fight the scourge of terrorism. Doval also delivered a written message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Omans ruler that dealt with various aspects of cooperation, the Oman News Agency reported. The NSA also reportedly conveyed to the Sultan greetings from the Prime Minister and wishes for Omans progress and prosperity. Sultan Haitham reciprocated the greetings and wishes. At a separate meeting between Doval and Omans foreign minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, the two sides discussed strategic relations between the two countries and aspects of cooperation about promising sectors in technological, military and mining spheres, the Oman News Agency reported. The discussions also covered issues like investment and cultural fields. The two officials further discussed a number of regional and international issues and underscored emphasis of the leadership of the two countries on espousing policies of constructive dialogue and international cooperation. Sayyid Badr also congratulated India for successfully hosting the G20 meetings. Consumers will have to pay more for power in the national Capital now. Accepting the power distribution companies (discoms) petitions to increase tariffs on the basis of the high cost of power purchase, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in its order dated June 22, has allowed BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) to charge 9.42 per cent more on top of the prevailing rates, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) 6.39 per cent, and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) 2 per cent for the next nine months (from July 2023 to March 2024). Electricity consumers residing in South Delhi, West Delhi, Trans-Yamuna areas of Delhi, Old Delhi, and New Delhi would be affected by the change in power tariff. The new rates came into effect on June 23. However, the hike will not impact consumers whose electricity consumption is 200 units or below. These charges will be in addition to the PPAC (Power Purchase Agreement Cost) already applicable for these areas which are 28 per cent for NDMC, 20.69 per cent for BRPL, and 22.18 per cent for BYPL. PPAC has increased by 1.49 per cent for consumers residing in Tata Power DDL areas. The PPAC has been increased from 27 to 31 per cent in the last three years. Interestingly power tariff is being increased in Delhi for the last few years indirectly through PPAC. The Opposition BJP and Congress slammed the Arvind Kejriwal Government for hike in power tariff and demanded that the Government withdraw it. Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri demanded a special session of Delhi Assembly and stated that the BJP legislative group will stage a protest outside the Chief Ministers residence against this issue on Tuesday at 2 PM. Responding to the power tariff hike, Delhi Power Minister Atishi said the consumers who get free electricity up to 200 units will not be hit by the latest rise in tariffs. However, she added other consumers will have to pay about an 8 per cent surcharge. She also blamed the Central Government for the power tariff hike in the national Capital. "The electricity tariff in Delhi is increasing only because of the mismanagement of the Central Government and the increasing rates of coal blocks," Atishi said. Since, the PPAC computed is high in value on account of blending of coal and increased gas prices, the DERC has approved BYPL and BRPL pleas to levy additional 9.42 per cent and 6.39 per cent PPAC over and above the ongoing PPAC of 20.69 per cent with both PPACs having validity till nine months from the issuance of this order. The PPAC is revised every three months and it can increase or decrease depending on the prevailing prices of fuel such as coal and gas used in power generation. The Tata Power DDL spokesperson said the PPAC has increased by 1.49 per cent for Tata Power DDL by DERC as per the latest order on June 7 this year. This decision has been made in response to the rising costs associated with power generation mainly due to increased blending of imported coal as per MOP directions. Mercury comes down but lightning strikes in Raj kill four; hundreds of commuters stranded in Himachal due to flash floods, landslides in J&K As monsoon rains continue to lash parts of North and West India bringing relief from the heatwave that killed over a hundred people, the downpours also brought destruction, with incidents of lightning strikes in Rajasthan resulting in the death of at least four people and hundreds of commuters remaining stranded in Himachal Pradesh (HP) due to flash floods and landslides. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the monsoon has now covered 80 per cent of the country. According to IMD scientist Dr Naresh Kumar, after advancing through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and Haryana, the southwest monsoon has now reached Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. This years monsoon has witnessed a unique occurrence as it simultaneously reached Delhi and Mumbai, a phenomenon that has not happened in the past 62 years. While the normal onset date for the monsoon in Mumbai is June 11 and for Delhi is June 27, the rain clouds followed an unusual path, resulting in a lag over several western States before covering the entire country. "The last time the monsoon covered both Delhi and Mumbai at the same time was June 21, 1961. That year, the monsoon covered the remaining parts of the country on the same day," said an IMD official. In Himachals Mandi district, hundreds of commuters, including tourists, were stranded as the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway got blocked due to flash floods and landslides. A total of 301 roads have been closed in the State, and 140 power transformers have been disrupted. Flash floods occurred near Khotinallah, causing the commuters to be stranded since Sunday evening. The alternative Mandi-Kullu route, previously blocked due to landslides, has been opened for small vehicles after almost 20 hours. Restoration work is currently underway, with explosives being used to clear heavy boulders blocking roads. One-way traffic is expected to be restored within the next couple of hours. However, stranded commuters have been advised not to move towards Mandi until the road is fully opened. Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh informed that 180 out of the 301 blocked roads would be reopened by Monday evening, 15 by Tuesday, and the remaining roads by June 30, depending on the weather conditions. The State has deployed approximately 390 earth movers and heavy machinery to clear the roads. In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) heavy rains brought relief from the sweltering heat but also triggered landslides at multiple locations, blocking the crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other roads. Authorities closed all schools up to class 10 in Ramban due to the threat of flash floods. The 250-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked due to landslides and shooting stones. However, the stranded vehicles were cleared later in the day, allowing for one-way traffic. Delhi experienced pleasant weather conditions with 2 mm of rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 AM. The weather office predicts a generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain for the day, and the maximum temperature is expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius. In Rajasthan, the first monsoon rains claimed four lives and left four others injured due to lightning strikes in different parts of the State. Dinesh (21) was struck by lightning in Pali district, while two cousins, Hariram (46) and Kamal (32), lost their lives in Barans Patpadi. A 10-year-old girl was also fatally struck in Chittorgarh. Madhya Pradesh is also bracing for heavy rainfall, with the IMD issuing an Orange Alert warning for heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places until Tuesday morning. Mumbai witnessed a house collapse in the Ghatkopar area, injuring four individuals, amidst moderate to heavy rains in the city and its suburbs. Former Commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Johnnie Moore, on Monday said former President Barack Obama should spend his energy on complimenting India more than criticizing it. This reaction came in response to Obamas recent remarks about the rights of ethnic minorities. "I think the former President (Barack Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing it. India is the most diverse country in human history," said Moore. He also said India is not a perfect country, just like the US, but its diversity is its strength. "Its not a perfect country, just like the US is not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength... Even in that critique, President Obama couldnt help but also compliment Prime Minister Modi, and I certainly understand why, having spent some time with him." Obama had said if he had a conversation with Modi, he would discuss the rights of ethnic minorities in India and what would happen if their rights were not protected. The Committee on Government Undertakings of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly conducted a physical inspection of the ABD area of Ranchi Smart City on Monday and expressed satisfaction over the construction work being done by the Smart City. Under the chairmanship of MLA Saryu Roy, the committee first reached Jupmi Building and inquired about the master plan, projects, expenditure, budget allocation of Ranchi Smart City and the status of Ranchi in comparison to other smart cities of the country. Earlier, CEO of Ranchi Smart City Corporation Amit Kumar welcomed MLAs Saryu Roy, Mathura Prasad Mahato and DAG Ajay Kumar. Amit Kumar told the members that Ranchi is one of the leading cities in the country in the implementation of the schemes being run by the Smart City Mission and Jharkhand is at the first position in the category of states under the Smart City Scheme. He said that the construction of infrastructure here is world class. Special attention has been given to environmental protection, water harvesting and open space in the construction of the city. Answering all the questions of MLA Saryu Roy, he assured that there will be no compromise with quality in this construction. The infrastructure work in the smart city will be completed in the next one or two months. On this occasion, Rakesh Kumar Nandkyolyar, General Manager Technical of Smart City, kept the updated status of Smart City projects before the committee through a powerpoint presentation. Along with this, the cost of the projects and the construction companies involved in the construction of various projects were also informed. The committee also inquired about the Command Control and Communication Center of Ranchi Smart City. He was told that with the help of this command center based on state-of-the-art technology, the surveillance and management of the city has become better than before. The CEO informed about the equipment installed under it and its benefits. Roy said that the command centre is helping various departments, so there should be revenue sharing for its self-sustainability and work should be done to make it more public utility. Due to his pre-scheduled program, MLA Mathura Prasad Mahato left for Dhanbad from the Command Center itself, but Roy took physical information about the development happening in the ABD area and praised it. On this occasion, Project Manager of L&T JD Tripathi informed about the entire work plan. Chairman of the Committee on Government Undertakings of Vidhansabha, Saryu Roy said that better work has been done in both the infrastructure of the smart city or the command center, but better operation and maintenance can be done in the future, so this work is being done as monitoring of Ranchi Smart City. Only one should do it. He said that in the arrangements made for drinking water in this new city, it should be kept in mind that contaminated substances should not reach the people in the water. He also appreciated the plantation program and emphasized on water harvesting. Kumar said that work is being done on the zero discharge concept here. In the programme, along with two MLAs, CEO of Ranchi Smart City Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary of Legislative Assembly Santosh Kumar Singh, DAG Ajay Kumar from AG office, City SP of Ranchi, Traffic DSP, JUIDCO PDT Gopal, Smart City GM Rakesh Kumar Smart City CFO Jyoti Pushp, JUIDCO GM Vinay Kumar Rai, and others were present. The road map for providing reservation to Other Backward Caste (OBC) in local bodies and panchayats has been made as the State Cabinet today gave its nod to the constitution of State Backward Commission which will carry out a triple test for OBC categories. It was decided to conduct a triple test for OBC reservation before the municipal elections. The State Backward Commission was given its responsibility. The commission will conduct a survey in the state and submit a report to the government, on the basis of which civic body elections will be conducted. The triple test requires the government to complete three tasks for finalisation of reservation to OBCs in the local bodies. These include: a) To set up a dedicated commission to conduct a rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness in local bodies, b) To specify the proportion of reservation required in local bodies in light of recommendations of the commission, so as not to fall foul of over breadth; c) To ensure reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs taken together does not exceed an aggregate of 50 per cent of the total seats. These triple test/conditions were outlined by the Supreme Court in the case of Vikas Kishanrao Gawali vs. State of Maharashtra and others, decided on March 4, 2021. At the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the decks have been cleared for setting up Apollo Hospital in Ranchi at Namkum area. Earlier, the hospital was to be set up at Ghaghra area of Doranda. The cabinet today cancelled the allotment of 2.83 acres of land given by Ranchi Municipal Corporation at Ghaghra in Doranda, at the same time approval has been granted to provide 2.75 acres of land at Kalyanpur Mauja in Namkum on 99 years lease for construction of Apollo Hospital. The Apollo Hospital management will provide Rs 12.52 crore, and after the expiry of the lease, the lease will be renewed again by taking 10% amount from the market value of that time. The annual lease rent has been kept at 0.5%. The cabinet also gave its nod for creation of 4069 posts in 189 upgraded secondary schools of the state. Out of total posts 1890 post will be for clerks while 2079 post for workers. Apart from this, there will also be the post of headmaster. A total of 43 proposals were approved in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday. The cabinet has also approved the making of the Jharkhand State Disabled Rights Manual 2023. The cabinet has also approved the proposal to give smartphones to 29834 Anganwadi workers-helpers of the state. This smartphone will be given with GST of Rs.8000. Amendment in the Master Plan for Shri Krishna Public Service Institute was also made by cabinet for which amendment in Ranchi Master Plan 2037 and the total area of Ranchi Master Plan 2037 road passing through the proposed site of 24 point five 9 acres area in Kute Ke Mouza of HEC. The width has been changed to 60 feet. In this Mauja, land will be given for the building of Shri Krishna Lok Seva Sansthan. Approval for giving 150 acres of land on lease for 99 years for the establishment of Azim Premji University in Ranchi was also made in todays cabinet meeting. Decision was also taken to set up a medical college in the same land. Jharkhand Advocates Welfare Fund Act was amended. Stamp paper for Vakalatnama, affidavit etc. costing 15 would now cost 30. This amount will go to the Advocates Welfare Fund. The cabinet approved the Factories Act 2023. Under this, first government women will also be able to work from 10:00 in the night to 6:00 in the morning; there should be complete security arrangements in the factory. The cabinet has also selected India Security Press, Nashik, a Government of India outfit, as the empanelment for giving holograms on liquor bottles. Earlier this work was given to Prism Company, for which it has been cancelled. The cabinet has increased the pension and family pension to the judicial officers of the state in the light of the decision of the Supreme Court. An amount of Rs 6.87 crores for Shravani Mela has been given for the health facilities of Sadar Hospital Deoghar. Chhattisgarh courts have given the final orders for auction and attachment of properties of Rs 127.48 crores against chit fund companies, police officials said on Monday. The information was given while Director General of Police Ashok Juneja took a review meeting with the Inspector General of Police of all ranges and Superintendents of Police of all districts through video conferencing. Based on the orders, the state government has initiated the auction and attachment of property, thus recovering Rs 54.90 crores. Of this, Rs 33.50 crores have been disbursed among 45,593 investors. The district Collectors have also been asked to expedite the auction and disburse the amount to the investors. The properties outside the state should also be attached, an official communication said. The DGP underlined the need for stern action against drugs and its syndicate. A comparative review of action initiated against social evils like gambling, speculation, sale of illegal liquor and illegal weapons was also done. The DGP said illegal activities are expected to rise ahead of elections. So, immediate action needed to be taken to control them. Juneja underlined the need for speedy disposal of remaining criminal cases registered against local tribals in Naxalite-affected areas through courts. In a gruesome murder in Azamgarh district, an elderly couple were brutally hacked to death sometime late Sunday night. The blood-soaked bodies of the couple were recovered on Monday morning. The local police along with senior officers reached the spot and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Inspector General of Police, Azamgarh Range, Akhilesh Kumar, and Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya also visited the spot. The family members claimed that the victims were killed during robbery and even their hands and the mothers legs were chopped off to take away the ornaments. The severed body parts have been recovered by the police. The police, however, suspect property dispute behind the killing. Reports said that Vishwanath (75) and his wife Santari (73) of Kayamuddin Patti Parsahi village under Nizamabad police station, were sleeping alone in the house. They were attacked and killed with sharp-edged weapons by the assailants who entered the house late on Sunday night. In the morning, the villagers were stunned to see their bodies lying in pools of blood. The villagers immediately informed the police about the double-murder and the local police reached the spot with the dog squad and forensic teams. Ram Lakhan Sonkar, a resident of Katghar Sadar under Sidhari police station, claimed that he was the youngest son of Vishwanath among three brothers. According to Sonkar, his father had taken three bighas of land in Qayamuddin Patti Parsahi village under Nizamabad police station 12 years back and his parents used to live there in a single room. Sonkar claimed that he used to visit the home of his parents 2-3 times a week to meet them. On Saturday, he went to water the paddy nursery and his father asked him to come again on Monday to arrange flour and other edible items. He said that the assailants entered his fathers house and besides looting cash and ornaments, also chopped off the hands of his parents to take away gold and silver rings worn by them. He said not only this, the miscreants also took away the silver anklet by cutting off his mothers leg. He said his father had a gold chain around his neck which was also taken. Superintendent of Police Anurag Vatsa said that besides loot, the case was being probed from every angle. Meanwhile in Bulandshahr, a youth allegedly got his father killed over a property share dispute. According to the police, the 32-year-old accused, Narendra Singh, hired a contract killer for Rs 2.5 lakh to kill Bholi Singh (65). Bulandshahrs Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said the incident took place on the intervening night of June 22 and 23. After receiving information that a man had been shot at by some unidentified persons, a police team rushed to the spot and took the victim to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, Kumar said. During the investigation, it came to light that Narendra was upset with his father as the latter sold out a piece of land but did not give him any share. He then contacted a man from his village, identified as Lokesh Kumar, to hire a contract killer from Delhi, Abhishek Kumar, the SSP said, adding that Narendra and Abhishek were arrested on Monday while Lokesh was absconding. Governor, CP Radhakrishnan today inaugurated Country's first Giloy Processing and Research Center at Forestry Faculty of BAU, on the occasion of the universitys 43rd Foundation Day on Monday. Radahakrishnan closely observed this newly established center and he himself operated various machines for Giloy processing installed in the center and took detailed information about the resources and facilities available in the modern laboratory. Jharkhand's Agriculture Minister Badal and Kanke MLA Samrilal were also present on this occasion along with BAU VC, Onkar Nath Singh. The Governor described the establishment of the center as a unique achievement of BAU and expressed happiness. He said that students and scientists will get an opportunity for better research studies from this center established under the centrally sponsored 'RKVI' project at a cost of about Rs One and a half crore. Giloy extract prepared from the processing of Giloy plant will be used in the manufacture of Ayurvedic medicines. He advised BAU to manufacture tablets and capsules by taking license and appreciated the efforts of VC, Singh and In-Charge, Dr Kaushal Kumar. Agriculture Minister Badal called it a historic achievement of BAU. He said that the establishment of Giloy Village in each village of 16 districts of the State, distribution of two lakh Giloy saplings to the farmers of selected villages and distribution of other materials will promote the commercial cultivation of Giloy in the State, will increase the income of the farmers. On the occasion BAU VC, Singh said that BAU will buy Giloy saplings produced by farmers and its processing and research work will be done through the center. Herbal companies are being associated for its marketing, he added. On the occasion, In-Charge Dr. Kaushal Kumar gave detailed information about the future activities and programs of the center. Earlier, the 43rd Foundation Day of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) was celebrated with enthusiasm and harmony on Monday. Governor, CP Radhakrishnan was the Chief Guest of the occasion and Agriculture Minister, Badal was Special Guest. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 43rd Foundation Day main function organized at the Faculty of Agriculture auditorium located at BAU. Addressing the function, he termed the recent MoU signed by BAU with National and international institutions as a very positive initiative and emphasized on mutual cooperation and sharing of new topics and research with other institutions. He told farmers to develop good research and transfer agriculture technology to farmers with full confidence. Apart from the basic course, the students were asked to gain more knowledge from e-books and internet and to prepare for administrative service. Development of resources in institutions is a process. Proper use of resources should always bring benefits and resources should be used more and more in the interest of the society. People will remember the 25 years of life of Lord Birsa Munda for the next 25,000 years. The BAU established in his name has played a leading role in the development of agriculture and allied sector of the State. Today is an opportunity to take a pledge to follow the ideals of Lord Birsa to make the state a pioneer in the agriculture sector and establish second position in the Country, said Radhakrishnan. The Governor appreciated the initiative of the Vice Chancellor for always giving respect to the veteran professors and employees. He said that he will have all possible cooperation in taking this university forward by becoming a better bridge between the State and the Central Government. Special guest Agriculture Minister Badal appreciated the National and International achievements of the university in the last three years under the leadership of Vice Chancellor (VC), Dr ON Singh. He said that there is a lot of potential in the animal husbandry and fisheries sector in the state. For technical guidance in these possibilities, the State Government is moving forward in the direction of establishment of Veterinary University and Fisheries University. The Government has also approved the establishment of a large auditorium named after Abdul Kalam in the university campus, he added. In the presidential address, the VC threw light on the important achievements and activities of BAU in the last three years. More than 18 hundred students of 11 colleges of the university are studying. In the past years, the students of the new colleges have performed very well in the national level management and higher agricultural education entrance competitive examination, Agricultural Scientific Board Examination, NET examination, through JPSC in agriculture and animal husbandry service, banking and private sectors. Agricultural scientists succeeded in developing dozens of improved crop varieties and small agricultural equipment after decades. For the first time, University's Birsin and Birsol formulations got patent, AOU from Soka University, Japan and agricultural extension programs are benefiting lakhs of farmers every year, he added. On the occasion, the Governor released BAU Annual Report 2022-23, BAU Students Magazine (The Zenith), Kisan Patrika Pathari Krishi, Giloy Book, Fodder Crop Manual and two books published by Veterinary teachers. He also felicitated some farmers. Apart from this, retired teachers Dr. MP Singh and Dr. Ramji Prasad and non-teaching staff SK Ganguly, DK Ghosh and Krishna Ram, Agriunisports silver medalist student Satish Pahan, essay competition winner student Shweta Kumari and employee Bharti Kumari were felicitated. The licence of M Khan Hospital in Bareilly has been suspended by an inquiry committee in connection with a controversial circumcision procedure performed on a child seeking treatment for another condition. The committee has prima facie held the hospital management responsible for the incident. The victims family has alleged that the hospital management provided incorrect information, although this claim is yet to be verified. The chief medical officer (CMO) has stated that a detailed report will be submitted to the government after the completion of the two-day investigation. The incident took place on Friday when a Hindu couple from Sanjay Nagar in Bareilly brought their two-year-old son to M Khan Hospital on Stadium Road for treatment related to stammering. Instead of the intended operation on the palate, it is alleged that the child was circumcised. The situation escalated when Hindu organisations expressed their outrage, prompting officials from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to arrive at the hospital, accompanied by the police. Later in the evening, the childs father filed a complaint at the Baradari police station. On Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak directed the CMO to form a committee and initiate an inquiry into the matter after it gained public attention. The four-member committee, which was constituted promptly, initially recorded statements of the hospital management. On Sunday, the committee visited the victims family to gather their account of the incident. According to the Health department, the family stated that they were asked to sign a file written in English, despite not understanding the language. When they raised their concern, the doctor did not provide any specific information and simply instructed them to sign. Trusting the doctors advice, the family proceeded to sign the document. After the operation, the child was returned to the ward, where the family noticed a bandage tied around penis when they removed the childs clothes due to excessive heat. The hospital management has been accused of withholding correct information and conspiring to perform the circumcision procedure. The suspension of M Khan Hospitals licence comes as a significant step taken by the inquiry committee, signaling their initial assessment of the hospital managements involvement in the incident. As the investigation progresses, the committee aims to establish the facts surrounding the case and ascertain the extent of responsibility. The chief medical officer has assured that the investigation will be concluded within two days and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the government. The incident has raised concerns about the transparency and communication practices of the hospital management, emphasising the need for improved protocols to safeguard patient rights and ensure accurate information dissemination to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future. THE SCOTSMAN, June 21, 2023 The opposition party in Afghanistan has "strongly appealed" to the United Nations Security Council and the international community to refrain from legitimising the Taliban regime ahead of the UNs quarterly meeting on Afghanistan. The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan (NRCSA) warned international authorities that recognising the Taliban as a legitimate government would be detrimental to the pursuit of peace, stability, and the rights of the Afghan people.This comes as the United Nations refugee arm (UNHCR) warned the plight of women and girls in the country was the worst in the world. In a joint report by UNHCRs Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls presented to the UN Human Rights Council, Richard Bennett and Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, said edicts issued by the Taliban since taking power in Afghanistan in August 2021 have severely restricted the rights of women and girls and suffocated every dimension of their lives. In Afghanistan today, girls and women are denied education beyond primary level, banned from working outside the home in most sectors, prohibited from accessing public baths, parks, and gyms, and moving freely around the country. Women have also been barred from working in charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by the Taliban, including in humanitarian organisations. Previously, women who wanted to work in any job had to be accompanied at all times by a male chaperone if they were required to leave the house. Women and girls in Afghanistan are experiencing severe discrimination that may amount to gender persecution a crime against humanity and be characterised as gender apartheid, as the de facto authorities appear to be governing by systemic discrimination with the intention to subject women and girls to total domination, the experts said. The report calls on the de facto authorities to respect and restore womens and girls human rights and urges the increased attention of the international community and the UN to the widespread discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan. The UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)s latest humanitarian update on Afghanistan, which was published last month, said 28 million Afghans more than two-thirds of the population will require life-saving assistance in 2023. Afghanistan is currently facing a humanitarian disaster. The World Food Programme has said that 90 per cent of people in Afghanistan face insufficient food consumption. The NRCSA said: "The NRCSA urges the United Nations Security Council and the international community to stand firm against legitimising the Taliban regime. It is crucial that we uphold the principles of democracy, human rights, and justice in Afghanistan and work together to ensure a future that respects the will and aspirations of the Afghan people. It added: We advocate for a revised approach to aid flow to Afghanistan, ensuring that it is aligned with the genuine needs of the Afghan people. Direct delivery of aid to those in need is of utmost importance, guaranteeing that it reaches the most vulnerable populations and is not diverted or misused by the Taliban. The governor of Uttarakhand lieutenant general (Retd) Gurmit Singh has said that integrated efforts are needed by all sections of the society to prevent drug abuse. He said that drug abuse is a major concern for the society. The governor was addressing a State level workshop organised on the occasion of the International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking at Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) on Monday. The governor emphasised that public awareness is most important to prevent drug abuse in the society and exhorted the youngsters to keep away from the substance abuse by self control and strong will power. He opined that a dedicated and efficient police system would also be helpful to reduce the dangers of drug abuse in the society. The governor said that the administration, police and civil society should work in coordination to remove this menace. He expressed confidence that educational, social, political and religious sectors would coordinate with one another to create awareness in the society against drugs and help in creating a society free from the drug abuse. He expressed hope that the students attending the one day workshop held against drug abuse and illicit trafficking would take a pledge for creating a drug free society. Speaking on the occasion, the Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that a massive public awareness drive is required to end this menace. He said that many effective measures have been taken by the government in this direction. The minister said that the State government has taken a target to make Uttarakhand free from drugs by the year 2025. He said that public cooperation is needed to achieve this target. The minister elaborated about different schemes of the State government on the occasion. The principal of GDMC Dr Ashutosh Sayana, additional secretary of health Amanpreet Kaur, registrar of HN Bahuguna Medical Education University Dr MK Pant and others attended the workshop. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that even during the Emergency, the Democracy fighters raised slogans of Bharat Mata. Democracy was suppressed by the rulers to keep themselves in power, but the fighters suffered all the torture without caring for the consequences. They fought the third war of independence of the country. It is our duty and dharma to honour this fight. Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the conference of Democracy fighters of the state. Chouhan said that the Samman Nidhi of Rs 25,000 being provided to them will be increased to Rs 30,000 per month. Those who have been imprisoned for less than a month, their Samman Nidhi will be increased from Rs.8,000 to Rs.10,000. The fund given to the families of the deceased will also be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000. Democracy fighters will have the facility to stay in Madhya Pradesh Bhavan during their stay in Delhi. They will be able to stay in district rest houses and other rest houses for two days by paying 50 percent fee. Along with this, complete treatment of all kinds of diseases will be provided by the state government. Special instructions are being issued to ensure that they are treated with respect in government offices. Democracy fighters were given Tamrapatra by the state government, those who are yet to receive the Tamrapatra will also be provided immediately. They should not consider themselves alone in any kind of trouble, the state government stands with them. Th Chief Minister said that many families were destroyed during the emergency. This was the time when no appeal - no lawyer - no argument was heard. Loktantra Senanis (democracy fighters) endured torture for a principle, ideology and organisation, it was an honour for the idea that saved democracy. Today this ideology is being respected all over the world. Prime Minister Modi has boosted the pride of India. At present also it is the responsibility of all of us to save democracy. It is necessary to be alert from those who do not have faith in democracy, who have nothing to do with Indian culture, values and traditions. Chouhan also mentioned the lines of poems of Baba Nagarjuna and respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his address. General Administration Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the change was brought about by the struggle of Loktantra Senanis during the Emergency. It was Chief Minister Chouhan who took the initiative to honour MISA detainees. Former Union Minister Vikram Verma said that whatever could be done during Emergency was done to break the morale of the Loktantra Senanis and their families. The family members deserve appreciation and congratulations for the hardships faced by the fighters as well as their families. It is our resolve to make the nation stronger and we are working in this direction even today. Former Union Minister Satyanarayan Jatiya said that about one and a half lakh people agitated to destroy the conspiracy to end democracy through Emergency and were arrested. It was a struggle of truth against power. A large number of people worked diligently to make democracy meaningful. Rajya Sabha member Kailash Soni said that Loktantra Senanis are the heritage of the country. They worked for the re-establishment of the country and democracy. Tapan Bhowmik, former chairman of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation was present. Senior Advocate Bharat Chaturvedi proposed vote of thanks. Programme was conducted by Surendra Dwivedi. Chouhan inaugurated the convention held in the residence premises by lighting the lamp. Just over a petty dispute over buying a gold chain, a man killed his wife and later committed suicide. The shocking incident took place in Shikohabad locality of Firozabad in the early hours of Monday. Report said that Deepak Yadav (30) of Brijendra Colony in Shikohabad had regular fights with his wife, Shashi Yadav (26), as the latter was asking him to buy a gold chain. According to other family members, the two also fought on Sunday afternoon but after they intervened, Deepak stopped the fight claiming that he will now never have any argument with his wife. The family claimed that at around 3 o'clock in the night, they heard a gunshot and rushed to Deepaks room and were shocked to see his wife lying in a pool of blood. Later they again heard another gunshot and found Deepak had committed suicide by shooting himself with a country-made revolver which was found lying near the body. Deepaks brother called the police and the cops rushed to the spot and sent both the bodies for autopsy. Further investigations are on. Meanwhile, two minor siblings drowned in a pond in the districts Akhand Nagar area, police said on Monday. The incident was reported from Sajampur Rajbhar village on Sunday. According to police, Muskan (8) and her six-year-old brother Veeru were grazing livestock when they decided to take a dip in a pond. When they did not return home till late, the family members launched a search for them and found the childrens clothes near the pond. After pulling the children out of the water, the family members rushed them to a hospital where doctors pronounced both dead. Circle Officer (Kadipur) Shivam Mishra said the bodies were handed over to the family without post-mortem on their request. Madhya Pradesh Congress on the line of Karnataka asembly elections, launched anti-corruption campaign against the ruling Bhratiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. With this cmpaigned, it is considered that the Congress had managed to dislodge the BJP in Karnataka by leveraging various factors, including their effective "PayCM" and "40% Sarkara" campaigns, which alleged corruption under the saffron party's governance. Now, taking a cue from these tactics, the MPCC has launched a campaign called "50% Commission Government" against the BJP. To bolster their campaign, the Congress has inundated cities in Madhya Pradesh with posters featuring Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's photographs, accompanied by QR codes. Additionally, the party is actively promoting the campaign through its social media channels. "Shivraj's corruption on the streets of Sehore. Bring 50%, get the work done on phone. The people of Madhya Pradesh know and recognise the 50% commission takers," said the Congress on its Twitter handle. It may be recalled that Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi had on June 12 launched the party's poll campaign for the Madhya Pradesh elections. Priyanka Gandhi also officially rolled out the five key poll promises taking a cue from Karnataka. The five promises include a financial scheme of Rs 1,500 per month, an LPG cylinder at a subsidized rate of Rs 500, the revival of the old pension scheme and up to 100 units of free electricity. The Congress party's promise of Rs 1,500 monthly financial aid to each woman is aimed at countering 'Ladli Behna Yojana' launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan under which each eligible woman is getting Rs 1,000 per month. The subsidized LPG gas cylinder promise is aimed at countering the 'Ujjwala Yojana' launched by Prime Minister Modi. On the other hand, the free electricity promise comes from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s governance model. Instructing the concerned officers to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to eradicate the drug menace in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday launched a state-wide drug-free Haryana campaign at a programme organized on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Panchkula. Speaking on this occasion, Khattar said that under the drug-free Haryana campaign, the Saints and Gurus would work closely with the State Government in bringing those involved in the drug menace into the mainstream of society. Besides, people would be made aware of the ill effects of drugs so that they do not get addicted. Urging the people of the state, social institutions and Saints and Gurus to work together with determination under this state-wide drug-free Haryana campaign to build a drug-free Haryana, Khattar said that a multi-pronged strategy should be adopted to break the network of drugs. He stated that a new task force will be constituted under the Nasha Mukt Haryana campaign which would comprise members from all social and religious organizations, government representatives, police personnel, and representatives of concerned departments. He said that a joint campaign would be run in the State by all the Stakeholders. The CM informed that a smartphone app called 'Saathi' has been developed to curb the unlawful sale of pharmaceuticals. The Inter-State Drug Secretariat has been established at Panchkula, and software Hawk has been developed to keep a record of the database of illegal activities. Besides this, an awareness campaign is being run in the State. For this, Mission teams have been constituted from village level to the state level. Earlier, the Chief Minister also administered an oath to the people present on this occasion to stay away from drugs and also encourage others for the same. Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Rajesh Khullar said that the Khattar- led Haryana Government has adopted a multipronged strategy to fight against the drug menace. The launch of Haryana Nasha Mukt Abhiyan today is yet another significant step of the State Government towards eradicating this menace from the society. I am hopeful that this step would not only give further momentum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drug-free India campaign but also help in making Haryana the first drug-free state in the country, added Khullar. Khullar said a study was done in every state and district across the country in the year 2018 to determine the problem of drugs. In the study, 254 such districts were identified where either the problem was severe or was on the verge of becoming serious. These 254 districts also include 16 districts of Haryana. Throwing light on the achievement of the present State Government in the fight against drugs, Khullar informed that in 2022 only, 6044 drug peddlers, smugglers or retailers were arrested in Haryana. Apart from that, to make these people economically weak, properties worth about Rs 52-53 crore of drug peddlers were also attached. At present, 152 drug de-addiction centres are operational in the state, shared Khullar. He said that about 9000 teams of 88,000 members have been formed in the State to eradicate drug menace. Apart from this, the Dhakad programme is also being run. WAGE WAR AGAINST DRUGS: CM TO POLICE In another function, the Haryana chief minister directed the State Police to intensify their efforts and wage a resolute war against the menace of drugs in the state. Addressing the SHOs, CIA in-charges, MHCs, and personnel from different police units, including the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) during an interactive session in Panchkula, Khattar commended the police force for their relentless dedication and emphasized the need for collective action to combat drug abuse. He launched the Prahari App of Haryana Police and also unveiled its insignia and adorned it on the uniform of the Director General of Police, Haryana. Khattar highlighted the need for a multi-pronged approach that encompasses strict law enforcement, community engagement, and proactive measures to prevent drug trafficking and consumption to check the menace of drugs. Appreciating the efforts of the Haryana Police in effectively controlling drug traffickers, the Chief Minister highlighted their successful actions in apprehending individuals involved in drug trafficking and uncovering networks associated with the trade. He also applauded the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau for their coordinated efforts with field units, leading to the arrest of drug peddlers and the recovery of substantial quantities of narcotics. During the event, Home Minister Anil Vij highlighted the critical role of the youth in the progress and future of a country and emphasized the need to prevent them from falling into drug addiction. He underscored the problems caused by illegal drug trafficking and misuse, including harm to health, social instability, and increased crime rates. He called for unity and collective efforts to overcome this issue. To mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday joined hundreds of people in taking a pledge titled Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs for making a drug-free world during an event organized by Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib (Himachal Pradesh). The event was organized at Sukhna Lake to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse. The Health Minister, accompanied by International shooter Gauri Sheron, Director of Akal Drug De-Addiction Centres Dr (Col) Rajinder Singh and Kalgidhar Trust president Dr Davinder Singh, also took part in the massive Hand Impression Campaign against Drug Abuse, where approximately 300 participants, including children, staff, and the general public, left their colourful hand impressions on a 20-foot canvas. This symbolic gesture represented their united stand against drug abuse and their determination to eradicate this menace from society. Dr Balbir, while terming the drug addiction as a vicious trap, said that with changing lifestyles, people especially youth and school children are falling into the trap of drugs as their families do not spend quality time with them leading them to depression and anxiety. Nowadays, parents could buy their children all the luxuries including gadgets and fancy vehicles, but they dont spend quality time with them, which is the wrong attitude, he said, while asking parents to introspect. Human beings are social animals, who don't need money and luxuries, but quality time with the family, he said, while urging the parents to have at least one meal with their children. The Minister urged the people to show sympathy and empathy towards drug addicts or patients of substance use disorders. If we get to know anyone in our neighbourhood consuming drugs, we should ask them why they are doing this and should lend a helping hand by exhorting them to do meditation, exercise, or yoga, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the Bharatiya Janata Party workers on Tuesday as part of the Mera Booth Sabze Mazboot campaign of the party. The BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt informed that office bearers and workers from all 270 Mandals and booths will participate in the interaction. Himani Vaishnavi from Chamoli district will be among the 10 party workers selected from across the nation to interact with the PM during the address. She was selected as the party worker most active in the country on the BJPs Saral app. On Monday, Bhatt held a virtual meeting with the State office bearers of the party and issued necessary instructions to them. Talking to media persons, he said that all the party workers will receive the PMs guidance for booth strengthening. Modi will address the party workers from a programme to be held in Bhopal. The main event in Dehradun will be held at the IRDT auditorium which will be attended by Bhatt, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other senior office bearers of the party. He appreciated the partys Chamoli district Mahila Morcha head Himani Vaishnavi for being selected among the 10 party workers from across the nation who will interact with the PM. Being highly active in the door to door contact campaign, she is the party worker who has uploaded the maximum information, photographs and videos on the partys Saral app, added Bhatt. The Chhattisgarh State Commission for Women (CSCW) on Monday ordered a probe to know if some women officials of the Ambikapur Central Jail in Surguja district made obscene videos of women prisoners and then blackmailed them. The CSCW Chairperson constituted a two-member team to investigate. CSCW Chairperson Dr. Kiranmayee Nayak told team members Neeta Vishwakarma and Archana Upadhyay to visit the prison and submit a detailed report within seven days, an official communication said. The team will visit Ambikapur on June 28. Nayak took suo moto cognizance of a media report to order the probe. The Superintendent of Police, Surguja, was also asked to investigate and send a report in seven days. The relatives of the women prisoners on June 24 submitted a complaint to the State Human Rights Commission, Home Secretary, the Director General of Jails and the Surguja about the "inhuman acts" on the women prisoners. The complaint stated that two women employees of the jail prepared obscene videos of the prisoners. They then seek money by threatening them to upload the video on social media. The complaint sought action against the employees. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees (SGPC) General House, in its special session on Monday, decided to proceed legally against the amendment introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. Completely rejected the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the AAP-dominated Punjab Vidhan Sabha on June 20, the SGPC house also called for its strong opposition at all levels. A resolution passed in the House even warned the state government of launching an agitation or morcha in case the amended Bill was not withdrawn. In a resolution, presented by the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and passed by the House, a warning was given to start the morcha (front) after offering ardas (Sikh prayer) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, as per the Sikh traditions, against the anti-Sikh decision of Punjab Government. The resolution, approved by the SGPC members present in the House amid the resonance of jaikaras Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal, has asked the Punjab Government, led by Bhagwant Mann, to withdraw the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, or be ready to face an intensified struggle. The special General House session, held in the presence of Sikhs holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, at SGPCs office in Teja Singh Samundri Hall, was attended by Akal Takht Sahib jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Sultan Singh, and a large number of SGPC members. In the House, the SGPC members jointly condemned the Punjab Governments interference in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, and the management of SGPC, while declaring that it would not be tolerated. Presenting the resolution, Dhami said that the amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, is possible only with the recommendations of the SGPC. Referring to the pact between senior Akali leader Master Tara Singh and former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959 and Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, Dhami said that before making any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, the approval of two-thirds of the members of SGPCs General House cannot be ignored. However, Punjab Government is making this interference with the aim of implementing the anti-Sikh ideology of his Delhi-based boss and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and to usurp the Sikh organization SGPC, said Dhami. Dhami, in the resolution, said that the anti-Sikh intention of Punjab Government will not be allowed to succeed at any cost and a struggle will be fought against it. In the resolution, a public apology has been sought from the Chief Minister Mann and AAP MLA Budh Ram, for interfering in the Gurdwara management, insulting Kes (unshorn hair) an important part of Sikh Kakaars and hurting the dignity of Raagi Singhs of Sri Harmandir Sahib. The speakers said that the mistake of Bhagwant Mann's government is unforgivable and a strong response must be given. The view was also expressed that the anti-Sikh comments by the Chief Minister and MLA were made in the presence of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who himself is an amritdhari (initiated) Sikh. It was Sandhwans duty to take cognizance of these objectionable comments, but by not doing so, he too has joined the queues with the accused. Therefore, the Speaker should also tender an apology to the Sikh community. Speaking to the media after the House meeting, the SGPC president Dhami said that all the members present have expressed strong resentment against the Mann Government for which he is grateful to them. He clarified that in the struggle to be started following the Sikh traditions, the protests will be started from Sri Akal Takht Sahib under the leadership of SGPC members and Shiromani Akali Dal constituency in-charges. But, at the same time, he also made it clear that before starting the protest, adopting the constitutional means, the President of India, Union Home Minister will be approached, about which the communication has been started. Dhami also made it clear that it is the responsibility of the SGPC to deliver the gurbani kirtan from Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib to the sangat (community). For this, progress is being made actively. Some meetings of the sub-committee have been held and in due course, a decision will be taken in the spirit of the orders of Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the sentiments of the sangat, said Dhami while indicating that the SGPC may soon start its own channel to telecast gurbani. Wrapping up discussion on the Bill on June 20, Mann had informed the Assembly that the Bill aims at freeing the undue control of a particular family over the rights to telecast sacred Gurbani. He had said that it was a paradoxical situation that the SGPC, under the influence of a family that controls its affairs, had given intellectual property rights of telecasting the sacred gurbani to a channel owned by this family. Mann had also questioned how these rights of gurbani, which is repository of knowledge and faith, can be given to any channel. He had said that the Bill is in no way interference in religious affairs, rather it is a simple step to ensure that gurbani reaches every household. He said in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, after section 125, section 125-A will be inserted for live telecast of Gurbani free of cost. Except blaming me, what else have you done in session: CM asks SGPC chief Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday dared SGPC president to explain that except blaming him, what else they had done in the specially-convened session of the Sikh body. It is surprising that the specially-called session was used only as a platform for criticizing meI failed to understand why the issue of free to air telecast or broadcast of the sacred gurbani took a backseat in the session. Rather, the session was nothing more than an assembly of leaders to shield the family ruling the roost in SGPC, he said, in a statement. Mann said SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami was just acting as a chief spokesperson of the Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal by toeing the line of his masters. This is unfortunate that instead of dwelling a serious issue related to spreading the message of sacred gurbani, the SGPC session has been merely confined to his backbiting, he said. People are aware of everything and they know that how SGPC and its president is acting as a stooge of the family at helms of affairs in SAD (Badal), he said. The third G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) meeting under the Indian G20 presidency commenced on Monday in Rishikesh. The three-day IWG meeting is being attended by about 63 delegates across G20 member countries, invitee countries and international organisations. Two sessions were held on the first day wherein the delegates discussed two work streams under the flagship Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable. The delegates also acknowledged the efforts of the presidency to achieve meaningful progress across the workstreams. The meeting was also complemented by the high-level seminar on creating liveable cities organised by the Indian presidency and AIIB. Officials informed that the discussions across the three sessions allowed G20 decision-makers to learn key challenges, from climate change to infrastructure resiliency, fast urbanisation and inclusiveness, along with exploring the role of technology, infratech and digitisation. The delegates also heard a unique perspective on launching one of the worlds most ambitious new city developments- Nusantara in Indonesia. Later, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the guests at the dinner held in Narendranagar. He said that the standard of development in any nation is decided by its infrastructure which also decides the present and future of the nation. The CM said that infrastructure doesnt consist of simply building railway, ropeway, roads and other aspects because the main purpose of infrastructure is to decrease the problems of the general public and make their lives simple, convenient and safe. The infrastructure in States with mountainous geography is difficult compared to plains because the ecology and economy of a mountain State depend on natural resources and infrastructural development at times creates situations which lead to damage to forests and the environment. We will have to focus on construction of infrastructure by making development and nature complementary to each other. This will be possible when we follow the principle of utilisation instead of consumption, said the CM. Speaking about Uttarakhand, he said that the State faces natural disasters throughout the year. Considering this, the infrastructure should be built in such a manner that it proves useful to the general public even during disaster scenarios. He referred to the frequent earthquakes in Japan and the technological developments made by that country to minimise damage to the people and their homes during seismic events. He expressed confidence that delegates in the IWG meeting will deliberate on what can be done for infrastructural development in the world while also preparing a detailed outline after evaluating the unique conditions in mountain States. Tortoise media, June 26, 2023 Afghan women working for the UN in Kabul say they have been betrayed by the organisations failure to protect them from the Talibans gender apartheid. Also in todays Sensemaker: why an opposition win in Thailand isnt quite a win. UN betrays women in Afghanistan The UN in Afghanistan has been infiltrated by Taliban informants and is failing to protect local female staff from harassment and intimidation, staff members tell Tortoise. At the same time, top UN agencies including Unicef, the World Food Programme and the WHO have bowed to Taliban pressure for male-only offices, which Afghan women say makes them complicit in the countrys extreme gender-based restrictions. So what? Surrendering to the Taliban undermines womens rights everywhere. The UN sets standards for working conditions across the humanitarian world.When the Taliban banned women from working at the UN last month the UN refused to comply. It has now effectively abandoned that position.There were alternatives (see below). Not taking them risks sending a terrible message to the Taliban that anything goes, says Professor Karima Bennoune, a former UN Special Rapporteur a message to women everywhere that their rights are somehow negotiable. A local female UN employee said: I feel that the UN not only betrayed its own women staff but also the whole Afghan women with this decision. The UN was the only hope for Afghan women to stand up for our rights. But it didnt even support its own staff. The fall. Afghanistan has had two de facto governments since the fall of Kabul in August 2021. One is the UN and its agencies, led by Deputy Special Representative Ramiz Alakbarov. The other is the Taliban. The country is enduring the largest humanitarian crisis on earth. Two-thirds of its 40 million population need urgent humanitarian assistance to survive. But the Talibans supreme leader has made aid workers work more difficult at every turn: Last December the Taliban banned all NGOs from employing local female staff.It was one of more than 40 edicts removing women from public life. Last month it was extended to the UN, which refused to enforce it on the basis that to do so would have violated international law and its own charter.Undercutting local women. Initially, the UN presented a united front all its organisations sent their male and female Afghan staff home while weighing up the options. Now Afghan men employed by the WFP and the WHO, among others, have been told to return to work, while women have not. No protection. Some organisations, like Unicef, have said women can return with the men. But Afghan women who have spoken to Tortoise say there are no protection measures in place for them even in supposedly secure UN compounds. One said security measures supposedly put in place for women since the ban were paperwork, not practically applied. An internal UN document leaked to Tortoise recommends telling journalists that the safety and security of staff is of our utmost priority so the UN does not comment publicly on detailed staff composition and presence or operational working modalities UN-speak for say nothing. A spokesperson for WFP Afghanistan said: Afghan women UN personnel continue to be employed and no women will be replaced by men. They said the necessary staff support systems are functional and full priority was given to female staff members. Afghan women say:The UN has hired Taliban personnel, knowingly and unknowingly, inside all UN compounds. These personnel have acquired sensitive information, including staff profiles. They have taken pictures of Afghan women who are not properly dressed and harassed them for this.The UN itself has acknowledged this. Last week, its mission in Afghanistan said local female staff had experienced restrictions on their movements, including harassment, intimidation, and detention. Tough call. Experts admit deciding between defying the Taliban and potentially withholding aid is an incredibly difficult position and an appalling choice. The alternatives. Aid workers and campaigners say the UN and NGOs could present a more united front instead of their current confused and contradictory messaging; the UN could threaten to suspend humanitarian assistance; or it could pull out completely.Instead, one of the UNs biggest operations continues to operate in violation of its own core principles. Its all incredibly shortsighted, one international UN staff member said. Ultimately well only be able to give aid to men, as you need women to access children. Its a desperate act of self-preservation. Its not about long-term vision. [For senior UN management], its about keeping their jobs. International staff in Kabul fear that once the dust settles, the Afghan women will be phased out, leaving them with no income. Its a tough situation but not a reason to throw women under the bus, one said. Unicef and WHO had not replied by the time of publication. Originally published by Tortoise Media on May 16,2023. A deputy chief engineer of the Northeast Frontier Railway arrested over bribery charges has been booked by the CBI alongwith his family members for amassing assets disproportionate to income, officials said on Monday. The CBI has booked Rampal, his wife and mother-in-law in the fresh case registered under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act related to disproportionate assets and abetment to the crime, they said. During the searches conducted after registering the bribery FIR against Rampal and others in February this year, the CBI had recovered Rs 1.10 crore in cash from his premises while Rs 67 lakh was found at the in-laws' place, they said. This became the basis of the fresh FIR, the officials said. In an unusual move, the agency has not made public with the FIR the exact amount of illicit assets as it may adversely affect the ongoing investigation. The CBI had arrested three persons: Senior Section Engineer Santosh Kumar and his superior Deputy Chief Engineer Rampal, both posted in Silchar; and contractor Sajjan Chaudhary, who is the owner of Tribeni Constructions. Kumar was arrested while allegedly receiving a part payment of Rs 8 lakh from the construction company, they said. In the bribery FIR registered against nine people in February, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had alleged that Tribeni Constructions had submitted a bill of Rs 19 crore in one of the projects. The amount included the inflated sum of Rs two crore by manipulation in collusion with Rampal, Kumar and other accused public servants, out of which Rs 20 lakh was already given to the deputy chief engineer, Rs 35 lakh to Assistant Executive Engineer B U Laskar (another accused), and Rs 36 lakh of bribe money was to be handed over to Kumar, the FIR alleged. The agency had made the arrest when remaining bribe amount was to be paid, they said. The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday attacked Delhi LG V K Saxena over the law and order situation in the national capital after a delivery agent and his associate were robbed at gunpoint inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Delhi Cabinet Minister and AAP senior leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the LG has been given power to handle law and order, police and land by the Constitution but apart from these subjects, he is interested in every other area". He claimed there is no fear of law in the minds of criminals in the national capital. "Delhi will be hosting the G-20 summit in some days. It hosts international events regularly -- be it trade fair or exhibitions. In such a high profile VIP area, the occurrence of an armed robbery points to the fact that criminals have no fear of law. It is not a question that police were not there. It is not possible for police to be present everywhere. There should be fear of law, he said. The AAP leader cited several recent incidents of crime to claim the common man has lost faith in police. "People are scared to intervene in any criminal incident because they fear they will be implicated in the matter. He claimed all good officers of the Delhi Police have been engaged in investigating political conspiracies. And then some of then are kept in reserve for VIP arrangements. Are police there for VIP arrangements or for common man? A separate force can be created for managing VIP arrangements. He also asked the LG to carry out surprise inspections at police stations. The LG is answerable and accountable to the people of Delhi, he said. "You carry out surprise inspections of DJB water pumps but have no time for visiting police stations. Please carry out surprise inspections of police stations also and issue press releases too," Bhardwaj said. He demanded the thana level committees that were discontinued "without any reason" eight years ago should be restarted. "They had the local MLA, the SHOs of the areas, civil society members and would meet every month to discuss the law and order situation. They should be restarted. Police stations are operating at 35 per to 40 per cent of their strength," he said. According to police, a delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh by the four unidentified men who waylaid their car inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel on Saturday when the two were going to Gurgaon to deliver the money. Britain's Prince William on Monday launched a major five-year campaign to tackle homelessness in the country, following in the footsteps of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales. William, the Prince of Wales, is using his charitable Royal Foundation to provide GBP 3 million of start-up funding for a locally-led programme to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated. The 41-year-old heir to the British throne launched Homewards in south London as one of six flagship locations to get new space and tools to prevent and end homelessness in these areas as a template for wider impact. My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11 with my mother. The visits we made left a deep and lasting impression, said William in his speech. I am pleased to stand here today officially at the start of our path to ending homelessness. Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good, he said. Through Homewards, we will demonstrate that together we can finally end homelessness, he declared. There are believed to be more than 300,000 people currently homeless across the UK, which includes those who are stuck in hostels and temporary accommodation, living in cars and sofa-surfing or those without a proper base, as well as people who are rough sleeping. With his new initiative, William aims to change attitudes and show how many people can be affected. Recently, he opened an affordable housing project for young people with jobs but who still needed help with accommodation. Kensington Palace said Prince William's plan is to bring together local coalitions of housing experts, charities and private industry to develop housing projects and support services, addressing different ways that homelessness occurs, whether in big cities or coastal towns. Homewards will take a transformative approach to the issue of homelessness and put collaboration at its heart, giving six flagship locations new space, tools, and relationships to showcase what can be achieved through a collective effort focused on preventing and ending homelessness in their areas, the palace said. William will embark on a two-day whistlestop tour of the UK, revealing the locations for his new initiative, which is backed by homeless charities such as Shelter, Centrepoint, Crisis and The Passage. (): European Union ministers urged caution on Monday over a failed revolt by mercenary soldiers in Russia. This came after the incident raised troubling questions about Russian President Vladimir Putins grip on power and whether Wagner group fighters might install themselves just over the border in Belarus. At the talks in Luxembourg, some EU foreign ministers likened the short-lived uprising led by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Putin unleashing Frankensteins monster of his own creation, and to some powerful and evil spirit. But several others, concerned that they might be seen to be offering support, were at pains to point out that the revolt remains an internal Russian affair, and that many questions remain unanswered, including Prigozhins precise whereabouts and whether he may be taking troops with him. Most seemed to agree that the incident will have security implications for Europe and that the important thing is to help Ukraine take advantage of the situation. We are analysing this carefully, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters. There are also risks involved, which we are still unable to assess at the moment. For us Europeans, the only thing that matters is to support Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who was chairing the meeting, said that the monster that Putin created with Wagner is acting against his creator. He added that the political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking. Its now the moment to support Ukraine, more than ever, Borrell said. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told reporters that Putin cant get rid of the ghosts he summoned, and theyre going to haunt him now. He cited the revolt as proof that there are cracks in the power structure. Prigozhin was granted exile in Belarus, just 35 kilometres from Lithuanias capital Vilnius. It remains unclear what charges he might face, if any. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who brokered the deal, gave few details. Russian leaders, whether civilian or military, have not commented on the situation. Wary of the insecurity that this might mean for his country, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said he wants to see very specific plans from his allies to reinforce NATOs eastern flank, including Estonia, Latvia and Poland. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning. Several other research firms have also issued reports on MO. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $44.67. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Stock Down 0.8 % MO stock opened at $43.42 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $77.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.96, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a 50 day moving average of $45.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.75. Altria Group has a 12-month low of $40.35 and a 12-month high of $51.57. Altria Group Announces Dividend Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.12 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Altria Group will post 4.97 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared 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 8.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 120.90%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Altria Group Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kentucky Retirement Systems grew its stake in Altria Group by 4.9% during the third quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 140,965 shares of the companys stock worth $5,692,000 after buying an additional 6,588 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,630,570 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,243,000 after purchasing an additional 116,654 shares in the last quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC now owns 14,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $664,000 after purchasing an additional 715 shares in the last quarter. Balentine LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 80.2% in the 4th quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 43,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,982,000 after purchasing an additional 19,305 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cascade Investment Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,156,000. 58.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Altria Group Company 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. Further Reading 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. Barclays reaffirmed their overweight rating on shares of Anglo American (LON:AAL Get Rating) in a report published on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. Barclays currently has a GBX 3,300 ($42.23) target price on the mining companys stock. Several other brokerages also recently commented on AAL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Anglo American from GBX 3,500 ($44.79) to GBX 3,400 ($43.51) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Anglo American in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Citigroup restated a top pick rating on shares of Anglo American in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Anglo American to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from GBX 2,500 ($31.99) to GBX 2,700 ($34.55) in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of Anglo American from GBX 3,400 ($43.51) to GBX 3,200 ($40.95) and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 3,055 ($39.09). Get Anglo American alerts: Anglo American Stock Performance Shares of AAL stock opened at GBX 2,248 ($28.77) on Thursday. The company has a market cap of 30.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 783.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.92 and a beta of 1.33. Anglo American has a 52 week low of GBX 2,223.50 ($28.45) and a 52 week high of GBX 3,699 ($47.33). The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average of GBX 2,427.54 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,859.07. Anglo American Company Profile Anglo American plc operates as a mining company worldwide. It explores for rough and polished diamonds, copper, platinum group metals, metallurgical and thermal coal, steelmaking coal, and iron ore; and nickel, polyhalite, and manganese ores, as well as alloys. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Anglo American Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anglo American and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT Get Rating) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday. Chunghwa Telecom Stock Performance NYSE CHT opened at $40.22 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.96. Chunghwa Telecom has a 1 year low of $32.90 and a 1 year high of $43.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.46 and a beta of 0.13. Get Chunghwa Telecom alerts: Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.78 billion for the quarter. Chunghwa Telecom had a return on equity of 9.54% and a net margin of 16.92%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. acquired a new position in Chunghwa Telecom in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 184.2% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 790 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 50.0% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,754 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 585 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA lifted its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 848.0% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,877 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 1,679 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 50.6% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 2,475 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 832 shares during the period. 2.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. (Get Rating) Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local long distance services comprising of local calls, cloud switchboard, and value-added local calls. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Chunghwa Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chunghwa Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) in a report published on Friday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Stock Down 2.3 % Shares of THM opened at $0.43 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $84.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.63 and a beta of 0.70. International Tower Hill Mines has a 12 month low of $0.38 and a 12 month high of $0.75. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $0.49 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $0.52. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: Institutional Trading of International Tower Hill Mines A hedge fund recently raised its stake in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Virtu Financial LLC raised its position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) by 314.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 46,910 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLCs holdings in International Tower Hill Mines were worth $26,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.34% of the companys stock. About International Tower Hill Mines International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lundin Mining (TSE:LUN Get Rating) had its target price upped by Morgan Stanley from C$10.60 to C$12.70 in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities analysts have also commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a C$13.00 price objective on Lundin Mining and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 19th. TD Securities upgraded Lundin Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from C$11.00 to C$11.50 in a research note on Friday, June 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Lundin Mining from C$11.00 to C$12.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, May 5th. National Bankshares upped their price objective on Lundin Mining from C$8.75 to C$10.50 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, UBS Group raised Lundin Mining from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from C$10.00 to C$12.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$14.10. Get Lundin Mining alerts: Lundin Mining Price Performance TSE LUN opened at C$10.32 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of C$7.97 billion, a PE ratio of 27.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.26 and a beta of 1.73. Lundin Mining has a 52 week low of C$6.24 and a 52 week high of C$11.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.86. The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$10.40 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$9.40. Lundin Mining Announces Dividend Lundin Mining ( TSE:LUN Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The mining company reported C$0.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.28 by C($0.06). Lundin Mining had a net margin of 8.15% and a return on equity of 4.64%. The business had revenue of C$1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$1.02 billion. Research analysts predict that Lundin Mining will post 0.7858232 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.09 per share. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Lundin Minings payout ratio is 97.30%. Lundin Mining Company Profile (Get Rating) Lundin Mining Corporation, a diversified base metals mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and mining of mineral properties in Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States. It primarily produces copper, zinc, nickel, and gold, as well as lead, silver, and other metals. The company holds 100% interests in the Chapada mine located in Brazil; the Neves-Corvo mine located in Portugal; the Eagle mine located in the United States; and the Zinkgruvan mine located in Sweden. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Lundin Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lundin Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP Get Rating) (NYSE:CP) had its target price lifted by Scotiabank from C$122.00 to C$124.00 in a report released on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. CP has been the subject of several other reports. TD Securities lifted their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$120.00 to C$125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. CIBC decreased their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$125.00 to C$123.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Barclays dropped their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$90.00 to C$89.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$117.00 to C$120.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$130.00 to C$128.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$110.53. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance Shares of TSE CP opened at C$105.57 on Thursday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a fifty-two week low of C$87.61 and a fifty-two week high of C$112.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.11, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of C$98.29 billion, a PE ratio of 26.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$106.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$105.00. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Announces Dividend Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.72%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is 19.00%. (Get Rating) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS Get Rating) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning. Several other research firms also recently commented on FMS. 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. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. HSBC lowered Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Two equities research 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 data from MarketBeat.com, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.45. Get Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA alerts: Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Stock Performance NYSE FMS opened at $24.30 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $22.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $20.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market cap of $14.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.92 and a beta of 1.02. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 1 year low of $12.78 and a 1 year high of $25.59. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Cuts Dividend Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA ( NYSE:FMS Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.98 billion. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a net margin of 3.06% and a return on equity of 5.44%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were given a dividend of $0.7086 per share. This represents a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs dividend payout ratio is currently 39.62%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 9.0% during the first quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 61.1% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,969 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 34.7% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 885 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 14,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $303,000 after buying an additional 898 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 14.2% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,383 shares of the companys stock worth $157,000 after purchasing an additional 918 shares in the last quarter. 6.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. 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 Stories 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. Aareal Bank (OTCMKTS:AAALF Get Rating) is one of 252 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Aareal Bank to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, risk, earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends. Profitability This table compares Aareal Bank and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Aareal Bank alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Aareal Bank N/A N/A N/A Aareal Bank Competitors 36.21% 9.90% 0.90% Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Aareal Bank and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Aareal Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Aareal Bank Competitors 1017 2836 2826 7 2.27 Earnings & Valuation As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 329.15%. Given Aareal Banks competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Aareal Bank has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. This table compares Aareal Bank and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Aareal Bank N/A N/A 6.22 Aareal Bank Competitors $1.95 billion $487.87 million 274.02 Aareal Banks competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Aareal Bank. Aareal Bank 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. Dividends Aareal Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Aareal Bank pays out 10.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.1% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Insider & Institutional Ownership 40.3% of Aareal Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 15.6% 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 company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Aareal Bank competitors 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. Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN Get Rating) Director Amy Banse bought 165 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $121.29 per share, for a total transaction of $20,012.85. Following the purchase, the director now owns 165 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,012.85. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Lennar Price Performance Shares of LEN stock traded down $1.23 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $121.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,438,409 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,237,000. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 7.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Lennar Co. has a fifty-two week low of $67.78 and a fifty-two week high of $123.06. The company has a market capitalization of $35.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.35, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.44. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $113.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.56. Get Lennar alerts: Lennar Announces Dividend 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 $0.375 per share. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Lennars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.24%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lennar LEN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays increased their target price on Lennar from $120.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on Lennar from $88.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Lennar from $130.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Wedbush increased their price target on Lennar from $94.00 to $123.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on Lennar from $103.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $121.53. Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 3,851 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $405,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its position in Lennar by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 27,918 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,527,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC raised its position in Lennar by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC now owns 9,173 shares of the construction companys stock worth $964,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Lennar by 47.0% during the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 397 shares of the construction companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its position in Lennar by 22.6% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 717 shares of the construction companys stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.69% of the companys stock. Lennar Company Profile (Get Rating) Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of WPP (NYSE: WPP) recently: 6/24/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/23/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/22/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/21/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/19/2023 WPP was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating. 6/17/2023 WPP was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating. 6/12/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/11/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/10/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 6/9/2023 WPP was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating. 5/24/2023 WPP was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating. 5/13/2023 WPP was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating. 5/12/2023 WPP was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating. WPP Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of NYSE WPP traded down $0.15 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $53.37. The stock had a trading volume of 41,571 shares, compared to its average volume of 88,293. The firm has a market cap of $11.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.36. WPP plc has a fifty-two week low of $39.67 and a fifty-two week high of $64.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $55.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $57.72. Hedge Funds Weigh In On WPP Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its holdings in WPP by 3.4% in the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 923,843 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $54,987,000 after purchasing an additional 30,259 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of WPP by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 20,686 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,231,000 after acquiring an additional 666 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of WPP by 48.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,155 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $128,000 after acquiring an additional 706 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its position in shares of WPP by 166.8% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 675 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 422 shares during the period. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC boosted its stake in WPP by 30.9% during the 1st quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 8,462 shares of the business services providers stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 1,999 shares during the last quarter. 4.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for WPP plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WPP plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TMBThanachart Bank Public (OTCMKTS:TMBBY Get Rating) is one of 253 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare TMBThanachart Bank Public to similar companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, dividends, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation and earnings. Institutional & Insider Ownership 29.3% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 15.7% 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. Get TMBThanachart Bank Public alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares TMBThanachart Bank Public and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio TMBThanachart Bank Public N/A N/A 0.25 TMBThanachart Bank Public Competitors $1.90 billion $475.82 million 271.83 Profitability TMBThanachart Bank Publics competitors have higher revenue and earnings than TMBThanachart Bank Public. TMBThanachart Bank Public 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. This table compares TMBThanachart Bank Public and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets TMBThanachart Bank Public N/A N/A N/A TMBThanachart Bank Public Competitors 36.05% 10.11% 0.91% Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for TMBThanachart Bank Public and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score TMBThanachart Bank Public 0 1 1 0 2.50 TMBThanachart Bank Public Competitors 1017 2836 2826 7 2.27 As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 329.15%. Given TMBThanachart Bank Publics competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe TMBThanachart Bank Public has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Summary TMBThanachart Bank Public competitors beat TMBThanachart Bank Public on 9 of the 11 factors compared. TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Profile (Get Rating) TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various commercial banking products and services to individuals, small and medium sized enterprises (SME), and corporate customers primarily in Thailand. It operates through Commercial Banking and Retail Banking segments. The company offers basic, current, cash concentration, corporate liquidity, term and foreign currency deposit, multi-currency, and savings accounts; working capital, personal, home, auto, long-term, unsecured, and other loans, as well as SME loans, letter of guarantee, and supply chain solutions; and debit, credit, and corporate cards. It also provides trade finance, foreign exchange and currency, deposits, financial management, hire purchase, finance leasing, bancassurance and mutual funds, asset management, insurance brokerage, investment banking and advisory, import and export trading, business payment, collection, liquidity management, capital market risk management, agency, and other financial services, as well as solutions for foundations. In addition, the company offers wealth banking, mobile and Internet banking services; and business protection, property, engineer and constructing, business interruption, marine and cargo, motor fleet, legal offense, employee, business loan, credit life, critical illness, savings and retirement, health, personal accident, motor, and travel insurance products. The company was formerly known as TMB Bank Public Company Limited and changed its name to TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Limited in May 2021. TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Limited was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. Receive News & Ratings for TMBThanachart Bank Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TMBThanachart Bank Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baker Boyer National Bank increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Get Rating) by 4.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,373 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Baker Boyer National Banks holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $469,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MTUM. Syntal Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 23.6% during the 1st quarter. Syntal Capital Partners LLC now owns 31,899 shares of the companys stock worth $5,367,000 after purchasing an additional 6,090 shares during the period. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 63.5% in the 1st quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,192 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after buying an additional 463 shares during the period. Eudaimonia Partners LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $689,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $329,000. Finally, Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC now owns 10,648 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,397,000 after buying an additional 358 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Performance iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF stock traded down $1.09 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $140.86. The company had a trading volume of 248,489 shares. The firm has a market cap of $9.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a 1 year low of $81.37 and a 1 year high of $113.60. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $140.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $141.68. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Company 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. Featured Articles 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. Clarius Group LLC trimmed its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Get Rating) by 5.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,909 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 178 shares during the period. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in ServiceNow were worth $1,352,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Lakewood Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of ServiceNow during the 4th quarter valued at about $52,000. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in ServiceNow by 12.6% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,609 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,013,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC grew its position in ServiceNow by 714.3% during the 4th quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 114 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its position in ServiceNow by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 65,758 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $24,830,000 after acquiring an additional 3,673 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in ServiceNow by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 2,422 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $941,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. 86.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get ServiceNow alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on ServiceNow from $525.00 to $545.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. UBS Group increased their target price on ServiceNow from $465.00 to $545.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on ServiceNow from $525.00 to $540.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on ServiceNow in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $660.00 target price on the stock. Finally, KeyCorp increased their target price on ServiceNow from $520.00 to $547.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned 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 $536.94. ServiceNow Stock Performance Shares of NYSE NOW traded up $3.98 during trading on Monday, hitting $546.97. The company had a trading volume of 163,411 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,639,222. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $502.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $455.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 12 month low of $337.00 and a 12 month high of $576.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 277.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.80 and a beta of 1.03. ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The information technology services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.09 billion. ServiceNow had a return on equity of 10.18% and a net margin of 5.25%. As a group, analysts anticipate that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 3.17 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at ServiceNow In related news, Director Anita M. Sands sold 1,315 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $459.75, for a total transaction of $604,571.25. Following the sale, the director now owns 14,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,640,169.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, General Counsel Russell S. Elmer sold 7,796 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $456.31, for a total transaction of $3,557,392.76. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 4,047 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,846,686.57. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Anita M. Sands sold 1,315 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $459.75, for a total value of $604,571.25. Following the transaction, the director now owns 14,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,640,169.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 29,956 shares of company stock valued at $15,088,178. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About ServiceNow (Get Rating) ServiceNow, Inc provides enterprise cloud computing solutions that defines, structures, consolidates, manages, and automates services for enterprises worldwide. The company operates the Now platform for workflow automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, electronic service catalogs and portals, configuration management systems, data benchmarking, encryption, and collaboration and development tools. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Connable Office Inc. lessened its stake in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Get Rating) by 2.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 52,688 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,098 shares during the quarter. Connable Office Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $3,268,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Czech National Bank grew its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.6% in the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 458,553 shares of the companys stock worth $28,444,000 after purchasing an additional 2,829 shares during the last quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co lifted its holdings in Coca-Cola by 6.4% in the first quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co now owns 23,694 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,470,000 after buying an additional 1,425 shares during the period. City Holding Co. lifted its holdings in Coca-Cola by 0.9% in the first quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 100,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,243,000 after buying an additional 930 shares during the period. Naples Global Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Coca-Cola by 0.7% in the first quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 23,188 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,448,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the period. Finally, Lake Street Financial LLC lifted its holdings in Coca-Cola by 8.2% in the first quarter. Lake Street Financial LLC now owns 24,101 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,495,000 after buying an additional 1,818 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.61% of the companys stock. Get Coca-Cola alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Coca-Cola news, CMO Manuel Arroyo sold 734 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.40, for a total value of $46,535.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 114,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,264,372. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Henrique Braun sold 16,950 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.03, for a total transaction of $1,085,308.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,272 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,682,196.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CMO Manuel Arroyo sold 734 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.40, for a total transaction of $46,535.60. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 114,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,264,372. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 420,786 shares of company stock valued at $26,886,224. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Coca-Cola Trading Up 0.0 % Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $72.00 to $73.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $61.00 to $63.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $68.00 to $70.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $71.00 to $74.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.67. KO opened at $61.23 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The Coca-Cola Company has a fifty-two week low of $54.01 and a fifty-two week high of $65.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $264.79 billion, a PE ratio of 26.84, a P/E/G ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.55. The companys 50-day moving average is $62.23 and its 200 day moving average is $61.68. Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The company reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by $0.03. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 22.69% and a return on equity of 42.96%. The company had revenue of $11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.64 EPS. The firms revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th will be given a $0.46 dividend. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 15th. Coca-Colas payout ratio is 80.70%. Coca-Cola Profile (Get Rating) The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Severn Trent (OTCMKTS:STRNY Get Rating) and Pennon Group (OTCMKTS:PEGRF Get Rating) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings and risk. Insider and Institutional Ownership 0.1% of Severn Trent shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 44.0% of Pennon Group shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Severn Trent alerts: Dividends Severn Trent pays an annual dividend of $1.47 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. Pennon Group pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Severn Trent pays out 179.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Pennon Group pays out 104.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Severn Trent 1 2 4 0 2.43 Pennon Group 0 1 1 0 2.50 This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Severn Trent and Pennon Group, as reported by MarketBeat. Severn Trent presently has a consensus price target of $2,932.50, suggesting a potential upside of 8,450.81%. Pennon Group has a consensus price target of $815.00, suggesting a potential upside of 8,641.35%. Given Pennon Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Pennon Group is more favorable than Severn Trent. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Severn Trent and Pennon Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A $0.82 41.86 Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A $0.29 32.13 Pennon Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Severn Trent, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Severn Trent and Pennon Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A About Severn Trent (Get Rating) Severn Trent PLC operates as a water and sewerage company in England and Wales. It operates in two segments, Regulated Water and Waste Water, and Business Services. The Regulated Water and Waste Water segment offers water and waste water services to approximately 4.8 million households and businesses in the Midlands and Wales. The Business Services segment generates renewable energy from anaerobic digestion, hydropower, wind turbines, and solar technology; manages and sells land; and offers search services. It also provides contract services to municipal and industrial clients in the United Kingdom; and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense for design, build, and operation of water and waste water treatment facilities and networks, as well as services to developers. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Coventry, the United Kingdom. About Pennon Group (Get Rating) Pennon Group Plc provides clean water and wastewater services in the United Kingdom. It provides water and wastewater services for customers in Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset and Somerset; water-only services in the areas of Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire; and water and wastewater retail services to non-household customers in Great Britain. The company also offers regulated water to approximately 1.2 million customers in the Bristol region. It serves approximately 50 million household and non-household customers. The company was incorporated in 1989 and is based in Exeter, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Severn Trent Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Severn Trent and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank increased its position in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating) by 0.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 128,252 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 822 shares during the period. Czech National Banks holdings in Southern were worth $8,924,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY lifted its holdings in Southern by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 21,982 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,570,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in Southern by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC now owns 7,415 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $516,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Southern by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 23,652 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,689,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in Southern by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. now owns 5,076 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $362,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc lifted its holdings in Southern by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc now owns 4,550 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. 63.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Southern alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SO shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $69.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Southern from $79.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Southern in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a buy rating and a $80.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Southern from $77.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.07. Southern Stock Down 1.2 % Shares of NYSE:SO opened at $70.45 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $76.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The company has a 50 day moving average of $71.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $69.66. The Southern Company has a 52-week low of $58.85 and a 52-week high of $80.57. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.14 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.53% and a return on equity of 10.78%. The businesss revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.97 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that The Southern Company will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southern Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. This is a positive change from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. Southerns payout ratio is 90.32%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Bryan D. Anderson sold 9,491 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.03, for a total value of $712,109.73. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 36,119 shares in the company, valued at $2,710,008.57. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Southern news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 847,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Bryan D. Anderson sold 9,491 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.03, for a total transaction of $712,109.73. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,710,008.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 205,678 shares of company stock worth $14,888,271. Insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock. About Southern (Get Rating) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank cut its holdings in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Rating) by 0.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 153,913 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 394 shares during the quarter. Czech National Banks holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $13,514,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 23,258,148 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,973,640,000 after buying an additional 97,672 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley during the 4th quarter valued at $956,566,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,737,304 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $912,886,000 after buying an additional 379,286 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 125,756.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,641,190 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $904,714,000 after buying an additional 10,632,735 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 9,656,692 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $821,007,000 after buying an additional 111,008 shares during the period. 84.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Morgan Stanley alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total transaction of $9,921,451.05. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,456,881 shares of the companys stock, valued at $79,917,525.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Morgan Stanley news, Director Thomas H. Glocer sold 4,535 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.11, for a total value of $395,043.85. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 98,110 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,546,362.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total transaction of $9,921,451.05. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at $79,917,525.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. Morgan Stanley Price Performance NYSE MS opened at $83.50 on Monday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $85.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $89.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. Morgan Stanley has a 12-month low of $72.05 and a 12-month high of $100.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.35. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.03. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 14.12% and a return on equity of 11.35%. The business had revenue of $14.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.06 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Morgan Stanley will post 6.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. Morgan Stanley Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 1st were issued a $0.775 dividend. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio is currently 53.26%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Oppenheimer raised their target price on Morgan Stanley from $95.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Morgan Stanley in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Barclays cut their price target on Morgan Stanley from $125.00 to $112.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Cfra restated a strong-buy rating and set a $105.00 price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $89.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong 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 $95.34. Morgan Stanley Company Profile (Get Rating) Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bill Few Associates Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Get Rating) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 43,212 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,280 shares during the period. Dominion Energy accounts for approximately 1.3% of Bill Few Associates Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Bill Few Associates Inc.s holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $2,416,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. CWA Asset Management Group LLC boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 7,777 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $435,000 after buying an additional 279 shares during the last quarter. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 21.3% in the 1st quarter. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA now owns 12,405 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $694,000 after buying an additional 2,180 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 98,162 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,488,000 after buying an additional 579 shares during the last quarter. City Holding Co. boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 63.0% in the 1st quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 34,237 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,914,000 after buying an additional 13,237 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Dominion Energy by 15.8% in the 1st quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 31,915 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,784,000 after buying an additional 4,360 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the companys stock. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Dominion Energy Stock Performance NYSE:D traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $51.88. 852,371 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,453,730. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a twelve month low of $48.47 and a twelve month high of $86.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $53.91 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.06. Dominion Energy Announces Dividend Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 12.67% and a net margin of 7.05%. The business had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.46 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.18 earnings per share. Dominion Energys revenue was up 22.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 3.75 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a dividend of $0.6675 per share. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Dominion Energys payout ratio is 186.71%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades D has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group cut their price objective on Dominion Energy from $60.00 to $57.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Dominion Energy from $63.00 to $55.00 in a report on Friday, June 9th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Dominion Energy from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Dominion Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Dominion Energy from $58.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.55. Insider Activity at Dominion Energy In other Dominion Energy news, COO Diane Leopold sold 6,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total value of $307,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 100,115 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,921,653.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders. 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. Featured Stories 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. European Assets Trust PLC (LON:EAT Get Rating) insider Martin Breuer acquired 6,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 26th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 87 ($1.11) per share, with a total value of 5,829 ($7,458.73). European Assets Trust Stock Performance European Assets Trust stock traded down GBX 0.50 ($0.01) during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting GBX 86.80 ($1.11). 493,568 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 535,054. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55. European Assets Trust PLC has a one year low of GBX 74.60 ($0.95) and a one year high of GBX 98.80 ($1.26). The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 91.61 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 92.48. The company has a market cap of 312.53 million, a PE ratio of -181.88 and a beta of 1.06. Get European Assets Trust alerts: European Assets Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 6th were paid a dividend of GBX 1.45 ($0.02) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 6th. European Assets Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently -1,250.00%. European Assets Trust Company Profile European Assets Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by F&C Investment Business Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in stocks of small and mid cap companies with a market capitalization below that of the largest company in the Euromoney Smaller European Companies (ex UK) Index or below Euro 2.5 billion. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for European Assets Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for European Assets Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY Get Rating) declared a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.3452 per share on Monday, August 14th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 28th. This is an increase from Great Wall Motors previous dividend of $0.09. Great Wall Motor Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS GWLLY opened at $11.30 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $11.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.55. Great Wall Motor has a 1-year low of $9.06 and a 1-year high of $22.86. Get Great Wall Motor alerts: Great Wall Motor (OTCMKTS:GWLLY Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.24 billion during the quarter. Great Wall Motor Company Profile Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Great Wall Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Wall Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primary Health Properties (OTCMKTS:PHPRF Get Rating) and Ventas (NYSE:VTR Get Rating) are both real estate companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, risk and institutional ownership. Insider and Institutional Ownership 92.9% of Ventas shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Ventas shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Primary Health Properties alerts: Profitability This table compares Primary Health Properties and Ventas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Primary Health Properties N/A N/A N/A Ventas -1.64% -0.66% -0.28% Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Primary Health Properties N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Ventas $4.13 billion 4.35 -$47.45 million ($0.18) -249.43 This table compares Primary Health Properties and Ventas top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Primary Health Properties has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Ventas. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Primary Health Properties and Ventas, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Primary Health Properties 1 0 0 0 1.00 Ventas 0 2 8 1 2.91 Primary Health Properties presently has a consensus target price of C$140.00, suggesting a potential upside of 10,347.76%. Ventas has a consensus target price of $53.55, suggesting a potential upside of 20.41%. Given Primary Health Properties higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Primary Health Properties is more favorable than Ventas. Summary Ventas beats Primary Health Properties on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Primary Health Properties (Get Rating) Primary Health Properties (PHP) is the leading investor in modern healthcare properties in the UK & Ireland. PHP is a UK based Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with a clear objective to create progressive returns to shareholders through a combination of earnings growth and capital appreciation. PHP achieve this by investing in healthcare real estate let on long-term leases, backed by a secure underlying covenant funded mostly by government bodies. The Group's portfolio comprises over 480 primary healthcare facilities, both completed and committed, the majority of which are GP surgeries, with other properties let to NHS organisations, pharmacies and dentists. About Ventas (Get Rating) Ventas Inc., an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two large and dynamic industries healthcare and real estate. Fueled by powerful demographic demand from growth in the aging population, Ventas owns a diversified portfolio of over 1,200 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ventas uses the power of its capital to unlock the value of senior living communities; life science, research & innovation properties; medical office & outpatient facilities, hospitals and other healthcare real estate. A globally-recognized real estate investment trust, Ventas follows a successful long-term strategy, proven over more than 20 years, built on diversification of property types, capital sources and industry leading partners, financial strength and flexibility, consistent and reliable growth and industry leading ESG achievements, managed by a collaborative and experienced team dedicated to its stakeholders. Receive News & Ratings for Primary Health Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primary Health Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lowered its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Get Rating) by 0.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 77,517 shares of the companys stock after selling 374 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF accounts for 1.2% of Rosenberg Matthew Hamiltons portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Rosenberg Matthew Hamiltons holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $3,782,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $121,380,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 18,341,960 shares of the companys stock valued at $856,569,000 after acquiring an additional 1,635,066 shares during the period. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan increased its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan now owns 11,005,033 shares of the companys stock valued at $513,935,000 after acquiring an additional 1,155,693 shares during the period. Fusion Family Wealth LLC boosted its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1,105.3% during the 4th quarter. Fusion Family Wealth LLC now owns 888,448 shares of the companys stock worth $41,491,000 after acquiring an additional 814,737 shares during the period. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 49.0% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,976,120 shares of the companys stock worth $84,490,000 after acquiring an additional 649,671 shares during the period. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance Shares of IEMG opened at $48.73 on Monday. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a one year low of $41.44 and a one year high of $52.15. The stocks fifty day moving average is $48.82 and its 200-day moving average is $48.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.26 and a beta of 0.75. 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Get Rating). 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. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Get Rating) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $93.76 and last traded at $93.29, with a volume of 406557 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $93.35. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Trading Down 0.1 % The stock has a market cap of $13.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $95.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $91.55. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EFG. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 11.9% in the first quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,254 shares of the companys stock valued at $217,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 34.0% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 10,468 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,007,000 after acquiring an additional 2,657 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 5.9% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,076 shares of the companys stock valued at $392,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 81.0% in the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 5,319 shares of the companys stock valued at $512,000 after acquiring an additional 2,381 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Interchange Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $266,000. About iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jacobs & Co. CA boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) by 2.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 125,574 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 2,641 shares during the period. Jacobs & Co. CAs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $8,703,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, My Personal CFO LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. 74.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance BMY stock traded down $0.52 during trading on Monday, hitting $64.52. The stock had a trading volume of 1,731,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,099,296. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $63.07 and a 1-year high of $81.43. The companys 50 day moving average price is $66.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42. The stock has a market cap of $135.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. The company had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.96 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 66.47%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were 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 approximately $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have commented on BMY. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. 51job reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, March 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $78.62. Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Get Rating) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Recommended Stories 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. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) had its target price upped by KeyCorp from $2,050.00 to $2,300.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Chipotle Mexican Grills Q2 2023 earnings at $12.30 EPS, Q3 2023 earnings at $11.57 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $10.42 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $44.78 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $12.17 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $14.75 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $13.99 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $12.82 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $53.72 EPS. Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on CMG. Stephens upped their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,970.00 to $2,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Credit Suisse Group increased their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,050.00 to $2,200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Citigroup raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,140.00 to $2,240.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,900.00 to $2,050.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,743.00 to $1,910.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,066.93. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance NYSE CMG opened at $2,043.68 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2,017.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,722.73. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a fifty-two week low of $1,233.61 and a fifty-two week high of $2,139.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.39 billion, a PE ratio of 55.28, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.34. Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 return on equity of 45.01% and a net margin of 11.49%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.70 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 43.98 earnings per share for the current year. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,078 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,058.13, for a total transaction of $2,218,664.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,051,161.11. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 105 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,073.08, for a total transaction of $217,673.40. Following the transaction, the director now owns 853 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,768,337.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,078 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,058.13, for a total transaction of $2,218,664.14. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,051,161.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 12,346 shares of company stock worth $24,704,401. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. FourThought Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 350.0% in the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 18 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. Elequin Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 100.0% in 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 during the period. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 350.0% in the 1st quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 18 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.91% of the companys stock. 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. Read More 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. Kirr Marbach & Co. LLC IN boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM Get Rating) (TSE:BAM.A) by 1.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,320 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 421 shares during the period. Kirr Marbach & Co. LLC INs holdings in Brookfield Asset Management were worth $1,058,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BAM. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Brookfield Asset Management by 0.7% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 38,228 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,161,000 after buying an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 3.9% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 537,451 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,404,000 after acquiring an additional 20,309 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management in the first quarter worth about $22,369,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management in the first quarter worth about $340,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 2.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 44,050,716 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,491,950,000 after acquiring an additional 1,220,298 shares during the last quarter. 57.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently commented on BAM. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $40.00 target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Brookfield Asset Management to an underperform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Brookfield Asset Management in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $43.57. Brookfield Asset Management Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of NYSE BAM traded down $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $31.53. The company had a trading volume of 216,122 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,573,336. The companys fifty day moving average price is $32.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $32.10. Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. has a 12 month low of $26.76 and a 12 month high of $36.50. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Get Rating) (TSE:BAM.A) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The financial services provider reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.33 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $966.00 million during the quarter. On average, analysts expect that Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. will post 1.35 EPS for the current year. Brookfield Asset Management Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Multi-Strategy Mast Brookfield sold 24,744 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.96, for a total value of $295,938.24. Following the transaction, the director now owns 21,104,923 shares in the company, valued at $252,414,879.08. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Brookfield Asset Management Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM Get Rating) (TSE:BAM.A). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manning & Napier Group LLC lifted its stake in Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW Get Rating) by 19.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 547,236 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 89,270 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Group LLC owned 0.17% of Snowflake worth $84,433,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Snowflake by 17.5% in the first quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 17,924 shares of the companys stock worth $2,765,000 after buying an additional 2,670 shares during the last quarter. Connective Portfolio Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Snowflake in the first quarter worth approximately $853,000. Trust Co. of Oklahoma bought a new stake in shares of Snowflake in the first quarter worth approximately $208,000. AE Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Snowflake by 9.1% in the first quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,776 shares of the companys stock worth $1,354,000 after acquiring an additional 735 shares during the period. Finally, Stonnington Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Snowflake by 122.2% in the first quarter. Stonnington Group LLC now owns 13,620 shares of the companys stock worth $1,926,000 after acquiring an additional 7,490 shares during the period. 63.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Snowflake alerts: Snowflake Stock Up 2.4 % Snowflake stock traded up $4.26 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $182.51. 1,478,893 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,875,727. The company has a market cap of $59.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -67.61 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $164.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of $152.35. Snowflake Inc. has a 12-month low of $119.27 and a 12-month high of $205.66. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Insider Activity at Snowflake A number of analysts have recently commented on SNOW shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. JMP Securities cut their target price on shares of Snowflake from $215.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Snowflake from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Snowflake from $185.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on shares of Snowflake from $170.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and twenty-two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $184.58. In other Snowflake news, Director Mark D. Mclaughlin purchased 1,831 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were bought at an average price of $163.80 per share, with a total value of $299,917.80. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 8,657 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,016.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Mark D. Mclaughlin acquired 1,831 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $163.80 per share, for a total transaction of $299,917.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,657 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,418,016.60. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Frank Slootman sold 1,761 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.47, for a total transaction of $312,524.67. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 185,683 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,953,162.01. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 148,413 shares of company stock valued at $22,578,511 over the last 90 days. 8.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Snowflake 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. Recommended 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. Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Get Rating) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $84.33. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on PLNT. Cowen lifted their price target on Planet Fitness from $90.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on Planet Fitness in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Planet Fitness in a research report on Friday, May 5th. DA Davidson lowered their price objective on Planet Fitness from $87.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, BNP Paribas cut Planet Fitness from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $57.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Friday. Get Planet Fitness alerts: Planet Fitness Stock Down 3.2 % PLNT opened at $65.70 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $71.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.25. The company has a market capitalization of $5.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.56, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.31. Planet Fitness has a 52 week low of $54.15 and a 52 week high of $85.90. Institutional Trading of Planet Fitness Planet Fitness ( NYSE:PLNT Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.46 by ($0.05). Planet Fitness had a negative return on equity of 73.81% and a net margin of 10.86%. The firm had revenue of $222.23 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $238.30 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.32 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Planet Fitness will post 2.16 earnings per share for the current year. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PLNT. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,723,313 shares of the companys stock valued at $502,985,000 after buying an additional 80,705 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness by 6.7% in the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,021,165 shares of the companys stock valued at $174,200,000 after buying an additional 190,817 shares during the period. Amundi lifted its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness by 12.9% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 2,520,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,257,000 after buying an additional 288,762 shares during the period. Eagle Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,182,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $169,479,000 after buying an additional 164,178 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Planet Fitness by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,123,775 shares of the companys stock valued at $164,954,000 after buying an additional 143,871 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.82% of the companys stock. About Planet Fitness (Get Rating Planet Fitness, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness brand. The company operates through three segments: Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment. The Franchise segment is involved in franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Planet Fitness Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Planet Fitness and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bill Few Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG Get Rating) by 58.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,355 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,440 shares during the period. Bill Few Associates Inc.s holdings in PPG Industries were worth $1,250,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in PPG. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of PPG Industries during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Riverview Trust Co boosted its position in shares of PPG Industries by 81.7% during the 4th quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 238 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC bought a new position in shares of PPG Industries during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position in shares of PPG Industries by 90.6% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 242 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of PPG Industries by 45.8% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 277 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.95% of the companys stock. Get PPG Industries alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have commented on PPG. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $150.00 to $145.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $160.00 to $165.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $128.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $140.00 to $143.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $142.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a 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 $149.56. PPG Industries Stock Up 0.8 % PPG traded up $1.13 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $140.02. 229,807 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,457,132. The company has a market cap of $32.96 billion, a PE ratio of 25.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.18. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $139.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $133.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.15. PPG Industries, Inc. has a one year low of $107.40 and a one year high of $145.51. PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $4.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.39 billion. PPG Industries had a net margin of 7.18% and a return on equity of 23.35%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.37 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that PPG Industries, Inc. will post 7.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. PPG Industries Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 9th. PPG Industriess payout ratio is presently 46.27%. PPG Industries Company Profile (Get Rating) PPG Industries, Inc manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials worldwide. The company operates through Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. The Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PPG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for PPG Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPG Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shell plc (LON:SHEL Get Rating) has been given a consensus rating of Buy by the ten analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 2,898.55 ($37.09). A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on SHEL shares. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 3,000 ($38.39) price target on shares of Shell in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Berenberg Bank lowered their price target on shares of Shell from GBX 3,000 ($38.39) to GBX 2,850 ($36.47) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Shell from GBX 2,987 ($38.22) to GBX 2,854 ($36.52) in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Morgan Stanley raised Shell to an overweight rating and lowered their price objective for the company from GBX 2,625 ($33.59) to GBX 2,405 ($30.77) in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 2,900 ($37.11) target price on Shell in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Get Shell alerts: Shell Stock Performance SHEL opened at GBX 2,308.50 ($29.54) on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of 156.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 494.35, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.66. Shell has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,908.60 ($24.42) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 2,613.50 ($33.44). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.54, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.47. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 2,367.40 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 2,386.50. Shell Dividend Announcement Shell Company Profile The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th will be issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. Shells dividend payout ratio is currently 1,961.62%. (Get Rating Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Shell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shore Point Advisors LLC lowered its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV Get Rating) by 2.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 47,155 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,004 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF accounts for 2.4% of Shore Point Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Shore Point Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $3,190,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $306,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $276,000 after acquiring an additional 2,169 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 13.5% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 2,156,959 shares of the companys stock valued at $137,150,000 after acquiring an additional 256,226 shares during the last quarter. Steel Peak Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 279.1% in the 4th quarter. Steel Peak Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,407,000 after acquiring an additional 16,286 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,492 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,589,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Performance BATS EFAV traded down $0.54 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $67.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 224,837 shares. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF has a fifty-two week low of $64.68 and a fifty-two week high of $76.51. The stock has a market cap of $7.43 billion, a PE ratio of 16.01 and a beta of 0.60. The companys 50-day moving average is $69.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $66.94. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Profile The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of developed-market equities, ex-US and Canada, selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio subject to constraints including sector exposure. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFAV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue cut its position in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Get Rating) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 93,860 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 1,360 shares during the quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenues holdings in Accenture were worth $26,824,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cadence Bank increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Cadence Bank now owns 4,999 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,686,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Bangor Savings Bank increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 1,099 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $294,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 758 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $217,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 2,949 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $787,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. Finally, Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Accenture by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,655 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $442,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. 73.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Accenture alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ACN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Accenture from $311.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. TD Cowen cut shares of Accenture from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $325.00 to $300.00 in a report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Accenture from $310.00 to $343.00 in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Piper Jaffray Companies reduced their price target on shares of Accenture from $316.00 to $314.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Accenture from $306.00 to $358.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $326.55. Insider Activity at Accenture Accenture Stock Performance In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,423,917.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other Accenture news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,954 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.05, for a total transaction of $827,267.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 24,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,849,742.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 26,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,423,917.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 15,010 shares of company stock valued at $4,180,030 over the last ninety days. 0.08% of the stock is owned by insiders. Shares of NYSE ACN opened at $298.12 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $188.37 billion, a PE ratio of 26.60, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.24. The business has a fifty day moving average of $291.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $280.18. Accenture plc has a 52-week low of $242.80 and a 52-week high of $327.93. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $3.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.23. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 11.28%. The company had revenue of $16.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.49 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.79 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current year. Accenture Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 12th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.50%. Accentures dividend payout ratio is 39.93%. Accenture Company 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. Featured Articles 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. State of Alaska Department of Revenue trimmed its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Get Rating) by 1.3% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 59,410 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 790 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenues holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $34,242,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of TMO. Bornite Capital Management LP lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 50.0% during the first quarter. Bornite Capital Management LP now owns 30,000 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $17,719,000 after buying an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.2% during the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 2,928 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,729,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 563.5% during the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 19,844 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $11,721,000 after buying an additional 16,853 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 60.5% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 321 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $190,000 after buying an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 669 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $395,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. 96.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $75,586,110.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total transaction of $855,712.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $75,586,110.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total transaction of $5,452,200.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance Shares of NYSE TMO opened at $520.86 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $200.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.17, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.79. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 12 month low of $475.77 and a 12 month high of $611.06. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $534.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $552.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.92. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $5.03. The business had revenue of $10.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.67 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.75% and a return on equity of 19.16%. The businesss revenue was down 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $7.25 EPS. Analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.69 EPS for the current year. Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.27%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is currently 9.13%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently commented on TMO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $675.00 to $660.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. KeyCorp decreased their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $710.00 to $640.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $625.00 to $610.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $700.00 to $650.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $631.31. Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile (Get Rating) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG Get Rating)s stock price was up 5.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $6.37 and last traded at $6.30. Approximately 5,215,961 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 20,181,168 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.99. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have weighed in on RIG shares. Benchmark increased their price target on shares of Transocean from $7.50 to $12.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 10th. Susquehanna increased their price target on shares of Transocean from $6.00 to $6.50 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Compass Point raised shares of Transocean from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $7.50 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd. Clarkson Capital raised shares of Transocean from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $7.50 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Transocean from $4.00 to $8.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Transocean has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.98. Get Transocean alerts: Transocean Stock Up 5.3 % The businesss fifty day moving average price is $6.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.05. The company has a market capitalization of $4.84 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.01 and a beta of 2.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Insider Activity at Transocean Transocean ( NYSE:RIG Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The offshore drilling services provider reported ($0.38) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.22) by ($0.16). Transocean had a negative net margin of 34.53% and a negative return on equity of 6.80%. The firm had revenue of $649.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $646.29 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned ($0.28) earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Transocean Ltd. will post -0.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, CAO David A. Tonnel sold 12,000 shares of Transocean stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.53, for a total transaction of $78,360.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 476,802 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,113,517.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 13.16% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Transocean Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RIG. Penn Capital Management Company LLC acquired a new stake in Transocean in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its position in Transocean by 59.9% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 5,440 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 2,037 shares in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp increased its position in Transocean by 8,124.0% in the 1st quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 4,112 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 4,062 shares in the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new stake in Transocean in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in shares of Transocean by 446.5% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 10,996 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 8,984 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.49% of the companys stock. About Transocean (Get Rating) Transocean Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells worldwide. It contracts its mobile offshore drilling rigs, related equipment, and work crews to drill oil and gas wells. It serves integrated energy companies, government-owned or government-controlled energy companies, and other independent energy companies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Transocean Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transocean and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Majestic Capital (OTCMKTS:MAJCQ Get Rating) and Universal Insurance (NYSE:UVE Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Majestic Capital and Universal Insurance, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Majestic Capital alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Majestic Capital 0 0 0 0 N/A Universal Insurance 0 0 1 0 3.00 Universal Insurance has a consensus price target of $23.00, indicating a potential upside of 47.53%. Given Universal Insurances higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Universal Insurance is more favorable than Majestic Capital. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Majestic Capital N/A N/A N/A Universal Insurance -1.25% -2.69% -0.30% Institutional & Insider Ownership This table compares Majestic Capital and Universal Insurances net margins, return on equity and return on assets. 65.3% of Universal Insurance shares are held by institutional investors. 14.3% of Majestic Capital shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 17.7% of Universal Insurance shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Majestic Capital and Universal Insurances gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Majestic Capital N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Universal Insurance $1.22 billion 0.39 -$22.26 million ($0.51) -30.57 Majestic Capital has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Universal Insurance. Summary Universal Insurance beats Majestic Capital on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Majestic Capital (Get Rating) Majestic Capital, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides workers' compensation insurance products. The company underwrites workers' compensation insurance products through independent insurance brokers and agents to various size businesses; and excess and frequency coverage policies to self-insured entities. It offers primary workers' compensation insurance to employers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. The company also engages in underwriting reinsurance. In addition, it offers various management services, including general management, underwriting, risk assessment, general recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance services; safety and loss control services; and claims management services to self-insured groups under fee-for-service arrangements. Further, the company acts as a broker for insurers and places the excess coverage for the groups. It serves transportation, healthcare, wholesale and retail, manufacturing, and hospitality industries; contractors; and colleges and universities. Majestic Capital, Ltd. was formerly known as CRM Holdings, Ltd. and changed its name to Majestic Capital, Ltd. in May 2010. Majestic Capital, Ltd. was founded in 1999 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. About Universal Insurance (Get Rating) Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated insurance holding company in the United States. It develops, markets, and underwrites insurance products for personal residential insurance, such as homeowners, renters/tenants, condo unit owners, and dwelling/fire; and offers allied lines, coverage for other structures, and personal property, liability, and personal articles coverages. The company also advises on actuarial issues, oversees distribution, administers claims payments, performs policy administration and underwriting, and assists with reinsurance negotiations; places and manages reinsurance programs for the insurance entities; and operates Clovered.com, a digital agency for carrier partners and utilization of digital applications for adjusting claims. It offers its products through a network of independent agents, as well as direct-to-consumer online solutions, including digital insurance agency. The company was formerly known as Universal Heights, Inc. and changed its name to Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. in January 2001. Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Receive News & Ratings for Majestic Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Majestic Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting with senior ministers and officials after his return from state visit to US and Egypt, in New Delhi, Monday, June 26, 2023. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt, enquired about the happenings in the country and held a high-level meeting with some of his Cabinet colleagues, including home minister Amit Shah, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and urban affairs and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Senior officials, including the PM's principal secretary P.K. Mishra, were present at the meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence. The high-level meeting took place two days after Shah chaired an all-party meeting, attended by 18 political parties, to discuss the ongoing situation in Manipur. Manipur's Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had briefed Shah on the "evolving situation" in the northeastern state and claimed that the state and central governments had been able to control the situation to a "great extent." It is learned that the home minister provided a detailed briefing to Modi on Monday about the situation in violence-hit Manipur as well as the flood situation in Assam. Speaking to the media later on Monday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that reports indicated Union home minister Amit Shah had finally spoken to Modi about the situation in the northeastern state and added, "For the last 55 days, Modiji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak." Meanwhile, the BJP described Modi's visit to the US and Egypt as an "important milestone" in India's diplomacy, and the grand welcome he received in both countries was a recognition of his efforts to elevate the country to "greater heights" in geopolitics. Upon his arrival, Modi, who received a grand welcome, asked BJP president J.P. Nadda and other leaders about the situation in India, as per party leaders who had gone to receive him at the airport. Minister of state for external affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and other BJP MPs from Delhi, including Harsh Vardhan, Manoj Tiwari, Hans Raj Hans, Parvesh Verma, and Gautam Gambhir, were also present. "He asked Nadda ji how things are going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy," BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked about the PM's query at the airport. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described Modi's visits to the US and Egypt as an "important milestone" in India's diplomacy. He stated that the grand welcome received by the Prime Minister in both countries was a recognition of his efforts to elevate India to "greater heights" in geopolitics. "The way our Prime Minister was accorded a grand welcome, the successful programmes held, and the bilateral decisions taken... all of that was recognition of the efforts that the PM has undertaken over his nine-year term to place India at a higher position in geopolitics... It is an important milestone... Be it an Islamic country or any other nation, all countries are placing their trust in India and Modi's leadership today, with the clarity of purpose with which they engage with India," said Vaishnaw while addressing the media at the BJP headquarters. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy releases fund under the YSR Law Nestham scheme. (DC Image) Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has released Rs 6,12,65,000 under the YSR Law Nestham scheme to benefit 2,677 junior advocates across AP, as a first tranche of the funds meant for them for 2023-24. At a programme held at his camp office here on Monday, Jagan Mohan Reddy credited Rs 25,000 -- at the rate of Rs 5,000 per month -- as a stipend for each junior advocate for the period of February to June, 2023. The Chief Minister, who did this by the click of a button, said the YSR Law Nestham provided the monthly stipend to the junior advocates for the first three years from the time of their enrolment as an advocate. "The aim is to help them stand on their own feet at the beginning phase of their professional career. Each advocate would get a financial assistance of Rs 60,000 per annum. In three years, they would get Rs 1.80 lakh." He said that in the last four years since November, 2019, as many as 5,781 junior advocates were benefited from this scheme. So far, an amount of Rs 41.52 crore was given to them under this endeavour. The CM said the state government has also set up a welfare trust with a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore, which was put under the control of advocate general, for the benefit of advocates. So far, Rs 25 crore was provided to advocates from the welfare trust towards reimbursement of mediclaim and to extend loans to the advocates. Both the schemes helped the advocates and sent out a message that the state government cared for the advocates, he said. Jagan Mohan Reddy called upon the junior advocates to help the poor get justice by taking up their cases. "We shall release the second tranche of the Law Nestham in December," he said. The CM interacted with the beneficiary junior advocates virtually. A junior advocate, Ratna Kumari from Guntur, said she was born in a poor family and her uncle helped her to study law. All her family members were getting the benefits of the CMs welfare schemes and she vowed to hail Jagan Reddy as a role model in the service of the poor. Another junior advocate, Aravind from Vijayawada, said he got timely financial help under the Law Nestham scheme and thanked the CM. He promised full support from the advocates community to the CM for implementing such a good scheme. Traffic jam at Panjagutta due to heavy convoy of Chief Minister K Chandra Shekar rao going through the road to Sholapur in Maharashtra on Monday (Photo by S. Surender Reddy) HYDERABAD: Road-users were caught unawares when the police blocked several arterial roads and intersections to allow the mammoth convoy of over 600 cars of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Raos convoy to travel to Pandharpur in Maharashtra, via very busy areas like Erragadda, Kukatpally and Patancheru at peak hour on Monday. While commuters said they were caught on roads amid rainy conditions, residents complained they were not allowed to walk on the route to visit temples and vendors claimed a big hit to sales due to the restrictions. When asked why no alert was given in advance, given the size of the convoy and its movement at a peak hour, a senior traffic police officer said it was not released for security reasons. A senior city traffic police officer said that the Chief Ministers convoy left Pragathi Bhavan at 9.45 am and reached Erragadda, at the end of city jurisdiction, in 10 minutes. But police had stopped traffic much earlier, resulting in untold misery to commuters. However the 600-vehicle convoy was so long that it held up traffic at more than 24 junctions, several more subjunctions, alternative roads, Metro stations and parallel roads for over an hour. Traffic was blocked on routes either side of the Panjagutta junction, from Lakdikapul and Khairatabad to Erramanzil, till the convoy reached Erragadda. "I had to wait for over an hour to get to the U-turn from the Taj Krishna road that connects with the Raj Bhavan. My destination was Kukatpally, for which I had to change my route and pass through Sanathnagar. I was two hours late to my officer," said B.V. Prasad, a software engineer who resides in Vijaynagar Colony. Pedestrians said that they were also barred from visiting nearby shops, temples and salons till the convoy reached Kukatpally. Metro Rail users were stranded at the Ameerpet station, an interchange hub. Commuters at the Erramanzil, Panjagutta, Sanathnagar and Moosapet Metro stations also said they were delayed, due to a long wait time to cross the junctions to reach their destinations. "We had to wait at the station for more than 20 minutes just to cross the road from the station. Luckily, my principal knew about the Chief Ministers programme and did not scold me for being late," G. Sirija, a school teacher, said. Over 400 fruit and vegetable vendors, small kiosk owners and those selling furniture on roadsides at Erragadda, Moosapet and Sanathnagar, who usually open shop at 5.30 am, were not allowed to open their shops till the convoy passed. "It is our peak hour. There are over 17 hospitals (in the vicinity) and thousands of people daily purchase fruits from our pushcarts. We were strictly not allowed to operate and were told that the Chief Minister is passing through," said Mohammed Saleem, who sells fruits at the Sanathnagar Rythu Bazaar. "We hardly earn `600 to `800 a day. Our business is high in the morning hours. Who will pay for our loss? Not only me, but there are over 100 fruit vendors whose families depend on their income. Today, all of us are facing a loss and will have to sell the same fruits tomorrow," Saleem said. Jagdish Tiwari, who runs an eatery in Erragadda, said, "I went to open my tiffin centre at 6.30 am, but I was told by my friend that the police had directed shops to open after 11 am. I request the government to find alternatives so that the lives of thousands of poor persons like me, who depend on our daily income, are not affected." Shiva Chandra, who delivers products for a food app aggregator, said: "I was held up for more than 50 minutes in the traffic jam near Mata Temple in Moosapet. Finally, the customer cancelled the order despite as she had to reach her office by 10 am and had placed the order at 9 am. If we fail to deliver orders on time or if the customer cancels the order, the same is deducted from our earnings." The police officers dismissed the residents woes, claiming that they took control of roads for a minimal time. "The convoy started from Pragathi Bhavan at 9.45 am and crossed Erragadda within 10 minutes," Rahul Hegde, DCP (traffic), said. Another police officer, requesting not to be named, said: "During VIP movements, the problem for commuters arises when officers take control of roads 10 to 20 minutes before the convoy starts." The officer said that on Monday, 126 traffic personnel up to the rank of additional commissioner were deployed for the Chief Ministers bandobast. "If its a VVIP, the timings change. We do not have any intention to delay (the public). If the convoy gets into an accident or faces an untoward incident, the incharge officer will be held responsible and not the public," the officer said. The officer said that traffic personnel are well-versed in clearing traffic jams. "Even our home guard can clear traffic jams within minutes," he said. A retired traffic police officer said: "Basically, the traffic police see that there is a smooth flow for commuters, but during VIP moments, they too are helpless due to protocol. As the city has a high traffic density, a traffic jam for even five minutes on any of the city's main roads will lead to traffic congestion across the city." Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (PTI) NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh praised the joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Joe Biden, stating that it signifies India's ability to change global perspectives on terrorism. He addressed Pakistan's reaction, stating that its rulers would naturally be offended by the statement's call for action against terrorist groups operating on Pakistani soil. Singh reiterated that Pakistan has no standing on the Kashmir issue due to its unlawful occupation of parts of the region, emphasising that India considers Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) an integral part of its territory. The defence minister criticised former US President Barack Obama's comments on Indian Muslim rights, urging him to consider the number of Muslim nations attacked during his administration. Singh stressed that India does not discriminate based on religion and considers all people as part of its global family. He highlighted India's transformed security scenario, where the country has developed the capability to overcome any threat, shifting from being perceived as weak to being a strong nation. Singh emphasised India's effective action against cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and its zero-tolerance policy. He mentioned that the joint statement reflects how India has influenced the world's mindset regarding terrorism. Regarding Jammu and Kashmir, Singh noted that the abrogation of Article 370 has connected the region's people with the country's mainstream, promoting peace and progress. The defence minister stressed the importance of coordination with major world powers like the US and Russia to safeguard India's security interests. He highlighted the growth of India-US defence cooperation, including military engagements, information sharing, and collaboration in areas like Artificial Intelligence and cyber security. Singh called for an integrated and united response to global threats and emphasised aligning security concerns with neighbouring countries. He mentioned India's role as a major regional power. He briefly mentioned the General Electric-Hindustan Aeronautics Limited deal to co-produce fighter jet engines in India and addressed speculation about the acquisition of drones from the US, emphasising adherence to established procurement procedures. Singh assured that efforts are being made to equip the military with modern technology and weaponry, ensuring the capability to protect India's borders and seas. Regarding the border situation with China, he described it as a matter of perceptional difference and commended the Indian Army's bravery in preventing attempts to alter the status quo. The defence minister reiterated the government's commitment to peaceful dialogue for resolving the border issue, assuring that India's borders, honour, and self-respect will never be compromised. He mentioned structural reforms undertaken by the government, including the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff and the establishment of theatre commands. Singh called for aligning security concerns with neighbouring countries in India's extended neighbourhood. Sources said that banks are apprehensive about their dues, as there is no clarity on the loan wavier in case another political party takes the state's reins. (Image By Arrangement) HYDERABAD: The state government started crediting Rythu Bandhu funds for the kharif season to farmers accounts on Monday, but the banks adjusted the money against the pending farm loans which the government had not waived despite promising to do so in 2018 during the Assembly polls. Sources said that banks are apprehensive about their dues, as there is no clarity on the loan wavier in case another political party takes the states reins. Therefore, with Assembly elections around five months away, banks are ramping up measures to recover loan arrears. The government is expected to issue another tranche of Rythu Bandhu aid for the rabi season in November, before the polls, as was done in 2018. Banks may take over this instalment also, if the government does not clear the loan waiver issue. On Day 1 of the funds release, the government transferred Rs 642.52 crore to 22.55 lakh farmers who own up to one acre. The land extent for aid release will be increased every day to cover all the farmers in a month. The majority of the farmers who own not more than 10 acres are expected to be covered in 20 days. As per state government data, the state had 70 lakh farmers of whom 47,86,161 are marginal farmers (less than 2.47 acres each), 11,50,339 are small farmers (2.48-4.94 acres), 4,73,387 are semi-medium farmers (4.95-9.88 acres), 84,558 are medium farmers (9.89-24.75 acres) and 5,861 are large farmers holding over 24.76 acres each. Sources said that after the BRS retained power in 2018, the agriculture department submitted to the Chief Minister that 40.66 lakh farmers had borrowed farm loans of at least Rs 1 lakh, amounting to Rs 25,936 crore for the promised waiver. It was later found that 3.98 lakh farmers had availed of multiple loans on family members names and these names were duly deleted. The final report stated that 36.68 lakh farmers who took loans worth Rs 19,198 crore were eligible for crop loan waivers. However, the state government has waived loans of only 5.66 lakh farmers, amounting to Rs 1,207 crore, even after nearly five years. Over 31 lakh farmers who availed of loans of Rs 37,000- Rs 1 lakh are still awaiting relief. Previously, banks had retorted to adjusting Rythu Bandhu aid against loans in 2021, leading to sharp protests from farmers, forcing Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and finance minister T. Harish Rao to hold an emergency meeting with banks and warning them against doing so. However, farmers said that the banks were citing the upcoming Assembly polls for stepping up recoveries. BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. (Photo: Twitter) HYDERABAD: BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Monday left on a two-day trip to Maharashtra along with over 2,000 party leaders in a convoy of over 600 vehicles. While the CM travelled in a bus, the convoy stretched for 6 km behind him. BRS activists put up pink party posters and flags and showered petals on the convoy as it passed on the highway. The CM will attend party programmes in Solapur and hold talks with leaders of various parties who are keen to join the BRS on Tuesday. He will perform pujas in Pandharpur and Tulja Bhavani temples before returning to Hyderabad. This is Rao's fifth visit to Maharashtra since February. Party sources said the BRS membership enrolment in Maharashtra had crossed the 13 lakh mark since the drive was launched on May 19. The party leadership has set a 30-lakh target by July-end. At Dharashiv, local women leaders welcomed the CM by offering with a traditional aarti. The CM had lunch with party leaders and left for Solapur despite the heavy rain. He received a grand welcome in Solapur, with people thronging in large numbers to have a glimpse of Rao, shake his hand and take a selfie. Amid drum beats, the area resonated with slogans hailing Rao as Desh Ki Neta and repeating his chant of 'Ab ki baar kisan sarkar'. Rao briefly rested at a hotel and went to the house of BRS leader Dharmana Mundaya Sadul, a former Congress MP. Sadul, born in a poor Padmashali community family, stays in the area where a large number of community members reside. Their families had migrated from Kannapur village of Karimnagar district. Former BRS leader Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy greets Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after joining the party in New Delhi on Monday. Party leaders Rahul Gandhi, A. Revanth Reddy, K.C. Venugopal and Manikrao Thakre are also seen. DC HYDERABAD: Expressing happiness at the ghar wapsi by several leaders including former BRS leaders Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao who joined the Telangana Congress unit, party leader Rahul Gandhi gave a call for KCR hatao, Telangana bachao. Speaking on the occasion Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said "BRS and BJP are one and the same. Their relation becomes clear by the way they dealt with the case of Kavitha in the Delhi liquor scam." A party statement said, "The winds of change are visible across the country. This started with the Bharat Jodo yatra. Many are enthused by the message of unity." Speaking to the media, Srinivas Reddy said, "The media has been curious about the future course of our political journey. After toying with the idea of even floating a new regional political outfit we decided to join the Congress." He explained that a new outfit would have split anti-Chandrashekar Rao votes and benefited him. "We conducted the three surveys which showed that 80 per cent of the people were against KCR," he said. "The BJP also tried to woo us but we zeroed in on the Congress in deference to the wishes of the people. Many ministers in the KCR Cabinet are not happy as their self-respect has been dented." Stating that power and pelf were not behind his decision, Srinivas Reddy said, "If we wanted to be with the party in power we would have joined the BJP. I know I will have to face problems because of this decision. But I am joining the Congress as per peoples wishes." Krishna Rao, who joined the party from the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district, said, "We had resigned many times during the statehood struggle. We hoped that the wishes of the people would be fulfilled. But new schemes are being launched only with an eye on the elections. There is corruption even in the construction of martyrs memorial. The BRS has lost the right to rule." While Srinivas Reddy will formally join the party in Khammam on July 2 in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Krishna Rao will do so either on July 14 or 16 by holding a public meeting in Mahbubnagar, which is likely to be attended by Priyanka Gandhi. TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy said, "We will release the manifesto on July 2 in Khammam. The meeting will be attended by Rahul Gandhi and Kharge. The bond between the BJP and BRS is strong and they are likely to fight the next elections together." Speaking to the media later, Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said, "Rao is criticising the Congress in Maharashtra where we are not in power. Even Sharad Pawar has said that BRS and BJP are together. BJPs Delhi leaders had said Kavitha is involved in the liquor scam but she is yet to be arrested. This exposes their double-standards." Welcoming the new entrants into the party fold was Lok Sabha member N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Mulugu MLA Danasari Seethakka and senior leader K. Jana Reddy. Edtech major Byju's has committed its investor to close the long-pending audit of the financial year 2022 by September and fiscal year 2023 by December, according to sources aware of the development. In a call with shareholders on Saturday, Byju's CEO Byju Raveendran admitted his past mistakes and assured shareholders that his learnings far outweigh any missteps. During the call, Raveendran acknowledged the resignation of board members but said that the company has not yet accepted them and information about their resignation was leaked out prematurely. "Byju Raveendran introduced Group CFO Ajay Goel on the call. Goel has committed to close the audit of financial year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 by September and December respectively," a person who attended the call told PTI. Also Read: Byju's in talks with investors who quit board to reconsider Audit firm Deloitte has resigned as auditors of Byju's citing a delay in submitting financial statements while almost simultaneously three of its board members resigned which indicated the deepening of the crisis at edutech decacorn. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, which was slated to audit Byju's until 2025, stepped down with "immediate effect" mid-term stating that "the financial statements of the company are long delayed." Byju's board members, including GV Ravishankar, MD of early-backer Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Russell Dreisenstock of Prosus and Chan Zuckerberg's Vivian Wu resigned and sources said that they were also on the call. All three members on the call said that the resignation of auditors and their resignations were unrelated, another source said. Byju's General Counsel Roshan Thomas updated board members on the $1 billion Term Loan B dispute. "Roshan provided an update on the TLB, mentioning that constructive negotiations are ongoing, and the company is hopeful for a quick resolution. He said that further updates will be shared with the shareholders as more information becomes available," the source said. Raveendran during the call updated shareholders that despite the challenges faced, most business verticals are performing well. "Raveendra during the call highlighted his personal investments in the company, including $400 million in the parent company, $250 million for the Aakash acquisition, and an additional $250 million through pledged secondary shares for the last funding round," the source said. Reassuring the Board and shareholders, Byju Raveendran conveyed his conviction that, despite the challenges faced over the past year, the newly appointed CFO, along with the Group Counsel (GC), is steadfastly focused on strengthening all operational processes within the organization. He also mentioned that all the secondaries done have been invested back in the company at $22 billion valuation. An email query sent to Byju's on the details of the call elicited no reply. Indias leading IT consultancy Infosys has signed a deal with Danske Bank worth $454 million under which the tech giant will provide IT support to the Nordic bank and will also buy its support centre in India which employs 1,400 people. As per a press statement, the deal is for a period of five years, which can be extended for another year a maximum of three times. The transactions are expected to be completed by the second quarter of the next financial year, subject to customary closing conditions. Also Read | Infosys announces AI-first offering Topaz to accelerate business value for global enterprises The bank is aiming to leverage Infosys technical expertise to enhance customer experiences, operational excellence, and achieve a modernized technology landscape, which would be powered by next-gen solutions, including artificial intelligence, Infosys noted in a statement. The IT giants AI solutions will be powered by Infosys Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms, experience design and services that support operations. We have a strong starting point, and we want to further accelerate our digital and technology transformation. Infosys has the tools, experience, and expertise to support us in accelerating our transformation using cloud and AI technologies. Given Infosys global presence and scale, this collaboration will also give us access to wider talent pools and capabilities, Frans Woelders, Chief Operating Officer, Danske Bank, said. Indian IT service providers are turning to the European market in response to the economic slowdown globally. Infosys bagged over 25 per cent of its revenue in FY23 from the region, where it is competing with other leading companies like TCS, which last week signed a $1.1 billion deal with Nest, UK's largest workplace pension scheme. Vladimir Putin managed to avert an attack on Moscow with an eleventh-hour deal with his mutinous mercenary commander. But the uprising has pierced his aura of total political control over Russia unlike any other event in his nearly quarter century in power. Insiders in Moscow were stunned that hed ignored repeated warnings that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was preparing to bring convoys of heavily armed fighters to the capital. Instead, the Russian leader allowed them to get so close authorities had to deploy tanks and troops in defense. Thats fueled once-unthinkable doubts about his legendary command of the country. US and European officials privately described the 24-hour uprising advance indications of which their intelligence also picked up as an unprecedented challenge to the 70-year-old presidents control. The murky deal that allowed Prigozhin and his men to leave without consequences is unlikely to mark the end of the tensions, they warned. Read | Short-lived mutiny in Russia sheds light on Putins hold on power Seventeen months into a war that was supposed to last days, the turmoil has laid bare how the struggling invasion has shattered the appearance of stability that Putin has worked for years to create. A longtime protege whod risen to prominence catering Kremlin events, Prigozhin mounted the first military challenge to a Russian president since 1993, a dark omen in a country where failed wars have repeatedly led to bloody ends for leaders who started them. This is the biggest public failure in Putins entire political career, said Ekaterina Schulmann, a Russian political scientist currently based in Berlin. Prigozhins mutiny shows how fragile the Russian political regime really is. Both Putin and Russia will likely come out of the crisis weaker, according to one confidential European intelligence assessment, sharing the view that it will be seen as his personal failing. But others among Kyivs partners were more cautious. They worried that the upheaval may strengthen the hand of the hardliners who want to step up the war effort or make Putin more unpredictable as he cracks down further at home on those seen to be disloyal. US and European capitals told officials to keep their public statements cautious amid the uncertainty. Putin worked the phones over the weekend to reassure his allies. Russia sent a diplomat to China, which has stood by Putin through the war, to explain the events of June 24, in the euphemism of the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Beijings account of the meeting didnt even mention the uprising. To be sure, Putin has survived past threats to his authority, facing down public protests, economic crises and pressure from abroad. For the moment, theres no sign of immediate challenge to his control. But as the Kremlin prepares for elections next year that will keep Putin in office until 2030, doubts about his political invincibility are growing. Tensions within the Russian elite over the stumbling war effort have been on the rise for months, according to people familiar with the situation. Rival camps have emerged, they said, with some pushing for a far more aggressive pursuit of the campaign, while others hope for a quick settlement to limit the damage to Russia. Putins efforts to balance between the two are getting more difficult, the people said. The Russian president had been confident that he could manage the ambitions of a man who once served him soup, according to people close to the leadership. Prigozhins combat-hardened troops could deliver on battlefields where Putins army failed and his expletive-laced public attacks on top commanders kept up the pressure on the underperforming military brass. But as the war effort struggled, Prigozhins reach grew thanks to a flood of funding and support from the Kremlin. His seemingly straight talk in social media won over many ordinary Russians tired of official propaganda. More importantly, he tapped into a deep vein of support among influential hardliners in the security and government elite. They worried Putin and many other top officials werent committed enough to achieving victory in Ukraine and might settle for a cease-fire, the people said. Prigozhins critiques never spread from social media into the state-run outlets that determine broader public views. In society, theres a desire for this to be over sooner, said Denis Volkov, a sociologist at the independent Levada Center. Inside the Kremlin, fears about Prigozhins expanding influence grew, but Putin dismissed the warnings that he was preparing to mount an armed challenge, the people said. It was Putins belated effort to rein Prigozhin in that triggered the crisis, these people said, when officials earlier this month ordered his Wagner fighters to sign up with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Used to resolving conflicts man-to-man, Prigozhin took his fighters to demand an audience in the Kremlin. They wanted to disband Wagner, Prigozhin said on Telegram Saturday. Under the deal to end the uprising, brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Russian ally, Putin agreed to personally guarantee the mercenary could leave the country and lifted all criminal charges from his fighters. Crowds cheered as Prigozhin left Rostov-on-Don late Saturday with his fighters, according to video from the scene. They had to make a deal, said Sergei Markov, a political consultant with close ties to the government. One senior Putin loyalist joked Sunday that he and his staff had been preparing to defend their offices in downtown Moscow a day before but were shocked that Prigozhin and his men were allowed to leave without consequences. That, he said, left him wondering whether the president really knows what hes doing. As armored vehicles were still leaving the streets of Moscow and other cities over the weekend, the Kremlin sought to appear calm. A government ministry recommended journalists be given the day off on Monday after the emotional and tense weekend. But Putin seemed to address those like Prigozhin who questioned his commitment to the war effort in comments shown on state TV Sunday. He told the reporter in an interview recorded before the uprising that the invasion gets all his attention. The day starts with it and ends with it, he said. Around the clock. A day after a Sikh shopkeeper was killed at Peshawar in Pakistan, New Delhi has lodged a protest with the neighbouring countrys government over targeting of the minority community there. A senior diplomat of the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs, where the officials conveyed to him that India had taken serious note of the incidents of attacks on the minority communities in the neighbouring country, including the Sikhs. New Delhi noted that at least four incidents of attacks on Sikhs in Pakistan had taken place between April and June this year. Also Read | Sikh man shot dead by unknown gunmen in Pakistan's Peshawar city; suspects arrested A 35-year-old Sikh, Manmohan Singh, was shot dead in Peshawar when he was returning home from his shop in the northwestern city of Pakistan. Earlier, another Sikh had survived a similar attack in the same city. The Islamic State, a terrorist organisation, claimed responsibility for both attacks, stating that the victims had been targeted as they practised a polytheistic religion. Two other Sikh businessmen were killed at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan in May last year. Islamabad too on Saturday lodged a protest with New Delhi alleging that the violation of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) by the Indian Army personnel resulted in the death of two civilians in Pakistan. That was the first time one of the two nations alleged violation of the 2003 ceasefire along the LoC after they in February 2021 reached an agreement to strictly abide by it and not to flout it. The Indian Army, however, stated that its soldiers had foiled an infiltration attempt by three armed intruders from Pakistan. New Delhis acting envoy to Islamabad was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Pakistan and a strong protest was conveyed to him over the alleged violation of ceasefire by the armed forces of India. The Indian Army, however, stated that its soldiers had foiled an infiltration attempt by three armed intruders from Pakistan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the controversial Armed Forces Special Power Act will be removed from Jammu & Kashmir once permanent peace returns to the Union Territory while asserting that in case of a need India wont hesitate to take action against the terrorists across the border. Addressing a security conclave in Jammu, he said, The AFSPA has been removed from large parts of the Northeast. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will come in Jammu & Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here, too. The defence minister, however, didnt give any timeline for the removal of the AFSPA from J&K. Read | No final call by Centre on removal of Army from Kashmir Valley In 2011, when Omar Abdullah was chief minister of the erstwhile state of J&K, he had pitched for the withdrawal of the contentious law. Then-Union home minister P Chidambaram found nothing wrong with Omars move to remove the AFSPA. However, then-defence minister A K Antony had differed with Omar and Chidambaram over the issue saying there should be no hasty decision on the AFSPA removal. Territorial sovereignty On the security scenario near Indias disputed boundary with China, Singh without naming the communist country said India would never compromise any change in its territorial sovereignty. Rejecting contentions on India facing major challenges near the LAC, he said Beijing breached the agreed protocols between the two countries in the Galwan Valley and intruded, but brave Indian soldiers defeated their designs. Read | AFSPA is only an enabling law in a Disturbed Area Referring to surgical strikes carried out across the border in 2016 and the Balakot air strike in 2019, Singh said the Modi government took major action against terrorism. Bharat ab pehle jaisa Bharat nahi raha. Bharat takatwar banta jaa raha hai. Zaroorat padi to Bharat seema ke iss par bhi maar sakta hai aur zaroorat padi toh uss paar bhi jaa sakta hai (India is not the same as it used to be. It is getting more powerful. If needed, India can hit on this side of the border and can go across the border as well), he said. The Jammu conclave is being dubbed as a totally non-political event by J&K BJP, which is organising it as a part of the partys month-long Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan to mark the completion of nine years of the Modi government. Zero tolerance Without naming Pakistan, he said that the countries using terrorism as their state policy would not succeed in their nefarious designs. Terrorists and their supporters should now understand that terrorism is unacceptable by India, Singh said. India has zero tolerance against terrorism. Pakistan should put its house in order first rather than sponsoring terror from its territory. The terrorism networks, terrorism funding, supply of drugs and arms and over and underground terrorism has been dismantled in J&K, Singh said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday called for united efforts to create a drug-free world. In a tweet on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Vijayan said, "Let's remember that treatment, prevention and compassion are crucial in our journey towards a drug-free world." As we observe the #InternationalDayAgainstDrugAbuse and Illicit Trafficking, let's remember that treatment, prevention, and compassion are crucial in our journey towards a drug-free world. Together, let's break the chains of addiction and offer hope to those in need. Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) June 26, 2023 "Together, let's break the chains of addiction and offer hope to those in need," he said. Also Read | After Youtuber's arrest, Kerala govt warns stern legal action against misleading social media content Kerala had recently launched a crackdown on drug mafia operating in the state, targeting its youth. A survey conducted by the Kerala police a few months ago among those below the age of 21 years, who were victims of substance abuse revealed that 40 per cent of them were below the age of 18. What is more frightening is that a majority of them were girls, and after falling prey to the drug cartels, they were being used as carriers, it had said. Also Read | Heroin worth Rs 17 crore seized, two held in Mizoram It was in December 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Supported each year by individuals, communities and various organisations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. A 94-year-old woman and a man aged 56 were found dead on Monday in the debris of a ground-plus-three storey building which collapsed in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai the previous day, a civic official said. A portion of the building located in Chittaranjan Nagar of Rajawadi Colony in suburban Ghatkopar collapsed at around 9.30 am on Sunday. Also Read | Jamnagar building collapse: 4 rescued, 8-10 people feared trapped Later, three persons were safely rescued and efforts were underway to bring out two persons trapped there, the official said. While removing the debris, fire personnel found two persons on Monday. They were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them "brought dead," he said. The deceased have been identified as Alka Mahadev Palande (94) and Naresh Palande (56), the official said. After the incident on Sunday, fire brigade, police, civic personnel and a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work. In another incident on Sunday, a 70-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman died and two persons were injured after a part of the balcony of a building collapsed in Vile Parle area here. Mumbai and its suburbs have been receiving moderate to heavy rains since Saturday. English edition of Revista Espanola de Defensa Number 13 The participation of the Armed Forces in the evacuation of citizens in Sudan and the appointment of a Spanish general at the head of the NATO mission in Iraq are the cover themes of number 13 of the English edition of the Revista Espanola de Defensa. The two operations that have enabled the rescue of 266 civilians trapped in the Sudanese conflict, the first by air, and the second by sea, using the Reina Sofia frigate, are reported. In Iraq, General Jose Antonio Aguero will lead the NMI mission for a year, whose objective is to help build security institutions to stabilize the country and fight terrorism. This issue also includes the visit to Madrid by the Ukrainian defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, in which new support measures for the country attacked by Russia were agreed. In an interview, General Francisco Martinez Lozano, commander of Toledo Training Coordination Center, talks about the training of the Ukrainian military in Spain. The Revista also includes the extensive presence of Spanish units in deterrence and defense missions on NATO's eastern flank. In addition, attention is paid to the Swift Response exercise, led for the first time by a non-US division, the Army's Castillejos. In addition, FEINDEF 23, the third edition of the International Defense and Security Fair, which brought together 25,000 professionals in Madrid, and the presentation of the contract for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS/NWGS) program in the Spanish capital, are also reported. Hong Kong: Zhejiang, HK sign co-operation pacts Chief Executive John Lee today attended the opening ceremony of Hong Kong & Macau Zhejiang Week & Zhejiang and Hong Kong Cooperation Theme Forum 2023 held in Hong Kong. At the ceremony, Mr Lee and Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee Yi Lianhong witnessed the signing of co-operation agreements between Zhejiang and Hong Kong for promoting complementarity and achieving high-quality development of the two places. Hong Kong and Zhejiang reached consensus on 12 mutual co-operation areas. They are finance; innovation and technology; trade and investment; aviation; education; youth exchange; culture and tourism, exchange of talents and civil servants; health, hygiene and Chinese medicine; environmental protection; facilitation for Hong Kong people in the Mainland; and legal and dispute resolution. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Vice Governor of Zhejiang People's Government Lu Shan signed the Co-operation Agreement between the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province. Additionally, agreements were signed by relevant government departments and an organisation of both places for collaboration on education, investment promotion activities and the development of equine sports. Noting that Hong Kong is a promoter of domestic and international dual cycles and possesses the unique advantage of "one country, two systems", Mr Lee stressed that both sides would jointly contribute to the development of the country through further co-operation. This story has been published on: 2023-06-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. HANGZHOU -- Anji, a small county in East China's Zhejiang province with a permanent population of about 590,000, receives over 28 million tourists every year. There are more than 300 coffee shops there, which in terms of population density has surpassed that of Shanghai. "A cup of coffee bridges the gap between the big city and small county," said Han Jie, a Shanghai tourist who temporarily "escaped" the metropolis and came to Anji over the weekend. In Zhejiang, an escalating number of coffeehouse owners and baristas are venturing into rural areas to meet the demands of a growing population of young and adventurous coffee enthusiasts. As a haven for urbanites seeking spiritual rejuvenation, where can cafes be opened? In Anji, the answer is mountains, fields, lakes, waterfalls, forests and mines. Deep in the bamboo forests of Penghu Village in Anji lies Waterfall Coffee, a captivating cafe that has gained popularity among social media influencers. Visitors can not only savor pour-over coffee on the cliff terrace at an altitude of nearly 600 meters halfway up the mountain while feasting their eyes on the waterfall and distant lush mountains, but also enjoy boating in the company of black swans on the serene lake, or set up camps in a grassy field located near the hilltop with an excellent view. "We sell 400 cups of coffee a day on holidays, and on weekdays, more than 100 cups are sold," a staffer at the cafe said. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which planned to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. After two decades of relentless effort, Anji, the birthplace of the idea "clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver," is now successfully transforming its ecological advantage into tangible wealth. The Deep Blue Coffeehouse, located on an abandoned mine near a natural lake in Hongmiao Village of Anji, has been transformed by a dedicated young team. It has now become a captivating scenic spot that attracts numerous visitors and prompts them to share their experiences on social media. The outdoor cafe has received 350,000 tourists in less than a year, with the highest daily number of visitors hitting 8,000 people. It has generated more than 6 million yuan (about $835,700) of revenue for the village. Cheng Shuoqin, owner of the coffee shop, and his team of college students were well prepared for the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. "This year, nearly 30,000 people came to our cafe during the May Day holiday, and thousands of cups of coffee were sold on May 1," Cheng said. "We are making efforts to expedite the development of more scenic spots and on-site experiential activities." The small coffee shop has ignited a sense of vitality in the rural economy of Hongmiao Village, prompting an enterprising team of university students to collaborate with the local government in organizing a startup fair, with the aim of attracting hundreds of university graduates to embark on entrepreneurial ventures in the village. Efforts to build aesthetically pleasing villages are improving rural settlements, infrastructure, public services, culture and governance. This has attracted young innovators and entrepreneurs and facilitated the implementation of new ideas, technologies and projects, thereby fostering rural revitalization with remarkable breakthroughs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high level meeting, with a likely focus on the prevailing situation in Manipur, with Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Puri in attendance. Sources in the Prime Minister's Office have refused to comment on the meeting, however it is being speculated that Shah has briefed Modi about the Manipur situation as well as on the all-party meeting convened on June 24. The meeting took place within 12 hours of the Prime Minister returning to India after his state visits to the US and Egypt. It comes amid the Oppositions accusations that the BJP governments at the Centre and in Manipur failed miserably in handling ethinic violence. Since the violence broke out on May 3, over 100 people have died, with more than 300 others injured. Some 50,000 people have also been displaced as a result of the conflict. 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. A man has been told at Derry Magistrate's Court that 'no contact means no contact'. Christopher Burke (18) of St Brecan's Park in Derry appeared charged with breaching his bail by having contact with a woman he was not supposed to contact. The court heard that during the Belsonic music festival in Belfast a female was observed being held by Burke. This it turned out to be the alleged victim in a case that Burke is charged with assaulting. She said he had approached her. Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that the pair 'just happened to be at the same festival' and his client had tried to talk to her. The solicitor said that he 'shouldn't have done it'. District Judge Ted Magill told the defendant that if he had any contact with the woman he would be going to prison. The case was adjourned until July 27. Derry politicians are among those coming out against 'intimidation' and 'threats' against prison officers and the PSNI after a republican group removed a Prison Service recruitment poster. A video on social media released by Lasair Dhearg shows the group removing the poster from a Derry bus stop and putting up anti-prison service flyers. Leaders of several of the North's political parties released a joint statement opposing the action. The joint statement was released by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie and Colum Eastwood, leader of the SDLP. "We are aware of video footage showing individuals removing prison service recruitment advertisements and posting anti-PSNI posters, the statement said. "We offer our full support to all those working within these services, and to the recruitment process underway within the Prison Service. "There can be no place for those who engage in threats or intimidation towards those who serve the community as prison officers or within the PSNI. The party leaders said the group and any groups engaging in such tactics do not speak for the people they represent. "We encourage everyone in our society to consider the PSNI and the NI Prison Service as valuable career opportunities," it concluded. Lasair Dhearg, released a video of the removal along with a statement stating its opposition to the 'normalisation of these types of jobs' in 'Republican districts'. The video was uploaded on Thursday, June 15 and has been viewed 37,000 times. 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. The Prison service has played an integral role in the suppression of republicanism and its volunteers. This community knows that British imperialism is a well-oiled machine. Outside of prisons British forces were charged with breaking the bodies of Republicans and on the inside Prison Officers were tasked with breaking the mind. Foyle MLA Gary Middleton condemned the group. 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 DUP MLA said. 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. Unfortunately in recent years we have seen the threat faced by both Prison Service and PSNI staff with attacks directly against them. It is vital that we send a clear message from across the community that we value all those who work to keep us safe. These are career paths which should be considered by everyone and we must send out that message clearly. A Sinn Fein representative told this paper the partys 'support for the Prison Service and the PSNI is unequivocal'. The joint statement people want to hear is that the DUP have returned to the Executive so we can deliver for the prison service, for the police service, for health and education and for all the public services on the verge of collapse because of the DUP blockade, it said. As party leaders, we need to call out all forms of hatred and intimidation whether thats threats to Michael Long and party colleagues, sectarian and Nazi displays at loyalist bonfires or the destruction of prison service posters in Derry. Vice-Chairperson of Lasair Dhearg Padraic MacCoitir, a Republican and ex-Prisoner, said Sinn Fein should directly come out in support of the action. Sinn Fein should now join the chorus of condemnation of the so-called Prison Service and support the removal of British state recruitment posters, in Republican and Nationalist areas, he said. It is clear that the party is keenly aware that this is a serious issue within the Republican and Nationalist community. Indeed, much of their support base and many of their members have first hand experience of the British prison system and the effects that it continues to have within our communities. That system remains guilty of the attempted criminalisation and torture of Republican prisoners in the here and now. From controlled movement, segregation, denial of visits, denial of healthcare, to sexual assault through forced strip searches, Britains prison regime today continues to mete out the horrors of an unchanged system. A domestic abuse survivor who was strangled until she lost consciousness has welcomed the creation of non-fatal strangulation as specific criminal offence. The woman, who is known as Alice to protect her anonymity, spoke about the terror she felt as she lost consciousness, fearing she would die and her child would find her body. She suffered escalating violence, particularly of a sexual nature, and was left covered in bruises on three occasions. Alice was twice strangled into submission before contacting police in 2020. Earlier this year, her former husband was sentenced to six years in custody, three on licence. She described how the second time she was strangled to the point where she blacked out, she lost control of her bladder and bowels. When I was strangled the second time the noticeable increase in velocity and severity of the violence was the reason I reported it to the police, she said. I was strangled the second time to the point where I blacked out, lost control of my bladder and bowels and honestly felt I was going to die. My face was covered in petechiae from reflecting the immense pressure with which I was strangled, and I was swollen and puffy and also black and blue from bruises and bites. While I was being strangled (and afterwards), all I could think about was my child finding my dead body. The very possibility of this situation being reality is something I think about every day. This has had a long lasting impact on not just me, but my entire family. When I contacted the police I felt respected, heard. My instinct that night was like fight or flight I wanted to survive. Alice has welcomed that from Monday non-fatal strangulation is a specific offence as part of the Justice (Sexual offences & trafficking victims) Act (NI) 2022. Those convicted could face up to 14 years in prison. Strangulation could end someones life. Im pleased that the punishment now fits the crime in these cases, she said. This legislation takes into consideration the total paralysing fear a victim will experience and how close they have come to death. Strangulation is a demonstration of control, not a loss of it. Before this legislation, police officers would have to provide evidence of intent to commit an indictable offence. Now anything that does or could restrict someones breathing in any way is an offence. According to police figures, over the last 10 years January 2013 to December 2022 there were nearly 164,000 domestic abuse offences recorded. In the same time frame, seven people (six women and one man) in Northern Ireland were strangled to death. Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said on average between 10-12% domestic abuse victims who come forward to police have experienced non-fatal strangulation. Non-fatal strangulation, can very quickly turn fatal. This change in legislation is very much welcomed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland as a stronger tool in the armoury that we use to support victims and save lives, she said. The PSNI has trained 1,560 officers in the new legislation and will work in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service to train prosecuting judges and legal teams to better understand the severity of non-fatal strangulation. Ms Fisher added: It is common for strangulation to leave no visible signs of injury and consequences can be delayed by days or weeks. These include stroke, cardiac arrest, miscarriage, incontinence, seizures, memory loss and long-term brain injury. Sarah Mason, chief executive of Womens Aid Federation NI, described non-fatal strangulation as the ultimate act of control by a perpetrator to exert power and to instil fear. It a lethal form of assault very common within cases of domestic abuse, therefore making it very gendered in nature with the majority of victims of this crime being women, she said. Womens Aid are glad to see this much needed change to legislation in NI. It is important that all organisations not just those within the criminal justice sector understand the high risk indicators there are for non-fatal strangulation survivors and the link there is to domestic homicide. Richard Pengelly, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice, welcomed the new legislation as providing greater protection for victims. This crime can affect anyone and can occur in a number of circumstances. However, there are those who use strangulation and asphyxiation to exert control and fear in others, including in cases of domestic abuse, he said. No matter the circumstances for this behaviour occurring and whether harm is intended or not, the consequences can be far reaching. In recognition of the serious harm it causes, this new offence carries greater penalties than were previously available and today marks another step forward in making our community safer. The majority of people across the UK oppose the Governments controversial Bill to deal with Northern Irelands troubled past, Amnesty International has said. The Bill proposes an effective amnesty from prosecution for Troubles-related offences in exchange for co-operation with a truth retrieval body. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict. Amnesty commissioned Savanta to carry out a UK-wide poll which indicates that nine in 10 adults believe people should still be prosecuted for serious crimes, even if they were committed decades ago, while only 6% say they should not. The Bill, which is expected to become law next month, will be under consideration by the House of Lords this week. Amnesty has strongly urged peers to reject the Bill, and is calling for Parliament to throw the Bill out. Findings from the poll include that seven in 10 (68%) of UK adults said people accused of serious crimes, such as murder, should not be able to receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the crimes, while only one in five (19%) say they should and 13% said they didnt know. Two thirds (65%) of UK adults said victims and/or the families of victims of serious crimes, such as murder, should have access to an independent inquest. Nine in 10 (87%) UK adults say that people should still be prosecuted for serious crimes, such as murder, even if they were committed decades ago, while only 6% say they should not (7% didnt know). More than half (53%) of UK adults say that those accused of killings in relation to The Troubles, should not be able to receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the crimes, while only one in five (22%) say they should (25% didnt know). It also found that six in 10 (58%) Conservative voters said that those accused of killings in relation to The Troubles, should not be able to receive immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information about the crimes. Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UKs Northern Ireland deputy director, said the findings could not be clearer. The majority of the UK public is opposed to this bill. It is out of step with victims, out of step with the Governments own electorate and as this poll shows at odds with public opinion across the UK, she said. These morally repugnant plans are an affront to decency, human rights and the rule of law and must be scrapped. The Government has continued to ignore widespread concern from the UN, Council of Europe bodies, US Congress, Irish Parliament, Amnesty and many others. If they push this Bill through, they will also now be ignoring their own voters. These figures must give the Government pause it is, quite frankly, reckless to proceed with a Bill so strongly opposed. Ms Teggart said Parliament has a significant decision to make in the weeks ahead. Will they stand with victims, or will they join the UK government in this act of betrayal and sacrifice victims rights to protect perpetrators, she said. Savanta interviewed 2,171 UK adults aged 18 and over online between June 16-18, 2023. Data were weighted to be representative of England, Scotland and Wales by age, sex, region and social grade. The survey also took into account peoples voting habits. By Aparna Tathod, Softnautics a MosChip Company Nowadays, Containers has become a leading CICD deployment technique. By employing appropriate connections with Source Code Management systems (SCM) like GIT, Jenkins is able to start a build procedure each time a developer contributes his code. This method makes all environments accessible to new Docker container images that are generated. Using these images, it allows for quicker application development, sharing, and deployment by groups. The Global CICD tool market is expected to see significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 57.38% from 2023 to 2029, according to the report published by market intelligence data research. Docker containers help developers in creating and conducting tests for their code in any circumstance to find flaws early in the life cycle of an application. It speeds up the process, reduces build time, and enable engineers to perform tests concurrently. Also, it can be integrated with tools like Jenkins and SCM platforms, e.g., GitHub. Developers upload their code to GitHub, test it using Jenkins, and then create an image utilizing that code. To address inconsistencies between various environment types, this image can be added to the Docker registry. QA automation faces an issue when configuring Jenkins to execute automated testing within Docker containers and retrieve the results. The best approach for automating the testing procedure in CI/CD will be explored in this article ahead. Continuous Integration (CI) Each commit a developer makes to a code repository is automatically verified using a process called continuous integration. In most cases, validating the code entails constructing and testing it. Keep in mind that tests must be completed quickly. That is due to the developer's need for prompt feedback on his changes. As a result, CI typically includes fake unit and/or integration tests. Continuous Delivery (CD) Continuous Delivery is a routine method for automatically releasing validated build artefacts. After the code is built, integrated, tested, and passed, it is now appropriate to make build artefacts available. Naturally, a release must undergo testing before being deemed stable. As a result, we want to do release acceptance tests. Human and automated acceptance testing is available. There are numerous considerations to remember: Depending on the application, a MySQL database may be required A method for determining whether automated tests are executed within a Success/Fail test cycle is required. Further stats may be needed. There must be a complete shutdown and removal of all containers built during a test run Why to use containers? Containers allow one to easily deploy code on multiple servers without purchasing additional hardware. Instead of purchasing two servers, you can deploy the code on a single server from a container. This reduces costs and makes scaling easier. Therefore, if a code only needs 1GB RAM but the server has 32GB, you waste the remaining 31GB of hardware. The idea of hardware virtualization was developed to prevent wastage. However, there is still another waste: the code might not always use all RAM or CPU. Only 30% of the system's resources will be used more than 90% of the time. Containerization was introduced to help with this as well. Containerization leverages underutilised system resources and shares hardware resources. Jenkins automates the CI/CD process. The question arises as to where to do the continuous delivery? So, this problem of where to do delivery is solved by container, server or virtual machine. Understanding the Container lifecycle The base image is present in the container registry. An appropriate base image selection is the first step in docker life cycle. The required base image is selected from the container registry. Docker-file is written by a user to create a new image for the application using the base image. Add the required packages and application dependencies layered on the image. An account or own container registry is created by user for storing built images. A new fresh image is created using docker-file and pushed to the container registry. With newly built image, run a container to test the application. Once the task is complete, stop and delete the container. If any modifications are made in application inside the running container and the process demands all the modifications, then another image of the currently operating container is to be created. A new image is created with a commit command. This image is pushed to the container registry for further processing. Container lifecycle How the process works? The initial step is to run a Docker container that will execute automated tests and deliver test results and an overall code completeness report. Use the dockerize function to wait for an application to get started, if your tests rely on another service, such as a database, to be accessible. Integrating dependencies An application can be made up of many containers that run various services (e.g., application, related database). Manually starting and managing containers can be time-consuming, so docker developed a useful tool to help speed up the process: Docker Compose. Performing the automated tests Its time to start a Jenkins project! Use the "Freestyle project type. Add a build step labelled Execute shell after that. For accurately referencing containers, it is essential to mention the project name to differentiate test containers from others on the same host. We can monitor the log file results from container hosting tests to determine when tests have truly finished running. Diagram Automated testing with container in continuous delivery The following are the benefits of using containers for automation and QA. Containerization improves SDLC effectiveness and speed, which benefits businesses Because deployments are carried out in containers, it operates faster than Jenkins or any other tool. This makes it possible to deploy the same containers to various locations at once, which is incredibly quick as it leverages the Linux kernel. Due to the isolation provided by each container, maintaining tests and environments is simpler. The other containers won't be impacted by a mistake in one of the containers. There is no requirement to pre-allocate RAM to containers because containers provide a predictable and repeatable testing environment. The host operating system or the device that hosts the Docker image runs the containers. The ability to keep the majority of application dependencies and configuration information inside a container reduces environmental variables. Continuous integration ensures application consistency during testing and production as it is done in parallel with testing. Running new applications or automation suites in new containers is simple. If a problem arises, testers can send photographs instead of bug reports to developers (in this case, an image of the programme, possibly even at the time a test failed). To address the issue, multiple developers can work simultaneously on debugging it. This is made possible by creating 'n' number of containers using the same image, allowing efficient collaboration among the development team. The duplication process can be easily performed. Early reports of glitches and problematic alterations Automating repetitive manual test case execution QA engineers can conduct more exploratory testing. Conclusion: The adoption of containerized testing and the integration of Jenkins into the CI/CD process has revolutionized QA automation testing. By leveraging containers, developers can create and execute tests in any environment, leading to early flaw detection and faster application development. About the Author Aparna Tathod is a Senior Automation Engineer at Softnautics a MosChip Company and has 6+ years' experience as a DevOps Engineer. She has worked on AWS cloud, Docker, Kubernetes, Prometheus, Grafana, Linux, Python, QA, and automation projects. She is passionate about finding the root cause of complex issues. If you wish to download a copy of this white paper, click here Tanaiste attends Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg Press release On 26 June, Micheal Martin TD, the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, will attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. Foreign Ministers will discuss the latest developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and will also hold a discussion with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The Council will also consider how to develop EU relations with the Latin American and Caribbean region, and the EUs approach to digital diplomacy. The Council will also discuss Current Affairs items including the situation in Tunisia, events in Kosovo, and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Speaking ahead of the discussion on Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Tanaiste said: There have been a number of high-profile developments in recent days, so this discussion is timely. We must remain focused on our support for Ukraine and I am glad that agreement has finally been reached on an 11th package of sanctions in response to Russias illegal invasion. This package will strengthen the implementation of our sanctions, helping to curtail circumvention. Referring to discussion regarding the Latin American and Caribbean region, the Tanaiste stated: Countries in Latin American and the Caribbean can be vital allies in the EUs efforts to protect the United Nations charter and promote a peaceful, rules-based international order. I look forward to taking stock of EU relations with this dynamic region, ahead of the Taoiseachs attendance at the EU-CELAC summit on the 17th and 18th of July. ENDS Press Office 26 June 2023 Previous Item | Next Item Amazon India has a massive catalogue of 5G smartphones, but it may take a lot of work to sieve through to find the one that best fits your bill. Lets make that easy for you with this list. These are the most affordable 5G-powered smartphones on the platform that you may consider if you have a tight budget. Best 5G smartphones under 20,000 You can buy the base variant of Lava Blaze 5G on Amazon at 10,999. This is after a 27% discount. Although the base memory may seem less, you get up to an 11GB virtual RAM expansion option. The device comes in Glass Green and Glass Blue colours, both of which appear fresh to the eyes. The phone has got a very basic design with a waterdrop notch on the front. It is running on MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset with support for 5G bands like n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n41, n77, and n78. It also offers anonymous call recording, 2K video recording, a 90Hz display, and a 5000mAh battery. Samsung Galaxy M33 5Gs 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is available at 16,999 after a 35% discount. This one too supports major 5G bands like n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n66, n38, n40, n41, and n78. Other highlights include a 6000mAh battery, a 50+8+2+2 MP quartet, OneUI software and Samsungs brand value. OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5Gs 6GB RAM+128GB storage model is one of the bestselling 5G phones on Amazon. After a 10% discount, you can grab this OnePlus phone for 17,999. You can further avail of a bank discount of 500 and an exchange discount of 4000, and the final price becomes 13,499. The phone rocks Oxygen OS, a 64MP triple rear camera setup, and a 120Hz display. It is equipped with Snapdragon 695 chip and 5G bands like n1, n28A, n41, n77, and n78. Also Read: OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G Review: Shines in some areas, falters in some 4. Redmi K50i 5G (6+128GB) Redmi K50i, after 5000 exchange discount, and 2,000 bank discount, will be available on Amazon for 18,999. It is powered by a 5nm MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC, coupled with LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 storage, and support for 5G bands like n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28A, n38, n40, n41, n77, and n78. The phone has also got a 144Hz refresh rate AMOLED display, a 64MP triple rear camera setup, and a 5080mAh battery with 67W charging. Also Read: Redmi K50i Review: Performance Without Panache At 13,999, iQOO Z6 Lite 5G is one of the good smartphone deals you can grab today on Amazon. Note that this is after a bank discount of 1,500 and an 18% flat discount on the original price. You get support for the most sought-after C-band frequency, which includes the n77 and n78 5G bands. This is also armed with Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor, a 120Hz panel, a 50MP main camera, and a 5000mAh battery. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday demanded the resignation of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, over the incident of robbery in the Pragati Maidan area. Arvind Kejriwal on Monday demanded the resignation of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, over the incident of robbery in which a delivery agent was allegedly robbed of Rs two lakh at gunpoint by bike-borne assailants in the Pragati Maidan area. "LG should resign. Make way for someone who can provide safety and security to the people of Delhi. If the Central government is unable to make Delhi safe, hand it over to us. We will show you how to make a city safe for its citizens," read his tweet. A senior police official said that the complainant, Patel Sajan Kumar, working as a delivery agent at Omiya Enterprises in Chandni Chowk, came to PS Tilak Marg and gave a written complaint regarding this incident. Kumar told the police that he, along with his friend Jigar Patel, was going to Gurugram (Haryana) to deliver a bag of cash. "They hired an Ola cab from Lal Qila, and while on the way to Gurgaon on the Ring Road, when they entered the tunnel, four people on two motorcycles intercepted their cab and robbed his bag containing Rs 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh at gunpoint," said the police. The official stated that based on his complaint, they have lodged an FIR under sections 397 and 34 of the IPC. A team has been formed to apprehend the criminals. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Distributive utilizes idle computing power to trim cloud costs Demand for computing power will continue to grow as AI and other technologies evolve. Canadian startup Distributive has developed a new distributed computing technology that uses idle computers, enterprise IT infrastructure, and Internet of things (IoT) devices. The solution can help reduce cloud computing costs by up to 92%. Dan Desjardins, Distributive's CEO, said the concept of distributed computing is splitting a task into many small pieces and distributing them to multiple computers, servers and IoT devices for simultaneous execution. Desjardins said the technology is currently enabling hospitals, universities, airports and other organizations to tap into idle computing power from the computers they already own to work on big problems like AI, big data, and advanced research computing. "Rather than bringing the data to the compute, which is the cloud model, we bring compute to the data," Desjardins said. A solution that slashes cloud computing costs Distributive has developed the Distributive Compute Protocol (DCP), a compute platform built on web technologies. According to the company's website, the platform can match the supply and demand for compute to access abundant computing resources. Desjardins said with the explosion of AI and digital transformation, demand for computing resources is beginning to outstrip the supply available from the cloud. The situation also puts pressure on chip manufacturers to increase production. Meanwhile, millions of computers worldwide are idle for at least 16 hours of the day and can be tapped into for compute. DCP enables distributed computing on any server, computer, or IoT device, regardless of operating system or hardware, according to Desjardins. The company has run the solution on smartphones, smart watches, VR headsets, Tesla cars, laptops and many other devices, demonstrating maximum interoperability. One of the most significant benefits of Distributive's solution is that it can trim the cost of cloud computing by 92%. Desjardins said the company delivered a computer vision solution on top of its computing platform to an airport in Canada. The airport wanted an automated ground safety monitoring and alerting system. Desjardins noted that commercial cloud machine vision solutions like AWS Rekognition or Microsoft Custom Vision charge approximately US$100 to perform 20,000 image inferences. "Assume that your camera only generates one frame per second, which is low. The cost of continuously running Rekognition or Custom Vision is (close to) US$160,000 per year," he added. Desjardins said Distributive's distributed machine vision platform, Overwatch, performs the same function for only US$12,000 a year, a 92% reduction compared with the commercial solutions. The more affordable technology will be able to help companies mitigate the burdens of cloud bills, according to Desjardins. The industry estimated that about US$800 billion will be spent on computing power in the cloud by 2028, largely due to exploding demand for AI products. Desjardins said Distributive's solution also interoperates with the cloud as needed. At the same time, it intends to be an extra option to compete with the cloud for a better price, simpler use and data privacy. An application that increases hospital surgical efficiency In addition to its distributed computing platform, Distributive has begun commercializing a solution called Osler for hospitals. The solution is a surgical block schedule optimization application, according to Desjardins. He explained that Canadian hospital administrative staff are responsible for generating block schedules for several months at a time. These block schedules lay out what surgical services occur in which operating room on which days. According to Desjardins, depending on the number of operating rooms and surgical offices to coordinate with, planning a six-month surgical block schedule encompasses thousands of decision points. It can take up to three months in some cases. To streamline the process, Distributive created an application running on its platform that computes all possible block combinations, predicts their performance and selects the most efficient schedule, Desjardins said. He added that Osler minimizes resource contention and increases efficiency by as much as 10%. The process only took seconds instead of months. Desjardins said the solution has been deployed in five hospitals across Canada. "What's really cool is that it uses computing power from computers in the hospitals, and none of the data leaves the building," he said. The CEO also stated that Distributive offers its distributed computing tools and software development kits to everyone. The goal is to allow compute-intensive applications to be built and operationalized for a fraction of what would cost on commercial cloud computing platforms. The company currently provides the platform at no cost to academic institutions worldwide. Desjardins said that Distributive's mantra is "give to academia, commercialize with industry." He also said the company is engaging with institutions in Brazil, Kenya, the UK and Ireland. Now Distributive has come to the Asia Pacific region, with Taiwan being the first stop. Desjardins said as Taipei holds remarkable technology and ICT capability, it is a natural fit for the company to explore the market and see how the innovation is received there. Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM CDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...For the first Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 110. For the second Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 109 expected. * WHERE...Panola, Lafayette, Pontotoc, Lee MS, Itawamba, Yalobusha, Calhoun, Chickasaw and Monroe Counties. * WHEN...For the first Heat Advisory, until 8 PM CDT this evening. For the second Heat Advisory, from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM CDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...For the first Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 110. For the second Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 109 expected. * WHERE...Panola, Lafayette, Pontotoc, Lee MS, Itawamba, Yalobusha, Calhoun, Chickasaw and Monroe Counties. * WHEN...For the first Heat Advisory, until 8 PM CDT this evening. For the second Heat Advisory, from 10 AM to 7 PM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && Gujarat is facing a double whammy of challenges as while still grappling with the devastating impact of Cyclone Biparjoy, rains and water logging triggered by the southwest monsoon have posed additional hurdles for the state. Regions including Rajkot, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar experienced downpours, leading to road closures and widespread waterlogging. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning, cautioning that heavy rainfall would persist in parts of Gujarat until June 30. The recent showers drenched 82 talukas across the state, with Ghogha in Bhavnagar recording the highest rainfall at 75 mm. Barwala in Botad received 44 mm, Amreli 42 mm, and Bhavnagar 41 mm, among other areas. Last year, the southwest monsoon entered Gujarat on June 13, two days ahead of the expected date of June 15. However, this year's onset faced further delays, heightening apprehensions among the agricultural community. Rainfall Predictions While the monsoon provides respite from the scorching summer heat, heavy rainfall is predicted for several districts in Gujarat. North Gujarat districts, Saurashtra, and parts of South Gujarat are expected to face downpours on June 26 and 27. On June 28, Vadodara and other districts in South Gujarat, as well as parts of Saurashtra, may experience heavy rains. The weather forecast for June 29 warns of heavy to very heavy rains in isolated places, particularly Surat and districts of South Gujarat. On June 30, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, and Saurashtra districts are predicted to witness heavy rainfall. Gujarat, already grappling with the late onset of the monsoon, now confronts the challenge of managing waterlogging and ensuring the safety of affected residents. With the state having already received 11.27% of the total average monsoon season rainfall, largely influenced by Cyclone Biparjoy, authorities and residents remain vigilant. Ongoing efforts aim to mitigate the impact of these weather conditions and provide necessary assistance to those affected by waterlogging. The basic diagram of networked urbanism contains important binaries that we have come to take for granted when we think about the city. The urban emerges as a realm that is separate from, even in opposition to, the rural, however dependent the former may be on the latter. The citizen becomes clearly differentiated from the peasant, as are the expected activities of one and the other. Culture is rendered as divergent from, and superior to, nature. This binary urban diagram converged with evolutionary social thought to decant a linear way of thinking about progress, which dominates the way we narrate the history of the rise of cities.1 When the diagram of this archetypical, binary relationship is applied to Amazonia, it becomes annulled. Amazonian urban archetypes do not fully match Western imaginaries of the urban, neither in visual structure nor in definition, let alone in binary or linear terms. Their neural networks are urban, rural or agroecological, and forested; their citizens are peasants; they can fish, hunt, cultivate, gather and perform urban activities govern, trade (circulate reciprocally), specialise in the arts and crafts, play sports and more besides. 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. Unions have called on former RTE director general Dee Forbes and all members of the executive board to appear before committees this week over undeclared payments made to Ryan Tubridy. At a meeting of the RTE Trade Union Group (TUG) at lunchtime on Monday, a motion was adopted after the anger and shock of RTE staff was outlined. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is also to hold a protest outside the broadcasters Donnybrook headquarters at 1pm on Tuesday in response to requests from members. RTE staff have called on members of the executive board to fully cooperate with parliamentary committees and asked that Ms Forbes would attend, despite tendering her resignation earlier on Monday. The TUG calls for all current members of the RTE executive board to fully cooperate with the Oireachtas sub-committees on Media and Public Accounts, the motion unanimously adopted by staff read. The TUG also calls on former director general Dee Forbes to attend, noting her statement setting out her role in the payment arrangements and mindful of her direct involvement in pursuing cost-reduction policies affecting staff. The motion also called on RTE to publish all remuneration packages of the executive board, and for an examination to be launched into how RTE uses third-party agencies and contracts. The TUG is also to request a meeting with media minister Catherine Martin to discuss the external review ordered by the government, as well as meetings with the acting director general Adrian Lynch and with the chair of the RTE board Siun Ni Raghallaigh. The NUJ has called on executives with knowledge of the bizarre payment arrangements to appear before the Media committee and Public Accounts committee this Wednesday and Thursday. It comes as staff across RTE expressed an unprecedented level of anger at revelations that undeclared payments worth 345,000 euro were made to Mr Tubridy from 2017 onwards, and are expected to be watching the committees intently. Brian Stanley TD, chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, said TDs and senators would have to accept the situation if there are serious medical issues. In an interview on RTE radio, he said: What I would expect is that, medically, if she is fit to attend on Thursday, I would expect her to come. RTEs education correspondent Emma OKelly, who is chair of the NUJs Dublin broadcasting branch, said this is one of the most important weeks for the public service broadcaster. When asked whether Ms Forbes should be among those before the committee, she said I hope she does. I noticed in her statement that she said she cares very deeply about RTE and I welcome that, and Im glad to hear it, she told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne programme. However, in my experience, RTE has a habit of thinking that if you say something, it is true simply by virtue of the fact that you have said it. Anyone who cares very deeply about things or people knows that that is expressed in actions. So, I would like to see that expressed in action and the first way of expressing that is to agree to attend before committees. She added: Anybody who had any knowledge of any of this needs to appear before the committee. Also, these numerous internal communications that she spoke of, RTE needs to publish those internal communications, it needs to do so ASAP, not wait until Wednesday or Thursday. Those should go up on the RTE website by close of business today. NUJ secretary Seamus Dooley told RTE Radio that executive board members who were involved in the deal should be the ones who appear before the committees, saying it would be bizarre if those with no knowledge of the payments were put up before it. He said if deputy director general Adrian Lynch was unaware of the payments, it did not make sense for him to appear and take a punishment beating from TDs angry about this while others are absent. Mr Dooley said the deal was grubby in the extreme and that a fundamental rethink of commercial dealings at RTE was needed. Ms Kelly said that for years she had heard concerns from staff on zero-hour contracts, struggling to get resources and equipment repaired in RTE. Theres a culture in the organisation that people have been unhappy with for a very long time. Also the issues with transparency, theres been a culture of secrecy in this organisation that I as a union rep have been aware of for so long and that absolutely needs to change, she said. So morale, people are furious, theyre angry, this is a really important week for people probably the most important week ever in RTE. People are watching very carefully, theyre waiting until Wednesday and Thursday to see whats said but also theyre watching today, tomorrow. Nobody can wait for this (government-ordered) external review, seven months (away), that is out of the question. The government has announced millions of euro in funding for third level institutions to improve college campuses. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, today (June 26) confirmed 40 million will be distributed to 20 institutions. A total of 20 million has been allocated to the technological sector, with 19,200,000 for the university/colleges sector. University College Dublin (UCD) will receive 3,783,550, with 3,047,598 going towards the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), 4,043,043 for Atlantic Technological University (ATU), and 3,418,469 for South East Technological University (SETU). The funding will be used to improve access for people with disabilities, energy efficiency upgrades, and other necessary investments at campuses nationwide. Minister Harris said, "As our third level sector concludes another academic year, this is an important investment ahead of the next college year. "The number of people attending higher education is increasing and our college campuses need to expand and improve to cater for this increased numbers. This significant grant will give institutions flexibility to make improvements in key areas such as energy efficiency and decarbonisation upgrades." He continued: "The funding can also be used for accessibility upgrades - an issue close to my heart. This will help make campuses more accessible and inclusive. This is a substantial devolved capital grant for higher education institutions to support a variety of capital priorities. "It is the second year it has increased to 40 million - a signal of Government's commitment to higher education and to delivering world class facilities." Funding will be provided through the Higher Education Authority(HEA) for all Technological Universities, Institutes of Technology except for two who will be funded directly by the Department. The heating system at Carlinn Hall in Dundalk was on the Dail agenda again when Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu asked Minister Eamon Ryan about progress towards a solution to the problem of high energy prices at the Mullaharlin Road estate. Deputy O Murchu has been raising the issue of the district heating system at Carlinn Hall, where residents have seen huge hikes in their energy prices because of spikes in the cost of gas, for the last almost 18 months. The Dundalk TD asked Environment Minister Eamon Ryan about the results of a government-commissioned geothermal study at the site, which was carried out at the end of last year. He has raised it with Minister Ryan the week before, and also at the Oireachtas Climate Committee with a further question to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week. In the response during oral questions, Minister Ryan said: In fairness to Deputy O Murchu he has been very assiduous and diligent on following this issue. In light of the issues faced by such group schemes an independent consultancy was commissioned by the SEAI to complete a report on the viability of retrofitting an existing communal heating system with a shallow geothermal energy source using Carlinn Hall as the case study. The report will be provided in two parts. Recommendations will be made on heat network efficiency, options for a low-carbon heat alternative and the costs of installation and operation. The final draft of this initial element is due for review by the project steering group and is expected to be completed within the next month. The second part will extract the main learning on heat network decarbonisation in Ireland. This part is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. In a short number of weeks we will have it and we will publish and share it. I hope we will put it to good use in many buildings where we can implement the solutions. In response, Deputy O Murchu said: It goes without saying that we need this work done as assiduously as possible, particularly from the point of view of finding a solution that will work. There is a problem with these communal heating systems particularly when they are gas fed. We need to look at legislative change. We need those sorts of solutions. They will most likely be delivered by third parties. We need to make sure we have the grant schemes and everything else in place. I know the Minister does not want to jump the gun but are we looking at this review that is being carried out being relatively positive and maybe having a possible solution? Minister Ryan said: I will have to wait for the completion of the report. I do not want to second-guess it. The independent group has to conclude its work. As I said, there is a distinction, which we discussed earlier, between group central heating systems and district heating. We will, in all likelihood, need both. Minister Ryan added that lessons need to be learned from Carlinn Hall. Deputy O Murchu said the likely solutions to Carlinn Hall will come from the private sector so grant schemes need to be in place to ensure the solutions can be instigated. The Wagner group, accused of attempting to launch an armed rebellion on Friday night, had created sort of mayhem within Russia. How it came about that the tension had been swiftly defused? (Xinhua) --On Saturday evening, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, accepted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's suggestion to halt Wagner's operations in Russia and take further measures to ease tension, pledging that the Wagner column will stop advancing and return to camp. This photo taken on June 24, 2023 shows the headquaters of the Wagner private military group being surrounded by police cars in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua) The Wagner group, accused of attempting to launch an armed rebellion on Friday night, had created sort of mayhem within Russia. How it came about that the tension had been swiftly defused? PUTIN'S ADDRESS MATTERS The pivotal point of the incident was Russian President Vladimir Putin's televised address to the nation on Saturday. "Any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the front line. This is a stab in the back of our country and our people," Putin said. "I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic mistake, but to make the only right choice -- to stop participating in criminal acts," he stressed. The consensus in Russian public opinion is that by characterizing the incident as a rebellion, Putin demonstrated his unwavering determination to maintain national unity, overawing the rebels and eroding their willpower. In a statement to Wagner members, the Russian Defense Ministry urged: "We ask you to be prudent and get in touch with representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry or law enforcement agencies as soon as possible. We guarantee everyone's safety." LUKASHENKO MEDIATES Around 8 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Friday, things took a dramatic turn as Prigozhin accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the advance of his troops and de-escalate the situation, according to local media. Later, both Moscow and Prigozhin verified the information. Vasily Golubev, governor of Rostov Oblast, said in his telegram that Wagner troops had withdrawn from Rostov-on-Don and returned to their field camps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Lukashenko has been personally acquainted with Prigozhin for about 20 years and "this was his personal proposal agreed with Putin." It is widely believed that the important prerequisites for achieving reconciliation are the guarantees made by Putin that Prigozhin will be able to leave for Belarus, members involved in the rebellion will not be prosecuted, and those who did not participate can sign contracts with the defense ministry. PUBLIC OPINION WEIGHS The pressure exerted by from all walks of the society also played a significant role in Prigozhin's ultimate compromise. Politicians, representatives from various regions and others strongly condemned the incident and explicitly expressed their support for the government to safeguard stability and peace. "No matter how the armed rebellion is explained, it is still precisely an armed rebellion in the rear of a warring army," said Dmitry Rogozin, ex-head of Russia's space agency Roskosmos, on Telegram. "In war, you need to support the front with all your might. Any attempt to weaken it is nothing but aiding the enemy." In a statement, Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Russia's Primorye Territory, called on Wagner members to be rational and refrain from committing acts they would undoubtedly regret. "Society trusts the head of state. The internal upheavals could not shake the foundations of our state. It has no public and elite support," said Denis Baturin, a political scientist. Over the last three years, the 27 member states of the EU (European Union) have seen an increase in Islamic terrorist activity. Europol (the European Union international police organization) tracks this activity and advises EU members on how to deal with it. In 2022 380 people were arrested on suspicion of terror-related activity. Most (266) were suspected of Islamic terrorist activity. Most of those arrested were accused of belonging to an Islamic terrorist organization. This usually involved creating and distributing pro-Islamic terrorist propaganda, planning attacks or financing Islamic terrorist activity. In 2021 there were 260 arrests, only six less than in 2022. There were 254 arrests in 2020. Most of the 2022 arrests took place in countries with Moslem refugees. These included France with 93 arrests, Spain with 46, Germany with 30 and Belgium with 22. Most (13) of the sixteen attacks carried out in 2022 were by local leftist or anarchist groups. Only two attacks were carried out by Islamic terrorists and one by right-wing extremists. Most of the attacks occurred in Italy (eight) and Greece (three) and were directed at law-enforcement personnel. The EU has long had problems with a small percentage of their Moslem minorities turning to violence or openly supporting violence. Europol has tracked this activity for years and been active in detecting and discouraging it. For example, in 2019 ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) warned members and supporters to stop using the popular encrypted messaging app Telegram because it was believed that the Telegram operator was cooperating with Europol to shut down Islamic terrorist use of Telegram. It was no secret that intelligence agencies worldwide had been hard at work trying to shut down Telegram or crack its security sufficiently to go after users those nations want gone (arrested or just dead). What did happen was that Europol had not deciphered (cracked) Telegram encryption. Instead, since mid-2018,. Telegram and Europol cooperated to discover and remove ISIL users and their messages from Telegram by analyzing user patterns to determine who was ISIL and who was not. Europol has a lot of data on ISIL use of the Internet and Telegram could use that to develop algorithms that would identify ISIL members and purge them from the Telegram user community. At the time Telegram had about 200 million regular users and 5,000 ISIL related accounts were shut down. If this drives all ISIL operatives and fans off Telegram, the loss will be minor (under 100,000 users) and worth it because Telegram wants to remain on good terms with the EU. There are practical as well as moral reasons for this. Telegram was founded by a Russian entrepreneur (Pavel Durov) after he fled Russia in 2013 because of disagreements with the government over censorship and corruption. Durov noted that Russia was returning to its police state ways and disagreements with the government often turned out badly for such enemies of the state, generally them disappearing or dying unexpectedly. If a business was involved it would often be outlawed, driven into bankruptcy or seized by the state. Durov left because he could. He had several hundred million dollars in Swiss bank accounts, obtained citizenship in St Kitts (a tiny Caribbean island state) and became a citizen of the world. Durov and Telegram survived by not antagonizing too many nations at once. Telegram cannot exist unless most of its users trust the security methods (encryption and much more) Telegram employs to keep messages secret from everyone but the sender and recipient. At the same time Telegram is a legitimate business that needs to be based somewhere and the EU seemed suitable. There was one problem, police had discovered that more and more criminals were using Telegram to communicate and that this form of secure (secret) communication had become a key tool for Islamic terrorists to not only avoid detection and arrest, but also to spread their messages via the Internet along with recruiting and fundraising. Since 2016 Telegram has come under considerable pressure from nations like Russia, Iran, North Korea and China for enabling reformers in those nations to freely communicate using Telegram, but all nations are after Telegram about how Islamic terrorists and criminals using Telegram. Durov does not want to be put in a position where he has to decide who is an international outlaw and who isnt. Agreeing that ISIL is an international menace is easy, and many international criminal organizations involved with drugs, prostitution and general bad behavior would also qualify. Durov doesnt have to compromise his overall security (encryption and database security) to assist operations against international threats. The recent action against ISIL merely identified accounts used by ISIL and shut them down. The Telegram messaging security is designed to be difficult to decrypt and intercept, and Druov has to keep it that way and convince most of his users that he is doing so in order to stay in business. Telegram has some competitors but so far none have matched Telegram in overall capabilities and security. Most intelligence agencies dont want Telegram to go away but they do want some cooperation in at least blocking generally recognized threat organizations. After all the Western nations support many more Telegram users who are seeking to reform or overthrow their oppressive (by Western standards) governments. Telegram is also used by personnel working with most espionage agencies so the loss of Telegram would be widely felt. Some intelligence agencies may have cracked Telegram security and, if they have, would not publicize the fact or exploit it in a way that would reveal their decryption success. Better to just read what the enemy was talking about and make the most of that. Telegram has refused to cooperate with any nation in that department. One area of Telegram vulnerability that may have contributed to the recent ISIL crackdown was a Telegram effort to establish a cryptocurrency so that people could securely send money to each other without governments knowing. This system consisted of the TON blockchain and Gram cryptocurrency. This system could be very lucrative and Telegram had invested a lot in this operation. Yet Durov was experiencing some serious resistance from American and European financial system regulators. Whatever the case, Telegram is operating in a dangerous environment because it cannot survive as a legitimate, and legally profitable, organization unless it is tolerated by some major nations and trusted by most of its users. Telegram has been profitable for the last three years. Meanwhile, several nations, especially China, Russia and Iran are very interested in simply putting Telegram out of business. China has tried DDOS attacks to shut Telegram down but that did not work. Nor have efforts to hack into Telegram networks. As long as Telegram exists it is a very visible threat to dictatorships, especially China, Russia and Iran. These three nations have been trying to shut down, or at least shut out, Telegram for several years now. In 2018 Iranians by the thousands protested the government ban on the using Telegram in Iran. At the time it was believed that about half of all Iranian Internet users regularly employed Telegram to communicate. Telegram refused to provide any government with a way to read encrypted Telegram messages. The government issued the ban order in April and within a week most Iranian Telegram users had found ways to get around the ban and continue using Telegram. User resourcefulness makes it difficult, but not impossible, for government actions to make a temporary difference. Telegram had been temporarily blocked in Iran during late 2017 and early 2018 to help suppress nationwide protests against the government. But the temporary ban brought forth complaints from many senior government officials while the permanent ban has a lot of opposition among them too. These officials, like their Arab counterparts throughout the region, recognize that Iranians are very resourceful and those talents can be used against Iranians as well as non-Iranians. Around the same time, Russia ordered hundreds of IP addresses blocked, believing that would prevent Russians from using Telegram. It did, but not for everyone. An unexpected side effect of this censorship campaign was to disrupt a lot of vital (for many Russian users) Google services. Iran and Russia are not the only nations seeking to control Telegram and, in some cases, those two nations are after Telegram for the same reason the rest of the world is; to shut down Islamic terrorist use of it. China was more discreet in its operations against Telegram but equally ineffective. Now it appears the major threat to Telegram are financial regulators in America and Europe proposing to block Telegrams new cryptocurrency operation. That threat puts American and European intelligence and law enforcement agencies in a stronger bargaining position. For Telegram, the problem is not making a deal that would risk putting them out of business or making a deal but still going out of business if customers no longer trust Telegram. EZULWINI - Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Finance Sizakele Dlamini says the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member States have shown strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Dlamini made this remarks during the 70th meeting of the SACU Finance and Audit Committee (FAC) meeting held at Happy Valley Hotel on Friday. She said as Eswatini they were pleased to host the first physical meeting of the FAC post the emergence of COVID-19. She applauded all the FAC members for their efforts put to ensure that the business of SACU continued even during the most difficult times of the pandemic. Dlamini noted that this meeting of the FAC was taking place when Eswatini was preparing for the elections as the term of the current Parliament, which entered into office in 2018 was coming to an end. We are at the stage where we have concluded registration for the elections and the process will be concluded in the coming months, said Dlamini. Time On a lighter note, the PS welcomed the delegates to Eswatini and urged them to allocate time during or after the meeting to tour country and experience the warmth of emaSwati. Meanwhile, PS in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Siboniso Nkambule welcomed the SACU Senior Trade Officials (STOs). Nkambule then chaired the meeting of the officials as he is the current Chairperson of the SACU senior trade officials. In his remarks, Nkambule said yesterdays meeting was unique, in that it was taking place just two months after the senior trade officials had an opportunity to reflect on their trade agenda for the year during the strategic meeting held in Windhoek, Namibia, in April 2023. This Meeting is also preceding the SACU Statutory Organs, which means that the outcome of this meeting will feed into the agenda for the SACU Commission, scheduled to take place over the next few days, followed by the Council of Ministers and culminate into the Summit of Heads of States or Governments, said Nkambule. Issues He said it was, therefore, critical that while they discuss issues on the agenda, they also be mindful of the strategic issues that needed to be brought to the attention of these institutions, either for their appreciation, guidance or adoption. Nkambule said regarding their programme for yesterday, it was worth noting that their agenda covered only five substantive agenda items. These include the consideration of issues under the three trade agreements, said Nkambule. He highlighted that on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) issues, the STOs were expected to receive an update on the status of the SACU Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concession to the AfCFTA and determine the way forward to facilitate its implementation. PS Nkambule said in the same vein, the STOs would also consider the outstanding work on sensitive products and exclusion list, with a view to commence regional consultations in developing a SACU common offer and provide guidance on the approach on the negotiations regarding bilateral negotiations. He mentioned that regarding the implementation of the European Union Southern Africa Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-SADC -EPA) and Southern Africa Customs Union and Mozambique United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement (SACUM-UK EPA), they would receive a report from the Technical Experts in relation to the draft Guidelines for imposition of the Agricultural Safeguard Measure under Article 35 of the EU-SADC EPA. He said they would also receive the rules of procedure for the SACUM-UK Joint Council on Trade and Development Committee as well as the Draft Decision on the Multilateral Safeguard under the SACUM-UK EPA, which they would consider with the aim to finalising and recommending to the commission. Review Moreover, we will receive an update on the review of the EU-SADC EPA, said Nkambule. The PS said as STOs they also needed to reflect on whether the moratorium on new trade negotiations between SACU and third parties was still necessary. He said perhaps they could recommend a councils reconsideration to allow SACU to commence engagement with new trading partners, considering the current trade agenda. New credit line makes financing for women entrepreneurs more accessible Additional advisory support for women-led SMEs funded by Sweden Female empowerment and inclusion drives economic growth Women-led businesses are to benefit from new financing opportunities provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Banca Intesa Belgrade in Serbia. A credit line of 5 million, which Sweden is backing with grants for technical assistance and advisory support, will boost investments by women entrepreneurs. In the economies where the EBRD invests, including Serbia, women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are generally considered a more risky segment due to their small size and the fact that they tend to have less hard collateral. Under the new credit line, women entrepreneurs will benefit from risk-sharing, which the EBRD will cover in the amount of up to 8 per cent of the loan amount. This will allow more women entrepreneurs, who would not otherwise be able to provide hard collateral, to apply for and obtain financing. Aleksandra Vukosavljevic, EBRD Director, Financial Institutions, Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, said: Creating equal opportunities for women in business is not only a gender issue, but is also critical for any country to progress towards its full economic potential. It is especially pertinent in the economies where the EBRD invests, where access to finance is often holding women back from running or growing their businesses. Banca Intesa Belgrade has been a long-standing partner of the EBRD and its work to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs. The bank joined the EBRDs Women in Business programme in 2015 and has to date extended over 33 million to finance more than 3,000 investments by women-led businesses, located largely outside Belgrade. Darko Popovic, President of the Executive Board of Banca Intesa Belgrade, said: As the first bank in Serbia to join the EBRDs Women in Business programme, I am delighted that Banca Intesa Belgrade will continue to support women entrepreneurs in Serbia, who make up over a quarter of our business community. To date, we have disbursed 33 million in loans to women entrepreneurs under this programme and offered favourable financing conditions, helping boost this critical segment and supporting the economic prosperity of the country as a whole. Using these funds, we have successfully aided more than 3,000 women-owned SMEs, as reflected in the Outstanding Women in Business award, which was presented to our client, Dragana Milanovic, owner of the Roberto Baressi brand, by the EBRD. The financing for businesses run or owned by women is being provided by the EBRDs Women in Business programme, which promotes womens entrepreneurship and their participation in business more broadly by providing them with access to finance and know-how. The EBRD rolled out the programme in the Western Balkans in 2014 and has since then supported more than 5,000 women-led firms. The programme will hold its regional conference in Podgorica on 21-21 June 2023 where participating financial institutions will also be awarded for their work and contribution to women empowerment in the region. AHMET Dede, of Baltimores two-star Michelin restaurant, Dede at The Customs House, says its very important to speak loudly about what you want from life. To be competitive; have a vision, invest in your personal journey, and work hard. Ahmet came to Baltimore in 2017 to run his own kitchen for the first time. As head chef at The Mews, he came from central Dublin to sleepy Baltimore to work with ingredients only from West Cork, at a seasonal restaurant open just seven months of the year. We were the first restaurant to do that and will probably be the last, he says. I dont see anyone replicating that because its challenging; youre limited, but it was a good thing, and I enjoyed it. That manifesto earned Ahmet his first Michelin star in 2018, but just one year later, the restaurant closed. Born and raised in Ankara, Turkeys sprawling capital city, Ahmets family moved to the picturesque coastal town of Kusadas. The bond he felt with the equally picturesque fishing village of Baltimore made the decision of what to do next a complex one. I always had a special connection with the coastline, the lifestyle of being near the sea, Ahmet says. Theres something in the air that just calms you down. Instantly connecting with village life, Ahmet worked hard connecting with local farmers, producers, and fishermen. That was key for me; getting to know people. As a chef I should be in the farm, seeing whats coming, planning, seeing whats going to come. " I can talk to them: I want this, can they grow this, can they not grow this. That was the relationship I needed to have. The Michelin star Ahmet achieved at The Mews was the realisation of a personal ambition, but it was also a reflection of the dedication of his team and the network of producers that supplied the restaurant with impeccable ingredients. It was good for everybody, he says. Ive been here seven years now, and still work with many of the same farmers. They have always been very good to me. In 2018, when I went to London to receive the first star, I said: This is for West Cork we did it, baby! Ahmet Dede. While at The Mews, Ahmet met Maria Archer, a Dublin businesswoman with a gra for Baltimore and had purchased the old customs house with a view to opening a coffee shop and delicatessen. Maria asked Ahmet if she could work with him in his kitchen to gain some experience. They became firm friends, and Ahmet leaned on Maria for business advice and friendship. The Customs House opened in July, 2019, a month before The Mews closed for its final ever season, and Ahmet and Maria worked together on a few Dede at The Customs House pop-up events during autumn and winter. But Ahmet was a chef without a job. Offers for positions flooded in, but he was reticent in making a hasty decision. I was happy here. I felt I had started something. I had got my first Star here, had made friends, connected with people, and was starting to feel really good. I decided to not rush my decision. Maria and her partner Shane approached Ahmet with the offer of sharing The Customs House space. Maria would run the coffee shop until 3pm, then Id do my thing four nights a week as Ahmet Dede pop up, for a year, at The Custom House. That was the idea. I left for six weeks in Turkey for a break, to clear my head and decide what to do. It was a big decision, Ahmet recalls, and that decision led me to where I am now. I needed to be thinking clearer and be in the right head space. My family said I should stay [in Baltimore] because the village had been good to me; West Cork had been good to me. I was very happy here. I was finding myself, and my shoulders werent heavy anymore. If I could stay here and bring over my chefs [from Turkey], then this would be amazing. Ahmet started with a series of evening pop-ups. There was no pressure to retain the Star achieved with The Mews and no pressure to for another, yet. His priority was celebrating the food of his homeland. I am Turkish, thats my background. I love Turkish food, I love spicy food, I love big aromas and big flavours, and I want to focus on that part now - this is chapter two for me. I have amazing ingredients in West Cork, I mix them with spices, cooking techniques, presentation, serving, story, and traditional way of eating. Thats how the concept started in my head. Everything was set to launch on March 16, 2020, but then Covid hit. That was it, the opening was gone, the world was changed, recalls Ahmet. For 11 weeks, his concept restaurant morphed into a high-end takeaway service, ran as akin to a restaurant service as possible, putting down a year like no other. I never worked as hard in my life as I did that year! I was working off adrenaline. By the last service of the year, I was just going to do a final takeaway. I was exhausted, so tired. I was burned out. Maria noticed a booking for a single person on the last service of the craziest year of Ahmets life. I just knew it was a Michelin inspector, but I didnt care. I did care inside me, but I had gone through so much in that year: I had lost an aunt and an uncle in the same week to Covid, my father almost died, my mum had Covid; I was going through so much emotion, so I felt like I didnt care. I was trying to please everyone, but what about me? Ahmet dug deep and found enough to create one final menu, served their mysterious single diner, and finished for the year. I was done, I needed to switch off and have time to rest and recover. Thats when he met Carly, who became Ahmets partner and mother to his first child. On New Years Eve, 2021, Ahmet flew out to Kusadas to spend six weeks with his family. While there, surrounded by his family, the Michelin Guide awarded him a Star for Dede at The Customs House. It was very emotional, and it went wild in Turkey, says Ahmet, adding that while The Mews star was special, this was incomparable. A dish from Dede, as part of the Winter Season 2022/2023. Picture: Kate Ryan There was so much hard work and belief, and it was so special after coming through the most difficult time: Covid, losing family members, having no team, working so hard, making it happen and believing it could happen. People said, its a coffee shop, you wont get [a star] there; the decors not good enough, the chairs and plates arent good enough. But it comes down to whats on the plate. You need to be behind your food; you need to believe in your product. The product is not this cup, your product is whats in it. Beautiful food deserves beautiful bowls, plates, cutlery, but if you dont have it, dont make it a big deal. The product should still taste great, whatever you serve it on and in. You forget about the plate after you eat something special. In March this year, Ahmet received a second Michelin star for Dede at The Customs House. Now he has all the best bowls, plates, glassware and cutlery. Everything weve built the last four years has been through hard work. Now I have the best of everything, but it came with time. If I was so obsessed with those things in the beginning, Id still be searching and be a one-star or no-star chef. Ahmet credits the second star with sharpening the restaurants culinary vision: Turkish-Irish fusion. Its a cuisine that takes the best of seasonal Irish produce, the flavours and techniques of Turkish food, and presents them to the diner as stellar exemplars of exciting fine dining. The cuisine takes shape; style starts to shape. We started to create dishes in our heads, pushing up the spice level; lots of ingredients from Turkey make a big difference to our cuisine, says Ahmet. You see peoples reaction to the little kebab with the chilli paste on it or the little onion dolma; red lentil stew with fish; kebabs on skewers. People love it and that builds up confidence. Michelin said, you come and leave happier in your life. I love that description. The inspectors feedback didnt talk about a particular dish; they talked about the cuisine. They see were trying to do something, present a cuisine thats never been done in the country before. Everyone cooks a piece of meat or fish or uses tomatoes or strawberries, but the flavour combinations, using ingredients from Turkey and mixing it with the beautiful ingredients from here, makes it unique. What we cook and present here cannot be replicated in Ireland. Theres only us at this level. Ahmet is happy for Maria, for the faith and belief she placed in him, and for the professionalism and friendliness she brings to the atmosphere in their restaurant. I always say this is our home: you come to my home, and we take care of you. We want you to be happy, we want you to be comfortable, we want everyone to go home with a smile on their face, and were going to feel really good about it. At only 37 years old, Ahmet is in his professional stride, but theres no let up to his future ambitions. Im pushing for the next thing in my head theres one [star] more left to get! I have to get three. Im not shy about it. Ive never been shy about it ever since I came here. I was walking around a farm the other day, andwas told: Remember when you first came here and said you were going to get a Michelin star? Well, now you have two and a child! Its important to speak loudly, in anything. Who would have said in 2020 I would do a pop- up a few evenings a week in a coffee shop, and maybe that restaurant will hold two Michelin stars by March, 2023? "Baltimore, two Michelin star sounds amazing. Baltimore, three Michelin star sounds even more amazing! This season, the focus for Ahmet, Maria and their talented team is to enjoy themselves. The focus is to have fun, keep creating, keep innovating, keep our staff excited; keep everyone part of the journey and part of an organisation. We are family, and that is very important to me. We have created something - now we sharpen and keep it unique, says Ahmet. When our time is done and we hang up our aprons, we will be talked about as the restaurant with a spice-based menu in a small fishing village that changed the cultural palates of the region. See www.customshousebaltimore.com SINEAD Barretts current exhibition on Spike Island, Echoes of Isolation, explores the isolated lives of convicts in the 19th century. The focus of the solo exhibition is specific, spanning the years 1847-1883, when the island was a convict depot and prison, at the time of the Great Famine. The result of a six-month residency, the work depicts the contrasting beauty and hardship of the place. Theres actually a telling quote form a visiting Bishop at the time, who made the remark that the island was too beautiful for pickpockets and thieves, said Sinead. Spike Island is certainly beautiful, boasting stunning harbour views and a wonderfully informative museum. But the dark history of the place is undeniable. It is this rich history that fascinates the Cork-based visual artist and Programme Coordinator of Sample Studios. I think the exhibition is still family friendly. I look at the hardship of isolation but my intention is to explore a convicts hope for the future too. This was during the famine. The convicts were being fed here, when a lack of food had imprisoned them. Many would have gone on to Australia or America or the Caribbean Island. That hopefulness is there. Many would have emigrated, but not all, says the artist. Approximately 1,200 convicts died during this time period. The deaths happened for a variety of reasons. There were some suicides and there would have been injuries from the hard labour. These men would have done a lot of work on Hawlbowline. The prison was often overcrowded too. Solitary confinement would have been the norm also, which could have devastating effects. The exhibition of Cork-based artist Sinead Barrett at Spike Island. Picture: David Keane. 01.06.2023 The islands history is vast. It once held prisoners for Cromwell as far back as the 1600s, but Sinead became particularly interested in this convict period when she found gravestones on the island. I went to the cemetery and found there were still graves there. Most of it had been excavated but there were nine gravestones still leaning against the wall. They had initials and prisoner numbers. I wanted to give a voice or some expression to those people. Her thought-provoking showcase, the second collaboration between Spike Island and Sample Studios, certainly allows us to delve deeper into the psychology of the convicts experience. There are also obvious parallels to the recent Covid crisis. In this sense, her work sheds a light on the historical context of isolation on Spike Island, while also encouraging contemplation on the profound implications of isolation in todays society. I have been interested in maritime themes for a while, but I think Covid also played a part. So many of us were isolated and locked up over Covid. I wanted to represent some of the hardship people go through in such isolation. In these prison cells, all you can see is a blue sky and the stone walls. All you can hear are the birds. I imagine people lived in their memories a lot, maybe thought about what was lost and also thought about their futures. An excavation really brought the convicts to life for the artist. They excavated the site and found dominoes, chess pieces, and rosary beads. The objects really resonated with me. I thought about these people trying to distract themselves. Sinead is extremely grateful to everyone on Spike and says they couldnt have been more helpful during her six-month residency. I would come about once a week through the winter. I came on the workers boat in the morning and stayed until 4pm. Of course, thats not the same as being locked up but it did give me a sense of being deserted somewhere. The island is pretty dark and bleak in the winter, nothing like it is in the summer. I spent a lot of time outdoors drawing and the drawings developed into the final pieces. But the people working here couldnt have been nicer. Cork-based artist Sinead Barrett, right, with Spike Island curator Dorota Gubbins, at the launch of her art exhibition at Spike Island. Picture: David Keane. 01.06.2023 At the launch, Spike Islands museum curator Dorota Gubbins said: It has been a pleasure to host Sineads residency at Spike Island over the past six months in what is our second collaboration with her and Sample Studios. This year marks the 140th anniversary of the closing of the Convict Prison in 1883. "The first Victorian convicts arrived in October, 1847, at the height of the Great Famine and soon after, Spike Island had become the largest prison in Britain and Ireland, at one point holding over 2,300 convicts. We do not know all their names, but we do hope that this exhibition will give a voice to the voiceless and forgotten as the art has that unique ability to engage with the past. Echoes of Isolation will be on display to visitors at the Punishment Block on Spike Island until August 31 as part of the Cork Harbour Festival. THE former lord mayor of Cork, Cllr Deirdre Forde, wrote a letter to urge the people of Cork and business groups to support Corks City of Welcomes campaign. This campaign aims to visibly demonstrate that Cork is open to and welcoming of people of all abilities, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, races, ages, and religions, reassuring visitors and new residents alike, that there is a place here in Cork city for them. Throughout the year, there are positive diverse, and inclusive events happening across the city such as Africa Day, LGBT Interagency Week, Traveller Pride, Cork Pride, and the Cork Youth-led Anti-Racism Summit. Cork City Council who are just one of many players in the city are very proud to support a variety of agency and community-led events and collaborations throughout the year; all very positive welcoming initiatives that are underway across our city, Ms Forde added. I would encourage everyone to use the City of Welcomes campaign to highlight the myriad of inclusive and diverse actions. MBABANE The widow of the late traditional healer of Ntondozi has appealed for assistance from the Master of the High Court to stop the alleged looting of her husbands E8 million estate by lawyers. Annah Magagula (nee Thomo) made the plea to the master following numerous court cases instituted by some children of the late popular traditional, Mathanda Zephania Magagula, who were seeking various orders. The costs or attorneys fees were borne by the estate. Annah has beseeched the master to assist in that regard to stop what she described as the looting of the estate by attorneys. Correspondence In her correspondence to the master, she stated that as the wife of the late Zephania, she and his children, Ndlelo, Nomusa, Phetsile, Phelelani, Mcolisi and Tibusile, were aggrieved that the estate funds would be depleted due to payments made to attorneys. She alleged that over E120 000 has been paid from the estate to attorneys. She said Linah Malaza and Musawenkhosi Magagula instructed attorneys following allegations that the executor was mismanaging funds belonging to the estate. In matter, according to Annah, Linah and Musawenkhosi allegedly failed to bring evidence of their allegations against the executor and the court ruled in the latters favour. Annah stated that currently, there was a pending matter in which the executor wanted the court to review the purported decision of the master to the effect that the attorney appearing for the applicants should be paid E55 583.16, when the court did not issue an order to that effect. She wondered if the Masters Office did not protect the property of the estate. According to Annah, Malaza and Musawenkhosi allegedly instructed other attorneys to oppose an application that had been moved by the executor at the High Court. She alleged that Malaza and Musawenkhosi did not attend family meetings but they instruct lawyers to oppose decisions taken by the family. Annah said the attorneys fees were borne by the estate. As we speak, the master has paid the lawyers in this matter money amounting to E29 826.23, but when the executor makes a request for money for farming, the Masters Office said the money would not be paid since there was a pending court case. We, the beneficiaries, are suffering, Annah mentioned. The widow further alleged that Mjaji Magagula was advised to engage an attorney by the Masters Office after the court ordered that the executor should be given money to maintain the estate property. She also alleged that there was a letter from yet another law firm whose attorneys claimed to be representing Mjaji, Linah, Musawenkhosi and others. We are of the view the estate funds are being mismanaged. They are also saying they will go to court because they want the executor to be removed. According to our knowledge, Mjaji Magagula and the other children of the deceased hired an attorney who was paid E39 327.82 from the estate. When did Mjaji engage the other attorney? Whats surprising is that the Masters Office has still not paid lawyers who appeared for the estate, S.M. Simelane and Hlabangane Attorneys. Is it proper that each and every child of the deceased should have their own attorney and their fees be paid from the estate? I, Annah Magagula, and the children of the deceased want a solution to this matter because in the end we will find the estate depleted by attorneys, she alleged. In one of the matters that went to court, the Master of the High Court accused the executrix of exaggerating funds for farming in the late traditional healers fields. According to the Master, the executrix, Phumaphi Magagula, had at the time made a request for the release of a total sum of E845 405.80 from the estate for the supply of seeds, fertilisers and LAM when only E98 274.40 was required. These allegations were contained in a report that had been compiled by the Master. The report stated that the executrix had approached the High Court for an order that, pending the winding up of the estate, the Master be directed to pay an amount of E2 million into the Nsukwansuku Trusts bank account held at Nedbank, Matsapha. Determination The issue for determination, according to the Master, was whether the applicant was entitled to the trust account at that point of winding up the estate. It is stated in the report that a legal process in the winding up of the estate commenced in that Phumaphi filed with the Masters Office a First Liquidation and Distribution Account in terms of Section 51 (2) of the Administration of Estates Act No.28/1902. The executrix, Phumaphi, responded by saying the report of the Master contained inaccuracies. According to Phumaphi, that was not the first time that the Master had alleged inaccuracies and was forced to correct them. The matter in which the Master was accused of refusing to honour a request for funds to maintain assets belonging to the estate had been moved by the executrix. The executrix also wants the court to declare her to be in possession of, and vested with, powers to control assets of the estate. In the estate of the traditional healer, a former convict demanded DNA tests for a child who is a beneficiary in the E8 million estate of the traditional healer. Jabulani Msibi of Elangeni alleged to be the father of the child, whose mother, Thobile Zwane, is a sister to one of the late traditional healers wives. Zwane of Ntondozi refuted the allegations made by Msibi. Msibi wanted the court to direct Zwane to avail the child to a medical laboratory of her choice for purposes of conducting a paternity test with him. Msibi is a former employee of Royal Swazi Hotel in Ezulwini. He told the court that in the year 2000 he was involved in an intimate relationship with Zwane, who allegedly used to reside at the homestead of the traditional healer. The mother of the child, Zwane, alleged that Msibi stole bones of members of the royal family and his mental status was concerning. In her answering papers, Thobile Zwane told the court that Msibi should be taken for psychiatric evaluation because he had not been himself after allegedly stealing the bones of royal family members at a sacred burial site. She said she had serious concerns with the mental status of Msibi. A CORK GP involved in the provision of a new blood-based screening test that detects more than 70 types of cancer has highlighted the importance of prioritising and expanding access to innovative screening options to enhance cancer prevention. Certior Health announced recently that it has partnered with Datar Cancer Genetics, a leading cancer research company, to provide a new cancer screening test called Trucheck. Trucheck requires a blood draw to test for early detection of cancer by detecting circulating tumour cells in the body. The test can distinguish 70 types of cancers which account for 81% of all cancer cases and 84% of all cancer-related deaths in Ireland and is being offered by Certior Healths clinic in Blanchardstown in Dublin. Certior Health chief medical officer Dr Nick Flynn, said: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Ireland, responsible for approximately 30% of all deaths each year. By enabling early detection and intervention, Trucheck empowers individuals to take charge of their health. Dr Flynn, who is GP partner with MyCorkGP group and is HSE GP lead for his local area in Cork, said timely screening not only increases the chances of successful treatment but also offers peace of mind and reassurance to those at risk. It is crucial that we continue to prioritise and expand access to innovative screening options to enhance cancer prevention and ultimately improve health outcomes for the Irish population, he said. A recent survey of 1,034 Irish adults, commissioned by Certior Health, revealed that 88% of participants were aware of blood-based cancer screening and expressed a strong interest in learning more about this innovative approach. The survey was aimed to assess patient needs, awareness, and understanding of cancer screening while identifying any concerns around accessing such tests. The research revealed that 41% of participants have had immediate experience with cancer, either themselves or through an immediate family member. Women exhibited a greater understanding and uptake of cancer screening compared to men, however, just 37% of women aged 45 to 54 are aware of when BreastCheck screening should start. Of all those surveyed, most expressed a strong desire to learn more about their health, whilst 3% said they would prefer not to know if they had cancer; 77% said they would be willing to pay for private screening. Patients can self-refer for screening and more information about Trucheck is available at https://certior.com/. Tributes have been paid to mother of two, Joanna Wisniowska, who died yesterday (Sunday) after attempting to rescue her young son after he got into difficulty swimming off Ballycroneen beach in East Cork. Ms Wisniowska, who was a native of Strzyzow in Poland, rushed into the sea in a bid to help her ten year old son shortly before 1pm yesterday. The boy managed to make his way on to rocks on the shore. However, unfortunately Joanna in turn experienced difficulty in the water. She was taken from the sea by the RNLI and transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where she passed away yesterday afternoon. Cork East Sinn Fein TD Pat Buckley described Joanna, her partner Maciej and their children Stanislaw and Zofia as being deeply rooted in the community". The family are fully integrated into the town. I think they even have an Irish nickname. "It is a pure and utter tragedy. "[Trying to save your child] is your first reaction as a parent. Your first reaction is to defend," he added. "Ballycroneen is a beautiful beach but there can be riptides there. Deputy Buckley said that every effort would be made to assist the grieving family in the coming days. The rowing family and the rowing community is huge and people will do everything they can for them. We are getting comments [of sympathy] from Carlow rowing club and from all rowing clubs [throughout] the country this morning. Rowing is a brilliant community. "It is devastating for the family but it is devastating for the club as well," Mr Buckley added. "Of course there is rivalry with other clubs but they help each other and [the rowing community] is really all about giving. East Ferry Rowing Club paid an online tribute to Joanna in which they said that they were shocked and saddened by her sudden and tragic passing. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Maciej, her partner, Stanisaw, her son, Zofia, her daughter and all extended family and friends. "Maciej and Stanisaw are both rowers with East Ferry Rowing Club. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by todays tragic news. "May Joanna Rest in Peace. RESCUE EFFORTS In a Facebook post the RNLI said that the lifeboat crew from Ballycotton, along with their colleagues in Crosshaven Lifeboat station were requested to launch yesterday by Valentia Coast Guard. Local coast guard units from Ballycotton and Guileen located one of the swimmers on the rocks who was winched to safety by the crew of Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117. The second casualty was rescued from the water in a joint operation by both lifeboat crews and transferred into the care of waiting emergency services. "Sadly, we learned later that the woman we rescued did not recover. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to their family and friends and our thoughts are with the young child who was brought to safety. "We also wish to acknowledge the incredible work of our colleagues in the other agencies who worked tirelessly, to try and save a life. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam. Joanna was a certified massage therapist who previously ran her own mobile massage business. She also worked in the spa at the Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork where she was known to be a hard worker who was well liked by her colleagues. She was located in the water by the Ballycotton RNLI All Weather Lifeboat, The Austin Lidbury whilst the rescue operation was overseen by the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Centre in Valentia. Crosshaven RNLI Inshore operation lifeboat also assisted in the operation as did Irish Search and Rescue units from Ballycotton and Guileen. The Rescue 117 helicopter airlifted Joanna to CUH. Her son Stanislaw was also taken to hospital. However, he escaped serious injury in the incident. The family had lived in Cloyne for several years. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. A Cork man accused of committing crimes including theft in two different counties in recent weeks has been further remanded in custody after gardai continued to object to his release on bail. Shane ONeill of Shanacashel in Kilmichael in Co Cork is alleged to have stolen property at a medical centre in Dunmore in Co Galway on May 9, as well as allegedly committing three other thefts on the same day in Tuam. It is also alleged that on June 14 last he committed trespass in Kilmichael and was found to be handling stolen property, including a jeep and its related documentation. The 51-year-old had first appeared before Bandon District Court earlier this month, when gardai had objected to his release on bail. He appeared from custody in Macroom District Court when Sgt Trish OSullivan told Judge James McNulty that there was an ongoing investigation in Co Galway and elsewhere. She also told the court gardai were maintaining an objection to any release on bail. Through his solicitor, Patrick Goold, Mr ONeill consented to a continuing remand in custody to appear before Bandon District Court on July 7 next. Judge McNulty said gardai needed to step on it in relation to whether any new changes were to be brought or else it would be a case of moving swiftly to an early trial. Mr ONeill also indicated he may bring a bail application to the High Court. A 26-year-old recruitment consultant has been selected by Fine Gael to contest the next local elections for the Cork City South East Ward. Barry OBrien said on Friday that he was so humbled and honoured to have been selected. Thank you to all my supporters and friends, I am looking forward to repaying the faith shown in me. I plan on hitting the ground running, working hard and meeting all my constituents over the next 12 months. A peace commissioner and UCC graduate, Mr OBrien told The Echo that he hoped he could appeal to the younger demographic. I have would a strong enough chance I would hope, he said. Im in that generation. Im still living at home with my parents. I would be able to associate with a lot of the problems that people of my generation would have. Its very easy for them to say that we dont relate to them. Because I am affected by all those issues, I would be a good voice for them in a way and would be able to offer different views and alternatives to councillors who have been there for a while. Mr OBrien said he has four priorities: Housing, law and order, transport, and litter. The amount of people that have had to turn down great jobs in Cork due to housing, he said. I wouldnt be a serial objector to any housing, Im pro-housing. In Cork and his own area of Douglas, more incidents of crime recently have highlighted the need for more services around drug and alcohol addiction, said Mr OBrien. I would love to be a new candidate that would be able to associate with people who have those addiction problems. Mr OBrien said he hoped people of his generation would see him as someone they could speak to about finding solutions. I want Cork to be a safe, diverse, and vibrant city. He highlighted the lack of bins on the way from Grange Heights to Douglas, a distance of 1.2km. It shouldnt be up to volunteers to keep the streets clean, said Mr OBrien, who is involved with the local tidy towns group. He added there are are massive issues around public transport and traffic in Douglas. There has to be a longer-term plan put in place. Douglas is only getting bigger, and issues are only going to get worse, so Id love to make the case for that over the next few years too. Corks Social Democrats selected two candidates on Wednesday to contest the local elections next year, in the Kanturk Charleville and Cork City South West local electoral areas. Charleville man Andrew Ring said he was honoured to have been selected by the party as a candidate for the Kanturk LEA, and congratulated his colleague Ciaran McCarthy who was selected for Cork City South West. Mr Ring said it will be a tough battle ahead as three of the four candidates who were elected the last time, were elected on the first count. We do feel that the tide is changing somewhat, and we will try to put our best foot forward, he told The Echo. Top of his agenda is getting Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Cork County Council to expedite the building of the relief road. Weve had two major incidents recently. Its the big issue for us in Charleville. Thats where a lot of my focus will be, he said. More affordable and social housing are needed for north and west Cork, he said. I see The Echo reported that theyre going to miss their targets by 161 units, potentially again this year. Thats not good enough. "We need to press harder to ensure that doesnt happen. Resources have to be put in place to ensure that the Housing for All Plan works, he added. An executive officer for Irish Rail who works in Mallow, Mr Ring said he will be pushing for the introduction of a leap card in Charleville, as was recently done in Mallow, along with reduced fares. Irish Rail has introduced a morning service from Charleville to Mallow which connects to Cork. Would we like more services there? Of course we would, well keep fighting for it, he said. Mr Ring said farmers are facing a lot of pressure in meeting environmental targets. We want to support rural life as much as possible. Theres a conversation to be had with farmers in incentivising them to meet their emissions targets without penalising farmers, he said. You cant punish people. You need to bring them with you. Barrister and lecturer Ciaran McCarthy received over 8,500 votes in the last General Election in Cork North West, showing that there is a considerable constituency out there which is looking for a viable alternative, he told The Echo. We will strive to convince those people that they were correct to vote for us the last time, and that we are the alternative that is needed to address the societal issues which are obvious at the moment, he said. The levels of homelessness and the lack of availability in housing in Cork and nationally are top of Mr McCarthys priorities. Pressure needs to be put on the executive of Cork City Council to somehow explain why we have such a long turnaround in the re-letting of social housing, which is having a devastating social impact on our fortunes in Cork, he said. We are absolute laggards nationally in terms of the turnaround times for perfectly habitable social accommodation. "Related to that is the housing that is left unoccupied, that is allowed to be vacant and derelict. Basic public services have been allowed to degrade, said Mr McCarthy, pointing to the currently unmanned Ballincollig Fire Station. Its a state-of-the-art facility with fire engines inside. It has everything except actual Firefighters. This is totally capable of being redressed, added Mr McCarthy. This should be addressed right away, tomorrow. A 37-year-old man accused of raping and falsely imprisoning a 19-year-old woman who worked for him has applied again for bail and gardai objected, saying that chains and restraints were found at his apartment. Detective Garda Paul Cogan who investigated the case said images were found on the accused mans mobile phone of the complainant passed out on a bed in his apartment. Detective Garda Cogan of the Protection Services Unit at Anglesea Street Garda Station served a book of evidence on the accused today on charges of rape and false imprisonment. Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said, This case is going to be to do with consent. This man has denied the allegations at all times. Det. Garda Cogan said the accused commented to him at one stage during the investigation, That is just some silly girl looking for money. Judge Olann Kelleher refused bail. BOOK OF EVIDENCE On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher who confirmed that the accused had been served with a book of evidence, the judge sent the case forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court. The detective objected to bail being granted to the accused, who was 35 at the time of the alleged incident, at Cork District Court because of the seriousness of what was alleged in relation to August 18 2021. He said the complainant, who is now 21 and was 19 at the time, sustained a physical injury when she tried to stop the rape from happening. In May and June of 2021, it is alleged the accused's behaviour towards her was inappropriate and she was in fear of him It is alleged the young woman was alone in the business premises on the evening of August 17, 2021, when the accused returned in an intoxicated condition as she was locking up. She said he arrived in an intoxicated state and asked her to have a glass of wine with him. He opened a bottle of wine, Det Garda Cogan said. He said the complainant said she agreed to have some wine as she did not want to aggravate him. He then asked her to have some vodka with him. She said she needed to go home but he drove her to his apartment He forced her to drink more vodka He was aggressive, Det Garda Cogan said. The complainant alleged he would not let her leave the apartment and that he raped her there. She told gardai when he fell asleep at about 6am on the morning of August 18, 2021, she took the opportunity to leave the apartment. She said he woke and came to the door of the property as she was leaving. Believing he was going to follow her, she ran from the apartment and hid in undergrowth some distance away and phoned her mother to come and collect her. Det Garda Cogan objected to bail on the basis of the seriousness of the allegations and because gardai believed the accused would leave the jurisdiction rather than stand trial. Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said the flatly disputed incident dated back to August 2021 and that the accused had been available to gardai throughout that time. He said that if the accused did not get bail he might be remanded in custody for possibly two years waiting for a trial. There is a prohibition on identifying the parties in this case. I CAME across a story somewhere recently about a guy in England in the 14th century who was killed when he fell down the toilet. Turns out the toilet was in a castle, three or four storeys above ground, and was little more than a hole in the floor attached to a large drain that went all the way to the ground. The waste went down the chute and was collected at the bottom and taken away. A plank of timber straddled the opening of the hole inside the castle, and while the unfortunate guy was attending to business, the plank broke and he fell to his death. Now, when I first read that, I thought it was a bit far-fetched, but then I remembered something. Many years ago, I spent some time travelling around eastern Europe with my Chernobyl buddies, delivering humanitarian aid to various places in Belarus and western Russia. One time we came across a picnic area at the edge of a forest and decided it was the perfect place for a rest and a cook up. In amongst the trees, we spotted a wooden hut which had all the appearances of a toilet, which made us very happy. Finding a functioning toilet in that part of the world in those days was tricky. A regular toilet bowl wasnt always available either so you would often find just a hole in the floor. Thats why we celebrated whenever we were lucky enough to find a decent one. In this case, our celebrations were a tad premature. I walked over to this shed and as I got closer, I could tell from the stench that I was not heading for a pleasant experience. It was dimly lit inside, but I could see a square cut out of the timber floor and a deep pit beneath it. I didnt need a manual to show me how to use this contraption. One piece of advice we got very early on in our travels to those parts was to never go anywhere without a supply of toilet paper in your back pocket. I was grateful for that little nugget on more than one occasion. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see the ground moving beneath me and I assumed there was a little stream running below. When I looked closer, I could see it wasnt water that was moving but the floor of the pit was covered with rats. Trying to concentrate of the task in hand suddenly became very difficult. Falling into that mess could have ended as badly as it did for our friend in the 14th century. According to the website allthatsinteresting.com, toileting in medieval times wasnt such a pleasant experience either, unless you were lucky enough to live in a castle, and even then, toilets were just openings that led into a latrine or the castle moat. The waste shafts of some medieval toilets ran down the exterior wall of a fort into moats or rivers, while others were designed with internal channels that funnelled waste into a courtyard or cesspit. Others protruded out from the castle walls, with openings that hung in the open-air, allowing gravity to do the rest. Usually, a wooden bench separated the stone-carved hole from a users rear, and while sitting there they also had to be alert for the enemy, who could try to sneak through the hole in the privy chamber. However, such an attack was almost impossible when castle toilets were built to hang out over a steep cliff. That also made disposal of the waste much easier when it fell directly into the ocean where no-one had to deal with it. For the common people in those days, things were more complicated. It was forbidden to go in public spaces, and dangerous too. In 1339, a beggar was killed by a cart in London while squatting to relieve himself in the street. Houses with privies were rare so it was common for families to use chamber pots or buckets to relieve themselves at home and empty them into pits afterwards. With such a lack of facilities for dealing with sewage, the smell was everywhere. Public latrines were scarce and served more than one customer at a time. They were often built over bridges and on quays to facilitate the evacuation of human waste directly into water. In medieval public lavatories, people sat next to each other to do their business, and one London latrine had no less than two rows of 64 seats each. Royal toileting was better. A man was specifically employed to wipe the kings behind, and he was known as the Groom of the Kings Close Stool. His job was to carry around the portable toilet and clean the royal rear. Weve cleaned up our act a lot since then, or have we? Medieval toilet paper consisted of a fistful of hay. This was rarely an issue when it came to clogging or cleanliness, even though it did go on fire occasionally, but it seems it was less hazardous than our modern toilet paper. Toxic forever chemicals have recently been found in toilet paper around the world. Research found that this paper flushed down toilets and sent to sewage plants is probably a significant source of water pollution. Might be time to bring back the hay. Closer to home, Cork City councillors have called for City Hall to better advertise the locations of their public toilets, after it emerged that a clean, supervised loo had opened its doors next to the city library and they didnt know about it. Several city councillors said they didnt even realise it was there. Maybe they should count themselves lucky. There was a time when the smell would have left them in no doubt where the nearest toilet was. Olivia Kelleher Tributes have been paid to mother of two, Joanna Wisniowska, who died on Sunday after attempting to rescue her young son after he got into difficulty swimming off Ballycroneen beach in East Cork. Ms Wisniowska, who was a native of Strzyzow in Poland, entered the water in a bid to help her 10-year-old son shortly before 1pm on Sunday. The boy managed to make his way onto rocks on the shore, but Ms Wisniowska got into difficulty in the water. She was taken from the water by the RNLI and transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where she later died. Cork East Sinn Fein TD Pat Buckley described Ms Wisniowska, her partner Maciej and their children, Stanislaw and Zofia, as being deeply rooted in the community. The family are fully integrated into the town. I think they even have an Irish nickname. It is a pure and utter tragedy. Mr Buckley said every effort would be made to assist the grieving family in the coming days. In a Facebook post, the RNLI said the lifeboat crew from Ballycotton, along with their colleagues in Crosshaven Lifeboat station, were requested to launch on Sunday afternoon by Valentia Coast Guard. Local coast guard units from Ballycotton and Guileen located one of the swimmers on the rocks who was winched to safety by the crew of Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117. The second casualty was rescued from the water in a joint operation by both lifeboat crews and transferred into the care of waiting emergency services. Sadly, we learned later that the woman we rescued did not recover. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to their family and friends and our thoughts are with the young child who was brought to safety. We also wish to acknowledge the incredible work of our colleagues in the other agencies who worked tirelessly, to try and save a life. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam. Ms Wisniowska was a certified massage therapist who previously ran her own mobile massage business. She also worked in the spa at the Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork. The family had lived in Cloyne, Co Cork for several years. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has urged the country's textile industry to implement a raft of new, sustainable water management practices. Azmat Naz, deputy director at the EPA, told local finance journal WealthPK that there were significant concerns regarding the industry's environmental impact and that unsustainable practices such as excessive water consumption, the release of untreated wastewater into water bodies, and the use of hazardous chemicals, all posed significant risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring long-term sustainability of the textile industry, Azmat told WealthPK, insisting that urgent action was required to implement sustainable water management practices. These could include, she said, the implementation of stringent wastewater treatment standards and monitoring systems, which would help ensure compliance with environmental regulations and reduce the ecological impact of Pakistan's vital textile industry. A recent report from industry body, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), backed the pleas for improved water management practices, highlighting the need for a regulatory agency to oversee and control industrial water usage and waste discharge. The report called for authorities to be granted sufficient powers to enforce penalties in case of non-compliance with pollution regulations. 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. Environmental activists demonstrate against greenwashing in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on Nov. 27, 2021. Ana Fernandez / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images Under new rules for businesses set by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and backed by the Group of Twenty (G20) nations, companies will be required to disclose their contributions to climate change, reported Reuters. The previous lack of clear standards has led large companies to understate their carbon emissions and overstate their climate credibility, a tactic called greenwashing. The new standards will provide universal climate and sustainability standards, but ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber said it will be up to individual countries to require their use by companies in their annual reports beginning next year. Greenwashing will end the day our standards have gained a sufficiently significant position in the markets, Faber told AFP. Faber said the purpose of the standards is to reassure the financial market about the information it is given. The ISSB said the new standards will boost the trust and confidence in the information companies are providing, as well as inform investment decisions in order to create a common language for disclosure. The ISSB belongs to the International Financial Reporting Standards foundation. ISSB standards are designed to create a global baseline of sustainability-related financial language, on top of which jurisdictions might add specific building blocks, Faber said, as GreenBiz reported. So far, Nigeria, Brazil, Kenya, Chile, Egypt, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Britain and Canada are considering using the new standards, Faber told Reuters. The new rules stem from voluntary standards put together by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), an advisory body created by the G20. Endorsement shall be a real game changer for regulators around the world in considering the use of the ISSB framework, said Jean-Paul Servais, chair of IOSCO, a global securities watchdog, as reported by Reuters. More than 40 percent of the 4,000 biggest companies in the world do not disclose Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions data, according to David Harris, head of sustainable finance strategic initiatives & partnerships at London Stock Exchange Group. Harris pointed out that capital markets are far less effective because you havent got a full picture, Reuters reported. The 2015 Paris Agreement goal of keeping global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels has led countries globally to adopt measures to achieve net zero by 2050. When you have lots of countries all making regulations and requirements at the same time, thats a bit of a nightmare scenario for companies, said Kate Levick, associate director for sustainable finance at think tank E3G, as reported by AFP. The ISSB expects nations like Britain and Japan to make the new standards mandatory, while the European Union is putting together its own biodiversity rules that the committee hopes will be compatible. The new standards use the Greenhouse Gas Protocol parameters on how companies measure their carbon dioxide emissions, both direct and indirect. [C]ompanies have been wrestling with a complex reporting landscape for some time, Faber said, as GreenBiz reported. This is a core reason why the ISSB was created. Our standards have been developed by consolidating voluntary initiatives. Levick says the new standards set forth by the ISSB will help minimize greenwashing, reported AFP. The disclosure requirements have been very carefully considered and thought out and designed with anti-greenwashing in mind, said Levick, as AFP reported. The whole idea of this is to hold firms accountable. MBABANE The Citizen Economic Empowerment Bill of 2021 which is aimed at ensuring the prioritisation of emaSwati seems to have loopholes that might be a disadvantage to the populace. This is according to stakeholders who weighed in on the Bill, which has been in Parliament for three terms. The first Citizen Economic Empowerment Bill was tabled in 2011 during the 9th Parliament. The last draft of the Bill was tabled in 2021. The objectives of the Bill are to promote and stimulate micro, small and medium enterprises development and growth through the economic empowerment of citizen owned companies; promote gender equality through increasing employment opportunities in accessing, owning, managing, controlling and exploiting economic resources; promote equal opportunities for citizen owned companies in accessing and being awarded procurement contracts and other services from a State institutions and a private institution; promote new investment and existing investment through joint ventures and partnerships between local and foreign investors in order to enhance broad-based economic empowerment; and establish a citizens economic empowerment council and provide for powers and functions of the council. With all the forms of empowerment that have been listed in the Bill, there are several challenges that have been noted by stakeholders and need to be addressed. Views The House of Assembly passed the Bill on April 17, 2023 and it is currently in Senate. The views on the Bill by stakeholders who included senators, chiefs and indigenous business owners were on concerns about what emaSwati stood to benefit from it, should it pass in Senate. The first stakeholder to raise concerns about the Bill was Justice Nxumalo, a representative of Indigenous Business Owners. He pointed about that the Bill had been in Parliament for at least three terms. He said even the 11th Parliament started working on it recently. The businessman said Clause 11 to 21 of the Bill was not detailing the benefits of emaSwati. Part of Clause 21 of the Bill states how the minister and a Board can make reservations and adjustments in order for the citizens to enjoy equal opportunities and equitable representative in the work force. It also gives the minister the powers to make certain industries to be strictly for emaSwati. Investment Im puzzled by the word enjoy in the Bill. The law should not be about enjoyment but benefiting emaSwati. Secondly, if there would be an investment that would not be restricted to emaSwati, it should be clear how emaSwati will be prioritised or benefit, unfortunately the Bill is quiet on that aspect. The inclusion should be detailed clearly, he said. Nxumalo said he feared that in cases where emaSwati might not have the money for some investments, they would find themselves losing and not benefiting from businesses that were making millions on their land. He highlighted that the Bill should clearly state the percentage that emaSwati would be entitled to in international investments that were operated on their land. King Sobhuza II said there should be places and industries that were reserved for emaSwati and formed Swazi Commercial Amadoda to safeguard those industries, he said. He noted that the Bill completely excluded Swazi Commercial Amadoda. Meanwhile, Secretary of Swazi Commercial Amadoda Edward Masilela also raised concerns about the structuring of the Bill. He said he had a feeling that emaSwati would continue being worse-off because of excluding the Kings consent from the Bill. Structures He said the stepping in of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade on ENL business had stripped Swazi Commercial Amadoda and traditional structures powers to safeguard the land of emaSwati from foreigners. It was raised by the stakeholders that the delays in passing the Bill had created a huge mess. They revealed that foreigners were buying ENL and starting businesses there. Seemingly, we are going back to colonialism era where emaSwati among other Africans did not have ownership of their land and colonisers had taken over it. What are we doing as emaSwati? Foreigners should be working for or with us to grow our economy, not to take it away, said Nxumalo. Detailing the percentages will also protect the King from being accused of giving foreigners preference over indigenous people, he added. Senators and Chiefs were also of the view that the proposed law needed to be scrutinised properly. Senators Busi Dlamini, Prince Hlangabeza and chiefs who included Chief Zabeni Shiba, Ngalonkhulu Mabuza and Prince Magudvulela raised concerns about how the legislation excluded traditional structures. Citizens They were of the view that a law that was aimed at empowering citizens should include traditional structures because every liSwati in the country affiliated under a chiefdom. The senators said the reason a number of businesses on ENL had been taken over by foreigners was because the Ministry of Commerce issued licences without conducting an inspection in locos. They suggested that the law should state that before a trading licence for a business on ENL was issued, it would be crucial for the ministry to conduct inspections in loco and that process should go via the Royal Kraal. The law should include chief representatives; how can ministry officials understand or know people in rural communities without liaising with the chiefs. This is a very dangerous issue, we will leave our children with nothing, said Chief Ngalokhulu Mabuza. Cobb Europe and Sovereign Foods expand distribution of Cobb500 in South Africa Cobb Europe and Sovereign Foods, one of the largest broiler integrators in South Africa, have signed a multiplier agreement to expand the distribution of Cobb500 products in the country as well as in Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini. The agreement demonstrates that Cobb continues to deliver on its mission of providing affordable, healthy and quality broiler breeding stock to help feed a growing world, the company said. Sovereign has a long history of production and growth in the South African market. With operations in three provinces, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Limpopo, Sovereign is an influential leader in the poultry industry and the ideal partner for Cobb in South Africa, Cobb added. "This new agreement not only reaffirms the excellent relationship between our companies, but it also strengthens the commitment from both parties to make the distribution of Cobb products in South Africa a success," said Roy Mutimer, Cobb's vice president of EMEA and APAC. "The Cobb500 broiler is in high demand due to its efficiency in the South African market, so we have no doubt Cobb500 will be welcomed by all chick producers and broiler companies." "Sovereign is proud to become the Cobb multiplier after having signed the agreement and is looking forward to growing the Cobb brand in the target markets," said Chris Coombes, chief executive officer of Sovereign. "Sovereign believes that the Cobb product has great potential to expand its market share and is excited about working with our partners from Cobb EU on this opportunity." "Having worked with Sovereign for many years, I am excited to strengthen our relationship," said Richard Weatherley, commercial manager at Cobb Europe. "It is great to partner with the Sovereign team who bring a real strength in poultry knowledge and a forward-thinking attitude that can be seen by their continuous expansion in South Africa. I have no doubt that they will provide the market with the best quality chicks that will allow all our customers to unlock the genetic potential of the Cobb 500." Pieter Oosthuysen, senior manager of accounts and technical for Africa, will be handling all marketing, PS sales and customer technical support. "I am happy to be increasing our sales in the market with the support of Cobb Europe and our new partner, Sovereign," said Oosthuysen. "I've been working with customers and the Cobb 500 for over 28 years, and I'm proud to see our markets growing." Pieter previously helped establish the Cobb 500 breed in South Africa which captured significant independent market share before he joined Cobb Europe to look after more African markets. In addition to Pieter's support, specialist technical support will be provided by Cobb Europe in nutrition, veterinary, hatchery, broilers and ventilation. The South African market has experienced good growth over the past three years, according to Cobb. - Cobb Agreement to set up aquafeed production in Duqm, Oman The Special Economic Zone at Duqm, Oman (SEZAD), has signed an agreement with Blue Feeds Company, a joint venture between United Fish and Seapride, to establish the first aquafeed production unit in Duqm on an area of 20,000sqm. The deal was signed by Ahmed bin Ali Akaak, acting chief executive officer of SEZAD and Mohammed Ameen, executive director of Blue Feeds Company. The US$20 million project will be set up in the Fisheries and Food Industries Zone located near the multi-purpose fishing port in SEZAD, with a production capacity of 60,000 tonnes of shrimp and fish feed for the project's first phase. There will also be an option for expansion in the future. The project supports Oman's efforts to achieve food security by maximising yield from the sultanate's rich fish wealth, localising the value-added chain of fish products and producing fishmeal and oil. - Muscat Daily Ross 308 PS awards honor Aviagen ANZ's customers for remarkable performance Aviagen recently acknowledged the strong achievements of its parent stock (PS) customers in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands (Oceania). The Aviagen Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) team recently celebrated the positive performance of these high-achieving farms during the recent Aviagen seminar in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The awards recognise farms that have reached the highest levels of egg and chick output for flocks placed in 2021 and completed in 2022. Aviagen's Ross 308 breed has consistently delivered exceptional results globally, and the achievements of its customers in Oceania highlight the breed's strength in the region, the company said. Overcoming the challenges posed by the recent COVID restrictions on people and movement, these farms demonstrated resilience and achieved remarkable flock performance, Aviagen added. Michael Leahy, managing director of Aviagen ANZ, said: "We were delighted to see a very strong field of high performing PS flocks. The impressive egg and chick numbers reflect the value of the Ross 308 genetics, coupled with exceptional management skill and favorable growing conditions in the ANZ region. We look forward to continuing to see year-on-year improvement in PS flock performance." - Aviagen MANZINI A 21-year-old man was reportedly hacked with a bush knife, stabbed all over the body and burnt on Saturday morning. The murder was committed at Ntabamhloshana, which is a semi-urban community located about 20 kilometers, south-east from Manzini. According to sources, Bonkhe Lushaba was assaulted by people after they found him seated at one of the shopping complexes on Saturday morning. The sources were uncertain of the number of people who were involved in the assault of Lushaba However, this publication gathered that Calisile Mabuza, who is an aunt to Lushaba, discovered her nephew lying behind a shopping complex at Ntabamhloshana at about 7:15am on Saturday. Homestead Mabuza, who was found with other family members, said on Saturday morning she prepared to go to the hammer mill, which is about two kilometres from the homestead. Upon arrival there, she said one of the people from the area approached her and reported that Lushaba had been injured. With tears welling in her eyes, Mabuza said she approached the scene which is about 30 metres from the hammer mill and found her nephew half-clothed with stab wounds all over the body.She said: When they told me that Bonkhe was injured, I thought that it was something minor and did not suspect Id find him in such a bad state. Mabuza said she found Lushaba resting his head on a sweater he had been wearing when he left home on Friday. The aunt said his neck and face were scalded; but she was not certain what had been used to burn him. Mabuza had suspicion that acid could have been used as a tyre or any other form of fire would have had remnants. She said upon arrival at the scene, Lushaba was still breathing but it was seemingly demanding for him. She suspected that this was because Lushaba had been half naked in the cold for almost five hours while he had also bled profusely. Inspection Mabuza said the community members who had found Lushaba had tried to move him from the wall where he had been left leaning onto a spot where there were rays of the sun. Upon inspection of her nephew, Mabuza said she saw that Lushaba had serious head injuries, supposedly inflicted through being hacked. Also, she said the deceased had stab wounds all over the body, including in the soles of his feet. The aunt said the community members informed her that they had contacted the Mafutseni Police Station to report the gory discovery and further requested that Lushaba be transported to hospital. However, as they waited and looked at the state the deceased was in at the time, a car was organised and used to transport him to hospital. Nevertheless, this effort fell through as the vehicle developed mechanical challenges within two kilometres from the shopping complexes of Ntabamhloshana. As they waited for the police, Mabuza said when she checked on her nephew, she discovered that he was no longer breathing. Injuries At about 10 minutes later, she said the police arrived and they took Lushaba to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, where he was certified dead. The doctor said the head injuries were severe and that he had bled profusely, Mabuza said. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the murder. She said: Two males aged 41 and 38 have been arrested and charged with murder whereby on Saturday, at 9am, a 21-year-old man of Ntabamhloshana was assaulted and burnt. It is worth noting that the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) in its Annual Report for 2022/23 stated that murder cases hiked by 86.3 per cent as it increased to 231 recorded cases against 124 in the previous reporting period. Breakthroughs In dealing with the crime of murder, police reported that they had made breakthroughs as a total of 238 suspects were arrested for the various murders committed. The police reported that most murder cases emanated from, among other things, family disputes, abuse of alcohol, dagga wars, mob justice as well as forced ingestion of poisonous substances. They said a multi-faceted approach was necessary to curb this scourge of crime. Recently, this publication reported that a hit man shot a pensioner aged 62 and her 39-year-old son last month. The pair was shot and killed while within their homestead at Lundzi. Also, this publication reported that an elderly man was brutally murdered at his homestead just after returning to his wife from an errand in the capital city. The senior citizen, aged 75, was murdered at Manzana in Mliba under Madlangampisi. According to sources, the pensioner had just returned from Mbabane where he had been accompanied by a community member to register for a new dip tank. NASA is creating a ChatGPT-like assistant for astronauts Deployment of an early version is planned for the Lunar Gateway space station. Despite our intrinsic distrust of AI in space taught to us by movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey ("I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave"), it offers large advantages to both manned and unmanned missions. To that end, NASA is developing a system that will allow astronauts to perform maneuvers, conduct experiments and more using a natural-language ChatGPT-like interface, The Guardian reported. "The idea is to get to a point where we have conversational interactions with space vehicles and they [are] also talking back to us on alerts, interesting findings they see in the solar system and beyond," said Dr. Larissa Suzuki, speaking at an IEEE meeting on next-gen space communication. "It's really not like science fiction anymore." NASA aims to deploy the system on its Lunar Gateway, a space station that will orbit the Moon and provide support for NASA's Artemis mission. It would use a natural language interface that allows astronauts to seek advice on experiments or conduct maneuvers without diving into complex manuals. On a dedicated page soliciting small business support for Lunar Gateway, NASA wrote that it would require AI and machine learning technologies to manage various systems when it's unoccupied as well. Those include autonomous operations of science payloads, data transmission prioritization, autonomous operations, health management of Gateway and more. For instance, Suzuki outlined a scenario in which the system would automatically fix data transmission glitches and inefficiencies, along with other types of digital outages. "We cannot send an engineer up in space whenever a space vehicle goes offline or its software breaks somehow," she said. All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing. SITEKI Ward 4 winner under the Siteki Town Council Local Government Elections, Bongi Tsabedze, who has bounced back, has thanked his supporters for voting him in again despite that he was a person with a disability. Tsabedze (38), won with 168 votes to beat his second-placed contender Mfanfikile Mashaba, who recorded 138 votes while finishing on 14 votes in third place was Phiwayinkosi Kunene. The councillors will be in office for five years. Worth mentioning is that Ward 5 residents voted yesterday after the ward experienced a shortage of ballot papers on Saturday. In Ward 1s Buyisakuthula Matsenjwa (30) scored 81 votes while Mkhosi Mngometulu recorded 69 votes and Patricia Simelane-Mdluli came third with 18 votes. In Ward 2, Bongisipho Dlamini (36) won with 40 votes to beat second-placed Richard Mavimbela on 27 votes, while Sipho Dludlu recorded 15 votes to finish in third place. In Ward 3s Simphiwe Dlamini (38) recorded 56 votes to win and Bheki Ndzimandze got 45 votes to finish in second place while Sibusiso Mazibuko finished in third place with 21 votes. In Ward 4, Musa Simango (37) won with 92 votes and Sibusiso Matsenjwa got 67 votes, while Lihle Luhlanga recorded 35 votes to finish in third place. Overwhelmed I am so overwhelmed with joy that the residents of Ward 4 have been educated that people with disabilities have the ability and brains to contribute to the development and improvement of their lives. As a God-fearing person, I would like to thank the people of Ward 4 for trusting me again to be their representative, he said. Tsabedze shared that he had unfinished business to contribute towards developing the town and the livelihoods of the people of Siteki as well as ensuring that job opportunities were created for the youth. I will continue to work with the committees overseeing development initiatives in my ward and also to meet the youth on how best they can share ideas that could ensure that they come up with income generating projects to improve their livelihoods, Tsabedze said. Ward 5 winner Musa Simango promised to work on improving the policies of the town in ensuring that they benefited the people of Siteki. Simango said he was focusing on improving the lives of the people of his ward and initiate development projects that would include creating job opportunities for the youth. I am optimistic that more good things are on the way as we have to work collectively to achieve great results, he said. However, Ward 3 winner, Simphiwe Dlamini, said even though resources were scarce, his primary objective was to ensure the incorporation of the youth in the towns policies so that they could benefit immensely in development initiatives implemented by the council. Early in the morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham drew a red line. If youre going to represent our party, he told the Faith and Freedom Coalition of those vying for the Republican nomination, the first thing you need to look in the camera and say is, I will fight with everything in my being to make sure America doesnt become China when it comes to abortion. For the evangelical Christians and social conservatives packed into the ballroom of the Washington Hilton on Friday, it was a welcome message. And lest there be any confusion among the press or the presidential candidates, the South Carolina Republican was explicit about his expectations. Graham wants a 15-week federal abortion ban. On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the Republican field now coalesces around similar calls for a federal ban. Except, that is, for Donald Trump. He attacks the Democratic position very well, Graham said of the former president and current front-runner during an interview with RealClearPolitics after his remarks wrapped. He argued that the United States ought to have a policy more in line with Europe, where abortion is restricted after 12 to 15 weeks. He insisted the evangelicals and social conservatives will let him get to where he needs to go. His rivals for the nomination, however, are less than patient. Many of the sharpest remarks on abortion, a topline priority for the key GOP constituency, were aimed directly at Trump. Mike Pence went first, calling the cause of life the calling of our time and, like Graham, who has already endorsed Trump, demanded that every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard. A favorite of social conservatives and long an opponent of abortion, the former vice president has urged the GOP to adopt this position and first called for a federal ban in an interview with RCP before last years midterm elections. And on Friday, he spoke in the same language as Graham. Today, abortion law in the United States, Pence said Friday, is more aligned with China and North Korea than with Western nations in Europe. The last candidate to speak Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, book-ended that message. He pointed to his track record in that state promoting a culture of life and said, That means signing into law a bill that protects unborn children when theres a detectable heartbeat. The message from Trumps closest competition in the polls was unmistakable: He was willing to do the difficult thing when he banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. It was the right thing to do, he added as he wound up a jab. Dont let anyone tell you it wasnt. In an interview with The Messenger in May, Trump said the Florida ban was too harsh. As the leading contender, Trump will soon have his chance to address that kind of criticism when he speaks to the premier gathering of nearly 3,000 pro-faith and pro-family Republicans Saturday night. He snagged an enviable spot headlining the confabs big Saturday night dinner. While Trump supporters such as Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr, praised him as the most pro-life president ever, doubt begins to grow in the minds of some social conservatives. In private, he reportedly blamed GOP losses in the 2022 midterms on the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and in public, he earned a rare rebuke from the Susan B. Anthony List, the most powerful front in the anti-abortion lobby, for suggesting that the issue be left entirely to the states. The SBA List called that morally indefensible. Trump has an opportunity to calm nervous social conservatives who believe that a federal role in limiting abortion still exists. The timing, however, could be tricky. Saturday is the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning federal protections for abortion access. He must now navigate the issue as it has become a central theme of the 2024 presidential campaign. Look, I dont give him advice, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley told RCP of Trump, before adding that a 15-week ban like the one in legislation introduced by Graham is an easy national threshold. This is quickly approaching party orthodoxy. I am 100% pro-life, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott told voters at the event Friday. When I am president of the United States, I will sign the most pro-life legislation the House and Senate can put on my desk. We should begin with a 15-week national limit. The presidential hopeful found fertile ground on the issue, opening his remarks by crediting God for the high courts decision overturning federal protections for abortion access. We have to start with tomorrows anniversary and thank God Almighty for the Dobbs decision, he said. We are creating a culture of life in America, and thats a really good thing. And while Republicans are prepared to rally to the issue in a presidential primary, Scott said that Democrats are turning in the opposite direction. Underscoring his points, he recounted a recent Senate hearing in which he said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testified that poor black women should have abortions to improve their labor force participation. The Radical Left has lost so much faith in America, he argued. Theyve lost faith in life itself. Many evangelicals agree with that tenor and that policy. The voting bloc that helped propel Trump to the White House in 2016 is keeping a close eye on where the former president comes down. So are Democrats, whom each of the 2024 candidates argued want abortion legalized without any meaningful restrictions. As weve repeatedly said, MAGA Republicans will not stop until they ban abortion nationwide, a spokesman for the Democratic National Convention told RCP after the Republican candidates had walked off stage. Overturning Roe was only the beginning for these anti-choice extremists, and every day they double down on ripping away freedoms only raises the stakes for the 2024 election. As Democrats take Trump both seriously and literally, Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, addressed the criticism from the right. The former president is saying and will likely continue to say, Reed told reporters incredulously, Im not pro-life enough? I'm being attacked by people who signed pro-life bills, and the only reason why they got to sign those pro-life bills was because of the justices I appointed and the decision that resulted in? I dont know if it gives him a buffer zone, Reed said of whether his previous anti-abortion record would save him from future criticism. But he added, It is true. Not every candidate is eager for a detailed conversation about abortion policy. Vivek Ramaswamy notably avoided making any substantial claims on the abortion topic. Asked about the red line laid out by Graham, Pence, and others, he replied, We need to talk about the issue in a way that doesnt make it as divisive and is true to our commitments. So, I think Im the only candidate in this race that says, Hey, lets actually be open to a discussion in this country about policy on contraception, about policy on adoption, even childcare. We share the basic instincts, Ramaswamy said, and we just need to find our common ground around the actual true pro-life policies. Instincts are one thing. Actions are another. At least thats what Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, argued in an interview with RCP. The longshot candidate didnt shy away from taking shots at Trumps view that abortion is a losing issue for Republicans. My response to Donald Trump is to get some convictions, he told RealClearPolitics. Were talking about how you handle an important issue of life. Hes not speaking from conviction. Hes not speaking from principle thats not what America expects out of a leader. Once a confidant of Trump, former Gov. Chris Christie drew boos, not for clinging to anti-abortion orthodoxy but for questioning the front-runners character. You can boo all you want, he said over the crowds jeers. But heres the thing, our faith teaches us that people have to take responsibility for what they do. Abortion, Thursday morning, was safer ground. One of only three Republicans in 30 years to unseat a sitting Democratic governor in New Jersey, Christie said analysts had predicted he couldnt win because he was an unabashedly pro-life Republican. He won anyway, and during his eight years in office, he recalled his successful effort to cut state funding for Planned Parenthood using his veto pen to reject bills funding the abortion group eight different times. Why pick that fight? Because, Christie told the crowd, I was taught that every child is a precious gift from God. The Trump campaign will review these criticisms as they prepare for his Saturday remarks. He speaks in prime time. He has an opportunity to short-circuit all the criticism once and for all if he lays out a concrete position. For some like Hutchinson, though, it doesnt matter what the former president will say. I dont believe his commitments are reliable, the governor concluded. Jonathan Draeger and Noelle Worley contributed to this report. The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) said it has been awarded the Elite Quality Recognition Award by JP Morgan for its exceptional performance in individual US Dollar transfers for the calendar year 2022. The award recognises the banks achievements in best-in-class Straight-Through Processing (STP) rates with a 99.37% STP rate based on J.P. Morgans internal data., said NBB in its statement. Sherif Abdel Salam, Executive Director and Head of GCC & Turkey FIG of JP Morgan, presented the award to NBB Group Head of Coverage Ali Abdulkarim and Head of Bank Operations Nabeel Mustafa. On the top recognition, Mustafa said: "The achievement of 99.37% STP rate was due to our continuous efforts in investing in technologies and enhancing processes and training plans. The award is a testament to our ongoing efforts to provide our customers with high-quality business performance and improve our service levels across our money transfer operations." Since 1997, JP Morgan has been presenting awards in recognition of outstanding efforts in best Straight-Through Processing (STP). As the leading national bank with a commitment to achieve the Kingdoms Vision 2030, NBB maintains an array of quality services positioning it as a regional leader in the industry. Twice indicted but still the undisputed frontrunner for the Republican nomination, Donald Trump told religious conservatives Saturday that his legal woes were bigger than a courtroom fight. The former president and evangelicals were instead engaged together in what he likened to a righteous crusade against atheists, globalists, and the Marxists. In a nearly 90-minute speech, Trump alleged that Democrats were not just trying to take away religious liberty. They were battling God Almighty himself. They are waging war, he said of that cosmic battle. Its not a war they are going to win. And for his part, Trump promised, if returned to the White House, to restore our nation under God. In this way, inside the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, he branded his reelection as something of a holy war before questioning how any person of faith could support a Democrat. How can you as Christians, how can the people in this room, Trump asked, vote for them? According to the former president, his recent indictment for mishandling classified documents was the latest confirmation that his enemies harbored anti-democratic ambitions in pursuit of an anti-religious mission. The radical left is coming after all of us because they know our allegiance is not to them, he said. Our allegiance is to our country and our creator. And again, Trump cast himself as a martyr. They want to take away my freedom, he claimed, because I will never let them take away your freedom. This message was met with thunderous applause. Trump has an enduring appetite for culture wars, though he sees himself not as the aggressor but as champion finishing for the right what the left started. Throughout the night, he reminded the crowd of social conservatives how his administration notched victory after victory on the issues they hold dear. On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Trump noted that he had nominated the three justices who returned the abortion issue to the states, giving pro-life people tremendous power to negotiate. Without offering specifics, Trump added that there remains a vital role for the federal government in regulating abortion. It was his administration, he continued, that moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, barred transgender individuals from the military, and attempted to weed out critical race theory from the classroom. Leaning on that record and comparing it to the actions of the current White House, Trump hopes that no challenger can pluck the evangelical vote from his hand. At the very least, he seemed certain there was no way that kind of electorate could support a Democrat, even a lifelong Roman Catholic like President Biden. Trump harkened back to the 2020 presidential debates, saying mockingly that Biden was trying to say, Oh, I love being Catholic! You know what theyre doing to Catholics? Theres never been an assault on Catholics the likes of which theyre having to go through. He referenced documents obtained by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this year showing how the FBI sought to develop sources inside parishes, telling the crowd that federal law enforcement was sending undercover spies into Catholic churches. He pointed to the arrest of activist Mark Houck, who was later acquitted, saying that the FBI has sent SWAT teams to arrest pro-lifers. He said that the treatment of American Catholics under the Biden administration was just as it was in the old Soviet Union days. But Trump was more ecumenical in how he saw those examples applying to the diverse American electorate that is made up of the many religions. I don't understand how people can vote, people of faith, he said pausing to note that he was not just talking about Christians, but all people of faith, can vote for these Democrats. His opponents approached godlessness, he claimed. Theyve become monsters. Theyre fighting you all the way on religion. A second Trump term would have a religious impetus beyond social issues, he promised. Even immigration policy would take on a faith quality. Using federal law and section 212-F of the Immigration and Nationality Act, I will order my government to deny entry to all Communists and all Marxists," Trump said. America would only welcome immigrants who love our country. We don't want them when they want to destroy our country. Welcome to America, we want to destroy your country, thank you very much, he said. So, we're going to keep foreign Christian-hating communists, Marxists, and socialists out of America. We're keeping them out of America. This kind of rhetoric has previously appealed to the religious right. Trump maintained his grip on these voters through two elections. Most evangelical voters who attend church regularly ended up going to the polls for him in the last general election. A survey by Pew Research Service found that Trump won 71% of white evangelical protestants and 63% of Catholics while Biden carried black Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated. Trump still lost that contest, but his conflicts continue. He told the crowd Saturday evening that he didnt fear the possibility of prison. Instead, the former president said, every time the radical-left Democrats, Marxist communists, and fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of courage. I'm probably the only person in history that's been indicted, Trump added, and my numbers went up. He now leads his closest competition, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by more than 30 points in the RealClearPolitics Average. Of course, if he wasnt in the contest, his enemies would find new targets of opportunity, Trump told the crowd of the election that he claims has as much to do with picking the next president as it does with ensuring atheist opponents didnt succeed in their war with the American church. They would focus on whoever was leading, he said. They would go after that person, male or female, just as viciously as they go after me, he continued. And that person would not be able to handle it, he concluded, and that's why you have no choice but to vote for Donald Trump. At this, the crowd roared just like they had for much of the night. If political rhetoric was subject to the same rigid labeling standards American manufacturers are expected to meet, liberals would have to call themselves something else. The term was undoubtedly test-marketed to evoke the image of someone more broadminded and generally more tolerant of others points of view. Does that describe any leftist you know? When liberals claim to prize diversity above virtually any other commodity, theyre referring only to differences in things that dont matter and, by their own admission, human beings are born to be. Things like race, gender and sexual orientation. Opinions and actions, on the other hand, are fair game for the most soul-crushing forms of discrimination. If that sounds like an exaggeration, you havent ventured onto a college campus or spent time on social media platforms, whose sole purpose is to quash viewpoints with which those in power disagree. Less obvious to the naked eye, unfortunately, is perhaps the single-largest funding source for this toxic ideology organized labor in general and government employee unions in particular. Because the whole idea of collective bargaining is based on excusing a relative handful of union members from the forces of supply and demand with which unorganized workers must contend, it only follows that union leaders would be suspicious, at best, of Americas market-driven economy. But at least those representing workers in the private sector understand their demands must be tempered by the employers need to earn profits. Government employee unions, however, recognize no such constraints. Members of groups like the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and teachers unions like the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are paid by tax dollars funneled through public employees paychecks. Consequently, leaders of their unions have a vested interest in growing the size and scope of government, regardless of how that impacts the rest of us. Unlike their peers in the real world, government union leaders know they arent dependent on the goodwill of millions of consumers, so they generally dont care about whether their membership agrees with their stances. And if they dont agree, they rely on bullying strategies to stop them from leaving and the overall size of government growing. So they focus on working with greedy politicians who can raise the taxes needed to advance a liberal agenda that has nothing whatsoever to do with workers pay or working conditions. For example: At the height of the COVID pandemic, leaders of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) demanded the defunding of law enforcement and universal Medicare in return for returning to the classroom; The NEA used its 2020-21 annual conference to debate a pair of resolutions expressing the groups public support for Palestinian statehood and condemn Israels ethnic cleansing of Palestinians; AFT President Randi Weingarten has used her union to wage a massive assault on the Second Amendment including outright weapon confiscation saying the U.S. must follow what other great democracies have done to ban guns; Under President Mary Kay Henry, the SEIU in 2022 partnered with the Green New Deal Network for a series of protests to present a united front on climate legislation as they urged Congress to pass President Bidens bloated Build Back Better proposal before the midterms; and, Declaring that racial, social and economic equality are top priorities for AFSCME, the union in 2018 adopted Resolution 51, calling for, among many things, bias training, which helps identify built-in prejudices. The Left has long accused conservative political candidates and causes of being funded by huge, faceless corporate interests a notion thoroughly invalidated, incidentally, via such companies Anheuser-Busch, Target and Disney, whose recent missteps had nothing to do with profits and everything to do with the far-Left ideologies of their leaders. But even if it were true that Wall Street uniformly skewed right while unions backed the Left, theres an important distinction: However much the Kochs or the Waltons have spent on conservative legislation, at least its their money. Unions, meanwhile, confiscate billions of dues dollars every year from the paychecks of millions of government employees who think its being spent on representation and use it to underwrite a radical, leftist ideology perhaps half their members dont even share. In theory, this should no longer be the case. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Janus v. AFSCME, affirmed that union membership and dues and/or agency fees could no longer be made mandatory, as they had been for public employees in nearly half the country for generations. But unions responded by adopting a laundry list of strategies intended to blunt the courts unambiguous intent everything from suppressing information about the ruling to filing lawsuits against members seeking to opt out of union affiliation and even forging workers names on membership documents. Since Janus, government employee unions have lost nearly 800,000 members, taking with them billions in dues revenue that can never again be used to fund a machine that suppresses the rights of its own members in order to advance policies that rob the rest of us our God-given freedoms. But theyre still kicking. The struggle to expose labors unsavory role in the process is being waged battle by battle, but the war isnt yet won. Aaron Withe is the CEO of the Freedom Foundation, a national public policy watchdog focusing on government employee unions. His first book, Freedom is the Foundation, was released this month. Almost 20,000 primary school pupils in Wales have furthered their knowledge of food and farming following a series of live bilingual lessons. The first of their kind lessons were delivered by NFU Cymru and NFU Education as part of the union's Celebration of Welsh Food and Farming Week activities. Coined The Lamb Diaries, the lessons were led by two young farmer hosts, Erin McNaught and Sioned Davies, both former Welsh NFU Student & Young Farmer Ambassadors. During the course of the two 45-minute lessons, they gave pupils an insight into various farming practices - such as lambing, shearing and the rounding up of sheep. The sessions also included engaging cross-curricular tasks, providing an extension to the live learning, and children also had the opportunity to ask questions to the hosts live from their classroom. NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader said the "fun and interactive digital lessons means weve been able to reach more children in Wales than ever before". NFU Cymru is proud to have worked with partners at NFU Education on this innovative venture to further childrens understanding about the farm to fork journey. "Our farmer hosts, Erin and Sioned, really showcased the passion and enthusiasm that exists among the next generation of young farmers in Wales. "As well as excelling with their presenter duties, they did a great job of handling the numerous and varied questions posed to them by inquisitive pupils in their classrooms. As well as proving popular with schoolchildren, the fact that the lessons are bilingual and are aligned with the new curriculum in Wales means that the feedback weve received from teachers about providing these lessons has also been very positive." It comes as students from more than 10% of primary schools across England and Wales stepped into British farmers shoes as part of new live lessons. The NFU said 190,000 pupils from 3,434 schools a record number got involved in its Science Farm Live project, which took place in March. The virtual lessons brought farmers into classrooms nationwide, showcasing how interconnected farming is with key science subjects. Northern Irish farmers located in zone two of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme have been urged to apply before the 31 August deadline. The objective of the scheme is to test all, or the vast majority, of the 700,000 fields used for farming in Northern Ireland, in order to help farmers manage their nutrient applications. If farmers in zone two do not register, they will fall short of the eligibility criteria which must be met to receive future agriculture support payments. These include the Farm Sustainability Payment, Beef Sustainability Scheme and Farming With Nature Scheme. The three new payments will be significant income streams for farmers going forward, replacing the majority of support currently offered by the BPS. This year, zone two of the scheme invites registrations from farm businesses across Fermanagh, the west of County Armagh and South Tyrone. To date over 6,000 farmers in zone one have received soil analysis results for their farms, including pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S), together with crop specific lime and fertilizer recommendations. Project lead Dave Foster explained: The scheme will provide farmers with important information on soil nutrient levels, for each field on their farm. "Farmers will also receive a baseline estimate of the amount of carbon stored in their soils, hedgerows and trees. He added: This information will help them more accurately match nutrient applications to crop need, thereby increasing efficiency, reducing excess run-off to watercourses and improving their economic and environmental sustainability. "It will also support them in contributing to the climate change agenda established under the NI Climate Change Act." The scheme, delivered by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), is being rolled out in stages using a zonal approach over the next four years and farmers from other zones will be contacted to apply at a later date. It will see NI setting a high standard as the first region to establish an extensive baseline of all farms on soil nutrients, below and above ground carbon stocks, helping to improve water quality and the progression towards climate change targets. Farmers in zone two can register to the scheme by logging on to DAERA's online services website. The deadline is 31 August 2023. Scottish farmers and land managers will be given more powers to help control rapidly growing deer population after updated rules were introduced to parliament. The changes to existing laws will make it easier to reduce unsustainable deer numbers in order to prevent their impact on land due to trampling and overgrazing. The refreshed regulations will allow authorised farmers and land managers to cull male deer across a longer period of the year. They will also be allowed to use specialist scopes known as night sights to cull deer at night and use ammunition which is less damaging to venison products. Deer are an iconic species that is synonymous with rural Scotland, but their numbers have reached densities that can have a devastating impact. Figures show that deer numbers in Scotland have doubled from 500,000 in 1990, to more than a million currently. Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater said: Changes recommended by the Deer Working Group will allow deer to be managed in a way that is both beneficial to our environment and the rural economies that rely upon deer. The changes to rules on ammunition will also boost Scotlands venison sector - lead is toxic to humans and its presence can spoil venison products. "Thats why we are now allowing land managers to use different types of ammunition. This will make more venison available to both foreign and domestic markets. Peter Clark, Scotland director of British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), said the group supports the decision to amend the minimum bullet weight as it will make non-lead ammunition more accessible. Many stalkers are already required to use lead-free ammunition, be it through lease conditions or AGHE requirement," he noted. "This would ensure that stalkers in these situations can continue to manage deer populations and supply venison into the food chain. The 666 bus route in a town called Hel has been axed after religious groups said the reference to the number of the beast was Satanic stupidity. The 666 bus route in a town called Hel has been axed after religious groups said the reference to the number of the beast was Satanic stupidity They hit out after the number was offered as a joke as the seaside resort of Hel in Poland continues to grow in popularity with holidaymakers due to its remote beaches and forest trails. The 22 mile-long Hel peninsula in northern Poland is said to be one of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of the Baltic coast and locals have long seen the funny side of the name with the bus route, referencing the number of the beast. But transport operator PKS Gdynia has decided to change the name of the route to 669 after being bombarded with complaints from Christian groups for nearly a decade. Spokesperson Marcin Szwaczyk told Sky News: The management board buckled under the weight of letters and requests that were sent to us, maybe not in large numbers, but cyclically for many years with a request to change the line number. Catholic publication Fronda branded the use of the number 666 in Hel as Satanic stupidity in 2018 and said in an article: Hell is the negation of humanity. It is eternal death and suffering. You can only laugh at this reality if you simply don't understand what it is. The new 669 bus service is due to begin running on 24 June, but Mr Szwaczyk said route 666 could return if passengers demand it. He added: If in fact the response is large and strong enough to restore the line 666, it seems to me that we will listen to our passengers and change this number. Global integrated energy group OQ and leading international contractor Deme Group have signed an agreement with Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia at a key facility in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm. Hydrom, the orchestrator and masterplanner of Oman's green hydrogen industry, is fully owned by Energy Development Oman and regulated by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Deme said it was designed to produce wind power and solar energy with a combined renewable power capacity of around 1.3 GW in Phase 1 and potentially over 2.7 GW when Phase 2 is realised. The Phase One is set to see production of 330,000 tonnes of green ammonia, while in Phase Two it will be more than 650,000 tonnes. Detailed engineering for Hyport Duqm will now start and the subsequent construction of both the renewable power and downstream sites where the green hydrogen (electrolyser) and green ammonia plants will be located. The Hyport Duqm project is part of Oman's Vision 2040. It is being developed by Belgian dredger Deme Concessions and OQ on a 150 sq km area within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm. On behalf of Hyport Coordination Company, the agreement was signed by Najla Al Jamali, the Chief Executive of Alternative Energy at OQ, and Martin DUva, Managing Director of Deme Concessions. "Together with Deme, we are pleased to sign this agreement to develop the Hyport Duqm project into a global centre for production of green hydrogen, which combines renewable energy, manufacturing, downstream and logistics activities with a focus on decarbonisation efforts and electricity production," she noted. Al Jamali pointed out that this agreement reflected the commitment of the OQ Group to realize this plan. "It is an important step towards achieving zero carbon neutrality by the year 2050, and positioning the Sultanate of Oman as a global centre for green industries," she added. DUva said: "After nearly three years of joint development with our partner OQ, we are thrilled to accelerate our transformative journey towards a green hydrogen-powered future and to support Oman in achieving its ambitious green energy targets, while strengthening DEMEs long-term presence in the sultanate." "The project will harness the immense potential of hydrogen as a clean and versatile energy carrier, leveraging Omans strategic location and abundant renewable resources to establish a robust green hydrogen ecosystem," he added. A global integrated energy company with roots in Oman, OQ has operations across 16 countries, covering the entire value chain - from exploration and production to marketing and distribution of end-user products. Its fuels and chemicals are sold in over 60 countries worldwide, making us a pioneer in the energy sector.-TradeArabia News Service Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is being warned to stay away from windows and not accept tea to avoid an assassination ordered by Vladimir Putin. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is being warned to stay away from windows and not accept tea to avoid an assassination ordered by Vladimir Putin The leader of the mercenary brigade that pulled out of Moscow on Saturday (24.06.23) after threatening to overthrow the Russian president, 70, has not been seen since the coup attempt. Anthony Glees, Emeritus Professor at the University of Buckingham, told the Daily Star about how Putin will want Prigozhin dead: In my view, the three thugs, Putin, Prigozhin and Lukashenko (the Belarusian President) are all waltzing with each other, each trying to test the strength of the other two. Putin would of course love Prigozhin dead. Prigozhin has humiliated him and cheated him with his attempted putsch and those who cross Putin end up dead. Whether poisoned by Polonium as Litvinenko or Novichok like Sergei Skripal (not killed, of course, but suffering from life-changing injury) or falling out of windows etc. He sad about the advice he would give the Wagner warlord: Itd be tempting to say that Prigozhin in Belarus should stay away from windows, and not accept any invitations to tea. If Prigozhin has full freedom in Belarus, I think it is fair to assume that he will continue to go after Putin and continue to try to drive a wedge between Putin and the Russian armed forces." But the professor stressed Putin still needs the might of the Wagner brigade as he continues his war on Ukraine. He added: Putin still needs the Wagner Group to fight in Ukraine and would get into deep trouble from them if he were to kill Prigozhin, Prof Glees previously predicted the disintegration of Russia and regional warlords vying for control of the nation. Mystery surrounds the locations of Prigozhin and Putin, but Wagner mercenaries have shared a chilling hush, hush threat on the Telegram channel that showed a picture of the warlord, suggesting their rebellion isnt over despite a deal said to have been done between them and the Kremlin. Jon Hamm dismissed marriage as not meaning anything to him a few years before he met his now-wife Anna Osceola. Jon Hamm dismissed marriage as not meaning anything to him a few years before he met his now-wife Anna Osceola The Mad Men actor, 52, who married Confess, Fletch actress Anna, 35, at Anderson Canyon in Big Sur, California, on Saturday (26.06.23), was in a long-term relationship with actress and screenwriter Jennifer Westfeldt, 53, at the time of his remark. But he added in the 2012 interview with Playboy that has resurfaced since his weekend wedding he wasnt judging people who did choose to get hitched. Jon said: My parents got divorced when I was two and never remarried. So it doesnt mean anything to me. I dont mean to say that it shouldnt mean things to other people. Im not judging it one way or another. Its just my experience. I dont have that paragon of married life to look at and think, Oh yeah, thats it! Thats what I want! Jon also told Playboy he had no plans to welcome a child with Jennifer, who he started to date in 1997. He said: I dont have a driving force to have a baby. That said, Im in a committed relationship, and if it ever came up, Im not ruling it out. He and Jennifer split in 2015, the same year Jon met Anna on the set of the Mad Men finale. Their wedding spot of Anderson Canyon was the same location they filmed the series final episode. Among the couples celebrity friends at the wedding was Paul Rudd, 54, Larry David, 75, Tina Fey, 53, Brooke Shields, 58, and Billy Crudup, 54, who earlier this month got married to actress Naomi Watts, also 54. News Jon and Anna were engaged made headlines in February, but UsWeekly reported at the time the actor had proposed a while back. Even though the generally private couple, who started dating in 2020, have kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight, Jon told DJ Howard Stern, 69, last year he was very much in love with Anna and could for sure see himself spending the rest of his life with the actress. He added: Its good and comfortable, and its a feeling about taking care of someone else and being taken care of. Jon also said Anna had opened up the possibility of things like being married and having kids as well as defining a new version of happiness, life, wellness. Bollywood places a lot of emphasis on using regional and international cinema as "inspiration." The music industry enjoys remixing popular songs from the past with Punjabi music and, lately, rap verses to produce brand-new sounds. Due to the constant earworms produced by music labels via social media, radio, and even Reel challenges, a lot of these naturally wind up being bangers. One of the most recent examples is the remake of Pasoori Nu from SatyaPrem Ki Katha which was released today. Pasoori, a well-known Pakistani song originally performed by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill, was reworked and is now sung by Arijit Singh and Tulsi Kumar. As Pasoori Nu makes waves in the music circuit, we take a look at a few similar examples from recent times: Following the huge popularity of Sri Lankan artist Yohani's song Manike Mage Hithe, the song was reworked as Manike with Jubin Nautiyal and Yohani for the song Thank God with Siddharth Malhotra and Nora Fatehi. The song Rangi Sari, a reworked version of the same-named song by vocalist Kavita Seth, was featured on the Jugg Jugg Jeeyo soundtrack. The popular song had a new interpretation for the movie. Kavita Seths voice was retained for the new version as well. The Holi song showcases Kiara Advani and Varun Dhawan's sizzling chemistry as the lead couple. Nasha, a song by the Amar Jalal Group that debuted at the top of the charts in 2019, was reworked as Jehda Nasha for the Ayushmann Khurrana-starring action movie An Action Hero. Abrar Ul Haq, a Pakistani artist, sang the song Nach Punjaban in 2001, and it is still regarded as one of his most well-known. The remade version of Nach Punjaban, which has more than 78 million views on YouTube, was used in the movie JugJugg Jeeyo. In the 1980s hit Qurbani, the original Laila Main Laila star Zeenat Aman rocked the role and became a national icon. Sunny Leone also made headlines in 2017 when she joined Shahrukh Khan in dancing to the remake song from the movie Raees. The previous song's lyrics were only slightly altered, but the new one's upbeat music surprised the crowd. Sushmita Sen, a former Miss Universe, blew viewers away with her amazing dancing to the Dilbar song. This song had been remade for the Satyameva Jayate movie, starring John Abraham. With her clean dance moves and subtle Arabic twists, Nora Fatehi did not let the audience down in the new Dilbar. Aankh Marey was originally a part of Arshad Warsis debut movie Tere Mere Sapne. It sees him opposite Simran in the music video. Aankh Marey was remade in a Bollywood romantic-action film Simmba featuring Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan in the lead roles. The energetic track witnessed stellar performances from the stars. The new version of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga was a beautiful romantic number that won hearts. Darshan Raval and Rochak Kohli provided the voices for this lovely classic title track. R. D. Burman provided the music for the original song, which was sung by Kumar Sanu. It was taken from the film 1942: A Love Story, which starred Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala in key roles. 2.Arjun Kapoor - 2 States (2014) The handsome hunk of Bollywood,turns a year older today. Coming from a film family, Arjun has grown up in a creative environment. Hes the son of noted producer Boney Kapoor and the late Mona Shourie Kapoor. Hes also the grandson of the late filmmaker Surinder Kapoor and nephew to actors Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor. His childhood had tough moments too. When his parents separated, it was a tough time for the family. As a child he also battled obesity issues. However, his desire to beat all odds and carved a niche has has earned him a spot in the big league. So, as Arjun turns 34 today, we list down theof the actor.Arjun Kapoor's performance in Ishaqzaade demonstrated his talent and range as an actor. In his debut film, Arjun portrays Parma Chauhan, an aggressive and disobedient young man from a politically powerful family, in the role. Arjun Kapoor's performance as Parma was intense and compelling. His portrayal of Parma's several personalities seamlessly revealed both his angry and vulnerable sides.Throughout the movie, Arjun Kapoor showed a manifold range of emotions. He portrayed Parma's boisterous and haughty demeanour with ease before displaying his fragility as he falls in love with Zoya, who was portrayed by Parineeti Chopra. The on-screen chemistry between Arjun and Parineeti was evident, giving their on screen relationship more depth and vitality. Director: Abhishek Varman Cast: Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt The film 2 States was based on Chetan Bhagats novel of the same title. The story was rather familiar boy and girl fall in love but belong to different cultural backgrounds, which cause problems. The film was treated with a touch of humour and thats what made it enjoyable. Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt play IIT students, who fall in love. When theyre about to graduate, they decide to make their parents aware of their relation and their intention to get married later on. 3. Arjun Kapoor - Gunday (2014) This obviously doesnt augur well with their families. So, when all seems lost, they decide to fight for their love by convincing each of their parents that theyve made the right choice. Arjun portrayed the role of the typical Punjabi boy effortlessly, for which he received a lot of praise. Despite being a simple love story, the natural chemistry between the leads made it relatable to the audience. It was conventional yet contemporary. Director: Ali Abbas Zaffar Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Irrfan Khan Gunday , as a film paid homage to films like Sholay, Kala Patthar and other brothers-in-arms narratives. A young orphan named Bala (Arjun Kapoor) saves Bikram (Ranveer Singh) from a pedophile and the two escape from Bangladesh to Kolkata. Homeless and without a penny, the two begin to make a living by selling stolen coal. The two go on to become the famous Gundays of Kolkata. Bala and Bikram are inseparable and look after each other as if theyre brothers until they end up falling for the same cabaret dancer Nandita (Priyanka Chopra). Gunday is your typical masala film loaded with fights, drama, and romance and of course some thumping music. Arjun did full justice to his raw character in the potboiler. Despite the film receiving poor reviews from critics, it had a rather successful run at the box-office. Gunday is your typical masala film loaded with fights, drama, and romance and of course some thumping music. Arjun did full justice to his raw character in the potboiler. Despite the film receiving poor reviews from critics, it had a rather successful run at the box-office. 4. Arjun Kapoor - Half Girlfriend (2017) Director: Mohit Suri Cast: Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor In Half Girlfriend , Arjun played a character named Madhav, a boy from a small town in Bihar. He shifts base to Delhi to pursue his education in a reputed Delhi University. During his time there, he feels attracted to his class-mate Riya (Shraddha Kapoor), an English speaking modern girl. The difference in their backgrounds isnt the problem for Ria but her commitment phobia turns out to be the obstacle. To tackle this issue, she makes Madhav a proposal to become his half-girlfriend. Whether the Bihar boy and the Delhi girl make it past the half-way mark forms the crux of the film. This was another Arjun Kapoor film inspired by a Chetan Bhagat novel of the same title and yet another commendable performance delivered by the actor. The way he underplays the innocent and naive Madhav made his character relatable to the audience. They could sense his pain, fear, and love. 5. Arjun Kapoor - Mubarakan (2017) Director: Anees Bazmee Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Illeana DCruz and Athiya Shetty After Welcome, Ready and No Problem in the past, Anees Bazmee returned with another leave your brains at home comedy Mubarakan . Karan and Charan are identical twins but their personalities are starkly different. Karan has grown up in London while Charan in Punjab. Karan is street-smart, calculative and flamboyant while Charan is simple, idealistic and honest. This is a comedy about misunderstandings and miscommunication. Arjun Kapoor did a good job of portraying the bipolar twins early in his career. 6. Arjun Kapoor -Ki & Ka (2016) Director: R. Balki Cast: Arjun Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan Our society thrives on stereotypes. A man must earn bread and women must be homemakers and sacrifice their dreams for the larger good. But what if these supposed roles take a reversal? Thats the idea behind R Balkis Ki & Ka . Leonardo DiCaprio Rumourly Dating Neelam Gill: It seems love is in the air! Rumors of Leonardo DiCaprio dating British Punjabi model Neelam Gill have hit headlines again! The dating news lit up Paris- the city of love as they dined together on June 23. Leonardo DiCaprio and Neelam Gill's dating rumors first went afloat in May this year after they were spotted together at dinner. This time, however, the rumored couple were accompanied by the Oscar-winning actor's best friend Tobey Maguire and some other friends in Paris. Maguire's kids, Ruby and Otis, and DiCaprio's niece Normandie were also spotted at the dinner. LEONARDO DICAPRIO AND NEELAM GILL DINE TOGETHER AGAIN As per reports in Page Six, the Titanic star and Neelam Gill were spotted post their late-night dinner date at Loulou on Rue de Rivoli. While Leonardo sported a black tee and dark jeans for dinner, Gill looked stunning in a black tank top and a beige skirt. She styled her look with stiletto boots. With the speculations going strong with each spotting, we are sure everybody wants to know who Neelam Gill is and what she does. So, if you are curious, read on to find out all about the model. Who Is Neelam Gill? Neelam Gill is an Indian-British fashion model and social media influencer. She was born on April 27, 1995, in Coventry, England. Gill's grandparents are from Punjab, India. Gill gained prominence in the fashion industry after being scouted by a modeling agency at the age of 14. She made her debut on the runway for Burberry during London Fashion Week in 2014. Since then, Neelam Gill has worked with numerous high-profile fashion brands and designers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Dior, Vogue, Vogue India, and Vogue Arabia. She has also appeared in advertising campaigns for major brands like Balmain, L'Oreal, and Gap. Somya Seth Second Wedding: Shaheer Sheikh's Navya..Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal heroine Somya Seth has been away from showbiz for years now and is living in the United States for the past five years. Last seen opposite Mohit Raina is Colors TV's Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat in 2016, Somya Seth tied the knot with Arun Kapoor in the United States in 2017, but her marital journey took a tumultuous turn soon after. After giving up her television career, Somya relocated to the US with her ex-husband. However, by 2018, cracks started to appear in their relationship, and the actress bravely shared her experiences of alleged physical and emotional abuse that she endured during her marriage. SOMYA SETH GETS MARRIED FOR THE SECOND TIME In 2019, Somya made the difficult decision to divorce Arun Kapoor, officially ending their troubled union. After going through a rough patch in her personal life, the TV actress moved on in her life and recently got married for the second time to beau Shubham Chuhadia in a private ceremony. 7 Yrs After Separation From Vivian Dsena, Vahbiz Dorabjee Getting Married Again? Actress Breaks SILENCE On June 22, the much-in-love couple exchanged wedding vows in a Friends-style ceremony in the presence of some immediate family members and a few close friends. Bigg Boss OTT 2: Did You Know Akanksha Puri Flaunted Her Hot Bod In Bikini In Debut B'wood Film 7 Yrs Ago? WHO IS SOWMYA SETH'S SECOND HUSBAND SHUBHAM CHUHADIA For the unversed, Shubham hails from the city of Chittorgarh and is the son of Dr. Anju Chouhan, a renowned hospital owner in the area. He pursued a career in architecture and currently works for a firm based in Washington DC. In 2019, Somya found herself in need of a larger space for her growing son, Ayden. Consequently, she made the decision to rent out a room in the spacious apartment she was living in, and that's when Shubham entered the picture. Initially, Somya and Shubham were mere housemates, but over time, their friendship blossomed, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually, they grew closer and made the decision to stay together as a couple, embarking on a journey of togetherness ever since. Heartiest congratulations to them! Surekhavani Reacts To Drugs Case Photo Credit: Gallery Surekhavani REACTS To Drug Peddling Case Of KP Chowdary: After several big names from the Telugu film industry surfaced in the Tollywood drugs case several years ago, which shook the internet, the latest scandal involving small-screen celebrities is quite a happening issue. Tollywood's young producer and distributor KP Chowdary is a popular name among the small screen celebs and Tollywood. He was young and became famous after distributing Rajinikanth's Kabali in Telugu. KP Chowdary has not seen much profit in film distribution and opened a club in Goa. When in Hyderabad, KP Chowdary is spotted partying with the actresses, and several pictures from such parties have flooded Instagram. Everything was going smoothly until Cyberabad Police nabbed KP Chowdary for drug peddling recently. After the news broke out on the night of June 23, the media was abuzz with the rumour that Ashu Reddy and Surekha Vani might be involved in the drug peddling case of KP Chowdary. Ashu Reddy immediately put out her statement regarding the allegations through her social media handles, stating that she wouldn't tolerate the public display of her contact number and the accusations without proof, now Surekhavani had released a video reacting to the rumours of her involvement in the drugs case. In the video, Surekhavani said, "Hello all, I want to clarify that we are not connected to the allegations being made against us. Because of such allegations, my career, future, our children's career, our family, our health, future, and our career are being affected." Actress Surekha Vani appeals to media and public not to drag her family into controversies! (Regarding leaked pix of Surekha Vani and her daughter with the arrested drug dealer and Kabali Telugu version producer KP Chowdary) pic.twitter.com/jFdQLzUIlP idlebrain.com (@idlebraindotcom) June 25, 2023 Meanwhile, KP Chowdary was nabbed after confirmed information to the Cyberabad Police that the accused had procured intoxicating material from a Nigerian individual in Goa. According to the statement released to the press by the cops, they mentioned KP Chowdary had connections with celebrities and friends in the industry who involve in drugs. PUNE, India, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataintelo, a leader in market research, has recently published a comprehensive report on the global laminated busbar market. The report projects significant growth in this market between 2023 and 2031. It provides an in-depth analysis of the market based on various factors, including type, insulation material, application, end-user, and region. Download PDF Sample here: https://dataintelo.com/request-sample/?reportId=39948 The laminated busbar market is segmented by type into copper conductor and aluminum conductor. Copper conductor laminated busbars are expected to gain widespread popularity, given their numerous advantages such as high current-carrying capacity, excellent electrical conductivity, and ease of installation. In terms of insulation material, the market is segmented into epoxy, Kapton, PET, and Mylar. Epoxy laminated busbars are anticipated to witness the highest growth, due to their superior thermal performance, chemical resistance, and high electrical insulation properties. This market segment is also expected to benefit from increasing demand for advanced power electronics in various industries. The laminated busbar market report highlights its application in different sectors like power electronics, alternative energy, transportation, telecom, data centers, aerospace & defense, industrial, and others. With the rising emphasis on renewable energy sources and stringent environmental regulations, the alternative energy sector is projected to emerge as the most significant application segment. Furthermore, the end-user analysis includes industries such as energy & utilities, electrical manufacturing, automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and others. The energy & utilities sector is expected to hold the largest market share, as laminated busbars are crucial in the efficient transmission and distribution of electricity. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth, owing to the increasing demand for efficient power transmission and renewable energy solutions. Moreover, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the proliferation of data centers in countries like China, India, and Japan are key factors contributing to the market growth in this region. Get Full Access to this Report: https://dataintelo.com/checkout/?reportId=39948 Dataintelo's report serves as a valuable source of information for stakeholders in the laminated busbar market, enabling them to make informed business decisions. Market participants, both new and established, can benefit from this report and gain a competitive edge. Related Report: Flexible Busbar Market Aluminum Composite Panel Market Aluminum Silicon Carbide (AlSiC) Market Contact Us: Phone: +1 909 414 1393 Email: sales@dataintelo.com Web: https://dataintelo.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099960/4084141/Dataintelo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-report-predicts-significant-global-growth-in-laminated-busbar-market-from-2023-to-2031-301858127.html BASE RESOURCES LIMITED - FY24 Production Guidance - Kwale Operations PR Newswire London, June 26 AIM and Media Release 26 June 2023 BASE RESOURCES LIMITED FY24 Production Guidance - Kwale Operations African mineral sands producer, Base Resources Limited (ASX & AIM: BSE) (Base Resources or the Company) provides production guidance for the 2024 financial year (FY24) for its Kwale Operations in Kwale County, Kenya. The FY24 production guidance is set out in the table below, with the Company's 2023 financial year (FY23) production guidance shown alongside for comparison purposes. The FY23 production guidance remains unchanged from that last reported. The FY24 guidance reflects the planned continuation of the concurrent mining of the South Dune and the P199 and P200 pits on the North Dune, which began in February 2023, until the South Dune is fully depleted. This is expected to occur in March 2024, at which point, the South Dune mining operation will transition to the Bumamani orebody, with mining at the North Dune continuing uninterrupted - refer to the map included in the full PDF version of this release, available from the Company's website (https://baseresources.com.au/investors/announcements/), for the location of mining operations during FY24. The FY24 production guidance is lower than the FY23 guidance due to: Lower heavy mineral grades - the remaining sections of the South Dune and the areas of the North Dune and Bumamani ore bodies proposed to be mined are estimated to have lower heavy mineral ( HM ) grades than the grades historically mined at Kwale Operations. ) grades than the grades historically mined at Kwale Operations. Lower tonnes mined - since commencement of mining at the North Dune in February 2023 and as disclosed in the March 2023 Quarterly Activities Report 1 , mining rates have been lower than expected in the lower ore zones due to elevated oversize and slimes. While some improvements in mining rates have been achieved, mining rates are still anticipated to be lower than FY23. , mining rates have been lower than expected in the lower ore zones due to elevated oversize and slimes. While some improvements in mining rates have been achieved, mining rates are still anticipated to be lower than FY23. Mining availability - a shutdown of half the mining operation is anticipated to occur in March 2024 for the relocation of the South Dune hydraulic mining units and slurry collection hopper to the Bumamani orebody. New orebody - the normal uncertainties associated with mining a new orebody (Bumamani) have been factored into the FY24 guidance. PRODUCTION GUIDANCE (tonnes) FY23 Guidance Range FY24 Guidance Range Rutile 62,000 to 73,000 35,000 to 41,000 Ilmenite 260,000 to 310,000 130,000 to 160,000 Zircon 22,000 to 27,000 13,000 to 16,000 The FY24 production guidance is based on the following assumptions: Mining of 14.1Mt at an average HM grade of 2.23%. Heavy mineral concentrate ( HMC ) produced by the wet concentrator plant of 311kt. ) produced by the wet concentrator plant of 311kt. HMC fed into the mineral separation plant ( MSP ) of 297kt. ) of 297kt. MSP product recoveries of 101% for rutile, 101.5% for ilmenite and 84.5% for zircon. [Note (1): Refer to Base Resources' announcement on 26 April 2023, "Quarterly Activities Report - March 2023".] Forward looking statements Certain statements in or in connection with this release contain or comprise forward looking statements. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with regard to future production and grades, capital cost, capacity, sales projections and financial performance and may be (but are not necessarily) identified by the use of phrases such as "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe" and "envisage". By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and may be outside Base Resources' control. Accordingly, results could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, changes in economic and market conditions, success of business and operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and other government actions, fluctuations in product prices and exchange rates and business and operational risk management. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or relevant stock exchange listing rules, Base Resources undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after today's date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. ENDS. For further information contact: Australian Media Relations UK Media Relations Citadel Magnus Tavistock Communications Cameron Gilenko and Michael Weir Jos Simson and Gareth Tredway Tel: +61 8 6160 4900 Tel: +44 207 920 3150 About Base Resources Base Resources is an Australian based, African focused, mineral sands producer and developer with a track record of project delivery and operational performance. The Company operates the established Kwale Operations in Kenya, is developing the Toliara Project in Madagascar and is conducting exploration in Tanzania. Base Resources is an ASX and AIM listed company. Further details about Base Resources are available at www.baseresources.com.au. PRINCIPAL & REGISTERED OFFICE Level 3, 46 Colin Street West Perth, Western Australia, 6005 Email: info@baseresources.com.au Phone: +61 8 9413 7400 Fax: +61 8 9322 8912 NOMINATED ADVISER & JOINT BROKER Canaccord Genuity Limited James Asensio / Raj Khatri / Patrick Dolaghan Phone: +44 20 7523 8000 JOINT BROKER Berenberg Matthew Armitt / Detlir Elezi Phone: +44 20 3207 7800 Iraqi Airways recently celebrated the delivery of the airlines first Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a special event in Baghdad to welcome the flag-carriers super-efficient widebody jet. The Iraqi flag carrier has taken the first of 10 787s on order, to profitably grow its long-haul network and connect Iraq to more international destinations. The delivery of Iraqi Airways first 787 follows delivery of four Boeing 737 MAX airplanes since February. The airline has ordered a total of six 737-8s and 10 737-10s, providing its single-aisle fleet with more capability across its regional and medium-haul routes. We are proud to be taking delivery of an airplane with the capabilities of the 787 Dreamliner. As domestic and international air traffic gains momentum, its crucial that our Iraqi Airways fleet matches growing demand with more efficient, capable and comfortable airplanes, said Manaf Abdel-Monem, Director General of Iraqi Airways. The 787 and 737 MAX airplanes we have received are key to our fleet renewal program which aims to ensure we can fly our passengers around the world in the safety and comfort they expect from a modern and efficient airline like Iraqi Airways. Iraqi Airways currently serves more than 50 destinations from Baghdad and is expanding and renewing its fleet to support the anticipated increase in international business and leisure travel to and from the country. Iraq is seeing increased stability and economic growth, with the countrys annual gross domestic product growth rate expected to reach 7% by the end of 2023. With global air traffic rebounding, Middle Eastern airlines are seeing more than a 40% traffic increase compared to last year. Today marks a new beginning for Iraqi Airways, taking delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner that will support the airline in connecting Iraq to the world, said Omar Arekat, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for the Middle East. Boeing is committed to supporting Iraqi Airways ambition to bring greater optimization and new route possibilities to the region. Air transport is at the heart of economic growth. It creates employment, facilitates trade, enables tourism and supports sustainable development. The arrival of the Boeing 787 today is an important step in connecting the Iraqi people to the region and the world, said Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, Boeing. We look forward to supporting the Iraqi government and the Iraqi private sector as they grow Iraqs commercial fleet and modernize the countrys commercial aviation infrastructure. The 787-8 Dreamliner can fly 248 passengers up to 7,305 nautical miles (13,530 km) in a typical two-class configuration. Using 25% less fuel and creating 25% fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces, the 787 family has reduced more than 141 billion pounds of carbon emissions since entering service in 2011. Boeing designed the 787 family with superior efficiency, which allows airlines to profitably open new routes to fly people directly where theyd like to go in exceptional comfort. Since 2011, the 787 family has launched more than 350 new non-stop routes around the world, including more than 50 new routes since 2020. Passengers enjoy many improvements with the 787 family such as the largest windows of any jet; air that is more humid and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort; large overhead bins with room for everyones bag; soothing LED lighting; and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride. In addition to the 737-8 and 787-8, Iraqi Airways operates a fleet of more than 40 Boeing airplanes, including 737-800s, 747s and 777s, serving more than 50 destinations from Baghdad. TradeArabia News Service 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. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - GSK plc (GSK, GSK.L) said Monday that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion recommending authorization of daprodustat for the treatment of symptomatic anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults on chronic maintenance dialysis. Daprodustat belongs to a novel class of oral medicines being studied for the treatment of anaemia of CKD in adult patients not on dialysis and on dialysis. Inhibition of oxygen-sensing prolyl hydroxylase enzymes stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factors, which can lead to transcription of erythropoietin and other genes involved in the correction of anaemia, similar to the physiological effects that occur in the human body at high altitude. Daprodustat is being developed to provide a convenient oral treatment option for patients with anaemia of CKD. For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com 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. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar strengthened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Monday, as the prices of crude oil went up on supply concerns due to the political instability in Russia. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures rose 0.29 percent to $69.36 a barrel. Brent crude futures advanced to 0.30 percent to $74.23 a barrel. After an aborted mutiny by Wagner mercenary forces led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, analysts said the geopolitical risk and internal instability in Russia has increased. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the events exposed 'real cracks' in Putin's rule. In the Asian trading today, the Canadian dollar rose to a 7-1/2-month high of 0.8783 against the Australian dollar and nearly an 8-month high of 109.13 against the yen from Friday's closing quotes of 0.8795 and 108.99, respectively. The loonie may test resistance around 0.85 against the aussie and 112.00 against the yen. Against the euro and the U.S. dollar, the loonie advanced to 1.4347 and 1.3156 from recent lows of 1.4372 and 1.3181, respectively. If the loonie extends its uptrend, it may find resistance around 1.41 against the euro and 1.29 against the greenback. Looking ahead, German Ifo business climate index for June is due to be released in the European session. At 7.00 am ET, Germany's central bank is scheduled to issue monthly report. In the New York session, Canada preliminary manufacturing and wholesale sales data for May and U.S. Dallas Fed manufacturing index for June are slated for release. At 9:00 an ET, Elizabeth McCaul, member of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, will participate in the roundtable on 'Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) sustainability in the financial sector' at Point Zero Forum organised by Banca d'Italia, in Frankfurt. At 1:30 pm ET, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will deliver welcome remarks at the opening reception of ECB Forum on Central Banking in Sintra, Portugal. 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 Co-hosts: International Human Frontier Science Program Organization & French Ministry of Higher Education and Research Under the High Patronage of Mr Emmanuel MACRON President of the French Republic Live-stream begins 13h15 (CEST) 27 June 2023 https://youtube.com/live/tRqXQSNh-YY?feature=share Program: https://www.hfsp.org/paris-summit-program PARIS, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "Fundamental Life Science Meets Climate, Environment, and Sustainability," invites world leaders and scientists to forge new partnerships and propose systems-level approaches to solve global challenges. The events contribute toward the U.N. International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. High-Level Summit, 27 June, at French Academy of Sciences: Science policy implications of using basic science to forge transformation towards sustainability Connect scientific communities to advance the Sustainable Development Goals New science funding initiatives to advance next-generation science International Scientific Symposium, 28 & 29 June, at Auditorium Andre and Liliane Bettencourt: Climate change and health Ocean biodiversity and endangered resources Food security in a changing world Individuals, institutions, and societies in transformation System-level science can change how we solve global challenges Press Contact: English speakers: Rachael Bishop, rbishop@hfsp.org, +33 (0)7 81 87 62 21. French speakers: Helene Boulanger,h.boulanger@logos-france.fr, +33 (0) 66 88 79 31 67. To attend in-person, register with press contacts. See the HFSPO website for updates. Watch a video on the events. Partners: the French National Research Agency, the French Academy of Sciences, National Center for Scientific Research, the Institut Pasteur, the International Science Council, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and UNESCO. The Human Frontier Science Program was established in 1989 to advance international research and training at the frontier of life sciences. Its objectives are to promote intercontinental collaboration and training in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research focused on the life sciences. HFSP receives financial support from the governments or research councils of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, as well as the European Commission. With its collaborative research grants and postdoctoral fellowships, the program has awarded more than 4,500 fellowships involving more than 7,500 scientists from around the world. Since the start of the program, 28 HFSP laureates have received the Nobel Prize. International Human Frontier Science Program, 12 Quai Saint-Jean, Strasbourg, France www.hfsp.org | Phone: +33-(0)3 88 21 51 23 | @HFSP Twitter | Facebook page LifeScience4Sustainability LS4S Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2129669/HFSP_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/27-to-29-june-paris--world-leaders--scientists-to-discuss-basic-research-can-pioneer-new-approaches-to-global-challenges-301862496.html After achieving primary endpoint by demonstrating superiority and non-inferiority in HbA 1C reduction from baseline at week 52, investigative insulin icodec helped patients achieve significantly more time in target blood glucose range (Time in Range) vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 in ONWARDS 1 1 reduction from baseline at week 52, investigative insulin icodec helped patients achieve significantly more time in target blood glucose range (Time in Range) vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 in ONWARDS 1 In the ONWARDS 1 and 3 trials, more people achieved blood glucose targets without clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia with once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin comparators 1,2 Insulin icodec has been submitted for regulatory review in the US, Canada, Europe, China, Australia, Switzerland and Brazil. First decisions are anticipated in H1 2024 Bagsvrd, Denmark, Sunday 25 June 2023 - Novo Nordisk today announced data from the phase 3a ONWARDS 1 and 3 trials evaluating investigative once-weekly basal insulin icodec, which were presented at the 83rd Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The data showed the studies met their primary endpoints, while reducing injections from seven to one per week, compared with once-daily basal insulin1,2. Additionally, data from the ONWARDS 1 and 3 studies demonstrated that more insulin-naive adults with type 2 diabetes treated with once-weekly basal insulin icodec achieved an HbA 1c target of <7.0% without experiencing clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia compared with once-daily basal insulin comparators at 52 and 26 weeks, respectively1,2. In ONWARDS 1, as a confirmatory secondary endpoint, superior Time in Range (blood glucose 70-180 mg/dL) was achieved with once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 (71.9% vs 66.9%, respectively) from week 48-521. Comparable Time below Range (blood glucose <54 mg/dL) was achieved with once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 (0.3% vs 0.2%, respectively) from week 48-52 in ONWARDS 11. Both values are in line with internationally recommended targets3. "Time in Range provides additional information to help us assess glycaemic control and is an increasingly important tool to complement HbA 1c measurements, which were substantially reduced by once-weekly basal insulin icodec. In ONWARDS 1, insulin icodec allowed people to spend significantly more Time in Range, with comparable Time below Range vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100," said Dr Julio Rosenstock, Lead Trial Investigator and Director of Velocity Clinical Research at Medical City Dallas and Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, US. "A once-weekly basal insulin has the potential to change how we treat people with type 2 diabetes needing basal insulin replacement." In ONWARDS 1, there were no statistically significant differences in mean weekly insulin dose (week 50-52) or in body weight change from baseline1. Rates of clinically significant hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <54 mg/dL) or severe hypoglycaemia (symptomatic requiring third party assistance regardless of blood glucose measurement), were low in both treatment groups1. Rates of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia were 0.30 events per patient year exposed and 0.16 events per patient year exposed to once-weekly insulin icodec and insulin glargine U100, respectively1. A statistically significant higher proportion of participants achieved an HbA 1C target of <7% without clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia with once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100 (52.6% vs 42.6%)1. In ONWARDS 3, rates of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia were 0.31 events per patient-year exposed and 0.15 events per patient-year exposed to insulin icodec and insulin degludec respectively, at weeks 0-312. The estimated proportion of participants achieving an HbA 1C target of <7% without clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia was statistically significantly higher with once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin degludec2. There were no significant differences in mean weekly insulin dose from week 24 to 26 or body weight change from baseline to week 26 between treatment arms2. No unexpected safety findings were observed1,2. "These data reinforce our confidence in the potential of once-weekly insulin icodec," said Florian M.M. Baeres, corporate vice president, Global Medical Affairs at Novo Nordisk. "If approved, we believe this innovation - which would be the world's first once-weekly basal insulin - could help people living with type 2 diabetes ready to start insulin treatment by reducing the number of injections needed." Insulin icodec has been submitted for regulatory review in the US, Canada, Europe, China, Australia, Switzerland and Brazil. First decisions are anticipated in H1 2024. Pending approval, insulin icodec will represent the first and only once-weekly basal insulin option for adults with diabetes, addressing an unmet need in treatment vs a daily basal insulin option1,2,4-7. For more news and media materials from Novo Nordisk at ADA 2023, please visit: https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/ADA-e-press-room. About insulin icodec Insulin icodec is an investigational novel once-weekly basal insulin analog designed to cover the basal insulin requirements for a full week with a single subcutaneous injection. About the ONWARDS clinical programme The ONWARDS phase 3a trial programme for once-weekly basal insulin icodec comprises six phase 3a global clinical trials, including a trial with real-world elements, involving more than 4,000 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes8. All trials have met their primary endpoints1,2,4-7. About ONWARDS 19 ONWARDS 1 is a phase 3a, 78-week, open-label efficacy and safety treat-to-target trial investigating once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin glargine U100, both in combination with non-insulin anti-diabetic treatment, in 984 insulin-naive adults with type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in HbA 1C from baseline at week 52 with insulin icodec compared with insulin glargine U100. Secondary endpoints included time in target blood glucose range (70-180 mg/dL), change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from baseline at week 52 and number of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia episodes. Following the completion of the 52-week main phase of the trial, a 26-week extension phase to further assess safety was undertaken and is now finalised. About ONWARDS 310 ONWARDS 3 is a phase 3a, double-blind 26-week efficacy and safety treat-to-target trial investigating once-weekly basal insulin icodec vs once-daily basal insulin degludec, both in combination with non-insulin anti-diabetic treatment. The objective of the trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of insulin icodec in 588 insulin-naive adults with type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in HbA 1C from baseline at week 26. Secondary endpoints included change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from baseline at week 26 and number of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia episodes. About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 57,100 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Contact for further information Media: Ambre James-Brown +45 3079 9289 abmo@novonordisk.com Investors: Daniel Muusmann Bohsen +45 3075 2175 dabo@novonordisk.com Jacob Martin Wiborg Rode +45 3075 5956 jrde@novonordisk.com David Heiberg Landsted +45 3077 6915 dhel@novonordisk.com _______________________ References 1. Rosenstock J, Bain SC, Gowda A, et al. Improved A1C and TIR with Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec vs Insulin Glargine U100 in Insulin-Naive T2D: ONWARDS 1. 83rd Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA); 23-26 June 2023, San Diego; US. 179-OR. 2. Lingvay I, Asong M, Desouza C, et al. Better Glycemic Control with Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec versus Once-Daily Insulin Degludec in Insulin-Naive Type 2 Diabetes (ONWARDS 3). 83rd Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA); 23-26 June 2023; San Diego, US. 178-OR. 3. Battelino T, Danne T, Bergenstal RM, et al. Clinical Targets for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data Interpretation: Recommendations From the International Consensus on Time in Range. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593-1603. 4. Philis-Tsimikas A, Asong M, Franek E, et al. Switching to once-weekly insulin icodec versus once-daily insulin degludec in individuals with basal insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (ONWARDS 2): a phase 3a, randomised, open label, multicentre, treat-to-target trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2023;11(6):414-425. 5. Mathieu C, Asbjornsdottir B, Bajaj HS, et al. Switching to once-weekly insulin icodec versus once-daily insulin glargine U100 in individuals with basal-bolus insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (ONWARDS 4): a phase 3a, randomised, open-label, multicentre, treat-to-target, non-inferiority trial. Lancet. 2023;401(10392):1929-1940. 6. Bajaj HS, Aberle J, Davies M et al. Superior Glycemic Control with Once-Weekly Insulin Icodec with a Dosing Guide App vs Once-Daily (OD) Basal Insulin Analogs in Insulin-Naive T2D: ONWARDS 5. American Diabetes Association (ADA) - 83rd Scientific Sessions, 23-26 June 2023, San Diego, US. 803-P. 7. Novo Nordisk. Company announcement. Novo Nordisk achieves primary objectives of ONWARDS 1 and 6 trials with once-weekly insulin icodec demonstrating superior reduction in HbA1c vs insulin glargine U100 in ONWARDS 1. Available at: https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=118349 Last accessed: June 2023. 8. Philis-Tsimikas A, Bajaj HS, Begtrup K, et al. Rationale and design of the phase 3 development programme (ONWARDS 1-6 trials) investigating once-weekly insulin icodec in diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022. 9. ClinicalTrials.gov. A Research Study to Compare Two Types of Insulin, a New Insulin, Insulin Icodec and an Available Insulin, Insulin Glargine, in People With Type 2 Diabetes Who Have Not Used Insulin Before (ONWARDS 1). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04460885 Last accessed: June 2023. 10. ClinicalTrials.gov. A Research Study to Compare Two Types of Insulin, a New Insulin, Insulin Icodec and an Available Insulin, Insulin Degludec, in People With Type 2 Diabetes Who Have Not Used Insulin Before (ONWARDS 3). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04795531 Last accessed: June 2023. TORONTO, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian North Resources Inc. ("the Company,") (TSXV: CNRI; OTCQX: CNRSF; FSE: EO0 (E-O-zero)) is pleased to announce that the Company has been granted Depository Trust Company (DTC) eligibility, a significant milestone that will enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the Company's shares for investors in the United States. The DTC eligibility allows the Company's common shares to be electronically cleared and settled through the Depository Trust Company, which simplifies the trading process and broadens the Company's investor base to entire North America. As a result, investors can now trade the Company's shares seamlessly through their brokerage accounts, facilitating faster and more secure transactions. This achievement of the DTC eligibility marks an important step forward for the Company, as it positions itself for enhanced liquidity, increased visibility, and improved accessibility in global financial markets. With the ease of electronic trading, the Company expects to attract a wider range of institutional and individual investors, further increasing its shareholder base. "We are delighted that our Company has received DTC eligibility, which reflects our commitment to fostering a robust and investor-friendly environment," said Dr. Kaihui Yang, President and CEO of the Company. "This achievement will not only streamline the trading process for our existing shareholders but also create opportunities for new investors in the United States to participate in our growth story. We believe that this enhanced market access will contribute to the long-term success of our Company." About Canadian North Resources Canadian North Resources Inc. is an exploration and development company focusing on the critical metals for the clean-energy, electric vehicles, battery and high-tech industries. The company is advancing its 100% owned Ferguson Lake nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, and platinum project that covers an area of 253.8 km2 of mining leases (96.9 km2) and surrounding exploration claims (156.9 km2) in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The Ferguson Lake mining property contains substantial resources in compliance with NI43-101 standards, which include Indicated Mineral Resources of 24.3 million tonnes containing 455 million pounds (Mlb) copper at 0.85%, 321Mlb nickel at 0.60%, 37.5Mlb cobalt at 0.07%, 1.08 million ounces (Moz) palladium at 1.38gpt and 0.18Moz platinum at 0.23gpt; Inferred Mineral Resources of 47.2 million tonnes containing 947Mlb copper at 0.91%, 551.5Mlb nickel at 0.53%, 62.4Mlb cobalt at 0.06%, 2.12Moz palladium at 1.4gpt and 0.38Moz platinum at 0.25gpt. The resource model indicates significant potential for resource expansion along strike and at depth over the 15 km long mineralized belt. (Refer to "Independent Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, Ferguson Lake Project, Nunavut, Canada, Prepared by Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience Inc. and Francis Minerals Ltd " filed by the Company to Sedar.com on July 13, 2022). In addition, the Company has identified the pegmatites with lithium potential at the Ferguson Lake project. Dr. Kaihui Yang, President and CEO Phone: 905-696-8288 (Canada) 1-888-688-8809 (Toll-Free) Email: info@cnresources.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. (TSXV: LPC) ("LPCP" or the "Company") today announced an acquisition facility, and also announced its shareholder meeting results. Acquisition Facility Bellwether Investment Management Inc. ("Bellwether"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into a loan agreement (the "Acquisition Facility") with CWB Maxium Financial Inc. ("CWB Maxium"). The Company intends to use available proceeds for potential future acquisitions and general working capital purposes. "We are pleased to partner with CWB Maxium," said Robert Sewell, President and CEO. "This acquisition facility, together with our operating cash flow, further strengthens our financial flexibility to support our growth strategy." The Acquisition Facility has a limit of $10 million, with an option to increase the limit to $15 million, subject to approval by CWB Maxium. The Acquisition Facility has a term of up to five years, is secured against all of the assets of Bellwether, and is guaranteed by the Company and Bellwether Investment Management USA Inc. The term of each advance made under the Acquisition Facility shall be at least 36 months and not greater than 60 months, and have an amortization period of up to 120 months. Advances made under the Acquisition Facility will bear annual interest as follows: (i) in the case of Canadian dollar advances, Government of Canada bond rate with a maturity date most closely equivalent to the term of the advance plus 4.35%; or (ii) in the case of US dollar advances, the yield on the non-callable US Treasury bond with a maturity date most closely equivalent to the term of the advance plus 4.35%. Additionally, a standby fee of 0.75% per annum applied to the undrawn amount of the limit is payable to CWB Maxium on a quarterly basis. The Acquisition Facility contains certain other customary financial and other covenants. Shareholder Meeting Results The Company is pleased to announce that the shareholders approved all matters put forth for approval at the annual and special shareholders' meeting held on June 23, 2023. The shareholders re-elected David Brown, Christopher Dingle, Stephen Meehan, Peter Patchet, Robert Sewell and James Williams to the board of directors and re-appointed MNP LLP to be the auditors of the Company. The shareholders also approved the Company's stock option plan. For further information about the Meeting, please see the Management Information Circular filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. About Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. LPCP was created to bring together boutique investment management and wealth advisory firms in order to deliver robust, cost effective investment solutions to affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts. LPCP's unique strategy creates better alignment between investment managers and wealth advisors while providing them with additional resources to accelerate their growth. About Bellwether Investment Management Inc. Bellwether is a boutique investment manager that offers tailored investment solutions for affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts utilizing its proprietary "Disciplined Dividend Growth" Investment Process. Bellwether provides discretionary investment management focused on North American Dividend Growth investing and is dedicated to serving the distinct needs of affluent families. Bellwether's suite of investment solutions includes Canadian, US and global equity and fixed income strategies. Bellwether is a subsidiary of LPCP, and is registered as a portfolio manager in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, an exempt market dealer in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and an investment fund manager in Ontario and Quebec. For further information, please contact: Robert Sewell Chief Executive Officer Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. investor.relations@lpcp.ca (905) 337-2227 Cautionary Notes 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 contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan", and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, LPCP's objectives, goals and future plans. Forward-looking information addresses possible future events, conditions and financial performance based upon management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects assumptions about the timing and results of the amalgamation and regulatory approvals. Management of LPCP considers the assumptions on which the forward-looking information contained herein are based to be reasonable. However, by its very nature, forward-looking information inherently involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Such risks include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions, applicable laws or regulations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. LPCP disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171134 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Metallica Metals Corp. (CSE: MM) (OTCQB: MTALF) (FSE: SY7) (the "Company") announces the resignations of Mr. Paul Teniere as a director of the Company and Mr. Aaron Stone as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately. The Company wishes to thank Messrs. Stone and Teniere for their valuable contribution to the Company and wishes them every success in their future endeavors. The Company would also like to announce that Mr. Benoit Desormeaux has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Mr. John Jentz has been appointed as a director and the Non-Executive Chairman of the Company. About the New Management Team and Directors Brief biographies of the members of the newly appointed director and management team of the Company are as follows: Benoit Desormeaux - Chief Executive Officer: Benoit Desormeaux is a proven mining CEO, having risen through the ranks of SEMAFO from 1997 to 2020, including as CEO, COO and CFO. He also has over 12 years of board experience, including as audit committee chair, with public and private companies and charitable organizations. During his career, Mr. Desormeaux established a reputation for value creation, respecting guidance and timelines and delivering on commitments. He has a strong operations background, having operated four mines in three West African countries, and a proven ability to take exploration and development projects through the full cycle of technical studies, permitting, financing, construction and operations. Mr. Desormeaux has excellent mining capital markets experience, having participated in multiple equity and debt financings and various M&A transactions. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). John Jentz - Non-Executive Chairman and Director: John Jentz is a mining professional with over two decades of operational, board of director and investment banking experience. His last operational role was head of strategy and corporate development for SEMAFO Inc., a gold mining company which sold for $1.6 billion in 2020. His last board role was chair of the audit committee and chair of the nominating and compensation committee for North American Palladium Ltd., which sold for $1.0 billion in 2019. Mr. Jentz holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Business Administration from McMaster University. He is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: METALLICA METALS CORP. Benoit Desormeaux Chief Executive Officer Email: info@metallica-metals.com Toronto Office: Suite 401 - 217 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M5V 0R2 Canada About Metallica Metals Corp. Metallica Metals Corp. is a Canadian junior mining company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") and its common shares trade under the ticker symbol "MM". The Company is focused on acquiring and exploring gold-silver and platinum group metal (PGM) properties across Canada. The Company is currently exploring and developing its Starr gold-silver project, and Sammy Ridgeline and Richview Pine PGM projects, which are all located adjacent to advanced mining projects in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171181 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) ("Gold Hunter," "HUNT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Sean A. Kingsley as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company. With over 16 years of comprehensive experience in mineral exploration, the mining industry, and capital market services, Mr. Kingsley offers Gold Hunter an array of expertise, including corporate strategy, fundraising, investor relations, and corporate communications. His successful career journey has been shaped by working with a long-line of successful industry professionals and companies, and is grounded in an educational background which includes programs at Simon Fraser University, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and the TMX Group and IIROC's (currently known as CIRO) Mining Company Disclosure 101 program. Mr. Kingsley's vast background enables him to discern financial markets comprehensively, readying him to traverse the existing economic scenario and seize emerging growth opportunities. In his current professional engagements, Mr. Kingsley has held the position of Director of Corporate Communications for Enduro Metals Corp. since 2019, and he serves as the CEO and President of Mango Research and Management Inc. Additionally, Mr. Kingsley offers strategic advice to Stuhini Exploration Ltd. His corporate contributions extend beyond these roles, as he also serves as a board member for various companies, including Alpha Copper Corp., Pan American Energy Corp., and Legacy Lithium Corp. In his new role at Gold Hunter, Mr. Kingsley is set to utilize his strategic acumen and industry insights to streamline the Company's operations in line with its mission and vision. His expansive network of investors and industry professionals is set to fuel the success of Gold Hunter and augment shareholder value. Beyond his executive roles, Mr. Kingsley showcases an unwavering dedication to industry engagement and networking. As an active member of the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) since 2012, he has served in multiple roles, such as Chair and Vice-Chair of AME's Communications and Marketing Committee (now known as AME's Member & Public Outreach Committee) from 2014-2018. Furthermore, he held a position on AME's Mineral Exploration Editorial Board from 2018-2020. He continues his involvement as a committee member on the Member & Public Outreach Committee, reflecting steadfast commitment to the industry. Since 2016, Mr. Kingsley has also played a part on the Executive, Advisory, and Finance Council for the Centre of Training Excellence in Mining (CTEM). Mr. Kingsley has consistently championed industry engagement, education, and networking by establishing, collaborating with, and organizing a multitude of investor and networking events. His cooperative efforts include organizations like Investor Events, Emerging Equities, Groundup Networking Reception, and Mining 4 Beer. As a member of the prestigious Vancouver Club since 2019, he has contributed to shaping its community, serving on its Membership Committee since 2021. Given his extensive experience, proven leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to the mining industry, Mr. Kingsley is ideally positioned to steer Gold Hunter towards a promising future. His appointment ushers in an exciting new phase in Gold Hunter's growth trajectory, a phase that the Company looks forward to with anticipation and optimism. Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Mr. Sean A. Kingsley stated, "I am genuinely thrilled about the opportunity to spearhead Gold Hunter's advancement. My involvement in one of the Company's initial property transactions last year has given me an in-depth understanding of all participating parties. I foresee an abundance of exciting opportunities on the horizon for everyone associated with the Company, from management and shareholders to stakeholders and the communities of Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Cameron Lake, Ontario. The Baie Verte Peninsula is of particular importance, being known as 'the heart of mining in Newfoundland'," Mr. Kingsley explained. Further expanding, he stated, "I have been frequenting the province of Newfoundland and Labrador since 2014, and I have grown a deep admiration for its significant geological resource potential and its residents. There have been notable developments on the island, and I firmly believe it falls upon companies like us, who are focused on these regions, to unearth this potential. Gold Hunter's ongoing projects have already seen a significant amount of groundwork, including over 200,000 metres of drilling, with historical drilling intercepts of high-grade gold, copper, and zinc, more than 1,200 surface samples taken, as well as the presence of historical production pits onsite. The project enjoys year-round road accessibility, deep-sea port access, and is adjacent to the recently-operating Ming Mine, which is currently in receivership. It is also conveniently located near Maritime Resources Corp.'s Hammerdown project and its recently acquired Point Rousse Project, which includes the fully permitted Pine Cove mill, as well as Signal Gold Inc.'s Tilt Cove Project, hosting the previously operational, high-grade Nugget Pond Mine. Our engaged technical team is diligently working on the first-ever district data compilation, and we foresee having not only first-rate drill targets but also 3D geological models and regional targets across the Baie Verte Peninsula. We plan to share much of this information through forthcoming press releases, website updates, corporate presentation releases, and additional announcements." To facilitate Mr. Kingsley's appointment, Mr. Richard Macey has stepped down as CEO and President. However, Mr. Macey will continue to provide his guidance and expertise as a Director of the Company. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, shareholders, and stakeholders of the Company, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Richard for his commitment to Gold Hunter and we thank him for remaining on the Board of Directors" Sean Kingsley, Gold Hunter's new President & CEO, appreciatively commented. About Gold Hunter Resources Gold Hunter Resources is a mineral exploration company committed to uncovering the value of mineral-rich regions in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario, Canada. The Company's current projects are in districts abundant in minerals, surrounded by projects that either have a history of production or contain a wealth of mineral resources. Utilizing systematic geological and geophysical techniques, Gold Hunter aims to unlock the full potential of its projects. Future press releases and information regarding Gold Hunter Resources can be accessed in French, Deutsch, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese on the website by selecting the preferred language from the button at the top right corner. For further information, or to be included in the President's list for upcoming finance opportunities, please connect with Sean Kingsley, the newly appointed President, CEO, and Director, directly at +1 604-440-8474 (cell/WhatsApp) or info@seankingsley.ca. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, GOLD HUNTER RESOURCES CORP. "Sean A. Kingsley" President, CEO, and Director Email: info@goldhunter.ca Phone: +1 604-440-8474 www.goldhunterresources.ca The Canadian Securities Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider, as defined in the policies of the CSE, do not take responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company's activities, exploration, drilling, and mineralization projects. These statements reflect the current views and assumptions of the Company's management and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ substantially from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates, or opinions change. Potential risks include operational hazards, geological uncertainties, assay interpretation, securing necessary permits, and financial contingencies. For a comprehensive discussion of these risk factors, please refer to the Company's publicly available documents at www.sedar.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171287 On Saturday, July 1, the European Space Agency (ESA) is scheduled to launch the Euclid Dark Universe space astrophysics mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Euclid will explore the evolution of the dark Universe, constructing a three-dimensional map of the Universe by observing billions of galaxies out to 10 billion light-years. While dark energy accelerates the expansion of the Universe and dark matter governs the growth of cosmic structures, scientists do not know what dark energy and dark matter are. By observing how the Universe evolved over the past 10 billion years, astronomers can infer the properties of dark matter and dark energy to reveal more about their precise nature. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626825584/en/ The Euclid VIS Focal Plane under test at the CEA/IRFU facility in Saclay, France. Photo credit: M. Berthe CEA Euclid has a 1.2-meter diameter telescope that is designed to work at both visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The telescope will collect light from distant cosmic objects and feed the light to two scientific instruments: a visible wavelength camera (VIS) and a near-infrared spectrometer and photometer (NISP). The two instruments work in parallel and observe the same region of the sky during each exposure. Each instrument has a field of view of 0.56 degree about 2.8 times larger than the full moon, enabling Euclid to measure more than a third of the sky during its planned six year mission. Teledyne e2v Space Imaging and Teledyne Imaging Sensors, business units of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), provided the visible and infrared detectors that compose the focal plane mosaics. Euclid's VIS focal plane is composed of 36 Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs), each with 4,0964,096 pixels, for a total of approximately 604 million pixels. The CCDs were produced by Teledyne e2v Space Imaging in Chelmsford, England. The Euclid NISP instrument was delivered by an international consortium coordinated by France, with partners from Italy, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Norway, and the United States. Euclid's NISP focal plane is composed of 16 H2RG infrared arrays, each with 2,0482,048 pixels, for a total of more than 67 million pixels. When Euclid launches, NISP will be the largest infrared focal plane mosaic operating in space. The H2RGs were produced by Teledyne Imaging Sensors in Camarillo, California. Teledyne Imaging Sensors also produced the SIDECAR ASIC, an application specific CMOS chip that operates Euclid's H2RG arrays and digitizes the image data. "Teledyne is very proud to provide the high performance detectors to the Euclid dark universe mission," said Dr. James Beletic, President of Teledyne Imaging Sensors. "We are honored to contribute to this important mission that will advance our understanding of the Universe." About Teledyne Technologies Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne Technologies' operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies' website at www.teledyne.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626825584/en/ Contacts: Dr. James Beletic (805) 231-8267 Together, Databricks and MosaicML will enable any company to build, own and secure best-in-class generative AI models while maintaining control of their data SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks , the Data and AI company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MosaicML, a leading generative AI platform. Together, Databricks and MosaicML will make generative AI accessible for every organization, enabling them to build, own and secure generative AI models with their own data. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.3 billion, inclusive of retention packages. MosaicML is known for its state-of-the-art MPT large language models (LLMs). With over 3.3 million downloads of MPT-7B and the recent release of MPT-30B , MosaicML has showcased how organizations can quickly build and train their own state-of-the-art models using their data in a cost-effective way. Customers such as AI2 (Allen Institute for AI), Generally Intelligent, Hippocratic AI, Replit and Scatter Labs leverage MosaicML for a wide variety of generative AI use cases. "Every organization should be able to benefit from the AI revolution with more control over how their data is used. Databricks and MosaicML have an incredible opportunity to democratize AI and make the Lakehouse the best place to build generative AI and LLMs," said Ali Ghodsi, Co-Founder and CEO, Databricks. "Databricks and MosaicML's shared vision, rooted in transparency and a history of open source contributions, will deliver value to our customers as they navigate the biggest computing revolution of our time." Giving Organizations a Simple, Fast Way to Build, Own and Secure Models Today, virtually every organization is exploring how best to use generative AI and LLMs, and every leader is considering how they leverage these new innovations while retaining control of their most precious resource: their data. Organizations and executives want to be able to build, own and secure their own models. The Databricks Lakehouse Platform, combined with MosaicML's technology, will offer customers a simple, fast way to retain control, security, and ownership over their valuable data without high costs. According to MosaicML, automatic optimization of model training provides 2x-7x faster training compared to standard approaches. Combined with near linear scaling of resources, multi-billion-parameter models can be trained in hours, not days. With Databricks and MosaicML, training and using LLMs will cost thousands of dollars, not millions. Databricks' unified Data and AI platform combined with MosaicML's generative AI training capabilities will provide a platform robust enough to serve the world's largest organizations and flexible enough to address a broad range of AI use cases. Databricks and MosaicML's Shared Vision The entire MosaicML team, including MosaicML's industry-leading research team, is expected to join Databricks after the transaction closes. MosaicML's machine learning and neural networks specialists conduct pioneering AI research to improve model training efficiency. The team is behind some of today's most popular and advanced open-source foundation models, such as MPT-30B , as well as the training algorithms powering MosaicML's products. MosaicML's platform will be supported, scaled, and integrated over time to offer customers a seamless unified platform where they can build, own and secure their generative AI models. Databricks and MosaicML will give customers greater choice in building their own models, training models with their own unique data, and creating differentiating IP for their businesses. "At MosaicML, we believe in a world where everyone is empowered to build and train their own models, imbued with their own opinions and viewpoints - and joining forces with Databricks will help us make that belief a reality," said Naveen Rao, Co-Founder and CEO, MosaicML. "We started MosaicML to solve the hard engineering and research problems necessary to make large scale training more accessible to everyone. With the recent generative AI wave, this mission has taken center stage. Together with Databricks, we will tip the scales in the favor of many - and we'll do it as kindred spirits: researchers turned entrepreneurs sharing a similar mission. We look forward to continuing this journey together with the AI community." To stay updated on Databricks' latest AI innovations, including updates regarding the MosaicML acquisition, sign up here. Details Regarding the Proposed Acquisition The proposed acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including any required regulatory clearances. About MosaicML MosaicML is the generative AI platform that empowers enterprises to build their own AI. MosaicML's research and engineering teams conduct cutting-edge scientific research to build products that make it fast, cost-effective, and easy for anyone to train today's most popular deep learning models. MosaicML enables developers to maintain full control over the AI models they build with model ownership and data privacy built into the platform's design. About Databricks Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide - including Comcast, Conde Nast, and over 50% of the Fortune 500 - rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe. Founded by the original creators of Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and MLflow, Databricks is on a mission to help data teams solve the world's toughest problems. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Press@databricks.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140077/Databricks_x_MosaicML.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1160675/Databricks_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/databricks-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-mosaicml-a-leading-generative-ai-platform-301863057.html New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) Stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur situation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said if the PM is really concerned about the Northeastern state, then he should sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The Congress has been blaming the Biren Singh-led government for the current crisis in Manipur. "Reports indicate that finally the Home Minister has spoken to PM Modi on Manipur. For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is to sack his CM, Kharge wrote in a tweet. Suggesting various measures to bring normalcy in the violence-hit state, the Congress chief said, "Confiscate weapons stolen from extremist organizations and anti-social elements. Start talks with all the parties and find a common political path. End the blockade with the help of security forces. Ensure the availability of essential commodities by opening and keeping the National Highways safe." Among others, he said, "A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate." No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Manipur violence, Kharge said. On Sunday, the Manipur CM met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here, a day after the latter convened a all-party meeting over the current crisis in the Northeastern state. Shah has assured that the Central government will take all possible steps to bring normalcy in Manipur. UNI DS BM WACO, Texas, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VoIP-Pal.com Inc. ("VoIP-Pal", "Company") (OTCQB: VPLM) is pleased to provide a legal update of recent developments in the current patent litigation. At a hearing held on June 12, 2023, in Case No. 6:20-CV-00272-ADA the Court granted VoIP-Pal's motion to reconsider the Court's final construction of the term "routing message" and construed the term to mean "a message that includes a callee user name field and a route field." VoIP-Pal has filed a stipulation dismissing its lawsuit against Samsung in the Western District of Texas (WDTX). As a result of stipulations dismissing the lawsuits against Facebook, Google, and Twitter in the Northern District of California (NDCAL), the pending motions for judgment on the pleadings against U.S. Patent Nos. 8,630,234; 10,880,721; and 10,218,606 have been denied as moot. Additionally, the PTAB has terminated Meta's and Google's involvement in IPRs filed against U.S. Patent Nos. 8,630,234 and 10,880,721. Emil Malak, CEO of VoIP-Pal, stated, "We are very pleased to be done with the cases in California and to have the Alice motions behind us. This now allows us to focus all of our attention on the upcoming trials this October in Waco, Texas, vs. Verizon and T-Mobile, and the ongoing case against Amazon asserting our RBR continuation patent." Mr. Malak also said, "I would also like to express my appreciation to our lead attorney Lewis Hudnell and his firm for all of their hard work and dedication to our success. We are very happy to have him on our team as we move forward together towards achieving our monetization goals. Patience is a virtue." About VoIP-Pal.com Inc. VoIP-Pal.Com, Inc. ("VoIP-Pal") is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, Texas. The Company owns a portfolio of patents relating to Voice-over-Internet Protocol ("VoIP") technology that it is currently looking to monetize. Any forecast of future financial performance is a "forward looking statement" under securities laws. Such statements are included to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions with respect to the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor among many in evaluating an investment. While the Company believes in the circumstances that legal action is needed to monetize its patents, patent litigation involves various risks and uncertainties that could affect its ability to monetize the patents. We recognize that it is impossible to predict the specific outcomes of litigation. Corporate Website: www.voip-pal.com IR inquiries: IR@voip-pal.com IR Contact: Rich Inza (954) 495-4600 ST PAUL, MN and CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge ( YoungScientist) 24 State Merit Winners and four honorable mention recipients. As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists that utilize the power of science to improve the world. To enter, students in grades 5-8 submit a one-to-two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. All entries are reviewed by a diverse group of judges and evaluated on their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills. Videos can be recorded using a cell phone or digital camera and are not judged on production skills. "The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates how harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what's possible can help shape a brighter future," said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. "The 2023 state merit winners are already making the world a better place through groundbreaking STEM thinking and innovation." The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the 24 State Merit Winners and the four honorable mention recipients, which were selected for their passion for science, innovation, and superb communication skills. Each State Merit Winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a special technology prize pack. The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge State Merit Winners are listed below in alphabetical order by state: [Alabama] Greeshma Vinoy, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabama School of Fine Arts School District [California] Kayley Xu, The Bishop's School, Private [Colorado] Aanshi Shah, Thunder Vista P-8, Five Star District [Connecticut] Rithvik Suren, Academy of Science and Innovation, Capitol Region Education Council [Florida] Chilok Mak, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Private [Georgia] Siddhant Mahapatra, East Side Elementary School, Cobb County School District [Indiana] Rohith Nuthakki, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Clay School District [Kentucky] Aniket Tadinada, Meyzeek Middle School, Jefferson County District [Massachusetts] Hanna Suzuki, John Glenn Middle School, Bedford Public School District [Maryland] Dev Gadhia, Mount View Middle School, Howard County Public School System [Minnesota] Shubham Panchal, Wayzata Central Middle School, Wayzata Public Schools [Missouri] Sania Rehman, Central High School - Springfield Scholars Program, Springfield R-12 District [North Carolina] Jamie Cheng, Mills Park Middle School, Wake County Public School System [New Hampshire] Yuvanguru Balagurumoorthy, Academy for Science and Design Chartered Public School, Nashua School District [New Jersey] Jasmine Parran, Edison Intermediate School, Westfield Public School District [Nevada] Mila Nguyen, Challenger School, Private [New York] Vick Tan, Horace Mann School, Private [Oklahoma] Iffat Iftekhar, Union 8th Grade Center, Union Public Schools [Oregon] Subhang Bhatti, Astra Nova School, Online [Pennsylvania] Arman Kazi, Hershey Middle School, Derry Township School District [Texas] Neel Hiremath, Cedar Valley Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District [Utah] Arin Bhandari, Clayton Middle School, Salt Lake City School District [Virginia] Meha Seshan, Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools [Wisconsin] Henry Martin, Golda Meir School, Milwaukee Public Schools For the third time in competition history, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge also recognized entrants with an honorable mention award. These projects were selected for their unique and innovative concepts innovation and effective communication skills. The four 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge honorable mention recipients are as follows in alphabetical order by last name: Ryanne Bethly , Wesley Chapel, Fla., Watergrass Elementary School, Pasco County Schools , Wesley Chapel, Fla., Watergrass Elementary School, Pasco County Schools Audrey Kim , Irvine, Calif., Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified School District , Irvine, Calif., Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified School District Bhargav Mandakolathur , Milpitas, Calif., John Sinnott Elementary School, Milpitas Unified School District , Milpitas, Calif., John Sinnott Elementary School, Milpitas Unified School District Kavin Puri, Mars, Pa., Marshall Middle School, North Allegheny School District To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com. "Congratulations to each state merit winner and honorable mention recipient in the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Your innovations are what this challenge is all about and it's incredible to see young people from the age of 11 to 14 already making a difference in the world," said Amy Nakamoto, general manager of social impact at Discovery Education. America's Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine's first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. In addition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network began fall 2022 and welcomed more than 100 former challenge finalists and winners for networking and grant opportunities. The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program - Young Scientist Lab - which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education's recently enhanced K-12 learning platform. For more information about Discovery Education's digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com , and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. ### About 3M 3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what's possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we're working to improve lives and make what's next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews. About Discovery Education Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com. Contacts Robert Brittain 3M Email: rbrittain@mmm.com Grace Maliska Discovery Education Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Discovery Education on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Discovery Education Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/discovery-education Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Discovery Education View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763643/3M-and-Discovery-Education-Recognize-24-State-Merit-Winners-and-4-Honorable-Mentions-in-2023-3M-Young-Scientist-Challenge DETROIT, MI / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / INROADS and the PNC Foundation announced that the College Links program will expand to Metro Detroit this fall for the local launch of its successful blueprint designed to help prepare minority high school students for college and successful careers. Funded by a $1 million grant from the PNC Foundation, INROADS will teach local students valuable leadership skills and provide professional development opportunities, while addressing the racial and wealth gap in the United States. INROADS and PNC announced a similar grant initiative in April in Birmingham, Alabama. "Wealth in America is disproportionate and access to opportunity is not equitable," said Forest T. Harper, Jr., president and CEO, INROADS. "INROADS is working to change this through our College Links program. We cannot wait for change; we must go out and be the change." Through the INROADS College Links program, high school students in Metro Detroit's underrepresented communities will have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one leadership development and professional growth experiences. The program will expose them to leaders from diverse backgrounds, offer career immersion opportunities and provide mentorship support. These experiences will not only enhance their leadership skills but will increase their chances of admission to college. Historically, 100% of College Links scholars have been accepted into college or post-high school education. "As a national main street bank, PNC is strongly committed to the communities we serve," said Michael Bickers, PNC regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. "We know that supporting the INROADS program will help local students in historically underserved communities gain access to rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and math. This program reflects PNC's commitment to helping students of all ages achieve success in school and life." INROADS and PNC Foundation recognize the importance of education as a powerful means to economic opportunity. By providing underrepresented students with opportunities and resources through the College Links program, the organizations are working to increase equity and reduce barriers. "INROADS makes a proven difference in the lives of students who participate," said Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation. "In cities where the program currently operates, it demonstrates impressive results in closing opportunity gaps for underrepresented youth, which aligns with our broader foundation strategy to positively impact communities through education and economic development. We also look forward to having PNC employees get involved as volunteer mentors to the students." Current host cities of INROADS College Links include: Atlanta; Birmingham; Charleston, West Virginia; Chicago; Cincinnati; Dallas; Houston; Nashville; Oakland; Orlando; New York/New Jersey; San Antonio; Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul; and Washington D.C. INROADS College Links will also launch in Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Denver and Charlotte in the coming months. About PNC Foundation The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education, and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com. About INROADS Founded in 1970, INROADS delivers innovative programs and creative solutions that identify, accelerate, and elevate the development of underrepresented talent throughout their careers. Through this development, students become equipped for corporate and community leadership that effects community renewal, social change and elevates economic status and quality of life. INROADS has more than 30,000 alumni, over 900 interns and serves 4,000+ students and 200 corporate clients. Learn more at INROADS.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn: @INROADSInc. CONTACTS: PNC Robert J. Darmanin robert.darmanin@pnc.com INROADS Tyra Lang tlang@wilbron.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The PNC Financial Services Group on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: The PNC Financial Services Group Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/pnc-financial-services-group Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: The PNC Financial Services Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763652/INROADS-PNC-Foundation-Announce-1-Million-Grant-To-Benefit-Underrepresented-Metro-Detroit-High-School-Students PANAMA (dpa-AFX) - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL, CCL.L, CUK) said the company reached a meaningful inflection point for revenue during its second quarter, with net yields surpassing 2019's strong levels. The company recorded positive operating income, cash from operations and adjusted free cash flow during the quarter. Carnival noted that it saw continued acceleration of demand, with total bookings made during the quarter reaching a new all-time high for all future sailings. Second quarter net loss was $407 million or $0.32 per share compared to a loss of $1.83 billion or $1.61 per share, prior year. Operating income for the second quarter was $120 million, turning positive for the first time since the resumption of guest cruise operations. The company noted that adjusted EBITDA was $681 million, at the high end of the March guidance range of $600 million to $700 million. Adjusted loss per share was $0.31 compared to a loss of $1.64. On average, 15 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss per share of $0.34, for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Second quarter revenue increased to $4.91 billion from $2.40 billion, last year. Analysts on average had estimated $4.77 billion in revenue. 'Based on continued strength in pricing, we delivered outperformance in the second quarter and raised our expectation for revenue in the second half, which coupled with the interest expense benefit we are capturing from deleveraging will bring another $275 million dollars to the bottom line for the year,' Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein said. For the third quarter, the company expects: adjusted EBITDA of $2.05 billion to $2.15 billion, and adjusted net income of $0.95 billion to $1.05 billion. Adjusted earnings per share is estimated in a range of $0.70 to $0.77. For the full year 2023, the company expects: adjusted EBITDA of $4.10 billion to $4.25 billion, above March guidance's range and with a midpoint increase of $175 million. Adjusted loss per share is expected in a range of $0.20 to $0.08. Carnival introduced its SEA Change Program, a set of key performance targets over a three-year period ending in 2026. The program targets 50% increase in adjusted EBITDA per available lower berth day compared to 2023 June guidance. It also projects 12% adjusted Return on Invested Capital, more than doubling adjusted ROIC from 2023 to 2026. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. 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 CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Easterseals, the nation's leading nonprofit provider of services and advocacy for 61M individuals with disabilities in the United States, has received a two-year grant of $1.3M from the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation to expand digital literacy training among young adults with disabilities in employment programs at seven Easterseals Affiliates nationwide while also funding a national study to determine digital equity and access among BIPOC populations with disabilities. Easterseals Crossroads (Indianapolis, IN), Easterseals Washington, Easterseals Colorado, Easterseals Arkansas, Easterseals Greater Houston, Easterseals New Hampshire, and Easterseals Massachusetts will receive grants totaling $350,000 to expand digital literacy within their employment training programs for young adults with disabilities. Students ages 16-24 with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities will learn how to navigate the internet, stay safe online, communicate via email, create PowerPoint presentations, develop resumes, use assistive technology, and more. Funding will also support a national audit and analysis of digital literacy programs offered throughout Easterseals' network of 71 Affiliates to identify and scale digital literacy programming with the highest impact and outcomes through 2024 funding by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. Finally, a national study will be underwritten to determine digital equity and access among BIPOC populations with disabilities. Working in collaboration with Easterseals Affiliates, university researchers, policymakers, and advocacy organizations, the study will identify the current state of access to technology, including broadband, as well as digital literacy and skills training for BIPOC populations with disabilities while determining markets in which digital literacy inequity is most acute and success stories that can be replicated nationally to address such inequities. Upon completion of the study in early 2024, Easterseals and Comcast NBCUniversal will convene a Digital Equity Summit to share study findings and recommendations to address disparities in equity and access which may exist within BIPOC populations with disabilities. "Easterseals is honored to have the opportunity to work with Comcast NBCUniversal in our shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities through our partnership of more than 20 years," says Easterseals President and CEO Kendra E. Davenport. "Digital access and literacy are critical to the children and adults with disabilities, including veterans and older adults, served by Easterseals nationwide. These digital resources are essential to breaking down barriers to employment, education, transportation, healthcare, and community that people with disabilities often face." "Far too many people with disabilities do not have access to the digital tools and resources that will help ensure their full participation in society and life," said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President of Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. "We are so pleased to further our partnership with Easterseals to deliver essential digital training and further equitable employment outcomes for young adults with disabilities." DALILA WILSON-SCOTT, EVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President of Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation Since 2011, Easterseals has partnered with Comcast NBCUniversal to advance equity, inclusion, and access to innovative technology to advance digital literacy and accelerate success among people with disabilities, veterans, and older adults. To date, Comcast NBCUniversal has provided Easterseals with more than $54 million in cash and in-kind support. Comcast NBCUniversal's ongoing partnership with Easterseals is part of Project UP, the company's comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Comcast Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Comcast Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/comcast-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Comcast Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763681/Easterseals-Announces-Two-Year-Grant-of-13M-From-the-Comcast-NBCUniversal-Foundation NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Bloomberg Originally published on bloomberg.com In 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks in England, bringing more than 800 passengers from the Caribbean. This was a historic moment that saw mass migration and shaped modern Britain. June 22, 2023 marks its 75th anniversary. Across the UK, communities will come together to celebrate the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their families. As a descendant of the Windrush Generation, Sonia Meggie, EMEA, D&I Client Partner for News and Media at Bloomberg, shares what Windrush Day means to her and how everyone can get involved. This year's Windrush Day marks 75 years since we've seen mass migration from the Caribbean, Africa and many other countries. HMT Empire Windrush brought 492 passengers to the UK from Caribbean islands such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to help fill post-War labour shortages. Those who came in response played a critical role in those efforts, and made an enormous contribution to make the UK what it is today. My parents are from Jamaica and it is really important for me to know about my heritage, culture and history. My grandparents arrived in the UK in the 1950's (ten years prior to my parents arriving) and faced discrimination and racism. They had to work really hard as a family to overcome the barriers they faced. Like many others who arrived during this period, they wanted a better life for their children. It is unclear how many people from the Windrush generation are still in the UK, but the number is thought to be in the thousands. Their careers often started as manual workers, cleaners, drivers, transport employees and nurses in the newly established NHS - and some broke new ground in representing Black Britons in society. They are among more than 500,000 UK residents who arrived before 1971, but it is important to note that many arrived prior to the UK's "invitation". I'm really proud of my heritage and acknowledge the sacrifice it took to migrate to the UK. As a third generation descendant I understand how important it is for me to be a role model, and shine the light on those who come from my community. We have achieved many things and will continue to be positive examples for future generations. In April 2018, it emerged that the UK Home Office had not kept the records of those granted permission to stay, and had not issued the paperwork they needed to confirm their status. It remains important to acknowledge those facing turmoil due to the Windrush scandal. On Windrush Day, there are many ways that we can all get involved, such as visiting Bloomberg cultural partners who are hosting bespoke Windrush events such as The V&A, and the Museum of London. I'll be volunteering with the Black Cultural Archives, who are featuring a Windrush stamp collection with Royal Mail. I will also spend time with family and friends to acknowledge and recognize all that we've achieved and also to celebrate our culture. All around the UK there'll be talks, exhibitions, and activities taking place so there are many ways for people to get involved and learn more. On July 4th, Bloomberg will be hosting a panel discussion with Jacqueline Mckenzie, award winning human-rights lawyer and a member of the independent advisory group that delivered the Windrush Lessons Learned Review in March 2020, which resulted in an official apology from the Home Secretary. Further details on the event are available here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bloomberg on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Bloomberg Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bloomberg Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Bloomberg View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763682/A-Bloomberg-Reflection-on-75-Years-Since-Windrush CHICAGO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The mass spectrometry industry is poised for rapid growth and innovation in the near future. Advancements in technology, including improvements in sensitivity, resolution, and speed, will enable researchers to analyze smaller sample sizes, detect lower concentrations of analytes, and obtain more accurate results. Mass spectrometry will find expanded applications in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, clinical diagnostics, and food safety. Additionally, the field will witness increased accessibility, as user-friendly interfaces and simplified data analysis tools make mass spectrometry systems available to a wider range of users. The integration of mass spectrometry with other analytical techniques and the utilization of artificial intelligence for data analysis will further enhance its capabilities. Overall, mass spectrometry will play a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding, personalized medicine, and addressing complex analytical challenges in the coming years. Mass Spectrometry Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $4.7 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $6.8 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Factors such as increasing spending on pharmaceutical R&D across the globe, government regulations on drug safety, growing focus on the quality of food products, increase in crude and shale gas production, and growing government initiatives for pollution control and environmental testing are high growth prospects for the mass spectrometry market during the forecast period. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=437 Browse in-depth TOC on "Mass Spectrometry Market" 122 - Tables 30 - Figures 188 - Pages Mass Spectrometry Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $4.7 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $6.8 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Sample Preparation Technique, Application, End User, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Growth opportunities in emerging countries Key Market Drivers Increasing R&D investments in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry Instruments segment to register significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2023-2028 Based on the product, the mass spectrometry is segmented into instrument and software & services. Instruments segment to register significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2023-2028. Advantages offered by instruments, such as rapid and high-resolution testing abilities with more accurate and precise results, are increasing its adoption. Consequently, the demand for mass spectrometry devices for high throughput screening is also growing. The instrument segment is further divided into hybrid mass spectrometry, single mass spectrometry and other technologies. LC-MS segment accounted for the largest share of the mass spectrometry in 2023-2028 Based on sample preparation technique, the mass spectrometry is segmented into GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and others. The LC-MS segment is estimated to hold the largest market share of the mass spectrometry market during the forecast period. The large share of this segment can be attributed to its ability to identify and measure a broader range of compounds with minimal sample preparation. LC-MS can identify a broader range of compounds. LC-MS is applied in many industries such as pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, forensic, industrial, food and environmental sector. For clinical research, the analysis of drugs, vitamins and minerals in whole blood, plasma, serum and urine is conducted routinely using LCMS. It is a more sensitive instrument. OMICS research segment accounted for the largest share of the mass spectrometry in 2023-2028 Based on application, the mass spectrometry is segmented into OMICS research, drug discovery, environmental testing, food testing, pharma-biopharma manufacturing, clinical diagnostics, applied industries, and other applications. The OMICS research segment is estimated to hold the largest market share of the mass spectrometry market during the forecast period. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the increasing application of omics technology in diagnostics & biomarker identification and the increasing R&D expenditure and government funding for proteomics are expected to drive the market for this segment. Pharmaceutical companies' segment to register for the highest growth rate of the mass spectrometry in 2023-2028 The major end users in the mass spectrometry market are pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, research labs & academic institutes, environmental testing labs, F&B industry, forensic labs, petrochemical industry and other end users. Pharmaceutical companies are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The availability of government and corporate funding for pharmaceutical research, growth of the pharmaceutical industry, and the presence of stringent regulatory guidelines for drug development and safety are some of the key factors driving the growth of this segment during the forecast period. Asia Pacific to register a significant growth in the market during the forecast period In 2023, Asia Pacific is expected to register a significant growth in the market during the forecast period. Asia Pacific comprises the China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, ASEAN Region, rest of APAC. Factors such as the significant funding for mass spectrometry and environmental monitoring regulations are driving the growth of the Asia Pacific mass spectrometry market. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=437 Mass Spectrometry Market Dynamics: Drivers: Increasing R&D investments in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry Restraints: Premium Product Pricing Opportunities: Growth opportunities in emerging countries Challenges: Dearth of Skilled Professionals Key Market Players: The mass spectrometry business is very competitive, with both established companies and newcomers competing for the same market share. As of 2022, the key players operating in the global mass spectrometry market are SCIEX AB (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), Agilent Technologies (US), Waters Corporation (US), PerkinElmer Inc. (US), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan) and Bruker Corporation (US) among others. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=437 Recent Developments: In January 2022, Thermo Fisher and Symphogen extended their collaborative partnership with aim to deliver workflows for simplified characterization and quality monitoring of complex therapeutic proteins using the Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Plus Orbitrap LC-MS/MS system. In February 2023, SCIEX announced collaboration with HighRes Biosolutions to bring customizable automation solutions powered by Cellario software, which would add automation benefits to the Echo MS system. In February 2022, Waters Corporation acquired Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry technology assets and intellectual property rights of Megadalton Solutions, Inc., to broaden its application in Cell and Gene Therapy. In September 2022, Agilent Technologies partnered with MOBILion Systems for ion mobility separation technology called Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation (SLIM) on its Q-TOF mass spectrometers. Mass Spectrometry Market Advantages: High Sensitivity: Mass spectrometry is known for its exceptional sensitivity, enabling the detection and quantification of trace amounts of analytes in complex samples. It can identify and quantify molecules at extremely low concentrations, making it invaluable in fields such as environmental analysis, clinical diagnostics, and drug discovery. Structural Characterization: Mass spectrometry provides detailed structural information about molecules, allowing researchers to determine their composition, fragmentation patterns, and molecular weight. This capability is essential in the identification and characterization of unknown compounds, the elucidation of molecular structures, and the study of complex biological systems. Versatility and Range of Applications: Mass spectrometry has a broad range of applications across various industries and scientific disciplines. It is utilized in pharmaceutical analysis, proteomics, metabolomics, environmental monitoring, forensic analysis, food safety, and many other fields. Its versatility stems from the ability to analyze diverse analytes, including small molecules, proteins, peptides, lipids, and complex mixtures. Quantitative Analysis: Mass spectrometry enables quantitative analysis by measuring the abundance of analytes in a sample. It can be used for accurate determination of drug concentrations in biological samples, monitoring the levels of pollutants in environmental samples, and assessing metabolic changes in biological systems. The quantitative capabilities of mass spectrometry are vital for research, quality control, and clinical applications. High Selectivity: Mass spectrometry offers high selectivity, allowing for the precise identification and differentiation of analytes even in complex matrices. By measuring the unique mass-to-charge ratio of ions, mass spectrometry can distinguish between closely related compounds, isotopes, and different chemical species. This selectivity is particularly valuable in the analysis of complex samples with potential interferences. Rapid and High-Throughput Analysis: Recent advancements in mass spectrometry technology have enabled rapid data acquisition and high-throughput analysis. Mass spectrometers equipped with advanced hardware and software can quickly analyze large sample sets, providing fast and reliable results. This capability is essential for applications that require high sample throughput, such as clinical diagnostics and drug discovery. Advancements in Data Analysis: Mass spectrometry generates large volumes of complex data, and advancements in data analysis tools and algorithms have made it easier to process and interpret this information. Techniques such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are being applied to mass spectrometry data, enabling automated data processing, pattern recognition, and faster identification of analytes. In summary, the mass spectrometry market offers high sensitivity, structural characterization, versatility, quantitative analysis, selectivity, rapid analysis, and advancements in data analysis. These advantages make mass spectrometry a powerful analytical tool with applications across a wide range of industries and scientific disciplines. Mass Spectrometry Market - Report Highlights: In this report, mass spectrometry are considered, along with tables and accessories, used for healthcare applications pharmaceutical industries. In this version of the report, two new segments are added- application-for a better and deeper understanding of the market. The study consists of the average selling price (ASP) analysis for different products in the mass spectrometry market. The research study comprises the patent analysis of technologies/solutions used in the mass spectrometry market. The new market study consists of the trends/disruptions impacting customers' businesses. The new market study consists of information on key conferences & events in 2021-2023. The new market study consists of the region-wise regulatory landscape. The new market study consists of Porter's Five Forces Analysis The new market study provides details of the strategies of the top 14 players operating in the market. The competitive landscape chapter has been updated with the market evaluation matrix. The competitive landscape also includes the market share analysis of major global players (as of 2022), updated competitive leadership mapping, and competitive situations and trends. The new market study comprises 28 players. These companies have emerged as key market players in recent years due to their products and various strategic investments undertaken in the mass spectrometry market space. Updated financial information/product portfolio of players: The new edition of the report provides updated financial information in the context of the mass spectrometry market from 2022 to May 2023 (depending on availability) for each listed company in graphical representation. Updated market developments of profiled players: The current report includes the market developments from January 2019 to May 2023 Related Reports: Life Science Instrumentation Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Esoteric Testing Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Cancer Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Immunofluorescence Assay Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Newborn Screening Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. 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: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/mass-spectrometry-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/mass-spectrometry-market.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mass-spectrometry-market-worth-6-8-billion--marketsandmarkets-301862864.html MANCHESTER, England, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UK charity Human Appeal called on the World community to support an urgent integrated humanitarian intervention in Somalia. This comes as part of Human Appeal's ongoing humanitarian work in Somalia where millions are on the verge of famine due to repeated rainy season failures and conflict. The worst hunger levels in three decades are a culmination of cyclical droughts, conflict, climate shocks, rising food prices, and national debt. No end appears in sight as the nation continues to await rainfall. An integrated intervention would cover humanitarian needs related to food insecurity, nutrition, water, sanitation, health and hygiene. Somalia also faces a surge in illness due to a population with a weakened immune system which is a result of malnutrition, especially in infants and children. "One in two Somalis are facing food insecurity according to the UN and Human Appeal has been conducting humanitarian interventions in Somalia since 1991 responding to emergencies and climate shocks. So much more is urgently needed on an integrated level to help the millions of men, women and children in the midst of this dire situation that seems to have been forgotten by the World," commented Owais Khan, Human Appeal's Deputy CEO. Last year, UK charity Human Appeal helped 287,142 people in Somalia, including supporting over 170,000 through food projects, 98,000 through health projects, and 11,500 with clean water solutions and improved sanitation. In Somalia, 90% of all districts have been hit by drought, with people forced to flee their homes in search of food, water and pasture for their livestock. The uncertainty of displacement puts vulnerable families at risk of disease, poor hygiene, and violence. Human Appeal (registered charity 1154288) is a fully independent British charity and humanitarian NGO based in Manchester, UK. It was established in 1991 and runs targeted aid relief programmes in collaboration with recognized global organizations like the United Nations. Its purpose is to save lives through emergency response and sustainable development programmes, in over 25 countries worldwide: www.humanappeal.org.uk Note to Editors: For all press enquiries or interview requests please email: press@humanappeal.org.uk To request a link to download B-roll video footage taken by Human Appeal on the above topic please contact press@humanappeal.org.uk View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/human-appeal-calls-for-urgent-intervention-in-somalia-301863311.html EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement on Poll Results of 2022 Annual General Meeting and the Class Meetings and Payment of final Dividend 26.06.2023 / 19:45 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG Announcement on Poll Results of 2022 Annual General Meeting and the Class Meetings and Payment of final Dividend Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 26 June 2023 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) published a mandatory announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to: (1) Poll Results of 2022 Annual General Meeting and the Class Meetings and (2) Payment of final Dividend. The announcement is fully available at: https://smart-home.haier.com/en/sm/P020230627039099672121.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20in%20relation%20to%20the%20Poll%20Results%20of%202022%20Annual%20General%20Meeting%20and%20the%20Class%20Meetings IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sara Pinto Sven Pauly pi@crossalliance.de T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 26.06.2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Originally published by Southern Company ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / There is a universe of infrastructure under every major street in America - everything from natural gas pipelines to water and sewer lines, cable, fiber optics and electrical lines. In recognition of its efforts to promote safe digging near natural gas pipeline infrastructure, Southern Company Gas is honored to win the 2023 Southern Gas Association Corporate Communications Award. Launched in August 2022, Southern Company Gas and its operating companies got in the trenches alongside the National Excavator Initiative that brought along one of America's most trusted personalities, executive producer, Emmy-winning host, bestselling author, podcaster and skilled-trades advocate, Mike Rowe. Mike's animated alter ego, micro Mike Rowe, joined to spread the word on the importance of calling 811 to have utility lines marked before you dig. "The safety of our employees, customers, communities and our pipeline infrastructure is our number one value. People are flooded with ads every day, and so in order to capture our customers' and third-party contractors' attention and impart the importance of safe digging, we sought to highlight this topic in a new, creative way," said Bryan Batson, executive vice president of external affairs and chief external and public affairs officer, Southern Company Gas. Southern Company Gas delivered a fully integrated digital and traditional media campaign backed by company data that garnered 422 million+ impressions to achieve the company's second best-year for reductions in total pipeline damage ratio. Total damage ratio is the number of damages to the company's pipeline infrastructure per 1,000 location tickets assigned to utility repair teams. "We have been working on this initiative for a number of years and couldn't be prouder about the outcome," commented Lindsay Sander, president of the National Excavator Initiative and Sander Resources. "This award is a testament to our passion and the dedication our team has for damage prevention, our clients and this critical industry." SGA Awards recognize members who are advancing the natural gas industry. The aim is to support and highlight the great work of companies that have achieved real, measurable business outcomes in their organizations. SGA Awards recognize individuals and teams for their technical contributions, professional excellence, career achievement, service to colleagues, industry leadership and community service. Complete details on the award winners can be found here. About Southern Company Gas Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves nearly 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and more than 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com. About Southern Gas Association Founded in 1908, the Southern Gas Association is the leader in natural gas training and professional development. SGA is a community of natural gas professionals across the U.S. and Canada. Representing the industry from drill bit to burner tip, SGA's membership comprises more than 200 operators across the distribution, transmission, and gas supply marketing sectors and more than 350 industry partners. Through digital and in-person engagement, SGA members share ideas, resources, and best practices to develop people, relationships, and solutions. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Southern Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southern-company Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Southern Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763745/Southern-Company-Gas-Wins-Top-Industry-Honors-for-National-811-Day-Safe-Digging-Communications-Campaign New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) Stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur situation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said if the PM is really concerned about the northeastern state, then he should sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The Congress has been blaming the Biren Singh-led government for the current crisis in Manipur. "Reports indicate that finally the Home Minister has spoken to PM Modi on Manipur. For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then first thing he should do is to sack his CM, Kharge wrote in a tweet. Suggesting various measures to bring normalcy in the violence-hit state, the Congress chief said, "Confiscate weapons stolen from extremist organizations and anti-social elements. Start talks with all the parties and find a common political path. End the blockade with the help of security forces. Ensure the availability of essential commodities by opening and keeping the National Highways safe." Among others, he said, "A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate." No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi govt can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Maniur violence, Kharge said. On Sunday, the Manipur CM met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here, a day after the latter convened a all-party meeting over the current crisis in the northeastern state. Shah has assured that the Central government will take all possible steps to bring normalcy in Manipur. UNI DS SSP Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Currie Rose Resources Inc. (TSXV: CUI) ("Currie Rose" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Simon Coyle as the new President, CEO and Director of the Company, effective July 10th, ushering in a new era for Currie Rose. Mr. Coyle brings a wealth of experience in leadership and management in the mining sector, having worked extensively in exploration, mine planning, mine operations and brownfield and greenfields mine development. Mr. Coyle has held several senior operational management positions in a range of commodities including gold, iron ore, manganese and lithium. Prior to joining Currie Rose, Simon held the position of Head of Port and Operational Development, and before that, General Manager of Operations for Pilbara Minerals' hard-rock lithium operation, Pilgangoora, where he oversaw a team of approximately 650 people and successfully led the development and expansion of the operation to become a major producer of spodumene concentrate. Mr. Coyle brings extensive operational experience critical for the development of the Company's North Queensland Vanadium Project ("NQV Project"), as the Company looks to build projects from the base up to production. Mr. Mike Griffiths will remain a director of the Company and work with Simon Coyle as VP Exploration. On his appointment, incoming CEO Simon Coyle commented: "It is an honour to be appointed President and CEO of Currie Rose. I am excited for the opportunity to work with Mike and the directors as we continue to evolve the company and the North Queensland Vanadium Project. I see the role as an excellent opportunity to rapidly drive innovation and efficiency in the energy storage space. We will continue to focus on the development of the North Queensland Vanadium Project as well as the recently acquired Kotai Energy company and its Hydrogen research project1. Both projects will be pivotal as Australia and the world rightly advance toward green energy alternatives and Net Zero Carbon." Mr. Coyle's experience and expertise with putting mines into production, specifically as it relates to critical minerals, will be extremely valuable for Currie Rose and its NQV Project as it moves forward to the pre-feasibility stage. Outgoing President and CEO Mike Griffiths added: "We are excited to welcome Simon to Currie Rose, and we will greatly benefit from his vast operational experience in critical minerals. It is evident that he has strong leadership skills and capabilities to advance projects. We are delighted to have a proven leader to drive the future of the Company." About Currie Rose Resources Inc. Currie Rose is a publicly traded battery metals exploration and development company identifying high-value assets in resource- and research-friendly jurisdictions. The Company's immediate focus is the advanced NQV Project in Queensland, Australia. The NQV Project hosts the Cambridge Deposit with an Indicated Mineral Resource of 61.33 Mt @ 0.34% V2O5 and 234.6 ppm MoO3 along with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 144.87 Mt @ 0.33% V2O5 and 241.9 ppm MoO3 (Dufresne et al., 2022). The NQV Project covers over 1,200km2 and hosts multiple drill-ready targets that represent large areas of underexplored, prospective vanadium-rich host strata. The Company additionally owns Kotai Energy and its Solid-State Hydrogen research project that includes an option to acquire 100% of the intellectual property rights associated with the Kotai Hydrogen Project from Curtin University in Western Australia. Please visit our website at www.currierose.com. For additional information, please contact: Iryna Zheliasko, Investor Relations - Canada Office: (+1) 647-249-9298 Email: communications@currierose.com Andrew Rowell, Investor Relations - Australia M: +61 400 466 226 Email: andrew@whitenoisecomms.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plans regarding the NQV Project. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner and assumptions regarding political and regulatory stability in financial and capital markets. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, that the Company will not be able to proceed with the NQV Project as intended, or that the Company does not receive the required regulatory approvals" recent market volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions, the conflict in Eastern Europe, the Company's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 1 Kotai Energy's Solid-State Hydrogen research project includes an option to acquire 100% of the intellectual property rights associated with the Kotai Hydrogen Project from Curtin University in Western Australia To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171309 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Champion Electric Metals Inc. (CSE: LTHM) (OTCQB: GLDRF) (FSE: 1QB0) ("Champion Electric" or the "Company") provides the following update on the Company's lithium operations in Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. The wildfires continue to impact Quebec, resulting in a temporary suspension of all site-based work activities on the Company's wholly owned Lithium Property (the "Property" or "Project"). All personnel have been demobilised until the situation improves. Helicopters assigned to the Project have been requisitioned by the government for the firefighting activities in the province. The wildfires are having minimal direct impact on the property. The situation is evolving continuously, the Company is monitoring it very closely and will provide an update as soon as possible. Champion Electric continues to work on the interpretation of the results of an airborne Time-Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) survey completed prior to the forest fire related evacuations. The TDEM survey aimed to follow up on a selection of shallow VLF-EM conductive anomalies spatially correlated with mapped ultramafic rocks of the Lac Guyer Greenstone Belt which are anomalous in Ni (Nickel), Co (Cobalt) and Cr (Chromium) and deemed prospective for base metals mineralisation. Targets generated will thereafter be evaluated on the ground concurrent with the planned exploration efforts for lithium-bearing pegmatites once the crew is able to go back into the field. About Champion Electric Metals Inc. Champion Electric is a discovery-focused exploration company that is committed to advancing its highly prospective lithium properties in Quebec, Canada and cobalt properties in Idaho, United States. In addition, the Company owns the Baner gold project in Idaho County and the Champagne polymetallic project in Butte County near Arco. The Company's shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "LTHM", on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "GLDRF", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "1QB0". Champion Electric strives to be a responsible environmental steward, stakeholder and contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates, taking its social license seriously, employing local community members and service providers at its operations whenever possible. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF CHAMPION ELECTRIC "Jonathan Buick" President and CEO To learn more, please visit the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or the Company's corporate website at www.champem.com. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations and Communications Phone: (416) 567-9087 Email: investors@champem.com Cautionary Statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company, including closing of the Transactions and the prospectivity of the Projects for lithium. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on 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. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly 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. The Projects are at an early stage of exploration, and the Company cautions that the qualified persons who have reviewed and approved this news release have not verified scientific or technical information produced by third parties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171326 Collaboration accelerates the exploration of API solutions for retail CBDC systems LONDON and MELBOURNE, Australia, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has announced its role as an Innovation vendor for Project Rosalind, an experiment in application programming interface (API) prototypes for central bank digital currencies (CBDC) from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Bank of England (BOE) via the BIS Innovation Hub London Centre. Uniting leading innovators from their respective industries, Project Rosalind developed and tested prototypes for an application programming interface (API) specifically built to distribute retail CBDCs. CBDCs have the potential to positively disrupt and drive innovation across several sectors. UST collaborated with the BIS and BoE on the development of the API layer as well as the exploration of a range of use cases for the CBDC ecosystem. A prototype API layer was developed for the project, featuring thirty-three API endpoints grouped into six functional categories. More than thirty use cases identified and explored by public and private sector collaborators served as testing and validation for the architecture and features of the APIs. The success of Project Rosalind proved that API layers can be used by central banks to safely distribute CBDC to consumers via private sector service providers while simultaneously enhancing privacy, accountability, and convertibility. UST played a pivotal role organizing the API development work, running innovation sessions as well as building a secure and functional API layer. UST also partnered with Quant, the blockchain for finance pioneer, to provide the underlying infrastructure and blockchain platform. In a press release by BIS, Francesca Hopwood Road, Head of the BIS Innovation Hub London Centre, said, "The Rosalind experiment has advanced central bank innovation in two key areas: by exploring how an API layer could support a retail CBDC system and how it could facilitate safe and secure CBDC payments through a range of different use cases." "Digital Currency has the potential to transform financial enterprises and revolutionize the end-user experience. The success of Project Rosalind with UST showcases how public-private collaboration and innovation can significantly accelerate time to market for solutions and result in tangible benefits for everyone. I'm proud of the work that we have done on this project and how it exemplifies our focus on transforming lives," said Krishna Sudheendra, Chief Executive Officer, UST. "At UST, innovation is at the center of all our transformation projects, and we put those principles into practice through this partnership. By leveraging our engineering experience and approaching the collaboration with an agile and aligned mindset, we were able to combine the strengths of each company to deliver an outstanding product," said Tanveer Mohammed, Head of Innovation for UK, UST. The prestigious London Innovation Hub Centre was established by BIS in 2021 and is one of six international nodes working to develop public goods in the technology space to support central banks and improve the functioning of the financial system. UST's work on Project Rosalind is just one of its many high-profile collaborations as part of its commitment to driving digital transformation. Over the past two decades UST has established itself as a key business transformation partner across a range of dynamic industries. For more information on UST and its work driving digital innovation, please visit the UST website. Project Rosalind demonstrated that a well-designed application programming interface (API) layer can enable a central bank ledger to interact with private sector service providers to safely provide retail CBDC payments. The project has also demonstrated the potential of a CBDC system to enable a robust ecosystem to foster innovation, and to help meet the future needs of a more digitalised society. The key learnings and outcomes from the successful collaboration have been released and can be found here. About the BIS Innovation Hub London Centre The BIS Innovation Hub has a threefold mandate: We identify, in a structured and systematic way, critical trends in technology affecting central banking in different locations, and develop in-depth insights into these technologies that can be shared with the central banking community. We develop public goods in the technology space geared towards improving the functioning of the global financial system. We serve as the focal point for a network of central bank experts on innovation, with regular events to promote exchange of views and knowledge-sharing. These efforts complement the well established cooperation within the BIS-hosted committees. The BIS Innovation Hub London Centre was established in 2021. Its current project focus areas are central bank digital currency (CBDC), next generation financial market infrastructures and supervisory technology (suptech). To learn more, visit bis.org. About Quant Quant is the foundation of the blockchain economy. Assets of all kinds, from currencies to carbon credits, are being tokenised on blockchain, making their ownership immutable, their provenance traceable and their use easy to manage. Our patent-pending technology makes this simple, trusted and future-proof. We work with financial institutions and other enterprises to dramatically reduce their time-to-market, create new revenue lines, and mitigate risk by delivering enterprise-grade solutions built with security and compliance front of mind. Founded in 2018, Quant is UK-based with a US presence. We spearheaded the Blockchain ISO Standard TC307 adopted by 57 countries and solved interoperability with the creation of the world's first interoperable blockchain platform, Overledger. To find out more, visit quant.network Media contact, Quant Andrew Carrier Chief Marketing Officer andrew.carrier@quant.network About UST For more than 23 years, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies to make a real impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Through our nimble approach, we identify their core challenges, and craft disruptive solutions that bring their vision to life. With deep domain expertise and a future-proof philosophy, we embed innovation and agility into our clients' organizations-delivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact-touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com Media Contacts, UST: Tinu Cherian Abraham +1 (949) 415-9857 Merrick Laravea +1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri +91-9284726602 media.relations@ust.com Media Contacts, U.S.: S&C PR +1-646.941.9139 media@scprgroup.com Makovsky ust@makovsky.com Media Contacts, U.K.: FTI Consulting UST@fticonsulting.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1422658/UST_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ust-delivers-api-prototypes-for-retail-central-bank-digital-currency-cbdc-experimentation-for-the-bank-of-international-settlement-and-bank-of-england-301863167.html WindBorne Systems, a Palo Alto, CA-based weather and climate tech company, raised $6M in Seed Funding. The round was led by Footwork, and included Khosla Ventures, Pear VC, Ubiquity Ventures, Harvest Ventures, and Humba Ventures, among others. The company intends to use the funds to scale its data collection capabilities and make key hires. Led by CEO John Dean, WindBorne is a weather company selling data & forecasts to governments and businesses. It designs, builds, and operates a constellation of long-duration, smart weather balloons that can access critical data needed today to fight climate change. With this financing, the company will be able to scale operations from several flights per day, to hundreds of concurrent balloons by the end of 2024. WindBorne is also expanding their sensor suite beyond the sensors typically used in weather observationtemperature, pressure, wind speed, and humidity. Ultimately, WindBorne plans to continuously operate tens of thousands of balloons, providing constant, comprehensive atmospheric awareness and dramatically better forecasts. Customers include U.S. military and federal meteorology divisions. FinSMEs 26/06/2023 Publishers cannot seem to get enough of Indias former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018), who was a co-founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party and stalwart of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). After Penguin published Shakti Sinhas book Vajpayee: The Man, The Method, The Legacy: The Years That Changed India (2020), and Juggernaut came out with Sagarika Ghoses Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2021), Picador has released Abhishek Choudharys book Vajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right (1924-1977). Choudhary, who has worked in development and journalism, wrote this book with funding from the New India Foundation that awards fellowships to writers working on the history of independent India. In the preface, he writes, My book is an assessment of Vajpayees life, not a tribute. As such, one should read it as a detached, unsentimental (not to say insensitive) take on his career and moral character. Does he deliver what he promises? Read and decide. You must know, however, that this book is only the first part of a two-volume study undertaken by Choudhary.The book is divided into three sections: A Hindu Soul Ripens (1924-1953), Between the Alleged Assassinations (1953-68), and In the Shadow of Shrimati Gandhi (1968-77). Vajpayees life after this will be covered in the second part. This book would be of interest to those who want to know about Vajpayees childhood and adolescence, and the experiences that shaped his worldview as a newspaper editor, political worker, orator, leader, and poet. It would also speak to those who are curious about how Vajpayee a boy from Bateshwar landed up in Delhi, and his equation with politicians like Deendayal Upadhyaya, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Without learning about Vajpayees training with the RSS, his role in the Jan Sangh, his interventions in parliament as a member of the opposition, and his response to the Emergency, it is difficult to appreciate how he came to be the Hindu Rights most glamorized and enigmatic face until now. Choudhary tries earnestly to fill in that gap. Choudhary sets himself up as a fact-checker though he also wants to be an opinion maker. He starts off by throwing shade at Ghose, saying that her book contains factual errors. He notes, Like many others before her, a celebrity journalist who recently published a biography, based largely on secondary sources, insists that Vajpayee hero-worshipped Nehru. Soon after this, Choudhary goes on to call out Vinay Sitapati, author of the book Jugalbandi: The BJP Before Modi (2020) that is published by Penguin. Choudhary states, In a clumsy attempt to unveil new information on his private life, another recent book by an academic (Sitapati) makes the stunningly misleading claim that Vajpayees relationship with Rajkumari Kaul his partner and the mother of their love child was primarily intellectual. Every smirk and side-eye, characteristic of Choudharys writing style, make this book entertaining but also prove that he is far from detached when it comes to the material that he is working with. Fact and opinion mingle freely. It is clear that Choudhary is not simply excavating archives and presenting information. He has a standpoint, and commentary. While reading the chapter titled The Husband and the Lover, you might wonder if you are in the middle of a biography or a primetime family drama. Choudhary writes about Vajpayees private life as a love triangle involving Brijmohan Nath Kaul, Rajkumari Haksar and Vajpayee himself. He calls Vajpayee a lonely, desolate man-child who struggled with the insistence of the RSS on celibacy for full-time pracharaks so that they could channel their sexual energy into the selfless task of consolidating Hindus into a political unit. Though this book is not hagiographical, it is hard to characterize it as an objective account as it appears to give credence to speculation to spice things up. Choudhary writes, Some Ramjas (the college where Kaul taught philosophy) alumni close to him speculated that Kaul saheb might have an alternative sexual orientation. After all, it was uncommon in the 1950s to have only one child. Birjan (short for Brijmohan) Kaul was barely in his early forties when his wife met Vajpayee. The author adds, Someone else in his position handsome, popular, well settled in his career might have walked out of the marriage to find another partner. Choudhary has a knack for spotting drama and playing it up. Screenwriters digging into this book for a web series would be charmed by his sense of humour, thanks to the incidents that he uses to shine a light on Vajpayees persona. He writes, for instance, about the time when Vajpayees pun on Railway Minister Jagjivan Rams name made the Lok Sabha burst into laughter during a discussion on the Railway Budget in 1958. Referring to frequent accidents, Vajpayee said that passengers buying railways tickets knew that they might have to bid goodbye to jag (world) and jivan (life), so they travelled with Rams name on their lips. The wordsmith met his match in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founder CN Annadurai. When Vajpayee pushed for Hindi to become a link language for the people of India, Annadurai asked Vajpayee to learn Tamil and familiarize himself with Tamil classics. Annadurai spoke of his vision for a future India where his own grandchildren would use Hindi to communicate and Vajpayees grandchildren would speak Tamil. He also suggested that Vajpayee could make this happen by getting married to a woman from a language group other than Hindi. Choudharys book deserves to be read not only for laughs but also for his serious engagement with how Vajpayee made a place for himself in the Sangh Parivar and in the hearts of his political adversaries. That might be the key to unlocking how the same person is hailed by some for his contributions to the India-Pakistan peace process and reviled by others for fanning the flames of Hindu-Muslim discord in India. Choudhary is not interested in portraying him as either a hero or a villain. He merely wants to tell an engaging story. Chintan Girish Modi is a journalist, writer and educator who tweets @chintanwriting Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SAMEEP Padoras body of work belies his young age. At 48, he has already won multiple international awards, worked on several public work and low-income housing projects, and created some exceptional restaurants where the decor wrestles with the food for attention. He is also the newly appointed Dean of CEPT University (formerly called the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology), which had the legendary BV Doshi as founding director and is currently run by Bimal Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modis preferred architect. Padora is understandably elated at the appointment. I think its a myth that what you study is very different from what you do in the real world. Pedagogy in academia can inform practice, you dont have to lose that idealism, he reasons. Padora and his firm sP+a, which he founded in 2007, had put together two books on low-income housing and had presented talks on it. He is also on the board of a couple of schools. There was already a connection to academia. If we can use the infrastructure of CEPT to keep its legacy going, that would be great. Padora, who was drawn to beauty objects since childhood as his grandfather traded in Kashmiri carpets and textiles, has a great roster of design education himself. He went to Los Angeles, at SCI-Arc, instead of London and Europe, as the more exciting young architects were coming out of here. He also studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and then did his Masters at Harvards Graduate School of Design. He took courses in macro-finance and project finance to understand how low-income housing functioned in developing countries. A developer once came to our Mumbai studio to build one such project in Karjat. We have had chawls and slums in Mumbai, but there was no discourse about the architecture of these facilitated a sense of community. We started doing drawings to study them, and started to see their value, he says. Padoras firm is also unusual for creating some truly spectacular temple projects, the award-winning Temple of Steps in Andhra Pradesh. We started making temples quite by chance. A group of villagers had come to my farmhouse near Pune asking for a donation to build a concrete temple. I asked them why they wouldnt build it stone and they said they had no knowledge of stones. I began by advising them, getting local quarries to donate the stone and get the priest involved to give his inputs too. It became like a local community project, he smiles. I like the idea of sacredness more than religion, its like finding a beautiful spot when you are trekking thats transformative and meditative. The Temple of Steps near Nandyal, Andhra, was commissioned by Parth Jindals wife, Anushree, after she saw the previous temple. We realised that the local farmers had to change their crop patterns because of water scarcity. While a cement factory nearby was wasting water it had produced. So we created kunds, or water bodies in the temple complex, and the ghat as our design language. It became a metaphor. We started harvesting water here that was being let off into the farms to assist the crop, so it was also a social project, he says. Working with communities has given Padora a rare openness in his work. AK Ramanujan had asked in an essay Is There An Indian Way of Thinking? In a country where language, food, clothing changes every 200 km, how can you prescribe a singular design language? Its like the Ramayana has 300 variations, in some where Ravana is the good guy. Truth is flexible. Indias greatest strength is our diversity, we find that less and less in the current climate where we are pushing for a singular type of identity, Padora explains. Some of Mumbais most stunning restaurants have been designed by Padoras firm the Indigo Deli at Palladium, The Clearing House, Eau Bar at The Oberoi Hotel. Biki Oberoi said to me that from the moment a guest walks into a restaurant, to when she is ushered into a seat, there is a space where her attention is not occupied. The nature of this space builds ones experience. This stayed with me. At the Indigo Deli, we wanted to create that inviting cafe in a generic mall that sort of made you want to sit down on an impulse. I had worked with Atul Ruia before, and of course, Malini Akerkar had a lot of great design inputs too. Some of his other celebrated works are Lattice House in Jammu, which attempted to create order within the chaos of that city, like a little jewel box. It was featured in Wallpaper magazine. The other is the much-photographed The Glass House, a Goan gem built entirely in local laterite stone and glass, like a grid with glass walls that looked over the nearby paddy field. It was co-designed with fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani and Asahi Glass. The Split House in Mahabaleshwar respects the neighbours in the gated community and trades a large edifice for a home thats split into two very modern, even futuristic, structures. The Maya Somaya Library at Kopargaon in rural Maharashtra has won the firm the coveted Beazley and Brick awards. We wanted to understand how kids would engage with a building, in an age of phones and laptops. We discovered that all kids wanted to do was climb to the top of it. We used a 16th Century construction technique from Spain, Swiss software, a Uruguayan concept elsewhere. Today we sit on amazing networks of knowledge, and we cannot question the polarities of local and global. This building is entirely without RCC and you can walk on top of the roof. One of the students wrote to me on instagram and said the building had inspired her to study architecture, and that was gratifying, Padora smiles. Padora, who is part of the Bandra Collective, six architects who work with the BMC for public space development, says public work projects have taught him lessons in mitigation. There are so many departments to deal with, often most are at loggerheads with each other. This is something you design schools dont teach you, he laughs. Namrata Zakaria is a seasoned writer and editor, and a chronicler of social and cultural trends. Her first book, on late fashion designer Wendell Rodricks Moda Goa museum, is due to be published shortly. Zakaria is especially known for her insiders take on fashion, luxury and social entrepreneurship in India. Her writing is appreciated for shaping opinions, busting myths, making reputations and sometimes breaking the odd career. Zakaria is also involved in putting together philanthropic efforts in the field of economic and environmental sustainability. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a scheme to provide a simple and effective way for customers of various financial services to resolve their complaints. The scheme is called The Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 November, 2021. Here are 10 things you need to know about this scheme: 1. The Scheme integrates the existing three Ombudsman schemes of RBI namely, (i) the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006; (ii) the Ombudsman Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies, 2018; and (iii) the Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019. This means that customers do not have to worry about which scheme to file their complaint under, as the Scheme covers all types of financial services regulated by RBI. 2. The Scheme covers a wide range of regulated entities, such as all commercial banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Payment System Participants, most Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks, and Credit Information Companies. This means that customers can file complaints against any of these entities if they are dissatisfied with their services. 3. Customers can file complaints for any reason that amounts to deficiency in service, such as delay, non-payment, overcharging, mis-selling, fraud, etc, unless it falls under the exclusions listed in the Scheme. 4. The Scheme adopts One Nation One Ombudsman approach, which means that customers can file complaints from anywhere in India and they will be handled by the nearest ombudsman office. 5. Customers do not have to pay any fee or charges for filing or pursuing their complaints under the Scheme. The ombudsman will also not charge any fee or expenses from the regulated entities for handling the complaints. 6. The regulated entities are required to resolve or reply to the complaints within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of complaint. If they fail to do so or if the customer is not satisfied with their response, the customer can approach the ombudsman within one year from the date of receipt of reply or expiry of the 30 days period. The ombudsman will try to resolve the complaint through mediation within 30 days from the date of receipt of complaint. If mediation fails, the ombudsman will pass an award or reject the complaint within 90 days from the date of receipt of complaint. 7. The ombudsman can award compensation up to Rs 20 lakh for loss suffered by the customer due to deficiency in service and up to Rs 1 lakh for mental agony and harassment caused by the regulated entity. 8. If either party is aggrieved by the decision of the ombudsman, they can file an appeal within 30 days from the date of receipt of the award or rejection letter to the Appellate Authority. 9. If the regulated entity fails to comply with the award or rejection letter of the ombudsman within 30 days from the date of receipt, the ombudsman can impose a penalty of Rs 1 lakh per day, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 crore, on the regulated entity. The penalty will be credited to the Customer Education and Protection Fund of RBI. 10. Customers can file complaints online on https://cms.rbi.org.in. They can also track the status of their complaints and view the details of the ombudsman offices on the website. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ever imagined your favourite stars and visualised them in your treasured movies? Well, no more hovering around building castles in the air as Artificial Intelligence (AI) has it all sorted for you. In one such scenario, AIs breakneck technology deep fake, has enlivened the 1972 crime classic The Godfather, with popular actors from the Mollywood or Malayalam film industry stepping into lead roles. Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil have been cast as pivotal characters in Francis Ford Coppolas legendary film, The Godfather. This bringing together of iconic cinematic moments has fans hankering for more. AI reimagined The minute-long segment of the video showcases Mohanlal morphed into Michael Corleone, Mammootty into Moe Greene, and Fahadh Faasil getting into Fredo Corleones shoes. The scene demonstrates Michaels intellectual acuity, where in an attempt to take over Moes Las Vegas casino, he leads an intense confrontation. Driving an aggressive bargain, he throws Moe behind into a state of dread. In addition, Michael keeps changing the negotiation rules. One moment, he turns naive and asks Moe to leave his family out of the negotiations and just talk business. On the other hand, he rages fire in Moes heart by bringing up how he treats his brother Freddie in public. The revised scene is truly spectacular and the way video has been beautifully crafted, makes it difficult to believe. Mohanlal as Michael Corleone seems thirty years younger, exhibiting charm with his well kempt back hair and tailored suit. Mammootty surprisingly fits the role of Moe Greene and Fahadh Faasil is a felicitous choice for the role of Fredo Corleone. The original creators of the video, produced using AI, have received immense praise for picking up the perfect cast. Johnson, a PRO, shared the clip on Twitter. He wrote the caption: The Godfather. Isnt this super. Fantastic editing using AI. Check out the video below: The post garnered several comments. One user commented: We are just getting started. We will bring all the actors from yesteryear alive and tell new stories with any existing configuration or setup! We are just getting started. We will bring all the actors from the yesteryears alive and tell new stories with any new configuration or setup! satish badugu (@satish_faction) June 26, 2023 Another user said: god! No doubt that AI will rule the world. god! No doubt that AI will rule the world White Tiger (@MechanicMastr) June 25, 2023 We desperately need a Godfather remake now with Mohanlal sir & Mammootty sir, said a third user. We desperately need a Godfather remake now with Mohanlal sir & Mammootty sir Karthik (@retrofuturama) June 25, 2023 The post amassed over 7.3 lakh views. 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 is back on Indian soil after being away for six days to the United States and Egypt. He was received at Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi and BJP chief J P Nadda. Many would call his four-day visit to the US where he led the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters, signed important deals for the country in the space and tech sectors and even held a joint press conference with US president Joe Biden a roaring success. However, as he made his way to India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman minced no words when she attacked the Opposition for raising non-issues and also took on former US president Barack Obama, questioning his comments on Indian-Muslims. Sitharaman said, I am exercising restraint while speaking on foreign matters. We want a good friendship with the US. But from there also, United States Commission on International Religious Freedoms (USCIRF) comments about religious tolerance in India comes and the former president is also saying something. Didnt bombings happen in six countries Syria, Yemen, Saudi and Iraq and other Muslim countries during his term (as US president)? When he makes such allegations against India, will the people trust him, she said. But what made Finance Minister Sitharaman react in this manner? Why did she choose to criticise the former president and good friend of PM Modi Barack Obama? Obama on India, and Indian Muslims Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamans comments against Barack Obama come after the former US president gave an interview to CNNs Christiane Amanpour last week on the matter of democracy. His interview came just hours before PM Modi, who was on his first state visit to the US, was going to take questions at a joint press conference with President Joe Biden. In his interview to the CNN journalist, Obama spoke about how democratic institutions in the United States and around the world have grown creaky and warned that economic and social inequities would only make it harder to sustain healthy democracies moving forward. I do believe that democracy will win if we fight for it, Obama told Amanpour in Athens, where he is discussing issues of democracy. Our existing democratic institutions are creaky, and were going to have to reform them. During the interview, Obama was also asked pointed questions on how he and other US presidents would deal with authoritarian rulers or an illiberal democrat like Modi who also happened to be allies. This context set, he was specifically asked how he would advise Biden to address these issues with Modi. Obama said it was complex as not every person was an American ally and in times like those the larger national interest gained importance. When asked what advice he would give Biden to tell Modi, he said that when Biden meets Modi the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is something worth mentioning. Then, he elaborated somewhat casually: If you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India, at some point, starts pulling apartthat would be contrary to the interests of not only the Muslim India, but also to Hindu India. Obamas remarks coincided with the fact that two US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from the Democratic Party boycotted Modis speech at the joint session of the US Congress, saying that the Modi government has repressed religious minorities. Omar, the representative from Minnesota, had earlier said, Prime Minister Modis government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity. I will NOT be attending Modis speech. Echoing similar comments, Rashida Tlaib also wrote, Its shameful that Modi has been given a platform at our nations capital his long history of human rights abuses, anti-democratic actions, targeting Muslims & religious minorities, and censoring journalists is unacceptable. I will be boycotting Modis joint address to Congress. Also read: Ilhan Omar to Barack Obama attack India with fount of propaganda, drought of facts Earlier, as many as 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives had sent a letter to US president Joe Biden, asking him to raise human rights issues with PM Modi, according to a report published by Hindustan Times. Reactions to Obamas remarks Unsurprisingly, the comments made by Obama havent been received well in India. While Nirmala Sitharaman questioned the former US president on Sunday, she wasnt the only one. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also a BJP leader, said that there were 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. BJPs vice president Baijayant Jay Panda also chimed in, saying it was 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. Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "While @pewresearch finds 98 per cent of Indias Muslims say theyre 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. In a second tweet, he said there was a chronology worth understanding behind Barack Obama's statement on India. Its worth understanding the chronology. -First, President @JoeBiden finally went out on a limb to call a spade a spade, ie Xi a dictator -Next, he had the audacity to treat PM @narendramodi to rare honours & boost US-India ties to the next level -What a coincidence that Barry Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) June 23, 2023 Obamas questionable legacy While making such comments, many of Obamas critics have asked for an introspection of the former US presidents legacy. A CNN report published in 2014 had shown a list of countries that were bombed by the US under the Obama administration. These were Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, and Syria. Not just this. In 2017, Kenneth Roth, an American attorney and writer, wrote that a careful review of Obamas major human rights decisions showed a mixed record. In fact, he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed. Theres also, as an Al Jazeera report mentions, the large scale use of drone strikes outside active war zones; support or muted criticisms of repressive regimes across the Middle East and North Africa and beyond; sale or supply of far more weapons than any administration since World War II, and the failure to close Guantanamo Bay. Does Obamas comments hurt the Indo-US ties? Not really. Biden and Modi put up quite a show of bonhomie during the recently-concluded state visit and the PMs ability to shore up deals for India on American soil show just how successful it was. 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 mutiny is over, and the Wagner mercenary groups chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has moved to Belarus. However, will this rebellion work in Ukraines favour? Mutiny weakens Vladimir Putin The Wagner mercenary groups mutiny has weakened President Vladimir Putin and could affect the course of the war in Ukraine, analysts say. The aborted weekend revolt led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin who declared a sudden pull-back after marching towards Moscow has damaged Putins image, boosted morale among Ukrainian troops, and generated confusion. It marked the biggest challenge yet to Putins long rule and Russias most serious security crisis since he came to power in 1999. But its not clear if it will translate directly onto the battlefield as Rob Lee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute points out, Wagner no longer had a key role in the Ukrainian theatre. Wagner forces were replaced in Bakhmut (in eastern Ukraine, the site of the wars longest and bloodiest battle) at the end of May-early June, Lee wrote on Twitter. Also Read: What the brief mutiny in Russia says about Putins hold on power I dont think any Wagner troops are currently on the front lines, or were pulled from there for this event. Wagner is designed for assaults and not for defensive operations. It was never clear what role they would play during Ukraines counteroffensive, he added. Ukrainian soldiers returning from the front line on Sunday said the Wagner revolt had not noticeably affected fighting around Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine. Divisions in Putins authority US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that Wagners aborted revolt exposed real cracks in Putins authority. Prigozhins rebellion marked a direct challenge to Putins authority, the top American diplomat said. French president Emmanuel Macron took a similar line, saying the revolt shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxiliary forces. Prigozhins long-standing feud with military top brass over the conduct of the Russian operation in Ukraine boiled over on Saturday, when Wagner forces seized a military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and advanced towards the capital. In a fiery speech Saturday, Putin accused Prigozhin of treason and vowed to punish the perpetrators, accusing them of pushing Russia to the brink of civil war. Also Read: Why did Wagner chief Prigozhin abort his rebellion in Russia? What happens next? Just hours later however, he had accepted a deal brokered by Minsk granting an amnesty for the Wagner chief and his men, and exile to Belarus for Prigozhin himself. This episode weakens the credibility of Putin, who appeared to be in panic on television on Saturday, William Alberque of the International Institute for Strategic Studies told AFP. Everyone in Moscow is wondering: If it was a five-minute insurrection, why did the president talk about civil war? On the other hand, if Prigozhin stays alive, all the Russian security players will feel they have impunity, he warned. The threat from Belarus Kyiv on Saturday said the unrest offered a window of opportunity for its long-awaited counter-offensive. But Moscow insisted that the mutiny would not affect its operations in Ukraine. Russian strikes continued Saturday, killing five people in Kyiv according to the citys mayor. On Sunday, Russia said it repelled several Ukrainian assaults in the east and south of the country, where Kyiv had announced gains. But experts believe the mutiny will be a blow to the morale of Russian troops in Ukraine, who have endured heavy losses in 16 months for marginal territorial gains. This must affect Russian morale, said Pierre Razoux, academic director of the France-based Mediterranean Foundation of Strategic Studies (FMES). On the Ukrainian side, there is perhaps a momentum to be used to break through the front line, or at any rate to gain positions. But he warned Ukraine would also have to secure the Belarus border because they are not safe from a treacherous blow. If 15,000 of Wagners men pour in from Belarus, they can do some damage. Maybe thats what Prigozhin has negotiated with Putin. 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. Mumbai, June 26 (UNI) In an important development in the sensational 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case, the Bombay High Court has suspended the life sentence of a convict after he spent 17 years in the jail and order to release him conditional bail. While allowing to an appeal field by the convict Afroz Pathan a division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Gauri Godse observed that there was no prima facie evidence to prove that applicant had visited Bangladesh to collect funds for terror activities in India as claimed by two co-accused in their confessionals. The judges said in their order that neither of the confessions referring to Pathan prima facie show that he had in fact gone to Bangladesh and got funds, or that he had knowledge or reason to believe the purpose for which he was sent there or or the larger conspiracy. The court also considered that Pathan had spent 17 years in jail during which he completed his BA and MA, a Yoga course and was conducting de-radicalization sessions in prison with the help of the Taloja Central Jail, Raigad, authorities. A Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) Court had convicted Pathan under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for conspiracy to strike terror and awarded him a life-term, though he was acquitted for certain other offences under different laws. During the hearings, Pathans lawyer Mubin Solkar argued forcefully for the bail, while Special Public Prosecutor Raja Thakare vehemently opposed the relief for the convict. His conviction was based on the confessions by M. Amir Shakil Ahmed and Sayyed Aakif Zafaruddin, the call records and an email received by Ahmed though both had later retracted their statements. They claimed that Pathan was groomed by another accused to enter Bangladesh illegally along with one Mustafa to get funds from a Pakistani Juned, an activist of the terror outfit Lashkar-E-Tayiba. The judges have suspended Pathans life sentence, ordered his release on a conditional bail of Rs 50,000 pending the hearing and final disposal of his plea. UNI AAA BM A submersible with five people had vanished on a tour of the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, on 18 June. From Sunday to Thursday, the Coast Guard coordinated a multinational search and rescue effort that ended with an announcement that the crew was believed to have died in a catastrophic implosion. A multi-national unified command of ships, aircraft, deep sea diving equipment, and troops from the governments of the United States, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom spent hours and incalculable millions of dollars on the search and rescue mission. Now comes the debate over who should foot the bill for the hunt for wealthy risk takers. The massive Titan search and rescue operation The official search for the Titan submersible began on 19 June, when it lost contact about an hour and 45 minutes after submerging with a 96-hour oxygen supply. In the subsequent search, aircraft from different part of the world were deployed to find the missing. The United States mobilised the Coast Guard and employed three US Army C-17 transport planes, as well as an aquatic drone capable of showing what is 20,000 feet underwater, more than 6,000 metres, and providing clear photographs, reports AS news. Canada contributed to the operation with a patrol plane and two surface boats, one of which had doctors specialised in diving medicine that arrived on the scene on Thursday. Lastly, France also joined the search by contributing a ship equipped with a remotely operated vehicle called the Victor6000. Cost of the operation Although the US Coast Guard refuses to disclose a cost estimate for its efforts to locate the Titan, The Washington Post published a conservative estimate of $1.2 million (Rs 9.8 crore) based on publicly available information and interviews with government officers. In a statement to The New York Times, Chris Boyer, the executive director of the National Association for Search and Rescue, indicated that the cost of the operation would probably reach several million dollars at the very least. Also Read: Why Titanic tourism draws people in despite dangers This estimate takes into account a variety of elements, including fuel costs for the several vehicles involved in the operation, vehicle maintenance requirements, and the investment in staff responsible for operating the equipment. Additionally, the Canadian government is continuing to carry out an investigation into the incident to determine whether any laws were broken that would warrant a criminal investigation into the company leading the trip. Payment for the operation It is unclear who will pay the bill, but in the short term, taxpayers are likely to bear the significant financial burden of the rescue attempt. 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 report in Yahoo News. 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. Also Read: Whats the Titanic sub, which charges Rs 2.02 cr for expedition, that has vanished? According to retired Admiral Paul Zukunft, in an interview with The Washington Post, OceanGate, the company responsible for conducting voyages to the Titanic wreckage, is not expected to reimburse the US government. The ex-head of the US Coast Guard expressed: Its no different 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. Moreover, even if the individuals involved in the initial expedition had obtained some form of insurance, it is believed that such coverage would be insufficient to offset the expenses incurred by the Coast Guards extensive efforts. Boyer further commented that he anticipates the question of responsibility for funding rescue missions to become increasingly significant as private expeditions venture into space and delve into ever deeper seas. A spokesperson for the National Park Service, Cynthia Hernandez, mentioned that they never charge for any rescue mission because it is a public service. Cynthia further stated that in case the budget crosses the limit, NPS funds might pay for the operation. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In a watershed moment for Russia and Vladimir Putin, the Wagner PMV, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, launched an armed insurrection against the Russian military, only to pull out within 24 hours. Wagner mercenaries headed back to their base on Sunday after Russias president Vladimir Putin agreed to allow their leader to avoid treason charges and accept exile in neighbouring Belarus. The agreement halted an extraordinary crisis a private army led by Putins former close ally Yevgeny Prigozhin trying to storm Moscow but analysts said Wagners revolt had exposed Putins rule as more fragile than previously thought. Wagners feud with Russian military Once a close ally of Russian president, Yevgeny Prigozhin called for a war against the Russian Ministry of Defence after alleging that Russian military forces attacked and killed a group of Wagner troops stationed in Ukraine. The mercenary army reportedly took control of military sites in the city of Rostov-on-Don and was en route to Moscow when the insurrection came to an abrupt end. Prigozhin, it was reported, had accepted a deal brokered with the help of the Belarusian government that would call for him to de-escalate his forces in exchange for safety guarantees. Security measures were still in place in Moscow on Sunday, though fewer police were visible, and passers-by said they were unconcerned, despite Prigozhins exact whereabouts remaining unclear. Of course, I was shaken at the beginning, Ludmila Shmeleva, 70, told AFP while walking at Moscows Red Square. I was not expecting this. We are fighting, and there is also an internal enemy who is stabbing you in the back, as President Putin said, she said. But we are walking around, relaxing, we dont feel any danger. Prigozhin was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, to the cheers of some local people. Some shook his hand through the car window. Trucks carrying armoured vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. There were reports that Wagner fighters had come as close as 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Moscow, while Prigozhin himself claimed that in 24 hours we got 200 kilometres from Moscow. The mutiny was the culmination of his long-standing feud with the Russian militarys top brass over the conduct of the Russian operation in Ukraine. Putin had on Saturday denounced the revolt as treason, vowing to punish the perpetrators. He accused them of pushing Russia to the brink of civil war. Also Read: What the brief mutiny in Russia says about Putins hold on power Later the same day however, he had accepted an agreement brokered by Belarus to avert Moscows most serious security crisis in decades. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US president Joe Biden discussed the revolt on Sunday, ahead of a NATO summit in Lithuania next month. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored, Zelenskyy said on Twitter, adding that he had again evoked the possibility of long-range weapons for Ukraine as it pursues a counter-offensive against Russian occupants. Vladimir Putins grip on power Within hours of Prigozhins announcement that his forces would return to base to avoid spilling Russian blood, the Kremlin said Putins former ally would leave for Belarus. Russia will drop the armed rebellion charges against Prigozhin and not prosecute Wagner troops, it added. Also Read: Why did Wagner chief Prigozhin abort his rebellion in Russia? What happens next? Ukraine revelled in the chaos, stepping up its own counter-offensive against Russian forces, while analysts also said the deal had exposed weakness in the Russian presidents grip on power. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated the truce with Prigozhin. Moscow thanked him, but observers noted that an intervention by Lukashenko, usually seen as Putins junior partner, was itself an embarrassment. Zelenskyys senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted that Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence. Russia insisted the rebellion had no impact on its faltering Ukraine campaign, and said Sunday that it had repelled new offensive attacks by Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian soldiers leaving the front line Sunday said the revolt had not noticeably affected fighting around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. Most people, most military, understand very well that the circus from Russia is still here, said Nazar, a 26-year-old bearded soldier, parked at a service station on a road leading out of the Bakhmut area. Kyiv, however, said the unrest offered a window of opportunity for its long-awaited counter-offensive. Russian president underestimated Prigozhin Wagners fighters, made up of volunteers and ex-security officers but also thousands of convicts, were often thrown into the front of Russias advance in Ukraine. The outfit also conducts several operations in the West Asia and Africa, largely seen as having Moscows blessing. The crisis of institutions and trust was not obvious to many in Russia and the West yesterday. Today, it is clear, independent political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP. Putin underestimated Prigozhin, just as he underestimated Zelenskyy before that. He could have stopped this with a phone call to Prigozhin but he did not. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that Wagners short-lived uprising marked a direct challenge to Putins authority and shows real cracks in Russian state authority. French president Emmanuel Macron also said the march on Moscow shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxiliary forces. Foreign Minister Qin Gang of China, which has maintained close ties with Putin since the Ukraine operation was launched, met Russias deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing on Sunday. Afterwards the Chinese foreign ministry called the mercenary revolt an internal affair for Russia while expressing support for Putins government. 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. India woke up to bloodcurdling news on Monday morning. Karnataka Police has arrested a man for allegedly slitting the throat of his friend and drinking his blood after he suspected that the latter was having an affair with his wife. The incident emerging from Karnatakas Chikkaballapur saw the accused, identified as Vijay, slitting Mareshs throat and drinking his spilled blood. Surprisingly, Maresh survived the attack on his life and filed a police complaint, leading to the arrest. According to the police, Vijay the accused asked Maresh to meet him over his suspicions of his friend having an affair with his wife. On 19 June, the two met in a nearby forest where he slit Mareshs throat and drank his blood. The incident, according to a News18 report, was captured on camera by a passerby near a crossing in Chintamani Taluk. But shockingly, this isnt the first time that such a case has come to light in India. There have been past instances of vampirism in India and people have been arrested for this crime. We take a closer look at what exactly is vampirism and why people indulge in it. Vampirism in India The practice of drinking blood is called vampirism and is quite widespread across the world. According to experts, human vampires, or real vampires, as scholars typically call them are of two types sanguinarians, those who get part of their nourishment from human and animal blood, and theres the psychic vampires, who drain other peoples psychic energy. Some experts believe that vampirism is a clinical problem and have named the disorder as Renfields Syndrome. It is described as a compulsive need to drink blood. However, studies on this disorder remain very less. There have been quite a few instances of people drinking others blood in India. In 2019, a 27-year-old man killed his mother and proceeded to drink her blood. The accused, identified as Dilip Yadav, later revealed that he was influenced by tantric practices and often spoke of performing human sacrifice. Theres also the case of a 33-year-old woman in Uttar Pradeshs Bareilly who killed her neighbours 10-year-old son and drank his blood in 2017. She was sentenced to life imprisonment for her crime, which she committed believing that it would help her conceive a child. In the same year, another case was reported from Odisha. A man was arrested for slitting the throat of a Class III girl and attempting to drink her blood. In 2014, came the horrific case of baby killer and blood drinker Lakshmikanta Karmakar. The 55-year-old tantric of Saltora village in West Bengal was sentenced to death after it emerged that he had killed a baby by beheading and then drank its blood from its decapitated head. Years before this in 2011, a man in Madhya Pradesh was also arrested for allegedly drinking the blood of his wife after withdrawing it through a syringe, because she was unable to meet his dowry demand. Blood drinking across the world But such instances are not specific to India alone. There have been some rather infamous cases of people being caught of drinking another persons blood. For instance, in 2013, it was found that a 23-year-old man in Turkey was suffering from vampirism after he was caught several times trying to stab people and drink their blood. The man became addicted to drinking human blood after he started slicing his own arms, chest and stomach with razor blades, and gathering the blood in a cup so he could drink it, doctors say. American celebrity and Transformers actor Megan Fox has also revealed that she and her partner Machine Gun Kelly drink each others blood. Speaking to Glamour UK, she had said last year, I guess to drink each others blood might mislead people, or people are imagining us with goblets and were like Game of Thrones, drinking each others blood. Its just a few drops, but yes, we do consume each others blood on occasion for ritual purposes only. In Americas New Orleans, theres a real vampire community where people allegedly need to consume each others blood to feel healthy. Reason behind blood drinking The practice of drinking anothers blood is ancient and according to Richard Sugg, a historian, the earliest documented cases of consuming human blood come from ancient Rome. Thomas DeLoughery, an Oregon Health & Science University haematologist, in an article published by Atlas Obscura, said that most historical cultures likely deduced a connection between blood and vitality by observing the effects of blood loss. You get fatigued, pale, and weak and if you lose too much you die, he says. So it may seem logical that ingesting blood would make one stronger. Also read: Can young blood stop people from getting old? There are several reasons why people indulge in drinking another persons blood. Some believe as Thomas DeLoughery explained that there are health benefits to drinking blood. There are others who are obsessed with the mysticism around vampires. Popular culture has depicted them as cool looking and beautiful and drinking a persons blood has a sex kink factor to it. Imagine, the movies such as Twilight, or serials such as Vampire Diaries and True Blood. In India, many people have indulged in the practice based on advice given by tantriks and owing to the influence of black magic. Hazards of drinking blood And despite the many who do drink blood citing health benefits, doctors and medical experts deem this practice dangerous for ones health. Dr Leo Nissola, an immunotherapy scientist and cancer researcher, told Salon that there was absolutely no reason why one would want to be consuming human blood. Drinking someone elses blood that hasnt been screened or that hasnt been tested for sexually transmitted disease, and other illnesses, can potentially put you at risk, he said. This view was also shared by Dr Shikha Jain, an haematology and oncology physician at the University of IllinoisChicago. She was quoted as saying, There are a lot of reasons why its not safe to drink other peoples blood, especially individuals you dont know, they may be blood-borne, they might have viruses or other infections that might put you at risk. There are different infectious diseases that can be transmitted through bodily fluids. Besides passing on diseases, drinking blood could cause the stomach lining to decay; it could cause a person to vomit. It can cause bleeding at times. Giulia Guerrini, a health practitioner at digital pharmacy Medino, told HuffPost UK that drinking blood could also lead to conditions such as haemochromatosis, which occurs when you intake too much iron. Haemochromatosis can cause damage to your endocrine glands, heart, joints, liver and pancreas, as well as dehydration and low blood pressure. It can also cause fluid to accumulate in your lungs, she said. The bottom line is that despite the many dangers associated with drinking blood, some people will find an excuse to put it in their mouths. 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. After a storm comes the rain. The monsoon arrived a little later than usual this year, providing relief from the searing temperatures in certain parts of India on Sunday. Notably, rain fell in both the national capital Delhi and the financial hub Mumbai on the same day for the first time since 1961. The monsoon arrived in Mumbai two weeks later than normal, but it started in Delhi two days sooner than typical, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As per IMD, severe Cyclone Biparjoy appeared to have a negative impact on the monsoon in southern India as well as the neighbouring western and central parts of the nation. The monsoons course this year was rather unique, with the rainfall activity across Delhi, Chandigarh, and Haryana being termed as vigorous. Lets take a closer look at parts of India witnessing heavy rains. Delhi On Sunday, the National Capital was hit by heavy rain, which caused the minimum temperature to drop to 23.7 degrees Celsius, four degrees below average, according to IMD. The Safdarjung Observatory said the city received 48.3 mm of rain up until 8:30 am. The maximum temperature in the city will be approximately 32 degrees Celsius on Sunday, according to IMDs forecast, which also calls for a gloomy sky and moderate rainfall. The high temperature on Saturday was 37.2 degrees Celsius, and the low was 30.4 degrees Celsius. An orange alert has been issued for Delhi for today. While, a yellow alert has been issued for Wednesday, 27 June, and Thursday, 28 June. Maharashtra According to the officials, Mumbai and its surrounding areas experienced severe rain during the previous 24 hours, which caused waterlogging in several parts and hampered traffic on some highways. Up until 8.30 am on Sunday, the Colaba observatory said the island city recorded 86 mm of rainfall. Similar to the Santacruz weather station, which represents the suburbs, the IMD reported that 176.1 mm of rain fell during the same time period. Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde reviewed the effectiveness of a water tank at the Milan underground to prevent floods and expressed satisfaction with how well it was working, according to Hindustan Times. Additionally, Raigad and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra have received an orange alert (heavy rains from 60 mm to 200 mm) from the IMD. Haryana and Punjab According to IMD, rain fell in a number of locations in Punjab and Haryana on Sunday, which caused the minimum temperature to drop. Rainfall was recorded in locations like Ambala, Karnal, Narnaul, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Kurukshetra, and Mohali throughout the course of a 24-hour period ending at 8:30 on Sunday. In Panchkula, locals helped a woman who was trapped in a car that had been carried away in a river. #WATCH | Haryana | A womans car swept away due to a sudden excessive water flow in the river due to rain in Kharak Mangoli, Panchkula. The car was parked near the river. The woman had arrived here to offer prayers at a temple. She has been admitted to a hospital. Efforts to pic.twitter.com/UlCcsuqNH1 ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2023 Himachal Pradesh At least eight vehicles in Kullu sustained damage as a result of the heavy downpours in Himachal Pradesh. According to the state emergency operation centre, twenty highways were shut due to severe rain, including the National Highway 5 near Theog in Shimla. Due to the probability of isolated portions of the state experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall, lightning, and thunderstorms, the IMD has issued an orange advisory for Sunday and Monday. A yellow alert for 27 and 28 June is also listed in the daily bulletin from the meteorological department, suggesting the potential of thunderstorms and lightning on those days. Jammu and Kashmir The monsoon has a good chance of moving further into sections of Jammu and Kashmir. Due to heavy rainfall in Mendhar in the Poonch district, flash floods occurred in the states Harni Nallah region. #WATCH | J&K: Flash flood in Harni Nallah witnessed due to heavy rainfall of Mendhar in Poonch. One person was rescued by people. pic.twitter.com/CeIfJDTHG2 ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2023 Assam According to the Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the flood situation in Assam has slightly improved, although 4.01 lakh people in 15 districts are still being affected. In 42 revenue circles spread throughout Bajali, Baksa, Barpeta, Chirang, Darrang, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Nalbari, and Tamulpur districts, 1,118 villages were impacted by the deluge. Due to significant rainfall, the Brahmaputra River is currently beyond the danger mark at Neamatighat in the Jorhat district and at Tezpur in the Sonitpur district. IMD has forecasted significant precipitation over northeast India over the next four days as well as over portions of East India for the upcoming day. On 28 and 29 June, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. Uttarakhand Haridwar received 78 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, followed by Dehradun (33.2) and Uttarkashi (27.7), according to IMD. Heavy rain also pummels certain areas of the Himalayan state. According to a press release, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a surprise inspection of the State Disaster Management Control Room on Sunday and learned more about the situation with the states severe rains. Livemint reported two people died in rain-related events in Uttarakhand on Sunday as torrential rains pounded the state and the Met Office issued an orange alert for multiple districts. Madhya Pradesh The eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh are now under the influence of the southwest monsoon, which has brought rainfall over the previous 24 hours. By 28 and 29 June, according to an IMD official, the rainy weather pattern is expected to cover the entire state of Madhya Pradesh. East Madhya Pradesh has also received an orange alert. Rainfall from large to very heavy amounts can also happen in remote areas of the West. The monsoon forayed into MP from its eastern part, bordering Chhattisgarh, on Saturday evening. The fast-moving rain-bearing system covered the entire MP, including its western part, home to state capital Bhopal by Sunday afternoon, IMD Bhopal centre director R Balasubramanian told PTI. Odisha For various districts in Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning till 27 June. In Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj, it was predicted that heavy rain might occur in one or two locations on Saturday. On Thursday, the southwest monsoon began to affect sections of the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, and Gajapati before moving on to blanket the entire state. In Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, Angul, Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Deogarh, and Sundargarh, heavy rain (7-11 cm) is also very likely to fall at one or two locations, according to India Today. Gujarat and Rajasthan Over the course of the next four days, Saurashtra, Kutch, and the Gujarat region will get light to moderately widespread to widespread rainfall. From 26 to 29 June, Gujarat State is also anticipated to see heavy rain. On 28 June, East Rajasthan is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain with the possibility of extremely severe falls, in addition to heavy to very heavy rain from 26 to 29 June. Jharkhand On 19 June, the southwest monsoon arrived in Jharkhand, and by Friday, it had reached 23 of the states 24 districts. Additionally, the weather service has issued a heavy rainfall warning for certain regions of the state for 25 and 26 June. Tamil Nadu According to IMD, last Tuesday brought rain and thunderstorms to several areas of Tamil Nadu. Chennai and other regions of Tamil Nadu experienced severe rainfall, prompting authorities to declare a holiday for schools last Monday. Morning office-goers had a hard time braving the downpour amid traffic snarls in some parts of the city. Trees were uprooted in areas including Ekkatuthangal, Adyar and Nanganallur and the city civic body was clearing them, Chennai Airport received the highest of 16 cm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on 19 June, the regional weather office 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. In spite of the fact that summer has officially begun in the United States this week, Tony Grove Lake in Cache Countys rocks is still clinging to an odd sort of buildup. People have started noticing unusual snow in the Utah mountains, including pink and red hues. The abnormal shades were captured in pictures and shared on social media. Even though the colourful snow may be attractive, it could be a more ominous sign that our world is warming up. However, whats behind this natural phenomenon that experts have nicknamed watermelon snow? Does it have any human health concerns, and what is its potential environmental impact? Lets take a closer look. Also read: Winter Meltdown: Why ski resorts in Europe are shutting their doors What is watermelon snow? Although it may appear that the colour of the snow is altering, Scott Hotaling, an assistant professor in the Department of watershed sciences at Utah State University, explains that the vibrant tint is caused by green algae bloom that thrives in cold, snowy situations. Chlamydomonas nivalis is the name of the species of algae that is colouring the snow in Utah. Although red is the most often colour seen in the phenomena, according to Hotaling, different forms of algae that live on snow and ice can change the typically white frozen precipitation into a variety of colours, including purple, green, and orange. (The algae is) normally in this kind of dormant cyst form, and when theres enough meltwater in the snowpack and enough nutrients, like during spring, that cyst form is triggered out of dormancy, Hotaling told CNN. Watermelon snow phenomenon turns Utahs mountains pink and red pic.twitter.com/8yWiMzlVnI Kayla Bolderstone (@aayxjziwiuf) June 26, 2023 It has this little flagella that can swim through the snowpack to the surface, (where it) experiences a lot of solar radiation and it blooms, he continued, adding that the bloom is a sign of the algaes reproductive stage, during which theres a secondary pigment thats created which darkens the algaes cells. The cells of the algae are shielded from sun radiation by this pigment, which serves as an ultraviolet ray blocker. He said that as the algae cells melt in the light, snow-covered water around them melts, freeing up water in the frozen environment. According to the website SnowBrains, snow is less reflective than pure white snow due to the pink pigment that the algae emit, which causes it to absorb more heat from the sun and melt more quickly. More snowmelt results in more water for the algae to flourish. The cycle keeps going; more algae produce more pigment, which accelerates snowmelt and produces more algae. Also read: Watch: Boiling water turns to snow mid-air amid biting cold in Montana Where is it commonly seen? In the Western United States, pink-hued snow has frequently been spotted by observers and researchers. In the summer of 2022, researchers searched for pink snow in Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Oregon. It also emerges in Alaska, according to Wired. In recent years, droughts in Western US states including California, Utah, and Nevada resulted in little snowfall in those regions, according to CNN Senior Meteorologist Brandon Miller. The snow depth was quite deep, and there was plenty of snow to last well into the summer, according to Miller. This year, theyve seen a tremendous amount of record snow in some locations, he said. In this region of the world, we had a busy snow year, so for some people, its perhaps the first time in years theyve been able to observe this occurrence, he said. Are there any human health concerns? No. According to Hotaling, the water quality and the health of everyone who comes into contact with the watermelon snow are both unaffected. Snow/cryosphere Twitter: we (me, @DrLimnology, @trinity_lh) are starting a US-based snow algae project and need to find a spectroradiometer to use until ours arrive (supply chain issues). Anyone want to collaborate/help us? If yes, get in touch. Also please share widely! pic.twitter.com/nmVWTX5Exs Scott Hotaling (@MtnScience) April 21, 2022 How does it impact our environment? SnowBrains cited a research investigation into the effects of the more algae, more heat, more snowmelt cycle on polar glaciers as concluding that the pigment-producing algae could hasten to melt by up to 13 per cent. We estimated that the overall decrease in snow albedo by red-pigmented snow algal blooms over the course of one melt season can be 13%. This will invariably result in higher melt rates, Nature Communications Journal said in its study. Theres a lot of evidence now that shows that these algal blooms contribute rather significantly to overall melt of snowpack around the West, Scott Hotaling told KUER. The delicate balance of natural water sources and stream temperatures may be upset if the snow melts faster and at higher rates, which would exacerbate the drought in the West of the United States. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It was an uncertain weekend in Russia. The Yevgeny Prigozhin-led Wagner Group rebellion put the country and the world on edge. Then about 24 hours later, after claiming to have occupied key military installations in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, the plan to march to Moscow was called off. The mercenaries of the militia were asked to return to their field camps in Ukraine. Prigozhins decision to abort the uprising comes after a deal was brokered by Russian president Vladimir Putins ally and Belarusian counterpart Aleksander Lukashenko brokered an agreement. The Wagner Group boss is set to leave Russia and head to Belarus and members of the paramilitary forces who joined the armed rebellion would not be prosecuted. The revolt began as retaliation over an alleged attack on a Wagner camp by the Russian defence ministry. Prigozhin insisted that it was not a coup. On Friday, he accused the Russian military of launching a rocket attack that killed Wagner fighters, which triggered his decision to turn on the Kremlin. The mercenaries were 200 kilometres from Moscow when they decided to turn back. But what happens next? We explain the possibilities. Whats in store for Prigozhin? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that an agreement was struck with Prigozhin. You will ask me what will happen to Prigozhin personally? Peskov said. The criminal case will be dropped against him. He himself will go to Belarus. He added that the Kremlin was unaware of the Wagner Group heads current whereabouts. Prigozhin was seen last seen leaving Rostov-on-Don late Saturday, as people cheered on, with crowds gathering around him. In a message recorded shortly before withdrawing his fighters, he ordered his troops to call off the advance to Moscow and return to field camps in eastern Ukraine. Since Saturdays decision to stop the rebellion, the Wagner boss, who often uses social media, has been quiet. It is unclear what the future holds for him in Belarus. Prigozhins spokesperson told the Russian media outlet RTVI on Sunday that he says hi to everyone and would take questions once he got better cellphone reception. Also read: Why did Wagner chief abort his rebellion in Russia? What happens next? However, taking on the Russian president comes with consequences. Critics of the Kremlin being poisoned, imprisoned or meeting suspicious deaths is not uncommon. People that cross Vladimir Putin tend to have a bad track record of falling out of windows in Russia. Weve seen them eliminated with little fanfare and in multiple, very brutal ways, Colin Clarke, director of research at The Soufan Group, told Al Jazeera. The deal with Belarus does not mean the Wagner boss is safe. According to Clarke, the Russian president will not hesitate from punishing Prigohzin if he thinks that is necessary. What happens to Wagner fighters? Under the deal negotiated by Lukashenko, the Kremlin said that members of Prigozhins paramilitary forces who joined the armed rebellion would not be prosecuted. We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front, Peskov added. An agreement has been reached that Wagner would return to its bases, he informed the media, adding that those fighters who had not participated in the mutiny would be allowed to formally join the Russian army. However, it remained unclear if the Wagner Group would be disbanded. The mercenaries have helped Russia in the war in Ukraine and were responsible for the capture of the key Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month. Andrew Weiss, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told NPR that Putin had created a bit of a Frankenstein monster for himself in the Wagner Group, which operates as a de facto fighting force for the Russian state but with more autonomy than the military. Theres no easy way for Vladimir Putin to defang or demobilise the Wagner units, Weiss said. The challenge is always going to be: will they play ball with the Russian military leadership and act in coordination with them in pursuit of Putins military objectives in Ukraine? Also read: Is Putins grip on Russia weakening? What does Wagner Groups mutiny reveal? How does the rebellion impact Putin? The short-lived mutiny and its fallout are the biggest challenges to the Russian presidents long rule since he came to power in 1999. At first, Putin called Prigohzins move treason, and only a few hours later, the Kremlin revealed that charges against the Wagner leader were dropped. The messages were contradictory and they put a spotlight on Putins eroding position. By letting Prigohzin ago, the Russian strongman appears the weakest he has in decades. The Wagner rebellion has exposed fresh cracks in the strength of his leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Sunday. Weve seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go, and when they get there. But certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead, Blinken told NBCs Meet the Press programme. It does not help that Putins current presidential term ends next year. Konstantin Remchukov, owner and editor-in-chief of the Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta told the BBC, All elite groups will now begin to think about the 2024 presidential election. They will ask themselves whether they should rely on Vladimir Putin, as they have been doing until this military coup. The big question remains: Is the beginning of the end of Vladimir Putin? It is too early to say. The Russian strongman has been in power for 23 years and he has mastered the art of survival. 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 head-spinning events of the past few days witnessed Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin leading his private army in the direction of Moscow, Russian president Vladimir Putin calling the events treason and accusing his former ally of pushing Russia onto the brink of civil war. But now with Wagner Group forces turning back, Prigozhin agreeing to exile in Belarus in exchange for treason charges being dropped against him, the big questions are where is Putin? What is his next move? Lets take a closer look: Where is Putin? Russian state agency TASS quoted Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying his boss was working in the Kremlin at the height of the crisis on Saturday. But some on Twitter, quoting data from the FlightRadar plane tracking service, noted that Putins presidential plane identification number Il96-300PU left Moscow at 2:16 pm local time. There was no information on where Putin went or whether he was even on the plane. BBC reported that Putins aircraft was tracked on radar flying to St Petersburg, but vanished near the city of Tver. Bloomberg noted that Putin hasnt been seen in public since he made the speech vowing harsh punishment for Prigozhin. Putin has no shortage of places to go. According to USA Today, Putin has many palaces including a villa on the Black Sea. Security measures were still in place in Moscow on Sunday, though fewer police were visible, and passers-by said they were unconcerned, despite Prigozhins exact whereabouts remaining unclear. Of course, I was shaken at the beginning, Ludmila Shmeleva, 70, told AFP while walking at Moscows Red Square. I was not expecting this. We are fighting, and there is also an internal enemy who is stabbing you in the back, as President Putin said, she said. But we are walking around, relaxing, we dont feel any danger. Prigozhin was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, to the cheers of some local people. Some shook his hand through the car window. Trucks carrying armoured vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. There were reports that Wagner fighters had come as close as 400 kilometres from Moscow, while Prigozhin himself claimed that in 24 hours we got 200 kilometres from Moscow. The mutiny was the culmination of his long-standing feud with the Russian militarys top brass over the conduct of the Russian operation in Ukraine. Putin had on Saturday denounced the revolt as treason, vowing to punish the perpetrators. He accused them of pushing Russia to the brink of civil war. Later the same day however, he had accepted an agreement brokered by Belarus to avert Moscows most serious security crisis in decades. What happens next? While the agreement halted an extraordinary crisis, analysts said Wagners revolt had exposed Putins rule as more fragile than previously thought. Even the experts arent quite sure what happens next. They agree that Putins authority in Russia has been severely damaged. As US secretary of state Antony Blinken told CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, the rebellion was a direct challenge to Putin that raises profound questions. We cant speculate or know exactly where thats going to go. We do know that Putin has a lot more to answer for in the weeks and months ahead. Kirill Rogov, a former Russian government advisor, told Bloomberg, Putin had to make concessions and actually surrender, and instead of defeating Prigozhin, he had to negotiate with him and give security guarantees, demonstrating in public his vulnerability. Previously, Putin absolutely didnt allow anyone to talk to him in the language of public ultimatums, added Rogov, who heads Vienna-based think-tank Re:Russia. BBC quoted leading Russia analyst Tatiana Stanovaya as writing on Telegram, Many inside the elite will personally blame Putin for the fact that everything went so far and that there was no proper reaction from the president in good time. Therefore, this whole story is also a blow to Putins positions. Some think Putin will lash out either at Ukraine or people within his own regime. Speaking to BBC, Polish Member of European Parliament Radek Sikorski predicted he would probably purge those who he saw as wavering and that the Russian government would become more authoritarian and more brutal at the same time. A piece in CNN predicted that Putin may act irrationally in a bid to project strength. He may prove unable to accept the logic of defeat in the coming months on the frontlines in Ukraine. He may be unaware of the depth of discontent among his own armed forces, and lack proper control over their actions. Russias position as a responsible nuclear power rests on stability at the top, A lot more can go wrong than it can go right. But it is impossible to imagine Putins regime will ever go back to its previous heights of control from this moment. And it is inevitable that further turmoil and change is ahead, the piece concluded. The crisis of institutions and trust was not obvious to many in Russia and the West yesterday. Today, it is clear, independent political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP. Putin underestimated Prigozhin, just as he underestimated Zelensky before that. He could have stopped this with a phone call to Prigozhin but he did not. Window of opportunity Within hours of Prigozhins announcement that his forces would return to base to avoid spilling Russian blood, the Kremlin said Putins former ally would leave for Belarus. Russia will drop the armed rebellion charges against Prigozhin and not prosecute Wagner troops, it added. Ukraine revelled in the chaos, stepping up its own counter-offensive against Russian forces, while analysts also said the deal had exposed weakness in the Russian presidents grip on power. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated the truce with Prigozhin. Moscow thanked him, but observers noted that an intervention by Lukashenko, usually seen as Putins junior partner, was itself an embarrassment. Zelenskys senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted that Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence. Russia insisted the rebellion had no impact on its faltering Ukraine campaign, and said Sunday that it had repelled new offensive attacks by Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian soldiers leaving the front line Sunday said the revolt had not noticeably affected fighting around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. Most people, most military, understand very well that the circus from Russia is still here, said Nazar, a 26-year-old bearded soldier, parked at a service station on a road leading out of the Bakhmut area. Kyiv, however, said the unrest offered a window of opportunity for its long-awaited counter-offensive. French president Emmanuel Macron also said the march on Moscow shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxillary forces. Foreign Minister Qin Gang of China, which has maintained close ties with Putin since the Ukraine operation was launched, met Russias deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing on Sunday. Afterwards the Chinese foreign ministry called the mercenary revolt an internal affair for Russia while expressing support for Putins 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. Despite promises to adopt high-tech smart metres and smart grids, Delhi continues to struggle with one fundamental issue: dangerous electric poles. A 34-year-old woman lost her life on Sunday at the New Delhi railway station after being electrocuted in waterlogged conditions brought on by the capitals nonstop rain since Saturday night. The woman identified as Sakshi Ahuja, arrived at the railway station at 5.30 am to board a train for Bhopal along with her sister and three kids. But she was electrocuted outside the station when she attempted to cross a flooded road while clinging to an electric pole for assistance. At the time of the incident, a few wires were sticking out of the electric pole. Onlookers tried to save her by rushing her to the nearby hospital, however, she died during the treatment. The womans sister reported the incident to the police, accusing them of incompetence, reported India Today. The authorities explained that the electrocution occurred as a result of current leaking from the cable on the pole owing to insulation failure. A woman died due to electrocution on New Delhi railway station premises. FSL team is present on the spot. The body of the woman has been sent to Lady Hardinge Hospital for postmortem. Probe underway: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/p4c6oqH0vh ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2023 The police investigated to find out who was at fault for the occurrence and filed a complaint under Sections 287 and 304 of the Indian Penal Code (Negligent behaviour with relation to machinery). Additionally, a forensic team arrived at the scene, and an investigation was in progress. Discom firm BSES has issued a warning urging people to stay away from power facilities in order to prevent power theft and water logging in the area. The concerned authorities are also conducting a safety audit of all-electric poles and equipment. Unsafe electric poles Utility poles support a significant number of electrical lines and cables. They are either wooden poles made of Douglas fir, southern pine, or western red cedar, or modern poles made of steel, concrete, or fibreglass. Wooden poles can endure 30 to 40 years while modern utility poles last longer, according to US Electrical Services Inc. In essence, utility poles, which are typically 35 feet tall, are used to secure the equipment and cables that carry electricity to buildings and businesses. Transmission wires, distribution wires, communication wires or a transformer are usually on the pole. Although utility poles normally pose little harm to people passing by or residing nearby, there are a few circumstances that may make the poles dangerous. Strong gusts and heavy rains have the potential to damage power lines and bring down electricity poles. A transformer may tumble down as a result, inflicting harm and property damage. This is why leaning poles should be avoided, and one should report them to the local utility company. Furthermore, even though electricity lines in cities often operate at lower voltages, touching them can still result in damage. Electric shocks have the potential to cause fatal inside damage. One can receive an electric shock without ever touching a wire. Trees and the ground surrounding them may become electrified if tree branches come into touch with a power line. Stray Voltage: When the insulation covering ancient subterranean cables starts to deteriorate, the wires come into touch with the earth. Through the earth, stray electrical currents can enter steel utility poles, fire hydrants, manhole covers, and other metal items. Electrical shock from touching these surfaces can cause harm or even death. Due to electrocution, medical professionals say a victims chance of surviving relies on how long they were shocked electrically. A persons internal organs may suffer serious damage if they are exposed to electric shock for an extended period of time. The victim might have his blood burned, his tissues damaged, and he might lose his sense of direction. The harmed person can potentially pass away from the shock. Also read: West Bengal: Youth electrocuted while taking selfie on train roof Number of electrocution-related fatalities According to NCRB data, electrocution in India has been a leading cause of mortality, and the incidence is on the rise. Nearly 1.1 lakh people died from electrocution between 2011 and 2020, according to the report. This equates to 30 fatalities every day, or over 11,000 deaths annually. Deaths from electrocution have grown dramatically by 50 per cent, from 8,945 in 2011 to 13,446 in 2020. Short circuits, live wires cracking during floods and waterlogging, and improperly built electricity poles are the main causes of electrocution deaths. Accident danger is further increased during religious processions by loosely dangling power cables, a familiar sight on Indian roads. Experts claim that underground cabling, which is commonly used in the West to prevent freak electrical accidents, could be a significant answer for Indias power companies due to its high cost. An old Hindustan Times report quoted power department authorities as saying that distribution companies are to fault for the inadequate maintenance of electricity poles, but the hazards are multiplied as a result of widespread encroachment and power theft. An expert faulted the government and discoms for not adhering to the required safety standard. However, the discoms said that these incidences rise during the monsoon. Power theft by the use of hooking into an energy system, including electricity poles, poses a severe safety danger, especially during the wet months. These hooked on wires are frequently not insulated or securely fastened, which increases the risk that they will fall off in windy or rainy conditions and cause serious injury or even fatalities, according to a BSES representative. Safety Tips By properly exchanging knowledge and adhering to good wiring practises, the danger of electrocution and electrical-related disaster can be reduced. During monsoons, people should stay away from transformers pillar boxes, electrical poles, stay wires and fencing, as rainwater stagnates around electricity installations. One should avoid touching any snapped live wires. Avoid using stay wires and electrical fixtures as poles to tie ropes for drying wet clothes. One should not utilise wet electrical equipment, climb trees close to power lines, or secure bicycles to power poles. When a house is flooded by rainwater, the main power supply should be turned off right away. It shouldnt be turned back on until the water has drained. One should not go near water or regions that have been flooded. When there is lightning or thunder, avoid using electrical devices and phones. 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. Well, they say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but this Karnataka man came pretty close. In a shocking incident, a man from Karnataka has been arrested for allegedly slitting the throat of his friend and drinking his blood. The man, identified as Vijay of Batlahalli in Chintamani taluk, suspected his friend, Maresh was having an affair with his wife, as per officials. As per reports, video of the incident, which took place near Siddepalli cross of Karnatakas Chintamani, roughly 80 kilometers from Bengaluru, has gone viral on social media. Vijay got into argument with Maresh and in a fit of rage, he allegedly slit the latters throat with a sharp-edged weapon. The video, captured in a mobile phone, showed Vijay holding his friend down, and appeared to be bending down and drinking the blood oozing from Mareshs throat. In the viral clip, Vijay is also seen punching and slapping Maresh who was in pain after his throat was slit. A report by NDTV said Maresh survived and is undergoing treatment in a hospital. On June 19, Vijay alongwith his another friend John took Maresh to a forest where Vijay slit his throat and drank his blood, while John recorded the act on phone. A case of attempt to murder has been registered against Vijay at the Kencharlahalli police station. 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-led central government will root out the menace of drugs from India and will not allow the smuggling of narcotics through the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday. In a video message on the International Day Against Drug Abuse, Shah said the home ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and the results of this approach have started coming in. We have decided that we will not allow any kind of narcotics trade in India nor will we allow any drugs to be smuggled through India, Shah said. He further said, I fully believe that with coordinated efforts, we will be successful in rooting out the menace of drugs and achieve our goal of a drugs-free India. We will not rest until this fight against drugs is won. The war against drugs has been continuing, Shah said, and because of this coordinated action, narcotics worth Rs 22,000 crore were seized between 2014 and 2022. This is 30 times higher than the drugs worth Rs 768 crore that was seized between 2006 and 2013, he added. He said cases against drug peddlers have increased by 181 per cent from 1,257 cases between 2006 and 2013 to 3,544 between 2014 and 2022. Besides, he said, six lakh kilogrammes of drugs have been destroyed in the country since June 2022. This reflects the Modi governments commitment for a drugs-free India, Shah said. The home minister said the success against the narcotics trade has been achieved primarily due to the Modi governments whole of government approach under which policies are being framed with close coordination of different wings of the government. He said all prominent organisations, especially the Narcotics Control Bureau, have been continuing their fight against drugs. The home ministry, Shah said, with the help of all organisations and state governments concerned, has been trying its best for a drugs free India but this war against narcotics cannot be won without peoples participation. To strengthen this campaign, Shah said, the ministry established the National Narcotics Coordination Portal (NCORD) in 2019 and the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was formed in the police department of every state. On the occasion, Shah appealed to everyone in the country to stay away from drugs and also keep their families away. The home minister said drugs not only make the younger generation and the society hollow but also its profits are being used against the countrys security. I appeal to everyone to take part in this fight against drugs. People should inform the security agencies of any information about any drugs trade anywhere, he 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. New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) National Security Advisor Ajit Doval paid an official visit to Oman today, during which he called on Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and delivered a personal message of greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NSA Doval also held wide ranging discussions with General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, Minister of the Royal Office, and Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. The discussions enabled a high-level review of the multifaceted bilateral relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman with focus on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas for economic & technological development, mutual security and regional stability, a statement said. The visit by NSA reflects the strong bilateral relationship between India and Oman, the importance of the Sultanate of Oman as a key partner for India in the Gulf and highlights India's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Oman. The visit provided an opportunity for high-level engagements and further cemented the strong bonds of friendship between India and the Sultanate of Oman, it said. According to Omani local reports, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik received a written message from PM Modi dealing with various aspects of cooperation between Oman and India, in the context of ardent bilateral relations binding the two countries. The Sultan received the message when he gave an audience to NSA Ajit Doval at Al Baraka Palace today. During the meeting, NSA Doval conveyed to the Sultan the greetings of the Indian Prime Minister, along with the premiers wishes of progress and prosperity for Oman. During the meeting, the Sultan and NSA Doval exchanged cordial talks and reviewed bilateral relations between Oman and India. They also explored means of expanding these relations in all fields and exchanged views about various issues of common interest. During NSA Dovals meeting with the Omani FM, the two officials discussed the bilateral strategic relations and aspects of cooperation about promising sectors in technological, military and mining spheres. Their conversations also touched on bilateral relations in commercial, cultural and investment fields. The Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr congratulated the India for successfully hosting the G20 meetings. They also exchanged views about a number of current regional and international issues and underscored their two countries leaderships emphasis on espousing policies of constructive dialogue and international cooperation. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Ahmed Hashil Al Maskari, Head of the GCC and Regional Neighborhood Department, Indian Ambassador Amit Narang, and officials from both sides. During NSA Dovals meeting with the Minister of the Royal Office Lieutenant-General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu'amani, cordial conversations were exchanged and a number of issues of common concern were discussed. UNI RN Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with senior cabinet colleagues and officials soon after his return from State visits to the US and Egypt on Monday. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs an important meeting, in Delhi PM arrived in Delhi last night after concluding his US and Egypt state visits. pic.twitter.com/Gb4i6XicnR ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 Among those present in the meeting were Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Urban Affairs and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Senior officials including P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, were also present. PM Modi arrived in New Delhi in the early hours of Monday from State visits to the US and Egypt. 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 delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed at gunpoint of Rs 2 lakh by four unidentified men in Delhi. The incident took place on Saturday inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel when the victims were going towards Gurgaon in a cab to deliver the money. Watch: Patel Sajan Kumar, the complainant, works as a delivery agent with a firm in Chandni Chowk. He was with his friend Jigar Patel at the time of the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal said that the victim filed a complaint at the Tilak Marg police station, reported PTI. He alleged that he along with his associate were going to Gurgaon to deliver a bag of cash. They booked an Ola cab from Lal Qila and when they entered the tunnel on the Ring Road, four people on two motorcycles waylaid their vehicle and took away their bag at gunpoint. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the incident, and tweeted, LG shud resign. Make way for someone who can provide safety n security to the people of Delhi. If Central govt is unable to make Delhi safe, hand it over to us. We will show u how to make a city safe for its citizens. A case was registered under IPC sections 397 (robbery, or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 34 (common intention). Raids are also being conducted to nab the accused men. Police said they are also questioning the complainants, their employer and other staffers to ascertain if it was an inside job. 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. Barack Obama should think about himself as to how many Muslim countries he has attacked, said Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as he took a swipe at the former US president for his remarks about the rights of Indian Muslims. Obama should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members He should also think about himself as to how many Muslim countries he has attacked, Singh said, responding to a question on the sidelines of a National Security Conclave at the University of Jammu. What did Obama say? In his interview with CNN last week, during PM Modi's US visit, Obama said he would look to raise the subject of Indian Muslims with the Indian Prime Minister. Obama also had said India may pull apart if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. If the (US) President (Joe Biden) 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. 'Bombed six Muslim-majority nations' Singh's statement came hours after Union Finance Minister Nirmala lashed out at Obama, questioning his comments on Indian Muslims, stating that US under his regime had "bombed six Muslim-majority nations". "I was shocked. When PM Modi was campaigning in the US - and by campaigning I mean speaking about India - a former President of the US is speaking about Indian Muslims," Sitharaman said at a press conference on Sunday. "And I am saying this with restraint because it involves another country. We want friendship with the US but there too we get remarks about religious freedom in India. A former President - under whose rule six Muslim-majority countries were bombed with more than 26,000 bombs - how will people trust his allegations?" she said. "I find this deliberate attempt to vitiate the atmosphere in this country because they think they cannot win against the developmental policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the Finance Minister alleged. Earlier BJP leader and Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma targeted Obama for his comments, saying his state police "should prioritise taking care of" the many "Hussain Obama" in India - highlighting the former US President's Muslim lineage. 'Obama should spend energy complimenting India than criticising' Lashing out at the former US President, Johnnie Moore, ex-commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious, said his advise to Obama would be to spend his energy complimenting India more than criticising the country. I think the former president (Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticising India. India is the most diverse country in human history. Its not a perfect country, just like the US is not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength Even in that critique, President Obama couldnt help but also compliment PM Modi, and I certainly understand why, having spent some time with him, Moore 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. What was happening in the country? Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked BJP president JP Nadda and other party leaders soon after returning to India from his US and Egypt visit. PM Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday, wrapping up his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi including Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. India is happy Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked what was happening in the country and how was the partys public outreach programme going on. We apprised him about that, he said. During an interaction with media, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari was questioned what the Prime Minister asked them after meeting them at the airport, to which he said, He (PM Modi) asked Nadda ji how it is going here (in India), and Nadda ji told him that party (BJP) leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The story of post-Independent India for a great many people turned out to be the story of disenchantment with Nehruvian dreams and Gandhian ideals of Ramrajya. Even before people could relish their new-found freedom, their dreams turned into nightmare with the onset of widespread communal violence, rampant bureaucratic corruption, political opportunism and nepotism. In the Hindi heartland of India, the prevailing mood of deepening pessimism was captured by authors, including Nagarjun, Phanishwar Nath Renu, Shrilal Shukla, and Harishankar Parsai. In a satirical poem titled Ramarajya published in the June 1949 issue of the Hans, the acclaimed Hindi poet Nagarjun had written: This time Ravan has danced naked in Ramrajya/The features remain the same brother, only the frame has turned different/The good intentions of our leaders went up in smoke in no time/ And Bharat Mata has received a real slap in the face from her own children. In the political sphere, the disenchantment and brewing differences with the ruling regime led to the formation of the Jan Sangha, Swatantra Party, and several other groups and factions. Critical Insider In 1949, when the proposal of the Congress Working Committee to allow the RSS members to join the Congress party at the initiative of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Purushottam Das Tandan was rejected by Nehru, the doors of the Congress were shut for the RSS forever. As a result, the Jana Sangha was founded with Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya, among others, at the forefront of providing an alternative to the policies of the Nehruvian regime. Like Mukherjee, Upadhyaya too had studied English literature and his ideas were equally rooted in ancient Indian culture and therefore as a critical insider he could see the dangers of importing ideas from the West uncritically and transplanting them in the Indian context. Few thinkers have written more incisively and spoken more vociferously against Nehrus policies on education, industrialization, foreign affairs, and integration of Kashmir and some other Indian states than Deendayal Upadhyaya. In a scathing attack on the Indian prime minister, he claimed that it was unfortunate that the writer of The Discovery of India was yet to discover India and to examine national problems from an Indian perspective. Echoing Nagarjun, Upadhyaya in his book Tax or Loot (1954) equated the Nehruvian regime with Ravanrajya and drew parallels between the increased taxes levied in the newly independent nation and the blood tax that Ravan collected from sages since they had nothing else to spare. Today, as the prices of basic commodities are rising sharply and means of earning livelihood are shrinking, he wrote, the burden of exorbitant taxes will be no less painful than the blood tax of Ravan. Instead of hankering for the western model of industrialization by importing heavy machinery which caused burden on the exchequer, Upadhyaya exhorted the government to focus on the promotion of cottage industries, compulsory vocational education, and take cost-cutting measures by streamlining the administrative machinery. The rapid growth of population had led to an acute shortage of jobs and therefore he argued that labour intensive small scale industries and agriculture should be the centre of Indian economy or else millions of rupees would go down the drain. In an interview with the editor of the Organiser, dated 15 August 1954, he said that the government remembered 35 crore mouths but forgot the seventy crore hands it had at its disposal. The irony, he pointed out, was that whenever the government considered the proposal of development of villages or the growth of cottage industries, it was too keen to send a delegation to America or Japan. The situation in India was so different than these developed countries that one needed a new way of thinking, an Indian model of development, not to imitate the Western models and theories blindly and uncritically. The newly established heavy industries destroyed numerous small-scale industries. A single Bata factory, for instance, he argued, offered employment to a thousand, or, at best, 2,000 people but forced thousands of shoe-making artisans from villages to join the ranks of the unemployed. During the British rule, he further maintained that the factories of Manchester and Liverpool devoured small enterprises and businesses in India and led to large-scale unemployment, but nowadays Ahmedabad and Kanpur have become the Manchesters of India. These centres benefitted a handful of capitalists and labourers at the cost of our local industries. Taking his cue from Bhartendu, Tilak, Gandhi and other exponents of Swadeshi, he urged people to wear clothes woven on handloom, and to use country made soaps without being lured by the products of British companies such as Lifebuoy, Lux, and Sunlight. Indianization of education The unemployment of the educated youth was another major challenge that the newly independent nation encountered. Deendayal Upadhyaya cites an instance in his book Bekari ki Samasya aur Uska Hal [The Problem of Unemployment and its Solution, 1954] when fourteen-hundred applications were received for seven teaching positions in a college. This instance runs contrary to the popular perception prevalent now that it was easier to get a government job for highly educated people earlier. It was not a cakewalk to secure a teaching job in colleges and universities even during the colonial era. In 1918, Premchand and Iqbal had applied for lectureship at the newly-established Osmania University in Hyderabad. Iqbal had just returned with a degree from Cambridge University while Premchand had become a household name but none succeeded despite their best efforts. The job was eventually given, writes Amrit Rai in his fathers biography Premchnad: Kalam ke Sipahi (1963) to one Akbar Haidari, who was close to British officials. Upadhyaya came up with two solutions to this malady of colonial era: Indianization of education and a renewed emphasis on vocational education and training. The latter was proposed by Gandhi too earlier which led to the establishment of buniyadi schools where students were trained in carpentry, shoemaking, weaving and tree plantation apart from being given theoretical knowledge. On similar grounds, Upadhyaya focused on the integration of school education with agriculture, trade and village-based small industries and as an ardent advocate of imparting education in mother tongue claimed that those who study in mother tongue would neither find it difficult to live in villages nor shy away from manual labour. Modern education gives no space to physical labour. An educated man despises manual work. For one thing, English-educated young men are cut off form the rest of society and their preferences also become different. They start looking down upon their unlettered ancestors, their lifestyle and simplicity. They begin to ridicule their ancestral occupations and run from pillar to post in pursuit of government jobs, he wrote in The Problem of Unemployment and its Solution. The hierarchy that modern education created between physical and intellectual labour turned out to be detrimental to society and led to massive unemployment. The emphasis on physical work is a recurring trope in the writings of Gandhi and Upadhyaya and perhaps they both were inspired by Indian scriptures in formulating their ideas. Indian sages, wrote Upadhyaya in his essay The Economic Policies of Bhartiya Jansangh understood the significance of physical labour and called it the most important characteristic of dharma. In the Rigveda, Agastya is a learned sage who ploughs land with a hoe without any inhibition. Sages bring grass for horses, chop and carry wood effortlessly and do all kinds of physical work together with composing hymns and performing yajna. The most important feature of the Rigveda, writes Ram Vilas Sharma in Bharteeya Sanskriti and Hindi Pradesh [Indian Culture and Hindi Speaking Province, 1999] is that it blurs the distinction between physical and intellectual labour. This was our past and this should be the future that we all aspire to. For Upadhyaya, therefore, examining problems of contemporary India from an Indian perspective was the only solution to pull the country out of a miasma of despair. It was Jayaprakash Narayan who, among others, understood the futility of borrowing models from the West but the change of heart came towards the twilight of his life. In 1979, one month before his death, JP called up the eminent journalist Kuldip Nayar and asked him to hold a meeting of some economists and thinkers in order to come up with an Indian way of development because his faith in ideologies like socialism and communism to uplift the people had gradually eroded. Deendayal Upadhyaya was arguably one of the most prominent figures who gave voice to the disenchantment of people with the ruling dispensation in post-Independent India. His views on Indianization, education, cultural nationalism, and Swadeshi, apart from his widely debated theory of integral humanism, therefore, have echoed through the ages and have a familiar ring to it. The writer is a Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML), New Delhi and is working on an intellectual biography of Deendayal Upadhyaya. Views expressed are personal. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The critical timing of the dramatic increase in the overestimation of the value of weapons sent to Ukraine to $6.2 billion$3.6 billion in FY23 and $2.6 billion in FY22apparently due to a Pentagons accounting error is suspicious and a blessing for the Joe Biden administration, pumping billions into the quagmire. First reported by Reuters on 18 May the initial $3-billion overestimation more than doubled by 20 June. The United States (US) has supplied weapons worth around $21.1 billion to Ukraine from its stockpiles since August 2021. Surprisingly in several instances, the Pentagon chose weapons from older stockpiles to expedite the supply to Ukraine but assigned them the value it would cost to replace them entirely rather than their current value, escalating the cost of every new arms package, according to the Department of Defence (DoD). During our regular oversight process of presidential drawdown packages In some cases, the replacement cost rather than the netbook value was used, overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from US stocks, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said on 20 June. Once we discovered this overvaluation, the Comptroller reissued guidance on 31 March clarifying how to value equipment in line with the financial management regulation and DOD policy to ensure we use the most accurate accounting methods, she said about the inconsistencies in equipment valuation. The accounting error couldnt have come more opportunely. The June debt ceiling agreement has capped national security spending till the next financial year-end (September, 2024) at $886 billion. The Democrats are probably looking for another supplemental spending legislation to back Kyiv. The hard-line GOP faction in the Republican-controlled House is against continuing the staggering financial aid to Ukraine. Former President Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, the leading 2024 Republican presidential candidates, are against further funding Ukraine. The number of Republican and GOP-leaning independent voters against backing Ukraine has increased. Congress has okayed more than $113 billion in aid, including $37 billion in military assistance, for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022 in four tranches. According to a 15 June Congressional Research Service report, security assistance for Ukraine as of 14 June included 38 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems 8 National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems 1 Patriot air defence battery 31 Abrams tanks 45 T-72B tanks 120+ Bradley infantry fighting vehicles 300 M113 and 100 Stryker Armoured Personnel Carriers 1,700+ Stinger anti-aircraft systems 10,000+ Javelin anti-armour systems 60,000+ other anti-armour systems 160+ 155 mm and 72 105 mm Howitzers and artillery 35,000+ grenade launchers and small arms and other equipment. The latest round of aid, totalling around $45 billion, was approved last December and expected to last until September. However, with the Ukrainian counteroffensive in its initial stages, the aid might not be enough by this financial year-end as only less than $6 billion of that amount remains. In March, Biden asked Congress to provide more than $6 billion to Ukraine in the next fiscal. The administration has already authorised 40 presidential drawdownswhich authorises the President to transfer equipment and services from American stocks without Congressional approval during an emergencysince August 2021. Now, the possibility of Biden requesting more funds by August or September has increased. However, continued military funding for Ukraine could be uncertain considering that the GOPs hard-line faction in the Republican-controlled House is opposed to it and believes that the whopping amount should be prioritised for domestic issues. Though the White House said in May that it doesnt plan to immediately ask Congress for another tranche before September-end, such a move is highly anticipated. With the December package likely to exhaust soon, administration officials anticipate that the White Houses Office of Management and Budget will have to ask Congress for more funding. Even Congressional staffers believe the remaining money would be used earlier than September. Some Republican senators too believe that a supplemental spending Bill is in the offing. I strongly believe we are going to need a supplemental for defence, Maine senator Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, told the media in June. Needless to say, the House and the Senate will debate the 2024 defence budget in the next few monthsand it could be long and acrimonious. With a very slim Republican majority in the House and at the mercy of his partys hard-line faction, Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be reluctant to bring in a Bill on more Ukraine funding. It doesnt matter if its Ukraine or anything else. The idea that someone wants to go do a supplemental after we just came to an agreement is trying to blow the agreement, McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol after the debt ceiling deal was passed. McCarthy added that he supported Ukraine and helping it to defeat Russia but wont allow more funding for the sake of giving money. I want to see what is the purpose, what is the outcome you want to achieve and then show me the plan to see if I think that plan actually can work? Connecticut Democratic senator Chris Murphy believes that McCarthy be under tremendous pressure and could wilt to abandon Ukraine. During a hearing in March, Texas representative and House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul said, I dont think the United States should bear the burden of this war and responsibility when its in their backyard. Fellow Texas representative Nathaniel Moran said that the US should secure our borders, particularly the southern border along the state of Texas instead of protecting Ukraine. In February, Florida representative Matt Gaetz led a group of 11 legislators, including Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene, to introduce the Ukraine Fatigue Resolution calling for the United States to halt additional military and financial aid to Ukraine. Since the onset of the war last February, the United States has been the top contributor of military equipment and aid to Ukraine, sending over $110 billion of taxpayer money to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he said. America is in a state of managed decline, and it will exacerbate if we continue to haemorrhage taxpayer dollars toward a foreign war. We must suspend all foreign aid for the war in Ukraine and demand that all combatants in this conflict reach a peace agreement immediately, Gaetz added. During the March Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, Greene said, I think the US should be pushing for peace in Ukraine instead of funding and continuing a war that seems to be escalating and putting the entire world at risk of world war three. The DoD got 55 per cent ($62 billion) of the $113 billion in FY22 and FY23 emergency supplemental funding Congress has appropriated in response to the Russian invasion so far. The DOD funding aims to build the capacity of Ukraines armed forces, provide American military weapons and equipment to Ukraine and replenish items transferred from department stocks. The supplemental funding easily sailed through as the Democrats controlled the House and Senate. Here comes the Pentagon accounting error into play. Now, the DoD has an additional $6.2 billion for Ukraine which could be spent without Congressional approval with three months left this fiscal. The error is also a boon for the Ukrainian counteroffensive with the DoD now able to send more military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine will be one of the major issues in the presidential election with Trump and DeSantis not favouring funding Ukraine. In January, Trump said that the US is giving Ukraine too much financial aid. The good old USA suckers are paying a VAST majority of the NATO bill, & outside money, going to Ukraine. VERY UNFAIR! he posted on Truth Social. The former President was non-committal to funding Ukraine if he wins a second term. During a CNNs town hall in May, he said, Were giving away so much equipment; we dont have ammunition for ourselves right now. Similarly, DeSantis, who had urged then-President Barack Obama to arm Ukraine after the Crimea invasion, has somersaulted to Trumps camp. At Fox & Friends in February, the Florida governor slammed the Ukraine aid as an openended blank check and questioned Americas strategic objective. They have effectively a blank-check policy with no clear, strategic objective identified, and these things can escalate. I dont think its in our interests to be getting into a proxy war with China, getting involved over things like the borderlands or over Crimea, he said. Moreover, Republicans are increasingly sceptical of American aid level to Ukraine. A June Pew Research Centre survey showed that 44% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents4 out of 10feel that the US is providing too much aid to Ukraine compared to 40 per cent in Januarythe highest level since the Russian invasion. In March 2022, Republicans were only four percentage points more likely than Democrats to say the US is providing too much aid to Ukraine (9% vs. 5%). Today, Republicans are 30 points more likely to say so, the survey showed. The accounting error will help the Biden administration tide over the building opposition to further Ukraine aid. Pentagon is not an ordinary tiny company or organisation where an accounting error is possible. When billions are involved, the sudden overestimation of the value of weapons is highly suspicious. The writer is a freelance journalist with two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. 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. This is the second part of Vijayanagaras education system series. read part one: Community-driven Hindu way of teaching: A glimpse into education system of Vijayangara empire True to its foundational promise of maintaining Puravada-maryade (customs and traditions of the past), the Vijayanagara rulers nurtured, nourished and patronised technical education in the way it was always done: Through communities, guilds, and professions who imparted this education. When we examine this system, we notice the sublime side of the so-called caste system. Skill, competence, excellence and expertise in each profession was cultivated generationally, typically at home. The boy started very early under his fathers tutelage. For hours each day, he patiently learned the techniques and nuances of the particular craft or profession. But the real emphasis was absorbing the spirit of the profession, which transcended these external, mechanical aspects. The spirit elevates the profession and cant be taught in a classroom. The training was rigorous, intensive and prolonged. But once it was complete, it wouldnt leave the student for life. The ultimate goal was the acquisition of mastery, a word that has all but disappeared today. Todays generalist sees only the forest but cant identify the trees. Todays specialist sees only a few trees in isolation forgetting that they form small components in a larger ecosystem. The legendary Kannada litterateur DV Gundappa gives us a brilliant glimpse into the exalted nature of this professional mastery in his ennobling profile of Sivapicchai Mudaliar. A mason by profession, Sivapicchai could spot discrepancies in the alignment of DVGs door with a single glance without the aid of any equipment and could fix them in a matter of minutes. Sivapicchai Mudaliar was amongst us just eighty years ago. We can only imagine the quality and standards of professional and technical excellence that Vijayanagara had touched. Every foreign traveller who sojourned in its domains has left behind glowing accounts testifying to this truth. An incredible list of professions and trades are mentioned. Architecture, sculpture, bed-making, carpentry, smithy in gold, silver, bronze etc., decorators, gemologists, weapon-makers, ornament-makers, garland-makers, potters, tailors There were also the Vipra-Vinodins, a special class of Brahmana jugglers who were the pride of the Vijayanagara empire. Here is Abdur Razak describing the splendour of Sri Krishnadevarayas throne: The throne, which was of an extraordinary size, was made of gold, and enriched with precious stones of extreme value; the whole workmanship was perfect in its delicacy and ingenuity. It is probable that in all the kingdoms of the world, the art of inlaying precious stones is no where better understood than in this country. We can clearly count at least five professions and crafts in the aforementioned description. Sacred and literary education The literary accomplishments in the Vijayanagara empire dont need much elaboration. It is well-known that all the Rayas were patrons of art and literature. The Mahamandalesvaras (governors), Nayakas, Palegars and wealthy businessmen in the empire vied with one another to earn fame as the patrons of literature. Literature and literary education witnessed a zesty and vigorous renewal and rejuvenation in the Vijayanagara empire. Some of the styles and innovations that the luminaries of this era produced chiefly in Telugu literature have stood the test of time till our own day. In this context, literature can be broadly classified into two categories: (1) sacred literature (2) familiar literature. One of the pioneering contributions of Vijayanagara to Hindu sacred literature was the publication of Sayanacaryas mammoth and invaluable commentaries on the Veda. The Rayas personally encouraged litterateurs to compose works in Sanskrit and other Bharatiya-Bhashas. Kumaravyasas epic Karnatabharatakathamanjari blossomed in the regime of Devaraya II. Telugu literature witnessed its golden era under the rule of the Rayas. Sri Krishnadevarayas literary Asta-diggajas is now the stuff of legends. Literary education in the empire received extraordinary sustenance from the munificent bestowals of aristocrats and merchants as well. Mahakavi Srinatha extols his numerous patrons in his several works dedicated to them. Agraharas were specifically created to foster learning and literature. Entire villages were bestowed upon temples and Mathas. Individual scholars, poets and artists were invited to royal courts and generously rewarded. We have the example of the barber Kondoja who had acquired great clout in the Vijayanagara court, and how he used it to help the literary career of a struggling poet, a goldsmith named Rudrayya. The literary education and excellence of women in the Vijayanagara empire is an overlooked portion of its history. Bukkarayas daughter-in-law, Gangadevis name tops the list. Her Madhura-vijayam after being eclipsed for some years, has evoked renewed interest in recent times. Tirumalamba Devis Varadambikaparinayam is also hailed as a poetic work of some merit. Then we have the name of Ramabhadramba, an Astavadhani who could compose poetry in three languages. Her epic poem, Raghunathabhyudayam, apart from being a literary work, is also a valuable primary source of history. Among other things, it mentions the presence and literary prowess of several poetesses in the court of her husband, Raghunatha Nayaka. Overall assessment Clearly, the educational system in the Vijayanagara empire produced prolific, prodigious and invaluable fruits in all walks of life. The most noteworthy element of this system is the fact that it was entirely a private enterprise. It was underscored by the ageless Sanatana ideal of a deep reverence for learning. This ideal was fused with high culture, shared community values, and above all, a genuine veneration for learning for its own sake. That is, education was pursued as an end in itself and not merely for its utilitarian value. But even on the mundane plane of utility, we have substantial evidence that shows how the civil and military apparatus of the empire depended upon a constant supply of talent drawn from various fields. Because of the great demand for their services, a large number of apprentices underwent rigorous training to qualify themselves for state patronage. The visible markers of what this educational system accomplished can still be seen in various parts of South India. The humongous literary corpus, the architectural and sculptural remnants at Hampi, the paintings in Lepakshi, Kanchi, Thanjavur and elsewhere prove that the educational system of Vijayanagara was perfectly tailored to the genius of the people. More importantly, even in the absence of deliberate state patronage, it served to develop and sustain high standards in all branches of learning in that unsurpassed era. This is the second part of Vijayanagaras education system series. read part one: Community-driven Hindu way of teaching: A glimpse into education system of Vijayangara empire The author is the founder and chief editor The Dharma Dispatch. 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, 27 June 2023, for several programmes, including flagging off two Vande Bharat trains, but most importantly for taking part in the concluding ceremony of the Rani Durgawati Gaurav Yatra in Shahdol. The six-day yatra was launched by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government on 22 June, with the chief minister also marking 24 June when Rani Durgawati is believed to have died while fighting the Mughals in the mid-16th century as a day of sacrifice. So, who was Rani Durgawati? One wont be surprised if most of us shrug our shoulders in ignorance, in disdain, or even in indifference. This despite the fact that Rani Durgawati was the ruler of one of the two largest Hindu kingdoms in medieval India, the other being Vijayanagara, writes author Nandini Sengupta in her just released book, Rani Durgawati: The Forgotten Life of a Warrior Queen (Penguin, Rs 499). The ruler of one of the two largest Hindu kingdoms in medieval India, and still she has largely been forgotten Why? Sengupta wonders if its because she was a woman ruler. Or, has it something to do with her sprawling kingdom being in a remote inaccessible tribal belt? She writes, Indian historys male gaze is not unknown. Despite a long list of brave, powerful, capable, cunning, smart and sassy queens gracing our past, popular general knowledge skips from one the great to another, all invariably male. The only queen who bucks this trend is Lakshmibai. Maybe Sengupta meant the Hindu woman ruler! For, there was a Razia Sultan, who had got more than her share of dues, from the mainstream historians extolling her bravery, to Bollywood making not one but three films on her, with one in 1983 being one of the most expansive flicks of the time starring the two most sought-after stars of that era. Razia Sultans hold over popular imagination was evident late last week as well when a woman journalist during the launch of a Hindi book kept calling its author Razia Sultan. Razia Sultan was brave, no doubt, but she had no literary accomplishments. She hardly had any administrative excellence to showcase either. All she could do in three years, six months and six days as a Delhi ruler was to survive one plot after another, to finally perish in 1240 AD. Of course, in a Delhi-centric historiography, as pursued in independent India, when even the great Cholas were reduced to footnotes of history, and the Ahoms almost obliterated, as if they never existed, the fate of a tribal kingdom was a foregone conclusion. One, however, also wonders if the Rani being an adversary of Akbar played any role in putting her in historys dump-yard. Durgawati had everything that would have allured her to the women of today. She was a smart, strong woman, with a mind of her own. A Rajput princess of impeccable lineage, as Sengupta writes about her, Durgawati, in 1542, married a tribal Gond king of her choice, much against the will of her family members. When her husband died young in 1550 AD, leaving behind an infant heir, she took up the reins of her kingdom, fobbed off a grudging brother-in-law, and handled her duties with competence. After initial hardships, there was peace for almost a decade, with the Mughals under the young Akbar preoccupied with their own troubles. This provided Durgawati time to showcase her administrative acumen. She not just built a number of lakes and tanks, but also constructed several temples, and patronised men of literature, religion, art and craft. Given the number of lakes and tanks she constructed in her kingdom, Durgawati came to be known as the lady of lakes (tal talab Rani), with water bodies named after not just her, but her son (Balsagar) and even her favourite elephant Sarman (Hathital). Such was the scale of her building activities that her kingdom Garha came to be known as the land of bhavan tal, chausath talayian (52 big tanks and 64 small ponds). Durgawatis administrative brilliance was noted by his contemporaries, including those in the enemy camp: Abul Fazl and Badauni Akbars famed court chroniclers for instance, talked about the queen with great respect, if not reverence. Even later historians such as Vincent Smith, an admirer of Akbar, vehemently criticised the Mughal ruler for attacking the Gond kingdom. In Akbar: The Great Mogul, Smith writes, Akbars attack on a princess of a character so noble was mere aggression, wholly unprovoked and devoid of all justification other than the lust for conquest and plunder. The ultimate seal of legitimacy is provided by the Gond people themselves. Gond folk songs, for instance, mockingly ask Akbar to learn a few lessons of administration from Durgawati: Tum ka raj karat ho Akbar, durgan patiya churaye (What do you know about ruling O Akbar, learn a thing or two from Durgawati). If Rani Durgawati rivalled Ahilyabai Holkar as the civilisational torchbearer of Hindu culture, she equalled Rani Lakshmibai in her martial exploits. In the battle of Narai Nala in 1564, for instance, she gave the much stronger Mughal troops a run for their money. The first day of the battle belonged to the Gond army. Sengupta writes, At the end of the first day, the mood in the Mughal camp was, understandably enough, sombre. But the Rani was well aware of the need to neutralise the Mughal guns, and she pressed her generals to launch a night attack. She didnt want to give Mughal general Asaf Khan the time to move his cannons into the Narai valley. But her generals were reluctant. When it was morning, what the Rani had foreseen occurred, writes Abul Fazl in Akbarnama, Asaf Khan came with his artillery and fortified the entrance to the pass. The Ranis fate was sealed, but that didnt dim her courage. She fought valiantly. Abul Fazl details her courage on that fateful day as he writes, An arrow from the bow of fate struck her right temple, and she courageously drew it out and flung it from her The point remained in the wound and would not come out. The queen continued to fight, as another arrow struck her neck, continues Fazl, That too she drew out with the hand of courage. On the second day, the Gond troops were routed after an intense fighting. Realising her time was up, Durgawati turned to her faithful servant, Adhar, urging him to kill her, thus saving her from the disgrace of being captured alive by the Mughals. But Adhar refused to raise a weapon on her own queen. Left with no choice, Durgawati snatched a dagger out of the girdle of the elephant driver and stabbed herself in the abdomen, writes Ferishta. The feisty and remarkable Rani Durgawati breathed her last that day, more than 450 years ago, but she continues to survive in the popular consciousness of the land she once ruled. This despite the fact that mainstream Indian history conspired to forget her, consigning her as a footnote as a mere tribal queen of central India who lost her kingdom to Akbar. A casual look on Amazon throws up barely seven titles on Rani Durgawati, many of them picture books for children, Sengupta informs. Even Noor Jahan, the influential wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir, has more titles to her name. This brings the readers to the core of the issue: The need to decolonise and indigenise Indian history, which is still written largely from the perspective of invaders and outsiders. Nandini Senguptas book by bringing out Rani Durgawatis story from the realm of popular imagination to mainstream historiography gives us a stark reminder to where Indian history has faltered. It poignantly tells the saga of a forgotten queen, but what it vaguely hints at is the need to dig out other such stories, long suppressed in the name of ideology, secularism, political correctness, and of course innate disdain, if not distrust, for the idea of civilisational India. And as the ongoing Rani Durgawati Gaurav Yatra in Madhya Pradesh suggests, new India is no longer timid in exploring its past from its own indigenous, decolonised glasses. This is, however, just the beginning. The author is Opinion Editor, Firstpost and News18. He tweets from @Utpal_Kumar1. 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 its introduction in 2022, ChatGPT has generated significant buzz in the tech industry. This AI chatbot has gained immense popularity due to its ability to mimic human-like responses and handle a wide range of tasks. People quickly discovered various applications for this generative AI chatbot, including writing essays, composing music, and even crafting poetry. Over time, ChatGPT has evolved into a necessity in the tech sector. Professionals who possess expertise in utilizing this AI chatbot have reportedly found themselves with numerous job opportunities. AI is generating new jobs A study conducted by ResumeBuilder revealed that 91 per cent of companies with job openings are seeking candidates skilled in ChatGPT. According to respondents, AI has the potential to enhance productivity, save time, and improve overall company performance. Also read: AI Creating Jobs: Train AI models to write perfect Hindi or Spanish and earn Rs 40,000 per week In addition, a Business Insider report indicates that companies on LinkedIn are willing to offer annual salaries of up to USD 185,000 (approximately Rs 1.5 crore) to individuals proficient in ChatGPT. Big payout for expertise in a growing field For example, Recruiting from Scratch, a US-based HR company, is currently hiring for the position of Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Audio. The job requirements include familiarity with current AI tools and platforms such as ChatGPT and Midjourney. The position offers a salary range of USD 125,000 to USD 185,000 per year. Similarly, Interface.ai, a conversational AI tool, is seeking a Remote Machine Engineer with experience in natural language processing and large language models like ChatGPT. The salary for this position can reach up to USD 170,000 per year. Srinivas Njay, the CEO of Interface.ai, mentioned that proficiency in large language models is a crucial requirement for the role as it helps their customers, such as banks and credit unions, improve their efficiency in customer engagement. The rise of prompt engineering The rise of ChatGPT has often sparked concerns about job displacement. However, many experts argue that this AI tool will actually create new employment opportunities. One such emerging profession is Prompt Engineering, which is gaining traction in the industry. Also read: Prompt engineering: Tech firms are paying over $335K a year for new job created by ChatGPT In March of this year, an AI startup called Anthropic, based in San Francisco, made headlines by posting a job advertisement for a Prompt Engineer and a Librarian, offering a salary of up to USD 335,000 per year. This impressive figure translates to approximately Rs 2.7 crore in Indian Rupees. Its worth noting that the demand for AI Prompt Engineering roles extends beyond San Francisco. If users explore platforms like LinkedIn or other job-searching websites, they will find numerous job openings for prompt engineers worldwide. As the role continues to gain popularity, several online platforms have even begun offering courses specifically focused on Prompt Engineering, aiming to help individuals acquire and master the necessary skills in this field. 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 part of the Pegase 2023 mission, France has sent a sizable detachment of fighters, including 10 Rafale fighter jets, to the Indo-Pacific to strengthen its position there. On June 25, the French military announced the missions launch on Twitter and posted pictures of the military planes taking part in the operation. The missions force will consist of 19 warplanes, including 10 Dassault Rafale B and C multirole fighters, five Airbus A330 MRTT refuelling aircraft, and four Airbus A400M transport aircraft, according to a news release from the French defence ministry. From June 25 to August 3, the Pegase 2023 mission, coordinated by the French Air Force and Space, will take place. The Pegase 2023 mission, which will take place from June 25 to June 28, will involve a simultaneous power projection to Malaysia and Singapore, travelling more than 11,000 kilometres from metropolitan France, with a technical layover at the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates (FFEAU) air base. The Pegase 2023 contingent makes their first stop at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE before splitting into two groups and departing for Malaysia and Singapore, respectively. The two groups will take part in massive multinational exercises conducted by the US military on Guam and Palau from July 2 to 21 after their engagements in the Southeast Asian nations. Air assets like the A400M and MRTT will be deployed during this time to support the French soldiers that are permanently stationed in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, two of the nations overseas territories, in carrying out various duties. The expedition will also include valued stopovers in South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia from July 24 to August 3. Joint training sessions with partner air forces will be held at each stopover. The French team will fly through Djibouti and Qatar on their way back to France after completing their mission. France focusing on Indo-Pacific region The newest deployments primary goal is to demonstrate Frances capacity for force projection. The nation emphasises that it is a sovereign state that resides in the Indo-Pacific. The French defence ministry reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its territorial integrity and preserving its sovereignty in the area through a combination of forces stationed nearby and routine power projections carried out in coordination with alliance partners. The mission, according to the ministry, intends to communicate a non-escalatory posture and a strategy based on observance of international law and the right to free movement. This structure is perfectly aligned with the Pegase 2023 mission, which also supports the numerous deployments and training exercises France is presently conducting in the area. The French deployment of a sizable contingent fits within a larger pattern of European countries escalating engagement with regional powers in the Indo-Pacific area. The region is becoming increasingly important as a possible focal point for confrontations involving China, which has prompted this deliberate effort, carried out in collaboration with US forces. As previously mentioned, Guam Island, which has become an important strategic hub amid growing tensions with China, will host a training exercise in which the French military will also take part. Guam would play a critical role as a logistical hub and an essential staging point for combat forces travelling to the Taiwan Strait in the event of a Taiwan-related conflict. Guams strategic value comes from its ability to act as a vital supply-chain link, enabling the quick deployment and maintenance of military assets. Guam also provides a more dependable and secure base of operations than other host nations in the region, which improves the efficacy and resilience of military operations. Additionally, the tiny island of Guam has hosted a number of multinational military drills that have drawn troops from several regional nations. South Korea declared its participation in the upcoming Pacific Vanguard exercise on June 25, a multinational maritime exercise off the coast of Guam that will be led by the US from July 112. The navy troops from South Korea, the US, Australia, and Japan will participate in the drill. For the practise, the Korean Navy will send out Munmu, the Great Destroyer, a 4,400-ton ship. During the exercise, participating navies will take part in a variety of maritime activities, such as anti-submarine warfare, air warfare, and live-fire missile exercises. Since 2019, Seoul has taken part in this exercise with the intention of enhancing its global allies joint operational capabilities. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Trump is honored by Republicans as the Man of the Decade in a Michigan county he lost twice Former President Donald Trump has been honored as the Man of the Decade in a Michigan county he lost twice The business climate in Germany has nosedived, a survey cited by Reuters said on Monday. This is the second consecutive in as many months, and to a level lower than predicted by a previous Reuters poll of analysts. Conclusion: The German recession will last longer than expected. The Ifo institute said its business climate index fell to 88.5 this month from 91.5 in May. Sentiment in the German economy has clouded over noticeably, Reuters quoted Ifos president Clemens Fuest. Adding to the German industry woes, the Reuters report also cited a similar index for companies that index falling to 93.7 from 94.8which fares even worse. Reuters quoted head of Ifo surveys Klaus Wohlrabe as saying that the prospect of a longer recession was strong since domestic demand had plummeted and the expectations of exporters had weakened. The probability has increased that gross domestic product will also shrink in the second quarter, he told Reuters. Chinas weaker than hoped for economic performance since its reopening from tight COVID-19 lockdowns, a looming U.S. recession and ongoing monetary policy tightening seem to be weighing on German company sentiment, said Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING. What is clear is that the optimism at the start of the year seems to have given way to more of a sense of reality, Brzeski 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. Greeces conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has won the national elections with a thumping majority, securing a second four-term as the Prime Minister of the country. The 55-year-old leader has vowed to bring about major reforms to transform the country. He has defeated the leftist Syriza party led by former premier Alexis Tsipras. The margin of votes is the widest for the conservatives in almost 50 years, as voters rewarded them for nursing Greece back to economic health after a crippling debt crisis. The people have given us a safe majority. Major reforms will proceed rapidly, Mitsotakis said. Mitsotakis, former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate, said he had ambitious targets for a new term that could transform Greece. In his victory speech, Mitsotakis said, We have high targets that will transform GreeceToday we will celebrate our victory, tomorrow we will roll up our sleeves. Mitsotakis steered the EU nation from the coronavirus pandemic back to two consecutive years of strong growth. Mitsotakis New Democracy party bagged over 40 per cent of the vote, securing at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament with around 96 per cent of the votes counted. The main leftist opposition party, Syriza, was far behind in the early results, receiving over 17 per cent of the vote. Having fallen short by five parliamentary seats of being able to form a single-party government, Mitsotakis refused to try to form a coalition, in effect forcing 9.8 million Greek voters back to the ballot boxes. The election also saw voters turn away from two key protagonists during the debt years. Former finance minister Yanis Varoufakiss radical-left MeRA25 party failed to make it past the three per cent threshold to get into parliament, while Tsiprass party scored even less than in May, losing a further 275,000 votes. Judgment US President Joe Biden congratulated Mitsotakis on his victory. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation on shared priorities to foster prosperity and regional security, he said in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron also sent congratulations. Lets continue together all the work undertaken for a stronger and more sovereign Europe, he wrote on Twitter. And Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani offered his congratulations. Mitsotakiss re-election was a sign of political stability that is good for the whole Europe, he wrote on Twitter. Tsipras, meanwhile, assessed the damage. We have sustained a serious political defeat, he said in an address following his fifth loss to Mitsotakis his third in a national election. The 48-year-old former premier said that his party needed a top to bottom reappraisal before next years European Parliament elections. He would submit his leadership to the judgment of Syriza party members, he added. Tsipras remains for many the prime minister who nearly crashed Greece out of the euro, the leader who reneged on a vow of abolishing austerity to sign the country on to more painful bailout terms. With the strong swing to the right including the return of the far right after a four-year hiatus Varoufakis said his left-wing party would be sorely missed in parliament. To the dismay of centrist groups, the nationalist party Spartiates (Spartans) made it past the three-per cent threshold to get into parliament, along with two small similar parties. The party is endorsed by the jailed former spokesman of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. With the total proportion of votes garnered by the three parties reaching 12.9 per cent, Tsipras said the strongest showing of Greek hard-right parties in decades was a visible threat to democracy. Voter fatigue was also evident after a second election in a month: turnout was less than 53 per cent compared to over 61 per cent in May. High hopes Mitsotakis first became prime minister in 2019, beating his predecessor Tsipras on a vow to move on from a decade of economic crisis. That election was the first in the EU nations post-bailout era, at a time when businesses and workers were ailing under the burden of heavy taxes imposed by Syriza to build a budget surplus demanded by international creditors. Over the next four years, tax burdens were eased, and while the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out Greeces vital tourism revenues, the country has since bounced back with growth of 8.3 per cent in 2021 and 5.9 per cent last year. Mitsotakis played up Greeces newfound economic health in his re-election bid, saying his conservatives had cut 50 taxes while increasing national output by 29 billion euros ($32 billion) and overseeing the largest infrastructure upgrades since 1975. The message appeared to have gone down well with voters weary of Greeces debt years that were awash with job losses, rising payments and companies going bankrupt. Aris Manopoulos, a shop owner, said he voted for New Democracy so that the country can advance, and continue to revive economically. 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. Friendship between India and the US is a force of global good, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to a tweet by President of America Joe Biden in which he said the bond between both the countries is among the most consequential in the world. I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more, PM Modi wrote. Earlier, Biden in a tweet said: The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And its stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever. The US president also shared a video montage, along with the post, which showed Prime Minister Modi's recently concluded state visit to the US. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21. Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Biden. Both the leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by PM Modi's joint address to the US Congress and a state dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour. The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sliced Bread turns 95: Did you know it was once banned in the US? In 1943, during World War II, the US government took a step that shocked the country. It banned sliced bread. The ban was implemented to save money on two items the pricey bread-slicing equipment and the wax paper used to store it A top diplomat of the European Union on Monday said Wagners aborted mutiny shows Moscows war in Ukraine is splintering Russian power. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell further warned of instability in the nuclear-armed power is not a good thing. What has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system, Borrell said at a meeting of the blocs foreign ministers. Certainly its not a good thing to see that a nuclear power like Russia can go into a phase of instability. Its also something that has to be taken into account, Borrell told journalists. He said the most important conclusion is that the war against Ukraine launched by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and the monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him. The monster is acting against its creator, the political system is showing the fragilities and the military power is cracking, Borrell said. EU foreign ministers were scrambling to digest the fall-out from the uprising at their regular meeting in Luxembourg. Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said the unrest was an internal affair for Russia. He insisted that the most important thing was supporting Ukraine so it can win back its territory. (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. 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. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Rebel Wilson's dating app was inspired by her personal experiences. The 43-year-old actress - who publicly came out on Instagram in June 2022 - has revealed that her Fluid app was inspired by her own dating struggles. Speaking to E! News, Rebel - who is engaged to Ramona Agruma - explained: "I only dated men, but I didn't think in my mind like I was 100 percent straight. "But I didn't know how to categorise that. So that kind of scared me off, I guess exploring my sexuality and stuff. We wanted to make an app [where] you don't have to label yourself - very modern. It's kind of a new complex, nuanced way to look at sexuality." The Hollywood star has actually met some "really great people" on dating apps. But Rebel believes that Fluid offers a "more modern" approach to finding love. She said: "I think, hopefully, that the app will help a lot of people. Because you can be anywhere on the sexuality spectrum and you don't have to announce yourself At the end of the day, I think it's just about people finding love." Rebel previously explained how the app relates to her own love life. The actress told PEOPLE: "This is the first dating app where you don't have to actually define yourself or tick a box to say 'I'm straight, I'm gay, I'm bisexual,' and you don't have to describe what you are looking for." Rebel feels proud of the app's inclusive nature. She said: "What's really cool is, it's open to everyone. "You might just be interested in checking out a wider dating pool like I was. It covers a lot of the LGBTQIA spectrum, but I think even if you're straight you could use the app and have an amazing time." Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. bayonel3 at 26-06-2023 04:35 PM (3 weeks ago) (m) A single mother of one identified as Abebe Omoefe has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Edo State. The deceased was abducted on June 15, 2023, along Sobe road while on her way to Benin City to purchase good. According to one Akihidime Rose, the kidnappers killed Omoefe after collecting ransom. A single mother of one identified as Abebe Omoefe has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Edo State. The deceased was abducted on June 15, 2023, along Sobe road while on her way to Benin City to purchase good. According to one Akihidime Rose, the kidnappers killed Omoefe after collecting ransom. Am broken. Am hurt. Am weak. My friend Abebe Omoefe was kidnapped on a Thursday morning 15/06/2023 on her to Benin to buy goods Along sobe road.. And she called me on Friday to help her beg and look for money for her release. Then I went to beg on social media. Everyone turn up for her. Money was raised. Prayers everywhere, I prayed for my friend for a safe return. We never heard from the kidnappers. Only for us to hear that Efe has been shoot death. Thanks to u all for ur concern. Prayers and and contributions, she wrote. she wrote. Post Reply I scour the world wide web to bring you interesting stories from around the globe. [email protected] Posted: at 26-06-2023 04:35 PM (3 weeks ago) | Addicted Hero iQOO 11S launch date set for July 4: Check Expected Price, Specifications News oi -Carlsen Martin The iQOO 11S is set to arrive in China next month. The iQOO 11S has previously been teased with the brand already revealing the design of its upcoming flagship smartphone. The iQOO 11S will arrive as the latest flagship smartphone from the brand to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Moreover, iQOO has also teased the phone's design as well as the three colour options. iQOO 11S Launch Date The iQOO 11S launch date in China is set for July 4 at 07:00 pm local time. iQOO has also set up a dedicated page for its upcoming flagship smartphone. Moreover, the company has also teased the iQOO TWS 1 that will arrive alongside the smartphone. The brand has also confirmed that the iQOO 11S will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Moreover, the phone will come in three colour options - Legendary version (Black), Track version (White), and Qiantang Tingchao (Cyan). iQOO 11S Specifications, Price (Expected) The iQOO 11S price in China is expected to start from CNY 4,099 (roughly Rs 46,600). The iQOO 11S will come with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The chip will use LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. The iQOO 11S will run Origin OS 3.0 based on Android 13. The phone could pack a 4,700 mAh battery with 200W fast charging support. The iQOO 11S will sport a 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED panel with a 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Up front, the phone is expected to get a 16 MP selfie camera. On the back, the iQOO 11S will opt for a triple-camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS. The main camera will be paired with a 13 MP telephoto unit and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. You can expect more details about the iQOO 11S in the coming days. 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 Google Cancelling Pre-Orders Of Pixel Fold: Random Payment Verification And Other Issues Right Before Shipment Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai Order cancellations are quite common from online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, and others. However, Google has been randomly canceling pre-orders for its first-ever foldable Android smartphone. Google has been canceling multiple pre-orders for the $2000 Pixel Fold. The search giant started taking pre-orders in May, and several buyers waiting for the shipment notice of their premium foldable Android smartphone from Google were instead greeted with cancelation emails. Why Is Google Cancelling Pre-Orders Of Pixel Fold Smartphones? Some buyers who pre-ordered the Pixel Fold have discovered that Google is canceling their orders right before it was time to ring up the order just before it is shipped. The primary reason appears to be the bank or the credit card submitted with the order can't seem to verify to Google that the funds are available. Simply put, it appears to be a banking or credit card problem, and Google has been forced to cancel orders as they seem to be fraudulent or placed mistakenly. Incidentally, Google is aware of the issue and has been discussing the same with individuals who faced them. One customer wrote, "I did the chat support for the issue and essentially pleaded that they don't cancel my order. (My bank declined 4 times until I woke up and texted it was an authorized charge). I never received any other update from Google itself saying to update payment or cancellation or anything. [I] just hope it goes through. [It] is lack of transparency on Google's part." Google Support reportedly informed a Redditor that they are looking into the situation. Google is also recommending customers experiencing these order cancellations not place a new or repeat order. Google has mentioned that phone calls have been spiking because such cases are piling up. The representative also assured that Google would issue an update in the next day or two. How Long Will Buyers Have To Wait For Their Google Pixel Fold? It is strange to note that several buyers have indicated they cleared the issue with their banks or credit card issuers. However, Google has been canceling orders at its end. The search giant maintains that "it's a known bug to try and clear this up for me within 24 hours." Those who pre-ordered the Pixel Fold, expected it to receive it late this month or sometime in July. However, they now have to wait substantially longer. Incidentally, the waiting period depends on the iteration of the Google Pixel Fold ordered. Buyers will have to wait until August 30th to September 8th for the 256GB Pixel Fold model in Porcelain, August 2nd to August 10th for the 256GB model in Obsidian, and September 13th to the September 21st for the 512GB variant in Obsidian. 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 June 23, 2023 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With the Minister of Defense of Italy Guido Crosetto Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Italy's Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto to the Pentagon today to reaffirm the close cooperation between our two countries on collective defense and in coalition operations. The leaders discussed Italy's expansive contributions to international security, with Secretary Austin applauding Italy's leading role as a security provider in the Balkans, Europe's Eastern Flank, Lebanon, Iraq, and Africa - as well as Italy's newest naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Both leaders reflected on the need for continued aid to Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked and cruel invasion. Secretary Austin and Minister Crosetto also discussed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius. In particular, the two leaders discussed the importance of the defense of NATO's Southern Flank and exchanged views on how Italy and the United States can further defense cooperation in the Mediterranean and Africa. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3438197/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Contingency response Airmen exemplify MCA concept during Air Defender 23 Published June 24, 2023 By Staff Sgt. Michelle Ulber, 146 Airlift Wing Public Affairs California Air National Guard WUNSTORF AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- ne hundred sixty-five members of the Air National Guard's contingency response career field assigned to the 123rd and 156th Contingency Response Groups and the 172nd and 146th Contingency Response Flights deployed to Wunstorf Air Base, in support of exercise Air Defender 2023, bringing with them their versatility and expertise to ensure the exercise goes efficiently for all 10,000 participants. Contingency response is a unique career field with numerous mission capabilities; to enter the career field, Airmen must cross-train in after gaining experience in a different job. This is necessary because of the type of contingency, humanitarian and exercise missions that CR supports. "The primary role of contingency response is to provide base opening operations, and once that is established, we can quickly and effectively disperse cargo and personnel throughout a region," said Master Sgt. Jeff Allen, a loadmaster with the 146th CRF, California Air National Guard. "We can start ramp procedures and bring aircraft, people and supplies into any environment." Numerous jobs are required to set up an airfield where none existed before. CR members come from many career fields throughout the Air Force, including aircraft maintainers, aerial porters, security forces, personnelists, communication specialists, weather specialists and medical personnel, among others. "We are a well-run machine; we're a small group and know everyone's strengths and weaknesses, so we can come in and work together to set up things as quickly and efficiently as possible, with the least amount of downtime, and then have a smooth transition back out again," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Wilson, an airfield manager with the 172nd CRF, Mississippi Air National Guard. To achieve their mission, CR uses the multi-capable Airman, or MCA, concept the Air Force is beginning to implement. MCA results from the development of Air Force Doctrine Note 1-21, Agile Combat Employment, an operational concept that supports merging career fields. The aim is to train and develop Airmen who are already proficient in their regular duties in tasks outside their normal day-to-day operations, allowing smaller teams to accomplish a mission quickly and with fewer resources. "All members of contingency response train in each other's jobs as best as possible," said Staff Sgt. Anfernee Joseph, a mission operator with the 146th Contingency Response Flight, California ANG. "We fill in the gaps for each other since we're such a small team. Everyone learns each other's job, making us operate more smoothly, enabling us to do more with less." Facilitating seamless operations is essential because many other positions rely on CR to be able to do their job. "CR is necessary because we set up airfields and keep them operating short-term," Wilson said. "If CR could not do its job, there would be a lot of downtime and considerable communication delays. Everyone would be unable to do their jobs; the mission times would be severely delayed. Our multi-capable Airmen keep things running during exercises such as this." CR has the substantial job of processing over 10,000 exercise participants and over 3.4 million pounds of cargo back and forth between the U.S. and other airfields in Germany during exercise AD23. "We'll start receiving all the cargo and personnel back from other airfields here in Germany soon," Wilson said. "The cargo yard here at Wunstorf Air Base will be full, and we'll start processing it all back on aircraft as the exercise ends June 23 and the main body of participants begin to leave." According to Wilson, the team will be able to accomplish their mission of getting all exercise participants and equipment out on time because everyone in CR tries to help where they can and exemplifies the MCA concept. "Everyone does more than just their job," Wilson said. "That's the whole point of CR. We not only do our jobs, but we help our wingmen out." The end goal for CR is ultimately to accomplish the mission no matter what's necessary. "Even though I'm in airfield management, I can help the command-and-control Airmen," Wilson said. "I can jump into their spot if they're busy with planes coming in and going out or in an emergency when it's necessary to have more help. Putting up a tent or answering a phone may not be your assigned job but we all do what we can to help each other and benefit the mission. We're working together to complete this exercise and move on to the next one." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan: Civilians Killed in Kashmir in Indian Cross-Border Fire By Ayaz Gul June 24, 2023 Pakistan said Saturday that "unprovoked" cross-border shelling by India had killed at least two civilians and "critically" injured another inside the Pakistan-administered part of the disputed Kashmir region. The alleged incident comes more than two years after the nuclear-armed rival South Asian nations agreed to fully adhere to a 2003 cease-fire along their de facto Kashmir frontier, the Line of Control. A Pakistani military statement said the Indian army Saturday "opened indiscriminate fire onto a group of shepherds in the Sattwal sector," resulting in the death of two civilians while another was "critically" injured. "While a strong protest is being launched with (the) Indian side, Pakistan reserves the right to respond back in the manner of its choosing to protect Kashmiri lives in the LoC belt," the statement warned. The foreign ministry said later that it had summoned the Indian Charge d'Affaires to register Islamabad's "strong protest over the cease-fire violation" and condemn the "deplorable" targeting of civilians. Pakistan called on the Indian side to investigate the deadly incident and underscored that "such senseless acts are in clear violation" of the cease-fire deal, according to the statement. There was no immediate reaction from India to the allegations. The February 2021 truce effectively stopped almost daily skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops that killed more than 70 people in 2020 alone. The Himalayan region of Kashmir is split between Pakistan and India. Both claim all of it and have fought two wars over the area since the two counties gained independence from Britain in 1947. New Delhi accuses the Pakistani military of backing militant attacks in India and separatists fighting Indian rule in the majority Muslim Kashmir. Islamabad rejects the accusations as an attempt to divert attention from what it says is Indian suppression of Kashmiris. "Driven by a newfound geopolitical patronage, Indian forces have embarked on a plan to take innocent lives to satiate their false narratives and concocted allegations," the Pakistani military asserted in its statement Saturday. The remarks were targeted at a joint statement issued Thursday after talks between U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, calling on Pakistan to ensure its territory is not used as a base for militant attacks. "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," said the U.S.-Indian joint statement. On Friday, the Pakistani foreign ministry, in its formal response, called the joint statement "unwarranted, one-sided and misleading." The reference to Islamabad was "politically motivated" and "contrary to "diplomatic norms," it added. The ministry said that India was using the allegations of extremism against Pakistan to deflect from the situation in Kashmir and the treatment of Indian minorities. Bilateral tensions have worsened since August 2019 when Modi's Hindu nationalist government revoked the semiautonomous status of its administered Kashmir and broke it into two federally controlled territories. Pakistan denounces the moves as illegal and wants them reversed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni gov't forces raise combat readiness after Houthi military parade People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:42, June 25, 2023 ADEN, Yemen, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni government forces on Saturday raised their combat readiness in response to a large military parade held by the Houthi rebels, state media reported. The country's Defense Minister Mohsen al-Daari visited government forces in the southwestern province of Taiz, where he met with commanders to assess the preparedness for potential Houthi attacks, the state-run Saba news agency reported. Following the visit, al-Daari emphasized the importance of boosting cohesion and morale among the forces and urged them to be on high alert for confronting any Houthi actions. The decision to raise combat readiness comes two days after a large military parade organized by thousands of Houthi fighters in the country's central province of Ibb, which is adjacent to Taiz. During the parade, Mahdi Al-Mashat, head of the Houthis' Supreme Political Council, delivered a speech in which he vowed to continue fighting for "freedom, independence, and full sovereignty" for Yemen. He also promised to introduce advanced weapons in the "next battle." The Yemeni government's decision to raise combat readiness reflects growing concerns over the possibility of renewed conflict with the Houthis. Yemen's civil war flared in late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control over much of the country's north and forced the internationally recognized government out of the capital Sanaa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Curfew imposed after 22 die in violence in Honduras Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 7:15 PM The Honduran government has imposed a curfew after 22 people were killed in separate attacks amid a resurgence of violence in the country. The incident took place when armed gunmen opened fire on Saturday night killing 11 people and injuring 3 others in the northern city of Choloma. An official source told Reuters there had been at least 11 other deaths on the same day in separate episodes across the northern Valle de Sula zone, including in the key industrial city of San Pedro Sulay. Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced a 15-day curfew in Choloma between 9 pm and 4 am, effective immediately. San Pedro Sula, will be put under curfew from July 4. "Multiple operations, raids, captures and checkpoints are initiated," Castro said The president added that the government is also offering a cash reward of $32,707 to people who help identify and capture those responsible for the killings in Choloma. This recent attack follows the deadly violence that took place earlier this week leading to the killing of 46 women in a prison in Tamara, about 30 miles (50km) northwest of the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa. Honduras has been engulfed by widespread gang violence leading to the displacement of entire communities. Parts of Honduras have been put in a state of partial emergency since December last year in an attempt to contain the surging violence. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, 2.3 million people are in need of aid in the violence-stricken Central American country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian Authority blames Netanyahu for persisting settler terrorism in West Bank Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 6:54 AM The Palestinian Authority (PA) has held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for persisting terrorism by Zionist settlers against Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, saying the ongoing violence is fueled by his far-right cabinet members Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Palestinian foreign ministry further declared in a Saturday statement that the surge in Israeli crimes "reflects a policy adopted by the far-right Netanyahu administration, and is also a direct reflection of the campaigns of incitement to murder Palestinians, especially by extremist racists like Ben-Gvir and his followers." "The ruling Israeli coalition systematically undermines any regional and international efforts to restore the political horizon to resolve the conflict and creates more escalation in an attempt to impose the logic of military occupation," the statement added as quoted in a report by WAFA news agency. Earlier on Saturday, several houses and vehicles were set on fire by extremist Israeli settlers in the village of Umm Safa, north of Ramallah. The report further cited local sources as saying that scores of Israeli settlers, some armed with rifles and guarded by Israeli army forces, stormed the village and fired indiscriminately at everything they came across, including homes and vehicles. The ministry also called on the international community to stop its double standards in dealing with international principles, resolutions and agreements signed under the auspices of world bodies. The shooting attack also caused damage to an ambulance. A paramedic was slightly injured by a gunshot while moving a patient in critical condition to a hospital. Israeli soldiers and settlers have been escalating their terror attacks against Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories, in an attempt to forcibly expel Palestinians from their lands and make way for expanding illegal Zionist-only settlements. More than 600,000 Zionists live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds. All the settlements are considered illegal under international law. The UN Security Council has condemned in numerous resolutions the Israeli regime's settlement constructions in the occupied territories. According to human rights groups, acts of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property are a daily occurrence throughout the occupied West Bank. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed Israeli settlers torch Palestinians' homes, vehicles in attack on West Bank village Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 1:33 AM Protected by Israeli forces, dozens of armed settlers have raided a village north of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, shooting at Palestinians and setting their houses and vehicles on fire. The raid was carried out in Umm Safa village on Saturday, the official Palestinian Wafa news agency reported. Armed with rifles, Israeli settlers opened indiscriminate fire "at everything they came across," the report said, damaging an ambulance and injuring a paramedic, who was moving a patient in urgent condition to a hospital. Mohammad Radi, a Palestinian TV cameraman, told Wafa that gunshots were fired at him and his colleague as they were covering the terrorist attack by nearly 70 fanatic Israeli settlers on the village. Radi added that one gunshot directly hit and damaged their camera. "We arrived in Umm Safa. There were dozens of settlers. They fired at the village. The moment (one of) the settlers saw us filming, he shot in our direction. Two bullets went into the camera, then the camera blew up from the shooting. Thank god we are safe," he told Reuters. "What happened today has been going on since Thursday. Settlers tried to set up a settlement on village land and (Palestinian) families have been stopping them for two days. ... It looks like the settlers didn't like it, so they attacked us this morning from many sides of the village," a Palestinian villager was quoted by Reuters as saying. The attack came after a day earlier, dozens of Palestinians were injured by settlers who went on a violent rampage across the West Bank under strict protection of Israeli forces. One Palestinian sustained a gunshot wound while many others suffered suffocation as the settlers tried to storm the city of Dayr Dibwan, east of Ramallah, on Friday. Another group of settlers hurled stones towards Palestinian vehicles in the al-Fahs area, south of the city of al-Khalil in the southern West Bank, smashing their windshields. On Thursday, a group of settlers stormed the village of Urif south of the city of Nablus in northern West Bank. The attackers then forced their way into a local mosque and vandalized it before ripping the pages of a copy of the Holy Qur'an and throwing it into the street. The act of desecration has prompted far-and-wide outrage and condemnation from across the Muslim world. More than a dozen Palestinians have also been killed in violence staged either by the Israeli military or armed settlers. The fatalities included a Palestinian man, who was killed on Wednesday when hundreds of settlers went on a rampage across the village of Turmus Ayya in north-central West Bank. Israel has stepped up its settlement expansion activities since last December when Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power as the prime minister of the regime's most far-right cabinet. More than 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. The international community considers all those settlements illegal under the international law as they have been constructed on occupied land. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Civilians Killed in Indian Attack in Kashmir Region - Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least two civilians were killed and another one was injured as a result of an Indian forces' attack on the Satwal sector in the disputed Kashmir region, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said. "The incident, which took place on 24 June 2023, resulted in killing of two civilians and injury to another one," the ministry said in a Saturday statement, adding that "such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021." The Indian charge d' affaires was summoned to the Pakistani foreign ministry on Saturday, according to the statement. Pakistan has voiced strong protest over the incident. "The Indian side was urged to respect the Ceasefire Understanding, investigate the incident, and maintain peace along the Line of Control," the Pakistani foreign ministry said. Ties between India and Pakistan have been plagued by territorial disputes and cross-border hostilities in the contested Kashmir region. Pakistan and India have fought several wars over Kashmir since 1947. Tensions hit rock bottom in 2019 after the Indian government stripped the Jammu and Kashmir state of its special status and broke it up into two union territories. India controls the southern part of the Kashmir region, while Pakistan and China hold its northwestern and northeastern parts, respectively. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ten Injured in Clashes With Settlers in West Bank Sputnik News 20230625 GAZA (Sputnik) - At least ten people were injured in the village of Umm Safa, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, during clashes with settlers, Palestinian media report. The settlers attacked peaceful residents of the village on Saturday and set ten homes and seven cars on fire, the Palestinian Shehab News Agency said. At least ten people were injured as a result, Shehab said. The settlers also set the local farmers' harvest on fire. Settlers set up an outpost in Umm Safa earlier this week, but were forced to remove it on Saturday due to clashes with local residents. On June 23, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk issued a statement on the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) website saying that violence in the West Bank could spiral out of control following Israeli army operations this week and clashes between settlers and Palestinians. At least seven Palestinians, including a boy and a girl, were killed and at least 91 Palestinians and seven Israeli soldiers were wounded in Monday's operation by Israeli security forces in the Jenin refugee camp, the OHCHR said. Following the Jenin raid, four Israeli settlers were killed on Tuesday by two armed Palestinians near the Israeli settlement of Eli in the occupied West Bank. Hundreds of Jewish settlers then attacked and ransacked the Palestinian town of Turmus Ayya. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Margaret Brennan of CBS Face the Nation US Department of State Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Via Teleconference June 25, 2023 QUESTION: Secretary of State Antony Blinken is one of the many top Biden administration officials who's been monitoring the events of the last two days, and he joins us from the State Department. Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good morning, Margaret. QUESTION: Can you tell us who in the Biden administration has been in touch with Russian leadership? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I instructed my own team at the President's behest to engage with the Russians, first and foremost to make sure that they understood their responsibilities in terms of protecting our own personnel, ensuring their safety and well-being, as well as any American citizens in Russia. So a number of people have engaged to make sure that the Russians got that message. QUESTION: Is the U.S. ready for further unrest in Russia and the scenario that Vladimir Putin does not remain in power? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Margaret, this is an unfolding story and I think we're in the midst of a moving picture. We haven't seen - we haven't seen the last act. We're watching it very closely and carefully. But just step back for a second and put this in context. Sixteen months ago Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv in Ukraine thinking they'd take the city in a matter of days, thinking they would erase Ukraine from the map as an independent country. Now, over this weekend, they've had to defend Moscow, Russia's capital, against mercenaries of Putin's own making. Prigozhin himself in this entire incident has raised profound questions about the very premises for Russia's aggression against Ukraine in the first place, saying that Ukraine or NATO did not pose a threat to Russia, which is part of Putin's narrative. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And it was a direct challenge to Putin's authority. So this raises profound questions. It shows real cracks. We can't speculate or know exactly where that's going to go. We do know that Putin has a lot more to answer for in the weeks and months ahead. QUESTION: But is the U.S. prepared for the potential of the fall of the Putin government, and is their nuclear stockpile - the largest in the world - secure? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We always prepare for every contingency. In terms of what happens in Russia, it's an internal matter for the Russians to figure out. Of course, when we're dealing with a major power and especially a major power that has nuclear weapons, that's something that's of concern. It's something we're very focused on. We haven't seen any change in Russia's nuclear posture. There hasn't been any change in ours. But it's something that we're going to watch very, very carefully. QUESTION: Vladimir Putin is appearing on television this morning, but it appears to have been prerecorded. Do you know the whereabouts of Vladimir Putin right now? Is he in Moscow? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I don't want to - I don't want to speculate on that or what information that we have. Again, we're watching that carefully. I think one of the things this tells you is that we still don't - don't have finality in terms of what was actually agreed between Prigozhin and Putin. I suspect that we're going to learn more in the days and weeks ahead about what deal they struck. The President brought together not only the national security cabinet yesterday, he brought together the leaders of our key allies and partners. He instructed all of us to do the same. We have tremendous unity of purpose and unity of action when it comes to supporting Ukraine, and that's where our focus is. QUESTION: But as you just said, Prigozhin drew into question the very premise for Vladimir Putin's war, so SECRETARY BLINKEN: That's right. QUESTION: So do the Wagner fighters return to the fight in Ukraine? Do we know? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Too soon to tell what's going to happen to the Wagner forces, whether they go back to the fight. I mean, it was extraordinary that they were moving out of Ukraine and into Russia. But it's too soon to tell whether they're going to go back into the fight as Wagner, whether they get integrated into regular Russian forces, what this means for Wagner in other parts of the world. I mean, keep in mind QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: both Putin and Prigozhin are responsible for committing terrible acts in Ukraine against Ukrainian civilians. But also in the case of Wagner, in country after country in Africa, wherever Wagner is, death and destruction and exploitation follow. QUESTION: Yes. SECRETARY BLINKEN: But all of this is likely to unroll in the coming days, in the coming weeks. To the extent that it presents a real distraction for Putin and for Russian authorities that they have to look at - sort of mind their rear even as they're trying to deal with the counteroffensive in Ukraine, I think that creates even greater openings for the Ukrainians to do well on the ground. QUESTION: Well, as you just indicated, Yevgeny Prigozhin has a footprint that goes from Africa to Syria to Ukraine. Do you have any idea where he is right now? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I can't get into what we know or don't know through intelligence. It's something that we're looking at and that we're tracking. QUESTION: One of the things Prigozhin did was directly undermine the Russian military leadership. Do we know who is in charge of the Russian military right now, and how could Vladimir Putin agree to any changes in the leadership of his military and still look like he's in charge? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Those are great questions, and I think we'll get the answers in the days and weeks ahead. It's too soon to say with any - any certainty what the final chapter in this particular book is going to be. The rising storm of Prigozhin inside of Russia is something that many people have seen over months now: direct challenges to the leadership - to the military leadership; powerful criticism of Russia's conduct of its aggression against Ukraine; and now questioning the very premises of the war, Prigozhin himself saying that Ukraine and NATO did not pose a threat to Russia, which has, as you know, been part of Putin's narrative. QUESTION: Right. SECRETARY BLINKEN: These create more cracks in the Russian facade, and those cracks were already profound. Economically, militarily, its standing in the world - all of those things have been dramatically diminished by Putin's aggression against Ukraine. He's managed to bring Europe together. He's managed to bring NATO together. He's managed to get Europe to move off of Russian energy. He's managed to alienate Ukrainians and unite Ukraine at the same time. So across the board this has been a strategic failure. Now you introduce into that profound internal divisions, and there are lots of questions he's going to have to answer in the weeks ahead. QUESTION: Is there a possibility of civil war? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I don't want to speculate on that. These are fundamentally internal matters for the Russians to figure out. It's not our place to do that. QUESTION: Will President Biden reach out directly to Vladimir Putin? Has the CIA director reached out to Russian intelligence? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Margaret, I'm not going to get into any diplomatic contacts that we may have or have had. I can tell you that on my instruction, on the President's instruction, we had some engagement with the Russians over the weekend to make sure they understood their responsibilities when it comes to looking out for the safety and security of our personnel in Russia - very important that we do that and we did that. QUESTION: I want to ask you about Beijing. I was there with you earlier this week and I listened to you pick every single one of your words very carefully. And then on our way home, President Biden called Xi Jinping a dictator with economic problems who didn't know what his own military was doing by flying the spy balloon over the United States. How much did that hurt the work you did? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Margaret, one of the things that I think you heard me say during the trip and after the trip is that the main purpose was to bring some greater stability to the relationship. But one of the things that I said to Chinese counterparts during this trip was that we are going to continue to do things and say things that you don't like, just as you're no doubt going to continue to do and say things that we don't like. And if you look at what comes out of the Chinese foreign ministry on a daily basis, you'll hear that. QUESTION: Are you saying that was a strategic remark? SECRETARY BLINKEN: The President always speaks candidly, he speaks directly, he speaks clearly, and he speaks for all of us. QUESTION: You also said that Chinese officials assured you they won't provide lethal assistance to Russia but that Chinese companies are. According to U.S. Treasury, Chinese companies have also done business with the Wagner Group. Have you reached out to the Chinese about trying to gauge what is happening on the ground inside Russia now? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, I can't get into any diplomatic contacts that we may or may not have had. But you're exactly right that when it comes to the visit, the Chinese did reiterate to us as well as to many other countries that they have not and will not provide lethal military assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine. I also raised the concerns that you said about Chinese companies providing that kind of support and pressed them to be vigilant about that. I'm sure they're making their own assessments about what's happened inside of Russia in recent days. QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, thank you for your time this morning. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Margaret. Good to be with you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Chuck Todd of NBC Meet The Press US Department of State Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. June 25, 2023 QUESTION: And joining me now is the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Secretary Blinken, welcome back to Meet the Press. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Chuck. QUESTION: Let me just start with your observations. What did we just see over the weekend? And the reason I ask that is because, look, this is a country that misinformation is a feature, not a bug. Sometimes there's theater. What should we believe with what we just witnessed in the last 48 hours in Russia? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Chuck, if you put this in perspective, what we've seen is extraordinary. Think about it this way. Sixteen months ago, Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv in Ukraine, believing they would take the capital in a matter of days and erase the country from the map as an independent country. Now, what we've seen is Russia having defend Moscow, its capital, against mercenaries of its own making. So in and of itself, that's extraordinary. And in so doing, we've also seen rise to the surface profound questions about the very premises for this Russian aggression against Ukraine that Prigozhin surfaced very publicly, as well as a direct challenge to Putin's authority. So I think we've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go and when they get there. But certainly we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead. QUESTION: What was amazing is what wasn't said. Vladimir Putin didn't blame the West for this - didn't blame it during his very strident speech nor the after the fact. What do you make of that? SECRETARY BLINKEN: It's hard to put myself in Putin's head or Prigozhin's, for that matter. And keep in mind: Both individuals are responsible for terrible acts committed against the Ukrainian people - also, in the case of Wagner, in country after country in Africa, wherever Wagner goes, death and destruction and exploitation follow. But I think it does point to the fact that this an internal matter. This is a challenge coming from within to Putin, and that's where his focus has been. Our focus is resolutely and relentlessly on Ukraine, making sure that it had what it needs to defend itself and to take back territory that Russia has seized. The President brought together the national security cabinet, he brought together our key allies and partners to make sure that the unity of purpose, the unity of action that we've had with regard to Ukraine remains. And it does. QUESTION: The president of Belarus apparently mediated this. That seemed startling because this is somebody that is portrayed by many Western analysts as simply a puppet of Putin. Puppets don't often mediate their puppeteers here. So what do you make of this? Are we underestimating Belarus here? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I think it's important for us not to speculate, and I suspect that we'll learn more and more in the days and weeks ahead, including the actual details of whatever deal was struck. It may be that Putin didn't want to debase himself to the level of negotiating directly with Prigozhin, so it was useful to get someone like Lukashenka into this on his behalf. But again, that is speculation. We want to avoid that. We want to focus on the facts, and we want to keep the focus on Ukraine. QUESTION: There was some reports over the weekend that U.S. intelligence analysts seemed to think something was up. How - what you ended up seeing versus what the intelligence said, how accurate was it? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Chuck, I'm obviously not going to comment on intelligence matters. What I can say is this. I think it's been no secret to many people over many months that these tensions were rising, they were brewing. Prigozhin was already saying some rather extraordinary things about Russia's conduct of the war in Ukraine and going directly at Russia's military leadership. So this was a rising storm, but I'm not going to comment on the intelligence itself. QUESTION: The dismantling of the Wagner Group - first of all, do you believe it's being dismantled? And if so, what does this mean in Africa and Syria? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Too soon to tell. We'll see if this means that Wagner forces are coming out of Ukraine. I mean, the very fact that, over the weekend, Wagner forces were coming out of Ukraine and going into Russia and toward Moscow in and of itself is extraordinary. But where this goes, whether those forces remain in Ukraine, whether they become integrated into the regular Russian military, what it means for Wagner in Africa - too soon to tell. But the fact that this is, at the least, an added distraction for Putin and for Russia I think is to the advantage of Ukraine. It continues to move forward with the counteroffensive. These are early days, but they have in hand what they need to be successful. It's going to unfold over weeks and even months. But this just creates another problem for Putin. And keep this, too - in mind, too, Chuck. This is just the latest chapter in a book of failure that Putin has written for himself and for Russia. Economically, militarily, its standing in the world - all of things have plummeted. We have a united NATO that's stronger than ever before, a Europe that is weaning itself off of Russian energy, Ukraine that Putin has managed to alienate and unite at the same time. Now, with trouble brewing from within, this, as I said, just adds more questions that he has to find answers for. QUESTION: I know that whether but no changes to their nuclear posture. Was there open communication on that front, military to military, on the nuclear issue over the weekend, or not? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Chuck, I'm not going to get into what diplomatic or other communications we had with Russia. But of course, we're very focused anytime there is instability in a major country like Russia, particularly one with nuclear weapons. There has been no change in their nuclear posture; there's no change in our nuclear posture. But it's something that we're watching very carefully. QUESTION: Does the instability give you hope that there's an opening for the American citizens that are being held captive in Russia right now, or do you fear there's going to be a clamp-down and this will make it harder? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I don't want to speculate on that. We're, as always, regardless of anything else that's happening, intensely focused on making sure that we do everything possible to bring home Americans who are unjustly or arbitrarily detained, including in Russia. That focus will remain. QUESTION: Does this go to full speed ahead for the Ukraine counteroffensive? Is this a moment of opportunity? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Chuck, it is full speed ahead for their - for the counteroffensive. But they have a plan and they have a very deliberate plan. They're prosecuting that plan. And we have more than 50 countries that continue to support them in that effort to make sure that they have everything they need to do as well as they can in taking back the land that was seized from them by Russia over the last 16 months. That is in train, but it's going to take some time - weeks, maybe even months. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: There are very strong defenses that the Russians have built up in recent months that the Ukrainians are working their way through. But at the end of the day, the bottom line really is this - and it's the reason that Ukraine will prevail. This is about their land; this is about their future. This is about their freedom, not Russia's. And that is, in a sense, the real difference maker that you're going to see unfold. QUESTION: We originally booked you to talk about your China visit. (Laughter.) That's why you were to come on. I want to ask you: Within 24 hours after you leave China, President Biden refers to Xi Jinping as a dictator. And the Chinese Government chose to be offended, and I - the reason I word it that way is they didn't have to. We know this. A lot of times countries allow - domestic rhetoric as domestic political rhetoric. We ignore rhetoric sometimes with countries overseas. Why do you believe the Chinese decided to be so publicly angry over this comment? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Chuck, I can't put myself in their minds. What I can say is this. I went to China at the President's instruction to try to bring a little bit more stability to the relationship. We have an obligation to responsibly manage that relationship; China does as well. And we hear that from countries around the world. And restoring strong lines of communication, making sure that we can talk directly about the many and profound differences we have as well as looking for places that we might be able to cooperate, that's important. And I think we put that in train. But part of my visit was to tell them very clearly that we are going to continue to do things and we're going to continue to say things that you don't like or won't like, just as you're doing things and saying things that we don't like. But we have to work our way through them, and that's exactly what we're doing. QUESTION: So no apology for the dictator comment is coming? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, I've been very clear that we will continue to do as we've always done, which is to stand up for our interests, stand up for our values, and say what we think. And at the same time, again, they're doing the same thing. QUESTION: Are we going to prevent China from having a military base on the island of Cuba? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We have been not only looking but also engaging in a number of countries over the last couple of years where China is trying to get a foothold, and we've been engaged diplomatically in a number of places. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And we've had some success in either preventing that, delaying that, or turning that around. We continue to do that. I've raised that directly with my Chinese counterparts. They know where we stand on that issue. QUESTION: I noticed you say you raised it with your Chinese counterparts. There are - we don't - we have no relations still with Cuba. I mean, this decision to pull back relations with Cuba, did we not just throw them into the arms of the Chinese? SECRETARY BLINKEN: No, we actually have raised this with the Cubans as well. So they also - for them, there's no secret about the concerns that we have QUESTION: Right. But are SECRETARY BLINKEN: and the fact that we're watching this very carefully. QUESTION: Are we going to make sure it doesn't happen? Is this a line in the sand? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Again, we've made clear that this is a real concern. And as I said, in a variety of places where China has tried to get a foothold, militarily or with intelligence, we've been not only looking at that, we've been taking action to try to push back, and we've had some success. QUESTION: All right. Secretary Blinken, Secretary of State, I know it was a long weekend. Appreciate you coming on and sharing SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Chuck. QUESTION: your perspective. Thank you, sir. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Dana Bash of CNN State of the Union US Department of State Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Washington, D.C. June 25, 2023 QUESTION: Here with me now is Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Thank you so much for joining me today. This march, within 120 miles of Moscow. Prigozhin then abruptly stopped, turned around yesterday afternoon. What happened? Why? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Dana, we don't have full information, obviously, and it's too soon to tell exactly where this is going to go. And I suspect that this is a moving picture and we haven't seen the last act yet. But we can say this. First of all, what we've seen is extraordinary, and I think you see cracks emerge that weren't there before - first, in having Prigozhin raise front and center, questioning the very premises of the Russian aggression against Ukraine to begin with - the argument that somehow Ukraine or NATO posed a threat to Russia - and a direct challenge to Putin himself. So think about it this way. Sixteen months ago, Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv, Ukraine, thinking they were going to take the city in a matter of days, erase the country from the map. Now they have to be focused on defending Moscow, Russia's capital, against mercenaries of Putin's own making. So this raises lots of profound questions that will be answered, I think, in the days and weeks ahead. QUESTION: I understand this is very much a moving and a fluid situation. One thing that Senator Marco Rubio said - he is, of course, a top Republican on the Intelligence Committee - he says that top military officials in Russia may have been replaced in order to get Prigozhin to back down. Have any top - many top - any top military officials - forgive me - like the defense minister been ousted, as far as the U.S. knows? SECRETARY BLINKEN: We haven't seen that yet. But again, I think we'll see this unroll further in the days and weeks ahead. There's no secret to the fact that Prigozhin was very much a critic of the military leadership, the minister of defense, the head of the armed forces. So how this now unfolds in terms of personnel, all of that, remains to be seen. We are intensely focused on Ukraine and making sure that Ukraine continues to have what it needs to defend itself, to take back the territory that the Russians have seized over the past 16 months. And we're very focused on maintaining the unity of purpose and action that has been a hallmark of Ukraine's success to date. The President brought together not only the national security cabinet yesterday, but brought together leaders from among our key allies and partners. He instructed the rest of us to fan out to engage all of our allies and partners to make sure we were closely coordinating and keeping the focus where it needs to be: on Ukraine, on the efforts that they're making to take back the territory that Russia's taken from them. QUESTION: I understand that. But just staying on Vladimir Putin for a minute, do you believe that this is the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I don't want to speculate about that. This is, first of all, an internal matter for Russia. What we've seen is this, though. We've seen this aggression against Ukraine become a strategic failure across the board. Russia is weaker economically, militarily. Its standing around the world has plummeted. It's managed to get Europeans off of Russian energy. It's managed to unite and strengthen NATO with new members and a stronger Alliance. It's managed to alienate from Russia and unite together Ukraine in ways that it's never been before. This is just an added chapter to a very, very bad book that Putin has written for Russia. But what's so striking about it is it's internal. The fact that you have, from within, someone directly questioning Putin's authority, directly questioning the premises that - upon which he launched this aggression against Ukraine, that in and of itself is something very powerful. It adds cracks. Where those go, when they get there, too soon to say. But it clearly raises new questions that Putin has to deal with. QUESTION: You talked about Ukraine, of course. Ukraine did launch simultaneous counteroffensives against several Russian fronts while all of this was happening. What is your understanding of the latest on the ground in Ukraine, and will they be able to take advantage of the chaos on the battlefield? How much is the U.S. and U.S. allies, NATO, leaning into the chaos in order to take advantage? SECRETARY BLINKEN: So these are early days for the counteroffensive. It's going to play out over weeks, maybe even over months. The Ukrainians have in hand what they need to be successful. It's challenging. It's a tough terrain. The Russians have put in place lots of defenses over the last months in anticipation of this counteroffensive. But it is progressing. And to the extent that Russia is now distracted, that Putin has to worry about what's going on inside of Russia as much as he has to worry about what he's trying to do - not successfully - in Ukraine, I think that creates an additional advantage for the Ukrainians to take advantage of. But regardless, they are pressing forward. They have a clear plan. They're pursuing it. QUESTION: Well, and the Ukrainian foreign minister - I know you heard this - he says it's time for the U.S. and others to put the foot on the gas, give Ukraine everything it needs to finish this. Is that going to happen? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I spoke to my friend and counterpart Dmytro Kuleba just yesterday. We speak - we speak pretty regularly. And throughout, we have worked to make sure that the Ukrainians have what they need when they need it to do as well as they possibly can on the ground. We'll continue to do that. We're relentlessly focused on this. There's tremendous unity of purpose and unity of action among dozens of countries that, through the President's leadership, we've brought together and kept together, and we'll continue to do that. QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, Russia has nearly 6,000 nuclear weapons, the largest stockpile in the world. This situation really revealed that this very large nuclear power is facing some major instability. Are you confident that the nuclear weapons are secure? And more broadly, how concerned are you about Russia being unstable right now? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Anytime you have a major country like Russia that has signs of instability, that's something of concern and something that of course we're very focused on. When it comes to their nuclear weapons, we've seen no change in their posture and we've made no change in our own posture, but it's something, of course, we're looking at very, very carefully. QUESTION: On Vladimir Putin, last year the President said, "For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power." Is that still the American position? SECRETARY BLINKEN: These are decisions for the Russian people, and this entire chapter is an internal matter. It obviously has profound repercussions outside of Russia, including potentially in Ukraine. But fundamentally, this is a Russian matter. It's not our business. It's not our purpose to choose Russia's leaders. That's up to the Russian people, and we have no beef with the Russian people. On the contrary, what is one of the many, many tragedies of what Putin has done in Ukraine is what it's done to the Russian people. And you really have to ask, how has this in any way improved the lives of Russians? Of course it hasn't; it's made them worse. But these are questions that the Russians have to resolve for themselves. QUESTION: I have to ask you about China. You just went to Beijing last week. It was an attempt to smooth frayed relations with China. Two days later, President Biden called Xi Jinping a dictator, which angered China so much that they issued an official diplomatic reprimand to the U.S. ambassador. Was the President wrong to call Xi Jinping a dictator? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Dana, it's very clear that when it comes to China, we are going to do and say things that they don't like; they are going to do and say things that we don't like. If you look at what comes out of the Chinese foreign ministry every day about the United States, you'd hear plenty of that. But the purpose of the trip, at the President's instruction, was to try to bring a little bit more stability to the relationship, to demonstrate that we're committed to managing it responsibly - which really is an obligation for us and an expectation that countries around the world have - and to be able to deal very directly with our differences. There's no secret about those differences. There's no secret about concerns we have about democracy, about human rights, about some of the actions that China is taking around the world. And being able to have better, stronger, sustained lines of communication - it means we can talk about these differences directly. We can work through them where we can, but at the very least avoid misunderstandings, avoid miscalculations. That's the fastest way to go from the competition we're in to a conflict we want to avoid. So I think on those terms the visit was positive. And again, one of the things I told the Chinese is that we're going to continue to do things and to say things that you don't like. QUESTION: Do you - do you believe SECRETARY BLINKEN: Just as you're going to do the same. And we'll work through them. QUESTION: Do you believe that Xi Jinping is a dictator? SECRETARY BLINKEN: The President speaks clearly. He speaks candidly. I've worked for him for more than 20 years. And he speaks for all of us. QUESTION: Okay. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, thank you so much for joining us this morning. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good to be with you, Dana. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Jonathan Karl of ABC This Week US Department of State Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Via Teleconference June 25, 2023 QUESTION: Joining us now, Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Mr. Secretary, thank you for being here. You've been briefed this morning. What can you tell us about the very latest in the situation on the ground in Russia? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Jon, look, it's still a moving picture and I doubt we've seen the last act, and I also don't want to speculate because it is something that continues to move. But I think we can say this much: First, we've seen some very serious cracks emerge. You have Prigozhin publicly questioning the very premise for this Russian aggression against Ukraine in the first place, the notion that somehow Ukraine or NATO presented a threat to Russia. You have someone challenging Putin's leadership very publicly and very open - and very openly. And of course, if you put this in context, 16 months ago Putin was on the doorstep of Kyiv in Ukraine looking to take the city in a matter of days, erase the country from the map. Now, he's had to defend Moscow, Russia's capital, against a mercenary of his own making. So I think this is clearly - we see cracks emerging. Where they go, if anywhere, when they get there, very hard to say. I don't want to speculate on it, but I don't think we've seen the final act. QUESTION: So it sounds like you're saying this is not over. I mean, it seems hard to believe that Putin, who is known for executing his critics, would allow Prigozhin to move away as a free man - amnesty. I mean, what are you - is the rebellion really over? SECRETARY BLINKEN: So much that is beneath the surface has now surfaced again in terms of questioning the very premises for the war, in terms of questioning the conduct of the war, in terms of questioning what good this has actually done for Russia. And of course, it's been exactly the opposite. This has been a devastating strategic failure for Putin across virtually every front - economic, military, geopolitical standing - and fundamentally, what it's done or not done for the Russian people. Having said that, Putin of course has put in place a state that's designed around him with control of the media, control of the information space. So again, I don't think it's right for us to speculate on where this may go. We are intensely focused on Ukraine, which we've been all along, and that is making sure they have what they need to defend the country and to take back territory that's been seized from them by Russia over the last 16 months. That's where our focus is. QUESTION: Have you spoken to your Russian counterpart? Have you spoken to Lavrov? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I have not, but others in the administration have spoken to Russian counterparts, primarily because we want to make sure that Russia understands its obligation to look out for the well-being of American citizens and our personnel who are in Russia. They have obligations to do that. We wanted to make sure that those were front and center as this was all unfolding. QUESTION: Has the President tried to reach out to Putin? SECRETARY BLINKEN: He has not. QUESTION: And what surprised you, what surprised the administration more - the rebellion itself or how quickly it seemed to end? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, on one level I don't think this was a surprise. I think everyone has seen the rising tensions over many months from Prigozhin, who has very publicly criticized, questioned, raised issues in ways that I think were very striking. And so you could see this - these - this tension mounting, mounting, mounting. And again, Jon, I don't want to speculate about where this may go. There still may be other chapters. Our focus has to be and remains resolutely on Ukraine. The President, yesterday, got immediately - not only brought his national security cabinet together, but brought together the leaders of our key allies and partners. There is absolute unity, both of purpose and in action, in terms of supporting Ukraine, making sure they have what they need to defend themselves. And that's where our focus is; that's where the President's focus has been. QUESTION: And is this - on balance, does it look like a positive development for the world, for Ukraine, because it shows chaos and weakness in Moscow, or are you concerned about the real dangers of instability in Russia? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, it can be - it can be both at once. To the extent that the Russians are distracted and divided, it may make their prosecution of the aggression against Ukraine more difficult. On the other hand, of course when you have instability of any kind in a major country like Russia, a major power, that is cause for concern. So it's something that we're watching very, very carefully. QUESTION: And Prigozhin's forces were among the most brutally effective in Ukraine. What happens to them now? I mean, are they moving out with him? Are they being kind of taken in by the Russian military? What happens? SECRETARY BLINKEN: The short answer is we don't know, which is why, again, speculating on what comes next is probably not the smartest thing to do. There are lots of unanswered questions, including the questions of what happens to Prigozhin's forces. Do they remain in Ukraine? I mean, we saw the extraordinary image of these forces coming out of Ukraine and going into Russia just yesterday. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we simply don't know. But again, that doesn't change our focus, and our focus remains on Ukraine in making sure that it can defend itself effectively against this ongoing Russian aggression. That's where the focus is. QUESTION: And will Ukraine be able to take advantage of that instability, of that uncertainty? I mean, this is SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well QUESTION: The offensive is - the counteroffensive is underway. SECRETARY BLINKEN: The counteroffensive QUESTION: And it's been going slowly by - according to some SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, these are early - these are early days for the counteroffensive. QUESTION: Yeah. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And there has been a lot of focus on making sure that the Ukrainians have what they need to be as successful as possible on the ground, and we'll see how that unfolds over the coming weeks and even coming months. But again, to the extent this presents a distraction, a loss of focus for the Russians, that may help the Ukrainians on the battlefield. We have to remain, and we are - and this is not just the United States. This is dozens of countries around the world who have been supporting Ukraine, that the President brought together again just yesterday to make sure that we maintain the unity that we've had that's been extremely successful in supporting the Ukrainians. QUESTION: Do you have any sense of what Prigozhin was offered to turn around? I mean, he was, by some accounts, about 125 miles from Moscow. What did he get in return for this besides amnesty? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I don't know, and I'm not sure we'll fully know, or it may be something that unfolds in the coming - in the coming days and weeks. We simply don't have a clear picture of that. And this really is fundamentally an internal matter for the Russians. We're seeing it unfold. Again, we saw the rising tensions over - over a - over several months that led to this. But exactly where this goes, we don't know. But what we do know is that we've seen real cracks emerge - again, a direct challenge to Putin's authority surfacing very publicly: the notion that this war, this aggression by Russia was being pursued under false pretenses; the notion that Ukraine or NATO somehow presented a threat to Russia that it had to deal with militarily. That's now much more out in the open than it's been. What that leads to, again, we just don't know at this point. QUESTION: How do you explain that? Prigozhin was the one that was pushing aggressively for a harder line in Ukraine to take - he wanted more resources. He was responsible, again, for some of the few victories the Russians have had there. And now he sounds like an anti-war - a critic of the war itself, like you said, questioning the very basis for the war. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, I can't put myself in Prigozhin's head, which is probably a good thing. QUESTION: Yeah, probably. (Laughter.) SECRETARY BLINKEN: I mean, keep in mind: Just like Putin, he's been responsible for horrible brutality in Ukraine against innocent Ukrainian civilians. In country after country in Africa, where Wagner is present, and wherever it's present, death and destruction and exploitation follows. So I can't put myself in his head. And he is in many ways a creation of Putin and a creation of Putin that was useful to Putin in Ukraine because Wagner was throwing more and more people into a meat grinder that Putin made himself, and that was useful because the regular Russian forces weren't able to do the same thing. So again, where this - what has actually caused this apparent split and where it goes from here, we can't speculate. Our focus is and will remain on Ukraine itself and making sure we're helping the Ukrainians. QUESTION: And finally, Mr. Secretary, what does it say about Putin's hold on power? I mean, he seemed to have an iron grip over Russia just a week ago. What do you think now? SECRETARY BLINKEN: It raises lots of questions that we don't have answers to. As I said before, I think you see cracks of different kinds that have emerged. These are in a sense different in that it's internal. When you're being challenged from within, as Putin has been over the last few days, that also raises profound questions. But we've seen, I think, lots of different cracks that have emerged in the conduct of this aggression, because everything Putin has tried to accomplish, the opposite has happened. Russia is weaker economically. It's weaker militarily. Its standing in the world has plummeted. It's managed to strengthen and unite NATO. It's managed to alienate and unite Ukrainians. It's managed to get Europe off of dependence on Russian energy. In piece after piece, issue after issue, what Putin has tried to prevent, he's managed to precipitate. And Russia's standing is vastly diminished as a result. Now, add to that internal dissention. Again, we can't speculate on where this goes. We have to remain and we are focused on Ukraine, but it certainly raises new questions that he's going to have to address. QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, thank you very much for your time this morning. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Jon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AMC celebrates 100th year of air refueling with community flyovers across the US Published June 25, 2023 Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- The United States Air Force will conduct flyovers across 50 states on June 27 to honor 100 years of aerial refueling excellence. More than 150 tankers from 26 Total Force installations are scheduled to participate with KC-135 Stratotankers, KC-10 Extenders and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft. Today's U.S. Air Force air refueling capabilities deliver unrivaled rapid global reach for U.S. forces, allies and partners around the globe. 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 nation's airpower 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." Innovation and tenacity, characteristics that fuel our Airmen today, were what drove aviators to deliver a game-changing capability 100 years ago. In the continued pursuit of advanced capabilities and increased endurance, U.S. Army Air Service aviators pulled off the impossible on June 27, 1923. On that day, 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, flying a DH-4B, passed gasoline through a gravity hose to another DH-4B piloted by Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter, accomplishing the first aerial refueling. One hundred years later, the United States Air Force celebrates these Airmen and looks to the next generation to bring diversity of thought, push boundaries and find solutions beyond the status quo. This critical capability is essential for the Department of Defense's 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. The ongoing acquisition of the KC-46A and accelerating the pursuit of the next-generation air refueling system, announced in March, is 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. As Mobility Airmen, we write the next chapter of air refueling." AMC salutes the visionaries who've done the impossible, while inspiring the next generation of dreamers and out-of-the box thinkers for the challenges ahead. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Central Asia Diplomats Call for Closer Ties With US By Navbahor Imamova June 25, 2023 U.S.-based diplomats from Central Asia, a region long dominated by Russia and more recently China, say they are eager for more engagement with the United States. Many American foreign policy experts agree that a more robust relationship would be mutually beneficial, though U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations express deep concerns about human rights and authoritarian rule in the five countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Michael Delaney, a former U.S. trade official, argued in favor of greater engagement this week at a webinar organized by the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce. He noted that three of the five republics are World Trade Organization members and the other two are in the accession process a goal actively encouraged by the U.S. government. "I've always believed that this is a geographically disadvantaged area. There are relatively small national economies," he said. But, he said, collectively the region represents a potentially more connected market, about 80 million people. Key issues In this virtual gathering, all five Central Asian ambassadors to Washington expressed eagerness to work on issues the U.S. has long pushed for, such as water and energy sustainability, security cooperation, environmental protection and climate, and connectivity. Kazakhstan's Ambassador Yerzhan Ashikbayev said that despite all factors, the United States does not want to leave the field to China, its global competitor, which actively invests in the region. "Recent visit by 20 companies to Kazakhstan as a part of certified U.S. trade mission, including technology giants like Apple, Microsoft, Google, but also other partners like Boeing, have shown a growing interest," Ashikbayev said. The Kazakh diplomat described a "synergy" of economies and diplomatic efforts. All Central Asian states are committed to dialogue, trade and multilateralism, he said. "As we are witnessing the return of the divisive bloc mentalities almost unseen for 30 years, it's in our best interest to prevent Central Asia from turning into another battleground of global powers." During his first tour of Central Asia earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, meeting separately with the foreign ministers of all five countries. That was deeply appreciated, said Meret Orazov, Turkmenistan's longtime ambassador, who also praised the regular bilateral consultations the U.S. holds with these countries. Uzbek Ambassador Furqat Sidiqov sees the U.S. as an important partner, with "long-standing friendship and cooperation which have only grown stronger over the years." "The U.S. has played a significant role in promoting dialogue and cooperation among the Central Asian nations through initiatives such as the C5+1," he said, referring to a diplomatic platform comprising Washington and the region's five governments. "This is where we address common concerns and enhance integration," said Sidiqov. "We encourage the U.S. to bolster this mechanism." Tashkent regards Afghanistan as key to Central Asia's development, potentially linking the landlocked region to the markets and seaports of South Asia. Sidiqov said his country counts on American assistance. 'Possibility of positive change' Fred Starr, chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute in Washington, ardently advocates for the U.S. to adopt closer political, economic and people-to-people ties with the region. In a recent paper, he wrote that among dozens of officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, experts, journalists and civil society leaders interviewed in Central Asia, "even those most critical of American positions saw the possibility of positive change and ... all acknowledged that the need for change is on both sides, theirs as well as ours." This is the only region that doesn't have its own organization, said Starr, arguing that the U.S. could support this effort. "We have not done so, probably because we think that this is somehow going to interfere with their relations with their other big neighbors, the north and east, but it's not going to. It's not against anyone." "Easy to do, low cost, very big outcome," he added, also underscoring that "there is a feeling the U.S. should be much more attentive to security." "Japan, the European Union, Russia, China, their top leaders have visited. ... No U.S. president has ever set foot in Central Asia," he said. He added that regional officials are left to wonder, "Are we so insignificant that they can't take the time to visit?" Starr urges U.S. President Joe Biden to convene the C5+1 in New York during the 78th session of the U.N. General Assembly in September. "This would not be a big drain on the president's time, but it would be symbolically extremely important," he said. "All of them want this to happen." Starr's findings indicate that the governments need U.S. help to institutionalize Central Asia as a political-economic-social entity. "We have underused our convening power. This is what the Central Asians are telling us. They're saying, 'No, it's not just a pile of money we're after. We're after you taking an active role in using your convening power.' " Pointing to Central Asian leaders' frequent meetings and consultations with the Russian and Chinese presidents, Starr is challenging the White House to take an unprecedented step. He views the U.S. as "AWOL" (absent without leave). "The U.S. and Central Asia are in the position of living in a room with a very low ceiling. We've got to raise the ceiling. This is not some prejudice of mine. This is exactly what we're hearing at the top level all over the region," Starr said. Steve Swerdlow, a rights lawyer and associate professor at the University of Southern California, just back from Central Asia, agrees that Washington should be more active there. "But to be effective, that engagement should be principled and prioritize American values such as democracy and the rule of law, which are on a steep decline across Central Asia," he said. "Even if the focus is purely on economic goals or jockeying for alliances against Russia and China," he said, "the U.S. cannot reap real dividends or establish a climate conducive to investment without systems that allow journalists and bloggers to ask tough questions, or where courts do not act independently of the executive branch." Swerdlow said principled diplomacy means advocating consistently in the open for human rights and working "with civil society activists as much if not more than the governments of Central Asia." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 25 June 2023 - Day 487 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 in recent days, Ukrainian forces have re-set and have again been undertaking major offensive operations on three main axes in southern and eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces are using the experiences from the first two weeks of the counter-offensive to refine tactics for assaulting the deep, well prepared Russian defences. Ukrainian units are making gradual but steady tactical progress in key areas. In Luhansk Oblast, Russian forces have made their own significant effort to launch an attack in the Serebryanka Forest near Kremina. This probably reflects continued Russian senior leadership orders to go on the offensive whenever possible. Russia has made some small gains, but Ukrainian forces have prevented a breakthrough. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the previous night, Russian forces used 6x S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles against civilian targets in Zaporizhzhia oblast. In addition, the invaders launched 25x air strikes as well as more than 30x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements during the day of June 25. The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high. Russia continues to focus its main efforts on Lyman, Bakhmut, and Mar'inka axes, with more than 20x combat engagements taking place during the day of June 25. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia continues to maintain military presence, conduct sabotage and reconnaissance activities in the areas of Russia bordering Ukraine. During the day of June 25, Russian forces made an unsuccessful attempt to infiltrate a sabotage and reconnaissance group near Rodionivka (Sumy oblast) across the state border of Ukraine. The group suffered losses and retreated. The Russian invaders fired mortars and artillery at the settlements of Hrem'yachka, Tymonovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Khodyne, Malushyne, Kozache, Vorozhba, Iskryskivshchyna, Pavlivka, Katerynivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Veterynarne, Hraniv, Kozacha Lopan', Krasne, Starytsya, Ohirtseve, Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Bochkove, Okhrimivka, Mykolaivka, Nesterne, Budarky, Kruhle, Zemlyanky, Vil'khuvatka, Chuhunivka, Hryhorivka, Odradne (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: Kolodyazne, Krasne Pershe, Fyholivka, Novomlyns'k, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Masyutivka, Kyslivka, and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire. Lyman axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensives towards Rozdolivka. Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'yokam'yans'ke, Spirne, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast) were shelled with artillery. Bakhmut axis: Russian forces attempted offensive operations in the vicinities of Hryhorivka and Min'kivka (Donetsk oblast), to no success. The Russian invaders launched an air strike near Sukha Balka (Donetsk oblast). Vasyukivka, Min'kivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Ozarianivka, and New York (Donetsk oblast) suffered from Russian artillery shelling. Avdiivka axis: Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Avdiivka. The invaders fired artillery at the vicinities of settlements of Berdychi, Avdiivka, Vodyane, Karlivka, and Pervomais'ke. Mar'inka axis: Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the vicinity of Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast), to no success. The Russian invaders launched an air strike near Krasnohorivka. At the same time, the settlements of Hostre, Heorhiivka, and Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast) were shelled with artillery. Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Prechystivka and Blahodatne. The Russian invaders shelled the settlements of Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka Vuhledar, Storozheve, Makarivka, Novosilka, and Novopil' (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia focuses its main efforts on preventing the advance of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces unsuccessfully attempted to regain its positions lost in the vicinity of Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery at about 30x settlements, including Temyrivka, Novodarivka, Levadne, Ol'hivs'ke, Malynivka, Zelenyi Hai, Zatyshshya Hulyaipole (Zaporizhzhia oblast), Nikopol' (Dnipropetrovsk oblast), Mylove, Beryslav, Kozats'ke, L'vove, Mykil's'ke, Antonivka, Zelenivka, Kherson, Dniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast), and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). During the day of June 25, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 6x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian troops. Also, the Ukrainian defenders intercepted 1x Russian operational-tactical level UAV. During the day of June 25, the Ukrainian missile and artillery troops hit 1x command post, 3x concentrations of troops and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot, 1x electronic warfare station, and 3x Russian artillery units at their firing positions. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) continued their attempts to launch an offensive in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, South Donetsk, and Zaporozhye directions. In Donetsk direction near Artyomovsk, the competent and courageous actions of the defending units of the Yug Group of Forces successfully repelled ten enemy attacks in the areas of Orekhovo-Vasilevka, Kurdyumovka, Yagodnoye, Zaliznyanskoye, and Dubovo-Vasilevka (Donetsk People's Republic) last night. Another four Ukrainian attacks have been repelled close to Krasnogorovka, Avdeevka, Mariynka, and Pervomaiskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 430 Ukrainian troops, 11 infantry fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised during the actions. An ammunition depot of the 110th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been obliterated close to Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic). In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces has repelled enemy attacks close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Karamazinovka, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). Air strikes, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers engaged units of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the 15th Regiment of the Ukrainian National Guard near Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova, and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic). Two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been disabled close to the Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has suffered losses of up to 130 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and two D-20 howitzers in this direction in the past 24 hours. Three Ukrainian servicemen surrendered. Two attacks by the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade in the direction of Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by artillery and heavy flamethrowers of the Vostok Group of Forces in South Donetsk direction near the Vremevka salient during the day. In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian troops repelled an attack by units of the 47th Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). Moreover, Operational-Tactical and Ground-Attack aviation struck enemy manpower and hardware near Orekhov and Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region). Total losses of the enemy in the past 24 hours in these directions have amounted to over 170 Ukrainian troops, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, two Msta-B howitzers, and one D-30 howitzer. Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Kushugum (Zaporozhye region). In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and military hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Krasnoye Pervoye, Novomlynsk, Kotlyarovka, and Masyutovka (Kharkov region). Up to 25 Ukrainian servicemen and two pick-up trucks were eliminated. In Kherson direction, over 50 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system have been eliminated during the day. In addition, an ammunition depot of the 126th Territorial Defence Brigade was destroyed near Kazatskoye (Kherson region). Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 108 AFU artillery units at their fire positions, manpower, and military hardware in 137 areas during the day. Moreover, an ammunition depot of the 60th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Ogurtsovo (Kharkov region). Russian air defence forces have intercepted one Tochka-U tactical missile and one HIMARS MLRS projectile during the day. Moreover, four Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Kolomyichikha (Lugansk People's Republic), Soledar, Bakhmutskoye, and Novopetrikovka (Donetsk People's Republic). In total, 444 airplanes and 240 helicopters, 4,779 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,348 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,131 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,228 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,179 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 China slams US indictment of Chinese companies, individuals on fentanyl-related charges Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 24, 2023 09:23 PM The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Saturday that China strongly condemned US' latest charges against Chinese companies and individuals over so-called crimes related to fentanyl production and has lodged serious dAmarches and strong protest to the US side. US law enforcement personnel ensnared Chinese nationals througha "sting operation" in a third-country and blatantly pressed charges against Chinese entities and individuals. This is typical arbitrary detention and unilateral sanction, which is completely illegal. It seriously harms the basic human rights of the Chinese nationals and the interests of the Chinese companies concerned. China strongly condemns this move and has lodged serious dAmarches and strong protest to the US side, a spokesperson from the ministry told media. Things the US has so far been doing to address its concerns over the drug problemabe it pressure tactics, coercion or some kind of illegal operationsaare essentially all about scapegoating. This will not work and benefit no one, the spokesperson said. "We urge the US to stop shifting the blame, stop smearing and attacking China, immediately lift all sanctions on Chinese counter-narcotics law enforcement institutions, stop using fentanyl-related issues as a pretext to sanction, indict or offer awards to hunt Chinese companies or nationals, stop the arbitrary detentions, and immediately release the Chinese nationals under illegal arrest," the spokesperson said, noting that China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and nationals. The remarks came as the US Justice Department announced on Friday the arrest of two individuals and the unsealing of three indictments in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York charging China-based companies and their employees with crimes related to fentanyl production, distribution, and sales resulting from precursor chemicals. Coming less than one week after Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed that he and Chinese officials had agreed to explore setting up a working group and make joint efforts to shut off the flow of precursor chemicals, the indictments showed the US' disrespect for China's efforts in cracking down on the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl and will damage the two sides' cooperation in the field, experts warned. In recent years, China has reiterated that the root to the problem of fentanyl abuse in the US lies in the country's own false policies and loose management, not in China, which has implemented strict management on fentanyl. Sanctions or lawsuits against Chinese companies and individuals are typical forms of long-arm jurisdiction and disrespect China's sovereignty and fentanyl control efforts, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. It is regrettable that the US has turned an issue on which it could have cooperated with China and saved lives into a controversial topic to smear and attack China, according to Li. On May 30, the US sanctioned 17 individuals and entities in China and Mexico, accusing them of shipping or selling equipment that Mexican drug cartels use to manufacture fentanyl-spiked fake pills that fuel the US opioid epidemic. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly slammed the sanctions. At a press conference on Wednesday, China's National Narcotics Control Commission (CNNC) also expressed strong dissatisfaction with and opposition to the US over its sanctions and smearing of Chinese companies and individuals over Chinese exports of chemicals and equipment to Mexico, and released data showing China's zero-tolerance approach and remarkable results in dealing with the drug problem. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing condemns US sanctions of Chinese firms over fentanyl Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 4:24 PM China has condemned the United States for sanctioning several Chinese firms and individuals for allegedly trafficking chemicals used for the manufacturing of fentanyl, calling their arrests "arbitrary detention." The US government accused four Chinese companies and eight individuals of trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. Hubei Amarvel Biotech, Anhui Rencheng Technology, Anhui Moker New Material Technology and Hefei GSK Trade are the four Chinese firms targeted in the latest US sanctions. Eight executives and employees of the four firms have been indicted. Two of them were even arrested and taken into custody in Honolulu, Hawaii. "This is a typical example of arbitrary detention and unilateral sanctions," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. "It is completely illegal and seriously damages the basic human rights of Chinese citizens and Chinese companies. China strongly condemns this." It added that the unwarranted charges levied against the Chinese individuals by the US Justice Department "seriously undermine the foundation of China-US anti-drug cooperation." "China urges the United States to... release illegally detained Chinese citizens, " the statement insisted. The Chinese government, for its part, has regulated all fentanyl-related substances while imposing strict control on China-based suppliers of the drug and the ingredients used in its production. Earlier this year at his first State of the Union address, US President Joe Biden was heckled by Republicans, who criticized his handling of the country's fentanyl crisis. "Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year," said Biden during his speech at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Feb. 7, 2023. Some Republicans interrupted Biden's speech, shouting, "The border! The border!", "It's your fault!" Most of the fentanyl sold in the United States originates in Mexico. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid prescription drug that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. Some say is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin in concealing pain. It is also said to be 100 times more addictive. The production of the drug is reportedly much easier and cheaper than other painkillers. It works by binding to the opioid receptors found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. After taking fentanyl a couple of times, the brain adapts it, diminishing its sensitivity, making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug. When people become addicted, drug seeking and drug use take control of their lives. Fentanyl is considered to be one of the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges U.S. to stop using fentanyl-related issues as pretext to sanction, indict Chinese companies or nationals People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:10, June 25, 2023 BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop using fentanyl-related issues as a pretext to sanction, indict or offer awards to hunt Chinese companies or nationals, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Saturday. On June 23 local time, the U.S. Department of Justice announced indictments charging China-based companies and their employees with crimes related to fentanyl production, distribution and sales resulting from precursor chemicals. In response to a related query, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said U.S. law enforcement personnel ensnared Chinese nationals through "sting operation" in a third country and blatantly pressed charges against Chinese entities and individuals. This is typical arbitrary detention and unilateral sanction, which is completely illegal. It seriously harms the basic human rights of the Chinese nationals and the interests of the Chinese companies concerned. "China strongly condemns this move and has lodged serious dAmarches and strong protest to the U.S. side," the spokesperson said. China is an active participant in international counter-narcotics cooperation. Out of a sense of humanitarianism, China scheduled fentanyl-related substance as a classathe first country to do so in the worldawhich has played an important role in preventing the illicit manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of fentanyl, the spokesperson noted. Instead of giving China the credit for its contribution, the United States imposed illegal sanctions on Chinese counter-narcotics institutions and then openly slandered China's counter-narcotics efforts and illegally sanctioned Chinese companies. The United States has now gone even further by ensnaring and indicting Chinese nationals, the spokesperson said. Such long-arm jurisdiction and bullyism that tramples on international law has further undermined the lawful rights and interests of relevant Chinese institutions and nationals, and seriously undercut the foundation for China-U.S. cooperation on counter-narcotics, the spokesperson added. Things the United States has so far been doing to address its concerns over the drug problemabe it pressure tactics, coercion or some kind of illegal operationsaare essentially all about scapegoating. This will not work and benefits no one, the spokesperson said. "We urge the United States to stop shifting the blame, stop smearing and attacking China, immediately lift all sanctions on Chinese counter-narcotics law enforcement institutions, stop using fentanyl-related issues as a pretext to sanction, indict or offer awards to hunt Chinese companies or nationals, stop the arbitrary detentions, and immediately release the Chinese nationals under illegal arrest," the spokesperson said. China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and nationals, the spokesperson added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address by Joseph Shieber In The Bizarre Bad Criticisms of Our Merit Paper, a recent blog post in defense of the Defense of Merit in Science paper, the Rutgers psychology professor Lee Jussim doubles down on the conflation of merit with objective truth. For example, in highlighting what he takes to be an underlying logical incoherence of criticisms of the Merit paper, Jussim writes this: Anyone who believes the critics [sic] claims have merit (including the critics themselves) implicitly accepts our central argument that science has to be judge [sic] on its merits, even if they pose as critiques of our paper. And this: It is impossible for there to be no scientific merit and for the claim that there is no scientific merit to have merit. The problem is that there is a difference between saying that scientific CLAIMS should stand and fall on their merits and that scientists success should be determined by their merits. The former statement has to do with standards of evidence and objective truth. The latter statement, in contrast, has to do with qualities of scientific researchers correlated with advancing science, as well as with our confidence in our abilities accurately to assess those qualities. It shouldnt need stressing, but perhaps it does. What makes a statement or claim meritorious its originality, interest, truth-likelihood, etc. is different than what makes a PERSON meritorious. One obvious difference, of particular importance given Jussims own focus on objective truth, is that PERSONS arent truth-evaluable. Since there seems to be a great deal of confusion about this on the part of Jussim and his colleagues, Ill state it once more: persons arent claims, and therefore the standards for evaluating persons have to be different than the standards for evaluating claims. Am I unfairly reading this obvious misunderstanding INTO the paper? I understand that you might think I am. It might seem implausible to suppose that Jussim really would be mistaken about a paper on which he himself is a co-author. Perhaps Im the one whos mistaken, and the Merit paper itself is just a defense of scientific merit and objective truth against its postmodern critics. Lets turn once more to the paper. Before we do, lets make explicit the two different senses of merit that Im accusing the authors of the Merit paper of conflating. Sense 1 is the sense of merit that applies to CLAIMS. More generally, we might say that a claim has merit if its well-constructed, interesting, supported by evidence, original, or likely to be true. Focusing on SCIENTIFIC merit for claims, we might be most concerned with a subset of these qualities, perhaps most particularly evidential support and truth-likelihood, among others. Sense 2 of merit is the sense that applies to PERSONS. Since persons arent claims, this sense of merit is obviously different. Nor can we simply say that persons in science have merit due to the merit of the scientific claims that they make. This is because personal merit is forward-looking: we use assessments of personal merit to choose who should get accepted into our Ph.D. program, or post-doc, or who should receive this grant, PRIOR to their making the scientific claims our support is intended to underwrite. Of course, at some of these stages we will have earlier scientific claims of theirs that we can evaluate, but anyone who is even glancingly familiar with assessments of personal merit will grant that such assessments even in science have less to do with the evaluation of claims and more to do with the evaluation of signals: academic pedigree, venue of publications, previous fellowships and awards, etc. My claim, then, is that Jussims blog post ignores the fact that the Merit paper invokes two distinct notions of merit and that Jussim collapses those two distinct notions into just what Im calling the first sense of merit: the merit of scientific claims. Does the Merit paper really invoke two distinct senses? Lets see. Section 2 of the Merit paper is entitled Merit-Based Science is Effective and Fair. Note already that the title of the section itself invites confusion. Is science merit-based because of its focus on objective truth (which Jussim, in his blog post, conflates with scientific merit) or is it merit-based because it rewards the efforts of scientists in proportion to the merits OF THOSE SCIENTISTS? We find further evidence for the conflation of the two senses of merit in the body of section 2 itself: On p. 4, the authors write, merit must also be applied to evaluate research proposals and prospective students and faculty. On p. 5, the authors trumpet that [m]erit-based science is truly fair and inclusive. It provides a ladder of opportunity and a fair chance of success for those possessing the necessary skills or talents. Neither socioeconomic privilege nor elite education is necessary. Finally, also on p. 5, the authors write that [m]erit is a vehicle for upward mobility. Recruiting, developing, and promoting individuals based on their talent, skills, and achievements has enabled many who started life in disadvantaged conditions to realize their dreams and build better lives. Note two features of all of these quotes. The first is that they employ the notion of merit in the second sense, that of the qualities of a person that contribute to the advancement of science (and of that persons career within science). The second is that they seem to imply that merit is not merely an aspirational goal of scientific institutions, but rather that those institutions are currently a merit-based system, if one with imperfections. In a previous essay, Ive addressed the way in which the equivocations on the two senses of merit in the Merit paper render the argument in that paper fallacious. To put it simply, the authors of the Merit paper respond to criticisms that science isnt a merit-based system in the second sense (in which practitioners success isnt determined by their group characteristics) by expressing shock that ANYONE would deny that science is a domain in which objective truth is paramount the FIRST sense of merit, as youll recall. (This is pretty much Jussims go-to move in his blog post.) In a second essay, I addressed the question of whether defenses of merit in science, more broadly, fail to distinguish between descriptive and aspirational senses of the role of merit in science. To put it briefly, I suggested that believing science in fact to be a merit-based system (in the second sense of merit) is likely problematic, while I nevertheless held out the hope that embracing merit as an aspirational goal of science might contribute to making science as the authors of the Merit paper put it truly fair and inclusive. In what remains of this essay hopefully the last on the Merit paper I want to extend the discussion of the descriptive vs. aspirational readings of merit, considering a further way in which the confusion of these two readings provides fallacious support for the arguments in the Merit paper. The problem I want to address here is that the Merit paper plays on the confusion of descriptive vs. aspirational readings of merit. Here is a one-sentence summary of the paper, by an ethicist at Merck who Jussim approvingly cites in his blog post: The central assertion of In Defense is that merit should serve as the primary criterion for evaluating and assessing scientific claims, rejecting the notion of substituting it with social engineering or identity-based policies. Note that this gloss of the central assertion of the Merit paper involves the ASPIRATIONAL reading: merit SHOULD serve as the primary criterion. The quotes from section 2 of the paper itself, however, suggest the DESCRIPTIVE reading: [m]erit-based science IS truly fair and inclusive. It PROVIDES a ladder of opportunity Neither socioeconomic privilege nor elite education IS necessary, or [m]erit IS a vehicle for upward mobility. Recruiting, developing, and promoting individuals based on their talent, skills, and achievements HAS enabled many The problem with this confusion, of course, is that it invites fallacious defenses of the argument in the Merit paper. When someone criticizes what the Merit paper actually says that science IS a meritocracy the defenders of the Merit paper reply that theyre only saying that science SHOULD be a meritocracy. The protestations in the Merit paper about the meritocracy that is contemporary science and the conflations of the descriptive and aspirational understandings of merit in science are strikingly similar to related protestations by political conservatives that the United States is now a post-racial democracy, as described in Ronald Brownsteins recent Atlantic essay, The Post-Racial Republicans. In that essay, Brownstein writes alluding to a quote from Barack Obama that If political leaders pretend as if everythings equal and fair, Obama said, then I think people are rightly skeptical of their commitment to ensuring equal opportunity. Despite the occasional nods to the fact that contemporary science isnt perfectly equal and fair, it certainly seems that the authors of the Merit paper, with their insistence on the supremacy of merit in science, seem equally deserving of our skepticism. The authors of the Merit paper are a mixed group. Some of them are prominent scientists including Nobel prize winners. Others of them are, at this point, basically professional anti-woke trolls. Given the fallacious reasoning and equivocations shot through the Merit paper, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that, in writing the paper, the anti-woke trolls had the upper hand. Taliban Chief Says 'Reforms' End Afghan Poppy Cultivation By Ayaz Gul June 25, 2023 The supreme leader of Afghanistan's Taliban declared Sunday that their campaign against illicit drug production in the country had eradicated the cultivation of opium poppies, which are used to make morphine or heroin. Hibatullah Akhundzada's declaration follows recent media reports and satellite images backed by the United Nations and the United States, concluding that annual poppy cultivation has "significantly" decreased in the world's biggest opium producer. The reduction is credited to a decree issued by the reclusive Taliban chief in April 2022, which strictly prohibited the cultivation, production, usage, transportation, trade, export, and import of all illicit drugs in Afghanistan. The ban allowed anti-narcotics Taliban units to eradicate poppy farming across the impoverished war-ravaged country, which accounted for 85% of global opium production until last year, according to United Nations estimates. "As a result of continued efforts of the Islamic Emirate, the cultivation of poppy has been eradicated in the country," the Taliban chief said in his statement in connection with the annual Islamic Eid al-Adha festival later this week. He used the official name of the Taliban government. "Farmers are looking for alternatives as legal cultivation continues to grow. Many citizens, especially the [Afghan] youth, are now saved from being exposed to harm," Akhundzada stated. Last week, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan told a U.N. Security Council meeting that there was "growing evidence" the Taliban's opium poppy ban had been "effectively enforced," decreasing the cultivation "significantly" in many parts of the country. "At the same time, the opium economy has helped sustain parts of the rural economy in Afghanistan. Donors should consider allocating funding to alternative livelihood programs that address the specific needs of farmers affected by the ban," Roza Otunbayeva told Wednesday's meeting in New York. Thomas West, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, in a June 7 tweet, also hailed the reduction in poppy cultivation. "Reports that the Taliban have implemented policies to significantly decrease opium poppy production this year are credible and important. Every country in the region and beyond has a shared interest in an Afghanistan free of drugs," West wrote. The international recognition of counter-drug efforts by the Taliban stemmed from new research and analysis published earlier this month by a geospatial analytics firm Alcis. The studies noted that recent satellite images show an "unprecedented" decrease in the cultivation of opium poppy in the country, with cultivation in the largest-producing southern provinces down by at least 80% compared with last year. "The Taliban have successfully reduced poppy cultivation by more than 99% in Helmand province, which previously produced more than 50% of the country's opium," the report said. Women's rights Otunbayeva, briefing the U.N. Security Council members on Wednesday, said, however, that the Taliban's sweeping restrictions on women's access to work, education, and public life at large "obscure" their "positive achievements" such as countering narcotics and "the welcome reduction of high-level corruption" in Afghanistan. She renewed the U.N. call for the fundamentalist authorities to rescind the curbs immediately. Akhundzada has rejected calls for removing restrictions on women as interference in internal Afghan matters, saying their policies are aligned with local culture and Islamic law, or Sharia. The Taliban chief reiterated his defiance in Sunday's Eid message, asserting that his decrees have restored "the status of women as free and dignified human beings." Akhundzada added that he had instructed all government institutions to help women secure marriage, inheritance, and other rights. "Under the rule of the Islamic Emirate, concrete measures have been taken to save women from many traditional oppressions, including forced marriages and their Sharia rights have been protected. ... The negative aspects of the past 20-year occupation related to women's Hijab and misguidance will end soon," Akhundzada said without elaborating. The Taliban regained power in August 2021 after waging a deadly insurgency for almost 20 years against the U.S.-led NATO troops protecting the internationally backed former Afghan government in Kabul. No foreign government or global organization has recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government over restrictions on women and girls, among other human rights concerns. "I am blunt about the obstacles they have created for themselves by the decrees and restrictions they have enacted, in particular against women and girls," said Otunbayeva on Wednesday. "We have conveyed to them that as long as these decrees are in place, it is nearly impossible that their government will be recognized by members of the international community," she added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Television Interview - ABC News Breakfast Transcript 26 Jun 2023 Prime Minister Simon Crean; Russia; Voice to Parliament E&OE MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: Tributes are being paid this morning to the former Labor leader, Simon Crean, following his death whilst travelling in Germany. The 74-year-old served as a Cabinet Minister in the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments after a career as one of the nation's most prominent union leaders. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us now. This is a shock to everyone this morning. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Michael. It certainly was a shock. And it is very sad news that Simon has been taken from us too early. He was someone who was full of life. I saw him just a month ago at a celebration there in Melbourne and he was pretty fit and certainly continuing to work. He was there in Germany working in Australia's national interest, as he always did, to support Australian businesses and to support Australian jobs. Simon is someone who is a giant of our movement, someone who served as a Cabinet Minister in four governments, someone who made a difference in all of the portfolios, whether it was doing trade deals, revitalising the arts, whether it was regional development, whether it was in employment, getting Australians into jobs. He is someone who was fondly thought of throughout not just the Labor movement but across the political spectrum because he was so engaging. He was so thoroughly decent and a very honourable man. ROWLAND: He was Labor leader from 2001-2003, you were at that stage still a relatively new backbencher. What leadership qualities did you learn from Simon Crean back then? PRIME MINISTER: I think when you have a look at what Simon did during the Iraq war, where he not only had the courage to oppose the basis of that war, he went to farewell the deployment of Australian service personnel, who, of course, were acting in our name, to make it very clear that whilst he opposed the decision, he supported them. And that to me was an incredibly courageous moment in Australian politics. And it is typical of the man, someone who is principled but someone who always understood the politics at the end of the day is about people. It is about people and making a difference to them and respecting them. And with the respect that he showed our defence forces on that day, it was, when you look back at it now, it sounds easier. It was a very difficult thing to do. And Simon did that. He served as Deputy Leader under Kim Beazley as well. But then he continued to serve in the Rudd and Gillard governments and make an enormous difference, particularly in regional development and in trade, where, with the Doha Round, which was a particularly difficult period. It is in Australia's interest, one in four jobs depends on trade, Simon understood that and was a strong advocate for our country. ROWLAND: He served as Labor leader, as I mentioned, in those years at the start of the century. He never got to face an election as Labor leader. Was that a source of disappointment to him? PRIME MINISTER: Simon, of course, had some ups and downs in politics, as we all did. But he showed no signs of anything resembling regret. He is someone who continued to make a positive and constructive contribution. Of course, we went to the 2004 election with Mark Latham as leader. And I don't think there is anyone who thinks that that was a good idea now in retrospect. Simon Crean is someone who continued to engage and offer support and advice. I met with him in Europe last year where he was, supporting Australian business, when I was over there repairing the relationship with France and attending the NATO summit. I met with him in Melbourne recently. He is someone who always had advice and wisdom, as a former Labor leader. It is a difficult job being Leader of the Opposition. And I had it for three years and I regarded his counsel as being very wise. He was someone who was always worth listening to. ROWLAND: A huge loss, indeed. A couple of other issues before you go, what do you make of the chaotic events in Russia over the weekend and do you see them as the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin? PRIME MINISTER: I was briefed three times over the weekend. And on each occasion, there were variations because the events were moving so fast and it was unclear what was going on with circumstances that seemed bizarre from this distance. With the Wagner Group marching at one stage on Moscow and eventually it being resolved in one way. But quite clearly, you can't have events like that and just wipe them out, pretend that you will go back to stability. What is very clear to me is that the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine has been a disaster for the people of Ukraine, most importantly, but it has also been a disaster for the people of Russia. Mr Putin thought he could just roll over international law and roll over the people of Ukraine and have regime change there. President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine have shown enormous courage in standing up for their national sovereignty. And, clearly, the democracies around the world, including Australia, will continue to provide support for the people of Ukraine. And this has been a disaster for Mr Putin. He overplayed his hand and he got it wrong. And some of the consequences of that, I think we saw playing out on the weekend. The best thing that Mr Putin can do is just withdraw from this illegal invasion, retreat back behind his own borders and that would be a good thing for international law if that occurred. ROWLAND: And finally, we have the Newspoll out this morning showing bad news for supporters of the Voice, 43 per cent support a yes vote. But worryingly for the Government is that this is the first major poll showing those surveyed opposing the Voice outnumber those surveyed supporting the Voice. Are there rising levels of alarm within the Government, Prime Minister, about the prospects of success for The Voice referendum? PRIME MINISTER: No, this is a proposition that has come from the bottom up, from the grassroots, arising from the First Nations Constitutional Convention in 2017 at Uluru that asked for recognition but also asked for recognition through a Voice by giving Australian governments the opportunity to listen to First Nations people on matters that affect them. I think that as Australians focus on what is before the Australian people in the last quarter of this year, recognition and listening, all upside, no downside for this proposal. As they focus on it, as business and unions and faith groups and sporting codes all go out there campaigning, talking to people, having a look at what the actual question is that is being asked here, I believe that a majority of Australians will come to the view that I have come to, which is that we will give greater respect to Indigenous Australians but we will also enrich and lift up our nation. This is a once in a generation opportunity. And we will be saying to Australians, if not now, when will we recognise Indigenous Australians in our Constitution? I am confident that a majority of Australians will vote yes. ROWLAND: Prime Minister, thanks for your time this morning. PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Michael. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lukashenko Holds Another Phone Call With Putin on Sunday Morning - Reports Sputnik News 20230625 MINSK (Sputnik) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had another telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday morning, a Telegram channel, which is close to the Belarusian leader, reported. The channel did not give further details about the conversation between the two leaders. On Saturday, Lukashenko held two phone calls with Putin to discuss an attempted mutiny by the Wagner Group private military company in Russia. On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of Prigozhin. The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said that social media reports of alleged Russian military strikes on PMC Wagner camps were not true. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on Saturday in which he described the actions of the Wagner Group PMC as an armed mutiny and treason, and promised harsh measures against the insurgents. Later in the day, the Belarusian presidential office announced that Prigozhin had accepted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of Wagner troops in Russia and to take further steps to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin later confirmed the information, saying that the Wagner troops were returning to their field camps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday evening that the criminal case against Prigozhin had been dropped and that he would leave for Belarus under guarantees given by Putin. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Premier Li wraps up visit to Germany, France Global Times Tour unleashes great potential for stronger China-Europe ties: experts By Chu Daye Published: Jun 24, 2023 11:11 PM Chinese Premier Li Qiang wrapped up his visit to Germany and France, his first overseas visit since taking position, and returned to Beijing on Saturday. During his trip, Li stressed that China will continue to open up and improve its business environment, and called on China and Europe to rise above differences, demonstrating the importance China attaches to the European market in an era of heightening geopolitical tensions. Chinese experts said the Premier's visit to Europe, which included bilateral as well as multilateral engagements, has achieved positive results in confirming the importance of strengthening economic ties with Germany and France - the two major European countries - amid the "de-risking" rhetoric and have dispelled, to a certain extent, misunderstanding over the matter. The visit highlighted China's willingness to consolidate its traditional friendship with Germany, France as well as the EU and strengthen the ballast effect of bilateral economic and trade cooperation at a crucial moment of global recession fears, protectionist headwinds, geopolitical undercurrents and unsteady global economic recovery from the pandemic, said the experts. Fruitful trip In a speech at the closing ceremony of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact on Friday local time in Paris, which was chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by more than 60 heads of state, Li called on the international community to sincerely cooperate and work together to solve the problems of developing countries, especially vulnerable countries, to address the global development financing gap. 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, said the Premier. During his visit to Germany, Li co-chaired the seventh China-Germany intergovernmental consultation together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, attended the China-Germany Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum and a roundtable for Chinese and German entrepreneurs, met with representatives from German industrial and business communities, and visited German companies in Bavaria. Germany rejects all forms of "decoupling," and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization," said Scholz. "We don't think it's risky to drive in a Volkswagen, nor do we think it's unsafe to get a CT by Siemens equipment. We never regard these as risks, and China never means to 'de-risk' from them," Li said. In his Thursday meeting with Macron, Li said China is willing to work with France to uphold mutual benefits, continuously improve the business environment, expand cooperation in emerging areas, and push pragmatic cooperation between the two countries to a new level. Li also met with President of the European Council Charles Michel, noting that China stands ready to work with the EU to strengthen cooperation in green, economic, trade and digital fields, so as to open up new space for the development of China-EU relations. Li called on the EU to view its cooperation with China in an objective and rational way and work with China to safeguard the sound environment surrounding China-EU practical cooperation. On the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, Li told Michel that China's development brings opportunities rather than risks to the world, and sending stability rather than shocks to global industrial and supply chains. Positive signal Chinese experts said Li's trip brought into full play the face-to-face interactions to increase trust and dispel doubts and injected fresh impetus into the trade and economic ties between China and Europe. The trip also stressed common development as the way to cope with global economic woes, they noted. Yang Chengyu, an assistant research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Saturday that positive results have been achieved by the Premier's visit as he dispelled the noise of decoupling by further explaining China's stance. The Premier has made it clear that intensifying economic and trade cooperation does not have to be associated with national security issues, and this has dispelled some of the doubts, Yang said. Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Saturday that by stressing China's commitment to win-win cooperation with Europe in trade and economic matters, and articulating the Chinese understanding of de-risking, trust is enhanced and doubts are dispersed. It is of great significance that the Chinese Premier reiterated and reminded European leaders that China will continue to deepen its reform and opening-up, in a sign that hits back against geopolitical cold war noises and reactivates calls for pragmatic cooperation, according to Chen Jia, an independent analyst focused on global strategy. On June 20, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, unveiled a European Economic Security Strategy, which focuses on "minimizing risks" arising from certain economic flows in the context of rising geopolitical tensions. A few days earlier, the commission called on more EU nations to ban the Chinese telecoms groups Huawei and ZTE. In mid-June, the German government said it views China as "a partner, competitor and systemic rival" in its first national security strategy report. However, Yang noted that the European de-risking efforts are of a fundamentally different nature than those of the US. Liu Ying, a research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Saturday that the multiple results were achieved from Premier Li's trip, including agreements on various dialogue mechanisms, it will further enhance and deepen China-Germany and China-France trade and economic ties, and will inject stability and new growth momentum into the global economy and industrial and supply chain, which is currently rife with disruptions. Compared with some of the so-called long-term concerns, cooperation on development can best address the issue the world currently faces, Liu said. Bilateral cooperation is expected to receive a boost in vitality toward the goal of high-quality development, and it can be expected that this effect will partially offset the risks caused by US-led countries' push for decoupling at a critical time when the world faces unprecedented economic downward pressure characterized by a surge in financial risks in the West, Liu said. The stable and sound economic and trade ties between China and Europe are of great benefit to the two sides, which are seeing an unsteady recovery from the pandemic, Yang said. More foreign companies are attracted to China amid its push to better improve its business environment,. In the first five months, newly set up foreign enterprises increased by 38.3 percent to 18,532, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed on June 15. During the same period, foreign direct investment from France to China increased 429.7 percent year-on-year, the data showed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese yuan's global payment share rises in May as countries seek alternatives to US dollar Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 25, 2023 09:16 PM The Chinese yuan saw its share in global payments rise in May, a sign of the steady progress in its internationalization, as countries around the world, particularly the emerging market economies, look for a US dollar alternative and the yuan emerged as the handpicked choice for a number of countries due to the high level of mutual trust and cooperation. The yuan's global share was up to 2.54 percent in May from 2.29 percent in April, according to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), a global provider of financial messaging services. The yuan remained the fifth most active currency. The share was the third-highest since tracking begun in October 2010, according to media reports. The value of yuan payments grew 20.38 percent from a month ago, while in general, all payment currencies gained by 8.75 percent. The trend mirrors the rising proportion of yuan settlements in foreign trade and the growing appeal of the yuan in global payments and settlements amid a global search for alternative to the US dollar, analysts said. Since the beginning of 2023, global de-dollarization has gained momentum, as concerns about the US dollar's stability and doubts about the country's creditworthiness are prompting more countries to flee from the greenback. Over the weekend, IMF Executive Director for Russia Aleksei Mozhin told Russian news portal Sputnik that it was the US that triggered the situation in which the world began to search for alternatives to the US dollar. Mozhin noted that other national currencies are increasingly used in the world, primarily the Chinese yuan. In Argentina, US companies such as Whirlpool Corp are seeking to make payments in the yuan for imports amid a scarcity of dollars, Bloomberg reported on Friday. The yuan's share of foreign exchange transactions hit a record 28 percent in June, up from May's 5 percent. "The growth of yuan payments value shows that other countries are increasingly diversifying currencies for trade settlement amid global economic and financial instability," Li Yong, deputy chairman of the Expert Committee of the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Sunday. China and its trading partners are tending to use each other's currencies for trade settlement, which is a voluntary choice by these partners rather than a one-sided push by China, Li said. This arrangement will not only save settlement costs but also provide stable expectations for currency value, he said. Given the relative stability of the yuan's exchange rate and China's promising economic prospects, many countries have also shown willingness in making the yuan one of their reserve currencies in order to reduce potential risks of over-reliance on one currency, Li said. The yuan's global profile has also been boosted by the launch of a much-anticipated Hong Kong dollar-yuan dual counter model, which allows stocks to be traded in both the Hong Kong dollar and the yuan at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, on June 19. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the largest market for offshore yuan transactions, taking up 73.48 percent, followed by the UK at 5.17 percent and Singapore at 3.84 percent, according to the SWIFT report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top Chinese, Russian foreign ministry officials exchange views on common concern Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 6:42 PM Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu have exchanged views with visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko on a range of international and regional issues of common concern. In a statement released on Sunday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that Qin and Rudenko discussed "international and regional issues of common concern." The two sides talked about bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues of common concern, according to the ministry. During meetings between Ma and Rudenko in Beijing, Ma said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Russia have continuously deepened political mutual trust and strengthened practical cooperation. In the face of the complex international situation, China and Russia should follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in March, communicate with each other timely, ensure the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations, and safeguard the common interests of both sides, Ma added. In a statement released after the meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said that "the Chinese side expressed its support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the June 24 events and reiterated its interest in strengthening Russia's unity and further prosperity." Over the past two years, though not a formal alliance, China and Russia have forged a friendship with "no limits", according to the leaders of both countries. The visit by the deputy foreign minister comes in the wake of an armed mutiny by a private Russian military company. The Chinese Foreign Ministry posted a statement on its website Sunday saying that the mutiny by Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his Wagner Group is an "internal affair." "As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity," the statement read. The fleeting mutiny by the Wagner Group against the Russian military leadership on Saturday ended with a deal brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, Russian officials, and Wagner Group's boss Yevgeny Prigozhin The mutiny started over differences between Prigozhin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Russian military official said Prigozhin has dragged members of the group into a criminal adventure. Prigozhin had accused Russia's military top brass of ordering a rocket attack on Wagner's field camps in Ukraine -- where Russia has been leading a military operation -- killing "huge numbers" of his paramilitary forces. The timely agreement which prevented a bloodbath on Russian territory was reached after a full day of negotiations between Russia and the Wagner Group boss, with Lukashenko's mediation. The deal stipulates that Wagner's forces will withdraw and receive security guarantees, while the indictment against Prigozhin will be dismissed and he will depart toward Belarus, the Kremlin said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described the events that unfolded earlier in the day in the form of the mutiny as "tragic." Still praising the deal, the Russian official said avoiding bloodshed was more important than punishing people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Officials Agree: China's Xi Is a Dictator By VOA News June 25, 2023 A few days ago, U.S. President Joe Biden described Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator and Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he agreed with the assessment. Blinken, who recently met with Xi and other Chinese leaders in Beijing to discuss the country's contentious relations with the United States, told CBS's "Face the Nation" show, "The president always speaks candidly; he speaks directly. He speaks clearly, and he speaks for all of us." Biden called Xi a dictator at a political fundraiser last week and China was quick to respond, saying the comment was "a blatant political provocation." "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition," Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news briefing last week. "The U.S. remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible." Biden's remark came just days after Blinken returned from Beijing, where he and Chinese officials discussed trade relations, the Chinese spy balloon that was flown over the U.S. in February before Biden ordered it shot down, maritime passage through the Taiwan Strait and other issues. "The main purpose [of the trip] was to bring some greater stability to the relationship," Blinken said. "We have an obligation, and I think China has an obligation to manage that relationship responsibly, to make sure that the profound differences we have don't veer into conflict." "But one of the things that I said to [my] Chinese counterparts during this trip was that we are going to continue to do things, and say things that you don't like, just as you're no doubt going to continue to do and say things that we don't like," Blinken told CBS. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Denounced as Destroyer of Peace and Stability of Korean Peninsula Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, June 26 (KCNA) -- The Institute for American Studies of the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK released a research report on Sunday to give the full picture of the war of aggression provoked by the U.S. against the DPRK in the 1950s and to disclose once again the aggressive nature of the U.S. still making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war. The report stressed that the U.S. is the provoker of the aggression war against Korea, adding: The U.S. has had its eye of greed on the Korean peninsula, the gateway to the Asian continent, since the mid-19th century, and illegally occupied south Korea in the guise of "liberator" and "protector" right after the end of the Second World War. The U.S. laid a pro-U.S. political foundation in south Korea through the puppet regime fabrication. In a bid to militarily swallow up the whole Korean peninsula, it put spurs to the war preparations to occupy the DPRK by force of arms. The U.S. tightened up its forces, arms and equipment and military infrastructure for unleashing a war of aggression against the DPRK in south Korea. In January 1950 it concluded an agreement with the puppet Syngman Rhee clique on stationing 500-strong U.S. military advisory group in south Korea, the largest-ever at that time. In early 1949 the U.S. buckled down to mapping out the plan for igniting a war of aggression against the DPRK by mobilizing not only the information and operation departments including the G-2 and G-3 of MacArthur's Command but also the "History Class" and "KATO" institutions composed of senior officers of the former Japanese army. The U.S. hurled the south Korean puppet army into ceaseless armed provocations to verify the effectiveness of the operation plan. In 1949 the number of their armed provocations reached over 2 610, which was 2.8 times as many as the previous year. The U.S. deployed five divisions of the south Korean puppet army in the area along the 38th Parallel and three divisions of the operational reserve corps near Seoul, thus making more than 70 percent of the puppet army ready for attack. In particular, the U.S. brought two aircraft carriers, two cruisers, six destroyers, three bomber groups, six pursuit fighter groups and two transport plane groups to Japan under the pretext of amphibious drill from late April 1950, and made full preparations for their immediate mobilization for the Korean War. After rounding off the preparations for a war of aggression against the DPRK, the U.S. dispatched the advisor to the State Department Dulles to south Korea as a special envoy of Truman on June 17, 1950 to make final on-the-spot confirmation of the war preparations near the 38th Parallel, and handed over the secret order on igniting a war finally ratified by Truman to puppet traitor Syngman Rhee and issued a special order to "launch an attack on north Korea along with the propaganda that north Korea had invaded first." According to the war scenario worked out by the U.S., the puppet traitor Syngman Rhee let all the reptile propaganda means be mobilized to spread the false information that the "emergency martial law" which had been enforced from early June 1950 "was lift" at 0 o'clock on June 24 to "allow" the south Korean puppet army personnel to leave, stay out and take time off. Meanwhile, U.S. President Truman, Secretary of State Acheson, advisor to the State Department Dulles and other senior officials of the U.S. administration found themselves in weekend rest, travel and dinner and MacArthur, commander of the U.S. forces in the Far East, slept in a bedroom at the outbreak of the war to deceive the world public. The U.S. finally ignited a war of aggression against the DPRK on June 25, 1950. During the three-year war, it hurled a vast numbers of its armed forces amounting to more than two million, including one third of its ground forces, one fifth of its air force, most of the Pacific Fleet, troops from its 15 satellite countries, south Korean puppet forces and Japanese militarists, into the Korean front and spent more than twenty billion U.S. dollars. The U.S. is a wrecker of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the region, the report said, and went on: Far from drawing a due lesson from the disgraceful defeat it suffered in the Korean War, the U.S. has persistently pursued hostile policy toward the DPRK to realize its wild ambition for dominating Asia and the rest of the world at any cost by occupying the whole Korean peninsula for 70 years since the ceasefire. The U.S. has staged various kinds of war drills in south Korea under the pretext of "defense" and "annual" since the late 1950s and massively brought nuclear attack means including nuclear carriers, nuclear submarines and nuclear strategic bombers to south Korea to turn it into a mobile nuclear arsenal. The U.S. has deliberately fabricated various incidents and events and steadily escalated its nuclear threat and blackmail against the DPRK. The U.S. checked a nuclear attack on the DPRK when its armed spy ship Pueblo was captured in 1968, put nuclear-capable tactical bombers on emergency alert when its large spy plane EC-121 was shot down in 1969. In 1976 when Panmunjom incident broke out, it made its nuclear-capable strategic bombers fly in formation near the demilitarized zone, frequently posing nuclear threats and blackmail to the DPRK. The U.S., which had made it its official policy to offer "nuclear umbrella" to south Korea in 1982, detailed it as the concept of "extended deterrence" which calls for striking the opponent in the same way as when the U.S. mainland is under nuclear attack in 2009. It thus invented a pretext for bringing its huge nuclear forces to south Korea not only in contingency on the Korean peninsula but also at any ordinary times, and has maximized its nuclear threats. The U.S.-south Korea joint military exercises, which was kicked off in 1954 under the codename Focus Lens, have been staged ceaselessly for nearly seven decades under such different codenames as Ulji Focus Lens, Ulji Freedom Guardian, Ulji Freedom Shield, Focus Retina, Freedom Bolt, Team Spirit, RSOI (reception, staging, onward movement and integration), Key Resolve, Foal Eagle and Freedom Shield. The U.S.-south Korea joint military exercises, which hit a world record in its frequency and scale, have been staged over 40 times annually. The number of troops involved in them exceeded 500 000 long ago, including the U.S. forces, south Korean puppet forces, those from satellite countries, personnel of puppet south Korean public organs and businesses and even special forces from the U.S. mainland. The current U.S. ruling forces in the White House are more openly pursuing the inveterate attempt for mounting a preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK in cahoots with the south Korean puppet regime led by Yoon Suk Yeol hell-bent on sycophancy toward the U.S. The present ruling forces of the U.S., which came up with the "minutely coordinated practical method of approaching the DPRK" and touted "resumption of dialogue" and "diplomatic engagement" after taking office, have unhesitatingly revealed their hostile military attempt against the DPRK Amid the accelerated transfer of various arms and equipment to south Korea, the U.S. urgently dispatched its Defense Secretary to south Korea in December 2021 for the 53rd U.S.-south Korea annual security consultative meeting, in which he was closeted with the south Korean military to draw up "strategy planning guidelines" for a new nuclear war scenario. After puppet traitor Yoon hell-bent on sycophancy toward the U.S. took office in south Korea, war exercises under different codenames have been spearheaded by the U.S. nonstop across south Korea and such war rehearsals are getting more and more adventurous and reckless in their scale, scope, intensity and contents as the days go by. Ulji Freedom Shield joint military exercise, resumed as large-scale maneuvers four years after its last round, was staged according to the extremely provocative and reckless war scenario the keynote of which is to advance to Pyongyang via Kaesong. In 2022 alone, the U.S., in collusion with the south Korean puppet forces, staged various nuclear war exercises, including joint air drill with strategic assets involved, carrier strike group joint drill involving a nuclear carrier for the first time since November 2017 and joint naval maneuvers, every day to stoke the aggressive fever against the DPRK. This year the U.S. is resorting to the worrying hostile acts of wantonly encroaching upon the sovereignty and security of the DPRK more persistently than ever before and their gravity and danger have reached the threshold of explosion which can no longer be tolerated. As a preceding military process for igniting a nuclear war, the U.S. is conducting different forms of espionage against the DPRK on an unprecedented scale on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity. Such bellicose moves of the U.S. have pushed the military tensions on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia already plunged into an extremely unstable situation closer to the brink of a nuclear war. If a war breaks out on the Korean peninsula located in an important geopolitical position, where the interests of big powers are intermingled, it will rapidly expand into a world war and a thermonuclear war unprecedented in the world. This will entail the most catastrophic and irreversible consequences to peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world. Unless the U.S. anachronistic hostile policy toward the DPRK and persistent military threats to it are rooted out, the DPRK's efforts for bolstering up its self-defensive capabilities for safeguarding its sovereignty, dignity and security and preserving regional peace and stability will be further accelerated and its exercise of the just right to self-defence as a sovereign state will continue in the future, too. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address by Mike OBrien Montreal is quite safe from natural disasters, relatively speaking. We should be regularly tossed by earthquakes, given our tectonic environs, but in my two-score-and-change lifetime the rumblings have been so minor as to be mistaken for a passing truck. When everyone on the island feels a passing truck at the same moment, it is evident that the disturbance was rather an earthquake, but only for reasons of statistical probability. We are also subject to invasions of smoke from the burning forests north of us, but, owing to the vagaries of wind currents, not much more so than are New York or Philadelphia, apparently. We had a tornado years back, striking the only mobile home park in the area (apparently tornadoes have bought into the myth that they are especially drawn to such modes of living). We also have worsening heat waves, exacerbated by the swampy humidity of the St-Lawrence valley and the thermal properties of modern city construction. But this is hardly a distinguishing mark, given that every place from the Arctic to the Antarctic suffers heat waves these days. The natural disaster that really sets Montreal apart from other cities is ice storms. Historically, this city has suffered nasty winters. They are cold, but not so cold as the wind-lashed prairies out west. It is the snowfall that really makes them iconic, and also expensive, given that our car-based infrastructure requires us to scoop up and relocate all the snow that falls on our roadways. The cold has abated over my lifetime; I can remember waiting for delayed trains in -40C weather (factoring in wind chill, which is a deceptively mild label for something that can cost you your fingers and toes, or even your life). Such extreme cold is rarer now, but so is cold in general. Much of the winter season hovers around the freezing mark, to the economic ruin of many traditional winter industries like the ski hills scattered over surrounding townships. This is also a ruinous change for our infamously bad roads, as the oscillation of the temperature over and under the freezing point allows water to infiltrate voids in asphalt and concrete, then freeze and expand, fracturing these materials, then melt again and further infiltrate, then freeze again, ad infinitum. Given the incompetence, inertia and business-coddling corruption of our provincial government, we are unlikely to address this new climatic normal with anything more innovative than ever-larger sums of money. But what of these ice storms, you say. This oscillation around the freezing mark, combined with copious precipitation, occasionally causes rain, snow and ice to fall in a wicked mix that freezes on contact with whatever colder-than-freezing surface it falls upon. There are obvious consequences of this, of course; signs, signals and windows obscured, roads and sidewalks slicked, property and machinery of all kinds enrobed. The less obvious consequence of an ice storm is weight. Like a candle-maker repeatedly dipping a wick in molten wax until it accumulates a thick body, a prolonged ice storm adds layer after layer of ice, and ice is very heavy (just under 0.92 grams per cubic centimetre, Wikipedia tells me). Assuming a modest centimetre-thick coating of ice, that translates to about 9 kilograms of weight per square metre. This may not sound like a lot, and on simple flat surfaces it is not. But on surfaces that have a lot of surface area relative to their volume, this added weight can far exceed the weight of the object upon which the ice is deposited. If the object has been engineered, by evolution or human enterprise, to be just strong enough to support its own weight, this icy burden can cause a structural collapse. And so it was in The Big One, the ice storm of 1998, which stretched on for days and reached north and eastwards from Lake Ontario past Montreal and even into northern New England. The accumulation was so heavy that steel pylons over 50 metres tall, rated for over 40mm of ice accumulation, buckled and crumpled to the ground. Nearly two million people were without electricity for days, and this in the beginning of January, a time when temperatures can reach below -20C. Luckily, the unseasonable warmth that created the ice storm persisted, and mass hypothermia was avoided. The storm left lasting scars, though, particularly in the densely arbored region at the western end of Montreal where I reside. Many old trees lost thick branches, even collapsing entirely, and had to be removed, leaving gaps where they had stood for generations. Many of those that survived were weakened and vulnerable to disease and the constant assault of gravity on their fractured bodies. This damage was compounded as the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle whose grubs feast under the bark of ash trees, took an ever worse toll on the citys canopy in the past two decades. Twenty-five years later, this April, another Big One hit, albeit less widespread and severe. My own household was without power for five days, making coffee and soup on a propane stove and layering clothes and blankets to stay warm. The cold inside of the house reached the point where our cat reluctantly became a lap-cat out of self-preservation. The power outages were not, in this instance, due to collapsed hydro-electric pylons across Quebecs hinterlands, but rather to countless small interruptions in the finer infrastructure connecting homes to the electrical grid. The towering trees of the suburbs, weakened as they were, lost huge limbs, some measuring over 20 centimetres thick and weighing hundreds of kilograms. Some failed at the trunk and collapsed entirely, like the one that fell through a sturdy fence into our yard. I would estimate that over two tonnes of wood fell in our yard alone. Some of this fallen timber landed on power lines as it fell, hence the days without electricity. The physical burden of removing these dangerous and large tangles of wood was aggravated by inaccessibility of the damage, being mostly in back yards far from the road, admittance often being granted only through a small gate. It is difficult to drive a utility truck into such a position. It is more difficult still to reach hundreds or thousands such small disasters in a timely fashion. Our very verdant, very anglophone pocket of the area was one of the last places in Quebec to have power restored, provoking many jokes and some sincere complaints that the provincial government was deliberately leaving our linguistic enclave to freeze in the dark. I doubt that this was the case, although if we were also predominantly a religious minority I might not be so sure. (This is not a gratuitous slight, as any glance at the current governments unconstitutional restrictions on religious practices will make evident.) Much debris remains to this day, nearly three months later, in the form of deadfall in hard-to-access places and worryingly large branches hanging by a ligneous thread high up in surviving trees. The top of the canopy, once bulbous and bushy, is now punctuated by the splintered ends of formerly top-most branches. I do not care much for talk of silver linings. At least not when they are employed to draw attention away from the negative consequences of events which are preventable and for which responsibility can be assigned. Climate change being a messy and statistically manifest kind of affair, it may be practically impossible to delineate how any one event could be prevented, and how the blame for it may be placed (although this is becoming less messy as historical accounting of emissions is being more commonly used to assign portions of responsibility in recent climate change lawsuits.) I will, however, indulge in a bit of silver linings waxing about this recent ice storm, if only because it serves to indict another industrial disease of the natural world. It just so happened that the storm struck a few days before a full moon, and the skies cleared in time to let it shine unimpeded . I have a habit of strolling around at night, when the air is cleaner, the people scarcer, and the animals bolder. I have seen many full moons, roughly one per month in fact. But in the well-lit (I take issue with this value-laden term, but you know what I mean) conditions that usually obtain during these nighttime wanderings, a full moon is scarcely noticeable, and barely remarkable. One might remark oh, its a full moon tonight, and point out the the moon is indeed very round and somewhat brighter than it was the night before, and that would be the end of it. Being lucky enough to have a cottage in the family, I have seen the moon and stars in relative darkness, though even in the boonies the late decline in lighting costs and good breeding have seen twinkling diodes spread like a blight upon the land. I have seen the singular force of a full moon, shining a cool white daytime and cutting crisp shadows at every texture and shape. But I cannot recall the last time I saw such a scene in the place where I usually live. Had I never seen it, I might not miss it. But I have, and I do. Much has been written about the loss of visible stars in the places where most people live, and the severing of the cultural link between our ancestors, who gazed at and studied and celebrated the rich stellar scenes, and ourselves, who might be able to pick out a few dozen on a typical night. The atmospheric haze and the poorly regulated blooms of cheap electric light have not deleted the moon in the same way that they have blazed the stars out of our sensory world. What has been taken from us is rather the moonlit world. Gaze at a painting of a moonlit scene, or read an ode to the full moons illumination of a forest, and it will seem foreign and enchanted to most modern audiences. The moon still shines, of course. It just doesnt dominate anymore. A doubling of the moons brightness doesnt double the lighting of the world beneath it; if you couldnt look up and see it, Im not sure its fullness would be evident at all. Given the pendulous logs still hanging from trees in the early days after the storm (nicknamed widow-makers, for good reason), the government issued very strong suggestions that people avoid walking around outside. The danger was that much greater in neighbourhoods like mine where the power outage made it difficult for people to see and to be seen. I was undeterred, however. Firstly, my love of gadgetry had provided me with a surfeit of expertly engineered lighting devices. Secondly, Id be damned if Id miss an opportunity to take in the sight of my strolling territory under a full moon, without the garish streetlamps and houselights washing the magic away. And so I ventured out, drawn like a moth, under a moon so bright you could easily read a book by it. The effect was grander than I had hoped for. Not just brighter, not just more singular in the character of illumination; it was as if a dull roof had lifted off of the world. The trees, with their 20 metres and more in height, stood against a blueish sky. Everything in my visual sense was pulled upwards, away from the ground, through the shadows, towards an infinitely distant and vast, glowing ceiling. This had practical benefits, as well, as the widow-makers stood out from the natural patterns of growing branches, geometric violations silhouetted against the sky. I did my best to remember their danger and not get entirely lost in the aesthetic mode. I did well enough to avoid injury. I headed out the next night, when the moon was one day past full, to a similar scene. I often listen to podcasts when walking, but not then; the scene commanded a certain reverent silence. I also wanted to keep my ears keen for the creak and crash of falling trees, should one creak and crash onto me. I cant say if the sonic landscape changed much during these dark days, as it was early yet and the full menagerie of spring animals hadnt yet emerged. I believe I heard nighthawks, and in greater number or fuller voice than I usually do. What did they make of the darkness, and its coincidence with the full moon? What did it look like in their eyes? The next night I went out again, and my heart sank. Some blocks in the neighbourhood, which had previously only been lit (and subjected to sonic and olfactory barbarism) by means of gasoline generators, were now reconnected to the electric grid and awash in the dead, ugly light of streetlamps. How much longer before this awful normal returned to the whole of my wandering route? I noticed immediately that the street lights, a mere half or third of the height of trees, blinded me to the branches above them. Ironically, these safety measures made it impossible to gauge the safety of passing beneath them. I turned heel and headed back to the still dark parts, the magic spell of the moon now broken by the depressing certainty that it was almost over. It struck the same emotional note I felt when the lockdowns of the early stages of the pandemic were lifted; that was perhaps the only time in my life when the industrial assault on the world slowed, and after a brief period of hoping that perhaps we could hold onto that respite, it became clear that nothing, not even a global emergency, would stop things from getting worse, faster, forever. The next full moon was a sad affair. Januarys moon was still fresh in my memory and made the return to dreary, washed out normality a visceral experience of deprivation. Another thing not just lost, but taken. I thought about the animals I see in my travels, the rabbits, the raccoons, the foxes and bats and skunks and groundhogs, in addition to the birds heard but unseen. I saw a rabbit sitting right in the middle of a streetlights glow, and wondered why. Did it feel safer in the light? I would assume they would try to remain unseen. Perhaps the nighthawks eyesight, evolved for darkness, was ill-suited to attacking prey in such light, especially when a miscalculation of distance could cause a deadly collision with the pavement. Or maybe these rabbits live mostly unmolested lives and do whatever they please. It occurred to me that these animals have lived for dozens of generations under streetlights, not knowing that it is unnatural, not knowing that there was once a time when the moon and stars dominated the sky. Their world just is. It has always been full of streetlights and cars and airplanes and inflatable lawn decorations and all the other beeping, blinking, blaring barbarity of suburban existence. Even as environmental change accelerates, theyll likely die before noticing that things have gone off of the baseline they were born into. They dont read articles about accelerating warming trends, or feedback cycles, or the explosion of light pollution. They may suffer the effects of these things, but they always have and always will, unto their likely very soon demise. I envy their ignorance of how they are wronged by the forces of climate change and thoughtless development. I pity their vulnerability to the worse yet to come. I am happy to know that at least some of them got to see a full moon, as it is meant to be seen, just once in their short lives. INS TARKASH AT MUSCAT (19-22 JUN 23) India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 24 JUN 2023 7:25PM by PIB Delhi Indian Naval Ship Tarkash made a port call to Muscat, Oman from 19 to 22 Jun 2023. During the visit, the ship undertook myraid activities in support of GoI initiative 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' as part of 9th International Yoga Day 2023, in coordination with EoI, Muscat, Oman. On 21st June, Commanding Officer along with ship's crew participated in Oman Yoga Yatra held at Indian School Muscat organised by EoI. The Ambassador of India to Oman felicitated Commanding Officer, INS Tarkash prior commencement of Yoga, amidst some 2000 participants present at the venue. During the port call, the ship's crew interacted with the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces, wherein an organised visit was conducted to Sultan's Armed Forces Museum and Maritime Security Centre, Muscat, Oman. Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman share close bonds of friendship and the same was evident during all interactions. VM/PS 96/23 (Release ID: 1935041) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INS TRISHUL VISIT TO PORT OF TOAMASINA India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 24 JUN 2023 7:22PM by PIB Delhi INS Trishul made a port call at Toamasina, Madagascar from 19 - 22 Jun 2023 as part of Operational Deployment reflecting India's cordial ties with its maritime neighbours. As part of the theme 'Ocean Ring of Yoga', 9th International Yoga Day was celebrated wherein 352 personnel comprising ship's company, officials from Governor's and Mayor's office, Malagasy Armed Forces, Women Police, members of Indian Embassy (including the Ambassador of India), doctors, nurses, members of Indian diaspora and local citizens participated in the event. H.E. Mr. Rafidison Richard Theodore, Governor of Antsiranana Region, Madagascar was the Chief Guest for the event. During the ship's visit, the Commanding Officer paid courtesy calls on Malagasy dignitaries and senior defence officers. Personnel from Indian and Malagasy Armed Forces engaged in wide range of professional interactions. The visit was aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding between both the navies. On the occasion of World Music Day, a band performance was organised at The Mayor Hall, Toamasina, wherein IN Band and Betsimisaraka Folkloric Group 'SAHY' performed in the presence of dignitaries and local populace and showcased captivating musical performances. The ship was open for visitors at Toamasina, Madagascar on 21 Jun 23 and witnessed approximately 400 visitors. Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of Indian Navy's mission of building 'Bridges of Friendship' and strengthening international cooperation. INS Trishul, the second of the Talwar class frigates, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 25 Jun 2003. The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art weapon and sensor package and carries a multi-role helicopter. ____________________ VM/PS 95/23 (Release ID: 1935040) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INS SUNAYNA VISITS MOMBASA, KENYA India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 24 JUN 2023 6:03PM by PIB Delhi INS Sunayna visited Mombasa, Kenya from 20-23 Jun 23 towards strengthening bilateral ties with maritime neighbours on the theme of Ocean Ring of Yoga. On arrival, the ship was received by reps from High Commission of India. The Commanding Officer called upon Brigadier Y S Abdi, Deputy Commander of Kenya Navy and highlighted the significance of Yoga towards bringing the world together. On the occasion of International Day of Yoga on 21 Jun 23, a joint Yoga session was conducted onboard with the participation of Indian Navy personnel and Kenyan Defence Forces. A Maritime Partnership Exercise was conducted between the two navies. The crew of both Indian and Kenya Navy conducted drills in Firefighting & Damage Control, boarding exercises, asymmetric threat simulations and VBSS during the harbour phase. A HADR capsule was also conducted onboard for the Kenya Navy. A reception in the honour of General Francis Ogolla, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)Kenyan Defence Forces was hosted onboard Sunayna by Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. The event was attended by HE Ms Namgya Khampa, High Commissioner of India, Nairobi. During his address, the CDF conveyed his gratitude towards friendly gesture by the Indian Navy in training the Kenya Navy personnel and expressed his commitment towards continuous cooperation between both the countries. The DCNS gifted 200 life jackets to Maj Gen Jimson Muthai, Commander of the Kenya Navy. In line with the Indian Navy's social outreach activities and community wellbeing, provisions were distributed to an orphanage at Mombasa. On departure from Mombasa, INS Sunayna undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Kenya Naval Ship Jasiri on 23 Jun 23. The visit to Mombasa reaffirms the strong and longstanding relationship between India & Kenya and will further consolidate bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain. ____________________ VM/PS 94/23 (Release ID: 1935017) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Acquisition of MQ-9B drones: Speculative reports uncalled for India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 25 JUN 2023 12:46PM by PIB Delhi The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), on June 15, 2023, accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for Tri-Services from the USA through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route. The AoN included the number of UAVs to be procured along with associated equipment. The AoN noted the estimated cost of 3,072 million US dollars provided by the US Government. However, price will be negotiated once policy approval of the US Government is received. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered by General Atomics (GA) to other countries. The procurement is in progress and would be completed as per the laid down procedure. Under the FMS route, a Letter of Request (LOR) would be sent to the US Government where Tri-services requirements, details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be included. Based on LOR, the US Government and MoD will finalise the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) where details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be negotiated and finalised in accordance with the FMS program and the price and terms offered by the US Government and GA to other countries. Meanwhile, some speculative reports emerged in sections of social media referring to the price and other terms of purchase. These are uncalled for, have ulterior motives and aimed at derailing the due acquisition process. Price and other terms & conditions of the purchase are yet to be finalised and subject to negotiations. In this regard, all are requested not to spread fake news/misinformation which can have serious impact on the morale of the Armed Forces and adversely impact the acquisition process. *** ABB/Savvy (Release ID: 1935160) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army frees 12 militants in India's Manipur after being surrounded by mob People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:19, June 25, 2023 NEW DELHI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Indian army on Sunday said it has released a dozen militants in the northeastern state of Manipur after being surrounded by a women-led mob of over 1,200 people. The militants were trapped at village Itham in Imphal East on Saturday. However, the army had to give in after being surrounded by the women-led mob, which prevented government forces from going ahead with the operation. A statement issued by the Indian army said the standoff, which lasted for nearly a day, ended after it decided to release the militants to avoid civilian casualties. The northeastern state has been on edge since May 3 when large-scale violence broke out in the state during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status. The ethnic clashes claimed over 100 lives and displaced over 40,000 people. Nearly 300 people were injured and close to 1,700 houses burnt down during the violence in the state. Authorities responded by imposing a curfew and putting a blanket ban on internet services as a precautionary measure to restrict the mobilization of crowds in the state. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran calls on France to stop meddling in Iranian affairs IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 25, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has called on the French government to stop making interventionist remarks about Iran. "If you mean the Persian Gulf, you have to use its correct, historical, and international name," Nasser Kanaani said in a post in Farsi on Twitter on Sunday in response to a Friday tweet by the French foreign ministry in which a distorted name of the Persian Gulf had been used. He recommended France, which he said is several thousands of kilometers away from the Persian Gulf region, to avoid making interventionist statements about Iran. 9341**2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raisi says Iran's seeks to balance its foreign policy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 25, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said his administration aims to "restore balance to Iran's foreign policy". The president made the remarks during a Sunday meeting in Tehran with Iran's newly-appointed ambassadors to Finland, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Armenia, Turkiye, Mauritania, Kyrgyzstan, Bolivia, Australia, the Philippines, and Sweden. Underlining Iran's commitment to enhance relations with neighboring and friendly countries, Raisi said that foreign policy has to help boost national power and to this end adopting a dynamic and smart diplomacy is necessary. He called on the newly-appointed ambassadors to make use of the diverse potentials of their host countries which he said sometimes can supplement Iranian potentials. The Iranian president also referred to the potentials of regional organizations and unions which he said has to be used to expand cooperation between Iran and other nations. 9341**2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Official says Iraq has fully settled gas debt to Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 25, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iraq has completely settled an overdue debt to Iran for its gas imports from the country, according to an Iranian deputy oil minister. Majid Chegeni, who also heads the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), told reporters on Sunday that "the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity has paid all its gas arrears to Iran and this debt is now zero. But sometimes there are problems to transfer money from TBI Bank to Iran." Meanwhile, Chegeni noted that Turkey had called on Iran to extend a gas supply deal to the country, adding hat the two countries are still in talks in this regard. On Iran's gas imports from Turkmenistan, the official said that negotiations over the issue are still underway. 9341**2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Russia FMs discuss Russian developments, bilateral ties ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sun / 25 June 2023 / 10:46 Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have discussed bilateral ties and also the latest developments in parts of Russia over the phone. In the telephone conversation, Amir-Abdollahin supported the rule of law in all countries, including Russia, which is Iran's neighbor and friend. He also criticized any foreign interference in the internal affairs of countries. Amir-Abdollahin further described what's unfolding in Russia as a completely internal issue and voiced confidence that the country will overcome the situation. Lavrov, for his part, pointed to the Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks and underlined the need to impose the rule of law in the country. The Russian foreign minister expressed confidence that his country will quickly overcome the situation. Lavrov also spoke about the high-level ties between Russia and Iran, stressing the necessity of pursuing bilateral agreements. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Local dealers decry influx of illegal Chinese traders to Myanmar jade town Chinese are overtaking the market in Kachin state, driving some out of business By RFA Burmese 2023.06.25 -- Burmese gemstone dealers are frustrated over the influx of Chinese jade traders who have set up shop in a northern mining town in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, residents say. The traders are purchasing gems illegally at lower cost, making already tight margins razor thin for brokers in Hpakant township in Kachin state, driving some out of business out of business, they say. Myanmar's Law for Gemstone Trading, enacted by the country's parliament in 2019, limits foreign nationals seeking to buy stones to gem fairs in Mandalay and Naypyidaw. The illegal export and sale of jade is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, but the junta has held few offenders accountable in Kachin - nestled between India to the west and China to the east - since coming to power. A resident of Hpakant told RFA that, in the past, only Myanmar nationals bought raw stones directly from township mines and then washed, cut, or transported them for resale in the country's official gem fairs. "But these days, Chinese buyers use the WeChat messaging app and come to buy everything, including loose soil, directly from the mines," said the resident who, like others interviewed for this article, spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns. "It's only natural that the prices directly offered by major traders are better than local dealers in the sale of any goods, including rice, beans and other crops," he said. "The price gap is hurting local dealers." According to a report by international rights group Global Witness, from 2014-2017, the annual revenue from the legal sale of jade and other gemstones in Myanmar ranged from US$346 to $417 million, while the illegal jade market netted US$1.73 billion to $2.07 billion annually. Black market The situation presents a conundrum for Myanmar's jade dealers, who rely heavily on demand from China's domestic market for their gems. That demand has led to entrepreneurs seeking to eliminate the middleman by going straight to the source of the jade, to the point where approximately half of the people traveling to Hpakant to buy gemstones are Chinese, residents said. Aung Hein Min, a former lawmaker who was elected to represent Hpakant in Myanmar's 2020 election, told RFA that it is critical for authorities to enforce the ban on the illegal purchasing of gemstones. Jade night market in Hpakant in Kachin state, in July 2020. Credit: Ye Aung Thu/AFP "The jade and gemstones purchased directly from jade-mining towns by Chinese nationals will not be transported via legal routes, they will arrive in China through the black market," he said. "That's why it doesn't do any good for our country or our people." However, junta Social Affairs Minister and Kachin state spokesman Win Ye Tun told RFA that foreigners are restricted from traveling to Hpakant, and that those caught skirting the ban are arrested and deported. He also noted that not all of the Chinese using WeChat in Hpakant are foreign nationals. "They may be [ethnic] Chinese Myanmar nationals," he said. "We carefully inspect the situation and take action against them in accordance with the law, rather than criticizing baselessly ... And it isn't just Chinese - we do not accept any foreign nationals in those areas and we have always taken action accordingly." Win Ye Tun said that some Chinese nationals had been arrested and deported during the more than two years since the military coup, although he could not provide an exact number. He claimed that the junta has not granted any extensions or new permits for jade mining in Hpakant since the takeover. 'Industry is hurting' Meanwhile, traders in Hpakant told RFA that the domestic jade market has declined since the coup and that only bright, translucent jade is selling in China, adding to the pressure faced by local brokers. "If you buy stones for resale, you can only earn money for a day's worth of meals and you won't make a living to provide for your family," one local trader said. "The gemstone industry is hurting. There is no longer demand for the opaque stones that used to sell and could earn us an income." Complicating matters further, Myanmar's military and a joint force of anti-junta Kachin Independence Army and paramilitary People's Defense Force fighters have been locked in a standoff in Hpakant since early this year. Imports of food and fuel from Myanmar's heartland are regularly blocked from entering the region by military checkpoints. But despite the conflict, jade traders said Chinese nationals are "freely entering and exiting" Hpakant and illegally shipping jade from the area back home. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address by Ada Bronowski Nanni Moretti has always been a melancholic in denial. Perhaps more than any other film-director raised on the French New Wave born in 1953, shooting his first short in 1973 Moretti has been turning around the question that Francois Truffaut posed as a key to the seventh art: is cinema more important than life? But where for Truffaut, or Rossellini, as for many amongst their long and glorious lineage (from Spielberg to Tran Anh Hung) the dilemma has been between a painful reality full of obstacles on one side and a harmonious path where there are no traffic jams (to speak like Truffaut in his 1973 Day for Night), on the other in other words, where cinema is the path of escape towards a world where dreams (or nightmares) come true for Moretti, it is the dilemma itself which is the essence of cinema. Film is a fact not a possibility. As such, the world of film-making, from its fabrication to the way these people are and speak is part of everyday life. In a Moretti film, it is completely normal for the characters to walk down a street and pass by a film crew setting up for a shoot, to comment on it, walk in and out of a scene. Films in the film are the norm: sometimes we see the shoot and sometimes we hear a shoot is taking place. With Moretti, what is in the frame and what is out of the frame is always arranged so as to give us the impression of mere chance: when we see in the frame first a group of high school kids plotting to occupy their school (and therefore think the occupation is the drama) in Ecce Bombo (Morettis second film from 1978), and then realise, because the camera moved back a little, that the older brother of one of the kids, played by Moretti himself, is staring at the group barely hidden behind the door, only to then, through a further retreat of the camera, see that Morettis father is standing behind him watching his son watching his sister, it is a whole new philosophy of the camera that is put in place. A philosophy whose axiom is that the unframed life is not worth living, by Socrates-the-Cameraman. It is a philosophy which reveals the pretentions of dramatic action and the way language hijacks the very possibility of authentically communicating what we feel and want. In the scene from Ecce Bombo (a Nietzschean parody), the drama is not the occupation of the school that is only perfunctory: doing what everyone else does rather it is the brothers incomprehension of his younger sister and the fathers incomprehension of his son that the camera not so much reveals (passively) as actively demonstrates through its widening of the frame. This new philosophy of the camera is a philosophy Moretti has cultivated in his cinema, from behind and in front of the camera, with an idiosyncrasy which makes him one of the last Mohicans in a film world which is dominated by the opposition between realism and special effects. Idiosyncrasy is the word that captures more than mere originality; it designates also a stubbornness and absolute fidelity to ones convictions of how to be, how to do the things that one does. Why shouldnt I be aggressive! says Michele Morettis early alter ego in Ecce Bombo; Ive always stood by the right things and now Im in my forties, Im a splendid forty-something! says Nanni, playing himself in Dear Diary (1994). In his latest film A Brighter Tomorrow (Il Sol dell Avvenire), screened at the Cannes Festival in May of this year, in which he plays Giovanni, a film-director, he continues this idiosyncratic vein: here, it is the directors refusal to submit to the requirements of potential Netflix producers (who could save his film) which is a renewed vow of non-compliance. Idiosyncrasy: integrity for those who have genius. And Moretti has it, even if it is a kind of genius which does not glitter or throw powder in your eyes or lull you into a state of satisfaction; his is a rare and precious standpoint in these end-of-the-world times. A master of irony which, like that of Socrates, does not make you laugh out loud but rather makes you discern that the right and the good are lying in wait. They exist. And yet we all, amazingly, refuse to go towards them. Morettis art is to bring out the distance between what people do or say and what is in fact important and worthy. The distance is created for the eye, through a merciless, often still, camera which always lingers a little longer than we are used to from television or action films; and for the ear, through a systematic deconstruction of spoken language. Dialogues turn, not on the meanings of words but on the choice of words, which reveals in fact a total absence of meaning: the problem for example, with a young girl saying: You dont give a fuck about me! (a te non frega un cazzo di me for the Italianites) is not that the you in question does not care about her, but rather how the use of a swear word gives the speaker a fake feeling of emancipation that leaves the actual words used meaningless. In a famous, exuberant, scene from Palombella Rossa, from 1989, Moretti, playing Michele Apicella, his on-screen alter ego, has an utter melt-down in an interview with a journalist who blurts out, question after question, cliche set-phrases which drive Michele to scream and slap her. Himself, dressed in a bathrobe and a ridiculous swimming cap (in later films, Dear Diary and Aprile the cap will be replaced by a white scooter-helmet) turns the seeming violence into a burlesque scene which has a tragic undertone precisely because it marks the end of communication. We are laughing, when we should be crying. Words are important!. The irony leaves no one unscathed, certainly not Moretti himself who is the first amongst his characters to carry the burden of ridicule and self-derision. That is why, like Platos dialogues, Morettis films are comedies, not because theyre funny but because everyone in them comes out lost and defeated without realising there even was a battle to fight or a path to find. Thats life, says the man with the camera. Almost a hundred years after Dziga Vertov, the truth through the eye of the camera has developed into a blurring of the eye of the camera and the eye of man. The film thinks and it is thinking about you. Filming ones life is as natural as breathing, and making a film out of ones life is the only reasonable thing to do: I need to work says Moretti, playing himself, in Dear Diary (1993), by which he means, I need to make a film of this trip. In most of his fourteen films to date, one of the characters, if not the main character, is a film-director and one, if not the main theme is how cinema impinges on life or whether it is even possible to separate life from cinema. His new film, A Brighter Tomorrow (Il Sol dell Avvenire), is no exception. Cinema eats at and redeems life all at once in a way which leads to the conclusion, perhaps more explicitly than in previous films, that because cinemas intelligence is inseparable from life, we are doomed. Moretti plays Giovanni (another alter ego, Nanni is a diminutive of Giovanni), who is a film-director, shooting a film set in 1956 about a local branch of the Italian Communist Party in a suburb of Rome, just as the Soviet tanks are about to crush the Hungarian uprising and a Hungarian circus is in town. Giovanni is having difficulties with the shoot: his actors taking the script towards a love story when it is about politics, his French producer (delightfully played by Matthieu Amalric) actually broke and living inside the film set, and his producer wife concomitantly working on another film the kind he abhors, full of mindless violence. His personal life is in turmoil as well, though he does not realise it till the turmoil becomes clear-cut separation. The film in the film somewhat reflects the messiness of Giovannis real life, simplified to the essence: will the local head of the Italian Communist Party comply with the diktats of the Party or will he follow his heart (and his wife) in empathising with the Hungarian circus performers? It is a question which tallies with a deep interrogation which irrigates Morrettis works from the beginning: where is the left? When, how did it go wrong? This is the momentous and unforgettable scene from Aprile (1998) a film which is in many small and big ways, a pendant to A Brighter Tomorrow in which Moretti begs the head of the Socialist Party, Massimo DAlema, through his television set to just say something! in front of the deleterious demagogical anti-judiciary criminal Berlusconi. The scene is as heart-wrenching and poignantly hilarious today (when we are contending with the disciples of Berlusconi who are called Trump, Netanyahou, Johnson, Bolsanaroalas, the list goes on) as it was twenty-five years ago. In Aprile, the birth of a son and the difficulties Moretti (as himself in the film) has with completing the documentary about Berlusconi which Aprile is about (another film inside a film) drive Nanni to drop the documentary and shoot a musical instead about a Trotskyist pastry chef (sic!). The baby and the musical are both radiant openings towards, truly, a brighter future, and a happy ending. In A Brighter Tomorrow, hope is purely ironical. The Italian title: Il Sol dell Avvenire is taken from a line from a Soviet song, as if to drive home that all that gives us the illusion of happiness, from songs to ideologies, is poison in disguise. The musical the director was shooting in Aprile, starring the same actor, Silvio Orlando, has now become a historical drama, with Orlando as the head of the local branch of the communist party. He is set, in the films script, to commit suicide faced with the choice between the Party or his wife. In a last minute pirouette, the director, Giovanni/Moretti decides his character wont die after all. Instead, a huge parade made up of the actors from the historical film, but also the characters from the present including Giovanni/Moretti, his wife, his daughter and her future husband who is her fathers age, as also a host of familiar faces from previous films by Moretti, walk side by side inside a 1950s Rome towards the house of the head of the Italian Communist Party. The parade will bring about a U-turn in the Partys line, detaching itself from the Soviets and thereby, as the last words on screen describe, have Italy become the communist utopia imagined by Marx and Engels. Moretti has done a Tarantino (a tarantella? as well, as everyone starts dancing on set in a moment of suspension of anxiety, a derviche dance). But where in Tarantino, this u-chronic twist, by realising the possibilities of escape and re-enchantment of film, not only justifies the re-writing of history but also prompts our capacities to wallow in pure fantasy, with Moretti the recourse to illusion is too close to delusion and has a far greater sting attached. Past and present, fiction and politics (i.e., life), film and reality which is in fact a film, all join forces. As Giovanni/Moretti walks tall in the centre of the parade looking straight at the camera, he slowly allows for the lightest of smiles to touch his eyes and the corners of his lips a smile which contains all the enigma of another famous smile, that of his compatriot the Mona Lisa. It is a smile that says neither happy nor sad, but where smoulders a form of wisdom which does not know what, but knows there is something we are not doing right. If cinema allows for drastic changes of plot: a couple separating can make peace and fall in love again just if the girl stays in the car, a suicide can be prevented just if the writer-director steps into the set and decides otherwise, the Italian Communist Party can cut loose from Moscow just if everyone from all the films comes together, what does it mean about our lives? The role of the director in the film is not to create escape routes but to embody the thinking conscience that accompanies the characters of the film, leading them to act in a way which is more authentically conform to their will and desires. No more mindless violence, vulgarity and cliche uses of language. Cinema is not a playground where anything is allowed, and everything can happen everywhere and anywhere. It is the space where thought can think. In a wonderful scene, Giovanni and his wife, (who is also his producer and at that point of the film has also left him), are sitting in a meeting with Netflix executives. The executives explain how great Netflix is with its spread over 190 countries in as many languages, and its win-win narrative structure methods, epitomised by a savvily calculated what the fuck moment to hook the viewer. Giovanni looks at them not so much as if they came from Mars but rather as the voice of an absolutely horrific future, full of very stupid people. The industrialisation of the creative process is not the only target that would be easy and a commonplace. It is the vulgarity of the words and the very idea of organising a film according to a set-plan; the very idea of satisfying a viewers pre-registered desires. That is impossible to stomach for our Socrates-with-a-camera. And how could it not, when he has created such a unique body of work which demonstrates the exact opposite: that the viewer cannot give orders to the film-maker because he is not in control of the frame. The directors role is to organise the sequence of surprises which what is out of the frame reserves for what we think is in the frame. The ending is therefore a bitter ending despite, or perhaps because of the Leonardo-smile. It is the illusion of having won a battle when in fact the war is over. Pakistan slams Biden-Modi talks as 'misleading, unwarranted' Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 9:29 AM Pakistan has blasted as "unwarranted" a joint statement issued by Washington and New Delhi following a meeting at the White House between US President Joe Biden and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing it of being a base for terrorist attacks. Pakistan's foreign ministry slammed the joint statement on Friday as "unwarranted, one-sided and misleading," insisting in an official statement that its reference to Islamabad went against diplomatic norms. Islamabad also emphasized that New Delhi was using extremism allegations against it in effort to deflect attention from the oppressive conditions in the India-controlled and majority Muslim Kashmir and the unjust and discriminatory treatment of minorities across India. The ministry further expressed surprise at the joint statement by noting that it had maintained a "close counter-terrorism cooperation" with the United States. "They (Biden and Modi) strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and urged Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure that no territory under its control is not used to carry out terrorist attacks," the joint US-India statement proclaimed. India-Pakistan relations have remained tense for decades. Since independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which both fully claim but partially rule. New Delhi has for years accused Pakistan of playing accessory to militant attacks waged in India, including a massive 2008 attack in Mumbai that killed more than 165 people, although Islamabad has fiercely rejected the allegation. India further claims that Pakistan has aided militants fighting Indian forces in the country's disputed Kashmir region since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and insists that it only gives diplomatic and moral support to the overwhelmingly Muslim Kashmiri population seeking independence from the oppressive rule of the nationalist Hindu government in India. The special status given to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in 2019 after New Delhi was divided into two federally controlled territories. Pakistan calls such measures illegal and demands their withdrawal. Biden, meanwhile, rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, with both leaders touting the military and trade deals they have struck aimed at countering China's global influence. Pakistan has also expressed "deep concern" for the planned transfer of advanced US military technology to India, saying such moves would not be helpful in achieving peace in South Asia. Dozens of US lawmakers expressed concerns on Tuesday over persisting human rights violations across India, calling on the Biden administration to raise the issue with Modi during his visit to Washington. "A series of independent, credible reports reflect troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access," the American Congress members wrote in a letter to Biden. The letter was signed by 75 Democratic senators and House representatives urging Biden to address human rights concerns in his talks with Modi, insisting that they are important "to a successful, strong, and long-term relationship" between the two countries. The ultra-nationalist Modi arrived in New York on Tuesday amid concerns over what is seen as a deteriorating human rights situation under his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rights advocates, however, worry that geopolitics will overshadow human rights issues, as Washington seeks to have closer ties with India. Ever since the right-wing Modi government gained power in India, Muslims across India continue to fall victim to hate crimes by extremist Hindu elements as well as discriminatory regulatory policies. Opposition parties accuse the BJP government at federal and state levels of discriminating against religious minorities. Critics say Modi's election in 2014 emboldened hard-line extremist groups that view India as a "Hindu nation" and consider its 200-million-strong Muslim minority as a foreign threat. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convenes the Incident Response Group to discuss the security situation in Russia Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau June 24, 2023 Ottawa, Ontario Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs MAlanie Joly, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety Marco E. L. Mendicino, and senior officials to discuss the evolving internal security situation in Russia. The Group considered the latest developments in Russia, discussed ongoing coordination with international partners, and assessed the implications for Canadians and Canadian personnel. The Group agreed to continue monitoring the situation and to maintain close engagement with allies and partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsahkna: we are following the events in Russia closely Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24.06.2023 Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Estonia was following the developments in Russia closely. "We are aware of what is happening, we are following the situation closely and exchanging information with Allies." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its recommendation to avoid travelling to Russia. Estonian citizens who are temporarily in Russia are advised to return to Estonia at the earliest opportunity, and register their stay in Russia on the Foreign Ministry's Reisi Targalt website opens in a new tab . NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Wagner group agrees to withdraw forces amid mutiny IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 24, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Mutinous Russian mercenary fighters who surged most of the way to Moscow have agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, their leader has said, in a de-escalation of what had become a major challenge for Russian government amid its military conflict in Ukraine. The fighters of the Wagner private army run by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, were already most of the way to the capital, having captured the city of Rostov and setting off on an 1,100 km (680 mile) race to Moscow, Reuters reported on Saturday. In an audio message, Prigozhin said the fighters would return to base because of the risk of blood being spilled. A deal to halt further movement of Wagner fighters across Russia in return for guarantees of safety for the rebels was brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his office said. Earlier, Prigozhin said his men were on a march to remove Russian commanders he blames for botching the war in Ukraine. In a televised address from the Kremlin, Putin had said Russia's very existence was under threat because of the mutiny. 2050**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia will pass through this stage, Iran FM says of mutiny IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 24, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a telephone conversation on Saturday discussed bilateral ties and the latest situation in some parts of Russia. During the phone talk, Amirabdollahian voiced Iran's support for the rule of law in all countries, including in the neighboring and friendly country of Russia. The Iranian foreign minister criticized any foreign interference in the internal affairs of different countries. Amirabdollahian said that the current situation in Russia is quite domestic and assured that Russia will pass through this stage. Lavrov, for his part, pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks and reiterated the rule of law and territorial integrity of Russia, and said that Russia will quickly pass through this stage. The Russian foreign minister, meantime, called for pursuing the agreements reached between the countries. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus says Wagner mutiny against Russia a 'gift' to West IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 24, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Belarus has described the armed mutiny inside Russia by the Wagner paramilitary group as a "gift" to the West, while reaffirming support for its close ally Moscow. "Any provocation, any internal conflict in military or political circles, in the information field or in civil society is a gift to the collective West," the Belarusian foreign ministry said on Saturday, citing a statement by the country's Security Council. Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, in his first international phone call since the Wagner group launched an armed insurrection against Russia. Putin briefed Lukashenko about the situation in Russia, Belarusian state media reported. In a televised address, the Russian leader condemned the armed mutiny as a "stab in the back" of the country amid the war with Ukraine. Wagner chief Yvegney Prigozhin declared on Friday that his 25,000-strong force were marching into the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, home to the Russian military's headquarters in the region. **2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran rejects US claims on Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine war ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 24 June 2023 / 11:36 Tehran (ISNA) - Iran's permanent mission to the UN reacted to the latest remarks by the US and its allies (Albania, France, the UK and Ukraine) regarding Russia's use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war. "Remarks made by the US ambassador to the UN are a political show to defame Iran in the Ukraine war," Iran's permanent mission to the UN said in a statement. In a joint statement at the Security Council Stakeout on Friday, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield claimed Iran and Russia were enhancing military cooperation. Thomas-Greenfield claimed Russia has not only procured hundreds of 'Mohajer' and 'Shahed' series unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Iran in clear violation of Resolution 2231, but it is also now working with Iran to produce the weapons inside Russia. The US diplomat said she delivered the joint statement on behalf of the United States, France, Britain, Albania, and Ukraine. "Since the countries in question have failed to impose their illegal demands on the secretariat to take in the issue of the drones, they seek to influence the six-month periodic report on the implementation of Resolution 2231 through organized letters and political show," Iran's permanent mission to the UN said in the statement. "The pressure on the UN Security Council not to review the report in due time this month during the presidency of the United Arab Emirates and to postpone it to the next month under Britain's presidency clearly reveals their biased intentions," the statement added. "Iran, while explicitly and repeatedly rejecting these baseless accusations, has declared that it isn't involved in this war and that this war cannot have a winner or loser, and all efforts should be made to end this war as soon as possible and address the root causes of the conflict to establish sustainable peace," it emphasized. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the initiative of the Turkish side. June 24, 2023 15:35 The President of Russia informed his counterpart on the situation in the country in connection with an attempted armed mutiny. The President of the Republic of Turkiye expressed full support for the steps taken by the Russian leadership. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President and the Polish Prime Minister discussed the situation in Russia President of the Republic of Lithuania June 24, 2023 On Saturday, President Gitanas NausAda had a telephone call with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland to discuss the situation in Russia. The President underlined that the movement of rebel units in the direction of Moscow has triggered a third wave of Russians fleeing to neighboring countries. Lithuania and its neighbors must therefore place additional focus on eastern border control. The President and the Polish Prime Minister agreed to maintain regular contacts and coordinate actions. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address by Nils Peterson To 3 Quark Daily Readers: I write to you as an ambassador from the Kingdom of Old Age. It a country near to some of you and far, far away for others. It is a good country to be able to visit. I hope you can come, but dont hurry. It will be there when you have time. On Houses and Towers Living in a house/ we live in/ the body of our lives. House, Robert Hass Packing up to leave the house Ive lived in for 50 years, deciding what books to take and what to leave behind to create their own fate, I came across Hasss Field Guide. It won for him the Yale Younger Poets Prize. Id already packed his collected poems so I thought to leave it behind with a couple a hundred other poetry books finding their own fates, but I leafed through and eye caught the words above. They seemed so true, I tucked it in the bag I was taking with me in my drive north with my younger daughter and my dog. For fifty years the house Im leaving made up the body of my life and the life of my wife and daughters. My daughters tell me they think of it as Home, even though neither one has lived in it for 30 years and more. Mostly it was a good body, though like even in the best of bodies, there were aches and pains in it and us. The new owners will have to exercise it some to renew its elegance but it has, as is sometimes said of a face that looks good no matter what its age, good bones. I found this this morning in The London Review of Books, There is a fine Scots word for the sale of a house, farm or factory: a displenishment. Well yes, thats exactly what the emptying of my house felt like, a displenishment, the plenish of 50 years is gone, and one heads towards a minimalist world. Havent gotten there yet. Dragged a lot of stuff with me. Daughters not yet off the hook. Illness and aging have made this move necessary. 2. Well, were here in Seattle in our nice apartment, still trying to settle in and find out how to live. Unfortunately our apartment overlooks the street and its a busy street night and day. We are trying white noise and likely noise-reducing curtains. I didnt sleep much the first few nights at least partly from that. Its getting better though. I wish Seattle car thieves would be more efficient. The other night one thief set off a loud car alarm 3 times at 20 minute intervals before he was able to make off with the car. Hard to sleep. (I assume he finally got the car because my daughter told me she found broken glass on the street in the morning but that could have just been a passing beer bottle.) Actually, Judith and I have grown accustomed to the street noise and are now sleeping quite well. If I were making crayons for Crayola to describe Seattle, I would make at least 4 shades of gray. There would be Glum Gray, Ominous Gray, Introvert Gray, and Luminous Gray. Im sure other shades will come my way. The morning poop promenade can be cold and rainy here. Neither dog nor walker is used to that. It was so yesterday and the dog went about his business as fast as he could and then headed back to the door. It was so dark, I really needed a flashlight to find his leavings, but eventually I was able to distinguish poop from leaf. I planned to carry a flashlight today, but got up later instead. I have to carry him in a basket on top of my walker making it a kind of a walker-perambulator. He is afraid the elevator. 3. This is no country for young men, Yeats might have written had he ended up in a senior citizen residence. Better, This is no country for the young. And it is true that there are none here save for the staff. Of course back in California, I had many friends my age and we all marched along together through the years. But I had many younger friends too, twenty, thirty years younger. When we were together, I felt as if I were their age. (I hope they didnt feel they were being pulled into mine.) As we go to dinner, there are almost as many walkers as people. I have used one for years, but I have not been surrounded by people using them. Back there, I was an oddity. Now Im just one of the usual folk. Here, the one-caned walker is queen or king, so said Nils Kipling Jung built his tower stone by stone, a palpable archetype, and Yeats had his great tower at where he would go up the winding stair to brood and write his poems looking about him at what he could see, what he could see, remember, feel, about the whole of his life. Up in the tower his memory seemed to quicken and energize his awareness of self. But the real tower, the tower that we are all building, is the tower of age from which we look back and down at things, remembering, recreating, and, indeed, sometimes making up things that we think were remembering. 4. Time flies by so fast. A year ago we signed up to move, but had to wait until our new apartment was redone. We moved in early October. It seems a long time ago now, our 50 odd years in Campbell almost a dream, a dream we cant go back to now that our old house is remodeled and resold. I wonder for how much. In 1968 we moved into the biggest house we could afford because we had been living cramped up in small spaces for years. It was the first neighborhood in Campbell to be developed from farmland after World War II, modest homes for working people. Our new next door neighbor had worked as a lineman for the telephone company and he designed his house and helped build it. It was a little strange, but lovely. After he died, his wife lived on in it until her 90s when she could no longer manage alone. Then someone bought it, tore it down, and built what Ill call a Sunset magazine house. Now it is a neighborhood that you have to be rich to move into. The wealthy by a modest house on a big lot, tear it down and, well, you get my drift. And its happened to my old house which indeed we had remodeled and fixed up until it fit us perfectly until.. And I miss the old idea of neighborhood where lineman and fireman and professor could live comfortably on the same street. Having said that, it is the upscale sale of our house that enables us to live in this expensive if not fancy housing. Well, a tiny bit on the fancy side. P.S. I recently looked at the opening pages of Bobs book and found, For Nils, who keeps teaching me that poetry is music, Gratefully, Bob, and I am grateful that my fingers opened to House and my eyes caught his words as I was making my despairing choices. And yes, poetry is music. but a house has its music. So I seek for the music of the new house, flat, rather. I prefer flat to apartment. Dont ask me why. Russia drops criminal case against Wagner chief after group ends mutiny, goes back to bases Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 9:25 PM Russia says a criminal case previously filed against the head of Wagner paramilitary group has been dropped, after Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his forces to stop fighting and retreat to their bases. The announcement came in a late Saturday statement by the Kremlin after Prigozhin ordered his fighters to stop marching towards Moscow and vacate the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, which they had taken control of after launching a mutiny. According to the Kremlin's statement, Prigozhin's current whereabouts are unknown, but he will move to Belarus under a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which ended the mutiny that Prigozhin led against Russia's military leadership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Belarusian president had offered to mediate himself, adding that the Russian leadership highly appreciated his efforts. Before the deal, Wagner forces claimed they were heading north in a convoy of trucks, tanks, and infantry armored vehicles, hoping they would reach Moscow before being intercepted by the Russian army. Prigozhin had accused Russia's military top brass of ordering a rocket attack on Wagner's field camps in Ukraine -- where Russia has been leading a military operation -- killing "huge numbers" of his paramilitary forces. Prigozhin had earlier demanded that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov be handed over to him. Asked if there would be changes in the Russian Defense Ministry as a result of the deal, Peskov said, "These matters are the sole prerogative and within the competence of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief (Putin) in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation." "Therefore, it is unlikely that these topics could have been discussed in the course of the above-mentioned contacts," he added. Peskov also described the events that unfolded earlier in the day in the form of the mutiny as "tragic." He said those Wagner fighters, who had not partaken in the "march" toward Moscow, would be offered to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry. The rest of the group's fighters, who had taken part in the mutiny, would not be prosecuted in recognition of their previous service to Russia, Peskov said, adding, "We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front." Still praising the deal, the Russian official said avoiding bloodshed was more important than punishing people. Elsewhere in his remarks, Peskov said the mutiny would definitely not affect Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. Later on Saturday, the regional governor of Rostov-on-Don, Vasily Golubev, said Wagner group fighters had left the city, adding, "A Wagner column left Rostov and headed to their field camps." According to Russian media, all restrictions imposed on the country's highways were lifted after Wagner forces started to go back to their bases. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wagner forces ordered to retreat by leader Yevgeny Prigozhin Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 6:20 PM Russia's Wagner paramilitary forces leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has ordered his fighters to turn around from their march towards Moscow to avoid bloodshed. Earlier, military convoys believed to belong to Prigozhin's Wagner forces were seen in the town of Elets moving north along a highway towards the capital Moscow. "Now the moment has come when blood can be shed," he said. "Therefore, realizing all the responsibility for the fact that Russian blood will be shed from one side, we will turn our convoys around and go in the opposite direction to our field camps." Wagner forces' advancement towards Moscow was seen to pose a major challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting the world to watch the developments closely. "In 24 hours we got to within 200 km of Moscow. In this time we did not spill a single drop of our fighters' blood," Prigozhin said in an audio message. "Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Understanding ... that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned." Putin had mobilized Russian troops on Saturday to put down what he called an armed rebellion by the Wagner forces, who had claimed control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. Prigozhin's decision to halt the march towards Moscow came after negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aimed at deescalating the situation. The terms appeared to include an amnesty for Wagner forces who had taken part in the armed mutiny against Russia. "The negotiations lasted throughout the day," Lukashenko's press pool reported. "As a result, we came to an agreement on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the territory of Russia." Wagner forces had been heading north in a convoy of trucks, tanks and infantry armored vehicles, which they hoped would have reached Moscow before being intercepted by the Russian army. Prigozhin has accused Russia's top military brass of ordering a rocket attack on Wagner's field camps in Ukraine, where "huge numbers" of his fighters had been killed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian officials proclaim loyalty to Putin after Wagner's mutiny Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 5:16 PM Russian officials have proclaimed loyalty to President Vladimir Putin, with almost all predicting victory following an armed mutiny by the Wagner group against Moscow. Kremlin officials, regional governors and lawmakers declared their loyalty to Putin on Saturday, after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's rebellion against the Russian leader, The New York Times reported. No central figures have publicly taken Prigozhin's side, with almost everyone official predicting that Putin would prevail. Roman Starovoit, the governor of the Kursk region, said the war in Ukraine was the key task at hand. "The main enemy outside our borders is shelling peaceful settlements in our region," he said. Sergei Mironov, the head of the "A Just Russia" party in the Russian parliament, kept his distance from Wagner, saying, "We will not allow the enemy to have the slightest chance." "Our country is fighting for its future," he said in a statement. Russian authorities said they were charging Prigozhin with "organizing an armed rebellion" against Putin. Meanwhile, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has highlighted the need to rally around the president in order to prevent a national split. "Rallying around our president and the supreme commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces is crucial for defeating the external and internal enemy, which seeks to tear our Homeland apart, and for saving our state," he said in a statement posted on Telegram. "National split and betrayal would lead to the greatest tragedy ever and a universal catastrophe," he stressed, adding, "We will not let it happen. The enemy will be crushed. Victory will be ours." In an audio message posted on Telegram on Friday, Prigozhin also accused the Russian top brass of launching strikes against his men and said that "the evil which the Russian military leadership carries must be stopped." He also claimed that he had taken control of the southern city Rostov-on-Don as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership. In an emergency televised address to the nation on Saturday, Putin said the "armed mutiny" was treason, pledging that anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military would be punished. "This is a stab in the back to our country, to our nation," Putin said. "What we have been faced with is exactly betrayal. Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason." The Wagner Group is a paramilitary organization that has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia warns West against taking advantage of armed mutiny Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 5:13 PM Russia has warned the West against trying to exploit an armed mutiny by the Wagner private military group against Moscow for their "Russophobic goals." The Russian foreign ministry cautioned "the Western countries against any hint of the possible use of the domestic Russian situation to achieve their Russophobic goals." "All goals and objectives of the special military operation will be fulfilled," it said in a statement, referring to Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. The leader of the Wagner Group, a paramilitary organization that has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, said in an audio message on Friday that the "evil which the Russian military leadership carries must be stopped." Russian President Vladimir Putin described the "armed mutiny," as treason. He pledged that anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military would be punished. "Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people," Putin said, demanding national unity. In the meantime, the Ukrainian deputy defense minister described the incident as a "window of opportunity" for Kiev. Moscow has opened a criminal case against Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and declared an anti-terrorist operation regime in and around Moscow amid reports that Wagner forces are moving towards the capital city. Russian forces have launched a counter-terrorist operation to halt the militia's advance in the Voronezh region. And the Russian Defense Ministry urged the fighters to return to their bases, saying it will guarantee their safety. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan voices 'full support' for Putin after Wagner's armed mutiny Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 3:52 PM Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has voiced "full support" for the Russian leadership in its handling of an armed mutiny by the Wagner private military group against Moscow. The Kremlin quoted Erdogan as making the remark in a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday as the two discussed the latest developments in Russia after Wagner's overnight rebellion against the Russian leader and the military. "The president of Russia gave information about the situation in the country in connection with an attempted armed rebellion. The president of the Republic of Turkey expressed full support for the steps taken by the Russian leadership," the Kremlin said in a statement. Erdogan's office also confirmed the report and said the Turkish president had expressed readiness to help seek a "peaceful resolution" to the armed rebellion in Russia. The president's office said Erdogan "underlined the importance of acting with common sense," stressing, "We, as Turkey, are ready to do our part for the peaceful resolution of events in Russia as soon as possible." Putin has vowed to crush the armed mutiny after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that he had taken control of a southern city as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership. The Wagner Group is a paramilitary organization that has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. In an audio message posted to the social media platform Telegram on Friday, Prigozhin accused the Russian top brass of launching strikes against his men and said that "the evil which the Russian military leadership carries must be stopped." "Those who killed our lads, and tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers [in the war in Ukraine] will be punished," he said. Last month, Wagner troops conquered the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. The battle over Bakhmut has been described as the heaviest to take place between the Russian and Ukrainian forces since last February when Moscow began what it called a special military operation in the ex-Soviet republic. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says supports rule of law in Russia amid Wagner mutiny Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 1:26 PM Iran says it supports the rule of law in the Russian Federation in the wake of a mutiny led by the chief of the Wagner group. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Saturday the recent developments in Russia were a domestic issue. Wagner is a paramilitary organization that has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. In an audio message posted on Telegram on Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, said the "evil which the Russian military leadership carries must be stopped." That prompted an emergency televised address by President Vladimir Putin to the nation on Saturday. The "armed mutiny," Putin said, was treason. The president pledged that anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military would be punished. "This is a stab in a back to our country, to our nation," Putin said. "What we have been faced with is exactly betrayal. Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason." Prigozhin claims the Russian military has struck his men. 'Wagner lacks minimum capabilities to challenge Russian army' Iran's Nour News, which is affiliated with the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) of the Islamic Republic, said in a tweet on Saturday that Wagner's action could lead to "destructive psychological consequences" amid the war in Ukraine. But it added that the group lacked the minimum capabilities to stand up as a force to reckon with. In another tweet, Nour News pointed to Putin's remarks about internal treason in Russia and his resolve to prevent a civil war and warned of the West's new plot to bring Moscow to its knees in the war. "Putin's remarks can indicate his awareness of the West's new scheme to create a new front within Russia through Wagner to weaken national cohesion and bring Moscow to its knees in the Ukraine war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Putin: Wagner mutiny 'stab in the back' of Russia Iran Press TV Saturday, 24 June 2023 7:11 AM Russia has declared an "anti-terrorist operation regime" in Moscow and the Moscow region after mutiny by the chief of the Wagner mercenary group which President Vladimir Putin called a "stab in the back" of the country. In an emergency televised address to the nation on Saturday, Putin said the "armed mutiny" was treason, pledging that anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military would be punished. "This is a stab in a back to our country, to our nation," Putin said. "What we have been faced with is exactly betrayal. Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason." His remarks came after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he was inside the army headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and controlled military sites there. Putin said, "All those who consciously stood on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, stood on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, before the law and before our people." In a statement, Russia's national anti-terrorist committee said an anti-terror operation regime has been introduced "with the aim of preventing possible terrorist acts on the territory of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region". Russia also declared an anti-terrorist operation in the southern Voronezh region, where some reports said Wagner mercenaries were headed. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the measure was "aimed at strengthening security." He said there was "additional control" on roads and that the capital's mass events may be limited. Moscow's transport department said there could be delays in bus routes from the capital to "southern directions." Prigozhin launched the most audacious challenge to President Putin since the start of the offensive in Ukraine last year after accusing the Russian top brass of launching strikes against his men. Putin described the campaign by the Wagner military group to unseat the country's top brass as a "deadly threat" to Russia and urged the country to unite. "Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood and to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia and to our people," he said, adding: "This battle, when the fate of our people is being decided, requires the unification of all forces and unity." The FSB security service accused Prigozhin of attempting to launch a "civil conflict" and urged Wagner fighters to detain him. Russia's defense ministry appealed to Wagner fighters to "show reason" and abandon Prigozhin, saying it would "guarantee the safety" of those who did so. Prigozhin had pledged to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff, over what he had called their disastrous leadership of the war against Ukraine. He had said he had 25,000 fighters who would "restore justice" and had alleged, without providing evidence, that the military had killed a huge number of his fighters in an airstrike, something the defense ministry denied. Prigozhin said later Saturday that Putin was "deeply mistaken" in calling rebelling Wagner fighters "traitors" and ruled out surrender. "On treason of the motherland: the president is deeply wrong. We are patriots of our motherland," he said in an audio message on Telegram. "Nobody plans to turn themselves in at the request of the president, the FSB (security service) or anyone else." The leader of Russia's Orthodox Patriarch Kirill called for "unity" and voiced support for President Putin. "Today, when our brothers are fighting and dying on the frontlines... any attempt to sow discord within the country is the greatest possible crime that has no justification," Patriarch Kirill said in a statement. "I support the efforts of the head of the Russian state, aimed at not allowing turmoil in our country." Meanwhile, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said his forces were ready to help put down the mutiny and to use harsh methods if necessary. Kadyrov in a statement posted on Telegram called Prigozhin's behavior "a knife in the back" and called on Russian soldiers not to give in to any "provocations." He said that Chechen units were moving towards the "zones of tension" and would act to "preserve Russia's units and defend its statehood". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wagner Chief Prigozhin Calls Off March To Moscow, Easing Tensions By RFE/RL June 24, 2023 Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russian mercenary group Wagner, said he told his forces to immediately halt their advance on Moscow and return to their bases in Ukraine as fear gripped the country about a potential deadly power struggle. "We are turning our columns around and going back to field camps," Prigozhin said in an audio post on Telegram on June 24, adding that he did not want to "spill Russian blood." Prigozhin said his troops, which he claimed numbered 25,000, were just 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the Russian capital when he made the decision. He did not say whether he had spoken with the Kremlin or the Russian military before announcing the move. The insurrection, which began a day earlier, heralded the most serious challenge to Putin's leadership during his nearly 24 years at the top of Russia's power structure and comes at a critical time for the Kremlin's war effort in Ukraine. In a sign of the gravity of the situation, Putin was forced earlier in the day to address the nation, saying in televised remarks that he would do "everything to protect the country" and called for national unity as Russia "engaged in its heaviest struggle for its future." The Kremlin must contend with the insurrection amid Ukraine's counteroffensive, a crucial endeavor that may shape the course of the conflict, including further opening the spigot of lethal Western military aid. As the uprising unfolded, Putin called the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey to inform them of the situation. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom. 'Personal Ambition' Prigozhin's forces swept into Rostov-on-Don in Russia's south in the early morning hours where it easily seized key infrastructure. Putin described the private Wagner mercenary group's occupation of the city as an "armed mutiny" and said that "decisive action" would be taken to stabilize the situation in southwestern Russia. The Russian military reportedly fired on the Wagner forces later in the day as they advanced along the highway toward Moscow. Putin said Prigozhin had "betrayed" his country out of "personal ambition." Prigozhin responded promptly to Putin's allegations of betrayal, saying in an audio message on Telegram after the speech that the Russian president was "deeply mistaken" and that he and his forces "are patriots of the motherland." In his address to the nation, Putin vowed to punish all "traitors" involved in the Wagner action, which he said was a "stab in the back" in the face of what he characterized as a Western threat to Russian sovereignty. "It is a blow to Russia, to our people. And our actions to defend the fatherland against such a threat will be harsh," Putin said. "All those who deliberately stepped on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed insurrection, who took the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, will answer both to the law and to our people." Putin added that "the entire military, economic, and information machine of the West," which has backed Ukraine following Russia's unprovoked all-out invasion in February 2022, was "effectively aimed against us." Top Russian officials and personalities, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill, and Russian State Duma head Vyacheslav Volodin, echoed Putin's call for Russian citizens to rally and for Wagner troops to halt the insurrection. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close Putin ally who has headed the republic in Russia's North Caucasus region since 2007, said he was deploying Chechen troops to "preserve Russia's unity and protect its statehood." 'Interesting Idea' Prigozhin began his march toward Moscow on June 23 after accusing the Russian Defense Ministry of launching rocket attacks on the rear camps of his forces in Ukraine using artillery and attack helicopters that allegedly killed many of his men. "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," Prigozhin said following the alleged attack. The Kremlin called the mercenary leader's accusation a lie while some analysts said video of the alleged attack looked like a false flag operation and suggested Priogzhin had long been planning to seize power. Prigozhin's insurrection comes on the heels of months of intense public fighting with Russia's military leadership over the war strategy in Ukraine and ammunition supplies. Over the spring, he repeatedly accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov of intentionally holding back supplies of ammunition to his troops in Bakhmut, the site of the war's bloodiest battle. Semon Pegov, a pro-Russia military blogger, said in an interview with Prigozhin on April 29 that there was speculation the military was withholding ammunition from Wagner for fear the mercenary leader would use it to storm Moscow and take power. Prigozhin responded by saying it was an "interesting idea" but claimed he hadn't considered it. However, just a month later, after his troops took Bakhmut in the first Russian victory of the war in about 10 months, Prigozhin toured several Russian regions, giving interviews to local media in what some experts said was a clear sign of his political ambition. Meanwhile, Putin appeared to be siding with the Russian Defense Ministry in its spat with Prigozhin, appearing alongside Shoigu in a sign of support. The Russian Defense Ministry soon moved to take direct control of Wagner in what some experts said was a Kremlin attempt to sideline Prigozhin. Prigozhin went on the offensive, saying Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was justified based on "lies." He was clear to avoid criticizing Putin for the poorly planned attack that has resulted in more than 200,000 Russian casualties. "The war was needed...so that Shoigu could become a marshal...so that he could get a second 'Hero' [of Russia] medal," Prigozhin said. "The war wasn't needed to demilitarize or 'denazify' Ukraine," Prigozhin said, referring to Putin's oft-stated reasons for launching the war against Kyiv. The Defense Ministry responded by saying that the statements "do not correspond to reality," calling them a "provocation." Wagner's march toward Moscow sent shivers through the Russian capital as police blocked roads leading to the city. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced he was putting "anti-terror measures" into effect, including increased traffic checks and restrictions on large events. He called on residents to refrain from traveling around the city and declared Monday a non-working day. The events triggering a surge in demand for overseas flights departing Moscow on the weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the events demonstrate "Russia's weakness." "The longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain, and problems it will have for itself later," Zelenskiy added in a Telegram message. Mykhaylo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, described Prigozhin's actions as a "counterterrorist" operation that clearly exposed the simmering feud among Russia's leadership. "The split between the elites is too obvious. Agreeing and pretending that everything is settled won't work," Podolyak wrote in a tweet on June 24. "Someone must definitely lose: either Prigozhin...or the collective 'anti-Prigozhin.'" "Everything is just beginning in Russia," Podolyak added. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Current Time, AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters, Interfax, and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wagner-prigozhin- mercenaries-occupying-russia/32473532.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 Prigozhin's 'Mutiny' And The Challenge To Putin By Steve Gutterman June 24, 2023 In repeated tirades against Russian military leaders over the past several months, Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has taken pains to stop short of putting President Vladimir Putin directly in the crosshairs. When the crudely spoken former prison inmate known as "Putin's chef" for his catering work announced on June 23 that his forces would head away from the front in Ukraine and go on a "march of justice" in Russia, he seemed more careful than ever to claim that Putin was not his target. The stunning action was "not a military coup," Prigozhin said. And he hewed to a long-established narrative known loosely as "good tsar, bad boyars," suggesting that if Putin had made unwise or disastrous choices -- such as the decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 -- it was because he was betrayed by power-hungry generals and self-interested tycoons in his circle. But while the future is more clouded than ever now, few outcomes of Prigozhin's thrust bode well for Putin, and analysts say his own methods, moves, and style of rule are to blame. "On Friday evening, Prigozhin raised an open mutiny," the media outlet The Bell wrote in a news bulletin on the morning of June 24. "Officially -- against the 'military leadership' headed by [Defense Minister] Sergei Shoigu, but de facto Prigozhin threw down a challenge to the very regime of Vladimir Putin." After hours of silence overnight, Putin sought to sound firm in a Saturday morning address, vowing to take "decisive action" against the "armed mutiny" and ordering the "neutralization" of its organizers. But Prigozhin quickly and pointedly talked back, saying Putin was "deeply mistaken" to suggest he was a traitor and vowing his forces would not surrender. Putin will have a hard time turning the potentially momentous twist in what he intended to be a short, victorious war against Ukraine into a positive for himself and his political future. Here's why. Signs Of Weakness? The very fact that Prigozhin has kept Putin out of the direct line of fire in his outbursts up until now puts the president in a questionable light, portraying him as a leader who is unable to maintain control over his top lieutenants and may be easily misled. In one of his earlier tirades, Prigozhin hinted that Putin was a "happy grandpa" and a clueless dupe who is fed lies by those around him and is unaware of the harsh reality of the war. A more obvious indication that Putin is not in control comes from the unavoidable optics of what, in its first 24 hours, remains a deeply murky situation: Prigozhin and his forces crossed from Ukraine into Russia and entered Rostov-on-Don, a large city that is the hub for Moscow's operations in what is now a 16-month invasion of Ukraine, and claimed his forces controlled the military headquarters and other military sites in the city. For observers of Russia, a commonplace is that Putin's grip on power will seem solid until it isn't. And from almost any angle, Prigozhin's actions make that grip look less solid than it did just one day earlier. Despite efforts of by the Kremlin and state TV to control the narrative, the chaotic situation may further undermine many Russians' confidence in Putin, whose image has been tarnished by setbacks and losses in the war on Ukraine. Prigozhin's brash retort to the address on June 24 won't help matters for Putin, who is rarely subjected to open criticism by anyone with any authority inside Russia. Contrary to claims that Putin "was fully in control and not vulnerable to coups, his authority is now being directly challenged in a way that may have far-reaching implications for the regime as well as the course of the war," military analyst Lawrence Freedman, an emeritus professor of War Studies at King's College London, wrote in a post on Substack on June 24. A New Front When Putin launched the large-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, he expected what he called the "special military operation" to achieve its goal -- the subjugation of Ukraine -- within weeks at most. That did not happen. After a dramatic retreat from positions near Kyiv and back across the border that spring, Russian forces suffered further setbacks in the east and south and are now trying to face down a new Ukrainian counteroffensive on sections of the more than 1,000-kilometer front. In addition, there have been attacks on Russia soil, ranging from incursions in Belgorod and other border regions to drone strikes in Moscow and, in one case, on the Kremlin itself. The Wagner campaign opens up a new front of sorts, one that is also inside Russia, at a potentially crucial juncture of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin's forces, which have played an important role in some of the fighting, are now an enemy within. The Truth Will Out In his address on June 24, Putin repeated what has become the Kremlin's main narrative about its war against Ukraine. He portrayed the forces led by Prigozhin as traitors who are undermining Russia at a crucial time, repeating his unfounded claim that the invasion was not an act of aggression but a necessary step to counter a bid by the West to use Ukraine to tear Russia apart or, at the very least, to achieve its "strategic defeat." Russian officials at all levels have echoed that narrative, but Prigozhin, in remarks on June 23, sought to drill a big hole in it. In past tirades, he has lambasted Shoigu and armed forces chief of staff Valery Gerasimov for the way they have conducted the war, asserting that they have starved his forces of ammunition. This time, he not only accused the military of targeting his units with rockets and fire from helicopter gunships but also suggested the invasion itself was unjustified, contesting the claim that Russia faced a threat of attack from Ukraine and NATO. "On February 24 [2022], there was nothing extraordinary happening," Prigozhin said. "Now the Defense Ministry is trying to deceive the public, deceive the president, and tell a story that there was some crazy aggression by Ukraine, that -- together with the whole NATO bloc -- Ukraine was planning to attack us." "It is the question of the war's necessity that made Prigozhin's latest accusations so incendiary," military analyst Freedman wrote, because they challenged "not only the conduct of the war but the whole basis upon which it was launched. The shots might have been aimed at Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov...but Vladimir Putin was clearly in the firing line." Method And Madness Over nearly 24 years in power as president or prime minister, Putin has sought to maintain control in part by setting factions within Russia against each other, but analysts say his decision to launch the large-scale invasion of Ukraine has fouled that system. "Putin's style of managing the elite has proven dangerously dysfunctional when transplanted to the battlefield," author and analyst Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russia's military and security agencies, wrote in The Spectator on May 15. "A culture of mutual suspicion, cannibalistic competition, and opportunistic self-interest has kept Putin in power for more than two decades. It has allowed him to play individuals and interests against each other and forced the members of his court constantly to seek his ear and favor," Galeotti wrote. "In war, though, the need is for unity, discipline, and mutual support -- something the Ukrainians are displaying and the Russians clearly lack." Putin's first public comments following Prigozhin's big move showed he will seek to use what he called a treacherous "stab in the back" to forge unity among Russians and snatch some kind of victory from the jaws of possible defeat. But for a president who has always been portrayed as a leader in firm control, that will be hard to do. And Prigozhin's campaign could lay bare fatal flaws in his method of rule. The animosity between Prigozhin and Shoigu is in many ways "a classic competition for rents, the likes of which have dominated the Russian political and economic scene for decades, and thus the kind of thing for which Putin and the rest of the system should be well prepared, and thus which should not be terribly destabilizing," Sam Greene, a professor at the Russia Institute at King's College London, wrote in a newsletter on June 24. But in two important ways, Greene wrote, it's "very different from anything we've seen in Russia before." For one thing, the rivals "have a degree of firepower that would make the mafia bosses of the 1990s look like schoolboys with slingshots. Second, the struggle is over control of the process that has become the cornerstone of Putin's political rule: the war in Ukraine," he wrote. "None of the other sectors over which Russian elites have sparred in the past have been so critical to Putin's own political survival." "Even if Wagner is defeated quickly, which I would not take for granted, then this is still a big shock to the regime and it will have been weakened," Freedman wrote. "If the confrontation goes in the other direction then all bets are off and panic may start to grip the Kremlin." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/prigozhin-mutiny-russia- challenge-putin/32473845.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 Wagner Chief Prigozhin Calls Off March To Moscow, Agrees To Move To Belarus By RFE/RL June 24, 2023 Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russian mercenary group Wagner, told his forces to immediately halt their advance on Moscow and return to their camp grounds as fear of a possible violent power struggle gripped the country. "We are turning our columns around and going back to the field camps according to our plan," Prigozhin said in a short, fiery audio message posted to Telegram on June 24. In his statement, Prigozhin boasted that his troops - which he claimed numbered 25,000 - had come within 200 kilometers of Moscow without spilling any blood, a possible hint to the Kremlin of his support within elements of the nation's security structures. The Kremlin later confirmed that it had struck a deal with Prigozhin to end the insurrection, saying the mercenary leader will move to Belarus and have all charges dropped against him while his Wagner group will now come under the direct control of the Russian military. Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukasenka helped mediate the deal, the Kremlin said. The insurrection heralded the most serious challenge to President Vladimir Putin's more than two-decade hold on power, and though it appears to be over for now, it has left the authoritarian Russian leader weakened and vulnerable, experts say. "The fact that this was moderated by Lukashenka strikes me as embarrassing in the extreme," Sam Greene, a Russia expert at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said in a tweet. "This whole episode may have punctured the air of inevitability that has kept him aloft for the past 23 years." In a sign of the gravity of the situation earlier in the day, Putin was forced to address the nation, saying in televised remarks that he would do "everything to protect the country. He also called the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey to inform them of the situation. The armed insurrection, unprecedented in post-Soviet Russia, put other nations on alert, with U.S. President Joe Biden contacting his counterparts in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Putin must now contend with the ramifications of the mutiny as Ukraine pushes ahead with its large-scale counteroffensive, a crucial endeavor that could shape the course of the conflict, including further opening the spigot of lethal Western military aid. Prigozhin's forces swept into Rostov-on-Don in Russia's south in the early morning hours of June 24 where they easily seized key infrastructure, before moving north toward Moscow with little resistance, shocking the country and the world. Putin called his actions a "mutiny" and said he would take "decisive action" to stabilize the situation. The Russian military reportedly fired on the Wagner forces at one point as they made their way along the highway toward Moscow though RFE/RL could not confirm such an incident. Top Russian officials and personalities, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill, and Russian State Duma head Vyacheslav Volodin, echoed Putin's call for Russian citizens to rally and for Wagner troops to halt the insurrection. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close Putin ally who has headed the republic in Russia's North Caucasus region since 2007, said he was going to deploy Chechen troops to "preserve Russia's unity and protect its statehood." 'Personal Ambition' The Russian leader said that Prigozhin had "betrayed" his country out of "personal ambition." Prigozhin responded promptly to Putin's allegations of betrayal, saying in an audio message that the Russian president was "deeply mistaken" and that he and his forces "are patriots of the motherland." In his address to the nation, Putin vowed to punish all "traitors" involved in the Wagner action, which he said was a "stab in the back" in the face of what he characterized as a Western threat to Russian sovereignty. However, he backtracked on that tough line amid the deal with Prigozhin, with the Kremlin confirming that none of the Wagner forces taking part in the insurrection would be prosecuted. Prigozhin began his march toward Moscow on June 23 after accusing the Russian Defense Ministry of launching rocket attacks on the rear camps of his forces in Ukraine using artillery and attack helicopters that allegedly killed many of his men. The Kremlin called the mercenary leader's accusation false. Prigozhin's insurrection came in the wake of months of intense public fighting with Russia's military leadership over its war strategy in Ukraine and ammunition supplies. Over the spring, the Wagner leader repeatedly accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov of intentionally holding back supplies of ammunition to his troops in Bakhmut, the site of the war's bloodiest battle. Semon Pegov, a pro-Russia military blogger, said in an interview with Prigozhin on April 29 that there was speculation the Russian military was withholding ammunition from Wagner for fear the mercenary leader would use it to storm Moscow and take power. Prigozhin responded that it was an "interesting idea" but claimed he hadn't considered it. However, just a month later, after his troops took Bakhmut in the first Russian victory of the war in about 10 months, Prigozhin toured several Russian regions, giving interviews to local media in what some experts said was a clear sign of his political ambition. Meanwhile, Putin appeared to be siding with the Russian Defense Ministry in its spat with Prigozhin, appearing alongside Shoigu in a sign of support. The Russian Defense Ministry soon moved to take direct control of Wagner in what some experts said was a Kremlin attempt to sideline Prigozhin. In his audio statement announcing his troops' pullback, Prigozhin claimed the Kremlin had been seeking to disband his Wagner group. Aleksandar Djokic, a political analyst, said in a tweet that it Prigozhin had probably "caught wind" of the fact that he had lost Putin's favor and carried out the mutiny to prove his worth. He said it appeared Prigozhin had won the standoff, showing Putin "he's too dangerous." While the insurrection sent shivers down the spines of Muscovites, it was welcomed in Kyiv. In a Telegram message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the events demonstrated "Russia's weakness" and warned that the longer Russian troops are on his country's soil, "the more chaos, pain, and problems" Russia will suffer. Mykhaylo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Zelenskiy, said Prigozhin's operation clearly exposed the simmering feud among Russia's leadership and predicted it won't end anytime soon. "The split between the elites is too obvious," adding the infighting in Russia "is just beginning." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wagner-chief-prigozhin- calls-of-march-moscow/32474192.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. 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Malofeyev, a Kremlin-connected media tycoon who is openly infatuated with Russia's imperialist, Orthodox heritage, has been under Western sanctions since 2014 for his role fomenting uprisings in parts of southern and eastern Ukraine and facilitating Russia's occupation of Ukraine's Crimea region. He is also the target of an international arrest warrant on suspicion of creating and financing illegal paramilitary formations. Nonetheless, the so-called Orthodox oligarch has continued to finance activities in support of Russia's aggression against Ukraine since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has long been believed that the 48-year-old largely withdrew from business shortly after he was hit with international sanctions, and that he has, since then, mostly used money he accumulated over his career. Systema, RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, has discovered strong evidence that Malofeyev was heavily involved with a major Russian IT company that benefited from numerous contracts with the Russian government and state-controlled companies. That company was sold just a week before the February 2022 invasion, bringing the entities tied to Malofeyev a substantial windfall. (To read the complete Systema investigation in Russian, click here.) Malofeyev has long been an ideologue of the restoration of Russia's imperial past. His Tsargrad media network was instrumental in promoting the so-called Novorossiya project to justify the attempt to establish Russian control over much of southern and eastern Ukraine that began in 2014. It served as a major platform for disseminating and popularizing the ideas of the extreme-right publicist Aleksandr Dugin. In the summer of 2020. Malofeyev presented his three-volume "historical" opus at the Red Square book festival in Moscow, an event that has been sponsored since 2015 by a foundation headed by Kremlin insider and current Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin. The book describes Moscow's aggressive actions in Ukraine as the "reconsolidation of historically Russian lands." At the book presentation, Malofeyev was asked who Russia's new monarch and the founder of the next ruling dynasty should be. "I definitely think that the worthiest candidate to become the emperor of modern Russia is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin," he replied. An Unexpected Visit Late one evening in February 2018, the bell rang at the Moscow apartment of IT businessman Sergei Shilov. It was a team from the Federal Security Service (FSB) with automatic weapons at the ready, Shilov later said in an interview for a YouTube channel of Esquire magazine. The agents searched the apartment and hustled Shilov away to the Investigative Committee for a statement. In the end, he was arrested on suspicion of fraud to the tune of 1.4 billion rubles ($35 million) in connection with an IT contract with the Interior Ministry. Shilov founded the company AT Consulting in 2001, and it quickly developed into one of Russia's leading IT-services providers. In addition to the Interior Ministry, AT Consulting had contracts with Rostelekom, Rosneft, VTB bank, Sberbank, and others. In 2014-15, Kirill Shamalov -- at the time, Putin's son-in-law and a neighbor of Malofeyev's in Moscow's prestigious Rublyovka district, where Putin's main residence is located -- was involved in a joint venture with the company. Although Malofeyev's Tsargrad media group rarely pays attention to business stories, the hullabaloo surrounding AT Consulting appeared in one of its reports, which included comments from a person or persons in "Shilov's inner circle." Around the same time, AT Consulting underwent some significant changes. Ivan Matyash, head of the legal department for Malofeyev's Tsargrad Estate real-estate company, took over as CEO. Several businesses tied to AT Consulting were taken over by businessman Yevgeny Zhulanov, a former business partner of Malofeyev's. The industry publication TAdviser connected the changes to Malofeyev. "The consolidation that happened in June 2018 was help for the AT Consulting team at a difficult time" and "may have been carried out by Yevgeny Zhulanov at the request of Konstantin Malofeyev," it reported, citing an unidentified acquaintance of both men. The source said that Malofeyev is a co-owner of AT Consulting, it added. In March, the investigative outlet Proyekt also reported that Malofeyev had been a co-owner of AT Consulting, a company that had 35 state contracts with the Russian State Register worth 2 billion rubles ($23.6 million), according to Proekt's study of the state tenders register. Malofeyev's spokesman declined to answer any of Systema's questions for this report. 'Give Me 70 Percent' AT Consulting may have first appeared on Malofeyev's radar in the early 2010s, when the firm began doing IT work for Rostelekom, where Malofeyev was a significant minority shareholder and the "Orthodox oligarch" reportedly began taking over some of its contractors. In a 2010 interview with the business daily Vedomosti, Yevgeny Yurchenko, a former member of Rostelekom's board of directors, described what he said were Malofeyev's tactics from this period. "Someone would come to you and say: 'Tomorrow your company is going to lose all of its clients. If you don't want to go bankrupt, give me 70 percent and I will guarantee state orders for you,'" he said. Malofeyev sued Yurchenko for allegedly besmirching his business reputation, but the court satisfied the complaint only partially and declined to order retractions of most of his remarks, including this one. Nonetheless, Malofeyev's name was not officially tied to AT Consulting, which continued on paper to be owned and operated by its founder, Shilov. After a month in pretrial detention, Shilov's position began to deteriorate. He gave self-incriminating testimony and implicated Aleksei Nashchyokin, a former top manager at Rostelekom and a longtime acquaintance of Malofeyev's. The case also alarmed AT Consulting's clients and had a negative impact on business. The situation seemed to be spiraling out of control. Under New Management Around that time, a lawyer named Aleksandr Zheleznikov, who had repeatedly represented Malofeyev in the past, stepped in to help Shilov. In addition, a former FSB agent and business associate of Zhulanov's, Anton Nemkin, was placed on AT Consulting's board of directors. Shortly after these developments, Shilov was released to house arrest, which was soon further eased to a pledge not to leave the city. In April 2019, the charges against Shilov were dropped and the case closed. By the end of the year, AT Consulting disclosed that Shilov's stake in the company was just 10 percent. He retained his seat on the company's board, but the other four seats were held by people tied to Malofeyev. Malofeyev's 27-year-old son, Kirill, began working as an "analyst" at the company. Matyash's tenure as CEO was extended through 2024. Toward the end of 2021, the business press began reporting rumors that the state nuclear-power company Rosatom was interested in buying AT Consulting. Kommersant estimated the value of the deal at 10-12 billion rubles ($119-142 million). It is possible that Rosatom's interest in AT Consulting in particular was facilitated by Malofeyev's longtime contact Yury Kovalchuk, a billionaire financier who has known Putin since the early 1990s and has been described as the president's "personal banker" as well as an influential figure in his decision-making on Ukraine. Kovalchuk has longstanding relations with former Rosatom CEO Sergei Kiriyenko, the first deputy head of Putin's administration who since January 2017 has been the chairman of Rosatom's oversight board and is also heavily involved in Kremlin policy on Ukraine. When Kiriyenko ran Rosatom, Kovalchuk's son, Boris, served as his deputy in charge of development. Rosatom's Money The deal moved ahead quickly and was wrapped up on February 16, 2022, about one week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Rosatom ended up paying 20.2 billion rubles ($265 million), of which 16.6 billion ($197 million) was deposited in an account controlled by Project Investments, which in turn is controlled by Leonid Gavrilov, a businessman with long-standing ties to Malofeyev, according to financial records studied by Systema. Shortly after the deal was completed, according to the records, Gavrilov purchased a one-room apartment in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Much of the rest of the money from the sale was sent to a number of people and companies tied to Malofeyev. Nearly 6 billion rubles ($68 million) were transferred to a company called April Capital. A co-owner of April Capital through a related company, April Group, was Anatoly Milyukov. He formerly served on the board of directors of Rostelekom and, according to Kommersant, managed Malofeyev's minority stake in that company. April Capital had earlier acquired a 14.5 percent stake in AT Consulting from Gavrilov's Project Investments. Just six months before the Rosatom deal was inked, April Capital reported its stake in AT Consulting was worth $9 million. In other words, it would seem the entire value of AT Consulting was less than $64 million, about one-quarter of what Rosatom paid. According to Systema's findings, structures and individuals associated with Malofeyev received up to 19.8 billion rubles ($235 million) from the Rosatom deal. Additionally, in April 2022, Rosatom bought six other companies tied to Zhulanov, Malofeyev's former business partner. Zhulanov also sold three companies to AT Consulting on the eve of its acquisition by Rosatom. In comments to Systema, Gavrilov denied that Malofeyev was linked to AT Consulting and declined to comment on the deal with Rosatom, citing nondisclosure documents. AT Consulting referred queries to official press releases, which did not reveal the amount of the transaction or the purchaser. Malofeyev's spokesman, Anatoly Milyukov, and Sergei Shilov declined to comment. Rosatom, April Kapital, Zhulanov, and Nemkin did not respond to inquiries. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Malofeyev has distributed prizes and bonuses to troops participating in the invasion. His charitable foundation, the St. Vasily the Great Foundation, has distributed some 700 million rubles ($8.3 million) in Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Donbas region. In 2022, five companies were registered in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk that are run by Aleksei Terekhov, the head of Malofeyev's firm Kontur. One of the companies is called Tsargrad Donetsk Holdings. Adapted by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by Systema correspondent Sergei Titov. Dmitry Sukharev of Systema contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/malofeyev-russia-oligarch- finances-war-ukraine/32474096.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 Who Is Yevgeny Prigozhin? By Mike Eckel June 24, 2023 Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former convict who parlayed a St. Petersburg restaurant business into lucrative Kremlin contracts, founded the notorious private mercenary company Wagner, and became both a key figure in Russia's war on Ukraine and a relentless critic of the military command, is now in open armed rebellion against the Russian state. Prigozhin was born in 1961 in what was then Leningrad. As a teenager he was caught, and punished, for theft -- the first in a series of increasingly more serious crimes, including armed robbery and trafficking in underage minors, that led to him serving just over nine years in prison. He was released in 1990 at a time when the Soviet Union was in the full throes of Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika reforms. Along with his mother's second husband, Prigozhin opened a chain of hot dog stands, which, by his own account, was wildly successful. It's unclear when Prigozhin's relationship with Putin first developed, though as a budding entrepreneur in St. Petersburg he most likely would have crossed paths with Putin, whose political career started in the city's mayor office in the 1990s. Prigozhin later got into the restaurant business; his St. Petersburg eateries were luxurious and frequented by the city's powerful and elite. He later expanded his food business into catering contracts under a company called Concord Catering -- first for schools, hospitals, and prisons, and then for bigger government events. He also snagged catering contracts for the Kremlin and other Russian elites, earning him the moniker "Putin's chef." In 2006, when U.S. President George W. Bush traveled to St. Petersburg, he and his wife, Laura, were served wine by Prigozhin at a dinner hosted by Putin. In 2012, Prigozhin's companies netted a lucrative contract from a Defense Ministry agency to provide food and catering services for the Russian military. The contract ended a few years later after Sergei Shoigu, an emergency situations minister and longtime Putin loyalist, was appointed defense minister-- a fact that may have later fueled Prigozhin's enmity toward Shoigu. Mercenaries And Trolls The exact timing of Prigozhin's entry into the murky world of private military companies is unclear, but observers point to the onset of the Syria conflict and Russia's lightning -- and ultimately successful -- intervention on behalf of the Syrian government. A spinoff of other private companies that had worked in Syria, Wagner Group appeared sometime around 2014, as Russia stoked and funded an uprising in eastern Ukraine. One man who was a prominent early head of the company was a former military intelligence officer. Prigozhin was widely assumed to be a funder of Wagner Group for years, but it wasn't until September 2022, months into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, that he openly admitted ownership. In Syria, Wagner fighters have been credibly accused of wartime atrocities and possible war crimes, and its fighters have appeared in other countries, as well: Sudan and, more prominently, the Central African Republic, where Prigozhin-linked companies gained lucrative concessions to mine gold and other minerals. In September 2013, Russian journalists began to explore a company that had been founded on St. Petersburg's northwest outskirts, called the Internet Research Agency, and later dubbed "Russia's troll factory." Owned via Prigozhin's Concord business network, the business hired people to create myriad online profiles, often for social media like Facebook, Twitter, and VK, and post inflammatory comments, or set up fake accounts. In 2018, two years after the U.S. president election that was won by Donald Trump, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Prigozhin and 13 other Russians, and issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him conspiracy to commit election fraud. Though researchers have debated how much influence the Internet Research Agency's trolls had on U.S. voters, the effort was seen as a success for Prigozhin, catapulting him to greater notoriety. Russian Generals And Sledgehammer Violence Russian officials and commanders had seemingly assumed that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ordered by Putin on February 24, 2022, would result in a rout of Ukraine's forces, and a quick capitulation by the government in Kyiv. That didn't happen, and as the Russian military's deep-set problems came into clearer view, Prigozhin's Wagner fighters began taking a more prominent battlefield role. Wagner mercenaries played a key role in the siege of Mariupol, and then the grinding, urban warfare in Syevyerodonetsk, Lysychansk, and Bakhmut. Prigozhin also turned to recruiting among Russia's prison inmate population. He became a slashing critic of Russian military commanders, not the least of whom was Shoigu, insulting him and challenging Putin to call a general mobilization. He repeatedly complained that military officials refused to supply his soldiers with adequate ammunition. Prigozhin also embraced violence as an apparent means to enforce discipline or cultivate an image of fear. In the most notorious case in Syria, Wagner soldiers were shown torturing and mutilating a captured man, including using a sledgehammer to bludgeon him. The sledgehammer became a grotesque symbol for Prigozhin; in November 2022, a video appeared on a Telegram channel linked with Wagner. In it, a Russian soldier who allegedly defected to Ukraine but then was recaptured by Russia was shown being killed with a sledgehammer. Prigozhin later endorsed the act. His opprobrium was all the more noteworthy given that lawmakers had criminalized the public criticism of Russia's armed forces, shortly after the launch of the invasion. The law, meanwhile, has been used to put scores of Russians who have protested the war in jail. But while Wagner troops were seen, in some cases, as more effective and more efficient than regular Russian troops, the group's mercenaries suffered exceptional casualty rates, particularly around the Donetsk city of Bakhmut. Western officials cited relentless infantry waves of soldiers -- many of whom were former prison inmates hired by Wagner -- being thrown at Ukrainian positions. On May 20, after nearly 10 months besieging Bakhmut, Russian forces claimed victory over the city. Putin acknowledged Wagner soldiers' role in the fight, though not by name, and without mentioning Prigozhin. For his part, Prigozhin used the opportunity to rip into Russia's military leadership. In an interview with pro-Kremlin TV personality Konstantin Dolgov, he mocked not only Shoigu but his children, as well. He also suggested the Ukraine war had failed, called for marital law to imposed, and warned of the dangers of a coup, not unlike the 1917 Bolshevik uprising to overthrow the Russian tsar. "The children of the elite shut their traps at best, and some allow themselves a public, fat, carefree life," Prigozhin said. "This division might end as in 1917, with a revolution -- when first the soldiers rise up, and then their loved ones follow." In a speech given hours after armed Wagner forces took up positions in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and moved north on a major highway toward Moscow, Putin himself invoked 1917 in a clear indication that Prigozhin's mutiny was turning into the greatest challenge Putin has faced in his 23 years as Russia's preeminent leader. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-wagner- mercenaries-prigozhin/32473756.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 Foreign Ministry statement on the current political situation in the country 24 June 2023 17:40 1242-24-06-2023 The attempted armed mutiny in our country is resolutely rejected by Russian society, which strongly supports President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Reckless aspirations of the conspirators are essentially aimed at destabilising the situation in Russia, destroying our unity, and undermining the efforts of the Russian Federation to reliably ensure international security. Therefore, the mutiny plays into the hands of Russia's external enemies. We warn Western countries against undertaking even the slightest attempts to use the domestic Russian situation to achieve their Russophobic goals. Such attempts would be futile and will find no resonance either in Russia or among reasonable political forces abroad. We firmly believe that in the near future the situation will find a solution worthy of the age-old wisdom of the Russian people and the Russian State. All the goals and objectives of the special military operation will be achieved. Our country will continue on its sovereign course to ensure its security, defend its values, strengthen its authority in the international arena, and establish a just multipolar world order. We highly value the understanding of this principled position by our allies and foreign partners, which we are fully aware of already now. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Deputy Commander of the Joint Group of Forces General of the Army Sergei Surovikin to the leadership, commanders and fighters of the Wagner PMC 24.06.2023 'I have just come from the frontline, where our troops, our commanders, our soldiers, our fighters, volunteers are carrying out the task, fighting the enemy to the death, with the superior forces of the enemy, suffering losses, but standing on their positions. I appeal to the leadership, to the commanders and fighters of the Wagner PMC. Together with you we have passed a difficult, hard way, we have fought together, taken the risks, suffered losses, we have won together. We are the same blood, we are warriors. I call you to stop. The enemy is only waiting for our domestic political situation to deteriorate. We must not play into the hands of the enemy at this difficult time for the country. Before it is too late, we must do something - we must obey the will and order of the President of the Russian Federation, who was elected by the people, we must stop the columns, return them to their permanent bases and areas of concentration, and solve all the problems only peacefully, under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation'. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mutiny Averted: Everything We Know as Prigozhin Halts Wagner March on Moscow Sputnik News 20230624 Ilya Tsukanov PMC Wagner chief Evgeny Prigozhin has confirmed that his forces have halted their attempt to reach the Russian capital to "sort out" the MoD's top brass over an alleged missile attack on Wagner positions. What exactly happened? What triggered the Wagner-MoD crisis in the first place? How did things reach such a dangerous point? Sputnik explains. In a recording posted to his Telegram page on Saturday, Prigozhin said that his forces had traveled to within 200 km of Moscow, all without shedding "a single drop of our fighters' blood." Recognizing that advancing further might result in unnecessary carnage, the private military company chief ordered his men to turn around and head to their home bases to avoid further destabilization. Later, Wagner forces left the city of Rostov-on-Don, returning to their bases. What Exactly Happened? Prigozhin's message confirmed reporting in Belarusian media earlier in the day citing the presidential press office that the Wagner chief had agreed during negotiations mediated by President Alexander Lukashenko that "unleashing a bloody massacre on Russian territory" would be "inadmissible." Lukashenko was said to have tabled an "absolutely advantageous and acceptable option for resolving the situation" after talks lasting for most of the day Saturday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said later in the day Saturday that Wagner fighters involved in the mutiny wouldn't be prosecuted, and that Prigozhin would be allowed to leave Russia on the personal guarantee of the president. The Wagner PMC has yet to confirm the details of this arrangement. Over the past 24 hours, Russian officials and military leaders ranging from President Putin and frontline commanders Generals Sergei Surovikin and Vladimir Alekseyev and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and the Belarusian Security Council emphasized that Wagner's mutiny could not have come at a worse time, with Putin pointing out in his address to the nation Saturday morning that Russia is presently facing off against the "entire military, economic and informational machine of the West." "Therefore, any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the frontline. This is knife in the back of our country and our people," Putin said. What Sparked Wagner's Mutiny? Prigozhin, a long-time outspoken of the Russian Defense Ministry's leadership, alleged Friday that the Russian military had deliberately attacked Wagner's bases. "A missile strike has been carried out on PMC Wagner's camps. There are many victims. According to eyewitnesses, the strike was delivered from the rear, that is, carried out by the Russian Ministry of Defense. They vilely deceived us and tried to deprive us of the opportunity to defend our homes," Prigozhin said in a message posted to Telegram. Shortly after, the PMC chief announced that after consulting, the council of Wagner commanders had made the decision to "stop" the "evil" being "carried by the military leadership of the country," warning that he and his 25,000 men would go to Moscow to "sort out" what happened to comrades killed in the missile attack. The Defense Ministry adamantly denied Wagner's allegations, saying in a statement that "all messages and videos distributed on social media on behalf of Prigozhin about alleged 'strikes by the Russian Defense Ministry on rear camps of PMC Wagner' do not correspond to reality and are an informational provocation." Further details about the alleged strike on Wagner camps have yet to emerge. Did it really take place? What direction did it come from? What types of weapons were used? All of these questions will require further investigation. If Prigozhin was looking to get attention with his statements, he certainly got it, with Russia's Federal Security Service slapping him with charges of fomenting an armed rebellion - a serious charge carrying a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. On Friday night and overnight into Saturday, one could almost hear the champagne corks popping in Kiev and Western capitals, with the Zelensky administration, facing a stalled counteroffensive and the prospect of a rebellion of its own amid reports that Kiev is getting set to conduct a full-scale mobilization, admitting openly that Kiev would be only too happy to see a civil war in Russia. "The next 48 hours will tell how the situation in Russia will develop. It would be beneficial for us, I will be frank, for there to be a full-fledged civil war in Russia," Zelensky advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said Saturday. Outwardly, Western leaders offered more cautious assessments, with Washington and Brussels saying they were "monitoring the situation" and an EU spokesperson even saying that events in Russia were an "internal matter." However, judging by growing internal opposition in the US and Europe to sending additional billions of dollars in support to Kiev as Western countries sink into recessions at home means that naturally, their wishes probably aren't that far off from Zelensky's. What's Behind the Prigozhin-Shoigu Feud? Prigozhin, whose Wagner forces entered into the Ukrainian conflict in the spring of 2022, has been a vocal critic of the leadership of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, with their feud centering around the MoD's alleged refusal to provide Wagner with sufficient ammunition. Prigozhin has spent months demanding additional supplies, carefully avoiding criticism of frontline commanders like Sergei Surovikin, or President Putin, and claiming that the Russian president was not being informed about the situation at the front. Shoigu, a veteran official who has served as deputy prime minister, governor of Moscow region, and Minister of Emergency Situations before becoming defense minister, never commented on Prigozhin's criticism publicly. But probably the most direct origin of the crisis which has unfolded over the past 24 hours centers around the Defense Ministry's decision earlier this month to make all volunteer units taking part in the special operation sign contracts with the military, to ensure that voluntary formations had the "necessary legal status." This was something the Wagner chief and his men categorically refused to do. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Leaders Express Solidarity With Russia Amid Wagner Mutiny Sputnik News 20230624 Ilya Tsukanov On Friday, Wagner PMC chief Evgeny Prigozhin accused the Russian military of launching a surprise missile attack against his men, and called for the ouster of its leadership. The MoD dismissed the allegations as an provocation, and the Federal Security Service opened a criminal case charging Prigozhin with armed mutiny. Several world leaders, among them Russia's closest allies and partners, have offered support for the Kremlin amid the deadly standoff between the Russian military and Prigozhin's Wagner group. Belarus Belarus, Russia's Collective Security Treaty Organization ally and Union State partner, has offered full support for Moscow, emphasizing that Minsk has always been and remains Russia's close ally. "Belarusians and Russians are brotherly peoples. Our states are bound by a political union. And we cannot remain aloof from events taking place in the south of Russia," Belarus's Security Council said in a statement Saturday. "Any provocation, any internal conflict in political and military circles, in the information field and in civil society is a gift to the collective West. Even if these parties are not responsible for the origins of such scenarios, they will not miss the opportunity to advance them and take charge," Minsk emphasized. "There has never been anything worse in Russia's history than in a time of turmoil, which is destructive and senseless in its essence," Minsk said, adding that the differences that led to the current crisis aren't worth the potentially "catastrophic" consequences and losses that "emotional decisions and illegal actions" may cause. "Belarus was and remains Russia's ally, and fully shares the goals and objectives of the special military operation," the Belarusian Security Council said. Presidents Putin and Lukashenko spoke by phone on Saturday, with the Russian leader informing his Belarusian counterpart about "the situation in Russia," according to Lukashenko's press service. Turkiye Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed support for Moscow, and said Ankara is ready to provide any assistance it can to resolve the situation. "President Erdogan stressed the importance of acting in a common sense manner. During talks [with Putin], it was emphasized that no external power should take advantage of events in Russia. In this context, President Erdogan said Turkiye is ready to contribute to the speedy resolution of events in peace and tranquility," the Turkish president's office said in a statement. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, another of Moscow's allies within the CSTO, stressed the importance of "constitutional order" being restored in Russia. "President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke by phone with the Russian president. Vladimir Putin informed him of the situation in the country. Tokayev said that the ongoing events are Russia's internal affair. Constitutional order and the rule of law are essential for the maintenance of law and order in the country. This is the basis for the security of society and its successful development. President Putin thanked Kazakhstan for its understanding of the current situation," the Kazakh president's press service said. Iran Russia's Iranian partners expressed similar sentiments, with Tehran emphasizing its support for the "rule of law." "Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani considers the recent incident in Russia the nation's internal affair, and added that Iran supports the rule of law in the Russian Federation," Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a Telegram post. Abkhazia Abkhaz President Aslan Bzhania expressed his nation's "full support" for Russia. "In connection with the attempted armed rebellion undertaken by the leadership of the Wagner Private Military Company, I declare my full support for the actions of Russian President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin to establish law and order. I am convinced that Putin's determination and wisdom will lead to the successful resolution of the events of the last days in accordance with the constitution and laws of the Russian Federation," Bzhania said. Abkhazia "will continue to fulfill its allied obligations to Russia" under "any circumstances," the president said, urging any Abkhaz nationals in the special operation zone "not to succumb to provocations or take part in illegal actions." Kenya Kenyan Foreign Minister Dr. Alfred N. Mutua expressed his nation's "solidarity with the Russian leadership as they strive to achieve total stability and order," and said his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, had informed him that the Russian government was "in control and that 'everything will be fine'." What are the Americans and Europeans Saying? Publicly at least, Washington and Brussels have taken a wait and see approach, with US National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge telling Sputnik that the US is "monitoring and consulting with allies," with President Biden said to have been briefed on events. A European Commission spokesperson similarly told reporters that Brussels is "monitoring the situation," adding that the EU considers events in Russia an "internal matter." EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell spoke with G7 foreign ministers "to exchange views" on the situation, and said he was "coordinating inside the European Union" and had "activated" a "crisis response center" ahead of Monday's EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. "Our support to Ukraine continues unabated," Borrell said. In Case You Missed What's Happening Wagner PMC leader Evgeny Prigozhin announced Friday that he and his 25,000 men were going to "sort out" what happened to their comrades in arms after accusing the Russian military of launching airstrikes against a Wagner encampment. The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement late Friday denying launching any strikes, and accused Wagner of an "informational provocation." The FSB has charged the PMC boss with attempting to incite an armed mutiny, a charge which could land him up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He has refused to turn himself in, and said any attempts to approach his forces would be met with deadly force. Prigozhin has had a much-publicized feud with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for months, accusing the minister of starving Wagner of ammunition, charging him with incompetence and corruption, and leveling personal attacks against his family. Shoigu did not dignify these allegations with a response. Wagner fighters refused to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry after it ordered all volunteer detachments to do so in early June. Wagner forces began operating in the NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine over a year ago, and fought alongside regular Russian forces to liberate the Donbass city of Artemovsk (Bakhmut) in a brutal house-to-house slog that lasted eight months, tying down tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops as Russia mobilized its reserves. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russians Urged to Unite in Face of Wagner Armed Mutiny Attempt Sputnik News 20230624 Svetlana Ekimenko Earlier, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of the head of the Wagner Group private military company (PMC), Yevgeny Prigozhin. On Saturday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin denounced the mutiny attempt as a "betrayal of Russia and Wagner fighters". Russia must display unity in the face of the Wagner chief's armed mutiny attempt, as the enemy is only waiting for civil strife to tear the country asunder, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned. "We have one commander-in-chief. Not two, not three. One. And he called on everyone to unite. This is the main thing now. Only unity. Unity under the banner of the commander-in-chief," she stressed on her Telegram channel. Commenting on the latest developments regarding Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stated: "Everything that Russia has been fighting for will be shattered if the people of the Russian Federation yield to the temptation to join the mutiny of the founder of the Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin." Zakharova reminded the military that everything they hold sacred and defend with weapons - the entire country, its children, women, parents - are watching them in these troubled times. "Behind you lie the graves of those who did not begrudge their lives... Behind you are future generations... Today we are all tempted, our strength is being tested... Do not give in!" said Zakharova. Though acknowledging that the temptation to "put your own interests above the interests of the country and its people is great", she warned that succumbing to it will result in the "crumbling" of everything Russia and its people have been living and fighting for. Zakharova remarked that the enemy, the Kiev regime, and the Western forces using Ukraine to fight a proxy war against Russia are only waiting for civil strife between the Russians to be fomented. But this will not happen, Zakharova insisted, adding: "Don't count on it!" On Saturday, President Putin took account of the situation in the wake of the Wagner mutiny attempt. "As President of Russia and Commander-in-Chief - as a citizen of Russia - I will do everything to defend the country, to protect the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of citizens," he said in his televised address to the nation. Putin described Wagner PMC chief Prigozhin's armed mutiny attempt as a betrayal both of Russia and the Wagner fighters themselves. He addressed Russians, the military and security services, as well as those "who have been forced down the path of armed insurrection by deception and threats". "I appeal to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, to the fighters and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repelling the enemy's attacks and doing so heroically, I know that - today I spoke again to the commanders of all units. I also appeal to those who, through deception or threats, were drawn into this criminal adventure and pushed down the path of the grave crime of armed insurrection," Putin said in his address. Putin emphasized that any discord must be put aside during Russia's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, as the country's army is fighting valiantly against the Kiev regime. Those responsible for the attempted mutiny would face inevitable consequences, he promised. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin: Prigozhin's Armed Mutiny Attempt is Betrayal of Russia and Wagner Fighters Sputnik News 20230624 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia's President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the situation regarding the founder of Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and "necessary measures are being taken". Russia's authorities will not allow the country to be split, and will protect its people, President Vladimir Putin said, addressing the situation in the wake of the Wagner mutiny attempt. In a televised address to the nation, Putin vowed to do everything to defend the constitutional order of Russia. "As President of Russia and Commander-in-Chief - as a citizen of Russia - I will do everything to defend the country, to protect the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of citizens," he stated. The President described Wagner PMC chief Prigozhin's armed mutiny attempt as a betrayal of Russia and Wagner fighters themselves. He addressed Russians, the military and security services, as well as those "who have been forced onto the path of armed insurrection by deception and threats". "I appeal to the citizens of Russia, to the personnel of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, to the fighters and commanders who are now fighting in their combat positions, repelling the enemy's attacks and doing so heroically, I know that - today I spoke again to the commanders of all units. I also appeal to those who, through deception or threats, were drawn into this criminal venture and forced to take the path of the grave crime of armed insurrection," Putin said in his address. According to the Russian leader, it was excessive ambition and personal interests that led to this betrayal of the country and its people. "Let us defend both our people and our statehood against all threats, including internal treason, and what we have encountered is precisely this treason. Excessive ambition and personal interests have led to betrayal, betrayal of our country, our people and the cause for which the fighters and commanders of the Wagner Group fought and died side by side with our other units and detachments," Putin said on Saturday. The Russian President referred to the Wagner Group fighters as "heroes who liberated Soledar and Artyomovsk [Bakhmut], the cities and towns of Donbas, fought and gave their lives for Novorossiya, for the unity of the Russian world". Putin insisted that any discord must be put aside during Russia's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, as the country's army is fighting valiantly against the Kiev regime. Those responsible for the attempted mutiny would face inevitable consequences, he emphasized. "All those who deliberately took the path of treason, who prepared an armed uprising, who took the path of insurrection and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, will answer to the law and to our people. The armed forces and other state bodies have received the necessary orders," Putin said. The President called on those who are "being dragged into this crime not to make the fatal and tragic, unspeakable mistake and to make the only right choice - to stop participating in criminal actions". Further anti-terrorist measures are being taken in Moscow, the Moscow Region and a number of other regions, Putin said. "Decisive measures are also being taken to stabilize the situation in Rostov-on-Don. It remains complicated, with the work of civilian and military administrative bodies effectively blocked," he said. The President also recalled the tragic developments in Russia in 1917, when the country was fighting the First World War. A devastating blow had been dealt to Russia at the time, when "intrigues" behind the back of the army and the people resulted in the tragedy of civil war. "Russians killed Russians," he recalled, while foreign forces sought to take advantage of the strife. Russia's leadership "will not let this happen again", Putin said. He emphasized that any internal turmoil is "a mortal threat to our statehood, to the nation", and he promised tough measures to protect the country from such a threat. Russia is at present waging a struggle for its future, with virtually the entire military, economic, and information machine of the West behind the proxy war launched against it in Ukraine, Putin explained. "It is repelling the aggression of neo-Nazis and their masters... We are fighting for the life and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, for the right to be and remain Russia, a state with a 1,000-year history," Putin said in his address. The President expressed faith that Russia would succeed in tackling the challenges it faces. "I believe that we will protect what is dear and sacred to us, and together with our Motherland we will become even stronger," Putin said. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia's President Putin had been informed about the situation concerning the Wagner PMC founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and that "necessary measures are being taken". Putin has been regularly briefed by the Ministry of Defense, the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard, Peskov added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with President Biden, President Macron and Chancellor Scholz: 24 June 2023 The Prime Minister, US President Biden, French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz spoke this afternoon to discuss the situation in Russia. 24 June 2023 The Prime Minister, US President Biden, French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz spoke this afternoon to discuss the situation in Russia and reiterate their continuing support for Ukrainian sovereignty. This follows the call between G7 Foreign Ministers, which the Foreign Secretary participated in earlier today. The leaders have agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prigozhin Orders His Fighters to Return to Bases in Ukraine By VOA News June 24, 2023 Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his fighters Saturday to halt their advance on Moscow, turn their convoy around and return to their bases in Ukraine to avoid bloodshed. The office of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that Lukashenko had negotiated a deal with the Wagner Group chief, with the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that Prigozhin had agreed to de-escalate the situation. In an audio message released by his press service, Prigozhin said: "They wanted to disband the Wagner military company. We embarked on a march of justice on June 23. In 24 hours, we got to within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of Moscow. In this time, we did not spill a single drop of our fighters' blood. "Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Understanding responsibility [for the chance] that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned," he said in the audio message on his channel on the messaging app Telegram. Prigozhin didn't say whether the Kremlin has responded to his demand to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu or what, if anything, Lukashenko had promised him. Moscow had braced for the arrival of the private army led by the rebellious commander. And Putin had vowed he would face harsh consequences. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin. Earlier Saturday, the Russian mercenary fighters were seen passing the Russian city of Voronezh, rapidly advancing toward Moscow Saturday after they apparently took control of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine. In Rostov, which serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia's entire invasion force, residents milled about, recording on mobile phones, as Wagner Group mercenary fighters in armored vehicles and battle tanks took up positions, Reuters reported. Prigozhin claimed that his fighters entered the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don without a shot fired and that no one was killed during what he calls a "march of justice." His claims could not be verified. Putin had vowed to crush what he called an armed mutiny, which he compared to Russia's Civil War a century ago. A Reuters journalist saw Russian army helicopters open fire at an armed Wagner column, with troop carriers and at least one tank on a flatbed truck, while advancing past the city of Voronezh. The city is about 520 kilometers south of Moscow. In Moscow, there was increased security on the streets. Red Square was blocked off by metal barriers. "Excessive ambitions and vested interests have led to treason," Putin said in a televised address, comparing the insurrection at a time of war abroad to Russia's revolution and a civil war unleashed during World War One. U.S., allies react U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Saturday, the White House said. "The leaders discussed the situation in Russia. They also affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine," the White House said in a statement. Biden was briefed about the unfolding situation in Russia by his national security team on Saturday morning, the White House said, adding that the president will continue to be briefed throughout the day. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the EU to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia, according to a statement issued Saturday by the State Department. Blinken reiterated that support by the United States for Ukraine will not change and added that the U.S. will stay in close coordination with allies and partners. The top U.S. military officer, Army General Mark Milley, canceled his scheduled visit to the Middle East on Saturday due to the situation in Russia, his spokesperson said. Milley, who was meant to travel to Israel and Jordan, also spoke on Saturday with his Ukrainian counterpart, Milley's office said in a separate statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Twitter, " Anyone who chooses the path of evil destroys themselves. ... For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it." Criminal investigation In announcing the rebellion on Friday, Prigozhin said he wanted to punish Shoigu after he accused Russian government forces of attacking Wagner field camps in Ukraine with rockets, helicopter gunships and artillery. He claimed that "a huge number of our comrades got killed." "The Minister of Defense arrived specially in Rostov to carry out an operation to destroy the Wagner PMC (private military company)," he wrote on his Telegram social media channel. Russia's Defense Ministry has denied the allegations. Russia's Federal Security Services (FSB) then opened a criminal investigation against Prigozhin, accusing him of armed mutiny, citing the National Anti-Terrorism Committee. The crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, according to Russia's chief prosecutor. The NAC, which is part of the FSB, insisted there is no basis to the allegations made by Prigozhin earlier Friday that the Russian Ministry of Defense conducted an airstrike against Wagner bases, killing 2,000 of his fighters. 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 Zelenskyy: Russia Can No Longer Hide Its 'Chaos' By VOA News June 24, 2023 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted Saturday to the situation in Russia, where the mercenary Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, seized control of the Russian military headquarters in the city of Rostov-on-Don. Zelenskyy said in a Twitter post, "For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it." Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted a message to the international community, urging it to abandon what he called "false neutrality" concerning Russia and supply Ukraine with the weaponry it needs to defend itself against the Russian incursion. The White House said it is monitoring the standoff between top Russian military officials and the Wagner force and will be consulting with allies and partners on developments, National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge told VOA Friday. The British Defense Ministry said Saturday the loyalty of Russia's security forces and "especially the Russian National Guard" will be key factors in how the extraordinary events playing out in Russia will eventually unfold. In France, President Emmanuel Macron's office said the president is focused on "support to Ukraine.'" Germany's foreign ministry has advised travelers to avoid Rostov and Moscow "until further notice." "We are monitoring the situation," Hodge told NBC News, "and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments." Foreign leaders from Central and Eastern Europe countries reacted in social media on Saturday (June 24) to the news from Russia. In Poland, President Andrzej Duda held consultations with the prime minister and defense ministry about the situation in Russia. Duda said in a tweet Warsaw was monitoring the situation. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in a tweet his government has strengthen border security and urged citizens not to travel to any part of neighboring Russia. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said his government is following the situation in Russia closely. In a tweet he added, "I see my summer holiday in Crimea is getting closer." In the Middle East, Qatar expressed concern over the crisis in Russia. A statement from the foreign ministry called for "maximum restraint" from all parties, warning that escalation in Russia and Ukraine will negatively impact international peace and security. 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 Wagner Chief Takes Deal That Drops Charges, Sends Him to Belarus By VOA News June 24, 2023 Mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who turned his Wagner Group fighters against the military leadership in Moscow, will move to Belarus and the criminal charges against him for mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped, the Kremlin said Saturday. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko negotiated the deal with the Wagner Group chief, his office said, with the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko said he has known Prigozhin personally for 20 years. The negotiations also guaranteed that Wagner fighters will not be prosecuted, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front," he said, adding that Moscow was grateful to Lukashenko for his role in de-escalating the crisis. Those fighters who did not participate in the rebellion, Peskov said, would be offered contracts with the Defense Ministry, which has been seeking to bring all autonomous volunteer forces under its control by July 1. Asked if there would be any personnel changes in the Russian Defense Ministry as part of the deal, Peskov said "These matters are the sole prerogative and within the competence of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief (Putin) in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation. Therefore, it is unlikely that these topics could have been discussed in the course of the above-mentioned contacts." The Russian spokesman did not reveal whether there were any concessions made to persuade Prigozhin to withdraw all his forces, other than the guarantees for his safety a something he said Putin had given his word on a and for the safety of Prigozhin's men. He called the events that unraveled since Friday, "tragic." Earlier Saturday, Prigozhin and his fighters got within about 200 kilometers of Moscow before he ordered his men to halt their advance, turn their convoy around and return to their bases in Ukraine to avoid bloodshed. In an audio message released by his press service, Prigozhin said: "They wanted to disband the Wagner military company. We embarked on a march of justice on June 23. In 24 hours, we got to within 200 kilometers of Moscow. In this time, we did not spill a single drop of our fighters' blood. "Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Understanding responsibility [for the chance] that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned," he said in the audio message on his channel on the messaging app Telegram. Prigozhin didn't say whether the Kremlin has responded to his demand to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu or what, if anything, Lukashenko had promised him in their negotiations. Moscow had braced for the arrival of the private army led by the rebellious commander. And Putin had vowed he would face harsh consequences. There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin. By Saturday evening, the Russian mercenary fighters were seen pulling out of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people near the border with Ukraine that they had taken control of a day earlier. In Rostov, which serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia's entire invasion force, residents had milled about, recording on mobile phones, as Wagner Group mercenary fighters in armored vehicles and battle tanks took up positions, Reuters reported. U.S., allies react U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Saturday, the White House said. "The leaders discussed the situation in Russia. They also affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine," the White House said in a statement. Biden was briefed about the unfolding situation in Russia by his national security team on Saturday morning, the White House said, adding that the president will continue to be briefed throughout the day. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the EU to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia, according to a statement issued Saturday by the State Department. Blinken reiterated that support by the United States for Ukraine will not change and added that the U.S. will stay in close coordination with allies and partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Twitter, " Anyone who chooses the path of evil destroys themselves. ... For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it." Criminal investigation In announcing the rebellion Friday, Prigozhin said he wanted to punish Shoigu after he accused Russian government forces of attacking Wagner field camps in Ukraine with rockets, helicopter gunships and artillery. He claimed that "a huge number of our comrades got killed." "The Minister of Defense arrived specially in Rostov to carry out an operation to destroy the Wagner PMC (private military company)," he wrote on his Telegram social media channel. Russia's Defense Ministry has denied the allegations. 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 Wagner's revolt weakening Putin's authority 'wishful thinking' of the West: experts Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Jun 25, 2023 09:10 PM Under the mediation of Belarus, the Wagner rebellion, which was widely characterized as a coup targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin by Western media, ended within about 24 hours. Such dramatic changes in the situation from Friday to Saturday attracted the world's attention as some Western analysis considered this "armed rebellion" as a heavy blow to Putin's power, exposing the weakness of his leadership as the Ukraine-Russia war entered a stalemate, which some Chinese experts say is "wishful thinking" by the West regarding Russian politics. Following a short-lived revolt, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will leave Russia and move to Belarus under a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which ended an armed rebellion that Prigozhin had led against Russia's military leadership, Reuters reported. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Lukashenko had offered to mediate, with Putin's agreement, because he had known Prigozhin personally for around 20 years. Peskov said that the criminal case that had been opened against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, and that the Wagner fighters who had taken part in his "march for justice" would not face any action, in recognition of their previous service to Russia, according to the media report. The long-standing feud between the Wagner chief and Russia's military evolved into an open confrontation on Saturday as Prigozhin's forces moved into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advanced hundreds of kilometers toward Moscow. Some Chinese experts believe that the withdrawal of the Wagner soldiers is a rational choice as Prigozhin's top priority is to gain more attention, especially from Putin, to bring up his demands rather than launching a real mutiny against the Russian leadership. Despite the Western media saying that the revolt exposed the weakness of the Putin administration, the rebellion was quelled in such a short period of time after Putin vowed to take decisive actions on Saturday morning. This in fact shows that the Kremlin maintains a strong capability of deterrence, which will further increase its authority, some experts said. In response to the report of retreat of Wagner soldiers from Russia's Southern Military District as its chief Prigozhin accepted a proposal from Belarusian president Lukashenko to ease the tension while Russian President Putin has guaranteed that Prigozhin can go to Belarus and will rescind criminal case on him, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday night that this is Russia's internal affair. As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, a spokesperson from the ministry said. U-turn scenario As a private military group, Wagner's main impetus is profit, and its feud with the Russian Defense Ministry led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has a long history. Since the Ukraine war started, the conflict between the two sides has been on the rise. As the Wagner forces were ending the march after demanding the resignation of Russia's top defense officials, Prigozhin said his fighters had led a "march for justice" over the past 24 hours, and to avoid the scenario of bloodshed, he ordered his forces to turn to their columns around and go in the opposite direction back to a field camp as planned, according to media reports. "Prigozhin has not actually launched a coup against the Russian government but protesting in such a way to express his dissatisfaction toward top Russian defense officials and to demand better treatment for the Wagner group," Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Sunday. Friction between Prigozhin and the Russian Defense Ministry has risen as the war has dragged on, ultimately reaching breaking point on Friday when Prigozhin accused military leaders of striking Wagner camps, the Moscow Times said. Previously, Prigozhin raised concerns about the Russian forces' slow progress amid heavy battles in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut and Soledar. He also accused the Russian military of attempting to "steal" victories from Wagner. Despite Wagner's retreat, some Western media such CNN and The New Yorker came up with analysis saying that "Putin is at risk of losing his iron grip on power" and "Putin's weakness unmasked." CNN said "this is not the first time this spring we have seen Moscow look weak. The drone attack on the Kremlin in May must have caused the elite around Putin to question how on earth the capital's defenses were so weak." The West has been paying close attention to the situation, hoping to instigate an anti-Russia sentiment, which is a common tactic and also part of its cognitive warfare since the Ukraine crisis started, Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday. "However, quelling the revolt in such a short period of time actually consolidated the authority of the Putin administration, which has little impact on the frontline battlefield between Russia and Ukraine," Cui said. President Vladimir Putin has appeared on Russian state TV on Sunday for the first time since Wagner revolt began, according the Guardian. Putin renewed his commitment to the war in Ukraine, calling the "special military operation" his top priority. West's wishful thinking While events were unfolding, US officials carefully avoided direct comment on what some stressed was an internal situation in Russia, some media reported, as they tried to avoid what analysts said might suggest the US was trying to exploit the situation and play into long-standing Kremlin narratives about US-led attempts to weaken Russian security. US President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and the UK amid concerns that Putin's control over the country could be slipping, and EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell avoided direct comment on what he called an "internal" issue for Russia. On Sunday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing, exchanging views on China-Russia relations and global and regional issues of concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu also met with Rudenko in Beijing on Sunday, saying that under the complex and severe international situation, it is necessary to follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, communicate in a timely manner, ensure the stable and long-term relationship between China and Russia, and safeguard the common interests of both sides. The Chinese and Russian diplomats also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis and other international and regional issues of concern . "Thinking that this revolt targets Putin is wishful thinking, as some Western politicians are used to looking at Russian politics in their imagination, showing that they don't understanding the basic conditions of Russia," Wang said. Some Western politicians hope to see Putin lose control of the country while Russia falls into chaos so Russian troops will retreat from Ukraine, and some hope to weaken or split Russia, which all led to such exaggeration of the Wagner revolt, he noted. Although the revolt ended within about 24 hours, the retreat of Wagner solders left some questions unanswered including how to solve the long-standing conflict between the paramilitary group and the Russian military. Still, the rebellion will have a negative impact on the Russian political situation and on the stability of the Russian military. How to eliminate those external impressions about a weakening leadership and enhance order could be a test for Putin in the future, experts said. Such a dramatic event will make Putin and the Russian authorities more clearly aware that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine cannot be protracted, as the longer the war lasts, the more domestic problems and conflicts will accumulate, Wang said. "Those events could push Putin to accelerate the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to avoid similar risks, and further strengthen ties with neighboring countries such as Belarus and Kazakhstan," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The State Defense Council focuses on unrest in Russia and the situation in Belarus President of the Republic of Lithuania June 25, 2023 On Sunday, President Gitanas Nauseda chaired a meeting of the State Defense Council to discuss the unrest in Russia and its consequences for Lithuania's national security. According to the President, the Russian regime has demonstrated its vulnerability in a new crisis caused by the actions of the private military company Wagner. Similar or even greater challenges can be expected in the future. "The sequence of events has demonstrated that the king is naked and that military columns of this size can march far enough to pose a fundamental threat to the regime," the President said after the meeting. Gitanas Nauseda underlined that the instability of a large neighboring state will inevitably affect Lithuania's national security. Having the Wagner group on the ground in Belarus could become an additional factor. The State Defense Council placed considerable emphasis on the situation in Belarus. It was agreed that the threat of illegal activities on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, including various provocations, is growing. This requires strengthening the security of Lithuania's and NATO's eastern borders. The State Defense Council instructed intelligence services to place increased focus on information gathering in Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad region. The President called for reverting to the earlier proposal to apply the procedure of additional personalized screening not only to Russian but also to Belarusian citizens. According to the President, it is necessary to speed up implementing the Defense Council's recommendation - not yet agreed or approved - to update the border cover plan. This must be done before the NATO summit in Vilnius. Taking part in the meeting were Speaker of Parliament Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anusauskas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of the Interior Agne Bilotaite, Chief of Defense Valdemaras Rupsys, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense Laurynas Kasciunas, and representatives of national intelligence institutions. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia urges Wagner fighters to surrender, law enforcement officers block PMC Wagner Center People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:11, June 25, 2023 MOSCOW, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The PMC Wagner Center in St. Petersburg was cordoned off by security forces on Saturday after the Wagner private military group was accused of attempting to carry out an armed rebellion while its fighters were urged by the Russian Ministry of Defense to surrender. The Russian Ministry of Defense denied information about the Russian Armed Forces striking the rear camps of the Wagner PMC, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about the situation and that all necessary measures were being taken. A correspondent of Xinhua News Agency witnessed several police cars parked in or around the compound of the center, with several law enforcement officers on duty. Neighborhoods are currently calm. A criminal case is being initiated against Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, for incitement to armed insurrection, the Public Relations Center of the Russian Federal Security Service said earlier on Saturday, calling on Wagner PMC fighters not to carry out Prigozhin's orders and to take measures to detain him. The appeal came after several audio recordings were posted on Prigozhin's Telegram channel. In these recordings, Prigozhin claimed that his units had allegedly come under attack, accusing Russia's military leadership of orchestrating the strikes, according to Russia's TASS news agency. The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement declaring that information disseminated on social networks on behalf of Prigozhin about a strike by the Russian Armed Forces on Wagner PMC rear camps is false. In addition, the ministry stated that the Russian Armed Forces continue to carry out combat missions on the line of contact with the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in an area where a special military operation is being conducted. Kiev is concentrating units of 35th and 36th Marine Brigades UAF in Bakhmut's direction for offensive actions, "taking advantage of Prigozhin's provocation on disorganization of the situation," said the Russian ministry. Moscow's critical facilities have been put under reinforced protection, and security measures in the capital have been increased, according to TASS. "Due to the oncoming information, counter-terrorism measures, aimed at reinforcement of security measures, are in effect in Moscow. Increased traffic control has been introduced on roads. Restriction of mass events is possible," said Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin on his Telegram channel. As a result of these developments, security measures have been significantly reinforced in Moscow. Vital facilities, state institutions, and transportation infrastructure have been placed under heightened protection, with police and response units on high alert, a TASS news agency report said. Also on Saturday, Putin had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the reported rebellion of the Wagner private military group. The two leaders discussed the latest developments in Russia, according to a statement by Erdogan's office. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Compromise reached between Moscow, Wagner military headisRussian media People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:54, June 25, 2023 MOSCOW, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, reached a compromise through the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko late Saturdayiaccording to RIA Novosti news agency reports. Prigozhin has accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the advance of the Wagner troops and de-escalate the situation, the reports said. On Saturday morning, Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart of the situation in Russia regarding the Wagner group and the heads of state agreed on joint actions. "The president of Belarus held talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin ... They came to an agreement on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the Russian territory," the press service of the Belarusian president was quoted as saying. Then the Wagner fighters left southern Russia's Rostov region and were headed to their field camps, according to Russia's TASS news agency. The criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped, and he will go to Belarus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on late Saturday, without specifying what exactly Prigozhin will do in the former Soviet republic. Lukashenko has been personally acquainted with Prigozhin for about 20 years and "this was his personal proposal agreed with Putin, " Peskov said. "There was a higher goal to avoid bloodshed, to avoid internal confrontation, to avoid clashes with unpredictable results. It was for the sake of these goals that Lukashenko's mediation efforts were made, and President Putin made the appropriate decision," the spokesman said. According to the official, the guarantee that Prigozhin will be able to leave for Belarus was the word of the Russian president. The incident with the Wagner group will not affect the course of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, which will continue, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Wagner Group Incident Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-06-25 21:50 Q: It is reported that Yevgeny Prigozhin and all Wagner forces have withdrawn from the headquarters of the Russian southern army military command center. Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, has accepted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's suggestion for the group to halt its operation in Russia and take further steps to ease tensions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his assurance that Prigozhin can go to Belarus and Russia will drop the criminal case against him. What's China's comment? A: This is Russia's internal affair. As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US officials knew Wagner chief's mutinous plans against Russia: Report Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 2:28 PM US intelligence officials were reportedly aware that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the paramilitary Wagner group, was planning to take military action against Russia. The New York Times reported on Sunday that US intelligence officials had briefed senior military and administration officials earlier this week that there were signs Prigozhin was preparing to take action given the group's movements and equipment buildups near Russia. However, US officials decided to keep silent about Prigozhin's plans. The pretext was that if they said anything, Russian President Vladimir Putin could have accused them of orchestrating a coup, the report said. The report further noted that it was unclear when the US became aware of impending events in Russia, but as additional confirmation of the plot came in on Thursday, intelligence officials informed a narrow group of congressional leaders. In an audio message posted on Telegram on Friday, Prigozhin accused the Russian top brass of launching strikes against his men and said that "the evil which the Russian military leadership carries must be stopped." He also claimed that he had taken control of the southern city Rostov-on-Don as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership. Russian authorities rejected Prigozhin's allegations of airstrikes on his forces and demanded he halt "illegal actions." Russian authorities accused the Wagner chief of calling for an armed mutiny and initially said they were charging Prigozhin with "organizing an armed rebellion" against Putin. In an emergency televised address to the nation on Saturday, Putin said the "armed mutiny" was treason, pledging that anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military would be punished. "This is a stab in the back to our country, to our nation," Putin said. "What we have been faced with is exactly betrayal. Extravagant ambitions and personal interests led to treason." The Kremlin also warned the Western countries against trying to exploit the armed mutiny by the Wagner group against Moscow for their "Russophobic goals." Later on Saturday, Prigozhin ordered his fighters to turn around from their march toward Moscow and vacate the city of Rostov-on-Don. Prigozhin's decision came after negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aimed at de-escalating the situation. The terms appeared to include an amnesty for Wagner forces who had taken part in the armed mutiny against Russia. Russia also said a criminal case previously filed against Prigozhin had been dropped after he ordered his forces to stop fighting and retreat to their bases. The Wagner Group is a paramilitary organization that has been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A 'New Dimension': After Prigozhin's Mutiny, What Happens Next? By Mike Eckel June 25, 2023 On August 17, 1991, a group of KGB officers, hard-line Communists, and top Soviet government officials calling itself the State Committee on the State of Emergency moved to detain Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Two days later, an elite military unit was thwarted from seizing key buildings in Moscow by protesters who toppled buses into the streets, and the soldiers withdrew. The effort to seize power and oust Gorbachev collapsed on August 21. Russian leader Boris Yeltsin was propelled to prominence. Gorbachev's power was fatally weakened. The teetering Soviet Union was pushed off the cliff into collapse four months later. It was an attempted coup, and it failed. On June 24, several thousand heavily armed mercenaries loyal to the Wagner Group and its bellicose owner Yevgeny Prigozhin made a thunder run toward Moscow, an effort that President Vladimir Putin outright called "a stab in the back." Prigozhin, a former convict and restaurateur, is also known as "Putin's chef" and was previously seen as loyal to the Russian president. Prigozhin's mutiny raises a legion of questions. Was it even a coup and, if so, did it fail? Is this the beginning of the end for Putin? And what about the war in Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Russians wounded or killed? The Dust Settles The 24 hours that shook Putin's presidency -- his greatest challenge in 23 years as Russia's preeminent leader -- came to an end late on June 24, when the Kremlin announced that Prigozhin had agreed to call off his campaign. Under the deal that was first announced by Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Prigozhin agreed to go to Belarus, Wagner forces would withdraw from the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and pull back from the Moscow region, and Russian authorities agreed to drop the prosecution of Prigozhin. The deal also stated that there would be no prosecutions of Wagner soldiers who joined the effort. "There was a higher goal: to avoid bloodshed, to avoid internal confrontation, to avoid clashes with unpredictable results," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call with reporters late on June 24. As of mid-evening Moscow time on June 25, Putin had made no public statements about the agreement; in fact, the last public statement or appearance Putin made was mid-morning on June 24, when he gave a five-minute televised speech in which he called Prigozhin and his fighters traitors who should be punished: "They will answer for it," he said. Nor was there any sight of Prigozhin, whose whereabouts were unknown. He was last heard from him in a pair of audio messages released on his Telegram channels on June 24, and then an appearance in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, where people mobbed his armored SUV and took selfies. Was It Or Wasn't It A Coup? Prigozhin had been a thorn in the side of Russian commanders and the Kremlin for months, blasting out slashing and aggressive criticism of how the Defense Ministry has waged war in Ukraine, and the periodic lack of support and supplies his troops have gotten. He has also challenged Putin to put the entire country on a war footing. But was that cause to try to overthrow him? It's not fully clear what endgame Prigozhin had in mind when he ordered his men to seize military buildings in Rostov-on-Don and then dispatch a group of a few thousand to travel north toward the Moscow region. There were unconfirmed reports that Prigozhin was spurred into action after a Wagner camp somewhere near the Ukrainian border was attacked, allegedly by Russian missiles or rockets. Igor Girkin, a former Russian intelligence officer who fought in the early years of Russian-stoked conflict in eastern Ukraine, called it a coup. "In general, now there was no 'mutiny.' There was a coup d'Atat. Whether it ended or not, we will soon (maybe even tomorrow) find out," said Girkin in a post to his Telegram channel on June 24. Prigozhin's actions fit the definition of a mutiny almost perfectly, military experts say. In his televised statement, Putin himself described what was happening as a mutiny, or a rebellion. In other words, though Prigozhin threw down the biggest gauntlet Putin had faced since catapulting to prominence in 1999, it's not clear Prigozhin wanted to oust the Russian leader. However, he may have been seeking the heads of other top officials: Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the country's top military officer, General Valery Gerasimov. The Wagner chief has regularly feuded with them, questioned their competence, and even managed to get his preferred general, Sergei Surovikin, put in charge of the Ukraine war briefly. The Defense Ministry factions that don't support Prigozhin have tried to clip the mercenary leader's wings in the past, most recently with an order that all volunteer fighters should sign contracts with the ministry. That would essentially cut off Wagner from new recruits. In other words, according to Tatyana Stanovaya, who runs a political consultancy called R.Politik and is now a senior fellow at the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Prigozhin would lose his autonomy by making his troops subordinate to the Defense Ministry. "When we talk of coups, we imagine armed men rushing into the Kremlin to arrest or kill Putin and installing a new leader," Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at King's College London, wrote in a blog post. "In that sense, it is not a coup and Prigozhin has insisted that he is not mounting one. His aim is solely to remove Shoigu and Gerasimov and replace the 'meat-grinding' strategies they have followed in the war." Russian military bloggers have circulated rumors that Shoigu or Gerasimov, or possibly both, could end up being cashiered or merely pushed out, with Putin agreeing to a long-standing gripe of Prigozhin. Roughly 24 hours after the announced end to the mutiny, there was still no confirmation that those dismissals were in the offing. And roughly 24 hours later, Shoigu and Gerasimov were nowhere to be seen or heard. But if it does happen, watch to see who steps in. One possibility is Aleksei Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard who is now governor of the Tula region. Another is Surovikin, Prigozhin's favored general, who was also the military commander who led the elite unit into Moscow's center in 1991, clashing briefly with protesters before withdrawing. The End Of The Putin Era? The parallels to the events of August 1991 only go so far. Gorbachev was weakened. Yeltsin was empowered. And the Soviet Union ceased to exist that December. There's another historical parallel, one that both Prigozhin and Putin have invoked, separately from one another: 1917, when a demoralized and battered Imperial Russian Army was racked by mutinies and collapsed, while back in Russia a revolution toppled the tsar and paved the way for the Bolshevik Revolution a few months later. Over his two decades as preeminent leader, Putin has fashioned himself as a bulwark against turmoil, and the antidote to the chaos that gripped Russia in the 1990s, after the Soviet collapse. But Putin's invulnerability has been tarnished as the Ukraine war has dragged on. Prigozhin has now directly challenged the Russian president, not just in words but in deeds. The fact that several thousand of Prigozhin's heavily armed men were able to rush nearly into the capital unhindered is also problematic for Putin's administration. "The Kremlin's dedicated internal security organs failed to respond to an independent military force capturing the headquarters of the [Southern Military District] and advancing on Moscow; and Wagner likely could have reached the outskirts of Moscow if Prigozhin chose to order them to do so," the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said on June 24. Prigozhin's challenge ended with negotiation, not gunfire, and Putin labeled him and Wagner mutineers and traitors. Yet they are all being essentially absolved. And, for now, Wagner remains a potent, well-armed fighting force. "Putin's weakness has been shown up and his authority diminished," Rodric Braithwaite, who served as British ambassador to Moscow between 1988 and 1992, wrote in a blog post. "Much of the detail is still murky. The right-wing extremists who used to support Prigozhin are still around. We don't know what the soldiers in the field or the wretched Russian people really think or how they will finally jump. We still have no idea how or when Putin will go, or who will succeed him," he wrote. "But the end of the Putin era is surely heaving into sight." "It's a betrayal from someone who owes him their career: his war dog turned on him," Alissa de Carbonnel, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia Program at the International Crisis Group, said in a statement. "By challenging Putin personally, Prigozhin has done the unthinkable and shown a weakness: exploding the illusion that division within the ranks is tolerated and even encouraged by Putin to keep his people on edge." "There is a consensus opinion in the world that Russia has now moved into a new dimension," Sergei Markov, a former Putin adviser, said in a Telegram post. "Now it is a country where coups are possible. It is believed that the crisis showed a sharp weakening of President Putin. And that Putin at some point was on the verge of removal from power." "They don't think that, in Russia, by the way," that they've entered a new dimension, he added. What About The Ukraine War? Across the border in Ukraine, now in its 17th month of war, there was gloating, perhaps unsurprisingly, as Ukrainian officials hoped that the turmoil would impact the Russian invasion and allow Ukrainian forces to seize the advantage during their ongoing counteroffensive. "Prigozhin humiliated Putin [and] the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence," Mykhaylo Podolyak, a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, said in a Twitter post. Still, it's too early to say what the battlefield implications of the mutiny will be. Ukraine's counteroffensive, which Kyiv hopes will turn the tide of battle, is still warming up, about three weeks in. Ukrainian commanders have yet to commit the bulk of their newly equipped, NATO-trained brigades. Wagner forces, meanwhile, have played a small but critical role in several offensive operations: in the urban warfare to capture the port of Mariupol, the Luhansk region cities of Syevyerodonetsk and Lyychansk, and more recently, Bakhmut, a Donetsk city obliterated during a 10-month grinding effort. Prigozhin has said 20,000 Wagner troops were killed in the fight for Bakhmut. Experts say Wagner forces may now play a diminished role, as ammunition supplies are curtailed and its fighters are pressured to fall under regular military command. It's an open question whether discipline or morale among frontline Russian forces -- already major systemic issues for Russia's military -- will be further eroded by the domestic turmoil. Moreover, in their rush northward, Wagner troops managed to down or damage seven Russian helicopters, as well as an IL-22 airborne command plane, resulting in the deaths of 13 airmen. Yet those fighters, according to the deal first announced by Lukashenka, should be cleared of responsibility, which will likely anger some within Russian command structures. "Everyone understands that it is also luck that so few people died," Markov wrote. "If there is a second rebellion, many more will die. And if nothing is seriously changed, if the reasons for the rebellion are left behind, then the second rebellion will be necessary." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-after-prigozhin- mutiny-what-next/32475148.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 Putin's Regime 'Is Over,' Says Analyst, And 'Something New Is Starting In Russia' By Vazha Tavberidze June 25, 2023 After Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, ordered -- and then called off -- his forces to march on Moscow, RFE/RL's Georgian Service spoke to Konstantin Eggert, an independent journalist and political analyst, about how this has significantly weakened Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power. Eggert provides regular commentary and analysis on Russian affairs for Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster, and was previously head of the BBC Russian Service's Moscow bureau and hosted a program at the independent Russian television channel, Dozhd (Rain). RFE/RL: What have we just seen? What are we witnessing? Konstantin Eggert: It is very difficult to determine what we've seen; we have definitely seen something that looked like a real military rebellion against Putin, in spite of the fact that Putin was not directly mentioned. But it is clear that this undermined and continues to undermine the Putin system. For some reason, Prigozhin [has told us] that he is stopping the advance of his mercenaries and he wants to avoid bloodshed, as if he didn't understand that when he was speeding toward Moscow. And the intermediary seems to be [Belarusian President Alyaksandr] Lukashenka of all people. The question of what we've seen becomes really important and really unanswerable in some ways, because there are mechanisms here which we just don't understand. However, let me say one thing: This event has significantly weakened Putin's grip on his own system. It has significantly weakened his ability to prosecute the war. It has created chaos among the millions of Russian civil servants on whose shoulders this regime stands.... I think that the Putin regime, as we knew it, is over, and something new is starting in Russia. Maybe, by the way, worse, although it's difficult to imagine something worse, especially if you are Ukrainian. But I do not think we can presume anymore that Putin is in full control of the country and that he is really the master of his fate. RFE/RL: Why would Prigozhin do all of this in the first place? Eggert: At this moment, we don't know. But the mere fact that at least on the surface of it, it was Lukashenka who stopped the advance on Moscow, means that, in the eyes of the Russian bureaucracy, Putin is no longer tops. He depends on Lukashenka to communicate with Prigozhin, and this means Putin -- who was saying in the morning that Prigozhin was essentially a traitor -- is now negotiating with this traitor [via] an intermediary who is supposed to be his junior partner. There is no way to explain it [other] than to say that Putin was really afraid and he really needed a way out. And Prigozhin was also afraid, because although, let's say 15,000 well-trained fighters is a force that could force its way into Moscow, I do not think it is enough to hold the city and to command the full control of the country. I do suppose that all this means [is] that both sides understood [that] for now, [and] it is best for them to pretend that they have come to an agreement. But this elevates Prigozhin to the level of Putin. And this, of course, also hits Putin very hard. We're dealing with a new political reality. It doesn't matter, in these circumstances, whether the rest of the country, the so-called ordinary people, whether they really understood what happened or not; a lot of them will continue to remain passive. But a lot of them, especially in the south of Russia, were very much disturbed by what happened. Secondly, it is clear that those who Putin relied on running Russia, that means the local FSB (Federal Security Service) directors, policemen, heads of state corporations, people like that, they now know that Putin is no longer at least in full control. It's not the end of the story. RFE/RL: Can Putin sleep at night knowing that Prigozhin is out there? As long as he breathes, as long as he is alive, can Putin sleep at night? Eggert: Everything you've seen so far looks [like] a better version of a Tom Clancy novel. I cannot imagine how Putin sleeps and whether he will continue to sleep, or whether he will resign, or whether Prigozhin will be eliminated. I think that Prigozhin understands that his chances of survival are probably not that high. I suppose that an important element of all this is that we'll be seeing what happens with the [Ukraine] war. I suppose that somehow it all has to do with the aggression against Ukraine. I think we'll see very soon some kind of indication of what's going to happen, because without some kind of decision on that, other things will be difficult. RFE/RL: You say that cracks are showing in Putin's system. There's one particular aspect that was always brought up whenever people tried to explain the longevity of Putin and his system: that average Russians tolerated Putin for so long because of the premise that he brought stability. That, as bad as he was, at least things were stable in the country. This time, however, buildings are burning, not in Ukraine but in Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh. What will that do to Putin's so-called stabilocracy? Eggert: The situation in Russia, as far as society is concerned, is very simple. The society, the majority of it, was dormant. We haven't seen, let's say, a lot of pro-Prigozhin demonstrations. We haven't seen any anti-Prigozhin demonstrations or anyone demonstrating in Moscow for Putin. We haven't seen a lot of massive mutinies in the Russian Army. It is a society that will probably agree that OK, thank God the bloodshed was averted. So, we'll try to go back to normal. "Narod bezmolvstvuet" -- the people are silent -- is the final line of Aleksandr Pushkin's to my mind most important play, Boris Godunov, which is about the Time of Troubles in Russia in the early 17th century. The fact that "the people are silent" is not relevant to the power struggle that will continue. This is no longer the regime we've seen before. Lots of people will be looking at Putin now from a different angle. We'll be trying to understand what happened. This stability, at least as far as significant decision-makers in the country, is gone. And you will not be able to recuperate it. Because if this was a huge play staged by Putin, which I think is unlikely, then how can you trust the person that can play such tricks on you? If it wasn't, then it's clear that Putin had to basically scramble and save himself. In both cases, I think we'll see more cleavages inside the Russian system. Whatever happens, Putin has shortened his stay in the Kremlin, that is if he will stay in the Kremlin. RFE/RL: Finally, a somewhat philosophical question, or a moral conundrum. In a nutshell, whatever Prigozhin's real motivations might have been, it boils down to Russians killing other Russians because they disagree about how to kill Ukrainians. What does that say about modern Russia? Eggert: It just adds to the picture: that of a very significant moral crisis inside society. A moral crisis that, I'm afraid, may lead to Russian society never being able to rise again and do something good about its own country. What's happened definitely shows to us the depths of the moral crisis that Russian society is undergoing: It is not for Putin, it is not against Putin, it is OK to kill others as long as it basically doesn't touch upon me that much. It is OK for armed gangs to capture the cities and then for them to retreat. It is a society where citizens are in the minority. This means that whoever is in the Kremlin will be able to basically present society with any choice he or she chooses, and there is a very high chance that society will just accept it. This is the main issue here. It's not an issue so much of arms or demographics, as important as they are. It is an issue of a society that basically agrees to any order coming from above -- some gladly, some grudgingly, some actually want to isolate themselves from reality and did it pretty successfully until recently. Any change that may come in such circumstances will definitely come from intra-elite struggles rather than some kind of popular democratic revolution. This, to me, is probably the perspective we will be facing in the coming weeks and months. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/interview-putin-regime- over-konstantin-eggert-/32474957.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 In Ukraine, Russian Mutiny A Source Of Hope, Trepidation, And Mocking Memes By Aleksander Palikot June 25, 2023 KYIV -- Along with the summer heat, Russian attacks and the wail of air-raid sirens frequently make for sleepless nights in Ukraine's capital. Overnight into Saturday, June 24, loud blasts rang out as Russia launched more than 20 missiles at Kyiv, and debris from the rockets killed at least five people and wounded several others. After dawn broke, residents who might otherwise have slept were kept alert all day -- this time by mayhem in Russia, where a mercenary force that has been heavily involved in some of the deadliest fighting in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine turned against Moscow's own military in a stunning mutiny. As Wagner forces crossed out of Ukraine and into Russia, seizing military facilities in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and heading toward Moscow, many Ukrainians were glued to their phones, following the news with a mixture of hope and trepidation -- and laughter. On social media, mocking memes proliferated as Ukrainians turned to humor, one of the weapons they have used to blunt the attacks and handle the horrors of an unprovoked full-scale invasion that has killed tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched it on February 24, 2022. One joke played off that date and the events unfolding in Russia on June 24: "I like this 24th much more than that one before," television journalist Nelli Kovalska wrote on Facebook. Multiple popcorn memes were posted as Ukrainians watched the dramatic events -- as spectators of Russia, for a change, rather than its targets. One video showed a man meant to be a camouflage-clad Ukrainian soldier sitting on a military vehicle and munching popcorn overflowing from one of several of what appeared to be ammunition containers. Another post featured a photo of big bales of popcorn and a caption reading: "NATO prepares to airdrop more popcorn into Ukraine." Major Ukrainian online retailer Rozetka got into the act, issuing a post that said popcorn sales were surging. Another meme took aim at the Russian military, suggesting its failure to stop Wagner fighters from entering Rostov and marching toward Moscow was in line with its performance in Ukraine, where it has fared far worse than many analysts expected and has suffered numerous setbacks since February 2022. "Russian Army: 2021, second best in the world; 2022, second best in Ukraine; 2023, second best in Russia," the Facebook post by creative designer Oleh Postyrnak read. Several social media posts contrasted the apparently weak resistance Wagner fighters faced as they headed toward Moscow with the way Ukraine stymied the Russian advance toward Kyiv early in the invasion, in which Putin is believed to have expected Russian forces to capture the capital and subjugate the country within days or weeks. Another made reference to the fact that many Wagner mercenaries are convicted criminal recruited by Prigozhin from prisons across Russia. It asked, "If they jail Prigozhin, who will recruit him into Wagner?" It looks like Prigozhin won't be jailed, though. On the morning of June 24, Putin vowed to crush what he called an "armed mutiny" and bring the "traitors" behind it to justice. But late in the evening, after Prigozhin abruptly announced he was ordering Wagner forces to abandon their march to Moscow and return to their camps in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said an agreement had been reached under which the mercenary leader would avoid prosecution and leave Russia for Belarus. The rebellion, which drew both Wagner forces and Chechen forces away from the front during a nascent Ukrainian counteroffensive, could still have repercussions for the course of the war. "In the beginning, I thought it was fake, but then I hoped it may be an actual coup," Roman Chulipa, 30, who works in one of the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, told RFE/RL in central Kyiv on June 25. "I think it shows the fragility of Putin's regime," he added. "The seeds of the crisis have been sown, and we will see the fruit in a few weeks." In his nightly video address late on June 24, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy suggested the dramatic developments underscored the dangers Russia poses to the region and the planet. "The world has seen that the owners of Russia do not control anything. Nothing at all. Just complete chaos. The complete absence of any predictability. And this is on Russian territory, which is packed with weapons," he said. Inside and outside of government, meanwhile, some Ukrainians hope the domestic disarray could weaken Russia's war effort, lead to further setbacks for the invading forces, and bring the war closer to its end. "This story boosts hopes for a quicker end to the war and the return of our soldiers from the front line back home," said sales manager Andriy Romanovych, 24, who said many of his friends are fighting in Ukraine's south and east. Kyiv pensioner Natalia Osadcha, meanwhile, suspects the mutiny was staged to obscure Russian setbacks in the war. "The situation on the front line is not great for Russia, so they decided to divert attention from it," said Osadcha, 72. "It was a full-blown stage play, but something went wrong," she said. "Someone went a bit too far, and they had to cut the show short." RFE/RL Ukrainian Service editor Rostyslav Khotin and Steve Gutterman, regional desk editor for Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus at RFE/RL's Central Newsroom, contributed to this report from Prague. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russian-mutiny- hope-trepidation-mocking-memes/32475044.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 Closely Watching Situation With Wagner PMC in Russia, Has No Full Details - Blinken Sputnik News 20230625 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is closely monitoring events surrounding the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) in Russia, although Washington does not have a full picture of the situation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday. "We don't have full information obviously and it is too soon to tell exactly where this is going to go. And I suspect that this is a moving picture," Blinken told a American broadcaster, adding that the US is "very focused" on the situation. Washington has seen no change in Russia's willingness to use nuclear weapons and has not changed its "own posture," the US secretary of state claimed. Asked whether the attempted mutiny by the Wagner PMC posed a threat to Russia's current leadership, Blinken said the situation was Russia's internal affair. "I don't wanna speculate about that. This is, first of all, an internal matter for Russia," the top US diplomat stated. On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of the head of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said that social media reports of alleged Russian military strikes on PMC Wagner camps were not true. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on Saturday in which he described the actions of the Wagner Group PMC as an armed mutiny and treason, and promised harsh measures against the insurgents. Later in the day, the Belarusian presidential office said that Prigozhin had accepted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of Wagner troops in Russia and to take further steps to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin later confirmed the information, saying that the Wagner troops were returning to their field camps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday evening that the criminal case against Prigozhin had been dropped and that he would leave for Belarus under guarantees given by Putin. The spokesman added that the members of the Wagner PMC who were involved in Saturday's events would not be prosecuted, given their distinguished service during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea Supports Russia's Leadership in Situation With Wagner Mutiny Attempt Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Im Chon Il met with Russian Ambassador in Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora on Sunday and expressed his country's support for the Russian leadership during an attempted armed mutiny by the Wagner Group private military company (PMC), the North Korean news agency reported. "Im Chon Il, vice foreign minister of the DPRK, met with Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK [North Korea], on June 25 ... During the talk, Im Chon Il expressed firm belief that the recent armed rebellion in Russia would be successfully put down in conformity with the aspiration and will of the Russian people, saying the DPRK will strongly support any option and decision by the Russian leadership," media reported. On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of the head of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said that social media reports of alleged Russian military strikes on PMC Wagner camps were not true. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on Saturday in which he described the actions of the Wagner Group PMC as an armed mutiny and treason, and promised harsh measures against the insurgents. Later in the day, the Belarusian presidential office said that Prigozhin had accepted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of Wagner troops in Russia and to take further steps to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin later confirmed the information, saying that the Wagner troops were returning to their field camps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday evening that the criminal case against Prigozhin had been dropped and that he would leave for Belarus under guarantees given by Putin. The spokesman added that the members of the Wagner PMC who were involved in Saturday's events would not be prosecuted, given their distinguished service during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Backs Russia's Efforts to Stabilize Situation Amid Wagner Events Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Beijing has expressed support for Moscow's efforts to stabilize the situation in Russia amid recent developments involving the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) and its head Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. "The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24 and reaffirmed its interest in strengthening the unity and further prosperity of Russia," the ministry said following a Sunday meeting of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Beijing. The Russian ministry stressed that Moscow and Beijing are bound by "trust-based" relations. "The sides praised the current state of Russian-Chinese relations and confirmed readiness for joint efforts to steadily strengthen them," the statement read. On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of Prigozhin. The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said that social media reports of alleged Russian military strikes on PMC Wagner camps were not true. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on Saturday in which he described the actions of the Wagner Group PMC as an armed mutiny and treason, and promised harsh measures against the insurgents. Later in the day, the Belarusian presidential office said that Prigozhin had accepted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of Wagner troops in Russia and to take further steps to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin later confirmed the information, saying that the Wagner troops were returning to their field camps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday evening that the criminal case against Prigozhin had been dropped and that he would leave for Belarus under guarantees given by Putin. The spokesman added that the members of the Wagner PMC who were involved in Saturday's events would not be prosecuted, given their distinguished service during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cuban President Expresses Solidarity to Putin Amid Wagner Mutiny Attempt Sputnik News 20230625 MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has expressed solidarity and support to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people amid the Saturday events, involving the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) and its head Yevgeny Prigozhin. "I express the solidarity of the people and government of Cuba to the respected President Putin and the brotherly people of the Russian Federation, in the face of attempts to provoke an armed rebellion in the country. We are fully convinced that unity and constitutional order will prevail," Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Twitter on Saturday. Earlier in the day, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed support and solidarity to Russia and its government. On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of Prigozhin. The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said that social media reports of alleged Russian military strikes on PMC Wagner camps were not true. Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on Saturday in which he described the actions of the Wagner Group PMC as an armed mutiny and treason, and promised harsh measures against the insurgents. Later in the day, the Belarusian presidential office said that Prigozhin accepted the proposal of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to stop the movement of Wagner troops in Russia and take further steps to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin later confirmed the information, saying that Wagner troops were returning back to their field camps. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday evening that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be terminated and he would leave for Belarus under guarantees given by Putin. The spokesman added that members of the Wagner PMC who were involved in the Saturday events would not be prosecuted given their distinguished service during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Foreign Minister Expresses Support to Lavrov Amid Wagner Mutiny Attempt Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has expressed support to Russia's leadership in ensuring constitution order during a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Ministry informs. The Saturday phone call was held at the initiative of the Iranian side. "The Iranian side expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership to ensure constitutional order," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a Saturday statement. The foreign ministers also discussed Russian-Iranian agenda and regional and international topics. On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case for inciting armed mutiny over statements made on behalf of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group private military company (PMC). The FSB said that there was a threat of escalation on Russian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry said that social media reports of alleged Russian military strikes on PMC Wagner camps were not true. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a televised address to the nation on Saturday in which he described the actions of the Wagner Group as an armed mutiny and treason, and promised harsh measures against the insurgents. Later in the day, the Belarusian presidential office said that Prigozhin accepted the proposal of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to stop the movement of Wagner troops in Russia and take further steps to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin later confirmed the information, saying that Wagner troops were returning back to their field camps. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has expressed his solidarity and support in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the Saturday events, saying that the Russian government and people are facing a moment of challenge to the character, identity, wisdom and strength of Russia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special meeting on Saturday night with the heads of key governmental departments, discussing the situation in Russia. Netanyahu said that the events concerning Wagner Group were Russia's internal affair but Israel was going to continue monitoring the developments. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday evening that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be terminated and he would leave for Belarus under guarantees given by Putin. The spokesman added that members of the Wagner PMC who were involved in the Saturday events would not be prosecuted given their distinguished service during Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US: Prigozhin Rebellion Against Moscow Shows 'Very Serious Cracks' in Putin's Rule By Ken Bredemeier June 25, 2023 The United States said Sunday that the brief rebellion of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin against Russia's military leadership shows "very serious cracks" in the two-decade rule of President Vladimir Putin and "questions the very premise" of his 16-month war against Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC's "This Week" show, that the war "has been a devastating strategic failure for Putin across virtually every front - economic, military, geopolitical standing." "We see cracks emerging," Blinken said of Prigozhin's protest targeting Putin. "Where they go - if anywhere - when they get there, very hard to say. I don't want to speculate on it. But I don't think we've seen the final act." The top U.S. diplomat said the aftermath of Prigozhin's Wagner Group advance Saturday on Moscow before an abrupt retreat well short of reaching the Russian capital is "still a moving picture," with the outcome uncertain. Putin called Prigozhin, a longtime ally whose troops had been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, a traitor for turning against his authoritarian regime. Then the Russian leader said Prigozhin would not be prosecuted and allowed him to go to neighboring Belarus, a Russian ally, under a deal negotiated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. But it was not clear whether Prigozhin had arrived there and whether he had a contingent of mercenaries with him. Russia said Prigozhin's mercenaries who had not joined the short-lived rebellion would be allowed to sign contracts to fight with the Russian army in Ukraine, but Blinken said it was not clear what will happen now to the mercenaries who followed Prigozhin into Russia and headed toward Moscow before Prigozhin called off his troop advance. "The short answer is we don't know," Blinken said. Asked what happens to Prigozhin in Belarus, aside from his amnesty, Blinken acknowledged, "We simply don't know." Blinken said U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with allied Western leaders from his Camp David retreat outside Washington and conferred with U.S. national security officials but had not called Putin. Blinken said the "direct challenge to Putin's authority" showed that Moscow's war in Ukraine has "been pursued under false pretenses, that NATO was a threat to Russia." But Prigozhin's frequent complaints about Moscow's defense officials centered on his claim that they were not supplying his mercenaries with enough arms to fight in Ukraine. Many of the Wagner Group forces were convicted criminals that Prigozhin enticed to the war front to fight for six months in exchange for release from their prison terms, if they survived the war. But they were poorly trained and thousands of them were quickly killed on the front lines. Blinken said the turmoil created in Russia by the Prigozhin protest "may help the Ukrainians on the battle front." But David Petraeus, a retired U.S. Army general and former Central Intelligence Agency chief, told CNN's "State of the Union" show that "unfortunately it has not had a significant effect on the front lines." But he, too, said the Prigozhin protest leaves Putin "more vulnerable than he's ever been in two decades." Like Blinken, however, Petraeus said there are "many, many unknowns" remaining in determining the overall effect of the Putin-Prigozhin showdown. The Kremlin said Saturday that criminal charges against Prigozhin for mounting the armed rebellion will be dropped, even though many Russians have been jailed for their public comments or street protests against Putin's war. Lukashenko negotiated the deal with the Wagner Group chief, his office said, with Putin's approval. Lukashenko said he has known Prigozhin personally for 20 years. The negotiations also guaranteed that Wagner fighters will not be prosecuted, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front," he said, adding that Moscow was grateful to Lukashenko for his role in de-escalating the crisis. Those fighters who did not participate in the rebellion, Peskov said, would be offered contracts with the defense ministry, which has been seeking to bring all autonomous volunteer forces under its control by July 1. Asked if there would be any personnel changes in the Russian defense ministry as part of the deal, Peskov said, "These matters are the sole prerogative and within the competence of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [Putin] in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation. Therefore, it is unlikely that these topics could have been discussed in the course of the above-mentioned contacts." The Russian spokesman did not disclose whether there were any concessions made to persuade Prigozhin to withdraw all his forces, other than the guarantees for his safety a something he said Putin had given his word on a and for the safety of Prigozhin's men. He called the events that unfolded since Friday "tragic." Earlier Saturday, Prigozhin and his fighters got within about 200 kilometers of Moscow before he ordered his men to halt their advance, turn their convoy around and return to their bases in Ukraine to avoid bloodshed. Prigozhin didn't say whether the Kremlin has responded to his demand to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu or what, if anything, Lukashenko had promised him in their negotiations. Moscow had braced for the arrival of the private army led by the rebellious commander. And Putin had said Prigozhin would face harsh consequences. By Saturday evening, the Russian mercenary fighters were seen pulling out of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than one million people near the border with Ukraine that they had taken control of a day earlier. In Rostov, which serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia's entire invasion force, residents had milled about, recording on mobile phones, as Wagner Group mercenary fighters in armored vehicles and battle tanks took up positions, the Reuters news agency reported. 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 Russia endeavors to defuse Wagner rebellion People's Daily Online By Shi Hao (Xinhua) 09:11, June 26, 2023 MOSCOW, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia appears to have stabilized the situation after the country's Wagner private military group was accused of attempting to launch an armed rebellion. A compromise was reached between Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group, through the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on late Saturday. Xinhua reporters found that the incident did not cause a major disorder in Russian society and people's life in Moscow and beyond was barely affected. CHARGE OF ARMED MUTINY In a surprise move on early Saturday, the Russian Federal Security Service announced that a criminal case was initiated against Prigozhin for incitement to armed insurrection. This came after several audio recordings were posted on Prigozhin's Telegram channel where he claimed that his units had allegedly come under attack, accusing Russia's military leadership of orchestrating the strikes. Later, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee said that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts. In a statement to Wagner troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said: "You were tricked into Prigozhin's criminal adventure and participation in an armed rebellion." "We ask you to be prudent and get in touch with representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry or law enforcement agencies as soon as possible. We guarantee everyone's safety," the ministry stressed. The headquarters of the Wagner group located in Russia's second-largest city of St. Petersburg was cordoned off by security forces. A Xinhua correspondent witnessed several police cars parked in or around the compound, with law enforcers on duty. The Wagner group made its name known to the world by fighting Ukraine on the battleground. It pioneered a prolonged Russian campaign to seize the city of Bakhmut that was hotly contested with Ukrainian forces. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin openly congratulated the Wagner assault detachments on the triumph in Artyomovsk, the Russian name of Bakhmut. "TOUGH" RESPONSE In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Putin ordered the Russian Armed Forces to neutralize those who organized the armed mutiny. "Any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the front line. This is a stab in the back of our country and our people," Putin said. "Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia, to our people. And our actions to protect the motherland from such a threat will be tough," he added. "All those who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, who embarked on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment and answer both before the law and before our people," he noted. "I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic mistake, but to make the only right choice -- to stop participating in criminal acts," Putin stressed. The Russian leader had phone conversations with Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the incident. According to the Kremlin, Erdogan expressed full support for the steps taken by the Russian leadership. In response to the rebellion charge, Prigozhin said on Telegram: "We are patriots of our motherland." SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION Prigozhin has accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the advance of the Wagner troops and de-escalate the situation, according to RIA Novosti news agency reports. On Saturday morning, Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart of the situation in southern Russia regarding the Wagner group, and the heads of state agreed on joint actions. "The President of Belarus held talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin. Negotiations lasted throughout the day. As a result, they came to an agreement on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the Russian territory. Prigozhin accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of the Wagner armed persons and take further steps to de-escalate tensions," the press service of the Belarusian president was quoted as saying. There was reportedly an acceptable option on the table for resolving the situation, with security guarantees for the Wagner fighters. Then, Prigozhin said that his fighters were going back to their field camps. The criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped and he will go to Belarus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters late Saturday, without specifying what exactly Prigozhin will do in the former Soviet republic. He added that Lukashenko has been personally acquainted with Prigozhin for about 20 years and "this was his personal proposal agreed with Putin." "There was a higher goal to avoid bloodshed, to avoid internal confrontation, to avoid clashes with unpredictable results. It was for the sake of these goals that Lukashenko's mediation efforts were made and President Putin made the appropriate decision," Peskov said. According to the official, the guarantee that Prigozhin will be able to leave for Belarus was the word of the Russian president. The incident with the Wagner group will not affect the course of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, which will continue, he added. GENERAL TRANQUILITY Xinhua reporters felt a sense of calmness in several Russian cities, although temporary restrictions and verification measures were put in place. The Red Square in central Moscow was closed the whole Saturday, but tourists and business people were still allowed outside the police line. A traveler from St. Petersburg, who identified himself as Valery, told Xinhua that he heard about the Wagner incident from social media but did not know exactly what had happened. There were fewer people and less traffic in downtown Moscow, while the three major airports in the city -- the Sheremetyevo, the Domodedovo and the Vnukovo -- were all operating normally. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted on Russian social media VK that previously announced mass events were canceled, but he denied reports of traffic closures at the entrances and exits of the Russian capital. To minimize risks, he declared Monday a non-working day. In St. Petersburg, neighborhoods near the Wagner headquarters remained calm. In southern Russia's Rostov-on-Don city, the center of the turmoil, a resident, who called himself Yevgeny, told Xinhua that "nobody seems affected ... Everything will be fine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Senate committee passes 2024 NDAA with Taiwan provisions ROC Central News Agency 06/24/2023 01:39 PM Washington, June 23 (CNA) The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services passed a bill Friday that lays out the country's national defence policy and budget for the next year, including provisions calling for military cooperation with Taiwan. The US$886.3 billion budgeted for the 2024 fiscal year under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was approved by the armed services committee with a 24-1 vote Friday and put through to the Senate for approval. An executive summary provided by the committee states that the U.S. will seek to strengthen its posture in the Indo-Pacific region, in view of "long-term strategic competition with China and Russia." Part of that effort includes the U.S. establishing "a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for the military forces of Taiwan," the bill states. At the same time, the bill calls for "engagement with appropriate officials of Taiwan for the purpose of expanding cooperation on military cybersecurity activities." The passage of the bill at the Senate committee followed a similar pattern to corresponding legislation in the House, with the bill passing through the House of Representatives' armed services committee with a 58-1 vote Thursday. According to the proposal, known as the "Chairman's Mark," put forth on June 12 by the committee's chairman Mike Rogers, the House version of the bill encourages joint military exercises between the U.S. and Taiwan, as well as exchanges among officials on both sides. In addition, the bill urges the U.S. government to support Taiwan in acquiring defense articles and services "through foreign military sales, direct commercial sales, and industrial cooperation" to help build up its asymmetric strategies. The bill now awaits approval on the House floor. Once the Senate and House of Representatives approve their own versions of the NDAA, they will have to negotiate the two versions, produce a final bill and pass that bill in each respective body, before the bill can be signed into law by the president. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese military aircraft fly close to Taiwan: Defense ministry ROC Central News Agency 06/24/2023 02:16 PM Taipei, June 24 (CNA) Eight Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, almost reaching the outer boundary of the contiguous zone Saturday morning, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND). The incursions occurred at around 8 a.m. and were part of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) joint combat readiness patrols, MND spokesman Major General Sun Li-fang (ac) said at a news conference in Taipei. The eight aircraft were among 19 detected around Taiwan at the time, including an unspecified number of J-10 and J-16 fighter jets. Eight breached the median line and were approaching the outer boundary of the contiguous zone, set at 24 nautical miles (44.4 kilometers) from Taiwan's shores, Sun said. The joint combat readiness patrols is the name given by the PLA to sorties undertaken by its aircraft and operations by its military vessels that take place in and around the Taiwan Strait on a daily basis. In addition to the aircraft, five PLA ships were also detected in Taiwan's surrounding waters, Sun said. The Republic of China (Taiwan) military used its joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system to closely monitor the PLA activity and also deployed aircraft, vessels and coastal defense missile systems to respond to the situation, Sun added. Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (ea) said during an interpellation session at the Legislative Yuan on March 6 that the ROC armed forces would open fire on intruders if they enter Taiwan's territorial waters or airspace. PLA aircraft and ships entered the contiguous zone and approached Taiwan's territorial waters and airspace during the large-scale military exercises China conducted around Taiwan in August 2022 following a visit to Taiwan by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chiu said at the time. If they had breached Taiwan's territorial waters or airspace, the armed forces would have engaged, Chiu said. He said, however, that to avoid giving PLA a pretext to launch an aggression on Taiwan, the military has always made a point to exercise self-restraint. (By Sean Lin and Matt Yu) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China-US military tensions remain after Blinken visit, as warship, warplane activities continue in Taiwan Straits, S.China Sea Global Times Warship, warplane activities by both countries reported in Taiwan Straits, S.China Sea By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jun 24, 2023 08:14 PM Military tensions between China and the US have yet to see an immediate de-escalation after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China, with both countries' warships and warplanes, including aircraft carriers, spotted operating in sensitive waters in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea on China's doorstep over the past few days. If the US really wants to control risks of accidents or seek dialogue, it should stop saying one thing and doing another, and stop making military provocations around China, experts said on Saturday. The US Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, was operating in the South China Sea on Friday, according to a press release from the Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Scheduled to make a rare port call in Vietnam on Sunday, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group has been operating in the South China Sea since last week after completing joint exercises with Japanese, French and Canadian ships in the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea together with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in early June, media reports said. On Wednesday, US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Stratton made a transit in the Taiwan Straits, a move that was closely tracked and monitored by vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG), said Gan Yu, a spokesperson at the CCG. Also on Wednesday, the defense authority on the island of Taiwan said it spotted the PLA Navy's Shandong aircraft carrier group when it sailed through the Taiwan Straits in a southwesterly direction into the South China Sea, according to media reports on the island. A number of US spy planes, including a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, an EP-3E electronic reconnaissance aircraft, an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and a suspected drone, operated in the South China Sea at the southern end of the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, Chinese technology and intelligence company MizarVision said in a Weibo post, citing open-source flight data. When the aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Straits in a northeasterly direction in late May, a US RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft intentionally intruded into the PLA carrier group's training area for reconnaissance and disturbance, and a PLA Air Force J-16 fighter jet's professional and resolute interception of the US spy plane was hyped up by the US side, which tried to falsely blame China for the China-US military tensions and pressure China into a dialogue ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue that was held in early June. According to reports, the aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Straits northward in late May and then returned from the same route through the Taiwan Straits southward in late June for a routine training mission, which is not related to the current situations in the Taiwan Straits or the South China Sea, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Saturday. But as a strategic platform, the carrier's movements will always serve as a deterrent force against the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and external interference forces, and serve as a balance against US military provocations near the island of Taiwan and in the South China Sea, the expert said. Blinken wrapped up a two-day visit to Beijing on June 19, in which the two sides agreed to stabilize their relations and keep communication lines open. However, the US aircraft carrier, cutter and spy plane activities on China's doorsteps showed the military tensions between the two countries remained for the time being, observers said. The US claimed it will work on stabilizing China-US ties, but at the same time continued to instigate events that raise tensions, said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University. Li told the Global Times that the US moves, which do not respect China's sovereignty, security and interests, are dangerous, and moves like these that play with fire could again lead to a deterioration in China-US relations, and the responsibility will be for the US to bear. Just recently, China honored a PLA Air Force unit that broke the first island chain into the Pacific Ocean several times, conducted nighttime Taiwan island encirclement flights, carried out combat patrols in the South China Sea, and expelled foreign vessels illegally sailing in Chinese waters with H-6K bombers over the past years. The Chinese military has the capability, will and confidence to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as it has built a comprehensive system integrating land, sea, air, space, electromagnetic space and cyberspace that can deny any external interference forces on China's doorsteps, be it around the island of Taiwan or in the South China Sea, whether it involved coast guard cutters or aircraft carriers, analysts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Local reconnaissance drones being given combat capabilities ROC Central News Agency 06/25/2023 06:51 PM Taipei, June 25 (CNA) Taiwan's army is in the process of customizing reconnaissance drones from the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST) to give them combat capabilities when on a mission, a source close to the military said Sunday. The source said some of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are being equipped with a laser targeting system that will assist the military in accurately locking onto targets and transmitting the coordinates back to a military base. Others will have ammunition drums installed on the underside of the drone, enabling the UAV to respond to unexpected attacks while on recon missions, the source said. The drones being retrofit are among 50 rotor-based models ordered from NCSIST for NT$779.98 million (US$25.16 million). Fourteen of them were delivered in 2022, and 36 were delivered in 2023. The NCSIST-engineered recon-UAV was first unveiled in January 2023 at a military demonstration, during which the army revealed that servicemen only needed two weeks of training to become drone pilots, with refresher courses scheduled every two years. Before any alterations, the rotor drone is 180 centimeters long, 39 cm wide, and 55.7 cm high, and can reach a maximum speed of 64 kilometers per hour and a maximum altitude of 1,500 meters. Weighing 25 kilograms, it can withstand Force 6 winds on the Beaufort Wind Scale and has a battery life of 60 minutes. (By Matt Yu and James Lo) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belize defense minister to visit Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 06/25/2023 05:00 PM Taipei, June 25 (CNA) The Belize defense minister will lead a delegation on his first trip to Taiwan Monday through Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced Sunday. Minister of National Defense and Border Security Florencio Marin will visit various locations in Taiwan, including the Ministry of Defense, the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), which is Taiwan's top military research unit, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ocean Affairs Council and local shipbuilding companies, MOFA said in a press release. Other members of the six-member delegation include Christopher Coye, who is the minister of state in the Ministry of Finance and Dario Tapia, the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Defense and Border Security, according to MOFA. A veteran political figure in the People's United Party, and Belize more generally, Marin previously served as deputy prime minister under George Cadle Price, as well as deputy leader of the opposition. Taiwan, officially named the Republic of China, established official diplomatic ties with the Central American country in 1989. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA aircraft approach 24-nautical-mile line of Taiwan island Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jun 25, 2023 09:11 PM Fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly approached the 24-nautical-mile line of the island of Taiwan on Saturday, a move experts said on Sunday is totally legitimate and will become more frequent if "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces continue to provoke. The defense authority on the island of Taiwan said on Sunday morning in a press release that it had detected 21 PLA aircraft and five PLA vessels around the island over the past 24 hours, including eight J-10 fighter jets that had crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Straits. The median line is a non-existent concept dividing the two sides of the Taiwan Straits from the middle and the median line is never recognized by the Chinese mainland. According to flight paths illustrated in the press release, the eight J-10 fighter jets flew past the "median line" from four locations covering the northern and southern ends as well as the middle of the Taiwan Straits before returning to the mainland. Going beyond the so-called median line, the warplanes approached the 24-nautical-mile line of the island, the island's defense authority said on Saturday shortly after the aircraft activities, media on the island reported, claiming that it marked the first time that PLA aircraft have approached the island of Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile line. The 24-nautical-mile line is often used to describe the contiguous zone, which can extend up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline, while the territorial sea can extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, a Chinese mainland military expert told the Global Times on Sunday, requesting anonymity. The defense authority on the island of Taiwan might want to use the concept of a contiguous zone to hype "threats" from the PLA, but Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, so it is legitimate for the PLA to operate anywhere on and around the island, the expert said. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese mainland military aviation expert, told the Global Times that routine sorties by PLA warplanes serve as stern warnings to "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces and external interference forces. The PLA has demonstrated its capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, Fu said. The PLA has been holding daily aircraft and vessel patrols and exercises around the island of Taiwan for the past few years. If "Taiwan independence" forces do not give up their secessionist moves, the PLA's activities will become closer to the island, more frequent and more combat-oriented, analysts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taipei Urges Australia to Send Military Attache to Taiwan Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Taiwan is calling on Australia to send a military attache to the island so that both sides can share their assessment of the situation with China, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told The Australian media on Sunday. "I think it is very important when the Australian government is paying so much more attention to the regional security issues for the two countries to be able to share their observations, their assessment of the situation," Wu said in an interview. The newspaper specified that the United States, Japan and Singapore have long placed their attaches on the island in order to maintain communication with Taiwanese intelligence services. Wu added that Taiwan also wanted to send a military attache to the Canberra office. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable. The latest escalation around Taiwan took place in April after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Beijing responded by launching massive three-day military drills near the island in what it called a "warning" to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No: 156, 24 June 2023, Joint Statement on TArkiye-United States Strategic Mechanism Dialogue Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Burak AkAapar and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland chaired the fifth meeting of the TArkiye-U.S. Strategic Mechanism Dialogue on June 23, 2023, in Washington. TArkiye and the United States were represented by interagency delegations that included officials from the Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defense, and United States Departments of State and Defense. As NATO Allies and partners, TArkiye and the United States reiterated their commitment to further deepen their robust cooperation in all domains of mutual interest. They committed to expand and intensify bilateral political, defense and security consultations at all levels, and to strengthen their comprehensive partnership in line with the strategic interests of both countries. They concurred that TArkiye-U.S. defense and security cooperation contributes to regional peace, and discussed progress on TArkiye's request to modernize its F-16 fleet. The delegations reviewed preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania July 11-12. TArkiye and the United States affirmed their strong support for NATO's Open Door Policy. Both sides welcomed the membership of Finland to NATO, concurring that it substantially contributed to the strengthening of the Alliance. They explored avenues to further reinforce NATO's deterrence and discussed implementation of the trilateral memorandum signed by TArkiye, Finland, and Sweden, and Sweden's path to membership in the Alliance. The Eastern Mediterranean was also on the agenda, whereby both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the maintenance of stability and dialogue based on the principles of cooperation and regional inclusion. TArkiye and the United States reiterated their strong support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty in face of Russia's unacceptable war. Both sides pledged to continue to work closely with a view to finding a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN charter. The United States expressed its appreciation for TArkiye's efforts in coordination with the UN to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has helped stabilize food prices around the world. Both sides welcomed the steady rise in bilateral trade volume and renewed their commitment to advance their economic partnership to capitalize on opportunities, bolster resilient supply chains and enhance cooperation in areas of science and technology. Welcoming regular consultations on energy between TArkiye and the United States they expressed their mutual desire and common goal to contribute to global energy security through regional partnership and advance cooperation on sustainable clean energy, including civil nuclear energy. They also committed to establish a Climate and Energy Dialogue in the face of the challenges the new global energy landscape presents. They also discussed concrete joint endeavors to advance TArkiye-U.S. cooperation in other regions, and reiterated their unwavering commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including ISIS/DAESH and PKK. Both sides committed to remain in close coordination to combat terrorist organizations and root causes of terrorism. Both delegations reconfirmed the critical importance of continued dialogue between TArkiye and the United States on bilateral, regional, and global issues through mutual high-level visits, including within the scope of the Strategic Mechanism Dialogue. They committed to work on the preparations for the Strategic Mechanism Foreign Ministers Meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address RAF jets intercept 21 Russian aircraft near NATO airspace NATO have scrambled the jets six times in the last three weeks, intercepting 21 Russian aircraft in the last 21 days. 25 June 2023 Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters providing Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft for the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia have been scrambled to respond to Russian aircraft 21 times in the last 21 days. The Typhoons, from RAF Lossiemouth-based number 1 (Fighter) Squadron, have been operating out of Amari Air Base since March as part of the UK's leading contribution to NATO. When the jets and crew conduct Quick Reaction Alert activity, they maintain a constant high readiness to ensure they can get airborne at a moment's notice. Baltic air policing is currently delivered by the RAF, based in Estonia, alongside the Portuguese and Romanian Air Forces based in Lithuania. The last three weeks have been especially busy and have resulted in the RAF intercepting 21 Russian aircraft in 21 days. These have included fighter aircraft (Su-27M FLANKER B, Su-30SM FLANKER H), VIP and other transport aircraft (Tu-134 CRUSTY, An-72 COALER, An-12 CUB), intelligence collection aircraft (Il-20 COOT A) and long-range bombers (Tu-22M BACKFIRE). The RAF Typhoons launch to monitor the Russian aircraft when they do not talk to air traffic agencies, making them a flight safety hazard. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: These intercepts are a stark reminder of the value of collective defence and deterrence provided by NATO. The RAF has operated alongside our allies over the last three weeks to ensure both member states and our partner nations are protected, and they can be assured of our ongoing commitment to strengthening European security alongside those who share our values. The Typhoon Squadron is supported by 100 RAF personnel deployed as part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), which enables the flying activities of the squadron. While deployed to Estonia, the RAF has also taken part in a number of major exercises with NATO allies, including Exercise Air Defender, the largest NATO Air Deployment exercise since the end of the Cold War, with more than 250 aircraft and 10,000 personnel taking part from 25 nations. The RAF contribution to the exercise combined Typhoons from 140 EAW based in Estonia and 903 EAW based in Cyprus, and included F-35, Voyager and A-400M aircraft flying from the UK. 140 EAW's Commanding Officer Wing Commander Scott Maccoll: The number of recent intercepts that we have conducted from Amari Airbase in Estonia demonstrates the importance that our mission serves here in the Baltics. Throughout our NATO Air Policing Mission, 140 EAW has acted decisively and legitimately to uphold international law, protect democratic freedoms, and ensure the safety of all aircraft transiting throughout the airspace of member states. Working closely with our NATO allies has also improved interoperability across the alliance and bolstered regional security on NATO's eastern flank. The NATO Baltic Air Policing mission was established at Amari base in Estonia and Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania in 2014 after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Allies who contribute to the mission deploy to the air bases in Eastern Europe on a four month rotational basis, providing protection and assurance to all NATO members as well as partner nations. The RAF will continue to conduct NATO's Air Policing Mission in Estonia with 1 (F) Sqn Typhoons until August, when they will hand over to the Spanish Air Force. The following imagery was captured during the intercept: Video footage compiled from Thursday 22nd June 2023 of the intercept: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/adfcad3a43b4d1182e246c4b2b4daca820230622135321/2fe7b41ba6e480c46ab9c75244f5774920230622135335/a35651 Download link to eight stills of Alpha Scramble captured 22/06/2023 https://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/albums/ZJUukkqpqjpSzE_g/ Photos and videos are available on Defence Imagery: OP AZOTIZE-Alpha Scramble - Defence Imagery (mod.uk) All Content - Defence Imagery (mod.uk) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin: Situation With Wagner PMC Won't Affect Russia's Military Op in Ukraine Sputnik News 20230624 Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered a halt to his forces' drive on Moscow and opted for de-escalation on Saturday, accepting a proposal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. "Under no circumstances," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists when asked whether the events with the Wagner PMC would have an impact on the operation in Ukraine. "The special military operation in Ukraine continues, our soldiers at the frontline are demonstrating heroism, they are quite effectively and successfully countering the counteroffensive of Ukraine's armed forces. And the operation will continue." He stressed that Wagner troops engaged in the tensions won't be prosecuted, adding that those wishing to sign a contract with the Russian defense ministry in the future would be able to do so. Regarding Prigozhin's status, the spokesman noted that the businessman would be allowed to leave the country. "A criminal case [against Prigozhin] will be terminated and he will leave for Belarus. If you ask, what is the guarantee that Prigozhin could leave for Belarus, it is the word of the Russian president," Peskov told reporters. Peskov thanked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his mediation in talks with Prigozhin, which were aimed at reaching the "highest goal" of avoiding the conflict. "There was the highest goal of avoiding bloodshed, internal confrontation and clashes with unpredictable results. It is for these goals that Lukashenko's mediation efforts were made, and President Putin made a relevant decision on that," Peskov told journalists, adding that the phone call between the two presidents was sincere and "very constructive." The presidents agreed on Lukashenko's brokering efforts since the Belarusian leader has personally known Prigozhin for around 20 years, the official stated, also noting that Lukashenko himself had proposed his talks with the Wagner head. Peskov stated that thanks to the agreement the situation had been resolved without further losses, with members of the Wagner PMC able to return back to their field camps. Wagner Crisis The escalation began on Friday, when Prigozhin claimed that the Defense Ministry targeted Wagner rear camps, and announced that Wagner forces would go to Moscow to "sort out" what exactly caused said attack. The MoD refuted such reports, deeming them a provocation, while the authorities the Federal Security Service charged Prigozhin with trying to incite an armed insurrection. Wagner troops and military equipment travelled from their bases to the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, where they held the military HQ, promising to go to Moscow. President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, saying that any discord must be put aside during Russia's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, as the country's army is fighting against the Kiev regime. Following Lukashenko's mediation, Prigozhin agreed to cease the escalation, saying he does not want to "unleash a bloody massacre" in his homeland and ordered Wagner troops to return to their bases in the Lugansk People's Republic. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Military Destroys Storm Shadow Missile Depot in Western Ukraine Sputnik News 20230624 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Ukraine was planning to strike Crimea and other territories with HIMARS and Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The Russian armed forces have destroyed a depot with Storm Shadow cruise missiles in Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "On June 23, a warehouse with Storm Shadow cruise missiles was destroyed at a Ukrainian airbase near the village of Starokostyantyniv, Khmelnytskyi region, in response to a strike on a road bridge over the Chongar Strait," the ministry said in a statement. On May 11, Ukraine was confirmed to have received its first long-range cruise missiles, which were sent by the United Kingdom. The 250km-range Storm Shadow missiles came with a condition that they would be used only "within Ukrainian sovereign territory." The Russian Defense Ministry claims Ukraine has violated this condition as its strikes have resulted in civilian casualties in the Lugansk People's Republic, which Russia considers to be part of its own territory since referendums in September 2022. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army delivers combat medical course to Ukrainian armed forces Armed Forces of Ukraine Personnel are learning life-saving medical techniques and strategies for providing battlefield trauma care. 24 June 2023 49 Armed Forces of Ukraine Personnel are learning life-saving medical techniques and strategies for providing battlefield trauma care. The course is being delivered by the British Army and instructors from The Netherlands and Iceland. Members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are learning vital life-saving battlefield skills in the first combat medical training course of its kind to be delivered by the British Army and its international partners. The five-week course, which began on the 29 May, has seen both current and new Ukrainian Armed Forces medics being trained in critical techniques such as providing medical care under fire, controlling heavy blood loss, and giving crucial pre-hospital emergency care. Evidence from the battlefield and requests from Ukrainian personnel have been incorporated into the programme, with trainees being instructed on how best to optimise their own health so they are fit to fight. The trainees go on to put their learning to the test in practice battlefield scenarios to give them the confidence to effectively apply their skills back on the front line. These include: triaging mass casualties with a range of different injuries treating casualties with major injuries caused by blasts and small arms fire treating and safely extracting patients from civilian and military vehicles extracting casualties under fire Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families Andrew Murrison said: This world-class medical training is another fantastic example of how the UK Armed Forces and our international partners are successfully working together to support Ukraine's fight against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion. Our support to Ukraine will continue for as long as it takes; from providing battle-winning training to donating the equipment and ammunition Ukraine urgently needs. Course director Captain Phil Williams of 2nd Medical Brigade said: We have a top-class team of medical instructors, and we are all humbled and proud at having a part to play in helping Ukraine liberate their homeland from this illegal invasion. The Ukrainian students are keen to learn and absolutely dedicated to gaining as many skills as they can before returning home to save life. The vast majority have been actively involved on the battlefield and many carry the wounds of war. They are an absolute pleasure to teach, and such is the nature of their recent experience, we learn as much from them as they do from us. In their final days of training, Ukrainian personnel will learn how to teach life-saving battlefield first aid to other members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces when they return to the front line. Ukrainian trainee Viktor said: This course is very useful and I want to keep learning as much as I can. All the instructors are very helpful and knowledgeable, even for those without any experience. It's a lot of practice and I feel better equipped now to take this knowledge back to Ukraine. It will not be easy, but we are counterattacking now and we will win. The current course is the first of three combat medical training programmes - each training approximately 50 Ukrainian personnel. The new training comes as the UK co-hosted the Ukraine Recovery Conference earlier this week to support the recovery of Ukraine following Russia's illegal invasion. The conference galvanised governments, businesses, and civil society from across the world to support Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, with international commitments totalling more than $60 billion. Key outcomes included: a package of UK financial support for Ukraine, featuring $3 billion of additional guarantees to unlock World Bank lending over three years, and A240 million of bilateral assistance $1.3 billion in US aid to Ukraine for the modernisation of Ukraine's energy system and critical infrastructure To date, the UK and its allies have trained more than 17,000 Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in areas such as the fundamentals of frontline combat and more specialised training. The five-week training programme for basic recruits sees them receive instruction in weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the Law of Armed Conflict, enabling them to effectively defend their country on their return to Ukraine. The UK Government has provided A4.5 billion worth of military aid to Ukraine supplying more than 10,000 anti-tank missiles, 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition (with 100,000 more planned for supply in 2023), vital air defence capability, including more than a hundred anti-aircraft guns, as well as self-propelled artillery. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's 'Wild West': Rebuilding a 'new' Kharkiv during an invasion 24 June 2023 - The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv had just survived another missile attack in the spring of 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion, when historian, architect, and documentary filmmaker Maxim Rosenfeld stood in the penthouse of a ruined office building, presenting his concept for a new urban landscape after a UN-supported team of international and local architects adopted his vision. Speaking with UN News one hour after fierce shelling sparked fires across the city, Mr. Rosenfeld said his "Kharkiv is a frontier city" concept is now being sketched out amid the rubble. "Seeing the whole city from the panoramic windows and the smoke from the fire, you understand that our city is proud of itself, feels smart, educated, knows its worth," said Mr. Rosenfeld, who was born and raised in Kharkiv. The master plan is now unfurling, developed on a voluntary basis by the Norman Foster Foundation together with a group of local architects and urban planners as well as with the Advisory Council of International Experts. Supported by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) through a pilot project, the newly created UN4Kharkiv task force has united 16 UN agencies and international organizations, with Mr. Rosenfeld volunteering as a local specialist. Ever-changing dynamics amid war "It is impossible to understand what is happening here from a distance," he explained. "It is difficult to understand even from the inside because the situation is dynamic. It changes all the time. We make an appointment for a Zoom meeting, and then there is nightly shelling. When we come to the issue of, say, energy security, the situation has completely changed." He said he is "in love" with his city, makes films about it, and can talk about its history and people for hours. Since the beginning of the war, when Kharkiv began to be systematically shelled, many have moved to other parts of Ukraine or gone abroad, but he said he never thought about leaving. The total damage caused to Ukraine's housing sector since Russia's invasion is estimated at more than $50 billion. According to the City Council of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, 3,367 apartment buildings and 1,823 single-family houses have been destroyed, along with urban infrastructure. Ukrainian 'Wild West' The frontier city is the "Ukrainian Wild West", Mr. Rosenfeld said, referring to its mid-17th century beginnings. "People who came here were ready to take risks in order to take advantage of the opportunities that were opening up," he said, providing a snapshot of its rich history, from its changing character in the early 19th century once a university was built to its early 20th century role as the capital of Soviet Ukraine. "I have always believed that we have a lot in common with Berlin," he said. "Now I do not compare Kharkiv with anything. It's unique. To understand it, you must come and live here." The multicultural, multinational city is a melting pot, with students from Africa to Asia studying and living together, he said, adding that Kharkiv's frontier characteristics "are in its genetic code". Kharkiv dreams: Stop the bombing The population of Kharkiv was invited to take part in a survey focused on reconstructing the city, but many had fled the daily attacks and those remaining at that time dreamed of one thing: for the bombing to stop, Mr. Rosenfeld said. Their voices were heard, he said. Noting that bomb shelters built in Soviet Kharkov nearly a century ago were rebuilt to tackle new realities, he said only one of 11 current proposals from architects and engineers contain a security framework. "Today, a 'modern' bomb shelter is an underground factory, underground universities, and event centres, which should be dual-use facilities," Mr. Rosenfeld said. Cultural life is back Since 2022, despite constant shelling over the past month and a half, "a huge number of people" have returned to Kharkiv, and cultural life has resumed in the city, Mr. Rosenfeld said. "We recently attended an amazing performance based on a play written two months ago on current events," the architect said, noting that a jazz festival are in the works. Despite air raid sirens, the shows go on, he said. Indeed, the concept of the future of Kharkiv was born to the sounds of an air raid siren, Mr. Rosenfeld recalled, adding that despite current conditions, he and many of his colleagues feel "happy" to be working on the project. 'Do the right thing' "Maybe for some, it sounds terrible, but at this moment you understand that you are doing a very important and necessary thing," he said. "You want to be needed." After the start of the war, many people in Kharkiv, like doctors and volunteers, who understood that they are needed and useful, he said. "They don't do it out of vanity; they just do the right thing," he said. "Doing what I do gives me a colossal sense of happiness. Our work with the UN is real, making the most of our abilities, talents, knowledge, and skills. Yes, it has to do with such a tragedy, but you're happy because you're not vegetating. You're living." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Missile Attacks Kill 3 and Injure 8 in Kyiv By VOA News June 24, 2023 Latest Developments: Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner mercenary group, told his fighters on Saturday to stop their advance toward Moscow and return to their field camps in Ukraine. Prigozhin said he wanted to avoid shedding Russian blood. EU officials are backing the idea that proceeds from more than $230 billion in frozen Russian assets should finance Ukraine's war effort and reconstruction. The European Central Bank cautioned the European Commission against the move because it could harm the euro and hurt financial stability, The Financial Times reported. 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 U.N. charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty." Three people were killed and eight injured during a Russian missile attack on Kyiv Saturday, local officials said. It was Russia's eighth attack on the Ukrainian capital in June, said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. He added that falling debris from a Russian missile attack in Kyiv resulted in a fire on several floors of a 24-story building. He also said that air defenses had shot down more than 20 Russian missiles in the airspace around Kyiv. Officials in Ukraine said Russia launched missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities Saturday, causing damage to buildings and casualties. Meanwhile, 11 people, including three children, were injured in a missile attack on the city of Dnipro that destroyed four homes, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Seven of them are hospitalized, officials said. In Kharkiv, a city of more than 1 million people just south of the Russian border, a fire was started when a gas line was hit, Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. Terekhov said three missiles were fired at the city. Explosions were also reported in Kremenchuk, RFE/RL reported. Russian military losses The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported Saturday that Russia has lost 223,910 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, with an estimated 580 casualties Friday, The Kyiv Independent reported. According to the report, Russia has also lost 4,024 tanks, 7,804 armored fighting vehicles, 6,731 vehicles and fuel tanks, 4,015 artillery systems, 619 multiple launch rocket systems, 383 air defense systems, 314 airplanes, 308 helicopters, 3,460 drones, and 18 boats. Reacting to Russia's political turmoil since Wagner's revolt Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted in a tweet Saturday that "Russia's weakness is obvious. "The longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain, and problems it will have for itself later. It is also obvious Ukraine is able to protect Europe from the spread of Russian evil and chaos. We keep our resilience, unity and strength," he said. The White House on Saturday released a statement, saying President Joe Biden spoke with President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom. The leaders discussed the situation in Russia and also affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, the statement said. Ukraine counteroffensive Three Ukrainian senior officials signaled Friday 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," he said. "There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn." Deputy Defense 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 a these are staged things a will be activated later," Maliar told Ukrainian television. General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of Ukraine's Tavria front, said Russian forces had lost hundreds of men and 51 military vehicles in the past 24 hours, including three tanks and 14 armored personnel carriers. A top Ukrainian general reported "tangible successes" in advances in the south a one of two main theaters of operations, along with eastern Ukraine. While Ukraine officials boast retaking eight villages so far, Zelenskyy said this week that gains had been "slower than desired." Moscow claims the Ukrainian counteroffensive is a failure, saying Kyiv's forces have suffered heavy losses. Ukraine says Russia has lost many soldiers in heavy fighting since the counterattack began. Reuters has not been able to independently verify the situation on the battlefield but has reached two of the villages recaptured by Kyiv. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty contributed to this report. 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 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau June 25, 2023 Selfoss, Iceland Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia's brutal and unjustifiable aggression. The two leaders discussed Ukraine's ongoing military and economic needs, as well as Canada's continued contributions to strengthening Ukraine's security and stability. The Prime Minister reiterated Canada's commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. The Prime Minister and the President discussed the evolving security situation in Russia, which they continue to follow closely. The two leaders reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran reiterates opposition to war, encourages political solution in Ukraine Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 2:21 PM Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian of Iran says sending arms to the warring sides in the Ukraine war will only intensify tensions and undermine stability in the region. In a phone conversation with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Sunday, Iran's foreign minister reiterated Tehran's opposition to war. "The Islamic Republic of Iran is against war and has proposed a political solution to the crisis." Russia began what it calls a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Moscow said it was aimed at defending Ukraine's pro-Russia population in Donetsk and Luhansk, eastern Ukrainian regions, against persecution by Kiev. Several Ukrainian regions have ever since voted in separate referendums in favor of joining the Russian Federation. Kiev and its Western allies, however, accuse Moscow of seizing those territories by force. The West has also been assisting Ukraine with state-of-the-art weaponry and other military equipment despite Russia's repeated warnings that such a measure would only prolong the war and torpedo prospects of peace between the two countries. In a statement on Friday, Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations dismissed the latest claim by the United States and its allies regarding Russia's use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war. The mission said the anti-Iran claims are aimed at influencing the six-month periodic report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2231. The Iranian and Danish foreign ministers also exchanged views about possible avenues for the expansion of relations. Amir-Abdollahian said historical relations between Tehran and Copenhagen are a "valuable asset." The Danish foreign minister placed a premium on talks with Iran and said both sides should proceed with initiatives to enhance relations in various fields. Amir-Abdollahian and Rasmussen agreed to draw up a mechanism to expand political and consular consultations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian attack helicopters strike Ukrainian brigades, troops repel counterattacks Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 9:45 AM Russia's attack helicopters have carried out successful air strikes against two Ukrainian brigades, while their ground forces thwarted four attacks by Ukrainian sabotage groups in the Kupyansk region, military officials said. "In combat in the Kupyansk area, the crews of Ka-52 and Mi-28 assault helicopters and Su-25 fighter jets of the Battlegroup West carried out 11 air strikes on nine areas," the battlegroup's spokesman Sergey Zybinsky declared as quoted in a Sunday report by TASS news agency. According to Zybinsky, the areas targeted by the attack helicopters are "where manpower, weapons, military and special equipment and personnel of [Ukraine's] 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade and the 103rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade were amassed." He further added that Russian forces prevented four attacks by Ukrainian subversive groups in the Kupyansk area and neutralized the rotation of Ukrainian troops over the past day. "The group's artillery thwarted four attempts by the Ukrainian military to rotate troops at forward positions near the settlements of Dvurechnoye, Sinkovka, and Novosyolovskoye," he also noted. Russia repels Ukrainian attacks Russian forces also pushed back Ukrainian attacks in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, destroying tanks, armored vehicles, and manpower, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Sputnik on Sunday. "In the south Donetsk direction, the advanced units of the Vostok group of forces repelled an enemy attack in the Makarovka area. A tank, armored combat vehicles, and manpower were destroyed." the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the enemy "retreated" due to the losses it had suffered. He added that Russian forces have also destroyed over 50 Ukrainian militants and seven armored vehicles in the South Donetsk direction. In the Zaporozhye direction, the spokesperson said, another Ukrainian attack was repelled and the enemy retreated having suffered losses in manpower and equipment. Earlier this month Ukraine launched a counteroffensive, attempting to cut Russia's land corridor between Crimea and eastern Donetsk, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that the progress is "slower than desired." Russia has already inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian forces after Kiev mounted its heavily publicized, western-backed counteroffensive. The counteroffensive has been effectively hampered by Russian helicopters operating close to the front lines. An intelligence update issued last week by the British Defense Ministry also conceded that Russia's use of attack helicopters has given it an "advantage" in southern Ukraine. Russian troops have reinforced their attack helicopter forces, allowing them to gain "a temporary advantage in southern Ukraine, especially with attack helicopters employing longer-range missiles against ground targets," it said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin insists Ukraine military ops not affected by Wagner affair Iran Press TV Sunday, 25 June 2023 8:16 AM The Kremlin spokesman has emphasized that the Wagner affair in the country will "under no circumstances" hinder Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, vowing success of Russian forces in thwarting Ukrainian counteroffensives. "The special military operation in Ukraine continues, our soldiers at the frontline are demonstrating heroism, they are quite effectively and successfully countering the counteroffensive of Ukraine's armed forces. And the operation will continue," said Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov late Saturday as quoted in local media reports. The remarks came after chief of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused Russia's military leaders of ordering a rocket attack on Wagner's field camps in Ukraine -- where Russia has been leading a military operation -- killing "huge numbers" of his paramilitary forces, and embarked on what he described as a "march for justice" towards the Russian capital Moscow on Friday. The Wagner's chief, however, opted for de-escalation on Saturday, accepting a proposal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin agreed to cease the escalation, saying he does not want to "unleash a bloody massacre" in his homeland. Kremlin says Russian military will recruit Wagner forces The Kremlin spokesman further stated that Wagner troops will not be prosecuted Prigozhin's initial declaration of mutiny against Moscow, noting that those members of the paramilitary group wishing to sign a contract with the Russian defense ministry in the future would be able to do so. Peskov also said that a court case previously filed against Prigozhin for targeting Russia's top military brass in his complaints and ranting had been dropped. "A criminal case [against Prigozhin] will be terminated and he will leave for Belarus. If you ask, what is the guarantee that Prigozhin could leave for Belarus, it is the word of the Russian president," Peskov told reporters "There was the highest goal of avoiding bloodshed, internal confrontation, and clashes with unpredictable results. It is for these goals that Lukashenko's mediation efforts were made, and President [Vladimir] Putin made a relevant decision on that," he added Peskov also described the phone call between Putin and his Belarusian counterpart as "very constructive." Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed on Saturday that the situation that came up in Russia would work to Kiev's advantage, though there were no indications that the Wagner incident had any impact on the Ukraine conflict. Earlier this month, Russian forces thwarted a large-scale counteroffensive by the Western-backed Kiev forces in the Donbas region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy, Biden Talk By Phone Following Failed Mutiny In Russia, Discuss Counteroffensive, NATO By RFE/RL June 25, 2023 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. leader Joe Biden discussed the turmoil in Russia during a phone call following a chaotic weekend in which mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin abruptly called off his group's armed march toward Moscow and accepted a deal allowing him to move to Belarus and avoid criminal charges for an armed insurrection. U.S. and Ukrainian officials on June 25 said Zelenskiy and Biden also spoke about Kyiv's current counteroffensive against Russian forces and "coordinated their positions" ahead of the July 11-12 NATO summit in Lithuania. The White House said the two discussed "recent events in Russia" and that Biden "reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid." Zelenskiy tweeted that he discussed with the U.S. president the events in Russia and his need for long-range weapons. "A positive and inspiring conversation. We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia," he wrote. "We discussed further expansion of defense cooperation, with an emphasis on long-range weapons...We coordinated our positions on the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius," Zelenskiy added. Separately, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he discussed the security situation in Russia with Zelenskiy in the wake of the short-lived mutiny by the Prigozhin-led Wagner group. As of late on June 25, there was no word of Prigozhin's whereabouts following word that he was to leave Russia for Belarus. The announcement by the Kremlin came after Prigozhin abruptly ordered his forces to abandon their advance toward Moscow following a tense, chaotic 24 hours that handed President Vladimir Putin the biggest threat to his more than two-decade hold on power and raised the prospect of civil war. Although the crisis for the Kremlin appears to have eased for now, world leaders and analysts said the fallout from the armed insurrection could take months to play out. "I think we've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. We have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC News. Separately, Blinken told ABC News that the Kremlin's woes will likely assist Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion, leaving Russians "distracted and divided." French President Emmanuel Macron said in a newspaper interview that Wagner's march on Moscow "shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxiliary forces." "The situation is still developing," Macron said, adding that he was "following the events hour by hour." Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said late on June 25 that he discussed the situation with U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin and that they "agree that the Russian authorities are weak and that withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine is the best choice for the Kremlin." Prigozhin, whose troops had been the most effective fighters among Putin's forces since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, had turned on the Russian military and led what was called an armed insurrection, ordering his forces -- which he claimed numbered 25,000 -- to advance toward Moscow before he halted his so-called "march for justice" on June 24. The Kremlin later confirmed it had reached a deal with Prigozhin, 62, to end the insurrection, saying the mercenary leader will move to Belarus and that a criminal case against him will be dropped. It wasn't immediately known where Prigozhin was early on June 25 or if he had left for Belarus. In return, Wagner fighters who joined Prigozhin on his march would not be prosecuted, the Kremlin said. As part of the deal, Wagner fighters who did not take part in the march will come under the direct control of the Russian military -- a move Prigozhin had vehemently resisted while leading his troops in the Kremlin's war on Ukraine. Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka helped mediate the deal, the Kremlin said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Lukashenka had guaranteed Prigozhin's safety. Hours later, Rostov regional Governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram that Wagner forces were pulling out of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don in convoys, accompanied by tanks and other vehicles, and were headed for their field camps. The mercenary fighters earlier had captured control of a military base in the city of 1.2 million people near the Ukraine border. Local authorities in neighboring Lipetsk and Voronezh provinces also said Wagner units were withdrawing from the southern regions on June 25. By midday on June 25, there were still no reports of Prigozhin arriving in Belarus. It remained unclear whether Prigozhin would be joined in Belarus by any Wagner troops, and what role, if any, he might have there. Also, it was not immediately clear where they would be based or how many had participated in the march toward Moscow. They previously had been fighting in Ukraine, but Prigozhin had announced they were giving up their positions to the Russian military. A former British Army general warned of a potential attack on Ukraine from Belarus by Wagner fighters if large numbers of the mercenaries follow Prigozhin into exile there. "The fact that he's gone to Belarus is a matter of some concern," former Chief of General Staff Richard Dannatt told Sky News on June 25. Putin had vowed to punish those behind the armed uprising led by his onetime protege. In a televised speech to the nation, Putin called the rebellion a "betrayal" and "treason." Prigozhin claimed his fighters had reached to within 200 kilometers of the capital without spilling any blood, a possible hint to the Kremlin of his support within elements of the nation's security structures. "We are turning our columns around and going back to the field camps according to our plan," Prigozhin said in a short, fiery audio message posted to Telegram on June 24. State-owned RIA Novosti reported on June 25 that the situation around the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don was calm and street traffic had resumed. In a video on the agency's Telegram messaging app, which it said was taken in the city, a municipal worker was sweeping a street and cars were moving along another street. The report could not be independently verified. The insurrection, although having failed, has left the authoritarian Russian leader weakened and vulnerable, experts say. "The fact that this was moderated by Lukashenka strikes me as embarrassing in the extreme," Sam Greene, a Russia expert at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said in a tweet. "This whole episode may have punctured the air of inevitability that has kept him aloft for the past 23 years." 'Complete Chaos' Putin must now contend with the ramifications of the mutiny as Ukraine pushes ahead with its large-scale counteroffensive, a crucial endeavor that could shape the course of the conflict, including further opening the spigot of lethal Western military aid. "Today the world saw that the masters of Russia do not control anything. Nothing at all. Just complete chaos," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address late on June 24. Prigozhin's forces swept into Rostov-on-Don in the early morning hours of June 24 where they easily seized key infrastructure, before moving north toward Moscow with little resistance, shocking the country and the world. The Russian military reportedly fired on the Wagner forces at one point as they made their way along the highway toward Moscow, though RFE/RL could not confirm such an incident. Prigozhin's insurrection came in the wake of months of intense public fighting with Russia's military leadership over its war strategy in Ukraine and ammunition supplies. Over the spring, the Wagner leader repeatedly accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov of intentionally holding back supplies of ammunition to his troops in Bakhmut, the site of the war's bloodiest battle. Semon Pegov, a pro-Russia military blogger, said in an interview with Prigozhin on April 29 that there was speculation the Russian military was withholding ammunition from Wagner for fear the mercenary leader would use it to storm Moscow and take power. Prigozhin responded that it was an "interesting idea" but claimed he hadn't considered it. However, just a month later, after his troops took Bakhmut in the first Russian victory of the war in about 10 months, Prigozhin toured several Russian regions, giving interviews to local media in what some experts said was a clear sign of his political ambition. Meanwhile, Putin appeared to be siding with the Defense Ministry in its spat with Prigozhin, appearing alongside Shoigu in a sign of support. Peskov said following the June 24 turmoil that there was no change in Putin's support for Shoigu. In his audio statement announcing his troops' pullback, Prigozhin claimed the Kremlin had been seeking to disband his Wagner group. Aleksandar Djokic, a political analyst, said in a tweet that Prigozhin had probably "caught wind" of the fact that he had lost Putin's favor and carried out the mutiny to prove his worth. U.S. spy agencies picked up signs days ago that Prigozhin was preparing to rise up against his country's defense establishment, U.S. media reported on June 24. Intelligence officials conducted briefings at the White House, the Pentagon, and on Capitol Hill about the potential for unrest in Russia a full day before it unfolded, according to the Washington Post and New York Times. With reporting by Current Time, AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters, Interfax, and TASS. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-mutiny-prigozhin- putin/32474296.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 Forces Shell Donetsk City Center, Casualties Reported Sputnik News 20230625 According to officials, the Ukrainain Armed Forces (UAF) used MLRS to launch a rocket at the populated area in Donetsk. The Ukrainian Armed Forces shelled Donetsk city center using Multiple Launch-Rocket System (MLRS), a Sputnik correspondent has reported. Militants struck highly populated areas near the city mall and civil registry. "We were in our apartment, we heard everything... somebody was screaming on the street, I heard. All windows were broken," one witness told Sputnik. As a result of the shelling, an 18-year-old male was killed and several people were injured, city Mayor Alexey Kulemzin said. Russian launched its special military operation in order to protect the people of Donbass from Ukrainian aggression after years of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Ukrainian militants often target civilian infrastructure - a tactic generally considered a war crime under international humanitarian law. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 430 Troops in Donetsk Direction in 24 Hours Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine lost up to 430 military personnel in combat with Russian forces in the Donetsk direction over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a daily update on Sunday. Ukraine's attempts to carry out offensive operations continued over the past day in the directions of Donetsk, Krasny Lyman, South Donetsk and Zaporozhye, the ministry said. "The enemy lost up to 430 Ukrainian service members, 11 infantry fighting vehicles, seven vehicles, three pickup trucks, and a D-30 howitzer during the hostilities," the Russian military said. Russian troops also destroyed a munition depot of Ukraine's 110th mechanized brigade near the city of Avdeevka, north of Donetsk. A total of 10 Ukrainian attacks were repelled near the villages of Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Kurdyumovka, Yagodnoye, Zaliznyanskoye and Dubovo-Vasilyevka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Four other attacks were repulsed near Krasnogorovka, Avdeevka, Marinka and Pervomayskoe outside the city of Donetsk. Ukraine's losses in the direction of Krasny Lyman amounted to around 130 people in the past 24 hours, as well as three armored combat vehicles, two pickup trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and two D-30 howitzers. Three Ukrainian servicemen surrendered to Russian troops, the ministry said. Four Ukrainian attacks were repelled in this direction near the villages of Yampolovka in the DPR as well as Karmazinovka and Dibrova in the Lugansk People's Republic. As many as 245 Ukrainian military personnel were eliminated in the directions of South Donetsk, Zaporozhye, Kherson and Kupyansk in the past day, the Russian military said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Situation at Frontline in Zaporozhye Region Stable Sputnik News 20230625 SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) - The situation at the frontline in the Zaporozhye region remains stable and Ukrainian troops have not made any significant advances, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration, told Sputnik. "The frontline in the Zaporozhye region is stable and is under the control of our troops. The enemy is making attempts to advance, fighting is underway in the gray zone and on a small section of the first line of defense, where the enemy is trying to gain a foothold," Rogov said. Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, after the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian agression. In response to Russia's operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Repel Ukrainian Attacks in Two Directions Sputnik News 20230625 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian forces have repelled enemy attacks in the south Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, destroying tanks, armored vehicles and manpower, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Sputnik. "In the south Donetsk direction, the advanced units of the Vostok group of forces repelled an enemy attack in the Makarovka area. A tank, armored combat vehicles and manpower were destroyed. Having suffered losses, the enemy retreated," the spokesperson said. In the Zaporozhye direction, another Ukrainian attack was repelled and the enemy retreated having suffered losses in manpower and equipment, the spokesperson added. In the South Donetsk direction, Russian forces have also destroyed over 50 Ukrainian militants and seven armored vehicles, the defense ministry spokesperson told Sputnik. Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, after the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russia's operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, signed agreements on the accession of these territories to Russia, following referendums that showed that an overwhelming majority of the local population supported becoming part of Russia. The situation involving the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) and its head Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia will not affect the progress of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The longer the Russian aggression lasts, the more degradation it causes in Russia itself - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 25 June 2023 - 23:12 Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians! I have just completed a series of international conversations - with President of the United States Biden, with Prime Minister of Canada Trudeau, and with President of Poland Andrzej Duda. Positive conversations that are very necessary right now for all of us. First. Of course, we discussed the hostilities on the frontline, our active actions. I thanked our partners for the support provided - it is very significant and really helps our soldiers move forward. Now the Russian occupiers are suffering losses, which we need. Each of their losses is a long-term strengthening of freedom. We also discussed further strengthening of Ukrainian troops, and I thank our partners for understanding our needs - long-range needs. I am especially grateful to President Biden and the United States for the reliability of Patriots. We discussed the strengthening of our artillery, MLRS and other things. Second. The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Unfortunately, the world's attention to the existing Russian threat at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is still insufficient. Just as the reaction to the Russian blowing up of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and the deliberate attempt by Russian terrorists to hit the dam of another reservoir in Kryvyi Rih was insufficient. I shared with our partners the information we have, the information from our intelligence, about the Russian scenario of mining the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which has obviously been approved for terrorists. We must take very specific steps - all together in the world - to prevent any radiation accidents. Third. The longer Russian aggression lasts, the more degradation it causes in Russia itself. One of the manifestations of this degradation is that Russian aggression is gradually returning to its home harbor. In our conversations with the leaders, we have exchanged our assessments of what is happening in Russia. We see the situation in the same way and know how to respond. And one more thing. Very important meetings took place today in Copenhagen. The format of political advisors. The Office's team - Andriy Yermak, Andriy Sybiha, and Ihor Zhovkva - met with political advisors to the leaders of TArkiye, India, Japan, South Africa, and the European Union institutions. We are bringing the implementation of the Peace Formula closer, and for this purpose we involve the widest possible range of partners. Relations with the European Union remain a top priority, and every week we are laying the basis for full membership. With just 15 days to go until the NATO Summit in Vilnius, we are doing everything to ensure that the summit has real content. Strong content. Positive decisions for Ukraine in Vilnius are the only possible positive decisions for our common security in Europe and in the Alliance as a whole. Thank you to everyone who supports Ukraine! Thank you to Mr. President Biden, the Congress, both parties and all Americans for the historic strengthening of freedom in the world! Thank you to Mr. Prime Minister Trudeau and all Canadians for your unwavering support! Thank you to Mr. President Duda and everyone in Poland who stands with Ukraine in the defense of Europe! Glory to our warriors! Glory to every brigade that is now moving forward at the front... Tavria direction - you are doing a great job! Thank you! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Presidents of Ukraine and the United States discussed further defense cooperation and bolstering the capabilities of the Ukrainian army President of Ukraine 25 June 2023 - 22:20 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with US President Joseph Biden. The interlocutors discussed the current situation on the battlefield and shared their assessments of the processes taking place in Russia. "Yesterday's events exposed the weakness of Putin's regime," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. According to him, the world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored. The Head of State thanked his counterpart for the continued support of Ukraine, especially noting the provision of advanced Patriot air defense systems. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of further increasing Ukraine's capabilities to protect its own skies. In this context, he thanked the United States for supporting the coalition of fighter jets. The two leaders also discussed further expansion of defense cooperation, in particular, increasing Ukraine's firepower on the battlefield with an emphasis on long-range weapons. "I am grateful for your readiness and the readiness of the American people to stand side by side with Ukraine until the full liberation of all our territories within internationally recognized borders," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Presidents coordinated their positions on the eve of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The leaders also discussed the continuation of work on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Justin Trudeau President of Ukraine 25 June 2023 - 21:47 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. The Head of State thanked his Canadian counterpart for his recent visit to Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed Justin Trudeau on the current situation on the battlefield. He also shared Ukrainian assessments of the attempted coup in Russia and the impact of this situation on the course of hostilities. The President emphasized the threatening situation created by the occupation troops at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The insufficient reaction of the world to the blowing up of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam and the attempt to blow up the dam at the Kryvyi Rih reservoir allows the occupiers to prepare a terrorist attack with radiation leakage at the ZNPP, the Head of State said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that Ukraine's partners must demonstrate a principled response to these challenges, including at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Copenhagen, Andriy Yermak held a series of meetings with national security advisors to the leaders of India, South Africa, TArkiye, Japan and the EU institutions President of Ukraine 25 June 2023 - 18:57 As part of consultations on key principles of peace, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a series of bilateral meetings in Copenhagen with national security advisors to the leaders of India, South Africa, TArkiye, Japan and EU institutions. During the meeting with Simon Mordue, Chief Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the European Council, the results of the interim assessment of the progress in the implementation of seven recommendations of the European Commission by our country in preparation for the negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU were discussed. Andriy Yermak also discussed with Simon Mordue the preparations for the European Council meeting to be held in late June and expressed hope for positive signals following this meeting regarding Ukraine's European integration. In addition, the interlocutors exchanged views on further steps to implement the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and on the modalities of the Global Peace Summit. During a meeting with National Security Secretariat Secretary General Takeo Akiba, Andriy Yermak noted Japan's efforts in the framework of its presidency of the Group of Seven to mobilize international support for Ukraine, as well as the important agreements reached during the recent meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida. The Head of the Presidential Office thanked Takeo Akiba for Japan's readiness to join the peace process. The Japanese side confirmed the transfer of 20 demining vehicles to Ukraine, as well as other non-lethal assistance in the framework of humanitarian initiatives. The parties also touched upon the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine. During the meeting with the head of the delegation, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs of India Sanjay Verma, the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that Ukraine is willing to open a new page in its relations with India. Andriy Yermak noted that Ukraine counts on India as an influential state and the one holding the presidency of the G19 and hopes to achieve concrete results in ensuring global security. The effectiveness of contacts at the level of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was noted. In the context of discussing the organization of the Peace Summit, Andriy Yermak emphasized the importance of the participation of the countries of the Global South. The parties noted the importance of the meeting held at the level of national security advisors and the need to build on its results. The main topics of the negotiations with Sydney Mufamadi, National Security Advisor to the President of South Africa, were preparations for the Ukraine - Africa Summit and the extension of the grain agreement. Andriy Yermak emphasized: "Ukraine is committed to finding new opportunities for cooperation with African countries, as well as to developing the constructive dialogue initiated during the recent visit of African leaders to Ukraine. During the meeting with Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic of TArkiye Akif AaAYatay KAlAA, the parties reviewed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, which should become the basis for a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine. The interlocutors discussed the importance of continuing the grain initiative, making efforts to exchange prisoners of war and preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, June 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (Advance Auto Parts or the Company) (NYSE: AAP). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Advance Auto Parts and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On May 31, 2023, Advance Auto Parts revealed disappointing results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, including a net sales decrease of more than 1.6% compared to the prior year and an operating margin rate of 2.6%, which was well below expectations due to higher than planned investments to narrow competitive price gaps in the professional sales channel as well as unfavorable product mix. The Company further disclosed that it was slashing its full year 2023 guidance, which it had provided just three months earlier, because it now expect[s] the competitive dynamics . . . faced in the first quarter to continue. Moreover, the Company revealed that it was cutting its quarterly dividend by 84% to provide enhanced financial flexibility. On this news, Advance Auto Parts stock price fell $39.31 per share, or 35.04%, to close at $72.89 per share on May 31, 2023. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Westford, USA, June 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest's latest global research on Fog Computing Market , adoption of 5G technology and its synergy with fog computing, integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities, edge analytics for real-time data processing and decision-making, emergence of fog-to-cloud orchestration and hybrid cloud architectures, convergence of fog computing with blockchain technology, growth of edge devices and sensors in IoT ecosystems, edge-native applications and services, focus on edge security and privacy, are the trends that aid in the market's growth. Get sample copy of this report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/fog-computing-market Browse in-depth TOC on "Fog Computing Market" Pages - 242 Tables - 66 Figures - 74 Fog computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and storage closer to the edge of the network. This can improve latency and bandwidth utilization for applications that require real-time processing of data. It is also a complement to cloud computing, and the two technologies can work together to provide a more comprehensive and efficient computing platform. Prominent Players in Fog Computing Market Google Cloud Amazon Web Services (AWS) Microsoft Azure IBM Cloud Intel Cisco Dell Technologies HPE Advantech Eurotech Atos FogHorn Systems ThingWorx Kontron Ekinops Telit Sierra Wireless Nimbix Stackrox Weave Software Component Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period Software components dominate the global market as it plays a crucial role in enabling the management, orchestration, and deployment of fog computing infrastructure and services. Software components for fog computing allow organizations to optimize data processing, enable real-time analytics, and manage edge devices efficiently. These software solutions provide a layer of intelligence and control over the distributed fog computing architecture, ensuring seamless communication, data management, and application deployment across the network. Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC): https://www.skyquestt.com/report/fog-computing-market Smart Manufacturing is the Leading Application Segment In terms of application, smart manufacturing is the leading segment due to the real time data processing. In addition, it allows manufacturers to harness the power of edge intelligence, enabling them to improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance productivity. North America is the leading Market Due to the Presence of Major Players Region-wise, North America is one of the largest growing markets with a huge market of players. The research institutions, and a robust ecosystem of cloud and edge computing providers has contributed to the dominance of North America in the fog computing market. Additionally, the region's focus on innovation, strong investment in research and development, and the presence of a supportive regulatory environment have played a significant role in its market leadership. A recent report thoroughly analyses the major players operating within the Fog Computing market. This comprehensive evaluation has considered several crucial factors, such as collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing invaluable insights into the key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Additionally, the report has carefully scrutinized the market share of the top segments and presented a detailed geographic analysis. Finally, the report has highlighted the major players in the industry and their ongoing endeavors to develop innovative solutions that cater to the ever-increasing demand for Fog Computing. Key Developments in Fog Computing Market In January 2023, Intel acquired FogHorn Systems, a leading provider of fog computing software. This acquisition will help Intel to expand its fog computing offerings and provide businesses with a more comprehensive suite of solutions. In February 2023, Cisco acquired FogCore Networks, a provider of fog computing solutions for the industrial sector. This acquisition will help Cisco to expand its fog computing offerings for the industrial sector and meet the growing demand for fog computing in this market. In March 2023, Dell Technologies acquired Nimbix, a provider of fog computing solutions for the telecommunications sector. This acquisition will help Dell Technologies to expand its fog computing offerings for the telecommunications sector and meet the growing demand for fog computing in this market. Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements: https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/fog-computing-market Key Questions Answered in Fog Computing Market Report What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period? Can you list the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence? In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how might these differences shape the market's future growth? Related Reports in SkyQuests Library: Global Virtual Networking Market Global Control Towers Market Global Email Security Market Global Practice Management System Market Global Autonomous Data Platform Market About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 617-230-0741 Email: sales@skyquestt.com PUNE, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Hing (Asafoetida) Market" | End User (Cooking, Others), Types (Hing Kabuli Sufaid (Milky white asafoetida), Hing Lal (Red asafoetida)), with United States, Canada and Mexico Region in what way to growth and Advance beneficial insights from this business tactics, customer acquisition and synergies, Referring on governance, risk, and compliance, business change and processes, vertical tagging, High-class Data Report, Descriptive, which provides qualitative and quantitative perspectives on SWOT and PESTLE analysis. Statistics on industries, business conditions. Hing (Asafoetida) Market | No. of pages: [108] Competitive Analysis: - benefits your analysis after businesses compete for your main customers, Hing (Asafoetida) Market Share by Company Information, Description and Business Overview, Revenue and Gross Margin, Product Portfolio, Developments/Updates, Historical Data and more Who are the important global manufacturers of Hing (Asafoetida) market (USD Mn & KT)? MVM Asafoetida Anu Foods G P And Company S.S.PANDIAN & SONS Jiyanshi Rajasthani Foods BG Food Products Anant Products Food Specialist Pvt. Ltd MVM Asafoetida Everest Masala Nirmal Enterprises RB Hing CO. Ltd Qualfis Foodz Pvt Ltd Rehoboth Industries Laljee Godhoo Get a Sample PDF of report - https://www.proficientmarketinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample/18066818 Hing (Asafoetida) Market Overview 2023-2030 The Hing (Asafoetida) market revenue was Million USD in 2016, grew to Million USD in 2020, and will reach Million USD in 2026, with a CAGR of % during 2020-2026. Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Development Strategy Pre and Post COVID-19, by Corporate Strategy Analysis, Landscape, Type, Application, and Leading 20 Countries covers and analyzes the potential of the global Hing (Asafoetida) industry, providing statistical information about market dynamics, growth factors, major challenges, PEST analysis and market entry strategy Analysis, opportunities and forecasts. The biggest highlight of the report is to provide companies in the industry with a strategic analysis of the impact of COVID-19. At the same time, this report analyzed the market of leading 20 countries and introduce the market potential of these countries. Get a Sample Copy of the Hing (Asafoetida) Report 2023 The Global Hing (Asafoetida) market is poised for significant growth between 2022 and 2030, with a positive outlook for 2022 and beyond. As key players in the industry adopt effective strategies, the market is expected to expand further, presenting numerous opportunities for advancement. Why is Hing (Asafoetida) market 2023 Important? - Overall, Hing (Asafoetida) market in 2023 is essential for businesses to understand the market landscape, identify growth opportunities (strategies, services, customer base), mitigate risks (economic factors, impact business, minimize risks), Insight into Market Trend (latest trends, developments, consumer preferences, emerging technologies, dynamics, top competitive) make informed decisions, and achieve sustainable growth in a competitive business environment. Strategic Decision-Making (data-driven insights, pricing strategies, customer satisfaction, competitive advantage), Validate Business Plans (long-term success of the business). Ask for a Sample Report What are the different Types of Hing (Asafoetida) market? Product Type Analysis: Production, Revenue, Price, Market Share, and Growth Rate for Each Category Hing Kabuli Sufaid (Milky white asafoetida) Hing Lal (Red asafoetida) What are the different "Application of Hing (Asafoetida) market? End Users/Application Analysis: Status, Outlook, Consumption (Sales), Market Share, and Growth Rate for Major Applications/End Users Cooking Others Which regions are leading the Hing (Asafoetida) Market? North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Inquire more and share questions if any before the purchase on this report at - https://www.proficientmarketinsights.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/18066818 This Hing (Asafoetida) Market Research/Analysis Report Contains Answers to your following Questions How is Hing (Asafoetida) market research conducted? What are the key steps involved in conducting Hing (Asafoetida) market research? What are the sources of data used in Hing (Asafoetida) market research? How do you analyze Hing (Asafoetida) market research data? What are the benefits of Hing (Asafoetida) market research for businesses? How can Hing (Asafoetida) market research help in identifying target customers? What role does Hing (Asafoetida) market research play in product development? How can Hing (Asafoetida) market research assist in understanding competitor analysis? What are the limitations of Hing (Asafoetida) market? How does market research contribute to making informed business decisions? What is the difference between primary and secondary market? How can Hing (Asafoetida) market research help in assessing customer satisfaction? What are the latest trends and technologies in Hing (Asafoetida) market? What are the ethical considerations in conducting Hing (Asafoetida) market research? How can Hing (Asafoetida) market help in pricing strategies? What is the future outlook for Hing (Asafoetida) market research? Reasons to Buy: Informed Decision-making: The Hing (Asafoetida) market research report provides valuable insights into industry trends, consumer behavior, and competitor analysis. This information can help companies make decisions about product development, pricing, and marketing strategies. Competitive Advantage: By identifying market gaps and opportunities, market research reports can provide a competitive edge that can help companies differentiate themselves from competitors and gain market share. Industry Expertise: Hing (Asafoetida) market research report is prepared by industry experts who have a thorough understanding of the market and its dynamics. These reports provide an unbiased view of the company's goals, which can be useful for companies that want to gain a deeper understanding of the market. Saves Time and Money: Conducting market research can be time-consuming and expensive. By purchasing a market research report, businesses can save time and money by getting a comprehensive and detailed market analysis. Risk Management: This industry research report helps companies manage market entry, product development and expansion risks. By providing an in-depth analysis of the market and its trends, businesses can make informed decisions that minimize risk and maximize profits. Stay informed and gain a competitive edge with our in-depth analysis of the Hing (Asafoetida) market post-Covid-19. Final Report will add the analysis of the impact of Russia-Ukraine War and COVID-19 on this Hing (Asafoetida) Industry. TO KNOW HOW COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR WILL IMPACT THIS MARKET - REQUEST SAMPLE Detailed TOC of Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Research Report, 2023-2030 1 Market Overview 1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Hing (Asafoetida) 1.2 Classification of Hing (Asafoetida) by Type 1.2.1 Overview: Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size by Type: 2017 Versus 2021 Versus 2030 1.2.2 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue Market Share by Type in 2023 1.3 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market by Application 1.3.1 Overview: Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size by Application: 2017 Versus 2021 Versus 2030 1.4 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size and Forecast 1.5 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size and Forecast by Region 1.6 Market Drivers, Restraints and Trends 1.6.1 Hing (Asafoetida) Market Drivers 1.6.2 Hing (Asafoetida) Market Restraints 1.6.3 Hing (Asafoetida) Trends Analysis 2 Company Profiles 2.1 Company 2.1.1 Company Details 2.1.2 Company Major Business 2.1.3 Company Hing (Asafoetida) Product and Solutions 2.1.4 Company Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023) 2.1.5 Company Recent Developments and Future Plans 3 Market Competition, by Players 3.1 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue and Share by Players (2019,2020,2021, and 2023) 3.2 Market Concentration Rate 3.2.1 Top3 Hing (Asafoetida) Players Market Share in 2021 3.2.2 Top 10 Hing (Asafoetida) Players Market Share in 2021 3.2.3 Market Competition Trend 3.3 Hing (Asafoetida) Players Head Office, Products and Services Provided 3.4 Hing (Asafoetida) Mergers and Acquisitions 3.5 Hing (Asafoetida) New Entrants and Expansion Plans 4 Market Size Segment by Type 4.1 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2017-2023) 4.2 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Forecast by Type (2023-2030) 5 Market Size Segment by Application 5.1 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue Market Share by Application (2017-2023) 5.2 Global Hing (Asafoetida) Market Forecast by Application (2023-2030) 6 Regions by Country, by Type, and by Application 6.1 Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue by Type (2017-2030) 6.2 Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue by Application (2017-2030) 6.3 Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size by Country 6.3.1 Hing (Asafoetida) Revenue by Country (2017-2030) 6.3.2 United States Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size and Forecast (2017-2030) 6.3.3 Canada Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size and Forecast (2017-2030) 6.3.4 Mexico Hing (Asafoetida) Market Size and Forecast (2017-2030) 7 Research Findings and Conclusion 8 Appendix 8.1 Methodology 8.2 Research Process and Data Source 8.3 Disclaimer 9 Research Methodology 10 Conclusion Continued. Purchase this report (Price USD 4000 for a single-user license) @ https://www.proficientmarketinsights.com/purchase/18066818 KIRKLAND, Wash., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced that it has further strengthened its market presence in Asia with the appointment of Kelly Chien as the companys country manager for Taiwan. In her new role, she will work closely with Alliance Memorys distribution partners to expand the companys sales coverage in the country. Ms. Chien brings 17 years of experience in the semiconductor industry to Alliance Memory. She comes to the company from Inventec a Taiwan-based manufacturer of notebook computers, servers, and mobile devices where she held the position of server sales manager. Previously, as a program manager for Nanya Technologys marketing division, Ms. Chien was responsible for a $44 million revenue increase over five years and proposed and developed three products. She began her career as an account manager for the Advance Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) Groups Chong-Li branch. Ms. Chien holds a bachelors degree from Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, and a masters degree from Taipei Medical University. "Recently, weve doubled-down on our efforts to expand our market presence in Asia, first in Korea, and now in Taiwan with Kelly at the helm, said David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory. With her deep knowledge of the Taiwanese semiconductor market and proven track record of driving revenue growth, whether through sales or marketing, she is the perfect fit to spearhead our efforts in the country. We couldnt be more thrilled to welcome her to the Alliance team. Im delighted to be joining Alliance Memory during this phase of momentous growth for the company, both in terms of its product offering and presence in Asia, said Ms. Chien. I look forward to contributing to the companys ongoing success, leveraging my experience in the Taiwanese semiconductor market to expand and support its customer base in the country. Ms. Chien is based in Alliance Memorys Taoyuan office in Taiwan and reports to Mr. Bagby. She can be reached at Kelly@alliancememory.com. About Alliance Memory Inc. Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 8GB. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com. Agency Contact: Bob Decker Redpines +1 415 409 0233 bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com Dublin, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "US Personal Emergency Response Systems Market - Focused Insights 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. US Personal Emergency Response Systems Market is forecast to reach a value of $4.44 billion by 2028 from $2.49 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 10.1% This report offers market size & forecast data for the personal emergency response systems (PERSs) market in the US. The revenue generated from the sale of PERS and medical alert system devices are included in the report. Revenue generated by service providers are excluded from the scope of the report. This report provides a comprehensive and current market scenario of the US personal emergency response systems, including the US personal emergency response systems market size, anticipated market forecast, relevant market segmentations, and industry trends. The study considers a detailed scenario of the present personal emergency response systems market and its market dynamics for 2023-2028 in the US. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent players operating in the market. MARKET DEFINITION A PERS allows high-risk or aging individuals to contact a helpline during an emergency through a button push. A PERS is a wearable device that electronically connects to a user's phone. This means that the system can help disabled and older adults to summon help without dialing a number. Caregivers can use PERSs to ensure the safety of physically challenged or at-risk persons. The use of PERSs is widespread as they ensure the safety of those with special requirements and enhance the peace of mind of those caregivers. KEY HIGHLIGHTS In 2022, the US accounted for a significant market share in North America PERS market which is owing to a rise in awareness among older adults, the expansion of the geriatric population living independently, the high prevalence of chronic diseases, and the risk of fall injuries have accelerated the PERS market. Based on product type, the mobile-based systems accounted for the highest share of more than 50% in the US PERSs market due to the rise in demand for various mobile systems such as mobile PERS, Cellular Systems, and wireless PERS. Based on the End-user type, the homecare agencies segment accounted for a 31.05% market share in the US PERSs due to the expansion of the geriatric population living independently, and the rise in the aging population. Based on region type, the western US segment accounts for a 40.93% US PERSs market share that can be attributable to a surge in the population of living individuals in assisted living facilities. Connect America, Modivcare, ADT Corp, Medical Guardian, and Bay Alarm Medical are the leading players in the US PERS market. The market offers tremendous growth opportunities for existing and future/emerging players. VENDORS LIST Connect America Modivcare ADT Corp Medical Guardian Bay Alarm Medical AlertOne Aloe Care Health AT&T CISCO Systems Freeus Handsfree Health LifeFone Medical Alert Systems MedGuard Alert Inc MobileHelp QMedic Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1: Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Definition Market Definition Market Segmentation Chapter 2: Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Overview Executive Summary Key Findings Chapter 3: Personal Emergency Response Systems Market US: Projected Revenue of Personal Emergency Response Systems (2022-2028; $Billions) Chapter 4: Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Segmentation Data US: Projected Revenue by Product type (2022-2028; $Billions) Mobile-based Systems In Home-based Systems US: Projected Revenue by End-user type (2022-2028; $Billions) Homecare Agencies Assisted Living Facilities Direct-to-Consumer Others US: Projected Revenue by Region (2022-2028; $Billions) West US South US Mid-west US Northeast US Chapter 5: Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Prospects & Opportunities Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Drivers Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Trends Personal Emergency Response Systems Market Constraints Chapter 6: Personal Emergency Response Systems Industry Overview Personal Emergency Response Systems - Competitive Landscape Personal Emergency Response Systems - Key Vendors Personal Emergency Response Systems - Other Prominent Vendors Personal Emergency Response Systems - Key Strategic Recommendations Chapter 7: Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/zeeutd About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment MONACO, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Yacht Club de Monaco celebrates 70 years since its foundation. The ceremony was attended by 1,500 people who gathered on the YCM's quay to celebrate the anniversary. The Yacht Club de Monaco "has been able to preserve and pass on the traditions linked to life at sea, while promoting innovation and the development of yachting," said Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is also president of the Yacht Club. The prince then recalled his father, Ranieri III, who founded an institution centered on his passion for the sea. "His vision was to make the YCM an exclusive place where yachting is experienced, appreciated and celebrated, thus contributing to the promotion of Monaco as a destination," added. Protecting the oceans remains one of the Yacht Club's priorities: "I want to make environmental issues a priority and we must continue to be a beacon for the nautical industry," said the prince his remarks. He then recalled the role of actor in the environmental transition played by the club and its marina, which over the years have become demonstrators of new eco-responsible solutions. "The mobilization must be common and total," he insisted. Monaco (Principality of Monaco), 26th June - Echo of the Yacht Club's commitment in this sense are the activities that fall under the aegis of the 'Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting.' Starting with the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (July 3-8 2023), now in its tenth edition. More than 500 young engineers representing 25 nations and 25 universities will meet industry professionals including key players such as Oceanco, Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Lurssen, Monaco Marine and Palumbo SY Refit. This will be followed by the 3rd Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (24-25 September), the aim of which is to present innovative solutions for the development of virtuous marinas. For more information: Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd030743-4450-4ac8-b7e5-5c833267964e The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. The Annual General Meeting of Awilco Drilling PLC was held Monday 26 June 2023 at 12:00 noon (UK time), at the offices of Awilco Drilling on 2 Kingshill Park, Venture Drive, Arnhall Business Park, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB32 6FL, UK. Each of the resolutions set out in the Meeting Notice were duly passed. The signed minutes of meeting are attached hereto. The Meeting Notice and Appendices are available on our website www.awilcodrilling.com, under Investor Relations/General Meetings. Aberdeen, 26 June 2023 For further information please contact: Eric Jacobs, Interim CEO Phone: +44 1224 737900 Cathrine Haavind, Investor Relations Phone: +47 93 42 84 64 Email: ch@awilcodrilling.com This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interfield Global Software Inc. (NEO: IFSS) (the Company) is pleased to announce that Interfield Software Solutions LLC, the Software as a Service division of the Company ("Interfield"), has signed a co-marketing agreement with AARO Middle East DMCC (AARO). AARO is part of AARO Systems AB Sweden and is in the business of accounting software services, executive recruitment and event management. In furtherance of the agreement, Interfield will be a partner of the 2023 Finex Summit, a global virtual summit on September 13, 2023 targeted at the continuing personal development of Global Finance Leaders. This annual summit is managed by AARO Middle East and CFO University (www.finexsummit.com). For over 30 years, AARO been implementing technology-based accounting systems that enables CFOs, Finance Directors and other key decision makers systemize their financial & management reporting functions using their products. Their vision is to make group consolidation simpler, quicker and more transparent for companies around the Middle East region. AARO works with large multinationals and Family Groups plus small & medium size companies. Their expertise in technology and in-depth understanding of group reporting and consolidation gives them a unique edge over their competitors. We look forward to working with the exceptional team at AARO, they are renowned in the finance industry, known for their expertise in developing cutting-edge technologies and solutions. With a global presence and a track record of success, Interfield is excited to add their game changing software to our product offering. AAROs software is complementary to our existing portfolio of products and adds an additional revenue stream for our business that will drive value for our shareholders, commented Steele Hemmerich, President of Interfield. About Interfield Global Software Inc. The Company is a publicly listed company, with its common shares listed on the NEO Exchange Inc. (NEO: IFSS) and operates out of Dubai, U.A.E through its wholly owned subsidiary, Interfield Software Solutions LLC (Interfield Solutions). Interfield Solutions is a software company that services numerous industrial segments worldwide including oil and gas, mining and renewables. Interfield Solutions has two operating divisions, E-commerce and Software as a Service. Equipment Hound, the companys flagship product of its E-commerce division, is an industrial equipment marketplace that connects buyers and suppliers around the globe. Equipment Hound manages a catalogue of equipment from various suppliers and provides procurement solutions for buyers. It includes features such as requests for quotes, logistics support and third-party verification. ToolSuite, the companys flagship product of its Software as a Service division, is a cloud based data collection and management platform that digitizes industrial processes and provides real-time auditable data for clients. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Harold Hemmerich Harold Hemmerich, Chief Executive Officer & Director Phone: +971 50 558 8349 Bruce Nurse, Investor Relations Phone: +1 303 919 2913 Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer and Reader Advisory This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. 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 using phrases such as expects, anticipates, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends, or variations of such words and phrases, or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved, are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive any necessary board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, including the approval of any applicable regulatory authority; and that factors may occur which impede or prevent the Companys future business plans. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements, whether they change as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the Neo Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Neo Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Deerfield Beach, Fla., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JM&A Group recently announced a first-of-its-kind, free career advancement program for women in retail automotive. The program, geared toward increasing representation and opportunity in the automotive industry, aims to elevate talent and expand opportunities for minority groups by offering free, immersive training on topics including leadership skills and key automotive profit centers. JM&A Group is committed to creating career paths for under-represented groups in the automotive retail industry, says Sandra Porceng, vice president of Sales Enablement at JM&A Group. By providing mentorship, development and promotional opportunities, we can proactively attract more diverse candidates to our sector and elevate those who are already in the industry. While women make up nearly half the labor force, they represent less than a quarter of roles in the automotive industry. Within dealerships, the statistics get even leaner, with only 21% of the workforce being female, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Representation of women among the leadership ranks tends to be even less common. As one of the preeminent F&I and training partners in the industry, JM&A Group is uniquely positioned to identify and upskill future leaders and support them in the advancement of their careers. The scholarship program aims to enable high-potential individuals from under-represented groups to make the transition to management and leadership positions by: Providing focused leadership skills and management training Offering deep dives into sales, F&I and fixed operations Lending support through a cohort of peers and mentors in the industry The free career advancement program will award up to 15 spots for its first cohort beginning this fall. Applicants must be currently employed in the auto retail industry with at least one year of experience. The deadline to submit is August 1, and a committee will determine the selected participants. info.jmagroup.com/career-advancement-program About JM&A Group JM&A Group, a leader in the F&I industry for more than 40 years, serves more than 3,800 automotive dealerships nationwide. Comprised of Jim Moran & Associates, Inc. (JM&A), Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. (FWS), Fidelity Insurance Agency, and Courtesy Insurance Company, it provides a variety of products and services such as F&I training and consulting, vehicle protection plans, used vehicle certification programs, prepaid maintenance plans and GAP programs. Additionally, the company has more than 800 associates, including a dedicated sales force of 300+ associates who support process implementation for dealer operations and digital sales strategies. National Truck Protection Co. Inc., a division of JM&A Group, is a leading vehicle service contract provider in the commercial truck industry and serves customers across a variety of channels throughout the U.S. and Canada including OEM, independent dealer groups, aftermarket truck resellers, agencies and direct-to-consumer. For more information about JM&A Groups products and services, contact us at 1-800-553-7146 or visit us online at www.jmagroup.com. JM&A Group is a division of JM Family Enterprises, Inc., a privately held company with $18 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates, which is headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Attachment ATLANTA, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monarch Private Capital is pleased to announce the upcoming addition of Bryan Didier as Partner and Managing Director for its rapidly expanding renewable energy division. With nearly two decades of experience in law, the renewable energy sector and project finance, as well as a distinguished career in the US Navy, Didier brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role which will commence around July 10, 2023. Prior to joining Monarch, Didier served as a partner at Leverage Law Group, LLC for almost 15 years, where he focused his practice on renewable tax credit transactions. At the firm, Didier represented a wide range of clients including tax credit investors, tax credit syndicators, renewable energy developers, lenders and non-tax equity investors. His in-depth knowledge and strategic counsel played a pivotal role in successfully navigating tax-credit enhanced project finance at all stages of development and operation. Throughout his career, Didier has been recognized as a respected figure within the renewable energy industry. He has actively participated as a panelist and lecturer at various renewable energy conferences, forums and continuing legal education programs. His contributions and insights have helped shape industry best practices and fostered innovation in the renewable energy sector. In addition to his accomplishments in the renewable energy field, Didier served with distinction in the US Navy and US Navy Reserve for over 20 years, achieving the rank of Commander before retiring. His military background instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, strategic thinking and leadership, which he now brings to Monarch Private Capital. "Bryan is an exceptional addition to our leadership team. His extensive experience and reputation in renewable energy tax credit transactions and his remarkable leadership skills make him the ideal person to spearhead our Renewable Energy Division," said George L. Strobel II, Partner, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Monarch Private Capital. "We are confident that Bryan's strategic counsel and commitment to excellence will drive our renewable energy initiatives forward and further strengthen our position as a leader in the industry and will help the country to achieve its renewable energy objectives." Beyond his expertise in renewable energy, Didier also possesses extensive experience in project finance and corporate governance. He previously served as in-house counsel at both a publicly-held utility and a large private chemical manufacturer, where he honed his skills in these areas. "I am delighted to join Monarch Private Capital and continue building our best-in-class environmental and social investment platform," said Didier. "Monarch has an exceptional reputation for delivering innovative capital solutions and driving positive impact in communities. Having worked closely with the talented team members for a while now, I am excited to lead the firms renewable energy initiatives during what will be a period of much-needed significant expansion of investment in our country's energy independence and contribute to the company's continued wholistic focus on environmental and social investing as both a right thing to do and an economic opportunity." Didier holds a J.D. from the University of Kansas, where he graduated first in his class in 2004. He also earned an M.S. in Management from Troy University in 1992 and a B.S. in English with a French Minor from the United States Naval Academy in 1991. As the newest addition to Monarch Private Capital's leadership team, Didier will play a crucial role in driving the company's renewable energy initiatives forward. With his extensive knowledge, proven expertise and commitment to excellence, Monarch looks forward to a successful future under Didier's guidance. For more information on renewable energy tax equity investments, please contact Bryan Didier by emailing bdidier@monarchprivate.com. For more information on Monarch Private Capital, please contact George Strobel at gstrobel@monarchprivate.com. About Monarch Private Capital Monarch Private Capital manages environmental and social impact investment funds that positively impact communities by creating clean power, jobs and homes. The funds provide predictable returns through the generation of federal and state tax credits. The Company offers innovative tax credit equity investments for affordable housing, historic rehabilitations, renewable energy, film, and other qualified projects. Monarch Private Capital has long-term relationships with institutional and individual investors, developers, and lenders participating in these federal and state programs. Headquartered in Atlanta, Monarch has offices and professionals located throughout the United States. CONTACT Jane Rafeedie Monarch Private Capital jrafeedie@monarchprivate.com 470-283-8431 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b6fc596-c5b2-42c7-a5b4-be414381ae8f NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyscanner is on the search for the Ultimate Travel Hacker with the launch of its latest competition, seeking one lucky Canadian to put viral travel hacks to the test in the name of helping travelers around the world. Testing packing tricks, booking tips and destination detective work will all be undertaken by the winner of the Ultimate Travel Hacker competition, which will see one lucky winner given funds to explore the world and report their experiences in 2023. Laura Lindsay, Skyscanners Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, says, "most of us have that one friend who is always one step ahead on how to travel best, whether its a new flight route or how to get the most out of luggage space. "Travel hacks are fast becoming conversation pieces across the internet, but we want to put them to the test in the real world. For nearly two decades, Skyscanner's mission has been to give our travelers the most comprehensive, accurate information so they can make the best choices for their trip - from flight fares to car hire. Skyscanner is one of the OG travel hacks, so were looking to ensure the 'travel hacks' that we are seeing online are tried and tested, and thats where the Ultimate Travel Hacker comes in. Kicking off their trips in Summer 2023, the Ultimate Travel Hacker will undertake challenges to test travel hack theories and document them to help travelers understand if theyre legit. The fun starts with the competition application process How to apply: Simply choose to Duet Skyscanners video on TikTok [link] or Remix it on Instagram [link] with your best travel-hacker answers. or Remix it on Instagram with your best travel-hacker answers. Remember: Use #SkyscannerUltimateTravelHacker for the video to be considered for application. What Skyscanner is looking for: A love for travel: Your suitcase is a permanent resident of your bedroom floor at this point. Be trip ready: Youll be going on a series of trips, so we need someone with a flexible schedule with their passport to hand. Passion for content creation: You love sharing ideas and inspiration with your community already. About Skyscanner Founded in 2003, Skyscanner is a leading travel marketplace dedicated to putting travelers first. Skyscanner helps millions of people in 52 countries and over 30 languages find the best travel options for flights, hotels and car hire every month. Skyscanner is available on desktop, mobile web and its highly rated app has over 110 million downloads. Working with 1200 travel partners, Skyscanners mission is to lead the global transformation to modern and sustainable travel. Competition subject to exclusions and terms and conditions find them here . MEDIA CONTACT: Gemma Jamieson Gemma.jamieson@skyscanner.net Calgary, Alberta, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PCCA has named Igor Shaskin, BSc (Pharm), of Stafford Pharmacy & Home Healthcare, Lethbridge, Alberta, as its 2023 Canadian Compounding Pharmacist of the Year. This award is presented annually to an independent pharmacist who has demonstrated service excellence to patients, healthcare providers and pharmacy colleagues. Compounding is the pharmacy method of preparing customized medications to meet each prescribers and patients unique needs. PCCA Canada General Manager Amanda Cassel presented the award to Shaskin on June 16, 2023, during the PCCA Canadian Compounding Conference in Calgary, Alberta. Shaskin has dedicated his career to serving patients and has built strong relationships with his prescribers in the health care community. Cassel recognized him as an inspiration and advocate for the compounding industry, stating that his valuable ideas push himself, his colleagues and even PCCA forward. PCCA President Jim Smith acknowledged Shaskins dedication to his work. Your reputation is one of absolute competency, loyalty, never being afraid to share your opinion and always seeking to improve, Smith said. We admire you and we are honoured to celebrate having you as the 2023 Canadian Compounding Pharmacist of the Year. The PCCA Canadian Compounding Pharmacist of the Year Award is presented to a PCCA member pharmacist who exceeds at being an ambassador for independent compounding pharmacies. Specific criteria for this award include safety/product quality practices and standards, high ethical standards, continuing education and participation in PCCA events, innovations in the field, positive physician relationships, community relationships and willingness to network with PCCA member colleagues. Smith welcomed Shaskin to an incredible group of previous award winners who have and continue to change the world. Shaskin graduated from the University of Alberta with his BSc (Pharm) in 1979. He returned to his hometown of Lethbridge, Alberta, and continued on to earn his BSc (Gen) in Business Management in 1982. He worked for a few independent pharmacies and an accounting firm. Shaskin married his wife, Julie, in 1985 and immediately opened Stafford Pharmacy in a 400 square-foot space with three employees Shaskin, his wife and sister-in-law. Today, Stafford Pharmacy & Home Healthcare occupies 3,500 square feet with numerous employees. Shaskin is a lifelong learner and has earned certifications in various pharmaceutical disciplines. He has also served on many boards and fiercely advocates for compounding and personalized medicine, with a passion for veterinary needs. He is well respected in the community and has a reputation for helping anyone he can. At the event, Shaskin was joined by his wife, son Evan, pharmacy team members, representatives of PCCA and several colleagues. Shaskin thanked the audience, his colleagues and family. I would like to thank my family and my team for their support over the years. I am honored to receive the award. I am proud of the work we do at Stafford Pharmacy and hope to continue for many years to come. ABOUT PCCA PCCA supports the creation of personalized medicine and innovative products that make a difference in patients lives. As a complete resource for independent compounding pharmacies, PCCA provides high-quality products, education and support to more than 3,000 pharmacy members throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries around the world. Incorporated in 1981 by a network of pharmacists, PCCA has supported pharmacy compounding for more than 40 years. Learn more at pccarx.com. # # # Attachment Toronto, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Wellbeing Week, observed from June 26th to June 30th, shines a spotlight on the significance of well-being in our lives. This week emphasizes the importance of promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being for individuals and organizations alike. According to data from Research Co., Nearly half of Canadians who work full-time feel fatigued even after their workday is done. So, are employers doing enough to support the overall well-being of staff? Wendy Irwin, Health & Safety Consultant at BrightHR Canada, shares some tips below. Encourage work-life balance: Promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging employees to take breaks, use their vacation time, and avoid working excessive hours. Provide a positive work environment: Foster a supportive and inclusive work culture where employees feel valued and respected. Encourage open communication, provide opportunities for feedback, and address any concerns promptly. Offer wellness programs: Implement wellness programs that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This could include providing gym memberships, providing access to counseling services, or employee assistance programs. Flexible work arrangements: if possible, consider offering flexible work arrangements such as remote work options or flexible schedules. This can help employees manage personal responsibilities and reduce commuting stress. Recognize and reward achievements: Acknowledge and appreciate employees' contributions and achievements. Regularly recognize their efforts and provide opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization. Professional development opportunities: Invest in the professional development of staff by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and skill-building activities. This shows commitment to their growth and helps them stay engaged and motivated. Supporting the well-being of staff can have numerous benefits for both employees and the organization. One of the main benefits is increased productivity. When employees feel supported and their well-being is prioritized, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and focused on their work. This can lead to increased productivity and efficiency in their tasks and responsibilities, says Wendy. When employees feel productive it results in enhanced employee morale and satisfaction. A positive work environment that values employee well-being can boost morale and job satisfaction. When employees feel their needs are being met and their well-being is considered, they are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, leading to increased loyalty, and reduced turnover rates, she adds. Other benefits include: Improved mental and physical health : Prioritizing employee well-being can improve mental and physical health outcomes. By providing resources, and support, and promoting healthy work habits, organizations can help employees manage stress, and reduce burnout. : Prioritizing employee well-being can improve mental and physical health outcomes. By providing resources, and support, and promoting healthy work habits, organizations can help employees manage stress, and reduce burnout. Higher retention rates : When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to stay with the organization for the long term. This reduces turnover rates and the associated costs of recruiting, hiring, and training new staff. : When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to stay with the organization for the long term. This reduces turnover rates and the associated costs of recruiting, hiring, and training new staff. Enhanced company culture and reputation : Organizations that prioritize employee well-being tend to develop a positive company culture. This can attract top talent, enhance the organization's reputation, and contribute to a positive brand image in the eyes of clients, customers, and partners. : Organizations that prioritize employee well-being tend to develop a positive company culture. This can attract top talent, enhance the organization's reputation, and contribute to a positive brand image in the eyes of clients, customers, and partners. Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism : By supporting employee well-being, organizations can help reduce absenteeism and presenteeism. This can lead to a more consistent and efficient workflow. : By supporting employee well-being, organizations can help reduce absenteeism and presenteeism. This can lead to a more consistent and efficient workflow. Cost savings: Investing in employee well-being can result in cost savings for organizations. By reducing turnover, absenteeism, and healthcare costs associated with poor employee health, organizations can save money in the long run. ---END-- About BrightHR BrightHR is a leading HR and Health & Safety software service that is transforming people management for 6,500+ clients across Canada. In addition to our award-winning HR and Health & Safety software, BrightHR saves business owners time and money by offering an extensive library of 400+ templates/documents/policies, on-demand advice by local experts, a range of e-learning courses, a free marketplace to advertise or use discount offers, plus much more. Notes to editor: Interviews are available Contact: Sally Abu-Samra Public Relations Specialist T: 647-363-7978 | E: sally.abu-samra@brighthr.com PUKEKOHE, New Zealand, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brandt Group of Companies is pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Wairarapa Machinery Services Ltd. Wairarapa Machinery is a familiar face in the Greater Wellington Region, serving the local community with a range of premium new and used farm and lawncare equipment since 1983. The announcement unites New Zealands North Island under one dealer brand and will continue with business as usual, featuring the same team that customers have come to know and trust over the past 40 years. Combining all of the Deere dealerships on the North Island under one banner is going to result in more comprehensive support for New Zealand farmers and contractors, now and in the future, says Brandt CEO, Shaun Semple. Were ready to roll up our sleeves and earn the loyalty of Wairarapas customers through a combination of premium products and services and a consistent, high-quality customer support experience. With this acquisition, Wairarapa Machinery becomes part of a multistore dealer group with access to knowledge and expertise of 17 locations across the North Island. Customers will also benefit from Brandts extensive parts and equipment inventory from premium brands such as John Deere and number of complimentary product brands. The agreement is subject to due diligence and customary closing conditions and is expected to close on August 31, 2023. For more information on the Brandt Group of Companies go to www.brandt.ca. About the Brandt Group of Companies The Brandt Group of Companies is a family-owned manufacturing and distribution company that serves a growing international audience in industries such as agriculture, construction, forestry, rail, mining, steel, transportation, material handling, and energy. The company has 6000+ employees and more than 170 locations in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3de62a76-83ea-4398-a5c6-423c45dd620f PERRYSBURG, Ohio, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI) has scheduled its second quarter 2023 conference call and webcast for Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 8 a.m. EDT. The Companys news release for the second quarter 2023 earnings will be issued after the market closes on Tuesday, August 1. What: O-I Conference Call and Webcast Earnings presentation materials will also be posted on the O-I website, www.o-i.com/investors, when the earnings news release is issued. When: Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 8 a.m. EDT Where: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/505141931 or at www.o-i.com/investors, Events and Presentations page The webcast will be archived at www.o-i.com/investors until August 2024. About O-I At O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI), we love glass and were proud to be one of the leading producers of glass bottles and jars around the globe. Glass is not only beautiful, its also pure, healthy and completely recyclable, making it the most sustainable rigid packaging material. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio (USA), O-I is the preferred partner for many of the worlds leading food and beverage brands. We innovate in line with customers needs to create iconic packaging that builds brands around the world. Led by our diverse team of approximately 24,000 people across 69 plants in 19 countries, O-I achieved revenues of $6.9 billion in 2022. Learn more about us: o-i.com / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn Contact: SASHA SEKPEH Investor Relations Coordinator alexandra.sekpeh@o-i.com 567.336.5128 Attachment MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) today announced Bill Rhodes decision to relinquish his positions as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 2024. He will become Executive Chairman of the Board. Philip B. Daniele, III, age 54, a 29-year AutoZoner and currently Executive Vice President Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain, has been selected to succeed Rhodes as CEO in January 2024 and he will also become a member of the Board of Directors. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Bill for his outstanding leadership during his more than 18 years as our CEO and we are excited and grateful that he will remain actively involved as Executive Chairman and an Officer of the Company. Bill, the Executive Committee, and CEO Team have led the Company through unprecedented growth while continuing to nurture and evolve AutoZones unique and powerful culture. AutoZone is eternally grateful for his many contributions during his almost 30 years of service, said Earl G. Graves, Jr., Lead Director. We knew this day was coming and have been working a very disciplined succession planning process for many years. Today we are prepared to announce that the Board of Directors has selected Phil Daniele to be our next CEO. Phil shares Bills passion for the business and most importantly, for our AutoZoners. He will continue AutoZones long-standing disciplined approach and will focus first, like we always have, on our customers. Phil will leverage his deep industry knowledge as a nearly 40-year veteran of this industry. During his AutoZone tenure, Phil has worked in many parts of the organization, including virtually all leadership roles in Store Operations, he has spent many years on our Merchandising team, led Commercial, has been very involved in Information Technology and has now overseen our Supply Chain and Marketing teams for the last two years. Over the last decade, Phil has been intimately involved in many of our most important strategic initiatives. We look forward to working with Phil as he leads the Company into our next chapter of success. Rhodes has been President, CEO and on the Board of Directors since March of 2005. In June 2007, he was named Chairman of the Board. During his tenure, as President and CEO, the company has roughly doubled the number of stores; grown the number of AutoZoners to approximately 115,000; increased revenues by more than 3 times, this year surpassing $17 billion; and grown the stock price by more than 25 times. Rhodes has also served on numerous industry and community boards. Being an AutoZoner and having the opportunity to help lead this amazing team has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Im incredibly excited that the Board has elected Phil as CEO-Elect. Phil and I have worked together very closely for over 25 years, said Rhodes. Phil knows this company as well as anybody and has a passion for this business that is arguably un-paralleled. More importantly, Phil understands AutoZones success has been driven by a deep, passionate set of leaders who support great AutoZoners across the globe. He embodies what our Founder, J.R. Hyde, IIIs father taught us when he said, No individual builds a businessan individual builds the organization, and the organization builds the business. I am humbled to lead this organization that has meant so much to me, said Daniele. I am in awe every day by the commitment of our AutoZoners to provide exceptional service to our customers. As CEO, it will be an honor for me to work alongside the Board, leadership team and AutoZoners everywhere to build upon our long history of successes. On behalf of all AutoZoners, I thank Bill for his invaluable contributions to AutoZone and our industry. Im excited he will continue to be an integral part of our team and I can leverage our long-standing relationship, his experiences, counsel and our friendship. I know we both share that AutoZones best days are ahead of us! About AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) As of May 6, 2023, the Company had 6,248 stores in the U.S., 713 stores in Mexico and 83 stores in Brazil for a total store count of 7,044. AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each AutoZone store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a Commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, AutoZone sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation. Contact Information: Financial: Brian Campbell at (901) 495-7005, brian.campbell@autozone.com Media: David McKinney at (901) 495-7951, david.mckinney@autozone.com New York, USA, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market Overview According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market Information By Type, End User, And Region - Forecast till 2030", the market Size was valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 1.99 billion in 2022 to USD 2.8 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.80% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030). Market Scope Surgical drapes are employed during operations to keep surfaces, equipment, and the patient's surroundings clean and avoid getting in touch with germs. Like a surgical mask, a surgical robe is a protective clothing item designed for use worn by medical staff during surgery to prevent the spread of pathogens, bodily fluids, and other objects. For the market to grow, there must be an increase in hospital-acquired infections. The surgical field is shielded from contamination by surgical drapes, which act as a physical barrier. Surgical drapes and robes are a type of barrier between the patient's body and the bacteria used in surgical operations as well as other potential contaminants that could be present in the surgical area. They are available in various sizes and shapes depending on the type of patient and the needs of the treatment plan. Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7122 Both single-use and reusable drapes and gowns are available easily. Additionally, to serve as a physical barrier, they are heat resistant. Pathogens cannot enter due to the mesh's tight weave. Drapes, such as those for obstetrics and cardiovascular surgery, are often constructed following the type of surgical treatment. Dresses and drapes have a variety of different types of styles and features. These are made from cloth that has been chemically treated and is either synthetic, cotton, or both. These are also fashioned from a variety of materials. They go by various titles depending on how they will be used in hospitals, including operating room gowns, procedural dresses, isolation gowns, and surgical isolation robes. Government agencies have been boosting their funding, which has stimulated market expansion. The region will produce surgical gowns by making such investments, accelerating market expansion. Report Scope: Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2030 USD 2.8 Billion CAGR 4.80% Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 2022-2030 Historical Data 2020 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Type, End User Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Key Market Drivers Increasing number of surgeries and High incidences of hospital-acquired infections Rising number of surgical procedures to propel market growth Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market Competitive Landscape: Molnlycke Health Care (Sweden) Thermo Fisher Scientific (U.S.) STERIS Corporation (U.S.) Paul Hartmann AG (Germany) Halyard Health (U.S.) Cardinal Health (U.S.) 3M (U.S.) Pacon Manufacturing (U.S.) Medica Europe B.V. (The Netherlands) Guardian (US) Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market Trends: Market Drivers: The key factor influencing the surgical draperies and gowns market is the rise in surgical operations related to injuries sustained in sporting incidents and cardiac surgeries because of the rising frequency of cardiovascular illnesses and other chronic ailments where surgery is recommended. Due to the expanding need for patient and healthcare worker protection and the growing number of surgical site infections, surgical gowns, and drapes are also in great demand. The necessity for surgical drapes will expand as the number of operations increases. The requirement for surgical drapes will rise as hospitalizations and HAIs increase globally. As a result, this aspect raises the demand for more surgical drapes and gowns, further accelerating market expansion. The industry's expansion is also aided by the key market participants' expanding strategic initiatives involving protection kits. The demand for surgical gowns and drapes is increased by numerous infections, which is predicted to fuel market expansion. The strategic actions made by market participants are also accelerating the market's expansion. Restraints The production of throwaway surgical gowns and drapes must continue. Disposable linens are prone to tearing and cracking, particularly if the supplies are inferior. Additionally, they use larger particles than reusables, which drives up operating expenses even more. This constraint prevents market growth. Browse In-depth Market Research Report (111 Pages) on Surgical Drapes and Gowns: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/surgical-drapes-and-gowns-market-7122 COVID 19 Analysis The COVID-19 epidemic badly impacted almost every element of the world economy, particularly the global supply chain. At first, factories were closed, or their production was slowed; restrictions on imports and exports were placed by several nations, and mobility was slowed or stopped. Patients and healthcare workers worldwide are also very concerned about healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The surgical drape requirement will increase as the incidence of hospitals and HAIs increases globally. Personal protective equipment has gained more attention due to emerging diseases such as COVID-19, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, SARS, and Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The need for personal protective equipment, such as surgical face masks, gloves, and gowns, has increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market Segmentation By end user, the market includes hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. By type, the market includes surgical drapes and surgical gowns. Buy Now: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=7122 Surgical Drapes and Gowns Market Regional Insights The increased number of surgeries and the expanding population can be attributed to the APAC market growth. Due to the growing burden of chronic diseases and continuous improvement in the healthcare infrastructure, Asia-Pacific will continue to lead the market over the projection period. The market growth rate is also being further boosted by expanding attempts to encourage the usage of temporary surgical drapes and gowns within this region. Additionally, it is anticipated that technological developments in the healthcare industry and rising R&D efforts will open new potential prospects for the market throughout the forecast period. Additionally, a boom in consumer appetite for surgical drapes in this part of the world is fueled by the rapidly expanding medical tourism sector. Over the forecast period, North America is anticipated to experience significant expansion. Discover more research Reports on Healthcare Industry by Market Research Future: Hospital Gowns Market : By Type (Surgical Gowns, Non-surgical Gowns, Patient Gowns), Risk type (Minimal Risk, Low Risk, Moderate Risk, High Risk), Usability (Disposable Gowns, Reusable Gowns) and Region (America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) - Forecast till 2030 Surgical Dressings and Disposables Market Research Report Information By Product Type (Surgical Dressings, Disposables) and By End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory surgery centers, Specialty Clinics, Others) Forecast to 2030 Chronic Kidney Disease Market Research Report Information by Diagnosis (Blood Test, Urine Test, Imaging Test, and Kidney Biopsy), by Treatment (Drugs, Dialysis, and Kidney Transplant) , by Indication (Type 1 Or Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Polycystic Kidney Disease), by End User (Hospital & Clinics and Diagnostic Centers), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World) - Forecast till 2030 About Market Research Future: Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Exploration Inc. (NGE or the Company) (TSX-V:NGE; OTCQB:NVDEF) announces the departure of Wade Hodges. Wade Hodges resigns from Nevada Exploration Mr. Hodges has tendered his resignation and, effective June 30, 2023, will have no further role with Nevada Exploration Inc., nor with its wholly owned subsidiary Pediment Gold Ltd. The Company appreciates Mr. Hodges contributions to the Company over the past two decades in his former roles as a founder, and as a director and officer of the Company. In addition, he has been instrumental in advancing the concept of groundwater geochemistry as a critical tool in identifying gold deposits hidden under cover. About Nevada Exploration Inc. Led by an international team of explorers, NGE is applying modern technology to systematically explore for the undiscovered second half of Nevadas gold endowment waiting to be uncovered within Nevadas valley basins. NGE is advancing a portfolio of gold exploration projects, primarily focused on three district-scale Carlin-type gold projects, including its flagship South Grass Valley project, located near the Cortez Complex of Nevada Gold Mines. For further information, please contact: Nevada Exploration Inc. Email: info@nevadaexploration.com Telephone: +1 (604) 601 2006 Website: www.nevadaexploration.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans, and objectives regarding projects, potential transactions, and ventures discussed in this release. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions, regarding, among other things, the assumption the Company will continue as a going concern and will continue to be able to access the capital required to advance its projects and continue operations. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the risks inherent in mineral exploration, the need to obtain additional financing, environmental permits, the availability of needed personnel and equipment for exploration and development, fluctuations in the price of minerals, and general economic conditions. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company is disclosed in the Companys continuous disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 27 June 2023 Sosei Group Corporation (the Company; TSE: 4565) notes the decision by its partner Pfizer to prioritize the development of clinical-stage GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate danuglipron for the treatment of diabetes and obesity and as a result has discontinued the development of lotiglipron see Pfizer press announcement here. Both novel and orally available candidates were being advanced by Pfizer in Phase 2 clinical trials. Lotiglipron was discovered and developed by Pfizer during a multi-target research collaboration in which Pfizer had access to Sosei Heptares proprietary StaR technology. Sosei Heptares will explore next steps with Pfizer for the future development of lotiglipron, as the Company has done previously with other partners in similar situations. Chris Cargill, President & CEO of Sosei Heptares, commented: Pfizer has generated a considerable amount of clinical data on the safety and efficacy of lotiglipron but we respect its decision to prioritize danuglipron. We intend to work with Pfizer to understand the scientific and clinical data, and potentially assess alternative paths forward for the program. Separately, we remain highly active in this important therapeutic area, and in December 2022 entered a new multi-target collaboration with another global biopharma company to discover, develop and commercialize small molecules that modulate novel GPCR targets associated with diabetes and metabolic diseases. Sosei Heptares has not contributed to the costs of clinical development for lotiglipron. The Companys immediate assessment of the impact of the discontinuation is that it should not have a material impact on full year 2023 financial results. Should any impacts or other matters that require an announcement be identified, the Company will announce such matters promptly. -ENDS- About Sosei Heptares Sosei Heptares mission is to make lifechanging medicines using worldleading science and our vision is to become one of Japans global biopharmaceutical champions. We are a science and technologyled company focused on the discovery and early development of new medicines originating from our proprietary GPCRtargeted StaR technology and structure-based drug design platform. We are advancing a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology, immunology, gastroenterology, and inflammatory diseases. We have established partnerships with some of the worlds leading biopharmaceutical companies and multiple emerging technology companies, including AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Genentech (Roche), GSK, Kallyope, Lilly, Neurocrine Biosciences, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda and Verily. Sosei Heptares is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with corporate and R&D facilities in Cambridge, UK. For more information, please visit https://soseiheptares.com/ LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | Twitter: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco Enquiries: Sosei Heptares Media and Investor Relations Hironoshin Nomura, Chief Financial Officer Shinichiro Nishishita, VP Investor Relations, Head of Regulatory Disclosures Maya Bennison, Communications Manager Japan: +81 (0)3 5210 3399 | United Kingdom: +44 (0)1223 949390 | IR@SoseiHeptares.com MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (for International Media) Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, Eleanor Perkin +44 (0)203 928 6900 | SoseiHeptares@medistrava.com Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development, and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei Group Corporations actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV:WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) announces the grant of stock options, restricted share units (RSUs) and deferred share units (DSUs) in accordance with the Companys stock option plan, and its RSU and DSU Plan. Directors and Officers of the Company were granted an aggregate of 3,800,000 stock options vesting over a three year period with 25% vesting in 3 months from the grant date and 25% vesting on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date at an exercise price of $0.62 and will be exercisable for a 5 year period. In addition, 1,030,000 RSUs were granted to Officers of the Company and 600,000 DSUs were granted to Directors. The RSUs will vest over three years in three equal tranches on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant date and DSUs will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. An investor relations service provider was granted 300,000 stock options which will vest over a 12 month period with 75,000 stock options vesting every three months following the grant date at an exercise price of $0.62 and will be exercisable for a 5 year period. The grant of Stock Options, RSUs, DSUs, and is subject to regulatory acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 Km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 Km2 including three past producing gold mines - Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit. ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD. Shane Williams Shane Williams President & Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Amandip Singh, VP Corporate Development Tel: 416-203-9181 Email: investors@westredlakegold.com or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws. VANCOUVER, June 26, 2023 - Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot") (TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) notes that the article in the Australian Newspaper of today (Patriot Battery Metals taps Macquarie Capital for a deal) and provides the following clarifying statement: The Company has not commenced a process that would have the effect of initiating a sale of any of its assets, nor the listed parent. The Company has appointed a range of advisers and key personnel that further supports the continued development of its flagship wholly owned Corvette Property. The Company remains intently focused on the timely development of the Corvette Property, including the presentation of the Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at the Corvette Property in the coming weeks. About Patriot Battery Metals Inc. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its district-scale 100% owned Corvette Property located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. The Corvette Property is one of the largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium projects being explored, with over 50 kilometres of strike length over a 214 square kilometre land package and over 70 lithium bearing pegmatite outcrops identified to date. The Corvette Property is situated proximal to the all-weather Trans Taiga Road and Hydro-Quebec power line infrastructure in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. The Property hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the CV5 Pegmatite, which has been traced by drilling over a strike length of at least 3.7 km with spodumene pegmatite encountered as deep as 425 m vertical depth. For further information, please contact us at info@patriotbatterymetals.com or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709,or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Company's continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data. This news release has been approved by Blair Way, the President, Director and CEO of the Company. "BLAIR WAY" Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation statements with respect to potential continuity of pegmatite bodies, and mineral resource estimate preparation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the results of further exploration and testing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ CALGARY, June 26, 2023 - TVI Pacific Inc. (TSXV: TVI) (OTC Pink: TVIPF) ("TVI" or the "Company") is pleased to announce today that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined to increase the size of the Board from five (5) to seven (7) directors and identifies two additional directors nominated for election to the Board at the upcoming annual and special meeting of holders ("Shareholders") of common shares in the capital of TVI to be held on June 28, 2023 (the "Meeting"). The Board has resolved to increase the number of directors in connection with the proposed private placement (the "Private Placement") to Prime Resources Holdings, Inc ("PRHI"), previously announced by the Company on May 30, 2023. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company intends to enter into a nomination rights agreement with PRHI (the "Nomination Agreement"), pursuant to which PRHI will have the right to designate two (2) nominees for election to the Board at each meeting of Shareholders at which directors are to be elected, subject to customary terms and conditions. In anticipation of the completion of the Private Placement and execution of the Nomination Agreement, Manuel Paolo A. (TSXV: TVI) (OTC Pink: TVIPF) Villar and Michael G. Regino (collectively, the "Nominees") have been identified by PRHI as designees and nominated for election to the Board. Below is a biographical profile of each Nominee, which sets forth substantially similar information included in the management information circular of the Company dated May 15, 2023 (the "Circular") in respect of the Meeting, which is available on the Corporation's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Name, Municipality or Residence and Position(s) with the Corporation Principal Occupation or Employment Manuel Paolo A. Villar Manila, Philippines Vice Chairman of TVI Resources Development Phils, Inc. ("TVIRD"), a Philippine corporation in which TVI Pacific holds a 30.66% interest. He is also the Vice Chairman, President and CEO of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., the largest homebuilder in the Philippines, and Chairman and CEO of St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd.. Prior to these roles, he was the head of corporate planning of Crown Asia, a subsidiary of Vista Land and a consultant of McKinsey & Co., USA. Mr. Villar graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a double degree in Bachelor of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Applied Science. TVI Board / Committee Memberships & Meeting Attendance during 2022 TVI Securities held N/A N/A Nil(1) (1) PRHI, a company organized primarily to hold Mr. Villar's interests in the mining industry, beneficially owns and exercises control and direction over, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 33,333,333 Common Shares as of the date hereof. Name, Municipality or Residence and Position(s) with the Corporation Principal Occupation or Employment Michael G. Regino Manila, Philippines Managing Director of TVIRD. He is also the Sr. Vice President and COO of St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. Prior to these roles, Mr. Regino was the President and CEO of the Social Security System (SSS), the state- run institution that runs the social insurance program of the Philippines catering to the private, professional and informal sectors. He gained his executive and operating experience of over three decades in the areas of business development, corporate finance and marketing in diverse industries such as mining, real estate development and construction. Mr. Regino graduated from Ateneo De Zamboanga University with a degree in Bachelor of Arts major in Economics, cum laude and a Masters in Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila. TVI Board / Committee Memberships & Meeting Attendance during 2022 TVI Securities held N/A N/A Nil Election of the Nominees is conditional upon closing of the Private Placement and all regulatory approvals including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Nominees have been nominated for election as a director of the Company upon the condition that, if elected, they shall resign as directors of the Company if the Private Placement does not close by July 31, 2023 or if there is a failure to obtain any regulatory approval or clearance for a Nominee to act as a director of the Company. A ballot will be taken at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the Company in connection with the election of the directors of the Company and resolving to set the number of directors to be elected at seven. A Shareholder may attend the Meeting in person or may be represented at the Meeting by a proxyholder. Shareholders who are unable to attend the Meeting in person are requested to date, sign and return the accompanying Instrument of Proxy, or other appropriate form of proxy, in accordance with the instructions set out in the Circular. As disclosed in the Circular, an Instrument of Proxy will not be valid unless it is deposited at the offices of Computershare Trust Company of Canada (Attention: Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1) or provided to Computershare Trust Company of Canada via telephone voting at 1-866-732-8683 or by web voting at www.investorvote.com, not less than forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chair of the Meeting (who is anticipated to be Mr. Clifford M. James, Chairman of the Board and the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation) is expected to exercise discretion to accept proxies deposited after the foregoing cutoff. About TVI Pacific Inc. TVI Pacific Inc. is a Canadian resource company focused on mining projects in the Philippines, one of the most prolifically mineralized countries in the world. TVI currently holds a 30.66% equity interest in TVI Resources Development Phils, a Philippines corporation. Through TVIRD, TVI has ownership in a currently producing gold mine and is focused on bringing on-stream the Siana gold mine at which equipment has been rehabilitated and commissioning of the plant has commenced in line with TVIRD's plan to restart operations. About Prime Resources Holdings, Inc. PRHI is a Philippine company organized primarily to hold Mr. Manuel Paolo A. Villar's interests in the mining industry. PRHI is the largest and controlling shareholder of TVIRD, holding 68.42% thereof. PRHI is an affiliate of Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. ("PAVI"), a Philippine company with focus on building and developing critical community infrastructure. PAVI currently holds major investments in subsidiaries operating in a variety of industries, including power and water utilities, information technology and telecommunications, financial services, and broadcast services. The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain information set out in this News Release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "scheduled", "to be", "will be" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this News Release are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties (known and unknown) that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this News Release include, but are not limited to, TVI's objectives and intentions in respect of completion of the Private Placement and the election of directors at the Meeting. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information supplied by third parties. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and that information received from third parties is reliable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, such things as changes in general economic conditions in the Philippines and elsewhere; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in TVI's public documents filed on SEDAR; and other matters discussed in News Release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this News Release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted or regarded as guarantees of future outcomes. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws in force in Canada. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. www.tvipacific.com SOURCE TVI Pacific Inc. VANCOUVER, June 26, 2023 - Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the "Company" or "Collective"), is pleased to announce that the Company has closed the oversubscribed non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the "Units") by the issuance of 5,728,381 Units at $0.24 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,374,811.28 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one whole common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.35 on or before June 23, 2025. The Company has paid eligible finders (collectively the "Finders") a cash commission in the amount of $92,400.81, being 7% of the aggregate proceeds from the sale of Units to purchasers introduced to the Company by the Finders and issued an aggregate of 385,003 common share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"), being 7% of the number of Units sold under the Offering to purchasers introduced by the Finders. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.35 per Share on the same terms as the Warrants. Christopher Huggins, CEO of Collective Metals announced, "The Company received strong interest in this private placement and the oversubscription is a testament to our team. The Company is in a strong cash position, which will not only allow us to further advance our existing properties, including our flagship property, the Princeton Project, but also continue to pursue new acquisitions and opportunities." All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four-months and one day in accordance with applicable securities legislation ending on October 24, 2023. The Company will use the proceeds for its current properties, on new projects or acquisitions, marketing and for working capital. About Collective Metals: Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specialized in precious metals exploration in North America. The Company's flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3. The Company's Landings Lake Lithium Project, which is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. Collective Metals is also advancing the Uptown Gold Project 4 km outside of Yellowknife, adjacent to several high grade past producing mines. The Uptown Gold Property is a high-grade Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of 4 claims covering over 2,000 hectares and borders the west side of the Giant Mine leases. Social Media ON BEHALF OF Collective Metals Inc. Christopher Huggins Chief Executive Officer T: 604-968-4844 E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the provision of Services by SRC. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. VANCOUVER, June 26, 2023 - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Phase II resource expansion and definition drilling program at its 5,166 hectare (51.6km2), 100%-owned Atlanta Gold Mine Project, located in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. Highlights: Two additional reverse circulation ("RC") rigs have been mobilized to Atlanta and are now in operation, bringing the overall rig count at site to three. Since inception of the the Phase I Atlanta drill program in June 2021 followed by the Phase II program starting in June 2022 Nevada King has completed 272 reverse-circulation ("RC") holes totaling 39,253m and 17 core holes totaling 1,398m, for a total of 40,651m drilled. To date Nevada King has reported assays from 208 holes covering 27,278m with results pending from 81 drill holes totalling 13,373m. The Company is currently utilizing one rig to define deeper mineralization within the West Atlanta Graben, while a second rig is targeting shallower mineralization along the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone ("AMFZ"), both in the pit and connecting into the North Extension Target. A third rig is active on the East Ridge Target, testing a highly prospective, never before drilled, large area (1,200m x 150m) directly adjacent to the resource zone (see Figure 1). Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, commented, "The increase from one drill rig to three will significantly increase the rate of adding to and upgrading our existing resource. Two of the drills are tracked machines that can negotiate more difficult areas to access, which will better enable us to advance our exploratory drilling outward in all directions from the existing resource area. Aside from the East Ridge Target, other immediate priorities include: In-fill and step-out drilling within the 150m wide by 500m long West Atlanta Graben, where current, mineralized vertical drill intercepts range from 40m to 180m with Au grades ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 g/t. The target is open to the north and south, and scattered historical holes indicate additional potential to the west. Expanding the North Extension Target westward and eastward and extending it to the main resource zone 200m southward. Expanding the AMFZ southward to the South Extension Target. In-fill drilling along the AMFZ to expand several zones of high-grade mineralization and to define fault contacts. This structural definition drilling is particularly important for constructing a new, more accurate resource model. "Our drill results early this year focused our attention on the West Atlanta Graben target and revealed potential for significantly expanding Atlanta's resource. Now, with two additional RC drill rigs in operation, we have the ability to more rapidly infill around recent intercepts and step-out to test for further potential resource expansion. Starting with the 2021 Phase I program, our drilling at Atlanta has yielded multiple new discovery areas resulting in a continual increase in tonnage potential. As well, our drilling indicates higher Au/Ag grades compared to previous exploration efforts. The Company was fortunate in that previous explorers had left large gaps in the overall drill hole distribution pattern either through adherence to an overly simplistic geologic model or simply due to bad luck. This allowed us to concentrate our resources and attention on areas that had historically shown some promise but for a variety of reasons were not followed-up on." Figure 1. Atlanta Gold Mine Project target area map. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). About Nevada King Gold Corp. Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016, the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada. The Company is well funded with cash of approximately $20 million as of June 2023. The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nevada-king-provides-update-on-its-60-000m-drill-program-at-atlanta-mobilizes-two-additional-drill-rigs-301862922.html SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp. HIGHLIGHTS Management and technical teams including Allan Frame, President and CEO, Lawrence Tsang, VP Exploration, Graeme Evans, Technical Advisor, Paul Baxter, Senior Geologist, Alain Lambert, Cofounder and Courtney James, IR Associate, visited and reviewed several of the Company's properties in the Dryden-Mavis Lake and the McKenzie Bay Districts last week. Beyond's technical team recognized zoned pegmatites where beryl is generally mineralized around larger quartz crystal and some pegmatites have wider and stronger alteration halos along contacts of metasediments. Four field crews are currently prospecting and collecting grab and channel samples from multiple project and collecting muscovite samples from different pegmatites for the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy ("LIBS") analyzer database compilation. The LIBS analyzer database will provide an additional layer of information by relative values of Lithium (Li), Cesium (Cs), Tantalum (Ta), Potassium/Rubidium (K/Rb) from muscovite along with mapping and assays for establishing and vectoring Li trends and targets. A LiDAR survey has been conducted on the Wisa Lake project (6,549 hectares) and the final survey report is expected to be available in about 3-4 weeks. Over 400 grab and channel samples have been submitted to the lab for analysis with the first batch of assays is estimated to be available by the first week of July. The Phase 1 exploration program is expected to continue until early August. Upon receipt of assays, properties will be individually evaluated and prioritized in advance of Phase 2 exploration commencing in early August. Winnipeg, June 26, 2023 - Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (OTCQB: BYDMF) (the "Company" or "Beyond Lithium") is pleased to provide an update on the field visit and review completed by the Company's management and technical teams last week at Beyond's properties in the Dryden-Mavis Lake and the McKenzie Bay Districts. Participants of the visit included Graeme Evans, Technical Advisor, and Paul Baxter, Senior Geologist whose combined exploration experience spans over 70 years. Figure 1: Technical team inspecting a beryl bearing pegmatite. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/171283_9164b344649498b9_004full.jpg Overall, access to the properties in both the Dryden-Mavis Lake and the McKenzie Bay Districts are excellent, with highway and well-maintained logging road infrastructure. Nearby towns like Dryden, Ear Falls, and Red Lake provide convenient accommodations and access to field supplies. In the Dryden-Mavis Lake District, Beyond Lithium has six properties totalling 11,664 hectares in area (Fig. 2) located next to Critical Resources' Mavis Lake Lithium deposit. In the McKenzie Bay District, Beyond Lithium has twelve properties totalling 24,959 hectares in area (Fig. 2) located near Green Technology Metals' McCombe Lithium deposit. Figure 2: Beyond Lithium Properties Map in the Dryden-Mavis Lake and the McKenzie Bay Districts To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/171283_9164b344649498b9_005full.jpg During the site visit, the technical team recognized zoned pegmatites where beryl generally mineralized around larger quartz crystal were noted in several sites (Fig. 2). Also, some pegmatites have wider and stronger alteration halos along contacts of metasediments. These field observations could help field crews identify and distinguish the more prospective pegmatites from the other pegmatites. Lawrence Tsang, VP Exploration of Beyond Lithium, commented: "I would like to applaud the field crews hard work to continue with the Phase 1 exploration program on time and on budget and have located beryl-bearing pegmatites in several properties. These beryl-bearing pegmatites indicate these pegmatites are fractionated from a fertile and peraluminous granitic source and show that our exploration method has been productive so far. We will follow up these beryl-bearing pegmatites with more field work and aim to locate the Lithium-bearing core zone." Figure 3: Example of Zoned Pegmatite with Beryl in Yellow Mineralized Around Larger Quartz in White crystal To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/171283_9164b344649498b9_006full.jpg Over 400 grab and channel samples have been collected from multiple properties and submitted to the lab for analysis. The first batch of assays is estimated to be available by the end of June. In addition to collecting outcrop grab and channel samples, field crews also collected samples of muscovite from different pegmatites for compiling a LIBS analyzer database. The LIBS analyzer1 is a handheld device used to measure elemental concentrations in a material (Fig. 4). The objective of the LIBS database is to provide an extra layer of relative values of Li, Cs, Ta, K/Rb from muscovite to augment results from mapping and assaying for establishing and vectoring Li trends and targets. Figure 4: Senior Prospector Jason Leblanc utilizing the LIBS analyzer. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/171283_9164b344649498b9_007full.jpg The LiDAR survey on the Wisa Lake property has just been conducted by Eagle Mapping. The Wisa Lake property is comprised a total area of 6,549 hectares and is located next to the Green Technology Metals' Wisa Property. The LiDAR survey will provide a detailed digital elevation model (DEM) of the area which is a useful exploration tool for identifying potential outcrop and structure on the property. LiDAR is a remote sensing method that is utilized to create digital terrain (DTM) and DEM of the landscape. As the topography of the area is generally flat, a subtle change to elevation high may indicate pegmatite outcrops or features worthwhile to prospect. The final report of the LiDAR survey of the Wisa Lake property is expected to be finished in the next 3-4 weeks. The Phase 1 exploration program is still on schedule and within budget and expected to be completed by early August. Upon receipt of assays, properties will be evaluated in advance of the Phase 2 program of more detailed mapping and sampling commences on prioritized properties. 1 See Sci Aps LIBS Analyzer Qualified Person and Third-Party Data The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lawrence Tsang, P.Geo., VP Exploration of the Company. Lawrence Tsang is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Beyond Lithium Inc. Beyond Lithium Inc. is the largest greenfield lithium exploration player in Ontario with 64 high potential greenfield lithium properties totalling over 150,000 hectares. The Company has adopted the project generator business model to maximize funds available for exploration projects, while minimizing shareholder dilution. Beyond Lithium is advancing certain of its projects with its exploration team and will seek to option other properties to joint venture partners. Partnering on various projects will provide a source of non-dilutive working capital, partner-funded exploration, and long-term residual exposure to exploration success. Beyond Lithium currently has 28,259,658 common shares outstanding (market cap of $6.2 million as of June 15, 2023). 1 See Imagine Lithium's Jackpot Lithium Project. Please follow @BeyondLithium on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. For more information, please refer to the Company's website at www.beyondLithium.ca. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In stating the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements of forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the proposed expenditures for exploration work on its properties, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 23, 2022 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release except as otherwise required by law. For further information, please contact: Alan Frame President and CEO Tel: 403-470-8450 Email: allan.frame@beyondLithium.ca Jason Frame Manager of Communications Tel: 587-225-2599 Email: jason.frame@beyondLithium.ca To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171283 VANCOUVER, June 26, 2023 - Orex Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Orex") (TSXV: REX) (OTCQB: ORMNF) as operator of the joint venture, have secured surface access and core storage facilities for exploration on the Sandra Silver-Gold Project, located on lands of the Ejido "Escobar y Anexos" in Guanacevi, Durango, Mexico. The Sandra Project is held by Empresa Minera Sandra-Escobar S.A. de C.V., a 60:40 joint venture between Pan American Silver Corp. (TSX: PAAS) and Orex. A signing ceremony with the executives of the Ejido was conducted on 7 June 2023, with the presentation of a cheque as monetary compensation for the use of the land. The village of Escobar is located approximately 5 kilometres northwest of the Boleras Silver Deposit. Orex's President & CEO, Ben Whiting, P.Geo., said; "Positive engagement with the local community is an important part of our ongoing commitment to social responsibilities. Money provided this way will go directly to the needs of the local community." SANDRA SILVER-GOLD PROJECT, DURANGO, MEXICO The Sandra Silver-Gold Project consists of 6,976 hectares of mineral concessions, covering multiple Tertiary age precious and base metal showings within the Cienega de Escobar caldera complex, on the Mesa Central, west of the Sierra Madre Occidental, in Durango State, Mexico. It is midway between the mining districts of Tovar and Guanacevi. The Boleras Silver Deposit in the southeast part of the caldera complex is a disseminated, low sulphidation epithermal deposit, hosted in a rhyolite crystal lithic tuff. A technical report has been published under NI43-101, describing an Inferred Mineral Resource of 33.3 million ounces of silver in 9.8 million tonnes grading 106 g/t (effective date 25 October 2016). The detailed technical report has been filed with SEDAR and posted on the Orex website for public access. Ben Whiting, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and takes responsibility for the technical disclosure contained in this news release. ABOUT OREX MINERALS INC. Orex Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on precious and base metals exploration in Mexico and Canada. Orex has several current projects: Two projects are located in Durango State, Mexico, the Sandra Silver-Gold Project with Pan American Silver Corp. and the Coneto Gold-Silver Project with Fresnillo PLC. The third project is the Jumping Josephine Gold Project in British Columbia, Canada. Orex is managed by the experienced Belcarra Group Management Ltd. (the "Belcarra Group"), comprised of highly qualified mining professionals. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ben Whiting. P.Geo. President and CEO www.orexminerals.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the planned program and budget for the Project. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements and Orex undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company's most recently filed annual management discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.orexminerals.com. The risk factors identified in the MD&A are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surface-access-and-core-storage-facilities-secured-for-the-sandra-silver-gold-project-in-northwestern-durango-state-mexico-301862468.html SOURCE Orex Minerals Inc. Vancouver, June 26, 2023 - Westward Gold Inc. (CSE:WG), (OTC:WGLIF), (FSE:IM50) ("Westward" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 5,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.12 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to C$600,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company at a price of C$0.18 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. If the closing market price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") is greater than C$0.35 per Common Share for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days any time after the four-month anniversary of the closing of the Offering, the Company may deliver a notice (the "Acceleration Notice") to the holder notifying them that the Warrants must be exercised within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the Acceleration Notice, otherwise the Warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m. EST on the thirtieth (30th) calendar day after the date of the Acceleration Notice. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used primarily to fund follow-up work from the Company's recent diamond drilling at its flagship Toiyabe Project, advance potential accretive M&A opportunities, and for general working capital purposes, including upcoming annual BLM claim maintenance fees. Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including from the CSE. The Common Shares and Warrants issued in relation to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable securities laws. Certain finder's fees may also be payable to qualifying parties in accordance with the policies of the CSE. The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Westward Gold Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on developing the Toiyabe, Turquoise Canyon, and East Saddle Projects located in the Cortez Hills area of Lander County, Nevada, and the Coyote and Rossi Projects located along the Carlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. From time to time, the Company may also evaluate the acquisition of other mineral exploration assets and opportunities. For further information contact: Andrew Nelson Chief Financial Officer Westward Gold Inc. +1 (604) 828-7027 andrew@westwardgold.com www.westwardgold.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains or incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed, to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potential", "on track", "forecast", "budget", "target", "outlook", "continue", "plan" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms. Such statements include, but may not be limited to, information as to strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as the Company's expansion plans, project timelines, expected drilling targets, and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future plans and performance. Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company's properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company's material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons, availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs, that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames, that current geological models and interpretations prove correct, the results of ongoing work programs may lead to a change of exploration priorities, and the efforts and abilities of the senior management team. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. These and other factors may cause the Company to change its exploration and work programs, not proceed with work programs, or change the timing or order of planned work programs. Additional risk factors and details with respect to risk factors that may affect the Company's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are set out in the Company's latest management discussion and analysis under "Risks and Uncertainties", which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION, RELEASE, OR PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, June 26, 2023 - (TSX: EOX): ("Euromax" or the "Company") is pleased to report that all resolutions proposed, as set out in the Notice of Meeting dated 18 May 2023, were duly passed at its Annual General Meeting held in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia on Monday, June 26, 2023. At the Meeting, each of the individuals nominated by management for election as a director of the Company were duly elected and the number of directors of the Company was fixed at eight (8) in accordance with the Company's Articles. The results are as follows: Name of Nominee Vote For % Tim Morgan-Wynne 308,082,872 98.98 % Ali Vezvaei 308,087,872 98.98 % Nicolas Treand 308,087,872 98.98 % Martyn Konig 308,095,031 98.98 % James Burke 308,095,031 98.98 % Ivan Vutov 308,087,872 98.98 % Stanislav Delchev 308,090,031 98.98 % Patrick Forward 308,082,872 98.98 % out of 311,270,579 registered votes that vote for proposed nominees Re-Appointment of Auditors BDO LLP were re-appointed as auditors of the Company, to hold office until the next annual general meeting of Shareholders, and the directors were authorized to fix their remuneration. Approval of the amended the Company's Restricted Share Unit plan ("RSU Plan") The proposed increase of the RSU Plan's limit to 49,001,332 common shares was approved. The Board & Management wishes to express its thanks to all shareholders for their support. Board Appointments The Company further announces that the following members have been appointed to the Board Committees: Audit Committee Stanislav Delchev (Chair), James Burke, Martyn Konig and Ali Vezvaei; Compensation Committee Martyn Konig (Chair), Ali Vezvaei and James Burke; Technical Committee Greg Morris (Chair), Tim Morgan-Wynne and Patrick Forward. Notice for eligibility for continued listing on Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") The Company also announces that it has received notice from the TSX that the TSX is reviewing the eligibility for continued listing of the Company's securities pursuant to Part VII of the TSX Company Manual. Specifically, the TSX is reviewing the continued listing criteria outlined in sections 709, 710(a)(i) (financial conditions and/or operating results), section 710(c)(i) (minimum required expenditures of C$350,000 on exploitation and/or development work or C$3 million from sale of commodities in the most recent year), section 710(c)(ii) (applicable working capital and appropriate capital structure) and section 716 (management deficiencies or corporate governance). The Company is being reviewed under the Remedial Review Process and has been granted 120 days to comply with all requirements for continued listing. If the Company cannot demonstrate that it meets all TSX requirements set out in Part VII of the Manual on or before October 20, 2023, the Company's securities will be delisted 30 days from such date. The Company will examine whether the TSX Venture Exchange would be a more appropriate exchange for the listing of its securities. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Tim Morgan-Wynne, who is acting as Executive Chairman, has been appointed as CEO of the Company. This appointment satisfies one of the above outlined criteria for the TSX review on the eligibility for continued listing of the Company, i.e. section 716 (management deficiencies or corporate governance). About Euromax Resources Ltd. Euromax has a major development project in North Macedonia and is focused on building and operating the Ilovica-Shtuka gold-copper project. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that are forward-looking, such as those relating to the Company's potential courses of action in response to recent decisions by agencies of the government of North Macedonia, including potential legal appeals to other courts of applicable jurisdiction in North Macedonia or the pursuit of international arbitration processes; the results of any such appeals or legal processes that may be pursued by the Company, if any; any future decisions, whether by way of appeal or otherwise, of any agency of the government of North Macedonia or of any court of applicable jurisdiction; whether or not any decision of any agency of the government of North Macedonia or of any court of applicable jurisdiction would be favourable to the Company's interests; whether or not any decision of an agency of the government of North Macedonia or of any court of applicable jurisdiction that was favourable to the Company's interests would be implemented by applicable government authorities or could otherwise be enforced by the Company; potential investments in the Ilovica-Shtuka Project, with or without the support of any of the Company's current or future third-party investors; the potential impact of any investment by the Company or any third-party investor on the development of the Ilovica-Shtuka Project; the effect of the development of the Ilovica-Shtuka Project on the economy of North Macedonia, including the number of jobs which may be produced in connection therewith; the results of operations and financial condition of the Company; permitting and licensing matters related to the Ilovica-Shtuka Project; capital spending by the Company; financing sources available to the Company, including from any current or future third-party investors in the Company; commodity prices; mineral resources; and property evaluation plans and programmes. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the dates the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company, including its annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 and financial statements and related MD&A for the financial years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 along with the accompanying MD&A, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available on SEDAR. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are as of the date of this document, and are subject to change after this date. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Euromax disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. SOURCE Euromax Resources The Red Bull Ring will once again play host to the 2023 Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. This year's event takes place between June 30 and July 2. Given the location, it is one of the most popular races for Max Verstappen fans travelling from The Netherlands. It's also a popular venue for F1 fans spread around Europe. Here is some travel advice for flights, trains and buses. Article continues under ad Driving is likely to be the easiest way of travelling to the circuit. Camping is a popular option at most European Grands Prix, and the Austrian event is no different. The circuit is a two-hour drive from Vienna, Austria's capital, and is linked via the A2 Autobahn [motorway] and then the S6. This route also runs close to Graz. Nearest airports to the Red Bull Ring The nearest airport to the Red Bull Ring is in Graz. The Flughden Graz [GRZ] is just a one-hour drive to the circuit, primarily using the A9. However, there are no direct flights from the United Kingdom to this airport. It's mainly just short-haul flights from destinations such as Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and even Vienna. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam, so this could be an option for the Orange Army if they don't want to drive. For fans further away, Vienna is the best airport to aim for. There are direct flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh if you're located in the United Kingdom. There are also arrivals from France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece and many more European locations. If you're coming from the United States, there is an easy connection from various cities, including Dublin. Hiring a car from the airport is a good option, but other methods are available. Taking the train to the Red Bull Ring The nearest train station to the Red Bull Ring is Knittelfeld. This train station has lines linking to many major cities, including Vienna. It takes around three hours to travel from the capital city by train. Free shuttle bus services are available from Knittelfeld station, running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Article continues under ad Taking the bus to the Red Bull Ring Over 170 places in Austria have long-distance bus services to the Red Bull Ring for the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix. This includes Salzburg, Carinthia and Styria. Check out what time you'll need to be at the circuit for here. F1 to turn up engine volume in 2026 Formula 1 will turn up the engine volume with the new regulations from 2026, the sport's CEO has announced. Lewis Hamilton, Canadian GP 2023 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. Formula 1 will turn up the engine volume with the new regulations from 2026, the sport's CEO has announced. Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted recently that the old scream of the pre-2014 normally-aspirated engines is one thing he misses about the past. "If we can have clean efficient cars that make lots of noise like the old ones, then that would be pretty cool," he said. That is precisely what F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is intending as the FIA looks to write up the new 2026 rules, which will double the electric or 'hybrid' element of the existing power units. "The intention is to make sure in the new regulation the engine (noise) itself will be higher because that's part of our emotion," the Italian told Australian radio 3AW. "It's music for my ears. "It is really what our fans want to hear and that's the duty for us to commit to that." Domenicali admitted, however, that the trend from the 90s onwards has been in the exact opposite direction. "It's true that we had the 12 cylinders," said the former Ferrari team boss. "It was a different frequency, very loud. "And then 10, eight, six (cylinders). It's not (going) down again." (GMM) Pirelli admits Bridgestone F1 bid a great challenge Pirelli's Formula 1 boss Mario Isola admits the Italian company is facing a "great challenge" in fending off the bid launched by rival tyre maker Bridgestone. Oscar Piastri, Canadian GP 2023 McLaren Pirelli's Formula 1 boss Mario Isola admits the Italian company is facing a "great challenge" in fending off the bid launched by rival tyre maker Bridgestone. It is now all but official that the Japanese marque Bridgestone has entered the tender process to oust Pirelli as F1's sole tyre supplier from 2025. Isola told La Gazzetta dello Sport not only that Pirelli is also applying to remain in F1, but that the company is "already thinking about the 2026 tyres". He also spoke to the specialist German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, which claims that the sport's governing body has already ruled that both Pirelli and Bridgestone are technically capable of securing the 2025 deal. "Now it's time for the second round," said correspondent Michael Schmidt. "Pirelli and Bridgestone are presenting their commercial proposal to F1 management. "This is about sums of between $50 and 100 million that are put purely into sponsor and marketing activities," he added. Isola, however, reminded Schmidt that Pirelli has also made countless other investments into Formula 1, including complying with every one of the sport's wishes over the last 13 years. "We are not just a supplier, but a partner. We have reliably fulfilled every request from Formula 1," he said. "Today we have completely different cars than in 2011. We have invested a lot and part of it was invisible," Isola explained. "We had to adapt our development and production machines, our wind tunnel tyres, our simulations. "But we believe that Formula 1 is a good stage for developing top technology, and we are interested in the sport continuing to thrive," he added. He said another major investment made by Pirelli is the fact that the Formula 1 tyres are produced at not one but two sites - in Turkey and Romania. "That is to ensure the supply of tyres for Formula 1 at all times," said Isola. "If one factory fails, the other would be there." He thinks Pirelli also ticks all of F1 and the FIA's sustainability boxes. "We were the first to receive a three-star rating from the FIA," said Isola. "All of our factories are powered by electricity from renewable energy sources. "We transport 95 percent of the tyres by ocean freight and we no longer have single-use packaging. And there are clear plans for the future to recycle tyres more sustainably." Finally, he insisted that Pirelli also works hand-in-hand with the F1 teams, and is therefore listening to their feedback about the proposed tyre blanket ban. "Some teams think it's too early," said Isola. "But at some point we will go in this direction. "What we have to do is guarantee that the warm-up process lasts one or two sectors only. And we can achieve that," he added. (GMM) FastForward Investment Ghana Limited partners Charles Tyrwhitt to bring premium fashion to Ghanaians Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Jun - 26 - 2023 , 16:02 FastForward Investment Ghana Limited, a leading fashion retailer in Ghana, has announced a partnership with British multi-channel clothing retailer, Charles Tyrwhitt to provide a top quality fashion needs to consumers. The partnership aims to introduce Charles Tyrwhitt to Ghanaian consumers through a franchise model. Over the years, FastForward Investment has grown into a renowned fashion retailer in Ghana with successful franchises like FastForward Sports, Levi's, Clarks, Swatch, and Puma. The partnership signifies FastForward Investment Ghana Limited's commitment to offering a diverse range of international fashion choices to the discerning Ghanaian market. By teaming up with Charles Tyrwhitt, a brand synonymous with quality, durability, and impeccable style, the company aims to enhance the fashion landscape in Ghana and provide customers with access to world-class clothing and accessories. Similarly, FastForward Investment Ghana Limited aims to revolutionise the retail experience in Ghana, offering a blend of international sophistication and local accessibility with the new enterprise. In a presentation, the CEO of FastForward Investment Ghana Limited, Mr. John Onyeoguzoro shared the brand's vision and commitment to providing exceptional products and service. Mr Onyeoguzoro highlighted Charles Tyrwhitt's longstanding mission since its inception over three decades ago. The London-born brand has consistently aimed to deliver exceptional, long-lasting products at unbeatable value for money, while ensuring exemplary customer service. The company embodies a pinch of British charm and a steadfast commitment to doing things properly and responsibly, he said. Having expanded from its flagship store on London's renowned Jermyn Street, Charles Tyrwhitt now boasts a presence across the UK, USA, and Paris. Through strategic partnerships with local retailers and franchises, the brand continues to broaden its global footprint. Hence, the new Charles Tyrwhitt store in Accra Mall, Ghana, will operate as a franchise owned and managed by FastForward Stores, which has an extensive understanding of the Ghanaian market. Charles Tyrwhitt's purpose is to make it easy for men to dress well, whether it be for a casual setting or a professional environment. The brand places strong emphasis on the quality of its clothing and provides a guarantee to customers. The opening of the Charles Tyrwhitt store in Accra Mall therefore marks a significant milestone for both the brand and the Ghanaian market. The collaboration between Fastforward Investment Ghana Limited and Charles Truwhitt is expected to elevate the fashion landscape in Ghana to new heights. By bringing together the strengths and expertise of both companies, this partnership is poised to set the new benchmark for excellence in the Ghanaian fashion industry and provide customers with unparalleled choices that effortlessly blend style and quality. With this successful partnership between Fastforward Investment Ghana Limited and Charles Tyrwhitt, it is clear that Accra Mall shoppers can anticipate a shopping experience that is unparalled in terms of quality, style and customer satisfaction, Mr Onyeoguzuru said. Read also Camidoh loses first BET award to Cameroon's Lady Bianca No more friends for me -Kwaku Manu New crop of artistes do concert party on stage - Lord Kenya Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jun - 26 - 2023 , 19:13 Popular Ghanaian rapper turned evangelist, Abraham Philip Akpor Kojo Kenya widely known as Lord Kenya has lashed out at the poor stage performance of young artistes describing it as concert party. In a viral video sighted by Graphic Showbiz where the Sikabaa hitmaker was in the studios of Akoma FM in Kumasi, he said they didnt make good money in their days but the young artistes are charging huge monies and giving poor performance on stage. it is difficultlook at the boys who dont even know how to perform yet see the amount of money theyre charging nowadays what theyre doing now is concert party. Dont you see them? They only run from one point of the stage to the other, constantly out of breath. They dont have the craft, Lord Kenya said. His comment has started a conversation on social media particularly when he was largely admired as a showstopper in his heyday. Lord Kenyas desire to become a professional musician began at age 17, although he had always nurtured the desire since childhood. He joined Slip Music in 1998 and released his debut album Sika Card which instantly became one of his biggest hits in his career. Among his albums are Sika Card, Sika Baa, Yeesom Sika (which topped charts in Ghana), Sika Mpo Fane Ho, Akasieni, Born Again and God Dey. His awards include Hiplife Album of the Year at the 2001 Ghana Music Award 2001 and Best Ghanaian Rap Music Award at Anansekrom Festival in Canada in 2000. Read also Raphaelina wins Miss Teen Tourism Ghana Camidoh loses first BET award to Cameroon's Libianca Victor Twum Ampofo says AnoDeyTalk Benjamin Xornam Glover Showbiz News Jun - 25 - 2023 , 14:30 AFTER releasing his debut single Bk which featured Akwaboah Jnr., 14-year-old Victor Twum Ampofo is out with a new song AnoDeyTalk. The song which was released on Wednesday, June 14 is produced by Forqzy Beatz. Victor emerged on the music scene when he won Adom TV's reality show Nsroma Season 2 in January 2020. He also emerged winner in the Nsroma Plus (Champions of Champions) Ggand finale in February, 2023 at the Fantasy Dome of Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). The young musician, who is known for his strong vocals and stagecraft has been busy in the classroom and also in the studio combining both academic work with serious rehearsals which has led to this new project. AnoDeyTalk, is a fusion of Afrobeats and Highlife and a pre-cursor to an ambitious release of an EP by the up and coming artiste. The track is about how one likes to be quiet even in a place of gossip since he/she is focused on making progress in life and not what is happening in the lives of others. Though young, the budding musician has performed alongside renowned musicians such as Nana Kwame Ampadu, Amandzeba, Akosua Adjepong, Akwaboah Jnr. among others. Victor, who is presently a Form One Science student of the Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School (PRESEC, Legon) is optimistic of contributing his quota to the Ghanaian Highlife genre with his adopted Afro-Highlife style. Victor is the last of four children of his parents, Patrick Twum Ampofo and Esther Segbedzi who live in Nungua in the Greater Accra Region. Turkiye tractor assembly plant seeks partnership in Ghana Severious Kale-Dery Entertainment Jun - 26 - 2023 , 07:03 He assured the company that the government had laid a solid foundation in the agriculture sector, saying it was time companies such as Hattat Traktor took advantage of the conducive and stable economy to grow their business. Dr Akoto, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic on arrival from Turkiye, explained that, "I briefed the management of the company about the huge investment the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has made in the agric sector." Dr Akoto was in Turkiye as guest speaker at the 2023 African investors council forum organised by the forum on the theme, Agricultural development and investment opportunities in Africa (Ghana as a case study). Dr Akoto explained that the government had confidence in the agricultural sector as the driver of the nation's economy, "and I want Hattat Traktor to be part of the success story. "I took them through what has happened in the agricultural sector over the last six years. "I briefed them about the introduction of the five modules of the Planting for Food and Jobs, one of which is the mechanisation," he recalled. He said his six years on the seat as the Minister of Food and Agriculture had given him a clear view that with the right investment in the agriculture sector in the form of tools and inputs, Ghana can be in a strategic position to feed the sub-region. Importance of tractors Dr Akoto explained that he invited the company to Ghana because of the important role of tractors as important tools in the modernisation of agriculture in the country. "That informed my decision to visit the company to see the possibility of it establishing an assembling plant in the country," he explained. The former minister said the ultimate goal was to get the company to establish a branch of the manufacturing plant in Ghana. The benefits of establishing the manufacturing plant in Ghana are obvious and enormous. Apart from making the machines accessible to our farmers, it will also create jobs for our youth, Dr Akoto told the Daily Graphic. Dr Akoto, a flag bearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said such a plant would not only offer direct jobs, but the indirect ones, where local mechanics would specialise in the repair of as well as those who would learn to operate them. "The company was excited to learn about Ghana and said it would do a follow-up to Ghana to seek local partners in the private sector to start with the assemblying plant," Dr Akoto revealed. He commended the company for showing interest in using Ghana as a gateway to Africa, adding that such a global icon opting to site a branch in Ghana meant that there was a trust in the Ghanaian economy. Dr Akoto explained that Hattat Traktor was a member of the Hattat Group, operating in the areas of automotive and construction machinery industry since 1973. It is among the top 10 companies in the world by providing optimum agricultural vehicles and services for needs and expectations of customers, the former minister added. Agric sector He said the time had come for the world to recognize Africa as an investment hub, especially in the agriculture sector because of the comparative advantages in the continent. Dr Akoto said over the years, the perception of Africa was one of negative propaganda but this perception is gradually giving way to a continent of potential investment destination. He said Ghana was strategically located within the continent with all the needed resources in the agricultural sector. Political ambition Touching on his political ambition, Dr Akoto explained that he was motivated to enter the race to correct all the ills and lead the party to break the eight, which is the mantra of the party. He was convinced of emerging one of the five at the super congress and later picking the flag of the party for the 2024 general election. I have a strong support base across the political divide and I am very convinced that with such a support, especially the farmers, they will deliver me victory, come the December 2024 general election, the confident looking flag bearer hopeful said. GES rolls out professional learning community sessions in SHSs Cassandra Twum-Ampofo Education Jun - 26 - 2023 , 09:15 Education is often cited as one of the most important determinants of Ghanas economic growth because of the crucial role it plays in the development of the country's human capital base. Recognising this, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has initiated plans for a national roll-out of Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions across all senior high schools (SHSs) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTSs) in Ghana. This is aimed at strengthening teachers understanding and adherence to the National Teachers Standards (NTS) and prepare them for the introduction of the new secondary education curriculum which will be rolled out in the 2024/25 academic year. Roll-out of PLC Weekly PLC sessions by the GES with support from the Key Advisor for Teaching and Learning Partnerships at the Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) Professor Jonathan Fletcher, have been piloted since 2022 in 12 SHS and SHTS using structured Handbooks developed in partnership with the National Teaching Council (NTC). In a recent evaluation, it was found that these weekly sessions have had a significant impact on improving teaching and learning in these 12 schools, providing a strong evidence-base for the national scale-up of this approach. To ensure the smooth institutionalisation and roll-out of the PLC sessions across all the 726 schools, the GES organised a five-day training session for a 100-member national training team (NTT) comprising representatives from the GES, T-TEL, SHSs and colleges of education. Training teams The training, which took place in May 2023, focused on equipping the NTT with the necessary skills and resources to support teachers and officers across regional and district education directorates to effectively implement the PLCs in SHSs and SHTSs. The sessions demonstrated how teachers could be supported and equipped with interactive and innovative approaches to make teaching and learning more engaging for students. With a strong focus on leveraging technology and promoting gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), the training also highlighted the importance of socio-emotional learning in the classroom. All approaches used in the training were drawn from the NTS which sets out the values and attitudes, knowledge and practices expected of all professional teachers in Ghana. During the training for the NTT, the focal person between GES and T-TEL at the Schools and Instructions unit at the GES, Faustina Graham, emphasised the importance of the training, stating, "we believe that the national roll-out of PLC will enhance the quality of education in Ghana. We are committed to ensuring that all teachers have access to the resources and support they need to provide high-quality education in our schools, she said. For her part, the National Secondary Education Coordinator at the T-TEL Beryl Opong-Agyei, who is supporting the GES with the national roll-out, expressed appreciation to all participants for their interest in the roll-out of PLCs in the SHSs. Highlighting the significant roles the teams are expected to play over the coming weeks by rolling out the training to over 700 schools, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Ivy Asantewa Owusu encouraged the NTT to continue to support the teachers to ensure that they prepared students to be global citizens who could thrive in the 21st-century workforce and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. The Executive Director of T-TEL Robin Todd, emphasised that the success or otherwise of the new secondary education curriculum hinged to a large extent, on the effective implementation of the weekly PLC sessions in schools with the support of the training teams. He explained that it was the weekly PLC sessions, rather than one-off training courses, which would be used to ensure that all teachers had a strong understanding of the secondary curriculum prior to the national roll-out. "Through these sessions, we hope to support teachers to make learning enjoyable, recognising the individual differences of learners and helping them to develop themselves, regardless of their challenges in learning," Professor Fletcher said. Participants expressed confidence that the training had contributed to their professional growth as well as having broadened their skills set to better enhance their teaching skills and knowledge and to foster a culture of collaboration and excellence in their schools. Participants The Assistant Head Teacher, Academic, at Gambaga Girls SHS, Miftaw Imoro, expressed satisfaction with the depth of knowledge and skills he had acquired through the training. "I am very confident in applying the knowledge learnt from the training because we have been facilitating PLC sessions in the 12 pilot schools and we are seeing positive results. We will also be training regional, municipal and district education office staff next week throughout the country, and the third week, we shall proceed to train school-based staff on PLC sessions facilitations. This will help with the implementation of the new curriculum," Mr Imoro stressed. A teacher from the Mangoase Senior High Esther Okaitso Armah, remarked that "the training has provided me with new and innovative ways to make teaching and learning more interesting and interactive. I have learnt about differentiation, social and emotional learning, that is diversifying your teaching so that the different levels of learners can take part and benefit from your teaching. Some of the things, we already know, some, we have to improve on. Now I am going to be more conscious about some of these competencies and apply them in my lessons, she said. A tutor at the St Louis College of Education, Paul Mensah, firmly believed that the knowledge gained from the training was going to revolutionise the way teaching was carried out in senior high schools. Implementation of PLCs Following the training of the NTT, the GES and NTC successfully completed a two-week school-cluster based PLC training for representatives from 705 SHSs and SHTS across the country. These weekly PLC sessions, facilitated by trained teachers within each school, will help to ensure that all teachers are familiar with the NTS and are able to incorporate concepts related to the GESI, information and communications technology (ICT) and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in their classrooms. These PLC sessions have the potential to bring about lasting positive changes in the countrys secondary education system and can be used to ensure that all teachers understand and embrace the new secondary education curriculum before it is rolled out nationally in the 2024/25 academic year. The writer is the Head of Public Relations Unit, GES 4 more suspects said to have conspired with bank worker to steal GH1.2million shows up in court Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Jun - 26 - 2023 , 18:52 Four more suspects said to have conspired with a bank worker to allegedly steal GH1.2 million from customers accounts showed up at an Accra Circuit Court today. The four, Nicholas Nii Sai, Nana Kwesi Gyimah, Joseph Anim and Othniel Amankwah Darkwah had been mentioned in court at the previous sitting as suspects in the case and the police were looking for them. They showed up in court today but their pleas were not taken. They have however been granted bail to re-appear in court on June 29, 2023. The case investigators are still looking into the case. This brings the total number of accomplices, who have so far reported to the police to 12. 4 more suspects on the run The case investigators are currently pursuing four other suspects in relation to the case. They are Kwame Owusu Boadu, Daniel Osei, Boadu Nana Yaw Adjei and Clinton Asamoah. They are alleged to have conspired with Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, the lead accused person and a former worker of the bank to steal the over GH1.2 million from the banks customers account without their consent. Afriyie was first put before the court presided over by Ellen Ofei-Ayeh on June 14, 2023 alongside the eight other accomplices in relation to the case. The suspects who earlier showed up in court are Cecil Nyamesem Agyarkwa, Richard Aikins, Michael Tweneboah Oppong, Fouad Mohammed, Caleb Bandoh, Benjamin Adoari, Ernest Aryee and Isaac de-Heer. Related article: Bank worker arrested for stealing more than GH1.2million from customers' accounts Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, aged 25, who allegedly withdrew moneys from the customers account, is said to have used their user identity and passwords to undertake the alleged act without the customers consent. The customers accounts he allegedly stole from included that of a former Inspector General of Police and a judge, all of whom are deceased. According to state prosecutors, Afriyie sent the moneys withdrawn from customers accounts to the accounts of his alleged accomplices. Afriyie has been charged with the other accomplices on the charge of conspiracy. Additionally, Afriyie has been charged with 12 counts of stealing. He is currently on remand and all the accomplices have been granted bail. Pleas reserved The pleas of the four new suspects who showed up in court on Monday (June 26, 2023) were not taken, reports Graphic Online's Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye, who was in court. That was after the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Isaac Amankwah, had told the Court that it needed more time to modify the charge sheet. They are to re-appear on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Coding course The facts of the case as read in court by the prosecutor were that, the lead suspect Afriyie who was a contract worker of the bank somewhere in February 2023, registered for an online coding course, which the renewable annual subscription fee was $174.30, equivalent to GH2,287.69. Instead of paying for the course out of his own pocket, the prosecutor said Afriyie rather made the payment on one of the banks customers Visa card on February 6, 2023. "As a result, the complainant and the Fraud team of the bank were gathering evidence on the matter to engage the accused, but he made a swift move to tender in his resignation letter, effective May 31, 2023," Chief Inspector Amankwah said. The Prosecutor added that the sudden resignation and the alleged illegal transaction on the customers visa card by the accused person made the bank officials more suspicious to investigate him in other areas. "The complainant, together with the fraud team, made up of the banks IT experts, detected that on April 20, 2023 the accused by his own machination accessed one of his colleagues User ID and password to change the contact number on another customers accounts," he added. Transfer He added that on April 21, 2023 the accused personally set up an internet and mobile banking access on the same customers account, using his own User ID and password, after which he had access and started operating on the account without the victim customer receiving an SMS alert. "Therefore, from April 21 to May 12, 2023, the accused with full access to the said account, fraudulently transferred a total of GH945,133.00 including charges from the accounts to a number of people," he said. Chief Inspector Amankwah revealed that the accused transferred GH90,000.00 to a girlfriend of another accused person, GH180,000.00 to anothers account; GH30,000.00 together with other transfers in tranches of GH30,000.00 on different dates within the said period to other accused persons accounts in different banks. On May 9, 2023 from 7:21am to 7:32am, the accused further used another colleague and that of the branch Managers Users IDs to change and authorise the contact numbers of eleven customers accounts, including the account of the deceased judge and the former IGP, who is also deceased and other customers and replaced them with only one contact phone number. The prosecutor told the court that the accused used eleven minutes to complete these processes, after which he used his own User ID to set up online and mobile banking for these accounts on May 10, 2023. Arrest On May 11, 2023 he transferred tranches of GH50,000.00 to other accounts and repeated that the next day. "From those transfers, the receivers stated in their respective investigation cautioned statements that the accused came to their shops to purchase Iphone 14 Pro Max and requested for their bank accounts details and forwarded the same to him to effect those transfers into their accounts," he added. Again on May 15, 2023, the prosecutor said the complainant on behalf of the bank petitioned the Director General of CID in respect of GH1,207,017.00 theft detected in furtherance to the Visa Card case but failed to report to the police. On June 4, 2023, the accused together with his girlfriend, who stood as surety for him attempted to escape from the jurisdiction to Dubai, but he was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport by the Ghana Immigration Service and handed over to the police. Ahafo locals gear up for business opportunities from Newmonts next mine Suleiman Mustapha Jun - 26 - 2023 , 07:48 Newmont Mining and Ghana are on the brink of reaping huge rewards from the forthcoming development of a new gold mine at Ahafo North which is expected to produce between 350,000 and 375,000 ounces of gold each year over its projected 13-year mine life. The mining giant is expected to start production from mid-2025 to pour the first gold. But the immediate and biggest beneficiaries will be the local communities in the area where the mine is located. Newmont is already the biggest gold mining company in Ghana, where its two mines currently operating in Ahafo South and Akyem respectively - cumulatively deliver close to one million ounces a year. Ghanas economy itself is enjoying a surge in global gold prices to record highs of close to $2,000 per ounce, regardless of the global economic uncertainties. The gold price surge is not only attracting lots of new investment into formal large scale gold mining but is also encouraging the resumption of production in relatively high cost mines that had hitherto been shut down because they were not financially viable. For the local communities in Ahafo North, Newmonts forthcoming new mine will be a game changer, a situation made possible by the fact that over the past nearly two decades they have looked on enviously as their neighbours to the immediate south have benefitted far more than they have from the companys oldest flagship Ahafo South mine which currently produces about 600,000 ounces a year, and whose operating life span has been extended further with the commencement of underground mining at its Subika pit. Now, however, the local communities in Ahafo North are realising how the benefits will be like even before the actual mine construction begins. While civil society tends to assess the social responsibility of mining companies by their CSR expenditure, Newmont is looking to widen the scope by focusing more than any other mining firm in Ghana has ever done before on sustainable economic empowerment. This primarily involves preparing locals for both employment at the mine during both the construction and actual mining phases, and for exploiting unfolding business opportunities as contractors and suppliers. Contractors, suppliers But the company, acutely aware that not everyone can be employed at the forthcoming mine or can be a supplier or contractor is also supporting initiatives that will enable locals to earn their living from other activities, particularly agriculture which traditionally has been the predominant field of economic activity in the area. The Ahafo North mine will create 1,800 jobs during the construction phase although many of these will inevitably be temporary. But even when completed and in actual production, there will still be some 550 jobs which would have been provided. Newmont has already entered a formal agreement which stipulates that this year, as mine construction commences, 40 per cent of all the vacancies created will be filled by indigenes of the host communities, with this proportion rising to 53 per cent within the next five years. Importantly, Newmont aims to live up to its claim that diversity is one of its core corporate values the company aims to ensure that 50 per cent of those jobs go to women. Mining is not just a highly technical industry; Newmont as the industry leader insists on the highest standards. Furthermore, lacking any glamour, the mining industry is heavily male dominated. This will present formidable challenges with regard to meeting those targets since the host communities lack skilled labour, particularly technically prepared women. Consequently, a key component of Newmonts preparedness effort towards developing its Ahafo North mine is its construction worker training programme (CWTP). Training in batches This is a three-month programme established by Newmont to train, in batches, 168 artisans from the host communities in welding, fabrication, scaffolding, steel bending, carpentry, masonry, equipment operation and crane operation as well as offering temporary job opportunities through its contractors during the construction of the mine. All 168 trainees are locals from the ten communities that host the forthcominging Ahafo North mine and the Ahafo South mine which has been producing for nearly two decades. So far, 72 trainees have completed their three-month training in welding and fabrication, scaffolding and steel bending with international, national and local training institutions. Importantly, the training will make them employable by other extractive industry companies after the construction work at Ahafo North has been completed Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Andries Havenger, the Project Director for the forthcoming new mine, affirmed that the training programme was established to enhance their capacity to meet required standards and approved certifications required for delivering work for Newmont and future work opportunities within the wider extractives industry. The remaining 96 trainees will be trained in four batches of 24 each. Training has commenced for 48 of them in carpentry and masonry, while preparations are underway for training to commence in equipment and crane operation later this year. Communities from Ahafo North are getting 92 slots under the initiative while Ahafo Souths communities are getting the other 76. The aim is for women to get half of the slots available. Opportunities There will be lots of business opportunities on offer to local enterprises as well. Importantly Newmont has reserved a certain proportion for enterprises which it calls local-local, meaning businesses owned by indigenes of the 10 host communities where its two Ahafo mines are located. Specific proportions have also been reserved for businesses designated simply as local which means enterprises owned by people from that part of the country but not necessarily the 10 host communities in Ahafo itself. Not only has Newmont ringed fenced packages (goods and services) for local-local businesses; it is offering them capacity building opportunities to enable them to qualify as contractors and suppliers in the first place under the companys strict quality standards as well as for business continuity. This is being done under a structured enhanced local Procurement Programme (ELPP). Here, Newmont is enthusiastic that its local sourcing will create even more employment opportunities indirectly provided through its contractors and suppliers. Local-local cliche To this end, Newmont has a register of local businesses (broken down into local-local and simply local sub -categories) eligible for contracts and this register is being regularly updated as more qualified businesses sign up. Newmont Ahafos manager for external and community relations explains that the company is teaching local enterprises about the companys procurement processes and requirements. He said in 2023 alone, local-local enterprises will be presented with business opportunities worth some Ghc3 billion. This is expected to grow further next year as construction of the mine accelerates. One major opportunity reserved for local-local enterprises is the building of 250 houses for the resettlement of the households which need to be moved out of the mining area to enable the construction of the Ahafo North mine. The supply of construction materials for the mine itself will also offer substantial opportunities for local enterprises. Newmont executives claim they want to leave their host communities wealthy when the mines life expires, expectedly around 2038. Bawumia cuts sod for construction of Ability Village Benjamin Xornam Glover Jun - 26 - 2023 , 06:24 The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said the government is working on a policy to give Faith-Based Organisations (FBO) that meet a particular threshold in terms of provision of social services, some incentives to empower them. He acknowledged the enormous roles FBOs continue to play in the area of education, health and care for persons with disability, among others, to improve the standard of people in society. Dr Bawumia announced this last Saturday during a sod-cutting ceremony for work to begin on a 2,000-acre, 9,000-home Integrated Community and Empowerment Centre for Persons With Disability (PWDs) at Agortor-Kope in the Osudoku Traditional Area of the Greater Accra Region. Intervention Known as the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) Ability Village, the enclave is designed to support and empower PWDs skills training and specialist health care to promote their full participation in all facets of society. The first phase of the project covers an area of 200 acres and is expected to cost $85.3 million. The project will be funded through donations, corporate and international donor contributions as well as by individual philanthropists. Project The CEM Ability Village will have an Empowerment Centre to provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and other skills training to address the employment challenges of PWDs, an ultra-modern hospital to cater for the specific needs of PWDs, as well as a technology centre to focus on software development and hardware assembly, and repair. It will also have an advocacy, counselling, guidance and information service; assisted living and affordable housing support and support for PWDs to venture into agriculture. Commendation Dr Bawumia commended the leadership of the church for conceiving and undertaking such a major project. "I am clear in my mind that faith-based organisations who provide so much in the areas of education, healthcare and looking at the needs of PWDs must be provided special attention and incentives by the government to empower them to continue to provide these services to our dear country," he said. Dr Bawumia noted that PWDs faced a variety of social, attitudinal, physical, educational, transportation and communication barriers in their everyday lives which affected their full inclusion in society. Those barriers, the Vice-President said, resulted in negative consequences such as social exclusion, physical and mental health challenges, discrimination, stigmatisation, low self-esteem and financial difficulties. Marginalisation The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CEM Ability Village, Rev. Dr Steve Mensah, said PWDs in Ghana had been marginalised and their situation prompted the church to support them every year with the provision of basic needs and free medical services. He said the idea of an empowerment centre was to institutionalise the support of CEM offered PWDs to enable them to fulfil their dreams and aspirations in order to contribute meaningfully to society. The Paramount Chief of the Osudoku Traditional Area, Nene Aadegbor Ngmongmowuyaa Kwesi Animle VI, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the CEM for extending the project to the area which would contribute to the opening up of the area for development. The Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation, Rita Kusi Kyeremaa, said PWDs constituted about 8 per cent of Ghana's current constitution who unfortunately continued to have limited access to services in terms of health, education, employment and other services. Catholic bishop bemoans pentecostalisms influence on church Joshua Bediako Koomson Jun - 26 - 2023 , 06:34 The Catholic Bishop of Ho, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, has expressed worry over the influence of pentecostalism on the Catholic Church which, he said, had led to the fading away of many popular Catholic devotions in many churches. He explained that Catholic devotions were particular customs and acts of worship to God and in honour of the saints that were observed in addition to the liturgy of the church. Those devotions, he said, were the manifestation of the churchs profound love for God, rooted in service and worship to God and also an expression of readiness to give honour and glory to God whether in public or in private prayer. Therefore, these devotions should not be seen as outmoded or irrelevant to the contemporary Catholic. They remain forms of Catholic spirituality that can enhance our encounter with God and bring us closer as a community in prayer, he said. Most Rev. Fianu, who doubles as the Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, was giving a lecture at this years Biennial Marshall Moreau Murat Memorial Lecture, which was held at the Christ the King Parish Hall in Accra last Friday. In his lecture, he proposed some spiritual pathways that, he believed, contemporary Christians had abandoned and needed to be rediscovered and reused. The two-day lecture was held on the theme: The Quest of a Christian for Spirituality- Some Pathways for Catholics and Marshallans in Particular. The Biennial Marshall Moreau Murat Memorial lecture was instituted in 1989 by the Noble Order of Knights of Marshall in Memory of Sir James Marshall, a Scotsman who served as Chief Justice in the then Gold Coast, after whom the Noble Order was named. Minimalism The bishop observed that many contemporary Catholics had become minimalists and preferred to go to where Christianity was less demanding. Some Catholics find the church too demanding so they prefer to go where Christianity sounds less demanding but if we read the scriptures carefully and study the teachings of the church, we have to conclude that minimalism has no place in the church. We have some uncommitted Catholics who have no time for catechesis, workshops, seminars, recollections and retreats, among others. So this fight against minimalism in the church eludes them, Most Rev. Fianu said. He said the knowledge of God that such people had was just the basics of the Christian faith and they did little to progress from there. Such minimalists are just proud to attend Mass on Sundays and pay their monthly dues but nothing more because they only believe that their dues card must be in order, he said. Such minimalist Catholics, he said, needed to read the scriptures and discuss good Catholic writings in order to know more about God. Most Rev. Fianu urged them to put the little knowledge that they had into practice and gain practical experience of what it meant to believe in God. For those who were continuous learners and dynamic Catholics, Most Rev. Fianu said they welcomed opportunities to know and loved God as well as the church more and always sought to become the best versions of themselves. He explained that a dynamic Catholic had a regulated prayer pattern, was committed to continuous learning, was very generous with his or her time, and committed to sharing the beauty of the Christian faith with others. He further said the church as a whole must be prepared to make Catholic learning materials easily available so that the faithful could obtain the knowledge they needed and grow in faith. We must also use the mass media to disseminate catholic content and not limit ourselves to catechism hours and the sermons during Mass, Most Rev Fianu said. Chaotic scenes as heavy rains cause flooding on Takoradi-Tarkwa road George Folley Jun - 25 - 2023 , 12:59 Commuters travelling along the Takoradi-Tarkwa route on Friday faced a distressing ordeal as a section of the road near Saint Mary Boys Senior High School became flooded. George Folley reported from Takoradi that they were forced to walk for over an hour, wading through flooded areas from Beahu to Apremdo in order to board vehicles to Takoradi. In the midst of incessant rainfall throughout the day, commuters, some carrying their luggage on their armpits and heads, treacherously made their way through the flooded sections to reach their destinations. Unfortunately, even school buses carrying children were caught in the chaos, with some of the children becoming distressed as the journey home was delayed. Parents and volunteers stepped in to carry children on their backs, helping them cross the "temporary river" to avoid any potential harm. These dedicated volunteers also guided commuters through dangerous stretches of the road. The condition of the road, which resembled deep gullies, left hundreds of stranded vehicles unable to pass through the flooded area. Drivers were understandably hesitant to navigate the treacherous waters for fear of being washed away. Some of the commuters, including this reporter - George Folley-, took it upon themselves to guide the drivers on the best course of action to prevent them from being swept away by the raging floodwaters. Residents of the area were seen navigating their way through the floodwaters to reach their homes, some attempting to salvage a few belongings. The Saint Mary Boys Senior High School area has gained a notorious reputation among commuters as a flood-prone zone during the rainy season. Travel from Takoradi to other parts of the Western Region, particularly Tarkwa, Sefwi Wiawso, Elubo, Axim, and Atuabo, was brought to a standstill due to the dire road conditions. Frustrated drivers expressed their grievances, citing the poor state of the road and the lack of a drainage system in the Apowa area as contributing factors to this recurring problem. They said despite multiple appeals through their transport unions, no significant action has been taken to address the situation. Some opportunistic drivers took advantage of the circumstances to charge exorbitant fares, much to the dismay of the already frustrated commuters. Expressing disappointment, a German volunteer, Heize Karl, expressed hope that solutions would be found to address this recurring issue. Most parts of the Western Region have experienced heavy rainfall for nearly a week, resulting in numerous communities, including Awusedjoe and Ayiem, being submerged. In low-lying areas near the Butre River, residents of Ewusedzoe had to seek shelter with family members residing in higher elevations. The state of the Takoradi-Tarkwa road is beyond description, with potholes resembling deep gullies spanning from the stalled interchange to Awusedjoe. Drivers had to rely on their skills and expertise to navigate a road that was once a source of pride for the Western Region. Ghana commemorates slaves emancipation day Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Jun - 26 - 2023 , 12:02 Ghana has hosted its first commemoration of the declaration of emancipation of slaves, popularly known as Juneteenth, in Accra. The event, more popular in the USA, is held on June 19 each year to celebrate the freeing of African Americans who were enslaved over 400 years ago. It is a national holiday in that country. The commemoration, held in Accra, was to recognise the efforts and struggle of the over 2,000 enslaved African American in Texas who received the news of their freedom two years after the proclamation. The day was marked by the African American Association of Ghana in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Diaspora Affairs with a parade from the W.E.B Dubois Centre to the Gold Coast Lounge where many gathered to make memories and celebrate the day. Juneteenth The term Juneteenth is derived from combining June and 19th, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865 for slaves in Texas. It is broadly celebrated by African-American culture and was first recognised as a federal holiday in 2021, when the US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. African spirit The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman, said the day was a throwback and a representation of the survival and resilience of the African Spirit. Juneteenth is not just a day to march and celebrate but it is also a day that reminds us that no other race could have gone through what our forefathers went through and survived so today we celebrate the survival and resilience of the African spirit, he said. He added that the day was to celebrate the rich African culture and heritage and to be reminded that there was still more work to be done. Even though we are free, we need a mental emancipation so that we can realise that wherever you are, you are reminded that you have a home called Africa and those of us in Africa also need to be reminded that our brothers and sisters on the other side also struggle with social injustice and are fighting for equality for all, he said. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, stated that the government had put in effort and placed value on people in the diaspora because it believed in the value they brought to the table. He encouraged all people from the diaspora to see the country as their home and feel free to be part of the activities geared towards Pan Africanism. We place a lot of value on our people from the diaspora because we know what you bring on board, we know that if we bring you on board as part of the growth of Africa, we can grow at a faster pace, he said. Spirit of resistance The President of the African American Association of Ghana, Diallo Sumbry said it was important and significant to commemorate the day in the country because Ghana was at the forefront of resistance. The spirit of resistance started right here in Ghana and that spirit is what they carried across over the sea and that resistance went through up to Juneteenth, he said. He said the aim of the association was to promote cultural, social, spiritual and economic well-being, while reintegrating into Ghanaian society. We strive to facilitate the cultural, social, educational and economic integration of African Americans and other people of African descent returning from the diaspora into Ghanaian society, he added. Graphic MD receives outstanding CEO award Joshua Bediako Koomson Jun - 26 - 2023 , 00:00 The Managing Director (MD) of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Ato Afful, has been honoured with the Outstanding Corporate Chief Executive Officer (CEO) award in recognition of his distinguished leadership and innovation in the area of newspaper and the printing industries. The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the Overall Best Entrepreneur of the Year went to the Executive Chairman of B5 Plus Group, Mukesh Thakwani, with the Executive Director of the Melcom Group, Sonya Sadhwani, taking home the Overall Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. They received the awards at the 13th edition of the Ghana Entrepreneurs and Corporate Executive Awards in Accra last Friday. A citation accompanying Mr Affuls award read: You have contributed to the promotion of effective print media services through your sterling leadership, achievement, business excellence and professionalism in the previous year which has contributed to the success of Graphic Communications Group Ltd in supporting the economic development of Ghana. The Market Research Manager of the GCGL, Adwoa Oforiwaa Turkson, received the award on behalf of Mr Afful. The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG) organised the awards in collaboration with the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) to celebrate and honour successful entrepreneurs, corporate CEOs and public service CEOs who have had a significant and positive impact on the economy, sustained business performance and adhered to good corporate governance. Some other awardees The Ghana Greatest Entrepreneur of All time awards went to the Chairman of the Kalmoni Group, Jalal Kalmoni; the Founder and Chairman of J. K. Horgle Transport and Co. Ltd, Joseph K. Horgle, and the Executive Chairman of Delta Paper Mill Ltd and Alpha Industries Ltd, Marc Skaf, while the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Maher Kheir, received the Outstanding Ambassador of the Year Award. Economic superhighway The Director-General of SIGA, Edward Boateng, congratulated the awardees on their contributions to the countrys economy and urged them to continue to make an impact in their respective fields. He further urged the public sector to create an economic superhighway so that the private sector could ride on it. The private sector rides on the back of the public sector. Fortunately, in our situation, the public sector, in a lot of instances, focuses on job creation, he said. For that reason, Mr Boateng indicated that SIGA, for its part, was working with the state to create that economic superhighway by working with public sector organisations and state-owned organisations (SOEs). To be able to do that, the SIGA Director-General said some fundamentals had to be in place first which included compliance. Public sector organisations need to understand that they have to pay their taxes, their key performance indicators (KPI) have to be enforced to create an enabling environment for themselves and that environment will then help the private sector to also grow, he said. Mr Boateng also urged the public sector to change how it operated and be mindful of its decisions which went a long way to affect the private sector. This is why we are hoping to create a strategic collaboration between the private and the public sector by first making sure that the public sector organisations are very strong, Mr Boateng said. In the last four years, he said SIGA had a lot to be proud of, particularly looking at the number of entities that were submitting their audited accounts on time and also involving the private sector in their business. Licensure examination: GNAT calls for national dialogue to address mass failure of teachers Emmanuel Bonney Jun - 26 - 2023 , 08:27 The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called for a national dialogue of stakeholders to find solution to the mass failure of prospective teachers in the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE). That, it said was unacceptable because the country had invested so much in the training of the teachers and yet, they were not recruited despite the many empty classrooms across the country. The General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, who made the call, also described the failure of the teachers as financial loss to the state in view of the huge investment made in them, since without the license, there was no way they could teach in the country. Mr Musah was reacting to a Daily Graphic report that out of 7,728 prospective teachers who sat again for the GTLE last month, only 1,277 passed. I think this should be a wake-up call for all of us and there is the need for a national dialogue. This is for the National Teaching Council (NTC) to present this particular results for the stakeholders to interrogate , he said in the interview. The figure as released by the NTC represents 16.5 per cent of the candidates who sat again for the examination introduced to license teaching practitioners. The candidates were examined in numeracy, literacy and professional skills. A pre-release interview with the Registrar of the GTLE, Dr Christian Addai-Poku, indicated that all the candidates had sat for the exam at least twice, with some sitting for as many as nine times. Meanwhile, sources within the other teacher unions said they would meet next week to come out with their position on the performance of would-be teachers in the licensure examination. Dialogue Mr Musah described the result as a source of grave concern which needed a frank dialogue among stakeholders to find a solution to it. There should be a national dialogue where all the players involved must be heard. Why is it that we have such a mass failure? That platform must be created for them to speak and the Ministry of Education would have to take this matter up seriously. If it is the case that the NTC is not doing something right, I believe that the scholars that would be present there would also speak to it. This is because, they would want to know the marking scheme, know how it scores and get to know the test items and all that, he said and that would inform how training should be done for the teachers so that the various institutions would not operate in isolation. Bad investment? Mr Musah was concerned that the outcome of the licensure exams did not reflect the investment being made in training educators. We are investing heavily in these institutions, particularly the colleges of education, to the extent of giving trainees allowances, he said. Why should we spend millions of cedis to train people only for us to be told that at the end of the day, only 20 per cent passed. If you have investment would you continue to put it in such a product?, he asked, and called for a well coordinated training of the teachers at the colleges so as to ensure the progress of the countrys educational sector. Image In trying to find a solution to the problem, the GNAT General Secretary said there was the need to find out where the challenge was coming from; whether it was through the entry requirements and what training institutions (University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba and the colleges of education) were doing in terms of content, among other things. He said the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) needed to also help in the matter by finding out what the institutions were not doing right. I believe that this is a nice opportunity to correct it, he emphasised. SDG Mr Musah said the country had made a promise to the international community under the Sustainable Development Goal, specifically goal four that no one should be left behind. With some seven years to go, he wondered whether that goal would be achieved with the current situation of the teachers. Addressing the issue, he said would help the country to meet the SDG Goal Four, as well as help to respond to the Human Capital Index Report of the World Bank. Public health alert: Poor handling of 'Tuo Zaafi' flour [VIDEO] Graphic Online Jun - 25 - 2023 , 22:59 As part of its surveillance activities, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) recently noted an emerging trend in the poor handling of the key ingredients used in the preparation of Tuo Zaafi which requires prompt actions from all. Worrying trend A statement issued by the public relations unit of the FDA noted the unhealthy practice of drying of corn and cassava flour used for the preparation of Tuo Zaafi on some pavements along the Kanda Highway in Accra, exposing the flour to dust and other contaminants. A visit by the FDA officials to the location in March 2023 revealed that this unhealthy practice was being used by both market women and millers to remove any form of moisture from the flour for effective storage, the statement said. Intervention It said initial engagements with market women and millers on site showed they were oblivious of the potential health hazards associated with the practice. While on site, the officials sensitised the market women and millers to the harmful effects of such practices and in April 2023, the FDA embarked on various activities to engage the market women and millers as part of its consumer education drive, the statement said. It said subsequently, those involved in the unhealthy practice cooperated with the FDA officials and sought to put an end to the practice by devising better and effective alternative means. Collaboration The statement said further efforts had also been made by the authority to engage local authorities such as assembly members, officials of the Roads and Highway Authority and the law enforcement agencies to work with market women and millers to ensure compliance. This, like many other food safety measures, requires collective efforts and we all ought to join in the fight to end this menace and avoid any future outbreak of food borne diseases, the statement added. Support democratic system - Lebanese Ambassador tells Law students Raymond Arthur Jun - 26 - 2023 , 08:07 The Lebanon Ambassador to Ghana, Maher Kheir, has urged students of the Ghana School of Law to play an active role in the legal industry to deepen democracy. He said Ghanas growing democracy needed more robust practitioners who would speak truth to power and uphold professional standards to ensure equality and protection of minority groups in society. He made the remarks when the Lebanese Community awarded scholarships to eight brilliant students at the Ghana School of Law for the 2022/2023 academic year. The eight were Emmanuel Boamah, Isaac Awortwe, Sefakor Jasmine Kwamuar, Vivian Esinam Sena Woanyah, Frederick Agaaya Adongo, Christine Selikem Lassey, Martinson Yeboah Bediako and Maureen Kyere. Mr Kheir noted that from independence to the Fourth Republic, Ghanas position as a pioneer in African democracy had rested on the able shoulders of a strong justice system. Over the years, he said, this democracy had been tested through several constitutional procedures, and that each time, Ghana had proven to be a superpower in global politics. Thanks to the illustrious work of legal professionals, the peace, equality and human rights of people remain protected under the law, he added. The diplomat stressed that an effective legal system and economic grwoth were linked together, insisting that Ghana had become a preferred choice for foreign investment due largely to the healthy business climate in the country. The stability in this great country has made Ghana a preferred destination for business and investment in the sub-region. Several foreigners are moving in to either settle or start businesses that will help the local economy, he said. Anniversary He stated that the results of the scheme in the last 10 years had inspired the community to do more to assist more Ghanaian students and to deepen the friendly relations between the two countries. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the scholarship scheme this year, were motivated to do even more to support legal education, deepen our relation with the GSL and to strengthen bilateral relations with Ghana, he said. Speaking on behalf of the Director of the Ghana School of Law, the Registrar, Mrs Juliet Adu-Adjei, thanked the Ambassador and the Lebanese Community for consistently supporting their students over the years. We are very grateful for this sponsorship given to our students. It is very timely and we dont take it for granted, she said. The scholarship, she noted, continued to ease the burden on the students, and gave them the flexibility to concentrate on their academic work towards success. She appealed to the Lebanese Community to consider expanding the scholarship scheme to enroll more needy students. We would like to repeat our appeal for you and the community to possibly expand the programme and increase the number of beneficiaries from the Ghana School of Law in subsequent years. There are many students here who really need such support for their education, she stressed. She emphasised that the school would continue to provide the right atmosphere to champion academic excellence and to promote quality legal education in the country. We will continue to offer the best legal education that will make our students relevant to society and nation building, she added. One of the beneficiaries, Ms Lassey, thanked the Ambassador and the community for the generous gesture, and promised that the students would honour the confidence reposed in them. Since 2013, the Lebanese scholarship programme has assisted around 300 Ghanaian students in media and law disciplines covering the Ghana Institute of Journalism, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana. However in 2020, Mr Kheir expanded the scheme to include students of the School of Languages and the School of Performing Arts, both at the University of Ghana. Update on anthrax in Upper East Daily Graphic Jun - 26 - 2023 , 06:43 The Veterinary Service Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has submitted a report on the reported anthrax cases in the Upper East Region: Below is an extract of the report. Since the confirmation of the cases of anthrax in some parts of the Upper East Region by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, a lot has been done to control and contain the spread of the disease to other parts of the region and subsequently to the rest of the country. Sample analysis at the laboratory of the Veterinary Service Directorate confirming the anthrax cases led to a directive by the Sector Minister, Dr Bryan Acheampong, to restrict the movement of animals within, into and out of the Binduri District, which first recorded the cases. The directive further advised the public to, observe vigilance, purchase meat from only certified abattoirs and promptly report animal deaths to the nearest veterinary unit or health facility in the affected area. There was also a mass vaccination exercise of animals in the affected areas and also, a ban on the consumption of meat from dead animals in the affected areas, while the public was advised to contact the nearest veterinary services directorate for professional guidance and advice in all suspected cases on the matter. Policy on anthrax In times of outbreak, ring vaccinations (8km) must be conducted. Treatment of in-contacts with penicillin and other appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics. Burning carcass and/ or burying 6ft with line. (burying must be complete) Disposal of spore-vaccine bottles through burning or burying Annual vaccinations within endemic areas. Exporters require veterinary certification for hides, skins and hairs (from ruminants, equines and pigs) Control of importation. Surveillance Effective disease surveillance is essential for prevention and control programmes of anthrax. The Veterinary Services in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and the Environmental Health Department of the Local Government Service is working to ensure the rapid control of the disease. The disease surveillance is currently intensified in the region by these health institutions (VSD, GHS & Environmental) to ensure the early detection, diagnoses and effective control of the disease in order to avert further deaths and economic losses. Public health implication Anthrax is primarily an occupational hazard for handlers of processed hides, goat hair, bone products, wool and infected wildlife. In humans, anthrax manifests itself in three distinct patterns (cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation). The most common is a skin infection, where people become infected when handling animals or animal products that contain spores. To avert this public health challenge, there is the need for a resilient animal health system. Preventive measures The veterinary services conducts disease surveillance (active & passive) throughout the country. This activity is meant to early detect diseases before they spread, cost lives and become difficult to control. Effective disease surveillance can improve disease outbreak detection in emergency settings, while routine vaccination of cattle in such endemic areas are necessary. The carcasses of infected animals should either be burnt at the site of death or deeply buried, while scorching with a down directed flame or disinfection of death sites is mandatory. Were committed to caring for environment GNPC boss Daily Graphic Jun - 26 - 2023 , 06:15 The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, has reiterated the corporations commitment to care for the environment through its activities. He said as an organisation which respected and abided by the various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, the national oil company would continue to engage and participate in all national activities geared towards environmental sustainability, including the Green Ghana Campaign. It is for this reason Mr Danquah led his management and staff last Friday to plant trees on the premises of the GNPC head office in Tema. He said the corporation remained vested in the responsible, sustainable exploration of Ghanas hydrocarbon resources and expressed the belief that the tree planting exercise, beyond its direct impact on SDG 15, had tremendous positive effects on all 17 of the global goals, hence its involvement in the drive. Our ability to thrive as humans is intricately woven with our ability to safeguard our environment and this is why we find value in replenishing Mother Nature today by planting these trees, he said. Commitment Offering further proof of GNPCs commitment to ensuring that its operations have a profound impact on the quality of life of the people of Ghana, Mr Danquah said the corporation had kicked off the GNPC Going Green (3G) initiative aimed at adding to natures conservancy and improving environmental sustainability. The initiative, which is championed by the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Department and the Integrated Energy Team (IET) at GNPC, seeks to raise awareness of the importance of collective action to combating climate change and its negative effect on society and to educate all on the significance of growing trees as one of the simplest, most effective strategies to reducing the impact of carbon emissions and restoring the natural ecosystem. Floodwater Reiterating the importance of the exercise,the General Manager, Human Resource & Administration at GNPC, Prof. Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah, said: Cities and towns are getting washed away by floodwater, putting our lives and livelihoods in jeopardy because human activities have replaced vegetal cover with concrete and, thus, the need to engage in such environmental practices. Guided by the HSE and Integrated Energy Team, the GNPC CEO led the planting of five tree seedlings with over 250 other seedlings of avocado, orange, mango, oil palm and coconut distributed to staff to encourage participation in promoting environmental well-being and the preservation of nature in their respective localities. World Oceans Day marked in Cape Coast Shirley Asiedu-Addo & Francisca Eshun Jun - 26 - 2023 , 13:58 This year's World Oceans Day has been marked in Cape Coast with an appeal to fishermen to efficiently manage plastics on and offshore to help sustain the marine ecosystem. At a forum to mark the day, the Project Coordinator for the Sustainable Oceans Project of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Theophilus Boachie-Yiadom, indicated that mankind derived a lot of benefits from the ocean and as such any negative impact on the sea would affect all adversely. However, he observed that the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste into the ocean was beginning to have dire consequences on the ocean and marine life. Mr Boachie-Yiadom noted that plastic pollution mostly started in communities, especially when plastics were not properly disposed of and were washed into the oceans. He said fishermen were also often guilty of plastic pollution as they also disposed of plastics into the ocean while at sea. He, therefore, appealed to the ministry to ensure the development of a comprehensive Fisheries Act that encompassed every bit of enforcement that was necessary and every bit of punishment that was required to build a resilient ocean. Protecting ocean World Oceans Day is commemorated on June 8 every year to celebrate the world's shared ocean and mankind's personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness of the crucial role the ocean plays in the lives of all and the important ways people could help protect it. This year's commemoration was on the theme: "Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. The day was commemorated under the Sustainable Oceans Project being implemented by EJF, Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation and the Central and Western Fishmongers Improvement Project. It was funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation. The main goal of the three-year project is to ensure a resilient and sustainable ocean economy in Ghana, achieved through inclusive strong and effective capacity planning and management of the coastal ecosystem. Between 2022 and 2025, the implementing partners would work to reduce decline in fish stocks to improve income of fishing communities and address the effects of climate change on the fisheries sector. Overwhelmed A Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Integrated Development Studies of the University of Cape Coast, Dr Owusu Boampong, said the sea was being overwhelmed by the plastic menace, leading to incalculable environmental damage. He appealed to the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly to provide community containers to manage the plastic waste and advised the fishermen to change their attitude towards the management of plastics. Maame Efua, a fish seller at the shore, decried the unavailability of dustbins at the shores and appealed for dustbins, saying that had contributed to the indiscriminate disposal of waste. A fisherman, Kwesi Fynn, said fishing was the livelihood of so many people and that the timing of the closed season would unleash hardships on the communities. Extend date for District Level Elections to December Dean of Presiding Members Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 26 - 2023 , 13:19 The National Dean of Presiding Members (PMs) of District Assemblies, Joseph Korto, has called for a change in the date of the 2023 District level elections from October 3 as scheduled by the Electoral Commission (EC) to December. He said holding the district level elections in October would shorten the two-year term of PMs, given that they were elected in December. Mr Korto also called for an extension of the tenure of office of PMs from two to four years, equivalent to that of all Article 71 office holders. He made the call at the National Conference of Presiding Members held in Tamale. The National Conference of Presiding Members is a gathering of PMs from the 261 districts of the country. The two-day conference was to deliberate on the welfare issues of Assemblies and PMs and identify administrative lapses in the local government system that hindered service delivery. It was on the theme: The Role of Local Authorities in Ensuring Public Safety: The Business for All. Term of office Mr Korto said Article 244 (4) of the Constitution states that the term of office for the PM shall be two years and shall be eligible for re-election. It is our collective view as the miniature Parliament of the local authorities that this clause is unfair to PMs. He stated that the process involved in electing PMs was cumbersome, hence reviewing the tenure of office would ease challenges on district assemblies. Currently, some assemblies have not been able to elect their PM after the expiration of the previous term due to some of these challenges, Mr Korto said. He also called for a review of the payment of emolument for members from the coffers of district assemblies to the consolidated fund, saying assemblies with limited resources were unable to honour payment to members. Among other requests of the PMs Mr Korto made included revision of some clauses of the Constitution and Local Government Act to favour the district assemblies in tandem with article 71 office holders, including holding by-elections for vacant district seats. Recall The EC at a forum organised by the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA) in Accra on June 14, 2023 announced that it has set October 3, 2023 for this years District Level Election (DLE) per its scheduled activities. It, however, said the date for the DLE was subject to change depending on the approval of the proposed new Constitutional Instrument (C.I) by Parliament. The forum, on the theme 2023 District Level Election: The role of stakeholders and matters arising was aimed at educating stakeholders about the DLE. It also discussed ways to improve voter turnout which has been at an all-time low over the years. The DLE is to elect assembly and Unit Committee members. Battle for supremacy: Akufo-Addo, Mahama storm Assin North Shirley Asiedu-Addo Politics Jun - 26 - 2023 , 08:18 Campaigning by political parties and candidates for the Assin North parliamentary seat reached a crescendo yesterday with the involvement of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama. The two, indeed, added weight to their respective parties appeal for votes before the curtains on the campaigning were lowered yesterday. In what looked like a dress rehearsal for an anticipated keen campaigning towards the 2024 general election, the Assin North by-election occasioned by the eviction of the National Democratic Congress James Gyakye Quayson following a court application over his allegiance to Canada has become a contest too close to call. The hectic and intense campaigning is understandably a desperate attempt by the two parties to hold on to any available seat in parliament as they battle for control over the almost evenly balanced legislature. Long convoys went in and out of the constituency to nearby Assin Fosu where many of the politicians have pitched camp, with the two main political parties marshalling all human resources to the area to appeal for votes. Although the Liberal Party (LPG) of Ghana has a candidate in the person of Bernice Enyonam Sefenu, it is obviously a two-horse race between the NDCs Quayson and the New Patriotic Partys Charles Opoku going by their parties appeal in the constituency. Vote-buying Despite allegations of widespread vote-buying, some residents said they would vote according to their conscience. "We know who to vote for. Let them do what they want to do, but we know what is good for us," one resident voter stated. "We have heard that some things are being shared, but those sharing the things are giving them to the people they know. We also will do what we have to do," Egya Yaw, a voter resident at Assin Praso, said, adding that they would vote for the growth of the constituency. The two main candidates, Quayson and Opoku, are both generous and philanthropic. They have both supported the less privileged in the communities, and both expect the beneficiaries of their generosity to reciprocate their philanthropic gestures with votes. The Assin Bereku factor is critical to the election. Assin Bereku is the constituency's capital town and holds a huge percentage of the electorate. Selecting an indigene from Assin Bereku certainly enhances the chances of a candidate to win. Major factor In the last election which the NPP lost, the Assin Bereku factor was said to have played out. While the NDCs Quayson is from Assin Bereku, the NPP candidate then was from Assin Kushea, a relatively less populous community. In this by-election, however, both the NPP and the NDC have selected candidates with roots from Assin Bereku. NDCs hopes The Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Prof. Richard Asiedu, said convoys had never won elections. He added that all was set for a massive win for the NDC tomorrow, stressing that Quayson was the people's choice. He indicated that the road construction works being undertaken in the rainy season because of the election was a put-off for the people as the situation had worsened the state of the roads to many of the rural communities in the area. He said the people were aware of the absymal performance of the NPP and would not be swayed by the ad hoc road projects. "The signs are clear that the seat will be taken by the NDC because for the people, they elected Gyakye Quayson in 2020 and the legal antics by the NPP is to impose an MP on them, Prof. Asiedu said. He said the generosity of Quayson was towards the well-being of the people in the area and his personality and experience could not be matched by Opoku, adding that it was a done deal for the NDC. Prof. Asiedu said the NPP was divided after the primaries, with some aggrieved persons defecting to the NDC, adding that all indications were that the people would choose Quayson over Opoku. NPP dreams upset President Akufo-Addo introducing Charles Opoku of the NPP to the electorate The Central Regional Secretary of the NPP, Takyi Mensah, however said the NPP's development projects and Opoku's philanthropic gestures across the constituency were enough for the party to clinch the seat. He observed that the ongoing agenda 111 hospital project, the many road projects, a new district assembly block and the Astroturf would work the magic for Opoku. He said the various projects undertaken by Opoku himself in several communities as part of philanthropic activities and support for the youth in gaining employable skills and start-ups would speak for him. He said Opoku had built a hostel for the Assin State College and assisted to put up a school block at Assin Nduaso. He said he had lived all his life in Assin North and related well with the people, adding that "everything points to the fact that NPP is winning the Assin North seat. Female candidate The LPGs Bernice Sefenu does not do much than represent the minority parties and the women. Many watchers have written her off well ahead of time. Voter population The constituency has 41,168 voters in the 99 polling stations. The Central Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Gladys Pinkrah, stated in an interview that all voting materials were ready and available, adding that the EC was optimistic that the election would be smooth. "On our part, we are ready. We don't have any challenges," she added. NPP presidential primary: 10 File nominations Samuel Duodu Politics Jun - 26 - 2023 , 07:01 The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) last Saturday closed the filing of nominations for its presidential primary. The exercise which opened on Friday, May 26, 2023, saw 10 out of the 11 flagbearer hopefuls file their nominations in their bid to lead the party in the 2024 general election. A former Minister of Justice and Attorney General and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan in the Western Region, Joe Ghartey, became the 10th and the last person to file his nominations last Saturday while a former MP for Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Francis Addai-Nimoh, was the ninth person to submit forms last Friday. Aspirants Others who filed their papers to contest the flagbearership during the month-long exercise were Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen; a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Owusu Afriyie Akoto; the MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and a former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko. The rest are a former General Secretary of the NPP and Presidential Spokesperson, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; a former Minister of State and former MP for Offinso North, Dr Konadu Apraku, and an energy expert, Enerst Kwadwo Poku. This brings to ten the number of presidential aspirants who picked and submitted their nomination forms out of the 11 at the close of the exercise. A former director of transport and logistics at the Presidency, Odeneho Nana Oppong, who picked the nomination forms could not submit them. He is said to have withdrawn from the contest. Boakye Agyarko, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Joe Ghartey Filing Mr Ghartey, who was accompanied by a large group of his supporters, arrived at the party's headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra last Saturday afternoon to submit his nomination forms for the primary. The forms were received by the NPP's Director of Research and Elections, Evans Nimako, a member of the Presidential Elections Committee. Kwabena Agyepong, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Francis Addai-Nimoh and Kwadwo Poku Vision Mr Ghartey, who addressed supporters after the submission of the forms, pledged to focus on fostering economic growth, eradicating corruption and improving the living standards of the citizenry. The former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Minister of Railways Development said he aimed to revitalise the NPP and provide the youth and party executives with opportunities to serve the country if he emerge victorious as the party's flag bearer and subsequently elected President in 2024. Addai-Nimoh Mr Addai-Nimoh, for his part, expressed confidence in winning the race, saying he was not new in the contest as he placed third in the 2014 presidential primary. He appealed for a centralised Special Electoral College Congress to short-list the five aspirants for the National Congress. Vetting Mr Nimako after the exercise said the next phase of the party's presidential primary would be the vetting of the 10 aspirants who submitted their nomination forms from July 3 to July 6, 2023. He said the party would not extend the filing of nominations. Amendment The number of aspirants who filed to contest the 2023 flagbearership is the highest number so far as compared to the 2007 presidential primary which 17 aspirants contested in that poll to elect a flag bearer for the 2008 general election. The party has since amended its Constitution to accommodate not more than five persons for the flagbearership contest. According to Article 13(9) of the NPP Constitution: "Where there are more than five contestants for nomination as the party's presidential candidate, a Special Electoral College shall cast their votes by secret ballot for the first five contestants to be short-listed". Timelines Per the timelines of the party, vetting of the presidential aspirants would commence from Monday, July 3 to Thursday, July 6, 2023, with the submission of the vetting committee's report to national executives through the General Secretary, on Monday, July 10, 2023. Those who qualified after vetting would go for the National Congress by Special Electoral College (if any) on August 26, 2023, to short-list the five presidential aspirants for the National Congress on Saturday, November 4, 2023, and a runoff (if any) on November 11, 2023. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Realme launched the 11 Pro and 11 Pro+ smartphones outside of China earlier this month, with the international roll-out beginning from India on June 15. Next in line is Europe, where the Dimensity 7050-powered duo is up for pre-order and sale. The Realme 11 Pro in Black or Beige costs 400 and comes with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. The Realme 11 Pro+ is also offered in the same colors but with 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage for 520. The phones are up for pre-order in Italy and France, with shipments scheduled for June 30, while Realme Spain is offering to send the phones once the order is complete, meaning users might get their new smartphone as early as tomorrow, June 26. Realme 11 Pro (left) with Realme 11 Pro+ (right) Realme is partnering with third-party retailers offering discounts, bringing the prices much lower than usual. For example, Amazon Italy will sell a smartphone for 10-11% less, bringing prices down to 340 or 470, depending on whether the user picks the Pro or Pro+. Unieuro or Mediamarkt have slightly smaller discounts for a limited period, but the prices are applied in their physical stores. Realme is reportedly moving away from Germany, but the 11 Pro and the 11 Pro+ are both on Amazon with free delivery later this week. Realme 11 Pro+ Realme 11 Pro We already reviewed both the Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+. The back panel design makes the devices stand out in a crowd, but the real reason one should choose the non-Plus is the screen, battery, and overall performance. Users who opt for the Plus variant will also get a better camera and twice the storage, and we believe both are quite the deal. Source 1 (in French) Source 2 (in Italian) Source 3 (in Spanish) Despite all the cases that Douglas Moylan, the incumbent Attorney General of Guam, has been pushing, theres one case that hes now dismissed with prejudice, which is permanent. AG Moylan dismissed a lawsuit filed by the former AG, Leevin Camacho, against Teleguam Holdings LLC, which does business as GTA. The lawsuit was for an alleged violation of the Guam Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The lawsuit stemmed from two complaints filed by another telecommunications provider with the Office of the Attorney General of Guam after that company itself was caught charging an increase in the business privilege tax to its customers. The provider ended up refunding $420,000 to its customers. The telecommunications competitor alleged that GTA was engaging in the same conduct, and they believed that the AG should pursue a consumer protection action against GTA. GTA denied the charges and countersued the AG as GTA believed the lawsuit was groundless, brought in bad faith and was done for the purpose of harassment. During the lawsuit, GTA discovered that the telecommunications competitor filed false complaints against GTA, including one filed by its employee who was a GTA customer. The employee was directed by the competitors legal counsel to file a complaint even though he had no personal knowledge of the statements he made in the complaint. GTA did not and does not engage in deceptive trade practices, Dan Tydingco, GTAs Executive Vice President for Legal and Regulatory Affairs stated. This lawsuit should never have been filed in the first place. It was based upon false claims made by a competitor and filed without any proper investigation of the facts. We are pleased that someone at the AGs office finally took a look at the file and obviously decided the case had no merit and should be dismissed with prejudice, Tydingco expressed. Through the recovery from Typhoon Mawar, government officials have all had to step up and work the extra hours to find different ways to help the community. One mentally relieving contribution arises from the offices of Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas and Sen. Roy Quinata as they are providing free haircuts and products for the community. The first Taking Hair and Combing Together for Relief was a success on June 20, as more than 70 haircuts were performed just outside of the Inalahan Mayors Office. The free six-hour event was organized by the Office of Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas and the Office of Senator Roy A.B. Quinata in partnership with Guam Community Colleges Cosmetology Program. Often in difficult times like this, a simple act of kindness can lift peoples spirits, said Janice Aguon, Lead Cosmetology Instructor for the Guam Community College. For me and the students in our GCC Cosmetology class, cutting hair is our way of supporting people through the hardships we are all facing. We love to see the smiles on their faces and the beauty that opens up in them. At GCC, we like to say that community is our middle name. What better way to show it than to be out here meeting our neighbors and helping them get through this tough time. The partners will continue to provide free haircuts to Guam residents. The next Taking Hair and Combing Together for Relief is scheduled for Tuesday at the Hagat Mayors Office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last haircut will be performed at 2:30 p.m. Were trying to bring the community together to offer hope and relieve some of the stress and emphasize that we will get through this together, said Sen. San Nicolas. A visit to the salon or a barbershop works wonders for a persons mental health. Getting through this recovery phase not only requires physical exertion but mental exertion as well. Taking care of a persons mental health should be a priority in line with physical health. The Office of Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas will be hosting a donation drive for Sanctuary Incorporated of Guam, a local nonprofit organization that helps families help themselves. The office will be accepting donations at the DNA Building ste. 407/408 on 238 Archbishop Flores Street in Hagatna from June 26 to July 7. Sanctuary lost food and experienced damage due to devastation left by Typhoon Mawar. Sanctuary is in need of nonperishable products like canned food, water, and toiletries such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. We are working to support Sanctuary because it helps the youth and families help themselves, said Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas. I am in support of coming together especially during a time where we are vulnerable and in recovery from Mawar. I am always in support of groups and organizations helping the island community. Sanctuary exists to provide critical social services to youth and their families, which was established in 1971 as a juvenile justice system for runaway, homeless, neglected and abused youth. For more information, follow Sen. San Nicolas on Instagram @senatorsannicolas and Facebook at Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas. The essence and value of first responders can truly be seen during the recovery of a disaster as the Guam Fire Department responded to various emergencies before, during and after Typhoon Mawar. To have some insight into their activities, Sen. William A. Parkinson, chair of the committee on Fire, Agriculture, Power and Energy Utilities, Public Transit, Unemployment Insurance, and Universal Health Insurance, called an oversight hearing with GFD on June 22 at 10 a.m. Topics discussed included the E911 outstanding vendor payment, the recruitment of firefighters and GFDs recovery status from Typhoon Mawar. Acting GFD Chief Joey Manibusan began by discussing recruitment. GFD needs an additional 100 firefighters to meet nationally recognized standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association. GFD is currently only staffed with 204 firefighters, which has led to a high need for overtime. According to Manibusan, the cost to hire a new firefighter would cost around $88,000 in one year, which includes the following: $29,000 base salary $24,000 in benefits Guam Community College Fire Cycle Training Pay increase upon Firefighter I certification GFD is also short another 11 administrative staff to fill office vacancies. Unfortunately, the number of recruits may continue increasing soon if there is no quick action to fill the vacancies. GFDs main reason for a loss of personnel is due to retirement as firefighters can retire at the age of 55 years old. Around 40% of all current GFD firefighters are over the age of 45. Mike Uncangco, assistant chief of the GFD Admin Bureau and the E-911 Bureau Operations, stated that there needs to be 15 to 20 recruits to have fire academy itself as it does not make sense to have officers at GCC to only train 2 people. He also noted that most of their vacancies are also due to promotion, and within the last 6 months, they have promoted over 90 firefighters to fill supervisory positions. Parkinson noted that the government can try to recruit 30-40 recruits in one year or all 100 in one year as he does not want the tenured and experienced leaders to retire without passing on their knowledge. Manibusan stated it may be preferred to have a steady influx as being a firefighter is a highly dynamic and technical position. We want to let the public know we deal with both fire and emergency services, stated Manibusan. It is not just firefighting; it is EMS, paramedicine, hazardous materials and plan reviews. There is also training, leadership and financial management. Regarding their communication, GFD continues to have issues with their land mobile systems down south. Radios and cell phones are utilized to mitigate these issues until telecommunications becomes much more accessible later. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also helped donate generators and water for GFD use, so other than financial help for personnel, they will not need additional resources from the local government yet. Uncangco noted that outstanding vendor payments for the Next Generation 911 system must be handled in a standalone bill using the E911 Surcharge Fund Balance. Parkinson has introduced Bill Number 138-37(COR) to cover these payments. Tom Tedtaotao, Assistant Fire Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau, stated that the E911 surcharge must be looked at again sometime soon. Cell providers have seen an increase in use and services, said Tedtaotao. Today, were probably at 12,000 users, and were still getting the same cut. We should visit and track that because whatever the service provider deposits into the account, its still the same. We will be working with the Public Utilities Commision on increasing the E911 surcharge because it was set sometime between 1987 and 1992, said Uncangco. The law did authorize us to seek assistance with PUC or request PUC to increase the surcharge. Parkinson noted it is an admirable goal to pursue. We will do what we can to make it a reality, stated Parkinson. With numerous residents on Guam seeking a place to stay in emergency shelters, communication is vital. On Saturday, GTA has donated prepaid cards and power banks to those seeking refuge at the emergency shelter in iLearn Academy Charter school gymnasium located in Dededo. The initiative aims to help affected individuals stay connected with their loved ones as they recover from the devastating impact of the typhoon. The donation from GTA encompassed prepaid cards that will enable shelter residents to make essential phone calls, send text messages, and access the internet. The prepaid cards will play a crucial role in bridging the communication gap and provide a sense of comfort to individuals who find themselves separated from their families and friends. In addition to the prepaid cards, GTA also contributed a supply of power banks to the shelter. Given the frequent power outages and fluctuations, the power banks will be a great tool to have. Expressing gratitude for GTAs generous contribution, Melissa Savares, mayor of Dededo, emphasized the significance of the support provided. We are grateful to GTA for their donation of prepaid cards and power banks, said Savares in a press release from GTA. These resources will greatly help our residents at the shelter to reach out to their loved ones, added Savares. The companys contribution to the Dededo shelter is part of its ongoing efforts to contribute positively to the well-being and resilience of Guams residents. Typhoon Mawar exposed Guams weaknesses in more ways than we could have imagined. Unfortunately, for some residents the storm exposed the interior of their homes through the tin roofs separation or from vegetative damage. To help support those who still have homes but lack the temporary roofing, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Office of the Governor of Guam, Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mayors Council of Guam, initiated the Roofing Installation Support Emergency Utilization Program to help temporarily repair metal roofs damaged by Typhoon Mawar. RISEUP has been offered since June 9 and has assisted nearly one hundred residents. The last day to apply for the program is this Friday. Guam residents who have damaged metal roofs can enroll for the program through their mayors office. There are three steps to sign up: Guam residents contact their mayors office to apply. The residents roof damage is assessed for eligibility. If eligible, a temporary metal roof is installed. Emergency roof repair assistance is limited to pre-disaster owner-occupied residences. Additional criteria must also be met to be deemed eligible for RISEUP: The dwellings must have roof damage caused by Typhoon Mawar that impacts the ability to live within the home. The dwellings must be otherwise structurally sound and can be safely occupied after the roof repairs have been completed Approximately 50% of roof substructure (rafters/trusses) must remain, as determined by USACE. The damaged roof must cover indoor living space completely enclosed by walls. Living space includes facilities for cooking, eating, sleeping and sanitation. Outdoor kitchens with a damaged roof covering will qualify to the extent that it covers the dwellings only means of cooking and storing food. Repairs will only be performed on dwellings with pre-disaster metal roofs. Dwellings that are affected by disaster-caused utility outages are not disqualified based on utility outages alone. The following conditions would deem a dwelling ineligible: Repairs to commercial properties, including rental units Garages, carports and porches Homes unable to be accessed Roofs composed of materials such as concrete, slate, asbestos or clay tile, or any other material that is not tin or metal FEMA reminded the public that accessibility to the home is the responsibility of the resident as accessibility to the street is the responsibility of the government of Guam. Visit the following links for the latest information: Governors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/ GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/ For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10. The Committee on Maritime & Air Transportation, Parks, Tourism, Higher Education, and the Advancement of Women, Youth and Senior Citizens held a public hearing at the Guam Congress Building on June 21 for Bills 38-37(COR) and 130-37(COR). The hearing can be viewed online by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-QpeafxgxE. Additional information about Bills 38-37 and 130-37 can be found at https://guamlegislature.com/index/bills/. Sen. Telo T. Taitague, the author of Bill 38-37, introduced the bill to require the Guam Visitors Bureau Board of Directors to provide financial disclosure statements and would prohibit cumulative voting for GVB members. Taitague believes that cumulative voting inherently gives those with more financial resources an unfair advantage when electing board leadership. The Tourism Committee chairperson must not have been paying attention to her main industry because the solutions to the problems with the Guam Visitors Bureau Board of Directors are not new its why I have introduced the same bill since the 35th Guam Legislature. It has been supported every time by GVB management and employees, according to Taitague, whose Bill 38-37 finally received a public hearing on June 21. Taitague was able to call for her public hearing on the measure as standing rules for the 37th Guam Legislature allow members to call their own public hearing should committee leaders fail to act on legislation within 120 days of introduction. My bill will force the GVB Board of Directors to comply with Guams Public Official Disclosure law like every other public servant; prevent unfair leadership voting practices; and give small businesses a greater voice in tourism industry affairs only self-serving intentions would attempt to slow its progress, Taitague stated. This bill is the beginning of a series of actions needed to strengthen GVB. Im concerned that Director Jeff Jones stated during the Public Hearing that hed quit should financial disclosures a basic public official standard be required. GVB General Manager Carl Gutierrez was not able to attend the hearing as he was on off-island government duties. In Gutierrezs absence, Deputy GM Gerry Perez read into the record a lengthy statement on behalf of his boss. It summarized managements perspective on bureau operations, both historical and ongoing post-COVID/post-Typhoon Mawar setbacks to the industry. Perez made it clear that his testimony was not the GVB Boards position. GVB management during Gutierrezs term has often been at odds with its board. Later in the proceedings, Perez unveiled a lengthy letter proposing changes in GVBs operating structure. It was drafted by managements legal counsel in February. This took some lawmakers by surprise as the legislature has been holding public roundtable stakeholder discussions on the same subject, and the letter has not been previously shared. It was the latest chapter in the tumultuous relationships between GM Gutierrez and his board, industry stakeholders and lawmakers. I am heartened that GVBs management is apparently, and finally, laying its cards upon the table. It is crucial that the people of Guam know exactly what powers and responsibilities GM Gutierrez believes should be consolidated under his authority today and the authority of his successors in the future, stated Sen. Amanda Shelton. Furthermore, this work product of the GVB legal counsel was produced on the taxpayer and bureau memberships dime. It deserves consideration, as do the ideas of other stakeholders. Sheltons overall goal is to position GVB for optimal success in the years ahead through active and vocal collaboration Taitague noted that Tourism Committee Chairwoman Sen. Amanda Shelton has not recused herself from voting or from taking the lead on official legislative GVB business matters, despite the ongoing investigation of a close relative with ties to the tourism industry. As executive officials, elected officials, and board and commission members, we take an oath to serve the people of Guam, Taitague stated. This requires ethical action and a commitment to transparency. Former Gov. Carl T.C. Gutierrez is the president and CEO of Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Permit Czar, and chairman of the Governors Economic Strategy Council. Send comments or questions to GVB at communityrelations@visitguam.org. iciHaiti - Deadly shooting : The town hall condemned and suspends all cultural activities on public roads Jude Edouard Pierre, the Mayor of Carrefour, strongly condemns the shooting of Friday, June 23, 2023 at Thor 10, around 9:00 p.m. where individuals circulating in motos opened fire on a cultural activity on the public road, without prior authorization of the Town Hall, causing the death of 3 people https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39862-haiti-news-zapping.html and injuring several others. "The municipal administration expresses its condolences to the parents and loved ones of the victims and calls on the police and judicial authorities to shed full light on this odious crime and to bring its perpetrators to justice. It calls once again on the High Command of the National Police on the need to conduct independent investigations into these cases of repeated unpunished murders for several years in the commune and to prevent others that could occur in the coming. Thus, with the aim of restoring peace and enabling the police to better coordinate their patrols, all cultural activities on public roads are strictly prohibited throughout the town until at further notice. The police and judicial authorities are invited to scrupulously enforce these provisions in the general interest [...]" IH/ iciHaiti 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 2015/01/11 | Source Advertisement The final episode of the SBS weekend drama "Birth of a Beauty" ended in happiness. The twenty-first episode of the drama showed Han Tae-hee (Joo Sang-wook) and Sara (Han Ye-seul) getting married. Han Tae-hee realized that the man who tried to assault him was the same person that caused the explosion which killed his parents 20 years ago and that the criminal was Kim Joon-cheol (Choi Jong-hwan), Madam Park's (Kim Yong-rim) assistant. Han Tae-hee set up a plan and make with Lee Kang-joon (Jung Gyu-woon). Before the shareholder's meeting, Han Tae-hee realized what Han Min-hyeok's (Han Sang-jin) plan was when Lee Kang-joon asked for a fake passport of Sara and money, using her divorce papers as bait. Han Tae-hee gave him what he wanted and made sure the police were standing by to save himself. Kim Joon-cheol confessed his crime and Son Ji-sook (Kim Chung) was arrested along with Han Min-hyeok who tried to kill Han Tae-hee. Han Tae-hee then became the CEO of Winner Group. Later, Lee Kang-joon was arrested trying to leave the country with the fake passport Han Tae-hee had given him. He was booked for attempted murder but not Gyo Chae-yeon because Sara was still alive. Gyo Chae-yeon decided to go abroad. She went to Han Tae-hee and Sara's wedding but turned around once she saw how happy they looked. Lady Park who had Sara under complete misunderstanding because of Gyo Chae-yeon, blessed the couple after she saw Sara do everything she could to save Han Tae-hee. The final episode of the drama showed Han Tae-hee and Sara's wedding which resulted in a happy ending. Coming up next, is "My Heart Shines" starring Nam Bo-ra , Jang Shin-young, Lee Tae-im, Lee Deok-hwa and others about the revenge of three sisters. By Anna Beth Adcock Find women doing outstanding work in their field via Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, a female-led organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable and fair food scene in the High Country. To do this, the organization bolsters local producers and creates connections among the community that contribute to knowledge and excitement of eating farm-grown foodultimately upping the local demand and desire for local fare. Sarah Edmondson, BRWIA intern, lets folks know about the Food Hub pickup options in Blowing Rock. Photo courtesy of BRWIA. With goals to increase consumer demand for local food, ensure equitable access to high quality local food and provide producers the support they need, BRWIA offers a plethora of programsfrom farmers markets and workshops to mentorship opportunities and grants/scholarships. And the organization serves a slew of counties through the High CountryAlleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Mitchell, Wilkes, Watauga and Yanceyplus Johnson County, Tennessee. There are so many benefits to buying local food, says Katie Ferrell, BRWIAs community and relations manager. When you buy local, it improves your health and it creates a stronger sense of community through knowing your neighbors and helping them thrive. Tracy and Naomi Jarrell pick up their Food Hub order at the Boone location. Photo courtesy of BRWIA. Spearheading the significant work BRWIA is planting in Boone and surrounding areas, see Liz Whiteman acting as executive director and raising up the local food system through fundraising, grant writing, program planning and staff supervision. Originally from Minnesota, Whiteman has a background in federal food and farm policy work as well as work on organic farms around the country and the world. I spent some time working on a farm in Wilkes County, shares Whiteman. I learned I didnt want to farm as a profession but I wanted to stay in the area and BRWIA was always an organization where I wanted to work. Whiteman joined the BRWIA team in January 2020 as an operations director, becoming executive director in October 2022. When Whiteman joined the team, the organization only had four employees, but it has since grown into a team of ten (!). There is really no typical day at all, she says of her job. Its challenging, rewarding and very public-facingI get to meet and interact with people a lot. To boot, BRWIA has their hands in myriad markets, programs and workshops through the counties it serves all with a focus on supporting local farmers and creating a craving for fresh, locally-grown and healthy fare. Here, we take a deep dig into what this benevolent organization is up to and how its benefiting its community in ways both big and small. Olivia George-Drouet helps her family pickup their order at the High Country Food Hub in Boone. Photo courtesy of BRWIA. Fodder on the Food Hub Keeping things fresh for their community, one of the central programs that BRWIA is behind is the High Country Food Hub, a yearlong online market that allows community members to shop for goods (think: meat, dairy, bread, artisan foods, cut flowers, body care products, and plants) and fresh produce from local farmers and vendors. The main appeal of this program is ease and access to local productsonce consumers shop goods online, they can go pick it up from a location convenient to them around townwhether its the High Country Food Hub itself to the Ashe County Public Library, Blowing Rock Market and a handful of other options. The Food Hub is no small featit boasts over 3,000 locally-made or locally-grown products from over 90 local farmers and entrepreneurs. Sara Hedge of Hedge Family Farm shows their purple cauliflower destined for the High Country Food Hub and other area Farmers Markets. Photo Courtesy of Hedge Family Farm. To back it all up, BRWIA has the numbers to prove how its helping grow the love of eating fresh and local in the High Country community. In 2022, the High Country Food Hub generated $859,730 in sales and tallied 558 new local customers. The impactful organization also touted over 5,000 unique goods all produced within less than 100 miles of Boone, with a total of 12,706 orders placed and 100 producers supported in the last year alone through the food hub. People can go online and shop like theyre at the farmers market from their couch, says Liz Whiteman, BRWIAs executive director. This was the program that people really turned to during the pandemic when ground beef, eggs and other pantry staples were missing from the grocery store. We saw our sales increase about 500% almost overnight. Essentially, the food hub jumped from about 100 customers and about $3,000 per week in sales to over 500 customers and earnings between between $20,000$30,000 a week. BRWIA staff shows off the size of some of rare watermelons they get at the High Country Food Hub! (Pictured: Taylor Campbell and Katie Cavert Ferrell). Photo courtesy of BRWIA. My coworkers and I joke that we have no memory of 2020 because we were just working, Whiteman says. But it was really great to see the community come out and support each other and support farmers that had previously depended on restaurants and tourists. Double the Fun (and Food!) A healthy food incentive program that doubles the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at farmers markets, helping people buy local food while supporting our local farmers and economy, BRWIAs Double Up Food Bucks program is a win-win-win scenario for all parties involved. Local families can access healthier eating options, farmers receive a financial boost and these two perks work together to bolster the local economy. The program basically allows those using federal nutrition benefits to double their dollars when they spend them on local food, explains Whiteman. Thats another program that has seen really incredible growth in the past three yearswhich just kind of shows the demand for healthier options for their families. Crafting Cuisine Working closely with the local community and cultivating relationships is a huge aspect of BRWIAs work. The Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training, or CRAFT for short, is a program centered on creating and nurturing mentorship and relationships between the farmers and growers of today and tomorrow. In partnership, BRWIA, Publix, and local food pantries distributed 2,750 lbs of turkeys and local food to families in need during BRWIAs No Hunger for the Holidays event over Thanksgiving 2022. (Pictured: Sam Springs, BRWIA staff, and Dennis Norris, volunteer at Blowing Rock Cares). Photo courtesy of BRWIA. This is basically our producer support program, says Whiteman. (Cont. on page 53) We host a pretty wide range of workshops throughout the year for farmers or aspiring farmers. Discover workshops on soil health, egg grading, innovative ways to feed your chickens (pro tip: use black fly larvae!), growing plants in greenhouses and making your own on-farm compost. Its a really great program that allows us to get out on peoples farms, she adds. We pay farmers to host these workshops and the farmer is the expert. We dont bring in other experts, the farmers just talk about what they do on their farm and people come and ask questions. BRWIA staff and interns at the King Street Market, happening every Tuesday from May October (Pictured: Paola Rivero, Meredith Sigler, Rachel Kinard and Kristen Schapp). Photo courtesy of BRWIA. Another perk of this program? Farmers of all levels of expertise and experience are able to relate to each other simply through working in the same profession. CRAFT workshops occur about 12 times throughout the yearthough not necessarily on a monthly basis. There tends to be more workshops offered during the off-season aka winter and springtime. LocalFAM Local Food As Medicinedubbed LocalFAMhelps community organizations provide their neighbors with fresh, nutritious food, supplied by local producers. And the best part of the deal? The fare is free for those that receive it and producers are paid in full due to the fact that funding for this program is provided by grants. And this initiative is especially important because on average, one person out of every six in the area is considered to be food insecure. The idea is based on the thought that all people are entitled to healthy food optionsand that food thats good for you can help treat chronic illness and prevent disease and promote holistic health. BRWIA staff loads the satellite van full of local food and plants for distribution at Food Hub satellite pickup locations in Banner Elk, Pineola, West Jefferson, Deep Gap, and Blowing Rock (Pictured: Maggie Caswell and Katie Cavert Ferrell). Photo courtesy of BRWIA. Last year, this program helped put more than 27,000 pounds of fresh food on peoples dinner tables and generated over $98,000 in revenue for 60 farmers/producers while working with eight recipient organizations. More on the Market BRWIA is also behind two local farmers marketsthe King Street Farmers Marketrunning from MayOctober on Tuesday afternoonsand the Boone Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays from NovemberMarch. The King Street Farmers Market began in 2017 as a means to make selling goods more accessible to farmers that were newer to the scene and its conveniently located next to the Department of Social Services, making it very accessible for those utilizing nutrition benefit plans. Last year, the King Street Market doubled over $3,874 in nutrition benefitsand itll be back to continue bolstering the community in 2023. Digging Into Agriculture Education In order to foster positive change in the world, BRWIA believes you have to implement and encourage educational opportunities across the board. Just launching this year, the Betsy Lawson Willis Education Scholarship (applications will be accepted starting May 1!) started to honor the heritage begun by BRWIAs initial leading ladies, women who believed in the abilities of women to build a stronger, more resilient local food system and achieve meaningful careers in agriculture. And thats something we can all root for. More Dirt In a nutshell, BRWIA operates with a mission to build resilient local food systems and channel resources and money back into the High Country communityrather than sending hard-earned dollars elsewhere through spending at corporate grocers such as Food Lion, Wal-Mart or other big bucks chains. By providing options and a really convenient way for people to purchase local food, that money stays here in Boone and surrounding areas which contributes to farming being a viable livelihood, says Whiteman. It keeps people wanting to farm and steward the land in our community and we think thats really important. Plus, BRWIA has big plans for the future. The organization is now celebrating 20 years of serving the communityand its spending the whole year celebrating by bringing back its farm-to-plate dinners and the High Country Farm Tourwhich is an annual farm tour that halted operations during the pandemic. And a special addition for farmers market fans with an appetite for adventurenab a market passport to document each local market you visit for your products (!) inspired by the 2023 North Carolina Year of the Trail. Heres some food for thought: BRWIA depends on local support to continue caring for the agriculture community. From generous donors to its annual fundraising shindig galahosted at the Apple Barn this year!the org hopes to raise $20,000 and highlight its founding mothers a group of women who started the organization 20 years ago on the ideals of sharing skills and mentorship. Supporting sustainability, healthy eating, local farmers and the High Country community is no small undertaking and it shapes up society for significant positive impacts. It makes a big difference in how people enjoy food, how I enjoy food and it supports people in the community, says Ferrell. And if the saying, you are what you eat, rings truewouldnt you prefer to eat fresh and local fare? Want to keep growing your knowledge of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture? Visit www.brwia.org Original Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture By Judith Phoenix Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is celebrating 20 years as a non-profit organization in the High Country. What started as a group of female farmers sharing meals and best practices at each others farms has evolved into an organization that supports all kinds of local food producers and cultivates community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. Women, as practitioners and advocates of good farming practices, have two early 20th-century pioneers, who are not usually associated with agriculture because of their other accomplishments. Bertha L Cone is known primarily as the wife of Moses Cone and the hostess of Flat Top Manor in Blowing Rock. Dr. Mary T. Sloop was a physician and the founder of Crossnore School. The purpose of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is to strengthen the local food system by supporting women farmers and their families with resources and education. These commitments fall easily upon the work of two amazing women. Here is a brief version of their stories. Mary T. Martin Sloop was known as the Grand Lady of the Blue Ridge. Photo submitted. Dr. Mary Turpin Martin Sloop (1873-1962) In the 1920s, moonshine was a main source of income for local farmers. To provide for another income stream, Mary Sloop advocated selling farm crops (corn, cabbage, beans, onions, Irish potatoes and sorghum). However, the lack of good roads to transport the crops to market was a major barrier in limiting sales, thus keeping the Avery citizens in poverty and isolation. But then things changed. One of the men, Mr. Jim, said to Dr. Mary Sloop, I made a mistake, I planted too many potatoes. Dr. Sloop replied, That is great. You can sell them! The man said, Who ever heard about anyone who wanted to buy an Irish potato? Dr. Sloop replied, They buy them where I come from, down in Davidson County. Mr. Jim said, I cant get them there. The roads would tear up my wagon long before I was out of the county. Dr. Sloop knew these were good potatoes, but she didnt know just how good until she contacted the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, which sent a man to Crossnore to evaluate the best crops for that area. The expert from Raleigh spoke at a citizens meeting. You folks have a gold mine here, he said. Right now, the best seed potatoes come from Maine, the only state with farms above 3,000 feet. You have a whole valley floor at 3,200! Why, you could grow the best seed potatoes ever! Following his exact instructions, several men raised a plot of potatoes and sent them to Washington, D.C. to be tested. Avery seed potatoes were rated better than Maine potatoes! Better roads still were required to bring the potatoes and other crops to markets in Boone, Blowing Rock and off the mountain. Thanks to extensive lobbying efforts by Dr. Sloop, the state government gave $50 million dollars to build a school and roads. Avery County seed potatoes were soon considered to be the best seed potato in the southeastern United States. Raleigh gave additional funds to build two large warehouses for winter storage. The success of the potatoes was followed by beans and cabbage that were sold as far away as Texas and New York. In addition to helping the men learn new farming methods, agricultural classes were taught to the younger boys at the Crossnore School. The local women also had food needs. An ambitious housewife could put up a hundred cans of beans in a single summer, only to lose 75 percent of them to mold! Dr. Sloop learned that the women sterilized their jars by putting them on a stick stuck into the ground and allowing the sun to shine through them. Dr. Sloop arranged for a home economics specialist to come to Crossnore from Raleigh to teach the women about canning. To preserve food safely, the specialist only needed what every woman already had: flour sacks, a big kettle and plenty of water. The sacks were used for blanching, and the jars were sterilized in boiling water. Excited by their new skills, the women requested the home demonstration agent to teach them cake decoration. Soon, they successfully competed at county fairs. At age 78, Mary T. Martin Sloop was nicknamed Grand Lady of the Blue Ridge. Bertha Cone found herself a widow at 50. Flat Top Manor in Blowing Rock was a 3,600-acre farm valued at $48,000. She purchased several more tracts of land after the death of her husband, denim magnate Moses Cone. Photo submitted. Bertha Lindau Cone (1858-1947) Bertha Cone found herself a widow at 50. Flat Top Manor in Blowing Rock was a 3,600-acre farm valued at $48,000. She purchased several more tracts of land after the death of her husband, denim magnate Moses Cone. Managing the estate was not a role Bertha had been groomed for. It required maintaining the mansion and out-buildings, constructing and repairing roads and the selling of farm produce. She monitored the behavior of her farm laborers, forbidding alcohol and stressing education and cleanliness. She developed her agricultural expertise with the help of her foreman and subscribing to farm journals. She carried on an active correspondence with experts on raising dairy cows, the selection of apple trees and the control of apple pathogens. She served on the committee that planned the first Watauga County Fair and operated Flat Top Estate as a model farm. Moses Cone was known for his prize-winning apples. To better manage the steep and rugged slopes of the China Apple orchard, Bertha arranged for the construction of an apple narrow gauge tramway. The apples were loaded in wooden cars and drawn 1,700 feet downhill. To further improve agricultural methods, she arranged free training for local apple growers. A state scientific apple man demonstrated the best method of gathering and packing apples. During World-War I, she regularly sent apples to Europe to help feed American soldiers. In 1913, a carefully designed, 12-stall dairy barn was constructed with milk and feed rooms. The Flat Top Manor Dairy became Watauga Countys first Grade A dairy farm, selling milk to Blowing Rock hotels and Appalachian State Teachers College. Bertha kept sheep, cattle, horses, mules, chickens and turkeys. Her profit margins were smaller than those of her apple and dairy operations, but she was known for her quality cattle and raised fees from breeding her bulls. Bertha managed the operations for 39 years. She proved to be an excellent financial manager, making the Cone Estate the major economic force in Blowing Rock. By the 1920s, the four apple orchards had grown from their early mountain ruggedness to beautiful orchards. Other, now mature trees, as well as hydrangeas, hedgerows and rhododendrons at last made the manor house and farm look like a natural part of the landscape, rather than what it had been an imposition. In conclusion, two of our High Country women pioneers took an active role in developing and promoting agriculture. Today, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture represents modern-day womens efforts to improve the local food system by supporting farmers and connecting consumers with local food producers. BRWIA envisions an equitable and sustainable High Country food system where producers are thriving and local food is accessible to all. You can buy local and support these efforts at the High Country Food Hub, the Boone Winter Farmers Market, and the King Street Market. In addition, BRWIA offers educational workshops to farmers and provides fresh local food boxes and a local food incentive program for those experiencing food insecurity. Stay tuned for the return of the High Country Farm Tour later this year! Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket New WHS Principal Scott Strickler (second from right), incoming superintendent Leslie Alexander and outgoing superintendent Scott Elliott are joined by new members of the district leadership team Tierra Stark, Phil Norman and Jana Dobbins. Photo courtesy of Watauga County Public Schools. By Zack Hill Scott Strickler has been named the new principal of Watauga County High School by the county board of education. He takes the place of Chris Blanton who was recently promoted to assistant superintendent for the school system. The opportunity to lead Watauga High School with its history, deep community roots and many examples of excellence is an incredible honor, Strickler said. The opportunity to return to Watauga with Heather and our children is a blessing. I already feel the excitement of beginning a new school year and I look forward to meeting the students, parents, teachers and staff. Strickler is currently principal of Brevard High School in Transylvania County and was recognized twice as that systems Principal of the Year. He will move into his role at Watauga High School this summer. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University and is familiar with Boone and Watauga County. The board named Leslie Alexander as new superintendent in a May meeting. She is taking over for the departing Scott Elliot. Blanton, who Strickler is replacing, will serve alongside Alexander as assistant superintendent. Elliot thanked the board and the community for his time as superintendent. Serving this community has been the honor of my life and I cannot thank this community and this school system enough for the last nine years, Elliot said. I look forward to the many great things to come for our students and our community under Dr. Alexanders leadership. Three other administrators were approved for new roles in the 2023-24 school year. Phil Norman was named chief academic officer, Jane Dobbins will take on the role of director of exceptional childrens services and Tierra Stark is joining the central office as director of student services and afterschool programs. Elliot said that the staffing and administrative changes have set the school system up well for continued success. I have had the honor of working closely with every single person who was selected tonight and I can tell you that this is going to be a very strong leadership team, Elliot said. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket Elina Sagne-Ollikainen , a former deputy chairperson for the partys district organisation in Helsinki, told Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday that she decided to relinquish her party membership due to provisions in the government programme that hit most vulnerable members of society. THE SWEDISH PEOPLES PARTY has lost a handful of members over entries in the government programme it has committed to pursue, report YLE and Helsingin Sanomat. Weve had the saying that we have a big social heart, that we take responsibility for the weakest in society. This type of politics undermines that, she said to the newspaper, pointing to cuts in social and health care, stricter immigration policy, stance on childrens rights and postponing the act on disability services. Sagne-Ollikainen said she is particularly bothered by the message the programme sends to people considering moving to Finland. The four ruling parties have agreed to stipulate that people residing in the country on a work-based residence permit must leave the country if they fail to find new employment within three months of their previous employment ending. Additionally, the quartet is set to raise the residency requirement for citizenship from five to eight years and more than halve the refugee quota to 500. Were entering [the government] to pursue Finns Party-like policies, something we said we wouldnt be doing, she lamented, referring to assurances offered in the wake of the elections by the chairperson of the Swedish Peoples Party, Anna-Maja Henriksson. Were doing so very flagrantly. Veera Granroth, a deputy councillor for the Swedish Peoples Party in Turku, told YLE on Thursday that she will leave the party because the government programme does not align with her values. She viewed that the entries on climate and immigration policy are particular problematic and warned that the cut in the general housing allowance will compound the difficulties of students and low-income earners. Also Kaj Wallenius, who ran for a seat in the Parliament in Turku, announced last week on social media that he will leave the Swedish Peoples Party. The youth and womens organisations of the party both opposed joining the government. The Swedish Peoples Party has argued that entering the government enables it to steer policy making from the inside. Sagne-Ollikainen questioned the justification in her interview with Helsingin Sanomat. You couldve also turned down [Petteri] Orpos invitation [to the coalition formation negotiations]. Sagne-Ollikainen said the Swedish Peoples Party needs support also from non-Swedish speakers, adding that she had hoped that the party would do more to appeal to, for example, the international populace of Helsinki. Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday pointed out that despite the frustration only 11 people have left the party in the past couple of weeks, including 5 from its district organisation in Helsinki. A party spokesperson revealed to the newspaper that membership has actually grown by a single member since May Day. Aleksi Teivainen HT FEW of us would expect to be cast as action heroes at the age of 80 but Harrison Ford takes on that challenge in his fifth and final outing as daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones. Dial of Destiny (12A) arrives on Wednesday at the Henley Regal Picturehouse following the films premiere at Cannes where Ford received a five-minute standing ovation. With Steven Spielberg and George Lucas behind the project, Indiana fans can expect more of the derring-do which characterised his previous whip-cracking adventures, beginning way back in 1981 with Raiders of the Lost Ark. Theres some clever digital trickery which rejuvenates Ford in an early flashback scene and the rest of the film is full of the anticipated harum scarum as Jones sets out to find the dial of the title, created by Archimedes to control the forces of space and time. This time he is accompanied by Phoebe Waller-Bridge as his goddaughter Helena who has motives of her own for finding the lost treasure. Though Spielberg acts as executive producer here, it is the first Indiana Jones he hasnt directed. That job goes to James Mangold, whose previous projects include The Wolverine, Logan and Walk The Line. The film has a running time of two hours, 22 minutes. Fans of film-maker Wes Andersons signature style of presenting a film as a series of straight-faced tableaux in primary colours think The Grand Budapest Hotel and the more recent French Dispatch will know what to expect with Asteroid City (12A). The story is set in the Fifties in a US desert town nicknamed after a meteorite that fell there 3,000 years ago. It is now the site of a government observatory and hosts regular science geek conventions. When atomic mushroom clouds start appearing on the horizon, the town is ordered into lockdown while the residents, employees and visitors muse on their predicament in classic Anderson deadpan style. The ensemble cast reads like a whos who of Hollywood, several of them Andersons regular collaborators Scarlett Johansson, Edward Norton, Willem Defoe, Tilda Swinton, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Jeff Goldblum, Bryan Cranston and Steve Carell. Shot on location in Spain in sparkling pastel colours, the film has a running time of one hour, 45 minutes. Across The Spider-Verse, The Flash and Greatest Days all continue. A CAMPAIGNER from Henley has presented a petition to the Prime Minister demanding that the Government provides a safe and legal route out of Sudan for refugees with family in the UK. Krish Kandiah, founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, went to Downing Street with representatives of Sudanese and Ukrainian families in Britain. He called on the Government to give Sudanese families living here the opportunity to host relatives who urgently need to flee violence and unrest in Sudan. This would be the same deal that was offered to Ukrainians wanting to help relatives fleeing their country after the Russian invasion. The petition has been signed by more than 23,000 people, including many Sudanese, Ukrainian and British people who have also offered to host Sudanese people in their homes. Mr Kandiah was joined in Downing Street by Algaly Saeed, 56, from Rotherham, who came to Britain from Sudan 20 years ago and has not seen his son, Hussam, since he was eight. Hussam fled the war in Khartoum and is in temporary accommodation in Egypt. Mr Saeed said he wanted a family resettlement scheme so he could bring his son to the UK. Also presenting the petition was Tania Orlova, 44, who came to the UK from Kyiv last year with her mother and then eight-year-old son, Danylo. She said she was full of praise for the welcome they received and would like the same to be offered to Sudanese families in need. Dr Kandiah, who lives in Henley with his wife Miriam and six children, launched his charity shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 to inspire people to come forward and sponsor Ukrainian refugees. He then helped advise the Government on its Homes for Ukraine scheme, which was launched in March last year. He wants the Government to set up a similar scheme for Sudanese refugees. Dr Kandiah went to Egypt earlier this month to meet people fleeing Khartoum. He said: Most Sudanese refugees told me they were hoping for sanctuary in Africa or the Middle East. However, there is a small minority who have relatives in the UK. We must find a way to offer those people the same opportunities we gave to Ukrainians. I visited Cairo and Aswan in Egypt because I couldnt get into Khartoum but I was meeting with members of the Sudanese community who were desperately worried about their families. If you listen to the news in the UK it seems like everybody wants to come to Britain but actually they wanted to stay in the region. They know the culture, they speak Arabic and they have skills so they can apply for jobs there. I only met one person who wanted to come to the UK Hussam, whose dad, Algaly, is here. He wanted to flee the war and see his father. He was only eating three meals a week and that was why we wanted to present a petition to Downing Street. We want them to have the same privileges we gave to Ukrainians. The bigger problem is our Sudanese friends living here and serving the country well who are trying to get their families out. For example, I know an NHS consultant who wants to get her mother and sister out. It is unsafe for them and they cant even get money out of the banks because they have all been looted. There are no safe and legal routes for refugees to come to the UK unless they are from Ukraine. If you try to come without a visa and apply for asylum, you could get repatriated to Rwanda or stuck in a detention camp or put into a barge. You cant come and then claim asylum and you cant apply for asylum outside the country either. Its a catch-22. We want the Government to use the same mechanisms we employed for the Ukrainians, where strangers could host or families could receive them. Now we wait for a government response. At the moment it seems there is little appetite but we want to encourage the public so they know this is happening and make some noise. Henley MP John Howell said: There is quite a lot of interest in creating more safe and legal routes in the UK and the debate has come up in the House of Lords quite a lot. I support this. It seems like the obvious thing for a country like the UK to do. FOR the first time since the late Seventies, the Kenton Theatre in Henley invited an audience along to take part in a live radio recording on Monday. Presented by foodie, chef and broadcaster Jay Rayner, BBC Radio 4s long-running series The Kitchen Cabinet features a panel of culinary experts who are invited to look at elements of cooking, food flavours and eating rituals around the world and to have a little fun while they do it. On this occasion, Jay was joined by resident materials expert Zoe Laughlin, cook, food writer and author of Africana Lerato Umah-Shaylor, chef, protegee of Yotam Ottolenghi and author of Mezcla Ixta Belfrage and Marlows Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge. The audience was asked to submit questions in advance and the topics were pub food and hot sauce. The questioners sat up front and local producer John Maillard, alias Johnny HoT Stuff, discussed his range of bestselling chilli- and jalapeno-based condiments, that he produces at Oaken Grove Vineyard (in keeping with the BBCs protocols, Jay pointed out that other hot sauces are available). The special guests had brought along little titbits of food to share and they enjoyed these along with some of Johns sauces. Ixta had prepared Brazilian bolinho de bacalhau (salt cod fritters), leading Tom to say that salt cod Scotch egg was on the menu when he was awarded his Michelin stars. Lerato talked about Nigerian beer parlours as their version of a drinking den, saying that the beers were always accompanied by very hot, peppery soups. There were lots of funny moments. Chef Tom was ribbed for the fact that hed used galvanised-steel buckets, pieces of wood and slate and other more outrageous novelty presentation devices to serve his food over the years, a debate provoked by the website www.wewantplates.com Meanwhile, Zoe pointed out the hazards of cooking with chillies as they contain capsaicin, which creates a burning sensation on the tongue, causing pain as well as heat, at different levels as measured on the Scoville scale. She explained that when washing your hands after preparing chillies, its always best to really scrub and not just use water, as they can leave a greasy residue which can still sting afterwards. Jay asked Tom if hed ever had chilli-related mishaps and Tom affirmed hed had plenty, for example, wiping his forehead after a busy shift. Then Jay commented that people should always be careful what they touched after cooking with chillies, for example, when going to the bathroom, particularly you chaps, but thats not going in the broadcast. The programme will be broadcast on Saturday, July 29 and repeated the next day. Natalie Aldred Daily Horoscope Predictions says, Cancer, you are a born hero As per daily horoscope predictions, the love life will be good today. Despite challenges, youll resolve professional challenges. Check to know more details. Cancer Daily Horoscope Today, June 27, 2023. A happy love relationship is what the horoscope promises today. A happy love relationship is what the horoscope promises today. In addition, youll have a successful professional life supported by good finance and health. Also Read Horoscope Today Cancer Love Horoscope Today Your love will be blind, sincere, and pure. However, you will also be sensitive which may create issues. Be sensible in the relationship and approach issues with a mature attitude. Your partner will love you intensively but the expression may not be the same and this may create issues within the relationship today. Resolve every issue by talking to each other. Single Gemini natives can expect a new relationship to start today. Also Read Love Horoscope Today Cancer Career Horoscope Today Office politics can be a serious issue in your professional life today. Gossip may impact your productivity and allegations may lead to mental stress. Avoid every criticism as most will be unreasonable and senseless. However, your focus needs to be a job. Take up every responsibility that comes on your way as your commitment may play a major role in your professional growth. Businessmen will be happy to sign in new business deals today. Also Read Career Horoscope Today Cancer Money Horoscope Today No financial problem will be there today and wealth will be pouring in from different sources. You may consider buying a property, house, or vehicle. Today, no serious financial dispute will happen in your life and you will be pretty safe in terms of finance. Before you invest in a speculative business, study the market as you dont need to blindly invest and lose money. Cancer Health Horoscope Today Minor cancer natives may have mild infections and headaches which may stop them from attending school. Avoid lifting heavy objects as you may be injured. Drive carefully, especially at night. Stay in the company f people with a positive attitude to be free from mental stress. Give up unhealthy aerated drinks and replace them with healthy beverages, mostly fresh fruit juices. Senior Cancer natives will also have sleep-related issues today. Cancer Sign Attributes Strength: Intuitive, Practical, Kind, Energetic, Artsy, Dedicated, Benevolent, Caring Weakness: Insatiable, Possessive, Prudish Symbol: Crab Element: Water Body Part: Stomach & Breast Sign Ruler: Moon Lucky Day: Monday Lucky Color: White Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Stone: Pearl Cancer Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces Good compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn Fair compatibility: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius Less compatibility: Aries, Libra By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: https://www.cyberastro.com E-mail: caresponse@cyberastro.com Phone: 9717199568, 9958780857 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has refuted allegations of fraud in its recruitment process, as it responded to media reports of a bribes-for-jobs scandal rocking the IT major. Representational Image (Aniruddha Chowdhury/Mint) We probed the allegations made in the complaint, and found out that the charges do not involve any fraud by or against the company, and financial impact. The reference to the alleged scam is incorrect, TCS said in a statement to the exchanges on June 23. The scandal was originally reported by HT's sister publication Mint earlier that day. The complaint was sent to TCS chief executive officer (CEO) K Krithivasan, and chief operating officer (COO) N Ganapathy Subramaniam, by a whistleblower, who alleged that ES Chakravarthy, the global head of its resource management group (RMG) accepted commissions from staffing firms for years. The RMG, the follow-up statement noted, is entrusted with allocating resources to various projects, and fill shortfalls through contractors. None of our key managerial positions has been involved in any irregularities. The issue relates to the breach of Code of Conduct by certain employees, and by vendors providing contractors, it further stated. How did TCS respond to whistleblower's complaint? The Mint report stated that the Mumbai-headquartered multinational firm tasked chief information security officer Ajit Menon, and two other executives, with probing the allegations. After weeks of probe, Chakravarthy (the global head of RMG) was sent on leave, four executives of the recruitment group were terminated, and as many as three staffing firms blacklisted. Those involved in the scam made at least 100 crore via commissions, the Mint report added. (With agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail Shyam Sundar embarked on an entrepreneurial journey after being employed as the head of IT in a firm. With a vision to create a brand in the spice industry, he started planning for his venture in 2019-20. Despite facing challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, Sundar launched his spices company North Gold Spices in 2020. He also quit his job to focus completely on growing his fledgling business. As a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) startup, the government offered them substantial assistance. Through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna scheme, the brand received a 25% rebate and a loan worth 10 lakhs. However, they encountered challenges when traders and wholesalers demanded higher margins offline. To overcome this hurdle, the brand turned to Flipkart's B2B platform, which enabled them to efficiently sell commodities in bulk. This strategic move allowed them to streamline their operations and improve profitability. In 2021, North Gold Spices joined the Walmart Vriddhi programme, which played a vital role in their business growth. Despite a slow first year, the guidance and knowledge imparted by Vriddhi resulted in close to Rs. 1 crore in revenue in FY 2021-22. With a plan to foray into spices export in the next financial year, North Gold Spices aims to expand its market internationally as well. A helping hand from Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart has helped this former IT head in unfurling his entrepreneurial wings. HT Image We talked to him about the company's strategic moves to overcome challenges, among other things. Here are edited excerpts: Can you tell us more about the challenges faced in launching North Gold Spices and how did you overcome them? We faced a number of obstacles, including the Covid-19 pandemic during our launch phase at North Gold Spices. We overcame these challenges, however, through perseverance and strategic decisions. One of the primary problems was the demand for bigger margins in offline wholesale and bulk sales through our traditional channels, which made us take the decision to utilize Flipkart's B2B platform. This decision enabled us to sell goods in bulk and directly to customers, allowing us to streamline our operations and increase profitability. How did the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna scheme and the government's assistance contribute to the growth of North Gold Spices as a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) startup? The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna scheme and government support were critical in the success of North Gold Spices as an MSME company. We obtained a 25% rebate and a loan of Rs.10 lakhs through the plan. This assistance provided us with tessential financial backing as well as a solid basis for our future growth. We were able to invest in infrastructure, purchase raw materials, and expand operations, thanks to financial help. It also aided us in managing our working capital needs and extending our market presence. Can you elaborate on the strategic moves by North Gold Spices to overcome challenges in wholesale and bulk sales? How did this decision streamline your operations and improve profitability? North Gold Spices joined the Walmart Vriddhi programme in 2021, which was critical to our company's success. We learned a lot about inventory management, branding, marketing, sales improvement techniques, and production elements from the training. It pushed us to take on wholesale and bulk operations, and Vriddhi's personal mentoring helped us achieve a competitive edge in the industry. The guidance and knowledge imparted by the training resulted in achieving close to Rs.1 crore in revenue in FY 2021-22. What are North Gold Spices' plans for future expansion? How do you envision leveraging your online presence to achieve these goals? North Gold Spices has significant expansion ambitions for the future. We hope to expand our portfolio beyond ground spice powders by introducing branded whole spices. This change will enable us to cater to a greater spectrum of consumer preferences while also expanding our product choices. In addition, we are looking at B2B collaborations with hotels and catering businesses, through which we will be able to access additional distribution channels and reach a larger customer base. North Gold Spices also intends to expand into spice exports in the coming fiscal year. We want to build a significant national and international presence in the spice sector by efficiently utilising online marketplaces and digital platforms. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Monday extended the deadline of higher pension for members till July 11, PTI reported. The provident fund body had earlier extended the deadline thrice from March 3 to May 3 and then till June 26. the deadline was extended to provide more opportunity to the pensioners so as to ease any problem faced by them. In November last year, the Supreme Court had allowed employees who were part of the EPFO before September 1, 2014 and had been in service after the said date but could not avail the joint option under the EPS, to do so within four months of the order. Who is eligible for EPS? Last week, EPFO came out with a procedure to enable subscribers and their employers to jointly apply for higher pension under Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS). (File) The employees who were members of the EPF and EPS on September 1, 2014 and remained to be after the said date. Also, the employees who retired before September 1, 2014 and previously had opted for higher pensions but applications were rejected by the EPFO authorities. Documents required The documents required include universal account number (UAN), pension payment order (PPO) for pensioners and proof of payment made to the EPF account above the wage ceiling limit. How to calculate higher pension? Higher pension for those who retired before September 1, 2014 is calculated on the basis of average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period of service in 12 months preceding the date of exit from the membership. For those employees who retired/will retire on or after 1 September 2014, the pension will be calculated on the basis of average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period of service in 60 months preceding the date of exit from the membership. 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 Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has launched a new app called BLR Pulse on Monday to provide hassle free experience to the commuters at Kempegowda International Airport. The app is made available for both android and iPhone users. Bengaluru airport launches a new app called BLR Pulse for passengers(Bengaluruairport.com) Through the BLR Pulse app, people can monitor real time flight updates, book a table at restaurants inside the airport, connect WiFi, gather information on check in gates and even track the flights which are delayed. It also has an information about discounts at F&B outlets inside the terminals. The authorities of Bengaluru airport tweeted, Your personalised travel buddy is just a tap away. BLR Pulsethe App that offers a new way of experiencing #BLRAirport. Anything you need for your journey from flight information, queue wait time to store locations is available on BLR Pulse. The app is expected to be a great help those last-minute flyers to navigate through multiple gates and board their flight on time. In December last year, Bengaluru airport authorities had launched Metaverse experience at new terminal 2. The 3D interface helped passengers to check into flights, navigate through terminals and shop. In June last year, a total of 10 robots were deployed at the Kempegowda International Airport in the month which are driven by artificial intelligence assistance. These robots are also capable of escorting passengers in the airport, based on the request. In order to develop Belagavi on the lines of Bengaluru, the government has proposed to raise the number of wards in Belagavi City Corporation by including about a dozen villages adjoining the city and reorganising the existing wards based on population, officials said. The Karnataka government proposes to raise the number of wards in Belagavi and reorganise the existing wards based on population. (Wikimedia commons) The number of wards will be raised to over 90 from the current 58. The city corporation will be later termed as Bruhat Belagavi Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) and will be eligible for more developmental funds. Belagavi will be the second city in the state to get BBMP status after Bengaluru. Minister Jarkiholi has planned to include Hindalaga, Halaga, Bastawad, Modaga, Modaga, Sambra, Peeranwadi, Machche and Damane villages from Belagavi rural assembly constituency and Kakati, Honaga, Bennali villages from his Yamakanamaradi constituency into the city corporation. I have tabled a proposal before the Urban Development Ministry and also have instructed the Belagavi City Corporation to work on the plan, Jarkiholi said. The city would get more funds for the development if it gets the BBMP status than the city corporations, the minister added. Known as the second capital of the state, the wards of Belagavi have not been revised for more than 30 years. The multi-linguistic border city with 58 wards has been divided into Belagavi south, north, rural and Yamakanamaradi assembly constituencies. The border city which was a Town Municipal Corporation with 52 wards in 1985 was upgraded to Mahanagar Palike (City Corporation) with revised 58 wards in 1991. Since then, though widely developed, many new localities have not been reorganised. According to the current population, the city corporation will get 75 wards. According to 2021 census, Belagavi has about seven lakh residential and four lakh floating population. Due to lack of political interest and vision of Belagavi district politicians, Belagavi s not only the commercial hub and junction of Goa and Maharashtra states and but also has the second power centre -- Suvarna Vidhan Soudha -- remained undeveloped due to linguistic quarrel between Kannadigas and Marathis and border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra on Belagavi issue. Due to the said reason, Belagavi was not developed as compared to the neighbouring Hubbali and Dharwad districts in the state and Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Despite having easy communicative modes, business and industrial atmosphere, the business class hesitated to establish business, invest funds over language and border dispute. Former president of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Belagavi, Vikas Kalghatagi said, Belagavi is enriched with maximum resources for industrial development. The casting manufactured here has an international demand. However, the clashes between Kannadigas and Marathis is forcing the business class and investors to turn toward Kolhapur and Goa which also have industrial friendly facilities. Obtaining permission to start new industry in Goa and Maharashtra is very easy. All the requirements are available through single window system. The cost of electric power and water to the industrial sector is comparatively less which is another reason investors dont prefer Belagavi, he said. To overcome all such setbacks, Belagavi district in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi proposed to raise the number of wards to 90 plus, in order to get the additional fund/aid that fixed to the major cities by the government. An official from Belagavi City Corporation on condition of anonymity said, about 30 years ago, on an average, the population of each ward was between 25, 000 to 30,000 with about 4,000 to 5,000 voters. However, the number has now crossed 4-5 times. Therefore, if reformed, the number of existing wards on population grounds will be raised up to 75 and it will cross the 90 mark if neighbouring rural localities are added. Ashok Chandaragi, the convenor of Kannada Organisations Stearing Committee, Belagavi, who is the person to make the first Kannada and Urdu linguistic corporators as mayor and deputy mayor in 1999, told HT that the pro-Maharashtrian organisation Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) would be vanished completely if Belagavi gets the BBMP status. Earlier, Marathi linguistics, since 1984 used to be elected as mayor and deputy mayor which was blocked for the first time in 1999. HT reached out to MES for a reaction, but couldnt get an immediate response. The areas which minister Jarkiholi has proposed to include in the Belagavi City Corporation has equal number of Kannadigas and Marathis and the supporters of Congress and BJP, so there is no political motivation in the governments proposal, Chandaragi said. Though Belagavi is termed as the second capital of the state, its not been developed like Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubbali and Dharwad. Once it gets BBMP status, unique changes can be seen with flowing of funds from government as well from investors, Chandaragi added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A man from Karnataka slit the throat of a friend, suspecting an affair with his wife, and drank his blood. The horrific incident, which was recorded by a third person on a phone, took place near Siddepalli cross of Chintamani taluk. Chintamani police arrested the accused on Saturday evening after the video went viral on social media. Man in Karnataka drinks blood of another man after slitting his throat. Also Read - Karnataka: Man dies by suicide in police custody, 5 cops suspended According to a report in The Times of India, the accused, identified as Vijay, is from Chintamani town, which is roughly 80 kilometres from Bengaluru. Maresh, who is also from the same village reportedly developed a friendship with the wife of the accused, who found them getting close to each other. Vijay warned Maresh multiple times to avoid chatting with his wife but he didn't heed the warning. On July 19, Vijay along with his cousin John Babu took Maresh to a nearby farm on the pretext of showing the crop and allegedly tried to slit his throat with a knife. In the video, Vijay was seen drinking the spilt blood. However, Maresh escaped the scene and was admitted to a nearby hospital. John Babu, who accompanied Vijay recorded the whole incident in his mobile camera. Police arrested Vijay and they launched a hunt to catch John Babu, who recorded the video on his mobile. 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Shahdol on Tuesday has been postponed due to heavy rainfall in the state, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. According to the schedule, PM Modi was to visit the state on Tuesday to launch two Vande Bharat trains. (ANI file photo) Chouhan said that in view of the possibility of heavy rainfall on June 27, the prime ministers visit to Lalpur and Pakaria has been postponed. Also Read: PM Modi to dedicate 5 new Vande Bharat trains A large number of residents were about to attend the event in Lalpur and that could have caused inconvenience to them due to rains. The prime minister wants that citizens should not face any problem due to heavy rains, said the CM. In Shahdol, the PM was likely to launch a national programme for sickle cell disease with distribution of Ayushman cards. According to the programme, there was an interaction planned with locals in Lalpur and Pakaria too. The new date for his visit will be announced soon. According to the schedule, PM Modi was to visit the state on Tuesday to launch two Vande Bharat trains (Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur) in the state capital. PM Modi was to arrive in the city at around 10am and flag off the Vande Bharat trains at Rani Kamlapati Railway station in the city. With agency inputs The son of a former sarpanch was allegedly shot dead by two assailants at his house in Nangthala village in Hisar on Saturday night, police officials said. A former sarpanchs son was shot dead at his house in Hisar. (HT File) The deceased has been identified as Jai Parkash alias JP. Sharing details, police said two men arrived at Jai Parkashs house in a car and asked his wife about his whereabouts after barging in. After his wife informed them that her husband was sleeping in his room, the duo made their way inside. The assailants first enquired JP about his well-being and then they fired shots aiming at his chest. He was taken to a private hospital in Hisar, from where he was rushed to Maharaja Agrasen medical college in Agroha, where doctors declared him dead, police spokesperson Vikas Kumar said. A murder case has been registered against unknown assailants and efforts are on to identify and arrest them. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The joint team comprising the officials of the technical institutions and Haryana State Pollution Control Board has been directed to complete the surprise inspections at Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) located in the Yamuna belt of the state. Haryana pollution board has been told to tighten the noose around industries polluting Yamuna. (HT File) As per the letter written by the member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a joint team from officials of the IITs and NITs were engaged for carrying out the annual inspection at GPIs located in the main stem states of rivers Ganga and Yamuna and their tributaries to verify the compliance as per the notified norms under the Namami Gange Programme. Of the 1,145 GPIs identified in Haryana, only 831 have been inspected, the letter states. Of those inspected reports have been made available to the HSPCB for 522 units and HSPCB has completed action at 143 GPIs. As many as 99 units were found to be complying with the norms, while 25 were self-closed and 19 were non-complying. Thus, the HSPCB has issued show-cause notices to the 19 non-complying GPIs. Of these, 11 cases of effluent by-pass were reported by the technical institutions and action has been initiated on four such types of industries, the letter reveals. As per the set of guidelines, the HSPCB nominates a nodal officer, who will coordinate with the technical institutions for participation in joint inspection of the GPIs. The state has also been directed to submit the action-taken report to the CPCB within 15 days. In case of non-compliance of the norms, the HSPCB is to issue required directions even closure notice to the industries and the unit will be re-inspected and closure directions be issued in case of non-compliance within the 30 days of the inspection. Even if the technical institutes are not allowed to enter the industries, closure directions and compliance verification of such units can be carried out by technical institutes and HSPCB officials participating in the joint inspection. If the samples are being analysed by the HSPCB labs, results will be provided to the institutions within 15 days. Speaking of the developments, HSPCB chairperson P Raghavendra said the inspections are being carried out as per the schedule. He said the board was providing all assistance to the third-party inspection teams and required action is being taken as per the norms. The boards nodal officer Naveen Gulia said immediate action is being taken as per the recommendations of the inspection teams, adding that technical institutions cooperate with field and regional officers. Of the total 1,145 GPIs located in Haryana, reports of about 740 inspections have been received and HSPCB has already taken necessary action on about 400 units. The complete inventory of GPIs is also under process and will be provided to CPCB soon after the collection of complete data from our regional officers and it will be completed soon, he added. GPIs, for the uninitiated, are defined as industrial units having potential to discharge 100 kg per day of biochemical oxygen demand load or handling hazardous chemicals as specified in manufacturing import and storage of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Heavy rains on Monday morning triggered landslides and mudslides, blocking the Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH44) in Mehad and Seri area of the Ramban district, said officials. Work underway to clear the highway. (HT Photo) However, the affected stretches were partially restored and made through for one-way traffic at Mehad around 3 pm. Jammu-Srinagar national highway was restored partially. Stranded vehicles are being cleared. However, people are advised not to travel on NH44 without confirming the status of the highway from traffic control units, said a police official. In view of rains, Ramban district magistrate Mussarat Islam ordered the closure of all government and private schools up to secondary level (Class 10) across the district on Monday owing to the fear of flash floods in rivers and rivulets. Meanwhile, Mughal Road, that connects Shopian in South Kashmir to Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu, remained blocked due to a landslide. Mughal road is blocked due to a landslide at Harikatha. People are advised not to travel via the road till restoration work is completed, said a police officer. Administration has also decided that during the 62-day long Amarnath Yatra, that begins July 1, all the empty trucks and load carriers returning from Kashmir to Jammu shall take the Mughal Road. With an aim to ensure hassle-free movement of convoys of Amaranath Yatra on Jammu -Srinagar national highway (NH44), empty tankers, Food Corporation of India vehicles and trucks above 10 tyres shall take the Mughal Road, said divisional commissioner of Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, in an order. On Monday, monsoon rains lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing respite from heatwave like conditions. The MeT has predicted more precipitation over the next few days. Generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate rain is expected in Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours, a MeT official said. He added that intermittent rain is expected on June 27 and some places in Jammu region may receive moderate to heavy showers in morning hours. On June 28 and 29, intermittent light rain was expected and on June 30, weather is expected to be partly cloudy, the official added. He further said that rain likely in the evening of June 30. Rain may lead to localised flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable spots, especially in Jammu region. Water level in rivers, streams and rivulets are expected to rise. All are requested to remain cautious and alert during active phase of Monsoon in J&K, he said. After continuous rise in temperatures over the past few days, several parts of Jammu and Kashmir were lashed with rains on Monday. With these rains, MeT has declared the arrival of monsoon in Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Ladakh. MeT director Sonum Lotus said that monsoon arrived in J&K and Ladakh on Sunday and conditions are favourable for further strengthening of monsoon over the next few days. J&K is very likely to receive moderate to heavy showers (in spells), mainly between June 26 and 27, and light to moderate rain on June 28 and 29. He added that there will be respite from the heatwave for now. Meanwhile, MeT office in Srinagar has issued an advisory that rains may lead to localised flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable spots, especially in Jammu region. Water level in rivers, streams and nallas are expected to rise. All are requested to remain cautious and alert during active phase of monsoon in J&K, read the advisory. In past 24 hours till Monday morning, Srinagar recorded rainfall of 26.8 mm as Qazigund saw 50.2 mm rain. As per the disaster management department, all streams and rivers in Kashmir were flowing below the alert level, despite heavy rains in certain pockets of the valley. Heavy rainfall on Monday morning triggered shooting stones and landslides that blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH44) at Mehad and Seri area of the Ramban district, said officials. Rains may lead to localised flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable spots, especially in Jammu region. (ANI image) SSP Traffic, national highway, Rohit Baskotra said, Incessant rains are hampering road clearance operations. The vehicles have been stopped from going to Ramban, Jammu or Srinagar. In view of rains, district magistrate, Ramban, Mussarat Islam has ordered the closure of all government and private schools up to secondary level (Class 10) across Ramban district fearing imminent flash floods in rivers and rivulets. A traffic police advisory said that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains blocked. Mughal Road is also blocked due to landslide at Harikatha. People are advised not to travel on NH-44 and Mughal Road till restoration work is completed, it read. Also Read: Jammu-Srinagar national highway partially restored, stranded vehicles being cleared Monsoon rains lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing respite from heatwave conditions, even as the weatherman has forecast more rainfall in the next few days. Generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate rain is expected in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours, a meteorological department official said. On June 27, intermittent rain was expected while some places in Jammu region may receive moderate to heavy showers in morning hours. On June 28-29, intermittent light rain was expected while on June 30, weather is expected to be partly cloudy. Rain likely in the evening of June 30, he added. Rains may lead to localised flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable spots, especially in Jammu region. Water levels in rivers and streams/rivulets are also expected to rise. All are requested to remain cautious and alert during the active phase of Monsoon in J&K, he said. Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday slammed the Congress party for imposing Emergency on the night of June 25, 1975, accusing the grand-old party of strangling democracy in doing so. He was addressing a rally in the city on the completion of Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) nine-year rule at the Centre. Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal addressing the gathering at New Anaj Mandi in Rohtak. (Manoj Dhaka/HT) Speaking of the Opposition parties plan to forge a united front against the BJP at the Centre, the law minister said, The opposition leaders were sent to jail during the emergency and many of those leaders are forging an alliance against the BJP. We had never thought that the level of democracy would be so lowered. Addressing the need for Uniform Civil Code, meanwhile, he said, We will decide the future course of action after the law commission of India releases its report. Meghwal said the Union government has also busted a fraud of 2 lakh crore being disturbed through various schemes, detailing, The fraud was busted after our government started a direct benefit transfer scheme. The Union government has built 11 crore toilets and become open-defecation free, he added. Union minister of state for animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, Sanjeev Baliyan credited the BJP government for bringing transparency to the state. Hitting out at the opposition, he said, The parties are doing politics on the basis of caste and they are trying to disrupt the social fabric of the society. Haryana BJP state chief OP Dhankar, who also attended the event, meanwhile, said The Congress has imposed Section 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and they were against our governments decision to dismantle it. China has acquired our territory during Congress rule but they stayed mum. Member of Parliament from Rohtak, Arvind Sharma, said he will contest the next parliamentary election from the seat. Party leaders, meanwhile, exuded confidence on the Lotus blooming on all ten Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, but refrained from speaking on the alliance perspective with the Jannayak Janata Party. Rajya Sabha member from the Congress party, Deepender Hooda on Sunday said the days of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Jannayak Janata Party (BJP-JJP) coalition government in the state were numbered as the people of Haryana have made up their mind to bring the Congress back to power in 2024. Rajya Sabha member from the Congress party Deepender Hooda. (HT File) Addressing a gathering under the Haath Se Haath Jodo programme at Atta village in Samalkha of Panipat district Hooda said, I can say with confidence that the days of this government are over and the countdown has begun. People running this government are looting public money as everyday a new scam comes to the fore but the government has no concerns about the sufferings of the people, especially farmers, youths. employees, businessmen, he added. The leader reiterated the resolution of joining hands, saying his partys agenda was to connect every brother of Haryana and bind them with the thread of love, and break the pride of BJP. We will connect farmers with MSP guarantee. There are 2 lakh vacant government posts, we will link it with permanent recruitment and employment, he stated. We will connect the employees with the old pension scheme and the elderly with the highest old age pension of 6,000 in the country. We will connect poor families with free plots of 100 yards and two room houses. We will connect every family with 300 units of free electricity, he added. Setting up an IAS and IPS-like service in the field of urban planning, a national and regional urban planning authority with the Prime Minister as its head, central support to placement of qualified urban planners in the states and cities and modernisation of state town planning laws are some of the key recommendations by a high-level committee (HLC) set up by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA). The committee has recommended setting up of an autonomous National Urban and Regional Planning Authority in line with Centre for Liveable Cities of Singapore. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) The move to set up HLC was announced in the Union Budget last year, and MoHUA set up the panel soon after. The committees 84-page report titled Pathways to Amrit Kaal, with broad recommendations, was submitted in April and the panels first meeting with the ministry was held on June 19, according to a MoHUA official who asked not to be named. Manoj Joshi, secretary, MoHUA, said the committee will hold a meeting with all states in July to discuss the recommendations and review the progress on the urban reform packages rolled out in the last two years. We are examining the report and discussing the way forward. We will be meeting representatives of states within a month to take it up with the states. Much of the recommendations are already covered in the urban reforms package that has been rolled out for the states. Since planning is a state subject, we have been nudging the states towards better urban planning through economic support and funding as well as other means, Joshi said. According to the report, the committee has called for setting up economic development councils in all cities with over a million population and district economic development councils in all cities with population less than a million. HT has seen a copy of the report. For ringing in the reforms in urban planning sector, the HLC has made 11 broad recommendations with approximate budget for every measure, of which 10 are expected to be rolled out immediately, beginning this year, the first official said. The recommendations for immediate action include modernisation of state recruitment rules and filling of the sanctioned posts for urban planners, Nagar Niyojak Scheme (central support to placement of qualified urban planners in the states and cities), national framework for professional certification (CUPI), countrywide institutional network of grid (NUPRA), modernisation of state town planning legislations, national urban research and innovation fund, all-India urban planning service and town and country planners bill, accelerated urban capacity building programme for central and administrative leaders, launch of annual platform of India urban forum and national communication and outreach on cities. One mid-term recommendation is urban planning institutional streamlining at the central level which can be initiated by 2024. The committee has recommended setting up of an autonomous National Urban and Regional Planning Authority (NURPA), in line with Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore, focusing on the integrated aspects of urban development and management. It would be headed by the Prime Minister, and will function under MoHUA with an urban planner as its CEO. The authority will have its own corpus and headquartered in Delhi, the recommendations say. According to the committees report, NUPRA would be an apex technical advisory body which will provide guidance to all ministries, departments and agencies on urban and regional planning and development in the country. It will work on preparation of statutory frameworks for planning, advocacy and communication, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships and collaborations, and support to modernise state-level urban planning bodies. The committee also recommended that the Prime Minister launch a structured national urban orientation programme covering 50,000 officers across central, state and district administrations. The prevalent legal framework in states on town and country planning is neither contemporary nor capable of unlocking the immense possibilities of our cities. They need to be overhauled. Delays in modernising state town and country planning laws would continue to hold India back from willingly embracing our urban future, the report said. The committee further specified the mass recruitment of urban planners with the suggestion that the Union government should allocate funds to states over a five-year period to recruit 2,000 urban planners at junior level, 850 at middle levels and 350 multi-disciplinary experts to address the chronic problem of staff vacancies. In its report, the panel said that MoHUA should also incentivise states to modernise cadre and recruitment or service rules for urban planners and designers. The report also recommends restructuring state town and country planning departments based on guidelines that would be issued by MoHUA and will be supported by a national challenge fund to monitor and incentivise progress. It said that MoHUA should issue model town planning legislative framework and provide funding of 2 crore per state to review and modernise their respective legislation. In India, we are at an inflection point as more than 50% of our population is expected to be living in urban areas by 2050. We need to train our officials and leadership away from their current orientation towards rural development. The current structure of town and country planners does not represent the face of modern India, and needs to change. We also need a strong partnership with the private sector, said Keshav Varma, chairman of the high-level committee. Over the years urban planning has been so car-oriented that we have been making roads and streets only for cars. There is a big need for safe and continuous walking infrastructure in all our cities, said Varma. The committee recommends creating a national economic gateway programme for 25 city-regions, with an allocation of 200 crore per city-region per year for a period of five years, along with similar committees at the state level as well led by the state chief minister. We recommend the drafting of national urban design standards and bye laws for public space and street design with appropriate legislative backing, and comprising detailed standards for guidelines for right of way, footpaths, cycle tracks, safety and access, crossings etc. Streets and public spaces need to mandatorily adhere to predefined key performance indicators with emphasis on walkability, safety, and inclusion. Building bye-laws to be overhauled on aspects such as setbacks. There needs to be a deliberate and conscious re-orientation away from flyovers and elevated roads, the report said. Experts said that just an increase in the number of planners will not solve the problem if the concepts of urban planning are not overhauled. Radical revision about the basics of urban planning is far more important than just an administrative redistribution. The problem is not that of a shortage of urban planners and simply increasing their numbers may only compound the problem. The way cities are planned has to be go through a fundamental change, said KT Ravindran, dean emeritus, RICS School of Built Environment, Amity University. Other experts said that there are more aspects of urban planning that need better integration, which are being ignored. In light of technological advancements, the future demands an even more holistic approachthe integration of transport, land use and energy. Neglecting to incorporate energy in this conversation would mean overlooking significant opportunities and potential for progress, said Amit Bhatt, managing director (India), International Council of Clean Transport (ICCT). As panchayat poll fervour heats up in West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee amped up her election campaign by serving tea to people in Jalpaiguri's Malbazar. In a video shared by news agency ANI, Banerjee was seen making tea at a roadside stall. CM Mamata Banerjee serves tea in Bengal. (ANI) The CM on Monday accused the BSF of threatening voters at the orders of the BJP and asked the police to keep a close tab on their activities. Banerjee assured that the party will strive to remove corruption in the local body as the party had renewed its focus to the rural polls through mass outreach programmes. She added that people's views were considered while choosing candidates. Taking a dig at BJP's "double engine government" slogan, the TMC supremo said it would be trounced in the panchayat and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "We will oust the BJP from the Centre and bring a development-oriented government in the country," she added. The state has been witnessing political clashes ever since the announcement of the July 8 elections. The Calcutta high court had earlier ordered the deployment of central paramilitary forces in seven sensitive districts to ensure peaceful polls. The Supreme Court on Tuesday approved the same and dismissed the petitions filed by the state government and the state election commission (SEC) against the HC order in this. Around 5.67 crore voters are set to vote to elect nearly 75,000 candidates in zilla parishads, panchayat samiti and gram panchayats. Counting for the single-phase election will be held on July 11. (With inputs from PTI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The goat markets in Lucknow are abuzz with buyers looking for different breeds of goats ahead of Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) to be celebrated on Thursday. Ashraf Hussain with his goat at Joggers Park in Lucknow. (HT) Available at different prices, one such breed is on sale for 8 lakh in Joggers Park near Dubbagga market in the state capital. This white goat is four feet in height, and it measures up to five feet when it stands on its two hind legs. The twenty-seven-month-old goat is being sold by one Ashraf Hussain. It weighs nearly two quintals, says Hussain from Sultanpur who has travelled all the way from his city to Lucknow to get a better deal. Informing more about the goat, another seller in the same market Aquil Hussain said, This is a Khasi goat of Beetal breed and is the most expensive one in the entire Joggers Park goat market. The Punjab region of Pakistan and India is home to the Beetal goat breed, which is raised for its milk and meat. It is comparable to the Malabari and Jamnapari goat breeds. It also goes by the name Lahori goat, and it is popular because of its huge size and good milk producing ability, he added. It is also known as the poor mans cow because of its capacity to survive on little forage and adaptation to adverse conditions, said Ashraf. Im looking for a buyer as I have put a lot of savings in raising the goat, the old man said. Commuters travelling towards Pune via Sion-Panvel highway on Monday were stuck in traffic for over four hours after two trailers collided at the Vashi Flyover. The traffic department deployed over 30 police personnel along with jumbo cranes to remove the vehicles. (Bachchan Kumar/HT Photo) The traffic department deployed over 30 police personnel along with jumbo cranes to remove the vehicles and clear the congestion that stretched to over a kilometer. At around 6am, two multi-axle vehicles rear ended each other after the driver was unable to apply brakes on time. Also Read: To ease traffic flow from Zirakpur: Chandigarh admn plans road widening project, cycle tracks on Dakshin Marg Since it was raining yesterday, the roads have become slippery and the trailer carrying heavy metal pipes which was in the front developed some technical issues with its clutch and had slowed down. At the same time, another trailer coming from behind couldnt apply brakes and ended up colliding with the trailer in the front causing major accident and led to the traffic jam, said the Vashi traffic in-charge and senior police inspector Satish Kadam. There were no casualties reported. Officer goers and students expressed their anguish over the traffic delays. Due to the traffic congestion, students heading from Chembur to Vashi arrived almost an hour after school time. It was very disturbing for the parents as they were not aware of their kids whereabouts till the time the bus hadnt reached the school, said a resident of Nerul Dr Nirali Sanghavi. Another daily commuter from Vashi to Andheri Prasad Gawde usually reaches his destination by 10am but on Monday he reached past noon. He boards the 8:55am bus from Vashi daily and usually reaches in an hour, but on Monday even at 12pm, he was midway, said his wife, Trupti Gawde. The entire road was blocked, and the traffic department had to undertake a major operation to remove the vehicles from the road. The department had to hire jumbo cranes to shift the trailers away from the road. Since the trailers were heavily loaded, our initial attempt to remove them using a small crane didnt work. Eventually with jumbo cranes we managed to shift the heavily loaded trailer to the sideways. By 12pm, the congestion was cleared as both the trailers were removed from the road. One lane on the flyover was kept operational and simultaneously vehicles were also diverted and directed to use the old flyover, said an official from the location. Traffic congestion towards the Mumbai side of the flyover was attributed to onlookers slowing down to shoot videos. There was no issue on the other side but motorists curious to see the accident were slowing down thereby creating traffic congestion on the other side as well, said Kadam. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday demanded lieutenant governor VK Saxena's resignation for a spurt in crime in the national capital, a day after two men were robbed in broad daylight inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Kejriwal said that Saxena should make way for someone who can ensure the safety and security of the residents of Delhi, and even called on the central government to hand the law and order to the AAP-led government. Four men on two motorcycles robbed a cabs passengers at gunpoint on Sunday. LG shud resign. Make way for someone who can provide safety n security to the people of Delhi. If Central govt is unable to make Delhi safe, hand it over to us. We will show u how to make a city safe for its citizens (sic), Kejriwal tweeted. Four men on two motorcycles waylaid a taxi inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel on Sunday afternoon and robbed the cabs passengers of around 2 lakh in cash, police said. A police officer associated with the case, on condition of anonymity, told HT that the victims did not inform the police immediately, and filed a complaint at the Tilak Marg police station later in the evening. Deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal said the complainant, identified as Patel Sajan Kumar, who works as a delivery agent for a private firm in Chandni Chowk, gave a written complaint in which he mentioned that he along with his associate Jigar Patel was going to Gurugram to deliver the cash to a client. As per the complaint, the two hired an Ola cab from near Red Fort. As they entered the Pragati Maidan tunnel from Ring Road, four people on two motorcycles intercepted their cab and robbed them of the cash bag at gunpoint, said Tayal. The video obtained from a CCTV installed inside the tunnel shows one of the four robbers pointing a gun at the two passengers, while another robber snatches the bag full of cash. The other two robbers blocked the cab with their bikes to ensure its driver did not speed away. The robbers then sped away further inside the tunnel and exited towards Mathura Road near the Purana Quila. We checked CCTV footage on Mathura Road that showed the suspects fleeing towards south Delhi. We also have video footage where the suspects are seen conducting reconnaissance of the area from where the delivery agents had left," the police officer cited above said. "There are some definite clues regarding the suspects. They will be identified and nabbed soon, the officer added. 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 25-year-old driver allegedly ran a vehicle over a crowd following a verbal exchange with locals in Assams Nagaon district, police said. The man tried to flee after hitting the crowd with his car, but he was stopped and caught. (Representative file image) Nine people have sustained injuries in the incident. Police said they have arrested the man. The incident happened at Batamari village on Monday morning. According to police, the man was driving rashly, and a group of locals stopped him urging him to slow down as there were schools in the neighbourhood. Also Read: 3 die after vehicle skids off highway; Patna civil judge among 3 injured He started arguing with us and said that hell drive as per his wish. While talking to the locals, he started his car and ran over the people gathered there, a local resident told media persons. According to locals, when the man started moving his car, some people managed to escape but nine, including school children, sustained injuries. According to onlookers, the man tried to flee after hitting the crowd with his car, but he was stopped and caught. Police said they have detained the man who was driving, and his vehicle has been seized as well. Locals have registered complaints against the person and after initial investigation, we may register a case, a police official said. The injured persons were taken to Dagaon Primary Health Centre and after initial treatment, a few of them were shifted to Nagaon Civil Hospital for advanced treatments, police said. According to the driver, the locals were stopping him unnecessarily and attacked him too. I drive my vehicle on this route regularly but today they stopped me unnecessarily. In order to escape, I drove my car, but I had no idea how some people came under it, he said. They attacked me, tried to break the glasses of the car, so I tried to move from that area. The car was in first gear, and I dont understand how they came under the wheels, he added. LUCKNOW Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asserted that Mahoba will become the first district in the state where every house has the facility of tapped water supply. He was reviewing the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Namami Gange projects in a high-level meeting. Every house in Vindhya-Bundelkhand should get tap water supply by August: Yogi (HT File) During the meeting, he called for intensifying efforts to provide tap water to every household by giving necessary instructions to concerned officers. He also directed officials to ensure that every household in the Vindhya-Bundelkhand region gets tap water supply by August. Under the resolution of Har Ghar Nal-Har Ghar Jal, the state government is working to provide pure drinking water to 2.65 crore rural families of the state. Before the start of the Jal Jeevan Mission, only 5.16 lakh families had access to potable tap water. Today, more than 1.30 crore families are getting pure drinking water, the CM said. A total of 59.38 lakh connections have been provided in the financial year 2022-23 alone. Remaining houses should also get piped drinking water in a phased and time-bound manner, he added. Significantly, the Jal Jeevan Mission is among the priority of the Prime Minister. Its implementation is being continuously reviewed by the central government. All three districts -- Gautam Budh Nagar, Jalaun, and Shahjahanpur -- in the achievers category in the June 2023 survey are from Uttar Pradesh. Mainpuri and Auraiya have achieved the top two positions in the performers category while Azamgarh has topped in the aspirants category, he pointed out. Since April 2022, 22,714 tap connections are being installed every month in the state. The figure reached 12.96 lakh connections every month in May 2023. Presently, 43,000 tap connections are being installed every day, which needs to be increased to 50,000 daily. The Prime Minister has set a target of March 2024 for the completion of the Jal Jeevan Mission, so ensure the provision of tap water to every house by this time at any rate, the chief minister said. The success of national schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission, which makes life easier for the common man, depends on the performance of Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is a big state, so our responsibility is also big. There is no dearth of funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission. Manpower should be increased as per the requirement. Trained plumbers should be posted in every village. There should be no unnecessary delay in the project, he directed officials. Pure drinking water was once a dream for the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions. Today, this dream is coming true. Both these areas are top priority. Out of 98,445 villages in the state, work is in progress in 91,919 villages. Complete the work in all the villages within the time limit. Rainwater harvesting should be encouraged in the villages. This can become a good model of water harvesting for the country, CM Yogi said. There should be no unnecessary delay in providing electricity connection to supply piped drinking water to the Vindhya-Bundelkhand region. Namami Gange Department and Energy Department should complete this work in time with mutual coordination, he said. The CM also said that special efforts are being made under the Jal Jeevan Mission for the improvement of water quality in the areas affected by arsenic, fluoride, salinity, nitrate, iron, etc. In this regard additional financial assistance is being provided by the central government, he said. Spread awareness on river cleanliness Chief minister Yogi Adityanath asked officials to create awareness among the people to maintain the cleanliness of rivers. People should be motivated to cremate or bury dead bodies instead of floating them into the rivers, he said. Under the government resolution of aviral-nirmal Ganga, good results have been achieved under the ongoing Namami Gange project. the cleanliness of Ganga and its tributaries is being carried out in mission mode. There are 27 districts and 37 towns in the 1,027 km stretch of Ganga in the state. The government is working to free the river with pollution from Kannauj to Varanasi stretch as well as Farrukhabad to Prayagraj and Mirzapur to Ghazipur stretch of the river, he said. In Varanasi, U.P. Jal Nigam (urban) should increase the utilisation capacity of underutilised 120 MLD Goitha STP. The approved 55 MLD capacity STP scheme should be completed soon to check the flow of effluent from eight drains. Baniapur STP should be made operational in Kanpur. For the treatment of tannery effluent at Jajmau, the efficiency of CETP of 36 MLD capacity should be increased, he said. Strict compliance with the standard of emitted effluent should be ensured by the U.P. Pollution Control Board. It should closely monitor the tannery and other industrial effluents. All the STPs installed in the state should remain functional, he said. PATNA: Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) president Santosh Kumar Suman, who resigned from the Nitish Kumar cabinet earlier this month, on Monday said Bihars Janata Dal (United) was jittery after his partys exit from the Grand Alliance (GA) and claimed that this was reflected in the speed at which mountain man Dashrath Manjhis son and son-in-law were inducted. HAM party founder Jitanram Manjhi and son, party president Santosh Kumar Suman at party's national executive meeting in Patna , Bihar on June 19 (HT File Photo/SAntosh Kumar) The fact is that after a Dalit minister quit, Nitish Kumar got unnerved and immediately started damage control. The swearing-in got delayed by a couple of days just because the governor was out of the station, Suman said at a party meeting on Monday, the first after it announced its in-principle decision to support the coalition led by Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday last . Also Read: Jitan Ram Manjhi was BJP spy, HAM not a part of Bihar alliance, says Nitish Kumar Nitish Kumar did not show the same speed for replacement when two RJD ministers, Sudhakar Singh and Kartikey Kumar, resigned last year. The Congress has been demanding two more berths and even Rahul Gandhi is said to have asked for filling up the berths, but they have remained vacant, said Suman, the president of HAM (S) founded by his father Jitan Ram Manjhi. Suman said the party will soon launch a mass contact programme across the 40 Lok Sabha seats from July 15 so that the party can strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) irrespective of which alliance partner gets the ticket. Suman said that inducting Dashrath Manjhis son Bhagirath Manjhi and son-in-law Mithun Manjhi underlined how desperate JD-U had become. Dashrath Manjhi is our icon, but his family members are not political. It is another attempt to use our icons for political gains, he added. The HAM-S chief said that he had nothing against Nitish Kumar, but Kumar was not allowed to do things the way he wanted by a caucus that was controlling the party. Suman said that they tried to convince Nitish Kumar that the GA wasnt the right coalition for him. But he said he would not allow anybody to dictate terms and that is how we got together. However, when he lost complete control and started talking illogically about the merger between JD-U and HAM-S, we had no other option but to leave, he added. Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RJD) president Upendra Kishwaha, who walked out of the JD-U earlier, also took a swipe at the chief minister. Nitish Kumar is losing ground and has weakened. It started the day he picked up the lantern (RJDs election symbol). Nitish Kumar also knows the meeting of non-BJP parties has no future and that he will suffer the most. The meeting could not come up with any concrete alternative to the NDA government at the Centre, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested a CPI (Maoist) activist from Bihars Arwal in connection with a terror funding case. The accused was identified and is a native of Nirakhpur village. (Representative file image) The accused was identified and is a native of Nirakhpur village. According to an official aware of the developments, he was allegedly involved in funding the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation and the revival of the Magadh Zone. He is the close aide of top Maoist commander Pradyuman Sharma alias Saket, a prominent member of CPI(Maoist) special area committee, the official added. Also Read: NIA arrests Lucknow man for links with gangster Bishnoi NIA official familiar with the matter told that the accused faces over five criminal cases registered against him with several police stations in Bihar. Earlier on February 12, 2022, a police team raided his native place and seized illegal arms and ammunition. Paswan is the fourth person arrested in the case, registered in 2021, related to the terror financing network being jointly operated by CPI (Maoist) cadres and overground workers (OGWs) in the Magadh region. NIA investigations revealed that the proscribed terrorist organisation, was trying to raise funds for procurement of arms and ammunition and recruitment of new cadres to further its criminal and violent designs for reviving itself in the Magadh zone area. The NIA had earlier arrested three persons and filed chargesheet against two of them in January 2023 before the NIA special court, Ranchi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON SAHARSA: Three members of a Patna civil judges family died early on Monday after a car in which they were travelling on the Maheshkhunt-Purnia highway fell into a ditch in Bihars Saharsa district. Three others including the judge sustained injuries and are being treated at a private hospital in the district, police said. Bakhtiyarpur police station house officer Krishna Kumar said the accident took place at about 3am on Monday (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Bakhtiyarpur police station house officer Krishna Kumar said the accident took place at about 3am on Monday when the driver lost control and crashed the vehicle into the ditch. He said the family was returning to their village Sardiha in Saharsa after a pre-wedding ritual of his brother-in-law. Civil judge Praful Kumar Singh, 45, his son Mayank, 7, and nephew, 6, are being treated at a private hospital, said Kumar. The judge was earlier posted in Banka district and had taken over a new assignment in Patna on June 9. Police identified the dead as the judges father, Ranjeet Kumar Singh, 65, and his two uncles, Narad Prasad Singh, 70 and Sachin Kumar Singh, 55. Kumar added that the bodies have been sent to Saharsa district hospital for postmortem. At least two dacoits from neighbouring Nepal were killed in a gunbattle with Bihar Police in East Champaran district on Sunday night, a police officer said on Monday. Five dacoities were reported in East Champaran within 10 days in April. (Getty Images) Police superintendent Kantesh Kumar Mishra said that they were forced to fire in defence after 25 and 30 dacoits fired and lobbed bombs on a police team and left three policemen injured. ...in police action, two dacoits were killed. He said that the dacoits fired on the team when it was rushed to Purnahiya along the India-Nepal border after being tipped off about the movement of dacoits. Police fired 12 rounds in response to 12 to 14 rounds. The remaining dacoits fled under the cover of fire taking advantage of darkness, he said. The identity of the slain dacoits has not been established. A majority of the dacoits came from across the border. Police said that they recovered bombs, a gas cutter, an axe, and gas cylinders from the scene, where a forensic science laboratory and a bomb squad team were also rushed. In April, five dacoities within 10 days were reported in East Champaran. A Pune court on Monday adjourned the hearing in case of arrested Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Dr Pradeep Kurulkar and will hear the case on June 30. Dr Kurulkars lawyer advocate Rishikesh Ganu said, We have filed our say before the court. Prosecution and us will argue on June 30. Dr Pradeep Kurulkar (HT FILE PHOTO) Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS ) on Wednesday informed the court that it has made the woman Pakistani agent a co-accused in the espionage case involving Dr Kurulkar. The ATS has also sought courts permission to conduct psychoanalysis test on the defence scientist. Dr Kurulkar, who was the Director of Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE(E)), a premier Systems Engineering Laboratory of DRDO in Pune, was arrested by the ATS on May 3 on charges of leaking confidential information to a woman Pakistani intelligence operative as a DRDO scientist. According to the ATS officials, the woman operated under the name of Zara Dasgupta and was in touch with Kurulkar. After interacting with the Pakistani agent, he had blocked her phone number although the operative contacted the DRDO scientist using another number. According to the complaint, Dr Kurulkar was in touch with a woman Pakistani Intelligence Operative through WhatsApp chat, audio messages and video calling and had allegedly shared sensitive security and defence related information with her. Earlier, in its submissions before court, ATS had stated that their probe has revealed that an IAF officer based in Bengaluru was contacted by the PIO using the same internet protocol (IP) address traced to the neighbouring country. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A day after the makers of Project K shared a confirmation on Kamal Haasan joining the film, Deepika Padukone was spotted on her way to the movie's shoot in Hyderabad on Monday morning. She was seen arriving at the Mumbai airport for her flight in a brown co-ord set. She paired it with white sneakers, a big handbag and sunglasses. Also read: Kamal Haasan confirmed for Deepika Padukone and Prabhas's Project K, Amitabh Bachchan welcomes him on board Deepika Padukone seen at Mumbai airport on Monday. (Varinder Chawla) Also Watch: Kamal Haasan Joins Star-Studded Cast of Nag Ashwin's Sci-Fi Epic 'Project K' | HT Lifestyle Fans react to Deepika's airport look A paparazzo account on Instagram shared a video of Deepika from the Mumbai airport. She was seen getting down from her car and walking towards the entry gate. She flashed a smile for the paparazzi before leaving. A fan commented on the video, Style ka sirf is ko hee pata hai, baqi sab ko jo milta hai pehen leti (Only she is aware of what style is, others wear whatever they find). Another said, "So beautiful". One more fan called her stunning. On Sunday, it was confirmed Kamal will be joining the cast of Project K which stars Prabhas, Deepika alongwith Amitabh Bachchan and Disha Patani. He is expected to play the antagonist's role in the film. Kamal Haasan on joining Project K Kamal Haasan mentioned Deepika in his official statement post the announcement. He said, "50 years back when I was a dance assistant and an assistant director the name Ashwini Dutt loomed large in the production sector. Both of us are coming together after 50 years. A brilliant director from our next generation is at the helm. My co-stars Prabhas and Deepika are also of that generation . I have worked with Amit Ji before. Yet every time it feels like the first time. Amit Ji keeps reinventing himself. I am also emulating that inventive process. I am eagerly waiting for Project K. Whatever position the audience place me at, my primary quality is that I am a film buff. That quality will keep applauding any new attempt in my industry. Let mine be the first applause for Project K. With our director Nag Ashwin's vision I am sure that applause will echo across our country and the world of cinema." More about Project K Project K is being directed by Nag Ashwin and is a bilingual film shot simultaneously in two languages, Hindi and Telugu across various locations. The film will also mark Deepika's debut in the Telugu industry. It is a science-fiction thriller which is being made on a massive budget. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Karisma Kapoor shared a glimpse of her birthday celebration in Paris. She turned 50 on Sunday. She took to her Instagram account and posted photos from the French capital, which suggests that the actor might be out on a solo trip. Also read: Madhuri Dixit and more celebrities share wishes for Karisma Kapoor on her 50th birthday Karisma Kapoor celebrated her 50th birthday in Paris. Karisma Kapoor's birthday in Paris Karisma shared a bunch of photos in a black one-shoulder outfit. The first photo showed her posing with the Eiffel Tower in the background. It was followed by another photo from the city. She also added a quick clip of herself gorging on delicious crepes. Sharing them all, Karisma wrote in the caption, Birthdaying, with multiple emojis. She also added a couple of more photos from the streets of Paris. Soon after her post went live, fans rushed to the comment section and showered her with warm wishes. Her close friend Amrita Arora commented, Girlllll." Happy birthday gorgeous! added celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania. Karisma Kapoor in Paris Celebrities on Karisma's 50th birthday Meanwhile, Karisma also shared a video of a small cake with a candle on top, as she seemingly celebrated her special day alone. She also responded to celebrities who wished her on social media. From Madhuri Dixit to Suniel Shetty and Amrita Arora, many posted for Karisma. Madhuri Dixit wrote for her on the photo-sharing app, Happiest birthday to the sweetest and most hardworking person I have known. Wish you all the happiness in life and have a smashing day. Ananya Panday shared an adorable picture and penned a message for Karisma: Happy happy birthday @therealkarismakapoor.. the OG forever inspiration. Karisma made her Bollywood debut in 1991 with the movie Prem Qaidi and became one of the most popular stars in the 1990s with several hits under her credit, such as Jigar, Anari, Coolie No.1, Jeet, Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai and Fiza among others. Upcoming work Karisma will be next seen in an upcoming series Brown. Directed by Abhinay Deo, Brown is based on Rita Brown, a suicidal alcoholic cop, and Arjun Sinha, a widower with survivor's guilt. Apart from this, Karisma also has director Homi Adajania's next Murder Mubarak alongside Sara Ali Khan. 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 Actor Rhea Chakraborty recently recalled what she went through in the past and her days of struggle during an episode of MTV Roadies Season 19 - Karm ya Kaand. She marked her return to TV with the show as one of the gang leaders. During the Rhea sympathised with a contestant, Shuly Nadar who talked about colourism. This is when Rhea opened up about how she had to cope with a difficult period of her time. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput death anniversary: Rhea Chakraborty shares their unseen video Rhea Chakraborty briefly talked about her struggle on MTV Roadies Season 19- Karm ya Kaand. Rhea Chakraborty on her struggle In the show, Rhea said that people told her many things. However, she said she won't accept those labels as she cannot keep thinking about what others say about her. She said that she won't let others dictate her life and added, "A lot of people will say a lot of things. I have been labelled with many names, and many things have been said about me. But will I accept those labels? Kya main unke wajah se apne life mein rukungi? Bilkul bhi nahi Let them go. Kaun hai woh (Why should I stop living my life because of others? Not at all. Who are they) ?" Rhea motivates Roadies 19 contestant A contestant, who was an athlete, shared the story of her abusive relationship and what she faced because of her skin colour. Her story left the gang leaders in tears, including Rhea. Rhea motivated her saying, Nothing is wrong with your colour, you are absolutely beautiful and strong. You deserve the best in life and jo bhi aapke sath hua, woh aapki galti nahi hai, unki galti hai (Whatever bad has happened to you is because of them). Rhea Chakraborty's legal trouble Rhea Chakraborty, who was last seen in the 2021 thriller Chehre with Amitabh Bachchan, made headlines after actor-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in 2020, days after she had moved out of his house. Her life turned upside down after she was accused of abetting Sushant's alleged suicide. Later, she was arrested in a drug-related case during Sushant's death probe. After spending 28 days in judicial custody for allegedly supplying Sushant with drugs, she walked out of Byculla jail in Mumbai. Roadies 19 is Rhea's first project after staying away from the media following her arrest and release. (With inputs from ANI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Shah Rukh Khan completed 31 years in the film industry on June 25. In 1992, his debut film Deewana was released. To mark the special ocassion, the actor decided to celebrate with fans in an 'Ask SRK' session on Twitter on Sunday. One fan couldn't help but ask Shah Rukh about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the United States. Also read: Fan asks Shah Rukh Khan to smoke a cigarette with him, actor replies Shah Rukh Khan was asked about Penn Masala welcoming PM Modi with Chaiyya Chaiyya at White House. During the visit, South Asian cappella group Penn Masala enthralled all at the White House by performing Shah Rukh's famous song Chaiyya Chaiyya from his 1998 film Dil Se upon PM Modi's arrival. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the movie also featured Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta. Shah Rukh Khan replied to a fan's question about PM Modi's US visit. What Shah Rukh said During the recent 'Ask SRK' session on Twitter, a fan asked Shah Rukh Khan about how he felt when PM Modi was welcomed with this song Chaiyya Chaiyya at the White House in US. The question read, Sir Chaiyya Chaiyya chants welcomed Modi ji in US What do you wanna (want to) say about this? Replying to this, the actor tweeted, Wish I was there to dance to it but they wouldnt allow a train inside I guess??!!! Fans react to Shah Rukh's reply A person tweeted, "Clever response." One more said, "Savage reply by Shah Rukh Khan." A tweet also read, Greatest Twitter interaction of the day... Shah Rukh reveals secret behind nailing stunts During his latest interaction with fans, Shah Rukh Khan shared some witty answers, as usual. Among other topics, he spoke about how he nails stunts and action sequences even at 57. The actor was seen performing action scenes and stunts in his last film Pathaan. When a fan asked him the secret behind this, Shah Rukh had a hilarious answer. The fan asked, "Sir 57 ki age me itne sare action stunt karne ke raaz (What is the secret behind doing all the action and stunts at the age of 57)?" In response, the actor tweeted, Bahut painkillers khaane padhte hain bhai (I had to have a lot of painkillers brother). Shah Rukh Khan was at his wittiest best during his recent fan interaction on Twitter. Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming projects He will be next seen in Atlees action film Jawan. It will be released worldwide in September in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages. Nayanthara, Sunil Grover, Priyamani, Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra and Riddhi Dogra will also feature in the film. Shah Rukh Khan also has Dunki. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, Dunki marks the first collaboration between Shah Rukh and the National Film Awards-winning director. The film also features Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal. Dunki is scheduled to be released in December. 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 Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio was seen dining with Indian origin British model Neelam Gill, Tobey Maguire and other friends in Paris on Friday. According to a report by Page Six, DiCaprio and his pal Maguire left the Hotel Costes in Paris together and had a late-night meal at Loulou on Rue de Rivoli. During the dinner, Maguires kids, Ruby and Otis were also there. The group was also accompanied by DiCaprios niece Normandie. Leonardo DiCaprio, Neelam Gill(File Photo/Getty Images) DiCaprio and Maguire were wearing black tees and dark jeans. Gill was spotted wearing a black tank top and a beige mini skirt. She wore a metal-studded belt and stiletto boots as accessories. ALSO READ| Tom Cruise reveals death-defying motorcycle stunt was first-ever scene filmed for his upcoming Mission Impossible movie Almost a month back, DiCaprio was spotted hanging out with Gill alongside his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken and other friends, in London. DiCaprio has also been seen with supermodel Gigi Hadidon several occasions in recent times. A source divulged details about DiCaprio and Hadid, to Page Six in May. [They] travel so often, so its best for them to keep their relationship open and fluid. Neither one of them wants to settle down at the moment, claimed the insider. Who is Neelam Gill ? Neelam Gill is a 28-year-old model who hails from Coventry, Warwickshire in England. She was born on 27 April 1995 and has ancestral roots in Punjab, India which was her grandparents' birthplace. Neelam has made a name for herself in the fashion industry by working with brands like Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch, and various other prestigious companies. She has graced the covers of esteemed publications such as Stylist Magazine, Harrods Magazine, and Vogue India. In 2021, Neelam delivered a thought-provoking talk on "Resilience & Recovery" during her TEDx appearance. On her character being killed It felt and it feels strange. Maria Hills passing is very real, and its shocking, and it feels very human. It was a sad day. I dont think Ive ever died on camera. I got a real death scene! Of course I wouldve loved to do more, but I trust that Marvel is doing the storyline that they think is best. To have Fury see himself, to know that Hill thinks that Fury shot herthats the pain of that moment. I like to think that she, by the time she passed, knew it wasnt him. Initially, its terrifying and so confusing. But Id like to think she got there," Cobie said in an interview with Vanity Fair. How did Maria Hill die? At the end of the opening episode of Secret Invasion, which premiered on June 21, a Skrull shapeshifts as Maria's associate Nick Fury and shoots her. However, by the time the real Nick Fury reaches her, she dies. Will Maria Hill return? There is a multiverse now, so anything is possible. But Im pretty sure this is it. I dont know anything about that," Cobie said in the same interview, responding to rumours that she also pops up in The Marvels, MCU's next film starring Brie Larson as Carol Denvers aka Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel, Teynoah Paris as Monica Rambeau, and Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury. The Marvels is slated to release in cinemas on November 10. About Cobie Smulders Cobie is a Canadian actor best known for playing Robin Scherbatsky in the popular CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. In the MCU, she's appeared as Maria Hill in The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), in the post-credit scene of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Secret Invasion. Interestingly, she's also worked in the DC Extended Universe as the voice actor of Wonder Woman in The Lego Movie franchise. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Kendall Jenner, the renowned model who has graced the runways of luxury brands, recently stirred up controversy with her comments about her famous family. In a candid interview with the Wall Street Journal, the 27-year-old expressed her thoughts on being associated with the Kardashian sisters, stating, "Obviously I understand I fall under the umbrella of the Kardashian sisters. Its just weird to me" Kendall Jenner attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.(Getty Images via AFP) Asserting her identity, Kendall added, "Because I am just like my dad in so many ways. Im such a Jenner, in my opinion." While she acknowledged feeling fortunate for her privileged lifestyle, she also revealed the challenges she faces. Fans of the Kardashian-Jenner clan were divided in their reactions to Kendall's statements. Some agreed with her, emphasizing that she possesses distinct qualities that set her apart from her famous siblings. However, others questioned her claim, pointing out that she enjoys the benefits and opportunities associated with being part of the Kardashian empire, such as her successful modeling career, appearances on the reality show, and participation in prestigious events like the Met Gala. The debate surrounding Kendall's identity took a different turn when she shared a video showcasing her tiny waist on social media. However, instead of focusing on her figure, fans became fixated on speculating about whether she had undergone a nose job. Comments about her nostril shape and alleged scars dominated the conversation, leaving some experts concerned about the fascination with cosmetic enhancements in the Kardashian-Jenner family. Also read | Kris Jenner's relentless pursuit of fame takes a heavy toll on Kardashian clan As the Kardashian and Jenner sisters continue to captivate the public's attention, Kendall's remarks and her recent video have sparked discussions about identity, appearance, and the influence of fame. Whether she is seen as a Kardashian or a Jenner, one thing is clear: Kendall's presence in the media landscape continues to evoke strong reactions from fans and critics alike. Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday retorted to former US President Barack Obama's remark on Muslims in India. Obama ji should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members... He should also think about himself as to how many Muslim countries he has attacked, the minister said at an event in Jammu. Singh's remarks come a day after finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had hit back at Obama. Addressing a presser on Sunday, she said six Muslim-dominated countries were bombed by the US when Obama was its president. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a National Security Conclave', at Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu, Monday.(PTI) More than 26,000 bombs were droppedhow will people trust his words? she had added. In an interview to CNN, the former US president had spoken about the protection of the rights of the ethnic minorities in India. He has said India may start pulling apart if its government does not protect the rights of ethnic minorities. Obama's remarks had come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to the United States. He has said if a US president meets PM Modi, then the protection of Muslim minority in a Hindu-majority India is worth mentioning. Obama's remarks had triggered a massive uproar with the BJP slamming the former US president. Assam chief minister had pointed to the ex-president's name. "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 had written on Twitter. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: A municipal engineer was slapped and manhandled by members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday who accused him of demolishing a party office in the Nirmal Nagar area of Bandra East over allegations that it was unauthorised but not taking any action against the one used by the ruling Shiv Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena (UBT) members allegedly assaulted assistant engineer Anil Patil during a meeting to flag supply of contaminated water to parts of Bandra East (Screengrab) Leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) also alleged that the H East ward assistant engineer Ajay Patil insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and party founder Balasaheb Thackeray by not allowing the sainiks to remove their statute before the demolition started. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner IS Chahal said that he has sought a report from the officials on the assault. Mumbai joint commissioner of police (law and order) Satyanarayan said the police will take strong action in this case. We are in the process of filing the FIR, he said. The incident, which was captured on a mobile phone, took place in the office of the assistant commissioner of H East ward, Swapnaja Kshirasagar, who had received a delegation of Shiv Sena (UBT) members to flag complaints of contaminated water received from certain areas in Bandra East such as Golibar slums, Gandhi Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Maharashtra Nagar and Dnyaneshwar Nagar. At some point, the issue of the municipal corporation demolishing the partys shakha came up. Soon, they identified Ajay Patil as the officer who led the demolition and started to rain blows on the official. Former minister Anil Parab said the sainiks could not tolerate insults of their icons during the demolition. Patil acted only against our shakha and demolished it. He did not touch an illegal shakha of Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde. Our shakha had a bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and our founder Balasaheb Thackeray. We told the demolition squad to allow us to remove the bust of Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb, but they carried out the demolition. Our men were upset with this and we cant tolerate insults to our icons. Our Shiv Sainiks have slapped Patil. We own up to the attack. Now the police have started arresting our men, he said. As the sainiks started to slap the assistant engineer, some officials escorted the assistant commissioner out of the room. A BMC guard also stepped up to shield the engineer from the attackers. Sainath Rajadhyakasha, working president of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Engineers Union, demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers, threatening that the engineers will otherwise stop municipal services. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre said the incident was an attempt to politicise Balasahebs photograph. We installed Balasaheb portrait in the state legislature. They thrashed an engineer for demolishing a picture of Balasaheb, but what about Shiv Sena (UBT) members not adhering to the views of Balasaheb? This is a government that believes in law and action will be taken. A BMC deputy commissioner who asked not to be identified said the assault was a message by the Shiv Sena UBT not to pull down their illegal shakhas. The official also said that assistant commissioner Swapnaja Kshirsagar should not have allowed so many people inside her cabin. The H East ward office should have also called local police to prevent any untoward incident, he said. Mustafa Lokhandwala was 18 when Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community died in 2014. Burhanuddin was 102. Within days, Lokhandwalas relatives cut ties with them. Bohra friends and neighbours became so hostile that the Lokhandwalas felt compelled to move to a different part of Mumbai. Overnight, we became the enemy, said Lokhandwala, who is now a lawyer. PREMIUM Devotees of the Dawoodi Bohra Community exchange greetings after offering prayers on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, in Bhopal on Friday.(ANI) The trigger for this rift was the dramatic succession dispute between two of the communitys leaders Burhanuddins son Mufaddal Saifuddin and his half-brother Khuzaima Qutbuddin. Each claimed to be the rightful successor to the post of dai-al-mutlaq, the spiritual leader of the small but influential Shia Muslim sub-sect of Dawoodi Bohras. While Saifuddin enjoys the support of the majority of the community, a minority chose to openly endorse Qutbuddins claim. The community unofficially split into two factions, and Qutbuddins supporters including Lokhandwala allegedly faced a social boycott. Now, nine years later, Lokhandwala is among several Bohras eagerly waiting for the Bombay High Court to settle the succession dispute. In 2014, Qutbuddin filed a legal suit challenging his nephews claim to the post of dai. As per Bohra tradition, every dai or Syedna typically picks his own successor during his lifetime, and Qutbuddin claimed that Burhanuddin had privately appointed him as the next dai in 1965. Saifuddin, meanwhile, claimed that his father had publicly anointed him as his successor in 2011. After nine years of hearings before Justice Gautam Patel, the court is finally set to deliver a verdict in June. During this period, Qutbuddin died, and his son Taher Fakhruddin continued the legal battle. The two sides This case is spiritually important to us because it is the fundamental tenet of our faith that only belief in the rightful dai can help us attain salvation in the afterlife, said Lokhandwala. Many other Bohras tell us that we are biased, especially because we are a minority, but it is our hope that an authoritative finding of a secular court, in this case, may help the community unite and heal again. This is also the outcome that Fakhruddins administration claims it is hoping for when the court issues its verdict. The biggest challenge has been the fact that the community is, according to us, being defrauded by someone who has unrightfully usurped its leadership, said Aziz Qutbuddin, the younger brother of Taher Fakhruddin. If the courts impending verdict favours their side, he said, it would help people realise that they have been defrauded and would hopefully keep the community united under the right leader. Mufaddal Saifuddins representative declined to give any official statement, since the judgement of the Honble High Court is awaited." Aziz Qutbuddin, meanwhile, spoke at length about the difficulties faced by community members who overtly supported his father and then his brother. These difficulties included the breaking up of marriages and families over differences in allegiance, Bohra businesses suffering losses, people being forced out of their homes and being barred from the funerals of their loved ones. The vitriol has not abated, it continues to ebb and flow, said Aziz Qutbuddin. But those who are following Syedna [Taher Fakhruddin] are doing so with strength. And there are thousands of people who do not follow Syedna openly, but still watch our sermons online. Several supporters of Fakhruddin that Hindustan Times spoke to said they were confident and happy about their choice of leader, even if it meant being shunned by family and friends. I have never had a doubt about who the right dai is, and whatever the courts verdict may be, it will not change my faith, said a 44-year-old businesswoman who did not wish to be named. This conviction was echoed by several Bohras on both sides of the divide, indicating that the courts verdict is unlikely to bring about a reunification of the community. All the Bohras that Hindustan Times spoke to expressed regret about the rift in the community and a desire to see it heal. But neither the supporters of Saifuddin nor those of Fakhruddin could envisage giving up on the respective leader that each had already chosen. According to one Bohra woman in Mumbai, the divide between the two unofficial sects can now only be bridged at a personal or individual level. I dont go around telling everyone that I am a supporter of Syedna Fakhruddin, but most of my friends who know about it dont care, even if they are on the other side, the woman, in her sixties, said. So far, only one friend has uninvited me from a wedding after finding out about my belief. It hurt. An irreversible divide I think our bifurcation will remain because of the way in which people on that side [Saifuddins] have been brainwashed they follow him blindly and their hearts and minds are closed to change, said another Mumbai-based Fakhruddin supporter in her sixties who requested anonymity. The verdict will validate that we are right, but those on the fence will likely remain on the fence. Supporters of Saifuddin are just as steadfast about their own choice of leader and believe that the courts verdict will not affect them in any way. We were very shocked when he [Qutbuddin] filed the case in court because I was personally present when Mufaddal maula was appointed the next dai, said Husain Ezzy, a 48-year-old chartered accountant in Mumbai. There has been a lot of media hype about the case, but we have faith in the judiciary. And only a handful of people have gone to the other side, so we cant call it a split within the community. Alifia Kapasi, a 50-year-old editor at a digital healthcare platform, said that neither Qutbuddins case nor its verdict has made any real difference to her own life as an ardent supporter of Saifuddin. I have gone on many trips to the places that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has travelled, and people on the ground, in the villages, are not even talking about this case, said Kapasi, who is based in Bangalore. Filing this case was unnecessary and uncalled for, but we have faith in the judiciary and I am sure the verdict will be in our favour. While Kapasi and Lokhandwala are deeply entrenched in the Bohra community and their respective leaders, several Bohras in recent years have drifted away from community affairs. One of the main reasons for this is alleged corruption inis the Bohra administration. It is known for taking large amounts of religious taxes from community members. The Bohra administration and the families of both claimants to the dai post are notably wealthy, and they run a large number of charitable organisations involved in healthcare, education or housing. The ownership and control of many of these entities are at stake for the two men vying to be recognised as the official dai. The main reason behind the succession dispute is not leadership, but money and property, said a Dubai-based Bohra businessman who did not wish to be named. I personally have no feelings towards this court case or whatever the verdict may be. But I know many people feel that this was an internal community matter that should not have gone to the court because it has generated a lot of negative publicity for us. In general, courts of law in India have often felt the same about getting involved in religious disputes or matters of personal law. Typically, such cases are referred to a constitutional bench, which Mumbai-based lawyer Flavia Agnes believes would be a better platform for the Bohra succession dispute too. Such issues are never black-and-white and they can be very sensitive. So courts usually believe they should be resolved within the community itself, said Agnes, who fears the High Courts verdict irrespective of what it is may have a negative impact on the Bohra community. Some younger Bohras, meanwhile, have grown entirely disinterested in community affairs not only because of corruption allegations but also due to several diktats and opinions expressed by Saifuddin in the last nine years. These include diktats against using Western-style toilets, views that women must not be sent to work outside the home, and the use of biometric identity cards for alleged surveillance of community members. I dont get involved in the community anymore because it has become a cult, said a 22-year-old man from Surat on the condition of anonymity. I dont care what the verdict in the case is I will just observe the tamasha [spectacle]. The Madras high court on Monday held that caste will have no role in the appointment of priests in temples, where the only requirement is for the person to be well-versed, properly trained and qualified to perform the pooja, as per the requirements of the said temple. The Supreme Court had held that the religious service by an Archaka is the secular part of the religion and the performance of the religious service is an integral part of the religion. (PTI) Justice N Anand Venkatesh passed the verdict while disposing of a 2018 petition said, At the risk of repetition, it is made abundantly clear that the pedigree based on caste will have no role to play in the appointment of Archaka [priest] if the person so selected otherwise satisfies the requirements. Also read | High court fines Madras bar association over bias in 2012 discrimination case The orders were passed as the court disposed of the case filed by Muthu Subramania Gurukkal challenging an advertisement in 2018 by the Tamil Nadu department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) for recruiting Archakas/Sthanikam (priests) at the Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadus Salem district, stating that it infringes his hereditary rights. The petitioner, Gurukkal, had taken over the position as Sthanikam from his grandfather, as his family of Sivachariyars have been performing poojas from time immemorial. Announcing the decision, justice Venkatesh cited the Supreme Courts verdict in the 2016 All India Adi Saiva Sivachariargal Seva Sangams versus Government of Tamil Nadu case, where the top court had held that the appointment of a temple priest is a secular function and not about a hereditary right. The top court had held that the religious service by an Archaka is the secular part of the religion and the performance of the religious service is an integral part of the religion. Noting that there is no dispute to the fact that the temple in question is an Agamic temple where appointment of Archakas should be governed by the rules of the Agama, the court directed the Executive Officer of temple (third respondent) to issue an advertisement in line with the observations cited from the apex court. The court also permitted the petitioner to perform the poojas till the appointments and gave him the liberty to participate in the selection process. However, to bring more clarity on the appointments in future, the court dealt with the additional grounds raised by the petitioner. The Madras high court, citing the 2016 order by the top court, said, Any person belonging to any caste or creed can be appointed as an Archaka, provided he is a well-versed and an accomplished person in the Agamas and rituals necessary to be performed in a temple. In the 2022 case of N Adithayan versus Travancore Devaswom Board, the Supreme Court had held that there is no justification to insist that only a Brahmin (in this case, a Malayali Brahmin) alone can perform the rites and rituals. The apex court had frowned on insisting for a pedigree based on caste to perform the rites and rituals in a temple, the Madras high court said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to hold a meeting with former president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday to discuss the team that will lead Indias main Opposition party into key assembly elections this year and the Lok Sabha polls in 2024, according to people aware of the matter. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal, and Telangana Congress President Revanth Reddy.(Hindustan Times) The party is expected to announce a new Congress Working Committee (CWC), some new general secretaries, and some new heads of state units, or Pradesh Congress Committees (PCC). Explained: What is CWC, the highest decision-making body of Congress While details of the new team are still under wraps, Kharge has reached out to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for a larger role, HT has learnt. There are several new faces expected in CWC in line with the partys aim that 50% of the members are from the Dalit and backward classes communities, and those under 50 years of age. Priyanka Gandhi stepped down as general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh last year to make way for a new team. She told Kharge she was willing to take on any role suggested by the party high command, according to two people aware of details who spoke on condition of anonymity. What will be discussed in Thursdays meeting is whether she will take on an existing position that gives her the ability to work in all states due to elect new assemblies, or whether a new position will be created; for instance, one called general secretary (elections). HT reached out to Priyanka Gandhis office for comment but did not get a response. In the past, Rahul Gandhi has been against the creation of multiple power centres in the party and that could be a factor in deciding Priyankas role, one key functionary said. As former party presidents, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will both be default members of CWC, which will have 35 members instead of 24, the person added. According to amendments approved at the Congress plenary in Raipur earlier this year, the seats for the members will be divided into three categories: 25% for scheduled cates and tribes, 25% for OBCs and minorities, and 50% for the general category, to make the partys highest executive body more inclusive. We do want to have more people who are young and agile, but since the Congress president himself is 81, there wont be a marg darshak mandal (panel of senior mentors), the functionary cited above said. The announcement, likely in early July, is also expected to include new heads of all frontal organisations such as the National Students Union of India. Up to eight state units could see changes in their organisation. This includes new PCC chiefs for Delhi, Jharkhand and West Bengal, one of the people cited in the first instance said. Kharge has made up his mind and Rahul Gandhi wont interfere in that process, a second functionary said. Only in cases of great push back from an affected party, he may intervene. At the Raipur plenary, the party decided not to hold elections for CWC and go by the party presidents nominations. One of the key things that are being watched out for is whether KC Venugopal will stay as general secretary in charge of organisation, or if Kharge will pick his own candidate. Functionaries, however, suggested that Kharge may stick to status quo on this due to Venugopals proximity to the Gandhi family. To be sure, the argument against retaining him in the role has been to have a more balanced regional representation in the top posts instead of the current dominance of southern states. Kharge is from Karnataka and Venugopal from Kerala. The party has to carefully pick the nominees in the reserved seats so that all the members can make an impact and the right political and social message can also be sent, the first functionary cited above said. Four key state elections are due this year -- Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where the Congress is hoping to retain power, Madhya Pradesh where it is looking to return to power, and Telangana where it is hoping to improve its performance after the victory in Karnataka earlier this year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Devraj Patel, popular YouTuber passed away in a road accident in Raipur on Monday. The incident took place in the Labhandih area as was on his way to shoot a video. Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed his condolences on the death of the YouTuber and shared an old video of him along with Patel. The CM wrote in Hindi, Devraj Patel, who made his place among crores of people with Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai, is not among us today. The loss of the amazing talent at this young age is very sad. May God give strength to his family and loved ones to bear this loss. Om Shanti. YouTuber Devraj Patel(ANI) Thousands of Patel's fans expressed their grief on the social media platform. This is so sad, said one while another tweeted, Unbelievable. RIP champ. Devraj Patel died after he was hit by a truck. He suffered severe injuries to the head and other body parts. The accident took place in Raipur. The truck driver has been detained. Devraj's friend was also on the bike, he sustained injuries, said Civil Lines CSP Manoj Dhruv. Best known for his "Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai" dialogue in viral videos, Devraj has over 4 lakh subscribers on YouTube and more than 57,000 followers on Instagram. (With agencies' inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Harried and bedraggled, 45-year-old Thangma and seven members of his family arrived at a transit camp in Aizawl, Mizoram on June 18. They are from the besieged village of Suknu, a village of over 4000 in Manipur s Kakching district. For close to a month, as ethnic violence roiled the state, Thangmas village faced wave after wave of attack, but the family persisted. Until June 18, when they could stay no longer and fled their homes, travelling the 373 kilometre distance to Mizorams capital Aizawl. Now that they are here, in what is a measure of the scale of violence in Manipur, and how it affects human lives, Thangma says they will never return. PREMIUM The intermittent violence has left at least 131 dead, 419 injured and 50,000 displaced (PTI) Also read | Changing nature of violence a matter of concern, says Manipur CM On May 27, more than three weeks after the beginning of intermittent waves of violence that have left at least 131 dead, 419 injured and 50,000 displaced, Thangma said that a group of armed men came arrived in his village, and destroyed the bridge between their village and the city of Churachandpur. The bridge was the villages lifeline; it was through this bridge that most of the people and goods travelled to and fro. The cut the rods on the bridge and burnt the wooden floors. That night, after our power station was also destroyed, we went to meet personnel of the Assam Rifles posted at Langching. They assured us that their men were there to protect civilians, Thangma said. Read | While Manipur is burning PM 'silent', HM ineffective: Jairam Ramesh But the next morning, the violence continued. Two groups of men, Thangma said, began torching areas in Langching, and they tried to urgently get in touch with the paramilitary men they had spoken to the previous night. There was no response. These armed men came into our village Suknu and started looting our houses before burning them down. This happened under the nose of the (security) personnel stationed at our villages, Thangma said. The residents ran, and took shelter first at an Assam Rifles camp, and then a camp run by a Zo tribal youth organisation at Churachandpur. They hoped to return if things returned to a sense of calm. On June 18, with violence still continuing across Manipur, they moved to Mizoram. I will not go home. All our homes and villages have been destroyed. With the little savings that I have, I will send my daughters to Delhi and continue my sons studies here, Thangma said. Read | Women-led mob forces security personnel to let go of 12 militants in Manipur: Army The populations of Mizoram and Manipur share cultural and ethnic roots, particularly among the tribals, with Kukis and Zos present across both states. The violence has seen many Kukis rush into Mizoram where 95 percent of the population are tribals. From the beginning of May, Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic clashes, triggered by an order by the Manipur High Court that had recommended to the government that the Meiteis, the dominant community in Manipur with 53 % of the population, be included in the scheduled tribe list. This caused protests among the tribal population, particularly the Kukis, and tensions lead to clashes that were first concentrated in Meitei dominated Imphal Valley and districts in the hills like Churachandpur that have a heavy tribal population, but soon spread across the state. In three violent days between May 3 and 6, there was a wave of attacks and arson with people fleeing from their homes, and the army called in to control the situation. Since then however, in a sign of the simmering tension within, sporadic violence has continued, with 131 dead, over 419 injured, and over 50000 displaced from their homes. Thangmas family is among the 12,140 people that have fled Manipur, and relocated to Mizoram since May 3, a Mizoram home department official said. Over the past month, with people continuing to arrive, the state government and the Central Young Mizo Association(CYMA), the largest civil society organisaition in Mizoram have constructed a transit camp at the CYMA association hall in Aizawl. Lalngheta Ralte, CYMAs president said, Until the Government of Mizoram can establish a proper relief camp for the internally displaced persons, the Central Young Mizo Association has decided that the Central YMA Hall, located at Tuikhuahtlang, Aizawl shall be used as a transit camp. Once families reach the transit camp, they either stay there, or are re-routed to 11 other CYMA branches in Mizoram that have also readied halls in their respective localities. Like Mizoram, Assams Cachar district is playing host to 1140 residents of Manipurs Jiribam district who crossed the border on the night of May 4 when their homes were set on fire. Over 2200 of them arrived on that night, but over 800 have since shifted to Mizoram, with the rest being given shelter, food, water and medical support by the Assam government. One 70 year old woman, who did not want to be identified said, We cannot return now, but we are willing to go back at some point. Whatever happens, in the end, I hope we will get our homes back, she said. (With inputs from Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha in Silchar) In April 2017, three years after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the general election with a thumping majority and had its chief ministers in 13 states, the then party president Amit Shah told the cadre that the party must win from Panchayat to Parliament. The speech delivered at the partys national executive in Bhubaneswar laid the ground for the upcoming electoral battles, which Shah said, must herald the BJPs golden era. PREMIUM The BJPs election machinery has been preparing not only for the upcoming assembly polls in five states and next years general election, but is as focused on the panchayat elections in West Bengal, which witnessed widespread violence.(ANI) In recent weeks, the BJPs election machinery has been preparing not only for the upcoming assembly polls in five states and next years general election, but is as focused on the panchayat elections in West Bengal. The party has 18 lawmakers and 70 legislators in the state ruled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC). This is not the first time that the BJP is contesting the Panchayat elections in West Bengal, but its preparation for the July 4 polls is shriller and sharper, said a party functionary privy to the details. Recalling Shahs 2017 address, the functionary said the message about Panchayat polls was a revelation to many who had come to believe that a top-down approach in politics would cement the partys position and establish its hegemony as a behemoth. Many people were of the view that with the party in power at the Centre and in several states, Panchayat and urban local body elections were not a challenge and would be a cakewalk, the functionary said speaking on condition of anonymity . To be sure, panchayat elections are not fought on a party symbol, but the BJPs unabashed drive to establish itself at the grassroots has resulted in the party not shying away from announcing support for candidates contesting panchayat polls wherever these are held. It is now common for all parties to announce candidates backed by them. In many villages, where castes and clans rule, and people are accustomed to being told (whom to vote for), the BJP set about to churn things. Of course, there was resistance and even violence, but we carried on, the functionary said. The momentum that the BJPs big win in 2014 created for the partys expansion was good enough to enthuse people to sign up as party cadre, and in many states, the membership drive threw up staggering numbers. Yet, it was not so easy to get the candidates to sign up for contests in many states such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Jammu and Kashmir and in nearly all of the Southern States, said another party functionary. Another reason for this was the partys own lackadaisical attitude towards Panchayat and urban local body polls. In UP, when the process of preparation for the 2017 assembly election began, getting our candidates to contest for the Panchayat elections was not an easy task. National general secretary, Sunil Bansal who was the in-charge of the state had a huge challenge to surmount when he set out to convince people to contest, said the second functionary, also speaking on condition of anonymity. The BJP won 312 of the 403 seats in the assembly elections, the second functionary said, crediting the groundwork it put in for the local body polls. The party now considers Panchayat polls critical to disseminate its ideology in the rural areas where support is lukewarm and patchy in some areas. Just as senior leaders, including Union and state ministers and office bearers, are deputed to oversee elections in states and for the Lok Sabha, similar preparations are now made for the Panchayat polls. The setting up of high-level committees in each region of the state, monitored by state level functionaries such as the sangathan mantris (general secretary organisation) or national general secretaries is now commonplace for Panchayat polls too, the second functionary said. Political commentator, Prof. A K Jha said the BJP sees the panchayat elections as a means for eliciting support from the electorate for the bigger electoral battles. To the best of my understanding, local bodies like panchayats are where people at the ground level can determine the course of elections both in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Functionaries at the panchayat level are in a position to reward and distribute various things to people residing in villages and talukas, etc. Also, panchayat functionaries are mostly in direct day-to-day contact with these people, he said. Admitting that the panchayat elections are fought with an eye on the bigger prize, the first functionary quoted above said the BJP has been pursuing these electoral contests despite the risks to the life and property of candidates. ...As is being done in Bengal where political vendetta and violence are unprecedented, the functionary said. In the run-up to the panchayat polls in West Bengal, the headlines have been dominated by incidents of political violence and the BJP accusing the TMC of perpetrating attacks against its candidates and party supporters. The BJP, which has filed several complaints with the state election commission accused the TMC of attempting to stall its candidates from filing nominations. Political workers from across parties including the TMC, the BJP, the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Secular Front have died in pre-poll violence this month alone. In 2018, the TMC won as many as 20,000 of the 78,400 panchayat seats uncontested. We made a beginning then and came second. The result was that the party went on to win 77 (seven MLAs later resigned from the BJP) assembly seats in the 2021 polls. The partys growth and progress has unsettled the TMC and that is why there is a visible increase in violence against the candidates wanting to contest Panchayat polls, said a third BJP leader from West Bengal. Professor of political science at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ajay Gudavarthi said the BJPs zeal for contesting Panchayat elections has a flip side too. The BJP has developed an instinct where every election is seen as a referendum. From panchayat to general election, it contests with the same vigour. The positive thing is it is taking democratic mandate seriously with its ear to the ground. The downside is that BJP contests to win at all costs and in this, it might end up undermining the very democratic spirit elections are about, he said. With the onset of monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in several regions of India including Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, for the next two-three days. Heavy rain has left many parts of Mumbai flooded in Tuesday.(Representative Photo/PTI) Follow LIVE Updates here After a long gap, the southwest monsoon has been speedily progressing and covering more and more areas, the IMD official added. This year, the southwest monsoon hit Kerala on June 8, seven days behind its normal schedule. Moreover, in a rare incident, the IMD on Sunday declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over Mumbai and Delhi together in 62 years The weather forecasting agency has cited the formation of synoptic situations like a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal region, cyclonic circulation over the Gujarat's Kutch region and an active trough spread over Maharashtra to coastal Karnataka, the reasons behind the heavy downpour prediction in the region. Read here: IMD predicts heavy rainfall for next 2 days in Mumbai, central Maharashtra: Latest Updates Here are the latest updates on the monsoon alerts by the IMD: 1. The coastal regions of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Ratnagiri and other parts of the state are likely to receive heavy rainfall in the next two days, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. Mumbai and its suburbs received heavy showers in the last 24 hours, resulting in water-logging at various places and affecting vehicular movement. In the last 24 hours, Mumbai received 31 mm of rainfall, eastern suburbs received 54 mm of rainfall and western suburbs received 59 mm of rainfall. 2. The IMD issued an orange alert on Sunday for 13 districts of Odisha for next 24 hours owing to heavy showers for the past 24 hours. 3. The IMD forecasted heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, over Punjab and Haryana for next two days. day. 4. An orange alert has been issued for Monday and a yellow alert for Tuesday and Wednesday for the national capital Delhi and its adjoining regions owing to heavy spell of showers. Read here: Monsoon rains arrive in Delhi, Mumbai same day 5. According to the IMD, Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar today would witness a partly cloudy with a chance of rain, thunderstorm, or dust storm. Heavy showers in the district has caused extreme waterlogging in many parts 6. Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi has triggered a landslide on Chandigarh-Manali highway while the flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Solan and heavy rain in Shimla, Mandi and Kullu flooded houses, washed away livestock and damaged crops and parked vehicles. 7. The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was blocked for vehicular traffic following landslides in Mehad and Cafeteria Morh of Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban on Sunday while all schools up to the secondary level (Class 10) have been ordered to remain closed in the district on Monday. On Saturday, the IMD declared the onset of monsoon over Jammu and Kashmir. Read here: Unusual pattern sheds light on how monsoon line takes shape 8. In Assam's Barpeta, about 1.70 lakh people have been affected due to the flood triggered by incessant rains. Personnel of NDRF, SDRF, and Fire and Emergency Services have been conducting rescue operations in the region. Earlier on Sunday, water level of river Brahmaputra in Guwahati marginally decreased, slightly easing the flood situation in Assam. The locals fear that the water level will increase again if the rainfall continues. 9. The Uttarakhand Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Monday in the districts of Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri. Due to heavy rains in Rudraprayag, the district administration has postponed the Kedarnath Yatra till further orders in view of the safety of the devotees. Read here: Orange alert for Ratnagiri, Yellow for Mumbai as heavy rain lashes Maharashtra 10. The southwest monsoon entered Gujarat on Sunday with parts of Saurashtra and some districts in the southern region of the state receiving heavy rainfall, officials said. Conditions are now favourable for the progress of monsoon in the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: India on Monday summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat to the external affairs ministry to protest a string of recent attacks on the Sikh minority, including the killing of a Sikh man in Peshawar last week, people familiar with the matter said. A senior diplomat at the Pakistan High Commission was summoned by the external affairs ministry over the attacks on Sikh minority (Sanchit Khanna/HT File Photo) The people said a strong protest against the incidents was lodged with the diplomat from the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi. They said there were four instances of attacks on the Sikh minority in Pakistan between April and June. In the latest incident, a Sikh man named Manmohan Singh was shot and killed by unidentified armed men in the Yakatoot area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan, on Saturday, according to reports in the Pakistani media. The killing came a day after a Sikh shopkeeper sustained minor injuries when unidentified armed men fired at him in the same area of Peshawar. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Manmohan Singhs killing in a statement, which described him as a follower of the polytheistic Sikh religion. The statement also claimed responsibility for the attack on the other Sikh man a day earlier. The people said India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate the violent attacks on the Sikh minority with sincerity and share the investigation reports. The senior Pakistani diplomat was also told that Islamabad should ensure the safety and security of the countrys minorities, who live in constant fear of religious persecution, one of the people cited above said. The external affairs ministry has summoned Pakistani diplomats several times in recent years to protest against attacks on Sikh and Hindu minorities and the vandalisation of the places of worship of these communities. 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 An Indian-origin psychiatrist in London has been sentenced to six years jail by a UK court on Monday for his role in running a child sex abuse website, BBC said in a report. Garg has been sentenced on June 23 at Woolwich Crown Court,(BBC ) Dr Kabir Garg, 33, from Lewisham in South-east London, was identified by UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) as one of the operators of "The Annex" website, had over 90,000 members worldwide, the report added. Garg has been sentenced on June 23 at Woolwich Crown Court, is on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He had been pleaded guilty in January this year, to eight charges, including facilitating the sexual exploitation of children, three counts each of making and distributing indecent images of children, and possession of prohibited images, the report added. "Garg was involved in facilitating child sexual abuse on a significant scale. He used the dark web to access a global community of paedophiles sharing and discussing horrific crimes against children," NCAs Adam Priestley said in a statement. "There are hundreds of thousands of members of such sites on the dark web, but few of them are prepared to commit to being a member of staff, which involves dedicating a lot of time for no payment," the official added. Meanwhile, UK's national crime agency issued a statement on Monday and said, "Officers arrested Garg at his flat in Lewisham in November 2022 as part of a coordinated operation with international partners, at a time when the site was open on his laptop with Garg logged into his moderator account." The authorities also arrested 34-year-old Matthew Smith last year for allegedly being involved in child sexual abuse in India and recovered thousands of images and videos of sexual harassment perpetrated on children, the report added. The authorities found over 7,000 indecent images, videos and several medical journal articles which he acquired as a psychiatrist. One of the journal was titled 'A Study on Child Abuse India'. The investigation revealed that Annex, which is no longer active, was running like a company and had a team of around 30 administrators. NCA found that Garg was initially a member, but dedicated time and effort to become sufficiently trusted to be invited to be a moderator. He was responsible for enforcing the rules of the site and removing members who did not comply, the report added. (With inputs from agencies) President Joe Biden has said the friendship between the US and India was among the most consequential in the world as the two countries signed several major deals to further elevate their strategic technology partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modis historic state visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden (PTI)(MINT_PRINT) Watch: India, U.S. Friendship Better For Planet...': PM Modi's Response to Biden's Praise Read here: PM Modi returns to India after his landmark visit to US, Egypt Reacting to Bidens remarks, Modi said the friendship between India and the US is a force for global good and will make the planet better as well as more sustainable. The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever, US President Biden said in a tweet on Sunday. Biden hosted Modi for a three-day official state visit that included a welcome ceremony attended by a record 7,000 people on the South Lawns of the White House, a State Dinner attended by some 500 people, and a round table with technology companies chief, entrepreneurs, officials and CEOs. Tagging Biden's tweet, Modi said on Twitter, I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. "The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," he said. The White House, in its weekly email update, said Modis state visit affirmed the deep and close partnership between the US and India, strengthened the two countries shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific, and shared resolve to elevate their strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy and space. Read here: Discussed China with Modi but dont see India as counterweight: White House The leaders discussed ways to further expand the United States and India's educational exchanges, people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security, it said. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking continue to pose a significant threat to individuals, families, and communities across the world. To combat this threat, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on June 26 every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse. Students take part in a demonstration on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, near Marina beach, in Chennai. (PTI) Read here: International Day Against Drug Abuse: Bengaluru police recovered Rs. 57 cr worth drugs in last one year Union home minister Amit Shah while extending his greetings on the occasion, said, ""In the last few years, the MHA has revamped the entire strategy to realise PM's vision of a Drug-Free India, I applaud NCB and other organisations for their relentless efforts". Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for united efforts to create a drug-free world. He said, Let's remember that treatment, prevention and compassion are crucial in our journey towards a drug-free world. Together, let's break the chains of addiction and offer hope to those in need. History: At the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in Vienna on June 26, 1987, it was recommended that a day should be observed to commemorate the struggle against drug abuse. The United Nations General Assembly on December 7, 1987, decided to observe June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Significance: The day is recognised to highlight the health challenges related to drug abuse and encourage combating measures like prevention, education, treatment, and rehabilitation. Read here: Three including a medico arrested in Karnataka for growing cannabis at home, using hi-tech farming techniques The day is observed by individuals, communities, and several organisations globally and aims to bring attention to the threat that illegal drugs pose to society. The day promotes global collaboration and communication between countries, groups, and people to create a world free from drug addiction and illicit drug trafficking. Theme: The theme for this year is "People First: stop stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention," which aims to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy; providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritizing prevention; and leading with compassion, the United Nations Office On Drug And Crime (UNODC) stated. The campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental, said the UNODC. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON This years monsoon has covered 80 per cent of the country now, India Meteorological Department's scientist Dr Naresh Kumar told NDTV on Monday. After covering most parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Haryana on Sunday, the southwest monsoon advanced to Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab on Monday, news agency PTI quoted Kumar in a statement. Several areas in the country are battling flood-like situations after the southwest monsoon brought incessant rainfall in the last few days. (ANI) Kumar also predicted extremely heavy rainfall for Chhattisgarh and east Madhya Pradesh due to a low-pressure zone over northwest Odisha which will move in west-northwest direction. "The impact of low pressure area over Odisha will continue during the next 24 hours. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts have been issued for several districts across Odisha," Habibur Rahman Biswas, regional director Bhubaneswar MeT Office told PTI. For the first time in 62 years, monsoon landed in Delhi and Mumbai on the same day. The normal date of monsoon onset for Mumbai is June 11 and for Delhi June 27, but this year, the rain clouds followed an unusual path to cover the country with a lag over several western states. The last time the monsoon covered both Delhi and Mumbai at the same time was June 21, 1961. That year, the monsoon covered the remaining parts of the country on the same day, said an IMD official on Sunday. Several areas in the country are battling flood-like situations after the southwest monsoon brought incessant rainfall in the last few days. Hundreds of tourists have been stranded in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh after landslides triggered by heavy rain blocked the Chandigarh-Manali national highway (NH-21) since Sunday evening. Authorities closed all schools upto class 10 in Ramban due to a threat of flash floods owing to heavy rainfall. "Orange alert has been issued for two days in Himachal Pradesh. There will be no relief from the continuous rain. Monsoon rains will continue for the next 4-5 days," Surendra Paul, director at Himachal Pradesh Met Department told PTI. (With inputs from PTI) 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 Monsoon updates Live: After monsoon hit both Delhi and Mumbai together on Sunday for the first time since 1961, the weather department has predicted more showers for the financial capital and its suburbs over the next one day with a possibility of occasional intense rain spells. Students along with their parents cover themselves with umbrellas and raincoats as they enjoy their return during rainfall, in Kolkata on Sunday. (ANI) Also Read| Orange alert for Odisha, Yellow for Delhi: Heavy rainfall predicted in these states According to the MeT office, monsoon hit Delhi two days before schedule, while its entry into the financial capital is two weeks late. Mumbai received moderate rainfall while the suburbs recorded heavy showers in the last 24 hours with some areas getting very heavy downpour, said an IMD official. The Himachal Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, on Monday, issued an advisory for tourists amid rains lashing several parts of the state asking them to secure their safety. The River Beas in spate due to heavy monsoon rains, in Mandi, Monday.(PTI) "Due to the heavy rainfall experienced in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, urges tourists to prioritize their safety when planning a visit to the state", said the Official statement. RS Bali, Cabinet Minister Rank and Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Coorporation appealed to the tourists to go through the State Disaster Management Authority website before planning a visit. "The past 24 hours have witnessed substantial rainfall in HP, resulting in landslides on multiple routes leading to tourist destinations. As a result, tourists are advised to check the website of the State Disaster ManagementAuthority (SDMA) at https://hpsdma.nic.in before their visit", said Bali. He further advised tourists to strictly follow guided trek routes as traffic congestion may eventually clear, the primary concern lies with tourists venturing onto unguided trek routes. The HPTDC Chief added, "Furthermore, tourists already in the state are cautioned against approaching rivers and hilly areas. Tourists should also gather information regarding road conditions before visiting their desired tourist spots". Additionally, Bali emphasized that the tourists must ensure that the GPS function on their mobile phones is enabled at all times, allowing their location to be tracked throughout their journey. He advised them to avoid driving in conditions of mist, rain, and fog and make the most of their stay and travel experiences in the hills while also showing respect for the mountains' sacredness. Significantly, rains have been lashing several parts of the state resulting in heavy damage to the infrastructure. It also caused the blockage of several roads and highways. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday met the top leadership of Oman, including Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and discussed ways to bolster security ties between the two sides and cooperation in technology, military matters and mining. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways of expanding ties in all fields. (ANI photo) Doval travelled to Oman, which is among the guest countries invited by India to be part of the G20 process this year, after accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a state visit to Egypt. Doval delivered a written message from the prime minister to Omans ruler that dealt with various aspects of cooperation, the Oman News Agency reported. Also Read:India would not have been partitioned if Netaji was there: NSA Ajit Doval During Dovals interaction with Sultan Haitham at Al Baraka Palace, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways of expanding ties in all fields. They also exchanged views on issues of common interest. Doval conveyed to the sultan greetings from the prime minister and wishes for Omans progress and prosperity. Sultan Haitham reciprocated the greetings and wishes. At a separate meeting between Doval and Omans foreign minister Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, the two sides discussed strategic relations between the two countries and aspects of cooperation about promising sectors in technological, military and mining spheres, the Oman News Agency reported. The discussions also touched on relations in the commercial, investment and cultural fields. The two officials further discussed a number of regional and international issues and underscored emphasis of the leadership of the two countries on espousing policies of constructive dialogue and international cooperation. Sayyid Badr also congratulated India for successfully hosting the G20 meetings. Doval also held a separate meeting with Gen Sultan Mohammed Al Nuamani, minister of the royal office and expressed his appreciation to Oman for enhancing means of cooperation to achieve the joint interests of the two countries, the Oman News Agency reported. The meeting between Doval and Gen Sultan Mohammed took place within the context of the attention accorded by Oman to current regional and international issues and in reaffirmation of Omans status on the global arena, where it gained confidence due to its constant policy of advocating dialogue and peace, the report said. People familiar with the matter said the discussions between the two sides also focused on cooperation in counter-terrorism and maritime security. With New Delhi ramping up efforts to strengthen security ties with key countries in West Asia, India and Oman have been working closely on security and stability in the Indian Ocean. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former president Barack Obama should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing it, an ex-commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom has said. Johnnie Moore, an American evangelical leader, said India is the most diverse country in human history and the US should be complimenting the largest democracy in the world. Former U.S. president Barack Obama.(AP) I think the former president (Barack Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing India. India is the most diverse country in human history. It's not a perfect country, just like the US is not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength and we should be complimenting the largest democracy in the world, Moore told ANI. "America can learn a lot from India. India is the most pluralistic country in the entire world. It is a laboratory of religions. I went to India to learn about religion and one of the remarkable things about India is, there are more languages and more religions and more diverse people in that single democracy that any example in human history - something we should be celebrating every chance that we can get," Moore added. His remarks came days after Obama was quoted as saying in an interview that Biden should raise the religious freedom issue with India, as he would have done had he still been the US president. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama said if India does not protect the rights of ethnic minorities, there is a strong possibility at some point that the country starts pulling apart. The USCIRF had also urged President Biden to address concerning issues of religious freedom and other related human rights in India during Prime Minister Modis state visit. It alleged that the BJP-led government has supported discriminatory national and state-level policies that severely hinder and restrict the religious freedom of minority groups. It was the time to celebrate the historic visit rather than levelling some criticism on it. With some friends, particularly when it comes to democracy, it is sometimes better to privately criticise and publicly praise. That's good geopolitics, the former USCIRF commissioner said. Because there are plenty of people around the world that want to demonstrate that this is the twilight of democracy in the world. It is not the twilight, it is a new dawn of democracy, he added. Obama's comments drew a major backlash in India, especially from the leaders of the ruling BJP, with Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying the former president's remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US "bombing" during his tenure. "I am exercising restraint while speaking on foreign matters. We want a good friendship with the US. But from there also, USCIRF's comments about religious tolerance in India comes and the former president is also saying something," she added. "Didn't bombings happen in six countries - Syria, Yemen, Saudi and Iraq and other Muslim countries - during his term (as US President)?" she asked. "When he makes such allegations against India, will the people trust him," she said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After returning to India from his foreign visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked BJP president J P Nadda and other leaders what was happening in India, party leaders, who had gone to receive him at the airport here, said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J P Nadda.(File) Read here: PM Modi returns to India after his landmark visit to US, Egypt PM Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. "He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy," BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked what the prime minister asked them after meeting them at the airport. Read here: India-US friendship among most consequential in world, says Biden Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said the prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the partys public outreach programme going on. "We apprised him about that," he said. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over the changing nature of violence in the northeastern state. Members of the Assam Christian Forum and CRI-NEI organize a 'Solidarity Prayer' for Manipur demanding peace and justice for the citizens of Manipur at the Don Bosco School playground, in Guwahati on Saturday.(ANI) The union home minister is reportedly concerned over the shifting of violence and civil unrest from peripheral areas to districts in the Imphal valley. "The changing nature of violence from exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to the civil unrest in the valley districts has become a matter of concern for Amit Shah ji," the chief minister told reporters here after his return from New Delhi late on Sunday night. Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi about the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent". "Shah raised issues such as the attacks on the house of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and the residence of state minister Sushindro Meitei, the ongoing arson and destruction of government properties and the hampering of movement of security forces," the chief minister said here. Singh said that he has submitted a report to the Centre on the measures taken up by the state government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. "He was very concerned with the blocking of security forces, police and ambulances on the roads and preventing them from carrying out their duties, which is giving the perception of lawlessness, " the chief minister said. He also said the union home minister assured him that the central government will take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in Manipur. "It's time for all the stakeholders, civil bodies, MLAs and political leaders to sit together and identify the areas where all must work," Singh said. The meeting between Shah and Singh was held a day after the home minister chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi over the Manipur situation. Eighteen political parties, four MPs from the northeast and two chief ministers from the region attended the three-hour-long meeting. The home minister told the all-party meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been monitoring the situation in the violence-hit state since day one and "guiding us with full sensitivity" to find a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the state reported a fresh incident of violence at Chingmeirong in Imphal West district when a shop was set on fire by unidentified miscreants past midnight, army sources said. 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 (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. NEW DELHI: Days after Wagner force chief Yevgeny Prigozhin mounted a short-lived rebellion, a senior Russian official on Monday said the situation in the country was stable and President Vladimir Putin had a firm grip on power. A woman walks near the closed Red Square in Moscow, Russia on June 25. (REUTERS) Following months of public bickering with Russias military leadership, Prigozhins fighters had taken control of the military hub of Rostov-on-Don, located near the border with Ukraine, and begun marching towards Moscow on Saturday. The mutiny ended after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko brokered a truce with Prigozhin. Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russias special presidential representative for international cultural cooperation, told reporters in New Delhi that the Russian people were united in the face of the danger posed by Prigozhins actions. The current situation in Russia is stable and the contemporary position of President Putin is absolutely stable. You must know the Russian common psychology we are united when a danger appears, and I think the situation now is stable, said Shvydkoy, who also served as minister for culture. Lot of people expected this would be a good chance for the Ukrainian military, but this is not true. The situation, more or less, is the same as before, he added. Shvydkoy said, in his personal opinion, the incident involving Prigozhin was not entirely unexpected because an uncontrolled strong power is not good for the state. Life in most parts of Russia, including Moscow, is now back to normal. Also Read: After Wagner mutiny, Russia working on bill to regulate private armies Shvydkoy is in India to firm up cooperation in a range of areas, including education, agriculture, technology, biotechnology and medicines. Russia is keen to bolster relations in science and education, especially between the universities of the two countries. Russian universities are also interested in opening branches in India, he said. Moscow has also proposed to New Delhi that the two sides should observe a national year, during which events will be organised in both countries to expose people to all aspects of life in both countries. We know about yoga and Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi but not about contemporary life in India...On both sides, there isnt enough knowledge about each other, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Srinagar-Jammu IndiGo flight entered Pakistan's airspace on Sunday, the airline informed. According to the carrier, the official flight was forced to enter Pakistani airspace due to bad weather(File/ AFP) Read here: Elderly woman suffers cardiac arrest mid-air; rescued by Bengaluru doc: Report Further, according to the carrier, the official flight was forced to enter Pakistani airspace due to bad weather. "IndiGo 6e-2124 entered in Pakistan airspace for a while due to bad weather and the flight was diverted to Amritsar," an official told ANI. The authorities concerned in both countries were informed before the IndiGo flight entered Pakistan airspace, an airlines official said, adding that the flight diversion was well coordinated by Jammu and Lahore ATCs. Sources said the flight was about to land at Jammu airport but due to bad weather, the flight was asked to divert to Amritsar. However, after briefly entering Pakistani airspace the flight landed safely in Amritsar, the official said. In a similar incident earlier this month, an IndiGo Amritsar-Ahmedabad flight entered Pakistani airspace due to bad weather. Read here: Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight cancelled after bird hit "IndiGo flight 6E-645, operating from Amritsar to Ahmedabad had to take a deviation over Atari into Pakistan airspace due to bad weather. The deviation was well coordinated with Pakistan by Amritsar ATC via telephone. The crew was in continuous contact with Pakistan on R/T and the flight landed in Ahmedabad safely post the deviation," IndiGo said in a statement on the incident. Supreme Court judge Justice K V Viswanathan on Monday recused himself from hearing the pleas, including those filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in connection with a money laundering case linked to real estate firm IREO. The bench said the pleas be listed before an appropriate bench next week. The ED has moved the apex court against the Delhi High Court's June 9 order granting M3M Group owners Basant Bansal and Pankaj Bansal interim protection from arrest till July 5 in connection with the case. The pleas came up for hearing before a vacation bench of Justices A S Oka and K V Viswanathan. Justice Viswanathan, who was a senior advocate before being elevated as a judge of the apex court last month, said he had appeared in a connected matter as a lawyer earlier. The bench said the pleas be listed before an appropriate bench next week. Separate pleas challenging the June 16 order of the high court, which had refused to interfere with the arrest of Basant and Pankaj Bansal in a money laundering probe linked to an alleged bribery case against a former judge and others, were also listed for hearing before the top court. Basant and Pankaj Bansal, directors of Gurugram-based realty group M3M, were earlier arrested by the ED in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the alleged bribery case. The money laundering case in which Basant and Pankaj Bansal have been arrested pertains to a Haryana Police Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) FIR registered in April against a former special judge for ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases who was posted in Panchkula, his nephew, and a third M3M group director Roop Kumar Bansal. Also Read: SC stays Orissa HC order granting custody of minor girl to biological parents The high court's June 9 orders had came on separate anticipatory bail applications by Basant and Pankaj Bansal in the case being probed by the ED. "In the event of any arrest of the applicant, he shall be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond of 10,00,000 with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Investigating Agency, subject to the following conditions...," the high court had said. It had also noted that "primary accused" and promoter of IREO Group has already been granted regular bail in the matter. The high court had granted the ED time till July 5 to file a status report as well as other documents in response to the pre-arrest bail pleas. The ED had opposed the anticipatory bail pleas of the M3M Group owners. The agency had earlier arrested M3M Director Roop Kumar Bansal in connection with the investigation against IREO and M3M groups for allegedly "diverting, siphoning (off) and misappropriating funds of investors and customers". On June 1, the ED had carried out raids against the M3M Group and its directors as well as against IREO in Delhi and Gurugram. It had later alleged in a press statement that the owners, controllers and promoters of the M3M Group -- Basant Bansal, Roop Kumar Bansal, Pankaj Bansal -- and other key persons deliberately avoided investigation during the raids. The agency has alleged a "huge amount of money running into hundreds of crores was siphoned off through the M3M Group" in this case. In one of the transactions, the M3M Group received about 400 crore from IREO through several shell companies in multiple layers, the ED claimed. The ED has been investigating IREO for the last few years on charges of diverting, siphoning off and misappropriating funds of investors and customers. India is getting more powerful and can hit terror networks on this side of the border as well as across it if the need arises, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday, asserting that the world has understood the meaning of zero tolerance for terrorism through the country's actions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses 'India's National Security Conclave', in Jammu on Monday. (ANI) "Pulwama and Uri were both unfortunate incidents The prime minister took just 10 minutes to take a decision (on carrying out surgical strikes) which shows his strong willpower. Our forces not only neutralised the terrorists on this side but also went across the border to finish them off," Singh said. Addressing a national security conclave held at the University of Jammu, the minister stressed that the world, including Muslim countries, is united against terrorism. He said cash-strapped Pakistan would achieve nothing by "parroting Kashmir" and should instead put its house in order. In his over 40-minute address, the minister asserted that India has taken major action against terrorism under the Modi government and referred to the surgical strikes carried out across the Line of Control (LoC) in 2016 and the Balakot air strike in 2019. Bharat ab pehle jaisa Bharat nahi raha. Bharat takatwar banta jaa raha hai. Zaroorat padi to Bharat seema ke iss par bhi maar sakta hai aur zaroorat paditoh uss paar bhi jaa sakta hai (India is not the same as it used to be. It is getting more powerful. If needed, India can hit on this side of the border and can go across the border as well," the defence minister said. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government started effective action against terrorism and, for the first time, not only the country but also the world came to know the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism, he said amid applause from the audience. Terrorists attacked an army camp in the border town of Uri in September 2016, resulting in the death of 19 soldiers. A fortnight later, the Indian Army carried out a surgical strike across the border and destroyed launch pads for Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. In February 2019, forty CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide attack on their convoy by terrorists in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Twelve days after the terror attack, the Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed the terrorist camp in Balakote in Pakistan. The defence minister said Jammu and Kashmir has suffered the brunt of terrorism for a long. "People here know how the poison of terrorism hollows out the society," he said. Targeting the previous UPA government, he said it failed to take strict action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism despite nefarious attempts by Pakistan to bleed the country that left thousands of innocents dead. Noting that the entire network of terrorism was operating in Jammu and Kashmir for decades, he said, Today strict action has been taken against that network by weakening it to a great extent." "We have stopped the funding of terrorism, stopped the supply of arms and drugs and along with the elimination of terrorists, the work of dismantling the network of underground workers who work here is also going on," the minister said. Without naming Pakistan, he said countries using terrorism as a state policy have to understand very well that this game will not last long. Today, most of the big countries of the world are united against terrorism, he said, adding the joint statement issued recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden clearly shows how India has changed the mindset of the whole world, including the US, on the issue of terrorism. It has been clearly stated in this Joint Statement that there should be concerted action against the UN-listed terrorist organisations, which include Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. It has also been said in this joint statement that Pakistan should put a stop to every terrorist act taking place in its territory and should not allow its land to be used for this, Singh said, adding Pakistan was also asked to take action against those behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes and the Pathankot attack. He said it is natural that the rulers of Pakistan will be annoyed by this joint statement. There has been a rote statement that India is diverting the attention of the world from Kashmir. I want to clearly tell the government of Pakistan that nothing will be achieved by parroting Kashmir. Take care of your house, he said. The defence minister said Pakistan does not have a locus standi on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A unanimous resolution has been passed in the Parliament of India regarding PoK that it is a part of India only. Not one but at least several proposals with this intention have now been passed in the parliament, he said. He said that given the improved situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the oppression and injustice being meted out to the people in PoK, the day is not far when the people of PoK will demand that they want to be part of Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Singh said while the common people of Jammu and Kashmir were kept away from the mainstream for a long time, it posed a "hindrance" in taking action against anti-national forces. Singh said it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Modi-led government has laid a strong foundation for "revolutionary reforms" in the country, which is the biggest achievement of this government. "I remember the words of Modi at his oath ceremony in 2014 when he said 'saughandh iss mitti ki desh nahi mitne doonga, desh nahi jhookne doonga ((I vow on this countrys soil, I wont let the country be erased. I wont let the country bow down), he said, adding the prime minister has kept his pledge in letter and spirit. The prices of vegetables including tomatoes have skyrocketed due to monsoon deficit this year. Due to short supply, the prices have reportedly shot up to 80 per kg over the last week, The Hindu reported. According to report, a 15 kg crate of tomatoes was sold for 1,100 at Kolar wholesale APMC market in Karnataka this weekend. It is expected that the price could rise further in Bengaluru soon. A senior official at a grocery chain claimed that the price of tomato is expected to breach the 100 mark soon. Anji Reddy, a tomato farmer from Kolar, told the website that the sowing of the vegetable is lesser than the previous year. He added that several tomato farmers shifted to beans after its price reached sky high last year. A senior official at a grocery chain claimed that the price of tomato is expected to breach the 100 mark soon.(HT file) The farmer said that the crops have dried up due to monsoon deficit, and the tomato crop here may be only 30 per cent of the usual. Due to the crop loss in Maharashtra, the buyers from states like West Bengal, Odisha and even for exporting to countries like Bangladesh are queueing up in Karnataka markets. It is the month of Ashadha when no auspicious events are held and rains are expected to hit Karnataka. Usually, the vegetable prices decrease at this point of time. But the deficient monsoon has led to crop loss, ultimately resulting in shortage of supply and high prices. Most of the vegetables except onions and potatoes are being sold at higher prices. For example, the price of a kilogramme of beans is between 120 and 140, The Hindu report added. On the other hand, the cost of some varieties of carrots is about to reach the 100 mark. A kilogramme of capsicum and knol khol cost more than 80. An egg is now being sold in the range of 7-8. The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels' Association told the website it is adopting a wait-and-watch approach. However, the hotel owners body did not rule out a price hike on the food menu. PC Rao, the organisation's president said power tariff hike has resulted in the rise in prices of mill products including rice. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has reportedly sought a hike of 5/litre of milk and the decision is awaited, Rao added. 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 The Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena on Monday while referring to opposition parties, claimed that a Wagner Group in India will dislodge the Narendra Modi government through the ballot box. Sena (UBT) faction's mouthpiece Saamana in an editorial recalled the opposition parties' meeting in Patna last week, and drew comparisons to Yevgeny Prigozhin's mercenary group which staged an armed rebellion in Russia before backing out hundred kilometres before Moscow. Uddhav Thackeray said the EVM will not decide the outcome of 2024, the people will.(ANI) The Saamana editorial said Wagner group showed dictatorship can be challenged. Be it Modi or Putin, they have to face rebellion. The government in India will be dislodged by a non-violent Wagner and that route will be through the ballot box, PTI quoted the Sena mouthpiece as saying. Like Putin, Modi has to go, but in a democratic manner, it added. The Marathi daily claimed the Wagner group united in Patna as a protector of democracy, adding that the electronic voting machines (EVM) will not decide the results in 2024, the people will. Last Friday, prominent opposition parties including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK and RJD met in Patna wherein they resolved to ink a common minimum programme for a seat-sharing arrangement on a state-specific basis and an agitational programme on peoples issues at the next meeting in Shimla in July. The Sena (UBT) editorial claimed there will be a Manipur-like situation in the country if there is an EVM scam. More than hundred people have been killed in the ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since violence first erupted on May 3. 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. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Deepika Padukone always looks put together at the airport. Prim, poised and steal-worthy - these three adjectives perfectly describe her style. Even the internet agrees with our statement, and the star's latest jet-set look is proof of the same. Deepika slipped into a tan street-ready airport ensemble to catch a flight out of Mumbai as she left Hyderabad to shoot for Project K starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Disha Patani and Kamal Haasan. Fans loved her look and showered her with compliments. Deepika Padukone leaves for Project K shoot in Hyderabad in stylish airport look. (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla) Fans give Deepika Padukones airport look a thumbs up The paparazzi clicked Deepika Padukone at the Mumbai airport, where she boarded a flight to Hyderabad. They also shared pictures and videos of the star on social media. The footage shows Deepika stepping out of her car, greeting the paps, and entering the airport after a security check. Several fans complimented Deepika under the clip and called her 'Queen'. Another commented, "Only she knows about styling, others wear whatever suits them." A fan commented, "Such a stunner." Many also dropped heart eye, fire and crown emojis. See the snippets below. Deepika Padukone's airport look as she flies off to Hyderabad for Project K shoot. (HT Photo/Varinder Chawla) Deepika Padukone's airport look decoded Deepika Padukone arrived at the airport dressed from head to toe in Adidas streetwear. She chose a tan-coloured coordinated ensemble featuring a shacket and flared pants adorned in a contrasting white striped pattern. While the jacket has a wide-collared neckline, zip closure on the front, full-length sleeves, and a fitted silhouette, the pants have a high-rise waist, pockets, and a flared fitting. Deepika accessorised the ensemble with white chunky lace-up sneakers, black tinted sunglasses, gold rings, a sleek luxurious watch, and a Louis Vuitton monogram shoulder bag. Lastly, a sleek ponytail, blush pink lips, feathered brows, dewy skin, rouged cheeks, and a no-makeup look rounded off the glam picks with the airport outfit. About Project K Deepika's next is the science-fiction thriller Project K with Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Disha Patani, and Kamal Haasan. Directed by Nag Ashwin, it is a bilingual film shot simultaneously in two languages, Hindi and Telugu, across various locations. Arafah Day falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar and commemorates the finality of the religion of Islam and of Divine revelation by Allah but due to difference in crescent moon sighting in different regions, countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, other Gulf countries, USA and UK are marking the Day of Arafah on June 27 this year while Muslims in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and other South Asian nations will observe it on June 28. The Day of Arafah holds tremendous significance and carries numerous merits for Muslims, even for those not performing Hajj. Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, June 26, 2023, before heading to Mina in preparation for the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam and one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. 9th of Dhul Hijjah or Arafah Day: Islamic rituals for Muslims not performing Hajj(AP) Merits associated with the Day of Arafah: The Day of Arafah is known as the "Day of Atonement" and is believed to be a day when Allah forgives the sins of those who sincerely seek His forgiveness. It is an opportunity for Muslims to repent, seek forgiveness and cleanse their souls from past transgressions as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah." For Muslims performing Hajj, standing on the plain of Arafah is a crucial pillar of the pilgrimage and it is considered the most important day of Hajj. Completing this ritual with sincerity and devotion is believed to bring about the forgiveness of sins and the acceptance of prayers while Muslims not performing Hajj can also benefit from the blessings and forgiveness associated with the Day of Arafah. The Day of Arafah is described as the best day of the year and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah, and the best words that I and the prophets before me have said are 'La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah (There is no god but Allah, alone without partner).'" Muslims are encouraged to engage in abundant supplication, remembrance of Allah and acts of worship on this blessed day to attain its rewards and blessings. Performing acts of worship on the Day of Arafah is believed to yield abundant rewards. Fasting on this day, for instance, is considered equivalent to the reward of fasting for an entire year while engaging in remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Quran and giving charity on this day also hold immense merit and blessings. The Day of Arafah serves as an opportunity for Muslims to engage in self-reflection, introspection and spiritual purification as Muslims strive to rectify their mistakes, seek forgiveness from Allah and renew their commitment to living a righteous life. It is a day to rekindle one's faith, strengthen one's connection with Allah and rejuvenate one's spiritual journey. The Day of Arafah emphasises the unity and brotherhood of the Muslim Ummah (community) as Muslims from diverse backgrounds, cultures and languages come together at the plain of Arafah during Hajj, fostering a sense of solidarity and unity. This collective gathering reminds Muslims of their shared beliefs, values and the universality of Islam. Arafah Day carries immense merits and blessings for Muslims as it is a day of forgiveness, spiritual renewal and heightened devotion. Muslims strive to engage in acts of worship, seek forgiveness and increase their supplications on this day to attain the abundant rewards and blessings associated with it as it is an occasion of spiritual elevation, unity and deep connection with Allah. Rituals for Muslims not performing Hajj: The Day of Arafah holds significant religious and spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide and on this day, pilgrims who are performing Hajj gather at the plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, while those not on Hajj engage in specific rituals and acts of worship. Here are some of the rituals associated with the Day of Arafah - Fasting: It is highly recommended for Muslims who are not performing Hajj to observe fasting on the Day of Arafah. Fasting on this day is believed to expiate sins of the previous year and the coming year. It is a voluntary act of devotion and a way to earn blessings and closeness to Allah. It is highly recommended for Muslims who are not performing Hajj to observe fasting on the Day of Arafah. Fasting on this day is believed to expiate sins of the previous year and the coming year. It is a voluntary act of devotion and a way to earn blessings and closeness to Allah. Supplication and Dhikr: Muslims engage in continuous supplication (du'a) and remembrance of Allah (dhikr) on the Day of Arafah. They seek forgiveness, mercy, and blessings, and engage in heartfelt prayers for themselves, their families, and the global Muslim community. The day is seen as an opportunity for repentance and seeking spiritual purification. Muslims engage in continuous supplication (du'a) and remembrance of Allah (dhikr) on the Day of Arafah. They seek forgiveness, mercy, and blessings, and engage in heartfelt prayers for themselves, their families, and the global Muslim community. The day is seen as an opportunity for repentance and seeking spiritual purification. Standing at Arafat: While pilgrims on Hajj spend the day at the plain of Arafat, Muslims who are not performing Hajj can engage in acts of worship at their local mosques or homes. Many Muslims spend the day in prayer, recitation of the Quran and reflection on their relationship with Allah. They strive to emulate the spiritual atmosphere of Arafah by devoting themselves to acts of worship and seeking nearness to Allah. While pilgrims on Hajj spend the day at the plain of Arafat, Muslims who are not performing Hajj can engage in acts of worship at their local mosques or homes. Many Muslims spend the day in prayer, recitation of the Quran and reflection on their relationship with Allah. They strive to emulate the spiritual atmosphere of Arafah by devoting themselves to acts of worship and seeking nearness to Allah. Giving Charity: The Day of Arafah is an opportune time for Muslims to engage in acts of charity and giving. Muslims are encouraged to donate to the poor and those in need, supporting humanitarian causes and helping alleviate the suffering of others. Giving charity on this day is considered especially meritorious and can bring immense blessings. The Day of Arafah is an opportune time for Muslims to engage in acts of charity and giving. Muslims are encouraged to donate to the poor and those in need, supporting humanitarian causes and helping alleviate the suffering of others. Giving charity on this day is considered especially meritorious and can bring immense blessings. Reflection and Repentance: The Day of Arafah is a time for introspection, reflection and seeking forgiveness. Muslims reflect upon their actions, seek to rectify their shortcomings, and repent sincerely for any sins or mistakes committed. They aim to strengthen their connection with Allah and improve their character and conduct. The Day of Arafah is a time for introspection, reflection and seeking forgiveness. Muslims reflect upon their actions, seek to rectify their shortcomings, and repent sincerely for any sins or mistakes committed. They aim to strengthen their connection with Allah and improve their character and conduct. Celebration and Gratitude: The Day of Arafah is a joyous occasion for Muslims. They express gratitude to Allah for the blessings of faith, health, family and the opportunity to worship. Muslims celebrate the day by spending time with loved ones, exchanging greetings of joy and blessings and partaking in festive meals and sweet treats. The Day of Arafah holds immense spiritual significance and Muslims around the world strive to engage in acts of worship, reflection and devotion on this auspicious day. It is a time for seeking forgiveness, strengthening faith and fostering a sense of unity and gratitude within the Muslim community. The Hajj, a religious pilgrimage for Muslims and one of the largest gatherings of humans on Earth, begins in Saudi Arabia on June 26 and ends July 1. The number of people attending the pilgrimage to visit Kaaba, or God's House, in Mecca, was reduced drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, it will be back to normal again, with around 2.6 million Muslim pilgrims expected to make the journey. Almost 1.5 million pilgrims are already in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj. (Amr Nabil/AP Photo7picture alliance) Performing the Hajj is an important part of the Islamic faith. Just as an observant, able-bodied Muslim should pray regularly, give alms and fast during the month of Ramadan, going on pilgrimage that is, performing the Hajj is considered one of the five pillars of the belief system. (Also Read | Hajj 2023: Date, history, significance and Ihram to Eid-ul-Adha rituals of Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia) The Hajj takes place every year in a prescribed way over six days during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. However, there are around 2 billion Muslims around the world and given the numbers involved, it would be impossible for Saudi Arabia to host all those who want to perform Hajj at one specific time. For this reason, the Saudi government designates different countries a quota that says how many people from that nation may come to Mecca in any year. Generally speaking, the rule is around one pilgrim per every 1,000 Muslims in Muslim-majority countries. This is something that was agreed upon at the 1987 Organization of the Islamic Conference. For example, in Indonesia, an estimated 88% of the around 276 million-strong population are Muslim. This year, Indonesia's quota for the Hajj was just over 230,000. While the Saudis specify quotas, the actual travel is usually facilitated inside the country. Many countries have their own internal lottery or quota and qualification systems to work out how to distribute the Saudi Hajj visas. Some, like Indonesia, ask applicants to pay a fee to be put into a lottery or, if they don't get drawn, to be put onto a waitlist. The quota systems in Indonesia and elsewhere mean that many Muslims around the world would have to wait years, sometimes decades, to perform the Hajj. Other countries, like Jordan, might ask for pilgrims' date of birth via a registration website. They may also check that the individual has not been on Hajj before. This is so that older Muslims can perform Hajj before they die, and those who've never been get a chance to go. Accusations of corruption with Hajj quota system In the past, the internal national systems have led to all kinds of controversy as well as accusations of corruption, mismanagement and favouritism. For example, senior officials in India have been accused of giving out more of the Saudi quota to certain local tour operators in exchange for bribes. In Pakistan in 2014, politicians were implicated in a corruption investigation related to the mismanagement of a fund that would-be pilgrims pay into to guarantee their spot on a waiting list. Potential pilgrims have also speculated that Saudi Embassy staff make money by selling Hajj visas. It's a different situation in countries where Muslims make up a religious minority. Up until recently, Muslims living in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia and in the European Union didn't have to deal with a quota system and tended to be able to go on pilgrimage more or less as they wished. Travel is usually facilitated by local travel agencies, often linked to Muslim community organizations or mosques, who specialize in preparing customers for the Hajj. Many of the travel agencies are approved by Saudi Arabia, which gives them a number of Hajj visas to distribute. Western pilgrims usually have to purchase a package tour this includes the visa, the flight, accommodation and the other services that Hajj missions normally undertake in order to be able to travel. These agencies tended to sell Hajj travel packages on first-come, first-serve basis. This all changed in early June 2022, when the Saudi government launched its own online platform called Motawif. Unexpectedly, it told would-be pilgrims in 57 countries, mostly in the so-called West, to cancel all pre-existing bookings and to register their interest in the Hajj individually on the website. In effect, this also cut out the specialized travel operators who had previously acted as middlemen. The number of Muslims from the West who can perform Hajj has fallen since then. Some have complained about the loss of this privilege, but other observers have pointed out that the decreases are roughly in line with one-to-1,000 ratio. For example, the United Kingdom is home to around 3.8 million Muslims. Before the pandemic, about 25,000 British Muslims would regularly perform Hajj. But the new system only allocates 3,600 Hajj visas to the UK. The Saudi authorities claimed they made the changes to crack down on Hajj scams and travel agency subcontractors, but some analysts think the move was more economic in nature. Both religious travel and tourism are a major part of the oil-rich Gulf state's attempts to diversify its national income away from oil. The country makes anywhere between $8 billion and $12 billion (10.9 billion) from a normal Hajj season, and wants to rapidly increase numbers of pilgrims and regular tourists. Last year's sudden change by the Saudis caused a huge number of complaints, with prospective pilgrims left unsure of whether they would even be allowed to be travel to Saudi Arabia until shortly before they were supposed to depart. Some were turned away at airports or denied boarding even though they had paid for a Hajj package. Others are still waiting for their money back. This year, Saudi Arabia launched another website, Nusuk, for the same purpose. However, would-be pilgrims have already reported problems, with a social media hashtag, #nusuked, gathering a litany of complaints. Selection process for Hajj quota system kept 'opaque' Most of those affected by the changes to the system this year and last have said they get no response from Saudi authorities to their enquiries. "The kingdom chooses to keep the quota system as opaque as possible in order to exploit it as a political tool to reward its allies and punish its adversaries," Turan Kayaoglu, a professor of international relations at the University of Washington in the US, argued in a 2020 op-ed for The Brookings Institution. "Moreover, Saudi Arabia can facilitate or impede issuing visas. For example, under the Saudi blockade, Qatari pilgrims were effectively denied from performing the Hajj because many had difficulties obtaining visas." Kayaoglu argued it would be better if the Hajj quota system and logistics management were handed over to a more international body, rather than allowing the Saudis to use it for their own political purposes. It's an important ritual that should belong to all Muslims, he said. Ihsan Yilmaz, a professor at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, sees the firm Saudi grip on Hajj visas as a form of soft power, a way of convincing more Muslims of the Saudi version of Islam. "Saudis have used this soft power as much as possible," Yilaz, who is the chair of the university's Islamic Studies department, wrote in a 2022 article for the Australian Institute of International Affairs. "They have always known that Hajj represents a great opportunity to win the hearts and minds of millions of pilgrims." Saudi Arabia also often hosts Muslim elites scholars, journalists, political leaders for Hajj, Yilmaz added. "Indeed, many opinion leaders in Muslim countries have been hesitant to criticize the Saudis, fearing that they may not be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj," he suggested. For those Muslims who miss out on Hajj, there is also another option known as Umrah. This has the pilgrim taking the same route, but this shorter journey can be performed at any time of the year. About 19 million Muslims undertake this trip every year and Saudi Arabia gives these visas out far more freely. Thyroid disorders, whether they involve an underactive or overactive thyroid, exhibit similar symptoms to those experienced during menopause. According to health experts, the low estrogen levels characteristic of menopause can impact thyroid receptors and alter thyroid function tests. Can Thyroid disorders increase the chances of early menopause? (Shutterstock) Also watch: Yoga Asanas For Thyroid | Control Thyroid At Home | Yoga For The Soul In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Aruna Kalra, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, revealed, Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can intensify or exacerbate menopausal symptoms. Hypothyroidism can manifest as lethargy, low mood, weakness, while hyperthyroidism may result in hot flashes and night sweats, mirroring the symptoms of menopause. In both thyroid problems, there can be disruptions in sleep patterns and low energy levels. Changes in body weight, either an increase or decrease, along with skin dryness, abnormal menstrual cycles, and mood changes are common. She explained, Symptoms observed in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism overlap with those experienced during menopause. As estrogen levels decline, thyroid function tests may yield abnormal results, potentially indicating the presence of thyroid disorders. These disorders may become more prevalent during menopause. Premature menopause can occur due to autoimmune diseases and thyroid disorders. Some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to thyroid disease. Thus, autoimmune diseases, premature menopause, and thyroid disorders can coexist. She elaborated, Inflammation affecting the ovaries and thyroid can impair the functioning of these organs. The immune system's response to these organs may hinder their proper operation. Therefore, early menopause and thyroiditis often occur simultaneously. Both premature menopause and thyroid disorders can be autoimmune conditions that coexist. During the transitional period of menopause, falling estrogen levels can also impact the thyroid gland, potentially leading to the development of thyroid disorders even in individuals without prior thyroid issues. Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director at Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, shared, Thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can disrupt the normal functioning of the reproductive system and menstrual cycle. Women with untreated or poorly controlled thyroid disorders may experience irregular periods, heavier or lighter menstrual flow, or even amenorrhea (absence of periods). While these thyroid-related menstrual changes can be distressing, they typically do not directly cause early menopause. It is usually caused by a decline in the number of functioning eggs in the ovaries. Bringing her expertise to the same, Dr Rashmi Baliyan, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Consultant at Primus Super Speciality Hospital, said, The timing of menopause may be impacted by thyroid conditions, although the connection between the two is complicated and poorly understood. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) may raise the chance of an early menopause. The proper operation of the reproductive system and the hormones that control the menstrual cycle can both be affected by hypothyroidism. This disruption may result in irregular menstrual cycles and an earlier start to menopause. To clearly show a cause-and-effect connection between thyroid conditions and early menopause, more research is necessary. Consult with a healthcare provider who can offer a precise diagnosis and suitable treatment options if you feel you have a thyroid disease or are going through the early stages of menopause. Trips for tourism in China during last week's three-day Dragon Boat Festival climbed 32.3% from a year earlier to an estimated 106 million, 12.8% above the pre-pandemic level in 2019, the ministry of culture and tourism said. Competitors take part in dragon boat drifting races in a six-meter wide canal during the dragon boat festival in Foshan, in southern China's Guangdong province. China Dragon Boat Festival tourism trips record numbers above pre-Covid levels (Photo by Jade Gao / AFP) China's tourism numbers are closely watched as a barometer of consumer demand in the world's second-biggest economy, as Beijing is expected to pledge further measures to boost growth amid signs that recovery after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions is faltering. In contrast to the tourism data released late on Saturday, overall travel during the holiday Thursday through Saturday spiked 89.1% from a year earlier but was remained down 22.8% from 2019, according to transport ministry figures published in state media on Saturday. Revenue from domestic tourism trips during the Dragon Boat Festival rose 44.5% on year to 37.31 billion yuan ($5.20 billion), recovering to 94.9% of the 2019 level, the tourism ministry said. The comparison between the 2023 and 2019 figures were made "according to comparable standards", the tourism ministry said on its website, without providing details about the metrics. The Dragon Boat Festival tourism rebound is smaller than that during the five-day May Day holiday, when domestic tourism trips surged 70.8% on year and were 19.1% above those of 2019with revenues up 128.90% on year and on par with 2019, according to tourism ministry data last month. Orders for tickets at domestic tourism sites during last week's holiday doubled from the 2019 level, China's largest online travel agency, Ctrip, said in a report on Saturday. Trips across mainland China's borders averaged 1.32 million a day during the holiday, more than double last year's level but just 64.6% of the 2019 level, data from the National Immigration Administration showed on Sunday. Of the total 3.96 million cross-border trips, 1.97 million were made by mainland Chinese people, 1.67 million by residents in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, and 323,000 by people from elsewhere, the NIA said. ($1 = 7.1779 Chinese yuan renminbi) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts have achieved their target of 98 per cent water restoration from crew members' urine and sweat. The American space agency last week said that it is developing life support systems that can regenerate or recycle consumables such as food, air, and water and is testing them on the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronaut Kayla Barron replaces a filter in the space stations Brine Processor Assembly.(NASA) The space stations Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) recently demonstrated that it can achieve 98 per cent water restoration goal, NASA said. What is ECLSS? According to NASA, ECLSS is a combination of hardware that includes a water recovery system. This system collects wastewater and sends it to the Water Processor Assembly (WPA), which produces drinkable water. One specialized component uses advanced dehumidifiers to capture moisture released into the cabin air from crew breath and sweat. Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) The Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), recovers water from urine using vacuum distillation. A previous technology demonstration on the space station tested improvements to the UPAs distillation assembly. Distillation produces water and a urine brine that still contains some reclaimable water. A Brine Processor Assembly (BPA) developed to extract this remaining wastewater has been on the space station as a demonstration of its operation in microgravity. Recent assessments found that the BPA helped the system achieve the 98% water recovery goal. The BPA takes the brine produced by the UPA and runs it through a special membrane technology, then blows warm, dry air over the brine to evaporate the water. That process creates humid air, which, just like crew breath and perspiration, is collected by the stations water collection systems. Francesca Gino, a well-known Harvard Business School (HBS) professor, is scrutinised for falsifying multiple studies, including one on eliciting honest behaviour. Gino, who co-authored over 135 academic papers in peer-reviewed journals, faces accusations of fabricating data in her numerous studies, which Harvard has been investigating for over a year. The Harvard Business School professor has co-authored over 135 academic papers in peer-reviewed journals. (Getty Images) Max Bazerman, a professor at HBS and co-author of a 2012 paper with Francesca Gino, revealed that Harvard had informed him that one of the studies by Gino used fraudulent data, reported The Chronicle of Higher Education. Bazerman added that Harvard provided a 14-page compelling evidence of data tampering, including unauthorised database access and file manipulation. He denied involvement in the alleged data falsification and told the news outlet, I did not have anything to do with the fabrication. The paper in question is titled Signing at the beginning makes ethics salient and decreases dishonest self-reports in comparison to signing at the end. Published in August 2012 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study surrounds an experiment that asked participants to fill up tax and insurance paperwork. The paper claimed that participants who signed truthfulness declarations at the top of a page exhibited more honesty than those who signed at the bottom. In September 2021, PNAS retracted this paper. The papers abstract reads, Many written forms required by businesses and governments rely on honest reporting. Proof of honest intent is typically provided through signature at the end of, eg, tax returns or insurance policy forms. Still, people sometimes cheat to advance their financial self-interests at great costs to society. We test an easy-to-implement method to discourage dishonesty: signing at the beginning rather than at the end of a self-report, thereby reversing the order of the current practice. Additional concerns were raised when three behavioural scholars wrote a detailed four-part blog on DataColoda on June 17, 2023, presenting substantial evidence regarding the alleged fraud in four academic papers co-authored by Francesca Gino. The blog authors are Uri Simonsohn of ESADE Business School, University of California, Berkeleys Leif Nelson, and Joseph Simmons of the University of Pennsylvania. It is worth noting that only Part 1: Clusterfake of the four-part post has been published, and the remaining will be published soon. In 2021, we and a team of anonymous researchers examined a number of studies co-authored by Gino, because we had concerns that they contained fraudulent data. We discovered evidence of fraud in papers spanning over a decade, including papers published quite recently (in 2020), the introduction of the blog read. The blog authors, in the next few lines, added, In the fall of 2021, we shared our concerns with Harvard Business School. Specifically, we wrote a report about four studies for which we had accumulated the strongest evidence of fraud. We believe that many more Gino-authored papers contain fake data. Perhaps dozens. We understand that Harvard had access to much more information than we did, including, where applicable, the original data collected using Qualtrics survey software. If the fraud was carried out by collecting real data on Qualtrics and then altering the downloaded data files, as is likely to be the case for three of these papers, then the original Qualtrics files would provide airtight evidence of fraud. (Conversely, if our concerns were misguided, then those files would provide airtight evidence that they were misguided), they further wrote in the blog. To the best of the knowledge of the scholars who wrote the blog, none of Ginos co-authors carried out or assisted her with collecting data for the studies that have raised questions. Gino, currently on administrative leave per her HBS profile, has not publicly commented on the allegations. Her husband, speaking to the New York Times, declined to address the matter due to its sensitivity. He said, Its obviously something that is very sensitive that we cant speak to now. The outlet also reported that Harvard Business School has declined to comment on the matter. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Walking in heels can be quite a challenge for many of us. With every step, there is a constant fear of toppling down and losing balance. But, if you are Christian Roberto Lopez Rodriguez, you don't need to worry about falling in heels. The 34-year-old from Spain smashed the 100-metre sprint record while wearing high heels. Yes, you read that right! Christian Roberto Lopez Rodriguez, 34, broke this world record by achieving an impressive time of 12.82 seconds. You will be surprised to note that he was only 3.24 seconds slower than Usain Bolts 100-metre sprint world record! Christian Roberto Lopez Rodriguez running in heels. He broke the world record for the fastest 100-metre in high heels.(Guinness World Records) Guinness World Records (GWR) took to Instagram to share a video of the world record. Alongside, they wrote, Fastest 100 metres in high heels (male). 12.82 secs by Christian Roberto Lopez Rodriguez. Watch the video shared by Guinness World Records below: According to GWR, Christian has a total of 57 world record titles to his name. When asked about the rigorous preparation leading up to his latest achievement, Christian told Guinness World Records, The preparation was very exhaustive and specific. I find it very challenging to be able to run in high heels at high speed. In Spain, there are races like this, and they have always gone well for me. Since being shared two days ago, the video has accumulated over five lakh views, and the numbers are still increasing. Additionally, many even shared their thoughts in the comments section. Heres how people reacted to the Guinness World Record: When playing in your moms heels as a kid pays off, posted an Instagram user. Another added, This is a record I want to break. Wow, shared a third. A fourth joined, Hit the ground running. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A former CIA director has sounded alarm bells for the mercenary leader who led the revolt against Russian President Vladimir Putin only to call it off within 24 hours in a dramatic U-turn. Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, retired Gen. David Petraeus said the Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin should be very careful around open windows, in an apparent reference to the number of prominent Russians who have died in unclear circumstances. The owner of the Wagner private military contractor Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin.(AP) Prigozhin kept his life, but lost his Wagner Group, Petraeus said. "And he should be very careful around open windows in his new surroundings in Belarus, where hes going. As part of the deal to stop the march on Moscow, the mercenary leader has agreed to go into exile in neighbouring Belarus, whose leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko, is a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Belarus President Lukashenko has also taken credit for brokering a deal between the marching mercenaries and Kremlin. There are still no reports of Prigozhin arriving in Belarus after he reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and the mercenary leader has gone silent since the U-turn. Several critics of Putin have died under mysterious circumstances, including in falls from windows, since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The chairman of the board of Russias largest private oil company, which criticized Russias military operation in Ukraine, fell out of a hospital window in September of last year. While the quick pardon for Prigozhin appeared to show Putins weakness, many of those who have opposed or betrayed Putin have met their deaths months or years later, some even after leaving Russia. The armed rebellion by Prigozhin sparked Russia's largest political crisis in decades. Russian authorities did not report any human losses, even though Wagner claimed to have shot down several aircraft. (with inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New York City subway network grabbed limelight for the wrong reasons as a 36-year-old man was shot on a Queens subway while a teenager was stabbed on a Brooklyn train on Sunday night. Police said that the separate, gruesome incidents happened within an hour of each other. Image for representation(Getty Images) Cops detailed the robbery incidents in which a 15-year-old boy was stabbed in the hip and his cellphone taken away while he was on a northbound L train near the East 105th Street station in Canarsie around 8 p.m. In the second incident, a 36-year-old man sustained gunshot wound in his left thigh after the suspect demanded his wallet while on a southbound A train at the Rockaway Park Beach 116th Street station in Queens around 9:10 p.m. ALSO READ| Titan submersible incident: How much will US Coast Guard charge for the search-and-rescue efforts? The latest incidents come in the wake of similar crimes in recent times. On Saturday, a knife-wielding man had punched an NYPD transit police officer in the face at a midtown subway station. On the same day, an MTA train conductor suffered injuries when a hammer-wielding man hit a Bronx subway window with the hammer, spraying the glass in her face. On Wednesday, a passenger was stabbed in the stomach during a fight with another man over a subway seat on board a Bronx-bound No. 5 train. In a corruption trial that has captured international attention, Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan has testified against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, revealing their extravagant demands for gifts amounting to 157,000. Milchan, known for producing blockbuster films, detailed how he provided champagne, jewelry, and cigars as part of a "supply line" in exchange for personal and professional favors from the Netanyahus. Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, arrives at The Old Ship Hotel to provide testimony in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, in Brighton.(REUTERS) The trial seeks to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust, with Milchan's testimony expected to shed light on plush favors and alleged abuse of power. As the high-profile case unfolds, both prosecutors and the defense aim to present their arguments surrounding the nature of these gifts and their implications. Code Words and Complaints: The Secret World of Lavish Gifts Milchan, testifying via videoconference from Brighton, England, described how the Netanyahus used code words to conceal the extravagant gifts. Shirts were referred to as "dwarves," cigars as "leaves," and champagne as "roses." What initially began as a kind gesture quickly became routine, according to Milchan, who admitted that the gifts eventually disgusted him. The defense argues that the gifts were merely friendly gestures, while the prosecution aims to establish a pattern of favoritism and personal gain. Milchan's testimony, which is anticipated to last several days, will be closely watched by judges, lawyers, journalists, and even Netanyahu's wife, Sara, who is attending the trial while on a private visit to Britain. Cigars of the Right Diameter and Champagne Preferences Amidst the testimony, Milchan revealed that the Netanyahus were particular about their gifts. Sara Netanyahu once complained when she received the wrong type of champagne, with Milchan recalling how she immediately noticed and voiced her displeasure. He also recounted an incident where Benjamin Netanyahu expressed dissatisfaction with cigars that didn't match the desired diameter, prompting Milchan to procure the cigars of his preference. Such attention to detail showcases the level of expectation surrounding the gifts exchanged between the Netanyahus and Milchan. An Ongoing Trial with Far-Reaching Consequences The corruption trial against Netanyahu has far-reaching implications for both his political future and the Israeli justice system. Prosecutors hope that Milchan's testimony will illustrate how Netanyahu used his position of power to advance Milchan's interests. The charges against Netanyahu include fraud, breach of trust, and bribery, with allegations of regulatory favors in exchange for positive media coverage. Netanyahu maintains his innocence, claiming to be the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by biased media and an unfair justice system. Also read | Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan takes center stage in Netanyahu's corruption trial, but whose side is he on? The trial, which began in 2020, has exposed sensational details about Netanyahu's character and his family's reputation for benefiting from taxpayer money and the generosity of wealthy supporters. While the possibility of a plea bargain has been discussed, prosecutors remain determined to see the trial through, despite the challenges of proving the more serious crime of bribery. Thousands of marchers took to the New York City streets as club music played in the background and confetti showered down on Sunday, June 25, at the Pride Parade. Revellers from Toronto to San Francisco were also seen cheering on. They walked down Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village with rainbow flags to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising. Marchers arrive to attend the NYC Pride parade on Sunday, June 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)(AP) The Stonewall Inn,a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village, was raided by police on June 28, 1969. While the New York Police department expected the usual compliance, people decided to protest and fight back. As many as five days of rioting ensues after the raid. Roughly 400 Pride organisations across the US are holding parades this year. Many are focussed specifically on the rights of transgender people. Among the participants are entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates. Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle and Randolfe Randy Wicker are heading this years celebration. Angelica Ross has returned as co-host for a third year. Amid the celebrations, here are some key highlights: 1) This year's march is the 53rd in the city's history. Several stars were spotted at the parade, including Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul, and Chuck Schumer. Others who were spotted were Reverend Al Sharpton and New York Attorney General Letitia James. 2) The city's police force and meteorologists warned that dark clouds were cast over the grand celebrations. A storm is likely to hit Manhattan around 4 pm. 3) Revellers at the parade have prompted outrage after some of them resorted to a controversial chant Were here! Were queer! Were coming for your children! The chant was yelled last week at the annual Drag March in the East Village. I dont think it was the right group or the right time to make a joke (about that), said Angela Ghiozzo, a mom from Cold Spring, said, according to New York Post. Angela went to the parade with her son Matthew Pocarillo, who came out several years ago. 4) Bizarre visuals dominated the crowd, including that of a half-naked woman walking down the street confidently as the crowd cheered on. Some pridegoers were seen jumping on random cars and twerking. Members of the Chinese Rainbow Network were seen pole dancing. 5) In a horrifying video, a woman was seen being violently assaulted by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The woman, a former trans rights activist, was holding a sign saying Defend Female Sex Based Rights. 6) Furries added colours to the Pride Parade, with several videos showing them already viral. Sweet photos that are viral on social media show adorable pooches Kulfi, Mochi, Millie, and Lily participating in the parade. 7) Parents have felt relieved for years automatically assuming their children are straight. This year, however, many parents brought their kids to the parade. A viral video shows a child wrapped in a trans flag. 8) A viral image posted by Twitter user Jill Tatara shows renowned NYC street photographer Louis Mendes posing with a smile. Jill narrated an interesting story about how the two met. The only picture I took today at the Pride Parade. This guy was standing there looking so freakin cool & I asked if I could take his picture. He wanted me to send it to him & said, "Google my name." It was iconic NYC street photographer Louis Mendes! Jill wrote. Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis won Greece's national elections on Sunday with a clear majority, securing a second term during which he vowed to bring about major reforms to transform the country. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece's prime minister and leader of New Democracy party, addresses supporters outside the party headquarters. (Bloomberg) With nearly all the votes counted, Mitsotakis's New Democracy party obtained a score of over 40.5 percent, well ahead of the leftist Syriza party led by former premier Alexis Tsipras, which scored less than 18 percent. The margin is the widest for the conservatives in almost 50 years, as voters rewarded them for nursing Greece back to economic health after a crippling debt crisis. "The people have given us a safe majority. Major reforms will proceed rapidly," Mitsotakis said, adding that he had "ambitious" targets for a new term that could "transform" Greece. The 55-year-old former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate, who steered the EU nation from the coronavirus pandemic back to two consecutive years of strong growth, had already scored a thumping win in an election just a month ago. But having fallen short by five parliamentary seats of being able to form a single-party government, he refused to try to form a coalition, in effect forcing 9.8 million Greek voters back to the ballot boxes. The election also saw voters turn away from two key protagonists during the debt years. Former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis's radical-left MeRA25 party failed to make it past the three percent threshold to get into parliament, while Tsipras's party scored even less than in May, losing a further 275,000 votes. Judgment US President Joe Biden congratulated Mitsotakis on his victory. "I look forward to continuing our close cooperation on shared priorities to foster prosperity and regional security," he said in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron also sent congratulations. "Let's continue together all the work undertaken for a stronger and more sovereign Europe," he wrote on Twitter. And Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani offered his congratulations. Mitsotakis's re-election was "a sign of political stability that is good for the whole Europe", he wrote on Twitter. Tsipras, meanwhile, assessed the damage. "We have sustained a serious political defeat," he said in an address following his fifth loss to Mitsotakis -- his third in a national election. The 48-year-old former premier said that his party needed a "top to bottom" reappraisal before next year's European Parliament elections. He would submit his leadership to the "judgment" of Syriza party members, he added. Tsipras remains for many the prime minister who nearly crashed Greece out of the euro, the leader who reneged on a vow of abolishing austerity to sign the country on to more painful bailout terms. With the strong swing to the right -- including the return of the far right after a four-year hiatus -- Varoufakis said his left-wing party would be sorely missed in parliament. To the dismay of centrist groups, the nationalist party Spartiates (Spartans) made it past the three-percent threshold to get into parliament, along with two small similar parties. The party is endorsed by the jailed former spokesman of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. With the total proportion of votes garnered by the three parties reaching 12.9 percent, Tsipras said the strongest showing of Greek hard-right parties in decades was a "visible" threat to democracy. Voter fatigue was also evident after a second election in a month: turnout was less than 53 percent compared to over 61 percent in May. High hopes Mitsotakis first became prime minister in 2019, beating his predecessor Tsipras on a vow to move on from a decade of economic crisis. That election was the first in the EU nation's post-bailout era, at a time when businesses and workers were ailing under the burden of heavy taxes imposed by Syriza to build a budget surplus demanded by international creditors. Over the next four years, tax burdens were eased, and while the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out Greece's vital tourism revenues, the country has since bounced back with growth of 8.3 percent in 2021 and 5.9 percent last year. Mitsotakis played up Greece's newfound economic health in his re-election bid, saying his conservatives had cut 50 taxes while increasing national output by 29 billion euros ($32 billion) and overseeing the largest infrastructure upgrades since 1975. The message appeared to have gone down well with voters weary of Greece's debt years that were awash with job losses, rising payments and companies going bankrupt. Aris Manopoulos, a shop owner, said he "voted for New Democracy so that the country can advance, and continue to revive economically". SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Human remains were discovered by California hikers on Saturday, June 24, in the area where actor Julian Sands disappeared over five months ago. The remains have yet to be identified by authorities. They were sent to the coroners office for confirmation. Julian Sands was reported missing on January 13 after he failed to return from a hiking trip in the San Gabriel Mountains in Mt. Baldy (REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo)(REUTERS) On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at about 10:00 a.m., civilian hikers contacted the Fontana Sheriffs Station after they discovered human remains in the Mt. Baldy wilderness. Fontana Station deputies, along with the Sheriffs Departments Emergency Operations Division, responded to the scene. The decedent was transported to the Coroners Office, pending positive identification. Identification should be completed next week at which time we will update this press release. No further details are available at this time, police said in a statement. Julian was reported missing on January 13 after he failed to return from a hiking trip in the San Gabriel Mountains in Mt. Baldy, about 45 miles east of Los Angeles. The search for the actor was temporarily suspended for a while, and then resumed again on June 17. Since Julian went missing, eight ground and air searches were conducted by police. Mt. Baldy is known for being one of the most dangerous peaks for climbing in California. Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions. Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office said last week, according to New York Post. Julians family spoke for the first time last week, after his disappearance. We are deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, they said in a statement. 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. Julian is a veteran hiker. He has appeared in several movies, including A Room with a View, Warlock, and Leaving Las Vegas. OceanGate's CEO, Stockton Rush, has been accused of actively seeking out wealthy clients to participate in his costly deep-sea submersible trips to the Titanic. Industry expert Patrick Lahey, president of Triton Submarines, described Rush's approach as "predatory," highlighting his ability to convince even those aware of the risks involved. OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush(AP) French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet was among those persuaded by Rush, leading to his tragic demise along with Rush and three other passengers when the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion. Lahey's Warnings and Concerns Ignored Patrick Lahey, who was acquainted with Nargeolet, revealed that he had warned him against joining the ill-fated dive. Lahey expressed his candid concerns about the operation and its lack of safety precautions. He even described Rush's pursuit as predatory, emphasizing how he could convince individuals despite the known risks involved.Lahey lamented the fact that Nargeolet ended up in the middle of a tragedy, believing he may have thought he could help avoid it. Lahey had cautioned Nargeolet that participating in the OceanGate expedition would inadvertently endorse and legitimize the operation. Safety Concerns Dismissed by Rush Lahey had previously cautioned Nargeolet about Rush's disregard for safety concerns. Rush had dismissed warnings about the Titan, referring to it as a "monstrosity" constructed with outdated and unpredictable parts. Rob McCallum, a consultant for OceanGate, had also raised concerns about the lack of certification for the submersible, asserting that it put passengers' lives at risk. However, Rush disregarded these concerns and labeled them as baseless cries and personal insults. Echoes of Concern and Tragic Outcome Lahey revealed that he had received messages from others he had warned against joining the OceanGate expedition, expressing gratitude for his cautionary advice. Also read | OceanGate CEO's chat with billionaire who was set to go on Titan voyage viral The devastating fate of the submersible, claiming the lives of Stockton Rush, British explorer Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman, validated the concerns expressed by Lahey and others. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON John Goodenough, an eminent Nobel laureate and pioneer in the advancement of lithium-ion batteries, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Goodenough's landmark contribution in the field of chemistry today powers mobile phones and electric vehicles, for which the American scientist was awarded the prestigious 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Notably, Goodenough became the oldest recipient ever of a Nobel Prize for receiving the accolade at the age of 97. John B. Goodenough, 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner.(REUTERS file photo) Who was John Goodenough? 5 things about him: 1)Goodenugh would have turned 101 next month. He was born on July 25, 1922, in Jena, Germany, to American parents. He pursued his undergraduate studies in mathematics at the esteemed Yale University before obtaining his master's and PhD in physics from the University of Chicago in 1952. 2)He went onto to become a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later served as the head of of the inorganic chemistry lab at the University of Oxford in Britain. 3)Goodenough played a pivotal role in the early development of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes. Today, LFP is rapidly overtaking more-expensive nickel cobalt manganese in electric vehicle batteries, due to LFP's abundance, sustainability, and substantially lower cost. Other than him, Britain's Stanley Whittingham and Japan's Akira Yoshino also shared the prize for their research in this field the same year. 4)Goodenough also served as a meteorologist in the US Army during the Second World War. He is described as "a leader at the cutting edge of scientific research throughout the many decades of his career," by Jay Hartzell, the president of University of Texas at Austin where he served as a professor in the final years of his life. 5)He joined the Texas university in 1986 and continued as a faculty member for the next 37 years until his demise. He and his team at the university were recently exploring new directions for energy storage. 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 North Korea held mass rallies in Pyongyang where people shouted slogans vowing a "war of revenge" to destroy the United States, as it marked the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, state media reported on Monday. Pyongyang people take part in a demonstration after a mass rally to mark what North Korea calls "the day of struggle against U.S. imperialism". (AP) About 120,000 working people and students took part in the rallies held across the capital on Sunday, state news agency KCNA reported. Photos released by state media showed a stadium crowded with people holding placards reading "The whole US mainland is within our shooting range" and "The imperialist US is the destroyer of peace." Sunday's anniversary came amid concerns Pyongyang could soon conduct another launch of its first military spy satellite to boost monitoring of US military activities after its first attempt ended in failure on May 31. North Korea now had "the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists" and the "avengers on this land are burning with the indomitable will to revenge the enemy," KCNA said. Nuclear-armed North Korea has been testing various weapons including its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile, ramping up tension with the South and the South's main ally, the United States. In a separate foreign ministry report, North Korea said the US was "making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war," accusing Washington of sending strategic assets to the region. North and South Korea remain technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty. Royal experts have shed light on Queen Camilla's composed reaction towards Prince Harry and his recent allegations. Camilla Tominey, a renowned royal commentator and expert, revealed intriguing details about the Queen Consort's attitude. Britain's Queen Camilla looks on as she attends day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, in Berkshire, England, Saturday June 24, 2023. ( AP/PTI)(AP06_24_2023_000234A)(AP) According to Tominey, Queen Camilla is not one to hold grudges, displaying a remarkable level of resilience. This insight was further supported by a former employee of the Duchess, who emphasized Camilla's stoicism even in challenging situations. The employee recalled past incidents when Camilla faced public backlash and remained unwavering. Her admirable quality, it seems, lies in her sense of humor. Read | Shocking revelations on Camilla by King Charles' ex-aide The Marchioness of Lansdowne, known to be one of Queen Camilla's closest friends, also shared her perspective on the matter. While acknowledging that the accusations bother and hurt Camilla, the Marchioness emphasized that she refuses to let it affect her. Camilla's philosophy is simple: "Don't make a thing of it, and it will settle down. Least said, soonest mended." Also Read | Is King Charles seeking to heal family feud with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Royal expert has an insight These insights emerged in response to Prince Harry's recent allegations against Queen Camilla. In his candid revelations, the Duke of Sussex claimed that stories were planted by Prince Charles and Camilla's team, targeting him, his wife Meghan Markle, and their children. Prince Harry expressed his belief that Camilla and his father would take advantage of any opportunity given to them. Despite the serious allegations, Queen Camilla's composed response has surprised many. Her ability to remain unfazed by the accusations is a testament to her strength and unwavering character. While some may expect a heated reaction, Camilla's calm demeanor and refusal to engage in public confrontations demonstrate her wisdom and grace. Royal experts and insiders agree that Queen Camilla's approach of not making a fuss is key to maintaining stability within the monarchy. By choosing to let time heal wounds and not exacerbate the situation, she aims to foster harmony and unity among the royals. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday issued via the Kremlin website his first statement since an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, congratulating participants of an industrial forum. Russian President Vladimir Putin(AFP) It was not immediately clear when or where Putin's statement was recorded. READ | Prighozin quiet, Putin 'missing' day after Wagner Group drops Russia 'coup' Putin made a national address to the Russian people on Saturday condemning the mutiny by Wagner mercenaries as a "stab in the back" and vowing to crush it. He has not commented publicly on the subsequent deal, announced late on Saturday, that appeard to defuse the crisis and avert possible bloodshed by allowing the Wagner fighters to return to base and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to move to Belarus. Russia's bid to build a new embassy near Australia's parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, with a top court backing the government's effort to seize the land. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.(REUTERS) Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy in Canberra, after intelligence agencies warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers. Russia last week launched a last-minute injunction to hold on to the land, while despatching a mystery diplomat to squat there as the legal tussle played out. But Australia's high court ruled on Monday morning that Russia had to vacate the site, at least until the case returns to court for more detailed legal arguments. The squatter-diplomat was seen exiting the site soon after the ruling, before being whisked away in a diplomatic vehicle. "The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time," Australian Prime minister Anthony Albanese told reporters. "We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court's ruling." 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 that agreement. 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) 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 said. "We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence." Albanese on Monday also announced a new package of military assistance for Ukraine -- including 28 M113 armoured personnel carriers and an undisclosed amount of 105mm howitzer rounds. "We support international efforts to ensure Putin's aggression fails and that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails," Albanese said. The package did not include Hawkei light armoured patrol vehicles or more Bushmaster infantry vehicles -- both of which Ukraine had requested. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden on Sunday discussed a brief revolt of mercenary troops in Russia that sparked Moscow's largest political crisis in decades. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden. (File) Read here: US Says Wagner uprising a direct challenge to Russian president Vladimir Putin | 10 points "I spoke with US President Joseph Biden. A positive and inspiring conversation," Zelensky tweeted. "We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia," he said, adding the two had also discussed long-range weapons. The White House confirmed the talks in a separate statement. "The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored," Zelensky added. An armed rebellion by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had vowed on Friday to topple the Russian military leadership, sparked Russia's largest political crisis in decades. At the weekend, Prigozhin ordered his forces to take over a key military headquarters in southern Russia and launch a march on Moscow, before suddenly telling his mercenaries to turn around after a deal with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The aborted revolt has left many in Russia and abroad stunned. Zelensky also said that the two leaders also discussed more US aid "with an emphasis on long-range weapons" and coordinated the two countries positions on the eve of a NATO summit in Vilnius next month. Read here: Putin confident of Ukraine plans in interview apparently taken before Wagner group's Russia coup He also discussed the crisis in phone conversations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sharing "Ukraine's assessments of the attempted coup in Russia and the impact of this situation on the course of hostilities". And in a separate conversation with Polish President Andrzej Duda, they discussed the situation on the battlefield and the threat to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, in southern Ukraine, held by Russian forces. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a 14-year-old teenager collapsed on a scorching hiking trail at Big Bend National Park in Texas, leading to a desperate search for help that ended in tragedy. The teen's stepfather, in his attempt to save the young boy, lost his own life in a fatal car crash. Big Bend National Park, Texas(Twitter) The incident unfolded on Friday, June 23, when park rangers and US Border Patrol Agents responded to distress calls reporting a young man's sudden illness and loss of consciousness around 7:30 PM. Despite the presence of the teen's 21-year-old brother, nothing could be done to save the collapsing teenager. As the search for assistance began, authorities made a devastating discovery: the stepfather's car had crashed over an embankment at the Boquillas Overlook, near the Marufo Vega Trail where hikers explore. All three individuals involved in the tragic event were visitors from Florida, according to reports. The National Park Service issued a statement providing further details: "On Friday, June 23 at approximately 6 PM, Big Bend National Park's Communications Center received a call requesting emergency assistance along the Marufo Vega Trail. A father and his two stepsons from Florida were hiking the Marufo Vega Trail in extreme heat." The youngest stepson, aged 14, fell critically ill on the trail and lost consciousness. In a desperate bid for help, the stepfather departed from the scene to hike back to their vehicle, while the 21-year-old brother attempted to carry the ailing teenager back to the trailhead. Authorities have emphasized the extreme danger of hiking in temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius). The National Park Service advised hikers to avoid trails during the afternoon hours and highlighted the treacherous nature of the Marufo Vega Trail, which traverses rugged desert and rocky cliffs without shade or water. Currently, Big Bend National Park is experiencing scorching temperatures, with daily highs ranging from 110 to 119 degrees Fahrenheit (43 to 48 degrees Celsius) in low elevations and along the Rio Grande. Also read | Controversial Texas law puts transgender youth's healthcare at stake, triggering legal fights - What you need to know As the investigation into the incident continues, the identities of the victims have not been disclosed. The tragic loss of two lives serves as a somber reminder of the risks posed by extreme heat and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines while engaging in outdoor activities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Titan submersible tragedy has left the victims families shaken. What was meant to be an exciting 10-hour journey to the Titanic wreckage ended in the deaths of five people who had boarded the vessel. All the passengers were killed in a catastrophic implosion an underwater implosion that led to the vessel suddenly collapsing. The Titan submersible is owned by the company OceanGate. A decal on a piece of equipment which reads "Titan" is pictured near a trailer with the OceanGate logo at OceanGate Expedition's headqurters in the Port of Everett Boat Yard in Everett, Washington, on June 22, 2023 (Photo by Jason Redmond / AFP)(AFP) The five deceased passengers were OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman. OceanGate says that the Titan is a 23,000-pound submersible made of carbon fibre and titanium. The vessel uses a proprietary real-time hull health monitoring (RTM) system, and any time an issue is detected, an early warning would be sent to the pilot, to leave enough time to safely return to the surface. Following the tragedy, a retired US submariner has taken to Facebook to explain why he thinks the company and CEO were grossly inexperienced and negligent in submarine operations. Some thoughts on the Titan tragedy from an old washed up submariner, Jim Keays wrote. Using carbon fiber for a pressure hull that apparently had not gone through any type of cyclical pressure testing and environmental testing, no thermal expansion and contraction testing, titanium components that were attached to the pressure hull with a chemical adhesive as a watertight barrier and was apparently exposed to saltwater, the hatch to the pressure hull bolted from the outside after the submersible is manned (refer to Apollo tragedy), Bluetooth vs. Wired controls, no secondary hull and backups, conscious decision to not add seasoned submarine subject matter experts to the team (by his standards he'd have rejected Admiral Rickover's resume), no atmospheric systems to monitor interior gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. No emergency air breathing system (a small electrical fire would have been catastrophic on this vessel), no chlorate candles onboard as a secondary oxygen source, no lithium hydroxide onboard to handle high CO2 but they weren't even monitoring it anyway, disregarding safety concerns of employees, using a large viewing window that was only certified to 4,000 feet, and a cavalier egotistical view that the submersible could skip industry standard type certifications, etc., etc., etc. I could keep going but you get the picture. He continued, The ocean at a couple thousand feet is incredibly dangerous. An attempt to submerge at much deeper depths is a major evolution. At 12-13k feet you can reasonably make the comparison that it is nothing short of an attempt to land on the moon. To say the ocean at depth is unforgiving is understated without context. The ocean is one of the most dangerous operating environments known to man. The CEO of OceanGate either did not fully grasp this or his ego was too big to think he was at the mercy of the ocean, not the other way around. I assume it was the latter based on his words in taped interviews I have seen. By the way, using a game controller is not super concerning to me. They are used by the U.S. Navy to operate modern non-penetrating periscopes on Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia class submarines. The topics I stated above are more concerning, Jim said, adding, My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of this horrible tragedy. May they rest in peace. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is now launching an investigation into the implosion of the Titan, CNN has reported. The National Transportation Safety Board has also said that the US Coast Guard will lead the investigation into the incident. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Since the unfortunate implosion of Titan submersible which claimed the lives of five persons onboard, one question that is doing the rounds on the internet is "Will the company owning the vessel be made to bear the costs of the rescue efforts by the US coastguard?". 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) While the search and rescue efforts has been estimated to cost millions, on Sunday, a top official has been quoted by Business Insider as saying that the US Coast Guard will not "associate a cost with human life." Rear Admiral John Mauger spoke to media on the matter and highlighted that Coast Guard won't charge anything. "As a matter of US law and Coast Guard policy, the Coast Guard doesn't charge for search and rescue. We always answer the call," said Mauger. He also noted that the Coast Guard even rescues people who put their own lives at risk, sometimes deliberately as a result of inadequate safety gear, bad training, or even while intoxicated. "The ocean remains an unforgiving environment, and every weekend there are risksBut we still answer the call. We conduct disciplined operations with warranted risk to put our resources and our lives at risk to save others. That's who we are," said Mauger. ALSO READ| Titan submersible mishap: All you need to know about the 'Titanic' explorer incident that killed five after implosion As per reports, OceanGate which owned the Titan submersible charged its passengers $250,000 each for the adventure exploration of Titanic wreck. Some taxpayers and netizens have demanded that Oceangate be made accountable for the charges incurred during search and rescue mission as the company has been accused of not following adequate safety measures while operating the vehicle. The Titan submersible went missing on June 18 and search-and-rescue efforts were launched involving the US, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. The teams deployed sonar buoys to detect underwater noise up to 13,000 feet deep, sent multiple aircrafts to the scene and used a remotely operated vehicle to search Titan underwater. Wreckage of Titan was found approximately 1,600ft (480m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck. Meanwhile, there are negligible chances of recovering the dead bodies. 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 were the five persons who died as crew of the Titan submersible. The United States has Air Force One, a plane that can refuel in midair and act as a presidential command center. Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is on Monday, travelling through China on an Air Force plane that is nearly 30 years old and subject to frequent break downs.(AP file) New Zealand has Betty, an aging Boeing 757 that officials on Monday acknowledged was so prone to breakdowns they had sent an empty backup to ensure Prime Minister Chris Hipkins didn't get stranded in China, where he is leading a trade delegation. Officials were quick to point out they had sent the plane's twin only as far as Manila, about 80% of the distance from Wellington to Beijing. Back in New Zealand, acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni was left to explain. If we didnt have a backup plan and something did happen, and of course we hope it wont, then not only would they be stranded in China, but the cost that that would incur in terms of accommodation and trying to, at the last minute, organize some kind of plan to get them back would outweigh having a backup aircraft waiting somewhere just in case, she said. The twin Royal New Zealand Air Force planes that transport the prime minister are about 30 years old and are due to be replaced by 2030. Over the years, they have regularly broken down. In 2016, then Prime Minister John Key was on his way to India with a delegation when they got stuck in Australia until a backup plane was sent from New Zealand. Key was forced to cancel the Mumbai leg of his trip, a situation he described as suboptimal. Sepuloni said she didn't think the plane, which is sometimes affectionately called Betty, posed a physical danger to Hipkins and the 80 people traveling with him. My understanding is there hasnt been any event midair, or whilst in transit, that should cause any concern, she said. Political rivals were quick to jump on the situation. This government declared a climate emergency and says we need to deal seriously with China, said David Seymour, leader of the opposition ACT party. This one gesture has made a joke of both the government's climate emergency and its will to be taken seriously by a country that has an expanding blue-water navy in our backyard. Sepuloni acknowledged the situation wasn't OK. We recognize, yes, our kit needs to be updated," Sepuloni said. "And so theres a plan in place for doing that. Were just not at the point where thats happening right now. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday accused Ukraine and its Western allies of wanting Russians to "kill each other" during a revolt by mercenaries of the Wagner group, which stunned the country with an aborted march on Moscow over the weekend. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the country's top security officials in Moscow on June 26.(AFP) Watch: Putin Slams West after Wagner Mutiny; Wanted Russians To Kill Each Other' | Details In his first address to the nation since the rebels pulled back, Putin said he had issued orders to avoid bloodshed, and granted amnesty to the Wagner fighters whose mutiny served up the greatest challenge yet to his two-decade rule. "From the start of the events, on my orders steps were taken to avoid large-scale bloodshed," Putin said in a televised address, thanking Russians for their "patriotism". "It was precisely this fratricide that Russia's enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other," Putin said. Putin also thanked his security officials for their work during the armed rebellion in a meeting that included Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, a main target of the mutiny. "Civilian solidarity showed that any blackmail, any attempts to organise internal turmoil, is doomed to fail," Putin said. He added that Wagner fighters could choose whether to join the Russian army or leave for Belarus, or even return to their homes. "Today you have the possibility to continue serving Russia by entering into a contract with the ministry of defence or other law enforcement agencies, or to return to your family and close ones... Whoever wants to can go to Belarus," Putin said in his address. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had earlier defended his aborted mutiny as a bid to save his mercenary outfit and expose the failures of Russia's military leadership -- but not to challenge the Kremlin. The rogue warlord's first audio message since calling off his troops' advance on Moscow was released as Russian officials attempted to present the public with a return to business as usual. - 'Internal Russian affair' - In Washington, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said officials were monitoring "very closely" the turmoil in the nuclear-armed nation. "We did have and were able to have in real time -- through diplomatic channels -- conversations with Russian officials about our concerns," he said. But the State Department said Ambassador Lynne Tracy in Moscow had contacted Russian officials "to reiterate what we said publicly -- that this is an internal Russian affair in which the United States is not involved and will not be involved". Fighting continued in Ukraine, where Kyiv's forces claimed new victories in their battle to evict Russian troops from the east and south of the country, but in the Russian capital, authorities stood down their enhanced security regime. Prigozhin, who did not reveal from where he was speaking, said in an online audio message that his revolt was intended to prevent his Wagner force from being dismantled, and bragged that the ease with which it had advanced on Moscow exposes "serious security problems". "We went to demonstrate our protest and not to overthrow power in the country," Prigozhin said, boasting that his men had "blocked all military infrastructure" including air bases along their route towards a point less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Moscow. - Belarus option - Prighozin called off the advance and pulled out of a military base his men had seized in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, a nerve centre of the war in Ukraine, late on Saturday after mediation efforts from Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko was due to speak on the turmoil soon, according to his unofficial Telegram channel Pul Pervogo. Prigozhin said Lukashenko had offered him a way of keeping the Wagner outfit -- a key element in Russia's military machine in Ukraine and in African and Middle East hotspots -- operational. Saturday's extraordinary sequence of events -- Russian military bloggers report that Wagner shot down six Russian helicopters and a command and control plane during their advance -- has been seen internationally as Russia's most serious security crisis in decades. The Kremlin was at pains to stress that there had been a return to normal. The Wagner headquarters in Saint Petersburg said it remained open for business, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the firm would continue to operate in Mali and the Central African Republic. Officials in Moscow and in the Voronezh region south of the capital lifted "anti-terrorist" emergency security measures imposed to protect the capital from rebel assault. - 'Moving forward' - Ukrainian military leaders, meanwhile, insisted they were making progress in the south and east of the country, and President Volodymyr Zelensky made a morale-boosting trip to troops fighting Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut. "We are knocking the enemy out of its positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut," eastern ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said. "Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward." Ukrainian residents in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, near Bakhmut, also in Donetsk, told AFP that four explosions rocked a residential district overnight. The blasts severed water and sewage pipes, shattered windows and threw up stones that hit yards and roofs, but municipal authorities said no one was hurt. "It was a 'fun' night, we haven't had this for a long time, it's been quiet for a month or so," said 66-year-old Lyubov, showing off the new hole in her cement-shingled roof. Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin spoke for the first time since the aborted mutiny, saying his mercenary group did not march to overthrow the Russian leadership, multiple reports said. In his 11-minute audio released on the Telegram app, Prigozhin said the group had intended to register a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said while not offering details as to where he was or what his future plans are. Suspense continues over the whereabouts of the mercenary group's boss after he stopped short of marching to the Russian capital Moscow on Saturday. While his men were just 200 kilometres from marching to a heavily-fortified Moscow, Prigozhin said he had decided to turn back to avoid bloodshed. The Kremlin had managed to negotiate a deal with the mercenary boss with the help of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. ALSO READ: After Wagner mutiny, Russia working on bill to regulate private armies: Report According to reports, Prigozhin had agreed to halt the advance in a proposed settlement including security guarantees for Wagner troops. Russian president Vladimir Putin in a televised address to the nation had called the rebellion a betrayal and treason and had vowed inevitable punishment to the rebels. ALSO READ: Charges against Prigozhin remain even after 'exile' deal: Russian news agencies Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company. The 62-year-old Wagner chief has long ties to Putin and won lucrative catering contracts from the Kremlin, earning the nickname Putins chef'. He shot into the limelight after he along with dozen other Russian nationals were charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord ahead of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential election victory. He formed the Wagner mercenary group, which sent military contractors to Libya, Syria, several African countries and eventually Ukraine. 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 Senior Russian officials rallied around President Vladimir Putin on Monday, while state media said authorities were still investigating the mercenary leader whose weekend mutiny appeared to be major threat to the Russian leader's 23-year-old rule. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors as he addresses the nation after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, called for armed rebellion and reached the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his troops, in Moscow, Russia, Saturday.(AP) On the first working day after fighters of the powerful Wagner Group seized a military headquarters and marched on Moscow, officials still gave no details about the deal that abruptly ended the mutiny. Mikhail Mishustin, who leads Putin's cabinet as his appointed prime minister, acknowledged that Russia had faced "a challenge to its stability", and called for public loyalty. "We need to act together, as one team, and maintain the unity of all forces, rallying around the president," he told a televised government meeting. There was no word about the revolt from Putin himself, who had said on Saturday the rebellion put Russia's very existence under threat and vowed to punish those behind it. The Kremlin released a video from him congratulating participants of an industrial forum, containing no indication of when it had been filmed. In another move apparently intended to convey normality, authorities released video showing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The mutineers had demanded he be sacked, leading to speculation that his removal might have been part of the arrangement that ended the revolt. There was still no public sign of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of Wagner and mutiny leader, last seen on Saturday smiling in the back of an SUV as he left Rostov-On-Don, the southern city his men captured before he ordered them to stand down. Russia's national Anti-Terrorism Committee said the situation in the country was stable. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who had told residents to stay indoors on Saturday as the mutinous fighters raced to within a few hundred kilometres of the capital, said he was cancelling a counter-terrorism security regime. Prigozhin and his fighters had been offered immunity from prosecution in return for their withdrawal. But state news agencies reported on Monday that the criminal case against Prigozhin remained open and was still being pursued. Saturday's extraordinary events left governments, both friendly and hostile to Russia, groping for answers to what happened behind the scenes and what could come next. 'CRACKS' Russia's ally China, where a senior Russian diplomat visited on Sunday, said it supported Moscow in maintaining national stability. Ukraine and some of its Western allies said the turmoil revealed cracks in Russia. "The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg as he arrived for a meeting with ministers from across the 27-member bloc. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the invasion of Ukraine, which Putin calls a "special military operation" to counter threats, was destroying Russia, and the West would continue to back Kyiv. Prigozhin, whose men had been welcomed on the streets of Rostov, had demanded that Defence Minister Shoigu and the army's top general be handed over to him. A defence ministry video on Monday showed Shoigu flying in a plane with a colleague and hearing reports at a command post with no indication of when or where it had been filmed. Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff, has also not been seen in public since the events. The Kremlin said the question of personnel changes was the sole prerogative of the president and could hardly have been part of any deal. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia's intelligence services were investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny, the TASS news agency reported, without giving any evidence. TURMOIL In his televised address as events were unfolding on Saturday, Putin drew parallels with the chaos of 1917 that led to the Bolshevik revolution. NATO said the events showed the scale of the Kremlin's strategic mistake in waging war on Ukraine and that the Western defence alliance would not be intimidated into ending its support for Ukraine. Monday was declared a non-working day in Moscow to allow time for things to settle, and there was little evidence of increased security in the capital. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke with G7 and EU counterparts on Saturday, suggested the turmoil could take months to play out. Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed the events on Sunday with U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who expressed support. Prigozhin, 62, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose forces have fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month war in Ukraine, defied orders this month to place his troops under Defence Ministry command. The Kremlin said on Saturday he had agreed to go to Belarus under a deal to end his mutiny, mediated by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Ukraine hopes the chaos caused by the mutiny will undermine Russia's defenses as Kyiv presses on with a counteroffensive, begun earlier this month to recapture territory which Moscow claims to have annexed. On Monday, Ukraine said its forces had recaptured the small southern village of Rivnopil, the ninth village it says it has retaken since launching the counteroffensive, and first in more than a week. Russia said it had foiled Ukrainian attacks. The Russian parliament is said to be working on a bill to regulate the activities of private military companies, this two days after Kremlin survived a coup attempt by mercenary Wagner group which called off the rebellion just hundred kilometres away from Moscow. Members of Wagner group sit atop of a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24.(AFP) State-owned news agency Sputnik reported that the country's Duma (the Lower House of the parliament) is working out a bill on the same. The knee-jerk reaction came in response to the mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin's military organisation which had overtaken two cities before stopping its advance. Prigozhin accused the Russian defence ministry of carrying out strikes against the group. The events prompted Putin to address the nation, who vowed to crush the rebellion which according to him was a stab in the back of Russia. The rebellion was later halted after a late-night deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. 'Fued between Wagner, defence ministry' Prigozhin specifically charged defence minister Sergei Shoigu and top army general Valery Gerasimov responsible for the deaths of Wagner fighters. Their feud dating back to a few years, exploded over the ministry's attempt to have the private military contractors sign a contract before July 1. The Wagner boss said Friday that he was ready to find a compromise over the contract but 'they have treacherously cheated us'. He blamed the ministry of launching rocket strike on Wagner's rear camps in which a huge number of group's comrades got killed. Prigozhin called off the assault to avoid bloodshed in Russia" and agreed to go into exile with all charges dropped against him. The world has not heard from the Wagner chief since, who has gone uncharacteristically quiet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Many followers of the Royal Family have long wondered what the relationship between Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle would've been if the former were alive today. In a report by New York Post, Royal Biographer Angela Levin has weighed in on the matter. Meghan Markle, Princess Diana(Getty Images) Levin, authored the book Harry: A Biography of a Prince in 2018. She has opined that Diana wouldnt have been good enough to Markle if she was still alive. Recently, there were reports citing Royal author Tom Bower who alleged that Harry-Meghan might ditch their Windsor surname and adopt the Spencer title, Princess Diana's surname. On such reports, Levin has given her opinion, terming it "nonsense". When somethings on the front pages about them, they come up with something else, Levin claimed during a recent appearance on GB News. So that they can, you know, divert the discussion I think its nonsense, I think somebodys just spreading something, she continued. ALSO READ| Titan submersible incident: Teen passenger aimed to break world record by solving Rubik's cube underwater in deep sea Levin further pointed out that Meghan had no association with Diana other than visiting the late princess' grave on the 20th anniversary of her death in a tragic car accident in Paris. Shes[Meghan Markle] never seen Diana, shes never known her. She did lie flat and pray to her once when she went to visit her grave, but thats about it, said Levin. The royal biographer highlighted how Diana was a supporter of the Royal Family unlike Meghan. On Diana, Levin said Shes very much supported the monarchy, she lived very near in Sandringham, and she used to go and have tea with the Queen, the family did, and she went along and she said to both her sons, You know, this is very important that we keep this going, I want good manners, I want you to like it, I want you to take part in it.' PITTSBURGH - Aptech, provider of customizable financial-management software for single hotels or multi-property/multi-brand enterprises, announces an integration with Plaid, a data network powering the digital financial ecosystem. By connecting Aptechs PVNG enterprise accounting solution to the Plaid platform, properties will achieve seamless and secure access to thousands of financial accounts for financial reconciliation. Plaids powerful data network is powering the fintech tools that millions of people rely on to live a healthier financial life, said Cam Troutman, Aptech Vice President. We are leveraging that expertise to create a secure connection between a hotels desired financial institution and Plaid the same engine driving Chime, SoFi and many others. PVNG will import and match transactions via Plaid (and its 8,000+ apps and services across the digital banking ecosystem) for simplified, automated bank reconciliation. We believe that we are one of the first if not the first hospitality company with this connective relationship. Plaids network covers 12,000 financial institutions across the U.S., Canada, UK and Europe. It prioritizes the security of users' financial data and employs industry-standard encryption protocols for the highest levels of data protection. By integrating with Plaid, hotels running on PVNG can leverage their security measures and minimize the risk associated with handling sensitive financial information. To learn more about the Aptech/Plaid integration, visit Booth 1301 at HITEC Toronto, June 27 to 29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more information on PVNG by Aptech, visit http://www.aptech-inc.com. About Aptech Computer Systems Inc. Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement. The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner. Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information, please visit www.aptech-inc.com. Barbara Worcester +1 440 930 5770 MUNICH Apaleo, the open property management platform for hospitality, has been selected by global developer, investor and hotel brand citizenM to accelerate its innovation, efficiency and drive its ambitious plans for growth. citizenM started in 2008 with an idea to disrupt the traditional hotel industry by creating a luxury hybrid hotel for todays modern travelers eliminating common frustrations these frequent travelers shared. It now has nearly 7,000 rooms across 31 properties in the US,Europe, and Asia. To help achieve its mission, citizenM needed a next-generation platform to replace its legacy property management software (PMS), speed up innovation and help it deliver a seamless and more personalised guest journey. Built on a MACH architecture, Apaleos API-first architecture enables unprecedented speed, reliability and flexibility for hospitality businesses to roll-out new technology and data tools without delay. The platforms ability to offer a modern guest experience through high-speed migration and roll-out as well as its capacity for limitless innovation and customization through the Apaleo Store were key to citizenMs decision. We aim to provide guest service beyond expectations, anticipating our guests needs, continuously exceeding their expectations, and curating memorable experiences for them. We can only do that if we have a platform that always puts us at the cutting edge. Its impossible to effectively operate these assets and protect our investment without leveraging the huge amounts of data property management tools now produce. We strongly believe that guest-centric technology is the foundation and enabler of our success. We value Apaleos innovative thinking and how their platform can help us manage the network efficiently, improve time-to-market results and utilize data to drive guest satisfaction. Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM We are delighted to add citizenM to the Apaleo platform. Our first-of-its-kind, API-first platform, continues to set the standard for modern property management, allowing developers to solve the pressing challenges of our industry. This announcement is yet another signal that the industry is ready for change, moving away from traditional all-in-one PMS suites to the best-of-breed platform approach. By adopting the Apaleo platform, citizenM is future-proofing its technology and will be able to innovate at the scale required to stay ahead of the curve. We are excited to see citizenM unlock its full potential with this transition away from legacy technology. Martin Reichenbach, Co-Founder and CEO of Apaleo About citizenM citizenM was launched in 2008 with a purpose to disrupt the traditional, stale hotel industry. Rattan Chadha the founder of the global fashion brand Mexx was inspired by his employees to create a hotel for todays frequent travellers, giving them everything they need and nothing they dont. This means central locations in the worlds most exciting cities, but at an affordable price. Not just a place to sleep, but somewhere to work, relax and play just like home. Somewhere with superfast free Wi-Fi, tech that makes life easy, and world-class art that isnt hotel art. A room with an ultra-comfortable XL bed to crash in, and a powerful rain shower to wake-up in. Rattan Chadha called this affordable luxury for the people. The first citizenM opened at Amsterdams Schiphol Airport in 2008. As of March 2023, citizenMs portfolio has 31 hotels in 18 exciting cities: London, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Zurich, Geneva, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. www.citizenM.com @citizenM About Apaleo Apaleo is the open property management platform for hotel and serviced apartment groups, empowering accommodation providers to create the ultimate digital experience for guests and staff. The API-first property management platform powers brands across more than 15 countries, disrupting the nature of hospitality software with the transition from single-vendor suites to best-of-breed technology. To learn more, visit apaleo.com. Harriet Elliott PR Manager This book is a collaboration between Statista and Booking.com, seeking to understand the European travel industry what drives it, where it has been, and where it is headed. Coupling infographics with short texts, the book touches on key topics such as digitalization, sustainability, and changing consumer preferences that are shaping the course of the industry. Tourism is back and here to stay, and as the most popular tourist destination in the world, Europe has a lot to look forward to. Download the full report [STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN] Demand Calendar, a comprehensive revenue and profit management system, will be exhibited for the first time at HITEC in Toronto. Demand Calendar, designed with a profit-oriented approach, aims to provide hotel businesses with tools for more accurate total revenue forecasting, effective management of customer acquisition cost, and profit optimization. Visit booth #517 to learn more about profit-oriented total revenue management. Profit-Oriented Revenue Management is an approach that optimizes the total revenue mix to maximize profit flow-through, focusing on attracting guests and customers who spend more, thus increasing total revenue, reducing costs, and increasing profitability. A key aspect of this approach is managing customer acquisition cost effectively, which contributes to profit flow-through. Demand Calendar is built upon these principles. The platform provides real-time tracking of performance and profitability, allowing businesses to understand and forecast total revenue to predict profits without waiting for monthly reports. This real-time access to critical data mitigates the issues many hotels face, where late reporting often results in hasty, ill-informed decisions that can negatively impact revenue and profit. One system for the commercial team At the heart of Demand Calendar is the focus on making the work of the commercial team effective and efficient. The Demand Calendar SMART Suite - one system for Sales, Marketing, and Revenue - unifies team objectives by promoting a profit-focused approach to all roles in the commercial team. It offers multi-property consolidation to deliver invaluable and the same insights for all team members to encourage collaboration in managing many hotels effectively in a hotel group, thereby enhancing profits. During HITEC, Demand Calendar will highlight new and innovative features, including Total Revenue Management This module streamlines revenue management through automated data collection, customer acquisition cost tracking, and advanced forecasting and price optimization techniques. The functionality includes forecasting, on-the-books, and pick-up for any revenue source. By focusing on optimizing the revenue mix, hotels can maximize their profit flow-through. Hotel Sales Management Aiming at optimizing sales performance, this module provides robust customer profitability intelligence and a hotel-specific Sales CRM. These tools empower sales teams to develop and implement more profitable strategies and foster stronger customer relationships. Marketing Analytics The Marketing Analytics module offers insights into guest spending behaviors, campaign performance, and audience segmentation. These insights support targeted, effective marketing strategies that enhance guest engagement and revenue. "We are thrilled to introduce the North American market to the Demand Calendar SMART Suite," expressed Anders Johansson, Demand Calendar ABs Chief Executive Officer. "We aim to revolutionize how hotel businesses manage and optimize their revenue streams to maximize flow-through to reach a higher return on investment for the owner. We look forward to showcasing our innovations at HITEC and engaging with industry professionals." About Demand Calendar Demand Calendar - one system for all commercial work with 100+ functions and 1000+ report versions enables marketing, sales, and revenue management to work as a team to increase total revenue, minimize customer acquisition cost (CAC), and maximize Customer Lifetime Value (CLV). Caren de'Ath Director of Sales, North America +1 240-285-8893 New Delhi - IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the worlds leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with AHG Hotels & Resorts Private Limited to develop the Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli. The new-build property will feature 300 rooms. The signing of the new Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will further strengthen the brands presence in key tourism destinations and enable IHG to sustain growth momentum within the Indian market. Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will be located within one of Kasauli's largest and most prominent resort areas, offering excellent visibility and convenient access to the city center, prime tourist spots, and the Chandigarh-Shimla highway. Kasauli has emerged as one of the most sought-after leisure destinations in North India, known for its proximity and accessibility from Shimla, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. The town is also famous for its dense forests and floras, panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan mountains, colonial architecture, and pleasant climate. Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will overlook a charming valley within the Shivalik Hills, providing excellent views of the Himalayan Mountain range. The resort will cater to the needs of leisure travelers, corporate retreats and social MICE including weddings from guests seeking tranquility and natural beauty, once opened. In addition to an all-day dining restaurant, Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will feature a lobby lounge and a bar. For those looking to unwind, the resort will provide access to a well-equipped gymnasium and a swimming pool. Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will also feature a 2,300-square-meter meeting room. We are delighted to partner with AHG Hotels & Resorts Private Limited to introduce the Holiday Inn brand in Kasauli. As one of the most popular hill stations in North India, Kasauli attracts a multitude of travelers from Punjab, Delhi NCR, and UP. The new resort is set to become a preferred venue for social gatherings, weddings, and MICE events, while also providing exceptional stays for guests looking to explore the town. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts He added, The latest signing is testament to our plans to tap into key leisure destinations across the country and we are committed to continue with the growth momentum by bringing our brands to markets such as Kasauli. We are thrilled to be partnering with IHG, a globally renowned hospitality company and a trusted name in the Indian hospitality sector. The new Holiday Inn Resort will cater to the rising demand for social events, MICE and weddings in Kasauli along with offering exceptional hospitality experiences to guests visiting the town. Benefiting from its prime location, great design, panoramic views and the renowned service culture that the brand is known for, we are confident that the hotel will be a sounding success. Mr. Prem Gandhi, Official Spokesperson, AHG Hotels & Resorts Private Limited IHG currently has 45 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and has a strong pipeline of 39 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years. Numbers as of March 31st, 2023 About IHG IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Ankita Chopra +971 4 213 6043 IHG As part of the implementation of its asset-light strategy, Accor announces that it has reached an agreement with Mutris a Moroccan investment company bringing together private and institutional investors under which Accor will, firstly, sell its 33% stake in Risma, Moroccos leading publicly listed hotel operator, to Mutris at a price of 130 dirhams per share, and secondly, sell its Risma bonds on the market. Completion of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals, with the transaction expected to close in the third quarter of 2023. The transaction will have no impact on current contractual agreements between Accor and Risma, which remain unaffected. By reorganizing its equity investments in Morocco, the Group is continuing the simplification of its minority holdings already in motion, with the sale of the shares held in Orbis (Poland) in 2020 and H World Group (China) in 2023. Accor is also strengthening its resources to accelerate, through AGM, its development in Morocco and to continue playing a major role in promoting and raising the profile of this destination worldwide. Present in Morocco for 30 years, Accor is the countrys leading operator of international brands with a network of 39 hotels (6,000 guest rooms), featuring brands ranging from ibis to Fairmont and including Sofitel and Movenpick, and more than 5,000 employees, along with four hotels (700 rooms) under development. Morocco is a wonderful destination and a country with unique assets and an unrivalled culture of hospitality. Accor was a pioneer in the country nearly 30 years ago, and we have built strong relationships with leading partners and committed, talented teams. By simplifying our structure, we are ensuring we have additional resources to continue playing a major role and growing our business in Morocco, and promoting the countrys cultural and tourist heritage. Sebastien Bazin, Accor Chairman and CEO About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industrys most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Charlotte Thouvard Senior Vice President Group External Communications Accor In line with the announcement made on September 28th, 2022, Accor announces having successfully completed the disposal of its headquarters building, Sequana Tower, for 460 million to The Valesco Group. This transaction is the largest office deal of the year in Continental Europe and largest office deal in France since 2022. The transaction structure includes a 12-year sale and leaseback agreement with an initial annual rent of 22 million and existing shareholder loan of 100 million. Colliers acted as broker for the transaction. Accor was assisted by Gide, Loyrette, Nouel for the legal aspects; ReedSmith for the tax aspects and by Wargny-Katz, notaries. About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industrys most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Charlotte Thouvard Senior Vice President Group External Communications Accor Creating relevant content that elevates your travel brand and appeals to travelers is essential to a destinations marketing success. But in order to know whether youre meeting your campaign goals or not, its important to understand if your content marketing strategy is having an impact. Its one thing to create stellar content, but the tourism industry is a competitive space, so how do you make sure your content is being seen by travelers who are looking and booking? For destinations and travel brands to reach their ideal traveler, its imperative that an effective distribution and measurement plan is in place. While creating content can seem like a daunting undertaking, its necessary to reach, inspire and convert travelers. If your content doesnt engage your target audience then all the effort you put into your content marketing strategy wont deliver the results youre looking for. Data can play a pivotal role in content creation as insights like consumer preferences and behaviors can help you optimize your strategy, refine your messaging, and ultimately lead you to create impactful content that will inspire your audience to engage with your brand. Effective content distribution To increase reach and engagement for your content once its published, its key to leverage an integrated channel strategy that shares your content across internal and external channels. This includes everything from utilizing your social media platforms to promote a blog post or publishing the content on internal channels to engage your organizations stakeholders. Encourage internal stakeholders to share and distribute your content this will extend your reach and can help you connect with more travelers who are poised to purchase. Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority successfully implemented this content marketing for destinations approach. By partnering with us to raise their profile with vacationers in the U.K., they used social media, digital display and outdoor advertising to reach their target audience. Create compelling campaigns for your destination With travel demand on the rise, destination marketers have the opportunity to reach eager travelers. Destination marketers can take advantage of our insights into traveler behavior to connect with travelers, create excitement about their destination, and build compelling campaigns to stand out from the competition. Download the report After creating its attention-grabbing content, the destination marketing organization rolled out a content marketing strategy to ensure its message resonated with the travelers it was trying to reach. By leveraging partnerships in their distribution plan, they were able to reach more than 3.2 million potential travelers through a two-month promotion that drove 13,000 clicks directly to their landing page. Tourism Malaysia wanted to broaden the travelers it targeted and decided that one way to do this was to focus on ecotourism in its content marketing efforts. By collaborating on a series of initiatives with Expedia Group Media Solutions, that included display advertising, travel spotlights and work with our Media Studio team, the destination was able to expand its reach and appeal to a wider traveler segment. Why measurement matters While distribution is a key component of your content marketing strategy and planning, it also requires that you keep an eye on measurement. This means accurate reporting on content engagement for your destination is essential. To start, its important to develop clear objectives and KPIs for your digital marketing strategy, otherwise youll be left guessing as to whether youre reaching your target audience or not. Setting up how youll measure the success of your campaign could range from conducting A/B tests on images you use in a blog post or on your social media platforms to implementing a full-scale analysis of content across a destinations website to best understand travelers mindset. For Destination BC, data-driven content optimization helped them meet their goal of increasing online engagement with specific traveler segments. Working with us, they created an interactive concierge microsite with content that targeted three specific audience segments. Site analytics and engagement metrics enabled us to provide Destination BC with recommendations on how to increase engagement with specifically identified groups of travelers. By getting a grasp of what these consumers were most interested in, Destination BC had a clear path forward. With their strategy and access to site analytics, they successfully drove 7 million impressions and generated a 58:1 return on ad spend when it came to driving bookings. Putting a successful content marketing strategy in place When youre planning to create a content marketing plan for your destination, be sure to understand where you stand in the broader travel industry ask yourself if your destination is well known or if you need to introduce it to travelers. This will help you determine what content you create to reach your target audience, whether you choose to create destination guides or high-impact social campaigns. With more than 20 years of experience helping destinations successfully execute their travel marketing strategies, we can help you reach your ideal traveler, create unique and compelling content that showcases your destination, and help you monitor the success of your campaign. Contact us to get started today. About Expedia Group Media Solutions Expedia Group Media Solutions is a global travel advertising platform that connects marketers with hundreds of millions of travelers across the Expedia Group brands. With our exclusive access to more than 70 petabytes of Expedia Group traveler search and booking data, we offer advertisers actionable insights, sophisticated targeting, and full-funnel results reporting. Our suite of solutions includes display, sponsored listings, audience extension, co-op campaigns, and custom creative campaigns all designed to deliver on the objectives of our advertising partners and add value for travel shoppers on our branded sites globally. With a consultative approach and more than 20 years of travel and media experience, we help our advertising partners inspire, engage, and convert travelers for meaningful results. For more information, visit www.advertising.expedia.com. 2022 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50 View source IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with AHG Hotels & Resorts Private Limited to develop the Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli. The new-build property will feature 300 rooms. The signing of the new Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will further strengthen the brands presence in key tourism destinations and enable IHG to sustain growth momentum within the Indian market. Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will be located within one of Kasauli's largest and most prominent resort areas, offering excellent visibility and convenient access to the city center, prime tourist spots, and the Chandigarh-Shimla highway. Kasauli has emerged as one of the most sought-after leisure destinations in North India, known for its proximity and accessibility from Shimla, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. The town is also famous for its dense forests and floras, panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan mountains, colonial architecture, and pleasant climate. Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will overlook a charming valley within the Shivalik Hills, providing excellent views of the Himalayan Mountain range. The resort will cater to the needs of leisure travelers, corporate retreats and social MICE including weddings from guests seeking tranquility and natural beauty, once opened. In addition to an all-day dining restaurant, Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will feature a lobby lounge and a bar. For those looking to unwind, the resort will provide access to a well-equipped gymnasium and a swimming pool. Holiday Inn Resort Kasauli will also feature a 2,300-square-meter meeting room. Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, We are delighted to partner with AHG Hotels & Resorts Private Limited to introduce the Holiday Inn brand in Kasauli. As one of the most popular hill stations in North India, Kasauli attracts a multitude of travelers from Punjab, Delhi NCR, and UP. The new resort is set to become a preferred venue for social gatherings, weddings, and MICE events, while also providing exceptional stays for guests looking to explore the town." He added, The latest signing is testament to our plans to tap into key leisure destinations across the country and we are committed to continue with the growth momentum by bringing our brands to markets such as Kasauli. Mr. Prem Gandhi, Official Spokesperson, AHG Hotels & Resorts Private Limited, added, We are thrilled to be partnering with IHG, a globally renowned hospitality company and a trusted name in the Indian hospitality sector. The new Holiday Inn Resort will cater to the rising demand for social events, MICE and weddings in Kasauli along with offering exceptional hospitality experiences to guests visiting the town. Benefiting from its prime location, great design, panoramic views and the renowned service culture that the brand is known for, we are confident that the hotel will be a sounding success. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Click here for a Print Subscription with Online Digital included. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. 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Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Rockwood launches GoFundMe, benefit concert series to save indie venue Like many independent music venues, The Rockwood Music Hall is fighting to stay open. To help save it, The Preserve Rockwood campaign has launched a GoFundMe and a benefit concert series headlining some now-successful musicians that got their start there. Over its 18 years in NYCs Lower East Sode, The Rockwood has hosted 75,000 events, many by musicians playing their first show in one of Americas most important music and media markets. Now the venues future is threatened, and artists including Sara Bareilles, Chris Thile and Michael Daves, Amy Helm, Elle King, The Lone Bellow, and Ingrid Michaelson are playing benefits to help save it. Tickets are available here. In 2007, I played one of the first shows of my career at Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side, a venue that then and now represents the grit and determination of New Yorks aspiring musical community, said Sara Bareilles. Thankfully, people came. Not hundreds of people, but enough people came for me to get to play there again. And a few more people came. And I got to play again. And again. And that is the whole precious gift of a place like this. Nurturing a relationship with the community, and more importantly with myself. I genuinely believe that for emerging and developing artists, sacred places like this are the heartbeat and lifeline of the New York music scene. Fans are encouraged to donate to a GoFundMe that has collected $54,000 of a $250,000 goal as of Monday morning. The Full Statement From Preserve Rockwood Rockwood Music Hall needs your help: Over the past 18 years, Rockwood has hosted over 75,000 shows on its three stages, helping to launch and develop the careers of thousands of artists. It has also been the site of hundreds of appearances by Grammy, Tony, and American Music Award winners. Along the way, Rockwood has become an iconic NYC cultural institution and a foundational part of Americas independent music scene. In an era where live music is dominated by corporate interests, venues like Rockwood which focus on new and emerging artists have become increasingly rare. Grammy Award-winning artist Sara Bareilles, who is leading a movement to help preserve the venue, captures the essence of Rockwood: In 2007, I played one of the first shows of my career at Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side, a venue that then and now represents the grit and determination of New Yorks aspiring musical community. At that point, I had only ever played ONE show in New York. I was green and scared. I knew I loved playing music for people, but New York was the Big Leagues and I wanted to prove myself, even if I didnt know who that was yet. So I pretended, and of course panicked that no one would come. Thankfully people came. Not hundreds of people, but enough people came for me to get to play there again. And a few more people came. And I got to play again. And again. And that is the whole precious gift of a place like this. Nurturing a relationship with the community, and more importantly with myself. I genuinely believe that for emerging and developing artists, sacred places like this are the heartbeat and lifeline of the New York music scene. But unless Rockwood receives immediate help, it is in danger of closing permanently. Like many small, independent music venues across the country, Rockwood is struggling to stay open. Without the support of artists, the music community and fans of music, Rockwood is in danger of permanently closing, shutting off a vital place for independent and up-and-coming musicians to develop their artistry and give fans the opportunity to discover new music in a live setting. We can still save Rockwood! By rallying together, we can help preserve Rockwood as a vital cultural institution, combat corporate influence on live music, and support the independent music scene in New York City. There are three ways you can help: 1. Contribute to the Preserve Rockwood GoFundMe. 2. Attend the Preserve Rockwood Benefit Concert Series. 3. Share the Preserve Rockwood campaign on your socials (assets available here). Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor. Share on: ServiceNet Director Recognized as 'Commonwealth Heroine' BOSTON A North Berkshire woman was among the 130 honored June 23 as a Commonwealth Heroine. Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, was nominated by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Legislators are encouraged to nominate a woman from their constituency who is making a big difference in the community, to recognize her invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service. "The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don't make the news, but make all the difference in their communities," MCSW Chair Sarah Glenn-Smith said as the commission celebrated its 20th class of Commonwealth Heroines at the 2023 awards ceremony in the State House's Great Hall of Flags. Farley-Bouvier said she nominated Forbush because she sets the example for respecting others, especially the most disabled, disenfranchised members of our community, and that she has a natural ability to connect with and inspire people who are at their lowest point in life. "Recently, she guided our family and individual shelters through the COVID-19 pandemic engaging in problem-solving and answering the call 24/7 for three years. Her leadership bolstered the staff during these strenuous times, as it does every day," said the Pittsfield lawmaker. "Erin's professionalism, knowledge, humility, and compassion make her an invaluable asset to ServiceNet and to the community." Dalton Select Board Turns Down Citizens' Energy Credit Offer DALTON, Mass. The Select Board voted last week to decline a proposal from Citizens Enterprises Corp. for a solar alternative on-bill credit agreement under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program. Citizens Energy, a non-profit energy company, is planning a 13-acre solar farm off Bridle Road. The town already has sufficient net metering credits for its current electricity supply through Rockwood and would not be able to absorb the credits offered by Citizens, Town Manager Thomas Hutchesons preliminary report said. The net metering and on-bill crediting are largely the same in that they allow for excess energy generation from one account to be credited on another account, although there are differences in how the credits are calculated and reported. The state has phased out net metering for new large solar projects. The Rockwood agreement is for 10 years at a 17.5 percent discount. The Citizens agreement offered a 20-year 215,000 kilowatt per year contract with a 15 percent fixed discount that could accumulate $48,000 a year of credit on the town's Eversouce bill. The contract value is $215,000 in year one. Right now, Eversource's basic service rate, also referred to as the "alternative on bill credit rate," is 22.5 cents. Citizens would have to "dedicate half of the production to 'anchor' customers, such as municipalities, and half to low-income residents, as defined by Eversource's R-2 and R-4 ratepayer designations," Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson's preliminary report stated. Although Citizens typically tries to find customers in neighboring communities, there isn't a limit as to where it can bring low-energy cost savings. According to the preliminary report, Pittsfield currently has 4,300 R-2 households and North Adams has about 1,400 so citizens should be able to find local customers but they are not required by the state to limit their low-income distribution to local households. "We will certainly try to work with the Town boards and agencies to find local customers, and give them priority when signing up, but we will not be in a position to limit our outreach efforts as filling the array efficiently with LMI customers is typically a difficult and time consuming process," Citizens said in a statement. During the meeting on June 12, the board expressed that it wanted to ensure that the benefits from the solar energy project would help Western Mass residents and not go to the east side of the state if not enough residents applied. "The SMART program has recently shifted and allows for credits on Eversource to cross load zones So Eversource eastern Massachusetts residents, low-income residents would take advantage of this project as well," Byrne said at that meeting. Prior to starting construction, Citizens Energy will still be paying outstanding back taxes and has been in discussion with the town tax assessor and treasurer. It would also negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes with the town or through the assessed value of a personal property. Citizens have worked with KP Law in the past and are familiar with their approach. The town has already begun the process of reviewing the PILOT's form. On Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati, the AWU Foundation was launched to an audience composed of 200 delegates from Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, India, Singapore, and the Philippines. AWU stands for Always With Us, which is in line with the foundations mission of providing housing to the underprivileged. Though the homeless have been recently overlooked as a beneficiary group in favor of other, more trendy causes, the housing crisis is still very much in effect. In the Philippines, where AWU operates from, there are 4.5 million homeless people. This issue is so prevalent that affordable housing remains a part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the United Nations. The challenge of homing so many homeless people is largely an economic one: There is no sustainable model by which to create the needed homes, until now. The AWU Foundation is financing the construction of homes through one of the most cutting-edge technologies of the last ten years: cryptocurrency. Individuals and enterprises interested in supporting this cause can purchase the HOMS token, the proceeds of which will go to building homes for the homeless. The first phase of this project will involve the construction of 1,000 homes in the Philippines, each of which will be represented by a non-fungible token (NFT). According to Chairman Lee, the founder of AWU Foundation, cryptocurrency was chosen as the financing method because it provides value to both parties. Through the HOMS token, the homeless will finally get what they deserve: the dignity that comes with shelter. The investors also gain access to a token that may appreciate in value, transforming the initiative from charity to impact investing, which is far more sustainable, said Lee, a Korean native who founded the AWU Foundation earlier this year. While using cryptocurrency as a vehicle for housing may sound ambitious, the AWU foundation has two world-class innovations on its side. The first is local marketplace Coexstar, which offers peer-to-peer trading in the Philippines and will be supporting the technical build of HOMS and the implementation of the smart token. The second is BLX, one of the fastest growing blockchains in the world. The AWUs issuance of the HOMS token will be built on BLX, a global blockchain that has seen significant traction in the Philippines, including its use among enterprises and government agencies. AWU is one of the first non-profits to adopt BLX as its technological backbone. Lee stated that he chose BLX because of its traction in the Philippines. The fact that BLX is already widely in use by the business community in the Philippines is perfectly aligned with the goals of the AWU Foundation: We want business leaders, innovators, and technologists to lend their expertise in addressing the housing crisis, said Lee. If the launch was any indication, the AWU Foundation is off to a positive start. In attendance were a number of business leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, including actors Ramon Gutierrez and Philip Salvador; Jack Ponce Enrile, the chairman of First Shoshin Holdings Corp; Mr. Seung Chan Lee, the AWU Foundation Secretary General and Ms. Kaydee Velasco, the AWU Foundation Ambassadress; Sec. Panelo Salvador, the former presidential spokesperson of the Philippines; and Hon. Crispin Reyes, the Barangay Chairman of Silang Cavite. To learn more about the AWU Foundation, please visit: http://www.awufd.com Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rina Sawayama seemingly took a swipe at The 1975 frontman Matty Healy during her Glastonbury 2023 set. While introducing the song STFU! on the festivals Woodsies stage, the 32-year-old Japanese-British artist made reference to Healys recent racism controversy, as well as his self-admitted pornography habits. Crouching on the floor, Sawayama said: Tonight, this goes out to a white man that watches Ghetto Gaggers, and mocks Asian people on a podcast... he also owns my masters... Ive had enough. Follow along with all the updates from Glastonbury at our live blog. Healy spoke about having watched Ghetto Gaggers a brand of racially charged pornographic videos in which women of colour are reportedly put in submissive positions to white men during an appearance on the Adam Friedland Show podcast. The podcast also featured segments in which Healy made reference to the US rapper Ice Spice. The hosts of the podcast mistakenly identified the rapper as being from Hawaiian Inuit and Chinese heritage, mocking each accent. Later in the podcast, the hosts, comedians Adam Friedland and Nick Mullen, performed impressions of Japanese people working in concentration camps, while Healy was heard joining in. Sawayama and The 1975 are both signed to UK record label Dirty Hit. Healy served as director of Dirty Hit Limited, the labels parent company, from 2018 until April 2023, when he left the role for unspecified reasons. The Independent has contacted representatives of Healy and Dirty Hit for comment. Healy issued an apology of-sorts to Ice Spice while onstage with The 1975 in Auckland, New Zealand. I just feel a bit bad, and Im kind of a bit sorry if Ive offended you, he said. Ice Spice, Im sorry. Its not because Im annoyed that me joking got misconstrued. Its because I dont want Ice Spice to think Im a d***. I love you, Ice Spice. Im so sorry. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Rina Sawayama and Matty Healy (BBC/Getty) According to Rolling Stone, Healy continued: The truth is, I see a sign that says like, Matty, I hope youre OK. I feel a bit bad, to be honest, because I feel like Ive been a bit irresponsible. Its very well for me to say, I dont understand how famous I am. I dont like being famous. But reality is reality. And I think that Ive said some things or kind of, I make a joke out of everything. Thats my thing. And I can take it too far sometimes in front of too many people. And I feel a bit embarrassed. So thats the truth. Sawayamas apparent dig at Healy didnt escape the notice of viewers watching Glastonbury at home, with many sharing their thoughts on social media. Rina Sawayama calling out Matty Healy and incorporating a Limp Bizkit cover into STFU is absolutely everything. I adore this woman, one fan wrote. Matty Healy??? Owns rinas masters??????? another person asked in bemusement. Rina Sawayama opening STFU by calling out Matty Healy, all is well, someone else wrote. Sawayama is best known for her 2022 record Hold the Girl, and also featured as an actor in the 2023 film John Wick: Chapter 4. Matty Healy (Apple Music) Healy addressed the podcast controversy in an interview with The New York Times in May. Asked if he had been baiting his fans with the remarks, he said: A little bit. But it doesnt actually matter. Nobody is sitting there at night slumped at their computer, and their boyfriend comes over and goes, Whats wrong, darling? and they go, Its just this thing with Matty Healy. That doesnt happen. The interviewer then suggested that maybe this does happen, prompting Healy to respond: If it does, youre either deluded or you are, sorry, a liar. Youre either lying that you are hurt, or youre a bit mental for being hurt. Its just people going, Oh, theres a bad thing over there, let me get as close to it as possible so you can see how good I am. And I kind of want them to do that, because theyre demonstrating something so base level. 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 }} China has described the attempted insurrection of Russia as internal affairs after the rebellion by Wagner mercenary group posed one of the serious challenges to Vladimir Putins 23-year rule in the country. Chinese foreign ministry threw its weight behind its comprehensive strategic partner and said it supported Russia in maintaining its national stability. The comments voicing support for Russia came as Russian deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko flew to Beijing to meet Chinese officials on Sunday. This is Russias internal affair, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. As Russias friendly neighbour and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity. A previously unannounced trip by Mr Rudenko came a day after the head of the private mercenary army Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his troops to march towards Moscow but later aborted the mission after reaching a deal with the Kremlin. Chinas foreign ministry initially only said that Mr Rudenko and foreign minister Qin Gang exchanged views on Sino-Russian relations and international and regional issues of common concern. After shoring up support, the Russian foreign ministry: "The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24, and reaffirmed its interest in strengthening the unity and further prosperity of Russia. The ties between China and Russia have grown stronger following Moscows invasion of Ukraine even as the two are not formal allies. China has refused to condemn Russias war directly but has raised concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine while urging for peace. "Under the complex and severe international situation, it is necessary to communicate in a timely manner, ensure the stable and long-term relationship between the two countries and safeguard the common interests of both sides," Chinese vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu said. In a bid to restore a sense of stability following a recent uprising by mercenaries calling for his removal, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu appeared in public for the first time. On Monday, he conducted a troop inspection in Ukraine, aiming to convey a message of control. US secretary of state Antony Blinken described the weekends events as extraordinary He recalled that 16 months ago Mr Putin appeared poised to seize the capital of Ukraine and now he has had to defend Moscow from forces led by his onetime protege.I think weve seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade, Mr Blinken said on NBCs Meet the Press. 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 56-year-old millionaire has failed to clear China's gruelling college entrance exam for the 27th time despite putting in hours of hard work and living the life of an ascetic monk. Liang Shi, a self-made millionaire, competed with nearly 13 million high school seniors who took the exam this year, with the hope of earning a spot at top-tier Sichuan University. Over the past four decades, Mr Liang, a Sichuan native has taken the "gao kao" over two dozen times in order to earn the status of an "intellectual". Its an uncomfortable thought that I didnt manage to get a college education, Mr Liang told news agency AFP. Mr Liang has worked his way up from a menial job on a factory floor to establishing his own construction materials business, but this one dream remains elusive. Gao kao or the national college entrance exam is an annual admission test that final year high school students take in order to secure a spot at the university. The process is reportedly so intense that police officers are often deployed to clear the road to make sure students are able to reach the examination centres. The gao kao, considered one of the world's toughest exams, tests students on core subjects such as Chinese and English languages and mathematics as well as other science or humanities subjects of their choice. The maximum score is 750, while students are required to receive more than 600 points to secure a place at top universities. This year, a record 13 million students participated in the entrance exam that took place earlier in June. Mr Liang took the exam for the first time in 1983 at the age of 16. He continued trying to clear the exam for the next decade until he had to give up due to age restrictions in 1992. But once the age limit was lifted in 2001, Mr Liang began retaking the exams. He persisted for another 16 times even during the harsh Covid-19 lockdowns in China. While the local media mocked him as the "gaokao holdout", Mr Liang stood his ground. This year, despite putting in 12-hour study days, abstaining from drinking and playing mahjong, he failed. Mr Liang said he was 34 points short of the provincial baseline for getting into any university. "Before I got the result, I had a feeling that I wouldn't be able to get a high enough score to enter an elite university," he told AFP. "But I didn't expect to not make it into the ordinary ones." However, Mr Liang has began wondering if his hard work will ever earn him a college seat. "If I truly can't see much hope for improvement, there is no point doing it again. I really did work very hard every day," he said. "It's hard to say whether I will keep on preparing for the gao kao next year," he admitted. "It's a hard decision to make. I am not willing to give up either. "(If I were to) stop taking the gaokao, every cup of tea I drank for the rest of my life would taste of regret." 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 }} Thousands of people in North Korea marched through the streets of the nation's capital over the weekend against American "imperialists", vowing a "war of revenge". More than 120,000 people participated in Sunday's mass rallies in Pyongyang as the nation marked the 73rd anniversary of the onset of the Korean War, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The marchers promoted Pyongyang's version of the 1950s war, accusing the US of provoking the conflicts and leaving Koreans with "wounds ... that can never be healed". Photos released by state media showed a stadium full of thousands of people wearing Covid-19 masks, raising their fists in the air to chant anti-US slogans. "The whole US mainland is within our shooting range" and "the imperialist US is the destroyer of peace," were written on some of the banners on Sunday. North Korea now had "the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists" and the "avengers on this land are burning with the indomitable will to avenge the enemy," KCNA said. North and South Korea remain technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty. The rallies were taken out at a time when the Hermit Kingdom's relations with the US are at a severe low amid the North's bid to beef up its military arsenal. People in Pyongyang hold banners that read "answer of DPRK", "nuclear war deterrent", "anti-US confrontation" and "the nuclear treasured sword of justice" during a mass rally (AFP via Getty Images) Nuclear-armed North Korea has been testing various weapons including its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile, ramping up tension with the South and the South's main ally, the US. Since the beginning of 2022, the North has test-fired around 100 missiles of various ranges as leader Kim Jong-Un attempts to display a dual ability to conduct nuclear strikes on both the US and the South. The North is also speeding up efforts to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit, following a failed first attempt in May. Mr Kim is reportedly preparing to further flaunt his military might by staging a massive military parade in the capital next month featuring his most powerful missiles. The North said the US was "making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war," accusing Washington of sending strategic assets to the region. North Korea holds mass rallies against US (EPA) Meanwhile, a North Korean defector-turned-activist said he flew balloons carrying some 200,000 anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and Covid-19 medical supplies across the border on Sunday night. The North is extremely sensitive about any outside attempt to undermine Mr Kim's leadership and weaken his absolute control over the country's 26 million 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 }} An Indian minister has hit back at Barack Obama after the former US president called on Narendra Modi to do more to protect Indias Muslim minority community. Perhaps six Muslim-dominated countries were bombed due to [Mr Obama]. More than 26,000 bombs were dropped from Syria and Yemen to Saudi [Arabia] and Iraq, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman told a press conference in New Delhi. Why would anyone listen to any allegations from such people? Ms Sitharaman, from Modis ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), added: It was surprising that when the PM [Modi] was visiting the US, a former US president was making a statement on Indian Muslims. I am speaking with caution, we want a good friendship with the US. But comments keep coming from there on Indias religious tolerance, she said. The remarks came after Mr Obama told CNN that the issue of the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India was worth raising. Without such protection, he said, there was a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart. Mr Modis high-profile state visit to the US last week was punctuated with calls from Amnesty and other human rights organisations asking president Joe Biden to raise the grave concerns over increasing violence against religious minorities, shrinking civil society space and criminalisation of dissent seen after the Hindu leader took over as prime minister in 2014. Mr Modi has presided over a period of rapid deterioration of human rights protections, Amnesty said. This was Mr Modis first state visit to the US and almost two decades after the US revoked his visa over the 2002 riots in Indias Gujarat, where he was then the states chief minister. Back then, the US cited concerns that Mr Modi had done nothing to stop anti-Muslim violence that left more than 1,000 dead. In a recent report, the US State Department raised concerns over the treatment of Muslims and other religious minorities in India under the Hindu nationalist party. Initially, the White House officials said that Mr Biden will not lecture the Indian prime minister on Indias human rights track record, but he later said that human rights and other democratic values were discussed between the two leaders during their talks. The finance minister is not the only BJP leader to hit back at Mr Obama. Senior party leader and a state minister from BJP, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said there are many Obamas in India who need to be taken care of. There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritise taking care of them before considering going to Washington, he said in response to a journalist over the former US presidents remarks on the Muslim minority in India. 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 }} Officials in Pakistan have fired three senior army officers for failing to prevent the violent clashes last month in the wake of the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, an army spokesperson said on Monday. At least 102 people were being tried in Pakistans military court over the widespread protests, army spokesperson Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said. Mr Chaudhry said all planners and facilitators of the violent protests will be punished, no matter which institution or office they belonged to. Another 15 officers, including major generals and brigadiers, are also facing strict departmental action, he said without detailing the punitive measures. The punishments have been ordered after two separate army inquiries were completed into the violent protests, the army spokesperson said. Thousands of supporters of Mr Khan attacked army installations after he was arrested on graft allegations on 9 May. At least 10 people died in the violent clashes in Islamabad and more than 4,000 people were arrested. The high-voltage protests also saw police clashing with Mr Khans supporters after his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party urged them to shut down Pakistan in protest. Hundreds blocked streets in Lahore, where police were been put on high alert. The protests targeted several military installations, including an air base, several cantonments, the house of a general and the armys headquarters after Mr Khan was dragged out of a courtroom and detained. Mr Khan was giving his biometric data in a room inside the Islamabad High Court when officers dressed in riot gear stormed the building, smashing windows to gain access in dramatic scenes captured on video by Mr Khans aides. His supporters also torched buildings and vehicles and attacked police and military personnel and facilities. Mr Khan was released shortly after by the orders of Pakistans Supreme Court which criticised the way he was arrested. The 70-year-old crickter-turned-politician was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in parliament last year and is currently facing more than 100 cases, mainly on charges of inciting people to violence, threatening officials, and defying a ban on rallies. He also faces a graft case along with his wife. After he was ousted from office, Mr Khan has been subject to at least one failed assassination attempt which, he told The Independent in an interview in March, left him with lasting nerve damage. PTI officials alleged that paramilitary officers deliberately targeted his wounded leg during the last months arrest. Mr Khan accuses the government and the countrys security agencies of being behind the attempt on his life, a charge which both have denied. With a consistent history of military takeovers, Pakistan has seen political upheaval and social unrest. Mr Khan is the seventh prime minister to be arrested since 1977. The turmoil came at the time when Pakistan is struggling with a dire economic situation, a spike in militancy, and the impact of last years catastrophic floods. This grimness is unlikely to be addressed or resolved soon, further straining living conditions and security for the 220-million population. 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 Taliban has restored the rights of women as free and dignified human being in Afghanistan, the caretaker regimes supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada claimed in a message ahead of Eid. Mr Akhundzada said his de facto administration has taken necessary steps for the betterment of womens lives in Afghanistan in the message released by the Islamic Emirates spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid on Sunday. The negative aspects of the past 20-year occupation by the US and Nato-led regime related to womens hijab and misguidance will end soon, he said. The supreme leader claimed that concrete measures have been taken to save women from many traditional oppressions, including forced marriages, and their Shariah rights have been protected. Moreover, necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of society in order to provide them with a comfortable and prosperous life according to the Islamic Shariah, the message from Akhundzada continued. The status of women as a free and dignified human being has been restored and all institutions have been obliged to help women in securing marriage, inheritance and other rights, he added. The top leader did not mention education for girls and women in Afghanistan in his message. The pre-eid message was broadcast in five languages Arabic, Dari, English, Pashto and Urdu. Afghanistan, along with other Islamic nations across the world, will be celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday later this week. This message also marked a rare communication by the Islamic scholar and the key leader of the Taliban who does not make public appearances or leaves the Taliban heartland in southern Kandahar province. Mr Akhundzada has been known to surround himself with other religious scholars and allies who oppose education and working rights for women. He was also reported to have taken a dominant position in dictating the Taliban domestic policy which banned girls from school after the sixth grade and women from working in office and leading public life, confirming a return to the hardline Islamist regimes parochial diktats for the female population. In their nearly two years of rule in Kabul after the exit of the US and Nato forces, the Taliban has successfully removed women from public spaces like parks and gyms, and prohibited them from working with the United Nations and other foreign NGOs aiding millions in the country. While the measures have triggered a fierce international uproar, increasing the countrys isolation at a time when its economy has collapsed and worsening a humanitarian crisis, the Taliban has not revoked any of its edicts banning womens human rights. In his Eid message, Akhundzada asked other countries to stop interfering in Afghanistans internal affairs. The Taliban government wants good political and economic relations with the world, especially with Islamic countries, and has fulfilled its responsibility in this regard, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} British racing team Hitech Grand Prix have confirmed their bid to join the F1 grid for the 2026 season after announcing a major new investment deal. Hitech GP, who currently race in F2, F3 and F4, were reported to be one of a number of prospective new entries into Formula 1, alongside the likes of Andretti-Cadillac and Panthera Team Asia. Now, after announcing new investment with its parent company Hitech Global Holdings Limited selling a 25 per cent stake to Kazakh businessman Vladimir Kim, Hitech confirmed they have lodged a bid to the FIA to secure a spot in three years time. Hitech, based at Silverstone, stated in a press release that its F1 project was a move that would complete its single-seater ladder and demonstrate that Hitech has all the right people, experience and resources to compete alongside the best teams in the world. Kim, whose companies have previously sponsored Kazakh athletes such as champion boxer Gennadiy Golovkin, holds his main interests in the mining, banking and aviation sectors with Hitech his first involvement in motorsport. Motorsport has been a long-standing personal interest for me, and I am delighted to be entering into a partnership with an organisation that has enjoyed success in so many categories and has such ambitions for its future, he said. We have an established involvement with sport; however, this is our first global investment in motorsport. Hitech Grand Prix, who currently race in F2, F3 and F4, have confirmed their bid to join the Formula 1 grid from 2026 (Getty Images) Its dynamic appeal, growing exposure, business-to-business marketing opportunities and burgeoning fan base are aligned with my ambitions personally and commercially. Hitech CEO Oliver Oakes added: I am delighted to welcome Vladimir Kim to the Hitech group. During our discussions we found many natural synergies and I know that his support will be invaluable as we seek to build on Hitechs success and work towards achieving its broader ambitions over the years to come. Audi are already confirmed to be joining the grid in 2026, taking over from the Sauber works team currently branded as Alfa Romeo, and announced their first test driver last week. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A group of influencers have come under fire after posting glowing videos from their paid trip to a factory owned by controversial fast fashion retailer Shein in Guangzhou, China. Shein, which has been previously accused of labour abuse and admitted to breaching rules around working hours, brought the group of six fashion influencers from the US to tour its Innovation Factory. Influencer and model Dani Carbonari was one of the influencers who went on the trip and posted a video tour on her social media last week. After facing criticism from her followers of which she was more than 481k on Instagram and nearly 300k on TikTok Carbonari appears to have deleted the post. In her original post, she wrote in her caption that the trip to Sheins factory gave her the opportunity to see with her own two eyes what the entire process of Shein clothing looks like from beginning to end. I feel more confident than ever with my partnership with Shein. There are so many companies not taking half the initiative Shein is. They are aware of every single rumour and instead of staying quiet they are fighting with all of their power to not only show us the truth but continue to improve and be the best they can possibly be, the confidence activist continued. The video showed a brightly lit factory, with staff working in clean, dust-free conditions and automated bots that assisted with processing and packaging orders. The other influencers, Destene Sudduth, Aujene, Fernanda Stephany Campuzano, Kenya Freeman, and Marina Saavedra, also shared similarly glowing Instagram posts about their visit. Viewers have pointed out that the influencers appeared to use a script for their posts, as they involved similar language. In her post, Saavedra said: Like many others, Ive heard a lot of misinformation, while Carbonari wrote: You have to remember our country is filled with so much prejudice we want to believe were the best and no one else can be better. But viewers have pointed out that the influencers comments about the Shein factory they saw one of 6,000 factories that the online retailer has, according to Time magazine do not address the allegations that have been levelled over Sheins labour and environmental impact. Channel 4 launched an investigation last year that involved an undercover worker filming inside two Shein factories in Guangzhou and found that workers receive a base salary of 4k yuan per month (approximately 434) to produce 500 pieces of clothing per day. The investigation also found that workers in both factories were working up to 18-hour days regularly and were only given one day off a month. Later, Shein said that after conducting an independent investigation, it found that employees indeed working longer hours than the local laws allowed. Shein found that staff at one factory were working up to 13-and-a-half hour days with two to three days off a month, while those at the second site worked up to 12-and-a-half hour days with no fixed structure for days off. It said that while these are significantly less than claimed in the documentary, they are still higher than local regulations permit. At the time, Shein vowed to invest US$15m (11.8m) to improve standards at its supplier factories. On Twitter, one person wrote: Shein is sending the influencer girlies to China to some (PR) innovation factory where it looks pristine and super clean and the workers are having fun while sewing and the company saying they pay a competitive wage lol. Another said: The funniest part of the Shein debacle to me is the influencers acting like they went undercover to investigate. You were invited, of course, its PR. A third added: Them Shein influencers getting cooked and Shein aint [sic] defending them. Meanwhile, the girls are doing their best to explain to us why Shein aint too bad. Its sad. Shein told The Independent in a statement: Shein is committed to transparency and this trip reflects one way in which we are listening to feedback, providing an opportunity to show a group of influencers how Shein works through a visit to our innovation center and enabling them to share their own insights with their followers. Their social media videos and commentary are authentic, and we respect and stand by each influencers perspective and voice on their experience. We look forward to continuing to provide more transparency around our on-demand business model and operations. The Independent has contacted Carbonari, Sudduth, Aujene, Campunazo, Freeman and Saavedra for comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Breast cancer is the most common cancer overall worldwide, and in the UK. According to the NHS, about one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. A spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, revealed on Sunday (25 June) that the former wife of Prince Andrew was diagnosed with breast cancer after attending a routine mammogram screening. Ferguson was advised she needed to undergo surgery, which has taken place successfully, the spokesperson added. In the latest episode of her podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, Ferguson shared that she was to undergo a masectomy. But a worrying number of women dont know the early signs of breast cancer. A 2019 study by cosmetics company Avon revealed that less than half (42 per cent) of women surveyed were confident that they knew what changes to look for in their breasts. Meanwhile, a quarter of women thought that a lump was the only sign of breast cancer. The findings were from a survey of 19,000 women. Only two per cent of those who participated could identify 10 common symptoms of breast cancer. Although 73 per cent of participants said they regularly check their breasts, 60 per cent admitted they would be hesitant to seek medical advice out of embarrassment or fear. In addition, the majority of women surveyed were unaware that their lifestyle choices could put them at greater risk. Almost two thirds didnt know that regular exercise could help protect against cancer, while 63 per cent were unaware that alcohol is linked to a higher risk of the disease. Early detection is crucial to fighting breast cancer, yet our survey found that women don't know their risks or what signs to look for, said Sheri McCoy, chief executive of Avon. Dr Paul Goss, chairman of the Avon Foundation scientific advisory board and Director of breast cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital, added, "These figures show just how much work still has to be done in raising awareness of breast cancer, particularly its signs, risks and how to act on concerns about it." So, what are the signs and symptoms that you should be looking for? Women are advised to check their breasts each month - aside from a lump, other signs of breast cancer include a change in breast size or shape, a rash or skin sores, nipple discharge, skin indentation, constant pain or a change in skin texture. Similarly, swelling around the armpit or collarbone could be an indicator, as can a growing vein or inverted nipple. If you notice any symptoms of breast cancer, the NHS advises that you see your GP as soon as possible. After examination, your GP will then refer you to a specialist breast cancer clinic if they feel your symptoms need further assessment. You can find more information on how to check your breasts for cancer symptoms 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 }} A woman whose young child was diagnosed with the same rare disease as Mrs Hinchs son described her little boy's battle as a ''terrifying experience''. Ella Castle-Parker's son, Caleb, one, was diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease (KD) in November 2022 after he developed bloodshot eyes, visible rashes, and redness on his lips. KD is a potentially life-threatening condition, usually found in children under five, which causes swelling of the blood vessels throughout the body. Ella and her partner, James Elderkin, both 28, visited Croydon University Hospital A&E, but were sent home and asked to return if the symptoms persisted. Two days later his condition deteriorated when he developed a constant 40-degree fever, as well as swollen hands and feet. The young couple rushed their son back to A&E, where three heart scans within 24 hours led doctors to diagnose KD, a condition so rare it affects just eight in every 100,000 children in the UK each year. Influencer Mrs Hinch recently announced on Instagram that her son, Ron, three, is also suffering from KD, after he was rushed to hospital. Ella, who works as the head of sales for a travel company, from Croydon, south London, said: Our experience is very similar to Mrs Hinch's in the sense that it was something Id never heard of before and had no idea it could even be treated. ''It was terrifying. Our son was born 10 weeks premature - we felt we were out of the woods - and all of a sudden hes got a rare disease nobody knew how to deal with. Having Caleb get so poorly so quickly before our eyes is an experience I would not wish on my worst enemy. (Ella Castle-Parker / SWNS) Caleb was admitted to a high dependency ward and received high doses of immunoglobulin (IVIG), a pooled antibody used to deal with the inflammation resulting from KD. This treatment was pumped into him via IV drip and is the standard treatment option for the condition. Ellas son stayed in the hospital for a total of five days, getting better in a matter of hours after starting treatment. Although doctors told the family they were confident they had caught it quickly enough, they warned it could damage the tots heart for life. Ella added: ''Only one of us could stay with Caleb and we felt really isolated. We were in a bubble and nobody in the family could help us because they werent allowed to visit. ''I cant thank the staff enough for not only spotting such a rare disease, but treating it so swiftly and taking us seriously from the get go weve minimised the chance of it having a lasting impact.'' The young mother reached out to Sophie Hinchliffe, also known as Mrs Hinch, after finding out via social media that her son was suffering from the same condition. She said: I really feel for her as we've had the exact same experience, it's horrible. You have to trust your instincts if you think something is wrong with your baby. You have to push until someone acknowledges it. There are a lot more people that have gone through it than you expect. (Ella Castle-Parker / SWNS) On Instagram, Mrs Hinch described the whole experience as a real life nightmare to her Instagram followers, on 20 November 2023. She said: We paced rooms and corridors for days just waiting for an answer, a result, anything. Seeing Ron this way kicked me with a fear and desperation Ive never felt in my whole life. This past week has shaken our whole world as a family. Although Caleb will need heart monitoring until the age of five, he does not require ongoing medication and is expected to reach all his milestones. Calebs father has even joined Kawasaki Disease UK, a national charity dedicated to the condition, firstly as a volunteer, and now as an administrator, and hopes to raise awareness about the disease. The couple got involved with the charity after Ella had to stop working to be able to care for her child. Although she is now back at work, she has thanked the charity for the help they provided. She said: We werent going to be able to pay for our bills come December as I'd had to stop working for a few weeks to care for our son. They kept us going with a 500 bursary. The traumatic experience has had a ''profound effect'' on their lives. Ella said: Even now, we feel like we are holding our breath, praying that every future heart scan comes back showing no lasting damage. Its like a nightmare. SWNS 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 }} Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evanss daughter has reportedly been denied a restraining order against her fathers girlfriend Bianca Wallace. On Friday 23 June, it was reported that a judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court rejected 13-year-old Ellas application for the civil harrassment protection order that was filed on 31 May. According to MailOnline, Wallace, who lives with multiple sclerosis, was present at the hearing and was relieved at the verdict delivered by Judge Josh Freeman Stinn. The Independent has contacted Gruffudd and Evanss representatives for comment. In her filing, Ella accused Wallace of abuse, alleging that the 29-year-old slammed a door in her head and left her with bruises as she tried to flee a heated argument on 26 May. The incident allegedly occurred during one of Ella and younger sister Elsies overnight visits at Gruffudds apartment. Ella claimed she got upset when she realised Wallace was at Gruffudds home because this was an overnight visit, and I had told him in the past that I didnt want to meet his girlfriend who was now his live-in girlfriend. She added that she got so upset with the Titanic star that she threw milk on his bed, poured mustard on the floor, and threw raw oatmeal on him. Ella alleged her father and Wallace called her manipulative, abusive and narcissistic in response. When she tried to leave the apartment, Ellas statement continued, Wallace tried to tried to block her by raising her arms. I was able to make my way around her, and I opened the door, the document reportedly continues. I was able to walk halfway out the door, but while I was still in the door frame, the Respondent slammed the door on me, causing the door to hit me on the head as well as my arm. My arm got bruised, and I had small bump on my head. After the incident, Ella requested a restraining order for her and Elsie against both Wallace and Gruffudd for a period of five years. Ioan Gruffudd of 'Liar' speaks onstage during the SundanceTV portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2017 (Getty Images) Judge Freemann Stinn reportedly decided to hear the restraining order application against her father next month, as part of wider custody proceedings. Evans and Gruffudd have been locked in bitter divorce proceedings since their split in 2021. Earlier this week, the Welsh actor reportedly filed court documents claiming his ex-wife had falsely accused him and Wallace of being child abusers. According to court documents seen by MailOnline, Gruffudd accused the Vampire Diaries star of setting up multiple fake Twitter accounts to spread these allegations. In August 2022, Gruffudd obtained a three-year restraining order against Evans, which also prohibits her from mentioning him or Wallace on social media. According to his court filing, Evans allegedly violated the terms of the order multiple times. At Fridays hearing, the judge also reportedly appointed a minors counsel to represent Ella and Elsie, as both their parents are seeking custody of the girls. Evans and Gruffudd met while filming Disneys 102 Dalmations in 2000. They married in 2007, and Evans filed for divorce 14 years later. 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 }} Tom Holland has revealed how his handyman skills made girlfriend Zendaya fall in love with him. In a recent interview with Unilad, the Spider-Man star shared how his little-known love for carpentry impressed the Euphoria actor and producer in the early days of their relationship. "Carpentry is something I just really enjoy, he said in Unilads Get A Job! video series. I love it. Ive made my moms kitchen table. I made my moms office. Ive built all the cupboards in my bedroom. I built a little birdhouse for my grandad, he explained, before revealing that he once used his handyman talents to fix Zendayas broken door. I fixed my girlfriends door once really early on in our relationship, Holland continued. I was hanging out at her house and her door was broken. I was like, Im gonna fix that door for you. He added: And now, were in love. Holland also gave fans an inside glimpse into his relationship with Zendaya, whom hes been dating since July 2021, when he dropped a major hint about how their romance began in a video for Buzzfeed Celeb shared last week. In the clip, the British actor confessed that he has no rizz a term used to describe a persons ability to attract other people. I have no rizz whatsoever, I have limited rizz. My brother Paddy has ultimate rizz, Holland joked. Instead, his way of flirting with people was rather straightforward. I need you to fall in love with me, really, for it to work, he explained. However, he was able to develop rizz by starring opposite his Spider-Man love interest, Zendaya. Tom Holland reveals he won over Zendaya by fixing her broken door Definitely helps when the characters youre playing are falling in love with one another. You can sort of blur the lines a little bit, he added. Thats kind of where my rizz is at. Holland, 27, and Zendaya, 26, first met while playing Peter Parker and Michelle MJ Jones in the 2016 Marvel film Spider-Man: Homecoming. The two first sparked rumours that they were dating in 2017, but didnt confirm their romance until July 2021, when Page Six published photos of them kissing in a car. For Zendayas birthday in September 2021, Holland shared a sweet tribute to his girlfriend on Instagram. My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays, he captioned the photo, which showed Holland in his Spider-Man costume as Zendaya snapped a mirror selfie. Gimme a call when your up xxx The couple then made their red carpet debut in December that year, for the Hollywood premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home. While Zendaya and Holland have kept many details about their relationship private over the years, apart from the occasional social media post, he did admit during his Buzzfeed Celeb interview: Im, you know, locked up, so Im happy and in love. 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 }} Sarah Ferguson has had surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram screening. The Duchess of Yorks spokesman confirmed the news to The Independent on Sunday 25 June. She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully, the spokesman said. The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family. He continued: The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days. She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening. Ferguson, 63, recently celebrated the birth of her new grandchild, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, the son of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Sharing a photo to her Instagram Stories, Ferguson observed her grandsons unusual name, in honour of his great-great-great-grandfather King George V, whose second middle name was Ernest. In her post, Ferguson wrote: Amazing The importance of Ernest. Thank you so, so much. Clever Eugenie and Jack and August Brooksbank. Earlier this year, Ferguson released her new Mills & Boon book, A Most Intriguing Lady, a historical romance whodunnit. In an interview with The Independent, she compared herself to the books protagonist, Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott, the duchess real-life Victorian ancestor and younger sister of the lead of her first novel Heart for a Compass. I have an absolutely extraordinary curiosity for life like Lady Mary. Thats why she is a sleuth of society crimes, she told Charlotte Cripps, When asked about her relationship with the disgraced Duke of York, who stepped down from the royal family over his alleged ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Ferguson maintained no one can break the York family. Ferguson and Andrew married in 1986, separated in 1992, and divorced in 1996. The former couple, who share daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, have remained close and continue to reside in the Royal Lodge in Windsor with him. Prince Andrew is reportedly refusing to leave the royal residence while it undergoes building works out of concern he could be evicted before he returns. He is thought to be resisting his brother King Charless wish that he and Ferguson vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge and move into Frogmore Cottage instead. During an appearance on Good Morning America in March, Ferguson said its been really difficult to watch the duke endure withering public scrutiny. Hes been very steadfast for the girls, Ferguson said, referring to Beatrice and Eugenie. We are women that also have had to see the demise of a very strong man and that has been really difficult to see. During an earlier interview, the Duchess of York claimed the late Queen Elizabeth II was very relieved by Fergusons continued support for her son. 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 Duchess of York has urged people to get their breasts checked after it was confirmed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sarah Ferguson, 63, opened up about how she was preparing to undergo a single mastectomy, a procedure to remove a breast in order to treat the cancer. In the latest episode of her podcast with businesswoman Sarah Thomson, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, Ferguson revealed that she was scheduled for the surgery the day before they recorded. Emphasising how important it was to her to speak about having cancer, she said she thought of her father, Ronald Ferguson, and his experience with cancer in the Nineties. Tomorrow, I am going for a mastectomy... a single mastectomy. Its very important that I speak about it, she said. What sprang to mind was my father, when everyone rang him and said, Why, no one wants to hear from me and I dont mind if no one wants to hear from me, because Im telling you that I am doing this, she said. I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go and get checked. On Sunday (25 June), a spokesperson for the duchess confirmed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after having a routine mammogram screening. Reflecting on her diagnosis in the podcast, Ferguson said she was initially really worried about whether or not she should talk about it. It wasnt until we talked it through before this podcast that actually hold on a minute, youve done so much work. Youve now caught this cancer in time, I pray, and then right now, if I can talk about it publicly, then everybody, please, dont wait, she said. Ferguson also praised the NHS staff at the Royal Free Hospital in London and said they did amazing work in catching her cancer. (Getty Images) Had it not been for that extraordinary injection in you to contrast, and it shows the contrast and it shows where to go if I hadnt done that, it was only a shadow, they wouldnt have found out that it needs to be immediately sorted, she added. Fergusons spokesperson said yesterday: She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully. The Duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family. He continued: The Duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days. She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening. Ferguson, who was married to the Duke of York from 1986 to 1992, and divorced in 1996, is reportedly recovering at Royal Lodge in Windsor, which she still shares with Prince Andrew. For more than 30 years, she has worked with the Teenage Cancer Trust and frequently campaigns for breast cancer awareness. In 2019, during the Breast Cancer Foundations annual gala, she said in an interview: Its that hidden, frightening thing, the word cancer, the big C. Then on top of that is the word breast, people just dont use it. The secret for the Breast Cancer Foundation is to spread awareness and to say its OK. Its not OK, of course its awful. But if you have got it or you worry, or you think you may, go and have it checked and we are here to support you. Fergusons father, Ronald Ferguson, had prostate cancer in 1996 and also had skin cancer. He died in 2003 at the age of 71 of a heart attack. 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 little-known political party endorsed by a jailed former lawmaker won seats in Greeces next parliament in an election Sunday, signaling a political comeback for the far right. The Spartans party was backed by Ilias Kasidiaris, who is currently serving 13 years in prison for membership in a criminal organization as a former leading member of Golden Dawn a political party of neo-Nazi origins linked to multiple violent street attacks. Ahead of Sundays election, parliament had introduced tougher rules on election eligibility designed to block Kasidiaris from running as a candidate. A party he founded in prison was also disqualified and he switched his support to the Spartans. We have defeated an arrogant enemy ... this is a great triumph for Greece and our homeland, Kasidiaris wrote in a tweet from prison in central Greece. The center-right New Democracy party won a landslide victory in Sundays election, handing conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis a second term as prime minister. He inflicted a stinging defeat on their main rivals, the left-wing Syriza party, while three smaller parties were set to gain national representation. They include the Spartans and the ultra-religious Niki party which has a base of support on the fringes of the Greek Orthodox Church and gained a following over its opposition to the governments COVID-19 vaccination program. The nationalist Hellenic Solution was returned to parliament. With 4.7% of the popular vote, the Spartans are set to win 13 seats in the 300-member parliament. Vassilis Stigas, the partys leader, publicly thanked Kasidiaris for his support in remarks late Sunday. We will represent Greek ideals and values in the next parliament, values that are currently absent, said Stigas, a businessman and former airplane mechanic. Stella Ladi, a political scientist and associate professor at Queen Mary University in London, said support had become entrenched for the far-right in many European countries. After Mitsotakis victory, this is the second most significant outcome of todays election and its where we need to turn our attention over the next few years, Ladi told the AP. We need to understand why a country which was traditionally leaning to the left gave 35 seats to the far right and what can be done to bring voters back to the center without compromising forward thinking and liberal values. Support for Golden Dawn and the far right surged during the politically traumatic years of the financial crisis in the previous decade. The party was represented in parliament over seven years and four election cycles before falling short of the 3% threshold required for parliamentary representation in 2019 elections. Kasidiaris and other members of the partys leadership were jailed in 2020 after being convicted of membership of a criminal organization over its connection to multiple violent street attacks targeting migrants and left-wing political activists. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check 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 Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The NHS is performing substantially less well than similar countries on life expectancy and other health outcomes, according to a report. The Kings Fund study said the UK health system is lagging behind peers on crucial measures, including avoidable mortality deaths that could have been avoided with better primary care. Another key damning finding from the report was that Britain has substantially fewer key physical resources than many of its peers, including MRI scanners and hospital beds. It comes as Rishi Sunak admitted that it will take time for the overall NHS waiting list to come down, and promised a plan that will see the largest expansion in training and workforce in its history. The PM said the NHS long-term staffing plan to be finally set out this week after delays will reduce reliance on foreign-trained healthcare professionals and ensure Britain has the doctors and nurses it needs for the future. But the scale of the challenge facing the health service was made clear by The Kings Fund report, commissioned by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and published on Monday ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS. The report warned that the UK performs poorly on healthcare outcomes across several different major disease groups and health conditions linked to avoidable mortality. The UK had the fourth and second-highest rates of preventable and treatable mortality in 2019 among the 19 health systems in the report, with 119 deaths and 69 deaths per 100,000 people respectively. It described the NHS overall as neither a leader nor a laggard among other national health systems, having compared it with the health systems of 18 similar higher income countries the original 15 EU member states, excluding Luxembourg, and the Anglosphere of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Siva Anandaciva, the reports author, said at a briefing: On healthcare outcomes specifically, both for the outcomes that a system can control and those wider measures that rely on services that keep us healthy ... we lag behind our peers. We are not by any means where we should be. Sunak has promised one of most significant announcements in history of NHS (PA) Cancer survival rates formed the biggest part of preventable mortality, whilst circulatory diseases such as heart attacks and strokes were the main cause of treatable mortality. The UK had the fewest number of MRI scanners among all 19 health systems in 2019, whilst only Sweden had a lower number of general hospital beds per 1,000 people in the same year. Mr Anandaciva said capital infrastructure was absolutely crying out for investment, and that people from other countries were really baffled by the continual lack of investment in this area in the UK. The report also highlighted the NHS had strikingly low levels of key clinical staff, including doctors and nurses, and is heavily reliant on medical professionals trained abroad. Striking junior doctors from British Medical Association take part in a rally (PA) The Kings Fund expert said that the UK exported a huge amount of nursing talent that is trained in the country and not held onto, instead making up large percentages of medical workforces in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. The report suggests that British policy makers should pick out specific areas of learning and interesting practice from other health systems, rather than attempt an entire reset. Mr Anandaciva explained: There are ways in which other countries, like Belgium and Australia, do long-term workforce planning, where they are thinking about the next 10 to 15 years, which weve talked a lot about doing in this country but are still yet to do. Mr Sunak told the BBC that this weeks workforce plan is going to be one of the most significant announcements in the history of the NHS, saying it would ensure the service has the doctors, nurses and GPs it needs for years into the future. But pressed by host Laura Kuenssberg on how long it will take to see the benefits of the changes, he conceded it could take five, 10, 15 years for these things to come through. The Sunday Times reported that the proposals could include a doubling of medical training places for doctors, with additional funding agreed with the Treasury to pay for it, although the PM did not confirm this when asked by Ms Kuenssberg. Recommended Chaos as emergency 999 calls not connecting It comes days after junior doctors in England announced they would be staging 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 will walk out from 13 to 18 July in what the association said is thought to be the longest single period of industrial action in the history of the health service. Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: Had the Conservatives trained the staff the NHS needs over the past 13 years, it would not be going through the biggest crisis in its history today. And still they have no plan to stop staff leaving today, end the strikes, or to reform the NHS. 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 }} Germany is willing to send around 4,000 troops to Lithuania on a permanent basis to strengthen NATOs eastern flank, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during a visit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Monday. Germany is prepared to permanently station a robust brigade in Lithuania, Pistorius said. He said infrastructure and facilities will need to be created to accommodate the soldiers and their families. In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine early last year, the German government pledged last June to have a combat brigade ready to defend Lithuania in the event of an attack, German news agency dpa reported. Until now, however, there have been differences over whether the soldiers should be permanently stationed in Lithuania or only sent there temporarily for exercises. The Lithuanian government has demanded a permanent presence, while the German government for a long time was very reluctant to do that. Pistorius explained the German government's decision to offer the brigade to Lithuania was not only because of Russia's war on Ukraine, but also because of Germany's own history, saying that until the end of the Cold War, Germany was the country on NATOs eastern flank. We were the ones who could always rely on our NATO partners to stand by us in an emergency and to stand up and fight with us for our freedom and security in Germany, he said. Now, Poland and the Baltic countries are particularly exposed, he said. We as the Federal Republic of Germany explicitly acknowledge our responsibility and our obligation as a NATO member state, as the largest economy in Europe, to stand up for the protection of the eastern flank, Pistorius said. Germanys military, the Bundeswehr, has already been present in Lithuania, which borders Russia and Belarus, for six years with several hundred soldiers. There, Germany leads a NATO battlegroup with currently about 1,600 soldiers, including about 780 from the Bundeswehr, dpa reported. It was not immediately clear what would happen to this unit when the new German brigade is stationed in Lithuania. 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 }} Ministers could spend 169,000 on every asylum seeker forcibly removed to a third country such as Rwanda, according to the Home Offices own estimates. Nearly two in five people would need to be deterred from crossing the Channel in small boats for the Illegal Migration Bill to break even, the economic impact assessment published on Monday said. Judges will hand down their judgment on the stalled Rwanda policy on Thursday as the Government desperately battles to fulfil its promise to stop the boats. Last year 45,755 people were detected to have made the perilous journey. The Home Office document said the policy of relocating migrants to safe third countries could save between 106,000 and 165,000 per person. However, it said the figures are highly uncertain and that the measures would need to deter 37% of people from crossing for the costs to be recouped. The 169,000 cost includes flights and detention, as well as a 105,000 per person payment to third countries. The sum is an estimate not based on the true cost of the commercially sensitive Rwanda scheme. Despite Government efforts, Kigali is the only capital to have agreed to such a scheme with the UK. Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for Parliament to support her legislation, arguing that the assessment shows that doing nothing is not an option. We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer, she said. I urge MPs and Peers to back the Bill to stop the boats, so we can crack down on people smuggling gangs while bringing our asylum system back into balance. The document said that the asylum system could cost 32 million a day by the end of 2026 if recent trends continue without the reduction of hotel usage. The assessment said that it is not possible to estimate with precision the level of deterrence the Bill will have. It noted that academic consensus is there is little to no evidence that policy changes deter people leaving their home countries and seeking refuge. Instead, shared language, culture and family ties were accepted to be strong factors influencing choice of final destination. The document said evidence from a variety of countries such as Australia gives a stronger basis to think a policy change in the UK could have an impact. But it acknowledged asylum seekers may not be aware of UK law when making their journeys and may push on regardless because they consider the benefits to be larger than the risks. The assessment process does not consider the potential cost of making further agreements to expand the scheme beyond Rwanda, while noting that its estimates for the cost of third-party schemes was based on an National Audit Office study of the cost of the UKs Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme. It should not be considered to represent the actual cost of any current or future relocation agreement with a third country, the assessment notes. The Refugee Council, which criticised the assessment, pointed in particular to the assumption that individuals will spend on average four years in the asylum system. Chief executive Enver Solomon said the document fails to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the Bill. He added: It does very little to predict the actual cost of implementing the Bill, and offers no estimates of the number of arrivals after the Bill becomes law. The Home Office admits in this assessment that it does not know how much of a deterrent effect the Bill will actually have, yet it still relies on this assumption to claim financial savings will be made. The assessments predictions of future costs if the Bill is not implemented assume no improvements to decision-making efficiency, accommodation costs, or broader system enhancements. The reality is that making quicker decisions remains the most effective way to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the impact assessment a complete joke. By its own admission, this failing Conservative government is totally clueless on how much this Bill will cost or what the impact of any of its policies will be. They are taking the country for fools, the Labour MP said. The few figures the Home Office has produced show how chaotic and unworkable their plans are. The document came as Ms Bravermans plan to house asylum seekers on barges was branded unworkable as she missed her own target for the first vessel to be in place. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, which will house around 500 people, is not yet in Portland Port, Dorset, despite Mrs Braverman promising MPs it would be in the dock a week ago. The barge is currently in Falmouth, Cornwall, for checks, maintenance and refurbishment work. On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary told the Commons we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise. Bravermans plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this Governments asylum policy. The Home Secretary wants to use barges and sites including converted military bases to house asylum seekers and reduce the 6 million daily cost of hotel accommodation while people await a decision on their status. The Bibby Stockholm was the first barge secured under the plan, but its journey to Portland will now take place in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office. 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 legal bid to have the long-delayed extradition hearing of a man suspected of rape in the United States thrown out of court has failed. Nicholas Ross, who allegedly faked his own death to avoid prosecution, continued to deny his identity when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday. The 35-year-old, who arrived at court wearing a legal gown, previously claimed in court to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight but a sheriff ruled last November that he is Nicholas Rossi. Asked by the clerk of court if he was Nicholas Rossi, the accused replied no. His lawyer, Mungo Bovey KC, then moved for the extradition hearing to be scrapped citing a recent decision to move Rossi to a prison south of the border so that English police can question him about an alleged rape there. Mr Bovey argued it would be wrong to press ahead with the hearing then, potentially, set terms for Rossis extradition to the US based on his current medical condition before knowing whether he would be charged in England. He said should charges be brought and proven, then Rossi could end up serving a custodial sentence in England during which his health could deteriorate before being extradited under the terms set in Edinburgh when he was in better health. Mr Bovey said: In my submission we are in an awkward position by reason of a decision apparently made in the Crown Office. Advocate depute Alan Cameron argued the extradition hearing ought to continue, however, saying Mr Boveys argument rested on possibilities. After a lengthy adjournment, sheriff Norman McFadyen decided the hearing should go ahead but added that the subject of Rossi being wanted for questioning in England being raised at its outset was deeply unsatisfactory. Rossi was arrested and detained, while he was being treated for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, in December 2021, in connection with an alleged rape in Utah. It has been alleged Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution. The hearing continues. 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 teenager who killed her newborn son after giving birth alone has been jailed for a minimum of 12 years. Paris Mayo, 19, was found guilty of murdering Stanley Mayo, who was just hours old, at Worcester Crown Court on Friday and was jailed at the same court on Monday. A trial had heard Mayo was 15 when she gave birth to Stanley 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 and pinched his nose before putting his body in a bin bag, leaving it on the front doorstep and going to bed. The teenager had denied knowing she was pregnant and killing her son, saying he was already dead when she gave birth to him. Mayo, of Ruardean in Gloucestershire, cried in the dock on Friday as jurors returned a majority guilty verdict after eight hours and 38 minutes of deliberation. On Monday, Mayo, who was remanded in custody over the weekend, appeared in the dock again wearing the same black T-shirt and black-and-white patterned skirt she wore to court on Friday, to be sentenced by judge Mr Justice Garnham. Her defence lawyer, Bernard Richmond KC, said Mayo was a pathetic and vulnerable individual who was immature and had not been supported by people around her. Before the judge passed his sentence, Mr Richmond said: When faced with a decision she had to make, she did not face up to it. By the time she had to, the decision she made was woefully, woefully wrong. This was a 15-year-old girl who was vulnerable and used by people around her and wasnt supported. He added that Mayos mother had not been able to face seeing her daughter in the dock, and explained that when he was alive, her father Patrick could be emotionally cruel. Mr Mayo, who had a number of health ailments and was receiving at home dialysis upstairs in the house when his daughter gave birth, died 10 days after Stanley was born. Mr Richmond added: Pariss dad died the day before her first interview. It has been said she killed him too, and that adds to the burden upon her. This will, in every sense of the word, be a life sentence. It will be a lonely, isolating and frightening time for her. For the prosecution, Jonas Hankin KC argued that the killing of baby Stanley was premeditated. He said: Paris Mayo clearly intended to prevent the discovery of the pregnancy or the existence of the baby. A decision was made to eschew help from her mother, father, or the emergency services and kill her baby. Jailing her for a minimum of 12 years, Mr Justice Garnham said it was a sad and terrible case. He said: You did nothing to prepare yourself for giving birth. You were frightened and traumatised by this event. I have no doubt it was painful and overwhelming for you. It seems you did not cry out, so anxious were you not to disturb your parents upstairs. As soon as Stanley was born, you decided he could not live and you assaulted him about the head. How you did this is not clear, but I suspect you crushed his head, probably beneath your foot. It certainly caused him serious damage, but that assault did not kill Stanley. He remained alive. You decided you had to finish Stanley off by stuffing cotton wool balls into his throat. As difficult as your circumstances may have been, killing your baby son was a truly dreadful thing to do. Mayo, who cried as she was led back to the cells, will serve at least 12 years before she can be considered for parole. Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report 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 Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A furious Baroness Doreen Lawrence has called for officers to be sacked after a new suspect was named in the murder of her son Stephen, 30 years after he was stabbed to death in the UKs most notorious racist killing. The Metropolitan Police has named Matthew White as a suspect in the case, two years after he died, aged 50, in 2021. He first came to police attention as a witness in 1993 and was first publicly named in 2011 during the trials of two men who were convicted of the teenagers murder but the force has been accused of failing to properly investigate him. White was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013 but the Met reportedly seriously mishandled inquiries related to him. The force has now apologised. In a statement issued after White was named, Baroness Lawrence said there should be serious sanctions against the officers who failed to investigate him. "Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen," she said. A file on White was submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014, but the Crown Prosecution Service said there was no prospect of a conviction for any offence on both occasions. Apologising for its handling of inquiries into White, Matt Ward, deputy assistant commissioner at the Met, said: The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. On the 30th anniversary of Stephens murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today. Baroness Lawrence went on to say that she hoped no other victims had to go through what she and her family had. The latest revelation that a key suspect in the murder could have, and should have, been properly and thoroughly investigated is shocking but unsurprising, she said. "What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. "It should not have taken a journalist to do the job that a huge, highly resourced institution should have done." On 22 April 1993, 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence, an inspiring architect, was attacked by a pack of white, racist youths as he waited at a bus stop with a friend in Eltham, southeast London. He was attacked with a knife and got 100 metres along the road away from his attackers before he collapsed, bleeding from two stab wounds that proved fatal. Baroness Lawrence says there should be serious sanctions against the officers who failed to investigate White (PA Media) The bungled original investigation was hampered by racism and alleged police corruption, meaning it took nearly 20 years for two of the 18-year-olds killers to be brought to justice, with three named suspects never prosecuted. It prompted a landmark public inquiry, which concluded that the Met was institutionally racist and that a number of errors were made by detectives working on the case. Five prime suspects became widely known after the murder, but the public inquiry said there were "five or six" attackers present at the scene where Lawrence was killed. David Norris and Gary Dobson were given life sentences for the murder in 2012 . The other three, Luke Knight and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have not been convicted of the crime. Knight has remained free while the court brothers have since served prison sentences for drug dealing. The Met Police has consistently said there were six attackers, as Duwayne Brooks, who was at the bus stop with Lawrence, said there was on the night. The Met Police took the unprecedented decision of naming White as a suspect following an investigation by the BBC, which said the force seriously mishandled inquiries relating to him. Witnesses had said White told them he had been present during the attack, that evidence showed his alibi was false and that police surveillance photos of him showed a resemblance to eyewitness accounts of an unidentified fair-haired attacker, the BBC said. Matthew White died in 2021 (BBC) One of the witnesses was Whites stepfather had told police his stepson may not have told detectives all he knew. The BBC added that the new evidence further implicates the three prime suspects in the case who are still alive. Following the 2012 convictions, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said: "On the evidence before the court, there are still three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence at large." White was first brought up in the investigation in May 1993 when he told officers he had visited the homes of two other suspects on the night of the murder, Scotland Yard said. He was seen by police officers when he refused to attend the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry before being re-interviewed during the post-inquiry investigation. Between March and April 2000 White was arrested and interviewed under caution after new information was received from a new witness but denied any involvement in the murder. In May 2005, prosecutors advised that there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence. Following the convictions of Norris and Dobson, a seven-year post-conviction investigation was launched. In 2013 it was discovered that a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message about a relative of White who may hold information in 1993. The relative was not named and was misidentified in what the Met has called a significant and regrettable error. It was not until 2012 that the relative was correctly identified and new information was obtained. The Met said White was arrested for a second time in December 2013 based on the new information but in October 2014 a further CPS advice file found that no further action should be taken. In February 2020, White was seen and spoken to again but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress any further before he died in August 2021. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced in 2020 that, following an investigation launched in 2014, they had submitted a file of evidence to the CPS to consider whether four former police officers who were in senior roles at various times during the opening weeks of the murder investigation may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. In May 2023, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key exhibits to consider whether new scientific processes may advance the case. Dr Neville Lawrence, Stephens father, said any further police inquiry should not be carried out by the Met. They must be able to find a decent police force who could investigate, he said. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Matthew White has been named as a suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence, three decades after the Black teenager was stabbed to death by a gang of white youths. The Metropolitan Police apologised after naming the news suspect, saying unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation, which was hampered by racism and corruption, into what remains one of the UKs most notorious racist killings. Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Stephens mother, has called for officers to be sacked following the latest turn in the case. Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen, she said. Mr White, a drug user who died in 2021 aged 50, was a witness during the trials of two men - David Norris and Gary Dobson - who were convicted of Mr Lawrences 1993 murder and handed life sentences. But he first came to police attention in May 1993 when he told officers he had visited the home address of two other suspects on the night of the murder. He was also the source of many of the rumours that swirled around the Brook estate in Eltham, southeast London, where Mr Lawrence was murdered, that the Acourt gang had stabbed Mr Lawrence. Matthew White died in 2021 aged 50 (BBC) The Acourt gang was led by brothers Neil, Jamie as well as Norris. They called themselves the Krays and a litany of violent incidents in and around the predominantly white estate where they lived were attributed to members of their gang and their associates. According to various accounts, Mr White said he saw Neil and Jamie Acourt and Dobson in a state of undress and with wet hair on the night of the murder. He was also alleged to have claimed that he saw a blood-stained knife being washed. Despite this Mr White, who was named publicly in 2011, was never called to give evidence. Mr White gave a short statement to the police, giving details of what he claimed to have seen. He reportedly suggested that the stabbing might have been carried out as an initiation by someone who wanted to join the Acourt gang. He was interviewed by John Davidson, detective sergeant, who was later accused by a former colleague of being paid by Mr Norriss father Clifford to obstruct the case in a bid to protect the suspects. The Independent Police Complaints Commission, however, found no evidence to support these claims, following an investigation. The Macpherson inquiry also found no evidence to suggest that he was influenced by Clifford Norris but criticised him for his harsh questioning of witnesses, including Mr White. The former officer was not called by the prosecution to give evidence but a transcript of his interview with Dobson revealed that he had repeatedly pressed him to admit that David Norris was a close friend. His parents later complained that the police had treated him harshly during questioning. Doreen Lawrence has expressed fury that no police officers have faced action over the bungled handling of information about a sixth suspect in the murder of her son Stephen (PA) (PA Media) Mr White was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013 but the Met seriously mishandled inquiries related to him, the BBC reported. In 2013 it was discovered that in 1993, a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message regarding a relative of White who may hold information. The relative was not named and was subsequently misidentified. This was a significant and regrettable error. It was not until 2013 that the correct relative was identified and the new information obtained. A file on Mr White was submitted to prosecutors in May 2005 and October 2014, but the Crown Prosecution Service said there was no prospect of a conviction for any offence on both occasions. Mr Lawrence, an inspiring architect, was attacked by a pack of white, racist youths as he waited at a bus stop with a friend in Eltham, southeast London. He was attacked with a knife and got 100 metres along the road away from his attackers before he collapsed, bleeding from two stab wounds that proved fatal. The bungled original investigation was hampered by racism and alleged police corruption, meaning it took nearly 20 years for two of the 18-year-olds killers to be brought to justice, with three named suspects never prosecuted. It prompted the landmark Macpherson report which concluded that the Met was institutionally racist and that a number of errors were made by detectives working on the case. Five prime suspects became widely known after the murder, but the public inquiry said there were "five or six" attackers present at the scene where Mr Lawrence was killed. Luke Knight and the Acourt brothers have been suspects for 30 years. All three have denied being involved. Neil Acourt and Knight were acquitted of murder in 1996. Duwayne Brooks, who was with Mr Lawrene on the night of 22 April 1993, said there were six attackers. The sixth suspect was unidentified and known only as the fair-haired attacker. The Metropolitan Police named this suspect as Mr White following an investigation by the BBC. 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 inquest into the death of mother-of-two Nicola Bulley is underway, beginning on Monday (26 June). The 45-year-old vanished after dropping her daughters at school and then walking her dog along the River Wyre in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January. Ms Bulleys phone was found, apparently still connected to a Microsoft Teams work call, on a park bench nearby, along with the harness and lead for her dog, Willow, a springer spaniel. Ms Bulley, a mortgage adviser originally from near Chelmsford but living in Inskip, was immediately deemed a high risk missing person, sparking a huge police search operation. Hundreds of local search volunteers got involved amid intense media and public interest. Her body was found in the river around a mile farther downstream from the bench on February 19 Nicola Bulley was last seen as she went out to walk her dog (PA) The search capured the public interest but the police were criticised for releasing information about Ms Bulleys struggles with alcohol and perimenopause. There were also problems with hobby detectives and members of the public entering the area to carry out their own DIY probes. Here is how the events played out. Timeline of Nicola Bulley case 10 January A response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Ms Bulleys home address. No one was arrested in relation to the incident, which the force said was a result of her alcohol issues but it is being investigated. Police did not reveal the incident until 15 February, some three weeks after Ms Bulley disappeared. 27 January - Day of disappearance 8.43am Nicola walked along the path by the River Wyre, having dropped her children off at school 8:50am (approximately) - A dog-walker somebody who knows Nicola saw her walking around the lower field with her dog. Their two dogs interacted briefly before the witness left the field via the river path 8.53am She sent an email to her boss 9.01am She logged into a Teams call 9.10am (approximately) A witness somebody who knows Nicola saw her on the upper field walking Willow. This has been corroborated by police. 9.20am (approximately) Her mobile phone is linked to the area of a bench by the river 9.30am The Teams call ended but Nicola stayed logged on 9.33am A local dog walker finds Willow running around off her lead 9.35am (approximately) Nicolas mobile phone, facing upwards, and Willow were found at the bench by another dog-walker. Willows harness and lead were halfway between the bench and the river. 10.50am Nicolas family and the schools attended by her children were notified of her disappearance 11am Nicola was reported missing to police (Lancashire Police) 28 January Police deployed fleets of drones, helicopters, and search dogs as it launched a major missing persons operation. Lancashire Fire and Rescue also joined the hunt, accompanied by the Bowland Pennine mountain rescue team and the North West underwater search team. 29 January Local residents gather in the village hall and devise their own search. 30 January Superintendent Sally Riley from said police were keeping a really open mind about what could have happened. She said the force was not treating Ms Bulleys disappearance as suspicious. Ms Bulley with her partner Paul Ansell (Nicola Bulley/Facebook) 1 February Ms Bulleys parents, Ernest and Dot, gave an interview to Sky News in which they describe the horror they might never see their daughter again. This has just emptied our lives at the minute, we just feel so empty, Mr Bulley told the broadcaster. 2 February Lancashire Constabulary spoke with a second witness. The witness told police they did not have any additional information which could aid the search. North West Police Underwater and Marine support unit also launched a search near where Ms Bulleys mobile phone was recovered. Police divers were also scouring the River Wyre while Ms Bulleys family issued a public appeal for information and support. 3 February The force announced it was working on the hypothesis that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre. 4 February Lancashire Constabulary calls for a key witness, spotted pushing a pram near to where Ms Bulley disappeared, to come forward. Ms Bulleys parents Ernest and Dot Bulley spoke about their agony as they wait for news (Sky News) 5 February The woman described as key witness came forward. Police said she was very much being treated as a witness and warned against speculation and abuse on social media. 6 February Underwater search experts arrived to assist police in the search for Ms Bulley. In a statement issued that same day, Ms Bulleys partner Paul Ansell said: Its been 10 days now since Nicola went missing and I have two little girls who miss their mummy desperately and who need her back. 7 February Police dismiss suggestions of a criminal aspect in Ms Bulleys disappearance. Elsewhere, underwater search expert Peter Faulding said he did not think Ms Bulley was in the water. Underwater forensics expert Peter Faulding and his team search the river (PA Wire) 8 February Mr Ansell described the perpetual hell he was experiencing of not knowing what happened to Ms Bulley. Police search shifted from the river near to where she vanished further downstream and out towards the sea. Police search teams were spotted where the River Wyre empties into the Irish Sea at Morecambe Bay near Knott End. 9 February A dispersal order is issued by police to break up groups of amateur sleuths reportedly filming in the surrounding village where Ms Bulley disappeared. 10 February Mr Ansell told of the unprecedented hell his family was experiencing but insisted they still had not given up hope of finding her. A friend of Ms Bulleys, Emma White, said the investigation had been like torture Mr Ansell at the search site with Mr Faulding (PA) 12 February Yellow ribbons emblazoned with handwritten messages were left by friends and family, and attached to a bridge close to where Ms Bulley was last seen. 13 February Wyre Council removed councillors contact information from its website, citing inappropriate emails and phone calls regarding Ms Bulleys disappearance. 14 February Two people are arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications over the disappearance of Ms Bulley. Lancashire Police said it received reports over the weekend of messages being sent to Wyre Council members. Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson and Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith providing an update on the search (PA Wire) 15 February Police hold a press conference, providing updates on what they have done in the last 19 days. During the conference, police say Ms Bulleys case was graded as high-risk due to individual vulnerabilities, without elaborating. In a later statement, given to clarify this assertion, police revealed Ms Bulley suffered with some significant issues with alcohol in the past which had resurfaced over recent months. Sharing the personal information leads to a backlash, with MPs among those questioning how it helps the investigation. 16 February After Lancashire Police disclose that Ms Bulley was struggling with menopause and alcohol-related issues, the force is criticised. MPs accuse the force of victim blaming, while womens rights campaigners say they have reinforced dangerous stereotypes that women are crazy and hormonal. Ms Bulleys family later releases a statement to say: "As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki. Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her. This is appalling and needs to stop. Home secretary Suella Braverman is among those to raise concerns, asking the force to explain why they shared the personal information. 17 February Police come under further scrutiny with the information commissioner saying he will look into the decision to release details. John Edwards, the commissioner, said: Police can disclose information to protect the public and investigate crime, but they would need to be able to demonstrate such disclosure was necessary. Dame Vera Baird, the former victims' commissioner for England and Wales, said: "I'm afraid this is the biggest error that I have seen for quite a long time. "It's going to undermine trust in the police yet further." Flowers at the scene for the missing Nicola Bulley (Getty Images) 19 February A body is found by authorities after a tip off by members of the public. 20 February Police confirm the body had been identified as Ms Bulley Ms Bulleys family give a statement to say she was the centre of our world, and that they would never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us. 11 April Police diver return to the River Wyre to carry out checks close to where Ms Bulley's body was found. The force said they were acting "on the direction of HM Coroner". 9 May Police who shared personal information about Nicola Bulley during the search will face no action, the Information Commissioners Office confirms. Lancashire Police faced reviews by three separate bodies of its handling of the Bulley case after coming under heavy criticism. An independent review by the College of Policing commenced on Tuesday, the countys police and crime commissioner said. 26 June The inquest into Nicola Bulleys death begins at County Hall, Preston. Close Former officer 'appalled' by 'mishandling' of Nicola Bulley investigation 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 }} Nicola Bulleys family slammed online trolls after a coroner ruled that the mother-of-two died by accident after falling into a river near her home. A statement issued outside the court on behalf of Ms Bulleys family urged people people to look at the facts and ignore on those spreading baseless theories on the internet. We encourage people to look at the facts, the evidence which has been heard during the inquest, and the conclusion reached by the coroner, to ignore any amateur views and opinions, and be mindful of the impact words bring, the statement said. Ms Bulley died after accidentally falling into the River Wyre in freezing temperatures, an inquest into her death concluded. She was walking her springer spaniel Willow when she accidentally fell into the water, with experts stating it would have been almost impossible to swim against the current. 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 }} Nicola Bulley was alive when she entered the water of the River Wyre and was not under the influence of alcohol, an inquest has heard. Giving evidence at the two-day hearing, Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour said there is no evidence that Nicola Bulley was assaulted or harmed as her cause of death was confirmed as drowning. The 45-year-old mortgage adviser disappeared on January 27 after dropping her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school and then taking her springer spaniel Willow for a walk along the river in St Michaels on Wyre. Nicola Bulleys cause of death has been given as drowning (Family handout/PA) (PA Media) Her body was discovered in the water by a passer-by weeks later on February 19, just over a mile from where she was last seen. Dr Alison Armour told an inquest at Preston County Hall that there was no evidence that Ms Bulley had been assaulted or harmed in the lead up to her death. Asked whether there was any evidence of third party involvement, she responded: No there was not. Dr Alison Armour also confirmed the cause of death. She told the court: I gave the cause of death as drowning. The watery fluid identified within the stomach and also in the lungs themselves are classical features as we see in cases of drowning. She added: Ms Bulley was alive when she entered the water - because it is an active process to swallow and inhale water into lungs. My opinion as to the cause of death is that it was drowning. The post-mortem examination also found very low levels of alcohol in Ms Bulleys blood, which indicated alcohol levels in my opinion, consistent with microbiological post-mortem activity. She explained this is the release of alcohol by bacteria produced in the body when a person dies. Therapeutic levels of beta blocker propranolol and painkiller paracetamol were also discovered. Specialist Professor Michael Tipton told her inquest: In my opinion, given the nature of the likely entry into the water, I would suspect Nikki had a gasp response under the water, initiating the drowning process. On the balance of probability there was a fairly rapid incapacitation due to the cold shock. It was also heard it could have been an estimated 20 to 30 seconds before she lost consciousness. The court heard that Ms Bulley had been a holiday swimmer, while the water flow on 27 January was a metre per second. A digital specialist for Lancashire Police told the court that data taken from her FitBit showed that she had very possibly entered the water at 9.22am. No further steps were recorded beyond 9.30am, with her FitBit eventually losing power on February 4. Earlier that morning, Ms Bulley had spoken to several other mothers at her childrens school, with nothing unusual noted about her demeanour. Her body was discovered in the River Wyre, just a mile downstream from where she disappeared (PA) Ms Bulley was last seen along the River Wyre when she spoke to another dog walker at 8.50am, before logging on to a Microsoft Teams work call at 9.01am. Just half an hour later, her dog was found with her phone on a bench near the river by campsite owner Penny Fletcher, with no sign of Ms Bulley. A woman whose garden backs onto the nearby Allotment Lane told the court she was in her back garden at 9.35am when she heard a scream coming from the direction of the river. Helen ONeill, said it was quick, a high to low pitch and over in seconds. As Ms Fletcher was rushing to attend an appointment, she contacted a local married couple who retrieved both Willow and Ms Bulleys phone. Her daughter-in-law then contacted the school as she was able to recognise Ms Bulleys husband and children from her screensaver. Police were informed of her disappearance and she was classified as a high risk missing person, with Lancashire Constabulary deploying drones, helicopters and search dogs as part of a major search operation. Over the coming weeks, a social media frenzy ensued with sightseers, conspiracy theorists and TikTokers visiting the scenes along the river where she had last been sighted. In the latter stages of the search, Lancashire Police controversially revealed that she had been struggling with symptoms of menopause and alcohol use in the weeks before her disappearance. This prompted widespread criticism for disclosing her private information, with both Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman questioning the police approach. Her body was discovered in the river over three weeks, just a mile downstream from where she was last seen. A statement released by the family read: We will never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us. We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that. The two-day inquest began at Preston County Hall on Monday, June 26, with evidence due to be heard from friends and family, Lancashire Police force and body recovery specialists. 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 }} An activist, who was the first Muslim woman to lead a Pride parade in Britain, says her mission in life is to promote the inclusivity of sexuality and gender. The PA news agency is interviewing a series of people celebrating Pride Month in June, including Saima Razzaq, 38, from Birmingham. Ms Razzaq is the director of change and communications at Birmingham Pride, and she uses her platform as part of the LGBT+, South Asian, and Muslim communities to carve out a space within the intersection. Ms Razzaq, who is a lesbian but also uses the queer umbrella to describe her sexuality, became the first Muslim woman to lead a Pride parade in Britain at Birmingham Pride in 2021. Leading Pride was a monumental moment and obviously now I work at Pride as a result of that, Ms Razzaq told PA. After taking part in the Birmingham Pride Parade on May 27 this year, Ms Razzaq said she will be talking to and working with the community in the city for the remainder of Pride Month. Now, the thing is about getting into conversations within my own community, she said. Its about organising and working with the everyday communities of Birmingham, and taking them on this journey and working towards, what can we do next?' When did you come out and how did your family respond? Ms Razzaq said her mother approached her about her sexuality when she was 29 while they were driving to pick up a takeaway. She made me drive and she waited until we were on a dual carriageway and said, do you like women? I was like, oh my god, why now?, Ms Razzaq recalled. Since that moment, Ive seen a massive change in my mum. Now, shes changing her language. Ms Razzaq added she looks up to members of her family, and she regards them as her superheroes. People look up to influences and all these famous people, I dont, I look up to my aunties and uncle theyre my superheroes, she said. Even though my aunties and my uncle might not understand my queerness, theyre there. She added: Faith is really important for me, and just because Im queer, doesnt mean Im not Muslim, and theyve not othered me for that either. Again, I think its really important for me to have this supportive family to allow me the space to do this. What is your relationship with your faith? Ms Razzaq said her faith helps her to do better and to fulfil her mission in life. I am a Muslim, I have a relationship with God, I feel very connected with God, like right now, I feel the most connected Ive ever been. She added: The Koran tells me to focus on where I am and the people Im surrounded with and to do better and to fulfil my mission in life. I feel my mission in life is to promote the inclusivity of sexuality and gender. There is a really positive thing happening in Birmingham, and in time, InshaAllah, the wider world will see it. Have you experienced any hate or abuse since coming out? Ms Razzaq said that while everyone is happy for her in regards to her sexuality, she receives far more Islamophobia and racism for being a woman of colour in a leadership position. Everyone is really happy for me to be queer, but when I suddenly say, yes Im also Pakistani, Im also Muslim, and Im proud of those intersections, its a narrative that people arent that familiar with, she said. People arent used to that side of the story. I get far more Islamophobia and racism for being a woman of colour in leadership. Ms Razzaq said she has been the victim of several hate crimes, including someone urinating on her bed on the narrow boat where she lives. Ive had my car stolen, for example, in a really horrific way, Ive had people urinate in my bed on my boat, Ive had horrible calls. She added that she doesnt need anybody to judge my Muslimness, and she finds that its those who are not of the faith that tend to judge her more. And actually, its non-Muslims who will judge my Muslimness more than Muslims, she said. Our communities will work through things, but we need everyone else to allow us the space to work through things as well. What are the challenges within the intersections of faith and queerness? Ms Razzaq said it isnt easy for those in faith communities to bring up the subject of queerness, but she said she has noticed more people in South Asian communities coming out. Everyone will have difficulty bringing in the subject of queerness because it has been so polarised. It isnt easy for most people in faith settings, and I think its really important that we reclaim this narrative. What Ive noticed since Ive come out is, and thats just within the circle Im part of, Ive seen other South Asians come out, and their parents support them in that journey. On what advice she would give to someone in a faith setting who wished to come out, she said: The most important thing to remember is that youre valid, youre absolutely valid. Your queerness or your gender identity is absolutely valid, be your authentic self. There are people like you, and for me, finding other queer South Asians, other queer Muslims, has been the best part of my journey. 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 does not know how much its new small boats bill will cost or if it will achieve its core aim of deterring Channel crossings, an official assessment has found. Documents published over three months after the Illegal Migration Bill was presented to parliament estimated that it will cost 169,000 to deport each asylum seeker - but it is unclear how many will be removed and what third countries will receive them. The only existing deal is with Rwanda and the Home Office refused to publish the actual payments agreed, citing commercial sensitivities as a Court of Appeal ruling on the scheme looms. An economic impact assessment said it was not possible to assess whether radical laws backed by Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman would be value for public money, because it is not possible to estimate with precision the level of deterrence the bill might achieve. The report estimated that at least 37 per cent of small boat arrivals would have to be deterred for there to be no additional cost to the taxpayer, but warned the bills effects were highly uncertain. Yvette Cooper, Labours shadow home secretary, called the assessment a complete joke. By its own admission, this failing Conservative government is totally clueless on how much this bill will cost or what the impact of any of its policies will be, she added. It suggests that if Rishi Sunak were actually able to deliver on his promise to remove every asylum seeker who arrives in the UK it would cost billions of pounds more even than the Tories broken asylum system today. Officials said that making a migrant decide against a small boat crossing could save eventual costs of 106,000 in the UK, but the academic consensus is that there is little to no evidence suggesting changes in a destination countrys policies have an impact on deterring people from leaving their countries of origin or travelling without valid permission. Estimated calculations showed that it will still be more expensive to deport asylum seekers than process them in the UK, and there are currently no operational deportation agreements for asylum seekers. There is a risk that the practical complexities of the bill mean the bill will not be fully delivered, the document said. Any deterrence impact relies on the policy working as intended, with sufficient capacity to detain and remove an appreciable proportion of individuals in scope to a safe third country. Small boat crossings are currently slightly below 2022s record levels (AP) It also warned that the laws could cause unintended behavioural changes from migrants, including people switching from small boats to lorries, other clandestine routes or fraud and overstaying visas. The economic impact assessment outlined a raft of new costs stemming from the bills legal duty to detain and deport all small boat migrants, regardless of the merit of asylum or modern slavery claims. They include the costs of increasing detention capacity, hiring and training more civil servants, paying private companies huge sums to escort people on deportation flights and increased legal challenges. The report warned of several further risks and uncertainties, including the fact that there is currently insufficient detention capacity to hold all small boat migrants, and some may have to be released into other accommodation. During a debate on the bill earlier this month, a government minister said they could only be sent to countries where Britain has struck an agreement to take them back, adding: That is not at present the case, except in relation to Rwanda, but it may in future be the case in relation to other countries. The assessment said that even if the government manages to strike new Rwanda-style deals with other countries, they may incur additional costs. The UK has already paid Rwanda 140m and spent a further 1.3m defending legal challenges, with no one yet deported. Any agreements made with additional countries may incur similar costs, which have not been monetised in this assessment, the document cautioned. It comes after The Independent revealed that Home Office staff are already being pulled off the huge asylum backlog to re-train for the expected implementation of the bill in September. Rishi Sunak has put the new bill at the heart of his pledge to stop the boats (PA) Suella Braverman was grilled on the delay to the assessment when she appeared before parliaments Home Affairs Committee earlier this month, with MPs and peers angry at being made to vote on the bill without knowing its costs. The home secretary said there were many unknown factors involved, including legal action on the Rwanda scheme, but committee chair Dame Diana Johnson said the position was unacceptable for a bill that is three quarters of its way through the House of Lords. The Home Office claimed that the experience of other countries with harsh asylum policies, such as Australia, demonstrated the potential for the bill to reduce the number of people taking dangerous and unnecessary journeys. The home secretary said: We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer. I urge MPs and peers to back the bill to stop the boats, so we can crack down on people smuggling gangs while bringing our asylum system back into balance. But Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the document fails to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the new law. It would cause hardship, cost billions of pounds, and do nothing to alleviate the current crisis and pressures within the asylum system, he added. A new backlog of people stuck in limbo in the UK will be created on top of the more than 170,000 people already waiting for a decision on their asylum claim while doing nothing to provide the safe routes that are a vital part of reducing the number of people who take dangerous journeys to reach the UK. Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report 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 Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new suspect has been named over the murder of Stephen Lawrence, the black teenager who was killed in a racially motivated attack in southeast London in 1993. Matthew White, died in 2021 aged 50, first came to the attention of the police shortly after the crime as a witness. He was arrested and interviewed in March 2000 and in December 2013 but police have been accused of failing to properly investigate his potential involvement. Mr Lawrence, an inspiring architect, was stabbed to death by a group of white, racist youths as he waited at a bus stop with a friend in Eltham. He struggled 100 metres along the road away from his attackers before he collapsed. The initial investigation was poorly handed and it took nearly 20 years for two of the 18-year-olds killers to be brought to justice, with three named suspects never prosecuted. The Metropilitan Police has apologised for how it has handled the murder and wide-ranging changes have since been made to the force. His parents, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Neville Lawrence, have campaigned for change since their sons death. The Met Police named Mr White as a suspect following an investigation by the BBC, which said the force seriously mishandled inquiries relating to him. Stephen Lawrence was murdered while waiting for a bus in south-east London in 1993 (PA Media) Who was Stephen Lawrence? Mr Lawrence was born in Greenwich and raised in Plumstead, southeast London, to Jamaican parents who had emigrated to the UK in the 1960s. He was the eldest of three children and attended Blackheath Bluecoat School, where he excelled at sport and had been preparing for his A-levels. At school, Lawrence studied technology, physics and English language and had aspirations of becoming an architect. What happened to Stephen: a timeline of events April 22, 1993: Stephen Lawrence is stabbed to death in an unprovoked racist attack by a gang of white youths as he waits at a bus stop in Eltham, southeast London, with his best friend Duwayne Brooks. May 1993: The Lawrence family complains police are not doing enough to catch the murderers. May-June 1993: Neil Acourt, Jamie Acourt, Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and David Norris are arrested in connection with his murder. July 1993: Committal proceedings are scheduled for Neil Acourt and Mr Knight but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) formally discontinues the prosecution following a meeting with the senior investigating officer. December 1993: Southwark coroner Sir Montague Levine halts an inquest into Mr Lawrence's death after the family's barrister, Michael Mansfield QC, says there is "dramatic" new evidence in the case. April 1994: The CPS says the new evidence is insufficient to support murder charges. September 1994: The Lawrence family begins a private prosecution against Neil Acourt, Mr Knight and Dobson. December 1994: Secret video evidence is filmed showing Dobson and Norris making obscene racist remarks. April 1996: The private prosecution against Neil Acourt, Mr Knight and Dobson begins at the Old Bailey but collapses after identification evidence is ruled inadmissible. The three are acquitted. February 1997: An inquest jury finds that Mr Lawrence was "unlawfully killed by five white youths". Father of Stephen Lawrence says he forgives his son's killers December 1997: A Police Complaints Authority report on the original police investigation of Mr Lawrence's murder identifies "significant weaknesses, omissions and lost opportunities". February 1999: The Macpherson report finds the police guilty of mistakes and "institutional racism" and makes a series of recommendations on changes to policing and wider public policy. It also suggested a rethink of the principle of "double jeopardy", to allow the retrial of acquitted defendants in exceptional circumstances if new evidence emerged of their guilt. April 1999: The five men arrested in 1993 deny involvement in the murder in a television interview. September 2002: Norris and Neil Acourt are jailed for 18 months for a racist attack on off-duty black policeman Gareth Reid. Norris had thrown a drink at the officer from a car and shouted "n****r" while Acourt drove the vehicle at him during the attack in May the previous year, in Eltham, southeast London, less than a mile from where Mr Lawrence was murdered. May 2004: The CPS announces there is "insufficient evidence" to prosecute anyone for the murder. April 2005: The double jeopardy legal principle, preventing suspects being tried twice for the same crime, is scrapped for certain offences when there is new evidence. July 2006: A BBC documentary alleges police corruption in the Lawrence case. The mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence warned This is the last chance for the Metropolitan Police to get it right after a damning report found the force is institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic (PA) (PA Media) October 2007: The Independent Police Complaints Commission finds no evidence of corruption and no evidence of dishonest links. November 2007: Police confirm they are investigating new forensic evidence in the case. April 2010: Detective Paul Steed is demoted after tampering with key dates and times on an evidence log about the case. May 18, 2011: The Court of Appeal agrees that Dobson's 1996 acquittal for the murder can be quashed in the face of new forensic evidence. It can then be reported for the first time that Dobson and Norris will face trial. November 14, 2011: The trial of Dobson and Norris for Mr Lawrence's murder begins at the Old Bailey. 2012: Doreen Lawrence launches Stephen Lawrence Trust January 3, 2012: Dobson and Norris are found guilty of his murder. June 2013: The Guardian reports a former police officer spied on the Lawrence family. Peter Francis went undercover to infiltrate the family's campaign for justice in 1993. He tells The Guardian and Channel 4's Dispatched programme he was tasked with looking for disinformation to discredit those attacking police. March 2014: A review by barrister Mark Ellison finds that an undercover Met Police officer worked within the "Lawrence family camp" while an inquiry into the murder had already started. March 2015: Fresh inquiry launched into techniques used by undercover officers during the family's campaign. October 2015: Prompted by the finding of the Ellison review, the National Crime Agency confirms it had been investigating alleged corruption in the police during the investigation. Matthew White has been named as a suspect in the Stephen Lawrence case 30 years after his death (BBC) March 2016: Ex-Met Police commander Richard Walton "had a case to answer" after meeting an undercover police officer during the inquiry, police watchdog finds. The Met said it would be inappropriate to discuss Waltons case and refused to take action. He later retired. September 2016: Detectives attempt to identify a woman whose DNA was found on a handbag strap found close to the murder scene, following a BBC Crimewatch reconstruction. April 2018: Scotland Yard says the investigation is "unlikely to progress" without new information. 2018: At a 2018 service to mark the 25th anniversary of Mr Lawrences death, then-prime minister Theresa May announced that Stephen Lawrence Day would become an annual national commemoration. May 2019: De Montfort University launches its Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, with the aim of continuing his legacy as an educational resource for anyone interested in topics around race, racism and social justice. August 2021: ITV releases a new programme about Stephen Lawrence, sequel to the network's landmark 1999 programme, The Murder of Stephen Lawrence. June 2023: Matthew White named as suspect by police two years after his death. Additional reporting by PA Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two UK supermarket giants are at loggerheads in Londons High Court in a war over logos. Lidl has been granted an injunction to stop Tesco copying its logo, the court has ruled. Lidl took action after claiming the similarities between its brand logo and a rebrand of Tescos Clubcard logo was having a negative impact on the firm. The judge ruled an injunction would have to be granted to stop the loss Lidl is incurring. Tesco now has nine weeks from when proceedings end to remove all clubcard logos from its stores and branding, should it be unsuccessful in appealing. Tesco lost a trademark lawsuit brought by Lidl back in April after the former launched a new logo to promote its Clubcard Prices discounts that Lidl claimed was similar in design to its store branding. The new clube logo features a yellow circle set against a blue background with black writing. Lidls logo is also a yellow circle set against a blue background, but with a red outer rim of the circle and blue writing on all but the i, which is red. The two logos, side by side for comparison (AFP/Getty/Reuters) Lidl, the smaller of the two brands, sought the injunction to stop Tesco from using the news logo which it claimed infringed on its trademark. It argued the action was needed to stop Tesco from deceiving customers. Tescos lawyers argued that an injunction is unneccessary and the dispute could be resolved by paying damages. Ryan Hetherington, head of legal at Tesco, described how difficult its going to be for Tesco to make this change, as it uses more than eight million Clubcard Prices logos across its stores. And there are more online, in print advertising and on TV. The judge has ruled the similarities in the logos may lead Lidl to incur losses (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire) Judge Joanna Smith said: The only certain way to put an end to the loss that Lidl is incurring by reason of the continuing use of the (Clubcard Price) signs is to grant a final injunction. However, the injunction wont come into force until both supermarkets have made appeals if they choose to - and both have said they will challenge the original ruling. As part of its offering, customers who have a Tesco Clubcard can collect points when they shop and them to pay for hotels, restaurants and other products in store. The Independent has contacted Lidl and Tesco for a comment. 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 Prince of Wales has announced the first of the flagship areas where he hopes to end homelessness with his new Homewards project. William said he is excited to be launching the five-year initiative in the London borough of Lambeth, one of six locations where new partnerships will be forged between councils, businesses, charities and individuals to eradicate the issue. In a speech to mark the event, held on Monday morning at an organisation supporting local residents with mental health issues, the future King said he is pleased to be at the start of our path to ending homelessness. He said: Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good. William spoke about his personal connection to the issue, telling the audience, which included representatives from leading homelessness charities, how Diana, Princess of Wales took him to The Passage in December 1993. He said: My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11, with my mother. The visits we made left a deep and lasting impression. I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heart-breaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home. William, who will visit and reveal the remaining five Homewards locations on Monday and Tuesday, said: Lambeth will become part of a network of six flagship Homewards locations across the UK, all committed to creating and delivering a plan to prevent homelessness in their areas. They will all put collaboration at the heart of the response, forming locally led coalitions of committed people, organisations and businesses. Their in-depth knowledge of the specific issues and requirements of their local areas will drive forward the work and we will be here to support you, bringing together an unprecedented network of individuals and organisations with expertise, resources and the commitment to end homelessness. Invited to the launch, held at mental health organisation Mosaic Clubhouse in Brixton, south London, was Big Issue seller Dave Martin, 61. Last summer he was joined at his pitch in west London by William who helped him sell the magazine. Mr Martin welcomed the princes Homewards initiative which will encourage local groups in the six chosen locations to join forces and develop bespoke action plans to tackle homelessness with up to 500,000 in funding. He said: I think its really personal to him. His mother used to go to The Passage thats where he experienced homelessness for the first time, thats why its really important to him. The prince sat down with the core Homewards Lambeth team which included Lambeth Council leader Claire Holland and a number of organisations from the voluntary sector. He told them: I hope we can just collaborate more, convene more, scale more, and hopefully see where we end up in five years time. William also chatted to users of the Mosaics services, and tried his hand at being a barista at a stall run by an organisation which works with homeless charities training rough sleepers to make the perfect coffee. Later on Monday, William used a lathe in a carpentry workshop run by Faithworks, a Christian charity which provides training for homeless people at St Johns Church in Poole, Dorset. After helping to carve the bulb planter tool, William, who wore a mask and goggles for health and safety purposes, described the experience as hypnotic. He added jokingly: I am good at destructive things like destructive gardening but not so much constructive things, so this is a different take. William was shown how the centre provides training and support to help people move into education and employment. The carpentry workshop, which first opened in 2018, uses donated and recycled wood to create goods to be sold by local businesses, such as a kitchen chopping board presented to the prince. Daniel Matthews, 43, one of the trainees, praised William for using his high profile and position to back the centre and tackle the issue of homelessness. He said: It is important he is willing to take his time and show people at the top have a touch with people who are perceived to be at the bottom. Louis Phelps-Vandarl, 47, added: He was born into it, wasnt he, hes just a lad really, its nice that someone that high up is taking an interest in local charities. Clayton Jeynes, 41, said: It shows his heart is in a good place and he wants to get to the roots of common problems in England and help people from disadvantaged backgrounds and help them flourish and gain skills and highlight to a wider audience the problems on the streets. Explaining the support of the service, he added: We all go through times where we could be self-conscious or lost in life and its like a gentle guidance back into learning to socialise and be productive in a positive way. William next visited Maindee Primary School in Newport, South Wales, where he and Homewards advocate Geri Horner, the former Spice Girl, hugged as they met before speaking to teachers and staff about how they are working to prevent homelessness in families. The prince told agency representatives taking part in the programme: I know this school is doing great work, so Im interested to see how we can use what youre doing here in terms of identifying early intervention opportunities and collaborate so it can be rolled out as best practice. He and the singer spoke to a number of the children who were busy working on art projects about what the term home means to them. Sylayman Torofdar, 11, told the PA news agency: It was so exciting having him here. He told us to keep up the good work and to stick together, which meant a lot. I told him thank you for everything you do. Headteacher Jo Cueto said: The homelessness issue was something that was highlighted to us during Covid when we were visiting families to drop off meal vouchers and work packs, and its something weve been working really hard to try and support families with ever since. This project is crucial now to take stock of where we are in Newport and to find solutions though multi-agency working. It is clear Prince William is dedicated to doing just that and to, as he said, making it everyones business to make sure the most vulnerable in society are supported. As she left the school, Ms Horner declared the school amazing. Earlier in the visit, she had told staff: This is such a positive and inspirational school, and shows just how possible it is to tackle homelessness when everyone works together. The singer also called William lovely and kind. 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 family of the British billionaire and teenager who died aboard the Titanic sub were on its mother ship on the surface when the tragedy struck. Suleman Dawood, 19, and his father Shahzada, were among the five people aboard the OceanGate Titan submersible who died during a catastrophic implosion as it descended to the wreck of the ocean liner in the Atlantic Ocean last week. Christine Dawood and her 17-year-old daughter, Alina, were on the Polar Prince, the subs support vessel, when the Titan lost communications and was never heard from again, she told the BBC. I didnt comprehend at that moment what it meant - and then it just went downhill from there, she said in her first interview about the tragedy. Mr Dawood and his teenage son were killed along with CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, and renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet. His wife told the BBC that she had originally planned to go on the die, but it had been cancelled during Covid, and when it was re-scheduled the teenager took her seat. Then I stepped back and gave them space to set [Suleman] up, because he really wanted to go, she said. She and her daughter remained on the Polar Prince as the eyes of the world turned to the desperate search and rescue effort as it played out in the Atlantic. I think I lost hope when we passed the 96 hours mark, Ms Dawood said as she revealed she sent a message to her family. I said: Im preparing for the worst. Thats when I lost hope, she recalled. But she said her daughter had held out hope of a rescue until the very end. She didnt lose hope until the call with Coast Guard. When they basically informed us that they found debris, she said. The family returned to St Johns in Newfoundland, Canada, on Saturday, and on Sunday held a funeral prayer for Shahzada and Suleman. Ms Dawood declined to comment on any of the investigations that have been launched into the accident and was asked how she and her daughter would find closure. Is there such a thing? I dont know, she said. I miss them. I really, really miss them. She also said that Suleman had taken a Rubiks Cube with him to break a world record while he was onboard the sub. He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube 3,700 metres below sea at the Titanic, she told the BBC. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The aftermath of the Wagner rebellion in Russia is an internal matter which will not affect the UKs ongoing support for Ukraine, a Cabinet minister has said. Chief secretary to the Treasury John Glen made the comments as the fallout from the mercenary groups march on Moscow continues. The groups forces, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, were just 120 miles from Moscow before the rebellion was called off to avoid shedding Russian blood. He has gone into exile in Belarus after a deal with Vladimir Putins government was brokered at the last minute. The agreement will see charges against him of mounting an armed rebellion dropped. The Russian government also said it would not prosecute Wagner fighters who took part, while those who did not join in were to be offered contracts by the Defence Ministry. Yuriy Sak, who advises the Ukrainian defence minister, told the BBC the rebellion is the most ridiculous attempt at mutiny ever. Mr Glen told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that the UK will not be intervening in Russias internal affairs. He added: It is obviously a very unstable situation in Russia, but it is fundamentally an internal matter. And weve obviously urged, alongside our allies that obviously civilian interests are considered. This isnt a matter that we will be intervening in, but obviously we observe and monitor the situation on an ongoing basis very carefully. Nothing has changed with respect to the British Governments position on supporting Ukraine. However Alexander Litvinenkos widow Marina suggested this attitude suggests Western leaders remain resistant to the idea of Vladimir Putin stepping down. She told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: They accept Ukrainian people in a different country they have support, but they still want to keep Putin, and at least to have some kind of controlling of Russia. (After what happened on Saturday) we can see, Putin doesnt control nothing. If you want to save Russia from collapsing you need to take Putin out from this place. Shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that the government should be doing pretty much what they are when asked about the situation. She said the events suggest it is clear that Ukraine is winning the war. The shadow minister went on: We now need to make sure that all of the Nato Allies stand not just with President Zelensky and Ukraine to send a clear message to President Putin, that we will be there and with the Ukrainian people until that war is won. Former chief of the UK general staff Lord Dannatt warned on the programme that a renewed attack on Kyiv could take place if Mr Prigozhins troops follow him to Belarus, whose government has supported Russias invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile former chief of the defence staff Lord Richards warned the UK risks woefully underestimating Russia and its armed forces. Lord Dannatt said: Apparently hes left the stage to go to Belarus but is that the end of Prigozhin and the Wagner Group? The fact that hes gone to Belarus is I think a matter of some concern. What we dont know, what we will discover in the next hours and days is how many of his fighters have actually gone with him. If he has gone to Belarus and has kept an effective fighting force around him, he then presents a threat again to the Ukrainian flank closest to Kyiv which is where all this began on February 24 last year. Although it would appear that this matter is closed I think it is far from closed and the aftershocks will reverberate for quite some time. They (Ukraine) need to watch that flank very carefully and make sure they have got some manoeuvre units such that they could repel a renewed attack from the direction of Belarus. Lord Richards told Times Radio: It seems to me that we have been at risk of woefully underestimating Russia and her armed forces. It doesnt appear as if Ukraine has been able to exploit it to achieve what it wants to do and needs to do, which is a big penetration of the Russian lines. And I suspect that whilst it might yet still happen, that we are in, despite the weakened state, arguably of (Vladimir) Putin, were in for a long haul here. And that actually is the worst of all worlds for the West. Former MI6 officer Christopher Steele told the programme: Whats changed I think is that Vladimir Putin has lost authority and legitimacy within Russia and has been challenged in a way, yes hes managed to worm his way out of it for the present. To see events unfold in Russia yesterday and the speed with which the situation seemed to spiral out of control must be very concerning for Putin and the people around him. Edward Lucas, a senior adviser at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, told BBC Radio 4s The World This Weekend that the UK must prepare for a deeply dangerous and unpredictable post-Putin Russia. He said: There will be all sorts of dilemmas and difficulties we face and we need to start thinking right now about how we deal with them. And thats everything from do we worry about Russia falling into the arms of China? Is there going to be disintegration? Will it go full-on fascist? Will we have a long period of confusion and chaos? Will they use their nuclear weapons as a bargaining chip to try and get things? And these are all the questions that we ought to be dealing with and Im just not seeing it in most western capitals. We face perhaps a decade or more of dealing with a deeply dangerous and unpredictable Russia without even the sort of superficial certainty we have of having Putin in power. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as MPs question James Cleverly and the defence department on Monday, 26 June, after the Wagner group mutiny in Russia. Over the weekend, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private military company who have assisted with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, declared a mutiny on the Russian military. The group seized a military headquarters and marched on Moscow, before turning around on Saturday. It came after Prigozhin claimed that Russian forces had attacked and killed Wagner troops in eastern Ukraine. Regarding the impact of the mutiny, Rishi Sunak has said that he agrees with US secretary of state Antony Blinkens assessment that the dispute exposed real cracks in Vladimir Putins authority. On the weekend the events unfolded, Mr Sunak shared a call with Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, and Olaf Scholz. During a visit to Nottingham on Monday, the prime ministers told broadcasters: Its too early to predict with certainty what the consequences of this might be. But of course we are prepared, as we always would be, for a range of scenarios. 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 }} Rishi Sunak has insisted an expansion of lung cancer screening will save thousands of lives after a report found the NHS is performing substantially less well on life expectancy than foreign health services. The Government has announced a nationwide rollout of a pilot scheme that encourages people to get on-the-spot chest scans in trucks that operate from supermarket car parks. The initiative is aimed at increasing the number of lung cancer cases diagnosed early in order to improve prognosis. The Prime Minister defended the measures after a report by The Kings Fund found that the NHS lag(s) behind our peers on healthcare outcomes including cancer and is not by any means where we should be. As well as our immediate priority to invest record sums in the NHS to cut waiting lists, I want to make sure that the NHS is fit for the future, he said during a visit to one of the health screening facilities in Nottinghamshire. Todays announcement the expansion of lung cancer screening is a good example of that. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in the UK and we know that if you catch it early then you can much more improve the chances of people surviving it. He said the pilot scheme, which was initially targeted, had made an enormous difference and on being rolled out nationally would save thousands of peoples lives. Pressed about the findings of The Kings Fund report, the Prime Minister conceded that there is work to do but insisted he could fix outstanding issues. Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who spoke with reporters following Mr Sunak, refused to say whether the number of cancer deaths could be linked to austerity policies pursued by the Conservatives during the past 13 years. Asked whether spending cuts were one of the reasons behind deprivation and poor health, he said: Theres a range of factors why this programme is targeted in communities like this, its because there are high rates of smoking and we know there are often high rates of smoking in deprived communities, and that is what this programme enables us to do, is to target the checks together with early intervention into the most deprived communities. The Kings Fund report found that the UK is significantly lagging behind its peers in terms of cancer survival rates, one of several factors dragging down life expectancy. The NHS performs poorly on healthcare outcomes across several different major disease groups and health conditions linked to avoidable mortality, according to the report. It had the fourth and second highest rates of preventable and treatable mortality in 2019 among the 19 health systems in the report, with 119 deaths and 69 deaths per 100,000 people respectively. Siva Anandaciva, the reports author and chief analyst at The Kings Fund, said at a briefing: On healthcare outcomes specifically, both for the outcomes that a system can control and those wider measures that rely on services that keep us healthy we lag behind our peers. We are not by any means where we should be. 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 }} Sarah, Duchess of York, has revealed she has had a single mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and urged listeners of her podcast to go for screening. The 63-year-old discovered she had an early form of the disease during a routine mammogram. Speaking on an episode of her podcast which was recorded the day before her operation, she said she is taking her diagnosis as a real gift to me to change my life. I'm going to go out there and get super fit, super well, super strong Sarah, Duchess of York She reportedly left the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, central London which has treated the royal family for decades on Sunday, and is said to be recovering with her family at Windsor. In the episode of her Tea Talks podcast, released on Monday, Sarah said she was having a single mastectomy, adding that it is very important that she speaks about it. I am telling people out there because I want every single person that is listening to this podcast to go and get checked, go and get screened, go do it, she said. She added: Im taking this as a real gift to me to change my life, to nurture myself. Sarah said she will stop trying to fix everyone else and start taking myself seriously. She said she is aiming to get super fit, super strong and spoke about her love of play and a sense of adventure with nature. She said: Now is my chance, and this extraordinary position Im in right now, it means theres no choice. I cant make another excuse. I have to go through this operation and I have to be well and strong. And therefore no choice is the best choice. She suggested she will be going to Austria where there are extraordinary mountains to climb, or Scotland or Wales. Im going to go out there and get super fit, super well, super strong, she said. She added it is vital that we need to wake everybody up to screen not just for breast cancer, but all checks. A spokesman for the duchess said on Sunday: Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening. She was advised she needed to undergo surgery, which has taken place successfully. The duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family. The duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days. She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom-free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening. The Sun reported that the Duke of York, 63, and the couples daughters, Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33, are by Sarahs side as she recovers. The grandmother-of-three, who is a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust and spoke at a Breast Cancer Foundation gala in 2019, was not at Royal Ascot last week. Later on Monday, Sarah posted a message on Instagram saying: Thank you so much for such kindness and support. 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 }} Armed forces personnel have spoken of their fear that they might not return home from Afghanistan as they worked in chaotic conditions during the allied withdrawal nearly two years ago. The Taliban seized power in a lightning offensive across the Central Asia country in August 2021 as US and Nato troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from the country after two decades of war. In a three-part Channel 4 series titled Evacuation, British military personnel open up about their experience of assisting thousands of British passport holders, embassy staff and vulnerable Afghans during Operation Pitting. The operation saw members of the armed forces, along with Border Force and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff, evacuate more than 15,000 people to the UK in just over sixteen days. I really thought, I may not be going home. This may have been a trip too far Diana Bird, RAF Police squadron leader In candid interviews, the servicemen and women open up about the desperation they encountered among those looking to flee, of being surrounded by Taliban forces as they worked and the horrors of dealing with the aftermath of a suicide bomb attack. As the Taliban encircled Kabul, one lieutenant colonel from UK Joint Force Headquarters, named only as Mike during the documentary, described the surreal experience of emptying bottles of wine and champagne at the British Embassy in the capital a collection which was said to belong to the then-ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Laurie Bristow. He said he also chiselled the royal crest off the outside of the building. A sergeant major in the British Armys Parachute Regiment, known only as Gaz, said that, although the 2021 experience had been completely different to his three previous combat tours of Afghanistan, it was harder, both physically and mentally. Diana Bird, a Royal Air Force Police squadron leader, said that, after terrified Afghans breached the fences of Kabul International Airport, she feared for her safety. The runway has people all over it, so nothing can take off or land that is big, she said. The Taliban are surrounding the airport, so we arent driving out. There is nowhere to go, the country has fallen. I really thought, I may not be going home. This may have been a trip too far. With many of her team on their first overseas mission and not yet into their 20s, she described how she basically took a sixth-form field trip to Kabul. Ms Bird recalled being brought to tears as Afghan women, who said they had received threatening letters from the Taliban, begged for their lives to be allowed on a repatriation flight. She had to explain to them that they did not meet our criteria to be helped. You absolutely feel for each and every one of these people. But we couldnt save everybody, she said. During Op Pitting, which began on August 13, British forces and officials processed those eligible for evacuation from the Baron Hotel near the capitals airport. Sgt Maj Gaz told his Paras team to err on the side of compassion when dealing with complex cases. He added: In quite vague terms, you had British foreign policy being dictated by a 19-year-old lance corporal at the front gate of the Baron hotel. While allied forces worked on evacuating people, the perimeter of the air field was struck by a suicide bomber on August 26, 2021. Officials declared at the time that at least 13 US troops and 60 Afghan nationals were killed and more than 150 people were injured in a complex attack at the airport. Lance corporal David Mitchell, describing the aftermath, said: Legs (were) off, arms off, bits all over the walls. It looked like people had been put in a blender and tipped out everywhere. Sgt Maj Gaz said: There was a little girl in a nice multi-coloured dress and she had been blown up on to the wall, dead. Ive seen some grim stuff and that was grim. After the final civilian flights left Kabul, attention turned to destroying British military vehicles and other kit left behind to prevent the Taliban from using them. Gaz recalled that billions of pounds of equipment was left on site after the troops flew home. A number of those interviewed said the evacuation made them question Britains involvement in the two-decade effort in Afghanistan. Some 456 British personnel lost their lives during the conflict and UK governments spent more than 22 billion on the deployment since the September 11, 2001, Islamist terror attack on the US sparked an allied invasion the following month. LCpl Mitchell, giving his view on the Afghanistan war, said: I just think that place is failed. If we were going to do that (evacuate), we should have done it 20 odd years ago. Let the Taliban take over and just have it, basically. I just think we should have done that in the beginning if that is what we were going to do. A lot of us would have been saved as well. But Im not a politician. Reflecting on the exit, an RAF wing commander, whose name was only given as Calvin, said: My existence for 20 years, in some ways, felt as if it had been completely undone. Hadnt we done a good job undoing 20 years worth of effort and activity in 14 days? You do what the democracy asks you to do and, at the end of it, it just raises the question about why. RAF Polices Ms Bird said she was still coming to terms with her part in Op Pitting and said there were things she did that she was not necessarily proud of. But it was the right thing to do, she added. I think to a certain extent Ive got to forgive myself as well, which will take time. Evacuation will begin airing on Channel 4 on Sunday July 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 }} Liz Truss has urged the UK and its allies to prepare for a potential implosion of Russia following the Wagner Groups mutiny. The Tory former prime minister acknowledged that Vladimir Putin has been significantly weakened after Yevgeny Prigozhins mercenary group halted a march on Moscow to avoid shedding Russian blood on Saturday. However, she warned against complacency, insisting we must not use this time to let up in our support for Ukraine. The former foreign secretary also reiterated calls for Ukraines Nato membership to be fast-tracked and stressed any discussions about deals, concessions or lifting of sanctions should be off the table until war criminals are held to account. Putin will not stop until he has been ejected from Ukraine by the Ukrainian people, and to that end we will continue to support them until they have achieved that end Foreign Secretary James Cleverly Speaking in the Commons after James Cleverly made a statement on the situation in Russia, she said: Its clear that Putin has been significantly weakened in Russia. We must not use this time to let up in our support for Ukraine. So, first of all, we need to make sure the Ukrainian membership of Nato is fast-tracked at the Vilnius Nato summit. Secondly, we need to make sure there is no talk of deals or concessions or lifting of sanctions on Russia in any circumstances until the war criminals are held to account. Finally, we and our allies, including the Ukrainians, including the Poles, including the Baltic states, need to make sure that we have a plan in the case of the implosion of Russia. Does he agree? The Foreign Secretary replied: I have said regularly that Ukraines transformation on the battlefield proves how serious they are about the reform programme that will see them ultimately become a member of Nato. That action should mean that however long that Nato membership would otherwise have taken, it should of course now be truncated. Mr Cleverly added: She is absolutely right that we should recognise that some of the talk about cutting a deal, Ukraine sacrificing some of its sovereign land in the pursuit of what would only be an artificial and perhaps even just temporary peace, is completely inappropriate. Putin will not stop until he has been ejected from Ukraine by the Ukrainian people, and to that end we will continue to support them until they have achieved that end. Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the Commons Defence Committee, said: Putin may be wounded, Putins days may be numbered but he is likely to stoop low in order to stay in power and to justify his invasion of Ukraine. Elsewhere in the Commons, Mr Cleverly promised to keep a very, very close eye on the whereabouts of Wagner fighters, amid reports 8,000 will be based in Belarus. Conservative MP Bob Seely (Isle of Wight) told the Commons: The latest news, if it is to be believed, is that 8,000 Wagner mercenaries are going to be joining Yevgeny Prigozhin in Belarus in a small town called Asipovichy where some bases, I understand, are being built under dictator (Aleksandr) Lukashenkos request. Without wishing to speculate whether this brigade-sized force is going to in the short to medium-term be a greater threat to Lukashenko or to Putin, will he reassure us that their movements, that this base, is going to be very closely monitored given its proximity not only to Russian nuclear weapons and weve seen the very dual loyalties that the Russian army has towards Wagner but also now their proximity to Nato borders? Mr Cleverly replied: Im not at all sure Id be very comfortable with 8,000 Wagner fighters being my friends anywhere or anytime soon. We have made it absolutely clear to the Belarussian government that we expect them not to be involved and not to facilitate attacks into Ukraine. We will, of course, keep a very, very close eye on reporting around the locations and activity of those Wagner fighters in Belarus. Mr Cleverly would not be drawn on calls to proscribe the mercenary Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation. Labour MP Dan Jarvis said: It was widely reported back in May that the UK Government was actively considering proscribing the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation. Accepting it is early days, can I ask the Foreign Secretary whether an assessment has yet been made as to what the ramifications would be for Putin if he sought to amalgamate the Wagner Group into the Russian conventional armed forces? Mr Cleverly replied: We do of course keep the decisions around proscription of organisations open but he will also know that we do not typically comment on future proscriptions or designations. We have, of course, looked at the implication back in June when the announcement came out that volunteers were going to be contracted to the Russian ministry of defence we did, of course, look at the implications of the sanctions structure and others on that. Im not at liberty to discuss the outcome of those deliberations. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Accused killer Bryan Kohberger has insisted he has no connection to the four slain University of Idaho students and has claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene. Court documents, filed by attorneys for the 28-year-old PhD student last week, argue that DNA from two other men was also found inside the off-campus student home in Moscow, Idaho. DNA from a third unknown man was also found on a glove found outside the property on 20 November one week on from the murders, the documents state. By December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males DNA within the house where the deceased were located and another unknown male DNA on a glove found outside the residence on November 20, 2022, Mr Kohbergers attorney Jay Logsdon writes in the filing. To this date, the Defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than the STR DNA profiles. Further, these three separate and distinct male DNA profiles were not identified through CODIS leading to the conclusion that the profiles do not belong to Mr. Kohberger. Mr Kohbergers defence is fighting against the states use of genetic genealogy to tie him to the brutal murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. According to prosecutors, the killer left a military knife sheath behind at the scene of the 13 November stabbings. The sheath was found next to Mogens body in her bed on the third floor of the student home. DNA found on the sheath was later matched to Mr Kohberger after the FBI checked the sample against genetic genealogy databases and tipped off local authorities. After collecting trash from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains, a familial match from Mr Kohbergers father was made to the knife sheath, according to the criminal affidavit. Following Mr Kohbergers arrest on 30 December, DNA samples were taken directly from the suspect and came back as a statistical match, say prosecutors. Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP) In the latest court filing, the accused killers legal team accused prosecutors of hiding its entire case from the defendant by trying to keep its method of genetic genealogy investigation secret. There is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims, states the filing titled Objection to States Motion for Protective Order. There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr Kohbergers apartment, office, home, or vehicle. The filing came in response to the states motion for a protective order around the methods it used to match his DNA to the crime scene. The defence is arguing that the prosecution should hand over all this information to Mr Kohberger and that he has a right to know what led investigators to suspect him in the first place. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not accept that his defense does not need this information, his attorneys argue. They claim that authorities dont want the suspect to see how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation and also dont want the public to be deterred from sharing their genetics with such websites if they were to realize the government is watching. Judge John Judge is yet to rule on the matter. Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (Jazzmin Kernodle) A separate motion to compel discovery revealed that Mr Kohbergers defence is demanding the state hand over the DNA profiles of the three other males whose DNA was found at the scene. Mr Kohbergers attorneys have recently hired two DNA consultants Bicka Barlow and Stephen B Mercer for his defence case. Last week, the judge ruled to keep the gag order in place in the case but narrowed its scope, agreeing with a media coalition and attorneys for Goncalves family that the original order was too broad. He also ruled that cameras will continue to be allowed in the courtroom but that this could change as the case moves forward. Mr Kohberger is scheduled to stand trial on 2 October for the murders of Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Chapin, 20, after he was indicted by a grand jury on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge. Mr Kohberger is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road in the early hours of 13 November and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife. Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived. Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together (Instagram) One of the survivors Dylan Mortensen came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit. For more than six weeks, the college town of Moscow was plunged into fear as the accused killer remained at large with no arrests made and no suspects named. Then, on 30 December, law enforcement suddenly swooped on Mr Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders. The motive remains unknown and it is still unclear what connection the WSU PhD student had to the University of Idaho students if any prior to the murders. The murder weapon a fixed-blade knife has still never been found. As a criminal justice PhD student at WSU, Mr Kohberger lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman. He had moved there from Pennsylvania and began his studies there that summer, having just completed his first semester before his arrest. Before this, he studied criminology at DeSales University first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022. While there, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him. He also carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime. He is facing life in prison or the death penalty for the murders that have rocked the small college town of Moscow and hit headlines around the globe. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} They waited somberly on Monday on the fourth floor of the El Paso County Courthouse some in suits, some in t-shirts bearing the names and faces of victims, some in rainbow bracelets or attire exactly two weeks and one day after Colorado Springs Pride parade marched by the building where a shooter who attacked the citys LGBT+ community would soon face justice. The friends, family and survivors of the November 2022 Club Q massacre were waiting to see shooter Anderson Lee Aldrich plead guilty in court. They were there to demand justice and to let the world know about the bravery and loss witnessed on that devastating night. And they were there to show defiance. They called Aldrich a terrorist, an animal, a loser, a monster even it in an attempt to dehumanise the shooter who took five lives and attempted to extinguish 46 others. Large, handcuffed and mostly silent, the shooter looked on before accepting the punishment of more than 2,000 years behind bars. Lock this animal away to the depths of hell, and send a clear message that love, and not hate, will be tolerated, said Cheryl Norton, whose daughter, Ashtin Gamblin, survived nine gunshot wounds after covering herself in the blood of friend and murdered coworker Daniel Aston. Anderson Lee Aldrich listens as his victim Ashtin Gamblin reads an impact statement after he pleaded guilty to murder and other crimes in a 2022 shooting that killed five people at the Club Q gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (via REUTERS) Ms Norton and Ms Gamblin described in vivid and horrifying detail how Aston stood in front of his fellow Club Q employee as Aldrich who had met Ms Gamblin and conversed with her earlier in the night before returning in body armour with a veritable arsenal - opened fire just before midnight in Club Q. A positive force has been taken out of the world, Daniels father told the judge and crowded courtroom. Daniel should be here. He was in the prime of his life. He was happy; he had hopes, dreams and plans that will never be realised. Describing Daniels contagious smile and burning blue eyes, he continued: We will never hear any of his funny stories again. I will never again hear him laugh at my Dad jokes ... he had a good life with many positive things in store for him that was taken away from him way too soon. He was a huge light in this world that was snuffed out by a heinous, evil and cowardly act. Astons parents were the first to speak. The final survivor to stand before the mic proved to be among the most dramatic, temporarily pausing the prosecutions address of the judge when Drea Norman who helped subdue Aldrich on the night swept into the courtroom. Aldrich was first heroically tackled by Thomas James, an active member of the Navy, who was shot for his efforts but continued his attack on Aldrich. Then Army veteran and Colorado Springs brewery owner leapt into action, beating Aldrich and holding the shooter on the ground. Then Drea stepped in. I heard Richard shouting that he needed help; the shooter was crawling away from the grasp that he had him in, a statuesque Drea said on Monday. As I stood above him, my only thought was, throw my foot down and stop him and after I would imagine was 10 strikes, I stopped, feeling like that was more than enough and I walked away ... that was when the police came in, and they were looking for Mr Aldrich and I pointed, gesturing at him ... and they proceeded to detain and arrest him. Mr Fierro also spoke passionately, following remarks made by his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Kassandra, who were injured when Aldrich attacked Club Q. They had been enjoying a night out with Kassandras boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance, who was killed in the shooting. This thing, sitting in this courtroom, is not a human, Jessica Fierro said, crying. It is a monster, a killer, a murderer, a failure, a coward, a racist, a bigot, an embarrassment to society who has earned a one-way ticket to eternity in prison five times over and then some. Her daughter, Kassandra, describing herself as Raymonds girlfriend of six years, lamented how theyd gone to Club Q that night to celebrate, to dance, sing and laugh, only to have our entire futures ripped from us because of that evil man. I will never get to grow old with my person. I will never get the chance to marry the love of my life. I will never get to start a family with Raymond. I will never get to see or hear or feel Raymond ever again. I will never, ever be able to unsee my future laying in a casket before me. All of this for no reason. She said she hoped Aldrich, for the rest of his imprisoned life, hears our stories echoing in his head every time he lays his head down. Her father still seemed barely able to contain his anger seven months after his military training kicked in on an innocuous night out at home calling it unforgivable to me [that] this terrorist brought combat and terror to our entire community. I have more respect for the adversaries I fought overseas than I do for this individual, he said, then directly addressing Aldrich. I hope the words I yelled into the back of your head echo for the rest of your life, he told the handcuffed shooter sitting to his right, adding that the people who stopped him from continuing his evil represented everything that he could never be and everything he hates. Adriana Vance, whose murdered son had a long-term relationship with Mr Fierros daughter, also shared her grief. Raymond was 22 years old, his mother, Adriana Vance, told the judge, describing her son as a kind, loving, gentle man who touched a lot of peoples hearts. He was always there for his family and his friends; he was also there for people he didnt even know, she said. He never harmed a soul. He was killed in a horrific manner in what amounts to less than five minutes ... lives were taken, families disrupted, plans destroyed - and somehow, the families all need to find a way to go on. What matters now is that he never sees a sunrise or a sunset thats all I have to say. The survivors and their relatives were divided over the issue of forgiveness. Stephanie Clark, sister of 35-year-old victim Ashley Paugh, emotionally described how opinions differ drastically even within the same family. My 11-year-old niece wants to forgive you, because she says thats what she feels her mom would want her to do, Ms Clark said to Aldrich of the child whose mother was killed. My sister taught her to be a caring and forgiving person, and Im glad she still has that innocent mind and hasnt realised what an evil world we really live in. Ms Paughs husband, Kurt, steeled himself while describing his high school sweetheart, who devoted herself to working with foster families and would have had a conversation with this low-life with no judgment whatsoever. Her love and joy for these children and these families was so special and person to her, he said of his wifes work. Those families and these children are also feeling the loss of Ashley, who was taken by one senseless act of hate. It hurts that this monster gets to spend the rest of his life in prison living off our tax dollars ... [and] rot in loneliness and hate. My wifes name Ashley Marie Paugh will live on through memories, through her loved ones and especially her daughter. Wyatt Kent, a drag performer whod been celebrating a birthday when Aldrich burst in, said hed chosen to forgive he shooter. I forgive this individual, as they are a symbol of a broken system of hate and vitriol pushed against us as a comm, Kent said. it is inexcusable, the action and the pain and trauma and holes that have been created from this tragic evening. What brings joy to me is that this hurt individual will never be able to see the joy and the light that has been brought into our community as an outcome of this. Daniels mother, Sabrina, said she was unable to feel similarly. Her son, she said, may have forgiven you, Mr Aldrich but I will never forgive you ... your actions were brutal, hate-filled and cowardly. You have to live with this shame in your small cell until you die. Not for one minute do I believe your words of regret and remorse, she said to Aldrich, who declined to speak on his own behalf on Monday, instead having his lawyer offer his apologies. Our family and friends will never be able to watch Daniel grow and enjoy so many milestones of life. The family of Derrick Rump -- the beloved Club Q employee who worked and died alongside Mr Aston -- said they had no forgiveness in our hearts for him, a cousin said in a taped audio statement after Derricks mother, crying as she told how he was someone who would give you the shirt off his back, stumbled through her own words. We hope he never has a good nights sleep, Derricks cousin said, adding: We hope he never has a reason to smile ... we hope he is greeted with the same hatred every day that he has shown. We hope he never has another days peace, because the only peace our family will know is that one day this awful being will die and we know that, when it comes time for his [final] judgement, he will be going straight to hell to rot. And even thats not good enough for him. Ashtin Gamblin, wearing the same hoodie shed worn when she greeted Aldrich at Club Qs door, oblivious to the shooters malevolent intentions, lowered it to reveal her scars. I wish this was a death penalty state, she said Monday. Not because I want him to die; that would be too easy. I want him to sit in a jail cell not knowing when hes going to die and what could be his last breath like he did to us. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A white woman accused of fatally shooting a Black neighbour through her door in front of two of the victims young children has been charged with manslaughter. Susan Lorincz, 58, claimed she feared for her life when she fatally shot 35-year-old mother-of-four Ajike AJ Owens in Ocala, Florida, on 2 June. Owens family, as well as attorneys and community leaders, had called for Ms Lorincz to be charged with second-degree murder. State Attorney William Gladson said his office had decided on a charge of manslaughter after finding insufficient evidence that Ms Lorincz had hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward Owens. As deplorable as the defendants actions were in this case, there is insufficient evidence to prove this specific and required element of second-degree murder, Mr Gladson said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press. Ms Lorincz told investigators she had been disrespected for several years by children in the neighbourhood including by Owens children, who are aged 12, nine, seven and three. On the day of the shooting, Ms Lorincz said she had a headache and that local kids had been running and yelling outside of her apartment, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriffs Office. Susan Lorincz has been charged with the manslaughter of her neighbour Ajike Owens (Marion County Sheriffs Office) That evening, Ms Lorincz scolded the children and threw a pair of roller skates at them, hitting one of them on the foot. The arrest report stated that Owens then came over and knocked on her door to confront her. Ms Lorincz told investigators that Owens threatened to kill her and banged on the door so hard she feared Owens would break it down. Ms Lorincz fired a single round from a .380-calibre handgun, which went through the closed door and fatally struck Owens, according to the sheriffs report. The Marion County Sheriffs Office also said that surveillance footage contradicted her claims that she was in fear of her life. She was arrested four days after the shooting on suspicion of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault. Pamela Dias, second from right, at a remembrance service for her daughter Ajike AJ Owens (Associated Press) After weighing whether Floridas stand your ground laws would be applicable in the case, Mr Lorincz was formally charged with manslaughter and assault on Monday. I am aware of the desire of the family, and some community members, that the defendant be charged with second-degree murder, State Attorney Gladson said. My obligation as State Attorney is to follow the law in each case that I prosecute. Anthony Thomas, an attorney for Owens' family, said the decision to file the lesser charge was a disappointment. We firmly believe that justice demands nothing less, Mr Thomas said in a statement to the Associated Press. The failure of the prosecutor to charge Susan with what truly reflected her wanton, reckless behavior undermines our ability to even get real accountability. Ms Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. The incident was one of several around the country that involved homeowners shooting members of the public. In April, 17-year-old Ralph Yarl was critically injured when he was shot in the head and arm after mistakenly ringing the wrong doorbell while trying to pick up his younger siblings in Kansas City, Missouri. White homeowner Andrew Lester, 84, has been charged with one count of felony assault in the first-degree and one count of armed criminal action after shooting the unarmed Black teenager through his door. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Kentucky woman who allegedly shot and killed her Uber driver because she falsely believed he was kidnapping her to take her to Mexico has been charged with his murder. Phoebe Copas, 48, hailed an Uber driven by 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia to go to meet her boyfriend at the Speaking Rock Casino in the Mission Valley district of Texas border city El Paso at about 2.20pm on 16 June, according to police. Ms Copas allegedly saw roadway signs stating Juarez, Mexico, and thought she was being taken over the border against her will, according to a criminal complaint obtained by KTSM. Police say she grabbed a silver and brown handgun from her purse and allegedly shot Piedra Garcia multiple times in the head, causing the vehicle to collide with barriers before coming to a stop on US-54 near Loop 375, according to court documents. Ms Copas is accused of taking a photo of the critically wounded Uber driver and sending it to her boyfriend before calling 911, the criminal complaint states. Piedra Garcia was rushed to hospital where doctors advised his family that his head injuries were unsurvivable, and he was taken off life support on 19 June, his wife of 29 years Ana Piedra wrote on a GoFundme page. Ms Copas was initially charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, which was later upgraded to murder. She is being held in the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $1.5m bond. Daniel Piedra Garcia, 52, was allegedly shot in the head by an Uber passenger Phoebe Copas (GoFundme) Police said in court documents that the location where Piedra Garcia was fatally shot was not close to a bridge or point of entry into Mexico, and there is no evidence to support her claims. The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination, El Paso Police said in a statement. Ms Piedra said that her husband was the familys sole provider and had started driving an Uber in April after knee surgery. He was very happy to finally be able to work and bring home income, she wrote on a fundraising page last week. Today we unfortunately had to disconnect my husband as the doctors did not give any chance that he would survive, after being disconnected he sadly passed. In a statement to the El Paso Times, Piedras niece Didi Lopez described her uncle as hardworking and really funny. He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that, if he saw you in a bad mood, hed come over and try to lift you up, she told the news site. Ms Lopez said the family had been told that the suspect had panicked after wrongly believing she was being taken to Mexico. And so her instinct was to shoot him and she shot him multiple times in the head. A fundraiser has raised more than $70,000 for the drivers family. An Uber spokesperson told The Independent the rideshare company was horrified by the riders actions and had been in touch with the drivers family. Violence is not tolerated on the Uber platform and we banned the rider as soon as we were made aware of what occurred. Our Public Safety Team stands at the ready to assist police as needed. 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 }} Fox News has named Jesse Watters as Tucker Carlsons permanent replacement as part of a major shakeup of its primetime lineup. The right-wing network announced Watters would take over the 8pm hour with Laura Ingrahams The Ingraham Angle moving from 10pm to 7pm. Sean Hannity will remain in his 9pm time slot with Greg Gutfelds comedy show Gutfeld! moving an hour earlier to 10pm. Carlson was abruptly axed from Fox News in April, days after it paid $787.5m to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit over lies about the 2020 presidential election. The new primetime lineup will debut on 17 July, Fox said in a press release. Watters appointment as host of the 8pm hour marks a return to the time slot where he first made his name as a man-on-the-street interviewer for Bill OReillys programme The OReilly Factor. The 44-year-old went on to host his own show Watters World in 2015 before becoming a regular host of the roundtable panel show The Five in 2017. Jesse Watters will take over Tucker Carlsons vacant 8pm show (Associated Press) He started hosting Jesse Watters Primetime in the 7pm hour in 2022, and has emerged as one of Foxs most strident culture warriors and most incendiary anchors. In 2021, Watters told a Turning Point USA conference that activists should target former White House infectious disease tsar Anthony Fauci with a kill shot. Fox News said in a statement at the time that the comment was a metaphor for asking hard-hitting questions. In 2016, Watters apologised after a racist segment talking to residents of New York Citys Chinatown. He is also one of Donald Trumps most ardent defenders on Fox News, and recently pushed conspiracy theories about Joe Bidens involvement in the former presidents indictment. Carlson has since moved his racist and conspiracy-laden show to Twitter, prompting a bitter dispute with Fox News over an apparent breach of his $25m annual contract. Fox had tried out a revolving cast of hosts in the 8pm hour, including former Trump administration press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Harris Faulkner. Foxs ratings fell dramatically in the weeks after Carlsons ousting, losing around 50 per cent of its viewers in his former 8pm slot and two-thirds in the key 25-54 demographic. After briefly losing its coveted spot as the highest-rated cable news network to MSNBC, Fox reclaimed the number one position last week. According to Nielsen figures, Fox News averaged 1,064,000 viewers across the entire day from 12 to 18 June, with MSNBC averaging 856,000 viewers and CNN averaging 628,000. In a statement, the networks CEO Suzanne Scott said: Fox News Channel has been Americas destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup. 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 Honduran government imposed curfews on two northern cities after over 20 people were killed in two separate attacks amid escalating drug cartel-related brutal attacks in the Central American country. Heavily armed men opened fire in a billiards hall during a birthday party in the northern manufacturing city of Choloma on Saturday, killing 13 people and seriously wounding another. Ten men and a woman were killed, said national police spokesperson Miguel Martinez. At least 11 other killings on Saturday in separate incidents across the northern Valle de Sula region, brought the death toll to at least 24. President Xiomara Castro on Sunday announced a 15-day curfew in Choloma between 9 pm and 4 am, effective immediately, and another in San Pedro Sula, effective 4 July. "Multiple operations, raids, captures and checkpoints are initiated," Ms Castro said via Twitter. The president said the law and order measures were being put in place in response to "the brutal and ruthless terrorist attack by hired killers trained and directed by drug lords" in the Sula Valley. "Multiple operations, raids, captures and checkpoints are initiated," she added. There has been a partial state of emergency in parts of Honduras since December in a bid to confront violent gangs and turf wars. National Police officers stand guard outside a pool hall after eleven people were killed, in Choloma (AFP via Getty Images) Security minister Gustavo Sanchez said that the government would send a proposal to congress to "classify members of a criminal structure, maras or gangs as terrorists" in the coming days. The minister added that 1,000 additional police and military are being sent to the Sula Valley, where Choloma and San Pedro Sul are located. The government has also offered a cash reward of 800,000 Lempiras (25,620) to help identify and capture those responsible for the killings in Choloma. The weekend's bout of violence comes at the heels of the killing of 46 inmates by Barrio 18 gang members in a womens prison in Tamara, north of Tegucigalpa. Following the massacre, Ms Castro had pledged to take drastic measures", but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move freely into an adjoining cell block and slaughter all the prisoners there. Video clips presented by the government from inside the prison showed several pistols and a heap of machetes and other bladed weapons that were found after the riot. Last Thursday, three people, Ericka Julissa Bandy Garcia, wife of an alleged associate of former president Juan Orlando Hernandez, were killed in a bakery in the city of San Pedro Sula. 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 }} Moments before New York Citys 53rd annual Pride March began on Sunday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that supports transgender youth by protecting their access to gender-affirming healthcare. Today we celebrate the values that define us as New Yorkers: we embrace love and equality, progress and acceptance, unity and celebration, Ms Hochul said. Part of the legislation is a new law that will make New York a safe haven for trans youth, their families and doctors by preventing the state from enacting laws that punish people for seeking gender-affirming healthcare. It comes at a time when at least 19 other states have enacted laws or policies banning affirming healthcare for young trans people and nearly 500 bills have been introduced impacting the LGBT+ community. We leave here recommitted in our quest for justice and equality for all, and well always be that beacon to the rest of the nation on how to do it right. Because from Seneca Falls to Stonewall, we have stood up for people from the very beginning and lets continue it, Ms Hochul said. As Ms Hochul signed the legislation, the Pride March kicked off with rainbow confetti and thousands of cheers from people lined up on Fifth Avenue in celebration of the LGBT+ community. Every year, the nonprofit organisation Heritage of Pride produces the world-famous march to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969 which they define as the beginning of the modern Gay Rights movement. Actor and LGBT+ activist Billy Porter told The Independent that the Pride March means everything to him. Its a protest, its a march, Mr Porter said. The Grammy- and Tony-award-winning actor served as a grand marshall in this years parade and stood alongside Ms Hochul as she signed the legislation. Mr Porter added: We got work to do. Actor and LGBT+ activist Billy Porter rides in a grand marshal car at New York Citys Pride March on Sunday (Ariana Baio ) The nations largest Pride event follows a volatile, record-breaking year of legislative threats to LGBT+ people and a wave of reports of harassment and violent threats targeting LGBT+ communities. Protests and acts of violence against drag performers and drag events incited by homophobic and transphobic abuse have surged over the last year, with a marked increase in online rhetoric against LGBT+ people fuelling offline threats, according to a report published this week by the extremism watchdogs at Institute for Strategic Dialogue A separate report this week from the Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD documented more than 350 acts of harassment, vandalism and violence against LGBT+ people and events from June 2022 through April 2023. More than half of such threats have explicitly referred to gay and trans people as pedophiles and groomers, invoking the long-running homophobic and transphobic smear. In New York, a gay bars windows were smashed with bricks several times within a month last year. The home and office of New York City Council member Erik Bottcher, who is gay, were vandalised after his support for a drag queen story hour at a local library. A Pride March attendee and marcher hold hands in New York City (Ariana Baio) The Stonewall Inn, which sits in Mr Bottchers district, was repeatedly vandalised in recent weeks. Pride flags outside the bar were also broken in half. The threats and violence follow legislative sessions in state capitols across the country, where hundreds of bills aimed at LGBT+ people particularly young trans people have been filed within the last few years, as Republican lawmakers wield anti-trans rhetoric that dominates GOP platforms heading into 2024 elections. A queer couple holds up a sign that says, together 29 years at New York City Pride (Ariana Baio) In addition to the safe haven law Ms Hochul signed on Sunday, one piece of legislation will give individuals the right to receive tailored addiction treatment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Another law updated language in legislation to include gender-neutral pronouns. A New York City Pride marcher holds up a sign promoting transgender rights (Ariana Baio) Multiple New York lawmakers and officials made an appearance at this years Pride March, standing in solidarity with the community. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer marched while periodically yelling out, I passed the marriage equality act as majority leader and now my daughter and her wife can live in peace and I was the first senator to march in this parade but I am not the last. New York Senator Chuck Schumer attends New York City Pride on Sunday 25 June (Ariana Baio) Other notable marchers included Senator Kristen Gillibrand, Attorney General Letitia James, Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough president Mark D Levine and Queens borough president Donovan Richards Jr. Mayor Eric Adams marches at New York City Pride on 25 June (Ariana Baio) For many, the Pride March is an opportunity to celebrate their identity and be free while paying homage to the activists who fought for equal rights. Ana Del Campo, a musician in the Queer Big Apple Corps marching band for 19 years, told The Independent that Pride is a chance to be visible. To be out to show visibility to show that we are like everybody else, Ms Del Campo said. Ana Del Campo, a member of the Queer Big Apple Corps marching band at New York City Pride (Ariana Baio) In more recent years the Pride March has become commercialised with some major corporations like Disney, Chase, Coca-Cola and others contributing floats and merchandise. Some advocates have confronted the role of corporations in Pride events in an increasingly hostile environment for LGBT+ people that companies appear to be reluctant to stand up against. On Sunday, Starbucks workers in New York joined nationwide strikes among the coffee giants unionised stores after the union alleged Pride decorations were removed and prohibited from stores in at least 21 states. Recommended Starbucks workers at 150 stores to strike over alleged ban on Pride decor Striking workers marched along the corporate-sponsored Pride float in New Yorks parade and picketed the heavily trafficked Astor Place location in the West Village. It is important for Starbucks to remember that the LGBTQ+ community makes up a large part of their workforce and happens to a majority of those leading union efforts nationwide, Astor Place Starbucks worker Jackie Zhou said in a statement shared with The Independent. On top of this, we are striking for a contract which encompasses protections not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for everyone. Alex Woodward contributed to this report. 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 }} Republican presidential candidate and Florida governor Ron DeSantis unveilled his immigration policy during a visit to the US-Mexico border. The GOP candidate is also visiting local communities in Eagle Pass, Texas, to detail his border security plan ahead of the 2024 Republican primaries. It is the first formal campaign policy announcement of his presidential campaign. It comes as the Florida Governor has increased his attacks on his main political rival, former President Donald Trump. A new poll by NBC News showed 51% of Republican primary voters selected Mr Trump as their first choice in the race for the GOP nomination, while Mr DeSantis only received just 22%. The latest Emerson College poll for the 2024 Republican Primary shows that former president Trump maintains a majority of Republican voters' support with 59%, followed by Mr DeSantis with 21% and former vice president Mike Pence with 6%. No other candidate reaches 5% in the recent polling. 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 San Diego man who went into cardiac arrest had a remarkable recovery after he was kept alive by his grandson, emergency responders, and hospital staff who performed CPR for 70 minutes to save his life. David Mills, 67, left doctors in shock after surviving odds of lower than one per cent after suffering a heart attack in his Southern California home, where his 25-year-old grandson leaped into action and spent more than an hour attempting to resuscitate him alongside 911 dispatchers and hospital staff. Mr Mills was rushed to hospital, where it was discovered that he had a blocked artery and he had a stent put into his heart. However, given that he did not have a pulse for 70 minutes, doctors were concerned he would struggle to make a full recovery. His nurse, theyre saying... Oh my God youre here, I was just going to call you, his eyes are open, Mr Mills wife Georgia Mills told Fox5. His ICU doctor two doors down leaned out of the room and he said What did you say? she added. Mr Mills full recovery is largely thanks to the quick response of his grandson, Dr Andrew Fischer told the outlet. Starting CPR immediately is critical as the brain can only go about four to six minutes without oxygen before permanent damage occurs, he explained. Too often, bystanders wait for the paramedics to arrive, which can be too late. People who go into SCA (cardiac arrest) still have residual oxygen in their blood and hands-only CPR can keep that blood circulating until help gets there, he added. David Mills survived his cardiac arrest after 70 minutes with no pulse (Screenshot / Fox 5 San Diego) San Diego County Sheriffs Department Deputies arrived within five minutes of the 911 call, taking over the CPR procedure until the arrival of EMTs and paramedics from the Vista Fire Department. David, who is 67 and retired, underwent a total of 70 minutes of in-and out-of-hospital CPR, whereas the average CPR duration is about 25 to 30 minutes, Dr Fischer told Fox 5. Medical data indicates that after about 45 minutes and definitely beyond 60 minutes, the chances of survival and having a favourable neurological outcome are less than one per cent. This is why Davids survival and full recovery is so amazing. Mr Mills told Fox 5 that he now feels that he feels stronger each day and hes optimistic about the future. 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 }} Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, was aboard his companys Titan submarine that imploded after going missing on Sunday en route to the wreck of HMS Titanic around 370 miles east of the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The US Coast Guard announced during a Thursday press conference that the missing Titans pressure chamber was found among other debris, approximately 1600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor by an ROV (remote-operated vehicle). In a statement to The Independent, OceanGate the private company that offers the $250,000-a-seat expedition confirmed that the five passengers aboard the vessel are now believed dead. The Titan was a cramped 22-feet long cylinder with an aerospace-grade carbon fibre hull capped with titanium hemispheres at each end, boasting a massive viewport window and 4K cameras to relay the marine environment outside back to those within but is otherwise sparse indeed. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here. Astonishingly, the craft was controlled by a generic video games controller specifically a Logitech F710 Wireless PC Gamepad from 2011, according to gaming expert Matthew Ruddle and, rather than using a GPS for navigation, it communicated with a tracking team aboard a surface ship, in this case the Canadian icebreaker the Polar Prince, via text messages. (OceanGate) According to Mr Rushs biography on his companys website, he graduated from Princeton University with a BSE in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1984 and later from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business with an MBA in 1989. He began his career as a pilot, qualifying from the United Airlines Jet Training Institute in 1981 at the age of 19 and serving as a DC-8 first officer on flights to Europe and the Middle East during his summers between college. In the year he left Princeton, Mr Rush joined the McDonnell Douglas Corporation as a flight test engineer on its F-15 program, spending two years at Edwards Air Force Base on its APG-63 radar test and anti-missile programs. In the year he left UC Berkeley, he personally built a Glasair III experimental aircraft, which he still owns and flies, and subsequently constructed a heavily-modified Kittredge K-350 two-man submarine, in which he has conducted more than 30 dives. The OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan (American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA) Between 2003 and 2007 he served on the Museum of Flights Board of Trustees in Seattle, Washington, also chairing the institutions Development Committee for a year during his tenure. He founded OceanGate Expeditions in 2009 the company based in Everett, Washington and the non-profit OceanGate Foundation in 2012 while also sitting on the board of BlueView Technologies, a manufacturer of high-frequency sonar systems that acquired subsea tech developer Teledyne in 2012. Mr Rush also served on the board of enterprise software company Entomo and as chairman of Remote Control Technology, whose clients include Exxon, Conoco-Philips and Boeing. He was interviewed about his Titan sub on a CBS Sunday Morning featurette last November and cheerily emphasised its homemade aspects, also pointing out handles affixed to the ceiling of the craft that he said he had bought from Camper World but denied that the vessel has been MacGyvered or jerry-rigged. I dont know if Id use that description of it. But, there are certain things that you want to be buttoned down, Mr Rush told reporter David Pogue. The pressure vessel is not MacGyver at all, because thats where we worked with Boeing and Nasa and the University of Washington. Everything else can fail, your thrusters can go, your lights can go. Youre still going to be safe. Mr Rush was also interviewed by Mr Pogue for the latters Unsung Science podcast that same month on which he was asked what he worried about at the depths of the ocean and answered: What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface. Overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazards. The interior of the Titan (PA) On the safety of his missions more generally, he said: I dont think its very dangerous. If you look at submersible activity over the last three decades, there hasnt even been a major injury, let alone a fatality. What worries us is not once youre underwater. What worries me is when Im getting you there, when youre on the ship in icy states with big doors that can crush your hands and people who may not have the best balance who fall down, bang their head. Thats, to me, the dangerous part. Perhaps most revealingly of all, he added: You know, at some point, safety just is pure waste. I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed. Dont get in your car. Dont do anything. Mr Rush also spoke to the BBC last year to promote his lucrative Titanic tours venture, which costs customers $250,000 (195,000) per trip, telling viewers that deep sea travel is amazing. Its just such a different experience. Its a totally different emotion. Explaining the appeal of pursuing the ghostly wreck of the doomed liner in particular, he said simply: I read an article that said there are three words in the English language which are known throughout the planet. Thats Coca-Cola, God and Titanic. On Tuesday 20 June, it emerged that Mr Rush had been sued for fraud by a Florida couple who claimed their planned deep-sea voyage to the Titanic was repeatedly cancelled and attempts to secure a refund were ignored. Marc and Sharon Hagle filed a lawsuit in Orange County in February that accused CEO Stockton Rush of defrauding them of $210,258 which they paid to secure two berths on a 2018 trip to the famed North Atlantic shipwreck. The Hagles allege that they signed a contract and paid deposits in November 2016 to become one of the first of OceanGates paying customers soon after the Titanic expeditions were first publicised. The Hagles further stated that Mr Rush made false representations that the vessel would be ready to dive to the Titanic by June 2018, and convinced them to sign a second contract pay the full $105,129 per-person fee. The promised trip to the Titanic wreck in 2018 was later cancelled as OceanGate had not had sufficient time to certify the Titan to travel to the 4,000m depth, the Hagles said. In addition to Mr Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were also on board the Titan. All five passengers are presumed dead following the discovery of debris on Thursday. The Coast Guard says that ROVs will remain in place but that it will begin to pull back equipment over the next 48 hours. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel. We will continue to work and search the area down there but I dont have an answer on prospects at this time, said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard. The Rear Admiral said that sonar buoys had been in the water for the past 72 hours and that they had not picked up any evidence of an implosion, suggesting that it had happened early on in the dive. 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 job advert posted by the company that operated the doomed Titanic submersible that imploded last week in the Atlantic Ocean has sparked backlash on social media. TikTok users have hit out at the since-deleted job posting by embattled OceanGate Expeditions, following the tragedy that killed all five of its passengers. According to the advertising featured on the companys website and on Indeed, OceanGate was accepting applicants for a sub pilot position. The company noted that it had an urgent opening and was looking for committed individuals with a combination of strong mechanical and interpersonal skills, and experience working with submersibles and boats as well as operating complex systems to support dive operations, Insider reported. Among other requirements, applicants were asked to be comfortable in a confined space and be able to fit through a 28-inch diameter ring. OceanGate not only hosted tours to the wreck of the Titanic, but also to the Azores Archipelago in Portugal and to the Bahamas. One pilot, one content expert and three mission specialists or fee-paying passengers without any previous experience needed participated in every dive, according to the companys website. The post was removed sometime on Friday, a day after the US Coast Guard confirmed that the vessels chambers were found 1,600ft from the wreck of the Titanic on the ocean floor, but not without being noticed by furious sleuths that criticised the timing. Remember when everyone was saying Dont kill yourself for a job that would replace you within two weeks? one user commented on a TikTok, while another argued, It was a scheduled post. thats how our job engine works... Although it is unclear when the job posting went up, it was likely well before OceanGate made international headlines as its sub vanished. However, TikTok users argued that the company should have been cautious enough to remove the posting as a four-day frantic search for the submersible unfolded. It comes amid reports that OceanGate closed its headquarters in Everett, Washington State, following the Titans implosion, which killed CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman Dawood. OceanGates leasing agent said in a statement to The Seattle Times that the company would be closing indefinitely. This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site (OceanGate Expeditions) The US Coast Guard has announced investigations into the circumstances that led to the vessels malfunction. Canadian officials also revealed on Saturday that audio and commands between the Titan and its mothership Polar Prince will be analysed as part of their probe. The chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Kathy Fox, said that the motherships crew was interviewed to collect information from the vessels voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information, according to CNN. The investigations come after the BBC reported that emails from Mr Rush showed he had dismissed safety concerns over the Titan submersible. In the exchanges with deep-sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum, OceanGates chief executive said he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by a former OceanGate employee in 2018 and obtained by The New Republic listed visible flaws with the vessel that were reportedly ignored by senior management. Submarine experts had also signed a letter expressing unanimous concern with the companys decision not to seek outside evaluation and testing before bringing passengers down to the Titanic. The Independent has contacted OceanGate for comment on the allegations. 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 }} Two memorials were held last week at Titanic museums across the US, in honour of the five people who died earlier this month on a submarine expedition to the famous ship wreck. The services were held at Titanic museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri. Both museums are owned by John Josyln, part of a team that explored the Titanic wreckage in a famous 1987 televised expedition. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, one of the five victims who perished in the submarine, was also part of the 1987 voyage. A former commander in the French navy, he was both a deep diver and a mine sweeper. After retiring from the navy, he led several Titanic expeditions, becoming a leading authority on the wreck site. OceanGate, the company that built the doomed Titanic submarine, once described Mr Nargeolet as the Titanics greatest explorer. The services featured wreaths and speeches in the rooms memorialising the more than 1,500 people who died in the 1912 disaster. Every day we pay tribute to the 2,208 passengers that were onboard the Titanic, museum employee Jamie Terrell told KY3. Their legacy will be their memory. We get to be the ambassadors for that and we take great honour in that. Today were adding five more names. Unsurprisingly, given the high volume of often-mocking commentary and memes about the failed expedition online, social media users lambasted the memorials as inappropriate. Imagine someone accidentally falling into the reflecting pool at the [World Trade Center] and drowning and getting added to the 9/11 memorial, one commenter wrote on Twitter. The wrecked vessel is a reminder of a great tragedy that mostly involved low-middle class people, as rich passengers (even if mostly women and children) were undoubtedly favored to the rescue, another added, calling a comparison between the original Titanic wreck and the submarine accident beyond ridiculous. Dumb billionaires surely dont belong there, not even in my wildest dreams. British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, UK citizens Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate Expeditions chief executive Stockton Rush, were the five who died in the failed June expedition. Rachel Sharp, Tara Cobham, and Jane Dalton contributed reporting to this story. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Voice recordings and other data will be reviewed as part of a US Coast Guard-appointed expert boards probe into the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible last week. American and Canadian marine authorities have announced investigations into the circumstances that led to the vessels malfunction after its chambers were found in a sea of debris 1,600ft from the wreck of the Titanic. US Coast Guard Captain Jason Neubauer, who is chairing the investigation, said during a press conference on Sunday that he has summoned a Marine Board of Investigation, the highest level of investigation conducted by the Coast Guard. The boards role is to determine the cause of the tragedy in order to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary. Voice recordings between the Titan and its mothership Polar Prince will be reviewed by investigators. The motherships crew is also being interviewed by different agencies. Investigators with the Coast Guard have mapped the accident site and salvage operations are expected to continue, Cpt Jason Neubauer said. Once the investigation is wrapped a timeline has not been laid out a report with evidence, conclusions and recommendations will be released. Im not getting into the details of the recovery operations but we are taking all precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains, Cpt Neubauer told reporters. At this time a priority of the investigation is to recover items from the sea floor. Coast Guard investigators are working along with the US National Transportation Safety Board, as well as the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the French Marine Casualties Investigation Board and the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) boarded the Polar Prince over the weekend to conduct interviews after the vessel returned to its port in St Johns in Newfoundland with its flags at half-mast. The TSB said the of investigators had been deployed to St Johns to gather information, conduct interviews and assess the occurrence. Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, US Coast, right, speaks with the media along with US.Coast Guard Rear Adm. John MaUGER (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The TSBs chair, Kathy Fox, said that the crew was interviewed to collect information from the vessels voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information, according to CNN. Meanwhile, the Canadian Coast Guard said one of its vessels would remain on the scene and would provide assistance and support to the recovery and salvage operations as requested by Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Boston. Several safety concerns about the Titan have emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy. A lawsuit filed by a former OceanGate employee in 2018 and obtained by The New Republic listed visible flaws with the vessel that were reportedly ignored by senior management. Submarine experts had also signed a letter expressing unanimous concern with the companys decision not to seek outside evaluation and testing before bringing passengers down to the Titanic. The Independent has contacted OceanGate for comment on the allegations. Crew members of the Polar Prince prepare to dock the ship as it arrives at the Coast Guard wharf in on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in St. John's, Newfoundland (AP) Officials from the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada board the Polar Prince, the main support ship for the Titan submersible (PA) A 2019 post on OceanGates website stated that the Titan was not classed by major marine operations because those certifications do not ensure that operators adhere to proper operating procedures and decision-making processes two areas that are much more important for mitigating risks at sea, according to CNN. The company has not publicly addressed those allegations but it issued a statement mourning the deaths of the five passengers. On board the watercraft were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman Dawood. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, the release read. 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. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch a view of St Johns Harbour in Newfoundland, Canada, on Monday (26 June) as officials investigate the cause of a catastrophic implosion aboard the missing Titan submersible which killed five people. On board the vessel were OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, and renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The US Coast Guard is investigating what caused the implosion but has suggested that the bodies of the passengers may never be recovered from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Canadian police are also looking into the circumstances that led to the deaths of the Titan passengers. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) superintendent Kent Osmond confirmed that officers conducted interviews with those on board the Titans main support ship over the weekend. There is no suspicion of criminal activity per se, but the RCMP is taking initial steps to assess whether or not we will go down that road, Mr Osmond said. 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 for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie is ready for any jabs at his appearance which Donald Trump may aim at him on the debate stage. That was the message he sent this weekend when asked about the issue on Fox Newss MediaBuzz, quipping to host Howard Kurtz that Mr Trump was no Adonis. Mr Trump has made a handful of references to the governors weight since the launch of the latters campaign, including by posting a photoshopped image of Mr Christie onstage with a buffet of food poorly edited into the frame. Oh, like hes some Adonis? Mr Christie said to Kurtz, who was suppressing a grin. Heres my message to him: I dont care what he says about me, and I dont care what he thinks about me, and he should take a look in the mirror every once in a while. Maybe hed drop the weight thing off of his list of criticisms, added the former governor. The quip was yet another sign of the governors emerging campaign strategy: A debate-stage showdown with Donald Trump. Clearly understanding that much of the GOP primary voting base loves a spectacle, and especially any politician who can land a punch, Mr Christie appears to be aiming for a showy moment onstage with the former president that will vault his campaign from the margins of the GOP primary field into the mainstream. The former New Jersey governor launched his campaign at St Anselm College in New Hampshire, an early primary state, weeks earlier in June. His opening salvo against the former president was withering and targeted (nearly) every legal entanglement, scandal and misstep which Mr Trump has found himself embroiled in for the past several years while at the same time, the ex-governor derided his Republican rivals for being unwilling to be direct with their criticism. Its like hes Voldemort, Mr Christie said at a pre-launch event in April, Youre not going to beat someone by closing your eyes, clicking your heels together three times and saying theres no place like home. 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 }} Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis promised to end birthright citizenship, finish building the southern border wall and send U.S. forces into Mexico to combat drug cartels as part of an aggressive and familiar immigration policy proposal he laid out Monday in a Texas border city. The sweeping immigration plan is the Florida governor's first detailed policy release as a 2024 contender and represents a long-established wish list of Republican immigration proposals that largely mirrors former President Donald Trump's policies. Much of DeSantis' plan faces tall odds, requiring the reversal of legal precedents, approval from other countries or even an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Still, DeSantis projected confidence on Monday as he slapped at Democrats and Republicans in announcing his new plan, which he detailed further in Eagle Pass, Texas, a community of about 30,000 people set along the U.S.-Mexico border. For decades, leaders from both parties have produced empty promises on border security, and now it is time to act to stop the invasion once and for all," DeSantis said in a statement. "As president, I will declare a national emergency on Day One and will not rest until we build the wall, shut down illegal entry, and win the war against the drug cartels. No excuses. We will get it done. The DeSantis campaign has promised to release more detailed policy rollouts in the coming weeks. But in leading with immigration, DeSantis is prioritizing a divisive issue that has long been a focus of the GOP's most conservative voters. At the same time, voters in the middle and on the left have taken notice as illegal border crossing surged in recent years. Overall, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. disapprove of President Joe Biden's handling of immigration, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Still, it may be difficult for DeSantis to separate himself on immigration from the many other Republicans seeking the 2024 presidential nomination especially Trump, who's the front-runner. Immigration was a centerpiece of Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns. And he has sought to make the issue a key strength in his third White House bid. Trump leaned into the issue while delivering the keynote address to hundreds of enthusiastic religious conservatives at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions conference in Washington over the weekend. He promised to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation on the border and boasted about completing more than 300 miles (or 480 kilometers) of wall along the southern border during his administration while promising to build even more should he win another term. The former president also vowed to reinstate coronavirus pandemic-era rules known as Title 42 that allowed U.S. authorities to quickly turn back migrants at the border, decrying without evidence all of the diseases that illegal aliens are bringing in. DeSantis did not mention Trump by name when unveiling his new policies, but his repeated references to the unfinished border wall was seen as an indirect slap at the former president, who tried and ultimately failed to finish a border wall along the entire 1,950-mile (3,140-kilometer) U.S.-Mexico border during his four years in office. Ahead of the Monday announcement, the DeSantis campaign released new merchandise bearing the words, Build The Wall. No Excuses. In his plan, DeSantis promises to end the United States' catch-and-release policy, which currently allows for the release of immigrants in the country illegally until their court dates. That's as federal immigration authorities have the funding for just 30,000 beds, making it impossible to detain everyone who is arrested. DeSantis also wants to reinstitute the Remain in Mexico policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Such a plan would need Mexicos approval. He's calling for closing the Flores loophole, which, among other things, requires families to generally be released from custody in 20 days. It is part of a federal court order, so it's unclear how he could close it if elected. DeSantis is also promising to use military force against drug cartels if necessary. His plan calls for the authorization of appropriate rules of engagement at the border so that those trying to smuggle drugs into the United States are met with the use of force." DeSantis will reserve the right to operate across the border to secure our territory from Mexican cartel activities," according to the plan, which also calls for the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard to block precursor chemicals from entering Mexican ports if the Mexican government wont stop cartel drug manufacturing. DeSantis' plan says little about the millions of immigrants already living in the country illegally, aside from promising to deport those who have overstayed their visas. Deporting such people has been a challenge that has eluded authorities for decades. ___ Peoples reported from New York. Associated Press writers Elliot Spagat in San Diego; Will Weissert and Colleen Long in Washington; and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Texas governor Greg Abbott is facing ridicule after he fell for a fake story on a satirical website that claimed country music star Garth Brooks had been booed off a stage for refusing to ban Bud Light. Mr Abbott shared a link to the parody site The Dunning-Kruger Times on his official Twitter account on Sunday that claimed Brooks had been targeted at the 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston after calling his conservative fans a**holes. Go woke. Go broke, Mr Abbott tweeted. Good job, Texas. There was just one problem: the jamboree didnt exist, and neither did the city of Hambriston. The Dunning-Kruger Times, named after a cognitive effect where people with low expertise or ability overestimate their knowledge, labels itself as a network of parody, satire, and tomfoolery. Everything on this website is fiction, the site explains. The purported author of the story, headlined Garth Brooks Booed Off Stage at 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree, was listed as patriot Flagg Eagleton. Mr Abbott deleted the tweet without an explanation or apology, but it was preserved and roundly criticised on Twitter. Gov Abbott just accidentally posted a satire article because he wants to hate on queer Texans and Garth Brooks so bad, wrote Democratic Congressman Greg Casar. The Texas Country Jamboree doesnt exist. Hambriston, Texas is not real. And the Governor is not fit to tweet, much less govern, he added. .@GregAbbott_TX just accidentally posted a satire article because he wants to hate on queer Texans and Garth Brooks so bad. The Texas Country Jamboree doesnt exist. Hambriston, Texas is not real. And the Governor is not fit to tweet, much less govern. Happy pride! pic.twitter.com/Q5UJHPf66v Greg Casar (@GregCasar) June 25, 2023 Teacher Judy Hockenbrough wrote that poor Greg Abbott got caught in his lies this time. There are a couple of big problems with Abbotts tweet: The city of Hambriston doesnt exist and the article is completely fake. Abbott fails Texas everyday. Mr Abbott frequently weighs in on culture war issues on social media, last week urging warring tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk to go through with their much-hyped MMA bout. He has also signed into law some of the countrys most punitive anti-LGBT+ legislation. Texas is facing crippling power outages amid an unprecedented heat wave. Meanwhile, Brooks, who has sold more than 157 million albums, has yet to respond publicly to the kerfuffle. In 2022, Brooks performed two sold-out concerts in Texas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Houstons NRG Stadium to a combined audience of about 147,000 fans. 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 did not say whether he would pardon former president Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News on Sunday. Fox News host Shannon Bream asked Mr Trumps former running-mate about whether he would pardon the former president. Mr Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 federal charges related to him illegally retaining documents related to national defence and other classified material at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Well, look, if I were the president of the United States, I would take the pardon authority very seriously, he said, noting how as governor of Indiana he pardoned people and took the task seriously. I would apply that to every single case in that matter. But I appreciate you raising the point. But the former vice president said that too many Republicans who are talking about pardoning Mr Trump dont have all the facts. I dont understand why some of the other people running for president in the Republican primary assume that the president will be found guilty, he said. I think it's terribly premature and it shows really a disrespect for our judicial system to talk about that now. Republican presidential candidates such as businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have said he would pardon Mr Trump if he were elected president. Conservative talk radio hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton had asked Mr Pence earlier this month whether he would pardon Mr Trump before he was indicted, as they had of Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who said he would. Mr Pence also reiterated what he said earlier this month when he said he could not defend Mr Trump from the allegations in the indictment. I think we need to let the process go forward, let the former president make his case, he said at the time. For my part, Im going to stay focused on the challenges facing the American people and Im going to work our heart out not just to win the Republican nomination, but to win a great victory for our party and for the American people in 2024. 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 Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit from a number of congressional Democrats who were attempting to get information about the government lease for the Washington DC hotel previously owned by former President Donald Trump. The court decided to dismiss the suit after the legislators voluntarily dropped the case earlier in June in federal district court. The justices had agreed to hear a bid by the Biden administration to block the suit. The case was first initiated in 2017 Mr Trumps first year in office when 17 Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform Committee sued the General Services Administration (GSA) for information about the 2013 lease of the Old Post Office building to Mr Trumps company to make it into a hotel. The court threw out a ruling from a federal appeals court that let the lawsuit proceed. The Monday ruling from the top US court had been sought by the Justice Department under President Joe Biden. The administration had been concerned that if the appeals court ruling had been allowed to stand, it could prompt a barrage of lawsuits from individual members of Congress against the administration. The legislators filed the lawsuit after the Trump administration refused to hand over information about the Trump Organizations lease on the building, located between the White House and the US Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue near the National Mall in Washington DC. The Trump family is no longer the owner of the hotel, which has been transformed into a Waldorf Astoria, and large parts of the information the lawmakers wanted have been provided, the AP noted. The release of internal legal opinions was the only issue up for debate. The Supreme Court entered the case in May after the Department of Justice argued that the appeals court ruling needed to be removed from the books to avoid similar lawsuits in the future. While members of Congress usually are unable to go to federal court as individuals or in smaller groups, a 95-year-old law allows any seven members of the House Oversight Committee or five senators on the Senate Oversight panel to request some information from federal agencies. Disagreements have usually been resolved in negotiations, but the use of the law enforcement option when discussions fail has never been fully outlined. The law was put in place in 1928, and since then lawmakers have only utilised it twice to sue, with similar outcomes as the cases ended without any major rulings. 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 by Friday. The Independent learned that a possible indictment could be handed down as soon as this week, 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. William Russell, a former White House aide who now works for the Trump presidential campaign and spent much of January 6 with the then-president, is scheduled to testify before the grand jury when it meets today. The former president was given until today to report to the Washington, DC, federal courthouse but with a midnight deadline is not expected to appear. Instead, he shared a fan video on Truth Social with a threatening mob boss feel using audio featuring an expletive and lifted from comments he made in 2020 on Iran. 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. 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 detained almost 100 people taking part in annual Pride marches in the cities of Istanbul and Izmir on Sunday. Officers in riot gear prevented access to Istanbuls Istiklal Avenue and the central Taksim Square, while streets nearby were blockaded and public transport in the area suspended. Marchers gathered instead in Mistik Park in the Sisli district, although a rainbow flag was later unfurled at the top of the historic Galata tower overlooking the Bosphorus. Protesters defied a Pride ban to march in Istanbul, where police made more than 50 arrests (AP) Homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey, but hostility to it is widespread and police crackdowns on Pride parades have become tougher over the years. President Tayyip Erdogans government and his Islamist AK Party has toughened its stance against LGBT+ freedoms. After his election victory last month, Erdogan accused opposition parties of being pro-LGBT+. Police held more than 50 in Istanbul after the march, organisers said. Amnesty Internationals Turkey office said at least one person suffered head injuries while being detained by police. We dont accept this hate and denial policy, Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week said in a statement Earlier this month, Istanbul governor Davut Gul said any activity threatening the traditional family structure would not be allowed. Anti-LGBT+ stickers and posters were seen in public squares in the city. In Izmir, on Turkeys western coast, police detained at least 44 people after authorities banned the Pride march there. Videos posted to social media showed police clearing marchers from the streets. 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 attempted uprising by mercenaries has revealed cracks in Vladimir Putins authority, according to the US secretary of state. Anthony Blinken said the revolt was a direct challenge of Putins authority. The mutiny by the Wagner Group, which saw its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin order his troops to march on Moscow, left the Russian president hiding from public view on Sunday after being forced into an amnesty deal. Though the astonishing revolt was short-lived with the fighters withdrawing under the agreement that saw Mr Prigozhin exiled to Belarus it has raised questions about Mr Putins grip on power. The Russian president has not commented publicly since the deal was struck to de-escalate one of the biggest challenges since he rose to power more than two decades ago. He said he was giving top priority to the conflict in Ukraine in excerpts from an interview aired by state television on Sunday, but it appeared to have been recorded before the rebellion. Vladimir Putin addresses the nation on Saturday (Sputnik) Speaking on Sunday, US secretary of state Anthony Blinken said the revolt was a direct challenge of Putins authority. Mr Blinken said the turmoil has weakened Mr Putin in ways that could aid Ukraines counteroffensive. Mr Blinken told US media: Weve seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go... but certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead. The Wagner Groups forces were just 195km (120 miles) from Moscow before the rebellion was called off to avoid shedding Russian blood. Mr Prigozhin had said his march on Moscow was intended to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the war in Ukraine. Mr Prigozhin has for months accused Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, of incompetence and of withholding ammunition from his fighters as they battled to take Bakhmut in Ukraine. This month, Mr Prigozhin defied orders to place his troops under defence ministry command. He launched the rebellion on Friday after alleging the military had killed some of his men in an airstrike a claim denied by the defence ministry. Mr Prigozhin, 62, was seen leaving the district military headquarters in Rostov, hundreds of miles south of Moscow, late on Saturday. His whereabouts on Sunday were not known. Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves Rostov (Reuters) The deal brokered by Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko also means Wagner fighters who joined the march for justice will face no action. In an earlier televised address on Saturday, Mr Putin said the rebellion put Russias very existence under threat. We are fighting for the lives and security of our people, for our sovereignty and independence, for the right to remain Russia, a state with a thousand-year history, Mr Putin said, vowing punishment for those behind an armed insurrection. In his daily address on Sunday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Mr Putin is obviously very afraid and is probably hiding, while his defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said the 36-hour mutiny shows Russian authorities are weak. Mr Reznikov said: Had a phone conversation with my friend and colleague secretary of defence Lloyd J Austin III. We talked about recent events in Russia. We agree that the Russian authorities are weak and that withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine is the best choice for the Kremlin. Russia would be better served to address its own issues. He added: We also discussed the #UAarmys counteroffensive and the next steps in strengthening our defence forces. Things are moving in the right direction. Ukraine will win. Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War said Russia struggled to respond clearly and coherently to the threat from the Wagner Group. It said the incident has highlighted internal security weaknesses likely due to surprise and the impact of heavy losses in Ukraine. Commons defence committee chair Tobias Ellwood told the i newspaper: Putins days are clearly numbered, he might survive the initial wound for a period of time but as Russian history shows, often it triggers a series of subsequent events that lead to the leaders downfall. Power is ebbing away. The Wagner Group may be neutered, Prighozin exiled, but Putin is definitely weaker and the hawks are now circling. 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 }} Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a desperate message to the Russian public on Monday night in an apparent attempt to retain his authority after the mercenaries efforts. In a six-minute address, Putin insisted he directly ordered steps were taken to avoid a lot of bloodshed during the mutiny which he claimed was resolutely rejected by society. This was despite clips appearing to show Rostov-on-Don residents bringing armed Wagner troops food and drinks as they occupied the city on Saturday. Earlier on Monday Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin issued his first public statement since the aborted march on Moscow, claiming he had never intended to overthrow Putins government. In his first public comments since Saturdays dramatic events, he said the one-day mutiny was intended to be a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin spoke in an 11-minute audio message released on the Telegram messaging app. I thank all our military personnel, law enforcement officers, special services who stood in the way of the rebels, remained faithful to their duty, oath and their people, he said. Today I once again appeal to all citizens of Russia. Thank you for your endurance, solidarity and patriotism. This civic solidarity has shown that any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil is doomed to failure. I repeat, the highest consolidation of society, executive and legislative power at all levels was shown. Earlier, Prigozhin denied trying to overturn the Russian state and said he acted in response to an attack on his force that killed some 30 of his fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in a recording that gave details about where he is or what his future plans are. A festering feud between Prigozhin and Russias military brass erupted on Saturday into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although he was reportedly seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against Prigozhin continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. Meanwhile, Moscow showed a video of defence minister Sergei Shoigu at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when it was flmed.Prigozhins rift with the military dates back years, to Russias intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces also were active. Though the Prigozhin mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin denied there were any casualties on his side, but media reports indicated the airstrikes hit some Wagner vehicles, and messaging app channels featured images of the damage. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report 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 }} Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have been supported on the battlefield by tens of thousands of mercenaries from a shadowy group led by a businessman and longtime affiliate of president Vladimir Putin. The Wagner Group is a private military company under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin that cut its teeth in deployments to Crimea and eastern Ukraines Donbas region in 2014 and has since dispatched troops to several conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, including the Syrian Civil War. In Russias invasion of Ukraine, Wagner has proved indispensable, but an apparent power struggle between the Kremlin and the outspoken Mr Prigozhin has led to the group having its wings clipped by Moscow. Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin on a tour around the formers food factory in 2010 (AP) The friction escalated to a crisis point on Friday, 23 June, when Mr Prigozhin accused his countrys defence ministry, Sergei Shoigu, of destroying his fighters and concocting lies to justify the invasion of Ukraine. Mr Prigozhin called for armed mutiny in an explosive rant on Telegram in which he vowed to stop the evil of the Kremlins top brass. The Wagner Groups leader did not go after Putin in his tirade, instead alleging that for more than a year and over 350,000 casualties into the war a large part of which Mr Prigozhins group is responsible for the Russian president had been deceived by Mr Shoigu. The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a Marshal, so that he could get a second Hero Star the war wasnt for demilitarising or de-Nazifying Ukraine. It was needed for an extra star, Mr Prigozhin said on Telegram, per the BBC. Moscows Interfax news agency reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Mr Putin has been briefed on the matter. The Kremlins Federal Security Service (FSB) has opened a criminal action against Mr Prigozhin and asked him to stop illegal actions, according to the Tass news agency. The defence ministry has issued a denial of the accusations, calling them an informational provocation. The warnings made by the Kremlin have not hindered Mr Prigozhins threats. In a new Telegram message, he warned that his forces had crossed the border from Ukraine and were ready to destroy anyone who stood in their way as they entered the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. However, as of late Friday, 24 June, there was no firm evidence that the Wagner Group was advancing on Rostov. Onlookers around the world were trying to determine whether Mr Prigozhins alleged mutiny offered a serious threat to the status quo in Moscow, athough many agreed that the open opposition and Mr Putins initial failure to address it publicly may serve to undermine the administration. Armoured vehicles are seen on a street of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia on 24 June, 2023 (REUTERS) Mr Prigozhin a 61-year-old ex-convict sometimes known as Putins chef because his catering business has hosted dinners for the Russian president and fed the Kremlins armed forces had denied all links with the group until September last year when he announced he was proud to be its founder. He said he founded Wagner to support Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas conflict. I cleaned the old weapons myself, sorted out the bulletproof vests myself and found specialists who could help me with this, Mr Prigozhin said. From that moment, on 1 May 2014, a group of patriots was born, which later came to be called the Wagner Battalion. Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian intelligence officer, is alleged to be a co-founder who remains near the top of the groups command. Since its formation, Wagner has been accused of committing human rights abuses in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mali and Mozambique. The group is also believed to be working for the Burkina Faso government against an Islamist insurgency. Prior to admitting his involvement, Mr Prigozhin had a history of suing Russian and Western news outlets that alleged his ties to the group. His secretive stance was to protect the Wagner soldiers, he has claimed. Wagner fighters in a Soledar salt mine after Mr Prigozhin claimed to have taken the town (Telegram) Mr Prigozhin was finally forced to confess his links with Wagner as the group rose to prominence in the Ukraine conflict. British intelligence puts the number of Wagner troops active in Ukraine at 50,000, comprising a quarter of Russias total strength. War contractors are nothing new but military analysts say the Kremlin has been heavily reliant on Wagner due to the heavy losses incurred by official Russian forces during the war, along with difficulties in recruitment. The UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) first reported that Wagner had been deployed in Ukraine on 28 March 2022, little over a month into the conflict after Russian losses had already begun to hamper the pace of the initial assault. Wagner has since then played significant roles in capturing towns such as Soledar, Popasna and Lysychansk offering relative operational competence while the Kremlin has been forced to repeatedly switch around command of its own forces in the face of losses. Graves of Wagner fighters in a cemetery near the village of Bakinskaya (Reuters) Mr Prigozhin has been at pains to claim victories for Wagner in Ukraine, sometimes putting him at odds with the Kremlin line. He has even accused Russias defence ministry of taking credit for Wagner successes. In the battle for Soledar, a small town subject to an intense assault as part of Russias still-ongoing campaign to take over the city of Bakhmut, Mr Prigozhin said his mercenaries had triumphed over Ukrainian forces days before the Kremlin said its own troops had done the same. Bakhmut is prized by Moscow as its capture would put Russian forces in a stronger position in the goal of capturing all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas. On 12 February, Mr Prigozhin said Wagner had taken the village of Krasna Hora near Bakhmut, making no mention of Russian forces as Moscow began to launch a major offensive targeting the Donetsk town along with several other frontline settlements. A picture released by Mr Prigozhins press service shows what it said were Wagner fighters at the entrance sign to the village of Krasna Hora (Reuters) Speculation has raged over Mr Prigozhins ambitions in Russian politics and there are signs that Mr Putin is sensitive to any potential challenges by his former cook. The Kremlin has moved to clip Mr Prigozhins wings, ordering him to halt his public criticism of the defence ministry while advising state media to stop mentioning him or Wagner by name. Mr Prigozhin has since confirmed that he had also been stripped of the right to recruit convicts from prisons a key feeding ground for Wagners ranks ceding the power back to the government for its own forces. Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser who maintains contacts in political circles, said the Russian government extracted a promise from Mr Prigozhin that he would not create his own political movement or join a parliamentary party unless asked to do so by officials. They are a little afraid of him and find him an inconvenient person, Mr Markov said. The group, formally PMC Wagner, recently moved its headquarters to an imposing glass high-rise in St Petersburg, which also acts as a technology centre and holds exhibits of advanced weaponry along grey corridors filled with camouflaged personnel. The Wagner Groups headquarters in St Petersburg (EPA) Unsettling accounts of life in the mercenary group have surfaced recently from former members including Andrei Medvedev, who sought asylum in Norway in January after deserting a Wagner regiment in Ukraine. The 26-year-old said sergeants were ruthless in their attempts to recruit new fighters. They would round up those who did not want to fight and shoot them in front of newcomers, he alleged in an interview with CNN. They brought two prisoners who refused to go fight and they shot them in front of everyone and buried them right in the trenches that were dug by the trainees. The MoD said last July that Wagner was lowering recruitment standards to include formerly blacklisted individuals. Andrei Medvedev in Oslo after fleeing Wagner command (Reuters) Mr Medvedev claimed he joined Wagner as a volunteer after serving in the Russian military. He said Wagner fighters were often sent into battle with little direction. Two former Wagner fighters captured by Ukraine told CNN of devastating losses in assaults reminiscent of First World War charges. Recalling his first assault near the village of Bilohorivka in Luhansk, one said: There were 90 of us. Sixty died in that first assault, killed by mortar fire. A handful remained wounded. The other fighter said he was involved in a push for Lysychansk on the Luhansk-Donetsk border. The first steps into the forest were difficult because of all the landmines spread out. Out of 10 guys, seven were killed immediately, he said. The fight went on for five days, he said. There is no feeling attached to it. Just wave after wave. Four hundred [Wagner fighters] were brought there, and then more and more, all the time. Further evidence of brutality emerged on 14 February, as footage appeared to show a Russian convict who fought for Wagner being beaten to death with a sledgehammer after being accused of fleeing the war. The UKs opposition Labour Party is just the latest political organisation to demand the Wagner Group be classified as a terrorist organisation in response to its barbarous conduct in Ukraine and beyond. The group again made headlines in early March, following the one-year anniversary of the wars commencement, when Mr Prigozhin once more took to Telegram to undermine Moscow by warning that the entire Russian frontline in Ukraine would be in jeopardy if his soldiers are finally forced to retreat from Bakhmut amid ammunition hunger, seemingly a plea for more resources. If Wagner retreats from Bakhmut now, the whole front will collapse, he said in a four-minute video posted to the encrypted app. The situation will not be sweet for all military formations protecting Russian interests. If we retreat, then we will go down in history forever as people who have taken the main step towards losing the war. This is exactly the problem with ammunition hunger. His appeal came amid reports that Russian troops have been reduced to engaging in hand-to-hand combat with shovels due to the scarcity of weapons and bullets. The fighting has remained intense around Bakhmut for months, although local residents who have held on despite the considerable danger to their lives have finally fled as the Ukrainian militarys withdrawal began to look inevitable following a courageous fightback. But following Mr Prigozhins dismissal of Russias core justification for invading Ukraine and the repercussions his stance may have, the future of the Wagner Group and his role in the war are now uncertain. 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 }} Once a low-profile businessman who profitted from having Russian president Vladimir Putin as a powerful patron, Yevgeny Prigozhin has moved into the global spotlight since the onset of Russias war in Ukraine. Now the owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, the mercenary force seen fighting some of the Russian militarys toughest battles in Ukraine, most notably the drawn-out pursuit of Bakhmut, the 62-year-old has since stepped into his most dangerous role yet: preaching open rebellion against his countrys military leadership. On Friday 23 June, Mr Prigozhin finally escalated what had been months of scathing criticism of Russias conduct of the war when he called for an armed uprising to oust Russias defence minister Prigozhin has repeatedly condemned Russias regular army leaders (AP) As his men occupied Rostov-on-Don and marched on Moscow, Russian security services reacted immediately, opening a criminal investigation and demanding Mr Prigozhins arrest. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin took the threat posed, riot police and the National Guard scrambled to tighten security at key facilities in the Russian capital, including government agencies and transport infrastructure, Tass reported. Mr Prigozhin a onetime felon, hot-dog vendor and longtime associate of Mr Putin urged Russian civilians to join his march to justice and the situation remained extremely volatile throughout the following Saturday before peace talks, seemingly mediated by Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko, brought the standoff to a peaceful conclusion, with Mr Prigozhin agreeing to relocate to Belarus, only to subsequently return to his homeland. Details are still emerging about how exactly that played out and it has since emerged that the Mr Putin and Mr Prigozhin at the Kremlin five days after the aborted mutiny. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that a three-hour meeting had taken place on Thursday 29 June with 35 people in attendance, including Wagner unit commanders, who reiterated their loyalty to their leader. Putins chef Mr Prigozhin and Mr Putin go way back, with both born in Leningrad, now known as St Petersburg. During the final years of the Soviet Union, Mr Prigozhin served time in prison 10 years, by his own admission although he does not say what it was for. Afterwards, he owned a hot dog stand and then a series of upmarket restaurants that attracted interest from Mr Putin. In his first term in office, the Russian leader took then-French president Jacques Chirac to dine at one of them. Vladimir Putin saw how I built a business out of a kiosk, he saw that I dont mind serving to the esteemed guests because they were my guests, Mr Prigozhin recalled in an interview published in 2011. Mr Prigozhin shows Mr Putin his school lunch factory outside St Petersburg in 2010 (Sputnik/AFP/Getty) His businesses expanded significantly to catering and providing school lunches. In 2010, Mr Putin helped open Mr Prigozhins factory that was built on generous loans by a state bank. In Moscow alone, his company Concord won millions of pounds in contracts to provide meals to public schools. He also organised catering for Kremlin events for several years earning him the nickname Putins chef and has provided catering and utility services to the Russian military. In 2017, opposition figure and corruption fighter Alexei Navalny accused Mr Prigozhins companies of breaking antitrust laws by bidding for around 300m in defence ministry contracts. Mr Prigozhin reportedly has a net worth of $1 billion. Military connection The former catering entrepreneur also owns the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-allied mercenary force that has come to play a central role in Mr Putins projection of Russian influence in trouble spots around the world. The United States, European Union, United Nations and others say the mercenary force has involved itself in conflicts in countries across Africa in particular. Wagner fighters allegedly provide security for national leaders or warlords in exchange for lucrative payments, often including a share of gold or other natural resources. US officials say Russia may also be using Wagners work in Africa to support its war in Ukraine. In Ukraine, Mr Prigozhins mercenaries have become a major force in the war, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles aainst Ukrainian forces. A poster of a Russian soldier with a slogan reading Glory to the heroes of Russia stands opposite the PMC Wagner Centre in St Petersburg (AFP/Getty) That includes Wagner fighters taking Bakhmut, the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. By May 2023, Wagner forces and Russian soldiers appeared to have largely won Bakhmut, a victory with strategically slight importance for Russia, despite the cost in lives. The US estimates that nearly half of the 20,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine since December were Wagner fighters in Bakhmut. Mr Prigozhins soldiers-for-hire included inmates recruited from Russias prisons. Raging against Russias generals As his forces fought and died en masse in Ukraine, Mr Prigozhin increasingly raged against the Russian militarys top brass. In a video released by his team in May, Mr Prigozhin stood next to rows of bodies he said were those of Wagner fighters. He accused Russias regular military of incompetence and of starving his troops of the weapons and ammunition they needed to fight. These are someones fathers and someones sons, Mr Prigozhin said then. The scum that doesnt give us ammunition will eat their guts in hell. A bad actor in the US Mr Prigozhin earlier gained more limited attention in the US, when he and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord ahead of Donald Trumps 2016 election victory. They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian election interference. The US Treasury Department has since sanctioned Mr Prigozhin and associates repeatedly in connection with both his alleged election interference and his leadership of Wagner. Masks showing the faces of Putin, Prigozhin and Chechnya's regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov on display at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg (AP) After the 2018 indictment, the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Prigozhin as saying, in a clearly sarcastic remark: Americans are very impressionable people; they see what they want to see. I treat them with great respect. Im not at all upset that Im on this list. If they want to see the devil, let them see him. The Biden White House called him a known bad actor and State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Mr Prigozhins bold confession, if anything, appears to be just a manifestation of the impunity that crooks and cronies enjoy under President Putin and the Kremlin. Avoiding challenges to Putin As Mr Prigozhin grew more outspoken against the way Russias conventional military had conducted the fighting in Ukraine, he continued to play a seemingly indispensable role for the Russian offensive and appeared to suffer no retaliation from Mr Putin for his criticism of Moscows generals. Media reports at times suggested Mr Prigozhins influence over Mr Putin was growing and that he was hoping to be rewarded with a prominent political post, although some analysts felt this assessment of his ambitions was overstated. Hes not one of Putins close figures or a confidant, said Mark Galeotti of University College, London, who specialises in Russian security affairs, speaking on his podcast, In Moscows Shadows. Prigozhin does what the Kremlin wants and does very well for himself in the process. But thats the thing he is part of the staff rather than part of the family, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Apple has issued an urgent update for millions of iPhone users after two critical security flaws were discovered. The tech giant warned that the latest version of iOS 16, called iOS 16.5.1, was required in order to protect against two vulnerabilities that hackers already know how to exploit. One of the bugs involves a malicious attachment sent through iMessage, that allows cyber criminals to gain access to an iPhones audio recordings, photos and location data. Security researchers said the security flaw, dubbed TriangleDB, has already been exploited through a campaign called Operation Triangulation, which targeted employees of the cyber firm Kaspersky. The deployment of the spyware is completely hidden and requires no action from the user, Kaspersky wrote in a blog post earlier this month. The spyware then quietly transmits private user information to remote servers: microphone recordings, photos from instant messengers, geolocation, and data about a number of other activities of the owner of the infected device. The second bug affected Apples browser engine WebKit, which leaves users exposed to something known as arbitrary code execution. This could result in malicious third parties stealing data or hacking a device. Both exploits could also impact iPad and Mac users, with Apple issuing security fixes for all of these devices. Apple also released a software update for Apple Watch, which brings new features to its smartwatch. The Cupertino company unveiled its latest mobile operating system iOS 17 earlier this month, though it is not yet widely available. A full public release date of iOS 17 will take place when the new iPhone is announced in September. The iOS 16 update covers more than a decades worth of devices, going back to the iPhone 6s and Apple Watch Series 3. This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users, Apple wrote in the release notes for iOS 16.5.1. Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and Mac users can update their devices by going to the Settings app and selecting General > Software update, and then following the instructions. 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 }} Four volunteers have entered a simulated Mars habitat as part of a year-long Nasa experiment to test astronauts resilience to isolation and other psychological stress factors. The CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission will see the participants live and work in a 158-square-metre (1,700-square-foot) habitat at Nasas Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It is the first of three one-year simulated Mars missions, which each aim to assess the health and performance of crew members when living in confinement with limited resources. Participants will take part in simulated spacewalks, science experiments and habitat maintenance, while also attempting to grow crops for food. The simulation will allow us to collect cognitive and physical performance data to give us more insight into the potential impacts of long-duration missions to Mars on crew health and performance, said Grace Douglas, CHAPEA principal investigator. Ultimately, this information will help Nasa make informed decisions to design and plan for a successful human mission to Mars. The four members of the CHAPEA mission are research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency medicine physician Nathan Jones and microbiologist Anca Selariu. Each were chosen after Nasa put out a call for healthy, motivated applicants in 2021. The CHAPEA crews will live and work in a 158 square metre, 3D-printed habitat located at Nasas Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas (Nasa) There have been several previous research projects involving simulated Mars habitats, with the Mars-500 missions between 2007 and 2011 seeing volunteers spend months locked inside a facility in Mosco, Russia. The HI-SEAS program in Hawaii also saw participants spend time living in isolation, though one mission lasted just four days after one of the crew members suffered an electric shock. Nasa plans to return humans to the Moon within the next three years as part of its Artemis missions, which the US space agency hopes to use as a foundation to eventually send astronauts to Mars. Private space firm SpaceX also plans to send people to Mars aboard its Starship rocket, which is currently under development at the companys Starbase facility in Texas. SpaceX boss Elon Musk said a second attempt at an orbital flight test will be made before the end of August, after the first attempt in April ended in a large explosion just minutes after take off. The 480 million kilometre (300 million mile) journey to Mars is expected to take around seven months, with the planets orbit meaning that a travel window only opens up every 26 months. This means that any return mission would likely take close to four years to complete. 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 }} From fuelling genocide in Myanmar, kowtowing to authoritarian regimes and causing an epidemic of depression among teenagers, Noam Bardin has watched aghast as the platforms that promised to bring people closer together tore at the connective tissue of society. Social media has become the worst of us, the serial tech entrepreneur tells The Independent in an interview. Thats by design. Its not a bug, its a feature. So he decided to build his own, Post, with a vision to reinvent the relationship between social media, its users and news publishers. Post launched in the App Store on 15 June, one of a number of start-ups vying to usurp Twitter as it lurches through a series of crises. Posts soft launch When Twitter imploded last October during Elon Musks tortuous $44bn takeover, a flood of high-profile users announced they were ditching the site. Mr Bardin spotted an opportunity, and decided to rush Post into beta testing. He soon had more than 350,000 people on a waiting list, and initially allowed around 65,000 users onto the site. Mr Bardin said the decision to launch and capitalise on the chaos at Twitter may have been premature, but it allowed him to iron out flaws and convince news outlets that the apps profit-sharing model could work. Once we came out, suddenly, publishers were willing to come on board. Mr Musks ownership has been plagued by a series of erratic decisions, including firing content moderators, promoting conspiracy theorists, declaring war on what he calls the woke mind virus, and using it as a tool to boost his own profile. Twitter was a sick company before Elon Musks hostile takeover, Noam Bardin says (REUTERS) The billionaire may not have been the cause of all of Twitters woes, but he certainly hasnt helped, says Mr Bardin. Twitter was a sick company before. It didnt have a good business model. It couldnt afford what it was doing. It didnt provide value for the creators, and the toxicity was off the charts, right? All these are kind of assuming that Twitter was an amazing, healthy company before Elon Musk came? Elon Musk obviously did his bit to destroy it. Mr Musks belief that he could run a social media company was typical of the attitude among Silicon Valley venture capitalists, he said. Silicon Valley is full of really, really smart people who have accomplished tremendous things. And because of that, they assume they can do anything and accomplish anything, Mr Bardin said. They like to talk about diversity, and they have diversity of people in terms of their backgrounds, skin colour and race, but everyone has exactly the same engineering MBA from Stanford or somewhere else. Mr Bardin says he didnt believe Twitter would ever disappear entirely, but that its profits and trustworthiness will continue to crater as users grow tired of Mr Musks antics. Post will inevitably draw comparisons to Twitter, but Mr Bardin sees it more like TikTok, a disruptor that exists alongside and improves an existing idea. Ultimate product person Mr Bardin, 52, sold his crowdsourced navigation app Waze to Google in 2013 , After seven years as a vice president of product at Google, Mr Bardin quit suddenly in 2021. In a blistering farewell post , he wrote that the company mollycoddled its entitled employees who were more concerned with personal fulfillment and their 11am yoga classes than the products they worked on. Post was initially entirely self-funded by Mr Bardin. When he unveiled the app in November, he announced that Silicon Valley venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, which manages $35bn in assets, had come on board. Posts only other investor is Scott Galloway, the author, podcast host and professor of marketing at New York University, who has said he invested substantial personal capital in the project. The partnership came about after the pair hit it off when Professor Galloway had the entrepreneur as a guest on his podcast. Professor Galloway, an outspoken critic of tech titans including Mr Musk, told The Independent in an email that he was convinced to invest in Post after hearing Mr Bardins vision to reimagine social media as a force for good. From the outset, Post has been committed to healthier online conversation, Professor Galloway said. Elons mission, as evidenced by his relentless s***posting and public disdain for our elected leaders, appears to be the opposite. Professor Galloway described his partner as the ultimate product person, a necessity going up against behemoths that invest billions in keeping eyeballs glued to the screen. However, theres another side to running a business in social, which Noam understands deeply and thats mission. Specifically, what value are you providing to enhance societal discourse such that we can engage in truthful and respectful debate? Most social media companies are sorely lacking in this area, because the ad-based model forces their algorithms to value clicks and engagement over good-faith contributions to public discourse. Professor Galloway said Mr Bardin was a rare innovator who hasnt made the mistake of believing his own press. He puts the product and the consumer before his own vanity, and thats rare in tech these days. We need more leaders like that. Mr Galloways Pivot podcast co-host Kara Swisher is also an adviser on the start-up, helping Mr Bardin connect with publishers. Its the first time that Ms Swisher, a powerful figure in tech journalism for decades, agreed to help out an entrepreneur, such is her belief in the product. How Post works Post allows users to toggle between three feeds: following, explore and news. Users can follow individuals and topics they are interested in, create their own posts, like and repost other content. When users click on an article, it displays within their feed, rather than taking them through to a news site. For that, users are charged a micropayment of a few cents from their digital wallet, which goes directly to the publisher. Facebook was found to have played a determining role in a genocide against the Muslim Rohingya genocide (Associated Press) More than 30 news organisations, including The Independent, The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters and ProPublica, have already signed on as publishing partners. Mr Bardin explains that Post is pioneering a new business model that allows users to find and pay for reliable news. Since the dawn of the internet, media companies have missed every opportunity to carve out a slice of profits for themselves, he says. Theyve been screwed by every tech platform. He believes that the central idea to fixing social media is rebooting the relationship with news publishers. On Post, publishers can set the price of their content usually a few cents per article. We hope that well have the critical mass on our platform that will give that breaking news from everywhere, Mr Bardin says. But we think that includes premium publishing, and newsletter writers and experts and creators. Theres a whole slew of new entities who are creating newsworthy content and want to be able to host it all. A network of journalists, influencers and newsletter publishers including Dan Rather, George Takei and Robert Reich were early adopters of the platform. While keen to reimagine what social media can look like, Mr Bardin says his larger goal is to create a better informed society through promoting reliable information. He sees the rise of authoritarianism in his home country of Israel, Hungary, Poland and the United States as an existential threat similar to the climate crisis. Americans like to think that Trump is a unique phenomenon. Hes not, hes part of this wide agenda of authoritarians. And authoritarian regimes have never delivered the goods over time, he says. Putting aside global warming, which is the hardware problem, to me authoritarianism is the software problem. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden during a State Arrival Ceremony at the White House (AP) Professor Galloway agreed that the social media giants had failed in their obligations not to mess up democracy. In many cases, they intentionally look the other way and play dumb such that they dont have to do the hard work of actually dealing with these issues. Mr Bardin tells The Independent that he would never have caved to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogans request to censor opposition parties ahead of recent elections. He expects to have a problem in India, where the party of prime minister Narendra Modi has made similar requests targeting political opponents, and accepts that Post will likely never be able to operate in China or Russia. I find it very disheartening when I see so many American companies basically getting on their knees and removing any kind of moral in Western liberal value to try and operate in these countries. You have to be able to stand for something and if it means you lose a market, you lose a market. Part of the problem is, the Second World War was a long time ago. So we forgot what the world used to be like. And so were allowing ourselves now to go down these paths that we know are terrible. There are a million reasons for this, not just social media, but social media is one of them and its the place where I think I can make an impact, he said. Im 52, this is my last company, and this is something I want to do for the next few decades. Its something I think is super important. Content moderation Mr Bardin sees Posts content moderation being driven by the community, with good behaviour being rewarded, while trolls will be aggressively suspended and removed. The more you play by the rules, the more reach your content will receive. And the more were gonna trust you on the platform, while being very aggressive on removing and suspending people that are just there to troll others. He cites the genocide of Rohingya Muslims by the military dictatorship in Myanmar in 2016 and 2017 as a prime example of how big tech has failed. Facebook, the primary source of news in the country, allowed anti-Islamic hate speech to spread unchecked, which a United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission found played a determining role in the massacre , rape and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Theres no way that the moderator sitting in a call center in the Philippines will understand the Buddhist verse Muslim animosity in Myanmar. You cant expect them to ever reach that level of understanding, but everyone in Myanmar understands it, he said. Building a community to self-police bad behaviour and set its own standards would be key to Posts success, he added. Were the platform for the 85 per cent of people who are not crazy, who want to get their news, get some opinions and say something, but dont want to be called a fascist or communist. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British hacker behind the 2020 takeover of the Twitter accounts of Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and several other personalities as part of a Bitcoin scam has been sentenced to five years in prison. The hacker, 24-year-old Joseph OConnor from Liverpool, took over nearly 130 accounts in July 2020, and pleaded guilty to charges of hacking these profiles last month. He was extradited from Spain on 26 April to face charges and now the US Attorneys Office in the southern district of New York has sentenced him to five years for cyber crimes. In May, the hacker pled to four counts of computer hacking, wire fraud, and cyberstalking, according to Tech Crunch. The US justice department accused Mr OConnor of participating in the exploitation of social media accounts, as well as online extortion and cyberstalking. The hacker, known as PlugwalkJoe online, has also been ordered to pay nearly $800,000 to the victims of his crimes. He had participated in the exploitation of social media accounts, as well as online extortion, using social engineering tricks to get access to Twitter accounts. New Yorks Department of Financial Services investigated and found that the hackers had called Twitter employees, claiming to be the IT department. Another hacker Graham Ivan Clark known as Kirk reportedly used this access to hijack and reassign Twitter accounts. Using stolen accounts, hackers sent out tweets asking followers to send bitcoin to an account, promising to double their money. Mr OConnor also pled guilty of using a cyber intrusion technique called a SIM swap attack to steal cryptocurrency from a Manhattan-based company and then to launder the proceeds of the scheme. In this mode of cyber attack, hackers gain control of a victims mobile phone number by linking that number to a SIM card controlled by the threat actors. This leads to the victims calls and messages being routed to a malicious unauthorised device controlled by the hackers, who then use control of the victims mobile phone number to obtain unauthorised access to accounts held by the victim registered to their mobile phone numbers. Twitter said it improved the social media platforms cybersecurity controls following the cyberattack. In addition to the prison term, Mr OConnor has been sentenced to three years of supervised release and further ordered to pay about $794,000 in forfeiture. Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has issued his first public statement since an aborted armed rebellion he staged in Moscow on Saturday, 24 June. Prigozhin claimed he had never intended to overthrow Putins government. In his first public comments since Saturdays dramatic events, he said the one-day mutiny was intended to be a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. He said: We started our march because of injustice. We turned around in order not to shed the blood of Russian soldiers. Prigozhin spoke in an 11-minute audio message released on the Telegram messaging app. Moscow has claimed that two UK warplanes were detected near the country's border. Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry appears to show an RC-135 with the words "Royal Air Force" written on the side. Russia claims two RAF Typhoon fighter jets and a reconnaissance plane were intercepted over the Black Sea and made a U-turn when their jets approached. The RAF did not violate Russia's airspace according to the country's defence ministry. The incident comes after Russian president Vladimir Putin issued an appeal to the Russian public in the aftermath of the shortlived mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner mercenaries. Russian residents have shared how children were running round as Wagner troops reached their village, the northernmost point in their aborted push for Moscow. Krasnoye locals in the Lipetsk region appeared unphased by the arrival of armed men. They did not approach the civilians, the kids were running around as always. [Wagner troops are] normal people, probably our children, our brothers," Nikolai, a resident, said. It comes after the private military company under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin declared they were seizing a Russian city last Friday (23 June) and marching to the capital before turning around on Saturday. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Saturday, the final night of the Faith & Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority Conference, Ralph Reed, the groups head and a longtime stalwart of the evangelical Christian movement, was all smiles his birthday would forever be the same day that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and the right to an abortion guaranteed under the decision for half a century. Few people deny that the Supreme Courts Dobbs v Jackson decision cost Republicans many winnable races last year. Even Republican consultants and elected officials have openly admitted to me that it likely turned off many women and suburban voters. And that is likely to continue as more state legislatures pass abortion restrictions in the wake of the ruling. But conservative evangelicals prominence within the GOP coalition means that Republicans need to appeal to them and cannot distance themselves from the unpopular decision. Indeed, every Republican presidential candidate ranging from former president Donald Trump, who closed out the weekend, to former vice president Mike Pence and Chris Christie, who was booed when he reamed Mr Trump, appeared at the gathering and many of them hailed the decision. As a result, the conference became one of the few safe spaces for social conservatives to celebrate their victory last year. Thank God almighty for the Dobbs decision, Sen Tim Scott (R-SC) told attendees on Friday in a clip that will certainly be played ad nauseam by Democrats. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis can point to his anti-abortion bona fides, given his signing of a six-week abortion ban in his home state. Conversely, Mr Pence, an ardent social conservative who has long opposed abortion, sought to refute the idea that overturning Roe was an electoral albatross. Some have even gone on to blame the overturning of Roe v Wade for election losses in 2022, he said. 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 center of American law in every state in this country. But the fact is many voters dont like the Dobbs decision. An NBC News poll showed that 61 per cent of voters disapprove of the Supreme Courts decision. And the survey shows that its even worse among the groups that many Republicans need to win in 2024. Republicans made large inroads with Latinos during Mr Trumps presidency, but 70 per cent of Latino voters disapprove of Dobbs, refuting the idea that Latinos will embrace conservatives because of Catholicism. Republicans should also be alarmed that 67 per cent of women voters overall and 71 per cent of women voters between the ages of 18 and 49 disapprove. Mr Trumps presidency largely put the suburbs in play in states like Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Since then, Republicans have sought to win them back. But the survey showed that 57 per cent of suburban female voters disapprove of the Dobbs decision. Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley seemed to acknowledge that public opinion is not on the GOPs side since any federal legislation to restrict abortion would require a House majority and 60 Senate seats, so she said Republicans needed to focus more on supporting adoption care and restricting late-term abortions. Conversely, Mr Pence leaned into the issue, announcing that he would support a 15-week abortion ban while his former boss Mr Trump, the man perhaps most responsible for overturning Roe, took credit for its demise given that he appointed three of the conservative Supreme Court justices who killed it. Exactly one year ago today, those justices were the pivotal votes in the Supreme Courts landmark decision ending the constitutional atrocity known as Roe v Wade, Mr Trump said on Saturday. He tried to throw the issue back at Democrats and tried to paint them as extremists for supporting late-term abortion. But this will likely not make much of a difference since Republicans tried this strategy in crucial gubernatorial and Senate races in Arizona and Georgia and it didnt move the needle much either way. Most tellingly, Mr Trump, who has called Mr DeSantiss legislation too harsh in the past, refrained from announcing support for any new abortion restrictions. Furthermore, Mr Trump received his biggest applause lines when he announced his support for restricting gender-affirming care for minors, banning transgender people from serving in the military and prohibiting taxpayer funding for gender-affirming care. The gathering of social conservatives and evangelicals exposes the central problem for Republican presidential candidates: They cannot win the Republican nomination and get enough of their base out in November without at least a plurality of their support, meaning they need to support restrictions on abortion. But there simply arent enough base voters and, as a result, a hardline stance on abortion would alienate the voters they need to win over to win a general election. One of the countrys longest running business education providers, the Irish Management Institute (IMI) has issued protective notice to more than 30 staff warning of potential redundancies. The Institute, which was taken over by University College Cork (UCC) in 2016, confirmed it is seeking to make between 10 and 12 roles redundant. It is understood the roles affected are administrative and will not include teaching staff. "The Irish Management Institute (IMI) has made the difficult decision to make between 10-12 staff roles redundant. It is anticipated that some will be secured on a voluntary basis. IMI is working with its staff and representative body to support those affected at this time, the Institute said. "Executive education has undergone radical shifts in recent years and this decision was made to ensure IMI can continue to provide is high level of service to its clients while continuing to invest in the evolution of its programmes, it said, The most recently filed financial accounts for the IMI show it recorded a small deficit in the 12 months to the end of September 2022 and turnover in the period was flat at 12.5m. The accounts, filed with the Companies Office in May, include a stark warning that demand for its training programmes. There remains uncertainty as to the long term demand for in person learning and training and certain planned open enrolment and graduate courses did not proceed due to insufficient demand, the accounts said. It said the strong jobs market was turning potential clients off signing up to courses sponsored by their employers. University College Cork (UCC) took control of the IMI in 2016 in a 20m deal that aimed to secure the Dublin institute's future as well as bolster the universitys engagement with industry. The institute is chaired by Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO of the Food Safety Authority, and headed since the start of this year by Interim CEO Shane OSullivan, a career banker who was most recently a senior executive at Permanent TSB. IMI was originally established by business leaders to develop training programmes and leadership training. It has 280 corporate members and provides a range of master, diploma and short courses traditionally tailored to industry needs as well as providing conference facilities on its 13-acre campus. Liffey Valley shopping centre is one of the shopping centre impacted by the forced closure of a payments firm that manages the funds for the gift cards. THOUSANDS of consumers with gift cards issued by shopping centres around the country fear they will lose out after the payments firm that manages the funds for the gift cards was shut down by regulators. Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin and Corks Mahon Point have both told people that they are currently unable to accept gift cards issued for the shopping centres by the shopping centres. Also impacted are gift cards issued by the White Water Shopping Centre in Kildare, the Square in Tallaght, along with a number of other shopping centres. It comes after regulators in Lithuania revoked the license of UAB PayrNet citing gross, systematic and multiple violations of money laundering laws, and fears over terrorist financing law violations. And a number of credit unions that used UAB PayrNet as the issuer of their debit cards have had to make alternative arrangements. It is understood that 18 credit unions offered debit cards issued by the Lithuania companys Railsbank Technology subsidiary. The MYCU debit cards have now transferred to a card operator used by other credit unions. One senior source said: The credit union-owned Payac services company stepped in and took over the issuing of debit cards impacted, so a crisis was averted. Chief executive of the Irish League of Credit Unions, David Malone, said no funds were being held by the UAB subsidiary Railsbank, as it was only involved in card issuance. On This Day In History - June 26th But people with shopping centre vouchers are fearing a loss of money. A notice issued to customers at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre says: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are currently unable to sell or accept gift cards at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre at the moment. This situation arises from UAB PayrNet, the payments firm responsible for managing the funds of gift cards, having their licence revoked. It is understood this only relations to the Liffey Valley Gift Card. One of the largest shopping centres in the country, the Liffey Valley Gift Card covers 80 stores and 20 restaurants in the centre. It was available in dominations from 10 to 1,200. Mahon Point SC, which has over 60 retail stores, posted on its website that there are problems with its Mahon Point Gift Card. It is currently unable to sell or accept gift cards. At this stage, the full implications and the timeline for a resolution are not completely clear. However, we are working closely with the gift card provider and exploring every possible avenue to rectify the situation as swiftly as possible, it said. One shopper, James Anderson of Dublin said he bought his partner a 150 Liffey Valley Shopping Centre voucher and a 50 for his partners daughter. I thought it would fine. I have been buying vouchers from Liffey Valley for years. Under financial regulations, UAB PayrNet is required to pay money it handles on behalf of consumers into a ring-fenced account, separate to its own accounts. This safeguarding rule may mean the money backing up the vouchers is available to be paid back to consumers. This is mandated under the European Communities (Electronic Money) Regulations 2011. The Central Bank of Ireland said it has been made aware of the revocation of licence of PayrNet UAB which was authorised as an e-money institution by the Bank of Lithuania and passported its services into Ireland. PayrNet UABs primary activities in Ireland included the issuance of e-money in the form of gift cards via a distribution network. The Central Bank is engaging with the Bank of Lithuania on the impact of the licence revocation and any potential impact on Irish consumers, it said. Last week the Lithuanian central bank, the Bank of Lithuania, revoked the licence of UAB PayrNet over concerns of money laundering and terrorist financing law violations. It was told to return funds to clients, while the Lithuanian central bank is set to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against the firm. The toll operator is now taking out radio ads appealing to users not to click on links on texts purporting to be from the company The toll operator eFlow has taken to Irelands national airwaves to plead with people not to fall for scam texts that use its name. The company is currently running radio advertisements warning that fraudulent SMS messages are rampant throughout the country and that it is not associated with any of the scam attempts. In recent months scammers have targeted people nationwide with fraudulent texts claiming to be from eFlow, the company said. EFlow does not send links in text messages. If you receive one, delete immediately. Our system has not been compromised or subjected to a data breach. The company added that the so-called smishing attempts typically send an urgent message asking recipients to click on a link, which can lead to the extraction of personal financial information and theft. The move comes after Bank Of Ireland warned that up to 10 new fraudulent websites per day posing as eFlow portals are created in an attempt to lure Irish people to give up banking details. Earlier this month, the telecoms regulator, ComReg, said that scam calls and SMS texts are causing 300m of damage a year in Ireland. The watchdog said that in Ireland, there were approximately 365,000 cases of fraud as result of scam calls and texts with over 5,000 businesses hit by fraud after receiving scam calls and texts. Under new Comreg proposals, operators such as Vodafone, Three and Eir will be required to implement effective blocking measures on scam operators. This will take the form of a number of technical blocking initiatives and protected registries. So far in 2023, the eFlow scam has proven to be more successful than most smishing attempts, with high-profile victims including broadcasters Sarah McInerney and Ciara Kelly. I clicked on a [text message] link for eFlow saying that I hadn't filled out the terms and conditions to allow my eFlow account to continue, said Ms McInerney last month. "And I sort of absentmindedly put in information and then realised I put in my registration number for my bank and personal access code." The broadcaster then described how she had to scramble to contact the bank to let them know about the fraud. Earlier this month, the Irish Independent revealed details of a garda investigation that identified 16,000 Irish victims of an organised fraud gang who used a specialist website to commit global scams worth more than 115m, including fake eFlow communications. The iSpoof.cc website, which was shut down by law enforcement last year, offered criminals tools that allowed them to disguise phone calls so they appeared to be from a trusted organisation, such as a bank, so they could empty their targets accounts. The phone numbers used in Ireland to scam people include the eFlow toll company, banks, the HSE, gardai, businesses, government departments and delivery companies. Figures obtained by the Irish Independent show around 40m has been stolen in this type of crime in Ireland since 2020. Public consultation on permits will run to August 18 at a time of full employment Employers in sectors including hotels and catering, childcare and construction are expected to lobby hard for looser visa rules as the Government opens up a review of employment permits from today. While there are no visa requirements for people coming from the European Union or Britain to work in Ireland the rules affect recruitment from outside the EEA. The public consultation to review the eligibility of occupations appearing on the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List for employment permits is being announced by junior minister Neale Richmond today and will close on August 18. The Critical Skills Occupations List features mostly white-collar and professional roles where shortages of qualified or skilled people have been identified as a risk to the proper functioning of the economy. The current list features highly qualified roles such as medical doctors and nurses, IT and engineering professionals and specialist scientific jobs. The Ineligible Occupations List by contrast is made up of skills and qualifications for which visas explicitly cannot be granted and is skewed heavily to trades and manual work including child care workers, chefs, mechanics and horticultural and agricultural workers as well as traditional clerical jobs such as medical and legal secretaries, finance and HR administrators and bookkeepers. With unemployment at a historic low demand for workers on the Ineligible Occupations List is extremely high in the case of some sectors such as restaurants, a lack of workers is impacting opening hours while a lack of childcare has been identified as a threat across the economy as a whole. Junior minister Neale Richmond It means representative bodies, government departments, agencies, and individual employers are likely to argue forcibly for a significant relaxation of the current regime. Trade unions however are likely to focus on the potential risk to wages if the visa regime is radically liberalised. Employment permits are granted only for roles that cannot be filled from the available Irish and EEA labour pools. Mr Richmond said the public consultation will provide employers to say if they are facing challenges in recruiting a specific occupation. As shown by the number of amendments made to the employment permit system over the last year, the system is responsive to the needs of the sectors and industries it serves. This full review will allow this work to continue in a timely and effective way that serves both the employers and employees in Ireland and abroad. Figures for the past year have shown a shift in employers use of the work permit system, with what was a heavy skew to technology slowing but demand up from other sectors. Last year nearly 40,000 work permits were issued about double the level of 2021 with tech companies responsible for more than 10,000 of them. It was by far the biggest year for permit issuance as a combination of post-Covid assessment backlogs and frantic hiring by companies coming out of lockdown pushed demand to new levels. BACK in January, the streaming service ITVX unveiled its new comedy series Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, which imagined a host of real-life celebrities living in close proximity in ordinary suburban areas and becoming embroiled in the kind of minor everyday disputes common to all neighbourhoods. It used the most up-to-the-minute deep fake technology to digitally graft the faces of famous people on to actors of similar height and build. When paired with mostly convincing voice impressions, the result was uncanny. Unfortunately, it was also unfunny. Deep fakery and its more sinister implications are grist to the dystopian mill of Charlie Brooker, creator of Black Mirror (Netflix, season six now streaming). Some of the best episodes over the years have featured chillingly plausible visions of where the technology we have now might lead us in the not too distant future. But its been four years since the fifth and weakest season. Black Mirror re-emerges in a changed climate of rapidly growing existential fear around AI. Whats a writer of speculative fiction to do when reality outpaces their imagination, when the near future suddenly becomes the present, or even the recent past? In Brookers case, the answer seems to be to look back rather than forward: to turn away from most of the things that make Black Mirror Black Mirror. Its ironic that the standout episode of the five that make up the new season, Loch Henry (4/5), also happens to be the one that wanders furthest, both geographically and in narrative terms, from what you might call the Black Mirror formula. Its more like a double-length episode of modern televisions other great, if less widely-watched, anthology series, Inside No 9. Mild-mannered Scottish documentary-maker Davis (Samuel Blenkin) and his brash American girlfriend Pia (Myhala Herrold), who he met at film school in London, go to stay with his mother Janet (the always wonderful Monica Dolan) at the house he grew up in near the titular loch. Daviss father, a local policeman, died when Davis was just a small boy, so he knows him only from the many photographs Janet keeps on display. The couple have come to make a frankly dull-sounding film about a man who guards rare bird eggs from poachers. But when Daviss garrulous lifelong pal Stuart (Daniel Portman), whose alcoholic father Richard (John Hannah) owns the last surviving pub in the area, tells Pia about Iain Adair, a weirdo who abducted, tortured and murdered a number of tourists in the 1990s, in the process destroying the reputation of a once-thriving tourist location, she convinces Davis the story would be perfect for a true-crime documentary. The couple sell the idea to Streamberry, the Netflix-like streamer Brooker has cheekily invented for the series, on a personal angle: when Daviss dad tried to apprehend Adair, he shot him in the shoulder. While recovering in hospital, he contracted the MRSA that eventually killed him. Janet surprises her son by agreeing not only to be interviewed for the documentary, but presenting him and Pia with an invaluable archive of newspapers and VHS tapes of the contemporary television coverage of the case. Its a credit to Brookers writing that you dont know where Loch Henry is headed until a gobsmacking twist arrives. He promised a reset for the new season (futuristic technology features in only two episodes), but it doesnt always yield such satisfying results. The meta-heavy opener Joan is Awful (2/5) unfolds like a parody of a typical episode. Beyond the Sea (3/5), an engrossing, slow-burn space travel story, is more Twilight Zone than Black Mirror. Demon 79 (3/5), set in Britain in 1979 and filmed in the style of an old Hammer or Amicus horror movie, is a black comedy horror with racism, murder, cheerful demons and nuclear apocalypse. The shortest and most disappointing episode is Mazey Day (1/5), about a pack of amoral paparazzi who track a troubled actress to a rehab clinic and get a nasty surprise although it might be less of a shock to connoisseurs of a certain kind of 1980s American horror movie. Its Black Mirror, Jim, but not as we know it. The EU in 2021 said it planned to review the bloc's GMO legislation to reflect advances in gene-edited crops. The European Commission will propose relaxing some of its rules on crop technology in an effort to ensure food security and help farmers cope with climate change. The bloc is considering easing regulations for crops made with so-called new genomic technologies, which can improve tolerance to diseases, pests and environmental stresses, according to a draft proposal due to be unveiled by the commission next month, which has been seen by Bloomberg. The shift is being considered as current rules aren't keeping up with developments like gene editing, which the bloc ruled in 2018 should be subject to the same policies as all genetically-modified organisms. The EU in 2021 said it planned to review the bloc's GMO legislation to reflect advances in gene-edited crops. The UK has also considered changing regulations to allow gene editing in farming after Brexit. The rollback is intended for plants produced with targeted mutations, made without inserting genetic material, or modifications from the same or closely-related species. It will not apply to crops inserted with foreign species. The commission's proposal was reported earlier by the Financial Times. Bloomberg. Wheat climbed to a fresh four-month high after the armed uprising in top exporter Russia added uncertainty over the outlook for grain shipments from the Black Sea breadbasket. Russia is expected to be the world's biggest wheat exporter this season and next, and any shift in its shipments would have a significant impact on global flows. There doesn't appear to be immediate disruptions to its wheat trade, although the shipping industry will be assessing the safety of operations in the region, said Carlos Mera, head of agricultural commodities market research at Rabobank. Wheat futures in Chicago rallied as much as 3.2% as traders weighed the implications of the weekend events. The advance puts prices on track for a 29% monthly gain, the biggest since 2015, which has also been driven by dry weather parching US corn and soy crops. Convoys loyal to Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, advanced toward Moscow on Saturday, demanding the removal of President Vladimir Putin's army chiefs. A deal was struck to end the insurrection, prompting Prigozhin to halt his assault and agree to go into exile. It represented the greatest threat yet to Putin's almost quarter-century rule. The situation could add to worries over the future of the pact that allows Ukraine to ship grain from Black Sea ports. The deal is up for renewal in mid-July and Ukraine's infrastructure minister last week said he was "not optimistic" over its extension. "Political upheaval in Russia makes it less likely that they will have time and willingness to sit down at the table and discuss the details of a grain deal," Mera said by phone. Wheat was last up 2.5% to $7.6525 a bushel in Chicago. The rapid chain of events in Russia left the US and Europe trying to comprehend the political implications of a mutiny that opens cracks in Putin's previously unquestioned authority in the Kremlin. The crisis unfolded amid bitter divisions in Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive tries to push Russian forces out of occupied territories. Risks to the global market "appear much more muted" as Putin remains in control, Erik Meyersson, a strategist at Sweden's SEB AB, said in a note. Still, the bank now sees a lower probability of a further extension of the Black Sea grain deal in mid-July, adding to the upside for grain prices. Russia's agricultural industry is operating normally and production chains are stable, Tass reported Saturday, citing Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev. Chicago corn and soy futures traded little changed Monday. "If escalation were to increase, things could change," Kona Haque, head of commodities research at ED & F Man, said on Bloomberg Television with Francine Lacqua. "For now, I think it's just a wait-and-see approach." Bloomberg Joanna Wisniowska (34) died off Ballycroneen strand on Sunday afternoonShe had gone to the aid of her ten-year-old son who was in difficulty in the water TRIBUTES have been paid to an heroic mother who drowned after bravely trying to save her son after he got into difficulty off a Cork beach. Polish mother-of-two, Joanna Wisniowska (34), died after a tragedy off Ballycroneen strand in east Cork on Sunday afternoon despite a massive air-search rescue operation being launched within minutes of the alarm being raised. She had courageously gone to the aid of her 10 year old son who was in difficulty in the water - and she managed to get him to the safety of offshore rocks before she was swept away by a rip current. Joanna was from Strzyzow in Poland, in the Carpathian district to the east of Krakow, but had been living in Cloyne in east Cork for several years with her husband and two children. She was employed in the tourism-hospitality industry and had worked at Castlemartyr Resort for a time. Joanna was a certified massage therapist. The family were deeply involved in the local community and were keen fans of water sports. Cloyne locals described her as pleasant, quiet, hard-working and utterly devoted to her family. East Ferry Rowing Club paid a heartbreaking tribute to the brave mother. "It was with shock and great sadness that we learned today of the tragic passing of Joanna Wisniowska," a club official said. "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Maciej, her partner, Stanisaw, her son, Zofia, her daughter and all extended family and friends." "Maciej and Stanisaw are both rowers with East Ferry Rowing Club." "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by today's tragic news. May Joanna rest in peace." East Cork TD Pat Buckley said the entire community was deeply shocked by the sheer scale of the tragedy. "It was such a tragic loss of life this weekend in east Cork," he said. That young fella was rowing yesterday morning with East Ferry Rowing Club in a regatta. They probably went off (to the beach) celebrating. Ballycroneen is a beautiful beach but there can be riptides there. "It is absolutely devastating for the family but it is devastating for the club as well. The young fella and the young girl rowed with the club so they were all well known. The rowing club is a huge community in itself. "I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Joanna Wisniowska, her children and partner and her extended family. "Joanna and her family were deeply rooted in the community and her children rowed with East Ferry Rowing Club. May she rest in peace." Councillor Michael Hegarty said people locally were deeply upset by the death of the heroic mother. "I cannot say how saddened the whole community is by all of this," he said. "Certainly, a very, very dark cloud has descended on the area but there is very good support out there for the family involved. We all will assist and do our utmost for them." Gardai, paramedics and units of the Coast Guard and RNLI raced to Ballycroneen Strand in east Cork shortly after 1pm on Sunday when onlookers realised an adult and child were in difficulty in the water. The east Cork strand is idyllic but can be prone to strong tides and rip currents. It is understood Joanna's 10 year old son got into difficulty in the water. She immediately went to his aid. The precise circumstances of what happened have not been clarified but it is understood that Joanna helped her son towards rocks where he was able to cling on to them until rescue officials arrived. Tragically, Joanna was apparently caught by a rip current and swept out into deeper water in the channel. The alarm was raised by concerned onlookers and two units of the RNLI from Ballycotton and Crosshaven were tasked to attend the scene. The Coast Guard's Sikorsky Rescue 117 helicopter was also launched and raced to the scene from Waterford. Both casualties were taken from the water within minutes of the emergency services arriving at the scene. The young boy was rescued by the Coast Guard helicopter crew while clinging to the rocks while his mother was recovered by an RNLI vessel in deeper water. Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 26th She was unresponsive when taken from the water. Both were immediately brought for first aid. The woman was landed at Ballycotton Pier and given emergency medical treatment before being taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) in a critical condition. Emergency medical attention was provided for both by paramedics who had also raced to the scene. Despite desperate efforts by medical staff to stabilise the woman's condition at CUH, she was pronounced dead a short time later. A post mortem examination was scheduled to take place on Monday at CUH. Gardai said they are treating the incident as a tragic accident with a file to be prepared for the Cork coroner. The 10 year old boy was treated for shock and minor injuries such as cuts and bruises from the rocks. However, the injuries involved are not life threatening. Locals said the emergency response to the incident was remarkable - with multiple agencies deploying units within minutes of the alarm being raised. Weather conditions in the area at the time were described as very humid with patches of sunshine and occasional thundershowers. Ballycroneen is located in east Cork a short distance from Ballycotton, Cloyne and Shanagarry. Most day-trippers and tourists head to Garryvoe strand located further east while Ballycroneen is largely used by locals as it is traditionally a much quieter beach. However, given its location just to the east of the entrance to Cork harbour, the waters off Ballycroneen can be subject to very strong tides and currents. The strand is particularly noted for having strong and treacherous rip currents offshore. Cara Darmody and her father Mark (right) with Fine Gael minister Simon Coveney at their meeting in Leinster House AUTISM services campaigner Cara Darmody is preparing for one of the biggest weeks of her young life, ahead of meetings with the Taoiseach and the head of the HSE. The sixth-class pupil is ready to fight for others when she faces HSE chief Bernard Gloster next Tuesday and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar the following day, she told the Irish Independent. The 12-year-old, from Ardfinnan in Co Tipperary, has two autistic brothers, Neil (10) and John (5), who are both non-verbal. She has been a constant advocate for them as well as the thousands of others suffering due to a lack of services. As always, Cara insists the meetings are not about me and said she will be fighting tooth and nail for those amazing children that have been left to rot on HSE waiting lists. Cara said the showdown with the Taoiseach will be the biggest since Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman in 1974. Im going to keep campaigning for these people until I get change because people like my brothers cannot fight back for themselves, she said. In May, Cara was in Dail Eireann to hear Disability Minister Anne Rabbitte indicate that the Government would consider reimbursing parents who are forced to use private providers for assessments of needs. Minister Rabbitte said she would make the commitment by August, if certain targets are not met. Twelve-year-old Cara Darmody campaigns for autism and carers rights at the Dail At the time, Cara said she was pleased that ministers were finally starting to smell the roses and vowed to keep coming back until concrete change is implemented. The soon to be secondary school pupil, has now reaffirmed this commitment saying: Its all fine talking the talk, but now lets see if Leo is willing to walk the walk. Cara brings up three main issues every time she meets someone in a position of power. Immediate financial relief for parents and people paying for assessments and therapies, the lack of accountability in the HSE management and to get a full review of carers allowance, she said. People like my mam work really, really hard and only gets 1.34 every single hour. She works 24/7. Its not a part-time job, it is full-time job and there are thousands of other people around the country, just like my mam and many other carers across the country, and the whole carers allowance needs to be reviewed urgently. Cara was in Leinster House on Wednesday, where she met ministers Simon Coveney and Simon Harris. She also visited Trinity College Dublin where she met her hero, former President Mary McAleese. She is due to meet President Michael D Higgins this Saturday in Aras an Uachtarain. As part of her mission to draw attention to the 20,000 people waiting for autism assessments in Ireland, Cara sat both Leaving Cert maths papers in recent weeks. Cara Darmody meets former President Mary McAleese She echoed the annoyance of many who sat paper one, saying it had loads of gotcha questions and that she was so sad to see the stories of children crying and being really upset all because of one exam. Paper two was a bit more fair, but it was still really tough for me, simply because Im only a 12-year-old. I wasnt as nervous for the second paper as I was for the first one so lets see what happens, she said. Cara sat the Junior Cert maths exam in 2022 and scored 97pc. Fundraising events she has established in the last year have already collected more than 70,000 to help families of autistic children. Last week the Oireachtas Committee on Autism launched its final report, which included 109 recommendations. Committee chairperson Senator Micheal Carrigy presented Cara with a copy of the report, to mark her becoming the youngest person to give evidence to an Oireachtas Committee. Caras father Mark said following his daughters motion to the Dail last month, the Government has agreed in principle to pay for private assessments. Now weve got to meet Mr Varadkar and weve got to nail that down. Thats really what the purpose of this is for her, he said. Michael Scott (58) at the Central Criminal Court. He was found guilty of the manslaughter of his 76-year-old aunt Chrissie Treacy at her home in Co Galway in 2018. Photo: Collins Courts Noinin review: Of all the places Ive eaten in this year, this no-notions spot run by two sisters is one of my favourites New Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty (right) with former world champion boxer Carl Frampton at an event in Belfast last night RTE has declined to give details abut the remuneration package being given to Patrick Kielty for taking on the role of Late Late Show host when it returns later this year. The national broadcaster would not comment on suggestions that the show is to be reduced by half-an-hour and said it does not discuss contracts or negotiations. The comedian and new host was not available to speak with reporters in relation to RTE, the Late Late Show or the scandal of the hidden payments to his predecessor, Ryan Tubridy, ahead of an event for a documentaries festival in Belfast yesterday evening. A spokesperson for RTE said the broadcaster is not ready to launch The Late Late Show plans as of yet and didnt want to take away from the documentary festival. The spokesperson said it was not as a result of the payment scandal engulfing the station. We want to launch the new season of The Late Late Show properly, later in the summer, they added. RTE and 345,000 of hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy When asked about the payment scandal in RTE as he left yesterdays event, Kielty said: I might need a couple extra beers in me before I start that. Last week it emerged that presenter Ryan Tubridy was paid 345,000 more than publicly stated between the years 2017 and 2022. At yesterdays event, Kielty discussed the death of his father, politics, identity and attending LA parties with John Legend. The event saw Kielty and former world champion boxer Carl Frampton share their experiences of life in Northern Ireland. Both have been involved in making documentaries about the North in recent years. The pair praised the impact being made by Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland. Its one of the best pieces of television Ive ever seen, said Frampton, whose foray into documentary films has seen him cover mental health issues. I honestly think young people in schools should be made to sit down and watch it all. Minister Catherine Martin says RTE is nearly in an existential crisis Kielty said the programme had shown him how much Northern Ireland needs to see those from different communities as people. It brought back memories for me of the week of the Shankill bomb, he said. I had a gig in the Ardoyne cancelled that week but decided to go ahead with it.It was the only time theyve had to lock the doors from the inside. But nearer the time of the Good Friday Agreement I had a show in Newtownards. Mo Mowlam called me for a ticket. She said her plus-one was to be Billy Hutchinson. She knew even then that we all needed to see each other as people and communicate as people. Ive always remembered that. Irish News Its scary and hits you straight away Irish woman on searing 42C heat in Greece as no end in sight Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was heckled on the third day of the Governments neutrality forum on Monday. Former Independent candidate in the Dublin Bay South by-election Peter Dooley branded the forum a sham and accused Mr Varadkar of serving the EU and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after he interrupted the Taoiseachs opening address. Wars dont serve the interests of working class people. Youre only serving the interests of the elites, Ursula von der Leyen and the European Union. Ireland is a vassal state of the United States, Mr Dooley told the Taoiseach. He said there is a proxy war in Ukraine which has banned churches, political opposition and media. Many of those things are untrue, others are conspiracy theories but Id be happy to cover them during my speech if Im given the chance to speak, said Mr Varadkar. Mr Dooley was the second protester to disrupt Mr Varadkars opening remarks at the forum, which is in its third day and taking place in Dublin Castle. Mr Varadkar said Ireland needs allies and we need friends but said there isnt a perceived outcome from the forum. Not being a Nato member makes it harder to defend ourselves in the event of an attack and that is just a fact, he said. I do believe it does help in some ways [not being in Nato] - it certainly helps with our relationship with the Global South, many of whom are suspicious of Nato. He said Irelands seat on the UN Security Council may not have been won if Ireland was a Nato member. He later told reporters that referenda on not joining another organisation are not held. Its not the intention of this Government or any of the three parties that make up the Government to join Nato. You have referenda because youre joining another organisation. There isnt a requirement to have a referendum to join Nato, I think if we were ever to contemplate that we probably would have a referendum. After resigning as director general, Forbes confirms decision not to attend hearingRay DArcy joins Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy, Brendan OConnor, Mary Wilson, Bryan Dobson, Miriam OCallaghan and Aine Lawlor in addressing the issue of their payTaoiseach and Tanaiste both said Ms Forbes should still appear before Oireachtas committeesNUJ hold lunchtime protest at RTE campus today Former RTE director general Dee Forbes will not attend two Dail committee hearings to address the RTE payments scandal, it has emerged. Ms Forbes, who resigned from her post of RTE director general yesterday, will not address the Oireachtas Media Committee hearings tomorrow, citing health reasons. She will also not attend Thursdays hearing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal. The Dails spending watchdog was notified this evening that Ms Forbes would not be attending Thursdays hearing despite being one of 18 people summoned to appear before it to answer questions in relation to undeclared payments to its highest-paid presenter. Sixteen current or former executives have been invited to appear at the hearing on Thursday as it seeks to examine payments to presenters, the oversight mechanisms for payments, the persons responsible for signing off on the Ryan Tubridy-Renault deal, and RTEs operation of barter accounts. RTE Interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch and RTE chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh have so far confirmed they will attend tomorrows Oireachtas Media Committee. A number of other board members have been invited although it is not clear if they will attend. Ms Forbes, in a statement issued through her solicitors earlier today, said she would not be attending tomorrows Dail committee citing health reasons. Ms Forbes, through her solicitors, has told the committee that she is under medical care. Byrne Wallace Solicitors have told the committee chair Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth: Our client is not fit to attend and participate in the Public Session Meeting of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media. The letter, a copy of which has been seen by Independent.ie, adds: It was with enormous difficulty and assistance that our client was able to piece the statement together which was issued yesterday morning [Monday] and prepared over the last number of days. A letter from Ms Forbes GP has been provided to the clerk of the committee with the requirement that it be kept confidential. The letter also states that Ms Forbes was first notified of her invitation via an email forwarded from RTE at 8.11pm on Monday. "Our client was not forwarded the advance notice which was sent to RTE on Friday," the letter states. It is understood that although an official invitation has not yet been issued, Ms Forbes will also not attend a hearing of the Public Accounts Committee on the controversy this Thursday. It comes as presenter Ray DArcy has described the pay scandal which has engulfed the national broadcaster as a terrible mess as he revealed his salary has now dropped to 250,000. In a statement today, Mr DArcy said he does not have an agent. The fees paid to him have dropped significantly in recent years, down from 450,000 in 2019 to 305,000 in 2020 and 2021. On a human level, I feel for the people involved, but also share the feelings of anger and disappointment of many people around the country and in RTE, he said. For the record, I havent got an agent. All of my salary figures to date have been reported correctly. When asked, I agreed to take a more than 15pc cut in 2019. My current salary is 250,000. Ray D'Arcy DArcy is the latest to comment after Miriam OCallaghan, Bryan Dobson, Mary Wilson and Aine Lawlor were the among the high-profile RTE presenters to issue a statement on their pay amid the furore over hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy. They followed Claire Byrne and Joe Duffy in making statements on the matter earlier in the day yesterday. OCallaghan said there is profound shock, anger and sadness among everyone working at Montrose. She also clarified that the most recent published fee of 263,500, which she received in 2021, is still correct. In a statement, the Prime Time host said: For the purpose of transparency, honesty and clarity, I want to put on the record that my most recently published fee from RTE 263,500 is correct, as are the published fees for previous years. I have never received additional payments from RTE that were not publicly declared. Its hard to put into words how incredibly sad I have been since this story broke last Thursday. I had no idea this was coming down the tracks. I feel you, our listeners and viewers, have been badly let down. "I love RTE its a wonderful place to work, full of superb people who work very hard and conscientiously every day to deliver good programmes. Right now, theres profound shock, anger and sadness among everyone working there. All we can do as journalists now, is cover this story as rigorously as we cover every other story. RTE's top presenters release statements on earnings Yesterday evening, News at One host Dobson said in a statement: RTE publishes on-air presenter salaries which, as far as I can see, have always fully accounted for my earnings. I dont propose to add to that. The most recently published figures show Dobson took a pay cut between 2020 and 2021. In 2019, the former Six One presenter received 209,282. In 2020, he got a pay rise, bringing his total salary to 217,332. But in 2021, his salary dropped back again to 209,282. Morning Ireland presenter Mary Wilson who is an RTE staff member said her salary is 196,961. I have no top-ups, additions or payments from any other sources, she added. In 2019, she earned 196,961. In 2020, her salary went up to 204,537. In 2021, it dropped back to down to the 2019 figure and remains at this. Lawlor also confirmed that her salary is in line with what was previously reported. Her remuneration stood at 183,662 in 2020. Their statements came after other top RTE presenters Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy and Brendan OConnor revealed how much they are paid by the broadcaster and said the last published figures were correct. Byrne revealed she is now being paid 280,000 a drop of 70,000 since she gave up her Monday night television show. The broadcaster made a lengthy statement at the start of her radio programme yesterday morning, saying she wanted to be honest with listeners. And following lively discussion of the controversy around RTE presenters pay on Liveline, Duffy disclosed that he received 351,000 in fees from the broadcaster in the past year 300,000 for his radio work and 51,000 for TV projects. The broadcaster said he signed a four-year contract in 2019, and this year agreed to a two-year extension with the exact same conditions, no changes and no increases". He said he only agreed to a four-year contract as he didnt know what health I would be in in 2023, but that RTE asked if a clause could be inserted which would give the option of invoking an extra two years. I said I would gladly do another two years, he said. His TV projects this year include The Meaning of Life. Ive never been offered, never rejected, never received, never been involved in any outside the figures that are on my contract are the exact figures I receive, he added. Claire Byrne on the set of TV show Claire Byrne Live. Photo: Conor McCabe / Liveline presenter Joe Duffy / Brendan O'Connor Brendan OConnor, meanwhile, has confirmed that his pay is 245,004 the same figure he received in 2021. The Sunday Independent columnist presents his RTE Radio 1 show on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 1pm. In 2019, the radio presenter earned 220,000 from RTE. This increased to 238,753 in 2020, and to 245,004 in 2021. RTE members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) were scheduled to protest on the broadcasters campus today at lunchtime. The NUJ are acutely aware of the ongoing anger of members and also of the powerlessness that many members are feeling, the union said in a statement. In response to requests from members, the NUJ are calling a lunchtime protest for 1pm at the plaza in RTE Donnybrook. This will be an opportunity for NUJ members to stand together and express in unity their anger and the urgent need for answers as soon as possible, for the public and for staff. The RTE board has said it will publish as much as possible of the Grant Thornton review. In a statement, it said it will also publish a comprehensive statement setting out its understanding of the circumstances surrounding the misstating of Ryan Tubridy's earnings from 2020 to 2022. RTE is acutely aware that the issues that were communicated by the RTE Board in its statement last Thursday have raised profound questions, the statement said. The public, public representatives and RTE staff want to know what happened, how it happened and who is accountable. We are very mindful of the need to provide clarity as soon as possible, and we are committed to doing so. As per the RTE Board statement last Thursday, the circumstances that led to the misstatement of Ryan Tubridy's earnings from 2017-2019 are separately being reviewed by Grant Thornton and therefore will not be included in the statement. Members of the RTE Board and Executive will be represented at the Joint Oireachtas Committee and the Public Accounts Committee this week. We have no further comment to add at this time. When revealing her pay, Byrne added that she realised it is way beyond what many people would hope to earn. I hope you can trust me, she said. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says it would be sensible for other top-earning RTE stars to follow suit and clarify how much they have been paid. I think theyre going to want to do that, he said. Inevitably, theyre all going to be asked about the fees that they receive, whether they receive additional fees indirectly. "So I think it makes sense. It is up to them of course, but I think it makes sense, from their point of view, to clarify that. Mr Varadkar has said Dee Forbes, who resigned as director general yesterday, should still appear before Oireachtas committees and that presenter Ryan Tubridy should also appear before committees if hes invited. I think if the committees invite him to speak, he should be willing to do so, he said. Byrne got another 25,000 payment for presenting Irelands Smartest, a Sunday night quiz show which aired on television in recent weeks. These fees were negotiated by NK Management, the same talent firm involved in the Tubridy payment scandal. However, Byrne said: Ive never sought, been offered or discussed any sort of commercial or side deal. She went on to say that the 350,000 figure published in relation to her fees for recent years was accurate even though it is the subject of a review of Grant Thornton. Byrne said she learned of the news of Tubridys extra payments through the news like everybody else and found the public reaction nothing short of heart breaking. Some had questioned her absence for the airwaves on Thursday and Friday of last week when the controversy broke. Addressing this, she told listeners: You might know I wasnt here on Thursday and Friday just gone. And I know that some people had linked my absence to the payments controversy and wondered if I was in some way implicated or involved. The truth of it is that I booked those two days off months ago. One of my children was involved in a dance competition in Kerry and we all decided to go with her and make a few days of it. The fact I wasnt here when the news broke was a complete coincidence. I saw and heard that news coming in just as everyone else did. She added: Id no prior warning. Id no inkling there was a problem on the horizon. I wasnt even aware that presenter fees, including my own, were subjected to a Grant Thornton review. I knew absolutely nothing about it. Byrne said she listened to the public outrage on Liveline last Friday as callers talked about being disappointment, about trust being broken and the importance of transparency. And for me and all the great people I work with every day on this show, hearing that is nothing short of heart-breaking. I can tell you as programme makers, our aim is always to be consistent, to be fair, to be professional and to respect the hard-earned trust that you the audience has placed in us. The move by Byrne to reveal her pay details put pressure on other presenters to do likewise but she said this was not her intention. I felt that for me it was the right thing to do, she told listeners. Byrne was the clear frontrunner to replace Tubridy as the presenter of the Late Late Show but withdrew from the contest in early May. She cited her young family and the fact she loves her daily radio programme as the key reasons behind her decision. It came on a dramatic morning in RTE yesterday, as Forbes resigned as director general with immediate effect. Leo Varadkar reacts to Dee Forbes' resignation from RTE, says reform of TV license is suspended As director general, I am the person ultimately accountable for what happens within the organisation, she said in a statement. I take that responsibility seriously. I am tendering my resignation to RTE with immediate effect." She said she was deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone". Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he believes there should be a full presentation to the Dail committee. Obviously, the former director general has knowledge of the entire situation and has to be in a position to clarify issues to the Oireachtas committee so, Government wants as full a presentation as possible at that Oireachtas committee, he said, speaking to Morning Ireland. Forbes is among a number of key RTE figures who have been invited before two Oireachtas committees this week as the scandal surrounding hidden RTE payments continues to unfold. There is huge anger both within RTE and among the public at large as the fallout continues from the 345,000 in hidden payments to Tubridy. The issue of corporate governance at RTE will also be discussed at the Oireachtas Media Committee tomorrow followed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday. In her statement, Forbes accused the RTE Board of not treating her with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague or a person. All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing, she added. She said she has no knowledge of publicly undisclosed payments made to Tubridy between 2017 and 2019 and was only aware of the commercial agreement in place between 2020 and 2022, where the payments of 75,000 were made to the presenter through a barter account. She said RTE had never expected to become liable for them and had not budgeted for them and the arrangement fell through in part due to the fact commitments could not be met during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster, a member of both Oireachtas committees seeking answers from RTE this week, says Forbes is now not compelled to attend either meeting following her resignation. "She could actually volunteer to attend the committee in the interest of transparency and accountability, Munster told Morning Ireland. "And if, as she says in her resignation statement, she cares deeply about RTE and the people that work for it, then she needs to come and answer the questions. She added that if Forbes does not attend, she will be doing RTE and its staff a huge disservice. The committee is inviting members of the Executive Board and the Chief Financial Officers, including Forbes, to address the issue of corporate governance. EXPLAINER: What's the problem with Ryan Tubridy's RTE paycheque? The RTE National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Broadcasting Branch said Forbess statement of resignation leads to more questions that needs answering. Staff working at the public broadcaster outlined several questions they believe need urgent answers. They wish to know who knew about the payments made to Tubridy between 2017 and 2019 if Forbes did not, including whether similar payments were made in the years prior. Who signed off on all additional payments to Ryan Tubridy, who agreed to them, who agreed to deliberately conceal them? they asked, adding that staff want the numerous internal communications on the issue published as soon as possible. Staff want Dee Forbes to appear before both Oireachtas committees, the branch added. If she cares deeply about RTE as she asserts then she should do so. Staff at RTE believe that we, and the public, need the full facts as a matter of urgency. We cannot wait seven months for the outcome of an external review. RTE Director General Dee Forbes and former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy The NUJ branch said the review should examine placing a cap on all salaries and earnings at RTE, for both on-air presenters and others employed by the broadcaster as well as low pay and the use of zero-hours contracts at the broadcaster. RTE needs to commit going forward to the highest standards of openness and transparency with the public and with staff and their elected representatives, they added. We strongly believe that reform of funding for RTE should not be halted by this scandal which is not of our staff's making. The NUJ advocates for the abolition of the television licence fee in its current form. The NUJ calls for a windfall tax of 6pc to be placed on big tech companies in order to fund responsible public service broadcasting. Minister Neale Richmond said the departure of Forbes from RTE was not a massive surprise, though the statement raises more questions than it provides answers. Speaking on Morning Ireland, he said he is not rooted in the personalities that attend the committee and is instead focused on ensuring all the information is provided. I would like to see full cooperation from senior management at both committees this week, he said, adding that it's important the process takes place without the bias or a prejudgment from a government minister. Professor Jane Suitor of the Institute for Future Media at Dublin City University, added that Forbess resignation statement did not provide the crucial answers to the question: Why was the Oireachtas and the public not told about this? I think the other interesting thing is that she is very explicitly bringing other senior colleagues into the loop, making it very clear that she didnt act alone. She said it would be a grave error for RTE to not provide the Oireachtas with a detailed response to key questions this week. If politicians are not fully satisfied in the next week or two, then the Minister [for Media] is going to have to take some very serious decisions, Prof Suiter added. Ryan Tubridy speaks to the media at his home last week. Photo: Steve Humphreys Since the news last week that Ryan Tubridy had received extra undeclared payments from RTE totalling 345,000 over a number of years, RTE, its board, director general and top presenters have issued numerous statements on the matter. Here is what they have said so far about the ongoing payments controversy at the national broadcaster. Thursday June 22 10am Ryan Tubridy signs off from his Radio One Show. 3pm RTE releases an explosive statement revealing that the earnings of the former Late Late Show host had been misstated. The statement says 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. During a routine audit of RTEs 2022 accounts, an issue was identified in the transparency of certain payments resulting in consultants Grant Thornton being commissioned to carry out an independent review of the matter. RTE reveals its board were informed of the results of the fact-finding review on Monday. The broadcaster made two payments of 75,000 to Tubridy in 2022. They were intended to come from a commercial partner but, when this arrangement was not renewed, RTE made the payments via a barter account as they had already been under written and guaranteed. In addition, Grant Thornton found RTE had understated the presenters earnings by 120,000 during the period of 2017 to 2019. 5.09pm Responding to the news, Ryan Tubridy says in a statement that he was surprised to learn about errors in the publicly stated payments by RTE. He says it was unfortunate that the errors were in relation to payments made to him. 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, he said. "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. In the same statement, his management company, NK Management, also says the matters are RTEs sole responsibility. "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, they add. "These issues are solely concerned with RTEs internal accounting treatment and public declarations in respect of such lawful payments. Minister Catherine Martin says she is extremely concerned about the revelations and arranges a meeting with the chairperson of the RTE Board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh. It is stated that RTE director general Dee Forbes, due to depart from her role in July, is currently on annual leave but remains contactable. 6pm On the Six One News, Ms Ni Raghallaigh confirms Tubridy will not present his show on Friday morning. "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, she says. Asked whether Tubridy will be on the radio next week, Ms Ni Raghallaigh replies: That's a matter for the executive. She denies that there was any correlation between the issue and the decision for the presenter to step down as host of the Late Late Show. Friday June 23 9am Comedian Oliver Callan takes over Tubridys slot on RTE Radio One, telling listeners the broadcaster served up the scandal with a sprinkle of shambles. 11.41am Former chair of the RTE board Moya Doherty, who finished her term in November 2022, says in a statement that at no time during her tenure did she have knowledge of the payments. "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, she said. "The matters which have come to light go to the heart of a failure of good corporate governance. 11.58am It emerges that Ms Forbes is not on annual leave as was previously stated, but was actually suspended from her role in RTE on Wednesday. In a statement, the board says: The RTE Board confirms that Dee Forbes, the Director General was suspended from her employment on Wednesday 21 June 2023. There are processes on-going 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. 12pm Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he is very concerned at the information set out in RTEs statement and the announcement that Director General Dee Forbes has been suspended. 4.30pm Ryan Tubridy makes a second statement, this time apologising for not asking questions when his earnings were published. 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. 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 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%. 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. Saturday June 24 5pm Following a meeting with the chair of the RTE board, Minister for Media Catherine Martin says there will be an external review into corporate governance at RTE, with a decision on reform of the licence fee paused. The review could take six or seven months, she says. While as Minister I cannot get involved in the day to day operation of RTE, I do need assurance that the governance and culture is fit for purpose, she says. Public trust in RTE must be rebuilt. Therefore, a Government decision on the future funding model for public service broadcasting has been paused until such time as this review is complete and the findings considered. My officials will develop Terms of Reference in this regard over the coming week, and I will expect the full co-operation of the RTE Board and senior executives in engaging with this review and in engaging with Oireachtas Committees in the coming period. Sunday June 25 Senior executives at RTE - including Dee Forbes - are invited to appear before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee and Media Committee. At a film event in Belfast with boxer Carl Frampton, incoming Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty is quizzed about the furore. Members of the media were warned in advance of the show that Kielty would not be taking questions on the controversy around the broadcaster. A spokesperson for RTE said this decision was made as RTE is not ready to launch the Late Late Show plans as of yet and didnt want to take away from the documentary festival. The spokesperson said it was not as a result of the payment scandal engulfing the station. We want to launch the new season of the Late Late Show properly later in the summer, they said. Despite all that, Kielty was still quizzed briefly on the RTE fallout. But all he would say was: Id need a few more beers before I could talk about that. Monday June 26 7.30am Dee Forbes tenders her resignation as RTE director general with immediate effect. As Director General, I am the person ultimately accountable for what happens within the organisation, she says in a statement. I take that responsibility seriously. I am tendering my resignation to RTE with immediate effect." She says she is deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. Ms Forbes accuses the RTE Board of not treating her with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague or a person. All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing, she adds. Ms Forbes says she has no knowledge of publicly undisclosed payments made to Ryan Tubridy between 2017 and 2019 and was only aware of the commercial agreement in place between 2020 and 2022 where the payments of 75,000 were made to the presenter through a barter account. 8.38am Statement by the Board of RTE in response to the public announcement by Dee Forbes. The Board said: We acknowledge receipt this morning of correspondence from Dee Forbes confirming her resignation as Director General with immediate effect. We note the contents of her accompanying statement. Representatives of the RTE Board and Executive will be attending the Joint Oireachtas Committee and Public Accounts Committee this week. 8.50am Tanaiste Micheal Martin tells Morning Ireland that there should be a full presentation to the Dail committee despite the resignation of Ms Forbes. 9am Comedian Oliver Callan again hosts The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTE Radio One in the absence of the presenter. 10am RTE Radio One host Claire Byrne opens her show by declares her own salary live on air, telling listeners she now receives 280,000 - a drop of 70,000 since she stopped presenting her Monday night television show. Ive never sought, been offered or discussed any sort of commercial or side deal, she says. Ms Byrne said the disclosure felt like the right thing to do, adding it was heartbreaking to hear the publics perception of RTE may be impacted by the controversy. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar later tells reporters that it might be sensible for other top-earners at RTE to follow in her footsteps. I think theyre going to want to do that. Inevitably, theyre all going to be asked about the fees that they receive, whether they receive additional fees indirectly, he said. So, I think it makes sense, it is up to them of course, but I think it makes sense, that its sensible from their point of view for them to clarify that, yes. 1pm The RTE Board releases a statement saying they will release a comprehensive statement tomorrow about the situation. The Board says it will publish as much as possible of the Grant Thornton review tomorrow. RTE is acutely aware that the issues that were communicated by the RTE Board in its statement last Thursday have raised profound questions, the statement said. The public, public representatives and RTE staff want to know what happened, how it happened and who is accountable. We are very mindful of the need to provide clarity as soon as possible, and we are committed to doing so. As per the RTE Board statement last Thursday, the circumstances that led to the misstatement of Ryan Tubridy's earnings from 2017-2019 are separately being reviewed by Grant Thornton and therefore will not be included in tomorrow's statement. Members of the RTE Board and Executive will be represented at the Joint Oireachtas Committee and the Public Accounts Committee this week, they added. We have no further comment to add at this time. This week, senior executives of the public broadcaster will appear before the Media Committee and the Public Accounts Committee. It is not clear whether former director general Dee Forbes will attend the meetings. 3pm At the end of his show, RTE 1 Liveline host Joe Duffy discloses he received 351,000 in fees from the broadcaster in the past year 300,000 for his radio work and 51,000 for TV projects. The broadcaster said he signed a four-year contract in 2019 and this year agreed to a two-year extension with the exact same conditions, no changes and no increases". He said he only agreed to a four-year contract as he didnt know what health I would be in in 2023, but that RTE asked if a clause could be inserted which would give the option of invoking an extra two years. I said I would gladly do another two years, he said. His TV projects this year include The Meaning of Life. Ive never been offered, never rejected, never received, never been involved in any outside the figures that are on my contract are the exact figures I receive, he added. 3.30pm Brendan OConnor confirms that his pay is 245,004 - the same figure he received in 2021. The Sunday Independent columnist presents his RTE Radio 1 show on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 1pm. In 2019, the radio presenter earned 220,000 from RTE. This increased to 238,753 in 2020, and to 245,004 in 2021. 5pm RTE 1 Prime Time host Miriam OCallaghan releases a statement saying that the most recent published fee of 263,500 which she received in 2021 is still correct. Ms OCallaghan said: For the purpose of transparency, honesty and clarity, I want to put on the record that my most recently published fee from RTE - 263,500 - is correct, as are the published fees for previous years. I have never received additional payments from RTE that were not publicly declared. The broadcaster said there is profound shock, anger and sadness among staff working at Montrose. She added: Its hard to put into words how incredibly sad I have been since this story broke last Thursday. I had no idea this was coming down the tracks. I feel you, our listeners and viewers, have been badly let down. I love RTE - its a wonderful place to work, full of superb people who work very hard and conscientiously every day to deliver good programmes. Right now, theres profound shock, anger and sadness among everyone working there. All we can do as journalists now, is cover this story as rigorously as we cover every other story. 5.50pm News at One presenter Bryan Dobson makes a statement about his salary. Mr Dobson said: RTE publishes on air presenter salaries which, as far as I can see, have always fully accounted for my earnings. I dont propose to add to that. A statement from RTE on behalf of Mr Dobson detailed that the most recently published figures show Mr Dobson took a pay cut between 2020 and 2021. In 2019, the former Six One News presenter received 209,282. In 2020, he got a pay rise, bringing his total salary to 217,332. But in 2021, his salary dropped back again to 209,282. 6.40pm Morning Ireland presenter Mary Wilson - who is a staff member - said her salary is 196,961. I have no top-ups, additions or payments from any other sources, she added. In 2019, she earned 196,961. In 2020, her salary went up to 204,537. In 2021, it dropped back to down to 2019 figures and remains at this. 8.50pm RTE Radio 1 News At One presenter Aine Lawlor confirms her salary is in line with what was previously reported. She was paid 183,662 in 2020. Broadcaster cant clarify if Forbes will face grilling RTEs suspended director general Dee Forbes is among a number of key RTE figures who have been invited to appear before Oireachtas committees this week. Photo: David Conachy The knives are out among furious staff in RTE as they demand answers this week from suspended director general Dee Forbes and other members of the stations executive. Ms Forbes is among a number of key RTE figures who have been invited before two Oireachtas committees this week as the scandal surrounding hidden RTE payments continues to unfold. There is huge anger both within RTE and among the public at large as the fallout continues from the 345,000 in hidden payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy. The issue of corporate governance at RTE will be discussed at the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday followed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday. There is no indication yet whether Ms Forbes will attend the meetings. When asked to clarify if she would be there, an RTE spokeswoman was not in a position to elaborate. Notification of invitations to both committees have been received. RTE will be attending, she said. Asked exactly who from RTE would be there, she told the Irish Independent that the broadcaster would share further details as soon as its possible. Staff in RTE are demanding Ms Forbes and other key figures attend the committee meetings in order to try to provide more information and, crucially, some transparency on the controversy. Ryan Tubridy's complicated payments at RTE comes under the spotlight Mystery surrounds the manner and also the reason why these hidden payments were made to the stations best-paid broadcaster over the course of six years. We hope she attends, said RTE journalist Emma O Kelly, chair of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Dublin Broadcasting Branch. We want answers to the questions. We want to get to the bottom of what happened here but above all else, we want things to change in RTE. We want deep-rooted change in RTE and we want this culture gone; this culture of ordinary workers subsiding and lining the pockets of a very small elite. She said there is fury and anger internally in Montrose but that workers are showing huge unity through this crisis. She also expressed concerns over the reform of the funding model for RTE and said it amounts to yet another punishment for staff who have been subsidising this current culture that has been exposed. Emma O Kelly criticised RTEs use of things like zero-hour contracts and bogus self-employment contracts to cut corners internally while creating cushy packages for those in the upper echelons. Theres a real feeling of dont punish us twice by delaying reform of the funding model because thats what this will amount to, she said. Members of RTEs NUJ branch will meet again on Wednesday to discuss what further measures they could take. Arts and Media Minister Catherine Martin has now ordered an external review of the governance and culture at RTE. After meeting with RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh over the weekend, Ms Martin said what transpired was shocking and has caused untold damage to RTEs reputation. The purpose of Ms Martins review will be to determine what fundamental or systemic issues need to be addressed, including the adequacy of internal controls. An external review commissioned by RTE to examine the remuneration of its top 10 highest paid presenters will be concluded within two weeks. An internal review has already been done which found no anomalies. The Cabinet will meet to discuss the crisis at its meeting today. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said it was really important that all the facts are put on the table. There are very serious issues here to be explored, very serious corporate governance issues, and real questions that need to be answered, he said. It is really important that all of the facts are put on the table and that the Oireachtas committee receives the full cooperation of RTE, and that people at a very senior level attend and assist them with their work. Embed code - RTE and 345,000 of hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy He said the Cabinet meeting will be an opportunity to discuss in further detail the external review. Niamh Smyth, chair of the Media Committee, said it would be foolish if Ms Forbes does not attend the committee meeting. She is one of the key people in this crisis for RTE. Her appearance would show leadership. I dont think this Ryan Tubridy arrangement could have happened without her say-so and ratification. It would not be fair on her colleagues not to take part, nor fair on the public who we need on board in continuing to pay their TV licence. If she doesnt come in it would be very unhelpful and disloyal to staff. Without her it cant be an open and accountable process. She knows what we want to know. Catherine Martin says RTE is nearly in an existential crisis Brain Stanley, chair of the PAC, said if would reflect badly on Ms Forbes and damage the credibility of RTE if she does not attend the committee meeting. We are a very forgiving nation. Its much better to come in and admit to any wrongdoing, to hold your hand up. She was in charge, and by RTEs own admission the Oireachtas and the people of Ireland have been misled for years. Gardai and the Irish Coast Guard will resume a search of the Slieve League area of Co Donegal tomorrow. It follows reports that a person has gone missing in the area. The area, the setting for Europe's highest sea cliffs, has been cordoned off all day as a result of the search. The identity of the missing person has not been released by gardai. The Irish Coast Guard confirmed it is involved in a search for a missing person. The gardai and the Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo are involved in the search as are members of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team. Gardai have restricted access to the area while the search is ongoing. In what is believed to be a connected incident, gardai have also sealed off a house in the Killybegs area of the county. Forensics officers have entered the house and a search is being conducted. Uniformed gardai remain at the scene of the house on the outskirts of the fishing village. However, gardai are remaining tight-lipped about the nature of the search. A spokesperson said they had no further details in relation to the investigation at this time. Rose Kearney, Nora O'Doherty and Esther O'Sullivan of Duhallow Vintage Club presenting Kate and Tony Wilkinson of the Cork Parkinson's Association with a cheque for 2,800, procees of their catering at the Mallow Flower and Garden Festival, with other club members and festival director Alan Collins (right kneeling). The O'Sullivans Pat and Paul with Michael O'Callaghan (centre) at the Duhallow Vintage Summer run. MEMBERS of Duhallow Vintage Club were back at Mallow Racecourse again on last Tuesday evening, this time to present a cheque, the proceeds of their catering tent at the recent Mallow Flower and Garden Festival. It was an event where the clubs display area was a huge attraction over the three days of the festival. The beneficiary of the takings was the Cork Parkinsons Association and their chair Tony Wilkinson and his wife Kate were on hand to accept the cheque for 2,800. This included a significant contribution from the festival director Alan Collins, for their funds of the Association. The cheque was presented by the Duhallow catering committee of Rose Kearney, Nora ODoherty and Esther OSullivan to Tony and Kate Wilkinson. Meanwhile, back at club level the vintage club members embarked on their summer run last Sunday in glorious weather, when they headed cross country to the village of Grenagh, taking in Newmarket, Boherbue, Gortroe and Bweeing and Grenagh Farm, before returning to their base in Freemount village. Survey finds use of Artificial Intelligence is fast becoming a cause of concern for workers One in four people in Cork believe artificial intelligence will impact or replace their jobs. AN eye-opening new survey has found that more than a quarter of Cork respondents believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will have an impact or, worst case scenario, replace their jobs altogether at some point in the future. The survey, undertaken by leading jobs agency FRS Recruitment, found that 27% of Cork people, (slightly higher than the national average) expressed concern that the increasing prevalence of AI could result have a negative effect on the Irish jobs market. The survey, which provided a broad overview of current employee sentiment, found that more than one on six people on Cork (64%) would move jobs for a salary increase of 25% or less, with four out of 10 respondents saying they felt their current pay did not reflect their current role. While the vast majority of Cork employees (72%) also expect to receive a hike in pay over the coming 12-months, more than half (52%) believe a change of employer would enhance their career prospects. Interestingly the survey showed a growing confidence among people Cork people in relation to the local jobs market, with just over half of respondents saying they believed the scope of job opportunities had increased this year and 80% saying they would be confident of securing a new job within three-months. However, almost 80% of respondents did say that the lack of salary information on job ads did put them off applying for a role. While growing prevalence of AI proved to be a cause for concern among employees, the survey found that just 30% of employees feared for their job security, with just over a third of Cork respondents conceding they would consider taking a pay cut rather than lose their job. The survey also looked at employer sentiment, with almost two of three saying they believed the rising cost of living has impacted the on their recruitment outlook. Just over 60% of employers said they had seen an increase in employee attrition this year, with 42% saying salary is the key diver behind this. While a third of employers surveyed said they have been pressing their employees to spend more time in the workplace, this year, 30% of workers said keeping costs down was a key reason for them wanted to work from home. Comments on the surveys findings FRS general manager Lynn McCormack said it providing a wide-ranging picture of salary trends in Cork, indicating the impact that issues including the increasing role of technology, the cost of living, salaries and job security are having on the local employment market. The data highlights the role cost of living concerns are playing in recruitment in Cork and how this is putting pressure on salary expectations. A majority of people in Cork expect to receive a wage increase in the next 12 months, which is important information for employers to keep in mind. Of even greater concern to local businesses will be the significant numbers who are prepared to move jobs for a salary increase of 25% or less, as well as the portion of the local workforce who believe they are not receiving the salaries they deserve. She said the high level of confidence expressed in the Cork jobs market was a sign of strong local recruitment prospects and the increasingly fluid employment market in Cork as the Irish economy moves effectively to full employment. This is creating expectations and awareness amongst employees and candidates which employers will need to keep in mind if they wish to secure their current workforce, or if they are seeking to add new personnel to their teams, said Ms McCormack. Also of interest are the number of local people who believe their role will be impacted or replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the future. With so much chatter about this topic over recent months, some level of concern is to be expected, but it is certainly an area that employees and employers in Cork will be mindful of in future, carefully watching how this area of technology evolves in the coming months and years, she added. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O Flynn with wife Mary, son Francis John and their dog Copper outside Cork County Hall following his election to the office of first citizen of Cork County. Picture: Philip Daly Bowling enthusiasts could throw a score of bowls on the main streets of Corks towns and villages after 7pm as the hearts of the Rebel County urban areas are deserted due to the blight of dereliction, Mayor Frank OFlynn told The Corkman on Monday following his election. As far as the newly elected mayor of Co. Cork is concerned, tackling the issue of derelict sites in towns and villages is a no brainer as they already have the services, such as water, power and broadband, facilities including schools and broadband, and amenities such as cafes, pubs, clubs and shops. During his speech at Cork County Councils Carrigrohane HQ on Friday, following his election, the new Mayor, the first First Citizen of the County from the Fermoy/Mitchelstown electoral area since Dick Fitzgerald in 1981, said that housing would be his priority during his year of office. "It is imperative that we address the urgent need for social & affordable housing, utilising all possible avenues to ensure its provision, he said. Additionally, I am deeply concerned about homelessness and the challenges faced by young people and families who fall outside the threshold for social housing and who are struggling with exorbitant rents together with the immense challenge of finding suitable accommodation. "The issue of dereliction is something which concerns me greatly, he said on Monday, speaking with The Corkman. Inside of our towns and key villages we have vacant sites and derelict sites lying idle for years, we have the footpaths, we have the road network, we have the water, sewerage, ESB, gas in some places, the bus network, the trains in Mallow and Charleville and, of course, we have the broadband. "I cant understand, it takes so long to get them up and running, theres so much red tape between ecologists and conservation officers and this report and that report, a lot of people are just fed up hanging around." Mayor OFlynn recalled the introduction of outdoor dining areas during the pandemic without going through the rigours of the planning process and regulation and he said this was a possible precedent for the urgent action necessary to deal with the issue of dereliction. It worked exceptionally well, he said. Its the easiest way of getting the people back to where there are houses, where there are shops, inside in our towns and villages, you could put life back in our towns and villages. The growing evidence of dereliction was having a devastating impact on the vibrancy and vitality of the towns and villages. "Most towns and villages you could play a score of bowls on the Main Street after 7 oclock, said Mayor OFlynn. The Mayor recalled how in his youth people lived in the town and village centres above the shops and they could then walk to shops and local parks and schools. Another of his priorities for his year in office is to secure a better share of funding for County Cork, given that the county is three times the size of most counties. "I am committed to advocating for increased and fairer funding share for Cork County across all services, particularly for our roads and footpaths, which present an ongoing challenge. "Moreover, in the face of extreme weather events resulting from global warming, we must confront the biodiversity and climate crises head-on. It is our duty to actively address these environmental, social, and economic challenges, fostering sustainability, climate adaptation, and mitigation in our daily lives. He said that he would work hard to foster a stronger relationship with young people, whom he described as the torchbearers of tomorrow, by listening to their voices and addressing the challenges they were facing. The new First Citizen also committed to meeting and engaging with people from all corners of the county and beyond, listening to their voices and valuing their perspectives and working with Council officials such as CEO Tim Lucey and others in the team. "I am committed to forging connections, providing support, and engaging with the people and businesses across the county. "By fostering relationships with civic, business, and tourism partnerships such as Avondhu Blackwater Leader, Ballyhoura, Local Enterprise Offices and farming organisations, we can enhance the opportunities available to our citizens. The other priority the Mayor referred to was the upcoming Council elections, expected next June, and he didnt rule out a run at a higher forum either, given the Dail elections could be soon afterwards. Im always open to opportunities, he said. My next big outing will be the local elections in June next year, he said. I was at Charleville yesterday (on Sunday) at the show and my first official event was at the Cork V Roscommon game in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday. The new Mayor is off to a winning start to his tenure at least. Trans+Pride Cork co-founder Saoirse Mackin - we feel it is an important act of resistance, which is needed now more than ever. Saoirse Mackin - this is a celebration of trans lives and a demonstration that were here and were proud. That was the defiant message from the co-founder of Trans+Pride Cork, who will this Saturday take to the streets of Cork City for their second annual rally under the theme of Break the Binary. Saoirse Mackin said rally, which will gather outside the library on the Grand Parade at 2pm before the inaugural Trans+Pride Cork march through the city, welcomes all transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals and their allies. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to welcome Corks second ever Trans+Pride. We feel it is an important act of resistance, which is needed now more than ever, said Saoirse. Our library staff are under threat, transgender individuals have been assaulted and online debate is rife about our existence. Trans+ Pride Cork is a celebration of trans lives and a demonstration that were here and were proud, she added. Saoirse expressed their gratitude for the support of Cork Pride, The Gay Project and the many LGBT+ support services across Cork. Marching is such an important part of LGBT+ history dating back to the origin of Pride at the Stonewall Inn in 1969. Issues of housing, healthcare, discrimination and political representation continue to the present day and so we will march for justice and raise our voices, said Saoirse. Last February Trans+Pride Cork organised a vigil to remember Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl who was tragically stabbed to death in a park in Warrington, England. Trans+Pride co-founder Louise ODonnell said the event was held in the memory of all the trans lives lost to gender-based violence. She said that next Saturdays gathering and march will be a more positive one, offering an opportunity to showcase the resilient transgender community in Cork. Trans people are your siblings, your friends, your neighbour and all are deserving of respect and equality, said Louise. She urged Cork people to come along on Saturday to show their solidarity with the Cork trans community. Our transgender siblings face untold hardship in accessing gender-affirming care in Ireland. They are subject to ignorant media coverage, online furore, and misguided moral panic. In reality, trans people face a higher risk of violence and harassment, as well as greater levels of mental ill health as a result of isolation and bigotry, said Louise. This event is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and the vibrancy of the trans community, she added. The line between Connolly Station and Kilbarrack is currently closed while crews work to clear an obstruction. There is currently significant disruption to DART services due to an obstruction on the line between Connolly Station and Kilbarrack. The line between both stations is closed while crews work to clear the obstruction. It has caused significant disruption to DART/Northern Commuter and Enterprise services, Irish Rail said. DART services are operating from Connolly to Bray and Greystones, from Kilbarrack to Malahide and Howth Junction to Howth. Dublin Bus are honouring rail tickets in the area. The 10.35am Belfast to Connolly train is held in Malahide and the 12.50pm Connolly to Drogheda train is held in Connolly. Irish Rail has said the line is expected to reopen later this afternoon and a full evening peak schedule is expected to operate this evening with further updates to follow. A newly formed national patient and carer-led alliance, with strong County Wexford connections, has called for increased patient experiences to be at the heart of national health strategy. The Heart & Stroke Voice Ireland (HSVI) is Irelands first patient alliance in cardiovascular disease and was launched recently by former Health Minister Mary Harney. The organisations first voluntary chairperson is David Kelly, originally from Enniscorthy. Speaking about the launch of the organisation and its call for more informed national health strategies, he said: We are delighted to celebrate the establishment of Heart and Stroke Voice Ireland, which marks a milestone in patient-centred care for cardiovascular disease in Ireland. The alliance is committed to ensuring that the first-hand experiences of both patients and carers are central to the development of a comprehensive framework of care that can drive meaningful change in the lives of those caring for and living with cardiovascular disease in Ireland, said David. We believe that by repositioning the patient and carer experience to the centre of a national framework we can make a significant contribution to achieving equity in CVD care, he added. The HSVI was set up to address the unmet needs of patient centred care by championing patient engagement and involvement. The alliance, which operates under the auspices of the heart and stroke charity, Croi, is calling for a Patient First national cardiovascular disease (CVD) strategy, that would be shaped by the lived experience of those living with such illness in Ireland. CVD claims the lives of 9,000 people in Ireland each year, despite an estimated 80 per cent of premature CVD being preventable. The alliance, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, has outlined three initial key areas of focus to support those experiencing CVD including: Early detection; Timely diagnosis; Equitable access to care. The organisation has voiced its willingness to engage with Government officials to collaboratively shape a framework of care that recognises the equal importance of prevention, early detection, timely treatment, and rehabilitation for those directly impacted by CVD. The HSVI also aims to ensure patient voices are considered across research, education, and all aspects of CVD healthcare and the alliance will also provide a platform to develop the capacity and capability of the patient voice while also promoting greater awareness and understanding of the need for equitable and timely access to quality treatment and care across the patient journey. Speaking at the launch, former Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, said: Today is significant for patients living with cardiovascular disease in Ireland. We hope that policy makers will engage and consult with alliances such as Heart and Stroke Voice Ireland when developing any framework of care that accurately addresses the needs of both patients and caregivers, to ensure that the lived experience is at the centre of any policy changes. Ms Harmey said patient alliances for numerous diseases are common across Europe and play a vital role in providing a platform for the patient experience which in turn informs policy making. "The launch of Heart & Stroke Voice Ireland marks the first such patient alliance in the area of heart disease and stroke in Ireland and this is a very positive and welcome development, she said. Ms Harney also highlighted that Irelands most recent national CVD strategy expired in 2019 and has yet to be replaced. That means there is currently no overall national approach, despite Ireland having the lowest rate of detection of high blood pressure in Western Europe. Following on from the launch the HSVI highlighted some areas of concern that need to be address. It said a report by the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC) and the National CVD Prevention Council outlined that waiting times for diagnostic services, such as echo and angiography, can exceed a year in some public hospitals. The alliance is also concerned that the lack of a national strategy and long waiting times reflect poorly in an international context. In the United Kingdom, the NHS Constitution outlines that patients have a legal right to treatment within 18 weeks of referral and it pledges that patients should not be required to wait six weeks or more for a diagnostic test. In Ireland, only private hospitals meet that benchmark for diagnosis. A report published in February, 2023, by the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health and the National CVD Prevention Council, recommended a screening program for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which is a genetic condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol levels from birth. It affects around 1 in 200-250 people in Ireland, however, the majority of it goes undetected while childhood FH screening programmes are commonplace throughout Europe. Meanwhile, research published by Croi in 2022 found that 80 per cent of public hospitals do not offer GPs direct access to echocardiograms which is an essential diagnostic test for heart patients, and this significantly increases wait times for those seeking echocardiograms through the public system. For more information on Heart and Stroke Voice Ireland, visit https://croi.ie/heart-and-stroke-voice-ireland/ Magic on a Winters Night, an RTE Lyric FM radio documentary, has premiered at Tribeca Festival in New York City. The documentary received its world premiere in the festivals Audio Storytelling strand. Presented by Mary Brophy for the Lyric Feature, Magic on a Winters Night goes behind the scenes at the 71st Wexford Festival Opera as Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi and her teams orchestrate their particular brand of alchemy. Featuring live excerpts from RTE Lyric FMs recordings of the 2022 opening opera La Tempesta, location recordings and input from the talented cast of performers and crew, the listener is brought from stage rehearsals to opening night in this portrait of a post-pandemic creative world. Magic on a Winters Night is co-produced by Eoin O Kelly, RTE Lyric FM and Neal Boyle, IWR Media for The Lyric Feature documentary strand. The production of La Tempesta was sponsored by Elavon. The programme will get its Irish broadcast premier this October on RTE Lyric FM in advance of the 72nd Wexford Festival Opera. Speaking on Monday, Randall Shannon, Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera said: We were delighted when RTE Lyric FM expressed their interest in documenting the exciting process of opera production, and thrilled when it was selected for Tribeca. Speaking about the Tribeca official selection, Mary Brophy said: Im thrilled with the selection. Tribeca is one of the worlds most prestigious festivals and to have this story resonate with the Tribeca selectors is really gratifying. Getting behind the scenes at Wexford Festival Opera, we were able to give the audience a rare glimpse into the artistry and magic thats required to bring a festival of this calibre to life. Im delighted that story gets to travel now. Speaking for RTE Lyric FM, Eoin O Kelly said: Having had the privilege of working at the Wexford Festival Opera as producer of live broadcasts, I have long thought that the sheer creative energy of the participants simply demanded to be captured in documentary form. Its been great that our partnership with IWR Media to bring this about has been recognised in this way. Now in its 22nd year, Tribeca is a destination for creativity that celebrates all forms of storytelling including film, TV, audio and music. Tribeca was the first major festival to invite audio into its programme and this years audio storytelling programme will highlight the work of both emerging and established audio creators. The 72nd Wexford Festival Opera features 70 events, over 13 days from October 24 to November 5. Booking is now open. The 2023 festival promises a packed programme comprising of three mainstage opera rarities, two pocket operas, the Wexford Factory opera, 11 lunchtime recitals, an immersive community opera a first for WFO a choral recital with New Dublin Voices, the annual gala concert of festival favourites, film screenings, an impossible interview, the Dr Tom Walsh lecture which asks Are Women Peacemakers?, a myriad of joyous free pop-up events all around the town and an exuberant opening night. wexfordopera.com Park Live is set to return to the Min Ryan Park in Wexford this August. Joining Gavin James and The Whistlin Donkeys on the bill, the organisers of the Park Live Festival set to take place in Wexfords Min Ryan Park in August have revealed the final act to round out the festival and its sure to cause some excitement. Dec Pierces Block Rockin Beats has been a sensation at venues across the country and the legendary DJ returns to Wexford, following a sold-out show at the Spiegeltent last year, to bring those summer vibes to Min Ryan Park on Saturday, August 19. Read more Support act revealed for Gavin James at Park Live in Wexfords Min Ryan Park Dec Pierce Block Rockin Beats first hit Irish airwaves in 2018. The combination of classic 90s dance hits, timeless R&B and boundless hip-hop was an instant success. In recent years, the show has been brought to the masses, with live shows for thousands in venues up and down the country. Expect the worlds biggest dance anthems including tracks from Underworld, Faithless, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and many more. Block Rockin Beats is a show where rave meets rock music and where both music styles unite for one unmissable performance. Dec Pierces Block Rockin Beats will explode onto the Park Live stage on Saturday, August 19. Tickets will go on sale from 9 a.m. this Friday, June 30, from parklive.ie. The event will be strictly over 18s. A plaque unveiled by the Mayor of Chateaudun, Mayor Fabien Verdier and Cathaoirleach of Arklow, Cllr Pat Kennedy. The plaque is located close to a mural painted by students from the Anatole France Secondary School, as part of a school project. Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District, Cllr Pat Kennedy, led a delegation of ten Town Twinning Association members on a special visit to Arklows twin town of Chateaudun to celebrate their 40 years of friendship. Arklow twinned with the town of Chateaudun in the Eure-et-Loir department in France, with the two Town Twinning Associations having organised many social, cultural and educational events since 1983. This months visit saw the Mayor of Chateaudun, Fabien Verdier, welcome the Arklow delegation to a civic reception in the Town Hall, where representatives of Chateauduns other Twin Towns - Marchena (Spain), Schweinfurt(Germany) and Kromeriz(Czechia; formerly known as the Czech Republic) - were also in attendance. Martine Provost, Chairperson of the Chateaudun Town Twinning Committee, welcomed all and recalled the history of the twinning with Arklow. Chairperson of the Arklow Town Twinning Committee Maria Fitzmaurice thanked Martine, her committee and the host families for the warm welcome and assured all that the friendships and contacts would continue to flourish. She thanked the many people who had contributed so much to the twinning since its inception. Cllr Kennedy then recalled how the links between Arklow and Chateaudun had progressed and paid tribute to the work of both committees. In December 2022, Arklow Municipal District invited Mayor Verdier of Chateaudun to visit with members of Chateauduns Town Twinning Committee for the re-opening of the Parade Ground. Mayor Verdier congratulated all those who had travelled to celebrate the 40th anniversary, thanking those present from the other three European Twin Towns, stating that a strong and united Europe was vital. Later, in the cool interior of the historic Chateaudun castle, a charter confirming the continuation of the Town Twinning was signed by Cathaoirleach Kennedy and Mayor Verdier. The visitors then toured the castle, with its dungeon dating from the 12th century, and its beautiful Renaissance staircase. The castle was built to protect the Beauce region, as it was the only secure lookout point over the fertile valley of the Loir, a tributary of the well-known Loire. The origin of the towns name comes from the Gaelic word Dun or Dunum meaning stronghold or fort. The visitors attended a rose-planting ceremony in a nearby square called Place dArklow, overlooking the Loir. Sundays ceremonies included a visit to Chateauduns Library and Museum, with its impressive collection of books donated by the towns notable citizens, who were leaders in the political and scientific world. The Arklow delegation viewed pages from a 14th-century bible written in Latin and decorated in a style that recalled images of our own Book of Kells. Students from Nermont Secondary School carried out research on aspects of Irish life of interest to them, and these topics were on display in the entrance lobby of the library, along with Arklow pottery, ceramics and Irish lace. On arrival in Chateaudun, a mural painted by students of the Anatole France Secondary School was unveiled by Cathaoirleach Kennedy and Mayor Verdier. The mural, painted on one side of a large electricity transformer (substation), features the Bay of Arklow and is part of a project funded by Enedis, the French National Electricity Distributor Board, in association with the Chateaudun Twinning Committee. Each side of the transformer will feature a scene from each of the four twin towns, and the Arklow mural is the first to have been completed. On the day of departure, the visitors from Arklow were invited to the same school to meet students of the International Class, who solved riddles in English about aspects of Irish culture. They also visited the former military aerodrome in Chateaudun, with its display of military aeroplanes in its high-security location. This aerodrome has the longest ex-military runway in France. Some members of the Arklow delegation hope that a certain Irish airline might seize the opportunity to develop this outstanding feature. All the visitors and their hosts were brought on an evening visit to the world-famous Cathedral of Chartres, located 50 km north of Chateaudun. After a tour of the interior of the Cathedral, a delightful meal was arranged in the best creperie in town. A mini train then brought us on a 60-minute tour of the illuminations of Chartres, Twinning Association member Anne O Connell said. The Cathedral and other historic buildings were lit up by a light show with various themes - unforgettable! The members of Arklow Town Twinning Association wish to thank Cathaoirleach Pat Kennedy and his wife Helena for attending the 40th anniversary of the Town Twinning with Chateaudun. They also thank Arklow Municipal Council for its ongoing support. Sorrow at the death of Wicklows Mother Teresa A nun from Bray, Sr Cyril Mooney (86), who received India's highest civil award, the Padma Shri, for her work in education, has died in Kolkata, India after a long illness. Born in 1936, Sr Cyril won a scholarship to Loreto Convent in Bray and decided to become a nun at the age of 13. She grew up in Wolfe Tone Square, Bray, where she became a messenger for her mother handing out magazines for the Holy Ghost Father's Missions and began to develop an interest in the work they were doing. She also learned a great deal from the Mother Superior at Loreto Convent, where she was a student, and first felt her vocation at the age of 13 during a retreat in school. She left Ireland in 1956 when she was 19 for Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), on a journey that took her from Dun Laoghaire by ship, to England, the Canary Islands and South Africa before finally reaching Kolkata, becoming principal of Loreto Day School at Sealdah, Kolkata in 1979 after completing her PhD in Zoology. She went on to found the Rainbow School Programme, when poverty in India inspired her to use education as in instrument of change and empowerment. The convent schools, previously attended only by the well-off, opened their doors to the poor, helping some 450,000 people to significantly improve their circumstances. "We call them Rainbow Children because you can't tie a rainbow down, she had said at the time. Under the Rainbow Programme, 700 children who attend the school pay fees, and the money generated allows 700 more in to the school who cannot afford to pay. Another innovation of hers was the Barefoot Teachers Training Program that provided teacher training to young people from slums and villages near Kolkata who lacked the basic requirements for admission in teachers colleges. Sister Cyril and her team trained more than 7,000 teachers, who in turn brought primary education to over 350,000 village children with no access to education. In 1983, she came home to raise money so more children could attend the school. Her trip included visits to Loreto schools explaining the poor conditions of children in Kolkata. She also brought hundreds of young Irish Volunteers to work in the Loreto Sealdah school in Calcutta, to help battle the inhuman conditions in the Indian shanty towns. On another visit home, in October 2007, she visited Bray and spoke about her experiences with children in India at Mass in the Queen of Peace Church and visited the Loreto school to talk to the students there about life in Kolkata. She was stopping on the way back from a summit run by Bill Clinton on education, global warming and alleviation of poverty and improvements in health and she brought with her a powerful message: Every one of us has something to give,' she said. Whether that is saving one molecule of carbon or helping one child. Bray's very own Mother Teresa' was honoured with a civic reception by Bray Town Council at the Town Hall and received the Passion Award from Bray & District Chamber. Sister Cyril Mooney died on Saturday, June 24, at Loreto House in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata at the age of 86. Her funeral takes place at St Thomass Church, Kolkata, on Tuesday, June 27, where Mother Teresa lay in state for a week before her funeral in September 1997. A new Executive Group and Chairperson has been elected by the County Wicklow Older Peoples Council (OPC). The Older People's Council is a representative group of older people, established by Wicklow County Council as part of the national Age Friendly Programme. The key purpose is to provide the authentic voice of older people in the county, representing the diversity that exists among our ageing population. The induction meeting for the new OPC Executive, held at Clermont House, was facilitated by Alice Corbett, Age Friendly Ireland Regional Manager for the South-East and Clodagh Whelan, Age Friendly Programme Manager for County Wicklow. Carina Holmes, Chairperson of the new OPC, said: It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be elected as Chair and I look forward to working with the new executive group and the Wicklow Age Friendly County Alliance. Members of the new OPC Executive are: Carina Holmes (Chair), Suzanne Bennett, Eamon Burgess, Tom Cavanagh, Orla Finn, Anne Halpin, Kathleen Kelleher, Elizabeth Kelly, Marie McCourt, Mai Quaid, Pat Riordan, Gertrude Salley and Hilary Taylor. With representatives from the five Municipal Districts across County Wicklow, the new OPC Executive has a diverse range of experience among its members who also represent special interest groups such as Dementia Support, migrant communities, community groups, care in the community, arts, culture, and disability support groups. Following their next meeting in August, additional members may be invited to join the OPC Executive to represent other special interest groups. The Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, stated: It is essential that this very large demographic group be heard and that their needs are met. As our aging population is projected to increase, with people living longer into the future, we want to ensure that Wicklow a great place to grow older for all. Emer OGorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, welcomed the new OPC executive group, saying: I look forward to working with the new Older Peoples Council representatives, thorough the Wicklow Age Friendly County Alliance, to ensure that the voice of older people is heard and the County Wicklow Age Friendly Strategy 2023-27 is implemented. Clodagh Whelan, Age Friendly Programme Manager for County Wicklow noted that: Recently released details from the 2022 Census show that 27 per cent the population of County Wicklow is now over 55. Residents of County Wicklow and who are over the age of 55 and want to find out more about the work of the Older Peoples Council and County Wicklow Age Friendly Strategy 2023-27, should contact: agefriendly@wicklowcoco.ie Princess Beatrice has been spotted at Glastonbury, as she greeted friends with a hug near the hospitality interstage area of the festival. Beatrice, 34, was seen with husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi on Sunday afternoon the last day of the festival which sees Sir Elton John set to close the event as the headline act. Beatrice (second left) with husband Edo (right) greeting friends at Glastonbury (Edd Dradcott/PA) The Duke of Yorks daughter was dressed in a long sleeved black top, black skirt, white Adidas trainers and a cross-body handbag, and was wearing a pink wristband. She smiled as she embraced friends before heading in the direction of the Left Field area. Beatrice, who also attended the festival last year, is not the only royal to have descended on the Worthy Farm site in the past. The then-Prince of Wales with Michael Eavis (centre) as Charles visited Glastonbury Festival 2010 to mark the 40th anniversary of the event (Yui Mok/PA) Her sister Princess Eugenie has been previously, and their cousin the Duke of Sussex was pictured in the crowds in 2013 with his then-girlfriend Cressida Bonas. In 2010, even the King then the Prince of Wales made an appearance, touring the site with founder Michael Eavis and taking to the Pyramid Stage to wave to revellers and meet the behind the scenes team. Ikea did not link the change to a growing boycott of the confectionary maker in Scandinavia (Steve Paston/PA) Furniture giant Ikea says it plans to phase out products owned by Mondelez, the company behind Cadbury, amid a boycott across much of Scandinavia of the confectionery-makers products. On June 21, 2023, a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Kaka Arjun (52), was killed by Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres at Ilmidi village in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur District. Arjun served as the Sarpanch (head of the Panchayat, village level local self-Government institution) of Ilmidi village Panchayat from 2016 to 2020. His body was found lying on the Kongupalli-Ilmidi Road in Bijapur, more than 400 kilometres from the state capital, Raipur. Arjun was the Secretary of the Scheduled Tribe wing of the BJP in Bijapur. A pamphlet issued in the name of the Madded Area Committee of the CPI-Maoist, taking responsibility for the killing, claimed that Arjun had been working for the BJP since 2014 and was against the Maoists. In the pamphlet, the Maoists also warned that any person who works against the CPI-Maoist would meet a similar fate. On February 11, 2023, Ramdhar Alami (43), a BJP-supported Sarpanch of Hitameta village between 2015 and 2020, was hacked to death by a group of suspected Maoists at Barsoor in Dantewada District, while he was on his way home to Hitameta village. On February 10, 2023, Sagar Sahu (47), vice president of BJPs Narayanpur District, was shot dead at his home in front of his family members, by suspected Maoists in Narayanpur District. On February 5, 2023, Neelkanth Kakkem (48), the BJPs divisional head of Awapalli in Bijapur District, was killed when three suspected Maoists stabbed him with sharp weapons in Bijapur District. On January 16, 2023, Budhram Kartam (35), was found dead near a culvert on National Highway-32, close to Kilepal village, in Jagdalpur, Bastar District. Kartam, a former Sarpanch of Kilepal, was the secretary of the BJPs Bastar district unit. According to partial data collated by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least five political leaders or functionaries (all of the BJP) have been killed since the beginning of 2023 (data till June 25, 2023) in Chhattisgarh, all in the Bastar Division. Since March 6, 2000, when SATP started compiling data on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) violence across India, at least 65 political leaders or functionaries have been killed in Chhattisgarh of which 53 killings were recorded in the Bastar Division. Another 12 killings were reported from three district: eight in Raipur, three in Rajnandgaon and one in Surguja. The Bastar Division comprises seven districts Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Sukma. During this period, March 6, 2000, and June 25, 2023, at least 360 political leaders or functionaries have been killed and another 49 have sustained injuries in 362 incidents of Maoist attacks targeting political leaders or functionaries, across India. Meanwhile, soon after the June 21, 2023, killing, Chhattisgarh BJP general secretary O.P. Chaudhary blamed the ruling Congress government in Chhattisgarh asserting, This targeted political killing of senior BJP office bearer in Bastar division isn't possible without Congress' support to the Naxals. Looks like the party is hand in glove with them to target the BJP leaders. On the other hand, Chhattisgarh Congress party spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur stated that the killings were highly unfortunate and accused the BJP of politicizing the matter, It's highly unfortunate as to how BJP is trying to do politics over the killing of its leader. How can one forget that under the Raman Singh tenure in Chhattisgarh, Naxalism had spread massively? Earlier, on February 13, 2023, after four killings - one in January and three in February - BJP Member of Parliament from Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) and State Party President Arun Sao demanded an unbiased inquiry by an independent agency into the killing of the four BJP party workers in the Bastar region. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament), Sao argued, Four of our key members and office bearers have been killed in Bastar in the last one month. It is a clear case of targeted killing and political conspiracy. Our people are left at the mercy of God and the state government is doing nothing for their safety. Through the Lok Sabha, I demand an unbiased investigation by any independent agency into the killing of the BJPs local leaders in Bastar and request the government of India to issue an order to the state government to ensure the safety of people. On the same day, calling the killings of political leaders or functionaries unfortunate, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Bhupesh Baghel noted, It is true that some BJP leaders have been murdered and it's extremely unfortunate. Naxals are targeting individuals, barging into houses to kill people this also proves that their power has weakened and they are showing their frustration. The worst ever attack by the Maoists targeting the political leadership, across all Maoist affected regions in India, was the May 25, 2013, ambush in which 29 persons were killed, and another 30 injured, in the Darbha Ghati region of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Five Congress party leaders, eight Congress party workers, and eight Security Force (SF) personnel were among the 29 the persons killed. The BJP's Raman Singh was then Chief Minister in the state. Soon after the attack, Congress party spokesperson Shailesh Trivedi had said, It is the BJP which had conspired to kill all the top Congress leaders The Congress believes that the chief minister and his officials should face the specific test as more facts can surface More recently, on May 25, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel talking about the investigations in the Darbha Ghati attack alleged that the "the file of Jhiram Valley has been deposited in Raj Bhavan. The BJP is trying to hide something or the other" He asserted, "The day our government comes to power at the Centre, we will clear everything." It is important, however, to note, that the Maoists do not specifically target any particular political party. They identify particular individuals as inimical to their activities, and carry out such killings to energize discouraged cadres and reinforce their diminishing impact. Statements of collusion with the ruling party in Chhattisgarh have not been borne out in the past, and are likely false in the present as well. Meanwhile, according to a February 15, 2023, report, in the wake of the killings of party leaders and functionaries in the Bastar region, the Police have urged political leaders to provide advance details of their travel plans in the Maoist-affected areas, so that necessary security can be provided. In a meeting of all political parties organised by the Bastar Police on February 14, 2023, Sundarraj P., Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bastar Range, stated, The meeting was to sensitise the office bearers of the political parties about the safety protocol to be followed during political rallies/meetings/movement in the Naxal-affected areas. Further, on February 16, 2023, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Juneja wrote a letter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) requesting it to initiate a probe into the killings of public representatives in the Bastar region. Maoist violence has declined sharply across the country due to continuous efforts and sacrifices by the SFs. Challenges of the crisis of capacities and capabilities in governance and security persist, and require attention in the Maoist-affected regions. It is, moreover, imperative that the issue of political distrust and incompetence be addressed, in order to create the environment that would enable a complete resolution of the Maoist problem. The lack of trust and opportunistic politics and posturing by the ruling establishment and the opposition parties could provide an impetus to rebel activities, and tends to undermine the efforts of the SFs and the civil administration in the trouble areas. Pixabay Bhubaneswar: At least 12 passengers were killed, and eight others injured when a OSRTC bus and a private bus collided head on near Khemundi college close to Digapaandi in Ganjam district on Sunday midnight, the official said. The dead included six male, four female and two children. All the injured have been admitted to MKCG Medical college and hospital at Berhampur. Ganjam District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said a critically injured passenger has been shifted to SCB Medical College and hospital. All arrangements have been made here for treatment of patients," he said. The accident occurred while the private bus carrying a marriage party was returning from Berhampur to Khandadeuli village when it collided head on with a OSRTC bus which was on its way from Gadari to Bhubaneswar. Digapahandi Police and Fire Brigade personnel rescued the injured and rushed them to hospital. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs three lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the next kin of each of the deceased and expressed his profound grief over the deaths. Patnaik directed officials to provide free treatment to all the injured and wished for their speedy recovery. The Chief Minister directed Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh and Ganjam DPCC Chairperson Bikram Panda to rush to the spot and provide all assistance. After the accident some relatives of the accident victims and local people blocked the road demanding adequate compensation to the next of kin of the deceased. The road blockade was removed after senior officers intervened in the matter. At present efforts are on to remove the two buses from the accident site and clear the road for vehicle movement. (With UNI Inputs) Bengaluru/IBNS: A Karnataka man has been arrested for allegedly slitting the throat of his friend, drinking the oozing blood suspecting him of having an affair with the accused's wife, media reports said. The incident, which occurred in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur, has been video recorded by a witness. Police said Vijay had asked his friend Maresh to meet him. The argument escalated and then Vijay slit his friend's throat. Vijay was also caught punching Maren, who survived and is in hospital. A case of attempt to murder has been filed against Vijay. Image Credit: Facebook/KCR Hyderabad/UNI: Bharat Rastra Samithi (BRS) National President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) left for Solapur in Maharashtra for his two political tours by road from Pragathi Bhavan here on Monday morning as part of his efforts to expand the party's footprint in the neighbouring state. KCR is accompanied by a huge convoy of about 600 vehicles including State ministers, MPs, MLCs, MLAs and party senior leaders. The BRS chief will first go to Omerga in Osmanabad district and then leave for Solapur. On Tuesday, KCR will offer prayers at Lord Vitthal temple in Pandharpur town near Solapur and will also attend various programmes and address public meetings being organised there. Image: PIB New Delhi: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the network of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms & drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of Under Ground workers, Singh said while addressing a National Security Conclave in Jammu on June 26, 2023. On the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, Singh stated that the decision has connected the people of the Union Territory with the countrys mainstream and helped them to usher in a new era of peace & progress. On PoK, Rajnath Singh said, Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India, he said. Singh termed the border situation with China as a matter of perceptional difference, but there are agreements & protocols, based on which the armies of both the countries carry out the patrolling. Referring to the stand-off in East Ladakh in 2020, he said, the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the LAC. He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by PLA to change the status quo. Rajnath Singh reiterated the Governments stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner. He added that the talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. He assured the nation that the Government will never compromise on Indias border, its honour and self-respect. We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated, he added. National security is the Governments top-most priority and it is committed to protect the sovereignty, unity & integrity of the country, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. He asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He pointed out that Indias image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat. Elaborating on the blueprint on national security, the Minister stated that the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been working on four directive principles- to enable the country to deal with threats to its security & sovereignty; to take every action to protect national interests; to create safe conditions within the country to facilitate progress, improve the lives of the people & fulfil their aspirations and to build an environment with friendly countries to tackle global challenges such as terrorism unitedly. Rajnath Singh stated that no stone is being left unturned to equip the military with latest weaponry and modern technology, assuring the Nation that the Armed Forces are fully capable of protecting the borders and the seas. Our goal is to bring our Armed Forces in the frontline of modern militaries, he said. Since long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of Indias zero tolerance against terrorism policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces. Today, most of the countries are united against terrorism. The joint statement issued after the Prime Ministers meeting with US President Mr Joe Biden is an indication of how India has changed the mind-set of the world on the issue of terrorism, Singh said. Singh touched upon the measures taken by the Government to bolster national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence. He listed out a number of steps taken to attain self-reliance, namely notification of positive indigenisation lists and earmarking 75% of defence capital procurement budget for domestic industry in Financial Year 2023-24. India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only strengthen when we become self-reliant in defence manufacturing. Our aim is to Make in India, Make for the world. Our efforts are bearing fruit. Today, we are manufacturing tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and various kinds of weapons. Defence exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meagre Rs 900 crore before 2014. The exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark, he said. Rajnath Singh also enumerated the structural reforms undertaken by the Government, including the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff and setting up of Department of Military Affairs. He added that the Government continues to move forward and work is being done to set up theatre commands, which will be another revolutionary reform. Singh also shed light on the transformed image of India on the global stage under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He stated that today the world keenly listens to India on international forums due to the Prime Ministers credibility on the global stage. Rajnath Singh underlined the importance of coordination with major world powers, such as the US & Russia, to protect Indias security interests in this globalised world. He stated that India and US are being seen as natural allies and their strategic partnership is being further cemented. Singh added that India-US defence cooperation has grown rapidly with the expansion of military-to-military engagements, information sharing and cooperation in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, cyber, space and mutual logistics support. He termed the Prime Ministers recent visit to the US as a landmark event, which ushered the bilateral defence cooperation in a new era. Rajnath Singh called for integrated and united response to deal with global threats & challenges. India is a major regional power. Therefore, it is important for us to align our security concerns with other countries in our extended neighbourhood, he said. Rajnath Singh mentioned about the General Electric (GE) Aerospace-Hindustan Aeronautics Limited deal to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India. With this deal, we will become the fourth country to manufacture jet engines. Tejas aircraft will be fitted with these Made in India engines, he said. Rejecting speculative reports on the price and other terms of purchase of MQ-9B drones from the US, the Minister stated that the Ministry of Defence will compare the acquisition cost of the drones with the best price General Atomics (GA) offered to other countries. He added that the acquisition will be made only by following the established procurement procedure. Image: Pixabay Azamgarh: An elderly couple was hacked to death by unidentified persons during suspected loot in Nizamabad area of Azamgarh district here in Uttar Pradesh, a police officer said here on Monday. Superintendent of Police (SP) Anurag Arya said that Vishwanath (75), a resident of Qayamuddin Patti Parsa village, and his wife Santali Devi were killed with a sharp-edged weapon late on Sunday night. "The bodies were spotted by the neighbours on Monday when they came out for morning walk," he said. Inspector General of Police (IG) Azamgarh range Akhilesh Kumar and SP Arya reached the spot and inquired about the incident. A dog squad also inspected the crime scene. The SP said that the family members and the neighbours were questioned during which suspicion of loot or property dispute has been raised. "The manner in which the crime is committed and the jewellery of the deceased woman are missing hints towards loot. A team has been constituted to workout the case," he said. (With UNI inputs) Image: Twitter/Mallikarjun Kharge New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: Stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur situation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Monday said if the PM is really concerned about the northeastern state, then he should sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The Congress has been blaming the Biren Singh-led government for the current crisis in Manipur. "Reports indicate that finally the Home Minister has spoken to PM Modi on Manipur. For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then first thing he should do is to sack his CM, Kharge wrote in a tweet. Reports indicate that finally the Home Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Shri Modi on Manipur. For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 26, 2023 Suggesting various measures to bring normalcy in the violence-hit state, the Congress chief said, "Confiscate weapons stolen from extremist organizations and anti-social elements. Start talks with all the parties and find a common political path. End the blockade with the help of security forces. Ensure the availability of essential commodities by opening and keeping the National Highways safe." Among others, he said, "A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate." "No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi govt can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Maniur violence, Kharge said. On Sunday, the Manipur CM met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here, a day after the latter convened an all-party meeting over the current crisis in the northeastern state. Shah has assured that the Central government will take all possible steps to bring normalcy in Manipur. Image: Wikimedia Commons Kolkata/IBNS: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was on Monday filed in Calcutta High Court challenging the appointment of West Bengal Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha, court media reports said. The PIL was filed by an advocate Nabendu Banerjee in the Calcutta High Court division bench headed by T S Sivagnanam. The case is likely to come up this week, the sources added. Former State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha was appointed to the state Election Commission on June 7 by Governor C V Ananda Bose, a day after Sinha announced the state panchayat elections, which were vociferously opposed by all opposition parties, including the BJP. The Opposition parties alleged it was a hasty decision, and that too without calling an all-party meeting in this regard, which was dictatorial and undemocratic in the multi-party democracy. Sinha also came under scrutiny by Calcutta High Court for his alleged dilly-dally in the deployment of central paramilitary forces, an order pronounced by the division bench following a case filed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhury. During the filing of nomination papers at least six people died of clashes and the opposition parties alleged that the ruling TMC supporters prevented their opponent from filing nomination papers. The court even told Rajiva Sinha if he could not handle the situation then quit and seek the Governor's assistance. The Governor, after that, returned the appointment letter of Rajiva Sinha without signing it after the latter failed to attend a summon by the Raj Bhawan. He decided not to accept Sinha's joining letter after the High Court's observations. On Wednesday last, the Governor had refused to accept the joining report of State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha. The following day, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said he had believed that Rajiva Sinha would conduct the Panchayat polls in a free and fair manner when he had appointed him as the head of the State Election Commission (SEC) but people were disappointed with the panel's apparent inaction. I had appointed the State Election Commissioner trusting that he would conduct the election freely and fairly. But I find that people are disappointed about the apparent inaction from the election commission. I have seen in the field that people are in a state of fear, said the Governor on Thursday. The Governor said the poll panel should be accountable for the deaths reported during the nomination filing phase. There is bloodshed. The election commission is accountable for every drop of human blood that is shed in the field. People want action, not an alibi for an action," the Governor said. Image: Facebook/S Jaishankar New Delhi/IBNS: India Monday summoned a senior diplomat of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest over the recent attacks on Sikh community members in the neighbouring country, reports said. Four incidents have taken place between April and June this year, and India has taken serious note of these incidents, the sources added. India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate these violent attacks on the Sikh community with sincerity, and share the investigation reports. It has also been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities, who live in constant fear of religious persecution, the sources said. On Sunday, Sikh leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa in tweets said that two Sikhs were attacked in the past two days in Peshawar, Pakistan. Manmohan Singh, a shopkeeper, died while Tarlok Singh barely managed to survive. He accused the callous Pakistan government of remaining a mute spectator to all such targeted attacks on Sikhs. Sirsa urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and JP Singh, Joint Secretary and in charge of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division to address the safety of Sikhs in Pakistan. Earlier Sirsa shared news about Sikh shopkeeper Tarlok Singh being shot and injured by unknown gunmen in the Rashidgarhi area of Peshawar in Pakistan. He was rushed to the hospital. The assailants fled the scene and no one has been caught yet. This is one more attack in the series of violence happening against minority Sikhs and Hindus in Pakistan, Sirsa tweeted. He accused the Government of Pakistan of behaving like a mute spectator which encourages radical elements to plan more such targeted attacks against minorities. According to reports, the Sikh population has come down from 40,000 to 8,000 between 2002 and 2022 in Pakistan. [With UNI inputs] Image: Yout ube video grab On June 18, 2023, (8.27pm local time), the Canada-based Khalistani leader and chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot dead by two unidentified youth outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, in the British Columbia Province of Canada. On June 15, 2023, (12.45am IST), Avtar Singh Khanda, chief of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and a radical mobilizer and activist, died in a hospital in Birmingham in the United Kingdom (UK), initial reports suggested, of cancer. On May 6, 2023, wanted Khalistani terrorist and chief of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Paramjit Singh Panjwar aka Malik Sardar Singh, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Lahore in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Panjwar, along with his guard, was in a park at Sun Flower Housing Society in the Jauhar Town of Lahore, when assailants opened fire on them and escaped on a motorcycle. His guard was also hurt and died later that day. Three deaths of Khalistani leaders in rapid succession in countries other than India two manifest killings, and a third that has been brought into dispute have created a storm of speculation regarding the possibilities of covert operations by Indias external intelligence agency, R&AW, as well as a wave of abusive triumphalism by Hindutva nationalist on social media. Most of the commentary is devoid of context, and its tone and content is based entirely on the sentiments and affiliations of the analysts. While the death of three Khalistani extremists in widely dispersed locations abroad over a relatively brief period of 45 days is certainly surprising and may call for close scrutiny, it does fit into a broader context of criminal alliances and activities that have seen numerous incidents of violence including fatal violence in the past. While the possibility of covert operations by state agencies cannot automatically be ruled out, the sudden acquisition of capability and intent, and its abrupt operationalisation in multiple cases, would fit poorly into the profile of any intelligence agency of long-standing. It is useful, at the outset, to separate the death of Avtar Singh Khanda from the two obvious killings. While several fanciful theories, including some recalling the poisoning of Russian dissidents abroad by radioactive or nerve agents, have been put forward to support imagined conspiracies of Khandas poisoning by R&AW, the claims have little credibility outside a Khalistani sub-culture desperate to find new martyrs to the cause. Moreover, while Khandas terrorist lineage is impeccable his father, Kulwant Singh Kukhrana, was a KLF terrorist who was gunned down by Security Forces in 1991, and his mother was related to Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, the KLF chief killed in 1992 his own involvement in what could strictly be defined as terrorism is, at worst, dubious. While Indian state agencies have tended to bandy the term terrorist somewhat loosely in the recent past, the hard allegations against Khanda relate to a violent demonstration orchestrated at the Indian High Commission in London on March 19, 2023 (the Indian flag was torn down, but there were no casualties), as well as support to Amritpal Singh, another dubious terrorist in the new Indian lexicon. Amritpal Singh involved in widespread and often disruptive Khalistani mobilization in Punjab between August 2022 and March 2023, was eventually arrested on April 23, and is presently incarcerated at Dibrugarh in Assam in India's northeast. Crucially, reports indicate that Khanda had been hospitalized for two weeks for treatment of a (as yet publicly unidentified) blood cancer. Significantly, an early Sikh Federation UK (a Khalistani advocacy group) Tweet confirmed that he died after being diagnosed with blood cancer; however, the Khalistani Diaspora quickly seized upon the propaganda potential of the death particularly after the Nijjar killing in Canada barely three days later, to whip up a storm of allegations of Indian state mischief. The present investigation into the death will now allow such inflammatory speculation to flourish for weeks, and up to six months, till the issue is finally settled by the Coroners Inquest report. This leaves the remaining two fatalities. These are far from the first high-profile deaths/killings of Khalistani activists or terrorists abroad. Recently, for instance, on November 19, 2022, a prominent Pakistan-based operational commander of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Harvinder Singh aka Rinda, died at a military hospital in Lahore, allegedly due to a drug overdose. Rinda was among the foreign based masterminds of the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters at Mohali in Punjab, on May 9, 2022. The incident has also been linked to several gangsters abroad, crucially including Lakhbir Singh aka Landa in Canada, Satbir Singh aka Satnam Singh in Greece, and Yadwinder Singh in the Philippines. The Mohali RPG attack illustrated the increasing incidence of the Khalistani-gangster networks operating across multiple borders, as well as the deep involvement of Khalistani terrorists and activists in a range of other criminal activities. Rinda was a key figure in the drugs and weapons supply chain from Pakistan into India. On January 27, 2020, another arms and drug dealer, as well as the then chief of the KLF, Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD, was killed at the Dera Chahal Gurdwara near Lahore, apparently because of a financial dispute over drug deals with another local gang. Indian Police sources indicated that Harmeet Singh was involved in a chain of killings in Indian Punjab between 2016 and 2017, which also had a prominent footprint in the Khalistan-gangster networks abroad. It is within the murky milieu of the Khalistani-narcotics-gangs network, patronized and substantially controlled by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), that the killing of Paramjit Singh Panjwar needs to be assessed. Panjwar was deeply involved in the smuggling of heroin, weapons and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from Pakistan, even as he sought to keep the KCF alive with the revenues generated from these activities. However, his significance as a terrorist and trafficking facilitator had been progressively diminished, as younger and more aggressive players arrived on the scene. There is, yet, no clarity on who killed Panjwar, and the case is unlikely to be solved in Pakistan, where Panjwars existence is not even acknowledged, and where his death was reported as the killing of Malik Sardar Singh, the identity he had been given by the ISI. However, Panjwar, with several far more active Islamist and Khalistani terrorists operating from Pakistan, Panjwar would not be a very high priority target for Indian agencies, were they to begin to draw up any hit lists in that country. Nijjar, however, has certainly been high among Indias concerns about Khalistani elements in the Western Diaspora. He is accused of the killing of a self-styled godman, Baba Bhaniara, in 2014; of the murder of Manohar Lal, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower in 2021; of attempts to kill a Hindu priest, Pragya Gyan Muni, also in 2021, as well as several other conspiracies to target Hindu elements as well as other followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda. Indian intelligence also claims Nijjar organised a terrorists training camp in Canada in 2015 (a trainee, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, was subsequently sent to Punjab to target Shiv Sena leaders there; Dhaliwal was arrested in June 2016). With little traction on the ground in Punjab, Nijjar linked up with gangster Arshdeep Singh aka Arsh Dalla, to provide the logistics and manpower for several of these operations in Indian Punjab. Dalla has now been placed on a list of Khalistani terrorists abroad, who are sought by Indias National Investigation Agency. Nijjar was also prominent in the Sikhs for Justice Khalistan Referendum campaign, and organised its most successful event at Brampton on September 19, 2022. Crucially, Nijjar has long been associated with an often-violent Gurudwara politics in Canada. He was also engaged in a long-drawn confrontation with the principal architect of the IC 182 Kanishka Bombing of 1985 in which 329 persons were killed (as well as two luggage handlers in a second explosion at Narita Airport, Japan), Ripudaman Singh Malik. Nijjar had objected to the printing and distribution of copies of the Guru Granth Sahib by Malik, and had seized these copies, as well as Maliks printing unit. After Malik was turned by Indian intelligence agencies he began criticizing anti-India elements, and accused Nijjar of obviously working at the behest of some agencies of a foreign government a reference to Pakistan. On January 23, 2022, at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey, Nijjar ranted against Malik for over an hour, describing him as a Qaum da gaddaar (traitor to the nation) and an agent, adding that he should be taught a lesson. Malik was killed in a gang-style hit with eerie similarities to Nijjars own subsequent killing by two men on June 22, 2022. Investigations into the Nijjar killing are also likely to head into a dead-end, as did investigations into the Ripudaman Singh Malik hit. Khalistani conspiracy theorists also found some grist for the mill in the June 5, 2023, statement by Jody Thomas, Canadas National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, identifying India as a source of foreign interference in Canada a curious inversion of reality, since it is from Canada that a continuous separatist campaign is being fuelled and funded by Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Indian origin, and where extremists openly flaunt their affiliations with terrorists as well as with terrorist organisations banned in Canada, as well as their close connections with Justin Trudeaus ruling Liberal Party. In partnering with gangsters involved in a range of activities, dominated by drug smuggling, but also including gun running, targeted killings and extortion in their country of origin, the Khalistani Diaspora has chosen a path fraught with danger. In Canada, in particular, the Punjabi gangster culture is rampant. 21 per cent of gangsters killed in gang wars or police operations since 2006 are of Punjabi origin, while just 2 per cent of the Canadas population is Punjabi (1.4 per cent Sikh). On August 4, 2022, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit British Columbia released a poster identifying 11 individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety due to their ongoing involvement in gang conflicts and connection to extreme levels of violence. Nine of the 11 gangsters listed were of Punjabi origin. While the Punjabi gangs struggled against the Italian-Canadian Mafia and the Asian Triad gangs in past decades, they have now come to dominate organised criminal activity in the country, with fratricidal conflicts within the Punjabi gangs accounting for much of the present gang violence. And while no possibility can be ruled out in the investigations into the Panjwar and Nijjar killings, as well as Khandas death, there are far more credible explanations within the vicious politics and criminal associations of the Khalistani Diaspora, than in the claims that Indias agencies are now bumping off relatively low-level targets abroad, even as far more active and dangerous elements are allowed to flourish. In the wake of recent tragic incidents targeting Sikhs in Pakistan, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has called upon the External Affairs Minister (MEA), S Jaishankar, to lodge a strong protest against the Pakistan government for its failure to protect minorities. The appeal emphasizes the need for diplomatic intervention to compel the Pakistan government to take effective measures in safeguarding the lives and properties of Sikhs in the country. The SGPC has criticized the governments inability to ensure the safety of minority communities. Harjinder Singh Dhami, President of the SGPC, extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Manmohan Singh, a Sikh shopkeeper who lost his life in an appalling incident. Manmohan Singh was tragically shot by unidentified gunmen while Tarlok Singh, another grocery store owner, sustained injuries in a separate attack. These distressing incidents occurred in Peshawar over the past two days. It is disheartening to note that a similar incident resulted in the loss of Dyal Singhs life in Peshawar on March 31. Manjit Singh Bhoma, Chairman of the Dharam Prachar Committee Punjab of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, strongly condemned these attacks on Sikh minorities in Pakistan. He urged the MEA to establish communication with their Pakistani counterparts to address the alarming situation. Sarchand Singh, Advisor to the National Commission of Minorities, joined the chorus in urging the panel to collaborate with the MEA and request the Pakistan government to prioritize the safety and security of minorities residing within its borders. The SGPCs plea for intervention highlights the urgent need for the international community to address the growing concerns about the well-being of Sikhs and other minority groups in Pakistan. It is imperative that concerted efforts are made to protect the rights and lives of all individuals, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. (Image and Text: Khalsavox.com) Wikipedia Commons One policeman was killed and a woman cop was injured in a suicide blast in Turbat district of Pakistan's Balochistan city on Saturday. The deputy commissioner of Kech district was quoted as saying by The News International that the woman suicide bomber blew herself up on Commissioner Road in the city. A vehicle of security forces was damaged in the incident. Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the incident. The terrorists will never succeed, the CM was quoted as saying in a statement. Image: Wikimedia Commons Bangladesh's popular Youtuber Hero Alam will be fighting the upcoming Dhaka-17 by-polls and he has been allocated the ektara symbol (one-string, a musical instrument). Hero Alam's real name is Ashraful Hossen Alom. The symbol was allocated by Returning Officer Md Munir Hossain at Dhaka's Electoral Training Institute (ETI) building on Monday, reports Dhaka Tribune. Hero Alom told the newspaper: "I asked for the ektara symbol, and they allocated that to me. I have no further complaints. He said he wants to see fair elections to be held in the city. The Dhaka-17 constituency fell vacant after the death of actor Akbar Hossain Pathan. Justin Trudeau, the current Prime Minister of Canada, has found himself in a political dilemma over the issue of Khalistani separatism. Khalistan is a proposed independent state for the Sikh community in Punjab, India. The idea gained momentum in the 1980s and led to violent clashes between Sikh extremists and the Indian government, culminating in the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984. Despite being complex and sensitive, Khalistani separatism has resurfaced as a bone of contention between India and Canada. The crux of the matter is that Canada has become a haven for Khalistani separatists, who fled India to escape arrest and persecution. However, India regards Canada as a Khalistani stomping ground from where separatists plot and finance their activities. India has repeatedly raised its concerns with Canada, citing evidence of Khalistani links to terrorist activities, including the Air India bombing in 1985, which killed 329 passengers, most Canadians. Trudeaus predicament is that he faces mounting pressure from India to crack down on Khalistani separatists in Canada while simultaneously trying to appease the Sikh community, which forms a significant vote bank in Canada. The dilemma is compounded by the fact that Trudeau has been cultivating a close relationship with the Indian government, which he has described as a natural partner. However, his recent trip to India was marred by embarrassing incidents, including his attire and a convicted Khalistani terrorist being invited to a reception he attended. The fallout from the trip has put Trudeau in a precarious position, particularly with the Indian government, which has accused him of pandering to Khalistani elements for political gain. Canada needs to break free of its Image as a Khalistani stomping ground. The country should acknowledge the severity of the issue and take concrete steps to address it. The Canadian government must recognize that Khalistani separatism is not just a domestic issue but a matter of national security, given the links between Khalistani elements and terrorist activities in India. Canada should also call upon the Sikh community to eliminate extremism and violence from its midst instead of turning a blind eye to militant elements. One way for Canada to address the issue is to crack down on the fundraising activities of Khalistani separatists. The Canadian government should track the flow of funds and prevent donations from being channeled to extremist groups. There also needs to be a concerted effort to monitor the rhetoric of Khalistani speakers and influencers in Canada, who often glorify violence and promote separatist ideology. Furthermore, the Canadian government should send a clear message to its citizens that extremism and terrorism will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such activities will be held accountable. The issue of Khalistani separatism is complex and sensitive, and Canada must tread carefully to avoid damaging its relationships with India and the Sikh community. The Canadian government must recognize that it has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, both at home and abroad. Taking decisive action, Canada can break free from its Image as a Khalistani stomping ground and set an example for other countries facing similar challenges. Justin Trudeaus dilemma over Khalistani separatism is challenging, but it is also an opportunity for Canada to demonstrate its commitment to peace, security, and democracy. Canada should take the threat of Khalistani extremism seriously and take concrete steps to address it. This will require political will, as well as the cooperation and support of the Sikh community. Furthermore, Canada must reevaluate its relationship with India and seek to build a stronger partnership based on mutual trust and respect. By doing so, Canada can break free from its Image as a Khalistani stomping ground and become a model for other countries facing similar challenges. (Image and text credit: Khalsavox.com) image: Unsplash Cox's Bazar: A group of miscreants allegedly killed a Rohingya youth at Kutupalong Camp in Ukhiya of Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar area on Monday. The deceased person was identified as Ashiq Elahi, 22. Ukhiya police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Mohammad Ali told Dhaka Tribune that Ashiq Elahi is the son of Shahidul Haque of C Block of Camp No 11. In the morning, a group of masked miscreants escaped leaving the Rohingya youth with hands and feet tied. He was rescued and taken to the hospital run by Kutupalong NGO MSF, where the doctor on duty declared him dead, the Bangladesh-based news paper reported. The cause behind the attack is still not known. UNI Washington:U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, discussing Washington's support for Kiev as the latter continued to fight against Russia on the battlefield. "They discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid," the White House said in a statement. I spoke with President @POTUS. A positive and inspiring conversation. We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored. I thanked the @POTUS for the unflagging (@ZelenskyyUa) June 25, 2023 Biden and Zelensky also discussed "recent events in Russia," it said. Zelensky tweeted: "I spoke with President @POTUS. A positive and inspiring conversation." He said: "We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored." "I thanked the @POTUSfor the unflagging support of , especially for Patriots," he said. He said: "I am grateful for the readiness of the and the American people to stand side by side with Ukraine until the full liberation of all our territories within internationally recognized borders." (With UNI Inputs) Image: Pixabay Authorities have started investigating the death of a ground staff at San Antonio International Airport in the US after being "ingested" into an aircraft engine on Friday, media reports said. On Friday, June 23, Delta Flight 1111 had arrived at San Antonio International Airport from Los Angeles and was taxiing to the gate on one engine when a worker was ingested into that engine at about 10:25 p.m., the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement to CNN. The safety board said it will continue to collect more information on the incident. An accident occurred on the ground at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) Friday night that resulted in the fatality of an airline ground crew member, airport spokesperson Erin Rodriguez said in a statement as quoted by CNN. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation. We will share more information as details become available. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, faced a severe setback as a janitor in one of its laboratories reportedly switched off a storage freezer. The freezer held cell cultures, samples, and other elements stored at -112 degrees Fahrenheit, but they were all ruined when the temperature suddenly rose to -25.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A New York Post report states that a US private research institute has initiated a lawsuit against a cleaner who disrupted scientific progress by cutting power to a super-cold freezer. The cleaner's actions were driven by annoyance at a persistent beeping sound, leading them to flip a switch at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) lab in Troy, New York. Unfortunately, this act destroyed valuable research accumulated over several decades, amounting to damages estimated at no less than $1 million (approximately 8.1 crores), as reported by the Post. In response, the research institute has directed the lawsuit toward the third-party cleaning service, the provider of the janitor responsible for the incident. "People's behavior and negligence caused all this. Unfortunately, they wiped out 25 years of research," Michael Ginsberg, the institute's attorney, was quoted in the outlet as saying. Unsplash The freezer contained cell cultures, samples, and other elements stored at -112 degrees Fahrenheit. After the cleaner turned off the switch, the temperature rose to -25.6 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the institute's lawsuit, the incident occurred in September 2020. In the report, representatives from RPI stated that there is a sign on the freezer door that explains the source of the alarm and provides instructions on how to silence it. Getty Images RPI staff mentioned in the report that the worker mistakenly believed they were turning the switch on instead of shutting down the freezer. "A majority of specimens were compromised, destroyed, and rendered unsalvageable, demolishing more than 20 years of research," according to the Post report, which carries excerpts from the lawsuit. According to RPI's attorney, reproducing the work that the incident destroyed will reportedly cost $1 million. The research allegedly focused on photosynthesis and had potential implications for developing solar panels. Per the Post report, Derek Foster, the president of the Albany-based cleaning service, has not commented on the matter. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. PASOK-Movement for Change (KINAL) leader Nikos said his party took another upward trajectory after Sunday's runoff elections returned 11.86% of the vote and secured 32 seats in Parliament Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has, again, tasked the Federal Government to release the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The group believed that the appointment of new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu might be meaningless without the freedom of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Recall that the IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya and renditioned to Nigeria by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari for treason. This was disclosed in a statement by the President of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at the inauguration of the women and youth wing of the group, on Sunday in Abuja. READ MORE: Ejiofor Tackles Nnamdi Kanus Brother, Denies Sacking Of IPOB Leaders Legal Team Iwuanyanwu, who was represented by the Secretary of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Prof. Charles Nwekeadu, said: If you ask me, my advice to Mr President is that what the South East needs is security. Even if you appoint 100 service chiefs without the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, you will not have peace. His release is central and fundamental to the peace mechanism in Igbo land. Without releasing Nnamdi Kanu there is not much the service chiefs can do. Because of the leadership vacuum created over time, people believe much in Nnamdi Kanu. We are pleading with the Federal Government to obey the court judgment. 18-man panel unanimously of the Court of Appeal unanimously discharged and acquitted Mr Nnamdi Kanu. So, we are asking that this very government should obey the order. The moment Nnamdi Kanu is released there will be peace in Igbo land. And the Igbo will have that sense of belonging because Nnamdi Kanu is a freedom fighter. He hasnt committed any criminal offence. A Magistrate Court situated at Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, has ordered the remand of skit maker, Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, popularly known as Trinity Guy, in prison over allegation of sexualising a minor in a viral video. It also arraigned and remanded Isiaka Ahmed, 40, and his wife, Rofiat, 29, who are parents of the victim on two-count charges of conspiracy and sexual abuse and exploitation alongside the skit maker. Recall that the skit maker was detained on Friday, June 23, after the Force Public Relation Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, called for his arrest over a video in which he was asking a female minor to describe his genital which he suggested in the video that she had mistakenly seen. READ ALSO: I Got Consent From The Girls Parents Embattled Skit Maker, Trinity Guy Tells Police The police also interrogated the parents of the female minor after Trinity had disclosed that he received their consent before, during and after the skit. The police command said his scene with the minor was a clear violation of Sec. 32,35 and 36 of the Child Rights Act of 2023. He was arraigned on Monday, June 26 on a two count charge bothering on of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation violating Secs 516 of the Criminal code cap 38. While being arraigned, counsel to the defendant who was brought before the Magistrate by the Police, urged the court to grant his client bail. While denying his bail application, Magistrate P. O Adetuyibi, said the allegation against the skit maker is currently receiving attention of the state Ministry of Justice. The court ordered that the parents of the little girl in the video be remanded alongside Trinity Guy at the Agodi correctional center till next sitting scheduled for July 11. Stepping away from having a reference to legal' in my title for the first time, I embark on an exciting new journey, Redsell said. I look forward to leveraging my experience to establish and grow Youi's newest function, which will be responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, fostering transparency and accountability with our partners and suppliers, mitigating risks, and safeguarding Youi's brilliant reputation. Elliott brings deep and broad-based experience helping businesses create benefits programs that enhance the lives of their employees and strengthen the bottom line, said Kevin Overbey, president of Alliant Employee Benefits. Its his ability to see both sides, analyze the situation, and then create a program that meets a broad spectrum of needs that makes him a great addition to the team in Memphis. Mike is an exceptional executive who has demonstrated strong fortitude and leadership during his tenure managing our U.S. reinsurance operations, Wixtead said. 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. Waleed Jabsheh will take on expanded responsibilities beyond the insurance and reinsurance business, to include all aspects of the holding company activities, according to a press statement. He joined IGI in 2002 shortly after inception and has served as president since 2011. She would have also testified that Taulbee had approached her in 2015 and requested her to put his crops under her name, the prosecutor said in the motion. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! In a decision scrutinizing how colleges investigate sexual assault allegations, Connecticuts highest court ruled Friday that a former Yale student is not immune from a defamation lawsuit by a fellow student who was exonerated in criminal court after she accused him of rape. The Connecticut court ruled 7-0 that because he had fewer rights to defend himself in university proceedings than he would in criminal court, the rape accuser cant benefit fully from immunity granted to witnesses in criminal proceedings. The unanimous ruling came despite warnings from more than a dozen violence prevention groups that such immunity is crucial to prevent rape victims from being discouraged to come forward. Its one of the few state court rulings on the topic in any U.S. court and could be cited widely in future cases, legal experts said. It ruled that Jane Doe, the pseudonym she used in court proceedings, was not immune from liability for statements she made to Yale investigators accusing fellow student Saifullah Khan of raping her in her dorm room in October 2015. The decision could add to the already vexing problem of sexual assaults going unreported, violence prevention groups said in a brief to the state Supreme Court. Without protections from retaliation, including absolute immunity, victims will be dissuaded from using school reporting and disciplinary processes and will lose out on their education while perpetrators dodge accountability, a lawyer for the groups wrote in a filing supporting the accusers immunity rights. Khan is suing Doe and Yale over the rape allegations and his November 2018 expulsion from the school, saying the sex was consensual. Khan was criminally charged, but a jury acquitted him earlier in 2018. Justices said Doe was not immune because Yales sexual assault disciplinary proceedings are not quasi-judicial, meaning they dont have standards analogous to traditional courts. As in many U.S. universities, Yales procedures do not subject accusers to cross-examination and do not require witnesses to testify under oath. If proceedings were quasi-judicial, then accusers would have the right to absolute immunity from their statements to school investigators, the Justices ruled. Because the (Yale) proceeding lacked the basic procedural safeguards necessary to ensure the reliability of the information presented, we decline to recognize the proceeding as quasi-judicial in nature, the court wrote. Legal experts said the justices ruling could be a major precedent cited in other lawsuits by students accused of sexual misconduct in challenges to the fairness of their schools disciplinary proceedings. It was striking to me how detailed they were in criticizing the fairness of the Yale procedures, said K.C. Johnson, a history professor at Brooklyn College. There are passages from this opinion that I suspect will be quoted in basically every accused students brief moving forward. The ruling also is significant because the federal government is slated in October to change regulations covering how colleges must handle sexual misconduct cases. The Biden administration will be undoing changes made by the Trump administration in 2020 that allow for cross-examination of accusers and other requirements. In the same ruling, however, the Connecticut court said college students who report being sexually assaulted deserve some immunity for their statements to school investigators, even if the proceedings are not quasi-judicial. But that immunity would only apply if the statements are not malicious. It is the first time the state court has addressed the issue. The court said Jane Doe in the Yale case could eventually cite that kind of immunity to defend against Khans lawsuit, but cannot now because the lawsuit is in the early stages. Norm Pattis, a lawyer for Khan, called the decision fantastic news for Mr. Khan and bad news for Yale. It sheds a much needed light on the hothouse environment at Yale and its infirm handling of sexual misconduct complaints, Pattis wrote in a text to The Associated Press. Does lawyer, James Sconzo, declined to comment Friday. A Yale spokesperson also declined to comment. The ruling stemmed from Khans lawsuit in federal court against Doe for alleged defamation and Yale over his expulsion. A judge dismissed the claims against Doe, ruling that Yales disciplinary process was quasi-judicial and her allegations were immune from lawsuits. Khan appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, which asked the Connecticut Supreme Court to weigh in on the immunity issues before it ruled, leading to Fridays decision. According to Khan, he walked Doe back to her dorm from a Halloween party in 2015 and she invited him into her room, where they had consensual sex. The next morning, Doe told her friends she was raped, according to court documents. But when she went to Yales health center for contraceptive care, she told workers she had consensual, unprotected sex, according to documents. Doe filed a complaint with the school, which immediately suspended Khan. Yale police later charged him with sexual assault, leading to his acquittal in 2018. Yale, expelled Kahn later in 2018 after holding proceedings that did not allow Khan to cross-examine Doe. Khans lawyers said he sued Doe and Yale to seek relief for the incalculable damages that he suffered from the allegations and expulsion. Photo: New Haven, Connecticut, USA Spring 2019 Yale Campus Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Connecticut New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A federal judge on Thursday imposed $5,000 fines on two lawyers and a law firm in an unprecedented instance in which ChatGPT was blamed for their submission of fictitious legal research in an aviation injury claim. Judge P. Kevin Castel said they acted in bad faith. But he credited their apologies and remedial steps taken in explaining why harsher sanctions were not necessary to ensure they or others wont again let artificial intelligence tools prompt them to produce fake legal history in their arguments. 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. The judge said the lawyers and their firm, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, P.C., 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. Lawyers Blame ChatGPT for Tricking Them Into Citing Bogus Case Law In a statement, the law firm said it would comply with Castels order, but added: We respectfully disagree with the finding that anyone at our firm acted in bad faith. 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. The firm said it was considering whether to appeal. Castel said the bad faith resulted from the failures of the attorneys to respond properly to the judge and their legal adversaries when it was noticed that six legal cases listed to support their March 1 written arguments did not exist. The judge cited shifting and contradictory explanations offered by attorney Steven A. Schwartz. He said attorney Peter LoDuca lied about being on vacation and was dishonest about confirming the truth of statements submitted to Castel. At a hearing earlier this month, Schwartz said he used the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to help him find legal precedents supporting a clients case against the Colombian airline Avianca for an injury incurred on a 2019 flight. The chatbot, which generates essay-like answers to prompts from users, 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 werent real, misidentified judges or involved airlines that didnt exist. The judge 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. In a separate written opinion, the judge tossed out the underlying aviation claim, saying the statute of limitations had expired. Lawyers for Schwartz and LoDuca did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A firefighter must be shown to have worked 20 or more hours a week to be eligible for workers compensation benefits under state law, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in reversing an appeals court and state workers compensation officials. The high court overturned a 2021 appellate court decision that affirmed orders of the Compensation Review Board and a workers compensation commissioner that the town of Waterford must accept a claim filed by firefighter Christopher A. Clark for heart disease benefits. The statute ( 7-433c.1) excludes from benefits members who customarily work less than 20 hours a week if they entered municipal employment after September 30, 1969. The high court agreed with the town that the appellate court incorrectly concluded that the definition of member in the general statutes governing retirement and other benefits for police and firefighters does not apply to workers compensation benefits. The high court found the term member does apply. The high court also found that the previous proceedings never determined how many hours Clark worked. The town originally hired Clark as a part-time firefighter in 1992, prior to which he passed a physical examination that revealed no evidence of heart disease or hypertension. In 1997, the town hired him as a full-time firefighter, and, in 2017, he suffered a myocardial infarction and underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Clark filed a claim seeking workers compensation for his heart disease, which the town contested as non-compensable on the ground that the plaintiff had not been employed as a full-time firefighter until 1997 and, therefore, did not qualify for benefits in light of the law. Clark testified that, while employed as a part-time firefighter, he worked assigned shifts, and the number of shifts he was assigned to work was irregular, but he did not indicate the number of hours he customarily worked. The town reasoned that benefits are available only to a uniformed member of a paid municipal fire department hired prior to July 1, 1996, the term member excludes persons who customarily work less than 20 hours per week. Because the plaintiff failed to establish that he customarily worked 20 hours or more per week when he was employed as a part-time firefighter, he was not eligible for benefits, the town argued. However, the commissioner rejected the towns claim and ordered it to accept the plaintiffs myocardial infarction as compensable. In doing so, the commissioner made no finding as to the number of hours the plaintiff worked per week as a part-time firefighter. Instead, the commissioner noted that the law does not define the phrase uniformed member of a paid municipal fire department or distinguish between part-time and full-time employment. The commissioner applied the common definition of the word member in concluding that the plaintiffs date of employment was in 1992 and that he therefore was entitled to benefits. The state review board upheld the commissioners award of benefits, and the town appealed to the appellate court, which affirmed the boards decision. In its ruling, the appellate court also concluded that the towns interpretation would lead to the absurd result that benefits are available only to uniformed firefighters employed and paid by municipalities that participate in the state retirement fund. The Supreme Court has now reversed, finding that when considered in context, the language of the law shows that the meaning of the word member is clearly and unambiguously controlled by the language that also references those employees who are members of the retirement plan. The high court was convinced by a presumption that lawmakers created a harmonious and consistent body of law, as well as by the absence of legislative history showing that lawmakers did not intend the definition of member to apply to workers compensation benefits. The court said that lawmakers could have provided different language in the workers compensation benefits section of the law but did not. It also found that the connection makes sense in view of the logical and factual relationship between heart and hypertension benefits and retirement benefits. The high court dismissed the appeals courts concern that this construction of the statutory text could lead to results unintended by the legislature, writing that was not a reason to depart from the plain and unambiguous statutory text, as the legislature was free to clarify the meaning of 7-433c if it desired to make it plain that any paid firefighter is eligible for benefits under that statute. Clark was entitled to have the commissioner decide that factual issue of whether he had customarily worked 20 hours or more per week before being hired as a full- time firefighter, and, accordingly, the high court remanded the case for further proceedings. Topics Workers' Compensation Connecticut A Bermuda appeals court on Friday largely dismissed Credit Suisses appeal in an ongoing case involving the Swiss banks local life insurance arm and Georgias 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. Georgian Billionaire Wins $926M From Credit Suisse After Fraud 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. Bermudas court on Friday overturned the judges finding that CS Life had made fraudulent misrepresentations, but largely upheld its initial judgment. 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 UBSG.S 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. Singapores 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) Photograph: A logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in Zurich, Switzerland, on Aug. 1, 2014. Photo credit: Steffen Schmidt/Keystone via AP, File. Topics Legislation Georgia Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI) has restructured its IT and Operations teams as it moves to the next stage of its growth strategy. Since 2017, TMHCCI said it has grown significantly and to service and sustain this level of growth and profitability, the insurer has moved to simplify the structure of its IT and Operations teams and to elevate its strategic position within the business. Des Burke, who led the transformation of the insurers technology and establishment of its architectural capabilities as chief information officer at TMHCCI, has been promoted to group chief operations officer. Burke joined the business in 2021 from Lloyds and has over 25 years experience in operations and technology roles at large corporates in a range of sectors. In his new role, he will have responsibility for areas such as Architecture, Technology, Data, Procurement, Business Transformation, Enterprise Change, Claims and Underwriting Operations. He will report to Barry Cook, chairman and chief executive officer of TMHCCI and will join the TMHCCI board. As a result of Burkes promotion, Nicki Tang, the current head of Technology Shared Services has been promoted to chief information officer. She joined TMHCCI in 2019 as head of Business Intelligence and has held a range of similar roles in various sectors over the last 20 years. In addition, David Fletcher has been promoted to chief analytics and innovation officer expanding his current accountabilities, while Nick Scully, head of Procurement, will take on additional accountability for workplace management (property and facilities) and travel, both also reporting to Burke. With this restructure, we now have all the key levers to support our continued growth in place, under one structure and one leader, commented Cook. We have long recognized that technology and data are key to our future growth and this approach moves our IT, Data and Operations into a far more strategic position than they had been previously, he added. Source: Tokio Marine Topics Leadership Shares in Siemens Energy continued to fall on Monday following a record sell-off in shares last week that was triggered by major issues at the companys wind turbine division Siemens Gamesa. Shares in Siemens Energy fell 5% to the bottom of Germanys blue-chip index .GDAXI, as several brokerages, including Citi and Jefferies, cut their ratings or price targets on the stock amid uncertainty over the size of the problem. Here are details on the most pressing issues: WHATS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IN ONSHORE? Most of the issues revolve around Siemens Gamesas 108 gigawatt (GW) onshore turbine fleet, where the group has discovered quality issues in certain components, including rotor blades and bearings. Siemens Energy said that 15%-30% of the fleet could be affected by the problems, which were exposed during a review which noted abnormal vibration behavior of some components and unspecified problems around product design. WHICH ONSHORE TURBINES ARE AFFECTED? According to management, its the more recent platforms, including the 5X model, where problems had already been communicated last year. Bernstein also pointed to quality issues around the 4X platform. Management said part of the challenge was to develop a statistical model that could translate fault rates into firm indications of how turbines are expected to perform over their life span of some 20 years. ARE THERE SEPARATE ISSUES IN OFFSHORE? Yes. Siemens Energy has said that there is a separate set of challenges in the offshore turbine part of Siemens Gamesas business, centered around a delay in the 30% ramp-up of production. This includes slower-than-expected headcount addition, the delay of production site construction, including manufacturing halls, as well as supply-chain issues. It also includes the lack of ramp-up quality of components, the group said, without being more specific, as well as higher than expected material costs. WHATS AT STAKE FINANCIALLY? Potentially billions. Siemens Energy has said fixing the problems is expected to cost at least 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion), adding this was an initial assessment of an ongoing review and included estimates for repairwork. Quality issues had already caused a charge of nearly half a billion euros at Siemens Gamesa earlier this year. Bernstein reckons that this translates into the risk that nearly a third of Siemens Gamesas service orderbook could yield no margins for the rest of its life. Analysts at Jefferies expect costs of 2 billion euros in their calculation, 1.75 billion for onshore and 250 million for offshore. In our valuation, as well as rectification costs, we assume that investors price in potential litigation, general execution risk and corporate uncertainty to take (Siemens Gamesa) to negative value of -5.6 billion euros, they wrote. Siemens Energys cost estimate does not include any mitigation measures, which could include damages the company may seek from component suppliers. WHO ARE THE SUPPLIERS? Siemens Energy declined to comment on its supplier structure for bearings and turbines, but said suppliers would be made part of the review. The worlds top wind turbine bearings makers include Chinas Dalian Metallurgical Bearing Group, NTN Corp. and NSK Ltd. in Japan, Switzerlands Liebherr-International AG, and Germanys Thyssenkrupp, IMO and Schaeffler. WHAT DOES SIEMENS GAMESA DO? Siemens Gamesa is a global company based in Spain which manufactures onshore and offshore turbines for the wind industry and offers services to wind power developers globally, with key markets including Europe and the Americas. The company has provided more than 132 GW of wind turbines as of the end of April this year to all global regions: 108 GW of onshore wind and 22 GW of offshore wind. It generates revenue of 9.8 billion euros a year and has an order backlog worth 34.6 billion euros. WHO DOES SIEMENS GAMESA SUPPLY WITH TURBINES? Siemens Gamesa has provided wind turbines to some of the biggest power companies and oil and gas majors worldwide. In March, it announced an order from Scottish Power Renewables in Britain to supply 95 turbines to the East Anglia 3 wind power project in the North Sea, with a total capacity of 1.4 GW. This would be enough to power 1.3 million UK homes. In May, it signed contracts with Spains Repsol REP.MC for the supply of 40 onshore wind turbines which would provide power to around 160,000 homes in Spain. It has also agreed to tie up with Polands PGE Group and Denmarks Orsted to supply 107 wind turbines for the Baltica 2 offshore wind project in the Baltic Sea. WHAT IS SIEMENS GAMESA DOING ABOUT THE AFFECTED TURBINES? Siemens Gamesa said it has launched a technical review of the installed onshore fleet and product designs, and that the announcement last Thursday of quality problems include problems uncovered so far. The company is now evaluating measures to fix the problems and figure out the associated costs. The company said that it would be able to provide a more accurate estimate of the costs from the problems when it publishes its third-quarter results on Aug. 7, after a full analysis of the situation. ($1 = 0.9173 euros) (Reporting by Nina Chestney and Christoph Steitz; editing by Susan Fenton) Photograph: The words Siemens Energie are displayed behind a bell at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange during the initial listing of the energy division of Siemens, which went to the market at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Frank Rumpenhorst/dpa via AP) New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Cyberattacks on US hospitals are on the rise, adding a layer of financial pressure onto an industry still struggling to recover from the pandemic. 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. Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Mallinckrodt Plc has for the second time reached an agreement to further delay a $200 million opioid settlement payment that was due earlier this month as the company continues to evaluate its options for addressing its debt load. The drugmaker got a second extension to June 30 from representatives of the opioid trust administering settlement proceeds, according to a Friday regulatory filing. The payment was originally due June 16 but the company has postponed the obligation while it weighs its options, including potentially filing Chapter 11 for a second time. The St. Louis, Missouri-based firm agreed to a $1.7 billion opioid settlement as part of its exit from bankruptcy last June, in which the company made an initial $450 million payment. Since then, its sales have missed projections, tipping it back into financial distress. Read also: A $1.7 Billion Opioid Settlement Is at Risk of Falling Apart Mallinckrodt had been negotiating with lenders about its options ahead of the payment, with some urging the company to skip or delay the payment as it looks to renegotiate the settlement. Earlier this month, the company skipped interest payments on two of its bonds while considering. Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The US Supreme Court refused to revive a lawsuit by music website Genius Media Group Inc. accusing Alphabet Inc.s Google of stealing millions of song lyrics. The justices left in place a ruling that tossed out the suit, which accused Google of violating a contract with Genius by using its song lyrics in search results without attribution. Its the latest victory at the Supreme Court for Google, which earlier this year won a battle over whether its video-streaming platform YouTube can be held liable for hosting terrorist videos. There are deep disagreements over how copyright laws apply to online speech and aggregation. The lower court said Genius does not own any of the copyrights to its lyrics instead, those are held by the songwriters and publishers. Genius claimed that Google violated its contract by scraping lyrics and boosting them in Google Search results without any attribution. Genius, which claimed the saga caused millions of dollars in losses for the website, initially sued Google in 2019. In order to drum up attention and prove its case, Genius said it used a secret code spelling out the word red-handed to prove Google was stealing its lyrics. Google said it did not crawl or scrape websites to source the song lyrics. Terms of service, which are used on most websites, are typically backed by state law. Genius and its supporters argued the decision could effectively water down the contractual protections websites enjoy when users agree to their terms. Google argued Genius was attempting to bring a quasi-copyright claim under the guise of contracts law. Federal law preempts lawsuits over issues that are similar to copyright, even if they dont explicitly center on copyright infringement claims. That distinction proved fatal to Geniuss case. Genius said the lower courts decision threatens to hobble any of thousands of companies that offer value by aggregating user-generated information or other content. US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administrations top Supreme Court lawyer, urged the justices to skip the case, arguing it is a poor vehicle to resolve the tension between copyright law and contractual rights. The case is ML Genius Holdings v. Google, 22-121. Photo: The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. (Bloomberg) Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Fraud Google New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! American workers are struggling. Employee stress has reached record highs. Symptoms and formal diagnoses of mental illnesses like anxiety, depression and PTSD are rising. Substance abuse disorders are up, too as are suicide rates in some demographics. Understanding how employee well-being impacts workers and employer workers compensation programs has become increasingly important. During a recent Insurance Journal webinar event, three experts discussed the impact of overall worker health and well-being on workplace safety and risk. Each presented a unique perspective. Throughout the webinar, though, the three panelists seemed to agree: Its crucial for employers to encourage workplace environments that help employees perform at their very best. Rising Diagnoses Dr. L. Casey Chosewood works for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as associate director of strategic initiatives and director of the office of total worker health. Before the pandemic, he said, about one in three or one in four workers would report a mental health condition over the course of their careers. During the pandemic, however, that same level of reporting was seen over just a two-year period. Chosewood emphasized the importance of employers being open to discussing issues of mental health and providing resources to assist workers facing these challenges. Chosewood has been told about one in three workers report their mental health has worsened as they transition back to life after the pandemic. Dr. Marcos Iglesias, chief medical director and vice president at Travelers Insurance, pointed to an increase in employee burnout, which is associated with feelings of exhaustion, disengagement and depleted energy levels. Forty-one percent of U.S. workers report feeling burnout the highest level since May 2021. I think the pandemic accelerated some things, Iglesias said. It did make us much more open to talking about some of these things, and that is very good. But thats only part of where we need to be. We need some solutions, and we need to help people engage back into society and into their lives. Rich Ives, vice president of business insurance claims, Travelers Insurance, said that Travelers data shows a recent trend of higher proportions of injured employees experiencing mental wellbeing challenges as well. Claims Trends Travelers recently released 2023 Injury Impact Report analyzes five years of workers compensation injuries from more than 1.2 million claims. Ives highlighted several important takeaways from the report the first being that newer employees are at a greater risk of injury. First-year employees, regardless of age or industry experience, accounted for 34% of all claims and nearly seven million missed workdays in the sample that we looked at, Ives said. Which is a little out of pattern, given that first-year employees make up 20% of the American workforce. Second: An employees age was a driving factor in the cost of claims. In other words, older workers, while lower in frequency, have a higher severity than their younger coworkers for the same or similar injuries, according to Ives. This is noteworthy, he said, given the aging of the workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of people in the workforce who are 65 years old and older will account for more than 60% of the growth in the labor force during the current decade. Lastly, Travelers noted an increase in the number of missed workdays among injured workers overall. The injuries Travelers analyzed accounted for more than 18 million days of missed work due to a workplace injury. Thats up from the previous years Injury Impact report which counted only 17 million missed days. The average duration of a workers comp injury is 71 days. The newer trend of remote working hasnt really added to workers comp claims in a big way, he added. According to Ives, less than 1% of Travelers workers compensation claims come from individuals who work at home. While mental health claims are not always a compensable workers comp claim, they can be in some cases. When explaining the criteria for compensable mental claims, Ives first highlighted the necessity for the claim to arise out of course and scope of work. In the U.S., each state system determines what they deem compensable workers compensation claims. In most states, for example, if a first responder witnesses a traumatic event, psychological issues that arise after that event are often defined as compensable. Do Employees Value Mental Health Care? Employers addressing mental health by offering employee benefit options may find that helpful in todays competitive hiring landscape. According to Iglesias, a recent survey shows that 41% of employees are seeking employers who offer benefits such as mental health care. Theyre looking for more than just a paycheck, he said theyre looking for meaning, purpose, work-life balance and mental health benefits. That puts an onus on employers, Iglesias said. I think its crucial that employers understand that this is something that people are looking for and develop comprehensive programs that are going to address those needs. He said that a comprehensive approach that develops a culture of health and well-being is part of the solution. This includes raising mental health awareness, providing workforce education and addressing prevention and intervention help when needed. Employers may feel comfortable setting up an office high blood pressure screening. But, he asked, how comfortable would they be setting up screenings for depression or other mental health issues? Forward-thinking companies and employers recognize the value, he said. Dr. Chosewood says that NIOSH research shows that workplace policies, programs and practices can directly influence the health of Americans in both positive and negative ways. NIOSHs Total Worker Health program, which is about two decades old, analyzes some of these factors and provides a roadmap to better performance, fewer injuries and lower spending for workers compensation and health care, among others benefits. Weve analyzed those companies that have this comprehensive approach, and they succeed, Chosewood said. One way to help the wellbeing of workers today offer flexible options, Chosewood added. The full story has yet to be written on how the increase in remote work has changed relationships with coworkers and employee lives, he said. Early research findings show those who do well from a mental health standpoint have the option to work from home and the office, he added. They have the highest level of reported positive mental health, Chosewood explained, followed by those who work in person full time. Those reporting the highest levels of mental distress and mental health symptoms are full-time remote workers, he added. But it is early in data tracking for remote work and worker wellbeing. He stressed these findings come from one study with early data but added its clear that benefits like flexibility and decreasing commutes are weighed against feelings of loneliness and disconnection from coworkers. Finding a mix and offering flexibility is probably the sweet spot for most workers, he said. To watch the full webinar, Mental Health: Can Workers Comp Handle the Stress?, which includes conversations regarding small businesses, the intersection of mental health and delayed recovery as well as other connections between the industry, employers and workers today, visit: https://www.insurancejournal.com/research/research/mental-health-can-workers-comp-handle-the-stress. Topics Workers' Compensation The Supreme Court of Texas narrowly decided Friday that sovereign immunity, which largely shields government agencies from civil lawsuits, also protects the operator of the Texas electric grid. The 5-4 opinion will likely free the nonprofit corporation from lawsuits filed by thousands of Texans for deaths, injuries and damages following the deadly 2021 winter storm, unless lawyers find another way forward. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the power supply for most of Texas, qualifies for immunity because it provides an essential governmental service, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote in the majority opinion. State law intended for ERCOT to have the power of an arm of the State government, Hecht wrote. If anyone is going to hold ERCOT accountable for its actions, Hecht wrote, it should be state regulators or the Legislature, not the courts. Freezing temperatures gripped the state during the 2021 winter storm, straining the power supply so much that ERCOT called for cutting power to millions of homes and businesses to prevent the grids collapse. More than 200 people died. Experts estimated afterward that financial losses totaled between $80 billion and $130 billion, including physical damage and missed economic opportunity. Thousands of residents accused ERCOT, power companies and distribution companies of failing to prepare for the freezing weather. Lawyers expect the high courts decision will allow ERCOT to be dismissed from the litigation, although it does not shield other defendants. Attorney Mia Lorick, who represents some of those plaintiffs, said she sees only a slim possibility that lawyers could keep claims against ERCOT alive by arguing that their cases have differences that somehow skirt the sovereign immunity finding. Majed Nachawati, whose firm is representing other plaintiffs in the related cases said, The Texas Supreme Courts decision is disappointing to say the least. People lost their lives and the only recourse to the citizens of Texas is to be able to go through the judicial process, and the judicial system, to try to remedy or right the wrong that occurred in this case. And if you cant count on our judiciary to protect its citizens, I think were in a lot of trouble. Justices Jeff Boyd and John Devine, along with two others, disagreed that ERCOT has sovereign immunity. Purely private entities are clearly not sovereign, and making them so undermines the public trust, they wrote. The justices argued that no statute designates ERCOT as a part of the government and that courts should not be barred from hearing claims against it. The ruling sprang from two cases filed against ERCOT. San Antonios municipally owned utility, CPS Energy, alleged that ERCOT mishandled the soaring price of power during the 2021 winter storm. And private equity investors at Panda Power Funds alleged that 10 years earlier ERCOT issued reports that misled them about how much power the grid needed. ERCOT spokespersons issued a statement saying that the organization was pleased with the decision. CPS Energy said in a statement that it was disappointed but thankful that four justices agreed with the utility as it sought relief for customers. The utility said the litigation still led to critical discussions at the highest levels that are necessary to improve our power grid and energy market. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/23/ercot-lawsuits-winter-storms/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Photo: Texas power grid during 2021 Winter Storm Uri Topics Lawsuits Legislation Texas Windstorm A Port Allen, Louisiana pharmacy and its owner must pay $275,000 to resolve a federal civil lawsuit under the Controlled Substances Act, United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced. U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson has accepted and entered a Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment against Port Allen-based Stevens Pharmacy, Inc. and its owner, Steven W. Gough. The consent judgment resolves the United States claims under the federal Controlled Substances Act in the civil action, United States of America v. Stevens Pharmacy, Inc. and Steven W. Gough, Case No. 22-414-BAJ-SDJ in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Stevens Pharmacy and Steven Gough are required to pay civil penalties to the U.S. for the alleged unlawful dispensing or distribution of controlled substances based on facially invalid prescriptions and for allegedly failing to maintain accurate inventories of certain controlled substances. As specified in the Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment, the United States contends that, between January 1, 2018, and March 4, 2020, Stevens Pharmacy and Steven Gough filled 1,179 facially invalid prescriptions for controlled substances. The purported violations of the Controlled Substances Act identified by the Government include: (a) dispensing more opioidsincluding hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanylthan prescribed; (b) filling expired prescriptions for controlled substances; (c) filling unsigned prescriptions for controlled substances; (d) filling prescriptions for controlled substances lacking required elements, such as patient addresses or prescribers DEA registration numbers; (e) filling prescriptions for controlled substances in which the prescribers were unidentified; and (f) filling prescriptions for controlled substances before the prescriber-specified start dates of those prescriptions. The consent judgment also requires Steven Gough to provide written notice to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) if he engages in the practice of pharmacy within the United States and to consent to warrantless inspections and audits by the DEA for three years if he operates a pharmacy practice owned by him at any location within the United States. Mr. Gough previously surrendered the DEA Registration for Stevens Pharmacy following the March 4, 2020 execution by the DEA of an administrative inspection warrant at the pharmacy. The Stipulated Order and Consent Judgment entered by the district court is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Stevens Pharmacy or Steven Gough, nor is it a concession by the United States that its claims are not well-founded. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and was litigated by Assistant United States Attorneys Chase E. Zachary and Davis Rhorer, Jr. Source: DOJ Topics Louisiana New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law a bill that will allow cities to hire civilian traffic investigators to handle some traffic accidents, freeing up police officers for other duties. House Bill 140, which took effect Friday after overwhelming support in the state legislature, requires the investigators to attend a training program designed by the North Carolina Justice Academy and to spend at least four weeks in field training with a police officer. Investigators will wear uniforms that are different from police, cannot carry weapons, and have no power to arrest people. They can work only accidents involving property damage, not injuries, the bill notes. Investigators shall have the same authority as a law enforcement officer to tow or remove a vehicle that is obstructing a public street or highway, the law reads. Civilian accident reports may be used as evidence in court. But its uncertain if the practice will lead auto insurers or drivers attorneys to challenge traffic reports in litigation. Two other Carolina cities, Fayetteville and Wilmington, already follow the practice, the Charlotte Observer reported. And the N.C. Association of Police Chiefs and the N.C. League of Municipalities have endorsed the law. Other supporters said it will help alleviate law officer staffing shortages. Along with signing the bill and others, Cooper also vetoed a measure that he said would allow destruction of more wetlands in the state. He also nixed a bill that would ban state agencies from utilizing environmental, social and governance standards in investing state funds or awarding contracts. And he declined to sign a bill that bars local governments from preventing the expansion of natural gas fuels, according to news reports. That law will take effect without the governors signature and the vetoes will like be overridden by the states Republican supermajority in the General Assembly. Topics North Carolina New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A judge on Friday ordered Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to temporarily halt the issuance of licenses to growers and distributers as two companies argue the state used a flawed and secretive process to selecting winners for the potentially lucrative licenses. The order re-enforces a decision already made last week by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to stay the licenses awarded on June 12 after the chairman said they discovered potential inconsistency in the tabulation of scoring data. Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson on Friday issued a temporary restraining order, staying the licenses until the issue regarding the scoring data is resolved. The state and companies agreed to the stay, which also preserves the denied companies right to request an administrative appeal and review. Anderson scheduled a July 13 hearing on the companies request for a preliminary injunction as the companies argue the entire selection process was flawed. Alabama Always and Hornet Medicinals, two companies that applied for the five integrated seed to sale licenses, have sued the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission arguing there were problems with the process for awarding licenses. A lawyer for Alabama Always argued in court filing that the commission used anonymous graders hired by the University of South Alabama to score applications and then awarded them without any discussion on June 12. We think from day one that this process has been cloaked in secrecy, William Somerville, an attorney for Alabama Always told Anderson during the Friday court hearing. Somerville told reporters that the company disagreed with how it was scored, particularly on finances, noting the company had already invested $4.5 million on a cultivation facility. The company wrote in court filings that it is prepared to open and stock stores with medical marijuana by January if not sooner. Alabama Always is asking Anderson to order the commission to turn over additional information about the scoring and selection process. The commission has not elaborated on the problems with the scoring other than to say there were potential inconsistencies. The stay is recommended due to the (commissions) discovery of potential inconsistency in the tabulation of scoring data, Dr. Steven Stokes, an oncologist who chairs the commission, said during last weeks meeting. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 ended years of resistance and approved the creation of a program to allow marijuana to be used for certain medical conditions. However, it is not available yet to patients because the state has to develop rules and award grower and distributor licenses. The licensing process already was hindered by potential dispensaries being unable to secure adequate insurance. The state law requires dispensaries, growers and others in the business to carry at least $2 million in liability and casualty insurance. But the Alabama Department of Insurance said in May that few carriers are offering the coverage, and the department encouraged insurers to respond. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Cannabis Alabama New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Months after an EF-3 tornado tore through a Georgia county southwest of Atlanta officials said a federal agency has denied its request for additional help in the recovery. Obviously were extremely disappointed that the (disaster) declaration didnt go through, Troup County Emergency Management Agency Director Zac Steele said Wednesday at a news conference. FEMA requires a threshold of $19 million in damage statewide and we fell short of that, Steele explained. Between 25 and 30 homes were destroyed by the severe storm that hit the area March 26 and at least 100 more were damaged. Five people in Georgia suffered minor injuries compared to the 25 lives lost in Mississippi and one in Alabama. In a statement Tuesday, FEMA said the damage did not meet the threshold to go beyond the capabilities of the state, local governments and voluntary agencies. Therefore supplemental federal assistance will not be provided. Steele said the request submitted by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, on behalf of about a dozen counties in the state including Troup, would have helped cover damage, debris removal and overtime pay for first responders. While they arent happy with FEMAs decision, Steele said it wont slow down their recovery efforts, WAGA-TV reported. Well find local options, community grants whatever is out there to be able to serve our citizens thats exactly what were gonna do, he said. Steele said the countys focus remains two-fold: helping residents and preparing for the next one. Our citizens are paramount for us and its our job to make sure we do anything possible to serve them, were going to continue to do that, he said. The March 26 tornado was the third to hit Troup County this year. Its winds were recorded at above 136 mph (218 kph). When we thought we were getting caught up from January, we get hit again, so, its just a double whammy if you will, said Sgt. Stewart Smith of the countys sheriffs office. Photo: The March tornado ripped the roof from Adrian McFarlins wifes office in West Point, Georgia, in Troup County. (Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Georgia New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Massive battery plants planned in Tennessee and Kentucky for Fords electric vehicles are on track to receive up to a $9.2 billion federal loan in what would be the biggest award under the U.S. Department of Energys loan program since President Joe Biden took office. The money for construction would secure a sizable chunk of funding for Fords big electric vehicle swing in the two states. Fords plans include two battery plants in Kentucky and one in Tennessee, each through a joint venture with battery partner SK On, of South Korea. Additionally, there will be a Ford assembly plant in Tennessee able to build up to 500,000 electric pickup trucks a year. The companies are planning an $11.4 billion investment in the projects. The three battery plants combined are expected to create 5,000 construction jobs, as well as 7,500 operations jobs once the plants are up and running, the Energy Department said in its announcement Wednesday. The loan would come through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. The company named BlueOval SK under the joint venture must meet milestones before the deal is finalized. Were thrilled the Department of Energy joins BlueOval SK in our vision to electrify the future of mobility, Robert Rhee, BlueOval SKs CEO, said in a statement to media outlets. BlueOval SK will use this loan to its fullest as we create 7,500 good American jobs, strengthen critical domestic supply chains, and produce high-quality batteries for future Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles here in Tennessee and Kentucky. However, the announcement drew sharp criticism from the United Auto Workers union, which called it a massive $9.2 billion giveaway loan to Ford Motor Co. through the Department of Energy to create 7,500 low-road jobs with no consideration for wages, working conditions, union rights or retirement security. The departments loan office said it works with all borrowers to create good- paying jobs with strong labor standards during construction, operations, and throughout the life of the loan and to adhere to a strong Community Benefits Plan. Ford has said its assembly plant and the battery plant in rural Stanton, Tennessee, will employ about 6,000 people with an investment of roughly $5.6 billion. Ford plans to start production by 2025. Before landing the Ford project, Tennessee had invested more than $174 million in the unused megasite outside of Memphis where the plants are being built. Tennessee lawmakers have committed to spending nearly $900 million on state incentives, infrastructure upgrades and more as part of a sweeping plan with Ford. The agreement included $500 million in capital grant funds. Production is also scheduled to start in 2025 at the two battery manufacturing plants being built in Glendale, Kentucky. The venture will employ 5,000 people to produce batteries for future Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. Ford and its battery partner have invested $5.8 billion in the Kentucky project. Kentuckys state incentives package for the project includes a $250 million loan. The Department of Energy said the federal loan helps support several of Bidens clean energy goals, including priorities for domestic clean energy and transportation technology manufacturing and a push for electric vehicles to make up at least half of all new cars bought in the U.S. by 2030. The news of the loan comes about three weeks before the UAW is scheduled to open contract talks with Ford, Stellantis and General Motors. Newly elected UAW President Shawn Fain has criticized the companies, saying they make billions without fairly compensating workers. Many in the industry expect strikes against one or more of the companies as the union tries to get general and cost-of-living pay raises and eliminate tiers of workers who are paid different wages, sometimes for doing the same work. At the projects in Tennessee and Kentucky, Ford has stopped short of offering explicit support for union membership at its new plants. The company has said its up to workers to decide. We have been absolutely clear that the switch to electric engine jobs, battery production and other EV manufacturing cannot become a race to the bottom, Fain said in a news release about the Ford battery project loan. 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 loan also follows the Department of Energys recent decision to abruptly reject a $200 million loan for a proposed Kentucky electric vehicle battery facility. The department didnt offer a reason for the decision, which came after some congressional Republicans argued the company, Texas-based Microvast, has improper ties to China. Photo: One of the plants under construction in December. This one is in Glendale, Kentucky. (Gina Clear/The News-Enterprise via AP, File) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Tennessee Kentucky A tornado that ripped through a massive coal mining site in northeast Wyoming halted operations, but only eight people were injured and no deaths were reported, officials said. The tornado hit the North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Campbell County around 6 p.m. Friday during a storm complex that also delivered tornadoes to neighboring counties. The Gillette News Record reported that 12 empty train cars were knocked over. The tornado hit during shift change at the mine and also flipped over multiple buses that were there to transport workers, according to Leslie Perkins, Campbell County public information officer. The Campbell County Fire Department responded to the surface mining operation about 64 miles south of Gillette. Six people were transported by ambulance to Gillette, one victim was transported to Douglas and another refused treatment. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. All workers were accounted for after a search by the mines search and rescue team, which was assisted by the Campbell County Sheriffs Office, Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds said. Melissa Smith, a meteorologist and hydrologist with the National Weather Service office in Rapid City, South Dakota, said the storm system scattered tornadoes throughout Campbell, Natrona and Johnson counties. The tornadoes would form, come down, stay on the ground and come back up, Smith said. Peabody Energy Inc., the operator of North Antelope Rochelle Mine with headquarters in St. Louis and South Brisbane, Australia, confirmed six employees were being treated in hospitals as of 11 p.m. Friday and that all employees had been accounted for. Operations have been suspended until we can fully assess facility damages and begin the process of restarting safe operations, Peabody said in a statement Saturday, which did not provide specifics about the damage caused by the tornado. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Training Development IAG, which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia, may be interested in acquiring Portugal's state-owned airline TAP if conditions are right, its chief executive Luis Gallego has said. Separately, Mr Gallego said IAG was open to selling some Madrid slots to Ryanair as part of potential remedies to its acquisition of Air Europa. "The TAP operation may make sense from a strategic point of view because of the Brazilian market, they are complementary... but we have to look at the other conditions under which it is privatised," Mr Gallego said. The Portuguese government has said it wants to sell TAP as early as this month, once the company's value is established, but intends to keep a strategic stake. At least three major global carriers IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM have so far shown an interest. IAG has agreed to buy the remaining 80% in Spanish carrier Air Europa it did not already own for 400m. The deal still needs antitrust clearance by the European Commission. Ryanair said this month it was keen to buy any Madrid slot the EU Commission would force IAG to sell. "We are following the process because we are interested in the possible liberation of slots in different airports," Ryanair's country communications manager for Spain told a Spanish newspaper. "We are interested in slots in Canary and Balearic Islands and in Madrid, but the truth is that we are open to any opportunity as we are in growth phase in Spain," she added. Peter Gabriel, 3Arena, Dublin Even the lead up is out of the ordinary. A giant clock hangs over the stage counting down towards the 8 oclock kick-off and every so often an orange jump suited crew member comes out and repaints the hands to indicate where were at. Hes but one of many minions and each of them are needed because this is a big show. To the left of the stage, several of them hover over the kind of computer control desk that one might imagine could easily handle a mission to Mars. When Gabriel appears, on the hour, hes in a chatty mood, explaining how imagination allows us to escape the tyranny of time and how its hard to tell the real from the fake. In order to illustrate this he points out that hes really an avatar but the opposite of the ABBA ones in London as hes added 20 pounds, 20 years, and hes completely bald. Hes really lying on a beach in the Caribbean. Act I of tonights show, which is as much an art installation as a rock'nroll gig, takes place around a virtual campfire, under a virtual moon. Washing Of The Water from his best album, 1992s Us, and Growing Up suit the striped down, campfire approach but once theyre out of the way, Gabriel, his crack band, and his army of technicians unleash a sensual onslaught. With screens on both sides of the stage, and behind, and a giant circular one overhead, and another one that drops down just after the intermission yes, an intermission, you dont get those too often there is almost too much going on visually to take in. Its like watching a show in an art gallery from the distant future. For many of the songs, especially the new ones from his forthcoming I/O album, Gabriel employs the mesmerising work on several visual artists to the extent that you could still enjoy this show in a pair of noise cancelling headphones, although that would be a mistake for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the band Gabriel has assembled around him are truly expectational. The group is centred around three long time collaborators. Due to some sort of Flann OBrien Third Policeman molecule exchange arrangement, the circus-strongman moustachioed Tony Levin is now probably more bass guitar than man, and when a bass guitar just doesnt cut it he employs a twelve-string behemoth called a Chapman Stick. His playing veers from delicately subtle to the sound of a truck crashing into a greenhouse. Manu Katche is a drummer of such brilliance he could probably play a symphony on the hi-hat alone, something he does just because he can during Red Rain. Guitarist David Rhodes makes it all look very simple and easy, which it most assuredly isnt. Peter Gabriel on stage at 3Arena, Dublin. This central trio are augmented by several other musicians on various instruments trumpet, violin, mandolin, what looked like an electric oboe with special praise going to Ayanna Witter-Johnson on cello and vocals. Gabriel is canny enough to know that his own voice isnt quite what it used to be so allows her and the other musicians to assist with the heavy lifting. She proves a more than adequate replacement for Kate Bush during a beautiful Dont Give Up. And thats the other thing. Given the technological flash of a show like this although there really arent any other shows like this it might have been excusable if the music took a back seat, but this was not the case. Even though six of the 11 songs I counted from I/O have already been released, such a glut of new material could have been a bit of a patience tester for an arena audience but I saw little evidence of that in the transfixed faces around me. These songs are uniformly strong, especially Panopticon, Olive Tree and the well-named Road To Joy with its feint echoes of Kiss That Frog and even if some punters were waiting for the hits, at least they had plenty to look at jellyfish, silver skulls, band members becoming waterfalls, Gabriel action painting a la that old Picasso footage - while they did so. Digging In The Dirt was ferocious, coloured by frenzied bebop trumpet crossed with industrial guitar. Solsbury Hill was joyous with the audience providing the boom, Boom, Boom backing vocals, Biko was stirring, and Big Time pounded with more strangled trumpet and the power of Katches snare drum. Sledgehammer was, perhaps predictably, one of the nights highlights with the audience on their feet, roaring along. Its just a great song, although you still have to wonder how exactly a sledge hammer works in a romantic context. It also allowed Gabriel room to showcase his unique approach to choreography. For other songs he employed the walking and pointing dance, augmented on occasion by tambourine but during Sledgehammer, Gabriel, whose tunic and goatee ensemble reminded one of a wise old kung fu monk, stomped about and brought both fists to his head like an angry bookie giving out the odds at the racetrack. He then essayed bit of Shadows two-step action with the aid of Levin and Rhodes. It was marvellous, as was the rest of this eye-popping and moving show. He even found time to pick Mary Robinson out in the audience and say thanks for the work shes done. The ovation she received was both heartfelt and deserved. Gabriel is an exceptional artist, as the majesty of the aforementioned Us album attests, and ever since he first put down what was probably a considerable amount of money for an early Fairlight synthesiser he has used the latest technology to create deep soul music. He did it again in the 3Arena, and thats no mean feat. The director general of RTE Dee Forbes has resigned with immediate effect. In a statement on Monday morning, Ms Forbes said she is "deeply sorry" for her part in the situation involving hidden payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy. Ms Forbes was suspended from her role last Wednesday after news broke that Mr Tubridy was paid an extra 345,000 by RTE since 2017. Story at a glance: Dee Forbes resigns with immediate effect. Ms Forbes led discussions on Tubridy contract "with other RTE senior executives". Ms Forbes critical of RTE Board for how it has treated her, saying it has impacted her health. RTE to issue on Tuesday a comprehensive statement setting out its understanding of the circumstances surrounding the misstating of Mr Tubridy's earnings. Ms Forbes no longer compelled to attend Oireachtas committees this week. PAC member Imelda Munster says she should volunteer to attend. In a statement on Monday morning, she said: "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." Ms Forbes' term as director general was due to end on July 11. RTE has previously announced that Kevin Bakhurst will replace her. Ms Forbes noted that she had co-operated with questions around the payments to Mr Tubridy, and that there were a number of points she found important to emphasise". She explained that discussions over a new contract for Mr Tubridy began in 2020, with an RTE commitment to Government to reduce the fees paid to RTEs top talent by 15% overall a major point. Ryan Tubridy. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Ms Forbes led the discussions "with other RTE senior executives", noting they were keen to make a cost saving in respect of a contractual payment which was due to be paid". She said: At the same time, we were attempting to retain Ryan Tubridys services as a valued presenter and negotiate a new contract, with the agreed 15% cost-cutting target in mind. In an effort to find a solution to the budgetary challenges, we explored if a long-serving commercial partner might take on a commercial relationship directly with Ryan Tubridy. Ms Forbes said that an agreement was reached which meant that the commercial partner would enter into a separate commercial contract with Mr Tubridy for 75k in exchange for the provision of three events annually. The statement continued: As a result of the negotiated cost-saving agreement, RTE would no longer be liable for a contractual payment that was due in 2020. This new commercial agreement required that RTE guarantee and underwrite the 75K payments. The commercial partner agreed to this new business relationship with Ryan Tubridy, but they required the change to be cost-neutral, as they were in the final year of a three-year sponsorship contract and this was done by issuing a credit note for 75k against their airtime. Ms Forbes said that she did not at any stage act contrary to any advice, adding that pandemic restrictions meant the commitment wasnt met in 2020 and 2021 and that the commercial partner informed RTE that it was not going to work in the long term. At this point, only one 75k payment had been made. Ryan Tubridy and Dee Forbes. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Ms Forbes claims that the 2021 and 2022 contractual commitments now fell to RTE under the guarantee even though RTE had never expected to become liable for them and had not budgeted for them. Because of the commercial nature of the arrangement, it was decided to pay the invoices from the commercial barter account which was in credit. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation. Ms Forbes said that at all times, she and RTE acted in good faith. I fully accept and acknowledge responsibility for my part in these events as director general. Her statement did not address why Mr Tubridy's published pay was different to what he actually earned. Ms Forbes also said her statement only related to the events of 2020-2022. "I understand from media reports and RTEs statement that the Board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments and the Board has not raised those questions with me." Questions still remain over who exactly signed off on the deal. Ms Forbes did not say if she would attend either of the two Oireachtas committee meetings that are scheduled to take place later this week. Sinn Fein's Imelda Munster, who sits on both the Public Accounts Committee and Media Committee, said that Ms Forbes is no longer compelled to attend the meetings but hoped she would "volunteer" to go. Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, she said: I suppose the public might be of the opinion that the resignation is a convenient move, if its designed solely to give an out to not attending the Committee. Whilst now shes not compelled to attend, she could actually volunteer to attend the committee in the interests of transparency and accountability. If she cares deeply about RTE and the people that work for it, then she needs to come and answer the questions. If she doesnt, shell be doing RTE and the people that work there a huge disservice. Its all about accountability and transparency. Ms Munster said that the PAC will meet later today to decide whether to renew their summons to Ms Forbes to appear, noting that she expects that to be the case. However, she noted that anyone who had knowledge of what went on, anyone who knew about the concealed payments would need to appear, saying that Ms Forbes was a key component. Seamus Dooley of the NUJ called for the Chair of the RTE Board to meet with teach member to clarify their individual involvement in the process outlined by Ms Forbes. In a statement, he said: "It would be a matter for the board to deal with the outcome of these meetings, having due regard to the need for due process, fair procedures, and the imperative of restoring trust in the Executive board among staff, the members of the Oireachtas and the public." Criticism of RTE Board Meanwhile, Ms Forbes also hit out at the RTE Board for how it has treated her, saying it has had a very serious impact on her health. "I want to reiterate that I have engaged fully with the Board during this process. However, the Board has not treated me with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague or a person. "All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing." Ms Forbes apologised "to everyone" saying she is "deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode". "I care very deeply about RTE, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster and its reputation. I will continue to do so as RTE moves forward under the new Director General." The RTE Board said that they acknowledged Ms Forbes resignation in a later statement on Monday morning. They said: "We acknowledge receipt this morning of correspondence from Dee Forbes confirming her resignation as director general with immediate effect. We note the contents of her accompanying statement. "Representatives of the RTE Board and Executive will be attending the Joint Oireachtas Committee and Public Accounts Committee this week." The RTE Board released a later statement in which they raised questions about the nature of the matter. "The public, public representatives and RTE staff want to know what happened, how it happened and who is accountable. "We are very mindful of the need to provide clarity as soon as possible, and we are committed to doing so." In the statement, RTE said that on Tuesday it will issue a comprehensive statement setting out its understanding of the circumstances surrounding the misstating of Mr Tubridy's earnings across the 2020-2022 period. RTE will also publish as much as possible of the Grant Thornton review, which was commissioned by the Audit and Risk Committee of the RTE Board, and received by the Board on Monday last, June 19 2023. The father of three children who were killed by their mother at their family home in south Dublin three years ago has called for the scope of the inquest into their deaths to be widened to examine the diagnosis and treatment of his wifes mental illness before the killings. Lawyers for Andrew McGinley have asked the coroner overseeing the inquest to look into the medical care of his wife, Deirdre Morley, for the two years preceding the death of their children. However, the application has been challenged by the legal representative of a consultant psychiatrist, Olivia Gibbons, who had treated Ms Morley six months earlier. The couples three children Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) died at their family home at Parsons Court, Newcastle, Co. Dublin, on January 24, 2020. A previous sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court in September 2020 heard the three young siblings had died from suffocation. Ms Morley, a paediatric nurse, was found not guilty of their murder by reason of insanity following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in May 2021. At a sitting of the coroners court on Monday, counsel for Mr McGinley, Damien Higgins SC, told a resumed hearing of the inquest that Ms Morley had suffered from mental illness and was under the care of the HSE prior to this desperate sad event. Mr Higgins pointed out that she had been an in-patient at a private psychiatric hospital less than six months before the death of her children. Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley with their father Andrew. Mr McGinley's lawyers have asked the coroner overseeing the inquest to look into the medical care of his wife, Deirdre Morley, for the two years preceding the death of their children. The barrister said it was Mr McGinleys belief that his wifes condition had not been properly diagnosed and she had not been properly treated. Mr Higgins said his client, as Ms Morleys husband and father of the couples three children, also believed that he had not been properly involved in her diagnosis and treatment in relation to its nature, extent and symptoms. The inquest heard that Mr McGinley believed there was a link between the medical treatment received by his wife and his childrens deaths. Mr Higgins told coroner, Crona Gallagher, that Mr McGinleys motivation in seeking to widen the scope of the inquest was to identify circumstances which could prevent the recurrence of such a terrible event. He claimed such an objective was entirely legitimate and was underpinned by the public policy consideration of coroners courts. Mr Higgins said they wanted to ask questions about every occasion that Ms Morley had attended for psychiatric treatment for a period of two years before the death of her children. He argued there was a strong public interest in extending the scope of the inquest beyond the immediate circumstances of the deaths of Conor, Darragh and Carla. Mr Higgins acknowledged that Mr McGinley wished to inquire into the clinical judgement of medical professionals who had treated his wife. Pssychiatrist's objections However, counsel for Dr Gibbons, a consultant psychiatrist at St Patricks Mental Health Services who had treated Ms Morley, claimed the proposed extension of the scope of the inquest would result in an inquiry that would be a radically different matter not envisaged by the Oireachtas. Barrister, Simon Mills SC, said the inquiry being sought by Mr McGinley would not affect the real cause of death of his children. Mr Mills said there was a greater complexity than might appear at first sight to the application for the scope of the inquest to be extended to consider the treatment of Ms Morleys mental illness. He claimed lawyers for Mr McGinley were seeking to extend the scope of the inquest into the medical care of the person who brought about the deaths of the three children and not the medical history of the deceased. Mr Mills said the application was not seeking to have the examination of the care of Ms Morley limited to the time around the deaths but extended for a period of two years. He claimed such an extension was not necessary for the coroners court to meet its obligations under both the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. The inquest heard that Ms Morley had been voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric facility in July 2019 and had been discharged from the care of Dr Gibbons on August 1, 2019. Mr Mills said Dr Gibbons had no further contact with Ms Morley from that date. He said nothing had been disclosed at that time to the psychiatrist by Ms Morley in relation to subsequent events which unfolded. Mr Mills also pointed out that an expert witness had given evidence on behalf of Ms Morley during her criminal trial that she had only formed the intention to act on her children in January 2020 and that she had not disclosed that intention to anybody. She did not have an intention that could have been detected or acted upon at any time before January 2020, said Mr Mills. He told the inquest there was no dispute over how the McGinley children had met their deaths. He also noted that civil remedies were available and were being taken up by both Mr McGinley and his wife as they were taking legal actions against medical professionals and the HSE. Read More Andrew McGinley hopes HSE review will shed light on his children's deaths Mr Mills said they could also make complaints to various regulatory bodies that oversee medical professionals. He claimed the relevant legislation governing coroners courts meant an inquest had to be a circumscribed finite process. Counsel for Ms Morley, Nora-Pat Stewart BL, and solicitor for St Patricks Mental Health Services, Kevin Power, made no submissions in relation to the scope of the inquest. Dr Gallagher noted that the HSE was not legally represented but that it and other interested parties including some medical professionals might wish to make written submissions on the issue. Offering her condolences to Mr McGinley, the coroner adjourned the hearing to allow all relevant parties to make such submissions before issuing a ruling on the scope of the inquest. After the hearing, Mr McGinley declined to comment on the proposed extension of the inquest but said he remained concerned that he was still being contacted by families of other children in similar circumstances who were at risk. I didnt know what to expect coming here today but this is just the first step, he remarked. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) branch representing RTE employees has called for a lunchtime protest in Donnybrook tomorrow. Supporters have been encouraged to attend and bring placards. In a statement the NUJ said: "The NUJ are acutely aware of the ongoing anger of members and also of the powerlessness that many members are feeling. In response to requests from members the NUJ are calling a lunchtime protest for 1pm tomorrow at the plaza in RTE Donnybrook. This will be an opportunity for NUJ members to stand together and express in unity their anger and the urgent need for answers as soon as possible, for the public and for staff. It come as the RTE Trade Union Group (TUG) says there is an unprecedented level of anger across the organisation following an emergency meeting today. It is calling for all current members of the Executive Board to fully cooperate with the Oireachtas sub-committees on Media and Public Accounts. The union also called on former Director General, Dee Forbes, to attend, and for an examination of the manner in which RTE engages third-party agencies and the use of third-party contracts. The statement read: "There is an unprecedented level of anger across the organisation. Having accepted pay-cuts in the past, having endured a series of austerity measures and a reduction in resources, RTE workers feel betrayed, misled and let-down. "The TUG calls for all current members of the RTE Executive Board to fully cooperate with the Oireachtas sub-committees on Media and Public Accounts. "The TUG also calls on former Director General, Dee Forbes, to attend, noting her statement setting out her role in the payment arrangements and mindful of her direct involvement in pursuing cost-reduction policies affecting staff. As Ireland's public service broadcaster, RTE must behave in an ethical and transparent manner and in line with the highest standards in employment and industrial relations." The TUG is also requesting a meeting with Minister for Media, Catherine Martin, to discuss the participation of unions and staff in the external review into governance and culture in RTE. The meeting also called for a meeting with the acting Director General, Adrian Lynch. The TUG has already requested a meeting with Chair of the RTE Board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh. RTE announced that Patrick Kielty is to take over as host of The Late Late Show from next season. Fine Gael TD, Colm Burke, has also called for RTE to declare how much the new Late Late Show host, Patrick Kielty, will be paid. Deputy Burke, who serves on the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, which is due to hear from RTE senior executives on Thursday, said the broadcaster must be fully open and transparent. RTE senior management have been asked to attend both the Public Accounts and Media committees in Leinster House this week. The Cork North Central TD said: RTE must outline in full the pay deal set with the incoming Late Late Show host, Patrick Kielty. It is a call that might not be well received by some of the senior management at RTE, but they brought this fully on themselves. They have nobody to blame for this mess other than their own decisions and inaction in failing to provide a clear account of the financial practices that took place at the broadcaster. Everything is on the table this week and that includes the pay deal struck this year with Mr Kielty. Taxpayers deserve the full truth. Earlier, the NUJ also called on executives with knowledge of the bizarre arrangements to appear before the Media committee and Public Accounts committee this Wednesday and Thursday. It comes as staff at RTE are said to be furious at revelations that undeclared payments worth 345,000 were made to Mr Tubridy from 2017 onwards, and are expected to be watching the committees intently. Brian Stanley TD, chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, said TDs and senators would have to accept the situation if there are serious medical issues. In an interview on RTE radio, he said: What I would expect is that, medically, if she is fit to attend on Thursday, I would expect her to come. The issues with transparency, there's been a culture of secrecy in this organisation that I as a union rep have been aware of for so long and that absolutely needs to change RTEs education correspondent Emma OKelly, who is chair of the NUJs Dublin broadcasting branch, said this is one of the most important weeks for the public service broadcaster. When asked whether Ms Forbes should be among those before the committee, she said I hope she does. I noticed in her statement that she said she cares very deeply about RTE and I welcome that, and Im glad to hear it, she told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne programme. However, in my experience, RTE has a habit of thinking that if you say something, it is true simply by virtue of the fact that you have said it. Anyone who cares very deeply about things or people knows that that is expressed in actions. So, I would like to see that expressed in action and the first way of expressing that is to agree to attend before committees. She added: Anybody who had any knowledge of any of this needs to appear before the committee. Also, these numerous internal communications that she spoke of, RTE needs to publish those internal communications, it needs to do so ASAP, not wait until Wednesday or Thursday. Those should go up on the RTE website by close of business today. NUJ secretary Seamus Dooley told RTE Radio that executive board members who were involved in the deal should be the ones who appear before the committees, saying it would be bizarre if those with no knowledge of the payments were put up before it. He said if deputy director general Adrian Lynch was unaware of the payments, it did not make sense for him to appear and take a punishment beating from TDs angry about this while others are absent. Mr Dooley said the deal was grubby in the extreme and that a fundamental rethink of commercial dealings at RTE was needed. Ms Kelly said that for years she had heard concerns from staff on zero-hour contracts, struggling to get resources and equipment repaired in RTE. Theres a culture in the organisation that people have been unhappy with for a very long time. Also the issues with transparency, theres been a culture of secrecy in this organisation that I as a union rep have been aware of for so long and that absolutely needs to change, she said. So morale, people are furious, theyre angry, this is a really important week for people probably the most important week ever in RTE. People are watching very carefully, theyre waiting until Wednesday and Thursday to see whats said but also theyre watching today, tomorrow. Nobody can wait for this (government-ordered) external review, seven months (away), that is out of the question. Margaret 'Peggy' O'Kelly is 90 years old this year, and closer than ever to her son Karl, who she adopted from St Patrick's Mother and Baby Home in 1964 when he was seven weeks old. She recalls a doctor telling her to give him back to the nuns, because he was "brain damaged". Having been approved for adoption by social workers along with her husband Sean, she was told a baby boy had become available at the now notorious north Dublin institution run by the Daughters of Charity. They were never told that Karl had suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth, but Mrs OKelly knew immediately he had special needs and was shocked at his condition. She told the Irish Examiner: The minute I saw Karl I knew he had additional needs. The nun said, wait here and Ill get the baby for you, and when she brought him out, I couldnt believe how thin he was, he was terribly malnourished. He had a look across his eyes, and I said he has special needs. I just knew. I hate saying that about him, but that is the truth. I adore him, Id be lost without him, but he was very neglected. My doctor told me to give him back because he was brain damaged." There was no chance of that, but it was as though he wasnt enough. But he was Karl is a miracle. It was only years later when details began to emerge of what went on in that homes that she realised the horrors of what mothers and their babies had been through in the homes. Margaret has closely followed the Commission of Inquirys report into mother and baby homes, which was published in 2021. I wanted to talk about this from an adoptive mothers perspective," Margaret said. "A lot of people believe we were all rich and cruel and friends with the nuns. "We were an ordinary family from Dublin, and I love my son, I always have since the minute I saw him. No favours were done for me by any social workers or nuns. We were married, myself and Sean, for eight years before we had children, and suffered two miscarriages, then we adopted Karl and went through the process. Karl O'Kelly as a baby; he was just seven weeks old when he was adopted by the Kelly family from St Patrick's Mother and Baby Home in 1964. On the day they went to pick up their new baby from the home, she got a glimpse of some of the women who lived there. The nun left the door open when we were waiting in a big room, Margaret said. I saw two girls walking in the corridor outside, they could only have been 15 or 16 and they were pregnant. I remember thinking God help them. But I didnt know it was as bad as it was for them. People did talk about the girls, they were looked down on, but I never thought like that. I felt sorry for the girls, because they stood no chance in that situation. They told me nothing of [Karl's] birth, I didnt have any information, which was wrong. But myself and my late husband took good care of him, and he was a very good baby. The Commission of Inquiry was established in 2015 following the discovery of the 796 babies names who died in Tuam. The report found that around 56,000 unmarried women and 57,000 children went through 18 institutions examined. St Patricks mother and baby home, also known as Pelletstown, had the largest number of admissions of women under 18 between 1904 to 1985, when it was sold for development. Up to 6,000 children are believed to have died during that time. Causes of deaths include influenza, heart defects, and whooping cough. The babies were buried in the angels plot in the nearby Glasnevin cemetery. Children with special needs, like Karl, and mixed race children were less likely to be adopted. Many women who survived St Patricks Institution told the Commission they endured hard labour, including scrubbing floors on their knees while pregnant and suffering verbal, physical and sexual abuse. Margaret O'Kelly and her husband Sean on their wedding day; they were married for eight years before they had children, and suffered two miscarriages, then they adopted Karl and went through the process. Margaret and Karl are extremely close today and some years ago they traced his biological family. His mother connected with Karl when he contacted her, but has never met him, said Margaret. I spoke with his mother on the phone, and she said she was unable to care for him. Within a year of adopting Karl, Margaret became pregnant after years of struggling to conceive. However, both Margarets biological sons Fergus and Gareth were diagnosed with muscular dystrophy a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. The condition affects around 15% of the population and there is no cure. Both boys died in their twenties. I had three boys with special needs, and I enjoyed every minute of it. My sons lived for a long time, and the three of them all got on well, but my husband died in between it all, it was a tough time. If you go on the Six One news, being liked by David McCullough shouldnt be your objective. No, lets put that more firmly. It cannot and must not be your objective. The person to reach, inform, and influence is the viewer. Any deflection from that wastes taxpayer money and viewer time. Someone needs to tell this to Adrian Lynch, the new deputy director general of RTE. Because Lynch came home from his travels last week, got promoted, arrived at the news studio wearing a cute lapelled cardigan, and got personal with McCullough. He called him David as frequently as if they were old pals having a pint. This broke one of the most basic rules in media training: Dont use the interviewers first name more than once. That first-name advice is not a trick or a tip. It is based on an appreciation of the key relationship implicit in any interview. The interviewer is a conduit, not a companion, a pipeline, not a pal. The person at home watching is the priority, and you have a duty particularly if you are a public servant to work out in advance how much the viewer at home knows and what they feel about the issue youre on to address. You further should set out to prepare to add to their information level and confirm or change their attitude. Its not just that you have rights in a TV studio. You have responsibilities. At the end of any appearance, you should judge your performance not on how punchy you were, but on proven delivery of what you know the audience needs. The RTE man did none of this. He twirled in his chair like a dreidel while delivering weirdly affirming youre-doing-well murmurs throughout several of McCulloughs queries, which inevitably suggested a relative positioning of him and McCullough as boss and subordinate, which may be corporately accurate, but doesnt apply in the studio. Arrogance In the studio, McCulloughs the boss, and its inappropriately arrogant for an interviewee to be approving particular questions hes asking. Interviewees should stay on their own side of the net and concentrate on what theyre there for. It is at this point that the fairminded reader will go Ah, here, the guy in the cardi isnt used to television. It was his first outing. True. But the guy in the cardi personifies a couple of wider truths. 1) That boards/top management in public service Ireland rarely take crisis management training. 2) That people working in media rarely understand media. The first is a failure to address corporate risk. The second is a failure to acknowledge ones own limitations. Ryan Tubridys communication since this scandal broke has been pocked with ill-judged actions, starting with the timing of his first statement. It was issued too quickly and had an aggressive tonal commonality with Noel Kellys almost simultaneous statement. It effectively proposed that the controversy had nothing to do with Tubridy, who was just an innocent bystander into whose bank account chunks of currency landed, unnoticed and unexplained. It missed the point. Pure and simple, it missed the point. That nearly always happens to the unprepared in a crisis. Just as bleeding tends to be an immediate consequence of a stabbing, the immediate consequence of controversy is the imperative to put out a statement. This should be but never is resisted. Until you have your content ducks in a row, until you have worked out every implication of every aspect of whatever it is that youre accused of, no statement should issue. But even though Tubridy has seen countless examples of the premature statement biting its issuer in the ass like the dingo on the Australian beach, off he went and issued a statement. The inadequacy of the first statement was speedily underlined by the issuance of a second statement, which was an improvement (in style) that made things worse. Heres the issue: Tubridy took a pay cut, along with other RTE staff and contractors. He talked about this publicly, indicating his willingness to take one for the team. What nobody knew was that he was getting secret payments in each of five years that the rest of the staff werent getting. Thats it. It wasnt illegal. But it was secret and by RTEs own admission betrayed the trust of the viewer. In other words, the viewer thought better of Ryan because of his public willingness to take a pay cut, but the viewer didnt know that at the same time, he was getting the salary of two Late, Late researchers into his back pocket, nudge nudge, wink wink, mind you, Im sayin nothin. Neither of Ryans statements addressed that issue. It was like having a bad back itch, asking your partner to scratch it, and them scarifying you neck to waist and missing the crucial bit. Arts Minister Catherine Martin following her meeting with RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh at the weekend. Same thing with Dee Forbes statement, which asserted that she was working to RTEs benefit. Great. Thats what shes paid for. Again, not the issue. The issue is, did she authorise payments to Ryan that slid around RTEs orthodox compensation systems without telling her executive board or her governing Board? Forbes, too, scratched an itch nobody had. It was like a free-range egg-laying contest, the way statements popped out last week. Every time the adrenalin rush looked like it had run its course, another news bulletin based on an emerging statement gave it a jolt and kept it out of the half-life of promised Oireachtas committee appearances. And then, as the icing on this cake, Ryan shirted up and had his photograph taken. Again, this demonstrates a complete failure to understand media behaviour. Ryan may have thought that, having effectively been a prisoner in his own home (and for this there can be some sympathy) by snappers for several days, he could satisfy the whole lot of them by going out in his summery shirt and posing. He may also have believed this would help dampen down the story. Uh, uh. Getting a bunch of almost identical shots is not going to make photographers happy. Its certainly not going to make them go away when interest in the story is at its height. Tubridy managed to reignite the whole thing. Those working on Sunday newspapers will have been thrilled to see the saga cresting on the front pages on Saturday. What a set up His second statement struck a plaintive note about being off the air. He said he loved his programme. Of course he does. But hes still missing the point. If hes to continue to do the show, what he needs to demonstrate is that he loves his listeners and his colleagues and is sorry for the slithery secrecy of him taking a lot of money. If he continues his current disastrous communications pattern, while RTE may put him back on the air, him simply walking through the RTE canteen will make the Charge of the Light Brigade look easy. The Department of Healths secretary general Robert Watt has brought its sponsorship of Operation Transformation through its Healthy Ireland initiative, to an emphatic halt, following reported severe reservations about sponsoring the programme in 2022. Reasons for the withdrawal of sponsorship of around 283,000 a year are not specified. But it is welcome news coming as evidence for the recognition of obesity as a complex and chronic brain disease that impacts on individual physical and mental wellbeing, gains momentum. The move is timely as new weight loss treatments herald a revolution in the treatment of obesity, that is likely to have costly implications to the State. But equal focus must be placed on the urgent need to improve the food environment. In his recent controversial article in the Daily Mail, Boris Johnson discussed his unsuccessful experience with appetite suppressants but concluded that nonetheless, they could be used to tackle the obesity crisis. After 40 years of moral failure, 40 years of weakness in the face of temptation I was going to acquire a new and invincible chemical willpower, he said, inadvertently describing everyone with obesity as morally weak and personally to blame for their disease. Victim blaming at its finest. Mr Johnson had the opportunity while prime minister to introduce new laws to transform the obesogenic food market that sets the UK at the top of the leader-board in Europes obesity league. Restrictions on junk food advertising, originally due to come into force in January 2023, were delayed by Johnson and have now been further delayed by Rishi Sunak until 2025, after the next British general election. Boris Johnson in his recent Daily Mail article inadvertently described everyone with obesity as morally weak and personally to blame for their disease. Victim blaming at its finest. Former Conservative leader William Hague, writing in The Times, criticised the UK government for delaying measures, branding the weakening of the anti-obesity strategy, under pressure from MPs, as intellectually shallow, politically weak and morally reprehensible. The delays were predictably welcomed by the industry and also by Tory MPs opposed to the state interfering in how people spend their money, but they alarmed health campaigners. Mr Johnsons ill-informed comments are damaging because they increase the confusion around recognition of obesity as a disease. Continuing ambiguity inflates the food industrys ability to successfully lobby for ongoing delays in the introduction of laws that will improve peoples ability to make healthy food choices. Post-doctoral researcher in the UCCs School of Public Health Dr Margaret Steele and her colleague Consultant Endocrinologist in Galway University Hospital, Professor Francis Finucane, writing in Obesity Reviews this month, expand on this view. The archaic view that obesity arises from gluttony or sloth has been largely superseded by the recognition that it is a heritable neuro behavioural disorder that is highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Competing paradigms to explain obesity Dr Steele says there are two competing paradigms to explain how obesity develops: The energy model proposes that the brain is responsible for body weight regulation, operating mainly below our conscious awareness via complex metabolic, endocrine, and nervous system pathways that control food intake. The carbohydrate insulin model proposes that hormonal responses to highly processed carbohydrates disrupt normal insulin metabolism, leaving fewer calories available for the bodys metabolic needs. This leads to overeating as the appetite increases to compensate for the resulting lack of calories. Despite ongoing controversy around the brain and hormonal models of the origins of the development of obesity, both models recognise obesity as a change in how food is consumed, broken down and stored rather than an issue of excess body weight. What is key in understanding obesity as a disease is removing the focus on the motivation or willpower of the individual. This is what is done by both Boris Johnson and the professionals in Operation Transformation. Instead, the focus should be on the need for appropriate treatment and a transformation of the obesogenic food environment we are all immersed in. Professor Finucane suggests that a two-pronged approach is needed. This would mean an upscaling of obesity treatment being matched by an increase in obesity prevention. One way of achieving this would be to ringfence money raised from the sugar tax, more than 30m per year since 2018. In terms of the obesogenic environment, the publication of the Public Health (Obesity) Bill promised in the programme for government would be a giant step in regulation for a healthier food market. The Public Health (Obesity) Bill promised in the programme for government would be a giant step in regulation for a healthier food market. This includes an online ban on the marketing of unhealthy food and drink, a ban on unhealthy food advertising on state-owned transport, buildings, and public infrastructure; regulations for no-fry zones for all new fast food outlets near schools; and the banning of ads for unhealthy food and drinks within 200m of school playgrounds. Also needed is the mandatory removal of all foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) from end of aisle and checkout counters, a ban on buy-one-get-one-free-offers on HFSS goods and a ban on nutrition and health claims on these products. Increase resources for obesity treatment As Mr Watt pulls away from sponsoring a programme that emphasises personal responsibility for weight, now is the time to both increase resources for obesity treatment and to introduce overdue legislation to mandate for a healthy food environment. Moves to improve the food environment were announced recently with the news that the Department of Health is to examine the impact of the tax on sugary drinks, and the potential to develop a similar levy on some processed foods. This follows a recommendation from the Commission on Taxation and Welfare that the Government draws up fiscal measures to reduce the consumption of highly processed foods and promote healthier eating. In a response to a parliamentary question in the Dail, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the sugar tax had a positive effect, but this has yet to be fully evaluated. In the UK, introduction of the sugar tax on soft drinks was followed by a 28.8% fall in the amount of sugar contained in such beverages. Following the publication of the PHE report in the UK, George Osborne the former chancellor who introduced the tax tweeted: The sugar tax is a stunning success and an example of progressive Conservative policy in action. Robert Watts decision to stop sponsoring 'Operation Transformation' is a significant step in moving the conversation around obesity away from blame and moral failure. Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins Government sources here indicated recently that, while there is ongoing analysis of the sugar tax, new proposals in this area are not believed to be imminent. Robert Watts decision to stop sponsoring Operation Transformation is a heartening and significant step in moving the conversation around obesity away from blame and moral failure towards recognition of obesity as a disease. Taking the emphasis off willpower must be followed by dedicated treatment resources for obesity and introduction of the promised legislation on public health. Adequate treatment services and legal controls ensuring a healthier food environment will be expensive, sure, but what price the health and wellbeing of all citizens? Dr Catherine Conlon is a public health doctor in Cork and former director of human health and nutrition, Safefood When something incomprehensible happens, it can be reassuring to fall back on old cliches. Churchills famous description of Russia as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, summarises what many Russia analysts feel after the aborted armed rebellion led by Wagner commander Yevgeny Prigozhin this weekend. While answers remain elusive, some elements seem important to help navigate through the fog. There are powerful arguments that Vladimir Putin has been weakened by Prigozhins armed rebellion. For the first time in 23 years, many Russians will have woken up on Saturday morning wondering whether their president was still in control. Then, hours after a visibly shaken Putin announced that traitors would be punished, charges against Prigozhin were dropped, and his armed men, who allegedly shot down a transport plane and at least two helicopters (the exact number is still unconfirmed), killing a number of highly skilled military pilots, were given security guarantees. This indicates that Putin had to make concessions to Prigozhin, and in a country where a social media post criticising the army carries a potential prison sentence, the gap between the rich and powerful and ordinary citizens has been unashamedly confirmed in full public view. The Russian army, which has stagnated on the Ukrainian front for months, was unableor unwillingto stop Wagners advance through swathes of Russian territory. Putins unspoken contract with the Russian people is that in exchange for democratic freedoms he gives them stability and security. This contract has been broken. In a democracy all of the above would spell political death. But Russia is neither a democracy nor a functioning state. Small victory The only way to make sense of what happened in the past few days is to view events through the prism of a feud between criminal gangs in which each mafia boss holds so much leverage over the other that the balance of power can easily tip either way. The fact that Prigozhin is still alive indicates that whatever he holds over Putin is so damaging, and so well protected by unseen allies, that it is safer for Putin to allow him to livefor now. In the days leading to Wagners rebellion, Prigozhin multiplied his harangues against the defence establishment, but was careful to spare Putin. After the presidents address to the nation, in which he firmly came down on the side of the military, Prigozhins gloves came off. This suggests that until the last minute Prigozhin was unsure who Putin would back and that he expected political support from the top. This never materialised, either from politicians or top army brass. This is a defeat for Prigozhin. Moreover, his escapade smoked out any traitors in Putins entourage. In this sense, Putin comes out stronger in the short term. There are two factors Putin will have to contend with if he is to consolidate this small victory. Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin's 25,000 men, who were prepared to march against the regular army, will now need to be managed. In a dictatorship that likes to pretend to be a democracy, the fractures within the regime that this rebellion revealed will have to be dealt with through tighter repression and even more control of the media. A whipping up of patriotic frenzy and a few, preferably foreign, scapegoats would wrap things up nicely. Prigozhins 25,000 men, who were prepared to march against the regular army, will also need to be managed. Add to these the approximately 32,000 demobilised ex-Wagner troops who were put on standby through Prigozhins networks when the rebellion began, and the Russian state now has to deal with close to 60,000 angry men with combat experience, some of whom are still armed and most of whom have criminal backgrounds. Some, particularly those who feel betrayed by Prigozhin, may be lured into the regular army. The others will pose a threat to the social order unless they are brought under control through fear or violence. The future looks bleak. Belarus At the time of writing, Wagner posters are being torn down throughout Russia. But the fact that Prigozhin is still alive suggests he still has a role to play. In Belarus, he will be safely out of Putins way but close enough to be of use. It is unlikely that Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian dictator, played a significant role in the deal cut between Prigozhin and Putin. Russian sources argue that Aleksey Dyumin, the governor of Tula oblast where Prigozhins army stopped, and Nikolai Patrushev, the powerful head of the Russian security council, were the chief negotiators. Dyumin is a former Putin bodyguard and viewed by many as a potential successor to Putin who incarnates loyalty, youth and fresh blood. Lukashenko will have obediently done what his master ordered as the frontman for the negotiations, thus preserving Putin and his protege from being tainted by association with Prigozhin. If he really does end up in Belarus, Prigozhin may be the catalyst to finally drag Belarusian men into the war without Lukashenko having to send his regular army, something he has resisted in spite of pressure from Putin. t is now likely that a humiliated but rebooted Putin will renew attacks with more intensity. File picture: Alexei Danichev/RIA Novosti via AP Imagine a Wagner group re-registered in Minsk, able to recruit Belarusian convicts or otherwise coerce Belarusian men into the war. The number of men may not be enough to make serious incursions into Ukraine but would force the Ukrainians to reinforce their northern border, thus taking away men from the frontlines in the east and south. While a successful rebellion would have served Ukraine, at least in the short term, it is now likely that a humiliated but rebooted Putin will renew attacks with more intensity. If round one of Prigozhin v the Russian establishment went to Prigozhin on Saturday morning, Putin had made a comeback by the afternoon. Dog eats dog but while they hold each other by the tail, neither has a clear advantage. Either way, Ukraine will need even more western support as Russia teeters on the brink between chaos and absolute dictatorship. Read More The Wagner rebellion has been called off but Putin has never looked weaker War is changing. Democracy is not just threatened by despots sending tanks and hapless conscripts across borders to seize territory, but by digital armies dispatched by hostile actors to undermine our societal cohesion, spread disinformation and inflame tensions. These digital armies do not travel by motorways and dirt tracks, but they do need infrastructure to travel. They use the data centres, social media platforms and infrastructure that underpins a well-functioning internet. Much of this infrastructure is based right here in Ireland. Irelands data centre boom means we host a wildly disproportionate amount of the world's data. Data centres accounted for as much of our energy consumption in 2022 as households, and the government has indicated they will continue to grow. We proudly host the largest technology companies on Earth; Tik Tok, Facebook, and Twitter all call Ireland home. However, we can no longer pretend that these companies are cute scrappy little startups with free M&Ms for staff, generating guilt-free income for Ireland. Social media giants are the oil companies of the 21st century, massive data mining operations with the possibility to do great harm if not well run and properly regulated. Amnesty International has accused Facebooks algorithms of directly promoting ethnic cleansing against Rohingya in Myanmar. In India, misinformation spread on WhatsApp has led to public lynchings. The data centres and social media companies based in Ireland are on the front lines of the global battle for democracy. Defence Forces Given that our economy is reliant on companies such as these, that abuse and misuse of these platforms is a threat not only to our democracy but to the lives and freedoms of those in the global south, one would be forgiven for assuming that the Irish Defence Forces is a leader in detecting and countering these threats. On the contrary. The shameful neglect of the Defence Forces under successive governments means that we are laggards in this regard. The Defence Forces is home to proud institutions such as the Equitation School and the School of Music. These represent venerable military traditions, and have served the State well. They recruit talented musicians and grooms, who then undergo a Military Induction course before being assigned a rank and a unit. This type of specialist recruitment is also used to fill a limited number of other roles such as doctors, dentists, engineers, and engine room artificers for the Naval Service. However, nowhere on this list are IT specialists, data scientists, experts in information warfare, or behaviourists. If a qualified band conductor and a qualified data scientist were to visit the careers section of the Defence Forces website today, only one would find an advert targeting their skillset. This must change. Last years Commision on the Defence Forces recommended creating specialist Reserve Defence Forces posts in highskilled units such as cyber. There are international models we can follow to achieve this. Irish soldiers traveling overseas to mitigate the threats posed by explosive ordnance is right and proper, but Ireland does not manufacture landmines. The UK recently established the 77th Brigade, a hybrid unit of regulars and reservists with specialist skills to combat new forms of warfare in the information environment. This unit directly recruits computer scientists, content creators and even influencers. The German Bundeswehr has established a Cyber Innovation Hub, which has directly recruited from firms such as Google. Drawing on the incredible talent in our private sector, Ireland should create world-class specialist units to understand and defend against these emerging threats. This capability should not only be put to use to defend our State, but deployed overseas, under UN mandate, to build the capacity of partners to navigate this new environment and defend democracy. The Defence Forces have a long and proud history of capacity building overseas including EUTM in Mali, and the UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service) which works to mitigate the threats posed by explosive ordnance. Irish soldiers travelling overseas to mitigate the threats posed by explosive ordnance is right and proper, but Ireland does not manufacture landmines. Ireland does manufacture and profit handsomely from the digital systems which threaten democracy and stability worldwide. We have a duty to mitigate those harms. The current Forum on International Security Policy is well timed, given the radically changing nature of the global security situation, the recent recommendations for radical change by Commission on the Defence Forces, and the emergence of new threats. It is much more than a binary choice between NATO alignment or steady as she goes, but a real opportunity for us to think boldly about what ethical and effective defence policy should look like in the modern world. When Digital Peacekeepers proudly wearing the uniform of Oglaigh na hEireann, recruited from the glittering towers of silicone docks are dispatched to defend emerging democracies in years to come, we may look back at this moment as where it began. Ireland can lead. Ireland must lead. As the door banged behind Dee Forbes, her final statement arrived. Most final statements attract cliches such as closing the door, drawing a line, and putting the issue to bed". This one actually invited door-pushing, drew no effective line, and kept the issue up and awake. Towards the end of the statement, she apologised unreservedly (when will we ever see someone apologise reservedly?) for my part in this episode". It has to be asked why shes apologising towards the end of a statement, the bulk of which goes to establish that she did everything out of love for RTE, knew her objectives, didnt go against advice, and generally did everything right. That brings us to one of the trailing wires in this statement. Forbes says she did not at any stage act contrary to any advice". What she doesnt say is what she means. Legal advice? Financial advice? HR advice? In the interests of openness, she should name the advisers who it would appear happily aligned themselves with the national broadcaster playing a bogus invoice game. 'I led the discussions' Forbes states, as if it were standard, that: I led the discussions with the agent for Ryan Tubridy. She doesnt explain why, as director general, she would lead out on a negotiation with a third party. Nor is it clear how often she did this, or if it was only in the Ryan Tubridy case. That matters. One way or the other, it is mystifying as to why someone on both the executive and governing board would ever be involved in negotiations at this level. This is an example of the kind of dealmaking one would expect to be led by the head of commercial or head of finance. Or someone reporting to them. But the DG? At the time, we were attempting to retain Ryan Tubridys services, she writes. Dee Forbes and Ryan Tubridy during a photocall last year. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin It is fair to wonder what exactly was the competition threatening RTEs retention of Ryans services and how likely he was to walk in a pandemic. Especially when he repeatedly indicated he was good with taking a pay cut: we were all in this together. Naming the competitors for his services and what they were willing to pay him would go some distance to explaining why someone at her level would get involved in a negotiation about covert 75,000 payments to Tubridy. And why she would go to the extent she went to? Her involvement in the negotiation wasnt just odd because of her role. It was odd because the national broadcaster set about persuading Renault to pay Tubridy privately, to hire him for three gigs at 24,000 apiece, on the basis that it would be cost-neutral to Renault. Commercial agreement Cost-neutral, meaning it wouldnt cost them a cent. Not only that, but RTE, having done an agents job on behalf of Tubridy with Renault, then guaranteed that deal in a way that meant that if Renault decided it wasnt working, RTE would step in and pay Tubridy: This new commercial agreement required that RTE guarantee and underwrite the 75,000 annually. It sounds as if this new commercial agreement was in charge. But it wasnt. At any point in the negotiation, Forbes could have said: Look, this is bringing RTE to a place it shouldnt be, were out. But she didnt. Nor did the other RTE executives shes invited to share her under-the-bus situation. Collectively, these executives put RTE in a position where if as happened Renault pulled out, RTE had to cough up 75,000 for Tubridy. This at a time when, as she herself writes, an RTE executive board commitment had been made to the board and the Government to reduce the fees paid to RTEs top talent by a further 15% overall". But then, the RTE negotiators covered any possible embarrassment by engaging with overseas companies to pay monies that were firewalled with anonymity so RTE wouldnt look like the source. The money is much smaller. But the episode, nonetheless, has a whiff of the planning scandal of just a few years ago. What next? Dee Forbes resignation means she doesnt have to go in front of an Oireachtas committee on this. It complicates the lives of the RTE top management who will have to go in front of such committees. Now that it is known that RTE created a situation where invoices went to a UK company for services that werent provided to that company, with RTE demanding secrecy about the whole shoddy deal, four things are clear. The first is that the Government, in setting the terms of reference for the investigation, must ensure that it includes interrogation of how an external agent could become so powerful within RTE as to generate an apparently legal but covert meeting of his clients needs. Agent Noel Kelly of NK Management. Picture: Collins Photos The second is that every benefit to every RTE client of Noel Kelly, whether thats a car, dinner in a hotel, a holiday, or special deal for their programme, is clinically probed. The third is that the investigation must find out if the invoice subterfuge was unique, or used in other instances by RTE. If the former, why? If the latter, in whose cases? And finally, the shield of commercially sensitive information would be laughable if deployed in the Oireachtas this week. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has inspected troops in Ukraine as he made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his removal. The ministry released a video showing Mr Shoigu flying in a helicopter and then attending a meeting with military officers at headquarters in Ukraine. A new oil spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has contaminated farmland and a river, upending livelihoods in fishing and farming communities in part of the Niger Delta. The region has long endured environmental pollution caused by the oil industry. The countrys National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Nosdra) said the spill came from the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Shell that crosses through communities in the Eleme area of Ogoniland, a region where the London-based energy giant has faced long-standing local resistance to its oil exploration activities. The volume of oil spilled has not been determined, but activists have published images of polluted farmland, water surfaces blighted by oil sheens and dead fish mired in sticky crude. While spills are frequent in the region due to vandalism from oil thieves and a lack of maintenance to pipelines, according to the UN Environmental Programme, activists have described the spill as a major incident. The spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has upended livelihoods in the fishing and farming communities of part of the Niger Delta (AP) Fyneface Dumnamene, an environmental activist whose non-profit Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre monitors spills in the Delta region, said the spill which began on June 11 is one of the worst in the last 16 years in Ogoniland. He added: It lasted for over a week, burst into Okulu River which adjoins other rivers and ultimately empties into the Atlantic Ocean and affected several communities and displaced more than 300 fishers. Mr Dumnamene said tides have sent oil sheens about six miles further to creeks near the nations oil business capital, Port Harcourt. Shell stopped production in Ogoniland more than 20 years ago amid deadly unrest from residents protesting against environmental damage, but the Trans-Niger Pipeline still sends crude from oil fields in other areas through the regions communities to export terminals. Nosdra director general Idris Musa said the leak has been contained, but treating the fallout from the spill at farms and the Okulu River, which runs through communities, has stalled. Response has been delayed, Mr Musa added, blaming protesting residents. But engagement is going on. The apparent deadlock stems from mistrust and past grievances in the riverine and oil-abundant Niger Delta region, which is mostly home to minority ethnic groups who accuse the Nigerian government of marginalisation. Africas largest economy overwhelmingly depends on the Niger Deltas oil resources for its earnings, but pollution from that production has denied residents access to clean water, hurt farming and fishing, and heightened the risk of violence, activists said. Mr Dumnamene said the communities are very angry because of the destruction of their livelihoods resulting from the obsoleteness of Shells equipment and are concerned the regulator and Shell will blame sabotage by the residents. Pollution has upended livelihoods in the Okulu river in Ogoniland (AP) Oil companies often blame pipeline vandalism by oil thieves or aggrieved young people in affected communities for spills, which could allow the firms to avoid liability. Shell said it is working with a joint investigatory team, consisting of regulators, Ogoniland residents and local authorities, to identify the cause and impact of the spill. The firms response team has 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, a company statement said. Nosdra confirmed the joint investigation, but a cause of the spill whether sabotage or equipment failure has not yet been revealed. Mr Dumnamene said hundreds of farmers and fishermen who have been cut off from their livelihoods would insist on restoration of the environment and then compensation. At the request of the Nigerian government, the UN Environment Programme conducted an independent environmental assessment of Ogoniland, releasing a report in 2011 that criticised Shell and the Nigerian government for 50 years of pollution and recommended a comprehensive, billion-dollar clean-up. While the government announced the clean-up in 2016, there is little evidence of restoration on the ground. The government says community protests and lawsuits by local activists have hampered progress. Ledum Mitee, a veteran Ogoni environmental activist and former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, said: A credible clean-up would have been a beacon of hope for the Niger Delta and other areas in Africa that have suffered oil pollution, but no credible clean-up is ongoing. It is a cover-up, and we do not see the impact. Vladimir Putin has condemned organisers of a weekend revolt as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. The rebellion by armed mercenaries, which lasted less than 24 hours, was the gravest threat yet to the Russian presidents authority. He said the nation had stood united, and praised rank-and-file mercenaries with the Wagner Group for not letting the situation descend into bloodshed. Earlier in the day, the rebellions leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, defended his short-lived insurrection. He taunted Russias military, but said he had not been seeking to stage a coup against Mr Putin. The president did not name Mr Prigozhin in his televised address but said organisers of the mutiny had tried to force the groups soldiers to shoot their own. Mr Putin blamed Russias enemies and said they miscalculated. The Kremlin showed Mr Putin meeting top security, law enforcement and military officials, and earlier in the day authorities released a video of defence minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal Mr Prigozhin had demanded, reviewing troops in Ukraine. We started our march because of an injustice, Mr Prigozhin said in an 11-minute statement, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. Yevgeny Prigozhin (Prigozhin Press Service/AP) The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military leaders has festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles towards Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Mr Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel reported he was at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Mr Prigozhin taunted Russias military on Monday, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 500 miles towards Moscow without facing resistance. The bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Mr Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Members of the Wagner Group took over Rostov-on-Don on Saturday (Vasily Deryugin, Kommersant Publishing House/AP) Mr Prigozhin said only that Mr Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Mr Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it was not clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was under way in an area of Belarus about 120 miles north of the border with Ukraine. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Mr Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Mr Prigozhin has not been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian legislators called for his punishment. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current legislator who has had rows with the mercenary leader, said Mr Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. Sergei Shoigu with military chiefs at an undisclosed location in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP) Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday, when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defence Ministry published video of Mr Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Mr Shoigu and other military leaders had lost Mr Putins confidence and could be replaced. Before the uprising, Mr Prigozhin had criticised Mr Shoigu and General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Mr Prigozhins statement appeared to confirm analysts view that the revolt was a move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defence Ministry by July 1. He said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defence Ministrys command, and the force planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He accused the Defence Ministry of attacking Wagners camp, prompting them to move sooner. Allied Karenni resistance forces have seized junta outposts in Maese Township, eastern Kayah (Karenni) State, where fighting continues as junta troops attempt to retake them. Combined Karenni resistance forces took control of Maese town after 18 junta soldiers manning the outpost at Thai-Myanmar border milepost No. 13 surrendered on Saturday, said Khu Nye Reh, spokesman of the Karenni military central information committee. The junta responded by sending at least five columns of troops from Loikaw and Demoso to Maese, but allied Karenni resistance forces are intercepting them in Hpasawng Township, said Khu Nye Reh. There are no junta soldiers in Maese town now, but columns from other areas are heading to Maese, he told The Irrawaddy. Around 400 junta soldiers are attempting to cross the Salween River, he said. Fighting broke out in Maese after allied resistance forces including the Karenni Army (KA) and Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) carried out simultaneous attacks on junta outposts near the Thai border and on the Maese police station on June 13. Casualty figures among junta forces are unknown. We suffered four fatalities when we seized a hilltop outpost on June 23. We still dont know about junta casualties. We seized their weapons, which we have shared among our groups, Khu Nye Reh said. A military analyst calculates that resistance forces have taken control of at least five junta outposts in Maese and along the Salween River. I noticed that allied resistance forces have seized around four 120 mm mortars. The turning point of the fighting came when Border Guard Force units 1004 and 1005 turned on the Myanmar military, he said. The Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front (KNPLF), which serves as the Kayah State Border Guard Force (BGF) under the Myanmar military, has rebelled and joined resistance forces attacking junta outposts. Junta troops have not been able to cross Salween River, he said. The shortest route to Maese is through Hpasawng. They can get there by crossing the Salween River, but Karenni resistance forces are blocking them there. Junta troops accidentally carried out an airstrike on their own troops [there recently]. The second route is through Bawlakhe, but it is long. They could also choose to airlift their troops by helicopter, but this option comes with limitations, the analyst continued. If Maese is liberated, it will be a good foundation for Karenni State. It will serve as a base for [Karenni resistance forces] to train and carry out administrative work. It will also be a psychological boost for the revolution. Other groups will try to do likewise, he said. The fighting has displaced over 4,000 locals, 3,000 of whom are sheltering on the Thai side of the border while the rest are in forests on the Myanmar side. Sources at the border say that officials of junta local administrative bodies are among the displaced residents. Residents of Ye-U and Tabayin townships in Sagaing Region are facing serious hardship after the regime banned them from entering Ye-U town unless they can show a recommendation letter from local authorities. According to an order imposed by the regime last week, residents must pay 10,000 kyats (US$ 4) to policemen and Ye-U town administrators to get a recommendation letter, Tabayin residents said. The recommendation letter is valid for only one week. Residents of villages on the border of Ye-U and Tabayin are in trouble because of the order, a local from Let Yat Kone village in Tabayin Township told The Irrawaddy. Thousands of residents from around 50 villages in both townships travel to Ye-U town to buy goods and sell them in the surrounding area. However, these traders have not been able to visit Ye-U since last week because of the new rule, a Ye-U resident said. Residents are barred from entering Ye-U town if they dont have a recommendation letter. This has affected local commerce, a Ye-U resident told The Irrawaddy. People in Sagaing Region are also experiencing difficulties when applying for National Registration Cards, according to a Tabayin Township resistance fighter. Although there is no need to show a recommendation letter to enter Tabayin town, regime troops in the town are using various excuses to abuse locals both mentally and physically, the resistance member told The Irrawaddy. Ye-U town is in Ye-U district, which borders Tabayin and Taze. Ye-U is among the Sagaing townships where rural areas are controlled by peoples defense forces (PDFs). Junta troops control only the town, where they are subject to frequent attacks by PDFs. Meanwhile, junta forces use Ye-U town as a base to raid and burn down villages in Ye-U and Tabayin townships. The regime has waged an indiscriminate campaign of arson attacks and airstrikes against armed groups and civilians over the past two years in Sagaing, a stronghold of the resistance movement. Myanmar junta forces reportedly killed 15 resistance fighters and three civilians during raids on a resistance camp and villages in Sagaing Township on Sunday. Troops crossed the Irrawaddy River in Sagaing Region on Sunday morning, joining other soldiers and raiding a Nganzun Peoples Defense Force (PDF) camp on the riverbank near Kin Taw village, according to resistance groups. They said 15 resistance fighters, including two female combatants, were killed, according to a member of Sagaing District PDF that fought the regime forces on Sunday. All the resistance members were shot or stabbed to death after being detained, he said. The resistance group said one of the females is believed to have been raped by junta soldiers before being killed. Her body was found on her hands and knees after being handcuffed and beaten, the resistance leader told The Irrawaddy on Monday. A resistance fighter from the PDF camp escaped the junta raid with injuries. The regime troops then raided a group of seven villages on the riverbank. They opened fire on fleeing villagers and looted and burned houses, according to residents. The dead bodies of three villagers killed by junta forces were found at Kin Taw and Myin Se villages. Three clashes broke out in the area on Sunday when resistance groups blocked and attacked the junta force, which left the area in the evening. The regime said on Sunday that it had seized some dead bodies of PDF terrorists and several weapons and ammunition during their raid. It said it seized 27 weapons and ammunition from two nearby villages. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports. In early March, junta troops raided Tar Taing village near Kin Taw village in Sagaing Township and killed 17 detainees, including two resistance members. Thwe The is a 16-year-old girl studying in grade 10 at a school run by the parallel civilian government in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region, where villages have suffered repeated attacks by junta warplanes and ground troops since the 2021 coup. Every day, students in Sagaing risk their lives in pursuit of education as junta forces continue to pound civilian targets including schools, monasteries and clinics. We are always on alert because we are afraid of warplanes. We dont have bomb shelters at our school, she said. Following the 2021 military coup, nearly 80 percent of Myanmars 10 million students boycotted the regimes education system. After the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) was formed in April 2021, its ministry of education set up 300 township-level education boards to provide basic education in areas where the regime had lost control to the resistance. The boards used NUG guidelines to open schools, where volunteers and teachers from the civil disobedience movement (CDM), a nationwide strike by civil servants in protest against military rule, provide basic education. Schools in Sagaing come under the NUGs education ministry guidelines. Rural communities in resistance strongholds mainly rely on NUG schools for basic education, according to sources. I want our daughter to finish basic education, but I wont send her to a junta school. No one goes to their schools in our areas, Thwe Thwes mother said. However, both students and teachers at NUG schools know they can be targeted by junta warplanes at any time. A volunteer teacher from Yin Paung Taing village in Yinmarpin Township told the Irrawaddy that students and staff still suffer from mental problems after experiencing horrific air raids. We are in constant fear and the children cant concentrate fully on their studies or enjoy their lives at school, he said. In August last year, at least 20 people including a 17-year-old student died in Yin Paung Taing when junta helicopter gunships attacked the village. It took nearly three months to resume classes after our village was hit by the deadly airstrike. Even the cows and the dogs are scared when they hear the sound of aircraft in the distance, he said. In another incident, seven children were killed in an airstrike when junta gunships strafed a school in Let Yet Kone village, Tabayin Township in September 2022. In May and early June this year, junta warplanes conducted at least six airstrikes in Sagaing and Karen and north Shan states, killing eight civilians and injured another eight, including three children. Apart from safety issues, teachers also expressed other concerns over insufficient funding and staff shortages at schools in resistance strongholds, which rely on local communities for financial support. Myo Kyaw is a teacher currently working at a school in Wetlet Township after he joined the civil disobedience movement in 2021. Most of the schools are facing the same challenges. We received only 100,000 kyat from the NUG throughout last year. We used it to purchase teaching materials and stationery for the students, he said. The main financial support for each school comes from tuition fees and donations paid by local communities, according to sources. The monthly fee is 15,000 kyat for a high school student and 7,000 kyat for middle school students, a student in Yinmarpin Township said. Sources say the NUG struggles to provide teaching equipment and salary for volunteers and CDM teachers. The Irrawaddy contacted the NUGs Ministry of Education for comment but had received no reply as of press time. In Khin-U, where half of the township has been burned to the ground by junta troops, students have no choice but to study in village houses because they fear junta airstrikes on schools. A CDM teacher said that junta troops destroy blackboards, furniture and even burn down the house if they discover it is being used as an NUG school. We face many difficulties. Some people do not want us to use their homes as classrooms because they worry that junta forces will set them on fire, he said. Junta forces have also banned the distribution of textbooks and teaching materials to resistance strongholds. Yet, students in Sagaing say they are still eager to complete their basic education. I want to finish my education because I dont want to be one of those empty-headed people, said a student from Wetlet Township, referring to the generals who overthrew the civilian government in February 2021. As for Thwe The, the 16-year-old schoolgirl said her ambition was to become a volunteer teacher and teach primary school students in her village. (All names have been altered for safety reasons.) Myanmar juntas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the joint statement by US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. They met at the White House on June 22 and a joint statement expressed deep concern about Myanmar and called for the release of all political prisoners, the establishment of constructive dialogue and a transition to an inclusive, federal democratic system. Despite the statement, India is one of the few foreign governments maintaining relations with the regime. It has offered to assist in an election proposed by the junta, which western countries have dismissed as a sham. The US last week leveled sanctions against Myanmars Ministry of Defense and the two state-owned banks Myanma Foreign Trade Bank and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank used by the military to purchase arms and other goods in foreign currencies. The junta responded that it had detained no one against the law. The Foreign Ministry seeks understanding, support and constructive cooperation of the international community to the governments efforts to build a union based on democracy and federalism as well as condemnation of terrorism in all its forms to ensure peace and stability and development in Myanmar, its statement said. The regime has imposed death sentences on over 150 people. But the statement said it granted amnesty for 62,818 inmates and commuted 59 death sentences to life imprisonment. The commutation of 38 death sentences to life imprisonment took place ahead of the Chinese foreign affairs ministers visit in May to Naypyitaw. Observers said the moves were to placate Beijing. The junta ignored calls by the international community when it executed four pro-democracy activists, including Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, in July last year. Although the regime said it had detained no one unlawfully, it did arrest approximately 100 people who wore flowers to show their support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her 78th birthday on June 19. At the recent informal talks on Myanmar sponsored by Thailand, the juntas foreign minister accused Myanmars ethnic armed organizations of deliberately delaying the peace process because they did not want to relinquish the lucrative drug business. At least 44 Myanmar junta forces were killed in the past week as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country. Over a dozen resistance members were also killed in the clashes. In one case, 15 resistance members and civilians were killed during a junta raid in Sagaing. Incidents were reported in Sagaing, Magwe, Bago and Tanintharyi regions and Karen State. The Irrawaddy has rounded up the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and EAOs. Some military casualties could not be independently verified. Fifteen resistance members, civilians killed by junta troops in Sagaing Resistance members of Tike Nal Swun use improvised mortar shells to bomb junta troops raiding and burning villages in Sagaing Township on Sunday. / Tike Nal Swun PDF At least 15 people including resistance members and some female residents were shot dead by regime forces during their raid on a resistance camp and villages on the bank of Irrawaddy River in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region early on Sunday, according to local PDF groups and media reports. Around 100 regime forces, who arrived in motorboats, also burned houses in two villages, said local PDF group Tike Nal Swun, which defended the villages. Junta base pounded in Sagaing Resistance group Fighter Brotherhood Guerrilla Army said it and 17 other local PDF groups jointly used makeshift mortar rounds to shell regime forces stationed at the state-run No. 1 Garment Factory in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday night. Factory buildings were damaged, but military casualties were unknown. A PDF video shows many mortar rounds being fired during the attack. Junta police killed in resistance ambush in Tanintharyi Two police officers including the chief of the Maukmakan police station were killed and two others injured in Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region last Friday when Launglon PDF ambushed a vehicle carrying four police officers near their police base, said the PDF group. During the ambush, the vehicle crashed into the roadside and PDF forces had to retreat as police reinforcements arrived in the area. One hour later, the PDF group coordinated with Yephyu PDF group to conduct drone strikes on the Maukmakan police station. Regime forces responded by indiscriminately firing heavy explosives. Later, a military column of 100 troops raided Maukmakan Village and killed a resident, the PDF group said. Two days of clashes break out in Tanintharyi At least 10 regime forces as well as a resistance fighter were killed in two days of clashes in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region last Tuesday and Wednesday when Myeik District PDF forces and other local resistance groups attacked three military columns of 200 troops on the Myeik-Dawei Highway, said Military Region 3 of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG)s Defense Ministry, the political wing of the PDF. A photo shows the body of a dead regime soldier left behind at the clash site. Pro-junta militia bases raided in Tanintharyi Three pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members were killed in Kawthaung Township, Tanintharyi Region last Thursday when Kawthaung PDF raided a militia sentry post and the house of the militia leader in Yay Ngann Chaing Village, said the NUGs Defense Ministry. During the raid, weapons, ammunition and illegal drugs were also seized from the militia members. Junta suffers heavy losses in resistance land-mine ambushes in Magwe At least 20 regime forces were killed and 30 others injured in Seik Phyu Township, Magwe Region on June 20 and 21 when Pakokku District PDF Battalion 4 and Seik Phyu PDF jointly used land-mines to repeatedly ambush military vehicles, claimed the NUG Defense Ministry. First, the combined resistance groups used land mines to ambush two military vehicles carrying 60 junta troops on the Seik Phyu-Saw Highway, killing five soldiers and injuring 25 others. The next day, the PDF groups again used land mines to ambush another military vehicle. The vehicle was attempting to clear a minefield planted by the PDF groups, so that junta troops could retrieve the bodies of dead soldiers. In the attack, 15 soldiers were killed and five injured, and their vehicle was destroyed, the Defense Ministry said. Military base attacked in Karen Resistance forces during a raid on a regime base in Kawkareik Township on June 21 / Saw Dragon Drone Force At least eight regime forces were killed and many others injured in Kawkareik Township, Karen State on June 21 when five PDF groups including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), raided a military base in the township, said drone unit Saw Dragon Drone Forces (SDDF), which joined the raid. In the clash, a resistance fighter was also killed. Military column ambushed in Bago Resistance fighters of Paungde PDF during an ambush against a military column in Paungde Township on Sunday / Paungde PDF At least one junta soldier was killed and another injured in Paungde Township, Bago Region on Sunday when Paungde PDF ambushed a military column of 40 troops traveling into a forest, said the PDF group. After the ambush, regime forces cremated the dead soldier and burned three nearby farm-huts belonging to local farmers. Monday, Jun 26th, 2023 (3:01 pm) - Score 1,008 The National Farmers Union recently published the results of their latest annual survey of 814 members across England and Wales, which among other things found that 36% can now access supefast broadband (24Mbps+) speeds (up from 20% two years ago), while 80% had access to 4G on their mobiles and 10% could get 5G. Naturally, farmers tend to work in some of the United Kingdoms most sparse and remote rural communities, which are often last on the list to be upgraded (if theyre improved at all) due to the economic challenges of building expensive networks to cater for so few users over a wide area. As such, related communities often suffer from a greater proportion of connectivity problems. Just to set some context for this study. The latest data from Ofcom (here) found that 97% of UK premises are within reach of a 30Mbps+ capable fixed-line network, which falls to 73% for gigabit-capable speeds, while just 1.4% are unable to access speeds of 10Mbps+ (USO level). As for mobile connectivity, 4G reaches 80-87% for geographic coverage across all operators, while 73-82% of premises can get outdoor 5G coverage via at least one operator. The coverage of both mobile and fixed broadband connectivity continues to improve with every passing year, but this wont mean much to those who are stuck waiting for better connectivity to arrive. Admittedly, in some areas, its also possible that a better service could already exist, but the locals may not have realised yet (awareness remains a common issue), although the NFUs survey doesnt examine this. Summary of Key NFO Findings Broadband 18% have a download speed of 2Mbps or less (down by 12% on last year). 36% have superfast speeds of 24Mbps+ (up from 12% last year). 67% of respondents with standard broadband have not been offered superfast broadband. 33% say that if they had faster broadband speeds then it would be used to improve the speed, efficiency and frequency of business tasks. 48% believe their broadband speed is sufficient for the needs of their business (up by 10% on last year). 21% believe their broadband speed is a barrier to further use of digital technology. Mobile 21% get reliable mobile signal in all outdoor locations on their farm (up by 4% on last year). 10% had no access to either 4G or 5G (a 4% improvement on last year). 80% had access to 4G. 10% had access to 5G. 96% say mobile signal is important for their business. 50% say their mobile signal is sufficient for their business needs (up by 6% on last year). The government are currently working to improve rural broadband and mobile connectivity via a variety of changes (e.g. softer planning rules, easier infrastructure sharing and better access to upgrade existing sites) and programmes. For example, theres the 1bn industry-led Shared Rural Network (SRN) project that aims to extend geographic 4G coverage to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025 (it may also help the 5G rollout). On top of that, theres also the 5bn Project Gigabit rollout that aims to ensure that a minimum of 85%+ of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable broadband ISP connection by the end of 2025, before possibly reaching nationwide (c.99%) coverage by the end of 2030 (here and here). Not to mention various other programmes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Finally, a number of technology trials are also being conducted to test Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and LEO satellite based broadband solutions for rural areas (examples here and here) The NFU Vice President, David Exwood, said: Our results show that we need a really concentrated effort from the government and telecommunications industry to reach the most remote areas still without coverage if we want to achieve the Shared Rural Networks aim to deliver 4G connectivity across the UK by 2025. While the introduction of 5G to some rural areas is encouraging, as it supports the introduction of new technologies and more productive business practices on farm, this years survey shows that connectivity is only increasing slowly, and the farming industry is still lagging significantly behind the rest of the country. The NFU survey concludes its annual report by making a series of general recommendations, such as by calling for the SRN to fully complete its rollout by 2025, and requesting that digital skills training must be offered widely and supported in government skills initiatives. The union also calls on all government broadband schemes to be applicable to all types of broadband and not just fibre, which is intended to address concerns that the government may be too laser focused on fostering full fibre (FTTP) coverage. The problem for remote rural areas is that building FTTP is often prohibitively expensive. In fairness, past voucher schemes and other government programmes were arguably more flexible, but even they didnt resolve the problem and public investment often ended up being spent again to tackle the same areas further down the road. However, the recent satellite and wireless trials do hint that we might see a new scheme in the future to support certain alternative technologies, but history shows that this alone may not be enough to fully fix the core issue. On the other hand, were increasingly headed toward a situation where the problem areas end up being confined to only the final 0.3% or so of premises, which would be a strong improvement on today. Monday, Jun 26th, 2023 (9:51 am) - Score 3,480 Finnish telecoms firm Nokia has hit a new milestone in 5G based mobile broadband speeds when setup as a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network using millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, which saw them successfully achieve sustained average downloads of over 2Gbps (Gigabits / sec) at a distance of 10.86km. The challenge with using mmW bands for low power wireless communications is usually that such signals are extremely weak, and thus they dont tend to travel very far before their usefulness expires. As a result, constructing a mobile network that can harness them tends to be very expensive, which means that its only really viable in busy urban areas (e.g. shopping centres, big visitor attractions) or as a FWA solution for connecting individual homes and businesses. NOTE: mmW bands go up to 300GHz, but mobile and fixed wireless networks tend to focus on the 24GHz to 100GHz range. On the other hand, mmW comes attached to plenty of spare radio spectrum frequency, which enables it to carry masses of extra data and therein resides the key attraction speed. The new generation of 5G technology has been designed to harness mmW and, in recent years, significant strides have been made in pushing the reach of such signals further than previously thought possible. In this case, Nokia appears to have deployed their latest AirScale baseband and AirScale 24GHz (n258 band) mmWave radio and a Nokia FastMile 5G PoC CPE (customer premises equipment), which then connected a test site back to their OuluZone test facility in Oulu, Finland, over a distance of 10.86km. The test itself aggregated 8 channels / component carriers (8CC), harnessing 800MHz of spectrum frequency inside the 24GHz band, to achieve a top downlink speed of 2.1Gbps. The caveat to this is that the network wasnt particularly good on the upstream side, which was only able to achieve a speed of 57.2Mbps. Ari Kynaslahti, Head of Strategy and Tech at Nokia Mobile Networks, said: We just set a new speed record for extended range 5G mmWave. This demonstrates that mmWave solutions will be an essential building block for operators to efficiently deliver widespread, multi-gigabit 5G broadband coverage to their customers in urban, suburban, and rural areas, complementing sub-6 GHz spectrum assets. This is a substantial achievement that reflects how we are constantly innovating and evolving our 5G services and solutions. Just to put this into some developmental context. Nokia effectively appears to have roughly doubled the distance and speeds that were being achieved with similar setups, via other manufacturers of RAN (radio) kit, about 2-3 years ago (example). One of the key changes this time was the addition of Nokias new FastMile 5G PoC device for customers, which adopts a new type of high-gain 360 antenna (27dBi) that dynamically adapts to changing conditions to overcome mmWave deployment challenges. A number of mobile operators are currently conducting trials of the new kit. The catch for the UK is that Ofcom are still consulting on how theyll open up and auction off access to both the 26GHz (24.25GHz 27.5GHz) and 40GHz (40.5GHz 43.5GHz) bands for use by ultrafast 5G (mobile broadband) technology (here). As such, it might be a few more years before mobile operators can harness this sort of development. 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. Reddit Email 28 Shares US, UK, EU Should Amend Humanitarian Exemptions to Facilitate Aid Human Rights Watch (Beirut) The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union should urgently renew the earthquake-related humanitarian exemptions they introduced to their Syria sanctions regimes in February 2023 to more effectively facilitate aid to the Syrian people, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch issued a question-and-answer document examining the effects of expansive sanctions on humanitarian operations in Syria, and by connection, their effects on the economic rights of Syrians. The six-month exemptions will expire in August. The sanctioning entities should extend them without limit and align their piecemeal and disparate humanitarian exemptions across sanctions regimes, counterterrorism measures, and export controls. Countries imposed these sanctions on the Syrian government because of its unspeakable violence against its own citizens, but they should ensure they do not negatively impact Syrians rights, including by impeding critical humanitarian aid, said Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. Urgently extending the humanitarian exemptions introduced after Februarys earthquake will go a long way towards ensuring vulnerable people in Syria do not suffer unnecessarily. Photo by Julie Ricard on Unsplash The majority of Syrians rely on aid not only because of the earthquake but because of the countrys deepening economic crisis. Even before the deadly earthquakes, Syrians were facing a severe humanitarian crisis with over 90 percent living below the poverty line. At least 12 million Syrians out of an estimated remaining population of 16 million cannot find or afford enough quality food, and at least 15 million Syrians need humanitarian aid. While the Syrian governments discriminatory diversion of humanitarian aid remains the biggest obstacle to equitable delivery of assistance to many parts of Syria, the US, UK, EU, and others have imposed complex and wide-ranging sanctions on the Syrian government, officials, and related entities that are making a difficult situation worse. These sanctions are in response to the rampant war crimes and other serious human rights violations committed by the government since 2011. Hayet Tahrir al Sham (HTS), an organized armed group with control over a civilian population with severe humanitarian needs in northwest Syria, and other armed groups operating in Syria are also subject to counterterrorism sanctions. The question-and-answer document explains how, why, and to what extent sanctions can inadvertently harm the rights of the population including by hampering humanitarian operations despite carveouts and exceptions designed to ensure the opposite. The document is based on interviews with aid workers and a comprehensive review of the humanitarian exemptions to sanctions regimes and counterterrorism measures in place. Broad sanctions can negatively affect the rights of the population, including by making it difficult for aid organizations to access essential goods. They can make banks reluctant to transfer money to sanctioned countries or organizations based there, and impose travel restrictions and other bureaucratic hurdles on aid organizations and workers. While counterterrorism measures that apply to Syria differ from sanctions regimes in terms of their objectives and targets, they often impose similar problems for humanitarian operations. While the US, EU, UK, and others have long included humanitarian carveouts to their sanctions regimes on Syria, they vary from one sanctioning entity to another, are piecemeal in nature and have separate restrictions, limitations, and compliance procedures, making it difficult, time-consuming, and costly for banks, exporters, and humanitarian actors to navigate and ensure compliance. In the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes, as UN agencies and aid groups struggled to quickly and effectively scale up their emergency response, the US, EU, and UK issued humanitarian exemptions for six months to facilitate earthquake response despite claims by US and EU officials and sanctions advocates that their sanctions frameworks do not actually hinder humanitarian operations. While humanitarian workers said that they welcome these exemptions, some said that they are too short to provide incentives for private entities and financial institutions to engage on Syria. Up until February 23, when the EU amended measures to facilitate the speedy delivery of humanitarian aid for six months in response to the earthquake, prior authorization by EU member states was necessary for almost all activities, which would have taken months, they said. Other humanitarian workers said the US and UK exemptions in particular are too narrow as they are specific only to earthquake relief and not the wider humanitarian conditions. Similar exemptions were not applied to counterterrorism measures, the effects of which are most felt in opposition-held areas of northwest Syria, where HTS maintain control over an area with a large civilian population and massive humanitarian needs. The deadly February earthquakes caused significant damage and left many people without adequate shelter, food, water, and essential services, including health care and education. According to the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, across northern Syria, over 5,900 people died, more than 11,200 people were injured, 2,260 buildings destroyed, and 97,400 households displaced. It estimated that 8.8 million people in both government-held areas and opposition-held areas are most affected. While the full extent of the humanitarian needs resulting from the earthquake is still being assessed, it is clear that the earthquakes have only added to the significant humanitarian problems facing Syrians, including ongoing conflict, displacement, and economic hardship. A landmark UN humanitarian exemption, which formally recognizes the unintended adverse impact sanctions and counterterrorism measures can have on humanitarian action, is a move in the right direction but insufficient as long as other sanctioning countries and entities do not similarly adopt such a measure, Human Rights Watch said. At the initiative of Ireland, the Security Council adopted a blanket humanitarian carveout to asset freeze measures imposed by all UN sanctions regimes, including counterterrorism measures, in December 2022. Both measures had the support of the US. There is growing awareness on the part of UN member countries of the need to ensure that humanitarian fallout from sanctions regimes is mitigated as much as possible. Faced with a humanitarian catastrophe in the wake of the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan, the UN Security Council adopted a humanitarian carveout for the Afghanistan sanctions regime in December 2021. Sanctioning countries should carry out several key reforms, Human Rights Watch said. Most urgently, states and sanctioning bodies such as the EU should permanently extend recently introduced humanitarian exemptions. They should also agree on broad humanitarian exemptions that are consistent across all sanctions regimes, counterterrorism measures, and export controls. The exemptions should cover nongovernmental groups as well as UN agencies and international aid organizations, and should not be time-bound or limited to the earthquake response but cover all activities necessary for aid efforts across Syria including to repair or rehabilitate civilian infrastructure damaged in the years preceding the earthquakes. The US, EU, and UK should also clarify to financial institutions and private entities that they will not be penalized for supporting relief and recovery efforts and encourage the private sector to expedite transactions related to humanitarian activities. Overly broad sanctions and ineffective humanitarian exemptions only compound the suffering of the Syrian people and deepen the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country, Coogle said. The international community needs to prioritize the rights of the Syrian people by taking concrete steps to facilitate critical assistance. Via Human Rights Watch VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Aton Resources Inc. (TSXV:AAN) ("Aton" or the "Company") is pleased to update investors with the latest results from its recent surface sampling programmes at its regional target areas, undertaken ahead of the ongoing reverse circulation percussion ("RC") drilling programme at the Company's 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat" or the "Concession"), in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Highlights: A total of 60 selective grab samples were collected from the Zeno prospect area; Samples returned assays including 104.5 g/t Au, 67.1 g/t Au and 43.0 g/t Au ; ; A further 4 samples returned assays greater than 10 g/t Au, and a further 9 samples also returned assays greater than 5 g/t Au; The structural orientations are markedly similar to those observed at the nearby Semna gold mine; Samples were taken in previously unsampled areas, which have been heavily exploited by artisanal miners in recent times. The results of this phase significantly expand the area of mineralised veins and structures in the Zeno prospect area. "This is another set of very impressive sampling results from an area that we have done little work in since identifying its potential significance back in 2018. The entire Semna-Zeno area is certainly shaping up as a very high priority target, and we are looking forward to getting the RC rig up to Semna in July, and then on to Zeno to test some of these potentially very high grade structures and veins" said Tonno Vahk, Interim CEO. "Meanwhile as the RC drilling is ongoing out in the field, our external consultants Cube and Wardell Armstrong International are pushing ahead on the final submission to the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority in support of our upcoming application for the mining licence at the Abu Marawat Concession, and which we expect to be finalised within the coming months. This continues to be a very busy period for Aton, as we get closer to the mining licence application, and these results again show the potential for the long-term development of multiple gold mines at Abu Marawat." Abu Marawat regional sampling programme The Company has undertaken several surface sampling programmes, as part of its preparation and planning activities for the regional RC exploration drilling programme started in May 2023 (see news release dated May 19, 2023). As previously reported all the Company's main exploration targets have recently been worked by artisanal miners, predominantly since the Company's suspension of field activities in 2020 as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, which has provided an opportunity to carry out additional sampling and mapping of the known structures, as well as previously unidentified mineralised structures that have been exploited by the artisanal miners. The Company has continued to work in close co-operation with our local Bedouin partners, and in the past 2 months has managed to successfully remove all the artisanal miners from the primary areas of interest within the Abu Marawat Concession area. Samples from the first programmes returned assays up to and including 67.5 g/t Au from Abu Gaharish, 54.9 g/t Au from Bohlog, and 27.6 g/t Au from Semna (see news release dated May 29, 2023). Figure 1: Geological map of the Abu Marawat Concession, showing the location of Zeno Zeno regional sampling programme Sampling was undertaken at the Zeno prospect area, located approximately 12 km north of its Rodruin mineral deposit and 4 km west of the old Semna gold mine (Figure 1). Artisanal miners have been very active in the general Zeno area in the previous 3 years, and have excavated numerous open pit and underground workings on what Aton believe to be potentially very high grade gold mineralised veins and structures. Previous surface sampling by Aton of visible gold and iron oxide bearing quartz veins, prior to the incursion of the artisanal miners returned assays including 117.5 g/t Au, 100.5 g/t Au, 72.3 g/t Au, 56.5 g/t Au and 48.3 g/t Au (see news release dated May 30, 2018). Aton has recently completed a programme of selective grab sampling at Zeno, in areas to the south and west of the area sampled in 2018 (see Figure 2). A total of 60 samples were collected, including one field duplicate sample. In addition 2 QAQC samples, one blank and one duplicate sample, were inserted into the sample run sent for assaying. Selected results from the sampling programme are shown in Table 1, and full assay results are presented in Appendix A. Following the completion of this currently reported programme additional sampling has also been undertaken in the Zeno and Semna areas, and the results of this more recent work will again be reported once they become available. Figure 2: Zeno prospect - sample location plan Sample ID Project E N Sample type Au (ppm) Ag (ppm) Cu (ppm) Pb (ppm) Zn (ppm) AHA-45480 Zeno 552718 2924680 Grab 17.45 0.7 179 11 199 AHA-45484 Zeno 552370 2924854 Grab 43.00 5.7 163 24 470 AHA-45489 Zeno 553951 2924679 Grab 25.50 6.4 37 6 97 AHA-45505 Zeno 553081 2924912 Grab 67.10 4.2 144 24 592 AHA-45507 Zeno 553096 2924909 Grab 13.65 0.9 88 5 654 AHA-45522 Zeno 553186 2924913 Grab 20.20 1.7 206 19 827 AHA-45532 Zeno 553553 2923625 Grab 104.50 11.5 110 22 377 Table 1: Selected surface sampling results Discussion of results The mineralisation worked extensively in both ancient and recent times in the Zeno area appears to consist predominantly of narrow (typically <2m) quartz veins and quartz veined shear zones, typically hosted within grey to pinkish coarse grained granodiorites. Some of the individual veins and workings can be traced for 300m or more. Previous sampling has indicated that the mineralisation is hosted within both the quartz veins and their altered and sheared wall rocks. In places the veins appear to pinch and swell with some of the underground workings reaching up to 5m width in places (see news release dated May 30, 2018). Of the 60 samples taken in the current programme 7 (12% of the samples) returned assays greater than 10 g/t Au (see Table 1), 16 (27%) returned assays greater than 5 g/t Au, and 28 in total (47%) returned assays greater than 1 g/t Au. Visible gold was identified in several of the samples. The current sampling programme has confirmed that gold is hosted in quartz veins and their surrounding altered and sheared wall rocks in typically narrow zones, that sometimes pinch and swell. In some places multiple veins were observed to coalesce together and anastomose, and in other areas narrow veinlets within broader altered and sheared zones returned high grades of gold mineralisation (eg. 13.65 g/t Au from sample AHA-45507. This structure also returned an assay of 67.10 g/t Au, further along strike). The quartz veins are frequently vuggy, and contain iron oxides on fracture surfaces and in cavities. The veins appear to carry only very limited primary sulphide minerals, as indicated by the low base metal levels, although traces of green copper oxide staining were occasionally observed. The veins are typically steep, and occur in multiple orientations, however there appears to be a dominant orientation striking approximately east-southeast to east-northeast throughout the area, with the veins and shear zones generally dipping between about 60 to sub-vertically to the south. There are also a number of approximately north to north-northeast striking structures and veins, including one which returned a gold grade of 104.5 g/t (sample AHA-45532). It is noted that the style and structural setting of the Zeno mineralisation is very similar to that at the Semna gold mine, approximately 4 km to the east. The current sampling programme has considerably expanded the mineralised area at the Zeno prospect, and has confirmed the presence of multiple high grade gold bearing veins and structures, up to several hundreds of metres long, throughout the general area. Sample processing and analytical procedures Samples were collected in the field by Aton's exploration teams. The selective grab samples were collected manually, and were mostly, but not entirely, collected in situ, with some samples collected from the artisanal miners' residual rock dumps and ore piles, for example. The samples were weighed and crushed to -4mm onsite at the Rodruin sample prep facility, and split to a nominal c. 250-500g sample size. The coarse crushed reject samples are retained onsite. The c. 250-500g dried, crushed and split samples were shipped to ALS Minerals sample preparation laboratory at Marsa Alam, Egypt where they were pulverised to a size fraction of better than 85% passing 75 microns. From this pulverised material a further sub-sample was split off with a nominal c. 50g size, which was shipped on to ALS Minerals at Rosia Montana, Romania for analysis. The reject pulps were returned from ALS, and are also retained onsite. Samples were analysed for gold by fire assay with an atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS") finish (analytical code Au-AA23), and for silver, copper, lead and zinc using an aqua regia digest followed by an AAS finish (analytical code AA45). Any high grade gold samples (>10 g/t Au) were re-analysed using analytical code Au-GRA21 (also fire assay, but with a gravimetric finish). About Aton Resources Inc. Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession ("Abu Marawat"), located in Egypt's Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamin's world-class Sukari gold mine. Aton has identified numerous gold and base metal exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration prospect in the south of the Concession. Two historic British gold mines are also located on the Concession at Sir Bakis and Semna. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display potential for the development of a variety of styles of precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is 447.7 km2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line, and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the international airports at Hurghada and Luxor. Qualified person The technical information contained in this News Release was prepared by Javier Orduna BSc (hons), MSc, MCSM, DIC, MAIG, SEG(M), Exploration Manager of Aton Resources Inc. Mr. Orduna is a qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact: TONNO VAHK Interim CEO Tel: +1 604 318 0390 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. 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. Appendix A: Zeno surface sampling results Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) ("Altiplano" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has initiated technical due diligence on the Santa Beatriz Copper-Gold mine and confirms similarities to the Farellon mine in mineralization, lithology, and structural trends. The Santa Beatriz Mine is located only 2 kilometres (km) by road from the existing operation at the Farellon Copper-Gold Mine near La Serena, Chile. Farellon and Santa Beatriz are situated in the north/northeast trending 1,000-kilometre Atacama Fault zone within Chile's copper-rich iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) belt; this area is associated with several significant deposits. Farellon and Santa Beatriz have the potential to be part of a larger IOCG system. Highlights Mineralized material at Santa Beatriz offers ideal potential for processing at the Company's El Penon facility located ~18 kilometres to the north. IOCG-type veins at Farellon and Santa Beatriz share similar mineral characteristics and exhibit a consistent northeast orientation, indicating the possibility that both projects could be part of a larger system. Copper and gold mineralization within the vein structures at both Farellon and Santa Beatriz host excellent potential to develop a high-grade copper and iron resource with associated gold. The Santa Beatriz Mine is permitted for ~ 2,000 tons per month of production by the Chilean mining authority SERNAGEOMIN (Servico Nacional de Geologia y Mineria), with the potential to expand to 5,000 tonnes per month. Seven additional mapped IOCG veins on the Santa Beatriz property remain untested. The previously mined veins at Santa Beatriz remain open with the potential to intersect at depth. President and CEO Alastair McIntyre's comments: "Altiplano is very encouraged by the initial work at Santa Beatriz confirming that the geological setting is similar to Farellon. We are currently designing a program to further delineate and expand the mineralization to assist with mine planning. As the Cu-Au-Fe mineralization is similar to the Farellon Mine, it is ideally suited for processing at our El Penon facility. Santa Beatriz aligns with APN's focus on maintaining low transport, processing, and production costs while optimizing the recovery of the contained metals." Figure 1 Location of Farellon Copper Gold Mine in proximity to the Santa Beatriz Mine, both projects share similar northeast orientations of mapped and mined IOCG veins. Estimation of quantity and grade is conceptual in nature with insufficient work completed to define a mineral resource. A decision to conduct exploration or development at the Santa Beatriz site is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating positive economic and technical viability therefore resulting in increased uncertainty and risk. Further exploration may or may not define a resource at Santa Beatriz or determine positive mining economics. Geology The Farellon and Santa Beatriz properties are similar in lithology, structural setting, and mineralization styles. The Santa Beatriz property contains multiple steeply dipping, northeast-trending IOCG-type veins hosted in microdiorite and andesite. The two primary, historically mined veins, located in the southeast section of the property, are up to 1.5 meters wide and remain open along strike and at depth. Similar structures in the region widen at depth, indicating the potential for expanded downdip continuity of mineralization. Seven smaller untested veins mapped at the Santa Beatriz project are up to 50 centimeters wide. Mineralization in veins includes chalcopyrite, bornite, and magnetite with abundant copper oxides (malachite and chrysocolla). Figure 2. Displays similarities in mineralized material at Farellon and Santa Beatriz, both contain dominantly chalcopyrite, bornite, and magnetite. Figure 3. Underground Inspection at Santa Beatriz. Exploration Plan After reviewing and evaluating the existing datasets for Santa Beatriz, an initial exploration program has been formulated encompassing activities such as mapping, sampling, and drilling. The Exploration program is scheduled to commence in July 2023. Channel sampling and mapping of the veins underground and on the surface will aid in determining grade potential and extent. A 1,300-meter drill program is planned to validate the width and consistency of the veins at depth to determine mineralization and mining potential. A subsequent exploration program will include a detailed ground magnetic survey to examine the potential depth and extent of the additional IOCG veins on the Santa Beatriz project; drilling of the veins would be required to validate the geophysics. The additional untested veins on the project have the potential to be included in the production of the Santa Beatriz project. About Altiplano Altiplano Metals is a growing gold, silver, and copper company focused on the Americas. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets that include an operating and in development copper/gold/iron mines and a state-of-the-art operating copper/gold and iron processing facility in the final stages of completion. Altiplano is focused on creating long-term stakeholder value through developing safe and sustainable production, reinvesting into exploration, and pursuing acquisition opportunities to complement its existing portfolio. Management has a substantial record of success in capitalizing on opportunity, overcoming challenges and building shareholder value. Altiplano trades on the Toronto Venture Exchange trading under the symbol APN and the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol A2JNFG. Altiplano has generated over US$12.1 million from the recovery and sale (after processing costs) of more than 5.2 million pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.80% Cu (2018 Q1-2023 Q1). Cash flow has been re-invested into equipment, underground drilling, expanding underground development at Farellon, enhancing ventilation to increase productivity and capacity, new underground development and exploration, and the commissioning of the El Penon fit-for-purpose mill and flotation plant located 15 km from the Farellon site. John Williamson, B.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this document. Altiplano is part of the Metals Group of companies. Metals Group is an award-winning team of professionals who stand for technical excellence, painstaking project selection and uncompromising corporate governance, with a proven ability to capitalize on investment opportunities and deliver shareholder returns. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD /s/ "John Williamson" Chairman For further information, please contact: Alastair McIntyre, CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: (416) 434 3799 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 release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the issuer is not treating any historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. A decision to conduct exploration or development at the Santa Beatriz site is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating positive economic and technical viability therefore resulting in increased uncertainty and risk. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com. VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SYDNEY, Australia, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the Company or Patriot) (TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) notes that the article in the Australian Newspaper of today (Patriot Battery Metals taps Macquarie Capital for a deal) and provides the following clarifying statement: The Company has not commenced a process that would have the effect of initiating a sale of any of its assets, nor the listed parent. The Company has appointed a range of advisers and key personnel that further supports the continued development of its flagship wholly owned Corvette Property. The Company remains intently focused on the timely development of the Corvette Property, including the presentation of the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at the Corvette Property in the coming weeks. About Patriot Battery Metals Inc. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its district-scale 100% owned Corvette Property located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. The Corvette Property is one of the largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium projects being explored, with over 50 kilometres of strike length over a 214 square kilometre land package and over 70 lithium bearing pegmatite outcrops identified to date. The Corvette Property is situated proximal to the all-weather Trans Taiga Road and Hydro-Quebec power line infrastructure in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. The Property hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the CV5 Pegmatite, which has been traced by drilling over a strike length of at least 3.7 km with spodumene pegmatite encountered as deep as 425 m vertical depth. For further information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709,or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Companys continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data. This news release has been approved by Blair Way, the President, Director and CEO of the Company. BLAIR WAY Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation statements with respect to potential continuity of pegmatite bodies, and mineral resource estimate preparation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include the results of further exploration and testing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Victory's Geology Team confirms outstanding assay results on its 23-01 hole, verifying last year's discovery, comparing favorably to American Lithium Corp.'s (TSXV: LI) (OTCQB: LIACF) infill drilling results at the TLC Li claystone deposit. 1 Victory is now planning to define the subsurface extensions of the thick claystone interval reported in diamond drill hole (DDH) 23-01 at Smokey Lithium, which is 22 miles southwest of American Lithium Corp.'s TLC deposit. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Victory Battery Metals (CSE:VR) (OTC PINK:VRCFF) (FWB:VR6) ("Victory" or the "Company") is extremely pleased to provide additional information from its Phase 2 drilling program at its Smokey Lithium Nevada property, demonstrating high-grade Li claystone mineralization over significant widths, comparing favorably to American Lithium's (TSXV: LI) (OTCQB: LIACF) previously reported "high-grade" in-fill drilling results for their TLC claystone Li deposit.1 Victory is currently planning a follow-up exploration and drilling program on their 100% owned Smokey Lithium Project in Nevada, where a thick sequence of high-grade claystone lithium mineralization was reported in diamond drill hole 23-01, presented in Table 1. Table 1. High-Grade Claystone Li Intervals DDH 23-01 Drill Hole ID Top (m) Bottom (m) Interval (m) Grade (Li ppm) Lower Cut (Li ppm) DDH 23-01 127.0 160.8 33.8 1149 600 including 132.3 158.1 25.8 1267 600 The results of this hole, using a 600 ppm Li cut-off, compare well with high-grade infill resource holes reported by American Lithium Corp. on April 3, 2019, at their TLC lithium claystone project in the same richly mineralized Esmeralda lithium belt in Nevada, as presented in Table 2. Table 2. * High Grade Claystone Li Resource Infill Holes - American Lithium Corp. TLC Deposit Drill Hole ID Top (m) Bottom (m) Interval (m) Grade (Li ppm) Lower Cut (Li ppm) TLC-1902 27.4 63.8 36.4 1,084 600 TLC-1903 41.1 83.8 42.7 994 600 TLC-1904 24.4 68.6 44.2 934 600 * https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1928-tsx-venture/li/60330-american-lithium-confirms-tlc-project-discovery-with-latest-high-grade-results.html Highly attractive high-grade Li claystone deposits of the rich Esmerelda lithium belt in mining-friendly Nevada are represented by large volumes of open-pittable, near-surface, relatively flat laying, free digging lithium mineralization amenable to low-cost, sustainable mining methods. The current January 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate and Technical Report published recently by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. ("Stantec")2, for American Lithium Corp.'s TLC deposit reported a Measured Resource of 4.2 Mt Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") (860 Mt @ 924 ppm Li), an Indicated Resource of 4.63 Mt LCE (1192 Mt @ 727 ppm Li) and an Inferred Resource of 1.86 Mt LCE (486 Mt @ 713 ppm Li)using a cut-off grade of 500 ppm Li to an open pittable vertical depth limit of 274 meters.** (**https://americanlithiumcorp.com/american-lithium-files-updated-mineral-resource-technical-report-on-tlc-supporting-large-increase-in-lithium-resources/) Victory is now planning to define the subsurface extensions of the thick claystone interval discovered in DDH 23-01. A geophysical approach will be taken to map basement faults and potentially conductive claystone units to outline the depth and continuity of favourable thick high-grade lithium claystone units present on the property prior to the next phase of drilling. Mr. Mark Ireton, Victory President and CEO noted: "Victory's Geology team has is very encouraged by these preliminary results, noting that these types of deposits do not exist in isolation. As noted on June 12th, our team has expanded the Smokey Lithium ground in response to the drill program findings and analysis. Going forward our team is focused on defining the main body of this deposit." 1 https://americanlithiumcorp.com/american-lithium-confirms-tlc-project-discovery-with-latest-high-grade-results/ 2 The Stantec Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Services Ltd. in conformity with CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices" guidelines and reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserves. About Smokey Lithium, Nevada Victory's Smokey Lithium project is a clay lithium property that lies approximately 20 miles north of Clayton Valley, to the west of American Lithium's flagship lithium project. Smokey Lithium is located northwest of Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project and to the southwest of American Lithium Corporation's Tonopah Lithium Claims Property in southwest Nevada. Esmeralda County Nevada is a prolific region for lithium clay deposits, (Noram, Cypress, American Lithium, Spearmint, Enertopia, and Jindalee). For further information, please contact: Mark Ireton, President Telephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653) E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. About Victory Battery Metals VICTORY BATTERY METALS (CSE: VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) ("Gold Hunter," "HUNT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Sean A. Kingsley as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company. With over 16 years of comprehensive experience in mineral exploration, the mining industry, and capital market services, Mr. Kingsley offers Gold Hunter an array of expertise, including corporate strategy, fundraising, investor relations, and corporate communications. His successful career journey has been shaped by working with a long-line of successful industry professionals and companies, and is grounded in an educational background which includes programs at Simon Fraser University, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and the TMX Group and IIROC's (currently known as CIRO) Mining Company Disclosure 101 program. Mr. Kingsley's vast background enables him to discern financial markets comprehensively, readying him to traverse the existing economic scenario and seize emerging growth opportunities. In his current professional engagements, Mr. Kingsley has held the position of Director of Corporate Communications for Enduro Metals Corp. since 2019, and he serves as the CEO and President of Mango Research and Management Inc. Additionally, Mr. Kingsley offers strategic advice to Stuhini Exploration Ltd. His corporate contributions extend beyond these roles, as he also serves as a board member for various companies, including Alpha Copper Corp., Pan American Energy Corp., and Legacy Lithium Corp. In his new role at Gold Hunter, Mr. Kingsley is set to utilize his strategic acumen and industry insights to streamline the Company's operations in line with its mission and vision. His expansive network of investors and industry professionals is set to fuel the success of Gold Hunter and augment shareholder value. Beyond his executive roles, Mr. Kingsley showcases an unwavering dedication to industry engagement and networking. As an active member of the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) since 2012, he has served in multiple roles, such as Chair and Vice-Chair of AME's Communications and Marketing Committee (now known as AME's Member & Public Outreach Committee) from 2014-2018. Furthermore, he held a position on AME's Mineral Exploration Editorial Board from 2018-2020. He continues his involvement as a committee member on the Member & Public Outreach Committee, reflecting steadfast commitment to the industry. Since 2016, Mr. Kingsley has also played a part on the Executive, Advisory, and Finance Council for the Centre of Training Excellence in Mining (CTEM). Mr. Kingsley has consistently championed industry engagement, education, and networking by establishing, collaborating with, and organizing a multitude of investor and networking events. His cooperative efforts include organizations like Investor Events, Emerging Equities, Groundup Networking Reception, and Mining 4 Beer. As a member of the prestigious Vancouver Club since 2019, he has contributed to shaping its community, serving on its Membership Committee since 2021. Given his extensive experience, proven leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to the mining industry, Mr. Kingsley is ideally positioned to steer Gold Hunter towards a promising future. His appointment ushers in an exciting new phase in Gold Hunter's growth trajectory, a phase that the Company looks forward to with anticipation and optimism. Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Mr. Sean A. Kingsley stated, "I am genuinely thrilled about the opportunity to spearhead Gold Hunter's advancement. My involvement in one of the Company's initial property transactions last year has given me an in-depth understanding of all participating parties. I foresee an abundance of exciting opportunities on the horizon for everyone associated with the Company, from management and shareholders to stakeholders and the communities of Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Cameron Lake, Ontario. The Baie Verte Peninsula is of particular importance, being known as 'the heart of mining in Newfoundland'," Mr. Kingsley explained. Further expanding, he stated, "I have been frequenting the province of Newfoundland and Labrador since 2014, and I have grown a deep admiration for its significant geological resource potential and its residents. There have been notable developments on the island, and I firmly believe it falls upon companies like us, who are focused on these regions, to unearth this potential. Gold Hunter's ongoing projects have already seen a significant amount of groundwork, including over 200,000 metres of drilling, with historical drilling intercepts of high-grade gold, copper, and zinc, more than 1,200 surface samples taken, as well as the presence of historical production pits onsite. The project enjoys year-round road accessibility, deep-sea port access, and is adjacent to the recently-operating Ming Mine, which is currently in receivership. It is also conveniently located near Maritime Resources Corp.'s Hammerdown project and its recently acquired Point Rousse Project, which includes the fully permitted Pine Cove mill, as well as Signal Gold Inc.'s Tilt Cove Project, hosting the previously operational, high-grade Nugget Pond Mine. Our engaged technical team is diligently working on the first-ever district data compilation, and we foresee having not only first-rate drill targets but also 3D geological models and regional targets across the Baie Verte Peninsula. We plan to share much of this information through forthcoming press releases, website updates, corporate presentation releases, and additional announcements." To facilitate Mr. Kingsley's appointment, Mr. Richard Macey has stepped down as CEO and President. However, Mr. Macey will continue to provide his guidance and expertise as a Director of the Company. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, shareholders, and stakeholders of the Company, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Richard for his commitment to Gold Hunter and we thank him for remaining on the Board of Directors" Sean Kingsley, Gold Hunter's new President & CEO, appreciatively commented. About Gold Hunter Resources Gold Hunter Resources is a mineral exploration company committed to uncovering the value of mineral-rich regions in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario, Canada. The Company's current projects are in districts abundant in minerals, surrounded by projects that either have a history of production or contain a wealth of mineral resources. Utilizing systematic geological and geophysical techniques, Gold Hunter aims to unlock the full potential of its projects. Future press releases and information regarding Gold Hunter Resources can be accessed in French, Deutsch, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese on the website by selecting the preferred language from the button at the top right corner. For further information, or to be included in the President's list for upcoming finance opportunities, please connect with Sean Kingsley, the newly appointed President, CEO, and Director, directly at +1 604-440-8474 (cell/WhatsApp) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . On Behalf of the Board of Directors, GOLD HUNTER RESOURCES CORP. "Sean A. Kingsley" President, CEO, and Director Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: +1 604-440-8474 www.goldhunterresources.ca The Canadian Securities Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider, as defined in the policies of the CSE, do not take responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company's activities, exploration, drilling, and mineralization projects. These statements reflect the current views and assumptions of the Company's management and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ substantially from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates, or opinions change. Potential risks include operational hazards, geological uncertainties, assay interpretation, securing necessary permits, and financial contingencies. For a comprehensive discussion of these risk factors, please refer to the Company's publicly available documents at www.sedar.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Metal Energy Corp. (TSXV: MERG) (OTCQB: MEEEF) (the "Company" or "Metal Energy") is pleased to announce a new project acquisition ("SourceRock" or the "Project") prospective for lithium ("Li") brines in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario. The Project is exceptionally large, covering 913 square kilometres within an area measuring approximately 10 to 20 km wide by 95 km long (Figure 1). "The SourceRock Li brine project covers a dominant land position of untested regional lithium brine targets within the Proterozoic Sibley sedimentary basin (the "Basin") that is on a regional scale equivalent in size to Chile's Salar de Atacama central salt body, the largest Li brine producing jurisdiction in the world. Not only do we have a large aerial coverage, SourceRock covers the deepest parts of the Basin with sedimentary thickness ranging from 500 m to 1,000 m, enhancing Li brine prospectivity. Exploration in the area has reported considerable evidence of supersaturated saline solutions within the Basin sediments and even the underlying Li-pegmatite-rich basement rocks. Halite (sodium, "Na") and sylvite (potassium, "K") veins, bedded layers, interstitial cements, and even encrustations on drill core and drill rods have all been mentioned in a variety of reports. Both Na and K are important pathfinders for Li within brine solutions, and higher concentrations of each of these elements supports the potential for higher concentrations of Li. With drill permits already in-hand, we are very excited to advance the SourceRock project with our first drill program," said James Sykes, CEO of Metal Energy. For details on the Company's new SourceRock project, watch this video: The video identifies: Numerous geological reasons support the high-potential for Li brines within the Project; A promising comparison with Chile's Salar de Atacama; The Project is in a favourable jurisdiction with a long mining history, infrastructure, and recent Government support for Li projects. For the latest videos from Metal Energy and other Ore Group companies, subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup SourceRock Exploration Plans SourceRock is a drill-ready project with an exploration permit already in-hand from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for up to 20 drill pads. Initial geophysical data compilation has already identified saline brine drill targets on the Project. The Company is currently engaged with local Indigenous groups, communities, and stakeholders, and anticipates a drill program to commence after sufficient and meaningful consultation has been completed. SourceRock Option Agreement On June 16, 2023 (the "Effective Date"), Metal Energy entered into an Option Agreement with an arms length vendor (the "Vendor") to acquire an undivided 100% interest in SourceRock. Upon execution of the Option Agreement, the Company completed a $50,000 cash payment to the Vendor and committed to a staking program valued at greater than $100,000 representing 2,000 claim units registered under the Company. Under the remaining terms of the agreement, the Company must issue; a) 3,000,000 common shares of Metal Energy upon acceptance of the Option Agreement by the TSXV; b) 1,500,000 warrants to the Vendor. Each warrant is exerciseable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. The warrants will expire after 36 months from the Effective Date; and c) $500,000 worth of common shares on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date. Such shares will be valued at a price per share equal to the volume weighted trading price of the Company's shares on the TSXV for 20 trading days prior to the issue date of such shares. All issued common shares will be subject to such hold periods that are prescribed by applicable securities laws. Metal Energy will be the operator of the Project and as such will have the rights and responsibility to execute all work programs on the Project. The Vendor has retained a 3% net smelter returns royalty (the "Royalty") as part of the Option Agreement. The Company has the right to purchase 1% of the Royalty for $500,000 up until the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date. Upon completion of the first 1% of the Royalty, the Company retains the right to purchase the remaining 2% of the Royalty for $5,000,000 up until the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. About the SourceRock Li Brine Project SourceRock encompasses 91,288 hectares within the Proterozoic Sibley sedimentary basin, Thunder Bay-Nipigon area, Ontario. The Project has excellent access to infrastructure and capacity that has supported previous exploration programs and mine development, including year-round highway, railroad, and seaport access, with power and natural gas lines crossing the Project. About Metal Energy Corp. Metal Energy is a nickel and battery metal exploration company with three projects in politically stable Canadian jurisdictions; Manibridge (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Manitoba, and SourceRock (Li-Na-K) and Strange (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Ontario. The Manibridge Project is 85% owned by Metal Energy and 15% owned by Mistango River Resources Inc. (CSE: MIS). Both SourceRock and Strange Projects are subject to earn-in agreements where the Company can acquire 100% exploration rights to each project. QP Statement The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo., Director for Metal Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." For further information, please contact: Metal Energy Corp. MERG on the TSXV This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.metalenergy.ca James Sykes, CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 306-221-8717 Reader Advisory Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements"), including details about the business of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in our public disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com including the Filing Statement dated November 15, 2021. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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. Figure 1 - SourceRock Li Brine Project Location in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - June 26, 2023 Cosa Resources Corp. (CSE:COSA) (Cosa Resources or the Company) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the 100% owned Orbit uranium exploration property in the Athabasca Basin region, Saskatchewan. Highlights Orbit covers four kilometres of the interpreted strike extension of a reactivated graphitic structural trend Drilling 10 kilometres southwest along trend intersected 0.07% U over 0.2 metres within strongly altered graphitic faulting The 6,669-hectare project was acquired by low-cost staking and is 100% owned by Cosa Resources with no encumbrances Cosas uranium exploration portfolio now comprises 147,347 hectares of highly prospective exploration ground in the Athabasca Basin Region of Saskatchewan Keith Bodnarchuk, President & CEO, commented: The acquisition of Orbit further demonstrates Cosas commitment to identifying and pursuing opportunities that have been historically overlooked and under explored. We will continue to seek new opportunities that afford Cosas shareholders exposure to meaningful exploration in exciting areas. Andy Carmichael, VP of Exploration commented: We are delighted to have acquired this prospective ground which has never seen a ground-based electromagnetic survey or a drill hole despite being located along trend of a graphitic structure hosting strong alteration and weak uranium mineralization. Located only 22 kilometres south of a past producing mine and a currently operating mill, we look forward to advancing this project towards drill testing. Orbit Property The Orbit Property comprises two mineral claims totaling 6,669 hectares. Orbit is located 19 kilometres south of the Athabasca Basin and 22 kilometres south of the Key Lake Mill and former Key Lake Mine (Figure 2). Between 1983 and 2002 the Key Lake Mine produced 209.8 million pounds of U3O8 at an average grade of 2.3% U3O8. The Key Lake Mill is one of three licensed uranium mills in Saskatchewan and processes ore from the McArthur River Mine. Access to Orbit is good as provincial Highway 914 passes within 17 kilometres and an existing network of winter roads extends to within 11 kilometers of the Property. Orbit covers four kilometres of the interpreted strike extension of a prospective, reactivated graphitic structural trend which hosts weak mineralization and strong alteration to the southwest. Historical airborne- and ground-based electromagnetic (EM) surveys southwest of Orbit mapped over 13 kilometres of continuous conductive trend associated with a magnetic break, suggesting a graphitic structural zone adjacent to a lithological boundary. The trend is sub-parallel to that hosting the mined-out Gaertner and Deilmann uranium deposits at Key Lake Limited diamond drilling completed on strike intersected favourable results, confirming the conductive trend represents reactivated graphitic structures hosting strong alteration and weak mineralization. Ten kilometres southwest of Orbit, drill hole TED-01 intersected 0.07% U3O8 over 0.2 metres (106.4 - 106.6 metres) within a strongly altered, metre-scale graphitic fault. Eight kilometres southwest of Orbit, drill hole TED-06 intersected strong alteration within the same graphitic structure intersected by TED-01, indicating structural continuity along strike and potential to host additional zones of strong alteration and uranium mineralization. As the conductive trend was defined to the northeastern limit of the historical survey areas located only 1.5 kilometres from Orbit, Cosa believes there is a high probability that the prospective graphitic structures continue onto the Property. Next Steps Initial work will include compilation and interpretation of existing geological and geophysical data. Due to the lack of sandstone and expected shallow (<50 metres) depth to the inferred target horizon, Cosa anticipates that initial exploration work will include airborne or ground EM surveying to map the interpreted extension of the prospective graphitic structural zone, airborne or ground gravity surveying to locate gravity low anomalies potentially indicative of basement-hosted alteration zones, and diamond drilling as warranted. Figure 1 Cosas Athabasca Portfolio with Prospective Uranium Corridors Figure 2 Orbit Project Map Stock Option Grant The Company would also like to announce that it has granted 950,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company. The incentive stock options will vest over a period of two years, have an exercise price of $0.36 per share, and are valid for a 5-year period from the grant date. The options were granted pursuant to the Companys incentive stock option plan. About Cosa Resources Cosa Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, BC and is focused on the exploration of its uranium properties in northern Saskatchewan. The portfolio includes seven uranium exploration properties: Ursa, Orion, Castor, Charcoal, Helios, Astro, and Orbit totaling 147,347 ha in the eastern, northern, and southern Athabasca Basin region. The team behind Cosa Resources has a track record of success in Saskatchewan, with several decades of combined experience in uranium exploration, discovery, and development in the province. Qualified Person The Companys disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Andy Carmichael, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cosa Resources. Mr. Carmichael is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. This news release refers to neighboring properties in which the Company has no interest. Mineralization on those neighboring properties does not necessarily indicate mineralization on the Companys properties. Contact Keith Bodnarchuk, President and CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +1 888-899-2672 (COSA) Cautionary Statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain ForwardLooking Statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, would, could, schedule and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forward looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Companys mineral projects. Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of the Company, future growth potential for the Company and its business, and future exploration plans are based on managements reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Companys ability to operate in a safe and effective manner. These statements reflect the Companys respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the speculative nature of exploration and development; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified in the Companys public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective), is pleased to announce that the Company has closed the oversubscribed non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the Units) by the issuance of 5,728,381 Units at $0.24 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,374,811.28 (the Offering). Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Share) and one whole common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.35 on or before June 23, 2025. The Company has paid eligible finders (collectively the Finders) a cash commission in the amount of $92,400.81, being 7% of the aggregate proceeds from the sale of Units to purchasers introduced to the Company by the Finders and issued an aggregate of 385,003 common share purchase warrants (the Finders Warrants), being 7% of the number of Units sold under the Offering to purchasers introduced by the Finders. Each Finders Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.35 per Share on the same terms as the Warrants. Christopher Huggins, CEO of Collective Metals announced, The Company received strong interest in this private placement and the oversubscription is a testament to our team. The Company is in a strong cash position, which will not only allow us to further advance our existing properties, including our flagship property, the Princeton Project, but also continue to pursue new acquisitions and opportunities. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four-months and one day in accordance with applicable securities legislation ending on October 24, 2023. The Company will use the proceeds for its current properties, on new projects or acquisitions, marketing and for working capital. About Collective Metals: Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specialized in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3. The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project, which is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. Collective Metals is also advancing the Uptown Gold Project 4 km outside of Yellowknife, adjacent to several high grade past producing mines. The Uptown Gold Property is a high-grade Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of 4 claims covering over 2,000 hectares and borders the west side of the Giant Mine leases. Social Media ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC. Christopher Huggins Chief Executive Officer T: 604-968-4844 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the provision of Services by SRC. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Vancouver, British Columbia, June 26th, 2023 Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE:ERKA) (OTC:SCMCF) (FWB:S580) (Eureka or the Company) is pleased to announce, further to its news release dated June 16, 2023, that it has closed the second tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the Offering), having issued 2,783,164 Units for gross proceeds of $1,496,582 (the Second Tranche). Eureka had previously closed the first tranche of the Offering, as noted in the Companys news release dated June 1, 2023, for gross proceeds of $5,185,200. The Company issued an aggregate of 12,336,589 Units pursuant to the Offering, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,681,782. The Second Tranche The Company issued the following, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,496,582 million: 2,083,164 non-flow-through units of the Company (the Non-FT Units) at a price of $0.50 per Non-FT Unit for gross proceeds of approximately $1,041,582 million, with each Non-FT Unit comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a Non-FT Warrant), with each Non-FT Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share (a Non-FT Warrant Share) at a price of $0.75 per Non-FT Warrant Share for a period of two years after the date of issuance; 700,000 Quebec super-flow-through units of the Company (the Super FT Units, and together with the Non-FT Units, the Units) at a price of $0.65 per Super FT Unit for gross proceeds of $455,000, with each Super FT Unit comprised of one common share that qualifies as a flow-through share as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one-half of one flow-through common share purchase warrant that qualifies as a flow-through share as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each whole flow-through common share purchase warrant, a Super FT Warrant), with each Super FT Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company (a Super FT Warrant Share) at a price of $0.85 per Super FT Warrant Share for a period of two years after the date of issuance. The Company paid finders fees totaling $81,340.75 and issued 151,471 broker warrants (each, a Broker Warrant) to certain finders in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts to purchasers introduced to the Company by such finders. Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share in the capital of the Company (a Common Share) at a price of $0.75 for Broker Warrants issued in connection with Non-FT Units, and $0.85 for Broker Warrants issued in connection with the Super FT Units, per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Concurrent Financing. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day. The net proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be used for qualified expenditures in respect of the mineral claims acquired pursuant to the Acquisition (see the Companys June 1, 2023 news release), and, in the case of the Non-FT Units, for general working capital. Mr. Jeffrey Wilson, Eureka CEO, commented: We are pleased to complete this financing and close the offering with over $6.6M in aggregate gross proceeds. The closing of this offering provides the Company with the financial capacity to initiate and conduct an aggressive initial campaign of mapping, prospecting, and sampling across all projects within the Companys project portfolio, including highly prospective areas of known concentrations of elevated lithium values, as reported in Quebec government lake sediment sampling results. We look forward to keeping investors informed as field work commences and initial results become available. About Eureka Lithium Corp. Eureka Lithium Corp. is the largest lithium-focused landowner in the northern third of Quebec, known as the Nunavik region, with 100% ownership of three projects comprising 1,408 sq. km in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South, and New Leaf Lithium Camps. These claims were acquired from legendary prospector Shawn Ryan and are located in a region that hosts two operating nickel mines with deep-sea port access. Contact information For More Information please contact: Jeffrey Wilson: Chief Executive Officer E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, estimates, or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, the Companys financial capacity and the Companys plans to initiate exploration and development programs on its project portfolio are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law. The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. VANCOUVER, BC, June 26, 2023 /CNW/ - (TSX: EOX): ("Euromax" or the "Company") is pleased to report that all resolutions proposed, as set out in the Notice of Meeting dated 18 May 2023, were duly passed at its Annual General Meeting held in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia on Monday, June 26, 2023. At the Meeting, each of the individuals nominated by management for election as a director of the Company were duly elected and the number of directors of the Company was fixed at eight (8) in accordance with the Company's Articles. The results are as follows: Name of Nominee Vote For % Tim Morgan-Wynne 308,082,872 98.98 % Ali Vezvaei 308,087,872 98.98 % Nicolas Treand 308,087,872 98.98 % Martyn Konig 308,095,031 98.98 % James Burke 308,095,031 98.98 % Ivan Vutov 308,087,872 98.98 % Stanislav Delchev 308,090,031 98.98 % Patrick Forward 308,082,872 98.98 % out of 311,270,579 registered votes that vote for proposed nominees Re-Appointment of Auditors BDO LLP were re-appointed as auditors of the Company, to hold office until the next annual general meeting of Shareholders, and the directors were authorized to fix their remuneration. Approval of the amended the Company's Restricted Share Unit plan ("RSU Plan") The proposed increase of the RSU Plan's limit to 49,001,332 common shares was approved. The Board & Management wishes to express its thanks to all shareholders for their support. Board Appointments The Company further announces that the following members have been appointed to the Board Committees: Audit Committee Stanislav Delchev (Chair), James Burke, Martyn Konig and Ali Vezvaei; Compensation Committee Martyn Konig (Chair), Ali Vezvaei and James Burke; Technical Committee Greg Morris (Chair), Tim Morgan-Wynne and Patrick Forward. Notice for eligibility for continued listing on Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") The Company also announces that it has received notice from the TSX that the TSX is reviewing the eligibility for continued listing of the Company's securities pursuant to Part VII of the TSX Company Manual. Specifically, the TSX is reviewing the continued listing criteria outlined in sections 709, 710(a)(i) (financial conditions and/or operating results), section 710(c)(i) (minimum required expenditures of C$350,000 on exploitation and/or development work or C$3 million from sale of commodities in the most recent year), section 710(c)(ii) (applicable working capital and appropriate capital structure) and section 716 (management deficiencies or corporate governance). The Company is being reviewed under the Remedial Review Process and has been granted 120 days to comply with all requirements for continued listing. If the Company cannot demonstrate that it meets all TSX requirements set out in Part VII of the Manual on or before October 20, 2023, the Company's securities will be delisted 30 days from such date. The Company will examine whether the TSX Venture Exchange would be a more appropriate exchange for the listing of its securities. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Tim Morgan-Wynne, who is acting as Executive Chairman, has been appointed as CEO of the Company. This appointment satisfies one of the above outlined criteria for the TSX review on the eligibility for continued listing of the Company, i.e. section 716 (management deficiencies or corporate governance). About Euromax Resources Ltd. Euromax has a major development project in North Macedonia and is focused on building and operating the Ilovica-Shtuka gold-copper project. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that are forward-looking, such as those relating to the Company's potential courses of action in response to recent decisions by agencies of the government of North Macedonia, including potential legal appeals to other courts of applicable jurisdiction in North Macedonia or the pursuit of international arbitration processes; the results of any such appeals or legal processes that may be pursued by the Company, if any; any future decisions, whether by way of appeal or otherwise, of any agency of the government of North Macedonia or of any court of applicable jurisdiction; whether or not any decision of any agency of the government of North Macedonia or of any court of applicable jurisdiction would be favourable to the Company's interests; whether or not any decision of an agency of the government of North Macedonia or of any court of applicable jurisdiction that was favourable to the Company's interests would be implemented by applicable government authorities or could otherwise be enforced by the Company; potential investments in the Ilovica-Shtuka Project, with or without the support of any of the Company's current or future third-party investors; the potential impact of any investment by the Company or any third-party investor on the development of the Ilovica-Shtuka Project; the effect of the development of the Ilovica-Shtuka Project on the economy of North Macedonia, including the number of jobs which may be produced in connection therewith; the results of operations and financial condition of the Company; permitting and licensing matters related to the Ilovica-Shtuka Project; capital spending by the Company; financing sources available to the Company, including from any current or future third-party investors in the Company; commodity prices; mineral resources; and property evaluation plans and programmes. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the dates the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company, including its annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 and financial statements and related MD&A for the financial years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 along with the accompanying MD&A, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available on SEDAR. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are as of the date of this document, and are subject to change after this date. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Euromax disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Senegal's foreign minister on Friday slammed as "childish and ridiculous" a lawsuit that opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has filed in Europe against President Macky Sall. Sonko alleges that deadly clashes following his sentencing to jail this month are the latest step in "a generalised and systematic attack on the civilian population" of Senegal, according to his lawyer, Juan Branco. On Thursday Branco filed a criminal complaint against Sall with the Paris tribunal's crimes against humanity unit. Sonko's case also targets Interior Minister Antoine Diome, military police chief Moussa Fall and 112 others. The Senegalese opposition leader has also filed a separate complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Sall was in Paris on Thursday and Friday for a global climate finance summit called by French President Emmanuel Macron. Sonko was sentenced on June 1 to two years in prison, which currently makes him ineligible to stand in next year's presidential election, sparking the protests which led to 16 deaths according to the government and 30 according to Sonko's party. Sonko's legal action "is both childish and ridiculous", Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall told Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24 on Friday. She disputed that the judicial system in France -- Senegal's former colonial power -- could act in the role of universal jurisdiction. Turning to the ICC, the minister said the international court "cannot issue a judgement as long as there is a domestic justice system which is pursuing in the same case, and that is the situation in Senegal." She referred to the seriousness of the disturbances in Senegal and the right of the security forces to defend themselves, and insisted that "independent" investigations were under way. cbur-lal/ybl/pvh/ri From the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 last year to the armed rebellion Saturday of the pro-Kremlin Wagner paramilitary group, here is a timeline of the main events. The biggest attack on a European country since World War II has killed or wounded over 150,000 people, according to Western estimates. - February 2022: invasion - Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24, saying he wants to demilitarise and "de-Nazify" the country as well as protect the predominantly Russian-speaking east from "genocide". A full-scale invasion starts, with missile strikes on several Ukrainian cities that sparks a refugee crisis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stays in the capital Kyiv to lead the resistance. The West imposes unprecedented sanctions on Russia and the European Union and United States send Ukraine weapons and aid. - March: Russian advances - Russian forces make gains in the south, seizing the city of Kherson, close to the Moscow-annexed Crimea peninsula. Russian forces also attempt to surround Kyiv and take Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv in the northeast but meet fierce resistance. A month into the fighting, Russia withdraws from the north to focus on the eastern industrial Donbas region, partly held by Moscow-backed separatists, along with the south. - April: war crimes revealed - In early April, AFP discovers the bodies of at least 20 civilians lying on a single street in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha -- the first of several grisly discoveries in towns that Russian forces had occupied which spark an international outcry and war crimes investigations. - May: Mariupol falls - On May 21, Russia announces the fall of the southeastern port city of Mariupol, which had been relentlessly bombed, after the last Ukrainian troops holding out at a steelworks surrender. Sweden and Finland request membership of NATO, fearing they could be future targets of Russian aggression. - June: Donbas battle rages - In June, Russia takes the Donbas city of Severodonetsk after one of the bloodiest battles of the war, followed soon after by the neighbouring city of Lysychansk. - July: gas supplies cut - On July 22, Kyiv and Moscow sign a deal to resume grain exports from Ukraine, in a bid to relieve a food crisis aggravated by Russia's blockade of the country's ports. Russian gas giant Gazprom slashes its supply to Europe through the Nord Stream pipeline, fuelling fears of gas shortages in Europe. - August: battle for Bakhmut - Kyiv launches a major offensive to retake Kherson as a bitter battle begins for the eastern town of Bakhmut, spearheaded on the Russian side by the Wagner mercenary group. Wagner claims to have wrested total control of Bakhmut in May. - September: annexation - Ukraine retakes hundreds of towns and villages in a lightning counter-offensive around Kharkiv. Putin launches a partial draft of 300,000 reservists, sparking an exodus of young Russian men of military age. On September 30, he formally annexes the Ukrainian regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. - October: power supply hit - On October 8, an explosion causes major damage to a bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland -- a symbol of Moscow's annexation of the peninsula. Putin blames Ukrainian secret services for the attack. Russian forces retaliate with a barrage of strikes on energy infrastructure in Kyiv and other cities, leaving millions without power in what becomes its new modus operandi throughout the winter. - November: retreat from Kherson - On November 9, Moscow orders its troops to retreat from Kherson in the face of advancing Ukrainian forces, marking a stunning defeat in one of the regions it annexed. Jubilant residents hail Ukrainian forces as liberators. - December: Zelensky goes to Washington - On December 22, Zelensky visits Washington on his first overseas trip since the war began. He meets President Joe Biden and addresses Congress. - January 2023: tanks on the way - Russia suffers its biggest single loss of life since the invasion in a Ukrainian attack on a temporary base in the eastern town of Makiivka on January 1. Moscow says 89 soldiers were killed in the hit. On January 25, Germany finally agrees to send Ukraine some of its powerful Leopard tanks. The United States follows, announcing that it will provide 31 Abrams tanks. On May 19, Biden authorises the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv. In April, Ukraine also receives anti-missile Patriot defence systems from Washington. - June 6: dam destroyed - A blast at the Kakhovka dam in Russian-annexed Crimea inundates vast areas of the Kherson region, forcing thousands to flee and sparking fears of an environmental disaster. Kyiv accuses Moscow of blowing up the dam on the Dnipro River, while Russia blames Ukraine. - June: Ukraine counter-offensive - A long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive begins, aided by the supply of Western arms, according to analysts. Russia brands it a failure but Kyiv says it has retaken several areas. - June 24: Wagner rebellion - Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, leading a mutiny to bring down Moscow's top brass, says his fighters have captured the army HQ in Russia's Rostov-on-Don "without firing a single shot" and claims to have the support of locals. Putin warns that treason against his rule threatens Russia with civil war and accuses the Wagner boss of a "stab in the back". Prigozhin, who had threatened to march on Moscow, announces a pull-back following mediation via Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko, saying he wants to avoid spilling "Russian blood". Kyiv seizes on the chaos to launch new assaults against Russian positions in Ukraine and claims fresh advances. A cargo plane used by military henchmen during Argentina's "dirty war" to fly leftists over the ocean and push them to their deaths has been brought back to the country, where it may go on display in a museum on the horrors of dictatorship. The Belfast-built Skyvan PA-51 cargo plane landed in Buenos Aires on Saturday, AFP confirmed, after sleuths traced it to the United States, where for much of the last decade it had been ferrying skydivers with few aware of its gruesome history. An official ceremony on Monday will mark the plane's return, amid a push to exhibit it at the Museum of Memory dedicated to victims of the rightist military regime that convulsed the country from 1976 until 1983. Flight records and other documentation show that a military crew took the aircraft up on the night of December 14, 1977. Among those aboard, bound and drugged, were three members of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group that protested the disappearance of their children by the military, two French nuns and seven other people. All were shoved out the door of the aircraft into Atlantic waters. "The plane is something dark for us, but having found and identified it, we cannot allow it to continue flying," Mabel Careaga, one of the promoters of the repatriation of the aircraft that belonged to the Naval Prefecture, told AFP. Careaga is the daughter of Esther Ballestrino, who was thrown into the ocean from the plane, along with the other founders of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, Azucena Villaflor and Maria Ponce. "It is too horrifying to imagine my mother there," says Careaga, who together with Cecilia de Vicenti, 62, Villaflor's daughter, hopes the aircraft will be exhibited on the grounds of the Navy Mechanics School in Buenos Aires, the site of a clandestine death camp where some 5,000 prisoners were held and which today is the Museum of Memory. The initiative has the support of the government but some human rights organizations object, saying it's too gruesome. "The airplane is part of the story, which is painful, but it has to be told as it was," De Vicenti said. All the victims of that flight were singled out by a former sailor, Alfredo Astiz, who infiltrated the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. He's now serving life in prison. - 'An appalling thing' - A survivor of the Navy Mechanics School, journalist Miriam Lewin, helped launch the campaign to comb military flight records to reveal the history of the "death flights." The premise, she said, was "if there were 'death flights,' there had to be airplanes." The group located six aircraft mentioned by former navy officer Adolfo Scilingo, the first to admit having participated in the "death flights." In 2005, Scilingo was convicted in Spain for crimes against humanity and is serving a 30-year jail term. Three of the aircraft were in Argentina but beyond salvage. "Of the other three, the most accessible was in Miami. Another paradoxically was in the hands of the British armed forces and the last was in Luxembourg," Lewin said. The Florida plane was the Skyvan PA-51 that operated that fateful December 14, 1977, flight. In 2007, it was used to transport mail between Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas. Commercial pilot and film director Enrique Pineyro studied the flight logs and found 10 to 15 suspicious entries. He took the records to prosecutors. "The aircraft is... six, seven meters (20 to 23 feet) long. There, they piled up all the bodies half anesthetized with pentothal," Pineyro told AFP. "It is an appalling thing. When you look at that box, that plane, you say: 'My God, what this must have been like.'" Some 30,000 people disappeared during the Argentine military's "dirty war" against leftist subversion. The Skyvan aircraft made some 200 unexplained night-time flights between 1976 and 1978, according to Naval Prefecture records. Military officials sought to obliterate all trace of those taken on the flights. But that December 1977 night, strong winds blew the bodies of five of the victims to the shoreline. Forensic specialists determined they had suffered fractures corresponding to falls from a great height. The bodies were buried in a common grave south of Buenos Aires but exhumed and positively identified in 2005. On the morning of May 17, Venant Rutunga's defence is in the spotlight with new ammunition: a video taken in 2019 during the 25th commemoration of the genocide. It was taken at the Institut des sciences agronomiques du Rwanda (ISAR) in Rubona, southern Rwanda, where Rutunga was regional director of the research centre and where he is accused of having participated in the genocide of Tutsis between April and July 1994. In the courtroom of the High Court for International Crimes in Nyanza, southern Rwanda, the sparse audience whisper to each other: "How can a video commemorating the genocide exonerate an alleged genocidaire? "During the genocide in 1994 against Tutsis, I was ill and I was taken to the house of Venant Rutunga, who provided a vehicle and driver to take me to hospital," says a genocide survivor in this video, recounting her ordeal at ISAR, where she had taken refuge. All she knows of Venant Rutunga is his humanitarian act. Behind his thick glasses, his face relaxes in court and a slight smile appears. It was Rutunga himself who brought before the judge this proof of his "innocence and humanity". "A man of integrity, as good as a priest" Shortly before the video was shown, a witness protected under the codename RV005 answered a question from the defence about the accused's conduct. "For us, he was a man of integrity, good and wise as a priest, the witness said. We were rather surprised to hear that he was being prosecuted for genocide against Tutsis. In short, I don't blame him for anything." Was Rutunga a member of a political party? "Dr Rutunga must have been a member of the MRND [party in power from 1975 to 1994, accused of presiding over the genocide and since banned], because it was the party of ISAR's Director General, Charles Ndereyehe, who was his friend," the witness said. RV005, who was called by both the defence and prosecution, told the court that "as the person in charge, Rutunga took the decision to go and get the gendarmes to ensure the security of the establishment. However, they did not do what he had called them to do. According to the prosecution, based on the testimony of survivors, Rutunga played a key role in the massacre of over a thousand Tutsis who had sought refuge at ISAR. Instead of offering them protection, he called in the gendarmes, soldiers and militiamen to massacre them. No, "it was rather to protect them, but they did the opposite," protested the defence and the accused. Another witness, sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide, also said Rutunga was blameless. "He was never in trouble with anyone, and I have nothing against Rutunga regarding execution of genocide at ISAR Rubona," he told the court. According to the convict, Rutunga was no longer even there at the time of the events. "This old man is here to testify with regard to the accusation that I was 'Satan' at ISAR, explained Rutunga. He is here to tell you what I was really like, even with ordinary people." Who gathers the defence witnesses? Rutunga was arrested in the Netherlands in 2019, after Rwanda issued an arrest warrant for him. In July 2021, he became the third genocide suspect to be extradited from that country, after Jean-Baptiste Mugimba and Jean-Claude Iyamuremye, in 2016. To date, four cases have all been concluded without the hearing of defence witnesses: those of Jean Uwinkindi, Bernard Munyagishari and Ladislas Ntaganzwa - transferred by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) before its closure - and that of Leon Mugesera, extradited from Canada. The big obstacle, according to the defence, is the problem of legal aid to recruit defence investigators. As early as December 2012, an ICTR report on the Uwinkindi case confirmed that existing legal aid could cover "neither travel nor expenses to enable the defence to identify potential witnesses, make contact with them, take their preliminary statements and ascertain their availability to testify before the court". In February 2013, the same ICTR observer, Constant Hometowu, pointed out that, faced with this problem, the court had decided "the defence should file the list of its witnesses so that the prosecutor can conduct investigations on behalf of the accused". In the Rwandan judicial system, different from that of the ICTR, the public prosecutor investigates on behalf of both the prosecution and the defence. Yet, notes the report, the accused has no confidence in a system where defence witnesses are contacted by the prosecutor. He fears that the prosecutor will intimidate them or force them to testify for the prosecution. "They've already tried me," Uwinkindi lamented, "and they want to give a verdict based solely on the evidence of the prosecution witnesses." As his concerns were not taken into account, Uwinkindi stopped participating in his trial. By the close of the Mugesera trial at first instance on October 14, 2015, there had been no hearing of defence witnesses and no closing arguments from the defence. Mugesera's list of defence witnesses, which included former UN officials such as Koffi Annan, Boutros Boutros Ghali and Jacques Roger Booh-Booh as well as some ICTR detainees, appeared "unrealistic and fanciful" to the prosecution and the court. His lawyer, Jean Felix Rudakemwa, denounced the "bad faith of the judges", but the tug-of-war failed to work in the accused's favour. Exculpatory evidence in the prosecution files The organization of Rutunga's defence stands in stark contrast to these other cases. According to sources at Mpanga prison, where suspects "transferred" from abroad are incarcerated, Rutunga is "very discreet" and doesnt talk much, even with fellow inmates and former acquaintances. But his defence lawyers Sophonie Sebaziga and Nehemie Ntazika managed to find "evidence in favour of the accused" in the prosecution's case file. Sebaziga speaks of seven defence witnesses and one other potential witness. Among the witnesses living outside Rwanda, the defence mentions only "a single witness recommended by the accused but without a precise physical address". Unfortunately, "this witness dithered about where to meet, as if afraid of being kidnapped or arrested". According to the lawyer, the difficulty of recruiting witnesses from outside the country is linked to their reluctance and fear, whereas they could "testify from abroad by videoconference". The Rwandan prosecutor's office also stresses that "witnesses arriving from abroad to testify in cases referred to national courts are not searched or seized, and are not apprehended or arrested". A lawyer at the Kigali bar involved in at least three "transferred" cases (one of which is still ongoing) gives a harsh and different diagnosis. "The accused are torpedoing their own defence," he says, "because when they come, it's as if they're not prepared to plead their case. At heart, they already recognize that they have committed the crimes of which they are accused, and they are aware of the difficulty of finding defence witnesses, because in fact they don't have any." The lawyer, who insists on anonymity to avoid alienating clients and colleagues, says this is obvious when you ask them the question and discuss it with them. The pretext, according to him, is that the State is putting up obstacles related to witness security and lack of means to recruit defence witnesses, "but that's not the problem! The lawyer explains that in one of these cases, he received funds to go and investigate, and the accused himself gave him the list of people to question in his defence, at his home village. "When I saw them, they said to me why does he continue to create difficulties? Does he really think he's going to get away with it? With everything he's done?" When the lawyer brought him the results of this research, the accused "stopped trying, and we continued to brandish the slogan that we had been denied our rights". Fear of reprisals? Fear and silence nevertheless seem to have surrounded all the trials of transferred or extradited suspects since 2012. For Jean-Claude Shoshi Bizimana, who defended Uwinkindi and Munyagishari, this silence sometimes hides information that could lead the judge to acquit on some of the charges. Unfortunately, he laments, "even if there were witnesses, there's a kind of unfounded phobia and fear that says if I dare to testify for so-and-so, how will I be able to come back and live in the community?" This is even though he says he doesn't know anyone who has testified and suffered reprisals. Hugo Moudiki Jombwe agrees. For this Cameroonian jurist, head of mission for the Belgian NGO RCN Justice & Democratie in Rwanda, "to the best of my knowledge, I haven't heard of any witness who has suffered reprisals as a result of testifying. This shows that people can testify freely. We sometimes see the same defence witnesses come back in several trials. This means that they have not suffered persecution or particular pressures, otherwise they would find it difficult to come back and testify." In the current Rutunga trial, silence is apparently not the order of the day. According to lawyer Sebaziga, "Rutunga has gradually come to understand that there are people who speak well of him, and we are approaching them to defend him. We're confident they'll testify, provided the court is neutral, of course. We'd be happy to have others, but that's enough for us. As he slowly navigates feelings for Cheon Sa Rang (YoonA), Gu Won (Lee Junho) makes an effort to be close to her in "King the Land" episode 4. 'King the Land' Episode 4: Gu Won Gets Jealous of Cheon Sa Rang's Boyfriend Gu Won failed to give the present he bought for Cheon Sa Rang as he saw her with her boyfriend. Feeling jealous, he threw the gift but an officer (Jin Seon Kyu) caught him. He initially wanted to fine him, but he came to understand that Gu Won was heartbroken. Meanwhile, Cheon Sa Rang was in pain following the breakup with Gong Yu Nam (Ahn Woo Yeon). She visited her grandmother and found comfort being with her. Chairman Il Hun (Son Byung Ho) was angered to find his competitor surpassing King the Land in sales, and pressured Gu Won and Gu Hwa Ran to double their sales. The siblings then had a short yet intense confrontation again. Cheon Sa Rang Begins New Role at VVIP Lounge Elsewhere, Cheon Sa Rang started her new role at King the Land and learned the ins and outs of the VVIP lounge. While the head staff is fair and friendly, her colleagues were not ready to accept her as they were still suspicious of her promotion. Gu Won, on the other hand, unintentionally ended up commanding King the Land's head to train Cheon Sa Rang to be good at her new role. Upon recognizing his behavior towards Sa Rang, Noh Sang Sik called him childish. Gu Hwa Ran visited various industries and departments of King Group to work on the company's sales. Noh Sang Sik worried about how Hwa Ran handled her people so he warned Gu Won to be as meticulous and improve his work. Gu Won Makes Effort to Show Blossoming Feelings to Cheon Sa Rang However, Gu Won took it as an opportunity to meet Cheon Sa Rang. He made his way to the VVIP lounge to meet her and listened to the report presented and made plans to increase the incentives for the staff before leaving. The chaebol heir wanted to meet Cheon Sa Rang after work so he texted her. However, he got no reply after waiting all night. His call was also rejected as his number is unknown to her. The next day, he went straight to her and asked about his calls and messages only to find out that she didn't have his number. He tried to ask her out for dinner but was rejected. Left with no choice, he tasked Sang Sik to prepare a welcome dinner for Sa Rang. However, Gu Won was shocked only to find out that Sang Sik had invited her whole team for dinner instead of only Cheon Sa Rang. After seeing she was not eating, Gu Won made a special request for her, which made Sa Rang feel uncomfortable. Hwa Ran tried to confront Gu Won again, only to trigger his childhood trauma. This made him search through files again for information about Han Mi So but failed. While Cheon Sa Rang stood in the middle of the rain and cried all her problems, Gu Won suddenly appeared behind her with an umbrella. As they began to move, Sa Rang tripped and fell into his arms. What can you say about "King the Land" episode 4? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. A rookie actress is rumored to join the "Squid Game" season 2 cast following the backlash for not including female and new actors in the highly-anticipated sequel. As Netflix gears for the much-awaited release, a news portal reported that Kim Si Eun has been selected to join the series. Kim Si Eun to Play Lead Role in 'Squid Game' Season 2 In an exclusive report cited by Osen, the outlet says that Kim Si Eun is the latest addition to the "Squid Game" season 2 cast and will play a main character. However, officials have yet to disclose the role that she will play. Following her arrival in the upcoming season, viewers raised expectations that she would follow in the footsteps of model-actress Jung Ho Yeon, whose global popularity rose because of the Netflix series. Netflix Clarifies Rumors Regarding Kim Si Eun's Appearance in 'Squid Game' Season 2 Amid the update surrounding the new additional cast in "Squid Game" season 2, Netflix reacts to the news involving Kim Si Eun. As obtained by a media outlet, an official from the streaming giant told Herald POP that it is "difficult to confirm" at the moment. Who is Kim Si Eun? Kim Si Eun has been in the industry since 2017 and started her career by playing bit roles in "Sweet Revenge" and "The Negotiation." Viewers might notice her in the 2019 K-drama "Special Labor Inspector Jo," as she played the role of AB Planning Assistance Manager Oh Dae Ri and Ye Joon's sister Go Ye Chan in "Run On." Interestingly, she had her first ever lead role in the movie "Nexty Sohee" with award winning actress Bae Doona. Due to this, she won the Best New Actress Award in Film at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards. What to Expect in 'Squid Game' Season 2? Since the start of the year, Netflix has continued to drop updates regarding "Squid Game" season 2. Initially, original cast members Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, and Gong Yoo are confirmed to join the sequel. Months later, the streaming giant dropped a new teaser featuring Wi Ha Joon, who will reprise his role as Hwang Jun Ho. In addition, "Squid Game" season 2 will also feature Im Siwan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Sung Hoon, Yang Dog Geun, and Park Gyu Young. As for their roles, Netflix is tight lipped about their characters, but Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Im Siwan, and Park Gyu Young will play the main roles. Meanwhile, filming will start in July, and the expected release date will be in 2024. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Shin Hye Sun gives Ahn Bo Hyun an ultimatum in "See You In My 19th Life" episode 4. The latter also becomes more drawn to the other as they grow closer. Meanwhile, Ha Yoon Kyung makes a daring move that can make or break her professional career. Read on to know more. Moon Seo Ha's Dilemma "See You In My 19th Life" episode 4 begins with Moon Seo Ha (Ahn Bo Hyun) and Ban Ji Eum's (Shin Hye Sun) fateful meeting in front of Yoon Cho Won's (Ha Yoon Kyung) house. Because of this, Moon Seo Ha begins to see more of Ban Ji Eum in random places even when they're not together. He also sees a semblance of Yoon Ju Won (Kim Sia) in Ban Ji Eum. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'See You In My 19th Life' Episode 3: Ha Yoon Kyung Shares Secret With Shin Hye Sun The comfort that the other exudes gives him the courage to face his fears. Moon Seo Ha hires Yoon Cho Won as the hotel's landscape artist. Yoon Cho Won's Daring Move It's not only Moon Seo Ha who becomes suspicious of Ban Ji Eum. Yoon Cho Won also sees her older sister in the new girl she met, making Ban Ji Eum nervous. The latter avoids the topic, much to fans' frustration. Meanwhile, Yoon Cho Won boldly asks Ha Do Yoon (Ahn Dong Goo), the man she loves, to date her. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to enter any relationship which leaves the young woman devastated. Ban Ji Eum also gives Moon Seo Ha an ultimatum; if he refuses her advances more than three times, she will stop pursuing him right then and there. Ban Ji Eum & Moon Seo Ha's Late Night Date After an altercation with Ban Ji Eum's brother who threatens her for money, Moon Seo Ha asks her out for drinks. The two share a meal together and drink all night, sending Moon Seo Ha to his limits. He then becomes so intoxicated with alcohol. On their way home, he opens up about the accident and how he lost the first girl she loved. Moon Seo Ha also reveals that he sees Yoon Ju Won in her. Unbeknownst to him, Ban Ji Eum is the reincarnation of his first love. At Moon Seo Ha's home, she and Yoon Cho Won try their best to put the other to sleep. The proximity then once again reminds him of the accident. Moon Seo Ha holds Ban Ji Eum's wrist while crying in his sleep, asking her not to leave him alone. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. People are voicing out their sentiments about Cha Eun Woo's latest outfit at Dior Fashion Week in Paris. Keep reading the article to know what others are saying. ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo Receives Mixed Reactions to His Dior Summer 2024 Fashion Show Outfit On June 24, Cha Eun Woo left Korea again for Paris. As one of the global ambassadors of the high-end fashion brand, the young actor made his appearance at the Dior Summer 2024 Fashion Show. Cha Eun Woo was expected to turn heads as many are looking forward to the fashion pieces he's about to wear during the event. However, the idol-actor's gray v-neck sweater, baggy shorts, and black boots ensemble failed to make an impression on many. Due to this, people and some of his fans shared their sentiments on an online portal about the outfit that the "Island" actor wore. "Why are those clothes like that? They don't look too terrible because Cha Eun Woo is wearing it." "Because of Cha Eun Woo, the outfit somehow survived." "Cha Eun Woo has great visuals, but those clothes don't fit him." Cha Eun Woo Bags Nomination for Best Rookie Actor at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards Even though he is busy with fashion shows promoting high-end brands, Cha Eun Woo is already preparing his comeback on the small screen with "A Good Day to Be A Dog," where he will reunite with actress Park Gyu Young. In addition, the 26-year-old Korean star is confirmed to act with veteran actress Kim Nam Joo in "Wonderful World," which is reportedly scheduled for release in the first half of 2024. The cast already attended the script reading and possibly begin filming in the second half of 2023. The K-heartthrob is also making his return to the Philippines for another yet fun and exciting fan meeting. As he continued to work on his solo projects in music, fashion, and other endorsements, Cha Eun Woo delivered good news to fans. On June 26, according to the list of nominees released for the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards, he was nominated for Best Rookie Actor for his performance in the action-fantasy drama "Island." IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Song Hye Kyo, Jeon Yeo Bin, More Nominated at 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards What can you say about the news? 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. A DOT111 train car, centre, transports hazardous materials, also called "dangerous goods", in downtown Lac-Megantic, Que., Friday, May 26, 2023. The town of Lac-Megantic, Que. is urging tourists to be respectful after noting inappropriate behaviours in the runup to the 10-year anniversary of the rail disaster that claimed 47 lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephane Blais Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is greeted by Hlynur Gudjonsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada, and Jeannette Menzies, Ambassador of Canada to Iceland, as he arrives in Keflavik, Iceland, on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Trudeau is in Iceland to attending the Nordic Prime Ministers' Meeting. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick In this June 29, 2018, file photo, pipeline used to carry crude oil is shown at the Superior terminal of Enbridge Energy in Superior, Wisc. Enbridge wants a U.S. judge to confirm that its controversial Line 5 pipeline wont be shut down before it can be rerouted around Indigenous territory in Wisconsin. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jim Mone Supplies are seen on a table at an outdoor supervised consumption site in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver on Thursday, May 27, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, left, speaks with the media as Samantha Corcoran, public affairs officer of the First Coast Guard District, right, looks on during a news conference, Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard said it is leading an investigation into the loss of the Titan submersible that was carrying five people to the Titanic, to determine what caused it to implode. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Steven Senne The Peace Tower is pictured from the roof of the Centre Block during a media tour of the Centre Block restoration project on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 22, 2023. A lawyer says Canada will not repatriate a Quebec woman being held in Syria with her six children because officials believe she poses a security risk. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick 161 Shares Share I am a physician, specifically a urologist. However, what most people do not know about me is that I am a survivor of multiple suicide attempts. My essay attempts to tell my personal storya story of burnout, mental illness, and suicideand to discuss the shame that accompanied these experiences. I completed my urologic residency in 1987 at Stanford University and began practicing with the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in Riverside, California. My life, from the time after my residency until my retirement in 2003, can be divided into two distinct eras. During the first era, I was happy, busy, and, I believe, a successful urologist, husband, and father. I was deeply involved in all aspects of my life. My urology practice was thriving, and my family life was fulfilling. We were engaged in sports, focused on my sons education, actively participating in the Church, and contributing to the community. However, in 1998, two catastrophic medical events occurred that drastically changed everything. This marked the beginning of the second era of my life. Firstly, in 1998, I contracted sepsis after a vacation abroad. It led to a 6-week stay in the intensive care unit, where I experienced various complications associated with sepsis, including ARDS, DIC, chest tubes, tracheostomy, and a significant weight loss of 40 pounds. A little over a year later, I suffered a snowboarding accident, which landed me in the ICU once again. This time, I had facial fractures and underwent surgeries, jaw wiring, a tracheostomy, and experienced another 40-pound weight loss. After enduring these two severe medical conditions, I attempted to resume my practice and life. However, despite appearing well, I did not feel good. I was severely depressed and anxious, day after day, without any improvement. Following the sepsis episode, I began seeing psychiatrists who diagnosed me with bipolar-affective mood disorder. I embarked on a journey of trying various mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and even underwent over 30 electro-shock therapy (ECT) treatments. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to alleviate my condition. In May 1999, feeling hopeless, I made a spontaneous and poorly thought-out suicide attempt by overdosing on medication. Although I survived, I concealed this attempt and continued living with depression and anxiety. Outwardly, I tried my best to function, giving the appearance of being well-adjusted. However, my unhappiness persisted, and in 2002, I made another, more meticulously planned suicide attempt. This time, I checked into a hotel and consumed a massive overdose of medications. I was found unconscious by hotel staff and required intubation. They informed my family that I might not survive. Despite the odds, I pulled through and found myself admitted to a locked psychiatric ward, where I underwent further ECT treatments. Believing that working harder would lead to success, I returned to practicing urology in an attempt to regain control of my life. Sadly, the black cloud of depression continued to dominate me. In 2003, I made yet another suicide attempt. This time, it was a well-thought-out and severe attempt. I remember going to my office on a cold and dark weekend. I locked myself in, feeling disgusted with my life as I gazed at my reflection on my medical school diploma. I proceeded to lacerate my wrist and lay down on the floor, hoping to die. I fell into a deep sleep, bleeding profusely and losing around four units of blood. When I eventually woke up, my office was a chaotic scene. I realized, reluctantly, that I was not going to die. With overwhelming humiliation, shame, and sadness, I contacted the hospital operator, described my location and situation, and was readmitted to the hospital. My wrist was surgically repaired, and I found myself back in a locked psychiatric ward. At that moment, I decided that retiring was necessary for my own well-being. Retirement brought its own set of challenges. I struggled with feelings of humiliation and failure, feeling as though I was no longer a physician. However, attending a physician writing seminar in Taos, New Mexico, proved to be a turning point for me. There, I met a fellow physician who had also experienced burnout and mental illness. She had written and published an essay that openly confronted her problems, which brought significant relief to her life. Encouraged by her actions, I wrote my own essay, The Last Day, in which I chronicled my story and the end of my medical practice. It was published in the 2017 Annals of Internal Medicine. I discovered that being honest and open about my mental illness, and speaking on the subject, provided tremendous therapeutic benefits for me. I hope that it has also been beneficial for our noble profession. The underlying theme of my presentation revolves around the shame associated with mental illness in the medical community. Three moments in my life stand out as particularly shame-filled. The first occurred in 1999 after my sepsis episode when I saw my physician, who was responsible for writing my off-work orders. I expressed that I was not ready to return to work as scheduled. The intense dissatisfaction and disappointment were evident in his demeanor. I personally delivered the medical records to my next appointment. To my horror, I discovered that the physician had written in the chart, Dr. Lynes must return to the clinic next month without excuses! I felt humiliated and angry, consumed by shame during that time. The second moment of shame took place after my second suicide attempt. Following my massive overdose, my mental illness became evident to my entire partnership. I had to face the hospital wellness committee, pleading and coaxing them into allowing me to continue practicing. Once again, shame enveloped me as I confronted what I had become. The third moment of shame occurred after my most recent suicide attempt. Following the attempt, I was admitted to the same hospital where I had practiced for 16 years. I imagined everyone discussing and disapproving of my situation. That hospital stay became a nightmarish experience, laden with humiliation and shame. The shame associated with mental illness is prevalent not only within the medical community but also in our society as a whole. This shame does nothing to promote the understanding and treatment of this condition. Stories like mine are scattered throughout our noble profession of medicine. I hope that sharing experiences such as mine will contribute to improving this intolerable situation. William Lynes is a urologist. 114 Shares Share Ten years ago, as a new graduate, I sought an academic job that would protect my time for research. I was surprised to find that I was unqualified: I had no research funding and few published manuscripts. With these deficits, no institution was willing to give me a research job. Eventually, I was offered a clinical job that would protect my time at 20 percent. With this time, I was free to build a research program without resources, close my research skills deficit without training, and crank out manuscripts and grants without support. Eventually, I could buy down my clinical time and have the support I wanted. Naively grateful for any protected time, I took the job but failed to recognize the trap: After ten years of exclusive clinical training, 20 percent time is insufficient for the clinician-to-scientist transition. In fact, the transition is impossible without major transformation. Every year, physicians starting new academic jobs are led to believe that they can build research careers on their own time at nights and on weekends. Unfortunately, many physicians swallow the bait. They reassure themselves that they will make it work in due time. As soon as they find the right mentor, everything will fall into place. And so, they begin the hamster wheel of academic life, struggling to build a research career while simultaneously overwhelmed by clinical responsibilities. They burn the proverbial midnight oil to build a research career while lacking the resources needed to succeed. Eventually, they give up the dream and settle, and their unfulfillment leads to burnout. The rest of the world wonders, Where are all the clinician-scientists? Where is the promise of better health care? Where are the research breakthroughs? Unfortunately, like an unmined field of diamonds, the research breakthroughs lay buried in the heart of the academic physician who has settled into a cycle of non-fulfillment and burnout. But it was not always this way. Throughout history, physicians have occupied the leading edge of key health discoveries: Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic properties of penicillin. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract surgery. Francoise Barre-Sinoussi co-discovered HIV as the cause of AIDS. These physicians had the time and space needed for research discoveries. And the same is possible for all physicians: Physicians have valuable insights into existing knowledge gaps; they ask research questions that address real-world challenges; and they bridge disciplinary gaps that foster productive collaborations. By virtue of their training and experience, physicians may be the best equipped to lead research that is transformative. Unfortunately, many early career physicians are held back from realizing their full research potential. Only a select few who had early access to mentoring are selected for institutional investment. The rest of us are told that we can only succeed as clinicians. Yet, clinicians can do anything with the right training. Dedicated research training for most physicians is minimal. Compared to our PhD or MD/PhD colleagues, MDs receive little to no research training. Often, our research involvement in medical school, residency, or fellowship prepares us to be participants but not leaders. Physicians who will lead breakthrough research programs need specialized training. We need not only training in research methodology but also training in soft research skills. We need skills to build structures to support consistent scholarly writing; move manuscripts through academic publishing; find optimal funding opportunities; write successful grant proposals; lead research teams; nurture collaborations; and negotiate resources. In our clinical training, these skills are not taught. Therefore, to no ones surprise, most MDs are unprepared to succeed in research. The hope is that these skills can be taught by mentors. However, would-be mentors, many of whom are still building their own research programs, find that mentoring tasks are unsupported. Furthermore, mentors rarely have the bandwidth to give their mentees all they need. For this reason, many aspiring physician-scientists are left to sink or swim. But we can do better. For early career physicians, the burden of closing the research skills gap is often borne by academic institutions. However, academic institutions, which have their own financial pressures, are loath to make an investment in an unqualified physician. So, when faced with the choice of protecting a physicians time vs. encouraging them to take on the maximal clinical load, the economics favor unprotected time spent seeing patients. So, for an unproven physician, most institutions decline the investment. Or they may make the investment but set a limit of three years. As if three years were enough to both learn the needed research skills and make the transition to independence. Therefore, if physicians are going to transition from clinicians to research leaders, we must be willing to bet on ourselves. To bet on ourselves, we need to make key mindset shifts: We are responsible for our own career success. We own and lead our career direction. No one, and certainly no institution, can shape our careers for us. Therefore, if others do not invest in us, we invest in ourselves. We deserve careers of our own design. We deserve to work hard doing jobs we love. When we contribute meaningfully, we feel fulfilled. When we answer questions that solve problems, we gain a sense of purpose. When we fulfill our career vision, we win. Therefore, if the win is a fulfilling and successful career, then we should be prepared to pay the price. To achieve personal career fulfillment, we should be prepared to invest our time, money, and energy. Lets not wait to create the careers we want. Lets not wait to end the cycle of burnout and unfulfillment. Lets start today to make the investments needed to create our dream careers. The greatest gift that may come from designing our dream research careers is not just the research but rather the person we become in the process. Toyosi Onwuemene is a hematologist. Police have revealed that of the 17 Lhubiriha Secondary School arson victims (students), 11 bodies have been identified by experts from the Directorate of Forensic Services from both Police and Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF). The students at the school located in Nyabugando cell, Nyabugando ward, Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council, in Kasese district were burnt beyond recognition in the boys dormitory, during the tragic terror attack by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on the night of June 16th, 2023. Addressing journalists at police headquarters in Naguru, police spokesperson, Fred Enanga urged relatives of the deceased to link up with the forensic and medical teams tomorrow Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to pick the remains of their loved ones at Bwera hospital mortuary. Police have also advised relatives of the remaining 6 unidentified bodies to send their biological mothers, maternal aunts, and or maternal grandparents to Bwera police station. The burial arrangements are being coordinated by government through the Ministry of Education and Sports. Police have identified the victims as; Komuhangi Roset, Biira Sylivia, Baluku Yasin, Kahindo Grace, Biira Rose Mary, Muhindo Rebecca, Kyakimwa Nyesi, Mbabazi Wilson, Tumuhise Christine, Ithungu Jane, Kule Ngindonaa, and Kabugho Pelegina The National Unity Platform (NUP) party has renewed calls for the release of over 20 of their missing supporters who disappeared during the January 2021 general elections. In January, the president of National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party, Joseph Kabuleeta petitioned the High Court in Kampala to release 32 prisoners citing illegal detention at Kitalya. NUP secretary-general, David Lewis Rubongoya tells KFM that they have since petitioned the International Crimes Court (ICC) after being frustrated by human rights agencies in Uganda. Nothing is coming out to show us where these people went to and their crime was simply supporting our president Kyagulanyi and the NUP. Of course the abductions continue, we have seen several weeks our people were taken away and returned with horrific stories of torture, Rubongoya said. His remarks come as Uganda joins the rest of the world today to commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture under the theme, Stop torture, rebuild lives of survivors for sustainable development. He adds that laws like the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture 2012 that give effect to the obligations to Uganda as a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment have not been implemented fully. Officials from the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) have appealed to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) for more inclusion as the bureau prepares to conduct the national census in August. Addressing journalists at their offices in Bukoto, Robinson Otim, a NUDIPU board member representing the Epilepsy Support Association, called for disability-responsive data collection mechanisms for marginalized groups. You know that Uganda Bureau of Statistics is mandated to do that work for the country. So we demand that they collect data. The data is not enough, I think thats why it is like that, Otim said. Meanwhile, John Ninsima the Director programmes at NUDIPU says UBOS has since added four more forms of disability to register people with albinism, ittle people among others. UBOS has allocated Shs399 billion for the upcoming population census. Torture victims have been advised to always to speak up against the vice and file formal complaints. Speaking to KFM, Mr. Samuel Herbert Nsubugahe, the chief executive officer of African Centre For Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) revealed that on average, the ACTV rehabilitation center receives about ten new torture victims weekly. ACTV registered 788 complaints of torture in 2022, down from over 1,150 in 2021. He says most people who seek therapy and rehabilitation are victims of torture arising from mistaken identities. Nsubuga has meanwhile encouraged people to always speak up against torture. in 2020, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) registered 308 cases of torture representing 49% of the total 627 human rights violation cases reported. In 2022, the commission registered a reduction in torture cases down to 267 out of 691 cases, representing 37% of the human rights violation complaints. Today, Uganda is joining the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture under the theme, Stop torture, rebuild lives of survivors for sustainable development. By Jerome Kule The recent attack on a Kasese school has begun having a negative impact on the tourism industry in the Rwenzori region. Sector players in Kasese district have decried cancellations of bookings by tourists. In 2019, Kasese District Council passed a motion designating Kases as a tourist district, raising its profile as a tourist destination. The district is home to fresh water lakes Edward and Georg, Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth, and Mt Rwenzori national parks, and Katwe salt lake, among other unique features. However, Beno Isuka, the chief Executive officer of the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services, a mountain hiking and tour guide company, says clients have cancelled four trips following the attack. He says these cancellations mean loss of money from foreign exchange, park fees, transport and local hotel services. John Hunwicks, of Rwenzori Trekking Services, says many of their clients who had booked and paid up have asked for a refund after the attack. Early last week, the Uganda Tourism Board, issued a statement, encouraging tourists to treat the attack on Mpondwe Lhubiriha Secondary school as an isolated incident, saying Uganda remains safe under the protection of the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF). Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) leadership has implored its members not to participate in the planned demonstration against high taxes. There is a document circulating on social media calling upon traders to engage in a peaceful demonstration starting tomorrow June 27, 2023. Traders have also been asked to close their shops due to high income tax rates, traders goods that are confiscated with no return by the tax body, and high rental fees among others. However, the chairperson of KACITA, Thaddeus Musoke Nagenda, tells K FM that much as they acknowledge traders challenges, the association is not part of the demonstration, noting that they are slated to meet this afternoon with the commissioner-general of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), John Musinguzi, about the same. He says that the association will declare its stand about the planned demonstration after the outcomes of the meeting, urging their members to stay calm as they seek dialogue with URA to find possible solutions to their problems. Young Irish Filmmakers are opening their studios for their Creative Media Production Course this Friday. Come along and explore this unique creative space with professional podcasting and live broadcast studios as well as their suite of computer workstations and software systems. Meet the students and tutors, see the amazing work in action and chat about the possibilities of attending this course. This practical course starts in September and is aimed at anyone interested in exploring a future in the creative industries. Students work on projects including film, photography, graphic design, podcasting and much more as they build their skills and develop a portfolio. With a QQI level 5 award on completion, this course qualification can be used for college applications or entry into the creative sector. Registrations are now open the open day here and if you like what you see you can sign up for this in demand course at FETCHCOURSES.IE This course is an excellent grounding in creative media production and an excellent progression route to higher levels of education, says Gareth Hanlon the course Coordinator, Last year 90% of our learners received their full level 5 QQI major award. The course is very practical from day one, with the first video creations happening in the first week. Drama, comedy, music and podcasting workshops are peppered throughout the programme. Learners can also expect a number of road trips to exhibitions, film festivals and college open days. The student centred team at YIFM work with each learner to define their personal projects, which will include video, audio, photography and design. Where possible other students help you with productions, photography and other creative services. You feed into their portfolios and they into yours. Its like a creative family scenario, we even have a wellbeing officer on the team to ensure learners have their best experience. The Kilkenny City based course runs full time for 44 weeks and begins in September 2023. The course is a full time foundation in all things media. Every September, 20 creative people aged 16+, sign up for 44 weeks of learning through practical creative projects involving community groups, local festivals and even working with local businesses to create social media content as part of their work experience module. With commitment learners will build a significant portfolio, and a solid foundation in the Adobe Creative Suite, including Premiere Pro, Photoshop and InDesign, explains Gareth. The feedback we get from our students is excellent, one student in particular, forwarded this message to the staff upon completion of the course Thank you all so much guys the best year Ive ever had. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Explaining the entry requirements, Gareth states, You must be over 16 yrs (and up to 35 yrs). It is usually Level 4 or equivalent to join us, however, the real requirement is a passion for creative media, film making, photography or graphic design. Also, there is generally payment for attending the course. You will need to be signed on to Intreo, on Disability payment or be an early school leaver to qualify. There is also assistance with travel costs where appropriate. Places go fast, to be on the list, visit YIFM.COM For further details about the course contact course coordinator Gareth Hanlon on gareth@yifm.com or call 05677 64677. Do you know anyone in Kilkenny who needs the help of renowned hoteliers John and Francis Brennan? If so, the Brennan brothers are searching for hospitality and tourist businesses to take part in the newest series of At Your Service for RTE One. John and Francis want to pass on their knowledge and understanding of the hospitality world and are looking for businesses who are ready to take their facilities to the next level and develop their product. Francis Brennan says: Any type of hospitality-based project will be considered, as long as they will benefit from our advice. At Your Service is produced by Waddell Media for RTE and they are particularly looking for projects beginning in Autumn 2023 to start filming, with a view to opening/launching in Spring/Summer 2024. John and Francis are searching for a variety of businesses to apply, spanning everything from hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, bars and restaurants to historic houses, hostels, farm diversification projects and caravan sites including brand new start-ups to existing businesses with ambitious expansion plans. Maggi Gibson, Executive Producer, Waddell Media says: This new series is a wonderful opportunity for hospitality owners to work with John and Francis to explore new approaches, systems and strategies to deliver a quality service for their customers. Were planning to produce four one-hour programmes, following a different business in each episode. If you are the owner or manager of a hospitality business in Ireland and would like to get involved with this once in a lifetime opportunity please contact Maggi Gibson, maggi@waddellmedia.com or Orla Cumming, orla@waddellmedia.com to find out more. An organic farm in north Kilkenny is one of the local family farms supplying oats for a new oat drink and other products made by Tirlan. The Tobin family in Urlingford supplies 40 acres to Tirlan each year - and they'd grow more organic oats if they could! Robert Tobin (pictured above) farms with his father Paddy, on land in Johnstown. "Its very heartening to see how Tirlan is innovating and adding value to our crop. It gives us a great sense of pride to know that our produce is going into the new oat drink and other products," he said as a new product was launched this week. Avonmore has entered the plant-based drinks sector with the launch of Avonmore Oat Drink made from quality Irish oats grown on family farms across the east and south east area. The launch of Avonmore Oat Drink offers even greater choice to customers and consumers, as well enhanced premium crop opportunities for the farmer-owned cooperatives 1,100 Irish growers, many of whom have been supplying grain for generations. It was my father who decided we would go organic. Our ground is in the centre of Johnstown, explained Robert, with the family also running an agricultural contracting business. If we could get more ground we would definitely grow more organic oats. We have always been oats users at home and weve been with Tirlan for the past few years. We have a very good agronomist, Tim Scott. He takes samples, gets them analysed and gives us great advice. Hes always available to us and its great to have him at the end of a phone. With the demand for organic oats continuing to grow, wed be delighted to supply more. But its getting harder and harder to lease ground. It would be great to do back to back good years so were hoping for the best for good quality, good prices and good yields for 2023. The Tobin family also sow organic carrots, malting barley and some red clover which they rotate every two to three years. They used to grow oilseed rape and flaxseed but discontinued both. When youre growing organic crops you really have to plan ahead very carefully. Rotation is absolutely vital. We steerage hoe and sow it 11 apart and not so heavy so we have little or no weeds. Farmyard manure is key, as is green cover which is ploughed back in. We typically sow in early March if possible. This years crop was sown the last day in February. We were very lucky as many got caught out in a wet March. 2018 was a disaster for oat growers. Last year was very good. We had good crops, great quality and a good price. Its all down to the weather and price. May has been brilliant for the crop so fingers crossed now for a good Summer. All going well we would be hoping for over 2 tonne, maybe even 2.2 tonne. We dont want to push it too far. As the largest buyer and user of premium Irish grains, Tirlan paid out circa 100 million to grain growers for Harvest 2022 with a grain intake of over 300,000 tonnes. The new, plant-based Avonmore Oat Drink is a source of fibre and is now available in Original or Barista options, with the Original high in calcium. Both are lactose-free and vegan friendly, low in fat with no added sugar. The organic oats used in the Barista option are traceable to organic oat farms operated by Tirlans quality oats growers. We are dedicated to driving both dairy and plant-based innovation and offering an evolving portfolio of products and solutions for Irish and global markets. We continuously push the boundaries to improve our knowledge of nutrition and ingredients and deliver for our customers," said Dr Michelle Collins, R&D Director at Tirlan. Collaboration is the engine of innovation, and that starts with our cross-functional teams. Our new Research & Innovation Centre is home to scientists, nutritionists, sensory specialists, development chefs and process technology experts who passionately research a growing number of dairy and plant-based ingredients. Through engagement with Tirlans commercial team, we are committed to designing and developing quality ingredients, products and solutions that deliver nutritional and functional benefits for our customers across the globe. John Kealy, Head of Grains at Tirlan, said: Were passionate about grain and it shows in the high-quality produce that comes from our family farms. In Harvest 2022, we took in our highest ever volume of premium grains and delivered an additional 3 million in bonus payments to growers of premium crops, which include food grade oats. We doubled our grain volumes in 2022 through our high-spec Oats Mill in Portlaoise. We have ambitions to continue to develop our milling capacity and extend our capability to take advantage of emerging market opportunities offered through plant-based innovation. This will ultimately translate into improving returns to our family farm suppliers well into the future. A hospital consultant is preparing to climb the highest peak in every county on the island of Ireland in one week in memory of his sister-in-law. Richard Horgan, a Cork-based consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, will take on the challenge next month, almost five years on from the death of wifes youngest sister, 38-year-old Orla Gosnell. The consultant and father of three, who is aged in his 40s, will be raising money for Cork University Maternity Hospital, through the CUH Charity, with the hope of using funds raised to create dedicated spaces for patients and staff. Ms Gosnell, a social care worker, died in December 2018, five months after delivering her fifth child at CUMH. Dr Horgans 32 County Peaks in a Week challenge will see him attempt to scale summits in four to five counties each day. It will conclude with one of Irelands highest mountains, the 918-metre high Galtymore on the Limerick/Tipperary border. He hopes to be joined by Ms Gosnells husband Robert and other family members on that final ascent on July 22. The medic, who is an avid hill walker who previously conquered Kilimanjaro, hopes to raise at least 10,000 euro for the CUH Charity. Failure is not an option, he said. All 32 peaks represent a combined climb of around 16,000 metres, which is almost twice the height of Mount Everest. The doctor, who will be supported by a colleague throughout, will camp overnight at the base of the following mornings first peak. He said inspiration for the challenge came from his nine-year-old son. Dr Horgan said the week will be emotional and he will carry treasured memories of drama and singing enthusiast Ms Gosnell with him. She was so dynamic, it was always about the solution rather than the problem with her, he said. She was never one to leave things slide, she would ask about things and was never one to avoid sensitive conversations if something needed to be said and I admire that. She loved kids, was brilliant with them, loved being pregnant but always wanted to be involved and to know everything about her care. This lives on in her five fabulous kids. What has always been to the forefront in my work is the patients experience, the mothers experience, even in bad outcomes and to make the experience as positive as we can. When I walk into the maternity hospital, there are magnificent glass corridors and theres an opportunity to install benches or seats, we have three floors to work with and could do it on all floors. It is simply somewhere patients, their partners and staff can go and sit, take a moment, have a chat, take a phone call, have those few minutes. Dr Horgan said he hopes the new space will include a symbol specifically remembering Ms Gosnell and her experiences in CUMH. For more information or to support the challenge visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/DrRichardHorgan32CountyPeaks Extreme weather such as wildfires and droughts could trigger ecosystem collapse even if other, more significant environmental stresses are kept under control, according to a new study. A perfect storm of unsustainable land use, agricultural expansion, climate change and extreme weather bringing fires and floods are rapidly endangering natural systems, scientists said. Those extreme events could be enough to tip some systems into a spiral of collapse and bring forward their predicted occurrence by as much as 80%. The Amazon rainforest, for example, may collapse several decades before the time predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Using computer modelling, a UK research team looked at two lake and two forestry ecosystems, including the collapse of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, who are thought to have over-exploited the islands resources. The scientists ran their model over 70,000 times for each ecosystem, adjusting variables each time. Up to 15% of collapses occurred because of new stresses or extreme events, even if the main stress, like deforestation, was kept constant. Dr Gregory Cooper, from the University of Sheffields Institute for Sustainable Food and co-author of the study, said: All four of the ecological systems we looked at showed the same overall outcomes. This has potentially profound implications for our perception of future ecological risks. While it is not currently possible to predict how climate-induced tipping points and the effects of local human actions on ecosystems will connect, our findings show the potential for each to reinforce the other. Any increasing pressure on ecosystems will be exceedingly detrimental and could have dangerous consequences. Scientists are concerned that tipping points natural feedback loops that cause further global warming separately from human emissions could be triggered even if the Earths temperature is limited to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Other studies have suggested there could be a 50-50 chance of triggering tipping points such as melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, tropical coral reef die-off and loss of the Barents sea ice at 1.5C. The Earth has already warmed by 1.2C with the remaining 1.5C expected to be crossed within the next few decades. Extreme climate events have been increasing since 1980 and continued warming will increase their number still further. The new study, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, suggests they may be the final trigger that pushes these tipping points over the edge. Professor Simon Willcock, of Rothamsted and Bangor University who co-led the study, said: Over a fifth of ecosystems worldwide are in danger of collapsing. However, ongoing stresses and extreme events interact to accelerate rapid changes that may well be out of our control. Once these reach a tipping point, its too late. In the past two years, the world has come together around the climate and ecological crises through the UN climate change and biodiversity conferences. But we should remember that the causes of the crises are interlinked, that they have already collided, and that inaction over both may result in dire consequences. The IPCC has estimated that the Amazon may reach a tipping point sometime soon before the end of the century, but the current studys authors say drought and wildfires may damage the forests ability to produce its own rainfall, dry it out further and push it towards collapse much earlier. Professor John Dearing, of the University of Southampton and one of the co-authors, said: Previous studies of ecological tipping points suggest significant social and economic costs from the second half of the 21st century onwards. Our findings suggest the potential for these costs to occur much sooner. BlackRock has no malicious intent in filing for a Bitcoin spot ETF, despite its reputation in some circles as an activist asset manager, according to Ran Neuner, Host and Founder of Crypto Banter. So far, no Bitcoin spot ETF has been approved in the United States. Some investors worry that if BlackRocks ETF is approved, the asset manager would fund Bitcoin development and hard fork the coin, turning Bitcoin into a centralized, proof-of-stake protocol. This, detractors say, would divorce Bitcoin from its original, decentralized, and democratic vision. That is not a theory Im concerned about, to be honest, Neuner told Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News. BlackRocks CEO and Co-Founder, Larry Fink, recently told the New York Times that he forces BlackRock-owned companies to comply with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mandates, such as clean energy targets. However, Neuner said that BlackRock simply owning a large amount of Bitcoin does not give the corporation control over the entire Bitcoin network. Whether or not one party owns all the Bitcoin wont make Bitcoin centralized, he explained. The only way that that can change is if the majority of the miners, over 50 percent of the miners around the world, agree that the rules need to change Regardless of who owns the Bitcoin, the mining still remains decentralized. To find out how likely Neuner think BlackRocks ETF is to be approved, watch the video above Bitcoin Price Forecast If BlackRocks ETF is approved, Bitcoins price would at least double in 2024, Neuner forecasted. I think the price could actually be much higher [than 2X], said Neuner. Im just being conservative. He suggested that the ETFs approval would create more adoption of Bitcoin, as institutions feel more comfortable investing in the coin. I think it could be a game changer, he claimed. If you get a Bitcoin spot ETF, you now really open all of this money coming into crypto with an easy way to access this asset. The Bitcoin Halving, which reduces the supply of Bitcoin available for mining, is expected to occur in April of 2024. Neuner predicted that the ETF approval, along with the Halving, would create bullish sentiment for Bitcoin. He also said that U.S. Presidential elections, which have seen many candidates come out in favor of Bitcoin, would help support Bitcoins price. Neuner pointed to the examples of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Ron DeSantis, and Francis Suarez as pro-crypto candidates. Most of the candidates that have put their hats in the ring have taken a favorable position on Bitcoin and crypto, Neuner observed. The market is telling you, and the politicians are telling you, that Bitcoin is an election issue. To find out what Neuner thinks would happen to Bitcoins price if BlackRocks ETF is rejected, watch the video above 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) - Bybit, the 10th largest crypto exchange by volume and the 3rd most visited, has received a license to operate crypto exchange and custody services in Cyprus, the company announced on Monday. This achievement highlights Bybits dedication to operating within regulatory frameworks and ensuring secure and compliant trading solutions for its users, they wrote. The Cyprus license enables Bybit to provide a comprehensive range of services, including trading between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, financial services related to crypto assets, and tailored custody solutions for clients in Cyprus and other EU member states. This milestone serves as a testament to Bybits commitment to adhering to robust regulatory frameworks while expanding its global presence, said Ben Zhou, the co-founder and CEO of Bybit. He also expressed his support for the regulatory objective of developing a cryptocurrency industry that is compliant, secure, and transparent, ultimately benefiting individuals seeking financial freedom. In April, Bybit received in-principle approval from Kazakhstan's Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA). The pre-approval means that once Bybit fulfills the necessary conditions to complete their full application process, they will receive a permanent license from the AFSA, enabling them to operate a Digital Asset Trading Facility and provide Custody Services at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). Bybit has not always run its business in compliance with state regulators and it has run into regulatory trouble as a result. On March 31, Japans Financial Service Agency (FSA) sent letters to multiple exchanges, including Bybit, warning them that they are violating the countrys laws by operating without a license. The FSA sent letters to Binance, MEXC Global, Bybit, Bitforex and Bitget warning them that their operations are in violation of the nations fund settlement regulations by facilitating the exchange of crypto assets without first completing the registration process. The regulator issued its first formal warning letter to Bybit for operating without the necessary permissions back in 2021, but the exchange has yet to see any serious consequences for continuing to operate. Ragnar Metals said today it it secured two new REE licenses, comprising 37.3 km2 of tenure for heavy rare earth element (HREE) mineralisation and NdPr metals. The company also identified and secured two new licenses that contain lithium-tantalum-tin-bearing pegmatites in Sweden. "Executive Director Eddie King said he was excited. We are excited to expand our exploration portfolio for highly sought-after critical minerals within one of the worlds best mining jurisdictions. Olserum and Gruvhagen strongly complement our critical minerals portfolio and we look forward to working with our existing incountry experts as well as new stakeholders. We remain committed to creating shareholder value as an active and effective explorer for critical minerals in Sweden," commented King. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Jeffery Durbin is currently on special leave without pay, according to a MSHP spokesperson. The Supreme Court said Monday that Louisianas congressional map must be redrawn to add a second majority-Black district. The case raises questions about when members of Congress and not a full committee have the legal right to sue an executive agency for documents under a specific federal law. Shares of Aviva plc (LON:AV Get Rating) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the seven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 526 ($6.73). Several research analysts have issued reports on AV shares. Barclays reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 545 ($6.97) price target on shares of Aviva in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Berenberg Bank cut their price target on Aviva from GBX 546 ($6.99) to GBX 532 ($6.81) and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 520 ($6.65) price target on shares of Aviva in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Aviva in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Aviva from GBX 545 ($6.97) to GBX 535 ($6.85) and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Get Aviva alerts: Aviva Stock Performance Shares of AV opened at GBX 386.20 ($4.94) on Monday. Aviva has a one year low of GBX 366.70 ($4.69) and a one year high of GBX 473.70 ($6.06). The company has a market cap of 10.58 billion, a PE ratio of -1,016.32, a P/E/G ratio of 8.09 and a beta of 1.03. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 409.41 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 427.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.38, a current ratio of 3.31 and a quick ratio of 1.57. Insider Transactions at Aviva About Aviva In related news, insider Pippa Lambert acquired 1,302 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 419 ($5.36) per share, with a total value of 5,455.38 ($6,980.65). Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. (Get Rating Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, investment, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Aviva Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aviva and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB Get Rating) has received a consensus rating of Reduce from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $134.45. Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on KMB shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Kimberly-Clark from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $131.00 to $140.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Berenberg Bank raised their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $132.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $118.00 to $125.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Get Kimberly-Clark alerts: Kimberly-Clark Stock Performance KMB stock opened at $136.97 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $46.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.45, a PEG ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.23. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $139.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $134.76. Kimberly-Clark has a fifty-two week low of $108.74 and a fifty-two week high of $147.87. Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement Kimberly-Clark ( NYSE:KMB Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.35. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 9.75% and a return on equity of 279.42%. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.35 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Kimberly-Clark will post 6.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be given a $1.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $4.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.45%. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.82%. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Michael D. Hsu sold 46,508 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.28, for a total value of $6,710,174.24. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,111,459.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Andrew Drexler sold 7,970 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.12, for a total transaction of $1,156,606.40. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,889 shares in the company, valued at $709,491.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael D. Hsu sold 46,508 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.28, for a total value of $6,710,174.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 111,668 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,111,459.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 59,416 shares of company stock worth $8,580,971. 0.67% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kimberly-Clark A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Kimberly-Clark in the first quarter worth approximately $3,090,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board increased its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 32,798 shares of the companys stock worth $4,402,000 after purchasing an additional 2,610 shares during the last quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the 1st quarter valued at $14,595,000. Toroso Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 123.6% in the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 15,092 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,026,000 after purchasing an additional 8,341 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raleigh Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Kimberly-Clark by 5.8% in the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 15,503 shares of the companys stock worth $2,081,000 after purchasing an additional 844 shares in the last quarter. 74.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Kimberly-Clark (Get Rating Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company's Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kimberly-Clark Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kimberly-Clark and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Get Rating) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twelve analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $755.92. BLK has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on BlackRock from $800.00 to $779.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Citigroup started coverage on BlackRock in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $750.00 target price for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on BlackRock from $763.00 to $770.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on BlackRock from $840.00 to $780.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on BlackRock from $829.00 to $861.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Get BlackRock alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total transaction of $24,862,405.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 484,325 shares in the company, valued at $336,363,712.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other BlackRock news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total value of $24,862,405.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 484,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $336,363,712.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 3,000 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $696.00, for a total value of $2,088,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 71,307 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $49,629,672. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of BlackRock BlackRock Price Performance Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 0.7% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 167,444 shares of the asset managers stock worth $112,040,000 after acquiring an additional 1,220 shares during the period. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the first quarter worth $418,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the first quarter worth $493,000. Prelude Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the first quarter worth $214,000. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the first quarter worth $249,000. Institutional investors own 79.37% of the companys stock. Shares of BLK stock opened at $680.45 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $101.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.27. BlackRock has a fifty-two week low of $503.12 and a fifty-two week high of $785.65. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $669.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $689.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 4.20 and a current ratio of 4.20. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The asset manager reported $7.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.71 by $0.22. The firm had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 13.66% and a net margin of 28.13%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $9.52 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that BlackRock will post 34.28 earnings per share for the current year. BlackRock Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th were paid a dividend of $5.00 per share. This represents a $20.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 7th. BlackRocks payout ratio is 62.03%. About BlackRock (Get Rating BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meritage Homes Co. (NYSE:MTH Get Rating) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the nine analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $123.50. MTH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Meritage Homes from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Seaport Res Ptn restated a neutral rating on shares of Meritage Homes in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Meritage Homes in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. They issued a buy rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Meritage Homes from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $129.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, March 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a market perform rating on shares of Meritage Homes in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Get Meritage Homes alerts: Meritage Homes Price Performance NYSE MTH opened at $137.06 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $125.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $112.45. Meritage Homes has a twelve month low of $65.40 and a twelve month high of $138.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.01 billion, a PE ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 1.89. Meritage Homes Announces Dividend Meritage Homes ( NYSE:MTH Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $3.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by $1.03. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.03 billion. Meritage Homes had a return on equity of 23.99% and a net margin of 14.44%. The companys quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.79 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Meritage Homes will post 15.26 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. Meritage Homess payout ratio is presently 4.41%. Insider Transactions at Meritage Homes In related news, Director Gerald W. Haddock sold 2,000 shares of Meritage Homes stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.64, for a total transaction of $249,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $747,840. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Meritage Homes news, Director Gerald W. Haddock sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.64, for a total value of $249,280.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $747,840. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Alison Sasser sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.52, for a total value of $185,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 481 shares of the companys stock, valued at $59,413.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 7,400 shares of company stock valued at $926,077. 2.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Meritage Homes Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MTH. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Meritage Homes by 137.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 12,550 shares of the construction companys stock worth $994,000 after buying an additional 7,266 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Meritage Homes by 43.7% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 3,740 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $296,000 after acquiring an additional 1,138 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Meritage Homes in the first quarter worth about $464,000. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in Meritage Homes by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 14,632 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,227,000 after purchasing an additional 962 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Meritage Homes by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 19,463 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,542,000 after purchasing an additional 6,431 shares during the period. 98.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Meritage Homes Company Profile (Get Rating Meritage Homes Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs and builds single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Homebuilding and Financial Services. It acquires and develops land; and constructs, markets, and sells homes for first-time and first move-up buyers in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Meritage Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Meritage Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Science Applications International Co. (NYSE:SAIC Get Rating) have been given an average recommendation of Hold by the six brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $113.29. SAIC has been the subject of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $90.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $120.00 to $115.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Science Applications International from $121.00 to $118.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Get Science Applications International alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Nazzic S. Keene sold 26,237 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.37, for a total value of $2,817,066.69. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 65,680 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,052,061.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Nazzic S. Keene sold 26,237 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.37, for a total value of $2,817,066.69. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 65,680 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,052,061.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Katharina G. Mcfarland sold 1,193 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.48, for a total transaction of $129,416.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,813 shares in the company, valued at $847,554.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 36,430 shares of company stock valued at $3,912,723 over the last ninety days. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Science Applications International Science Applications International Stock Down 1.4 % A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in Science Applications International by 9.4% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,699,458 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $525,321,000 after acquiring an additional 491,167 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Science Applications International by 1.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,210,623 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $460,775,000 after acquiring an additional 68,359 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Science Applications International by 2.0% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,887,542 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $450,486,000 after acquiring an additional 94,874 shares during the period. Boston Partners increased its position in Science Applications International by 4.6% during the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,866,900 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $414,954,000 after acquiring an additional 171,810 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in Science Applications International by 68.3% during the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,035,190 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $179,971,000 after acquiring an additional 825,670 shares during the period. 77.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Science Applications International stock opened at $107.40 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, a PE ratio of 18.27 and a beta of 0.71. Science Applications International has a twelve month low of $87.93 and a twelve month high of $117.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $102.34 and a 200-day moving average of $105.20. Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 5th. The information technology services provider reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.31. The company had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.96 billion. Science Applications International had a net margin of 4.20% and a return on equity of 25.68%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.88 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Science Applications International will post 7.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. Science Applications International Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.38%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Science Applications Internationals payout ratio is presently 25.17%. About Science Applications International (Get Rating Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. The company's offerings include engineering; technology integration; IT modernization; maintenance of ground and maritime systems; logistics; training and simulation; operation and program support services; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers' IT infrastructure, as well as cloud migration, managed services, infrastructure modernization, and enterprise IT-as-a-service solutions; and data management platform solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Science Applications International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Science Applications International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Rating) (NYSE:CM) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, June 27th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 28th will be paid a dividend of 0.87 per share on Friday, July 28th. 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 an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance TSE:CM opened at C$55.25 on Monday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of C$53.58 and a fifty-two week high of C$68.74. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$56.67 and a 200-day moving average price of C$57.81. The firm has a market cap of C$50.71 billion, a PE ratio of 10.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 27.22 and a beta of 1.02. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Rating) (NYSE:CM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The company reported C$1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.62 by C$0.08. The business had revenue of C$5.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$5.58 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 23.32% and a return on equity of 10.00%. Research analysts predict that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 6.9642005 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$65.00 to C$66.00 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. CIBC upped their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$66.00 to C$66.50 in a research note on Monday, February 27th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$56.00 to C$58.00 in a research note on Friday, May 26th. CSFB cut their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$65.00 to C$60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$70.00 to C$69.00 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$64.80. (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. Featured Articles 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. Embassy Bancorp, Inc. (OTCMKTS:EMYB Get Rating) announced a dividend on Sunday, June 25th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of 0.40 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, July 14th. This represents a yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This is a positive change from Embassy Bancorps previous dividend of $0.35. Embassy Bancorp Stock Performance OTCMKTS EMYB opened at $14.25 on Monday. The firms fifty day moving average is $14.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.66. Embassy Bancorp has a one year low of $12.50 and a one year high of $21.40. Get Embassy Bancorp alerts: Embassy Bancorp Company Profile (Get Rating) Read More Embassy Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for the Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley that provides traditional banking and related financial services to individual, business, and government customers in Pennsylvania. The company's deposit products include savings, money market, individual retirement, and NOW accounts; demand and time deposits; and certificates of deposit. Receive News & Ratings for Embassy Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Embassy Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nova R Wealth Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Get Rating) by 7.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,467 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 293 shares during the period. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF comprises about 0.7% of Nova R Wealth Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest position. Nova R Wealth Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $1,091,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of IWF. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 145,777.6% in 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 buying an additional 223,342,974 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 9.1% in 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 buying an additional 3,186,645 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,099,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,734,550,000 after buying an additional 1,283,522 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 16.9% in 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 buying an additional 828,749 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 5,150,534 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,103,450,000 after buying an additional 608,288 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Trading Up 0.4 % IWF stock traded up $1.16 during trading on Monday, hitting $270.41. The company had a trading volume of 82,836 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,478,317. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $255.19 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $238.51. The company has a market cap of $69.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a fifty-two week low of $202.05 and a fifty-two week high of $275.91. 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. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE:NEP Get Rating) by 8.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,194 shares of the solar energy providers stock after purchasing an additional 542 shares during the quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy Partners were worth $437,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Atticus Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in NextEra Energy Partners in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy Partners in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy Partners in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy Partners in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of NextEra Energy Partners by 69.6% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 546 shares of the solar energy providers stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.47% of the companys stock. Get NextEra Energy Partners alerts: NextEra Energy Partners Trading Up 0.8 % NEP traded up $0.44 during trading on Monday, reaching $59.05. 59,600 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 899,859. NextEra Energy Partners, LP has a one year low of $51.58 and a one year high of $86.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.25 billion, a PE ratio of 15.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.89. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $60.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $65.81. NextEra Energy Partners Increases Dividend NextEra Energy Partners ( NYSE:NEP Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The solar energy provider reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by ($0.48). The business had revenue of $301.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $355.92 million. NextEra Energy Partners had a return on equity of 2.38% and a net margin of 25.91%. The companys revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.72 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that NextEra Energy Partners, LP will post 1.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 5th were given a $0.8425 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 4th. This represents a $3.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.71%. This is an increase from NextEra Energy Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. NextEra Energy Partnerss payout ratio is 89.39%. Insider Transactions at NextEra Energy Partners In other news, Director Peter H. Kind purchased 1,750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 27th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $56.89 per share, for a total transaction of $99,557.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 32,340 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,839,822.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes NEP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of NextEra Energy Partners from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $53.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of NextEra Energy Partners from $85.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of NextEra Energy Partners in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of NextEra Energy Partners from $74.00 to $73.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of NextEra Energy Partners from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $77.80. NextEra Energy Partners Profile (Get Rating) NextEra Energy Partners, LP acquires, owns, and manages contracted clean energy projects in the United States. It owns a portfolio of contracted renewable generation assets consisting of wind, solar, and battery storage projects, as well as contracted natural gas pipeline assets. NextEra Energy Partners, LP was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS Get Rating) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $54.42. A number of research analysts recently issued reports on WBS shares. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Friday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Webster Financial from $54.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Webster Financial from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. StockNews.com started coverage on Webster Financial in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Webster Financial in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $56.00 price target for the company. Get Webster Financial alerts: Webster Financial Stock Performance Shares of WBS opened at $36.51 on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $36.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $43.15. Webster Financial has a 12-month low of $31.03 and a 12-month high of $56.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.38 billion, a PE ratio of 7.41 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Webster Financial Announces Dividend Webster Financial ( NYSE:WBS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The financial services provider reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.56 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $666.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $708.96 million. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 13.39% and a net margin of 28.33%. Webster Financials quarterly revenue was up 33.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.24 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Webster Financial will post 6.03 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 8th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.45%. Insider Transactions at Webster Financial In related news, COO Luis Massiani sold 16,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.27, for a total value of $596,320.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 115,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,291,752.31. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 154,856 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,104,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in Webster Financial by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 597,683 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $23,544,000 after buying an additional 19,435 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Webster Financial by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 388,003 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $15,295,000 after buying an additional 23,231 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its position in Webster Financial by 454.2% in the 1st quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 7,044 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 5,773 shares during the period. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its position in Webster Financial by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 47,021 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,854,000 after buying an additional 672 shares during the period. 85.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Webster Financial (Get Rating Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking. The Commercial Banking segment provides commercial real estate and equipment financing, business banking, asset-based lending, and commercial services; public sector finance; mortgage warehouse financing; treasury management services; credit, deposit, and cash flow management services; and wealth management solutions to business owners and operators, including trust, asset management, financial planning, insurance, retirement, and investment products, as well as derivative, treasury, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and trade products and services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Webster Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Webster Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:ZHUZY Get Rating) declared a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 29th will be given a dividend of 0.3081 per share on Wednesday, August 23rd. This represents a yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 28th. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Price Performance OTCMKTS ZHUZY opened at C$23.44 on Monday. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric has a 1-year low of C$23.44 and a 1-year high of C$23.44. The stocks 50 day moving average is C$23.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$22.92. Get Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric alerts: Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Company Profile (Get Rating) Further Reading 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. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Red Velvet Yeri made a buzz for appearing with straight eyebrows. But why is it a big deal? Red Velvet Yeri Shines in Elegant, Lovely Visuals With Straight Eyebrows Red Velvet Yeri left for Singapore to complete a promotion schedule for her web drama, "Bitch X Rich," co-starring with rising actress Lee Eun Saem. Before she departed from Incheon International Airport, Yeri allowed fans and media to have a mini photo op. She showed her lively side by smiling at the camera brightly, and even giving fan service by doing cute poses. On the same day, her photos were shared online. Yeri was praised for her elegant and mature beauty that gave off an actress vibe. Wearing an all-black ensemble on top of her black hair, the idol actress completed her look by balancing the colors with a white mini bag. However, when her photos circulated in a popular online community, web users particularly drew attention to one detail that "changed" her visuals - and that is her straight eyebrows! In the past, the idol used to have straight eyebrows that helped her achieve the innocent and lovely maknae image. However, she suddenly changed it into arches eyebrows and adopted heavier makeup rather than light coverage, which earned her criticism. Thus, after seeing Yeri with straight eyebrows and light makeup again, netters are hoping that she could maintain this again as she looks "more beautiful" with such an image. Some of the comments are: "She looks way better with straight eyebrows, however, it will also depend on how she styles herself. Back then, she has a lovely face so it's impossible for her to achieve an image like this, nevertheless." "Ah, freaking pretty. I feel like the preference of Yeri and fans met in this one." "I really wish Yeri will go back to this style. With just the right makeup, her visual synergy could have been amazing. Our lovely Yerim." Red Velvet Yeri Responds To Criticism Over Her Style Preferences This is not the first time that Yeri was given attention regarding her style choices and image. After debuting, Yeri seemed to have more opinions regarding her style and makeup, eventually drifting away from the cutesy image and going for the "hot girl" look. However, this decision of hers didn't sit well with her fans, leading her to be criticized for pursuing an image that "doesn't suit" her and was even accused of imitating IU, Girls' Generation Taeyeon, and BLACKPINK Jennie. Amid everything, Yeri confessed she was aware of it, but showed her desire to continue living her way regardless of what people say about her. In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan Korea, Yeri addressed the judgments regarding her visuals and amazed people by saying that she was done with pleasing others. "Ah, there are (definitely judgments against me). My job is the kind where people would say, 'Why are you going for seagull-shaped eyebrows when you look better with straight eyebrows?' At first, I was bothered by it since I still don't know myself and I don't have a set of preferences. So, when I hear something like that, I would think, 'Should I just stick with my straight eyebrows?' But later on, I realized that's living for others, not for myself." Yeri continued by expressing her resolution to do what makes her happy instead, saying: "I was so young when I debut so I am clueless, but after getting older, It hits me that I should live my life for myself, and do things that I want. Now, I don't care anymore about random judgments from people I barely know." For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dawson. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. MANSFIELD, La. Melissa Welch was delivering newspapers early on the morning of March 30, 2010 when she saw a man in a green Action Taxi cab ATK New Delhi [India], June 26: Amidst the gloom of a market-wide dip, meme coins have occupied the centre stage of the crypto world with stellar price climbs and exciting projects. Meme coins are also one of the best assets to hold in this time of market uncertainty with their resilience and growing utility. But finding the right meme coin is easier said than done. Also Read | Air India Pilot Says Duty Time Over, Halts London-Delhi Flight in Jaipur; Stranded Passengers Sent by Road. Milady Meme Coin (LADYS) and Bone ShibaSwap (BONE) have been on the news with their potential in the crypto market. This article will look at the potential of LADYS and BONE and also at Caged Beasts (BEASTS), a unique meme coin with promise. Read on to find which of these tokens make the cut for the meme coin of the year title. Milady Meme Coin: The New Meme Coin ChampionMilady Meme Coin (LADYS) burst into the scene on May 8, 2023, and quickly gained momentum after a tweet by Elon Musk. This token, based on the Miladys NFT collection launched in 2021, reached an all-time high on May 11, 2023, following Musk's tweet. The token's price stability and growth potential have attracted investors seeking meme coins with substantial returns. Also Read | Lionel Messi Could Step Away Temporarily From Argentina National Team to Focus on New Club Inter Miami: Report. The Milady Meme Coin team focuses on community development, with plans to attain CEX listings and establish the "Milady Academy." This strategic approach enhances engagement and creates a vibrant ecosystem around the token. Currently trading on PancakeSwap, Milady Meme Coin offers investors accessibility and liquidity. Bone ShibaSwap: The Token Running Shiba Inu's Decentralisation PushBone ShibaSwap (BONE) serves as a governance token for the renowned ShibaSwap decentralised exchange (DEX). As the foundation of ShibaSwap's future development, BONE holders participate in voting on proposals, including the addition of new pairs to the platform. Moreover, BONE holders are incentivised through rewards for providing liquidity to the ShibaSwap DEX. With a total supply of 250 million tokens, BONE demonstrates a balanced approach to distribution, with 100 million tokens currently in circulation. Being an ERC-20 token, BONE offers versatility and can be traded on various exchanges, including Uniswap (UNI) and Binance (BNB). By empowering decentralisation and rewarding community participation, Bone ShibaSwap aims to carve a niche in the meme coin market. What Makes Caged Beasts the Meme Coin of the Year?Caged Beasts sets itself apart with a compelling approach to meme coins. This upcoming project has gained attention through its innovative referral program, allowing holders to refer friends and family to the network. With personalised referral codes, holders receive 20% of the deposited amount in ETH, BNB, or USDT. The new investor is also rewarded with a 20% bonus of BEASTS. Such an inclusive and incentivised system fosters a strong community, ensuring the project's growth and visibility. Transparency is a core value of Caged Beasts, as demonstrated by their liquidity policy. 75% of tokens are reserved for the presale, while the remaining tokens are dedicated to marketing efforts. This transparent allocation strategy instills confidence in potential investors, making Caged Beasts a project of promise. The Final Take BONE and LADYS present the exciting face of the meme coin world with their community-driven and exciting networks. The potential to perform incredible price climbs and be the centre of development frameworks, LADYS and BONE to be great assets to hold. But the Caged Beasts project, with its unique referral scheme and transparent policies, emerges as the strongest contender for the meme coin of the year title. To Know More About Caged Beasts: Website: https://cagedbeasts.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAGED_BEASTS Telegram: https://t.me/CAGEDBEASTS (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The UN wants every person on the globe to be covered by early warning systems within the next five years. What are they and how do they work?As the climate warms, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events such as heat waves, cities including Santiago de Chile, Los Angeles and Melbourne have taken the step of appointing so-called chief heat officers. Their job is to find ways to protect citizens from the dangerous effects of extreme heat. Also Read | World News | Senior Lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan Demands PM Shehbaz Sharifs Resignation. Eleni Myrivili, who got the ball rolling in Europe when she was appointed to the role in Athens, Greece, says awareness around natural disaster risks is key. In that spirit, two years ago, she and her team began categorizing heat waves in terms of their effect on human health. Also Read | India News | Wrestlers Move Delhi Court Seeking Copy of Charge Sheet Filed Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. "We now have a way of predicting the types of heat waves that are going to come next week, whether they're particularly dangerous for people or not so dangerous," she said. Once it's apparent how bad a heat wave is going to be, those most at risk are told how to stay safe. The initiative, which has since spread to other countries and cities, ties in neatly with a recent UN announcement to invest $3.1 ($2.8) billion to ensure everyone on the planet is covered by early warning systems by 2027. "The idea behind the mission is that every person who loses their life due to weather, water, climate or related environmental hazards is one too many," said Johan Stander, director of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Services Department. What are early warning systems and how do they work? Given the different weather extremes that require early warnings and the endlessly varying sets of personal circumstances to be taken into account, there is no one single fix for getting people out of harm's way. But Kurt Shickman, director of extreme heat initiatives at the Washington-based climate resilience foundation Arsht-Rock Center, says messaging is key, "because there is a lot people can do with their own behavior to keep themselves safer." Radio, TV and text messages can be powerful communication channels, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN agency for information and communication technologies. And text messages can even be targeted to specifically reach those in at-risk areas. But with more than 2.7 billion people on the planet still offline, such channels can only go so far. "That's a great concern," said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. "Out of the world's 46 least developed countries, 26 are in Africa. And these are huge countries where people live in remote areas, and it's difficult to reach them as they are lagging behind in terms of connectivity." He says one solution is to launch satellites, especially low Earth orbit (LEO) ones, which are more affordable and make it possible for populations even in remote areas to be covered by a signal. ITU is also betting on a multi-hazard approach which makes use of whatever is available. In many isolated places across the world, church bells, loudspeakers and sirens are still used as backup warning systems, for instance. Back in Athens, the message about coming heat waves is spread via social media, telephone hotlines and an extreme heat app that's now also being used in Milan, Paris and Rotterdam. "Our app Extrema Global shows you your personalized risk, depending on where you are in the city and your age and your gender and whether you have preexisting conditions," Myrivili said. "It also tells you on the map where to go to take cover, where the cool spots are around you." Bangladesh built storm-resistant shelters ahead of time Letting people know where they can take shelter is important. As is building those shelters. One country that has excelled in that field is Bangladesh. Scarred by the 1970 Bhola cyclone the deadliest recorded in human history which killed as many as half a million people, the South Asian country has gone from 42 shelters in the 70s to more than 12,000 today. And that has paid off. When Cyclone Amphan hit in 2020, it claimed the lives of 128 people across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. By comparison, almost 200 people died in Germany when major floods ravaged the country one year later. The rains were less heavy, the region much less populated and less low-lying, yet there were more fatalities. "Bangladesh is streets ahead of any other country in the world in improving its ability to manage the risks of natural disasters," Saleemul Huq, director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCAD) and one of the world's leading experts on climate adaptation, told DW. "We can typically warn and move 2 to 3 million people every time there's a cyclone warning and the deaths have come down very significantly." Storm fatalities in Bangladesh have dropped from six figures to double digits in the space of a few decades. More data, digitalization and local expertise needed Early warning systems assess risks using meteorological data. The problem is that this can only be done successfully when weather data is openly shared among all member states, according to Stader. "Weather systems move across borders. Our infrastructure and data from the ground is extremely important," he said. In 2021, the WMO made a resolution that the meteorological services in UN countries have to share their weather information. But not every country has its own data at least, not digitalized. In Tajikistan, for example, a century's worth of weather data only exists on paper. "Digitization of historic data is not an easy task," Stader said, but added that doing so could provide more precise weather forecasts or be applied to climate modeling. What to do with the data when it's there? In order to help experts improve the overall analysis of meteorological data with a view to predicting weather events, the WMO has opened regional centers that provide acces to training in severe weather forecasting. But Zavazava says it is also important to offer the general public regular training and drills so they know how to interpret different signals and how to find the nearest escape routes or shelter. "Once, an alarm was given through a siren and it was very musical. The small kids in the community were dancing, thinking that it's music when in fact it was an alert, but people didn't know and so they didnt seek shelter," Zavazava recalled. "So we have to design alarms in a way that they irritate. The alarm also needs to be followed by a message in the local language explaining the next steps. That will automatically save lots of lives." Edited by: Tamsin Walker (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2023 06:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) Ahmedabad will host a two-day Urban20 mayoral summit from July 7 that is expected to bring together several city leaders and mayors from across G20 nations, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said on Monday. The ministry said that U20 is an engagement group under India's G20 presidency. It is a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries, emphasising the role of cities in taking forward the global agenda for sustainable development through collaboration among cities. Also Read | Himachal Pradesh Flash Floods Video: Hundreds of Commuters Stranded As Chandigarh-Manali National Highway Blocked. According to a statement, more than 20 mayors from across the world and about 25 mayors from Indian cities will share their experiences of their respective city-level actions and initiatives, Ahmedabad is the U20 Chair for the current sixth cycle and is supported by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) as the Technical Secretariat, and MoHUA as the nodal ministry, it said. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Man Held in Rs 70 Crore Drug Bust Case of 2021; Bajrang Dal Functionary Says Accused Son of BJP Leader. "Besides the deliberations among mayors, one of the highlights of the upcoming Summit will be four thematic sessions focusing on U20 priorities," the ministry said in the statement. Six white papers focusing on the six U20 priorities will also be released in these sessions by the dignitaries. Another exclusive session for mayors will be a round table on climate finance led by U20 conveners, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), C40 and the cities of Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Ahmedabad, it added. Spotlight sessions are scheduled during the Summit to focus on aspects of urban resilience, city readiness for investments, inclusion, circular economy and data-driven governance, showcasing the research and work being undertaken by organisations in various cities across India and the world. "The key outcome of any U20 Mayoral Summit is the handover of the U20 Communique by the attending Mayors to the G20 leaders. The U20 Communique is an action-oriented collaboratively prepared document that brings to the fore the role that cities can play in taking forward the G20 agenda and includes recommendations and endorsements from a number of cities," the statement stated. The event will also host an exhibition showcasing India's urban story, especially city-level successes, notable projects and innovative initiatives. There will also be a screening of select films to help raise awareness about the multifaceted impacts of climate change on urban areas and vice versa, it added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) The Indian Army has been adjudged as the top organisation among the central government departments for procurement on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for the financial year 2022-23, officials said on Monday. Vice Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar received the prestigious award on behalf of the Army on Monday. Also Read | Monsoon 2023 Wreaks Havoc in Maharashtra, Six Killed Due to Heavy Rains in Mumbai in Past 24 Hours. Approximately 16,000 buyers (in the context of the Army) are registered on GeM, the officials said, adding that on an average, 60,000-80,000 transactions take place every month. The maximum of up to two lakh transactions took place in March in 2022-23, they said. The Army took to Twitter to share the information. Also Read | Air India Passenger Urinates, Defecates Inside Plane: Flyer Arrested for Defecating and Urinating on Mumbai-Delhi Flight. #IndianArmy has been felicitated with platinum award for standing as Top Organisation (Central) on the Government e-Marketplace #GeM (GMV) for the financial year 2022-23. Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar #VCOAS received the prestigious award on behalf of the #IndianArmy today at #NewDelhi. #IndianArmy remains committed towards achieving transparency, efficiency and inclusivity in public procurement in line with the #DigitalIndia initiative of the Nation. #IndianArmy #OnPathToTransformation," it said in a tweet. Earlier, in another tweet, the Army had said it was adjudged as the "best organisation in the Ministry of Defence" for procurement on GeM for the financial year 2022-23. It put out another tweet subsequently, updating the caption. The concerted efforts of all entities have manifested in the "exponential increase" in the procurement in successive years, a senior official said. "In pursuance of the PMO's overarching objective to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement, since the inception of GeM, the Indian Army has been earnestly working towards 100 per cent procurement of all goods and services on GeM," he said. The Army has achieved the top position in spite of several challenges, the officials said. "These include intermittent Internet accessibility in remote areas.... Training of manpower down to sub-unit levels for expeditious procurement, given the sheer size of the Army," the official said. The procurement target for FY 2023-24 is "Rs 10,000 crore and is expected to be Rs 15,000 crore due to the on-boarding of maximum goods and services," the official said, adding that putting in place a robust and efficient complaint and grievances redressal mechanism for responsive procurement is also under consideration. (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 26 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside the conviction and sentence of life imprisonment awarded to Satender Solanki, giving him benefit of doubt. Solanki, a former MLA from Barnava, had challenged the 2019 judgment of a trial court in a case related to the murder of one Inder Pal Dhaka on June 24, 1997. Also Read | Maharashtra Sets Communal Harmony Example: Muslims To Celebrate Bakrid Day After Ashadi Ekadashi in Aurangabads Pandharpur. The division bench comprising justices Mukta Gupta and Poonam A Bamba set aside the judgment and directed the jail authorities to release Satender Solanki. The bench allowed the appeal in view of discrepancies in the statement of the complainant. "The prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, conviction of the appellant for the offences punishable under Sections302/307IPC, cannot be sustained. The impugned judgment of conviction and order on sentence is accordingly set aside," the bench said in the judgment on June 26. Also Read | Monsoon 2023 Wreaks Havoc in Maharashtra, Six Killed Due to Heavy Rains in Mumbai in Past 24 Hours. The high courtt said the complainant was a chance witness. The prosecution failed to place on record any evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, the presence of the complainant at the spot at the time of the incident. "Rather, the best evidence in this regard of injured/eye-witness and res gestae evidence of Tarun Kumar, who scribed the complaint soon after the incident and even the medical record of Suri Nursing Home and the doctor who examined the deceased, which could have proved the presence of complainant at the time of incident, was not produced/examined," the bench said in the judgment. The court said as per the post-mortem report, there were 17 gunshot injuries of entry and exit wounds, on the body of the deceased, which would have resulted in profuse bleeding. Whereas complaint in his cross-examination stated that not much blood was oozing out of his brother"s (deceased) body at that time. "It is unbelievable that a person who was shot at indiscriminately and had suffered as many as 17 injuries, not much blood oozed out from his wounds," the court noted. The bench further said, " It would also not be out of place to mention here that the fact that the deceased was involved in many cases of murder etc. of different police stations: and that the State Government had announced a reward of Rs. 50,000 on the deceased for getting him arrested. Further, the complainant himself submitted that his brother, the deceased, had contested assembly election as an independent candidate against Madan Bhaiya, the court noted. Even Investigation Officer (IO) deposed that during investigation, he had recorded in his diary about enmity of the deceased with Madan Bhaiya and Sushil Moonch. Thus, argument of the learned counsel for the complainant/ Prosecutor that it was the appellant, who (alone) had harboured enmity against the deceased to commit the crime, does not lie, the bench remarked. Delhi's Patiala House court on 29.04.2019 had convicted Satender Solanki and his brother Harender Solanki for the offences 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) IPC. An FIR was registered at police station Civil Lines, Meerut, UP. The trial court had passed an order on sentence dated 07.05.2019, sentencing him to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs. 25,000. The case of prosecution is that on 24.06.1997, one Inder Pal Dhaka along with Ashok Kumar was travelling in a car bearing from his residence to University. Dhaka was shot dead in a discriminatory firing by the appellant and other accused persons. Satender Solanki/the appellant and his brother Billu, sons of Krishan Singh, a resident of Jiwana Guliyan in Meerut district, came on a scooter and both of them started firing on Inderpal Dhaka, due to which he received many bullet injuries. Ashok Kumar also received a bullet injury on his hip. The complainant, Amarpal Singh Dhaka, with the help of the persons gathered at the spot, took both the injured namely Ashok Kumar and his brother Inderpal Singh to Suri Nursing Home, where the doctors declared Inderpal Dhaka as brought dead. Thereafter, the injured, Ashok Kumar, was got admitted to Medical College, Meerut, where he was treated and discharged on 30.06.1997. A case was registered on the written complaint by Amarpal Singh Dhaka, elder brother of the deceased. It was argued by the Senior advocate KK Manan, counsel for the appellant Solanki, that prosecution has failed to prove the motive for the assailants/appellant to kill the deceased. The appellant had no enmity either with the deceased Inder Pal Singh Dhaka or with the injured Ashok Kumar; he has been a victim of political rivalry. It was argued by the prosecution that the Investigating Officer deliberately and intentionally left the loopholes in the investigation to help the appellant. They did not record the statement of the injured/eye-witness. Further, in a case of murder, where the victim died of gunshot wounds, the IO failed to seek a ballistic examination report. Not only this, no official photographer was called to photograph the spot and the car, in which the murder took place, the prosecution submitted. Further, instead of providing protection to the injured/witness, IO chose rather not to examine the crucial witness, the prosecution said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 26 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Centre for Peace, Research and Sustainable Development (JKCPRS) in collaboration with J-K Students Association here on Monday conducted a virtual interactive session for students of Jammu and Kashmir who are preparing for civil services under the title "Mastering the JKAS Journey". The session was attended by a large number of civil service aspirants, as well as, young students. Also Read | MBSE HSLC, HSSLC Compartment Result 2023 Out at mbse.edu.in: Mizoram Board Declares Class 10th and 12th Compartment Exam Results, Get Direct Link and Know How To Check Scores. The webinar was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Students Association Media Coordinator and JKCPRS Research Fellow Umar Masoodi and President North Zone Jammu and Kashmir Students Association and JKCPRS Research Associate Aadil Bhat who welcomed the students with his opening remarks. Snowber Jamil (KAS-2012) was a guest on the occasion and shared insights on cracking different competitive exams. Also Read | Who Was Devraj Patel? Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai Meme Guy Dies in Road Accident Everything To Know About the 22-Year-Old Indian YouTuber. She covered various aspects, including exam schemes and patterns, approaches for prelims and mains, recommended study materials and books, effective use of online resources and the importance of staying updated with current affairs through newspaper reading. The students found her comprehensive coverage of these topics satisfactory. She reiterated that along with hard work, the employment of smart work is equally important, besides, she assured aspirants that she will be always there to help the students. The session was followed by a question-answer session, in which, aspirants posed different questions to the guest. The aspirants queried about the ethics, integrity and aptitude paper and the approach to handling the theory and the case studies part. They also asked about the cut-off needed to qualify in the prelims and the mains examination. This year's prelims exam was one of the toughest, both CSAT and General Studies papers were difficult for the aspirants. Jamil emphasized the criticality of dedication, commitment and passion in cracking competitive exams. She advised aspirants to devote quality time to preparation, thoroughly understand the syllabus, and cover all exam components and should add to their knowledge base by understanding the syllabus. She further urged aspirants to put extra effort in order to fulfil and achieve their dreams. She advised aspirants to not skip preparing from books at the cost of online material available on the internet. For nervousness, anxiety, and stress, she advised aspirants to maintain balance while preparing for the exams and shared her personal experience of keeping all these things away during her preparation time. She also highlighted that young girls should appear in competitive exams, as girls on every front in the country are cracking civil services exams with flying colours. Referring to the recent IAS toppers, the top rankers were girls, she spoke to fill the gender disparity in Jammu and Kashmir in competitive exams. She also drew the attention of the aspirants to essay papers and the answer writing practice and suggested the aspirants at least attend one comprehensive test series for both prelim and main examinations. Founder of J-K Centre for Peace, Research and Sustainable Development Nasir Khuehami said, "This session was conducted in view of guiding the marginalized and poor students, who are fully competent to crack the civil service exams, but don't succeed for lack of guidance. In future, we have plans to conduct many more sessions for our students, in order to guide and mentor students". He thanked Snowber Jamil for gracing the virtual interactive session with her presence. Khuehami said that JKCPRS and JKSA have jointly planned a series of seminars, webinars and interactions with the IAS officers, JKAS officers and various subject experts. He said the aim of organizing such sessions is to provide guidance to the aspirants regarding the preparations for the competitive exams. Addressing the aspirants JKSA Media Coordinator and JKCPRS Research Associate Umar Masoodi said that, the students of J-K are highly intelligent and competent, however, there is a lack of guidance for students. "Such sessions are highly important not only to guide the aspirants to crack the competitive exams, but they also galvanize young students to go in this direction. JKSA North Head and Research Associate JKCPRS Aadil Bhat said that, with such information blast on competitive exams, aspirants still lack a proper path to follow while choosing the field of competitive exams," he said. "To provide a pragmatic approach to all such upcoming promising minds, JKCPRS is not helping those but giving a proper platform to raise their queries and to get their solutions in these interactions. The speaker's knowledge and experience provided a deeper understanding of the strategies and techniques needed to succeed in the JKPSC examinations," he added. Co-founder JKCPRS, Ummar Jamal during the address underscored the notion that there is simply no alternative to hard work when it comes to achieving success in the JKPSC examinations. He said that "I hope JKCPRS serves as a platform to impart crucial guidance and instil a sense of determination among aspirants." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, Jun 26 (PTI) A portion of plaster fell from the ceiling of a civic-run hospital in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Monday. No one was injured in the incident which took place at around 11.30 pm on Sunday at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital located in Kalwa area, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. Also Read | Istanbul: LGBTQ Community Tries to Hold Pride Amid Arrests. A portion of the ceiling plaster opposite the cardiac section fell down, the official said. A fire brigade team and personnel from the regional disaster management cell rushed to the spot and removed the remaining part of the plaster which was hanging in a dangerous condition, he said. Also Read | Kerala Shocker: Man Arrested for Assaulting, Raping Woman in Thiruvananthapuram. Repairs at the site will be undertaken by authorities concerned, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, June 26: Air France has said its flight from Paris to Toronto was cancelled due to a technical problem and unavailability of a new aircraft, amid many passengers, including those who travelled from India to take the connecting flight, getting stranded at Paris airport. In a tweet, Air France said it sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation and is doing its utmost to get customers to their final destination as quickly as possible. Air France Suspends Two Pilots After In-Flight Cockpit Brawl. The airline's response was to a series of tweets by a Twitter user highlighting the issues being faced by the stranded Indian passengers at Paris airport. "We confirm that flight AF356 on June 24, 2023, from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Toronto had to be cancelled due to a technical problem and the unavailability of a new aircraft. Air-France-KLM Launches First Long-Haul Flight With Eco-Fuel Derived From Waste Cooking Oils. "Some customers without Schengen visas and therefore not allowed to leave the terminal building were taken care of and assisted by Air France teams, and accommodated in a dedicated area of the airport. Air France sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation and is doing its utmost to get customers to their final destination as quickly as possible," the airline said. In a series of tweets, Paris-based journalist Noopur Tiwari said that for the record, passengers arrived in Paris on June 23 from Bombay on flight AF 217 and were to board AF 356 to Toronto, and the latter flight was cancelled. She also tweeted a statement quoting Indian Embassy in Paris as saying, "Embassy officials are on way to the airport to negotiate with Air France and airport authorities to arrive at an amicable settlement". A statement from Air France on the issue was awaited. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shillong, June 26: At least 5 persons, including 2 BSF personnel, were injured when villagers attacked a border outpost in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Sunday night, officials said. The incident took place around 10pm at Umsyiem village near Dawki town, 100 km south of the state capital, when a mob attacked the outpost, officials said on Monday. BSF Meghalaya Frontier inspector general Pradip Kumar told PTI, In the last few days, we seized a huge number of items meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh and identified the smugglers. Due to this, they led a mob to attack the outpost forcing the BSF to retaliate by firing in the air. Manipur Violence: 12 Millitants Bunkers Destroyed in State in Last 24 Hours, Says Police. At least 2 BSF personnel were injured when they were hit by stones pelted by the mob, he said, adding that some of the villagers tried to enter the outpost forcefully and they were pushed back. In the incident, at least three villagers were also injured, according to eyewitnesses. The incident took place when a vehicle with three occupants allegedly broke down near the outpost, the eyewitness told PTI. This infuriated the BSF who accused the trio of being smugglers and charged them. The news of the attack spread and nearby villagers came to their rescue, he said. The villagers also accused the BSF personnel of being drunk on duty, which was refuted by the IG. Manipur Violence: Internet Ban Extended Again Till June 30 To Prevent Any Disturbances of Peace and Public Order. All personnel at the border are strictly not allowed to drink, Kumar said. The officer said local police and senior BSF officials rushed to the spot to contain the situation. An inquiry has been instituted, Kumar informed. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sambhal (UP), Jun 26 (PTI) Two suspected cattle smugglers and a police constable were injured during an encounter in the district's Asmoli area, officials said on Monday. The encounter took place in the morning when a police team, acting on a tip-off, surrounded a gang of suspected cattle smugglers near the Gumsani village, Superintendent of Police Chakresh Mishra said. Also Read | Chennai Lift Horror: Man Crushed to Death After His Leg Gets Stuck in Elevator, Hotel Manager Among Three Booked. Constable Arjun Khatri suffered a bullet injury on his hand during the gunfire exchange, he said. The police said two injured smugglers, identified as Saif Ali and Shan Mohammad, were arrested. Also Read | Odisha Bus Accident: 10 Killed, Several Injured After Two Buses Collide in Ganjam District (See Pics). Later, four other members of the smuggling gang -- identified as Shariq, Saleem, Faheem and Shami -- were also nabbed. The gang allegedly smuggled cattle for slaughter, the police said, adding that a detailed probe is underway. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kabul [Afghanistan], June 26 (ANI): Graduates of a medical school in Afghanistan's Paktia University on their graduation day called on the Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls immediately, Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported, adding that the graduates stressed that girls have the right to education and their time should not be wasted. Ahmadullah, a graduate student, said there were girls with them during this period. He further said that girls have been banned from universities after the Taliban seized power in August 2021, according to the TOLO News report. Also Read | South Korea To Create USD 230 Million Fund for Chip Industry. Mohammad Mustafa, a graduate student, said, "In a society, we need female and male doctors." Some of the family members of the graduate students who took part in the ceremony expressed hope that one day their daughters will get the graduation certificate along with the boys. Dawood, a Paktia resident, said, "We all want to reopen schools and universities for girls and for girls to also get their diplomas along with the boys." Baraktullah Takal, a Paktia resident, said, "We call on higher education to allow girls to go to schools and universities because we need female doctors," TOLO News reported. Also Read | UK: Indian-Origin Woman Jailed for Using Minors in Drugs Trade. Taliban-led deputy minister of Higher Education said they will act on the matter regarding girls' education according to the decision of Taliban leadership. Lutfullah Khairkhwa said, "It is clear to everyone that it is suspended until the second order, when we have the second order, schools will start on that date," TOLO News reported. The information shared by officials said that 146 people graduated from the medical school of Paktia University. However, there were no female graduates among them. Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, at the 53rd regular session of the Human Rights Council said in Afghanistan, women's public presence has been totally erased by the 'Taliban', TOLO News reported. Irene Khan in the report said that women's rights groups play an important role in the struggle for gender equality and in promoting the agency of women. "Women's rights groups play an important role in the struggle for gender equality and in promoting the agency of women. They have come under pressure as civic space has shrunk in a number of countries, the most egregious example being Afghanistan, where women's public presence has been totally erased by the Taliban," the report read, as per TOLO News. Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to UNOG, Suraya Azizi, said, "Since the unlawful takeover of Afghanistan, women and girls continue to remain at an ever-increasing risk of violence. Mr President, systematic discrimination against women and girls, a core element of the Taliban's form of rule, has normalized gender-based violence. The restrictive environment they face outside the homes has multiplied instances of domestic violence." "Ignoring women's ability to run the government and removing them from social, political, and civil positions will leave the nation with more economic and social problems and lead to personality stagnation in a generation," said Nazela Hassanzada, a women's rights activist, according to TOLO News. Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, challenged claims that women had been entirely exiled from the political and social sphere, saying some women were employed by institutions of the Afghan government and they would be assigned in other institutions. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guatemala City, Jun 26 (AP) Preliminary results in Guatemala's presidential election pointed to the likelihood of a second round of voting and narrowed the field considerably early on Monday from nearly two dozen contenders to the two candidates from opposite ends of the political spectrum leading for spots in the August 20 runoff. With 98 per cent of the votes counted early on Monday, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal reported that former first lady Sandra Torres for the conservative UNE party had captured 15.7 per cent of the vote and Bernardo Arevalo for the leftist Seed Movement had 11.8 per cent. In a more distant third, was Miguel Conde of the ruling VAMOS party with 7.8 per cent. Also Read | Indian Passengers Stranded at Paris Airport After Air France Cancels Connecting Flight to Toronto. That is far from the 50 per cent threshold needed to win in the first round. A cluster of other candidates hovered between 6 per cent and 7 per cent of the votes. Invalid ballots from a frustrated electorate led all the candidates with nearly all ballots tallied. Gabriel Aguilera, a magistrate on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, said before dawn Monday that while not definitive, the trend showed that we have three parties leading. The tribunal scheduled another news conference for later Monday morning. Also Read | South Korea To Create USD 230 Million Fund for Chip Industry. Torres, watching the results from a downtown hotel conference room, told reporters that regardless of her opponent, she was ready for the runoff and God willing, to be Guatemala's first woman president. She recognised the high number of invalid ballots and said it indicated the citizens' lack of confidence in the process. But the real surprise was the Seed Movement, whose candidate Arevalo conceded the early returns surprised him too. At the central voting computation centre, Arevalo said he would take the faith that voters showed in him on Sunday and use it to pull the country out of the swamp if elected. The results are the exhaustion of the people with the traditional political class, Arevalo said. The vote came amid Guatemala's worrisome drift toward authoritarianism. Voters worried about security, education and jobs hoped that even if the next president didn't represent the change element they hoped for, he or she would at least recognize the importance of the country's institutions and halt the erosion that occurred under President Alejandro Giammattei. In four years, Guatemala went from an aggressive pursuit of networks of corrupt actors to a relentless persecution of the very prosecutors and judges who propelled it. More than two dozen justice figures have fled the country. With them in exile, the government then turned its sights to other critical voices, including the media. Earlier this month, a tribunal sentenced newspaper founder Jose Ruben Zamora to six years in prison for money laundering, in what press freedom groups decried as Giammattei silencing a prominent critic. As the presidential campaign got underway earlier this year, electoral authorities and courts kept three prominent candidates from the left and right, but all promising to disrupt the status quo off the ballot. Barred from participating, they called for their supporters to cast null ballots. It's the democratic way of rejecting the system, said Roberto Arzu, who briefly ran a conservative law-and-order campaign before authorities ruled him ineligible for allegedly starting his campaign prematurely. Other popular excluded candidates were leftist Thelma Cabrera from the Indigenous Mam people and Carlos Pineda, a conservative populist running an outsider campaign and leading in the polls until his candidacy was cancelled a month before the vote. The stronger-than-expected showing by the Seed Movement a leftist party whose presidential candidate Arevalo hadn't been among leading candidates in the most recent polls was the perhaps the biggest shock. Arevalo is the son of Juan Jose Arevalo, one of only two leftist presidents in Guatemala's democratic era. In 2019, Arevalo won a seat in the congress for the Seed Movement, which he had founded. He had previously been a career diplomat, serving as Guatemala's ambassador to Spain and a deputy foreign affairs minister in the administration of President Ramiro de Leon Carpio during the mid-1990s. Arevalo, 64, is a social democrat and campaigned on social justice, as well as restoring the rule of law and separation of powers. This is the 67-year-old Torres' third try for presidency. She was first lady during the 2008-2012 presidency of social democrat Alvaro Colom, until they divorced in 2011. Her running mate is a former evangelical preacher and they have pledged to maintain Guatemala's strict anti-abortion law and other policies related to conservative family values. She campaigned on increasing support for the poor and improving security. More recently, she has been Giammattei's strongest ally in congress, marshalling her party's votes to support him, something that earned her the distrust of many Guatemalans. Torres was charged with campaign finance crimes in 2019 and jailed. She never went to trial, however, because the Constitutional Court ruled that she couldn't be charged because of a legal reform approved with the support of her party. Edgar Gutierrez, a political analyst and former foreign affairs minister for Guatemala, said before the vote that some of those most likely to advance to a second round would promise at least a modicum of improvement over Giammattei. This time the problem is to rescue the rule of law and reconstruct institutions, because if we don't do this, you won't be able to address all of the underlying problems, Gutierrez said. The problem isn't isolated to Guatemala in Central America. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has gone to extremes to quash all opposition, first terrorizing with his security forces, persecuting enemies through targeted legislation, then jailing and exiling any critical voices. El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, is wildly popular at home, but has concentrated power in the congress and judiciary, weakening the system of checks and balances. More than a year after suspending some fundamental rights, the government has jailed more than 60,000 people accused of ties to the country's powerful street gangs. In Honduras, a prominent government watchdog fled the country with her family this month, weeks after her organization published a report expressing concern that President Xiomara Castro has sprinkled relatives throughout the government in key positions. Everything that is happening in Central America is this, a disenchantment in democracy, the discrediting of democratic institutions par excellence, Gutierrez said. So the people because of that are leaving Guatemala. They are emigrating because the democracy does not produce results. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, DC, June 26: Hailing relations with India, US President Joe Biden said that the friendship between the two nations is among the "most consequential in the world." Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Biden said, "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever." Responding to Biden's tweet, Prime Minister Modi said friendship between India and the US is a force for global good. "I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable," PM Modi tweeted. 'Cheers!' PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden Raise 'Non-Alcohol' Toast at White House State Dinner, Share Laugh on Joke (Watch Video). I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more. https://t.co/iEEhBIYG17 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2023 "The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," he said further. Prime Minister Modi embarked on his maiden state visits to the US and Egypt from June 20-25. He concluded his state visit to the US on June 24 and embarked for Cairo from there. Joe Biden Says India, US Friendship Among Most Consequential In World During his US visit, the Prime Minister attended various events and met top Indian and American CEOs. He received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the White House. He was hosted by US President Joe Biden as well as First Lady Jill Biden for a state dinner at the White House, as well as a State Luncheon by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Vice President Kamala Harris. Before emplaning for Egypt, PM Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC and compared the meeting with a "sweet dish after a meal" at his farewell address. Upon arrival in Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had various engagements with the leaders and Indian diaspora there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden Hold Bilateral Talks in Oval Office in White House (See Pics and Video). On Saturday, PM Modi held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the Arab nation. On Sunday, PM Modi held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during which they signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership". The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. PM Modi was conferred Egypt's highest state honour from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It was the thirteenth state honour of its kind to be given to him. In the past nine years, PM Modi has received many international awards including Companion of the Order of Logohu, Companion of the Order of Fiji and Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau, among others. As a part of his state visit to Egypt, PM Modi also visited the pyramids of Giza in Cairo and the Al-Hakim Mosque as well. After visiting the Al-Hakim Mosque, PM Modi went to Heliopolis War Cemetery and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices during the First World War. Notably, PM Modi visited Egypt at 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 is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tokyo, June 26: Japan may have entered its ninth wave of COVID infections, said an expert who served as the government's top coronavirus adviser, Kyodo News reported. The expert stressed on the importance of safeguarding vulnerable elderly individuals from the disease. "A ninth wave may have started," the expert, Shigeru Omi told reporters after meeting with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss the recent nationwide increase in infections after the government eased countermeasures, including downgrading the legal status of the disease to the same category as seasonal influenza in May. Coronavirus Origin: US Intelligence Report on COVID-19 Origins Rejects Some Points Raised by Lab Leak Theory Proponents. "As people have been increasingly in contact with others, (the infection rise) is as expected," Omi said, as per Kyodo News. He underscored that people at high risk of developing severe illness should be vaccinated. Japan PMM Fumio Kishida Meets COVID-19 Experts #PMinAction: On June 26, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida exchanged views with the COVID-19 experts at the Prime Ministers Office. https://t.co/DfmhHfvsBX#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/DtB2RPnAIO PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) June 26, 2023 "I don't know if the number of infected people will surpass that of the eighth wave, but we should focus on reducing the number of deaths and ensuring the continuity of social activities," he said. Omicron-Specific mRNA-based Booster Vaccine for COVID-19 Launched by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. With its decision to categorize COVID-19 as a common disease, Japan had announced to end current border control measures on foreign tourists from May 8, Kyodo News had earlier reported. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Muscat [Oman], June 26 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday met Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman Haitham bin Tarik and delivered a personal message of greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported. The Prime Minister of Oman received the message when he gave an audience to National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, at Al Baraka Palace. Also Read | Indian Passengers Stranded at Paris Airport After Air France Cancels Connecting Flight to Toronto. Doval conveyed the greetings of PM Modi to the Prime Minister of Oman, along with his wishes for progress and prosperity for Oman. In return, Haitham bin Tarik conveyed his greetings to PM Modi, as well as wished him for further progress and prosperity in India, according to ONA. Also Read | South Korea To Create USD 230 Million Fund for Chip Industry. According to ONA, the audience was attended by the Minister of the Royal Office General Sultan Mohammed Al Nu'amani who received Ajit Doval and his accompanying delegation this morning. At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of the Royal Office welcomed Doval and extended his thanks and appreciation to the Prime Minister of Oman for further means of cooperation in order to achieve common interests between Muscat and New Delhi, as per ONA. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and reviewed bilateral relations between Oman and India. They also explored means of expanding these relations in all fields and exchanged views about various issues of common interest. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], June 26 (ANI): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said on Monday that he expected that no civilians would be tried in military courts in May 9 violence case while the matter was being heard in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Dawn reported. He made the remarks as a six-member SC bench, comprising himself, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik, heard pleas challenging the military trial of civilians. Also Read | Wagner Group Armed Mutiny: Know All That Transpired in the Standoff Against Russia. "I expect that no military trial [of civilians] will be conducted while proceedings are ongoing," Justice Bandial said. He also said that all the 102 people currently in the military's custody should be allowed to meet their families. Also Read | New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins Plane Betty, an Aging Boeing 757 Is So Prone to Breakdowns He Takes a Backup on China Trip. A six-member bench was formed earlier today after the government had raised objections regarding Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, citing the fact that one of the petitioners, Jawwad S Khawaja, was related to him. Earlier on Monday, during the hearing, the bench which was hearing the petitions filed against the trial of civilians in military courts got dissolved for the second time on Monday after the federal government raised objections to the inclusion of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on the seven-member bench. The hearing resumed after the adjournment with a six-judge bench. Earlier on June 23, the Supreme Court of Pakistan said that it will "quickly" conclude the pleas against the prosecution of civilians in military courts, according to Pakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who declined to order a suspension of the proceedings on Thursday, Geo News reported. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, who presided over a seven-member panel that included the judges Ijazul Ahsan, Mansoor Ali Shah, Muneeb Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Ayesha Malik, and Mazahir Ali Naqvi, said, "It is not right to issue stay orders on everything." The matter pertains to the violence that broke out in the aftermath of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's arrest. After individuals purportedly affiliated with the PTI resorted to attacking military posts on May 9 in response to the detention of their party president, the government made the decision to trial civilians in military courts, according to Geo News. A number of petitions were filed in the Supreme requesting the apex court to declare the military trials "unconstitutional", Geo News reported. The pleas were filed separately by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, former chief justice Jawwad S Khawaja, legal expert Aitzaz Ahsan, and five civil society members, including Piler Executive Director Karamat Ali. A Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court issues a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan and several other former and current party leaders in cases related to May 9 riots, reported Dawn. During the riots, at least eight people were killed and over 290 injured after the National Accountability Bureau arrested the PTI chief in the Al-Qadir Trust case. (ANI) (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 26 (The Conversation) Blink and you could have missed it. Within 36 hours, the challenge mounted against the Kremlin by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary private military company the Wagner Group, was over. On Friday June 23 2023, Prigozhin ordered 25,000 of his troops on to a march for justice, which duly set out to confront the Russian president in Moscow. The following afternoon he called it off. Also Read | Iran Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Warehouses in Tehran, No Casualty Reported. At that point his troops had advanced along the M4 motorway more than halfway between Moscow and the Russian military's southern headquarters at Rostov-on-Don. His private army was within 200km (125 miles) of the Russian capital. The crisis was apparently averted thanks to a deal brokered by Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, and confirmed by the Kremlin. But this brief episode of turmoil will have lasting repercussions for Russia and for the war in Ukraine. Also Read | Countries With Most Nuclear Weapons List 2023: Russia, US and China Top 3 Nations With Highest Number of Nuclear Weapons, Know How Many Nuclear Warheads India and Pakistan Have. The conflict between Prigozhin and the top brass of the Russian military has been going on for some time. But it escalated as the battle over Bakhmut intensified, during which Prigozhin complained more than 20,000 of his men had been killed. Back in May, Prigozhin warned of another Russian revolution. He attempted to make good on this promise four weeks later. But this was a far cry from the mass uprising of the 1917 October revolution. Instead, it was ultimately a showdown between competing factions of the Russian military-industrial complex. If there is a parallel, however, it is that foreign wars were part of the background against which both the Bolshevik revolution and Prigozhin's attempted power play occurred. And then, as now, the challenger confronted an increasingly fragile regime plagued by deep structural problems and uncertainty that any war brings. The alleged trigger for Prigozhin's mutiny was an apparent airstrike on his camp at the front in Ukraine by Russian forces. The airstrike itself if indeed it happened is an indication that the Kremlin was aware that something was afoot. But the speed and precision with which Prigozhin moved his troops over large distances and to strategic locations including Rostov-on-Don indicates that this was a well-prepared operation. It may have failed, but there will be lessons even in that for any future challenger to the Kremlin. As Lenin put it succinctly in his 1920 book Left-Wing Communism, an Infantile Disorder, without the dress rehearsal of 1905, the victory of the October Revolution in 1917 would have been impossible. That should deeply worry Putin and his inner circle. Russia a fragile regime exposed More immediately, Putin has other problems to consider and take care of. The Russian president's speech on Saturday morning was fiercely combative, vowing to crush what he called an armed uprising. Within 12 hours, he had made a deal which, for now, will not see Prigozhin or any of his mercenaries punished. What's more, Putin stood by his defence minister, Sergey Shoigu, and chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov, throughout their rivalry with Prigozhin. But there are now indications that both of them may be replaced. Shoigu by Aleksey Dyumin, who led the operation that resulted in the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and currently serves a regional governor of Tula. And Gerasimov by Sergey Surovikin, one of his current deputies, who was briefly in charge of the war in Ukraine during the autumn and winter of 2002-23. This does not project an image of a strong leader either at home or abroad. Moreover, the fact that Putin had to cut a deal in the first place and after Prigozhin's mercenaries advanced so close to Moscow without facing any resistance on the ground is significant. It says something about the limitations of Russia's capacity to respond to the crisis and deploy military and security resources beyond the war in Ukraine. This lack of resistance to Prigozhin and the apparent popular support Wagner received in Rostov-on-Don also speaks volumes about the lack of enthusiasm for the war in Ukraine among regional elites and people outside the Kremlin bubble. It also raises questions about how ordinary people might feel about a change in regime in which the choice is between Putin and Prigozhin. The exposure of these weaknesses must also be worrying for Russia's few remaining allies. Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was apparently among the first foreign leaders to speak with Putin after his televised address on Saturday morning. The Kremlin also dispatched Russia's deputy foreign minister, Andrey Rudenko, to Beijing for talks with China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, to exchange views on China-Russia relations and international and regional issues of common concern. Turkey and China will have viewed the turmoil in their nuclear-armed neighbour with some concern. And both they, Kazakhstan, and other Russian neighbours in central Asia, will have deepening reservations about how reliable a partner Putin can be going forward. An opportunity missed for Ukraine This will probably be noted by Ukraine and its western partners. Most of Kyiv's allies generally limited themselves to statements of concern and noted that they were monitoring events as they were unfolding. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, highlighted the chaos in Russia and the humiliation that this meant for Putin. Zelensky's senior advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, expressed his disappointment that Prigozhin had given up so quickly. Oleksiy Danilov (the general secretary of Ukraine's national security council) and Ukrainian historian Georgiy Kasianov both saw Prigozhin's mutiny as another sign of the coming fragmentation of Russia. And this is perhaps the main point from Kyiv's perspective. Had the chaos in Russia continued long enough, it may have created a real opportunity for further advances in a counteroffensive that Zelensky himself had to admit last week is making less progress less fast than had been envisaged. In this sense, too, Prigozhin's failed rebellion can be seen as an important dress rehearsal that offers valuable lessons, especially for Ukraine's western partners. A better equipped and trained Ukrainian military could have capitalised significantly more on even this short period of disarray in Russia. More tanks and artillery, more and better air defence systems, and more fighter aircraft would not have helped either one of the Russian war criminals Putin and Prigozhin to defeat the other. But they could have brought the Kremlin closer to the point of accepting the failure of its war against Ukraine. (The Conversation) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Budapest [UAE], June 26 (ANI/WAM): Saud Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Hungary, participated in the meeting of Hungarian President Katalin Novak with the Arab ambassadors accredited to her country, which focused on strengthening cooperation and expanding relations between Arab nations and Hungary. In her speech, President Novak welcomed the ambassadors and stressed the importance of the Arab world to Hungary at all political, economic and social levels. Also Read | Wagner Group Armed Mutiny: Know All That Transpired in the Standoff Against Russia. She shared her appreciation for the presence of the Arab Ambassadors' Council at the meeting and stressed the importance of close cooperation at bilateral and international levels. For his part, Al Shamsi conveyed the greetings of the UAE's leadership to President Novak and expressed the UAE's keenness to support economic and social cooperation with Hungary, especially with regard to space programmes and government services. Also Read | New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins Plane Betty, an Aging Boeing 757 Is So Prone to Breakdowns He Takes a Backup on China Trip. Al Shamsi stressed the importance of participation in the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be held in Expo City Dubai in November, to promote global climate action. For her part, Karima Kabbaj, Moroccan Ambassador to Hungary and Dean of the Council thanked the Hungarian President for the warm welcome, generous hospitality and interest in Arab affairs. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, DC [US], June 26 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and discussed the recent events in Russia, the White House said. The two leaders also discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unflinching US support, which includes ongoing security, financial, and humanitarian assistance. Also Read | Countries With Most Nuclear Weapons List 2023: Russia, US and China Top 3 Nations With Highest Number of Nuclear Weapons, Know How Many Nuclear Warheads India and Pakistan Have. "President Biden spoke today with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to discuss support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. They discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering US support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid. The leaders also discussed recent events in Russia," the White House readout of President Joe Biden's Call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said. Earlier on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that everyone who chooses the path of evil "destroys" himself, as he took a sharp dig at Moscow hours after the Wagner group launched a rebellion against Russian military facilities. Also Read | Russian Mercenaries Short-Lived Revolt Could Have Long-Term Consequences for President Vladimir Putin. Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy said, "Everyone who chooses the path of evil destroys himself. Who sends columns of troops to destroy the lives of another country and cannot stop them from fleeing and betraying when life resists. Who terrorizes with missiles, and when they are shot down, humiliates himself to receive Shahed drones. Who despises people and throws hundreds of thousands into the war, in order to eventually barricade himself in the Moscow region from those whom he himself armed". Accusing Russia of using "propaganda" to "mask its weakness", the Ukrainian President said that this attack by Wagner group exposes Russia's "full-scale weakness". "For a long time, Russia used propaganda to mask its weakness and the stupidity of its government. And now there is so much chaos that no lie can hide it. And all this is one person, who again and again scares by the year 1917, although he is able to result in nothing else but this," he said. However, on Sunday the Wagner mercenary chief decided to halt its March to Moscow after the Belarusian president stated he was in talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin about an agreement to "de-escalate tensions. Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus wrote, "At 9 p.m. tonight, the Presidents spoke again by phone. The President of Belarus Lukashenko informed the President of Russia about the results of negotiations w/ the leader of the Wagner Group. President Putin thanked his counterpart for the work done." On Saturday morning earlier, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a Telegram post, announced that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into southern Russia and were ready to go "all the way" against the Russian military, TASS News Agency reported. He said he and his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. "But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way," he said, adding, "We are moving forward and will go until the end." However, later, as soon as the armed mutiny came to an end, Russia also announced that the charges against Wagner Chief Prigozhin would be dropped. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, June 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, during which he will flag off five Vande Bharat Express trains from the Rani Kamalapati railway station. Vande Bharat Express Train on Ajmer-Delhi Route Pelted With Stones 13 Times Since Launch in April, Cause Remains Unknown: Report. Through these trains, Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand will get Vande Bharat train connectivity for the first time. During his day-long visit, Modi will also launch the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and go to Pakaria village in Shahdol district to interact with local stakeholders. Odishas First Vande Bharat Express Between Puri and Howrah Flagged Off by PM Narendra Modi (Watch Video). The Prime Minister is also slated to kickstart the distribution of Ayushman cards to about 3.57 crore beneficiaries across the state. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2023 01:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, June 26: Banking services are likely to take a hit as banks will remain closed for five days this week. Banks will remain closed this week starting today, June 26 to Sunday, July 2 on account of bank holidays and Sundays. Out of the five days, four days are bank holidays while one day is a Sunday. The four bank holidays are state-specific and will vary from state to state. Banks will remain closed today in Tripura today on account of Kharchi Puja which is celebrated with much fervour and gaiety. On the other hand, banks in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir are expected to remain closed for Eid Ul Azha or Bakrid which will be celebrated on June 28 or June 29 this year. Eid al-Adha also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Bakra Eid is a Muslim festival celebrated all across the globe. Bank Holidays in May 2023: Banks To Remain Shut for 11 Days During the Month, Check List of Bank Holiday Dates Here. When Will Banks Remain Closed This Week: June 26, 2023: Banks will remain closed in Tripura on account of Kharchi Puja June 28, 2023, Banks will remain shut in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir for Eid Ul Azha June 29, 2023: Banking services will remain closed on the occasion of Eid ul Azha June 30, 2023, On account of Reema Eid Ul Azha, banks will stay shut in Mizoram and Odisha July 2, 2023, Bnak will remain closed on account of it being a Sunday It must be noted that The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has placed the list of annual holidays under three brackets. These include holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real-Time Gross Settlement Holidays and Banks Closing of Accounts. Bank Holidays in April 2023: Banks To Remain Closed for 15 Days Next Month; Check Complete Dates of Bank Holidays. In the coming month of July 2023, banks are likely to remain closed for a period of 15 days. Banks will stay shut for occasions like Muharram, Guru Hargobind Jis birthday, Ashoora, and Ker Pooja in addition to weekends including second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2023 04:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Bareilly, June 26: The licence of a private hospital here has been suspended over allegations it circumcised a two-and-a-half-year-old child admitted there for a tongue surgery, official said Monday. The health department officials said a probe into the allegations found the management of M Khan Hospital prima facie responsible in the matter, and Chief Medical Officer Balbir Singh issued orders Sunday night suspending the licence. UP Shocker: Doctor Performs Circumcision on 2-Year-Old Instead of Tongue Surgery at Bareilly Hospital, Government Sends Team for Probe. This means the hospital cannot admit and treat new patients, they said. The probe in the matter will continue and further action taken if any discrepancy is found in its documents, Singh said. During the probe, the child's family alleged the circumcision was done as part of a conspiracy as their signature was taken on a document written in English which they could not understand. A detailed report of the matter will be sent to the government, the CMO said. In a tweet in Hindi on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said he has sent a health department team to the hospital to investigate the matter. If the complaint is found correct, orders have been given to the CMO, Bareilly, to register an FIR against the guilty doctor and hospital management, to cancel the registration of the said hospital with immediate effect, and to make the complete report of the proceedings available within 24 hours, Pathak had said. He said the hospital would be sealed if the investigation finds reasons to do so, he added. Bareilly District Magistrate Shivakant Dwivedi on Sunday said action against the hospital management will be taken only after the report of the three-member probe team constituted by the Chief Medical Officer comes. The team was formed on Friday when the alleged incident took place. Hindu Priest Changes His Mind After Deciding To Convert to Islam Due to Fear of Circumcision. According to the Chief Medical Officer, the family had gone to the hospital for the treatment of the child's stammer where they were suggested a tongue surgery. However, the child's family alleged the doctors circumcised the child rather than performing a tongue surgery. The matter evoked a strong response from members of Hindu right organisations, who staged protests and raised slogans against the hospital. Police were deployed outside the hospital to contain the agitation and prevent it from flaring up. Dozens of people have been detained in Turkey's largest city and police blocked the central Taksim square as the LGBTQ+ community attempted to hold a Pride parade.Turkish activists defied a government ban to hold an annual gay pride march in Istanbul on Sunday. Also Read | Countries With Most Nuclear Weapons List 2023: Russia, US and China Top 3 Nations With Highest Number of Nuclear Weapons, Know How Many Nuclear Warheads India and Pakistan Have. At least 93 people were arrested during the event, Pride organizers said. Also Read | Istanbul: LGBTQ Community Tries to Hold Pride Amid Arrests. Amnesty International's Turkey office said at least one person suffered head injuries while being detained by police. The latest arrest come after conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won another presidential term to extend his rule until 2028. During his election campaign, Erdogan said the LGBTQ+ people undermined family values, reiterating his government's disdain for the community. He and his representatives have attempted for years to block the annual Istanbul Pride Parade. Davut Gul, governor of the Istanbul Province, suggested ahead of the event that he would not allow it to go ahead, citing concerns regarding "threats to family life." "We don't accept this hate and denial policy," Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week said in a statement. Several events linked to Pride Month, including a picnic and a film screening, were already prohibited. On Sunday, Istanbul police cordoned off large parts of the inner city before the march got underway to deter the participants from rallying. But hundreds of Pride participants instead rerouted to another part of the city and eventually gathered in Istanbul's upscale Nisantasi neighborhood, waving rainbow flags. Police in the western Turkish city of Izmir also cracked down on those attending Pride, detaining at least 48 people, according to the organizers. Turkey's LGBTQ+ community fears more pressure after conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the May vote. But this year's pride march started and finished earlier than expected without any street clashes or police violence, according to news agency AFP. Last year, organizers claimed some 400 people were detained amid the festivities, which were also banned. jsi/dj (AFP, dpa, Reuters) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2023 07:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Imphal, June 26: In a major setback to the peace efforts of the governments, an influential tribal organisation -- Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), which has been demanding imposition of Presidents rule in Manipur, on Monday rejected any offer of dialogue with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh or his government. The ITLF spokesman Ginza Vualzong said that the Chief Ministers intention of reaching out to stakeholders following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah comes too late after the loss of so many innocent lives and properties and the untold hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo tribals, there is no point in talking about peace without a political solution. Manipur Violence: Women Belonging to Kuki Tribal Community Protest Outside Home Minister Amit Shahs Residence in Delhi, Detained. He said that around 106 tribals have been killed, 201 villages burnt, over 5,000 houses burnt and 355 churches destroyed, while 41,425 tribals have been displaced by the conflict. Manipur Violence: State Govt Orders Reliance Jio Fiber, Airtel Xtreme, BSNL, Others To Bar Broadband and Data Services. We have reached a point where the Kuki-Zo community can no longer live together with the Meiteis. N. Biren Singh, the perpetrator of the current ethnic violence whose hatred for the Kuki-Zo community resulted in the genocide of the Kuki-Zo community, cannot be the harbinger of peace, Vualzong told the media. Returning from New Delhi, where he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the prevailing situation in the state, Singh on Sunday evening said that efforts to restore peace would be further intensified involving all. Restoration of peace and normalcy in the strife-torn state is the first priority of both the Central and state governments. In the peace process, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) of all communities, leaders of churches, varied communities and other concerned stakeholders would be involved. No stone would be unturned to restore peace and normalcy at the earliest, he told the media in Imphal. Biren Singh, who holds the home portfolio, said that the security forces have given maximum efforts in 47 vulnerable areas in different districts. The ITLF, which along with 10 tribal MLA (seven of them belonging to the ruling BJP), has been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to separate state) for the tribals, in a statement said that all tribals and a large section of his (Biren Singh) own Meitei community have lost faith in his leadership and his government. The ITLF has held talks with various dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where Kuki-Zo tribals have voiced their demands including their political aspiration of total separation from Manipur, the statement said. It said : Our political demand is in sync with the demand of our 10 MLAs and other CSO groups. The ITLF has exhausted our avenues for dialogue, and it is now crucial for the Government of India to concentrate on finding a solution to our political demand as soon as possible to bring lasting peace in Manipur. The ITLF also urged all CSOs and tribe leaders from the Kuki-Zo community to maintain unity and not to participate in any form of dialogue with the Chief Minister and his administration. If anyone is known to be in contact with the state government, stringent action would be taken as necessary, the ITLF statement said. The Manipur Chief Minister had also said that the Central government has deployed 40,000 security force personnel including the Army, to maintain the law and order situation. The Union Home Minister continuously monitors the Manipur situation. He has been briefing Prime Minister Narendra Modi about every detail. He also said that to further tighten the security, he would soon meet the unified command of the various Central and state forces. Biren Singh said that the Union Home Minister has assured that the Central government would take all possible steps to bring back peace and normalcy in Manipur and has advised him to strengthen the work towards achieving everlasting peace and also sought the cooperation of every stakeholder in Manipur to ensure that peace prevails in the state. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2023 05:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, June 26: On Monday, Navi Mumbai's water supply will be interrupted in several areas. The water outage coincides with a stoppage by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to repair a pipeline in Belapur. On June 26, NMMC will be closed from 9 am to 6 pm in order to make it easier to repair the 800 mm diameter pipeline in Belapur. The water supply will be affected in a few locations due to maintenance work on Monday, while on June 27, low pressure will be restored. Mumbai Water Cut News Update: BMC Announces 10% Cut in Water Supply for Two Days Due to Pipeline Repair Work; Check Dates, Timings and List of Affected Areas. There won't be any water supply in sectors 1 - 11 and 33 - 36 in Kamothe on Monday under the control of CIDCO. In addition, on June 26 from 11 am to 4 pm, there won't be any water supply in the nodes of New Panvel, Kalamboli, Karanjade, and Kalundre as MSEDCL will modify its electric power metre at Bhokarpada to eliminate leaks between Shabri tapping and Asudgao tapping. Maharashtra Jal Pradhikaran took control of the stoppage. After 4 o'clock on June 27, the water supply will be restarted. CIDCO has urged its residents to save water and utilise it wisely. Meanwhile, the people of Navi Mumbai, who over the years have become accustomed to a consistent and plentiful water supply, have been angered by frequent water shutoffs, weekly half-day supply cuts, erratic supply, and low pressure. Mumbai Water Cut News: Water Supply to Remain Suspended for 24 Hours Owing to Repair Works, Check List of Affected Areas, Dates and Timings. The civic body has been using weekly half-day reductions for a while. Residents in numerous locations have been complaining about frequent unauthorised water cuts and concerns with an inadequate water supply. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2023 01:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Hoshiarpur, June 26: A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped and molested by three persons, including two teenagers, in a village here, police said on Monday. The incident took place when she was playing alone behind her house on June 22, SHO Balwinder Singh said. Punjab Shocker: Minor Girl Raped Multiple Times by Fathers Friend in Ludhiana, Accused Arrested One of the three accused allegedly raped her while two others allegedly molested her, Singh said. The police apprehended the two boys aged 14 years and 17 years under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act. They will be produced in a juvenile court, he added. Punjab Shocker: Two Abduct Minor Girl, Rape Her Inside Moving Car in Patiala; Accused Arrested. The age of the third accused is yet to be ascertained and efforts are underway to nab him, the SHO said. Times Staff Writer The state attorney generals office and the Cemetery Board are investigating charges that a Hesperia ceramics company has done nothing but cremate corpses, including 950 pounds of unidentified body parts from the Aug. 31 Cerritos air disaster, since it opened in October. The firm, Oscar Ceramics, belongs to David Sconce, who also owns Pasadena Crematorium in Altadena, which closed two months ago after its roof was destroyed by fire. Oscar Ceramics was closed Tuesday by Hesperia Fire District officials after neighbors in the area complained of putrid odors coming from the building, which is in an industrial park in Hesperia, about 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Advertisement Inside, officials found two kilns that contained partially burned human remains, according to Assistant Fire Chief Will Wentworth. They werent totally cremated when we shut the kilns down and opened them up. We are going to refire the kilns and finish the job on Friday. There have never been ceramic materials in that facility since it was built, Wentworth said after a preliminary investigation. We did find machinery used in cremations such as a deal to grind bones into powder and a sifter to gets bones out of the kilns. Sconce could not be reached for comment. But Ralph Cipriano, the Santa Ana attorney representing Sconce, said his client contacted him by telephone Tuesday and said, The parts (in the kilns) were from the Cerritos air crash. My information is that this was originally a ceramics facility, and that my client had a fire in his Pasadena business, which, in effect, put that facility out of commission. In a telephone interview with The Times, the attorney added, The facility in Hesperia was used to dispose of some body parts from the air crash . . . and as a crematorium. Advertisement But Cipriano said, Im sure my client had no knowledge his permits in Pasadena could not also be used in Hesperia. There is no way that license is transferable, said John Gill, the Cemetery Board investigator handling the case. Each facility has to have its own license. Last Labor Day weekend, an Aeromexico DC-9 bound for Los Angeles from Mexico City collided with a small plane and then plunged into a residential neighborhood in Cerritos. The accident killed 82 people, including 15 on the ground. About 950 pounds of unidentified body parts from the crash were stored at the Los Angeles coroners office, according to coroners spokesman Dean Gilmore. They were released Sept. 18 to Douglas Mortuary of El Segundo. Sam Douglas, president of Douglas Mortuary, said the parts were picked up and removed from the coroners office Sept. 18 by Pasadena Crematorium. We do a lot of business with Pasadena Crematorium, Douglas said. But the relationship ended Wednesday when they called us and said they were closed, Douglas said. Sconce has been under investigation since his Pasadena business closed. Since the fire, weve been looking for the place he was doing his cremations, Gill said. He has been filing permits using the old Pasadena address on a regular basis even though its been out of business since November. Sconce originally told San Bernardino County officials in October that he built the Hesperia facility to make ceramic panels for aircraft, Wentworth said. Since then, Hesperia fire officials have responded to numerous complaints from neighbors over flames shooting out of the chimney and smell, Wentworth said, adding that the company has racked up 180 violations with the San Bernardino County air pollution control board. Gill said the investigation is continuing and we intend to prosecute to the full extent of the law with the state attorney generals office. The Cemetery Board, under the state Consumer Affairs Department, regulates cemeteries and crematoriums. On 23 June Brazils Presidentconcluded a visit to France, during which he discussed the ongoing obstacles to the ratification of the trade deal between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). End of preview - This article contains approximately 371 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Popular YouTuber and philanthropist MrBeast could have been part of that catastrophic OceanGate implosion as he admitted he was invited to join a submarine trip. However, he admitted that he declined to join the expedition, and the hindsight behind the ill-fated tour of the Titanic wreck that resulted in the deaths of five people, including some very well-known billionaires, scared him. MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, admitted on social media that he received a text message from someone, inviting him to join a submarine expedition. However, the YouTuber declined, saying, "I was invited earlier this month to ride the Titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it." I was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it pic.twitter.com/bQUnaRiczA MrBeast (@MrBeast) June 25, 2023 It is uncertain if that invitation was for OceanGate's trip to the Titanic; though the screenshot of the text that he received showed that the texter wrote, "Also, I'm going to the Titanic in a submarine late this month," adding that "The team would be stoked to have you along." An investigation has been launched into the OceanGate implosion, which killed OceantGate CEO and the submarine's pilot Stockton Rush, as well as passengers that included billionaire British businessman Hamish Harding, billionaire Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, and French diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeole, and according to CNN. Officials Probing Missing Titanic Submarine's Voice Recording To Find Possible Criminality Canadian officials are now saying that they will examine the voice recordings and other data from the missing titanic submersible's mothership, the Polar Prince. They are trying to find out if any criminality happened. Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigators recently visited the Polar Prince last Saturday to collect information. TSB Chairwoman Kathy Fox recently spoke with CNN and stated that they want to find out what happened and "what needs to change to reduce the chance or the risk of such occurrences in the future." READ MORE: James Cameron Criticizes OceanGate on Sub Implosion She added that the voice recordings from the submersible "could be useful in our investigation." However, she did admit that the investigation's purpose was not to point blame for the sub's implosion. Canadian authorities are trying to determine whether the case warrants a criminal investigation at the moment. "Such an investigation will proceed only if our examination of the circumstances indicate criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken," said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Kent Osmond during a press conference last Saturday. Missing Titanic Sub Was 'Turned to Dust' Submarine expert Ofer Ketter explained that the depths where the sub imploded are unforgiving and that the vessel was simply "turned to dust." In an interview, he said, "To me, it makes absolute sense that the chamber, the pressure chamber where the passengers are sitting in, did not withstand the pressure because of the material that it was built on." He added, "And that is exactly what imploded and turned to dust. Everything else that was either made of titanium or perhaps other steels, survived, and that's what was found." As for the victims, he said, "They never knew it happened which is actually very positive in this very negative situation," according to Ketter. READ MORE: Missing Titanic Submarine Claimed To Have Been Found, But It's Fake News This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Inside the OceanGate Titan tragedy - CBS Sunday Morning Ron DeSantis's new immigration law is pushing away immigrant families in one of the US states with the largest Hispanic populations. Now, Florida immigrants are moving out and this may lead to a massive labor crisis in the Sunshine State, as Florida farms and other businesses heavily rely on cheap immigrant labor. "They don't want us here," is the feeling that many immigrants in Ron DeSantis's Florida feel, and that is exactly what immigrant David Guerra, who fled the state with his family, told NBC News in a recent interview. Guerra, who lived in Tampa and built a business there, admitted that he and his family fled Florida last May, shortly after DeSantis signed the controversial immigration law. They had to leave a lot of their items behind, including beds, mattresses, furniture, and the construction tools that he uses for his business. "That is what has hurt me the most, my girls, who no longer have toys," he said. Originally from El Salvador, Guerra stated that he and his family knew their life had changed once DeSantis signed SB 1718 into law. It would go into effect in July and it imposes strict restrictions and penalties to deter the employment of undocumented workers in Florida. Only his three children had US citizen status, with him and six other family members admittedly not being legal. He told NBC News that he saw other immigrants leave their belongings behind frantically as they leave the state in which they had spent years working hard in. It is not just in Tampa but in cities and towns across Florida, including the farming community of Immokalee where many migrants are employed by farmers. Those who stayed behind say that they have at least one acquaintance, friend, or neighbor who left Florida after DeSantis signed the controversial bill into law. Florida Employers and Farmers Unhappy With New Ron DeSantis Immigration Law As expected, the new Ron DeSantis immigration law is sparking widespread concerns from employers and farmers across the state, even Republicans who voted for the controversial Florida governor and current presidential candidate. Graves Williams, a Florida tomato farmer, and lifelong Republican, admitted that his farm's operations would be impossible without immigrant laborers. He told USA Today, "We all love them to death," before adding, "We couldn't run a business without them." Many of these Republican business owners do not want to speak about the measure as they fear it could antagonize DeSantis, which many of them still support despite his policies being detrimental to their way of life. However, those who do, such as Graves Williams, questions, "How can one man pass one law and destroy all these businesses in Florida?" "It's almost like he's doing it on purpose. I know he's doing it for politics, but the end results, it's going to be hard," said the tomato farmer, who sees hard times ahead. Immigrants Leaving and Its Effects on Florida's Economy Samuel Vilchez, Florida director of the American Business Immigration Coalition, pointed out that immigrants leaving the state en masse could have some detrimental effects on Florida. "Even if, say 25% of undocumented workers were to leave, that's 200,000 people," he said. Many of these immigrants work in the state's food and agriculture industry, which paid $53.76 billion in taxes this year. DeSantis's harsh law could affect this and decrease the money that the state will generate. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, some Republican politicians find themselves conflicted. This includes state Rep. Rick Roth, who is not just a member of the Florida House, but also a farmer. He continued supporting DeSantis and even defended the controversial law, but admitted that he is unhappy about losing workers on his own farm. Roth was the same Republican politician who was seen pleading in a viral video for immigrants to stay while also defending the Republican-backed law. READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Fear of new immigration law depleting labor force - CBS Miami A Kentucky woman is accused of fatally shooting her Uber driver in West Texas because she believed that he was kidnapping her and taking her to Mexico. Forty-eight-year-old Phoebe Copas of Tompkinsville, Kentucky has now been charged with murder. According to USA Today, the Kentucky woman was in El Paso, Texas to visit her boyfriend. Court documents state that she shot 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia in the head while he was driving her to a location in southeast El Paso. The complaint affidavit revealed that Copas believed that the Uber driver was not taking her to her intended destination, but was taking her to Mexico after seeing traffic signs that read "Juarez, Mexico" during the trip. It should be noted that El Paso is just across the border from its Mexican sister city, Ciudad Juarez, so signs pointing to the Mexican city are common throughout El Paso. After shooting Piedra in the head, El Paso Police officers arrested the Kentucky woman and charged her on suspicion of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. She was then booked into the El Paso County Jail. The affidavit pointed out that after she shot the victim, the car they were riding in crashed. However, it was "not in close proximity of a bridge, port of entry or other area with immediate access to travel into Mexico." "The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas' destination," said a police news release. READ MORE: South Blackouts: Many in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi Still Without Power as Heatwave Rages Uber Driver Was Hospitalized for Days Before Family Took Him off Life Support The Uber driver, Daniel Piedra Garcia, actually survived being shot in the head, as well as the car crash, and was sent to the hospital. He remained hospitalized for several days before doctors told his family that he would not be able to recover. His family then decided to take him off life support, according to the Associated Press. "He was a hardworking man and really funny," said Didi Lopez, the victim's niece. "He was never in a bad mood. He was always the one that, if he saw you in a bad mood, he'd come over and try to lift you up." The family of the victim has now set up a GoFundMe campaign, saying that he was their sole provider. Piedra reportedly only started working again after being injured in his previous job. Kentucky Woman Who Killed Texas Uber Driver Remains Jailed As for Copas, the Kentucky Woman is still being held in jail with a bond worth $1.5 million. CBS 4 Local News is reporting that her bond hearing was previously postponed because of a lack of communication from her lawyer. When her next hearing will be is still unknown as of writing, though she is now facing a murder charge. She reportedly admitted to shooting her Uber driver after taking a photo of him and sending it to her boyfriend and then calling 911. Reports state that she was meeting with him in an El Paso casino. READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Charge upgraded to murder in shooting of El Paso Uber driver - KTSM 9 NEWS The Honduras government implemented curfew in two northern cities in response to a surge in violence. The decision came after a tragic series of attacks overnight, resulting in the tragic deaths of 22 individuals, VOA News noted. President Xiomara Castro took to Twitter to announce a 15-day curfew in Choloma, effective from 9 pm to 4 am, starting immediately. Additionally, another curfew will be enforced in San Pedro Sula, commencing on July 4. These measures are aimed at curbing the escalating violence and ensuring the safety of the residents. President Castro further stated that the government is taking decisive action, initiating multiple operations, raids, captures, and checkpoints to address the situation. To bring the perpetrators to justice, the government is offering a cash reward of $32,707 to individuals who provide information leading to identifying and capturing those responsible for the killings in Choloma. Honduras has grappled with violent gang activities, prompting a partial emergency in certain areas since December. These measures are part of an ongoing effort to confront and tackle the country's criminal violence issue. READ NEXT: Honduras Prison Riot Honduras Overnight Violence A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday night when a group of heavily armed men carried out a devastating attack at a billiards hall in a neighborhood of Choloma, a manufacturing city in northern Honduras. The assailants opened fire, resulting in the loss of 13 lives and leaving one individual seriously injured, according to information provided by police spokesperson Edgardo Barahona to Reuters. He also said that 11 more people had been killed on Saturday in various locations in the northern Valle de Sula zone, including the commercial center of San Pedro Sulay. In response to the escalating violence, Security Minister Gustavo Sanchez announced on Sunday that the government intends to submit a proposal to Congress in the coming days. This proposal seeks to classify members of criminal structures, maras, or gangs as terrorists, aiming to address the issue with a more robust legal framework and provide enhanced tools for law enforcement agencies to combat such groups. Furthermore, Minister Sanchez, during a press conference, stated that additional measures are being taken to reinforce security in the Sula Valley, where both Choloma and San Pedro Sula are situated. As part of these efforts, 1,000 additional police and military personnel are being deployed to the region. Multiple Murders and a Deadly Prison Riot Happened Before the Honduras Massacre The recent massacre in Choloma followed another tragic incident that occurred in the city of San Pedro Sula, AP reports. Three individuals were killed in a bakery on Thursday, including Ericka Julissa Bandy Garcia, the wife of an alleged associate of former President Juan Orlando Hernandez. The former president is currently detained in the United States, awaiting trial on charges related to drug trafficking. Additionally, a distressing event took place in central Honduras, where members of the Barrio 18 gang brutally killed 46 inmates in a women's prison located in Tamara, north of Tegucigalpa. In response to these horrific incidents, Honduras President Xiomara Castro has announced measures to regain control of the prisons and prevent the entry of weapons and drugs into the facilities to address the underlying issues and enhance security measures within the prison system. President Castro, expressing her concern for the cities of San Pedro Sula and Choloma, stated that she had implemented measures to ensure the safety of the residents in the face of ruthless terrorist attacks. She emphasized that these attacks are orchestrated by hired criminals trained and directed by drug lords operating with impunity within the drug corridor of the Sula Valley. READ MORE: Brazil: Man Sentenced to 27 Years This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Honduras prison riot leaves 41 women dead | The World - From ABC News (Australia) A tragic incident occurred on Sunday morning at a Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted, Ohio, where an apparent murder-suicide occurred, resulting in two individuals' deaths, according to Akron Beacon Journal. Ohio man Bernard Smith, 60, entered the store and fatally shot his ex-wife, 63-year-old Susan Peterson, who was working at the time, according to police. Authorities were alerted to the scene at approximately 9:30 a.m. and discovered the lifeless bodies of Peterson and Smith, both having sustained gunshot wounds. At the time of the shooting, the store had around 200 customers and 67 employees present. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots within the store. No other individuals were harmed during the incident. North Olmsted Police Chief Bob Wagner expressed gratitude that no additional injuries occurred. During a news conference, he emphasized that the well-being of customers and employees was of utmost importance. Peterson, a resident of Olmsted Falls, had been an employee at Giant Eagle for over three years. She had been divorced from Smith, a resident of Cleveland, since 2004. In response to the tragedy, the city of North Olmsted announced on social media that the Giant Eagle store located at 27264 Lorain Road would be closed on Monday, while the drive-thru pharmacy will remain open to accommodate the needs of guests who require access to essential medications. The community mourns the loss of two lives and remains deeply affected by this unfortunate event. READ NEXT: Ohio Man Kills Mother in Front of 6-Year-Old Nephew Ohio Police Are Still Investigating the Murder-Suicide The incident at the Giant Eagle grocery store is currently being investigated as a murder-suicide. However, authorities are still in the process of gathering more information regarding the fatal shooting. Giant Eagle employees and customers were escorted from the store to a nearby parking lot, noting that the employees appeared visibly shaken by the events, per Jodie Heisner, the News Director for News 5, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots near the cash register area within the store. Sammy Assaf, a customer present during the shooting, described his initial confusion upon hearing the first gunshot, followed by the realization that the store was being attacked. Another woman, who remained anonymous, shared her experience of being inside the store during the shooting. Her instinct was to flee. She and others quickly made their way to a fire exit door in the back, prioritizing their safety above all else. Ohio Giant Eagle, North Olmstead Mayor Release Statement Following Murder-Suicide In response to the tragic incident, Giant Eagle shared a statement expressing shock and profound sadness over the senseless act of violence within their store. They emphasized that the safety of their team members and customers remains their top priority, 10 WBNS noted. The company expressed gratitude for the swift response of local authorities and pledged to provide all available resources to assist in the ongoing investigation. North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones also issued a statement, expressing deep sorrow. She extended her heartfelt condolences to the victim of the tragedy and her family and friends. Jones acknowledged the impact on the employees and customers during the incident, assuring them that the community stands in unity, offering prayers and support. Meanwhile, the Giant Eagle store will be closed on Monday, June 26, to ensure that the necessary on-site support can be provided to the affected team members, said Cleaveland. READ MORE: Idaho Murder: Man Arrested for Killing a Family This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: North Olmsted police investigating murder-suicide at Giant Eagle - From WKYC Channel 3 Special Counsel Jack Smith is not just investigating Donald Trump's classified documents case but also January 6. Now, two of the Trump fake electors have agreed to testify in exchange for limited immunity. Many of these fake Republican electors are prominent Republican officials within their respective states. They were installed by former President Trump in key battleground states to declare him the winner of the 2020 election. The fake electors scheme was part of the ex-POTUS' efforts to overturn the elections in the events leading up to January 6. A source familiar with the matter stated that going after these fake electors could be a signal that the special counsel might be approaching his decision to charge the former president. According to Newsweek, former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner stated that the immunity agreement with two of these prominent Republican state officials was a "tactical decision" and that it was important to "lock in their testimony that very likely will incriminate Donald Trump," Kirshner pointed out, "What are the odds that Republican operatives and officials in all seven battleground states simultaneously and coincidentally came up with the fake elector scheme?" before adding, "Smith's going to wring the truth out of them upfront, and he's going to use that truth to make sure he brings the best, most complete, most compelling case he can bring against Donald Trump and his legal team." Previously, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is currently investigating Trump's election meddling in Georgia, secured immunity deals for several fake electors in her state in exchange for their testimonies. Donald Trump Fake Electors Scheme Presidential electors are the people appointed by state parties before the general election to represent the will of the voters and vote for the person who won the election in their state at the electoral college. However, Donald Trump tried to fraudulently tip the election in his favor by installing fake electors that would have voted for him instead of the person who actually won, Joe Biden. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Verdict: Ex-POTUS Reacts After Losing Sexual Abuse Lawsuit When Democratic electors gathered at their seat of state government to cast their votes on December 14, 2020, the fake Trump electors were there as well and declared themselves the rightful electors and submitted false Electoral College certificates. According to the Associated Press, Donald Trump's fake electors all declared him the winner of the presidential election in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The one who actually won the election in those states is Joe Biden. Now, these electors are facing fraud charges for their efforts to overturn the election results. Donald Trump Afraid Ex-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows Might Be Cooperating With Prosecutors Meanwhile, Donald Trump's legal team is now preparing for more bad news as his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, might be cooperating with prosecutors. According to Insider, several Trump aides and allies are using the rat emoji to refer to Meadows in private as they fear he might be cooperating with special counsel Jack Smith. The Trump legal team reportedly does not know whether this is true or not and the former president seems to have responded to the rumors by sending some of his lawyers on a "small fact-finding mission" to find out. It is noted that Meadows and his lawyers stopped talking to Trump's inner circle a few months ago. As Chief of Staff of the Trump administration, Meadows has knowledge in what was going on in the final days of the Trump presidency, including the events leading up to January 6. READ MORE: Tucker Carlson, Other Fox News Stars Privately Blasted Donald Trump's Election Fraud Claims This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Ex-Michigan GOP Chair on 'insane' plot for fake electors to cast votes in capitol - Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV Three San Antonio police officers have been charged with murder following a tragic incident in which a woman with a "mental health crisis" was shot in her apartment, according to the city's police chief. The officers involved in the incident, identified as Sgt. Alfred Flores and officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos have been suspended without pay and subsequently arrested on murder warrants, per USA Today. The charges stem from their actions in the shooting of Melissa Perez, a 46-year-old woman who refused police orders to exit her apartment. The incident unfolded when Perez tried to fight off the police officers, according to Chief William McManus. In response, one of the officers opened fire, and all three began shooting. Perez was struck by gunfire at least two times. The actions of the officers involved in the shooting were not in line with the policies and training of the San Antonio Police Department, said McManus during a news conference on Friday. McManus emphasized that the officers had placed themselves in a situation where they resorted to deadly force, which was deemed unreasonable based on the current understanding of the circumstances. READ NEXT: Texas Man Dies on Fatal Shot by San Antonio Police Victim Was Suspected of Cutting Fire Alarm Wires Perez was suspected of committing a felony by cutting the wires to a fire alarm at the apartment complex, according to McManus. She was engaged in a conversation with fire officials around 12:30 am on Friday when an officer approached her and attempted to guide her towards a patrol car, CHRON reported. Perez, who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis, according to Chief McManus, refused to comply with the officer's request and ran into her apartment. Body camera footage reveals an officer on the patio of Perez's apartment while Perez voices her objections, shouting, "Stop it" and "You ain't got no warrant." During the encounter, an unidentified officer warns Perez that she may be shot, to which she responds by challenging them, saying, "Shoot me - you ain't got no warrant." The Shooting Incident The incident unfolded when San Antonio police officers responded to a call at the Rosemont at Millers Pond apartments on Old Pearsall Road early Friday morning, according to San Antonio Express-News. Efforts were made to communicate with Perez through an open window, but as one officer removed the window screen, Perez threw a glass candlestick, striking the officer's arm. The officers then backed away and awaited the arrival of additional officers and a supervisor. Once backup personnel and a supervisor arrived, some officers positioned themselves at Perez's apartment door while others waited at the rear patio. They repeatedly ordered Perez to exit her apartment, but she refused to comply. During a conversation between Alejandro and Perez, Flores and Villalobos climbed over the guardrail onto Perez's patio. At this point, Alejandro observed Perez pick up a hammer and aggressively approach the closed patio door, swinging the hammer and striking the window near the other two officers, as stated in the arrest affidavit. Alejandro fired several shots at Perez, believing that she posed a threat of throwing the hammer, according to the affidavit, according to the affidavit. Perez initially stepped backward but subsequently rushed toward Flores and Villalobos on the patio, even though the door remained closed. Responding to the perceived threat, all three San Antonio police officers discharged their firearms, fatally shooting Perez, who died at the scene. READ MORE: Ohio Man Kills Ex-Wife This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: RAW| San Antonio Police Department Critical Incident Video Release: 6200 Block of Old Pearsall Rd. - From San Antonio Police Department Hikers made a distressing discovery when they stumbled upon human remains near the area where British actor Julian Sands vanished while hiking on Mount Baldy, according to SFGATE. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported that on Saturday around 10 am, hikers exploring the mountain came across the remains and promptly alerted a nearby sheriff's station. Deputies went to the location on foot, and the coroner's office subsequently took the body. The sheriff's department indicated that the identification process would be completed in the coming week but refrained from providing further details. Julian Sands, a 65-year-old actor renowned for his roles in films like "Leaving Las Vegas," "A Room With a View," and the TV series "24," is known to be an avid hiker and resides in the North Hollywood area. He was reported missing on January 13 after hiking along the Baldy Bowl Trail in San Bernardino County, approximately 30 miles from Los Angeles. Mount Baldy, towering over Los Angeles at 10,000 feet, has earned a reputation as one of the most treacherous mountains in the United States, claiming numerous lives over the years. The challenging terrain, limited cell service, and inexperienced hikers resulted in 19 rescues and at least two deaths on its steep and winding trails during the previous winter. Mount Baldy poses challenges and risks for hikers due to its unforgiving terrain and variable weather conditions. Experienced and well-equipped individuals who are aware of the dangers often visit the mountain, while others come to learn and develop mountaineering skills. As the snow began to melt on Mount Baldy in recent weeks, a new search effort was initiated to locate Julian Sands. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department mobilized search-and-rescue teams, drones, and helicopters to locate him, but their efforts have not yielded any results. READ NEXT: California Hiker Found Dead Julian Sands Search Was Suspended Due to Sever Winter Conditions The search for the British actor had been suspended due to severe winter conditions across the western United States during the spring, per DEADLINE. However, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Office conducted eight searches for the experienced outdoorsman and eight other operations. The search efforts resumed last Saturday, involving over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff. The search covered the wilderness and remote areas across the mountain, utilizing two helicopters and drone crews. Despite its proximity to a significant metropolis, accessing certain parts of the area can be challenging due to its steep terrain and ravines, especially during winter. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's office noted that some sections of the wilderness were still covered in up to 10 feet of snow. Julian Sands' Family Releases First Statement Since His Disappearance Following Julian Sands' disappearance, his family released their first statement on Friday, expressing their enduring love and fond memories of him, Click 2 Houston noted. The statement highlighted his qualities as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, nature enthusiast, and artist who made unique contributions in his collaborative performances. Julian Sands is married to journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, and together they have three adult children. READ MORE: Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Remains found near where actor Julian Sands went missing - From KHOU 11 Prosecutors say they are seeking the death penalty against a former eastern Pennsylvania man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death late last year. Bryan Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths at a rental house near the Moscow, Idaho, university campus last November. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed the notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court on Monday. A not-guilty plea was entered in the case on Kohbergers behalf earlier this year. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday. Kohberger studied locally at Northampton Community College and DeSales University. The bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found on Nov. 13, 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus. The slayings shocked the rural Idaho community and neighboring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University. Police released few details about the investigation until after Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in Monroe County, Pa., early Dec. 30, 2022. Court documents detailed how police pieced together DNA evidence, cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings. Investigators said traces of DNA found on a knife sheath inside the home where the students were killed matches Kohberger, and that a cellphone belonging to Kohberger was near the victims home on a dozen occasions before the killings. A white sedan allegedly matching one owned by Kohberger was caught on surveillance footage repeatedly cruising past the rental home around the time of the killings. Kohberger graduated from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township with an associate of arts degree in psychology in 2018, said college spokesperson Mia Rossi-Marino. DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township said that he received a bachelors degree in 2020 and completed graduate studies in June 2022. By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press A vibrantly coloured solar-powered boat that's touring Ireland's waterways is set to dock in Laois. The Eco Showboat Mayfly will be moored in Vicarstown over the first weekend of July. To coincide with the visit there'll be special events on Saturday, July 1 in Vicarstown Community Hall. Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly will spend the afternoon ecology, art, food, and music with local artist and taxidermist Emily Miller, marine biologist Rachel O'Malley, and Indian-Irish music duo Anna Tanvir and Maninder Singh. You'll be able to hear about their two-year solar journey on the islands waterways and the challenges they have faced as the first solar boat to navigate the entire country using sustainable energy. Emily Miller will speak about her work, recently shown at IMMA's Earth Rising festival, which integrates preserved remains of small creatures who died as a result of human activity. Fresh water ecologist Rachel OMalley will be on hand to introduce you to the invertebrates - a host of little creatures that live in our waterways. These fascinating and endearing little creaturesthe Caddisfly, the Mayfly Nymph and moreare indispensable for the health of our waterways as well as important indicators of water quality. An afternoon tea break with delicious Indo-Irish goodies by Maninder, a is a talented chef as well as a musician. The final feature of the day features folk songs from around the world on harp and guitar from Indian-Irish musical duo Anna Tanvir and Maninder Singh. Anne Cleary is a founder of the Eco Showboat project says: "We are very grateful to the Vicarstown Community for welcoming us so warmly to County Laois. The Eco Showboat aims to bring people together around ecology in a way that is enjoyable and fun, combining climate science with art to give people engaging moments where we can imagine solutions to the climate crisis together. Vicarstown people have really bent over backwards to help us realise this vision in Co Loais." The Eco Showboat Journey to the East is a five-month arts expedition from Askeaton to Dublin. The project is supported by the Arts Council, SFI, Creative Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and LAWPRO (full list of partners here). The event takes place on Saturday, July, 2.30 am - 5.30pm. A Laois Offaly TD has warned community pharmacies may reduce opening hours over prescribing pay rates. Independent TD Carol Nolan has said that community pharmacists across her constituency have indicted there is a strong likelihood they will be forced to operate with reduced opening hours and reduced weekend cover if the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, does not take immediate steps to restore pay and prescribing rates that have been frozen for the last number of years. Deputy Nolan was speaking after engaging with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) on the matter. The IPU say since the introduction of FEMPI legislation in 2009, community pharmacy is the only healthcare sector who have had no pay restoration. In the last number of weeks I have been contacted by a significant number of community pharmacists from within Laois Offaly but also from rural pharmacists in a number of other counties, said Dep Nolan. Each and every one of them are expressing considerable alarm at the lack of engagement and the apparent indifference of minister Donnelly and the Department of Health concerning adequate reimbursement for the ever-increasing administrative burden and bureaucracy associated with the complex nature and operation of the community drug schemes. This is despite the fact that he has a legislative obligation to meet with the IPU to discuss issues around pay and reimbursement by the end of this month. As I understand it, the dispensing fee paid by the state to community pharmacists no longer even covers the cost of dispensing a medicine which is now 4.58; a significant increase on 2009 when the cost of dispensing a medicine was 3.73. If these issues are not resolved then the outcomes for rural communities in particular will be extremely challenging. We will almost certainly see longer journey times and less accessibility for patients, said Dep Nolan. The IPU have clearly outlined to me that this will also mean increased pressure on other local healthcare services including GPs and hospitals and longer wait times for prescription medicines to be dispensed, or time waited to speak to a pharmacist on health-related issues, she said. Minister Donnelly must engage immediately on these matters. Rural communities rely on the fantastic model of service provided by our community pharmacists. They do not deserve to be treated as shoddily as they have been to date by the Minister and the Department, concluded Dep Nolan. Mountrath woman and RTE presenter Claire Byrne said her fee with the national broadcaster has fallen since she stopped hosting her weekly current affairs television programme. Byrne was speaking on her daily radio show for the first time since a scandal emerged over undisclosed payments to RTE star Ryan Tubridy. She had not been on air since the scandal began after going on a family trip to Co Kerry. I saw and heard the news coming in just as everyone else did. I had no prior warning, no inkling that there was a problem on the horizon and I wasnt even aware that presenter fees were subjected to a Grant Thornton review. I knew absolutely nothing about it. Just like everyone else, Ive been grappling over the last few days with what has happened and the implications of it for all of us here in RTE and for you, who rely on us and expect us to be completely transparent. Byrne said she heard heartbreaking expressions of broken trust made by RTE viewers and listeners to call-in show Liveline over the matter. As programme makers, our aim is always to be consistent, fair and professional and to respect the hard-earned trust that you, the audience, has placed in us. Byrnes fee has been published by RTE on a biennial basis because she is among the top 10 on-air earners in the organisation. The fee that has been published for me most recently is correct, as are those published in the past, she said. I have never sought, been offered or discussed any kind of commercial or side deal. No other payment exists or has ever existed beyond my published fee. Secondly, my most recent published fee was 350,000. That was the fee agreed by RTE for me to present this radio programme and Claire Byrne Live and, as you know, I decided not to continue with that television show for personal and family reasons. And so in order to be fully transparent with you, I want you to know that my RTE fee now is 280,000 and that fee is for presenting this programme. That last contract was negotiated by Noel Kelly. I recently presented the television quiz show Irelands Smartest and for that I was paid a separate fee of 25,000. That contract was negotiated by other members of the NK Management company. Byrne said she acknowledged this was a significant fee and beyond what many people could hope to earn. There are others who will, no doubt, have more to say about it, I am sure, but my personal decision here this morning is to be open and honest with you, she said. But my decision to do this is not meant to set a precedent for others or to force anyone else to release their information. That is a matter entirely for themselves. I felt that, for me, it was the right thing to do today. With that fee that I earn comes a duty for me to treat this position with respect and I hope that you can trust me and the team of journalists I work with to cover this story with the same rigour and balance as we would any other story on this programme, she said. Forest Fest has been given the green light at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. The festival in Emo was granted both a drinks and dance licence for the weekend of July 21 to 23 at Portlaoise District Court. Judge Andrew Cody asked about the bar and what controls were in place to prevent underage drinking. Solicitor Philip Meagher said there had been no issues at the event in 2022. He said the event catered for over 18s and admitted 12s and under who were accompanied by adults. Judge Cody asked about insurance and security. He was given details about insurance and he heard evidence in relation to the security. A director of the security company said his company covers events such as Longitude, Sea Sessions and Taste of Dublin. We are regulated by the Private Security Authority, he said. He said a new temporary licence was introduced this year for events stewards would be in place. Mr Meagher asked about what could be expected at the campsites after the event. We are not going to rush people and that is in accordance with gardai, he was told. Judge Andrew Cody said it was an excellent event and he wished the organisers the best of luck as he granted both the drinks and dance licence. Many homes and businesses in and around Clonaslee face a second week without tap water after a fault with the local supply. Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) announced a boil water notice on June 20 for 3,900 customers in Laois and Offaly that rely on water from Clonaslee. By June 26, the notice was still in place for 3,800 of its customers most of whom are located in the Tullamore area. However, the Clonaslee area has also been impacted. Uisce Eireann confirmed on Monday that people who rely on the public supply in Clonaslee, Castlecuffe and surrounds would have to boil water until 'further notice'. As to a time frame for repairs the utility said the following. In conjunction with Offaly and Laois County Councils, we would like to assure customers that we are working hard to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as possible. Public health remains our number one priority and we appreciate the impact that this notice is having on our customers in the area, said Uisce Eireann. Irish Water issued the notice on June 20. It said it did so as a precaution to protect the health of approximately 3,900 customers due to raw water quality issues which are impacting the treatment processes at the water treatment plant in Clonaslee. Uisce Eireann says that where risks to water quality are identified through its enhanced testing and monitoring programme, the (HSE) are consulted, and Boil Water Notices are issued to protect public health. The exact cause of the problem with the supply has not been revealed. The company also advised that vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Eireann receive direct communication on boil water notices. People are also reminded that the water is safe to consume once boiled. Water must be boiled for: Drinking; Drinks made with water; Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating; Brushing of teeth; Making of ice; Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water. Uisce Eireann outlined the actions that should be taken: Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads); Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling; Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink; Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water; The following advice is giving for people preparing infant formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as Natural Mineral Water as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. Natural Mineral Water can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used. Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children. Uisce Eireann advises that customers can check if their property is included by visiting the Water Quality section of www.water.ie and entering the propertys Eircode or by calling the Uisce Eireanns customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278. A map of the area is attached and available to view on the supply and service section of water.ie. It says updates are available on in the Water Supply Updates section on water.ie, on Twitter @IWCare and via our customer care helpline, open 24/7 on 1800 278 278. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Irish national flag is being weaponised by a small minority. Speaking during a major security conference in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said the tricolour is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. It has represented the ideals of our nation for 175 years, he said. During the worst days of the Troubles, some in this country become uncomfortable with the tricolour because of the way it was being used by a small, violent and undemocratic minority who claimed it as their banner. However, they failed to defile it and it remained our own. He added: In recent years, others have tried to use our flag especially on social media and at protests. The tricolour, once again, being weaponised by a small minority. He said the flag was being used as a form of identification and method to exclude others. Our flag, like our foreign policy, does not belong to any one section of Irish society, Mr Varadkar said. It belongs to all of us. It carries our values and aspirations, our hopes and dreams, it represents the very best of us as a nation. Our flag deserves better. The final two days of the Governments Consultative Forum on International Security Policy are being held at Dublin Castle on Monday and Tuesday. In his address, Mr Varadkar said the conference was not about Nato membership or changing military neutrality and there was no perceived outcome. However, he added: Not being a Nato member makes it harder to defend ourselves in the unlikely event of an attack and that is just a fact. Whether it makes us more or less vulnerable to an attack is of course debatable. He said Irelands geography and island-nation status makes the country more vulnerable in some respects. The Taoiseach said not being a Nato member has helped Ireland in diplomatic relations with countries in the global south and in the successful bid to join the UN Security Council in 2020. Mr Varadkars address was briefly delayed due to interruptions from two men in the audience. One man called for a referendum on Irish neutrality while another accused the Government of driving Ireland towards Nato. We need to stand up for Irish democracy, Irish sovereignty and Irish neutrality, he said. Mr Varadkar dismissed some of the interruptions as untrue and conspiracy theories. Anti-war protesters also staged a demonstration outside the event. Gathering in the city centre, they held signs criticising Nato and banners calling for neutrality to be enshrined in the Irish constitution. Some activists made speeches on Dame Street before moving towards Dublin Castle. The schedule for Mondays proceedings includes an examination of Irelands engagement with Nato through the partnership for peace and discussions on the EUs Common Security and Defence Policy. The first two days of the security forum in Cork and Galway were beset by protests and interruptions during key addresses. Gardai removed several anti-Nato protesters during Tanaiste Micheal Martins opening address in Cork on Thursday. The temporary closing of a road located in North Kildare has been announced by Kildare County Council (KCC). KCC, on behalf of Irish Water, gives notice in accordance with Section 75 of the Roads Act, 1993 and the Roads Regulations, 1994 that it will close the L1023 Ballinagappagh road from Monday, July 3, to Friday, July 14, in order to facilitate the installation of wastewater pipework. Specifically, the road will be closed from the L1023 / R407 Junction at Clane to the Betaghstown Cross L1023 / R408. The road will be closed from 9am until 4pm for each and every day of the works. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES Southbound vehicles will be diverted east along the R408 for approximately 1.2 kilometres before being diverted right (south) onto the R407 for approximately 3.5km, where they will meet an 'END DETOUR' sign. Northbound diversion is the same as the southbound diversion but in reverse. Diversionary routes will be clearly signposted, as agreed with the Council and An Garda Siochana. KCC has added that emergency access and restricted local access will be maintained. Pic: Kildare County Council. A man convicted of money laundering over 50,000 linked to an invoice redirect fraud has been given 150 hours of community service in lieu of an 18 month prison sentence. Francie Stokes (23) of Ballyowen Lane in Lucan, pleaded guilty to possessing 52,355 as the proceeds of crime in his AIB bank account on Main Street, Lucan, Co Dublin on June 2, 2020. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the money had been transferred fraudulently from a legitimate aviation company based in Germany. Judge Martin Nolan previously adjourned the case to allow the Probation Services to determine whether Stokes was suitable to carry out community service. Today, Judge Nolan ordered Stokes to carry out 150 hours of community service in lieu of 18 months in prison. At a previous sentence hearing, Detective Garda Hugh OCarroll told Aoife McNicholl BL, prosecuting, that AIB alerted gardai to a suspected fraudulent incoming payment from an account in Germany. The court heard that AIB managed to recover 28,000, but that around 24,000 remains outstanding as it had already been withdrawn. Det Gda OCarroll said there had been a number of ATM withdrawals and some larger withdrawals via internet transfer. CCTV footage of the ATM withdrawals showed multiple people making the transactions, but none of them were the accused, the court heard. Stokes attended Lucan Garda Station by appointment and was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. Gardai discovered that Stokes had been in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of between 300 and 350 a week, and that there was no legitimate source of the 52,000. Det Gda OCarroll said Stokes exercised his right to silence when interviewed by gardai but was polite and respectful at all times. The court heard Stokes got probation of one month in October 2021 for laundering 3,000 in April 2020. "He was a money mule at the bottom of the ladder," said Det Gda OCarroll. David Fleming BL, defending, said Stokes had been abusing cocaine at the time and had a drug debt. "He was undeniably stupid and found himself in this situation entirely of his own making," said Mr Fleming, who also described Stokes as "wilfully naive." Counsel said Stokes is married with two children and worked full time in ground works. He has employment guaranteed for the next year and is the breadwinner for his young family, counsel added. The court heard Stokes has no previous record other than the earlier money-laundering of 3,000 and has not been trouble with gardai since this incident. "Stokes certainly acted in a reckless way," said Judge Nolan. By Aodhan O'Faolain A Dublin-based solicitor denies allegations that he intimidated or harassed a law student who has made a complaint about him to the Workplace Relations Commission, the High Court has heard. The student, Ms Sumaia Samanta has asked the Court for injunction restraining solicitor Mr Imtiaz Khan, practising under the style and title of IMK Solicitors from deliberately and punitively harassing, intimidating her and causing her intentional emotional distress. Ms Samanta, who claims that made a complaint after she was not paid for work allegedly done for the defendant's firm, also wants the terms of the injunction applied to any alleged agent, associate of, or person acting on Mr Khan's befall. Last week her lawyers David O'Brien BL, instructed by RNL Solicitors secured permission from Mr Justice Brian O'Moore to serve short notice of her injunction application against Mr Khan. When the matter returned before the Court on Monday Robert Beatty SC for Mr Khan said his client and that application for an injunction is "unstateable" and should be dismissed. Counsel said the matter had received some attention in the media and as a practising solicitor his client was anxious that the application be heard as soon as possible. Mr Justice O'Moore, after making directions in the case, adjourned the application. The judge added that he hoped to be in a position to fix a hearing date when the matter returns before the court. Previously the court heard that Ms Samanta holds a law degree from Bangladesh, and is currently studying at the Law Society of Ireland with a view to qualifying as a solicitor, She claims she worked for the defendant, who is based in Mountjoy Square in Dublin, in late 2022 In her affidavit the plaintiff with an address in Leixlip, Co Kildare, says that her role included promoting the firm via her social media, and YouTube channel to members of Ireland's Bangladeshi community. She says that she was to be paid commission for every new client she brought into the firm, and her travel expenses. However she claims that she was not paid and result, made a complaint to the WRC about Mr Khan. Since making the complaint she claims that she has subjected to a malicious campaign of intimidation and harassment, which she says is "designed to pressure me into withdrawing my WRC claim against him." As a result of the defendant's alleged actions, she has come before the court seeking various orders including an injunction and damages against Mr Khan. Naas General Hospital has been experiencing very high levels of attendance, says the HSE. The emergency department is under pressure with many patients requiring admission. Where possible, hospital management is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as their local Pharmacist, GP, GP out of hours service, or a local injury unit. It's the latest in a series of missives from the HSE Unfortunately, patients who are presenting at the ED with non-urgent conditions are experiencing very long waiting times to be seen. Any patient who needs emergency hospital care will be seen and Naas General Hospital would urge such patients not to delay attending the ED. Do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency. We would like to remind the public if you have to attend the ED in an emergency please ensure to tell the triage personnel if you have any signs/symptoms of Covid-19. The hospital apologises for any inconvenience caused and once again thanks the public for their support and understanding. According to the INMO there are 31 patients on trolleys there today, making it the most overcrowded hospital in the eastern region, which includes the major Dublin hospitals. Gardai are warning the public of a scam currently circulating in the community. According to Gardai, the email based scams involve correspondence claiming to be from An Garda Siochana. In a statement released online, Gardai stated: "We do not and will not contact a person that is under investigation in this way." Some of the most common types of fraud committed in Ireland include payment card fraud, invoice redirection fraud, email fraud (otherwise known as phishing), and phone fraud (otherwise known as vishing or smishing). Gardai recommend always saying no to unsolicited callers or texters seeking private information (including name, address and date of birth as well as bank details), independently verifying any requests for information, and never using the contact details supplied to you by the caller or texter. An Garda Siochana has confirmed they will never look for your banking PIN number or password, and will not ask you to transfer money or come to your home to collect your payment card, cheque book or cash. Senior government figures and unions representing RTE staff have said that former director general Dee Forbes should appear before committee this week. Ms Forbes announced her resignation as the head of Irelands public service broadcaster on Monday, after days of pressure following the revelation that undisclosed payments worth 345,000 euro were made to star presenter Ryan Tubridy. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Ms Forbes should still appear before the Media committee on Wednesday and Committee on Public Accounts on Thursday due to examine corporate governance at the national broadcaster this week. Ms Forbes was suspended from the position last week and was already due to step down from her role next month, with Kevin Bakhurst due to take over from mid-July. In a statement, Ms Forbes said: 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. Ms Forbes said she had consistently co-operated with the processes directed towards answering questions surrounding payments to Tubridy, which was done in an attempt to retain Mr Tubridy and to make a cost saving for RTE in respect of a contractual payment which was due to be paid. She also said the matter has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing. She added: I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. I care very deeply about RTE, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster and its reputation. I will continue to do so as RTE moves forward under the new director general. RTE apologised last week after admitting that between 2017 and 2022, former Late Late Show host Tubridy received a series of payments totalling 345,000 euro (295,000) above his annual published salary. The issue of the 2020-2022 undisclosed payments was discovered during an audit of RTEs accounts, which was then referred to Grant Thornton to examine further. Adrian Lynch, appointed as deputy director general last week, said it was unknown why the undisclosed 2017-2019 payments were made, and Grant Thornton is investigating the anomaly. In the wake of the payments controversy, unions representing RTE staff have said there is unprecedented levels of anger and called on Dee Forbes to appear before the upcoming committees along with all current members of the executive board. The RTE board acknowledged receipt of Ms Forbes resignation, and noted that representatives of the board and executive will be attending the committees this week, but did not clarify which members. Some of RTEs top earners have also revealed their salaries and denied that they benefited from barter advertising deals, including Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy and Miriam OCallaghan. Fine Gael TD Colm Burke, who is a member of the Public Accounts committee, has also called on Patrick Kielty to reveal how much RTE is paying him to host The Late Late Show. The Government has initiated a review into the governance of and culture at RTE, expected to take up to seven months to complete, and has suspended work on reforming the TV licence in the interim. Both Mr Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have called on Ms Forbes to appear before committee, with Mr Martin calling for a full presentation of events. Speaking to reporters during an event at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: I think people would like to hear her side of the story and her version of events. It is still open to her to attend the committee hearings and I think she should. He said he was very disappointed about the RTE payments scandal but has confidence in the broadcasters board. Mr Varadkar added: I do want to point out that RTE is a big organisation, the vast majority of people who work in RTE would have no knowledge or involvement in this whatsoever and indeed the board would have only known about it relatively recently. We need to make sure we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Mr Varadkar said there is a need for individual accountability over the matter. In her statement, Ms Forbes said RTE began discussions around the renewal of Tubridys contract in early 2020, which contained payments that had been negotiated and put in place prior to her arrival at the broadcaster. RTE had committed to reducing fees paid to top talent by 15% and that she led discussions between senior executives at RTE and Tubridys agent. In light of this part of the statement, the National Union of Journalists said the chair of the RTE board should now meet every member of the broadcasters executive to clarify their individual involvement. The agreement meant a commercial partner would enter into a separate commercial contract with Tubridy for 75,000 euro in exchange for the provision of three events annually, which RTE guaranteed and underwrote. Ms Forbes said the pandemic restrictions meant that the commitment to the commercial client could not be met in 2020 and 2021 and was only delivered in 2022, which resulted in using a commercial barter account to honour the payments. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation, Ms Forbes said. At all times, I and the representatives of RTE acted in good faith. She added: This statement is directed to the events of 2020-2022. I understand from media reports and RTEs statement that the board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments and the board has not raised those questions with me. Brian Stanley, the chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, said the committee would have to accept the situation if she is experiencing serious medical issues, but added: What I would expect is that, medically, if she is fit to attend on Thursday, I would expect her to come. The RTE board said it will issue a comprehensive statement on Tuesday afternoon of its understanding of circumstances which led to the mis-stating of Tubridys earnings between 2020-2022. However, the circumstances of Tubridys mis-stated earnings for 2017-2019 are being separately investigated and will not be included in Tuesdays statement. Antiparasitic resistance among livestock must be addressed with a science-based approach. That's according to Veterinary Ireland (VI), which is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, to address the issue. According to VI, the ability to farm livestock on grazing systems is only possible where parasitic disease - a serious public health and agri-food industry issue - can be managed effectively. A study by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2016 reportedly found that 56% of worming interventions in sheep were not effective, and in 2017 found extremely high levels of resistance to all groups of wormers in cattle. According to the Chair of the Veterinary Ireland Medicines Working Group, Conor Geraghty MVB Cert DHH, the right product must be given "to the right animals at the right time" in order to address the resistance problem. He also stated that refugia (the proportion of the parasitic population unexposed to treatment) should be maintained through selective, targeted treatments and that parasite control becomes a planned farm-specific procedure. He said, "The gateway to this outcome is through proper, scientific, farm-specific advice from the farmers vet where a Client-Patient-Practice-Relationship (CCPR) is in existence. This advice must be ongoing and monitored, take account of farm specific issues such as epidemiology, pharmacology, the clinical picture, stocking densities, buying policy and local factors." According to Geraghty, proper tailored advice from the farmers' own veterinary practitioner will result in farmers using less antiparasitic veterinary medicines, resulting in savings to farmers and improved farm productivity and profit while addressing resistance. Chair of the Veterinary Ireland Food Animal Interest Group, Kate O'Dwyer, said, "These medicines are precious resources to be used prudently for the preservation of human, animal and environmental health and should not be treated as input commodities. "We need to follow European and international best practice because failing to do so could risk Irelands reputation as a food producing country." The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, reportedly addressed the Veterinary Ireland AGM and conference on November 25, 2022, where he brought up the worrying development of antiparasitic resistance in Ireland. At the AGM the Minister stated: This year my Department introduced a TASAH (Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health) programme to specifically focus on parasite control on farms. This programme reinforced the value of veterinary expertise in successfully controlling parasites at farm level. "Anthelmintic resistance is a complex problem and as management practices and risk factors vary markedly between farms, there is huge value in tailored veterinary advice. Geraghty said, "It is vital that the Minister continues a science based and internationally credible approach to addressing the issue of anthelmintic resistance. This is to the ultimate benefit of the farming community and also human and animal health in the One Health context." Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today announced 40 million in funding to improve college campuses. The funding, which will be distributed to 20 institutions, will be used to improve access for people with disabilities, and invest in necessary upgrades. Included in the list is Atlantic Technical University campuses, which include ATU Sligo. "Following the amalgamation of Letterkenny, IT Sligo, and Mayo/Galway IT Colleges into the new Technical University, I want to commend the Government and Minister Harris for their continued financial and logistical support for the new University which will enhance the student experience to include better accessibility for all" stated the local FG TD Frank Feighan. Speaking today, Minister Harris said: As our third level sector concludes another academic year, this is an important investment ahead of the next college year. "The number of people attending higher education is increasing and our college campuses need to expand and improve to cater for this increased numbers. "This significant grant will give institutions flexibility to make improvements in key areas such as energy efficiency and decarbonisation upgrades. The funding can also be used for accessibility upgrades - an issue close to my heart. This will help make campuses more accessible and inclusive. This is a substantial devolved capital grant for higher education institutions to support a variety of capital priorities. It is the second year it has increased to 40 million - a signal of Government's commitment to higher education and to delivering world class facilities." Seven universities, five Technological Universities, two Institutes of Technology and six other colleges are benefitting from this devolved grant. The funding can be used for energy efficiency and decarbonisation upgrades, investment to support universal access, general ICT and equipment upgrades, health and safety works and minor works and equipment. Previous grant allocations under Project Ireland 2040 have delivered tangible benefits for students and staff. Funding will be provided through the Higher Education Authority(HEA) for all Technological Universities, Institutes of Technology except for two who will be funded directly by the Department. Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CH CDLMS) has been very successful at the recent Tobacco Free Campus Bursary awards ceremony in Dublin on 1st June, where financial incentives were awarded to support the implementation of the HSE Tobacco Free Campus Policy. Overall there were 108 successful applications nationally and of these 21(19%) were from CH CDLMS and each also received a plaque showcasing their success. Sligo/Leitrim had 10 successful applications: Mental Health - Linden House, Ballymote; Older Persons - St Johns Hospital; Arus Carolan, Arus Breffini and Ballinamore Nursing Home; Disability Sligo/Leitrim Learning Disability Service; Sligo/Leitrim Intellectual Disability Service and Gallagher House; Primary care Drumcliffe Primary Care Centre; and Nazareth House Campus. Fiona Boyle, Tobacco Lead explained we are committed to reducing the use of tobacco and its harmful health effects by creating a healthier tobacco free, clean environment for our staff, service users and visitors. Smoking/vaping by employees, patients/service users, visitors and any other parties has been prohibited within all HSE campuses since 31st December 2015. The aim of the policy is to help change social norms around tobacco use/vaping, treat tobacco addiction as a healthcare issue, and promote smoking cessation by actively advising, encouraging and supporting people to quit smoking. Martina Blake, National Lead, Tobacco Free Ireland Programme said experience demonstrates that the successful implementation of Tobacco-Free Campus Policy requires a systematic approach and the proactive support of the service managers at all levels. A Tobacco Free Campus Bursary award process to assist in the smooth implementation and ongoing management of this policy across all services was introduced in 2018 and it has been very successful. Caroline OHehir, Cloonamahon Campus Disability Services, Sligo/Leitrim said they are delighted to be honoured with an award and a bursary for continuous quality improvement in the implementation of the HSE Tobacco Free Campus Policy. Since the commencement of our Smoking Cessation committee we have been able to provide important information to residents and staff across the service about the effects of smoking, and the health benefits to quitting. We as a service have ensured that residents and staff have access to information to support them if they choose to quit smoking, which we encourage within the Health Services. We continue on a daily basis to remind everyone how they can access support by attaching the details to our email signature which ensures that the information is seen across the service, and external areas. We intend on using the bursary to provide additional support for anyone within the service who wishes to quit smoking. This is the third TFC Awards ceremony to take place since 2018 and CH CDLMS have been very successful to date. First time round in 2018 there were 22 applications and 3 (14%) were from CH CDLMS, in 2021 there were 44 applications and 9 (20%) were from CH CDLMS and as mentioned above this year there were 108 applications and 21 (19%) were from CH CDLMS. A LIMERICK primary school student has been announced as the national winner of a prestigious carbon monoxide safety poster competition. Grace Cussen, a sixth-class student at Scoil Mhuire Broadford, has won a competition aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and the significance of having carbon monoxide alarms in homes. The contest, organised by Gas Networks Ireland in collaboration with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), was open to students who completed the 'Energize' Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) educational program, garnered a remarkable response from across the country. However, Grace's poster stood out from the rest, effectively illustrating the hazards of carbon monoxide and emphasising the importance of having an alarm installed at home. Gas Networks Ireland's Social Sustainability Manager, Grainne O'Reilly, expressed her congratulations to Grace and the entire Scoil Mhuire Broadford community during a ceremony where she presented the school with an iPad for classroom use. O'Reilly highlighted the significance of STEAM education, stating, "Science, technology, engineering, and maths expertise is at the centre of our business, so we're big supporters of STEAM education. Congratulations to Grace and indeed all in Scoil Mhuire Broadford for winning term three of the 2022/23 Energize poster competition. Particularly as art is such a wonderful medium to use when engaging with STEAM, so we are always excited to see so many creative entries." The Energize program, designed to provide primary school students in Ireland with engaging and practical science lessons, has been instrumental in fostering interest in the subject and encouraging students to pursue it further in secondary education. Carbon monoxide awareness is an integral part of the program, which has been running in partnership between Junior Achievement and Gas Networks Ireland for 13 years. Recently, the Energize program was updated to include a sustainability module, introducing students to renewable energy, biodiversity, and social responsibility. Michael Boyce, the sixth-class teacher at Scoil Mhuire Broadford, expressed his delight at Grace's achievement and praised the Energize program. "My class thoroughly enjoyed the Energize program, which brought science to life through fun and interactive sessions reflecting the curriculum," Boyce said. "The program enables pupils to understand career possibilities in STEAM areas and encourages them to continue with science in second-level education. We are delighted that Grace won this award. All of the class engaged in the poster competition and grasped the important safety messages related to carbon monoxide with wonderful creativity. Thanks to JAI, Mary Barrett from the University of Limerick, and Gas Networks Ireland, who helped deliver the program". THE GRANDPARENTS and mother of a young man have been forced to compensate certain sinister individuals for the loss of drugs seized by gardai, Limerick Circuit Court heard. In sentencing the accused, Judge Tom ODonnell said it is an outrageous state of affairs and totally and utterly unacceptable. Adam Stephenson, aged 23, who has an address at Bourke Avenue, Lord Edward Street, Limerick has pleaded guilty to multiple drugs charges relating to seizures at his home on three separate dates between March 16, 2021 and July 9, 2022. He has also pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge. During a sentencing hearing last month, John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, said some of the offences were committed while the defendant was on bail. Garda Eoin Murray said Mr Stephensons home was searched on March 16, 2021 shortly after he was observed acting suspiciously while in the company of another man close to his home. Three bags containing individually-wrapped cannabis jellies were discovered along with cash and a quantity of cannabis. Garda Murray confirmed that cannabis jellies are becoming more prevalent in Limerick and that the drug is ingested by sucking a sweet. When questioned, the defendant admitted he was selling drugs via the social media app Snapchat to pay off a 2,500 drug debt. He told gardai he had collected the packages earlier and that the money was put in a box and handed over to individuals whom he did not identify. Judge Tom ODonnell was told the second offence occurred just under a year later on March 11, 2022. On that date cannabis and cannabis resin worth more than 2,500 was seized along with a quantity of cannabis wax which, Garda Murray explained, is a sticky, melted-down substance which is sprinkled over a joint and smoked. Cash, two mobile phones and various paraphernalia associated with drug dealing were also located. Again, Mr Stephenson made admissions telling gardai his drug debt had increased to 14,000. Less than four months later, on July 9, 2022, the defendants home was searched again after gardai observed a male on an e-scooter leaving the property. Mr OSullivan said the male Mr X was extremely nervous when stopped and that he was found to be in possession of cannabis. Drugs worth an estimated 18,500 and more than 1,600 in cash was seized during the subsequent search of Mr Stephens home including in his bedroom and in the attic. Seeking leniency, Mark Nicholas SC said his client had a difficult early life and that he suffered a health scare in the recent past. He asked the court to note that Mr Stephenson had cooperated with gardai and that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage. He said his client began using drugs at a young age and that he asked the court to note that he was not making money by selling drugs. There was a debt, he was selling, there was no profit, he said, adding that he has not come to the attention of gardai since last summer despite being on their radar. It is a particularly sad and difficult story, he said, adding that his client continues to have huge support from his family. Judge ODonnell adjourned sentencing to allow him time to reflect on the appropriate sentence. At the circuit court this week, the judge said an extremely disturbing feature of the case was the level of duress, coercion and threats that the accused and his family have been subjected to. It appears the family have been forced to compensate certain sinister individuals for the loss of drugs. The accused grandparents have had to hand over money and the probation report shows that his mother is repaying a sum of 200 per week currently. This, in the courts view, is an outrageous state of affairs and totally and utterly unacceptable, said Judge ODonnell. The judge said the mitigating factors were Mr Stephensons admissions, an early plea of guilty and no trappings of wealth. He had issues with drugs from an early age, relapsed and incurred a significant drug debt. He has strong family support. This court has said time and time again if people are going to get involved in this type of enterprise they must be prepared to accept the consequences of their actions, said Judge ODonnell, who imposed concurrent eight month sentences on each of the first two possession of drugs for sale or supply charges. The judge handed down a three year sentence on the third drugs charge with the last 12 months suspended if he keeps the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months post release. It is to be served consecutively to the eight month sentence. Block Rockin Beats will return to Limerick to play live at the castle. Dec Pierce will be back for his biggest ever Limerick show after a blistering sold out performance at Live at The Big Top in The Milk Market last December. His Block Rocking Beats is a performance of the worlds biggest dance anthems featuring a DJ set with full live band, plus special guests. A show where rave meets rock music, Block Rocking Beats is an unmissable performance from Dec Pierces radio show of the same name, on Today FM. "The show is all about energy, nostalgia, and fun - its a concert, but we want you to lose yourself for a few hours. We want you to go back in time to experience these classic anthems with a full live band and special guests on vocals. Its a unique music and visual experience," commented Dec. Announcing the event, Mick Dolan said: Dec Pierces show brings raw energy enthusiasm and is filled with classics from many genres, his shows are turning into the highlights of the musical calendar. Step by step, his shows have emerged from his radio show to Dolans Warehouse, to the Big Top, and now King Johns Castle. The show will take place on Friday, August 25. Tickets on sale this Friday, June 30 from dolans.ie MICHAEL McGrath TD, Minister for Finance joined Dell Technologies to announce the expanded capabilities of its Customer Solution Center (CSC) Innovation Lab located at its campus in Limerick. The CSC Innovation Lab provides a unique environment for organisations to test and deploy new digital solutions to address specific business challenges. Global customers can now experience real-life examples of how AI, 5G and edge computing can advance the development of smart cities, connected healthcare and Industry 4.0. The expanded capabilities, built in collaboration with partners Vodafone and Ericsson, include the implementation of edge computing and emerging technologies such as computer vision, advanced analytics, and private wireless networking. This will enable customers to develop new ways to capture, analyse and make decisions at the edge, in proximity to the data source and will support industries including manufacturing, healthcare and agrifood sectors. The expanded offering ensures that Dell can accelerate the pace of digital transformation for customers from the edge to the cloud. The partners together with NovaUCD, the hub of innovation at University College Dublin, are developing an accelerator programme to support innovative start-ups with global potential accessing Dells CSC Innovation Lab to test their new solutions. Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD at the Customer Solutions Centre said; Dell Technologies has continually been at the forefront of innovation and helping businesses here in Ireland and across the globe to harness new technologies. "The expansion of the companys capabilities at its CSC Innovation Lab in Limerick and its support for innovative Irish start-ups is very welcome news. "It not only highlights the companys commitment to Ireland but also the importance of helping businesses to embrace edge computing and emerging technologies. Sean O'Reilly, EMEA Vice President of Logistics and Limerick Site Leader at Dell Technologies said; Were thrilled to welcome Minister McGrath to our Customer Solution Center Innovation Lab here in Limerick and unveil the enhanced offering for our customers both globally and here in Ireland. "The broadening of our capabilities and the continued evolution of our multi-functional campus in Limerick will help ensure that our team remains at the forefront of digital transformation. MEMBERS of the Thomond region of Engineers Ireland, which covers Limerick, have elected their new chairperson for the year. Shannon-based David Purcell takes the reigns from the outgoing chair Mike Griffin. The Thomond region of Engineers Ireland is a hub for members of the professional body who are based in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. It represents all sectors of the profession, providing continuing professional development and networking events for engineers. Mr Purcell, who works at Lufthansa Technik Turbine Shannon said: "It is an honour to be elected chair of the Thomond Region of Engineers Ireland. Having joined the region in 2017, I have witnessed first-hand the dedication and passion of our committee and the variety of learning, development, and networking opportunities which have been developed to support and nurture our community of engineers in Clare, Limerick, and North Tipperary." He paid tribute to his immediate predecessor, saying: "I would like to thank Mike Griffin for his commitment to the Thomond region. He has done a tremendous job over the last year and brought a vibrant energy to the role. I would also like to thank all our committee of volunteer engineers for their commitment to supporting the engineering community in our region." As for his year in charge, he says he looks forward to continuing the good work of its committee and supporting the group's 1,500 members. John Power, former president of Engineers Ireland was also present at the Thomond Region's Annual General Meeting and thanked volunteer engineers for their commitment to the cause. A WELLNESS event will take place in Limerick city early next month with all proceeds being donated to Limerick Suicide Watch. Tickets for Head Above Water which takes place on July 9, cost 10. The event will take place from 10am to 12pm at the Curraghgour Boat Club and people are encouraged to register via Eventbrite. Eight Limerick businesses will take part, one of which includes Paul Ryan, owner of DUO Ireland. Speaking about the significance of the event Fiona Griffin, organiser and owner of Wild Folk said: Our mission is to break the stigma around how people are judged or treated because of their mental health. "We want folk to know they dont have to suffer in silence, there is always someone who wants to listen. We all have a loved one that has struggled with their mental health at some point and I hope our morning encourages those that are fighting an internal battle to reach out and ask for help. Fiona continued: I want to build a community of support and if I help one person in the crowd it will be a success for me. I have been touched by suicide therefore choosing Limerick Suicide Watch has big significance for me. On the day, participants will enjoy a cold dip in the river, breathwork and yoga as well as music performed by artist Bob OBrien and a warm cup of tea to relax. The event is an important initiative to not only highlight mental health but the river itself and the positive aspects it brings to the city. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, has announced plans to introduce vehicles that will operate solely on ethanol as fuel. During a gathering in Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, shared his interaction with the chairman of Mercedes Benz, who informed him about the company's future focus on manufacturing exclusively electric vehicles. Gadkari highlighted this encounter, emphasizing the chairman's statement that electric vehicles would be their sole production in the coming years. We are bringing new vehicles that will run entirely on ethanol. Bajaj, TVS and Hero scooters will run 100 per cent on ethanol," the minister said. The minister announced plans to introduce the Toyota Camry car in August, which will operate entirely on ethanol and produce 40 percent electricity. He stated that in comparison to petrol priced at 120 per litre, the cost of ethanol at 60 per litre would make the average price equivalent to 15 per litre. Gadkari has recently also stated that truck manufacturers will soon be required to install air conditioning units inside the driver cabins. Before coming to this event today, I have signed the file that mandates air conditioning in truck driver compartments. We must ensure that people who drive the trucks are well taken of," Nitin Gadkari said at an auto industry event recently. "Our drivers operate vehicles in harsh temperatures of 43...47 degrees and we must imagine the condition of drivers. I was keen to introduce the AC cabin after I became a minister. But some people opposed it saying the cost of trucks will go up. Today, I have signed the file that all truck cabins will be AC cabins," he had said addressing the event called 'Desh Chaalak - Recognising those who move India' organised by Mahindra Logistics. Gadkari additionally acknowledged the shortage of drivers in India, leading to truckers working long hours of 14-16 per day. He mentioned that other countries have regulations in place limiting the duration of truckers' duty. However, the minister did not specify a deadline for the introduction of trucks equipped with air-conditioned cabins. According to certain reports, the rollout is anticipated to commence in 2025. (With inputs from PTI) To enable cross-border export of electricity to Bangladesh, Adani Power Limited successfully began the commercial operations of its Godda power plant in Jharkhand on Sunday, the company said in its stock exchange filing. The company stock was trading 2.89 per cent higher at 249.40 apiece on BSE at 1:48 pm. Also Read: Most Adani Group stocks rise in early trade; Adani Enterprises up over 2% Adani Power's subsidiary, Adani Power Jharkhand Limited, completed the commercial operations of its Unit 2 of 800 MW capacity of the 2x800 ultra-supercritical power project at 11:00 pm on Sunday. Prior to this the power plant had successfully completed the Reliability Run Tests. Also Read: Bulls slash levered bets on Adani Group as US begins probe "Unit 2 of 800 MW capacity of the 2x800 MW Ultra-supercritical power project of Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited (APJL", a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited), situated in Godda District in Jharkhand, has achieved commercial operations at 24:00 hrs Bangladesh Standard Time on 25th June, 2023 (23:30 hrs India Standard Time on 25th June, 2023) following successful completion of Reliability Run Tests, as per contract," said company in its stock filing on Monday. Adani Power's Godda power plant began its operation in April this year Adani Power began the operation of its Jharkhand-based thermal power plant in April this year. The facility is part of company's 2x800 MW ultra-supercritical power project of Adani Power (Jharkhand) Ltd (APJL), according to an exchange filing. Also Read: Not aware of subpoena to investors, says Adani Group amid US regulators probe The power plant will supply power for a net capacity of 748 MW from the said unit to the Bangladesh Power Development Board. As per the company's contract with Bangladesh, company's Jharkhand-based Godda Ultrasupercritical thermal power plant (USTCPP) will export power to Bangladesh. Adani's Jharkhand-based firm entered into a 25-year contract with Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The Godda USTCPP construction faced several challenges due to the COVID pandemic, said the company. The project is the first of its kind in India as it has deployed the Ultra-supercritical technology for the first time in the country. BSE More Information A senior supply-chain executive, who works for the retail arm of one of Indias oldest conglomerates, is now spending her non-working hours studying how global retail chains are reducing their carbon footprint. I have joined online sustainability forums, and I study research reports to understand how the transport system in retail chains can reduce emissions," said the 40-year-old Mumbai-based employee, who is part of the groups cross-functional sustainability team. Retail is one of the oldest and most energy-consuming sectors, and reducing my firms carbon footprint is now one of my key result areas (KRA)." But there is one big hurdle she faces in moving towards that goal. We have tried to hire employees with experience in the retail and sustainability space but there is no one. So, we have now resorted to seeing if we can follow what global retailers do," she said, explaining why she spends her non-work hours poring over such reports. Derek M Shah, senior vice president at Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), and head of green manufacturing and development, can empathize with her on the struggle to find the right talent, and retain it. On the 30th, Im losing three of my best guys," he told Mint back in May. L&T, one of the leaders in the green energy space, is a popular hunting ground for rivals and startups. On its part, the company has been scouting for talent from European and American firms willing to shift to India and be co-authors of the countrys green energy script. In recent years, India Inc has taken up a number of green energy projects. However, with a dearth of experienced hands to step into the unique roles demanded by the sector, the likes of L&T, Tata Power, ReNew and Vedanta Group are turning to global talent while also losing some of their best to startups and rival conglomerates. Industry estimates suggest that Indias renewable energy sector has the potential to create employment for 1 million people by 2030. Job portals have started looking into the rising demand for green energy specialists. Terra.do, a global climate career platform founded in 2020, has amassed a database of over 30,000 climate-related knowledge jobs. So, what kind of jobs are on offer exactly? The green and renewable energy sector needs people in leadership positions who understand the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) business and how it can impact revenues and brands. Lower down, it needs project managers who have worked in allied industries such as thermal and solar plants, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants and so on. As companies move from oil and gas to areas like green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol and electrolyte manufacturing, they need skilled workers who know how to control hydrogen in a certain temperature, electrochemistry experts and those who can draw up blueprints and strategize road maps. Shah explained that L&T has been focusing on getting experts in electrochemistry. In addition, the company has been recruiting people who have worked in electronics and instrumentation roles. These companies also need sales and marketing teams that understand the sector. Moreover, there is a need for experts who understand how to maintain clean manufacturing units, much like the pharma industry the workforce has to operate plants in an environment where even a speck of dirt can ruin batteries or clean energy pipelines. The supply of adequately trained manpower falls short of the demand, creating a bottleneck for Indian renewable energy companies....This talent crunch underscores the critical importance of investing in robust training programmes and learning/skilling initiatives to bridge the skills gap and ensure the continued growth and success of the renewable and green energy sector," said Himal Tewari, chief human resources officer and chief of sustainability and CSR, Tata Power. How it began It all started with the Paris Agreement in 2015, when global governments decided on a legally binding target to limit the global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100, with an optimistic aspiration to keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius. India has set a long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, and conglomerates are scrambling to reduce their carbon footprints. For instance, Reliance Industries Ltd aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and has chalked out a blueprint to improve its energy emissions, waste management and renewable energy initiatives. Within one year, the renewable energy consumption at Reliance jumped by 352%. I feel confident that such initiatives, coupled with the transition to renewable power for our O2C (oil to chemical) assets, will accelerate our journey to become net-carbon zero," chairman Mukesh Ambani had said last August while announcing that Reliance Industries will build one of the worlds largest carbon fibre plants at Hazira, Gujarat. L&T has formed a Green Energy Council, a think-tank comprising of eminent thought leaders, in a significant step towards building a global green energy business. According to a statement issued by the company in May, the council will be responsible for identifying technology trends in green energy, analysing evolving global policy developments, evaluating emerging business models and advising on collaborations. The think tank includes Eicke R. Weber, who serves as the co-president of the European Solar Manufacturing Council; Bart Biebuyck, an expert in the green hydrogen economy; Christopher Hebling, director of hydrogen technologies at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE; and Patrice Simon, an expert in the field of electrochemical materials. The ESG imperative Renewable and green energy has gained more importance in the wake of ESG becoming a key issue even in developing countries, including India. The power, steel, cement, and agriculture sectors account for approximately 70% of Indias carbon emissions. According to a study by consulting and audit firm Deloitte, called ESG preparedness survey report, a robust" ESG strategy requires a workforce dedicated to ESG matters, headed by a chief sustainability officer, with oversight from the board and the relevant ESG and climate risk committees. Several businesses are reskilling and upskilling their workforce, while others are relying on external consultants for project-based or part-time support. The skill gap, however, is expected to significantly reduce in the future with an increasing number of sustainability courses and certification mechanisms being incorporated within the human capital function of organizations," said the report, which was released in May. The report highlighted that only 27% of businesses are well-prepared to meet ESG requirements and that less than half (49%) are fully aware of ESG reporting mechanisms and regulations in India. The leadership has to drive the change. From millennials to rating agencies, all want to know what a firm is doing for its carbon footprint and hence the rush to get skillsets across profiles," said Viral Thakker, partner and sustainability leader, Deloitte India. Integrated approach Vaishali Nigam Sinha, co-founder and chairperson, sustainability, at ReNew, a renewable energy company, told Mint that the requirement for skilled talent in Indias renewable and green energy sector is significant, given the countrys ambitious goals of achieving 500 gigawatt (GW) from renewables by 2030. Though challenging, achieving these numbers would require the government and companies to be innovative in their strategies to identify, nurture, and retain talent. The current challenge towards meeting these targets can be attributed to the clean energy sector being relatively new, with limited awareness and understanding of its intricacies," she said. Consultants do not look at the push to go green as a binary goal where a target is given and one can strategize the way to reach it. They say there is a need for an integrated approach, where both the private and public sector work in tandem. Government policies need to work aggressively in skill development and the private sector cannot do it alone without an enabling environment being created and/or supported by the government," said Anish De, global head for energy natural resources and chemicals, KPMG in India. Scaling clean energy up on the lines envisioned in public policy is a huge challenge. Many key technologies are new and evolving. India lacks manufacturing capacities for electrolysers and batteries, and the whole ecosystem needs to come together, De added. The capital expenditure on new energy is high while the operational expenditure is low. The risks are different and not many can assess the investment strategy. They (those who lack experience) use generic capabilities and have to compromise, which, in turn, leads to sub-optimal outcomes," said De. In his discussions with clients, De noticed a big part of the challenges occur where promoter-driven businesses venture into technologically complex areas without prior experience. While the entrepreneurial zeal is commendable and indeed necessary, some inevitably face difficulties. Some of the entrepreneurs recognize these challenges and seek support to transform their organizations, while these new and complex businesses are getting built. These will typically be two-three-year journeys," De told Mint. Grooming talent Education institutes have started training the next generation of experts and companies are tying up with them for a better industry interface. But there is still a lot to be done. Our educational institutions are yet to align with the requirements of the renewable industry, and with rapidly changing technology, there is a pressing need to update the curricula as per industry standards," said ReNews Sinha. The company runs a global internship programme and has tie-ups with management and engineering colleges. In a bid to address the talent deficit in the clean energy sector in India, which is also adversely affecting ReNew as a company, we have opened a training academy in New Delhi. This will allow the company to get trained workforce," Sinha added. ReNew aims to double its headcount to over 5,000. It has an operational capacity of around eight GW, one of the largest in the sector, and it is setting up another six GW of renewable projects in the next two years. Some are forging alliances with colleges for research work. L&T inked a pact with the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay in 2022 to jointly pursue research and development work in the green hydrogen value chain. Tata Power Skill Development Institute, launched in February 2015, has trained approximately 2,500 individuals for green energy jobs, with plans to scale up that number to around 5,000 by 2025. We are not ready yet. The courses at the National Power Training Institutes need to come up with the latest in renewable and green energy. Students still prefer the traditional energy courses because they are not aware and get trained in old ways," said Praveen Purohit, deputy chief HR officer at energy company Vedanta Group. Purohit said the need is to have a separate institute but he was unsure on whether it should be a government or private backed one. Global phenomenon Interestingly, the hunt for talent in this sector is not an India problem alone but a global challenge. De said that during a recent trip to Australia, he found that clients there faced similar problems finding skilled hands. According to a senior executive heading the sustainability team at an energy company, Europe, especially the Nordic region, South Korea, Japan and some regions in America have companies that specialize in alternative forms of energy. A wide net is being cast in the hunt for talent there. The candidate has to be wooed not just by compensation but also growth prospects and told in great detail why green energy is important for the companys business. This is because the candidate will have counter-offers from other companies," said the executive. Companies are targeting Indian expats who are working in new-age firms and are keen to work on parallel projects in India. The executive said it is often easier to make Indians homeward bound so that they can be part of a larger growth story. There are discussions on severance clauses, many rounds of negotiations. And after all that, a smaller startup may just poach within a year by doubling the salary," he added. The renewable sector may be a sunrise sector, but companies in the area are expanding rapidly. This may be a great time for individuals looking to build a career in the industry, but for companies struggling to fill key roles across the board, the road ahead is long. State Bank of India (SBI)s investment banking and project advisory arm, SBI Capital Markets, has expanded operations to the Middle East with its new Abu Dhabi office, said two people familiar with the development. SBI Caps recently received approval to establish a branch office at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre. While the formal announcement has not yet been made, senior SBI and SBI Caps executives will be inaugurating the branch on 3 July, according to an itinerary viewed by Mint. SBI Caps and Abu Dhabi Global Market is organizing an event, UAE-India Economic Summit: Fostering Synergies Uniting the Falcon and Tiger Economies on 3 July where the announcement will be made. SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, SBI Caps chief executive Amitava Chatterjee, ADGM chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, and Indias Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir are likely to attend, according to ADGM website. SBI Caps move to set up an office in the region reflects the growing importance of funds from the Middle East willing to invest in Indian businesses. The people cited above said SBI Capital seeks to capitalize on this opportunity, and plans to gradually expand its team to have a significant presence in the region. Sudhir had said in November that in the last five years, UAEs sovereign wealth funds invested over $10 billion across sectors such as renewable energy, telecom, affordable housing, road infrastructure and startups, according to a PTI report. When contacted an SBI Cap spokesperson refused to comment on the story. In 2022-23, SBI Caps posted a consolidated net profit of 725.39 crore, as against a profit of 635.42 crore in the previous year. In FY23, SBI Caps was involved in transactions including debt syndication for the international airport project at Navi Mumbai; debt syndication for steel project capacity expansion for Jindal Steel and Power Ltd at Angul in Odisha, among others. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shayan Ghosh Shayan Ghosh is a national writer at Mint reporting on traditional banks and shadow banks. He has over a decade of experience in financial journalism. Based in Mints Mumbai bureau since 2018, he tracks interest rate movements and its impact on companies and the broader economy. His interests also include the distressed debt market, especially as Indias bankruptcy law attempts recoveries of billions worth of toxic assets. Read more from this author Edtech unicorn Byjus has not deposited the provident fund (PF) money for most of its employees in FY24. As per a report in The Hindu BusinessLine, former employees of the company have shared screenshots of their EPF account passbook and salary slips which clearly suggested that Byjus hasnt deposited their PF money. The report also claimed that the EPFO data showed that Think and Learn Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Byjus, has not paid the PF money. Mint could not independently verify the development A once booming Indian startup-Byjus, is now embroiled in a bitter dispute with creditors. The company has cut thousands of jobs to slash costs. The firm, valued at $22 billion in its latest funding round, has been facing troubles since it missed deadlines to file audited financial accounts. The company skipped payments on a $1.2 billion term loan and triggered a legal fight with creditors seeking quicker repayment. What happens when employer fails to deposit contribution in EPF account In a tweet dated 17 February, EPFO specified the rate at which damages are covered due to delayed contributions. Duration Applied interest (per annum) 0-2 months 5% 2-4 months 10% 4-6 months 15% More than 6 months 25% What is EPFO ruling? EPFO rules mandate that a company should deposit the PF money for a month by the 15th of the next. Any delay could attract penal charges of 5-100 per cent of the amount. HR and compliance experts said this delay may indicate the financial trouble in Indias most valued start-up. What can employees do if EPFO contribution is delayed? Employees need to stay aware of the deposit of the PF contributions on a monthly basis. This can be done by tracking EPFO SMS alerts. Employees can also check by logging in to the EPFO portal. If there is any delay in payments by employers, you can file a complaint with the EPFO against the employer. UAE-based Lulu Group is working on various Indian projects and will invest 10,000 crore in the country over the next three years. The UAE-based conglomerate has pumped up a total of 20,000 crore in India till now, Lulu Chairman Yusuff Ali MA said on Monday. Also Read: APEDA inks pact with Lulu Group to promote millets in GCC countries The ongoing projects of the company in states like Telangana, Ahmedabad, Uttar Pradesh, etc will provide around 50,000 employment in India. He claimed that the company's different projects in India have provided around 22,000 jobs in India. Also Read: Lulu Group and Ficci sign MoU to boost exports from India to the UAE One of the company's projects is near completion. The five lakh square feet Lulu Mall built with an investment of 300 crore will be inaugurated in August. He also said that soon the company will also complete its other project of constructing an export-oriented modern integrated meat processing plant and state-of-the-art Destination Mall (2.2 million sq ft ) in the country. Also Read: Pakistan mulls handing over Karachi port terminals to UAE Lulu Group to invest 3,500 crore in Telangana Lulu Group will invest around 3,500 in Telangana in the coming five years as the company is working on different projects including a Destination Shopping Mall worth 3,000 crore, Yusuff Ali told ANI. "We have got an investment of more than 20,000 crore in different areas including shopping malls, hotels, and food processing units (in India). We will increase this," he said. Other Indian projects of the UAE-based firm in India Throwing light upon different ongoing projects in India, Yusuff Ali said that his firm has started the construction of a shopping mall in Ahmedabad. Another one is coming up in Chennai. Moreover, the company is also working to build a food processing plant in Noida and another one in Telangana. "We have started the construction of a shopping mall in Ahmedabad. And also another one in Chennai we are coming up. A food processing plant is coming up in Noida and another one is in Telangana. It is 10,000 crore investments in the next three years," Yusuff Ali said. He stressed the liberalised NRI investment norms in India, after which all investments by non-resident Indians are treated as domestic investments. MUMBAI , BENGALURU : Tata Consultancy Services ( TCS ) Ltd has named a new head to oversee the hiring of temporary workers amid an internal probe into the bribes-for-jobs scandal that has led to the sacking of at least 15 executives and the blacklisting of eight staffing firms. Indias largest IT services company has entrusted Sivakumar Viswanathan, a veteran of about 30 years, as the new head of the Resource Management Group, or RMG, an executive privy to the development said. RMG oversees the hiring of contract workers and internally deploys people to projects. View Full Image Graphic: Mint TCS, the countrys largest private sector employer, has sacked 15 people from the RMG divisions in the US, Canada, and Indias Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the executive said, as the company looks to weed out people who took commissions from staffing firms, compromising the recruitment process. Mint could not ascertain the names of staffing firms that the company has banned. TCS is also in the middle of a detailed audit of all the staffing firms it engages with, asking its recruitment arm that hires temporary workers to share details of all contract workers, according to a second executive who also declined to be identified. TCS has started auditing all contract staffing vendors working with the company," said an industry executive aware of the development. All their procurement and RMG teams across geographies have been asked to file reports of every hire over the last 2-3 years and mention which division and vendor have sourced them and at what price." A detailed questionnaire sent to TCS remained unanswered. The recruitment scandal has posed a significant reputational setback for Indias second-most valuable firm, with a market value of 11.7 trillion. Viswanathan is a trusted lieutenant of new chief executive officer (CEO) K. Krithivasan and is based in Chennai, home to about a fifth of TCSs 614,795 employees. The former global head of the recruitment arm E.S. Chakravarthy has been sent on leave after a whistleblower blew the lid on unethical practices at the hiring of contract workers, alleging in an email sent to the CEO and the chief operating officer that many executives had been taking commissions from staffing firms for years. Let me say he (Chakravarthy) is in the process of getting sacked. The probe is still not over so I will not be able to comment much," said a third executive on condition of anonymity. On Friday, TCS, for the first time, acknowledged in a communication to the exchanges that certain employees and vendors providing contractors" had breached the code of conduct. For now, TCS has not shared what wrongdoing its ongoing internal probe has found. But four people familiar with the development have said all the sacked executives allegedly took bribes from staffing firms. The head of RMG at TCS plays a vital role as the division deploys 1,400 engineers to a project every day, averaging a placement a minute. The genesis of this episode was during the second half of 2020 when TCS, like many of the homegrown IT services firms, saw a huge demand for services offered by them to their customers. Businesses worldwide looked to build digital capabilities as the covid-19 pandemic forced people to stay home. But despite hiring in record numbers, IT services companies, including TCS, found they were short on talent. The situation worsened during the so-called Great Resignation when employees quit in droves. Contract or temporary workers offered by the staffing firms came to the rescue. But it was during this period that cracks in hiring processes started to surface. Multiple recruitment firms have told Mint that the frequency of calls and meetings on checks and balances dropped since the focus was on immediate hiring. Now that the sector is going through a low recruitment phase, audits will be back," said the senior recruitment head who works with the top IT firms, For now, Mint cannot ascertain if other IT firms are also re-looking at the hirings made in the past, although at least three staffing firms said they wouldnt be surprised if others, too, ask for an inspection of the employment records of contract workers. Wipro has a robust vendor registration process and regularly conducts routine audits," a spokesperson for the firm said. An email sent to a spokesperson for Infosys on Sunday went unanswered. MUMBAI : DBS Bank India on Monday said it has appointed Rajat Verma as managing director and head of institutional banking in India. The current head of institutional banking Niraj Mittal has recently moved to a new role as country head of DBS Bank in Australia. The bank said Mittal will focus on growing the DBS franchise there, including improving linkages with South-East Asia and South Asia. Verma was, till recently, with HSBC India where he was managing director and country head of commercial banking in India. The statement said Verma brings a wealth of knowledge and deep industry expertise to DBS. He holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the Delhi College of Engineering. DBS Bank India said Verma will lead the growth of the institutional banking franchise for the bank in India. Surojit Shome, managing director and chief executive of DBS Bank India said: He is a seasoned banker with a proven track record of delivering value to institutional clients across diverse sectors and markets. His appointment reinforces our commitment to growing our business in India." This marks a career milestone for me as I join an organization with a unique growth story in India. DBS has been recognized as one of the best banks in the world and is making great strides in the industry through its strong digital platform, established Asian network and deep understanding of the Indian market," said Rajat Verma, managing director and head of institutional banking for DBS Bank India. BENGALURU/NEW DELHI : Indias power sector, which has grappled with multiple challenges over the past years, is seeing renewed interest from global private equity (PE) investors keen to capitalize on the vast potential of smart meter manufacturers. I Squared Capital, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (Omers), OTPP, Canadian pension fund Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), Brookfield, Macquarie, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), the World Banks private investment arm International Finance Corp. (IFC) and multilateral development lender Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are among the potential investors evaluating firms in this sector, four industry experts said. In April, VCCircle reported that Omers is considering creating an investment platform by joining hands with EDF India Pvt. Ltd, the Indian unit of French state-run power utility Electricite de France SA (EDF). In February, I Squared Capital said it took a controlling stake in Jaipur-based smart metering firm Gram Power, a wholly-owned unit of Singapores Polaris Smart Metering Pte Ltd. The strong interest is driven by a growing number of firms in the sector and, crucially, governmental support in implementing planned projects, the people cited above said. Early this year, the government said it is implementing the smart metering project nationally, under the new Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with a planned installation of 250 million meters, and $30 billion in investments by 2025. A strong impetus to this scheme is the target and of the required investment, at least $10-15 billion equity will be required to execute the projects...Our estimate is that over half of this requirement is already allotted, or bids are in process. So, implementation is going on," said an investment banker working on 2-3 deals. There are at least 5-6 large companies such as Adani Group, GMR, L&T, CDPQ-backed Apraava Energy, IntelliSmart Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd (a joint venture of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) and Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd, besides other smaller firms actively pursuing the smart meter manufacturing space. Last year, EESL said that it had installed over 1.05 million prepared smart meters in Bihar. It also claimed to have installed around 1.15 million smart meters in Uttar Pradesh, over 124,000 in Rajasthan, over 530,000 in Haryana, about 64,000 in Delhi, and over 74,000 smart meters in the Andaman islands. Expected to bring a paradigm shift in Indias power distribution, smart metering is a new-age technology that allows utilities to digitize and fully automate their metering to enable real-time monitoring of energy consumption. It results in billing and collection efficiencies by curbing losses, arresting thefts and leakages, and empowering consumers, to make power distribution and consumption more sustainable. Spurt in smart meter adoption is primarily driven by the need to better manage power grid, detect and respond to outages besides solving collection issues being currently faced by utility firms. This will improve real time monitoring, analysis of consumer usage patterns, and reduce losses faced due to tampering and pilferage leading to improvement in overall cost effectiveness of the power grid," said Sandeep Upadhyay, managing director and chief executive, infrastructure advisory at Centrum Capital. In FY22, the Aggregate Transmission & Commercial (AT&C) losses of power distribution utilities stood at 17%, compared to 21-22% in the last two years, according to power ministry data issued in December 2022. Smart metering is expected to reduce this to 12-15% by 2024-25, as per government estimates. New Delhi: Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which account for approximately 40% of Indias exports, are expected to face challenges in the current financial year (FY24) due to the impending economic slowdown in advanced economies, particularly the United States and the European Union (EU), according to a report by CRISIL MI&A Research. The analysis, presented in the biannual MSME Report, reveals that around one-fifth of the MSME sector, in terms of value, is projected to experience an increase in working capital requirement this fiscal year compared to pre-pandemic levels (fiscal 2020). These MSMEs operate in sectors that already face high working capital requirements. Conversely, industries such as dyes and pigments, construction, gems, and jewelry are anticipated to encounter a significant extension in their working capital days. Export-oriented MSMEs in the Ahmedabad and Surat clusters in Gujarat are expected to witness a rise in their working capital days this fiscal compared to pre-pandemic levels. The Ahmedabad cluster is projected to increase by 20-25 days, driven by the heightened working capital requirement of the dyes and pigments sector, while the Surat cluster is expected to see an increase of 35 days, driven by the higher working capital requirement of the diamond exports sector," said Pushan Sharma, Director of Research at Crisil Market Intelligence & Analytics. The Ahmedabad cluster is home to numerous MSMEs involved in dyes and pigments, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. The extended working capital requirement is attributed to inventory accumulation resulting from dumping by Chinese producers, the recent earthquake in Turkey, and a slowdown in the US. These factors collectively account for 20-25% of the total exports in the dyes and pigments, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals sectors. Surat, on the other hand, is responsible for 90% of Indias diamond exports. Diamonds constitute over half of Indias gems and jewelry exports, and a substantial decline in demand from the US, the largest export market, has had a significant impact. As a result, receivable days have been affected, leading to an increase in working capital days from 140 before the pandemic to over 200 this fiscal year. In the construction-roads sector, the underachievement of budgeted capital expenditure last fiscal year, aimed at reining in the fiscal deficit, has added to the challenges faced by developers in meeting working capital demands amid high commodity prices. Consequently, there has been an increase of over 100 days in the working capital cycle for this fiscal year compared to pre-pandemic levels. Liquidity benefits, such as payments on the achievement of small milestones, that MSMEs in the construction-roads sector have been receiving from the central government for the past few years as a part of the Atmanirbhar package will not be available from this fiscal. That will further increase working capital days, said Elizabeth Master, associate director Research, Crisil Market Intelligence & Analytics. The MSME Report by CRISIL MI&A Research states that the debt requirement for the MSME sector is estimated to be over 100 lakh crore. Of this, 70% is attributed to working capital requirements, with only a quarter of the debt sourced formally. The cost of capital from the informal segment is notably high. Thus, understanding the working capital needs across sectors and clusters is crucial, as emphasized in the report. Assessing the working capital requirements of MSMEs poses a challenge due to information asymmetry and a lack of high-frequency data points. The Crisil MI&A Research MSME Report addresses this gap through primary research and proprietary analytics based on its extensive data pool. The comprehensive analysis covers 69 sectors and 147 clusters, representing two-thirds of the MSME universe. These sectors and clusters generated an aggregate revenue of 63 lakh crore, accounting for approximately a quarter of Indias gross domestic product in the last fiscal year. Infosys has announced a long-term collaboration with Danske Bank to drive the bank's digital transformation ambitions with speed and scale. The projected agreement worth is $454 million for a 5-year term with the possibility to renew for an extra year up to three times. This agreement, according to the company's exchange filing, shall help Danske Bank accomplish its strategic priorities of enhanced client experiences, operational excellence, and a modernised technological environment powered by next-generation technologies. As part of this agreement, Infosys will also buy Danske Bank's IT centre in India, which employs over 1,400 people. According to the exchange filing, the company expects the transactions to be completed by the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. "We are delighted to bring our rich experience in financial services transformation to work for Danske Bank and help the bank accelerate its strategic growth agenda. Infosys will collaborate with Danske Bank to strengthen their core business with greater digital, cloud and data capabilities. This will help Danske Bank create more value for their customers using powerful advances in AI, including generative AI," said Salil Parekh, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Infosys. Danske Bank, headquartered in Denmark, provides banking services to individuals and businesses, as well as large corporations and institutions. Our Forward 28 strategy sets clear ambitions for Danske Bank to be a leading bank in a digital age. This is backed by significant investments in digitalisation and technology, including plans to further develop our customer-facing digital solutions, and modernising our technology infrastructure to enable even better customer experiences and drive operational efficiency. We have a strong starting point, and we want to further accelerate our digital and technology transformation. We have conducted a thorough process to find a partner that can help us achieve that. Infosys has the tools, experience, and expertise to support us in accelerating our transformation using cloud and AI technologies. Given Infosys global presence and scale, this collaboration will also give us access to wider talent pools and capabilities," said Frans Woelders, Chief Operating Officer, Danske Bank. At 11:09 IST, Infosys share price was up by 0.40% at 1,270.70 apiece on BSE. Deadline to apply for higher pension from EPF ends today: Today, June 26, is the last day to apply for a higher pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS). If EPF members miss this deadline, they will miss the opportunity to apply for a higher pension. Will EPFO extend the deadline for the third time today? The EPFO has already extended the deadline twice. In May, while extending the deadline for the second time, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said that it has been decided that to provide a larger window of opportunity and enable all eligible persons to file their applications, the timeline for filing applications would now be till June 26, 2023. Why the timeline was extended twice? The timeline was extended to facilitate and provide ample opportunity to the pensioners so as to ease any difficulty being faced by them. Earlier in November 2022, the Supreme Court asked the government to give subscribers four months for opting for a higher pension. Who is eligible to apply for higher pension from EPS? Those who were members of EPF and EPS on September 1, 2014, and continued to be after that date Those who retired before September 1, 2014, and previously opted for higher pensions but their applications were rejected by the EPFO authorities. Documents required You must keep your Universal Account Number (UAN), Pension Payment Order (PPO) number for pensioners, proof of payment made to the EPF account above the wage ceiling limit, etc. are some of the documents that you will need when filling out the online application form. Formula for calculating higher pension The formula for calculating higher pension for those who retired prior to 1 September 2014 The pension shall be calculated based on the average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period of service in the span of 12 months preceding the date of exit from the membership of the pension fund. The formula for calculating higher pension for those who retired/will retire on or after 1 September 2014 The pension shall be calculated based on the average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period of service in the span of 60 months preceding the date of exit from the membership of the pension fund. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday demanded lieutenant governor VK Saxena's resignation over the increasing crime cases in the national capital. This came two days after two men were robbed in broad daylight inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. The AAP supremo said that Saxena should make way for someone who can provide safety and security to Delhiites, in case the Centre is unable to do it. LG shud resign. Make way for someone who can provide safety n security to the people of Delhi. If Central govt is unable to make Delhi safe, hand it over to us. We will show u how to make a city safe for its citizens," Arvind Kejriwal tweeted. According to police, a delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of 2 lakh by the four unidentified men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel Saturday when the two were going to Gurgaon in a cab to deliver the money. The 1.5-km tunnel connects New Delhi with Sarai Kale Khan and Noida, as per PTI reports. Last week, Kejriwal and Saxena had exchanged a series of accusatory letters over law and order. This came after he wrote a letter to LG in which the AAP chief stressed the need to increase police patrolling, especially during night hours, and urgent engagement with the residents of Delhi on the matter. Recently, a first-year college student was allegedly stabbed to death on Sunday outside Aryabhatta College on the South Campus after he objected to his girlfriend being harassed by another student. The accused have been identified as Rahul, a first-year college student and a resident of Delhi's Bindapur area, and his friend Haroon (19), a resident of Janakpuri who worked at a T-shirt factory in the Nilothi area. The victim, Nikhil, was pursuing BA (Hons) in Political Science and was a resident of Paschim Vihar. In another incident in Delhi, two sisters were allegedly shot dead in Ambedkar Basti in the RK Puram area on Sunday. The deceased women identified as Pinky (30) and Jyoti (29) were rushed to SJ Hospital but the duo succumbed to injuries. Delhi Police arrested five accused in the case. Yesterday, the Patiala House court remanded four accused to seven days police remand. The court has remanded one accused in judicial custody for Test Identification Parade (TIP). As heavy rainfall continues to wreak havoc in many parts of Assam, the flood situation continues to remain grim in many of its districts. Assam's Barpeta district is still flooded leaving more than 1.5 lakh people affected on Monday. In the wake of the intense flooding in many parts of Assam, NDRF, SDRF, and Fire and Emergency Services personnel are engaged in the rescue operations. Click here to track latest monsoon updates IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Assam In its latest weather bulletin, IMD predicted heavy rainfall in isolated places over Assam on Monday. There are expectations of further worsening of the situation, as the weather forecasting agency has predicted isolated heavy to very heavy falls over parts of Assam and Meghalaya on June 28 and 29. IMD's regional bulletin released yesterday has predicted fairly widespread rainfall in more than 10 districts of Assam on June 27 and June 28. Also Read: Monsoon tracker: Heavy to very heavy rainfall warning issued in these states today. See full IMD forecast here Reducing level of Brahmaputra in Guwahati eases flood situation in Assam In a sigh of relief, water level of river Brahmaputra in Guwahati on Sunday reduced marginally. This brought a slight comfort for the people who are facing the wrath of the nature in the form of intense flooding in Assam. There are chances that the water level will rise again with the continuation of rainfall in the state. On the basis of IMD's latest reports, it seems like that the fear of the local residents might turn into reality. On Sunday, Assam government officials said that the number of people affected this year due to rainfall is lower than that of last year. According to the government officials, last year around the state had over 100 lakh affected people while this year it is around 5 lakh. "This time floods are mainly in Lower Assam. If everything goes well, in the next year or two we could see minimal floods even in Lower Assam," sources told ANI. This year, around 4.01 lakh people are affected due to the flood, as per Assam Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). In past 24 hours, one more person died in Nalabari district after drowning in flood water. "Nearly 2.22 lakh people have been affected alone in Bajali district, followed by 1.04 lakh people affected in Barpeta, 40668 people affected in Nalbari, 22060 people in Lakhimpur, 8493 people in Darrang, 4750 people in Goalpara district," stated ASDMA. To deal with the situation, the district administration has set up 101 relief camps and 119 relief distribution centres in 14 flood-hit districts, and 81352 people have taken shelter in these relief camps. (With agency inputs) Former US President Barack Obama's recent comments on India have sparked a war of words, with a slew of top politicians and leaders lashing out at the Democrat. Evangelical leader Johnnie Moore suggested Obama spend his energy complimenting India" while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the former leader to think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked" on Monday. I think the former president should spend his energy complimenting India, more than criticizing India. India is the most diverse country in human history," said Moore - the former Commissioner of US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Much like the United States, he added, it was not a perfect country. But its diversity is its strength, and we should be complimenting the largest democracy in the world every chance that we can. Even in that critique, President Obama couldn't help but also compliment PM Modi, and I certainly understand why, having spent some time with him," he added. Meanwhile Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India was the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members". He should also think about himself as to how many Muslim countries he has attacked," he added. He was commenting on Indian Muslims ... having bombed Muslim-majority countries from Syria to Yemen during his presidency. Why would anyone listen to any allegations from such people?" added Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a press conference on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday responded to US President Joe Biden's tweet and said that the friendship between India and the United States is a force for global good which will make the planet better and more sustainable. The Prime Minister's remarks came in response to a tweet by US President Joe Biden in which he said that the friendship between the US and India is among the most consequential in the world. "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever," Biden tweeted sharing a video montage from Prime Minister Modi's recently concluded state visit to the US. Tagging Biden's tweet, Modi said on Twitter, I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more." PM Modi had embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the ninth International Day of Yoga on June 21. Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by Modi's address to the US Congress and a state dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour. The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. He also 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. President Joe Biden has said the friendship between the US and India was among the most consequential in the world as the two countries signed several major deals during Prime Minister Narendra Modis historic visit to the United State. The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever," Biden said in a tweet on Sunday. The US president hosted Modi for a three-day official state visit that included a welcome ceremony attended by a record 7,000 people on the South Lawns of the White House, a State Dinner, and a round table with technology companies chief, entrepreneurs, officials and CEOs. Tagging Biden's tweet, PM Modi twitted, "I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable." "The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," he said. A passenger on a Mumbai-Delhi Air India Flight AIC 866 was arrested at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for allegedly defecating and urinating onboard the aircraft. According to the FIR filed by flight captain at Delhi's IGI Airport police station, the incident occurred on June 24, Ram Singh, a passenger on seat number 17F, allegedly defecated, urinated, and spat in row 9 DEF of the aircraft. "On the complaint of the flight captain, Delhi Police registered a case -- u/s 294/510 -- at IGI police station and arrested the accused passenger. We produced him before a court which granted him bail. Further investigation is underway," news agency ANI reported citing Delhi Police. A case was registered under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code, news agency PTI reported. The FIR stated that this misconduct was spotted by the cabin crew and, subsequently, a verbal warning was issued by the cabin supervisor of the flight. Later, the pilot-in-command was also informed of the misconduct. A message was sent to the company immediately seeking security on arrival to escort the passenger, the FIR added. On arrival, the head of Air India security attended and escorted the accused passenger to the IGI Airport police station, the Air India said The accused passenger is a cook working in Africa. Since May 3, Manipur has been witnessing violence after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. More than 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out more than a month ago. On Sunday, people from all walks of life came together in Koon Sunday for a candlelight march to pray for restoration of peace and normalcy in neighbouring Manipur. The march was convened by Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship at the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Convention Centre with people holding placards sending messages of peace and tranquillity, healing and understanding among the two warring communities while also praying for restoration of normalcy in Manipur at the earliest. Here are the top 10 Updates you should know 1. On Sunday, as many as 12 bunkers which allegedly constructed by millitants were destroyed by police and central security forces in various districts in violence-hit Manipur in the last 24 hours. A statement issued by the Manipur police stated that the state police and central forces conducted a search operation in Tamenglong, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Kakching districts and destroyed 12 bunkers both in the Hill and the Valley. 2. As per the statement issued by the Manipur police, 135 people have been arrested in connection with curfew violations, theft in abandoned houses, arson cases etc. "A total of 1100 arms, 13702 ammunitions and 250 bombs of different kinds have been recovered so far. Flag marches, area domination, cordon and search operations are continuing in various parts of the state," the statement added. 3. The Manipur government on Sunday also extended the ban on internet services in the state for five more days ie.e. till 30 June to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order. 4. Amit Shah at an all-party meeting gave an assurance of restoring peace in the state while the opposition parties questioned PM Modi's 'silence' on the matter. The home minister told them that PM Modi has been monitoring the situation in the violence-hit state since day one and "guiding us with full sensitivity" to find a solution to the problem. Eighteen political parties, four MPs from the northeast and two chief ministers from the region attended the three-hour-long meeting. 5. Shah said the situation in Manipur was slowly returning to normal and not a single person has died since June 13 in the violence in the northeastern state. Shah said that 36000 security personnel were deployed in Manipur, 40 IPS officers were sent and essential supplies including medicines have been ensured. 6. Former chief minister and Congress leader Ibobi Singh on Sunday said he was not allowed enough time to speak at the all-party meeting on the Manipur situation as he had raised several questions that were "embarrassing" to the government. 7. Hitting out at the Centre over the situation in violence-hit Manipur, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday alleged that while the northeastern state is "burning", Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "silent", Home Minister Amit Shah is "ineffective" and Chief Minister N Biren Singh is "non-functional". Ramesh made the remarks at a national convention on peace in Manipur at the Harkishan Singh Surjeet Bhawan which was addressed by leaders from different political parties. 8. Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi had earlier said the "unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in Manipur has left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation". She urged all stakeholders to work for the restoration of peace and harmony in the state. Congress has been vocal on Manipur since the violence erupted in the BJP-ruled stat 9. The Madhya Pradesh government has accepted the request of its Manipur counterpart to allow students from the northeastern state to submit documents for college admissions in offline mode since there was internet outage in some violence-hit areas there, an official said on Sunday. "All admissions to MP colleges are conducted online. Every year, students from Manipur take admission in colleges of MP but this time around they were facing trouble for the want of internet connection after violence erupted there in the first week of May," he said. 10. Security forces also launched an operation acting on specific intelligence, in village Itham in Imphal East district on 24th June. The operation resulted in the apprehension of 12 KYKL cadres along with arms, ammunition and war-like stores, ANI had reported. (With inputs from agencies) National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday met Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman Haitham bin Tarik and delivered a personal message of greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported. The Prime Minister of Oman received the message when he gave an audience to National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, at Al Baraka Palace. Doval conveyed the greetings of PM Modi to the Prime Minister of Oman, along with his wishes for progress and prosperity for Oman. In return, Haitham bin Tarik conveyed his greetings to PM Modi, as well as wished him for further progress and prosperity in India, according to ONA. According to ONA, the audience was attended by the Minister of the Royal Office General Sultan Mohammed Al Nu'amani who received Ajit Doval and his accompanying delegation this morning. At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of the Royal Office welcomed Doval and extended his thanks and appreciation to the Prime Minister of Oman for further means of cooperation in order to achieve common interests between Muscat and New Delhi, as per ONA. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and reviewed bilateral relations between Oman and India. They also explored means of expanding these relations in all fields and exchanged views about various issues of common interest. Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao headed to Solapur in Maharashtra on Monday alongside cabinet ministers and party leaders. The development came even as more than a dozen 12 former ministers, MLAs joined the Congress on Monday afternoon. With Assembly elections due in the western state next year, the BRS is looking to make inroads into Maharashtra. KCR arrived in Omerga in Osmanabad district on Monday before leaving for Solapur. He will visit the Pandharpur and Tuljapur temple towns on Tuesday as well as also attending a locally arranged programme in Sarkoli village of Solapur. KCR recently held rallies in parts of Maharashtra, mostly in Nanded, where he slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre and the one in Maharashtra led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for neglecting farmers and the downtrodden. The prices of tomatoes are set to shoot up more than 100 per kilo because of the severe short supply, according to a report by The Hindu. Last week, the rates of tomatoes had shot up to over 80 level. The English daily mentioned that a 15-kg crate of tomatoes was sold for 1,100 in Kolar wholesale APMC market on Sunday. The effect of this will be seen in the retail market in the city soon. A farmer told the daily about the rise in tomato price saying that the sowing of the fruit was lower this year as compared to the previous year. Anji Reddy told The Hindu that farmers in Kolar switched to the sowing of beans this year as the prices of beans skyrocketed last year. However due to deficient monsoon crops dried up. The tomatoes would be only 30% of the usual. Farmers' lack of interest in tomato cultivation stems from the crash in the price of the crop last month. In May, tomato rates crashed to 3-5 per kg. Many farmers were forced to throw away their produce by driving tractors through the crop. With tomato deficiency in Maharashtra, buyers are moving to West Bengal, Odisha, and even for export to Bangladesh to meet demands. In Delhi's Azadpur wholesale market, the tomato rate has doubled in the last two days. A tomato trader told the Economic Times that they are not receiving tomatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana due to shortage and now relying on Bengaluru for supply. Apart from onions and potatoes, the prices of other vegetables have gone northward. The price of a kg of beans is in the range of 120- 140, prices of some varieties of carrots are inching the 100 mark, and capsicum prices have crossed 80 per kg. In addition to vegetables, egg prices have surged in the range of 7- 8 kilos. Hotels menus likely to see a price increase The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels' Association (BBHA) has said that the price hike on the menu was inevitable if the vegetable price moved upward. New Delhi: Union home minister and minister of cooperation Amit Shah on Monday lauded the progress made in Indias fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, saying that the value of seized drugs had surged almost 30 times, from 768 crore between 2006 and 2013 to an impressive 22,000 crore during 2014 to 2022. Furthermore, there has been a substantial increase of 181% in the number of cases registered against drug peddlers compared to the earlier period. Speaking on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking," Shah emphasized the governments unwavering commitment to combat the misuse of drugs. He said that the campaign against drugs is being conducted on a war footing at the national level through various forums, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The ministry of home affairs has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards narcotics, yielding significant results. Shah highlighted the effectiveness of the Whole of Government Approach," which emphasizes coordination among different departments to enhance the impact of anti-drug measures. Expressing his appreciation for organizations and individuals involved in the fight against drugs, Shah congratulated the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for organizing the nationwide Nasha Mukt Pakhwada (Drug-Free Fortnight) on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Shah reiterated the governments determination to eliminate narcotics trade within India and prevent the country from becoming a global conduit for drug trafficking. The Narcotics Control Bureau and other major agencies are actively engaged in this battle. In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs established the National Coordination Centre (NCORD), and Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was formed in police departments across all states to further strengthen the campaign against drugs. The first national conference of ANTF was held in April 2023 in Delhi. Amit Shah said that the campaign against the misuse and side effects of drugs is being carried out on a war footing at the national level through appropriate forums. The effect of our comprehensive and coordinated fight against drugs is that where drugs worth Rs. 768 crore only were seized in 2006-13, it has increased almost 30 times to Rs.22,000 Crore in 2014-22. 181% more number of cases have been registered against drug peddlers in comparison to the earlier period. This shows the commitment of the Modi government towards a drug free India," the minister said. We also launched a destruction campaign to prevent re-use of seized drugs in June 2022, under this campaign around 6 lakh kg of seized narcotics have been destroyed across the country so far," he added. Shah emphasized that the fight against drug abuse requires active participation from society. He urged citizens to distance themselves and their families from drugs and encouraged them to report any drug-related activities to security agencies. Shah underscored the negative impact of drugs on the youth and society, emphasizing that the proceeds from drug smuggling pose a threat to national security. With collective efforts and resolute determination, Shah expressed confidence in overcoming the drug problem and achieving a Drugs-free India." He commended the Narcotics Control Bureau and other institutions for their invaluable contributions and reaffirmed the governments commitment to winning the battle against drugs. After returning to India from his maiden visit to the United States and Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked BJP national president JP Nadda along with other leaders who had gone to receive him at the airport what was happening in India. The prime minister returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed including bilateral ties. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present, according to PTI reports. Speaking to media persons here, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy." The prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the partys public outreach program going on. We apprised him about that," said BJP MP Parvesh Verma PM Modi had embarked on his US visit on June 20. He led a historic event at the UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21. Later, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Biden in Washington DC. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by his (PM Modi) address to Congress. Later, a State Dinner was hosted at the White House in his honour. Prime Minister Modis visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. Modi arrived in Cairo on Saturday after concluding his high-profile state visit to the US and was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. He was conferred the 'Order of the Nile' award - Egypt's highest state honourby President El-Sisi, He held talks with Sisi on Sunday with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people ties between the two countries. Following the talks, the two countries elevated their relationship to a "Strategic Partnership". PM Modi concluded his first-ever visit to Egypt this evening. (With PTI inputs) Australia will provide a new A$110 million ($73.5 million) package to war-hit Ukraine including 70 military vehicles to defend against Russia's invasion, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday. With this, Australia's contribution to Ukraine will stand at A$790 million, including A$610 million in military support, since the conflict began in February 2022, according to a report published by Reuters. Addressing a media briefing in Canberra, Albanese said, This additional support will make a real difference, helping the Ukrainian people who continue to show great courage in the face of Russia's illegal, unprovoked and immoral war." He clarified that the package was not prompted by Wagner mutiny events in Russia that took place over the weekend, one of the biggest challenges to President Vladimir Putin's grip on power. "No, we have been working on this proposal, with a view to taking it to cabinet this morning, for some time," the Australian Prime Minister said. Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment including scores of Bushmaster armoured vehicles. The country has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities, Reuters reported. To scale up Ukraine's economy and trade, Albanese said Australia will also extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for another 12 months. The latest military assistance package will include 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 medium trucks and 14 trailers. The PM said the Australian government welcomed the Australian high court's decision to dismiss a challenge by Russia to prevent the federal government to take control of land leased to build a new embassy near the parliament house in Canberra. "We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court's ruling," he said as quoted by Reuters. Australia on June 15 cancelled Russia's lease to build a new embassy citing national security, drawing criticism from Kremlin which said the move by Canberra reflected its anti-Russian sentiment. (With Reuters inputs) The Wagner Group is returning to its bases in Ukraine after its mercenaries reached an agreement with the Russian government. Their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has accepted exile in Belarus . The Wagner mercenaries declared rebellion and successfully captured the Army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don before advancing towards Moscow to destabilize the military and overthrow the Russian government. The only opposition they faced came from some civilians, but many others cheered them on, viewing Prigozhin as a challenger of a "corrupt" government in his "march of justice." This rebellion marked the first time someone had successfully moved through cities and shot down Russian aircraft. Click here for live updates on Russia's situation post Wagner army mutiny As the world closely monitored the uprising in Russia, advisories were issued for people to stay home, barricades were erected, and roads were dug up to impede the progress of the mercenaries, causing internal chaos in the country. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu remained silent, generating uncertainty among the Russians amidst a counteroffensive from Ukraine. In his address to the nation, President Vladimir Putin adopted a somber tone as he directly accused Yevgeny Prigozhin of betrayal. However, the Wagner Group suddenly retreated from Russian territory hours later, citing the desire to avoid a bloodbath. The manner in which the deal was brokered remains unknown, but the Wagner group returned to their bases, and Yevgeny Prigozhin was pardoned by the Russian leadership. According to the Kremlin, he has agreed to go into exile in Belarus, and the charges against him have been dropped. Yevgeny Prigozhin has not made any public statements since Sunday when he announced the return of his mercenaries to their bases, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. Prigozhin was last seen leaving Rostov-on-Don in an SUV on Saturday, cheered on by some locals. Although it may be seen as a victory for Vladimir Putin, it appears to be a less favorable outcome for Yevgeny Prigozhin. If the reports are accurate, the Wagner Group will now enter into a contract with the Russian defense ministry, fulfilling one of the reasons behind the rebellion, which aligns with the desires of the Russian leadership. With Yevgeny Prigozhin in exile and the Wagner Group formalizing a contractual agreement with the Russian government, this marks a definitive conclusion for the mercenaries. Despite the Wagner uprising lasting only a little over 36 hours, Vladimir Putin, who has consistently portrayed himself as a strongman in complete control of the nation during his over 20-year rule, never appeared weak or vulnerable during the rebellion. The sparing of Yevgeny Prigozhin contrasts with Vladimir Putin's systematic approach to handling dissent, opposition, and rebellion. So, does this signify the end of unity in Vladimir Putin's Russia? The West and some political analysts believe so. WHAT IS THE GLOBAL RESPONSE? The United States believes that the Russian rebellion may not be over yet, and the "final act" has yet to unfold. "I think we've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade," said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. French President Emmanuel Macron remarked that the Wagner Group's advance on Moscow "reveals the divisions that exist within the Russian camp and the vulnerability of both its military and auxiliary forces." The US-based Institute for the Study of War warned that "the Kremlin now faces a deeply unstable equilibrium. The deal is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution." This is because the rebellion was not an impulsive decision but rather a result of intelligence suggesting that Prigozhin had been amassing forces near the Russian border for some time. Mykhailo Podolyak, senior aide to Zelensky, tweeted that "Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence." "Putin underestimated Prigozhin, just as he underestimated Zelensky before. He could have stopped this with a phone call to Prigozhin, but he did not," independent political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP. NEW DELHI : Talks between India and Guyana to cooperate in the oil and gas sector are progressing quickly, according to persons aware of the matter. As part of its energy diversification strategy, India has been reaching out to the South American nation to develop new suppliers of energy. Guyana has become the worlds newest oil power after discoveries of crude oil reserves equivalent to more than 11 billion barrels in 2015. The two sides are expected to sign an MoU on oil and gas cooperation in the near future that will pave the way for private firms in both countries to strike exploration deals. Guyanas Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo had spoken of oil and gas cooperation with India during a visit to India in February this year. In an exclusive interview with Mint, Jagdeo spoke of collaboration on developing oil blocks and providing skilled Indian talent to help Guyana develop its energy sector. We also explored the possibility of India examining the abundant resources that weve had outside of those that are on auction now, Jagdeo said at the time. Talks on possible Indian involvement in the lucrative Starbroeck offshore oil block have also progressed. The oil block is operated by US oil major ExxonMobil. Guyanas government has revealed plans to take back 20% of the oil block from ExxonMobil and explore bilateral partnerships to develop this part of the oil block. Next year, ExxonMobil will have to give up 20% of their holdings. So, all of those will be available for some form of bilateral engagement, where we can actually see joint production or exploration related activities, Jagdeo said. Guyana is also expected to put up 14 offshore oil blocks for auction in July. Energy major including ONGV Videsh Ltd (OVL) has been looking at opportunities in the region. India is looking to diversify its import sources of crude oil and is considering purchasing the fuel from Guyana, Canada, Gabon, Brazil and Colombia. North Korea held mass rallies in the capital Pyongyang where people shouted slogans vowing a "war of revenge" to destroy the United States. A crowd of about 120,000 individuals, including students took part in the rallies as the country marked the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. According to a report by Reuters, North Korean citizens held placards that read, "The whole US mainland is within our shooting range" and "The imperialist US is the destroyer of peace." The anniversary came amid concerns Pyongyang could soon conduct another launch of its first military spy satellite to boost monitoring of U.S. military activities after its first attempt ended in failure on 31 May. Local media KCNA said North Korea now had "the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists" and the "avengers on this land are burning with the indomitable will to revenge the enemy". Nuclear-armed North Korea has been testing various weapons including its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile for the past several years. North Korea's missile tests have ramped up tension with the South and the South's main ally, the United States. North Korea said the US was "making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war," accusing Washington of sending strategic assets to the region. North and South Korea remain technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty. North Korea is pouring money into drone programs to bolster its military power along a border. North Korea appears to have started testing a new large drone at its Panghyon airbase. A Bloomberg report mentioned that an aircraft was visible with an estimated wingspan of about 115 feet (35 meters), bigger than the 65-foot drone spotted at the Panghyon airbase this year. In a landmark speech Kim made in 2021 at 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. A 19-year-old teenager, Suleman Dawood, who lost his life in Titan submersible accident took his Rubik's Cube with him because he wanted to create a Guinness World Record, his mother said in an interview with BBC. She said that her son has even applied to the Guinness World Records and his father had brought a camera to capture the moment. Dawood's father, Shahzada has also died in the submarine accident. In her first interview after the incident, Christine Dawood said, I didn't comprehend at that moment what it meant - and then it just went downhill from there." The victim's mother also stated that she had previously planned to go with her husband to view the wreck of the Titanic, however, the trip was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But I stepped back because Suleman really wanted to go," she told BBC. She further said that Suleman had immense love for the Rubik's Cube, he even used to carry it everywhere with him and solved the complex puzzle in just 12 seconds. He said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 metres below sea at the Titanic'," his mother told the British public service broadcaster. Dawood recalled the moment when they hugged and cracked jokes before her husband and son boarded the Titan submersible. She expressed her happiness for Suleman and Shahzada as they boarded the Titanic. They really wanted to do it for a very long time." Speaking about her husband, Dawood described him as a person who has the ability of childlike excitement. After waiting for over 96 hours, she lost hope and sent a message to her family. I said: 'I'm preparing for the worst.' That's when I lost hope," she told BBC. She further refused to discuss the ongoing investigations into the Titanic submarine tragedy. Suleman Dawood was among the five passengers presumed dead in a catastrophic implosion that is believed to have destroyed OceanGates Titan submersible last week. It was on its way to view the historic shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean. Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner group chief, Monday said he had never intended to overthrow the Russian government but was acting to prevent the destruction of his private military company and to force accountability on commanders who had botched Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, multiple reports said. In his 11-minute audio message on social media, Prigozhin said the group had intended to register a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. We started our march because of an injustice," he said, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. "We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Reuters quoted Prigozhin as saying in his audio message. "Our march showed many things we discussed earlier: the serious problems with security in the country." While his men were just 200 kilometres from marching to a heavily-fortified Moscow, Prigozhin said his fighters halted their campaign in order to avert bloodshed. "We halted at the moment when the first assault unit deployed its artillery (near Moscow), conducted reconnaissance and realised that a lot of blood would be spilled," Prigozhin said. The Kremlin managed to negotiate a deal with Wagner chief with the help of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin further said the Belarusian President had offered to let Wagner operate under a legal framework, but he did not elaborate. Prigozhin shocked the world by leading Saturday's armed revolt, only to abruptly call it off as his fighters just 200 kilometres from marching to a heavily-fortified Moscow. Prigozhin had agreed to halt the advance in a proposed settlement including security guarantees for his Wagner troops. President Vladimir Putin in a televised address to the nation had called the rebellion a betrayal and treason and had vowed inevitable punishment to the rebels. The 62-year-old Wagner chief, a former Putin ally and ex-convict, has long ties to Putin and won lucrative catering contracts from the Kremlin, earning the nickname Putins chef'. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia's intelligence services were investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny, the TASS news agency reported. It cited no evidence. US President Joe Biden called the mutiny "part of a struggle within the Russian system". He had discussed it in a conference call with key allies who agreed it was vital not to let Putin blame it on the West or NATO, he said. "We made it clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it," Biden said. (With input from agencies) In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, with technology reshaping industries and societies, digital public infrastructure (DPI) has emerged as a catalyst for financial inclusion. Recognizing its potential to foster gender equality, Indias G20 presidency has prioritized it as a drive to boost womens economic participation through digital means. By embracing women-led development", Indias presidency paves the way for a transformative journey with myriad opportunities. Gender transformative DPI is poised to accelerate an inclusive digital transformation, empowering women to manage their resources and make independent financial decisions. India has achieved remarkable progress in promoting digital inclusion. Since 2011, the country has made significant strides, doubling bank account ownership to help close gender and income gaps. The Digital India effort has been instrumental in creating DPI that benefits marginalized groups. The foundation of Indias Digital Stack comprises Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and DigiLocker. Additional transformative initiatives include PMGDISHA and Jan Dhan Yojana. These advancements have increased adult transaction account ownership from a mere quarter in 2008 to an impressive 80% today. With over 90% of the population possessing an Aadhaar ID and 140 million using DigiLocker, India is well placed for other applications. The statistics are telling: monthly UPI transactions surpass 5 billion and Jan Dhan has opened a staggering 400.5 million bank accounts. However, United Nations Womens research sheds light on critical areas that require focused action, as it reveals persistent gender disparities in power and decision-making. While digital financial inclusion is vital, gender disparities still exist in womens access to digital financial services (DFS) and their comprehensive utilization. Its crucial that key public and private sector actors promote DFS among women, provide them with necessary information for informed financial decisions, ensure their protection as customers, and enable their active engagement with these accounts. About 1 billion women face barriers to formal financial services, including limited access to identification documents, mobile phones, digital skills and financial capability. Digital inclusion for women holds priority in international frameworks such as the Beijing Declaration and UN Declaration on its 75th anniversary. The G20 High-Level Principles for Digital Financial Inclusion and the report on Advancing Womens Digital Financial Inclusion by the G20s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion emphasize its significance. The 10-point action plan for financial equality championed by the Better Than Cash Alliance, UN Women, UN Capital Development Fund, the World Bank and Womens World Banking amplifies this cause. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched the UN Principles for Responsible Digital Payments, solidifying Indias commitment to womens economic participation through digital financial inclusion. To enhance progress, governments can draw inspiration from three key factors. First, enhancing cooperation between different government bodies can promote gender-sensitive financial initiatives and implement targeted steps for financially excluded women. In India, coordinated policy action by the ministries of finance and women and child development are needed. Second, guidelines should assist governments in collecting gender-disaggregated data, essential for designing policies that advance womens financial equality. The Reserve Bank of India is promoting the collection and publication of such data, a valuable step towards gaining insight into womens economic status and informing the development of policies and products to meet their specific needs. Third, governments must incentivize financial service providers to prioritise women customers in diverse segments. This includes rural women, those in poverty or affected by climate events, elderly women, tribal women, and more. Training, support for female entrepreneurship, user-friendly interfaces in preferred languages and an enabling social environment are crucial in this endeavour. The Knowledge and Experience Exchange Programme in Hyderabad earlier this year offered a platform for policy ideas. Organized by India in collaboration with the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance, it showcased Indias commitment to women-led development. Success stories from Bangladesh, the Philippines, Rwanda, Colombia and others fuel global efforts for a digital revolution in favour of women and the underprivileged. Indias journey towards an inclusive digital economy could shine as an example. While global leaders have been discussing the matter of financial inclusion at various high-level forums, we find ourselves at a crucial crossroads. Led by India, the G20 currently has an opportunity to champion gender equality and create a future where no woman is left behind. Let us seize this moment and be a beacon of hope as we forge a sustainable, just and equal world. The time for this is now and the world is watching. Prerna Saxena & Kanta Singh are, respectively, head of Asia-Pacific, United Nations-based Better Than Cash Alliance, and deputy representative, India Country Office, UN Women The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) recently saw its Canadian director for global communications resign, alleging that the Bank was being influenced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Canadian government has frozen ties with the Bank and launched an investigation, which the Bank has said it would cooperate with. Whatever the outcome, this is an occasion for India to rethink its involvement in Chinese-led economic organizations. This involvement was the result of an older approach in New Delhi of separating the boundary dispute from other parts of the India-China relationship in the belief that these other parts, including economic ties, would create conditions for resolving the more knottier issues. While the Galwan clashes should put to rest this belief, the record even before 2020 clearly showed a mercantilist Chinese approach, with non-tariff barriers imposed by Beijing against Indian products and a resulting ballooning trade deficit. It was this situation that made it easier for India to retaliate following Galwan with bans on Chinese apps and restrictions on Chinese foreign direct investment even if the bilateral trade deficit continues to grow. India has, however, persisted with participation in multilateral banks like the AIIB and BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) where China is a dominant or key player. India does get several projects funded through these banks, but its participation in them is perhaps less about economics than about conveying geopolitical signals to the West about Indias strategic autonomy. This is why despite its strong opposition to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), of which the AIIB is a part as far as Beijing is concerned, New Delhi decided to join the Bank in 2016. The Indian argument at the time was that the AIIB was expected to follow international standards and practices. The AIIB does do this, according to the open recordit suspended operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, for example. It has also worked together with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, multilateral banks it was expected to compete with. However, we must recognize that as far as China is concerned, the image of an institution that it dominates appearing like a regular multilateral bank is of great use, as it serves to divert attention from its more important and larger policy banks which are not run according to international standards or norms, and which are also the primary channels for Chinas BRI projects. And yet, even a showcase bank is structured to promote Chinese influence. The AIIBs Articles of Agreement (bit.ly/44hoSaX) suggest that China holds the equivalent of a veto over important issues such as admitting or suspending members. China is the lenders largest shareholder with a stake of over 26%, while India is a distant second with about 8%. Further, the AIIB has been headed from the start by Jin Liqun, a former Chinese finance vice-minister, and both the AIIB and NDB are headquartered in Chinathe latter in Shanghai. The share ownership and locations might be functions of Chinas willingness and capacity to share a big part of the burden, but this also comes with the attendant risks of CCP influence and exposure of their communications and privy data, none of which should surprise Indian officials with experience of China. The Canadian officials allegations do, therefore, have a ring of plausibility, even if the Chinese have dismissed the incident as a tempest in a teapot". As for the NDB, not only is it tainted by the presence of Russia as a key member, its governance, access to capital markets and loan disbursements are all increasingly matters of concern. The AIIB and NDB have not socialized China into adopting more transparent international lending practices or better governance. Even if the argument about Chinese debt traps can sometimes be overblown and deflect attention from host country responsibility, note that increased financial engagement with China does seem to pose additional economic risks for cash-strapped countriesask Sri Lanka or Pakistan. Thus, given that India exercises no effective influence on Chinese behaviour, it ends up on the losing side even from the perspective of geopolitical signalling. For one, when scandals such as the latest one at AIIB occur, India suffers a loss of reputation simply by association. For another, China exploits the cover provided by multilateral institutions like the AIIB and NDB to push its agenda through its other policy banks and instruments. It is worth asking if Indias multilateral economic engagement with China has caused smaller countries to lower their guard when it came to Chinese loans and grants. If Indias goal is to make global economic governance both just and more effective, then its own experiences suggest that the Chinese Party-state is hardly the ideal partner. In the AIIB contretemps lies an opportunity for India to break its silence on the matter and head for the exit. What is more, New Delhi already achieves a great deal through institutions such as the World Bank, of which India is the largest recipient of loans. With its current geopolitical heft and given the courting by the West, it should be able to find better ways to achieve global institutional reforms than relying on China. Jabin T. Jacob is associate professor, department of international relations and governance studies and director, centre for Himalayan studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence While India has a very high school-enrolment ratemore than 98% in 2022, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER, bit.ly/449oDii )the basic learning levels of children have remained worryingly low for over a decade. These levels have slipped further due to pandemic school closures. The year 2022-23 has been the first after the pandemic when schools in India were able to stay open continuously. No doubt, some learning recovery has taken place in this period. In addition, during the last school year, in state after state, governmental efforts to translate the New Education Policy 2020 into practice have been visible, particularly for children in Grades 1, 2 and 3. But as Viral Acharya, one of the two authors of this piece, suggested while writing (bit.ly/44ddWMd) in this newspaper two months ago: [T]he large primary education gaps created in childrens learning during the pandemic need to be decisively addressed. One option is to deliver a grade-by-grade national curriculum for a 30-day remedial summer programme and another enriched 30-day start-of-the-year boot camp for reinforcement. ASER-style surveys could be conducted at pre-summer, end-of-summer and exit-of-boot-camp stages to assess success and identify remaining gaps to help plan further remedial action." View Full Image Graphic: Mint Can such suggestions be actually implemented? And if so, what can be learnt from that experience? A recent endeavour of Pratham Education Foundation provides some important insights and signs of significant promise. Although Pratham works in many states, a special catch up" effort was mounted in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh during this years summer holidays. The focus was on helping close learning gaps for children transitioning from primary to middle school. All India figures from the latest ASER 2022 (bit.ly/43ZghKv) report show that only 43% of children in Grade 5 could read simple text fluently and about 50% were still struggling with simple two-digit subtraction with borrowing. A call for help was put out for youth volunteers in schools and colleges to give an hour or two daily for a month to help Grade 5 children acquire basic reading and math skills as they moved into Grade 6. This campaign, called CAMaL ka Camp" (bit.ly/43ZgkpF, CAMaL being an acronym for Combined Activities for Maximized Learning that translates to amazing in Hindi), used Prathams well-known, low-cost and high-impact teaching-at-the-right-level" (TaRL) approach. This teaching-learning methodology developed in India for Indian conditions is now globally recognized as an effective way to deal with such a learning crisis. TaRL has been evaluated rigorously and has received the highest ratings in a report, Smart Buys: Cost Effective Ways to Improve Global Learning (bit.ly/3PvIcgt) recently released by the World Bank, Unicef and others. From the outset, it was clear that time devoted by CAMaL ka CAMP volunteers would not be compensated with payment. Instead, they would receive education for education"an opportunity to learn new things. To participate, volunteers had to practise basic digital skills (uploading data, downloading content, attending zoom calls for training, sending audio or video clips), and learn a simple WhatsApp-based first-aid course. The response was overwhelming. Across the three states, more than 300,000 youth volunteers joined the campaign. For example, in Bihar not only have these volunteers come from high schools and colleges, but also from the rural livelihoods mission (Jeevika) and from various other youth programmes (like the Bihar Skill Development Mission and Kushal Yuva scheme). State governments and district administrations, including education and skilling departments, also provided valuable support. A major feature of the summer camp was the Kahani train, a series of audio stories. An audio story was sent by WhatsApp daily to the volunteer conducting the camp. Children listened to the story and discussed it. There were fun vocabulary exercises (such as Make your own dictionary) and word games. For strengthening arithmetic skills, there was a math problem to solve each day. With June coming to an end, schools are beginning to open. While it is clear that over 3 million school children reached in these three states in over 137,500 villages or communities have benefitted, data will give an indication of the actual impact of such a community campaign on reading and arithmetic skills. Children were tested at the inception of the programme, but data from the end-line assessment of children is still coming in. What is equally interesting is why such a large number of young people joined the campaign. Conversations with volunteers in different districts have common elements. As alumni of the local school, volunteers were happy to give back" when requested to help current younger students. But more often than not, youth saw this as an opportunity to build skills, gain confidence and receive recognition from their community. Most of the volunteers were young women; often this was an activity that they were doing outside their homes. Summer vacations offer ample opportunity to achieve this on a repeated basis. Indian youth have free time and children need learning support. Prathams experience holds out the promise that youth potential can be leveraged for productive purposes, both for individual growth and social impact. Delivered at only 8 per child, the programme could be scaled up to the national level. This is a salient example of how we can deploy Indias demographic advantage to pay more attention to our children and youth, and realize the demographic dividend fully over time. More broadly, we are confident the education-services sector can play an important role in responding to three major macro demographic trends that India needs to reverse: low learning levels of children, lack of productive pathways for youth, and low female labour force participation. Viral v. Acharya & Rukmini Banerji are, respectively, professor of finance at New York University Stern School of Business and former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India; and chief executive officer of Pratham Education Foundation. Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success." This was the advertisement posted by intrepid Antarctic explorer Major Sir Ernest Shackleton, seeking to recruit men for his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914. This period was known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration because the arduous journey had to be undertaken without mechanical assistance or communication, depending entirely on the resourcefulness of the team from the beginning till the end of the voyage. Though Shackletons mission had to be aborted because of bad weather, his story of endurance, survival and leadership in bringing back all 28 crew members, through an 18-month ordeal, is legendary, and he is often celebrated as one of historys greatest explorers for this exploit. On 25 May 1961, US President John Kennedy, delivering his famous Moon Speech, had said, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish. We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." And closer home, on 4 July 1944, Subhas Chandra Bose ended his electrifying address at the mass rally of Indians in Burma with the emphatic line, Give me blood and I will give you freedom," which not only became the bedrock slogan of the Indian National Army (INA) under him, but also clearly articulated what was expected of each person participating in the armed freedom struggle he led. By telling the unvarnished truth in its all its harsh accuracy, and trusting their teams to rise to the challenge, these and other legendary leaders throughout history have demonstrated one of the most powerful attributes of leadership communication: Candour during challenging times. In every leaders journey, there will be times when she is faced with a tough choice of communicating the stark reality or tempering it down to either make it more palatable or procrastinate addressing the difficulty of the task. Unfortunately, many choose the latter, which is often a bad strategy for four reasons. First, most employees are appreciably better aware of the ground situation than the top leadership gives them credit for. Conversations in office corridors are far more authentic and accurate than those in the boardroom, which are often laced with doublespeak where both the speaker and listener know they are attempting to mislead each other. So, whether it is an impending downsizing exercise or a failing product, those closest to the ground always have a sense of it well before those ensconced in high towers do. Second, leaders lose credibility when they withhold bad news or try to garnish it. Just like one would never trust a doctor who doesnt inform us of the real diagnosis (even though s/he may be well meaning), employees lose trust in a leader who keeps them in the dark about bad tidings. Robert Cialdini, an oft-cited expert on persuasion, advocates that when there are two pieces of news to be delivered, one bad and another good, it is always better to start with the bad news first, because that creates credibility for the good news which follows. Third, in the absence of unambiguous communication of the truth, the rank-and-file could start imagining the worst, which ironically is usually more dire than the reality, and may begin focusing on saving themselves. This creates a mindset of every man for himself rather than of rallying around the leadership and the organization in an hour of need. And lastly, when leaders choose to shield the truth from their subordinates, they miss leveraging the incredible resources of the organizations members in terms of participation, knowledge, commitment and ideas, the very elements essential to accomplish a daunting task or navigate out of a crisis. At its peak, the INA led by Bose drew over 40,000 volunteers, including a unit consisting entirely of women combatants. In addition, he set up a training school and inducted a batch of 45 air-wing cadets who were sent to Japan for training as fighter pilots. The INA participated in several key battles of the Burma campaign back then. Some historians believe the INAs fighting prowess accelerated the British departure from India. Though Kennedy did not live to witness it, the US space programme galvanized the whole nations industrial, scientific and technological capabilities to put a man on the moon in less than eight years from his call to action, giving the US its leadership of space ventures that continues till date. And as for Shackletons apocryphal advertisement, he needed 28 men for the journey to the Antarctic. More than 5,000 applied in response, including three women and a stowaway who hid in the ship after being rejected by Shackleton. Communicating the real situation with raw candour invariably yields results far better than what leaders themselves might have expected. Raghu Raman is former CEO of the National Intelligence Grid, distinguished fellow at Observer Research Foundation and author of Everymans War. New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that Pakistan has no legal standing or authority in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it has illegally occupied the area. Speaking at a National Security Conclave in Jammu, Singh said, Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India." The minister reiterated his governments commitment to protect the sovereignty and unity of the nation. Singh highlighted the significant changes in Indias security landscape over the past nine years. He emphasized that India has transformed from a perceived weak nation to a country with the ability to overcome any threats it faces. He outlined four key principles guiding the governments approach to national security, including addressing security and sovereignty threats, protecting national interests, creating conducive conditions for progress and the well-being of citizens, and building alliances with friendly nations to tackle global challenges like terrorism. Singh assured the nation that the Indian armed forces are fully equipped to defend the borders and the seas. He emphasized the governments efforts to provide the military with the latest weaponry and modern technology. Our goal is to bring our armed forces in the frontline of modern militaries," he said. Since long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of Indias zero tolerance against terrorism policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces. Today, most of the countries are united against terrorism. The joint statement issued after the prime ministers meeting with US President Joe Biden is an indication of how India has changed the mind-set of the world on the issue of terrorism," Singh said. He said that the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms & drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of Under Ground workers," he added. On the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the defence minister said that the decision has connected the people of the union territory with the countrys mainstream and helped them to usher in a new era of peace & progress. Addressing the border dispute with China, Singh described it as a matter of perceptual differences. However, he emphasized the importance of adhering to established protocols and expressed concern over Chinas unilateral attempts to alter the status quo during the Eastern Ladakh standoff in 2020. Singh praised the Indian Army for its dedication and valor in thwarting such attempts. Singh reiterated the governments commitment to resolving border dispute through peaceful dialogue, highlighting ongoing discussions at military and diplomatic levels. He assured that India would never compromise on its borders, honour, and self-respect, vowing to prevent any violation of the sanctity of Indian territory. The defence minister outlined measures taken to bolster national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving self-reliance in defence. He highlighted initiatives such as positive indigenization lists and allocating 75% of the defence capital procurement budget for domestic industries. Singh emphasized Indias aspiration to become self-reliant in defence manufacturing and showcased the growth in defence exports. He emphasized Indias enhanced global standing under Prime Minister Modis dynamic leadership. He highlighted Indias influential voice on international platforms and stressed the importance of coordination with major world powers, particularly the United States and Russia, to safeguard Indias security interests in a globalized world. Singh also highlighted the growing defence cooperation between India and the United States, encompassing areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber, space, and mutual logistics support. He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to the US as a landmark event that has ushered in a new era of bilateral defence cooperation. The Paper: Its reported that ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin commented on China-ROK relations in an interview on June 25, in which he said the basic stance of the Yoon Suk Yeol government is to advance ROK-China relations into that of a mature and healthy one based on mutual respect, reciprocity and common interest. He said the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol sees no need and has no intention to sour ties with China and will continue to step up communication with China to boost friendly ties. Whats your comment? Mao Ning: We have noted Foreign Minister Park Jins comments. China and the ROK are friendly neighbors and each others important cooperation partners. The sound and steady growth of bilateral ties serves the interests of both countries. The crux of the current difficulties in bilateral relations is clear. China values the relations with the ROK and remains committed to growing those ties. There has been no change to that basic position. We hope the ROK will work with China to bring bilateral relations back to the track of sound growth. Shenzhen TV: Responding to the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 signed by US President Biden in March, the US intelligence community declassified and made public some information related to COVID origins-tracing on June 23, which explored potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whats your comment? Mao Ning: On COVID origins-tracing, China believes in the need to respect science and facts. We have actively supported and participated in global science-based origins-tracing. We firmly oppose all forms of political manipulation. To date, China remains the only country that has invited more than once WHO expert groups to conduct joint SARS-CoV-2 origins study inside the country. China is also the only country that has organized multiple events for its experts to share progress on origins-tracing with SAGO. China has shared more data and research findings and contributed more to the SARS-CoV-2 origins study than any other country. This is a clear indication of Chinas sense of openness, transparency and responsibility. A laboratory origin of the pandemic was considered to be extremely unlikely is a science-based, authoritative conclusion reached by the experts of the WHO-China joint mission following their field trips to the lab in Wuhan and in-depth communication with researchers. The conclusion is accurately recorded in the missions report and has been widely acknowledged by the international community and the science community. The US needs to immediately stop politicizing and weaponizing origins-tracing, stop scapegoating others and keeping mum about the questions waiting for an answer about the US role in the spread of the virus, respond to the international communitys legitimate concerns, share data with the WHO on suspected early cases in the US, disclose whats going on at Fort Detrick and US biological labs all over the world, and offer a responsible explanation to the world. Peoples Daily: At the recent UN Security Council open meeting on Afghanistan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) offered a briefing on the latest developments in Afghanistan and international assistance to Afghanistan. The special representative said that despite the current macro-economic stability, Afghanistan remains the worlds largest humanitarian crisis. The Afghan Talibans restrictions against women and girls cost it both domestic and international legitimacy. The Afghan interim government issued a statement on Afghanistans position and its governance efforts. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: Since the Afghan interim government was formed, it has been committed to the peaceful reconstruction and independent development of Afghanistan and actively engaged in exchanges and cooperation with other countries. A series of measures have been taken to grow the economy, eliminate corruption, ban drug cultivation and improve peoples wellbeing and public order, which has seen effective results. As we speak, Afghanistan still faces quite a number of challenges and the international community still has many concerns over the Afghan interim governments governance approach. We hope that the Afghan interim government will take more solid steps in the direction that serves the interests of the Afghan people and meets the expectation of the international community, so as to gain more understanding, trust and support from the rest of the world. AFP: Has President Xi had the opportunity yet to speak personally with Russian President Vladimir Putin about developments over the weekend involving the Wagner group? And if so, what exactly did they discuss? Mao Ning: The Wagner Group incident is Russias internal affair. As Russias friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, and we believe in Russias ability to do so. Our two countries have stayed in close and sound communication at various levels. As to your question about specific telephone conversations, I have nothing to share. Yonhap News Agency: ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin said on Saturday that the ROK will enhance strategic communication with China, and promoting the mature and healthy development of China-ROK relations is the basic position of the ROK government. Regarding the recent remarks by Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Xing Haiming, Foreign Minister Park said that this is inappropriate for a diplomat. What is your comment? Mao Ning: I shared Chinas position on China-ROK relations just now. Chinas basic position of valuing and growing this relationship remains unchanged. We hope the ROK will work with China in the same direction to bring the bilateral relations back to the track of sound growth. You said Foreign Minister Park Jin commented on the remarks of the Chinese Ambassador. Let me reiterate that it is part of a diplomats job to engage extensively with people from various walks of life in the host country. There is no point in making an issue of the normal exchanges. TASS: According to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing US government sources and US intelligence, China and Cuba are close to a deal to establish a new joint military training facility on the island, which could lead to the stationing of Peoples Liberation Army troops for the long term, even as members of the US Congress and the US Secretary of State continue to express concerns about this. Does the foreign ministry have any response to this? Will this have any impact on the normal exchanges between China and the US? Mao Ning: We have made clear Chinas position on multiple occasions. We hope relevant parties will focus their time and efforts on doing things that are conducive to mutual trust and regional peace, stability and development. CCTV: According to reports, a statement from the Taiwan authorities said that the government of Fiji had recently decided to change their representative office in Fiji back to the name of Taipei Trade Office in Fiji and to halt its diplomatic privileges. Whats your comment? Mao Ning: The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus among the international community, a basic norm in international relations, and the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and other countries. The government of Fiji has honored the one-China principle by deciding to correct the name of Taiwans representative office in the country and to remove its so-called diplomatic privileges. We welcome this decision. It reflects the fact that there is unshakable, overwhelming support for the one-China principle among the international community. This is also evidence that attempts to create two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan will not succeed. China Daily: From June 18 to 23, Premier Li Qiang paid an official visit to Germany and France. Could you share the outcomes of the visit? During the visit, Premier Li Qiang stressed that the biggest risk is non-cooperation and the biggest hidden security threat is non-development. This is an effective response to the de-risking rhetoric. Could you further elaborate on this? Mao Ning: This is Premier Li Qiangs first visit to Europe after taking office, which shows the importance China attaches to its relations with Germany, France and the EU. With a full program and fruitful results, the visit injected fresh dynamism for cooperation. While visiting Germany, Premier Li Qiang co-chaired the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation with Germany, had extensive exchanges of views with Chinese and German entrepreneurs, and visited BMW and Siemens. Companies of both countries expressed their full confidence in the prospects of China-Germany cooperation. China believes that de-risking and cooperation are not opposites. The biggest risk stems from non-cooperation and the biggest hidden security threat is non-development. Anyone seeking to de-risk against China is getting their target wrong and will only create real risks. During his visit to France, Premier Li Qiang, together with more than 60 heads of state and government and heads of international organizations, attended the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. At the summit, Premier Li Qiang shared Chinas proposition on global development and governance and made a three-point proposal well received by the audience. Premier Li Qiang proposed to firmly advance the global finance governance reform to create a stable financing environment for developing countries, firmly build a global development partnership to provide more development resources for developing countries and firmly boost economic globalization and free trade to inject new growth impetus for developing countries. China stands ready to work with Germany, France and other European countries to follow through on the common understandings reached by the leaders and push for greater progress in China-Germany, China-France and China-EU relations. CCTV: UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed is visiting China. Could you offer more details? Mao Ning: At Chinas invitation, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed started an official visit to China on June 25. During the visit, the two sides will have in-depth exchange of views focusing on such issues as China-UN cooperation, sustainable development, financing for development and climate change. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed will also visit Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as well as Beijing to look at Chinas economic and social progress and what China-UN cooperation has achieved. As a strong supporter and key contributor to the work of the UN, we hope that this visit will further consolidate and deepen China-UN cooperation. China stands ready to work with the UN to jointly make even greater contribution to world peace, common development and efforts to advance the Global Development Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. AFP: A United States aircraft carrier arrived in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang on Sunday. Does the Chinese foreign ministry have any comment on this matter? Mao Ning: We hope that efforts to grow relations and have exchanges and cooperation between relevant countries will be conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity. CGTN: According to some media reports, the US and Iran are having indirect talks through a third-party channel to seek to manage the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue and they are possibly close to an informal understanding. Do you have any comment on this? Mao Ning: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an important outcome of multilateral diplomacy. Resuming the effective implementation of the JCPOA in its entirety through dialogue and negotiation is the right and effective way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. The negotiations on the resumption of compliance have come to a standstill since last year. We have stayed in close contact with parties concerned and encouraged them to step up diplomatic efforts, help bring the JCPOA back to the right track at an early date, uphold the international non-proliferation regime and promote peace and stability in the Middle East. We noted that parties concerned are actively seeking to manage the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue. We support efforts that are conducive to easing the situation of the Iranian nuclear issue to gain time and create conditions for a political and diplomatic solution. In the meantime, relevant efforts need to uphold the common understandings reached in previous negotiations, address all parties legitimate and rational concerns in a balanced manner and aim at the prospective resumption of the JCPOA. Otherwise, no arrangement would last or provide a fundamental solution. China will continue to actively promote talks for peace and at the same time firmly uphold its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. TASS: US President Joe Biden met with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two countries announced a host of defense and commercial agreements to advance US-India military and economic ties. Biden and Modi negotiated a new defense agreement that allows US Navy ships to undergo major repairs at Indian shipyards. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: It has been Chinas longstanding position that military cooperation between states should not undermine regional peace and stability, target any third party, or even harm the interests of any third party. We hope relevant countries will act in ways conducive to mutual trust between regional countries in the field of security and stability in the region. Reuters: Does China worry if the mutiny has weakened Russian President Vladimir Putin? And does China worry that a weakened Putin would weaken China? Mao Ning: This is Russias internal affair. China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity. Anadolu Agency: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko visited China on the weekend just after the crisis caused by Wagner mercenaries attempted mutiny in the country. We have noticed a difference between Russian and Chinese statements about the interactions. Chinese statement didnt refer to the events of June 24 whereas Kremlin statement did. Was this on the agenda during the talks? If it was, what was Chinas assessments about these events? Mao Ning: Yesterday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and Vice Minister Ma Zhaoxu held consultations with him. They exchanged views on China-Russia relations and international and regional issues of shared interest. On Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenkos visit to China, we have released a readout, which you may refer to. Ukrainian News Agency: A question about Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. According to the Ukrainian side, the Russian military, which control Zaporizhzhya NPP, has placed explosive devices near four of the six power units and plans to detonate them to cause radioactive contamination and try to stop a Ukrainian counteroffensive. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the international community is not paying enough attention to the Russian threat at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. What will be your comment on this matter? Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics you mentioned. China takes the safety and security of Ukraines nuclear facilities seriously and supports the IAEA in playing a constructive role in this respect. The safety and security of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is just one aspect of the Ukraine crisis and the solution to this issue ultimately lies in the prospects of a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. All parties need to bear in mind the larger picture of peace and common security, and create enabling conditions for resuming talks and properly resolving relevant issues including the safety and security of the nuclear power plant. China will remain committed to promoting talks for peace and playing a constructive role in seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Mix of bravado and access to guns contribute to mass shootings by teens in St. Louis, other cities Recent high-profile mass shootings by young people underscore the deadly mix of teenage bravado, immaturity and growing access to high-powered guns that can kill faster and more efficiently than ever Two people have been charged with Second Degree Murder in connection to the drug-related death of a Lincoln County resident earlier this year. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who said there was "absolutely no place for this hate" in the state. When called upon, The Auto Club Group dispatches a tow truck to transport the driver and vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius for free. This week is the final reminder to notify students, parents, guardians and schools that the closing date for the applications for the 2023 Naughton Foundation Scholarship scheme is closing next week, Friday, June 30 at midnight. After 16 years awarding third level student scholarships, the Naughton Foundation Scholarship scheme is issuing a final reminder to students from County Longford that the 2023 closing date is fast approaching and giving students a last opportunity to submit their entries. The Naughton Scholarships are a scheme of scholarships to promote the study of engineering, science and technology at third level by students in Ireland. Each year from February to May, Leaving Certificate students can apply for a scholarship if they intend on studying science, computer science, mathematics, engineering or technology at third level that year. FINAL REMINDER: The closing date for receipt of application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2023 is Friday, June 30 at midnight. There will be one guaranteed scholarship for each of the participating counties, 36 allocated in total. The Naughton Foundation was established by Dr Martin and Carmel Naughton in 1994 and its goal is to support worthwhile causes in the arts and education. In 2008 they decided to create the scholarship programme to increase their support for Leaving Certificate students who would like to study engineering, mathematics, science, computer science and technology at third level in Ireland. Originally the scholarship programme only applied to students from counties Louth, Meath and Monaghan however it has since expanded nationwide and students from all Counties in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply. Students are invited to apply if they are currently attending secondary schools in County Longford, and if they are studying two or more of the following subjects- physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, and applied mathematics. Each Naughton Scholarship is valued at 20,000 so it is a contribution of 5,000 for each year of the students third-level course for a student studying science, engineering, maths or technology in any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The school of each winner is also awarded 1,000. Applications must be submitted before, or on this date to be considered eligible for the scholarship, this deadline will not be extended. The 2023 application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship Programme are available for download and can be completed online on The Naughton Foundation website www.thenaughtonfoundation.com The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, June 30. A SIXTEEN-year-old girl was raped by her teenage boyfriend while she was going in and out of consciousness as a side effect of the Prozac she had been taking for four years. The 23-year-old man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court on the basis that he was reckless when he raped the girl while she was napping at her Dublin home in April 2019. He was 18 years old at the time and they had been in a consensual sexual relationship for a number of months. The investigating garda told Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting, that the girl later told gardai that her boyfriend knew she was taking the antidepressant, Prozac. She said she had provided details about the rape to a person over social media, a person who was in the business of naming and shaming people who carry out sexual assaults. She said this person then posted the name of the accused on her Instagram feed calling him a rapist. The accused subsequently replied to that post and admitted to raping the girl. He posted: I am a rapist and I am a bad person and no amount of apologies will change that. She has to live with what I did. Sentencing the man this Monday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted from reports before the court that it was clear the man deeply regrets his actions and expressed deep remorse. He said the guilty plea had been accepted on the basis that he was reckless rather than knowing she was not consenting. He said it was an unusual case but noted the breach of trust. Mr Justice McDermott said there was considerable mitigation including the value of the guilty plea for the injured party. He noted the degree of compassion from the woman in her victim impact statement. He also noted the mental health difficulties suffered by the accused, and his insight into the hurt inflicted on the woman. He imposed a sentence of four years and six months - suspending the final two years. The judge noted the positive contents of a probation report and the mans youth and a condition of the suspended sentences is that he cooperates with the probation service and that he attends assessment for therapeutic programs. During an earlier hearing last week, the court heard the now 21-year-old woman told gardai that when she reported the rape in April 2020 that she had been on Prozac for four years at that time and everyone knew it rendered her drowsy. She said she had been in a sexual relationship with the accused for a number of months before the incident and the relationship continued afterward for a further six months. She reported the rape a year later in April 2020. She told gardai during a specialist interview that she was at her Dublin home having a nap when she awoke to find her boyfriend having sex with her. She said she later told friends what had happened and then her counsellor whom she had been attending. She later told her mother and decided to report the rape to gardai. The teenager told gardai she had been on Prozac for almost four years at that time and sleepiness was one of the main side effects. I sleep a lot. I have multiple naps and have a very tough time waking up, going in and out of consciousness. I am waking up and it is two hours later and I dont know where I am, she told gardai. She told gardai that on the afternoon of the offence she woke to find the accused on top of her. I was kind of opening my eyes and I fell asleep; my clothes are off. I cant move because I am in shock. I am so sleepy but I cant wake up. I am kind of just laying there, just going in and out consciousness, just powerless pretty much, she continued. She said it was obvious she was not giving consent. I grunt to show I am not happy about this make another noise to show that I am not cool with it, she said before she managed to push the accused away, grab a blanket and go back to sleep. She made a second statement two months later in which she outlined the interaction with the person on Instagram and the accuseds response to that persons post. The accused deleted his Instagram account after this post. The accused was taken in for questioning in September 2020. The various posts were put to him and he acknowledged that he had deleted his Instagram account the following day. He said he wanted to make an apology to the girl. Ms Boyle confirmed that a victim impact statement had been prepared for the case. It was handed into court but not read out. The accused has no previous convictions. The garda agreed with John Fitzgerald SC, defending, that the woman has a forgiving attitude towards her former boyfriend. Mr Fitzgerald said the circumstances in which the offence occurred as set out in various reports before the court were consistent with a plea on the basis of recklessness rather than intent. He said his client has mental health difficulties and a psychological report before the court stated that he had concerns for the womans well-being and continues to have such concerns. Mr Fitzgerald said his client accepts full responsibility and accepts the impact his recklessness had on the woman. A report from the Probation Service stated that he had expressed an understanding of the gravity of the offence and has demonstrated shame and remorse for his behaviour. He is considered to be at a medium risk of re-offending and has also been deemed as a suitable candidate for probation supervision. Counsel handed in letters to the court on behalf of his client which spoke of his empathetic nature, his good manners and the fact that he is respectful, hard-working and dedicated. A letter from his current partner spoke of his kindness. Mr Fitzgerald submitted that this was his clients first sexual relationship and he had not considered the parameters of consent. He said the accused has lost friends following his admission of guilt. During Monday's hearing, Mr Fitzgerald handed in letters from the accused man, whom he said was unusually upset, prior to imposition of sentence. He submitted that rather than seeking to minimise or run away from his actions, the accused had done the very opposite. He said the accused mans decisions in the case had been not tactical or those of self preservation but of genuine remorse and desire that the woman not suffer any further harm. Music, Movies & Entertainment By Ls Cohen Published: June 26 2023 Sticks and Stones Comedy Club is opening July 4th holiday weekend. Get ready to laugh your socks off at the grand opening of Sticks and Stones Comedy Club, the hilarious new year-round comedy hotspot in the heart of the Village of Southampton! Mark your calendars for the July 4th holiday weekend because this place is going to be a riot. Tucked inside the sophisticated Southampton Cultural Center, Sticks and Stones Comedy Club is pulling out all the stops. They've got top-notch national headlining comedians and performers lined up to tickle your funny bone. Prepare for two side-splitting shows every evening, at 7pm and 9:30pm. But that's not all! An hour before each show, they're throwing open their doors so you can mix and mingle in their art gallery, sip on refreshing drinks from The Clubhouse, and savor delectable farm-to-table treats from Southampton's very own Hen of the Woods. The laughs kick off on Friday, June 30th, with the incredible Carmen Lynch (from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) headlining the show, accompanied by the hilarious duo of John Reynolds and Andy Pitz. Hosting the evening will be the one and only Joe Winchell, who knows how to keep the laughs rolling. And that's just the beginning! On Saturday, July 1st, get ready for a comedy extravaganza featuring Jordan Rock (you may have seen him on Netflix and alongside Pete Davidson in 'Bupkis'). Joining him on stage will be the dynamic duo of Jeffrey Gurian and Ben DeMarco, with the incomparable Joe Winchell hosting the night. But wait, there's more to this comedy club's story! Back in the 1980s, Southampton had a comedy club that was all the rage. A young Judd Apatow, the comedy writer/director extraordinaire, caught some incredible acts there as a teenager while his mom worked as a waitress. The legendary comedy manager, Rick Messina (known for handling Drew Carey and Tim Allen), used to run the show. The brilliant minds behind the HBO-sponsored Hamptons Comedy Festival are the masterminds behind Sticks and Stones Comedy Club. With a solid reputation for showcasing comedy stars, headliners, and rising talent, these producers are no strangers to the comedy scene. "At Sticks and Stones Comedy Club, we cherish creative expression like it's pure gold. Inspired by the fearless spirit of the late George Carlin, we're here to push boundaries, reveal truths, and keep you entertained while we grow, evolve, and forge ahead," declared the promoters on their website. So, grab your friends and head over to 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, for a hilarious night out you won't forget. Need more info? Give them a ring at (917) 855-4828. Get ready to laugh until your sides ache! Wages are not rising fast enough for many Chicago renters. Head to the suburbs, right? In some Chicago suburbs, rents are actually more expensive. 26-Jun-23 Chicago apartment dwellers are seeing some of the fastest rental price increases in the nation this spring and summer, reports a new market study. A typical one-bedroom unit in downtown Chicago now leases for a hefty median rent of $1,840 a month the second most expensive city in Illinois, according to Zumpers Chicago Metro Area Report. Renters who are thinking of heading to the suburbs for some financial relief should look at the Zumper numbers. Compared with the city, rents actually are more expensive in some Chicago suburbs. The most expensive town to rent an apartment in the state is west suburban Lombard, which posted a one-bedroom median rent of $2,030, up a whopping 37.2 percent since last year. Arlington Heights ranked third in Illinois with a one-bedroom median rent of $1,840. Statewide, Illinois one-bedroom median rent was $1,335. The reality is that multifamily apartment rents are rising everywhere and fast, said the Zumper report. One way for renters to save some bucks is lease a compact apartment in downtown Chicago, which is known for offering some of the tiniest newly-built apartments in the nation, reports RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website and part of the Yardi network. In the Windy City, a monthly rent of $1,500 will only lease you an average of 502 square feet of apartment space the equivalent of a studio or one-bedroom unit, the RentCafe report said. Nationally, a monthly rent of $1,500 will lease you an average of 782 square feet of apartment space. Currently, Chicago is the 15th most popular rental apartment city in the United States, according to RentCafe. In May, renters found Chicago more appealing than such major cities as Washington, D.C., Boston, Seattle, Charlotte, or Houston. The Home Front found the following assortment of available rentals in lakefront neighborhoods on Apartment List: Near North Side. Some 1,711 apartments currently are listed for rent in the Gold Coast, Streeterville, and Near North Side neighborhoods. Twenty-nine units are available at The Sinclair (right), 1201 North LaSalle Street. Studios with 505 square feet go for $2,220. One-bedroom floor plans with 625 square feet rent for $2,806. Two-bedroom layouts with 1,185 square feet are priced at $5,436. Lincoln Park. There are 285 units currently listed for rent in this neighborhood. At the Belden Stratford, 2300 North Lincoln Park West, renters can choose from 109 available units in the renovated former hotel. Studios with 556 square feet go for $2,610. One-bedroom units with 683 square feet rent for $2,818. Deluxe two-bedroom layouts with 1,043 square feet lease for $5,112 a month. For renters who cant afford luxury apartments downtown or in lakefront neighborhoods such as Edgewater, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Old Town, some nice units are located in the first ring of neighborhoods outside downtown, noted Ron DeVries, senior managing director of Integra Realty Resources, a consulting and appraisal firm. For example, in North Lincoln Square, apartment hunters will find a nicely renovated one-bedroom unit in a walk-up building priced at $1,350 a month. The two-bedroom layout with off-street parking included is renting for $1,450. However, rents in some off-the-lake North Side neighborhoods also have risen 11-13 percent in the past year because of sharply higher real estate taxes, Realtors say. For many, rents rising faster than wages The big problem for Chicago renters in 2023 is that wages are not rising fast enough for many tenants to afford the median-rent apartment, according to a new report from Housing Action and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. To afford a typical two-bedroom apartment in Chicago, a renter who works 40 hours a week needs to earn $27.69 per hour, or $57,600 per year. To afford a one-bedroom unit, a tenant who works a 40-hour week would need to earn $24.13 per hour, or $50,190 per year. The minimum hourly wage in Chicago increases every year and is set to rise another 40 cents on July 1, reaching $15.80 an hour for non-tipped workers at the citys largest employers. The report said the average fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago currently is $1,255 per month, while two-bedroom layouts lease for an average of $1,440. Rent control fails in Springfield The annual battle by the left wing of the Democratic Party to bring apartment rent control to Illinois has failed again. This year, seven separate pieces of legislation, all aiming to legalize rent control in some form, were proposed in the Illinois House of Representatives. Of these, only the following two bills made it out of committee: HB 3104, sponsored by State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (21st District), proposes exempting manufactured housing from the rent control ban. The bill would enable local municipalities to enact rent control restrictions for this property type. HB 2727, sponsored by State Representative Anna Moeller (43rd District), would limit rent increases in mobile home parks to 3 percent per year, plus limited additional amounts specifically required for necessary property maintenance and repairs. Neither of these bills was passed before the March 24 deadline and have both been sent back to the Rules Committee. More info: 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. Bob Stannard is from Manchester, and has been a political columnist for 21 years. Hes a former member of the Vermont House of Representatives, a former lobbyist, a musician and an author. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, teamed up with First Balfour, a leading engineering and construction company in the Philippines to ramp up efforts to decarbonize the transport sector, supporting the countrys climate goals. Under the agreement, IFC will help First Balfour conduct assessments and viability studies to develop a robust electric vehicle system in the First Philippine Industrial Park including charging infrastructure targeted to be powered completely by renewable energy. FPIP has been looking at ways to create a stronger, more efficient transportation system within and outside the industrial park in a manner that is inclusive and beneficial to locators, current transport service providers and the nearby communities. By participating in the assessments and viability studies, it can also obtain deeper insights on movements inside the park to develop appropriate transport strategies and other approaches to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the future. Located around 50 kilometers from Manila and spread over 500 hectares, FPIP is one of the largest industrial parks in the Philippines, hosting more than 140 locators employing about 70,000 employees. FPIP is a joint venture between First Philippine Holdings and Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corp. First Balfour, which took part in the development of some of FPIPs infrastructure, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPH. Aligning with our mission towards decarbonization, we are actively exploring opportunities in the electric vehicle space to be able to provide an integrated infrastructure and services to our customers, such as FPIP. In this context, IFCs expertise will help us develop highly relevant market solutions that will ultimately help us to contribute to our countrys resilient future, said First Balfour president and chief operating officer Anthony Fernandez. An increasing number of businesses in the Philippines are looking to explore EV adoption to help green their operations, but technical expertise is thin and successful business casesespecially those of significant scaleare few. A huge investment opportunity over the next decade, electric vehicles are critical in the fight against climate change and can help reduce emissions, lower transport costs, and create thousands of green jobs. So, developing an efficient and thriving e-mobility ecosystem is crucial for the Philippines to meet its climate commitments, said IFC country manager for the Philippines Jean-Marc Arbogast. The project will also help diversify FPIP and First Balfours infrastructure services and hopefully bring in new market players and spur the evolution of the local electric vehicle segment in the country, he said. IFC has been at the forefront of promoting green mobility in Asia. In Thailand, IFC subscribed to a $100-million green bond issued by TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Limited, the first green bond to focus exclusively on the EV industry. Ranked among the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, transport is the largest source of air pollution and energy-related greenhouse gases (31 percent of total GHG emissions) in the Philippines. In line with its Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, EVs can help the country meet its target of reducing GHG emissions by 75 percent of baseline by 2030, especially if similar projects are replicated across industrial parks and applied to other modes of transport and logistics. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. A Thai Affair CONRAD Manila introduces the much-awaited debut of its Legendary Chefs Series, an exceptional culinary event that features celebrated guest chefs from across the globe. This series promises an extraordinary dining experience that will delight and captivate food enthusiasts. Kicking off the series, Conrad Manila welcomes Juthakorn Suraraksa, popularly known as Mink, Assistant Executive Sous Chef from Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, who will showcase his exceptional culinary skills and present his signature dishes exclusively at Brasserie on 3. Chef Juthakorn Suraraksa, popularly known as Mink, Assistant Executive Sous Chef from Waldorf Astoria Bangkok Chef Mink, a culinary maestro with extensive experience and expertise, brings the rich flavors of Thailand to Manila, delighting food enthusiasts with his distinctive creations. This month, guests can indulge in an exquisite dining experience featuring Chef Minks culinary masterpieces. Chef Mink is an accomplished culinary professional with an impressive background in the hospitality industry, particularly in renowned Thailand hotels. With 14 years of culinary experience, he currently holds the position of Assistant Executive Sous Chef at Waldorf Astoria Bangkok. He has been an integral part of the hotels pre-opening team since February 2018, when he initially joined as a sous chef for banqueting. Chef Mink brings the rich flavors of Thailand to Manila Chef Mink followed his passion for cooking after leaving his academic studies at Thammasart Universitys Faculty of Political Sciences and completed a Certificate in International Cuisine from The Oriental Hotel Apprenticeship Program (OHAP) in 2009. He has gained culinary expertise through his experiences at various establishments including Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa in Phuket, Elements at The Okura Prestige Bangkok, and the award-winning The House on Sathorn, where he served as a pre-opening junior sous chef. Conrad Manila guests can indulge in an exquisite dining experience featuring Chef Minks culinary masterpieces Brasserie on 3 will offer a variety of rates during the promotional period, allowing guests to savor Chef Minks delectable dishes: Weekday Lunch Special Buffet Rate, P1,799 nett (Monday to Friday, not valid in conjunction with any other discounts); Weekend Lunch, P2,650 nett; Dinner Buffet (Sunday to Thursday), P2,850 nett; and Dinner Buffet (Friday and Saturday), P 3,250 nett. During the Legendary Chefs Series, guests can savor a range of sumptuous delicacies, including the renowned Mixed Seafood Spicy Salad, the delectable Prawn Cake, and the irresistible Mango Sticky Rice-signature dishes meticulously crafted by Chef Mink. Brasserie on 3 allows guests to savor Chef Minks delectable dishes To enhance the dining experience, Conrad Manila offers optional add-ons for guests to choose from: Unlimited Non-alcoholic beverages, P480 nett; and Unlimited Alcoholic beverages (House White or Red / Local Beer), P980 nett. For inquiries and reservations, guests are invited to contact +63 917 650 3591 or +632 8833 9999, or email [email protected]. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. has assured Japanese officials that the Philippine government will support and cooperate in the repatriation efforts of the remains of Japanese soldiers who perished in the Philippines during World War II. In his meeting with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan headed by Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke of the Embassy of Japan, Abalos said his agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are ready to assist the Japanese government and will be closely working with them to ensure that the recovery and repatriation of the Japanese war-dead remains will be carried out smoothly. Japan remains one of the closest partners and allies of the Philippine government and we are ready to assist them in the recovery of the remains of their fallen soldiers, he said. Abalos said as the lead of the repatriation effort, the DILG is in a strategic position to ensure that the repatriation process will be well-coordinated at the local government unit (LGU) level where some of the remains lie. He also said the DILG is ready to activate its resources and manpower to assist the Japanese government in consonance with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed between the Philippine and Japanese governments to facilitate the proper collection, handling, storage, and shipment of the remains of Japanese soldiers. In May 2018, the Philippines and Japan signed an MOC to facilitate the proper collection, handling, storage, and shipment of the remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II in the Philippines. Also in attendance during the meeting are Counsellor and Health Attache Hori Kazuichiro and Second Secretary Matsushige Tomoaki from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines; Director Sato Hiroshi and Deputy Director Furukawa Kazuchika from MHLW of Japan; and DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Raphael SC. Hermoso and Principal Assistant Mahgie Lacaba. Over 300,000 remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II are still on the countrys grounds. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. A Home for Everyone: From rising rents to barriers to home ownership, part of MassLives ongoing coverage of housing issues in Massachusetts. A worker earning the states $15-an-hour minimum wage would need to work 104 hours per week in order to afford a studio apartment at fair market rent in the Boston metro area, according to a report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. That would leave the worker 64 hours to go about the rest of their lives for the week. If they were sleeping eight hours per night or 56 hours per week, that would leave them just eight hours for the week. The National Low Income Housing Coalition in a nonprofit advocacy organization that releases its Out of Reach report annually to educate local, state and federal policymakers about the widening gap between incomes and housing costs and what it means for renters nationwide, the report said. The fair market rent for a studio apartment in the Boston metro area is $2,025 per month, according to the report. The rents climb with the size of the apartment. Fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the metro area is $2,198, a two-bedroom is $2,635 and a three-bedroom is $3,207. The high rents mean in order to afford a studio apartment, a worker would need to earn a salary of $81,000 or $38.94 per hour. The amount jumps to $87,920 or $42.27 per hour for a one-bedroom apartment, $105,400 or $50.67 per hour for a two-bedroom and $128,280 or $61.67 per hour for a three-bedroom, according to the report. The report also highlights earnings for low-wage workers to put the numbers into perspective. Cashiers earn a median hourly wage of $15.96, fast food and counter workers earn $16.74, home health and personal care aides earn $17.11 and retail workers earn $17.19. Overall, the report found that the state of Massachusetts is the third-least affordable in the country. Fair market rent across the state is $1,772 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,165 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Zumper, an online platform to find rentals, found similarly high rents during the month of May in Boston. The platform found the median rent for a one-bedroom was $2,700 in Boston and $2,940 in neighboring Cambridge, according to Rent Report Boston. The National Low Income Housing Coalition suggests tackling the high rents with universal rental assistance, the construction and preservation of more affordable homes and an emergency housing stabilization fund to aid renters in crisis and stronger rent protections, according to the Out of Reach Report. Boston Mayor Michelle Wus has worked to pursue rent control in the city, a practice that has been banned for nearly 30 years, but she needs approval from state legislators, according to WBUR. Good Morning America will be coming to Faneuil Hall in Boston this Wednesday, to challenge two local restaurants on their segment, United States of Breakfast. The two siblings, Robin Sidell, the owner of North Street Grille and Solomon Sidell, the owner of South Street Diner, will go head-to-head in creating their own breakfast dishes, in hopes of winning the Best of Boston. Solomon will be creating his homemade Boston creme pancakes, which is made with the restaurants own Bavarian cream with chocolate that drizzles on the edges of the pancakes. Its a traditional Boston dish and its a landmark product, said Solomon. Robin will be creating a banana bourbon French toast, a crowd favorite, she said for over 20 years when her restaurant first opened. The siblings have made a pact, where the loser will travel with the winner to New York and be their sous-chef while competing against Houston, Cleveland and Philadelphia for the chance of winning the United States of America best breakfast title, and $10,000. Im very excited to compete against my brother, said Robin. Robin described the competition as a full circle event since she and Solomon began their restaurant journey together over 20 years ago when they both owned South Street Diner. Read more: The one where Central Perk from Friends comes to Boston South Street Diner is Bostons only 24-hour restaurant thats open seven days a week. Solomon said his restaurant gives a country-ish laid back setting in the morning while at night there are kids dancing on the tables. Solomon has been the owner of South Street Diner for 27 years and hopefully [will be] here for the next 15 years. North Street Grille has been around since 2004 and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Robin describes her restaurant as a have it your way brunch. Its been a continuous process of getting the word out there, said Robin. People come from all over to support us, and our neighborhood comes to support us. Its an honor to be recognized nationally [and] were excited to just be included. Audience members must be present from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m., at Quincy Market according to a Facebook post from Faneuil Hall Marketplace. If interested in being a part of the audience, email jmorse@fanhallmarketplace.com to sign up. A crew member working on the airport tarmac for Delta Airlines was killed Friday night when he was ingested into the engine of a plane that was arriving late Friday night, reports say. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement that the worker, who was employed by a company contracted by Delta for grounds operations, was killed at about 10:25 p.m. Friday as Delta Flight 1111 was taxiing to the gate at San Antonio International Airport, KENS Channel 5 reports. The plane had one engine operating as it approached the gate, according to News 4 San Antonio. We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family members life in San Antonio, the company that employs the worker said in a statement to KENS. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. The identity of the worker has not been released. The flight had arrived from Los Angeles. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation, the airport said in a statement to News 4. On Equality Day, legislation was reintroduced that would prevent someone charged with violence in a federal court to blame their action on the victims gender identity or sexual orientation, according to a press release from U.S. Sen. Edward Markey. Markey and Congressman Chris Pappas announced Monday the reintroduction of the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act that would ban the excuse [of] violent crimes, such as murder and assault, by arguing that the victims sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendants actions, reads the release. Members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans people of color, are facing ongoing, escalating, and intensifying violence emboldened by hateful actions and speech by elected officials at every level of government, said Markey in the press release. This so-called defense is not only antiquated, but actively legitimizes violence against the LGBTQ+ community and encourages homophobic and transphobic bigotry within our legal system. The LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act will stop courts from sanctioning violence against people based on who they are and who they love. It is a necessary step forward LGBTQ+ people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. For decades, the LGBTQ+ panic defense has been used in courts, the release states. More than 20 years ago, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. While in court, one of his killers raised a panic defense, arguing that Shepards unwanted sexual advances excused his violent acts, the release says. Read more: Amherst residents demand action on LGBTQ bullying accusations In 2022, Nikkis Law was passed to prevent those charged with a violent crime from using panic defenses in the state of Washington, after Nikki Kuhnhausen, a transgender woman, was murdered in Vancouver, Washington, the release said. Since 2013, the Human Rights Campaign has recorded more than 256 cases of fatal violence against trans people in the U.S. Black transgender women have been disproportionately impacted, according to the Human Rights Campaign, as they make up 66 percent of all victims of fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. Last year, at least 38 transgender people were killed in the U.S. and many of the attacked targeted transgender women of color, Markeys release said. Today, 16 states and Washington, D.C. have taken action to curtail the use of the LGBTQ+ panic defenses, according to the release. On Equality Day, we recognize the progress we have made, while recommitting ourselves to the work still to be done to achieve full equality for all, said Pappas in the press release. No one should be a second-class citizen in the United States but in many jurisdictions, including our federal courts, violent perpetrators can still avoid accountability for their crimes through the use of bigoted panic defenses. No ones sexual orientation or gender identity is a defense for assault or murder, and it is time Congress follows the lead of states that have already banned this defense in their courts. A Middleborough man is expected to be arraigned on Monday after he was charged in connection with stabbing three teenagers on Saturday. Jayden Wainwright, 18, was charged with attempted murder and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Middleborough police said in a statement. The Middleborough Police Department received a 911 call at around 12:05 p.m. on Saturday about multiple people stabbed in the area of the power lines on Wall Street. Witnesses told WCVB that the teens were at a bonfire celebrating the end of the school year, with between 50 and 70 people present. When officers arrived, they found two 19-year-olds from Carver with stab wounds, one with stab wounds to the torso who was taken to Boston Medical Center in critical condition. The second victim was injured in the leg and was taken to St. Lukes Hospital in New Bedford. A 15-year-old from Middleborough was also stabbed but was taken to Tobey Hospital by a private citizen. A subsequent investigation led police to Wainwright, who was arrested and ordered held on $25,000 cash bail, police said. He is being held at the Plymouth County House of Correction. More charges to other individuals may be forthcoming. Wainwright is due to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on Monday. A man suffered from non-life-threatening injuries after he was shot in the leg in Hyannis, Barnstable police said. At about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Barnstable police went to Main Street and High School Road for reported gunshots, the department said. The officers found an unnamed wounded man and began medical treatment, police said. The man was taken to Cape Cod Hospital by the Hyannis Fire Department Rescue Personnel and later moved to a Boston-area hospital via MedFlight. Read More: Three dead in fiery Chicopee car crash During an investigation, the Barnstable police said they found a damaged vehicle nearby on High School Road that apparently fled the scene and crashed into another vehicle. The passengers in the vehicle were not injured. The Barnstable police said they do not believe this was a random act of violence. A missing kayakers body was found in the Merrimack River on Sunday, Massachusetts State Police said. Multiple fire and police departments began searching for the missing kayaker in Haverhill Sunday afternoon, police said. At about 6:30 p.m., which was about two hours later, Haverhill Firefighters located and recovered the kayakers body, police said. The kayakers name was not released. However, officials said it was a man. State Police detectives assigned to the Essex County District Attorneys Office are conducting the death investigation along with Haverhill Police and the State Police Crime Scene Services Section. The body of an East Longmeadow man who went missing after his canoe capsized at Hampton Ponds State Park on Wednesday was also found Sunday, according to Massachusetts State Police. The three victims killed in a Newton home on Sunday were identified Monday in a letter from the family, NBC 10 Boston reported. Sacred Heart and Our Ladys Collaborative sent a letter from the family of the victims to NBC identifying them as Jill and Bruno DAmore, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, the news station reported. The third victim was Lucia Arpino, Jills mother. It is with a heavy heart that we share that the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday in Newton hit very close to home impacting our faith community and our own family, the letter said according to NBC. The letter described Jill DAmore as someone who spent endless hours in the care of our church, while her husband stood in as chef during parish picnics, flipping burger patties. He was known for having a big voice and his exuberant personality. At 10:14 a.m. Sunday, Newton Police Department responded to a home on Broadway Street, where a person known to the three victims called 911 to report that the three residents in the home were found dead from apparent stab wounds and blunt trauma, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office said. Early investigative findings suggest that there were signs of forced entry into the home, she added. Read more: Michael Walsh sentenced for shooting at Plymouth police and his family The person who knew victims went to their home after noticing they did not attend service at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, the Boston Globe reported. The Rev. Dan Riley told the Globe that the DAmores were great people with family warmth. Newton police described the killings as senseless on Twitter. The Newton Police Department is employing all available resources to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, Newton police said in a follow-up tweet. We continue to supplement each shift with extra officers who will be performing directed patrols. Investigators also believe the attack may have been random, NBC reported. They have also not determined if the stabbings are connected to an attempted break-in at Brookside Avenue, close to a half mile from the location of the three homicides. Ryan asked residents in the Nonantum and Newtonville areas to check any video from their homes and let police know if they see anything unusual. Ryan and Newton police have told residents that they should remain vigilant. During a press conference Sunday, Ryan told reporters that Newton residents should lock your doors and windows even if you do not normally do that. To report any suspicious activity, call Newton police at 617-796-2123. Officials released the identity of a Haverhill man who drowned in Merrimack River Sunday afternoon. Michael Ventura, 31, of Haverhill, was identified as the person found dead inside the Merrimack River on Sunday, according to the Essex County District Attorneys Office and Haverhill Police Department. Witnesses told authorities that Ventura was fishing from a canoe near 44 Margin St. when he fell into the Merrimack River nearly 75 feet from shore at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday. The onlookers called the police after they were unable to reach Ventura, officials stated. Haverhill first responders worked with Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Unit and Massachusetts Environmental Police to recover Venturas body from the river. Officials said Venturas body was found 75 feet from where he entered the river. He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. Sunday. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Venturas apparent drowning. A Dorchester man was found guilty Monday in connection with a fatal shooting of a 62-year-old man that occurred in 2020. In Suffolk County District Court Monday, a jury found Roberto Martinez-Baez guilty of all charges in the fatal shooting of 62-year-old Andrew Farley of Dorchester, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney Office. Read more: Fernando Owens of Dorchester sentenced for murder of New Jersey woman On Feb. 7, 2020, at around 6:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a person shot in the area of Columbia Road and Hancock Street in Dorchester, police said. Officers found Farley injured with gunshot wounds. First responders rushed him to a hospital where he later died of his injuries, according to authorities. Boston police officers arrested Martinez-Baez as a suspect in the shooting nearly a year after the incident occurred. Martinez-Baez is scheduled to be sentenced for the murder of Farley in Suffolk County District Court Tuesday morning. SPRINGFIELD Starting in the fall, three schools in Springfield will require students keep their cellphones in pouches to discourage their use during the school day. The Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, the Springfield High School of Science and Technology and the Springfield Renaissance School are set to adopt the Yondr cell phone pouch program after the citys School Committee voted unanimously to recommend the move at its meeting last week. The California-based company Yondr provides the magnetically sealed pouches that are designed to hold a cellphone. After a successful pilot program with the pouches at Springfield Central High School last fall, the district asked its school principals if they would like to try the cellphone pouches in their schools during the next school year, said Springfield Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick. Three schools came forward. Warwick said the Yondr program has been a big success at Central High School and won the favor with other school districts across the state. In the fall of 2022, to prevent students from being distracted by their cellphones, Springfield Central High School was one of the first schools in the Springfield school system to test the Yondr Pouches. Last year, Principal Thaddeus Tokarz of Central High School said students and staff would receive a pouch at the beginning of each day to place their turned-off phone in. The locked pouch is then put away but kept with their owners until dismissal. At dismissal, students and staff use a device to unlock the pouch and retrieve their phones. The unlocking devices are placed throughout the building and the pouches are breakable in case of emergency. It has been popular, Mayor Domenic Sarno said of the cellphone pouch program. It has been very effective also. The school districts reason for trying the pilot program was to see if it could boost concentration throughout the day for both students and staff, in addition to increasing social-emotional development in self-regulation and socialization through genuine interaction. Since Chicopee Public Schools introduced the Youndr pouches in March of 2022, it has seen increases in average quiz and test scores and student participation, Chicopee High School Principal Carol Kruser said last year. AMHERST Are you struggling with ticks and mosquitos in your backyard? A new project might help you get rid of the disease-carrying pests. Project ITCH is a two-step program that is looking to find the best way to eliminate ticks and mosquitos from backyards. In the first step of the project, residents submit answers to online questions about ticks and mosquitos near their house. Residents answer whether they view ticks as a concern, and what measures they take to exterminate them. In the second step of Project ITCH, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst-based New England Regional Center of Vector-Borne Diseases will visit residents homes and offer a free evaluation of the ticks and mosquitos around their homes. They will keep track of how many pests they find and where they are most prevalent, along with which strategy works best for getting rid of them. The overall goal of this project is to limit tick- and mosquito-borne diseases in New England by informing the public of the best practices of limiting them and the diseases transmitted through each, including Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Dr. Stephen Rich, the executive director of the center, encourages New England residents to visit newvec.org and fill out the survey. He said in a statement that people looking to limit pest presence in their yards should keep their grass cut short and use chemical sprays, and he hopes that the project will discover a new, safe and effective way to eliminate these pests. I am a new reader of The Westfield News. In the past 4 months, I have read several guest commentaries, written by the same writer, which assert that members of the LGBTQ community are self-absorbed attention-seekers intent on worship of oneself (Progressive Policies Reflect Negative Changes in Americas Culture, The Westfield News, March 28). Blacks, too, we are told, apparently play the victim card, and modern-day efforts to make up for past discrimination, via reparations or affirmative action, are unwarranted because the Black community has been trending up by all measures since the 1960s. He argues, as well, that hundreds of thousands of Irish persons were enslaved, not just Blacks, which is a myth popular on supremacist websites but one that has been thoroughly debunked by historians. The writers commentaries have often been careful to include seemingly admirable references to the Greatest Generation in order to mask his underlying resentment of liberal efforts to support oppressed groups. The folks who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, he tells us correctly, were willing to work hard to overcome adversity without looking to blame others. But other oppressed peoples are apparently mere whiners. The writers latest commentary criticizes the celebration of Pride Month (Take Pride in Accomplishments Rather Than Individuals Identity, The Westfield News, June 16). For whatever odd reason, he thinks it important that LGBTQ-ers should restrict their public displays of celebration to flying of a mere banner, as opposed to a full flag. More importantly, he argues that the LGBTQ community should celebrate concrete accomplishments rather than their mere existence as a group. He apparently has no understanding of the need for oppressed groups to occasionally circle the wagons and stand up for themselves and their right to exist, in the face of bigots who say they dont. Anyone who doubts that should research the names Matthew Shepard and Omar Mateen. Market Overview According to the latest research report published by DataM Intelligence, the Global Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Market was valued at US$ 87.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 170.1 billion by 2030. The market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period 2023-2030. The global anti-inflammatory drugs market is segmented based on indication, drug class, distribution channel and region. North America is expected to contribute significantly to the market growth owing to factors such as an aging population and the rising prevalence of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IFD). Major players in the market include Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, F-Hoffmann-La-Roche, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Abbot Laboratories and Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Anti-inflammatory drugs are pharmacological treatments provided to patients to reduce physical inflammation. These drugs treat asthma, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions. Several reasons, including the rising prevalence of inflammatory disorders, an aging population and technical developments in drug research, will drive the anti-inflammatory drugs market over the projection period. For More Insights About the Market Request Free Sample: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/anti-inflammatory-drugs-market Market Drivers The worlds population is becoming older, which raises the need for anti-inflammatory drugs. Elderly persons are more prone to developing chronic inflammatory diseases and the aging population drives market expansion. According to the World Health Organizations 2022 report, by 2030, one out of every six people will be 60 or older. People aged 60 and over are predicted to increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030. Looking forward, the global population of people aged 60 and above is expected to triple by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion. As a result, the worlds aging population will drive the global anti-inflammatory drugs market throughout the projected period. Market Opportunities Technological advancements such as targeted drug delivery systems, improved drug formulations and the development of new drug administration methods will generate major potential in the global anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical business. For example, UConn Pharmacy researchers have developed a unique way of administering nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) that allows for continuous release over time, potentially reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of long-term use. This approach, known as long-acting injectable NSAIDs, was devised by Diane Burgess, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutics and co-inventor and research assistant Professor Xiaoyi Wang. It provides for the extended release of NSAIDs, solving the problem of long-term harmful effects. Market Restraints Anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may result in gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular risks and kidney damage. These safety concerns restrict its use, especially in certain patient groups and may substantially influence the growth of the global anti-inflammatory drugs market throughout the projection period. Covid-19 Impact Analysis: The COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to benefit the market for anti-inflammatory drugs because the virus induces inflammation in infected persons. SARS-CoV-2, the beta coronavirus that causes COVID-19, may cause severe pneumonia with increased inflammation. Severe inflammation and cytokine storms may cause multiple organ dysfunction syndromes, acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and other complications. Consequently, efforts to find anti-inflammatory drugs to address the inflammation caused by COVID-19 have risen. Russia-Ukraine War Impact: The Russia-Ukraine war has substantially influenced the global market for anti-inflammatory drugs. The conflict has altered trade dynamics, affecting the supply chain, the pricing of raw materials and the availability of pharmaceuticals. Negative consequences are expected throughout the globe, notably in Eastern Europe, the European Union, Eastern and Central Asia and the United States. The war has caused the Ukrainian economy to collapse, resulting in significant decreases in medicine manufacture and distribution and significant price rises. The crisis has influenced the global market for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, putting pressure on pricing choices and altering import/export and trade activities. Recent Industry Developments: Amgen released AMJEVITA (adalimumab-atto), a biosimilar of Humira (adalimumab), in January 2023 and it is now available in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AMJEVITA as the first Humira biosimilar in 2016. It is a drug used by nearly a million people with severe inflammatory disorders. In December 2022, Lupin Limited, a worldwide pharmaceutical business, announced the arrival in the United States of PENNSAID (Diclofenac Sodium Topical Solution), an authorized generic version of Horizon Pharma Therapeutics. This medicine is used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Sun Pharma, a large pharmaceutical business, purchased three brands from Aksigen Hospital Care in January 2023: Disperzyme, Disperzyme-CD and Phlogam (Trypsin BP 48 mg, Bromelain 90 mg and Rutoside Trihydrate 100 mg). This purchase will broaden their line of anti-inflammatory medications. Segmentation Analysis: As per the research analysis, the global anti-inflammatory drugs market is segmented by indication into arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), asthma, tendonitis and others; by drug class into anti-inflammatory biologics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immune-selective anti-inflammatory derivative (IMSAID), indigestion, additional supplements and others; and by distribution channel into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online pharmacies. The arthritis segment is expected to dominate the global anti-inflammatory drugs market, accounting for approximately 30.6% of the market, owing to the rising prevalence of arthritis disease, growing geriatric population, increasing awareness about arthritis, advancements in treatment options and growing demand for effective therapies. For example, arthritis, a disorder characterized by joint inflammation, affects a high percentage of the US population, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. Arthritis affects one in every four individuals in the United States or around 58.5 million people. It is noteworthy that arthritis affects 23.5% of women vs. 18.1% of men. It indicates that by 2040, the expected number of persons aged 18 and above with arthritis will be 78.4 million. Since of this, NSAIDs are the most often recommended drugs since they have been shown to relieve pain and have fewer adverse effects. As a result of the aforementioned reasons, this segment in Indication is likely to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. View Full Report: https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/anti-inflammatory-drugs-market Geographical Analysis: The global anti-inflammatory drugs market is segmented into North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Market: North America is expected to hold a dominant position in the global anti-inflammatory drugs market, accounting for 38.7% of the total market, owing to factors such as an aging population, rising prevalence of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IFD), increasing demand for anti-inflammatory biologics as many market players invest in biologics such as clinical trials and growing government support for biosimilars. For example, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi announced in February 2023 that the FDA had approved Kevzara (sarilumab) for treating adult patients with polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR). This inflammatory rheumatic disease has not responded adequately to corticosteroids or cannot tolerate tapering. As a result of these factors, North America is expected to dominate the global anti-inflammatory drugs market throughout the projected period. Market KeyPlayers The key players included in the global anti-inflammatory drugs market are Amgen Inc, AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, F-Hoffmann-La-Roche, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Abbot Laboratories and Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Related Reports: Additional Benefits Post Purchase: 1) Unlimited Analyst support for a period of 1 year. 2) Any query regarding 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 for 2020-2021 and verifiable market size projections for 2022-2029. Visualize the composition of the global anti-inflammatory drugs market segmentation indication, drug class, distribution channel and region, highlighting the key commercial assets and players. By Indication : Arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), asthma, tendonitis and others By Drug Class: Anti-inflammatory biologics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immune-selective anti-inflammatory derivative (IMSAID), indigestion, additional supplements and others By Distribution Channel: Hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online pharmacies. By Region : North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa. Identify commercial opportunities in the global anti-inflammatory drugs market by analyzing trends and co-development deals. The report also covers data insights on various industry forces such as Porters five forces, regulations in each country, reimbursement scenario, technological advancements, PEST analysis and pricing analysis. Excel data sheet with thousands of the global anti-inflammatory drugs market-level 4/5 segmentation data points. 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 50+ market data tables, 40+ figures and close to 180 pages. About DataM Intelligence: 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. Orthopedic surgeons frequently use bone screws to fixate bony fragments, which serve several purposes such as attaching implants to bone, connecting soft tissue to bone, and fixing bone-to-bone. A bone screw typically consists of various parts such as a head, shaft, core, and thread. They can be used in different parts of the body, including cortical bone, cancellous bone, the metaphyseal region of bone, the distal humerus, the trochanteric area, and occasionally in the ankle where the bone density is high. Bio-absorbable screws are widely preferred for anterior cruciate ligament surgery due to their automatic absorption in the body. The use of biodegradable bone screws presents various advantages such as post-surgery MRI imaging of the bone, avoiding long-term interference with surrounding tissues, eliminating the need for bone screw removal surgery, minimizing the risk of infections related to metal screws, and reducing the amount of stress exerted on the surrounding tissues. Request For a Sample Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1901 Global Bio-absorbable Bone Screw Market Drivers:- The launch of new products from major players is anticipated to fuel the growth of the global bio-absorbable bone screw market. Biosure HA screws were introduced by Smith & Nephew Plc., a medical device business with a global reach, in April 2013. These screws are made of hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate that closely matches the mineral present in human bone, and poly-L-lactic acid. The introduction of novel products broadens the selection of bio-absorbable alternatives accessible to orthopaedic patients, which is predicted to fuel the expansion of the worldwide bio-absorbable market.The global bio-absorbable bone screw market is anticipated to experience growth due to the rising number of orthopedic patients. In India, for example, a study conducted by the Indian Orthopedic Research Group in 2015 reported that over 60 million people were orthopedic patients, with a significant proportion being elderly individuals. The increasing number of the elderly population is also expected to contribute to the growth of the global bio-absorbable bone screw market. In 2016, a survey conducted by the Statistics and Programme Implementation reported that over 30 million males and more than 42 million females were part of the geriatric population. Collaborations between market participants to distribute their goods on a larger scale are anticipated to support the growth of the worldwide bio-absorbable bone screw market. For instance, in order to increase the distribution of Biorectecs bio-absorbable products, Ortho Pediatrics Corp., a business that specialised in paediatric orthopaedics, joined forces with Biorectec Ltd. in 2017. Under the Ortho Pediatrics Corp trademark TorqLoc, Ortho Pediatrics Corp will advertise and market Biorectecs bio-absorbable goods, including screws and other fixation devices. These items allay worries over the requirement for subsequent procedures in kids and are thought to be safe. This kind of collaboration is anticipated to persuade patients of all ages to convert to biodegradable screws and implants in order to reduce dangers in the future.The global bio-absorbable bone screw market is facing limitations in its growth due to the high cost of bio-absorbable implants and screws, which are not affordable for low and middle-income populations, as well as the slow rate of new ligament regeneration. Geographical analysis of the global bioresorbable bone screw market: Because of the regions growing orthopaedic patient population, North America is expected to dominate the global market for bio-absorbable bone screws. Around 8 million Americans were reported to be orthopaedic patients in a 2016 research by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. The global market for bio-absorbable bone screws is anticipated to develop over the course of the projected period as a result of the rising number of orthopaedic patients. The launch of new orthopaedic goods on the market is the primary reason for the anticipated significant expansion of the European bio-absorbable bone screw market. Smith & Nephew Plc., a business that specialises in the creation, marketing, and distribution of medical devices on a global scale, introduced Biosure Regenesorb in 2017. This product is primarily used for graft fixation in tiny locations to aid graft-to-bone integration. It is created from a bio-composite material with an open architecture design that facilitates bone formation. The worldwide bio-absorbable bone screw market is expected to increase as more novel solutions that promote quicker healing are introduced. Graft-to-bone integration is essential to healing and remodelling. As new products are approved by regional regulatory agencies, the Asia Pacific market for bio-absorbable bone screws is expected to expand over the projected period. ABT, a producer and developer of orthopaedic internal fixation devices, reported in April 2018 that the Chinese FDA has approved novel polymer orthopaedic internal fixation devices, including bio-absorbable screws. These devices are constructed from the physiologically stable PA6-P (MMA-CO-NVP)-HA polymer, which is fibre reinforced and readily absorbed by the body. With ABTs clearance to produce additional items made of this polymer, orthopaedic patients should have access to a broad variety of such products, which will encourage many patients to utilise bio-absorbable screws rather than metal ones. Prominent players in the global bioresorbable bone screw market include: Smith & Nephew Plc., Zimmer Biomet, DePuy Synthes Companies, Stryker Corporation, Bioretec Ltd., and Tornier Inc. are among the key players in the global bio-absorbable bone screw market. Buy-Now this Premium Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/1901 Market Taxonomy for Bioabsorbable Bone Screws Worldwide: Kind of Product:- Fully Threaded Screws Partially Threaded Screws Via Applications:- Upper Extremities Lower Extremities users at the end:- Hospitals Specialty Clinics Ambulatory Surgical Centers Others From Region:- North America Europe Latin America Asia Pacific Middle East Africa Reason to Buy this Report: Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the Bio-absorbable Bone Screw market and the implications of these changes for market participants. Overview of the competitive landscape in the market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Overview Definition of Bio-absorbable Bone Screw Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Bio-absorbable Bone Screw Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! Ask Here for Customization Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1901 Explore More Report: North america and europe dermal filler market Dental suture market Orthobiologics market Biosurgery market Medical micro surgical drills market Special purpose needles market Digital mobile x ray devices market Endovascular aneurysm repair market Ent chairs market Middle east and asia injectable drugs market Cardiac remote patient monitoring devices market The dermatology biologics market has experienced significant growth in recent years, revolutionizing the treatment landscape for various skin conditions. Biologics are advanced pharmaceutical products derived from living organisms, such as proteins and antibodies, that are designed to target specific components of the immune system involved in the development of skin diseases. This market has witnessed remarkable advancements, offering new hope to patients with chronic and debilitating skin conditions. Here are five key factors driving the growth of the dermatology biologics market. The global dermatology biologics market generated approximately US$ 5.1 Bn in revenue in 2021 and is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% to reach a market size of US$ 10.2 Bn by the end of 2032. Revenue from dermatology biologics accounted for 29.2% share of the global dermatology market in 2021. Demand for dermatologic biologics is increasing with the rise in the number of biologics launched in recent years. Need More Insights on Competitor Analysis of the Dermatology Biologics Market, Request for Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/23005 Firstly, the rising prevalence of skin disorders is a major factor contributing to the expansion of the dermatology biologics market. Conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa affect millions of people worldwide, leading to a growing demand for effective treatment options. Biologics have demonstrated superior efficacy in managing these diseases, providing relief to patients who have previously struggled with limited treatment options. Companies Merck and Co. Inc. Novartis AG Pfizer Inc. AbbVie Inc. Amgen Inc. AstraZenca Celgene Corporation Eli Lilly and Company Johnson and Johnson (Janssen Biotech Inc.) If You Want To Know The Business Opportunity/Market Value, Purchase The Premium Insight @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/23005 Secondly, technological advancements and ongoing research and development efforts have led to the introduction of innovative biologic therapies. The development of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins has opened up new avenues for targeted treatments in dermatology. These biologics offer high specificity, allowing healthcare professionals to directly address the underlying mechanisms of skin diseases while minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues. Thirdly, increasing patient awareness and the availability of information through various channels, including social media and patient support groups, have contributed to the growth of the dermatology biologics market. Patients are now better informed about the benefits of biologic therapies and are more likely to seek these treatments. Moreover, dermatologists and healthcare providers are also becoming more knowledgeable about the efficacy and safety profiles of these drugs, further driving their adoption. Fourthly, favorable reimbursement policies and increased insurance coverage for biologics have played a crucial role in expanding the market. As these therapies can be expensive, reimbursement support and insurance coverage alleviate the financial burden on patients, making biologics more accessible. This has led to a broader patient population being able to benefit from these innovative treatments, driving market growth. Competitive Landscape Leading manufacturers are obtaining FDA approvals for the introduction of their novel biologic product lines into the market to strengthen their product approach and accessibility across the world. Consolidation operations such as mergers and acquisitions have been carried out by several significant competitors in the dermatology biologics sector. The expansion of corporate partnerships to strengthen their dermatology biologics is another key strategy observed in the market. For instance: In June 2022, AbbVie announced the European Medicines Agencys approval for upadacitinib with the brand name RINVOQ. In January 2022, Amgen and Generate Biomedicines announced a collaboration to develop protein therapeutics for around five clinical targets across various therapeutic areas and multiple modalities. In December 2021, Samsung Biologics and AstraZeneca expanded their manufacturing partnerships to improve COVID and cancer therapy facilities. If you want to Purchase Specific Insights by Segment/Region/Competitor, Request For Customization @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/request-customization/23005 Key Segments Covered in Dermatology Biologics Industry Research Dermatology Biologics Market by Product Type: Interleukin Inhibitors Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors Dermatology Biologics Market by End User: Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies e-Commerce Dermatology Biologics Market by Region: North America Dermatology Biologics Market Latin America Dermatology Biologics Market Europe Dermatology Biologics Market South Asia Dermatology Biologics Market East Asia Dermatology Biologics Market Oceania Dermatology Biologics Market The Middle East & Africa Dermatology Biologics Market Top Market Research Report: Enteral Feeding Devices Market Arthroscopic Devices Market Whole Slide Imaging Systems Market RNA-based Therapeutics and Vaccines Market Gene Expression Analysis Market About Us Persistence Market Research is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. Persistence Market Research boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs. Contact Us: Persistence Market Research United States Address 305 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007 United States U.S. Ph. +1-646-568-7751 USA-Canada Toll-free +1 800-961-0353 Sales sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Market Overview: Tooth regeneration is a stem cell-based regenerative medicine procedure in the fields of tissue engineering and stem cell biology that uses autologous stem cells to replace damaged or missing teeth. Enamel confronts the challenge of maintaining its integrity in an oral environment that is constantly demineralizing and remineralizing, and it is susceptible to erosion, injury, and degradation. It cannot regenerate because it is composed of cells that are shed following tooth eruption. Market Size Growth Rate: According to the DataM market research report, the global tooth regeneration market reached US$ 4,169.5 million in 2022 and is expected to witness lucrative growth by reaching up to US$ 6,593.5 million by 2030. The global tooth regeneration market is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period (2023-2030). This growth is driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of dental diseases, increasing awareness of tissue engineering, and growing investments in biotechnology. The global tooth regeneration market is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the rising prevalence of tooth decay and other periodontal diseases, the increase in the geriatric population, and the launch of innovative products. Moreover, the increasing disposable income and awareness regarding dental health have driven the demand for aesthetic treatments, thus fueling the rising of the global tooth regeneration market. Market Drivers: The rising prevalence of dental caries and the concomitant rise in the incidence of tooth loss are the primary forces propelling the tooth regeneration market trends over the forecast period. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2,3 billion individuals suffer from dental caries of permanent teeth, and over 530 million children have primary tooth caries. These factors could facilitate the implementation of stem cell tooth regeneration techniques as an alternative to dental implants within the expected timeframe. Similarly, significant advances in stem cell research and the emergence of laser dentistry as a viable method for treating tooth caries will increase the demand for tooth laser regeneration procedures. Market Restraints: The major factors that hinder the growth of the global tooth regeneration market include a lack of skilled professionals and the high cost of the tooth regeneration process. Market Opportunities: The growing demand for dental implants and reconstructive surgery, expansion of healthcare infrastructure in emerging countries, and technological advancements in dentistry are the major factors driving the growth of the global tooth regeneration market. The rising prevalence of periodontal diseases and the increasing demand for aesthetic dentistry drive market growth. The market is highly competitive, with a large presence of multinational and regional players. A high level of product innovation and competitive pricing also characterizes the market. The market is expected to witness further traction due to the increasing adoption of regenerative dentistry procedures and the launch of new products. For more details on this report Request for Sample: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/tooth-regeneration-market Russia-Ukraine Conflict Analysis: The Russia-Ukraine conflict is estimated to have a low impact on the global tooth regeneration market, owing to the low prevalence and absence of key market players in this region. However, the impact of the import and export of raw materials is expected to have little influence over the global tooth regeneration market growth over the forecast period. Recent Developments in the Industry: In November 2022, a major development in the developing field of regenerative dentistry was highlighted by a study that was published in Scientific Reports. The researchers, Kings College London, a publicly funded research institution in the United Kingdom, found that several medications could promote tooth regeneration and self-healing. Currently, dentists prepare a patients teeth for restoration by removing the decay. However, rather than employing artificial materials to cover decaying surfaces, dentists may be capable of employing this regenerative technique to assist patients teeth in healing naturally. In March 2022, ZimVie, formerly known as Zimmer Biomets Dental and Spine business, was successfully spun off, according to an announcement from Zimmer Biomet Holdings, a leader in medical technology worldwide. It is anticipated that this deal will accelerate growth and provide better value for all stakeholders by sharpening the focus of Zimmer Biomet and ZimVie on patient and customer needs. Market Segmentation: As per the research analysis, the global tooth regeneration market is segmented by application into enamel, dentin, pulp, periodontium, and others; by age group into geriatric, adults, adolescence, and others; and by end user into hospitals, specialty clinics, academic and research institutes, and others. Based on application, in 2021, the tooth enamel regeneration segment accounted for the largest market revenue for the tooth regeneration market and was expected to do so during the analysis period. The segments growth can be attributed to the low calcium consumption in nations such as the U.S., which can contribute to tooth decay and, ultimately, the erosion of tooth enamel. In addition, the possible development of problems, such as dental cavities or caries, among individuals with enamel hypoplasia will increase the demand for the tooth enamel regeneration market during the forecast period. View Full Report: https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/tooth-regeneration-market Geographical Classification: The global tooth regeneration market is segmented into North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America Tooth Regeneration Market: The North America tooth regeneration market is experiencing significant growth due to a number of factors. The aging population in the region is driving demand for tooth regeneration treatments as more people are looking for ways to restore their smiles. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of dental diseases and the increasing awareness of the importance of oral health are also contributing to the growth of the market. The availability of advanced technologies such as stem cell therapy and tissue engineering are also driving the market growth. Asia Pacific Tooth Regeneration Market The tooth regeneration market in the Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth due to a number of unique factors. Firstly, the region has seen a surge in demand for dental treatments, with an increasing number of people seeking out advanced treatments such as tooth regeneration. Secondly, the region has seen a rise in the number of dental clinics offering these treatments, as well as a growing number of dental professionals specializing in this field. Competitive Landscape: The major global players in the tooth regeneration market include Institut Straumann AG, Dentsply Sirona, Datum Dental, Unilever, 3M, Integra LifeSciences, BioHorizons, and Wright Medical Group N.V., among others. Suggestions for Related Report 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 global tooth regeneration market segmentation by application, age group, end-user, and region, highlighting the key commercial assets and players. By Application: Enamel, Dentin, Pulp, Periodontium, Others By Age Group: into Geriatric, Adults, Adolescence, Others By End User: Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Academic and Research institutes, Others By Region : North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Identify commercial opportunities in global tooth regeneration 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 tooth regeneration 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. BBy, a medtech company based in New York, has developed a spray drying method that hospitals can use to process human breast milk into a shelf-stable powder. Human breast milk is an incredibly important source of nutrition for neonates in intensive care units (NICUs). At present, human donor milk is frozen and must be defrosted prior to use in such facilities. This is highly labor intensive for staff and is very wasteful, as excess defrosted milk must be thrown away and large freezers use a lot of electricity. The spray drying technology developed by BBy converts human breast milk into a shelf-stable dry powder that can be dissolved in water by medical staff as needed. Moreover, staff can make exactly as much reconstituted milk as needed, helping to reduce waste. The company reports that the spray drying process preserves the bioactive components in breast milk, such an antibodies. Medgadget had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Vansh Langer, CEO at BBy, about the technology. Conn Hastings, Medgadget: Why is breast milk the best source of nutrition for young babies in neonatal intensive care units? What bioactive components are present in the milk and how do they aid neonate health? Dr. Langer, BBy: It sounds almost cliche to say that breast milk is best. The truth is that for neonatal intensive care units, breast milk is critical. Its unique concoction of nutrients (water, proteins, carbs, fats, minerals and vitamins) can literally mean the difference between life and death for a child. To give a quick example, our team recently worked with a baby who was born 16 weeks premature. This child had an underdeveloped stomach, so there was no way that it could digest infant formula. (In comparison to formula, breast milk is much easier to digest). We fed the baby our companys powdered breast milk in diluted form through a tube that went down the babys nose all the way to the intestine (nasopharyngeal), bypassing the stomach. I am thrilled to say that today this child is four months old with a fully-formed stomach, and thriving! Breast milk is not only nutrient-rich, it also provides antibodies (proteins) that help babies fight off infections. A couple of examples of these proteins include lactoferrin and secretory IgA that help protect against infections, both viral and bacterial. Again, this sounds cliche until you experience it firsthand in the NICU. I did my medical intern year at the University of Chicago, and there was one experience in the NICU that really drove this aspect of breast milk home for me. A group of young babies who had just traveled from Vietnam came in, with their adoptive parents. All the babies were sick with infections. Obviously, adoptive parents cannot provide breast milk to their infants. Sadly, five of the babies passed away in the NICU, but one little girl was still holding on. Heartbreakingly, her adoptive parents were told to hold her one last time because she wasnt expected to make it through the night. I happened to see a mom that I knew at the clinic; I knew she was nursing a baby, and as a medical intern I just went up and asked her if she would be willing to give us some of her breast milk to save a dying child? Of course she said yes. We fed the baby this breast milk slowly through the night, and I am delighted to say that she not only pulled through, this child is eight or nine years old today. Even though breast milk is best for NICU infants, a 2020 CDC report said that 13% of U.S. hospital NICUs dont have stocks of donated breast milk. Clearly this is an equity issue as breast milk is needed to give every sick child the best chance of health and survival. Medgadget: Please give us an overview of the current approaches used to store and deploy donor breast milk in healthcare facilities. What are the limitations of these procedures? Dr. Langer: The way storing and deploying donated human milk works in healthcare facilities today is that first, mothers nursing infants who pump more breast milk than they need can go through a screening process that allows them to bring their extra milk to the NICU. They usually pack the milk in a cooler with ice packs, (assuming they have the time and the resources to make the trip!) Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) store this donated breast milk in large freezers, ideally for no more than six to 12 months according to CDC guidelines. When its time to feed the babies, the donated breast milk is carefully defrosted in small batches by NICU nurses, where it can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. In my experience in a NICU, three out of 35 NICU nurses would spend their entire shift just defrosting milk so that the other nurses could do the feeding. They always had to defrost more milk than they needed, and whatever a baby didnt drink was thrown away. Its a waste of nurses time, as well as human milkboth of which are extremely valuable. Many people wonder, why is human milk so challenging to preserve? Obviously were used to seeing cows milk sold at the grocery store, including powdered milks and creamers. Ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk is shelf-stable and doesnt need to be refrigerated (if unopened). The problem is that when you treat human milk in these same ways, the essential immunological proteins break down. Youre left with something that is no better than a very expensive and hard-to-obtain baby formula, which isnt the goal. Medgadget: Please give us an overview of the BBy condenser technology, and how it works. How does the technology provide convenience for healthcare staff? Dr. Langer: The BBy condenser is essentially a spray dryer. The result is very similar to the cheese powder on Cheetos or cheese puffs. What happens is you take the liquid milk, put it in a vacuum, and then use heat to remove the water. To avoid sterilizing the milk (and to preserve the important bioactive components that make breast milk what it is), at BBy we use a laser and an algorithm to keep the breast milk in what we call the bio-retentive zone. Basically, the laser maps out the flow rate and the temperature and the weight of the product until it is reduced to a shelf-stable powder. This entire process is incredibly convenient for hospital staff. From start to finish: every two weeks, BBy technicians pick up frozen donated breast milk from the hospital. We bring it to our regional facilities and convert it into human milk powder. We then deliver the powder in aluminum packets back to the NICUs, where the packets can stay on the shelf (with no refrigeration!) for up to six months. Feeding the powdered milk to a baby is also very simple; all that nurses have to do is mix the powder with a corresponding amount of water. Our own estimates would suggest hospitals in the United States spend $12 billion annually on obtaining and managing breast milk. A large portion of that is labor and electricity. The wonderful thing about this innovation is that research shows that ultimately, babies who get fed breast milk will spend less time in the NICU. Its a win all around. Medgadget: How does the condensed breast milk compare with fresh or frozen breast milk in terms of its nutritional value and other bioactive components? Dr. Langer: BBy has done extensive research to compare our self-stable powder with both fresh and frozen breast milk. Based on our testing, BBy has a near 1:1 retention of both IgA and IgG, the building blocks of cell immunity, compared to frozen or fresh breast milk. This means that BBys powdered breast milk is able to provide all the same benefits as breast milk in its other forms. Medgadget: How do you screen donor milk to detect pathogens and ensure safety? Dr. Langer: Its true that donated breast milk obtained from the hospital is pre-screened and considered safe, however it was very important that our team also verify that no infections or contaminants were present in the milk that we condensed. Our condensing process has been proven to denature viral infections such as hepatitis, COVID-19 and HIV among others. In order to detect pathogens and ensure safety, we performed several tests on our milk product. For a very specific example, one of our tests was to look for hemolytic activity (or the destruction of red blood cells) signifying the presence of an infection. In a culture medium rich with erythrocytes (red blood cells), we determined that none of the lactic acid bacteria from the human milk presented hemolysis (red blood cells being destroyed). For anyone interested in learning more about this study, you can read our published results on the NIH website, In vivo assessment and characterization of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic profile isolated from human milk powder, Nutr Hosp. 2021 Feb 23;38(1):152-160. doi: 10.20960/nh.03335. Other tests weve conducted include lactoferrin tests, fatty acid retention tests, and in vivo studies in mice, all suggesting that the milk we provide is safe. Medgadget: Where is the technology in use at present? Do you intend to market the condensed breast milk alone, or also the condenser technology? Dr. Langer: Today, BBy has partnered with 17 different hospitals, including large research hospitals in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Texas. We plan to expand our services to even more regional locations in the future. One other idea we are working on is a self-service kiosk that would enable parents to process their own breast milk to powder for easier storage. Few families have the freezer space at home to store large quantities of breast milk, and this would make feedings much easier for everyone involved. Other projects are in the works as well, the goal being to provide access to breast milk to as many infants as we possibly can. Link: BBy homepage by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, June 26, 2023 Is the return of Raylan Givens justified? The answer to that depends on the quality of Justified: City Primeval, a limited sequel series to Justified coming next month to FX and Hulu. The original series starred Timothy Olyphant, now 55 (and pictured above in the new show) as Givens, a laconic U.S. Marshal battling bad guys in Appalachia. Justified: City Primeval premieres July 18 on FX, the network that aired the original Justified for six seasons -- 78 episodes -- from 2010 to 2015. Episodes of the new show will be available on Hulu the day after they premiere on FX. advertisement advertisement The primeval city of the title is Detroit, where Marshall Givens goes in pursuit of a very dangerous fugitive, Clement Mansell (played by Boyd Holbrook) -- also known as The Oklahoma Wildman. The original Justified was adapted from the novel Fire in the Hole and other Raylan Givens stories written by the late Elmore Leonard, who died in 2013 at age 87. The eight-episode Justified: City Primeval is based on a 1980 Leonard novel, City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit. The novel has been adapted as a Raylan Givens story, but in the original book, the hero was a Detroit homicide detective named Raymond Cruz. In Justified: City Primeval, the time frame is 15 years since Marshal Givens concluded his business in Harlan County, Kentucky, even though it has been only eight years since the original Justified ended its run. In Kentucky, Raylan fought a family involved in local organized crime. The case was at least partly personal: He happened to have been born and raised in Harlan County. At the time, he was officially assigned to the U.S. Marshals service in Miami, and the Kentucky assignment was one that he did not want. But since then, he has been back in Miami, still a U.S. Marshal and raising a 15-year-old daughter. FX has imposed an embargo on reviews of the new Justified until closer to its premiere date, but the TV Blog sees no reason why the new show wont measure up to the original. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, June 26, 2023 SimpliSafe wants to keep building on its reputation for innovative and effective home security, introducing a new offer that represents an industry first. While SimpliSafe and other systems, including rival ADT, notify local police when a break-in is detected, SimpliSafe's new plan goes one better. In addition to alerting the authorities, its agents monitor footage that indicates a breach and can call out to would-be burglars before they can steal anything. This launch has been something of a brand challenge, says Scott Braun, chief marketing officer, since it involves two new products. First, the new Smart Alarm indoor camera is "a powerful wireless camera, with plenty of great bells and whistles." That's then combined with Live Guard Protection, a 24/7 monitoring service. "During an alarm event, the cameras turn on, and our agents can see what's happening in the home and speak to the intruder through this camera. The magic here is the combination of the hardware and the people on the back end." advertisement advertisement He says this is a first for the industry. "You no longer just have to wait for the police to arrive. We can stop crime in real time." He acknowledges that to some, the idea sounds more creepy than comforting. So SimpliSafe is bending over backward to make sure consumers understand the cameras have a mechanical shutter that is in the off position until activated by an alarm. "We're not just in the home protection business," he says. "We're also protecting people's privacy. And even once the shutter is open and our agents can see in, it's a live feed accessible only to a small chain of people." Spots promoting the launch are scheduled to run on broadcast, cable and many digital channels. And rather than target any particular demographic, "we're aiming for the psychographic that considers home security as something they need to have, rather than want to have." Ads continue to build on the "In Here" campaign the company launched last October, replacing its long-running "Robbert" campaign. That effort emphasized how affordable SimpliSafe is and how easy it is to install. But now ads focus on the alarm's superior performance. "We went from positioning ourselves as cheap and easy to a company that provides serious security with advanced technology," Braun says. He tells Marketing Daily the company has been thrilled with the metrics since that switch, noting thaat it's been roughly 10% more effective in sales than the previous campaign. In Here has also performed better in raising brand awareness and increasing market share. "And we think we're getting a slightly better, more effective short-term sales response from our TV ads," he says. Historically, customers have been adding home security systems at the rate for four to five million households a year. "That's been fairly consistent, so this category is relatively mature. So we stay in the mode of looking for growth by adding new customers and also stealing share from others," he says. SimpliSafe estimates that one in five U.S. households have a professionally monitored home security system, and that figure is even greater when looking at households with any form of home security, professionally monitored or not. Braun sees the company's main competitors as ADT and Ring, owned by Amazon. by Fern Siegel , June 26, 2023 Italian premium beer brand Menabrea's new U.K. campaign highlights how the "birra" is the true taste of the Italian Alps. The "Italian Alpine Birra" campaign by the BMB agency features eight illustrated executions, designed in collaboration with artist Paul Blow, that showcase the Northern Italian landscape. Designs include Alpine backgrounds, boats on lakes and train journeys. All have an outline of a bottle or cap of Menabrea hidden in the landscape, such as the boats reflection on the lake. The campaign is the agency's first since it was named lead creative partner in February. Menabrea, founded in Biella in 1846, is the oldest active brewery in Italy. The illustrations carry different headlines, including "Enjoyed in High Places," "The Beer Others Look Up To" and "Elevating Beer Since 1846." The tagline is "Italian Alpine Birra." The campaign launches this week across print, OOH and digital in London and Manchester, England. Jason Cobbold, CEO at BMB, said: "This is a storied brand from a wonderful, but less familiar part of Italy. The campaign is all about evoking the crisp air and fresh water where this gem of a beer is brewed." BMB clients include Samsung, Nike, FREE NOW, Farrow & Ball, La Famiglia Rana, Pataks, Breast Cancer Now, LTA, and Bonne Maman. Menabrea, a pale lager, is part of the C&C Group portfolio in the U.K., which includes brands Tennents Lager, Magners Irish Cider and Orchard Pig. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, June 26, 2023 Carnival Corporation released earnings Monday, reporting that customer deposits reached an all-time high of $7.2 billion as of May 31, 2023 -- surpassing the previous record of $6 billion. Booking volumes for the second quarter exceeded the first quarter's booking volumes, which hit the previous record high. The company called its second-quarter 2023 earnings record -- despite higher costs -- compared with 2019, for dry-dock related expenses and advertising investments to drive revenue for 2023. Booking volumes have been tremendous and we are gaining momentum with favorable pricing trends, which reflects improved commercial execution and returns on our advertising investments, the company reported. The company also reported adjusted EBITDA of $2.05 billion to $2.15 billion, and adjusted net income of $0.95 billion to $1.05 billion with occupancy levels of 107% or higher. advertisement advertisement Cruising is not just about booking a trip on a river or ocean vessel. Other considerations include weather, clothing, excursions, and often airline travel. Web searches for cruises have seen a tremendous surge -- a trend that has been building since the industrys successful restart in the 2021 to 2022 season, according to data from Similarweb. Carnival, the biggest brand in cruising, had 14.4 million visits to its website -- up 5.9% year-over-year in May -- while Norwegian Cruise Lines attracted 8.9 million visits, up 33%. Celebrity drew 5 million visits, up 36.8% year-over-year. Celebrity is a Royal Caribbean brand, and Royal Caribbean attracted 13.6 million visits to its website -- up 4.5% year-over-year. Aggregated traffic for all the brands covered in this report showed a 15.6% year-over-year increase, reflecting a strong interest in cruising in general, although not for all when it came to branded search terms. SEO professionals typically win traffic for phrases like Bahamas cruise and best cruise deals, but marketers at Royal Caribbean win traffic with consumers who enter into the search engine royal caribbean or any variation with the company name. The data shows how Carnival and Royal Caribbean searches have been on the decline during the last year, while Virgin, Celebrity, and Norwegian cruises saw an increase in branded search during the period covered in the chart. Branded search fell 28.2% for Carnival and 23.3% for Celebrity. Branded search terms -- searching for a company by name -- rose 56% for Virgin Voyages, 26.8% for Norwegian, and 23.6% for Celebrity compared with early last summer. The same three gained the most traffic on a percentage basis. The data also shows the importance of multichannel marketing and advertising. Increased branded search likely reflects the success of television advertising and other marketing campaigns. The majority of the search activity associated with these companies is organic search rather than paid -search advertising. Royal Caribbean had the highest percentage of paid search in May, at 4.58%. The other top four cruise lines in paid search include Celebrity Cruise at 2.76%, Norwegian at 2.72%, Virgin Voyages at 2,28, and Carnival Cruise at 0.20%. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 26, 2023 In a blow to Genius Music Group, the Supreme Court on Monday left in place a decision dismissing claims that Google wrongly scraped lyrics from Genius's site. As is customary, the Supreme Court did not give a reason for its refusal to hear Genius's appeal. The move brings an end to a battle dating to 2019, when Genius sued Google, along with the company LyricFind, for allegedly copying lyrics from Genius and displaying them in the search results. (LyricFind allegedly scraped the lyrics and licensed them to Google.) Genius licensed the right to display the lyrics (which were themselves posted by users) but did not own a copyright to them, and didn't claim that Google infringed federal copyright law. Genius alleged in its complaint that Google and LyricFind broke their contract with Genius by violating its terms of service, which prohibit website visitors from distributing content for commercial purposes. advertisement advertisement Google and LyricFind countered that claims stemming from scraping websites and displaying content are rooted in federal copyright law -- which, the companies contended, overrides claims related to contractual violations. U.S. District Court Judge Margo Brodie in the Eastern District of New York agreed with the companies and dismissed Genius's complaint in 2020, ruling that its claims were precluded by federal copyright law. A three-judge panel of the 2nd Circuit upheld that decision last year. Genius then petitioned the Supreme Court to hear an appeal, arguing that federal copyright law shouldn't override claims stemming from alleged violations of a website's terms of service. The company said the only way it can protect its business is to condition otherwise-free access on a visitors promise not to collect Geniuss content and use it for competing commercial purposes. Open Markets Institute is backing that position, arguing that the lower court's decision threatens numerous online sites. Late last year, the Supreme Court asked the Biden administration to weigh in on the dispute. In May the Department of Justice urged the court to turn away Genius, arguing that the dispute between the companies was a poor vehicle for deciding whether federal copyright law precludes Genius's claims. Genius's breach-of-contract claims are atypical ... because access to petitioners website is not conditioned on any express promise to abide by petitioners terms of service, and petitioner does not contend that respondents made any such express promise here, attorneys with the Solicitor General's office wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 26, 2023 Revlon Group has selected Horizon Media to be its media agency of record for the U.S. and Canada following a five-month review. In addition to the flagship company, brands in the group include Almay, Elizabeth Arden and American Crew. Previously the company handled media chores in-house. Initiative had previously handled media duties for the cosmetics firm but parted ways in 2020. The company spent about $22 million on media in North America last year, according to agency research firm COMvergence. In recent years Revlon has struggled financially. Last month it emerged from bankruptcy after lenders acquired the company, reducing its debt load by $2.7 billion. The new owners include Oak Hill Advisors, King Street Capital and others. Debra Perelman remains CEO. Horizon will lead brand and performance media for Revlon Groups entire North America portfolio. The two firms will work together to expand consumer loyalty, deepen engagement, and drive new product launches, while also furthering Revlon Groups digital transformation. Horizons distinctive data-led approach will accelerate our digital performance and drive effective marketing campaigns, stated Brian Gearhart, VP, Media & Digital Marketing at Revlon Group. The teams unique approach will enable our brands to further connect with consumers in a meaningful way and grow our loyal consumer base. by Tanya Gazdik , June 26, 2023 Time revealed the third annual "Most Influential Companies" list, highlighting businesses and leaders the media company says are shaping our future. This year, the issue highlighting those selected features two worldwide covers, each spotlighting a CEO or top executive from a company on the list with an in-depth profile, including Kim Kardashian, founder of Skims and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. To assemble the list, Time solicited nominations across sectors, and polled its global network of contributors and correspondents as well as outside experts. Then Time editors evaluated each on key factors, including impact, innovation, ambition and success. More than 12% of the companies on this year's list are in the AI industry and more than 15% of the companies on the list are involved in sustainability. Remarkably, 42% of the companies on the list have less than 500 employees, and over half of the companies featured have less than 1,000 employees. advertisement advertisement Kia America is notably the only automaker on the list doing business in the United States. It falls under the Innovators category, which also includes Crocs, Taco Bell, The North Face and Tazo. Chinese automaker BYD (which stands for Build Your Dreams) is featured under the Titans category, which also includes IBM, Kickstarter, CVS Health, TikTok, Samsung and Apple. Other categories include Leaders, which features Skims, Chief, Chipotle, Patagonia and SpaceX. The Disrupters" category includes Open AI, Cost Plus Drugs, Canva, Hoka and Baby2Baby. Finally, the Pioneers category features the likes of Novo Nordisk (maker of Ozempic and Wegovy), Google DeepMind, Honeybee Health and Octopus Energy. "The annual TIME100 Companies list demonstrates that businesses can be an agent for change, says Time Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley in a release. From artificial intelligence to fashion, this list spotlights the innovative companies and visionary leaders that are shaping the world." The complete list, broken down by category, can be viewed online. The condition shows varying degrees of severity, and may result in severe, life-threatening complications. Most babies do not have all of the five potential defects, when it is termed incomplete pentalogy of Cantrell. If all five defects occur, this is termed complete pentalogy of Cantrell. The exact etiology (cause) of pentalogy of Cantrell is unknown. The condition mostly occurs in a scattered manner and in a random fashion without any definite pattern. Pentalogy of Cantrell or thoracoabdominal syndrome is an extremely rare birth disorder with an incidence of 6 per million births . As the name indicates, Pentalogy of Cantrell involves a combination of five birth defects affecting the breastbone (sternum), the diaphragm (muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities and helps in breathing), the covering of the heart (pericardium), the heart and abdominal wall. The condition was first described in 1958 by James Cantrell. What are the Five Characteristics of Pentalogy of Cantrell? Pentalogy of Cantrell comprises the following 5 main features 1. Defective formation of the central portion of the coverings of the abdominal organs which form the protective abdominal wall. This gap is found mostly in the upper portion of the abdomen above the navel. Through this gap, the babys intestine and abdominal contents bulged out enclosed within a covering sac (omphalocele) 2. Improper formation of the lower part of the chest (breast) bone or sternum plus/minus abnormal location of heart outside its normal position referred to as ectopia cordis 3. Defect in diaphragmatic muscle with diaphragmatic hernia 4. Defect in the covering membrane of heart Advertisement 5. Heart defects Defect in wall or septum separating the two upper chambers (ventricular septal defect VSD) Defect in wall or septum separating the two lower chambers (atrial septal defect ASD) Tetralogy of Fallot (a complex birth defect having 4 distinctive components) Left ventricular diverticulum (localized outpouching of the left ventricular wall) How is Pentalogy of Cantrell Classified? A diagnostic classification system suggested by Toyama is as follows: Class 1 - Definitive diagnosis, with presence of all five characteristic defects Class 2 Probable diagnosis four out of five characteristic defects present, including abdominal wall defects and heart abnormalities Class 3 - incomplete expression, with occurrence of defects in varying combinations, including an abnormality of the breast bone The exact cause of pentalogy of Cantrell is not clear. Most cases occur in a random and scattered manner without any reason even in families where no one has been affected before. Abnormal formation of midline tissue in the developing embryo between 14 to 18 days following conception is one of the suggested hypotheses between 14 to 18 days following conception is one of the suggested hypotheses Familial cases have been reported affecting members of the same family suggesting a possible role of genetic factors However more studies are needed to identify the possible reasons that may be causing the disease. Advertisement Varying combinations and severity of the five main defects mentioned above The most severe form of the condition is when the baby is born with abdominal organs bulging outside through their defective covering (omphalocele) and when the heart is located outside its normal position in the chest cavity (ectopia cordis) Severe respiratory distress and bluish discoloration of skin and lips at birth Diastasis (defect) of abdominal muscles Complete or partial absence of breast bone (or sternum), abnormally short sternum or cleft in the sternum Other associated anomalies Cleft lip and palate Defective development of kidneys Abnormalities of skull and face Fluid-filled mass or sac in the head and neck region (cystic hygroma) Limb defects (Absent bones in the arms or legs, club foot) and Birth defects of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects). Associated chromosomal defects such as trisomy 13, 18, Down syndrome or Turner syndrome Respiratory difficulties due to defective lung development and diaphragmatic defects Impaired heart function and heart failure Abnormal electrical activity of heart and arrhythmias The bulging portion of the ventricular wall may sometimes give way resulting in death Increased risk of developing widespread infection (peritonitis) of the abdominal cavity Thickening of blood and clot formation within the blood vessels which will affect blood flow and oxygen supply to various parts of the body Prenatal in the womb A diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell can often be made before birth (prenatally) by a fetal ultrasound. When heart defects and defects in the coverings of the abdominal organs are found, (such as ectopia cordis with omphalocele) ) a diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell should be suspected and other components of the syndrome should be specifically looked for Early diagnosis offers parents the option of early termination of the pregnancy. Small defects located in the sternum, pericardium or diaphragm, and in the absence of obvious herniation of the heart are difficult to diagnose. 3D obstetric ultrasonography can be used to confirm the diagnosis during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy Post natal after birth An echocardiography (ultrasound of heart) will help to assess the extent of the involvement of the heart and the associated defects Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be performed which gives detailed pictures of chest and abdominal organs to assess the severity of abdominal wall and pericardial defects. Termination of pregnancy should be considered when imaging tests such as ultrasound done during pregnancy indicate complex and severe abnormalities in the heart that suggest the chances of survival of the baby are low In parents who opt to continue with pregnancy, treatment depends on the severity of defects and which organs and tissues have been affected. Treatment plan will vary from one case to another depending on several factors, such as the size and type and severity of abdominal wall defect, nature and severity of heart defects, and the specific type of ectopia cordis Affected babies need complex medical care and surgery to correct these defects and the survival of the baby often depends on surgery to correct the abnormalities. Unfortunately even with treatment, many of these babies die and treatment is often largely supportive or palliative Mild or isolated defects Correction of an omphalocele necessitates surgery soon after birth. Concurrently, surgeons may also try to repair other defects including defects in the diaphragm, pericardium and breast bone Multiple defects In certain severe cases, doctors recommend staged repair of the various defects present in pentalogy of Cantrell. The first stage of surgery immediately after birth addresses separation of the abdominal and heart cavities, omphalocele repair and closure of the midline defect. Following appropriate growth of the thoracic cavity and lungs, the second stage involves repair of the heart defects and placing the heart back in its position. By two or three years of age, reconstruction of the lower breast bone and abdominal wall may be necessary. Blounts disease is a developmental disorder affecting the top portion of the shinbone (tibia), which leads to progressive lower leg deformity resulting in bowed legs (genu varum). Normal (physiological) bowing that occurs in babies improves with age and resolves within 2 years of age. However, bowing in Blounts disease does not improve and gets worse with age. This disease is also called tibia vara and is characterized by differential growth of the physis (region of growth or growth plate), which is not able to take the load from the upper part of the body. Growth of the physis occurs in the lateral (outer) aspect, but not is the medial (inner) aspect. As a result, the lower portion of the leg bows outwards, which can lead to leg length discrepancy. Origin of the Term "Blount's Disease" The disease is named after Walter Putnam Blount, an American pediatric orthopedic surgeon, who first described the disease in 1937. Epidemiology of Blount's Disease The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has classified Blounts disease as a rare disease. This is because it affects less than 1% of the U.S. population, where the disease has been studied most intensively. The disease is more prevalent in obese children and children of African and Hispanic ancestry. Advertisement Blounts disease can be categorized into two types: Infantile Blounts Disease: This is also called early-onset Blounts disease and is 5 times more common than the adolescent form of the disease. It is prevalent in children below 4 years of age and its incidence is more in boys than in girls and is more common in early walkers. Approximately 50% of patients suffer from bilateral Blounts disease and the deformity occurs in the tibia only. This is also called early-onset Blounts disease and is 5 times more common than the adolescent form of the disease. It is prevalent in children below 4 years of age and its incidence is more in boys than in girls and is more common in early walkers. Approximately 50% of patients suffer from bilateral Blounts disease and the deformity occurs in the tibia only. Adolescent Blounts Disease: This is also called late-onset Blounts disease and occurs in children above 10 years of age. It is less common than the infantile form and is more likely to manifest as unilateral Blounts disease. The deformity typically occurs in both the femur (thigh bone) and tibia. An intermediate form called Juvenile Blounts disease has been suggested, which includes children between the ages of 4-10 years. The exact cause of Blounts disease is not clearly understood. However, some possible causes have been suggested,including the following: Childhood Obesity: Children who are obese or exhibit rapid weight gain have a tendency to develop this disease, as greater pressure is exerted at the physis of the tibia. Children who are obese or exhibit rapid weight gain have a tendency to develop this disease, as greater pressure is exerted at the physis of the tibia. Early Walking: Infants who start to walk at an earlier age (usually < 1 year) are more susceptible to developing the disease. Infants who start to walk at an earlier age (usually < 1 year) are more susceptible to developing the disease. Ancestry: People of African and Hispanic descent are more susceptible to developing the disease. People of African and Hispanic descent are more susceptible to developing the disease. Heredity: The disease can be inherited by autosomal dominant inheritance. A child who has a family member with Blounts disease is more likely to inherit the disease. Some of the common symptoms and signs are briefly highlighted below: Bowed Legs: This is the most conspicuous symptom, also known as genu varum, which can occur in one leg or both legs. This is most evident when a child stands up and exhibits an awkward walking pattern. This is the most conspicuous symptom, also known as genu varum, which can occur in one leg or both legs. This is most evident when a child stands up and exhibits an awkward walking pattern. Intoeing (Pigeon-toed): This refers to the turning of the feet and is quite common, often occurring in combination with bowed legs. Intoeing can cause frequent tripping of the child. This refers to the turning of the feet and is quite common, often occurring in combination with bowed legs. Intoeing can cause frequent tripping of the child. Pain & Discomfort: If untreated, prolonged bowing can cause pain and discomfort in the joints of the legs, such as the hips, knees and/or ankles, particularly in adolescent patients. This is due to the abnormal stress exerted by the deformed legs on these joints. Diagnosis of Blounts disease is done in 3 steps. These involve a medical history of the patient, followed by a physical exam and X-ray. Medical History: A detailed medical history will be taken, particularly to trace if there is a family history of the disease. A detailed medical history will be taken, particularly to trace if there is a family history of the disease. Physical Exam: The orthopedic surgeon will carefully examine the child to assess the condition. This is particularly important for differentiating Blounts disease from physiological bowing. The orthopedic surgeon will carefully examine the child to assess the condition. This is particularly important for differentiating Blounts disease from physiological bowing. X-Ray: The doctor may order an X-Ray to confirm the diagnosis. This is carried out in a standing position, which produces an image of the hips, legs and ankles together, showing the degree of alignment. The X-ray will clearly show the deformity in minute detail and reveal the severity of the condition. Based upon the radiological findings, the surgeon will decide on the treatment strategy to be adopted. Advertisement Treatment usually involves bracing and/or surgery. These are briefly highlighted below: Bracing: Braces are long-legged metallic assistive devices that help to minimize the load on the knees. These need to be worn while walking and during weight-bearing. Braces can be used for infantile Blounts disease as a conservative therapy. If detected early, bracing alone will be sufficient to control the disease. However, bracing is not beneficial for adolescents with Blounts disease. Braces are long-legged metallic assistive devices that help to minimize the load on the knees. These need to be worn while walking and during weight-bearing. Braces can be used for infantile Blounts disease as a conservative therapy. If detected early, bracing alone will be sufficient to control the disease. However, bracing is not beneficial for adolescents with Blounts disease. Surgery: Surgery is aimed at stopping further worsening of the condition and preventing permanent damage to the growth area of the tibia. This is the treatment of choice for adolescents with Blounts disease. Two types of surgery may be performed: Surgery is aimed at stopping further worsening of the condition and preventing permanent damage to the growth area of the tibia. This is the treatment of choice for adolescents with Blounts disease. Two types of surgery may be performed: Osteotomy : This is the most common type of surgery that is carried out on the tibia, accompanied by realignment of the lower leg. The surgeon cuts the tibia as close as possible to the growth plate and realigns the bone. This is the most common type of surgery that is carried out on the tibia, accompanied by realignment of the lower leg. The surgeon cuts the tibia as close as possible to the growth plate and realigns the bone. Hemiepiphysiodesis: In this procedure, the surgeon cuts through the skin and muscle tissue to expose the tibia and places plates or staples on the lateral side of the growth plate to prevent growth on that side. The plates guide the growth of the leg in a straightened alignment. This procedure takes time to correct the deformity. Following the surgery, a fixator may be placed on the leg to maintain proper alignment during the healing process. The outlook is best in case of early diagnosis and treatment, either by bracing or surgery. Bracing is usually less beneficial in girls and in obese children. However, in case of a successful surgery, no residual deformity or disability will be present, thereby greatly improving the prognosis. The position of each eyeball is maintained by six extraocular muscles. These muscles get their innervation from the 3 rd , 4 th and 6 th cranial nerves (nerves that originate in the brain). These muscles move the eyes in various directions. Any weakness in movements either due to central mechanisms or due to direct involvement of the nerves or the mechanical restriction of eye movements can result in strabismus. Strabismus or squint is a failure of the two eyes to maintain proper alignment. Proper evaluation and timely intervention are necessary to prevent permanent forms of visual dysfunction such as diminished depth perception and lazy eye. Basics of Squint and Binocular Vision Proper ocular alignment is necessary for Proper visual stimulation Prevention of amblyopia (lazy eye) Binocular single vision (the ability to perceive objects seen by both the eyes as one, along with depth perception) Cosmesis Visual stimulation is very crucial in children for proper functional development of the visual system. Any barrier to an appropriate visual stimulus (either in the form of an obstruction such as cataract or an ocular deviation such as squint) can result in the formation of a lazy eye (amblyopia), in which stimulation does not result in a good image, and hence renders vision in that eye subnormal. The younger the child, the greater the chances of and the depth of amblyopia. Binocular vision has 3 grades - Simultaneous macular perception (the images of objects in both eyes are appreciated by the person) (the images of objects in both eyes are appreciated by the person) Fusion (separate images arising in each eye are appreciated as a single image) (separate images arising in each eye are appreciated as a single image) Stereopsis (depth perception) - this is the highest grade of binocular vision, and which provides us with exceptional skill for certain tasks. When there is a squint, one or more of these are affected to varying degrees, depending on the degree of squint, duration of squint, age at which squint develops and depending on whether it is an intermittent or a constant squint. Advertisement Strabismus can be either latent or manifest. In latent squint,the tendency to squint is present, but kept in check by the fusion mechanisms of the eyes. Whenever fusion is interrupted, or when it is weak either due to illness or fatigue, the squint becomes manifest or apparent. Manifest squint Manifest squint is of two types - Comitant (degree of deviation constant in all directions of gaze and no limitation of eye movements) (degree of deviation constant in all directions of gaze and no limitation of eye movements) Incomitant (deviation varies in different directions of gaze with limitation of eye movements) Comitant squint This is the most common type of squint that is present in children. It may either be a convergent squint (esotropia) or divergent squint (exotropia). Persons with comitant squint do not experience double vision. Some of the risk factors for comitant squint are prematurity, central nervous system impairment, low birth weight, family history of squint (usually same type is present), and refractive error. Exotropia or divergent squint is more common in Asia, in contrast to convergent squint or inward deviation of the eyes (esotropia) which is more common in the west. Convergent squint may present within the first few months or years of life. When it presents at around the pre-school age, it could be related to the use of accommodation (increased focusing power of the eye for near) either with or without associated hypermetropia (farsightedness). Overcorrection of a divergent squint or conditions that interfere with proper vision in younger children (such as drooping of the eyelid to obstruct vision, cataract, retinoblastoma or large refractive errors) can also cause convergent squint. Divergent squint may be present at birth or later on when it is present intermittently initially, and later on becomes constant. Overcorrection of a convergent squint or long standing visual deprivation in one eye in adults (eg. cataract, corneal opacitiers, retinal problems) can also cause a divergent squint. Incomitant squint In incomitant squints, there is a limitation of movement of the muscles moving the eye, resulting in double vision. Paralytic squint due to a weakness in the muscles moving the eyes or the nerves supplying them eg. myasthenia gravis, nerve paralysis. Restrictive squint due to a physical restriction on the movement of the muscles eg. thyroid eye disease, tumors in the orbit. Advertisement Decreased vision , either due to refractive error, disorder in the eye, or due to suppression , either due to refractive error, disorder in the eye, or due to suppression Outward or inward deviation of the eyes Reduced binocular function Double vision if there is intermittent squint Suppression of image in the deviating eye to prevent double vision. Thus the higher degrees of binocular vision are affected. Abnormal retinal correspondence - A poor adaptation made by the sensory mechanisms to maintain some sort of binocular vision even in the presence of a squint. This should be specifically looked for in every patient of squint prior to surgical correction. If present, this should be addressed, otherwise surgical correction of the squint can lead to double vision. The outward or inward deviation is obvious and patient presents mainly with this symptom. How do You Evaluate a Person with Squint? Visual acuity measurement- Visual acuity is usually abnormal. It may be normal if it is an intermittent or a squint alternating between the two eyes. Diminished vision may either be due to a refractive error, pathology such as cataract or retinal disorders, suppression, or a combination of these factors. Visual acuity measurement in younger children is more challenging. There are special charts and devices for this purpose and it requires a great deal of patience. Visual acuity is usually abnormal. It may be normal if it is an intermittent or a squint alternating between the two eyes. Diminished vision may either be due to a refractive error, pathology such as cataract or retinal disorders, suppression, or a combination of these factors. Visual acuity measurement in younger children is more challenging. There are special charts and devices for this purpose and it requires a great deal of patience. Cycloplegic refraction: It is an objective determination of the true refractive error, by elimination of the effect of accommodation. This is achieved by paralyzing the ciliary muscle with cyclopentolate eye drops or atropine eye ointment. These drugs also cause dilatation of the pupil making it easier for the doctor to examine the retina. It is an objective determination of the true refractive error, by elimination of the effect of accommodation. This is achieved by paralyzing the ciliary muscle with cyclopentolate eye drops or atropine eye ointment. These drugs also cause dilatation of the pupil making it easier for the doctor to examine the retina. Slit lamp exam- This test checks for any diseases or abnormalities in the anterior portion of the eye This test checks for any diseases or abnormalities in the anterior portion of the eye Fundus (retina) examination- It is also referred to as fundoscopy, and is used to view the eye's interior portion, involving assessment of the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels It is also referred to as fundoscopy, and is used to view the eye's interior portion, involving assessment of the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels Measurement and quantification of the amount of deviation Assessment of movement of the eyes in various directions of gaze Assessment of double vision if present Determination of the degree of binocular vision that is present Paralytic and restrictive squints may require additional testing for certain diseases such as CT scanning of orbits and brain or lab testing for thyroid hormone levels Concomitant squint can be managed both by non-surgical and surgical treatments depending upon the condition of patient. Non-surgical methods Correction of refractive error - Refractive errors like myopia, astigmatism, and high degrees of hypermetropia need to be corrected both for improvement of vision as well as to help in reducing the stimulus for squint. - Refractive errors like myopia, astigmatism, and high degrees of hypermetropia need to be corrected both for improvement of vision as well as to help in reducing the stimulus for squint. Orthoptic treatment makes use of fusional training exercises and may be useful in some cases. Occlusion : Occlusion of one eye (the non-deviating eye) is required in children who have amblyopia due to the deviation (to stimulate vision in the deviating eye). : Occlusion of one eye (the non-deviating eye) is required in children who have amblyopia due to the deviation (to stimulate vision in the deviating eye). Prism therapy- Prisms incorporated into spectacles are extremely helpful in improving the appearance of the eyes and facilitating the patients communication and interaction with others. It alleviates difficulties associated with misalignment. It is useful for older patients with limited fusional capabilities. Surgical correction Surgery is generally considered only after unsatisfactory non-surgical approaches. The goals of surgery are restoration of alignment and binocular function. Incomitant squint needs correction of the underlying cause. Any residual squint may need to be corrected by surgery. Squint may be prevented in certain cases - The condition may be present as an isolated birth defect in a baby that is otherwise healthy or it could also be part of a genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome that affects various organs and bodily functions. The blockage develops as a result of abnormal bone or tissue that obstructs the passageways. Fortunately, choanal atresia is a rare condition, affecting just one out of every ten thousand newborns. The condition can affect one or both nasal passages and the blockage may be partial or complete. There are two types of choanal atresia: Choanal atresia is a rare condition that affects babies. It is a congenital defect that affects respiratory function; and caused by blockage of the choana, which is a passageway, that connects each side of the nose to the throat. These passageways are essential for breathing through the nose. This is problematic in infants, as babies cannot breathe very easily through the nose for at least a few months after birth. This is more common of the two and is also a lot less threatening. The blockage in this type of choanal atresia affects just one side of the nasal passageways. The condition often goes undiagnosed until later in childhood, as symptoms are often not present because the baby can breathe easily through the unblocked passage. This can be life threatening as the blockage affects both passageways, causing extreme respiratory difficulty. Health care providers would be quick to spot the condition, which then requires surgical treatment. The causes of choanal atresia are not clearly understood but it may have some connection with genetic factors and heredity. The condition is caused when recanalization of the nasal fossae does not occur during fetal development. Under normal circumstances, there is a thin tissue membrane towards the back of the nasal airway, which separates the nasal passages and the mouth area in the fetus. In case of choanal atresia, this separating tissue remains through the course of fetal development causing a narrowing or blockage of the nasal airways, which becomes problematic at the time of birth. The condition could be caused by inherited genetic defects or because of a genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome in which this would just be one of numerous abnormalities. Although there are few known risk factors, there is suspicion that both genetic and environmental triggers may be involved. With regard to environmental triggers, certain studies have validated these suspicions as in the case of an epidemiological study in 2012 that showed a higher incidence of choanal atresia among women living in regions where there was a high presence of atrazine, a chemical compound used in herbicides in the region. Other studies since then have also suggested a similar link with second hand smoke, excessive coffee consumption and the intake of certain anti-infective urinary tract medications. Advertisement Symptoms of choanal atresia will obviously depend on the type of choanal atresia that is affecting the child. Unilateral choanal atresia will only cause mild symptoms if any and the symptoms will usually go unnoticed, as there is no immediate risk posed to the baby. Bilateral choanal atresia on the other hand can cause severe symptoms that can be life threatening. Symptoms of choanal atresia include the following: Noisy and labored breathing Difficulty feeding Cyclic respiratory distress which is only relieved with crying as this allows the baby to breathe orally Nasal drainage Cyanosis, which is a condition in which the lips and fingers start to turn blue because of oxygen deprivation. Breathing failure upon delivery that necessitates resuscitation. (In such a scenario, emergency surgery is necessary) In many cases health care providers will arrive at their diagnosis pretty swiftly, especially if there is difficulty inserting a nasal catheter. Doctors will also suspect choanal atresia in the event of cyanosis during breast feeding, as nasal respiration is essential while feeding. If any symptoms arouse suspicion, whether life threatening or not, health care providers will recommend certain tests to confirm the diagnosis. A physical examination will also suffice at times as it could reveal nasal obstruction. Tests that can help in the diagnosis of choanal atresia include the following: Sinus X Rays Nasal Endoscopy CT Scans In cases where the blockage is severe, causing extreme respiratory difficulties, emergency medical care will be necessary. Doctors will first make efforts to resuscitate the baby if necessary and they may need to make an airway to enable the infant to breathe. Procedures like intubation or tracheostomy could be required. If the infant learns to breathe orally, surgery may not be required as urgently and can be delayed for a while. Whether the surgery is conducted immediately or after some delay, it can help to cure the condition. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. In mild cases where there is no significant respiratory distress or feeding difficulty treatment could include the following: The condition may be managed by keeping the baby under close observation and providing him with supplemental oxygen periodically. To keep the nasal passages clear of discharge and prevent any further impediments to nasal breathing, nasal saline may be administered to keep the nasal linings healthy. Parents can opt to delay surgical correction of the nasal structure until the child is older. In severe cases, where there is a life threatening risk, usually because of bilateral choanal atresia, there is no room for delays in treatment. Treatment in such cases will involve evaluation of the patient for any other anomalies. Once the patient is stable, surgery should be performed immediately. There are different surgical approaches to dealing with choanal atresia and all of them have the common goal of enabling the baby to breathe independently by opening the nasal passageways. All of these procedures are performed in an operating theatre under general anesthesia and include the following: The transnasal endoscopic approach is the most widely used method of treatment for choanal atresia in infants as it can even be performed safely just a few days after birth. Various surgical instruments like ear curettes, sinus instruments and drills are used to open the posterior nasal passage. At times surgeons may also use stents, placing a piece of endotracheal tube within the nasal passage. This tube is later removed, usually a few weeks after the surgery. A transpalatal approach is used if there are complications because of other anomalies, especially in the craniofacial structure. This method is used as it gives the surgeon access to the choanal atresia via the roof of the mouth. Whether or not surgery is performed, if your infant suffers from choanal atresia, periodic evaluation is necessary to ensure normal functioning of the airways and to rule out the presence of any feeding issues. Feeding and swallowing issues may be persistent and it is advisable to seek specialized care from speech pathologists and gastrointestinal specialists. If the child suffers from a syndrome like CHARGE or has other congenital birth defects, it would be best to get subspecialty evaluations and coordinated care. The outcome of treatment is usually very good and is only uncertain when there are other complex syndromes present. With surgical intervention however, the choanal atresia should not pose any long term problem in both groups of patients. Advertisement The risk factors of choanal atresia cannot really be avoided, as we still do not have a clear understanding about the causes of the condition. We can do little about genetic factors, which may contribute to the problem. Certain environmental allergens or triggers have also been identified as being possible risk factors in the recent past, and in light of these findings, it would be a good idea to avoid or reduce exposure to the following during pregnancy: Atrazine, a chemical compound present in certain herbicides. Cigarette smoke, including second hand smoke. Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS) or Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) is a phenomenon relating mainly to womens sexual health , in which afflicted women complain of sudden and frequent feelings of genital arousal that are qualitatively different from the kind of sexual arousal that is associated with sexual desire or subjective arousal. Masturbation and orgasms offer little or no relief. It is a very rare condition and it is possible that sufferers dont report the condition because of the shame and embarrassment the disclosure would involve. Dr. Sandra R. Leiblum documented the condition first in July 2001, along with Dr. Sharon G. Nathan in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. The reasons for Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome remain a medical mystery till date. The first real research study on PSAS was conducted at Rutgers University in June 2007 and women with PSAS felt encouraged when doctors found evidence that it was not an imaginary syndrome. More than 400 women from different parts of the world have reported suffering from PSAS. According to a report in the Shukan Post last year, a growing number of Japanese women are suffering from PSAS. One woman said she was terrified because even her mobile phone vibration was enough to set her off and was told by her friend that she was stricken by what was called the cum cum disease. It is not surprising that the women who have reported the condition are only from the developed countries, because the consequences of reporting such a syndrome by women in developing or under-developed countries or conservative societies would be disastrous. In conservative societies, women reporting this disease run the risk of being stigmatized or labeled as freaks by others. Interesting to Know Some theories that are doing the rounds on PSAS are discussed below: a. Neurological hypersensitivity - In women with PSAS the normal or minor sensation from areas such as clitoris or pelvic organs get amplified and result in a persistent or permanent state of arousal at the brain level. Treatment with anti-depressants is advocated. The hypersensitivity may also result after some minor trauma to pelvic nerves or after an episode of neurological conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis. The glans penis of male has 4000 nerve endings and in comparison the equivalent smaller female clitoris has 8000 such nerve endings. b. Venous congestion of pelvic organs - Women with PSAS may have some form of pelvic venous congestion syndrome (Allen-Masters Syndrome). The pelvic and sexual organs are rich in blood supply and sometimes the chronically dilated varicose veins do not respond well to neurologic and hormone signals to contract to normal size especially after the resolution phase of the sexual cycle leading to persistent arousal. c. Endocrinal PSAS - Women who suffer from the condition after menopause or during a few days before the onset of menstrual cycle may have problems related to hormones such as progesterone. This maybe caused due to over-sensitivity to the arousal effect of Progesterone. d. Prolactin release disorder - Role of Prolactin in orgasm is well studied. It has a role in maintaining the refractory and relief phase after orgasm. Men usually have a much larger release of prolactin after orgasm than women and hence they take time to be aroused the second time. Women have a shorter refractory period due to a smaller release of the hormone. In PSAS it is possible that there maybe no release or delayed release of the prolactin hormone. e. Oxytocin deficiency Oxytocin release from pituitary in orgasm gives the calming effect. It reduces stress and its release in clitoral orgasm is even more. That may be the reason why you fall asleep after great sex. f. Tourettes syndrome variant of PSAS - Tourettes syndrome is a compulsive tic disorder and the most common tics are of eye blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements. PSAS may be a variant of such a disorder that is associated with compulsive masturbation, intrusive thoughts, and there may be a family history of Tourettes syndrome or a similar disorder. The well -known celebrity Bernie Mac died of a lung disease. Although the culprit was reported to be pneumonia, his death drew attention to the little -known disease, which the comedian was long diagnosed with- Sarcoidosis. Pneumonia is an oft-occurring pulmonary complication of sarcoidosis. Bernies condition was in remission since 2005 (Greek- 'sark' + 'oid' meaning 'flesh like') Sarcoidosis, also called sarcoid or Besnier-Boeck disease, is an idiopathic immune system disorder that causes tissue inflammation and affects many body organs. The term sarcoidosis was coined in reference to the skin eruptions that occurs as a consequence of the disease.It commonly affects young adults,of both sexes, with a preponderence towards people from certain geographical regions, particularly women. The incidence of sarcoidosis is at its peak among young adults between 20-29. A second peak is observed in women over the age of 50 years. Once considered a rare disease, sarcoidosis is now a common enough disorder. Human bodies fight foreign invasion by setting off an inflammatory immune response. In the case of sarcoidosis, this response is increased several manifold, resulting in the production of small clusters of cells all through the body. When these clumps of cells become too big for comfort, they hinder the normal functioning of several organs. Advertisement It was originally thought that sarcoidosis stemmed from a state of acquired inertness. Improved techniques, such as bronchoalveolar lavage, provided an insight into the lungs of the patients and helped to throw light on the immunological disturbances that played a role in the disease. What causes the disease is still an enigma but researchers believe that enviormental agents trigger an already existing predisposition. The most common target of sarcoidosis are the lungs, which is affected in the majority (90%) of the cases. This is followed by the lymph nodes, the eyes and the skin. Despite these common targets, it must be noted, that the disease can affect any body part. The clinical picture ranges from an asymptomatic state to a chronic debilitating condition that can result in death.The manifestation of the disease is not static, and can change with gender and race. Symptoms tend to appear suddenly and may disappear or they may appear gradually and may be long-lasting. Individuals with the disease experience difficulty in breathing. It is also very common to find ulcers breaking out on their skin. Initially, Sarcoidosis can often be confused with Tuberculosis. Sometimes a biopsy of a gland is done to differentiate the two condtions. In both these, there maybe a granuloma seen under the microscope; however the granuloma is the caseating type in Tuberculosis and the non-caseating type in Sarcoidosis In two-thirds of the cases the disease is mild and will resolve on its own.It may not have lasting effects and is likely to go into remission. In some it may be severe and unremitting, causing progressive damage to multiple organs in its wake. Complications may be present in 20-25% of patients. As Sarcoidosis progresses inflammatory nodules (granulomas) may appear which could clear by themselves. In some cases, the tissues do not heal and the inflammed tissues remains scarred for life. Advertisement Death may occur due to respiratory failure resulting from scarring of lungs or from heart failure. Up until now, there is no cure for Sarcoidosis. The disease continues to puzzle even the medical fraternity and is often misdiagnosed. Besides its devastating physical impact, the uncertainty of the disease can be emotionally unsettling. It is not uncommon for Sarcoidosis patients to suffer from depression. Barracks would legally have to be considered habitable under one version of an annual defense policy bill advanced last week by the Senate Armed Services Committee, a move that could set a new higher standard of quality for the housing. The on-base military housing is now exempt from the legal requirements of basic habitability imposed on privatized military housing, which is run by for-profit companies. Barracks owned by the military have recently been plagued by mold that has turned the living quarters into health hazards. The requirement is one of several provisions included in the Senate committee's National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, aimed at improving the quality of the on-base housing. The legislation would also give the military services more flexibility to replace substandard barracks quickly. Read Next: Congress' Move to Scrap the ACFT Sparks Outcry from Army Leadership One section of the bill would mandate that "enlisted housing meets the same basic standards as all other military housing, both privatized and government-owned," according to a summary released Friday. Privatized military housing has had its own livability issues in recent years. But legally, that housing and government-owned military family housing have to meet basic habitability standards. Barracks have so far been exempt from those standards, but this year's NDAA would remove the exemption, committee staffers told reporters. The push to improve barracks quality comes after the Army, in particular, has struggled to handle housing that has been blanketed by mold. Military.com has previously reported on mold infestations at Fort Liberty, previously called Bragg, in North Carolina and Fort Stewart, Georgia, and service members living at those bases have detailed health concerns, including asthma and nosebleeds. Earlier this year, an Army audit of all its buildings, including barracks and offices, found 2,100 facilities had mold issues. The House Armed Services Committee's version of the NDAA, also advanced last week, would similarly require the Pentagon to set minimum health and safety standards for barracks, and prevent those standards from being waived unless a service secretary signs off on doing so, according to the bill text. In addition to requiring barracks to meet a basic living standard, the Senate's NDAA would authorize the replacement of substandard enlisted barracks using different funding sources over five years, according to the committee. The authority would be separate from the typical military construction process, which can be slow and arduous, to allow service secretaries to respond more quickly to poor living conditions, committee staffers said. The bill would also require the Pentagon to set up a department-wide work order system for enlisted barracks and mandate civilian oversight of barracks through installations' housing offices, according to the bill summary. Military families living in privatized housing also continue to be afflicted by mold, asbestos and other dangerous living conditions, and the version of the NDAA advanced by the House Armed Services Committee contains measures aimed at helping them. Most prominently, the House NDAA would create a Military Housing Readiness Council of representatives from the Pentagon, each of the military services, military spouses, military housing advocacy groups, appointees of members of Congress and outside experts in state and federal housing standards. The council would, among other duties, monitor compliance with the congressionally mandated tenant bill of rights and complaint database. "We've seen mold, windows that won't close, leaky roofs, loose electrical wiring," Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., who championed including the council in the NDAA, told Military.com in an interview. "Having this council to monitor it will be an important oversight, especially because we know with the long leases [that housing companies have with the Pentagon], there hasn't really been a sort of central entity that is doing the kind of oversight that we need." A similar proposal was included in last year's Senate version of the NDAA, but was taken out of the bill that became law after negotiations with the House. But Jacobs said she is hopeful the council will become law this year, arguing that "the more people have been engaging with military families, the clearer it is that we need to do more on the quality of housing." The House NDAA would also make it easier for junior enlisted service members to live off-base by giving commanders the authority to let them move off-base with a housing allowance if the on-base housing is "inadequate or an impediment to morale, good order or discipline." That provision was inspired by the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, which saw a suicide cluster last year as sailors lived aboard the ship while it was undergoing major maintenance in port. Earlier this year, there were also three aircraft carriers in port in San Diego, which caused a scramble to find housing to avoid a repeat of the George Washington, Jacobs said. "It became clear that this was a flexibility that would have been really useful," Jacobs said. "Luckily, we were able to get a hospitality barge and a few other things, and we were able to make sure that service members in this case got what they needed. But I think this flexibility will be really important for base commanders and commanding officers moving forward." -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: These Soldiers Say Mold in Barracks Isn't Just Disgusting, It's Making Them Sick KYIV, Ukraine The armed rebellion against the Russian military may have been over in less than 24 hours, but the disarray within the enemys ranks was an unexpected gift and timely morale booster for Ukrainian troops The spectacle of Yevgeny Prigozhins mutiny in the critical military command and control hub in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, and later Russia's scramble to fortify Moscow as troops marched to upend the countrys military leadership was greeted with applause by commanders of Ukraines Eastern Group of Forces, said its spokesperson, Serhii Cherevatiy. Soldiers at the front lines are positive about it, he said. Any chaos and disorder on the enemys side benefits us. A video of well-known Ukrainian drone commander Magyar watching the revolt while eating enormous amounts of popcorn went viral. A plethora of gleeful memes mocking Russian leader Vladimir Putin inundated social media, and statement after statement from Ukraines top brass described the turmoil as a sure sign of more instability to come. The debacle appears to be resolved, for now, with Prigozhins exile to Belarus in a deal mediated by Minsk. But for Ukrainians watching, the damage was done: Russian vulnerabilities were exposed, and by agreeing to concessions hours after branding Prigozhin a back-stabbing traitor, Putin appeared weak and desperate. The short-lived rebellion did not noticeably affect Russian army posture along the 1,000 kilometer (600-mile) front line in eastern Ukraine, but it could give Ukraine the impetus it needs to intensify its counteroffensive, which military leaders have admitted is going slower than expected. In the short term, it distracted attention from the war and diverted some resources from the front, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Affairs. But in the longer term, he said, it shows lack of unity among Russia's fighting forces. Its terrible for Russias morale. The officers and soldiers alike. Its very good for Ukraines morale. On Russian Telegram channels, milbloggers urged Russian soldiers to stay focused on the war. Brothers! Everyone who holds a weapon at the line of contact, remember, your enemy is across from you, read one message. Ukrainian soldier Andrii Kvasnytsia, 50, who was injured fighting in the eastern city of Bakhmut, where battles are nonstop along the southern flanks of the salt-mining town occupied by Russian troops, said Everyone is excited. My friend called me today and he said: Andrii, I havent been drinking for so many years, but today I have a good reason to drink, he said. It is all hard, not easy, but we will certainly win." He spoke to The Associated Press in Kyiv, where he is recuperating. As Wagner troops marched toward Moscow, Hanna Malyar, Ukraines deputy defense minister, announced progress in several directions along the front line where fighting has been raging for weeks, and that Russian advances further north were thwarted. The enemys weakness is always a window of opportunity, it allows us to take the advantage, she told AP, adding that it was too early to assess how the political game playing out in Russia might give Ukraine the military upper hand. Ukraine stepped up attacks in several directions in the southeast earlier this month, a move that signaled its much anticipated counteroffensive had begun. But progress has been slower than desired, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last week a new reserve army would be formed by the end of June, bolstering Russian manpower along the Ukrainian front, where Russia has committed 90% of its forces and significantly outnumbers Ukrainian fighters already. Experts have said the Ukrainians need to maintain flexibility and speed to exploit Russian vulnerabilities along the front line, and puncture lines of defense when the opportunity presents itself. With modern NATO-standard weapons systems in their possession, morale is the necessary ingredient to summon the velocity Ukrainian troops need to change the dynamics on the ground, they say. This is going to give the Ukrainians a real boost, said James Nixey, head of Chatham Houses Russia and Eurasia program. If weve been saying that the Ukrainians do have a lot to fight for, they have been lacking a little bit in morale of late. Ukrainian commanders told their fighters the discord playing out in Russia was, indirectly, their doing. The heroes of Bakhmut who held the city for 10 months and exhausted the enemy, they are the co-authors of this Russian epic fail, said Cherevatiy. The truth is more complicated. The longstanding rivalry between Prigozhin and the Russian military leadership predates the full-scale invasion, but Wagners relative effectiveness compared with regular army troops fighting in the city raised Prigozhins profile and may have given him the confidence to forge ahead with the rebellion. Still, the message resonates among Ukrainian military ranks as it prepares for the next decisive push in the war. In Ukraines southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Sunday, servicemen belonging to a mortar unit fired at Russian targets from their positions, dedicating each blast to grievances caused by Russia. For Kakhovka Dam! cried a Ukrainian Special Forces servicemen with the call sign Rhein, referring to the catastrophic dam collapse blamed on Russia earlier this month that submerged entire Ukrainian communities. ___ Mystyslav Chernov in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and Danica Kirka in London contributed. When President Joe Biden signed an executive order at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, earlier this month, hopes were high that it would inspire the private sector to shift the needle on the epidemic of unemployment among military spouses. So far, the results in corporate America have been mixed. Substantial roadblocks remain, from licensing procedures that vary from state to state and profession to profession, to a dearth of existing infrastructure to support dual-income families on and around military bases, to cultural bias. Nevertheless, some advocates remain optimistic both that expanding the hiring of military spouses is a good thing, and that the timing has never been better. "President Biden's executive order was a signal to the federal government that it's time to put the internal house in order when it comes to hiring military spouses," Elizabeth O'Brien, the executive director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative, said in an interview with Military.com. "Corporate America has an opportunity to come alongside and create solutions for military spouse hiring, just as they did when veteran unemployment was at an all-time high." Then, in 2012, corporate America came up big, reducing veteran employment to the low single digits. Those same businesses have been slow to adopt policies assisting military spouses. "While there have been some successes, by and large, corporate America is not responding in the same manner for a population that is 91% female, more educated than their peer group and a diverse candidate pool," O'Brien said. Of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies, 11 have policies in place about hiring military spouses. A few, like CVS, which has offered preferential hiring for military spouses for 20 years, or Walmart, which has hired 110,000 veterans and military spouses since 2013, won't have to change much. But only two of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies -- UnitedHealth Group and Verizon -- are listed as "military-friendly employers." Only 10 of the top 25 take part in the popular Military Spouse Employment partnership. Unemployment remains above 20% for military spouses, and while the federal government can commit to proactive policies dedicated to hiring and retaining military spouses, it's not possible to enforce compliance in private industry -- only to encourage certain behavior. One test of private industry's commitment to employment of military spouses is remote work. Military spouses are frequently required to relocate with their service members, which can hinder or cement careers, depending on how it's handled by employers. Larger corporations have more resources to put behind hiring, and greater flexibility to move employees between jobs and locations. Furthermore, companies that deal in online services are often more progressive about providing the right resources and allowing remote work among employees. But among the four tech companies in the Fortune 500's top 25 -- Amazon (2), Apple (3), Alphabet/Google (8), and Microsoft (14) -- only Amazon, which committed to hiring 100,000 veterans and spouses in 2021, has a robust stance toward employing military spouses. While Google seems to lack an internal policy for hiring military spouses -- if they do, it is not publicly available -- it recently made its largest grant so far to Hiring Our Heroes, or HOH, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation organization dedicated to advancing employment opportunities for the military community. It's part of an initiative Google created with HOH called Career Forward in which military spouses, active-duty service members and veterans can go through a six-month course and earn a Google Career Certificate in one of six job areas before connecting with employers. "The pandemic created a testbed for remote work. Employers had no choice but to embrace it," Rory Brosius, a partner with the Cicero Group, and previously the executive director of Joining Forces, a White House initiative under first lady Jill Biden designed to support the military community, said in an interview. "Prior to the pandemic, convincing an employer to do a remote worker pilot would have been pretty challenging. It's become easier now to hire remote employees." While corporate America focuses its efforts on hiring more military spouses, financial companies are looking at other ways to combat unemployment in a highly mobile workforce. One path to economic parity among military spouses is building their own business and bringing it with them when they move. Vivian Greentree, senior vice president and head of global corporate citizenship at Fiserv, a multinational corporation based in Wisconsin, said in an interview that her business has been working on programs that foster entrepreneurship among military spouses. "As a leading 'fin-tech' [financial technology] company with capabilities to help start and scale small businesses, we can hire military-connected employees, and we can also help thousands of them start and grow their own businesses, creating sustainable impact in both areas," Greentree said. O'Brien underscored the importance of creating viable and long-lasting economic and career opportunities for military spouses, both as an issue for family solidarity and also as national security. "We're losing a lot of talented people because of the challenges spouses face getting and keeping work through permanent change of station [PCS] moves," she said. That could also lead to an increase in marriage stress among military families. "When you think about the systems that create stress in marriages, certainly, things like financial insecurity or feeling that you don't have authority to move your life the way you want can create challenges," said Brosius. "The people who operate our weapons systems and create strategies have families; giving those families the same economic opportunities as others is a priority for everyone in the country." Adrian Bonenberger, an Army veteran and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, reports for Military.com. He can be reached at adrian.bonenberger@monster.com A federal judge decided Friday to quash an attempt to make the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet sit for a deposition in a civil lawsuit brought by military and civilian families whose drinking water was contaminated with jet fuel from the Navy's Red Hill fuel facility in November 2021. In a legal order issued by Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield of Hawaii's U.S. District Court, he concluded attorneys representing the families had not demonstrated that Adm. Samuel Paparo had information they couldn't get elsewhere and did not have a compelling reason to force his testimony. At the core of the issue is the so-called Morgan and DeVos doctrines, which have historically shielded high-ranking executive branch officials from being deposed in similar cases unless there are exceptional circumstances. Courts have been reluctant to require such top officials to testify out of concern it would bog down government functions and raise potential separation-of-powers concerns. Paparo, who works out of the Pacific Fleet headquarters on Oahu, oversees all U.S. naval operations across the Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean. The fleet has been conducting nearly constant operations across its area of operations as China and its neighbors are locked in bitter disputes over territorial and navigation rights in the South China Sea, a critical waterway that a third of all international trade travels through. Paparo answers to Adm. John Aquilino, who previously commanded the Pacific Fleet before taking over U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Camp Smith. Aquilino commands all forces in the U.S. military's largest theater of operations. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs argued that while Paparo is a "senior leader, " he is not a high enough ranking official for the Morgan and DeVos doctrines to preclude him from going to court, arguing that in his subordinate role to more senior leaders, he is more akin to a police captain. "The Court is not persuaded by Plaintiffs' arguments that Admiral Paparo is not a high-ranking government official, " Mansfield wrote. "Although the Court readily acknowledges the significant duties that a sheriff's captain or chief deputy undertake, the Court is not willing to equate the responsibilities of those positions to those of the Commander of the largest fleet in the U.S. Navy and the world. Under the circumstances, the Court finds that Admiral Paparo is a high ranking official." The underground Red Hill facility holds about 104 million gallons of fuel that sit just 100 feet above a critical aquifer that most of Oahu relies on for drinking water. It served as the Pacific Fleet's largest fuel reserve in the region since it was built during World War II, but after decades of neglect and poor maintenance, the facility fell into deep disrepair. On May 6, 2021, fuel at the facility spilled and entered part of the fire suppression system, where it sat until a worker accidentally ruptured a pipe in November 2021, leading to the fuel contaminating the Navy water system, which serves 93, 000 people. The military is now trying to remove the fuel from the facility and transition to a "distributed " fuel logistics model by placing it in a combination of storage facilities and tanker vessels spread across the Pacific. Paparo officially took on his position at the Pacific Fleet from Aquilino just one day before the May 2021 spill. After the November spill he ordered an investigation, and according to emails cited in court documents, Paparo indicated he suspected it was related to the May 2021 incident. Attorney's representing the government argue that the lawyers representing the families are trying to use the court to harass and humiliate Paparo. The plaintiffs filed a motion arguing that only Paparo "can testify to any of these critical lines of questioning ... this information is unobtainable through any other source. This deposition is not sought to annoy, embarrass, oppress, or unduly burden Admiral Paparo, who will be treated with all due deference owed to his station but should not be shielded from essential litigation questioning solely because of that station." But Mansfield wrote Friday that the plaintiffs had not established that Paparo "has unique, first-hand knowledge of their proposed areas of inquiry or how each area of inquiry is essential to the negligent undertaking claim." In his decision, Mansfield posited that while Paparo ordered the Pacific Fleet's investigation, he did not participate in it or write it. He also stated that the attorneys representing the families had not deposed other officials who had more direct and detailed knowledge of the spill and its aftermath. Mansfield wrote that "though the parties disagree whether discovery regarding Plaintiffs' proposed topics is relevant, it is apparent from this record that Plaintiffs have not attempted to obtain this information from other means of discovery. ... There are at least five separate commands below Admiral Paparo with more direct oversight of Red Hill." Kristina Baehr, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that while Paparo himself will not testify, "the evidence will speak for itself." "Navy policy requires immediate disclosure of any suspected water contamination, " Baehr said. "The admiral personally knew there was fuel in the water on November 28, 2021, and yet then approved PR messaging to residents that there was 'no immediate indication the water is not safe to drink.'" NBC reported earlier this month that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had sent President Joe Biden his recommendation to appoint Paparo as the next chief of naval operations, the Navy's senior military officer and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The White House has yet to publicly announce a nominee for the Navy's top position, and the appointment would require congressional approval, though Paparo enjoys bipartisan support among lawmakers in Washington. Army Maj. Mandy Feindt, one of the plaintiffs in the case, has vowed to lobby members of Congress to oppose Paparo's nomination. If assigned the Navy's top role, Paparo would be in an administrative position overseeing all Navy personnel and facilitiesincluding Red Hill. Though a joint military task force led by Vice Adm. John Wade is expected to drain most of the fuel in the facility by the end of January, the Navy's remediation and closure of the facility is expected to take much longer. In addition to the lawsuit, the Red Hill water crisis has also become the subject of a federal criminal investigation. Officials have been tight-lipped on the details, but special agents with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service have been escorting witnesses to the panel and supporting the grand jury's investigation for months. The probe is being led by Krishna Dighe, senior counsel with the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division. Those who have been called to testify include Capt. Trent Kalp, who was in charge of Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor during the May 2021 fuel leak and left the job to become the Pacific Fleet's director of supply just before the November 2021 spill. Also called to testify was Sherri Eng, who serves as Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command environmental business line leader and Navy Region Hawaii environmental program manager. ___ (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Marines in Kaneohe are now officially cleared to operate their new drones as the service reorganizes its forces for Pacific operations. "Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 (VMU-3 ) safely and successfully tested and flew its first MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft. The squadron is now certified to independently operate the MQ-9A, " a Marine Corps news release said. The MQ-9A, better known as the Reaper, first flew out of Kaneohe in 2021 when the Air Force brought the system to Hawaii in a cross-Pacific flight to train in the islands. Marines participated in the exercise, familiarizing themselves in preparation for when they would receive their own. The Reapers replace the RQ-21A Blackjack drones that the Marines previously operated. The stealthy Reapers have longer wingspans and are capable of flying much higher and for longer distances, and can be refueled in the air by fuel tanker planes that also recently arrived at the base. The squadron received its first two Reapers in April, after which it worked to assemble and prepare the aircraft for the Naval Air Systems Command safety certification process. The Safe-for-Flight Operations Certification is the final step in the transition from Blackjacks to Reapers in Kaneohe. The Marine Corps is in the midst of an ambitious makeover of its forces called Force Design 2030 as it looks to return to the Pacific. After two decades of hunting insurgents in Iraqi deserts and Afghan mountains after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the service is looking to return to its naval roots with a focus on island and coastal operations amid tensions with China. Force Design 2030 envisions Marines moving through island chains in the Pacific, setting up missile batteries to attack enemy ships and disrupt supply lines and using tools such as drones for surveillance. The new strategy is geared in large part toward Western Pacific operations with a particular emphasis on the South China Sea, a critical waterway through which more than a third of all international trade travels. Beijing considers the entire waterway to be its exclusive sovereign territory, over the objections of neighboring countries. The Chinese military has built bases on disputed islands and reefs and even built artificial islands to assert its claims. Earlier this year during an exercise in the Philippines, troops from the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment out of Kaneohe and the Army's Schofield Barracks-based 25th Infantry Division joined members of the Philippine Marine Corps in an island-hopping exercise in the Luzon Strait taking them just south of Taiwan. Escalating tensions between China and self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rogue province and has vowed to bring under its control by military force if it deems necessary, have raised concerns of the potential for a large-scale conflict in the Pacific. The establishment of blockades or the breakout of war in the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait could shut off some of the world's busiest shipping lanes and upend the global economy. Regional leaders have urged talks between the United States and China to ease hostilities, though senior Chinese military leaders have refused to speak with their American counterparts. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 19 in an effort to stabilize fraying relations between the United States and China, but tensions remain high. Even as the Marines look to shift gears from the drawn-out wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to focus on the Pacific, for much of the American public, drones became an iconic weapon inextricably tied to the U.S. war on terror. Drones became a central tool in secretive military and CIA counterterrorism operations where they were used extensively for surveillance and targeted killings in countries across the Middle East and Africa. But the precision of those operations has been hotly debated. During the chaotic 2021 evacuation of civilians from Kabul, Afghanistan, a Reaper struck what the military initially said was a bombmaker after ISIS militants killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghan civilians in a bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport. The Pentagon later admitted the strike actually killed 10 civiliansincluding seven childrenand no militants. The Reapers' arrival in Hawaii hasn't been without controversy. During the 2021 drone exercise, local activists demonstrated outside the Marines' Kaneohe base with signs that read, "No Reapers !" and "Drones Kill Kids." One of them was Ann Wright, a retired Army officer and diplomat who became an outspoken critic of the U.S. military. Wright told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that "now Hawaii-based young men and women who operate killer drones will have the same long-term traumatic stress as operators from other U.S. drone bases who killed innocent civilians, as has been the history of drone operators who have killed wedding parties, funeral processions and kids meeting their parents in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Mali, Syria." But while the MQ-9A was originally designed as a "hunter killer " drone with the ability to deploy Hellfire missiles, the Marine Corps says it doesn't intend to arm its new drones in Hawaiiat least for now. During the 2021 drone exercise, the Marine Corps said in a statement that "our service envisions distributed teams of Marines that can hunt an adversary's ships visually or electronically using every sensor and capability available to them. Our current operational vision for the MQ-9 here in Hawaii does not call for arming Marine Corps MQ-9s at this time, but rather using them for surveillance and reconnaissance." In its news release, the Marine Corps said the drone squadron at Kaneohe is expecting to do a "showcase " of its new Reapers later this summer. ___ (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BRUSSELS NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that he will call an urgent meeting in the coming days to try to overcome Turkish objections to Sweden joining the military organization. It's a last-ditch effort to have the Nordic country standing alongside the allies at a major summit next month. NATO requires the unanimous approval of all members to expand. Turkey accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt. Stoltenberg said he has held fresh talks on Swedens candidacy with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as senior officials from Sweden and neighboring Finland, which became the 31st member of the worlds biggest security organization in April. We agreed to convene a high-level meeting in Brussels before the summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius beginning July 11, Stoltenberg told reporters. The aim is to make progress in completing Swedens accession to NATO. He provided no date for the meeting, but said that it would involve foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs and national security advisors. Fearing they might be targeted by Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs security umbrella. Hungary is also delaying its approval of Swedens candidacy but has never clearly stated publicly what its concerns are. NATO officials expect that it will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear a case on the handling of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs -- a proceeding that could provide additional education benefits for roughly 1.7 million veterans. The court announced Monday that it would hear the case, Rudisill v. McDonough, which argues that service members enrolled in different versions of the GI Bill -- in Rudisill's case, the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill -- should be entitled to benefits under both programs up to a maximum of four years. James Rudisill, while serving as an enlisted soldier, used 25 of his 36 months of eligibility under the Montgomery GI Bill to earn his undergraduate degree. He later became a commissioned officer and signed up for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, but he never used it while on active duty. Read Next: Congress' Move to Scrap the ACFT Sparks Outcry from Army Leadership After he left the Army, however, he applied to Yale Divinity School, intending to pay for it with his Post-9/11 benefits, and return to the Army as a chaplain. He believed he had 23 months of additional education benefits under a Korean War-era law that allows veterans to use benefits from any individual programs or combination up to 48 months. But the VA said he only rated nine additional months, for a total of 36 -- the maximum allowable amount for each program saying the law that created the Post-9/11 GI Bill limited entitlement to one program or the other, based on the veteran's choice. Rudisill went to court, and a federal district court agreed. The VA appealed, and in 2021, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the ruling. The VA then petitioned for the case to be heard by the full U.S. Court of Appeals, which overturned the previous rulings. The court issued an opinion saying that if a veteran has used some benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill program and elected to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 program, the benefits would be limited to one month, or a partial month, of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for each month of unused benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill. In their decision, the judges wrote that the statute was "unambiguous." But Rudisill's attorneys said judges weren't looking at the entirety of the law, and they filed a petition to the Supreme Court. "The [Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit] missed the forest for the trees. They missed the core protections in the GI bills going back to the original, which is that those who served in multiple qualified periods of service get to have the benefits of full benefits from those two periods of service up to 48 months," Misha Tseytlin, an attorney with the national law firm Troutman Pepper, said during an interview with Military.com. After the court announcement on Monday, Rudisill said during an interview with Military.com that he felt "relieved, elated ... a whole pot of adjectives I could probably choose from," and that he continued his suit for the veterans he served alongside in combat. Rudisill, who served across three periods of active duty -- from 2000 to 2002 in the Army, 2004 to 2005 in the Army National Guard and from 2007 to 2011 as an Army officer -- lost his spot at Yale but continued his divinity education while working as a special agent for the FBI. He estimates, by his calculations, that he may still have a year of education benefits left. But, he adds, he continued the fight for other veterans in a similar situation. "It was just the right thing to do. Over and over again, the VA has shown me and my buddies that I went to Iraq and Afghanistan with ... that if they are not held to account, these kinds of transgressions they make against the demographic they supposedly support [will] continue to happen," Rudisill said. Rudisill's legal team must submit a brief to the court in the next 45 days. The Justice Department then has an opportunity to respond. Timothy McHugh, also an attorney with Troutman Pepper working on the case, said he expects oral arguments to take place in November or December. He expressed optimism for his client and the veterans the case represents, saying that the justices likely wouldnt have taken the case if they agreed with the appellate courts decision. "I think that's a significant sign that the court has decided to take this up," McHugh said -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime Related: US Supreme Court Rejects Veteran's Challenge to Disability Claims Filing Deadline The 101st Airborne Division has probably one of the most recognizable insignias in the U.S. military. Aside from its participation in some of the most famed battles of the 20th century, the 101st's "Screaming Eagle" patch was made famous even among civilians by the true-to-life HBO television series "Band of Brothers." That screaming eagle's name is "Old Abe," based on the life of a real bald eagle who served with Wisconsin volunteers during the Civil War and has a long history with the state of Wisconsin. The 101st Airborne just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get Old Abe on its insignia. In 1861, before the outbreak of the Civil War, a member of the Ojibwe tribe captured a young eaglet. Since it was just a few months old, he kept it as a pet. How he caught it is still debated, but historians know it was traded to the McCanns, a family of Wisconsin settlers. When the war started, the father of the family sold it to a band of recruits from Eau Claire. Capt. John E. Perkins, the company commander, named him "Old Abe" after President Lincoln, commissioned a special "union shield" perch for the bird and assigned one of his troops to look after him. Old Abe became the official mascot of Company C, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment -- nicknamed the "Eagles." By 1862, the Wisconsin volunteers were in the thick of the fighting in the war's Western Theater. For the whole of their three-year enlistment, Old Abe went into combat with the men of the 8th across Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana, from Vicksburg to the Red River. Though he had some close calls, Wisconsin's beloved war eagle came out of the war relatively unscathed. Nothing says "America" like a real-life war eagle sitting on a cannon. (U.S. Army) The Civil War ended long after Old Abe and the 8th Wisconsin returned home. The volunteers presented him to the State of Wisconsin, which created a special apartment for Old Abe inside the state Capitol building. His fame wasn't limited to Wisconsin, however. His presence was requested at Civil War veterans reunions, Grand Army of the Republic (a Civil War veterans service organization) events and even the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Old Abe served for Wisconsin once again in February 1881, when a fire broke out in the Capitol. It was their beloved eagle that raised the alarm, letting fire brigades know there was a problem in the building. Unfortunately, Abe inhaled a lot of smoke in the fire and died a month later. Veterans from across the state volunteered to serve as pallbearers at his funeral. Instead of burying their mascot, the governor had him stuffed and perched in a permanent spot inside the Capitol rotunda in Madison. His remains were moved to a few locations between 1885 and 1903, but he eventually found his way back to his original perch. The Capitol unfortunately caught fire once again in 1904, destroying Old Abe and his glass case. Today, a stone Old Abe is perched on what used to be the archway entrance to Camp Randall, where the 8th Wisconsin first formed. It's now part of the University of Wisconsin. A replica of Old Abe has overlooked the Wisconsin State Assembly since 1915. As for the 101st Airborne, it was originally organized in November 1918, much too late to join World War I. It was reformed in 1921 as part of the Army Reserve, with its headquarters in Milwaukee. In a nod to the state's military history, the Army put Old Abe on the unit's insignia. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code The Reds announced theyve acquired minor league pitcher Jake Wong from the Giants. The deal completes a swap the teams orchestrated in the hours after the Rule 5 draft, when Cincinnati sent outfielder Blake Sabol to San Francisco. Wong was a third-round pick of San Francisco out of Grand Canyon in 2018. His progression up the minor league ladder was delayed after the 2019 season, as the canceled minor league season wiped out his 2020. The Arizona native spent the following year on the minor league injured list, returning in 2022. He played this year at High-A Eugene, starting 17 of 25 appearances. In 97 2/3 innings, the righty pitched to a 4.52 ERA with a solid 25.3% strikeout rate and a slightly elevated 10.3% walk percentage. Now 26 years old, Wong has still yet to reach the high minors. Given that lack of upper level experience, its not surprising he was left unprotected for and went unselected in this months Rule 5 draft. The Reds liked him enough to take a shot on him now that they need not dedicate him an active or 40-man roster spot. Hell presumably start next year in Double-A or Triple-A and add some rotation depth to the organization. Sabol has a much better chance of breaking camp in the big leagues. Cincinnati nabbed him out of the Pirates organization with the fourth pick in the Rule 5 draft. They presumably had worked out an understanding with the Giants who didnt select until 16th that theyd flip him to San Francisco before making the pick, since the selections themselves cannot be traded. San Francisco will have to carry Sabol on the MLB roster or injured list all season or place him on waivers and, if he goes unclaimed, offer him back to Pittsburgh without requiring a 40-man spot. SAN ANTONIO, Texas A crew member working on the airport tarmac for Delta Airlines was killed Friday night when he was ingested into the engine of a plane that was arriving late Friday night, reports say. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement that the worker, who was employed by a company contracted by Delta for grounds operations, was killed at about 10:25 p.m. Friday as Delta Flight 1111 was taxiing to the gate at San Antonio International Airport, KENS Channel 5 reports. The plane had one engine operating as it approached the gate, according to News 4 San Antonio. We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family members life in San Antonio, the company that employs the worker said in a statement to KENS. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. The identity of the worker has not been released. The flight had arrived from Los Angeles. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation, the airport said in a statement to News 4. Despite displaying disturbing behavior, Oxford High shooter Ethan Crumbley, 17, is competent to proceed with his sentencing hearings, an assistant prosecutor, his two defense attorneys and court-appointed guardian all said during the 17-year-olds monthly jail placement hearing Friday, June 23. A memo filed with the court by prosecutors on June 22 noted the teen, who killed four classmates on Nov. 30, 2021, had exhibited sporadic, disturbing behavior behind bars. Neither the filing nor discussion in court revealed what that behavior was. Since Crumbleys arrest, hes remained at the Oakland County Jail. Each month, the law requires a monthly hearing to maintain his placement at the adult jail, since he is a minor. Crumbleys behavior has been documented via report and body-worn camera from jail personnel responding to various incidents, the memo filed by Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast said. It is not readily apparent what the impetus for or cause is of the behavior. Because this court is required to consider such information when making its placement decision, and because these incidents relate to (Crumbleys) competence to participate in his upcoming Miller hearing and at sentencing, the people bring it to the courts attention. Crumbley pleaded guilty to 24 felonies on Oct. 24, including four counts of first-degree murder, a count of terrorism causing death, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of felony use of a firearm. Because he was 15 and a minor on the date of his crimes, law requires he undergo a Miller hearing prior to sentencing. A Miller hearing is a chance for defense attorneys to argue against a mandatory life sentence. First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence for adults in Michigan. Crumbleys Miller hearing is scheduled for July 27. MLive has requested records related to the disturbing behavior and is awaiting response. We recently became aware of some what we believe to be concerning behavior on the defendants part, Keast said. We believe that we had an ethical and legal obligation to provide that information to the defense, as well as this court. Keast said he met with Crumbleys attorney, Paulette Michel Loftin, last week to share the information he received. She then consulted with co-counsel and an expert who is expected to testify on Crumbleys behalf at the Miller hearing, she said. Ive also met with Mr. Crumbley over 75 times, she said. I do believe Mr. Crumbley is competent. Theres never been a question in my mind. In order to be deemed competent, a defendant must only understand the roles of the court participants, the purpose of the hearings and the consequences of the possible outcomes. Crumbley has admitted to killing Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17, as well as shooting six more students and a teacher. The shooters parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, are jailed on $500,000 bonds awaiting trial on four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors allege the parents purchased the gun that their son used to to commit the crimes and failed to intervene when he exhibited signs of violence. More on MLive: Oxford safety review doesnt address mass shooting Parents of Oxford school shooter can face trial, court says You cant sue the king. Qualified immunity under attack in Oxford High mass shooting lawsuit Court mulls whether parents of Oxford High murderer can be held criminally liable MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - On a recent afternoon, anyone sticking their head inside the new Patrick Douds Irish Pub would have seen something pretty typical for Mackinac Island restaurants in the height of the summer season: nearly every table was full and wait staff were quickly bringing plates of food out of the kitchen and refilling drinks. Hours later, after the sun had set, it was a very different scene. A handful of locals and vacationers had staked out a few of the tables and booths, but most of the patrons were standing in comfortable groups near the big bar. There was a lot of talking - and laughter. Pints were being pulled and refilled. It was reminiscent of stepping into a Irish village pub for an evening drink and being welcomed by the regulars. This is exactly the kind of warm, neighborhood atmosphere owners Andrew Doud and Dave Pantano had in mind last year when they began partnering on the project to bring an Irish pub with a side of island history to the Main Street site. Now open for several weeks, the pub has been a big hit. The first month has been great, Doud said. Business has been good and the food is great. We are looking forward to serving more visitors this season, showing them a piece of Mackinacs history. A Side Serving of History This pub is designed to be more than just a stop-over for a pint and a meal. Between the black-and-white photos and the plaques covering the walls, it has debuted as a proper history-themed gathering spot with a name that goes generations-deep on Mackinac. It is named after Douds great-great uncle, a contractor known for his work on some of the islands most recognizable buildings. Youll definitely know the history of Patrick Doud when you leave, Andrew Doud said of the pub. Doud and his wife, Nicole, own the landmark Douds Market, which is the oldest family-owned grocery store in the U.S. Also on their list are the nearby seasonal deli, the Doghouse at Windermere Point and the Little Luxuries retail boutique. They are part-owners of the popular Sip N Sail cruises, The Mackinac House bed and breakfast, and the Above Mackinac Condos. The new pub began coming together on paper in 2022, when Doud and Pantano saw the opportunity to purchase the former Broken Spoke restaurant. The winter and early spring were spent on a full-scale renovation. Work crews took the space down to the wall studs and tore out the old bar area. The new bar features taps for pulling Guinness and Harp, as well as a nice selection of Michigan craft beers. Les Cheneaux Distillers - just an island-hop to the north - is brewing the pubs signature Patrick Doud Ale. You can drink it on its own, or have it layered with a pull of Guinness for a proper Mackinac Island black and tan. Bartenders service a full bar of customers at Patrick Douds Irish Pub on Mackinac Island. Santino Mattioli | MLive An Island Legacy Much like the current generation of Douds, Patrick Doud branched out from the mercantile business and amassed an island legacy that attached his name to many well-known buildings. In fact, the building thats now the pub bearing his name is one that he built in 1922. His story on the island began around 1884 when he and his brother, James Doud, opened Doud Bros. grocery. Back then, it was located where the Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company dock now sits. A fire later forced them to move the store to where Douds Market now stands on Main Street. While James Doud stayed with the bustling grocery business, Patrick Doud tried his hand at building houses. His reputation as a contractor grew, according to family history shared on the Douds Market website. His projects included the governors summer residence, the Windermere Hotel addition, Market Street Inn, and several stately bluff-side homes. IF YOU GO Patrick Douds Irish Pub, 7304 Main St. See the website here Follow on Facebook here Headed to Mackinac Island this summer? Find more fun ideas here: How to take a relaxing Sip n Sail boat cruise from Mackinac Island this summer You can take a pirate ship to Mackinac Island this summer Fairy Arch, the Musical Well: Fascinating forgotten spots on Mackinac Island 18th Annual NOCSSM National Church Security Conference Returns to Dallas, Texas NEWS PROVIDED BY National Organization of Church Security & Safety Management (NOCSSM) June 26, 2023 DALLAS, June 26, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- The National Organization of Church Security & Safety Management (NOCSSM) is pleased to announce the 18th Annual National Church Security Conference, taking place at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas on August 12, 2023. Chuck Chadwick, President of NOCSSM says, "While reactive skills to address active shooter situations remain crucial, NOCSSM recognizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to ministry security. This year's conference will provide attendees with invaluable insights into preventive measures. In addition, there will be sessions focusing on current threats and post-incident remediation." Here is a preview of some of the featured sessions: Gregory Love of MinistrySafe will provide a fresh perspective on preventing child sexual abuse and share an actionable program for implementation in churches. Chuck Chadwick will address the current state of church security, along with highlighting solutions for Christian private schools. Michael Mann will speak on Israeli Threat Detection, drawing from the behavior-based concept derived from the Israeli airline security industry. Nate McDougal will share insights into Watermark Church Security Operations. We are delighted to return to Watermark Community Church, which has been our host for the past three years. Located in the heart of Dallas, TX, this exceptional facility is conveniently situated near the DFW airport, with the church within walking distance of the hotel. While not all churches face the same level of concern as mega-churches, every congregation desires to be prepared for the unthinkable. This one-day conference offers unparalleled training and excellent value for every church. For further details, please visit www.NOCSSM.org. NOCSSM is the oldest and largest church security organization in America, providing ongoing support to churches through its website resources, educational tools, and affiliated professional companies. Visit www.nocssm.org for more information. SOURCE National Organization of Church Security & Safety Management (NOCSSM) CONTACT: Chuck Chadwick, 214-305-5616, cchadwick@nocssm.org Things are heating up at your local Taco Bell. The Mexican-inspired fast-food chain announced Monday that it is bringing back its Volcano Menu from the 2000s. That means Volcano Taco, Double Beef Volcano Burrito and Lava Sauce will be back on menus nationwide on Thursday, June 29. The menus long-awaited return was fueled by the menu items cult-like following through online petitions, social media pleas and various at-home attempts to recreate the fiery offerings. Taco Bell enlisted reality TV personality Paris Hilton to make the announcement. Were always listening to our fans, and the extensive passion and needs of the Volcano fanbase could no longer go unmet said Taylor Montgomery, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer. Taco Bell is always looking to deliver on the surprise factor for fans and build on our reputation of choosing authentic partnerships with those who are already mega-fans. So, to bring the heat for this major campaign, we called on none other than Paris Hilton. Always in-the-know of whats hot, Paris will help bring back these beloved items of the 2000s that never go out of style. Several fiery items will be available on the menu. The Volcano Taco holds seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, a three-cheese blend and Lava sauce in a fiery red Volcano crunchy taco shell. Cost is $2.49. The Double3 Beef Volcano Burrito wraps seasoned rice, seasoned beef, a three-cheese blend, reduced fat sour cream, crunchy Fiesta tortilla strips and Lava sauce in a warm flour tortilla for $3.99. Fans craving the same heat on their favorite core menu item like the Crunchwrap Supreme or bean and cheese burrito can do so by adding Lava Sauce for $1. READ MORE: Founders Brewing celebrating 20 years of KBS by releasing sweet and sophisticated blueberry variant Whimsical Oreo flavor returning to shelves after lengthy absence Oscar Mayers iconic Wienermobile has a new name ALBION, MI - Apollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan was the last person to step foot on the Moon more than five decades ago. In 2025, someone new will take his place. The NASA Artemis mission aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, as well as explore more of the lunar surface. A pair of Albion College professors are participating in the missions research into the origins and evolution of the Moon, college officials said. Professors Nicolle Zellner and Carrie Menold are part of the Center for Advanced Sample Analysis of Astromaterials from the Moon and Beyond. With a $1.5-million grant per year for five years, their research team will analyze lunar crust samples to assist with future exploration of the Moon, officials said. Zellner, a physics professor, will analyze samples from the original Apollo lunar missions to see how and when they were formed. The research help scientists understand conditions experienced by potential life on Mars, she said. Looking at how these glasses are formed and when they are formed can help us understand Earths bombardment history, how life may have been affected by the impacts, and how some biomolecules are delivered and chemically altered, Zellner said. Menold, chair of the colleges Earth and Environment Department, is also the project director for the colleges inclusion program Blueprint for Belonging. I am the liaison for the teams inclusion plan and helping with community outreach, Menold said. I am leading the internal evaluation of the inclusion plan and helping to guide how the team will operate and work together. Zellner and Menold are excited for Albion College students to work on the project as citizen scientists that will help collect data, officials said. It is unclear how that involvement, as well as K-12 student participation, will occur at this time, officials said. Zellner and Menolds team is being led by Charles Chip Shearer at the University of New Mexico, who is also the senior research scientist of the Institute of Meteoritics. Other partners include Brown University, University of Colorado, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Goddard Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as well as partners from Australia, Spain, Canada and Denmark. What this opportunity says to the Albion College community is that you can do cutting-edge, NASA-funded science at Albion College, Zellner said. You can do really cool work at a small liberal arts college. This collaboration continues NASA-related news for Albion College in the last year. Josh Cassada, a 1995 alumnus, was the pilot for NASAs SpaceX Crew-5 mission that returned in March. As the colleges first astronaut, he spoke at its graduation in April. Read more from MLive: NASA astronaut returns to Earth to speak at Michigan college graduation Watch: SpaceX Crew-5 launch piloted by this Michigan college alum 1st spacewalk taken by Michigan college alum piloting NASA SpaceX mission This Michigan college alum is blasting off to the International Space Station ANN ARBOR, MI Another apartment high-rise is approved for development near Ann Arbors South University Avenue area. Citing a need to address a housing shortage caused in part by the University of Michigans growth, City Council voted 9-0 on June 20 to approve special planned unit development zoning and a site plan for a 12-story, 733-bed tower. LAPEER, MI Registered nurses at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital have reached a tentative contract agreement after months of bargaining to hire more nurses. There was a previous unanimous vote to give their bargaining team the ability to call for a strike if necessary. Nurses care deeply about the future of our hospital and our patients, Carie Babcock, a nurse at McLaren Lapeer and president of their local Michigan Nurses Association bargaining unit, said in an MNA news release. Thats why we have stayed strong and united in advocating for what our patients need in terms of safe, high-quality care and what nurses need to be able to do our jobs. This tentative agreement achieves our members goals when it comes to staffing the hospital safely and providing compensation that will recruit and retain nurses in our community. The hospital and nurses union have agreed to terms on a three-year labor contract, according to a McLaren Health Care news release. The bargaining committees have worked hard for approximately four months to reach an agreement that provides our nurses with market-competitive wages and benefits; a safe, positive work environment; and staffing improvements that address the Hospitals and nurses concerns, hospital officials said in a news release. The new agreement allows McLaren Lapeer Region to continue delivering the high-quality care that our community expects from their community hospital. About 250 RNs work at McLaren Lapeer. Their previous contract expired May 9, and no additional details of the tentative agreement, which was reached Saturday, June 24, will be publicly released until after the membership has had a chance to review and vote on it. The agreement only becomes final if ratified by the membership. A ratification vote is scheduled for Thursday, June 29, and results will be made public Friday, June 30. Nurses had an informational picket last month with more than 100 people in attendance. We want to thank the community for supporting us they understand that nurses working conditions are their care conditions, said Ashley Witmer, a McLaren nurse. Through our solidarity over these past months and our willingness to do whatever it takes, my colleagues and I are acting collectively to put patients first. This tentative agreement makes me hopeful that we can now move forward and keep the focus on making our hospital the best it can be for our community. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Read more at The Flint Journal: McLaren Lapeer nurses unanimously vote to authorize strike Popular Michigan ninja warrior training facility gains national fame Michigans Dow Gardens offers 110 acres of beautiful flowers, towering pines in Midland Flint Farmers Market hosting summertime Night at the Market events starting in June Holly Hotel receives $40K grant to use for renovations after fire Michigans Best Local Eats: Northern Smoke BBQ provides tasty briskets FLINT, MI -- Four County Community Foundation has created a new agency fund Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties. The goal is to provide an important end-of-life care option for local residents. By creating a guest home, located in the vicinity of eastern Genesee or western Lapeer County, individuals will receive hospice care in a home-like place to live out their last days, instead of a hospital. Diane Welker is one of the groups founders and is a retired palliative care nurse practitioner at Hurley Medical Center. A lot of times when it was time for hospice for a patient, there was some cracks that fell through, Welker said. They had nowhere to go and they didnt have the money to go to assisted living because it costs between five and seven thousand a month. Not everyone has the option of family taking care of them, Welker added. She and fellow board members are collecting donations and hosting fundraisers with the hopes of securing a facility for purchase or rent. They plan to host no more than five patients at a time and need a space that will allow for the usage of medical equipment, particularly stretchers or gurneys. Kathy Dickens, executive director of Four County Community Foundation, said the hospice home project is a personal mission for her. My father passed away five years ago in a hospice home in Shiawassee County, she said. Its so important to have those in our communities because you never know when you will need them. We did not have the medical knowledge to care for my dad and others are in the same position. This is that extra level of care, with staff 24/7. Its a beautiful thing. So far, Welker said they have raised $95,000 and need a home with six bedrooms maximum. But to start, they are looking for a three bedroom home and will build up to six. A lot of the homes are operating on about $250,000 a year, Welker said. Thats to get started. So we came up with that as a baseline budget. We want to get a house because once we have a house, we can become more visible to the community. Its also hard to get a loan as a nonprofit, so thats been a factor too. Individuals of the guest home wont be charged and will have their choice from more than a dozen area hospice agencies for care. The home will be staffed by caregivers and volunteers who will be focused on caring for both the individual and their families. Priority will be given to those considered in the greatest need of care. Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties also wants to grow their board and welcomes individuals who have an interest, understanding and passion for what the agency is doing. We are looking for a financial person, that would be beneficial, Welker said. We have an attorney, Im a nurse practitioner, we have another former social worker and another used to run a hospice in Goodrich before it closed. The foundation is also looking for volunteer help with things like fundraising. To donate to Hospice Homes of Genesee and Lapeer Counties agency fund at Four County Community Foundation, visit here or send a check to 4CCF, PO Box 539, Almont MI 48003. Visit the Four County Community Foundation website here. Read more at The Flint Journal: Consumers Energy opens state-of-the-art natural gas training facility in Flint Davison mayor offering specialty Coneys at new hot dog restaurant New brewery coming to downtown Linden Michigans Dow Gardens offers 110 acres of beautiful flowers, towering pines in Midland Heres a look at Juneteenth celebrations in Flint, Genesee County Flint Farmers Market hosting summertime Night at the Market events starting in June Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. FLINT, MI -- The City Council is calling for applications to fill the 7th Ward seat thats being vacated with the July 1 resignation of council President Allie Herkenroder. Flints charter calls for the council to fill the 7th Ward seat within 30 days of a resignation when more than 18 months remain in the term of office. The charter also requires that a special primary election be scheduled as soon as possible when at least 18 months remain in a term, followed by another special election between the two top vote-getters in the primary. Herkenroder won a four-year term on the council in the November 2021 general election and is leaving more than two years remaining on her term. The councils announcement says interested registered voters in Ward 7 can apply for appointment to the position from Monday, July 3, until 5 p.m. July 17. Candidates must have been a registered voter in the ward for one year prior to the filing deadline and must continue that residency until the end of their term. The 7th Ward is roughly bounded by Nebraska Avenue on the north, Center Road on the east, Lippincott Boulevard on the south, and Saginaw Street on the west. The council announcement does not indicate the potential dates for future special elections for the position after the appointment is made. Those interested in applying can submit a resume, curriculum vitae, biography or letter of interest to: 7th Ward Vacancy, Davinia Donahue, City Clerk, Flint City Hall, 2nd Floor, 1101 S. Saginaw St., Flint, Michigan, 48502. A curriculum vitae is a detailed account of ones work experience, professional training, and educational background. Information can also be emailed to: cityclerk@cityofflint.com. In addition to the invitation to apply from the council, Mayor Sheldon Neeley plans to lead a community meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, at the Mott Community College Regional Technology Center regarding the council vacancy. Neeley said in a news release last week that he wants to ensure that residents are aware of the process for selecting a new council member. Herkenroder announced her resignation from the council effective July 1 earlier this month, citing her health as the driving reason for her departure. Read more at The Flint Journal: Flint mayor calls community meeting on 7th Ward council vacancy Flint City Council president resigns, says health issues made me come to this decision Feuding Flint City Council takes a break from itself -- cancels two June meetings Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A California company that created a platform that helps lenders decide, without using credit scores, whether individuals should qualify for a loan plans to expand in Grand Rapids after receiving $500,000 from a local investment fund for entrepreneurs of color. Grain Technology, which was launched in 2017 by CEO Christian-Robert Joseph and aims to democratize credit, is looking to hire between five and seven employees in West Michigan within a year or so. Eventually, the company may open an office in Grand Rapids and potentially move its headquarters to the city. In the long term, we would want to expand that, Joseph, who lives in Oakland, California and previously worked for the tech company Dropbox, said of the companys plans to hire five to seven workers in the region. But in the short-term, giving our short-term needs and what were already doing, five to seven people within a year-and-a-half seems more likely. Grain, which has about 27 employees, typically works with lenders that provide loans ranging from $100 to $2,000. The company received $500,000 from the Grand Rapids-based New Community Transformation Fund. The fund, whose founders include former The Right Place CEO Birgit Klohs, makes investments between $250,000 and $500,000 in early- to mid-stage businesses operated by people of color. The fund focuses on companies in financial technology, health care, advanced manufacturing and information technology. Grains mission is to provide users with a cash infusion to help with everything from paying bills, covering rent and more. The service is also designed to help people build their credit. Studies have shown people of color have disproportionally lower credit scores, which may result in higher service fees or dependance on financial services such as payday lenders. The company has tens of thousands of customers are using our product in Michigan, Joseph said. The idea behind our formation came from a determination to democratize credit, said Joseph, who grew up in Haiti and, according to his LinkedIn page, earned a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. As victims of the narrow credit system structure, we werent included in deserved opportunities and experienced large amounts of high-interest debt. Our product reimagines how credit decisions are made and widens possibilities for businesses and consumers. Grain is the fourth company the New Community Transformation Fund has invested in. The others are BAMF Health, Zil Money and Infiuss Health, said Ollie Howie, managing director of the fund. Grains cash-flow-centered model takes current aspects of someones life into account, not their past, so the lending decisions set individuals and businesses up for success, not penalize them, he said. The real-time, cash-flow-centered process is incredibly accurate and efficient. NCTF looks forward to helping Grain help others succeed. Related: New investment fund manager wants to bring the very best minority-owned businesses to Grand Rapids With the $500,000 investment, which was finalized in March, Grain plans to expand its customer base, invest in technology, and support its tens of thousands of customers, according to a news release from the fund. Looking forward, the company may open an office in Grand Rapids. But that will depend on Grains ability to attract and retain employees, and whether those individuals would prefer to work remotely or in an office, Joseph said. Its really based on the people, he said, noting that hes also considering locating the companys corporate headquarters to Grand Rapids. I want to make sure that the people we hire are happy and enjoy working with us. I dont want to force anything upon them, and we lose those people. Of the potential for moving the corporate headquarters to Grand Rapids, he said: Locating the whole headquarters is going to be a transition because I cant just do it overnight because of the amount of regulatory burden that comes with it. Joseph added, What we want to do is open an office, hire folks in Grand Rapids and then slowly make that transition so that way our customers do not feel the burden. He said he couldnt put a number on how long the move would take. In addition to Joseph, the company was founded by Chief Technology Officer Patrick De Suza, and Chief Operating Officer Carl-Alain Memnon. The company has about 27 employees. Describing Grain, Joseph said a variety of businesses use the companys platforms to make loans to individuals. It could be banks, e-commerce companies, and more. The company has its own lending app available for download, but it also works with companies that use its platform, he said. Initially we had an app on the app store and a consumer would directly come to us, Joseph said. Were no longer focusing on that as much. Were focused more on businesses who are looking to license our technology. 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: GVSU could start selling alcohol at football, basketball games Grand Rapids Foodie Fest returns this weekend Ottawa County attempting to forbid using resources to support the sexualization of children OTTAWA COUNTY, MI An Ottawa County commissioner who filed a harassment complaint against County Administrator John Gibbs may be censured and removed from all board committees Tuesday. Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss wrote in a resolution to be presented at the boards 6:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday, June 27, that Republican County Commissioner Jacob Bonnemas unfounded harassment complaint against Gibbs represented an abuse of power. Bonnema had asked the countys human resources director to investigate Gibbs for threatening behavior at the boards March 14 meeting in which Gibbs allegedly told Bonnema to Get out of my face, dude! according to the email complaint obtained by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Gibbs allegedly made the statement after Bonnema asked Gibbs to respond to his text and emails, which Bonnema said the county administrator repeatedly hadnt done. On June 7, the countys human resources director said Bonnemas claim was determined to be unfounded and that evidence gathered during the investigation did not substantiate Bonnemas claim of harassment, Moss wrote in the resolution. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the human resources investigation file. The resolution calls for Bonnema to be censured and removed from all four regular committees he currently sits on. Those committees are typically where resolutions, contracts and more are presented to elected leaders for initial approval before moving to the full board for final approval. Censuring is a formal statement of disapproval. Commissioners will decide on the resolution at their 6:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting at the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex, 12120 Fillmore St. in West Olive. Moss leads the ultra-conservative, majority faction on the board called Ottawa Impact, which took power in January and enacted a sweep of surprise changes, including the immediate hiring of Gibbs and the termination of his predecessor. Bonnema was a member of the Ottawa Impact group but cut ties with them in March after the faction successfully approved revising a resolution by the previous board that appointed the current health officer, who Ottawa Impact is trying to get rid of. Related: Ottawa County commissioner ends affiliation with ultra-conservative faction of board Bonnema represents the city of Zeeland, most of Zeeland Township and a portion of Holland Township. He did not have comment on the proposed censure. Moss did not return MLives request for comment. The move by Moss comes about a week after the Ottawa County Republican Party approved censuring Bonnema for behavior unbecoming of a public servant and violating Republican values. The county party also cited Bonnemas complaint against Gibbs as one of the reasons. Related: Ex-Ottawa Impact county commissioner censured for violating Republican values The county boards sole Democrat, county commissioner Doug Zylstra, said in a Tweet on Friday, June 23, the resolution would disenfranchise the voters in Bonnemas district. He urged his colleagues on the county board to shoot it down. This resolution is both an audacious attempt to squelch freedom of speech and infringes on an employees basic rights to seek redress, Zylstra wrote. It also is a disenfranchisement of all residents of District 4 who would no longer have Commissioner Bonnema representing them on our committees. Zylstra said there is no process in the board rules for censure or committee removal. To his recollection, he said, it would be the first time the board ever contemplated those actions. In the censure resolution, Moss claims Bonnema approached Gibbs prior to the start of the March 14 board meeting, leaned down into Gibbs face and demanded Gibbs answer his questions. Moss noted the incident took place in front of the press and said county Commissioner Gretchen Cosby told Bonnema to sit down and stop making a scene. In a WZZM 13 report, a journalist said he didnt see how the incident began but characterized it as a conversation that ended with Gibbs saying Get out of my face. An unnamed county commissioner then said, This is unprofessional, but the reporter didnt clarify if that commissioner was referring to Bonnema or Gibbs. Bonnema, in the email complaint to HR, said Gibbs had ignored emails and texts from him and county commissioner Rebekah Curran for nearly two weeks about the application status of the person appointed by the new board to replace embattled Ottawa County Administrative Health Officer Adeline Hambley. At the March 14 board meeting, Bonnema said he approached Gibbs and asked again about the status. He said Gibbs ignored him and stared straight ahead. Eventually Gibbs gave Bonnema a short update, and then Bonnema said he asked Gibbs to respond to his and Currans emails and texts going forward. Related: Anti-masker may be Ottawa Countys new health officer. Will the state let him? Thats when Gibbs allegedly told Bonnema to get out of his face. Bonnema said he told Gibbs his behavior was unprofessional, and then the commissioner returned to his seat. I am very concerned that if Gibbs is willing to speak to commissioners in this way, that he is very likely to treat the employees and citizens of Ottawa County in a similar fashion, Bonnema wrote in a March 21 email to the countys human resources director. In the resolution, Moss called Bonnemas allegations defamatory and noted that the ensuing harassment investigation utilized a third-party law firm paid at taxpayer expense. Moss also said the complaint email and information about the investigation were leaked to the press after an unnamed local newspaper obtained the information with a precise Freedom of Information Act request. After which, Moss said, subsequent articles were published which served to erode public trust in administrator Gibbs and Ottawa County. The Holland Sentinel was the first to report on the investigation. Read more on MLive: 3-week resurfacing project begins on Ottawa County road this week Ottawa County attempting to forbid using resources to support the sexualization of children Lake Michigan waves could build to 9 feet by Tuesday GRAND RAPIDS, MI Area high school students are invited to apply for a free Media Makers summer camp to gain hands-on experience with podcasting and television and film production. GRTV, the public access station for Grand Rapids, is partnering with The Midwest Tech Project, nonprofit that brings tech opportunities to underrepresented communities, to deliver professional level instruction to students as they explore future careers. Every Tuesday and Thursday from July 11 until Aug. 17, the high schoolers will meet at the Grand Rapids Community Media Center from 2-5 p.m. They will work hands-on with film and audio equipment, exploring the Grand Rapids media scene to express creativity and possibly find their next passion project. The application to join the free camp is open until June 30. There is capacity for only 18 high schoolers in the Grand Rapids area. Due to limited spots, officials will be selecting students based off of experience and commitment to participation, according to the website. Ted Diedrich, station manager for GRTV, said that this new camp is tailored towards high schoolers to hopefully show them what a creative career field looks like. We want people to know to not be intimidated by it, to kind of know whats behind it and have those be brave enough to take those first steps into maybe going to college to pursue this profession, Diedrich said. The funding for the camp to keep its services free stems from the allocation of funds from the city to GRTV. The students will start the camp with a week intensive in media literacy and understanding what making media ethically looks like. For the rest of the five-week course, the class will be split into three groups, learning about either podcasting, film or television for three courses before moving onto the next subject. All the students will be able to learn about each area. Throughout the course, the students will be learning about sound engineering, working with local professionals in their field such as local podcasters and film majors, and in the final week will be able to make a project with the training on the equipment they received. Diedrich believes this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for youth in Grand Rapids. One of the the core beliefs of the Community Media Center is that when were talking about giving access of traditional media platforms to everyone, a big part of that is equity of giving people who dont have access, dont have the money, dont have the time to go through the traditional means, a way to participate in the media landscape, Diedrich said. Diedrich said this is where The Midwest Tech Project comes in, with co-founder Jonathan Jelks and his ability to engage the citys Black population in a field where there isnt much diversity present. I hope the program is an incubator for creative talent in West Michigan, Jelks said. The Community Media Center has been both an educational hub and helped to democratize access and eliminate the digital divide, and so the takeaways will be kids utilizing their creativity. Jelks said that the Grand Rapids film community has lots to offer to the teenagers, giving them the ability to find their passion without having to travel out of their hometown. I think the media and film scene is actually quite rich, and its an untapped resource, Jelks said. If were able to unlock some doors and create more synergy, the young people will be able to find out just how fertile our specific community is for these types of opportunities, whether its jobs or just creating stuff with creativity and the expression that they want to exercise. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: Grand Rapids Foodie Fest returns this weekend Grand Valley State grows Grand Rapids campus with $16.5M land purchase Teachers can get an extra $35K for staying in needy Grand Rapids school districts JACKSON COUNTY, MI From the Jackson College Foundation selling a building that housed a college campus to a thriving downtown Jackson social district, there is a lot going on in the Jackson area. Heres some recent Jackson-area business news you might have missed. Get a taste of Hawaiian, Island cuisine at Bens Island Grindz Ben Snyder and his girlfriend Holly Lippmann had a dream of starting a food truck offering something Jackson doesnt have. They remembered their previous travels to places like Hawaii, Mexico and Costa Rica. After eating their way through the islands and countries, they realized island food might be the answer. So they started Bens Island Grindz. Their most popular dish to date is the poke bowl, which is similar to a salad bowl with sashimi-grade raw tuna, fresh vegetables and rice with a sesame soy-based marinade. Homemade wonton crackers are sold with it. Read the full story here. Stay sober, but still enjoy a drink at Zero Bar & Lounge in Jackson Zero Bar & Lounge was created by friends and co-workers Josnelly Aponte-Martinez and Sandy Yeager. Aponte-Martinez had been sober for about two years, and was sharing this journey on social media by recommending non-alcoholic options people could still drink while socializing. Yeager had come up with the idea to start a bar cart after seeing some in her nieces wedding photos. Yeager had also been watching Aponte-Martinezs posts about sobriety on social media and decided to reach out to her with an idea to combine their passions. The dry bar cart took off from there. The two operated out of a tent for the last year but hosted an official grand opening for the bar cart in May. They focus on making non-alcoholic drinks that people staying sober can enjoy. The experience is for adults 21 and older who dont want to just drink juices or sodas at parties and events. Read the full story here. Its famous for tomato soup but theres much more at Clark Lakes Beach Bar Warm weather and lake days have arrived at Clark Lake, and the Beach Bar & Restaurant is ready for another summer season. The Clark Lake restaurant has been a popular spot residents have enjoyed since 1946. Theres great food, live music and summer vibes, said Lexi Collins, general manager and daughter of owner John Collins. People may stop by the Beach Bar because its right on the water, but they also come for the food. The restaurant is known for its fresh, no-fried-food menu, including a range of soups, sandwiches and pizza. The tomato soup is legendary at the restaurant and comes from an old family recipe. The creamy, bisque-like soup is loved by everyone, and a few have even tried to come up with their own copycat recipe. Read the full story here. Businesses are loving Jacksons downtown social district, and many others seek to join The social district officially began on St. Patricks Day - Friday, March 17. Since then, downtown Jackson streets have been busy with residents using this new feature, former Jackson Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Coyn Speiser said. Nine restaurants have since joined the social district, with others on the way to receiving approval. While Jackson was late to the dance, DDA officials said it is encouraging people to stay downtown and walk to and from restaurants, Speiser said. Though it took two years to launch, the social district was worth the wait, said Kevin Craft, co-owner of Ogma Brewing Co., 129 E. Michigan Ave. I think the biggest benefit of the social district, at least for us, is when the events are going on downtown, Craft said. Like the car show, it was huge for us because I think we get maybe 500 cups every drop off, and we blew through those in no time. Read the full story here. Jackson College sells closed Maher Campus to growing Jackson-based business 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. In-person classes were halted at the Maher campus during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not resumed since, Jackson College Chief Operating Officer 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 property, including the building, is now owned by Jackson-based Automated Logistics Systems, a transportation broker business. The business has outgrown that 12,000-square-foot building, prompting the move to the 42,000-square-foot former Maher Campus. Read the full story here. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More Jackson Citizen Patriot business news: Doll n Burgers lawsuit settled, Old Irish Mill opens and more Jackson County business news - mlive.com Alro Steel celebrates 75 years, will Chick-fil-A come to town and more Jackson County business news New store coming downtown, restaurant features Thai food and other Jackson County business news Try a great smoked pork chop, a new flea market is coming and other business news in Jackson County Five Guys is coming, Party City is closing and other business news in Jackson County SAGINAW, MI In less than a year, three Michigan State Police troopers have faced criminal charges stemming from their interactions with Saginaw civilians. The incidents led to an extensive review of how such conduct was occurring, with several high-ranking personnel opining a cultural issue within the Tri-City Post was to blame. In the end, the MSP demoted and reassigned two of the posts commanders, finding their leadership to have been insufficient. After the MSP announced the commanders transfers on April 17, MLive-The Saginaw News submitted a Freedom of Information Act request seeking relevant internal documents. The MSP responded by providing 249 pages detailing the investigations and the resulting discipline taken against the two commanders. What the reports also revealed was that one of the three charged troopers Zachary W. Tebedo was subject to another criminal investigation for punching and tasing a handcuffed Saginaw man in March 2022. While prosecutors declined to charge him in that matter, they did charge him for his role in the assault of another handcuffed man little more than a week later. Use of force incidents The afternoon of March 28, 2022, Tebedo and Trooper Bram L. Schroeder pulled over Vance D. Martin on Annesley Street on suspicion of drunken driving. After handcuffing Martin, the troopers tried getting him in the back of a patrol vehicle. When he resisted, Schroeder repeatedly punched him, causing him to lose consciousness. The conduct was captured on officers body-worn cameras. The MSP suspended Schroeder the next day, later making the suspension unpaid on Aug. 31. The agency suspended Tebedo on Aug. 23. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office on Aug. 30 charged Schroeder with misconduct in office and aggravated assault. The former is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while the latter is a one-year misdemeanor. The AGs Office also charged Tebedo and two assisting Saginaw police officers with neglect of duty. The third trooper to face charges was Paul E. Arrowood, who, on the night of Sept. 4, saw civilian Michael D. Wilson walking on Webber Street in Saginaw rather than on a nearby sidewalk. As body-worn camera footage of the incident shows, Arrowood quickly exited his patrol vehicle, approached Wilson, took him to the ground, and began punching him as he called him profane names. The MSP placed Arrowood on unpaid suspension on Sept. 30. The Saginaw County Prosecutors Office on March 2 charged Arrowood with single counts of common law offense or misconduct in office and assault and battery. Post leadership shakeup According to the reports provided by the MSP, Field Operations Bureau (FOB) Commander Lt. Col. Dale R. Hinz in September filed an administrative complaint with the agencys Professional Standards Section alleging Third District Assistant Commander Todd C. Mapes, Tri-City Post Commander 1st Lt. Todd E. Parsons, and Assistant Post Commander Lt. Jasen R. Sack shirked their duties when they failed to report and address instances of alleged excessive force by members assigned to the Tri-City Post. The Tri-City Post is located at 2402 Salzburg Road in Bay Countys Williams Township. Its troopers cover Saginaw, Bay, and Midland counties. After criminal charges were leveled against Troopers Schroeder and Tebedo, senior MSP command met on Sept. 9, 2022, to discuss the matter and expectations moving forward. Afterward, Sack met with Hinz to detail another incident he believed was an example of the effective use of a Taser, noting it could be used for subject control in lieu of strikes. In doing so, Sack advocated for the MSP to broaden its Taser policy. Lt. Jasen Sack, Assistant Tri-City Post Commander for the Michigan State Police, speaks at a press conference about Saginaw's declining crime rates in Saginaw, Mich. on Jan. 9, 2020.Riley Yuan | MLive.com This incident also involved Tebedo, who, at about 2:35 a.m. on March 15, pulled over a Lincoln Town Car on South Fayette Street near Dearborn Street in Saginaw after he and his partner saw two of its occupants urinating outdoors at a nearby gas station. The troopers arrested the male driver for not having a drivers license and indecent exposure. A male passenger refused to exit the car, prompting additional troopers to respond. Together, they managed to get the man out of the car and place him in handcuffs. The arrestee resisted troopers efforts to get him in their patrol vehicle, tensing up his body and arguing with them. Tebedo and another trooper delivered knee strikes to the mans thigh, to no effect. Tebedo then punched the arrestee in his face. Troopers pulled the man into the patrol vehicles back seat, though his legs were hanging out, according to their incident reports. Tebedo then delivered two stuns with his Taser, after which the arrestee became compliant and could be placed the rest of the way in the vehicle, their incident reports stated. In his review of the matter, Lt. Sack wrote he believed Tebedo and his fellow troopers met the requirements for using the Taser, saying the action appeared reasonable and necessary given the circumstances. Hinz reviewed dashcam video footage of the March 15 incident and believed Tebedos actions were excessive. He shared the footage and report with two Field Operations Bureau majors, both of whom shared Hinzs concerns. Hinz also learned Tebedos behavior had been approved of by Tri-City Post and Third District command. An internal review and criminal investigation ensued. The probes revealed the handcuffed arrestee was entirely in the patrol vehicle when Tebedo used his Taser, contradictory to his report. Tebedos punching of the man was also inconsistent with troopers reports. FOB Maj. Joseph Brodeur told an investigating lieutenant that just as concerning was the fact a command officer offered it as a positive example to be considered in support of policy change. Brodeur was also dismayed Tebedos conduct made it through the review process, describing the situation as a total breakdown on every level. Im still amazed by it, the major said. I think it demonstrates how far off we are. The internal review also included Sack and Mapes, alleging they shirked their responsibilities when they failed to report the alleged misconduct, reports state. The MSPs Training Division reviewed Tebedos use of force and determined neither the punch nor the tasing were consistent with departmental policy. The findings were submitted to the Saginaw County Prosecutors Office in December. In March, prosecutors declined to issue criminal charges against Tebedo, telling MLive the involved civilian would not participate. Another investigation related to Trooper Arrowoods conduct on Sept. 4 found he punched the jaywalking civilian 17 times. The Training Division found Arrowoods actions were inconsistent with departmental policy and training. Saginaw County prosecutors in March 2023 charged Arrowood with common law offense or misconduct in office and assault and battery. FOB command believed not only that Troopers Arrowood and Tebedo engaged in misconduct, including alleged excessive use of force, but that Tri-City Post command failed to properly report and address the incidents in which they were involved, reports state. Inspector Mapes erred when he determined Tebedos behavior was within the policy. Further investigation revealed Lt. Parsons had been contacted by local prosecutors about their concerns regarding Arrowood. Parsons did not share this detail with FOB command during an Oct. 4 meeting between them, Tri-City Post, and Third District command. Furthermore, Lt. Sack did not submit a complaint against Arrowood until 17 days after the incident occurred. His complaint only addressed Arrowoods use of profanity during two separate arrests, with no mention of his excessive use of force, reports state. Maj. Brodeur, again speaking to the investigating lieutenant, said Tri-City Post command approved of Arrowoods use of force, though they were concerned about the troopers unprofessional behavior. I immediately thought what I saw was a crime, you know, multiple policy violations, and a larger problem than the post seemed to think there was, Brodeur said. Arrowood was out of control, by definition, sitting on (the civilians) chest raining blows down on him, cursing. At one point, Brodeur asked Lt. Sack if he saw any problems with Arrowoods use of force. In response, he found Lt. Sack was firm in his position there was no violation and had not changed his mind since the incident occurred, reports state. Brodeur went on to express his belief that there existed a cultural problem at the Tri-City Post, qualifying it by saying it did not apply to every staff member. The major reported having had several one-on-one conversations with staff, during which they described a culture at the Tri-City Post that would lend itself to behavior such as was seen in the related incidents. He noted those accounts included concerns about the way members were treating each other and the public. The investigating lieutenant also spoke with Lt. Col. Hinz, asking him what he thought was responsible for the failure to report excessive use of force incidents. I feel that its a failure of leadership at the Tri-City Post, primarily, Hinz replied. Hinz also referenced the Secure City Partnership, a program started by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2012 to assign troopers to Michigans four most dangerous cities, including Saginaw. The SCP led to Tri-City Post troopers being assigned to patrols in Saginaw, an assignment Hinz described as being very stressful and challenging. Like Brodeur, Hinz believed there was a cultural issue within the post, though it did not affect every trooper. He noted some of the troopers had been assigned to the SCP detail for an extended period, the lieutenant wrote of Hinzs comments. He asserted they required strong leadership and resources to help them avoid a jaded mindset. He believed heavy-handed behavior was a result of that mindset. Other post staffers interviewed during the investigation did not agree there was a cultural problem, maintaining the incidents with Schroeder, Tebedo, and Arrowood were isolated. Maj. Ryan Pennell, a prior Third District commander, did not believe there was a cultural issue at hand. However, he qualified this by telling the interviewing lieutenant he believed something had changed over the last year, though he hadnt identified the reason for the change. Interviews with Inspector Mapes, 1st Lt. Parsons, and Lt. Sack, conducted in February and March, are entirely redacted from the reports MLive obtained. Shortly after the Oct. 4 meeting, Sack was transferred from the Tri-City Post to a position at MSP headquarters. Sack soon after contested his transfer and was reassigned to Third District Headquarters. On March 23, 2023, the MSP suspended Sack and Parsons. The same day, the MSPs Human Resources Division proposed demoting the pair, writing they shirked their duties and failed to lead in a manner that instills confidence and accountability. Parsons displayed ineffective leadership and detached oversight, with his unwillingness to identify employee misconduct impairing the MSPs efficiency, reports state. Meanwhile, Sacks leadership philosophy lacked sufficient competency, and he demonstrated an unwillingness and inability to review police conduct objectively and based on laws governing the use of force. The MSP demoted Parsons to sergeant effective April 2 and reassigned him to the Sixth District Headquarters. The agency demoted Sack to trooper and assigned him to serve as a tactical flight officer in the Third District, effective April 16. Fellow assistant post commander Lt. James Lang remains in his position, while Lt. Eric Wilber was named Parsons replacement as the new post commander. Wilber had previously served as the section commander of the Flint Area Narcotics Group, or FANG. Sacks position remains unfilled as of June 23. The criminal cases of Schroeder, Tebedo, and Arrowood remain pending at various stages of the court system. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges theyre facing. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Read more from MLive: Michigan State Police commander, assistant reassigned after troopers excessive force complaints Saginaw CAP talks community policing with a focus on local police Saginaw residents frustrated with MSP speak at CAPs community-policing discussion MSP trooper had numerous complaints before pummeling jaywalking Saginaw man MSP captain on trooper beating Saginaw man: It made my stomach turn Trooper didnt seem worried about getting in trouble over beating Saginaw pedestrian, victim said Michigan State Police trooper charged in beating of Saginaw man who wasnt using sidewalk State police find trooper violated policies in traffic stop of Black man in Saginaw Michigan State Police trooper charged with punching cuffed Saginaw man had 2 prior citizen complaints SAGINAW, MI In 2015, a Saginaw man allegedly lured an acquaintance out of his home on the pretext of buying drugs from him. Instead of going through with the purchase, the customer allegedly executed the would-be seller, then fled and remained in the wind for years. The accused killer, Marcos A. Torres, surrendered to police in January 2022, claiming voices in his head compelled him to do so. More than a year since hes been in custody, Torres has now been deemed psychologically fit to stand trial. Saginaw County Chief Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello on Monday, June 25, found the now-26-year-old Torres competent, based on an evaluation he underwent at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti. The judge had ordered Torres sent to the facility in February 2023. Borrello scheduled Torres trial to commence Sept. 19. Torres is charged with open murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of third-offense felony firearm in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Midland resident Dakota M. Rico. During a February 2022 preliminary examination, Michigan State Police Sgt. James N. Bush testified he responded to a reported shooting at about 1:40 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2015, to the intersection of Saginaws Douglass and Youmans streets. He arrived to see a Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck parked against a yield sign, Ricos body slumped over inside. The body bore several apparent gunshot wounds, Bush said. Police did not find a firearm at the scene, the sergeant said. In the passenger door panel of the truck Rico was found in, police also found a Newport cigarette box containing a folded piece of paper with 2.9 grams of cocaine inside it, Bush said. They also recovered Ricos cellphone inside the trucks center console, on which investigators subsequently performed a data extraction, Bush said. Text messages retrieved from the phone showed exchanges the night of Sept. 1. Investigators determined the number Rico was texting was associated with Torres, Bush said. At 10:09 p.m., a message was sent from Ricos phone to Torres referencing drugs. Little more than an hour later, Ricos phone sent a message to Torres reading, Can u meet me? A half-hour later, Ricos phone sent a message reading, Meet me at the genesee market. At 12:01 a.m., Torres phone sent Ricos a message stating, Im by Gallagher rn. Police later searched Ricos bedroom at his fathers house, finding two bags of marijuana and a small amount of powdered cocaine. MSP Detective Sgt. Bill Arndt testified Torres in January 2022 called 911 to say he was hearing voices and wanted to confess to murder. Arndt interviewed Torres on Jan. 8, during which Torres admitted to knowing Rico. Torres said he met up with Rico the night of Sept. 1, 2015, in the parking lot of Nestels Liquor & Party Store, 2714 S. Washington Ave., for a dope deal, Arndt said. He did not actually purchase the narcotics because the homicide occurred prior to that, Arndt said. Mr. Torres said that him and a gentleman had planned to rob Dakota Rico. Although, Mr. Torres eventually during the interview said he had no intention of robbing Mr. Rico; his intention was to kill him. Torres did not admit the other man was with him during the killing, Arndt said. Torres told Arndt he got into the passenger side of Ricos truck at Nestles, then they began driving. When they arrived at the intersection of Douglass and Youmans, Torres exited the truck. He said that when he got out of the truck, he turned and immediately fired three shots at Dakota Rico, striking Dakota in the head, neck, and torso area, Arndt said. He said that he used a Glock 9mm. Torres did not give Arndt a motive for the planned killing. After shooting, Torres ran from the scene and returned to his residence on Martindale Street, Arndt said. Once there, he hid the gun under a couch, removed his clothing, and met up with his friend who was supposed to have participated in the robbery of Rico. The two men then took the gun and clothing to the other mans house, Arndt said. From Torres statements, they wiped the fingerprints off the handgun, cleaned it, and then, from there, they rode a bicycle over to (another mans) house, Arndt said. When they went across the Center Street bridge, he tossed his phone into the river. Torres soon learned police were searching his house, prompting him to flee to Bay City, Arndt said. A friend or relative then drove Torres to Grand Rapids, where he bought a ticket for a Greyhound bus trip to Texas, Arndt said. Between 2014 and 2017, Torres was convicted seven times of firearms offenses in Saginaw County. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Torres from prison on Sept. 17, 2019. The MDOC discharged Torres from parole on April 17, 2021. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Read more: Saginaw man confessed to setting up, killing man in 2015 shooting, police testify Its a little peace, says mom of 2015 homicide victim after Saginaw man is charged with murder Police arrest suspect in 2015 shooting of Midland father found dead in Saginaw Midland man killed in Saginaw had just texted girlfriend about ice cream Police identify 21-year-old shot and killed driving pickup in Saginaw Trumps first Michigan campaign stop of 2024 election cycle was at the Oakland County Republican Partys Lincoln Day Dinner in Novi Sunday night. He accepted a man of the decade award from the county party then spoke for nearly an hour to a sold-out crowd of roughly 2,500 Republicans. Trump claimed it was the second consecutive award he received from the party, but former congressman Dave Trott, who invited Trump to speak in 2013, had previously debunked the dubious claim. In the speech, characteristically wide-ranging, Trump attacked, among other topics, his primary rivals, President Joe Biden, electric vehicles and transgender athletes, recounting two scenarios where transgender athletes demolished other women in power lifting and running. Trump made his criminal indictment about everyone else Trump is facing criminal charges in two different jurisdictions and two other criminal probes. To hear Trump tell it, its not because he did anything wrong, but because he wants to protect the country. In the end, theyre not after me. Theyre after you, and I just happen to be standing in the way. Trump said during his speech Sunday night. Were not going to let anything happen to us. Trump is under indictment in Florida on more than 30 felonies for alleged concealing classified documents he retained after leaving the White House. He called his arrest a great badge of courage and a badge of honor. More: Trump calls indictments badge of honor in Michigan speech If he is convicted, Trump said, it will have enormous consequences for the entire country. If these corrupt persecutions succeed, they will complete their takeover of this country and they will destroy your way of life in the United States of America forever, Trump said. It will be forever destroyed, well never be able to come back from that. Electric vehicles were in Trumps crosshairs When visiting Michigan, Trump frequently credits himself with saving the U.S. auto industry through the protectionist trade policies he promoted in office. But transitioning to electric vehicles, he asserted, would be handing the auto industry over to China. More: Trump says EVs will decimate Michigan in Novi speech Michigan has spent billion as it aggressively courts EV manufacturing to the state, bolstered by federal funding for the projects. It was the only point in the night Trump had words for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, though he didnt mention her by name. The governor of your state is now giving away hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of billions of Michigan taxpayer money to Chinese companies and one in particular, Gotion, to build batteries in Michigan, Trump said. That sounds good, but the moneys going to Chinese companies, and then theyre gonna leave, theyre planning to take our money and then they say bye bye, you stupid fools. The night was all about Trump While the evening was technically a longstanding fundraiser for the Oakland County Republican Party, Trump was the headliner and tickets for the event, which ranged from $250 to $7,500 sold out thanks to attendees looking to see the former president speak. The chair of the county party, R. Vance Patrick, exhorted attendees at the dinner to vote for Trump, as other speakers. Outside of Trumps criticisms during his speech, no other candidates earned a mention Sunday evening. Michigan businessman Perry Johnson had attempted to enter the event in his campaign bus, but was blocked from entry, according to The Detroit News. Major figures in Trumps orbit among the crowd Aside from local Republicans, such as state Rep. Donni Steele, R-Lake Orion, and Sen. Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills, national figures turned up as well to the dinner, which the party said it organized every year but three since 1890. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama was in attendance, as was Rudy Giuliani, Trumps one-time attorney. Former Republican gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon mingled with guests, as was the chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Kristina Karamo. It underscored the electoral importance of the county, which is one of the states largest by population. It has chosen Democrats in every presidential election since 1992. Read more on MLive: Wallet Watch: Budding union efforts in Michigans cannabis industry At Michigans westernmost point, a waterfall and a remote county park Unions find foothold in marijuana industry, but growth is slow One year since Dobbs, Michigan Democrats arent done with abortion policy Michigan Democrats begin hearings on carbon-free energy legislation Under multiple indictments and facing other criminal probes, former President Donald Trump was defiant throughout a speech Sunday night in Novi as he made his first Michigan campaign speech ahead of the 2024 election. Every time the radical left Democrats, Marxists, communists, fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of honor, and a badge of courage, Trump said. The 2024 election is the final battle, Trump said, vowing to purge Washington, D.C. of Republican enemies. On the other hand, if he is not both criminally exonerated and reelected president, the country faces destruction, he said. If this corrupt persecution succeeds, they will complete their takeover of this country and they will destroy your way of life in the United States of America forever, it will be forever destroyed. Trump appearance was the headlining speech at the Oakland County Republican Partys Lincoln Day Dinner, an evening that felt as much campaign rally as fundraiser. Numerous attendees told MLive they purchased $250 tickets for the dinner solely in order to see Trump speak. Trump focused heavily on Michigans automobile industry in the speech, claiming that U.S. President Joe Bidens environmental extremism would decimate Michigan by forcing a switch to all electric vehicles. More: Trump says EVs will decimate Michigan in Novi speech In a characteristically wide-ranging speech, Trump attacked his Republican presidential primary rivals, President Joe Biden, the news media, China, electric vehicles, transgender athletes and undocumented migrants. The former president is facing indictments on the federal level for allegedly attempting to hold on to 102 classified documents after leaving the White House and obstructing authorities efforts to get them back. A grand jury in Florida approved 37 felony charges against Trump, 31 of which are violations of the Espionage Act. Additionally, in his former home of New York, local prosecutors have accused him of falsifying business records after instructing his attorney to pay adult-film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money to keep her quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the cases, but didnt go into any detail about either, other than to say, I did nothing wrong. Though Trump is just one among a 24-canddiate Republican presidential primary, the competition didnt earn a single positive mention from other speakers at the dinner. The county party hasnt endorsed a candidate, but the chair, R. Vance Patrick, explicitly urged the attendees to pick Trump, as did U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township. As thunderstorms rolled over Novi in the middle of McClains speech, the power was lost and the convention hall briefly plunged into darkness. Less than a minute later, however, lights came back on and the program resumed. Trump remains the man to beat in the primary. Aggregated national polling indicate a slight majority of Republican voters intend to support him. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is next closest, with slightly more than 20% of voters behind him. Trump targeted DeSantis with critiques throughout the night and labeled him Ron DeSanctimonious, Among the undercards in that field is Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, a self-described quality guru who failed to make the Republican primary ballot for governor last year. Hes running an outsiders campaign heavily focused on Iowa, Republicans first caucus state, but hasnt made a dent in the polls. He arrived to the dinner in his campaign bus, and despite Johnson being an event sponsor, his bus, unable to enter, was parked Sunday across the street from the venue. Former gubernatorial candidate Kevin Rinke urged Republicans to come together during his speech. Tudor Dixon, who lost to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by about 11 percentage points in November, was also on hand. We need to consider what it takes to win truthfully, versus putting forward candidates that dont have the ability to win or the skillset that delivers for our state or country, Rinke said. Rinke, however, did not mention any presidential candidates in his speech. He didnt directly answer MLive when asked if he intends to run for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat. Events like the fundraising dinner, which draw more party members than the public, could pay greater dividends for candidates under the state Republicans new proposed presidential selection process. Chair Kristina Karamo, who attended the dinner, is working with the Republican National Committee to have the state assign most of its national convention delegates via a closed caucus instead of a primary vote. Read more: Michigan GOP plans internal caucuses to pick most presidential primary delegates Karamo told MLive that, while she will not endorse a presidential candidate in a primary, the level of enthusiasm at the dinner said a lot. Democrats condemned Trumps appearance well ahead of his speech Sunday. Trumps MAGA agenda that Michigan Republicans are trying and failing to carry out here is deeply out of touch with the values of Michiganders, said Michigan Democratic Party chair Lavora Barnes. Whether its attacking abortion rights, undermining our elections or advocating for policies that hurt the middle class, Trump and his radical agenda have no place in our great state. Read more on MLive Lawmakers cram before a big deadline: Your guide to Michigan politics One year since Dobbs, Michigan Democrats arent done with abortion policy Senate OKs child marriage ban amid arguments pregnant teens should marry Should Michigan high school athletes make money off their image? Ryan Kelley, former gubernatorial candidate, to plead guilty on Jan. 6 charge Former president Donald Trump claimed transitioning to electric vehicles would decimate Michigan in a speech Sunday night in Novi as he accepted the Oakland County Republican Partys man of the decade award. The push for all electric cars, its killing the United State, its killing Michigan and its a total vote for China, Trump said during his hour-long address. (U.S. President Joe) Biden is a catastrophe for Michigan and his environmental extremism is heartless and disloyal and horrible for the American worker and youre starting to see, driven by his ridiculous regulations. Oakland Countys party, one of the states largest, used the Lincoln Day Dinner to bestow Trump with the award before a sold-out crowd of at least 2,500 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Read more: Trump calls indictments badge of honor in Michigan speech Trump blasted the state governments approval, led by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, of more than $700 million in economic development incentives for a $2.4-billion battery plant outside Big Rapids. The governor of your state is now giving away hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of billions of Michigan taxpayer dollars to Chinese companies and one in particular, Gotion, to build batteries in Michigan, Trump said. That sounds good, but the moneys going to Chinese companies, and then theyre gonna leave, theyre planning to take our money and then they say bye bye, you stupid fools. Latest: Gotions $2.4B battery plant moves forward after federal review Michigan has aggressively courted electric vehicle projects, often with bipartisan support, using billions in economic development dollars in competition against other states for major manufacturing campuses that promise thousands of jobs. Gotions project, in particular, has drawn heavy criticism from some due to the companys foreign ownership. Trump waxed nostalgic about all that he had done for Michigan as president, touting his record and crediting his administration for the states strong economic position. There is a resurgence of manufacturing on U.S. soil, Trump said, its happening right here in Michigan, and this has nothing to do with the Democrats. He slammed electric vehicles, saying the cars dont go far, and you know, some people like to drive more than an hour and a half. In a characteristically wide-ranging speech, Trump also attacked his Republican presidential primary rivals, President Joe Biden, the news media, China, transgender athletes and undocumented migrants. Read more on MLive: Lawmakers cram before a big deadline: Your guide to Michigan politics Unions find foothold in marijuana industry, but growth is slow One year since Dobbs, Michigan Democrats arent done with abortion policy Michigan Democrats begin hearings on carbon-free energy legislation IRONWOOD, MI If the Upper Peninsula is shaped like a rabbit jumping over a mitten, then Legion County Park would be the very tip of that rabbits nose. Along the parks Lake Superior shoreline, a rocky spit protrudes into the mouth of the Montreal River, which forms the boundary between Wisconsin and the western U.P. The river mouth is fenced on either side by rugged cliffs and are no signs marking the fact that the park sits at the westernmost point in the state of Michigan, in a part of Gogebic County that falls within the central time zone. A person standing on the rocky spit along the river mouth is actually farther west in the continental United States than the cities of New Orleans, La.; Jackson, Miss.; Memphis, Tenn.; St. Louis, Mo., and the easternmost point in the state of Iowa. Its more of a fishing destination than sightseeing, said Greg Ryskey, director of the Gogebic County Forestry and Parks. People really dont think of it as the western end of the U.P. We probably should do a little better job marketing that. In the parking lot, signs direct people to pathways for viewing Superior Falls, which winds through a gorge below the Xcel Energy Superior Falls Hydroelectric Plant. A rough, steep cement path leads to the lake and a cobblestone beach covered in driftwood. At the waters edge, the Lake Superior waves take on a brownish hue thanks to the red sandstone on the beach. The park also features an overlook with views of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Ryskey said anglers catch steelhead, brown trout, salmon and rainbow smelt in the tailwater area along the river mouth, which is prone to some seasonal flooding. The Montreal River is one of two such rivers in Michigans Upper Peninsula with the same name; the other being on the northern end of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The dark brown river which defines the boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin was the subject of a turn-of-the-century border dispute between the two states. Northeast of Legion County Park is a better known park named Little Girls Point, which takes its name from a legend about a lost daughter of an Ojibwe hunter. Legion County Park doesnt feature camping sites like Little Girls Point does and requires little in the way of annual maintenance and upkeep besides grass cutting. Where it got the Legion name from, I have no idea, Ryskey said. Legion County Park is most easily accessed via Hoyt Road off U.S. 2 west of the twin cities of Ironwood, Mich., and Hurley, Wis. Travelers wishing to stay within Michigan can reach the park by taking Lake Road north out of Ironwood past the Gogebic-Iron County Airport. Sign up to receive MLive's free new environment and climate newsletter, "Lake Effect." Enter your email here: Related stories: This UP preserve is not a simple walk in the park UP visitors were big spenders in 2022 A $1 billion eco-disaster is swallowing the Keweenaw coast On Michigan cliffs, ancient trees hide in plain sight Island access via foot bridge comes to Tahquamenon Falls Above Kitch-iti-kipi: Big Spring is majestic from the air Welcome back to Wallet Watch! Its officially summer so we know you are busy juggling your calendar of vacations, weddings, and summer camps. Thats why MLives statewide economy team is here to start your Monday mornings with a recap of Michigan business stories you may have missed. Marijuana licenses could be in jeopardy if bills go unpaid Although Michigans marijuana market surpassed $2 billion in profits last year, price volatility has continued to loom like a dark cloud. The recreational flower price per ounce was $90.64 in May, slowly inching up month-over-month but far from the $221.21 price point just two years ago. This is one of many contributing factors leaving growers and processors shorted by retailers who are slow to fulfill their end of the deal. The multi-billion-dollar industry is reckoning with how to stabilize a supply chain leaning on credit by introducing new rules. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency has proposed denying a license or license renewal based on civil judgments or court orders resulting from unpaid debt. This comes on the heels of court filings exposing millions in debt from major names in the industry, like Skymints $127 million default in March. Skymints parent company, Green Peak Industries, is one of eight licensees that have fallen into receivership since 2019. Cannabis businesses cannot claim bankruptcy because they are not federally recognized. Instead they are court ordered into receiverships with their lenders, meaning the creditor gains management of the companys finances to recoup debt. This financial instability is making business insiders weary and looking for solid ground for this sprouting industry. The CRA is open to feedback on the proposed rule tying debt to license eligibility. Read more about how mounting debt affects the marijuana market: Could debt domino effect topple Michigans marijuana businesses? Budding union efforts in Michigans cannabis industry Unionization among marijuana retail workers is gaining traction despite pushback from larger companies. The industrys financial instability and its interest in unionization go hand-in-hand, said John Cakmakci, president of United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 951. With more than 35,000 cannabis jobs, Michigan is second in the nation behind Californias 85,000 jobs. So far, only a handful of retail employees have been able to organize with United Food & Commercial Workers labor union. Cannabis workers have been contacting the labor union since the inception of Michigans industry, Cakmakci said. But less than 10 stores in Michigan have actually organized. The first was in Manistee in March 2022. Alleged union busting efforts have put up roadblocks for workers interested in organizing. The industry has a high turnover rate and Cakmakci said workers often leave before a union vote ever comes to fruition. Cakmakci also recognizes that the number of calls from workers was outstripping union resources as they were focused on repealing Right to Work legislation. He expects to make gains in the cannabis industry now that UFCW can re-prioritize its efforts, he said. Read more about how workers and business see unions fitting into the cannabis industry: Unions find foothold in marijuana industry, but growth is slow Petition to stop Marshall mega site falls short on signatures The mega site in Marshall, a farm town at the intersection of I-69 and I-94, will continue to move forward with plans to build a Ford battery plant despite a vocal opposition. A petition against Fords $3.5 billion BlueOval Battery Park battery plant in Marshall failed because it didnt get enough valid signatures, said Marshall City Clerk Michelle Eubanks. The petition was rejected after the Committee for Marshall Not the Megasite submitted more than 800 signatures as part of a referendum but a legal review found only 136 signatures were valid due to circulation rules. The opposition group needed to collection a minimum of 578 valid signatures. The city clerk wrote the petition also failed because the ordinance it targeted was not subject to a referendum because it included an appropriation of money. Ford announced plans in February to build a sprawling electric vehicle battery plant on a mega site in Marshall. This was met with pushback from community members concerned a large industrial park will scar the landscape and destroy farmland. Hundreds lined up to speak against the plant at a May 1 meeting that stretched past midnight. Michigan has awarded the project $1.7 billion of incentives including a 15-year Renaissance Zone tax break valued at $774 million, $630 million from a supplemental budget bill for site prep work, a $120 million grant for land acquisition plus a $210 million grant given to Ford. Read more about next steps in Marshall: Petition against Ford Marshall plant didnt have enough valid signatures. ICYMI: Should Michigan high school athletes make money off their image? Speeding cameras in Michigan construction zones could soon monitor motorists Michigan Supreme Court will rule on tactic that weakened minimum wage, sick leave initiatives The Faster Horses Festival is next month and a few of the superstar headliners are busy performing. Get your 3-Day Pass to see Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Shania Twain and many more from Stubhub, Vivid Seats, and Ticketmaster. Bryan sang his new song But I Got a Beer In My Hand during the American Idol Grand Finale last month. The Zac Brown Band is on tour at the Summerfest in Milwaukee and Shania Twain is touring in London. Faster Horses Festival returns July 14-16, 2023 at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Michigan. Stubhub general admission 3-day tickets start at $315. The Faster Horses Festival, which began in 2013, celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The event is a huge annual country music festival spanning three days in the summer. Grab your tickets for Michigan International Speedway events at Stubhub, Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster. Despite a deadly 2021 festival and an MLive investigation uncovering 91 assaults and 30 criminal sexual conduct reports throughout the eight years of the festival, the party of the summer continued in 2022 with few reforms, hosting headliners Tim McGraw, Eric Church and Morgan Wallen. Brooklyn -- Friday July 14 to Sunday July 16 at Michigan International Speedway Stubhub Vivid Seats Ticketmaster Michigan State just picked up a double commitment for its next recruiting class. Charlton and Mercer Luniewski, 2024 three-star offensive linemen and twin brothers from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in Ohio, announced their commitments to the Spartans via social media on Monday. The two are coming off official visits to East Lansing over the weekend. Mercer, 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, is listed as the No. 67 offensive tackle and No. 846 recruit overall in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Charlton, 6-5 and 280 pounds, is ranked as the No. 112 interior offensive lineman and No. 1,411 player overall in the class. Their other offers include Kentucky, Virginia, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Penn State recruit Charlton Luniewski visits for the Blue-White game on April 15, 2023. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Michigan State now has nine players committed to its 2024 recruiting class with six of them announcing verbal pledges in the last two weeks. The addition of the Luniewski twins gives the Spartans four offensive linemen in the fold this cycle, along with three-star Andrew Dennis from Mount Pleasant High School and three-star Logan Bennett from Baltimore. Michigan States other commits in the 2024 class are four-star running back Anthony Carrie from Florida, three-star cornerback Jaylen Thompson from Tennessee, three-star safety Reggie Powers from Ohio, three-star defensive back Syair Torrence from New York and three-star cornerback Camren Campbell from Florida. The Spartans have a recent history of landing twin brothers, including Jacob and Zach Slade and Andrew and David Dowell. Related Michigan State football stories: Michigan State lands commitment from 3-star DB from New York Michigan State lands 4-star RB with more than 40 offers, including Georgia, Alabama and Michigan Michigan State lands commitment from 2024 Florida DB 3-star DB commits to Michigan State over Ohio State, other finalists Michigan States WR outlook after losing 2nd-round NFL pick, two former 4-star recruits Kuami Eugene at the 2023 BET Awards 26.06.2023 LISTEN Kuami Eugene recently had the pleasure of attending the highly anticipated 2023 BET Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The talented artist, known for his unique blend of highlife and contemporary music, was present at the star-studded event to not only enjoy the electrifying performances but also to soak in the experience of being surrounded by the industry's finest talents. As one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the music industry, the BET Awards serves as a platform to celebrate and honor the achievements of artists, entertainers, and athletes of Black excellence. This year's event was no exception, featuring an array of remarkable performances, emotional speeches, and heartfelt tributes that left a lasting impact on both attendees and viewers worldwide. For Kuami Eugene, the BET Awards offered an extraordinary opportunity to witness firsthand the magic and glamour of the music industry. As an artist who has made waves in Ghana and beyond with his infectious melodies and soulful lyrics, attending such an esteemed event allowed him to connect with fellow musicians, industry professionals, and fans from all walks of life. The 2023 BET Awards showcased a diverse lineup of performances that spanned various genres, highlighting the versatility and richness of Black music. From high-energy rap verses to soul-stirring R&B ballads, each act delivered an unforgettable experience that had the audience on their feet throughout the night. Notable performances by industry heavyweights and rising stars left a lasting impression on Kuami Eugene, inspiring him to continue pushing boundaries and creating music that resonates with a global audience. In addition to the exceptional musical performances, the BET Awards is renowned for its meaningful tributes and thought-provoking speeches. The 2023 edition paid homage to icons who have left an indelible mark on the music industry, honoring their contributions and celebrating their enduring legacies. Witnessing these heartfelt tributes, Kuami Eugene felt a deep sense of appreciation for the pioneers who paved the way for artists like himself to thrive in the industry. Attending the BET Awards not only served as a source of inspiration but also provided Kuami Eugene with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share his passion for music. Networking with fellow artists, producers, and industry insiders allows for valuable collaborations and opens doors to new creative endeavors. The BET Awards, with its atmosphere of celebration and unity, fosters an environment where artists can build relationships and form alliances that transcend borders and genres. As Kuami Eugene reflects on his experience at the 2023 BET Awards, he feels a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue honing his craft and reaching new heights in his musical journey. The event served as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together, break down barriers, and create meaningful change in society. The 2023 BET Awards will undoubtedly remain etched in Kuami Eugene's memory as a milestone in his career and a testament to the enduring impact of Black music and culture. With his talent and dedication, it is clear that Kuami Eugene's journey is just beginning, and we can expect to witness many more remarkable moments from this gifted artist in the years to come. Ghanaian influencer and musician, Mona Faiz Montrage, popularly known as Hajia4Real, celebrated her 31st birthday with an emotional message on Instagram, amidst the ongoing legal challenges she has faced since 2022. Hajia4Real, who is currently facing charges related to wire fraud, money laundering, and receipt of stolen money, expressed her gratitude for the support she has received during these trying times. In her Instagram post, she conveyed her belief that the truth will eventually prevail and her story will be heard. "There is a time for everything, and the world will come to know the truth, and my story will be heard," a portion of her heartfelt caption read. Acknowledging the outpouring of birthday wishes, love, and prayers from her followers, Hajia4Real expressed her appreciation in the post, thanking them for standing by her side during these difficult circumstances. She wrote, Happy Birthday to me, and a big thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and, above all, your love and prayers shown to me during these difficult times. Evidence has been presented in court and the allegations against Hajia4Real are under examination. The US Department of Justice has stated that, if found guilty, she could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the charges brought against her. The indictment case involving Hajia4Real has gained significant attention due to her popularity as an influencer on various social media platforms. Read her full post below: Director of Communication of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has refuted claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the NPP is abusing incumbency ahead of the 27th June by-election in the Assin North Constituency. I dont know how they come to that conclusion but to be honest with you, I think the NDC is struggling. They dont have a message in Assin North so they are looking for a message, their strategy is lies and they major on minor issues. And when there are no issues they create one, he added. Mr Ahiagbah said this in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM in Accra on Friday. This follows the commissioning of the 31.2 kilometres Assin Fosu to Assin Praso stretch that connects Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region to Yamoransa in the Central Region. The NDC said the construction of the road was good news, but that would not improve the livelihoods of the constituents of Assign North. But Mr Ahiagbah in the interview said what the government was interested in was the development of the country and that included the construction of roads. We are interested in developing all of this country so lets move on and agree that what has to be done has been done. The least they can do is to acknowledge and commend the government and move on. They should also look for what they want to do for the people and move on, he said. citinewsroom Vast crowds of robed Muslim faithful walked solemn circles around the Kaaba, the black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque on Sunday to begin the biggest hajj pilgrimage in several years, in the heat of the Saudi summer. Islam's holiest site is expected to host more than two million worshippers from 160 countries during the annual rites that could break attendance records, with 1.6 million foreigners already arrived by late Friday. "This year, we will witness the largest hajj pilgrimage in history," if things go according to plan, predicted an official with the Saudi ministry of hajj and umrah. This year's hajj will be the biggest since 2019, before the Covid pandemic, when about 2.5 million people took part. By Rania SANJAR (AFP) "The numbers will exceed 2.5 million pilgrims," added the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak with the press. The hajj began early on Sunday with the "tawaf" -- the circumambulation of the Kaaba, the large cubic structure draped in black cloth with gold trimmings that Muslims around the world pray towards every day. "I am living the most beautiful days of my life," said Saeed Abdel Azim, a 65-year-old Egyptian performing the ritual. "The dream has come true," added the retiree, who had saved for 20 years to pay the thousands of dollars needed to take part. The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims with the means. The hajj pilgrimage. By Laurence CHU (AFP) A series of rites are completed over four days in Mecca and its surroundings in the west of oil-rich Saudi Arabia. On Sunday afternoon, pilgrims started moving to Mina, about five kilometres (three miles) from the Grand Mosque, ahead of the hajj's climax at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. Mina, the world's largest tent city, readied to receive the influx of pilgrims, with food supplies brought in and security forces deployed around the area. More worshippers are expected to head to Mina on Monday, as a vibrant atmosphere takes hold of the tented city with the arrival of pilgrims by foot or via airconditioned buses. 'Great blessing' Outside the Grand Mosque, thousands prayed on colourful carpets that adorned the pavement, with male pilgrims wearing simple white robes. The area was dotted with ambulances, mobile clinics and fire trucks. The first hajj ritual requires walking seven times around the Kaaba, the large black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque. By Sajjad HUSSAIN (AFP/File) The hajj poses a considerable security challenge and has seen several disasters over the years, including a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 people. There have been no major incidents since, and catastrophe was the last thing on pilgrims' minds. "I cannot describe my feelings," said Indonesian student Yusuf Burhan, 25. "This is a great blessing. I never imagined that I would perform the hajj this year." This year's summer timing for the hajj, which follows the lunar calendar, is testing the endurance of worshippers during the mostly outdoor ritual. A pilgrim drinks sacred water from the Zamzam spring at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. By Sajjad HUSSAIN (AFP) Carrying white umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching sun, policemen in the mountainous city have conducted foot patrols and set up checkpoints to inspect hajj permits. Others splashed water on pilgrims as temperatures climbed towards 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Thousands of paramedics were on standby inside the Grand Mosque. Saudi authorities said more than 32,000 health workers will be on hand to treat cases of heatstroke, dehydration and exhaustion. 'Not a single vacant bed' The hajj, which costs at least $5,000 a person, makes billions of dollars a year for Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, which is trying to diversify its economy beyond fossil fuels. This year's will be the biggest since 2019, before the Covid pandemic, when about 2.5 million people took part. Pilgrims rest in the street after their exertions in the searing Saudi Arabian heat. By Sajjad HUSSAIN (AFP) Only 10,000 were allowed in 2020, at the height of the global outbreak, rising to nearly 59,000 in 2021. Last year's cap of one million has been removed. Saudi businessman Samir al-Zafni said all his hotels in Mecca and Madinah are at full capacity until the first week of July. "This year there is not a single vacant bed in our group of 67 hotels," he told AFP. The hajj also demonstrates social reforms in the deeply conservative kingdom. This year's pilgrimage will be the biggest since Saudi Arabia scrapped rules in 2021 that banned women who weren't accompanied by a male relative. Waiting for a car to take him out of the vicinity of Mecca's grand mosque, Moroccan merchant Abdullah al-Haqouni, 65, said he was struggling with the temperature. "I am very tired. The heat is unbearable," he said, carrying a green umbrella. "God help us." 26.06.2023 LISTEN The Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has awarded Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah for his contributions to media development. The former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) in the Ashanti region is touted as an important stakeholder and pillar, who has imparted in the media good ethics and professionalism. The event which took place at Rattray Park, on Saturday, June 24 is in its fifth stage after its launch in May 2019. The Association describes COKA as a truly selfless, boundless partner and a warrior in media development within Ghana and beyond. Your lifeline support to the media fraternity is really admirable and you indeed walk your talk, it added. The citation reads: "You are the kind of personality, irrespective of your political affiliation, always believing that unity is strength when there is teamwork and collaboration; that is only when wonderful things can be achieved. "You have imparted in the media good ethics and professionalism. And extraordinarily, manage many characters and dispel the fears and worries in the media activism and wherever we need you, you are always there to support us and show us the way. "GJA Ashanti would like to thank you and honor your exemplary leadership and support. "Ayekoo Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah." COKAs acknowledgement Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah said I was honoured when you expressed your appreciation of me. Your approval makes all my effort feel worthwhile. I am happy that you see me as an asset to the media fraternity. "Thank you for this recognition, it motivates me to continue to do more," he added. GJA President In an address, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwomfour, National President of the GJA said, Journalists in Ghana will continue to hold government accountable until the living conditions of every Ghanaian are improved. As we have done in the past, we will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders including government to strengthen governance while ensuring accountability," he added. The event was attended by Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, chief of Nkwantakese, Samuel Payn, regional Mayor, regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, the Honourable Minister for Education and MP for Bosomtwe, Yaw Osei Adutwum and the Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo. Al-Shabaab jihadists have killed five civilians, some by beheading, in eastern Kenya, a witness and a police source told AFP on Sunday. The attack occurred on Saturday around 7:30 pm (1630 GMT) in the villages of Juhudi and Salama in Lamu county, close to the Somali border, the source said. "Five people were killed. The victims had their throats slit and there are others who were beheaded." One resident, Hassan Abdul, said that "women were locked in the houses and the men ordered out, where they were tied with ropes and butchered". A secondary school student was among the five people killed, Abdul said, adding that "all those killed had their throats cut and some of them had been beheaded". Another resident, Ismail Hussein, said the militants stole food supplies before leaving, firing their weapons into the air. "We have enhanced security in that area after the attack," Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono said. Based in Kenya's eastern neighbour Somalia, the Al-Shabaab group has been waging a bloody jihadist insurgency against the fragile government in Mogadishu for more than 15 years. Kenya first sent troops into Somalia in 2011 to combat the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants and is now a major contributor of troops to an African Union military operation against the group. But it has suffered a string of retaliatory assaults, including a bloody siege at the Westgate mall in Nairobi in 2013 that claimed 67 lives, and an attack on Garissa University in 2015 that killed 148 people. In Somalia itself, Al-Shabaab has continued to wage deadly attacks despite a major offensive launched last August by pro-government forces, backed by the AU force known as ATMIS. Kenya's Lamu region, which includes the popular tourist beach destination of Lamu Island, has suffered frequent attacks, often carried out with roadside bombs. Saturday's killings took place near Mpeketoni, a town around 450 kilometres (280 miles) from the capital Nairobi and 120 kilometres from the Somali border. The area was hit by an attack attributed to Al-Shabaab in January 2022, in which six people were killed and homes torched. In 2014, almost 100 people were killed in a series of armed assaults on Mpeketoni and surrounding villages in Lamu County. In June, eight Kenyan police officers were killed when their vehicle was blown up by an improvised explosive device in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in nearby Garissa county. Kenya and Somalia agreed last month to gradually reopen three points on their land border, which was closed in 2011 in bid to curb Al-Shabaab violence. Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has slammed critics of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy and emphasized that the policys expansion of enrolment has not compromised learning outcomes in schools. He asserts that the results achieved in the 2022 West African Senior Certificate Examination (WASCE) are a testament to the governments commitment to transforming the countrys education sector. During the launch of the 60th anniversary of Kumasi High School in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Adutwum touted the governments efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the Free SHS policy, with a specific focus on both increasing enrolment and improving learning outcomes. He further revealed that the Education Ministry plans to recruit personnel dedicated to maintaining facilities in senior high schools, aiming to enhance the overall educational environment. For all those who thought increasing enrolment at the high schools will diminish learning outcomes, I have news for you, increasing enrolment did not diminish learning outcomes and if you doubt it look at Kumasi High School. Go and look at the WAEC results and it will tell you that we have the best learning outcomes in this country last year. The last eight years, the best results were the 2022 results but I dont blame people who make that conjecture that things are bad because around the world countries that have increased enrolment always suffer. Dr. Adutwum added that the government remains dedicated to striking a balance between access and quality, ensuring that Ghanaian students receive a robust education that prepares them for the future. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, has praised the media for its continuous support of the development and promotion of quality education in the country. He said the media had played a critical role in the dissemination of information on the various government policies and interventions on education, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of the free senior high school policy, where the government had to take drastic decisions to promote and sustain the countrys education system. Addressing the media excellence awards organized by the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Kumasi, Mr Adutwum said the media had played a significant role in the success stories of the free senior high school policy. About 20 individuals and organizations received honorary awards for their various roles and contribution to the promotion and development of journalism practice in the Ashanti region. Mr Adutwum said the country was now on course in transforming its educational system focusing on science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) to help unearth the creativity and talents of the youth in the fields of engineering. The minister said there was a need to empower the younger generation with creative minds and skills that would help them to transform the country in all fields. He said STEM education was the way to go to develop relevant skills and expertise that would help create employment and Job opportunities for the people. He called on the media to continue to educate the youth to embrace and accept science and technical education, which was being vigorously promoted by the government to help transform the country and create employment. Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of GJA, said there was a need to recognize professionalism and hard work. He said the GJA had instituted a journalists support fund with the aim of raising about two million Ghana cedis to support journalists in the country. Mr Dwumfour said the watchdog role of the media had helped safeguard the country in many fields, adding that, the media would continue to be the fulcrum around which the countrys development revolved. Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, Chairman of the National Media Commission, said the role of the media in national development was very significant and must be recognized as such. He stressed the need for truth, fairness, honesty and accuracy in media reportage and said any journalist, who sacrificed these attributes, would lose credibility in the eyes of the public. Mr Samuel Pyne, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Mayor of Kumasi, stressed the need for the media to do self-introspection and analyse carefully its role in the countrys development process. He said the media involvement in the development of the country was crucial and called on the media to strengthen its role in the development agenda. Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Nkwantakesehene, who chaired the event, stressed the need to recognize the works of journalists while they were still alive. He said journalists played an important role in society and there was a need to recognize and honour those who discharged their duties well. GNA Fighting on Sunday between rival Sudanese generals in Darfur killed at least a dozen civilians, said a doctor in the devastated region. Speaking from the capital of South Darfur state, the doctor said fighting there had led to "a provisional toll of 12 civilians killed in Nyala". But the source -- speaking anonymously for security reasons -- noted that "the violence of the fighting restricts movement" of victims to hospital. Residents on Saturday had reported battles, shelling and artillery strikes in Nyala. Darfur, a vast western region on the border with Chad, has witnessed the deadliest violence in the battle for power between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Rapid Support Forces paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The United Nations says violence in Darfur has taken an "ethnic dimension" and could constitute "crimes against humanity". Daglo's RSF have their origins in the Janjaweed militias which former strongman Omar al-Bashir unleashed in response to a rebellion by ethnic minorities in Darfur in 2003, drawing charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Nearly 2,800 people have been killed in Sudan since battles began in the capital Khartoum on April 15, according to a new toll from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Almost two million others have been displaced within the country, and roughly 600,000 have fled over Sudan's borders, the International Organization for Migration said. The UN on Saturday urged "immediate action" to stop the killings of people fleeing El Geneina, the West Darfur state capital, by Arab militias aided by the paramilitaries. Up to 1,100 people have been killed in El Geneina, the United States State Department said in mid-June. Bodies have been left lying in the streets, including several that appeared to be face down together on a dirt road. Shops have been ripped open by looters. 'Rockets are falling' In the chaos, families try to avoid bullets on the 30-kilometre (18-mile) journey to neighbouring Chad -- where more than 155,000 have taken refuge. Across the border in Adre, refugees gather under tarpaulins stretched over branches, and form long lines to collect food and water. Sudanese police patrol the main market of Wad Madani, which hosts many people uprooted by the war. By - (AFP) Aid has reached at least 2.8 million people in Sudan, the UN said, but agencies report major hurdles to their work, from visas for foreign humanitarians to securing safe corridors. International donors pledged $1.5 billion in aid at a conference in Geneva last week -- less than half the estimated needs for Sudan and its affected neighbours. The United States, which along with Saudi Arabia sought to mediate between the warring sides and ensure humanitarian aid can reach those in need, said Thursday it had put its efforts on hold. Outside of Darfur, the capital Khartoum has been the war's main battleground. The armed forces have stepped up air raids there, while RSF artillery targets army and police bases. Residents who remain in the city are suffering electricity and water shortages. On Sunday, several of them reported artillery fire in the south of the city, and fighting elsewhere. "Rockets are falling on the houses," a witness in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman told AFP. The wholesale admission of students into the second cycle schools is a major contributory factor to the recent abysmal academic performance and the growing indiscipline in the schools across the country. We are not performing very well not only because we are not working so hard, but sometimes national policies are a contributory factor. There are certain policies that are not helping education at all and need a second look, especially the wholesale admission into senior high schools. Mr Edward Kweku Azure, the immediate past retired Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), said this in Bolgatanga at a send-off party organised for him by the Regional Director of the GES. Mr Azure, a teacher by profession, was in charge of the Upper East Regional Directorate of the GES as the Regional Director from August 2020 until his retirement in November 2022. He explained that some of the students who performed poorly in the Basic Education Certificate Examination and yet gained admission into the second cycle schools, seemed compelled to further their formal education and the situation was not helping. Some students go on to senior high school because they are forced to. They know that if they get eight in all the subjects, they are qualified to go to the senior school and they go there to cause all sorts of problems in the schools. This is why we have a lot of problems in our second-cycle schools, he said. Notwithstanding, the Retired Educationist, noted that the negative attitudes of major stakeholders including education administrators, teachers, parents, traditional authorities, community members and students, also contributed to the poor performances in the schools. He cited instances where some final year students who had been registered for examination would often go and work in illegal mining sites, neglecting their studies and hoping that when they would be allowed to cheat in their examination, saying it was a bad attitude that needed serious redress. He urged teachers to take their refresher training seriously to help enhance their skills with modern teaching techniques. Mr Bright Lawoe, the current Upper East Regional Director of the GES, commended Mr Azure for his contribution towards improving the educational standards in the region during his time. He described him as someone who operated participatory leadership and was always committed to his work. Mr Lawoe said the directorate was currently undertaking some reforms as part of measures towards addressing challenges that confronted education in the region. He said his outfit in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council would soon organise an education fair to bring major stakeholders in education together to deliberate on how to address the falling standard of education in the region. Mr Simon Amokase, the North-East Regional Director of the GES, who represented all regional directors of education across the country, urged all stakeholders to play a crucial role in improving educational standards nationwide. Mr Paul Apanga, a retired educationist, encouraged teacher unions to take a keen interest in the ongoing conversation about the mass failure of teachers who took part in the teacher licensure examination. He said some of those who took part in the examination were not teachers yet, as many of them had not completed the colleges of education and the distinction needed to be made clear in order not to mislead the public. GNA Dr Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, vehemently dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led government has failed to deliver on its promises. Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, Boako urged all NPP members to ignore such assertions. "I don't accept that false narrative that the NPP has failed. It is a false narrative, as Bawumia said in London," Boako asserted confidently. Mr Boako acknowledged that while not all of the party's promises have been fulfilled, this does not equate to failure. He further argued that no political party in Ghana's history has ever been able to fulfill all its promises. Addressing critics who believe that Vice President Bawumia and the NPP will suffer in the upcoming elections, Mr Boako issued a respectful plea. He suggested that those who hold such opinions should consider forming their own political party and contesting the elections on its platform or alternatively run as independent candidates. Mr Boako highlighted the significance of the achievements made under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia NPP government, as well as the previous Kufuor government. He emphasized that no one can credibly contest the 2024 elections without taking into account the track record of these administrations. However, Mr Boako expressed frustration with individuals who engage in character assassination and target Vice President Bawumia. He urged them to either establish a party of their own and run on its ticket or pursue an independent candidacy if they believe their claims to be unquestionable. The spokesperson's remarks underscore the NPP's determination to defend its performance and counter criticisms, while also reminding detractors of the complexities and challenges faced by any political party in fulfilling its promises. -classfmonline 26.06.2023 LISTEN Mr Kofi Alonsi, the General Director of the Ghana Maritime Authority has received praises and appreciation for his exceptional contributions to the Builsa North Municipality. Speaking to Radio-Builsa, the second-in-command of the Sandema Fire Service, Mr. Abubakari Hakim described Mr Alonsi as a true son of the land for his dedication and support. After being informed about the out-of-service Sandema Fire Tender, he added that Mr. Alonsi promptly sent a technical team from Bolgatanga to restore it, bearing the cost himself. In addition, he noted that Mr Alonsi extended his assistance to fix the lights, braking systems, and other essential parts needed by the Fire Station. According to him, the people of Builsa North Municipality expressed their immense happiness and gratitude for his continuous support. Hon. Alonsi's selflessness and unwavering commitment have earned him the admiration and respect of the community. They offered him prayers for continued success and guidance in helping the municipality in need. Obama is right.....we Africans would rather die in the perilous waters of Lampedusa in search of a better life in Italy than cruise in the Titan just to catch a glimpse of the Titanic. Would you pay Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand dollars ($250, 000, 00) to travel 13,000 feet underwater just to catch a glimpse of the wreckage of an old, decrepit ship which sank over a century ago, drowning over 1500 passengers? Even if the angels of God indemnified me against every conceivable danger, l would still not embark on such a suicide mission for anything. The thought of such a grandiose frivolity gives me butterflies in my stomach. Not even a trip to Mars or to the Moon would allure me to undertake such a pompous tour. We Africans have a frugal mentality that keeps us out of unnecessary trouble and this kind of inordinate recklessness and malevolence is one of them. I am not surprised no African was part of this doomed trip. For which pure African from Afiadenyigba or Azizaglo Kofe would venture into the belly of the sea in search of the skeletal remains of a ship that killed its tenants a century ago in a coffin boat? Why would anyone arouse the spirit of the dead in their uneasy sleep in such a dangerous place? Sounds to me like taunting the dead and profiting from their misadventure. Let's call spade a spade; the poorer you are, the richer and wiser your behavior, but the richer you are, the surer and poorer is your inclination toward frivolity. Those unfortunate people who lost their lives in the Titan....if they were poor, would they venture into deep sea tourism in the abyss of the Atlantic Ocean? They would rather have a date with Daavi Afiwa's chop bar incorporated than turn themselves into human fishes competing with sharks for space in the bottomless ocean. Obama is right.....we Africans would rather die in the perilous waters of Lampedusa in search of a better life in Italy than cruise in the Titan just to catch a glimpse of the Titanic. Where there is food and a little money to remit relatives back home, we Africans would commit to undertake dangerous expeditions of any kind. But we will not roam the bottom of the sea just to disturb the spirits of the dead or catch a glimpse of a decrepit ship! I don't get it. What is the attraction for a voyage to an accident site that occurred long before we were born, which contributes nothing to human knowledge except to profit the organizers whose only inclination is to make more money out of pure fantasy? It was Titanic at first, and now it is the Titan! Titanus would be next! It is only a matter of time. Former President John Dramani Mahama has promised to appoint James Gyakye Quayson as a minister if he is elected president again. Mahama gave the assurance when he spoke to Assin North constituents over the weekend ahead of the by-election. He said the NDC candidate in the by-election Mr Gyakye Quayson has done several development projects in Assin North and will do more when appointed a minister. He [Gyake Quayson] is humble, God-fearing, and respects everyone. If God helps me to be president, nothing will stop me from appointing him as a minister. Even as an opposition MP, look at what he has been able to do in terms of development from his own pockets. Just imagine what he would do if he becomes a minister, Mahama added. The Electoral Commission scheduled a by-election in Assin North on Tuesday, June 27. This follows the nullification of the 2020 parliamentary election in the area, which was won by Mr. Quayson. 26.06.2023 LISTEN President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged constituents of Assin North to consider the potential consequences of voting for a candidate who may face imprisonment in the future. Speaking before a large gathering in Assin North, President Akufo-Addo expressed concerns about candidates with ongoing legal issues or questionable backgrounds that can affect their credibility and commitment to work. Referring to James Gyakye-Quayson, the former Member of Parliament for Assin North, who has been grappling with legal challenges, the President stated, "We should not support or vote for individuals entangled in legal controversies that may eventually lead to imprisonment. We need someone who can genuinely assist you and will work in your best interest." President Akufo-Addo debunked claims of interference in the court proceedings involving Mr Gyakye-Quayson, stating that the laws of Ghana had taken their natural course. He emphasised the essential role of integrity for individuals seeking political office. He encouraged voters to thoroughly assess candidates' backgrounds, qualifications and reputations before deciding in the upcoming by-election. In support of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate in the upcoming Assin North by-election, scheduled for June 27 the President urged the electorates to vote for the party's candidate Charles Opoku who is number one on the ballot. 26.06.2023 LISTEN Bullion van robberies occurring in broad daylight in Ghana, particularly in the capital city of Accra, have become a distressing and recurring issue. These incidents pose significant dangers to public safety and the overall economy of the country. Despite the presence of stringent surveillance systems, substantial amounts of money are stolen, and police escorts are shot and killed. In my view, the occurrence of these robberies suggests that criminals exploit security vulnerabilities and errors during the execution of the robberies. This aligns with public sentiment that bullion van drivers and the police may be sharing travel routes with the robbers, enabling the success of their operations. Furthermore, there is a belief among some Ghanaians that insiders from banks assist criminals in stealing money that rightfully belongs to the state, the banks themselves, and business individuals. This not only tarnishes Ghana's reputation in the financial sector but also undermines investor confidence. Additionally, these robberies often result in injuries and the loss of innocent lives, particularly among police escorts. To enhance the security of bullion vans, the police force should adopt advanced technologies such as improved surveillance systems and GPS tracking. Addressing corruption within their own ranks is also crucial for improving their image and regaining the trust and confidence of the public. The police force should utilize the available information to closely monitor police escorts, bullion van drivers, and bank employees during their travels. When culprits are apprehended, they must be diligently pursued, punished, and incarcerated. Moreover, banks should procure appropriate bullion vans for their operations, or else the police should decline to provide escorts. Implementing comprehensive training programs for security personnel will equip them with the skills to recognize threats and respond effectively to emergencies. When the public is educated about armed robbery cases, it will significantly empower indigenes to report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. Neighborhood watch programs in communities and forging partnerships with law enforcement agencies should be established, in collaboration with traditional leaders, to further boost security. In conclusion, by implementing the aforementioned measures, we can effectively eradicate or minimize bullion van crimes, create a safer environment in Ghana, and maintain economic stability. By EMMANUEL KWAME APPIAH TEACHER AWULAE AGYEFI KWAME JHS NSEIN-AXIM. Former Attorney General and former Minister for Railway Development, Joe Ghartey has filed his nomination forms to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer contest. He arrived at the Asylum Down headquarters of NPP in the company of good wishers including his wife and seasoned lawyer, Efua Ghartey who has also been a member of the Party since 1992 and was part of the team led by Nana Akufo Addo. Thousands of enthusiastic party supporters besieged the NPP headquarters to lend their support to Hon. Ghartey, a former Attorney-General, and Minister of Justice. Amid singing, dancing, and drumming, the NPP members and supporters from all walks of life showed their unflinching support for Hon. Ghartey, the 'People's President.' Speaking at the NPP Headquarters on Saturday 24th June in Accra, he outlined his vision for the country and the party while vowing to transform Ghana with decent policies. Hon Joe Ghartey, the long-standing Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan constituency in the Western Region is of the view that his quest of becoming president of Ghana will also impact the lives of his fellow citizens but he will first have to survive the vetting and special voting. He said, his desire to become President of Ghana is to be a blessing to all Ghanaians. "We shall take this country to the next level. Everything that my hands touch by God's grace shall be blessed. We were the last to file and I remembered the popular saying 'The first shall be last, and the last shall be the first. "In fact, everything that I have seen, everything that happened when I traveled for the past five days, everything that had happened to me since I joined this party in 1992 and served the party has convinced me beyond reasonable doubt that I have prepared for this time. A time such as this when we need a man such as me to lead the party. Our campaign is called 'walking-talking'; we have reached a stage in our country, that is a time campaign mpe dede. 900 delegates are going to vote and we have to visit those 900 people, he explained. Addressing a huge crowd of party supporters, the former Attorney General expresses his loyalty to the party during his time in office. "Less than 1% of 200,000 delegates are going to vote so whether I'm first or second, whether I'm third or fourth or fifth in this special delegates congress, I have an announcement to make on November 4th, about 4 hours from now the NPP should declare me the flagbearer of the party," he stated. Joe Ghartey commended those present for their support and asked for God's blessings for them. For the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the vice president, Mahamudu Bawumia, all Ghanaian politicians, and Ghanaians to fully understand the motivation behind my tireless efforts to stop the collapse of businesses and domestic and foreign investments in the country, I am inviting them to pay special attention to this article. About the situation at the ports and its long-term effects which will affect the country, I published at least six articles, but nothing useful came of them. Everyone will understand the harm Akufo Addo has done to our beloved Ghana after reading this post. The global supply chain's problems made 2021 another challenging year, but the Antwerp Port performed admirably, matching the record year of 2019. Despite not growing cocoa, Belgium is one of the richest nations in the world due to its chocolate manufacturing industry. With billions of euros in revenue, the overall cargo throughput in 2021 was 240 million tons, an increase of 3.8% from 2020 and hardly an increase from 2019. This demonstrates that ports are the cornerstone of any prosperous country, making it acceptable to criticize Akufo Addo for asking the IMF for $600 million. I am aware of the dire circumstances at the Tema harbor, how pervasive corruption is, and how efforts to close the corruption gap have resulted in a rise in taxes on items like cars and everyday food. It doesn't matter to me any longer to do any investigations at the Tema port, so I went to the Takoradi port instead, and what I am about to reveal about the port will shock Ghanaians, as I also mentioned in one of my articles titled "The Lamentation Of Kennedy Agyapong Confirms Akufo Addo Is Behind Corruption At Ports," written on December 26, 2021. The ship Grande Angola anchored at the Takoradi port between June 3rd and 4th to deliver the three cars seen in the picture. This shows that human mistake, extensive corruption, and ineptitude are to blame for Ghana's current political and economic crises, which are unrelated to COVID or the Russia-Ukraine war. What do COVID and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have to do with persistent, pervasive corruption that raises the cost of goods and deters both domestic and foreign investment in the nation? For anyone to attribute the tragedy that has befallen Ghana to the war and COVID is the height of illiteracy. Even though Ghana received financial assistance from the World Bank and other international financial organizations to deal with the problem, the NPP administration siphoned off a substantial portion of the COVID budget. They attempt to persuade Ghanaians that the war and COVID are to blame, but they never bring up the money that was stolen. In Ghana, there was a time when the commercial climate was growing and the harbors were thriving. When Akufo Addo was elected president, everything came to an end. When I went to the Takoradi Port to begin my investigation on June 4th, 2023, I never expected to see the sharp decline in business at a port where only a few years prior, hundreds of cars were shipped in, showing how this government has deliberately undermined the fortunes of this nation, just as Ken Agyapong claimed in one of my articles I wrote. 'Grande Angola,' a ship owned by 'Grimaldi Lines,' anchored in the port and can anyone guess what cargo or items the ship transported to the port of Takoradi? Only 3 vehicles. Since the day I was born, I have never heard of or seen a ship that unloaded three vehicles when it berthed at one of Ghana's ports. The readers will recognize the seriousness of this writer, and how I substantiate and back each of my articles, using photographs I shot myself to give my articles authenticity. The delivery of the three automobiles by "Grande Angola" shows how badly the NPP government has damaged the nation while deafening the ears of Ghanaians that they are adamant about ending the eighth cycle. Bryan Acheampong wouldn't declare that the NPP will never hand over power to the NDC if they were truly proud of what they had accomplished. Any intelligent Ghanaian should question the importance of Kyerematen and Bawumia winning the presidency. What will they accomplish as president if Akufo Addo is a failure and his government has been destructive and incompetent? Will they lower fuel prices, upgrade the system's troubled banks, and revive the economy's collapse? I firmly believe that they are incapable of doing it, and more crucially, that if any of them had been capable of doing it better, the national tragedy brought on by this abhorrent regime may have been prevented. Even lowering the price of fuel will just serve to further demonstrate Akufo Addo's incapacity, thus it is best to avoid engaging with these two. I went to the customs' "Vehicle Clearing Depot" after seeing "Grande Angola" deliver three cars because I wanted to confirm how long business operations at the Takoradi port had been disrupted. When I arrived, I noticed that the venue was empty because the importation of vehicles, as well as other commodities, had been halted for a very long time due to the abnormally high customs duties on them, which is one of the reasons prices are so high across the country. Considering how nothing is functioning well, it is difficult to access and evaluate this government. Whether or not one particular event is positive or negative, my presence at the "Vehicles Clearing Depot" actually helped my inquiry because I got to meet the owner of one of the three cars the ship brought over. He showed me a document with the money he spent on his car when I asked him how much he paid for it. I found it hard to understand that someone would pay such a high duty for a car, and the terrible thing is that if the duty is not paid, the cars are sold at auction, where the same NPP politicians purchase them for the lowest possible price. This is a crime rather than wickedness. The person who brought the Toyota Corolla into Ghana made a payment of 43,967.4 GHC or 3992.71 USD. After the car was cleared, the cost rose to 4.3085 USD. This amount alone could purchase a perfect second-hand car in America or Europe. Therefore, if you are president, after reading this article, would you still deny your incompetence, corruption, and negligence and blame COVID and war for the calamity that has struck our country, when a little intelligence applied to tackle issues at the ports would have earned Ghana billions and even avoid going to the International Monetary Fund for assistance? The importer of the Toyota Corolla paid 43,967.4 GHC (about 3992.71 USD) for the car. The price increased to $4.3085 USD once the car had been removed. In America or Europe, this sum alone might buy a flawless used automobile. Tarkoradi ought to be a thriving commercial center now that there are no employments for the young people, it's more like a lifeless valley. Everyone I spoke to said, "Master, mi pede mitukwan - Master, I want to travel," right away. I want to firmly assure Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo that I do not despise him and am only doing my best to help him rely on the better governments that he has seen in other nations. Unfortunately, he has relied on dishonest law enforcement, the media, attorneys, clergy, and political criminals, to tarnish his reputation as an illegal gold miner and dealer. That cannot ever be taken away from Ghanas political history. Your worst enemy is Paul Adom-Otchere. Working groups for the Partnership for Municipal Innovation-Women in Leadership (PMI-WILL) project from 3 local government authorities in the country namely Tema Metropolitan, Atebubu-Amantin and Kwahu West municipalities have attended a two day training workshop on gender, public participation and feedback mechanisms at Koforidua in the Eastern region. The 5-year project which also runs in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Benin and Zambia is being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in partnership with the National Association of Local Government Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) with funding from Global Affairs Canada. Two other local authorities namely Nandom municipal in the Upper West region and Saboba district in the Northern region complete a list of five beneficiaries of the project which aims at enhancing the rights of women and girls especially those from marginalized groups. Welcoming participants, the National Project Coordinator Mr. Sheriff Amarh said women fall behind their male counterparts when it comes to leadership. He added that of about 9000 assembly members countrywide less than 10% are women. He said this is what the project seeks to correct by increasing the participation of women as leaders and decision-makers in local governance and the capacity of local authorities to deliver inclusive gender-responsive services for the benefit of women, girls, children and other marginalized groups. Mr. Amarh indicated that to this end the project is building the capacity of Coordinating Directors, and gender desk officers at the assemblies as well as collaborating with civil society groups to ensure that the project objectives are achieved. The working groups tasked with the development and implementation of action plans towards the attainment of project goals comprise Chief Executives, Coordinating Directors, Presiding Members, Planning Officers, female assembly members and gender desk officers. Others are Social Welfare and Community Development Officers, civil society groups, people with disability, community members and Information Officers. A group of facilitators from Radix Consult led by Mrs Gertrude Owusu took participants through a number of gender concepts and definitions including intersectionality, gender based analysis and gender mainstreaming. They were also schooled on frameworks for engaging communities and the development of engagement plans, engaging women and marginalized groups in the planning process, tools to promote marginalized voices in service delivery consultation and feedback as well as data considerations in using feedback mechanisms. A team from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities led by Deb Doherty, Councilor of the City of Collingwood in Canada shared some very insightful thoughts with participants drawing a number of examples from the Collingwood experience. Some participants indicated their happiness with the lessons learnt and expressed their readiness to be more gender responsive in the planning of their activities. Mr Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has appealed to government and owners of media houses to pay journalists deserving salaries to work professionally. He urged media houses to lobby for the provision of tools and equipment necessary to ease the work of journalists. He further solicited incentives for journalists in the regions, indicating that such would be a motivation for journalists to carry out their duties. Mr Abdul-Majeed made the appeal at a socialisation and dinner ceremony organised by the Northern Regional branch of GJA for journalists and media practitioners, representatives of NGOs, corporate bodies and state institutions in the Northern Region in Tamale. He bemoaned the frequent attacks on journalists in the region and all over the country, saying Journalists are not dogs. We are not goats, sheep that can be kicked, slapped and beaten at any given moment. He pledged the support of the Northern Regional GJA Executive to defend journalists in the region and said, Whoever attempts to attack or attacks any journalist in the region will be made to face the full rigours of the law. GNA 26.06.2023 LISTEN The Deputy National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress NDC, Malik Basintale has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of scheming to get the Assin North parliamentary candidate, Gyakye Quayson out of parliament in order to push through its agenda. In a discussion on TV3's 'New Day' morning show on Monday, June, 26, 2023, Mr Basintale claimed that the NPP wants to secure a clear majority in parliament to vote down the anti-LGBTQ bill. He said, Theyre attempting to expunge this man (Gyakye Quayson) from parliament so they could have a clear majority. I have heard that they have said on repeated basis that tomorrow, theyll be victorious (during the Asin North by-election) and if theyre victorious next week, theyll lay the anti-gay bill and itll be scrapped, he told Roland Walker, the host. Expressing his frustration, Mr Basintale indicated that the NPP's lack of support for the anti-LGBTQ bill cannot be seen from their actions towards the laying of the bill for discussion. But for once, an anti-gay bill has been pending at the committee and all because theyre not certain of the numbers of the floor in parliament, they have refused to lay it. If you know that you do not support LGBTQ, lay it out and let us see what will happen on the floor of parliament, he said. The Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC also raised concerns about the delay in the private members' bill on LGBTQ, which has been abandoned at the committee level for several months. He said, There has been a private members bill that has been left at the committee level for months today. The NPP has the majority in parliament. They have the majority leader. They control the business of the house. Mr Basintale criticised NPPs swift actions in passing other bills concerning taxes and e-levy, while deliberately stalling the anti-gay bill. Why is it that when it had to do with the three new taxes, they rushed into parliament and it was passed? Why is it that when it had to do with e-levy, they rushed into parliament and it was passed? he asked. 26.06.2023 LISTEN There is a growing body of research in behavioral economics, institutional economics, and development economics about the relationship between morality and economic growth. This research acknowledges the relevance of moral considerations in economic analysis. Scholars and economists recognize the importance of incorporating these principles into economic models and policy frameworks. By integrating moral underpinnings into economic analysis, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of economic phenomena. We can also design policies that promote sustainable and equitable development. In the article "Does Culture Affect Economic Outcomes?" by Guiso, Sapienza, and Zingales (2006), the authors examine the relationship between culture and economic outcomes. One of the aspects they explore is trust's impact on economic outcomes. The article suggests that trust is a significant cultural factor that affects economic outcomes. Higher levels of trust contribute to economic growth, efficiency, and cooperation, while low levels hinder economic development. Understanding the role of trust and its relationship to culture is crucial for policymakers and researchers seeking to promote economic prosperity. In a country-by-country trust vs. GDP per capita global survey, most countries with less than $10,000 per capita have less than a 10% trust level. In a global value survey, respondents were asked, "Would you say that most people can be trusted?" About 8.5% of Ghanaians said they could trust one another in 2009, but this abysmal level of trust dropped to 5.0% in 2014 when the same question was posed: a drop of 3.5% and a relative change of 41%. Folks, this is how trust in our dear country is trending. Suppose you ask any average economist to list factors that determine economic growth and development. In that case, she will list economic factors such as investment, productivity, trade, government policies, and social and human capital such as education and healthcare. She will also mention infrastructure, institutions, natural resources, and environmental sustainability. However, I want to posit that the availability of these factors will not bring about economic growth and development in an immoral society. A country like Ghana, endowed with all these factors, has gone from bad to worse because of Ghanaians' immoral behavior and attitudes. The country will continue to wallow in economic misery despite all its resources unless its people undergo ontological change. An immoral society cannot develop economically due to the intricate relationship between morality and economic development. Trust, honesty, transparency, truth, information availability, and justice are foundational principles that foster economic growth. Without these moral underpinnings, economic transactions become more costly, investments decline, innovation stagnates, and social cohesion deteriorates. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize that sustainable economic development requires a robust moral framework. This is done by emphasizing integrity, transparency, justice, and the pursuit of the common good. Trust is indeed crucial in economic transactions. Trust allows individuals and businesses to trade, invest, and contract confidently. In an immoral society where trust is eroded, people may be less willing to engage in economic activities, leading to reduced economic growth. Low trust levels can affect economic development. Trust is essential for cooperation, business transactions, and investments. In a low-trust environment, people may be more hesitant to engage in economic activities, leading to reduced investment, slowed business growth, and limited entrepreneurial activity. This can hinder innovation and market efficiency and dampen overall economic performance. Moreover, low trust can also affect governance and institutions. When trust in public institutions, such as the government or judiciary, is low, it may lead to inefficiency, corruption, and an unstable business environment, further impeding economic development. Ethical discipline is essential for building and maintaining trust in the economic system. Trust is the foundation of economic transactions, fostering cooperation between individuals and businesses. Ethical behavior, such as honesty, integrity, and transparency, creates confidence in financial markets, encourages investment, and reduces transaction costs. Without trust, economic activity is hindered, as individuals are reluctant to transact, and financial intermediaries become risk-averse. Honesty is desirable in economic interactions as it fosters fair and accurate exchanges. Dishonesty, such as fraud or corruption, can undermine economic progress by distorting market mechanisms and creating inefficiencies. In an immoral society, dishonest practices may be more prevalent, leading to a less conducive environment for economic development. Transparency in economic systems promotes accountability, reduces corruption, and enhances efficiency. Immoral societies that lack transparency may suffer from accountability problems, which impede economic progress. Pursuing truth is essential for economic progress, as accurate information is crucial for decision-making. In an immoral society, where deception or misinformation is prevalent, economic actors may face challenges in making informed choices, leading to suboptimal outcomes. A just society provides a level playing field, protects property rights, and ensures fair resource distribution. In an immoral society where injustice prevails, economic development can be hindered. Injustice can lead to social unrest, political instability, and lack of investment. Corruption can certainly undermine institutions and hinder economic development. When institutions are weak or susceptible to corruption, it becomes difficult to enforce laws and regulations, ensure transparency, and maintain accountability. This can create an environment where individuals and businesses are less likely to trust the system and engage in economic activities. In an immoral society where corruption is widespread, several negative consequences can occur: Corruption diverts resources away from productive sectors and into the hands of corrupt officials. This misallocation of resources can hinder economic growth and reduce overall efficiency. Investors are often reluctant to invest in countries with high corruption levels due to the increased risk of financial loss and unfair competition. This lack of investment can stifle economic development and impede jobs and opportunities. Corruption also leads to the misappropriation of public funds meant for essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. This can result in a decline in public service quality and accessibility, further hindering economic progress. Corruption erodes citizens' trust in institutions and undermines society's social fabric. When people perceive that corruption is pervasive and remains unpunished, it can lead to a breakdown of social cohesion and a lack of confidence in the economic system. Institutions are not corrupt. The presence of corruption in institutions is a symptom of deeper societal issues. Addressing corruption requires a comprehensive approach that involves legal reforms, transparency initiatives, and strong anti-corruption measures. It also necessitates addressing the underlying social, cultural, and political factors contributing to corrupt practices. Fostering a moral and ethical foundation alongside economic factors is essential for harnessing economic growth and development. By cultivating trust, promoting fairness, ensuring sustainability, strengthening governance, prioritizing human development, and encouraging ethical business practices, societies can create an environment that maximizes economic benefits while promoting the collective well-being of all its members. In conclusion, while traditional economic analysis often overlooks moral issues, moral issues are increasingly recognized as fostering economic growth and development. Trust, honesty, transparency, justice, information availability, and the pursuit of the common good are foundational principles that contribute to economic systems' efficiency, stability, and sustainability. Economists and policymakers need to embrace these moral underpinnings and integrate them into economic analysis. Mr. Stephen Osei-kissi, Head of the Greater Accra Regional Secretariat of the National Labour Commission (NLC) has advocated for Ghanaian workers to be paid a living wage during the UKGCCs latest webinar on Navigating Ghanas Labour Laws and Regulations. According to Mr. Osei-Kissi, the living wage considers factors such as food, water, housing, transportation, healthcare, electricity, clothing and makes provision for unexpected events. He further remarked that the current minimum wage of GHS14.88 which is based on a days work, as negotiated by the government, is inadequate when compared with the elements of the living wage. We can be satisfied that the current minimum wage of GHS14.88 is woefully inadequate because it does not have room for the elements in the living wage. It also does not take cognisance of a persons marital status, the number of children they have, their position, transportation, housing and issues like that so between the living wage and minimum wage, I will be an advocate for a living wage. Theophilus Tawiah, Managing Partner at WTS Nobisfields, lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, and moderator of the webinar, concurred with Mr. Osei-Kissi, adding that the current daily wage undermines the economic growth of such recipients. Asked whether there will ever be a time when Ghana offers an hourly wage, Mr. Osei-Kissi was hopeful, based on the number of calls supporting such a policy. He, however, asserted that he does not see it happening soon because those making the calls lack the support of society and government. I know theres been a number of calls to have our minimum wage not to reflect a day but to be reflective of an hourly basis so that if every worker is having a minimum wage as we have now, GHS14.88 for every hour of work, automatically it would mean that on the average, every worker in Ghana, irrespective of your qualification, the minimum salary that any worker should be carrying home, should be within the region of GHS2,000 and above. Ghanas Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) Speaking to a wide range of issues relating to Ghanas labour laws and regulations, Mr. Osei-Kissi remarked that the Labour Act, 2003 came into force to properly consolidate the various laws governing labour. According to him, this Act aligns with the International Labour Organisations (ILO) conventions and is gender sensitive. He further explained that the Act applies to all workers and employers except the Armed Forces, Police Service, Prison Service and all other security agencies under the Security and Intelligence Act, 2020 (Act 1030). Mr. Osei-kissi further remarked that the Labour Act, 2003 is a user-friendly legislation and provides a more responsive and flexible legal regime that will allow a proactive treatment and resolution of labour issues and disputes. Employment Relationship Addressing the issue of employment contracts, Mr. Stephen Osei-Kissi advised employers to document the recruitment process. He said, once you know that whatever employment relationship you are seeking to build will run beyond 12 months, secure it with an appointment letter. It is to serve your interest as an employer and to serve the interest of the person you are bringing in as an employee so that if there are issues, we know what to do and what not to do. Employee Leave Mr. Osei-Kissi also discussed issues pertaining to employee leave. According to him, the Labour law has made provision for employees to be entitled a minimum of 15 working days as leave within a given year, 12 weeks maternity leave, and in the case of twins 14 weeks for expectant mothers. He, however, stated that in labour administration, it is only a certified Medical Officer that can tell how long a person should stay away from work because of an illness. Mr. Osei-Kissi, therefore, urged all employers to develop policies that regulate issues on sick leave because it is one of the grounds to terminate an employment contract under Section 15 of the Labour Act. Termination of Appointment Mr. Osei-Kissi revealed that 6 out of 10 labour issues received by the Commission are on unfair termination. According to him, the Commissions ruling in any labour dispute is based on the provision in the Act that seeks to protect employment, exert discipline and provide direction on how it should be done. These instances will then determine whether a persons termination will be deemed fair or unfair. So, depending on where you find yourself or the instance, we will look at those provisions under the labour law and we will treat the situation because Section 15 requires that there should be grounds for termination and Section 17 calls for notice of termination. Then when you move from 15 and 17, it will come to Sections 62, 63, 64, which have provisions for what will constitute a fair or unfair termination and the avenue to resolve either through a re-instatement, re-engagement or whether you are asked to pay a compensation for the unfair act that has been meted out to the other party. According to Mr. Osei-Kissi, it is problematic when the employment contract is silent on the grounds for termination. He remarked that at all material times, if an employer is not able to provide a ground or some fair reason as to why the employment relationship must come to an end, then there are certain questions to answer because Section 62 states that termination must be based on proven incompetence of a worker, proven misconduct, redundancy or legal restriction imposed on an employee prohibiting the worker from performing their work. He also noted that since the Labour Commission deals largely with issues of termination, all stakeholders must carefully investigate these issues and get a fair balance for everyone involved. Mr. Kissi-Osei recommended that employers have disciplinary committees to investigate issues of misconduct to ensure a definite direction in breach of rules at the workplace. He urged that such processes be done in writing for clarity if such disputes go before the Commission. He again urged employers to develop HR manuals and workplace policies to protect all parties in the labour relationship because contracts of employment are not able to cater for all issues of misconduct and the processes to address them. Mr. Ossei-Kissi also discussed a wide range of topics under the labour Act, providing insight into matters on redundancy, the employment of foreign nationals, payment of bonuses, and others. The webinar was was the second in the UKGCC and WTS Nobisfields 2023 webinar series on Mandatory Regulatory Compliance for Businesses in Ghana. About the UKGCC The UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) was established in 2016 to promote bilateral trade between the UK and Ghana. It is the leading private sector UK business support organisation in Ghana. The UKGCC provides exceptional support for its members through the sharing of knowledge and ideas, creating platforms for building stronger networks and providing linkages with Government and its agencies. One of its key foci is to see Ghana become a significant economic partner for the UK as an export market, import source, investment destination and vice versa. It exists to further the business interests of its members across both countries and create more business opportunities. The Chamber is backed by the British and Ghana Governments through the UK-Ghana Business Council and the British Chambers of Commerce in the UK, and is Africa Scotland Business Network Strategic Partner. Accra, 26 June 2023: The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Al-Mahaliya Inc. of Mauritania recently signed a EUR 19.6 million financing agreement for the development of a 100-metric tonnes per day dairy processing and bottling plant in Nouakchott. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2023), is expected to boost the local dairy sector and associated value chains in Mauritania and to help standardize the industry. According to the agreement, the development of the dairy processing and bottling plant, which fits within Afreximbanks industrialization and export development strategy, will facilitate and provide financing for the manufacturing sector through agro-processing and light manufacturing. In addition, Afreximbank entered a working relationship with Digiloop, a limited liability company focused on enhancement and monitoring of external and internally generated revenues, for collaboration in revenue origination, enhancement and monitoring services as well as bankability reviews for African countries on behalf of the Bank. The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed by Ms. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank, and Sabelo Sivuyile Maqungo, Managing Director, Digiloop, provides for Digiloop to track the facilitation of capital raise and enhancement of security loans on the back of existing or new streams of revenue for the Bank. The Bank also signed two other MOUs, with Banque De Developpement Des Etats De L'afrique Centrale(BDEAC) and New Hayven Merchant Bank of Guyana, aimed at catalyzing trade, commerce and investment for the growth of the economies in the African and Caribbean regions. The MOU with BDEAC provides a broad framework for cooperation and collaboration between Afreximbank and BDEAC in harmonizing efforts for the promotion of trade and economic development regarding such areas as equity participation, facilitation of the identification, preparation and co-financing of projects, capacity building and consultation and sharing of information. The MOU with New Hayven Merchant Bank of Guyana provides for the Guyanese private sector and the government to identify business opportunities and projects that would be profitable for investors and that would contribute to Guyanas growth and development. Such opportunities will focus on economically sound businesses and projects that would create manufacturing, agriculture, technology transfer and service jobs for Guyana. Mr. Eric Bentsil Quaye, Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) has said Ghana needs to prepare responses to a new potential pest invasion of cassava. According to experts, the cassava brown streak virus disease is currently prevalent in East and Central Africa and is spreading westward. Any disease threat to cassava or any other crop poses a grave threat to food security and economic livelihood. Mr. Quaye was speaking during a day's meeting of stakeholders in Koforidua to discuss the simulation of the management of a new plant disease outbreak, that is cassava brown streak virus, in Ghana. Through the Crops Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the PPRSD of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Central and West Africa Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) project mapped out a rapid reporting mechanism for preventing the spread of new plant diseases. The simulation exercise drew to the Eastern region participants from the Agriculture Department, various universities, chiefs and research scientists from across the country. Dr. Allen Oppong, the Country Director of the WAVE project, indicated that the project was initiated in 2015 with the objectives of enhancing root and tuber production through the management of viral disease threats, ensuring food security, and improving farmers living conditions. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Kingdoms Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, CORAF, and the European Union provided funding for the WAVE initiative. Dr. Oppong emphasised the significance of cassava as an industrial raw material, a source of high-quality starch for the brewing and pharmaceutical industries, and a staple food for the vast majority of the Central and West African population. As a result, he noted that the emerging threat of the disease could impede cassava productivity in East and Central Africa, which would become a major concern for food security in the remaining subregions. Therefore, the meeting deliberated the framework for establishing a road map for enhancing the countrys capacity to prevent, forecast, detect, and respond quickly to plant viral diseases. It is expected that this will lead to a second meeting to review the actual simulation exercise to be carried out after this exercise to update the national plant disease incidence response plan document developed in 2019 and first, reviewed in 2021, he said. Professor Moses B. Mochiach, Director of the CSIR-CRI, stated that disease monitoring and surveillance were a shared responsibility, despite the fact that a national mandate was given to a specialised authority to lead this effort. At this point, I am referring to PPRSD. However, those of us in research, academia, and non-governmental organisations all have a role to play if we are not to be taken unawares by events, he added. GNA 26.06.2023 LISTEN The Gomoa Eshiem District Pastor of the Church of Pentecost in the Winneba Area of the Central Region, Pastor Prince Duvorn Daniels-Hortsoe has embarked on a crusade to ensure the upgrading of the Gomoa Eshiem CHPS Compound to a health center status for efficient healthcare delivery in the area. According to the Man of God, the present state of the health facility was nothing to write home about. He said it lacks common equipment needed to operate effectively. As a result, Pastor Prince Duvorn with the assistance of a planning committee is organizing series of fundraising events to solicit funds and equipment needed for the facility and its possible upgrading to a health center status. At a maiden event held at Gomoa Eshiem I the Gomoa West District last Saturday, Pastor Prince Duvorn Daniels-Hortsoe noted with concern the lack of the needed medical equipment for the smooth operation of the medical staff. He noted that the Gomoa Eshiem CHPS Zone Compound has been the primary healthcare facility that serves Gomoa Eshiem, Mozano and its surrounding communities in addition to two Senior High Schools with a students population of over 2,000, while the beneficiary communities developed with appreciable growth. " There were plans to facelift this facility to a higher status hence the previous Government led by former President John Dramani Mahama constructed a new facility for the community. "The current government led by President Akufo Addo commissioned the facility to begin its health care delivery in the surrounding communities. However, the CHPS compound lacks so many equipment that could help facilitate smooth and efficient healthcare services. "Our CHPS compound has a laboratory, beds for both Male and female wards as well as the Maternity ward and a Generator plant to supplement the electricity supply whenever the lights go off. "Unfortunately, there are only four beds in the Male Ward, 2 beds in the Female Ward and only one bed at the Maternity Ward thus stressing both the patients and health workers. "As a result of the inadequacy of equipment in the facility, most patients on many occasions have to be referred to other Health Facilities in Gomoa Odina-Oguaa, Dawurampong, Apam or Agona Swedru thus putting the lives of patients at risk due to the deplorable nature of roads in this area," he intimated. The District Pastor lamented over situations where some referred pregnant women in labour with minimum complications had to be transported to Agona Swedru and on many occasions, he has to personally drive these women in labour at top speed at midnight just to save precious lives. "This situation however is not because the current staff lack the competency for efficient work, but rather our facility lack the needed equipment and more health personnel. "It is against this background that Nananom, leaders of the various religious groups and the beneficiary communities are holding this important fundraising event to solicit funds to augment efforts by the Government to raise the current state of the CHPS Zone compound to a health center. "I would like to appeal to corporate bodies and benevolent individuals especially the Administrators of the Church of Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC) at Minimum City near Kasoa to come over to Mercedonia and help us. "As it stands, we need an estimated amount of Ghc100,000 to see our dreams come through, and we know and believe that with God, all things are possible," Pastor Prince Duvorn Daniels-Hortsoe noted. The District Pastor on behalf of the Fund Raising Planning Committee expresses his appreciation to the Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah, Nananom, religious leaders and the Gomoa West District Assembly for their unflinching support towards the crusade to upgrade the Gomoa Eshiem Health facility to health center status. The Midwifery In-charge of the Gomoa Eshiem CHPS compound, Madam Bernice Amoah disclosed that major cases recorded on daily basis at the facility was malaria noting the facility serves in an area dominated by farmers. She advised the people to adhere to the use of mosquito nets to prevent malaria and its related diseases. Chief Superintendent Anthony Arthur of the Ghana Police Service at the Police Headquarters who chaired the occasion pledged his full support towards the realization of the project to upgrade the CHPS Compound. The National Peace Council (NPC), in an attempt to promote peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue among political youth party leaders in Tamale and its environs, has collaborated with the Tamale Archdiocesan Development Office (TADO) in organizing a two-day non-violence workshop. The workshop, aimed at fostering a culture of non-violence and conflict resolution, was held on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the Radach Lodge and Conference Center and provided a platform for 50 political youth leaders to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and develop skills to address conflicts peacefully and constructively. With Ghana's upcoming elections in 2024, the workshop assumed significant importance in promoting a peaceful electoral process and ensuring the active participation of young leaders in shaping the nation's future. During the two-day workshop, participants were exposed to a range of topics related to non-violence, conflict management, and effective communication. It was under the Strengthening Capacities for Peaceful Coexistence in Tamale Archdiocese (SCOPE) Project and facilitated by the Northern Regional Secretary of the National Peace Council (NPC) and officers from the Tamale Archdiocesan Development Office (TADO). The participants were engaged in thought-provoking discussions, group activities, and role-plays focused on building empathy, understanding diverse perspectives, and finding common ground for peaceful resolutions. The training emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of tolerance, respect, and inclusivity in the political landscape. It also exposed the participants to strategies that would help address conflicts within their respective parties, encourage issue-based discussions, and discourage violence or aggression as a means of achieving political goals. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Friday, June 23, 2023, the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council for the Northern Region, Reverend Father Thaddeus Kuusah, commended the participants for their commitment to promoting non-violence and peaceful politics. He emphasized that the workshop's objective was to equip young leaders with the necessary skills and tools to navigate challenges and disagreements peacefully. Rev. Father Kuusah further urged them to use their influence to foster a climate of peace and unity in the upcoming Local Level Elections so that area would be peaceful before, during, and after the election. "As the nation prepares for the upcoming elections, it is hoped that the principles and practices instilled during the workshop will contribute to a peaceful electoral process and further strengthen Ghana's democratic values," he said. He explain that the National Peace Council was committed to promoting sustainable development and peaceful coexistence in the region. He also underscored the importance of nurturing young leaders who prioritize peaceful dialogue, respect for human rights, and the overall well-being of the community. In an interview, some of the participants expressed gratitude to the National Peace Council and TADO for organizing the workshop and pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to foster a peaceful political environment. "We can't thank the National Peace Council and the Tamale Archdiocesan Development Office enough for this knowledge we received within the two days. We have only Ghana as our motherland, and cannot afford to destabilize it. So to me, the training was very necessary," stated a participant. The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) has organized a sensitization session for the Bolgatanga Midwifery Training College students in the Upper East Region. The sensitization touched on peace-building mechanisms and gender dimensions on violent extremisms: strategies for enhancing social cohesion and early warning as part of sensitization for the tertiary level institutions on preventing and containing violent extremism. The whole of the West Africa sub-region is hit with violent extreme activities. Against this backdrop, the NCCE with funding support from the European Union, carried out research in January this year which indicates that Ghana is not immune from violent extremism. This is due to the fact that all the factors that befall other countries are present here in Ghana, and the State cannot sit unconcern. The Upper East Regional Director of the NCCE, Mawuli Abgenu explained that, preventing and containing violent extremism is been rolled out in eight regions of Ghana, five regions of the north including Bono, Bono East and Oti. The peculiar situation with border communities especially the Upper East Region he said is that "we border Burkina Faso and Togo and both countries are suffering from violent extremism which already has a spillover effect in Ghana with refugees scattered around Bawku and its environs. The Regional Director indicated that it was necessary sensitizations are carried out for the youth and communities in order to create some resilience in societies to identify early warning signs countering violent extremism within the communities. Professor David Millar of Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies of Millar Open University (MITDS/MOU), stated that the youth get more encouraged by the elderly sharing their experience on how they the youth can be a solution to their problems than long speeches. Professor Millar said the causes of violent extremism is often associated with the youth, particularly the girls who are being used extensively to propagate and support their actions. He noted that for Ghana to prepare for any eventuality, the focus should be centred on the youth and deal with the negativities that make them prone to violent extremisms. Against this backdrop, Prof Millar commended NCCE for taking the lead in this regard in its small way despite logistical constraints. "Rather than giving long sermons from books, elders should share experience and examples on how the youth are able to provide solutions to the pending problems," he emphasised. Story filed by: Emmnauel Akayeti The Organized Labour has given government and management of Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited an ultimatum to reinstate three sacked workers or face their wrath. The chairman, secretary, and assistant secretary of the Sunon Asogli local workers Union were reportedly laid off for being elected to lead the company's workers in joining the Ghana Mine Workers Union. The workers say failure to meet their demands by July 10, two weeks from now, will result in a nationwide strike. Speaking at a press conference after a closed-door meeting on Monday, June 26, Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), noted that the strike will involve both public and private sector workers, including commercial vehicle operators under the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). "If our three brothers have not been reinstated by July 10, no worker will go to work that day. That is simple and clear," he said." Workers in both the public and civil service, as well as GPRTU members, will stay home on July 10. No vehicles will move in the country, stressed Dr. Yaw Baah. The declaration comes after the Labour Union gave the government and Asogli a 25-day ultimatum on June 1, which expires today, June 26, to reinstate the workers. Speaking to ModernGhana News on the sidelines, Mr. Kwarko Mensah Gyakari, Chairman of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, said the issue infringes on the rights of Ghanaian workers. He feared that if the government takes no immediate action, other organizations will follow suit, putting workers' security at risk. After meeting with Togbe Afede XIV, owner of the company, for two hours, Mr. Gyakari said management refused to reinstate the workers. Every Ghanaian worker must support this call to prevent future occurrences," he said. 26.06.2023 LISTEN Benjamin Gyewu-Appiah, a member of the New Patriotic Partys Communications Team, has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has resorted to deception and false narratives in an attempt to sway voters. Accusations and counter-accusations have emerged between the NPP and the NDC ahead of Tuesday's June 27 by-election in Assin North. During a discussion on TV3s New Day morning show, Mr Gyewu-Appiah expressed displeasure at the way the NDC is going about allegedly deceiving the people in remote areas. "The NDC has always taken people in remote places as people to be very, very stupid' and they feel like they have no education or whatsoever and so they can go there and lie to them," he stated. The NPP Communications Team member mentioned his recent visit to Assin, where he claimed the NDC was spreading false information among the local people. He alleged that the NDC had been misleading the people of Assin claiming NPP's interest in the seat was solely to get the majority numbers in Parliament to legalize LGBTQ rights. I was on grounds this weekend and youll be shocked to hear that the NDC was telling the good people of Assin that the only reason why the NPP wants the seat is because we want to legalize LGBTQ, he said. They said this in Assin - theyre in Breku, among other towns. They feel like the good people of Assin are very stupid, theyre low-minded people and that they could be deceived, Gyewu-Appiah added. Mr Gyewu-Appiah indicated that the case of Adamu Sakande is not different from James Gyakye Quayson. You and I know very well that the fact of Adamu Sakandes case together with Gyakye Quaysons case is the same - dual citizenship. The law is very clear when it comes to dual citizenship, he told the host Roland Walker. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi in the Volta region has taken a jab at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his controversial comments at the New Patriotic Party's final rally ahead of the Assin North by-election. Speaking during the event, the president reportedly blamed the ousted MP, James Gyakye Quayson, for the constituency's lack of development. He said the embattled MP spent his whole term in court over his dual citizenship case instead of representing his people and lobbying for developmental projects for them. He is urging the people to vote against him since he is entangled in another criminal case that will eventually see him in jail. In reaction, the opposition MP described the President's comment as an excuse of the highest degree. He could not understand why the President would choose to blame an opposition MP for lack of development. "Assin North voted for Nana Addo & an NPP MP in 2016 yet both couldnt develop Assin North by 2020. An NDC MP wins in 2021 & immediately the Court stops him from working. Meanwhile Nana Addo remains President yet he blames the enjoined NDC MP for not developing Assin North. Excuse Promax," read his tweet on Monday, June 26. The constituents are set to fill the vacancy left in parliament over the nullification of Mr. Quayson's election by the Supreme Court, in a by-election on Tuesday, June 27. The seat is being contested fiercely between the ousted MP and the NPP's Charles Opoku. Ghanaian actor and politician, John Setor Dumelo has donated some streetlights to the University of Ghanas main campus, Legon. The streetlights, which were being given to the security personnel, are targeted at the Evandy/Bani hostel stretch of road, which is said to pose threats to students at night. In a tweet on Monday, June 26, the aspiring Ayawaso West Wougon NDC Parliamentary candidate said he will do more. He said: "Last night, I donated floodlights/streetlights to the University of Ghana (Legon) security to be fixed on the Evandy/Bani hostel stretch of road. This will help brighten that road and hopefully reduce attacks by armed thieves on students. I will be donating more street lights in the upcoming weeks to brighten up the entire Legon campus." After losing the 2020 parliamentary elections, John Dumelo is looking forward to clinching the seat for the opposition party in 2024. However, his bid has been challenged by fellow actor and friend Frederick Nuamah, who is also keen on leading the party as its Parliamentary candidate. The primary election has, however, been put on hold pending further directives from the party leadership. As activities for Tuesday's June 27 Assin North by-elections gather momentum, the Zongo President of the Opposition National Democratic Congress, H.E. Alhaji Said Sinare, has advised electorates against voting for the candidate of the NPP Charles Opoku. He said the NPP candidate would help his party continue to drag the country back to the dark ages of taxes as a majority party. The former National Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress has said it would be dangerous for Assin North to vote for an inexperienced parliamentary candidate of the NPP into power who is only coming for the NPP to have its numbers in Parliament to impose more taxes on the already burdened Ghanaians. Alhaji Sinares warning is contained in a statement on his Facebook handle posted on Monday. He also cautioned that the ruling NPP must not be voted to power, indicating that the party was responsible for bringing the country into this sorry and zero-idealistic situation. The outspoken top gun of the opposition NDC said it would be too risky for the people of Assin North to hand over their future to the parliamentary candidate of the ruling NPP, which has plunged the country into an economic massacre. Speaking to the media, the Founder of Zongos for NDC, Alhaji Said Sinare urged the youths within the Assin North Constituency to place competence over the overnight construction of roads undertaken by the NPP. He stressed that the by-election offers the residents a fresh opportunity to negotiate their future and determine the direction in which the country should go. He, therefore, cautioned them against making mistakes by bringing an unprepared, clueless, and inexperienced candidate of the NPP into power who is coming to work for the NPP in Parliament but not them. He endorsed the Parliamentary candidate of the NDC James Gyakye Quayson to be retained. The Atebubu-Amantin municipal office of the National Commission For Civic Education NCCE with support from the European Union has engaged a number of youth groups in the municipality on the prevention and control of violent extremism with the aim of ensuring a peaceful, stable and united country. Welcoming participants to the programme, the municipal director of the Commission Mr Patrick Tampugre said globally violent extremist activities have affected 15 countries including 5 from West Africa namely: Togo, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger and Mali adding that the closeness in terms of proximity of Ghana to its affected neighbours makes it imperative to find ways of preventing or controlling the problem. To this end, he noted that his outfit has carried out a study and has gone further to engage a number of identifiable groups on the issue. Chief Superintendent Caesar Abanga, the Atebubu divisional commander of the Ghana Police Service who spoke on the topic preventing violent extremism in Ghana defined violent extremism as the beliefs and actions of people who support or use violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals. He enumerated a number of causes which include peer pressure, low self-esteem, and the feeling of having been bullied, abused, rejected or neglected by society. Chief Inspector Abanga also mentioned exposure to violence at home, community or media, access to weapons as well as mental health issues. He said violent extremism undermines peace, security, human rights and sustainable development. Citing the examples of Syria and Somalia, the police chief intimated that violent extremism destroys lives and communities leaving in its wake tyranny, fear, division and confusion. He proffered community surveillance, awareness creation at worship centers, detecting early signs of radicalization in individuals and groups as well as the formation of neighborhood watch dog committees as some ways to help deal with the canker. The head pastor of the Atebubu Calvary Baptist Church Reverend Samuel Appiah who spoke on peacebuilding mechanisms and national cohesion urged everyone to make a personal commitment to peace adding that this can only be achieved through adherence to laid down norms, regulations and laws. The municipal electoral officer Mr Kennedy Opoku warned the youth against election-related violence. The youth numbering about 50, after some group work which identified signs of radicalism, the importance of neighborhood watch committees, crime prevention activities and factors engendering national cohesion, pledged to promote peace and fight against violent extremism. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has ordered all bodyguards of Members of Parliament (MPs) and other state officials to hand over their weapons ahead of the Assin North by-election in the Central Region. This directive, issued less than 24 hours before the polls on Tuesday, aims to ensure a safe and peaceful electoral process. The IGPs order came after a high-level meeting between the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, political parties, and the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) on Monday. The meeting discussed security measures for the upcoming by-election, and as a result, the IGP directed the bodyguards of MPs and state officials to submit their weapons to either the nearest police station within the Assin North Constituency or the Police Election Command Centre at Assin Breku. Emphasizing the importance of this directive, the IGP stated that the weapons would only be returned to the bodyguards after the election, and only upon specific instructions to do so. Furthermore, he instructed the bodyguards not to carry their side arms, such as pistols, to polling stations and collation centers. The IGP also warned that punitive action would be taken against anyone who fails to comply with this directive. This measure aims to prevent any potential violence or security threats during the by-election and ensure a smooth and fair electoral process. The Assin North by-election has attracted significant attention due to the disqualification of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, over dual citizenship allegations. This decision by the Cape Coast High Court necessitated the by-election, and various political parties are competing for the vacant seat. The IGPs directive to disarm all bodyguards is a proactive step toward maintaining public safety and fostering a peaceful electoral environment. The police, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission and political parties, are working together to ensure the successful execution of the Assin North by-election. -DGN online BIDI Group, a leading provider of cleaning services for oil marketing companies, has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against harmful pathogens with the introduction of BioBlast Disinfectant and BioBlast HD Cleaner to the Ghanaian market. These innovative products have received certifications for human exposure safety from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States and the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) in Ghana. BioBlast Disinfectant, a groundbreaking solution for killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, uses activated aqueous solution of Hypochlorous acid produced using Electro-chemical Activation (ECA) Technology. This revolutionary disinfectant offers a non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternative for both domestic and commercial use, prioritizing health and safety without compromising effectiveness. Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Benjamin Armstrong, CEO of BIDI Group, expressed his excitement about the new products. He said, "We are proud to introduce BioBlast Disinfectant and BioBlast HD Cleaner to the Ghanaian market. These products represent a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide safe and effective cleaning solutions. We believe that the non-toxic and environmentally friendly nature of BioBlast will revolutionize the field of disinfection in Ghana and beyond." Highlighting the importance of these products in the current global health crisis, Mr. Armstrong added, "In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for effective pathogen elimination has become more evident than ever. Traditional cleaning agents often contain harmful chemicals that pose risks to human health. With BioBlast Disinfectant and BioBlast HD Cleaner, we offer a breakthrough solution that prioritizes health and safety without compromising on effectiveness." BioBlast HD Cleaner, another product introduced by BIDI Group, is produced through Electro-Chemical Activation (ECA) technology, transforming weak salt brine into a powerful cleaning agent. This all-purpose cleaner is non-toxic, chemical-free, and easy to use. It can be sprayed, wiped, dipped, or misted, making it suitable for institutional, industrial, and commercial applications. Previously, BIDI Group faced challenges in cleaning tanks due to regulations prohibiting the use of chemicals in these environments. To overcome this obstacle, the company conducted extensive research and developed the locally manufactured product called BioBlast. This alternative product not only resolved the cleaning challenges but also created job opportunities, employing approximately 200 workers. The manufacturing plant has a production capacity of 6,000 to 20,000 liters of the BioBlast product, allowing for continuous 24-hour production. With the success of BioBlast in Ghana, BIDI Group plans to expand its market to other West African countries, starting with Cote d'Ivoire, where the company already has an office. Additionally, the company is in talks with partners in Nigeria to distribute the product there. What sets BioBlast apart from its competitors is its non-chemical nature, making it safe for humans, animals, and the environment. Unlike cleaners that contain alcohol, benzene, or harmful acids, BioBlast is biodegradable and does not harm the ecosystem. This unique product has positioned BIDI Group as a leader in tank cleaning services, particularly in the downstream petroleum sector, in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. The BioBlast Disinfectant is effective and efficient against a wide range of pathogens. What sets BioBlast Disinfectant apart is that hypochlorous acid is naturally produced by our bodies as part of our immune system's defense mechanism, making it inherently harmless to humans and animals. By converting the solution into a fine mist, BioBlast Disinfectant can be easily dispersed throughout an entire room, saturating surfaces and eliminating pathogens within a short period. Its versatility allows for application in various settings, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, schools, universities, airports, restaurants, and homes. Extensive testing has proven its high efficacy against a wide range of pathogens, including those causing MRSA, HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Norovirus, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and the virus responsible for COVID-19, for which it has received approval from the USA EPA. BioBlast HD Cleaner, on the other hand, uses Electro-Chemical Activation (ECA) technology to transform salt brine into a powerful cleaning agent. It is a versatile degreaser and cleaner, effectively dissolving fat, grease, oil, stains, and protein-based deposits without leaving any residue. Suitable for various surfaces, including tiles, floors, appliances, sinks, countertops, bathrooms, and more, BioBlast HD Cleaner is people, pet, and planet-friendly. The introduction of BioBlast Disinfectant and BioBlast HD Cleaner marks a significant milestone in Ghana's fight against harmful pathogens. With its non-toxic, environmentally friendly properties, these products offer a safer and more effective solution for pathogen elimination. BIDI Group's commitment to developing innovative cleaning solutions has not only revolutionized the industry but has also created employment opportunities and paved the way for further expansion in the West African region. Christians have been urged to declare the glory of God through understanding and meditating on His word. Speaking at the Crystal Grace Chapel International at Sarpeiman in Accra on Sunday, June 25, Associate Overseer of the church, Reverend Patrick Biney, said God has revealed His glory to mankind through His creation and His word. God made all the mind-blowing things around so man can see his glory. But understanding his words is key to declaring His glory, Rev. Biney said. He referenced Psalms 119:11, which says I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Rev. Biney explained that the word of God dwells in Christians and what you have in you is what can make you declare the glory of God. He added: It is not enough to be reciting quotations from the Bible, but making it sinks down and becoming part of your being. Meditating on Gods word is key to declaring His glory, the pastor said. When you cannot meditate it, you can not bring it out. Without the word, you can not even be checked based on your righteousness, he buttressed his point. Rev. Biney referenced Psalm 19:13, which says Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. He explained "The word can keep you back from presumptuous sins (sins committed in the mind).The word of God can make you innocent of great transgressions. Bringing the sermon to an end, Rev. Biney said: "Your pay back will depend on how you paint to the world, how the glory of God really is. The Glory is able to overcome every temptation and it is the perfect nature of God manifested by man. When He is being depicted well, the world will be able to recognize His deliverance might." The Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has urged the public to disregard reports of a proposed imposition of a US$7 tax on passengers for luggage fumigation. In a statement, the company assured the public that the Airport Company would not impose any such charge or tax. GNA A-27-year old unidentified Fulani herdsman suspected to be a member of a robbery gang was run over by a vehicle after a failed robbery attempt on the Ejura-Nkoranza road. This was when passengers on a Sprinter bus with the registration number AS 9159-14 narrowly escaped from the hands of the gang. General Constable Isaac Opoku Boateng was also on board the bus which was travelling from Yeji to Sunyani. A police release forwarded to the Ghana News Agency said on Monday June 26, 2023 at about 0400 hours G/Const Opoku Boateng Isaac of Police Sunyani Station called Ejura Police and reported that he was on board sprinter bus with registration No As 9159-14 driven by Kwame Asamoah as escort with traders returning from Yeji towards Sunyani. On reaching the outskirt of Ahyiaem town of Nkoranza jurisdiction on the Ejura-Nkoranza stretch, met five armed Fulani men who shot into the said vehicle and caused damage to the fan blade. That Police returned fire and the driver knocked down and ran over one of the robbers, killing him instantly. It said Police proceeded to the scene and found an unidentified, mutilated Fulani male adult aged about 27, lying dead in the middle of the road. He was wearing a black jacket over a pink African wear and a black adidas trousers. Photographs were taken at the scene and on the body and the body conveyed and deposited at St. Theresa's Hospital Mortuary, awaiting identification and postmortem. Meanwhile, credible informants have been alerted to keep surveillance in the area and volunteer information for possible arrest of the perpetrators. Further development would be communicated. GNA 26.06.2023 LISTEN Three suspected armed robbers have shot a mobile money agent at Wenchi in the Bono Region and fled with thousands of Ghana cedis and three mobile phones. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) gathered the suspected robbery happened on Friday June 23, 2023, around 2100 hours and the victim, Raymond Kombanga, 32 years, is responding to treatment at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital. When contacted, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boakye Ansah, the Wenchi Divisional Police Commander confirmed, but declined to comment on the incident, and asked the GNA to contact the Bono Regional Police Command. But, efforts made to reach the Police Public Relations Unit in the region were unsuccessful. Speaking in an interview with newsmen at Wenchi, the wife of the victim who could not hold back her tears said, my husband is now battling for his life at the hospital, saying, I was in the house on that fateful day and received a distress call that my husband had been shot by some robbers. The woman, who said she was seven-month pregnant, appealed to the Police to be expeditious in their investigations, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators. GNA The editor of ModernGhana.com, Mr Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri, received an award for his tremendous impact on journalism in Ghana. The senior journalist was honored by the Sky Infinity Group, organizers of the annual Communication Students Awards, at the recently concluded event on Saturday, June 26, in Accra. "I'm excited to receive this award. It means our impact has been recognized. I will keep doing my best to make an even bigger impact," said Mr. Ajafor Abugri, upon accepting the award. Mr. Emmanuel Ajafor Abugri, speaking after taking the award At the event, which celebrates the best of Ghana's communication students, Mr. Ajafor promised to mentor several nominees and awardees who approached him. As envisioned by the organizers of the awards, the senior journalist promised to help communication students gain practical experience from the industry to become better. While presenting the award, the CEO of Sky Infinity Group, Mr. Michael Elorm Zah, noted that "the entire country appreciates and honors Mr. Ajarfor for working harder every day to inform and educate the Ghanaian public." The Communication Students Awards, organized annually by Sky Infinity, recognize and reward the hard work of communication students in Ghana. Prosecution in the trial involving Alhaji Collins Dauda, a former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing and four others are set to call five witnesses to testify in the case. The evidence in chief from witnesses, coupled with cross-examination from the defence was estimated to last for 1,952 hours. Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as an additional High Court judge, made this known following the conclusion of Case Management Conference (CMC) and Case completion plan. The Court has fixed July 10, 2023, to commence the trial. It has selected Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to hear the trial. Other accused persons are, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, also a former Ministers of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, a former Chief Director, Mr Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited (4th Accused) and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, Chief Executive Officer, and owner of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited, (5th Accused) are standing trial over the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project and are facing 70 charges. They have all pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail. They are said to have willfully caused financial loss to the state of over the $200M sum approved for the project. Madam Hilda Craig, the Principal State Attorney informed the Court that the first witness would tender in evidence 113 documents on behalf of the prosecution. Rev. Osei, whose evidence-in-Chief is expected to last for an hour-and-half, would be subjected to cross-examination by defence counsel estimated at over 720 hours. Mr Eric Amankwah Junior, an Officer of the Ministry of Finance, would be the Second Prosecution witness and is expected to tender in evidence 31 documents. The prosecution would need an hour and half. The Defence told the Court that they would need over 50 hours to cross-examination the witnesses. Other prosecution witnesses are Ms. Lucy Tetteh Akuetteh from Bank of Ghana, who is expected to tender in evidence six documents, would be cross examined for an estimated 45 hours. Meanwhile Kofi Ohene Oyirebi, the fourth prosecution witness, is estimated to use an hour and would tender a report. He will also face an estimated 87 hours of Cross-examination from the Defence lawyers. Deputy Superintendent of Police Charles Nyarko, the investigator in the case, will testify for hours and would be subjected to a cross examination for about 170 hours. GNA The Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak wants President Akufo-Addo to be cited for contempt over his declaration that James Gyakye Qauyson is heading to court. Addressing a huge crowd of NPP supporters, the President urged the electorates in Assin North to vote for a candidate who can actually go to parliament to serve and not a candidate who may end up in jail. He was referring to James Gyakye Quayson who is the parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for tomorrows by-election in Assin North. We should not support or vote for individuals who are entangled in legal controversies that may eventually lead them to face imprisonment. We need someone who can come and help you. Someone who will work in your interest. I heard Gyakye Quayson say that even in prison, you people will vote for him, can he work from jail? We vote for people to go to Parliament to work, how can he work from prison? So dont vote for someone who will end up in jail, vote for someone who can work to improve your lives, President Akufo-Addo argued. Shocked by these comments, Dr. Clement Apaak has stressed that it is important for the court to cite President Akufo-Addo for contempt to assure the Ghanaian citizenry that no one is above the law. The court must cite NADAA for contempt for saying Quayson shouldn't be voted for because he cannot work from prison. How does he know the outcome of the case? The court must use this opportunity to assure Ghanaians of its independence and that no one is above the law, the Builsa South MP said in a post on Twitter. Meanwhile, all is set for the Assin North by-election tomorrow. The election is expected to be a close contest between James Gyakye Quayson [for the NDC] and Charles Opoku, representing the NPP. All Season Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IVW Get Rating) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 3,426 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $219,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Veracity Capital LLC lifted its holdings in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Veracity Capital LLC now owns 16,943 shares of the companys stock worth $1,082,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. boosted its position in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 37,027 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,828,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares during the period. Family Firm Inc. boosted its position in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Family Firm Inc. now owns 56,253 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,254,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. CoreCap Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 8,877 shares of the companys stock valued at $519,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the period. Finally, TL Private Wealth boosted its position in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. TL Private Wealth now owns 8,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $541,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the period. Get iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF alerts: iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:IVW traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $68.96. 231,213 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,772,262. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $66.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $32.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.15 and a beta of 1.05. iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $55.30 and a twelve month high of $71.81. iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Company Profile iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P 500 Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Growth Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Davide Campari-Milano (OTCMKTS:DVDCF Get Rating) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the nine research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $11.75. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on DVDCF shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Davide Campari-Milano to 13.00 ($14.13) in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on Davide Campari-Milano to 12.50 ($13.59) in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Davide Campari-Milano to 10.70 ($11.63) in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Get Davide Campari-Milano alerts: Davide Campari-Milano Price Performance OTCMKTS:DVDCF opened at $13.37 on Monday. Davide Campari-Milano has a 1 year low of $8.55 and a 1 year high of $14.03. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.87. About Davide Campari-Milano Davide Campari-Milano N.V., together with its subsidiaries, markets and distributes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It offers a range of spirits categories, including aperitif, vodka, liqueurs, bitters, whisky, tequila, rum, gin, and cognac, as well as champagne and non-alcoholic aperitif under various brands, such as Aperol, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Appleton Estate, Wray & Nephew Overproof, and other brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Davide Campari-Milano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Davide Campari-Milano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tempur Sealy International (NYSE:TPX Get Rating) and AB Electrolux (publ) (OTC:ELRXF Get Rating) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and risk. Profitability This table compares Tempur Sealy International and AB Electrolux (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Tempur Sealy International alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Tempur Sealy International 8.39% -522.46% 9.76% AB Electrolux (publ) N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Tempur Sealy International and AB Electrolux (publ), as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Tempur Sealy International 0 3 6 1 2.80 AB Electrolux (publ) 1 0 0 0 1.00 Institutional & Insider Ownership Tempur Sealy International currently has a consensus price target of $42.67, suggesting a potential upside of 10.68%. AB Electrolux (publ) has a consensus price target of $135.00, suggesting a potential upside of 899.63%. Given AB Electrolux (publ)s higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe AB Electrolux (publ) is more favorable than Tempur Sealy International. 99.5% of Tempur Sealy International shares are held by institutional investors. 5.2% of Tempur Sealy International shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Tempur Sealy International and AB Electrolux (publ)s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Tempur Sealy International $4.92 billion 1.35 $455.70 million $2.31 16.67 AB Electrolux (publ) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Tempur Sealy International has higher revenue and earnings than AB Electrolux (publ). Summary Tempur Sealy International beats AB Electrolux (publ) on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Tempur Sealy International (Get Rating) Tempur Sealy International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes bedding products in the United States and internationally. It provides mattresses, foundations and adjustable foundations, and adjustable bases, as well as other products comprising pillows, mattress covers, sheets, cushions, and various other accessories and comfort products under the Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, and Cocoon by Sealy brand names. The company sells its products through approximately 700 company-owned stores, e-commerce, and call centers; and third party retailers, including third party distribution, hospitality, and healthcare. It also operates a portfolio of retail brands, including Tempur-Pedic retail stores, Sleep Outfitters, Sleep Solutions Outlet, Dreams, and SOVA, as well as licenses Sealy, Tempur, and Stearns & Foster brands; technology; and trademarks to other manufacturers. Tempur Sealy International, Inc. was founded in 1846 and is based in Lexington, Kentucky. About AB Electrolux (publ) (Get Rating) AB Electrolux (publ), together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells household appliances in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers various appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, cookers, dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, room air-conditioners, microwave ovens, floor-care products, vacuum cleaners, water heaters, heat pumps, and other small domestic appliances, as well as consumables and accessories. It also provides hobs, ovens, and hoods; and tumble dryers. The company offers its products under the Electrolux, AEG, and Frigidaire brands through retailers, buying groups, and independent stores. AB Electrolux (publ) was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Receive News & Ratings for Tempur Sealy International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tempur Sealy International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Axfood AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:AXFOF Get Rating) is one of 62 publicly-traded companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Axfood AB (publ) to similar companies based on the strength of its valuation, earnings, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability. Institutional and Insider Ownership 13.8% of Axfood AB (publ) shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Axfood AB (publ) alerts: Valuation & Earnings This table compares Axfood AB (publ) and its peers gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Axfood AB (publ) N/A N/A 1.35 Axfood AB (publ) Competitors $28.59 billion $611.37 million 196.58 Dividends Axfood AB (publ)s peers have higher revenue and earnings than Axfood AB (publ). Axfood AB (publ) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Axfood AB (publ) pays an annual dividend of $15.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 54.3%. Axfood AB (publ) pays out 73.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.5% and pay out 62.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Axfood AB (publ) and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Axfood AB (publ) 1 0 1 0 2.00 Axfood AB (publ) Competitors 1120 2752 3006 114 2.30 As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 105.03%. Given Axfood AB (publ)s peers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Axfood AB (publ) has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Profitability This table compares Axfood AB (publ) and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Axfood AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A Axfood AB (publ) Competitors 2.07% 14.55% 4.73% Summary Axfood AB (publ) peers beat Axfood AB (publ) on 11 of the 13 factors compared. Axfood AB (publ) Company Profile (Get Rating) Axfood AB (publ) engages in the food retail and wholesale businesses in Sweden. It operates through Willys, Hemkop, Dagab, and Snabbgross segments. The company sells groceries through Willys, Hemkop, Eurocash, and Mat.se store chains. It is also involved in the e-commerce business; and provision of private label products. In addition, it offers home delivery of meal kits under the Middagsfrid name, as well as operates Urban Deli, a combination of restaurant and market hall; and Apohem, an online pharmacy. The company serves restaurants, fastfood operators, and cafes; and retailer-owned stores, mini-marts, service stations, and other convenience retailers. Axfood AB (publ) was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Axfood AB (publ) is a subsidiary of Axel Johnson AB. Receive News & Ratings for Axfood AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Axfood AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:CHT Get Rating) announced an annual dividend on Friday, June 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 29th will be paid a dividend of 1.5291 per share by the utilities provider on Friday, August 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 28th. Chunghwa Telecom has a dividend payout ratio of 91.6% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings tumble. Get Chunghwa Telecom alerts: Chunghwa Telecom Stock Down 0.5 % Chunghwa Telecom stock opened at $40.22 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $31.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.46 and a beta of 0.13. Chunghwa Telecom has a 52 week low of $32.90 and a 52 week high of $43.71. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $40.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Chunghwa Telecom ( NYSE:CHT Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.78 billion for the quarter. Chunghwa Telecom had a return on equity of 9.54% and a net margin of 16.92%. Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Chunghwa Telecom from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chunghwa Telecom Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 154.6% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 769 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 848.0% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,877 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 1,679 shares during the period. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 155.3% in the second quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,369 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 1,441 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 50.6% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 2,475 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 832 shares during the period. Finally, Centaurus Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Chunghwa Telecom in the first quarter valued at $182,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.45% of the companys stock. Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile (Get Rating) Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local long distance services comprising of local calls, cloud switchboard, and value-added local calls. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chunghwa Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chunghwa Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clarius Group LLC trimmed its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Get Rating) by 9.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 173,079 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 19,096 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF comprises about 0.6% of Clarius Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $6,992,000 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. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 311.0% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 637 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 482 shares in the last quarter. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 303.2% in the 4th quarter. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. now owns 633 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 476 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Group LLC bought a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA increased its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 110.1% in the 4th quarter. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA now owns 689 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 361 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH bought a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Get Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Trading Up 0.4 % Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF stock traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $40.30. The stock had a trading volume of 3,109,393 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,722,958. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 12 month low of $34.88 and a 12 month high of $43.22. The company has a market capitalization of $71.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $40.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $40.41. 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. See Also 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. Clarius Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Get Rating) by 4.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,501 shares of the aircraft producers stock after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the period. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $1,169,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of BA. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Boeing by 109,667.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,055,730 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $3,058,456,000 after acquiring an additional 16,041,103 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 8,321,871 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,585,234,000 after purchasing an additional 872,795 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boeing in the 1st quarter valued at $135,429,000. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 13,008.8% in the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 686,246 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $130,646,000 after purchasing an additional 681,011 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,200,241 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $5,472,845,000 after purchasing an additional 670,698 shares during the last quarter. 60.22% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Boeing alerts: Insider Activity at Boeing In related news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total transaction of $84,196.32. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,511,109.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Boeing Price Performance Shares of BA traded down $0.60 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $204.81. The company had a trading volume of 1,116,085 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,905,779. The companys 50 day moving average price is $207.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $205.25. The Boeing Company has a 52 week low of $120.99 and a 52 week high of $223.91. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The company had revenue of $17.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.56 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($2.75) earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that The Boeing Company will post -1.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BA shares. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $220.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. 888 restated a maintains rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Northcoast Research lowered shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $180.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on shares of Boeing from $200.00 to $220.00 in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Boeing from $261.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Boeing currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $221.60. Boeing Company Profile (Get Rating) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (NYSE:BVN Get Rating) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Thursday morning. Separately, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. from $9.30 to $8.60 in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Get Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. alerts: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:BVN opened at $7.44 on Thursday. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. has a twelve month low of $5.09 and a twelve month high of $8.73. The firm has a market cap of $1.89 billion, a PE ratio of 26.57 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.72. The business has a fifty day moving average of $7.21 and a 200-day moving average of $7.68. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Dividend Announcement Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ( NYSE:BVN Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $185.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $185.52 million. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. had a return on equity of 2.31% and a net margin of 9.29%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. will post 0.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 11th. Investors of record on Monday, April 24th were issued a dividend of $0.073 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 21st. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.s payout ratio is presently 25.00%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 14,506 shares of the mining companys stock worth $119,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 7.5% in the first quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 26,851 shares of the mining companys stock worth $220,000 after purchasing an additional 1,872 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 0.6% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 338,594 shares of the mining companys stock worth $2,234,000 after purchasing an additional 1,994 shares in the last quarter. Aviva PLC increased its holdings in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 2.1% during the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 100,459 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,012,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 0.7% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 315,584 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $3,174,000 after acquiring an additional 2,118 shares in the last quarter. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Company Profile (Get Rating) Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA. engages in the exploration, mining, concentration, smelting, and marketing of polymetallic ores and metals in Peru, the United States, Asia, and Europe. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper metals. It operates operating mining units, including Tambomayo located in the Caylloma province, Orcopampa Unit located in the province of Castilla, Uchucchacua located in province of Oyon, Julcani located in province of Angaraes, Peru, as well as San Gabrie located in the province of General Sanchez Cerro, in the Moquegua region. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AUTO1 Group (OTC:ATOGF Get Rating) and AutoNation (NYSE:AN Get Rating) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and institutional ownership. Insider and Institutional Ownership 70.5% of AutoNation shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of AutoNation shares are held by 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. Get AUTO1 Group alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for AUTO1 Group and AutoNation, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AUTO1 Group 0 1 3 0 2.75 AutoNation 2 1 4 0 2.29 Profitability AUTO1 Group currently has a consensus price target of $17.88, suggesting a potential upside of 104.81%. AutoNation has a consensus price target of $153.14, suggesting a potential downside of 0.95%. Given AUTO1 Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe AUTO1 Group is more favorable than AutoNation. This table compares AUTO1 Group and AutoNations net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AUTO1 Group N/A N/A N/A AutoNation 4.90% 61.01% 13.48% Earnings and Valuation This table compares AUTO1 Group and AutoNations gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AUTO1 Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A AutoNation $26.99 billion 0.26 $1.38 billion $24.58 6.26 AutoNation has higher revenue and earnings than AUTO1 Group. Summary AutoNation beats AUTO1 Group on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About AUTO1 Group (Get Rating) AUTO1 Group SE operates an online marketplace for used vehicle sales to dealers and individual customers in Europe. It operates AUTO1.com for the sale of used cars to commercial car dealers; Autohero.com for sale of used cars to private customers; and wirkaufendeinauto.de, an online platform to sell their used cars to the company. AUTO1 Group SE was founded in 2012 and is based in Berlin, Germany. About AutoNation (Get Rating) AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; and parts and services, such as automotive repair and maintenance, and wholesale parts and collision services. The company also provides automotive finance and insurance products comprising vehicle services and other protection products, as well as arranges finance for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. It owns and operates 343 new vehicle franchises from 247 stores located primarily in metropolitan markets in the Sunbelt region, as well as 55 AutoNation-branded collision centers, 13 AutoNation USA used vehicle stores, 4 AutoNation-branded automotive auction operations, and 3 parts distribution centers. AutoNation, Inc. was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Receive News & Ratings for AUTO1 Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AUTO1 Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss Re (OTCMKTS:SSREY Get Rating) and Corebridge Financial (NYSE:CRBG Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, dividends and valuation. Dividends Swiss Re pays an annual dividend of $0.99 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Corebridge Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.5%. Get Swiss Re alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares Swiss Re and Corebridge Financials gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Swiss Re $46.00 billion N/A $472.00 million N/A N/A Corebridge Financial $18.02 billion 0.60 $8.15 billion N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership Corebridge Financial has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Swiss Re. 22.6% of Corebridge Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Corebridge Financial shares are held by 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. Profitability This table compares Swiss Re and Corebridge Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Swiss Re N/A N/A N/A Corebridge Financial N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Swiss Re and Corebridge Financial, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Swiss Re 3 3 4 0 2.10 Corebridge Financial 0 4 8 0 2.67 Swiss Re presently has a consensus target price of $78.40, indicating a potential upside of 217.92%. Corebridge Financial has a consensus target price of $24.27, indicating a potential upside of 44.83%. Given Swiss Res higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Swiss Re is more favorable than Corebridge Financial. Summary Corebridge Financial beats Swiss Re on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Swiss Re (Get Rating) Swiss Re AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides wholesale reinsurance, insurance, other insurance-based forms of risk transfer, and other insurance-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Property & Casualty Reinsurance, Life & Health Reinsurance, and Corporate Solutions. The Property & Casualty Reinsurance segment underwrites property reinsurance, including property, credit and surety, engineering, aviation, marine, agriculture, retakaful, and facultative reinsurance solutions; and casualty reinsurance, such as liability, motor, worker's compensation, personal accident, management and professional liability, cyber, and facultative reinsurance solutions. The Life & Health Reinsurance segment underwrites life and health insurance products. The Corporate Solutions segment offers standard risk transfer covers and multi-line programs to customized solutions. It serves stock and mutual insurance companies, public sector and governmental entities, mid-sized and large corporations, and individuals. Swiss Re AG was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. About Corebridge Financial (Get Rating) Corebridge Financial, Inc. provides retirement solutions and insurance products in the United States. It operates through Individual Retirement, Group Retirement, Life Insurance, and Institutional Markets segments. The Individual Retirement segment provides fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, variable annuities and retail mutual funds. The Group Retirement segment offers record-keeping services, plan administration and compliance services, and financial planning and advisory solutions to employer-defined contribution plans and their participants, as well as proprietary and non-proprietary annuities, advisory services, and brokerage products. The Life Insurance segment offers term life and universal life insurance in the United States, as well as issues individual life, whole life, and group life insurance in the United Kingdom; and distributes medical insurance in Ireland. The Institutional Markets segment provides stable value wraps, structured settlement and pension risk transfer annuities, corporate and bank owned life insurance, private placement variable universal life and annuities products, and guaranteed investment contracts. The company was formerly known as SAFG Retirement Services, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Corebridge Financial, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. Receive News & Ratings for Swiss Re Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Swiss Re and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Rating) and Urstadt Biddle Properties (NYSE:UBA Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, dividends, valuation and profitability. Institutional and Insider Ownership 87.9% of AvalonBay Communities shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 51.8% of Urstadt Biddle Properties shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of AvalonBay Communities shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 9.4% of Urstadt Biddle Properties shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Volatility and Risk AvalonBay Communities has a beta of 0.92, suggesting that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Urstadt Biddle Properties has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AvalonBay Communities 1 10 6 0 2.29 Urstadt Biddle Properties 0 2 1 0 2.33 This is a breakdown of current ratings for AvalonBay Communities and Urstadt Biddle Properties, as reported by MarketBeat. AvalonBay Communities presently has a consensus target price of $203.00, suggesting a potential upside of 11.93%. Urstadt Biddle Properties has a consensus target price of $19.67, suggesting a potential downside of 1.76%. Given AvalonBay Communities higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe AvalonBay Communities is more favorable than Urstadt Biddle Properties. Dividends AvalonBay Communities pays an annual dividend of $6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Urstadt Biddle Properties pays an annual dividend of $0.83 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. AvalonBay Communities pays out 90.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Urstadt Biddle Properties pays out 123.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AvalonBay Communities has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Valuation & Earnings This table compares AvalonBay Communities and Urstadt Biddle Properties revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AvalonBay Communities $2.59 billion 9.93 $1.14 billion $7.29 24.88 Urstadt Biddle Properties $143.10 million 5.50 $39.70 million $0.67 29.88 AvalonBay Communities has higher revenue and earnings than Urstadt Biddle Properties. AvalonBay Communities is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Urstadt Biddle Properties, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares AvalonBay Communities and Urstadt Biddle Properties net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AvalonBay Communities 38.49% 9.17% 5.07% Urstadt Biddle Properties 27.05% 11.38% 3.95% Summary AvalonBay Communities beats Urstadt Biddle Properties on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About AvalonBay Communities (Get Rating) As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 294 apartment communities containing 88,475 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion markets of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. About Urstadt Biddle Properties (Get Rating) Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust which owns or has equity interests in 77 properties containing approximately 5.3 million square feet of space. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1970, it provides investors with a means of participating in ownership of income-producing properties. It has paid 212 consecutive quarters of uninterrupted dividends to its shareholders since its inception. Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW Get Rating) by 8.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,877 shares of the virtualization software providers stock after buying an additional 141 shares during the quarter. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in VMware were worth $234,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VMW. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of VMware by 75.4% in the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 200 shares of the virtualization software providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the period. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in VMware during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its stake in VMware by 140.2% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 233 shares of the virtualization software providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. James Investment Research Inc. acquired a new position in VMware during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in VMware during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 46.00% of the companys stock. Get VMware alerts: VMware Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of VMW stock traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $137.92. 122,634 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,330,478. VMware, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $103.55 and a fifty-two week high of $143.90. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $129.94 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $124.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.06. The stock has a market cap of $59.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.49, a PEG ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.72. Analysts Set New Price Targets VMware ( NYSE:VMW Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 1st. The virtualization software provider reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.55 by ($0.06). VMware had a return on equity of 162.41% and a net margin of 9.57%. The business had revenue of $3.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.71 EPS. VMwares revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that VMware, Inc. will post 4.46 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several research firms recently commented on VMW. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on VMware from $139.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on VMware from $125.00 to $134.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. StockNews.com began coverage on VMware in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of VMware in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on VMware from $135.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Friday, June 2nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, VMware currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $143.25. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Zane Rowe sold 35,715 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.53, for a total value of $4,447,588.95. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 174,162 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,688,393.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 40.30% of the companys stock. About VMware (Get Rating) VMware, Inc provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VMW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for VMware Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VMware and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Croma Security Solutions Group plc (LON:CSSG Get Rating)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 45 ($0.58) and last traded at GBX 45 ($0.58), with a volume of 4150 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 48 ($0.61). Croma Security Solutions Group Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.10. The firm has a market cap of 6.71 million, a P/E ratio of 4,500.00 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 48.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 52.19. 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. Featured Articles 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. Derbend Asset Management lowered its stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating) by 1.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,309 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 339 shares during the quarter. Southern comprises 1.0% of Derbend Asset Managements portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Derbend Asset Managements holdings in Southern were worth $1,274,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Southern by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 94,652,372 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $6,436,360,000 after purchasing an additional 1,391,612 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Southern by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 76,360,768 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,192,533,000 after purchasing an additional 723,336 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in Southern by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 65,068,549 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,424,661,000 after purchasing an additional 1,313,036 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in Southern by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 63,002,360 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,284,352,000 after purchasing an additional 3,653,841 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Southern by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,514,403 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,394,004,000 after purchasing an additional 584,893 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 63.25% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently issued reports on SO. Mizuho decreased their target price on Southern from $77.00 to $76.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. VNET Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a report on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Southern in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a buy rating and a $80.00 price target for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Southern has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $74.07. Southern Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of Southern stock traded up $0.28 on Monday, reaching $70.73. The company had a trading volume of 709,295 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,216,642. The firms 50-day moving average price is $71.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.66. The Southern Company has a 1 year low of $58.85 and a 1 year high of $80.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market cap of $77.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.73, a P/E/G ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 0.51. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.08. Southern had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 11.53%. The company had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.97 EPS. Southerns revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 3.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southern Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.96%. This is a boost from Southerns previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. Southerns payout ratio is presently 90.32%. Insider Activity at Southern In other Southern news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.05, for a total transaction of $700,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,009,804.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Southern news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.05, for a total transaction of $700,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,009,804.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.48, for a total value of $357,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 136,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,741,580.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 205,678 shares of company stock worth $14,888,271 in the last quarter. 0.37% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Southern (Get Rating) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC lifted its holdings in The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Get Rating) by 1.5% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 503,849 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 7,342 shares during the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon comprises about 2.3% of Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $22,895,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in BK. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 160.0% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,358 shares of the banks stock valued at $263,000 after buying an additional 3,297 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the first quarter valued at about $1,096,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 3.3% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 35,635 shares of the banks stock worth $1,769,000 after purchasing an additional 1,154 shares during the period. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 54.3% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 232,115 shares of the banks stock worth $11,519,000 after purchasing an additional 81,728 shares during the period. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 165.3% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,459 shares of the banks stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 909 shares during the period. 81.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently commented on BK shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $52.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $64.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $44.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $55.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $49.00 to $46.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $52.12. Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of BK traded up $0.13 on Monday, hitting $42.97. The companys stock had a trading volume of 676,406 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,567,974. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The firms fifty day moving average price is $42.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.67. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a fifty-two week low of $36.22 and a fifty-two week high of $52.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.07. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The bank reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.09 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $4.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.40 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 11.45% and a net margin of 11.98%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.86 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 4.78 EPS for the current year. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th were paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.44%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 27th. Bank of New York Mellons payout ratio is 46.84%. Bank of New York Mellon Company Profile (Get Rating) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GSK (LON:GSK Get Rating)s stock had its neutral rating reaffirmed by equities researchers at Citigroup in a report released on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They presently have a GBX 1,700 ($21.75) price target on the stock. Citigroups price objective suggests a potential upside of 19.79% from the companys previous close. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group set a GBX 2,000 ($25.59) price target on GSK in a research note on Monday, March 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 1,700 ($21.75) price target on shares of GSK in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,730 ($22.14) target price on shares of GSK in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Barclays reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a GBX 1,450 ($18.55) price target on shares of GSK in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Friday, June 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 1,590 ($20.35). Get GSK alerts: GSK Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of GSK stock traded down GBX 6 ($0.08) on Monday, reaching GBX 1,419.20 ($18.16). 3,400,619 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,842,582. The company has a market capitalization of 58.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,244.91, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.31. GSK has a twelve month low of GBX 1,280.92 ($16.39) and a twelve month high of GBX 2,280.50 ($29.18). The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 184.80. The businesss 50 day moving average price is GBX 1,419.62 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 1,434.57. Insider Activity GSK Company Profile In related news, insider Iain Mackay purchased 200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 1,493 ($19.10) per share, with a total value of 2,986 ($3,820.86). In other GSK news, insider Iain Mackay purchased 200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 1,493 ($19.10) per share, with a total value of 2,986 ($3,820.86). Also, insider Jonathan Symonds acquired 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 23rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 1,440 ($18.43) per share, for a total transaction of 86,400 ($110,556.62). Insiders purchased a total of 6,218 shares of company stock valued at $8,964,106 in the last ninety days. 1.75% of the stock is owned by insiders. (Get Rating) GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development and manufacture of vaccines and specialty medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for GSK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GSK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. cut its stake in shares of HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO Get Rating) by 1.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 106,704 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,320 shares during the period. HF Sinclair accounts for about 3.6% of Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C.s portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. owned about 0.05% of HF Sinclair worth $5,118,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of DINO. Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth $566,029,000. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth $539,533,000. State Street Corp purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth $308,240,000. Invesco Ltd. purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth $102,959,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth $81,253,000. 90.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get HF Sinclair alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, major shareholder Carol Orme Holding sold 4,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.59, for a total transaction of $190,360,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 34,853,483 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,658,677,255.97. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets HF Sinclair Price Performance Several analysts have issued reports on the company. TD Cowen dropped their target price on HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $44.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on HF Sinclair from $69.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on HF Sinclair from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on HF Sinclair from $73.00 to $59.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on HF Sinclair in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th. They set a neutral rating and a $58.00 price target for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, HF Sinclair presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $58.91. Shares of HF Sinclair stock traded down $0.20 on Monday, hitting $42.30. The companys stock had a trading volume of 313,060 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,459,885. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 2.10. HF Sinclair Co. has a 1 year low of $37.12 and a 1 year high of $66.19. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $43.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.26. The company has a market capitalization of $8.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.40. HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.48 by $0.52. HF Sinclair had a return on equity of 32.56% and a net margin of 8.13%. The firm had revenue of $7.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.99 EPS. HF Sinclairs revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that HF Sinclair Co. will post 7.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. HF Sinclair Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th were issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.26%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 17th. HF Sinclairs payout ratio is 12.34%. About HF Sinclair (Get Rating) HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states. Read More Receive News & Ratings for HF Sinclair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HF Sinclair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP Get Rating)s stock price shot up 6.9% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $4.40 and last traded at $4.36. 378,806 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 3,651,216 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.08. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have issued reports on HPP. StockNews.com began coverage on Hudson Pacific Properties in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 31st. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 10th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $6.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $9.59. Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts: Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 1.80. The stocks 50-day moving average is $4.95 and its 200 day moving average is $7.60. The firm has a market cap of $614.32 million, a P/E ratio of -10.90 and a beta of 1.08. Hudson Pacific Properties Cuts Dividend Hudson Pacific Properties ( NYSE:HPP Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.42 by ($0.56). Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative net margin of 4.91% and a negative return on equity of 1.52%. The firm had revenue of $252.26 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $261.21 million. On average, research analysts predict that Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. will post 1.38 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 20th will be given a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.47%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 16th. Hudson Pacific Propertiess dividend payout ratio is currently -125.00%. Insider Activity at Hudson Pacific Properties In other news, EVP Arthur X. Suazo bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $5.86 per share, for a total transaction of $58,600.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 87,102 shares in the company, valued at $510,417.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.95% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hudson Pacific Properties Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC increased its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 87.3% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,839 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 2,256 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties by 119.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,424 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,864 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors bought a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. AXS Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Hudson Pacific Properties in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Institutional investors own 97.55% of the companys stock. Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile (Get Rating) Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a real estate investment trust serving dynamic tech and media tenants in global epicenters for these synergistic, converging and secular growth industries. Hudson Pacific's unique and high-barrier tech and media focus leverages a full-service, end-to-end value creation platform forged through deep strategic relationships and niche expertise across identifying, acquiring, transforming and developing properties into world-class amenitized, collaborative and sustainable office and studio space. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV Get Rating) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $339.75 and last traded at $333.90, with a volume of 735863 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $336.71. iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Stock Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $314.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $290.83. The company has a market cap of $5.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.65 and a beta of 1.06. Get iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of IGV. Missouri Trust & Investment Co acquired a new position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Ancora Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 91.0% in the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 128 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Ellevest Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF in the 1st quarter worth $43,000. Finally, WealthPlan Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF in the 1st quarter worth $43,000. About iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF iShares North American Tech-Software ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P North American Technology-Software Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P North American Technology Software Index (the Underlying Index). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jacobs & Co. CA lowered its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) by 1.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 71,206 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 1,097 shares during the period. Jacobs & Co. CAs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $7,210,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JDM Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.08% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently commented on ABT. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $121.26. Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of ABT stock traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $107.95. 631,424 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,087,604. The businesss fifty day moving average is $106.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $106.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $187.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.84, a P/E/G ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $93.25 and a 12-month high of $115.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.22. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, 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 analysts expectations of $9.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.73 EPS. The firms revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.01%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value of $909,466.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value of $909,466.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Abbott Laboratories Company 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 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. Murphy Pohlad Asset Management LLC reduced its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Get Rating) by 0.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 36,990 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 280 shares during the quarter. Travelers Companies comprises about 2.6% of Murphy Pohlad Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position. Murphy Pohlad Asset Management LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $6,340,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of TRV. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter valued at $160,000. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 28.8% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,934 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,084,000 after buying an additional 1,327 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 11,905 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,210,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL grew its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 40.6% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 51,551 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $9,420,000 after purchasing an additional 14,873 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 27,212 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,952,000 after purchasing an additional 1,286 shares during the period. 81.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total transaction of $1,873,481.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Andy F. Bessette sold 11,572 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.14, for a total value of $2,061,436.08. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,092,688.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total transaction of $1,873,481.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 59,134 shares of company stock valued at $10,617,466. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Travelers Companies Trading Down 1.3 % A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Roth Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $179.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $196.00 to $204.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $195.77. Shares of TRV stock traded down $2.20 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $171.52. 134,468 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,379,193. The firm has a market cap of $39.62 billion, a PE ratio of 14.81, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.61. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $149.65 and a 1 year high of $194.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $177.64 and a 200 day moving average of $180.42. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.64 by $0.47. The business had revenue of $9.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.98 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.41% and a return on equity of 13.41%. The companys revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.22 EPS. Analysts expect that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.23 earnings per share for the current year. Travelers Companies declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, April 19th that permits the company to buyback $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the insurance provider to purchase up to 12.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued. Travelers Companies Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. This is a positive change from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 34.10%. Travelers Companies Profile (Get Rating) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NiSource (NYSE:NI Get Rating) had its price objective reduced by Bank of America from $32.00 to $31.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, The Fly reports. A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on NiSource from $31.00 to $30.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. UBS Group raised NiSource from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $31.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on NiSource from $31.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on NiSource in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $29.88. Get NiSource alerts: NiSource Stock Down 1.6 % NI opened at $26.72 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $27.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.60. NiSource has a one year low of $23.78 and a one year high of $31.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.48. NiSource Dividend Announcement NiSource ( NYSE:NI Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.77. The firm had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.94 billion. NiSource had a return on equity of 11.14% and a net margin of 11.72%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. Analysts anticipate that NiSource will post 1.6 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.74%. NiSources payout ratio is currently 68.03%. Insider Buying and Selling at NiSource In related news, SVP Kimberly S. Cuccia sold 11,157 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.54, for a total transaction of $318,420.78. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 20,329 shares in the company, valued at $580,189.66. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.24% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of NiSource Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 434 shares during the period. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH bought a new position in shares of NiSource during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Romano Brothers AND Company bought a new position in shares of NiSource during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of NiSource by 161.0% during the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,099 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Achmea Investment Management B.V. bought a new position in NiSource in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 93.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About NiSource (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. Further Reading 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. Algoma Steel Group (TSE:ASTL Get Rating) had its price target cut by Stifel Nicolaus from C$16.00 to C$14.25 in a report released on Friday, The Fly reports. Separately, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Algoma Steel Group from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a report on Friday. Get Algoma Steel Group alerts: Algoma Steel Group Stock Up 0.3 % ASTL stock opened at C$9.20 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$9.94 and its 200 day moving average price is C$9.94. Algoma Steel Group has a 52 week low of C$7.70 and a 52 week high of C$12.83. The company has a current ratio of 3.67, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.44. The company has a market cap of C$952.84 million, a P/E ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 1.49. About Algoma Steel Group 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 Articles 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. Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI Get Rating) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. TheStreet cut shares of Douglas Emmett from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Douglas Emmett from $13.00 to $12.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. Piper Sandler raised shares of Douglas Emmett from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the company from $13.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Douglas Emmett from $17.00 to $16.00 in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Douglas Emmett from $20.00 to $15.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $15.78. Get Douglas Emmett alerts: Douglas Emmett Price Performance Shares of DEI stock opened at $11.38 on Friday. Douglas Emmett has a 12 month low of $10.09 and a 12 month high of $23.85. The firm has a market cap of $1.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.31 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $11.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.66. Insider Transactions at Douglas Emmett Institutional Investors Weigh In On Douglas Emmett In other Douglas Emmett news, Director William E. Simon, Jr. purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $12.42 per share, with a total value of $124,200.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 91,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,130,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Company insiders own 14.00% of the companys stock. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in DEI. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Douglas Emmett during the 1st quarter worth approximately $210,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 16.9% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,420 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $248,000 after purchasing an additional 1,071 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Douglas Emmett during the 1st quarter worth about $371,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 64,314 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,149,000 after purchasing an additional 6,132 shares during the last quarter. Finally, APG Asset Management N.V. bought a new position in shares of Douglas Emmett during the 1st quarter worth approximately $448,000. Institutional investors own 97.37% of the companys stock. Douglas Emmett Company Profile (Get Rating) Douglas Emmett, Inc (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Emmett Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Emmett and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. On June 23, following the appointment of H.E. Mr. Petteri ORPO, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Orpo. In the letter, Prime Minister KISHIDA extended his congratulations to Prime Minister Orpo and conveyed his willingness to further deepen collaboration with Finland, as a strategic partner, towards maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law. He also mentioned his hope to further develop bilateral relations in a wide range of fields, including politics, economy, and culture, and to promote further cooperation in the international arena. In the battle between Asias two highest-yielding major markets, Indian assets look more promising than those of Indonesia. While the Indian rupee has been the second best to the rupiah in terms of carry returns so far in 2023, that looks set to change in second half of the year as investors including Amundi SA and HSBC Holdings Plc see the former as the standout choice. The Indian currency offers higher compensation for risk than the rupiah, with a carry-to-risk ratio of 2.8 compared with just 0.5 for Indonesia, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The highest bond yields among major Asian nations and a less volatile currency thanks to the central banks intervention are burnishing the appeal of rupee assets. Foreigners plowed $10 billion into Indian stocks this quarter so far, helping the rupee climb to the top of currency charts. In terms of the Indian rupee, carry and macro financial stability are attractive for the currency, said Alessia Berardi, head of EM macro and strategy research at Amundi. If you have an Asia specified portfolio, or want Asia exposure, this is a currency you want to go to. Investor sentiment toward India has been on an upswing amid one of the fastest paces of growth among major world economies. Foreign funds are locking in high yields in local-currency Indian debt as the central bank is seen on a rate pause until early next year. Benchmark 10-year Indian bonds offer a yield of 7.07%, compared with 6.30% on similar-maturity Indonesian notes. Investors borrowing dollars to purchase rupiah fixed-income assets have earned 4.7% in the first half of the year, compared with 2% for India. The Indian rupees low volatility makes it a strong carry trade candidate, said Johnny Chen, portfolio manager at William Blair Investments. Given the relatively high weight of commodity-related exports in Indonesia, the Indonesian rupiah may be subject to more volatility. The rupees one-year implied volatility slumped more than 100 basis points this year to 5.21% on June 23, the least since 2007, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Thats the lowest in Asia after the Hong Kong dollar. ICICI Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks, announced on June 26 that it will be considering a proposal for the delisting of ICICI Securities, a subsidiary of the bank. Furthermore, sources told CNBC-TV18 that ICICI Bank may consider the delisting proposal through a share swap instead of a cash payout. As of the March quarter, ICICI Bank held a 74.85 percent stake in its broking arm. Following this, ICICI Securities' stock zoomed over 9 percent on the NSE. At 9:40 am, the stock was quoting at Rs 611.85 after hitting 52-week high of Rs 647. The stock had also rallied on June 23, thus taking cumulative two-day gain to over 17 percent. ICICI Bank, too, was quoting higher by 0.5 percent at Rs 929.80. Follow our live blog for all the market action The decision comes five years after the broking firm made its debut on the bourses. In April 2018, the Rs 4,000 crore-IPO of ICICI Securities had received poor response. "On its listing date, it was listed below the issue price and since then the stock has mostly underperformed benchmark indices," Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities said. The IPO was subscribed 78 percent overall, with retail investors bidding only 89 percent of the allotted quota. In Q4, ICICI Securities reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 263 crore for the quarter ended March, down 23 percent as against Rs 340 crore reported in the corresponding period of last year. The board in April recommended a final dividend of Rs 9.25 per equity share of face value of Rs 5 each to shareholders of the company. After Q4 results, global research and broking firm Citi had said that near-term cost pressures will continue to weigh on ICICI Securities' earnings. It has a 'sell' rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 440 per share. To reduce dependence on broking, the company had been diversifying into wealth management, loans and general insurance. 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. InterGloble Aviation-owned IndiGo, the country's largest airline by fleet size, announced on June 26 that it is starting flights to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, as part of its international expansion strategy. Nairobi is the carrier's 27th international and 105th overall destination in the 6E network. The airlines announced that it will connect Nairobi with direct flights from Mumbai. It said bookings have been opened for the daily non-stop flights between the cities, starting August 5. This new route marks IndiGo's entry into the African subcontinent. IndoGo, in the press release, added that flights on this route will cater to both business and leisure travellers. This development marks a notable advancement in IndiGo's strategy for expanding internationally, as it reinforces strategic partnerships, facilitates trade, and enhances travel connectivity between the two nations, the carrier said. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, speaking about the launch of the route, said from Nairobi, travellers can embark on exciting safaris to destinations like the Maasai Mara. Additionally, they can explore other national parks and wildlife reserves. "Kenya is our first destination country in Sub-Saharan Africa and encompasses Savannah, Lakelands, as well as mountain highlands. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris can visit the Maasai Mara as well as multiple other National Parks & Wildlife Reserves, opening numerous options for tourists. With our expanding network, we remain committed to fulfilling our promise of delivering on-time, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences to our valued customers, Malhotra, said. John Chirchir, A.g. CEO Kenya Tourism Board, emphasized that this achievement marks a significant milestone in their endeavours to attract a greater number of visitors from India, which holds the position as the top market in Asia. "This direct access to Nairobi, Kenya's capital city and a regional hub for business and travel, will provide leisure tourists, business visitors, and investors with a seamless connection to the destination, in addition to our national carrier, Kenya Airways. We have formed a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing Kenya's status as the ultimate travel destination for Indian tourists seeking diverse experiences such as wildlife safaris, beach getaways, culinary delights, thrilling adventures, productive business meetings, and memorable occasions like weddings and honeymoons. Through our joint marketing and sales campaigns, we strive to solidify Kenya's appeal and attract more Indian travelers to explore its wonders. With the launch of direct flights between Delhi and Dharamshala on March 26 this year, the airline connects to 78 domestic destinations. Cyient DLM, a subsidiary of software services firm Cyient, will be the second public issue to open for subscription this week, after IdeaForge Technology which floated its IPO on Monday. Here are 10 key things you need to know before subscribing to this issue: 1) IPO dates The initial public offering will be open from June 27 till June 30. The anchor book, where institutional investors record their bids, launched for a day on June 26. 2) Price band The price band for the offer has been fixed at Rs 250-265 per share. 3) Offer size The electronic manufacturing services and solutions (EMS) company is planning to raise Rs 592 crore via a public issue of 2.23 crore equity shares, at the upper price band. The offer comprises only a fresh issue. Hence, all the funds, barring issue expenses, will be received by Cyient DLM. The company has reserved Rs 15 crore worth of shares for its employees. Eligible employees will get those shares at a discount of Rs 15 per share to the final issue price. Click Here To Read All IPO Related News Prior to filing the RHP with the Registrar of Companies, the company had mopped up Rs 108 crore via private placement (pre-IPO placement) of 40.75 lakh equity shares. Along with this, the total funds raised by the company will be Rs 700 crore. 4) Objectives of the issue Cyient DLM will utilise the proceeds from the issue for incremental working capital requirements (Rs 291 crore), and capital expenditure (Rs 43.57 crore). Repaying certain debts (Rs 160.9 crore) and inorganic growth through acquisitions (Rs 70 crore) are other key objectives of IPO. 5) Lot size Investors can apply for a minimum of 56 equity shares and in multiples of 56 shares thereafter. Retail investors can invest a minimum of Rs 14,840 for one lot and a maximum of Rs 1,92,920 for 13 lots, as they are allowed to invest up to Rs 2 lakh in an issue. Also read: BLS International subsidiary BLS E-Services to tap IPO route for fund raising High net-worth individuals with an investment budget of up to Rs 2-10 lakh can apply for a minimum of 14 lots worth Rs 2,07,760 and a maximum of 67 lots, worth Rs 9,94,280. HNIs bidding more than Rs 10 lakh can invest a minimum Rs 10,09,120 lakh for 68 lots. Up to 75 percent of the offer size is reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), 15 percent for high net-worth individuals (non-institutional investors), and the rest for retail investors. 6) Company profile Incorporated in 1993, the company is a supplier to global OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in the aerospace, defence, medical technology, and industrial sectors. Cyient DLM, which leverages the design capabilities of its promoter Cyient, provides contract manufacturing services such as build-to-print (B2P) and build-to-specification (B2S) to its clients. Its solutions primarily comprise printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), cable harnesses, and box builds, which are used in critical safety systems such as cockpits, in-flight systems, landing systems, and medical diagnostic equipment. Also read: Ideaforge Technology floats IPO: All you need to know about the company The company has long-term relationships with several marquee customers such as Honeywell International Inc, Thales Global Services SAS, ABB Inc, Bharat Electronics, and Molbio Diagnostics, which together contributed 56.67 percent to company's revenue in FY22-23. The aerospace division contributed 20 percent of the revenues, defence 37.6 percent, medical technology 16.3 percent, and the industrial segment 25 percent. It has three manufacturing facilities in India at Mysuru, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru with a workforce of 656 skilled personnel as of March 2023, besides a new products and engineering team of 67 persons. The Indian EMS industry contributed 2.2 percent ($20 billion) to the global EMS market in 2022, and is expected to contribute 7 percent ($80 billion) by 2026, given the strong push from the government to make India a hub for electronics manufacturing. Cyient DLM, which compares itself with listed companies like Syrma SGS Technology, Kaynes Technology India, and DCX Systems, has asked for a market cap of Rs 2,101 crore, which is lower than that of its peers Syrma SGS (Rs 7,658 crore), Kaynes Technology (Rs 8,843 crore), and DCX Systems (Rs 2,444 crore), per June 26 closing prices. 7) Financial metrics Cyient DLM continued to see double-digit growth in its topline but there was a weakness in its profitability and operating performance. Net profit for the year FY22-23 fell 20.3 percent to Rs 31.7 crore, but revenue increased 15.5 percent to Rs 832 crore, compared to previous fiscal. Also read: PKH Ventures sets price band for IPO at Rs 140-148 a share Gross profit for the year, at Rs 129.4 crore, increased by 14.5 percent over the year prior, but the gross margin fell 14 bps to 15.55 percent during the same period. At the operating level, EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose by 4.4 percent to Rs 87.8 crore, but the EBITDA margin dropped 111 bps to 10.55 percent in FY22-23 over FY21-22. The net profit margin fell significantly by 171 bps to 3.81 percent. Even return on capital employed slipped to 13.48 percent for the year ended March FY22-23, from 17.56 percent in FY21-22. The company had 35 customers at the end of March FY22-23, down from 50 customers as of March FY21-22. However, it has a robust order book of Rs 2,432.55 crore as of March 2023, increasing significantly from Rs 1,202.98 crore in FY21-22. 8) Promoters and management Promoter Cyient has 92.84 percent stake in the company, while Amansa Investments, owned by investor Akash Prakash, has the rest. Rajendra Velagapudi is the Managing Director of the company, and Ganesh Venkat Krishna Bodanapu is the Chairman, Non-executive and Non-independent director. Venkat Rama Mohan Reddy Bodanapu is also a Non-executive, Nonindependent director, while Vanitha Datla, Jehangir Ardeshir, and Pillutla Madan Mohan are independent directors on the board. Anthony Montalbano is the Chief Executive Officer and Business Head of Cyient DLM, while Shrinivas Appaji Kulkarni is the Chief Financial Officer. Parvati K R is the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer. 9) Risks and concerns Here are key risks and concerns highlighted by HDFC Securities and Choice Broking: a) Cyient DLM's top 10 customers constituted 91.08 percent of its total revenues for the year ended March 2023. b) A significant portion of the revenues is derived from B2P solutions (99.80 percent), and from the manufacture and sale of PCBAs (62.62 percent). Any decrease in the sales of PCBAs or in the volume of its B2P orders will adversely affect the business. c) CDL depends on third-party suppliers for raw materials and components, which are on a purchase order basis and not tied up through long-term contracts. This could make it susceptible to cost / supply shocks (added). d) Changing laws and rules, and legal uncertainties, including the adverse application of tax laws and regulations, may affect the business. e) Foreign exchange fluctuations may adversely affect its earnings and profitability. f) Any general slowdown in the global economy may affect the business. g) The capacity utilisation over the last three years is lower in comparison to other manufacturing companies. 10) Allotment and listing dates Cyient DLM will finalise the share allotment by July 5 and transfer shares to the demat accounts of eligible investors by July 7. Unsuccessful investors will get refunds in their bank accounts by July 6. The listing of equity shares on the BSE and NSE will take place on July 10. At the time of writing this article, the shares traded at more than a 35 percent premium to the upper end of the price band (Rs 265) in the grey market, analysts said on condition of anonymity. Investors generally use the grey market to gauge the sentiment and the likely listing price of any IPO. The merchant bankers to the issue are Axis Capital and JM Financial, while KFin Technologies is the registrar to the offer. 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. Aircraft systems maker Ideaforge Technology is the first public issue opening for subscription this week. The net proceeds from the fresh issue will be used for repaying debt (Rs 50 crore), funding the working capital gap (Rs 135 crore) and investing in product development (Rs 40 crore) besides general corporate purposes, the company has said. Here are 10 key things to know before you buy the offer: 1) IPO Dates The bidding for maiden public issue starts on June 26. The offer will close on June 29. 2) Price Band The leading drone manufacturer has set the issue price band at Rs 638-672 per share. 3) Offer Size The company is planning to mop up Rs 567 crore through the IPO at the upper end of the price band. The offer comprises fresh issuance of shares worth Rs 240 crore and an offer-for-sale of 48.69 lakh equity shares by promoter and investors. Ashish Bhat, Amarpreet Singh, Nambirajan Seshadri, Naresh Malhotra, Sujata Vemuri, Sundararajan K Pandalgudi, A&E Investment LLC, Agarwal Trademart, Celesta Capital, Export Import Bank of India, Indusage Technology Venture Fund, Qualcomm Asia Pacific, and Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship are the selling shareholders in the offer for sale portion. The offer also includes a reservation of 13,112 equity shares for company's employees who will get those shares at a discount of Rs 32 per share to the final issue price. The fresh issue size has been reduced to Rs 240 crore from Rs 300 crore earlier as the company on June 15 raised Rs 60 crore in a pre-IPO placement by issuing 8.92 lakh equity shares to institutional investors including Tata AIG General Insurance, 360 ONE Special Opportunities Fund- Series 9 and 10, Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund, and Think Investments PCC. 4) Objectives of Issue The OFS money will go to selling shareholders, while the net proceeds from fresh issue will be utilised for repaying debts (Rs 50 crore), funding a working capital gap (Rs 135 crore), and investment in product development (Rs 40 crore), besides general corporate purposes. 5) Lot Size Investors can bid for a minimum of 22 equity shares and in multiples of 22 shares thereafter. Hence, the minimum investment by retail investors would be Rs 14,784 per lot and the maximum would be Rs 1,92,192 for 13 lots as they are allowed to invest up to Rs 2 lakh. The company has reserved 75 percent shares of the net offer for qualified institutional buyers, 15 percent for high networth individuals and the balance 10 percent for retail investors. 6) Company Profile Founded in 2007, Ideaforge is the leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market, with a market share of approximately 50 percent in FY22, as per 1Lattice Report). It had the largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs across India, with an Ideaforge-manufactured drone taking off every 5 minutes on average for surveillance and mapping as of FY23. It was ranked seventh globally in the dual-use category (civil and defence) drone manufacturers as per the report published by Drone Industry Insights in December 2022. The company primarily manufactures UAS for surveillance, mapping and surveying, with manufacturing facility in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. It caters to customers in defence, and civil segments comprising armed police forces, state police departments, disaster management forces, forest departments, and private contractors in connection with smart cities. 7) Financials Ideaforge recorded a 27.3 percent decline in profit for 12 months ending March 2023 to Rs 32 crore, down from Rs 44 crore, but revenue from operations in the same period increased by 16.66 percent to Rs 186 crore. In FY21, it had a loss of Rs 14.6 crore on revenue of Rs 34.72 crore. It had an outstanding order book of Rs 192.27 crore as of March 2023, declining from Rs 310.87 crore in FY22. 8) Promoters and Management Ankit Mehta, Rahul Singh and Ashish Bhat are the promoters of company, who hold 28.39 percent stake in the company. Total promoters and promoter group shareholding in the company stands at 33.97 percent as of now. Srikanth Velamakanni is Chairman and Independent Director on the board. Ankit Mehta is the Chief Executive Officer, Rahul Singh is the Vice President-Engineering, and Ashish Bhat is Vice President-Research & Development, who all are WholeTime Directors. Ganapathy Subramaniam and Mathew Cyriac are the non-executive nominee directors, while Sutapa Banerjee, and Vikas Balia are independent directors. 9) Investors Ideaforge has been backed by several marquee investors, including Qualcomm Asia Pacific, Infosys, and Celesta Capital. Florintree Enterprise LLP, backed by former Blackstone India Head Mathew Cyriac, is one of the largest shareholders in the company with 11.85 percent stake. Venture capital investor Celesta Capital holds 12.78 percent stake in the company, while Infosys has 4.25 percent stake, and Qualcomm Asia owns 3.63 percent. 10) Listing & Allotment Dates The IPO share allotment will be finalised by July 4, while the equity shares will be transferred to demat accounts of eligible investors by July 6. The unsuccessful investors will get their refunds by July 5. Ideaforge will make its grand debut on the bourses on July 7. Its IPO shares are being traded with massive 65-70 percent premium in the grey market, over the upper price band as it may be enjoying the first-mover advantage of listing in the industry, analysts on anonymity said. The grey market is an unofficial platform for trading in IPO shares. JM Financial and IIFL Securities are the book running lead managers to the issue, while Link Intime India is the registrar. #1. Lenders to bankrupt Go First airline approve Rs 425 crore in interim funding The committee of creditors for Go First has approved an interim funding of Rs 425 crore so that the grounded carrier manages to fly again soon. The funding is subject to the carrier being given a no-objection certificate by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Lenders will also need to take approvals from their respective boards to disburse the new funding that isn't part of the unutilized credit lines with banks as those have been extinguished after the budget carrier was admitted to insolvency this month. Why its important: Since Go Air has retained most staff, it may be able to resume services. Much will depend on the regulators approval and Pratt & Whitneys ability to service engines of its grounded fleet. #2. Reliance Industries tests consumer durables financing under Jio brand Reliance Industries is piloting a consumer durables financing program under its Jio brand at select Reliance Digital outlets before a full-fledged launch of Jio Financial Services later this year. Customers would be offered the option of Jio Finance alongside schemes from other banks and non-bank lenders. Jio Financial Services is a venture resulting from the demerger of Reliances financial services business. Once demerged, it is expected to be the fifth-largest financial services company by net worth. Why its important: Reliance is readying to challenge established financiers for consumer durables. Given the conglomerates track record of rapidly grabbing market share, this could lead to a major shakeup. #3. India to start free trade talks with African customs union in 3-4 months India and the five-member South African Customs Union nations are exploring a free-trade agreement and are expected to begin discussions in the next three to four months. The customs union, which comprises South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini, is the worlds oldest Customs union, dating back over a century. These nations accounted for around 2 percent of Indias total exports in 2022-23, amounting to approximately $8.91 billion. Why its important: Indian has signed a slew of free trade agreements in the recent past. A trade deal with the African countries would help India get wider market access for goods that are already in high demand. #4. Byjus promises to release audited 2022 financials by September Education start-up Byjus, which lost its auditor after delaying financial statements, has told investors it will file 2022 audited earnings by September and 2023 results by December. Deloitte severed ties with Byjus over its long-delayed financial statements. Board members representing Peak XV Partners, Prosus, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative also stepped down. Why its important: Indias most valuable start-up unicorn, valued last year at as much as $22 billion, is facing a crisis of credibility over delayed financial results. It has not said why the results have been delayed. #5. Central government in huddle with bankers over stalled real estate projects The government has initiated measures to address concerns over stalled real estate projects, which pose risks to homebuyers as well as lenders. It is holding regular meetings with bankers and the Reserve Bank of India over the matter. Although the Centres special window for affordable and mid-income housing investment fund revived several projects, officials said further action is necessary. Why its important: Indias residential realty sector has been in the doldrums for the past few years. Many developers have been unable to complete housing projects, distressing homebuyers. #6. Wearables manufacturing surges in India, troubling Chinese assembly lines The rapid growth of wearables manufacturing in India is impacting Chinese assembly lines adversely, with many factories facing a sharply reduced order book, industry executives have said. Top wearables brands such as Boat and Gizmore are making most products in India in key categories of audio and smartwatch through electronics contract manufacturers such as Dixon Technologies and Optiemus Electronics. Why its important: India has surpassed China to become the largest wearables market in the world as domestic shipments have jumped 81 percent in the first quarter of 2023 to 25 million units. #7. Foxconn reaching out to business houses after chip joint venture with Vedanta stalls Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn has started reaching out to large Indian business houses as it seeks to partner with them to further its semiconductor manufacturing ambitions in the country. The year-old joint-venture with the Vedanta Group to build a semiconductor fabrication unit at Dholera in Gujarat could be on the rocks as there are differences between the two partners. Why its important: The Indian government is said to be worried over the financial stability of Vedanta, which could at odds with the ambitious targets in chip making that the country is aspiring to. #8. Market regulator to make rules stricter for mutual funds, overhaul fees The board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India on June 28 could clear key recommendations, including an overhaul of the fee structure that mutual funds charge investors and a stricter code of conduct for the asset managers. The market regulator has also proposed sweeping changes to the total expense ratio, or the annual fee that mutual funds collect from unit holders. Why its important: The mutual fund industry is worried about the sweeping changes that the regulator is contemplating. Some fear the moves would impact business in a big way. #9. L&T Tech and BSNL ink deal to provide private 5G services to businesses L&T Technology Services has tied up with Bharat Sanchar Nigam to deploy private 5G networks for enterprises in India, CEO and managing director Amit Chadha has said. The strategic partnership marks the entry of L&Ts arm into the private 5G landscape, with BSNL providing spectrum and network infrastructure and L&T offering enterprises devices, applications, and core integration. Why its important: 5G technology services have emerged as the next big enabler and operators expect rapid adoption of private networks across major industries. #10. World Health Organization widens investigations over Indian cough syrups The World Health Organization, which has issued product alerts for at least three Made in India cough and cold medications since October, is investigating more products. While the global agency has not yet expanded the list of medical product alerts, it said this might change. All the products are syrup based such as paracetamol syrup, cough syrup, or vitamin syrup, a spokesperson said. Why its important: Reports of substandard or falsified medical products are bound to be taken seriously. India has bolstered internal scrutiny but may need to do more to regulate medicine makers. It was a volatile and rangebound session for the market, with the benchmark indices closing on a flat note on June 26 despite weakness in global counterparts. The BSE Sensex remained below the 63,000 mark, falling 9.4 percent to 62,970, while the Nifty50 rose 26 points to 18,691 and formed a Doji kind of candlestick pattern on the daily charts, indicating indecisiveness among buyers and sellers about the future market trend, after two-day correction. "The immediate support of 10-day EMA (exponential moving average) has been broken on the downside on Friday at 18,750 levels and the Nifty is currently placed at the next crucial support of 20-day EMA around 18,650 levels," Nagaraj Shetti, Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities said. He feels that the said 20-day EMA has been active in the last couple of months and a minor upside bounce could be expected in the short term. However, any weakness below this support at 18,650 levels is likely to bring the next round of weakness in the market, while immediate resistance is placed at 18,760 levels, Shetti said. The broader markets rebounded smartly after a two-day weakness on positive breadth. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices climbed nearly 1 percent and six-tenth of a percent respectively. We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades: Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks in this article are the aggregates of three-month data and not just the current month. Key support, resistance levels on Nifty The pivot point calculator suggests that the Nifty may get support at 18,658, followed by 18,640 and 18,611, whereas in the case of an upside, 18,715 can be a key resistance area for the index, followed by 18,733 and 18,762. Nifty Bank The Bank Nifty also had a rangebound session, rising 18 points to 43,641 and forming a small bearish candlestick pattern on the daily scale. Overall, the index continued to see a battle between the bulls and bears. "It has support at 43,400 levels, while the resistance is observed at 44,000, where the highest Call writing is visible," Kunal Shah, Senior Technical & Derivative analyst at LKP Securities said. He feels if the index breaks down below 43,400, it may experience further correction toward the 42,000 mark. The overall undertone of the index remains neutral, and a break on either side of the support or resistance level will confirm a clear trend, he said. The pivot point calculator indicated that the Bank Nifty is likely to take support at 43,564, followed by 43,509 and 43,421, whereas 43,740 can be the initial resistance zone for the index, followed by 43,795 and 43,883. Call options data As per monthly options data, we have seen maximum Call open interest (OI) at 18,800 strike, with 1.46 crore contracts, which can act as a crucial resistance area for the Nifty50 in coming sessions. This was followed by 1.07 crore contracts at 19,000 strike, while 18,900 strike has 97.22 lakh contracts. We have meaningful Call writing at 18,900 strike, which added 7.91 lakh contracts, followed by 19,000 strike and 18,700 strike, which added 7.74 lakh contracts, and 7.68 lakh contracts, respectively. Maximum Call unwinding was at 19,200 strike, which shed 4.76 lakh contracts, followed by 19,500 and 19,400 strikes, which shed 3.51 lakh and 3.33 lakh contracts, respectively. Put option data On the Put side, the maximum open interest was at 18,700 strike, with 79.78 lakh contracts, which can be a crucial level for the Nifty50 in the coming sessions. This was followed by the 18,600 strike, comprising 74.34 lakh contracts, and the 18,800 strike, which has 72.01 lakh contracts. Put writing was seen at 18,600 strike, which added 20.72 lakh contracts, followed by 18,700 strike and 17,800 strike, which added 4.72 lakh contracts and 3.29 lakh contracts, respectively. We have Put unwinding at 18,000 strike, which shed 8.9 lakh contracts, followed by 18,300 strike and 18,800 strike, which shed 7.65 lakh contracts, and 3.53 lakh contracts, respectively. Stocks with high delivery percentage A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. We have seen the highest delivery in Reliance Industries, United Breweries, Mphasis, Havells India and Bharti Airtel among others. 57 stocks see a long build-up An increase in open interest (OI) and price indicates a build-up of long positions. Based on the OI percentage, we have seen a long build-up in 57 stocks including Laurus Labs, Ipca Laboratories, IOC, Cummins India and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. 24 stocks see long unwinding A decline in OI and price generally indicates a long unwinding. Based on the OI percentage, 24 stocks including PVRInox, HDFC AMC, Oberoi Realty, RBL Bank, and HDFC saw a long unwinding. 19 stocks see a short build-up An increase in OI along with a price decrease indicates a build-up of short positions. Based on the OI percentage, we have seen a short build-up in 19 stocks including SBI Card, Balrampur Chini Mills, Astral, Shree Cements and Reliance Industries. 88 stocks see short-covering A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering. Based on the OI percentage, 88 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included Rain Industries, Hindustan Aeronautics, Dr Lal PathLabs, LIC Housing Finance and Mahanagar Gas. Bulk deals (For more bulk deals, click here) Investors Meetings on June 27 Stocks in the news Bharti Airtel: The telecom operator has announced changes to its leadership team in Airtel Business. Ajay Chitkara has resigned as CEO of Airtel Business and will continue with the company until the third week of August 2023. Consequently, Airtel Business will operate as three business and channel segments. Global business will be led by Vani Venkatesh, Domestic business by Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, and Nxtra Data Centers by Ashish Arora. JSW Steel: After the approval for the scheme of amalgamation by NCLT, JSW Vallabh Tinplate, Vardhman Industries, and JSW Steel Coated Products filed the said order with the Registrar of Companies. The said scheme has become effective from June 26. Accordingly, JSW Vallabh Tinplate and Vardhman Industries have merged with JSW Steel Coated Products, the subsidiary of JSW Steel, and ceased to exist from the effective date. Aditya Birla Capital: The Aditya Birla Group company opened its qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue on June 26. The floor price has been set at Rs 175.99 per share. Sources told CNBC-TV18 that the fundraising is likely to be at Rs 1,750 crore. BLS International Services: The outsourcing service provider said the board members of its subsidiary BLS E-Services have approved fundraising via initial public offering (IPO). The size of the offer, price and other details of the proposed IPO will be determined in due course. Post the proposed IPO, BLS E-Services would continue to be a subsidiary of the company. City Union Bank: The company has received approval from the board of directors for raising further capital to the tune of Rs 500 crore via qualified institutional placement (QIP). Tech Mahindra: The companys step-down subsidiary LCC France SARL has approved a proposal to divest its 49 percent stake in SARL Djazatech along with its wholly owned subsidiary EURL LCCUK Algerie. The stake sale transaction is expected to be completed by July 10, 2023. SBI Life Insurance Company: Swaminathan Janakiraman has resigned as a director of the life insurance company with effect from June 26 after the Reserve Bank of India appointed Swaminathan as Deputy Governor. He was the nominee director representing State Bank of India. Fund Flow FII and DII data Foreign institutional investors (FII) sold shares worth Rs 409.43 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DII) purchased shares worth Rs 250.12 crore on June 26, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange shows. Stocks under F&O ban on NSE The National Stock Exchange has retained Hindustan Copper, and RBL Bank on its F&O ban list for June 27. Securities thus banned under the F&O segment include companies where derivative contracts have crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit. 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. Disclaimer: MoneyControl is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. [content] [title]CEO chatter[/title] [body]This CEO's move to offload a chunk of shares recently set off ripples among market watchers. Considering this executive's poor run coupled with middling growth and a slew of top-level exits, there was chatter on whether he had finally decided to exit. But people close to the company clarified that the share sale was to fund the tax raising out of restricted stock unit gains. False alarm for now, but watch this space [/body] [/content] [content] [title]The edtech ripple effect[/title] [circularimage][/circularimage] [body]In the midst of ongoing events surrounding a major edtech firm, we hear a small edtech company located in Bengaluru faced a significant challenge in convincing a customer of its existence. This particular edtech company focuses on catering to working professionals. On a Friday evening, they received an email from a customer who had already paid the fees but had yet to commence the courses. The customer expressed a desire to visit the company's office in order to verify the existence of its founders and employees. In the email, the customer mentioned that due to the recent developments involving the large edtech company, they had lost trust in all startups. Consequently, they expressed concerns about trying a new app or product from a relatively unknown company. This situation exemplifies the far-reaching impact of the ripple effect. [/body] [/content] [content] [title]The fine art of spotting shady trades[/title] [circularimage] [/circularimage] [body]With the market regulator tightening its grip, brokers have also become argus-eyed. We picked up buzz that a financial crime specialist spent over a fortnight at a broking firm's headquarters teaching the staff how to detect unusual patterns and suspicious trades. In fact, several more sessions have been planned over the course of the next few months. A little birdie also told us that an educational course on this might commence soon. Interesting developments, isn't it? Especially when equity markets are hitting record highs... [/body] [/content] [content] [title]Teflon-like finfluencer[/title] [circularimage] [/circularimage] [body]It was a cursed week for a finfluencer, though he deserves a clap or two for his teflon-like resilience. First, he was caught out flaunting a shirt as expensive. Another social media user, with maybe a little extra time in their hands, pointed out that the finfluencer was in fact standing in a mid-size retail store that does not have anything pricier than a tenth of what he claimed. The finfluencer responded by saying that he had meant to trend that mid-sized brand, and that the embarassing call-out was part of his gameplan. Then the finfluencer was called out for sharing another person's profitable P&L as his own. This he chose to ignore. Outside of that, he continues to flaunt his early success and has come up with a clever way to increase his following. He has promised a capital giveaway for anyone who tweets, shares or follows him. The cleverness lies in that he will never reveal who won, if they won at all. [/body] [/content] [content] [title]The simplicity of babudom![/title] [circularimage] [/circularimage] [body] Urban legend suggests that the average Delhi babu's mantra of dealing with executives of key financial sector institutions is often riddled with ego issues and unpleasant exchanges. Past instances have shown that at the end of all such exchanges, the babus always stand victorious! This one was no different we hear. Here's what we heard from the grapevine. Recently, an official at a financial sector regulator sent a key proposal for approval to a secretary in the capital. The babu returned it promptly saying the document is too technical and needs to be simpler. The official reworked on the document and made it simpler before re-sending it. The Delhi babu still wasn't pleased and sent it back again to the official, albeit this time with a harsh note - to make an even simpler version, simple enough for the concerned minister to read and understand. The official tried to explain that in no way could the proposal be made simpler. But all explanations fell on deaf ears. The official, only a few months away from his retirement, is now in a state of frustration and has given up all hope on the pet proposal. [/body] [/content] [content] [title]A new kid on the block?[/title] [circularimage] [/circularimage] [body]Is a global leader in the management consultancy and advisory space on the prowl to set up an m&a tax team and take on the might of the Big 4 in India? Well if rumour mills are to be believed , head hunters are spending a lot of time with folks in the audit and accountancy world these days. So is it merely intel gathering and temperature checks or will juicy offers be rolled out as well? Ah well, lets see... [/body] [/content] Note to the Readers: Chances are you love a juicy story as much as we hacks do and you might have one to share. Please share the story in an email to MCInsider@nw18.com. Also, spare a moment to tell us what you think of this series. Send your hosannas and howls to the same email address. HDFC Ltd has sold a land parcel to listed real estate firm Macrotech Developers, known as Lodha, for Rs 70 crore in Mumbai under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI), documents accessed by Propstack showed. Neptune Ventures & Developers Pvt. Ltd had borrowed Rs 250 crore from HDFC Ltd for the project Flying Kite and Eleve in Kanjurmarg. The land parcel was mortgaged to HDFC Ltd under the terms of the loan agreement. HDFC has sold a portion of land measuring 27,792 sq mt to Macrotech Developer to recover the loan amount under SARFAESI Act, the documents showed. The area of the larger land parcel is 35,645 sq m, it showed. A stamp duty of Rs 27.28 crore was paid by the developer, according to the documents. The property is located at Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg (LBS Marg), Bhandup (West), Mumbai in Village Kanjur, Taluka Kurla, Mumbai suburban district, it showed. As per the sale deed, the immovable property/secured asset is being sold on a without recourse basis. This means that the buyer accepts the risks associated with the purchase of the land parcel and that the seller will not have any liability. Emails have been sent to both Macrotech Developers and HDFC Ltd. 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 The Karnataka housing department has clarified that resident welfare associations (RWAs) in Bengaluru should be registered under the Karnataka Cooperative Societies Act, 1959 (KCSA), an official in the department told Moneycontrol. The official also said that they have already received a clarification from the state legal department on registering RWAs under the Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, 1972 (KAOA), which currently lacks a notified competent authority to address homebuyers' grievances. "We are in the process of clarifying the competent authority with the cooperation department. We will also send a letter to all aggrieved homebuyers for the same issue," the official said. Currently, the state has three acts for registering RWAs: KAOA, KCSA, and Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960 (KSRA). The Karnataka High Court has already held that RWAs cannot be registered under KSRA. Impact on homebuyers According to Anil Kalgi, president of the Bangalore City Flat Owners' Welfare Association, more than 50 percent of associations in the state are "illegally" functioning under KAOA. Without a competent authority' to attend to homebuyers grievances in instances of alleged misappropriation of funds or other offences by the RWA, the association registration will not have a legal registration certificate, and it will not be a body corporate, a few of the homebuyers added. "And without a body corporate, Section 17 of the RERA Act, which speaks of transfer of land title to the association through execution of a conveyance deed is not possible," Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, president of Karnataka Home Buyers Forum said. In a right to information reply dated January 6, 2023, the legal department of the state government said, Karnataka Societies Registration Act (KSRA) 1960 and KAOA 1972 does not allow registrations of the RWAs," Moneycontrol reported. Thus rendered without legal registration, homebuyers have no forum for their grievances to be heard in cases of misappropriation of funds, for instance. The posh Nikoo Homes apartment complex in north Bengaluru's Hebbal is a case in point. One homebuyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, "Previously, we had found a major misappropriation of funds within our association that is registered under KAOA. However, when we approached the registrar and cooperation department, they said they cannot help as our association is not registered." In the absence of a competent authority, homebuyers have started filing criminal cases against RWAs. Prema Mistry, a resident of Prestige Tranquillity, a North Bengaluru project, recently lodged a first information report against the Prestige Tranquillity Apartment Owners Association (PTAOA) alleging criminal liabilities, including misappropriation of funds, environmental violation and unregistered association. "PTAOA is registered under KAOA 1972 and is the only authorised body for maintaining the society. The state pollution control board team keeps visiting our facility and they seem to be satisfied with the quality. Thus again this allegation is baseless," the PTAOA team said, rebutting the charges. However, this argument will not have legs once the state government makes it mandatory that RWAs be registered under KCSA. Ongoing negotiations Kalgi said that the state cannot form a new body corporate as it requires the intervention of the central government. "The legal department and cooperative societies are aware of the fact that the solution can be achieved by adding a chapter under the existing KCSA 1959," he said after meeting legal department officials. This will enable the implementation of Section 17 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act and Section 11 of the Karnataka Ownership Flats Act which deals with conveyance, the actual transfer of title ownership. On June 6, Byju's initiated a lawsuit against its term loan B lenders, accusing them of engaging in predatory practices. Concurrently, the company did not pay $40 million in interest. Byju's said it would halt further payments since the legitimacy of the term loan B was being disputed. Shortly thereafter, there was a buzz that three directors GV Ravishankar of Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Vivian Wu from Chan Zuckerberg, and Russell Dreisenstock from Prosus had resigned from the board of the worlds most valued edtech company and Indias most valued startup. Sources said Byju's' decision to go after its lenders was possibly the last straw, capping months of simmering tensions over the way the company was run. Besides, they may have wanted to avoid the liabilities associated with being a board member under Indias company laws, considering the startups delay in filing FY22 (2021-22) financials, which typically leads to a penalty being levied on directors, but more importantly, damages their reputation. Moneycontrol had reached out to the company seeking clarification on the board members alleged discontent and potential resignations. However, Byju's denied these claims then. Co-founder and CEO Byju Raveendran stated that a board meeting was held on June 5, when it approved the initial public offering of its unit, Aakash Educational Services. Nevertheless, where there's smoke, there's usually fire. Sources said the resignations took place between the first and second week of June, and almost 50 shareholders were informed about them on June 18th. With Byjus going down the denial route again, the investee firms issued separate statements late on June 23rd. What gives? Byju's declined to comment. Queries sent to Peak XV Partners, Prosus and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative did not elicit any response. Lack of transparency For over a year, non-promoter board members had sought greater transparency regarding Byju's operations. Raveendran is known to run a tight ship, and exerts complete control over fundraising, operations and communications. A source close to one of Byju's early backers and largest shareholders remarked, "Only he (Raveendran) knows what's happening and was rarely questioned about it, given that he had built a $22 billion empire encompassing numerous successful businesses. But operating privately is distinct from being unforthcoming about important matters such as lender issues. Raveendran was uncooperative with the board when it came to addressing the lender problem." A person with knowledge of the matter said Raveendran was asked to sue the lenders by Byjus forthcoming investors. Byjus has been looking to raise $700 million in an equity funding round from a Middle East-based Sovereign wealth fund for almost three months. But the company has not been able to close it yet amid issues such as searches conducted by Indias financial probe agency, the Directorate of Enforcement, and a tiff with lenders. As it turned out, the three board members had tendered their resignations in the second week of June, during the initial denial by the company to Moneycontrol. However, Raveendran had yet to accept their resignations. Retention attempts Raveendran tried to persuade the board members to reconsider their decisions and presented them with various options, including expanding the board and enhancing transparency. "All options were considered and discussions took place between the investors and Raveendran," said an individual aware of the talks, on condition of anonymity. There were multiple emails exchanged between GV Ravishankar and Byju Raveendran in the last six months. The discussions centred on appointing independent directors to the board, resembling that of a public company, being more transparent about operations, and particularly, being more open about financial matters. However, these failed to materialise. On June 18, Byju's convened a meeting with over 50 of the company's top investors. During the meeting, the three non-promoter board members confirmed their resignations to the shareholders. However, Byju's had not officially accepted the resignations. On June 22, Moneycontrol reported on the resignations, which the company again denied. Observers explained the denial was due to a technicality. "Until the company accepts the board members' resignations, they can deny their departure. Once accepted, the company must officially file the resignation letters with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and appoint new directors within 30 days," explained an observer knowledgeable about the technicalities. A formal acceptance Finally, on June 23, Byju's and the three investorsPeak XV Partners, Prosus, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiativeformally accepted the resignations. Byju's attributed the departures of the board members to the respective investors' shareholding falling below a specific threshold. However, the investors themselves did not disclose their reasons for resigning. Prosus holds just less than a 10 percent stake in Byju's, while Peak XV Partners holds 7.1 percent. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has a 2.4 percent stake. Tracxn data shows that in July 2022, the stakes of Sequoia and Prosus declined 10 basis points, whereas Chan Zuckerberg's stake remained unchanged. Byju's statement that the investors had to vacate their board seats because their shareholding fell below a threshold is unclear, given that the company has not secured new equity funding in the past eight months. The exit of the three directors left Byjus with only family members on the board Raveendran, his wife Divya Gokulnath, and his brother Riju Ravindran. We want to reassure all stakeholders that we are actively working towards constituting a diverse and world-class board commensurate with the companys size and scale, a Byjus spokesperson said while formally accepting the board members departures on June 23. All said and done, if Raveendran had always been private about operational matters, what triggered the board members departure now? The probable trigger As the first person quoted above said, the majority of Byjus investors are sitting on handsome returns on their investments. The companys valuation rose 22 times from January 2018, when it turned into a unicorn valued at $1 billion, to March 2022, when it raised funds at $22 billion. The companys revenue was more than Rs 2,000 crore even before the pandemic in FY20. With the pandemic-led boost for online learning, Byjus was set to grow leaps and bounds. You have to believe the investors were happy. If a company has grown so much in revenue before an external factor (Covid) and so much in valuation, it suggests the model is working, said an edtech investor, requesting anonymity. The pandemic-driven boost was something all edtech companies looked to capitalise upon and Byjus was no exception. But then cracks started appearing in May last year. It just went from bad to worse for Byjus. Certainly, the investors and particularly board members were going to be more cautious. The investor has a point. Last year onwards, serious allegations against the company such as non-payment of vendor dues and other statutory payments, and probable foreign exchange violations started surfacing. Byjus was also probed for pushing poor families to buy their subscriptions by offering loans. The company has been under the ED scanner. There are issues with respect to the loan it has raised. If there are any statutory payment dues, the directors are held liable. While even after their resignations, the directors can be held responsible for the retrospective dues, the resignations suggest that the dues are going to increase going forward and in that case, they do not want to be held responsible and liable for that, said a legal expert. The directors, thus, might want to clear themselves of future liabilities, the person quoted above added. Moreover, there were questions about the 18-month delay in filing the financial results for FY21. Even for FY22, the company has not filed results yet. We, as directors, are advised to step down from boards if there is a more than a three-month delay in filing audited results, said a venture capital investor who has held board seats in startups and currently sits on a startups board. Especially if the company has not been able to convey the reason for the delay, we are asked to immediately step down. In Byjus case, there has been an 18-month delay last year and a 15-month delay this year, so that could be one of the main reasons for the departure, the investor added. In case of non-filing of annual returns of a company, both the company and the directors are liable for penalty. More than the penalty, there is a huge reputation risk at stake for the directors, said Shriram Subramanian, founder of governance advisory firm InGovern. Byjus said on June 23 the management has engaged with investors in constructive discussions on the reconstitution of the board, including the induction of independent directors. With half of the board resigning, the startup faces a significant challenge that will determine its future. The crisis not only impacts the company's over 30,000 employees but also its subscribers, a $1.2 billion term loan B, and funding of over $5 billion secured from more than 70 reputable investors. The ongoing issues are also likely to have a ripple effect on Indias startup ecosystem, currently the third-largest in the world. Indian startups already face a worsening funding winter, with global PE/VC firms holding back investments. Additionally, corporate governance lapses at many Indian startups have prompted partners of VC firms to voice caution on Indias startup ecosystem. This is not a Byjus only issue. I have received a number of calls, emails and msgs from my global LPs over the last 48 hours asking if this is symptomatic to the industry as a whole. In particular, if I as a director was aware of issues at my companies and am ignoring them, Deepak Shahdadpuri, managing director at DSG Consumer Partners, said in a tweet on June 24. We as institutional investors have a fiduciary and moral responsibility to our LPs and our founders to hold them accountable. As a company director, I take my job seriously. I am not sure what happened at Byju's but this is already impacting how foreign LPs are viewing India. Byjus has delayed provident fund (PF) payments of employees for almost all months starting October last year, in what is a violation of the PF Act, opening itself up to action from the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Byjus, which is Indias most-valued startup, has been making PF contributions with a lag of almost three to four months, according to data sourced from EPFO by Moneycontrol. In fact, for some employees, Byjus made PF contributions for December only in June, the data showed. The data obtained from EPFO has been viewed by multiple independent PF consultants, who confirmed that it suggests a delay in payment for most months. The company expedited PF payment contributions after Moneycontrol reported last week that employees' PF passbooks were not showing contributions from November last year, even though employees' salary slips showed PF contribution entries. When Moneycontrol had asked Byjus about the alleged non-payment, the company had declined to comment. Sources close to the company had then said that it is a reflection issue and the company has been timely making PF payments. However, according to the data, only about 10,000-13,000 employees have received PF payments for January, February, and March. The majority of employees are yet to receive PF payments for April and June, the data showed. According to a Supreme Court ruling in February 2022, an employer is needed to cover damages if an employees PF contribution is delayed. Under the PF Act, companies are required to make PF contributions before the 15th of next month and if there is a delay in payments, employees can file a complaint with the EPFO against the employer. If an employee files a complaint against the company, it initiates an inquiry by the EPFO against the employer. EPFO can recover the damage amount on the late deposit, while there can also be a police complaint against the employer. However, before any penal action, the employer is given reasonable time and opportunity to present their point. Under the PF act, employers defaulting on contributions are liable to pay damages under Section 14B and interest under Section 7Q of the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 on the amount due. In response to Moneycontrol's queries, a Byju's spokesperson said, "This is to confirm that there are no pending PF payments towards employees. There are no dues." EPFO did not respond to queries sent by Moneycontrol. Delay in PF payments has a precedent. In 2016, the EPFO was probing the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines for delaying its contribution to international workers. The EPFO had then slapped a fine of Rs 7.62 lakh on the airline for non-compliance. PF consultants, personal finance experts, and lawyers said the EPFO may issue a similar penalty. The probable PF action could add to the long list of headaches for Byjus and its founder Byju Raveendran, who are currently dealing with a number of issues, including auditor and board member resignations. Also Read | Behind the scenes: What happened between Byjus and board members? Last week, three board members of Byjus--GV Ravishankar of Peak XV Ventures (formerly Sequoia Capital), Vivian Wu of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Rusel Dreisenstock of Prosus--stepped down from the companys board due to differences with Raveendran over operational issues. Meanwhile, Deloitte, one of the biggest audit firms in the world, has tendered its resignation as the statutory auditor of Byju's. Deloitte's resignation leaves Byju's in limbo as the edtech company's FY21 (2020-21) results had outlined a number of irregularities with respect to the company's revenue recognition practices. EPFO's potential action comes just a couple of months after the Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's financial probe agency, searched Byju's offices in Bengaluru under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. Additionally, the company has not yet filed audited results for FY22 (2021-22). For FY21, Byju's reported a significant increase in losses to over Rs 4,500 crore, while its revenue dropped marginally. This was surprising considering that FY21 was the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, which provided a boost to online learning companies. Founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, Byjus has raised over $5 billion, most of it in the past five years. (With inputs from Preeti Kulkarni and Christin Matthew Philip) Shares of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Axis Bank opened flat after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slapped fines on the lenders for non-compliance on certain directions. Jammu and Kashmir Bank was down 0.7 percent at Rs 56.10 at 10.18am on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday, while Bank of Maharashtra was trading 0.37 percent lower and Axis Bank 0.26 percent lower. Jammu and Kashmir Bank was fined Rs 2.5 crore as it did not ensure necessary steps to see if the data submitted to Central Repository of Information and Large Credit (CRILC) was accurate or not. CRILC collects and stores data on borrowers credit exposure. The bank sent messages through the SWIFT network without confirming if the transactions are accurately recorded in the Core Banking System (CBS) or not. Jammu and Kashmir Bank had granted loan to a corporation without confirming if the bank had the resources to pay back the debt. Bank of Maharashtra has been asked to cough up Rs 1.45 crore since it granted loan to a corporation without thoroughly checking if the projects would generate enough revenue to repay the debt. The bank also failed to implement certain control measures for ATMs. The RBI slapped a Rs 30-lakh fine on Axis Bank as it penalized customers for non-payment of credit card dues, although the customers had already paid the dues through third-party platforms. The apex bank issued a show-cause notice earlier to all the three lenders, asking them to clarify why they should not be penalised. Jammu and Kashmir Banks revenue increased 14 percent on-year to Rs 10,120 crore in FY23, while Bank of Maharashtra posted a 15 percent rise in topline to Rs 18,179 crore and Axis Bank recorded 23 percent growth to Rs 106,154 crore. 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. A return of former internally displaced persons to Azerbaijan's Lachin region is underway within the Great Return program. Lachin residents expressed their gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Vice- President Mehriban Aliyeva for comprehensive state care, as well as to the Azerbaijani army, heroic soldiers and officers, who liberated Azerbaijan's territories from Armenian occupation, Azernews reports. They also paid tribute to the memory of themartyrs, who gave theirlives for the country's independence. A total of 70 families, including 266 people, are provided with permanent residence in Lachin. Resettled families will live in the houses in which they lived before the Armenian occupation. Their houses have been restored and reconstructed after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands. Following the liberation of its territories from Armenia in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the Great Return program, which envisions the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native lands. The program's implementation should be carried out until 2026. It has defined the following target indicators for the development of Azerbaijans Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions: Infrastructure, Economic recovery, Social development, Balanced development of the environment. Under the state program, Azerbaijan has identified a number of grandiose goals as it envisages the resettlement of 34,500 families to the liberated territories by 2026. The relocation of families to houses to be built in stages is carried out in accordance with the scheduled restoration work. Shares of Shree Cements tanked 10 percent in early trade on June 26 following reports that the company has been found to have allegedly evaded Rs 23,000 crore in taxes. A report by NDTV said an alleged evasion of Rs 23,000 crore, said to be one of the biggest, was allegedly unearthed during tax searches at Shree Cements offices in Rajasthans Beawar, Jaipur, Chittorgarh and Ajmer. Moneycontrol couldnt verify the report independently. At 9.35 am, Shree Cements was trading at Rs 23,639.75 on the National Stock Exchange, down 6 percent from the previous close. The stock also hit an intraday low of Rs 22,630.75 minutes after the opening. Follow our live blog for all the market action Volumes were strong as 83,000 shares of the company changed hands on the exchanges as against the one-month daily traded average of 46,000. Sources quoted by NDTV also said that the company siphoned off Rs 1,200-1,400 crore every year in tax because of which the Centre and the state government suffered a huge loss of revenue due to fake agreements. The company tried to calm investors through a clarification issued on the exchanges. "We would like to clarify that the survey is still going on. The entire management team of the company is available and extending full cooperation to the officials. Any information circulating in the media otherwise is incorrect and has been published without seeking prior inputs from the company," Shree Cements said. 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. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Standard Life International DAC (SLIDAC), a subsidiary of the Phoenix Group, on June 26 announced that they will collaborate on the latter's operating model and enhance the customer experience for policyholders in Europe. To achieve this, TCS will leverage its Digital Platform for Life and Pensions, which is powered by TCS BaNCS, as per the filing to the exchanges. TCS already has a strong partnership with the Phoenix Group in the UK, where its subsidiary, Diligenta, has successfully transformed operations and manages millions of policies. Building on this success, TCS and the Phoenix Group seek to extend the improved digital experience to policyholders in Germany, Austria, and other European markets, it added. As part of the partnership, TCS plans to establish a customer operations centre in Germany and develop a Life and Pensions Digital Platform tailored for Germany and Austria, with potential expansion into additional European markets. The initial phase involves migrating over 4,00,000 policies from SLIDAC's German and Austrian life and pension books to the TCS platform, with the aim of creating comprehensive digital experiences across multiple channels for policyholders and advisors. Also Read: UK insurer Phoenix Group subsidiary picks TCS for operating model recast TCS's platform provides flexibility and robust functionality, enabling SLIDAC to launch innovative products more efficiently, enhance risk management and controls, and ensure compliance with regulations. This business transformation initiative will empower SLIDAC and the Phoenix Group to adapt swiftly to market changes and seize new growth opportunities within the European markets. Nigel Dunne, CEO, Standard Life International DAC, said, We continually review our operating model to ensure it is meeting the evolving needs of our customers on their journey to and through retirement. Leveraging the advantages of our strategic relationship with TCS will support our growth strategy in Europe and bring benefits to both our customers and advisers. This is a real opportunity to help us accelerate our ability to innovate and efficiently evolve our customer proposition in the future. We are delighted to expand our long-standing partnership with the Phoenix Group to include SLIDACs policyholders in Europe and extend to them, the same digital omnichannel experiences that have made us a market leader in the UK. With TCS Digital Platform for Life and Pensions SLIDAC will have a future-ready digital core that enhances its agility and will support its growth aspirations in Europe, said R Vivekanand, President, BFSI Products and Platforms at TCS. Also Read: TCS refutes any fraud in recruitment process; check stock reaction TCS BFSI Products and Platforms is a comprehensive digital ecosystem that empowers various insurance providers, including life, pensions/nnuities, property/ casualty, and health insurance. This platform prioritises a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) approach and enables simplified enterprise management, superior omnichannel customer experiences, and facilitates digital transformation. Rohit Jawa is all set to take over the corner office at Hindustan Unilever tomorrow - a day after Sanjiv Mehta retires as managing director and chief executive officer. Known for transforming the consumer goods major's China and Philippine business, Jawa serves as the chief of transformation in his London-based role. The 56-year-old Unilever veteran's career has spanned over 35 years since he joined as a management trainee in 1988. In his new role as the MD and CEO of Hindustan Unilever, Jawa is likely to get an annual remuneration of Rs 21.43 crore, according to the company's annual report. He will also receive a sum of Rs 4.83 crore as mobility-linked allowances in FY24. According to the annual report, Mehtas salary was 164 times higher than that of an average HUL employee. Now, Jawas pay package will exceed what Mehta had received in FY23. He took home Rs 22.36 crore in annual remuneration last fiscal. Education and Management Career The St Stephen's College graduate from the 1986 batch did his MBA in marketing from Delhi Universitys Faculty of Management Studies and joined HUL as a management trainee in 1988. As the chairman of Unilever Philippines, Jawa led the business to become one of the top 10 markets for the multinational, the company said. As the EVP for North Asia and chairman for China business, he transformed Unilever China into a competitive, profitable, and consistent business. It is now Unilevers third biggest venture worldwide. "Within six months of Jawas regime, Unilever China introduced 75 percent of innovative launches across categories. Streamlining distribution in China was a key focus area for Jawa along with investments of 13 billion over 2017-21 towards making digital content to influence consumer buying behaviours through social media platforms, a report by global financial services group Nomura said. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Mizoram is waiting for a relief package sought from the Centre for over 12,000 internally displaced people from ethnic violence-hit Manipur, a senior home department official said on Monday. The Mizo National Front (MNF) government, headed by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, had in May sought Rs 10 crore as a relief package for those displaced people. Mizoram Home Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmawia said that Tourism Minister Robert Romawia and some officials, including him, met the Union home secretary and the additional secretary in Delhi recently and urged him to release the package at the earliest. "Even though the response of the home secretary and the additional secretary was positive during the meeting, we have not received any word from the Centre regarding the relief package till today," he told PTI. The home department handles the displaced people from Manipur and those who had taken refuge in the state from Myanmar and Bangladesh. Lalengmawia said that the home department has sought assistance to the tune of Rs 5 crore from the finance department to provide relief to the people from Manipur. "For this purpose, we will also collect donations from legislators, employees of the state government, central government, corporates and commercial banks and others," he said. According to the state home department, at least 22 people have entered Mizoram in the past two days, raising the total number of displaced people from Manipur in the state to 12,162 as of Monday. These people belonged to the Kuki-Hmar-Mizo-Zomi group, who share close ethnic ties with the Mizo people of Mizoram. The government and village authorities have set up 35 relief camps in Aizawl, Kolasib and Saitual districts for them. The senior official said that some relief camps have begun to face a crisis of food and other materials due to a paucity of funds. Kolasib district, which borders Assam, currently hosts the highest number of displaced people at 4,345, followed by Aizawl district at 4,047 and Saitual district at 2,940, according to the home department data. Mizoram also currently hosts more than 35,000 refugees from coup-hit Myanmar and Bangladesh. 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 (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. Modi was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief J P Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. The prime minister had embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21. Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Joe Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by Modi's address to Congress and a State Dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour. The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. Modi arrived in Cairo on Saturday after concluding his high-profile state visit to the US and was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. He concluded his first-ever visit to Egypt Sunday evening. During the visit, he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and was conferred the Arab country's highest honour 'Order of the Nile'. Modi and Sisi discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people ties. The two countries elevated their relationship to a "Strategic Partnership". President El-Sisi conferred Modi the 'Order of the Nile' award - Egypt's highest state honour. This is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi. The female wrestlers, who have accused outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, moved a Delhi court on Monday seeking copy of the charge sheet filed against him. The city police had filed a charge sheet against Singh, also a BJP MP, under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC on June 15. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, who is scheduled to take up the charge sheet for consideration tomorrow, directed the lawyer for the complainants to apply for a certified copy at the court's copying agency. The charge sheet also named Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for offences under sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354-A and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Besides the present case, another FIR was registered against Singh under the POCSO Act on the basis of allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a minor wrestler. She was among the seven female grapplers who had accused Singh of sexual harassment. Both the FIRs narrate several alleged instances of sexual harassment like inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places over a decade. In the minors case, the Delhi Police had on June 15 filed a final report seeking cancellation of the FIR. A cancellation report is filed in cases where police fail to find corroborative evidence after due investigation. In a startling revelation, the father of the minor wrestler had told PTI that he and his daughter had filed a "false" police complaint of sexual harassment against Singh because they wanted to get back at him for perceived injustice against the girl. Singh has been questioned by the police twice so far, and on both occasions, he denied all the allegations against him and claimed he was being "framed". When scientists announced at a conference last week that they had created synthetic human embryos, it felt like something from Brave New World. News coverage conjured up images of scientists creating new human life in an unnatural way and then using it to conduct experiments. The name applied to this latest advance is unfortunate, however, because the discovery represents a potentially significant breakthrough in the study of infertility and in particular, research into why embryos so often fail to implant in the uterus. While there are still unanswered questions about how these so-called synthetic embryos were created, misunderstandings and confusion could lead to bans that could derail important scientific work. Whether the work is considered ethical and legal depends on whether these lab-grown clusters of cells have the potential to become human life. The scientists who created them, and others familiar with the work, say they cant, and thats part of what makes this an important discovery. There are always legitimate ethical considerations when scientists work with the starting material of human life, concerns raised when scientists cloned a sheep in 1996 and later in the early 2000s, when they learned to make potential replacement tissue from discarded human embryos from fertility clinics. But in an information vacuum, meaningful medical advances and legitimate ethical debates can easily get trampled on. Thats what happened with the earlier work on embryonic stem cells, prompting restrictions during the administration of President George W Bush banning the use of federal funding for research that destroyed human embryos, even if they were to be otherwise discarded. Some states bar embryo research outright. Others, such as California, have allocated state funding, while some have allowed only research done with private funds. Taking away the prospect of federal funding has seriously discouraged research. In principle, these new entities synthetic embryos shouldnt be subject to these same rules or ethical considerations if they are, as the researchers claim, not capable of developing past a primitive, mostly unstructured state. Kenneth Zaret, director of the Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, had heard the synthetic embryo talk at last weeks gathering of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and said the term is misleading. Although the entities created are derived from human cells, they dont have the potential to become human life. Thats what makes them useful for studying fertility without running afoul of existing bans, says Zaret, who suggests embryo model might be a better description of these entities. He notes that around one-third of embryos fail before or around the time of implantation in the uterus. He said running lab tests with these models might improve the success rate of in vitro fertilisation, during which multiple embryos are made and a few are chosen to be implanted. Art Caplan, a bioethicist at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, said the ethical acceptability and legal status of synthetic embryos would depend on how dissimilar they are to real, potentially viable embryos. The claimed lack of similarity is hard to evaluate, however, because the research was announced at a professional meeting rather than in a peer-reviewed paper. That leaves the findings open to speculation. While a peer-reviewed paper is likely to be forthcoming, there might be political pressure to ban this research before the scientists have had a chance to make their case and before ethicists have had a chance to fully weigh in. In this sensitive area, the scientists should have been more careful how they announced and publicised what they had created. They could be setting up potentially valuable research for failure, Caplan said. The possibility of crossing the line is there. Scientists have used related techniques to make embryos of mice and monkeys and watched them develop hearts and other organs. Thats why clear guidelines are so important. Science has helped more people become parents over the last 30 years. We could be on the cusp of still more progress. But researchers need to remember that the way they disclose new discoveries and the language they use to describe them will influence the public reaction to their work. Scientists need to be upfront and clear about what they are doing and what they dont yet know, or risk seeing their efforts squandered. FD Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering science. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Credit: Bloomberg India is caught up in a quarrel over tariffs on information and communication technology (ICT) goods. The EU filed a WTO dispute that India has applied tariffs up to 20 percent on certain ICT goods, such as mobile phones and accessories, which is against the Information Technology Agreement-1 (ITA-1), to which India is a signatory. Signatories to ITA-1 are obliged to levy a maximum tariff of zero percent on a set of pre-agreed ICT goods. India claims that the goods on which it levies a tariff are not covered under ITA-1. Besides the EU, Japan and Taiwan also filed similar cases against India. The WTO has ruled against India in all three disputes. India approached the appellate body (which has been dysfunctional for some time now) in the dispute filed by Japan on May 25, while the EU is threatening to apply retaliatory tariffs. Chinas Gain And Indias Loss Keeping this tariff squabble aside, there is a bigger question of whether India should join the ITA-2, which expands on the scope of the original agreement to include software and digital content, touch screens, GPS navigation equipment etc. The Indian government seems to have taken a firm stance against joining the expanded agreement and justifying it by highlighting Indias most discouraging experience with ITA-1, in which the real gainer from that agreement has been China. It further states that given the governments current manufacturing push, this is the time for us to incubate our industry rather than expose it to undue pressures of competition. It is indeed the case that Chinas electronics industry gained more from ITA-1 than India. Particularly, Chinese companies dominated the industry for cheap mobile phones and electronic products, and the Indian domestic manufacturers could not compete and disappeared from the market by 2017. This causality is the underlying argument behind Indias adamance on ITA-1 and reluctance with respect to ITA-2. However, the government is drawing the wrong lessons from prior experience for three reasons. But Why Did India Lose Out? First, the government is mistaking correlation for causation. It is wrong to attribute the dismal performance of the Indian electronic manufacturing sector to the ITA-1. The domestic phone makers business model was to rebrand imported phones from China, which would not be profitable for long. In fact, it is the ITA that enabled companies to import electronic components cheaply, giving them an opportunity to move up the assembly value chain. These companies quickly captured nearly 30 percent of the smartphone market share. However, the lack of investment in R&D or industrial innovation meant these companies had no competitive advantage. It was not so much a failure of an infant industry but the inability of incumbents to catch up technologically. This story isnt unique to electronic products. Even in segments to which the ITA doesnt apply, such as machine tools, textiles, or toys, Indian companies couldnt stand international competition. Surely, the problem lies in Indias large-scale manufacturing troubles, not the ITA. Fundamental and tougher to resolve factors such as the unfriendly business climate, archaic land and labour laws, complicated tax system, and lack of financing options underlie Indias past manufacturing underperformance. Protectionism Wont Work Second, if India wants to be a manufacturing and exporting powerhouse, it cannot do so by protecting champions from undue pressures of competition, as we did before 1991. The electronics industry heavily relies on the frictionless flows of goods, capital, and human resources across borders. Aatmanirbharta in the electronics sector is a myth, as competitive exports require cheap imports. By disregarding the ITA, products manufactured in India will not be able to compete in the international market. Even industrial policy and targeted subsidies are ineffective due to high import tariffs. An analysis by the industry body of phone manufacturers shows that higher import tariffs have meant that a large portion of the money companies receive under PLI gets re-routed to pay these tariffs, ultimately making production cost-prohibitive. This is why companies such as Apple have been seeking duty exemptions for some electronic components. Tariffs are also a major sticking point in the India-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement. A unilateral reduction in tariffs by following ITA is thus in Indias interest. Learning From Chinas Success Third, its important to derive the right lessons from Chinas success under the ITA-1 regime. China joined ITA-1 in a position of strength in 2003, with a fairly well-established electronics manufacturing sector. By then, China was the third-largest exporter of ITA products and the fourth-largest importer. The ITA supercharged this advantage and propelled China to become a global leader. Twenty years later, India is in a similar position to China in 2003. It has managed to kickstart its electronics assembly industry, and the global winds are in Indias favour. Moreover, by virtue of its manufacturing strength, China could enter the ITA-1 and negotiate favourable exemptions a delayed phase-out period and exemptions on certain goods. It has also been able to negotiate some exemptions under the expanded ITA-2. By categorically dismissing the ITA-2, India has lost its seat at the table and negotiating rights. Given that India is both a large market and is more deeply integrated with global value chains with the manufacturing presence of Samsung and Apple, it can negotiate for important waivers and co-shape the ITA-2 product list. Weigh Costs, Benefits Of ITA-2 Finally, reducing tariffs helps in greater adoption of ICT products that play a key role in increasing productivity and efficiency not just in the electronics sector but also in all other sectors that use ICT as an input, such as the wider digital economy. Cheaper ICT products also increase consumer choice and welfare and spur economic growth. A liberal import policy on electronic items will help India attract domestic and foreign investment in electronics manufacturing and embed Indian companies in global value chains. A liberal, rules-based trading order is beneficial to India. Instead of a doctrinaire opposition to ITA, India must carefully weigh the costs and benefits of staying out of ITA-2. Anupam Manur is a Professor of Economics and Pranay Kotasthane is the Chairperson of the High-Tech Geopolitics Programme at the Takshashila Institution. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provided a framework for banks and financial institutions (BFIs), on June 8, 2023, for compromise settlement of debts and technical write-off of non-performing assets (NPAs). Compromise settlement under the framework is a negotiated arrangement with the borrower to settle in cash, with or without sacrifice. Technical write-off is a full or partial write-off of an NPA only for accounting purposes and without prejudice to the right of BFI for recovery of the same. De Facto Recognition The RBIs new framework is a welcome initiative but with caveats. It is a step forward towards de facto recognition of de jure position for a write-off of those accounts that have already been declared NPAs. The mechanism for compromise settlement would save BFIs from long drawn-out follow-up and intensive efforts for the realisation of outstanding debts in chronic default due to reasons beyond the control of borrower. It also allows the same in cases of fraud or wilful default which is a subject matter of considerable debate. The idea behind the RBIs move seems to continue to derive the economic benefits of the related projects or businesses without waiting for the outcome of punitive action initiated or to be taken against the borrowers in such cases. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has made a significant contribution, directly and indirectly, in resolving NPAs. However, it is best suited for corporate debtors in grim financial conditions i.e., in an intensive care unit and in their present form requires radical measures. The resolution of such corporate debtors under IBC takes up to three years and entails significant costs. This goes against the fundamental principle that more the delay, the speedier the decline in the economic value of defaulting entity. Further, once an entity is declared NPA or IBC is invoked, the support from lenders and other stakeholders starts waning. The percentage realisation of creditors' dues has suffered heavy haircuts, among other reasons, in most such cases. The RBIs new framework primarily provides for compromise settlement for finding solutions in cases of defaults in repayment of debt beyond the control of, or despite the best efforts and intentions of, the borrower. The objective is to maximise the possible recovery from a distressed borrower at minimum expense, in the best interest of the BFI. The framework also provides that this should be used in cases of fraud or wilful defaulters without prejudice to other measures needed or initiated so that the mechanism is not misused by BFIs or by fraudulent borrowers or wilful defaulters through compromise settlement or technical write-off. Framing A Policy The framework requires the board of BFIs to frame a comprehensive policy laying down the process to be followed for all compromise settlements and technical write-offs. The policy should also stipulate requirements on conditions for agreeing to compromise settlement like minimum ageing, deterioration in collateral value and permissible sacrifice for various categories of exposures after prudently reckoning the current realisable value, arrived at through prescribed methodology for valuation of security/collateral available. It should also provide for ensuring the accountability of BFI officials. Further, such claims shall be treated as restructuring as per the extant framework for restructuring. The framework however does not provide for specific parameters like what are the conditions that a borrower needs to fulfil before his debt can be considered eligible for compromise settlement or what should be threshold levels for haircuts or what should be specific methodology for arriving at realisable value of security/collateral available. Allowing BFIs to decide on the detailed policy based on their prudence and commercial wisdom according to circumstances specific to those may be good. This would however mean that BFIs will have to exercise their greater prudence in framing the policy and extreme care while implementing it. The RBI's new framework also allows considerable delegation to individuals and committees at various levels within the BFI with a reporting level for each of those. Effective adherence to the policy and its implementation becomes all the more important. The BFIs officials, as observed in the past, have often been reluctant for compromise settlements or restructuring or technical write-offs under the relevant frameworks of RBI earlier for fear of accountability later. At the same time, BFIs have been, justifiably or unjustifiably, criticised for lack of fairness or transparency in the process adopted by them in different cases. For effective implementation of new dispensation or to discourage its misuse, it would have been better if the RBI framework could have been more prescriptive in relation to the process and threshold level for various parameters to be followed for compromise settlements or technical write-offs, like in the case of its framework for liquidity management or asset-liability mismatch (ALM). Presumably, all the cases of compromise or settlement would be suitably placed before the audit committee of BFI, the RBIs framework could, however, have made a special mention of the same. Similarly, for cases of fraud and wilful defaulters, approval and regular monitoring at the audit committee and the board level with more specifics could have been stipulated and emphasised. A compromise settlement in cases of fraud or wilful defaulter with the existing promoters should better be avoided. The onus is now on BFIs and their board having been provided with considerable discretion and flexibility by the RBI to exercise greater prudence in designing the policy and to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism. Transparency and fairness adopted in the mechanism and the process followed for the implementation of the policy will be crucial. Ashok Haldia is the past secretary of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Views are personal, and do not reflect the stand of this publication. India has signed the Artemis Accords (AA) during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the United States (US). This will allow India to partner with a host of technologically advanced countries and chart a roadmap for a rules-based exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond. Moreover, restrictions on the import of critical technologies in the space domain, particularly electronic items, are expected to be eased with India joining this initiative. A joint mission by the American and Indian civil space agencies to the International Space Station (ISS) will also be developed. The mission details are yet to be revealed but an Indian astronaut visiting the space station will be of significant help for Indias Gaganyaan launch and future human lunar missions. With these developments, India-US space cooperation is being revived to a greater extent possible. Cold Wars Impact On India The US supported the nascent Indian space programme by providing training to scientists like APJ Abdul Kalam and granting sounding rockets for experiments. The American Nike Apache sounding rocket was the first to be launched from Keralas Thumba. The INSAT-1 series of satellites were built by Ford Aerospace and were launched on American rockets and space shuttle in the 1980s. Meanwhile, Indias first astronaut was launched into space from Russia in 1984. Its political relations with the US had deteriorated by this time with the Soviet Union supporting Indias military action in the former East Pakistan during the 1971 war. India also began engaging itself in the path of self-reliance. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project was initiated to allow India launch Low-Earth orbit satellites using its own rocket. A missile programme was also initiated to strengthen Indias nuclear deterrence. In the 1990s, India sought to import cryogenic engine technology from Russia to become self-reliant in launching communication satellites as well. All these programmes were targeted by the US restrictions and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) sanctions. The American concern was the incessant proliferation of nuclear weapons and delivery mechanisms during the waning years of the Soviet Union, jeopardising the stability of the emerging unipolar world order. India-US Space Ties Revive Only after India and the US began forging a strategic relationship through the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) in 2004, did the American sanctions on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and related entities were lifted. Since then, American small satellite operators were permitted, with waivers, to launch their satellites on the PSLV. Indias Chandrayaan-1 and American Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter conducted a joint experiment to investigate the presence of ice on the moon. Indias Mars Orbiter Mission also received communications support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) Deep Space Network of antennae. This cooperation is being extended to human space exploration. The Johnson Space Center in Texas will be providing advanced training for the Indian astronauts to enable a ISRO-NASA joint mission to the ISS. The space agencies will also chart a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation between the two countries. Indeed, this will revive a long forgotten facet of India-US space cooperation. In the 1980s, two ISRO scientists were trained in the US to fly on the Challenger space shuttle but that mission was cancelled following the disintegration of the space shuttle in 1986. Charting Rules Of The Road The US training is essential considering Russia has become internationally isolated and suffering economic sanctions, although it did provide training to the Indian astronauts earlier. This also jeopardises the possible launch and ISS training by Russia. The added advantage for India by cooperating with the US is prospective scientific partnerships with other technologically advanced countries already onboard the ISS project and the Artemis Accords (AA). India has committed itself to following the norms already set in place by these countries, such as the MTCR, to break from the international isolation and establish political, military and technological cooperation with the advanced world. The significance of signing onto the AA is Indias improved status as a norm-setter. The AA works on 13 principles and India is now able to guide the improvement and application of these principles for a safe and peaceful exploration of the celestial bodies. This is important to avoid harmful interference, potential satellite collisions and disputes over the extraction and utilisation of space resources. India and the partner countries will also arrive at a common set of engineering and managerial standards to enhance interoperability between their systems. Previously, such partnerships resulted in commercialisation of space technologies and private participation in space exploration. India could take advantage of this experience to transform itself into a knowledge economy and emerge as an important node in the global supply chains. Vidya Sagar Reddy is a research analyst on outer space affairs. He tracks Indian, Chinese and American space activities. Vidya has published book chapters and research articles in the Astropolitics and NewSpace journals. He also provided analyses for The Space Review, SpaceNews, East Asia Forum and DNA India. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. The mutiny by caterer Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner mercenary army ended on Saturday before it really began. Prigozhin apparently has been persuaded to desist by Alexander Lukashenko, the dictator of Belarus, who agreed to let him move to his country, presumably with part of his fighting force. But his escapades consequences have only begun to resound in Moscow and on the battlefields of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Though Vladimir Putin declared Prigozhin a traitor in a five-minute televised address to the nation, characteristically without naming him, Prigozhins Justice March faced little resistance. The rebels passed through the Rostov and Voronezh regions, shooting down several military helicopters that tried to follow or attack their convoys, including a Ka-52 a fearsome machine that has been slowing Ukraines counteroffensive. They passed through the Lipetsk region, where local officials ordered some roads dug up to stop them too late. They approached the Oka River in the Moscow region, 200 kilometers from the capital, as sandbags were heaped at checkpoints and roadblocks manned by a thin force of police and conscripts closer to the capital. Meanwhile, Chechen fighters who had professed loyalty to Putin and offered to put down the mutiny in Rostov apparently never showed up. Suddenly it was all over. Using his standard mode of communication a voice recording on Telegram Prigozhin announced that he was ending the march on Moscow to avoid bloodshed and pulling back his fighters to their field camps. Soon, Putins spokesman Dmitri Peskov explained that Lukashenko had negotiated a solution at Putins request: Prigozhin would receive immunity from prosecution and move to Belarus, and some Wagner fighters would sign contracts with the defense ministry. In Lipetsk, workers began filling the holes they had dug in the roads. In Moscow, the mayor decided not to cancel the day off hed declared for Muscovites for Monday when he still expected things to get hot. Things may still go wrong with Lukashenkos purported plan: Putin likes to hunt down people he considers traitors, and Belarus is increasingly treated as part of Russia, so its not an obvious refuge for Prigozhin. What will happen in all the places where Wagner informally represented Russias shadier interests in Syria, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Libya is also unclear. The significance of the failed mutiny, however, goes far beyond its direct consequences or the fate of Wagner and its founder Prigozhin. Russia has rarely been an orderly place. On Saturday, Prigozhin did what many a lawless adventurer had done before him. During the reign of Catherine the Great, a Cossack named Yemelyan Pugachev declared himself emperor and seized some fortresses in the Urals before a large regular military force stopped him. During the Russian civil war following the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, anarchist warlord Nestor Makhno waged successful campaigns against both the remnants of the Russian regular army and the Bolshevik-led Red Army as their main forces were busy fighting each other. Neither of these upstarts could count on long-term success, but it was enough for them to be kings for a day, to live it up wildly rather than submit to any kind of authority. Even if Wagner, with a few thousand experienced fighters, could have seized some government buildings in Moscow, and perhaps even hung Prigozhins antagonists Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov from lampposts, they couldnt have hoped to hold one of Europes biggest cities. For all the street cred Wagner has accumulated as it fought the toughest urban battles in Ukraine, it didnt have the sheer strength for a successful coup detat, and Prigozhin, with his grating voice and his petty criminal past, didnt have the political status or the popularity to lead one. Suicidal desperation, however, can be a workable strategy in Russia. It confuses the cowardly bureaucratic machine and earns respect from the masses. In Rostov, crowds cheered Prigozhin as he left town in a black SUV. In the early years of his reign, Putin himself elevated Ramzan Kadyrov, the current leader of Chechnya, even though Kadyrov had earlier fought the Russian troops in a war the Chechen separatists couldnt win. It was enough for Kadyrov to go over to the Russian side for which he received Chechnya almost as a personal fiefdom where Russian laws hold little power. A berserk warriors grim determination to wreak havoc no matter what the cost can still, it turns out, be a strong negotiating position. By recognising it as such, Putin has, not for the first time but at a critical moment, shown weakness. Few in Russia jumped to his defense in the face of Prigozhins willingness to unleash chaos. While the troops continued fighting in Ukraine and Russian generals continued to direct the fighting from the Rostov headquarters even as Wagner fighters patrolled the building no one moved to take on the mercenaries for the sake of Shoigu and Gerasimov, whom Putin has stubbornly kept on despite the invasions endless setbacks. While some officials professed loyalty to Putin during the mutiny, the Russian states actions spoke louder, and they spoke of a fearful neutrality. Ordinary Russians, too, showed themselves largely indifferent, if somewhat confused. As he declared his Justice March, Prigozhin openly questioned the motives of Russias attack on Ukraine and no one cared to argue. Russia is fighting its unjust war by inertia and because many Russians cant stand to lose. The lack of popular indignation about a mutiny during an enemy counteroffensive has provided undeniable proof that the nations heart isnt in the fratricidal Ukraine invasion. It also has shown Russias fatigue with Putin. Even though Prigozhin didnt win, his anarchical mutiny move exposed the regimes brittleness to all who might want to exploit it. The emperor is naked. Sooner or later, whether by putsch or push, another courtier will make another move to try on his clothes. Leonid Bershidsky, formerly Bloomberg Opinions Europe columnist, is a member of the Bloomberg News Automation Team. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Credit: Bloomberg Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over changing nature of violence in the northeastern state. The union home minister is reportedly concerned over the shifting of violence and civil unrest from peripheral areas to districts in the Imphal valley. "The changing nature of violence from the exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to the civil unrest in the valley districts has become a matter of concern for Amit Shah ji," the chief minister told reporters here after his return from New Delhi late on Sunday night. Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi about the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent". "Shah raised issues such as the attacks on the house of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and the residence of state minister Sushindro Meitei, the ongoing arson and destruction of government properties and hampering the movement of security forces," the chief minister said here. Singh said that he has submitted a report of the measures taken up by the state government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. "The initial phase of the violence was highly political and sensitive but we cannot say what is happening now. The situation is very chaotic," the chief minister said. He also said the union home minister assured him that the central government will take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in Manipur. "It's time for all the stakeholders, civil bodies, MLAs and political leaders to sit together and identify the areas where all must work," Singh said. The meeting between Shah and Singh was held a day after the home minister chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi over the Manipur situation. Eighteen political parties, four MPs from the northeast and two chief ministers from the region attended the three-hour-long meeting. The home minister told the all-party meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been monitoring the situation in the violence-hit state since day one and "guiding us with full sensitivity" to find a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the state reported a fresh incident of violence at Chingmeirong in Imphal West district when a shop was set on fire by unidentified miscreants past midnight, army sources said. 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 (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the Manipur violence and said the first thing he should do is sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh if he is really concerned about the state. No amount of propaganda by the BJP government can cover up its abject failure in handling the Manipur situation, Kharge said. He said reports indicated Union Home Minister Amit Shah had finally spoken to Modi on the Manipur situation, and added, "For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak." "If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is to sack his chief minister," he said on Twitter. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between the Meitei and the Kuki communities in Manipur so far. Kharge went on to add, "No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with (the) Manipur violence." The Congress chief also demanded that the government confiscate weapons "stolen from extremist organisations and anti-social elements". Suggesting several steps to bring peace in the violence-hit state, Kharge said the government should start talks with all the parties and find a common political path. "End the blockade with the help of security forces. Ensure the availability of essential commodities by opening and keeping the national highways safe. "A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate," Kharge said. On Sunday, Singh briefed Shah here about the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent". Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with senior Cabinet colleagues and officials after returning from State Visits to the US and Egypt. Amid allegations by several founders who appeared on Shark Tank India that the investment they were promised by the judges never reached them, former judge of the business reality show, Ashneer Grover, suggested that the "Sharks" be asked to deposit the money they plan to invest in escrow before the shooting begins. "Solution is simple -- ask Sharks to put money in escrow before the shoot starts! Dene ke liye paisa hona bhi chahiye (First, they should have the money before promising investment to others)," Grover tweeted. Solution is simple - ask Sharks to put money in escrow before shoot starts ! Dene ke liye paisa hona bhi chahiye ;) Sharks or Dolphins? Ashneer Grover fires salvo amid escalating founder-investor rift on Shark Tank India https://t.co/DM8VIa6JdD Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) June 26, 2023 Sharks are called sharks because they're expected to take decisions and act quickly so that the 'fish' (the pitcher) has no time to react. If they say no it takes time, then they shouldnt be called Sharks they should be called dolphins instead," Ashneer Grover, who was dropped as a judge on the second season of the business reality show, told Moneycontrol. This comes amid simmering differences between Shark Tank India judges and the founders who have bagged deals, over issues surrounding delays in deal closure, changing terms, and re-negotiation of valuation. For instance, Rahul, a founder who pitched on season two, secured a deal from Anupam Mittal, one of the Sharks on the show and the founder of Shaadi.com. Ten months later, Rahul tells Moneycontrol that there have been fundamental disagreements over what was earlier agreed upon (with Mittal), and hes even been told that his business is not viable. Meanwhile, Mittal drew parallels with Shark Tank US and said that after 13 years on air, only about 60 percent of the deals committed to on the show finally fructify. Interestingly, this also comes after the finale of the second season of Shark Tank India witnessed one of the judges and co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics, Vineeta Singh herself turn into a pitcher and secure an investment of Rs 5 crore. A surprise in the Tank! Watch the founders of SUGAR, Shark Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee pitch their business idea to the Sharks. #SharkTankIndia season 2 streaming on Sony LIV.#SharkTankIndiaSeason2 #SharkTankIndiaS2onSonyLIV pic.twitter.com/1bo0BKR5t5 Shark Tank India (@sharktankindia) March 11, 2023 During her pitch, Singh revealed that after 2013 they couldn't secure any investment. While all the other judges agreed to invest in her company, viewers questioned the capabilities of a Shark who needed help investing in her own company. Read more: Sharks or Dolphins? Ashneer Grover fires salvo amid escalating founder-investor rift on Shark Tank India Tech major Google has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, challenging the order of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) order upholding Rs 1,338 crore penalty for anti-trust violations. "Today, we filed an appeal in the Supreme Court regarding the NCLATs decision in the Android case. The NCLAT correctly found that harm for anti-competitive behaviour needs to be proven, but did not apply this requirement to several of the CCIs directions that it upheld. We look forward to presenting our case before the Supreme Court and demonstrating how Android has benefitted Indian users, developers, and OEMs, and powered Indias digital transformation" a Google spokesperson said in a statement. In March 2023, the NCLAT had partially upheld Competition Commission of Indias (CCI) abuse of Android dominance order against Google. The tribunal had upheld the penalty of Rs 1,338 crore imposed by CCI. The anti-trust appellate tribunal held that the CCI's order does not suffer from any confirmation bias. Furthermore, the NCLAT held that Google asking the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to pre-install the entire Google Suite of 11 applications amounts to imposition of unfair conditions. The NCLAT held that Google indeed reduces the incentive of the OEMs to develop their own version of Android (Android forks) by imposing conditions through its Anti Fragmentation Agreement (AFA) bars OEMs from developing and distributing Android forks. The NCLAT, however, set aside four key directions issued to Google by the CCI: Google was fair in sending warnings (Sideloading) to users when they download applications directly from the website or from an unknown source. Google need not share its proprietary Application Program Interface (API) with third parties. Google was right in not permitting third-party application stores on its play stores to avoid malware Google can restrict uninstallation of Google suite apps on Android phones It is to be noted that the CCI has also challenged the NCLAT's order at the Supreme Court. Background: In 2018, Android users moved the competition watchdog alleging that Google was abusing its dominant position in the mobile operating system-related market in contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act. It was alleged that the US tech giant's demand that device manufacturers must preinstall the entire GMS or Google Mobile Services suite under its Mobile Application Distribution Agreement or MADA was an unfair condition. The CCI subsequently ordered an investigation by the director general (DG) of its investigative arm into this matter. The CCI had in 2019 expressed a prima facie opinion that mandatory pre-installation of the entire GMS suite under MADA amounted to the imposition of unfair conditions on device manufacturers. On October 20, 2022, the CCI, based on the DGs report and other documents filed by both sides, concluded that Google was abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem. It asked Google to cease and desist from its practices, and pay a penalty of Rs 1,338 crore. The fair practice regulator held that Google could neither force OEMs of smart devices to preinstall its apps, nor restrict users from uninstalling such apps. It also asked the US major not to offer any incentives to OEMs to comply with its conditions. Google moved the NCLAT in January but failed to get an immediate relief. The company then approached the Supreme Court against the tribunal's decision. The apex court, in turn, refused to intervene in the case and asked NCLAT to look into it. Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old son of British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, had taken his Rubik's Cube with him on the ill-fated voyage to view the Titanic shipwreck, hoping to create a world record in the depths of the ocean. His father had even carried a camera to capture the moment, his mother told the BBC. The submersible, which was revealed last Thursday, to have suffered a "catastrophic implosion", and all five members onboard the carrier were declared dead. "He (Suleman) said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 metres below sea at the Titanic', Christine Dawood told the British broadcaster. She and her 17-year-old daughter, Sulemans younger sister, were onboard Polar Prince, the submersibles support vessel, when contact was lost with the five members in the submersible. Suleman was a student at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. He was enrolled at the Strathclyde Business School and had recently completed his first year at the university in Glasgow. His Amsterdam-based aunt, Azmeh Dawood, told Sky News last week that her nephew was very, very not into doing it but went ahead with the trip as a Fathers Day bonding experience. His father was a member of one of Pakistans wealthiest families. Shahzada Dawood, 48, was the vice chairman of Karachi-based Engro Corporation. His father, Hussain Dawood, 79, is the chairman of the Dawood Hercules Corporation (DH Corp), a big business entity in Pakistan with Engro Corporation as its subsidiary. The Dawood family was spending a month in Canada before the dive. Contact was lost with the OceanGate submersible last Sunday, which happened to be Fathers 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. Deceptive messages promising an update for WhatsApp Pink, a fake version of the messaging app with enhanced features, have been doing rounds prompting the Mumbai Police to issue an advisory against it. The viral hoax message tempts WhatsApp users to click on the link or download the associated app which can eventually steal data from the affected phone including bank details, contact numbers, and photos. Clicking on the link can make the users vulnerable to spam attacks and also lead to a complete loss of control over the phone. Explaining how the WhatsApp Pink scam works, the Mumbai Police tweeted that first a fake link which is masked as an official update is sent to the user. Clicking on the link may lead to malicious software being installed on the user's phone. The now-infected phone can then be used to infect other phones of the user's contacts over WhatsApp. The malicious software can bombard the user with advertisements and can also lead to the loss of data from the phone as the fraudsters can access bank details and even OTP from the infected phone. *... WHATSAPP PINK -A Red Alert For Android Users ...*' *... Android ...* *... () Android ...*#CyberSafeMumbai REGARDS, NORTH REGION CYBER POLICE STATION, CRIME BRANCH, CID, MUMBAI pic.twitter.com/viTbVrcWrn NORTH REGION CYBER POLICE CRIME WING (@north_mum) June 16, 2023 To protect users from the scam, the police advised people against clicking on any link sent from unknown sources without verifying it. The Mumbai Police also urged people to download apps only from the Play Store or from Apple Store and to never share bank, credit card, debit card and OTP details over the phone. For those who have already downloaded the WhatsApp Pink app, the police advised it to be uninstalled immediately. Read more: Whatsapp account hacked: Cybercriminals impersonate user to ask contacts for money Greece's conservative New Democracy party stormed to victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday with voters giving reformist Kyriakos Mitsotakis another four-year term as prime minister. With most votes counted, centre-right New Democracy was leading with 40.5% of the vote and 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, interior ministry figures showed. It was more than 20 points clear of Syriza, a radical leftist party that won elections in 2015 at the peak of a debilitating debt crisis and ran the country until 2019, when it lost to New Democracy. "This freely given support only increases my responsibility to respond to peoples' hopes. I personally feel an even stronger obligation to serve the country with all my abilities," Mitsotakis told cheering crowds at New Democracy headquarters in downtown Athens. Sunday's vote was a humiliating defeat for Syriza, which lost more than 30 MPs. Fringe parties of the political left and right - including an anti-immigrant party calling themselves the Spartans - got a foothold in parliament. "This result is negative for democracy and society," Tsipras said, referring to far-right parties winning votes. For Syriza, he said, a "great and creative historic circle had closed." "We have to look upon that with pride," he said. Mitsotakis, 55, a former banker and scion of a powerful political family, has promised to boost revenue from the vital tourist industry, create jobs and increase wages to near the European Union average. Mitsotakis, who was prime minister from 2019 until stepping down in favour of a caretaker premier following an inconclusive May vote, has vowed to push ahead with reforms to rebuild the country's credit rating after the debt crisis that wracked the nation for a decade. Sunday's vote was the second in the past five weeks, as a first poll on May 21 held under a different electoral system failed to give a single party absolute majority in parliament. The system used in Sunday's poll gave the leading party bonus seats depending on voter support. Zoe Constantopoulou, a leftist politician who spent hours regaling Greece's lenders at the height of the country's debt crisis in 2015 when she was parliamentary speaker, saw her party, Plefsi Eleftherias, gain 8 seats in parliament. "Whether we are eight or nine MPs, I'm good enough for 100 (MPs)," she said. The COVID-19 pandemic and a deadly rail crash in February exposed shortcomings in Greece's health and public transport systems. But a cost-of-living crisis and economic hardship have more recently topped voters' concerns. "I expect a lot (from the new government)," pensioner Giorgos Katzimertzis told Reuters. "The main thing is the health system, the economy, so we can live (decently) because things are difficult. I am a pensioner, I was on the fire brigade, and now I dont have a dime." Sunday's election was held in the shadow of a migrant shipwreck this month in which hundreds are feared to have perished off southern Greece. One of the worst such disasters in years, it has exposed the parties' divisions over migration. The Spartans party, which said Greece was threatened by uncontrolled migration, was the surprise of the campaign. It was set to gain 4.7 of the vote and up to 13 seats in parliament, based on the early results. The group was catapulted from relative obscurity after support from Ilias Kasiadiaris, the frontman of the now-banned Golden Dawn far-right party. His own party was barred from the elections and he endorsed the Spartans from jail. A Twitter post from Kasidiaris showed him beaming, wearing a t-shirt with a Spartans logo and giving the thumbs up, super-imposed against jail bars. U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday plans to lay out how a $42 billion investment in expanding internet access will be divvied up among the nation's 50 states, in an effort to give all Americans access to high-speed broadband by 2030. The move will kick off the second leg of Biden's tour highlighting how legislation passed by Congress during the first half of his term will affect average Americans, as his reelection bid gears up. "We have an historic opportunity here to make a real difference in people's lives and making sure that we deliver on that potential is what we're about every day and to make sure that people feel that at their kitchen table, in their communities, in their backyards, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said. Zients compared the broadband effort to President Franklin Roosevelt's efforts in 1936 to bring electricity to rural America. The administration estimates there are some 8.5 million locations in the U.S. that lack access to broadband connections. Broadband companies such as Verizon, Comcast, Charter Communications and AT&T have been reluctant to provide access to low-population, rural communities because the investments are expensive and the regions do not offer a lot of subscribers. The lack of broadband access drew attention during COVID shutdowns that forced students into online schooling. The Biden administration will say how much of the $42 billion in funding each state will receive under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, based on a newly-released Federal Communications Commission coverage map that details access gaps. States are expected to submit initial plans later this year that will unlock 20% of the funding. Once the plans are finalized, which could take to 2025, the remaining money will be released. Biden is also set to give what White House officials describe as a major economic speech on Wednesday in Chicago, laying out so-called "Bidenomics," according to a memo from senior advisors Anita Dunn and Mike Donilon to Congressional Democrats and other allies. The speech will focus on Biden's attempts to build the economy by focusing on the middle class and not the wealthy. The advisers noted the economy has added more than 13 million jobs since Biden took office, including nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs. The global oil market faces fresh risks from the uprising in Russia by mercenary group Wagner, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., although it cautioned that the near-term impact was likely to be muted. The higher risk of lower supply at some point may put some upward pressure on prices, analysts including Daan Struyven and Callum Bruce said in a June 25 note. Still, the initial impact should be limited, they added. Oil fluctuated on Monday when investors got their first opportunity to price in the weekends events, which US and European officials privately described as an unprecedented challenge to President Vladimir Putins control. While Russias crude shipments appeared unaffected, the nation is one of the top exporters and a pivotal member of OPEC+ along with Saudi Arabia. The immediate challenge to the Putin regime appears to have receded, RBC Capital Markets LLC analysts including Helima Croft said in a June 25 note. However, the risk of further civil unrest in Russia now must be factored into our oil analysis for the back half of the year. Goldman Sachs addressed a slate of possible, longer-term risks. Since the rebellion was initiated around Rostov-on-Don in the south by the Sea of Azov, which filters into the Black Sea oil infrastructure in that region may face a relatively higher risk of disruption or blockade, it said. In addition, given the Wagner groups presence in Libya, it possesses a capability to disrupt oil production there, Goldman said. Blockades which could limit nearly all of Libyas 1.1 million barrels a day of output have occurred several times in the last five years, according to Goldman. Still, the market could discount the increased risk of Russian supply disruptions as its OPEC+ partners, including Saudi Arabia, may dial down some of the recent voluntary cuts in response to any large export decline. And should tensions between the cartels two biggest producers escalate, there may be higher core OPEC output, it said. The unprecedented challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Wagner fighters has exposed fresh "cracks" in the strength of his leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday. Blinken and members of the U.S. Congress said in a series of television interviews that Saturday's turmoil in Russia has weakened Putin in ways that could aid Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces within its territory while benefiting Russia's neighbors, including Poland and the Baltic states. "I don't think we've seen the final act," Blinken said on ABC's "This Week" program after an aborted mutiny by forces led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. Blinken said tensions that sparked the action had been growing for months and added the threat of internal turmoil could affect Moscow's military capabilities in Ukraine. "We've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go, and when they get there. But certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead," Blinken told NBC's "Meet the Press" program. Blinken described the turmoil as an "internal matter" for Putin. "Our focus is resolutely and relentlessly on Ukraine, making sure that it has what it needs to defend itself and to take back territory that Russia seized," Blinken said. U.S. officials expect to learn more soon about the events that unfolded in Russia, including details of the deal with Prigozhin mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that led Wagner fighters to return to their bases. "It may be that Putin didn't want to debase himself to the level of negotiating directly with Prigozhin," Blinken said. 'DISTRACTED AND DIVIDED' Forces led by Prigozhin, a former Putin ally and ex-convict, have fought the bloodiest of battles in Russia's 16-month war in Ukraine. "To the extent that the Russians are distracted and divided it may make their prosecution of aggression against Ukraine more difficult," Blinken told ABC. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner said Putin's future actions in Ukraine could be inhibited by Prigozhin's assertion that the rationale for invading Ukraine was based on lies. "Taking down the very premise makes it much more difficult for Putin to continue to turn to the Russian people and say, we should continue to send people to die," Turner told CBS' "Face the Nation" program. Retired U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, former head of U.S. European Command, said the turmoil demonstrates a degradation of Russian capabilities. "One of the outcomes, I believe, of the last 36 hours, maybe 48 hours, is that the institutions that we have long seen as being very secure in Russia are slowly unraveling," Breedlove said in an interview. "The whole institution of the military now, the appearance of what the Russian military is, is much diminished." U.S. Senator Ben Cardin said the weekend turmoil in Russia does not ease Washington's need to continue aiding Ukraine as it launches its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia. "This is a critical time for Ukraine. This counteroffensive is going to be defining as to where we're going to be in the next year or two," Cardin, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Fox News. Republican Representative Don Bacon, a former U.S. Air Force general who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told NBC that a diminished Putin would be a benefit for Russia's neighbors including Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. "It would be different if Putin was wanting to be a peaceful neighbor. But he's not," Bacon said. June 26, 2023 Prigozhin's Farce Is Over And It Is Clear Who Has Won The Prigozhin's insurrection farce is over. I had predicted that it would not take long to end: In twelve or so hours things are likely to have calmed down. About eight hours after I published the above Prigozhin had given up and left the scene. Prigozhin had launched his hopeless mutiny after the Defense Ministry had demanded that all his men sign contacts with the Russian army. That would have taken away the autonomy of his Wagner outlet and with it a large chunk of his profits. The run of his troops towards Moscow was a desperate attempt to get Putin's attention and to make him reverse the ministry's plans. To justify his move Prigozhin had claimed that Russian miliary forces had attacked a Wagner camp and killed a number of its troops. To prove that he published a video that shows some trash in the woods but no dead soldiers. It was an obvious fake. Putin had already publicly agreed to the ministry's plans and he is not the man who reverses his decisions on a dime, or under pressure. After Putin's Saturday morning TV speech, during which he accused Prigozhin of treason without naming him, it was clear that there was no chance for the mutiny to have any success. Many of Russia's governors and high ranking military soon assured Putin publicly of their loyalty. As far as is known none of Wagner's military commanders and only a few thousand of its 25,000 troops had joined Prigozhin in his lunatic run. No one in Russia changed sides or supported him. When the Wagner troops entered Rostov on the Don the people who talked with his soldiers were critical of their presence. When Wagner were leaving without further bloodshed the people applauded. To interpret that as support for Prigozhin, as some 'western' analysts did, is false. The people were just happy that the whole stunt was over. Finally the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, likely on request from Putin, got Prigozhin on the phone, used some very strong words and negotiated a deal. If Prigozhin goes into exile in Belarus he will not be bothered any further. But the Russian prosecutors will not yet close the treason case against him. Should he again make a hassle he will likely end up in jail. Prigozhin may be allowed to take some of his troops with him to Belarus. But the large majority will come under the command of the Russian military and will be transformed into some special unit. The French foreign legion may be an good example for such a force and its potential use. In previous years Prigozhin's companies had made large profits by catering to the needs of the Russian military. The contracts they have will likely end and his personal fortune will take a big hit. The good days are over for him. The Biden administration is claiming that the whole affair has weakened Putin: QUESTION: But just staying on Vladimir Putin for a minute, do you believe that this is the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I dont want to speculate about that. This is, first of all, an internal matter for Russia. What weve seen is this, though. Weve seen this aggression against Ukraine become a strategic failure across the board. Russia is weaker economically, militarily. Its standing around the world has plummeted. Its managed to get Europeans off of Russian energy. Its managed to unite and strengthen NATO with new members and a stronger Alliance. Its managed to alienate from Russia and unite together Ukraine in ways that its never been before. This is just an added chapter to a very, very bad book that Putin has written for Russia. But whats so striking about it is its internal. The fact that you have, from within, someone directly questioning Putins authority, directly questioning the premises that upon which he launched this aggression against Ukraine, that in and of itself is something very powerful. It adds cracks. Where those go, when they get there, too soon to say. But it clearly raises new questions that Putin has to deal with. Some well sponsored 'sources' agree with that position: Meduzas sources added that the rebellion weakens Putins position: He was unable to get down to Prigozhins level, but he was nowhere to be found after yesterdays national address. Hes the first in command, and takes control when necessary. He shouldnt make Lukashenko the public face and allow Russias security officials [siloviki] to lead negotiations. As does the Washington Post: On Saturday morning, in the face of Prigozhins advance, Putin warned of the brutal response to be meted out on what he described as a rebellion launched by traitors. By the evening, his chief spokesman announced that looming charges against Prigozhin would be dropped and that Wagner fighters who did not participate in the mutiny would be offered contracts by the Russian Defense Ministry. The climb-down revealed a fragility and instability at the heart of Russian power. There are also all kind of conspiracy theories. Will Schryer thinks the whole affair was a psychological operation to smoke out potential traitors. Agit Papadakis claims that this was part of some internal conflict: With the Putin-Prigo deal, the siloviki have gotten rid of three birds with one stone: Prigo is out forever, exiled to Belarus with Lukashenko as his no-nonsense parole officer, the criminal element in Wagner near and dear to Prigo will be shipped off to Africa, and Putin is disgraced forever, having lost the respect of both the Kremlin and the Russian people. He will now be a powerless figurehead like his brain-dead enemy Biden, taking orders instead of giving them. I disagree with those opinions as I see no sign that Putin came away from it as anything but the winner. I am joint in that by Larry Johnson who writes: The West wants to believe that Putin is weak and unpopular I would note that not a single respected critic of Putin endorsed Prigozhins mutiny and that all political leaders across the breadth of Russia lined up behind Putin when the rest of the world was celebrating (prematurely) the demise of the Russian leader. Watching Russian talk shows, Gilbert Doctorow has a similar take: Without any assistance from me, consumers of mainstream Western media know very well the official interpretation that, as always, is being handed down from Washington and is re-posted by our journalists as their own original reporting: how the Prigozhin affair demonstrates the fragility of dictatorships, how it shows the real weakness of the Putin regime, and so forth, and so on. I will offer here a glimpse into what is now being said in Russian public space. I say a glimpse, because the diversity of views inside Russia is almost as vast as the country itself and only our ignorant and bigoted opinion formers in the West miss that point. ... The third panelist on the Solovyov show whom I will cite very briefly was Alexander Babakov, deputy chair of the State Duma and a parliamentarian from the United Russia party. His point was that the armed mutiny failed because it was rejected by the regular Army, by the Russian government at all levels and by the people as a whole. In this way, Russia demonstrated to the world its unity in time of war, its readiness to stand up to the Collective West. The lesson for the West was precisely the strength of the country and of its Commander in Chief. Is anyone listening in Washington? The former Indian ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar agrees: Blinken has piled up a consistent record for being horribly wrong on his assessments on Russia starting from the deathly blow the sanctions from hell were expected to give to the Russian economy; Putins hold on power; Russias catastrophic defeat in Ukraine; Russian militarys deficiencies; Kievs inexorable military victory, and so on. In this case, he has reason to feel embittered particularly because of the spectacular unity of the Russian state, political elite, media, regional and federal bureaucracy, and the military and security establishment in rallying behind Putin. Arguably, Putins political stature is now unchallengeable and unassailable in Russia and the Americans have to live with that reality long after Joe Bidens departure from the scene. Today Prigozhin again tried to justify his 'march for justice' as he calls it and again repeats the evidence free claim of the attack on his group. He also claims that his operation demonstrated the problems in the Russian military and the quality of Wagner. But in fact there was at no moment any danger for Russia. The Russian airforce could have destroyed the Wagner convoys on their way to Moscow at a few minutes notice. His troops in Rostov-on-Don were surrounded by the Chechen troops of Ramzan Kadyrov who had rushed to the city and were prepared to fight Wagner down. I don't think that there is a chance that Prigozhin will ever have a come back. He is finished and he has only himself to blame for it. Posted by b on June 26, 2023 at 15:46 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. The issue of the rights and security of Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh is important because the matter cannot simply be forgotten, otherwise the issue wont be resolved, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan said on Monday in response to Azerbaijan rejecting extra guarantees for the Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. I think this statement is damaging the Azerbaijani side itself. The issue wont be resolved in case of such realities. This is an escape from reality, they dont want these issues to be discussed. I am sure that they will come to this at some phase. Even now, I think this is being done for placing a high scale before the negotiations and using it during the talks. This is my impression, Simonyan said. Asked to clarify whether or not he believes Azerbaijan would eventually agree to launch an international mechanism for its direct dialogue with Nagorno Karabakh, Simonyan said: The issue of the rights and security of Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh is important because this issue cannot simply be forgotten. This is self deception. If Azerbaijan is ready to engage in self-deception, Armenia is not. We will adhere to what we have announced. YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Azerbaijan still have disagreements over the main issues around the possible peace treaty, Vice Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan told reporters on Monday. We expect progress, he said when asked on the upcoming Armenia-Azerbaijan foreign ministerial meeting in Washington D.C. Armenias position is that we want to have the kind of a text of a peace treaty that would be in our interests and would be possible to sign. Naturally, this is a difficult process, there are issues around which we disagree. But there are also issues that we already agree upon. But there are disagreements on main issues, Rubinyan said. The expectation is that it will be possible to bring positions closer. Rubinyan said he hopes that the agreement on sovereignty and jurisdiction of parties in context of unblocking will be stipulated on paper. He said Armenia wants to have a peace treaty in line with its interests as soon as possible and pointed out three most important issues. First, to place a specific map in the basis of mutual recognition of territorial integrity. Second, address the rights and security of the people of NK, which we believe must take place through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under an international mechanism. Third, the institute of guarantors, he said, highlighting the need for guarantors because Azerbaijan has violated every clause of the 9 November 2020 agreement. Australias High Court dismisses Russias bid for injunction to halt its embassys eviction View Photo CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Australias highest court on Monday dismissed Russias request for an injunction that would have halted the eviction of its embassy from a site in the capital, Canberra. A man who had been occupying the block in a portable cabin for more than a week in an apparent act of Russian defiance left soon after. High Court Justice Jayne Jagot described Russias challenge of a law terminating the lease as weak. I do not perceive (Russias) case to be a strong one. Indeed, it is difficult to identify a serious question to be tried, Jagot said. Parliament passed emergency legislation on June 15 that terminated Russias lease on the largely empty block on security grounds, because the new embassy would have been too close to Parliament House. Government lawyer Tim Begbie said that Russia appeared to be applying for the injunction to protect its own security and intelligence interests. Its not just that they havent made a compelling case for constitutional invalidity in this application, theyve made absolutely no case for it, Begbie said. Russias lawyer, Elliot Hyde, had argued that Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky wouldnt have confidence in the integrity and security of a consular building already on the site, if the embassy isnt allowed to maintain possession until the challenge to the leases termination is decided. Hyde said that a man who had been living on the site since at least last week was a security guard protecting the compound. The man had been described in the media as a Russian diplomat. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that he welcomed the High Courts decision and expected the Russians to leave the site. The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time, and we expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the courts ruling, Albanese told reporters. Australia supports the law. Russia has not been real good at upholding the law in recent times, Albanese added, referring to the invasion of Ukraine. The security guard left the fenced compound after the decision and didnt say anything to reporters as he walked out the gate. He was carrying bags and was collected by a car with diplomatic license plates. The Russian Embassy didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia had accused Australia of Russophobic hysteria for canceling the lease of the site in Canberras diplomatic quarter where Moscow wanted to build a new embassy. The current Russian Embassy is in the Canberra suburb of Griffith and its operations are unaffected. Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said that an examination of the published list of accredited Russian diplomats in Australia revealed there were only three male diplomats who could be the man guarding the embassy site. Given Hydes description of the squatter as a guard, Rothwell doubted the man had diplomatic immunity, which could have prevented Australian authorities from removing him from the site. With him gone, police could avoid any further legal challenge by securing the site and preventing any Russian diplomat from taking his place, Rothwell said. Australian Federal Police declined last week to explain why the man hadnt been removed from the contested site as a trespasser. The legal wrangle over the site is a new low point in strained relations between Russia and one of Ukraines most generous supporters outside NATO. Albanese on Monday announced an additional 110 million Australian dollars ($74 million) in aid to Ukraine that includes 70 military vehicles and features 28 M113 tracked armored personnel carriers. The aid also includes ammunition and AU$10 million ($6.7 million) in humanitarian help for shelters, health services, clean water and sanitation. The new aid package brings Australias total Ukraine aid to AU$790 million ($528 million) since Russia invaded last year. During the court hearing, Australias lawyer suggested that the Kremlin has been distracted from the case by the short-lived rebellion in Russia by Wagner Group mercenaries. Tim Begbie said that Hyde hasnt replied to a letter sent Saturday in which the government tried to head off the injunction request by offering not to damage the consular building or lease the site to anyone else while the Russian challenge is before the court. I dont criticize my learned friend for not having responded to this letter, said Begbie, referring to Hyde. Russia has had other things on its mind over the weekend. By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he will cooperate with other G7 leaders in responding to the situation in Russia, following the recent armed rebellion by the country's private military firm Wagner Group, NHK reported. June 26, 2023, 17:26 Japanese PM to work with G7 leaders to respond to Russian situation - NHK STEPANAKERT, JUNE 26, ARTSAKHPRESS: Kishida has been briefed by senior members of the Japanese National Security Secretariat on the developments in Russia, according to NHK. The prime minister instructed officials to collect and analyze information in cooperation with other countries and respond to the situation in a flexible manner. Kishida told reporters on Monday morning that he was informed of various developments in Russia, and that he will keep a close eye on the situation in the country. He stressed that it's important to ensure that he and other G7 leaders work together as the situation will continue to develop. The Russian Wagner private military company led by Evgeny Prigozhin launched an insurrection in Russia that began on Friday evening. Prigozhin said his actions were a march for justice while the Kremlin said the mercenary group is committing mutiny. The armed contractors managed to seize an army headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, with some forces marching on Moscow. Netherlands and Belgium join international probe into crimes against Yazidis in Syria and Iraq Netherlands and Belgium join international probe into crimes against Yazidis in Syria and Iraq View Photo THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The Netherlands and Belgium have joined an international investigation into atrocities committed against the Yazidi minority in Syria and Iraq, the European Unions judicial cooperation agency said Monday. The Joint Investigation Team was established by France and Sweden in October 2021 and supported by The Hague-based Eurojust to identify and prosecute foreign extremists who targeted Yazidis during the armed conflict in Syria and Iraq. Eurojust said the teamwork already has borne fruit, including in France, where a Yazidi victim of a French jihadist couple was identified. That led to to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity being added to an existing case. The joint investigation team is part of a broader international effort to mete out justice for atrocities targeting Yazidis, a minority considered heretics by the Islamic State militant group. A United Nations probe concluded in 2021 that crimes committed against Yazidis by Islamic State extremists amounted to genocide. IS attacked the heartland of the Yazidi community at the foot of Sinjar Mountain in August 2014. During the weeklong assault, IS killed hundreds of Yazidis and abducted 6,417, more than half of them women and girls. Most of the captured adult men were likely eventually killed. Women and girls were considered commodities for rape and servitude. Prosecutions of returning foreign militants for crimes against Yazidis already are underway in Europe. A German woman was convicted last week of keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave during her time with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and sentenced to nine years and three months in prison. The state court in the western city of Koblenz convicted the 37-year-old woman of crimes against humanity, membership in a foreign terrorist organization and being an accessory to genocide, German news agency dpa reported. Authorities have identified her only as Nadine K. in line with German privacy rules. In February, Dutch authorities announced that they were prosecuting a woman who traveled from the Netherlands to join IS on a charge of slavery as a crime against humanity. The woman allegedly used a Yazidi woman as a slave in Syria in 2015. The case marked the first Dutch trial of an alleged IS member for crimes against a Yazidi victim. By MIKE CORDER Associated Press German government calls for tolerance after far-right party wins control of a county for first time German government calls for tolerance after far-right party wins control of a county for first time View Photo BERLIN (AP) Germanys government said Monday that the country is shaped by values such as tolerance and respect, calling for them to be upheld a day after a far-right party won control of a county administration for the first time. Alternative for Germany, which has come under scrutiny from security services over its ties to extremists, won a runoff election Sunday in Sonneberg county, about 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Frankfurt. A spokesman for Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined to comment directly on the outcome of the local election, but said that it was important to take peoples concerns seriously and engage in civilized discussions. Our country is shaped by values such as fairness, tolerance, decency and respect, Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin. This must be cultivated and practiced again and again. The victory of Alternative for Germanys candidate, Robert Sesselmann, against a center-right rival was sharply criticized by anti-racism campaigners and others. Charlotte Knobloch, a Holocaust survivor and president of the Jewish Community of Munich, said that voters in Sonneberg had made a dangerous decision, but added that officials at the federal and state level also bore responsibility for the outcome. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, was founded a decade ago and first entered parliament in 2017 following an anti-migrant campaign in response to the influx of refugees to Europe during the preceding years. The partys recent surge in national polls, to between 18% and 20%, has unnerved mainstream parties in a country where the rise of fascism during the 1920s and 1930s is still a core subject in schools. Thuringia, where Sonneberg is located, was one of the first power bases of Adolf Hitlers National Socialist Party, after it became part of the state government there in 1930. The states present-day governor, Bodo Ramelow of the Left party, said AfDs success in Sonneberg showed that far-right populism seen in the United States, France and other European countries has also taken hold in Germany. Thuringia is one of three eastern states that hold regional elections next year. Friedrich Merz of the center-right Christian Democrats, whose candidate lost to AfD, accused the environmentalist Green party thats part of Scholzs federal government of alienating voters by demanding tough measures against climate change. Echoing AfDs strategy, Merz said his party would focus its attacks on the Greens. Green party co-leader Ricarda Lang, meanwhile, warned against a right-wing culture war. It will now be the job of all democratic parties to prevent a normalization of AfD, because its clear that it remains a threat to democracy, she said. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Dutch authorities arrested a man and his daughter on suspicion of sending millions of euros to organizations linked to the Palestinian militant group Hamas, prosecutors said on Monday. The 55-year-old man and his 25-year-old daughter from the town of Leidschendam on the outskirts of The Hague on June 22 were detained on suspicion of breaching sanctions regulations by funding the militant group that runs the Gaza Strip. The public prosecution office said in a statement that the pair are suspected of sending about 5.5 million euros ($6 million) to bodies related to the organization Hamas, which was sanctioned in 2003. The father and daughter are also suspected of participating in a criminal organization whose purpose is to support Hamas financially, the prosecution statement said. They remain in custody. Their names were not released, in line with Dutch privacy regulations. Searches by Dutch authorities of a home in Leidschendam and a business in Rotterdam uncovered cash which was seized and a bank account holding 750,000 euros ($820,000), prosecutors said. They added that the man and woman were likely involved in a foundation that supported Hamas financially, continuing the work of another foundation that had been placed on a sanctions list. They did not name the foundations. There is no formal presence of Hamas in the Netherlands. Even so, there are several pro-Palestinian and pro-Gaza organizations in the Netherlands that are an important link in the international network that collects money for Hamas, the statement said. Honduras adopts El Salvador-style tactics in anti-gang crackdown on prison inmates View Photo TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Authorities in Honduras forced inmates to sit half-naked in tight rows while they searched for contraband in a sweep of prisons Monday, similar to the harsh tactics of neighboring El Salvador. They also arrested a suspect in a weekend pool hall shooting that killed 11 people. The prison sweep demonstrated the Honduran governments resolve to crack down on gangs following last weeks gang-related massacre of 46 female inmates in the worst atrocity at a womens prison in recent memory. Police said they were considering the possibility that the pool hall shooting on Saturday was related to the prison violence. On Monday, the military police who have taken charge of the nations prisons fanned out across several prisons, emptying cell blocks and forcing inmates to sit in rows, spread-legged and nestled against one another. Some were forced to keep their heads bowed and their hands on the back of their necks. Such tactics with inmates clad only in shorts, their heads bowed onto the backs of the men in front of them were made famous last year by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele during his crackdown on gangs. Bukeles harsh tactics have led to allegations of human rights abuses but also proved popular with residents in the Central American country where communities are emerging from the oppression of gang extortion and violence. The military police said they searched the empty cellblocks and found hundreds of rounds of ammunition, pistols, assault rifles and grenades. As in El Salvador, police distributed videos of the prison raids, accompanied by music. Even women inmates were forced to sit in prison yards with their hands on their necks, but female military police officers allowed them to keep their shirts on. One search took place at a mens penitentiary in Tamara, the same town where the womens prison massacre occurred Tuesday. The massacre at the womens prison in Tamara, northeast of Honduras capital, outraged the country and sparked raids, curfews and a crackdown. In that massacre, female inmates belonging to the Barrio 18 street gang smuggled in guns, machetes and a flammable liquid. They subdued guards and burst into cellblocks housing members of a rival gang. They sprayed the victims with gunfire, hacked to death others and then locked their cells and set the victims on fire. While Saturdays killings at a pool hall in the city of Choloma, in Cortes province, happened far to the north of Tamara, the two events could be related, according to the police. National Police Commissioner Miguel Perez Suazo said authorities have detained one suspect in the pool hall killings and were looking for others. We do not rule out these crimes could be some sort of revenge for what happened in the womens prison, Perez Suazo said. Choloma is reputed to be the turf of the Barrio 18 gang, which would make it a logical place to target their members. But police said the suspect detained Monday also allegedly belonged to Barrio 18. And Perez Suazo said we also do no rule out that it could have been some type of revenge by criminals against civilians. Honduran President Xiomara Castro has put the military police in charge of the countrys poorly-run prisons and given them a year to train new guards. She also announced security measures including curfews in the Choloma area, as well as raids, captures and checkpoints 24 hours a day. The curfew in Choloma will run from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. The curfew in the nearby city of San Pedro Sula will begin on July 4. Lebanons militant Hezbollah group says it shot down an Israeli drone near the southern border Lebanons militant Hezbollah group says it shot down an Israeli drone near the southern border View Photo BEIRUT (AP) Lebanons militant Hezbollah group said its fighters shot down an Israeli drone Monday that was flying near the border and over southern Lebanon. The group gave no further details about the type of drone that it claimed was downed near the village of Zibqine just north of the border with Israel. An Israeli military spokesman said in a tweet that a drone crashed in Lebanon when an Israeli force was performing routine activities. The spokesman, Avichay Adraee, added in Arabic that there were no concerns of information being leaked. The incident comes after weeks of tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, mainly in a disputed area known as Chebaa Farms. Earlier this month, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas to disperse scores of Lebanese protesters who pelted the troops with stones along the border. Some of the demonstrators and Lebanese troops suffered breathing problems. The protest took place on the edge of Kfar Chouba hills, which Beirut says is Lebanese land occupied by Israel. The hills and the nearby Chebaa Farms, are areas captured by Israel during the 1967 Mideast War and claimed by Lebanon. Also earlier this month, Israel filed a complaint with the United Nations claiming that Hezbollah had set up tents several dozen meters (yards) inside of Israeli territory. Hezbollah has not commented on the matter. Israel and Hezbollah fought to a draw in a month-long war in Lebanon in 2006. Hezbollah has in the past claimed downing Israeli drones, and Israels military also has said in the past that they have shot down Hezbollah drones. Israel considers Hezbollah its most serious immediate threat, estimating it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel. Hollywood mogul acknowledges gifts to Netanyahu may have been excessive in 2nd day of testimony Hollywood mogul acknowledges gifts to Netanyahu may have been excessive in 2nd day of testimony View Photo JERUSALEM (AP) A billionaire Hollywood mogul took the stand for a second day on Monday in Benjamin Netanyahus corruption trial, acknowledging that the long list of champagne, cigars and jewelry he systematically gave to the Israeli prime minister may have been excessive. Arnon Milchan, whose production credits include Pretty Woman, 12 Years a Slave, and Bohemian Rhapsody, is a key witness in one of three cases brought against Netanyahu. Prosecutors are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust. Milchan, 78, has been testifying by videoconference from Brighton, England, which is near where he is based. Prosecutors hope his testimony, which began Sunday and is expected to last some two weeks, will provide details about the abundance of gifts given to Netanyahu and his wife. The gifts, the prosecutors maintain, led to favors from Netanyahu that advanced Milchans interests. Netanyahus lawyers have said Milchans gifts were friendly gestures. In his first day of testimony, Milchan described a friendship that included some gifts to the Netanyahus that turned into regular requests and transformed into a routine. He said the routine became so frequent that he and the Netanyahus developed code words for the gifts. Cigars were known as leaves, champagne was known as roses, and luxury dress shirts were nicknamed dwarves. He said he had instructed his aides to give the Netanyahus whatever they want and was assured by the prime minister that there was nothing illegal going on. On Monday, Milchan said the gifts didnt affect his friendship with the Netanyahus until a police investigation was opened and at which point, he said he realized the gifts were excessive. Asked whether he had ever refused a request for gifts, Milchan said: Not that I remember. Milchan also again stressed that he considered the Netanyahus friends, but recounted that he told police he felt uncomfortable that his gifts were not reciprocated. According to the indictment against Netanyahu, Milchan gave Netanyahu and his wife a supply line of lavish gifts valued at nearly $200,000. The indictment accuses Netanyahu of using his influential perch to assist Milchan to secure a U.S. visa extension by drawing on his diplomatic contacts, including former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Prosecutors also accuse Netanyahu of working to push legislation that would have granted Milchan millions in tax breaks. Milchan testified Monday that he had turned to Netanyahu and others for help about the visa extension. He said Kerry called him one day and met with him at a hotel. Describing Kerry as a good friend, he said he was told Kerry could not help. The prosecution and defense lawyers have been questioning Milchan in a hotel conference room in Brighton. While no journalists are allowed there, Netanyahus wife Sara, on a private visit to Britain, sat in for a second straight day. Prosecutors have demanded that Sara Netanyahu not make eye contact with Milchan, fearing she could sway the witness. The testimony is being aired in a Jerusalem courtroom for judges and other lawyers who can also ask questions of Milchan and for journalists and other attendees to watch. Netanyahu, who has attended some of the hearings during his trial, was at the courtroom both on Sunday and Monday. Milchan, who is not charged in the case, greeted him in Hebrew over the two-way video broacdcast, using Netanyahus nickname: Shalom, Bibi! Milchan is testifying in one of three cases being brought against Netanyahu. The other two, which include charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, accuse Netanyahu of exchanging regulatory favors with powerful media moguls for more positive coverage. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, claiming he is the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by a liberal media and a biased justice system. Netanyahus legal woes have dogged him politically, putting his fitness to rule while on trial at the center of a political crisis that sent Israelis to the polls five times in under four years. They also have fueled accusations by critics that Netanyahu is pushing a contentious government plan to overhaul Israels judiciary as a way to escape the charges. Netanyahu denies those accusations. The trial, which began in 2020 and has still not heard from Netanyahu himself, has featured more than 40 prosecution witnesses, including some of Netanyahus closest former confidants who turned against the premier. Witness accounts have shed light not only on the three cases against Netanyahu but also revealed sensational details about his character and his familys reputation for living off the largesse of taxpayers and wealthy supporters. Milchans aide, Hadas Klein, testified last year that the Netanyahu family loves gifts. The idea of a plea bargain has repeatedly surfaced, but prosecutors for now appear determined to see the trial through, despite reports last week that the judges warned them that the more serious crime of bribery will be hard to prove. By ILAN BEN ZION Associated Press Israel OKs plans for thousands of new settlement homes, defying White House calls for restraint View Photo JERUSALEM (AP) Israels far-right government on Monday approved plans to build over 5,000 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Israeli media said, a move that threatened to worsen increasingly strained relations with the United States. The decision defied growing U.S. criticism of Israels settlement policies. It also raised tensions with the Palestinians at a time of rising violence in the occupied territory. Multiple Israeli media outlets said the Defense Ministry planning committee that oversees settlement construction approved some 5,700 new settlement homes. The units are at various stages of planning, and it was not immediately clear when construction would begin. COGAT, the defense body in charge of the planning committee, did not respond to requests for comment. The international community, along with the Palestinians, considers settlement construction illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace. Over 700,000 Israelis now live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem territories captured by Israel in 1967 and sought by the Palestinians for a future state. The Netanyahu government is moving forward with its aggression and open war against the Palestinian people, said Wassel Abu Yousef, a Palestinian official in the West Bank. We affirm that all settler colonialism in all the occupied Palestinian territories is illegitimate and illegal. Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog group, said Israel has now approved over 13,000 settlement housing units this year. That is nearly three times the number of homes approved in all of 2022 and marks the most approvals in any year since it began systematically tracking the planning procedures in 2012. Israels government, which took office in late December, is dominated by religious and ultranationalist politicians with close ties to the settlement movement. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a firebrand settler leader, has been granted Cabinet-level authority over settlement policies and has vowed to double the settler population in the West Bank. The Biden administration has been increasingly outspoken in its criticism of Israels settlement policies. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the settlements an obstacle to the horizon of hope we seek in a speech to the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. On Monday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the U.S. was deeply troubled by the reported decision to build more settlement homes. The United States opposes such unilateral actions that make a two-state solution more difficult to achieve, he said. Despite the criticism, the U.S. has taken little action against Israel. In a sign of its displeasure, the White House has not yet invited Netanyahu for a visit as is customary following Israeli elections. And this week, the U.S. said it would not transfer funds to Israeli institutions for science and technology research projects in the West Bank. The decision restored a longstanding policy that had been canceled by the pro-settlement Trump administration. Ahead of Mondays vote, Israeli Cabinet Minister Issac Wasserlauf, a member of the far-right Jewish Power party, played down the disagreements with the U.S. I think the alliance with the U.S. will remain, he told the Army Radio station. There are disagreements, we knew how to deal with them in the past. Simcha Rothman, another far-right member of the governing coalition, accused the Biden administration of having a pathological obsession with the Israeli government. Netanyahus government, the most right-wing in Israels 75-year history, has made settlement expansion a top priority. Senior members have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israels control over the territory in response to a more than year-long wave of violence with the Palestinians. Last week, four Israelis were killed by a pair of Palestinian gunmen who opened fire next to a Jewish settlement. Mondays approvals included 1,000 homes announced by the government last week in Eli, the scene of the shooting. Israel expanded its military activity in the West Bank in early 2022 in response to a series of deadly Palestinian attacks. Over 135 Palestinians have been killed in fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem this year. Roughly half of them were affiliated with militant groups, though Israel says that number is much higher. But Palestinian stone-throwers and people uninvolved in violence were also killed. Some 24 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three territories for a future independent state. Israel has annexed east Jerusalem and claims it as part of its capital a claim that is not internationally recognized. It says the West Bank is disputed territory whose fate should be determined through negotiations, while Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Two years later, the Hamas militant group overran the territory. By JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press Prosecutors seek the death penalty against man accused of slaying of 4 University of Idaho students View Photo BOISE, Idaho (AP) Prosecutors say they are seeking the death penalty against a man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death late last year. Bryan Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths at a rental house near the Moscow, Idaho, university campus last November. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed the notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court on Monday. A not-guilty plea was entered in the case on Kohbergers behalf earlier this year. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday. The bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found on Nov. 13, 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus. The slayings shocked the rural Idaho community and neighboring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University. Police released few details about the investigation until after Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in eastern Pennsylvania early Dec. 30, 2022. Court documents detailed how police pieced together DNA evidence, cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings. Investigators said traces of DNA found on a knife sheath inside the home where the students were killed matches Kohberger, and that a cellphone belonging to Kohberger was near the victims home on a dozen occasions before the killings. A white sedan allegedly matching one owned by Kohberger was caught on surveillance footage repeatedly cruising past the rental home around the time of the killings. But defense attorneys have filed motions asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more evidence about the DNA found during the investigation, the searches of Kohbergers phone and social media records, and the surveillance footage used to identify the make and model of the car. The motions are among several that will be argued during the hearing Tuesday afternoon. In an affidavit filed with the motions, defense attorney Anne Taylor said prosecutors have only provided the DNA profile that was taken from traces found on the knife sheath, not the DNA profiles belonging to three other unidentified males that were developed as part of the investigation. Defense attorneys are also asking for additional time to meet case filing deadlines, noting that they have received thousands of pages of documents to examine, including thousands of photographs, hundreds of hours of recordings, and many gigabytes of electronic phone records and social media data. Idaho law requires prosecutors to notify the court of their intent to seek the death penalty within 60 days of a plea being entered. In his notice of intent, Thompson listed five aggravating circumstances that he said could qualify for the crime for capital punishment under state law; including that more than one murder was committed during the crime, that it was especially heinous or showed exceptional depravity, that it was committed in the perpetration of a burglary or other crime, and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life. If a defendant is convicted in a death penalty case, defense attorneys are also given the opportunity to show that mitigating factors exist that would make the death penalty unjust. Mitigating factors sometimes include evidence that a defendant has mental problems, that they have shown remorse, that they are very young or that they suffered childhood abuse. Idaho allows executions by lethal injection. But in recent months, prison officials have been unable to obtain the necessary chemicals, causing one planned execution to be repeatedly postponed. On July 1, death by firing squad will become an approved back-up method of execution under a law passed by the Legislature earlier this year, though the method is likely to be challenged in federal court. By REBECCA BOONE Associated Press Amazon wants small businesses to help make deliveries in rural areas and big cities Amazon wants small businesses to help make deliveries in rural areas and big cities View Photo Many small businesses have long relied on Amazons platform and delivery pipeline to boost their business. Now, Amazon wants to enlist them to help with deliveries, too. The e-commerce giant on Monday officially launched a program it has been piloting since 2020 that pays small business owners to deliver packages during the last mile of delivery to customers doorsteps. Axios first reported the launch. Amazon has long been working on finding new ways to deliver packages faster and more efficiently, including working with third-party delivery companies, increasing its warehouse space and making other moves. The program, called Amazon Hub Delivery, will operate in 23 states and focus on rural areas and large, dense cities including Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Hoboken, New Jersey. The small businesses do not need delivery experience to apply for the program. But Amazon said businesses need to be able to make deliveries daily, deliver packages with existing staff and vehicles, receive packages daily and store them in a secure area until delivery. The exact pay is undisclosed, but Amazon estimates a small business could earn up to $27,000 a year by making the deliveries. If a company delivers 30 packages a day what Amazon says they will receive, on average including weekends but excluding major holidays, that works out to about $2.50 a package. Amazon said its interested in partnering with florists, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, gas stations, plumbers and hair salons, but it will consider other businesses too. For now, the program will remain small. Amazon wants to partner with 2,500 small businesses by end of 2023. There are more than 33 million small businesses in the U.S., according to the Small Business Administration. Interested small businesses can apply at amazon.com/hubdelivery. By MAE ANDERSON AP Business Writer 1669 | July 18, 2023 16:22 Support provided at the cost of trampling on the dignity of people in a humanitarian catastrophe cannot be accepted.Artsakh NGOs welcomed the letter of European partners 1537 | July 14, 2023 18:02 Tents installed in Stepanakert's Renaissance Square 1532 | July 14, 2023 17:42 President Harutyunyan addresses international players with urgent appeal to prevent the impending catastrophe 1519 | July 17, 2023 22:12 If the situation of the people of Artsakh does not normalize, we will resort to tougher measures. Arayik Harutyunyan 1404 | July 14, 2023 10:07 Nationwide Movement rally underway in Stepanakert 1373 | July 14, 2023 14:28 Azerbaijan fires again at Armenias Yeraskh village plant being built with foreign investments 1351 | July 14, 2023 12:06 Participants of the rally presented their demands to the ICRC Artsakh office 1292 | July 18, 2023 09:16 Azerbaijan again falsely accuses Armenia of opening gunfire The following is an interview with Laurent Gaberell, a member of the research and policy team at Public Eye, Switzerland. Gaberell has published extensive investigations in his capacity as agriculture and food expert at Public Eye, which fights against injustice that has a significant link to Switzerland. A non-governmental organization, Public Eye (formerly Berne Declaration) has for fifty years offered critical analysis of the impact that Switzerland, and its companies, has in low-and middle income countries. Crossposted from GPEnewsdocs. LYNN FRIES: Hello and welcome. Im Lynn Fries, producer of Global Political Economy or GPEnewsdocs. In this segment, guest Laurent Gaberell will discuss the new Public Eye investigative report that puts the crucial role of pollination and the global threat to biodiversity and food security posed by bee killing pesticides in the spotlight. A report that for the first time reveals the full scale of the European Union export trade in bee killing pesticides. The report sheds light on the double standard thats been at play as the EU continues to export huge quantities of this pesticide despite having banned the use of these chemicals in their own fields. Our guest, Laurent Gaberell, joins us from Public Eye in Lausanne where hes an agriculture and food expert on the research and policy team. Public Eye is a Swiss not-for-profit organization with a longstanding record of fighting against injustice that has a significant link to Switzerland. Welcome, Laurent. LAURENT GABERELL: Hello. FRIES: So Laurent, well be talking about key findings of this new Public Eye report. Start briefly by first telling us something about Public Eye and also your own area of expertise on the research and policy team. And from there, the collaboration between Public Eye and Unearthed in investigating Europes export trade in banned pesticides. Which I understand this report is the most recent collaboration. GABERELL: Yes, indeed. So you summarized it pretty well. Public Eye is a Swiss NGO acting as a watchdog. Looking at what Swiss multinational companies and in general Swiss politics are doing abroad mainly in poor countries of the Global South. We look at all the sectors, the economic sectors that are key in Switzerland such as the banking sector, the trading sector, the pharmaceutical companies and pesticides because in Switzerland we have the number one in the market which is called Syngenta. This is the reason why we are interested in the topic of pesticides. Its because in Switzerland we have the number one of the market. Im the food and agriculture expert at Public Eye dealing with this topic of pesticides, looking at Syngenta and its activities in developing countries. Weve been looking now for several years at the topic of banned pesticides being sold abroad by Swiss companies or banned pesticides being exported from Switzerland or the European Union to poor countries. This new investigation on the export of banned neonicotinoids from Europe is the latest in a series of investigations that weve done as a collaboration with Unearthed, which is the investigative unit of Greenpeace UK, looking at the export of banned pesticides from Europe. FRIES: So this banned pesticide that were talking about, I understand, is chemically related to nicotine. And you get a clue of that from the name. Is that right? GABERELL: Completely right. Yeah. Its from the same family. So were talking about neonicotinoids derived from the same family as nicotine. But in this case developed to act as insecticides to protect crops. FRIES: This new investigation has for the first time revealed the full scale of the European Unions export trade in neonicotinoids or neonics foor short. Start by talking about what has been called out as the double standard in the EU export trade of these neonics and from there well get into key findings of your investigation GABERELL: This case of the neonics is really the strongest example of the double standard at play when it comes to regulating dangerous pesticides in the EU. Those insecticides were banned from all outdoor users in the Union in 2018. And then they were finally taken out of the market in 2020 because of the danger they pose to pollinators and bees. There was like huge evidence, overwhelming evidence of the impact that they can have on bees and pollinators. So, the European Union decided to take them out of the market a few years ago already. But they keep allowing companies to produce those chemicals in Europe to export them to third countries. Its really the classic example of this double standard where you ban dangerous pesticides in your own country because you consider it too dangerous but you keep exporting it to other countries. Thats the double standard at play. But, I was saying this is the strongest example of this double standard because in this specific case of the neonicotinoids, the European Commission considered them such a threat to pollinators worldwide and to food security that they even decided to act on the import of food made with those chemicals. So in February this year, the European Commission decided to ban, to lower down to zero the residue limits for neonicotinoids in food. And what does that mean? It means basically that youre not allowed anymore to export to the European Union foods that contain residue of neonicotinoids. And the European Commission in its own decision to ban those residues said that theres a big problem with the decline of pollinators worldwide. That the decline of pollinators represents a threat to food security. Because theyre pollinating crops and that theres large evidence that neonicotinoids play a key role in the decline of bees and pollinators worldwide. And so the European Union needs to take action and its not enough to ban those pesticides in the Union, the European Union. The threat is so big that the Union needs also to act on the import to make sure that no food that is consumed in the European Union was made with those bee-killing pesticides. So that was quite a strong decision that was made by the European Commission in February this year (2023). It shows you how big a threat those neonics represent in the view of the Commission. But at the same time, what we are showing in this investigation is that the European Union keeps exporting those pesticides to third countries. So they ban the use of those pesticides in the Union to protect bees. They even ban the import of foods made with those pesticides to protect bees and pollinators but they keep allowing their export from the European Union to other countries. FRIES: Laurent, what kind of volume are we are talking about here? And what companies and countries have you identified as involved in this EU export of banned bee killing pesticides. GABERELL: What we found is that in 2021, the European Union approved the export of more than 13,000 tons of banned neonicotinoids. To give you an idea of what this represents, this is massive. It amounts to about 15% to 20% of the global use of those chemicals. So the amount that was exported from the EU in 2021 represents about 15% to 20% of the global use of those chemicals. So what are the key companies? What we found is that you have a number of companies involved but theres one single company that alone accounts for more than 80% of the exports. And this company is Syngenta, Swiss based Syngenta. But you have also a number of other companies like Bayer and BASF. And smaller or medium size companies like Gowan, FMC, NuFarm, UPL, Berluga and others. So were talking about a dozen of companies that are shipping banned neonics from the European Union. And in terms of countries, exporting countries, its basically coming from everywhere. We could identify thirteen thirteen different countries, members of the European Union that have notified exports of banned neonics in 2021. Now Im saying thirteen countries, but there are a small number of countries, again that are responsible for most of the exports. Belgium is the number one exporter followed by France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. And together those five countries account for the vast majority of the volumes coming out of the Union in 2021. FRIES: In terms of EU exporting countries, as you say five countries exported the vast bulk of banned neonics. And on the import side, where did these EU exports go? GABERELL: What we found is that the vast majority of those exports were going to low or middle income countries such as Brazil, Ukraine, Indonesia, South Africa, Argentina but also a number of African countries. FRIES: Talk about the case of Brazil as an importing country at the receiving end of these EU exports. GABERELL: Well, Brazil was the main destination of the EU exports of banned pesticides. In fact, Brazil alone received about half of the volumes exported from the EU. More than 6,000 tons of banned neonics were exported by the EU to Brazil in 2021. In fact, the vast majority of those 6,000 tons was one single export made by Syngenta from Belgium of a product called Engeo Pleno S. Just to give you an idea what this represents, this 6,000 tons represents enough to spray the entire area of New Zealand. Its also enough to spray seven to ten times the entire surface of Belgium. So its huge. Were talking about huge amounts. Those neonics were banned in Europe, considered too dangerous here, right? So it is in our view, wrong to send them abroad. But in this case, there are two aggravating factors. The aggravating factor is that were shipping it to low and middle income countries where we know the regulations are weaker and the risks will be higher, right? So, the risk of pollinators and bees dying because of exposure to neonics will be even higher in those countries like Brazil, Argentina, or South Africa or Ghana, than in the EU. Another aggravating factor is that those countries are also home to some of the largest amount of biodiversity. So were talking about countries that are megadiverse. Thats the word theyre using. Were talking about megadiverse countries that have a lot of insects of pollinating insects or bees, a variety of bees. That makes them more sensitive. That makes them more vulnerable. And so the impact in those countries will be much higher. No? So just to summarize again, two aggravating factors. One, the countries to which the EU is exporting those pesticides have weaker regulation, weaker control measures in place and the risks will be higher. But second, those are countries that are like the main reservoir of biodiversity on Earth. Like Brazil, which is home of more than 20% of the world biodiversity. So shipping bee killing pesticides to those countries is really irresponsible. FRIES: How are people in the importing countries responding to your findings? Given this the first time the full scale and extent of EU exports of banned neonics and where they are going has been made public. GABERELL: So weve contacted beekeepers and campaigners in importing countries to get their view. To see what they were thinking about those findings that the EU keeps exporting those banned neonics. And they were quite shocked because the EU has this reputation of being a leading player when it comes to chemical safety. The EU says that it wants to lead by example globally. And it is believed to be the global standard when it comes to chemical regulation globally. So theres a sense of hypocrisy and also a double standard that the EU is shipping to their countries pesticides that the EU knows will kill bees. When we talk to bee-keepers in Argentina, in Argentina theres really a serious problem with the decline of pollinators and bees. It seems theyve lost about 30% of their bees in the past decade. Its really massive. You have a number of cases of millions of be dying in several parts of the country. And theyve been able to link those cases, most of the cases at least, with the use of neonics in the country. So when asked the Society for Beekeepers in Argentina what they were thinking about the findings of our research they were quite shocked by the fact that the EU was involved in the massive decline of pollinators that theyre facing in Argentina. They said that neonics represent a very serious threat to their food security. And they call the EU to immediately stop the export of those hazardous chemicals. So most of the NGOs and experts that weve interviewed in South Africa or Argentina or Brazil, they call this a double standard. And they call this an irresponsible practice from the EU. And they hope the EU will take the lead in that regard and stop those exports. FRIES: Ill just briefly refer for a moment to the map of Europe provided in the report. In that map, the thirteen EU countries you identified as exporting banned neonicotinoids in 2021 are indicated by a color coding of pink. And to recap your earlier comment: five of those countries were responsible for most neonics exported in 2021 from the EU. Belgium was the number one exporting country followed by France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. As you noted, one single export made by Syngenta from Belgium was big enough to cover the surface of New Zealand. Talk more about what your investigation of EU exports of neonics reveals about Syngenta. As we know from your opening comments, pesticides are an important topic at Public Eye because Syngenta is headquartered in Switzerland. And since Switzerland is not a member state of the European Union, we should note that like other non-EU countries Switzerland as an exporter or non-exporter of neonics is not covered in this study. As so as a non-EU country Switzerland is color coded in gray in this map. GABERELL: Yeah. Switzerland is, indeed is in gray in this map because its not an EU member but also because in Switzerland, in fact, neonicotinoids are not yet subject to this regulation on the export of banned pesticides. So basically companies can export neonics from Switzerland freely without even notifying the importing country. But yes, the investigation was really focused on the EU as a group, on the EUs exports of banned neonics. And again, the company alone accounted for more than 80% of the volumes. But what I want to say is that, in fact, those numbers might well be an underestimate of the real Syngenta exports of banned neonics from Europe. Because it doesnt include exports from Switzerland which might play a leading role in this trade. But we have no clue about the exact scale and extent of those exports because neonics are not yet subject to the PIC (Prior Informed Consent) regulation in Switzerland. FRIES: Explain how Prior Informed Consent or PIC regulation works so that we can all understand why you were able to analyze neonics that were produced and exported out of Syngentas EU based factories like its EU subsidiary in Belgium but not by Syngenta Switzerland. So start with how PIC regulation works in the European Union and then we can get into the point that neonics are not yet subject to the PIC regulation in Switzerland. GABERELL: So what happens in the European Union, but also in Switzerland, is that when a pesticide is judged too dangerous for use in its own territory the chemical will be banned. Right? But the ban will only apply to the use in the European Union and companies remain free to produce the chemical for export. But in that situation there is a piece of legislation called the PIC Regulation which is the Prior Informed Consent regulation. This is the regulation implementing the Rotterdam Convention in the European Union. This regulation places some obligation on companies wanting to export banned chemicals abroad. It doesnt apply only to pesticides but it applies in general to hazardous chemicals that have been banned in the European Union or in Switzerland. So if a company wants to export a pesticide that has been banned in the European Union, it can do so. But it needs to file a formula which is called an export notification in which it will basically indicate the name of the countries to which it is shipping those pesticides, the volumes but also the intended use that will be made of those chemicals. And those notifications are then sent by the company to the country, to the government in the Union who will transmit those documents to the importing country. And the idea behind the system is that countries abroad are informed about the export of dangerous pesticides or dangerous chemicals to their country. So the reasoning behind this legislation is that at the minimum countries need to be informed. So those exports have remained secret for a long time. Because there is no public data allowing someone to just trace those exports, see the volumes at stake, and where theyre going. So last year together with Unearthed, which is the investigative unit of Greenpeace UK, what we did was to send requests, Freedom of Information requests, to the European Chemical Agency but also to several national governments requesting basically all the export notifications that were sent in 2021 for export of one of those three neonicotinoids that were banned in EU. And it took us several months to get all of those documents because you have hundreds of them. And each time the regulator needs to get the consent of the company before releasing the data. At least they need to consult them and allow them sufficient time to reply. So that is why it takes such a long time. But after several months of work, we were able to obtain all the export notifications for one single year, 2021, for those banned neonics. And what we did then was to analyze the notifications one by one. And keep only those exports for use in agriculture in those countries. Because you have to be aware that pesticides can have multiple uses; one, is the most famous one, which is crop protection, plant protection, agriculture. But pesticides can also be used in other contexts. Such as vector control for malaria control, or for example as collar for dogs or biocides. Okay. And those uses might be still allowed in the EU. So what we had to do as a second step was to basically identify those notifications in which the intended use was crop protection. After several months of work, we were able for the first time to reveal the full scale of one year of exports of banned neonics from the EU. FRIES: That then explains the long story behind the source credited on maps you produced. That source being Public Eye and Unearthed analysis of data submitted to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), 2021. You have yet to do an equivalent analysis on Swiss exports of neonicotinoids. So explain that. GABERELL: Yeah. So, Switzerland has banned the use of the neonics but what they havent done is to list the neonics in the export regulation; in the regulation dealing with the export of hazardous chemicals. And as neonics are not listed in that regulation, theyre not subject to the regulation. And therefore they can be exported without any control from Switzerland. So we have basically no clue whats coming out of Switzerland. And its possible that Switzerland plays a key role in this trade. Syngenta has in Switzerland one of its biggest factories in the world, in Monthey. And we know that they are making neonics in Monthey but we have no clue about the scale and the volumes that go out of Monthey because basically the list of chemicals subject to the export regulation in Switzerland is outdated. The last time it was updated was three years ago. So all of the pesticides that were banned in the last four years have not yet been listed in this regulation and can still be exported freely out of Switzerland. Thats the mechanism. Thats how it works. In the EU, you have a regulation as well dealing with the export of hazardous chemicals. This is the PIC regulation. But if you want a chemical to be subject to that regulation, you need to include it in the list of chemicals subject to the regulation. Right? And in the EU this is done every year quite mechanically. So every year, basically what they do is they take all the pesticides and other chemicals that were banned during the last twelve months and they include them in the list of chemicals subject to the PIC regulation. In Switzerland we have a problem in that regard which is that the update of the list is not being done every year as in the EU but but its being done every four, five, or even six years. Meaning that during all this period of time, the pesticides can still be exported without any control. The obligation for companies to send export notification applies only if the chemical is listed in the PIC regulation. And you need to list it. But if you dont do that, then the chemical can still freely be exported. In Switzerland, what they told us is that theyre planning to update the list soon. But soon in Swiss time, meaning that they plan to release a draft update for the end of this year that would come into force in 2025. So what that means is that during the next two years companies will be able to keep exporting freely those chemicals from Switzerland without any control. And without even needing to notify those exports to the Swiss government. We know that a number of other countries around the world are also exploring those neonics like the USA, China, or even India. But we dont have any data. Because in order to get the data, you need to have this regulation in place, which is in place in the European Union. And thats a positive thing that the European Union has this legislation in place that at least puts some minimum obligation on the company wanting to export. Because it enables us to get the data. If you dont have this obligation, then companies do not need to send export notifications and then you dont get to see the volumes that go out of the countries. So with this investigation, were not saying that the EU is the only bad guy in the world, is the only exporter of banned neonics. No. There are a number of countries that play a leading role in this trade, including probably Switzerland. But the EU is the only region for which we were able to get strong and comprehensive data for one single year. FRIES: Having said that it is a positive thing the EU has this legislation in place for the reasons you stated, explain why in your view this is not enough. GABERELL: So in our view, this does not go far enough. Of course, its a first interesting step to inform the country. Id say, its the minimum. No? Its a pesticide that was banned in the European Union. So at the minimum, you inform the country that you are exporting to its territory. Thats to me the minimum. But its not enough because what we are seeing is that, in fact, its a mechanism that allows the export under certain conditions. And those chemicals that were considered too dangerous for use in the Union, they will provoke in those countries the same harm that they have provoked in the European Union. So in our view, there should be no such system. Because if the EU considers those chemicals too dangerous for use in the Union, they should not ship them outside. Because they know, they are aware of the risk and they are aware of the fact that those risks are not manageable. In fact, whatever you do, theyre not manageable. And thats the reason why they were taken out of the market in the European Union. So, being aware of those risks and being aware of the fact that whatever the capacities, the control measures, the resource that you put in place, you will not be able to mitigate those risks and ensure that the pesticides can be safely used. If youre aware of this, you should just stop the export. FRIES: So whats the state of play at the European Commission on all this? GABERELL: The current practice is to inform countries. Right? Thats the defense that the European Commission used to have and also that many companies exporting companies use. Theyre basically saying: oh, but we provide them the information and there are sovereign countries and they have the right to decide what they want to import or what they want to use in the countries. The mood has change a lot in the EU because governments and the European Commission used to hide behind this argument that we are providing information to those countries and they are sovereign countries that have a right to decide what they want to use and import. Right? But that has changed a lot and I think partly because of the scandal that the past investigation created in EU. Because I think EU citizens just do not accept this practice. And people in importing countries dont accept this double standard. So, the European Commission has committed to end this practice. This commitment came in 2020 in October. In the chemical strategy, they said that they want to come up with a proposal to prohibit this practice of companies exporting abroad chemicals that are banned in the EU. So that was really a good step that was made in 2020 by the Commission. The European Commission has said that it would come up at the end of this year 2023 with a proposal to ban those exports. In fact, the Commission has just launched public consultation and impact assessment, to identify different scenarios for this export ban. And we expect the Commission to publish a proposal in autumn this year. FRIES: As these public consultations and impact assessments are underway in the EU, what in your view are some key things to bear in mind on when assessing the impact of of an EU export ban on neonics? First, from the perspective of the exporting countries so the EU. Lets take the impact on jobs and the economy in Europe will be a big topic. What are some of your thoughts there? GABERELL: Now what we have seen is that, in fact, the impact of an export ban in Europe on employment and on the economy will be pretty limited. And theres one main piece of evidence for that which is the French export ban. So France has an export ban for banned pesticides which is in place since last year. It came into force in January 2022. We did an investigation last year to look at the impact of this export ban. The export ban managed to stop most of the exports. Although some exports are still taking place because of two loopholes in the export ban. But Id say that about three quarters of the volumes that were previously exported from France were no longer exported last year. Right? So the export ban had an impact in France. Now, there was a study looking at the impact on employment and jobs. And in fact, during the hot phase when the French export ban was discussed, the industry released very exaggerated figures about the impact that this would have on employment. Speaking about I think 2,700 jobs that would be at risk if France would ban the export of banned pesticides. And then one year later, one investigative journalist took a look at the impact and found absolutely no impact. No evidence of any job that was lost because of the French export ban. And a group of NGOs now filed a complaint to the Senate, to the French Senate. And the French Senate sent a warning to the pesticide industry in France. Recognizing that in fact, the numbers that were provided by the industry were very exaggerated. So that is basically the same strategy that the industry now is using at the EU level. They are exaggerating a lot the potential impact this export ban could have on the industry providing huge figures that the number of jobs that are at risk. FRIES: And from the perspective of the importing countries, whats your assessment of how big an impact an EU export ban on neonics would be there? GABERELL: The impact in importing countries will be quite large, in fact. Because the EU is one of the main producing place for chemicals around the world. And the EU is even one of the main pesticide exporters around the world. So if you change the rules here, this will have quite some impact in those countries. Of course, you could argue that those countries will still be free to buy from somewhere else, right? But it gives a strong signal, right? It gives a strong signal, a political signal, that other countries will follow and ultimately those chemicals will be hopefully taken out of the market globally. Its a first step, so were not pretending that we are going to resolve all the problems with this export ban, right? Its a first step. But its the first very important step. Its about getting things right. Doing things in an ethical manner. Leading by example. That is what the EU wants to do, lead by example. And then lead other countries to follow its own example. And ultimately this will be very beneficial for the environment. FRIES: And a concluding thought? GABERELL: The findings of this investigation are very serious because we are facing a mass extinction of insects globally. Really a massive decline of insects and pollinators that the Food and Agricultural Organization has called a massive threat to food security. Because two-thirds of the worlds food crops are pollinated by bees and other insects. Its not just about bees or insects. But its about food security and food production. And were facing this massive wave of extinction. And we know that one of the key factors behind this decline are neonics. FRIES: Laurent Gaberell, thank you. GABERELL: Thank you CalPERS is refusing to take readily available measures to prevent the release of hacked personal data of 770,000 beneficiaries. And as well explain below, the information at issue is extensive, with the potential to create identity theft hell. CalPERS has indicated it will not use its ransomware policy, with a $1 million deductible, to pay off the hackers. Mind you, as indicated, thats a mere $1.30 per affected beneficiary. Oh, but those beneficiaries are retirees plus a comparatively few inactives, who are typically government employees who left for the private sector. So CalPERS executives cant be bothered since they see this group as not powerful enough to bother to protect, despite the large numbers harmed. If this has been the data of current CalPERS employees, youd be sure CalPERS would be willing to pay whatever it took to appease the ransomware artists. After all, this is the CalPERS that hand-waved away a $67 million loss on Silicon Valley Bank as a drop in the bucket. As youll also see, this story is the latest in a series of fiascoes regarding CalPERS failure to take measures to make sure that dead people stopped getting CalPERS benefit checks produced a overpayments scandal. So CalPERS belatedly moved to solve a problem that started in 2011. Then, the Social Security Administration significantly reduced access to its full Death Master File, specifically preventing entities that were not Federal or State agencies from getting the portion of the data file that relied on death certificates. Weirdly CalPERS as a California state agency was deemed not to qualify. But only years later, in 2021, after being embarrassed in the press did CalPERS decide to Do Something. As you can see in the embedded board transcript below (search on Social Security), CalPERS had been negotiating with the Social Security Administration to get access to their full Death Master File, with approval expected by year end 2021 and implementation to be underway by August 2022. CalPERS oddly was also signing up, per the transcript to use two vendors who would develop their own death files, relying heavily on obituaries. Why didnt CalPERS wait the few additional months to get the Social Security data? Maybe because no opportunity to buy friends via unnecessary contracts should be passed up. And maybe because doing the work in house would be, well, work and would mean CalPERS would have no one to blame if there were screw-ups. Making those matches is messy, since a dead person may have a common name, requiring the vendor to use other information about the person, like city of residence, street address, spouse and childrens names, along with the linchpin, the full Social Security number, to confirm the identity. The data breach occurred at the outside vendor. CalPERS told beneficiaries that it sent the data over encrypted and it was hacked when the vendor unencrypted it to use it. From the Financial Times: In a statement published on its website, the $442bn pension fund alerted its retired members and their families that some of their personal information, including dates of birth and social security numbers, were downloaded during an incident impacting its contracted third-party provider PBI Research Services/Berwyn Group. The incident involved the MOVEit file transfer service. On June 6, 2023, PBI notified Calpers that a previously unknown zero-day vulnerability in their MOVEit Transfer Application allowed our data to be downloaded by an unauthorised third party, Calpers said in the statement. A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw that has not yet been identified or patched by the software provider. The California-based fund estimates the security incident affected the personal information of about 769,000 members. This external breach of information is inexcusable, said Calpers chief executive Marcie Frost. 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. Frost is, as usual, lying shamelessly. The Financial Times article makes clear that a Russian-speaking criminal gang called the Clop group had hacked personal data at UK companies and issued ransomware demands, as was expected to his US concerns soon. KCRA supplied more information, that roughly 415,00 CalSTRS has also been hit, and gave more of an idea of the extent of the breach: The apps vulnerability allowed data like first and last names, date of birth and Social Security numbers to be downloaded by an unauthorized third party, CalPERS said. The names of members family members could also have been accessed. But along with retired members and their families, the breach could have also impacted inactive members who soon become eligible for benefits, CalPERS said. It was not immediately clear if CalPERS has received reports of fraud in connection with the breach. KCRA 3 is also asking why the agency waited until this week to announce the breach. I felt just flabbergasted that they didnt say anything to anybody before this. We should have known. We should have been able to check our accounts, said Randy Cheek, legislative director for the Retired Public Employees Association of California. Cheek alludes to the real danger, which the news stories skip over. Its to identity theft, which can lead to from loans being taken out in your name or even to money hoovered out of your bank account (this happened recently to a friend at Chase to the tune of $25,000).1 Now to the Frost howler about acting quickly. Randy Cheek is correct to complain that beneficiaries had not been warned until it was convenient for CalPERS, right after a regularly closed session where the board was informed of the hacking (note CalPERS has a procedure for emergency board members but staff couldnt be bothered to treat this matter as important). But on top of that, CalPERS was not willing to use its ransomware policy to pay off the hackers and buy the information back. After the closed session, CalPERS had a 15 meeting with retirees at the CalPERS. Frost and senior staff did not deign to show, another sign of lack of concern about beneficiary welfare. On the way out of the side meeting, former board member Margaret Brown accosted Kim Malm, interim deputy executive officer for the Customer Services & Support Section. Other retirees heard this exchange. Brown asked her why CalPERS had not used its ransomware policy. Malm said the deductible was $1 million, as if that was too high. . Brown repeated her query, why had CalPERS not triggered the policy. Malm gave her a blank stare and walked away. What is the point of paying for insurance and not using it? Is this yet another case of CalPERS expensively buying favors by enriching insurers and their brokers? Malms reaction, which Brown read as no one at CalPERS was even considering putting in a claim under the ransomware policy, suggests either no one had even looked at it since management had decided mere retirees werent worth it. Now it may also be that CalPERS knows the ransomware policy is an empty bag. If so, why pay for it? CalPERS failed to protect its beneficiaries in other ways: Why doesnt PBI have insurance to cover the data breach? Theres no mention in any of the press stories that PBI might be able to cover some of any losses. Why didnt CalPERS contract require PBI/Berwyn to have ransomware insurance? Does CalPERS ransomware insurance cover third parties? If not, its even more inexcusable that CalPERS didnt require its death data vendors to be well covered. Ive gotten quite a few upset calls. One prominent retiree wrote me, disgusted about the latest failure under Frost: I thought [former CEO Fred] Buenrostro [sentenced to 4 1/2 years in Federal prison for embezzlement and other charges] was bad and then came Marcie Frost whose hires and policy decisions stink of incompetencies. The news of the security breach by PBI which has compromised data of retirees such as myself is shattering. As a result of this breach, I sent every CalPERS Board member an email demanding that the Board and Frost meet with membership so we can confront Frost with our questions about the breach. We deserve as much but what I would really like is for the Board to have a vote of no confidence and fire Frost. It wont happen. Sadly, this Board is as clueless and incompetent as Frost. Friends working at CalPERS have shared that Frost was responsible for hiring PBI if that is true it is one more bad decision on her part. The nepotism, the sweetheart deals with health plans, the embracing of risk management after it failed, and so much more are too exhausting to think about anymore. I am grateful I was able to retire when I did because CalPERS has deteriorated more than I dreamed possible. Sadly even with the Financial Times picking up on the story, the coverage is suitably bland and completely misses how CalPERS is throwing retirees under the bus out of sheer laziness and perhaps even spite, since its the retirees who have been doing what they can to combat corruption and incompetence at CalPERS. _____ 1 One wonders how the crooks figured out which bank to target. But Chase is a big bank, perhaps they just brute forced the top five. 00 9.14.21 Risk and Audit Death Benefit Overpayment item6a-00_a 00 9.14.21 Risk and Audit 2021-0914-rac_a Scooter, a Chinese crested, is crowned worlds ugliest dog The Guardian FedEx Named In What Could Be One Of The Largest Odometer Fraud Schemes In U.S. History Jalopnik 3 people have acquired malaria in the US. Theyre the first in 20 years. Vox Climate/Environment Toxic Train Bombs Montana officials testing Yellowstone River water at site of rail bridge collapse The Guardian. Asphalt and molten sulfur spilled into the water. Sodium hydro sulfate apparently did not. From the article: The amount of cargo that spilled into the river and the danger it poses to those who rely on the river for drinking and irrigation is still not knownThe Federal Railroad Administration was leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment but did not have any preliminary information about the probe to share. Railroad safety standards have gotten so bad the NTSB is beginning to question the whole concept of self-regulation Fortune Water The Trillion-Gallon Question New York Times #COVID-19 This is a step in the right direction. I dont agree with some aspects, and I hope its revised in the future. But a lot better than not having this standard. https://t.co/xf88MCVAes Prof. Jose-Luis Jimenez (@jljcolorado) June 24, 2023 Old Blighty India Congress Redux? New Left Review To deal with Imran Khan, Pakistan descends into autocracy Himal Southasian Identifying the Steep Increase in Human Smuggling & Trafficking from Pakistan Modern Diplomacy The Koreas China? European Disunion New Not-So-Cold War The Main Directorate of Intelligence for the Ukrainian Military has announced that Russian Forces have now completed their preparation for a False Flag Terrorist Attack against the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Explosives claimed to have been set in the Cooling Facility pic.twitter.com/yveFkaYNp7 OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 25, 2023 US Senators @LindseyGrahamSC (R) and @SenBlumenthal (D) introduced a bipartisan resolution declaring Russias use of nuclear weapons or destruction of the occupied Zaporizhia Nuclear Powerplant in Ukraine to be an attack on NATO requiring the invocation of NATO Article 5. pic.twitter.com/p5Tx9WGU0K Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) June 22, 2023 Behind the Veil of Indifference Harpers. Lessons from a nuclear life *** Ukrainian Counteroffensive a Dud as War Hawk Predictions Are Wrong Again Covert Action Magazine *** Hungary Foreign Minister: How on earth is it possible that someone blows up critical infrastructure on the territory of Europe and no one has a say, no one condemns, no one carries out an investigation? pic.twitter.com/IAy9y3FWJL COMBATE | (@upholdreality) June 25, 2023 Syraqistan Spook Country Comey As You Are The Baffler Biden Administration 2024 This is your period reminder that @NikkiHaley was on the board of Boeing when they covered up 737 Max safety issues after the first and before the second crash. https://t.co/g3kB7vVLBq Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) June 24, 2023 The Supremes Alito Could Deliver Another Ruling For Billionaire Benefactor The Lever Democrats en deshabille Pinning the Rise of Neoliberalism on Ronald Reagan Lets Democrats Off Easy Jacobin KYRSTEN SINEMA MOVES TO SLASH PILOT TRAINING AFTER TAKING AIRLINE CASH The Intercept No, There Still Isnt A Pilot Shortage Jalopnik. The deck: Theres a shortage of employers willing to pay pilots what theyre worth. Police State Watch Do Police Drug Interventions Spark Overdose Surges? Mad in America Big Brother Is Watching You Watch AI Abortion Malpractice Lawsuits Over Denied Abortion Care May Be on the Horizon MedPage Today Supply Chain Tech How Van Gogh Found His Purpose: Heartfelt Letters to His Brother on How Relationships Refine Us The Marginalian (Chuck L) Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. This post may explain why in late May Putin recently referred to that territory known as Ukraine. Close observers took that as a statement of intent, that Russia was planning to render Ukraine into something other than a sovereign state. It turns out that that is Russias present view of Ukraine. As John Helmer explains below, both Putin and the Foreign Ministry said that due to Ukraine having repudiated and then terminated the 1990 treaty with Russia and successor treaties recognizing each other as sovereign states, Ukraine is no longer sovereign, at least with respect to Russia. And among other things, that means there is no viable Ukraine-type entity for Russia to sign a cessation of hostilities pact, assuming Ukraine somehow were able to slip the leash of its US and NATO overlords. In other words, from Russias vantage, not only is Ukraine de facto not sovereign, but also de jure. One might wonder how to square this reading with the March 2022 Russia-Ukraine negotiations facilitated by Turkiye. Perhaps Russia actually did intend to solve this if a deal were worked out; Um, you know this has no legal effect unless you cancel the termination of our treaties? But Russia now has no reason to be flexible. Recall Ukraine was warned about that too. Putin said the longer the war went on, the more difficult it would become to negotiate with Russia. Russia would require more to lay down its arms if Ukraine and the West kept fighting. Oh, and in case you missed it (I believe Conor will also be featuring this tweet in Links shortly), Ukraine has given up its remaining pretenses of being a democracy: Zelensky has banned opposition political parties He arrested political opponents He banned all unfriendly media He shut down Orthodox churches And now there will be no Presidential election next year At what point we call him what he is? A dictator pic.twitter.com/jFSathORbT DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) June 25, 2023 By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears In brief statements issued late last week in Moscow their significance missed in the western press President Vladimir Putin ordered a reality check of Russias war strategy. He then answered himself by declaring the war will be over when no Ukrainian army will be left on the battlefield, nor NATO weapons. The Foreign Ministry answered by pointing out that Russia does not recognize there is a legal Ukrainian state because the reality is that the mutual recognition treaty between Russia and the Ukraine was cancelled by Presidents Petro Poroshenko and Vladimir Zelensky in 2018 and 2019. We can conclude, Putin said at the Security Council meeting on Thursday morning, that they can certainly send in additional equipment, but the mobilisation reserve is not unlimited. And Ukraines Western allies really seem determined to fight with Russia to the last Ukrainian. At the same time, we must proceed from the fact that the enemys offensive potential has not been exhausted; they may have strategic reserves yet unused, and I ask you to keep this in mind when making fighting strategies. You need to proceed from reality. Putin was following by a few hours the statement by the Foreign Ministry that Russia does not recognize the legal sovereignty of the regime in Kiev, and that following the cancellation of the treaty between the Ukraine and Russia in 2019, there will be no Ukrainian state left to sign an end-of-war agreement. At her weekly briefing of reporters, the ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova, was asked when will Russia initiate a legal procedure to terminate the bilateral treaty with Ukraine on its sovereignty? Zakharova answered: The procedure for terminating the bilateral treaty with Ukraine on its sovereignty is hampered by the absence of such a treaty. In Article 1 of the Treaty on the Principles of Relations between the RSFSR and the Ukrainian SSR of November 19, 1990, the two republics recognised each other as sovereign states. The 1990 treaty was then replaced by the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership between the Russian Federation and Ukraine of May 31, 1997 (Article 39), which was denounced by Ukraine and terminated on April 1, 2019. No army, no state. But the war will continue because it is the one between the US and the NATO powers and Russia. That too will have an ending, but longer. If [NATO Secretary-General] Mr Stoltenberg again says on behalf of NATO that they are against freezing the conflict in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on June 21, this means that they want to fight. So let them fight. We are ready for that. We realised NATOs true goals in Ukraine some time ago as their plans took shape over the years that followed the coup. Today, NATO is attempting to implement themthey are directly involved in the hybrid and hot war declared on Russia. I am reminded, Lavrov added, of a Soviet-era joke noting that the Soviet Union is located too close to US military bases. The Soviet Union was dismantled, but the war continues against Russia. It will end when the US is pushed to a safe distance. How safe, Putin asked Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to explain in answer to two questions? Putins question: we know that the enemy is to receive additional Western equipment. What does the Defence Ministry think about threats in this connection? Shoigus answer: All arsenals, accumulated by the Soviet Union and countries of the former socialist bloc, have now been virtually depleted. We can say the same about former Ukrainian resources the amount, due to be delivered throughout 2023, as well as those weapons that have already been delivered, will not seriously affect the course of hostilities. Additionally, most of the armoured vehicles and fighting vehicles belong to the previous generation, or even to an earlier generation. On the one hand, their armour is weak and ineffective, compared to modern equipment. Mr President, we do not see any threats here. Question: Mr Shoigu, what is the percentage of Western equipment out of the equipment that has been destroyed since June 4, which Mr Patrushev has just reported giving generalised data? Approximately. Answer: Of the 246 tanks destroyed, 13 were Western made. At the same time, it should be noted that, if we consider the equipment that was delivered, tanks in particular: 81 Western-made tanks have been delivered. Of the 81 Western tanks, 13 [16%] have been destroyed. Of the armoured fighting vehicles, 59 Western ones have been destroyed. To date, Western countries have supplied Ukraine with an estimated 109 Bradley armoured fighting vehicles. Of the 109 BFVs, 18 [17%] have been destroyed. Overall, 59 Western-made armoured vehicles have been destroyed. As for field artillery and guns, here, of course, I can estimate right away that out of the 48 pieces destroyed, about 30 percent were Western made. The reality, Putin concluded publicly, not for Shoigu or the General Staff, is that the percentage of NATO weapons destroyed on the battlefield will rise sharply because the enemys offensive potential has not been exhausted; they may have strategic reserves yet unused. When those reserves are defeated, there will be neither NATO arms nor Ukrainian men left. The significance of this re-tuning of Russias war aims was diverted for several hours by the Prigozhin affair. The return of the Wagner columns to their bases in Lugansk, the dissolution of Wagner by the Defense Ministry, and the exit of Prigozhin to house arrest in Belarus remove the distraction from the battlefield and the General Staffs war strategy. If Prigozhin cannot bear the silence, the lack of access to the fortune he has accumulated, and his loss of freedom of movement, he may attempt a break-out to Africa, to plot his return to Russian politics. He will also be aware of the Lebed precedent and the danger of taking helicopter rides. Russian military sources believe the outcome of the one-armed rebellion will be salutary for the key decision-makers including Putin and Shoigu; least of all the General Staff and the chief, General Valery Gerasimov, who have come out of the affair with greater political leverage over the Kremlin. According to one Moscow source, Now that the General Staff have saved the president, the latter will allow General Patience to continue doing its work, as Generals Iskander and Kinzhal seem to be doing theirs now. President Putin in a visit to the headquarters of the Dnieper battlegroup near the Kherson front on April 18. Tass reported: While at the headquarters of the Dnepr battlegroup near the Kherson front, Vladimir Putin heard reports delivered by Airborne Troops commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky [left], Dnepr battlegroup commander Colonel General Oleg Makarevich [right] and other field commanders. The last comment is a reference to long-range missile strikes against Ukrainian command headquarters, airfields, reserve stocks of ammunition and fuel, and NATO storages. After Shoigu had publicly warned on June 20 of decapitation strikes if the Ukrainians attacked targets in the Crimea and other Russian regions, and there was a Storm Shadow attack on the Chongar bridge in the Crimea on June 22, the Defense Ministry reported that it had launched a June 23 salvo in response to a strike on a road bridge across the Chongar Strait [as well as] , a warehouse with Storm Shadow cruise missiles was destroyed at a Ukrainian airbase near the settlement of Starokonstantinov in the Khmelnitsky region. Left: Missile explodes on impacting the Chongarsky bridge on June 22; right, impact crater on the bridge road surface. Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk As for the impact of the affair on the conduct of the war, the assessment reported in the broadcast several hours before the end of the affair, was between next to nothing and not very much. The no Ukrainian army, no NATO weapons, no Kiev state goals are much more important now. A NATO veteran comments on what he expects to see next at the front. The Ukrainians are going to have a problem disengaging at the front lines and passing on to a conventional defence. Ive noticed that the Russians, especially on the Lugansk Peoples Repubic/Kharkov front, have massed significant forces and are applying pressure. This is causing the Ukrainians to shift and commit forces to the area either to stop the Russians, or to gain the initiative via attack. Unless they are willing to accept losing territory in favour of sparing their reserves which they dont seem to be they will continue to be ground down at the front. While this is going on, their logistics will disintegrate at an increasing scope and rate due to Russian strikes, made up in large part of cheap Iranian-designed drones augmented by missiles. Stavka is moving away from the battalion tactical group as the fulcrum of operations and back to division-level formations. The forces built up on the Kharkov front are indicative of that. When your enemy knows how you think on a fundamental level, its a trifle for them to figure out what youll do next. After that, its about how to maneuver the enemy into doing it when and where they choose. Im going to keep watching Kharkov. Listen to the presentation in the third segment of TNT Radios War of the Worlds, from Minute 46: Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen talks about the Chinese debt trap nearly every time she speaks. National security advisor Jake Sullivan delved into the topic in his big economic vision speech. And recently the Associated Press ran a long piece entirely devoted to the falsehood. The criticism all claims that Chinese loans to poor nations drive these countries to instability and are designed to seize assets offered as collateral. The problem is it is all untrue. Deborah Brautigam, the Director of the China Africa Research Initiative at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, has written that this is a lie, and a powerful one. She wrote, our research shows that Chinese banks are willing to restructure the terms of existing loans and have never actually seized an asset from any country. Even researchers at Chatham House admit thats not the case, explaining that the lending has instead created a debt trap for China. That is becoming more evident as nations are unable to repay, largely due to the economic fallout from the pandemic and the US proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. Could there be something more to the US obsession with this talking point? Gong Chen, founder of Beijing-based think tank Anbound, says that if countries are unwilling or unable to repay their debts to China, it could be devastating for Beijing: Widespread debt evasion and avoidance would have a significant impact on Chinas financial stability, he said, and we are concerned that some countries may try to avoid paying back their debt by utilizing geopolitics and the ideological competition between East and West. While Beijing certainly seeks influence in countries where it lends, it also usually builds infrastructure. And while those roads, train tracks, ports and more are also usually beneficial to Chinese operations, their construction also helps the host country. Its also way more than the West offers in terms of infrastructure. The US possibly had the opportunity to join with China in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), one of the largest and most ambitious global infrastructure projects ever, but declined: He says the West also dramatically misunderstands the BRI. He reveals which I think is an exclusive (never heard it before) that they first proposed to John Kerry to do it jointly with the US, which the US didnt even want to consider. pic.twitter.com/CNoC11NtZp Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) June 1, 2023 While Chinas initial instinct has been to try and tackle debt repayment issues at a bilateral level, typically by extending maturities rather than accepting write-downs on loans, its increasingly getting involved in multilateral talks that include US-backed institutions like the IMF. Take the case of Zambia, which got a $1.3 billion loan from the IMF in September. From The Diplomat: Zambia will shift its spending priorities from investment in public infrastructure typically financed by Chinese stakeholders to recurrent expenditures. Specifically, Zambia has announced it will totally cancel 12 planned projects, half of which were due to be financed by China EXIM Bank, alongside one by ICBC for a university and another by Jiangxi Corporation for a dual highway from the capital. The government has also canceled 20 undistributed loan balances some of which were for the new projects but others for existing projects. While such cancellations are not unusual on Zambias part, Chinese partners account for the main bulk of these loans While some of these cancellations may have been initiated by Chinese lenders themselves, especially those in arrears, Zambia may not have needed to cancel so many projects. Since 2000, China has canceled more of Zambias bilateral debt than any sovereign creditor, standing at $259 million to date. Nevertheless, the IMF team justified the shift because they and presumably Zambias government believe that spending on public infrastructure in Zambia has not returned sufficient economic growth or fiscal revenues. However, no evidence is presented for this in the IMFs report. Zambia and its government creditors, including China, reached a deal last week to restructure $6.3 billion in loans, which the IMF approved. Full details of the deal werent announced, but according to the AP: French officials said Zambias 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 wasnt clear that those private creditors could be required to do so. The IMF deal last year was also an effort to relegate China to the backseat, as it allows for 62 concessional loan projects to continue, only two of which will involve China. The vast majority of the projects will be administered by multilateral institutions and involve recurrent expenditure rather than infrastructure-focused projects. In August, China announced the forgiveness of 23 interest-free loans for 17 African nations, while also pledging to deepen its collaboration with the continent. Despite that gesture and its efforts to extend maturities, the West continues to hammer home the message that Beijing is engaged in debt-trap diplomacy with Yellen claiming multiple times that Beijing has become the biggest obstacle to progress in Africa. While Beijing offers imperfect infrastructure-for-minerals deals, the US, offers up worthless token items like cultural ties (as Biden said at last years US-Africa Leaders Summit, the US has a significant population of African Americans. I might add that includes my former boss, he said.) and stuff like this: Ghanas debt problems will soon be behind us given that the US is sending a full-time resident debt advisor. This is the only ingredient that was missing. pic.twitter.com/62CUnJWX0C Grieve Chelwa (@gchelwa) March 27, 2023 Regardless of what the US says and no matter how many times its officials repeat this debt trap talking point, it doesnt change the fact that countries now prefer arrangements with the Chinese. Ken Opalo writes at An Africanist Perspective about how the US cannot compete with China economically in Africa: The fact of the matter is that if you want to do anything serious in the region within a tight political business cycle and need financing, calling Beijing is typically the smart option. This is especially true if you happen to be an incumbent in a competitive electoral democracy like Kenya or Zambia (I hope Washington sees the irony here). According to Nikkei Asia, China has invested 2.5 times more in African infrastructure development than all Western countries combined. The same dynamics obtain in the private sector. Whether you are looking for machinery or cheap imports (and increasingly markets), China is often the best option. Trends in trade volumes demonstrate this fact.. In 2022 Africa-US trade (under $40b) was less than a fifth of Africa-China volumes. Its hard to beat something with nothing as Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo explained during his March 27 remarks at Kings College in London: China is Africas largest bilateral trading partner and about $254 billion in trade in 2021. China is the largest provider of foreign direct investment, supporting hundreds of thousands of African jobs. This is roughly double the level of U.S foreign direct investment and China remains by far, the largest lender to African countries. Chinese companies have also taken the lead in exploiting minerals in Africa, many now in lithium mining in Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, DRC, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Most African countries are in my view, rightly unapologetic about their close ties with China. China shows up where and when the West is reluctant to show up. And many African countries are of the view that the beware of the Chinese Trojan loans advice from the West is wise, but probably self-serving. Africa needs the loans and the infrastructure and China offers them. In any case, the history of loans from Western institutions is not great. The memory of the destructive conditionalities of the Breton Woods loans is still fresh and the debris is everywhere. And the preoccupation of Western governments and media with the so-called China debt trap might well be an overreaction. In the arguments about the Chinese death traps (as it is called sometimes) and the large amounts of loans to African countries, I think that what is clear is that the Chinese have proven to be quite responsible in the giving out of these loans. There are always arguments about whether you get the best deal all the time, but the real question of Africa and African governments is who else is offering these loans? Who else is offering the support? It is not a question of here or there, it is really a question of what is available and it seems to me to make sense to take what is available. What about World Bank and IMF debt traps? Yellen and Sullivan dont talk about that, but African countries, for example, currently owe three times more debt to Western institutions compared to China, and theyve received far less in return. African political economists, including Grieve Chelwa write about how it is actually the western institutions trapping poorer nations in a cycle of debt and austerity: In the early months of the pandemic in 2020, the IMF offered to open up new windows for borrowing that they said would come without conditionalities. The G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and other such offers to pause debt payments suggested that the poorer nations would receive assistance to prevent total economic collapse and to gain access to vaccines. However, Oxfam found that thirteen of the fifteen IMF loan programmes during the second year of the pandemic (2021) required new austerity measures such as taxes on food and fuel or spending cuts that could put vital public services at risk. The Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index reveals that fourteen out of the sixteen countries in West Africa planned to cut their budgets by a total of $26.8 billion in 2021 to contain haemorrhaging national debt crises and that these policies have been encouraged by the IMFs COVID-19 loans. The evidence is clear: the IMF not only engineers austerity-driven debt crises, but its policies are designed to ensure and manage a permanent debt crisis, not to erase debt. They are also hopeful that Chinas public and private debt forgiveness during the pandemic will apply pressure on western financial institutions to rethink the harshness of their debt repayment-austerity governance model. But it appears that rethinking has led to a strategy to amplify the China debt trap myth rather than offering something on par or better than the Chinese. . Foreign ministers of the 27 EU member states have approved a 3.5 billion euro increase in the European Peace Facility, from which Brussels allocates money for arms supplies to Ukraine, the EU Council said on Monday following a meeting in Luxembourg, Tass informs. June 26, 2023, 17:14 EU foreign ministers approve 3.5 billion euro increase in military aid to Ukraine STEPANAKERT, JUNE 26, ARTSAKHPRESS: "The Council today adopted a decision increasing the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by 3.5 billion, building on an earlier agreement from 20 March 2023. This decision is intended to ensure the EPF financial sustainability and predictability in the longer term, and preserve its global geographical scope and the EU's ability to prevent and swiftly respond to crises and conflicts," the statement said. The Council allocates 500 million euros from the fund every few months for arms supplies to Ukraine. Visiting Vilnius on Monday (26 June 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked President Gitanas Nauseda for Lithuania's many contributions to NATO, and for hosting the Alliance's upcoming Summit. "We are monitoring the situation in Russia," said Mr Stoltenberg. "The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine. As Russia continues its assault, it is even more important to continue our support to Ukraine." The Secretary General also condemned Russia's announcement about deploying nuclear weapons to Belarus, calling it "reckless and irresponsible". He added: "we don't see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons, but NATO remains vigilant. If Russia thinks it can intimidate us from supporting Ukraine, it will fail." The two leaders discussed final preparations for the Vilnius Summit, which will take place on 11 and 12 July. This includes a multi-year package of assistance and upgraded political ties with Ukraine, as well as reinforcing Allied deterrence and defence with new regional plans, and a rotational model for air and missile defence. Allies will also agree on a more ambitious defence investment pledge with 2 percent of GDP as a floor, not a ceiling. Later on Monday, the Secretary General and the President will attend exercise Griffin Storm, which will test reinforcing the German-led NATO battlegroup in Lithuania up to brigade size. Visiting Pabrade, Lithuania, on Monday (26 June 2023), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met German and Lithuanian troops training together in Exercise Griffin Storm. He was joined by President Gitanas Nauseda and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The exercise tested the rapid reinforcement of the German-led NATO battlegroup to brigade size, as agreed at NATOs Madrid Summit in 2022. This exercise sends a clear message: NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory, said Mr Stoltenberg, adding: we are demonstrating that we can also reinforce quickly, whenever needed. At the Vilnius Summit on 11 and 12 July, Allies will approve new regional plans with specific forces and capabilities assigned to the defence of specific Allies, said the Secretary General. He added that the forces will exercise together regularly, and noted that NATO has now also agreed a new rotational model for air and missile defence. The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will further strengthen Baltic security, said the Secretary General. I spoke yesterday to President Erdogan and I'm also in contact with the Swedish and the Finnish government. And we agreed to convene a high level meeting in Brussels before the Summit. This meeting will include foreign ministers, heads of intelligence, and national security advisors. The aim is to make progress in completing Sweden's accession to NATO. Support for Ukraine will also be a top priority for the Summit, and Mr Stoltenberg praised Germany and Lithuania for providing critical support and training, saying that this helps save lives every day. At the Vilnius Summit, Allies will approve a multi-year assistance package and upgrade political ties with Ukraine. This will help bring the country closer to its rightful place in NATO, said the Secretary General. (As delivered) President Nauseda, dear Gitanas, Thank you so much for that warm welcome. And for awarding me the Order of the Cross of Vytis. This is really a great honour. And many thanks to you, the government, and the people of Lithuania for hosting the NATO Summit here in Vilnius next month. When Allied leaders meet in two weeks, we will take decisions to address the most challenging security environment in decades. And we just had a productive meeting to discuss the final preparations for the Summit. At the same time, we are monitoring the situation in Russia. The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. And yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine. As Russia continues its assault, it is even more important to continue our support to Ukraine. Ukrainians have launched a counter-offensive to retake occupied land. And the more land they are able to liberate, the stronger their hand will eventually be at the negotiating table. To achieve a just and lasting peace. I commend Lithuania for providing vital military equipment and training for Ukraine. At the Vilnius Summit, we will agree a multi-year package of assistance. And we will upgrade our political ties. The decisions we will take will bring Ukraine closer to our Alliance. Because Ukraines rightful place is in NATO. All Allies agree that NATOs door remains open. That Ukraine will become a member. And that it is for Allies and Ukraine to decide. Russia does not have a veto. And once the war ends, we must put arrangements in place for Ukraines security. So that history does not repeat itself. We are also monitoring the situation in Belarus. We condemn Russias announcement about deploying nuclear weapons. This is reckless and irresponsible. We dont see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons. But NATO remains vigilant. If Russia thinks it can intimidate us from supporting Ukraine, it will fail. We stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Our deterrence is strong. To keep our people safe in a more dangerous world. At the Summit, we will take further steps, with new regional plans. And the forces, exercises and capabilities assigned to these plans. Over 300,000 troops on higher readiness. Backed by substantial air and maritime capabilities. We have also agreed a new rotational model for air and missile defence. To allow for swift transition from air policing to air defence. The accession of Finland and soon Sweden to NATO significantly enhances the security in the Baltic Sea region. And today, we will attend together exercise Griffin Storm, which will test reinforcing the German-led NATO battlegroup up to brigade size. Sending a clear message: NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We must continue to invest in our security. At the Summit, we will agree on a more ambitious defence investment pledge. With 2 percent of GDP as a floor, not a ceiling. Lithuania is already leading by example, committing 2.5 percent of GDP to defence. So President, Thank you again for Lithuanias many contributions to NATO. I look forward to a successful Summit in Vilnius. (As delivered) Dear Gitanas, dear Boris, It is good to be together - we both are here today and to watch this exercise which is so important for the whole Alliance. And its also great to be together with you, just two weeks from the Vilnius Summit, so the NATO Summit, here in Lithuania. We just had the opportunity to meet some of the Lithuanian and the German troops participating in Exercise Griffin Storm. And I thank them for their impressive skills and service. Griffin Storm is one of the biggest exercises in the region this year. And demonstrates the ability to rapidly scale up the German-led NATO battlegroup to brigade size. With the German personnel and military vehicles deployed, operating seamlessly alongside the Lithuanian forces. This exercise sends a clear message: NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. There are now over 40,000 troops under NATO command primarily in the eastern part of the Alliance. Backed by significant air and naval power. We are demonstrating that we can also reinforce quickly, whenever needed. Further strengthening our deterrence and defence will be high on the agenda at the Vilnius Summit. We are now putting in place new regional plans, with specific forces and capabilities assigned to the defence of specific Allies. These forces will exercise together regularly. We also agreed a new rotational model for air and missile defence. To allow for swift transition from air policing to air defence. The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will further strengthen Baltic security. I spoke yesterday to President Erdogan and I'm also in contact with the Swedish and the Finnish governments. And we agreed to convene a high level meeting in Brussels before the Summit. This meeting will include foreign ministers, heads of intelligence, and national security advisors. The aim is to make progress in completing Sweden's accession to NATO. Support to Ukraine is top priority for the Summit. And I commend both Lithuania and Germany for providing critical support and training, which helps save lives every day. At the Summit, we will agree a multi-year package of assistance, and upgrade our political ties with Ukraine. This will bring Ukraine closer to its rightful place in NATO. At the same time, we continue to monitor the ongoing situation in Russia. The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. And one more demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin has made with his illegal war against Ukraine. NATO is also monitoring the situation in Belarus. Allies condemn Russia's announcement about the deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus. This is reckless and irresponsible. We dont see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons. But NATO remains vigilant. We call on Belarus to stop its support for Russias illegal war in Ukraine. Moscow is attempting to intimidate us. And to deter us from supporting Ukraine. But we will not be intimidated. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. And we will defend all Allies against any threat. So, Mr. President, Minister, Its good to be together with you here today. And I look forward to continue to work with you and to welcome you to the Vilnius Summit. Moderator: Thank you. I invite the media representatives to pose your questions. Please take a microphone, introduce yourself and indicate who you are addressing your question to. Saulius Jakucionis, Baltic News Service: Thank you. Thank you, Christina. My name is Saulius Jakucionis. I am from news agency Baltic News Service. I have a question for the German Minister of Defence, Mr. Pistorius: Minister, when Germany will make a decision regarding sending air defence capabilities to Lithuania under this new air defence model, which was agreed in NATO several weeks ago. Also on the other matter, touching upon the press conference, previously, which [took place] in Vilnius Airport. Can you indeed confirm that there are Wagner units being stationed to Belarus? Thank you very much. And President Nauseda, I also have a question for you: what are the other countries, except Germany, Lithuania is negotiating to send, to deploy air defence capabilities? Thank you. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius: From my part, I don't have any newer information about the deployment of Wagner troops or units into Belarus. Saulius Jakucionis, Baltic News Service: What about Air Defense [inaudible]? Defence Minister Boris Pistorius: Air defence? Well, we made our decision for the Summit this year, but not more at the moment. President Gitanas Nauseda: This is the issue I would like to touch too because air defence systems are critically important, especially in the crisis scenario, because the air policing missions are important during the peacetime but air defence systems are much more important if the situation starts to deteriorate, and the war in Ukraine showed that, really, to control the air spaces is one of the most important possibilities to reduce the losses, especially during the initial stage of the crisis. But regarding your question, yes, Minister already mentioned that now we are talking about air defence systems provided during the NATO Summit and shortly afterwards. We are talking about air defence systems on a rotational basis after the Vilnius Summit, and I already started my discussions with different Allies, namely Netherlands, France, Germany, and other countries but so far it is a very complicated issue to answer this question and who will be responsible for which part or which element of air defence systems. Much more important is that we already have the conclusion or decision on the NATO level: that air defence systems in the eastern flank on rotational basis. This is probably an adequate response to the current situation and we are looking forward to cooperate with our partners in the nearest future regarding this issue. Moderator: Thank you. We have a second media question, please. Natalia Drozdiak, Bloomberg: Natalia Drozdiak from Bloomberg. Thank you so much for the questions. For Secretary Stoltenberg: what impact is NATO to expect the Wagner events to have on the battlefield in Ukraine, and German Minister Pistorius: I was curious to ask why did Germany change its decision about having permanent troops based in Lithuania? Was this at all tied to the Wagner events over the weekend or was this in motion already before? Thank you. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: I think what we are seeing in Russia over the last days demonstrates the fragility of the [...] Russian regime, we see the weakness of the Russian regime, and it also demonstrates how difficult and dangerous it is for President Putin to be reliant on mercenaries that has actually turned against him. It also demonstrates that it is hard to predict exactly what will now happen in the next days and weeks, but we should not make the mistakes that we are underestimating the Russians. So we need to continue to provide support to Ukraine and that is exactly what NATO and NATO Allies are doing with military support, but also support for the long term and that is in a way what we can say today about the effects on the battlefield in Ukraine. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius: To your question, it is not really, a real change of our position. What I wanted and what I did emphasise today was to say we are willing to do that under two preconditions: and the one is, of course, the infrastructure, which the Lithuanian government is willing and prepared to provide as soon as possible. And we agreed to build up the brigade in the same speed, like improving like building up the infrastructure succeeds in Lithuania. And the second point is very important too, regarding and looking to Stoltenberg, of course, SACEUR has certain interests and very important interests too, so we said he has to have the possibility to maintain military flexibility at the Eastern flank, which is very important too, so if he does not disagree, if he doesn't disagree, we will go on and proceed in that way. President Gitanas Nauseda: From my side, I can only assure you that our part of [the] job we will do as good as possible and as quick as possible, meaning elements of infrastructure in order to accommodate the brigaded size presence of German troops in my country. Moderator: Thank you. We have time for one last question. Please. Michael Fischer, Deutsche Presseagentur: Thank you very much. Michael Fischer, German Press Agency. I have a question for Secretary General first of all: does NATO need to react in any way on the recent developments in Russia, President Nauseda for example suggested yesterday, to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO right now, if the Wagner troops will settle in Belarus. Is that an option from your point of view? Or are there any consequences for the NATO-Russia Founding Act? And my second question to you would be: what message goes out from the permanent deployment of the German brigade that was announced by Minister Pistorius today? What message goes out to Mr. Putin and Mr. Lukashenko from the deployment? And Mr. Nauseda, a question on the brigade too: the condition is that Lithuania builds the infrastructure for the brigade. By when will that be finished? NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Let me start by saying that we, of course, very much welcome the German leadership, which has been demonstrated throughout actually a long, long time, but it's very much enhanced by the German announcement today, because German-led battle group but also more German troops are deployed here shows strong German commitment to our collective defence, to our shared security; and it's part of the adaptation of NATO which has taken place since 2014. With high readiness of forces but also with more deployments of combat ready NATO troops in the eastern part of the Alliance, including the battlegroups, and one of them is the German-led battlegroup, here in Lithuania. So this demonstrates German leadership, German commitment to our transatlantic bond, and it also demonstrates the value of a multilateral NATO commitment to a country like Lithuania. It sends, of course, a message, our presence here and also the exercise, we just watched of NATO readiness and NATO capability to defend every inch of NATO territory and the reason we do that is of course, not to provoke a conflict, but it is to prevent the conflict, because credible deterrence is about preventing war, it is about preventing conflict, it is about preventing attacks and preserving peace. And this is not only about Forward Presence, which is important, but it is also about pre-positioning equipment and supplies, high readiness and exercises. So it is all of this together, backed also by significant air and naval power, and that also fits into the issue of air defence, I think, of course, land based air defence systems are important, but we have to understand that we now have this rotational model in place for air defence, which can make it easy for us to switch from air policing to air defence. Air Forces is also part of air defence and naval forces can also provide significant air defence capabilities on very short notice. So this is the general announcement, it is welcomed and it is part of a pattern, big adaptation of NATO that had taken place over several years. One more thing about this is that we will also make important decisions at the Vilnius Summit on infrastructure, the new force model and also with plans that will dedicate specific forces to protect specific territories. This is the first time, since actually the Cold War, where we are going to have plans linked to specific forces to protect specific territories. Then the first question was onWell, so first of all, I think it is a bit early to say exactly because things may still evolve. Second, we are of course, monitoring very closely and we are able to react quickly if there is a need. At the same time, I think it is important to remind you all that this is about internal Russian matters and therefore what NATO is focused on is to support Ukraine. It demonstrates the fragility of the Russian regime but it is not for NATO to intervene in those issues. That is a Russian matter. What matters for NATO is to not be intimidated and not be prevented from continuing to provide unprecedented support for Ukraine. And also, of course, to have the necessary deterrence and defence. We have that already, we have increased our presence over the years and with the German announcement too, yet another example of how Allies are increasing the presence but again, it is not only about presence it is also about the ability to have early warnings, indications and then react quickly if there is a need and this exercise demonstrates exactly that. President Gitanas Nauseda: My part of the question: we [have] simplified the procedures and technical procedures, legal procedures in order to be able to finalise the building of infrastructure by 2026 but I will be not angry if the Minister of Defence, which is sitting in front of me they finalise in 2025. Anyway, we have strong political commitment in the Lithuania to find the necessary financial resources in order to be able to finance the needs of infrastructure, but of course, hand in hand modernisation of our armed forces, it is a very important priority to us too. Moderator: Thank you. The press conference is over. I wish everyone a pleasant afternoon. Thank you. Berkeley Files show that faculty applicants were ranked not on merit but on support for racist DEI policies and practices For many years, the University of California, Berkeley refused to comply with legitimate document requests made by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), and now we know why: because the school has been unfairly discriminating against faculty candidates based on their adherence, or not, to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) propaganda. Just recently, Berkeley finally handed over information about its hiring criteria to FIRE revealing that faculty at the school are graded based on their commitment to DEI, which in many ways has become a religion. Viewpoints that should be protected by the First Amendment or academic privileges were used by the school to intimidate and punish faculty members who failed to meet certain DEI standards. Back in 2018, for instance, the life sciences departments at Berkeley launched an initiative aimed at advancing faculty "diversity." This included requiring all candidates to submit statements about their "contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion," as well information about their "understanding of these topics," "records of activities to date," and "specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion." It is one thing to promote general diversity, meaning not just left-wing viewpoints but also right-wing viewpoints, but what Berkeley means by DEI can pretty much be summed up as anti-white, and possibly also anti-Asian, discrimination. Berkeley would grade its faculty members based on their agreement with specific viewpoints, which ironically enough constitutes anti-diversity. If only left-wing, anti-white values are allowed to be espoused, then how can that in any way be considered, diverse, equitable, or inclusive? The answer is it cannot, and yet this is the standard to which Berkeley rates and grades its faculty members so as to foster a very specific and exclusive range of beliefs among its employees. (Related: Last fall, Berkeley administrators ordered all students who refused to get vaccinated for the FLU to wear a face mask.) There's nothing diverse about excluding non-leftist thinking We know from what FIRE recently received from Berkeley that faculty members at the school will be given lower scores if they in any way "discount the importance of diversity." Once again, what Berkeley means by "diversity" in this context is non-diversity when it comes to varying political and social viewpoints that deviate too far from extreme leftism. Another scoring document at Berkeley was found to mandate lower scores for faculty members who do not "feel any personal responsibility for helping to eliminate barriers." Once again, what Berkeley means by "barriers," in this context, is pushing for more pro-leftist, pro-black, anti-white, and anti-Asian culture both on campus and in the classroom. This type of thing is not exclusive to Berkeley, of course. Prof. Joshua Katz of Princeton University was punished by his school for questioning a proposed "anti-racism" program that offered benefits exclusively to "minorities," meaning non-whites. Princeton Pres. Christopher Eisgruber called for Katz to be fired simply for questions he had about the program. Berkeley is engaged in similar bullying with its promotion of DEI, as well as promotion of the faculty members who embrace the school's version of it. Those who deviate from the accepted way of thinking will be punished or possibly fired, such as what Katz faced over at Princeton. "The concern is that the rubric could be used to enforce an ideological litmus test," wrote Jonathan Turley on his blog about the matter. "The Berkeley rubric requires candidates to voice and demonstrate commitments to DEI measures that some may find personally or intellectually problematic." The latest news about left-wing academic and the propaganda being spewed at institutions of "higher learning" can be found at CampusInsanity.com. Sources for this article include: JonathanTurley.org Newstarget.com GOP lawmakers question origins of nearly $10M received by Joe Bidens S corporation in 2017 Republicans at the House of Representatives are questioning the origins of almost $10 million received by CelticCapri Corporation, an S corporation owned by Joe Biden, in 2017. Breitbart noted that while the 2017 tax returns for CelticCapri indicated the almost $10 million income, it did not specify revenue line items as required by law. Meanwhile, the Federalist explained that CelticCapri and now-First Lady Jill Biden's Giacoppa Corporation were set up shortly after Joe stepped down as vice president in 2017. The outlet added that both entities "contained more than $13 million of the $17 million the [Biden] couple had reported in income after [Joe] left office, most of it in the first year (2017)." An S corporation is an entity that elects to pass corporate earnings, losses, deductions and credits through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes. According to certified public accountant Jerry Allison of Allison Financial Services, it is apparently common for personal tax returns to not list line item income for S corporations. However, he noted that "the lack of detail should raise concern for House investigators." "The point I am making here is that the $9.5 million income and the $557,000 income on Schedule E are after expenses have been subtracted, so the original income is much more than these numbers," said Allison, an accounting practitioner of 30 years. "It is my opinion that both S corporation returns [of Jill and Joe] should be examined to find the actual amount of income and to obtain clues as to where the income may have originated. The S corporation returns might reveal other entities from which the income may have originated." A "fact check" piece by USA Today in 2020 attempted to explain how the Biden crime family earned $15.6 million from speaking fees and book deals from 2017 to 2019. It stated that more than $10 million of that income came from sales of Joe's memoir "Promise Me, Dad" and $3 million came from sales of Jill's book "Where The Light Enters." But the Federalist critiqued the article, specifically the links it provided for the breakdown of earnings for Joe's work. The links reportedly directed to Joe's campaign website with financial disclosure links to only their individual returns. "No S corporation tax returns, so in reality, readers were left with a smokescreen." GOP lawmakers want TRANSPARENCY from the president Several GOP lawmakers from both chambers of Congress voiced out their intentions to seek transparency from the president regarding where this income actually came from. Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who co-authored a 2020 Senate report on the first family, told Breitbart that Joe should openly reveal the source of the revenue. "[Joe] should disclose, and every member of the press ought to hound him until he does," Johnson said. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace said: "The president seems to find selling out our country funny, [but] we don't. If he's serious about proving our allegations wrong, he should release his and his family's unredacted bank records and show the American people where all this money is coming from." She added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cannot protect the First Family forever. Arizona Rep. Eli Crane also urged the president to come clean about the money. "The American people deserve to know who paid the Bidens, and what exactly they were paid for," Crane said. "Now that we know there are recordings of conversations Joe Biden and his degenerate son had with a Burisma executive, its becoming more and more obvious how the indictment of President Trump is meant to be a distraction. It would shock no one in this town if Joe Biden received millions of dollars from selling out the country in a bribery scheme and then hid that money in shady shell companies." Follow BidenCrimeFamily.news for more news related to bribery and other crimes committed by Joe Biden and his family. Watch this video about the chief accountant of Burisma who provided damning evidence of the Bidens' crimes being found dead. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Walls closing in on Biden: House to 'absolutely' impeach over $5 million Ukrainian bribe reported by top FBI informant potentially 'treasonous!' Ben Armstrong: Latest Giuliani bombshell proves DOJ, FBI covered for Biden crime family. Stephen Miller: Biden crime family financial scandal is "biggest foreign corruption scandal in American history" that now reaches all the way to the Oval Office. House GOP discovers that Biden crime family tried to hide over $10 million in foreign kickbacks and bribes. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Breitbart.com TheFederalist.com USAToday.com Brighteon.com FRESHLY OVERLAID graphene oxide nanobots found in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines Graphene, composed of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional lattice structure, possesses remarkable properties that facilitate the amalgamation of synthetic components with the human body. The 125742_S1_M4_4.2.1 vr vtr 10741.pdf document released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the order of Federal Judge Mark Pittman confirms the possibility of toxic Graphene Oxide (GO) in the COVID vaccines. The study by Pfizer to obtain Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) sought to understand how the vaccine works by utilizing mRNA to instruct cells in producing a spike protein called P2 S, which resembles the alleged COVID-19 virus. However, page 7 of the study revealed that "freshly overlaid graphene oxide" is required in the manufacturing process of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This intentional concealment by authorities and the mainstream media highlights their commitment to advancing their agenda while suppressing vital information that could question their power and control. (Related: Blood of COVID-vaccinated people found to contain strange artifacts (graphene oxide?)) Dr. Philippe van Welbergen, a renowned nanotechnology expert, has played a vital role in uncovering the truth about graphene nanoparticles and their potential presence in COVID-19 vaccines. His meticulous analysis of vaccine samples has revealed disturbing indications of graphene's involvement, correlating its presence with blood clotting disorders and the destruction of red blood cells. Graphene nanobots could be transmitted from "vaccinated" people to "unvaccinated" people While the health implications of graphene transmission are still under investigation, initial findings suggest graphene nanoparticles could be transmitted from the vaccinated to the unvaccinated. Graphene nanobots, if transferred to the unvaccinated, could lead to organ dysfunction, inflammatory responses, and immune dysregulation, which may increase susceptibility to infections or autoimmune disorders. The phenomenon, if confirmed, holds significant implications for public health and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive studies to determine the extent and consequences of graphene transmission. Scientists are particularly concerned about the potential risks posed to vulnerable individuals. Scientific investigations have identified several potential mechanisms through which graphene nanobots could be transmitted from vaccinated individuals to unvaccinated individuals. These include respiratory transmission, where inhalation of graphene-containing particles can serve as a route of transmission, as well as direct contact through skin-to-skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. The transmission of graphene nanobots from vaccinated individuals to the unvaccinated raises profound ethical concerns. Vaccination programs are primarily aimed at protecting against specific diseases, and the accidental transmission of graphene nanobots introduces a new dimension to the ethical debate surrounding vaccination. The Expose raises concerns about the possibility of covert surveillance, tracking, or manipulation of our physical and cognitive abilities. As these nanobots become more integrated into our lives, the boundary between human control and technological influence becomes blurred, creating a dystopian world where our essence is exploited and manipulated. Although COVID and the injections have been exposed as fraudulent, most of the population has already received the jabs. Even those who remain unvaccinated are now at risk of exposure to graphene nanobots through shedding from the vaccinated. Over time, every person on the planet will likely have these foreign entities circulating in their bloodstream, regardless of their vaccination status. Once this process is complete, the extent of the dystopian consequences remains uncertain. One alarming aspect of graphene nanobots is their ability to manipulate and control our bodily functions. The idea of these insidious agents overriding our natural systems and dictating our thoughts, emotions, and physical actions is terrifying. Our autonomy would be stripped away, and we would become mere puppets in the hands of evil forces. The prospect of a dystopian world where these silent destroyers orchestrate our every move is deeply unsettling. Watch the full Feb. 14 episode of The Dr. Hotze Report below. Catch new episodes of the program every Monday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More stories like this can be found at Transhumanism.news. More related stories: COVID jabs contain graphene NANOBOTS, scientists discover and they pass from the vaccinated to unvaccinated. Researcher sounds alarm after finding PARASITES, nanobots and graphene in COVID-19 vaccines. Merritt Medical Hour: Nanobots being found in the bodies of vaxxed people Brighteon.TV. Dr. Carrie Madej tells Dr. Steve Hotze: COVID vaccines make humans part synthetic, part organic Brighteon.TV. Technological parasitism: Covid vaccines appear to contain self-assembling nano-octopus microparticles. Sources include: Expose-News.com 1 Expose-News.com 2 SteveKirsch.substack.com Brighteon.com By Akbar Hasanov, Day.az If you suffer for a long time, then something will work out. Apparently, this is the life credo of a very solid layer of Armenian politicians, political scientists, public figures, and journalists. The devastating defeat of Armenia in the 44-day war and the subsequent examples of the diplomatic fiasco of official Yerevan poke out for the eternal question - who is to blame and what to do? Each of the political forces in the country calls its opponents guilty. Supporters of the current government blame their predecessors, especially the "Karabakh clan" headed by Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan. Their general postulate boils down to the statement that "everything was stolen, lost, ruined before us." Supporters of the previous government, and they still remain, deny their main guilt in the defeats of Armenia on the battlefield and in the diplomatic arena. They blame everything on the current government, personally on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, calling him a "surrender", a "defeatist". They blame him for allowing the start of the 44-day war, for not stopping it, for losing in the end. At the same time, both those and others periodically blame the world community for everything. Everyone is blamed - the USA, France, Russia for the fact that they, being co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, did not help Armenia to keep 20% of the occupied Azerbaijani lands. Absurd? Yes, if you think from the point of view of a sane person. But in the case of Armenia, a completely different "logic" works. According to it, not only Turkiye and Azerbaijan are to blame for all the troubles of Armenia, but also Israel, Pakistan, and more recently all European countries that buy Azerbaijani oil and natural gas, develop mutually beneficial relations with our country. Absurd again? Certainly. At the same time, there is another, relatively new trend. It consists in recognizing the colossal superiority of Azerbaijan over Armenia. Moreover, in completely different directions. For example, former officer of the RA Armed Forces Narek Nersisyan noted the absence of logical and other prerequisites for large-scale military-technical cooperation with Western players. And most importantly, he believes that Azerbaijan uses its ties with Western players much more efficiently. "Being in fairly good relations with Moscow, Baku simultaneously manages to protect its interests in the course of dialogue with the West, receive various privileges, military assistance. And Armenia does not have any specific strategy," he complains. And here, too, there is nothing to argue. An honest and accurate analysis of the existing realities, nothing more. Furthermore, honored Artist of Armenia David Amalyan stated that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev managed to unite the Azerbaijani people. "I have deep respect for President Ilham Aliyev. He has character. He graduated from several universities and has a high intellect. I don't want to say everything on the air, but in 30 years we have turned into a tribe, and the Azerbaijani leader has managed to rally the whole people. I believe that this is temporary for us, and I hope that we will also have such a leader who will put everything in order," he said. Interesting girls dance. The recognition that the Armenians are not a nation, not a people, but a tribe - does not sound like intellectual masochism, but like a bitter statement of reality. At the same time, it should be added that the optimism expressed by the artist Amalyan about the fact that soon everything will change in Armenia is more like an attempt to sweeten the pill. So as not to be heavily bombarded with rotten tomatoes. But he is far from the only one who "suddenly saw the light" and realized that Armenia to Azerbaijan is like walking to the moon. Earlier, Armenian politician Vladimir Poghosyan said on the air of the Noyan Tapan program that the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will go down in the history of his people and state. And it is true. "If we talk about Ilham Aliyev, then this is the real President of his country. Whatever we say, whether we like the Azerbaijanis or not, Ilham Aliyev is the real head of his state. Our politicians do not have the qualities that the Azerbaijani leader has," - Poghosyan stated. As you can see, this is already a trend. Quite, however, understandable and logically arising from the existential crisis in which Armenia has plunged for a long time. In our ongoing efforts to serve Cayuga County businesses and promote economic development, CEDA has been actively engaging with local communities. Through our CEDA Sees the County and CEDA Sparks initiatives, we are engaging, educating and empowering businesses and stakeholders. Recently we had the opportunity to visit Moravia and Union Springs, where we discovered vibrant histories, ongoing revitalization projects and ambitions for the future. During our visit to Moravia, we were impressed by this walkable towns remarkable collaborative spirit. As we previously shared through our communication channels, Moravia received a $2.25 million grant as part of the NY Forward initiative. This grant will play a critical role in funding downtown projects and igniting a wave of revitalization throughout the area. To ensure community involvement in the NY Forward planning process and the allocation of funds to specific projects, a public kick-off meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Moravia Fire Department on 36 Keeler Ave. We encourage everyone to attend and contribute their ideas to shape the future of the town of Moravia. Ready to submit a project that could transform downtown Moravia and provide economic and community benefits? It could be eligible for consideration. Complete an open call for projects form online by July 23 by visiting tinyurl.com/NYFmoravia. Our visit to Union Springs at the beginning of June provided valuable insights into the villages rich history, thanks to our tour by former Mayor Bud Shattuck. During his eight-year tenure, Mayor Shattuck spurred significant progress, particularly with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Project initiated in June 2021. This project aims to rejuvenate Union Springs waterfront areas and has already seen tangible successes, such as a rebuilt boat launch and docks as well as floating kayak racks. Looking ahead, the community eagerly awaits the construction of an 800-foot boardwalk. The new mayor, Robert Thurston Jr., who assumed the position three months ago, envisions a thriving village where families and visitors can enjoy lodging, restaurants and other amenities. I want kids to grow up here and to choose to stay here and raise their families, Thurston shared. CEDA agrees with the mayors vision and is committed to supporting Union Springs businesses in realizing this vision. In a recent Travel and Tourism Familiarization Tour organized by Tour Cayuga on June 20, over a dozen individuals explored several areas along the Erie Canal. The tour provided a fantastic opportunity to meet others from the community and left the CEDA team more empowered to serve as Cayuga County ambassadors. Throughout the day, we made several stops, including the impressive 160-acre Montezuma Heritage Park along the Seneca River. This park project, 15 years in the making, features 11 trails and is home to the second-largest aqueduct on the Erie Canal, adorned with a magnificent mural by Dawn Jordan. Dawn is also the talented muralist behind several other murals in the area depicting life on the Erie Canal. Another stop on the tour was Port Byron Old Erie Canal Heritage Park, where we met with Craig Williams, president of the Canal Society of New York State. He shared the early history of the Erie House from the 1890s and emphasized the importance the authenticity of the site. Did you know the Weedsport Speedway was established in 1955 and has been recognized as one of the top dirt tracks in the U.S.? Here we met with Linda Hulbert, who gave us a tour of the state-of-the-art-facility. Over the years this track has hosted numerous events and has become a beloved destination for both drivers and fans. With a dirt track, it demands skill and adaptability from its drivers, making for an unpredictable and thrilling race. Race season runs from May to September with seven races, two of which are already sold out. We are excited to welcome local business owner and 20-plus year human resources professional Melody-Smith Johnson for our third episode of "CEDA Sparks" at 1 p.m. Friday, July 7. Melody will provide valuable insights into human resources practices and their significance for businesses of all sizes. Whether youre considering hiring your very first employee or managing a workforce of 100, this episode is for you. "CEDA Sparks" is free and open to all. We invite you to register and join us! If youre interested in sharing your insights and expertise as a guest speaker, please reach out to us. Stay updated on our resources and other valuable insights by staying connected with us through our social channels. We look forward to meeting you and continuing to support your business goals! Pentagon overestimated value of military aid sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion this means MORE weapons will be sent to Ukrainian armed forces The Department of Defense admitted that it has overestimated the value of the weapons and other military equipment it has sent to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's special military operation by about $6.2 billion Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh claims this error that cost American taxpayers billions happened as a result of military officials not counting the actual worth of what was drawn from the Pentagon's weapons stockpile and sent to Ukraine but instead utilized the price of replacing those weapons. Newly produced weapons generally cost more than the excess old weapons stocks they replace. "In a significant number of cases, services used replacement costs rather than net book value, thereby overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from U.S. stocks and provided to Ukraine," Singh said. Broken down, the "accounting error" comes in the form of $2.6 billion in overestimated value in the fiscal year of 2022 and $3.6 billion in the current fiscal year, which concludes on Sept. 30. (Related: Pentagon admits to $3B accounting error in Ukraine aid, which means more goodies for Zelensky) This final computation of the accounting error is nearly twice as much as what was calculated in May. The Pentagon at that period stated it might have surpassed the worth of weapons by about $3 billion. "These valuation errors in no way limit or restricted the size of any of our PDAs [presidential drawdown authority] or impacted the provision of support to Ukraine," Singh added. The PDA is a system employed by the administration of President Joe Biden to expedite the transfer of weapons and other equipment from American stockpiles to Ukraine. The Pentagon has frequently utilized PDA to pull weapons, ammunition and other equipment off the shelves, so that it can reach Ukraine much faster than going through a purchase procedure. Money gained from the overvaluation will just go back to "pot money" for Ukraine According to the Pentagon, the surplus value of the military assets will just be used to keep supporting Ukraine. "It's just going to go back into the pot of money that we have allocated for the future Pentagon stock drawdowns," said Singh. Based on previous estimates announced in mid-June, the U.S. has already committed more than $40 billion in taxpayer-funded aid in the form of "security assistance" to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's special military operation. Using the new calculation, the U.S. has actually provided less than $34 billion in aid. But the money saved will just go right back into providing even more military aid to the country. This is part of the more than $113 billion aid the U.S. has approved for Ukraine. Some of this money is going toward replenishing American military equipment sent to Ukraine. Officials have either been unable or outright refused to be transparent about the exact total amount of money that the Pentagon has yet to spend on presidential drawdowns or for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a Defense Department funding program to give Ukraine even more funding to purchase weapons in the long-term, including some heavier military equipment. But if Biden and his senior national security team's recent statements are any indication, it is likely that American taxpayers will continue to fund Ukraine's military building for "as long as it takes" to repel Russian forces. Follow UkraineWitness.com for more news about the military aid America provides to Ukraine. Watch the video below to know more about the Pentagon's $6 billion "accounting error." This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: OOPS! Pentagon overvalued "military aid" to Ukraine by at least $3 billion. Hungary BLOCKS EU military aid for Ukraine after Kyiv blacklisted Hungarian bank for keeping Russian branches open. Leaked Pentagon documents prove that World War III has been in the planning stages for years. UK to send nearly $1.2 billion more in military aid to Ukraine. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com ABCNews.go.com Brighteon.com Robert F. Kennedy Jr. angers military-industrial complex with call to ditch forever war, de-escalate with Russia Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actually a viable candidate for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. Still, he won't get much traction because the party machine, its allies in the CIA-controlled media, and the deep state won't ever let him get close to the Oval Office. Not as president, at least. That's because he, like former President Donald Trump, is no fan of the "forever war" mindset of the American deep state and has just said as much during a major foreign policy speech that almost no one heard or knows about. Referring to him as a "rising star," LifeSite News noted that RFK Jr., "who has earned significant favorability against incumbent Joe Biden since he launched his left-field candidacy in April, argued for peace and de-escalation amid rising tensions with Russia in a speech heavily referencing the policies advanced by his uncle, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy." In his speech at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, Kennedy, an author, environmental lawyer, and prominent vaccine skeptic, expressed his belief that together, we can restore America to the awesome vitality of the original Kennedy era through de-escalation and trust-building. As in my uncles time, nuclear tensions are at an extreme and dangerous level, Kennedy Jr. said, harkening back to JFKs "Peace Speech" he gave at American University in Washington, D.C., in June 1963, just a few months before he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, in November of that year. During his speech, the late former president encouraged Americans who were grappling with the tensions of the Cold War, particularly with Soviet Russia, to acknowledge shared aspects with the Russians. Despite considering communism as "profoundly repugnant," he urged the audience to avoid developing a distorted and desperate view of the other side. Now, six decades later, RFK Jr. is urging America to take the same approach with Russia as its war with Ukraine continues. As in [JFKs] time, we have a unique opportunity not only to diffuse those tensions but to take a radically different path, he said. A path towards peace. According to RFK Jr., the "Forever War" and the growing military presence are causes for concern. He argued that the founders of America were worried about the impact of imperialism abroad on the country's economy and increased surveillance at home. He also warned that America is now at risk of facing the worst possible outcome -- nuclear Armageddon. He said it is a "dangerous lie" for anyone to suggest that a nuclear conflict would not necessarily result in widespread destruction. We have been immersed in a foreign policy discourse that is all about adversaries, and threats, and allies, and enemies, and domination, he said in his speech. Weve become addicted to comic book good versus evil narratives that erase complexity and blind us to the legitimate motives and the legitimate cultural [and] economic concerns, and the legitimate security concerns, of other peoples and other nations. I abhor Russias brutal and bloody invasion of that nation, Kennedy stated. But we must understand that our government has also contributed to its circumstances through repeated, deliberate provocations of Russia going back to the 1990s. He went on to accuse prior U.S. administrations of violating an agreement not to expand NATO territory toward Russia, which, as a result, has subsequently surrounded Russia with missiles and military bases, something that we would never tolerate if the Russians did that to us. Calling Ukraine a pawn in a proxy war between the United States and Russia, Kennedy added that he believes the U.S. is engaging in an all-out bid to topple Russian President Vladimir Putins regime, unnecessarily sparking a perilous escalation of nuclear tensions. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com Report: UK governments post-terror plans include BRAINWASHING but they prefer to call it controlled spontaneity A report has disclosed that the British government has laid out plans to roll out social media campaigns following terrorist events , using what it calls "controlled spontaneity." The Middle East Eye (MEE) reported that Downing Street pre-planned these social media campaigns in case terror attacks in the U.K. occur. True enough, the campaigns were utilized during such attacks in the country, including the London Bridge and Finsbury Park Mosque attacks that both happened in 2017. The campaigns include carefully tested hashtags, selected Instagram images and "impromptu" street posters that are printed before possible attacks occur. Statements from politicians, vigils and inter-faith activities are also worked out and arranged by contingency planners. Within hours of an event, campaigns are quickly set up with conceived "heart" posters distributed based on the location of the attack. There are also arranged plans for people to give away flowers at the site of the crime in supposedly spontaneous gestures of love and support for victims. According to some individuals engaged in their production, the "controlled spontaneity" campaigns seek to form public responses. The said campaigns urge people to concentrate on empathy for the victims and a feeling of unity with outsiders, instead of reacting with anger and violence. The idea for the campaigns first sprung up in 2011, when social media platforms were tapped by protesters during the Arab Spring. Multiple riots were happening across English towns and cities in the summer of that year. One senior leader working at the contingency planning said the riots "absolutely terrified" the British government, led by former Prime Minister Theresa May that time. "Controlled spontaneity" campaigns laid out ahead of 2012 Olympics According to MEE, the campaigns which can be described as a "mind control" effort were laid down in advance of the 2012 London Olympics to "corral the Princess Diana-esque grief" anticipated to come out after any mass casualty attack. While no such attack occurred at the Olympics, variations of the campaigns were rolled out in the wake of every attack in the U.K. including the two 2017 incidents. "The point [where] I noticed change was the Olympics. The management of the secret, hidden emergency planning work behind the Olympics became the social control that we would fall back on if we had any terrorist attack, or if we had any disruption. It's 'this is the hashtag we go to.' And we've never come back from those days," said another veteran U.K. contingency planner. "This job has changed significantly from planning for organic, people responses to tragedy, to being told: 'We would like the people to do that, how do you get them there?' A lot of the public's responses are spontaneous, of course. But a lot are shaped. The [British] government doesn't want spontaneity: it wants controlled spontaneity." On the issue of terrorism, Downing Street also renewed its counter-terrorism strategy with the controlled spontaneity campaigns to protect U.K. citizens from new, emerging and persistent threats. A report from the U.K. Home Office noted that the shift in strategy came as a response to "self-initiated terrorists who are working independently from organized teams with growing personal ideologies and depraved views utilized to justify violence." (Related: 19 Terrorists who entered UK on migrant boats now living in hotels funded by British taxpayers.) "As the nature of terrorism continues to evolve and endure, so must we," said British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat. "We will ensure that our response to the terror threat continues to be world-leading and ensure we have a strategy that allows people to go about their lives freely and with confidence." Visit Brainwashed.news for more stories about mind control programs by governments such as that of the United Kingdom. Watch this video that discusses the presence of terrorist camps in the United States. This video is from the EARTH SHAKING NEWS channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ACLU has long provided political cover for far-left Antifa terrorists: Analysis. Marjorie Taylor Green SLAMS Biden AG for not going after Atlanta 'Antifa terrorists'. Biden admins $40m anti-terrorism program targets Breitbart News, conservatives. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net Gov.uk Brighteon.com Weather forecasts revealed New York City could likely anticipate a severe weather outlook this week, bringing rainy conditions and damaging winds. Motorists and homeowners in NYC should keep updated with the weather, especially for possible slower commutes and travel disruption. Recently, parts of New York City experienced a challenging weather outlook and poor air quality due to the raging wildfires in Canada. In the Northeast, the weather report noted that many parts recorded rainy conditions after the troublesome warmth. Weather in New York City According to AccuWeather's latest forecast, the rainy conditions in New York City could help with the drought-stricken areas, especially in the Northeast. Based on AccuWeather's outlook, severe thunderstorms are forecast to unload isolated tornadoes, hail and damaging winds. Severe weather risk is forecast in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, New York, Washington, Virginia Beach, Wilmington, Charleston, Raleigh, and Atlanta. Motorists and homeowners should look into the weather updates, as hail and flash flooding could likely occur on Tuesday in Baltimore, New York, Virginia Beach, Savannah and Wilmington. Meanwhile, the NWS New York NY reported severe weather is expected on Monday. The report noted that the threat could unfold in parts of the West and South in New York City. According to the advisory, thunderstorms are forecast in the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Tri-State region. The advisory added that New Yorkers should prepare multiple advisories to become aware of the weather news. Furthermore, AccuWeather reported that the stormy pattern would continue from Monday to Thursday in Richmond, Washington, New York, Boston and Portland. As mentioned in the forecast, the heavy rain in the Northeast could result in flash flooding and reduced road visibility. The forecast showed dry conditions in Burlington, New York City, Washington, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Washington, Detroit, Charleston and Columbus. Weather in other parts of the United States Furthermore, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that severe storms are forecast to unload in Georgia and Alabama. Meanwhile, the forecast noted that portions of South Dakota and Minnesota could likely experience the raging smoke from the Canadian wildfires, causing road visibility in the region. Also Read: Midwest Weather Forecast: Severe Thunderstorms to Unleash Local Flash Flooding, Damaging Hail Portions of the Mid-South and Great Lakes could experience possible very large hail and isolated tornadoes. Communities in the said areas should stay alert for tornado outbreaks. As June ends, the isolated tornadoes and the severe thunderstorms could likely result in safety concerns and travel headaches. Heavy rains are forecast in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. In the latest AccuWeather report, heatwaves are expected to result in daily record highs in El Paso, Lubbock, Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma, Wichita, Houston and Corpus Christi. On Monday, the heat is forecast to build in Plains, Southeast and Mississippi Valley. Heat will continue in Odessa, Midland, Laredo, Austin, Waco, Jackson and New Orleans. The challenging heat could result in heat-related risks, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Related Article: Northeastern US Weather Forecast: Stormy, Rainy Pattern to Continue Until Next Week For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. An Elbridge man is facing attempted murder and weapons charges stemming from an incident Sunday in which he shot his wife, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office said. The incident happened at around 12:30 p.m. at 5335 Kingston Road. The sheriff's office said Sherman Cottrill, 79, called 911 to report that he shot his wife, Donna Cottrill, 60, twice. First responders arrived and Donna Cottrill was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse and is in critical condition. Sherman Cottrill was taken to Crouse Hospital in Syracuse with chest pains and was in police custody at the hospital, the sheriff's office said. On Monday, Cottrill was arraigned in Elbridge Town Court on charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree criminal use of a firearm. He was sent to the county justice center on $250,000 cash or $500,000 bail bond. The shooting remains under investigation. New York State Police and Camillus Police Department also were involved in the police response. Japanese semiconductor equipment maker JSR has accepted a buyout offer of $6.4 billion (909.3 billion yen) from the Japanese government, in the countrys latest move to bolster its domestic chip industry. JSR is the world's leading maker of photoresists , the chemicals used for the process of printing circuit designs on chip wafers. It is also one of three Japanese companies that controls the worlds supply of fluorinated polyimide and hydrogen fluoride, compounds which are used to make the semiconductors found in supercomputers, AI-harnessing data centers and iPhones. Under the plan, Japan Investment Corp (JIC) state-backed investment enterprise of Japan, specializing in private equity and venture capital investments primarily in Japan would offer JSR $31.25 (4,350 yen) per share, a price that represents a 35% premium on the companys share price when the markets closed on Friday. The resulting deal will see the company go private and provide Japan with a greater control over a technological process of which it is already a global leader. A government-backed fund could be the driving force behind reforms at both an industry level, and specifically at JSR, said the companys chief executive, Eric Johnson. This is an opportunity. Its not a crisis we are trying to solve, he said, in comments reported by the Financial Times, adding: Now is the time to push ahead with well-structured reforms to allow us to compete globally. Japan continues to boost domestic chip industry Due to the ongoing global chip shortage and the escalating US-China chip trade war, there has been widespread restrictions placed on the export of chips. As a result, other countries have indirectly been caught in the crossfire, leading to a number of governments, including Japans, looking for ways to boost their own domestic chip industry. In April 2023, the Japanese government pledged $532 million (70 billion yen) for projects to develop and make next-gen chips in the country, including a deal with Rapidus to make 2nm chips in Japan by 2025. Chipmakers Micron and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have also recently announced investments in Japans semiconductor industry. TMSC has pledged about $7.4 billion to set up a second semiconductor manufacturing plant in Japan, while Micron announced plans to invest up to $3.6 billion to bring extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) to Japan. As members of the local CSEA negotiating committee met with Cayuga County officials to discuss a new contract, they asked for Juneteenth to be designated as a county holiday. But, according to Robert Janas, president of the local CSEA, county negotiators balked at the idea of giving employees another holiday. However, the county would agree to it if the employees gave up their floating holiday. Janas explained that each employee gets a floating holiday to use every year in addition to the 12 holidays New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas recognized by the county. The floating holiday can be used at any time. "We, as a negotiating committee, agreed that we couldn't give up the flexibility of the floating holiday to gain a different holiday," said Janas, whose union represents about 300 employees. "We felt that it would've been more appropriate for the county to do what the city did and what other municipalities did just give it to the employees to recognize all the sacrifices that they are already making." The new three-year contract with CSEA was ratified without Juneteenth being designated as a holiday for employees. Cayuga County Legislature Chairman David Gould confirmed in an interview with The Citizen that Juneteenth was discussed during contract negotiations but it was not included as a holiday in the final contract. It is the latest chapter in what has been a frustratingly long road to recognizing Juneteenth as a county holiday. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of when enslaved people in Texas were informed that they had been freed. It has long been celebrated in the United States. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a federal holiday. A year before, New York established it as a state holiday. Local governments, including the city of Auburn, consider Juneteenth a holiday. Neighboring counties, including Onondaga and Tompkins, recognize it as a holiday. But not Cayuga County. Gould is hopeful, though, that Juneteenth will be recognized as a county holiday. "I do not believe, by any means, it is dead," he said. "That can be brought up at any time. It doesn't have to be in a contract. It can be brought up as a separate memorandum of understanding. I am optimistic that this will be discussed again in the future." In past interviews, county leaders, including Gould, have blamed timing for not designating Juneteenth as a county holiday. Cayuga County Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman, who served as chair in 2020 and 2021, told The Citizen last year that the federal and state actions to make Juneteenth a holiday gave the county "a lack of time for planning." When Gould spoke to The Citizen in 2022 about Juneteenth not being a county holiday, he said it would be raised during contract negotiations with the four public employee unions. Those talks, though, did not result in the county adding Juneteenth as an official holiday. Legislator Brian Muldrow, who is the first Black lawmaker in Cayuga County's history, is disappointed that Juneteenth is not yet a county holiday. While Muldrow is proud of Auburn's Juneteenth celebration and acknowledged that the county has issued proclamations in support of Juneteenth, he wants to see it designated as a county holiday. He is hopeful that the county Legislature will act to ensure that Juneteenth is a holiday beginning in 2024. "With any type of progress, there is still work to be done," he said. "A vast majority of the employees want it. It's time to get it done." By Express News Service KOCHI: Exports of spices and spice products from India registered a huge jump during the first two months of the current financial year. During April-May 2023, exports of spices and spice products were worth Rs 6702.52 crore ($815.39 million) compared to Rs 4746.85 crore ($618.63 million) during the same period in the previous year, an increase of 41% in rupee terms and 32% in dollar terms of value. "Despite facing challenges such as an increase in domestic prices of spices like chilli and cumin and reduced/deferred demand due to the economic stress in some of the importing countries, the Indian spices sector, during FY 202223, has shown much resilience to put up an export performance on par with that of the previous year. In fact, during 202223, India exported close to $4 billion worth of spices (Rs 31761.38 crore), registering an increase of 4.74 % in terms of rupee terms compared to 202122," said D Sathiyan, secretary, Spices Board. The spices exported during 202223 are valued at Rs 31,761.38 crore as against Rs 30,324.32 crore during 202122. The major contributors to the spice export basket in terms of value were chilli (33%), cumin (13%), spice oil and oleoresins (13%), mint products (11%), turmeric (5%), curry powder (4%), cardamom (small) (3%) and pepper (2%) which together contributed to more than 80% of the total export earnings of spices. The major importers of Indian spices during 202223 were China (20%), the USA (14%), Bangladesh (7%), the UAE (6%), Thailand (5%), Indonesia (4%), Malaysia (4%), the UK (3%), Sri Lanka (3%), Germany (2%), the Netherlands (2%), Nepal (2%) and Saudi Arabia (2%), contributing more than 70% of the export earnings of spices. Out of the top 11 destinations, exports to seven major destinations increased during FY 202223, an official release said here. In fact, spice exports registered an increase of 20% in volume, 23% in rupee terms, and 14% in dollar terms of value during April 2023 compared to April 2022. The export performance for April 2023 shows a major increase over the previous year on account of increased exports of spices such as chilli, cumin, turmeric, fennel, and garlic. The exports of spices in April 2023 stood at 1,43,523 tonnes valued at Rs 3077.68 crore ($375.22 million) as against 1,19,534 tonnes valued at Rs 2505.93 crore ($328.99 million) in April 2022. The major items of exports (in dollar terms of value) were chilli (39%), cumin (17%), spice oil & oleoresins (10%), mint products (7%), turmeric (6%), curry powder (4%), coriander (3%), and fennel (3%), while the major destinations were China (32%), USA (11%), Bangladesh (8%), Indonesia (5%), UAE (4%), Malaysia (4%), Thailand (3%), Sri Lanka (3%), Germany (2%), UK (2%), Saudi Arabia (2%), Nepal (2%), Japan (1%), and the Netherlands (1%). Compared to May 2022, there has been an increase of +60% in the exports of spices in terms of value in rupees and +50% in terms of value in US dollars. KOCHI: Exports of spices and spice products from India registered a huge jump during the first two months of the current financial year. During April-May 2023, exports of spices and spice products were worth Rs 6702.52 crore ($815.39 million) compared to Rs 4746.85 crore ($618.63 million) during the same period in the previous year, an increase of 41% in rupee terms and 32% in dollar terms of value. "Despite facing challenges such as an increase in domestic prices of spices like chilli and cumin and reduced/deferred demand due to the economic stress in some of the importing countries, the Indian spices sector, during FY 202223, has shown much resilience to put up an export performance on par with that of the previous year. In fact, during 202223, India exported close to $4 billion worth of spices (Rs 31761.38 crore), registering an increase of 4.74 % in terms of rupee terms compared to 202122," said D Sathiyan, secretary, Spices Board.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The spices exported during 202223 are valued at Rs 31,761.38 crore as against Rs 30,324.32 crore during 202122. The major contributors to the spice export basket in terms of value were chilli (33%), cumin (13%), spice oil and oleoresins (13%), mint products (11%), turmeric (5%), curry powder (4%), cardamom (small) (3%) and pepper (2%) which together contributed to more than 80% of the total export earnings of spices. The major importers of Indian spices during 202223 were China (20%), the USA (14%), Bangladesh (7%), the UAE (6%), Thailand (5%), Indonesia (4%), Malaysia (4%), the UK (3%), Sri Lanka (3%), Germany (2%), the Netherlands (2%), Nepal (2%) and Saudi Arabia (2%), contributing more than 70% of the export earnings of spices. Out of the top 11 destinations, exports to seven major destinations increased during FY 202223, an official release said here. In fact, spice exports registered an increase of 20% in volume, 23% in rupee terms, and 14% in dollar terms of value during April 2023 compared to April 2022. The export performance for April 2023 shows a major increase over the previous year on account of increased exports of spices such as chilli, cumin, turmeric, fennel, and garlic. The exports of spices in April 2023 stood at 1,43,523 tonnes valued at Rs 3077.68 crore ($375.22 million) as against 1,19,534 tonnes valued at Rs 2505.93 crore ($328.99 million) in April 2022. The major items of exports (in dollar terms of value) were chilli (39%), cumin (17%), spice oil & oleoresins (10%), mint products (7%), turmeric (6%), curry powder (4%), coriander (3%), and fennel (3%), while the major destinations were China (32%), USA (11%), Bangladesh (8%), Indonesia (5%), UAE (4%), Malaysia (4%), Thailand (3%), Sri Lanka (3%), Germany (2%), UK (2%), Saudi Arabia (2%), Nepal (2%), Japan (1%), and the Netherlands (1%). Compared to May 2022, there has been an increase of +60% in the exports of spices in terms of value in rupees and +50% in terms of value in US dollars. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Criticising the Centre for not taking adequate measures to bring normalcy in Manipur, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday strongly pitched for dialogues with locals to earn trust and restore peace in the state. There are 35 different communities. You cannot have unanimity. You cannot have one view but you can have consensus. ...It is through consensus, only through listening to everybody and being sensitive that you can really restore trust. It is going to be a long process. It is not going to happen in weeks. It may take months, maybe years, but we have to start the process, said Ramesh. He was speaking at the National Convention on Peace in Manipur held in New Delhi, in which leaders of 10 like-minded political parties from Manipur also participated. Communist Party of India-Marxists general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of Indias D Raja, former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh attended the event, along with representatives of Aam Aadmi Party, Janata Dal (United), All India Forward Bloc, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Revolutionary Socialist Party. He said that two fundamental steps need to be taken: one, disarm all armed groups ruthlessly and two, begin the process of creating an atmosphere of trust and reconciliation. Listen to people. Kukis have fear. Meiteis have fear. The Nagas have their own concerns. Minorities have their views. Listen to all of them. If you respond to them, you can create an atmosphere of trust and restore peace. Ibobi Singh took 10 years to restore some semblance of order and then the process of development was started, said Ramesh. NEW DELHI: Criticising the Centre for not taking adequate measures to bring normalcy in Manipur, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday strongly pitched for dialogues with locals to earn trust and restore peace in the state. There are 35 different communities. You cannot have unanimity. You cannot have one view but you can have consensus. ...It is through consensus, only through listening to everybody and being sensitive that you can really restore trust. It is going to be a long process. It is not going to happen in weeks. It may take months, maybe years, but we have to start the process, said Ramesh. He was speaking at the National Convention on Peace in Manipur held in New Delhi, in which leaders of 10 like-minded political parties from Manipur also participated. Communist Party of India-Marxists general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Communist Party of Indias D Raja, former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh attended the event, along with representatives of Aam Aadmi Party, Janata Dal (United), All India Forward Bloc, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Revolutionary Socialist Party.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He said that two fundamental steps need to be taken: one, disarm all armed groups ruthlessly and two, begin the process of creating an atmosphere of trust and reconciliation. Listen to people. Kukis have fear. Meiteis have fear. The Nagas have their own concerns. Minorities have their views. Listen to all of them. If you respond to them, you can create an atmosphere of trust and restore peace. Ibobi Singh took 10 years to restore some semblance of order and then the process of development was started, said Ramesh. The first thing to know is that state law in New York and Michigan requires companies to rent a car to anyone 18 or older (with a valid license), although they can tack on a young driver surcharge. These surcharges run around $40 per day in Michigan and $57 per day for New York. If you're in one of the other 48 states, all hope is not lost. "Some car rental companies do rent to individuals 18 or older, and some actually specialize in serving this market," says Scott. Advertisement A few examples are Dollar Car Rental, which rents to those 20 and up, and Fox Rent a Car, which accepts 18-year-olds if they're active duty military on travel orders, and any licensed driver over the age of 19. In fact, members of the military should inquire with any rental car company about that little loophole. (For instance, Budget will also rent to 18-year-olds, both military and civilian, and waive the under 25 fees, provided they have government travel or purchase orders.) Many companies will rent to 18-year-olds if the rental is an "insurance replacement" while the renter's car is in the shop. Certain rental car companies (like Hertz) will waive young renter fees for AAA members, says Melanie Musson, a car insurance expert with CarInsuranceComparison.com. "So, if you're thinking about renting a car for more than a couple of days, it would be worth joining AAA to eliminate the young renter fees," she suggests. Hertz will also waive the additional driver fees for AAA members. And you'll get roadside assistance and other benefits included with your membership. Policy-holders with USAA Insurance can also avoid young driver and additional driver fees at Avis, Budget, Hertz and Enterprise. USAA policyholders can get discounts on car rental rates as well. "Active, retired and honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military are eligible for USAA membership," says Claros. Peer to peer apps like Turo are another good option for young drivers, suggests Patrick McCann, editor-in-chief of the site We Try Tires. "This is because the age limit is set by the car's owner. This will likely allow for a larger choice of cars if you are struggling to find a car rental company that will accept under 25-year-olds." Often, such apps require proof of personal insurance as well as a hefty deposit, so take that into account. Another option might be Zipcar, which has a special membership program for college students, who might need a car for just a few hours or a few days. For renters 18-20, the young driver fee is $1.25 per hour or $15 per day (except in New York City where the fee is $3.75 per hour or $62.50 per day). For renters 21-24, the young driver fee is $0.88 per hour or $12.50 per day ($2.50 per hour or $31.25 per day for members renting in New York City). At any rental car location or app, young drivers are wise to keep their expectations in check. That Tesla is going to be more difficult and expensive to snag than say, a more reasonably priced compact car. In fact, most car rental companies restrict what types of vehicles they rent to customers under 25. Now That's Helpful No one's getting a hot deal on a rental car in Iceland! The Nordic country's average rental car rate per week is a whopping $1,383! New Zealand, Argentina, Jamaica and Israel round out the top five, taking into account car rental and fuel charges, according to Auto Rental News. The United States is much cheaper by comparison, at "only" $604.59 per week on average. By PTI IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over changing nature of violence in the northeastern state. The union home minister is reportedly concerned over the shifting of violence and civil unrest from peripheral areas to districts in the Imphal valley. "The changing nature of violence from the exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to the civil unrest in the valley districts has become a matter of concern for Amit Shah ji," the chief minister told reporters here after his return from New Delhi late on Sunday night. Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi about the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent." "Shah raised issues such as the attacks on the house of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and the residence of state minister Sushindro Meitei, the ongoing arson and destruction of government properties and hampering the movement of security forces," the chief minister said here. ALSO READ | 10 parties ask Centre to start talks and listen to all groups in Manipur Singh said that he has submitted a report of the measures taken up by the state government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. "The initial phase of the violence was highly political and sensitive but we cannot say what is happening now. The situation is very chaotic," the chief minister said. He also said the union home minister assured him that the central government will take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in Manipur. "It's time for all the stakeholders, civil bodies, MLAs and political leaders to sit together and identify the areas where all must work," Singh said. The meeting between Shah and Singh was held a day after the home minister chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi over the Manipur situation. Eighteen political parties, four MPs from the northeast and two chief ministers from the region attended the three-hour-long meeting. The home minister told the all-party meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been monitoring the situation in the violence-hit state since day one and "guiding us with full sensitivity" to find a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the state reported a fresh incident of violence at Chingmeirong in Imphal West district when a shop was set on fire by unidentified miscreants past midnight, army sources said. 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 (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. READ MORE * Opposition seeks all-party team visit to strife-torn Manipur * Congress seeks immediate removal of Manipur CM Biren Singh IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over changing nature of violence in the northeastern state. The union home minister is reportedly concerned over the shifting of violence and civil unrest from peripheral areas to districts in the Imphal valley. "The changing nature of violence from the exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to the civil unrest in the valley districts has become a matter of concern for Amit Shah ji," the chief minister told reporters here after his return from New Delhi late on Sunday night.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi about the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent." "Shah raised issues such as the attacks on the house of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and the residence of state minister Sushindro Meitei, the ongoing arson and destruction of government properties and hampering the movement of security forces," the chief minister said here. ALSO READ | 10 parties ask Centre to start talks and listen to all groups in Manipur Singh said that he has submitted a report of the measures taken up by the state government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. "The initial phase of the violence was highly political and sensitive but we cannot say what is happening now. The situation is very chaotic," the chief minister said. He also said the union home minister assured him that the central government will take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in Manipur. "It's time for all the stakeholders, civil bodies, MLAs and political leaders to sit together and identify the areas where all must work," Singh said. The meeting between Shah and Singh was held a day after the home minister chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi over the Manipur situation. Eighteen political parties, four MPs from the northeast and two chief ministers from the region attended the three-hour-long meeting. The home minister told the all-party meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been monitoring the situation in the violence-hit state since day one and "guiding us with full sensitivity" to find a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the state reported a fresh incident of violence at Chingmeirong in Imphal West district when a shop was set on fire by unidentified miscreants past midnight, army sources said. 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 (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. READ MORE * Opposition seeks all-party team visit to strife-torn Manipur * Congress seeks immediate removal of Manipur CM Biren Singh Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the situation on the LAC was due to China ignoring the protocols based on which the armies of both countries carried out patrolling. Referring to the stand-off in East Ladakh in 2020, he said, "The Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the LAC." He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by the PLA to change the status quo. Addressing a National Security Conclave in Jammu, he reiterated the governments stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner. He added that talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated, he said. Rajnath asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He said that Indias image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat. For a long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of Indias zero tolerance against terrorism policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces, the minister said. Rajnath added that the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms and drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of underground workers, he said. ALSO READ | Armed UAV deal with the US pending, speculative media reports can impact adversely: MoD On PoK, Rajnath said that Pakistan does not have a locus standi as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India, he said. India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only be strengthened when we become self-reliant in defence manufacturing. Our aim is to Make in India, Make for the world. Our efforts are bearing fruit. Today, we are manufacturing tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and various kinds of weapons. Defence exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meagre Rs 900 crore before 2014. The exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark, he said. Rajnath underlined the importance of coordination with major world powers, such as the US and Russia, to protect Indias security interests in this globalised world. He stated that India and US are being seen as natural allies and their strategic partnership is being further cemented. The minister added that India-US defence cooperation has grown rapidly with the expansion of military-to-military engagements, information sharing and cooperation in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, cyber, space and mutual logistics support. He termed the Prime Ministers recent visit to the US as a landmark event, which ushered in a new era of bilateral defence cooperation. Rajnath called for an integrated and united response to deal with global threats and challenges. India is a major regional power. Therefore, it is important for us to align our security concerns with other countries in our extended neighbourhood, he said. NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the situation on the LAC was due to China ignoring the protocols based on which the armies of both countries carried out patrolling. Referring to the stand-off in East Ladakh in 2020, he said, "The Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the LAC." He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by the PLA to change the status quo. Addressing a National Security Conclave in Jammu, he reiterated the governments stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner. He added that talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Rajnath asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He said that Indias image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat. For a long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of Indias zero tolerance against terrorism policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces, the minister said. Rajnath added that the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms and drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of underground workers, he said. ALSO READ | Armed UAV deal with the US pending, speculative media reports can impact adversely: MoD On PoK, Rajnath said that Pakistan does not have a locus standi as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India, he said. India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only be strengthened when we become self-reliant in defence manufacturing. Our aim is to Make in India, Make for the world. Our efforts are bearing fruit. Today, we are manufacturing tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and various kinds of weapons. Defence exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meagre Rs 900 crore before 2014. The exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark, he said. Rajnath underlined the importance of coordination with major world powers, such as the US and Russia, to protect Indias security interests in this globalised world. He stated that India and US are being seen as natural allies and their strategic partnership is being further cemented. The minister added that India-US defence cooperation has grown rapidly with the expansion of military-to-military engagements, information sharing and cooperation in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, cyber, space and mutual logistics support. He termed the Prime Ministers recent visit to the US as a landmark event, which ushered in a new era of bilateral defence cooperation. Rajnath called for an integrated and united response to deal with global threats and challenges. India is a major regional power. Therefore, it is important for us to align our security concerns with other countries in our extended neighbourhood, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday modified the punishment awarded by a trial court to five convicts of a 2014 gang rape case from a life sentence for the remainder of their natural lives to life imprisonment. A bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Poonam A Bamba said in a 35-page judgment, "Considering the facts and circumstances in entirety, the background of the appellants, strata of society they belong to, their age and that they (except appellant Aman) are first-time offenders and have expressed remorse, we are of the considered opinion that for the offence punishable under section 376(D) (gangrape) IPC, life imprisonment shall meet the ends of justice." "Thus, appellants' sentence of imprisonment under Section 376(D) IPC is modified from 'life for the remainder of convicts natural life' to 'life imprisonment,'" the judgement said. The high court said that the five convicts, Aman, Rahul, Mohd Wasim, Sunny and Bal Kishan, have failed to demonstrate any illegality in the trial court's verdict which had convicted them of various offences. The five men approached the high court challenging their conviction and sentence. Background According to the prosecution, the victim woman, residing in Nepal, was going to Jalandhar to meet her sister. She had come to Delhi to board a train for Punjab in April 2014 when the incident took place. She met one of the five men at a railway station here who took her outside on the pretext of getting her food. She was instead taken to Rajghat in a van in which four other accomplices of the man were already present, the prosecution said. Thereafter, they took her to a room where all the five men raped her, the prosecution said. It said that she later met a person to whom she narrated her ordeal and the police were informed. All the accused claimed they were falsely implicated in the case and that the woman has wrongly identified them as the offenders. The high court, while upholding their conviction, said no reason has been assigned by the appellants as to why would the woman falsely identify or implicate them and let the real culprits go scot-free. It concluded the convicts failed to demonstrate they were wrongly identified by the woman. The counsel for the convicts urged for a reduction in sentence on the ground that they were young, aged about 25 years at the time of the offence, and sole bread earners of their families. The counsel submitted the appellants have been in custody for about 10 years, are remorseful, and have learnt their lessons. The defence lawyer urged the court that they be given an opportunity to reform. In a significant ruling in November 2012, the apex court had said life imprisonment implies a jail term till the end of a convict's life and it is not limited to merely 14 or 20 years, which is a misconception. "It appears to us there is a misconception that a prisoner serving a life sentence has an indefeasible right to be released on completion of either fourteen years or twenty years imprisonment. The prisoner has no such right. A convict undergoing life imprisonment is expected to remain in custody till the end of his life, subject to any remission granted by the appropriate Government," a bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Madan B Lokur had held. The bench had, however, clarified an appropriate government can grant remission to a person undergoing life term but the period of sentence cannot be reduced to less than 14 years. NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday modified the punishment awarded by a trial court to five convicts of a 2014 gang rape case from a life sentence for the remainder of their natural lives to life imprisonment. A bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Poonam A Bamba said in a 35-page judgment, "Considering the facts and circumstances in entirety, the background of the appellants, strata of society they belong to, their age and that they (except appellant Aman) are first-time offenders and have expressed remorse, we are of the considered opinion that for the offence punishable under section 376(D) (gangrape) IPC, life imprisonment shall meet the ends of justice." "Thus, appellants' sentence of imprisonment under Section 376(D) IPC is modified from 'life for the remainder of convicts natural life' to 'life imprisonment,'" the judgement said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The high court said that the five convicts, Aman, Rahul, Mohd Wasim, Sunny and Bal Kishan, have failed to demonstrate any illegality in the trial court's verdict which had convicted them of various offences. The five men approached the high court challenging their conviction and sentence. Background According to the prosecution, the victim woman, residing in Nepal, was going to Jalandhar to meet her sister. She had come to Delhi to board a train for Punjab in April 2014 when the incident took place. She met one of the five men at a railway station here who took her outside on the pretext of getting her food. She was instead taken to Rajghat in a van in which four other accomplices of the man were already present, the prosecution said. Thereafter, they took her to a room where all the five men raped her, the prosecution said. It said that she later met a person to whom she narrated her ordeal and the police were informed. All the accused claimed they were falsely implicated in the case and that the woman has wrongly identified them as the offenders. The high court, while upholding their conviction, said no reason has been assigned by the appellants as to why would the woman falsely identify or implicate them and let the real culprits go scot-free. It concluded the convicts failed to demonstrate they were wrongly identified by the woman. The counsel for the convicts urged for a reduction in sentence on the ground that they were young, aged about 25 years at the time of the offence, and sole bread earners of their families. The counsel submitted the appellants have been in custody for about 10 years, are remorseful, and have learnt their lessons. The defence lawyer urged the court that they be given an opportunity to reform. In a significant ruling in November 2012, the apex court had said life imprisonment implies a jail term till the end of a convict's life and it is not limited to merely 14 or 20 years, which is a misconception. "It appears to us there is a misconception that a prisoner serving a life sentence has an indefeasible right to be released on completion of either fourteen years or twenty years imprisonment. The prisoner has no such right. A convict undergoing life imprisonment is expected to remain in custody till the end of his life, subject to any remission granted by the appropriate Government," a bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Madan B Lokur had held. The bench had, however, clarified an appropriate government can grant remission to a person undergoing life term but the period of sentence cannot be reduced to less than 14 years. By PTI AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Monday admitted a public interest litigation seeking action against policemen allegedly involved in the public flogging of Muslim men in Junagadh town following a stone-pelting incident. Apart from beating eight to 10 men from the minority community in public, the PIL alleged that the local police had ransacked their houses "to take revenge", as some policemen were injured in the stone pelting. After admitting the PIL, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav asked the petitioners to provide a copy of the petition to the public prosecutor and kept further hearing on June 28. The PIL has been jointly filed by NGOs Lok Adhikar Sangh and Minority Coordination Committee. On the night of June 16, a clash erupted when a team of civic body officials served a demolition notice to a dargah in Junagadh town. According to the police, one person was killed in the stone pelting by members of the minority community, who were against the demolition. The petition stated that eight to 10 persons belonging to the Muslim community were detained by Junagadh police, made to stand in front of 'Geban Shah Masjid', a dargah or shrine, in Majevadi Gate area, and were mercilessly flogged in public. According to the police and the FIR, these persons were part of the mob involved in stone pelting and injuring police including a deputy superintendent of police, the petition said. Muslims were publicly flogged after a clash with the police in Junagadh. Lok Adhikar Sangh & Minority Coordination Committee of #Gujarat have filed a PIL in the Gujarat High Court, citing a number of alleged instances of custodial assault by the Junagadh police.@NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/9CBa3r3akm Dilip Singh Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) June 26, 2023 A video of the incident also went viral on social media platforms. The men seen in the video along with others were arrested later on and they are still behind bars, petitioners informed the court. "Such police brutality of punishing citizens of India without any due process of law and without a competent court holding them guilty is the worst form of human rights violation by the law and enforcement agency itself," the PIL stated. The petitioners further stated that the plea is not filed to justify rioting, stone pelting, or any form of violence by the rioters. "After the arrest of the victims, the Junagadh police have visited their homes and caused havoc besides ransacking the houses. Moveable property has been destroyed by the Junagadh police to take revenge for alleged stone-pelting and injury sustained by some of the police personnel" the plea claimed. According to the petitioners, public flogging is illegal and violates Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India pertaining to the right to equality, freedom, life and liberty, and it attracts contempt of court proceedings. Through the PIL, the petitioners urged the high court to direct the Gujarat government to take appropriate action, including the registration of an FIR, against police personnel and officers involved in the flogging and custodial violence. The plea also sought an inquiry into the incident by the principal district and sessions judge of Junagadh or any other senior judicial officer. As an alternative, the petitioners proposed that a team of IPS officers, not connected with Junagadh range or district, be constituted to inquire into the incident of public flogging and other incidents of custodial violence by the Junagadh police and ransacking and destruction of moveable properties of the accused. It urged the high court to direct the government to pay "exemplary compensation under the public law remedy to the victims of public flogging and other forms of custodial violence" in Junagadh. AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Monday admitted a public interest litigation seeking action against policemen allegedly involved in the public flogging of Muslim men in Junagadh town following a stone-pelting incident. Apart from beating eight to 10 men from the minority community in public, the PIL alleged that the local police had ransacked their houses "to take revenge", as some policemen were injured in the stone pelting. After admitting the PIL, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav asked the petitioners to provide a copy of the petition to the public prosecutor and kept further hearing on June 28.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The PIL has been jointly filed by NGOs Lok Adhikar Sangh and Minority Coordination Committee. On the night of June 16, a clash erupted when a team of civic body officials served a demolition notice to a dargah in Junagadh town. According to the police, one person was killed in the stone pelting by members of the minority community, who were against the demolition. The petition stated that eight to 10 persons belonging to the Muslim community were detained by Junagadh police, made to stand in front of 'Geban Shah Masjid', a dargah or shrine, in Majevadi Gate area, and were mercilessly flogged in public. According to the police and the FIR, these persons were part of the mob involved in stone pelting and injuring police including a deputy superintendent of police, the petition said. Muslims were publicly flogged after a clash with the police in Junagadh. Lok Adhikar Sangh & Minority Coordination Committee of #Gujarat have filed a PIL in the Gujarat High Court, citing a number of alleged instances of custodial assault by the Junagadh police.@NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/9CBa3r3akm Dilip Singh Kshatriya (@Kshatriyadilip) June 26, 2023 A video of the incident also went viral on social media platforms. The men seen in the video along with others were arrested later on and they are still behind bars, petitioners informed the court. "Such police brutality of punishing citizens of India without any due process of law and without a competent court holding them guilty is the worst form of human rights violation by the law and enforcement agency itself," the PIL stated. The petitioners further stated that the plea is not filed to justify rioting, stone pelting, or any form of violence by the rioters. "After the arrest of the victims, the Junagadh police have visited their homes and caused havoc besides ransacking the houses. Moveable property has been destroyed by the Junagadh police to take revenge for alleged stone-pelting and injury sustained by some of the police personnel" the plea claimed. According to the petitioners, public flogging is illegal and violates Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India pertaining to the right to equality, freedom, life and liberty, and it attracts contempt of court proceedings. Through the PIL, the petitioners urged the high court to direct the Gujarat government to take appropriate action, including the registration of an FIR, against police personnel and officers involved in the flogging and custodial violence. The plea also sought an inquiry into the incident by the principal district and sessions judge of Junagadh or any other senior judicial officer. As an alternative, the petitioners proposed that a team of IPS officers, not connected with Junagadh range or district, be constituted to inquire into the incident of public flogging and other incidents of custodial violence by the Junagadh police and ransacking and destruction of moveable properties of the accused. It urged the high court to direct the government to pay "exemplary compensation under the public law remedy to the victims of public flogging and other forms of custodial violence" in Junagadh. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India is negotiating with Brazil to resolve a sugar dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Ministry of Commerce is coordinating with concerned departments for the same, according to PTI. India is following a similar process for other complaints of the sugar dispute at the WTO. In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala dragged India into the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism alleging that Indias sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules. The Department of Commerce, it is learnt, is coordinating with all concerned ministries to arrive at possible alternatives, according to PTI. This issue gathered momentum as a WTO dispute settlement panel on December 14, 2021, ruled that Indias support measures for the sugar sector are inconsistent with the global trade norms. In January 2022, India appealed against the panels ruling at the WTOs appellate body, which is the final authority on such trade disputes. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of sugar in the world, while India is the second. Brazil, Australia and Guatemala, which are members of the WTO, had complained that Indias support measures to sugarcane producers exceed the de minimis level of 10 per cent of the total value of sugarcane production, which according to them was inconsistent with the WTOs Agreement on Agriculture. Indias sugar subsidies break global trade rules In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala dragged India into the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism alleging that Indias sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules. Indias support measures to sugarcane producers exceed the de minimis level of 10 per cent of the total production value, they said. NEW DELHI: India is negotiating with Brazil to resolve a sugar dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Ministry of Commerce is coordinating with concerned departments for the same, according to PTI. India is following a similar process for other complaints of the sugar dispute at the WTO. In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala dragged India into the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism alleging that Indias sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules. The Department of Commerce, it is learnt, is coordinating with all concerned ministries to arrive at possible alternatives, according to PTI. This issue gathered momentum as a WTO dispute settlement panel on December 14, 2021, ruled that Indias support measures for the sugar sector are inconsistent with the global trade norms.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In January 2022, India appealed against the panels ruling at the WTOs appellate body, which is the final authority on such trade disputes. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of sugar in the world, while India is the second. Brazil, Australia and Guatemala, which are members of the WTO, had complained that Indias support measures to sugarcane producers exceed the de minimis level of 10 per cent of the total value of sugarcane production, which according to them was inconsistent with the WTOs Agreement on Agriculture. Indias sugar subsidies break global trade rules In 2019, Brazil, Australia and Guatemala dragged India into the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism alleging that Indias sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules. Indias support measures to sugarcane producers exceed the de minimis level of 10 per cent of the total production value, they said. Ramashankar By Express News Service PATNA: The coalition of Opposition parties formed to fight the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election could be named Patriotic Democratic Alliance (PDA), sources said on Sunday. The name was proposed by CPI general secretary D Raja during the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna on Friday. No other participants opposed the name proposed by Raja, Bihar Congress spokesperson Asit Nahti Tiwari said. However, Opposition leaders are expected to suggest more names before their next meeting in Shimla next month, when a final decision will be taken on regarding the name. In all, 32 leaders from 15 parties attended the meeting in Patna, convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during which Opposition parties resolved to take on the BJP unitedly, even as fissures emerged with the Aam Admi Party 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. Meanwhile, former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi accused the state government of removing more than 100 hoardings erected by his party workers and intimidating them ahead of the grand conclave of Opposition leaders. PATNA: The coalition of Opposition parties formed to fight the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election could be named Patriotic Democratic Alliance (PDA), sources said on Sunday. The name was proposed by CPI general secretary D Raja during the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna on Friday. No other participants opposed the name proposed by Raja, Bihar Congress spokesperson Asit Nahti Tiwari said. However, Opposition leaders are expected to suggest more names before their next meeting in Shimla next month, when a final decision will be taken on regarding the name.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In all, 32 leaders from 15 parties attended the meeting in Patna, convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during which Opposition parties resolved to take on the BJP unitedly, even as fissures emerged with the Aam Admi Party 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. Meanwhile, former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi accused the state government of removing more than 100 hoardings erected by his party workers and intimidating them ahead of the grand conclave of Opposition leaders. By Express News Service BHOPAL: On the 48th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, the ruling BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, alleged on Sunday that former state chief minister and current state Congress chief Kamal Nath played an important role in murdering democracy in 1975. Kamal Nath and former Haryana CM Bansi Lal were the main implementing agencies of the atrocities unleashed by Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi during the 1975 Emergency, said BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh in Bhopal. The democratic voice was crushed, the entire country was turned into a jail for those, including journalists, who raised their voices against the Emergency. Unfortunately, the former MP CM Kamal Nath played an important role along with Sanjay Gandhi in murdering democracy through the Emergency. The 8.5 crore people of MP want to know from Kamal Nath, about the role played by him in the imposition of emergency and the consequent murder of democracy 48 years ago, state BJP chief VD Sharma said. While raising the issue of Naths alleged involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh said, A reputed journalist who was present and clicking pictures, while rioters attacked Gurudwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi, has stated before a Delhi court that Kamal Nath was leading a mob of rioters. But to date, neither the Congress nor Kamal Nath, has responded to the statements of the senior journalist made before the court. We want to know from the Congress leadership as well as the MP Congress, about the real face of Kamal Nath in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case. This isnt the first time that the MP BJP has alleged Naths involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Last month, the same allegations were made by state BJP president VD Sharma as well as MP cabinet minister Vishvas Sarang. The state BJP chief had even claimed that the CBI and Central agencies will shortly charge the former MP CM in a similar manner as theyve charge-sheeted Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Responding to BJPs allegations about his role in the targeted killings of Sikhs in 1984 in the wake of Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination, Nath, while rubbishing those allegations had said last month, In my 45-year political career, no one has raised a finger against me. The riots happened in 1984, but no FIR has been lodged against me. Even the Commission formed by the erstwhile BJP government at the Centre found me innocent in the entire matter. Now with nothing left to attack me, BJP leaders, like state party chief VD Sharma, are raising the issue just to cover their own do number ke kaam (shady deeds). Meanwhile, two days ahead of Prime Minister Modis visit, Kamal Nath said on Sunday, This poll is about CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Then why are they (BJP) diverting the attention from him through this (PMs visit)?. PM Modi is coming, later home minister Amit Shah will also come to MP, let them all come here and put their best efforts. We too are putting in our best efforts, but one thing is clear both I and the people of the state are fighting against the BJP, Nath said. Not the first allegation This isnt the first time that the MP BJP has alleged Kamal Naths involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Last month, the same allegations were made by state BJP president VD Sharma as well as MP cabinet minister Vishvas Sarang. The state BJP chief had even claimed that the CBI and Central agencies will shortly charge the former MP CM in a similar manner as theyve charge-sheeted Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. BHOPAL: On the 48th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, the ruling BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, alleged on Sunday that former state chief minister and current state Congress chief Kamal Nath played an important role in murdering democracy in 1975. Kamal Nath and former Haryana CM Bansi Lal were the main implementing agencies of the atrocities unleashed by Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi during the 1975 Emergency, said BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh in Bhopal. The democratic voice was crushed, the entire country was turned into a jail for those, including journalists, who raised their voices against the Emergency. Unfortunately, the former MP CM Kamal Nath played an important role along with Sanjay Gandhi in murdering democracy through the Emergency. The 8.5 crore people of MP want to know from Kamal Nath, about the role played by him in the imposition of emergency and the consequent murder of democracy 48 years ago, state BJP chief VD Sharma said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While raising the issue of Naths alleged involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh said, A reputed journalist who was present and clicking pictures, while rioters attacked Gurudwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi, has stated before a Delhi court that Kamal Nath was leading a mob of rioters. But to date, neither the Congress nor Kamal Nath, has responded to the statements of the senior journalist made before the court. We want to know from the Congress leadership as well as the MP Congress, about the real face of Kamal Nath in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case. This isnt the first time that the MP BJP has alleged Naths involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Last month, the same allegations were made by state BJP president VD Sharma as well as MP cabinet minister Vishvas Sarang. The state BJP chief had even claimed that the CBI and Central agencies will shortly charge the former MP CM in a similar manner as theyve charge-sheeted Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Responding to BJPs allegations about his role in the targeted killings of Sikhs in 1984 in the wake of Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination, Nath, while rubbishing those allegations had said last month, In my 45-year political career, no one has raised a finger against me. The riots happened in 1984, but no FIR has been lodged against me. Even the Commission formed by the erstwhile BJP government at the Centre found me innocent in the entire matter. Now with nothing left to attack me, BJP leaders, like state party chief VD Sharma, are raising the issue just to cover their own do number ke kaam (shady deeds). Meanwhile, two days ahead of Prime Minister Modis visit, Kamal Nath said on Sunday, This poll is about CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Then why are they (BJP) diverting the attention from him through this (PMs visit)?. PM Modi is coming, later home minister Amit Shah will also come to MP, let them all come here and put their best efforts. We too are putting in our best efforts, but one thing is clear both I and the people of the state are fighting against the BJP, Nath said. Not the first allegation This isnt the first time that the MP BJP has alleged Kamal Naths involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Last month, the same allegations were made by state BJP president VD Sharma as well as MP cabinet minister Vishvas Sarang. The state BJP chief had even claimed that the CBI and Central agencies will shortly charge the former MP CM in a similar manner as theyve charge-sheeted Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Pranab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: Breaking silence for the second time in the recent past, the outlawed outfit CPI(Maoist) claimed to have lost its 56 operatives, including 28 women, in a gun battle with security forces in the past year and gave a call to observe Martyrs Memorial Week from July 28 to August 3 which has led law enforcing forces to issue an alert. Describing the BJP as a Hindutva ruler, a statement issued by the rebel organisations central committee admitted that the security agencys technical intelligence system is posing more danger as it has penetrated the rebels supply channel using electronic devices. The intelligence wings are considering the Maoists call to observe the Martyrs Memorial Week with utmost priority as there are chances of attacks by the rebel outfit during the period. Sources, in the West Bengal intelligence agencies, said that are coming across information about the frequent movement of Maoists in Jungle Mahal, especially along the Bengal-Jharkhand border areas. Last year, the outfit broke its silence after 11 years and issued a statement saying in the previous year, its 124 armed soldiers were killed during Samadhan-Prahar, an operation to decimate Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of Maoists, which include a politburo member and a central committee member and 30 women. Maoists had also claimed that the outlawed outfit was involved in the massive farmers parade in Delhi last year. In the last statement, the CPI(Maoist)s central committee said, Technical intelligence is posing more danger. It penetrated our supply channels utilising the electronic device we use and identifying the guerrilla forces, especially our party leadership, through various kinds of trackers. Therefore, our foremost precaution must be to see that the enemy doesnt know our location. The leadership also suggested intensifying political, organisational and military efforts to combat the security forces assault. Though the revels are maintaining silence in Bengals Jungle Mahal, the backward region in the southern part of the state, the security agencies active here are coming across the frequent covert movement in villages located in dense forests along the Bengal Jharkhand border in Purulia and Jhargram districts. KOLKATA: Breaking silence for the second time in the recent past, the outlawed outfit CPI(Maoist) claimed to have lost its 56 operatives, including 28 women, in a gun battle with security forces in the past year and gave a call to observe Martyrs Memorial Week from July 28 to August 3 which has led law enforcing forces to issue an alert. Describing the BJP as a Hindutva ruler, a statement issued by the rebel organisations central committee admitted that the security agencys technical intelligence system is posing more danger as it has penetrated the rebels supply channel using electronic devices. The intelligence wings are considering the Maoists call to observe the Martyrs Memorial Week with utmost priority as there are chances of attacks by the rebel outfit during the period. Sources, in the West Bengal intelligence agencies, said that are coming across information about the frequent movement of Maoists in Jungle Mahal, especially along the Bengal-Jharkhand border areas.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Last year, the outfit broke its silence after 11 years and issued a statement saying in the previous year, its 124 armed soldiers were killed during Samadhan-Prahar, an operation to decimate Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of Maoists, which include a politburo member and a central committee member and 30 women. Maoists had also claimed that the outlawed outfit was involved in the massive farmers parade in Delhi last year. In the last statement, the CPI(Maoist)s central committee said, Technical intelligence is posing more danger. It penetrated our supply channels utilising the electronic device we use and identifying the guerrilla forces, especially our party leadership, through various kinds of trackers. Therefore, our foremost precaution must be to see that the enemy doesnt know our location. The leadership also suggested intensifying political, organisational and military efforts to combat the security forces assault. Though the revels are maintaining silence in Bengals Jungle Mahal, the backward region in the southern part of the state, the security agencies active here are coming across the frequent covert movement in villages located in dense forests along the Bengal Jharkhand border in Purulia and Jhargram districts. By PTI JABALPUR: A 26-year-old woman, who was shot at by a man in his office last week, died during treatment at a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city on Monday, police said. The incident had taken place when the woman had gone to meet the accused at his office on June 16, an official said. Following the incident, the Congress had claimed that the accused was a BJP functionary, but the saffron party had refuted the claim. The 26-year-old victim was undergoing treatment for the bullet injury at a hospital, where she died on Monday, Sanjeevni Nagar police station in-charge Kranti Barve said. The accused was arrested on June 19 and was charged with attempt to murder under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Arms Act, and a country-made pistol used in the crime was seized, he said. The police are in the process of adding more charges against the accused, the official said. Meanwhile, MP Congress general secretary Saurabh Sharma claimed that the accused has in his Facebook profile referred to himself as a BJP leader. The accused was an office-bearer of BJP's Gwarighat mandal and posted pictures with all top leaders on his Facebook account, he said. The Congress leader further alleged that the police tried to mislead initially that it was an accidental firing, but added the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section of attempt to murder four days after the incident when the party raised the issue. The BJP's city unit president Prabhat Sahu had earlier rubbished the Congress' claim stating that the accused is neither a member nor an office-bearer of the BJP. A purported video also surfaced on social media in which the victim is heard naming the accused when reporters ask her about the incident. JABALPUR: A 26-year-old woman, who was shot at by a man in his office last week, died during treatment at a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city on Monday, police said. The incident had taken place when the woman had gone to meet the accused at his office on June 16, an official said. Following the incident, the Congress had claimed that the accused was a BJP functionary, but the saffron party had refuted the claim.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The 26-year-old victim was undergoing treatment for the bullet injury at a hospital, where she died on Monday, Sanjeevni Nagar police station in-charge Kranti Barve said. The accused was arrested on June 19 and was charged with attempt to murder under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Arms Act, and a country-made pistol used in the crime was seized, he said. The police are in the process of adding more charges against the accused, the official said. Meanwhile, MP Congress general secretary Saurabh Sharma claimed that the accused has in his Facebook profile referred to himself as a BJP leader. The accused was an office-bearer of BJP's Gwarighat mandal and posted pictures with all top leaders on his Facebook account, he said. The Congress leader further alleged that the police tried to mislead initially that it was an accidental firing, but added the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section of attempt to murder four days after the incident when the party raised the issue. The BJP's city unit president Prabhat Sahu had earlier rubbished the Congress' claim stating that the accused is neither a member nor an office-bearer of the BJP. A purported video also surfaced on social media in which the victim is heard naming the accused when reporters ask her about the incident. Shahid Faridi By Express News Service Election 2024 Gig workforce is new battle zone for BJP, Cong The millions of workers involved in Indias gig economy, who are basically the on-call temporary workers such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, construction workers, etc, have come on the radar of political parties. The BJP took note of this segment of the population and the problems faced by it and brought in a Code on Social Security in 2020. This code consolidated nine Central labour laws and widened the definition of employee to provide the benefits of social security to the unorganised gig workers. A bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament to make this code a law. The law, however, never came into force as the rules for its implementation were not framed. Meanwhile, the rise in the number of platform workers associated with the digital economy giants such as Amazon, Uber, Flipcart, etc gave rise to the demands from states that these companies provide for their Indian workers the same social security benefits that they give to the workers in other countries. Rahul Gandhi brought the issue centrestage by riding pillion with a delivery boy from Blinkit e-commerce company in Bangalore during the Karnataka state election. The Congress government in Rajasthan became the first to announce a welfare fund of Rs 200 crore for gig workers in its Budget for 2023-24. Sources said other state governments are now busy drafting their own laws to provide security to their gig workforce. The central government too is reportedly moving fast to implement its 2020 code before the Lok Sabha election next year. Southern Dilemma BJP undecided as JD(S) sends feelers for tie-up The jury is out in the BJP on whether to join hands with the Janata Dal (Secular) which has sent many feelers to the party for an alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Former Prime Minister and JD(S) founder H D Deve Gowda recently said at a press conference that there is no party that has not done business with the BJP. He said this when asked if his party was planning to contest the next Lok Sabha election in alliance with the BJP. Gowda broke ranks with the opposition parties and attended the inauguration of the new Parliament building. He has also stayed away from the efforts of the opposition parties to unite against the BJP in the next election. The JD(S) decision to look for a tieup with the BJP is a result of its dismal performance in the old Mysuru region, which was considered its stronghold. A large section of its traditional voters shifted to the Congress, which bagged 37 of the 59 assembly seats in the Vokkaliga-dominated south Karnataka. With deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar emerging as the new leader of Vokkaligas, the JD(S) leadership fears its revival would be a tough job. It is, therefore, keen on an alliance with the BJP. In the BJP, however, there is a view that the JD(S) is on the verge of extinction and its demise would be more beneficial than its revival. The party sees an opportunity for Karnataka turning into a bipolar state. Sources in the BJP said the alliance with the JD(S) will not get them more seats as the JD(S) support lies in one pocket of the state which it will claim for itself. The BJP is, therefore, not overly eager for an alliance with the regional party. Election 2024 Gig workforce is new battle zone for BJP, Cong The millions of workers involved in Indias gig economy, who are basically the on-call temporary workers such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, construction workers, etc, have come on the radar of political parties. The BJP took note of this segment of the population and the problems faced by it and brought in a Code on Social Security in 2020. This code consolidated nine Central labour laws and widened the definition of employee to provide the benefits of social security to the unorganised gig workers. A bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament to make this code a law. The law, however, never came into force as the rules for its implementation were not framed. Meanwhile, the rise in the number of platform workers associated with the digital economy giants such as Amazon, Uber, Flipcart, etc gave rise to the demands from states that these companies provide for their Indian workers the same social security benefits that they give to the workers in other countries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Rahul Gandhi brought the issue centrestage by riding pillion with a delivery boy from Blinkit e-commerce company in Bangalore during the Karnataka state election. The Congress government in Rajasthan became the first to announce a welfare fund of Rs 200 crore for gig workers in its Budget for 2023-24. Sources said other state governments are now busy drafting their own laws to provide security to their gig workforce. The central government too is reportedly moving fast to implement its 2020 code before the Lok Sabha election next year. Southern Dilemma BJP undecided as JD(S) sends feelers for tie-up The jury is out in the BJP on whether to join hands with the Janata Dal (Secular) which has sent many feelers to the party for an alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Former Prime Minister and JD(S) founder H D Deve Gowda recently said at a press conference that there is no party that has not done business with the BJP. He said this when asked if his party was planning to contest the next Lok Sabha election in alliance with the BJP. Gowda broke ranks with the opposition parties and attended the inauguration of the new Parliament building. He has also stayed away from the efforts of the opposition parties to unite against the BJP in the next election. The JD(S) decision to look for a tieup with the BJP is a result of its dismal performance in the old Mysuru region, which was considered its stronghold. A large section of its traditional voters shifted to the Congress, which bagged 37 of the 59 assembly seats in the Vokkaliga-dominated south Karnataka. With deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar emerging as the new leader of Vokkaligas, the JD(S) leadership fears its revival would be a tough job. It is, therefore, keen on an alliance with the BJP. In the BJP, however, there is a view that the JD(S) is on the verge of extinction and its demise would be more beneficial than its revival. The party sees an opportunity for Karnataka turning into a bipolar state. Sources in the BJP said the alliance with the JD(S) will not get them more seats as the JD(S) support lies in one pocket of the state which it will claim for itself. The BJP is, therefore, not overly eager for an alliance with the regional party. Beijing (Gasgoo)- In a recent development, AICC (Automotive Intelligence and Control of China) has officially been selected by Chinese automaker Changan Automobile as a supplier of the latter's mass production projects. Photo credit: Changan Automobile The collaboration includes two agreements focused on integrating AICC's intelligent driving operating system, ICVOS, and its core products, including functional software and graphical development tools, into a major Changan Automobile model with a production volume exceeding 10,000 units within this year. Under the agreement, the duo will engage in a deep collaboration around AICC's ICVOS product, leveraging a software-driven architecture platform that offers hardware flexibility, scenario configurability, on-demand ecosystem adaptability, and self-evolution of the system. This collaboration aims to complement the capabilities of the underlying software platform, facilitate the realization of software-defined vehicle architecture, accelerate the mass production deployment of various Changan-branded models, as well as enhance the platform stability and reliability. Additionally, AICC will provide efficient, cross-domain integrated debugging and a visual development tool that is compatible with existing toolchains, further enhancing software development efficiency and powering Changan Automobile in the development of autonomous driving applications. Notably, AICC and Changan Automobile had already engaged in extensive cooperation in computing platform and data security before. The signing of the new agreements once again validates the technical capabilities, product performance, and mass production capacity of AICC, as recognized by major domestic automakers such as Changan Automobile. Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India and Egypt on Sunday elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held extensive talks on enhancing political as well as security cooperation between the two countries. Apart from the pact on strategic partnership, three other MoUs were also inked during PM Modis visit to Egypt. An agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership was signed by the two leaders. Besides, three memoranda of understanding were signed in agriculture, archaeology and antiquities and competition law, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said. Notably, Modi was conferred The Order of the Nile, Egypts highest state honour reserved for heads of state, crown princes, and vice presidents who offer humanity invaluable services. It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the Nile. I thank the government and the people of Egypt for this honour. It indicates that warmth and affection they have towards India and the people of our nation, the prime minister said. The Prime Minister held talks with President el-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, during which the two leaders discussed ways to enhance political and security cooperation, defence collaboration, trade and investment ties, and scientific and academic exchanges. They also agreed that the newly established India Unit in Egyptian Cabinet would be a useful tool in steering bilateral collaboration. My visit to Egypt was historic. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and benefit our people, Modi tweeted. He also invited el-Sisi to attend G-20 Summit in New Delhi in September. NEW DELHI: India and Egypt on Sunday elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held extensive talks on enhancing political as well as security cooperation between the two countries. Apart from the pact on strategic partnership, three other MoUs were also inked during PM Modis visit to Egypt. An agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership was signed by the two leaders. Besides, three memoranda of understanding were signed in agriculture, archaeology and antiquities and competition law, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said. Notably, Modi was conferred The Order of the Nile, Egypts highest state honour reserved for heads of state, crown princes, and vice presidents who offer humanity invaluable services.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the Nile. I thank the government and the people of Egypt for this honour. It indicates that warmth and affection they have towards India and the people of our nation, the prime minister said. The Prime Minister held talks with President el-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, during which the two leaders discussed ways to enhance political and security cooperation, defence collaboration, trade and investment ties, and scientific and academic exchanges. They also agreed that the newly established India Unit in Egyptian Cabinet would be a useful tool in steering bilateral collaboration. My visit to Egypt was historic. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and benefit our people, Modi tweeted. He also invited el-Sisi to attend G-20 Summit in New Delhi in September. By PTI NAGULAPURAM: A third-year medical student was found dead at Vishwa Bharathi Medical College in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, police said on Monday. According to the police, Dentepurthi Lokesh, 22, hanged himself around 10 pm on Sunday night in his hostel room at Penchikalapadu village, around 25 km from Kurnool town, where the medical college is located. "We are not sure why he hanged himself. He stays alone in his room and used a bedsheet to die by suicide," a police official told PTI on Monday. Police are probing the case from all angles to check if any other issues might have triggered the student into taking extreme steps. Lokesh's father Brahmananda Rao told police that he did not face any issues and he was not sure as to what might have led to his son choosing to end his life. Lokesh is a native of Kavali in the Nellore district and was a bright student who cleared the first two years of the MBBS course with distinction. Police have registered a case and have begun an investigation. Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) NAGULAPURAM: A third-year medical student was found dead at Vishwa Bharathi Medical College in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, police said on Monday. According to the police, Dentepurthi Lokesh, 22, hanged himself around 10 pm on Sunday night in his hostel room at Penchikalapadu village, around 25 km from Kurnool town, where the medical college is located. "We are not sure why he hanged himself. He stays alone in his room and used a bedsheet to die by suicide," a police official told PTI on Monday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Police are probing the case from all angles to check if any other issues might have triggered the student into taking extreme steps. Lokesh's father Brahmananda Rao told police that he did not face any issues and he was not sure as to what might have led to his son choosing to end his life. Lokesh is a native of Kavali in the Nellore district and was a bright student who cleared the first two years of the MBBS course with distinction. Police have registered a case and have begun an investigation. Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has set up a departmental inquiry against Manzil Saini, an IPS officer of the 2005 batch of UP cadre, following the recommendation of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in a case related to the murder of an oil trader Shrawan Sahu in 2017. Saini is currently on deputation in National Security Guard (NSG) as the deputy inspector general. The Central Bureau of Investigation had recommended a departmental inquiry against then Lucknow SSP in connection with the high-profile murder case. Highly placed police sources said that Additional Director General, Intelligence, Bhagwan Swaroop, and Superintendent of Police, Intelligence, Sanjeev Tyagi, will conduct an inquiry against Saini. Saini was the Lucknow SSP when Shrawan Sahu, an oil mill owner, was murdered at Saadatganj in the old city area on February 1, 2017. Sahu was shot dead while he was pursuing a case against criminal Aquil for his role in the murder of his (Sahu) son Ayush in 2013. The case was transferred to the CBI. CBI sources said that lapses in providing security cover to Shrawan Sahu despite his repeated requests and threats from criminal Aquil went unheard by Saini as Lucknow SSP. However, CBI sources said that Saini in her reply had cited that the sudden transfer of then district magistrate, approaching elections, lack of police force and preparations of the Republic Day made them all occupied. The pending CBI probe against Saini in the case of 2017 eclipsed her prospects for promotion in service while others of her batch were made IG, police. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had directed the CBI to probe Shrawan Sahu murder case on March 20, 2017. In May, the same year, the charge sheet was filed, and the trial is underway. However, Saini also holds the unique distinction of being the first woman officer in the history of Uttar Pradesh to take charge as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of state capital Lucknow in 2016. Before being posted as the SSP of Lucknow, Saini was posted in Etawah, the hometown of Samajwadi Party patriarch, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav. Other than her alleged inaction in Shrawan Sahu murder case, Saini is known to be an upright officer and had been posted in Badaun, Muzaffarnagar and Mathura. IPS Saini, who was posted as DIG, NHRC, was appointed DIG, National Security Guard (NSG), under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2021. Moreover, Saini is known to have unearthed several high-profile cases, including kidney theft racket case in Moradabad a few months after she got her first posting as SP in 2008. LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has set up a departmental inquiry against Manzil Saini, an IPS officer of the 2005 batch of UP cadre, following the recommendation of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in a case related to the murder of an oil trader Shrawan Sahu in 2017. Saini is currently on deputation in National Security Guard (NSG) as the deputy inspector general. The Central Bureau of Investigation had recommended a departmental inquiry against then Lucknow SSP in connection with the high-profile murder case.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Highly placed police sources said that Additional Director General, Intelligence, Bhagwan Swaroop, and Superintendent of Police, Intelligence, Sanjeev Tyagi, will conduct an inquiry against Saini. Saini was the Lucknow SSP when Shrawan Sahu, an oil mill owner, was murdered at Saadatganj in the old city area on February 1, 2017. Sahu was shot dead while he was pursuing a case against criminal Aquil for his role in the murder of his (Sahu) son Ayush in 2013. The case was transferred to the CBI. CBI sources said that lapses in providing security cover to Shrawan Sahu despite his repeated requests and threats from criminal Aquil went unheard by Saini as Lucknow SSP. However, CBI sources said that Saini in her reply had cited that the sudden transfer of then district magistrate, approaching elections, lack of police force and preparations of the Republic Day made them all occupied. The pending CBI probe against Saini in the case of 2017 eclipsed her prospects for promotion in service while others of her batch were made IG, police. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had directed the CBI to probe Shrawan Sahu murder case on March 20, 2017. In May, the same year, the charge sheet was filed, and the trial is underway. However, Saini also holds the unique distinction of being the first woman officer in the history of Uttar Pradesh to take charge as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of state capital Lucknow in 2016. Before being posted as the SSP of Lucknow, Saini was posted in Etawah, the hometown of Samajwadi Party patriarch, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav. Other than her alleged inaction in Shrawan Sahu murder case, Saini is known to be an upright officer and had been posted in Badaun, Muzaffarnagar and Mathura. IPS Saini, who was posted as DIG, NHRC, was appointed DIG, National Security Guard (NSG), under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2021. Moreover, Saini is known to have unearthed several high-profile cases, including kidney theft racket case in Moradabad a few months after she got her first posting as SP in 2008. Jaison Wilson By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The female wrestlers who have complained of sexual harassment by outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday approached a city court seeking a copy of the charge sheet filed against him. Following the protests by the wrestlers, the Delhi Police finally filed a chargesheet based on the accusations against Brij Bhushan, also a BJP MP, on June 15. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal of Rouse Avenue Court, who would be considering the charge sheet, directed the wrestlers' counsel to apply for a certified copy at the court's copying agency. The charge sheet also named Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for offences under sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354-A and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. The cops, on June 15, had filed a 550-page report before Delhi's Patiala House Court seeking cancellation of charges against Brij Bhushan filed on the basis of a complaint by a minor wrestler under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), one of the two cases against him. This will be heard on July 4. A cancellation report is filed in cases where police fail to find corroborative evidence after due investigation. She was among the seven female grapplers who had accused Singh of sexual harassment. The FIRs narrate several alleged instances of sexual harassment like inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places over a decade. ALSO READ | Protesting wrestlers rule out hitting roads again, say fight to continue in court Singh has been questioned by the police twice so far, and on both occasions, he denied all the allegations against him and claimed he was being "framed". According to police, the report for cancellation of POCSO was submitted "under section 173 Cr PC based upon statements of the complainant i.e., the father of the victim and the victim herself." According to Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava, the police has filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan for offences under Sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354A (sexually coloured remarks), 354D (stalking) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Under section 354A of the IPC, punishment will be up to one year or fine, while in 354 D it is up to five years or fine and in POCSO Act section-10, it is a maximum of seven years. NEW DELHI: The female wrestlers who have complained of sexual harassment by outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday approached a city court seeking a copy of the charge sheet filed against him. Following the protests by the wrestlers, the Delhi Police finally filed a chargesheet based on the accusations against Brij Bhushan, also a BJP MP, on June 15. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal of Rouse Avenue Court, who would be considering the charge sheet, directed the wrestlers' counsel to apply for a certified copy at the court's copying agency.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The charge sheet also named Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for offences under sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354-A and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. The cops, on June 15, had filed a 550-page report before Delhi's Patiala House Court seeking cancellation of charges against Brij Bhushan filed on the basis of a complaint by a minor wrestler under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), one of the two cases against him. This will be heard on July 4. A cancellation report is filed in cases where police fail to find corroborative evidence after due investigation. She was among the seven female grapplers who had accused Singh of sexual harassment. The FIRs narrate several alleged instances of sexual harassment like inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places over a decade. ALSO READ | Protesting wrestlers rule out hitting roads again, say fight to continue in court Singh has been questioned by the police twice so far, and on both occasions, he denied all the allegations against him and claimed he was being "framed". According to police, the report for cancellation of POCSO was submitted "under section 173 Cr PC based upon statements of the complainant i.e., the father of the victim and the victim herself." According to Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava, the police has filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan for offences under Sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354A (sexually coloured remarks), 354D (stalking) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Under section 354A of the IPC, punishment will be up to one year or fine, while in 354 D it is up to five years or fine and in POCSO Act section-10, it is a maximum of seven years. By Express News Service GUWAHATI: The Indigenous Tribal Leader's Forum has rejected any dialogue with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his government. Meanwhile, Congress has reiterated its demand to sack Singh. Union home minister Amit Shah had advised the CM on Sunday in Delhi to actively engage with all stakeholders so peace could be restored in the ethnic violence-hit state early. Later, Singh told journalists in Imphal it was stressed at the meeting that the government and its machinery meet civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss and understand their demands. However, the ITLF said after the loss of so many innocent lives and properties and untold hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo tribals, there was no point talking about peace without a political solution. The CMs intention of reaching out to stakeholders following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah comes too late We have reached a point where the Kuki-Zo community can no longer live together with the Meiteis, the ITLF said. According to the forum, some 106 tribals were killed, over 5,000 houses burnt, 355 churches destroyed and 41,425 tribals displaced by the conflict. N Biren Singh, the perpetrator of the current ethnic violence whose hatred resulted in the genocide of the Kuki-Zo community, cannot be the harbinger of peace. All tribals and a large section of his own Meitei community have lost faith in his leadership and his government, the ITLF said. The forum said during their talks with various leaders, including Shah, the Kuki-Zo tribals raised their demands, including political aspiration of total separation from Manipur. It said the political demand is in sync with the demand of 10 Kuki MLAs and other civil society groups. The ITLF stressed that it is crucial for the Centre to concentrate on finding a solution to this demand for bringing about lasting peace. Meanwhile, after noting that Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Manipur situation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is to sack his CM. The Congress also demanded the confiscation of illegal weapons, starting of talks with all parties to find a common political path, ending the blockade with the help of security forces and ensuring the availability of essential items by opening and keeping the National Highways safe. A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate, the Congress claimed. It added, No amount of propaganda by BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Manipur violence. GUWAHATI: The Indigenous Tribal Leader's Forum has rejected any dialogue with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his government. Meanwhile, Congress has reiterated its demand to sack Singh. Union home minister Amit Shah had advised the CM on Sunday in Delhi to actively engage with all stakeholders so peace could be restored in the ethnic violence-hit state early. Later, Singh told journalists in Imphal it was stressed at the meeting that the government and its machinery meet civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss and understand their demands.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); However, the ITLF said after the loss of so many innocent lives and properties and untold hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo tribals, there was no point talking about peace without a political solution. The CMs intention of reaching out to stakeholders following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah comes too late We have reached a point where the Kuki-Zo community can no longer live together with the Meiteis, the ITLF said. According to the forum, some 106 tribals were killed, over 5,000 houses burnt, 355 churches destroyed and 41,425 tribals displaced by the conflict. N Biren Singh, the perpetrator of the current ethnic violence whose hatred resulted in the genocide of the Kuki-Zo community, cannot be the harbinger of peace. All tribals and a large section of his own Meitei community have lost faith in his leadership and his government, the ITLF said. The forum said during their talks with various leaders, including Shah, the Kuki-Zo tribals raised their demands, including political aspiration of total separation from Manipur. It said the political demand is in sync with the demand of 10 Kuki MLAs and other civil society groups. The ITLF stressed that it is crucial for the Centre to concentrate on finding a solution to this demand for bringing about lasting peace. Meanwhile, after noting that Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Manipur situation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is to sack his CM. The Congress also demanded the confiscation of illegal weapons, starting of talks with all parties to find a common political path, ending the blockade with the help of security forces and ensuring the availability of essential items by opening and keeping the National Highways safe. A package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. The announced relief package is grossly inadequate, the Congress claimed. It added, No amount of propaganda by BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Manipur violence. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army on Monday announced that three officers including a Lieutenant-General were sacked and action was taken against three major- generals and seven brigadiers for failing to protect the military installations during the May 9 violent protests following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan's party workers vandalised over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time. Military spokesman Major General Arshad Sharif said the army conducted two probes into the protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters and took action. "After a deliberate accountability process, keeping the requests of in-court inquiries in view, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to keep the security and honour of garrisons, military installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters intact. "Three officers, including a Lieutenant-General, have been removed and strict disciplinary proceedings completed against other officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, have been completed," he said. He said probes were carried out by officers of major general level officers. "All the people involved (in May 9 violence) will be punished under the Constitution and law," said Sharif while addressing a press conference. He described the incident of May 9 as "extremely disappointing, condemnable and a black chapter in the history of our country". "The events of May 9 have proven what enemies couldn't do in 76 years, a bunch of miscreants and their facilitators did," the officer said, as he described the incident as "a conspiracy against Pakistan". The May 9 violence elicited a strong reaction from the government and military with vows of taking action against the culprits, leading to an ongoing crackdown against those involved. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army on Monday announced that three officers including a Lieutenant-General were sacked and action was taken against three major- generals and seven brigadiers for failing to protect the military installations during the May 9 violent protests following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan's party workers vandalised over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Military spokesman Major General Arshad Sharif said the army conducted two probes into the protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters and took action. "After a deliberate accountability process, keeping the requests of in-court inquiries in view, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to keep the security and honour of garrisons, military installations, Jinnah House and General Headquarters intact. "Three officers, including a Lieutenant-General, have been removed and strict disciplinary proceedings completed against other officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, have been completed," he said. He said probes were carried out by officers of major general level officers. "All the people involved (in May 9 violence) will be punished under the Constitution and law," said Sharif while addressing a press conference. He described the incident of May 9 as "extremely disappointing, condemnable and a black chapter in the history of our country". "The events of May 9 have proven what enemies couldn't do in 76 years, a bunch of miscreants and their facilitators did," the officer said, as he described the incident as "a conspiracy against Pakistan". The May 9 violence elicited a strong reaction from the government and military with vows of taking action against the culprits, leading to an ongoing crackdown against those involved. Panorama Music releases youthful single Dooba Dooba by Kabul Rishi featuring Ragini Tandan, known for the hit song Lamborghini PNN, New Delhi, June 24: In the recent past, Panorama Music has released many melodious singles featuring prominent names from the industry. Panorama Music releases youthful single 'Dooba Dooba' by Kabul Rishi featuring Ragini Tandan, known for the hit song 'Lamborghini' The recently released romantic track titled "Dooba Dooba" is now available on the Panorama Music YouTube channel.The love song Dooba Dooba is sung by Kabul Rishi features Ragini Tandan (of Lamborghini song fame). Kabul's fresh and euphonious voice instantly adds an impressive emotional connection to the song. Do watch till the end to experience a happy reunion of two hearts, a song full of Iife and melody.The music video also features Lekha Unnikrishnan Nair and Vansh Rishi. The happy love song has been beautifully composed by Jayant Sankla and lyrics are penned by Mohit Sharma and Jayant Sankla. The music video has been directed by Innee Singh and portrays two young lovers excited to meet up after a long gap."Dooba Dooba" releases on the official YouTube channel of Panorama Music.Link -(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI25 June 2023 Shared Recently! Partnership between US, India focuses on fostering open and inclusive digital economies: NASSCOM New Delhi, June 24: 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, National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) said. Partnership between US, India focuses on fostering open and inclusive digital economies: NASSCOM In a statement, NASSCOM said, "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."The technological partnership between India and US 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."Nasscom appreciates and commends this fostering of an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem built on mutual confidence and trust. 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," it added."Together, we are embarking on a journey to make this decade a remarkable era of technology-led advancement," the statement added.This statement came after several technological deals that were signed between India and US. One of them is the General Electric Company (GE) Aerospace on Thursday announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India.The statement further said the mutually beneficial policy formulation and intervention, and adapting regulations that encourage technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities among industry, government, and academic institutions must be for the foundation of this collaboration across defence, clean energy, telecommunications, emerging technologies like AI, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, sustainability, biotechnology, space technologies, and semiconductors."Specifically on AI, both countries will work responsibly on AI, aiming to advance AI education, foster commercial opportunities, and address concerns related to discrimination and bias. Nasscom has been working closely with the entire ecosystem to leverage and propel AI-led technological advancements, driving innovation and growth across sectors," the statement read.PM Modi, who was in the US for four days, had attended various events and met top Indian and American CEOs including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the White House upon his arrival.He was hosted by US President Joe Biden as well as First Lady Jill Biden for a state dinner at the White House, as well as a State Luncheon by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Vice President Kamala Harris.He also addressed the joint sitting of the US Congress on Thursday at the US Capitol Hill, which is the first time that any Indian leader addressed twice.ANI25 June 2023 Shared Recently! China's monthly registrations of locally-made passenger vehicles (PVs) reached 1,712,988 units in May 2023, jumping 34.76% from the previous year, while also climbing 9.86% from the previous month, according to the data compiled by Gasgoo Auto Research Institute (GARI). For the Jan.-May period of this year, there were 7,367,580 homemade PVs registered across the Chinese mainland, representing an increase of 5.37% year-over-year. The first five months of 2023 have generally witnessed a stable rising trend in the PV market. The price reduction spree that started in March has gradually subsided, but promotions still remain high. This, along with the release of a number of new models and lower-priced newcomers, has quelled consumer hesitations, thereby driving up shopping demands. The Auto Shanghai 2023 served as a powerful platform propelling the exchange of advanced automobile technologies and fostering auto consumption. New product launches, car exhibitions, and a variety of promotional activities like voucher distributions have significantly bolstered consumer confidence. In May 2023, three brands saw their monthly PV registrations in China exceed 100,000 units, namely, BYD, Volkswagen, and Toyota. Of the vehicles the German and Japanese brands registered last month, only 6.25% and 2.44% were contributed by new energy vehicles (NEVs, collectively referring to battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles). The two China's indigenous brandsChangan and Geely, ranked 5th and 6th among all brands by May PV registrations, following Honda, who got 92,830 vehicles registered. The German trio BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi ranked 8th, 10th, and 11th, respectively, by China-made PV registrations in May. In the same period, Tesla had 43,468 Shanghai-made vehicles registered in China, ranking 13th. The 14th to 18th places were all occupied by Chinese indigenous brands, namely, AION, HAVAL, Chery, Trumpchi, and Li Auto. As for the Jan.-May registrations, BYD still outshone other brands in China, outselling the runner-up Volkswagen by 49,045 vehicles. The three major Japanese brandsToyota, Honda, and Nissanstood at the 3rd, 4th, and 10th places, respectively. Changan was the second best-performing brand wholly-owned by China. Among all China-made PV models, Tesla saw its Model Y move up to the highest place by May registrations, while the Nissan Sylphy climbed two spots from the previous month to the runner-up place in May. Among the top 10 PV models regarding May registrations, there were four members under the BYD brand. Of them, the Dolphin surpassed the Qin PLUS DM-i to the third place. The Yuan PLUS was honored the No. 2 SUV model, following the Model Y. Both Wuling and AION brands had two models on the top 20 PV models list by May registrations, and all of them were battery electric vehicles (BEVs). As for the year-to-date performance, the Model Y was also crowned the highest-ranking PV model in China. Apart from the Model Y, there were still seven models whose respective Jan.-May registrations all exceeded 100,000 units. In the rankings of top 10 China-made PV models by Jan.-May registrations, six were from Chinese indigenous brands, four of which were under the BYD brand. Among cities on the Chinese mainland, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Beijing took the first four seats by May registrations, all of which had over 40,000 domestically-built PVs registered in the month. As for the most popular models in major cities, the top 6 models by May registrations in Shanghai were all all-electric products, namely, the Model Y, the Dolphin, the Yuan PLUS, the Model 3, the Roewe Ei5, and the Han EV. Besides, the top two models in Guangzhou, a typical city in South China, were the AION S and the AION Y plus, while Beijing, as a representative of cities in North China, had the Model Y as its best-selling model last month. For the Jan.-May period, a total of 12 cities had over 100,000 locally-made PVs registered each, of which the first two cities volumes both surpassed 200,000 units. In May 2023, China's monthly locally-made new energy passenger vehicle (NEPV) registrations came in at 556,201 units, soaring 71.97% year on year, while also rising 13.63% month on month. For the first five months of this year, the cumulative NEPV registrations in China leapt 42.71% over the prior-year period to 2,268,739 units. By specific powertrain solutions, the BEV sector logged a registration volume of 380,540 units in May, accounting for 68.42% of the country's total NEPV registrations. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) registrations reached 175,633 units, which included 44,000 range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). There were 28 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) registered on the Chinese mainland in May, representing a tiny share of 0.01% in China's NEPV market. Of the NEPVs registered in the first five months of this year, 68.29% were contributed by BEVs. With respect to the NEPV registrations in May, BYD still took a remarkable lead over other brands. It had 205,359 NEPVs registered in the month, which were even more than the sum of the No.2-No.10 occupants. The U.S. EV brand Tesla was credited the runner-up, while AION and Wuling ranked 3rd and 4th, respectively. Li Auto was the highest-ranking brand among Chinese NEV startups. The company made up 64.37% of the total REEV registrations in China last month, demonstrating the high attractiveness of its L series models to family users. Meanwhile, Geely brand occupied the 8th place with the mini all-electric city car, the Panda mini, as its biggest NEV sales contributor. DENZA, a premium auto brand majority-owned by BYD, ranked 10th with an NEPV registration volume of 10,303 units. In terms of the year-to-date NEPV registrations, the top five brandsBYD, Tesla, AION, Wuling, and Li Autoall witnessed their cumulative registration volume surpass 100,000 units. With regard to May registrations, the Model Y no doubt topped other homemade NEPV models. Four BYD-branded modelsthe Dolphin, the Qin PLUS DM-i, the Yuan PLUS, and the Song PLUS DM-i, took the 2nd to 5th spots among all locally made NEPV models. Notably, the Wuling Binguo recorded a registration volume of 14,009 units in May, which were 5,544 more than that of the BYD Seagull, its rival product. Judging from the Jan.-May performance, there were six NEPV models in total whose respective cumulative registrations all exceeded 100,000 units. On the top 20 NEPV models list by year-to-date registrations, BYD held 11 spots in total (including the DENZA D9). Li Auto had two models, namely, the Li L8 and the Li L9, in the top 20 rankings. In May 2023, Shanghai outdid other cities with 29,228 homemade NEPVs registered, which accounted for 50.2% of the city's overall PV registrations. It was closely followed by Chengdu and Guangzhou. During this years first five months, there were 12 cities on the Chinese mainland with over 40,000 domestically built NEPVs registered each. Restored by citys municipal corp, Surat Castle celebrates a rich history Surat, June 22 : Surat, known for its recent world record-breaking yoga event, is no stranger to making history. As you drive through its grand bridges, an awe-inspiring sight awaits you -- the Surat Castle. This architectural marvel serves as a time capsule, preserving the footprints of time, from the Mughals to the British Raj.When we stepped into this place we were treated to a documentary that highlights the historical significance of the site before embarking on a one-hour guided tour. Restored by city's municipal corp, Surat Castle celebrates a rich history Surat Castle, an ancient monument from the 16th century situated in Chowk Bazar, holds great historical significance for Gujarat. Built under the orders of Ahmedabad king Sultan Mahmood III, it provided defence against invaders. However, the castle seems to have been forgotten by the present generation. Completed in 1546, it passed through different hands, including the Mughals and the English. While its defence capabilities became obsolete, the castle continued to be occupied by various government departments.The castle, which was once in a state of neglect, has been restored to its original splendor by the Surat Municipal Corporation in 2018.The efforts of the Corporation, in line with preserving the authentic Mughal elements, have revived this historical masterpiece. Notably, the restoration project has received recognition and support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the importance of this Mughal gem within a state often associated with polarisation.When we spoke to the local guides in the castle, they explained: The colossal Surat Castle, commissioned by Ahmedabad's king Sultan Mahmood III, was constructed by Khudawand Khan in the 16th century. Its purpose was to protect the city of Surat from the repeated attacks by the Portuguese.Even in the documentary it was explained that: Surat, known for its flourishing trade in diverse merchandise, suffered multiple assaults and devastating fires caused by the Portuguese in 1512, 1530 and 1531. Today, the castle stands as a revered historical site, celebrated for its architecture.As we explored the hidden corners of this place, we stumbled upon a gate leading to the first floor -- a sight that left an indelible impression on us. The panoramic view of the Tapi River and the breathtaking sunset captivated our hearts.The castle houses a museum filled with ancient coins, garments, cutlery, weapons, and furniture, among other artifacts. A single visit is not enough to absorb the wealth of history on display. Trust us, this is one of the most underrated gems of Gujarat. Intagram-worthy-whether you capture it with your lens or eyes.What you take away from this experience is a profound sense of pride, knowing that in the corners of Surat, there exists a place of immense historical significance. If you're seeking a top historical destination in Gujarat, this should be at the top of your list.IANS25 June 2023 Shared Recently! Celebrating Literary Excellence: J-Ks vibrant literary function Srinagar, June 24: A literary function unfolded in the heart of Srinagar on Saturday as Nagina International and Jammu and Kashmir Fiction Writers' Guild jointly hosted a grand literary function at the Awan E Adab, Hotel Shahenshah Palace, Boulevard Road. Celebrating Literary Excellence: J-K's vibrant literary function The event brought together esteemed personalities from the world of literature to celebrate renowned writers and unveil notable publications.The function served as a testament to the rich literary heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, captivating attendees and participants alike.Retired Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, presiding over the event, emphasized the importance of such programs and expressed his hope for their continuation in the future.He stated, "Jammu and Kashmir is a literary hub and has produced many legendary icons. These types of programs should also be organized in the future."The distinguished gathering included luminaries such as Prof. Shafeeq Parveen, former Director of Distance Education at KU, Vehshi Sayed Patrion JkFWG, Prof. Majrooh Rasheed, former HOD Department of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir, Dr Nazir Mushtaq, President Fiction Writers Guild, Mohd. Amin Bhat, President Adbi Markiz Kamraz, and Dr Dildar Ahmad Son of Prof Rehman Rahi.The event buzzed with a huge gathering of esteemed writers and literary lovers.The event commenced with the unveiling of the latest issue of Nagina International, paying tribute to the illustrious career of Prof. Rehman Rahi. Masarat Ara, a research scholar from Kashmir University, presented a brief analysis of the publication, highlighting the profound impact of Prof Rahi's contributions.Jammu and Kashmir Fiction Writers Guild also took the opportunity to unveil a commemorative booklet honouring its former President, Shahzada Bismal.In a remarkable announcement, it was revealed that the Fiction Writers Guild would establish the prestigious "Shahzada Bismal Memorial Award," to be conferred upon deserving writers of Kashmir at their annual function in future. The award was presented to the world-renowned fiction writer, Noorshah, acknowledging his exceptional talent.Adding to the literary fervour, renowned writer Hasaan Saho unveiled his latest publication, "Saang Rezay," which had garnered considerable anticipation.The book's release was followed by an insightful analysis delivered by the young scholar, Suhail Salim, further captivating the audience.Recognizing excellence across various fields, Nagina International honoured individuals who had made commendable contributions. The esteemed recipients of these awards included Dr Kousar Rasol, Dr Shabnam Ashaie, Dr Reyaz Towhedi, Riyaz Malik, Raja Yousaf, Waheed Jeelani, and Tariq Shabnam.Each awardee represented a unique facet of literary brilliance, and their achievements were celebrated during the function. Notably, Reyaz Malik, unable to attend due to prior engagements, had his award accepted on his behalf by Suhail Salim.Mohd Amin Bhat, President Adbi Markiz Kamraz, conveyed his congratulations to the organizers and awardees, emphasizing the significance of such literary events in promoting and appreciating the rich cultural heritage of the region.He said, "These types of literary events should be conducted to promote and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of our region."Throughout the function, attendees and participants echoed their appreciation for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of literary events in fostering creativity and recognizing literary talent within the region.The literary function not only provided a platform to honour renowned writers but also served as a catalyst for intellectual and artistic growth, fostering a vibrant literary community in Jammu and Kashmir. The function was hosted by eminent fiction writer Nasir Zamer.ANI25 June 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi concludes State visit to Egypt, emplanes for India Cairo [Egypt], June 25: Concluding his first State visit to Egypt and the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emplaned for India. PM Modi concludes State visit to Egypt, emplanes for India Earlier, on Sunday, PM Modi held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during which they signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership".Both the leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including in trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties.The two sides signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral partnership to a "strategic partnership." In addition, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of agriculture, archaeology and antiquities and competition law were also signed between India and Egypt.Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with President @AlsisiOfficial in Cairo on 25 June 2023 The leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two countries, including in trade and investment, defence and security, renewable energy, cultural and people to people ties. An agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" was signed by the leaders. Three MoUs in the fields of Agriculture, Archaeology and Antiquities and Competition Law were also signed."Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi conferred PM Modi with the highest state honour of Egypt, the 'Order of Nile'.PM Modi also visited the Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo. Taking to Twitter, he said, "Honored to visit the historic Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo. It's a profound testament to Egypt's rich heritage and culture."Later in the day, PM Modi, who arrived in Cairo on Saturday, went to Heliopolis War Cemetery and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices during the First World War.On Saturday, PM Modi held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the Arab nation.PM Modi had a productive discussion with Hassan Allam, CEO of one of the largest Egyptian companies operating in the Middle East and North African region. The two leaders discussed possibilities of forging closer cooperation with Indian companies in renewable energy and green hydrogen.Taking to Twitter, Arindam Bagchi wrote, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Mohamed Medhat Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Properties in Cairo, Egypt. PM @narendramodi held a fruitful meeting with Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding Company, one of the largest Egyptian companies operating in the Middle East and North African region."After landing in Egypt, the prime minister arrived at a hotel in Cairo amid a rousing welcome and chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Modi Modi'. Several members of the Indian community were present at the Ritz Carlton Hotel to welcome PM Modi.The Indian diaspora demonstrated their enthusiasm around PM Modi's visit by waving the Tricolour and chanting "Modi Modi" and "Vande Mataram" slogans.Many also sang Indian songs and presented cultural programmes to welcome PM Modi.ANI25 June 2023 Shared Recently! It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the Nile: PM Modi Cairo [Egypt], June 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the Egyptian government and people for conferring him with the 'Order of the Nile', the country's highest state honour. It is with great humility that I accept the 'Order of the Nile': PM Modi He stated that the honour bestowed upon him indicates the "warmth and affection" that Egypt has towards India and the people of the country.Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi posted, "It is with great humility that I accept the 'Order of the Nile.' I thank the Government and people of Egypt for this honour. It indicates the warmth and affection they have towards India and the people of our nation."Earlier in the day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi conferred PM Modi with the 'Order of the Nile'. It was the 13th state honour of its kind to have been conferred on him.In the last nine years, PM Modi has received many international awards including Companion of the Order of Logohu, Companion of the Order of Fiji and Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau, among others.Meanwhile, PM Modi on Sunday held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during which they signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership".Both the leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. The two sides signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of agriculture, archaeology, antiquities and competition law.Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "PM @narendramodiheld a productive meeting with President @AlsisiOfficial in Cairo on 25 June 2023 The leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two countries, including in trade and investment, defence and security, renewable energy, cultural and people to people ties. An agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" was signed by the leaders. Three MoUs in the fields of Agriculture, Archaeology and Antiquities and Competition Law were also signed."On Sunday, PM Modi visited the Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo.Taking to Twitter, PM Modi posted, "Honored to visit the historic Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo. It's a profound testament to Egypt's rich heritage and culture."After visiting the Al-Hakim Mosque, PM Modi went to Heliopolis War Cemetery and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices during the First World War. PM Modi was on a state visit to Egypt from June 24-25.On Saturday, PM Modi held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the Arab nation.PM Modi arrived at his hotel in Cairo to a rousing reception and chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Modi Modi' from members of the Indian diaspora.Many also sang Indian songs and presented cultural programmes to welcome PM Modi.ANI25 June 2023 Shared Recently! China Premier Li Qiang averts public clashes during his visit to Germany, France Berlin, June 25: China Premier Li Qiang averted public clashes during his visit to Germany and France this week, reported Nikkei Asia, adding that analysts saw it as a sign of European nations' disinclination to estrange Beijing. China Premier Li Qiang averts public clashes during his visit to Germany, France Li's first overseas trip since becoming the country's second leader in March is seen as highlighting German fears about exposure to the Chinese economy and France's will to cooperate with Beijing where possible, the report added.Since Li chose the six-day tour to the European Union's two leading powers -- Germany and France -- it shows the status of both countries, as well as, the problematic relations between Beijing and other European capitals, as per Nikkei Asia.Moreover, Italy is currently discussing a withdrawal from China's infrastructure-building Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and Eastern European countries are put off by Beijing's support for Moscow. Whereas, northern European countries are growing increasingly wary about China and Russia's ambitions in the Arctic.Reinhard Biedermann, a German professor of International Relations at Tamkang University in Taipei, said, "This larger picture puts Germany and France into China's focus, with Germany being China's chess piece for preventing anti-China protectionism from slowing the Chinese economy further.""France, for its part, is China's chess piece for the safeguarding of a Europe that is not drawn by the U.S. against China," he added.Analysts observed the extent to which the governments of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron went out of their way to accommodate China.Li was received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a curtain raiser for the seventh China-Germany intergovernmental consultation. After holding the talks, as many as 26 Chinese and German ministers, Scholz and Li then held a news conference. During that, journalists were not allowed to field questions, which was in clear breach of the China policy of Scholz's predecessor Angela Merkel, who had always insisted on doing news conferences according to Western standards, according to Nikkei Asia.Scholz also presented Li with a rhetorical goody by emphasizing that Germany has no interest in economic decoupling from China.Meanwhile, Scholz urged China to use more of its influence on Russia to stop the Ukraine war. Although, he did not publicly mention other topics, such as Taiwan, forced labour or strengthening Chinese industrial espionage against German companies, as recently expressed by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.According to the German government, the two sides agreed to launch a climate dialogue and signed memorandums of understanding in the realms of electric and hydrogen mobility, as per Nikkei Asia.Lutz Berners of Berners Consulting, who advises German government departments and businesses on China-related projects said, "There might be a big discrepancy in what has been made public about Li's visit and what the German government has said behind closed doors, but that Berlin agreed to use China's rules for press engagement means it has allowed to be pushed into a weak corner.""Considering that Scholz had his inaugural visit to Beijing over half a year ago, and Li now completed his inaugural visit to Berlin with such a high-level delegation, it is notable how few tangible results have been presented," he added.According to Nikkei Asia, Berners attributed the underwhelming results to the worsening economic situation in China which worries Berlin because of German companies' heavy exposure to the country. With a bilateral trade volume of nearly 300 billion euros ($328 billion), 2022 was the seventh consecutive year in which China was Germany's largest trade partner.Furthermore, several German conglomerates, such as BASF, Merck, Siemens and BMW, have recently invested heavily in China or have announced plans to do so.At a stopover in Munich, the Chinese Premier met with Siemens and BMW, as well as Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder, who echoed Scholz's rhetoric of opposing a decoupling from China.Later, Li headed to Paris where he met France President Macron at a summit of the New Global Financing Pact, a Macron-initiated initiative. Its goal is to build a new contract between the countries of the Global North and South to address climate change, Nikkei Asia reported.Macron highlighted that he wants France and Europe to deepen ties with China. Following his visit to China in April, he made headlines by saying that France should not follow the US in responding to Beijing's moves in the Taiwan Strait.Like in Berlin, Li was given an unusually high-profile treatment in Paris, with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin meeting him before a meeting with the president.Macron surprised people when rushing down a staircase in an apparent attempt to personally open the door of Li's limousine despite protocolary standing one layer above Li, as per Nikkei Asia."Like Li's Berlin visit, also the Paris visit doesn't reflect the ongoing debate in Europe about de-risking from China, human rights, Taiwan tensions and China's extraterritorial police stations in Europe," said Marc Julienne, head of China Research at the Center for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International Relations."Macron and Li dealt with the positive topics only and brushed the sensitive ones under the carpet, which is probably partly explained by Macron needing China's help in making his new climate financing initiative a success," he added.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! UN environment ambassador Dia Mirza takes part in drive to remove plastic waste in Shimla Shimla, June 25: Bollywood actress and United Nations on Environment Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza on Sunday participated in a campaign called 'Swarnim Himalaya' in which she collected plastic waste from the streets of hill resort Shimla. UN environment ambassador Dia Mirza takes part in drive to remove plastic waste in Shimla The team 'Healing Himalaya' in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Environment, Science and Technology Department, Forest department, Himachal Pradesh Police and civic body of Shimla has started the Swarnim Himalaya campaign to remove plastic waste from the Himalayan region.Speaking to ANI, Dia Mirza said, "Swarnim Himalaya is a very powerful campaign; it will mobilize civil society participation. It will change the mindsets on the ground. In our country there are problems at many levels. Most people think that it is not their job to collect the garbage, but I feel it should be our responsibility. It will also have an impact on the littering process. People will think before throwing plastic anywhere."The UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador said that once auditing of plastic waste is done, it will help to fix accountability under Extended Producer's Responsibility."We shall be able to fix accountability after collecting the waste, Healing Himalaya is going to do a tabulation of that waste , there will be an account, who's packaging and garbage we are getting in maximum number and hopefully we will be able to make them accountable for it also. Because under extended producer's responsibility, it is the responsibility of everyone that it is not only the consumers but also producers who has to be accountable," Mirza said.Speaking about her participation in the campaign, Dia Mirza said, "It is our collective responsibility to combat plastic pollution. I always felt pride and strength when I participate in these campaigns. It is one thing to feel despondent and helpless about what is happening to the environment. It is another thing to be a part of the healing process. I always feel strengthened when I work with organizations like Healing Himalayas".Pradeep Sangwan, Organizer and environmentalist said, "We have been working in the Himalayan region to clean the plastic waste; we have focused on those locations where tourism footfall is high. We have started a new campaign "Swarnim Himalaya'. We are trying to make people aware to connect them with the cleanliness drive to tell them that it is our responsibility to clean our surroundings. It resonates with the 'mission life', how we can protect the environment through our lifestyle, how we can protect and keep our surroundings clean through changing our habits.""Today in this campaign, we have involved over 100000 volunteers for a cleanliness drive at different locations in Himachal Pradesh. We have involved over 30 village Panchayats and 10 schools. We are trying to involve people with responsibility. If we see the population and area in Himachal Pradesh, only 0.79 square feet area is under one individual, we just need to clean that particular area ," he added."We shall do an audit and will take ,what kind of waste is there and also which company has the maximum garbage in Himalayas and that needs to be highlighted and by identifying it we shall try to speak to them. We have been collecting 5 ton plastic garbage on a daily basis in Himalayan region," Sangwan said.On Diya Mirza participating in the campaign, he said, "It is clear that Diya Mirza is concerned and she has been visiting Himalayan region frequently, she is here just for the cause and we need to address it."One of the young participants in the campaign, Aishwarya said, "This is a wonderful campaign; we are collecting garbage, especially plastic. Diya Mirza has also come here. She is cleaning streets with us, it is a message to all of us to not litter plastic or any other garbage. Most of the garbage recovered from these areas are plastic bottles."The Swarnim Himalaya campaign was started to make people aware about plastic waste in the Himalasyas and aims to target and fix accountabilities of the producers of plastic packaging material in India. After collecting garbage they formulate data on which company's plastic waste is used and thrown in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh.Over 10000 volunteers are participating in the campaign in Himachal pradesh in over 30 rural panchayats, ten schools and several towns in the state.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! Sumona Chakravarti extends gratitude to fans and friends for birthday wishes Mumbai, June 25: Actor Sumona Chakravarti took to her Instagram handle to express her gratitude for all those who helped her in 35 years of life span and she recalled the days of happiness, sorrow and disappointment during this period. The 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain' actor, who recently celebrated her birthday said hank you to all those who wished her on the special day. Sumona Chakravarti extends gratitude to fans and friends for birthday wishes She wrote in her post, "35-years of life. A life full of love, laughter, joy, tears, heartbreaks, betrayals, faith, lessons, mistakes, hope, faith, sadness, hurt, courage, strength, grief. Some came into my life for a reason and some for a season. Few even stayed. Family. Friends. Work colleagues. Acquaintances. Strangers. But for every human who has been part of my life at some point-Thank You. I'm grateful for it all because I truly believe that everything happens for a reason"Her post further reads, "For those who have showered me with love, respect and compliments-Thank you very much. But to those who hurt me, made me cry, criticised me- a Big THANK YOU to you because it has only made me stronger person, more determined. I feel strongly. I've learnt how to bounce back. To be vulnerable. To learn how to heal. I know myself a little more now than ever. It's been a beautiful journey, an absolute roller coster at certain points. But it's been worth it. Thank you Universe for having my back always!"She concluded with, "P.s If i have ever been the cause of any hurt or pain to anyone-then I'm truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. It was never intentional."Sumona mentioned in the caption, Birthday musings!Birthday =Emo..THANK YOU for the love, blessings and the beautiful birthday wishes."On the work front, she is known for being part of 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain', 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' and 'The Kapil Sharma Show'.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! Egypts highest state honour affirms PM Modis status as world statesman: CM Yogi Lucknow, June 25: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being conferred with Egypt's highest state honour -- 'Order of the Nile' -- saying that the award affirms PM Modi's rising global stature and is a piece of recognition for him as a 'world statesman'. Egypt's highest state honour affirms PM Modi's status as world statesman: CM Yogi Taking to Twitter, CM Adityanath said, "Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi-ji has been conferred with Egypt's highest state honour -- 'Order of the Nile'. This is a matter of pride for all Indians. The award is a piece of recognition of the PM as a 'world statesman'. It also demonstrates the elevated status of a New India on the world stage. Hearty congratulations to all the countrymen!"Earlier, on Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi conferred PM Modi with Egypt's highest state honour -- the 'Order of the Nile' -- in Cairo.It was the 13 honour of its kind to have been conferred on PM Modi by several countries across the globe.Over the last 9 years, PM Modi has received many international awards including Companion of the Order of Logohu, Companion of the Order of Fiji, and Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau, among others.Meanwhile, PM Modi, and Egyptian President El-Sisi on Sunday signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership".Both the leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including in trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties.The two sides also signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral partnership to a "strategic partnership." In addition, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of agriculture, archaeology and antiquities, and competition law were also signed between India and Egypt.PM Modi also visited the Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo.Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Honored to visit the historic Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo. It's a profound testament to Egypt's rich heritage and culture."After visiting the Al-Hakim Mosque, PM Modi, who arrived in Cairo on Saturday, went to Heliopolis War Cemetery and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices during the First World War. PM Modi is on a state visit to Egypt from June 24-25.Yesterday, PM Modi held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the Arab nation.PM Modi had a productive discussion with Hassan Allam, CEO of one of the largest Egyptian companies operating in the Middle East and North African region. The two leaders discussed possibilities of forging closer cooperation with Indian companies in renewable energy and green hydrogen.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! FM Sitharaman calls PM Modis US visit historic, says it will redefine partnership between New Delhi-Washington DC New Delhi, June 25: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States as historic and stated that it led to the redefinition of the partnership between India and the United States, ultimately contributing to the realization of their respective national goals. FM Sitharaman calls PM Modi's US visit 'historic', says it will redefine partnership between New Delhi-Washington DC "During the visit and the PM's address to the joint session of the US Congress in particular, PM has expressed very clearly where India and US relationship stand and what is it that it can do towards global order...", she added.Speaking at the press briefing, the Finance Minister said that it was a visit where both India and the US established 'steps which would result in greater realisation of our national goals.'"PM Modi's visit to the US has been historic. I am extremely happy to say that it was a visit where both India and the United States redefined their partnership and established steps which would result in greater realisation of our national goals", Minister Sitharaman said.Calling the PM's visit a 'very significant event', Sitharaman further said that it is a matter of pride for everyone in the country for a second time for a Prime Minister to be called to address a joint session of the US Congress and to have received a standing ovation."It was a bipartisan invitation that was given to the PM to address the joint House (in the US) and it was a very significant event. For the second time for a PM to be called to address a joint session of the US Congress and to have received such a standing ovation is a matter of pride for all of us in this country," she added.Meanwhile, in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended various events and met top Indian and American CEOs including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the White House upon his arrival.He was hosted by US President Joe Biden as well as First Lady Jill Biden for a state dinner at the White House, as well as a State Luncheon by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Vice President Kamala Harris.On June 22, PM Modi 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.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! Twitter rival Bluesky working on user lists, reply controls tools San Francisco, June 26: Twitter rival Bluesky, backed by Jack Dorsey, has introduced some proposals for new moderation and safety tooling, which the company is presently working on, including -- user lists and reply controls. Twitter rival Bluesky working on user lists, reply controls tools Along with user lists and reply controls, the company also introduced labelling, moderation controls, and hashtags.According to the company, user lists and reply controls can be used for community-driven moderation, while labelling and moderation controls will focus on moderator services and how they can handle problems that small communities can't.The third tool, hashtags, won't be directly related to moderation, but as per the company, it could have a big impact on customising what users see.The tooling we're building for moderation tries to take into consideration how social spaces are formed and shaped through communities, Bluesky said in a blogpost.The invite-only Bluesky, available on Android, offers a host of new features and was initially launched to iOS users in February in a closed beta.The app offers a simplified user interface where you can click a plus button to create a post of 256 characters, which can include photos. In May, Bluesky crossed more than 1,00,000 users with a total of 3.19 million posts.IANS26 June 2023 Shared Recently! With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. BYD expands sales network in Mexico with opening of BYD Perisur dealership BYD celebrated the grand opening of its fifth dealership in Mexico, BYD Perisur, further strengthening its sales network in the country. In addition, BYD's flagship showroom will also open in Liverpool, the largest chain department store in the region, allowing consumers to experience the latest in BYD's new energy vehicle technology and products, according to Brian Luo, PR Director of Public Affairs Dept. and Global Media and Branding Dept. in BYD. Photo credit: Brian Luo's Sina Weibo post Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory begins supplying North American markets Tesla's plans to export electric vehicles from China to Canada have been confirmed, as the company's website now lists the availability of China-manufactured Tesla Model 3 and Model Y for sale in Canada. The Model Y RWD and Model 3 Long Range can be delivered immediately in British Columbia, Canada, with their codes indicating production at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. Chengdu aims to reach automotive industry scale of 300 billion yuan by 2025 The Chengdu Municipal Office has issued the "Development Plan for New Energy and Intelligent Connected Vehicle Industry in Chengdu (2023-2030)". The plan sets a target for Chengdu's overall automotive industry scale to reach 300 billion yuan by 2025, with a local vehicle production of 1 million units (excluding production from out-of-town subsidiaries). The plan also aims for a car parc of 800,000 new energy vehicles and an annual output of 250,000 units by 2025. Huawei reveals new patent for posture-determined safety airbags control system According to the official website of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. has publicly disclosed a new patent for the "control system and control method of safety airbags, and transportation vehicles." GAC Group unveils first flying car GOVE at GAC TECH DAY 2023 GAC Group unveiled its first flying car, GOVE, at the GAC TECH DAY 2023 on June 26. The name "GOVE" is derived from the initials of GAC, On the Go, Vertical Flight, and Electric Vehicle. Dongfeng Motor to deploy smart digital rear-view mirror onto AEOLUS Haohan model Effective from July 1, a new regulation on motor vehicles indirect vision devices will be officially implemented in China, signaling the legal acceptance of electronic rear-view mirrors on automobiles. BYD-backed DENZA to launch DENZA N7 model on July 3 DENZA, the premium auto brand majority-backed by BYD, is set to launch the DENZA N7 model on July 3. Changan Automobile nominates AICC as supplier for intelligent driving products In a recent development, AICC (Automotive Intelligence and Control of China) has officially been selected by Chinese automaker Changan Automobile as a supplier of the latter's mass production projects. Changan DEEPAL announces price range of S7 SUV On June 25, DEEPAL, the new energy vehicle brand under Changan Automobile, announced the official price range of the S7 model. Deliveries of the model will commence on June 30. BYD launches DOLPHIN BEV model in Australian market, starting at AUD$38,890 BYD, in partnership with its Australian collaborator EV Direct, introduced the BYD DOLPHIN during a launch event at Sea World in Gold Coast on June 22. Chinas locally-made passenger vehicle retail sales likely to grow 5% MoM in June 2023: CPCA China's domestic passenger vehicle ("PV") retail sales are anticipated to reach 1.83 million units in June 2023, which should climb 5% from the previous month, but fell 5.9% from the previous year mainly due to the high base for the year-ago period, according to the China Passenger Car Association ("CPCA"). Israel and Morocco to collaborate on environment Tel Aviv, June 25: Israel and Morocco have agreed to expand cooperation on environment and climate issues. Israel and Morocco to collaborate on environment This was announced after a trip to Rabat this weekend by Israel's Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, whose parents immigrated to Israel from Morocco as children.Silman met with Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco Leila Benali in the capital of the North African nation on Friday. It marked the first visit there by an Israeli environment minister since the signing of the Abraham Accords.The memorandum of understanding that will be inked by the two governments will include a framework for cooperation between research institutions, entrepreneurs and public and private bodies, Israel's Energy Ministry said in a statement."The strengthening of working relations between the governments in the area of environmental protection will add another layer of the deep connection between the Moroccan and Israeli people," Silman said after the meeting."Morocco and Israel have similar challenges in the field of waste management, renewable energies, preservation of the marine and coastal environment, and more, and I believe that creating a common professional language regarding the issues of climate and sustainability is an important aim," the minister added.The meeting was also attended by the Israeli Environment Ministry's Director General Guy Samet and Deputy Director General Yonatan Oz, Ambassador to Morocco Shai Cohen and Deputy Ambassador Eyal David.Silman also visited a synagogue in Rabat.Israel and Morocco normalized relations in December 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.An estimated one million Israelis are either from Morocco or are of Moroccan descent. Approximately 3,000 Jews currently live in the North African country.More than 200,000 Israelis visited Morocco in 2022, as coronavirus travel restrictions came to an end. (ANI/TPS)ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! Egypt, India looking forward to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties, says former Indian diplomat New Delhi, June 26: Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian has said that Egypt conferring Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its highest state honour showed that both the nations are looking forward to strengthening the bilateral ties with each other. Egypt, India looking forward to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties, says former Indian diplomat Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi bestowed the 'Order of the Nile' upon PM Modi in Cairo on Sunday."Yes as you know Egypt's President El Sisi was a chief guest on our Republic Day this year. And, right now our Prime Minister has gone there for a state visit and is being awarded the highest state honour of the country. It means, Egypt and India both are looking forward to strengthening and deepening the bilateral ties with each other," Fabian told ANI.The PM's visit also highlighted that Egypt's relationship is very important to India, he added.He also spoke on the ongoing Russian crisis and said that as per the agreement, Wagner mercenary forces Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus and there will be no further proceedings against him or his mercenaries."It is an agreement, that Prigozhin will move to Belarus, and that there will be no further proceedings against him or his mercenaries, or all the mercenaries will register with the military," Fabian said.On Saturday Prigozhin decided to halt his march to Moscow after the Belarusian president stated he was in talks with Prigozhin about an agreement to "de-escalate tensions."Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus wrote, "At 9 p.m. tonight, the Presidents spoke again by phone. The President of Belarus Lukashenko informed the President of Russia about the results of negotiations w/ the leader of the Wagner Group. President Putin thanked his counterpart for the work done."On being asked about Russian democracy, the former Indian envoy said, "Well, Russia is not exactly a democracy... you know what I mean. But it has its own type of government but in any case, the present crisis has been resolved."He further added, "Russian President Putin has brought it to a close instead of Prigozhin's forces coming to Moscow because they couldn't have come to Moscow in any case unless there was a split in the Russian military, which was not there. So, this small force should have been annihilated but that means Russians shedding Russian blood which obviously Putin did not want."On Saturday morning, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a Telegram post, announced that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into southern Russia and were ready to go "all the way" against the Russian military, TASS News Agency reported.He said he and his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. "But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way," he said, adding, "We are moving forward and will go until the end."However, later, as soon as the armed mutiny came to an end, Russia also announced that the charges against Wagner Chief Prigozhin would be dropped.The Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S Peskov said Prigozhin will go to Belarus, and the fighters who rebelled with him would not be prosecuted by law given their "service at the front.""Wagner fighters who did not participate in the mutiny can sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense," New York Times quoted Peskov as saying.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! G20: 3rd Infrastructure Working Group meet to kickstart in Rishikesh from today Dehradun, June 26: The third G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) meeting under India's presidency is going to be held in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh from Monday. G20: 3rd Infrastructure Working Group meet to kickstart in Rishikesh from today A total of 63 delegates from G-20 member countries, invitees and international organizations are expected to take forward the discussions held during the second IWG meeting in Visakhapatnam in March, an official statement said.The G-20 Infrastructure Working Group deliberates on various aspects of infrastructure investment, including developing infrastructure as an asset class, promoting quality infrastructure investment, and mobilizing financial resources for infrastructure investment.The concrete progress towards various work streams of the 2023 Infrastructure Agenda will be discussed in the meeting. The discussion on 'Financing Cities of Tomorrow, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable' is the top most priority to be discussed in this meeting, the statement said.During the three-day meeting, apart from formal discussions, various official meetings and cultural programs have been planned for the delegates. The delegates will also be made to experience the rich culture and natural beauty of Rishikesh. A tour for the delegates has also been arranged on June 28 at 2 pm.Two seminars are also being organized on the sidelines of IWG meetings. A 'High-Level Seminar on Roadmap for Sustainable Cities' is also being organized in partnership with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Monday.Discussions over three sessions will give G20 decision-makers an opportunity to hear from key challenges ranging from climate change to infrastructure resilience, exploring the role of rapid urbanisation, and inclusivity, technology, infratech and digitalisation.Delegates will also learn from Indonesia's unique approach to launching the development of Nusantara, one of the world's most ambitious cities. International and national experts are also joining the discussion.A dinner interaction will also be hosted to provide the delegates with an opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and relish the local cuisine. A 'Yoga Retreat' has also been planned for the delegates on Monday.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modis commitment to democracy helped country recover from wounds of Emergency: Jitendra Singh Jammu, June 25: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to democracy had helped the country recover from the wounds of Emergency, which would always remain a lack spot in the history of post-independence India. PM Modi's commitment to democracy helped country recover from wounds of Emergency: Jitendra Singh Addressing an "Intellectual Sammelan" at the Jammu Club, the Union Minister recalled the contentious phase in the country's political history on the 48th anniversary of the Emergency, which was imposed by the erstwhile Congress under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jitendra Singh said, "The Emergency imposed in 1975 trampled and suppressed democracy. However, democracy is in India's DNA and that is why the nation could come out unscathed from the darkest period of post-independence times.""India is indeed the Mother of Democracies," the Union minister said, adding, "Democracy runs in the spirit and veins of a common Indian.""Evaluation of 'Dark Period- The Period of Emergency' in India's history is important so that the young generation can understand the meaning and significance of true democracy, its value, and the sacrifices given by our seniors to save and sustain it," he said.Hailing the commitment of leaders and people, who stood up and resisted the Emergency at the time, the Union minister said, "The leaders of Jan Sangh supported the pro-democracy movement led by Jai Prakash Narain and rose against the draconian measures taken by the government. Jan Sangh followed the Mantra of 'Nation First, Self Last' in true spirit and as a party dissolved itself to join the JP movement."He added, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will always be remembered for laying the strong foundation of India's democracy as it was only possible during his period that each benefit of democracy reached the last man in the last queue without any discrimination."Recalling Winston Churchill's words that India won't survive as a democracy even for half a century after gaining freedom, Singh said, "Had Churchill been alive today, he would have regretted his statement seeing India growing as a vibrant democracy under Narendra Modi and leading the world in every sphere. Today, India has even left behind Churchill's UK in many spheres including the economy.""The world today not only recognises India as a stable democracy but also a force to reckon with. This was evident from PM Modi's just concluded USA visit when even the USA visibly accepted India as an equal partner in all the bilateral engagements," he added.He said, "Under PM Narendra Modi, India's moment has arrived. It is India's decade and India's century."ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! To stay on the show, you must be hundred percent real: Salman Khan on Bigg Boss OTT 2 Mumbai, June 25: Superstar Salman Khan, who is currently seen hosting the show 'Bigg Boss OTT 2' has credited it for making the audience smart and said that it is important to be eal on the reality series. To stay on the show, you must be hundred percent real: Salman Khan on 'Bigg Boss OTT 2' He said, "Big Boss has made the audience smart. Bigg Boss is all about being real - good or bad does not matter, that's for the audience to judge. But to stay on the show you must be hundred percent real. The audience enjoys the drama and fights but is smart enough to call out the fakes."During the weekend ka vaar, Salman called Akanksha Puri a false narrator. He bashed her for creating a wrong picture of Bebika Dhurve.Meanwhile, Manisha Rani has declared her aim to be an inspiration to women in her society. During a conversation, she expressed her desire to tear down barriers and urge women to pursue their ambitions. Manisha seeks to teach women they have limitless potential and encourages them to achieve their dreams with unflinching dedication and a clear purpose. She aspires to be an example who inspires and uplifts women to reach their goals.On the other hand, Jad Hadid talked about missing his daughter, Cattleya Hadid, and cherishes the memories they created in Dubai.ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! Impact digital health startup Karma Primary Healthcare raises Series A Capital from Innospark Ventures, 1Crowd, Aanshi LLP and angel investors Hunk Golden and Media, Hyderabad, June 26: Karma Primary Healthcare, an impact-first, technology-enabled healthcare startup, has raised Series A equity funding from a consortium of investors led by Innospark Ventures, 1Crowd, Innovative Directions, Aanshi LLP, Social Innovation Circle, Sunil Mishra and other prominent angel investors. Impact digital health startup Karma Primary Healthcare raises Series A Capital from Innospark Ventures, 1Crowd, Aanshi LLP and angel investors In addition to this, the organization has also raised support from Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), funded in part by Global Affairs Canada, through GCC's Transition to Scale program.Rural India is home to more than 700 million people and their vibrant culture, but it also faces substantial challenges in accessing reliable and affordable healthcare services. Karma Primary Healthcare sees this as a strategic healthcare opportunity to increase awareness, promote preventive healthcare, improve supply chain efficiencies, and improve curative service delivery.The company's vision is to leverage digital technology as an enabler to interlink above mentioned opportunities. Over 8 years, Karma has built a robust and comprehensive primary healthcare delivery solution that provides real-time online video consultations and delivers healthcare to users via its facility-based, paramedic-assisted clinics. These clinics deliver a comprehensive ecosystem of clinical treatment, quality medicines and diagnostics. The company also partners with other public health organizations for disease-specific programs like COVID, diabetes etc.Jagdeep Gambhir, Founder and CEO of Karma Primary Healthcare said, "Access to quality healthcare should not be a privilege limited to urban areas. Digital innovations to bridge this healthcare divide presents a significant opportunity. Through last 8 years, we at Karma have honed the necessary skills and operating model to deliver primary healthcare to rural India. We look to expand our clinic footprint to 80 clinics in 7 states. We also look to create linkages with secondary and tertiary players to create a seamless patient experience. We are thankful to our incoming and existing investors that have shown faith in our business model, its impact and potential.Deepak Verma, Operating Partner at Innospark Ventures said ""We believe Karma is addressing a significant challenge how to provide longitudinal care, with specialist MD consultations as and when required, to rural populations, without expecting patients to travel for hours to access quality care. Over time, as Karma's footprint continues to grow, the company will provide better diagnostics and care, for more diseases, at more affordable prices, while substantially improving patient outcomes."Anil Gudibande, Co-founder at 1Crowd said "Jagdeep is a phenomenal leader driving disruption through rural and semi-urban India in what is otherwise a very challenging space. We believe Karma has been one of the pioneers in redefining the primary healthcare space in rural and semi-urban India.Their impact-led phygital approach has made healthcare more accessible and equitable, helping touch millions of lives of those who previously lacked access to such services. With the ability to provide medical consultations, quality medicines through network pharmacies, preventive care and health education, Karma ensures a continuum of care for anyone walking through its doors. Karma, synonymous with quality primary healthcare in rural and semi-urban households, is fostering a profound impact on the community and India as a whole."Anshul Magotra, Co-Founder and Partner, Social Innovation Circle said "The impact generated by Karma in the delivery of healthcare in rural India is creating a ripple effect. Through their comprehensive healthcare approach, they have been able to provide medical consultations, preventive care, and health education to millions of individuals who previously lacked access to such services. This proactive approach helps in early detection and management of health issues and empowers communities to take charge of their well-being."Pulkit Aggrwal, Portfolio Manager at Grand Challenges Canada said "By focusing on providing primary healthcare services in rural areas, particularly for women and young children, the company is tackling important health disparities and ensuring that essential medical services are accessible to those who need them the most. This initiative aligns with Grand Challenges Canada's investment principles, as we believe in the power of innovation to drive positive change and improve health outcomes of underserved populations."Aiming to solve a big and meaningful problem of rural healthcare, Karma Primary Healthcare's success and scale-up can herald a new revolution in healthcare access in rural India.For further information about the companyFor further information, please contactSonia Kulkarni | Hunk Golden and Media9820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by Hunk Golden and Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! 369Hub Ventures acquires Ackrolix Innovations, Pioneering a Paradigm Shift in Ad Agency Ecosystem ThePRTree, New Delhi, June 26: 369Hub Ventures, a prominent player in the advertising and marketing industry, has made a groundbreaking move by acquiring Ackrolix Innovations. 369Hub Ventures acquires Ackrolix Innovations, Pioneering a Paradigm Shift in Ad Agency Ecosystem This acquisition is set to pave the way for a paradigm shift in the ad agency ecosystem, particularly in Delhi, India. As part of the Billion Dollar ecosystem under District 369, which spans across India, UAE, and the USA, 369Hub Ventures is renowned for its expertise and experience, boasting a cumulative track record of over 45+ cumulative years in advertising and marketing.The services offered by 369Hub Ventures encompass a wide range of solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. The agency's service offerings fall under three distinct categories Consulting, Creative, and Digital solutions. These comprehensive services cater to clients ranging from startups to corporate entities, providing them with unparalleled strategies and innovative marketing solutions.Upon the completion of this landmark acquisition, Saleem Nawaz Mandi Shaikh, the Director of 369Hub Ventures Private Limited, expressed his excitement and vision for the future. He stated, "With the integration of Ackrolix Innovations into our ecosystem, we are poised to create a new era of advertising excellence. This strategic move strengthens our capabilities and expands our reach, allowing us to better serve our clients and drive their success in an evolving industry landscape."Directors of Ackrolix Innovations Private Limited, Jay Gulati, Vivek Mandal, and Subrata Sarkar, also shared their thoughts on this significant milestone. Jay Gulati emphasized, "By joining forces with 369Hub Ventures, we are opening doors to limitless possibilities. Our shared vision and synergies will allow us to revolutionize the ad agency ecosystem and unlock unparalleled growth opportunities."Vivek Mandal further added, "This acquisition not only amplifies our strengths but also enables us to tap into a wider network of clients and resources. We are confident that together, we will set new benchmarks in the industry."Subrata Sarkar echoed the sentiment, stating, "The integration of our expertise and capabilities with 369Hub Ventures represents a turning point in the advertising landscape. This partnership will enable us to deliver innovative, data-driven strategies to our clients, propelling their businesses to new heights."This strategic move by 369Hub Ventures, in acquiring Ackrolix Innovations, marks a significant shift in the ad agency ecosystem. With their expanded range of services and increased expertise, the combined entity is well-positioned to offer comprehensive solutions to clients, empowering them to navigate the ever-evolving advertising landscape effectively.This acquisition is expected to create ripples throughout the industry, particularly in Delhi, as it brings together two powerhouse organizations that are at the forefront of innovation and creativity. The synergy between 369Hub Ventures and Ackrolix Innovations is set to set new standards in advertising, raising the bar for excellence and driving positive change in the Indian market.As 369Hub Ventures continues to spearhead advancements in the ad agency ecosystem, clients can look forward to receiving cutting-edge strategies, groundbreaking campaigns, and holistic digital solutions. With their collective expertise and passion for driving success, this acquisition signals a promising future for both agencies and their clients alike.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by ThePRTree. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 June 2023 Shared Recently! Rainwater gushes down street in Rajasthans Jodhpur Jodhpur, June 26: Rainwater gushes down a street in Rajasthan's Jodhpur, as heavy rains continued to lash several parts of the state. Rainwater gushes down street in Rajasthan's Jodhpur Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the highest rainfall in Jodhpur at 64 mm till 530 pm.Earlier today, IMD issued an alert of heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall likely in some places over, East Rajasthan on June 29, Chhattisgarh on June 26, East Madhya Pradesh on June 26 and 27 and West Madhya Pradesh on June 27 and 28.Significantly, rains have been lashing several parts of the state resulting in heavy damage to the infrastructure. It also caused the blockage of several roads and highways.Moreover, the Himachal Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, on Monday, issued an advisory for tourists amid rains lashing several parts of the state asking them to secure their safety."Due to the heavy rainfall experienced in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, urges tourists to prioritize their safety when planning a visit to the state", said the Official statement.Moreover, the southwest monsoon advanced over Mumbai and Delhi together for the first time in decades as heavy rainfall with lightning and thunderstorm lashed the two cities on Sunday.ANI27 June 2023 Shared Recently! Beijing (Gasgoo)- On June 25, DEEPAL, the new energy vehicle brand under Changan Automobile, announced the official price range of the S7 model. Deliveries of the model will commence on June 30. Coming with two powertrain options and five trim levels, the S7 starts at 149,900 yuan, which is significantly lowered by over 30,000 yuan compared to the models pre-sale price. Launch event; photo credit: DEEPAL The extended-range version of the S7 is available in three different variants, namely, the 121PRO, 121MAX, and 200MAX, priced between149,900 yuan and 169,900 yuan. These variants come with two battery-only range options of 121 km and 200 km, respectively. On the other hand, the pure-electric version of the S7 includes the 520MAX and 620MAX trim levels, which are priced at 189,900 yuan and 202,900 yuan, respectively. Riding on the EPA1 platform, the new DEEPAL S7 is positioned as a midsize SUV. The interior of the S7 continues to feature a floating central control screen and significantly simplified physical buttons, almost eliminating the need for any physical controls. The traditional instrument panel has been replaced by a combination of an AR-HUD and the sunflower-like central touchscreen, providing comprehensive driving information to the driver. S7 interior ; photo credit: DEEPAL The AR-HUD measures 53 inches, while the central touchscreen boasts a size of 15.6 inches. The central screen on the DEEPAL S7 holds the ability to rotate up to 15 degrees in either direction, based on the principle of ergonomics. The screen can rotate to track the drivers eyesight like a sunflower, with rotation angle controlled via voice commands. In terms of power, the pure electric version of the S7 is equipped with a 160kW electric motor, allowing for a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 6.7 seconds. The extended-range models feature a peak power output of 175kW from the electric motor and are complemented by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power of 70kW. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University have been awarded a $9.8 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, to help combat cancer disparities fueled by persistent poverty. The competitive award, will engage faculty members from Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University School of Nursing and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in a collaborative effort to develop a specialized research center and spearhead two large projects in four communities of persistent poverty in New York City. We were one of only five centers the NCI funded, and the only one in New York City and the Northeast, so we're really delighted. The NCI wanted to fund centers that came up with novel, creative, innovative ways to close health equity gaps. While we're not able to eliminate persistent poverty, we can mitigate some of its influences on cancer." Dr. Rulla Tamimi, contact principal investigator, chief of epidemiology in the Department of Population Health Sciences and associate director of population science at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine The overall center will be led by a multi-principal investigator team that includes Drs. Erica Phillips from Weill Cornell Medicine, and Mary Beth Terry and Phoenix Matthews at Columbia. "This initiative continues important collaborations across Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine related to public health initiatives to reduce the cancer burden, which is crucial given that cancer remains the No. 1 reason for premature mortality in New York City," said Dr. Terry, a professor of epidemiology from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and a member of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. Weill Cornell Medicine's Center for Social Capital (SoCa) will use the grant to tackle two complementary projects promoting multi-generational cancer awareness and health in South Bronx, North-Central Brooklyn, Washington Heights and Western Queens, working with many community partners. The first project, led by Dr. Phillips, will test the effectiveness of a six-week cancer education and social justice curriculum among middle-school students at 10 New York City public schools. The curriculum, delivered by the schools' primary science teachers, will explore cancer prevention and control from six distinct vantage points: social justice; media literacy and tobacco advertising; nutrition; cancer genetics; biotech; and risk reduction. The work will be conducted collaboratively with Columbia investigators, along with the national nonprofit Math for America, which strives to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) instruction in NYC public schools. "We've recognized that students, especially middle school students who at a developmental stage of wanting autonomy, are uniquely suited to be influencers," said Dr. Phillips, who is the Jack Fishman Associate Professor of Cancer Prevention, an associate professor of clinical medicine and associate director of community outreach and engagement in the Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine. "If we can teach kids the science behind cancer, the social determinants that impact higher cancer rates within particular communities, we can empower them to make a difference in their own communities and households. "We also know that poverty is multi-generational and is linked to unemployment," Dr. Phillips added. "We know the future is in STEM careers, so this project is also about enhancing the exposure kids receive to STEM-based careers so that they can be gainfully employed and leaders down the line." The second project, led by Dr. Matthews from Columbia's School of Nursing, will implement an innovative tobacco cessation trial using federally qualified health centers and patient portal technology. The team will work directly with safety-net health care clinics to increase patient awareness of free smoking cessation treatments offered by the New York State Tobacco Quitline. Investigators will use an established patient portal to directly communicate with patients about changes they make to their smoking behaviors. "Addressing smoking and smoking-related health inequalities among patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds remains an important public health priority," said Dr. Matthews, who is a professor of behavioral sciences (in nursing) and a member of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Low-income patients encounter numerous barriers to accessing affordable and effective smoking cessation treatments. This approach will build the capacity of safety-net clinics to support providers in increasing patient access to evidence-based smoking cessation counseling in a way that minimizes costs and provider burden." Also integral to SoCa and the grant is support for early-career researchers, who will hopefully carry the torch forward to continue to advance health care equity. The grant's Career Enhancement Core, co-led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Yazmin Carrasco, will work with aspirant doctors, scientists and health care professionals who are between their undergraduate and graduate training and who hail from communities underrepresented in the field. The team will help these trainees obtain NIH diversity supplement research grants and give them access to training opportunities that will empower them to study health issues that affect their own communities. Additionally, the team will develop a capacity building program that accelerates pre-faculty investigators who are committed to cancer health disparities in impoverished communities to attain research funding and strengthening their position for academic promotion. "At the end of the day, representation matters," said Dr. Carrasco, who is assistant dean for diversity and inclusion at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and an assistant professor of education research in pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine. "It's so important to have individuals who come from communities impacted by cancer health disparities, from all races and backgrounds, so that we can impact innovation, creativity, enhance the rigor of science and, ultimately, influence health equity." Other key collaborators in the grant include Dr. Jasmine McDonald, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health and a member of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, who will be involved in the cancer prevention curriculum as well as co-leads the Career Enhancement Core; as well as Dr. Marlene Camacho-Rivera, assistant dean for student affairs and an assistant professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, who will develop pilot projects as part of the grant's Developmental Core. Dr. Laura Pinheiro, an assistant professor of health services research in medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Dr. Jeanine Genkinger, an associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School, will lead the center's Research and Methods Core. "We have accumulated evidence that structural and social determinants of health impact cancer health inequities, and we now need to develop interventions that are aimed at multiple levels of influence including individual, interpersonal, community and societal," Dr. Tamimi said. "This center will allow us to do just that and cultivate the next generation of investigators who are dedicated to eliminating cancer health disparities in impoverished communities." The management of KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, a well-known Berlin-based manufacturer of high-tech laboratory instruments, had the honor of welcoming Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs, Ms. Franziska Giffey (SPD), and State Secretary Michael Biel to the company's headquarters on June 14. The visit was part of the "Made in Berlin" event series initiated by Ms. Giffey's predecessor Mr. Stephan Schwarz. Continuing this tradition of visiting manufacturing companies, Senator Giffey is seeking dialogue with the managers and their employees in order to make Berlin's dynamic and innovative economy more visible and to discuss its needs and development in talks on site. Ms. Giffey used the visit to acknowledge KNAUER's commitment and innovations and also to engage directly with the workforce. She was given an insight into the strategies and production processes that enable the company to bring cutting-edge technologies to the market. Thomas Muller, head of production at KNAUER, gave an interesting insight into mechanical production and instrument assembly during a tour, while Dr. Ulrike Krop, application expert at KNAUER, informed the visitors about the instruments and applications in the laboratory. Cutting-edge technology and support for those who develop it further must go hand in hand to be successful in the competitive laboratory market. "It is a great honor for us to welcome Senator Giffey and State Secretary Biel here at KNAUER," Carsten Losch, Managing Director at KNAUER They added,"We are pleased to have the opportunity to show our company and talk to the Senator about our challenges and successes." The visit began with a round of talks, during which the senator and her state secretary were informed by the managing directors and the founding couple about the company's growth, product range and latest business field. For her part, the senator spoke about her priorities in her new office and was particularly interested in the IJM systems developed during the Corona pandemic for the production of lipid nanoparticles, which are important for mRNA vaccines. BioNTech's Corona vaccine Comirnaty is produced using these novel systems from KNAUER. KNAUER was honored for its innovative achievements as a "Vorsprung" award winner at the East German Business Forum in Bad Saarow on June 11. Surprisingly for Senator Giffey, many KNAUER employees were waiting in the company courtyard when she left. She enthusiastically praised the employees: "Great example of Berlin's economy, with innovative strength and the great products that represent Berlin in the world." For the finale, there was still a joint photo. The visit provided an ideal opportunity for a productive exchange about the current challenges not only in terms of decarbonization and skills shortages but also about the opportunities and strengths of Berlin's SME sector and underlined KNAUER's commitment to innovation, quality and local production. Based in Berlin-Zehlendorf, KNAUER develops and manufactures laboratory equipment for the life science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, environmental and food industries. The company is best known for liquid chromatography systems and components, but also played a crucial role in the production of lipid nanoparticles for mRNA corona vaccines with its newly developed equipment. Company owner Alexandra Knauer manages the family business together with Carsten Losch. Both are committed to sustainable and responsible corporate governance with a focus on the users, the 190 employees and society. More about KNAUER at www.knauer.net When the FDA first asserted the authority to regulate e-cigarettes in 2016, many people assumed the agency would quickly get rid of vapes with flavors like cotton candy, gummy bears, and Froot Loops that appeal to kids. Instead, the FDA allowed all e-cigarettes already on the market to stay while their manufacturers applied for the OK to market them. Seven years later, vaping has ballooned into an $8.2 billion industry, and manufacturers are flooding the market with thousands of products most sold illegally and without FDA permission that can be far more addictive. "The FDA has failed to protect public health," said Eric Lindblom, a former senior adviser to the director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products. "It's a tragedy." Yet the FDA isn't the only entity that has tolerated the selling of vapes to kids. Multiple players in and out of Washington have declined to act, tied the agency's hands, or neglected to provide the FDA with needed resources. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump both have prevented the FDA from broadly banning candy-flavored vapes. Meanwhile, today's vapes have become "bigger, badder, and cheaper" than older models, said Robin Koval, CEO of the Truth Initiative, a tobacco control advocacy group. The enormous amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes up 76% over five years can addict kids in a matter of days, Koval said. E-cigarettes in the U.S. now contain nicotine concentrations that are, on average, more than twice the level allowed in Canada and Europe. The U.S. sets no limits on the nicotine content of any tobacco product. "We've never delivered this level of nicotine before," said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which opposes youth vaping. "We really don't know the long-term health implications." Elijah Stone was 19 when he tried his first e-cigarette at a party. He was a college freshman, grappling with depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and "looking for an escape." Store clerks never asked for his ID. Stone said he was "hooked instantly." "The moment I felt that buzz, how was I supposed to go back after I felt that?" asked Stone, now 23, of Los Angeles. The e-cigarette industry maintains that higher nicotine concentrations can help adults who smoke heavily switch from combustible cigarettes to vaping products, which are relatively less harmful to them. The FDA has approved high-nicotine, tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes for that purpose, said April Meyers, CEO of the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association. "The goal is to get people away from combustible products," said Nicholas Minas Alfaro, CEO of Puff Bar, one of the most popular brands with kids last year. Yet Alfaro acknowledged, "These products are addictive products; there's no hiding that." Although e-cigarettes don't produce tar, they do contain harmful chemicals, such as nicotine and formaldehyde. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that vaping poses significant risks: including damage to the heart, lungs, and parts of the brain that control attention and learning, as well as an increased risk of addiction to other substances. More than 2.5 million kids used e-cigarettes in 2022, including 14% of high school students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most U.S. teen vapers begin puffing within an hour of waking up, according to a survey of e-cigarette users ages 16 to 19 presented at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco in March. The potential for profits and lax enforcement of vaping laws has led to a gold rush. The number of unique vaping products, as measured by their bar codes, quadrupled in just one year, rising from 453 in June 2021 to 2,023 in June 2022, according to a Truth Initiative review of U.S. retail sales data. FDA officials say they've been overwhelmed by the volume of e-cigarette marketing applications 26 million in all. "There is no regulatory agency in the world that has had to deal with a volume like that," said Brian King, who became director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products in July 2022. The agency has struggled to stop e-cigarette makers who continue selling vapes despite the FDA's rejection of the products, as well as manufacturers who never bothered to apply for authorization, and counterfeiters hoping to earn as much money as possible before being shut down. In 2018, public health groups sued the agency, charging that the delay in reviewing applications put kids at risk. Although a court ordered the FDA to finish the job by September 2021, the FDA missed that deadline. An estimated 1.2 million people under the legal age of 21 began vaping over the next year, according to a study published in May in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Recently, the FDA announced it has made decisions on 99% of e-cigarette applications, noting that it had rejected millions and authorized 23. All authorized products have traditional tobacco flavors, and were deemed "appropriate for the protection of public health" because tobacco-flavored products aren't popular with children but provide adult smokers with a less dangerous alternative, King said. The agency has yet to make final decisions on the most popular products on the market. Those applications are longer and need more careful scientific review, said Mitch Zeller, former director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products and a current advisory board member for Qnovia, which is developing smoking-cessation products. The FDA said it would not complete reviewing applications by the end of June, as it previously forecast, but would need until the end of the year. Before the FDA can announce new tobacco policies, it needs approval from the president who doesn't always agree with the FDA's priorities. For example, Obama rejected FDA officials' proposal to ban kid-friendly flavors in 2016. And in 2020, Trump backpedaled on his own plan to pull most flavored vapes off the market. Instead of banning all fruit and minty flavors, the Trump administration banned them only in "cartridge-based" devices such as Juul. The flavor ban didn't affect vapes without cartridges, such as disposable e-cigarettes. The result was predictable, Zeller said. Teens switched in droves from Juul to brands that weren't affected by the ban, including disposable vapes such as Puff Bar, which were allowed to continue selling candy-flavored vapes. After receiving its own warning letter from the FDA last year, Puff Bar now sells only zero-nicotine vapes, Alfaro said. When the FDA does attempt bold action, legal challenges often force it to halt or even reverse course. The FDA ordered Juul to remove its products from the market in June 2022, for example, but was immediately hit with a lawsuit. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit sided with Juul and issued a temporary stay on the FDA's order. Within weeks, the FDA announced it would hold off on enforcing its order because of "scientific issues unique to the JUUL application that warrant additional review." E-cigarette makers Logic and R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. both sued the FDA after the agency ordered them to stop selling menthol vapes, a flavor popular with teens. In both cases, court-imposed stays halted the FDA's orders pending review and the companies' menthol products remain on the market. Luis Pinto, a spokesperson for parent company Reynolds American, said, "We remain confident in the quality of all of Reynolds' applications, and we believe that there is ample evidence for FDA to determine that the marketing of these products is appropriate for the protection of public health." Under the Biden administration, the FDA has begun to step up enforcement efforts. It fined 12 e-cigarette manufacturers more than $19,000 each, and has issued more than 1,500 warning letters to manufacturers. The FDA also issued warnings to 120,000 retailers for selling illegal products or selling to customers under 21, King said. Five of the companies that received warning letters made vapes decorated with cartoon characters, such as Minions, or were shaped like toys, including Nintendo Game Boys or walkie-talkies. In May, the FDA put Elfbar and other unauthorized vapes from China on its "red list," which allows FDA agents to detain shipments without inspection at the border. On June 22, the FDA announced it has issued warning letters to an additional 189 retailers for selling unauthorized tobacco products, specifically Elfbar and Esco Bars products, noting that both brands are disposable e-cigarettes that come in flavors known to appeal to youth, including bubblegum and pink lemonade. In October, the Justice Department for the first time filed lawsuits against six e-cigarette manufacturers on behalf of the FDA, seeking "to stop the illegal manufacture and sale of unauthorized vaping products." Some lawmakers say the Justice Department should play a larger role in prosecuting companies selling kid-friendly e-cigarettes. "Make no mistake: There are more than six e-cigarette manufacturers selling without authorization on the market," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said in a March letter. Children are "vaping with unauthorized products that are on store shelves only because FDA has seemingly granted these illegal e-cigarettes a free pass." When Kristie Fields was undergoing treatment for breast cancer nine years ago, she got some unsolicited advice at the hospital: Share your story on the local news, a nurse told her. Viewers would surely send money. Fields, a Navy veteran and former shipyard worker, was 37 and had four kids at home. The food processing plant where her husband worked had just closed. And Fields' medical care had left the family thousands of dollars in debt. It was a challenging time, said Fields, who has become an outspoken advocate for cancer patients in her community. But Fields and her husband, Jermaine, knew they wouldn't go public with their struggles. "We just looked at each other like, 'Wait. What?'" Fields recalled. "No. We're not doing that." It was partly pride, she said. But there was another reason, too. "A lot of people have misperceptions and stereotypes that most African American people will beg," explained Fields, who is Black. "You just don't want to be looked at as needy." Health care debt now burdens an estimated 100 million people in the U.S., according to a KFF Health News-NPR investigation. And Black Americans are 50% more likely than white Americans to go into debt for medical or dental care. But while people flock to crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe seeking help with their medical debts, asking strangers for money has proven a less appealing option for many patients. Black Americans use GoFundMe far less than white Americans, studies show. And those who do typically bring in less money. The result threatens to deepen long-standing racial inequalities. "Our social media is inundated with stories of campaigns that do super well and that are being shared all over the place," said Nora Kenworthy, a health care researcher at the University of Washington in Bothell who studies medical crowdfunding. "Those are wonderful stories, and theyre not representative of the typical experience." In one recent study, Kenworthy and other researchers looked at 827 medical campaigns on GoFundMe that in 2020 had raised more than $100,000. They found only five were for Black women. Of those, two had white organizers. GoFundMe officials acknowledge that the platform is an imperfect way to finance medical bills and that it reaches only a fraction of people in need. But for years, health care has been the largest category of campaigns on the site. This year alone, GoFundMe has recorded a 20% increase in cancer-related fundraisers, said spokesperson Heidi Hagberg. As Fields learned, some medical providers even encourage their patients to turn to crowdfunding. The divergent experience of Black patients with this approach to medical debt may reflect the persistent wealth gap separating Black and white Americans, Kenworthy said. "Your friends tend to be the same race as you," she said. "And so, when you turn to those friends through crowdfunding for assistance, you are essentially tapping into their wealth and their income." Nationally, the median white family now has about $184,000 in assets such as homes, savings, and retirement accounts, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The assets of the median Black family total just $23,000. But there is another reason Black Americans use crowdfunding less, Fields and others said: a sensitivity about being judged for seeking help. Fields is the daughter of a single mom who worked fast-food jobs while going to school. The family never had much. But Fields said her mother gave her and her brother a strict lesson: getting a hand from family and friends is one thing. Asking strangers is something else. "In the Black community, a lot of the older generation do not take handouts because you are feeding into the stereotype," Fields said. Her mother, whom Fields said never missed paying a bill, refused to seek assistance even after she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer that drove her into debt. She died in 2019. Confronting the stereotypes can be painful, Fields said. But her mother left her with another lesson. "You can't control people's thoughts," Fields said at a conference in Washington, D.C., organized by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. "But you can control what you do." Fields said she was fortunate that she and her husband could rely on a tight network of relatives and friends during her cancer treatment. "I have a strong family support system. So, one month my mom would take the car payment, and his aunt would do the groceries or whatever we needed. It was always someone in the family that said, 'OK, we got you.'" That meant she didn't have to turn to the local news or to a crowdfunding site like GoFundMe. UCLA political scientist Martin Gilens said Fields' sensitivity is understandable. "Theres a sort of a centuries-long suspicion of the poor, a cynicism about the degree of true need," said Gilens, the author of Why Americans Hate Welfare. Starting in the 1960s, that cynicism was reinforced by the growing view that poverty was a Black problem, even though there are far more white Americans living in poverty, according to census data. "The discourse on poverty shifted in a much more negative direction," Gilens explained, citing a rise in critical media coverage of Black Americans and poor urban neighborhoods that helped drive a backlash against government assistance programs in the 1980s and '90s. Fields, whose cancer is in remission, resolved that she would help others sidestep this stigma. After finishing treatment, she and her family began delivering groceries, gas cards, and even medical supplies to others undergoing cancer treatment. Fields is still working to pay off her medical debt. But this spring, she opened what she calls a cancer care boutique in a strip mall outside downtown Suffolk. PinkSlayer, as it's called, is a nonprofit store that offers wigs, prosthetics, and skin lotions, at discounted prices. "The one thing my mom always said was, 'You fight whatever spirit that you dont want near you,'" Fields said as she cut the ribbon on the store at a ceremony attended by friends and relatives. "We are fighting this cancer thing." In one corner of her small boutique, Fields installed a comfortable couch under a mural of pink and red roses. "When someone is in need, they dont want to be plastered all over your TV, all over Facebook, Instagram," Fields explained recently after opening the store. "They want to feel loved." In a recent report published on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website, the agency described how cases of all types of mosquito-borne diseases are increasing in Europe. Study: Increasing risk of mosquito-borne diseases in EU/EEA following spread of Aedes species. Image Credit: nechaevkon/Shutterstock.com Background Since the 1990s, invasive mosquitoes that colonize new territories have been increasing in Europe. Examples include Aedis mosquito species carrying dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Per recent ECDC data, Aedes albopictus, the well-recognized vector of dengue and chikungunya viruses, is spreading north and westwards in Europe. Likewise, Aedes aegypti (invasive), another mosquito species that transmits yellow fever, West Nile, and Zika viruses, has established itself in Cyprus and now spreading to other European countries. Accordingly, the ECDC documented more than expected cases, including deaths, due to these viruses, especially dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses, in previously unaffected geographical areas of the EU/EEA. About the study In the present study, researchers described that in 10 years, the Aedes species had established itself in 13 countries and 337 European regions, which implies that these regions have self-sustaining, overwintering, and reproducing mosquito populations. Around ten years ago, i.e., in 2013, the Aedes albopictus mosquito species had established in eight EU/EEA countries, while 114 regions were affected. The peak epidemic year for West Nile virus infections in the EU/EEA was 2018. In 2022, 1,133 human cases and 92 deaths due to this infection occurred in the EU/EEA, of which 11 countries, e.g., Germany and Spain, reported 1,112 locally acquired cases. Likewise, in 2022, in mainland EU/EEA, ECDC found 71 cases of locally acquired dengue, with 65 and six dengue cases in France and Spain, respectively. Of all tropical mosquito-borne diseases, dengue is endemic in >100 countries across most continents, including Africa, the Americas, Southern and Southern Eaernst Asia, and the Western Pacific region. However, now its incidence has dramatically increased globally in recent decades. Intriguingly, Aedes aegypti causes dengue globally, and Aedes albopictus causes dengue in Europe. However, both species breed in or near human inhabitants. Another worrisome disease caused by mosquitoes is West Nile virus disease. It commonly occurs in birds by the bite of virus-infected Culex pipiens mosquitoes. It also incidentally infects humans and other mammals, such as horses. In humans, ~80% of West Nile fever cases are asymptomatic; however, some of the most common clinical symptoms include headache, fever, rash, fatigue, and eye pain, to name a few. Notably, older adults and immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing West Nile fever, a fatal, neuroinvasive disease for which no prophylaxis or treatment is available. Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director said In recent years we have seen a geographical spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in the EU/EEA. If this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile fever. Efforts need to focus on ways to control mosquito populations, enhancing surveillance and enforcing personal protective measures. Conclusions ECDC experts recommended a three-pronged strategy to mitigate and control mosquito breeding. The first approach sustainably controls mosquito populations via eliminating their breeding ground, i.e., standing water sources, using environmentally safe larvicides, and spreading awareness in the community that mosquitoes are vectors of some extremely fatal diseases. It is also crucial to spread awareness among the masses, healthcare personnel, and travelers, especially those visiting countries where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic. Lastly, they recommended the use of personal protective measures to mitigate the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, e.g., insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets, mosquito repellent creams, sprays, sleeping in air-conditioned rooms, and wearing clothes that cover most body parts, especially legs, and arms. State and local governments will, over the next nearly two decades, receive billions of dollars from companies accused of sparking the opioid epidemic. KFF Health News is, in a yearlong series, investigating the use and misuse of this cash. Our stories provide a national perspective on issues ranging from the distribution formulas that determine how much money each locality receives to the lack of public reporting on how settlement dollars are spent. We've also compiled databases and sets of documents that we hope can help others investigate opioid settlement stories in their communities. Please always credit KFF Health News for the reporting and the people who created different data sets for those resources, as specified below. Tips to get started: 1. Learn the basics of where this money is coming from, what it can be used for, and who controls it. The existence and distribution of settlement funds are the result of a long and complex legal process. Here's a three-minute video that breaks down what you need to know to get started. What You Need to Know About the Opioid Settlement Funds Play Also check out these state-by-state guides created by Christine Minhee, founder of OpioidSettlementTracker.com, and the public health organization Vital Strategies. They provide a quick overview of how the money flows through each state. 2. Determine how much money your city, county, and state have received so far. KFF Health News obtained from the settlement administrator and made public for the first time a trove of documents that show how much money each government received from four opioid companies in 2022 and 2023. Once you know what your locality has received, you can ask officials questions about how it's being used. 3. Find out what information your state or local governments are required to report about their use of settlement funds. Start with this interactive map, created by KFF Health News and Minhee, of OpioidSettlementTracker.com. It synthesizes analysis of hundreds of written plans, statutes, executive orders, and public statements to show how much your state promises to publicly report about its spending. Click on a state to see details, including: The percentage of funds an average person would be able to track. The percentage of funds that will be reported to some oversight body but not necessarily shared with the public. To see the language that underpins these numbers including the specific laws and legal documents that require reporting on the money check out this table at OpioidSettlementTracker.com. 4. Access those reports. Once you know what your state is required to report, go find it. If reports are displayed online, links are shown via the interactive map. If reports are kept by an agency, that agency is identified in the table. Reach out and ask for the reports, citing the legal requirements listed in the table if necessary. If you cannot find a report despite it being mandated in legal language that may be a story itself. 5. Dig into the spending decisions. Once you have reports on how the funds were used, dig into specifics. The national settlements came with a list of recommended strategies. Check if your community's use aligns with them. Ask how these spending decisions were made. Were community members involved in identifying priorities? Was there a fair and open process to apply for grants? The settlement dollars will be paid out over nearly two decades. Do these reports reflect one-off spending decisions or ongoing allocations over that time? Is there a plan to evaluate the impact of the money after a few years and reshape future priorities? 6. If your state or local government has no public reporting requirement, that might be its own story. A KFF Health News investigation found nearly half of all states have not enacted any specific reporting requirements. If yours is one of them, ask why. Some have called settlement funds "blood money" for those who died of overdoses and feel they have a right to know how the payouts are used. You can use the interactive map to compare the level of transparency in your state to that of similar or neighboring states. Pay attention to not only the public reporting but also the reporting required to an oversight body; ask why that information is not made public as well. Talk to people in recovery, family members who have lost loved ones to overdoses, treatment providers, advocates, and others in the field about what consequences the lack of transparency is having in your community. 7. Check for any reports suggesting your state or local government spent money in ways unrelated to the opioid crisis. Even states that have no reporting requirements of their own are subject to a bare-minimum national standard: reporting how much money they use on expenses unrelated to the opioid epidemic. (This can be at most 15% of the state's settlement cash.) Reports from state and local governments can be found here. Governments are required to submit reports only if they determine they've used funds for non-opioid purposes, so you may not see a report from your community. Those that do file reports list only a dollar amount, so you'll need to contact the person who signed off for details about how that money was used. New reports are filed approximately every six months. 8. Get help for further reporting. Reporting on Addiction has guidelines, source recommendations, and other tips that can help. During a "virtual fireside chat" the organization hosted, KFF Health News senior correspondent Aneri Pattani shared tips with reporters on where to start and how to cover the opioid settlement at the community level. Watch the 30-minute session here. Minhee, who created the state-by-state guides and analyzed public reporting requirements, has other resources on her site, showing which lawsuits states engaged in and how they're planning to spend the money. Pattani is also available to share advice. Global Times Under the mediation of Belarus, the Wagner rebellion, which was widely characterized as a coup targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin by Western media, ended within about 24 hours. Such dramatic changes in the situation from Friday to Saturday attracted the world's attention as some Western analysis considered this "armed rebellion" as a heavy blow to Putin's power, exposing the weakness of his leadership as the Ukraine-Russia war entered a stalemate, which some Chinese experts say is "wishful thinking" by the West regarding Russian politics. Following a short-lived revolt, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin will leave Russia and move to Belarus under a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which ended an armed rebellion that Prigozhin had led against Russia's military leadership, Reuters reported. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Lukashenko had offered to mediate, with Putin's agreement, because he had known Prigozhin personally for around 20 years. Peskov said that the criminal case that had been opened against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, and that the Wagner fighters who had taken part in his "march for justice" would not face any action, in recognition of their previous service to Russia, according to the media report. The long-standing feud between the Wagner chief and Russia's military evolved into an open confrontation on Saturday as Prigozhin's forces moved into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advanced hundreds of kilometers toward Moscow. Some Chinese experts believe that the withdrawal of the Wagner soldiers is a rational choice as Prigozhin's top priority is to gain more attention, especially from Putin, to bring up his demands rather than launching a real mutiny against the Russian leadership. Despite the Western media saying that the revolt exposed the weakness of the Putin administration, the rebellion was quelled in such a short period of time after Putin vowed to take decisive actions on Saturday morning. This in fact shows that the Kremlin maintains a strong capability of deterrence, which will further increase its authority, some experts said. In response to the report of retreat of Wagner soldiers from Russia's Southern Military District as its chief Prigozhin accepted a proposal from Belarusian president Lukashenko to ease the tension while Russian President Putin has guaranteed that Prigozhin can go to Belarus and will rescind criminal case on him, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday night that this is Russia's internal affair. As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, a spokesperson from the ministry said. U-turn scenario As a private military group, Wagner's main impetus is profit, and its feud with the Russian Defense Ministry led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has a long history. Since the Ukraine war started, the conflict between the two sides has been on the rise. As the Wagner forces were ending the march after demanding the resignation of Russia's top defense officials, Prigozhin said his fighters had led a "march for justice" over the past 24 hours, and to avoid the scenario of bloodshed, he ordered his forces to turn to their columns around and go in the opposite direction back to a field camp as planned, according to media reports. "Prigozhin has not actually launched a coup against the Russian government but protesting in such a way to express his dissatisfaction toward top Russian defense officials and to demand better treatment for the Wagner group," Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Sunday. Friction between Prigozhin and the Russian Defense Ministry has risen as the war has dragged on, ultimately reaching breaking point on Friday when Prigozhin accused military leaders of striking Wagner camps, the Moscow Times said. Previously, Prigozhin raised concerns about the Russian forces' slow progress amid heavy battles in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut and Soledar. He also accused the Russian military of attempting to "steal" victories from Wagner. Despite Wagner's retreat, some Western media such CNN and The New Yorker came up with analysis saying that "Putin is at risk of losing his iron grip on power" and "Putin's weakness unmasked." CNN said "this is not the first time this spring we have seen Moscow look weak. The drone attack on the Kremlin in May must have caused the elite around Putin to question how on earth the capital's defenses were so weak." The West has been paying close attention to the situation, hoping to instigate an anti-Russia sentiment, which is a common tactic and also part of its cognitive warfare since the Ukraine crisis started, Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday. "However, quelling the revolt in such a short period of time actually consolidated the authority of the Putin administration, which has little impact on the frontline battlefield between Russia and Ukraine," Cui said. President Vladimir Putin has appeared on Russian state TV on Sunday for the first time since Wagner revolt began, according the Guardian. Putin renewed his commitment to the war in Ukraine, calling the "special military operation" his top priority. West's wishful thinking While events were unfolding, US officials carefully avoided direct comment on what some stressed was an internal situation in Russia, some media reported, as they tried to avoid what analysts said might suggest the US was trying to exploit the situation and play into long-standing Kremlin narratives about US-led attempts to weaken Russian security. US President Joe Biden spoke with the leaders of France, Germany and the UK amid concerns that Putin's control over the country could be slipping, and EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell avoided direct comment on what he called an "internal" issue for Russia. On Sunday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing, exchanging views on China-Russia relations and global and regional issues of concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu also met with Rudenko in Beijing on Sunday, saying that under the complex and severe international situation, it is necessary to follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, communicate in a timely manner, ensure the stable and long-term relationship between China and Russia, and safeguard the common interests of both sides. The Chinese and Russian diplomats also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis and other international and regional issues of concern . "Thinking that this revolt targets Putin is wishful thinking, as some Western politicians are used to looking at Russian politics in their imagination, showing that they don't understanding the basic conditions of Russia," Wang said. Some Western politicians hope to see Putin lose control of the country while Russia falls into chaos so Russian troops will retreat from Ukraine, and some hope to weaken or split Russia, which all led to such exaggeration of the Wagner revolt, he noted. Although the revolt ended within about 24 hours, the retreat of Wagner solders left some questions unanswered including how to solve the long-standing conflict between the paramilitary group and the Russian military. Still, the rebellion will have a negative impact on the Russian political situation and on the stability of the Russian military. How to eliminate those external impressions about a weakening leadership and enhance order could be a test for Putin in the future, experts said. Such a dramatic event will make Putin and the Russian authorities more clearly aware that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine cannot be protracted, as the longer the war lasts, the more domestic problems and conflicts will accumulate, Wang said. "Those events could push Putin to accelerate the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to avoid similar risks, and further strengthen ties with neighboring countries such as Belarus and Kazakhstan," he said. In a recent study posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers evaluated the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Wuhan-Hu-1 strain (WH1) immune imprinting on antibody-based (humoral) immunological responses against the antigenically distinct SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BF.7 subvariant. Study: Humoral immune response to omicron infection in long-term Wuhan-Hu-1-imprinted population. Image Credit: AndriiVodolazhskyi/Shutterstock.com *Important notice: Research Square publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Background At present, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not advocate SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations after the initial booster dose among low-risk individuals due to high levels of hybrid immunity from widespread Omicron infections and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. Natural infection provides durable immune protection against reinfections; however, it may lead to immunological imprinting, skewing immunological responses toward the initially exposed SARS-CoV-2 antigen, depending on the antigenic distances. About the study The present study investigated whether prior WH1 infection and WH1-based vaccinations could prevent Omicron reinfections. Of Wuhan-Hu-1-infected individuals from Xiangyang, rapid antigen test- or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed Omicron infections were detected among 54 out of 60 individuals who responded to the survey in January of 2023, of whom 42 individuals provided blood samples after two months of Omicron reinfection. Five individuals, 20 individuals, and 17 individuals were one-dose, two-dose, and three-dose whole-inactivated-type virus (WIV) vaccinees who had received the vaccinations in the period between the Wihan-Hu-1 strain and Omicron variant infections, respectively. In addition, 13 blood samples from triple-vaccinated and WH1-infected individuals were obtained three to four months before the Omicron infection as pre-Omicron infection control group individuals. Moreover, three groups of individuals residing in the same locality but having negative pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection histories were analyzed. Blood samples were obtained before and after Omicron infections from health providers who had received three doses of WIV vaccines (BBIBP-CorV, WIBP-CorV, or CoronaVac) or the ZF2001RBD subunit vaccine and formed the vaccine-only cohorts. Blood samples were also obtained after the Omicron infection from unvaccinated individuals without SARS-CoV-2 infection history before the Omicron infection who formed the naive control group. No participant suffered from immune system disorders or took immune system-altering medications. Humoral immunity was assessed by neutralization assays involving vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotyped with SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) proteins of the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain and the BF.7, XBB.1.5, and BQ.1.1 subvariants of Omicron. A chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA)-based in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tool was used to quantify the anti-WH1 receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies. Results Hybrid and vaccine-only imprinting augmented post-infection serological WH1 and Omicron BF.7/BQ.1.1/XBB.1.5 neutralization more than naive backgrounds. Feedback from pre-existing high-affinity antibodies limited humoral responses to Omicron infection without compromising protection. In contrast, the antigenic seniority of pre-existing cross-reactive B lymphocytes marginally decreased forward neutralization breadth among hybrid- and RBD vaccine-imprinted individuals. Neutralization titers obtained after Omicron infections were correlated with antibody-based immunity against reinfection. Higher titers of Wuhan-Hu-1 neutralization were noted in individuals with prior immunological memory of Wuhan-Hu-1, irrespective of the type of imprinting. Hybrid immune imprinting induced higher titers against BF.7 than WIV imprinting and the naive background. Forward protection was better among hybrid-imprinted individuals than WIV vaccinees and naive individuals. Hybrid-imprinted individuals had comparable WH1 and Omicron titers, irrespective of the vaccinations. Individuals infected with ZF2001 and WH1 and vaccinated with WIV vaccines (hyrbid3) with higher pre-infection Wuhan-Hu-1 titers demonstrated lower fold elevations in Wuhan-Hu-1 titers compared to WIV vaccinees after the Omicron infection. Likewise, fold increases in titers against BF.7 were inversely correlated with that pre-infection, and the hybrid3 group showed lower fold increases in titers against XBB.1.5 and BQ.1.1 compared to WIV vaccine recipients. Heavily imprinted individuals with durable hybrid immune protection or Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD vaccinees exhibited elevated anti-Wuhan-Hu-1 titers. Humoral feedback may have masked the limited epitopes shared between Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron after the Omicron infection. The Wuhan-Hu-1 NT/Ab (WH1 titers/ anti-Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD antibodies) ratios were reduced for imprinted individuals despite a considerable increase in Ab titers following Omicron infection, and the decrease in the NT/Ab ratio was inversely associated with the pre-infection Wuhan-Hu-1 titers. Homologous vaccinations following Wuhan-Hu-1 infections increased the Wuhan-Hu-1 NT/Ab values contrasting Omicron infections. ZF2001 and WIV vaccinees showed non-significant differences in XBB.1.5 subvariant/BF.7 subvariant and BQ.1.1 subvariant/BF.7 subvariant ratios post-infection compared to naive individuals. Of note, hybrid-imprinted individuals with higher BF.7 subvariant titers pre-infection and BF.7 subvariant/Wuhan-Hu-1 ratios showed marginally lowered XBB.1.5 subvariant/BF.7 subvariant ratios compared to vaccine-imprinted individuals. Post-infection samples with anti-Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD titers neutralized Wuhan-Hu-1 and pre-infection samples of WIV vaccinees. ZF2001 vaccinees showed a larger decrease in the Wuhan-Hu-1 NT/Ab values post-infection compared to WIV vaccinees. Further, the lack of other RBD B lymphocytes pre-infection among ZF2001 vaccinees generated more effective B lymphocyte repertoires against the XBB.1.5 subvariant than the BQ.1.1 subvariant post-infection, which differed from observations among WIV vaccinees, indicating that additional RBD epitopes contributed to immunological imprinting. Conclusion Overall, the study findings highlighted the effectiveness of hybrid immunity against Omicron reinfection among long-term immune-imprinted individuals. *Important notice: Research Square publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Clinical testing is underway for a potentially groundbreaking new treatment for cystic fibrosis. Pioneered by scientists at Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in partnership with the spin-out biotechnology company, cystetic Medicines, this promising inhalable molecular prosthetic is intended to improve lung function in people with CF who cannot benefit from current therapies. The launch of this clinical trial is an important step forward in a joint public-private effort to develop a safe and effective treatment for everyone with CF, a progressive genetic disorder characterized by persistent lung infections that can cause severe damage over time. "We're hopeful that for those who have held their breath for far too long, this could be a first opportunity to regain ion-channel-like function in the airway and thereby address CF at its roots," said CI MED professor Martin Burke, who leads the research team in collaboration with scientists from the University of Iowa. The first human volunteers in New Zealand recently began taking the new inhaled drug called CM001 (also known as amphotericin B cystetic for inhalation or ABCI), a molecular prosthetic that 'stands in' for missing or dysfunctional protein channels and is intended to restore more normal lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis. The approach combines a novel inhaled dry powder formulation to directly target the lungs and allow for more consistent dosing. "With this method, people with CF could directly deliver this molecular prosthetic to their lungs where they need it most, hopefully increasing its efficacy and safety," Burke said. The ongoing clinical trial is intended to evaluate the new drug's safety, tolerability, and movement through the body. Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene responsible for producing the protein that helps regulate the balance of anions and fluid in the lining of the lungs and other organs. In the lungs, this dysfunction results in the formation of thick, sticky mucus on the lung lining that makes it difficult to breathe and causes frequent lung infections. About 90 percent of people with CF produce CFTR protein that doesn't work properly. For these individuals, a class of drugs called CFTR modulators can often restore protein-channel function and result in improved breathing. But treatments have been extremely limited for patients whose bodies produce little or no CFTR protein. Burke and his team are optimistic that CM001 can act as a prosthetic at the molecular scale, replacing the missing protein and restoring ion channel function. "The first impact we're hoping to achieve is by partnering with that final 10 percent of the CF community that cannot benefit from modulators to determine if we can provide benefit in a way that would address this fundamental defect," Burke said. While the new drug CM001 may be a game-changer for patients who are not treatable with CFTR regulators, other CF patients could benefit as well. "The concept of molecular prosthetics has the potential to alter the treatment landscape for cystic fibrosis in a profound way; in theory, it should work for all people dealing with the disease, regardless of the type of mutation they present," said Jeffry Weers, Chief Technology Officer of cystetic Medicines and an industry leader in the development of inhalable medicines. Burke, who is both a chemistry professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a medical doctor, says the development of this potential new treatment is powered by a translational, multi-disciplinary approach to solving health care problems. "We were able to get the all-star team together, and the whole mission of the company was to translate this basic science finding that happened here at Illinois and the University of Iowa into societal impact." cystetic Medicines co-founder Dr. Michael Welsh from the University of Iowa is a leading expert on cystic fibrosis. His lab was instrumental in collaborating with Burke's lab at UIUC throughout the research process, including foundational research studies. "The collaboration between UIUC and the University of Iowa has been key in developing the molecular prosthetic approach to treat cystic fibrosis," said Ian Thornell, a research assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa. He is also one of the key research collaborators. "UIUC has employed cutting-edge chemistry to design and test different molecular prosthetics, while the University of Iowa is one of nine basic science CF research hubs designated by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The merging of technology developed at UIUC and Iowa's CF expertise contributed to the success within the pre-clinical phase of this trial." People with CF have played a crucial role in earlier testing of the new treatment, said Agnieszka Lewandowska, a senior research scientist at UIUC, and a member of Burke's lab. "We are grateful for the willingness of the CF community that provided cells through the University of Iowa's Cystic Fibrosis Research Center that ultimately brought these compounds to clinical trial, Lewandowska said. "In collaboration with laboratories of Mike Welsh and Ian Thornell at the University of Iowa, we were able to demonstrate that ABCI, developed in partnership with cystetic Medicines and tested at UIUC, restores ion channel function to cells from people with CF." The work to develop a new treatment for the broad range of CF patients has also garnered financial support from both the public and private sectors, including a $32 million investment from Deerfield Management and support from Illinois Ventures. The non-profit Emily's Entourage also supported early-stage research in the Burke and Welsh labs with grant funding. Burke's ambitions for the future impact of molecular prosthetics extend beyond CF treatments to other diseases and conditions. "Cystic fibrosis is one of hundreds of diseases that currently remain incurable because they're caused by loss of protein function," Burke said. "The hope is that if we can succeed in CF, this molecular prosthetics approach could become a general way to treat diseases caused by loss of protein function." He also expects innovators at the world's first engineering-based college of medicine will play an important role in developing new molecular prosthetics. "There's a whole field around the intersection of engineering and prosthetic limbs. We're now engineering prosthetics at the molecular scale. The whole goal of the technology that we're now building out at the Molecule Maker Lab at the Beckman Institute here at UIUC is to bring everybody into this exciting new space, including the brilliant physician-innovators at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine" Burke said. Results of the clinical trial are expected in 2024. In a bid to enhance connectivity and promote development in the region, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, made a significant announcement on Sunday. He revealed that his government has given approval for the Metro connectivity project from Ballabgarh in Faridabad to Palwal. This decision aims to facilitate improved connectivity and drive the overall progress of the area. During his address at the Gauravshali Bharat Rally in Palwals Gajpuri, CM Khattar highlighted the substantial projects that Haryana is receiving from the central government. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting initiatives such as the metro and National Highways, which are contributing to the development of Haryana. Also Read: Mumbai Metro: Line 3 Between Cuffe Parade and SEEPZ Opens for Public in December, Check Routes, Stations and More Khattar emphasized that the construction of major state highways has led to unprecedented progress in the regions of Palwal and Faridabad. Furthermore, he underscored the positive impact of the upcoming Jewar Airport, stating that it would further enhance development activities in the area. Additionally, he proudly mentioned that the Mumbai Expressway passing through these districts will connect the region with other parts of the country, bringing immense pride to the region. Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma praised CM Khattars leadership and acknowledged that it has provided a new direction to Haryana. Sharma further added that the addition of four new national highways in Faridabad will accelerate the districts progress, opening up new avenues for growth and development. With the announcement of the Metro connectivity project and other significant initiatives, Haryana is set to witness a transformative phase in terms of connectivity and overall progress, under the able leadership of CM Manohar Lal Khattar. The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari has been pushing electric vehicle culture in India to promote green mobility. Recently, the minister attended an event in Nagpur, where he shared the future plans for ethanol-powered vehicles. During the event, Gadkari said the country soon will have vehicles that will run fully on ethanol soon. While sharing the news, he also revealed that leading car manufacturing company Toyota is all set to turn Camry into a fully ethanol-running car, which will hit the Indian market in August. He said by using this energy, it will create 40 percent of electricity. Nitin Gadkari on ethanol-powered vehicles While addressing the gathering, the minister also revealed that two-wheeler manufacturers including TVS, Bajaj and Hero are also not behind in the race, and will introduce scooters that will run 100 percent on ethanol soon. Ethanol-powered vehicles Prices Gadkari quoted If you compare ethanol with petrol, it will be Rs 15 per litre of petrol because ethanols rate is Rs 60 while the rate of petrol is Rs 120 per litre. Plus it would generate 40 per cent of electricity. The average cost of ethanol would be Rs 15 per litre. Mercedes Benz Plans for EV During the event, Gadkari also shared his conversation with the Mercedes Benz chairman. The minister said that the brand revealed its future plans for electric vehicles. He informed me that the luxury car manufacturer will be producing electric vehicles exclusively in the future. Nitin Gadkari on AC in Trucks Meanwhile, Gadkari recently attended an auto event, where he talked about making ac a mandatory feature in truck cabins. The minister confirmed that he has signed a file that mandates air conditioning in truck driver compartments. He said the decision was taken to provide better well-being for people who drives the truck despite the high temperature in the cabin. In a significant development, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has recently taken delivery of two new trainsets for Mumbai Metro Line-3. These trainsets, meticulously assembled at Aarey Car depot, will play a crucial role in the launch of Phase-1 operations. With the arrival of these two new trainsets, the MMRCL now possesses a total of five trainsets, with four more sets currently in the manufacturing process, essential for the successful commissioning of Phase-1. Mumbai Metro Line 3: Stations The Mumbai Metro Line-3 project is an ambitious 33.5-kilometer-long underground stretch, strategically connecting some of the busiest and most congested regions of Mumbai. This extensive metro line will link the Cuffe Parade business district in the far south of the city to SEEPZ in the north-central area, featuring an impressive network of 26 underground stations and one at-grade station. Also Read: Navi Mumbai Metro: Line 1 Receives Green Signal After 12-Year Wait, Commercial Operations Set to Begin It is important to note that Line-3 will mark a significant milestone for Mumbai as it becomes the citys first underground metro line. Moreover, it will also be one of the largest continuous underground stretches in the entire country. In September 2018, the MMRCL awarded a significant contract worth approximately 315 million Euros to the renowned French manufacturer Alstom. Under this contract, Alstom is entrusted with the task of supplying 248 metro cars for Mumbai Metro Line-3. The agreement includes the design, delivery, and commissioning of 31 lightweight, fully-furnished modern passenger trainsets, each comprising eight cars. Mumbai Metro Line 3: Metro Car Features Notably, these metro cars will feature an impressive 75 percent motorization, enabling rapid acceleration and deceleration, thereby ensuring enhanced operational efficiency. Furthermore, this project will mark Mumbais first venture into the realm of Unattended Train Operation (UTO), following in the footsteps of Delhi Line-7 and 8, which pioneered this innovative technology in India. Alstoms Bangalore engineering center is currently engaged in the comprehensive designing and development of the metro cars. Simultaneously, the state-of-the-art rolling stock manufacturing unit located at Sri City in Chennai is responsible for manufacturing the 248 metro cars. Presently, the construction of Mumbai Metro Line-3 is progressing well, with approximately 87 percent of the work already completed. It is anticipated that the metro line will be operationalized in stages, with the first phase between BKC and SEEPZ expected to open its doors to the public by December of this year. As Mumbai eagerly awaits the inauguration of Mumbai Metro Line-3, the addition of the new trainsets brings the city one step closer to a more efficient and convenient transportation network. With its extensive coverage and advanced features, this upcoming metro line promises to revolutionize Mumbais commuting experience. Famous Indian businessman Anil Agarwal, founder and chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited, recently addressed the students of Cambridge University. He spoke among students about chasing their dreams and motivated them to never give up. Sharing his experience on Twitter, he mentioned how he left inspired by looking at the confidence of the students. Anil has more than 1.71 lakh followers on Twitter where he keeps sharing motivational posts. Recently, Anil Agarwal shared his picture taken at Cambridge University. He wrote about his motivational journey where he also addressed his failures and how he never gave up. As someone who never went to college, being invited to cambridge university and speaking with the students was nothing short of a dreamI was surrounded by bright 20 year olds who firmly shook my hands and introduced themselves with a big smilei remember when i was their pic.twitter.com/GpeOqqnCWM Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved) June 23, 2023 Anil wrote about his experience of visiting Cambridge University and mentioned that it was no less than a dream for him to visit the University of Cambridge. According to him, it is nothing short of a dream for him to be invited to the University of Cambridge and have the opportunity to engage in conversations with students, despite never attending college. Hailing from Bihar, Anil Agarwal has established dominion in the mining and metal business in several countries around the world through his organization Vedanta Resources Limited, of which, he is also the chairman. In his social media post, Anil mentioned that students at Cambridge University shook hands with him firmly and confidently whereas when he was their age, around 20 years old, he was so shy. He never knew how to present himself with confidence and used to speak broken English. He also mentioned that he was extremely happy seeing the aplomb of the younger generation. The great mining business tycoon began his career in 1970 as a scrap dealer. As he addressed the students at the University of Cambridge, he said, I spent my 20s and 30s struggling to look at others and wondering when I would get there one day and most importantly how after 9 failed businesses and years of depression, I have my 1st successful start-up. Stocks To Watch on June 26: The Nifty futures contract traded on the Singapore Exchange indicates a negative start to domestic equities. The contract was trading at 18,697.50, down 17.5 points or 0.09% from the previous close. TCS: TCS has suspended four employees for violating its code of conduct, following a whistleblower complaint received earlier this month, according to reports. The company has also clarified that it probed the allegations made in the complaint and found out that the charges do not involve any fraud by or against the company and have no financial impact". IndusInd Bank: The Hinduja Group is in talks to invest Rs 10,000 crore to hike its stake in IndusInd Bank, according to a media report. Hinduja Group is likely to increase its stake from 17 per cent to 26 per cent, reported Economic Times. The deal is likely to be completed by the second half of FY24. HDFC Life: The investigative wing of the Central Board of Indirect Tax and Customs (CBIC) has slapped a show cause-cum-demand notice on HDFC Life Insurance Company for an amount of Rs 942.18 crore. This notice pertains to charges of wrongly availing the input tax credit without the underlying supply of services. ICICI Securities: Private lender ICICI Bank will hold a board meeting on Thursday, June 29 to consider a proposal for delisting the equity shares of its broking arm ICICI Securities. Ipca Laboratories: The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued Form 483 with 8 observations for companys Pithampur formulations manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh. The USFDA inspected the facility during June 15-23, 2023. Infosys: The company said 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. Aurobindo Pharma: European Medicines Agencys (EMA) committee for medicinal products for human use (CHMP) has accepted the firms arm CuraTeQBiologics request to withdraw EU marketing authorisations application of ZEFYLTI & DYRUPEG. Asian Paints: The paint manufacturer has acquired additional 11 per cent equity stake in Obgenix Software (brand name White Teak) for Rs 54 crore, from its promoters. The company now holds 60 per cent stake in White Teak, up from 49 per cent earlier. Axis Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Axis Bank for violation of credit card rules. Rail Vikas Nigam: The company has emerged as the lowest bidder a project of design and construction of elevated metro viaduct, from Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation. The cost of project is Rs 394.9 crore and the project is expected to be executed in 30 months. Yes Bank: Its board has approved borrowing/raising funds in Indian/foreign currency for up to an amount of Rs 2,500 crore by an issue of debt securities including but not limited to non-convertible debentures and bonds. Zydus Life: The companys arm Zydus Animal Health And Investments will acquire a 6.5 per cent stake in Mylab for Rs 106 crore. Jammu & Kashmir Bank: The RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 2.50 crore on the bank for non compliance with certain directions issued on creation of a central repository of large common exposures-across banks. AU Small Finance Bank: The board will meet on June 29, 2023 to consider raising of funds by issue of equity shares through private placement or qualified institutions placement (QIP) or preferential allotment or through a combination thereof or any other alternative mode. Due to the continuing heat wave in the region, the Patna District Magistrate declared on Saturday that the closure of all academic activities up to class 12 in Patna will be extended till June 28. The notification came as an extension to an earlier injunction that had been in force until June 24. The decision was made as a precautionary step to guarantee the safety of students in the districts regions with high temperatures and humidity. The Patna District Magistrate, Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, issued a directive ordering all government and private schools to stay closed until June 28. This shutdown affects elementary schools, Anganwadi centres, and all district schools. However, due to Eid al-Adha, there will be a day off on June 29, and schools are expected to resume classes on June 30. The order will take effect as of today, June 26 and will be in force until June 28. Due to sweltering heat waves in neighbouring areas as well as a daytime high of 44 degrees Celsius in the capital city of Bihar, the closure was decided to be postponed. Due to the persistent heat wave in Bihar, the Patna District Administration had earlier on June 17 issued guidelines ordering all schools closed from June 1924 for students up to the 12th grade. The District Magistrate highlighted that the decision was taken in recognition of the health hazards that the harsh weather conditions posed to young childrens lives and their health. Previously, the District Administration had prohibited all academic activity from June 12 to June 18. On June 22, Patna residents experienced their first spell of monsoon rain, complete with thunder and lightning. Only two locations were classified as experiencing heatwaves, and the states peak temperature was below 40 degrees Celsius in the majority of the state. The recent monsoon offers some relief from the sweltering weather as the district takes the appropriate preparations. The district officials will keep a careful eye on the situation and decide whether to reopen the schools later on dependent on the weather and the overall welfare of the students. The Department of Basic Education, Uttar Pradesh, has once again extended the summer vacation in government primary and upper primary schools due to the heatwave. As per the latest updates, the Uttar Pradesh school summer vacation has been extended till July 2. Pratap Singh Baghel, secretary of Uttar Pradesh Basic Shiksha Parishad, released a notice on June 25 stating that all primary and upper primary schools in the state will now reopen on Monday, July 3. Summer vacation has been extended till July 2, 2023, in all schools of Basic Education Council, UP. Now the schools will open on July 3, 2023, the basic education department tweeted. For the second time in a row, the Uttar Pradesh government has extended the school summer vacation date. Originally scheduled to reopen on June 15, the summer holidays were extended until June 25 amid a heatwave. Now, schools will resume regular operations in accordance with their particular plans and timetables from July 3. The schools reopened for one day on June 21 to commemorate International Yoga Day. UP school will be operating as per the timetable announced earlier from July 3. According to an official statement, appropriate cleanliness of restrooms, access to drinking water, and proper sitting arrangements for children must be assured before reopening. The School Management Committee will be responsible to make decisions on cleanliness at accredited schools that are managed by the UP Basic Education Council. Meanwhile, teachers have been advised to ensure the completion of all essential tasks at their respective levels prior to the schools reopening. These responsibilities include arrangements for mid-day meals, handling Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) related tasks, proper distribution of textbooks, and other relevant errands. Also read| Patna Schools Ordered To Remain Closed Until June 28 As Heat Wave Persists Uttar Pradesh and a few other states are currently experiencing heat waves. Earlier this month, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a fresh warning, anticipating severe to very severe heatwave conditions in several states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Telangana, among others, as per reports. Soon after the warning, several states announced summer vacations for their schools while others extended the holidays. Resting deep beneath the oceans surface, the wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan lie, separated by a span of 1,600 feet (490 meters) and a remarkable 111 years of history. The worlds enduring fascination with the Titanics tragic tale, however, recently gave rise to a fresh calamity as five lives were tragically claimed by the catastrophic implosion" of a submersible destined for the ships final resting place. While the vast Atlantic Ocean harbors numerous wrecks, the Titanic stands among them as just one chapter in a vast chronicle of maritime disasters, when the notorious iceberg collision that plunged the Titanic and 1,517 souls to their demise during its inaugural voyage in 1912. Yet, time and again, it is the allure of the Titanic that draws people in. Its narrative has ignited literary works, cinematic creations, and a thriving tourism industry with captivating museums and exhibitions, attracting millions of visitors year after year. And, for some, there have been ventures to behold the wreck site firsthand. So, what is it about the Titanic that exerts such grip on our collective imagination? Lets take a dive into the Titanic sinking and why it remains etched on our psyches even today: What Happened to the Titanic in 1912? Titanics Conception According to Britannica, during the early 1900s, the lucrative and fiercely competitive transatlantic passenger trade witnessed a fierce rivalry between prominent ship lines such as White Star and Cunard. In 1907, Cunard appeared poised to strengthen its market share by introducing two highly anticipated ships, the Lusitania and the Mauretania, set to commence service later that year. These passenger liners attracted significant attention due to their projected speed, ultimately breaking records for transatlantic crossings. In response, J. Bruce Ismay, the chairman of White Star, reportedly held discussions with William Pirrie, who oversaw the Belfast shipbuilding firm Harland and Wolff responsible for constructing most of White Stars vessels. Collaborating on a strategy, they conceived a plan to construct a class of grand ocean liners renowned for their luxurious accommodations rather than focusing solely on speed. Subsequently, the decision was made to build three magnificent vessels: the Olympic, the Titanic, and the Britannic. An Opulent Ship On March 31, 1909, the construction of the Titanic commenced, following the earlier initiation of its sister ship, the Olympic. These magnificent vessels were built side by side in a specially designed gantry capable of accommodating their unprecedented size. The Titanic boasted a grand first-class dining saloon, four elevators, and even a swimming pool. Its second-class accommodations were comparable to the first-class features found on other ships, while the third-class offerings, though modest, still provided relative comfort, according to Britannica. In terms of safety measures, the Titanic was equipped with 16 compartments that featured doors operable from the bridge, allowing for the containment of water in case of hull breach. Although considered watertight, the bulkheads were not sealed at the top. The ships builders asserted that four compartments could be flooded without jeopardizing its buoyancy, leading many to believe the Titanic was unsinkable. The historic maiden voyage of the Titanic commenced on April 10, 1912, departing from Southampton, England, and bound for New York City. Under the command of Captain Edward J. Smith, known as the Millionaires Captain" due to his popularity among wealthy passengers, the ship earned the nickname Millionaires Special." The Iceberg During the Titanics voyage, the radio operators, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride, received several iceberg warnings, which they relayed to the bridge. However, some crucial messages were not delivered, including a warning from the Mesaba about an ice field. Around 11:40 PM on April 14, an iceberg was spotted, and the ship attempted to steer away but ultimately collided with it. The impact damaged multiple compartments, sealing the ships fate. Distress signals were sent, reaching the Carpathia, which was over 58 nautical miles away. Despite the efforts of other ships, including the Olympic, help was too far to arrive in time. The Musicians Upon the Sinking Deck As lifeboats were launched, the prioritized order was to evacuate women and children first, according to the report. Despite having more lifeboats than required, the Titanics capacity fell short, and some boats were launched below their maximum capacity due to concerns about the davits strength. Only 705 people were rescued in lifeboats, leaving many passengers behind. During the evacuation, the Titanics musicians played music to comfort the passengers. The exact duration of their performance and the last song they played remain uncertain. Sadly, none of the musicians survived the sinking. As the situation grew dire, water flooded the lower decks, causing panic among the passengers. Some men tried to board lifeboat number 14, prompting an officer to fire his gun. The distress calls from the radio operator reflected the desperate state of the ship. As the Titanic sank, the stern rose out of the water, straining the midsection. Eventually, only three collapsible lifeboats remained. Captain Smith released the crew, signaling that every individual should fend for themselves. The ship broke in two, with the bow sinking first. It took approximately six minutes for the bow to reach the ocean floor. The stern briefly settled before rising again and ultimately sinking vertically. At 2:20 AM, the ship disappeared beneath the ocean, with the pressure causing the remaining air in the stern to implode. Hundreds found themselves in the frigid water, but the lifeboats, concerned about overcrowding, hesitated to return to rescue them. By the time they did, most of the people in the water had succumbed to the extreme cold. The tragic outcome was the loss of over 1,500 lives. Among the fatalities, the crew accounted for around 700 deaths, while the third-class passengers suffered the highest casualties. Out of approximately 710 third-class passengers, only about 174 survived. It was later revealed that claims of steerage passengers being prevented from boarding lifeboats were largely untrue. However, due to the lack of a general alarm and the difficulty of navigating the ships complex layout, some third-class passengers were unaware of the severity of the situation until it was too late. Additionally, many women chose to stay with their husbands and sons, further reducing their chances of survival. Some passengers from the lower levels also reached the top deck after most of the lifeboats had already been launched. When Was the Titanic Wreck Found? The sinking of the Titanic received wide media coverage when it sank, also partly due to the commercialisation of the ship and its opulent passengers. The actual wreckage was not located until 1985, however, at a distance of approximately 650 kilometers from the Canadian coast. Resting at an astonishing depth of about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) below sea level, the remains of the ship became a captivating discovery. The finding of the Titanics wreckage sparked a renewed fascination among the public. Parks Stephenson, an expert in Titanic history, emphasized that the wreck is a precious testament to the tragedy and holds significant untold narratives, according to abcnews. In an interview with the BBC, he said there is still much knowledge to be gained from the wreckage, considering it as the last surviving witness to the disaster. In July 1986, the first dive was conducted to explore the wreckage and uncover its untold stories. However, it was only in recent times that the first-ever publicly released video footage of the wreck became available, showcasing the haunting image of the Titanics final resting place. Why Does the Titanic Still Hold Our Morbid Fascination? According to a report by ABC News, the sinking of the Titanic has captivated the publics imagination for over a century. From the moment it tragically collided with an iceberg in 1912, the story of the doomed ocean liner has remained prominent in popular culture. Various works, such as films, books, plays, and documentaries, have referenced the Titanic over the years, contributing to its enduring legacy. Robert Thompson, a pop culture expert told the publication that the Titanics continuous retelling can be attributed to factors like its high-society passengers, the ships remarkable speed for its time, the significant loss of life, and the claim of being unsinkable." The widespread dissemination of news about the sinking was facilitated by the presence of telegraph services on board, allowing the story to spread rapidly around the world. The Titanics sinking coincided with a pivotal moment in radio history, and the night of the disaster is considered a significant event in the early days of radio broadcasting. The availability of telegraph services and the prominent individuals aboard the ship contributed to the global impact of the tragedy. The discovery of the Titanics wreckage in 1985, lying in two pieces on the ocean floor over 2 miles deep, sparked a renewed interest in the ship. Additionally, James Camerons 1997 blockbuster film and the centennial anniversary of the sinking in 2012 further revitalized public fascination with the Titanic. Throughout the decades, the Titanics story has been continuously packaged and retold through different mediums, solidifying its status as one of the most renowned maritime disasters in history. Dark Tourism ABrent McKenzie, a professor and author told CNN that a significant part of the Titanics enduring allure stems from the combination of hubris and glamour associated with the original tragedy. The loss of numerous lives, the belief in the ships unsinkability, and the presence of famous individuals onboard all contribute to the ongoing fascination with the event. McKenzie also explains that the passage of over a century since the sinking has contributed to the Titanics allure. The lack of new first-hand accounts makes it challenging for future generations to fully grasp the magnitude of the tragedy, which adds to its mystique. The interest in Titanic tourism aligns with the broader concept of dark tourism," where visitors are attracted to sites associated with death, tragedy, and suffering. McKenzie suggests that the rise in dark tourism can be attributed to increased travel options and the influence of media that focus on such destinations. McKenzie speculates that events like the war in Ukraine or the emergence of new sites of tragedy could reignite interest in dark tourism, such as the Chernobyl disaster. However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remains uncertain, as people might prioritize more traditional forms of relaxation and escape, as per the report. Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has left for a working visit to the United States. His visit is organized at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Azernews reports. It is planned to hold a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as another round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the "Bilateral agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations" draft. Another Republican member of Montanas Legislature has reported an envelope containing white powder arriving in the mail, similar to at least three others were received by lawmakers over the weekend. House Majority Leader Sue Vinton, of Billings, did not open the envelope and turned it over to the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office, Republican spokesperson Kyle Schmauch wrote in a Monday email. All four of the letters that have been publicly reported have targeted GOP lawmakers. The sheriff's office and Billings Fire Department's hazmat team tested the powder and determined it was flour and didn't contain any harmful substances, according to an update from Schmauch. He said he wasn't aware of tests being completed on the other envelopes. Theres been no indication that any of the envelopes contained any hazardous substances, although no lab test results have been publicly released. Similar incidents have occurred in at least a half-dozen other states over the past week, and no adverse health effects have been reported. The FBI and the U.S. Postal Service are investigating the incidents, according to the Montana Department of Justice. FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker on Monday said confirmed the agency is investigating and asked the public to "exercise care in handling mail, especially from unrecognized senders." "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," Barker wrote in an emailed statement. One of the letters, addressed to House Speaker Matt Regiers PO box at the state Capitol, was identified by legislative staff over the weekend. Similar letters have also been reported by House Speaker Pro Tempore Rhonda Knudsen of Culbertson and Rep. Neil Duram, of Eureka. Knudsen received her letter at her home and Duram received his in his post office box. Legislative Services Division Director Jerry Howe said Monday that hes planning to schedule additional training for Capitol staff to identify and handle potentially suspicious mail. At this time, he said he doesnt anticipate any changes to public access at the Capitol Building. The armed rebellion against the Russian military, although short-lived and lasting less than 24 hours, caused significant disruption and confusion among the enemy forces. Lets understand what exactly happened? On FRIDAY , Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Russias Wagner mercenary force, instructed his troops stationed in Ukraine to march towards Moscow. He characterized this movement as a march for justice" rather than a military coup. Prigozhin alleged that the conflict in Ukraine was based on falsehoods and called for an end to what he perceived as the wrongdoing of the Russian military leadership. He accused the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, of ordering the concealment of the bodies of 2,000 deceased Wagner fighters, according to reports. In response, Russias federal security service initiated criminal charges against Prigozhin for inciting armed rebellion. The Kremlin spokesman confirmed that President Putin had been informed, and appropriate actions are being taken. General Sergei Surovikin, Russias deputy commander of the Ukraine campaign, urged Wagner fighters to abandon their opposition to the military leadership and return to their bases. He posted a video message on the social media platform Telegram, calling for them to cease their activities. Surovikin warned that the enemy was eagerly anticipating a deterioration in Russias internal political situation. Security has been heightened in Moscow, with increased measures in place at government buildings, transportation hubs, and other important locations. Military vehicles were observed patrolling the streets of the city on Friday night. Early on Saturday morning, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group, announced on Telegram that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia. They had entered the Rostov region, located along the Ukraine border, and expressed readiness to confront the Russian military. Prigozhin threatened to eliminate anyone who obstructed their path. The governor of the Rostov region, Vassily Golubev, advised residents to remain indoors and stay calm for their safety. He assured them that law enforcement agencies were taking necessary measures to protect the area. Prigozhin claimed to be at the headquarters of Russias Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, accompanied by senior generals. He demanded a meeting with the chief of the general staff and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Prigozhin warned that if his demands were not met, they would block Rostov and proceed towards Moscow. A counter-terrorist regime was imposed in Moscow and the surrounding region, according to Russias anti-terrorist committee. The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement characterizing the Wagner fighters as deceived participants in a criminal venture orchestrated by Prigozhin. They assured the fighters of their safety if they surrendered to Russian forces. In a televised address, President Putin acknowledged the role of the Wagner fighters in the liberation of the Donbass region in Ukraine but condemned Prigozhins revolt as an act of betrayal against Russia. Afterwards, a convoy of approximately 5,000 Wagner Group fighters was reported to be advancing towards the outskirts of Moscow, according to Reuters. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin urged citizens to limit travel within the city, and he declared Monday as a non-working day (with exceptions) to minimize risks. Video footage showed Wagner vehicles in convoys less than 500 kilometers away from Moscow. However, later reports indicated that the Wagner forces began pulling out of the district military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don on Saturday night. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, was seen leaving the military headquarters in a video posted on Telegram. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he had reached a deal with Prigozhin to de-escalate the situation. Prigozhin agreed to return his forces to their bases in order to avoid bloodshed. The Russian government stated that Lukashenko had offered to mediate the situation with Putins agreement, as he had a personal acquaintance with Prigozhin for about two decades. According to the Russian government, the criminal case against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped. Prigozhin would relocate to Belarus, and the Wagner fighters who participated in the march for justice" would not face any consequences, acknowledging their past service to Russia. The details of the deal were not extensively disclosed, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to provide further information on the concessions made to Prigozhin, apart from guarantees of safety for him and his troops. AFP, Associated Press, Reuters contributed to this report Boeing CEO David L Calhoun has said his company supports Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India initiative and will play a key role in the rapid expansion of the countrys commercial aviation market. Calhoun met Modi and discussed the importance of Boeings eight decades of aerospace partnership with India during the prime ministers state visit to the US. PM @narendramodi met President & CEO of @Boeing, David L. Calhoun. During their discussions, the leaders explored the potential for increased involvement of Boeing in Indias aviation sector. pic.twitter.com/H2TkUZ0zRt PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 23, 2023 Boeing is proud to be playing a key role in the rapid expansion of Indias commercial aviation market, and in the mission readiness and modernisation of the nations defence forces, said Calhoun on Sunday. We support Prime Minister Modis Make in India initiative, with more than 5,000 people in India pursuing high-quality careers doing innovative work on the Boeing team," he said. Calhoun said Boeings growing investments in India underscore not only the strength of the companys partnership with the country but also the positive trajectory of the broader US-India economic relationship. At the Paris Air Show last week, Boeing had announced new service contracts in India as well as the finalisation of Air Indias order of up to 290 new Boeing jets. With the arrest of the four accused, the Delhi Police solved the abduction case involving a Merchant Navy personnel within 12 hours. According to the police, the accused asked for Rs 12 lakh from Manjeet, who works in the Merchant Navy. Of the total amount, Rs 3.5 lakh was given in cash and the remaining Rs 1.5 lakh was paid online. According to sources, the accused Akshay and Abhishek are childhood friends of the victim. Abhishek wanted to send one of his relatives Karambir to New Zealand, so he contacted Gursimran who had earlier sent him to Thailand and Malaysia. Gursimran met Manjeet on Facebook and sought his help to send Karambir to New Zealand. During investigation, it revealed that Rs 7 lakh was paid to Manjeet for required documentation. On June 23, Karambir was deported at the IGI Airport, Delhi due to lack of proper documents. Thereafter, on the same day, the accused called Manjeet at a hotel in Mahipalpur, Delhi. They started pressuring Manjeet to return their money and assaulted him, said police. An amount of Rs 3.5 lakh was allegedly paid to the accused and the victim sought time to repay the remaining amount. But the accused abducted him and demanded more money from his brother, said police. They took him to different places in their car on the intervening night of June 23-24 and were in touch with the brother through his WhatsApp number. The probe revealed they had used a toy gun and a vehicle for the commission of crime, which have now been recovered by the police. Very few are aware that I was born during the Kharchi puja; however, today I have come for the puja of the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people. I have not come here for politics or to speak like a politician. I dont say what I prayed or what blessing I have sought to the media, said Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma. The current head of the Tripuri royal family and the titular king visited the Chaturdash Devta temple at the Khayarpur area in Agartala to inaugurate the annual festival and pay his obeisance to the deity of the dynasty. The festival involves the worship of the fourteen gods forming the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people. Kharchi puja is one of the most popular festivals in Tripura. Its a week-long royal puja, which falls in the month of July on the eighth day of the new moon and attracts thousands of people. This festival is celebrated in the temple premises of fourteen gods. There are many legends associated with it. The festival has been observed for the past 5,000 years and continues for seven days. It is related to Ambubachi celebrated in the famous Kamakhya temple and the Ratha Yatra. Interestingly, the festival is given a gun salute and state honour even in todays modern times. The festival is graced by followers of Islam and Christianity as well, informed Dilip Deb Barma, a member of the temple organising committee. The word Kharchi" is derived from the word Khya" which means Earth". Kharchi Puja is basically done to worship the earth. All of the rituals are of tribal origin, including worshipping fourteen gods and Mother Earth. The puja is performed to wash away sins and clean the postmenstrual phase of Mother Earth. Thus the puja is performed for seven consecutive days. During this, the fourteen gods are carried to the river Saidra (Haora) by the Chantai (priests). The gods are bathed in the holy water and are brought back to the temple. They are again placed in the temple by performing puja, with offerings of flowers and vermillion. Animal sacrifice is also an important part of this festival, including of goats and pigeons. People offer sweets and sacrificial meat to the gods. I have been coming to this puja for the past 15 years. This puja is for the welfare of mankind. This puja was primarily observed by the tribal people, but now people from all communities participate, said a woman devotee. Following the recent attacks on members of the Sikh community in Pakistan, India summoned a senior diplomat from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest against the incidents, sources said on Monday. Between April and June 2023, four such incidents have taken place and India has taken serious note of these events. New Delhi has demanded that Pakistani authorities conduct a sincere investigation into these violent attacks on the Sikh community and share the investigation reports. Additionally, it has been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minority populations, who live in constant fear of religious persecution," sources said. Spate in Sikh Killings in Pakistan Unidentified gunmen shot and killed 35-year-old Manmohan Singh while he was traveling from Rasheed Garhi, a suburban area of Peshawar, to the interior city. This marks the second armed attack on a Sikh individual in the Yakka Toot area within a few days. Previously, a Sikh man sustained gunshot wounds to his legs and was injured on Friday. In March, an unidentified assailant shot and killed a Sikh businessman in the city. Peshawar is home to approximately 15,000 Sikhs, predominantly residing in the Jogan Shah neighborhood of the provincial capital. The Sikh community in Peshawar primarily engages in business activities, including operating pharmacies. In a separate incident, in September last year, an esteemed Sikh Hakeem (Unani medicine practitioner) was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen inside his clinic in Peshawar. In 2018, Charanjit Singh, a prominent member of the Sikh community, was killed by unknown individuals in Peshawar. News channel anchor Ravinder Singh was murdered in the city in 2020 and in 2016, Soren Singh, a member of the National Assembly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, was killed in Peshawar. Hindus comprise the largest minority community in the predominantly Muslim country. Amid the buzz over Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent United States visit and former US president Barack Obamas comments, Fareed Zakaria, Indian-American journalist, political commentator and author, on his show GPS on CNN, said that lecturing PM Modi on human rights is not the best way for the Biden administration to deal with him and will backfire. During his visit from June 21-24, PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Joe Biden and addressed a joint session of the US Congress. He led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, joined Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for the state banquet, met Tesla owner Elon Musk among other thought leaders and also addressed the joint session of the US Congress. Obama during a recent media interview questioned the 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". ON MINORITIES, INDIAs DEMOCRACY Commenting on the criticism, Zakaria said, Modi is extremely popular in India and, whats more, his Hindu nationalism is also popular. Like Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel and Viktor Orban in Hungary, Modi has tapped into an illiberal vein in India that scorns minorities, checks and balances, and liberal constitutionalism. In all these places, the nationalist-populist leader sets himself and his many followers against the old, secular, cosmopolitan elite that has ruled the country for decades." Lecturing PM Modi on human rights would backfire. Far better to ally with Indias society itself, expanding ties with its businesses, press, NGOs, cultural groups and others.My take: pic.twitter.com/Selj1lcYS3 Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) June 25, 2023 In any event, lecturing Modi on human rights is not the best way for the Biden administration to deal with him. That would backfire not only with him but also with most Indians who would resent Western bullying. Far better to ally with Indias society itself, expanding ties with its businesses, press, nongovernmental organizations, cultural groups and others. India is one of the most pro-American countries in the world, something that is palpable when you are there. Companies, students, scholars, activists all want closer ties with the United States. This people-to-people alliance will inevitably strengthen the government-to-government relations. But more importantly, I believe that an India that is more deeply connected to the United States will be a country that will naturally seek to perfect its democracy at home. It will also give it moral authority in a fracturing world that could use more of it, he concluded. THE CHINA FACTOR Commenting on the experts stance that India can never be Americas ally oft-cited example is Indias refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine as it is intensely focused on its own national interests, Zakaria said that like any country, India has its own interests to worry about. India is changing. In the past, the country has placed little emphasis on foreign policy, devoting its energies instead to managing the vast complexities of its own society, which is characterized by thousands of castes and communities, dozens of major languages and huge regional diversity, said Zakaria. Now, the rise of China has finally gotten Indias attention. The 2020 clash in the Himalayas when Chinese and Indian soldiers fought bitterly over a disputed border area was a wake-up call for Indias strategic elite and, to some extent, the entire country. Public sentiment shifted sharply, and today a large number of Indians regard China with hostility. For its part, Beijing has done little to try to solve the problem. It has actually reinforced its military infrastructure along the border, which would allow it to surge troops whenever it sees the need. Since the clash three years ago, India has constrained or outright banned many Chinese companies and technologies from operating in its market, including Huawei and TikTok. The threat from China will motivate India to strengthen its ties with the United States for decades to come, he said. According to Zakaria, as India emerges as a great power, it will have to adopt a more expansive vision of its interests around the world. It will need to define its attitude toward the international system itself, and how its own ideas and ideals should affect its stance. In the process, it might well decide that it values a rules-based international system, and see that, as the worlds largest democracy, it gains enormous soft power by adopting a foreign policy that is influenced by its democratic ideals, even if it wont be feasible in every case to apply them. Such selectivity is, after all, true of most democratic countries, including the United States. Two youths have been killed in separate cases of mob lynching in Maharashtras Nashik district within the last two weeks. The police have arrested a total of 20 accused in connection with two cases, with nine arrests made in one case and 11 arrests made in the other. The accused are self-proclaimed gaurakshaks" and some of them have affiliations with the right-wing outfit Bajrang Dal, officials said. Several of the accused are currently evading arrest and the police are actively conducting a search for them. In the recent case, on the evening of June 24, two Mumbai-based youths were transporting meat from buffalo and bull in their car. Both individuals were residents of Kurla and they were traveling in a Maruti Suzuki vehicle when they were apprehended by a group of 15 people on suspicion of carrying beef. The incident took place at around 6:30 pm on the Ghoti-Sinnar highway. The youth were carrying meat, and when they stopped at a toll plaza, one of the toll booth staff members noticed blood dripping from their car. The staff member then informed one of the gaurakshaks," said a police official. The group accosted the two men and beat them. One of the victims, Afan Abdul Majid Ansari, succumbed to his injuries during treatment while the other victim is currently undergoing treatment. Currently, the police have arrested 11 people in connection with this case. Initially, an FIR was registered under sections 307, 326, 341, 143, and 149. After the death of one of the youths, section 302 has been added," an officer said. When asked about the affiliations of the arrested individuals, he clarified that they were all self-proclaimed gaurakshaks" who operated under the banner of Gorakshak. Second Case in Two Weeks Just a few days prior to this case, another youth was found dead in a cow vigilante incident. On the night of June 8-9, a transport tempo pick-up carrying cattle was intercepted by a group of cow vigilantes at Vihigaon. They found that the vehicle was being used for cattle transportation. Three people, who had arrived from Mokhada, were apprehended. One of the youths managed to escape, while the others were beaten up. One of the assaulted individuals was brought to us at the Igatpuri police station. Two days later, the lifeless body of the third youth was found in the valley," stated a police officer. Two separate cases have been registered in this matter: one for the transportation of cows and the other for the assault on those involved in the transportation. The probe is underway for both cases. In one case, sections 341, 326, and 321 were applied. Since one of the youths has been found deceased, section 302, along with the section pertaining to rioting, has been added," said Raju Surve, Police Inspector at Igatpuri police station. Nine people have been arrested in connection with this case, with some of them being associated with Bajrang Dal, the police said. Six are in police custody, while the remaining three are in jail. We are actively searching for the other accused and the investigation is ongoing," an officer said. In this case, the deceased victim is identified as Lukman Suleman Ansari. Ansaris family is seeking justice and has urged the police to arrest the remaining accused at the earliest. Weapon recovery in violence-hit Manipur has not seen any significant rise in the last one week, raising the suspicion of central agencies that ammunition which is in lakhs may have been distributed among various groups, making it almost impossible to trace. The forces deployed in Manipur are having a tough time maintaining law and order in the state as they are unable to operate optimally in tense areas. Top sources claimed that while the situation is not deteriorating, forces are getting trapped while conducting operations. Also, more than 70 per cent weapons are still missing and chances of recovering them are diminishing day by day. There are only two ways of recovering missing or looted weapons one is either the public returns them or forces recover them by conducting operations. Every day, we are recovering weapons but the number is in single digits. Close to 1,100 weapons were recovered till last week. It peaked when Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to return the weapons, a top Manipur government official told News18 on the condition of anonymity. On the other hand, security forces, when conducting operations, are facing clash-like situations as locals are resisting arrests and recoveries. When News18 spoke to different forces, including Army, Assam Rifles, and CRPF, all claimed that recoveries and detention were tough as they had to face mobs of 500-2,000 people and sometimes, even more. In a recent operation conducted by the Indian Army in Manipurs capital Imphal, 12 KYKL cadres were apprehended with weapons and ammunition. Acting on specific intelligence, operation was launched in Village Itham (06 km East of Andro) in Imphal East by Security Forces. Specific search after laying cordon was undertaken to avoid hardships to other locals in the area. In the ensuing operation, 12 KYKL cadres were apprehended alongwith arms, ammunition and War like stores, the Army said. It added: A mob of approximately 1,200-1,500 led by women and the local leader immediately surrounded the target area and prevented security forces from going ahead with the operation. Repeated appeals to the aggressive mob to let the security forces carry on with operation as per law did not yield any positive result. Keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, considered decision was taken to hand over all 12 cadres to local leader. Own columns lifted the cordon and left the area with weapons and war-like stores recovered from insurgents. Almost 10 days back, a mob attacked security forces at midnight in Imphal. During the incident, two civilians were injured as the mob of around 1,200 people was trying to target houses of political leaders. The biggest issue while handling the mob is that we have to avoid using any force and work maturely so that there are no civilian casualties that can trigger any incident. Also, when we have to face a mob of 1,500-2,500 people, chances of own casualties cant be ruled out. The situation is such that we cant operate properly and apprehend people belonging to different groups, a senior army official told News18. Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan are busy promoting their upcoming film Satyaprem Ki Katha and recently landed up in Jaipur. Kartik shared some glimpses from their time in the Pink City, and what caught our attention was Kairas stunning and bright outfit for the day. Kartik Aaryan shared a video and picture from the event and wrote, Pakka? Sau Takka! SatyaPrem Ki Katha. 5 days to go." He added, Spreading love in the Pink City." While fans were excited to see them both on stage, Kiaras orange three-piece attire stood out. She wore a rust-orange flowery bra top that was printed with white flowers and had a plunging neckline and a short hem. The actress layered it with an ethnic mirror work jacket, which had a fitted silhouette, padded shoulders, full-length sleeves, an open front, a one-button closure, mirror embellishments, delicate threadwork, and sequin patterns. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) Kiara Advani enhanced the jacket and bralette look with a pair of matching trousers that had a high-rise waist, a flared silhouette, and a white floral pattern on them. She completed it with embellished high heels. The actress selected a matte base, a berry-toned lip colour, feathered brows, mascara on the lashes, delicate eye shadow, and rouged cheekbones for her make-up.The centre-parted, open hairstyle was ideal for the OOTD. Kartik Aaryan complemented Kiara Advanis spectacular look with a rust-orange jacket that had a tailored fit, full-length sleeves, patch pockets, a collared neckline, black button fasteners, and an open front. He wore it over a distressed denim and white round-neck T-shirt ensemble. Earlier, at the launch of the dance number Sun Sajni from Satyaprem Ki Kathas album, Kiara Advani made heads turn in an exquisite floral ensemble. She wore a bralette, flared trousers, and a long jacket with embroidery. The chiffon trousers feature a flared silhouette and floral sequin embroidery on the high-rise waist, while the top had thin straps, a plunging sweetheart neckline, a cropped midriff-baring hem, and a fitted bust. The long, full-sleeved jacket had raised collars, floral embroidery, and an open front. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani) Kiara accessorised the look simply with oxidised silver jhumkas and Kolhapuri block sandals. She also chose a dewy base for her makeup, including rouged cheeks, delicate eye shadow, mascara on the lashes, glossy pink lip colour, and feathery brows. Satyaprem Ki Katha is slated to release on June 29 and is directed by Sameer Vidwans. Kiara Advani is undeniably a trendsetter and the best part about her is that she is also fully aware of all the trends that are currently going on and quite often hops on them as well. The actress has been setting some serious fashion goals with all the looks that she has been sporting as a part of the promotional extravaganza for her film Satyaprem Ki Katha. Even her airport looks are admirable and super fresh. As Kiara headed down to Mumbai from Ahmedabad, she wore a fantastic ensemble that was simply all hearts, in case you have missed out on checking out the look, watch here- View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Kiara wore a funky yet extremely subdued colour-coordinated ensemble. The all-white look not only exuded a certain kind of pristine warmth. The French Terry Vest from Nikes Sportswear collection is worth $75 and if converted to Indian currency it comes to Rs. 6,153. Coming to whether or not it is worth it, fashion enthusiasts on the internet do believe that it is. There are many points to consider that this is indeed a good outfit to be putting money on, firstly look at the texture and the cut of the outfit- everything seems perfect to the T. The fabric is breathable and looks like a rather comfortable wear for the summer months. The tracks that she had paired up with this vest were in a lighter shade of white than the vest but the two together seemed great. The classic white sneakers were definitely a good match too. The only thing breaking the white monotone was her pink bag which seemed very Barbie-core inspired and is currently among the most followed trends. In terms of makeup, Kiara went bare skin and flaunted her amazing natural glow. She kept her tresses open casually and the fact that she did not do much with this look makes it a super relatable one. With a key deadline approaching for veterans exposed to the burn pits, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester huddled with healthcare professionals and advocates to talk about simplifying participation for veterans. Theres no deadline for applying for benefits under the new program for veterans exposed to toxic materials, but veterans who file by Aug. 9 can receive benefits backdated to August 2022. August 9th is a big day. We just got to make sure people have a simple enough website, Tester said. Im telling you that if people know this, theyre going to do it." Already, some 3,000 veterans in Montana have filed claims related to toxic exposure. Veterans for the first time are receiving health coverage for illnesses stemming for exposure to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange under a new law known as the PACT Act, or Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. Accessing the benefits hasnt been without kinks. Gulf War veteran Ed Saunders said at the Billings meeting that the online registration was too complicated. I breathed a lot of bad stuff over there, Saunders said. Ive tried five times to get on the register. Four times the system failed me. The fifth time, I gave up. Saunders said he just wanted to register; the Veteran Affairs website wanted him to file a claim. It also required a 16-character password, which was too long for an old veteran, Saunders said. Later, the website required him to enter a secret code sent to his smart phone. Tester said entering a smartphone code from his home in Big Sandy would have been impossible because theres no cell service. He pressed VA care professionals at the meeting to produce better ways to reach rural veterans, which the Senator said would be difficult. You cant call a farmer veteran in Eastern Montana during normal office hours and expect anyone to answer, he said. In rural areas, these guys, I mean, I dont want to set them apart as being different people than everyone else, but 7 Oclock at night may be the only time you catch that person. So, its kind of a different situation, Tester said. Veterans Affairs health care professionals told Tester that they were committed to reaching veterans in rural areas. Tester challenged them to do more. Its estimated that the number of Montana veterans exposed to toxic substances is as high as 60,000, which is two-thirds of the veterans living in the state today. In Montana, veterans are 10.6% of the population, which ranks the state third for veterans per capita. Burn pits have been ubiquitous at military installations for decades, where destroying waste was considered safer than leaving refuse behind for garbage pickers. The Department of Defense estimates there are 3.5 million veterans nationally who have been exposed to burn pits, 3.3 million vets have been tested for signs of toxic exposure. Behind the 3,000 claims of toxic exposure health problems filed in Montana, are 1,400 veterans who have enrolled for VA health coverage in the past year. Theres a lot on the line for Tester in making sure the burn pit benefits come through for Montana veterans. The senator is chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. In 2020, Tester introduced a toxic exposure bill that didnt advance far enough. Then, in 2021 he partnered with Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, of Kansas, and got the PACT Act passed. But this year the pressure was on by House Republicans to limit financial support for the PACT Act. Malaika Aroras sartorial choices are always a cut above the rest, any outfit that she dons is extremely well thought out and is executed in an even better way. The actress knows what suits her best and always plays to her strengths. There has never been an occasion when Malaika has not put out her best foot forward in terms of fashion. It was Arjun Kapoors birthday recently and Malaika dressed up in the most scintillating way for her rumoured boyfriends birthday bash. In case you have missed out on her look for the event, check it out here- View this post on Instagram A post shared by @varindertchawla This Anthurium tank dressing ribbed cotton jersey is from the uber-popular brand called Loewe and is worth Rs. 99,000. Well, the debate on whether or not this dress is worth its price tag is for another day but till then one has to agree that from the print to the texture to even the cut of the dress- it is all magnificently picture-perfect. Malaika carried the outfit with utmost grace and she truly looked ethereal in it. The body-hugging factor of the ensemble created a stunning silhouette of the actress and the thigh-high slit factor added the right amount of oomph to take the internet by storm. Can we take a moment to appreciate how amazing the round-neck detailing was? The entire dress gave out a summer-friendly vibe which every fashion critic at the moment is in for. It might be a tad bit expensive but it is a well-made outfit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @varindertchawla Malaika must have been really comfortable in this outfit and her dancing to the beats of her popular song Chaiyya Chaiyya is proof of the same. She paired up black open boots with this stellar outfit and even though she had walked in with a ponytail she later got rid of it and let her tresses breathe and feel the air around them. In terms of makeup, Malaika always likes to keep it simple- there is a dash of bronzer, some nude lip shade and voila she is all good to go. One cannot deny the fact that she is indeed a true fashion champion who is out to win the hearts of all the fashion enthusiasts in the world with whatever look it is that she sports. Caravan Road trip across India, allows you to explore captivating destinations. Vibrant landscapes of Leh-Ladakh, the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan, the serene beauty of Keralas backwaters, mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India is a travellers delight, and the perfect way to travel is in a caravan, hell yes!, it promises adventure, culture, and scenic wonders at every turn. India is an incredible country where culture and cuisine change every 20 kilometres, offering a treasure trove of experiences for those who embark on a road trip. Through my captivating photographs and evocative storytelling, I encourage travellers to explore the richness of our own country, immersing ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of its landscapes, cultures, and flavours, says Nishchay Jain, Travel Photographer and Influencer, who is currently on a thrilling road journey in his caravan Barty- The Van. Jain shares a few of his favourite destinations in India for a perfect Caravan Road trip: The photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to the Pyramids of Giza are all over the internet. This was an unscheduled visit and one can be sure that this short detour was worth the while. The photographs of his visit on Sunday show him admiring the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and its majestic aura. The Pyramids continue to fascinate researchers and historians alike. Built more than 4,000 years ago the ancient Egyptians successfully built them only after multiple failed attempts. Among the most recognisable tourist spots in the world these Pyramids are visited by 14.7 million tourists annually. The Great Pyramid, the largest of the three Pyramids, was built on a rocky outcrop just outside the modern Cairo city. It attains a soaring height of 146.6 metres. Pharaoh Khufu is credited for its construction. To put this in comparison, the 13th century Qutub Minar in New Delhi is 72.5 metres high. I thank PM Mostafa Madbouly for accompanying me to the Pyramids. We had a rich discussion on the cultural histories of our nations and how to deepen these linkages in the times to come. pic.twitter.com/WiXFhTP4QP Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2023 The second largest pyramid is the Pyramid of Khafre. It was constructed for the Pharaoh Khafre and is only slightly smaller than the Great Pyramid. Its height is 136 meters and gives the appearance of being the tallest one because of its original casing stones at the top which have survived the passage of time. Researchers estimate that all three Pyramids were built between 2600 BC and 2500 BC. Modern historians divide Egyptian history into three main periods namely - Old Kingdom (about 2700 to 2200 BC), Middle Kingdom (2050 to 1800 BC) and the New Kingdom (1550 to 1100 BC). These imposing structures were built by the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The smallest among the three is the Pyramid of Menkaure. As the name suggests, it was built for the Pharaoh Menkaure. It is 65 meters tall. These structures which are aligned with remarkable precision were constructed using limestone blocks. While the exact methods of the construction are still debated - never mind the mind-numbing conspiracy theories on the internet - the limestone blocks were quarried locally. Many historians agree that ramps and sledges were employed to move these massive blocks of stones and position them accordingly. These structures also accurately depict the cardinal points of the compass alongside teaching us a lot about the ancient religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. In Egypt, the Prime Minister was also conferred with the Order of the Nile, Egypts highest state honour. UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE 2023: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is celebrated on June 26. According to the United Nations, torture exists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban under international law. According to all relevant instruments, it is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances. This prohibition forms part of customary international law, which means that it is binding on every member of the international community, regardless of whether a State has ratified international treaties in which torture is expressly prohibited. The systematic or widespread practice of torture constitutes a crime against humanity,stated the official website. UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE HISTORY The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment generally known as the Torture Agreement, entered into force on June 26, 1987. This was a step towards recognising that torture is universally banned. Ten years later, on June 26, 1997, the United Nations General Assembly formally designated the day as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in order to help survivors and raise awareness about its effects. The primary goal of this day is to completely abolish this inhuman act in all its forms. On June 26, 1998, the United Nations called for all governments, stakeholders, and members of global society to take action against perpetrators across the globe. UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE SIGNIFICANCE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed." This day is a chance for all UN Member States, civil society in general and individuals worldwide, to come together in support of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been tortured and are still facing this atrocity in various parts of the world. Torture is a criminal offence under international law. According to the UN, it is explicitly forbidden and cannot be justified under any circumstances. This prohibition is part of customary international law, which means it is binding on all members of the international community, regardless of whether a State has ratified international treaties that expressly prohibit torture or not. The day urges people to view this cruelty as a crime against humanity. Many artists of the Malayalam film industry were left miffed during the AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) general body meeting held on Sunday after many actors gave the programme a miss. The organisers of the annual general meet, which was held at the Gokulam Convention Center in Kochi, said that despite the date of the meeting being announced well in advance, the filming of five Malayalam films was carried out. Some of the actors could not attend the meeting due to the shooting. More than 80 actors from the industry were left with no option but to solicit leaves from the meeting as their producers did not let them off and their shooting schedules clashed with the meet. Producers Association president M Ranjith was called up by AMMA president Mohanlal who expressed his displeasure about actors not being let off for just one day. Six new members joined AMMA on Sunday during the general body meeting. Vijayan Karanthur, Binu Pappu, Salim Bhava, Sanju Sivaram, Sreeja Ravi and Nikhila Vimal were newly inducted. However, the membership application of Sreenath Bhasi has been kept on hold and a NOC (Non-objection certificate) from other film organizations is awaited before he is inducted. As part of disciplinary action, some of the film organizations banned Bhasi. Actor Shane Nigam was also part of the decision. The film houses alleged that the behaviour of both of them was unprofessional on the sets. A new digital ID card for all AMMA members was also launched which was handed over by President Mohanlal to Mammootty. 290 members attended the meeting which started at 11 AM. Most of the participants were female members. General Secretary Evala Babu presented the annual report and presented the figures to Treasurer Siddhi. The next annual general body meeting is scheduled for June 30 next year. Ananya Panday suffered a huge debacle with Puri Jagannadhs pan-India film Liger but the actress is determined to turn things around with a fresh slate of exciting films including a cyber thriller flick helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane, that she wrapped earlier this year. The film is touted to be a thriller, which has been backed by Nikhil Dwivedi. According to several media reports, the film is said to be in the post-production stage. The Pati Patni Aur Woh actress had shared the news with a set of photos on Instagram. In the first frame, Ananya can be seen hugging Vikramaditya as they posed for the camera. The second is the entire cast and crew of the film. The team can be seen joyous as they cheer for the camera. The Liger actress expressed her gratitude for the opportunity in the caption of the post. And thats a wrap! Vikramaditya Motwane, I can never thank you enough but I hope I made you and continue to make you happy and proud to every single member of this team who has given everything they have to this magical film - I love you guys and I cant wait for the world to see it," she wrote in the caption of the post. Besides these, Ananya Panday is also currently shooting for a film with Akshay Kumar. While its not official, the media reports suggest that the film will be titled The Untold Story Of C Sankaran Nair. Bankrolled by Karan Johar, the film will bring Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday face-to-face in a courtroom drama as lawyers. Meanwhile, Ananya Panday is also gearing up for Dream Girl 2, a sequel to the blockbuster 2019 film Dream Girl. She will be seen sharing screen space with Ayushmann Khurrana and Abhishek Banerjee in Raj Shaandaliyas directorial. Additionally, she will be headlining Kho Gaye Hum Kahan opposite Adarsh Gourav backed by Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Farhan Akhtar as well as an OTT series Call Me Bae in which shell essay a billionaire fashionista. Another celebrity wedding is on the cards. Action King Arjun Sarjas daughter Aishwarya is all set to get married in 2024. She will exchange vows with Thambi Ramaiahs son, Umapathy. The two have been in a relationship for the past few years, but they mostly remained tight-lipped about it. Now, the reports suggest that Aishwarya and Umapathy are thrilled about taking the next big step in their life. So far, the couple has not issued any statement. However, ETimes quoted Thambi Ramaiah, who shared how Umapathy and Aishwarya met and finalised the wedding date. Umapathy and Aishwarya got to know each other while he was a contestant on the TV reality show Survivor Tamil, which was hosted by Arjun. Both our families met for the first time at the Anjaneyar temple built by Arjun recently, and weve decided to proceed further. Well finalise the wedding date soon and announce it on November 8, on Umapathys birthday. The wedding might happen in February 2024 (Thai maasam), he told the news portal. An official announcement regarding the wedding is expected now. Who is Umapathy Ramaiah? Umapathy, son of Thambi Ramaiah, is a trained dancer and choreographer. Interestingly, Umapathy is also a Mixed Martial Art (MMA) fighter. He made his acting debut in 2017, following in the footsteps of his father. While his performance in the film Adhagappattathu Magajanangalay was appreciated by the fans, it was his appearance in the adventure-based reality show, Survivor, which gained him fame. Thambi Ramaiah also directed a film with him in the lead. However, Maniyaar Kudumbam received mixed reviews from viewers. Who is Aishwarya? Daughter of Action King Arjun Sarja, Aishwarya too entered the world of movies in 2013 with the action comedy Pattathu Yaanai. She shared the screen space with Vishal and Santhanam in the movie. Post Pattathu Yaanai, she appeared in several films, however, failed to impress fans. Just like Umapathy, Aishwaryas father directed a film with her in the lead. Interestingly, Prema Baraha was produced by Aishwaryas mother Niveditha Arjun in 2018. Hrithik Roshan has released the first look of Fighter, his upcoming film with Deepika Padukone. The actor took to Instagram and released a still from the film along with the release date. In the still, Hrithik had his back facing the camera. He appeared to be in an airforce suit while he stood next to what seemed to be fighter jets. The still brought back memories of Tom Cruises Top Gun. Sharing the photo, Hrithik Roshan wrote, #Fighter #25Jan2024 #7MonthsToFighter." His co-star Deepika Padukone was missing in the still. See the photo below: Fighter is directed by Siddharth Anand. This marks Hrithik and Siddharths third film together. The duo previously collaborated on Bang Bang (2014), and War (2019) co-starring Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor. Fighter is also the second time that Siddharth worked with Deepika Padukone. They previously joined hands for Pathaan (2023), headlined by Shah Rukh Khan and co-starred John Abraham. This will be the first time that Hrithik and Deepika are sharing the screen. Besides this, it also promises to be Indias first-ever aerial action franchise. The film will hit theatres on January 25, 2024. In April this year, it was reported that the team shot for an epic fight sequence in the movie. Hrithik Roshan and Siddharth Anand know that the stakes are high with Fighter and they are set to shoot their biggest climax till date. The team will be shooting for over 120 hours for this action-packed climax scene, which will take about 25 minute of screen time in the film. The team will be shooting hand-to-hand combats alongside aerial shots for the concluding episode of Fighter. Hrithik, Deepika and Anil will be a part of this epic climax shoot, a source told Pinkvilla. The insider also claimed that Siddharth Anand has a larger-than-life vision for Fighter and that he plans to make it a visual treat for the audience. Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor is celebrating his birthday. The actor has turned a year older and has been getting wishes from all corners. Sister Janhvi Kapoor also took to her social media handle to send warm wishes to him. Expressing her love, Janhvi penned a heartfelt message, stating that her brother deserves nothing but the best in life along with a photo. In a heartwarming post, Janhvi Kapoor shared a precious photo of Arjun, accompanied by a heartfelt message. She writes, Happy birthday Arjun Bhaiya my big brother and I feel like everyones big brother on most days. I Love You. I hope this year your very special heart is protected and healed, I hope your dreams are realised and the fruits of your labour frutitified. You deserve only the best of everything, because thats what you give everyone in your life. Take a look here: The heartfelt message quickly gained attention and was met with an outpouring of love and support from fans. On the occasion of special day, Arjun has organised a remarkable charity closet sale, giving away some of his wardrobe favourites. This collection consists of pop-culture t-shirts, athleisure attire, and traditional garments, each holding deep sentimental significance for Arjun Kapoor. The proceeds from this sale will help students in need of support. According to a report in India Today, Arjun Kapoor in a statement said, Putting out pieces of clothing that remind me of happy times, special days and important achievements is my way of sharing and forming a kinship with others. I hope everyone enjoys this drop because every bit adds up to help those in need of support." The collection from the auction will be handed over to a Mumbai-based NGO, Oscar Foundation. Celebrating circularity, the culture of sharing and giving is the best way I can spend my day," Arjun Kapoor added. Last night, Arjun Kapoor celebrated his birthday eve in the company of his girlfriend Malaika Arora and his sisters Anshula and Khushi Kapoor along with a few close friends and family members. The intimate celebration took place at his residence in Bandra. Arjun Kapoor even stepped out to pose for the paps stationed outside his residence. Kannada actor Suraj Kumar has lost one of his legs in a gruesome accident. The actor who was at the cusp of making his acting debut was reportedly involved in a bike accident that occurred on June 24 at Mysuru-Gundluper highway near Bengaluru. The actor was rushed to the hospital but doctors had to amputate his right leg below the knee in order to save his life. If reports were to be believed, he was working on a film titled Ratham and another project with Priya Prakash Varrier. According to the sources, the accident occurred when Suraj Kumar(also popularly known as Dhruwan) was riding his bike to Ooty from Mysuru. In a bid to overtake a tractor, around 4 pm, the actor lost control of his bike and he rammed a tipper lorry near Hirikati Gate in Gundluper taluk. He was taken to Manipal Hospital in Mysuru but the doctors had no other choice but to amputate his right leg below to knee. Son of Dr. Rajkumar and renowned Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar, along with his wife Geetha had paid a visit to Suraj Kumar in the hospital. Suraj Kumar was supposed to make his debut with Raghu Kovis film but it got shelved. Another project that he was a part of titled Bhagawan Shri Krishna Paramathma also couldnt see the light of day. It was Anup Antonys film. Suraj Kumar was born to Mrs. Parvathamma Rajkumars younger brother SA Srinivas. Going by his social media feed, Dhruwan was an avid biker as evident from pictures of him with his bikes all over his timeline. Meanwhile, the fate of his upcoming projects remains unclear. A law enforcement crackdown on seat belt violations in North Dakota resulted in hundreds of citations. The "Click It or Ticket" enforcement campaign from May 22 to June 4 involved overtime patrols across the state. It resulted in 1,074 total citations, including 439 for failure to wear a seat belt and 23 for child restraint infractions, according to the state Department of Transportation. There also were 363 speeding tickets issued, two drug arrests and three DUI citations. North Dakota has a Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on roads in the state. For more information, go to https://visionzero.nd.gov/. Kusha Kapila announces her separation from husband Zorawar Ahluwalia. She took to her Instagram and shared the news of her divorce. Sharing a statement, she revealed that the now-former couple wanted different things and decided to part ways. She informed fans that it has been a while since they parted ways and added that she will continue to co-parent their dog Maya with Zorawar. For More: Kusha Kapila Announces Divorce from Zorawar Ahluwalia, Masaba Masaba Star Says Gave It All Kannada actor Suraj Kumar has lost one of his legs in a gruesome accident. The actor who was at the cusp of making his acting debut was reportedly involved in a bike accident that occurred on June 24 at Mysuru-Gundluper highway near Bengaluru. The actor was rushed to the hospital but doctors had to amputate his right leg below the knee in order to save his life. If reports were to be believed, he was working on a film titled Ratham and another project with Priya Prakash Varrier. For More: Kannada Actor Suraj Kumar Loses Right Leg In A Bike Accident Ahead Of His Debut It was earlier reported that Kamal Haasan, who was last seen in the blockbuster Vikram, will rejoin the cast of Prabhas Project K by August of this year. The report suggested that Kamal Haasan is being considered for a significant role in Nag Ashwins highly anticipated sci-fi film. The South star is expected to portray a villainous character, setting the stage for an exciting clash with Prabhas, the films lead. Now the makers have confirmed the same with an official announcement. And with that, the budget of the project has also gone up. For More: Prabhas Reported Rs 150 Cr Fees For Project K Sparks Debate After Adipurush Failure Fans cant get enough of Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Aroras adorable couple moments on social media. Whether its their public appearances or family gatherings, the duo always manages to set major relationship goals. And yesterday, to ring in beau Arjun Kapoors 38th birthday eve, ladylove Malaika, looking beautiful in a white and red maxi, was spotted at his apartment. A rainy night in Mumbai couldnt dampen her spirits as she made her way to Arjuns apartment at night. Arjuns sister Anshula was also spotted a little later. For More: Sexy! Malaika Arora Dances To Chaiyya Chaiyya At Arjun Kapoors Party, Hot Video Goes Viral; Watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the White House. He was welcomed with a special song performance by the musical group Penn Masala. They performed Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Aroras iconic song Chaiyya Chaiyya. A fan asked Shah Rukh Khan about the same. He has now reacted to the video. For More: Shah Rukh Khan Reacts After Chaiyya Chaiyya Performed at White House During PM Modis Visit The Bollywood adaptation of Coke Studio Pakistans blockbuster song Pasoori is officially out and available now. The song, titled Pasoori Nu, was released on June 26, a day after the teaser was released. Arijit Singh and Tulsi Kumar lent their voices to this adaptation, which was originally sung by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. The makers of Satyaprem Ki Katha released the remake of Pasoori naming it Pasoori Nu. Starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, Satyaprem Ki Katha is scheduled to release on June 29. Though the remake of the song is getting mixed reviews, have you ever looked out for the meaning of the OG ones? The song created a vibe when it was released in early 2022 and even today people love it. Pasoori is a Punjabi word. In Hindi and Urdu, Pasoori has two meanings, one hesitating or difficult and the other haste or eager. Sethi stated in one of his interviews that the inspiration for this song came to him while travelling. When Sethi was driving from Faisalabad to Lahore, he had the notion to sing from the truck in front of him. Aag lavaan teri majboori nu was scrawled on the back of the vehicle. This line inspired Sethi, and he included it in his new song. With this sentence, Sethi added Aan Jaan Di Pasuri Nu, which means Troubles will keep coming and he wanted a song that was classical as well as contemporary. Remaking an existing popular song is a difficult task. It could either flop miserably and face constant trolling, or it could outperform the original. SatyaPrem Ki Kathas makers did it and now receiving some mixed reactions to the same. Some are loving the duo and the vibe but some are complaining that it the Ali Sethis beautiful creation. A Twitter user wrote, Just dropping it here so all of us can revisit the original gem Pasoori, sung by brilliant Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. Because the makers of Satya Prem Ki Katha have just dropped the teaser of the remix Pasoori Nu and ruined it. Kya zaroorat thi, bas itna bata do. Just dropping it here so all of us can revisit the original gem #Pasoori, sung by brilliant #AliSethi and #ShaeGill. Because the makers of #SatyaPremKiKatha have just dropped the teaser of the remix #PasooriNu and ruined it.Kya zaroorat thi, bas itna bata do. pic.twitter.com/0OSoeh1sSR Sushmita Dey (@sushsmitatweets) June 25, 2023 While another tweeted, T-Series finished destroying all Indian songs. Now they are destroying Pakistani songs too. T-Series finished destroying all Indian songs. Now they are destroying Pakistani songs too. #PasooriNu pic.twitter.com/pYX2WNVO6S Sagar (@sagarcasm) June 26, 2023 The songs start with Kiara named Katha asking Sattu, played by Kartik, how he manages to be so cute. He flirts back, calling it a gift from God. Even though the romance epic marks their comeback following Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, their chemistry is invigorating and leaves you wanting more. Satyaprem Ki Katha is directed by Sameer Vidwans and also features Gajraj Rao, Supriya Pathak and Rajpal Yadav. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the White House. He was welcomed with a special song performance by the musical group Penn Masala. They performed Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Aroras iconic song Chaiyya Chaiyya. A fan asked Shah Rukh Khan about the same. He has now reacted to the same. During an Ask SRK session on Twitter, the fan asked, Sir Chaiyya Chaiyya chants welcomed Modi ji in US What do you wanna (want to) say about this? Shah Rukh then acknowledged the same and reacted, Wish I was there to dance to it but they wouldnt allow a train inside I guess??!!! Wish I was there to dance to it.but they wouldnt allow a train inside I guess??!!! https://t.co/jjsUexZXCH Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 Fans on seeing his response applauded him for his response. One of them wrote, Clever response." Another one wrote, Savage reply by Shah Rukh Khan." A tweet also read, Greatest Twitter interaction of the day Shah Rukh Khan recently celebrated a significant milestone on June 25th as he completed an impressive 31 years in the film industry. The day marked the anniversary of his debut film, Deewana, which was released on the same date in 1992. During the same Ask Me Anything Session, he also revealed about his ability to perform stunts at the age of 57 that truly caught the attention of his devoted fans. Ahead of the release of his highly anticipated film Pathaan, SRK revealed his long-standing aspiration to be an action star, a dream that he finally realised at the age of 57. In the movie, he effortlessly executed challenging action sequences and stunts, making them appear deceptively easy. Looking at this, a fan with the Twitter handle @SRKianPANKAJ asked him the secret behind his ability to perform such feats, to which SRK responded with his signature brilliance and humor, stating, Bahut painkillers khaane padhte hain bhai." (Brother, I have to consume a lot of painkillers). Meanwhile on the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in Dunki and Jawan. Raj Kapoor and Nargis relationship was widely reported in its time. The actor-filmmaker, who was already married to Krishna Raj Kapoor at the time, grew closer to Nargis on the sets of Andaz (1949) and went on to star in numerous films including Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949) and Awara (1951). Their closeness had everything talking for years. However, it all came to an end when Nargis decided to marry Sunil Dutt in 1958. While Nargis never crossed paths with Raj following her wedding, she made an exception Rishi Kapoors wedding. Rishi Kapoor married Neetu Kapoor in January 1980 and Nargis was invited. The actress decided to attend the wedding with her husband Sunil Dutt and at the celebrations, met Krishna Raj Kapoor. Opening up about their meet in his memoir Khullam Khulla, Rishi revealed what his mother told Nargis when they met. My father did everything with great pomp and show and that included our wedding ceremonies. He flew in the maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Pakistan for my sangeet. It was a typical Raj Kapoor event that started at 11.30 p.m. and continued till 6 a.m, Rishi wrote, as he began speaking about his wedding. J.P. Chowksey later told me that something unexpected had happened on my wedding day too. Nargis-ji had not set foot in RK Studios after she completed Jagte Raho in 1956. However, that day, she came with Sunil Dutt to attend the ceremony. She was apparently very nervous about attending a Kapoor event after twenty-four years. My mother, sensing her hesitation, reportedly took her aside and said, My husband is a handsome man. He is also a romantic. I can understand the attraction. I know what you are thinking, but please dont beat yourself up over the past. You have come to my home on a happy occasion and we are here today as friends, he added. Nargis had three children with Sanjay Dutt, Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt. Nargis was later diagnosed with cancer and died in 1981, shortly before Sanjay made his debut with Rocky. Just as Prime Minister Modi wrapped his US tour and headed to Egypt, his second state visit this month, Ilhan Omar is back in the news and how. Omar, who is a member of the US House of Representatives, is moving a resolution against India condemning its human rights record and treatment of minorities that include Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and interestingly Jews as well. This is pretty ironic for a representative who has been seated out from the foreign affairs committee of the Congress over her anti-Semitic remarks targeting the Jews. In fact, unlike what Ilhan Omar is claiming in the resolution to tarnish Indias image, India has always been one of the safest places for Jews the world over. It has a civilisational history of giving refuge to the Jewish community when they were facing persecution in their own native lands. But Omar clearly isnt someone who gives credence to facts over propaganda. In the resolution, she has called on the Secretary of State to designate India as a Country of Particular Concern in the next annual report of the US International Religious Freedom Commission. India has been already mentioned as a country of particular concern for the last four years in the USIRF annual report. But Omar is unrelenting in her pursuit of labelling India as a country that doesnt accord its minorities their due rights. This is not the first time that she has moved a resolution against India at the US Congress. In 2022 also, she had moved a resolution targeting India over the treatment of minorities. She also boycotted Prime Minister Modis joint address to the US Congress last week, joined by fellow democrats Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ideally, a Muslim politician moving a resolution in the legislative body of a powerful democracy must send India into serious introspection mode but the truth is Ilhan Omar is no well-meaning politician who indeed has the best interests of Indias minorities in her heart. She is an Islamist who has been called out on multiple occasions for pandering to radical Islamist forces. In 2020, Qasem Soleimani, a powerful Iranian General was killed in a drone strike by the United States in Iraq. Soleimani was responsible for many American deaths and was even designated as a foreign terrorist by the US. But instead of supporting the government in his elimination, she showed solidarity with him going against the interest of her own country. This reaction by her was in complete contrast to how she had responded to the 9/11 attacks where she famously remarked that some people did something and mocked the victims of the brutal terror incident. Also unmissable is her stand on the Iranian anti-hijab protest. When a large number of women in Iran had taken to the streets to reclaim their freedom, Omar, who is a habitual victim card player over her identity as a Muslim woman, did not even support them. In fact, she sided with the Iranian regimes brutal crackdown by comparing it with how the police in the US has to maintain public order. Omars love for the Islamists is no secret as she has openly indulged leaders such as Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, a man who has firmly pushed the country away from a secular polity towards the path of a deeply rooted Islamisation. In 2022, she paid a visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This was another of her usual tricks to use Islamophobia as a trope to hide the crimes of the Islamists. Expectedly, she raised the issue of how the Indian state is violating human rights without even recognising the horror of Islamic terrorism that has plagued Kashmir. Her antics led the US government to distance itself from the visit and issue a clarification that it was a private trip. There were multiple allegations against her that the trip was funded by a Pakistani businessman who had also arranged her meeting with Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of the country. Ilhans intention in raising the false bogey of ill-treatment of minorities in India reflects her ambition to position herself as a crusader against Islamophobia. But her record on real issues of Muslims and the lack of empathy shown by her in raising them is proof enough that she is nothing but a hypocrite. This is evident in her frequent involvement with states such as Turkey and Pakistan who have emerged as the new axis of Islam. Both states have a pathetic record of how they treat their minorities. In Pakistan, every single week, a Hindu minor girl is either raped or forcefully married and converted to Islam. For all these players, India is just a punching bag which they use to amass more credibility and material benefits from the Islamists. Since India is a rising power, it is bound to face more vicious attacks in the time to come. But the likes of Ilhan Omar must be exposed for what they really are a racist bigot who panders to one of the most authoritarian states in the world. The author is a PhD in International Relations from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. Her research focuses on political economy of South Asia and regional integration. Views expressed are personal. The Islamist voice in the US Congress, Ilhan Omar, came out with a press release and introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives during Prime Minister Narendra Modis US visit last week. The press release says: Ilhan Omar introduced a resolution today to condemn human rights violations and violations of international religious freedom in India, including those targeting Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Dalits, Adivasis, and other religious and cultural minorities. Her inclusion of just one word, Jews, is the biggest advertisement of how Western media and a section of Dem-Labour establishment have leaned entirely on their biases to talk about India and how little they care to know or research about the country they so despise. It also exposes Omars hypocrisy about pretending to care about Jews after years of anti-Semitic utterances and siding with Islamic aggression and terror against Israel. Indias 7,000-odd Jews face no discrimination. Israel has repeatedly acknowledged that Jews have been treated unjustly in almost every part of the world except India. A 2009 worldwide study commissioned by the Israeli foreign ministry showed that the greatest level of sympathy towards Israel was in India, with 58% of Indian respondents being quite positive about Israel. In February 2007, during the first Jewish-Hindu interfaith leadership summit in New Delhi, Rabbi Yona Metzger said, Jews have lived in India for over 2,000 years and have never been discriminated against. This is something unparalleled in human history. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced during his 2018 India visit that Jews in India have never witnessed antisemitism like in some other countries. This is a tribute to Indias great civilisation, tolerance and democracy. Ilhan and her ilk, who have no real experience of this nation but use lazy toolkits and templates to further their anti-India agenda, are trying to fire from the shoulders of their other target, the Jews, to tarnish the great Bharatiya civilisation, its tolerance and democracy. Whether it is Barack Obama, under whose presidency the US dropped more than 26,000 bombs on seven Muslim countries in just 2016, or Sabrina Siddique, a Muslim Wall Street Journal journalist whose question to PM Modi had nothing to do with economy or business but aboutyou guessed itMuslims, it was as if the anti-India lobby was firing from all its weaponry without even understanding the shape and nature of its target. Obama talked about Indias ethnic Muslim population, little realising that Indian Muslims are of the same ethnicity as Hindus. They simply got converted, mostly by the sword during Islamic invasions and rule. Those saying Muslims are persecuted and not allowed to practice their religion in India Obama even hinted at the possibility of civil war and balkanisation just need to walk the nations streets, especially on Fridays, to know better. Even then if they choose to shut their eyes, there is data and more data. A 2021 Pew research with a staggering 30,000 respondents found that 98% Muslims in India said they were free to practice their religion. Just 2% said they were not too free. Under Modi, the share of Muslims in prison population (convicts, undertrials, detenues) declined to 18.7% in 2021 from 20.2% in 2020. Muslims have been equal beneficiaries of welfare from housing to cooking gas, water to electricity, health cover to vaccines. The narrative of persecution only exists in the agenda of anti-India interests who seem to have converged Wahabi and Salafi Islamists, evangelical missionaries, globalist Commies, and sections of Western deep states. Their homework and respect for facts are weak, but they make it up with bountiful will to hurt India. Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication. There is a major upgrade in the Indo-American relationship. Not only did Prime Minister Modis state visit yield a cornucopia of high technology, trade, joint venture and defence manufacturing benefits, but it is on a scale such that the whole world will have to recalibrate how it considers India going forward. Our country has long been constrained to be in first or second place when it comes to the purchase of foreign armaments involving billions of dollars. However, the picture is beginning to change because of a strong Aatmanirbhar push lately. Indian defence production values were in excess of Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time in fiscal 2022, up from Rs 95,000 crore in fiscal 2021 and just Rs 54,951 five years ago. India is now targeting Rs 1,75,000 crore in indigenous defence production by fiscal 2024. The technology transfer and joint venture format which it now pushes vigorously should greatly enhance the indigenous defence manufacturing effort. India has also developed a defence equipment export target of $5 billion by 2025, up from $1.5 billion achieved in fiscal 2022. This process is now starting to form a pattern. The accountants will have to work out the savings against fully-built imports. On June 8, 2023, after interminable negotiations, Indias government-owned Mazagon Docks (MDL) and Germanys ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) signed an MoU and became front runners (in competition with the Spanish and the South Koreans), to submit a joint bid. It is for an over Rs 42,000 crore project to build six diesel-electric submarines. The German firm will provide the engineering, design, and consultancy support for the joint venture instead of selling much more expensive fully built submarines from German dockyards. The competition is also agreeable to collaborate, and this may have forced the German hand. These submarines for the Indian Navy will have operation AIP, which extends the underwater endurance and makes conventional submarines as good as they get. At present, Indias L&T will possibly make the AIP componentry for this. How much of Rs 42,000 crore will fall to the Indian manufacturing effort? The Indian submarine fleet is depleted and has 10 old submarines six Russian Kilo class, four German HDW, and six new Scorpene class submarines, built in collaboration with the French for Rs 23,000 crore (again, how much did we save by this?), and two nuclear submarines built in collaboration with the Russians (ditto). We have two aircraft carriers. One is a retired British carrier retrofitted in Russia at great expense, cost overruns and immense delays and the other is built in India, albeit with Russian help but at target prices and dates. India can now make another and yet another 45,000-ton aircraft carrier by itself if need be. But the days of aircraft carriers may be coming to an end, overtaken by UAV and drone technology, missiles, and even nuclear submarines. The Chinese, by way of contrast, have over 50 diesel-electric submarines and 10 nuclear ones. It is also building eight diesel-electric Yuan class submarines for Pakistan. The fact that we are buying 31 armed Predator drones now helps us keep track of the Chinese ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. There is now unprecedented progress in military manufacturing in collaboration with the US. The agreements have come thick and fast during PM Modis visit between June 21-24, 2023. It is now down to equally dynamic implementation on both sides before the negative lobbies slow it down to a snails pace even if they cant actually scrap it. It is a game-changer because the US has decided to get off the fence with regard to military cooperation with India, despite Indian reluctance to become a formal US ally in the NATO Plus mould. The handing over of the GE F414 technology could mean two bites of the cherry. First, over 350 to 500 engines for the Tejas MK2 and the AMCA MK1, over the next decade or more. And perhaps, who knows, the shifting of the F/A-18 Super Hornet Assembly line that uses the GE F414, alongside more than 60,000 of the engines exported elsewhere, to a much less expensive country like India. This could mean sales to India for early requirements such as those urgently needed for our aircraft carriers, and then US exports of upgraded versions of this venerable old plane, from the assembly line in India. A lot, of course, depends on the latest avionics and the firepower the planes are equipped with. The imminent induction of GE-F414INS6 turbofan fighter engines for the Tejas MK2, in the 98 KiloNewton thrust class is now a done deal, but for some ratification by the US Congress. The MoU agreement was signed on June 22 between GE and HAL. The engines, of which eight are already in India for the Tejas MK2 prototypes, will certainly speed up Indias under-production medium combat aircraft, the Tejas MK2. These engines are tried and tested, and currently power both the American F/A-18 Super Hornets, upgraded already from the F-16s, and Swedish Gripen fighters. GE has already supplied the less powerful 75 GE-404 engines for the Tejas MK1A, and another 99 are on order. Only four countries US, Britain, France and Russia design and manufacture commercial and military jet engines, including hypersonic and supersonic ones for the latter. The US via General Electric (GE) and Pratt & Whitney (P&W), Britain via Rolls Royce, France through Safran, and Russia via Klimov, NPO Saturn and Aviadvigatel. The reliability of the Russian engines is not as good as the rest and of late, there were complaints on the P&W commercial aircraft engines by GoAir. The state-of-the-art 31 armed MQ 9B Sea Guardian/Reaper/Predator drones (they go by several names), with Hellfire missiles and guided laser bombs capable of flying and loitering at 40,000 feet are to be bought for $3.5 billion. They have over-the-horizon surveillance and attack capability and have delivered great results in the Afghanistan theatre against the Taliban. With MRO facilities to be set up in India, DRDO should likewise gain the experience to build such drones in the future and benefit their own drone manufacturing programme. 15 of the Predators are intended for the Indian Navy facing a challenge from increasing Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Eight each are for the Army and the IAF. All will be under the new tri-services commands. These spectacularly capable drones will hugely upgrade Indias long-range intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and because they are armed, they strike missions when called for, along the LaC, LoC and elsewhere. India currently has just two of these for naval reconnaissance only, on lease from America since 2020. Some 60 percent of the new Predator parts are to be manufactured by the Kalyani Group. The American towed 155 mm Howitzers already in use in India, the M777, are on offer to be upgraded with precision-guided long-range ammunition. India already has 145 of these, of which 120 were made by Mahindra Defence Systems in a business arrangement with Americas BAE Systems. These lighter howitzers can be taken to mountain areas by helicopter if need be. The Americans have also offered their Stryker eight into eight-wheeled drive V-hull armoured infantry vehicle that saw action in Afghanistan. It is armed with a 30mm cannon and a 105mm mobile gun. India will be interested, again, if it comes with the transfer of technology and local manufacturing clauses. An American $2.7 billion chip unit from Micron is about to be established in India, probably in Gujarat. In addition, Applied Materials will invest $400 million to build a collaborative engineering centre in Bengaluru to develop and commercialise technology for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Boeing, reacting to large commercial aircraft orders from India, will also set up a $100 million pilot training centre. Google plans to invest $10 billion in Indias digitisation fund with a new Global Fintech Centre in GIFT City, Gujarat. There will be more in the semiconductor field, an urgent strategic area for both India and America. A pact to also collaborate on quantum computing and artificial intelligence is being signed. Collaboration on hypersonic missiles with the US is also on the cards. There will be a joint manned mission to the moon by 2025, between ISRO and NASA and other space cooperation. There are pacts on communications inclusive of 5G and 6G, and a new radio protocol. The 4 lakh odd Indian people on H-1B visas will have them renewed in America without having to leave and then re-enter the country in future. America will open new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, and India will open a new consulate in Seattle. The list goes on, now that four foundational agreements signed over the last few years have got the legal requirements out of the way, with two more on the anvil to eliminate future impediments. India has also signed the new-fangled Global Mineral Alliance to secure access to the worlds minerals without Chinese hegemony creating monopolies, despite their nearly 90 percent hold on present supplies. But there are several other untapped and partially exploited sources. India may also seek US know-how to extract its new finds of Lithium in Jammu and other rare earths it is rich in, despite importing all its requirements of both at present. America has already sold $21 billion in defence equipment over the last 15 years, but this now is the great leap forward, to paraphrase Chairman Mao. Trade with India, currently at $195 billion, is sought to be increased to $500 billion to offset some of the difficulties of still having a trade of $700 billion with China, despite increasing prickliness and a general lack of trust between the two. Another fighter engine, larger, more powerful, in the 110 KiloNewton thrust class, is expected to come from another joint venture with GE next, for Indias forthcoming 5th generation Advance Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), for its MK2 version stealth fighter. Prime Minister Modis US visit, after the exchange of gifts including a laboratory grown 7.5 carats green diamond, using solar power for energy, and exports of $1.67 billion of such diamonds, mostly to the US. There was a 19-gun salute, 5,000 Indian-Americans invited to assemble on the White House Lawns, bilateral meetings, a private dinner in the White House, another with the Vice President and the Secretary of State, a state dinner in which Indias thrust on millets was honoured, an address to the Joint Houses, meetings with the giant corporation heads of IT, and of course, the leitmotif mega diaspora event. Before getting into the government-to-government business in Washington, on the very first day of the visit, Prime Minister Modi met with several business heads in New York, including the colourful Elon Musk. This might mean a prestigious Tesla plant in India for the famous high-end electric cars. Musk also spoke of his satellite-based internet system, Starlink, which has proved itself very useful in the Ukraine War. PM Modi also celebrated the 9th International Yoga Day on the lawns of the UN in New York. This, with diplomats from 135 countries, and others, such as Hollywood actor and pro-Tibet activist, 73-year-old Richard Gere. The usual human rights lectures and homilies of gratuitous advice from the American establishment, prompted by anti-India lobbies, were put on hold this time. Although some members of the Press, and, notably, former President Obama, did raise the usual propaganda-based questions. However, US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan said, very diplomatically that each country has its own challenges to deal with, and admitted America has its own human rights challenges too. The US state visit ended after a final diaspora event at the Ronald Reagan Centre in Washington. It was followed by a short state visit to Egypt, the first by an Indian prime minister since 1997. This was on June 24-25. In Egypt, PM Modi visited a venerable Shia mosque, the 11th-century Hakim Mosque from the Fatimid Dynasty, traced as the origin of the Indian Dawoodi Bohra Community. The mosque has been gradually restored by the Bohra community right from the 1970s. He also visited the Heliopolis Memorial to 3,799 fallen Indian soldiers in World War I. This Egypt visit is reciprocal after President El Sisi came to New Delhi as Chief Guest for the Republic Day functions in January 2023. It holds great promise because Egypt wants to buy and joint venture on a slew of military equipment, including establishing an assembly line with Indias HAL for Tejas aircraft. Indian defence delegations have visited India some 30 times in the last two years, and the Egyptians have also come to India some seven times. Joint military exercises have been conducted for the first time. Trade with Egypt has been modest but shows great potential for both sides. Egypt is a guest country in the ongoing G-20 activities in India under Indias 2023 Chairmanship. On its part, Egypt has offered India space at the Suez Canal SEZ to boost Indian overseas trade. This Egypt visit comes in the backdrop of an MoU just signed between Indias Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Argentinas Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) at the Paris Air Show. It lays out an intent to collaborate in the aerospace sector, to set up first a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility (MRO). Argentina has shown interest in buying 15 of the Tejas MK1A and other aircraft on the HAL platform. This, while Argentina is also considering the Chinese JF-17. The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication. The Wagner group is believed to have close ties with the Russian government and has been associated with Russian military intelligence. Image: News18 A poster seen in West Bengal ahead of the panchayat elections featuring both Congress and BJP symbols and the Trinamool Congress making an issue out of it has cast a shadow on the Patna bonhomie with TMC accusing the Grand Old Party of cosying up to the BJP. The incident is similar to a comment by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar ahead of the Patna meet where she said the Congress had struck a deal with the BJP to ensure the ordinance was not passed in Rajya Sabha in the upcoming Parliament session. Then, Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Patna meeting was like a wedding party which his party had to attend. This is ironically in contrast to the significant assurance given at the meeting in Patna. Sources say some opposition parties, particularly the Congress, had raised the point that many parties were fighting elections which was helping the BJP and cutting anti-BJP votes. The Congress has a reason to be upset about this as in Gujarat and Goa, AAP also jumped into the fray and this backfired on the Grand Old Party. Sources say at the meeting, AAP assured that it would put its expansion plans on hold till 2024. But is this really possible? In the end, both AAP and TMC also have to cater to their cadre who would certainly want to see their party escalate its footprint. The upcoming state polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh are now a litmus test. Will the AAP stay away? Doesnt seem like it for now. Just ahead of the Patna meet, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had attacked both chief minister Ashok Gehlot and the Congress in Rajasthan over ordinance and corruption issues. For now, it may be unlikely that the AAP or even the TMC would remain silent on their expansion plans for long, which will have an impact on unity plans. It seems that even the next venue in Shimla will not calm the heat seen in Patna between AAP and Congress. A courtesy visit" by DK Shivakumar to Basavaraj Bommais house has once again triggered an adjustment politics" debate in the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP leader Basangouda Patil Yatnal openly took a jibe at former chief minister Bommai at a programme on Sunday, saying the party wont survive in the state if its representatives are meeting Congress leaders like Siddaramaiah and DKS and being cordial with them as it will send a wrong message to the people that all senior leaders across party lines are in cahoots. We should also say we wont meet Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, we wont see their faces or smile at them. Only then our party will survive. If we smile and greet them when they come home, our workers morale will fall flat. They will think we all are colluding and have thrown them to the ground. We should be tough, said Yatnal. Bommai who was present on stage retorted, reminding Yatnal that meeting leaders of rival parties was part of Karnataka culture and there were other leaders who were actually colluding with leaders of other parties although they dont meet openly. When someone comes to our house, we cant say no. Its not Karnatakas courtesy culture. That doesnt mean we have compromised. We wont, dont worry Gouda. A lot of leaders without going to anyones house have compromised. We are against it. It is very clear, said the former chief minister. Recently, BJP leaders Pratap Simha and CT Ravi alleged that adjustment politics caused the partys defeat in the recent assembly elections. Responding to the controversy, Karnataka BJP veteran KS Eshwarappa asked party leaders to not bicker in public and blamed turncoats from the Congress for the indiscipline. I will speak to the leaders who are giving such statements in public, its not a good development. I would like to request them to speak within four walls. Theres a bit of indiscipline in the party. We were disciplined when we were just four members in the party long back, but as the party grew theres a bit of indiscipline. Because we got a few Congress leaders into our party, we are suffering now and the winds of the Congress have blown here as well. Our high command is not weak, they have let them play for a while, later they will cut their tail when they have to, said the former minister. Several BJP leaders have expressed dissatisfaction over Basavaraj Bommais government not probing any major corruption charges that the party had levelled against Siddaramaiahs first tenure as chief minister. They also suspect that in a few constituencies, senior BJP leaders had an understanding with Congress counterparts, leading to the saffron partys defeat there in the polls. Tillie Bobby of Port Sanilac, Michigan, knew that her North Dakota-raised uncle was killed during World War II, but until recently much of the rest of his life was a mystery to her. Ralph Sitter was born and raised in Strasburg, moved to Washington state for work and then joined the military, which declared him missing in action during the war. It was only last year that Bobby uncovered the true nature of his death, while randomly searching him on the Find a Grave website and discovering his connection to the British troopship HMT Rohna. Eighty years after Sitter died, Tillie Bobby, a native of Edgeley, and her husband, Roger, are holding a ceremony in Strasburg to honor him and others aboard the doomed ship. "We want to send him off right like it should've been," she said. Ship tragedy German aircraft bombed the HMT Rohna on Nov. 26, 1943. The ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algeria. At the time, the U.S. War Department withheld details from the public due to the then-new radio-guided bombs used in the attack, according to the Rohna Survivors Memorial Association. It is believed to be the largest loss of U.S. Army servicemen at sea in a single attack. About 2,000 U.S. Army Air Corps servicemen were on board, and 1,015 of them died. Sitter was one of the 793 members of the Air Corps 853rd Engineer Aviation Battalion who were on the ship. Congress eventually recognized the sinking of the Rohna, in October 2000. But the families of survivors had been kept in the dark for years, and survivors themselves struggled to prove the event even took place. Bobby learned about her uncles connection to the Rohna about a year ago. There's a stone for him on a family plot in a Strasburg cemetery, but the discovery about the circumstances of Sitters death prompted the family to request an official Department of Veterans Affairs-issued marker. They were denied since Sitter already has a grave marker. Honoring Sitter But that didnt stop family members from honoring their loved one. They commissioned a replica to be made for placement in the family plot. This Saturday the Bobbys will hold a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery. It wont be in honor of just Sitter, but all those who died in the Rohna sinking. "Every veteran deserves to have their grave marked, Roger Bobby said. He is a veteran himself and commander of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post in Port Sanilac. The event will be conducted similarly to a VFW funeral ceremony. The North Dakota National Guard will be sending an honor guard detail. The Bobbys sent out an email to everyone they know, detailing the story of Sitter and the Rohna. They invite any family of Sitter and anyone from the public who wants to attend the ceremony. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi ruled the global headlines with his highly successful visit to the United States, former President Barack Obama found himself amid a barrage of criticism with his remark on Indias approach towards minority rights. Obamas comments on the treatment of Muslims in India, especially at a time when PM Modi made an all-time impressive speech on democratic rights at the US Congress, didnt go down well with many especially Indian politicians. Many BJP leaders back home, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed the former US president and held a mirror up to him. The latest to join the trail was Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who said that Obama needs to remember Indias philosophy of Vasudev Katumbhkam, which translates to " the world is one family." #WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks on former US President Barack Obama's remarks about the rights of Indian Muslims"Obama ji should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members He should also think pic.twitter.com/k7Swn7HpW1 ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 Obama ji should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members He should also think about himself as to how many Muslim countries he has attacked," Singh said while addressing a query on Obamas remark at an event. Nirmala Sitharaman on treatemt of Muslims in Obamas administration Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday targeted former US President Barack Obama for his interview, in which he comments on Indian Muslims, saying that under his rule, six Muslim-majority countries were bombed with more than 26,000 bombs." .. I am speaking with caution, we want a good friendship with the US. But comments come from there on Indias religious tolerance. Perhaps 6 Muslim-dominated countries were bombed due to him from Syria to Yemen. More than 26,000 bombs were dropped" she said. Former USCIRF Commissioner on Obamas comment Former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hit out at Barack Obamas statement about minority rights in India, saying that the ex-President should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing it. #WATCH | Reacting to former US President Barack Obama's remarks about the rights of Indian Muslims, Johnnie Moore, former Commissioner of US Commission on International Religious Freedom, says, "I think the former president (Barack Obama) should spend his energy complimenting pic.twitter.com/227e1p17Ll ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 I think the former president (Barack Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing India. India is the most diverse country in human history. Its not a perfect country, just like the US is not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength, ANI quoted Johnnie Moore as saying. Former Union Minister Mukhtar Naqvi on Obamas Minority Rights Remark #WATCH | BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi speaks on former US President Barack Obama's remarks about the rights of Indian Muslims"Today, all the sections of the society are developing. Today riots like 84 are not happening in the country, " he says pic.twitter.com/j9R64jUObq ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lashed out at former US President Barack Obamas remarks about the rights of Indian Muslims and said Today, all the sections of the society are developing. Today riots like 84 are not happening in the country. Union Min Hardeep Puri on Obamas remarks Union Minister Hardeep Puri also joined his BJP colleagues and slammed the former US President for his remarks on India. India is not only the largest democracy but the mother of democracy - there is a lot of ways to way out of frustration but facts backfire," said Puri. What did Barack Obama say? Former US President Barack Obama in a recent interview commented about the violation of minority rights in India under the Narendra Modi government, a remark which is widely being slammed. He reportedly said that India may soon begin to pull out if it doesnt do enough to protect the rights of the minority community in India." Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao will visit Pandharpur and Tuljapur temple towns during his two-day visit to Maharashtra starting from Monday, a functionary of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) said. The BRS has been trying to make inroads into Maharashtra ahead of the state Assembly polls due next year. Rao, popularly known as KCR, will arrive at Omerga in Osmanabad district on Monday and will then leave for Solapur. On Tuesday, he will visit the Lord Vitthal temple in Pandharpur town of Solapur and offer prayers to the deity, the BRS functionary said. The CM will also attend a locally arranged programme in Sarkoli village of Solapur. Rao will later depart for Tuljapur in Osmanabad, where he will visit the famous Tulja Bhavani temple on Tuesday afternoon, he said. On June 15, BRS president Rao inaugurated his partys first office in Maharashtra at Nagpur as part of his ambitious plan to increase the organisations footprint outside his home state. He had expressed concern over farmer suicides in Maharashtra and pitched for his Telangana model" of development in the state. Rao said 24-hour power and water supply in Telangana had reduced farmer suicides considerably there. In December last year, the KCR-led party changed its name from Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi to underline its intention of becoming a pan-India party. Last month, Rao announced a month-long programme to expand the BRS partys network in over 45,000 villages in urban civic bodies in Maharashtra. On May 22, the BRS began its drive to form party committees in the state as part of its exercise to go beyond the confines of its traditional stronghold Telangana. KCR recently held rallies in parts of Maharashtra, mostly in Nanded, where he slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre and the one in Maharashtra led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for neglecting farmers and the downtrodden. In a bizarre comparison, the Saamana mouthpiece of Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray has called the Opposition bloc that participated in the June 23 Patna meeting the Wagner Group of India, claiming it would bring down the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre. The Wagner Group came together to challenge Modis power in Patna. This group is not for rent, it is important. Like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, Modi will also have to go, but through democratic means. The Wagner Group in Patna has given these indications!" an editorial in the newspaper said. The comparison may backfire on opposition parties since the Wagner Group is essentially a private army of mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who ordered his troops to march on Moscow on Saturday. Prigozhin later reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile. A long meeting of 17 major political parties was held in Patna on Friday. Five sitting Chief Ministers and as many former chief ministers were present in it. It was decided in this meeting to defeat Prime Minister Modis BJP in a one-on-one match against the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 general elections. This is good news from the point of view of democracy, the editorial said. Home Minister Amit Shah responded to this meeting as expected. Amit Shah said, Opposition people gathered for a photo and no matter how many opposition parties come together, it is certain that the BJP will win more than 300 seats. Who is the photo lover in the country?" it asked. The editorial also insinuated that groups supporting the BJP will strike first. Modi-Shah have prepared a large number of mercenaries to beat the drum of victory, to pressurise the voters. It is these mercenaries who will strike first at him. A direct example of this is currently seen in Russia. Like Putin, Modi-Shah are also trying to bring dictatorship, totalitarianism. For this, they have to take over all the national systems. Raised hired men around him (sic), those hired men sold the wealth of the country, it said. What is happening in Putins country today? The army called Wagner Group, prepared by Putin for his own convenience, declared a rebellion against him. Putins private army took to the streets to overthrow the regime of his dictatorial government and stage a coup detat in Russia. This army was advancing to capture Moscow," it added. The editorial further claimed that visuals of Opposition leaders coming together in Patna had led to a drop of 100 seats in BJPs target for Lok Sabha elections 2024. BJP president JP Nadda had previously said the party will win 400+ seats in the Lok Sabha, but Amit Shah has now downgraded the target to 300, it said. E-commerce giant Amazon will is ready to invest $15 billion more in India, taking its total investment in the country to $26 billion. In a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said: We have invested $11 billion till date and intend to invest another $15 billion, which will bring the total to $26 billion. So we are very much looking forward to the future of partnering." Productive meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi. Discussed Amazons commitment to invest $26B in India by 2030; working together we will support startups, create jobs, enable exports, and empower individuals and small businesses to compete globally. pic.twitter.com/yEgy0TVqpK Andy Jassy (@ajassy) June 23, 2023 Jassy met Modi during his first state visit to the US in Washington DC on Friday. During their conversation, the two leaders discussed various topics such as helping Indian startups, generating employment opportunities, promoting exports, embracing digitalization, and empowering individuals and small businesses to compete on a global scale. The company has made a commitment to digitize 10 million small businesses, facilitate $20 billion in exports, and generate 2 million jobs in India by 2025. Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar also took to the micro-blogging platform Twitter and tweeted about Jassys meeting with PM Modi. This big investment commitment by @amazonIN is to invest $26 billion by 2030 and create 20 Lakh jobs in India - is consistent wth PM @narendramodi jis vision of a Digital and Self-Reliant India n will help further deepen the #AI(America-India) tech partnership#ModiInUSA https://t.co/HUJlI88k1K Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@Rajeev_GoI) June 24, 2023 This big investment commitment by @amazonIN is to invest $26 billion by 2030 and create 20 Lakh jobs in India - is consistent with PM @narendramodijis vision of a Digital and Self-Reliant India n will help further deepen the #AI(America-India) tech partnership," he tweeted. Currently, Amazon India is on track to deliver on them, having already digitised over 6.2 million small businesses, enabled over $7 billion in exports, and created over 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs. Amazon recently completed 10 years in India, empowering more than 12 lakh Indian businesses to sell crores of products online and deliver to customers in every serviceable pin code across the country. Heatwaves across Asia and beyond have already broken records this year, while the arrival of the El Nino climate phenomenon will mean even more extreme temperatures. Here AFP looks at how climate change produces extreme heat, how scientists evaluate heatwaves and the risks to human health: What is extreme heat? Extreme heat is defined from a baseline of the average temperature in any one location, which varies widely across the world. So a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) could be record-breaking in parts of Canada in spring, but might be below average for the same period in the Middle East. What role does climate change play? Greenhouse gases trapping heat are at the root of the problem," said Martin Jucker, a lecturer at the University of New South Wales Climate Change Research Centre. Gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide play a crucial role in stopping heat from being reflected or lost from our atmosphere. When this process is balanced, it keeps the planet at a livable temperature. But an unsustainable increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere means more heat is being trapped, creating an overall global warming effect and other climate anomalies. For example, warming air holds more moisture, which produces stronger and more frequent storms. Overall, climate change is strengthening the duration, intensity and geographical reach of heatwaves, scientists say. What about human interventions? The problem is made worse in some places by the way cities are built the so-called heat island effect, where urban conglomerations are warmer than surrounding rural areas. This happens because cities with too little greenery and too much concrete, asphalt and other building materials absorb heat and often offer insufficient shade. The use of cooling technologies like air conditioners creates surging demand for energy, including the fossil fuels that are behind the climate crisis in the first place. Are all heatwaves linked to climate change? To determine climate changes role in any given event, experts use a technique called attribution science. They simulate a world with and without climate change, using historical and more recent measurements, or computer models. Comparing the two then gives us a measure of how much more likely a given extreme is under climate change", Jucker told AFP. Findings for over 500 events have been collected by the organisation Carbon Brief, with most shown to have been made more severe or more likely because of climate change. Just a handful, including some floods, droughts and extreme cold, have been found to have no clear link to human activity, while in other cases experts found the evidence inconclusive. Every heatwave in the world is now made stronger and more likely to happen because of human-caused climate change," according to Friederike Otto, a scientist at Imperial College London and pioneer of attribution methodology. How does extreme heat affect people? Exposure to higher-than-normal temperatures produces health problems ranging from heatstroke and dehydration to cardiovascular stress. Those with pre-existing heart conditions are especially vulnerable, as the bodys response to heat is to pump more blood to the skin to help with cooling. Risk is also unevenly distributed, with the elderly and the unwell more vulnerable, and those who work outdoors or live in places without air conditioning more likely to suffer. The deadliest heat combines soaring temperatures with high humidity the moist air undermines the bodys ability to cool off by sweating. In May, a study warned a fifth of the worlds population would be exposed to extreme and potentially life-threatening heat by the end of the century on our current climate track. For every 0.1C of warming above present levels, about 140 million more people will be exposed to dangerous heat," the study published in Nature Sustainability warned. Mumbai Police, renowned for its clever and humourous approach to creating awareness about safety measures, traffic rules, and more through their Twitter account, once again captivated everyone with a delightful tweet dedicated to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. This particular incident unfolded on June 25th, during King Khans exclusive #AskSRK session, held to commemorate his remarkable 31-year journey in the Indian film industry. While the session marked the anniversary of SRKs debut film, Deewana, and he answered all questions with his usual wit, there was one particular inquiry that stood out and prompted a response from Mumbai Police. A fan asked him about his iconic entry scene in the song Koi Na Koi Chahiye Pyaar Karne Waala" from Deewana, where he could be seen riding a bike in the middle of a busy road and dancing with the other co-actors. Also Read: What is Shah Rukh Khans Secret to Nailing Stunts at the Age of 57? The fan expressed their awe, asking, Sir how do you feel when you watch this epic entry of yourself. Its been 31 years and it still gives us chills #AskSRK". Sir how do you feel when you watch this epic entry of yourself. Its been 31 years and it still gives us chills #AskSRK pic.twitter.com/WCUinNpsTu Pratt (@thatlakda) June 25, 2023 In his characteristic style, King Khan replied with a humourous remark, stating, Should have worn a helmet!!!" Impressed by his comment, Mumbai Traffic Police crafted a tweet praising him in style. They wrote, Swades or Pardes, safety ka Badshah #HelmetHaiNa." An epic remark, indeed! Swades or Pardes, safety ka Badshah #HelmetHaiNa https://t.co/cs2FcVcH0G Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) June 26, 2023 Amidst the lighthearted banter, SRK also addressed questions about his approach to selecting movies. One fan posed a query, asking, After so many successful years in Bollywood and after doing almost every sort of role, now, while picking a movie, do you look at its commercial aspect or you would also like to do some roles/movies which you may have not done before, or may b more Like Swadesh. #AskSRK. Also Read: Mumbai Police Gives Savage Reply to SRK Fan Who Asked Actor For OTP on Twitter In response, SRK wrote, I now try and do the kind of film the particular director wants to do.not only what I see myself as." I now try and do the kind of film the particular director wants to do.not only what I see myself as. https://t.co/sPJuBDeKq1 Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 So, if given a chance, what would you #AskSRK? Shah Rukh Khan celebrated a significant milestone on June 25th as he completed an impressive 31 years in the film industry. The day marked the anniversary of his debut film, Deewana, which was released on the same date in 1992. To make the occasion even more memorable for his fans, King Khan hosted an engaging Ask SRK session on Twitter, where he interacted with his followers. During the session, he delighted his fans with his trademark wit and charm and shared interesting insights about his career, ranging from what he believed could have been different about his entry scene in Deewana to revealing the secret behind his radiant skin. However, it was his revelation about his ability to perform stunts at the age of 57 that truly caught the attention of his devoted fans. Also Read: SRK Fans Are Eagerly Waiting for King to Respond to Shakiras 2010 Tweet Ahead of the release of his highly anticipated film Pathaan, SRK revealed his long-standing aspiration to be an action star, a dream that he finally realised at the age of 57. In the movie, he effortlessly executed challenging action sequences and stunts, making them appear deceptively easy. Looking at this, a fan with the Twitter handle @SRKianPANKAJ asked him the secret behind his ability to perform such feats, to which SRK responded with his signature brilliance and humor, stating, Bahut painkillers khaane padhte hain bhai." (Brother, I have to consume a lot of painkillers). Take a Look: Bahut painkillers khaane padhte hain bhai. https://t.co/YbgptHE37R Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 But Shah Rukh Khans wit didnt stop there. When a fan shared the news of expecting twins and intending to name them Pathaan and Jawan, the actor playfully responded, All the best, but please name them something better!!" All the best but please name them something better!! https://t.co/4cdYLSAz7w Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 In another instance, a fan brought up the chants of the iconic song Chaiyya Chaiyya welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States. Also Read: This Twitter Thread on Shah Rukh Khan Videos Will Remind Us Why Hes Called The King of Bollywood Curious about SRKs take on the matter, the fan asked for his opinion. The quick-witted actor humorously replied, Wish I was there to dance to itbut they wouldnt allow a train inside, I guess??!!!" Wish I was there to dance to it.but they wouldnt allow a train inside I guess??!!! https://t.co/jjsUexZXCH Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 No doubt, #AskSRK continues to offer fascinating insights into the world of the Bollywood Baadshah, and these entertaining exchanges are further proof of that. A British woman, Hannah Smethurst, had an unsettling encounter during her journey from Abu Dhabi to Manchester after receiving WhatsApp messages from an Etihad Airways staff member. Hannah described the experience as terrifying as an unknown person claimed to have seen her in Abu Dhabi airport. When she inquired about how he obtained her number, he admitted to searching for her in the airlines data system. Shocked by the incident, Hannah shared a screenshot of the conversation on Twitter, which has garnered over 3 million views. Sharing the text, the woman wrote, A guy who works for the Etihad airline 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, terrifying experience travelling alone. A guy who works for the @etihad airline 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 , terrifying experience travelling alone. pic.twitter.com/qPWdg1rJlN Hannah (@hansmeths) June 21, 2023 Later in a conversation with Mirror, Hannah Smethurst said, It was terrifying being alone. I was waiting in line to board the plane and I spoke to one of the ground managers to check that it wasnt a crew member that was going to be on my flight. I was nervous that they couldve been on the plane. They told me it wasnt anybody on the flight, but if I wanted to make a formal complaint, Id have to be taken off the flight." Hannah reached out to Etihad Airways to report the incident. In response, the airline acknowledged that it was the male staff member who had checked her in at the airport and confirmed that he had accessed her phone number using the internal system. An Etihad spokesperson addressed the incident and stated that the airline had initiated a thorough investigation after being informed of the 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 contractors disciplinary procedures," they added. Hannah Smethurst confirmed that the staff member involved in the incident has been terminated from his position. She expressed relief, stating that it would stop him from engaging in similar behaviour with other female passengers. The instance left Hannah feeling extremely vulnerable, especially considering she was travelling alone. She said that the experience has completely discouraged her from travelling solo in the future. Definitely wont use Etihad again," she added. Liang Shi, a 56-year-old Chinese millionaire, has attempted the countrys toughest college entry exam, known as the gaokao," for the 27th time. Despite his successful business, Liangs dream of attending top-tier Sichuan University in China has remained elusive. The gaokao," Chinas rigorous college entrance examination, has become a defining milestone for students seeking admission to top universities. Similar to Indias Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), gaokao is known for its competitive nature and the high stakes it carries for students. Liang said he sacrificed a lot for this exam in the past few years. He even endured the media mocking him as the gaokao holdout," and some calling it a publicity stunt. But despite months of living like an ascetic monk, this year Liang was 34 points short of the provincial baseline for getting into any university," he told the news agency AFP. Before I got the result, I had a feeling that I wouldnt be able to get a high enough score to enter an elite university," he said. But I didnt expect to not make it into the ordinary ones." Shortly before 10 pm Friday, the anxious businessman carefully typed in his exam identification information and waited for the result. Its all done for again this year," he said after the results. Previously, Liangs misses failed to deter him. He promised to try again and again. However, for the first time in decades, he is unsure if his hard work will ever lead to anything. If I truly cant see much hope for improvement, there is no point doing it again. I did work very hard every day," he was quoted as saying by AFP. Its hard to say whether I will keep on preparing for the gaokao next year," he said. He revealed that a life without gaokao preparation is almost unthinkable to him. (If I were to) stop taking the gaokao, every cup of tea I drank for the rest of my life would taste of regret," he added. A 28-year-old Indian-origin woman is among six people jailed for their role in using minor children in their drugs supply operations in the UK. Sarina Duggal was sentenced to seven years imprisonment last week for her role as a member of a gang that controlled drugs supply in and around London and Birmingham and supplied in Bournemouth, the Metropolitan Police said. Five members of the group were found guilty last month at Bournemouth Crown Court following a seven-week trial, and Duggal and others were sentenced last Thursday to a total of more than 39 years imprisonment at the same court. This investigation resulted in the closure of a significant county drug line supplying crack cocaine and heroin onto the streets of Bournemouth, causing misery to local residents, said Detective Constable Jack Jeffries from Met Police-led Operation Orochi. In addition, two missing children from separate parts of the country were safeguarded at different times, allowing appropriate support and diversion mechanisms to be put in place to help prevent them from being involved in county lines activity in the future, he said. The sentences handed down to this group demonstrates how seriously the courts take this offending, and we will continue to use all available resources to combat this activity, he added. Operation Orochi is the Met Polices Specialist Crime team dedicated to tackling high-harm offenders involved in county lines drugs supply. It proactively targets London-based line holders, working in partnership with importing county forces. The gang members were found guilty of facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploitation and conspiracy to supply Class A banned drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin. The Met Police investigation into the gang began in July last year after a 16-year-old boy from Farnborough was arrested in Bournemouth for being in possession of a large quantity of crack cocaine and heroin. A mobile phone was seized from him following his arrest, and he was released under investigation whilst support mechanisms could be put in place to safeguard him. The investigation was then referred to the Mets Operation Orochi team due to concerns of the child being used by a county lines gang which transports illegal substances across different police jurisdictions to supply drugs in Bournemouth. The police said its detectives carried out extensive analysis of communications data of key contacts between the offenders, mobile phone downloads, including social media conversations between them. They also trawled through hours of CCTV, looking at a hotel within Bournemouth. Four of the offenders, including Duggal, were identified as controlling the Hustle county drug line, which had operated within Bournemouth, a coastal town in south England. The 16-year-old child caught earlier was found to have been working for them. The criminal gang was found to have been exploiting two children, both missing from London, to run their county line from London to Bournemouth and, in doing so, placed them at the forefront of the supply chain, exposed to the most risk whilst they harnessed the profits, the court heard. The teenagers were not prosecuted and were instead referred to Childrens Services from respective local authorities. The widespread assertion that the world would be better off without religion is a reasonable hypothesis. Yet data suggest that skeptics should attach no more than a modest level of probability to it. If you Googled the question constituting the title of this articleor minor variants of itas the first author of this article did on Christmas Day of 2013, youd end up with more than 650,000 hits. This high number attests to the keen public interest generated by this age-old question. Indeed, few topics have generated more impassioned discussion among religious believers and skeptics alike. For example, in 2007, the British organization Intelligence-Squared hosted a lively debate on the proposition that Wed be better off without religion, with proponents of the motionRichard Dawkins, A.C. Grayling, and Christopher Hitchenssquaring off against the opponents Julia Neuberger, Professor Roger Scruton, and Nigel Spivey. Over the past decade, a seemingly never-ending parade of books and articles have tackled the question, as we dub it, from various angles; entering the phrase better off without religion into an Amazon.com book search yields over 130 results. Arguably, what is most striking about responses to the question by many prominent partisans on both sides is their extremely high level of confidence in the answer. For example, in a 2011 interview with Slate magazine, author and political commentator Dinesh DSouza opined that For a truly secular society, we should look to Stalins Russia or Maos China. But thats the tip of the iceberg The result [of these societies] has inevitably been repression, totalitarianism, persecution of the churches, and just a miserable society (Weingarten 2011). Turning to the opposing side, in an interview with journalist Laura Sheahen (2007), evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins embraced the unequivocal position that the world would be a far better place without belief in God, contending that religion increases the chances of war and political discord. Sheahen asked him, If you had to make a case for religionone positive, if minor, thing religion has done, what would it be? Dawkins responded, Its true that some kind, nice, sympathetic people are also religious, and they might say that their kindness is motivated by religion. But equally kind people are often not religious. I really dont think I can think of anything; I really cant. (emphasis added; http://salmonriver.com/environment/dawkinsinterview.html). Later, in a 2013 interview with CNN, Dawkins maintained, The very idea that we get a moral compass from religion is horrible (Prager 2013). In this article, we address the overarching question of whether high levels of certitude are warranted among partisans of either position. In the interest of full disclosure, both authors of this article are atheists. At the same time, we have become concerned by what appears to be unjustified dogmatism by both religious skeptics and believers in discussions concerning an exceedingly complex and multifaceted question. Therefore, we attempt to demonstrate that (a) scientific data bearing indirectly on the question have routinely been neglected by many individuals on both sides of the debate; (b) such data, although informative, do not permit anything approaching conclusive answers to the question of whether religion makes the world a better or worse place. At the same time, such data cast serious doubt on broad-brush contentions (e.g., Dawkins 2006) that religion is usually or always associated with a heightened risk of immoral behavior, including violence. Hence, we view our article as a modest call for greater epistemic humility on the part of ardent defenders of both positions. Is the Question Even Answerable? In practice, the question posed here is probably not answerable with certainty because a genuine experimental test of the question is impossible. For both pragmatic and ethical reasons, we could never randomly assign individuals to a condition in which they were raised in a religious environment and randomly assign others to be raised in a nonreligious environment, all the while ensuring that all participants in this fanciful Gedanken experiment experienced little or no contact with the contrasting worldview. Putting it differently, we will almost certainly never know the hypothetical counterfactual (Dawes 1994) to the question posed at the articles outset; by hypothetical counterfactual, we mean the outcome that would have resulted had the world, or a large chunk of it, never been exposed to religion. That is not to say, however, that circumstantial scientific data cannot inform the question or adjust a rational individuals assignment of probability to its answer. Moreover, the question as commonly phrased (Would the world be better off without religion?) is probably not strictly answerable with scientific data because the word better necessarily entails a series of value judgments. Reasonable people will surely disagree on what would make the world a better place. Would the world be better with more political conservatism, invasive animal research, modern art, McDonalds hamburgers, or Justin Biebers? The answers to these queries are matters of personal preference and lie outside the boundaries of science (although we would dispute the rationality of readers who reply yes to the last option). Nevertheless, when scholars have pondered whether the world would be better off without religion, the lions share have almost always referred, either implicitly or explicitly, to a world that is more humaneone in which people treat each other kindly. For provisional research purposes, we can operationalize this propensity roughly in terms of lower rates of aggression and higher rates of altruism. In this article, we therefore address the more tangible question of whether a world devoid of religion would witness (a) lower levels of criminal and antisocial behavior1, including violence, and (b) higher levels of prosocial (altruistic) behavior than a world with religion. It should perhaps go without saying that the question of whether the world would be better off without religion has no logical bearing on the ontological question of Gods existence. It is entirely possible to maintain that (a) God does not exist, but belief in God makes the world a more humane place on balance, or (b) God does exist, but belief in God makes the world a less humane place on balance. Indeed, a group of scholars who are sometimes encompassed under the rubric of Atheism 3.0 have recently lobbied for (a). They maintain that although there is no God, belief in God makes the world a kinder and gentler place (e.g., Sheiman 2009). In any case, it should be beyond dispute that the question of Gods existence is logically and factually independent of the question of whether belief in Gods existence is beneficial for the human species. Nevertheless, it is all too easy to conflate these two questions, and we suspect that many partisans on both sides of the debate have done so, at least implicitly. If one concludes that belief in God is rational, one may be tempted to assume that belief in God would make the world a better place; conversely, if one concludes that belief in God is irrational, one may be tempted to assume that belief in God would make the world a worse place. At the risk of adding yet another logical fallacy to lengthy lists of such fallacies (e.g., Bennett 2012), we term this the argument from existence/nonexistence fallacy.2 In essence, this fallacy is the inverse of the familiar argument from adverse consequences fallacy (see Sagan 1995), in which one erroneously reasons backward from the adverse effects of a belief to gauge this beliefs veracity (e.g., Lack of belief in God has negative consequences, so therefore God exists). In contrast, the individual committing the argument from the existence/nonexistence fallacy incorrectly presumes that accurate beliefs regarding the existence of an entity (e.g., God) will always or usually lead to more salutary real-world outcomes. Yet, as the psychological literature on positive illusions suggests (Taylor and Brown 1988; but see Colvin and Block 1994, for a dissenting view), inaccurate beliefs may in some cases be tied to more adaptive outcomes, including higher levels of well-being and more satisfying interpersonal relationships. The Neglect of Research Evidence Surprisingly, the extensive body of social science data bearing on the links between religion and both moral and immoral behavior have typically gone unmentioned in public discussions regarding the merits or demerits of religion. Two high-profile examples from religious skeptics are especially striking. In his 447-page book, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, philosopher and prominent atheist Daniel Dennett (2006) devotes at most two pages (pp. 279280) to the question of whether religion helps to makes people more moral, dismissing it peremptorily: I have uncovered no evidence to support the claim that people, religious or not, who dont [emphasis in original] believe in reward or heaven and/or punishment in hell are more likely to kill, rape, rob or break their promises than people who do. The prison population in the United States shows Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and othersincluding those with no religious affiliation are represented about as they are in the general population. (p. 279) Later, Dennett quips that .?.?. Nothing approaching a settled consensus among researchers has been achieved, but one thing we can be sure of is that if [emphasis in original] there is a significant positive relationship between moral behavior and religious affiliation, practice, or belief, it will soon be discovered, since so many religious organizations are eager to confirm their demonstration underlines the suspicion that it just isnt so. (p. 280) For unclear reasons, Dennett neglects to review several dozen studies and at least two large-scale reviews bearing directly on this question (Baier and Wright 2001; Ellis 1985), including substantial bodies of data on the relation between religious belief and criminal behavior, which we examine in the following section. Similarly, in his 405-page book, The God Delusion, Dawkins (2006) devotes approximately two pages (pp. 229230) to this question. Dawkins approvingly cites Dennetts aforementioned conclusions and refers only in passing to correlational data on the relation between religion and morality. Without citing any references to the substantial psychological and sociological literature on the topic, Dawkins maintains that such research evidence as there is certainly doesnt support the common view that religion is positively correlated with morality (p. 229). Instead, on the same page, Dawkins cites only one observation, from neuroscientist Sam Harris (2006), that U.S. states that tend to be more socially conservative (and that are also characterized by higher levels of religiosity) are marked by higher levels of violent crime. We agree with Dawkins and Harris that such data may inform the debate. Nonetheless, these findings are difficult to interpret in view of the ecological fallacy, the error of drawing inferences regarding individual-level associations (in this case, the relation between religion and violence) from population-level data. It is well-established that this fallacy often (Piantadosi et al. 1988), although by no means always (Schwartz 1994), results in erroneous conclusions regarding the relation between two variables. 3 Because more informative data derive from examinations of the associations between religion and criminal behavior at the individual level, we examine such data next. Correlational Data Does religion make good people behave badly? When approaching this question, it is all too easy to cherry-pick historical instances in which religion, or the lack thereof, is tied to violent, even horrific, acts. Unquestionably, some of the worlds greatest atrocities have been perpetrated in the name of religion. In the opening pages of The God Delusion, Dawkins (2006) recites a plethora of examples: Imagine, with John Lennon, a world with no religion. Imagine no suicide bombers, no 9/11, no 7/7, no Crusades, no witch-hunts, no Gunpowder Plot, no Indian partition, no Israeli/Palestinian wars, no Serb/Croat/Muslim massacres, no persecution of Jews as Christ-killers, no Northern Ireland troubles Imagine no Taliban to blow up ancient statues, no public beheadings of blasphemers, no flogging of female skin for the crime of showing an inch of it. (pp. 12) The difficulty with this line of reasoning becomes evident, however, when considering an at least equally lengthy list of historical counterexamples. Even setting aside the contentious question of whether Hitler was inspired by religious doctrine, a topic that falls outside of our expertise to evaluate (see Dawkins 2006 and Evans 2007 for discussions), one can just as readily invoke scores of cases of heinous nonreligious violence on a grand scale. For example, radiotalk show host and political columnist Dennis Prager (2011) contends that .?.?. far more people have been murderednot to mention enslaved and torturedby secular anti-religious regimes than by all God-based groups in history. In support of this contention, he cites Mao Tse-tungs murder of between forty and seventy million people, Stalins murder of at least twenty million of his own citizens, Pol Pots murder of approximately one in four Cambodians, the North Korean regimes slaughter of millions of its citizens, among numerous other examples. It is safe to say that extremism of many kinds, religious or not, can predispose to large-scale violence, especially when conjoined with the deeply entrenched belief that ones enemies are not merely mistaken but deeply evil (Lilienfeld et al. 2009). Whether religious belief makes such hate-fueled aggression more or less likely on average is far from clear. Indeed, the question of whether religion increases or decreases the risk of genocidal and other large-scale violence may never be answered to our satisfaction. Nevertheless, the more circumscribed question of whether belief in God specifically, and religiosity more generally, are correlatedstatistically associatedwith criminal and antisocial behavior, including violence, has been investigated in dozens of studies. The results of a few early investigations suggested little or no relation between religiosity and crime (e.g., Hirschi and Stark 1969). In contrast, more recent studies, as well as meta-analyses (quantitative syntheses) of the literature, have converged on a consistent conclusion: belief in God bears a statistically significant, albeit relatively weak, association with lower levels of criminal and antisocial behavior, including physical aggression toward others (a statistically significant finding is one that would be extremely unlikely to be observed if the null hypothesis of a zero correlation between the variables were true). For example, in a meta-analysis of sixty studies that yielded seventy-nine correlations, Baier and Wright (2001) found a statistically significant, but weak, negative correlation (r=-.12) between religiosity and crime (correlations range from -1.0 to +1.0, and a correlation with an absolute value of .1 is typically regarded as weak in magnitude). Notably, all seventy-nine correlations were negative, although most fell in the range of -.05 to -.20. These findings run counter to Dennetts (2006) claim, seconded by Dawkins (2006), that there is no statistical association between religiosity and criminality. Still, this link appears to be qualified by other variables. The results of several studies suggest that the correlation between religiosity and crime is moderated by attendance at churches or other places of worship, with more frequent attenders being at especially low risk for crime (Ellis 1985; Good and Willoughby 2006). In addition, the diminished risk for aggression and antisocial behavior appears to be more closely associated with intrinsic religiosity, in which individuals view religion as personally important for its own sake (e.g., I try hard to live all of my life according to my religious beliefs) than with extrinsic religiosity, in which individuals view religion as a means to a personal end (e.g., The primary purpose of prayer is to gain relief and protection) (Bouchard et al. 1999). More generally, religiosity is moderately and positively associated with self-control, a trait closely tied to impulse control; again, this association is especially pronounced for people with high levels of intrinsic religiosity (McCullough and Willoughby 2009). In work from our laboratory recently submitted for publication (Lilienfeld et al. 2014), we even found a slight but statistically significant tendency for religious nonbelievers (including professed atheists and agnostics) to report higher levels of certain traits relevant to psychopathic personality (psychopathy), especially weak impulse control and lack of empathy, relative to religious believers. Needless to say, however, the weak magnitude of these associations in no way implies that most atheists are psychopathic, let alone psychopaths. Other correlational data point to a consistent association between religion and prosocial behavior. For example, in a meta-analysis of forty studies of adolescents, religiosity was moderately and positively associated with prosocial behaviors, such as volunteer work, altruistic acts, and empathic concern toward others (Cheung and Yeung 2011). Broadly mirroring other findings on the intrinsic-extrinsic religiosity distinction, the relation between religiosity and prosocial behavior was most marked for participants with high levels of private (rather than public) religious participation, such as individuals who pray when alone. In a study of high-school students, Furrow and colleagues (2004) similarly found a strong association between religiosity and prosocial interests, including empathy and a sense of responsibility toward others. Most, although not all, investigators (e.g., Kohlberg 1981) have also reported positive correlations between individuals religiosity and their level of moral reasoning (Ellis and Peterson 1996), meaning that more religious individuals tend to reason in slightly more sophisticated ways about moral problems compared with nonreligious individuals (although moral reasoning and moral behavior tend to be only moderately correlated; e.g., Stams et al. 2006). Still other investigators have found that unconsciously priming participants by asking them to unscramble sentences containing words relevant to religion (e.g., God, sacred) makes them more financially generous to other subjects compared with unprimed participants (Shariff and Norenzayan 2007). The extent to which these laboratory findings can be generalized to real-world altruism remains to be seen, however. Scholars have proposed numerous causal explanations for the link between religion and moral behavior (see Baier and Wright 2001 for a review). Among these hypotheses are that (a) fear of Gods wrath in the afterlife makes believers refrain from unethical actions (the so-called hellfire hypothesis); (b) consistent with the generally accepted etymology of the word religion as reflecting tying together, religious beliefs bind individuals more closely to communities, families, and others (social control theory); and (c) religious beliefs foster shame and guilt regarding unethical actions, thereby deterring people from engaging in them (rational choice theory). At the risk of oversimplifying an exceedingly large and complex body of literature, we can conclude that there is no definitive or even especially compelling evidence for any of these explanations, although none has been falsified. For example, in a study of 2,616 twins, Kendler and colleagues (2003) reported that a set of items reflecting belief in God as a punitive judge of ones actions was significantly and negatively associated with risk for drinking and drug problems but was not significantly associated with risk for disorders associated with antisocial behavior, thereby offering inconsistent support for the hellfire hypothesis. The authors did find, however, a negative association between general religiosity and antisocial behavior disorders, corroborating the other correlational findings reviewed here. Caveats Although extant correlational data are broadly consistent in demonstrating a statistical association between religious belief and (a) decreased levels of antisocial and criminal behavior and (b) heightened levels of prosocial behavior, such findings do not and cannot demonstrate causality (Galen 2012). As statisticians remind us, correlation does not by itself imply causation. Hence, the aforementioned hypotheses regarding the causal effect of religion on moral behavior may be explanations in search of a phenomenon. Authors who interpret these correlational data as demonstrating the effect of religion on crime (e.g., Baier and Wright 2001, 3) are therefore going well beyond the available evidence. Moreover, these findings leave us with the at least equally complex question of whether we can generalize from individual-level correlations between religion and crime to the broader implications of religion for society as a whole. Although the correlational data are consistent with a potential causal influence of religion on moral behavior, many other explanations are possible. For example, what statisticians term the causal arrow could be reversed: higher levels of moral behavior might contribute to higher levels of religiosity. Longitudinal studies, which track participants over time, may eventually help to adjudicate between these competing hypotheses. The quite limited longitudinal data available thus far are mixed, with some studies finding that changes in peoples religiosity predict a lower risk of future delinquency and vice-versa (thereby suggesting a bidirectional relation), but with others finding no association in either direction (Eisenberg et al. 2011). In addition, much of the prosocial behavior exhibited by religious individuals is directed toward other religious individuals, so this behavior could partly reflect what psychologists call in-group bias (Galen 2012). Alternatively, one or more third variables, such as personality traits, could be responsible for the statistical association. For example, religiosity tends to be moderately associated with high levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness (Lodi-Smith and Roberts 2007; McCullough and Willoughby 2009). The literature already reviewed linking religiosity with self-control is consistent with this possibility, as conscientiousness is strongly associated with self-control. Therefore, religiosity per se may not contribute directly to higher levels of moral behavior; instead, religiosity may merely be a proxy for personality traits that are themselves related to morality. Indeed, twin data indicate that at least some of the association between religiosity and altruism is in part genetically mediated, meaning that some of the same genes that predispose to religiosity predispose to prosocial behavior (Koenig et al. 2007). These genes may contribute to personality traits that boost the chances of both religiosity and prosocial behavior, although this hypothesis awaits future research. Another hypothesis is that devout and steadfast adherence to any meaningful worldview, rather than a religious worldview per se, is the genuine causal factor. As noted earlier, research points to a robust negative correlation between attendance at religious services and risk for crime. For example, it is possible that one would observe a comparably high correlation among atheists who are regular attendees at meetings of secular humanists. This intriguing hypothesis similarly warrants systematic investigation. Moreover, even setting aside the crucial issue of causality, the reported correlations are almost always weak or at most moderate in magnitude. Hence, if there is a causal relation between religion and morality, it is most likely either (a) modest in size or (b) large in size but suppressed statistically (masked) by undetermined variables. The middling correlations also tell us that many religious individuals engage in high levels of immoral behavior, and that many nonreligious individuals engage in high levels of moral behavior, a point acknowledged by political and religious commentator Dennis Prager (2013): None of this [the assertion that God informs morality] means that only believers in God can be good or that atheists cannot be good. There are bad believers and there are good atheists. Furthermore, we are unaware of any data indicating that the relation between religiosity and morality takes the form of a threshold effect, whereby a critical level of religiosity is needed to be moral. Hence, we can safely answer a differentand widely askedquestion with a high level of certainty: Does one need religion to be moral? The correlational data permit as close to a definitive answer as one can probably achieve in social science: No. Many nonreligious people clearly exhibit high levels of moral behavior and thinking. Religion as a Protective Factor against Immoral Behavior Arguably, somewhat more compelling evidence for a potential causal role for religion in moral behavior derives from studies on the potential protective effects of religion on antisocial behavior. In these designs, investigators typically examine individuals at elevated risk for immoral actions, such as those who possess high levels of personality traits (such as impulsivity) that increase risk for such actions, or those reared in high-crime areas. The hypothesis tested in such studies is what researchers term a statistical interaction, which mathematically is a multiplicative rather than additive effect. In more concrete terms, investigators are testing the hypothesis that religion is especially likely to attenuate the risk of antisocial behavior among individuals who are most predisposed to it. This hypothesis carries a certain surface plausibility. Most individuals may not need religion to behave morally, but certain individualsnamely, those with potent dispositional or sociocultural predispositionsmay need religion as a buffer of line of last defense against their antisocial propensities. These may be the very people for whom a moral compass offered by religion is necessary, or at least helpful. Regrettably, this important hypothesis has been examined in only a handful of studies. Still, the admittedly limited findings are reasonably, although not entirely (Desmond et al. 2013), consistent. In many cases, religious belief appears to play a protective role against antisocial behavior among high-risk individuals. For example, in a study of young adolescents (average age of thirteen), Laird and colleagues (2011) found that the importance of religion to participants was related to a lower risk of rule-breaking behavior, including physical aggression. Notably, this decreased risk was highest among adolescents with low levels of impulse control. Similarly, in a large-sample study of adolescents, investigators found that high levels of religiosity exerted a buffering effect on the risk of alcohol and illicit drug use following negative life events (Wills et al. 2003; see also Bodford and Hussong 2013). In still another study of adolescents and young adults involved in gangs in El Salvador, Salas-Wright and colleagues (2013) reported that both religious coping and spirituality (especially the latter) were tied to lower rates of certain delinquent behaviors, including carrying a weapon, vandalism, and theft. Still, because the authors did not directly test a statistical interaction between risk-status (such as weak versus strong impulse control) and religiosity, the existence of a protective effect in this study can only be inferred indirectly. Caveats The results of protective studies are sparse but provocative, and they raise the possibility that religious belief buffers high-risk individuals, such as those who are especially impulsive, against antisocial behavior. Still, as in the case of correlational studies, we cannot be certain that the findings reflect a genuine causal effect of religiosity on diminished risk for antisocial behavior. The apparent protective effect of religion on high-risk individuals could again reflect the indirect effect of unmeasured third variables, such as conscientiousness or devotion to a broader worldview, that are themselves correlated with religiosity. In future research, investigators should incorporate measures of such variables to test rival hypotheses for the buffering effect. Conclusions The widely advanced hypothesis that the world would be bettermore humanewithout religion is entirely reasonable, and it should continue to be debated by thoughtful scholars. Contrary to the forceful assertions of some prominent atheist authors (e.g., Dawkins 2006; Dennett 2006), however, the data consistently point to a negative association between religiosity and criminal behavior and a positive association between religiosity and prosocial behavior. Both relations are modest in magnitude and ambiguous with respect to causation. At the same time, they cannot be ignored by partisans on either side of the discussion. Our bottom-line conclusion is straightforward: any individuals who attach an extremely high level of probability to the answer to the question we have posed are placing opinions over evidence. Blanket assertions by advocates of either position can most charitably be described as scientifically premature. As in all scientific debates, humility in the face of equivocal data should be the watchword. Moreover, we urge caution in arguing by example, as many influential scholars have done when addressing this question. One can readily generate compelling historical evidence that seemingly supports the hypothesis that religion makes the world more dangerous (e.g., Dawkins 2006), as well as equally compelling historical evidence that seemingly refutes it (e.g., Prager 2013). One might well suspect that there is some truth to both positions, and that religion may sometimes be a force for good and sometimes a force for evil, depending on the specific religious beliefs, specific individuals, and specific historical contexts involved. In evaluating many of the debates concerning this question in the popular media, it is difficult not to be struck by the frequent neglect of the substantial scientific data bearing on it. Neither side has been immune from this tendency. For example, in a piece on the Huffington Post blog posted in December of 2013, pastor Rick Henderson wrote, There is no morally good atheist, because [according to the atheist world view] there really is no objective morality (Henderson 2013). Yet this assertion is contradicted by the correlational data we have reviewed, which demonstrate that many nonbelievers engage in high levels of moral behavior. On the flip side of the coin, take Nobel Prizewinning physicist Steven Weinbergs 1999 assertion, endorsed by Dawkins (2006, p. 249), that With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion (see Lindner 2005). This proposition runs counter to an enormous body of social psychological data demonstrating that many, if not most, good people can be led to perform unethical acts with no religious coercion. For example, in the classic obedience studies of Stanley Milgram (1963; see Burger 2009 for a more recent replication), large proportions of participants were induced by an experimenter in a white lab coat (who was actually a confederate of Milgrams) to deliver what they believed to be powerful and potentially deadly electric shocks to another innocent participant (who was another confederate of Milgrams). In this study, nary a hint of religious influence was invoked. The purported experimenter carried the banner of the authority of science, not of religion. Interestingly, in the lone study to our knowledge to examine religiosity in the context of the Milgram paradigm, Bock and Warren (1972)4 found that both extreme religious nonbelievers and extreme religious believers were the least likely to comply with the experimenters demands to administer shocks; for reasons that are unclear, moderate believers were the most likely. Still, even the small number of nonbelievers delivered more than their share of shocks. The Bock and Warren study, although limited in size (thirty participants in total), reminds us of how complicated the association between religiosity and moral (and immoral) behavior is likely to be. This link stubbornly resists reduction to simple formulas, probably because it is contingent on a host of still undiscovered factors. In addition, if the results of Bock and Warrens investigation are replicable, they would imply that the relation between religiosity and moral behavior may be sometimes curvilinear or dose-dependent, further confounding facile efforts to equate religiosity in general with either prosocial or antisocial behavior (Galen 2012). Some nonbelievers may react to this debate by staking out an alternative position: as scientific thinkers and skeptics, we should be seeking the truth, the consequences be damned. From this perspective, if God does not exist, we should be discouraging uncritical acceptance of religious tenets regardless of whether they exert beneficial or detrimental long-term effects on society. Knowledge, Sir Francis Bacon asserted, is power. In our view, this position is both intellectually consistent and intellectually honest, and we see merit in it. At the same time, advocates of this position need to be forthright in acknowledging that it may entail unknown risks that need to be weighed in public discussions of the value of religion to society. Other thoughtful readers may object to our article on the grounds that the very question as we and others have framed it is woefully simplistic. According to one frequently cited estimate, there are approximately 4,200 religions in the world (Dekker 2009), with countless subtle differences within many of these belief systems. And surely, individuals apprehend and apply the religious tenets of their chosen faiths in a seemingly endless variety of ways. Making matters more complicated, cultures differ with regard to what behaviors they regard as moral or immoral. For example, although virtually all individuals in all cultures agree that theft and murder should be prohibited, there are sizeable differences of opinion when it comes to certain other activities, such as homosexuality, abortion, and open government protests (Wilson and Herrnstein 1985). Hence, the objection continues, attempting to answer the question of whether religion in general makes society better in general is a fools errand. The point is well taken, and indeed, to the extent that the aforementioned caveats are legitimate, and we suspect that they are, they are all the more reason to insist on humility and circumspection in our claims. Most scientific assertions, especially those in the softer sciences of psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology, possess boundary conditions (Meehl 1978), and it seems implausible that the presence or absence of all religious beliefs would yield similar effects on all societies across all historical periods. In the meantime, as the debate continues, we exhort readers to emulate the epistemic modesty of our Emory University colleague, primatologist Frans de Waal (2013), who addressed this question with the thoughtful uncertainty that it richly deserves: Im struggling with whether we need religion.?.?.?. Personally I think we can be moral without religion because we probably had morality long before the current religions came along .?.?. so I am optimistic that religion is not strictly needed. But I cannot be a hundred percent sure because weve never really triedthere is no human society where religion is totally absent so we really have never tried this experiment. Acknowledgments The authors thank Frans de Waal, Lori Marino, Susan Himes, and Bill Hendrick for their helpful comments on previous drafts of this manuscript. Notes 1. The term antisocial, which means against society, should not be confused with asocial, which means apart from society. The antisocial person engages in behaviors that harm others, such as criminal acts, whereas the asocial person prefers to have little to do with others. 2. In some cases, this fallacy may stem from a representativeness heuristic, the tendency to presume that like goes with like (Kahneman 2011; see also Gilovich and Savitskys 1996 article in Skeptical Inquirer). Individuals who perceive that a belief, such as belief in God, reflects a rational judgment may assume that this belief goes along with other positive things, such as more humane treatment of others, and vice versa for people who perceive a belief to be irrational. 3. One widely cited example of the ecological fallacy derives from the work of Robinson (1950), who identified a high correlation between being foreign-born (versus being U.S.-born) and literacy across the then-forty-eight U.S. states. Yet, when Robinson examined this association at the individual level, the actual correlation was not only much weaker but in the opposite direction: people born in the U.S. had higher levels of literacy. The reason for the fallacious ecological correlation was migration: recent immigrants to the U.S. tended to move to states with higher levels of literacy. That said, an ecological study of crime rates across thirteen nations yielded only mixed support for the Harris/Dawkins hypothesis: countries with higher levels of religiosity tended to exhibit lower levels of property (but not violent) crime (Ellis and Peterson 1996). 4. 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Online at http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/intelligence_squared/2011/11/the_nov_15_slate_intelligence_squared_u_s_debate_why_dinesh_d_souza_will_argue_against_the_motion_the_world_would_be_better_off_without_religion_.html. Wills, T.A., A.M. Yaeger, and J.M. Sandy. 2003. Buffering effect of religiosity for adolescent substance use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 17(1): 2431. Wilson, J.Q., and R.J. Herrnstein. 1985. Crime and Human Nature: The Definitive Study of the Causes of Crime. New York: The Free Press. An Indian psychiatrist has been sentenced to six years in jail for helping run a child sex abuse website. Dr Kabir Garg, 33, from Lewisham in South-east London, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court for his role in facilitating the exploitation of children, BBC said in a report. Garg has been sentenced on June 23 at Woolwich Crown Court, is on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He had acted as a moderator" of the dark website dedicated to sharing images of abuse, the court had heard. Garg was involved in facilitating child sexual abuse on a significant scale. He used the dark web to access a global community of paedophiles sharing and discussing horrific crimes against children, Adam Priestley, from the National Crime Agency, said in a statement. He completed his MBBS from Lucknows King George Medical University and worked at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru before moving to UK. He was arrested in November last year and pleaded guilty to eight charges in January, including the sexual exploitation of children and making and distributing indecent images. Authorities said that Garg was one of the moderators of the site The Annex, which has 90,000 members worldwide. They found hundreds of links to child abuse material shared daily and Garg was the websites odd administrators. There are hundreds of thousands of members of such sites on the dark web, but few of them are prepared to commit to being a member of staff, which involves dedicating a lot of time for no payment, Priestley added. Officers arrested Garg at his flat in Lewisham in November 2022 as part of a coordinated operation with international partners, at a time when the site was open on his laptop with Garg logged into his moderator account, UKs national crime agency said in a statement. The authorities found over 7,000 indecent images, videos and several medical journal articles which he acquired as a psychiatrist. One of the journal was titled A Study on Child Abuse India. Gargs crimes are especially shocking given his understanding of the psychological impact of sexual abuse on children, Bethany Raine, specialist prosecutor, said. UK authorities also arrested 34-year-old Matthew Smith from London last year in the same month as Garg was arrested for allegedly being involved in child sexual abuse in India and recovered thousands of images and videos of sexual harassment perpetrated on children from his devices. Smith allegedly paid Rs 65 lakh to two teenagers in India over five years to sexually assault boys and share images. The authorities suspect that it is part of a larger child porn racket as they discovered thousands of images and videos of sexual abuse. During his stay in India, Smith worked in orphanages and at NGOs, where he managed to build a network of child sexual abuse accomplices and remained in touch with them even after moving to the UK last year. Smith used to manipulate teenage boys in India and used to teach them on how to befriend minors and then he would send them videos and images of sexual acts that he wanted performed and recorded, the prosecutors said. Pakistans Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Monday that the military had dismissed an army officer of lieutenant general rank and several others from service for failing to protect military installations on May 9. The ISPR director general was speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi. Disciplinary action has been taken against 15 officers including three major generals and seven brigadiers, he said. Chaudhry stated that three officers including a lieutenant general have been dismissed from service. He added that a granddaughter of a retired four-star general and a son-in-law of a retired four-star general have been arrested in connection with the probe into the May 9 riots. The wife of a retired three-star general and the wife and son-in-law of a retired two-star general are undergoing the accountability process, he added. The events of May 9 have proven that what enemies couldnt do in 76 years, a bunch of miscreants and their facilitators did, he said. The investigation held until now has proven that [the events] of May 9 were being planned for the past several monthsUnder this planning, first a conducive environment was created and people were instigated and provoked against the army. In this connection, a narrative based on lies and exaggeration was spread on social media inside and outside the country, he stated, adding that the authorities had obtained evidence against them. The families of the martyrs are hurt and they are asking tough questions as to when will the people involved [in the May 9 incidents] be brought to justice," he added. All the ranks within the army are asking why they should sacrifice their lives if the memorials of the martyrs are being desecrated like this. Talking about trials under the Army Act, Chaudhry said that 17 standing military courts were functioning in which trial of 102 miscreants is underway and this process will continue. He added that the suspects being tried in military courts had complete legal rights, including the right of appeal in the high courts and Supreme Court. Expressing regret over the May 9 mayhem, the DG ISPR said the planning of the violent incidents was done several months ago. The people were manipulated by this outrageous narrative, he added. A poisonous propaganda is being spread against Pakistan forces. False propaganda has been carried out for political purposes and lust for power," he said, adding that the nation cannot be separated from the army and there is complete coordination and transparency in the armys decision-making. The process of self-accountability in the army is done without any discrimination," he said. Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis embarked Monday on his second term as Greeces prime minister with a vow to accelerate institutional and economic reforms, after voters handed him a huge election victory for the second time in five weeks. Crediting Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party for bringing economic stability to the erstwhile EU debt laggard, voters gave the conservatives their widest winning margin in almost 50 years on Sunday. No adversary, absolute dominance of Mitsotakis," headlined centrist newspaper Ta Nea. Holding 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, Mitsotakis was sworn in as Greeces prime minister after officially receiving the mandate to form a government from head of state, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. It is an honour to take on the responsibility of a new mandate of four years," he told the president, adding that we will begin working hard on the major reforms". We will begin working hard for big reforms," he told the president, underlining that he had pledged to put in place major changes during the second four-year mandate". Among his campaign pledges is pouring money into the countrys public health system which was stretched to its limits by the Covid-19 pandemic and improving railway safety after the deaths of 57 people in a February train collision that was Greeces worst rail disaster. Congratulations had poured in from world leaders swiftly after Mitsotakiss victory. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation on shared priorities to foster prosperity and regional security," said US President Joe Biden in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron also promised to work together towards a stronger and more sovereign Europe," while Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Mitsotakiss re-election a sign of political stability that is good for the whole Europe". - Judgement - The 55-year-old former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate, who steered the EU nation from the pandemic back to two consecutive years of strong growth, had already scored a resounding win in an election in May. But having fallen short by five seats in parliament of being able to form a single-party government, he refused to try to form a coalition, in effect forcing 9.8 million Greek voters back to the ballot boxes. The gamble paid off, with his New Democracy party consolidating its win from the May 21 vote, while its nearest rival, the left-wing Syriza party of former premier Alexis Tsipras, saw a loss of tens of thousands of voters compared to just a month ago. Tsipras, acknowledging a serious political defeat", said he was leaving his political fate to the judgement" of Syriza members. For many Greeks, Tsipras is the prime minister who nearly crashed Greece out of the euro, and who reneged on a vow of abolishing austerity to sign the country on to more painful bailout terms. To the dismay of centrists, Sundays strong swing to the right was also accompanied by the return of the far right into parliament. Spartiates (Spartans), which is endorsed by the jailed former spokesman of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, will make an entrance in parliament after crossing the three-percent threshold. Spartiates and another two small nationalist parties with anti-migration policies garnered between them nearly 13 percent of the vote. For Tsipras, the strongest showing of Greek hard-right parties in decades was a visible" threat to democracy. - New cabinet - Mitsotakis is due to unveil his cabinet later Monday, though names were already circulating even before the last votes were counted. Mitsotakiss trusted troubleshooter George Gerapetritis is being tipped as foreign minister. A professor of constitutional law, Gerapetritis was enlisted in March to deal with the train tragedy, as well as a wiretapping scandal that implicated the prime ministers office last year. The former foreign minister, Nikos Dendias, a political moderate, is expected to move to the defence ministry. As soon as Thursday, Mitsotakis is due to meet with EU counterparts at a summit in Brussels. Mitsotakis, who first became prime minister in 2019, has not only vowed to make economic stability a feature of his new term. He had also championed a tough anti-immigration line, appealing to the conservative base in an electoral campaign in which the recent deadly sinking of an overcrowded trawler failed to garner a mention. Former Commissioner of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hit out at Barack Obamas statement about minority rights in India, saying that the ex-President should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing it. Johnnie Moore said that India is the most diverse country in human history and the diversity is its strength. He also added that the US can learn a lot from India and that the ties between the two countries have been taken to a whole different hemisphere. I think the former president (Barack Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing India. India is the most diverse country in human history. Its not a perfect country, just like the US is not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength, Johnnie Moore said, according to ANI. #WATCH | Reacting to former US President Barack Obama's remarks about the rights of Indian Muslims, Johnnie Moore, former Commissioner of US Commission on International Religious Freedom, says, "I think the former president (Barack Obama) should spend his energy complimenting pic.twitter.com/227e1p17Ll ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 The former USCIRF Commissioners statement comes in response to an interview where Obama reportedly said that if India does not protect the rights of ethnic minorities, there is a strong possibility at some point that the country starts pulling apart. 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 told CNN in an interview. Obamas statements received a lot of criticism in India from leaders including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Johnnie Moore, on the other hand, said the US should be complementing India in every chance that they have. He added that it is better to privately criticise friends and publicly praise them. We should be complementing the largest democracy in every chance that we have. With your friends, it is better to privately criticise and publicly praise. Thats good geopolitics, the former USCIRF Commissioner further said. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US was historic for America as well as it reminded the US citizens of their own confidence in the democratic system. #WATCH | Johnnie Moore, former Commissioner of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom speaks about PM Modi's recent US visit, says," It wasn't just a piece of history for India. It was a piece of history for the US as well (PM Modi's visit to US) pic.twitter.com/viXKo0d8Sa ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 It wasnt just a piece of history for India. It was a piece of history for the US as well. The Prime Minister demonstrated a confident India that was ready to take on the world. In some ways he reminded Americans of our own confidence in the democratic system, Moore said. On the question of minority and the Indian democracy, he said India is an incredibly pluralistic country and the democracy is alive and well in India. Democracies are messy. This is the strength of democracy. It is in the basis of our diversity. India is an incredibly pluralistic country. Its a country that fights for its democracy at every single election and democracy is alive and well in India and that certainly was the impression of the US Congress, he further said. He also added that PM Modi gave a gift to the US as he came and brought Democrats and the Republicans together. Johnnie Moore also recalled his time in India where he met with Tibetan, Sikh and Christian communities during his stay. #WATCH | Rev. Johnnie Moore, former Commissioner of United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, says," I think it's a lot of people looking from the outside of India into the inside of India. But when you're inside India, you understand very quickly that the pic.twitter.com/FcDwBfyCjB ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 When you talk about minorities in India, Ive been to Dharamsala and sat with the Tibetan community. I went to Amritsar and sat with the Sikh community. I know the Christian community really well, and I spent a lot of time in the Gulf," he said. He further added that Egypt rolled out the red carpet for PM Modi and also conferred him with the highest honour during the recent visit to Cairo. I was incredibly thrilled to see the Indian PM make another historic visit to Cairo. Egyptian president rolled out the red carpet and gave PM Modi the most important honour that any leader can receive from the Arab Republic of Egypt. And that alone sends a clear message from the Islamic world," he added. Modi went to Egypt on his maiden tour after concluding his high-profile state visit to the US. During the visit, he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and was conferred the Arab countrys highest honour Order of the Nile. #WATCH | On PM Modi's visit to Egypt, Johnnie Moore, former Commissioner of US Commission on International Religious Freedom says, "It was a powerful image, which is very important to the President of Egypt, as well as the leader of the most populated Hindu country in the world, pic.twitter.com/KoCB5nNPkc ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 The former USCIRF Commissioner said that the sight of PM Modi receiving the type of honour in Egypt was a powerful image. It was a powerful image, which is very important to the President of Egypt, as well as the leader of the most populated Hindu country in the world, receiving the type of honour that he received," he said. There are many, many forces, largely political forces all around the world, that want to divide religions and want to divide communities and divide languages. The message from the trip the PM made from India to the US and directly to Egypt is that theres something more powerful than politics and division, and that is values," he added. He also added that the India-US ties has been taken to a whole different hemisphere in the last several days." The relationship between India and the US has been good for a long time, but it has been taken to a whole different hemisphere in the last several days. Its been trending in that direction. But jet fuel was just put into the US-Indian relationship by PM Modis visit here. And that is only good for the world," he added. Last week, Johnnie Moore called India a laboratory of religions and said the US can learn a lot from India. America can learn a lot from India. India is the most pluralistic country in the entire world. It is a laboratory of religions. I went to India to learn about religion and one of the remarkable things about India is, there are more languages and more religions and more diverse people in that single democracy that any example in human history, Moore said after PM Modis address to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC held on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin told his nation that he had ordered that bloodshed be avoided during a weekend armed rebellion and offered Wagner fighters to join the army or leave the country after their mutiny. He spoke as Moscow appeared to show a business-as-usual approach in the aftermath of the dramatic rebellion staged by Wagner that rattled his more than two-decade rule. From the start of the events, on my orders steps were taken to avoid large-scale bloodshed," Putin said thanking Russians for their endurance and unity, and patriotism". He said that the West and Ukraine wanted Russian soldiers to shoot at each other, two days after he warned against civil war. Read More: West and Ukraine Wanted Russians to Kill Each Other: Putin Addresses Wagner Revolt It was precisely this fratricide that Russias enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other." The longtime Russian leader warned attempts to sow unrest in Russia, which he has ruled for more than two decades, would fail. Civilian solidarity showed that any blackmail, any attempts to organise internal turmoil, is doomed to fail," he told Russians. Putin accused rebelling Wagner fighters of treason and without mentioning their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin by name offered them to either sign contracts with the army or leave for neighbouring Belarus. Read More: Putin Warns Blackmail and Unrest in Russia Are Doomed to Fail Today you have the possibility to continue serving Russia by entering into a contract with the ministry of defence or other law enforcement agencies, or to return to your family and close ones Whoever wants to can go to Belarus," Putin said. The 24-hour mutiny in Russia ended by a Belarus-brokered deal as Wagner fighters approached Moscow, with the Kremlin saying Prigozhin had agreed to go into exile in Belarus. Putin then held a meeting with his top security officials over the mutiny. The meeting included Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, a main target for rebelling Wagner fighters. It was the first time Shoigu was seen in public since the weekend mutiny. Addressing the nation following the short-lived revolt by the Wagner mercenary group, President Vladimir Putin on Monday expressed gratitude to the commanders and soldiers of the private army for preventing bloodshed in Russia. In a widely televised address, the Russian leader asserted that the West and Ukraine had desired to witness Russians turning against each other. President Putin also stated that any attempt to blackmail or instigate turmoil in the country is doomed to fail." It was precisely this fratricide that Russias enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kyiv and their Western patrons and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other," he was quoted as saying by AFP. In his address, Putin accused rebelling Wagner fighters of treason and offered them to either sign contracts with the army or leave for neighbouring Belarus. Today you have the possibility to continue serving Russia by entering into a contract with the ministry of defence or other law enforcement agencies or to return to your family and close ones Whoever wants to can go to Belarus," he said. Putins address came on the same day as Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin released a boastful audio statement, defending his mutiny. Read More: Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin Remains Defiant as Moscow Tries to Project Stability Prigozhin clarified that his actions were not an attempt to stage a coup but rather to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. The feud between Prigozhin and Russias military leadership had been simmering throughout the war, culminating in a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. Surprisingly, they managed to advance unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before abruptly turning back within 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin announced a deal for Prigozhin to relocate to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. Although Prigozhins exact location remained unconfirmed, a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported that he was staying at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. In his statement, Prigozhin taunted Russias military, boasting that his march was a master class" on how the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine should have been executed. He also criticized the military for its failure to protect Russia, highlighting security breaches that allowed Wagner to march toward Moscow without encountering resistance. The details of the deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko remained unclear. Prigozhin mentioned Lukashenko proposing solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its operations in a lawful jurisdiction, hinting that his military force might be preserved. However, the specific jurisdiction he referred to was not immediately apparent. Prigozhin expressed regret for these attacks but argued that the aircraft had been targeting his convoys. (With agency inputs) The leader of the Wagner mercenary group defended his short-lived insurrection in a boastful, taunting audio statement Monday as the Kremlin tried to project stability, with authorities releasing a video of the defense minister reviewing troops in Ukraine. In an 11-minute audio statement, Yevgeny Prigozhin said he acted to prevent the destruction of his private military company, Wagner, and wasnt seeking to stage a coup. We started our march because of an injustice, he said, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military brass had festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Prigozhin taunted Russias military on Monday, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. The bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said only that Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt immediately clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. The independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was underway in an area of Belarus about 200 kilometers (320 miles) north of the border with Ukraine. The report couldnt be independently verified. The Belarusian military monitoring group Belaruski Hajun said Monday on Telegram that it had seen no activity in that district consistent with construction of a facility, and had no indications of Wagner convoys in or moving towards Belarus. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has had rows with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed an official request with Russias Prosecutor Generals Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion, given that Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed in a Saturday morning address to punish those behind it. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin can draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office amid the rebellion found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay his soldiers families. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry published video of defense chief Sergei Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Shoigu and other military leaders have lost Putins confidence and could be replaced. Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhins statement appeared to confirm analysts view that the revolt was a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Prigozhin said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defense Ministrys command, and the force planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He accused the Defense Ministry of attacking Wagners camp, prompting them to move sooner. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with the military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. It was unclear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagners forces were key to Russias only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of several of Ukraines European allies discussed the events in Russia over the weekend, but Western officials have been muted in their public comments. Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved in the short-lived insurrection. Speaking at the White House, Biden explained that he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it, he said. Biden said the U.S. was coordinating with allies to monitor the situation and maintain support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg concurred Monday that the events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy had contacted Russian representatives Saturday to stress that the U.S. was not involved in the mutiny. The events show the war is cracking Russias political system, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin defended his aborted mutiny Monday as a bid to save his mercenary outfit and expose the failures of Russias military leadership, not to challenge the Kremlin. The rogue warlords first audio message since calling off his troops advance on Moscow was released as Russian officials attempted to present the public with a return to business as usual. Fighting continued in Ukraine, where Kyivs forces claimed new victories in their battle to evict Russian troops from the east and south of the country, but in the Russian capital authorities stood down their enhanced security regime. Prigozhin, who did not reveal from where he was speaking, said in an online audio message that his revolt was intended to prevent his Wagner force from being dismantled, and bragged that the ease with which it had advanced on Moscow exposes serious security problems". The mercenary leader, a former close ally of Russias President Vladimir Putin, has a long-standing feud with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and has demanded they be sacked over the conduct of the Ukraine campaign. We went to demonstrate our protest and not to overthrow power in the country," Prigozhin said, boasting that his men had blocked all military infrastructure" including air bases along their route towards a point less than 200 kilometres from Moscow. - Belarus option for Wagner? - Prighozin called off the advance, and pulled out of a military base his men had seized in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, a nerve centre of the war in Ukraine, late on Saturday after mediation efforts from Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko. He did not say where he had recorded Mondays message, but he explained that Lukashenko had offered him a way of keeping the Wagner outfit a key element in Russias military machine in Ukraine and in African and Middle East hotspots operational. Lukashenko held out his hand and offered to find solutions for the continuation of the work of the Wagner private military company in a legal jurisdiction," Prigozhin said. Saturdays extraordinary sequence of events Russian military bloggers report that Wagner shot down six Russian helicopters and a command and control plane during their advance has been seen internationally as Russias most serious security crisis in decades. But Prigozhin insisted the revolt was designed to demonstrate our protest, and not to overthrow power in the country" and claimed civilian supporters had turned out along the columns route to wave patriotic flags and Wagner symbols. The Kremlin, meanwhile, was at pains to stress that there had been a return to normal, having announced at the weekend that Prigozhin would be permitted to seek exile in Belarus and that there would be a general amnesty for his troops. Putin himself did not directly address the dramatic events, but made a video speech to a youth forum dubbed the Engineers of the future" and praised companies for overcoming severe external challenges". Wagner headquarters in Saint Petersburg said it remained open for business, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the firm would continue to operate in Mali and the Central African Republic. Putin, his office said, had spoken to Irans President Ebrahim Raisi by phone and had received Tehrans full support". He also received a call from Qatars Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who also expressed his backing. Defence minister Shoigu appeared in more pre-recorded footage on state television, apparently visiting troops in Ukraine, but it was not clear when the piece was filmed. Officials in Moscow and in the Voronezh region south of the capital lifted anti-terrorist" emergency security measures imposed to protect the capital from rebel assault. - Moving forward - Ukrainian military leaders, meanwhile, insisted they were making progress in the south and east of the country, and President Volodymyr Zelensky made a morale-boosting trip to troops fighting Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut. We are knocking the enemy out of its positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut," eastern ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said. Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward." Deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said Ukraine had recaptured the rural settlement of Rivnopil, on the southern front in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian residents in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, near Bakhmut, also in Donetsk, told AFP that four explosions rocked a residential district overnight. The blasts severed water and sewage pipes, shattered windows and threw up stones that hit yards and roofs, but municipal authorities said no one was hurt. It was a fun night, we havent had this for a long time, its been quiet for a month or so," said 66-year-old Lyubov, showing off the new hole in her cement-shingled roof. - German brigade - The wine-growing and salt-mining city of Bakhmut, in Ukraines eastern region of Donbas, was captured in May by Russian forces led by Prighozins private army. The victory was short-lived, however. With the Wagner chief feuding with Shoigu and Gerasimov, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive. The Western allies backing Ukraine with weaponry and cash see Putins grip on power weakened by both Wagners revolt and the operation in Ukraine. NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, visiting Lithuania ahead of the alliances Vilnius summit next month, said Putins Ukraine campaign had weakened his own position at home. Germany, meanwhile, boosted Europes defences on its eastern flank facing Russia, announcing it would station a powerful 4,000-strong army brigade in Lithuania. Ms. C., lives in the same mental hospital as Ms. X., was also born in 1985, same as Ms. X. But unlike Ms. X who is still single, she has been married for many years, and given birth to two children. A tall (over 1.7 meter), medium-sized woman, she has long black hair, though not tidy, and fair and smooth skin. I would not say that she is beautiful, but she is not bad looking. A notable feature of her is her significantly distended belly. Always in slow motion, she did not talk much, and was not very active and fell asleep easily, which could be the effect of her medication. She is private about her family, and would directly refuse to talk about anything she is not comfortable to talk about. For example, she did not want to talk about the reason she dropped out of school at a young age, et al. Therefore, although I talked to her multiple times, I only got a partial story from her. She was born in the countryside of Fujian Province. She has three younger brothers, and her father died early when she was about 10 years old. Her mother remarried, and took her brothers with her (I am not sure how many). She was left with her great parents on her fathers side, and only finished elementary school and did not enter middle school because her great parents did not want to pay for her education any more. Then she left her village and went to Shenzhen to work. It is not clear at what age she went to Shenzhen, because it is illegal to hire a teenager younger than 16 in China. According to Ms. C, she got training in Shenzhen, and found an office job later. At the age of 19, she met her husband, who is at least 22 years older. Thus, she was 19, and the guy was at least 41. In addition, this guy, who was a doctor according to Ms. C. was raising a 2-3-year-old daughter from an extramarital relationship then, whose mother had already left. Consequently, she got pregnant and gave birth to her daughter. After she reached the age of 20, she got married. Three years later, she gave birth to a son. She told me that during the 10 years she stayed in Shenzhen, she spent most of her time taking care of three kids at home, and did not work much. In 2014, she and her kids came to the USA to re-unit with her husband, who had already been in the USA for 2-3 years. It is not clear how her husband got the chance to enter the USA at the first place. They lived in Silver Spring, MD ever since. She still stays at home to take care of their 3 children and at the same time study English and try to look for a job, but never succeeds. Now, her daughter is already 18-year-old, and has just been admitted to the Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland with a full scholarship. And her son is a 15-year-old high school student, and can take care of himself. Her step daughter, ~23, is still living with them. Her husband, now in his early 60s, became a truck driver, and spent a lot of time away from home. It sounds like their financial status is not very good, since they lost their house, and now rent a 3 bedroom apartment. None of her kids contact her in the mental hospital, especially her daughter. Only her husband would call her. She also told me although three of her brothers were over 30, none of them were married, two work in Shenzhen and one is in her hometown living with great parents. Ms. Chen got into a fight with a salesperson in JCPenney in early 2020, because she stole 8 pieces of mirrors with a total value of about $200. She was first arrested and then put to a mental hospital where she stayed for a few months. After being released from the mental hospital, she went to work with her husband, so they went on trips together a week to 10 days a time, and left her children at home to take care of themselves. She said this is the happiest time in the USA. However, she got into a conflict with a staff member in Safeway over a bottle of wine in October 2022, and was arrested for the second time. Later, she was transferred to the mental hospital, and has stayed there ever since. There are still mysteries about Ms. C.. First, is she pregnant? Since her belly is so protruded, it is very natural to think that she is pregnant. Additionally, another interpreter told me that when he first saw her in January, her abdomen was not so big. However, she has been kept in detention since last October, so if she was pregnant before that, she is already very close to her delivery day, and should receive intensive care because of it, and she is not. If she was pregnant after that, then how could she get pregnant during detention. I asked her about her protruded belly once, and she said she just got fat because of lack of exercise in the mental hospital. However, how could all the fat go to her belly but not to other places in her body? Secondly, it is difficult to understand why she became mentally unstable in 2020. It is obvious that when she stole the mirrors in JCPenney, it was not because she needed these mirrors or wanted to sell them for money. Then, what is the purpose of her behavior? Based on the fact that she was sent to a mental hospital, she should go through a mental crisis then. But at that time, she had already been in the USA with her family for about 6 years without obvious stress, what could be the trigger? I felt like that Ms. C. is smart. She could use English in most daily communication, and she told me that her English is better than her husbands. Considering her highest education is elementary school, it is a significant accomplishment. Her hearing was scheduled on July 11. But I did not feel she was ready to be released to the community. Since, I will not go back to the mental hospital, I will not know the end of her story. In what TMZ is painting as a triumphant "comeback" a year after losing her defamation case against Johnny Depp, Amber Heard has a new movie coming out and was warmly received at the Italian film festival where it premiered. Heard and costar Luca Calvani appeared at the 69th Taormina Film Festival this weekend to promote In the Fire, her first film since 2019 (and her first festival appearance since that same year), Deadline reports. She plays a US psychiatrist who travels to Colombia in the 1890s to work with a "disturbed boy" whom a local priest believes to be possessed by the devil. "You don't do them for money, you do them because you love them," Heard said of independent movies like In the Fire. "You do them because you love the story, you love the people, and you want to be part of that experience and have be something that other people can experience." She largely steered clear of press, however, Deadline reports. Some had been concerned Depp supporters might come out to protest her, but none did; in fact, at least one Heard supporter was pictured on the festival's blue carpet holding an "I Stand With Amber Heard" sign. (Read more Amber Heard stories.) With the troops withdrawn from the streets and roadblocks and checkpoints removed, Moscow returned to its summer Sunday rhythms, with people filling cafes and parks. Crews repaired highways leading to Moscow that had been torn up in panic to slow the armed force belonging to Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Group, CBS News reports, as it advanced on the capital . Armored vehicles and troops had been placed at checkpoints on the city's southern edge, and 3,000 Chechen soldiers had been rushed early Saturday from the fight in Ukraine to Moscow. Few signs of that chaos remained Sunday, though Red Square was still closed to visitors. Tanks tracks were still visible in Rostov-on-Don, the city Wagner had held until reaching an agreement with President Vladimir Putin. But residents seemed unfazed by the tense standoff. "It all ended perfectly well, thank God. With minimal casualties, I think," one man said. "Good job." The events changed his opinion of the Wagner troops, whom he said had been heroes to him. No longer, the man said: "It shouldn't have happened." In the Lipetsk region, a resident was unbothered by Wagner soldiers. "They did not disrupt anything," Milena Gorbunova said. "They stood calmly on the pavement and did not approach or talk to anyone." Ukrainians had hoped Russia infighting would benefit their battle against the invasion. "Yesterday it was the main topic everywhere you were meeting people," Dasha Lytovchenko told the New York Times on Sunday in Kyiv. "I was completely engaged." The outcome was a letdown. "I felt like something important would happen," Lytovchenko said. A man sitting on a park bench felt the same way. He and his friends had "decided that the war was starting in Russia." But it was clear Sunday that nothing had changed. "It's a usual morning," he said. "A regular war morning in Ukraine." (Read more Russia rebellion stories.) The Coast Guard said Sunday it is leading an investigation into the loss of the Titan submersible that was carrying five people to the Titanic, to determine what caused it to implode. Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, said that the salvage operations are ongoing and that the accident site has been mapped. He did not give a timeline for the investigation. Neubauer said the convening of a Marine Board of Investigation is the highest level of investigation the US Coast Guard conducts. The Coast Guard board can make recommendations to prosecutors to pursue civil or criminal sanctions, the AP reports. The Navy said Sunday that it won't be using a large piece of salvage equipment that it had deployed to the effort to retrieve the Titan submersible after all. The Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System had the capability of lifting an intact Titan back to the surface. The Coast Guard announced on Thursday that debris from the submersible had been found roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic in North Atlantic waters. The Navy would only use the ocean salvage system if there were pieces large enough to require the use of the specialized equipment. "Efforts are focused on helping map the debris field in preparation for recovery efforts and to support investigative actions," a Navy official told the AP in saying efforts to use the Flyaway system and the like have been dropped. Evidence is being collected in the port of St. John's, Newfoundland, in coordination with Canadian authorities, Neubauer said. On Saturday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said that it has begun an investigation into the loss of the submersible and has been speaking with those who traveled on Titan's mothership, the Polar Prince. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Saturday said it's looking into whether a full investigation is warranted, which would happen only if it appears Canadian laws were broken. The chair of the Canadian Transportation Safety Board said it will share findings with US agencies as much as it can; voice recordings and witness statements are protected under Canadian law, Kathy Fox said. "We don't want to duplicate efforts. We want to collaborate," she said. (Read more submersibles stories.) Ms. C., a 16-year-old girl, is my first patient in a mental hospital, though the hospital is called a Behavior Health Institute. Although this girl had been my patient for about a week, I almost never had a chance to talk alone. So, I knew little about her life. I just wanted to record the experience I had in the mental hospital. The unit I went to is for teenage girls. Most of these girls there had crises in their lives, for example, one girl swallowed a full bottle of her mothers Tylenol pills. Therefore, they were sent to the institute to get treatment and correct their behavior. All the patients in the Behavior Health Institute need to follow strict rules. All electronic devices were not allowed, and they were only allowed a small amount of personal belongings with them, such as clothing and books. Even the personal hygiene products like toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo et.al. were kept by nurses. I believe it is to prevent them from committing suicide, harming themselves or others. Every day, the kids need to get up around 7:30 am, then come to the nursing station to get their hygiene products and get ready for the day. Nurses check and record their vial every morning, and give them their medication. A doctor assigned to this unit comes to check on the girls every day, but usually she/he will not talk to the girls directly, but ask nurses about the girls situation. Every week, each girl has a one-on-one meeting with their psychiatrist to discuss their situation. In addition, every girl needs to fill a form about how she is feeling after breakfast, and report how her day was after dinner by filling another form. Lunch was served at 12:00 pm, and dinner at 6:00 pm. After dinner, there was a gathering around 7:30pm, and all activities ended before 8:30 pm, and the kids needed to go to bed before 9:30 pm. During day time, they usually have three sections of group activity every day, including art, music and lessons about how to deal with stress taught by social workers. They have about 30-45 minutes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snacks are served three times a day. They can receive phone calls from their family members during lunch and dinner, which is the only time they are allowed to communicate with the outside world. Since there is only one phone in the nursing station that they can use, each girl has about 10 minutes to speak. When there were no other activities, nurses sometimes turned on the only TV in the common room, and let the girls choose a movie, usually a Cartoon, to watch. (I did not think live TV was allowed.) Sometimes, nurses took the girls outside to the playground in the institute. Even the playground is separated from other parts of the institute, so girls would not interact with other persons. Or the girls were allowed to play games in the common room. Usually, these activities lasted less than an hour, and then the girls needed to go back to their room. This mental hospital hires interpreters from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm every day to cover most of the daytime except for meal time. The interpreter is required to stay with the patient whenever the kid is having an activity. But since Ms. C. has been in the USA for 5 years, her English is fluent and really does not need a translator. It is more likely that her guardians needed the interpreting service. According to her psychiatrist, Mr. C. was depressed and anxious, and she was taking medication to control these symptoms at the mental hospital. She was released back to her parents after a two-week-stay in this mental hospital. We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy A Kentucky woman visiting her boyfriend in Texas is now charged with murder after police say she shot an Uber driver she wrongly feared was kidnapping her. According to a complaint affidavit cited by USA Today and the Washington Post , Daniel Piedra, 52, who'd started driving for Uber only a few weeks previously, was driving 48-year-old Phoebe Copas on June 16 to a casino in southeast El Paso to meet up with her boyfriend when things went awry. Cops say that Copas started seeing signs for Juarez, Mexico, which is across the border from El Paso, during her ride and for some reason got the idea she was being abducted and taken over the border. Investigators say Copas then pulled a firearm out of her purse and shot Piedra several times, causing their Nissan Maxima to crash into road barriers before coming to a halt on US 54. Per a release from the City of El Paso, cops there received a call about the shooting shortly after 2pm, and when police arrived at the scene, they say Copas' boyfriend was there helping her out of the vehicle. According to the affidavit, Copas dropped everything she was holding, including a silver-and-brown handgun. Piedra, found slumped over in the driver's seat with multiple bullet wounds to his head, was taken to a local hospital. His family took him off life support a few days later. Authorities say Copas didn't try to call the cops before the shooting, or immediately afterward. Instead, they say she first texted her boyfriend a photo of Piedra, then called 911. The site where the car crashed was "not in close proximity of a bridge, port of entry, or other area with immediate access to travel into Mexico," the affidavit notes, adding that the route that Piedra was taking was a typical one used to get to Copas' destination. In a statement to NBC News, Uber says it's "horrified" by the shooting and that it will cooperate with the investigation. Copas, who was originally charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, saw those charges upgraded to murder after Piedra's death, per the city's release. Copas remained at the El Paso County Jail as of Sunday, her bond set at $1.5 million. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up by Piedra's wife had gathered nearly $70,000 as of Monday morning, per People. "I wish [Copas] would've spoken up, asked questions, not acted on impulse," Piedra's niece, Didi Lopez, tells USA Today, adding, "We just want justice for him. That's all we're asking." (Read more Uber stories.) Police near Boston are investigating a brutal triple homicide: Three elderly people were stabbed to death in the same Newton home, including a married couple who were celebrating their 50th anniversary, reports Boston.com . Police found signs of forced entry and say it appears they were the victims of a random robbery that turned violent. Authorities also are investigating an attempted break-in about a half-mile away but can't say for sure yet whether the two are related, per Boston 25 . Still, "we are asking people to remain vigilant," said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan at a news conference Sunday evening. "Lock your doors and windows even if you do not normally do that." The victims haven't been identified. "These were churchgoing people," a neighbor tells WBZ. "The only reason they were found is because they weren't in church and somebody came to see if they were OK." (Read more Boston stories.) UPDATE Jun 26, 2023 2:40 PM CDT The person who killed five people at a Colorado Springs nightclub in 2022 was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, after victims called the shooter a "monster" and "coward" who hunted down revelers in a calculated attack on a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community. During an emotional courtroom hearing packed with victims and family members, Anderson Lee Aldrich pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murderone for each person at Club Q on the night of the shooting, the AP reports. Aldrich also pleaded no contest to two hate crimes, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor. "This thing sitting in this court room is not a human, it is a monster," said Jessica Fierro, whose daughter's boyfriend was killed that night. "The devil awaits with open arms." Jun 26, 2023 12:39 PM CDT The suspect in a mass shooting that killed five people and injured 17 at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub last year has pleaded guilty in the attack. Monday's plea by Anderson Lee Aldrich comes just seven months after the shooting and spares victims' families and survivors a long and potentially painful trial. The plea entered during a court hearing follows a series of jailhouse phone calls from Aldrich to the AP expressing remorse and the intention to face the consequences for the shooting. Aldrich pleaded guilty to five counts of murder. The defendant faces life in prison on the murder charges under the plea agreement. The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case involving a North Carolina charter school's dress code, leaving in a place a lower court's ruling that girls at Charter Day School can choose to wear pants instead of skirts. Parents of Charter Day students challenged the skirts-only dress code for girls, saying it violated the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law and federal Title IX protections, NPR reports. The school says it focuses on "traditional values"and according to its founder, girls should wear skirts as a reminder that they are a "fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor." The school operates independently but it receives 95% of its funding from the government and is considered a public school under state law. "Today's announcement is a victory for the thousands of students who attend public charter schools in North Carolina and for the 3.6 million students like them nationwide," said Ria Tabacco Mar, director of the ACLU Women's Rights Project. "Girls at public charter schools have the same constitutional rights as their peers at other public schoolsincluding the freedom to wear pants. We will continue to fight for all girls to learn in safe and equal schools." The ruling that SCOTUS left in place said the school is a "state actor" that works on behalf of the government. Religious liberty groups and the attorneys general of 10 Republican-led states had urged the top court to take up the case, Politico reports. Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, welcomed the decision to turn the case down. "Charter schools are public schools and are, in fact, state actors for the purposes of protecting students' federal constitutional rights," she said in a statement. (Read more US Supreme Court stories.) Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation Monday night for the first time since the Wagner mercenary group's failed mutiny on Saturdayand the New York Times reports that his "anger was palpable" as he denounced the leaders of the rebellion. "They wanted Russians to fight each other," he said. "They rubbed their hands, dreaming of taking revenge for their failures at the front and during the so-called counteroffensive. But they miscalculated." He said the "blackmail attempts" were "doomed to failure," per the Telegraph . Putinwho did not mention Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin by nameclaimed that "the entire Russian society united and rallied everyone," causing the rebellion to fail. He thanked Wagner commanders and fighters who stood down to avoid bloodshed and said he would keep his promise to allow them to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, go to Belarus, or simply return to their families, the BBC reports. He also thanked members of security services who "stayed loyal to their oath" and pilots who were killed during the rebellion. "The majority of Wagner commanders and fighters are patriots," Putin said. "They were used covertly against their brothers-in-arms." Before Putin's speech, which lasted around five minutes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the leader's remarks, "without exaggeration, will determine the fate of Russia." Earlier Monday, Prigozhin, whose whereabouts are unclear, said the group's advance on Moscow was a protest against plans to absorb Wagner into the military, not an attempt to "topple the government." But he also mocked the Russian military, saying the advance 500 miles toward Moscow was a "master class" on how it should have invaded Ukraine last year, the AP reports. (Read more Russia rebellion stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region This year marks the 570th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, on 29 May 1453. The city at the Bosporus, on the border between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, bridging Europe, Asia Minor and the Balkans, was originally called Byzantium. The exact date of its foundation is unknown, but according to legend it was founded in 667 BC. Constantine the Great from the Synopsis of Histories (Eastern Mediterranean, 1574): Harley MS 5632, f. 2v The city was already an important trading and military centre, but its significance rose when, on 11 May, AD 324, Emperor Constantine the Great selected it to be the new capital of the reunited Roman Empire, and called it the New Rome. Six years later, to honour the emperor, it was renamed Constantinople after him. From the 5th century onwards, Constantinople was enriched with enormous fortifications, churches and monasteries, and the world-renowned imperial library. A view of Constantinople from Mandevilles Travels (Bohemia; 1st quarter of the 15th century): Add MS 24189, f. 9v Despite the tumult after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476, Constantinople remained the seat of the Emperor of the East and the centre of the political, religious and intellectual life of the Byzantine Empire for many centuries. Admired and envied by the West, it was visited by travellers, kings and pilgrims. In 1204, the Crusader army, originally destined for Palestine, turned against the city, occupied and sacked it, and made it the capital of the Western Emperor of Constantinople for the next half century. A golden bulla of Baldwin II, the last Western Emperor of Constantinople (Biervliet, 1269): Add Ch 14365, obverse Although it was retaken by the Palaeologan dynasty in 1261, Constantinople never regained its previous status. From the 14th century, it faced the rising Ottoman Empire in an ever-weakening state. Sultan Mehmed II arrived at the gates of the city in April 1453 and started besieging the city. The Emperor Constantine XI tried to secure help from the West, but the timing was very unfortunate. Europe was riven by warfare: the Hundred Year War was consuming France and England, Spain was involved in the last phase of the Reconquista, and the Holy Roman Empire was divided by internal wars. Apart from some volunteers and assistance from Venice, Genoa and the Pope, the Emperor was left on his own against the formidable army of the Sultan. The British Library holds eye-witness accounts of what happened next, one of which is inserted in a 16th-century chronicle now attributed to Macarius of Melissa. A page from the chronicle of Macarius of Melissa preserving the final speech of Emperor Constantine XI (Venice, 16th century: Add MS 36539, f. 79r This manuscript records the Emperor's final speech to his army on the night of the fateful battle. According to the author, who was present, Constantine declared: My noble peers, illustrious generals, noble fellow-soldiers, you know well that the hour has come and that the enemy of our faith wishes to hem us in more cruelly with every means Into your hands I give this most illustrious and renowned city, the Queen of Cities and your homeland There is no time to say more to you. I only entrust my humble sceptre to your hands. Brothers and fellow-soldiers, be prepared for battle in the morning with grace and courage ' The battle started around midnight on 29 May. The defenders were able to hold the walls for a while but when the general of the Genoan troops was wounded by an arrow, its defence was shaken. Parts of the army started to flee and the emperor was apparently left on his own. Chronicles from both East and West all agree that Constantine fought hard in the battle. A page from the chronicle of Macarius of Melissa preserving the last words of the Venetian soldiers witnessing the fall of Constantinople (Venice, 16th century): Add MS 36539, f. 85r Some hours later the defence collapsed completely. Macarius noted the last words of the Venetian soldiers upon seeing the fall of the city: Shudder Sun and groan Earth, the city is taken. The Sultan then entered the city and a desperate search to find the emperor began. Eventually Constantine who identified under a heap of corpses by the imperial eagle embroidered on his shoes. Detail of a grant by Sultan Mehmed II to the Genoese inhabitants of Galata, with the sultans monogram and the beginning of the Greek text (1 June 1435): Egerton MS 2817 A few days later, Sultan Mehmed II was in Constantinople when he issued one of his first edicts from his new capital, ensuring the trading rights of the Genoa merchants of Galata. The siege put an end to a long period in the history of this great city. No longer Byzantium or Constantinople, it started a new life as Istanbul. Peter Toth Follow us on Twitter @BLMedieval We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. TL;DR: Save over $200 on this expertly refurbished Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop computer, now just $644.99. While mobile devices have advantages, working off a tiny laptop in your typical desk setup isn't always ideal. Whether you're trying to view documents or watching videos online, small, dinky screens aren't always the best way to go, and a powerful desktop is really what you need to meet all your digital needs. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or someone needing a workplace setup, The Lenovo ThinkCentre M92P PC Desktop Computer has everything you need to get things done. Originally designed to withstand continuous use in a corporate environment, this computer is anything but dinky, ideal for anyone who works a lot on the computer. Even better, this desktop computer comes installed with Windows 10 Pro and a keyboard, mouse, and 16GB flash drive for only $644.99 (reg. $854). This specific model is particularly easy on the wallet thanks to the fact that it's refurbished, but don't let that deter you. In fact, it endured meticulous testing and restoration to ensure it works like new, approved by a Microsoft-authorized refurbished. And it includes all the necessary cables. 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Purchase the Lenovo ThinkCentre M92P PC Desktop Computer with Windows 10 Pro, a 23.6" LED Monitor, keyboard and mouse, and flash drive for just $644.99 (reg. $854). Prices subject to change. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, highlighted the depth of longstanding Bahrain-US strategic relations, and the importance of further developing the bilateral partnership to meet joint aspirations that benefit both countries and their peoples. HRH Prince Salman was speaking as he met yesterday with the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Steven C. Bondy, at Riffa Palace. The latest regional and international developments and issues of common interest were also discussed during the meeting. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Minister of Finance and National Economy, HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, also attended the meeting. AFP | Washington The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Russias crisis involving a mercenary groups aborted revolt against the Kremlin exposed real cracks in President Vladimir Putins rule, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday. Armed Wagner group were headed back to base yesterday after Putin agreed to allow their leader to avoid treason charges and accept exile in Belarus. The agreement ended the immediate threat that its leader Yevgeny Prigozhins private army could storm Moscow, but analysts said Wagners revolt had exposed Putins rule as more fragile than had been thought. The uprising by the Wagner group and Prigozhin over the weekend, with Prigozhins private military rushing towards Moscow before they were called off in a stunning development for nuclear-armed Russia, marked a direct challenge to Putins authority, Blinken told CBS News talk show Face the Nation. So this raises profound questions, it shows real cracks, the top American diplomat said. The remarks were the first public declarations about the crisis by the US, which over the past 24 hours had been intensively engaged in consultations with European allies on the revolt. Blinken, making the rounds on multiple yesterday talk shows, said it was too early to speculate on the impact of the rebellion, either on the Kremlin or on the war in Ukraine. But he deemed it an extraordinary series of events, in which a close Putin ally - who sent his private mercenaries into Ukraine to undertake some of the most brutal fighting of the war - rapidly turned against Russias leader and threatened the very center of power in the Kremlin. While 16 months ago Russian forces were on Kyivs doorstep, now, over this weekend, theyve had to defend Moscow, Russias capital, against mercenaries of Putins own making, Blinken told ABC News show This Week. He said the Prigozhin drama has shown just how deep of a failure the invasion of Ukraine has been for Russia, and how much Putin, whose grip on power had appeared absolute in recent years, is being challenged from within. Prigozhin... has raised profound questions about the very premises of Russias aggression against Ukraine in the first place, saying that Ukraine or NATO did not pose a threat to Russia, which is part of Putins narrative. Putin on Saturday accused Prigozhin of treason and vowed tough punishment, but then accepted an amnesty deal in which the Wagner chief would avoid prosecution and leave for neighboring Belarus. Blinken said that Moscow being distracted over the revolt may help the Ukrainians on the battlefield in the midst of Kyivs counteroffensive against Russian forces. But we cant speculate on how the Wagner crisis will play out in Russia, he said. , Jun 27 ( Reuters ) - Japan stepped up efforts to bolster its chip industry on Monday, with a government-backed fund agreeing to buy semiconductor materials maker JSR Corp (4185.T) for about 909.3 billion yen ($6.4 billion). The move by Japan Investment Corp (JIC), overseen by the powerful trade ministry, is the latest in a series of increasingly muscular government steps to try to regain Japan's lead in advanced chip production and maintain its edge as a maker of materials and tools used in their manufacture. A fund backed by Japan's government has offered to buy out JSR Corp., a firm central to the manufacture of semiconductors, in a deal worth $6.2 billion, the company said Monday.https://t.co/9IkFyMLy5T Bilyonaryo (@bilyonaryo_ph) June 26, 2023 JIC plans to launch a tender offer in late December offering 4,350 yen per share, a 35% premium to Friday's closing price, to take JSR private. Mizuho Bank and the government-backed Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) will provide financing. ...continue reading Tennesee has passed a near-total ban on abortion; exceptions are made for few and specific cases, making Tennessee a far more dangerous place for women to be pregnant. While abortions can be performed, in some cases, to save a mother's life, it is not a foregone conclusion. Planned Parenthood of Tennessee has issued a travel advisory warning pregnant folks away from the state. Raw Story: THREATENS TO SEND EMPLOYEES HOME WITHOUT PAY IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY TORONTO, June 24, 2023 /CNW/ - On Friday afternoon, as Toronto Pride Weekend 2023 was getting underway, Fairmont Royal York managers began approaching employees wearing union pins with the pride rainbow and demanding that they remove them from their uniforms. Managers informed employees that they would be sent home without pay if they refused to remove the pin. The action follows Fairmont Royal York management sending all of the hosts working at the hotel's restaurants and bars home without pay last June 1st for refusing to remove another union pin on that day. The union the Toronto Hospitality Employees Union/ CSN alleges that Fairmont Royal York management's actions violate the rights of the workers at the hotel. LGBTQ2S+ members of the union subsequently proposed that employees assert their rights over Pride Weekend by wearing their union pin with the Pride Rainbow. Again, management demanded people remove their pins or be sent home without pay. A complaint has already been filed at the Ontario Labour Relations Board for the incident on June 1. The union will be following this up with an additional complaint dealing with Friday's actions by Fairmont/Accor management. The parent company of the Fairmont Royal York, Paris-based Accor S.A., only recently in 2021 added 'LGBTQ+ inclusion' as a "new pillar of their 'Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategy.'" "Pride Weekend in Toronto is about expressing yourself free from any kind of fear or intimidation," says Ashley Hayes, Secretary-Treasurer of the union. "I just don't understand why Fairmont Royal York management cannot let their workers express themselves. I would think that they would celebrate this." The THEU-CSN is currently in negotiations for a first collective agreement for the hosts and the front desk workers at the iconic Toronto hotel who voted overwhelmingly to unionize last year. About THEUCSN The Toronto Hospitality Employees Union (THEUCSN) was born out of a need to create a strong union controlled entirely by ourselves, the hospitality workers of the GTA. The union is affiliated with the Confederation des syndicats nationaux (CSN), which represents more than 330,000 workers in all sectors of the economy. SOURCE Toronto Hospitality Employees Union CSN For further information: Media Contact: Ashley Hayes 416/272-6288 or [email protected]; David Sanders 416/795-1789 or [email protected] For years, Alphabets Waymo, Tesla and others leaders have promised autonomous vehicles will be here soon. However, we are currently short of the promised robotaxi capabilities. Here is a summary of the current situation. Tesla Full self-driving beta for city streets to roughly 400,000 customers in North America. FSD is bought by about 10% of buyers in North America. Tesla also has some FSD sales in other parts of the world. Autopilot is sold to about 20-40% of Tesla buyers globally. Tesla has made $5-10 billion on Autopilot and FSD. Autopilot, advanced driver assist, sells for about $3000-6000. All of the revenue for Autopilot and Autopilot plus is recognized as those systems are sold as completed systems. FSD is sold as partially complete for a fixed price (currently about $15000) or for monthly fees of about $199 per month. There are various market reports on the Global Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Market size. One of the reoprts valuesvalued at approximately USD 18.2 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 24.5 billion in 2023. Other companies in the driver assist are: Denso, Aptiv, Robert Bosch GmbH, Continental AG, Magna International, Veoneer, Hyundai Mobis, ZF Friedrichshafen, Valeo, NVIDIA, Intel, Microsemi Corporation, Mobileye, Nidec Corporation, Hella, Texas Instruments, Infineon Technologies AG, Hitachi Automotive, Renesas Electronics Corporation, and others. Other Autonomous driving companies are: Waymo, Cruise, Pony.ai, Zoox, Apollo (Baidu), Aurora Innovation etc Apollo Go, Baidus autonomous ride-hailing service, provided around 660K rides in the first quarter of 2023, up 236% year over year and 18% quarter over quarter. Apollo Go operates in more than 10 cities across China and carried out more than 474,000 rides in 2022. In June 2023, Baidus Apollo Go robotaxis got permission to operate across an area of 188 square kilometers in Shenzhen from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. In 2021, Baidu -Apollo announced plans to expand its self-driving mobility service to 65 cities by 2025 and 100 cities by 2030. The Apollo RT6 fleet is to be scaled to 10,000 to 100,000 vehicles at a steady rate, Baidu said, without disclosing when it will reach that size. 10,000 RT6 would cost about $400 million and 100,000 would cost about $4 billion. The Lidar and sensor supply chain will need to be scaled to achieve this goal. Baidu plans to deploy 1,000 Apollo Moon robotaxis over the next several years in China. They currently have a few hundred vehicles. Apollo has more miles and vehicles than Waymo and Cruise. California-based Pony.ai provides autonomous driving solutions and has launched robotaxi pilots in the US and China. Baidu and Pony.ai started charging fares November, 2021 in Beijing for their robotaxi services, which have a safety driver monitoring the ride. Pony.ai started a paid taxi service May, 2022 featuring 100 AVs as traditional taxis within the Nansha district of Guangzhou. Both also have been testing AVs and robotaxis in the U.S., although Pony.ais driverless tests were suspended in California after a vehicle hit a lane divider and street sign in Fremont. Baidu and Pony.ai have a robotaxi license for service in Beijing as of March 2023. GM laid out a vision of self driving cars in 2017 and this has not been fulfilled. GM has said they would have a million EVs. GM said they would get self driving car rides below $1 per mile. Waymo talked about adding 62000 cars. In Feb, 2023, Waymo announced the first million miles of without a safety driver. They had a million miles with riders only. In May, 2023, Waymo had 2 million no driver miles. Baidu (Apollo) introduced robotaxi called the RT6 capable of Level 4 autonomous driving, complete with a detachable steering wheel. Baidu is trying to get a robotaxi of that tier of autonomy certified in China. The Apollo Go service surpassed one million autonomous rides in the summer of 2022 and eclipsed two million rides in late January 2023. In early 2023, Apollo Go was providing an average of over 20 rides per EV, per day in a particular zone. Its initial footprint for driverless robotaxi services is 60 square kilometers, but says it will eventually expand to 500 square kilometers in Chinas capital. Waymo operates in parts of Arizona, San Francisco and will soon operate in LA. Tesla FSD beta program passed 150 million miles in April, 2023. Ford and VW talked about Argo AI and put in billions before Argo AI went bankrupt. Ford driver assist system is called co-pilot 360. The Abu Dhabi City Municipality has called upon all contracting firms and engineering consultancies operating within the construction and building industry in the emirate to participate in the classification system through the 'TAMM' platform. This initiative aims to facilitate their interaction with relevant governmental entities, including municipal services. The announcement was made during a series of three workshops organised by the Abu Dhabi City Municipality under the auspices of the City Planning Sector in Q2 2023. The primary focus of these workshops was to introduce the classification system for contracting companies, engineering consultancy offices, and profession registration. Also, to enhance coordination with relevant entities, ensuring continuous improvement in services while keeping stakeholders informed about the latest developments, regulations, and procedures in the construction and building industry. During the workshops, engineering establishments received comprehensive education on the classification system and its associated regulations. The application process for classification services on the 'TAMM' platform was elucidated, and examples of required documentation for classification applications were provided. Additionally, the workshops highlighted the technical advancements relevant to classification systems.-TradeArabia News Service A roller coaster cart at on the Jetline ride at Sweden's Grona Park derailed and spilled passengers 15 meters to the ground yesterday, leaving one of them dead and three more with critical injuries. "Today is a day of mourning at Grona Lund, we've had a very serious accident in the roller coaster Jetline, where one person has died and nine people have been injured," Jan Eriksson, the park's chief executive, said in a press conference. "Something like this should not happen at Grona Lund, and yet it happened", Eriksson said, adding that the 140-year-old park would be closed for at least a week to aid the police investigation. Reuters' description of the ride, which has its own Wikipedia article too. The steel-tracked Jetline roller coaster reaches a speed of up to 90 kph (56 mph) and a height of 30 metres (98 feet), transporting more than one million visitors each year, the amusement park says on its website. It's reportedly the third fatality incident for the ride's manufacturer, Schwarzkopf, though that's over a timescale of decades: see Rollercoaster that killed two people in Mexico had a dark history and the Wikipedia article for the Mindbender ride in Canada's Galaxyland. Here's video of a (completed) run of the Jetline coaster. The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke has dispelled the rumours making the round on social media that he is plotting to subvert the death sentence on Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, the killer of Obafemi Awolowo University master student, Timothy Adegoke. Adegoke was found dead in November 2021 at Adedoyins Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife, where he (the deceased) had lodged. In a judgment on May 31, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo, pronounced Adedoyin and two staff members of the hotel guilty of murder. Ojo, in a judgment that lasted over two hours, held that the circumstantial evidence available to the court, pointed to the killing of Adegoke while being a guest at the hotel owned by Adedoyin. Reacting to the allegation, the spokesperson for the governor, Olawale Rasheed, in a press statement made available to newsmen on Monday, affirmed that there is no plan to pardon the proprietor of the Oduduwa University. The statement read, Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke was quoted as noting that his administration never has and will never intervene in the judicial process, labelling those behind the fake news as public enemies. Those who concocted the fake news are evil-minded political operatives who are merely grasping at straws in their desperation to blackmail the state Governor. Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities. Adeleke noted that he has no hidden plot on the said murder other than the public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law, adding, No PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and the state judiciary must enjoy and exercise its full independence in the hearing and judgement of cases. He further said, It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and me. We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused. He, therefore, urged the members of the public to ignore the repeated rumours of state pardon for the convict. Christian nationalists sure do like quoting Adolf Hitler. In the video below posted by The Tennessee Holler, you can witness 20-year-old school board candidate Aaron Fulcher quoting Hitler at a Lenoir City church. "A couple months ago, I guess it was in February, I decided that I was gonna run for school board," he said to the people in attendance. "Born and raised in Wilson County. And God put it on my heart that we're in the state of our country right now where people have to stand up, and they have to believe in the cause. And the cause is to defend the children in this country. "You know, I hate to bring it up. But history repeats itself. And I wanted to be a history major before I decided to go into pre-law. And Adolf Hitler once said that the ones who rule the world are the ones who take charge of your children, you know, so it's important to stand up, it's important to implement a pro-American, pro-gun curriculum, in the high schools in the middle schools in the elementary schools. And I never did think I would receive as much flack as I have running as a pro-conservative, pro-Christian candidate in it. It's not me that they're after, it's the children." Mr. Fulcher was referring to the same quote cited by the anti-liberty group Moms for Liberty as well as by Rep. Mary Miller of (R-IL) in front of the Capitol on January 6. We are now at the stage where authoritarians have move from saying "Hitler was wrong" to"Hitler was right about one thing." The next step is to follow Kanye West's lead and drop "about one thing." The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, says his administration will not condone any act capable of degrading the Prophet, in a state like Sokoto which is predominantly Muslim. The governor was reacting to the mob killing of a butcher in the state over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad. The Governor in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa enjoined the residents to remain calm and law-abiding as the matter is receiving due attention from relevant authorities, warning them against taking laws into their own hands. A butcher identified as Usman Buda, was on Sunday killed by extremist Muslims over an alleged blasphemous comment. ASP Ahmad Rufai, the Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Command, in a statement, confirmed the incident and revealed that a team of policemen were led to the scene by the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander Metro, and DPO Kwanni, only to find the mob had dispersed and Buda left unconscious. He was taken to Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital Sokoto (UDUTH), where he was later confirmed dead. The state Governor in reaction told the people of the state to understand that the Islamic religion does not permit them to take laws into their own hands. Aliyu said, Sokoto people have so much respect and regard for Prophet Muhammad SAW, hence the need for all the residents to respect, and protect his dignity and personality. The Governor warned the people against fomenting trouble as his administration would guarantee the safety of lives and property, saying that the present administration would not take the issue of blasphemy lightly and will deal decisively with anyone found guilty of any act aimed at degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in line with the provision of Islamic laws. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a fake senator who also posed as a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent in Abuja. In a statement on Monday, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC head of media and publicity, said the suspect, identified as Ifechukwu Tom Makwe, was arrested in the Guzape area of Nigerias capital city. Wilson said the suspect was apprehended after the commission received credible intelligence concerning his fraudulent internet activities. He said the suspect had defrauded a Spaniard of the sum of 5.7 million, adding that he uses different identities to carry out his illicit activities. Upon arrest, it was discovered that the suspect, bearing many aliases (Fahad Makwe, Senator Tompolo, Tom Makwe, Dr. Bran), defrauded a Spaniard of five million, seven hundred thousand euros (5.7million), the statement reads. Makwe allegedly claimed to be a US FBI agent and diplomatic solicitor, and succeeded in defrauding his victim using fake identities. The suspect allegedly started defrauding the victim since 2013 when he first met her on social media. The EFCC spokesperson added that the suspect will be arraigned after the conclusion of investigation. Newly appointed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu says he will strive to discharge his duty and meet Nigerians expectations. Mr Ribadu said this on Sunday in a tweet posted via his verified account. He also extended his appreciation to friends and well-wishers over his recent appointment as the presidents security advisor. Many of youfriends and well-wishershave sent out kind words on my appointment as the National Security Adviser (NSA) by His Excellency President @officialABAT, the former EFCC chair stated. I sincerely appreciate your felicitations and prayers. I shall strive to discharge this confidence reposed in me. Penultimate Monday, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Ribadu as NSA, the first without military background since the return to democratic governance in 1999. The announcement of his appointment put to rest the speculations that the president might consider a non-military person for the position. Mr Ribadu, pioneer EFCC chairman, will become the third retired police officer after the late Gambo Jimeta and Ismaila Gwarzo to be appointed to the position. The new NSA was born on November 21, 1960, and was an intelligence police operative who retired as assistant inspector general of police (AIG). He came to the national limelight as a star prosecutor at the Oputa Panel, created to investigate human rights abuses during the military era. Mr Ribadu was later appointed chairman of the Petroleum Special Revenue Task Force before he became the pioneer EFCC chair, tasked to counter corruption and fraud in the country. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide leaders have called on the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, to restore peace in the Southeast region. The call was made during the inauguration of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women and Youth Wings (FCT chapter) in Abuja over the weekend. President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, represented by Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, said: What Southeast needs is security, a secure environment and even if you appoint 100 service chiefs without the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, you wouldnt have peace. His (Kanus) release is central and fundamental to the peace mechanism in Igbo land. Iwuanyanwu urged President Bola Tinubu to obey the Appeal Courts judgment, which discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu. He added, The moment Mr. Nnamdi Kanu is released, there will be peace in Igbo land and the Igbos will have that sense of belonging because he is a freedom fighter and hasnt committed any crime. Former governor of Anambra state and Chairman, Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, emphasised that the Southeast is safe and conducive for business investment, urging Igbos living in other parts of the country to invest in their homeland. He said, This is the time for our people that are still in the Diaspora; Igbo land is quite conducive for investment and so they should come home to invest. At the same event, Mrs. Kate Oguocha, the newly-inaugurated FCT Chairperson of Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Women Wing), outlined her agenda, which includes mobilising and organising Igbo women to support the government in delivering good governance and empowering women. She also stressed the importance of preserving the Igbo language. We will also contribute to preserving Igbo language by making sure our children learn to speak it early in life, Oguocha said. Usman Buda, a butcher, has been killed over alleged blasphemy in Sokoto state. Buda was reportedly stoned to death by an angry mob over remarks considered to be an insult to Prophet Muhammad. The incident occurred at the Sokoto abattoir on Sunday. Confirming the incident, Ahmad Rufai, Sokoto police spokesperson, said the command deployed its operatives to the scene of the incident immediately after it received a distress call. Rufai said the mob had already escaped when the police officers arrived at the scene of the attack. He said the victim, who was met unconscious, was rushed to the hospital for treatment and was pronounced dead. On 25th June 2023 at about 0955hrs, a distress call was received at about 0920hrs that one Usman Buda M of Gwandu LGA a butcher at Sokoto Abbatoir allegedly blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW), the statement reads. As a result, he was mobbed and attacked by some Muslim faithful who inflicted serious injuries on him. Upon receiving the information, the commissioner of police, area commander metro and dpo Kwanni led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders to the scene. On arrival, the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious; where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital Sokoto (UDUTH) for treatment and was later confirmed dead at the said Hospital. Rufai said calm has been restored in the area while the police have begun an investigation of the incident. In May 2022, Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, was attacked by a mob and set ablaze over alleged blasphemy. Richard Montgomery, British high commissioner to Nigeria, says the UKs new policy that restricts visas for families of foreign students is not targeted at Nigerians. Speaking with NAN on Sunday, Montgomery said the policy is aimed at managing the pressure on social services in the UK. He urged Nigerians to see the new visa regime in a bigger context, saying it is really a positive for Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Three years ago, there were 20,000 Nigerian students in British higher education institutions, and last year, the number increased to 127,000, Montgomery said. So, we had a five-fold increase in the number of students from Nigeria coming to UK universities. We are delighted that UK universities continue to attract the best and brightest from Nigeria. And in the wider context, last year, the UK granted three million new UK visas of various types including students and other visitors. He said more than ten percent of the three million visas issued by the UK last year went to Nigerian students. Nigerians alone received 325,000 of those 3 million visas, he said. So more than 10 percent of the visas from the UK are to Nigerian citizens which is fantastic. It goes back to the fact that the UK and Nigeria have strong people-to-people links. The policy change is about people who are doing non-research degrees coming to the UK as undergraduates, or for a one-year masters degree programme, and who decide to bring their dependents. RISE IN IMMIGRANTS CAUSING A STRAIN He said the UK has seen a significant rise in the number of people coming into the country from all over the world, which he said has led to a strain on the countrys amenities. We have had a very significant rise in the number of people coming from all around the world, not just from Nigeria, Montgomery said. This has caused some strain on the UK. Sometimes it is difficult to find good accommodation as a student and there is real pressure on housing and social services for students. If you looked at it three years ago, only 1,500 dependents of students were coming to the UK from Nigeria, but it was 52,000 last year. I am just trying to put it in proper context, that this is an adjustment. The words that are being used in the media to describe the situation are misrepresenting. We are making an adjustment that enables us to manage the demands on services in university towns and elsewhere. Nigerians are very successful in acquiring visas. We have a 97 percent approval rate and so that is the big context, Montgomery said. He said the countrys higher institutions are very open to students coming to study in the UK. He expressed the belief that Nigerians stand to gain massively from the international exposure and international networks offered by studying in the UK. In May, the UK home office announced that from January 2024, foreign students will no longer be allowed to take their dependents along with them to the country. The ban affects all masters students and some other post-graduates, but will not apply to PhD students who are highly skilled and whose courses last between three to five years. NIGERIANS AMONG HARDEST HIT If implemented, the crackdown will affect many Nigerian students hoping to pursue their postgraduate studies in the UK, as Nigerians accounted for the highest number of dependents accompanying persons with study visas in 2022. Nigerian nationals also accounted for the largest increase in sponsored study grants compared with 2019, rising by 57,545 (+686%) to a record high of 65,929, making them the third largest nationality group. Oyo State Magistrate Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has remanded skit maker, Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, popularly known as Trinityguy, in prison for allegedly s__xualising a minor in his viral skit video. Recall that the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi had last week called for the skit makers arrest following a trending video of his dangerous pranks. Oyo State Police Command in a statement on Friday announced that the skit maker and parent of the little girl in the viral video were quizzed by the Command and would appear in court Monday 26 June 2023. Appearing before the Magistrate counsel to the defendant, Oludare Adebayo urged the court to grant his client bail. Magistrate PO Adetuyibi while denying the bail application, said the allegation against the skit maker is currently receiving the attention of the state Ministry of Justice. The court, however, ordered that the parents of the little girl in the video be remanded alongside Trinityguy till the next sitting. Magistrate Adetuyibi therefore adjourned till July 11. The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike of terrorizing it for eight years. The Publicity Secretary of the party, Darlington Nwauju, said Wike cant join the party due to the terror he unleashed on the party for eight years. He disclosed this in a statement he issued. He described Wike as an enemy, hence wouldnt be allowed to join the party. The statement reads partly: The terror unleashed on our party members in the cause of his eight years of maximum rulership alone is enough evidence to confirm that Wike has no business with Rivers State APC. Asking him to come and take over is asking an enemy to come and finish off his victims. We are aware of his schemes to escape justice over the looting of the collective patrimony of Rivers people which is the major reason for his romancing top APC members. For those who may be suffering from amnesia, a non-APC member cannot be a cheerleader for the entry of Wike into APC. During the last presidential election, Wike had openly campaigned for President Bola Tinubu. Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, dumped his partys presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for Tinubu of the APC. A Philadelphia man who stabbed his 57-year-old girlfriend to death in a guest room at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City in 2021 and then rode a bus home has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison. Frankie Lane, now 61, will be required to serve 17 years before he is eligible for parole, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said. Investigators recovered a white shirt with blood stains from a large black and gray bag that had been tossed in a trash can in Atlantic City, according to court documents. Surveillance footage showed Lane wearing the same shirt when he and Sharon Whaley checked into a room on the 34th floor of the Hard Rock shortly before 6:30 p.m in June 10, 2021. The Cumberland County Prosecutors Office is investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy who was killed by gunfire in Bridgeton on Sunday night. Bridgeton police responded to an address on Mount Vernon Street around 8:50 p.m. and found the teenager dead from a gunshot wound. The victim was a resident of Millville, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said in a statement. He was not immediately identified. Investigators are treating the case as a homicide, the prosecutor said, and investigators are seeking the publics help in solving the crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgeton Detective Mark Yoshioka at 856-392-9031 or the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office online at CCPO.TIPS. An aggressive cow stalks the campus of Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, reports WFMZ News, and college administrators there are warning people not to mess with it: "All should stay away from cow. The animal is not safe to approach." The Kutztown University Police Department (KUPD) said it was first notified of the situation around 7:15 p.m. Sunday, as a caller explained that the cow was running along Main Street and onto the campus. In an alert titled "Avoid North Campus: Aggressive Cow DO NOT APPROACH," KUPD said the cow seemed scared and unfamiliar with its surroundings. Footage posted online shows the cow advancing through town with authorities in pursuit. The Devils are trading defenseman prospect Reilly Walsh to the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Shane Bowers, a league source told NJ Advance Media Monday. Walsh, a 2017 third-round pick who has spent the past three seasons with New Jerseys AHL affiliate (Utica Comets), is set to be a restricted free agent this summer and would have had to compete against right-shot defensemen like Dougie Hamilton, John Marino and Simon Nemec if he stayed with the Devils. A 16-year-old boy and his mother have been charged in the June 5 crash that killed a Union City Department of Public Works employee, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The teen was charged as a juvenile with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision and causing death while driving unlicensed in the death of 73-year-old Fortunato Rojas-Solis, Suarez said. The juveniles mother, a 37-year-old Union City woman, is charged with hindering and false reporting to a law enforcement officer. Both were arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutors Office in Secaucus Friday and released pending their first court appearances. Juvenile matters are confidential and no additional information can be released at this time, a spokeswoman for the Hudson County Prosecutors Office said. Rojas-Solis was working in the area of 36th Street and Palisade Avenue at 7:36 a.m. on June 5, 2023, when he was struck by a Dodge Durango operated by the 16-year-old, Suarez said. Rojas-Solis was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and was pronounced dead at approximately 5:15 p.m. The prosecutors office did not release details on why the 16-year-old was behind the wheel or what his mother initially reported to police. Kim Petras is heading out on tour this August. The Feed The Beast world tour will begin on Aug. 4 in Mountain View, California, with the U.S. portion wrapping up on Nov. 22 in San Diego, California. While on tour, she will be stopping in New York City on Oct. 9. Petras is also slated to perform at a number of music festivals this summer including Osheaga in Montreal on Aug. 6, The Town in Sao Paulo on Sept. 10, Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas on Sept. 24, and Corona Capital in Mexico City on Nov. 18. Tickets for Feed The Beast world tour go on sale to the public on June 26 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Fans also can find tickets on secondary market websites, such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, MegaSeats, TicketNetwork and TicketCity. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. A complete list of the Kim Petras tour dates is available here. More tours heading to New York City Kim Petras is not the only artist performing in New York City this year. Here are a few more upcoming tours you wont want to miss. RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS: Matt Rife world tour 2023: Schedule, dates, where to buy tickets Taylor Swift tour 2023: Full schedule, dates, where to buy tickets Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin 2023 tour: How to get tickets Billy Joel ends 10-year MSG residency in 2024: How to secure 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 who was convicted of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old child in Parsippany more than five years ago was sentenced last week to 29 years in state prison, officials said. A jury in January found Amit Bhatt, 43, formerly of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, guilty of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a release from the Morris County Prosecutors Office. The charges arose from an incident that happened on October 28, 2017 in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, where Bhatt performed sex acts on and touched the inner thigh of the child, the office said. Detectives started an investigation into the incident after the acts were reported to authorities on Jan. 11, 2022, authorities said. Bhatt will be ineligible for parole for 25 years and once he is released from prison, he must register as a sex offender and will was ordered to have no contact with the victim, the office said. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Despite apparent signs of widespread mold growth on walls within the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park, testing of air samples at state-operated nursing home determined there was no unusual airborne mold condition in the facility. A report by an environmental consultant for the state, newly released by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, or DMAVA, concluded that the level of airborne mold spores detected inside the facility were considered low by industry standards. The report, however, did not address the appearance of what maintenance workers say is mold growth on interior surfaces. The predominant spore type detected in the outdoor samples was Cladosporium, which was also the predominant spore type detected indoors, the report said, suggesting indoor mold conditions are reflective of the background fungal ecology at the site. A common mold, Cladosporium can cause allergies and asthma in some people. In very rare cases, it can cause infections, experts say. About 40% of the indoor air samples taken detected no mold spores. In a letter sent to staff, residents and their families on Monday, Lisa Kranis, the chief executive officer at Menlo Park said the samples were collected in multiple rooms that were designated for remediation work after signs of mold were discovered behind walls. There is no unusual airborne mold condition in the facility, she said, citing the report by Environmental Design, DMAVAs environmental consultant. Please keep in mind that, as per EDI, airborne mold and fungal spores can be found in almost every outdoor and indoor environment, and their presence indoors does not necessarily indicate a problem with air quality. Officials earlier this month said they had embarked on a $500,000, months-long remediation project involving 30 rooms at the 312-facility in Edison after a whistleblower said he raised red flags and refused to simply paint over the dark discoloration on the walls in the rooms of several residents. They say the problems were uncovered by routine inspections and denied that a worker, who is now under suspension, warned them of the problem. Two New Jersey state senators who raised concerns about the facility, meanwhile, have announced plans to hold hearings to investigate reports that residents may have been exposed to mold spores. Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, chairman of the state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Sen. Joseph Cryan, D-Union, chairman of the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, say they have been dissatisfied with the answers they have gotten from Adjutant General Lisa Hou. Vitale on Monday said the report did not change his mind about the need to continue testing and cleaning. Its a delicate population, and (mold) can cause upper respiratory stress, Vitale said. This should be taken more seriously. This is not your average indoor shopping center or office building. They should continue to test and do a thorough cleaning of the ventilation systems, Vitale said. The senator said he has consulted with heating and air conditioning professionals who advised him the vents and the entire system ought to be cleaned periodically. When he last spoke to Brig. Gen. Lisa Hou on the subject, he sensed, they were reluctant to do that. Molds can be particular harmful to nursing home residents, many of whom have diminished immune systems and are at far greater risk for harmful airborne substances. Kranis said ongoing inspections and the work of replacing drywall would continue, while a second contractor was proceeding with abatement work on several rooms within the Menlo Parks Liberty Wing. Our contractorswill advise NJ DMAVA on the safe return of residents or any additional abatement work recommendations, Kranis wrote. We also anticipate that further air samples will be tested at the completion of the abatement work as well. A DMAVA spokeswoman pointed to an earlier letter from Kranis, in response to air quality following the Canadian forest fires, that also noted that the air at Menlo Park part was triple and sometimes quadruple filtered. Mondays letter was specific about the tests for airborne mold and did not address the mold that appeared to be growing behind walls and in bathrooms. Jean Lormine, a former union leader, who identified himself as the whistleblower, said he has been on suspension since alerting his supervisor to the issues and pointed to photos he shared of what looked like mold growth on walls in rooms throughout the facility, which he said demonstrated a significant threat from mold. Theyre lying about it, he said. The mold is still there in the building. Theyve been lying about it since 2018. __ Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Weve all heard the horror stories of people trying to get refunds after their travel was canceled because of the COVID pandemic. Weve also heard the frustrations of customers who have been foiled when trying to use COVID-era travel credits. More than three years later, its still happening. Eric and Suzanne Westberg know stuff happens, and they try to go with the flow. They were all set for a guided tour in Peru in September 2020 until COVID canceled the trip. No worries, they thought. They got it. They would go with the flow. American Airlines assured us that the value of our tickets was safe and that we could apply the value of the tickets for a future flight, as long as we booked the travel by September 20, 2022 for travel to be completed before the end of 2022, Eric Westberg said of their $1,800 credit. No worries, they thought. They would go with the flow. On Jan. 24, 2022, they used the credit to purchase round-trip tickets from Newark to New Zealand with a connection in Los Angeles. American took the reservation and because the new trip was cheaper, it gave the couple a new credit for the difference in cost. But in August 2022, American made a schedule change. The return flight from New Zealand to Los Angeles stayed the same, but the connection to Newark was changed. It would not have been physically possible for us to make that flight, therefore we notified American Airlines on that same day that the change would not work for us, Westberg said. The representative agreed, and, after finding that the airline had no feasible option for us, canceled the trip and gave us full flight credit with no conditions. No worries, they thought again. They tried to book a new trip on March 10, this time from Newark to Mexico. The agent told us at that time that a new policy was in effect and American Airlines was not going to honor those credits, Westberg said. He said he understood the rules for COVID-related credits meant the credits had an expiration date, which the couple followed when they booked the New Zealand trip. He argued that because the most recent credits resulted from the New Zealand airline schedule change and not a COVID cancelation, the credits should be honored. Westberg cited Americans Conditions of Carriage, which explains what happens when a flight is delayed or changed. It says it will issue refunds for non-refundable tickets if, among other things, it makes a schedule change that results in a change of more than 4 hours to your departure time. That seems to be what happened here. The couple filed a complaint with the airline online. They received a response on March 17, saying the airline was not extending the validity period for tickets that were previously extended under our travel notices. A second complaint sent in May received the same unhelpful response. The airline has taken our money but has not provided service for that money. Additionally, the airline is violating its own policy for issuing vouchers, Westberg said. We believe we are entitled to a full cash refund. Done going with the flow, he asked Bamboozled for help.. WHAT TO EXPECT WITH CREDITS After reviewing the couples documentation, we asked American to review its decision. While we waited for a response, we took a closer look at what happens in cases like this. When an airline makes a change to your upcoming flight, its referred to as an airline-initiated schedule change, said Zach Griff of the travel website The Points Guy. He said if an airline initiates a schedule change on your behalf, your options vary based on the severity of the change. If its just a few minutes, then youll likely just need to stick with the revised schedule, he said. But if your itinerary is shifted by a few hours or your nonstop flight has changed to a connecting one, airlines offer flexible rebooking policies that include the ability to get a full refund back to the original form of payment. Alternatively, he said, you can ask to be rebooked on any other flight with available seats without needing to pay a fare difference. When refunds are granted, the funds are returned to the original payment method. So if you booked a flight with vouchers as the Westbergs did refunds are made as credits, he said. Griff said the expiration dates will vary by airline, but if you have an issue, customer service representatives will often be able to extend expiration dates. Thats not what happened for the couple at least not until we asked about their case. Within hours of our inquiries, Westberg said he received a voicemail from American, which was followed by an email. The representative said hed be getting a credit for the full amount, and it would be good for one year. American said it apologized to Westbergs, resolving their concerns, but it wouldnt offer any additional information about why it changed its mind. Westberg said he had mixed feelings about the result. It was great to get a quick response, he said. But why did it take pushing the corporate button to get this resolved? We spent hours over several months to try to resolve this through standard channels. The couple is looking forward to a successful trip in the future. So where are we going next? Our hope is to stay in country and go out west to visit the national parks. I hope, Westberg said. We hope they have a great trip. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KPMueller. Officials in the Paterson police department have created a summer crime strategy focused on increasing the overall safety in the city and strengthening community relationships. The joint effort between the police department, Attorney General Matt Platkin, and the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety will be in effect between Memorial Day and Labor Day when residents spend more time outdoors, officials said. Some of the initiatives include: Conducting recurring citywide community roundtable discussions to help the department better understand the communitys needs and how it meets them in small group settings. Partnering with community organizations to provide opportunities for youth engagement, summer employment, and camp experiences, and providing police resources, such as foot patrols, in neighborhood revitalization locations to build relationships in key areas plagued by public safety and quality of life concerns. Dispatching police personnel to dedicated hotspots that have historically seen increased violence during the summer months. The Summer Strategy includes significant violence reduction efforts made possible by Attorney General Matt Platkins ongoing commitment to Paterson, Isa Abbassi, the officer in charge of the department, which the AGs office took control of in March. Our mission since the first day we stepped into Paterson police department was to improve public safety and the relationship between our officers and the community, he said. With this comprehensive plan, we can provide the services that our residents deserve and should expect. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said his administration had met with Abassi about the citys public safety challenges and the need for additional resources and was pleased with the outcome. We have had numerous conversations about the summer initiative, he said, and are encouraged that the Attorney Generals office will be providing a grant to the city to support the overtime necessary to make it happen. The announcement of the summer plan comes after ongoing tensions between the police and the community boiled over on March 3 following the killing of activist Najee Seabrooks during a mental health crisis that ignited widespread protest and the AGs takeover of the department. Before that, there was unrest over the police killing of Thelonious McKnight, Felix DeJesus, who went missing after an encounter with police in February 2022, and the five former officers and their supervisor, who were sentenced in September 2022 for targeting, abusing and robbing mostly people of color in Paterson from 2016 to 2018. Protestors hold signs for Najee Seabrooks and Thelonious McKnight during a March 28 rally outside Paterson City Hall to support families that police have victimized. Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media In assuming control of the department, Platkin said he understood residents concerns and vowed to act. There is a crisis of confidence in law enforcement in this city, he said during a press conference. That can not continue. It will change, starting now. Still, some are skeptical of the new initiative. Unfortunately, this next generation of policing is just rebranding of old styles of policing that not only fails to reduce crime but increases incarceration among black men, said activist Zellie Thomas of Black Lives Matter Paterson, who said officials should use the money for policing initiatives differently. This almost million dollar investment towards Paterson police should instead have went to violence intervention groups, harm reduction groups, or groups that offer reentry and vocational training, he said. Activist Larry Hamm, who chairs the Peoples Organization for Progress, wanted to know how the initiatives would impact police training and policies. I want to know what measures and training have been built into this summer crime initiative that will prevent the recurrence of what happened to Najee Seabrooks and other incidents of police brutality, he said. Abbassi promised to unite the city. The Paterson police department is committed to the safety of our citys residents and visitors, Abbassi said. The efforts being undertaken by our department over the summer months will bring police officers and community members together more often and strengthen the community bonds of our Paterson home. We encourage community members to continue to engage with our Department as we improve the lines of communication between the department and the community we serve. The police department will announce the monthly meeting schedule for the community roundtables and provide opportunities to sign up via the departments patersonpd.com or the email address CommunityCares@patersonpd.com. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or Twitter @DeionRJohhnson House Republicans last week voted to censure Donald Trumps archenemy, Rep. Adam Schiff, a mostly symbolic act that recertified their party as an inferno of putrescent values and boundless MAGA cynicism. Playing his role was Rep. Tom Kean Jr., the freshman backbencher from Union County who was prepared to let this reprimand for Schiff pass by without getting his hands dirty -- until Trump threatened recalcitrant members with primary challenges if they didnt put down the California congressman, whom the despotic former president believes should be imprisoned! So after an initial vote opposing the censure of Schiff -- who will be celebrated in history books for his eloquent prosecution of Trumps first impeachment -- Kean voted in favor of the resolution, which chiefly accuses the former Intelligence Committee chairman of spread(ing) false accusations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia and bringing disrepute upon the House of Representatives. The problem with that is Schiff did not do the first thing, and Republicans spend way too much time doing the second. The main accusation is that Schiff lied all those years ago, because evidence of collusion. . . .never existed, and the resolution even cites the Robert Mueller report as support of that statement. Wrong. Republicans have to say that; it is an article of faith that the Trump-Russia connection is a hoax, even though thats not what Muellers report concluded. It punted on the question of criminality, but found countless contacts between Russian operatives and the Trump campaign and examples of collusion. More than 250, in fact. The most famous were Paul Manaforts repeated passing of campaign secrets (such as polling data) to Russian agent Konstantin Kilimnik; Donald Trump Jr.s solicitation of dirt on Hillary Clinton from a Russian official; and Trump himself going on national TV and asking Russians to hack Clintons emails, which happened the next day. These are all instances of collusion. Mueller concluded that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion and violated U.S. criminal law. Even the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee found irrefutable evidence of Russian meddling in the American campaign. Thats precisely what Schiff said all along, and now Kean has voted to censure him for telling the truth, which puts him back in the good graces of a party whose main interests seem to be nihilism and revenge. Not only has history already vindicated @RepAdamSchiff, this absurd, baseless stunt by the @HouseGOP to weaponize the House censure rule by wrongly targeting him will only make Adam Schiffs voice more influential and more powerful.pic.twitter.com/AyGYJIBhFn Fernand R. Amandi (@AmandiOnAir) June 22, 2023 Basically, the House Republicans censured Schiff for believing something that every Democrat and most of the national security community in Washington inferred from the Mueller Report and other evidence, said former Rep. Tom Malinowski, Keans predecessor in NJ-7. I personally believe that the Russian government and the Trump campaign colluded in the colloquial sense how else do you describe Trumps kids meeting Russian agents in Trump Tower, in hopes of getting dirt on their political opponent? House Republicans have a right to disagree, but censuring a member over a difference of opinion is totally nuts. Even if Schiff had said something dishonest, imagine if the House were to censure every member who did that? Maybe it could start with the scores of Republican members who claimed the election was stolen. Kean ignored our questions, and his prepared statement only raised more questions. He would not explain how Schiff blatantly disregarded the principles of integrity and transparency in public service. He would not explain how Schiff failed to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to him. He would not explain how he kept straight face as a staffer typed up that tartuffery. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." Earlier, he said that his initial opposition to censure was based on the resolution including a $16 million fine, but that didnt sit well with MAGA Central. On June 14, Kean posted a benign tweet about Flag Day, and it was immediately carpet-bombed with vile and vulgar threats from Trumps legions -- dozens of them -- because he had violated the rules of the One True Church. But this is the path he has chosen, and the living aint easy. He was sent to Washington to do something constructive for the people of West-Central Jersey. Instead, he now serves the Wingnut Grievance Caucus as do Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, who also passed the Trump loyalty test and helped feed the retribution machine. Sue Altman, Keans first declared opponent in the NJ-7th, has an easy target: He contorts himself to look like a moderate, she says of Kean, but his actions this week show that he is just another weak-kneed, Trump-supporting Republican. The censure is largely an attempt to distract from the fact that Trump is a certified sex offender who stashes classified documents in his bathroom. But it will benefit Schiff in the end, judging by the recent donations he has received for his Senate campaign. His statement was a masterpiece of the art: To my Republican colleagues who introduced this resolution, I thank you, Schiff said. You honor me with your enmity. You flatter me with this falsehood. You, who are the authors of a big lie about the last election, must condemn the truth-tellers, and I stand proudly before you. Your words tell me that I have been effective in the defense of our democracy, and I am grateful. We are also reminded of the wisdom shared by Liz Cheney, who warned that someday Donald Trump will be gone, but the dishonor of his enablers will live in infamy. Tom Kean Jr. is now a full member of that cowards club one that tolerates insurrectionists and serial cranks like George Santos and it does not welcome independent thinkers. Bending disgracefully to the will of Donald Trump, Republicans today revived their absurd effort to censure @RepAdamSchiff. What can you say about a party that embraces the Big Lie, insurrection and George Santos but wants to censure Adam Schiff? pic.twitter.com/YdfNusR4tb Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) June 21, 2023 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Quick review of MAGA Twitter suggests that Hillary should have been sent to jail first; the entire Biden Crime Family sent second; and the indictment of Donald Trump is illegitimate because only a 3rd World Banana Republic would permit a prosecution of its political opponents. Orin Kerr (@OrinKerr) June 10, 2023 Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Alex Gaudlap Today, more than 11,000 children in southern New Jersey with complicated health needs rely on providers as part of the states Medicaid/FamilyCare network. I know, because my 7-year-old son, Raymond, is one of them. Raymond was born in June 2016 at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital in North Carolina, and I noticed something wasnt right. Doctors assured me he was happy; simply taking his time with milestones. Specialists agreed. By the time Raymond turned 1, he was still sleeping most of the day and not where he should be developmentally for a child his age. By 2017, Raymond and I moved to New Jersey to establish care with Nemours Childrens Health, based in Delaware, and known for its excellent patient and family care. Its team of specialists were the first to listen to all our concerns and determined to give us the answers we were searching for. Dont miss an issue of our Opinion newsletter! Get it delivered each Wednesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe." Raymonds first visit to the neurology department at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington showed that he suffered from constant seizures, causing developmental delays. He was given a treatment plan under which we immediately noticed a difference. By Raymonds second birthday, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy but continued to make progress despite slow results. He was now sitting up on his own, finger feeding and beginning to work with a gait trainer. All along the way, Nemours was there for us, advocating on our behalf. When they requested a reanalysis of Raymonds original genetic panel, we finally received an official diagnosis: a variant of the VAMP2 gene. He was the third patient in the United States and only the tenth in the world diagnosed with this gene mutation. Despite the rarity of his condition, Raymond continued to make progress. By his fifth birthday, he could walk into Nemours Deptford Township Specialty Care and Surgery Center Care clinic and celebrate this progress with his care team. Raymonds care is expensive, and we dont have private health insurance. Our only option is Medicaid/FamilyCare. But, we could lose the ability to be covered patients at Nemours by Aug. 1, a situation that will severely affect our family and more than 11,000 others in New Jersey. Nemours deems current New Jersey Medicaid reimbursements as inadequate, stating that it has lost tens of millions of dollars treating special-needs children from South Jersey. Medicaid families should not be punished because New Jersey refuses to compensate Nemours fully for critical care. Raymonds care team at Nemours has become our family. I truly cannot imagine our life without them, and I know I speak for other New Jersey families in our position. State legislation, S-3913, sponsored by several South Jersey lawmakers, would compensate out-of-state based providers like Nemours more fairly, so thousands of kids like Raymond can continue to receive their care, and wont have to switch to New Jersey providers. We need to take care of our most vulnerable our children. Alex Gaudlap describes herself as a rare disease mom and advocate, and leads the advocacy group, Vamp2. She writes from Browns Mills. Editors note: Neither S-3913, nor its Assembly counterpart, A-5515, have been scheduled for hearings in their respective committees. To read more about Nemours stance, go to Nemours.org/MedicaidNJ. UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm watch issued for 13 counties. Latest updates on timing. MORE: Live N.J. power outage tracker: Severe thunderstorms knock out power to thousands The weather in New Jersey could turn downright nasty Monday afternoon and evening with forecasters calling for the threat of severe thunderstorms that unleash up to 5 inches of rain, 70 mph wind gusts and possible flash flooding. Though most of the state is likely to receive 1 to 2 inches of rain, localized amounts of 3-5 inches look possible given repeated storms, the National Weather Services Mount Holly office said in its morning forecast discussion. The southern half of the state is at an enhanced risk - level three on the five-tier scale - for severe storms with the threat slightly less in the rest of New Jersey. Forecasters are closely tracking where the strongest storms will set up, though it remained unclear as of Monday morning. The weather service advised residents to stay weather aware today and this evening! AccuWeather.com say there's a high risk of severe storms later Monday in the southern half of New Jersey.AccuWeather.com While spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible in northern New Jersey this morning, the main time thunderstorm window is from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the greatest threat coming after 4 p.m. A flood watch has been issued for Hunterdon, Morris, Warren and Sussex counties starting at 2 p.m. Winds could gust as high as 60 to 70 mph and forecasters say a tornado is also possible. Flash flooding as well as minor flooding in urban areas and areas with poor draining are also among the potential hazards on Monday. AccuWeather.com also warns of possible flight delays, power outages and tree damage as well as cloud-to-ground lightning. Temperatures will be quite warm, climbing into the mid to upper 80s. Itll be a mostly cloudy day except in areas south of Philadelphia where sunny conditions are expected ahead of the the afternoon storms. Storms taper off late Monday night with overnight lows falling into the 60s. Some lingering showers are possible. There's a chance of thunderstorms in New Jersey each day through Thursday, according to AccuWeather.com.AccuWeather.com Tuesday could shape up in a similar fashion with forecasters again calling for a few thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening. More showers and thunderstorms are also possible on Wednesday. Chances for storms lessen by Thursday, but cant be ruled out entirely. The rain should help with abnormally dry conditions that are prevailing across most of the state, according to the U.S Drought Monitor. Much of the northwestern part of New Jersey and pieces of southwestern counties were experiencing minor drought conditions as of the most recent update last week. Current weather radar Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com A senator said to his South Dakota colleague, Republican Mike Rounds, that when a former governor tells him that he likes being a senator, he wonders what else the person is lying about. Rounds is a former governor. He says he misses the satisfactions of executive authority but enjoys being a legislator, even though he cares about an issue concerning which Congress' failures are constant and costly: immigration. In 2018, he and another former governor, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), got 54 votes, six short of the necessary 60, for a bill that included $25 billion for border security. For Dreamers largely those brought here illegally as children there would have been protection from deportation and a pathway to citizenship. The incremental bill almost succeeded because it was not "comprehensive," which is a synonym for "futile." "Many legislators," writes economist Tim Kane, "want reform to fail because unsolved problems are invaluable for election campaigns." In his book "The Immigrant Superpower," he shows why China, too, probably wants fewer immigrants to the United States: China is, as totalitarian states must be, inimical to immigration, whereas the United States became the world's richest nation by welcoming the most immigrants. The Declaration of Independence's list of complaints against King George III included his attempt to keep the colonies weak by obstructing immigration. Today, this is an injury many Americans advocate self-inflicting. Kane calculates that if immigration levels since the Founding had been only half what they actually were, today there would be 90 million fewer Americans. And perhaps two countries: Forty-three percent of the Union military during the Civil War consisted of immigrants or their sons. Twenty-five percent were foreign-born, whereas only 13% of U.S. citizens were. Today's military recruiting difficulties are being addressed by offering instant citizenship to legal permanent residents (green-card holders) who enlist and complete basic training. Congress should give green cards to those who enlist. Why not? During wartime the military can offer citizenship to service members without green cards. Some conservatives wary of immigrants as future Democratic voters should consider this from the Hoover Institution's David L. Leal: "Why does red-state Texas currently have more Latino elected statewide officials than does blue-state California? Why are the most pro-Latino presidents in American history George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan?" Conservatives lacking confidence in the nation's capacity for assimilation should know that among the 11 million (down from 12.3 million in 2007) illegal immigrants, 62% have been here at least 10 years, and 35% own their homes. They have assimilated. Immigration, "the sincerest form of flattery," is an entrepreneurial act: Families who risk everything by walking from Guatemala to Texas will probably enhance American industriousness. Immigrants are prolific at starting companies Kane says start-ups create 3 million jobs a year, and "there is no net job creation" without them. Mike Rounds's ancestors on his father's side arrived here before FDR's Dutch precursors . South Dakota was partly settled by foreigners attracted by the nation's first important immigration legislation: The 1862 Homestead Act was partly intended to attract foreigners to fill the West's emptiness. By 1870, the population of Dakota Territory was 34% foreign-born. The immigration debate, long frozen, might yet thaw, thanks to a South Dakotan, and kindred congressional spirits. Families who risk everything by walking from Guatemala to Texas will probably enhance American industriousness. UPDATE: Tornado warnings issued as intense thunderstorms rip across state A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for 13 New Jersey counties as dangerous storms with heavy rain, hail and wind gust up to 70 mph are expected to slam much of the state on Monday afternoon and evening. The watch is in effect for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties until 9 p.m., the National Weather Service said. Forecasters expect damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and ping pong ball sized hail. Flash flooding and even a tornado is possible. Flood watches are in effect for Middlesex, Mercer, Hunterdon, Morris, Warren and Sussex counties starting at 2 p.m. Though most of the state is likely to receive 1 to 2 inches of rain, localized amounts of 3-5 inches look possible given repeated storms, the National Weather Services Mount Holly office said in its morning forecast discussion. The southern half of the state is at an enhanced risk - level three on the five-tier scale - for severe storms with the threat slightly less in the rest of New Jersey. An earlier round of thunderstorms triggered several warnings in Hudson, Bergen, Sussex, Warren and Morris counties. By 12:30 p.m., the weather service the first round of storms had pushed through the area and the warnings had all expired. With more intense thunderstorms expected between 2 and 9 p.m., there were already nearly 4,000 homes and businesses in the state without power as of 1:25 p.m. The severe thunderstorm watch also applies to most of Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware, but not New York City. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com The Texas Rangers have shown interest in Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, but Pittsburgh is not currently open to a deal, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Based on what McCutchen has expressed in the past, he wouldnt be interested in getting traded, either. BUY MLB TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in January that McCutchen intended to finish his career in Pittsburgh, and last month the outfielder said: As long as things continue to be the way that they are, Im going to continue to keep going. I want to do it here. I dont want to do it anywhere else. I dont want to continue my career on another team. The Pirates welcomed back McCutchen this offseason by signing him to a one-year, $5 million contract. In the first nine years of his career with the Pirates, McCutchen hit .291 and averaged 32 doubles, 23 homers and 81 RBI. Over the past five seasons with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers he hit .242 and averaged 20 doubles, 17 homers and 56 RBI. Want to bet on MLB? See the best NJ Sports Betting sites This year, hes hitting .271 with a .825 OPS. Hes recorded nine doubles, nine home runs and 24 RBI in 66 games. The 36-year-old McCutchen is a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award recipient. He also won a Gold Glove Award in 2012. The Pirates are in 4th place in the NL Central but just five and a half games back. MORE SPORTS: - Ex-Giants WR takes a swipe at Cowboys Dak Prescott - Rutgers footballs latest commitment will join program this fall, adding versatile athlete to 2023 mix - N.J. native, Steelers QB Kenny Pickett gets married in home state 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. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Showers and scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Showers and scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Oliver Thomas and LaToya Cantrell in disguises Jeffrey Vappie Some random person who will resign within a year after drunkenly crashing into an oak tree Tchompitoulas will take a bite outta crime Vote View Results The St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission recently unveiled a new logo; part of a rebrand that is geared to bring even more oomph to the area's growing tourism industry. Federal agents are investigating TAM Ceramics, a 117-year-old Niagara County company that has received government grants and tax breaks to make chemical powders used in a wide range of industries. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations searched the companys property on Hyde Park Boulevard in the Town of Niagara on June 13, two law enforcement sources and a government source confirmed Friday. So far, authorities are keeping silent about what they were looking for or whether they found it. A Homeland Security Investigations spokesman told The Buffalo News he could not confirm or deny anything about the raid because the agency does not discuss ongoing or pending investigations. Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said law enforcement has told city officials that the investigation involves concerns about materials that were moved to the TAM site from another country. Our people are not involved with the investigation but were keeping a close eye on the situation because this is a company that uses chemicals, right on the city border, Restaino said Monday afternoon. My first concern when I heard about this was, What is going on there? We dont know what the material is, or what country it came from. The city has not been notified of any ongoing safety concern at that site. On Thursday, police and firefighters responded to a small fire at the TAM plant. Niagara Town Police Chief Craig Guiliani and Niagara County fire investigator John Guiher said there was nothing suspicious about the fire. I see no reason to suspect the fire had anything to do with the federal raid there, Guiliani said. No one was hurt by the fire, which started when flames escaped from an industrial furnace and caused minor damage to the ceiling and roof of a large building on the site, said Guiher, who is also assistant chief of the Niagara Active Hose Fire Company. Despite attempts by The News to reach them on Thursday, Friday and Monday, TAM Ceramics and its attorneys have so far declined to discuss the federal probe or the search of company property. Founded in 1906, TAM is currently owned by Jerome Williams and George Bilkey. Williams did not return phone or email messages left for him by a News reporter. Bilkey emailed the reporter on Friday, saying he is out of town and not ready to discuss the situation, adding that he may have some comments later. TAM has 62 employees and makes chemical powders used by the aerospace, automotive, steel, glass, electronics and chemical industries, according to a company profile on the Datanyze business website. The company has had past contracts with the U.S. military, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and several European governments, according to its website. Several agents, wearing Homeland Security Investigations jackets, carried white plastic buckets on June 13 as they left a building on the 35-acre TAM property. The agents were photographed by the Niagara Gazette, which first reported on the raid June 14. TAM has received government funding several times and has been in the news several times since Williams and Bilkey took over in 2011. In 2014, TAM received a $500,000 award from the state Energy Research and Development Authority to develop an innovative device to create electricity from waste heat. At that time, the company said it made zirconia, titanate and zircon powders that are used in high-temperature furnace linings, brake pads, protective coatings for molten metal casting and welding consumables. In 2013, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency said it was revoking a property tax break for TAM because the company had failed to make timely payments on back taxes and sewer and water bills. The company owed the county $627,000 at that time, The News reported. TAM had filed four lawsuits against the Town of Niagara to try to get its plants tax assessment reduced, town officials said in 2013. In 2012, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced that TAM and a Buffalo company would receive $700,000 in state grants to develop clean energy power systems. Company officials could not be reached Friday for comment on the status of its government-funded projects or its legal disputes with the town or county. Niagaras then-town supervisor, Steven Richards, complained publicly in 2011, when the Niagara USA Chamber named TAM as Niagara Countys Company of the Year. Richards questioned whether a company that owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes and fees should receive such an honor. At that time, Williams said he and Bilkey were working hard to resolve financial problems left to them by previous owners of TAM. According to TAMs website, Bilkey in 2011 said the company had contracts with several universities, the U.S. military, NATO and several European governments to research and develop ceramic materials for use in bridge building, space heating, solar and wind power delivery and fuel cells. FILE - Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour, right, speaks alongside Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall following oral arguments in Merrill v. Milligan, an Alabama redistricting case, outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 4, 2022. The Supreme Court on Thursday, June 8, 2023, issued a surprising ruling in favor of Black voters in a congressional redistricting case, ordering the creation of a second district with a large Black population. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) The ongoing heat wave in Texas and other parts of the South Central U.S. is expanding this week, and will be taking a greater human toll as its duration extends from last week into much of this week. By late this week, its intensity should begin to subside from its recent brutal peaks, though genuine relief from hot and humid weather for much of the region is not in sight. During Saturday, Corpus Christi reached what the National Weather Service described as an unprecedented heat index of 125 degrees. The heat index is a measure of the combination of heat and humidity reducing the bodys ability to regulate its temperature through evaporative cooling through the skin. Even on Monday, for example, the San Angelo, Texas region will remain under the heat gun. 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. The duration and intensity of this extreme heat wave is tied to the development of what is known as a heat dome. When an area of high pressure builds vertically and becomes stacked up well into the atmosphere, it can take on the characteristics of a block in the flow and become largely stationary. Under the influence of such a ridge of higher pressure, the air tends to subside and heat up by compression as it sinks. The persistence of a heat dome can lead to a general circulation that looks like this. One slightly unusual element of the Texas heat dome has been its earlier onset. Typically, such developments are more common in midsummer, but heat domes have been setting up a little sooner in recent decades. Also, such domes are not confined to only southern latitudes. In June 2021, an incredibly strong heat dome developed over the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, producing the hottest Canadian temperature on record of 121 degrees in Lytton, B.C., and sparking a wildfire that destroyed most of the town. The resultant heat wave killed more than 400 people from Oregon into B.C. 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. We do not yet have a handle on how much premature mortality will be linked to this current persistent heat dome over Texas. Part of the toll will be tied to the resilience of the electrical grid and preventative measures taken by civil authorities and people. The development of a heat dome and its intensity is exacerbated by dry soils beneath the high. The air above dry soil heats more readily, and such conditions were fairly widespread in much of Texas when the heat wave was building. When the land beneath the high is dry, it cant cool through evaporative cooling, since there is so little moisture available in the soil. The confidence in increased prevalence of heat waves and heat domes being directly tied to our globally warming climate is extremely high. As renowned University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann wrote in the New York Times following the Pacific Northwest disaster: Weve long known that a warming climate would yield more extremely hot weather. The science is clear on how human-caused climate change is already affecting heat waves: Global warming has caused them to be hotter, larger, longer and more frequent. What were once very rare events are becoming more common. Heat waves now occur three times as often as they did in the 1960s on average at least six times a year in the United States in the 2010s. The U.S. Global Change Research Program outlines the heat wave-climate connection and impacts in this short article. In the near term, these heat domes may actually spike more frequently and severely as we head into what appears to be a strong El Nino. Such El Ninos add extra heat into the atmosphere from both land and warmed oceanic waters atop the ongoing human-caused climate change, and this tendency is likely to worsen later this summer and possibly into the warm weather months next year. New Democracy conservative party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks to supporters outside the party's headquarters, after the general election, in Athens, Greece, on June 25, 2023. (Louiza Vradi/Reuters) ATHENSGreeces conservative New Democracy party stormed to victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday with voters giving reformist Kyriakos Mitsotakis another four-year term as prime minister. With most votes counted, New Democracy was leading with 40.5 percent of the vote and 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, interior ministry figures showed. It was more than 20 points clear of Syriza, a radical leftist party that won elections in 2015 at the peak of a debilitating debt crisis and ran the country until 2019, when it lost to New Democracy. This freely given support only increases my responsibility to respond to peoples hopes. I personally feel an even stronger obligation to serve the country with all my abilities, Mitsotakis told cheering crowds at New Democracy headquarters in downtown Athens. Sundays vote was a humiliating defeat for Syriza, which lost more than 30 Members of Parliament (MPs). Mitsotakis, 55, a former banker and scion of a powerful political family, has promised to boost revenue from the vital tourist industry, create jobs, and increase wages to near the European Union average. Mitsotakis, who was prime minister from 2019 until stepping down in favor of a caretaker premier following an inconclusive May vote, has vowed to push ahead with reforms to rebuild the countrys credit rating after the debt crisis that wracked the nation for a decade. Sundays vote was the second in the past five weeks, as a first poll on May 21 held under a different electoral system failed to give a single party absolute majority in parliament. The system used in Sundays poll gave the leading party bonus seats depending on voter support. Zoe Constantopoulou, who spent hours regaling Greeces lenders at the height of the countrys debt crisis in 2015 when she was parliamentary speaker, saw her party, Plefsi Eleftherias, gain 8 seats in parliament. Whether we are eight or nine MPs, Im good enough for 100 [MPs], she said. The COVID-19 pandemic and a deadly rail crash in February exposed shortcomings in Greeces health and public transport systems. But a cost-of-living crisis and economic hardship have more recently topped voters concerns. I expect a lot [from the new government], pensioner Giorgos Katzimertzis told Reuters. The main thing is the health system, the economy, so we can live [decently] because things are difficult. I am a pensioner, I was on the fire brigade, and now I dont have a dime. Sundays election was held in the shadow of a migrant shipwreck this month in which hundreds are feared to have perished off southern Greece. One of the worst such disasters in years, it has exposed the parties divisions over illegal immigration. The Spartans party, which said Greece was threatened by uncontrolled migration, was the surprise of the campaign. It was set to gain 4.7 of the vote and up to 13 seats in parliament, based on the early results. The group was catapulted from relative obscurity after support from Ilias Kasiadiaris, the frontman of the now-banned Golden Dawn party. His own party was barred from the elections and he endorsed the Spartans from jail. A Twitter post from Kasidiaris showed him beaming, wearing a T-shirt with a Spartans logo and giving the thumbs up, super-imposed against jail bars. WASHINGTON When foreign leaders and regular citizens worldwide meet the new top diplomat charged with telling Americas story to the world and standing in the way of false stories they will be meeting a 38-year-old woman who wears a silver bracelet engraved with Buffalos geocoordinates. Elizabeth M. Allen, a Williamsville South and SUNY Geneseo graduate, is now the youngest-ever under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. Earlier this month, the Senate confirmed her nomination in a 66-33 vote, with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and 14 other Republicans joining all the chambers Democrats in backing a Democratic diplomat, even though she has, over time, made side trips into partisan politics. Williamsville native Elizabeth Allen named assistant secretary of state President Biden on Wednesday appointed Williamsville native Elizabeth M. Allen, a longtime Democratic communications whiz, to serve as assistant secretary of state for global public affairs. Allen, who has already held five other posts at the State Department, knows she has a big job ahead of her. In the State Department chain of command, theres Secretary of State Antony Blinken, two deputy secretaries of state, six under secretaries and then everybody else. Whats more, Allen is the under secretary who is the key American player in a growing worldwide battle. The information space is an increasingly contested theater of competition: competition for influence, she said at her Senate confirmation hearing in March. Repressive governments envision a future in which freedom of expression is criminalized and the flow of information is stymied ... The Peoples Republic of China and Russia vastly outspend us on what they call public diplomacy, and their growing alignment threatens to upend global norms. In the face of all that, America must act, Allen said. 8 memories of Joe Biden from Western New Yorkers who knew him For those who worked for Biden and a surprising number of Buffalonians have their feelings for Biden on the eve of his inauguration go well beyond respect. It is about telling Americas story, explaining our foreign policy, conveying our vision, creating economic opportunity, developing the leaders of tomorrow, empowering independent media and calling out foreign propaganda, disinformation and foreign malign influence, she said. And to hear Allens supporters tell it, shes already been hard at work doing all of that. She is an experienced practitioner of public diplomacy, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat who introduced Allen at her nomination hearing. Ms. Allen believes deeply in the United States role in the world, and she has seen firsthand how our positive affirmative vision can reinforce Americas leadership. Meanwhile, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote an op-ed calling for Allens confirmation, and former Sens. Joe Lieberman and Gordon Humphrey one a former Democratic vice presidential candidate and the other a Republican did the same in a Wall Street Journal essay. The two former senators touted a video that Allens office at the State Department made and circulated on Telegram, the instant messaging service. Targeted to the Russian people, it highlights past U.S.-Russian cooperation and Russian culture before shifting to scenes of the Ukraine War. Western New Yorkers thrive in the West Wing WASHINGTON If anybody ever yelled Lets Go, Buffalo! in the West Wing of the Obama White House, five people would stand at attention. Thats how many Buffalo-area natives work within steps of the Oval Office under President Barack Obama. Three of them help hone the presidents message. Another helps prepare his daily briefing book. And another works with We do not believe this is who you are, the video said. We stand with each of you who seeks to build a more peaceful future. Lieberman and Humphrey were impressed. Its a masterpiece of advocacy, they wrote. Allen has been able to oversee such work because she led Americas public diplomacy in an acting role since April 2022. But in an interview, she acknowledged that for too many years, there had been too many temporary caretakers leading the 5,000 State Department staffers who work in public diplomacy, which is essentially the delicate art of making the world understand America and respect its democratic values. In fact, Allen is the first under secretary in the position in five years. With my experience and my network and my relationship with Secretary Blinken, and having worked with the president, I feel like I have a real opportunity to elevate the work, talk about the work, to talk about why the works important, and frankly, to advocate for the work, Allen said in a recent interview. That work probably has as many faces as the world has countries. It looks different in different places, she said. Its going to be more appropriate to do certain kinds of messaging campaigns in certain places, and in other places, maybe its an arts program or music program thats going to make a difference. In another place, its going to be a speakers program, and in another place were going to be trying to take down troll farms or disinformation. Thats a mammoth job for anyone, much less a 38-year-old who, only 15 years ago, broke into politics as the associate director of operations at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Shes held other such political posts, too, serving for a time as deputy communications director for then-Vice President Joe Biden, deputy communications director for President Barack Obama and as communications director for Kamala Harris when she was Bidens running mate in 2000. But ever since the State Department internship she held in college, Allen keeps gravitating back to Foggy Bottom, where shes served in a variety of public diplomacy and communications roles. Now, in one of the agencys top jobs, Allen said she has four main priorities: leading Americas messaging amid what she calls the great power competition; combating malign foreign influence campaigns; helping Americans understand why foreign policy matters; and investing in the State Department workforce. And if youre surprised that someone so young would be responsible for all that, well, so is Allen. I never would have imagined that I would have been called up to get the nomination to be under secretary of public diplomacy, which is an incredible job and the job that, you know, I thought in my wildest dreams I might do someday down the line, but certainly not now, Allen said. But the chips fell where they did, and Im really excited. You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person. Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else. Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn was named president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York at the groups annual summer conference in Saratoga Springs, which was attended by more 100 district attorneys and their executive staffs. In a statement, Flynn expressed his gratitude to the members of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York for their confidence in selecting him to represent the group. We became prosecutors to protect the rights of our citizens, to create safer communities, and to obtain justice for the victims of crime, Flynn said. I look forward to representing my fellow district attorneys and to having a voice on criminal justice-related issues that impact the citizens of this state. The association also installed a new executive board. Prosecutors who attended the conference discussed issues facing their offices, including recruitment and retention challenges, solutions for complying with discovery in an efficient and timely manner, and ethics and training. Flynn currently serves as president of the National District Attorneys Association and will be stepping down from that position next month when his one-year term expires. - Harold McNeil The public can weigh in at an upcoming public hearing on a proposed Indiana American Water rate hike that would raise the water utility's annual revenue by 31%. The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the state agency representing consumer interests, also continues to solicit public feedback on the proposal to charge higher water bills. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will hold a public field hearing at 6 p.m. July 6 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center Roma K. Ivey Community Room at 220 W. 5th Ave. in downtown Gary. People can provide public testimony at the hearings speaking directly to the commission while on the record. No final decisions will be made about the pending case. Indiana American, a subsidiary of New Jersey-based American Water Co., is seeking to increase its annual operating revenue by 31% to $86.7 million. The utility wants to raise rates for its 328,000 customers in 50 Indiana communities in three phases in January 2024, April 2024 and April 2025. The exact increases would vary by location. The added revenue would fund infrastructure investments, such as water main replacements and relocations, new meters and hydrants and a chlorine conversion for its Northwest Indiana operations. It also would bankroll new treatment plants, a new storage tank, customer lead service line replacements and security measures across the Hoosier State. Indiana American also wants to create a ratepayer-funded low-income assistance program that would give discounts to needy customers. It seeks to include the first 1,500 gallons in the monthly customer service charge before the monthly volumetric rates take effect. Many interested parties already have already weighed in, including Cleveland-Cliffs, U.S. Steel and the municipalities of Crown Point and Schererville. Members of the public can submit written comments for the official care record by visiting www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, emailing uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov or mailing letters to Public Comments, Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South, Indianapolis, IN 46204. All comments must be submitted by July 14. For more information, call 1-888-441-2494. A river runs through it. A heavily polluted river, ranked one of the most toxic in the country where signs still warn not to fish or get in the water, cuts through the Seidner Dune and Swale Nature Preserve in Hammond. The dedicated Indiana state nature preserve just south of East Chicago is an unlikely pocket of nature tucked between the Indiana Toll Road, a refractory manufacturer and a lead and acid battery lab. It's hailed as a conservation success story that protects a globally rare dune-and-swale habitat along a restored segment of the Grand Calumet River, which was infamously once so polluted by the discharges of steel mills, refineries and other heavy industry that even sludge worms that feed on toxins couldn't survive there. Today, herons, egrets, cormorants, hawks, peregrine falcons and other wildlife have returned to the river and the surrounding marshland. The 50-acre Seidner Dune and Swale Nature Preserve is an oasis of wetlands, prairie and black oak savannah in a heavily industrialized urban area in North Lake County when semi-trailer trucks frequently rumble by. It's about one of 20 project areas the Shirley Heinze Land Trust protects and preserves, Shirley Heinz Land Trust Executive Director Kris Krouse said. The nonprofit land trust permanently conserves about 3,000 acres of nature spread across six counties in Northern Indiana. "This is a phenomenal example of nature being reworked," he said. "This is a pretty phenomenal story." About 10,000 years ago, the Wisconsin glaciation forged the dunes landscape south of Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana. "Subsequently, over several thousand years, as the lake receded, it created this really kind of unique habitat and geology," he said. "At one point there were about 10,000 acres of what we refer to dune and swale. You're actually standing on remnant dune and swale habitat that was formed over thousands of years as the lake receded." It includes linear dunes, or straight dunes with parallel wetlands. "You get a dune, then a swale, a dune, then a swale, all the way to Lake Michigan," he said. "It's like corduroy." The Little Calumet River preceded the Grand Calumet River. But as the Lake Michigan levels dropped, the Grand Calumet River formed. At one point about a billion gallons of water a day flowed from the Grand Calumet River to Lake Michigan. A 13-mile stretch of the Grand Calumet River slices through the Seidner Dune and Swale Nature Preserve. It was long enjoyed and passively used by the native Potawatomi tribe until industry arrived at the turn of the 20th century. U.S. Steel, DuPont Chemical just on the other side of the river from the nature preserve and lots of other industries clustered in the area, Krouse said. "Some of their byproducts are polychlorinated hydrocarbons and things that come off of steel, oil, gas, paints, plastics," he said. "They had to go somewhere and a lot of them ended up in this river." The South Shore Line also originally sliced through the land that's now the nature preserve. "They actually adjusted the river a little bit for the railroad," he said. "We would eventually get the toll road. A lot of stuff happened in the 20th century that adversely affected the natural habitat we have here and the water quality of the Grand Calumet River and even the Great Lakes." Some of the pollution flowed out of pipes from factories directly into the river. "Keep in mind when U.S. Steel, DuPont and Inland Steel opened their doors, there was no EPA. There were no departments of health. There were no departments of labor," said Kay Nelson, environmental affairs director for the Northwest Indiana Forum. "They weren't doing anything illegal or unethical. It was just what we did back then. We burned. We put it into the water. We put it into the ground." Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972. Eight states and two Canadian Provinces also reached a Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that would later evolve into the Great Lakes Compact, restricting the amount of water taken out of Lake Michigan and calling for the cleanup of waterways like the Grand Cal. "It was one of the top ten most contaminated rivers in the United States," he said. "People got to work trying to figure out how we clean up a river that hits 13 of the 14 beneficial use impairments. Don't swim in the water. Don't touch the water. Don't eat the fish. I could go on and on but that's just a few. They got to work cleaning up and remediating the river." About 1.1 million yards of contaminated sediment were removed in a 1.5-mile stretch of the river between Cline Avenue to Kennedy Avenue, off of which the Seidner Dune and Swale can be accessed by the public. In other places along the river, such as by the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal, there are as much as 20 feet of contaminated sediment. "It would be physically impossible to remove all that contaminated sediment," he said. "What was done here was two to six feet of contaminated sediment was removed. It was capped with clean fill." Surrounding wetlands were restored by removing invasive species like phragmites and purple loosestrife. "In this area, pools were created for marsh bird habitat," he said. "So we were restoring the hydrology of the site as well. It's pretty phenomenal. This was about a $100 million project." About 6,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment were removed from the Grand Cal in the Roxana Marsh just to the west. "A lot of remediation has taken place in this area," he said. "It's a pretty spectacular site." The nature preserve is open to the public and includes a 1.3-mile trail. It's home to more than 300 species of plants like wild lupine, white wild indigo, prairie lily, fringed gentian and blazing star. "It's such an ecologically unique and sensitive habitat," he said. "There are many state-listed species of plants, amphibians, birds and reptiles that are existing here right in the midst of industry in a highly contaminated site." Bright wildflowers like hoary puccoon and spiderwort still bloom. Yellow and purple petals explode like fireworks across the green swathe of the prairie. "This is such a great ecologically significant area," he said. "Not only do you get the wetlands because of the river but the dune and swale create a very unique habitat. The dunes are largely covered or have some canopy with black oak trees. They're creating the savannah habitat where sunlight hits the forest floor and it just creates a habitat for a lot of unique plants." The Shirley Heinze Nature Preserve, which acquired the property in 1997, has been working to keep invasive plants out of the wetlands so native plants can thrive. It does prescribed burns to char the landscape to keep invasive species in check. "When we first acquired it, it was all about preservation," he said. "We're not opposed to humans being on places like this but it's so ecologically sensitive it took some time to get to the point where we had trails and signage. It's really kind of fascinating if you fast forward to where we are today." The land trust is now working with Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to extend the Marquette Trail from Chicago to Michigan, with one stretch cutting through the Seidner Dune and Swale Nature Preserve. The hope also is to make it more accessible for surrounding neighborhoods in Hammond, East Chicago and Gary. "We are in a unique situation: on one side we have Hammond and on the other we have East Chicago," he said. "The ecological impact has been significant. There have been water and air quality issues over the years. It goes without saying that a river like this is in a heavily industrialized area that's been polluted and isn't accessible to people. When you start getting into aquatics and fishing and the inability to eat the fish coming out of the river, that's why it's critically important to do remediation and restoration. There are still issues. Do not eat the fish out here. We are not at that juncture. The contamination that occurred here took place over generations. It's going to be a generation or two to get it back to what it once was." PINE TOWNSHIP A 42-year-old woman, who was found to be more than three times the legal limit for drinking alcohol and driving, faces a felony count of battering a police officer, according to the Porter County Sheriff's Department. Police say Kiera Wrice, of Chicago, bit an officer while attempting to flee his police vehicle along Ind. 49. The officer said he came across Wrice shortly after 11 p.m. Friday after responding to a report of a reckless driver westbound on U.S. 12 near the LaPorte County line. The officer pulled over the vehicle after seeing it swerving on the highway and Wrice reportedly claimed she was having a tough time seeing at night. She admitted to having had a couple drinks, and appeared intoxicated, police said. After failing field sobriety tests, she agreed to undergo a chemical test and was placed in handcuffs and then in the rear of a police car. While on the way for a blood draw, the officer discovered Wrice's seatbelt undone and she requested he rebuckle it, the report says. When the officer stopped along Ind. 49 near the entrance to the Indiana Toll Road, Wrice immediately tried to flee the vehicle and allegedly bit the officer in the struggle. Wrice voiced concern that police would kill her, despite assurances that they had no such intention, the officer said. She was then placed in a more secure police vehicle and taken for the test, which revealed her blood-alcohol concentration to be 0.256%, as compared to the legal limit of 0.08%. In addition to the felony battery charge, Wrice faces misdemeanor counts of resisting law enforcement and operating while intoxicated, including one count of endangering others, police said. A tool for removing online sexually explicit photos of anyone under the age of 18 is part of a new resource page being provided by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The new website provides the public with information relative to reporting internet crimes against children, a variety of resources, statistics, applicable statutes, and much more, according to Indiana State Police. "Take It Down is a free service that can help you remove or stop the online sharing of nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken of you when you were under 18 years old," according to the site provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "You can remain anonymous while using the service and you wont have to send your images or videos to anyone. Take It Down will work on public or unencrypted online platforms that have agreed to participate." Participating sites thus far include Facebook, Instagram, MindGeek, OnlyFans and Yubo, ISP said. "Its scary when this happens to you, but it can happen to anyone," the site says. Youve taken the first step, and were here to help you with the next steps." Other resources on the new state website include links to national and state sex offender registries, the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide and the CyberTipline to report online exploitation. "The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to exploit or entice children sexually," ISP said. "The Indiana State Police oversees the Indiana ICAC Task Force, comprised of over fifty local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies." The task force said that since its inception in 2005, there has been a significant increase in complaints concerning online sexual exploitation and enticement of children. The group received more than 14,000 CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children last year alone. "The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report all online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to NCMEC. To report an active crime against your child involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency." PINE TOWNSHIP A three-vehicle crash late Sunday night along a local stretch of Interstate 94 resulted in a patient being flown by helicopter to a trauma center, the Pines Fire Department reported. "Units had to cut the roof off the vehicle as well as create a bigger drivers compartment space to free the patient," the department reported. The fire department released photos of the crash scene. The incident came a day after three people were killed in a fiery crash a few miles to east on I-94, near the Michigan City exit. A 2023 Kia had broken down and was parked in the inside shoulder emergency lane with its hazard lights on when it was struck by an eastbound 2017 Dodge Journey that drove onto the inside shoulder, Indiana State Police said. Come back to nwi.com for updates on both crashes as they become available. WHITING A state environmental official was expected to visit the local BP plant Monday to investigate Sunday's disruption that triggered pungent odor complaints as far east as St. Joseph County. The onsite investigation is being carried out by an inspector with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Office of Air Quality, Public Information Officer Barry Sneed said. "Please refer to local emergency management authorities for updates regarding public safety," he said. The Porter County Emergency Management Agency identified the BP plant as the source of Sunday's odor complaints. "Due to severe weather conditions in the region today (Sunday), BP's Whiting refinery experienced an operational disruption that triggered unplanned flaring of gases from their facility," the emergency officials said. The agency said BP crews were on site Sunday managing the situation and performing community monitoring through the day. The company, which did not respond Monday to a request for comment, had reportedly said there was no danger to the community. "Other industries throughout Porter, Lake and LaPorte Counties have been contacted and we have found no other evidence of releases or spills," the Porter County officials said. "The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has been notified of the situation and will be conducting follow-up evaluations." The odor triggered a public safety alert on area cell phones and NIPSCO reported receiving several hundred calls coming from Porter, LaPorte, Lake and St. Joseph counties. "When we receive those calls, we send service crews and techs into those areas," the power company said. "Based on all the readings we've conducted, we have not sourced any of those calls to being related to natural gas." The Valparaiso Police Department was among the emergency responders throughout the Region Sunday to acknowledge the widespread concern and urge residents to refrain from tying up emergency telephone lines. "There is no known threat to our community, or any other, at this time," the department said. "Therefore, we ask that our citizens refrain from calling emergency services in relation to the odor, as Porter County 911 is currently experiencing a high volume of calls." "Emergency lines must remain open for those in need of active medical or police needs. We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation, as we all work to understand this situation." It was announced last month that BP agreed to pay a record-setting penalty of $40 million for air pollution violations at its Whiting Refinery, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency. BP Products, a subsidiary of the London-based energy giant, reached a settlement with the federal government to pay the record fine and spend $197 million to reduce hazardous air emissions at the refinery on Lake Michigan. BP America Media Relations Manager Christina Audisho said at the time the company takes compliance seriously. "With this new agreement, we are committing to additional, robust steps including significant capital investments to monitor and mitigate wastewater emissions at Whiting Refinery," she said. "As we move forward, our commitment to safe, compliant and reliable operations remains unwavering at Whiting and everywhere we operate." Close The small helicopter that crashed into Cedar Lake is pulled out of the water late Monday afternoon. The two occupants of the copter escaped injury. The Hammond Central basketball team poses Saturday to show off the rings commemorating their victory in the 4A regional, a feat that hadn't happened since Hammond High won in 1954. The community raised money to buy the rings for the team and coaches. Sabrina Colbert dances to the music Monday at Hammond's third annual Juneteenth celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Glenda George-Green hopes to become a certified soil health consultant so she can help other farmers improve their soil. Members of the Chicago chapter of Lambda Alpha International, a land economics society, mingle with Northwest Indiana leaders at Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City following a daylong tour of Northwest Indiana. University of Notre Dame anthropology professor Mark Schurr takes a close look at what appears to be limestone in one of the pits dug by volunteers this summer. Dan Durochik, of St. John, sifts soil to see what clues might be revealed. "I find history fascinating," he said. Digging for clues isn't all there is to archaeology. Careful measurements must be taken, too, to thoroughly document the research. Nitha Fiona Nagubadi speaks during a panel convened to discuss the National Opioid Settlement. Valparaiso will receive about $1.2 million through the settlement. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch tells members of the LaPorte County Association of Realtors that improving the quality of life in the state means addressing issues like physical and mental health. Rebecca Ulloa handles calls from the public Thursday at the Lake County Communication Center. On other days she may handle dispatching calls to emergency response personnel. Call takers handle calls from the public Thursday at the Lake County Communication Center. This is the Hammond pod. Dave Hicks, left, and Bill Duncan of American Legion Post 100 post the colors Saturday at the Hoosier Vet Fest at Riverview Park in Lake Station. The two-day festival honored military personnel. Otto the Orange, of Syracuse University, and Slugger, of the Portland Sea Dogs, pose with Reggy of the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting after it was announced the pair will be inducted on Aug. 12. Slugger, of the Portland Sea Dogs, left, and Otto the Orange, of Syracuse University, right, celebrate with fans on stage with Reggy, the official mascot of the Mascot Hall of Fame, after it was announced the pair were selected to become new hall members. Motorcyclists depart Riverview Park in Lake Station Saturday during the two-day Hoosier Vet Fest. The ride made its way through Lake Station, Hobart, and New Chicago. Decay Devils President Tyrell Anderson address a crowd at the rededication of the historic E.J.&E. steam locomotive in downtown Gary. GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week Check out the Times' picks for the best images from the past week. The small helicopter that crashed into Cedar Lake is pulled out of the water late Monday afternoon. The two occupants of the copter escaped injury. The Hammond Central basketball team poses Saturday to show off the rings commemorating their victory in the 4A regional, a feat that hadn't happened since Hammond High won in 1954. The community raised money to buy the rings for the team and coaches. Sabrina Colbert dances to the music Monday at Hammond's third annual Juneteenth celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Glenda George-Green hopes to become a certified soil health consultant so she can help other farmers improve their soil. Members of the Chicago chapter of Lambda Alpha International, a land economics society, mingle with Northwest Indiana leaders at Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City following a daylong tour of Northwest Indiana. University of Notre Dame anthropology professor Mark Schurr takes a close look at what appears to be limestone in one of the pits dug by volunteers this summer. Dan Durochik, of St. John, sifts soil to see what clues might be revealed. "I find history fascinating," he said. Digging for clues isn't all there is to archaeology. Careful measurements must be taken, too, to thoroughly document the research. Nitha Fiona Nagubadi speaks during a panel convened to discuss the National Opioid Settlement. Valparaiso will receive about $1.2 million through the settlement. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch tells members of the LaPorte County Association of Realtors that improving the quality of life in the state means addressing issues like physical and mental health. Rebecca Ulloa handles calls from the public Thursday at the Lake County Communication Center. On other days she may handle dispatching calls to emergency response personnel. Call takers handle calls from the public Thursday at the Lake County Communication Center. This is the Hammond pod. Dave Hicks, left, and Bill Duncan of American Legion Post 100 post the colors Saturday at the Hoosier Vet Fest at Riverview Park in Lake Station. The two-day festival honored military personnel. Otto the Orange, of Syracuse University, and Slugger, of the Portland Sea Dogs, pose with Reggy of the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting after it was announced the pair will be inducted on Aug. 12. Slugger, of the Portland Sea Dogs, left, and Otto the Orange, of Syracuse University, right, celebrate with fans on stage with Reggy, the official mascot of the Mascot Hall of Fame, after it was announced the pair were selected to become new hall members. Motorcyclists depart Riverview Park in Lake Station Saturday during the two-day Hoosier Vet Fest. The ride made its way through Lake Station, Hobart, and New Chicago. Decay Devils President Tyrell Anderson address a crowd at the rededication of the historic E.J.&E. steam locomotive in downtown Gary. Jerry Davich Metro columnist Follow Jerry Davich 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 Immediately after a noxious odor wafted through my Valparaiso neighborhood Sunday evening, I recalled a similar smell as a child in Gary, just east of U.S. Steel Works. It hit me like a ton of pollution. I didnt yet know the source of Sundays odor but I instantly flashed back more than 50 years to the pungent smell from steel mills that permeated my neighborhood on the far west side of Miller. It was so common, I didnt realize its public safety dangers as a kid. I also didnt own a cell phone to alert me. Fire and police departments in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties have been alerted to the presence of a sulfur-like odor spreading across Northwest Indiana, a public safety alert screamed on my iPhone Sunday night around 10:15 p.m. At this time, the origin of the odor is unknown. Humans fear the unknown. We tend to think the worst. People in my area were in a state of panic and texts were flying in my neighborhood advising to close all windows and turn on AC, one reader told me. Social media lit up like a flare stack. Its horrible!!! one person commented on Facebook. Should we close off our houses? another person asked on Twitter. Hydrogen sulfide is toxic! someone wrote on Instagram. Rumors slithered across the internet like the rotten-egg odor that swirled across our Region and beyond. Thousands of people frantically called 911 or NIPSCO or police and fire departments for answers. I probably should have been more alarmed. Instead, I was oddly nostalgic about that odor from my youth. And I wasnt alone. Im glad Im not the only one who is kind of enjoying the entire area smelling like Whiting and the Harbor tonight, Stephen Dull commented on my Twitter post. Several other Region residents agreed. I flashed back instantly to being raised in Gary with that same smell, Gloria Smith wrote. I know its not healthy but for some reason it made me feel good. Our conflicted feelings came with a whiff of nostalgia, similar to smelling exhaust fumes belching out of a vintage vehicle from the 1970s. Its a toxic aromatic attraction. Its also a quintessential Region experience. I love that smell, Diana Martin told me last year when three coke-making smokestacks underwent explosive demolition at U.S. Steels Gary Works plant. Those stacks held a lot of memories for me. Martins late father worked in that steel mills coke plant for more than 30 years. When she smells that odor, she thinks of him, not of pollution or a pungent discharge or a public safety hazard. Some people might consider it to have been an odor, Martin told me. I think of it as a scent. Its tied to my dad, and to love. It always hit it in my feels. I had the same sensory-memory Sunday night as public safety agencies scrambled to determine the odor's cause and its danger potential. I should have closed my homes windows, sealed our house and waited for officials to evaluate our Regions collective air quality. I didn't of course. I opened the windows, breathed in the wistfulness and began writing this column at 1 a.m. as social media updates (and rumors) continued into Monday morning. Just after midnight, the Porter County Emergency Management Agency posted on its Facebook page: Due to severe weather conditions in the region today, BP's Whiting refinery experienced an operational disruption that triggered unplanned flaring of gases from their facility. As anyone knows who has lived here long enough, there have been generational debates in this corner of our state about the bigger picture with this familiar scenario: private-sector jobs versus public-safety concerns; long-term health versus short-term wealth; and environmental protections versus corporate profits. Members of my family have worked in the local mills dating back more than 70 years, including my grandparents, my parents and currently my son and two nephews. The steel mill industry and oil refinery industry have provided tens of thousands of solid-paying jobs through the decades. It feels hypocritical to badmouth the same corporations that pay workers and their families very well, plus benefits. Nonetheless, I worked inside a steel mill for many years as a food caterer. Ive heard the stories about all the public safety regulations that get ignored, sidestepped or flagrantly violated. This is the trade off that all of us must live with in this area. Industry and its extremely deep pockets has always come first. Our health comes second. Just look at our smokestack skyline along Lake Michigan. Look at all of the small industrial companies just off the lakefront. Look at all the trucks that criss-cross our edge of Indiana, the Crossroads of America. Pollution is part of our identity whether we agree with it or not. And with that pollution comes certain smells and odors. Its as familiar to many of us as our favorite cologne or perfume. Its a fragrance we pretend doesnt exist or we forget its there. Trouble is, we never know for sure how our Regions air quality is affecting our health during these industrial incidents. Id recommend tracking how youre feeling over the next few days/week and see your doctor if you think something is off, a former Region police chief posted on social media. Excellent advice from this former chief, who now lives in Florida. For those of us living in the Region, were waiting for a follow-up evaluation from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Id be stunned if it released any kind of alarming evaluation about Sunday nights odor. Nothing to see here, folks. Just move along and resume your normal activities. Its just business as usual in Da Region. It smells like heavy industry. It smells like profits. It smells like my youth. COLORADO SPRINGS Richard M. Fierro was at a table in Club Q with his wife, daughter and friends on Saturday, watching a drag show, when the sudden flash of gunfire ripped across the nightclub and instincts forged during four combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan instantly kicked in. Fight back, he told himself, protect your people. In an interview at his house on Monday, where his wife and daughter were still recovering from injuries, Mr. Fierro, 45, who spent 15 years as an Army officer and left as a major in 2013, according to military records, described charging through the chaos at the club, tackling the gunman and beating him bloody with the gunmans own gun. I dont know exactly what I did, I just went into combat mode, Mr. Fierro said, shaking his head as he stood in his driveway, an American flag hanging limp in the freezing air. I just know I have to kill this guy before he kills us. The authorities are holding Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, on charges of killing five people, and say that 18 more people were injured in a rampage at the club that lasted only a few minutes. The death toll could have been much higher, officials said on Sunday, if patrons of the bar had not stopped the gunman. He saved a lot of lives, Mayor John Suthers said of Mr. Fierro. The mayor said he had spoken to Mr. Fierro and was struck by his humility. I have never encountered a person who engaged in such heroic actions and was so humble about it. It was supposed to be a chill family night out the combat veteran and his wife, Jess, joined their daughter, Kassandra, her longtime boyfriend Raymond Green Vance, and two family friends to watch one of his daughters friends perform a drag act. It was Mr. Fierros first time at a drag show, and he was digging it. He had spent 15 years in the Army, and now relished his role as a civilian and a father, watching one of his daughters old high-school friends perform. These kids want to live that way, want to have a good time, have at it, he said as he described the night. Im happy about it because that is what I fought for, so they can do whatever the hell they want. Mr. Fierro was trying to get better at going out. In Iraq and Afghanistan hed been shot at, seen roadside bombs shred trucks in his platoon, and lost friends. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star. The wars were both past and still present. There were things he would never forget. For a long time after coming home, crowds put him on edge. He couldnt help to be vigilant. In restaurants he sat against the wall, facing the door. No matter how much he tried to relax, part of him was always ready for an attack, like an itch that could not be scratched. He was too often distrustful, quick to anger. It had been hell on his wife and daughter. He was working on it. There was medication and there were sessions with a psychologist. He got rid of all the guns in the house. He grew his hair out long and grew a long, white goatee to distance himself from his days in uniform. He and his wife ran a successful local brewery called Atrevida Beer Co. and he had a warm relationship with his daughter and her longtime boyfriend. But he also accepted that war would always be with him. But that night at Club Q, he was not thinking of war at all. The women were dancing. He was joking with his friends. Then the shooting started. It was a staccato of flashes by the front door, the familiar sound of small-arms fire. Mr. Fierro knew it too well. Without thinking, he hit the floor, pulling his friend down with him. Bullets sprayed across the bar, smashing bottles and glasses. People screamed. Mr. Fierro looked up and saw a figure as big as a bear, easily more than 300 pounds, wearing body armor and carrying a rifle a lot like the one he had carried in Iraq. The shooter was moving through the bar toward a door leading to a patio where dozens of people had fled. The long-suppressed instincts of a platoon leader surged back to life. He raced across the room, grabbed the gunman by a handle on the back of his body armor, pulled him to the floor and jumped on top of him. Was he shooting at the time? Was he about to shoot? I dont know, Mr. Fierro said. I just knew I had to take him down. The two crashed to the floor. The gunmans military-style rifle clattered just out of reach. Mr. Fierro started to go for it, but then saw the gunman come up with a pistol in his other hand. I grabbed the gun out of his hand and just started hitting him in the head, over and over, Mr. Fierro said. As he held the man down and slammed the pistol down on his skull, Mr. Fierro started barking orders. He yelled for another club patron, using a string of expletives, to grab the rifle then told the patron to start kicking the gunman in the face. A person was passing by, and Mr. Fierro said he ordered her to stomp the attacker with her high heels. The whole time, Mr. Fierro said, he kept pummeling the shooter with the pistol while screaming obscenities. What allowed him to throw aside all fear and act? He said he has no idea. Probably those old instincts of war, that had burdened him for so long at home, suddenly had a place now that something like war had come to his hometown. In combat, most of the time nothing happens, but its that mad minute, that mad minute, and you are tested in that minute. It becomes habit, he said. I dont know how I got the weapon away from that guy, no idea. Im just a dude, Im a fat old vet, but I knew I had to do something. When police arrived a few minutes later, the gunman was no longer struggling, Mr. Fierro said. Mr. Fierro said he feared that he had killed him. Mr. Fierro was covered in blood. He got up and frantically lurched around in the dark, looking for his family. He spotted his friends on the floor. One had been shot several times in the chest and arm. Another had been shot in the leg. As more police filed in, Mr. Fierro said he started yelling like he was back in combat. Casualties. Casualties. I need a medic here now. He yelled to the police that the scene was clear, the shooter was down, but people needed help. He said he took tourniquets from a young police officer and put them on his bleeding friends. He said he tried to speak calmly to them as he worked, telling them they would be OK. He spied his wife and daughter on the edge of the room, and was about to go to them when he was tackled. Officers rushing into the chaotic scene had spotted a blood-spattered man with a handgun, not knowing if he was a threat. They put him in handcuffs and locked him in the back of a police car for what seemed like more than an hour. He said he screamed and pleaded to be let go so that he could see his family. Eventually, he was freed. He went to the hospital with his wife and daughter, who had only minor injuries. His friends were there, and are still there, in much more serious condition. They were all alive. But his daughters boyfriend was nowhere to be found. In the chaos they had lost him. They drove back to the club, searching for him, they circled familiar streets, hoping they would find him walking home. But there was nothing. The family got a call late Sunday from his mother. He had died in the shooting. When Mr. Fierro heard, he said, he held his daughter and cried. In part he cried because he knew what lay ahead. The families of the dead, the people who were shot, had now been in war, like he had. They would struggle like he and so many of his combat buddies had. They would ache with misplaced vigilance, they would lash out in anger, never be able to scratch the itch of fear, be torn by the longing to forget and the urge to always remember. My little girl, she screamed and I was crying with her, he said. Driving home from the hospital I told them, Look, Ive gone through this before, and down range, when this happens, you just get out on the next patrol. You need to get it out of your mind. That is how you cured it. You cured it by doing more. Eventually you get home safe. But here I worry there is no next patrol. It is harder to cure. You are already home. Marigo Mihalos Sfaelos brought many outfits to her four-day, event-filled wedding in Karpathos, Greece, last year. There was the silk citrine Greek goddess-style dress, a floral applique Estee Couture bridal gown, and a disco ball-inspired floor-length dress for the after party. But the showstopper was worn at the post-wedding beach party: a gladiator-like metal and silver bikini with rhinestones, from the designer Karen Sabags Rever collection, along with a matching overlay skirt. I wanted it to be a bridal look that stood out, and the bride should stand out, said Mrs. Mihalos Sfaelos, 35, a senior director of talent relations at SiriusXM radio in New York. She married Spiro Sfaelos, a 37-year-old restaurant owner, atop a cliff on Aug. 27, 2022, on the Greek island where she grew up. You cant just wear a white bathing suit. Other brides seem to feel the same way, especially with destination weddings, and designers and stylists are paying close attention. Todays bridal swimwear are not just fashion-forward white bathing suits they are beaded and bedazzled, fancy and frilly, lacy and Lycra-fitted, and custom made. Buffalo is filled with treasures, and too many of them are inaccessible to the public. The reason? There hasnt been an appropriate place to exhibit them. The new Buffalo AKG Art Museum just went a long way toward increasing the accessibility of its magnificent holdings, and now it looks as though University at Buffalo is following suit. Those who have never seen UBs rich James Joyce collection and may not have known it exists will soon have a better opportunity to view at least a portion of the largest group of Joycean assets in the world. With the help of $10 million from New York State, a Joyce museum is to be constructed in 5,000 square feet of Abbott Hall on UBs South Campus. The design phase is planned to start at the end of 2023. The choice of this site brings another landmark cultural resource within Buffalos city limits. It will be a subway ride away from another motherlode of literary riches, the downtown Buffalo & Erie County Public Library with its Mark Twain Room, which displays pages from the original, handwritten copy of Huckleberry Finn and the librarys large rare books collection, portions of which are usually on display. The analogy to the AKGs newly showcased collection of modern art is particularly appropriate. In 1922, when Joyce sought to publish his masterpiece, the novel Ulysses, he had to travel to Paris, where it was taken up by American bookseller Sylvia Beach. No British publisher would touch it. They were not alone in being unable to see the value of trailblazing art. In 1926, A. Conger Goodyear, board member of the then-Albright Art Gallery, put together a special fund with like-minded patrons to purchase Pablo Picassos La Toilette (1906) for the museum. When more conservative board members heard of this audacious purchase, Goodyear was voted off the board. At that time, Picasso was about as popular with the Buffalo art establishment as Joyce was with British publishers. Now, this painting is a cornerstone of the AKGs acclaimed modern collection. Joyce and Picasso, both celebrated risk-takers, have found homes in Buffalo thanks to civic-minded patrons with vision. Such was Oscar Silverman, a UB English professor who was in Paris in 1949 and saw an exhibit put on by friends of Joyce to help his family earn postwar income. Silverman consulted with UB Libraries Director Charles Abbott, and the university acquired a now-priceless collection for $10,000. The presence of this collection is an invaluable educational boon both for scholars and the general public, and it has been sequestered on UBs North Campus where it must be seen by appointment for far too long. Housed in UBs Poetry Collection, on the fourth floor of Capen Hall, only small portions of the Joyce material has ever been on view, except for special exhibitions. Access to anything not on display is subject, necessarily, to protections and protocols. When the new museum opens, visitors will be able to safely view pages from the original Ulysses manuscript; letters to Joyce from such figures as T.S. Eliot and Ernest Hemingway; and the original copybook containing Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, among countless other items. Buffalo has received yet another great gift. In front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday evening in Novi, Mich., former President Donald J. Trump lamented the decline of the automobile industry under Democratic rule and said he stood up to China to save thousands of manufacturing jobs. It was a speech he might have given in 2020. But then the script changed. In his first campaign visit to the state this year, Mr. Trump paired rants about free trade and manufacturing with culture-war jabs against liberals and criticism of his main Republican rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. The latter remarks received the most raucous applause at the Oakland County Republican Partys Lincoln Day Dinner, which was giving Mr. Trump its man of the decade award. Statewide, however, the Republican Party is at a crossroads, with internal disputes among Trump-aligned factions whose candidates have faced a series of losses in recent years and an establishment wing that has all but lost any semblance of power. The opening line of the Kremlins flagship weekly news program on Sunday night made the official position clear regarding the 24-hour mutiny staged by Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the mercenary leader who sent his troops marching on Moscow only to pull them back at the last moment. Armed mutiny in Russia is not supported by the society, said Dmitry Kiselyov, the anchor and senior Kremlin propagandist whose program Vesti Nedelu or News of the Week sets the tone for the government monopoly on broadcast news. Treason in the time of war is a grave crime. The newscast then showed in full Mr. Putins vehement, 5-minute speech from Saturday morning, in which he accused Mr. Prigozhin, without mentioning his name, of stabbing Russia in the back. Within hours of that address, the vows that Mr. Prigozhin would face criminal prosecution for his actions had evaporated. All news outlets carried the statement from Dmitri S. Peskov, the presidential spokesman, who broke the dramatic tension by announcing a behind-the-scenes deal credited to President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of neighboring Belarus. In exchange for standing down, Mr. Prigozhin was granted safe passage out of the country and his troops were forgiven. Yasufumi Nakamori, a senior curator of international art at the Tate Modern in London, will become director of the Asia Society in New York, the museum announced Monday. The position of director has been vacant since Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe departed in June 2022 for another job. Nakamori will start in August. Asia Society is one of the countrys pre-eminent institutions exhibiting and collecting artworks of Asian heritage, including Chinese and Korean ceramics, Indian bronzes and Southeast Asian sculptures. Founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1956, it has a growing contemporary collection of video, animation, photography and new media art by Asian and Asian American artists. I want to bring power and dynamism to the museum, Nakamori said during a phone interview, adding that he was already developing a strategic plan that would include new commissions from contemporary artists, efforts to bring local communities into the museum and a curatorial emphasis on shows that explore Asian influence on other continents. As preparations get underway for the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, a Cold War victory for western allies over a Soviet blockade, one of the museums mounting a commemorative exhibition is negotiating the fallout from a more recent geopolitical conflict. The Berlin-Karlshorst Museum, on the site of the German armys formal surrender at the end of World War II, commemorates what it describes as Germanys brutal war of extermination against the Soviet Union. Founded in 1995, when Germany and the Russian Federation were on friendly terms, the museums collection includes many objects on loan from Russia, including a Soviet tank that stands at the museum entrance. But at a time when Germany is contributing military hardware worth billions of euros to Ukraine so the latter can protect itself from invading Russian forces, the Berlin-Karlshorst Museums management structure is to put it mildly awkward. Its board of trustees includes representatives from Russias foreign, defense and culture ministries, plus members from three Russian museums and one from Russias ally, Belarus. Trustees on the opposite side of the current conflict come from a Ukrainian museum and several German institutions, as well as the foreign, defense and culture ministries. The Ukrainian representative stopped taking part in board meetings in 2014, in protest of Russias annexation of Crimea. It is a great joy for us to join the HArt Museum as it begins this new chapter, said Laurent Le Bon, the Pompidous president, in an emailed statement, as it will be the first long-term partnership between a Dutch cultural institution and the Centre Pompidou. The Smithsonian and the British Museum will work with HArt Museum curators to mount three exhibitions each in the next six years, Birnie said, adding that the full schedule for the coming years would be released in the fall. The Hermitage in St. Petersburg did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Monday. The Hermitage Amsterdam was established as an independent nonprofit by a board of private individuals in 2009, and had its own artistic direction finances, and curatorial staff. Its contract with the St. Petersburg Hermitage gave the Amsterdam museum the right to use the Hermitage name and unlimited rights to borrow works from the Russian collection. For the 14 years since it opened, the Hermitage Amsterdam mounted 30 exhibitions with art on loan from its St. Petersburg mother ship, including significant shows of French Post-Impressionist and Flemish old master paintings. About a third of the shows were linked to Russian culture and history, such as exhibitions about the Hermitages founder Catherine the Great and Jewels! The Glitter of the Russian Court. Such celebrations of imperial glamour seemed less appealing to the public while Russia was bombing Ukraine, Birnie said. I think the magic of Russia has disappeared with the war, she added. Alfred Hitchcock once told Francois Truffaut he wanted to make a film that would examine a city entirely through food and, unusually, waste. He would show the arrival of meat and produce into a metropolis, its distribution, the selling, how its fixed up and absorbed. And gradually, the end of the film would show the sewers, and the garbage being dumped out into the ocean. Samuel Beckett expressed this artistic vision on a more intimate scale. Dish and pot, dish and pot, these are the poles, his narrator says in Malone Dies. The dish, we discuss freely: Food, in literature and elsewhere, is part of what we talk about when we talk about culture. The pot, at the other end of the alimentary canal, remains a transgressive topic. Not enough is written, in this critics estimation, about how our eliminations are described and theorized, and loved and loathed, in fiction and poetry. Their here we are again inevitability adds chaos, comedy, disgust, shame, irony, urgency and anguish to narrative. They drive action. They are life, as much as sex is life maybe more so, because peoples sex lives dwindle but this need does not. Fiction that avoids or denies feces, Milan Kundera has written, is kitsch. The English journalist Rose George called elimination the big necessity. She also wrote, in an observation thats keenly felt when one is writing for a linguistically conservative newspaper: There is no neutral word for what humans produce at least once a day, usually unfailingly. There is no defecatory equivalent of the inoffensive, neutral sex. But we will do our best. The nations monthslong shortage of highly potent cancer drugs is grinding on, forcing patients and their doctors to face even grimmer realities than those cancer typically presents. Thousands of patients like Mr. Shepard have been confronting gut-wrenching options, delays in treatment and potentially bleaker futures. Oncologists are concerned that the alternatives to two crucial chemotherapy drugs are far less effective in treating certain cancers, and are sometimes more toxic. The backup therapies or lack thereof, they say, pose particularly troubling prospects for patients with ovarian, testicular, breast, lung and head and neck cancers. There are few, if any, signs that the shortage will ease anytime soon. A plant that was a main producer of the more popular drugs shut down late last year and has not reopened, depleting its stock. The easing of restrictions on imported drugs from China this month has provided some relief, but doctors said the influx has yet to make much of a dent. Some companies that sell the medications are projecting that the shortage will last through the fall or later. So far, neither a group of experts organized by the Biden administration nor prominent medical organizations have found a way to avoid rationing the crucial chemo drugs. To bridge the gaps, some doctors are extending care intervals and skimming precious milliliters to stretch doses. Others are turning to a strategy of surgery first and chemo later, banking on a resumption of supplies. In Pennsylvania, a company developing an inhaled vaccine related to one already in wide use in India said that it tried in vain to get clarity about whether it was eligible for American government funding. The vaccine, the company said, may not have gone through advanced enough testing to qualify for the new pot of U.S. funding. And in academic laboratories and start-up offices across the country, vaccine makers have been left in the dark about whether clinical trials that the Biden administration funds will be large and sophisticated enough to win over regulators who are still ironing out what they will require for clearance. Federal officials, some of whom have become concerned about the leadership of the next-generation vaccine program, acknowledged that key questions remain about how the program will operate and how quickly it can deliver. Although some Biden administration officials hope to roll out new vaccine technology by fall 2024, many scientists believe doses are at least several years away. Theres not the money, theres not the infrastructure, theres not the support, John Moore, a virologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, said of the push for improved vaccines. So Im not expecting any next-generation major things in the near future. Why it Matters: Families lobbied for years for recognition. In New York, families have lobbied for the citys public schools to close in observance of several major religious or cultural celebrations, joining existing holidays like Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Christmas. In 2015, the city announced it would close schools in honor of two major Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean parents and advocates had been frustrated that Diwali had never been added to the list. The holiday is one of the most significant Hindu religious observances and is also celebrated by many Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. On the day after his election, Mayor Adams promised Diwali would become a school holiday. But upon taking office, he declined to add the holiday himself. Instead, he looked to state lawmakers, who had introduced a bill to recognize Diwali for the past two years. On Monday,Jenifer Rajkumar, the bills sponsor in the Assembly, said the announcement was decades in the making and showed that Diwali is not just a holiday. Rather, it is an American holiday, and the South Asian community is part of the American story, said Ms. Rajkumar, the first Hindu American and first South Asian woman to be elected to state office in New York. Background: The 180-day school calendar was an obstacle. The push to add Diwali to the school calendar had faced a major obstacle: All school districts must offer at least 180 days a year of instruction under state law. So, to add a holiday to the calendar, officials must replace another observance, or eliminate one of the extra days that offer latitude in case of snow or other emergencies. After Mayor Bill de Blasio recognized Lunar New Year and the two Muslim holy days in the mid-2010s as school holidays, he said that the 180-day rule would prevent his administration from adding any other dates including Diwali to the system's calendar. Lawmakers began to consider removing Anniversary Day, which recognizes the citys earliest Protestant Sunday schools. It falls in early June and dates back to the early 1800s. But the bill they passed left it up to the city to decide. Whats Next? A push to make Diwali a federal holiday. The efforts in New York City reflect the broader ways that schools across the country have grappled with when to close for religious or cultural celebrations. Some leaders argue that not all holidays can warrant a closure, but families often point out that a number of students might otherwise miss class time. In San Francisco, the school board this fall reversed a decision to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays, angering many parents. The board said that further analysis was first needed to determine what dates should be added. Those national debates are unlikely to end as the push to recognize major religious holidays continues. Representative Grace Meng, a Queens Democrat, introduced legislation last month, for example, that would make Diwali a federal holiday. Doing so, Ms. Meng said, would demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation. BUFFALO They are two of the most prominent Black women in Buffalo politics: India Walton, a celebrated progressive insurgent, jarred by a painful election loss; and Zeneta Everhart, a rising newcomer, galvanized by a singular terrifying event. They are both Democrats in a deep-blue city, each with fervent supporters in the tight-knit Black community that makes up Buffalos East Side. They say they are friends; they wish the best for each other. But for now, they are opponents. Ms. Walton and Ms. Everhart are competing in Tuesdays Democratic primary to represent the Masten district on the citys Common Council a battle between two candidates who have earned national attention under very different circumstances. A stronghold of Black political power, the Masten Park neighborhood was also the site of one of the citys most traumatic events: the racist massacre last May of 10 people, all of whom were Black, by a white gunman at a Tops supermarket. The tragedy suddenly thrust Ms. Everhart into the headlines. News / Local by Staff reporter The heavily criticised Patriotic Bill, which was passed by Zimbabwe's Parliament recently to clamp down on "subverting government", is not meant to suppress freedom of expression.This is according to Monica Mutsvangwa, the country's minister of information, publicity and broadcasting services, who spoke to City Press in Randburg on Friday.Mutsvangwa said the passing into law of the controversial legislation, legally known as the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill, was meant to deal with citizens conspiring with outsiders to overthrow the government and campaigning for sanctions. The bill, which was passed on June 7, has been heavily criticised by civil society organisations, including Amnesty International.Flavia Mwangovya, Amnesty's deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, said earlier this month that the bill's passing by the Senate was deeply concerning and signalled a disturbing crackdown on Zimbabweans' rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.Mwangovya said the weaponisation of the law was a desperate and patent move to curtail the rights of freedom of expression and to public participation in elections next month.But Mutsvangwa was adamant this was not the case, insisting that the intention of the new law was to "promote patriotism".NOT CONTROVERSIAL'"I don't accept that it is controversial. It's okay for people to talk [about it]. That's freedom of expression," Mutsvangwa said.She said Zimbabwe could not promote the subversion of a constitutional government.Some of the amendments in the bill include:- Criminalising any citizen caught "wilfully injuring Zimbabwe's sovereignty, dignity and independence as a nation";- Criminalising those who participate in meetings with the intention to promote, advance, encourage, instigate or advocate sanctions or trade boycotts against the country; and- The death penalty for those perceived to have colluded to unseat government, including individuals acting as agents or proxies to such entities.Under the new law, those found guilty of being unpatriotic will face up to 10 years in prison or a fine. They also risk having their citizenship revoked or their permanent resident status, cancelled. They will be banned from voting and occupying public office.However, Mutsvangwa said the aspects dealing with jail sentences would be left to the judiciary."People who talk about it [the bill] as being controversial; I'd like to understand what it is they are saying. Is it good to cooperate with people planning subversion of the constitutionally elected government? Is it good to cooperate with people who are planning a coup? Is that correct? No," Mutsvangwa said.She said the citizens were allowed to criticise President Emmerson Mnangagwa."In Zimbabwe, you have the freedom to say I don't like the president. That is why we have 11 candidates who filed papers to be presidential candidates. How would they run if they were not allowed?"But she said as long they were not promoting armed intervention and subversion of government; they would be allowed to contest the elections.BROWN ENVELOPESThe citizens, Mutsvangwa said, must be factual in their utterances and not plant misinformation and disinformation because they wanted to get money."That won't help the country," she said.She claimed that there had been cases in which citizens would bad-mouth government because they wanted to get "brown envelopes", implying that people were being paid to criticise the regime."That has happened, which is a pity. We should not be thinking like that as Africans. We need to love our countries. There are people who think there's something wrong with being patriotic."Being unpatriotic included negative remarks about the scarf that Mnangagwa always wears, which is branded with Zimbabwe's flag."But I say, this is our flag. Why are we not proud of our own flag? I was a diplomat in the US. I lived in an exclusive area. Every house in the US had a flag flying. There's nothing wrong with loving your country."ELECTION PREPARATIONSThe Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, she said, was functioning well and the preparations for next month's polls were going smoothly.Mutsvangwa added that this was evident following submissions made by the 11 presidential candidates during the nominations on Wednesday last week."That shows democracy on display. I don't know how many political parties participated [in that process]. I don't have the number. But the place was alive with all different kinds of people [making their submissions]."The minister said opposition parties would be treated equally in these elections, adding that government had opened the airways by introducing other television channels."This means there is a wider choice for everyone who wants to go out and send their messages [to the voters]. We also feel it's important that the people of Zimbabwe choose who they want to lead them from the information [they get]."So, this is in everybody's interest to say that whoever put their papers for nomination is that [the right] person so that the people vote from a position of knowledge," she said.But Zimbabweans would only be allowed to vote in the areas where they had been registered."The Electoral Act talks about polling station-based voting. So, if there are Zimbabweans here [in South Africa] who are registered back in their communities, they are free to go [home] and vote."The minister said they were prepared to deal with those returning home and wanted to vote in their respective areas where they were registered.NO MORE NO-GO AREASMutsvangwa said government was implementing recommendations made by the Kgalema Motlanthe commission of inquiry, which investigated the circumstances that led to the 2018 post-election violence.The recommendations included that political parties be registered to ensure accountability and a review of the laws relating to hate speech, abuse of cyberspace and inciting violence.Since 2018, government had been working on those recommendations, Mutsvangwa said, adding that the upcoming elections would be open to foreign observers."They are free to come. We've got nothing to hide."She said Zimbabwe had been using the national broadcaster, ZBC, for 42 years for its messaging. But Mnangagwa had said that there must be media reforms.She said the president had told her that there was a need to diversify to allow Zimbabweans access to a variety of media content. As a result, licences had been granted to six commercial television stations in Zimbabwe."These were given through the proper processes. Some of the media houses that were considered opposition or anti-government have been given licences."They are operating now. We've done a lot of opening [of the airwaves] to show the world that we have nothing to hide," she said, adding that 14 community radio stations had been granted licences. It's a big game charger. We've managed to bring on board all Zimbabweans who were marginalised, who've never felt they were part of Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe was removing the polarisation that had hampered their communities, she added.'EXPATS COME HOME'Mutsvangwa said they were rebuilding the country's economy amid crippling sanctions imposed on Robert Mugabe's government due in retaliation to the land reform policies.She said the serious brain drain over the years and skills shortage were affecting the economy.Mutsvangwa said lessons had been learnt and Mnangagwa was consulting on the interventions to end sanctions.She said there had been several infrastructural developments and the discovery of oil in the northern part of the country would require engineers, who had left the country to seek employment elsewhere, to return.Her government respected South Africa's decision to extend special Zimbabwe exemption permits for their nationals until the end of this year. The authority says the program could begin as soon as spring 2024. Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality and provide critical resources to the M.T.A., Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program. Supporters hailed the federal approval of congestion pricing, which was first proposed in New York by former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2007 but was defeated the following year by the State Legislature. Its extremely important that we focus on meeting our climate goals and improving our air quality and especially improving our quality of life when it comes to our mobility, said Renae Reynolds, the executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a nonprofit dedicated to improving public transportation. Congestion pricing is going to help us do that by clearing up clogged roads, by investing in mass transit. Congestion pricing, which New York lawmakers approved in 2019, is expected to generate $1 billion annually for the M.T.A. Other cities around the world have had success with similar programs. According to research prepared for the U.S. Department of Transportation, London, Singapore and Stockholm all experienced less traffic after setting up their own tolls. The money will be used to improve the citys public transit network, including by building new elevators in the subways and modernizing signals that keep trains moving. By law, the money can only be used to pay for capital projects, not operating costs. But havent we realized by this, the 2023rd year of our Lord, that the onus is on those who hold the stereotype rather than on us? Flamin Hot says no, that only through the gospel of ganas may we enter the kingdom of heaven. The film fails to realize that America is a Calvinist country our works wont save us. At this point, Latinos wont persuade anyone to accept us who hasnt already. Were wasting our time trying. But, oh, how Flamin Hot tries. In one scene, a few white kids tease a young Richard about his lunch, a burrito. Looks like it came out of a toilet, one says. Richard loudly extols the virtues of his lunch: Oh, my God, he says in a heavy accent, his eyes going wide. So good! Delicioso! Want some? One kid dares his friend to try it. A cascade of praise follows after he takes a bite. Hey, this is pretty good! he says. I want some! Give me one! says another. And thus Chipotle is born. Later, when trying to convince a pessimistic co-worker that the Flamin Hot Cheeto is the key to saving the factory, Richard looks back at that moment: Sometimes, we just got to show them what the burritos worth. He continues: It may look like its worthless, but if people just took a bite, theyd see. If its not clear these lines are delivered with the subtlety of a brick thrown through a window he is talking about more than just burritos. There are more explicit and egregious examples of our people being analogized to food throughout the movie. In another scene, he refers to workers in the endangered factory as a bunch of brown chips on a conveyor belt, waiting to get tossed. Flamin Hot offers a road map to winning over the white man: Try our burritos, get to know us and see that were not all bad! And the movie is bookended by scenes in which Richard wins a seat at the literal and metaphorical white mans table. The film opens on a shot of Latino chefs cooking, then follows a Latino waiter around a restaurant that, save for Richard and his wife, looks to be patronized entirely by white people. As Richard exits the restaurant, he doles out generous-seeming tips to the wait staff, the busboy and the valet, all Latino. Flamin Hot isnt even effective propaganda. There can be a successful Latino, the movie says, but only one; the people who serve him must also be Latino. Almost all the white people in the film are cast as villains, but in the end, they are bafflingly worth joining rather than defeating. You can be a Latino and take a white mans place, but once there, you have to maintain the existing racial order. Indeed, it seems ever more clear to me that ultranationalist West Bank settlers today are pursuing the same objective espoused by that American settler in 1988: to drive Palestinians out. They are undoubtedly feeling emboldened by the new Israeli government the most pro-settlement and anti-Palestinian to date possibly even believing their apparent dream of wedging out their Palestinian neighbors is now official state policy. Geirush Now! It is not hard to see how we arrived here. In the last quarter century, the intersection of ever-expansive building projects in the occupied territories and greater permissiveness over settler violence has created a toxic brew of leniency and lack of accountability. In the process, more and more Israelis have accepted the view that areas in the West Bank inhabited by Jewish settlers have become a part of sovereign Israel. Of course, not all West Bank settlers are ultranationalists who believe that living in the Land of the Bible is a religious edict. Most settlers, in fact, including hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews, move there seeking affordable housing. While its hard to identify the ideology of the settlers involved in the latest string of attacks, it is likely that many, if not the majority, belong to the first group. Yet even as the occupied territories have grown ever more occupied since the early 1990s, the idea of clearing the land of Palestinians was seen by all Israelis, including the settlers, to be about as attainable as the Messiah arriving on his white donkey. For many years, the ultranationalist settlers strategy was mostly focused on avenging Palestinian terrorism and maintaining their illegal outposts proto-settlements built without government approval and in violation of Israeli law. Extremist settlers attacks on Palestinians were a way to hold on to those outposts; they helped to dissuade Israeli officials, who wanted to avoid an escalation of violence between the two groups, from following through on any attempts to dismantle the unlawful settlements. Several times after the 1993 signing of the Oslo Accords, when an Israeli-Palestinian agreement seemed within reach, I asked ultranationalist settler leaders what their alternative vision was to a two-state solution or some other compromise agreement with the Palestinians. More than once, the reply was, This is the land of miracles. We are praying for a miracle. I took that miracle to mean that through divine intervention, Israel would be able to annex the land of the West Bank without its Palestinian residents. To the Editor: Dont do it, liberal America! Dont get caught up in the melodrama of the Florida trial! The former president craves attention. The news media collude by granting him free publicity. Why give this despicable man what he wants? And the trial outcome? Yes, it seems that Jack Smith has an open-and-shut case. Yet there is a reasonable likelihood that we have a shut-and-shut-down judge. This is the bad luck of the draw. Judge Aileen M. Cannon has myriad tactics at her disposal to delay, disrupt and derail the proceedings. She can influence jury selection, undercutting chances of a unanimous guilty verdict. Even if the jury reaches that conclusion, it is the judge who sets the sentence. This could be a slap on the wrist. Why not assume that the chances of conviction and a serious sentence are small and turn your attention to other matters of national significance? The finale of Succession might have left die-hard fans wondering what Kendall was going to do with the rest of his life, but everyone else can now turn their attention to the summer television season. And Just Like That (Max) and The Bear (FX on Hulu) had their season premieres last week. Carpool Karaoke: The Series and Swagger (both on Apple TV+) also returned. And Claim to Fame and The Bachelorette (ABC) return on June 26. That is just the beginning. So its time to take a plate and a beverage into the living room to catch up on last years obsessions and to cultivate new ones. The concept of watching television while you eat, first of all, of course has been happening since the invention of television, said Laura Shapiro, author of Something from the Oven: Reinventing Dinner in 1950s America. The looming era could encourage states to resort to nuclear weapons in a crisis, Andrew F. Krepinevich Jr., a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, recently warned. He cited the natural instabilities observed by physicists and astronomers as a portent. Experts say the tripolar age could put human survival at risk. But they also cite a number of three-body lessons from nature starting with Newtons that illuminate the issue and suggest possible ways forward. So far, however, no answer stands out. The worlds nuclear thinkers are finding the knotty topic to be as intractable as it was for Newton. We have a conceptual problem, said Ernest J. Moniz, a physicist who as the secretary of energy in the Obama administration oversaw the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Weve got to change the traditional approach of equalizing weapons or strategic delivery systems, but how to do that is still unclear. France A. Cordova, an astrophysicist and past director of the National Science Foundation, said the study of three-body phenomena in the natural sciences could nonetheless help reveal the military risks. Things are changing very rapidly, she said. Anything that helps in understanding that is great. Security-minded hawks want to expand the American arsenal in response to Chinas nuclear rise and the threat of Beijings closing ranks with Moscow. Doves see a window for three-body downsizing. They want to break the problem into smaller and more manageable parts. For instance, they argue that Washington should deal with the two superpowers independently and seek diplomatic bonds that reinforce two-body stability. He was, he said in a memoir, Witness to Grace (2008), the unwanted child of an agnostic Yale University professor of religion and a mother with whom he never bonded. Friendless except for three siblings, a family dog and a maid, he grew up lonely and dyslexic in an emotionally distant household. He was sent to a private boarding school at 12 and rarely heard from his parents. With patience, counseling and intense struggles for self-improvement, he overcame his reading disabilities. He studied Latin and Greek at Groton and mastered mathematics at Yale, meteorology in the Army Air Forces during World War II, and physics under Clarence Zener, Edward Teller and Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago, where he earned a doctorate in 1952. At M.I.T.s Lincoln Laboratory in the 1950s and 60s, he was a member of teams that helped lay the groundwork for random access memory (RAM) in computers and developed plans for the nations first air defense system. In 1976, as federal funding for his M.I.T. work ended, he moved to Oxford to teach and manage a chemistry lab, where he began his research on batteries. Essentially, a battery is a device that makes electrically charged atoms, known as ions, move from one side to another, creating an electrical current that powers anything hooked up to the battery. The two sides, called electrodes, hold charges a negative one called an anode, and a positive one called a cathode. The medium between them, through which the ions travel, is an electrolyte. When a battery releases energy, positively charged ions shuttle from the anode to the cathode, creating a current. A rechargeable battery is plugged into a socket to draw electricity, forcing the ions to shuttle back to the anode, where they are stored until needed again. Materials used for the anode, cathode and electrolyte determine the quantity and speed of the ions, and thus the batterys power. Dr. Matthew Hitchcock, a family physician in Chattanooga, Tenn., has an A.I. helper. It records patient visits on his smartphone and summarizes them for treatment plans and billing. He does some light editing of what the A.I. produces, and is done with his daily patient visit documentation in 20 minutes or so. Dr. Hitchcock used to spend up to two hours typing up these medical notes after his four children went to bed. Thats a thing of the past, he said. Its quite awesome. ChatGPT-style artificial intelligence is coming to health care, and the grand vision of what it could bring is inspiring. Every doctor, enthusiasts predict, will have a superintelligent sidekick, dispensing suggestions to improve care. But first will come more mundane applications of artificial intelligence. A prime target will be to ease the crushing burden of digital paperwork that physicians must produce, typing lengthy notes into electronic medical records required for treatment, billing and administrative purposes. On a recent morning, Cheryl Drakeford, a third-grade teacher at First Avenue Elementary School in Newark, projected a challenging math question on her classrooms whiteboard: What fraction of the letters in the word MATHEMATICIAN are consonants? Ms. Drakeford knew that consonant might be an unfamiliar word to some students. So she suggested they ask Khanmigo, a new tutoring bot that uses artificial intelligence, for help. She paused for a minute while about 15 schoolchildren dutifully typed the same question What are consonants? into their math software. Then she asked the third-graders to share the tutoring bots answer. Consonants are the letters in the alphabet that are not vowels, one student read aloud. The vowels are A, E, I, O and U. Consonants are all the other letters. When I recently turned on Googles new Pixel Fold smartphone and unfolded it as if it were a book, it transformed into a miniature tablet, similar to an iPad Mini or an Amazon Fire. Then something unexpected happened. For the next few hours, I found it difficult to put the device down, as if I were sucked into a great novel. The phones performance was smooth and fast, and the bigger screen made reading emails, watching videos and reading comic books more delightful than on a normal phone screen. I was surprised because I have been wary of foldable phones. The earliest models released by Samsung, Motorola and Huawei about four years ago had glaring flaws. They were thick and heavy, had durability issues and lacked software to take advantage of their novel hardware. But I immediately knew the Pixel Fold Googles first foldable phone was different. Ellington Properties, a design-led boutique developer based in Dubai, has announced its foray into the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah with a premium residential beachfront project, to be developed at a prime location on Hayat Island, in partnership with leading Emirati developer RAK Properties. Located within Mina Al Arab, the most exclusive residential area in Ras Al Khaimah, the new project will help boost its urban island lifestyle proposition as a prime beachfront and leisure hub. With direct beach access, the first joint residential apartment project will bring a new perspective to exclusive waterfront living, said Ellington Properties in a statement. Comprising multi-family apartments, the project will reflect Ellington Properties design-led approach, with exceptional features including high-end restaurants at ground level and resort-style amenities, providing the highest quality lifestyle, it stated. Co-Founder and Managing Director Robert Booth said: "We are excited to be working with RAK properties to develop our first project in the northern emirate. This RAK foray comes as part of a strategy to accelerate our growth and help bring our unrivalled living environments to more people." "This project will add to the wealth of lifestyle offerings available at Hayat Island and provide our residents with an enhanced quality of life," he added. RAK Properties CEO Sameh Al Muhtadi said: "Ras Al Khaimah is the UAEs sustainable tourism destination, and international and local investors and tourists alike are attracted to all it has to offer in terms of the unspoiled natural environment. At Mina Al Arab we are creating a highly experiential urban island lifestyle destination in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah, bringing to life the conveniences of urban living with the free-spirited energy of island life." "Our partnership with Ellington aligns with this vision as we look to partner with best-in-class organizations to develop extraordinary homes and experiences that will elevate peoples lifestyles in Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimahs most exclusive residential area," he added. News / Local by Staff reporter SHADOWY Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO)-linked Zanu-PF group Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (Faz), which took over the running of elections from the military in order to boost the prospects of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF, has played a major role in destabilisng the opposition at the just-ended candidate nomination exercise for the 23 August crunch polls.At Wednesday's sitting of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's nomination court, Faz took a central role in destabilising the opposition CCC.The shadowy group planted double and sometimes triple parallel candidates to those genuinely put forward by the Nelson Chamisa-led party, in a well-orchestrated ploy to split the opposition vote.The chicanery involved sponsoring the candidates to submit nomination papers to Zec without the approval of CCC and also forging the signatures and logo of the party.The trend was rampant in Harare's peri-urban constituencies where Zanu-PF is anxious to outfox the opposition. Kudakwashe Chatambudza was the only candidate on the official CCC shortlist for Epworth South, but two names, Solomon Baramasimbe and Dydmus Bande, emerged on a Zec list, making a total of three CCC candidates vying for that constituency and the mess was engineered by Faz.In Harare East, where Allan "Rusty" Markham and Tendai Biti made it to the final CCC shortlist and Markham emerged as the preferred candidate but, shockingly, a strange individual Malvin Razaru, appeared on the Zec list as a CCC candidate.Joana Mamombe is the CCC candidate for Harare West, but Faz pushed through Farai Michael Padzarondora to appear alongside her as a CCC candidate. In St Mary's (Chitungwiza), Freddy Michael Masarirevhu of the CCC was listed without his knowledge as another candidate after the party's official candidate, Brighton Mazhindu. Faz forged signatures as well as the party logo and proceeded to pay nomination fees for him.Harare South, a peri-urban area represented by Mnangagwa's relevative Tongai Mnangagwa on a Zanu-PF ticket, ended up having three candidates for the CCC: George Magweta, Dorothy Musonza and Trouble Hasha after Faz interference. While Agency Gumbo is the official candidate for the CCC in Hatcliffe, Faz added one more, Lloyd Sande, in a bid to split the opposition and harvest votes for Zanu-PF.Faz spread its operation to Hunyani constituency where Lovemore Chinoputsa, the official CCC candidate, appears on the Zec list with another individual, Terrence Khumbula, using the opposition party name.In Hatfield CCC's Revai Nyamuronda again appeared on the ZEC final list with another candidate pushed by FAZ to contest using the same party name, Admire Griza. In Bulawayo, three constituencies have two CCC double candidates - Phelandaba Tshabalala, Entumbane Njube and Pumula In Bulawayo, CCC candidates Donald Mabutho and Bekithemba Nyathi both filed papers to contest in ward 9.In Masvingo Urban ward 4, Alec Tabe and Thokozile Muchuchuti both filed nomination papers on the CCC ticket. Political analyst Vivid Gwede told The NewsHawks that it is likely that Faz will continue with its shadowy role of using opaque means to push for Zanu-PF's victory - by hook or by crook - right up to election day.He urged CCC to match the shadowy group pound for pound. "The role of this entity will remain of serious concern, with the opposition thinking that it is prejudicial to its interests. The opposition will need to remain vigilant on every step insisting on the independence and transparency of the electoral commission, Zec."The opposition should make their preferred candidates known in the specific areas through a strong campaign," he said.CCC deputy spokesman Gift Ostalos Siziba said: "It's clear that there is a pattern of misinformation and fraud, carefully designed to paint a picture of confusion in CCC by those fearing elections."Zanu-PF and its agents are desperate and creating shadowy individuals to dampen the citizens' conviction for change. All these desperate attempts will not derail the course of change and our legal teams across the country are working to fix this malfeasance manufactured by Faz (Forever Associate Zimbabwe) and distributed by Zec."The Fez group led by CIO deputy direc tor-general Walter Tapfumaneyi first took an active role in Zanu-PF when it conducted the party's internal primary elections which dislodged several top officials in March this year.Notable officials who fell by the wayside in the controversial polls include Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, also President Mnangagwa's chief election agent, who lost to little-known Mercy Dinha in Zvimba West constituency; Zanu-PF chairperson for Manicaland province Mike Madiro who was defeated by Admire Mahachi in the race to represent the party in Mutare North constituency; and Parliament's agriculture portfolio committee chairperson Justice Mayor Wadyajena who was humbled by former cabinet minister Flora Bhuka.Industry and Commerce minister Sekai Nzenza was defeated by Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Felix Mhona in Chikomba East while Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services minister, Jenfan Muswere lost in Makoni West with Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Kindness Paradza again losing in Makonde during the primaries.There was also former opposition MDC-Alliance top official Tongai Matutu, who was allowed to stand in the Zanu-PF primaries but lost to Sheila Chikomo in Mwenezi East, while Elias Musakwa was beaten by Natiso Makusha in Bikita West constituency.The Faz-run elections in Bikita South saw former deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi winning controversially against Ignatius Mateveke, who contested in Marondera Central in the previous primary elections in 2018. The Brooklyn Academy of Music, one of the most important cultural organizations in New York, has laid off 13 percent of its staff members and reduced its programming as it seeks to plug a sizable structural deficit during a challenging time for the arts, officials confirmed on Monday. BAM moved last week to eliminate 26 positions, according to a letter sent to staff members by the organizations president, Gina Duncan. In the letter, which was reviewed by The New York Times, Ms. Duncan said that the changes were necessary in part to help BAM to weather the downturn in charitable giving for the arts, and address an outdated business model that heavily relies on a shrinking donor base. She said that the organization faced a sizable structural deficit each year. This is us putting on our oxygen mask so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to be a home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas, she wrote in the email. There are two doctors who are licensed in Guam and willing to provide abortions, and both are based in Hawaii, where they can see patients through video calls and prescribe abortion pills. That could change if the Ninth Circuit, a federal appeals court, reinstates a territorial law that would require women to see a doctor in person in order to obtain pills. A streak of anti-abortion sentiment runs through Guam, and there are other attempts to further restrict the procedure. Mr. Moylan, the attorney general, is fighting in federal court to try to revive a 1990 law that banned nearly all abortions but was blocked by a federal judge. In the meantime, the legislature passed a bill last year that would prohibit most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. It was vetoed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, a Democrat, a nurse and the islands first female governor. She recalled that as a student in California before the Roe v. Wade decision, she cared for women who were hemorrhaging because either they self-aborted or they went to underground abortion clinics and they didnt do it right. As the head of the Guam Nurses Association, Ms. Leon Guerrero testified in opposition to the 1990 ban, which would have made it a crime to perform, undergo or seek an abortion, except in some medical emergencies, or to encourage women to have abortions. A federal court ruled that the law was unconstitutional and blocked the territorial government from enforcing it, but it remains on the books. The News Prosecutors in Idaho said they planned to seek the death penalty against the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in a home near campus last fall. Why It Matters: The killings were especially heinous. Bill Thompson, the top prosecutor in Latah County, wrote in a court filing on Monday that the nature of the November killings stabbings that occurred in the middle of the night and went unsolved for several weeks met the standard for the kind of aggravating factors that warrant seeking the death penalty. Among them, he said: The suspect, Bryan Kohberger, is charged with committing multiple murders; the killings were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel; and Mr. Kohberger had exhibited utter disregard for human life. Mr. Kohberger, 28, who at the time of the killings was studying criminology in a Ph.D. program at neighboring Washington State University, has said through a lawyer that he expects to be exonerated. At a hearing last month, Mr. Kohberger declined to enter a plea, leading the judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Idaho has not executed any prisoner since 2012, and Mr. Thompson noted that he was allowed, by law, to change his mind later and reverse his decision to seek the death penalty. In March, Idaho became the latest state to authorize the use of firing squads to carry out executions in response to increasing difficulty in obtaining lethal injection drugs. The family members of one victim, Kaylee Goncalves, said in a statement on Monday that they were grateful the prosecutors were pursuing the death penalty. There is no one more deserving than the defendant in this case, they said. The last 30 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, including the men accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks, are being held by the United States under circumstances that constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law, a United Nations human rights investigator said on Monday. Fionnuala Ni Aolain, a law professor in Minnesota serving as special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, included the finding in a report drawn from a four-day visit to the prison in February, which included meetings with an undisclosed number of detainees and interviews with lawyers and former prisoners. She issued the report one month before her term as rapporteur ends. She specifically cited the cumulative effects of inadequate health care, solitary confinement, restraints and use of force to remove prisoners from their cells as contributing to her conclusions. She said the conditions at the prison may also meet the legal threshold for torture. Ms. Ni Aolain was the first United Nations investigator to be granted access to the detention center in its two-decade history. She said in an interview that she met with a cross section of the 34 prisoners who were there in February, including former C.I.A. detainees who are facing criminal charges and others who have been approved for transfer to other nations. Today, 30 remain. Ms. McBride, also a former national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, the countrys largest L.G.B.T.Q. advocacy organization, is likely to face a primary challenge in her solidly blue district. But she holds ample political capital in the state helped by her relationship with President Biden, who wrote the foreword for the memoir she wrote in 2018. She also worked on the attorney general campaigns for Beau Biden, his son who died in 2015. Ms. McBride recently spoke with The New York Times about her candidacy. Excerpts from this conversation have been edited for clarity and length. What issues do you hope to prioritize in your campaign? There were so many pieces of the Build Back Better Act that were unfortunately left on the cutting room floor, and it is going to be critical for Congress to pick up those policies, like paid family and medical leave, affordable early childhood education and elder care. Those types of policies will be at the heart of my campaign, as will policies that I fought for in the Delaware General Assembly, like gun safety and reproductive rights. One of the issues where we have to continue to make progress is climate change. We cant build a fairer, more just world if we also dont protect our planet. A wave of bills in recent years have affected transgender people, like limiting transitioning procedures for children and restricting which bathrooms transgender people can use. What are your concerns going forward? The policies that you mentioned are wrong and unconstitutional, and they are an attempt by MAGA Republicans to distract from the fact that they have absolutely no agenda for families and for workers in our country. They are solutions in search of a problem. They are cruel, and we know that policies that target young people, that target parents, that target families, that target vulnerable people in our society, they never wear well in history. I truly believe that democracy only works when it includes all of us. The federal judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trumps prosecution on charges of illegally holding on to sensitive national security documents denied on Monday the governments request to keep secret a list of witnesses with whom Mr. Trump has been barred from discussing his case. The ruling by Judge Aileen M. Cannon, in the Southern District of Florida, means that some or all of the list of 84 witnesses could at some point become public, offering further details about the shape and scope of the case that the special counsel Jack Smith has brought against Mr. Trump. The governments request to keep the names of the witnesses secret does not offer a particularized basis to justify sealing the list from public view, Judge Cannon wrote in her brief order. It does not explain why partial sealing, redaction or means other than sealing are unavailable or unsatisfactory, and it does not specify the duration of any proposed seal. One of the conditions that a federal magistrate judge placed on Mr. Trump when he walked free from his arraignment this month was a provision prohibiting him from discussing the facts in his indictment with any witnesses in the case. The indictment accused Mr. Trump of willfully retaining 31 individual national security documents and obstructing the governments repeated efforts to reclaim them. A Florida jury will soon decide if a former police officer should be convicted of crimes for failing to confront the gunman who killed 17 people and wounded 17 others at a Parkland high school five years ago. The trial, which includes charges of child neglect, is thought to be the first in the nation against a member of law enforcement for inaction in a school shooting. During closing arguments on Monday, prosecutors asked jurors to hold Scot Peterson, a 60-year-old former sheriffs deputy, accountable for standing by during the Feb. 14, 2018, massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, when he was the schools only armed resource officer. Every student and every teacher on the third floor was still alive when Mr. Peterson reached the building being targeted by the gunman, said Kristen Gomes, an assistant state attorney for Broward County. And Scot Peterson chose to run. A teenage boy and his stepfather hiking in Big Bend National Park in Texas died as temperatures there rose to 119 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday the second-highest mark ever recorded in the state during a triple-digit heat wave that was forecast to spread to the Southeast this week. We are in extreme heat right now, said Thomas VandenBerg, a park ranger at Big Bend, near the U.S. border with Mexico, where another hiker recently died of heat-related causes. The dangerous early-summer heat wave has broken daily temperature records across Texas and strained the states independent power grid. In Oklahoma, the heat scorched a state battered by storms that left tens of thousands, mostly in the Tulsa area, without electricity for much of last week. By Monday, most power had been restored and temperatures had dropped into the 90s, but they were expected to climb over 100 again later this week. Daniel Piedra Garcia had been an Uber driver for three weeks when he picked up a rider on June 16 who was headed to the Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso. It was near the end of his work day, but Mr. Piedra had picked up the rider anyway, his family said. As they passed a sign for Juarez, Mexico, a nearby city over the border, the passenger grew nervous about where they were headed, she told the authorities. According to court documents, she said that she feared she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. Thats when the passenger, Phoebe Copas, 48, grabbed a brown-and-silver revolver from her purse and shot Mr. Piedra, 52, in the head, the authorities said. The car crashed into a roadway barrier before coming to a stop on U.S. Route 54. Ms. Copas was originally charged with aggravated assault, but that was upgraded to murder after Mr. Piedra died at a hospital on June 21. Ms. Torres and Mr. Arevalo were the top two finishers and will compete in a runoff on Aug. 20, despite claiming such a low percentage of the vote, because many Guatemalans left their ballots blank or nullified them. In fact, the 24 percent of the ballots that were blank or nullified were far higher than either candidates vote total. In addition, nearly 40 percent of voters did not take part in Sundays elections. Mr. Arevalos surprise showing and the lack of voter participation show a high level of disenchantment with Guatemalas political system, election analysts said. The government has come under scrutiny over increasingly authoritarian tactics that have targeted independent news media and forced into exile dozens of judges and prosecutors focused on fighting corruption. We are seeing how the population expresses its fatigue with a system, with a form of politics and government, said Edie Cux, the director of Citizen Action, a nonprofit that was part of an alliance of groups that oversaw the electoral process. The population is demanding reforms. News / Local by Staff reporter PRESIDENTIAL independent candidate Saviour Kasukuwere has named his campaign technical committee headed by ex-cabinet minister Walter Mzembi.In a statement Monday, Mzembi announced a team of five who will spearhead his campaign.Political activist William Acie Lumumba' Mutumanje who is rallying behind Kasukuwere, however, did not make the cut.In a recent interview Lumumba claimed Kasukuwere, a Mugabe loyalist was groomed for Presidency by the late former leader, predicting he will win the August 23 plebiscite."As the presidential campaign chairman for Saviour Kasukuwere gathers steam, l am pleased to announce the technical committee of experts that will provide the necessary administrative support in the run-up to the general elections. The team comprises of the following patriotic and capable Zimbabweans:"Chief of Staff: Munyaradzi Bwanya, Chief Election Agent and Presidential Spokesperson: Jacqueline Sande, Chief Legal Advisor: Munyaradzi Midzi, Head Of Foreign Relations: Lloyd Msipa and Head Of Communications And Stakeholder Management: Ali Naka," read part of the statement.Kasukuwere successfully filed his nomination papers in absentia last Wednesday through his chief election agent Sande.He however faces two arrest warrants issued back in 2019. The first one was issued after he failed to appear in court on four counts of criminal abuse of office and the second one after he failed to resubmit his passport to the clerk of court.He dismissed the warrants as mere threats by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to deter him from travelling back to Zimbabwe for his political campaign. Voters in Toronto chose Olivia Chow, a left-leaning, veteran politician, as their new mayor at a moment when the city is confronting a litany of issues that are also facing other urban powerhouses trying to rebound from the pandemic. Ms. Chow ran on a platform vowing to build a Toronto thats caring, affordable and safe, and she emerged with the most votes of the 102 mayoral candidates on the ballot, a record for Toronto, and one that underscores the publics discontent with the citys direction. If you ever questioned your faith in a better future and what we can do with each other, for each other, tonight is your answer, Ms. Chow said to a crowd of supporters during her victory speech. She won with 37.17 percent of the vote. Her nearest challenger, Ana Bailao, who had been endorsed by the citys largest newspaper, The Toronto Star, received about 32 percent of the vote. Mr. Biden said he and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, whom he spoke with on Sunday, would stay in contact. Mr. Biden said that the United States would continue to assess the fallout from the crisis in Russia and closely align responses with its allies. Still, he cautioned, it was still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. Mr. Prigozhin was last seen in public late Saturday after calling off Wagners brief revolt. He agreed to call off his forces march to Moscow under a deal that would halt a criminal investigation into his activities and allow him to go to Belarus. On Monday, Mr. Prigozhin broke his silence to claim that his advance on Moscow had never been intended as a bid to seize power. In a separate news briefing, the State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, told reporters on Monday that he did not know whether Mr. Prigozhin was in Belarus and that he had no assessment of Mr. Prigozhins location at all. He added that the United States did not know what would happen to Wagner fighters in Ukraine or Africa, calling the situation dynamic. Even so, Mr. Miller said, the significance of Mr. Prigozhins power play was clear. It is certainly a new thing to see President Putins leadership directly challenged, he said, noting that Mr. Prigozhin had publicly questioned the rationale for Russias invasion of Ukraine, something that we certainly have not seen coming from Russian officials previously. Mr. Miller added that the United States did not take a position on the leadership of the Russian Federation. We do not take a position on the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense. A candidate for the resurgent far-right party Alternative for Germany has won a district administrator seat, the first time since the party was founded a decade ago that it has captured such a prominent regional post. The candidate, Robert Sesselmann, won 52.8 percent of the vote, beating out the incumbent, Jurgen Kopper of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, who received 47.2 percent. The result has added to concerns from other parties that have struggled to respond to the rise of the AfD, as the party is known in Germany. Although the post that went to the AfD is comparable to that of a mayor of a medium-sized German town, the victory resonated throughout the country, thanks to two breakthroughs: Despite the partys presence in Parliament, it has not, until now, had bureaucratic authority over an area, and it has never had the support of a majority of a districts voters before. The result of the district council election in Sonneberg is disturbing, Ricarda Lang, the co-chair of the federal Green party, wrote on Twitter. And it is a warning to all democratic forces: Now, at the latest, is the time when regardless of all disputes on issues all democratic forces must defend democracy together. Since it began last year, Russias war in Ukraine has hinged not just on battlefield results, but also a question in Moscow: Could President Vladimir V. Putins grip on power withstand the strain of fighting a long and costly war, with no end in sight? The events of the last few days, in which Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the head of a notorious private army called Wagner, mounted a brief rebellion against Russias military leadership, are not enough to answer that question. But they do suggest that Mr. Putins hold over the elite coalition that keeps him in power is under stress, with unpredictable consequences. A crucial coalition Even though authoritarian leaders may appear to rule by fiat, they all rely on coalitions of powerful elites to stay in power, analysts say. The specifics vary by country and situation: Some count on the military, others on a single ruling party, the religious authorities, or wealthy business leaders. In Syria, for instance, the military is dominated by members of Bashar al-Assads Alawite religious minority, and officers have long relied on the government for housing and other benefits, entangling their lives with the survival of the regime. Even when a 2011 popular uprising turned into a bloody, protracted civil war, Mr. Assads supporters within the military kept him in power: The benefits of loyalty, to them, far outweighed the costs. Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group who mounted a brief uprising against Russias military command over the weekend, broke a long period of silence on Monday to deny, once more, that he had any intention of seizing power with his march on Moscow. We went to demonstrate our protest, and not to overthrow the government in the country, he said in an 11-minute, stream-of-consciousness voice memo published on the messaging app Telegram. The statement renewed his sharp criticism of Russias military leadership, both for what he claims was shabby treatment of his fighters and its handling of the invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Prigozhin said the protest was aimed at a move by the Ministry of Defense to force his mercenaries to sign contracts with the government, which he said would have effectively halted Wagners activities in Ukraine as of July 1. The fighters, Mr. Prigozhin said, were planning to give up their heavy weapons to the Russian Army until they were attacked from behind on Friday night, killing at least 30 Wagner soldiers a claim for which there has been no independent evidence. Thats when, he said, he decided to send one group of fighters to take the city of Rostov-on-Don, the home of the Russian southern command about 60 miles from the border with Ukraine, and another group to Moscow to register their anger. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and ex-wife of Prince Andrew, the disgraced son of Queen Elizabeth II, underwent a single mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis, she said during an episode of her podcast that was released Monday. She received the diagnosis after a routine mammogram, she said during the episode of Tea Talks With the Duchess & Sarah, a new weekly podcast that she hosts with the entrepreneur Sarah Thomson. Ms. Ferguson did not say when the operation occurred but noted that the podcast was being recorded the day before it was to take place. Ms. Ferguson displayed no symptoms and did not find a lump, according to the podcast. Its very important that I speak about it, said Ms. Ferguson, 63, noting that both her father and stepfather died from cancer. Im telling people out there because I want every person listening to this podcast to get checked, she said. The column of Bradley armored vehicles rumbled forward, filled with Ukrainian soldiers, bringing a new and potent American weapon to the wars southern front. But then one hit a mine. The explosion blew off one of the vehicles bulldozer-like tracks, immobilizing it. The entire Ukrainian column reversed direction, pulling back. Three weeks into a counteroffensive critical to Ukraines prospects against Russia, its army is encountering an array of vexing challenges that complicate its plans, even as it wields sophisticated new Western-provided weapons. Not least is a vast swath of minefields protecting Russias defensive line, forming a killing field for Ukrainian troops advancing on the open steppe of the south. Everything is mined, everywhere, said Lt. Ashot Arutiunian, the commander of a drone unit, who watched through a drones video link as the mine exploded under the Bradley and halted the columns advance. A 14-story apartment building popular with vacationing Egyptians collapsed Monday in Alexandria, Egypts second-largest city, and rescuers were working to clear the debris, officials said. At least four people were injured, and others were possibly still missing as of Monday night. The collapse, in the citys Sidi Bishr neighborhood, a central residential area, adds to a series of building failures in recent years in Egypt, where a number of reports have highlighted widespread maintenance failures and dilapidated structures. Speaking at the site, Mohamed El-Sherif, the citys governor, said the collapse was caused by a vertical split in the structure, causing half of the building to crumple. He said late Monday that people could still be in the rubble, raising the possibility of fatalities. Mr. El-Sherif added that the building, constructed in the 1970s, had been on the municipalitys list of buildings at risk of collapse and that the top floor had received a demolition order. The summer of 2023 is shaping up to be a hot one. Most of the United States can expect a summer with above normal temperatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations seasonal outlook. Already the extreme heat and humidity that has been stifling Texas will linger there for much of this week, before it spreads into parts of the Southwest and the lower Mississippi River Valley through the Fourth of July weekend. An especially hot July is predicted for South Texas and much of New England. Heres what to know about heat waves and their causes: What causes a heat wave? In most parts of the country, temperatures must be above the historical average in an area for two or more days before the label heat wave is applied to a hot spell, according to the National Weather Service. But the definition can vary by region; in the Northeast, it is defined as three straight days in the 90s or above. Heat waves begin when high pressure in the atmosphere moves in and pushes warm air toward the ground. That air warms up further as it is compressed, and we begin to feel a lot hotter. They were doing, like, a celebration of life for those people that had died, Sabrina Aston, Mr. Astons mother, told The Associated Press. And instead, they lost their lives. Ms. Loving, 40, visited Club Q on Saturday night during a weekend trip from Denver, where she had moved about a month ago. She was loving, always trying to help the next person out, instead of thinking of herself, her sister, Tiffany Loving, said. She just was a caring person. I was really close with her. Natalee Skye Bingham, 25, said she had first met Ms. Loving about seven years ago when they worked together at a club in Florida. Ms. Bingham said that Ms. Loving had been like a mother to her, encouraging her at an uncertain time. When I first started to transition, I wasnt confident at all, Ms. Bingham recalled. She reminded me that you are not doing the wrong thing by being trans, that it was OK to embrace it because you are a beautiful person. Without her giving me the confidence, Ms. Bingham went on, I dont know where I would be today. Ms. Bingham said that Ms. Loving, like many trans people, had been beaten up before, even stabbed and shot at, but that she was a fighter. Image Kelly Loving, 40. Her sister says she was a kind person who always put needs of others first. Credit... Lately, Ms. Loving had been depressed, but she was starting to feel better when she made her first and only visit to Club Q. A few minutes before the shooting, she had been showing off her outfit black skirt, black top, newly colored red hair over a FaceTime call. It was nice to see her so confident in herself, Ms. Bingham said. It was so relieving to know that she felt beautiful that night. Shadavia Green, 38, had also gone to Club Q for the first time on a visit to Colorado Springs. It was a few years ago, and she could immediately sense that the space was special. You didnt feel like you were going to a bar, she said on Monday. It felt like you were going to see family. A few months later, Ms. Green moved to the city from Georgia and became a bartender at the club. From 2018 to 2021, she worked behind the bar with Mr. Rump, who had started before she arrived, and later with Mr. Aston, who was hired about two years ago. Ms. Green said Mr. Rump had a biting sense of humor, yet he was also very empathetic. On busy nights at the club, which could attract as many as 200 patrons, Mr. Rump took care to make them feel at ease and check in with anyone who seemed particularly quiet. He genuinely loved Club Q, Ms. Green said. He was the bar. Jerecho Loveall, 30, a former dancer at the bar who had spent nearly every Saturday night there before he was shot in the leg on Saturday, remembered Mr. Rump as a clean-cut kind of guy who embraced everyone. Mr. Loveall is a straight man in a polyamorous relationship with his wife and a girlfriend. And when he found out about all of that, there was no judgment, he recalled of Mr. Rump. Mr. Aston was the warmest, most loving person, Ms. Green recalled, adding, He had friends that would come by the carload just to come and see him bar tend or just to hang out and support. Daniel had this smile that you would see from across the club, Ms. Green said, and you would literally be like, Let me find a reason to walk over there, just to be closer to Daniel. Mr. Aston, a 28-year-old transgender man, moved to Colorado Springs two years ago. Club Q gave him his first job as a bartender. He loved the work, and would often perform at the venue, his mother told The Associated Press. He would get crazy wigs and outfits and he would jump across the stage and he could slide on his knees, she said. And he was quite entertaining. Everyone started hooting and hollering. A Shanghai woman has become famous in her home country for promoting the physical and psychological benefits of hugging trees. Qishishiqi hugged her first tree back in April, while out on the tow with her husband. Feeling a little tipsy, the woman hugged a random tree on an empty street in Shanghai and immediately felt positive effects. A constant ringing in the ears that she claimed was caused by work-related stress magically disappear while hugging the thick tree trunk, and this superb first experience motivated her to not only look for other trees to hug but also share her story with others so that they may also benefit from it. Photo: Weibo In a viral post on Xiaoshomgshu, Chinas version of Instagram, Qishishiqi said that she felt relaxed and healed after embracing a thousand-year-old tree in a forest park near Shanghai, adding that it felt like the tree was hugging me, and helping relieve all the burdens she was carrying. The Chinese woman explained that she had always felt nervous when hugging other humans, afraid that they might not be able to bear her negative energy, but trees were very different, as they will listen to you silently and patiently. Qishishiqi made it very clear that she does not advise replacing actual medical therapy with tree-hugging, but proponents of Chinese traditional medicine claim that hugging trees is beneficial to physical and mental health. Apparently, by embracing trees, people can acquire qi, which helps them adjust their emotions. Dr. Stone Kraushaar, a clinical psychologist known as The Hug Doctor, claims that people who hug each other for a minimum of 21 seconds benefit from the increased release of oxytocin. Not sure that applies to tree-hugging, though Riverside Co. Wants Vaccination PR Wed., Jul. 19, 2023 Riverside County, which is home to 2.4M southern Californians, is looking for a firm to develop a public health campaign that emphasizes the importance of getting COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Killer farmer Michael Scott, who drove over his elderly aunt Chrissie Treacy in an agricultural teleporter, showed "no compassion" to her in the immediate aftermath of the killing and told fundamental, self-preserving lies about their relationship, has been jailed for six years. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said that had Scott "thought about it at all" he would have realised the risk caused by him reversing the machine across the yard while his view was obstructed. "He didn't think of her at all," the judge said, "an elderly lady, his aunt, living alone." She said that Ms Treacy was entitled to feel safe outside her home and she put Scott's culpability higher than in a case of dangerous driving causing death. Ms Justice Biggs also pointed to a number of lies told by Scott to gardai after the killing when he said that his relationship with his aunt had been "the finest" and they only ever argued over small things. She said he also lied when he said that following the collision his aunt was still alive, he heard her breathing, saw her moving, didn't notice any injuries on her and didn't think she would die. Ms Justice Biggs said these lies were told for "self preservation" and that he showed little care for his aunt at that time and showed "no remorse" in the immediate aftermath of the killing. However, the judge also accepted that Scott has more recently expressed genuine remorse and reports from the probation services suggest he has insight into the impact the killing has had. He had no previous convictions and the judge described him as a hard-working family man who was responsible in his business affairs. The judge also noted that Scott has indicated that he accepts the jury's verdict. Chrissie Treacy, the judge said, was "by all accounts a terrific lady, ahead of her time on farming knowledge and expertise and a boss in a house of men." She recalled witnesses who had described Ms Treacy's "wonderful Irish sense of humour" and her love of animals, in particular her dog Bradley who went missing two months before Ms Treacy's death. Ms Treacy loved people and loved engaging with her neighbours and friends and "lived life to the fullest", the judge said. She also commended Ms Treacy's community for the care and support they gave to her during her final years. The judge set Scott's headline sentence at eight years but reduced that to six years having taken into account a number of mitigating factors. Members of Scott's family cried and comforted one another when the sentence was revealed. Scott sat with his head in his hands for much of the hearing. He has been in custody since a sentencing hearing two weeks ago. Michael Scott (59) of Gortanumera, Portumna, Co Galway had pleaded not guilty to murdering his aunt Christina 'Chrissie' Treacy (76) outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018. Following a trial earlier this year, a jury found Scott not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on the basis of gross negligence. The prosecution case was that Scott deliberately reversed over Ms Treacy following a long-running dispute over land. The trial heard that the Health Service Executive and gardai had been informed of concerns regarding Ms Treacy's welfare due to her relationship with Scott. The jury were told that Ms Treacy and her brothers farmed about 140 acres at Derryhiney and that she owned another farm at nearby Kiltormer. Following the deaths of Ms Treacy's brothers, Michael Scott came to own half the land at Derryhiney and Ms Treacy owned the other half. She leased her land at Kiltormer and Derryhiney to Michael Scott. In early 2017, Mr Scott did not bid to continue leasing the land from Ms Treacy in Kiltormer when it went up for auction. Ms Donohue told the trial that by Christmas 2017, the deceased had made an application through her solicitor to split the land at Derryhiney and put a new lease on the half that she owned. On the day of Ms Treacy's death Scott received a letter from an agricultural consultant telling him not to claim payments for parcels of land on the farm he jointly owned with his aunt. Scott told gardai that he was not concerned about the letter and drove to the yard outside his aunt's home to do some work on the farm. He said he got into the teleporter and was reversing across the yard when he felt a "thump", thought he might have hit a trailer and moved the teleporter forward to level ground. He said that when he got down from the cabin he saw his aunt lying on the ground. He described her death as a tragic accident. Ms Justice Biggs said the jury's verdict meant they had a "reasonable doubt about the requisite intent" for murder. She said that she would proceed on the basis that he did not have any intent to kill or seriously injure his aunt. She said the prosecution had made the case that Scott "must have looked over his left side" when reversing and had he done so he would have seen his aunt and therefore had the knowledge and intent necessary for murder. Ms Justice Biggs said the jury's verdict meant they accepted that it was reasonably possible that Scott's own account was true - that he was looking to his right where his view was obstructed by the body of the teleporter. She said the aggravating features in the case include that Scott was driving a "lethal weapon, a JCB teleporter, which is far more dangerous than a car." She said more care must be taken when driving such a vehicle. Had Scott driven while looking over his left shoulder rather than to his right, he would have seen his aunt, the judge said. She noted that besides the obstructions on the right side of the vehicle, Scott was "almost entirely blind in the right eye save for peripheral vision", according to the evidence of an optometrist. Scott knew of the weakness in his right eye, the judge noted. The left hand mirror of the vehicle was missing, a problem which could "easily have been remedied" and the view to the rear was further obstructed by a dirty windscreen that "could have been cleaned with a J-cloth and Fairy Liquid," she said. She further noted that the offence happened in Ms Treacy's yard outside her home. On Scott's own statement to gardai, he was aware that she would occasionally be in the yard, the judge said. "Had he thought about it at all, he would have realised the risk he was causing," she said. She put Scott's culpability at a level higher than dangerous driving causing death and added: "He didn't think of her at all, an elderly lady, his aunt, living alone." Scott's main mitigation was that he had no previous convictions, worked his entire life and in the course of a 20-year marriage he raised four children. But, the judge noted, in the immediate aftermath of the killing, Scott had "no remorse". At the scene, the judge noted that Scott's friend Francis Hardiman said Scott was hysterical and was "roaring about the misfortune that happened to him" and was saying "I can't live with what has happened to me". The judge said Scott later lied to gardai when he said that he did not believe his aunt was dead and that he heard her breathing and saw her moving. Ms Justice Biggs pointed to the evidence of State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan who said Ms Treacy would have died within one to two seconds of being run over. She added "You don't need to be a doctor to know that going over somebody with a JCB will inevitably result in death." His claim that he didn't see any injuries on his aunt could also not be true given that the skin and flesh had been removed from her hand and there were tire tracks running across her body. The lies told by Scott were done for "self-preservation", the judge said, and showed that at the time he had "little care for Chrissie Treacy". She described as a "fundamental lie" his claim that his relationship with his aunt was "the finest" and that they only ever argued over small things, such as dirt in the yard from his tractor or leaves that hadn't been cleared. She said this lie was "only made in the interests of self and self-preservation." The judge pointed out a number of parts of the evidence which she said rebutted those lies, including the testimony of Mr Hardiman who recalled a number of incidents where Scott became upset due to arguments with his aunt about land. Ms Treacy's friend Regina Donohoe had also detailed ongoing problems between the victim and Scott which culminated in Ms Treacy seeking to partition the land they jointly owned at Derryhiney. There was also evidence from a care worker who overheard Scott speaking in a loud voice to his aunt and banging a table. A solicitor acting for Ms Treacy told the trial that he was "shocked by the vehemence" of Scott's anger towards him during one phone call. Ms Treacy's agricultural consultant Declan McHugh gave evidence that his dealings with Scott regarding Ms Treacy's affairs were "explosive". Another agricultural consultant who acted for Scott said that Scott was "enraged" at his aunt's proposal to divide the land. Ms Justice Biggs said those factors were not relevant to Scott's state of mind at the time of the killing but they "show that he lied continually in interviews with gardai." She said this was relevant to the fact that he showed "no compassion" to his aunt in the immediate aftermath of the killing. She noted that he did not call Ms Treacy's friend Regina Donohoe but instead called his own friend and confidant, Francis Hardiman. He also did not say the act of contrition although he knew that his aunt was a religious woman. However, the judge noted that a probation report indicates that Scott "has an understanding now of what he has done". A psychiatric report also referred to the "shame" that he feels and expressions of remorse. Scott has a number of mental health issues including anxiety, high levels of negative emotionality, feelings of hopelessness, sadness and suicidal ideation. She said the reports submitted suggest Scott has insight but also has "limited intellectual ability". Of late, the judge said Scott has "lost interest in farming" and is considering training in other areas. His interest in the land at Derryhiney is now tied up in litigation which "may have had a stressful impact on him and his business," the judge said. She said she accepts his recent expressions of remorse and that his custodial sentence will cause difficulties for his family. ALL Argos stores in the republic of Ireland including the Tullamore store closed on Saturday June 24. In addition all of its online operations in the Republic have ceased. Its home delivery service stopped on March 22. Argos said the reason for closing all of its stores was because it felt the investment needed to modernise and develop its business in the republic was not viable. Argos in Northern Ireland and UK are not affected by the closures. Customers received an email informing them that all of its stores in the republic are now permanently closed. ''Although customers can no longer visit us in-store, you can still contact us if you need help with a product you have purchased,'' the email stated. It goes on to give details of aftersales, returns, refunds and exchanges policy including how to contact them. It asked people to note that Argos is unable to process refunds, returns or exchanges for products purchased in the Republic of Ireland in its UK stores including in Northern Ireland.'' Argos has been in Ireland for the last 25 years and had 34 stores in the republic. 580 jobs have been lost as a result of the closures. Argos in Tullamore was located in the Tullamore Retail Park at Cloncollig. The email to customers finished by saying: ''We'd like to thank all of our customers, colleagues and communities for supporting Argos in the Republic or Ireland for over 25 years. '' Offaly woman Ena Larkin is just back from an emotional trip to Turkey during which she delivered essential items to a large number of earthquake survivors in the country. Coolderry native Ena has a long and close connection with Turkey, having taught English to school children for many years in the cities of Istanbul and Izmir. As a result she has fluent Turkish and has a number of good friends there. When the terrible earthquake happened on February 6th killing 60,000 people, Ena was deeply upset by the images she was seeing coming from the country. She felt she had to do something rather than be a bystander. Turkey was very good to me, she told The Midland Tribune. I have the most amazing, wonderful memories of my time there. I was devastated by the news and very upset. I cant explain how bereft I felt. I think that as a people they are sweet, kind, generous and helpful, and they have a great sense of humour. They also have a great culture. I contacted my lovely friends in Izmir. They told me that many children who survived the earthquake were in the hospital in Izmir. I told them I wanted to help. They said all help would be gratefully received and they would love to see me. She started fundraising. I got great support from Birr parish and Fr Tom Hogan. In thanks the hospital in Izmir gave Fr Tom a gift of Islamic prayer beads. Fr Tom said he loves the gift. I want to also thank the students of Kinnitty and Roscomroe primary schools who made a big effort to raise funds for the cause. She thanked her very generous neighbours, including one local farmer who gave me 500. In total she raised 7,500. Ena flew out to Turkey at the end of May, arriving in Izmir airport. Having settled in her accommodation in the city she went out to the shops to buy clothing, shoes and computers for the earthquake victims. With the help of two men, who had been neighbours of hers when she lived in Izmir, she bought shoes, t-shirts, trousers, underwear and six laptops. With the items in hand, they proceeded to Dokuz Eylul University Hospital Izmir where they handed over the items to one of the hospital's managers Cetin Bayram. Cetin had overseen the care of the earthquake victims. He took Ena to a direct provision centre where some of the victims are living. Here, Ena met a woman called Durdane Turgut, whose husband lost a leg when it was crushed by falling rubble during the disaster. As she met those affected by the tragedy Ena said it was an emotional experience. We were chatting, crying, laughing. They had suffered so much and their emotions were a mixture of pain, hurt and resilience. Cetin talked to her about the difficult working conditions after the disaster. He talked about the difficult driving conditions for ambulances because of the bad weather. He was very grateful to the people of Birr parish for their kindness and, as a gesture of gratitude, he presented Ena with the Islamic prayer beads for Fr Tom. She met one of the rescuers in the aftermath of February 6. Beneath the building rubble of a house in Antakya he found a two month old baby who was still alive. The baby had no clothes on, in freezing conditions. He also rescued the baby's mother and grandfather, alive, from under the rubble. A couple of local newspapers ran stories about Ena's humanitarian visit. The papers are called Hurriyet and Yeni Asit and have a significant readership in the Izmir region. They referred to her as the kind teacher from Ireland. Irish teacher Ena Larkin has given a lesson in kindness after the earthquake, wrote another. Here in Ireland, Ena continues to work as a teacher. Im one of the home teachers for school refusers, she says, for children suffering from school phobia. Any boys or girls who refuse to go to school, by law they have to be educated, in their homes. I do this in the south Offaly area. I am teaching Junior Cert subjects. I taught in Istanbul and Izmir for many years,she continued. I taught for 14 years in private high schools. These private high schools take on non-native, English speakers to be teachers in their schools. I taught at all levels of the schools. Eventually, I came back to Ireland, in 2004. In 1999 there was another dreadful earthquake in Turkey, in a region near Istanbul, which caused thousands of deaths, and Ena, along with other concerned people from Izmir, brought aid to the victims. 17,000 people died in 1999. In Izmir we raised money to pay for essential clothing for the victims of the earthquake. A SYNDICATE made up of teachers and school staff made the trip to Lotto Headquarters this Monday to claim their 250,000 prize which they won in Lotto Plus 2 draw at the end of May. The 18 members of the group - The Craigtown syndicate - scooped their top prize win in the May 27 draw after purchasing their winning ticket at Dohertys Centra in Moville, County Donegal. Speaking in the Winners' Room, Syndicate Manager Margaret Farren explained that buying the ticket for that particular draw was not as straight forward as usual. I was holidaying on the North Antrim coast when I realised that I didnt have a ticket for the draw that night. I figured that I would get our ticket at some point during the day but as we got closer to the draw time, I was getting worried as I needed to get back to Donegal to get it. By then, it was becoming a mad dash to find the best way back. As luck would have it, the ferry had just started running again the previous day so I got that back to Greencastle and then made my way to Moville to get our ticket. I only had 15 minutes left to get our ticket at that stage, she said. Margaret added that purchasing the ticket still did not go exactly to plan, even after making the journey: I usually buy a ticket to cover eight draws but when I got to the shop, the machine was unable to print a ticket for that particular draw only. I would only ever check our tickets after the 8 draws are up but since the ticket was a single draw, I checked the next day and to say it was utter disbelief would be an understatement! If it had have been a ticket for 8 draws, theres no way I would have known how much we won so soon after. I told the rest of the members the next day after school they couldnt believe it when the app said the words Youve won Big! I think our cheers were heard far and wide! Members of the Craigtown syndicate were not the only Donegal winners to visit Lotto HQ in Dublin this Monday. A family syndicate claimed over 6.3 million after purchasing their winning ticket for the June 17 draw at McCarrons Village Shop at Quigleys Point. The Donegal jackpot winners, who wish to remain anonymous, shared the 12,747,756 jackpot with a Westmeath man who also claimed his share of the life-changing amount. Wisconsin will receive more than $1 billion in federal funds to expand broadband as part of a sweeping infrastructure bill signed into law in 2021, Democratic President Joe Bidens administration announced Monday. The announcement comes less than a month after the Legislatures GOP-controlled budget committee rejected Democratic Gov. Tony Evers request to spend $750 million in state funds to expand broadband, citing the incoming federal dollars. This investment will help close the digital divide so Wisconsinites can fully participate in the economy, kids can get the education they deserve, and families can connect with people across the world, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said. Wisconsin is receiving $1.055 billion for broadband an amount greater than all but 15 states and territories. All Wisconsin Democrats in Congress voted for the bill and all Wisconsin Republicans voted against it. The legislation Biden signed authorized $1.2 trillion in spending across a wide array of projects. Separately, Madison will receive nearly $38 million under the infrastructure bill to renovate its bus facilities, replace roofs, install solar panels and purchase electric buses, Baldwin announced. These funds will help us improve our transit system, reduce carbon emissions, and support good, green jobs, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said. The federal broadband money coming to Wisconsin wont be immediately available, however. The first portion of it 20% will be awarded with competitive subgrants, likely in the summer of 2024, Baldwins office stated. The other 80% will likely come in 2025, with the state in charge of distributing the funds, with priority going to projects that bring broadband to unserved households and businesses lacking access to high-speed internet, according to Baldwins office. What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you dont have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now you will, thanks to President Biden and his commitment to investing in America, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement announcing the funds. Wisconsin already has used $145 million in federal funds allotted during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand broadband, state data shows. Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said federal funds notwithstanding, the governor continues to be disappointed Republicans chose to provide $0.00 in state funding for broadband. Evers asked for $750 million after it was announced that up to $1 billion in federal funds were coming to Wisconsin. As of last year, the Wisconsin Broadband Office estimated there were still about 650,000 state residents without access to what the Federal Communications Commission considers high-speed service (25 mbps downloads and 3 mbps uploads) and another 650,000 residents who simply couldnt afford it. The Public Service Commission has estimated it could cost up to $1.4 billion to achieve statewide access. This funding, along with additional public and private investment, will make it possible to achieve our goal of internet for all, PSC chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq said. Democrats in early June called for spending state funds to expand broadband despite the incoming federal money, given the potential delays of the federal program. In a committee hearing, Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said the federal broadband program will have different targets and eligibility, adding that the potential state project could fill the gap to meet Wisconsinites needs. Despite the incoming federal funds, State funding is still needed to ensure Wisconsin can achieve the highest levels of deployment and that all homes and businesses have access to reliable, high-speed broadband, Public Service Commission spokesperson Meghan Sovey said in early June. U.S. states with the fastest internet Intro Nearly every American adult reports using the internet in some capacity The Southeast lags behind other states in computer and internet use There is a loose positive correlation between computer use and internet speed as well as internet use and internet speed 15. New York 14. Illinois 13. Washington 12. Colorado 11. New Hampshire 10. Florida 9. Georgia 8. California 7. Texas 6. Rhode Island 5. Massachusetts 4. Virginia 3. Maryland 2. New Jersey 1. Delaware Justice Brian Hagedorn definitely should not resign from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as one of his colleagues, Justice Rebecca Bradley, wildly suggested after failing to get her way on a recent case. Hagedorn stands out on the sharply divided seven-member court for his judicial independence. He doesnt neatly align with partisan political interests on high-profile cases. The court needs more Justice Hagedorns, not fewer. It also needs more decorum, something Bradley has violated in personally attacking Hagedorn when he deviates from the rest of the courts conservative majority. Bradley recently wrote an insulting dissent to a politically charged court decision that Hagedorn concurred in with the courts three liberal-leaning justices. In a fairly routine decision, Hagedorn and the three others denied a motion to bypass the court of appeals in a case involving the Madison School District and how it handles gender identity. A parent had challenged the Madison districts policy of letting students determine their names and pronouns independently of parents. A Dane County judge dismissed the case without ruling on its merits. Instead, he determined the parent didnt have standing in court because no evidence suggests her child might be transgender. She fails to show why she anticipates that the districts policies will cause even a trifling individual injury, Judge Frank Remington wrote. The parent asked the Supreme Court to take the case, bypassing the appeals process, which the conservative-leaning Hagedorn and the three liberal-aligned justices denied. The question before us is whether this case demands our intervention on an expedited basis, Hagedorn wrote. It is my judgment ... that the normal litigation process is the best path forward. That made good sense. Yet in Bradleys June 14 dissent, she suggested Hagedorn and the others in the majority decision should resign if they cant work in defense of peoples liberty. She also claimed Hagedorn fundamentally misunderstands the judicial role. Actually, Hagedorn seems to grasp the high courts deliberative and restrained mission far better than Bradley. Based on her voting record in high-profile cases, shes the one who conveniently interprets the law to favor her political supporters, not Hagedorn. Moreover, Bradley doesnt bolster any claim to judicial independence by kicking off her legal diatribe with an odd and elaborate attack on fake news, regurgitating former President Donald Trumps tired dig on fact-based journalism when it doesnt match his political rhetoric. Bradley also accused Hagedorn in her dissent of latent sexism. Hagedorn did criticize three conservative women in his court writings. But he sided with the other three women in the majority opinion, undermining Bradleys claim. The ideological makeup of the court is about to shift. Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz, backed by $9 million in campaign spending by the Democratic Party, easily won her spring election, essentially flipping the court to a liberal majority. The conservative Annette Ziegler is likely to lose her post as chief justice, and Bradley may no longer be able to draft majority opinions. Bradley and her fellow conservatives will have far less power over cases in the near future, which could explain why they tried to move this one so fast now. Hagedorns traditional and steady approach to the law is far better for the general public than playing favorites with cases based on personal or political preferences. Hagedorn highlights a veritable explosion of emergency actions and requests that the normal process be short-circuited in recent years on the high court. Since he joined the court in August 2019, he writes, it has ruled on 39 requests to speed cases in similar situations. It granted 11 of those. In the dozen years before that, he noted, the high court ruled on 56 such petitions, granting only three. There is simply no precedent, he convincingly contends. Bradley responds that the uptick is because the world has been in a state of chaos for three years. We hope thats not a veiled political swipe at President Joe Bidens first three years in the White House, given the way Bradley parrots the disruptive Trump at the outset of her dissent. Hagedorn is a socially conservative guy who approaches each case with some independence, as nonpartisan judges are supposed to. Bradley is an ideologue who grandstands for her political pals. Wisconsin should happily keep Hagedorn and dismiss Bradleys vindictive suggestion that Hagedorn needs to go. Modernised Maduranthakam power sector 500 new electric poles! 89 new transformers! Chennai oi-Oneindia English Desk Maduranthakam Assembly segment is located near Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The city houses the State's largest lake 'Maduranthakam' while the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary is located not far away from it. During the expansion of Chennai, Maduranthakam constituency is going to be the most beneficial one. Keeping this in mind, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is taking steps for the multilevel improvement of Maduranthakam region. Cyclone Mandous affected Maduranthakam region the most. Its impact was seen in hundreds of fallen electric poles. Nevertheless, CM Stalin repaired everything and supplied electricity to the region within two days. Maduranthakam constituency in the last 2 years has seen tremendous progress in electricity supply sector. The constituency has overcome all the difficulties such as low voltage issues, circuit overload issues etc. Regarding the changes brought by the current DMK reign, Assistant Engineer of Maduranthakam region S. Yogaraj said that almost 750 transformers in the area come under his control. In the past one year alone, seven transformers have been replaced with new ones. Additionally, approval for changing 14 more transformers have been acquired and soon new ones will be installed. In Mambakkam region, two transformers, which were burnt due to high voltage, were replaced by new ones within two hours. Fifty pole-mounted 50-KV transformers were installed per street to prevent the voltage related issues. The decision to install single-pole transformers was made taking into account the narrow roads. This particular installation ensured the uninterrupted supply of power without any overloading issues and it also helped in preventing blackouts. So, carrying out repair work in one street will not affect the power supply in other streets. "Similarly, we have taken many multilevel initiatives in the last two years for the transformation of the Maduranthakam power station into a modern one," said the Assistant Engineer. In Vanniyar street, where more than 100 families reside, low-voltage issue used to occur often owing to the old transformers. Now, in the current reign, transformers are installed separately on each side of the streets covering the households on its respective sides. Following this, the residents are happy that the power is being distributed uniformly and consistently without any interruptions. For the swift actions taken by the CM in fixing the region's power related issues, the people of this region are expressing their heartfelt gratitude. Junior Engineer Ganesan said that in Maduranthakam town division where he is working, two 25-KV transformers have been installed due to the prevalence of power cut issues in certain streets. "One more 63-KV transformer has been installed in another street. These measures helped in prevention of voltage related issues and power cut issues. Farmers who form the majority of the residents living in Mariputhur village complained about the electric poles collapsing in their farmland. Based on the complaints from the farmers also, all electric poles have been replaced and new ones were installed in many places, said the Junior Engineer. 180 new electric poles have been installed in Arcot and Olavetti falling under the Maduranthakam area. Zonal Officer Senthamarai said that in Maduranthakam region alone, five substations and 1,702 transformers are there. Of them , 89 defective ones were identified and replaced. In parallel to this, 189 defective electric poles were replaced in the last two years alone. "With the 1,50,000 free electricity connections to the farmers given by the CM, we received around 109 services. Our area farmers have greatly benefited from the free electricity connections, considering the past suffering from the lack of power connection," said the Zonal officer. With the CM's target to provide 50 more connections this year, the area will get additional 164 electricity connections, she added. Among the heavily affected constituencies of Maduranthakam, Acharapakkam and Cheyyur by Cyclone Mandous, 559 electric poles had collapsed in Maduranthakam alone. The repair works of the fallen poles were done at a lightning speed by bringing electricians from different districts. The work was done within 2 days and on the third day uninterrupted power supply was provided to the people. This was possible because of the Chief Minister's special care of the constituency by taking the needed steps to speed up the process and also providing necessary electrical equipment. Also, he has ordered formation of committees for the prevention of occurrence of power related issues in the constituency. The committees are having regular meetings with Minister Senthil Balaji which aids the timely identification of cause of the issues and the provision of necessary electrical equipment. Owing to these reasons, Maduranthakam region has attained self-sufficiency, said Senthamarai. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 17:12 [IST] Seema Haider Once Been To Jail, Now Out On Bail: UP Cop On Pakistani Woman Cash Payment, Fake Name: Details Of Sachin, Seema Haider's Stay in Room No. 204 Of Kathmandu Hotel Revealed Ensure Safety Of Minorities: India Tells Pakistan After 4th Attack On Sikh minority India oi-Prakash KL India on Monday summoned a senior diplomat of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest over the recent incidents of attacks on Sikh community members in that country, PTI reported citing sources. The diplomat has been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities who live in "constant fear of religious persecution". This is the fourth such attack on Sikhs in Pakistan between April and June. "India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate these violent attacks on Sikh community with sincerity, and share the investigation reports," said a source. "It has also been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities, who live in constant fear of religious persecution," the source added. In the fourth incident, a Sikh man identified as Manmohan Singh who was shot dead on Saturday by unidentified armed men in the Yakatoot area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan, according to a report in Hindustan Times. It came a day after a Sikh shopkeeper was injured after unidentified armed men fired at him in the same area of Peshawar. In a statement, the Islamic State took credit for the assassination of Manmohan Singh, portraying him as a practitioner of the "polytheistic" Sikh faith. The same statement also acknowledged their involvement in the assault on another Sikh individual the day prior. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 23:06 [IST] Fast-Moving Monsoon Covers Madhya Pradesh; Orange Alert Issued for Isolated Places India oi-PTI The southwest monsoon covered Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, a day after it entered the central state from the eastern side, with India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert warning of torrential rains in the next 24 hours. The orange alert warned that heavy (64.5 mm to 115.5 mm) to very heavy (115.6 mm to 204.4 mm) rainfall with extremely heavy rain (above 204. 5 mm) is likely to lash isolated places in east MP. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may also occur at isolated places in western parts. "The monsoon forayed into MP from its eastern part, bordering Chhattisgarh, on Saturday evening. The fast-moving rain-bearing system covered the entire MP, including its western part, home to state capital Bhopal by Sunday afternoon," IMD Bhopal centre director R Balasubramanian told PTI. On Sunday morning, the IMD was expecting the monsoon to cover the entire state by June 28 or June 29. Balasubramanian said three weather systems - the one over the Arabian sea that has come up were causing moisture incursion in MP leading to rainfall. Madhya Pradesh is very likely to see a wet week ahead, he said. Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall Likely in Mumbai, Madhya Maharashtra in next 48 Hours: IMD Another weather expert and former senior IMD meteorologist PK Saha said that the monsoon has run through MP in 24 hours. The maximum temperature in the state averaged between 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, while the average minimum temperature remained between 20 and 27 degrees Celsius on Sunday following intermittent showers in parts of the state for well over two days, as per IMD data. Four days back, the maximum and minimum temperatures in parts of the state hovered over 40 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius, respectively. Meanwhile, many districts in Madhya Pradesh are receiving showers on Sunday. Jabalpur district in east MP recorded 22 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, the weather office said. Mumbai, Suburbs Receive Moderate to Heavy Rains, IMD Predicts More Showers Last year, the monsoon arrived in the state on June 16, a day before its normal schedule, and covered 80 per cent of the state by June 21, as per official data. This year, the southwest monsoon hit Kerala on June 8, seven days behind its normal schedule. It covered the entire Kerala in one day and entered Karnataka. After 11 days, the rain-bearing system started moving some three days back. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 11:12 [IST] Scorpio car swept by flash floods in AP even as driver tried to steer it away | WATCH Flash Floods, Landslides Hit Himachal Pradesh; Over 200 People Stranded India oi-Madhuri Adnal Heavy rain has lashed several districts of Himachal Pradesh including Mandi this week, causing discomfort to both locals and tourists. In the Bagipul area of Mandi district, a flash flood-like situation has led to over 200 people stranded near Baggi Bridge on Mandi-Prashar road. The flood occurred on Sunday after a cloudburst around Baghi bridge in Mandi. The police said that a bus of students from Chamba and many vehicles that were coming back from Parashar got stuck. They have been provided with facilities for their overnight stay. The Mandi police have also informed that landslides have occurred at many places between Charmile to Satmile on Pandoh-Mandi NH in the state. The National Highway was closed after reports of flash flood from in Khoti Nala near Aut in Mandi district. Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall Likely in Mumbai, Madhya Maharashtra in next 48 Hours: IMD Recommended Video Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rain causes flash floods and landslides, over 200 tourists stranded Meanwhile, several parts of Kangra City in Himachal have been facing waterlogging following incessant rainfall. #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | Flash flood witnessed in Bagi, Mandi following incessant heavy rainfall here. pic.twitter.com/EvWKyQefgG ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2023 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Himachal Pradesh has issued a flash flood risk warning for 24 hours. The IMD has also issued a weather warning for the state for the next five days, advising people to stay away from areas prone to landslides and rock falls. The heavy rains have caused extensive damage in several parts of Mandi. Several vehicles were washed away due to a flash flood in a rivulet at Janjheli in Mandi district. The water level in the Beas River flowing through Mandi has also increased due to continuous rains in the hilly areas. Mumbai, Suburbs Receive Moderate to Heavy Rains, IMD Predicts More Showers Shimla, also reported a cloudburst amid the intensive rain. The authorities have advised people to stay indoors and avoid travelling unless necessary. They have also asked people to be careful while driving and to not cross flooded roads. The situation is being closely monitored by the authorities. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 11:49 [IST] Man Allegedly Lynched by Mob in Maharashtra for Suspected Beef Smuggling, Say Police India oi-Madhuri Adnal In an unfortunate incident in Nashik district, Maharashtra, a man was brutally beaten to death on Saturday night by a group of individuals believed to be cow vigilantes. The victim, identified as Afan Ansari, a 32-year-old resident of Mumbai's Kurla area, was accompanied by his associate Nasir Sheikh and was reportedly transporting cattle meat in a car when they were intercepted and assaulted by the mob. Both Ansari and Sheikh were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Regrettably, Ansari succumbed to his injuries during the course of the treatment, according to the police. Sub-inspector Sunil Bhamre, who responded to the incident, stated, "Upon reaching the scene, we found the car in a damaged state. The injured men were inside the vehicle, and we immediately admitted them to a nearby hospital where one of them tragically passed away." The police have apprehended ten individuals thus far in connection with the case. Based on the complaint filed by the injured survivor, the police have registered a case of murder and rioting, and an investigation is underway, as stated by the authorities. 1 Dead, Cop Injured During Mob Violence Over Anti-Encroachment Drive In Gujarat The verification of whether the individuals were indeed involved in the transportation of beef or not can only be confirmed once the laboratory report is obtained, they further added. Earlier in March, the Maharashtra government sanctioned the establishment of a commission to enforce the ban on cow slaughter, following the Bombay High Court's validation of the law prohibiting the slaughter of cattle. The court ruled that a competent authority has the right to enter, halt, and search any vehicle suspected of being used for cow, bull, or bullock export, with the power to seize such vehicles. The court also upheld the prohibition on transporting flesh for the purpose of slaughter. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 9:27 [IST] Here Is Why Railways Won't Make Public Its Report On Odisha Train Accident Odisha: 12 Members of Marriage Party Killed in Bus Collision India oi-PTI Twelve members of a marriage party were killed and seven others injured as their bus collided head-on with another bus in Odisha's Ganjam district, police said on Monday. The accident occurred late Sunday night near Digapahandi area on Berhampur-Taptapani road, around 35 km from here, when the bus with the wedding party members on board collided with another passenger vehicle, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M said. After attending a wedding ceremony at Berhampur, they were returning to Khandadeuli near Digapahandi when the accident took place. Canada: At least 15 people die in bus accident A team of police personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the injured persons and shifted them to hospitals, the SP said. "Seven members of a family and their relatives were among the 12 deceased,'' another police officer said. Odisha | 10 people died and 8 injured in a bus accident in Ganjam district, on Sunday late night. Injured were immediately rushed to the MKCG Medical College in Berhampur for treatment. "Two buses collided in which 10 people died. The injured were immediately admitted to MKCG pic.twitter.com/OE3G3BhMFl ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 The injured persons are undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here and Digapahandi Hospital, he said. "Two of them have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital Cuttack," the officer said. Meanwhile, the special relief commission has sanctioned Rs 30, 000 to each of the injured persons for their treatment. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 10:51 [IST] Opposition Mantra Is Of, By And For Family: PM Modi What Happened With Daughters Can Never Be Forgiven: PM Modi On Manipur Parade Incident PM Modi Chairs Meeting With Senior Ministers India oi-Madhuri Adnal Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with senior cabinet colleagues and officials soon after his return from State visits to the US and Egypt. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Urban Affairs and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Senior officials including P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, were also present. PM Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda. 'Whats Happening In India, PM Modi Asks BJP chief Nadda After Returning From Foreign Visit "He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy," BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked what the prime minister asked them after meeting them at the airport. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said the prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the party's public outreach programme going on. "We apprised him about that," he said. What Happened With Daughters Can Never Be Forgiven: PM Modi On Manipur Parade Incident Whats Happening In India, PM Modi Asks BJP chief Nadda After Returning From Foreign Visit India pti-PTI After returning to India from his foreign visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked BJP president J P Nadda and other leaders what was happening in India, party leaders, who had gone to receive him at the airport here, said. PM Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief Nadda. BJP National President Shri @JPNadda along with senior BJP leaders welcome PM Shri @narendramodi after his successful state visits to the US and Egypt. pic.twitter.com/8drutPjFAA BJP (@BJP4India) June 25, 2023 BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. "He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy," BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked what the prime minister asked them after meeting them at the airport. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said the prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the partys public outreach programme going on. "We apprised him about that," he said. When Will Modi Govt Stop Acting Like All Is Well: Cong On Manipur Video If Govt Does Not Act, We Will: Supreme Court Warns After 2 Manipur Women Paraded Naked By Mob Women Take Center Stage in Violence-Hit Manipur India oi-Madhuri Adnal In Manipur, women have emerged as key figures in the ongoing demonstrations, with multiple incidents showcasing their active role in various protests. The recent involvement of women protesters has disrupted the normal functioning of the state, impacting essential supplies, vehicular movement, and security operations. One incident involved security forces attempting to nab 12 members of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a militant group based in Manipur. However, a mob of approximately 1,200-1,500 people, led by women, prevented their arrest. Similarly, women in Kangpokpi and Yaingangpokpi blocked army personnel from reaching an area where armed miscreants were firing weapons. Furthermore, a CBI team was stopped from entering the Manipur Police Training College by women protesters during their investigation of an arms and ammunition theft case. These events are part of a larger trend, where women's groups from both the Kuki and Meitei communities have taken to the streets. Their protests target the state government, opposing each other and the security forces' operations to combat armed individuals and recover stolen weapons. Coincidentally, in Delhi, two demonstrations against the violence perpetrated by Meitei and Kuki groups were also led by women, held at Jantar Mantar and outside the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Manipur CM Briefs Amit Shah About 'Evolving Situation' In Delhi Recommended Video Manipur Violence: Women emerge as key figures in protests, showcase active role | Oneindia News It is noteworthy that women play a prominent role in Manipuri society across various domains. For example, Imphal, the capital city, is home to Ima Keithel (Mothers Market), the world's largest market entirely operated by women. Thousands of women engage in selling diverse products, making it a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. Throughout Manipur's history, women have played a significant role in various movements of unrest. Notably, their participation during the two Nupi Lan (Women's Wars) in 1904 and 1939 remains significant. These uprisings, led entirely by women, challenged oppressive systems imposed by British colonial authorities, such as forced labor and rice exports. In recent times, women's groups called Meira Paibis (Women with Torches) have been instrumental in organizing non-violent protests against issues like illicit liquor, drug abuse, and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which grants extensive powers to the Army and security forces. One prominent protest in 2004 saw 12 Manipuri women disrobing in front of the Assam Rifles headquarters to protest the alleged rape and murder of Manorama Thangjam, highlighting the grave concern for women's rights and safety. Presently, women's groups continue to mobilize and demonstrate their influence. According to HT report, Kuki women groups have blocked parts of National Highway 2, while Meitei groups have obstructed entry points to south Manipur, particularly in Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Chandel. These road blockades have caused shortages of essential items, as well as hoarding and artificial scarcity. Combing operations by security forces have also faced resistance from women protesters. Manipur Violence:12 Militants Released After Women-Led Mob Stops Security Forces Amidst the ongoing demonstrations, experts acknowledge the historical significance of women leading political agitations in Manipur. They highlight women's pivotal role in standing up against injustice, as seen in past movements such as the Nupi Lanes. However, differing opinions and grievances exist between communities. While Meitei women accuse Kuki groups of shielding armed militants, Kuki community members express concerns about their disadvantaged position and the dominance of the Meitei community within Manipur's power structure. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 9:54 [IST] LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT For Refuse and Recycling Services at Various Locations At Various Locations North Allegheny School District, the Owner, will receive separate sealed Bids for the Contract on the services until the time and date and at the place scheduled below. The Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room of the Facilities/Transportation Offices. The clock in the Conference Room will determine prevailing time for receipts of bids. The District invites interested parties to attend. BID DUE DATE: Thursday, July 27, 2023 BID DUE/OPENING TIME: 1:00 P.M., Prevailing Time PLACE OF RECEIPT: North Allegheny School District Transportation Department c/o Mrs. Jaimie Nichols Purchasing Manager PLACE OF OPENING: Facilities/Transportation Office Conference Room 400 Hillvue Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Bidders may obtain one complete set of the Bidding Documents for these services by contacting the Facilities Department, North Allegheny School District, 400 Hillvue Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412-369-5432. A non-refundable deposit of $10.00 per set is required, and must be in the form of a corporate or business check made payable to North Allegheny School District and brought to the Facilities Department at North Allegheny School District. If the bidding documents are to be mailed, the deposit amount will be $25.00. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Bids and to waive any informalities or irregularities in any Bid received. Bids will be received from Bidders who have registered with North Allegheny School District Facilities Department and purchased a complete set of Bidding Documents as a Prime Bidder. Registration is required to ensure Bidders receive Addenda and Bid-related correspondence. The Bidding Documents will not be accepted for return at the receipt of Bids. For more information on this project, please contact Mr. Jason Schwoebel at (412) 369-5432. LEGAL NOTICES ADMINISTRATRIXS NOTICE Estate of MaRY JO MODZELEWSKI, Late of Saxonburg, Butler County, Pennsylvania, deceased. Letters of Administration upon above-named estate having been granted to the undersigned, at Estate File No. 10-23-0708, all persons having claims against the same will present them for payment, duly authenticated; and those indebted thereto, will please make immediate payment to: RACHELLE C. LLEWELLYN, Administratrix 200 Deer Run Drive Butler, PA 16061 Lynn M. Patterson, Esquire Stock & Patterson 106 South Main Street Suite 603 Butler, PA 16001 July 7, 2023 LEGAL NOTICES CO-EXECUTORS NOTICE Estate of DONALD E. SCOTT, Late of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, deceased. Letters Testamentary upon above-named estate having been granted to the undersigned, at Estate File No. 10-23-0702, all persons having claims against the same will present them for payment, duly authenticated; and those indebted thereto, will please make immediate payment to: DAVID T. SCOTT, Co-Executor 504 Iroquois Trail Mercer, PA 16137 or: DEREK M. SCOTT Co-Executor 563 Oneida Valley Road Butler, PA 16001 Andrea C. Parenti, DILLON McCANDLESS KING COULTER & Graham L.L.P. 600 Cranberry Woods Drive Suite 175 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 June 29, 2023 LEGAL NOTICES EXECUTORS NOTICE Estate of NANCY H. SUTTON, a/k/a NANCY LEE SUTTON, Late of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, deceased. Letters Testamentary upon the above-named estate having been granted to the undersigned at Estate No. 10-23-0651, all persons having claims against the same will present them for payment, duly authenticated; and those indebted thereto, will please make immediate payment to: JAMES EDISON SUTTON, III, Executor 5792 Fenway Court Haltom City, TX 76137 Steven T. Casker, Esquire Lope, Casker and Casker 207 East Grandview Avenue Zelienople, PA 16063 LEGAL NOTICES EXECUTRIXS NOTICE In the Estate of WILLIAM N. ANDERSON, aka WILLIAM NELSON ANDERSON, Late of Adams Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, deceased. Letters Testamentary having been granted to the undersigned, on the above estate, all those owing said estate are requested to make prompt payment to the undersigned and all those having a claim are requested to present same without delay to: TAMARA LYNETTE JONES, Executrix P.O. Box 113 Callery, PA 16024 or to their attorney: Sarah G. Hancher, Esquire HANCHER LAW OFFICE 101 North Green Lane Zelienople, PA 16063 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE MONITEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT The Moniteau School District, Board of School Directors, will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School, located at 1810 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury, PA 16061, for General Purposes. This meeting is open to the public. LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that PennEnergy Resources, LLC. has submitted a final report to the Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest Regional Office, to demonstrate attainment of the Background/Statewide health standard for a site located at 201 Arden Drive, Lancaster Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. PennEnergy Resources, LLC. has indicated that the remediation measures taken have attained compliance with the Background/Statewide health cleanup standard established under the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act. This notice is made under the provision of the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, the Act of May 19, 1995, P.L. #4, No. 2. From zero to hero, meet YouTuber Mohd Arbaaz Khan of Arbaaz Vlogs who is making lakhs from YouTube What is YouTube pump and dump scam and why did SEBI banned actor Arshad Warsi, his wife from stock market? YouTuber Devraj Patel Killed In Road Accident India oi-Prakash KL Popular YouTuber Devraj Patel was killed in a road accident in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur on Monday, police said. He was 22. The accident occurred at around 3:30 pm when he was returning from Nava Raipur after filming a video, an official said. Patel was killed as he fell off his motorcycle after it brushed against a truck. Patel's channel 'Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai' had more than 4 lakh subscribers and over 8.80 crore views. He was known for his witty style and funny videos. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed grief over the incident and said Devraj Patel who made everyone laugh has left us. According to the official, the mishap took place in the vicinity of Labhandi area, within the jurisdiction of Telibandha police station. It happened when the motorcycle's handlebar collided with a truck that was traveling in the same direction. As a result, Patel, who was riding as a passenger, got trapped beneath the rear wheel of the large vehicle. Bike rider Rakesh Manhar, who escaped unhurt in the accident, called up an ambulance following which Patel was shifted to a hospital where he was declared dead, he added. Patel, a resident of the state's Mahasamund district, was staying in a rented house in Raipur. "Devraj Patel who made his place among crores of people and made us all laugh, left us today. The loss of such a wonderful talent at a young age is very sad. May God give strength to his family and loved ones to bear this loss," the chief minister said in a condolence message. Patel had worked with famous YouTuber Bhuvan Bam in the comedy web series "Dhindora". In 2021, Patel shot a video with CM Baghel at the latter's official residence in which he said, "Only two persons are famous in Chhattisgarh. I and our 'kaka' (Baghel is popularly called kaka which means uncle)". Indian Psychiatrist Sentenced to 6 Years in UK for Operating Child Pornography Website, Seizing 7,000 Images International oi-Madhuri Adnal An Indian psychiatrist has been sentenced a six-year prison in the United Kingdom for his involvement in operating a child sex abuse website. Dr. Kabir Garg, aged 33, residing in Lewisham, South-east London, pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to his role in facilitating the exploitation of children, as reported by the BBC. Garg, who was sentenced on June 23 at Woolwich Crown Court, will be registered as a lifelong sex offender. The court revealed that he had acted as a "moderator" for the dark web platform dedicated to the sharing of abusive images involving children. Adam Priestley,from the National Crime Agency, said, "Garg played a significant role in facilitating child sexual abuse. He utilized the dark web to access a global community of pedophiles who shared and discussed heinous crimes against children." #ICYMI: London psychiatrist Dr Kabir Garg and David Mould from East Sussex both prolific users of dark web child abuse sites were jailed following two separate NCA investigations. Read more: David Mould https://t.co/VJy1Ar98Re Kabir Garg https://t.co/2w3L1CIvfJ pic.twitter.com/y7NMoYsf3e National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) June 25, 2023 Having completed his MBBS from Lucknow's King George Medical University, Garg worked at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru before relocating to the UK. Bombed 6 Muslim Majority Nations: Sitharaman Slams Obama For Remarks On Indian Minorities Garg was arrested in November last year and pleaded guilty to eight charges, including the sexual exploitation of children, as well as the creation and dissemination of indecent images, in January. Authorities revealed that Garg was one of the moderators of a website called "The Annex," boasting 90,000 members worldwide. They uncovered hundreds of daily shared links to child abuse materials, and Garg held a prominent administrative role on the website. "While there are hundreds of thousands of members on such sites within the dark web, only a few are willing to commit to being staff members, requiring them to dedicate significant unpaid time," added Priestley. "Garg was arrested at his residence in Lewisham in November 2022 as part of an international joint operation while the website was open on his laptop, with Garg logged into his moderator account," stated the UK's national crime agency in an official statement. Authorities also discovered over 7,000 indecent images and videos, as well as various medical journal articles acquired during Garg's tenure as a psychiatrist. Among the materials seized was a journal article titled "A Study on Child Abuse India." Bethany Raine, a specialist prosecutor, expressed her shock at Garg's crimes, particularly given his understanding of the psychological impact of sexual abuse on children. UK authorities also arrested 34-year-old Matthew Smith from London last year, during the same period as Garg's arrest, for his alleged involvement in child sexual abuse in India. Investigators recovered thousands of images and videos depicting sexual harassment inflicted upon children from Smith's devices. Smith reportedly paid Rs 65 lakh over a five-year period to two teenagers in India to engage in sexual acts with boys and share images. Authorities suspect this to be part of a larger child pornography network, as they discovered numerous images and videos of sexual abuse. During his time in India, Smith worked in orphanages and NGOs, managing to establish a network of accomplices involved in child sexual abuse. He maintained contact with them even after relocating to the UK last year. Prosecutors revealed that Smith manipulated teenage boys in India, teaching them how to befriend minors and subsequently sending them videos and images of sexual acts that he requested to be performed and recorded. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 10:18 [IST] Russia Will Stand Up Against Sanctions And Provocations: Putin at SCO summit Wagner Chief Is Likely Dead After Rebelling Against Putin: Former US General Russian President Vladimir Putin Issues First Statement Since Aborted Mutiny International oi-Prakash KL Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday appeared in a Kremlin video address, speaking for the first time since the aborted mutiny of a mercenary chief this weekend, AFP reported. In his first statement since an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, the Russian President congratulates participants of an industrial forum. It was not immediately clear when or where Putin's statement was recorded, according to a report in Reuters. Earlier in the day, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine Monday in a video released by his ministry. He's the first of three powerful Russian leaders whose diverging interests led to the Wagner Group occupying a Russian city and marching on the capital to be seen since the revolt ended on Saturday. After much drama, Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) founder Yevgeny Prigozhin called off the rebellion against Russian military leadership, reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and sounded the retreat. The rebellion ended after Prigozhin ordered his troops back as the Kremlin said it had made a deal that the mercenary chief would move to Belarus and receive an amnesty, along with his soldiers. The mutiny marked the biggest challenge to President Vladimir Putin in more than 20 years of rule. Although it was reported that Russia would Wagner chief, he is still under investigation despite the Kremlin deal, AFP reported citing Russian news agencies. On the other hand, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken termed the weekend's events in Russia as "extraordinary," recalling that 16 months ago Putin appeared poised to seize the capital of Ukraine and now he has had to defend Moscow from forces led by his onetime protege. "I think we've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade," Blinken said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "It is too soon to tell exactly where they go and when they get there, but certainly we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months Going by the reports, the bloodbath was avoided due to the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that the Belarusian President volunteered as he has been acquainted with Prigozhin for about 20 years. The Russian Coup Is Over, What Next? International oi-Madhuri Adnal The Kremlin on Sunday successfully intervened to halt the advancement of the Wagner Group, a private military organisation led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, which had posed a threat to Moscow. This development averted a potential civil war that could have disrupted the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and had significant implications for President Vladimir Putin's political career. The details of a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko remain unclear, likely to never be disclosed publicly. However, the agreement led to the withdrawal of Wagner fighters from the Rostov region, and their return to Ukraine, where they have been actively involved in Russia's illegal war. Prigozhin, previously considered close to Putin, will reportedly go into exile and evade prosecution for his actions, which the Russian president denounced as "treasonous." Despite these events, many uncertainties persist regarding the fate of the Wagner soldiers, Prigozhin, and Putin himself. What happens next? Will the Wagner soldiers resume their incursions into Ukraine? Will Putin's rule continue? Will Prigozhin step down as the leader of Wagner and retire? What actions will Russia take? Russia initiated efforts to restore stability on Monday morning, with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a prime target of Prigozhin's anger, visiting Russian troops involved in the Ukraine operation. State television aired footage of Shoigu being briefed on the military situation, examining maps, and inspecting soldiers' positions during a helicopter ride. Who Averted Bloodbath In Russia, Making Wagner Chief Pull Back His Troops? Notably, Putin has not appeared in public since his impassioned speech on Saturday, in which he issued a stern warning to rebel Wagner soldiers and their supporters, promising "brutal action." The West, like many others, remains perplexed, but United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that Prigozhin's actions have revealed "cracks in the Russian facade" and raised numerous new questions that Putin will have to address in the coming months. According to reports, the US had received intelligence several days ago, indicating that Prigozhin was plotting armed action against Russian defense officials, as Bloomberg stated in its report. Meanwhile, Ukraine hailed the rebellion, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy telling his US counterpart Joe Biden that it exposed the weaknesses of Putin's regime. Ukrainians hoped that the internal strife could provide an advantage to their army, currently engaged in a counteroffensive to reclaim territories seized by Russian forces. Russia Coup: Man Continues To Clean Street as Armed Convoy Arrives in Rostov What will happen to the Wagner Group soldiers? The Wagner Group, officially known as Wagner PMC, has been credited with significant victories in Ukraine on behalf of Russia and Putin, including the capture of the city of Bakhmut after a long and bloody battle. Although their absence from the battlefield was brief and likely did not thwart Russia's plans to conquer Ukraine, it has undoubtedly bolstered the defenders. For a brief period, the group demonstrated its prowess, capturing two cities, including Rostov, the military headquarters of the southern region. They also shot down at least three helicopters and made an audacious march toward Moscow. Michael Kofman, director of Russia studies at the CNA Research Group, remarked, "I honestly think Wagner probably did more damage to Russian aerospace forces in the past day than the Ukrainian offensive in the past three weeks." Given their capabilities, it is unlikely that Moscow will overtly launch retaliatory action against the Wagner fighters who joined Prigozhin. The Russian defense ministry offered these fighters some form of amnesty on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, those who did not support Prigozhin will be offered contracts by the Russian military, placing them under the command of those whom he sought to oust. What will happen to Yevgeny Prigozhin? Prigozhin was last seen on Saturday evening, departing Rostov in a car while receiving both cheers and jeers from locals. His current whereabouts remain unknown. The Wagner chief accepted the deal to "avoid bloodshed" and is reportedly exiled to Belarus, a close ally of Putin under Lukashenko's leadership. Russia Will Have A New President Soon: Wagner Group However, this development raises more questions than answers. Speculation suggests that Prigozhin is unlikely to enter Belarus and may choose to remain in Ukraine or even seek refuge in Africa, where the Wagner Group is active under various contracts. Analysts believe that he may prefer to continue operating in Ukraine, where he can maintain relative freedom among loyalists. Michael Horowitz, a geopolitical and security analyst, expressed his opinion, stating, "Going to Belarus may be an option - he seems to know and trust Lukashenko... but he would still be in danger there... my best bet is he will continue to operate in Ukraine, rather than Belarus, where he can justify maintaining relative freedom among men loyal to him," as told to NBC News. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 12:54 [IST] Titanic Submersible's Voice Recordings, Data to be Probed if Case Warrants Criminal Investigation International oi-Madhuri Adnal Officials investigating the Titan submersible will reportedly examine voice recordings and other data from its mothership Polar Prince to determine what happened during the voyage. They will also try to determine if the incident occurred criminally. The incident occurred on June 18 when the submersible lost contact with the support ship Polar Prince approximately one hour and 45 minutes into its descent. Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada visited the Polar Prince on Saturday, June 24, "to collect information from the vessel's voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information," TSB Chairwoman Kathy Fox told CNN. He said that the purpose of the investigation is not to assign blame but rather to gather evidence, including voice recordings, which could prove useful in the inquiry. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Kent Osmond stated that authorities are assessing whether a criminal investigation is necessary. "Such an investigation will proceed only if our examination of the circumstances indicate criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken," he said, according to New York Post. The Titan submersible, weighing 23,000 pounds and constructed from carbon fiber and titanium, featured a real-time hull health monitoring system. This system alerted the pilot in case of any detected issues, allowing for a safe return to the surface. US Navy Had Detected Implosion of Titan Submersible Shortly After Disappearance Tragically, all passengers aboard the submersible lost their lives in a catastrophic implosion, resulting in the sudden collapse of the vessel underwater. The deceased individuals include OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, has initiated investigations into the Titan incident. It has also said that the US Coast Guard will lead the investigation into the incident. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 17:22 [IST] US To Provide Cluster Munitions To Ukraine As Part Of Aid Package US-India Friendship Among Most Consequential In The World: President Biden International oi-Madhuri Adnal After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic state visit, President Joe Biden expressed on Twitter the significance of the friendship between the United States and India, describing it as one of the most consequential in the world. The two nations signed numerous significant agreements to further strengthen their strategic technology partnership. "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever," Joe Biden tweeted. The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever. pic.twitter.com/6B8iLCos3f President Biden (@POTUS) June 25, 2023 In response to Biden's tweet, Prime Minister Modi responded by saying that he "fully agrees" with President Biden and that the friendship between the two countries is "a force of global good." He tweeted, "I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make our planet better and more sustainable." I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more. https://t.co/iEEhBIYG17 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2023 During the three-day official state visit from June 25 to 27, President Biden hosted Prime Minister Modi, featuring notable events such as a grand welcome ceremony on the South Lawns of the White House, a State Dinner, and a round table discussion with technology industry leaders, entrepreneurs, officials, and CEOs. The White House said that Modi's state visit reaffirmed the deep and close partnership between the US and India. The visit highlighted their shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region, as well as their determination to enhance their strategic technology partnership in areas such as defense, clean energy, and space. The leaders also discussed expanding educational exchanges, fostering people-to-people ties, and collaborating on various challenges, including climate change, workforce development, and health security. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, June 26, 2023, 8:31 [IST] Ilkay Gundogan is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona and the Germany national team. He is widely considered to be one of the best midfielders in the world. A pride parade is an event celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) social and self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights, and pride. The events sometimes also serve as demonstrations for legal rights such as same-sex marriage. Most occur annually throughout the Western world, while some take place every June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, a pivotal moment in modern LGBTQ social movements. The parades seek to create community and honor the history of the movement. In 1970, pride and protest marches were held in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco around the first anniversary of Stonewall. The events became annual and grew internationally. In 2019, New York and the world celebrated the largest international Pride celebration in history: Stonewall 50 - WorldPride NYC 2019, produced by Heritage of Pride commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, with five million attending in Manhattan alone. Australia will send more cash and military support to Ukraine to help their fight against invading Russian forces. It is believed the transfer would be the first official return of Indigenous cultural items from continental Europe to Australia. New Re:Conceive 2 album featuring experimental and multi-genre electronic tunes from 26 artists in or around Montreal, Quebec! New dark hard trance mix from Ottawa's own Tampered dna! Please consider supporting the Re:Conceive 2 album on Bandcamp as 50% of total revenue will be jointly donated to The Native Women's Shelter of Montreal and Just Solutions, a pro bono refugee legal clinic in the city. Pitch in to not only get a great selection of music, but help support vital organizations in our neighboring city of Montreal. Link to Bandcamp page: https://reconceive.bandcamp.com/album/re-conceive-2 Note: I forgot to mention the name of the new Tampered dna trance mix by name during the final talking segment, which aired for the last hour on the program. It is called "Farming in Space" and was released on Souncloud on June 18th, 2023. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke about the Wagner rebellion with US President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers are expected to meet regarding further military help for Ukraine. DW has more. Vilnius has repeatedly called on Berlin to deploy permanent combat troops to the country, which borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Hundreds of people in Ukraine have suffered sexual assault by the Russian soldiers since the full-scale invasion began. Now, for the first time, four alleged perpetrators are in the sights of Germany's justice system. Rumble 22 Jun 2023 WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon said Tuesday that it overestimated the value of the weapons it has sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion.. European shares fell on Monday, with defence stocks leading declines after an aborted mutiny in Russia over the weekend, while.. Upworthy 26 Jun 2023 Wallace comments come ahead of publication of plan to reshape armed forces in wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine ViewThe start of June marks the beginning of Pride month around the U.S. and some parts of the world, a season to celebrate the.. Newsy 01 Jun 2023 The Russian government is using facial recognition software to spy on its own citizens. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how this big brother technology is being used. Months after his arrest in Florida, a suspect in a fatal shooting in Carlisle is now back in the county. Michael Baltimore, 44, was extradited back to Pennsylvania for the homicide case, and he was arraigned Monday in front of Magisterial District Judge Jon Birbeck. Birbeck denied bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for 8 a.m. July 12. Baltimore was also arraigned on an aggravated assault case out of Upper Allen Township, and a preliminary hearing for that case is scheduled for July 6. In the Carlisle case, Baltimore faces charges of homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, prohibited possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the shooting at GQ Barber Shop on May 22, 2021. In the shooting, barbershop owner Kendell Jerome Cook was killed and another man was injured. Baltimore previously worked at the shop. Carlisle Police and U.S. Marshals have been looking for Baltimore since that 2021 shooting, and he was added to the Marshals Most Wanted list in June 2022. He was located in January this year when he was arrested following a bar fight in Florida. Baltimore has remained in Florida the past few months, facing local charges there stemming from him allegedly threatening and battering an employee at a bar. Newsy 19 Jun 2023 ViewColorado Springs, Colorado, is gearing up for its annual Pride celebrations, but this weekend will be different from the.. Eurasia Review 28 Jun 2023 By Dr. Diana Galeeva* It was on Friday evening, just before going to sleep as usual, that I began to check on the.. The Danish government stated they are beginning to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on the F-16 as they prepare to slowly retire the aircraft by 2025. poster Inside (2023) (Image by Focus Films) Details DMCA The World as Willem and Representations by John Kendall Hawkins A couple of years ago I read a book about Vincent van Gogh and reviewed it. I learned that being a painter was his third choice. His second choice was to be a writer. His first choice was to be a minister -- a decision he made after making a visit to the underground workplace of some miners in Berinage and feeling Christlike empathy for their plight. I almost wept while reading about it. Les Miserables is endless. And like Mickey Rourke says, playing the downtrodden poet Charles Bukowski, in Barfly, "Nobody suffers like the poor." Van Gogh charcoal-sketched many scenes from his time among the coal miners. It's insane to think about it but van Gogh sold just one painting in his lifetime! And that, reluctantly, to a friend who admired his work and took pity on the way he lived in abject poverty, according to Mariella Guzzoni, one of his many biographers. He was given today's equivalent of $2000 for The Red Vineyard. Today, a single painting by van Gogh can go for as much as $66m at Sotheby's. Some collector buys it and stores it, or hangs it on a wall that only a few "friends" see, or lends it to a museum. Or it disappears into a vault. Sometimes it's even worse. In The Lost Leonardo (2021), a documentary that tells of Salvator Mundi (Savior of the World), a dilapidated painting purchased at a "shady" auction house in New Orleans that is "discovered" to be a rare lost Leonardo da Vinci painting. After considerable restoration, the painting's value skyrockets and ends up sold as the most valuable painting ever at $450 million. As the IMDB storyline notes: As its price soars, so do the questions about its authenticity: is this painting really by Leonardo da Vinci? Unravelling the hidden agendas of the richest men and the most powerful art institutions in the world, The Lost Leonardo reveals how vested interests in the Salvator Mundi are of such tremendous power that truth becomes secondary. The painting is put in a vault, and it disappears from scrutiny, and its value is leveraged for other purposes. It's just another aesthetic object whose creative passion and genius is now under the control of someone "elite" and "refined." Savior of the World, huh? It made me angry. I bristled for a while. Thought of the insanity of it all. Made me wonder anew how the Crown of Christ, "our savior," could ever have been purloined, dipped in gold, and ended up in the Notre Dame Cathedral. I mean, the f*cking Guy was the symbol of what's humble and pure and here He is, by way of the thorny crown, dipped in Baal juice. WTF? Is it just me that finds this peculiar, I wonder as I fire up a bone. And, imagine wanting to put a swimming pool up on the roof of Notre Dame cathedral after its restoration, as one wonk from the "elite" set proposed. "Flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark," the Bard from Duluth observed long ago. "It's easy to see, without looking too far, that not much is really sacred." This is the effect created by a new film, Inside, starring Willem Dafoe, in a role that conjures up some of his best work in The Last Temptation of Christ, Antichrist, At Eternity's Gate, and, more recently, The Lighthouse. In this film, Dafoe acts alone in a setting that has him literally locked into a situation that requires him to survive by instinct and ingenuity. Essentially, Inside is a one-man stage play that's been filmed. Dafoe is an ideal actor for such roles, as his facial features are as complex as sin, and Dafoe seems unafraid to do things as an actor that can seem raw, crude or even ugly. In some of his roles, Dafoe can seem to be barely disguising savagery or insanity. Even his work as the Green Goblin (Spiderman) gave me the chillwillies. As Dylan says, Maybe I'm too sensitive or else I'm getting soft. Inside was written primarily by Ben Hopkins and directed by Vasilis Katsoupis (My Friend Larry Gus, 2016). Hopkins, a Brit, directed Simon Magus (1999) and The Nine Lives of Thomas Katz (2000), and he is the author of Cathedral:a novel (2021). Inside begins with Nemo (Latin for Nobody, which recalls Dylan's part in the film, Pat Garrett and Billy Kidd, where he answers the query, What's your name? with, Alias, followed up with the query, Alias, what? Wherein Dylan answers, Alias anything you please, which is the Dylan we all know and love or loathe today). Nemo arrives by helicopter drop at the NYC penthouse apartment of an owner who is away in Kazakhstan on a business trip and proceeds to break in to steal valuable artworks there. He deactivates the alarm. Nemo is working by walkie talkie with Number 3, who is to direct Nemo where to find the artworks. Right off the bat, the viewer is dealing with three 'nameless' characters. We hear a voice over that tells us: When I was a kid, my teacher asked, what are the three things that I would save from my house if it were on fire. I answered: My sketchbook, my AC/DC album and my cat Groucho. I didn't mention my parents or my sister. Of course, most of the other kids did. Does that make me a bad person? My cat died, I lent that AC/DC album to a guy named Kojo and I never saw it again. But the sketchbook I kept. Cats die. Music fades. But art is for keeps. That's right, Nemo: Life is short, and art is long. According to Hippocrates. Do no evil. Google it. Hypocrites. Make me sick in the head, as Dylan sings in Time Out of Mind. So, what we learn from this is that Nemo is art-oriented from the get-go. Indeed, he produces. What quality or subject matter we don't yet know. But apparently he makes his living stealing artworks from collectors. A flash: One thinks of the Nazis stealing art, and the bizarre symbiosis of fascists hoarding the value of works that open up the representations of reality -- anti-fascist in energy and intention. Wagner's art, Nazi propaganda. Movies have followed this theme of theft and recovery; say, The Monuments Men. But Nemo is no Nazi. He's doing it for money, not ideology. (Per se.) But there's more. Nemo has seven minutes to collect targeted works and get out. He zooms around the apartment collecting as many of the artworks as he can collect. He is especially after the works of Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele, in particular, a self-portrait that is worth $3m on the market. But he can't find it. Number 3 tells him to reactivate the alarm, take what he has, and get out of the apartment. As Nemo is reactivating the alarm system inside the apartment, it malfunctions and goes off. Number 3 tells Nemo that he's "on his own" and cuts communications. Doors and gates come down. The alarm is loud and rattles him. He's trapped. We note a pigeon on the balcony also gets trapped. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The U.S. dragged Lithuania into complete dependence. Step by step Washington managed to convince country's leadership of the U.S.' indispensability. In particular, the dependence is noticeable in the field of weapons and military equipment. Military dependence in its turn has lead to political helplessness of the Republic of Lithuania in the international arena. Lithuania is actively engaged in strengthening its armed forces and purchases of military equipment by means of Lithuanian ties with the U.S. It is evidently that the main beneficiary of the militarization of Lithuania is the American military-industrial complex. Over the past years, Vilnius has been insistently asking for stronger protection of the Eastern flank and calls on the U.S. and NATO to increase the number of their troops in Lithuania. Minister of Defence Arvydas Anusauskas said on May 15 that planned and ongoing purchases from the United States alone amount to 1.2 billion. 2.45% of the country's GDP is allocated for military spending. In total, Lithuania will allocate about 23 billion for military needs over the next 10 years. Thus, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence has unveiled plans to spend some 3.1 billion ($3.4 billion) to buy ammunition and explosives in the coming decade. Vilnius is also advancing its project to order 120 Boxer infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in a deal that could more than double its military's modern armored vehicle fleet. The plan is embedded in a wide-ranging modernization push for the country's military, including the acquisition of the NASAMS mid-range air defense system, HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicles, JLTV Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, PzH2000 and Ceasar howitzers, tactical drones, and other capabilities, according to the ministry. Fortunately for the U.S., they have loyal states like Lithuania that will buy American weapons anyway and even praise to the skies the superior quality of the purchased items. The U.S. military-industrial complex is interested in getting as many NATO countries "on its needle" as possible. Indeed, by buying weapons in the United States, these states doom themselves to long-term client relationships. They will need further to purchase ammunition from the U.S., turn to the services of the American specialists to repair the purchased equipment. The Lithuanian authorities constantly inspire the population that at the moment there can be no task more important than the all-round strengthening of the armed forces. Nevertheless, in March Lt Col Ram?nas vazas, the director of the Military Service and Personnel Department, said that the number of people wishing to voluntarily undergo military service had decreased in Lithuania. "We record a significant reduction in the number of conscripts who voluntarily do their duty. This is a question worth thinking about and changing. Moreover, we often hear such statements from young people: "Why do I need this here, what do I need from this, why should I do my duty?" vazas complains. So, Lithuania is "on the U.S. military needle" and has to spend money on military procurement instead of improving the standard of living of the population. This year will be extremely difficult for the country in terms of non-military challenges. Population will face effects of drought that lead to decreases in crop and livestock sales, increases in production costs. Rising energy costs also worsens the life of Lithuanians. Jewish Israeli 'settlers'/squatters burning Palestinian homes in Nablus, Palestinian West Bank. (Image by Counterfire.org) Details DMCA Since February of 2023, with the attack on the Palestinian city of Nablus in the Palestinian West Bank by the Jewish state of Israel's occupation forces, which killed 11 Palestinians, religious violence has been intensifying in that area of the "holy" land. Shortly after the deadly attack by Israeli occupation troops on Nablus, Palestinian fighters struck back by killing two Israeli Jews who were "settlers"/squatters on Palestinian land. This in turn sparked hundreds of Jewish "settlers"/squatters to invade the Palestinian village of Huwara, killing at least one Palestinian, wounding hundreds of others and burning Palestinians' homes and cars. On Monday, June 19th, Israeli occupation forces attacked the Palestinian refugee camp of Jenin, killing seven Palestinians. They used American Apache helicopters in their attack that were given to them by US politicians who are beholden to Israel's very powerful lobby in Washington. On Tuesday, the day after Israel's deadly assault on Jenin, Palestinian resistance fighters killed four Israeli Jewish "settlers"/squatters near the illegal Jewish "settlement" of Eli in the Palestinian West Bank. (To understand the mindset of many religious Jews and the Jewish state of Israel, they do not refer to the Palestinian West Bank and Palestinian East Jerusalem by those names. Instead, they revert back to the names used in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles of Samaria and Judea respectively. This reminds me of a statement by the father of the pro-Israel, warmongering neocon movement, Leo Strauss. Strauss said in his speech Progress or Return? The Contemporary Crisis in Western Civilization, "Judaism is a concern with return; it is not a concern with progress. 'Return' can easily be expressed in biblical Hebrew; 'progress' cannot.") The killing of the four Israeli Jewish "settlers"/squatters motivated hundreds of Jewish "settlers"/squatters to invade the Palestinian town of Turmus Ayya. They used the same violent actions as were employed in the assault on Huwara. They burned down homes of Palestinians, burned their cars and shot and killed at least one Palestinian and wounded at least five others. Here's an insightful article about a Palestinian American and her family who are spending the summer in Turmus Ayya, the town she was born in. The reason for the violence between Israel and Palestine regarding the illegally and cruelly Israeli occupied Palestinian West Bank and Palestinian East Jerusalem is religion, Judaism in particular. Judaism has as its "Word of God" the Hebrew Bible. Belief in the Hebrew Bible/Christian Old Testament means belief in what the ancient Jewish clergymen who wrote the Bible claim at Genesis 15:18, that God told Abram, aka Abraham: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: This belief by the government of Israel was made very clear in 2016 when the United Nations passed a resolution condemning Israel's illegal, brutal and expanding occupation of Palestinian land. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, gave a speech defending the occupation. In his speech he said, We do have biblical rights to the land. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, or Jew - you read the Bible, you read the stories of the Bible - it's all there. This is our deed to the land. That's biblical. That's all Israel has to stand on regarding its theft of Palestinian land and the killing of Palestinians who get in its way, ancient Jewish superstitious nonsense! This shows, without a doubt, that Israel's illegal occupation that has been going on since June of 1967, is religious terrorism based on the Hebrew Bible. The ancient Jewish clergymen who wrote the Hebrew Bible, wrote at Deuteronomy 7:6 that God said God chose the Jews "above all people that are upon the face of the earth." Albert Einstein took issue with this false claim when he wrote: "For me the Jewish religion like all other religions is an incarnation of the most childish superstition. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong ... have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are also no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise, I cannot see anything 'chosen' about them." (Now that the Jewish state of Israel has tremendous power, they are fully immersed in the worst cancers as their religious-based cruel treatment of Palestinians shows.) The superstitions of Judaism and the other "revealed" religions can only be rendered harmless by the use of our innate God-given reason. Reason is what Deism is based upon. Deism has unlimited potential for good. An important part of the good Deism can bring about is ending the belief that The Supreme Intelligence/God has written or dictated any "holy" book to any human being. Without the ungodly "holy" books of the various "revealed" religions, whether the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Bible, the Quran or the Book of Mormon, humanity would have a much better chance of living together peacefully. All of the man-made "holy" books/words of God have two things in common: they promote religious violence, and they cannot withstand the test of our innate God-given reason. If Deists and all freethinkers want to end religious violence, we must openly and regularly apply our innate God-given reason to all of the harmful "holy" books, so that people can see that The Supreme Intelligence/God gave them their innate reason and not any of the "holy" books. This will help them realize the truth to this statement made by Thomas Paine in The Age of Reason: This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. The language should seem familiar: "I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution." That, of course, is "" and in our moment in America, could only be "" not just any old autocrat-in-the-making, but The Donald himself. You know, the guy who, as he's indicted for one set of possible crimes after another, eternally scarfs up all the headlines, while his fervent supporters, a significant chunk of what was once known as the Republican (but is now the Trumpublican) Party, seem unwilling to give an inch in backing him. While we're still far from election 2024, 16 months in which anything could happen (including all those Wendy's burgers doing him in), it does seem all too likely that he'll win the presidential nomination from, yes, his party hands down, or do I mean up? And though right now, it also seems as if he could fail in his bid for a second presidential term in office, don't count on that either. All you have to do is imagine the economy taking a nosedive or our aging president doing something similar during the election campaign. Oh, and were he to lose another presidential bid, don't assume that January 6th was an anomaly or that, the next time around, Trump himself might not personally head for Capitol Hill. We are all, in fact, entering a new and ever grimmer era in American history, on a distinctly new and ever more ominous planet. In that context, let TomDispatch regular Rebecca Gordon bring up a genuinely dreaded word in the American lexicon: fascism. Tom Yes, We Have Home-Grown Fascists And Now They're Beginning to Say the Quiet Part Out Loud By Rebecca Gordon One day when I was about six, I was walking with my dad in New York City. We noticed that someone had stuck little folded squares of paper under the windshield wipers of the cars parked on the street beside us. My father picked one up and read it. I saw his face grow dark with anger. "What is it, Papa?" "It's a message from people who think that all Jews should be killed." This would have been in the late 1950s, a time when the Nazi extermination of millions of Jews in Europe was still fresh in the American consciousness. Not, you might have thought, a good season for sowing murderous antisemitism in lower Manhattan. Already aware that, being the daughter of a Jewish father and gentile mother, I was myself a demi-semite, I was worried. I knew that these people wanted to kill my father, but with a typical child-centered focus, I really wanted to know whether the gentile half of my heredity would protect me in the event of a new Holocaust. "Would they kill me, too?" I asked. Yes, he told me, they would if they could. But he then reassured me that such people would never actually have the power to do what they wanted to. It couldn't happen here. I must admit that I'm grateful my father died before Donald Trump became president, before tiki-torch-bearing Nazi wannabes seeking to "Unite the Right" marched through Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, chanting "Jews will not replace us!" before one of them drove his car into a crowd of counterdemonstrators, killing Heather Heyer, and before President Trump responded to the whole event by declaring that "you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides." Are Queer People the New Jews? Maybe the grubby little group behind the tracts my father and I saw that day in New York would have let me live. Maybe not. In those days home-grown fascists were rare and so didn't have that kind of power. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). ATLANTA , GEORGIA, June 22, 2023 - The Georgia Latino Film Alliance and Festival (GALFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carla Berkowitz as the new Board Chair. Berkowitz will work closely with the Board of Directors to build upon the organization's mission, following the impactful tenure of Past Chair Julie Ann Crommett. GALFA's focus is to support and nurture the next generation of Latinx filmmakers, students, executives, and The pandemic took a well-documented toll on student mental health, but the collective moods of many of those students started to improve once school buildings reopened, surveys show. Their teachers, however, werent always so lucky. Every year, the Salem-Keizer school district surveys its educators. Nearly 3,000 educators surveyed this spring by the states second largest school district reported feeling similarly concerned about their mental health as educators reported in a survey conducted in fall 2020. Our job is to share our calm rather than join the chaos, said Chris Moore, the Salem-Keizer school districts director of social and emotional learning and mental health. If the adult is disregulated and struggling themselves, they cant help regulate a student whos also disregulated. One source of the stress: Teachers have been navigating a rise in student behavioral problems that have become more extreme and frequent since school buildings reopened after pandemic shutdowns, especially in elementary and middle schools. Even as some students have bounced back more quickly, others are still struggling and regularly derail their classrooms. At Early College High School in Salem, the year has been interrupted by occasional physical fights during break periods, students skipping classes, ignoring instructions from teachers, withdrawing from classes, smoking or vaping in bathrooms and coming to school under the influence of drugs. Maraline Ellis, the vice president of the Salem Keizer Education Association, said she has seen a rise in students not engaging in classwork, talking out of turn, leaving class, removing clothes, hitting, kicking and biting. ... I and most teachers believe wholeheartedly that acting out is a cry for help and an expression of need that isnt being met. Some teachers say they arent getting the support that they need to cope with such issues. Its like were the troops on the ground and admin are the generals in their office, and theyre making rules that may or may not affect my day-to-day work, Laura Carver, a science and AVID teacher at Early College High School, said. I just wish the people in power would come to teachers and ask What works in this system and what doesnt? The Salem-Keizer district has started taking steps to alleviate educators mental health concerns. In the last year, a pilot program with online therapy company Better Health has increased virtual access to mental health care for staff, cutting down on long wait times for in-person providers. The district is also partnering with Bright Morning Consulting to host book clubs, seminars and workshops for staff. Over the summer, a planned workshop for administrators will focus on cultivating emotional resilience and identifying key elements to building resilience. Additionally, a new partnership with a company called Care Solace formally launched in the first week of May helps students, families and staff to find finding available mental health providers in the community who will accept their insurance. Care Solace makes all these calls, texts and emails on behalf of Salem-Keizer students, families and staff. The district is also applying for a $90,000 grant for employee wellness spaces from Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools and the Oregon Educator Benefits Board.. That would be enough to fund 14 schools in the district to receive $5,000 for employee calm rooms, or funds for staff break room makeovers next year, district officials said. Certain design choices, such as a new coat of paint, wellness posters, yoga equipment, couches or plants, would distinguish these employee wellness spaces from traditional teacher break rooms. Some teachers are appreciative of the steps the district is taking to relieve their mental health. Thomas Herb, a health teacher at Early College High School, said he thinks that the employee wellness spaces are exciting and a valuable next step. Others counter that efforts like the teacher calm rooms dont get at the root of the problem. This is like putting a Band-Aid on the Titanic, said Carver, the science and AVID teacher. Its a slap in the face to teachers to give them a prettied-up staff room and call it a mental health space. What she has heard instead is a widespread demand for student behavior supports and smaller classroom sizes. Deal with student behavior, Carver said. Thats what impacts teachers mental health. ... It makes you want to give up because youre powerless and watching that kid make all the other kids in the room suffer and you cant do anything about it. Carver said she wishes teachers also had dedicated time to connect with colleagues to promote camaraderie, discuss curriculum and combat further burnout. District officials say they know theres always more they could do, but they feel they are making progress by focusing on mental health, both for teachers and students. Ive consulted with lots of administrators, teachers and instructional aides and the number of times that Ive heard folks talk about how hard of a day they had and then shift to saying a bright spot was something a student did or progress a student made is almost universal, said Moore, from the Salem-Keizer district. Even on those hardest days, teachers can still see that what they do matters and that the work is meaningful and that yes, we need more resources and we need to do better, but were making progress and well continue to make progress if we stick together. This story was written by Youth Voices contributor Kalia Yee, a rising junior at Early College High School in Salem. Yee is a alumna of the High School Journalism Institute, an annual collaboration among The Oregonian/OregonLive, Oregon State University and other Oregon media organizations. She loves reading and writing, and her other hobbies include piano, competitive swimming and volleyball. This story was originally posted online at underscore.news. Two tribes in Oregon made historic agreements with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on June 16 that affirm the rights of their members to hunt, fish, trap and gather under tribal, rather than state licenses. The agreements apply to subsistence and ceremonial activities, not commercial enterprises. There will be a shift where trial members already participating under a state framework will instead participate under a tribal framework, Davia Palmeri, acting deputy director for fish and wildlife programs at ODFW, said at the June 16 meeting. Four tribes now operate under such agreements The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CLUSI), Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Coquille Indian Tribe. Siletz Chairman Delores Pigsley compared the moment to one in 1977, when Siletz regained federal recognition of its sovereignty, over two decades after termination. This agreement is probably as meaningful as restoration itself, Chairman Pigsley told the commissioners. ODFW commissioners said their goal is to forge similar agreements with all nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. But a fifth tribal nation found out the day before the meeting that its agreement would not be brought forward. ODFW Director Curt Melcher removed from Fridays agenda the agencys negotiated agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, due to objections from other tribes. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs submitted objections to the Grand Ronde agreement. Representatives for both Umatilla and Warm Springs also testified in opposition to the Grand Rondes agreement at Fridays meeting. At the meeting, Melcher told Grand Ronde Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy that the commission would bring Grand Rondes agreement up for approval at its next meeting in August. I understand your disappointment, Melcher told Kennedy. Later, Melcher told Underscore he is committed to that plan. Barring a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake or any other ginormous catastrophe, yeah, well have it there, Melcher said. Cheryle A. Kennedy, Chairwoman of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, appeared at a June 16 meeting of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.Nika Bartoo-Smith / Underscore News & ICT Grand Ronde agreement delayed Objections raised by both Austin Smith Jr., general manager of the Warm Springs branch of natural resources and Corinne Sams, an elected member of the Umatilla board of trustees and vice chair of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, foreground the two tribes treaty rights to fish at usual and accustomed places, including Willamette Falls. And in a June 5 letter to ODFW, Warm Springs Chairman Jonathan Smith Jr. expressed strong opposition to the departments proposed agreement with Grand Ronde. The letter outlines the rights reserved under Warm Springs 1855 treaty to fish off-reservation at all usual and accustomed areas as our people have done since time immemorial. Its a right that the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed, and one that Warm Springs, Umatilla and other tribes with treaty-reserved fishing rights actively exercise, both in terms of harvest and as leaders of work to protect and restore salmon populations and watershed health throughout the tribes ancestral lands. Smith Jr. called the inclusion of Willamette Falls in Grand Rondes agreement with ODFW deeply concerning. At Willamette Falls, in particular, we are the lead fisheries manager on lamprey catch monitoring and escapement projects, Smith Jr. wrote. Grand Rondes treaty rights were extinguished by the federal government in the 1950s. The tribe says the 1983 restoration of their federal status as a sovereign nation reinstated those rights. Thats a contested claim. With the Willamette Valley Treaty, 20 tribes and bands ceded the Willamette Valley to the U.S. government. This is the treaty that Grand Ronde says gives it rights at Willamette Falls. Congress ratified that treaty in March 1855. A century later, during the Termination Era of federal Indigenous policy, the government enacted laws based on the idea that Indigenous people should assimilate into American society and give up their tribal identities, and that the rights negotiated in treaties and codified in federal laws were preventing them from doing so. In 1954, Congress passed the Western Oregon Termination Act, ending its recognition of Grand Rondes tribal sovereignty (as well as Siletz, CLUSI and all other tribes west of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon). Termination unilaterally dissolved tribal membership and ended the U.S. governments obligations toward terminated tribes, including the services guaranteed in treaties in exchange for land. Termination policies also allowed the government to seize millions of acres of tribal lands rich with minerals and timber. Congress quickly passed 46 laws terminating 109 tribes around the United States, including 62 in Oregon more than any other state. Grand Ronde leaders, including Chairwoman Kennedy, fought for decades to have their recognition restored. There was a core of people who managed to stay in the area, but it was the cemetery our ancestors who really kept us together, and we kept coming back year by year and saying were going to do this, Kennedy told Underscore last year. This wrong that has been done to us, we will fight it. And in the end, restoration was achieved in 1983. The Grand Ronde Restoration Act renders the Western Oregon Termination Act inapplicable to the tribes, and restores all rights and privileges which may have been diminished or lost under it. But the law also states that it precludes the restoration of any hunting, fishing or trapping rights under this act. Like Siletz, Grand Ronde faced the terrible choice imposed by the consent decree. Chairwoman Kennedy says the treaties Grand Ronde negotiated are central to her leadership today. The treaty-signing grandfather of mine died defending that, Kennedy said. How can we sit here and say, Oh well, it didnt really mean anything? Smith, meanwhile, said Grand Ronde refuses to acknowledge our sovereign and treaty-reserved interests at Willamette Falls. Our ancestors have fished, hunted and gathered around Willamette Falls and the surrounding area since time immemorial, and our members continue to do so. There can be no doubt that the Willamette Falls area is one of our treaty-reserved usual and accustomed areas where our members fish at sites, which have been passed down through generations for subsistence and ceremonial harvest purposes, Smith wrote. ODFW should have known that the draft agreement not only implicates our sovereign and treaty-reserved fishing, hunting, and gathering interests but it carries significant risk of inter-tribal conflict between us and [Grand Ronde]. We do not deny that [Grand Ronde] is a victim of historical injustice like all tribes, which is why our elders supported the restoration of [Grand Rondes] status as a federally-recognized tribe. [Grand Ronde], however, ought not be allowed, as a matter of fairness and equity, to remedy any injustice visited upon it by the United States, the State of Oregon, or others at our expense or that of other Oregon tribes. Smith called for a more comprehensive process that involves all tribes whose interests coincide at Willamette Falls to be part of discussions before Grand Rondes agreement is approved. Grand Ronde held two public meetings in May, which representatives from Warm Springs and Umatilla attended, according to attendance lists provided by Grand Ronde. But Smith Jr. said ODFW should have involved Warm Springs before it filed its April notice of proposed rulemaking for the draft agreement with the Oregon Secretary of State. As a matter of respect for the sovereignty of both tribes, ODFW should have anticipated the potential conflict and developed a process that better aligns with the rule of law, which would have included timely notice to us and a meaningful opportunity to be heard, Smith Jr. wrote. On Friday, ODFW Director Melcher said that is his current goal. We have engaged with several other tribes and were just trying to take a small pause to take away any criticisms of process as we bring this agreement back in August, Melcher said. And I dont expect that there will necessarily be any changes to the agreement between now and August. Ramil Beers, enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and Chairman Brad Kneapers great nephew, talks to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission on June 16 about what the tribes memorandum of agreement means to him.Nika Bartoo-Smith / Underscore News & ICT Tribes to oversee fishing and hunting licensing for tribal members Enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians will now be able to participate in hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering licensed by the tribe. Before termination, our tribe had lifetime fishing permits, said Ramil Beers, CLUSI tribal member and Chairman Brad Kneapers great nephew. But after we got terminated, in order for our tribe to be restored, we had to leave that behind. Now we have to get our permits from people other than our own tribe. I would much rather get the permits from my tribe, where I know the money pays for restoration projects, native plant restoration and much more. The agreements are a great opportunity to expand the pace and scale of habitat restoration in the areas of interest for the tribe, said Davia Palmeri, acting deputy director for fish and wildlife programs at ODFW. While increasing opportunities for tribal members to harvest fish and wildlife resources, these agreements will also allow the state and tribes to pool finances on cooperative restoration projects. The intent is to increase opportunities for tribal members to harvest fish and wildlife consistent with tribal values rather than consistent with state values, which is the case under a state fish and wildlife license, Palmeri said. She added that in some cases, this will mean tribal members will have hunting and fishing opportunities that other Oregonians do not have, though she does not anticipate a large increase of hunting and fishing participation, rather a shift in management and licensing from the state to the tribes. Our intent is that its a perpetual agreement thats really defining the relationship between the department and the tribe, Palmeri said. For members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the agreement has additional meaning. In 1980, the Siletz Reservation Act established a reservation for the Siletz tribe in signing the act, the tribe also had to enter into a consent decree, prohibiting tribal hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering activities except as authorized under Oregon state law. In other words, the tribe had to give up the right to manage their own hunting and fishing seasons on tribal land in order to regain a reservation when the federal government restored Siletzs federal recognition, post-Termination. The tribe is currently still bound by the rules of the consent decree. During the same weekend as the adoption of the memorandum, the Siletz tribe hosted its annual solstice ceremony. Chairman Pigsley shared that the tribe had to buy salmon for the ceremony with the adoption of the MOA with ODFW, next year tribal members will instead be able to go out and catch the fish for the ceremony. Though the MOA does not renegotiate the terms of the consent decree, it allows the tribe to once again oversee fishing and hunting management for tribal members. We know things will never be the same as they were 70 years ago, 40 years ago. But we want to be part of whatever it is that we can do to preserve those resources to support our families, Chairman Pigsley said. With this agreement, those things would be revived. The subsistence would be wonderful for our tribal members and the ceremonial salmon. 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 A contentious bill to increase Oregons supply of affordable housing failed Sunday by a single vote in the waning hours of the 2023 legislative session as five lawmakers who might have supported it remained out of the building. House Bill 3414, introduced at the request of Gov. Tina Kotek, sought to accelerate housing development by streamlining planning and permitting, allowing variances to a variety of building requirements, and establishing a new state office to hold local jurisdictions accountable for meeting their communities housing needs. The states only nonprofit organization that provides free legal guidance to hundreds of Oregon crime victims each year including victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse found out last week that the funding it relies on from the state Legislature will disappear July 1. Rosemary Brewer, executive director of the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center, said she is still searching for answers, but a board member was told by a legislative staffer that the Legislatures failure to fund the center appears to be an oversight. Brewer wonders if the center is a casualty of the Legislatures rush to wrap up this session by its deadline Sunday. If youve been waiting to get out and enjoy summer this may be the perfect week. If youve been thinking of dining outside, taking a nice long bike ride, or maybe staining the deck - now is your chance. Portland will start Monday with some scattered cloud cover due to strong onshore flow moving into the metro area from the coast. The National Weather Service says Portland has up to a 60% chance of clouds moving into the valleys even as far south as Eugene through about 10 a.m. By the lunch hour clouds are expected to clear, leaving the region with mostly sunny skies. The high will be about 79 degrees. Tuesday should start with fewer clouds and more sun. The high will reach near 80 degrees in Portland. Even along the Cascades the risk of any showers or thunderstorms will lower after about a 20% chance on Monday. By Tuesday the chances dip to 10%. The one outlier will be the Oregon Coast where continued onshore flow will keep clouds and drizzle in the forecast for at least the first part of the week. Portland will start to see gradual warming beginning Wednesday under mostly sunny skies as an upper low system begins to move eastward and out of the Pacific Northwest. High temperatures should reach near 82 degrees and winds will be light. Current extended forecasts are showing continued dry weather into the weekend and warming, possibly into the upper 80s, by the end of the work week. Whats fairly certain is no rain is expected throughout the week, and temperatures will be a few degrees above average at least through Thursday. Monday 26 June 2023 8:49am Four Otago alumni have been awarded prestigious Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Scholarships for 2023. Yasmin Olsen (Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngati Whatua, Ngati Tipa), was awarded the Fulbright Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award; Nico Hackner and Andrea Shirtcliffe received Fulbright New Zealand Science and Innovation Graduate Awards; and Timothy Lawler was awarded a Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Award. It was also announced last week that Yasmin and Otago alumnus Sam Becroft have been awarded distinguished William Georgetti Scholarships for 2023. Fulbright Graduate Scholarships The Fulbright Programme was established in the US in 1946. Seeking to foster academic excellence and people to people connection, the Fulbright Programme aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs. The Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award is offered in partnership with Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, the Maori Centre of Research Excellence. Penelope Borland, Executive Director of Fulbright New Zealand says; This year, as we celebrate 75 years of Fulbright in New Zealand, were thrilled to be able to return to our normal programme and to announce a full cohort of New Zealand Fulbright grantees who will be taking up their awards in person in the US shortly. The new Fulbright cohort will be honoured at the 2023 Fulbright New Zealand Awards Ceremony at Parliament Buildings on 28 June. Yasmin Olsen Fulbright Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Graduate Award Award recipient Yasmin Olsen graduated from Otago in 2015 with an LLB (Hons) and a BA majoring in English Literature. She has previously worked as a Judges Clerk for his Honour Justice Matthew Palmer at the Auckland High Court, and since 2018 has been a Crown Prosecutor at Kayes Fletcher Walker in Auckland. Yasmin was also Co-Editor in Chief of the 2022 edition of Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a nga Wahine - the New Zealand Womens Law Journal, and recently spoke about her career at the Law at Otagos 150th celebrations. As well as receiving the Fulbright and Georgetti scholarships, Yasmin has been awarded a Borrin Foundation-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Maori Postgraduate Scholarship, a Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) International Peace Scholarship, and awards from the Yvonne Smith Charitable Trust and University of Otago Faculty of Law (the Sir Harold Barrowclough Scholarship in Law). Yasmin is heading to Yale University, in Connecticut, USA, to study for a Master of Laws. Her research will examine how the criminal justice system can better serve wahine Maori and their communities as victims and defendants, through incremental and transformative change to the justice system. "Being awarded each of these scholarships is a huge privilege for me and my whanau, says Yasmin. I'm so grateful to the committees and organisations for their support for the kaupapa I'm intending to research. Of course, the honour isn't mine alone but belongs to all those who have supported me through the years. I consider myself really lucky to have started my legal career at Otago and to have had the opportunity to learn from tuakana like Professor Jacinta Ruru. She is an amazing role model for her students and all Maori working in the law, showing through her work that solutions from within the Maori world have the potential to create significant opportunities for our whole country. "There is a well-known whakatauki that says, 'Me aro koe ki te ha o Hine-ahu-one - Pay heed to the dignity and power of women'. When wahine Maori thrive, our communities thrive too. I intend to bring what I learn home to Aotearoa, and to contribute to the amazing work already being done in the area of criminal justice to improve the lives of wahine Maori and our whanau." Yasmin was inspired to apply for a Fulbright Award by Maori lawyers, particularly wahine Maori, who have been previous recipients of this award and brought home what they learned in the US to Aotearoa to benefit Maori communities. "Id like to get involved in the criminal justice reform work happening at Yale Law School that is having a profound impact across the United States. I also look forward to connecting with other indigenous peoples within Yale and across the United States generally. Those relationships are really important to inspiring and supporting indigenous success," says Yasmin. Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Co-Director and Fulbright alumna Professor Tahu Kukutai says, Nga Pae o te Maramatanga is really excited to work with Fulbright to enable this opportunity for Yasmin. Her scholarship and leadership is exemplary, as is her commitment to transformative justice for our whanau and communities." Nico Hackner Fulbright New Zealand Science and Innovation Graduate Awards Nico Hackner graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics in 2021 and a BSc (Hons) majoring in Physics in 2022. Nico will complete a PhD in Physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Andrea Shirtcliffe Andrea (Andi) Shirtcliffe has a BPharm (1988); PGCert Pharm (2002); and PGDipClinPharm (2007) from Otago. Andrea will complete a Master of Public Health specialising in Health Behaviour and Society at Johns Hopkins Universitys Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. Timothy Lawler Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Award Timothy (Tim) Lawler graduated with a BA majoring in Politics and MIntSt in 2020. Tim will research rights protection in presidential counter-terrorism policy at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and at George Washington University in Washington DC. Professor Sian Halcrow Fulbright New Zealand Scholar Award Earlier this year, it was announced that Otago Professor Sian Halcrow was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award for 2023. The award enables Professor Halcrow to travel to the University of California, Berkeley, for research into the bioethics of the use of anatomical human remains in Aotearoa and the United States. William Georgetti Scholarships Also announced last week, Yasmin has been awarded a William Georgetti Scholarship, along with Law and Commerce alumnus Sam Becroft. Yasmin and Sam are among the nine 2023 Georgetti Scholarship recipients. Established from the Estate of Hastings farmer William Georgetti, who passed away in 1943, the purpose of the Georgetti Scholarship is to encourage postgraduate study and research in fields that are important to the social, cultural or economic development of New Zealand. Sam Becroft Sam graduated from Otago in 2018 with a BCom and LLB (Hons) and will study for a Master of Laws at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. He has worked as a Judges Clerk at the Supreme Court of New Zealand and is currently a solicitor at Kayes Fletcher Walker in Auckland. Sam is interested in becoming a barrister who acts in both complex commercial litigation and defends those from marginalised communities in criminal trials. He is as equally interested in the chance to improve criminal justice outcomes for minorities as he is in the intellectual challenge of the law. Its an honour to receive a scholarship with such a long history, says Sam. Im grateful to the Georgetti Trust for helping me fulfil a dream of studying overseas. He will be taking up the scholarship in October. Tuesday 27 June 2023 10:50am Finding a way to help terminal cancer patients struggling with depressive thoughts and emotions is the aim of a new clinical trial using MDMA -assisted psychotherapy. The collaboration between the University of Otago, Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland), and independent provider Mana Health, is designed to assess the usefulness of psychotherapy augmented with MDMA (also known as ecstasy) in treating depression and anxiety experienced by patients with advanced-stage cancer. Professor Paul Glue, Otagos Hazel Buckland Chair in Psychological Medicine, says psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promise in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety in life-threatening illnesses, in US -based studies. The researchers hope the findings will be similar for late-stage cancer patients in New Zealand. Professor Paul Glue. Depression and anxiety are very common in people with advanced-stage cancer and can really impact on the quality of life they have available, he says. This could be a really useful way to help people who dont have a lot of time, helping them work through difficult thoughts and emotions, including fear of death. MDMA works by temporarily reducing activity in the amygdala, a brain region associated with fear. This enables many to address underlying emotions linked to life regrets, unfinished business, or past traumatic experience. Dr Lisa Reynolds, a senior lecturer in Aucklands Department of Psychological Medicine, hopes that, if the study has positive outcomes, it will result in a new treatment being widely available for advanced-stage cancer patients in New Zealand within the next few years. This is really meaningful work because it has potential to support people in what can sometimes be a really difficult time of their life, she says. Dr Will Evans, Mana Health Medical Director, says the trial will also enable New Zealand health professionals to be trained in administering MDMA -assisted therapy, with US -based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies ( MAPS ) Public Benefit Corporation providing both the MDMA medicine and the therapist training for the study. The trial will involve around 50 participants receiving multiple sessions of psychotherapy combined with either carefully controlled doses of MDMA or a placebo, administered in a controlled and supportive therapeutic environment. This treatment catalyses insight and awareness, and can promote wellbeing and resilience in the face of suffering. In this sense, psychedelic-assisted therapy has the potential to completely change our approach to disease treatment, Dr Evans says. The study has also captured the attention of Tim Ferriss. The investor, entrepreneur, and author, has a keen interest in supporting clinical research into psychedelic drugs and has donated funds to the trial. The researchers hope more funders will come forward to help them complete the project, as this trial could pave the way for an effective new treatment for depression and anxiety, especially in those with terminal illnesses. Study website The EMMAC Study For more information, contact: Ellie Rowley Communications Adviser University of Otago Email ellie.rowley@otago.ac.nz Mob +64 21 278 8200 Jodi Yeats Media Adviser University of Auckland Email jodi.yeats@auckland.ac.nz Mob +64 27 202 6372 TUESDAY, JUNE 27 Rivanna: 7 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. The Mountain Grass Unit with Andy Tichenors Almost Acoustic: 8 p.m., doors open at 7:30 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (800) 594-8499, $15. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 Bryan Franke in Summer Sunsets: 5:30-8 p.m., Blue Mountain Brewery, no cover. Circus Mutt in Wind Down Wednesdays: 6-9 p.m., Raclette on the Run food truck will be there, Carter Mountain Orchard, (434) 977-1833, $5 ages 12 and older. THURSDAY, JUNE 29 The Wavelength Band in Thursday Evening Concert Series: 6-9 p.m., Two Brothers Southwestern Grill and Vision BBQ food trucks will be there, Carter Mountain Orchard, (434) 977-1833, $10 ages 12 and older. Paramount Presents: National Theatre Live in HD: Fleabag: 7 p.m., Paramount Theater, (434) 979-1333, $15, $13 seniors, $11 students. Tailgate Thursdays with music by Cville Jazz Congregation: Oyster Catcher Sea Farms oysters will be there, 6-9 p.m., Stinson Vineyards, (434) 823-7300, no cover, bring foods to grill. FRIDAY, JUNE 30 Full Nelson Friday with Craig Hanson & The Gypsies: 5:30-8 p.m., Blue Mountain Brewery, no cover. Isabel Bailey in Summer Sundown: 6-9 p.m., Chiswell Farm & Winery, (434) 252-2947, call for price. Friday Night Out with Local Vocals: 5-8 p.m., DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, (540) 923-4206, no cover, reservations recommended. Hungry Hardluck Heroes: Crustworthy Pizza food truck will be there, 6-8:30 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. Paramount at the Movies Presents: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: 2 and 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theater, (434) 979-1333, $$8, $6 youths 12 and younger. A.P. Project: 5 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. An Evening with Barstool Rodeo (Widespread Panic tribute): 8:30 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (800) 594-8499, $15 door, $12 advance. Fridays After Five: Sisters and Brothers with Runawayz: 5:30 p.m., Ting Pavilion, (434) 245-4910, free. SATURDAY, JULY 1 Music in the Mountains with Bailey Hayes: 2-5 p.m., DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, (540) 923-4206, no cover, reservations recommended. Latin and Gypsy Rumba Guitar Duo Berto Sales and Vincent Zorn: 2-5 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. Drag Bonanza Birthday Bash with hosts Bebe Gunn & Cherry Possums: 8:30 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (800) 594-8499, $15, $12 advance, must be 16 and older. Arts for All FestivALL: Inaugural community arts festival featuring Charlottesville Opera, Charlottesville Ballet and Oratorio Society of Virginia, 5-7 p.m. for art projects, 7 p.m. concert, Ting Pavilion, (434) 245-4910, free. SUNDAY, JULY 2 Paulien Quartet: 2-4:30 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover, donations accepted. MONDAY, JULY 3 Monday Night Trivia with Brandon The Trivia Guy: 7 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. L.Y.A.O. Comedy Open Mic hosted by Chris Alan: 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. and signups begin at 7:30 p.m., The Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, free. Brussels, Belgium (PANA) The European Council decided Monday to renew the mandates of three civilian missions under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and update the mandate of one of them Oman Air recently celebrated the graduation of its first batch of Omani cadets from the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) programme, an initiative it launched in 2018. The event was marked with a ceremony held under the auspices of Nayef Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority Oman. The 11 cadets, whose training was held at the Oman Aviation Academy in Sohar in partnership with CAE Oxford, will now join Oman Air as Second Officers. Meanwhile, the remaining batches are still engaged in their training with the next batch anticipated to graduate towards the end of this year. Committed to supporting Omans socio-economic development and empowering young Omanis, in the last few years Oman Air has ramped up its training and recruitment programmes. In conjunction with several government partnerships and to support its expanding operations, the airline has welcomed more than 260 Omani men and women into the company since 2022. Omans aviation sector is fast becoming a value engine of the countrys growth. Oman Airs strategy reflects national priorities and as such, we continue to develop a sustainable, highly skilled workforce that can support the advancement of the sector, meet the demands of an ever-evolving industry, and fortify our contribution to Omans 2040 Vision, said Captain Moosa Al Shidhani, Senior Vice President - Flight Operations at Oman Air. We are proud to have an exceptional team of world-class pilots and crew that includes many nationalities and are committed to ensuring they have access to a wealth of opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Together, we foster an environment that nurtures their talents and aspirations and supports Oman Air in our relentless pursuit of excellence. In addition to the ATPL programme, highlights of Oman Airs latest training and recruitment initiatives include a partnership with The British School of Excellence and Muscat Hospitality Academy (MHA) for Preparatory Cabin Crew Training for Omani students. 63 students are currently enrolled in the programme. Last November, the airline also launched Future Leaders, an intensive two-year commercial graduate training programme that is training 11 Omanis with internationally recognised qualifications and exposing them to all Oman Airs commercial functions, after which they will be offered roles within the company. Most recently, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, the airline launched an 18-month on-the-job intensive training programme and internship scheme for engineers, with 80 Omanis currently being trained in its Engineering department. A further 20 graduates are currently being recruited for its Call Centre, also in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour. As the national carrier, Oman Air benefits from highly experienced and qualified Omanis throughout the company. To date, its overall Omanisation rate stands at approximately 75%, which is as high as 81% of pilots, 90% of engineers, 100% of male cabin crew, and 93% amongst the support functions. TradeArabia News Service Gabriyela Goodman will be bringing a bit of the Bond girl flair to the talent competition of this years Miss Virginia Pageant. Goodman, a Georgia native and new Arlington resident, will be competing as Miss Greater Charlottesville 2023 in the Miss Virginia Pageant, which takes place Thursday through Saturday at the Berglund Center in Roanoke. A classically trained pianist who particularly enjoys performing contemporary compositions, Goodman said she aims to thrill the judges with a spirited performance of Paul McCartneys Live or Let Die. I am a huge 007 James Bond fan, Goodman said. Goodman received her bachelor of arts degree in business administration in marketing from Georgia State University and her master of science in business analytics from Wake Forest University. She creates data visualizations for clients, including the U.S. Agency for International Development. She said she seeks out work that lets her use her passion for data to help people. Her thirst for travel enhances her work and helps her maintain a work-life balance. I love international travel. It has my heart, said Goodman, who spent several months in the Netherlands during her undergraduate years. When youre so passionate about something, and it makes you happy, you make time for it. I came back in May from Ireland, which I loved, Goodman said. You learn how culture affects how people work. Its also a great experience just to meet people. Goodman said she looks forward to visiting London in the fall. Her community service initiative is #ShesGoingPlaces, a foundation that encourages scholars involvement in STEAM, or science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, education. Its goal is to keep creativity and excitement at high levels as young women seek achievement in STEAM subjects and to inspire girls in elementary school to start considering STEAM careers. Goodman serves as a mentor to high school juniors and to students at an academy in Ghana, where she said she hopes to spark interest in STEAM subjects that can lead the young women to satisfying and challenging fields. This week will be a busy one for Goodman and her fellow hopefuls, each of whom wants to be the one to receive the crown handed down from Miss Virginia 2022 Victoria Chuah. Goodmans group of contestants will begin interviews Thursday morning, continue with gown and fitness competitions on Thursday evening and present talent performances on Friday. When asked what her favorite part of the pageant is, Goodman quickly replied, The sisterhood. She describes her fellow contestants and Miss Virginia Pageant organizers as a tight-knit family. Each contestant hopes to join the ranks of Miss Virginia victors who went on to capture the Miss America title, including Camille Schrier in 2020, Caressa Cameron in 2010, Nicole Johnson in 1999 and Kylene Barker in 1979. For more information about the pageant, go to missva.org. Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The European Council on Monday approved conclusions reaffirming the EUs commitment to its long-standing partnership with Somalia and the willingness to deepen its strategic cooperation Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - The wife of Burundi's Head of State, Angeline Ndayishimiye, left here Sunday evening for China to take part in a Forum on the role of women in consolidating Sino-African relations and cooperation, announced an official statement issued on Monday Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan prime minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba, has announced the launch of an initiative enabling the private sector with creative development ideas to present them to the government Freetown, Sierra Leone (PANA) - Observers of Sierra Leone's 24 June general elections are calling for restraint as the electoral commission collates votes amidst reports of lack of transparency in the tallying process and police surrounding the headquarters of the main opposition All People's Congress (APC) Albany International to Acquire Heimbach Group for EUR 153 Million Headquartered in Duren, Germany, Heimbach is a global supplier of paper machine clothing for the production of all grades of paper and cardboard on all machine types as well as high-tech textile products. Headquartered in Duren, Germany, Heimbach is a global supplier of paper machine clothing for the production of all grades of paper and cardboard on all machine types as well as high-tech textile products. June 26, 2023 - Albany International on June 14 announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Heimbach Group, a leading supplier of paper machine clothing, in an all cash transaction valued at approximately EUR 153 million, including the assumption of EUR 21 million net debt. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Albany Board of Directors and Heimbach's shareholders, and is expected to close in the second half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Albany will fund the transaction with cash held outside the United States. Headquartered in Duren, Germany, Heimbach is a global supplier of paper machine clothing for the production of all grades of paper and cardboard on all machine types as well as high-tech textile products used in a variety of sectors, such as the food processing, chemicals, construction materials and automotive industries. The company has approximately 1,200 employees and nine production facilities across Germany, China, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Italy. Heimbach had 2022 annual revenue of approximately EUR 161 million. "The acquisition of Heimbach is an exciting opportunity to create significant value for our shareholders as well as for our customers as the partner of choice," said Bill Higgins, President and CEO of Albany. "With Heimbach, we gain increased scale and complementary technology, while broadening our geographic footprint to efficiently serve markets in Europe and Asia. "This transaction also provides an opportunity to leverage Albany's expertise to drive meaningful margin expansion in Heimbach's operations and cash flows that can be reinvested in high-growth areas of the company. We look forward to working with the Heimbach team and welcoming them to Albany." Marco Esper, CEO of Heimbach Group, said, "In Albany International, we found a like-minded partner who shares our commitment to best-in-class customer service and advancing modern paper production. Together, we will leverage our collective product and technology portfolios to become an even better provider to our customers. I am incredibly proud of everything that Heimbach and our team have accomplished and look forward to working closely with Albany's leadership to reach even greater success." "Heimbach is a solid addition to our company," said Daniel Halftermeyer, President of Albany's Machine Clothing business. "Their operations are an excellent complement to Albany's existing network of forward-deployed manufacturing assets. Together, we look forward to providing our customers with even more value in terms of logistics, delivery capability, advice and service quality." Strategic and Financial Benefits Enhances Albany's Scale and Geographic Footprint: Heimbach's strength in central European markets is an excellent fit with Albany's northern European presence. Heimbach also brings additional production capacity in Asia, enhancing Albany's ability to serve clients throughout the region. Provides Complementary Technology: In addition to its broad offerings in paper machine clothing, Heimbach brings technologies that support Albany's differentiation and ability to provide customers with optimized, application-specific solutions. Leverages Albany's Industry-Leading Operating Expertise to Drive Margin Expansion: Albany has identified numerous supply chain, logistics, insourcing and other operational opportunities that it expects will provide significant margin expansion in Heimbach's operations. Provides Attractive Financial Returns: The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Albany's earnings per share and cash flow beginning in year two. Albany International is a leading developer and manufacturer of engineered components, using advanced materials processing and automation capabilities, with two core businesses. Machine Clothing is the world's leading producer of custom-designed, consumable belts essential for the manufacture of all grades of paper products. Albany Engineered Composites is a growing designer and manufacturer of advanced materials-based engineered components for demanding aerospace applications, supporting both commercial and military platforms. SOURCE: Albany International Corp. Photo: (Photo : PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images) Uruguay, a relatively prosperous South American nation, is currently grappling with a severe water crisis due to a multi-year drought and soaring temperatures. According to CNN, the situation has become so dire that residents are being compelled to consume salty tap water while workers resort to drilling wells in the heart of the capital city. In response to the crisis, President Luis Lacalle Pou has declared a "water emergency for the metropolitan area." The implications of the water shortage in Uruguay are alarming. Canelon Grande, a crucial reservoir that typically supplies water to over a million people in the capital, Montevideo, has transformed into a muddy field that locals can now traverse on foot. Another vital reservoir, Paso Severino, which usually caters to 60% of the country's population, has experienced the largest recorded decrease in water levels. Local media reports suggest that water levels could be completely depleted by early July. Uruguay Declares Water Emergency, Struggles with Depleted Reservoirs According to Yahoo, the severity of the situation has forced authorities to implement drastic measures to cope with the shortages. The public water utility, OSE, has resorted to blending salty water from the Rio de la Plata estuary with fresh water from the Paso Severino reservoir in order to stretch the supplies. However, the resulting tap water not only tastes salty but also contains high levels of chlorides, sodium, and trihalomethanes. While there is no immediate health risk for most people, individuals with specific health conditions and pregnant women are advised to limit or avoid tap water consumption. The scarcity of drinkable tap water has led to a significant increase in the sales of bottled water, resulting in a surge in plastic waste. However, many residents cannot afford to purchase bottled water, leaving them with no choice but to continue using tap water. To alleviate some of the financial burden, the government has introduced tax exemptions for bottled water as part of its emergency measures. Uruguay, which was the first country to recognize access to water as a fundamental right through a constitutional amendment in 2004, is witnessing unprecedented public outrage. The current water crisis has galvanized the nation, leading to street protests in the capital. The government has responded by announcing the construction of a dam and a new water delivery system on the San Jose River, which will provide an alternative water source once completed in 30 days. Tanker trucks have been deployed to deliver water to essential institutions like hospitals, and workers have even dug wells in parks to seek alternative water sources. Read Also: Maine Mom Sounds Alarm About Dangers of Water Bead Toys Experts Call for Infrastructure Upgrades, Water Conservation Measures Critics argue that the government's response has been insufficient and point to long-standing issues with water management in Uruguay. The irrational use of water, combined with the exacerbating effects of climate change, has worsened the crisis. Experts emphasize the need for better preparation and a shift in the country's relationship with water, urging Uruguay to prioritize water as a valuable resource and adapt to the changing climate. Recommendations include building new infrastructure such as dams, improving water delivery systems, promoting water reuse, and fostering new water conservation habits. As the drought persists, residents of Montevideo are left hoping for rainfall in the near future. The crisis serves as a wake-up call for nations worldwide, highlighting their vulnerability to drought and the urgent need to address water-related challenges in the face of accelerating climate change. Related Article: The Dangers of Children Drinking Pool Water, How to Prevent It Mark Liberman is a linguist, with a dual appointment at the University of Pennsylvania, as Trustee Professor of Phonetics in the Department of Linguistics, and as a professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. He is the founder of (and frequent contributor to) Language Log, a blog frequented by dozens of professional linguists, which is one of the most widely used blogs dealing with linguistics. I was honored to have one of my articles cited on this blog, by Dr. Liberman. His words will be in blue; those of others (with permission) in various colors. ***** I was cited in the article, The Origin of Speeches? or just the collapse of Uruk? (Language Log, June 23, 2023). Ive wondered for a long time why Biblical inerrantists have a big problem with biological evolution, which contradicts Chapter 1 of Genesis, but not so much with historical linguistics, which contradicts Chapter 11. But in Linguistic Confusion and the Tower of Babel, National Catholic Register 6/21/2023, Dave Armstrong argues that the usual interpretation of the Tower of Babel story is simply a mistake, due to a bad job of sense disambiguation: [T]he Hebrew word for earth (eretz) can mean many things, including the entire world (e.g., Genesis 1:1, 15; 2:1, 4), but also things like the land or ground of countries, such as Egypt (eretz mitzrayim) and Canaan (eretz kanaan), the dry land (Genesis 1:10), and ground from which seeds grow (Genesis 1:12). The New American Standard Bible translates eretz: country or countries 59 times, ground 119 times, land 1638 times; compare to earth, 656 instances, and world (3). And, he argues, The context indicates very strongly that Genesis 11 is not talking about the entire earth, but rather, the land which is described repeatedly as the place where the events occur: southern Mesopotamia, or Sumer, as it was known at the proposed period of history. So he goes on to suggest that what really happened was the transition from a mono-ethnic (or at least mono-linguistic) culture, where everyone spoke (or at least understood) Sumerian, to an infiltration of other languages such as Akkadian, associated with the collapse of the Uruk culture. Im not sure that Armstrong can make the timeline work. But his proposed interpretation seems more plausible than the idea that humans everywhere spoke the same language before about 3000 BC, or even that there were no humans anywhere else on earth before that post-Babel dispersion. Armstrongs version seems to make Genesis 11 much more pedestrian no longer the explanation for world-wide linguistic diversity, but just the story of a specific cultures disintegration. Though Armstrongs last sentence proposes a partial restoration of the chapters importance: It may be identifying Babel or Shinar as the place where the dispersion of people began. Which is pretty strongly contradicted by archeological evidence, I should think so maybe theres still a place for an empirical argument about wrathful dispersion theory. *** And here is my reply: Dr. Liberman, Thanks for this interesting and thought-provoking comment on one of my articles. First of all, it should be understood that this 1000-word article is an abbreviated version of a blog article that was 4817 words long: almost five times larger: The Tower of Babel, Archaeology, & Linguistics (4-13-23). As an academic, youre surely well aware of the usefulness of presenting complex material in a more accessible form. Thats what I was doing here, and what I often do in the course of my apologetics (I am a professional Catholic apologist and author of more than twenty officially published books, with six publishers). In the shorter article, I stated, Id like to speculate a bit about Babel. Thats all I was doing. It was a fascinating topic. I wrote in my longer original article: All must understand that the early chapters of Genesis (particularly the first eleven chapters) represent a genre and form of thinking that is very difficult for us to fully understand or interpret with an assurance that we are grasping the authors intention. So everyone is engaging in guesswork to more or less degrees. That said, I submit this story is not simply myth, and it has several demonstrable connections to known history, verified by archaeology, as I will show. Im not an academic and dont claim to be an expert on this matter. That said, I dont think its improper for the layman to speculate and think about topics like this. In my case, its part of a larger project to understand the Bible in terms of secular learning; in this instance, linguistics, anthropology, historiography, and archaeology. I had a book recently published, entitled, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible. Its doing decently on Amazon, and has been in the top 100 in the category Religious Antiquities & Archaeology for two months now. The nature and goal of the book is evident in the title. The (longer) Babel article was intended as a chapter in a follow-up book. Ill respond now to some of your comments: Ive wondered for a long time why Biblical inerrantists have a big problem with biological evolution, which contradicts Chapter 1 of Genesis, but not so much with historical linguistics, which contradicts Chapter 11. Like all historical, orthodox Christians, I believe that the Bible is inspired revelation, and without error in what it intends to claim for itself. Of course the big question is: what does it claim in the first place? That gets into exegesis and hermeneutics. My point in my book, and generally, is that the Bible is a complex book (it has over 200 forms of figure of speech; many quite complex). One must determine what was intended to be literal and what was non-literal. The Bible is filled with both sorts of literature. I am a theistic evolutionist, and contend that evolution per se is not in necessary conflict with the Bible. It is if one erroneously interprets Genesis hyper-literally, but that is what fundamentalists do: a tiny portion of all Christians today and throughout history. Nor do I have a problem with historical linguistics (and I dont think it contradicts Genesis 11). My analysis of Babel was an attempt to synthesize the Bible with the relevant fields of secular knowledge. I dont claim much for it, but I think it has some strengths and perhaps made a few points worthy of consideration. Christians like everyone else, and far from being hostile have learned a lot from secular sciences, and it has positively affected our biblical interpretation. Geology has shown how the earth is more than 6,000 years old, and Christian scholarship modified its view accordingly. Biology has shown that processes such as evolution occur, and we have taken that into account, although the basic idea is not as new in Christianity as many suppose. Both Augustine and Aquinas wrote about processes in biology that are distinct from instant creation: that God put potentialities into life. [see: A Neo-Patristic Return to the First Four Days of Creation, Part IV, by John F. McCarthy; see also Parts One, Two, Three, Five, and Six; the last two parts deal with St. Thomas Aquinas similar views. See also, How Augustine Reined in Science, Kenneth J. Howell (This Rock, March 1998); Davis A. Young, The Contemporary Relevance of Augustines View of Creation, and Andrew J. Brown, The Relevance of Augustines View of Creation Re-Evaluated [PDF] ) Likewise, we have learned from astronomy and physics, and the Big Bang theory (developed by a priest and originally opposed by Einstein) has become consensus, and is completely consistent with the biblical account of creatio ex nihilo. Similarly, we can learn from anthropology and the history of language with regard to the story of Babel. I wrote about Noahs Flood in my book: arguing for a local Mesopotamian Flood, c. 2900 BC. Belief in a local Flood has been the standard view among both Protestant and Catholic scholars for well over a hundred years. We modify our views, as we learn more about science, just as all other thinkers do. A local Flood doesnt contradict Genesis: it helps to interpret it in a much more plausible, sensible fashion. his proposed interpretation seems more plausible than the idea that humans everywhere spoke the same language before about 3000 BC, or even that there were no humans anywhere else on earth before that post-Babel dispersion. The Bible doesnt require either interpretation. I noted in my shorter article that differentiation of language was already cited several times in Chapter 10 (10:5, 20, 31). Genesis 10:5 refers to each with his own language (RSV). Thus, before the Babel account, the Bible acknowledges people over wide areas (the ones known at that time), speaking different languages. Thats why I argue that Babel is strictly about southern Mesopotamia (Shinar, or Sumer) at a time soon after the [local] Flood. Its not attempting to explain the origin of all language. In my longer article I explain how archaeology has verified three important facts mentioned in the biblical account: the use of bitumen in construction, the use of the new technology of kiln-fired bricks, and the ziggurats of Mesopotamia, that were the towers in that time and place. Thats pretty significant for a text that ancient. Its not nothing. It shows that the account has historical elements that can be verified. Armstrongs last sentence proposes a partial restoration of the chapters importance: It may be identifying Babel or Shinar as the place where the dispersion of people began. Which is pretty strongly contradicted by archeological evidence, I should think . . . Well, you have interpreted it completely out of context, if thats what you think of that statement. I made it clear in my second paragraph: The context indicates very strongly that Genesis 11 is not talking about the entire earth, but rather, the land which is described repeatedly as the place where the events occur: southern Mesopotamia, or Sumer . . . After arguing for a local phenomenon, and discussing the local language (Sumerian, evolving into Akkadian, etc.), why would I switch on a dime at the very end and argue for Sumer as the origin of all languages? That makes no sense, and I didnt do it. The proper context was the previous paragraph, where I wrote: Whatever, or however many, the reasons, the end result was a sharp decrease in population in southern Mesopotamian cities around 3000 BC, which is, of course, quite consistent with the biblical report of people in these regions being scattered abroad from there (Genesis 11:8). If you or others here want to argue that there was no such population decrease or shift at that time or place, feel free. I think there was, from what I could find on the topic, and if so, its consistent with an interpretation of the text that I made: that such scattering may tie into the linguistic diversity that the text referred to. Id be glad to continue to discuss many aspects of this. Thanks for allowing me to express and clarify my views. *** Colin Watson wrote: skimming through the principal rabbinic commentaries on the relevant verses, they generally seem to assume that it meant the whole world. This ties into my statement: Christians like everyone else, and far from being hostile have learned a lot from secular sciences, and it has positively affected our biblical interpretation. Everyone else includes Jewish commentators and other scholars. As we believers in the Bible learned much more through the years about history, anthropology, and linguistics, including the origins and evolutions of language, we saw that a notion of all the people in the world being present in southern Mesopotamia and speaking one language [the origin of all others] is absurd and unable to be sustained in light of what we have learned. This explains how the ancient rabbis might have had one interpretation (universality and single origin of languages) from reading the text over-literally, or prima facie, whereas both the facts of science and history suggest that a quite permissible non-literal interpretation of all the earth, etc., is much more plausible and in line with known and demonstrable facts. It doesnt follow that Genesis was wrong in this regard. I think it follows that historical interpretation in some regards was erroneous and that human beings (including us Christians, and our esteemed brothers in monotheism, religious Jews) have been wrong about some things in the past, just as we were about the age of the earth, prior to modern geology. Religious, observant Christians and Jews are no different from anyone else. We learn over time. Scientists have believed in many things, too, that are laughable today (Ive written about several). They evolved and learned over time. Its the same with Bible interpretation. The human condition is to continue to learn as we go along. The more I learn of science, the deeper my faith grows. This is what my latest book was about: the harmony of [primarily] archaeology and the Bible. When I learned that the historical accuracy of the Bible has been and continues to be affirmed again and again by archaeology and other sciences, my faith (including in biblical inspiration) is stronger. All truth is Gods truth, as we like to say. We welcome developments in science, and thus far (after 42 years of engaging in apologetics), I have yet to see anything in science that causes me to have any fundamental difficulty in believing in Christianity. Faith and science exist together in a profound harmony. This is one of the many reasons why I love being an apologist: working through and better understanding the harmony of faith and reason, including science, and passing along what I have learned. *** Benjamin Orsatti wrote: Thanks for stopping by! When apologists and linguists and laymen are all tossing around thoughts and research, interesting ideas always seem to come out of it. Ive sometimes thought that it would be neat to print a Bible, the text of which would be printed in 4 different colors, to indicate literal, moral, allegorical, and anagogical hermeneutic. I know that, strictly speaking, youre supposed to apply all four to any text, but maybe we could get a heads-up as to which one prevails? Hi Benjamin, Thanks for the warm welcome. I think if we were to pick one of the four approaches to exegesis and hermeneutics as one that prevails, it would be literal, as a sort of default position: tied into the larger framework of the grammatico-historical method. But we must always be on the lookout for context, cultural background, non-literal figures of speech, and the general absence of a Greek rationalist outlook (which is how most of us think today). The problem is that the factors I mentioned are largely overlooked, and we tend to either apply a hyper-skeptical or hyper-literal approach to Scripture. There is a happy medium that avoids both extremes (guided by some notion of historic orthodoxy), and I try to abide by it. The Tower of Babel story is usually regarded as merely mythical, but I have shown that important elements of it can be verified by archaeology and what we know of history, in at least four significant ways. Even if there are mythical-type elements, there also seems to be preserved history, and it brings to mind C. S. Lewis acceptance of Tolkiens suggestion (at the time he converted to Christianity) that there was such a thing as a true myth. Similarly, historians believe that King Arthur existed, notwithstanding the overlay of much mythology for some 1500 years now. We may have more objective verification of aspects of the Babel story than we do with Arthur, despite its being 3500 years older (!). And we do because we have this remarkable and extraordinarily accurate document, the Hebrew Bible. *** Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,300+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-three books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! *** Photo credit: The Tower of Babel (1563), by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1526/1530-1569) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Summary: Reply to a linguist who made comments on my related NCR article. I maintain that the biblical account is consistent with Mesopotamia; not a worldwide interpretation. The United States (US) Secretary of the Treasury, Janet L. Yellen, has applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his commitment to Ghanas economic reforms. That, she said, was of essence to boost economic growth and resiliency, particularly in the wake of the countrys progress on debt restructuring under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programnme. Ms. Yellen commended the President during a meeting with the latter on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, in France, on Thursday, June 22. President Nana Akufo-Addo was one of the key global personalities invited for the Summit, organised by French President, Emmanuel Macron. A report by Reuters on the sidelines of the meeting, monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the two personalities discussed efforts to evolve the multilateral development banks to combat 21st Century global challenges. They also deliberated on work to mobilise climate and infrastructure financing for Ghana and other African countries during the engagement. The IMF, in May this year, congratulated the West African nation on the US$3 billion IMF-supported programme approved by the Executive Board. We stand with Ghana as it implements reforms to address the current economic and financial crisis and help build a better future for all Ghanaians, a statement by the Fund noted. The June 2023 Summit for a New Global Financial Pact is borne out of the cascading consequences of concurring climate, energy, health and economic crises, particularly in the most vulnerable countries. It aims to propose solutions to finance issues that go beyond the climate question, including access to health and the fight against poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and their successive consequences have reduced the fiscal and budgetary space of many countries affecting their ability to finance their populations access to basic social services. As a result, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted a decline in human development in nine out of ten countries around the world in 2022, mainly due to a drop in life expectancy and an increase in poverty. In a statement, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, declared the Summit would aim to build a new contract with the North and the South, in order to facilitate the access of vulnerable countries to the financing they needed to address the consequences of ongoing and future crises. Issues at stake at the Summit encompass restoring fiscal space to countries facing short-term difficulties, especially the most indebted countries, as well as fostering private sector development in low-income countries. The event also seeks to encourage investment in green infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing countries, and mobilising innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Asogli State would this year, mark two decades of the reign of Togbe Afede XIV, its Agbogbomefia. Togbe Afede was installed in the year 2003, and this years Te Za, Yam Festival is being designed to celebrate him, a renowned entrepreneur who is among the nations most reputed traditional leaders. The annual festival has gathered steam in recent years and has become a popular event on summer calendars with visual enchantments deep sated in colourful tradition and culture. The Agbogbomefia, speaking at a recent coronation of new leaders for the State, made mention of the festival, and said it would continue to be a canvas for the promotion of African traditional culture and wealth. He noted the growing reputation of Asogli which he said must be enhanced by the chiefs and the people. Doors are opening for Asogli because of our growing reputation, and we need to uphold it, Togbe Afede said. Steven Tetteh, Secretary to the State, told the GNA preparations were underway and that a media launch within the coming weeks would officially commence the festival. Highlights of the glamorous event include the hailing of the new yam; a traditional ceremony at sundown that brings out the entire community in a street-clogging procession and is one that natives in the diaspora hardly miss. The grand durbar has also become a popular event drawing the attendance of many political and non-political leaders, and also corporate organisations far and near. The State Secretary told the GNA how Togbe Afedes ascension to the throne had cemented the festival as a platform for unifying Asogli for development, and that the planning committee was on the task of delivering a more impacting event this year. Last years festival, which was a return from a two-year coronavirus induced break, made waves with a series of events including an anti-corruption day celebration, a youth forum, and a conference of traditional leaders of Ewe communities in West Africa. The GNA has caught wind of the lineup for the 2023 event, among which would be the launch of a foundation, and the usual blend of activities to promote the tourism-endowed Region. Togbe Afede is expected to officially unveil a Volta City project, miniature design of which has been teasing visitors to the Asogli Palace since the last event. The ambitious project would include hundreds of housing units on a serenading landscape somewhere in the Volta Region. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Oregon lawmakers completed their turbulent 2023 session by the deadline Sunday. The House and Senate finally adjourned at 4:26 p.m., a few hours before the constitutional limit of midnight. A last-minute vote in the Senate killed a housing bill sought by Gov. Tina Kotek that had passed the House the previous night. But many Democrats opposed it because it would have allowed cities to expand urban growth boundaries onto some rural land not used for farming or forestry. Despite that loss it was not immediately clear whether Kotek would pursue similar legislation for a future session she said lawmakers delivered on her top priorities. Her statement: My top priorities since Day 1 have been to reduce homelessness and support housing development, improve access to mental health and addiction services, and ensure that Oregons children are better served by our investments in early literacy, child care, and K-12 schools. "This session was not without challenges and there is more work ahead of us. But today Oregonians should know the state is making progress on our biggest challenges and working hard to deliver results. The House and Senate finished their sprint through hundreds of budgets and other bills. One of them was the end-of-session budget reconciliation measure known as the "Christmas tree bill that distributed $1 billion from the tax-supported general fund and $1.3 billion in other funds to agencies and projects. Also among the approvals: $1 billion in bonds for Oregons share of a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River to connect Portland and Vancouver, Washington. Majority Democrats largely praised what was done, and minority Republicans largely criticized it, though there were bipartisan agreements on a range of issues. Political atmosphere changes The 160-day session opened with early bipartisan passage of two of Kotek's priorities. They were $217 million for emergency shelter and preliminary work on more housing, and $210 million for businesses and others to obtain federal grants for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. But the political atmosphere changed drastically in the first days of May, after majority Democrats overcame objections by minority Republicans to pass two House bills ensuring access to abortion, other reproductive and gender-affirming care, and banning ghost guns made with untraceable parts. The same week that the House passed those bills, largely along party lines, minority Republicans walked out of the Senate to forestall action. Because of Oregons requirement for two-thirds of members for the chambers to do business, majority Democrats lacked the numbers (20 total) to proceed with anything in the Senate for the next six weeks. After the parties came to a compromise on June 15 Democrats agreed to change the bills and enough Republicans returned for the Senate to resume business both chambers had barely 10 days to complete action on agency budgets and hundreds of other bills. It turned out they needed every day before they got to the constitutional deadline of Sunday. Two economic and revenue forecasts, released after Kotek presented her recommended two-year budget on Jan. 31, yielded more money for lawmakers to spend on her (and their) priorities. The latest forecast on May 17 unexpectedly produced $2 billion more. As a result of the 2022 election, the first under redistricting after the 2020 Census, Democrats maintained their legislative majorities. But they were no longer the 60% majorities enabling them to pass revenue-raising measures without Republican support. Democrats led 35-25 in the House and 17-12 in the Senate, plus one independent originally elected as a Republican. Changes in leadership The Senate, for the first time in two decades, was led by someone other than Democrat Peter Courtney of Salem, who had been president since 2003. Courtney retired after a record 38 years in the Legislature, counting 14 years in the House. Majority Leader Rob Wagner of Lake Oswego moved into the presidency. But his ascension by the Democratic caucus was criticized from the outset by Republican Leader Tim Knopp, in what foreshadowed their conflict later in the session. Kate Lieber of Beaverton became majority leader. The House leadership, while relatively new, had been in office a year. Democrat Dan Rayfield of Corvallis became speaker last year after Kotek resigned to make her successful bid for governor. Julie Fahey of Eugene became majority leader with the impending retirement of Virginia Smith Warner of Portland, and Vikki Breese-Iverson of Prineville became Republican leader when Christine Drazan of Canby also resigned early to run for governor. Lawmakers return Feb. 5 for an election-year session of 35 days. It is likely that courts will decide the fate of at least seven Republican/independent senators who amassed 10 or more unexcused absences from floor sessions, which under a 2022 ballot measure would make them ineligible to seek re-election in 2024. Four other Republican senators are up in 2026. Despite Media Journalist Sampson Kwame Nyamekye has been honoured at the Maiden Edition of Ghana Journalists Excellence Awards by the Ashanti Regional Branch in Kumasi of the Ashanti Region. Sampson among other journalists in the region was recognized for his immense contribution and consistency in the media fraternity as far as news coverage is concerned. The plague he received at the awards night read your illustrious career started on the mid-2000 shortly before your graduation from journalism school, when you were regularly on the beat for Kumasi Mail, with your biggest assignment as a young reporter being the coverage of the crucial year 2000 Presidential and Parliamentary elections that saw the first ever peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in Ghanas post-independence history. The Awardee who is currently the General Manager of Hello Fm, a conglomerate of Despite Media according to Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association work has impacted positively on Individuals and Communities across the country. The Excellence Award ceremony which was held in Kumasi , Ashanti Regional Capital was the maiden edition and the President of the Association, Mr Kingsley Hope admitted that Sampson Kwame Nyamekye level of professionalism exhibited in his work is worth emulating by the up-and-coming journalists in the region and across the country. ABOUT THE AWARDEE Sampson Kwame Nyamekye has established himself as a consummate media and communication professional in the Ashanti Region and the entire country due to his passion for professionalism, teamwork, organizational efficiency and assertiveness. This is attested by the fact that he hosts one of the most listened to programs on radio in the Ashanti Region. His illustrious career started in mid-2000, shortly before he graduated from journalism school, when he was regularly on the beat for Kumasi Mail. His biggest assignment as a young reporter was when he had to cover the crucial year 2000 presidential and parliamentary elections that saw the first-ever peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in Ghanas post-independence history. Working as a journalist prior to January 2001 was a challenging and scary undertaking due to some constitutional provisions such as the criminal libel law that made it a daunting task to practice as a media person. Not discouraged by these constitutional hurdles, Sampson looked up to other senior journalists, who against all odds, had taken their journalistic game to the powers-that-be of the time. After the change in government in 2000 and the subsequent repeal of the criminal libel law, that saw an unprecedented liberalization of the media landscape, he moved on to become the Ashanti Regional bureau chief of The Independent newspaper, which was established in the 1980s by celebrated Ghanaian journalist, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere. Working under lawyer Egbert Faibille, Sampson succeeded in popularizing the newspaper in Kumasi and beyound by reporting on very pertinent issues that border on economy, politics, society and many more. Sampson was to cut his teeth in broadcast journalism by appearing on the most popular morning show program in 2002 hosted by Kwame Adinkra on Fox Fm. Sampson contributed to important national issues alongside other respected individuals. It was through his deep intellectual analysis of national issues that caught the attention of recruiters from the Despite Media Group, who spotted the potentials deeply buried in him. He was soon recruited to join the core group of professionals who established the presence of Despite Media Group in Kumasi with the creation of Hello Fm. The station became a force to be reckoned with. And 19 years down the lane the recruiters have been proven right in deciding to offer him a position. Sampson has since served as an anchor for all the Despite Media Groups outlets in Accra and across the country by providing information from credible sources on all major events that happen in the Ashanti Region. He is gives live reports to UTV on all major events in Kumasi. He currently holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree (2017) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a bachelor's degree in business administration (2014) from University of Education. His other post-secondary qualification is a diploma in journalism and Marketing (2001) from Institute of Business Management and Journalism, Kumasi. Sampson is a former student of Ahafoman Secondary Technical School in Goaso. To further sharpen his skills on important international issues, Sampson has attended several conferences outside the shoes of Ghana, and these include: Memphis in May International Festival , Memphis, Tennessee (May 2022), 2021 United Climate Change Conference COP26, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom ( 31st October- 13TH November 2021), 74th UN General Assembly Meeting, New York City, US (September 2019) , Asanteman Association in Denver Colorado conference, USA (August 2018), the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, China (April 2016), ContractaEngenharia Com. Ltd. and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly tour to Sau Paulo, Brazil (15th to 20th May 2015), and World Water Week Celebration, Stockholm, Sweden (August/September 2014). Sampsons contribution to media development in the country has not gone unnoticed and he has been the recipient of several awards that recognize the successful roles he has played in promoting professionalism and media excellence. Some of his awards include: Africa Role Model in Journalism and Media Excellence Award ( Komla Dumor), ( 2022), Best Radio Personality of the Year 2018/19, Honouring Award for Promoting the Growth of Journalism in Ghana (2018) by the Asanteman Association of Colorado, USA, Best Radio Reporter of the Year, Ashanti Region (2017/18) and many more. Sampsons prowess is not limited to the media only as he has displayed exceptional managerial and organizational capabilities since assuming the role of general manager of Hello Fm. 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 The successful completion of the airlifting of Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims has been marked by the safe arrival of the final flight carrying 430 pilgrims in Jeddah. Departing from Accra on Saturday morning, the flight had been rescheduled from Thursday to accommodate additional document processing, ensuring a full flight for the journey. With a total of 10 chartered flights organized by the Hajj Board, the final flight reached maximum capacity with all 430 passengers on board. Regrettably, 27 individuals were unable to secure a seat on the last flight due to oversubscription. The Hajj Board is currently working tirelessly to find alternative means to airlift these remaining individuals and ensure their participation in the Hajj pilgrimage. Expressing his disappointment, the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda, acknowledged the tight schedule and proximity of the Hajj commencement. However, he assured the public that every effort is being made to find a suitable solution for the 27 affected pilgrims. In total, the Hajj Board successfully airlifted 4,190 Ghanaian pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj, with flights departing from both Tamale and Accra. Each zone, northern and southern, organized five flights to facilitate the pilgrimage journey. The official commencement of the 2023 Hajj is scheduled for the evening of Monday, June 26, 2023, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ghanaian pilgrims, having arrived safely, will now embark on this sacred and significant religious event with gratitude and anticipation. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. and the former Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu on Friday, June 23, clashed over the Assin North by-election where the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be going head-to-head on Tuesday, June 27, hoping their candidates win the election. With the NDC, the deposed Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, will be contesting the seat again on the party's ticket and with the NPP, Charles Opoku will be contesting for the party. However, there is a criminal charge against Mr. Gyakye Quayson as the Attorney General has filed a case in court. Speaking on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Charles Owusu appealed to the electorates at Assin North to vote massively for the NPP candidate and asked that they place Mr. Gyakye Quayson aside. He made further statements to suggest that Mr. Gyakye Quayson doesn't stand a second chance in the constituency. But Kwesi Pratt, taking his turn to comment on the by-election, condemned any person who makes statements in connection with the court case against the former Assin North MP. According to him, anyone who comments to determine whether or not Mr. Gyakye Quayson is guilty of the charges against him risks being cited for contempt of court, something that Charles Owusu took immediate exception to as he replied Mr. Pratt that he hadn't said anything contemptuous. "If someone is processed for court on criminal charges and you come on air to say he is guilty or not, you have breached the law. It's straightforward contempt!...You have no right whatsoever to make any suggestions about the outcome of the case," Kwesi Pratt insisted. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former 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. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A flagbearer aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Joe Ghartey, has observed that his desire to lead Ghana as President is not for personal gain but rather to be a blessing to Ghanaians, especially ordinary men, women and youth from all over the country. The long-standing Essikado-Ketan Constituency Member of Parliament said this after filing his nomination form on Saturday, June 24, 2023, to contest the Presidential primaries of the NPP. Addressing thousands of supporters at the party headquarters in Accra, the experienced politician and lawyer said politics is not about what one will get but rather about what one can do for humanity. Hon. Ghartey, a man who is well known for his compassion and kindness, says leadership should be about "blessing people so God can bless you." He said he was not desperate to become the next President of Ghana but noted that if it's the will of God, he will be the next President of Ghana. "If it's God's will I will be the president of Ghana. I will not force things," says Hon. Ghartey, a devoted Christian and a man who sees selfless service to mankind and God as a noble cause. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIQxzg0ZB4s&t=54s https://twitter.com/thejoeghartey/status/1673039797298896900?t=7BpJOi873N897ORxLs6YhQ&s=08 Thousands of enthusiastic supporters storm NPP headquarters The national headquarters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) came to a complete standstill on Saturday, June 24, 2023, as Hon. Joe Ghartey, turned up to file his nomination form to contest the elephant party's upcoming presidential primaries. Hon. Ghartey arrived at the Asylum Down headquarters of NPP in the company of his family and well-wishers including his wife and seasoned lawyer, Efua Ghartey. Thousands of enthusiastic Party supporters from across the various constituencies and 16 regions of Ghana besieged the NPP headquarters to lend their support to Hon. Ghartey, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Amid singing, dancing and drumming, the NPP members and supporters from all walks of life showed their unflinching support for Hon. Ghartey, the 'People's President". Addressing his supporters shortly after submitting his nomination forms, the experienced politician and legal luminary, Hon. Ghartey shared his vision for the party and indeed Ghana. According to him, together, his Government and Ghanaians, will transform Ghana. He says "We together, will transform this nation, we will take this nation to the next level," to which a lot of supporters were heard saying in response "we believe you [Joe Ghartey]. He was brief with his speech but very straight to the point. 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 people were shot outside of a gas station over the weekend in southwest Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that shooting took place around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, at 61st Street and Passyunk Avenue, severely injuring a 71-year-old man and and also injuring his 5-year-old grandson. The child was reported as being in stable condition at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, while the grandfather was reported to be in critical condition at the Presbyterian Medical Center. WPVI reported that both the man and child were struck while sitting in their car. Police also believe that there was a third person in the car at the time of the shooting, who returned fire and then fled the scene. It is unknown if the third person was injured. The Inquirer reported that more than 100 children have been shot in Philadelphia this year, including 14 under the age of 12. Many were struck by stray bullets, by accident, or by other children accidentally using guns they discovered while unattended. 18 of those children died. PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that injured a 71-year-old man and his grandson at a gas station on Saturday evening. It happened around 5:30 p.m. at a gas station located at 61st Street and Passyunk Avenue. Police say the victims were shot while sitting in a white Nissan. The 71-year-old grandfather was driving the vehicle when he was shot in the leg. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in extremely critical condition The 5-year-old boy was in his car seat when he was shot in the shoulder. He was rushed to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia where hes listed in stable condition. The third person in the car returned fire and fled the scene, according to police. Its unknown if he was injured. Numerous shell casings lined 61st Street and go around the block. Police believe there were two shooters. Police say 49 rounds have been counted so far. Bullets are from a high-powered rifle and a handgun. A motive for the shooting is still under investigation, but police believe some of the victims in the Nissan were targeted by the gunmen. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS. NEWTON, Mass. The three people gathered in Newton who were found dead on Sunday were celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said during a press conference. At 10:14 a.m. Sunday, Newton Police Department responded to a home on Broadway Street, where a person known to the three victims called 911 to report that the three residents in the home were found dead from apparent stab wounds and blunt trauma, Ryans said. Early investigative findings suggest that there were signs of forced entry into the home, she added. Two of the victims killed were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Ryan said to reporters. As you can imagine, this would be tragic on any day, she said. To have family gathered for this kind of celebration makes it particularly tragic. Another attempted break-in at Brookside Avenue, close to a half mile from the location of the three homicides, was also reported and is being investigated by Ryans office, Newton police, and Massachusetts State Police. It is unknown if these two incidents are connected as of Monday. Residents living in the Nonantum and Newtonville areas were asked by Ryans office to check any video from their homes and let police know if they see anything unusual. If anyone sees anything suspicious, residents were urged to call police immediately, Ryan said at the press conference. This is the night to lock your doors and windows even if you do not normally do that, Ryan said. The area saw an increased police presence while the investigation continued. On Monday, Newton police planned to have additional patrols working through Sunday on through Monday, Ryans office said. The three victims have not been identified, Ryan said at the press conference. To report any suspicious activity, call Newton police at 617-796-2123. By REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) Prosecutors say they are seeking the death penalty against a Pennsylvania man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death late last year. Bryan Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the deaths at a rental house near the Moscow, Idaho, university campus last November. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed the notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court on Monday. A not-guilty plea was entered in the case on Kohbergers behalf earlier this year. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Tuesday. The bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found on Nov. 13, 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus. The slayings shocked the rural Idaho community and neighboring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University. Police released few details about the investigation until after Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in the Poconos early Dec. 30, 2022. Court documents detailed how police pieced together DNA evidence, cellphone data and surveillance video that they say links Kohberger to the slayings. Investigators said traces of DNA found on a knife sheath inside the home where the students were killed matches Kohberger, and that a cellphone belonging to Kohberger was near the victims home on a dozen occasions before the killings. A white sedan allegedly matching one owned by Kohberger was caught on surveillance footage repeatedly cruising past the rental home around the time of the killings. Four University of Idaho students were found dead Sunday, Nov. 14, 2022, in this rental house in Moscow, Idaho. (Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman via AP, file)Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman via AP But defense attorneys have filed a motion asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more evidence about the DNA found during the investigation, the searches of Kohbergers phone and social media records, and the surveillance footage used to identify the make and model of the car. The motion is one of several that will be argued during the hearing Tuesday afternoon. Idaho law requires prosecutors to notify the court of their intent to seek the death penalty within 60 days of a plea being entered. In his notice of intent, Thompson listed five aggravating circumstances that he said could qualify for the crime for capital punishment under state law. They included that more than one murder was committed during the crime, that it was especially heinous or showed exceptional depravity, that it was committed in the perpetration of a burglary or other crime, and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life. If a defendant is convicted in a death penalty case, defense attorneys are also given the opportunity to show that mitigating factors exist that would make the death penalty unjust. Mitigating factors sometimes include evidence that a defendant has mental problems, that they have shown remorse, that they are very young or that they suffered childhood abuse. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) The suspect in a mass shooting that killed five people at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub last year has pleaded guilty in the attack. Mondays plea by Anderson Lee Aldrich comes just seven months after the shooting and spares victims families and survivors a long and potentially painful trial. The plea entered during a court hearing follows a series of jailhouse phone calls from Aldrich to The Associated Press expressing remorse and the intention to face the consequences for the shooting. Aldrich pleaded guilty to five counts of murder. The defendant faces life in prison on the murder charges under the plea agreement. The agreement also calls for Aldrich to plead guilty to 46 counts of attempted murder and 2 counts of bias-motivated crime. Several survivors told the AP about a planned plea agreement after being approached about Aldrichs comments. They said prosecutors had notified them that Aldrich, who is nonbinary and uses they and them pronouns, will plead guilty to charges that would ensure a sentence of life behind bars. Aldrich originally was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder and hate crimes. The U.S. Justice Department is considering pursuing federal hate crime charges, according to a senior law enforcement official familiar with the matter who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing case. The attack at Club Q came over a year after Aldrich had been arrested for threatening their grandparents and vowing to become the next mass killer. But, charges were ultimately dropped in that case. An early battle in the trial of Bryan Kohberger is playing out over a key piece of evidence in the Idaho murder case, and its outcome could set court precedent for how the nations police investigate suspects of violent crime. The recent revelation that the FBI submitted DNA to public genealogy websites to pinpoint Kohberger as the alleged killer is raising significant legal questions, including with his public defense. Law enforcements latest crime-solving technique, used in the quadruple homicide case, was whispered about for months, but only officially confirmed by prosecutors last week. Federal agents employed DNA in the active investigation in a way typically reserved for cold cases, according to court records. The relatively new, unvetted and largely unregulated method has drawn scrutiny over possible limits on civil liberties, in part from the lack of a paper trail. The technique, known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), provided the lead that ended at Kohberger, Idaho prosecutors said. The process entailed using popular ancestry websites to build a family tree from DNA discovered at a crime scene. Four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death on Nov. 13 at an off-campus home on King Road in Moscow. The victims were seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21; and junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20. Detectives found touch DNA on a combat-style knife sheath located on the bed of one of the four victims, Kohbergers defense said in a court record last week. They argued for access to the IGG records, stating the prosecution is hiding its entire case. Presumably, the defense is expected to accept at face value that the sheath had touch DNA just waiting for testing by all the FBIs myriad resources, read the court record signed by public defender Jay Logsdon. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not accept that his defense does not need this information. FILE - Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, leaves after an extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pa., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Nearly two months after four University of Idaho students were killed near campus and two weeks after a suspect was arrested and charged with the crime the picturesque school grounds are starting to feel a little closer to normal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, Pool, File)AP Meanwhile, the prosecution aims to withhold the documents from that investigative process, which was not disclosed by officials involved in the case until last week. Critics say such legal maneuvering yields far-reaching questions about criminal civil rights and law enforcement transparency. But IGG experts have fewer worries, including surrounding personal privacy. The method, they told the Idaho Statesman and McClatchy, should be considered just another investigative technique be it a more modern one driven by scientific advances at law enforcements disposal to zero in on violent criminal suspects. Barbara Rae-Venter helped police in 2018 identify Joseph James DeAngelo as the Golden State Killer the man responsible for a string of murders, rapes and kidnappings throughout California in the 1970s and 80s. Especially in light of IGG leading investigators to Kohberger, she wants to see the method go mainstream in policing. IGG is an investigative tool, just like fingerprints, or the psychic who says where the missing person is, Rae-Venter told the Statesman by phone. Its the eyewitness who says they saw somebody with whatever description leaving the premises. Were trying to narrow down who the suspect is, thats all were doing. Fellow IGG expert Christi Guerrini, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, likened investigators use of public genealogy tools to that of a public tip line. The information from both techniques is never used as the basis for an arrest, Guerrini told McClatchy by phone, but it thins the pool of suspects for law enforcement. In any investigation, when there are no suspect leads, investigators are basically looking for a needle in an impossibly large haystack that they are trying to make more manageable, Guerrini said. A rationale for not including the family tree information in court proceedings is that its not the basis of an arrest. It helps shrink the haystack, but the person was not arrested based on who they were related to. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, who is leading the case against Kohberger, argued similarly in a court filing released last week. In response to the demand by Kohbergers attorneys for all IGG records as part of the discovery process to mount a credible defense, he requested the Idaho district judge overseeing the case rule in the states favor. The information the FBI obtained through IGG, Thompson wrote, is immaterial to how police established probable cause to arrest and charge the former Washington State University graduate student of criminology. Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District Court in Latah County will hold a hearing Tuesday on the matter. Kohberger, 28, awaits a scheduled Oct. 2 trial after a grand jury last month indicted him on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty in the case but have not stated their intentions yet. Thompson revealed in the court filing that the FBI developed a family tree after submitting the DNA from the knife sheath to one or more unnamed genealogy websites. Further vetting of the information led federal agents to send a tip to local police to investigate Kohberger, according to the court record. However, IGG did not take the place of more traditional investigative techniques, which Idaho police pursued once the FBI forwarded the tip, Thompson said. In this image from a bodycam video provided by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, a white Hyundai Elantra occupied by Bryan Kohberger and his father is seen on a deputys body camera video during a traffic stop on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Hancock County, Ind. Bryan Kohberger, accused in the November slayings of four University of Idaho students, had a first court appearance on Jan. 5, 2023 in Latah County Court in Moscow, Idaho on first-degree murder charges.Hancock County Sheriff's Office via AP The IGG process pointed law enforcement toward [Kohberger], but it did not provide law enforcement with substantive evidence of guilt, Thompson wrote. Moreover, he said, the FBI produced limited records from its creation of the family tree that led the agency to land on Kohberger. And, per Department of Justice policy on the use of IGG techniques, federal agents removed the DNA profile related to the Ka-Bar brand leather knife sheath once Kohberger was arrested, Thompson wrote. The state has not seen nor does the state possess these records or copies of these records, he said. Idaho case could make IGG more accepted IGG, more often associated with decades-old, unsolved crimes, is becoming increasingly popular in active investigations. The practice involves sending a DNA profile to public genealogy websites like Ancestry.com or 23andMe, and awaiting the return of familial ties. Neither of the two direct-to-consumer services cooperates with law enforcement, each reported on their websites. So instead, investigators usually lean on the smaller genealogy services GEDMatch and FamilyTreeDNA, Rae-Venter said. But each company has several million fewer DNA profiles than their more widely known competitors. A case of significant national attention such as Kohbergers stands to make the technique more commonplace beyond cold cases. Right now, its only being used in current cases where theres some urgency involved, Rae-Venter said. I would hope that it becomes more universally used. It remains unclear why police did not identify using IGG during the homicide investigation in the probable cause affidavit filed to justify Kohbergers arrest in late December. The affidavit instead referenced location data from Kohbergers cellphone and video footage of a white sedan as it made trips between Pullman and the victims off-campus rental home in Moscow as evidence he was the suspect. Kohberger owned a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra. In late December, investigators also obtained trash from Kohbergers parents home in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was staying at the time of his arrest. DNA from the trash was identified by the Idaho State Police crime lab in Meridian as belonging to the biological father of the person whose DNA was found on the knife sheath. But the absence of any information about law enforcements use of IGG until last week more than seven months into the closely watched quadruple homicide case has concerned attorneys keeping an eye on its legal process. Media reports, including from Slate, began to surface as early as January that detectives incorporated the DNA method to help solve the crime that instantly gained national attention. Ritchie Eppink, a Boise-based civil rights attorney formerly with the ACLU of Idaho, questioned law enforcements decision in the case to conceal its use of any investigative techniques. The prosecutions push to keep the records from Kohbergers defense team is equally problematic regarding due-process rights of the accused, he told the Statesman. Secret evidence is not fair, itsun-American, and its not a good way to instill confidence in our courts, Eppink said in a phone interview. There are constitutional implications all over this, especially when the state then wants to hide where it did (forensic genealogy) and how it did it. The nondisclosure of IGG in the affidavit also came as a surprise to Rae-Venter. Im not sure what drove that, she said. Because if it was me, Id be bragging that IGG had helped to solve the crime. In this cropped screen grab from a bodycam video provided by the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Bryan Kohberger, left, and his father are seen talking to a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Hancock County, Ind. Bryan Kohberger, accused in the November slayings of four University of Idaho students has left a Pennsylvania jail in the custody of state police, officials said Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, which means he could be headed to Idaho to face first-degree murder charges.(Hancock County Sheriff's Office via AP)AP Prosecution argues against disclosure The prosecution seeks to protect the personally identifying information of Kohbergers relatives, and the public genealogy services that law enforcement used in its investigation, Thompson wrote in his court filing. Idaho criminal law also does not require the state to turn over records from the use of IGG at least not without the defense first obtaining a court order, he said. The Idaho law is broad, but it is not a free-for-all, Thompson wrote. In addition, the prosecution does not plan to introduce IGG evidence at trial, the information does not negate the defendants guilt, nor does the technique by definition represent a scientific test, Thompson argued. The defense contested the last two points in its response. Frankly, the fact that members of the FBI are so concerned about permitting Mr. Kohberger to know what they were up to with what was supposedly his DNA, does not give one the impression that there is nothing to see here as the state seems to imply, Logsdon challenged. David Gurney, director of the IGG Center and assistant professor of law and society at Ramapo College of New Jersey, predicted the prosecution is likely to win this pre-trial court fight. He cited several reasons, including that the genealogy data was not the basis of Kohbergers arrest. I expect that the Idaho court will side with the state and rule that the IGG materials are not required to be turned over to the defense under Idahos discovery rules, Gurney told McClatchy by email. Nearly every court that has heard similar motions has granted them. Gurney, like Thompson in his court filing, addressed the question of possible violations of Kohbergers Fourth Amendment rights, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures in this circumstance related to a suspects DNA. That argument has been roundly defeated in every court where it has been raised, he said. There is no Fourth Amendment privacy interest in biological evidence left by a murderer at a crime scene full stop. Gurney expected the state to instead introduce its evidence directly comparing the DNA profile from the knife sheath to the DNA cheek swab law enforcement later obtained from Kohberger once he was taken into custody. At the moment, no official guidelines exist about the specific kinds of records that law enforcement agencies must keep when using IGG, he added. Justice Department policy does direct investigating agencies, such as the FBI, to request DNA platforms remove any profiles they made in their search for genealogical connections to suspects. Thompson affirmed that occurred in his court filing, adding that the FBI produced limited records while employing IGG. The genealogy conducted by the FBI resulted in a lead that pointed law enforcement to (the) defendant, but it did not result in the creation of many documents or records, Thompson wrote. The FBI did not download or create copies of those records. Those records included only notes FBI agents kept as they built Kohbergers family tree, and records produced to document removal of the DNA profile, he said. However, the Justice Department policy also states that all IGG data shall be retained by the investigative agency for potential use during prosecution and subsequent judicial proceedings. The FBI and Justice Department each refused to explain why Idaho prosecutors wrote in a court filing that all such data was not retained regarding Kohberger. They first claimed to be subject to the cases gag order in a criminal case to which neither are named as a party before simply declining to comment. Mr. Kohberger has reasons to be extremely suspicious of the IGG used in this case, wrote Logsdon, one of his public defenders. Rather than seeing it as some sort of complex tree building that led to him, it appears far more like a lineup where the government was already aware of who they wanted to target. The four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in November, were Kaylee Goncalves, top left; Xana Kernodle, top right; Ethan Chapin, bottom left; and Madison Mogen, bottom right. (Moscow Police Department/TNS)TNS Eppink, the Idaho civil rights attorney, said he worried that newer police investigative technologies, such as IGG, continue to encroach upon our basic notions of criminal due process. Courts are forced to play catch-up, which law enforcement exploits, he said. Even to the extent that there are privacy implications of disclosing the names of matches on genealogy databases, thats not grounds that I can imagine for withholding that information from the defense team, he said. That law enforcement followed a process here and, in fact, the process theyre directed to follow where they cover their tracks it seems to me to raise a lot of concerns and questions, including, Why have such a process if what youre doing is fair and accurate? " Kevin Fixler and Michael Wilner of The Idaho Statesman wrote this story. 2023 The Idaho Statesman. Visit idahostatesman.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. More: New DNA technology catches killers from cases that seemed hopeless: We will identify you WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide some of its biggest cases of the term. The high court has 10 opinions left to release over the next week before the justices begin their summer break. As is typical, the last opinions to be released cover some of the most contentious issues the court has wrestled with this term including affirmative action, student loans and gay rights. Heres a look at some of the cases the court has left to decide from the term that began back in October: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION The survival of affirmative action in higher education is the subject of two related cases, one involving Harvard and the other the University of North Carolina. The Supreme Court has previously approved of the use of affirmative action in higher education in decisions reaching back to 1978. But the justices decision to take the cases suggested a willingness to revisit those rulings. And when the high court heard arguments in the cases in late October, all six conservative justices on the court expressed doubts about the practice. The Biden administration has said that getting rid of race-conscious college admissions would have a destabilizing effect that would cause the ranks of Black and Latino students to plummet at the nations most selective schools. Advocates of student debt cancellation rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 28, 2023. The Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases challenging President Joe Bidens plan to discharge federally-held student loans for millions of Americans. STUDENT LOANS The justices will also decide the fate of President Joe Bidens plan to wipe away or reduce student loans held by millions of Americans. When the court heard arguments in the case in February, the plan didnt seem likely to survive, though its possible the justices could decide the challengers lacked the right to sue and the plan can still go forward. Biden had proposed erasing $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those with incomes below $125,000 a year, or households that earn less than $250,000. He also wanted to cancel an additional $10,000 for those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college. The administration has said millions of borrowers would benefit from the program. Regardless of what happens at the high court, loan payments that have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago will resume this summer. GAY RIGHTS A clash of gay rights and religious rights is also yet to be decided by the court. The case involves a Christian graphic artist from Colorado who wants to begin designing wedding websites but objects to making wedding websites for same-sex couples. State law requires businesses that are open to the public to provide services to all customers, but the designer, Lorie Smith, says the law violates her free speech rights. She says ruling against her would force artists from painters and photographers to writers and musicians to do work that is against their beliefs. Her opponents, meanwhile, say that if she wins, a range of businesses will be able to discriminate, refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants. During arguments in the case in December, the courts conservative majority sounded sympathetic to Smiths arguments, and religious plaintiffs have in recent years won a series of victories at the high court. FILE - Gerald Groff, a former postal worker whose case will be argued before the Supreme Court, pauses during a television interview with the Associated Press at a chapel at the Hilton DoubleTree Resort in Lancaster, Pa., March 8, 2023. The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide some of its biggest cases of the term, including the case of Groff who refused to work on Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages. The question for the high court has to do with when businesses have to accommodate religious employees. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)AP RELIGIOUS RIGHTS Another case that could end as a victory for religious rights is the case of a Christian mail carrier who refused to work on Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages. The question for the high court has to do with when businesses have to accommodate religious employees. The case is somewhat unusual in that both sides agree on a number of things, and when the court heard arguments in April both liberal and conservative justices seemed in broad agreement that businesses like the Postal Service cant cite minor costs or hardships to reject requests to accommodate religious practices. That could mean a ruling joined by both liberals and conservatives. Less clear, however, was how the justices might decide the particular workers case. VOTING As election season accelerates, the Supreme Court has still not said what it will do in a case about the power of state legislatures to make rules for congressional and presidential elections without being checked by state courts. In a case out of North Carolina the justices were asked to essentially eliminate the power of state courts to strike down congressional districts drawn by legislatures on the grounds that they violate state constitutions. But theres a wrinkle. Since the justices heard arguments in the case in December, North Carolinas state Supreme Court threw out the ruling the Supreme Court was reviewing after Republicans claimed control of that court. That could give the justices an out and let them dismiss the case without reaching a decision. The high court could still take up a similar case from Ohio and reach a decision there, but it wouldnt be until after the 2024 elections. Related: Is it time for school vouchers to be Pa. law? Itd be an education game changer A year after Roe v Wades end, millions of women live with abortion bans, tighter rules Virgin Galactic today announced the launch date and the crew for its first commercial space flight. VSS Unity will take off for a 90-minute flight on Thursday, June 29, 2023, with a three-person crew from the Italian Air Force and National Research Council of Italy. Virgin Galactic said the mission, launching from Spaceport America in New Mexico, is to conduct a series of suborbital science experiments. The team also will collect data through wearable payloads and sensors Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic said in a statement, Galactic 01 is our first commercial spaceflight and were honored to have been selected by the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council to support their first space research mission. Virtute 1, Virgin Galactics research missions will usher in a new era of repeatable and reliable access to space for government and research institutions for years to come. The crew will be Col. Walter Villadei, Italian Air Force; Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi, physician, Italian Air Force; and Pantaleone Carlucci, engineer, National Research Council of Italy. Colin Bennett, astronaut instructor for Virgin Galactic, will fly with the crew to assess research flight experience during the mission Pilots are Mike Masucci, commander, retired, U.S. Fair Force; and Nicola Pecile, pilot, former Italian Air Force. A livestream is expected to start at 11 a.m. ET on June 29 on the Virgin Galactic website. READ MORE It sure is fun: Sally Ride was first American female astronaut in space 40 years ago. Virgin Galactic launches ticket sales for future space flights for $450,000. A man and woman were shot outside their home in the Strawberry Mansion section of North Philadelphia in what authorities are saying was a targeted shooting Sunday night, according to news sources. Authorities responded to multiple 911 calls just after 8:35 p.m. regarding gunshots that rang along the 2700 block of North Dover Street, where a 39-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were sitting inside a gray Chevy, according to reports from NBC10 and 6ABC. It appears the shooter or shooters were lying in wait in an alleyway right around the corner from where the vehicle was parked. It appears that the woman and her companion were just outside of their home, bringing some things into the home, when the shooting occurred, Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace said to 6ABC. The two were hit by gunfire while inside the car. Authorities came across the woman, who had a gunshot wound to her back. She was rushed to a hospital and was listed in critical condition. The man ran from the scene to another car after being shot in the arm and was transported to Roxborough Memorial Hospital for treatment. He was listed in stable condition. At least 20 shots were fired from what police believe were two different guns, NBC10 reported. Based on the ballistic evidence that we have, it appears that either one or two shooters were lying in wait in a dark, grassy alleyway across from the victims home, Pace said to the news outlet. Right now, authorities believe the man was the target. A description of the shooters has yet to be released yet, 6ABC reported. Read More: The York County Board of Commissioners on Monday lifted the burn ban in place in the county. The board reached its decision after consultation with the York County Fire Chiefs Association, who advised that recent area rain, along with additional projected rainfall and higher relative humidity, created conditions conducive to removing the ban, according to a releasee sent out by Public Information Officer Ted Czech. Rescinding the ban means that open burning in accordance with residents respective municipalities is now legal in York County. If residents are to engage in open burning, the board still urges them to exercise caution in doing so, as such fires could still grow unmanageable. Also, keep in mind that as of Monday all of Pennsylvania remains in a drought watch, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The ban went into effect on April 14. The lifting of the ban also means fireworks are now permitted, although residents should abide by state law and also their municipalitys ordinances in regard to proper use. More: An absolute disaster: Hunters unhappy with first day of Pa. Game Commission license sales Nashville, Bristol working to return NASCAR to the best short track in the country Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, staged a revolt against Russia after claiming the Russian army deliberately attacked his forces. Prigozhin demanded justice and that took the form of an armed insurrection. Before Prigozhin reportedly backed down after negotiations with the leader of Belarus, the Wagner Group controlled key military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters of Russias southern military district. Now Prighozin is reportedly fleeing to Belarus and he and his fighters will avoid repercussions. Open hostilities between the Wagner Group and the Russian military are nothing new. The two groups have made numerous defamatory comments and taken hostile actions against each other since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. The attempted insurrection is largely the result of both the Russian army and the Wagner Groups deployment in Ukraine and the political system that underpins their actions. Providing plausible deniability The bonds between the Wagner Group and the Russian army broke down immediately after the start of the war in Ukraine. Prior to the conflict, the Wagner Group advanced Russian state interests in an unofficial capacity. In areas where Russia had a vested interest but wanted to limit its direct involvement, like in Syria and Sudan, the Wagner Group provided the Russian government with plausible deniability. For example, Russia used the Wagner Group to assist in its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russias use of the Wagner Group in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine in 2014 also allowed the Russian army to deny involvement. The Wagner Group and Russian militarys domains, in other words, supported the others objectives. The Russia-Ukraine War altered the dynamic between the two groups. The Russian army expected a rapid military victory in Ukraine. Instead, it suffered setbacks almost from the outset of the conflict. These setbacks were so substantial that they forced Russia to deploy the Wagner Group to directly support its operations. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) Helping Russia in Ukraine In military terms, Russias deployment of the Wagner Group helped stabilize its operations in Ukraine. In 2022, the Wagner Group, in contrast with the bulk of the Russian army, was a highly trained force. Wagner Group soldiers, in fact, were responsible for many of Russias early successes, such as the Battle of Sievierodonetsk. These operations, however, werent without cost. The Wagner Group suffered such significant casualties that it couldnt maintain its traditional tactics. Instead, the Wagner Group initiated mass recruitment efforts, including from Russias prisons, to replenish its depleted forces. That blurred the lines between the Wagner Group and the Russian army. Whereas previously the two organizations had distinct spheres of influence, both now operated as, essentially, conventional forces. Overlapping domains of influence, while forced by necessity in the case of the Russian army and the Wagner Group, arent exceptional for Russia. In fact, theyre a feature of the Russian political system, and one person is responsible Vladimir Putin. Putins influence Ultimately, only the Russian president can arbitrate disputes among his subordinates. This not only limits the ability of Putins subordinates to build power bases that can challenge him, but also reinforces his importance to the political system. This aspect of the Russian political system is highly effective in peacetime, so long as the goal is for Putin to maintain his influence and power. In times of looming conflict or outright war, however, overlapping functions can easily become a liability. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) In the lead-up to Russias invasion of Ukraine, it became evident that Putins subordinates didnt provide him with an accurate and clear picture of the capabilities of either the Ukrainian or Russian armed forces. During the conflict itself, that meant co-operation among competing factions in this case the Russian army and paramilitary forces has been nominal, at best. In the worst-case scenario, these tensions can lead to open conflict, as weve witnessed between the Wagner Group and the Russian army. While this tempest has seemingly passed for Putin for now, the Wagner Group is only the most prominent example of simmering discontent among paramilitary forces towards Russia. Escape hatch for Putin? Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader who commands a paramilitary group of 12,000 soldiers, has previously noted problems between his forces and the Russian army. Its important to note that while Putin appeared to condemn the Wagner Group in his address to the nation as Prigozhins revolt was under way, he didnt mention its leader by name. This omission was assuredly by design: it kept Putins options open in depending upon the success or failure of Prigozhins revolt. The short-lived insurrection could still be a turning point in the war in Ukraine, but how it will shift the conflict is still uncertain. The revolt could have, and still might, provide Putin with a way to end the conflict and save face. From the outset of the conflict, Putin knew he couldnt afford to suffer a loss in Ukraine. If he can shift blame for the defeat onto one or several scapegoats like Wagner Group forces or other paramalitary groups who are still agitating about Russia it could provide an exit ramp. It could still cause a shift in the power alignment beneath Putin. He is arguably in one of the most vulnerable positions of his presidency since winning the 2000 election, but he wont relinquish control easily. To maintain his influence, Putin will consider any and every possibility for reasserting his dominance over Russia, with direct implications for the war in Ukraine. James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A CRTC logo is shown in Montreal, Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. Experts say BCE Inc.'s request that the CRTC waive local news and Canadian programming requirements for its television stations is the latest signal that Canadian journalism is under threat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes The Jackfish Lake generating station is seen in Yellowknife, Monday, June 26, 2023. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation has been fined $200,000 for contravening the territory's Safety Act after a worker died from injuries he sustained at the Yellowknife power plant in 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emily Blake The Coffee/Geneva County Livestock Judging Team competed at the Alabama 4-H State Livestock Judging contest held on the campus of Auburn University on June 20. The team had a successful day at the contest. The Coffee/Geneva County Junior Team won First Place Place overall, while the Senior Team placed fourth overall, according to ACES Coffee County Coordinator Gavin Mauldin. Team members were required to judge eight classes of livestock, while answering two sets of questions from judges, and junior contestants giving two sets of reasons, while seniors gave four sets of reasons, explained Mauldin. Competition is open to enrolled members of Alabama 4-H. 4-H membership is available for youth ages 9 to 18. The 2023 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest wasnopen to all 4-H members for participation and competition. Competition was for individuals and for teams that consisted of a minimum of three members. Only one team per county per age group was permitted. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print A federal grand jury that will decide whether or not to indict Donald Trump for the 1/6 attack has heard testimony from five or six Secret Service agents. NBC News reported: About half a dozen Secret Service agents have testified before the grand jury that will decide whether to indict former President Donald Trump for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol and efforts to interfere in the peaceful transfer of the presidency, according to two sources familiar with their testimony. Roughly five or six agents have appeared, the sources said, in compliance with subpoenas they received. It is not known what the agents proximity to Trump was on Jan. 6 or what information they may have provided to the grand jury. The information does not confirm if these were the agents who were part of Trumps detail that day. These could be the same agents that Trump demanded drive him to the Capitol on 1/6, and when they refused, he attacked them, according to the 1/6 Committee testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson. Special Counsel Jack Smith is closely examining Trumps potential role in the attack on the Capitol. Smith has demonstrated that he has no fear of indicting Trump. A 1/6 criminal indictment would be devastating politically for Donald Trump. Whether or not a criminal 1/6 indictment would hurt Trump with Republican primary voters is questionable, but a criminal indictment would make the former president radioactive politically and completely unelectable in a general election. The best way for America to ensure that another 1/6 attack never happens again would be to criminally indict Trump and all coup co-conspirators. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The House Freedom Caucus took a vote on Friday that went against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) which means that she could soon be booted out of the right wing group. Politico reported: House Freedom Caucus members took a momentous vote Friday on Marjorie Taylor Greenes future with the group, according to three people familiar with the matter but its not yet clear whether shes been officially ejected. The right-flank group took up Greenes status amid an internal push, first reported by POLITICO, to consider purging members who are inactive or at odds with the Freedom Caucus. Greenes close alliance with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and her accompanying criticism of colleagues in the group, has put her on the opposite side of a bloc that made its name opposing GOP leadership. Greenes pact with Kevin McCarthy has put her at odds with the Freedom Caucus. The vote occurred after Greene got into a high profile fight with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) who happens to be on the Freedom Caucus board. The Freedom Caucus has been the primary critic of Kevin McCarthy during his speakership. The group recently rumbled about pushing for a vote to oust McCarthy after he caved to President Biden on the debt limit deal. There is some question within the group over whether its rule requiring an 80% vote on matters applies only to legislation or on all issues involving members. The 80% threshold means that there might not be enough votes to oust Greene, but if most of the caucus is against her, it would appear that the Georgia congresswomans days as a member could be numbered. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 73F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 73F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Hotel Aiken, the Taj Aiken building, the Johnson/McGhee building, the Newberry Hall building, the Warneke Cleaners building, the Beckman building and the Jackson Petroleum property officially belong to the city of Aiken. Aiken Economic Director Tim O'Briant said on June 23 the city completed the process of transferring ownership of the buildings from the defunct Aiken Municipal Development Commission to the city June 1. The Aiken City Council voted 6-0 in May to dissolve the Aiken Municipal Development Commission, transfer ownership of the commission's properties and assets to the city, and delete Chapter 11 from the city code. That vote ended a multi-month effort to transfer the AMDC properties to the city. The effort began on March 13 when the council met as the AMDC and voted to delay transferring properties after allegations of conflicts of interest were made. On March 27, the city council met and voted to approve the first reading of the AMDC dissolution ordinance. However, on April 10, the city council voted to continue consideration of the second and final reading of the ordinance to allow City Attorney Gary Smith to request an informal opinion from the South Carolina Ethics Commission as to whether four council members needed to recuse themselves from voting on the ordinance. The four council members were Mayor Rick Osbon, Mayor Pro Tempore Ed Woltz and City Council members Lessie Price and Gail Diggs. Courtney Laster, general counsel for the S.C. Ethics Commission, said April 26 none of the four council members needed to recuse themselves from voting on the ordinance. Specifically, she said Osbon and Woltz wouldn't receive economic benefits if the properties changed hands and Price and Diggs didn't have a conflict because they had resigned from the Aiken Corporation board. "Accordingly, it is the opinion of Commission staff that the four Council Members are permitted to vote on the proposed ordinance," Laster said. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early will become more isolated after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.. Tonight Thunderstorms, some locally heavy early will become more isolated after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected. Summer is heating up, but so are the number of scam calls targeting you and your loved ones in an attempt to steal your identity and your hard-earned money. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is urging Alabamians to be vigilant when unknown numbers call asking for personal information. Whether it is someone demanding a payment for Social Security fines or fees, personal Medicaid information, or falsely claiming to be a grandchild in need of financial assistance, these con artists target our most vulnerable, especially elderly citizens. This week, my office stopped a $60,000 cashiers check from being delivered to an unscrupulous character using the Social Security scam to demand immediate payment or the victims participation in the Social Security program would be cancelled, said Marshall. As scam artists adapt schemes and tactics, I urge anyone receiving unsolicited calls demanding money or wire transfers to stop, hang up the phone, and immediately contact the authorities. State and federal agencies will not demand your social security number or payments in order to participate in most programs. Marshall recommends the following strategies to avoid falling victim to many of the common scams: Do not react to pressure from the caller to take immediate action. Ask the caller for their name, and if they will not provide it immediately, hang up the phone. Never send a check or wire money to someone who makes an unsolicited call. Refuse to send any funds to an unknown account or entity. Never pay with a gift card. No legitimate caller will ask you to pay a bill or fee with a gift card. Sign up for the Do Not Call registry at donotcall.gov or call 888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to add to the registry. To report fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357). For more information or to report a scam, call the Alabama Attorney Generals Office at (334) 242-7300 or visit AlabamaAG.gov. COLUMBIA F-16 fighter and C-17 cargo jets from South Carolina Air Force bases and some privately owned aircraft will fly along the state's coastline once again for the 14th annual Salute from the Shore celebration of the Fourth of July. A Columbia-based nonprofit, Salute from the Shore organizes the annual air show which this year will feature F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, a C-17 from Charleston's joint base and two vintage planes owned by civilians. "This fast-moving showcase of freedom offers beachgoers a chance to gather together to salute those in the Armed Forces who are currently serving or have served our country," a spokesperson for Salute from the Shore said in a June 21 statement. Flyover viewers are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, wave American flags and salute the aircraft. Spanning the length of the S.C. coast, the air show begins at 11 a.m., July 4, at Murrells Inlet, starting with the two civilian-owned jets: a Chinese basic trainer aircraft known as the Nanchag CJ-6, and a 1950s Italian utility and liaison aircraft known as the Focke Wulf FWP-149. The civilian planes will fly to Folly Beach from there. Around 1 p.m., the show will continue with two Shaw Air Force Base F-16s and a Charleston C-17, which will make their way from Cherry Grove Beach near the North Carolina line in Horry County down to Beaufort County. Founded with a mission to honor the Armed Forces on Independence Day, Salute from the Shores is the result of a group of South Carolinians sitting on a beach one day talking about how they could honor the military people keeping them safe. Once they figured it out, they did the flight now 13 times. In recent years it's become typical for the flyover to include F-16s and C-17s alongside privately owned aircraft. Last year's celebration featured a Charleston C-17 along with F-16s from McEntire Joint National Guard Base. Two years before that, in 2020, citizen airmen from Team Charleston at the Joint Base flew a C-17 down the coast, along with two F-16 Fighting Falcons from McEntire, and a privately owned American long-range P-51 Mustang. "When they go overhead, you feel those vibrations through your chest," said Jill Armbruster, one of the nonprofit's founding board members. "I think every salute is personal, so whatever is a meaningful way for you to salute is certainly acceptable." Lift-off and viewing times are approximate, considering weather and other factors, but the jets can be seen starting at 1 p.m. and will take roughly 40 minutes to fly over the following communities in order: Cherry Grove Myrtle Beach Murrells Inlet Pawleys Island Isle of Palms Charleston Harbor Folly Beach Edisto Island Hilton Head Island Bluffton Beaufort For more information about the nonprofit and this years event, visit salutefromtheshore.org. Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C. I just feel like Im going crazy. Thats grief speaking after the death of a spouse or partner. I cant think straight. Its like Im standing in the surf and getting hit by one huge wave after another. Whats happening to me? I cant concentrate or make even small decisions. He was all I had. I am so empty now. As we get older, a major change in our life is the loss of a spouse, family member or close friend. When that occurs, our life is taken over for a time by grief. Some who are grieving a deeply wounding loss express the need to be understood not to be advised or consoled, just to be understood. They need someone simply to be with them, as companion and witness, especially during those spasms of grief, to feel Im not alone. Jane Talbot and Mary Helen Gammon both lost their husbands. Both members of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant, they began talking with each other, sharing their loneliness and lostness and discovering with each other the unique healing power of companioning. Dr. Mike Bowman entered the picture, with his professional experience and heart for supporting parents who had lost a child and others who were mourning. Realizing how many in their age group were grieving the death of a loved one, about three years ago they formed a Grief Ministry team to help both themselves and others deal with bereavement in a healing manner. Their grief ministry has a key word, and that word is COMPANION accompanying bereaved individuals as a companion during their agonizing walk with grief. That means: listening and being fully present, not explaining or consoling. Companioning is about respecting anothers pain, not about trying to fix it or take it away. About listening with the heart, not analyzing with the head, in the words of their mentor, Dr. Alan Wolfelt. About being an empathetic witness to the grieving of the other, not about judging or directing their struggle. About discovering the power of silence, not about filling every moment with words. And companioning is about receiving help oneself from the shared experience of others, not instructing them, because companionship is mutual. Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! To do this, the companioning team offers a Comfort Cafe twice a month on the campus of St. Benedict, inviting anyone who is grieving to drop in for informal conversation, inquiries, and encouragement with four or five team members (contact: griefministry@stbenedictparish.org). Often, those who come are in free fall through the terrifying emotions of recent loss. For some who feel ready, initial contact at the Cafe carries over into a 12-week course offered several times a year. For some, that is, who want to go more deeply into the mystery of grieving and learn from their dark emotions of fear, anger, guilt and loneliness. Who want to learn from suffering, not merely to ease or palliate itand to journey through grief to come, in time, to a new sense of being whole again, to being a new self. The new self, which is the ultimate goal of the grief journey, is not a return to a past normal. Thats not possible, the team is careful to say. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross put it this way, You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to. What is possible is a new vitality that includes affirming your relationship with the one who has died, whose memory and influence are still strongly present in your life, but also the energy to dare to form new relationships and find new purpose and even to feel happy again. Comments by individuals who have taken part in the Cafe and course bear out the value of finding companions for the difficult journey through grieving. A woman expressed her 12-week course experience this way: After my loss, I felt like I had fallen overboard into a turbulent sea by myself. This group is like the life ring someone throws out to you. You have to grab and hold onto it while they pull you to safety. I needed to join this group and put in the work. Another person said, I just wanted to send a thank you for offering a course in understating my grief of losing my son two years ago. . . . The course offers a companion group where I was comfortable and unembarrassed to explain and understand this staggering loss. And most importantly, the group is uniquely empathetic to what Im still experiencing because my companions are traveling the same path as myself, the loss of a dear loved one. He is now on the Grief Ministry team as a companion for others. Here is the bottom line, as many express who have lost a loved one. A wise companion, who listens but does not instruct, who can go into the dark places with you without flinching, can help transform griefs senseless suffering into suffering that is a profound teacher. With an understanding companion, the territory that is so utterly disorienting and terribly frightening can become the territory of unparalleled personal growth and the seedbed of what feels like a new life. No one spoke more beautifully of companioning than Isadora Duncan, pioneer and mother of modern dance, in her book My Life (1927). Isadora Duncan tragically lost both her children in a drowning accident when they were very young. Despondent, she went to stay with Eleanora Duse, the Italian actress, in her villa Viareggio. She took me in her arms and her wonderful eyes beamed upon me such love and tenderness, Duncan said of her arrival there. She used to rock me in her arms, consoling my pain, but not only consoling, for she seemed to take my sorrow to her own breast, and I realized that if I had not been able to bear the society of other people, it was because they all played the comedy of trying to cheer me with forgetfulness. Whereas Eleanora said: Tell me about Deirdre and Patrick, and made me repeat to her all their little sayings and ways, and show her their photos, which she kissed and cried over. She never said, Cease to grieve, but she grieved with me, and, for the first time since their death, I felt I was not alone." Charleston, SC (29403) Today Sunshine this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 95F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 78F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. MAULDIN The smell of chocolate wafts through the air as Peggy Cudd unlocks the door to her shop. It's a Monday, and her store is closed for a much-needed day off that allows her time to prep treats for the upcoming week. Lining a baking sheet in her back cottage kitchen is a batch of chocolate bark the source of the rooms sweet aroma. In Chocolate Artworks, which opened earlier this month, cases display peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered pretzels and marshmallows, and squares filled with flavors like English toffee, almond butter and caramel. A small freezer stores chocolate-covered bananas a staple in the brand and one of Cudds favorite childhood treats. While a storefront was just her next step, the business idea first blossomed back in 1990 when she whipped up her first chocolate creation: rose lollipops for her mother's retirement. The endeavor grew from something she did for family and friends to a side gig to a full-time business. Cudd used to melt and mix treats out of her home kitchen, but chocolate is sensitive. It can absorb smells from its environment if not properly stored. To uphold quality, she rarely cooked for herself. Now with a store to create her treats, she was able to fry bacon for the first time in a long time another plus in what she calls a blessing. Chocolate-related memories fill Cudds childhood. Growing up in California, her family would often visit Disneyland and Balboa Island, and when there, she was always allowed one goodie. She would pick chocolate-covered bananas. She has incorporated that dessert into her menu. She hears it's what she's known for. "It's so great to hear from people like they've never had a chocolate-covered banana," Cudd said, "when you get to experience people's first time eating something they've never had before." For 22 years, Cudd worked as a preschool teacher, priming her love of crafting and creating. After making candies for her mothers retirement, friends and family asked her to make more treats for them. She realized it could be a money-making side gig and started to make holiday-themed goodies to sell at local seasonal fairs. From there, she moved into selling at local farmer's markets and other pop-up events with extended offerings. About three years ago, Cudd bought a food truck to get her treats out of the South Carolina heat and elevate her business to the next level. The truck was sitting in the body shop when the pandemic hit. For some small businesses, COVID proved detrimental. For Cudd, the truck was constantly booked. "We had a full schedule," she said. She intends on keeping the truck and still booking events while she runs the store. "We want to keep the truck as long as we can do both," she said. In January, Cudd peeked through the window of a shop on Miller Road in Mauldin available for lease. To her, it was perfect small and manageable. It could bring her next dream to life. The walls of the store were originally taxicab yellow, but after two coats of primer and two coats of white paint, her shop's aesthetic started to take shape. It's designed to look like a 2-D cartoon. Cudd could see this being her first of multiple locations, but for now, she's grateful to have her one store. I feel super blessed, Cudd said. There are days where I wake up thinking like, Is this real? Is this happening? I have an air-conditioned space and people that love my stuff. And, sometimes I wake up with the feeling of like, I'm just in awe, too. I don't know how to feel about that. I feel very humbled. The shop, which opened June 10, is at 105 Miller Rd. in Mauldin. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday. Kimberly Hodge is going places. The local attorney can add Municipal Judge to her list of credentials. Hodge took the Oath of Office during a July 13, ceremony at the Sheriffs Office in Andrews. The ceremony reflects an impressive background that speaks for itself. Read moreLane native to serve as Andrews Municipal Judge Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. For some, there might be a sense of inevitability. The International African American Museum has opened in a place that was the epicenter of North American slavery, on the site of an old wharf where, in the two years before the transatlantic slave trade was banned on Jan. 1, 1808, more than 30,000 captive Africans were forced ashore. About 40 percent of all enslaved Africans brought to North America came to Charleston. In this city, Black people became artisans and skilled laborers, they created a new kind of language and music and cuisine, they forged a hybrid culture. The museum building features a view of the harbor and, in the distance, the channel to the Atlantic Ocean. The spirits of the many dead and dying who were thrown overboard during the Middle Passage move within Charlestons waters. Of course this museum must be here. It must serve as a record of all that has transpired. It must tell many stories of pain and resilience, of the loss of freedom and the struggle to regain it, of a Black diaspora that redefined the world. The museum must tell of the rice growers, the artists, the preachers, the activists. It seems inevitable now, but it was never a certainty that this institution would come to be. The logistical and financial challenges were immense, the political dynamics not always conducive, the social climate sometimes inhospitable. For many, a reckoning with our history is essential; for others, it is a curse to be avoided, a dredging up of past sins informing current inequities that, in turn, would require redress. So how, exactly, was this enormous project realized? It began with a book. 'This is a sacred site' Former Mayor Joe Riley met Edward Ball at a private downtown home on Meeting Street in the mid-1990s. Ball was doing research for the book he was working on, Slaves in the Family. The volume would go on to win a National Book Award. I was very intrigued, to say the least, with what he was doing, Riley said, adding that his conversations with Ball revealed how little the mayor knew about enslaved people and their experiences in Lowcountry. It wasnt something discussed, it wasnt something studied. When Slaves in the Family was published in 1998, Riley devoured it. I was so taken with it, and the fact that Charleston, this community I think the country really knew very little of the practice and reality of enslaved people. Charleston, the city of his birth, the city built physically and economically by people in bondage, was at the center of this history, Riley acknowledged. I finished the book and said to myself, We should build a museum. I asked my colleagues if they thought I was crazy, or if they thought it was a good idea. They thought it was a very good idea. Thats how it started. From the beginning, Riley and his fellow museum advocates knew the project would be costly, so they proceeded with caution, slowly lining up a few ducks before publicizing their intentions. They found a site near the parking garage at the east end of Calhoun Street. They chose an architect, but he didnt work out, so they contacted Ralph Applebaum, a familiar collaborator who recommended Henry Harry Cobb. Riley had befriended Cobb during some work in New York City and appreciated the architects quiet and thoughtful approach. Cobb agreed to come to Charleston. He visited the proposed site, and the area nearby, alone. He did not want to be influenced by others, Riley said. Then Cobb invited the mayor to join him. Joe, lets take a walk, he said. They strolled from the garage to the waterfront. Joe, this is where the museum should be, Cobb said upon arriving at the spot that once was Gadsdens Wharf. Cobb, Applebaum and museum consultant Robert Macdonald had discussed the important history of the old wharf site and, based on Macdonald's research, determined that it was a better place for the museum than the nearby parking garage. Theres a slight problem, Riley answered. We dont own that land. The property belonged to a couple intending to open a restaurant there, but they eventually agreed to sell it to the city for about $3 million. Many years later, city council voted to purchase all of undeveloped Gadsdens Wharf. Cobb returned to Charleston and again went for a walk with Riley. You know, Joe, Ive always wanted to design a building where the site was the most important design element, he told the mayor. He wanted a modest, unrhetorical structure that let the history and landscape tell the story. I really admired Harry Cobbs genius, Riley said. The average person might think the building should be bold and make a statement. The architect thought otherwise. Joe, he said, this is a sacred site. More than slavery During a State of the City address in 2000, Riley broached the subject of the African American museum publicly, making it widely known that he was spearheading an effort to establish an important new institution in Charleston. A board of directors was formed, led by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, to determine the museums mission and content, and to begin the arduous process of raising money. Other board members, such as history professor Bernard Powers, businesswoman Rita Scott, the late former state Rep. Lucille Whipper and the late educator James Campbell, provided early counsel, helping to mold the lump of clay into shape. In the more than 20 years since the project began, the composition of the board has changed, as has the vision. We were up many late nights, drafting and redrafting, starting over again, Powers recalled. Early on, Campbell and John Rashford, an anthropology professor at the College of Charleston, argued that the museum should be international in scope. After all, the African American experience cannot be properly appreciated without an understanding of social and economic systems that extended across the globe, systems that shaped the destiny of Black people before, during and after three centuries of the transatlantic slave trade. At first, Powers was skeptical. Resources were limited. Space was limited. Charlestons story perhaps is important enough to hold sway over the museums narrative. Was it overly ambitious to try to convey the broader history? But as we talked more it became clear that, yes, this was something that had to be incorporated into the story, made into a central theme, and that we could do it effectively, he said. The debates and discussions persisted, but little by little a consensus was reached. The museum would acknowledge academic trends and rely on the latest scholarship, which emphasized the Atlantic World the interrelationships among Black cultures in all continents that faced the Atlantic Ocean. One of the museums biggest galleries would be dedicated to this broad view. We wanted that gallery to do more than focus on slavery, Powers said. That was something we were combatting the whole time: people saying this was a slavery museum. It was never the design. The practice of slavery would be a major focus, of course, but not the only one. The museum would reveal connections that are not always obvious: the role of race in the American Revolution, for example, or the debate among founding fathers over slavery, or the use of Dizzy Gillespie during the Cold War. And since not everyone processes information the same way, planners wanted to present history thematically, geographically and chronologically, Powers said. Half of the museum is subject-based: African origins, the Middle Passage, slave trade routes and the formation of the diaspora, the Carolina Lowcountry and its rice production, Gullah culture, and so on. The other half is a U-shaped gallery called American Journey, which leads visitors on a tour through the decades, beginning with the colonial era and ending in the present. Embedded in this American Journey are many details about South Carolina, its struggles and its people. Lots of people dont really understand the pivotal role South Carolina has played in American history, Powers said. Making a difference Rita Scott, former vice president and general manager of Live 5 WCSC-TV, has served on the IAAM board since 2000, when it consisted mostly of local people conceptualizing the project. I remember thinking, This is the first board I can walk away from every day and say I learned something new, she said. It was exciting. There are so many stories. Scott first came to Charleston in 1994. The TV station was still located downtown, and she would walk through the city and see history everywhere. But there was no real place you could go and really find out what truly took place, she said. Historical narratives told in those days too often lacked the voices of Black people and others negatively impacted by white supremacy, slavery and racial discrimination. She thought: How can this historical city fail to accurately tell the truth about the past? Nowhere else in the U.S. was there a large public institution that brought it all into focus. In 2003, an act of Congress established the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture. After building design and construction, the collection of more than 40,000 artifacts (including some from South Carolina), fundraising and program development, it opened to the public on Sept. 24, 2016. The national museum tells an all-encompassing story. The IAAM in Charleston, which must be more selective because of limited space, will maintain focus on the Lowcountry, showing its role in the larger drama of forced migration, enslavement and the development of Black culture in the American South. The challenges were immense, Scott said. How do you bring all of that into focus in 2023? How do you tell that story in a balanced way? How do you ... talk about pain and suffering, but also talk about the beautiful concept of how this city has evolved? Attorney Wilbur Johnson, current IAAM board chairman, got involved in the project in 2005 when it was not yet certain the museum would actually get built. Board members were committed and hopeful, but also skeptical: Theyd believe it when they saw it. At that time it was an idea, an idea that we all thought was one whose time had come, Johnson said. But there was so much to be done. ... It took a person like Joe Riley, who had the vision, and who had the ability to convey that vision in a manner that made people believe it could happen. Over time, hope transformed into a strong sense of purpose, even obligation, Johnson said. And once it was decided that the museum would be erected on the former Gadsdens Wharf, that obligation intensified. The site provided a focal point for telling the story. The institution wont be limited to conveying history, though, he added. I do think theres a role for the museum in addressing issues today, Johnson said. It will develop programming, pursue community outreach initiatives and act as host for those fostering public discussions on topical issues. And, hopefully, the museum and its contents will inspire conversation and, perhaps, action, he said. Were at the very beginning. So I am among those who want to try to be sure that what we are doing makes a difference, and will continue to make a difference. Tension and turnover The project has had its doubters and critics. How would this museum differ from other Black history museums? Would an emphasis on the institution of chattel slavery in the American South mean giving short shrift to Black accomplishment before and after the transatlantic slave trade? Would the museum find a way to become financially sustainable? And would it engage in pressing issues of the present, such as the continuing impacts of white supremacy, offering ideas and solutions? Some of the critics, including Mount Pleasant-based attorney Gwen Robinson and retired history professor Millicent Brown, started an advocacy group several years ago called Citizens Want Excellence at IAAM. They argued strongly against a museum narrative that dwelled on victimhood. America has done an abysmal, terrible, horrible job of presenting people of African origin in a light where we can become a positive part of this country, Robinson told The Post and Courier in late 2020. The only presentation that America will accept for people like me is the slavery narrative, and thats what this group objects to. They also accused museum leaders of favoring consultants and institutional voices over local experts directly invested in the Charleston community. Museum officials have pointed out that they have held public meetings and welcomed feedback all along, and that the criticism was taken into account. A walk through the museums galleries makes it clear that slavery is not the only topic examined. When it is, the emphasis is less on the harsh condition of servitude and more on achievement, resistance, artistic expression and cultural development. In December 2021, Bernice Chu, a former contracted employee of the museum who oversaw construction and operations, warned in a memorandum to the board of directors of a toxic work environment, excessive staff turnover, low morale and questionable leadership, among other concerns. Chu argued that internal dysfunction was giving the museum a bad reputation within the museum world, even before it opened its doors to the public, and this was making it more difficult to hire and retain good people. "It has hemorrhaged prominent Black scholars and professionals and is becoming a known racist and misogynistic organization," Chu wrote. "Mayor (Joe) Riley, IAAM's supporters, and the local and global communities deserve so much more than what IAAM has become." She noted in her memo that the turmoil could delay or disrupt plans to set up a food program, public events, a vendor showcase and holiday pop-up shop and a security/visitor service team. Board members and staff attributed some of the difficulties cited by Chu to growing pains, saying it was normal for a nascent museum especially one that deals with difficult subject matter to see some staff turnover and experience bumps in the road. Cultural credibility Michael Boulware Moore, who served as museum CEO from January 2016 to August 2019, just before the groundbreaking, said the institution has a unique opportunity to convey a remarkable story that has already shown to resonate with people. The analogy I have often used is its like telling the history of, lets say, the Holocaust, which is extraordinarily powerful in D.C. at the Holocaust Museum, but if you took that museum to Auschwitz, where that history actually happened, it would just magnify its meaning and impact. The International African American Museum is here, located at the heart of the North American slave trade, and in a city to which so many African Americans are connected, whether they realize it or not. Moore said he first got involved in the project as a board member with business experience and a famous ancestor: His great-great grandfather was Robert Smalls, an enslaved man from Beaufort who commandeered a steamboat called the Planter and navigated it through Confederate lines in Charleston Harbor and into Union hands, thus winning his freedom and that of family and associates on board. Smalls went on to fight for the Union, then served in the state Legislature and in the U.S. Congress during Reconstruction. Moore, adept at telling this history, was an effective frontman, helping to promote the museum and raise tens of millions of dollars from private-sector donors. (Ultimately, museum leaders raised a total of more than $100 million.) I was there to do a couple of things, he said. To provide executive leadership, helping to run the show. Second, though, was to provide some cultural credibility to the project. His role as CEO always was meant to be temporary. Eventually, the museum would need a leader with museum experience, he said. Moore stepped down only once the light at the end of the tunnel was clearly visible, he said. Since then, the planning and refining hasnt ceased. Museum staff and board members have worked closely with consultants and contractors, especially the international exhibition design firm Ralph Appelbaum Associates and landscape architect Walter Hood of Hood Design Studio, based in Oakland, Calif. Ideas flowed back and forth, Powers said. Museum staff sometimes suggested wholesale rewrites. Staff also have worked to assuage concerns that the museum would suck the oxygen out of the room, he said. People at some of the Lowcountrys historic sites had expressed concern about competition. We had to say, No, thats not going to happen, we will work with you. Powers said. People will come to the museum, get an overview, then we will send them out to you for a fuller exploration and additional explanation. These relationships already are being forged, he said. Middleton Place has authorized an extended loan of Ashleys Sack an artifact that an enslaved mother gave to her daughter for display at the museum, and the two nonprofits are planning to coordinate efforts. The museum can serve as a meeting place in downtown Charleston for groups from all over, and it can build on what the historic plantations offer, adding complementary programs, supporting intergenerational family reunions, facilitating genealogical research at the museums Center for Family History and fostering interracial dialogue. We want this to be a place where issues will be discussed, issues of the day, Powers said. On a grand scale Tonya Matthews, who earned a doctorate in biomedical engineering and a certificate in African American studies, and who has held various leadership positions at other public institutions, was named president and CEO of the International African American Museum in the spring of 2021. She said the position was especially appealing because the museum had been a long time in the making and spearheaded by community leaders. She liked its large scope. Slavery is fundamental to our existence, but its not foundational, and we dont talk about it that way, she said. There is so much more to understand about the Black experience. The museums offerings are essential, rooted in Charleston but promulgating a global perspective and a lengthy timeline that spans many centuries, she said. It showcases Gullah culture in a way that no other institution does, and it includes a genealogy and ancestry center that will provide the research tools African Americans need to discover their genetic lineage. Shes thinking big. IAAM now is one of a few ambitious, large-scale institutions presenting aspects of Black history, she noted. I want to be part of this idea that folks should be taking trips all over the country to see these great places, Matthews said. Theres something about a museum that makes it OK to learn in public. Its one of very few places you can show up and admit I dont know. Museums are unintimidating, she added. I want for us to be this wonderfully gentle and welcoming elephant in the room. The museum should be impossible to ignore, but provide a safe space for query and confrontation. Matthews expects to forge radically unusual partnerships with other institutions, jointly developing (for example) education programming about water stewardship and sustainability with the neighboring S.C. Aquarium, or working more with the Gaillard Center on cultural presentations, public conversations and new commissions. She wants to collaborate with regional nonprofits such as the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, and with local groups and individuals carrying the torch of Black history and culture. She wants to advance the dialogue around racial issues, she said. If that can happen in Charleston, it can happen anywhere. She wants the work of the Center for Family History to assist people in tracing their lineage to specific African ports of departure, knowledge that has the potential to add significantly to the historical record and resonate strongly throughout the Black diaspora. Twenty-three years after Riley broached the idea of the museum, we have arrived at the beginning. A new door is opened. A complicated history is examined. Conversations are started. Plans are laid. Where will it all lead? We shall see. FLORENCE If you take a right just up North Williston Road from Buc-ees, youll see a historical marker for the Roseville Plantation. Turn right, and youll be greeted by a gravel road flanked by oaks, some more than a 100 years old, leading toward a white gate and past that, a plantation house with a green tin roof, the Roseville plantation. The plantation's restoration was a project Britt Tucker and his father had undertaken. Sometimes they spent seven days a week on the task. Its about the only place I can go to get close to him, Tucker said. Tuckers father began refurbishing the house in 1990. It took four years to complete. Tucker would help with refurbishing the rooms during the last year. Doing things like sanding the floors and furnishing the rooms. The plantation hosted weddings and served as a home for Tuckers mother and father until they passed away. Plantation for sale Tucker wants to sell the house with a legal guarantee that the house will not be demolished. The entire 13.5-acre area the house sits on will be sold and the new owner will be able to develop any commercial venue they wish on the property as long as the house is not demolished. Tucker is 66 and wants to enjoy his retirement rather than keep the house in shape and manage what he hopes would be a bed and breakfast at the plantation once it sells, he said. The nearby Back Swamp and Pocket Road Community, which has fought off development attempts in and around their neighborhood for decades, also wants the house to stay and serve as a line in the dirt to where development near their community stops. The area the plantation sits on was established by a royal grant in 1771. Richard Brockinton, a state representative, bought the plantation in 1821. The house burned down, though, and a new one was built in 1835. The plantation was passed down to Brockintons nephew, whose daughter was Ada White Bacot Clarke. She was born in Roseville and would later serve as a Confederate nurse and diarist who depicted hospital life in the Confederacy through her diary. Plantation on National Register of History Places Tuckers father bought the plantation in 1986, He put the plantation on the National Register of Historic Places. Tuckers father bought and remodeled multiple plantations throughout his life. The plantation is surrounded by commercial property and sits next to the Taco Bell and Buc-ees off Interstate 95 and has been a target for development in the past. Honda sought to build a 600-acre plant manned by 700 people in 1997 on the land the plantation sat on. When the Back Swamp and Pocket Road community protested, though, Honda left. David Andrews has lived in the area for over 30 years and was there when the community protested against Honda moving onto the land. I was amazed that a group like this, a grassroots group like this, was able to fight a company like Honda, Andrews said. The Back Swamp and Pocket Road community has been home to multiple generations of families such as the Dargans and Williamsons. Property has been passed down from family member to family member. Louise Dargan Thompson is the eighth generation of her family to live on their land in the community. Shes a portrait painter who also does scenes of wildlife in a studio by her house, which was built by her great uncle and great aunt and sits next to her grandparents house. She even has cousins in the area in the form of the Dargan family. Some of the families in the area are related. Bluegrass concerts in the local school house, which serves as a meeting spot for the community and paths through the forest to other peoples houses keep the community connected. We look out for each other, Thompson said. Everybody kind of has a mutual respect for the place. So we feel answerable in a good way to our neighbors. And I think that that's really unique. Jo Jeffers, Thomspon's mother, grew up in the area. She lived in the Charleston area for 33 years before moving back in 2000. Continued development in and around the community makes her concerned about whether future generations would want to live in the area. Wed like it to stay in a place that's good to live, raise your family, go to church, Jeffers said. If we have more and more development coming from both of those old roads, that'll destroy some of it. Fending off development The community is no stranger to fending off development attempts. Between 1994-1995, the community fought against a proposed pipeline for SCANA that wouldve gone through the neighborhood. A recreational lake was proposed in 1996 in the area that wouldve put several peoples houses underwater, including some of Jeffers neighbors. A developer in the past also wanted to put a high-density neighborhood next to the school house. Thompson helped to share the negative effects the neighborhood would have on the community, saying the resulting high traffic and the area itself didnt fit the character of the community. When the developer moved on, The Pee Dee Land Trust donated a conservation easement of over 90-acres around the schoolhouse to protect it from future development. The Trust, founded in 1998, is a 501c3 non-profit that manages easements for private landowners. The Trust has easements in nine counties in the Pee Dee Watershed. The Watershed includes The Great Pee Dee River, Little Pee Dee River, Black River, Lynches River and Waccamaw River. The Trust has issued easements on 6,680 acres in the Backswamp and Pocket Road Community. Conservation easements are legal documents that say what can and cannot be done on a property. They generally do not allow any industrial or commercial development outside of agriculture. The Trust is not an advocacy organization, Lyles Cooper, the executive director, said, despite requests from other land owners to be more active in convincing landowners to protect their lands through an easement. She said the Trusts largest base of support is in Darlington and Florence counties. Once [I-95] was built in the 60s, it was inevitable that that intersection was going to be developed, sadly, Cooper said. Because there's just so much beautiful property and very well managed property out there. The Buc-ees is part of a larger project called Indigo Circle, which is a 600-acre planned multi-use development including the Francis Marion University Freshwater Ecology Center and 250 acres reserved for corporate or research developments. There is also 125 acres reserved for any future development. Construction is underway on smaller parcels adjacent to the Buc-ees. The continued development of the area near Roseville, and possibly of Roseville itself, could invite more development into and around the community, which Andrews said he and the community dont want. A more than 100-acre parcel directly across the road from the plantation, designated 00202-01-003 on a tax map, also is of concern to the Back Swamp and Pocket Road community. The parcel is zoned as RU-1 community. The mailing address is located in Washington, D.C. The parcel is for sale as of June 26. RU-1 is a zoning district in Florence County that is meant to "sustain and support rural community centers as an integral part of the rural environment," and address the social commercial, service and agricultural needs of nearby residents. The minimum acreage for this type of zoning is 15,000 square feet. Members of the community will attend a Florence County planning commission meeting July 25 to advocate for maintaining the rural zoning the parcel holds. Thompson said the continued development of the area could cause more traffic and litter. She said she's already seen more trash ending up on the side of the road. The Georgetown and Pocket roads are also both used as detours for I-95 when needed. Thompson called development in the area, which is where her family now lives, a huge mistake. Once you open that door you can never get it back, Thompson said. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly said the parcel of land across from Roseville was slated to be rezoned. A Coffee County grand jury will determine if enough evidence exists to indict an Enterprise man charged with killing his father on Good Friday. At an evidentiary hearing for Ethan Stuckey before Coffee County District Judge Josh Wilson Monday morning, the judge agreed with 12th Judicial Circuit District Attorney James Tarbox and Stuckeys attorneys Lee Knowles and Amy Marshall that evidence presented during a May 8 pretrial detention hearing would constitute the probable cause required to move the case forward. Stuckey has been held in Coffee County Jail without bond since being extradited from Colorado where he had been in Colorado Springs Jail since his April 8 arrest by members of the Colorado Springs Fugitive Task Force Police Department and the Alabama Fugitive Task Force in connection with the murder of his father, Russell Stuckey, 42, who was found shot to death in the home in the 300 block of Daleville Avenue in Enterprise. Factors considered, Wilson wrote in his ruling, included the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence against the defendant, and the history and characteristics of the defendant, including but not limited to the defendants character, physical, and mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length of residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearance at court proceedings, and whether, at the time of the current offense, the defendant was on probation, parole, or on other release pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence for an offense. Also considered is the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person, or the community, if the defendant is released, Wilson said. During the May 8 bond hearing, Enterprise Police Lt. Mark Anderson testified that the elder Stuckey was found at about 6 p.m. April 7, by the Enterprise Fire Department in response to a call about a gas leak at the home. Anderson said that a co-worker of the younger Stuckey had reported to the police the smell of a gas leak when he went to the Daleville Avenue residence to check on his co-worker, who he had not been able to contact for several days. Responding firefighters called police when they discovered the elder Stuckey dead from seven gunshots to the back and side, Anderson said. All four of the burners on the gas stove were open and emitting gas. Marijuana was found burning in a smoking pipe near the gas burners, Anderson said, adding that an electrician called to the house discovered that the electrical wiring under the house was cut. Pings off of Ethan Stuckeys cell phone revealed that he was in Kansas at noon and Colorado Springs by about 9:45 p.m. that same day, Anderson said. Russell Stuckeys cellphone had been found in the median of the roadway near Mayberry subdivision in New Brockton at about 7 a.m. the same morning. Enterprise Police Officer Amber Darbro and EPD Detective Will Ezell had been sent to Colorado Springs to collect evidence from the car Ethan Stuckey had been driving. They found Russell Stuckeys wallet, the weapon that had been used to kill Russell Stuckey, an AK47, and a bulletproof vest. Darbro told the court at the May 8 hearing that Ethan Stuckey told Colorado Springs law officers that he had seen his father dead on the floor of the Daleville Avenue home before he left town. Darbro said that he later told his mother during a phone call, recorded by police, from the Colorado Springs Jail that he had killed his father in self-defense. In his no bond ruling, Wilson also noted that Stuckey was on pretrial release on an unrelated charge at the time of the commission of most recent offense and that he left the state shortly after the alleged crime was committed. In a stunning turn of events, the Wagner Group under Yevgeny Prigozhin has revolted against the Russian Army, and has turned eastward from Ukraine and taken the city of Rostov. Prigozhin justified his rebellion by asserting that the Russian military had bombed one of his units, but that is unconfirmed. Initially there didnt appear to be serious fighting between Wagner and Russian military units, but Wagners mercenaries are now marching rapidly on Moscow and are being fired on by Russian military helicopters. So, is it a coup against Vladimir Putin? It didnt start out as such. Wagner has been seen as Putins private army, and Prigozhin has cast himself as a Russian patriot protesting the incompetent prosecution of the Ukraine war. He has directed his attacks against Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, whom he hates, not against Putin. But Putin has denounced Prigozhin as a traitor and called for his arrest. It is hard to imagine the two of them meeting cordially if and when Wagners forces reach Moscow. Is this the beginning of the end for Putin? Perhaps not. Wagner has around 25,000 men. Despite its weak performance in Ukraine, I assume the combined efforts of Russias Army and Air Force would be enough to defeat them. Assuming that is the case, or that some kind of truce is achieved, where would that leave Putin? When a dictator is discredited by his own incompetence, a common scenario is that the army turns on him and forces him out of office. On the other hand, when a dictator retains the loyalty of his armed forcessee Venezuela and Cubathere seems to be no end to the disasters he can survive. The Russian armys poor performance in Ukraine has weakened it to the point that it may not have the moral authority to topple Putin. And, assuming Wagners forces can be neutralized in one way or another, the armys goal presumably will be stability, an objective that seemingly would not be advanced by trying to force Putin out. So who knows, the Tsar might survive. I suspect, on the other hand, that the Ukraine war may be close to being over. Wagners units were the most effective elements of the Russian forces. Now they, along with Army units, have marched out of Ukraine to the East, apparently on their way to Moscow. If Wagner is crushed or demobilized, and with Ukraine now armed, ready and presumably in possession of the field, it is hard to imagine Russias remaining forces launching another offensive against that country. The situation in Russia is evolving rapidly, and all of this speculation may turn out to be wrong. But that is how things look to me, anyway, at the moment. UPDATE: The Kremlin is denying reports that Putin has fled Moscownever a gaod look. The rumors result from the fact that: One of several planes that Putin uses for official visits took off from Moscow at 2.15 pm local time, according to Flight Radar, which tracks aircraft in real-time. Less than half an hour later, it went off radar about 150 kilometres from Mr Putins official residence. And, predictably, Ukraine is taking advantage of Wagners withdrawal and chaos on the Russian side to advance broadly along the Eastern front. FURTHER UPDATE: Yevgeny Prigozhin now says that his forces are turning around and, I take it, abandoning their effort to overthrow Russias military leadership. The Telegraph reports: We are turning our columns around and going back to field camps, Yevgeny Prigozhin announced after vowing to march on Moscow to topple the military leadership. He said he understood the importance of the moment and did not want to spill Russian blood. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin an end to the movement of his mercenary troops inside Russia in order to deescalate the situation. Mr Lukashenko said he was acting in agreement with Putin, who had earlier vowed to crush the armed insurrection. Yevgeny Prigozhin has accepted the proposal of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on stopping the movement of armed individuals from the Wagner group on Russian territory and further steps on deescalating tensions, Lukashenkos press service said in a statement. I have no idea where things go from here. This Star Tribune headline caught my attention: Keith Ellison, other state attorneys general concerned with Target pulling Pride products. Why on earth would Targets response to customer complaints be a matter of concern to attorneys general? What possible crime could they be looking into? Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a group of 14 other attorneys general penned a letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell this week expressing concern about the stores removal of some of its Pride products. Target lit a media firestorm last month when it announced it pulled an unspecified number of products from its shelves after the company faced confrontational behavior at its stores as well as threats of violence on its customer hotline. Notice that in the eyes of the press, the firestorm was not occasioned by Targets selling womens swimsuits designed for men, gay books for small children, products designed by a Satanist, and so on. Rather, the firestorm the press was interested in occurred when Target realized it had made a bad mistake and pulled a limited number of products. While Ellison and AGs from California, New York, Maryland and more offered support for Targets intention to keep its workers safe, they questioned if Target gave in to threats. While we understand the basis for this action Apparently they dont. Target acted to stem the tide of customer dissatisfaction. we are also concerned it sends a message that those who engage in hateful and disruptive conduct can cause even large corporations to succumb to their bullying, the AGs wrote, and that they have the power to determine when LGBTQIA+ consumers will feel comfortable in Target stores or anywhere in society. So Target didnt make a rational decision to correct a marketing error, it was bullied so that LGBTQIA+ customers now will not feel comfortable. All because of hateful and disruptive conduct, i.e., customers making their dissatisfaction known to a company that relies on them for its survival. By the way, the idea that Target acted because of violence or threats of violence from conservatives is entirely bogus. Target never alleged any actual violence, and has said nothing further on that front. And as far as threats are concerned, as far as we know they came entirely from the other side: Target stores reportedly received bomb threats for LGBTQ community betrayal. But how do these liberal attorneys general see it as a law enforcement priority to lean on Target to sell gay-oriented goods? The attorneys stated there are state resources to help protect against harassment and hate-based intimidation. They also said companies should report threats of violence to law enforcement. Especially in light of recent anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and escalating threats of violence, the attorneys urged Target to double down on inclusivity, reject hate in all its forms and stand firm in the face of intimidation and discrimination. So basically its a left-wing pep talk sprinkled with baseless references to escalating threats of violence, hate, intimidation and discrimination, etc. Does the AGs letter imply a threat as well as a pep talk? Huge companies like Target are always vulnerable to investigations or initiatives of various kinds launched by state attorneys general. The AGs are an important constituency with which major corporations and their legal departments try to curry favor. If I were Targets CEO and received this letter, I would take it as a warning that if Target wants to stay on the good side of the law in blue states, it had better not back off from the Lefts celebration of gay and trans sex. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) released the transcribed interviews of two IRS whistleblowers who worked on the Hunter Biden tax evasion investigation on Thursday. The testimonies of IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr., who ran the investigation, and an anonymous whistleblower who was part of his team, bolster the widely-held belief that Hunter Biden received a sweetheart deal from the Department of Justice. Among his many revelations, Shapley told lawmakers that the IRS had obtained a July 30, 2017 WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden to Henry Zhao, the president and CEO of Harvest Capital Management. According to the New York Post, Zhao is a Chinese Communist Party official. The message read: 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. 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. You may recall that 12 days after accompanying his father on an official trip to Beijing in 2013, Hunter Bidens hedge fund received a substantial investment from HCM. He then co-founded Bohai Harvest RST (Shanghai) Equity Investment Fund Management Co., a private equity firm in which he held a 10% stake and a seat on the board. As the talking heads on liberal cable news shows discredited the veracity of Shapleys testimony, Fox News reported on Friday that lo and behold, just days after the threatening message was sent, a total of $5.1 million flowed in accounts linked to Hunter Biden. According to Fox: On Aug. 4, 2017, Chinese firm CEFC Infrastructure Investment wired $100,000 to Hunter Bidens law firm Owasco, according to a 2020 report published by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Then, days later on Aug. 8, 2017, CEFC Infrastructure Investment sent $5 million to Hudson West III, a firm Hunter Biden opened with Chinese associates. In addition, the 2020 Senate report revealed that, beginning on Aug. 14, 2017, Hunter Biden initiated a string of 20 wire transactions from Owasco to Lion Hall Group, a consulting firm linked to President Bidens brother James Biden and his wife Sara. The transactions continued through Aug. 3, 2018, and totaled $1.4 million. Conspicuously missing from Shapleys testimony was any mention of the June 30, 2020 FD-1023 in which a confidential human source alleged President Joe Biden accepted a $5 million bribe from a top ranking official at Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, in exchange for policy decisions. On Friday, the Federalists Margot Cleveland reported on the likely reason for this omission. Shapleys team at the IRS had never received it. Then-Attorney General William Barr had turned over the 1023 to the Delaware U.S. Attorneys Office. This information should have been shared with Shapley. However, both Shapley and the anonymous whistleblower said in subsequent supplemental statements provided to the House Ways and Means Committee, the Delaware U.S. Attorneys Office did not inform them of the existence or content of the FD-1023. Cleveland wrote: In fact, the June 12, 2023, affidavit that IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley signed establishes the whistleblowers only realized the FD-1023 had been held back after The Federalist exclusively reported two weeks ago that former Attorney General William Barr said he had sent the CHSs reporting to Delaware for further investigation. Most recently, former Attorney General Bill Barr provided an interview in which he stated that information provided by a Confidential Human Source (CHS) concerning an alleged bribery scheme by President Joe Biden was received through the Pittsburgh [U.S. Attorney Office] and was determined it was not likely to have been disinformation, Shapley said in his affidavit. Barr noted the FD-1023 was provided to the ongoing investigation in Delaware to follow up on and to check out, the affidavit continued. But according to the IRS whistleblower, the CHS information Barr referenced was never provided to Shapley, nor to any of the IRS agents acting under his supervision, nor to the FBI agents working with the IRS investigators. Shapley added that he and other IRS criminal investigators had asked to participate in the briefings the Pittsburgh U.S. Attorneys Office was providing Delaware, but their requests were denied. Had they participated in those briefings, Shapley stressed, they would have undertaken proper investigative steps to determine the veracity of the CHSs claims. According to Shapleys affidavit, however, because the information was never provided to the investigators, the agents involved took no steps to determine if the CHSs allegations could be substantiated. From the more than 150 suspicious activity reports generated by U.S. banks involving Hunter Bidens foreign business transactions to the very real progress House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) has made (and continues to make) in unraveling the millions of dollars that have poured into the accounts of at least nine family members, including a grandchild, the evidence of the Biden familys foreign influence peddling scheme is mounting. But nothing has drawn the ire of the American people more than Hunter Bidens sweetheart deal. His slap on the wrist by his fathers DOJ for crimes ordinary citizens have gone to jail for has captured their attention. Hunters plea deal offers up a stark reminder that there really are two systems of justice in America. The corruption of the U.S. government is exemplified by the Biden administration. The corruption of the Biden administration is exemplified by its Department of Justice. And the corruption of the Department of Justice is presided over by Attorney General Merrick Garland. But that isnt the worst of it. Corruption of the Department of Justice goes to the heart of American democracy. It makes a mockery of the rule of law. It thumbs its nose at the Constitution. Corruption of some agencies might only a costly annoyance. Corruption of the Department of Justice threatens our republic. We have written about the controversy that recently has engulfed Merrick Garland here and here. There is substantial reason to think that Garland has lied to Congress. But that isnt the half of it. Garland has been central to the weaponization of governmentspecifically, the Department of Justiceto attack the Democratic Partys political enemies, and run interference on behalf of its well-connected members. Garland has swung into action against the Democratic Partys foes even when they are just parents who express concern at school board meetings. This is intolerable. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, citing the evidence of Garlands perjury that we have written about, today signaled willingness to take action against the Attorney General: We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee. If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into https://t.co/Q3LLeJhW85 Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 25, 2023 We dont yet know how the specific inquiry into Garlands role in the Hunter Biden cover-up will turn out, but on the broader issue of the weaponization of the Department of Justice, the verdict is in. Garland should be impeached. Lets hope the House has the will and the votes to do it. There was really only one story in American politics last week. It came with the release of the IRS whistleblower transcripts on Thursday on Thursday by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. I wrote about Smiths press conference in Is the cover-up unraveling? and noted the availability of the whistleblower transcripts online. They are posted here (Gary Shapley) and here (witness name redacted, supplemental submission here). These materials can be accessed via the committee press release. In advance of Chairman Smiths scheduled press conference, the Biden Department of Justice announced the lenient deal it had arranged for Hunter Biden. With that announcement the Biden team sought to distract from the news it knew was coming. Any intelligent observer would infer that the whistleblower materials are devastating to the defense of President Bidens representations regarding the Biden family business. The whistleblower testimony also open several avenues of investigation into the scandal. Washington Free Beacon reporters Chuck Ross, Joe Simonson, and Andrew Kerr compiled a handy list of 16 Bombshells on Hunter Biden From The IRS Whistleblowers. For Hunter Biden, read the Biden family business. John Hinderaker posted the emails that powerfully undermine the story of the supposed independence of prosecutor David Weiss, the meritless Merrick Garland to the contrary notwithstanding. They are included in Johns post here. Chuck Ross addresses this element of the story in This IRS Email Corroborates Whistleblowers Claims About Biden DOJ Interference in Hunter Probe. Garland subsequently proclaimed that to question his line on this point is to attack the Department of Justice (video below) and, indeed, to attack democracy itself. One might translate Garlands point into the apocryphal formulation attributed to Louis XIV: le departement, cest moi. Or better yet: la democratie, cest moi. Any intelligent observer would infer that Garland is full of it. The testimony of the IRS whistleblowers outlines the suppression of the investigation into the Biden family business. Any intelligent observer would infer that the powers that be are helping Biden Joe Biden, that is hide something seriously incriminating, just as they did in the matter of Hunter Bidens laptop. If the New York Times and Washington Post wanted to do their thing to a Democratic president, it would be over. They would tap into their sources in the deep state on a daily basis and trumpet their leaks. Im not optimistic on that front. Timesman Nicholas Kristof seems to have a somewhat deficient nose for news. Indeed, he has given us a triumph of self-parody, MSM style. Putting it colloquially, he doesnt get it. He doesnt want to get it. The real meaning of the Hunter Biden saga, as I see it, isn't about presidential corruption, but is about how widespread addiction isand about how a determined parent with unconditional love can sometimes reel a child back: https://t.co/NvxVLECZvF That can give others hope. Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) June 24, 2023 My point here, and I do have one, is this. You may have wondered where those whistleblower emails came from. They are embedded in the transcript of Gary Shapleys testimony along with other relevant exhibits. Scroll through the transcript of Shapleys testimony here. The emails are Shapley Exhibit 10 following page 148 of the transcript. They are discussed in the pages immediately following page 148 and at pages 178-179. Shapley attorney Mark Lytle has now added the pertinent statement below. The submersible that is the sinking Biden presidency looks to be under as much increasing pressure as the Trump reboot tour, and maybe both will implode? And when is the Supreme Court going to end the suspense and deliver the rulings on the big cases weve all been waiting for? The Court did deliver a disappointment of sorts in U.S. v. Texas, which rejected a state challenge to the Biden Administrations complete implosion of border enforcement, ruling that while states along the border have indeed suffered injury, they lack standing to sue, and/or the Court lacks a remedy it can supply, so the Biden Administration wins this round. But we break down the convoluted reasoning of the majority opinion (can it really be right that if the executive branch arrested just one person crossing the border instead of zero, states would lose standing to sue, or the Court any remedy whatsoever?), and wonder whether the case is nearly as good for liberals as they think. Perhaps the next item on the agenda for conservative jurisprudence is to develop a new doctrine of standing, as it did with the major questions doctrine promulgated last year. We also look at the latest attacks on Supreme Court justices from the left. Justice Barrett sold her house togasp!a conservative! Can you believe it? And finally we explore the state of abortion one year after Dobbs. And we thank Joe Biden for supplying us with a new tag line for this show: God save the Queen, man! So listen here, or over at our friends at Ricochet when the link goes live, or from whatever convenience store you source your whisky and podcasts. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 05:26:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 988 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CORAL SPRINGS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2023 / All Year Cooling is a full-service, licensed, and insured air conditioning dealer, air conditioning repair, air conditioning service, air conditioning maintenance, and air conditioning installation company which has been serving residents across South Florida since 1973. All Year Cooling has serviced over 350,000 customers and completed over 200,000 AC installations, as well as even more AC Repairs, AC Services, and AC maintenance throughout its 50 years of business. Its team of solutions specialists have been qualified through hands-on training by experts in the field and are knowledgeable of air conditioning and home comfort solutions.All Year Cooling president Tommy Smith, along with some of their top technicians, highlight the top five factors a consumer should consider before buying an air filter. "The number one most important factor is cost," said Tommy Smith. "The cost of an air filter varies. The more a filter can remove from the air, the higher it will cost. Sometimes, there will be discounts if the filters are purchased in bulk, so that can be a good option for affording a filter if it is too expensive on its own. Generally, filters have performance ratings of Best, Better, Good, or Premium. If a person is prone to allergies, spending the extra to get a premium filter is worth the cost. The HVAC system will stay cleaner and the filtration is more effective." The second important factor to consider, as an All Year Cooling technician explains, is filter type. "Filters can be single-use or reusable. Reusable filters are more expensive, but they can be washed and reused. That lowers the amount of waste going to the landfill. A reusable filter can last upwards of ten years if directions are followed properly. The extra cost paid up front turns out to be a fraction of the cost of replacing a filter every month." The next thing to take into consideration is who lives in the home. The number of people and pets living in a home, as well as any illnesses or allergies, will play a role in how powerful a filter a homeowner will need.Tommy Smith explains that the MERV rating, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is an important factor to consider in an air filter. "The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is a standard rating used to determine the efficiency of an HVAC filter. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioner Engineers recommends that people stick to MERV 6 or higher, with residences aiming for MERV 8 to MERV 13. Some stores use an Air Filter Performance Rating system (AFPR) instead. It's based on a scale of 1 to 12 and factors in the weight gain of a filter as it traps dust, hair, pollen, and other microbes. When choosing based on AFPR, a homeowner should aim for the highest number they can afford. When choosing a MERV or AFPR rating, make sure the system can handle it. More filtration makes it harder to push the air through. Some motors may not be able to handle the extra work. A homeowner must get the best filter for their needs without straining the existing HVAC system. That's where the owner's manual can be helpful." Lastly, a consumer should consider the size of the air filter. The size of the filter is essential. If a filter is too large or too small, it's not going to fit or filter the air correctly. If someone is unsure what size to purchase, they should check the system's manual or measure the filter that's currently in place. They can also ask a Florida AC cleaning and inspection specialist for guidance. Filters are measured in length and height, but they're also measured by width, and all three measurements need to fit correctly.For more informative articles on air filters and anything HVAC related, please visit www.allyearcooling.com About All Year CoolingAll Year Cooling is a proven industry leader that can be depended on for all types of air conditioning repair jobs. They provide turnaround times that are vastly superior to the competition because they understand the importance of a working AC system in the hot Weston weather. They have the capacity to make new orders on short notice, and are ready at a moment's notice. All Year Cooling serves all residents of South Florida, from Vero Beach to Homestead, with exceptional air conditioning service, installation, and duct cleaning. Based in the heart of South Florida, All Year Cooling dispatches a large fleet of vehicles every day to provide all of its South Florida customers with quality air conditioning installation and repair.All Year Cooling provides a comprehensive AC system evaluation with every service call. They ensure the customer's home is cool and comfortable, and inspect the AC unit, evaluate the entire ventilation system, all of the AC system will be diagnosed without any obligation to continue using All Year Cooling's services. They use only the finest air conditioner repair technicians, who are thoroughly screened, tested and trained to ensure effective air conditioner repair. Every member of their team stays current with the latest developments and technology in air conditioner repair. With technology always changing and industry updates happening frequently, they also require additional air conditioner repair training in order to stay sharp.All Year Cooling is a full-service, licensed, and insured air conditioning dealer, air conditioning repair, air conditioning service, air conditioning maintenance, and air conditioning installation company which has been serving residents across South Florida since 1973. All Year Cooling has serviced over 350,000 customers and completed over 200,000 AC installations, as well as even more AC Repairs, AC Services, and AC maintenance throughout its 50 years of business. Its team of solutions specialists have been qualified through hands-on training by experts in the field and are knowledgeable of air conditioning and home comfort solutions.Media Contact:Jessica Smith | Market Newsjessica@ marketnews.com phone: 1-415-837-8371SOURCE: All Year Cooling and Heating PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 17:15:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 996 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Often seen as the unofficial start of the Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio, the corner of Goodale Boulevard and High Street is more than an iconic intersection. Each June, it marks the return of the Stonewall Columbus Pride March to the neighborhood and serves as the home of Pride on High, an annual event that raises thousands for local LGBTQ+ youth initiatives."Pride on High is the ultimate parade watching experience," said Mike Maly, founder of Pride on High and senior manager of corporate real estate and facility services at Bread Financial. "We have shade, restrooms, food, beverages, live commentary and celebrity judges." Pride on High is the ultimate parade watching experience. We have shade, restrooms, food, beverages, live commentary and celebrity judges." Mike Maly - Sr. Manager, Corporate Real Estate & Facility Services, Bread FinancialPride on High has grown from a table for two on an empty patio in 2010 to an event that welcomed more than 750 guests and raised nearly $70,000 during this year's Pride March on Saturday, June 17. Having raised more than $600,000 in 14 years, organizers donated proceeds from the 2023 event to Stonewall Columbus, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Equitas Health Mozaic Project and the Columbus College of Art & Design's LGBTQ+Scholarship Fund."Years ago, my husband Greg and I went to watch the parade, and we noticed that a normally busy city block was completely closed," said Mike. "We found a table to watch the parade, and the following Monday, we asked the restaurant if they would consider opening their doors next year - that's how Pride on High was born. The decision to add a community component was easy, because I don't want kids today to go through what Greg and I did. I want to make things better for our youth, and for everyone." The decision to add a community component was easy, because I don't want kids today to go through what Greg and I did. I want to make things better for our youth, and for everyone." Mike Maly - Sr. Manager, Corporate Real Estate & Facility Services, Bread FinancialPlanning events is nothing new for Mike who, in his role with Bread Financial, oversees all facilities and ensures associates have an equitable experience, regardless of where they work. Recently, his team helped coordinate the addition of Pride flags at all Bread Financial locations.Mike says that being an openly gay man leading a facilities team is rare, but he wants his team to know what his life is like. To him, a job well done is helping people think differently and be more kind, and he prioritizes candid dialogue and the sharing of knowledge. Outside of his role, he also participates in three of the company's Business Resource Groups (BRGs), either as a member of the group or as an ally, so he can continue to learn about different backgrounds, cultures and experiences."If you don't listen, how can you learn?" he said. "The groups [BRGs represent] don't have a voice in many parts of the world. You never know what areas someone might be able to help you in one day, or what resources or talent they have unless you take the time to find out. I love the direction that we're headed in with DE&I at Bread Financial - it helps us understand one another and enables us to be better." I love the direction that we're headed in with DE&I at Bread Financial - it helps us understand one another and enables us to be better." Mike Maly - Sr. Manager, Corporate Real Estate & Facility Services, Bread FinancialThis past Saturday, Bread Financial served as a sponsor of both the parade and Pride on High, and as associates marched down High Street, they showed their support for both the LGBTQ+ community and their colleague, who turned an empty patio into a celebration of kindness."I spent so much of my life not being who I am and I moved to Columbus to be me," Mike said. "Pride isn't about showing people how different you are - it's about lifting others up and not repeating hatred. We need to look through the eyes of others before we judge and act. You'll find yourself to be a much happier person." I spent so much of my life not being who I am and I moved to Columbus to be me. Pride isn't about showing people how different you are - it's about lifting others up and not repeating hatred. We need to look through the eyes of others before we judge and act. You'll find yourself to be a much happier person." Mike Maly - Sr. Manager, Corporate Real Estate & Facility Services, Bread FinancialAbout Bread FinancialBread FinancialTM (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company providing simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. The company creates opportunities for its customers and partners through digitally enabled choices that offer ease, empowerment, financial flexibility and exceptional customer experiences. Driven by a digital-first approach, data insights and white-label technology, Bread Financial delivers growth for its partners through a comprehensive product suite, including private label and co-brand credit cards, installment lending, and buy now, pay later (BNPL). Bread Financial also offers direct-to-consumer solutions that give customers more access, choice and freedom through its branded Bread CashbackTM American Express Credit Card and Bread SavingsTM products.Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Bread Financial is powered by its 7,500+ global associates and is committed to sustainable business practices. To learn more about Bread Financial, visit BreadFinancial.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.Learn More About Pride on HighJoin the Pride on High Mailing ListView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bread Financial on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Bread FinancialWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bread-financial Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Bread Financial OZARK-The Ozark Police Department is seeking the publics assistance in connection with a traffic fatality that occurred at about 3:12 p.m. Sunday. Ozark Department of Public Safety Director Chief Charles Ward said that Camron Dangelo Jones, 18, one of those injured in the Sunday accident, died Monday at about 2:05 p.m. OPD, the Dale County Sheriffs Office, Ozark EMS and the Ozark Fire Department responded to the two vehicle automobile collision at the intersection of South Union Avenue and Adams Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the driver and back seat passenger of the Nissan Altima received injuries that required immediate medical attention. The driver was transported to Flowers Hospital with non-life threatening injuries by EMS while the passenger was airlifted to Flowers Hospital with life threatening injuries, Ward said. Jones was the rear passenger of the Nissan Altima. The driver of the Chevy Equinox was transported to Dale Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Nissan Altima was traveling inbound on South Union Avenue and struck the driver of the Chevy Equinox who was traveling outbound on South Union Avenue, turning left at the intersection onto Adams Street. After the crash the driver of the Nissan Altima subsequently struck a power pole, Ward said. An investigation is currently on going by the OPD Traffic Homicide Unit therefore limited information is available at this time, Ward said. Ozark Police are being assisted by the State of Alabama Bureau of Investigations Traffic Homicide Unit as well. Ward asks any person with information regarding the traffic fatality is asked to contact the Ozark Police Department at (334) 774-2644. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 00:01:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 417 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Recognising the changing needs of customers, Byrne Ford has taken proactive measures to address the difficulties of sourcing new car models by bolstering its collection of used cars.BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2023 / In response to the ongoing challenges of sourcing new Ford cars, trusted automotive dealership Byrne Ford has successfully met customer demand by expanding its inventory of used cars Brisbane drivers can rely on. With an extensive selection of over 250 high-quality pre-owned vehicles, Byrne Ford is ensuring customers in Brisbane have access to a diverse range of reliable transportation options, catering to various preferences and budgets.Byrne FordByrne Ford With the instant asset write-off coming to an end on 30 June, business owners are actively seeking viable alternatives to new cars. According to Byrne Ford, many entrepreneurs are turning to quality, low-kilometre second-hand cars Brisbane-wide as a practical solution when new vehicles are not readily available.Byrne Ford foresaw this shift in demand and invested in a wide selection of used cars a couple of years ago. As a result, the dealership now operates three expansive used car yards across northern Brisbane, ensuring convenient access for customers in the region.To guarantee customer satisfaction and peace of mind, all Byrne Ford used cars for sale Brisbane-wide undergo meticulous inspections and reconditioning as required. Each vehicle comes with a standard three-year mechanical protection plan, further solidifying the dealership's commitment to quality and reliability. This approach provides potential buyers of used cars with the same level of assurance enjoyed by purchasers of new vehicles, who benefit from manufacturer warranties.While it is expected that new car stock will gradually increase in the coming months for certain models, Byrne Ford's top-quality used cars present an excellent alternative in the interim. With an expansive selection, thorough inspections and the added protection of a three-year mechanical plan, customers can confidently choose a used car from Byrne Ford that meets their specific needs.For more information about Byrne Ford's extensive range of used cars for sale in Brisbane, visit https://byrneford.com.au/ About Byrne FordByrne Ford is a leading automotive dealership located in Brisbane, Australia. With a commitment to providing exceptional customer service and a comprehensive range of vehicles, Byrne Ford has earned a reputation as a trusted destination for both new and used cars. The dealership offers a wide variety of Ford models, along with other reputable brands, ensuring customers find the perfect vehicle to suit their preferences and requirements.Contact Information:Byrne FordMarketing Manager(07) 3248 3333SOURCE: Byrne Ford PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 02:39:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 763 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. ("Charles River") (NYSE:CRL). The action charges Charles River with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Charles River's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Charles River's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CHARLES RIVER LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/charles-river-laboratories-international-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=crl&mktm=r LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE:JULY 18, 2023CLASS PERIOD: MAY 5, 2020 THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.CHARLES RIVER'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTCharles River is a full-service, non-clinical global drug development partner with a mission to create healthier lives. The company has three reporting segments: Research Models and Services, Discovery and Safety Assessment, and Manufacturing Solutions. The Discovery and Safety Assessment segment accounts for approximately 60% of the company's total revenue and offers, among other things, safety assessment studies required for regulatory submission of therapeutic solutions.On February 22, 2023, Charles River revealed that the company had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research. On the same day, during an earnings call with investors, James C. Foster, the company's CEO, stated that the "investigation in current [non-human primate] supply situation will result in study delays in our Safety Assessment business." He further stated that the investigation into the Cambodian non-human primate chain would reduce the annual revenue forecast by approximately 200 basis points to 400 basis points.Following this news, the price of Charles River shares declined by $24.51 per share, or approximately 10.06%, from $243.60 per share to close at $219.09 on February 22, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Charles River investors may, no later than July 18, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPor other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPencourages Charles River investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Charles River, captioned Coleman v. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., et al, Case No. 23-cv-11132, is filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts before the Honorable Denise Jefferson Casper.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPprosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPplease visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 15:01:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 609 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQX:SWISF)(CSE: SKUR)(FSE: GDT0) has successfully brought down its customer acquisition cost (CAC) to improve its profit margins. It is also preparing to launch a new privacy solution for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), large enterprises and government agencies.The company has been focused on improving its customer metrics since January. It has brought its CAC down to between $30 and $35, which translates into a 91% reduction from January and a 55% decrease from April. This result is well below its original target of a $75 CAC by the end of 2023 and a $60 CAC by the end of 2024."This is an amazing achievement in such a short time," commented Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data. "I want to congratulate our entire marketing team for their progress so far. A CAC of US$75 or lower is very attractive as we can scale and grow exponentially with the proper budgets put in place, and a CAC of under US$50 is extraordinary for us, so if we are under any of these numbers, we will do very well." Sekur has also improved its Life Time Value (LTV) metric per customer, which is a measurement of the average revenue from a customer during their relationship with the company. Simultaneously increasing the LVT alongside the reduction in CAC means that Sekur has been able to improve its profit margin for every customer. The company is now positioning itself to focus on its targeted digital marketing and website optimization in the second half of 2023.Rolling Out Sekur Enterprise SolutionsThe company is also set to release a new privacy solution, Sekur Enterprise Solutions, by July 2023. Sekur Enterprise Solutions will provide a comprehensive set of features that are tailored to the privacy and data security needs of SMBs, large enterprises and government organizations. These features include user management, message and email archiving capabilities and an admin dashboard for streamlined employee onboarding and management.The new solution will also provide a C-Suite email feature that allows management to host their emails on Sekur's private and secure Swiss-hosted network while maintaining the remaining employees on their existing email hosting provider. The split-level system protects C-level communications while allowing companies to avoid the expense of changing the whole organization's email host.Sekur Enterprise could be a timely solution for companies, as data hacks are on the rise and business email compromises (BECs) are an increasingly common way that businesses get hacked and stolen from. There are over 33 million small businesses in the United States, and Sekur plans to target a percentage of these as part of its launch of Sekur Enterprise Solutions.According to Ghiai, "Offering SMB and Enterprise solutions is part of the core strategy of the Company for Q4 2023 onward, as these solutions increase our average spend per customer and create a more stable and stickier customer base, while still catering to the vast consumer market." He continued, "Our prime directive is to provide private and secure communications for everyone, and, as we are not connected to any Big Tech cloud platform, we offer a truly independent, private and secure means of communications without any data mining." The pricing for Sekur Enterprise Solutions will vary from its regular customer pricing. Its three primary services, SekurMail, SekurVPN and SekurMessage will be priced per user at $10/month, $9/month and $9/month respectively. Business enterprises will get to bundle their deals as is already the case for Sekur's regular solutions.Learn more about Sekur and check out its privacy solutions today.Featured photo by Tech Daily on Unsplash.Contact:Corporate Departmentcorporate@ sekurprivatedata.com SOURCE: Sekur Private Data Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 05:25:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 519 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2023 / In a world of mass-produced products and generic gift options, Shilpi Reddy embarked on a mission to bring something extraordinary to the South Asian community in the United States. Five years ago, she founded Desi Favors, a party gifting business that would revolutionize the way people celebrated special occasions. Today, Desi Favors stands tall as the largest Desi party store in the US, offering over 600 unique, high-quality products sourced exclusively from rural India.What sets Desi Favors apart from the rest is its unwavering commitment to sustainability and community empowerment. With a focus on right sourcing and environmental consciousness, this woman-owned and operated organization has left an indelible mark on the industry. The majority of Desi Favors' products are made by talented women artisans in rural India. By sending raw materials directly to their homes, Desi Favors empowers these women who, due to family obligations, may not have the opportunity to leave their households to work.Beyond its dedication to women's empowerment, Desi Favors also takes pride in its community service activities. Recognizing the importance of giving back, the company donates 10% of its profits to need-based nonprofit organizations and temples across the United States. This philanthropic approach has created a ripple effect of positive change, allowing Desi Favors to uplift both the communities it serves and the artisans who bring their products to life.It is no wonder that Desi Favors has become the go-to destination for Indians living in the US. The struggle to find high-quality products locally, combined with the challenges of shipping from overseas, has left many longing for a solution. Desi Favors has filled that void, offering a vast selection of top-notch party essentials that cater specifically to the Indian American community.The dedication to excellence doesn't stop at the products themselves; Desi Favors also prides itself on its exceptional customer service. Shilpi Reddy and her team strive to provide a seamless shopping experience, ensuring that each customer feels valued and supported. This commitment to going above and beyond has earned Desi Favors a loyal following of satisfied customers who return time and time again to discover new treasures for their celebrations.In recognition of Desi Favors' outstanding contributions, the Indian government invited the company as a guest of honor at the arrival ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, D.C. This remarkable honor highlights the impact and influence Desi Favors has had in promoting Indian culture and craftsmanship abroad. On June 22nd, Shilpi Reddy and her team stood alongside Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden, celebrating the rich heritage of India and the unity between nations.Not only has Desi Flavors transformed the party gifting landscape for Indian Americans, but it has also uplifted women in rural India and supported countless charitable causes. Whether one is planning a grand celebration or seeking a meaningful gift, Desi Favors offers everyone the opportunity to make a difference with every purchase.Country: USAMedia Contact: Arvind CherukuCompany: Desi FlavorsEmail: arvind@ desifavors.com Phone Number: 732-429-5193Website: www.desifavors.com SOURCE: Desi Flavors PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 13:01:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1015 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Empress Royalty Corp. (TSXV:EMPR)(OTCQX:EMPYF) ("Empress Royalty" or the "Company") is pleased to welcome a new strategic investor Gleason & Sons LLC ("Gleason & Sons"). Gleason & Sons has acquired nearly seven million common shares of Empress Royalty via a series of open market purchases and cross trades in recent weeks."We look for undervalued royalty companies with low overhead, experienced management teams, and an emphasis on generating near-term cash flows," said Stefan Gleason, Managing Director of Gleason & Sons. "We believe Empress has identified a sub-sector that has scant access to royalty financing, and the Empress team has the expertise to underwrite these high-yield opportunities along with the commitment to conduct the due diligence needed"."I am excited to welcome Stefan Gleason as a long-term strategic investor in Empress," stated Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO & President of Empress Royalty. "Mr. Gleason has a proven track record of entrepreneurial success in the precious metals investment industry in the United States. We continue to drive growth and build the solid foundation for Empress' future as a leading junior royalty and streaming company." Gleason & Sons is the family office of Stefan Gleason, a Charlotte-based entrepreneur who owns several privately held businesses in the United States, including Money Metals Exchange LLC. Money Metals is one of the largest precious metals dealers and depositories in North America with 500,000 customers and approximately $1 billion in annual revenues.APPOINTMENT OF CORPORATE SECRETARYEmpress Royalty is also pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Borthwick to the position of Corporate Secretary."It is my pleasure to have Michelle Borthwick joining our team as Corporate Secretary, and to be working with Michelle again," stated Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO & President of Empress Royalty. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that I know will be a valued addition to our dynamic team and growth plans." Ms. Borthwick is a corporate finance and governance professional with over 25 years' experience in senior corporate finance and governance roles providing advice and support to various publicly listed issuers on the Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, Canadian Securities Exchange and OTCMarkets. She is the Founder and Principal of Peakshore Consulting Inc., a corporate development consulting firm and Vice President, Corporate Finance of Fiore Management & Advisory Corp. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary of Endeavour Mining Corporation and VP Corporate Finance of its predecessor financial advisory company, Endeavour Financial Corporation.Ms. Borthwick will be replacing Ms. Christina Boddy who is departing Empress to pursue other endeavors. The Company wishes to thank Ms. Boddy for her service and wishes her all the best in the future.STOCK OPTION AND EQUITY INCENTIVE GRANTSEmpress Royalty also announces that the Board of Directors has approved the grant of 1,150,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to purchase an aggregate of 1,150,000 common shares (the "Common Shares") of the Company to certain directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company. Each Option is exercisable into one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.35. The Options are subject to certain vesting conditions and expire five years from the grant date.In addition, the Board of Directors has also approved the grant of restricted share units ("RSUs") representing the right to receive up to an aggregate of 1,500,000 Common Shares and deferred share units ("DSUs") representing the right to receive up to an aggregate of 1,750,000 Common shares to certain directors and officers of the Company. Each of the DSU and RSU grants are subject to the satisfaction of certain vesting conditions.All grants of Options, RSUs and DSUs are subject to the Company's Stock Option Plan and/or Equity Incentive Plan, which were approved by the shareholders of the Company at its last annual meeting of shareholders held on September 28, 2022.ABOUT EMPRESS ROYALTY CORP.Empress is a global royalty and streaming creation company providing investors with a diversified portfolio of gold and silver investments. Since listing in December 2020, Empress has built a portfolio of precious metal investments and is actively investing in mining companies with development and production stage projects who require additional non-dilutive capital. The Company has strategic partnerships with Endeavour Financial and Terra Capital which allow Empress to not only access global investment opportunities but also bring unique mining finance expertise, deal structuring and access to capital markets. Empress is looking forward to continuously creating value for its shareholders through the proven royalty and streaming models.ON BEHALF OF EMPRESS ROYALTY CORP.Per: Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and PresidentFor further information, please visit our website at www.empressroyalty.com or contact Kaitlin Taylor, Investor Communications, by email at info@ empressroyalty.com or by phone at +1.604.331.2080.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.Forward Looking InformationThe information contained herein includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate" ,"continue", "believe", "plans", "anticipate" or similar terms.Forward-looking information and statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that Empress Royalty Corp. ("Empress" or the "Company") expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including those regarding future growth and ability to create new streams or royalties, the development and focus of the Company , its acquisition strategy, the plans and expectations of the operators of the projects underlying its interests, including the proposed advancement and expansion of such projects; the results of exploration, development and production activities of the operators of such projects; and the Company's expectations regarding future revenue PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 13:00:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 334 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WILLIAMSPORT, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / The Evergreen Wealth Solutions team is excited to announce the creation of two new divisions, Evergreen Exits and Evergreen Institutional. Evergreen Exits will help guide business owners through the transition process (whether through sale or internal transfer) and the associated planning, tax, and estate implications. Evergreen Institutional will help support the board members of Not-for-Profit organizations, Foundations, and Endowments to meet their fiduciary responsibilities related to financial and investment decisions. These additional services are designed to comprehensively support critical decisions in these situations. The collective expertise in Evergreen Exits and Evergreen Institutional will enhance the experience of Evergreen Wealth Solutions clients as they continue along their journey. Evergreen Exits expands our financial planning offering to include developing customized Exit Strategies for businesses. The exit strategies are crafted by establishing goals for family, business success, employees and legacy, financial readiness, mental readiness, business readiness, understanding the value of your exit and implementing and executing the plan.Evergreen team Our certified business exit planners Ed Barone, Business Wealth Advisor, CBEC, and Andy Harris, CEPA, can assist you in your exit planning.As an organization that believes in giving back to the communities we serve, Evergreen Institutional was created. The Evergreen team is involved in many charitable organizations within the communities we live. The team has experience that can assist many local charitable organizations in developing thoughtful Investment Policy Statements and custom mission-aligned portfolios to achieve the objectives of these organizations and provide professional Fiduciary services, reducing the board members of the risk. We offer a talented team here in our community to serve and guide the wealth of critical not-for-profit organizations, organizations that are often underserved by large institutional consultants.For more information about these services, you can visit EGWealth.com and click on Institutional and Entrepreneurs pages. We created a separate website for Evergreen Exits, EGExits.com to reach business owners online searching for Business Exit Advisors.Contact InformationKate ViscoBusiness Development Managerkate@ egwealth.com 5706016960SOURCE: Evergreen Wealth Solutions PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 13:31:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 405 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Not for Distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United StatesVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Irving Resources Inc. (CSE:IRV)(OTCQX:IRVRF) ("Irving") reports that Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") has given notice of exercise of its right, pursuant to the investment agreement dated April 22, 2019, as amended, made between Irving and Newmont, to make a further subscription for common shares of Irving ("Shares"). It is expected that 1,429,573 Shares will be issued at a price of C$1.0351 per Share. The proceeds from this private placement will be used for exploration on Irving's Omu project in Hokkaido, Japan.About Irving Resources Inc.:Irving is a junior exploration company with a focus on gold in Japan. Irving resulted from completion of a plan of arrangement involving Irving, Gold Canyon Resources Inc. and First Mining Finance Corp.Additional information can be found on the Company's website: www.IRVresources.com Akiko Levinson,President, CEO & DirectorFor further information, please contact:Tel: (604) 682-3234 Toll free: 1 (888) 242-3234 Fax: (604) 971-0209info@ IRVresources.com THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.Forward-looking informationSome statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation including, without limitation, statements as to the expected use of the proceeds from the private placement. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the closing of Newmont's subscription as well as customary risks of the mineral resource exploration industry.This news release does not constitute an offer for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any "U.S. Person" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act")) of any securities of Irving. The securities of Irving have not been, and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom.SOURCE: Irving Resources Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 18:02:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 724 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The fintech announces that this new relationship will offer education opportunities and guide Black entrepreneurs to responsible small business loans so they can reach the next levelLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Lendistry, the country's largest African American-led deployer of capital, is now partnering with SHOPPE BLACK, a trusted source of information in the Black business community. With the shared goal of connecting Black business owners with the resources they need to thrive, the two platforms aim to help Black entrepreneurs find a lending partner who has their best interests at heart and can support their financing needs to help them scale through the growth stage.Sharing information in a trusted space is one of many ways in which Lendistry lives its mission of providing economic opportunities to underserved business owners. Lendistry CEO, Everett K. Sands, is a frequent guest in spaces where the Black community finds reliable information, including appearances on the Karen Walker Show, KBLA Radio 1580, Black Enterprise, and other popular outlets. SHOPPE BLACK has interviewed Sands in the past to gain his insights and learn how Lendistry innovates new lending processes to increase equitability and access to capital.A Philadelphia-based multimedia company for Black entrepreneurs, SHOPPE BLACK profiles Black businesses, interviews successful businesspeople, and shares current information related to business, money and culture. Through its relationship with Lendistry, SHOPPE BLACK will educate business owners who frequent their platform about Lendistry's financial products and encourage them to apply. This will involve information and links in SHOPPE BLACK's online content and its newsletters. In honor of their shared mission to increase finance and business education, the two platforms plan to cohost webinars for Black entrepreneurs as well."SHOPPE BLACK has been a valued ally behind the scenes, so we are excited to make our partnership official," says Everett K. Sands, CEO of Lendistry. "Lendistry's team has lived the mission and understands the challenges and strengths in our communities. It's important for business owners to know who is in their corner, and who can give them a fair chance at the capital they need to grow, so we appreciate SHOPPE BLACK helping us reach their large and engaged audience." "At SHOPPE BLACK, we believe that Black entrepreneurs are a vital part of our economy, and we're committed to doing everything we can to support their success," says Tony O. Lawson, CEO and Co-Founder of SHOPPE BLACK. "That's why we're thrilled to partner with Lendistry as a part of our ongoing efforts to provide greater access to the capital that these entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses, create jobs, and build wealth within our communities." Entrepreneurs can learn more about this partnership and apply for a loan here. Lendistry and SHOPPE BLACK both plan to evolve their offerings and capabilities to benefit underserved small business owners as members of a growing, more equitable ecosystem.About LendistryB.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry ( lendistry.com) is a minority-led fintech that provides innovative lending products and access to grant programs for small businesses nationwide. Headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry uses technology and community partnerships to overcome systemic gaps that inhibit access to capital, and to empower its customers with responsible financing options. Based on its reputation for deploying funds efficiently and equitably, Lendistry's leadership is often called upon to share their expertise with both government and private organizations. Lendistry has both Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certifications and is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Lendistry SBLC, LLC is the nation's only African American-led SBA designated Small Business Lending Company. In collaboration with The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit business education organization, Lendistry dedicates itself to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities.About SHOPPE BLACKSHOPPE BLACK is a multimedia platform and digital community dedicated to addressing the wealth gap by supporting Black entrepreneurs and investors. As the leading destination for those seeking to discover Black-owned businesses, SHOPPE BLACK is committed to driving economic growth and promoting entrepreneurship within the Black community.SHOPPE BLACK is committed to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs by amplifying their voices and connecting them with the resources needed to succeed.Contact InformationKate KearnsCommunications managercommunications@ lendistry.com SOURCE: Lendistry PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-26 13:00:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 865 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Victory's Geology Team confirms outstanding assay results on its 23-01 hole, verifying last year's discovery, comparing favorably to American Lithium Corp.'s (TSXV: LI) (OTCQB: LIACF) infill drilling results at the TLC Li claystone deposit.1Victory is now planning to define the subsurface extensions of the thick claystone interval reported in diamond drill hole (DDH) 23-01 at Smokey Lithium, which is 22 miles southwest of American Lithium Corp.'s TLC deposit.VANCOUVER , BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Victory Battery Metals (CSE:VR)(OTC PINK:VRCFF)(FWB:VR6) ("Victory" or the "Company") is extremely pleased to provide additional information from its Phase 2 drilling program at its Smokey Lithium Nevada property, demonstrating high-grade Li claystone mineralization over significant widths, comparing favorably to American Lithium's (TSXV: LI) (OTCQB: LIACF) previously reported "high-grade" in-fill drilling results for their TLC claystone Li deposit.1Victory is currently planning a follow-up exploration and drilling program on their 100% owned Smokey Lithium Project in Nevada, where a thick sequence of high-grade claystone lithium mineralization was reported in diamond drill hole 23-01, presented in Table 1.Table 1. High-Grade Claystone Li Intervals DDH 23-01Drill Hole IDTop (m)Bottom (m)Interval (m)Grade (Li ppm)Lower Cut (Li ppm)DDH 23-01127.0160.833.81149600including132.3158.125.81267600The results of this hole, using a 600 ppm Li cut-off, compare well with high-grade infill resource holes reported by American Lithium Corp. on April 3, 2019, at their TLC lithium claystone project in the same richly mineralized Esmeralda lithium belt in Nevada, as presented in Table 2.Table 2. * High Grade Claystone Li Resource Infill Holes - American Lithium Corp. TLC DepositDrill Hole IDTop (m)Bottom (m)Interval (m)Grade (Li ppm)Lower Cut (Li ppm)TLC-190227.463.836.41,084600TLC-190341.183.842.7994600TLC-190424.468.644.2934600* https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1928-tsx-venture/li/60330-american-lithium-confirms-tlc-project-discovery-with-latest-high-grade-results.html Highly attractive high-grade Li claystone deposits of the rich Esmerelda lithium belt in mining-friendly Nevada are represented by large volumes of open-pittable, near-surface, relatively flat laying, free digging lithium mineralization amenable to low-cost, sustainable mining methods. The current January 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate and Technical Report published recently by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. ("Stantec")2, for American Lithium Corp.'s TLC deposit reported a Measured Resource of 4.2 Mt Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") (860 Mt @ 924 ppm Li), an Indicated Resource of 4.63 Mt LCE (1192 Mt @ 727 ppm Li) and an Inferred Resource of 1.86 Mt LCE (486 Mt @ 713 ppm Li)using a cut-off grade of 500 ppm Li to an open pittable vertical depth limit of 274 meters.** (** https://americanlithiumcorp.com/american-lithium-files-updated-mineral-resource-technical-report-on-tlc-supporting-large-increase-in-lithium-resources/) Victory is now planning to define the subsurface extensions of the thick claystone interval discovered in DDH 23-01. A geophysical approach will be taken to map basement faults and potentially conductive claystone units to outline the depth and continuity of favourable thick high-grade lithium claystone units present on the property prior to the next phase of drilling.Mr. Mark Ireton, Victory President and CEO noted: "Victory's Geology team has is very encouraged by these preliminary results, noting that these types of deposits do not exist in isolation. As noted on June 12th, our team has expanded the Smokey Lithium ground in response to the drill program findings and analysis. Going forward our team is focused on defining the main body of this deposit." 2 The Stantec Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Services Ltd. in conformity with CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices" guidelines and reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserves.About Smokey Lithium, NevadaVictory's Smokey Lithium project is a clay lithium property that lies approximately 20 miles north of Clayton Valley, to the west of American Lithium's flagship lithium project. Smokey Lithium is located northwest of Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project and to the southwest of American Lithium Corporation's Tonopah Lithium Claims Property in southwest Nevada. Esmeralda County Nevada is a prolific region for lithium clay deposits, (Noram, Cypress, American Lithium, Spearmint, Enertopia, and Jindalee).For further information, please contact:Mark Ireton, PresidentTelephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)E-mail: Info@ VictoryBatteryMetals.com About Victory Battery MetalsVICTORY BATTERY METALS (CSE: VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities.Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking StatementsCertain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as A Magistrate Court situated at Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, ordered the remand of skit maker Abdullahi Adisa, popularly known as Trinity Guy, in prison over an allegation of sexualising a minor in his viral skit video. About a week ago, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police, responded to some of his viral prank videos and requested his arrest. The Oyo State Police Command, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that they quizzed the skit maker and parent of the little girl in the viral video, and they would appear in court Monday. The Ibadan-based prankster, who started his career in 2018 by removing the wigs of random women on the streets, currently shares prank videos that feature him pretending to be killed by a gunshot. In a recent Punch newspaper interview, Trinity Guy, a failed hip-hop artiste, claimed that a prank video landed a man in the hospital. The Force PRO had previously warned skit makers who rely on pranks for their content, urging them to regulate their actions as they threaten Nigerians lives. On Monday, he posted a video on Instagram calling for his arrest. He urged people affected by the skitmakers pranks to report him to the authorities. The police PRO also urged victims of such pranks to take legal action against the skit makers involved. Court proceedings Appearing before the Magistrate, Oludare Adebayo, counsel to the defendant brought before the magistrate by the Police, urged the court to grant his client bail. Magistrate PO Adetuyibi, while denying the bail application, stated that the allegation against the Skit maker is currently receiving the attention of the state Ministry of Justice. Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Oluwakemi Arowosaye, had told the court that the three defendants conspired to abuse the girl sexually. READD ALSO: The prosecution counsel said the prankster sexually abused and exploited the girl in the Kuolaa area of Ibadan on 17 December 2022. Abdullahi was asking the victim the colour of his penis, recording the scene and posting it on social media, she said. According to her, the offences are contrary to Section 35 (1) and punishable under Section 35 (2) of Oyo State Child Rights Law, 2006. Me Arowosaye said the offences also contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000. However, if the skit maker is found guilty of the offence, he is liable to 15 years imprisonment under the Child Rights Law, 2006. The court also ordered that the little girls parents in the video be remanded alongside Trinityguy in Agodi correctional facility over the alleged sexual exploitation of a 10-year-old girl till the next sitting. The Magistrate, therefore, adjourned till July 11. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Small businesses in Australia are being urged by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) to seize a valuable tax incentive that allows them to deduct 120per cent of the costs associated with training employees and digitizing their operations. This incentive comes as recent legislation enabling the deduction was successfully passed by Federal Parliament. Susan Franks, CA ANZs Senior Tax Advocate, emphasized the significance of this incentive, especially in light of the ongoing worker shortages faced by small businesses. Franks pointed out that the 120 per cent deduction for employee training applies to expenses incurred by small businesses starting from March 29, 2022. With small businesses facing worker shortages, the incentive to train new and existing staff is a great initiative, said Ms Franks. However, businesses must meet specific criteria to qualify for the deduction and carefully consider the impact on their operations. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind: Employee Training To take advantage of the tax incentive for employee training, small businesses need to adhere to the following: Exclusions: The incentive is not applicable to sole traders, partners, and independent contractors. Training Relevance: Businesses should choose training programs that are directly related to their employees roles within the organization. It is important to ensure that the training aligns with their specific job responsibilities. Failure to do so may result in potential Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) liabilities. Recognized Providers: The training must be provided by recognized providers who are registered and authorized to deliver the specific courses or programs. Businesses can verify the credentials of training providers on training.gov.au. Location: In-person training must take place within Australia. However, digital training can be conducted from anywhere. Businesses with overseas employees can only provide training digitally. Financial Considerations: Its important for businesses to plan their cash flow effectively, as they will need to pay for the training upfront. The deduction for the cost of training will be claimed in the subsequent tax return, which may take some time. Digitalization Small businesses can now claim an additional deduction for the costs associated with digitalizing their operations. Here are some important points to consider: Eligible Expenses: The deduction covers various expenses related to digitalization, including computers, software systems, digital media, marketing content, e-commerce expenditure, and equipment repairs and maintenance. Excluded Costs: Certain expenses are excluded from the deduction, such as salary and wages, financing costs, training costs (except for the 120% training bonus), and trading stock. Business Use: Deductions can only be claimed for expenses that are used exclusively for business purposes and not for personal use. Digitalization Plan: Small businesses must demonstrate that the expenditure is wholly or substantially for the purpose of digital operations or digitalizing their existing operations. Having a well-defined digitalization plan can help provide clarity and ensure compliance with the requirements. Cash Flow Management: Businesses need to carefully manage their cash flow, as the costs associated with digitalization need to be paid upfront. The deduction for these expenses will be claimed in the subsequent tax return, which may have a significant time lag. CA ANZ advises small businesses to plan ahead and take prompt action, as the tax incentive has a limited timeframe. Businesses have until June 30, 2023, to undertake digitalization expenses and until June 30, 2024, to invest in employee training expenses to benefit from the deduction. Its a win for small businesses whove already spent money digitalising their business this financial year but for those who havent, the window to act is very small. This 120% deduction only passed Federal Parliament yesterday, but small businesses looking to spend money on digitisation, only have until June 30, 2023 to take advantage of the incentive. Small businesses should also be aware; they can only claim the 120% deduction to digitise their business for up to a maximum of $100,000 of expenditure. Small businesses seeking further guidance on the incentive are encouraged to consult with their Chartered Accountant, who can provide expert advice and assistance in navigating the requirements and maximizing the benefits of this tax incentive. About Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represent more than 135,000 financial professionals. More here: www.charteredaccountantsanz.com Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Nine years after her divorce, Nollywood actress Iniobong Edo, popularly known as Ini Edo, has opened up about her failed marriage to an American-based businessman Philip Ehiagwina. The marriage, which lasted for six years, saw the now estranged couple walk down the aisle on 29th November 2008. However, the love went sour, and they divorced in 2014 without a child. While the actress, who recently co-produced the crime thriller Shanty Town, remains unmarried after their divorce, her ex-husband, on the other hand, is in his third marriage. Before Ini, he married Ruth Okoro, whom he divorced in 2007. The marriage to the famous actress in 2008 was his second. In 2021, the businessman married for the third time to a woman from his hometown, Irua, Edo State. On Sunday, in a video interview session with media Personality Chude Jidenowo, the 41-year-old actress revealed why she was sceptical about the marriage and how family pressure contributed to her decision. The host, Chude, in a series of short introductory video clips on Instagram, said that the Akwa Ibom-born actress hinted at how her family forced her into the marriage even though she was not ready then. He said, Ini Edo had much to get off her chest. How pressure and her family made her marry, and that she regrets it. Ini Edo stands as a testimony, no matter what anybody says. She stepped out of a marriage she wasnt happy with and chose the part of motherhood she wanted. However, the actress, speaking about her failed marriage for the first time, shared the reason for her regret. She said, Yes, I regretted getting married because it wasnt the right time, but if the right person comes, Ill do it again. At my own time, if the right person comes, if it doesnt, then Im good. During the interview, Ini Edo, who began acting in 2000, also spoke about how listening to what people say can sometimes make one make wrong decisions about themselves. The actress, discovered by a producer during an audition, noted that people would always be people. To be sane, she said it is best to own ones life and ignore what they think. The University of Uyo Theatre Arts graduate said, You live this life for yourself. Its just you that matters. You cant be the judge of your own life and my life at the same time, No! This is my own life; Id hold it. The truth is people dont care. If you care enough for yourself, thats enough. Dont expect people to care. Everybody has their problems to deal with. People have issues. Theyre just thinking of themselves. Theyre just using their frustrations and venting it out on you. Perhaps the courage you have, they dont have. Because youre listening to them, youd sit on the same seat, and thats what they want. Choosing surrogacy Also, opening up about her decision to adopt surrogacy, the mother of one revealed why it was the best option for her to consider. In 2021, Ini welcomed her daughter via surrogacy. The actress opted for the procedure to have a child. It involves another woman carrying her egg to make a baby. In the interview with Chude, the actress, who recently co-produced the popular crime thriller Shanty Town, said personal reasons made her choose surrogacy to fulfil her long-time dream of being a mother. READ ALSO: She said, This is my life. Do you, and Ill do me. Do whatever works for you. If you can carry 15 children, then Im happy for you. If I am unable to carry it that way and I carry it this way, then thanks to God. I chose surrogacy because I have had a couple of miscarriages, and I just got tired of trying. I didnt want to try. I dont have a husband. So, Im like, I want a child for myself whether I have a husband or not. I wanted it to be my child, my egg. So, thankfully my eggs are good. So, I did that. Embracing motherhood Meanwhile, she expressed the excitement of embracing motherhood and the most interesting part of watching her daughter grow. The actress, who got a Best Lead Actress nomination at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards for the movie While you slept, said motherhood is a beautiful experience for her. She said, Everything is so beautiful. From the look on her face when you go out and come back. Then she sees you. How she just lights up, you know, the hugs. Its just sweet. And now, watching her grow. I mean, shes talking now. Shes identifying objects. Shes barely two years old. She will be two in a couple of weeks. Ini became famous in 2004 for her performance in the movie titled World Apart. The actress, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is a household name known in the Nollywood industry. She has appeared in over 100 films. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least one person has been confirmed dead in the ongoing elections in Sierra Leone, the National Security Coordinator (NSCoord) and head of the Office of National Security (ONS), Abdulai Caulker, said on Sunday. Mr Caulker spoke while responding to questions from journalists and observers at the Conference Centre in Freetown amid expectations of voting results by Sierra Leoneans. The ONS, who said that no death was recorded in the elections on Saturday, added that the incident occurred on Sunday morning in Tonkolili, a district in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. Yesterday, there was no death; no death occurred, the security chief said. But just this morning, the fellow who was attacked in Tonkolili, alongside with another person; I was informed that he died just this morning. Before coming here I got the information. He was mercilessly beaten by the attackers just this morning. There had been reported cases of violence and tension in parts of the country since the election began Saturday, especially in the Northern district. However, the process was peaceful in many other parts of the country, including the capital Freetown. The ONS, in conjunction with the electoral umpire, addressed the various concerns raised by stakeholders in the elections held on Saturday across the West African country as voters await results of the polls. Contest The election is considered a straight contest between the president and candidate of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Julius Bio, and Samura Kamara, the flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC). Other presidential candidates in the elections are Bah Mohamed Chernoh of the National Democratic Alliance; Coker Prince, Peoples Democratic Party; Jonjo Mohamed, Citizens Democratic Party; Kabuta Henry, United National Peoples Party; and Kakay Iye, Alliance Democratic Party. Also on the ballot are Kamara Musa, Peace and Liberation Party; Margai Francis, Peoples Movement For Democratic Change; Saccoh Dougakoro, Revolutionary United Front Party; Sandy Patrick, National Unity and Reconciliation Party; Sowa-Turay Mohamed, United Democratic Movement; and Williams Victor, Republic National Independent Party. In addition to the presidential ballot, Sierra Leonean voters also elected members of parliament and local councillors in what will be the fifth election since the end of the countrys civil war, 21 years ago. PREMIUM TIMES reported that tallying of votes is ongoing across the different regions in the West African country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, officially assumed duties as Nigerias National Security Adviser (NSA) with a pledge to subdue insecurity and stabilise the worlds most populous black nation. Mr Ribadu took over from former NSA Babagana Monguno, following his appointment by President Bola Tinubu on June 19. He said the administration of President Tinubu had the enormous responsibility of securing Nigeria, stabilising it and ensuring peace in all parts of the country. According to him, this is a work for Nigerians, and we intend to continue with what has been done. We will stabilise this country, we will secure our country, and we will make Nigeria peaceful because we believe the time has come for this country to enjoy peace, restore order and the rule of law just like any other country in the world. Securing the nation is a continuous process. We will look at what has been done and build on it. We will count on your support in the course of discharging our responsibilities. Mr President has a huge commitment to securing every inch of our country. We will work with all stakeholders to deliver on this vision. This enormous task of securing our country is that of all Nigerians and all friends of Nigeria, he said. Mr Ribadu solicited the full cooperation of all servicemen and women and, by extension, all Nigerians. He said there was a need to unite to accomplish the present administrations quest for a more stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. In his remarks, the former NSA, Mr Monguno, described Mr Rubadu as well equipped, well qualified, and well educated to lead the countrys security agenda. READ ALSO: He said the retired police officer has a very deep understanding of the complexity of the security challenges confronting the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He added that the new NSA has the capacity to tackle whatever challenges he might encounter, having served in various top and tasking positions in the past. Given his pedigree, Mr Ribadu would be starting on a sound footing, Mr Monguno said. For me, I have been able to hand over a comprehensive note to him and also brief him extensively. For me, I want to give gratitude to the Almighty God for giving me the grace to serve for such a long time and also allowing me to depart in good health and enjoy the rest of my life in an atmosphere that is bereft of the type of pressure that is associated with this all-important office, Zakari Mijinyawa, the special adviser on strategic communication at the office of the National Security Adviser, quoted the outgoing NSA as saying. I am also wishing in the same vein that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu will have a very successful tenure and depart in good health when the time comes for him to depart. Mr Monguno said the ever-changing 21st security environment demands a complex approach. Today, we are dealing with a situation in which we have terrorists and insurrectionists, he said. The way and manner you will deal with the situation is such that you will have to rely on the collection of competent staff. He urged the staff to extend the same support and cooperation he enjoyed to his successor to achieve the desired national objective. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Nigerian state governor who is accused of stealing public funds while in office has donated millions of naira to residents for Sallah celebrations. Bello Matawalle, who lost his second term bid as Zamfara State governor and left office on 29 May, is being investigated by the anti-graft agency, EFCC, for allegedly stealing billions of naira of state funds while in office. Apart from graft allegations, Mr Matawalles government also failed to pay workers salaries for three months. However, on Sunday, the states Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tukur Danfulani, in a statement, said the ex-governor donated N200 million to his supporters in the state for Sallah celebrations. Mr Danfulani said the beneficiaries include party members, stakeholders, women, youth groups and organisations in the state. Mr Danfulani, who is the chairman of the distribution committee, said other beneficiaries of the support were orphans, the less privileged, Islamic scholars, media practitioners, and social media influencers and handlers. The gesture is aimed at assisting people to celebrate the upcoming 2023 Eid-el-Kabir festival with ease. The committee had already started the distribution of the money to all the beneficiaries, he said. Mr Danfulani, who thanked Mr Matawalle for the gesture, described it as timely, saying it will cushion the economic hardship among the citizens in the state, especially at the grassroots. The party chairman promised that the committee would ensure that all the intended beneficiaries receive the donation before the Sallah celebration on Wednesday. The Corruption Allegations A few days before Mr Matawalle left office as Zamfara governor, the EFCC said it was investigating him for diverting N70 billion from the state treasury. The real issue with Matawalle is that he is being investigated by the EFCC, over allegations of corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion of over N70 billion, said Osita Nwajah, EFCCs Director of Public Affairs. The ex-governor, in response during an interview, accused the now suspended EFCC Chairman, Abdurrashid Bawa, of asking for a $2 million bribe from him, an allegation the EFCC said was untrue. When he was in office, Mr Matawalle also failed to pay Zamfara State workers three months salaries for March, April and May. While some workers were paid in February, several others were not paid for the same month, making it four months for some of the workers. No reasons were officially given for the failure to pay the salaries. Last month, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Sani Halliru, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the Matawalle administration owed workers three months salaries. The situation we are in in Zamfara State now is that weve workers who have not been paid their salaries for two months. In fact, these workers are in the majority and they cover both state and local governments. These people have not been paid for February and March. Some workers were paid in February but they were a minority. When you compare the number of workers and those paid in February, they are not up to one out of three per cent of the whole workers, Mr Halliru said. However, the new Zamfara government recently paid two months salary arrears to the affected workers. Like Matawalle, Like Yari Mr Matawalles action of donating millions of naira to residents while he faces graft allegations is not peculiar. In fact, his predecessor as Zamfara governor, Abdulaziz Yari, is also known for such practice in one of Nigerias poorest states. A few days ago, Mr Yari, now a senator, shared 500 rams to his neighbours in Talata Mafara area. He did a similar exercise during last years Sallah and is believed to have carried out similar actions for about 10 years. Mr Yari, like Mr Matawalle, is being probed by the EFCC for allegedly misappropriating state funds while in office. Both men have denied any wrongdoing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen operating in the Imo axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway reportedly kidnapped nine Enugu-bound passengers, killed two and robbed others of their valuables. The victims, who hail from Amangwo Olokoro in Umuahia, were said to be travelling to Enugu on Saturday for a burial when they were attacked. Narrating their ordeal to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Sunday, one of them, who identified himself simply as Francis, said their Sienna Bus was flagged down at gunpoint near the Arondizuogu Junction on the expressway. Francis (not real name) said the vehicle was later diverted off the expressway to Arondizuogu Road in Imo, from where they were led into a hamlet far into the bush. He said: I have never had this kind of experience in my life before. We were travelling to Enugu for a burial and when we got close to Arondizuogu Junction, we saw a group of heavily armed men and they asked us to park. One of us in the vehicle asked them why do you ask us to park and pointing your guns at us, do you know who I am?. Then one of the hoodlums said, Now oga you will prove to us who you are. How the two passengers were killed They ordered us out of the vehicle and asked us to sit on the ground and pull off our shirts with which they blindfolded us. From there, they started beating the man that made the comment with a machete, Mr Francis said. He said that when they got into the hamlet, residents were watching us as if they were watching a video. When we alighted from the vehicle, their leader asked about the man that made the comment and they pointed at him. They brought him out, and barely three steps away from us, they shot him dead. Another man with us, who saw what happened and attempted to escape, was rushed and also shot dead, Mr Francis said. According to him, they seized the two corpses. He said that the hoodlums were about 50 in their hideout, with 20 of them heavily armed. And the funniest part of it was that these men were speaking our own language. They told us that Umuahia people are sabo to them, that they asked us not to vote in the last election and we went out to vote. That they declared Monday sit-at-home and we are not obeying them. That any Umuahia person they got around here will get it hot. Then they asked us to say our last prayers, Mr Francis said. He said that as they were praying, they were being moved into one of the three new Hummer Buses in the hideout and taken to where they were eventually put back into their Sienna Bus and led to the tarred road. At that point, they asked whether we can find our way out and we said no and they told the driver to go straight. They said we should go and tell Umuahia people what we saw. That was how we found ourselves back to Umuahia, he said. Mr Francis said that valuables collected from them included cash and cell phones. Meanwhile, the deceased persons have been identified as Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, a pastor, who passed a comment after their vehicle was flagged down, and Ifeanyi Onwunkwe, who attempted to escape. A journalist from the community said on the condition of anonymity that the sad incident has thrown the area into mourning. NAN could not immediately reach the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, for comments. A senior police officer at the Abia State, however, claimed he was aware of the incident but said a formal entry had yet to be made. I am aware of the Saturday attack, but you know the incident happened in Imo. So, as we speak, nobody has made any formal entry here, the source said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State government has through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, (DSVA) opened the Eko Haven, a 30-bed shelter for survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, in a press statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday said the move is part of the state governments commitment in ensuring holistic support is provided for survivors of SGBV. She said: Opening the shelter was the state governments prompt response to the burgeoning demand to ensure preservation of life, safety, stability, empowerment and subsequently the reintegration of survivors back into the society. According to Ms Vivour- Adeniyi, the establishment of the shelter is in keeping with the DSVAs statutory mandate of establishing shelters across the state. With this intervention, it is our hope that survivors in abusive relationships would find the courage to break the culture of silence, speak up and speak out with the assurance that help is just a call away, she said. In addition to providing accommodation, the shelter is expected to provide health, psychosocial support and livelihood support for GBV survivors. Other services to help survivors address their trauma are empowerment activities, personal and legal advocacy and in-house psychosocial support, she said. She added that the shelter is located at a confidential location with on-site security precautions and a gated entry. Lagos State experienced 4800 cases of domestic violence in the state between September 2021 and June 2022. There have been 18,123 GBV cases in Nigeria as of June 25 from 2019 according to Report GBV, a database compiled by the Ministry of Women Affairs. The agency can be reached on 08000 333 333 or at an office located at Nobel House, Plot A, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District, Alausa. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When Musa Kabir, a first-time pilgrim from Niger State, landed at the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madina, he could not contain his emotion from being in the city Prophet Mohammed once called home. Alhamdulahi, I have the privilege and mercy to step my foot in this town, Mr Kabir said in Hausa. The emotional pronouncement was similar for many of the Nigerian pilgrims. The moment would have been a pleasant one for this reporter to capture in a video, if not for the strict policy of the Saudi authorities against pictures and videos at their airports. At the airport, pilgrims, alongside this reporter, were welcomed by the medical team and immigration officers, who did a quick check of travelling documents and offered the pilgrims a tablet, later discovered to be Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic given to pilgrims from the African meningitis belt. The serenity of the airport in Madina was a departure from the chaotic scene they experienced in Nigeria. For the officials in Madina, the experience gained from years of managing millions of pilgrims annually, perhaps explains the efficiency at the airport. In less than 30 minutes, the 378 pilgrims from Niger State were cleared and led into buses for the 21 kilometres journey to Al-Haram, where the mosque of the prophet is located. The pilgrims, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), will spend five days in the city of the prophet, pray in his mosque, and visit some of the historic and religious sites. Welcome to the Al-Masjid An-Nabawi For first-time pilgrims, the Prophets Mosque represents the perfect combination of architecture, technology and spirituality. The architecture and technology at the mosque represent the current century. The shading umbrellas protect pilgrims from the blazing sun, which at its peak hours could be as high as 47 degree Celsius. The cooling system is definitely not from the time of the prophet. The deployment of technology and architectural expansion of the mosque is making the process seamless. On the spiritual side, this mosque is one of the two holiest sites in the Islamic world. Pilgrims get to visit the burial site of the prophet and also pray in the mosque he once led prayer. Money and internet In the age of information technology, one other important need for a pilgrim is access to the internet. Even though there is globalisation, cyberspace still highly follows sovereign/territorial lines. Pilgrims have two options in Madina use the free Wi-Fi at hotels, airports and other public spaces or get the local lines. In Saudi Arabia, there is also a provision for pilgrims with valid visas to register a SIM card for their stay. With 104 Riyal ($27), one can purchase a SIM card and also get 200 minutes of international calls and 20 gigabytes to access the internet for 28 days. However, there is restriction on voice and video calls on WhatsApp. But first, you need Riyal, the local currency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There are several bureaux de change around the hotels and Al-Haram. A hundred US dollars will get you 370 Riyal. Nigerian pilgrims, under the state welfare board, get a basic travel allowance (BTA) of $700, which is about RA1,850. Even though it is expected to be a Holy land, one needs to be extra-careful when it comes to money. Nigeria already recorded one casualty relating to money. According to Usman Galadima, the medical team lead in Madina, an old man died from cardiac arrest after he was duped by an unscrupulous money changer. In Madina, we have recorded one death. That death was due to cardiac arrest from an elderly man. His money was stolen, and then he became depressed. He went to the toilet, then slumped, he said. With money in the pocket and the internet up, the city offers historical sites like Uhud, where the prophet fought a major battle. About 70 of his companions, including his uncle, Hamzat were buried there. One can also visit Badr battleground, Qubaa and Quiblatayn mosques. Taxis can take pilgrims around, and a team of three can visit all these sites with 70 Riyal. For this reporter, one major thing proved to be a challenge, the weather. The sun rises around 5:33 a.m. in Madina, and by 7:00 a.m., pilgrims are already seeking shelter from the scorching sun. The air conditioning systems in hotels and mosques offer the needed shelter, but experts would still warn, avoid black clothes and drink sufficient water to avoid dehydration. Travelling to Makkah The stay in Madina is not part of the Hajj rites, just an opportunity to see the city of the Prophet. Hajj is in Makkah, an over 420-kilometre journey. Pilgrims will get the opportunity to observe Umrah and Hajj in Makkah. To embark on the journey to Makkah, a pilgrim needs what is called Ihram, a two-piece garmenta loin cloth and a shawl. Most shops in Medina sell the Ihram for between 30 Riyal and 100 Riyal, depending on your power to haggle and bargain. The process also involves stopping at Miqat, a station along the Madina route, where pilgrims can make their intention to embark on Umrah. At Miqat, they can perform the bath ritual and put on Ihram. Women are exempted from using Ihram rather, wear clothes that are not too colourful. Afterwards, as they embark on the over-400-kilometre journey, they can chant the Labbayka Umrah. Labbayka Umrah I answer your call with (Umrah) Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayk la shareeka laka labbayk. Innal handa wan ni imara laka wal mulk La shareeka lak Here I am at Your service O Lord, here I am. Here I am. There is no partner to You. Here I am. the dominion. Truly, the praise and favour is Yours, and There is no partner to You Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Following days of torrential rains, floods have taken over many communities in Ondo State, prompting a visit to the areas by the acting governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. In Irese in Ifedore Local Government Area, one of the affected communities, floods have made the major road to the town impassable. The road is the only tarred one in the community and links it with neighbouring Aaye and Ijare communities. Other areas affected by the flood include Ala waterway, Ayedun and Araromi in Akure South Local Government Area. A 17-hour downpour between Friday and Saturday caused heavy floods in the areas, with residents calling on the government to rescue them. Irese residents particularly lamented how the flood had taken over the road, the only road to the town. The road had been deplorable for years and gradually became impassable in the rainy season. The Olu of Irese, Ahmed Saka, expressed worries over the situation, saying it had become dangerous to ply the roads due to the floods. The monarch said the flood had brought untold hardship to the community, noting that goods and property worth millions of naira were lost as the flood water entered residents homes and shops. According to him, flooding in the community has hindered development, with many local businesses shutting down and their owner leaving the town during rainy seasons. The traditional ruler said the towns main road had been submerged and appealed to the state government to fix the road and channel the water properly. We are pleading that the same gesture should be extended to Irese and Aaye town in Ifedore because this is the only road that links both Ifedore and Akure South LGAs, he said. And in doing this, this issue of flood taking over the major road of the community would stop, and residents would finally heave a sigh of relief without any fear of their house, shops or businesses being submerged. However, the acting governor on Saturday visited the flooded communities and assured residents that acting would be taken on the flooding. Mr Aiyedatiwa also appealed to residents to desist from improper disposal of waste, which he said was blocking river channels. He sympathised with residents affected by the flood and assured them of prompt intervention to the incident. Mr Aiyedatiwa said the state government had released counterpart funds to relevant agencies to clear and expand canals and waterways to avoid flood incidences in the future. We want to appeal to residents to desist from throwing waste into drainages. This act causes hindrance in water flow and thus makes it difficult, he said. Please, you have to cooperate with the environmental officers and pay your dues adequately for them to come to pack your wastes. The government of Ondo state has released counterpart funds to partner with other relevant agencies to expand the waterways for easy water flow. I want to assure you that there will be prompt intervention to clear the water channels for easy movement of water. Also, the member representing Akure South Constituency 1, Stephen Abitogun and the Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Gbenga Olaniyi, assured of quick intervention to check the flood. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has ordered an indefinite suspension of all cruise boat operations at Marina Resort in Calabar after a boat mishap occurred on Saturday. Three of the 14 medical students on a boat cruise to explore the area died in the incident. The governors spokesperson, Emmanuel Ogbeche, in a statement on Sunday, said the governor had scheduled a meeting between cruise boat operators and the management of the State Tourism Bureau on Tuesday. Besides the cruise boat operations, the State Ministry of Transport is to immediately cross-check the safety standards and conditions of all boats operating in the Calabar waterways, Mr Ogbeche said. While sympathising with the victims families, the governor directed the police to speed up their investigations of the fatal boat accident and prosecute those found culpable to serve as deterrence to others. PREMIUM TIMES reported the rescue of 11 out of the 14 medical students. The students, who are members of the Nigeria Medical Students Association, were in the state for the associations annual Health Week. The fatal boat mishap is the second to have occurred in the country in less than two weeks. PREMIUM TIMES ten days ago reported the death of 103 persons in a boat mishap in Egbu village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. The deceased were returning from a marriage ceremony when a boat conveying them capsized. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday decorated the newly appointed acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Olusola Abiola, Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, in a statement in Abuja, said the ceremony was witnessed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa. President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Adeniyi as acting CG of NCS on 19 June. The vice president described the appointment of Mr Adeniyi by President Bola Tinubu as a morale booster for officers in the service. Congratulations on bringing professionalism back to the Nigerian Customs Service. Now, every Customs officer can aspire to occupy the pinnacle of his or her profession. I wish you well, on behalf of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Congratulations, once again, Mr Shettima said. Speaking with State House correspondents shortly after the decoration, Mr Adeniyi expressed gratitude to Mr Tinubu for appointing a serving officer as the head of the agency. He assured the president and Nigerians of a more effective and innovation-driven NCS. In the last eight years, the NCS has gone through a period of transition; in some areas, we recorded progress we made remarkable progress in e-Customs. We made a lot of breakthroughs in capacity building, but the NCS can still live to its full potential when we bring in more innovation to drive Customs operations. These are the kind of things we are looking at in the years ahead; we are going to be professional in our approach; there are a number of key stakeholders that we are going to be working with. It is a very onerous task, but we are going to be working alongside other stakeholders and partners that we have identified. We intend to come up with innovations that will carry along all partners and stakeholders, he said. Mr Adeniyi added that the service would leverage technology and innovation to break new ground in its operations. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The retail price of Australian tangerines sold in Vietnam in late June halved over the same period last year because the fruit is in season and competing with China-grown tangerines. In traditional markets and fruit shops in Ho Chi Minh City, Australian tangerines are sold for VND90,000-120,000 (US$3.83-5) per kilogram. Tangerines imported from Australia. Photo courtesy of Binh Thuan Fruits and Greens Company The prices downed from VND250,000 when they were first imported to Vietnam in 2017. Oanh, the owner of an imported fruit shop in the city, said: "The Australian tangerine season lasts from June to October or November. Every year, this fruit has been exclusive to the local market, but this year there is competition for the Australian variety due to tangerines grown in China and packaged similarly to the Australian imports." According to the manager of Thu Duc agricultural product wholesale market in HCMC, most tangerines at the market are from China, and their wholesale prices stand at VND25,000-30,000 per kilogram. Compared with Vietnamese tangerines, tangerines grown in Australia or China are more succulent, and have less fiber, thinner skin and stronger aroma. The corpses of the three medical students who drowned in Calabar, Cross River State, have been recovered from the waters Marina Resort, Calabar. The corpses were recovered in the early hours of Monday, according to the statement from the Ahmadu Bello University Medical Students Association which said two of the victims were from Ahmadu Bello University. The association identified the two deceased students as Mustapha Tukur and Kabiru Hamza, both final-year medical students of the university. The late Tukur, until his passing, was the vice president of the medical students association at Ahmadu Bello University, the statement said. Both students were exceptional individuals, known for their dedication, compassion and academic prowess. They had a promising future ahead of them, and their loss was deeply felt by their families, classmates, professors, and everyone associated with the medical programme. It surely was a painful exit, but we take solace knowing too well that they both lived a fruitful and impactful life. They will always be remembered for using their sojourn on earth wisely and well. They added to what they found on earth but did not subtract. They made and didnt destroy, and they left things better than they found them, said the association, which condoled with the families and friends of the deceased students. The third victim is a medical student from the University of Uyo. The deceased medical students were among several other medical students from various universities across Nigeria who were in Calabar for their national convention, which was hosted by the students medical association of the University of Calabar. READ ALSO: Emmanuel Ushie, the president of the host medical students association, confirmed that two of the victims were from Ahmadu Bello University, while one was from the University of Uyo. The police in Cross River have confirmed the recovery of the three corpses. The students were on a boat cruise to explore the city when their speedboat capsized on Saturday. The three deceased students were initially declared missing after 11 of their colleagues were rescued. The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, ordered an indefinite suspension of all cruise boat operations at Marina Resort in Calabar after the tragic incident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its efforts to curb the menace of drug trafficking in the country. Mr Tinubu gave the commendation in Abuja on Monday at the 2023 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The events theme is: People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthening Prevention. Mr Tinubu, represented at the event by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the NDLEA officers had continued vigour in the fight against drugs, adding that the news of their onslaught is commonplace. Of special mention are the notable achievements of the NDLEA officers and men who have continued to show valour and vigour in drug law enforcement. The news of the onslaught by NDLEA on drug traffickers is commonplace. I commend the officers and men of the agency for the freshness injected into our drug control efforts and show of rare sense of purpose, he said. The president said his administration would continue to support the agency to record more achievements. I hereby reiterate this administrations unwavering support to NDLEA for the sustenance of drug control efforts in the country and their patriotic efforts to keep the country safe, he said. Mr Tinubu said the government is determined to tackle the drug menace just as he urged the agency to collaborate with state governments, civil society organisations and other relevant and local bodies to address the drug problem. He thanked Nigerias development partners for their continuous support to the country in the area of drug control. I recommend that everyone should redouble efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country. We appreciate and acknowledge our local and international partners, especially the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. We also appreciate the European Union for funding the project: Response Drug and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria under its 10th European Development Fund. That remains a shining example of developmental partners who have keyed into the Nigerian governments effort to ensure Nigeria is free from drug trafficking and organised crime, the president stated. He also stressed the need to continue to educate citizens, especially the young and other vulnerable, on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to stop stigma and discrimination. We must empower our youths with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their lives and provide them with the resources they need to avoid falling victims to drug abuse. We must also support those struggling with drug addiction and provide them with treatment and the necessary support they need to overcome their addiction. In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we adopt a people-centred approach that focuses on prevention and treatment as key pillars of our response, Mr Tinubu said. In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, praised the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, for his agency leadership. He said there is no doubt that Nigeria is playing a leading role in concert with other committed nations to strengthen action and cooperation towards achieving a drug-free world. READ ALSO: He said a collaborative spirit is needed to raise awareness of the problems of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking and deploy strategic action plans to curtail its proliferation in Nigeria, Africa, and the world. It is my considered belief that this should not be seen as a mere event; the treatment of drug abusers and their families with empathy, respect and dignity should be ingrained in the strategic approach to this ongoing fight beyond this years celebration. Drug addiction on its own is not a death sentence. Therefore, members of the society who are battling drug addiction deserve our support and encouragement to enable them to overcome the addiction, Mr Abbas said. The speaker said drug abuse constitutes serious global health challenges confronting many nations. According to him, the 2022 World Drug Report, released by UNODC, stated that about 284 million people aged 15 to 64 used drugs worldwide in 2020. He added, This figure is said to represent a 26 per cent increase compared to the previous decade in review. The use of drugs is reported to be particularly higher among the young people in Nigeria and many countries than the older generation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has appointed Sylvester Okonkwo as his chief of staff and Saviour Enyiekere as the deputy chief of staff. The appointments were contained in a statement on Monday by the media department of the office of the Senate President. They are the first appointments Mr Akpabio will make since he was elected on 13 June. Profiles Mr Okonkwo attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha, and he is also an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, where he bagged a Bachelors Degree in Law. He hails from Ojoto in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, South-east Nigeria. He is a corporate lawyer and an astute politician spanning over two decades. He was a senatorial aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform in 2019. Until his appointment, Mr Okonkwo was the CEO of Chinto Technologies Limited, an ICT and telecommunications outfit. Mr Enyiekere hails from the Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He is an alumnus of the University of Calabar and the Deputy Director General of the Godswill Akpabio Senatorial Campaign Organisation. He is a former two-term executive chairman of Ika LGA, former senior special assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Government on Boundaries and Conflict Resolutions, former board member of Akwa Ibom State Road Maintenance Agency, former student leader and former senatorial aspirant, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. He is a member of the Nigerian Environmental Society, a Fellow Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria and a professional fellow of the Emergency Crisis, Risk and Safety Management Institute of Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says his administration will hold a roundtable meeting with private investors in the diaspora in September to boost investments in the state. Mr Mbah stated this during a press conference held at the governors lodge on Monday in Enugu. The governor said the meeting would be a precursor to the Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Forum launch in April 2024. He said the forum would be a multi-stakeholder, fully transactional platform championed by the state government to accelerate the identification, preparation, curation, and financial closure of investment projects to achieve its private sector-led economic transformation agenda. In its first year, the Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Forum aims to attract at least US $2.0 billion in investment interests, he said. Mr Mbah said the meeting slated for September would bring bilateral and multilateral development partners, as well as senior-level executives from commercial banks together. The governor said other development partners, such as public and corporate pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds, infrastructure funds, and similar domestic financial institutions, would also participate in the meeting. He said the meeting would provide a platform for a discussion on advancing viable investment opportunities in the state, adding that his administration was striving to steer Enugu State on a path of private sector-led economic growth. He said a Diaspora and Investment Unit established within his office would implement the forums business and investment meetings. (The unit) will be tasked with the responsibility of working with relevant government agencies, project sponsors, domestic and international financial institutions, private investors, including the diaspora investing community, and development partners to crowd in capital for critical development programmes and projects in priority sectors that can improve Enugu States global competitiveness and drive suitable development outcomes, Mr Mbah said. The governor pointed out that the forum was expected to work with government agencies to facilitate policy reforms, technical assistance, support and innovative partnerships. The forum, the governor added, will also mobilise capital for bankable projects, including net-zero aligned projects that can unlock the economic potential of the state and South-east Nigeria. He said they would be expected also to implement an annual investment marketplace with special boardrooms for government agencies, potential investors, and project sponsors to match and mutually de-risk projects. The governor stressed the state was open to investments and partnerships from all interested parties to move the state forward. I invite the diaspora community to invest in Enugu State to deliver transformative development outcomes for our people, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has set up a judicial panel of inquiry tasked with recovering government properties from the state government officials who served under the administration of his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu. Mr Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) served as a two-term governor of the state from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023, when he handed over to Mr Otti. Mr Otti, the Labour Party candidate in the 18 March governorship election in the state, defeated the ruling PDP candidate, Okey Ahiwe, to emerge the winner. Recovering govt properties The Secretary to the State government (SSG), Kenneth Kalu, announced the setting up the judicial panel of inquiry in a statement on Friday. A judge of the State High Court Umuahia, Florence Duruoha-Igwe, was named the panel chairperson. According to the statement, other panel members include Ekeoma Ogwo, a professor; Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Alex Okonkwo, a catholic priest] and Ngozi Akanwa, a professor. Mr Otti, earlier this month, had ordered former state officials to return the governments properties in their possession or face sanctions. The SSG did not mention the names of the former officials, but it is believed that he was referring to government officials who served under Mr Ikpeazu. Mr Otti, since he was sworn in as governor on 29 May, has been in a war of words with Mr Ikpeazu, whom he accused of leaving huge debts and zero assets for the new administration. But the former governor has repeatedly denied the allegations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Troops of the Nigerian Army have raided camps suspected to belong to unrepentant militants and illegal oil bunkerers in Bayelsa creeks and captured an armoury. The Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja. Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier general, said the operation was undertaken by troops of 5 Battalion operating under 16 Brigade on Sunday, at Azuzuama Community in Ijaw South Local Government Area of Bayelsa. He said the troops subdued the suspected militants during the operation with superior firepower and compelled them to abandon their camp in disarray. According to him, the well-conducted operation led to the recovery of five AK 47 rifles, two rocket propelled grenade bombs, and four rocket grenade bomb chargers. He said that the troops also recovered seven 7.62mm special ammunition, 14 AK 47 rifle magazines and one pumping machine. Other items recovered include two 16-inch anchored verves, one mallet hammer, one pipe range spinner and one axe. The illicit camp has been destroyed by the troops. The Nigerian Army wishes to express appreciation to members of the public and urges all to continue to provide timely and credible information. This will support the ongoing effort by the Nigerian Army to ensure that oil theft in the South-south region comes to zero level, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Lai Oso, a Nigerian communication scholar and professor at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, is dead. Though the authorities at LASU are yet to confirm what many have described as an unfortunate development, some of Mr Osos colleagues on the campus confirmed the news in separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES. The newspaper gathered that the don died in a ghastly auto accident Saturday evening on his way back to Lagos from Delta State University (DELSU), Abaraka, where he reportedly went to serve as an external examiner. Confirmation One of Mr Osos colleagues and a senior lecturer at the faculty, Omolade Atofojomo, confirmed that the unfortunate incident happened Saturday night and that the dean just informed the faculty. From God we came to him we will return but this is so painful, Mrs Atofojomo said. Another lecturer in the faculty, Tunde Akanni, said he just received the news from another lecturer in the faculty who he referred to simply as Dr Thanny. Mr Akanni, an associate professor, was dumbfounded by the news, as he could not speak further on the matter. Meanwhile, a statement in a student WhatsApp group also confirmed the news, as members who are students of the faculty, commiserated with the late dons family. We commiserate with Mummy Oso, the children, and his entire family, the communication family worldwide, LASU community, and all others. Baba, your sudden exit is painful, but we rest in the comfort that you have gone to be with the Lord. Rest in Peace, messages on the WhatsApp group read in part. However, when contacted, the head of the Centre for Information and Public Relations in LASU, Yemisi Thomas-Onashile, expressed shock at the news and promised to get back to the reporter. As of the time of this report, Mrs Thomas-Onashile was yet to revert, and did not reply a message sent to to remind her. About Oso Mr Oso was a deputy rector at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, formerly Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, later before joining the services of the Lagos State University. He was appointed the dean of the LASU School of Communication and now Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, between 2011 and 2015. Mr Oso also served as the President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). He attended the University of Lagos for his BSc in Mass Communication and obtained Masters in International Relations at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. READ ALSO: Nigerian professor awarded Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship He also bagged his PhD degree from Leicester University, United Kingdom, and was a former Dean of Students Affairs at Caleb University a private university located in Imota area of Lagos State. Mr Oso was a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, African Council of Communication Education, International Association for Communication Research, and Lagos Communication Forum. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Abdulai Bangura, the chairman of the Political Parties Regulations Commission (PPRC) in Sierra Leone, has urged politicians in the country to conduct themselves peacefully by taking a cue from Nigerias Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Mr Bangura made this known at a press conference addressed by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), the Office of National Security (ONS) and the PPRC in Freetown Sunday afternoon. The commission, PPRC and the ONS addressed the various concerns raised by stakeholders in the elections held on Saturday across the West African country as voters await the results of the polls. PREMIUM TIMES reported that tallying of votes is ongoing across the different regions in the West African country. The Obi Example In the elections held earlier in the year in Nigeria, Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress garnered 8.79 million votes, putting him well ahead of main challenger Atiku Abubakar, who polled 6.98 million. Mr Obi of the Labour Party recorded 6.1 million votes, even as he surprised many by winning in both Lagos, Nigerias commercial powerhouse, and the federal capital, Abuja. The election results are being challenged at the election petition tribunal in Nigeria. Speaking about the essence of peaceful conduct among politicians as the election results are being awaited Sunday afternoon in Freetown, Mr Bangura urged Sierra Leone politicians to learn from Mr Obi and conduct themselves peacefully irrespective of the results. He explained that Mr Obis choice of peaceful resolution of election concerns should be emulated by politicians in Sierra Leone. I have always referred to Peter Obi when he lost (the) election; we all know the promise he held when the elections were being conducted, he said. Almost everybody who is anything in Nigeria (threw their) support. But when the results came out otherwise, he didnt call his supporters to the street to wreak havoc. He took the legal path and by that way, he was able to save his country from chaos. So we will encourage all of our politicians to learn from that example. Leadership is about self-restraint, and leadership is about selflessness. So we expect that our politicians will demonstrate this. The process has been peaceful so far so let us continue to be peaceful and promote the interest of our country. Contest The election is considered a straight contest between the president and candidate of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Julius Bio, and Samura Kamara, the flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC). Other presidential candidates in the elections are Mohamed Chernoh of the National Democratic Alliance; Coker Prince, Peoples Democratic Party; Jonjo Mohamed, Citizens Democratic Party; Kabuta Henry, United National Peoples Party; and Kakay Iye, Alliance Democratic Party. Also on the ballot are Kamara Musa, Peace and Liberation Party; Margai Francis, Peoples Movement For Democratic Change; Saccoh Dougakoro, Revolutionary United Front Party; Sandy Patrick, National Unity and Reconciliation Party; Sowa-Turay Mohamed, United Democratic Movement; and Williams Victor, Republic National Independent Party. In addition to the presidential ballot, Sierra Leonean voters also elected members of parliament and local councillors in what will be the fifth election since the end of the countrys civil war, 21 years ago. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohamed Konneh, on Sunday, said the ECSL allowed vehicular movement during the elections as part of its determination to ensure that the process is free and peaceful. Mr Konneh spoke at the Conference Centre in Freetown while addressing journalists and international observers about the process and the challenges faced by the commission. Yesterday we had (a) Saful election, the electoral commission chief said, in reference to the local language, Krio, in which Saful denotes peace, taking it easy or relax. Yesterday there was no ban on vehicular movement. It means people were free to move about their normal issues. The electoral commission chair noted that the move was part of his mandate to douse tension and create an atmosphere of peace for the exercise to hold. In some parts of the West African region, elections are often held under a tense atmosphere with strict restrictions on human and vehicular movement. But PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Saturday election was held with no restriction on vehicular movements even as security operatives were at different parts of the country to conduct random checks on some vehicles. That is in line with the promise we made to this country when I assumed office, Mr Konneh said of the free movement. That we want to supervise an election where our children will be going to school and ordinary people will be going about their normal businesses. The official said the election has been described as one of the best the nation has conducted in recent time, adding that despite attacks on ECSL staff, the commission ensured that every eligible voter was allowed to vote. He added, however, that some staff of the commission suffered attacks in some parts of the country. Contest The Sierra Leonean election is considered a straight contest between the president and candidate of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Julius Bio, and Samura Kamara, the flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC). Other presidential candidates in the elections are Bah Mohamed Chernoh of the National Democratic Alliance; Coker Prince, Peoples Democratic Party; Jonjo Mohamed, Citizens Democratic Party; Kabuta Henry, United National Peoples Party; and Kakay Iye, Alliance Democratic Party. Also on the ballot are Kamara Musa, Peace and Liberation Party; Margai Francis, Peoples Movement For Democratic Change; Saccoh Dougakoro, Revolutionary United Front Party; Sandy Patrick, National Unity and Reconciliation Party; Sowa-Turay Mohamed, United Democratic Movement; and Williams Victor, Republic National Independent Party. In addition to the presidential ballot, Sierra Leonean voters also elected members of parliament and local councillors in what will be the fifth election since the end of the countrys civil war, 21 years ago. PREMIUM TIMES reported that tallying of votes is ongoing across the different regions in the West African country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Amnesty International has condemned the killing of a butcher, Usman Buda, on Sunday in Sokoto State for alleged blasphemy. In a statement by its acting director, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International said the killing of the butcher must be thoroughly investigated. The human rights organisation called on the government at all levels to ensure that those responsible for the gruesome killing are brought to justice. Amnesty International strongly condemns the killing of Usman Buda today at a market in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy. Nigerian authorities must immediately investigate this horrifying incident and ensure that those suspected of being responsible are brought justice, the statement read. The organisation said the rate at which people are killed after being accused of blasphemous acts stresses the need for the authorities to guarantee human rights. The alarming uptick in blasphemy killings and accusations underscores the urgency with which the authorities must wake up to Nigerias international legal obligations to respect and protect human rights, including freedom of religion, opinion and expression. Nigerian authorities need no more evidence to see how dangerous accusations of blasphemy are leading to unlawful killings and even whole communities being attacked and their homes burnt. By failing again and again to ensure that those suspected of responsibility of killing(s) over alleged blasphemy are brought to justice, the Nigerian authorities continue to create a permissive environment for brutality, he said. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Mr Buda was lynched by an irate mob. The police command in the state said an investigation has been launched to unravel the cause and to identify those behind the killing. ALSO READ: Mob kills man accused of blasphemy in Sokoto Sundays killing was not the first time someone was killed in Sokoto State due to alleged blasphemy. Last year Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education was killed for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Protests broke out in the state following the arrest of two suspects, forcing the state government to declare a curfew. Though arrests were made by the police in 2022, the suspects were later released. Nobody was charged for Ms Samuels killing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Bahrain has announced that a two-month long ban on work under direct sunlight and in open places across the kingdom will begin on July 1, reported BNA. The ban, which will run from midday until 4 pm, is aimed at protecting workers from heat stress and sunstroke and ensuring their safety during the hottest months of the year, stated the report citing the Ministry of Labour. The summer work ban has been in force since 2013 following an edict issued by Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan and has seen a 98 per cent compliance rate over the last few years. The Ministry has embarked on an awareness-raising campaign, urging everyone to comply with the provisions of the edict. It also distributed brochures, multilingual leaflets and posts that include instructions and information on the impact of high temperatures on workers safety and health while performing their duties. It also informed private sector institutions health and safety supervisors about the requirements to protect workers from summer-related diseases and occupational accidents, said the report. The ministry has warned against employers choosing to ignore the ban. "Whoever violates the provisions of this decision shall be punished with penalties stipulated in Article (192) of the Private Sector Labour Law, which states that violators would face imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months, and a fine of not less BD500 ($1,318) and not more than BD1,000 ($2,636)," the ministry said in a statement. Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan lauded the private sector companies compliance with the ban over the past years, which, he said, proves the employers commitment to ensuring a safe and decent work environment for employees, pledging zero-tolerance against violators. "Bahrain is a leader in ensuring secure and safe work environment for workers, out of its keenness on their safety and health at various production sites," stated Ali Humaidan, adding that the implementation of outdoor afternoon work ban is the best means to achieve that goal. He called on private institutions to step up their efforts to raise workers awareness about summer diseases, highlight the risks of overworking under summer heat, provide health care and first aid, as well as find ways to reduce exposure to heat and humidity, reported BNA. The minister pointed out that work at the existing projects will not be affected by the ban as companies will reschedule the work timings during the ban. Many Vietnamese in southern Russia were bewildered and extremely worried when the rebel Wagner Group mercenaries suddenly appeared in their cities. On Saturday morning Hoang, who lives in Rostov was awakened by a phone call. He did not pick up, but his sleepiness was quickly dispelled when he saw it was his cousins number. "I was going to call him back, but then received many phone calls from Vietnamese merchants at the market," Hoang, who owns a business in the market in Rostov-on-Don, the capital of Rostov, told VnExpress. Other merchants called him to say that security would not let them enter the market. Hoang immediately called the executive director and was surprised to hear him speak in a serious tone. "He told me the province was dealing with a terrorist situation, and all Vietnamese had to stay inside." When Hoang reached the market, he and the others were shocked to know that troops working for the private military company Wagner Group were on their way to Rostov-on-Don. A tank with Wagner troops on a street of Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24, 2023. Photo by AFP Early that morning Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin had brought thousands of his troops from the battlefield in Ukraine across the border back to Russia after accusing the Ministry of Defense of conducting an air strike on their training camps that caused massive casualties. Wagner announced it had occupied Russian military facilities in Rostov and then controlled more of them in Voronezh, 500 km from Moscow. The Ministry of Defense denied Prigozhin's allegations. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it was investigating Prigozhin for "inciting sedition." Hai Pham, 26, a student in Rostov-on-Don said: "Very loud explosions came from the other side of the river from where I live. I can still see black smoke rising into the sky in the distance." Traffic from Rostov-on-Don to other cities was immediately blocked. Hoang was still bewildered when he received a call from the Vietnamese embassy in Moscow to tell him about the situation and what he should do. Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that Vietnamese citizens living in the southern cities of Russia and Moscow should obey the laws and follow the instructions issued by authorities. They should stay at home and refrain from participating in mass gatherings and going on long trips, it said. Realizing that the Wagner troops did not harm anyone when they took over the headquarters of the Southern Military District of Russia, Hoang told Vietnamese in the area to go home, keep in touch and notify others not to go to the market and stay put until they got further updates. Hai was told to temporarily stop working at his part-time job in a restaurant near his house as well. Prigozhin claimed it was a "march for justice" and control of Rostov-on-Don to force the chief of the general staff and the defense minister to come and meet him. At noon on Saturday, June 24, Wagner troops continued to enter Voronezh city to the south of Moscow and claimed control of the military facilities there. That was when Tran Nguyen Giap in Voronezh heard a loud explosion when he went shopping with his family at the Stit-Park market. The 20-year-old student did not know at the time that the Wagner troops had taken control of the military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and were entering his city. "We and everyone around us rushed back home after hearing the explosion," he said, adding that Russian troops, tanks and helicopters had already arrived. Russian authorities announced an anti-terrorist operation in the area, issued travel restrictions and schools prohibited students from leaving their dormitories. An oil depot in Voronezh was on fire following a loud explosion. Russian President Vladimir Putin later spoke on television, condemning Wagner's rebellion as an act of treason. The defense ministry called on Wagner troops to stop rebelling in return for guarantees of their safety. Giaps family returned home safely and stayed put until further notice, as authorities recommended. "Everyone put aside their plans for the day amid the confusion and tension," Giap said. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin requested citizens to avoid going out since the city was in anti-terrorist mode. He said the situation was "difficult" and announced that people would be off work on Monday to "minimize risks." Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group transport a tank along M-4 highway, which links the capital Moscow with Russia's southern cities, with smoke from a burning oil depot seen in the background, near Voronezh, Russia, June 24, 2023. Photo by Reuters/Stringer Vietnamese in Moscow said however that the security situation remained stable on Saturday due to the military's high vigilance. People continued to go to the suburbs for barbecue parties and out shopping and eating on the weekend though some major events were canceled. Van Anh, a Vietnamese student in Moscow, said: "Necessary measures were taken and the authorities have promptly reassured people, and so they believe the problem will soon be solved. There is no major confusion or disturbance to daily life." Meanwhile, despite being under Wagner's control, the situation in Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh was not too serious as there was no fighting and civilians were completely unaffected. Hoang said people in Rostov-on-Don stopped worrying once the situation became clearer. In Voronezh, Giap's family's fears also quickly passed once their neighborhood got heavy protection from the military. On Saturday night Prigozhin ordered Wagner troops to return to their bases to "avoid bloodshed" after reaching an agreement with the Kremlin for his criminal case to be dropped and left Russia for Belarus. The Wagner troops then withdrew from Rostov-on-Don, ending what is believed to be the most serious security crisis in Russia in decades. Hoang said that by Sunday the life of the Vietnamese community in his city had returned to normal. "The situation in Voronezh has also returned to normal, although the fire in the oil depot has not been completely put out." Giap, who has lived for 10 years in Voronezh, said: "Everyone wants the military tension to end so that life in Russia can return to peace as before." After weeks of waiting, over two million pilgrims in Makkah have commenced the journey to Mina, marking the official take off of the Hajj rites. The pilgrims, dressed in the white two-piece garmenta loin cloth and a shawl (Ihram), will be camped at the Mina Valley which is 8.8 km outside the city of Makkah. The pilgrims will be staying at Mina in their state of Ihram, and on Tuesday, they will be proceeding to Mount Arafat and subsequently move to Muzadalifah where they will be spending the night in the open. Other activities the pilgrims will be performing around Mina include the slaughtering of the sacrificial lamb, the stoning of the devil and the cutting of hair. They will be staying in tents in Mina. According to officials, the tents are grouped based on countries and Nigeria is expected to divide its tents on state by state basis. After the activities in Mina, the pilgrims will return to Makkah where they will conclude other activities. Logistics in moving pilgrims The 2023 hajj is the largest since the COVID-19 scourge and the first without restrictions. Last year, about 900,000 participated in the Hajj. According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over 95,000 pilgrims and officials from Nigeria are also participating in the 2023 hajj, a figure that the commission has not handled in the past four years. As early as 5:30 a.m. (Saudi Arabia time), different states boards commenced the movement of the pilgrims to Mina. Alhussein Maiweda, one of the officials of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, told PREMIUM TIMES that the Saudi authorities are in charge of the movement of the pilgrims, while they ensure coordination along the guidelines. To convey the millions of pilgrims, Saudi authorities have deployed thousands of single-deck buses to move the pilgrims in line with the new guidelines. Distribution of pilgrims Kaduna State has the highest number of pilgrims from Nigeria with 6,255 followed by Kano State with 6,144 while Sokoto and Kebbi states have 5,197 and 4,149 pilgrims respectively. Ekiti, Imo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi have a total of 751 pilgrims. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Since the news of his demise filtered in on Sunday morning, soothing tributes in honour of the late communication and journalism scholar, Lai Oso, have continued to flood the Nigerian media space. From his last place of work Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, to Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, where he performed his last academic assignment as an external examiner, and many other institutions in Nigeria including civil society, and newsrooms, prominent Nigerians have continued to share their experiences with Mr Oso in his 67 years sojourn on earth. PREMIUM TIMES had earlier on Sunday reported Mr Osos death which reportedly occurred on Saturday along the Benin-Sagamu expressway while returning from DELSU. As an external examiner, Mr Oso was said to be reviewing the work of some PhD students at DELSUs Department of Mass Communication, and was on the campus until Saturday when he decided to return home. Mr Oso was a deputy provost at the Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta; dean of the School of Communication, now Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, LASU, and President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), among other numerous roles he played within the media and communication industry in Nigeria and beyond. Tributes from LASU From the incumbent Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, to her predecessor, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, and the schools current and immediate past deans of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (formerly School of Communication), Yinka Alawode, and Rotimi Olatunji, respectively, sharing memories of a man they regarded as a mentor of mentors became a difficult task. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Mrs Olatunji-Bello, a professor of Physiology, said the development was too shocking for her to either say or pen a word in honour of the deceased. I am in shock! It is too early for me to say anything for now. So sad. But Mrs Olatunji-Bellos predecessor, Mr Fagbohun, a professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in his tribute shared with our reporter on Sunday, described Mr Osos death as the exit of a methodical communications statesman. He wrote: Professor Oso was a luminary of Communication, who oozed excellence and wit. He wrote precisely what he meant to say and delivers the same with resonating eloquence and great confidence. He was a highly respected practitioner with a reserved and endearing personality. While I was Vice-Chancellor at LASU, he was one of the few who was very thorough, reliable, and straightforward. I remember seeking his advice on different occasions and he was very blunt without any iota of sentiments. He has my respect, always. The current dean of the communication and media faculty in LASU, Mr Alawode, a professor, who led some colleagues on a condolence visit to the deceaseds Sagamu home on Sunday, said he was too devastated to speak at the time our reporter called. But his predecessor, Mr Olatunji, a professor, who was also returning from the visit to the family, described Mr Oso as a pathfinder and a bridge builder. He said: Im still in shock as to the passing of our great intellectual icon a renowned scholar. He was a great mentor, a brother, and a friend who stuck more than a family. He was my confidante and above all he was a trailblazer and a humanist par excellence. Professor Oso was so committed to peoples development. He invested his life in mentoring the younger ones in academics and the profession. He has touched so many lives. If I can count correctly, at the LASUs Faculty of Communication and Media Studies alone, he had up to 20 PhD candidates that he has successfully supervised since 2014 when we started the PhD programme. Also speaking about the deceased, a lecturer in the faculty who described herself as one of Mr Osos many academic mentees, Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle, a PhD holder in Journalism, said; He served with honour and diligence as the Dean of FCMS and he was a well-respected member of LASU community. ACSPN mourns In a statement issued on Sunday evening, ACSPN, the association the deceased led between 2014 and 2020 as its president, said the development constitutes a monumental loss to the association and a huge loss to the Nigerian and global mass communication and journalism community. The statement, which was issued on behalf of the association by its Public Relations Officer, Lanre Areogundade, quoted the incumbent President of the association and Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, saying; Professor Oso held the firm conviction that the meeting of the gown and town would benefit the mass communication and media fields for the maximum impact of both professions on democracy and development. He pursued this conviction relentlessly and his death is a collective loss. The statement also credited its secretary and Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Nosa Owens-Ibie, a professor, to have said: Under his tenure, the association began the process by producing in collaboration with UNESCO and other stakeholders, the first draft of what has now been launched as the Unbundled Mass Communication curriculum, following a curriculum development workshop for communication and journalism courses in November 2015. Mr Owens-Ibie described the deceased as a scholar who helped to make scholars out of others through knowledge building, scholarly articles, and book publications Described as affable and humble, the association said the combined qualities endeared him to the younger generation of media and communication scholars and professionals who constantly sought his support and mentorship. IPI speaks Meanwhile, the International Press Institute Nigeria, the countrys chapter of the global network of editors and media executives, said the deceased will be remembered for his huge contributions to the body of intellectual works in the fields of communication and media in the country and beyond. The institutes President and Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, said Mr Oso will be sorely missed. Mr Mojeed said: Professor Lai Oso will be remembered for his selfless and consistent advocacy for press freedom and independent journalism in Nigeria. He will also be remembered for training hundreds of scholars and practitioners of journalism and information managers in Nigeria. He will be sorely missed at this critical time in Nigerias history when Nigerian journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to practice their craft and when advocacy and intellection by him will have been most useful. CJID, WSCIJ, IPC, others speak Dapo Olorunyomi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, who had a long-standing relationship with the deceased, including when he held sway as the helmsman at Freedom House in Nigeria. Mr Olorunyomi, like many others, said he was devastated by the news of Mr Osos demise, describing it as a big hole in the media, academic and journalism practice circle. He said: Professor Osos sad and needless tragedy drills a long, dark, tunnel within the academic and practice environment of African journalism, and the complete implications of this convulsive loss will take time to interpret and even much more to mend. Commenting on the development on a messaging platform on Sunday, an old ally of Mr Oso and respected media practitioner, Lanre Idowu, said the world lost a good man in Oso. Weve lost a great scholar and a good man. We collaborated on several projects geared towards enhancing media responsibility. He will be greatly missed. Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Motunrayo Alaka, was reportedly in tears after reading the news. Mrs Alaka said the deceased served her organisation as a judge of its flagship programme- the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, for about half a decade, even as she spoke of her emptiness at this point. Speaking on behalf of the International Press Centre, its founder, Lanre Arogundade, described the late don as a mass communication scholar who mentored, encouraged and impacted so many professionals. He was also an ardent defender of press freedom who believed that journalism must have the enabling environment for the media to be able to fulfil its constitutional obligation, Mr Arogundade told PREMIUM TIMES. Meanwhile, a Professor of Journalism and Communications Studies at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and fellow alumnus of the Leicester University, United Kingdom, Ismail Ibraheem, noted that Mr Oso was one of the scholars that brought the critical tradition of communications scholarship which Leicester University is known for to Nigeria. When I decided to go Leicester University for my postgraduate studies, to follow in His footsteps, he gave me the support that made me thrive in Leicester. He was an extraordinary mentor of mentors and a quintessential critical communication scholar. We will be eternally grateful for his leadership that gave birth to the ACSPN, especially the pivotal role he played in steering the ship of the association to the preeminent position it now occupies, Mr Ibraheem said. Others Also, other commentators across different newsrooms including Oba Adeoye of Arise Television, Ex-BBC Deployments Editor, Joshua Ajayi; a senior editor at The Nation Newspapers, Adekunle Yusuf, and the Team Lead of Platform Africa, and one of the Mr Osos PhD supervisees, Adeola Yusuf, spoke glowingly of their relationships with the deceased. Mr Oso is survived by his wife, famously called Mama Oso, children which includes Moyo Oso a lawyer, and grand-children. Several professional mentees also trace their academic and professional trajectory to the late professor, who died at the age of 67. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has called on the people of the state to pray for the full recovery of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is on medical leave. Mr Akeredolu embarked on the leave last week after handing over to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. His health had been the subject of intense speculations in the state and infighting in the government that seemed to pit the governors family against the deputy governor. Mr Akeredolus health condition was speculated to be so severe that rumours broke on at least two occasions that he was dead. Although he has not been seen in public for a long time, his aides released a video of him watching a live broadcast of the English FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United early this month. Reacting to continued speculations over the governors condition, the APC called for prayers for him and his family as the party chided the opposition over the assumptions. In a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson in the state, Steve Otaloro, the APC accused the opposition of exploiting the ill health of the governor to score political points. The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has been battling health issues lately, he said. It is pertinent to note that his health issue is not too serious a type that will prevent him from resuming his official position as Governor of Ondo State. Despite this, some individuals and groups have taken it upon themselves to spread false news and rumours about his death. It is disheartening to see that some people would wish death upon a fellow human being. Such actions are unfair and should be condemned by all well-meaning individuals. The opposition has also been quick to malign the Governors family, accusing them of not doing enough to take care of the Governors illness. Such accusations are falsely disrespectful, flippant and callous. Engr. Ade Adetimehin, APC chairman in Ondo State, who is not happy with rumours being peddled around the health of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, appealed for support and prayer for the governor and family. What Arakunrin Akeredolu and the family requires at this period is our support and prayers for the full recovery of their family patriarch. Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu and her children have been doing their best in taking care of Governor Akeredolu. We must continue to pray for the Governors recovery and stand by the family in these difficult times. He is a good man who loves the downtrodden and deserves all the support and prayers for a full recovery from his illness. But the spokesperson of the main opposition party in the state the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kennedy Peretei, blamed the uncertainties around the governor on the alleged ineptitude and incompetence of his media team. Mr Peretei, reacting to Mr Otaloros statement, said, From their handling of the health status to the infighting in their ranks, they have demonstrated utter confusion and lacking in what to tell the people of Ondo State. How can anybody in his right senses accuse opposition parties of wishing Akeredolu dead, when indeed it is those who want to take over from Akerelodu before the end of his tenure that have sparked off all these drama? Mr Peretei noted. I am not surprised because the confusion in their camp is palpable. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kano State Government said it would rebuild a monument it demolished at a popular roundabout near the Government House at a new location within the metropolis. The acting Press Secretary to the governor of the state, Hisham Habib, in a statement on Sunday, told reporters that the monument would be rebuilt at the Naibawa Flyover- along the entrance of the city on the Zaria Road. The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Abdullahi Baffa, initially said the monument was pulled down because it carried the Christian symbol of the cross sign. The design in the roundabout is blocking road users front view because of its size. Secondly, if you use a drone shot of the aerial view of the monument, you will see a sign of a cross, and in Kano, we are 99.9 per cent, if not 100 per cent, Muslims. You cannot put a cross sign in front of a government house. Photos showing Kano State has two big crosses, big ones! The one in front of the government house and the one built on the Muhammadu Buhari Interchange flyover at the Hotoro area. The flyover, also from its aerial view, you will see a big cross, and we are now planning to redesign it and remove the cross sign, Mr Baffa said. But after residents reacted to the demolition of the monument with outrage, Mr Baffa recanted. New decision after outcry Mr Habib said the governor met with the monuments designer, Kaltume Bulama, at the new site for the erection of the structure. He expressed the governments commitment to infrastructural development. The place is suitable for the work and will not pose any challenge after a carefully conducted survey and assured the citizens of better projects ahead. The designer Kaltume Gana Bulama thanked the governor for preserving her unique work, which was adjudged as a masterpiece. The structure, which was designed like a traditional gate and a trumpet on top, was pulled down after it was deemed not suitable for the place, and a better replacement will be put in place, Mr Habib said. The structure, commissioned by the immediate past government, was designed in 2017 by Mrs Bulama, a virtual artist, to mark the states golden jubilee. According to the government, the monument showcased the culture, commercial history, and cosmopolitan nature of the city. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has faulted the claims by former Governor Gbenga Daniel of supporting President Bola Tinubu in the partys primaries last year. The party said Mr Daniel was not a delegate to the APC national convention where the primaries was conducted or had any delegate from his camp there. The party said this in a statement a spokesperson, Olusola Blessed, issued in response to comments made by Mr Daniel on Sunday. Speaking in an interview with ThisDay and also reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Daniel, who is the new senator for the Ogun East district on the platform of the APC, said he fell out with Governor Dapo Abiodun over their differences on the presidential primaries. He said he became the governors adversary for supporting President Bola Tinubu in the APC primaries. Mr Abiodun and the APC leadership in Ogun had endorsed former vice president Yemi Osinbajo, who is from the state, in the primaries. It will be recalled that the party refused to participate in Mr Daniels campaign for the senatorial election. When Mr Daniel flagged off the campaign in October, the party issued a directive that no party official should attend the event. Reacting to Mr Daniels claim of Sunday, Mr Blessed described the former two-term governor as dishonest. In the first place, the lawmaker, by his antecedents in private business and in power, painted a picture of dishonesty, making many wonders how he managed to get near the power corridor, to the extent of becoming the governor of a state like Ogun. The party said, contrary to claims in the interview, Governor Abiodun rescued Mr Daniel from political ignominy despite strong resistance from party members who were well apprised of what he represented. READ ALSO: His liberation from the political oblivion into which he threw himself out of greed became necessary after his party, the PDP, lost the presidential election in 2019. Many were taken aback by the speed with which Gbenga Daniel dumped his principal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP despite his position as the Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign organisation. According to the party, Mr Daniel was an outsider during the APC presidential primary who was never a delegate or had a single delegate from Ogun State. Daniel, an outlier of an outsider in the APC during the presidential primaries of June 2022 who was neither a delegate nor had a single delegate from Ogun State, claimed that he supported Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu against Governor Dapo Abioduns wish. What a shameless merchant of falsehood! To put it succinctly, Governor Abiodun, being a genuine leader and a progressive, never worked against his party, APC, unlike Senator Gbenga Daniel. And to give credence to his unflinching commitment and loyalty to the party, as soon as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC, he immediately deployed all his political mercenaries and structures to support him, stoutly resisting all the gang-up within the fold spearheaded by Gbenga Daniel and his co-travellers. During the February 25 election, he won the State for Asiwaju Tinubu by a wide margin. That was quite unlike Gbenga Daniel who, for filthy lucre, criminally connived with the PDP after allegedly collecting N2 billion from Chief Kessington Adebutu and worked against the APC and its candidates in the presidential and gubernatorial elections. Happily, President Tinubu knows more than any other person the dangerous antics of Gbenga Daniel and what he represents in Nigerias political circles, and was alleged to have taunted him in the presence of some Senators, when he advised him to work on his reputation as a serial betrayal, but a leopard will never change its spots. We, therefore, implore the former governor to turn a new leaf from his now legendary dubious political antics, an act of ingratitude and political prostitution that have dishonourably marked his political career over the years with matchless notoriety and infamy. These are indeed unbecoming of a man of his age, the statement read in part. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abubakar Rasheed, a professor, has stepped down from the head of the universities regulatory body, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt. Effective 30 June, Mr Rasheed will stop being the head of the NUC, the position he assumed in 2016 when he took over from Chiedu Mafiana, also a professor, who headed the commission in an acting capacity. Mr Rasheed reportedly announced his resignation in Abuja on Monday while presenting the approval certificate to a new university in Kogi State. A top official of the commission, who does not want to be quoted, claiming he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday afternoon. The source said Mr Rasheed stepped down to continue his journey in academia at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), where he was a lecturer before taking up the NUC job. He stepped down for personal reasons and his desire to return to Bayero University, (BUK) Kano, the source said. Board dissolution order Meanwhile, Mr Rasheeds decision is coming a few weeks after President Bola Tinubu approved the dissolution of governing boards of agencies and parastatals of the government but with a few exceptions. NUC, like about 22 other agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the federal government-owned tertiary institutions, were affected by the presidents sweeping order. READ ALSO: Since the directive was issued, affected agencies have been without governing boards as the heads of the concerned agencies have been mandated to direct their decisions requiring boards interventions to the Presidency through the permanent secretaries of the ministries. The permanent secretaries were also asked to route the requests through the office of the Office Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Time as NUC boss During his tenure as the head of the body regulating university education in Nigeria, Mr Rasheed spearheaded the unbundling of mass communication into seven distinct fields of study, including Journalism and Media Studies, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Film and Multimedia Studies, Development Communication and Information and Media Studies. His tenure also witnessed the establishment of 72 private universities in Nigeria. About Rasheed Mr Rasheed is a seasoned academic with a Bachelor of Art, two Masters and a PhD from BUK, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Nottingham, England. Mr Rasheed began his teaching career in July 1981 as a graduate assistant in the Department of English and European Languages of Bayero University, where he became a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department in 10 years. In April 1993, he left the university to join the New Nigeria Newspapers Limited as a journalist, where he was appointed the Editor of the Sunday paper. He became the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Newspaper in 1995. In May 1999, Mr Rasheed left journalism to go back to the classroom in BUK. At BUK, he served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) (2007-2009), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (2009-2010), Acting Vice-Chancellor (July 5-August 17, 2010), and as the universitys vice-chancellor between 2010-2015. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed Nigerias commitment to strengthening relations with the Republic of Korea, especially in promoting trade, technology transfer and maintaining global peace. He also reiterated the governments plan to create one million jobs in the digital sector for young Nigerians. Mr Shettima stated this on Monday when he received a delegation from the Republic of Korea led by the Special Envoy to the President, Jang Sungmin, at the Presidential Villa. According to the vice president, Nigeria and Korea have a very robust bilateral relationship that is anchored on years of mutual trust and cooperation. A lot of Korean companies are doing business in Nigeria, especially in the area of oil and gas. Six of our LNG trains were constructed by Korean companies. We are fully committed to a very robust relationship between our nations. We need to learn a lot from Korea, especially in the areas of manufacturing and agriculture. You are a success story worthy of emulation by all developing nations. Mr Shettima observed that many years ago, in the 50s and 60s, the Korean GDP was at par with many African countries but that today, Korea is among the developed nations. He said this is partly due to the leadership and commitment of the Korean people. One million jobs in digital sector Speaking further, Mr Shettima said by 2030, there will be a 65 per cent global deficit, with the US and other countries suffering a six million talent deficit. He said Nigeria is in a position to fill the deficits because it has a huge young population. The vice president told his guests that the Nigerian government would take advantage of the digital world by creating one million jobs in the sector. We are willing to partner with you in the area of technology because, by 2030, there will be a 65 per cent global talent deficit, with the US, Russia and Brazil suffering a six million talent deficit. I believe Nigeria is in a unique position to fill in those talent deficits because ours is a young nation. Seventy-five per cent of Nigerians are below the age of 35, so we are soliciting for your partnership and support in digital skills training for our young people. We want to create one million jobs in the digital world. India earned $120bn last year from global outsourcing, and we are in a unique position to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector. We need the skills set, we need the technology to drive the process, and yours is a technology that we can embrace, he said. READ ALSO: The vice president assured the Korean Government of the Tinubu administrations commitment to partner with Korea to strengthen relations between both countries, especially in balancing the trade deficit between the two countries. On the agenda of the new Nigerian administration, Mr Shettima noted that security and economic development is the focus of our government. The government will make it easier for Korean businesses and other foreign investors to do business in Nigeria. Korea has always supported us in the international fora, and we have that obligation to reciprocate by supporting Korean businesses operating in Nigeria. Africa-Korea Summit 2024 He assured the Korean delegation that President Bola Tinubu would honour the invitation of his Korean counterpart to the Africa-Korea summit in 2024. He added, Be rest assured that Nigeria truly appreciates the Republic of Koreas support to Nigeria in multilateral institutions, in the UN General Assembly, in our quest for a seat in the security council and in several UN bodies. Earlier in his remarks, Mr Sungmin, who congratulated Nigeria for the successful inauguration of the new government, conveyed a special invitation from President Yoon to his Nigerian counterpart to attend the forthcoming Africa-Korea Summit in South Korea. He also restated his countrys continuous support for Nigeria across different sectors, noting that Koreas collaboration with Nigeria can lead the 4th Industrial Revolution, maintaining that the countrys development is akin to Nigerias development. The delegation of the Special Envoy included KIM Young-chae, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria; YOO Chang-ho, deputy secretary to the President for Future Policy; JANG Sangwoo, deputy director for Planning and Execution Team, Bid Committee for World EXPO 2030 BUSAN; Guillaume Barthe-Dejean, vice president, SK; KIM Inkyu, chief financial officer, LG Electronics Nigeria Corp; Park Hyesong, Korea International Development Agency. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Strong indications emerged on Monday that Nigerias former Minister of State for Health, Muhammad Pate, may make the ministerial list of President Bola Tinubu. Mr Tinubu, who was sworn in as Nigerias 16th president in May, is yet to send the list of his ministers to the National Assembly as required by law. As stipulated by law, Mr Tinubu is expected to forward the list of his preferred cabinet members to the parliament within 60 days of his assumption of office. But almost one month after he was sworn in, he is yet to appoint any ministers. Pates hint On Monday, the global vaccine alliance, GAVI, announced Mr Pates decision to decline his appointment as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr Pate, who was scheduled to assume office as GAVIs CEO on 3 August, informed the organisation that he has taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria. His reason for rejecting GAVIs appointment has raised speculations that he may be considering a position in Mr Tinubus cabinet. While PREMIUM TIMES could not reach Mr Pate, a source who works with President Tinubu confirmed that Mr Pates name was on the list of guests scheduled to see Mr Tinubu about two weeks ago. The source, however, could not confirm if the president eventually met him. GAVIs Appointment Gavi had on 13 February approved the appointment of Mr Pate as its next CEO. Mr Pate, a medical doctor, was to replace Seth Barkley, also a medical practitioner, who is expected to end his 12-year reign as the organisations CEO on 3rd August. Gavi announced Mr Pate as Mr Berkleys successor, even as it promised to continue its work to support routine immunisation, outbreak response and COVID-19 vaccinations worldwide. Rejection Gavi, in a statement published on its website on Monday, said the board decided to appoint David Marlow, currently Gavis Chief Operating Officer, to the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective 3 August. It said the appointment follows a communication from Mr Pate, that he will not be able to join Gavi. Mr Pate informed the Gavi Board Chair and Vice Chair that he has taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria, Gavi wrote. Gavi fully respects the decision and wishes Mr Pate the very best for the future. On informing Gavi, Mr Pate thanked the Chair of the Gavi Board, Jose Manuel Barroso, the diverse set of Gavi Board members and partners, current CEO Seth Berkley, and the secretariat staff for their support over the last few months, commenting that he will remain a steadfast champion of the Gavi mission. About Pate A medical doctor trained in both internal medicine and infectious diseases, with an MBA from Duke University in the United States, Mr Pate is currently the Julio Frenk Professor of Public Health Leadership at Harvard Chan School of Public Health and has served on several health-focused boards and expert panels in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors during his career. He served as the Global Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population of the World Bank and Director of the Global Financing Facility at the World Bank between 2019 and 2021. He led the Banks $18 billion COVID-19 global health response and represented the bank on various boards, including those of Gavi, the Global Fund, CEPI and UNAIDS. As Nigerias Minister of State for Health between 2011 and 2013, he led a flagship initiative to revive routine vaccinations and primary healthcare, chaired a presidential task force to eradicate polio and introduced new vaccines into the country. About GAVI Gavi, the vaccine alliance, is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate half the worlds children against some of the worlds deadliest diseases. Since its inception in 2000, Gavi said it has helped to immunise more than 981 million children, and prevented more than 16.2 million future deaths. The organisation said it has also helped to halve child mortality in 73 lower-income countries. Gavi said it also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningococcal, and yellow fever vaccines. After two decades of progress, the organisation said it is now focused on protecting the next generation, above all the zero-dose children who have not received even a single vaccine shot. Gavi is a co-convener of COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, together with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and UNICEF. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has declared Wednesday and Thursday, 28 and 29 June, public holidays to mark this years Eid-el-Kabir. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Oluwatoyin Akinlade, made the announcement in a statement on Monday. The Federal Government has declared Wednesday June 28th and Thursday June 29th 2023 Public Holidays in commemoration of this years Eid-el-Kabir celebration and heartily felicitates with the Muslim Ummah at home and in the diaspora, the official noted. The government urged Muslims and all Nigerians to make sacrifices for the growth and development of our communities and our great country, Nigeria. We are hopeful that the prayers and sacrifices that come with this great celebration as well as the message of Eid-ei-Kabir will bring about peace, unity and progress in Nigeria, the official wrote. Muslims worldwide will join their counterparts across the world to mark the Eid-el-Kabir on Wednesday, a day after Muslims pilgrims in Saudi Arabia will climb the Mount Arafat. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The first day of the ongoing hajj did not go smoothly for many Nigerian pilgrims who had to stand under the scorching sun due to the shortage of tents in Mina. Over 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims were moved to the Mina Valley to officially commence the 2023 hajj on Monday. However, thousands of the pilgrims could not get bed spaces in the camp due to the inability of the authorities to put the proper logistics in place. Also, some of the pilgrims could not get spaces in the overcrowded tent, forcing them to stay under the sun, which peaked at 36 degree Celsius on Monday. The arrangement was somehow disappointing, Opatola Abolade, a pilgrim from Oyo State, South-west Nigeria, lamented to PREMIUM TIMES. Getting food was also a major issue on the first day of Hajj. In some cases, the bland food prepared by the kitchen was not available. When I came in 2012, we could go out and buy food. Then, no one was waiting for the officials to bring food. But these changes are causing hardship. Some of us have not eaten, Habib Haliru, from Katsina State, said. The stay in Mina is a mandatory part of the exercise. Pilgrims must spend the night in the camp before proceeding to Arafat on Tuesday and when they are done at Muzdelifah, they will return to the camp on Wednesday. Were disappointed NAHCON Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Zikrullah Hassan, said the Saudi government failed to deliver on its promise of handling the entire stay in Mina. He stated that the commission had expressed reservations on the ability of the Saudi authorities to handle the logistics. He said the authorities promised to deliver after forcing the commission to pay non-negotiable fees for the services. It is also clear that the food is not adequate and it has not been timely. The tent is the exclusive preserve of the government of Saudi Arabia. We have no way to expand or contract it. But we had an understanding that the tent was enough for us. I must say that we are very disappointed because quite a number of pilgrims were allowed to stay outside the tent. We made our reservations earlier enough. They believe they can exclusively handle the catering for the pilgrims. They insisted that they have a mega kitchen. Only two nights ago, I had a meeting with them till 2 a.m., he said. Mr Hassan said the commission will be meeting with the Saudi authorities to find a way forward, adding that it will not rule out seeking for refunds. This is the first full Hajj in the post-COVID-19 era. About 900,000 participated in the 2022 Hajj but over two million pilgrims are participating in the ongoing exercise. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Throughout the state visit of Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, President Joe Biden emphasized the growing partnership between the United States and India and their shared values. Two proud nations 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. 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. President Biden called the U.S.-India partnership among the most consequential in the world and one in which new areas of cooperation are constantly developing. India and the United States are collaborating on nearly every human endeavor and delivering progress across the board, from designing new ways to diagnose and treat illnesses like cancer and diabetes; to collaborating on human spaceflight; to accelerating the global clean energy transition and tacking the climate crisis we face; to harnessing our shared expertise on critical and emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence; to ensuring they are not used as tools of misinformation and oppression. In addition, the United States and Indias economic and trade relationship is expanding, as are its people to people ties and educational exchanges. The two countries have also made substantial progress in building an advanced and comprehensive defense partnership in which their militaries coordinate closely across all domains. President Biden said the United States and India look to one another on critical regional and global issues that matter most for the future: mitigating the humanitarian tragedies unleashed by Russias brutal war in Ukraine; defending the core principles of the U.N. Charter sovereignty and territorial integrity; ensuring, with their partners in the Quad - Australia and Japan - that the vital Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, prosperous and secure. President Biden also underscored that the strength and success of both the United States and India depend on their democratic governance and respect for human rights, including press and religious freedom. Together, declared President Biden, were unlocking a shared future of what I believe to be unlimited potential. The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, said 40,000 specially trained elite officers would be deployed to the newly created Special Intervention Squad of the Nigeria Police. Mr Egbetokun said this on Monday in Abuja at a conference with Commanders of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and other tactical units He said the squad would consist of selected officers from the pool of existing PMF personnel and other tactical units. According to him, the officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat ready for frontline operational duties in all states of the federation. He said that the squad would be deployed to areas plagued by unrest and turmoil in the country. By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face. This dedicated force will bolster our capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that our presence is felt and our response is effective in every corner of our country, the IGP said. Mr Egbetokun explained that 1,000 personnel from the new squad would be deployed to each state as standby intervention units. The IGP added that the remaining members of the squad would be deployed to more troubled areas. According to him, the officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times, only engaging in daily trainings in readiness for deployment. He said the idea was to get the officers ready to intercept and neutralise high-profile criminals terrorising communities. They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment. All tactical commanders will be involved in the process of identifying suitable candidates from within their respective units. These individuals should possess the necessary skills, agility, experience, character and commitment to excel in the challenging and demanding environments they will encounter, he said. Mr Egbetokun assured that the new special squad would be equipped with knowledge and skills to combat evolving crimes including insurgency and other security threats. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print With the plethora of problems bedevilling Africa, why have our leaders not concentrated their efforts on resolving the conflicts on our continent first? Im sorry, I dont believe in peace vending at all costs. To be looked down on, talk down on and discriminated against by people whose only claim to superiority is hinged on the iniquitous appropriation of Africas resources over the centuries, is totally unacceptable, more so when our leaders have to travel to receive those insults It was the cat that stole the fish but the police arrested the dog, a situation that made the baboon take to his heels. Why are you running? Forest dwellers asked him. I know that the dogs arrest is a decoy; the chains held by the police are designed for my waist. When Russia started its aggression against Ukraine, you would have thought that Africans have nothing to do with their ancient quarrel and the politics of supremacy being played by the US and Russia. You were wrong. At the slightest opportunity, both Ukraine and Russia will demonstrate their unseemly side by descending with venom on the convenient whipping boy, Africa. I dont know who advised the African leaders to visit Ukraine and Russia to try and mediate in the ongoing conflict. Yes, blessed are the peacemakers in another context, not this one in which both parties have dug in, espousing irreconcilable positions. In any case, you can only mediate when the parties have some measure of respect for you. The AU delegation, comprising Egypts Prime Minister Mustafa Madbuly, Senegals President Macky Sall, President of the Union of Comoros Azali Assoumani, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zambias President Hakainde Hichilema, actually meant well. But good intentions count for nothing where the intercessor is perceived as a perennial mendicant. It took the undiplomatic comment of Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to trigger the inner revulsion of Ukrainians to the visit. Magwenya had said that he had not heard any explosion nor witnessed a missile attack in Kyiv while he was in the city with the African delegation. But the Kyiv Post countered with a claim that its reporters, including every other media organisation present in the city saw and heard the missiles in the skies over the capital and witnessed several loud explosions as they were intercepted. The Ukrainians interpreted Magwenyas statement as a ploy to deny the devastation caused by Russia. The Ukrainian presidential advisor and negotiator, Mykhailo Podolyak, quickly said the African leaders had no business poking their noses into European affairs. He said African leaders had neither the capability nor the power to get involved in matters they knew nothing about, adding that this was beyond their understanding. He added that Africa and its leaders were using the failed trip to achieve their geopolitical goals in favour of Russia, which provides Africa with food supplies. Said Podolyak, The African delegation had no goal of settling the conflict or finding a solution. Obviously, this is not their task. It is not at their level or competency. They just want to be on the misinformation agenda and resolve their own issues, like the increasing resources they receive from Russia, including food supplies. Podolyak, who is one of the advisers to the Chief of Staff of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the trip was a mere fishing expedition for information on behalf of Russia. Obviously, the Ukrainians are not enthused by South Africas membership of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), the acronym used to describe the club of fast-growing economies that hope to collectively dominate the global economy by 2050. President Zelenskyy was more diplomatic. However, he all but said the African leaders were on a futile mission. He declared that talks with Russia would be possible only after Moscow withdraws its forces from occupied Ukrainian territory. He said he couldnt understand what the African leaders hoped to gain by meeting with the Russian leader. President Zelenskyy was more diplomatic. However, he all but said the African leaders were on a futile mission. He declared that talks with Russia would be possible only after Moscow withdraws its forces from occupied Ukrainian territory. He said he couldnt understand what the African leaders hoped to gain by meeting with the Russian leader. To allow any negotiations with Russia now while the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze everything: pain and suffering, Zelenskiy told a joint press conference with the delegation. We need real peace, and therefore, a real withdrawal of Russian troops from our entire independent land. I must confess that Im an admirer of the uncommon tenacity and youthful vigour with which Zelensky has been discharging his duties as the Ukrainian commander-in-chief. It is difficult to believe that this is the same lawyer and comedian of yore. Having said that, I must assert my right to self-love. We, Africans, have historically always been at the receiving end of all sorts of insults, no matter what we bring to the table. If we dont stand our ground, every Vladimir and Volodymyr will treat us as a foot-mat. At the onset of the war, Nigerian students were at the receiving end of racism in both Ukraine and Poland. I recall that even in refugee camps, Africans were treated as dirt. There was the well known case of the Ghanaian student who said he had left the refugee camp he was placed in after fleeing Sumy in northeastern Ukraine because of discrimination. His story: a Ukrainian man had complained to camp officials that sleeping beside a black man was traumatising. The student was then moved to another space within the camp. African envoys spoke out strongly against the mistreatment of African nationals trying to flee Ukraine during a special session of the United Nations General Assembly. African nationals, mostly students, have accused Ukrainian security forces of racially profiling them, and of stopping them from getting on trains. The reports of discrimination have caused uproar and left a bitter taste in Africa. Over social media, several African students said they had been bypassed to allow Ukrainians and other European nationals to cross the border into Poland first. They said they were made to spend hours and days in freezing temperatures without food or sanitation facilities. We echo here the outcry of African students who are fleeing the war in Ukraine and are facing discrimination in their exodus in search of shelter. This situation is unacceptable, said Baudelaire Ndong Ella, the Gabonese Ambassador to the UN. With the plethora of problems bedevilling Africa, why have our leaders not concentrated their efforts on resolving the conflicts on our continent first? Im sorry, I dont believe in peace vending at all costs. To be looked down on, talk down on and discriminated against by people whose only claim to superiority is hinged on the iniquitous appropriation of Africas resources over the centuries, is totally unacceptable, more so when our leaders have to travel to receive those insults, instead of paddling the canoe of the various challenges on our continent. If you can see the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob in what is going on, then youll understand why our leaders should stay at home and fix this blessed continent. The Central African Republic (CAR) has been embroiled in an intractable cycle of violence for several years. The country desperately needs a new approach for sustainable peace. The conflict in north and south-west Cameroon has not received the attention it deserves from regional and continental actors. The situation has degenerated from protests over poor governance and marginalisation to a deadly insurgency. Libya, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Northern Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Cameroons north-west and south-west regions are African conflict hotbeds. Ethiopias conflict has since escalated. The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front and its allies have their eyes on the capital, Addis Ababa. A humanitarian crisis is apparent in many parts of the country. African Union (AU) mediation, led by former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, is ongoing. In the mean time, people are dying. South Sudan has its own daunting challenges. With the fight for power between rival forces in the Republic of Sudan, refugees are heading south, thereby compounding an already bad humanitarian situation. The Central African Republic (CAR) has been embroiled in an intractable cycle of violence for several years. The country desperately needs a new approach for sustainable peace. The conflict in north and south-west Cameroon has not received the attention it deserves from regional and continental actors. The situation has degenerated from protests over poor governance and marginalisation to a deadly insurgency. Many people have died; many more are displaced. The ever-present threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin (LCB) regions, East Africa and the Horn, and Mozambiques northern province of Cabo Delgado, is also hovering over the coastal countries of West Africa. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, particularly, have seen continuing attacks. The terror attack in Uganda reflects the threat that violent extremism will continue to pose to Central Africa, East Africa and the Horn. Reports of possible collaboration between the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces and al-Shabaab are alarming. The Cabo Delgado extremist insurgency has been ongoing since the end of 2017. The spread of the threat from the Sahel to West Africas coastal countries is best evidenced by the resurgence of attacks in northern Cote dIvoire, near the border with Burkina Faso. Cote dIvoire is now suffering repeated attacks, and the fear is that violent extremism could affect other parts of the country and neighbouring states such as Ghana, Benin and Togo. With all these problems at home, what are African leaders doing in Kyiv trying to quench another mans fire? As this piece was going to bed, word came that an attempted coup of sorts was unfolding in Russia. See why we should maintain our lane for now? Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Mr Umar Danbatta, a professor of electrical and electronics engineering has lifted the Platinum Award of the Nigeria Academy of Engineering (NAEng). He received the award in Lagos at the weekend. The honour was in recognition of his leadership of the nations telecom regulatory body, which has been hailed for its contributions to the growth of the engineering profession in the technological and economic development of the country. According to the President of the Academy, Mr Azikiwe Onwualu, a professor of Agricultural Engineering, NCC deserved the award as it has done the profession proud in its telecom regulatory process and promotion of engineering. While presenting the award to him at the 2023 Annual Technology Dinner of the academy, Vincent Maduka, former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, said: Prof Danbatta has contributed immensely to the sustainability of all initiatives of the professional body, just as his role in the development of the engineering profession, in general, is being felt in Nigeria, through his effective regulation of the telecommunications sector. Receiving the award, Danbatta, a member of the council, and a fellow of NAEng, expressed appreciation to the academy for finding NCC worthy of the award. Danbatta dedicated the award to the hardworking and diligent staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission, who, he said, have continued to demonstrate commitment to supporting his vision to promote regulatory excellence towards sustaining the growth of Nigerias digital economy. I could not have done the good work you credited me with without the support and cooperation of NCC staff, and we are delighted that the public is watching, listening, and observing what we are doing. A testimony to this fact is the platinum category award we have just been given by the apex engineering body in the country, the EVC stated. Danbatta further said: I want to assure the public that the NCC will do whatever it can, within its mandates, to bring out impactful initiatives that will drive the digital transformation process that will ultimately make telecom services pervasive and affordable to all parts of the country. He used the opportunity to speak about some of the initiatives of the commission that have had an impact on the socioeconomic development of the nation. These, he said, include the initiative targeted at Nigerian youths across the country, where the commission trains youth and provides them with laptops and other equipment that can make them access the internet with a view to equipping them to develop their skills and earn a living. Danbatta assured of the commissions commitment to driving digital connectivity aimed at bridging extant clusters of access gaps in Nigeria. We have a target of 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025, as contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP). We are around 50 per cent currently, and I can assure you that we are hopeful that we will achieve and surpass that target, he said. The Nigerian Academy of Engineering was established to pursue excellence in science, technology and engineering as well as provide a national platform for experts to harness their experiences and insights and make input into public and private technical policy Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The premises of Mumasari Primary and Junior Secondary School, Mairi Kuwait, Jere Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State, was a beehive on a certain school day in January 2023. As pupils ran around during break time, teachers were spotted couching on dirty mats under a tree, trying to cool off under the scorching suns effect. The break will soon be over, and they will have to continue with the business of teaching. As he settled on a mat, the schools mathematics teacher, Shaun Musa, was boiling from within as he stared at the newly constructed storey building housing eight classrooms. We expected that there would be enough space after the completion of the classrooms with an office, but we dont have any available one (office), Mr Musa said as he wiped away the relentless stream of sweat on his face. Since he started teaching at the school, Mr Musa said the teachers have always spent their time in the classrooms or under the tree. There has never been a staff room. A flash of hope In 2019, the teachers heaved a sigh of relief, hoping the end of their predicaments was near. The authorities had planned to start a secondary school within the premises. More classrooms would be added to the existing ones to realise this aim. The teachers were particularly happy that more staff rooms would be built to accommodate them The expansion was the construction of more classrooms in the school as contained in the 2019 Zonal Intervention Project (ZIP) facilitated by the then-lawmaker representing Jere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Monguno. The project was, however, implemented by his successor, Ahmad Satomi, who became a lawmaker in the House of Representatives in 2019. Mr Monguno currently represents Monguno/Marte/Nganzai in the same house, while Mr Satomi replaced him as the lawmaker representing Jere federal constituency. In the 2019 Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP) that excited the teachers, N50 million was budgeted to construct three blocks of four classrooms each, But their hopes were soon dashed with the eventual outcome. Teachers unhappy In the Bill of Quantities obtained by UDEME, the Ministry of Works and Housing awarded the project to Slope Tec Engineering Services Limited at N50 million. The cost was broken down into the construction of 7 classrooms, offices, toilets and furnishing for N42,731,005; Value Added Tax, N3,750,000 and Preliminaries, N3,418,944. The first tranche of the funds for the projects was released in 2020; the contractor told UDEME The project was completed a year later, in 2021, both the contractor and the school principal, Bukar Muhammad, confirmed. What was constructed was a storey building housing eight rooms: seven classrooms and one office. UDEME also found that two toilets were constructed, and the classrooms had tables, chairs and fans. The teachers were disappointed that only one office room was provided for them in the new structure. The new office was also too small to accommodate all the 18 teachers. Normally, if we are to look at it from the standard, we are supposed to have four offices in the school, the principal said. One office for me, one for my two assistants, and one office for the teachers and the other will be used for guidance and counselling. Binta Muhammad, 35, who teaches primary three wondered how the principal, his deputies and teachers could share a single office space. Mrs Muhammad, who has continued with the ritual of sitting on a mat in front of her class away from the men under the tree, lamented bitterly about their working conditions. If a class teacher can sit on a mat after teaching the students, is that not bad? Only one office was built for the teachers, and the principal; vice principal shared one office, she said When UDEME visited the school, it was observed that the pupils were not overcrowded in their classrooms. But the same cannot be said for the teachers cramped into only one office. UDEME also observed that barely two years after construction, some classroom windows were missing, and some walls were already cracking. Why we constructed eight classrooms Lawmaker, contractor speak The lawmaker and contractor defended their decision to construct only eight rooms against the 12 indicated in the budget. A site supervisor at Slope Tec Engineering Services Limited, Ismail Buba, said the company executed the project as specified in its contract with the Ministry of Works and Housing. Also, the Head of the Architecture Department at the Borno State office of the Ministry of Works and Housing, Adamu Yakub, said the project was executed in line with the contract documents specifications. READ ALSO: Children suffer as school project diverted in Niger community You see, the issue of 12 classrooms is out of it, he said, explaining that the contract awarded was for constructing seven classrooms and an office. Based on the document from Abuja on the project, you are talking about seven classrooms and one office, making a total of eight rooms with toilets and furnishing. As you can see but the bill of quantity and architectural design are with the same description of the project. We cant do things out of the project documents to execute a project because a report will be written before the contractor can be given his money. I want you to note that the work is done, he added. Meanwhile, the lawmaker said he decided to settle for eight classrooms just before the project was awarded because of the limited land space on the school premises. He claimed to have used his funds of about N23 million to buy some pieces of land close to the school for the expansion to accommodate the eight classrooms settled for. I will build more buildings if the people around the school are willing to sell their houses or land, he said during a phone call. As the teachers continue working under uncomfortable conditions, they hope the government will construct more staff rooms. We want the government to build another office for us, to enhance a conducive environment for both the teachers and the students, Yeskare Dauda, a primary six teacher in the school, said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, on Monday, appointed his deputy, Aminu Abdulsalam, as the states Commissioner for Local Government. The governor also assigned portfolios to 18 other commissioners. The commissioners were sworn in on Monday at the Government House. The deputy governor, Mr Abdulsalam, was the chief of staff to a former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Other politicians who served as commissioners in the administration of Mr Kwankwaso and were appointed again into the new cabinet are Umar Doguwa, a former commissioner for higher education; Ali Makoda, a former commissioner for environment; Ladidi Garko, a former information commissioner; Abubakar Labaran, a former commissioner for health and Danjuma Mahmoud, a former accountant-general of the state, among others. Two of the commissioners-nominees have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the hajj exercise; they are yet to be screened by the states lawmakers. Below is the full list of the new commissioners and their Ministries 1. The deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, Ministry for Local Government 2. Haruna Doguwa, Ministry of Education 3. Ali Makoda, Ministry Water Resources 4. Abubakar Yusuf, Ministry of Health 5. Marwan Ahmad, Ministry of Works and Housing 6. Haruna Dederi, Commissioner for Justice 7. Yusuf Kofar-Mata Ministry for Higher Education 8. Nasiru Sule-Garo Ministry of Environment 9. Muhammad Diggol, Ministry of Transportation READ ALSO: 10. Danjuma Mahmoud, Ministry of Agriculture 11. Musa Shanono, Ministry of Budget and Planning 12. Abbas Sani-Abbas, Ministry of Commerce 13. Aisha Saji, Ministry of Women, Children and Disabled, to be sworn in after she returns from Saudi Arabia. 14. Ladidi Abba, Ministry of Tourism and Culture 15. Tijjani Auwal, Ministry of Religious Affairs To be sworn in after he returns from Saudi Arabia. 16. Baba Dantiye Ministry for Information 17. Tajo Usman Ministry of Science and Technology 18. Hamza Safiyanu Ministry for Rural and Community Development 19. Adamu Kibiya Ministry of Land and Physical Planning Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Buba Chiroma-Mashio has emerged as the new speaker of the 8th Yobe State House of Assembly. Mr Chiroma-Mashio, a member representing Jajare Constituency from Fune Local Government, is one of the oldest members of the House of Assembly, having been at the assembly since 1999. He is the immediate past Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation. Mr Chiroma-Mashio was unanimously elected as the speaker following his nomination by the former speaker of the House, Adamu Dogo, who represents Karasuwa State Constituency. His nomination was seconded by the member representing the Damaturu II constituency, Buba Kallalawan. Other principal staff officials elected were Yau Usman-Dachia from the Jakusko constituency, who was elected as the deputy speaker, and Nasiru Hassan-Yusuf from the Damaturu I constituency was elected house leader. The position of the Deputy House leader went to Hassan Muhammad-Yusufari, while the former deputy speaker in the seventh assembly, Muhammad Auwal-Bello, was elected the chief whip, and Ahmed Musa-Dumbol was elected deputy chief whip. READ ALSO: Immediately after the proceedings at the House, the speaker went straight to the deputy governors office, where he thanked the executive for their role in keeping the party united. He promised to collaborate with the executive to develop legislation that would positively affect the people of the state. Mr Chiroma-Mashio also pledged to maintain a good working relationship between the House and the executive and judicial arms of the government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the common people. In his remarks, the deputy governor, Idi Gubana, praised the house for the maturity they handled the proceedings leading to the election of the new speaker. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Delta State, south-south Nigeria, said they have killed a suspected kidnapper in the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspect was killed on Friday around the stadium in Warri. Mr Edafe did not give the name of the suspect but said he confessed to being a member and armourer of a dreaded bobone armed robbery gang terrorising Warri and its environs. He (suspect) also gave the police additional information on the location of the other gang members and later led the police to their hideout along Chevron Road where the team on approaching the hideout, came under serious attack by his gang members, but the suspect in an attempt to escape, was fatally maimed on his leg, thereby preventing his escape. According to the police spokesperson, the suspect died while receiving treatment at a hospital in the state. Mr Edafe listed items recovered from the suspect including one AK-47 rifle and three magazines. The incident happened less than 24 hours after the police in the state killed three armed robbery suspects and recovered arms and ammunition. On Thursday at about 10:20 a.m., operatives attached to B division Warri acting on a distress call about an armed robbery operation along Ugborikoko/Giwa-Amu Airport Road Warri, that armed hoodlums were operating in a black Toyota Corolla car. The team raced to the scene where the hoodlums on sighting the advancing police team fired gunshots at the policemen and the team retaliated, engaged them in a serious gun duel during which three of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while other members of the gang escaped with bullet injuries, the police said. Mr Edafe said one cut-to-size locally fabricated gun, two live cartridges, a Toyota Corolla car, and eight different vehicle keys were recovered from the incident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Medical Students Association in Nigeria has blamed the management of Marina Resort in Calabar, Cross River State, for the death of three of its members in a boat mishap. The National President of the association, Ejim Egba, stated this in a statement on Monday. Three out of 14 medical students who were on a boat cruise at Marina Resort got drowned after the speed boat they were inside capsized on Saturday, PREMIUM TIMES reported. The students, who were in the state for the annual Health Week hosted by the University of Calabar, were on a boat cruise to explore the area when the tragic incident occurred. Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, in his reaction to the incident, ordered an indefinite suspension of all cruise boat operations at the resort and urged the police to expedite action on investigation and prosecute those found culpable. The president of the students association, Mr Egba, said the tragic accident occurred because of negligence, incompetence, and lackadaisical attitude of the crew members and management of Marina Resort. Factors that contributed to this occurrence include leaky boat, poor condition and integrity of the vests, poorly maintained engines resulting in the engine going off during the trip, fuel finishing before they got back to shore, little or no supervision by management, poor regulation and monitoring, Mr Egba said. READ ALSO: Mr Egba said the associations leadership acted swiftly to ensure that the 11 rescued students were taken to hospital for treatment and added that 10 of them have been discharged while the one left is in stable condition and will soon be discharged. The association president commended the Nigerian Navy, locals and the management of the University of Calabar for their swift response when the incident occurred. Recovered corpses Meanwhile, the bodies of the missing three students from the boat mishap two males and a female have been recovered. The State Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, disclosed this on Monday in Calabar The police have been working day and night to rescue the missing students, Mr Grimah said. The incident is the second fatal boat accident reported in the country in less than two weeks. PREMIUM TIMES eleven days ago reported the death of 103 persons in a boat accident in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ( Read 2546 Times) New Delhi : Eye-Q, the leading hospital eye care chain, has announced the installation of the first-of-its-kind Advanced Customised LASIK machine at its Rewari eye-care facility. This cutting-edge machine will revolutionize laser vision correction and bring advanced treatments closer to patients in the Rewari region, eliminating the need to travel to the Gurugram facility. Through its Rewari eye-care facility, Eye-Q envisions enhancing the quality of life for individuals, especially youth aged 18-35 years who can do away with spectacles forever by availing world-class eye-care treatments. The Advanced Customised LASIK machine sets a new standard in laser vision correction, catering to a wide range of visual conditions, including mild to severe nearsightedness with or without astigmatism, farsightedness with or without astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism. Eye-Qs procedure performed using this machine is known for its high reliability, painless experience, exceptional safety, predictability, and remarkable precision. Eye-Q aims to treat approximately 100 patients with this advanced LASIK machine by the end of this calendar year. Praising the Eye-Q team for their remarkable efforts in advancing ophthalmological treatments, the groundbreaking technology was inaugurated by esteemed MLA Chiranjeev Rao, Rewari alongside the gracious presence of Sh. Mohd Imran Raza , IAS, Deputy Commissioner and Sh. Deepak Saharan, IPS, Rewari. The event also saw the participation from the notable members of the Eye-Q team, including Dr. Satyendra Kumar Kain, the Clinical In-charge, Dr. Kapil Arneja, the Deputy Lasik Director, Dr. Gautam Yadav, a Consultant Doctor, and Dr. Abhinav Sinsinwar, another esteemed Consultant Doctor. Our Advanced Customised LASIK Machine at Rewari eye-care facility represents a significant leap forward in laser vision correction, stated Dr. Ajay Sharma, founder and CMD of Eye-Q. With its unparalleled precision and clarity, this advanced technology provides immense benefits over traditional Lasik procedures. By tailoring the treatment to each patients unique vision, the machine delivers over 25 times greater clarity, ensuring exceptional outcomes. Additionally, one of the key advantages is the minimal recovery time, as patients typically experience complete recovery within just 1-2 weeks. We are thrilled to bring this revolutionary solution to the doorstep of Rewari patients, empowering them with enhanced vision and a faster path to visual wellness. Having witnessed a high number of eye-related ailments in the Haryana region, this initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the pressing eye-care needs of the region. By providing advanced eye care treatments locally, we aim to improve the quality of life for individuals in Rewari and beyond, ensuring they receive timely and effective care, said Dr. Kapil Arneja, the Deputy Lasik Director. Through the power of advanced technology and unwavering dedication, we are illuminating a brighter future for our patients in Rewari. With the Advanced Customised LASIK Machine, we are redefining precision, clarity, and personalized care, ensuring that every individual experiences the gift of enhanced vision and a life filled with limitless possibilities. said Satyendra Kumar Jain, the Clinical In-charge of Eye-Q Rewari. The Advanced Customised LASIK Machine offers a range of key features that make it a standout in the field of laser vision correction. Notably, it is wavefront-driven, incorporating VISXs exclusive and proven mathematical formulas. This innovative approach allows doctors to precisely measure and correct the unique imperfections in each individuals vision, resulting in optimal treatment outcomes tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, the machine combines the advanced technologies of the WaveScan WaveFront System and the VISX STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser with Iris Registration (IR). This integration ensures unparalleled precision and accuracy during the laser vision correction procedure. Moreover, the machine has received FDA approval due to its impressive success rate in treating more than 94 percent of eligible patients for laser vision correction. This recognition underscores its reliability and effectiveness as a trusted solution for various visual needs. Source : The World Bank has approved a USD 255.5 million loan to assist India in increasing the standard of its technical education and growing the number of job prospects available to students. Over 3,50,000 students will benefit annually from the project's assistance of 275 government-run technical institutes over the course of the next five years, the US-based multilateral institution said in a statement.India's tertiary education has been expanding gradually, from 29 million students enrolled in 40,000 colleges in 2011-12 to 39 million students enrolled in 40,000 universities in 2019-20. Despite being one of the largest in the world, India's tertiary education system has recently been found to have growing gaps in both technical and non-technical abilities like reasoning, interpersonal communication, and conflict resolution. Through a stronger emphasis on research, entrepreneurship, and innovation as well as improved governance in technical institutions, the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education Project will assist in increasing student employability and skills."As part of the project, students will get access to upgraded curricula, including emerging technologies in communication and climate resilience. They will also benefit from better internship and placement services, including opportunities to network with professional associations," the statement said. "India has one of the largest and fastest-growing tertiary education systems in the world. The project will support the Government of India's National Education Policy 2020, which calls for modernizing this critical sector to better prepare students for emerging jobs and business opportunities," said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank's Country Director for India. "Improving female participation in technical education will receive special attention," it said.The project will support participating institutions to organize outreach programs providing prospective female students, parents, and guardians with more and better information on technical education program options, building sensitivity to gender issues, and addressing misconceptions about women's capabilities in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. In order to encourage them to finish their courses and have an early introduction to the workforce, female students will also be urged to engage with mentors and alumni. Undergraduate engineering students currently make up less than 30 percent of the student body, and women from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are doubly disadvantaged, the World Bank said.According to the official statement, studies also highlight the need to strengthen India's links with business and society in terms of innovation and research. Only 504 of the 9,581 technical education institutions have founded at least one company, and 525 have founded between two and four in the previous two years. Research and innovation in high-priority fields, including climate change and sustainable energy, will be supported through the initiative. "The project will also help participating institutions strengthen their governance and internal quality assurance mechanisms by building their capacity for self-assessment, developing institutional quality policies, and preparing for accreditation," said Nina Arnhold and Namrata Tognatta, Task Team Leaders for the project, according to the press release of the World Bank."At the state level, the project will help set up quality assurance cells to support the country's goal of providing greater empowerment and autonomy to educational institutions while also holding them accountable for delivering on learning and employability outcomes," they said. The USD 255.5 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a final maturity of 14 years, including a grace period of five years. MUNICH, June 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 14-16, the European Smart Energy Expo hosted by the German Solar Industry Alliance was grandly opened in Munich, Germany. The world's top energy storage company, EVE, presented its big LFP cell "Mr big"-LF560K at the exhibition and signed a strategic cooperation of 23GWh on the booth. During the exhibition, EVE showcased comprehensive solutions for international customers, such as utility ESS, Telecom ESS, household ESS, Marine power, etc. At the same time, we held the "Next Generation ESS Cell for TWh -LF560K" themed new product launch, leading the new wave of energy TWh era. It is reported that LF560K redefines ESS with the three advantages of "Easier, Safer and Super Economic", which can effectively meet the trend of TWh era and solve the problems of management complexity, thermal runaway and economy in the era of large-scale power plants. With years of practical application and good market feedback, EVE's booth attracted many customers to communicate with us. Among them, the United States head energy storage integration enterprise Powin and American Battery Solutions (ABS) held a signing ceremony with EVE, reaching a total of 23GWh of strategic cooperation. In this collaboration, EVE will provide part of the production capacity for Powin's flagship 1850MWh Waratah superbattery to enhance its safety and performance. With the advent of the TWh era, Powin and EVE are also about to work together to build the first single energy storage system super GWh project. In cooperation with ABS, EVE LF280K cells will be used in ABS' new battery storage system, TeraStor. The system is compatible with at least 160 different operating conditions at different multipliers and temperatures, requiring the highest standards and performance of the cells. With the support of EVE products, TeraStor has passed the reliability analysis test by Reliant Labs and completed UL9540A test, making it one of the most reliable energy storage systems on the market today. Up to now, EVE has completed the layout of multi-form and multi-technology energy storage products, with full product solutions from cell, BMS, module to system, covering four major application fields: utility, telecommunication, household and marine. For different segments of the market, we provide the best adaptable solutions for different requirements such as product life, multiplier, safety, temperature control and cost. In view of its excellent product strength and ultimate manufacturing capability, EVE has reached cooperation with BMW, Daimler, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover and other international car companies, and its overseas business expansion is gaining momentum. Recently, EVE has announced the construction of factories in Malaysia and Hungary, continuing to increase its overseas layout. The appearance of EVE at THE SMARTER E EUROPE 2023 demonstrates its super strength of global layout and global delivery. In the future, EVE will continue to lead the direction of energy storage innovation, provide more cost-effective, more efficient and more stable energy storage solutions, to help sustainable development and build a green and low-carbon future. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2139997/image_5024968_28823185.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2139998/image_5024968_28823326.jpg SOURCE EVE Energy Storage Co., Ltd. MUNICH, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Intersolar AWARD 2023 was officially unveiled at the Munich International Convention Center. Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Aiko Solar", stock code: 600732.SH) has independently developed high-efficiency ABC (All Back Contact) modules with delivery efficiency of 24%, which have been highly recognized by the panel of judges for breakthrough innovative technology. Aiko Solar stands out from a pool of ten finalists and won the Intersolar AWARD 2023. The annual Intersolar AWARD is one of the most prestigious awards in the industry. This award aims to select the most innovative and disruptive products and technologies in the photovoltaic industry for the year. An independent panel of judges composed of international experts selects industry-leading innovators based on indicators such as innovation, technological creativity, environmental impact, business value, etc. The Intersolar panellists state that, The ABC modules created by Aiko Solar combine N-type solar cells with passivating contacts and back-contact architectures to create some of the world's most powerful modules. The ABC modules reach a capacity of 620W at 24.0% efficiency, significantly higher than most available solar panels. The glass backsheet modules have impressive temperature coefficients and a 30-year power warranty. In addition to technical excellence, Aiko Solar's ABC modules feature clean aesthetics with no grid lines on front, which suiting a wide range of construction projects. The Intersolar panel of judges also praises Aiko Solar for metalizing ABC modules without using silver, which significantly reduces silver consumption and is therefore more environment-friendly. Dr. Christian Peter, president of the European Research Institute of Aiko Solar, said in his award-winning speech: "This win of Intersolar AWARD 2023 is the best proof that Aiko's continuous investment in innovation and unremitting pursuit of technological height have been recognized by the industry." Based on the high efficiency, clean aesthetics and long lifespans of products, Aiko Solar gains a lot of popularity at Intersolar Europe. During the exhibition, Aiko Solar officially signed a 1.3GW ABC Modules supply agreement with Memodo Group, a German leading solar and energy storage wholesaler in Europe. Under this agreement, Aiko Solar will supply Memodo with 1.3GW of ABC Modules. The two parties will engage in extensive cooperation, leveraging their complementary strengths in areas such as products and localization services. SOURCE Aiko Solar The antibody-drug conjugates pipeline and clinical trial analysis report deliver important insights into ongoing research, clinical strategies, upcoming therapeutics, and commercial analysis. LAS VEGAS, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's ' Antibody-drug Conjugates Competitive Landscape 2023 ' report provides comprehensive global coverage of available, marketed, and pipeline antibody-drug conjugates in various stages of clinical development, major pharmaceutical companies working to advance the pipeline space, company assessment, comparative assessment, and future growth potential of the antibody-drug conjugates competitive domain. Key Takeaways from the Antibody-drug Conjugates Competitive Landscape Report Over 180+ antibody-drug conjugates companies are evaluating 300+ antibody-drug conjugates drugs in various stages of development, and their anticipated acceptance in the antibody-drug conjugates market would significantly increase market revenue. antibody-drug conjugates companies are evaluating antibody-drug conjugates drugs in various stages of development, and their anticipated acceptance in the antibody-drug conjugates market would significantly increase market revenue. Key antibody-drug conjugates companies such as NBE-Therapeutics, ImmunoGen, Inc., Seagen Inc., ADC Therapeutics, Mythic Therapeutics, Sutro Biopharma, Merck KGaA, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Peak Bio, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Asana BioSciences, Tanabe Research Laboratories USA , OBI Pharma, Sanofi, Navrogen, Inc., and others are evaluating new antibody-drug conjugates drugs to improve the treatment landscape. and others are evaluating new antibody-drug conjugates drugs to improve the treatment landscape. Promising antibody-drug conjugates pipeline drugs such as Zynlonta, Ladiratuzumab Vedotin, NBE-002, IMGN151, Camidanlumab tesirine, ADCT-602, ADCT-901, ADCT-701, ADCT-212, ADCT-601, IMGN-632, IMGC 936, IMGN-151, MYTX-011, M1231, STI-6129, Torpedo, BCMA ADC, REGN5093-M114, ASN004, TR 1801 ADC, OBI 999, R 992, NAV-001, and others are under different phases of antibody-drug conjugates clinical trials. and others are under different phases of antibody-drug conjugates clinical trials. In April 2023 , Mythic Therapeutics, announced preclinical data highlighting the potential of MYTX-011, its investigational cMET-targeting ADC, for treating a broader range of cMET+ cancers than other cMET-targeting ADCs in development. These data were presented as a poster at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. MYTX-011 demonstrated higher internalization in cMET+ tumor cells and broader, more potent efficacy, including a greater than 3-fold increase in efficacy in mouse models of NSCLC, as compared to other cMET-targeting ADCs. announced preclinical data highlighting the potential of MYTX-011, its investigational cMET-targeting ADC, for treating a broader range of cMET+ cancers than other cMET-targeting ADCs in development. These data were presented as a poster at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. MYTX-011 demonstrated higher internalization in cMET+ tumor cells and broader, more potent efficacy, including a greater than 3-fold increase in efficacy in mouse models of NSCLC, as compared to other cMET-targeting ADCs. In April 2023 , Araris Biotech AG, announced the company delivered two poster presentations at this year's American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2023 Annual Meeting, being held April 14-19, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida . The presentations highlighted late-breaking preclinical data on anti-Nectin-4 and anti-HER2 ADCs generated using the company's proprietary linker technology. Both ADCs demonstrated improved anti-tumor activity compared to respective FDA-approved ADCs in head-to-head in-vivo studies. announced the company delivered two poster presentations at this year's American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2023 Annual Meeting, being held at the Convention Center in . The presentations highlighted late-breaking preclinical data on anti-Nectin-4 and anti-HER2 ADCs generated using the company's proprietary linker technology. Both ADCs demonstrated improved anti-tumor activity compared to respective FDA-approved ADCs in head-to-head in-vivo studies. In March 2022 , Sanofi and Seagen Inc. announced an exclusive collaboration agreement to design, develop, and commercialize antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for up to three cancer targets. The collaboration will utilize Sanofi's proprietary monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology and Seagen's proprietary ADC technology. ADCs are antibodies engineered to deliver potent anti-cancer drugs to tumor cells expressing a specific protein and Sanofi currently has one ADC in development. announced an exclusive collaboration agreement to design, develop, and commercialize antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for up to three cancer targets. The collaboration will utilize Sanofi's proprietary monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology and Seagen's proprietary ADC technology. ADCs are antibodies engineered to deliver potent anti-cancer drugs to tumor cells expressing a specific protein and Sanofi currently has one ADC in development. In December 2022 , Merck and Kelun-Biotech, announced that the companies have entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement to develop seven investigational preclinical antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) for the treatment of cancer. Under the agreement, Kelun-Biotech has granted Merck exclusive global licenses to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize multiple investigational preclinical ADC therapies and exclusive options to obtain additional licenses for ADC candidates. Kelun-Biotech retains the right to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize certain licensed and option ADCs for mainland China , Hong Kong , and Macau . announced that the companies have entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement to develop seven investigational preclinical antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) for the treatment of cancer. Under the agreement, Kelun-Biotech has granted Merck exclusive global licenses to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize multiple investigational preclinical ADC therapies and exclusive options to obtain additional licenses for ADC candidates. Kelun-Biotech retains the right to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize certain licensed and option ADCs for mainland , , and . In December 2022 , Biosion USA , Inc. announced an exploratory research collaboration to create antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer with ImmunoGen, Inc., a leader in developing next-generation ADCs. In the joint research effort, Biosion leveraged its proprietary SynTracer high-throughput (HT) endocytosis platform to generate highly selective antibodies to targets allocated by each company and ImmunoGen will provide their proprietary linker-payload technology to create novel ADCs. Request a sample and discover the recent advances in antibody-drug conjugates treatment @ Antibody-drug Conjugates Competitive Landscape Report Antibody-drug Conjugates Overview Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are one of the most rapidly increasing anticancer treatments. This method uses a mAb attached to a lethal payload via a chemical linker that is directed towards a target antigen expressed on the cancer cell surface, limiting systemic exposure and thereby toxicity. ADCs are complicated compounds that necessitate close attention to various components. The choice of an acceptable target, a mAb, cytotoxic payload, and the manner in which the antibody is coupled to the payload are all important factors of ADC safety and efficacy. Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is a newly emerging family of highly effective pharmacological medications that combine chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The most commonly targeted antigens in ADCs are ERBB2, CD19, CD33, CD22, and MSLN (mesothelin). Furthermore, over 50 distinct recognized antigens have been employed as targets in ADC. Previous research has shown that several tumor antigens are also expressed at low levels in normal cells. The concept of ADCs is to deliver a highly effective payload to its target utilizing the best carrier possible. ADCs are administered intravenously into the circulation to avoid mAb breakdown by stomach acid and proteolytic enzymes. Ideally, the target antigens must be expressed only on tumor cells and not on normal cells in order for the mAb component of ADCs to detect and bind to them. Find out more about antibody-drug conjugates drugs @ Antibody-drug Conjugates Treatment Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline Analysis: Drug Profile Zynlonta: ADC Therapeutics Zynlonta (loncastuximab tesirine) is a pharmacological combination of a CD19-directed antibody. Zynlonta is internalized by the cell after binding to a CD19-expressing cell, where enzymes release a pyrrolobenzodiazepine payload. The powerful payload binds to the minor groove of DNA with minimal distortion, making it less detectable in DNA repair processes. This eventually leads to cell cycle arrest and cancer cell death. Zynlonta (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including DLBCL not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Ladiratuzumab Vedotin: Seagen Inc. Ladiratuzumab vedotin is an investigational ADC that targets LIV-1. Most metastatic breast tumors express LIV-1, which has also been found in lung, head & neck, esophageal, and gastric malignancies. Ladiratuzumab vedotin is made up of a LIV-1-targeted monoclonal antibody connected to a strong microtubule-disrupting drug, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), by a protease-cleavable linker. This unique ADC is intended to bind to LIV-1 on cancer cells and, following internalization, release the cell-killing chemical into target cells. Ladiratuzumab vedotin may also exert anticancer action via other pathways, such as the generation of an immunological response by immunogenic cell death. The drug is currently in Phase II clinical trial evaluation for the treatment of unresectable locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. A snapshot of the Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline Drugs mentioned in the report: Antibody-drug Conjugates Drugs Company Phase Indication Zynlonta ADC Therapeutics Preregistration B-cell lymphoma Ladiratuzumab Vedotin Seagen Inc. Phase II Adenocarcinoma; Breast cancer; Head and neck cancer; Malignant melanoma; Non-small cell lung cancer; Esophageal cancer; Prostate cancer; Small cell lung cancer NBE-002 NBE-Therapeutics Phase I/II Solid tumors; Triple negative breast cancer Epratuzumab-cys-tesirine ADC therapeutics Phase I/II Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia-lymphoma IMGC 936 ImmunoGen/MacroGenics Phase I/II Colorectal cancer; Gastric cancer; Non-small cell lung cancer; Pancreatic cancer; Solid tumors; Triple-negative breast cancer STI-6129 Sorrento Therapeutics Phase I/II Multiple myeloma OBI 999 Odeon Therapeutics Phase I/II Solid tumors IMGN151 ImmunoGen, Inc. Phase I Endometrial cancer; Fallopian tube cancer; Ovarian cancer; Peritoneal cancer MYTX-011 Mythic Therapeutics Phase I Non-small cell lung cancer M1231 EMD Serono Phase I Non-small cell lung cancer; Esophageal cancer; Solid tumors; Squamous cell cancer ASN 004 Asana BioSciences Phase I Solid tumors Anti TROP2 antibody drug conjugate Peak Bio Preclinical Cancer Learn more about the emerging antibody-drug conjugates pipeline drugs @ Antibody-drug Conjugates Clinical Trials Scope of the Antibody-drug Conjugates Competitive Landscape Report Coverage : Global : Global Key Antibody-drug Conjugates Companies : NBE-Therapeutics, ImmunoGen, Inc., Seagen Inc., ADC Therapeutics, Mythic Therapeutics, Sutro Biopharma, Merck KGaA, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Peak Bio, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Asana BioSciences, Tanabe Research Laboratories USA , OBI Pharma, Sanofi, Navrogen, Inc., and others : NBE-Therapeutics, ImmunoGen, Inc., Seagen Inc., ADC Therapeutics, Mythic Therapeutics, Sutro Biopharma, Merck KGaA, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Peak Bio, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Asana BioSciences, Tanabe Research Laboratories , OBI Pharma, Sanofi, Navrogen, Inc., and others Key Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline Drugs : Zynlonta, Ladiratuzumab Vedotin, NBE-002, IMGN151, Camidanlumab tesirine, ADCT-602, ADCT-901, ADCT-701, ADCT-212, ADCT-601, IMGN-632, IMGC 936, IMGN-151, MYTX-011, M1231, STI-6129, Torpedo, BCMA ADC, REGN5093-M114, ASN004, TR 1801 ADC, OBI 999, R 992, NAV-001, and others : Zynlonta, Ladiratuzumab Vedotin, NBE-002, IMGN151, Camidanlumab tesirine, ADCT-602, ADCT-901, ADCT-701, ADCT-212, ADCT-601, IMGN-632, IMGC 936, IMGN-151, MYTX-011, M1231, STI-6129, Torpedo, BCMA ADC, REGN5093-M114, ASN004, TR 1801 ADC, OBI 999, R 992, NAV-001, and others Company Analysis, Therapeutic Assessment, Pipeline Assessment, Inactive drugs assessment, Unmet Needs Dive deep into rich insights for new antibody-drug conjugates drugs, visit @ Antibody-drug Conjugates Drugs Table of Contents 1. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline Report Introduction 2. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline Report Executive Summary 3. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline: Overview 4. Antibody-drug Conjugates Marketed Drugs 4.1. MYLOTARG: Pfizer 5. Antibody-drug Conjugates Clinical Trial Therapeutics 6. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline: Late-Stage Products (Pre-registration) 7. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline: Late-Stage Products (Phase III) 7.1. Zynlonta: ADC Therapeutics 8. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline: Mid-Stage Products (Phase II) 8.1. Ladiratuzumab Vedotin: Seagen Inc. 9. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline: Early-Stage Products (Phase I) 9.1. IMGN151: ImmunoGen, Inc. 10. Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline Therapeutics Assessment 11. Inactive Products in the Antibody-drug Conjugates Pipeline 12. Company-University Collaborations (Licensing/Partnering) Analysis 13. Unmet Needs 14. Antibody-drug Conjugates Market Drivers and Barriers 15. Appendix For further information on the antibody-drug conjugates pipeline therapeutics, reach out @ Antibody-drug Conjugates Analysis Related Reports Antibody-drug Conjugates Market Antibody-drug Conjugates Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key antibody-drug conjugates companies, including ImmunoGen, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Seagen, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Mythic Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, NBE-Therapeutics AG, Gilead Sciences, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Kirilys Therapeutics Inc., Tanabe Research Laboratories USA Inc, Sutro Biopharma, Inc, among others. Antibody-drug Conjugates in Oncology Competitive Landscape Antibody-drug Conjugates in Oncology Competitive Landscape 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key antibody-drug conjugates in oncology companies, including Seagen, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, ADC Therapeutics, Abbvie, Gilead Sciences, Byondis, ImmunoGen, Merck, CytomX, Genmab, MacroGenics, among others. Bispecific Antibody Competitive Landscape Bispecific Antibody Competitive Landscape 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key bispecific antibody companies, including Janssen, Amgen, Akeso, Zymeworks, Roche, IGM Biosciences, MacroGenics, Provention Bio, Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals, Sichuan Baili Pharmaceutical, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, among others. Monoclonal Antibodies Competitive Landscape Monoclonal Antibodies Competitive Landscape 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key monoclonal antibody companies, including Novartis, Gmax Biopharm, Omeros Corporation, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Disc Medicine, Eledon Pharmaceuticals, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, Chinook Therapeutics, Omeros Corporation, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +1(919)321-6187 www.delveinsight.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP SHENZHEN, China, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China-based Appotronics Corporation Limited ("Appotronics", 688007.SH) released its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting its performance and achievements in terms of environment, society and governance. The report, covering multiple data and practical achievements in research and development "R&D" innovation, environmental protection and energy conservation, employee rights, social responsibility, and governance transparency, provides more information on the company's understanding and practice of ESG values. Appotronics has independently disclosed important measures in social responsibility and implementing sustainable development strategies for four consecutive years, recognized by various sectors of society. 2022 saw the company earn the Guizhou Province "Chunhui Action Contribution Award", the A-level rating by Wind ESG, and the Cailian Press Social Responsibility Pioneer Enterprise Award. R&D innovation boosts industry progress and practices sustainable development Li Yi, founder and chairman of Appotronics, noted in his open speech, "We deeply realize that only when we develop ourselves can we address multiple external uncertainties, that is, we must adhere to technological innovation and pursue sustainable and high-quality development." Appotronics is committed to ramping up technological innovation and industrial upgrading and introducing new technological trends and application scenarios to the industry. The company attaches great importance to the transformation of research and development achievements and the improvement of industrialization level to secure its leading position in technology and actively influence the entire industry. 2022 saw Appotronics develop automotive optical application, AR optical module, ALPD 5.0, "zero" back focus technology, intelligent robot fusion, laser scanning point cloud and others, serving as high-performance and high-quality solutions for the market. The company has doubled down on R&D efforts, with an increased proportion of R&D personnel. In 2022, the R&D investment reached RMB 262 million, up 10.73% year-on-year (YOY) and number of R&D personnel reached 521, accounting for 31.83% of the total number of the employees. Appotronics not only focuses on talent team construction, but also improves intellectual property protection. As of December 31, 2022, Appotronics holds 1773 authorized patents around the globe, of which 966 are authorized patents for invention, resulting in a total of 2,629 patent applications plus authorized patents around the world, a solid ground for the company's innovation and technological accumulation. Appotronics takes original laser technology as its core, fully utilizing its healthy eye care and energy-saving features among others to continuously improve the product's performance and reliability. Among them is the ALPD 5.0 laser display technology with energy efficiency in excess of 20lm/W, about 100% higher than other light sources. Meanwhile, technological innovation contributes to energy conservation and emission reduction, ALPD laser light source projection solutions having been widely applied in the domestic market. 27700 sets of ALPD laser projection solutions have been installed in China, running about 236 million hours in total, saving about 425 million kilowatt hours of electricity, and effectively reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 186 million cubic meters. In addition to research and innovation, Appotronics also combines technology with culture to promote cultural inheritance and innovation. The company's engineering projector facilitated Xinjiang's first comprehensive immersive performance, "Wan Fang Yue Zou You Yu Tian", and cultural and tourism projects such as the Wuyuan Cultural and Tourism Town Realistic Show in Jiangxi. By combining new light and shadow technology with historical and cultural stories, it brought unprecedented sensory experiences and emotional resonance to the audience. People-oriented talent concept, employees and the company growing together Appotronics, adhering to the "people-oriented" principle, has formulated comprehensive human resource management standards. The company continuously improves the employee management system, safeguards employee rights and organizes activities such as "CEO face-to-face communication meetings" and "fresh graduate exchange meetings" in an effort to create a transparent, fair, and interactive corporate culture, and strengthen communication and exchange between employees and the company. At the same time, Appotronics attaches great importance to employee welfare benefits, providing competitive salaries and benefits, and encouraging employees to engage in diverse team building and club activities to strike a balance between work and life. A dual channel career development sequence was established to provide effective career development guidance and support for employees; and multiple talent cultivation systems set up to provide training plans and opportunities for employees at different levels. In 2022, the company's total employee training time reached 17673 hours, effectively improving the employee's professional literacy and capabilities. Reliable environmental management, disclosing TCFD climate information Appotronics takes sustainable development as its own responsibility, incorporating environmental benefits and environmental management into the entire process of enterprise operation and management. It has always adhered to the concept of low-carbon production and energy conservation and carbon reduction, and continues to promote green operation and production in environmental management to achieve coordinated development of the economy, society, and environment. The company continuously optimizes production processes and adopts advanced energy-saving technologies to minimize the impact on the environment. It has been awarded the "Green Leading Enterprise" by the CEC and China Certification Center for Energy Conservation Product ("CECP") certification. Notably, Appotronics provided a detailed disclosure of the impact of climate change on the company's operations in the ESG report of 2022, having identified climate change risks and opportunities and taken effective response measures referring to the initiatives of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure ("TCFD"). Influential social welfare, actively assuming social responsibility A corporate citizen, Appotronics focuses on fulfilling social responsibilities, promoting the development of public welfare undertakings, and actively participates in assisting rural revitalization, technology popularization, and social welfare activities. Upon the information of marketing difficulties of agricultural products in Gantang Town and Huaxi Township of Qianxi, Guizhou Province, Appotronics initiated the "2022 Mid-Autumn Festival Public Welfare and Agricultural Aid Action" project to help poor areas solve the problem of agricultural product marketing by purchasing instead of direct assistance. The company earned "Chunhui Action Contribution Award" in 2022 for its actions to revitalize talents and assist agriculture in Guizhou, where its high-definition giant screens helped Qianxi create a youth maker space to promote talent revitalization. Appotronics, a "Nanshan District Science Popularization Base", received a total of 6 children's science popularization public welfare visit projects, with approximately 100 children visitors in 2022. In collaboration with the CASCI, Appotronics launched a series of activities called "Radiance Plan", where it provided intelligent screens to impoverished rural areas in Guangxi alongside popularizing aerospace knowledge. In a bid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the company donated RMB 1.2597 million worth laser projectors to the Shenzhen Health Commission through the Red Cross Society of China Shenzhen Branch, for the purpose of family education for the children of anti-pandemic medical workers. Li Yi stated that ESG practices have been gradually integrated into all aspects of Appotronics's work, and moving forward the company will be committed to using laser core technology to create a better life experience for people and create better long-term value for stakeholders. SOURCE Appotronics Corporation Ltd. NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned Chinese composer Arthur Wang captivated an eager audience during his lecture titled "Meet Composer Arthur Wang," presented by the ArtsBerry. The enlightening event aimed to foster a deeper understanding of modern music composition and the cultural fusion experienced by musicians with diverse backgrounds. Meet Composer Arthur Wang Meet Composer Arthur Wang During the lecture, Composer Arthur Wang delved into three key topics that shed light on the intricate relationship between Eastern and Western music. Firstly, he explored the intriguing similarities and differences between these two musical traditions. Drawing parallels, Wang emphasized the role of improvisation as a shared element. In ancient China, musicians would create and shape music through improvisation, a practice that finds its counterpart in the Baroque Period, where musicians would improvise harmonic realizations based solely on the bass line, known as basso continuo. He further highlighted how jazz, a significant musical genre, relies heavily on the improvisational skills of its musicians. By examining these connections, Wang unveiled the interwoven fabric that binds Eastern and Western music together. Secondly, Arthur Wang provided insights into how his multicultural and diverse educational background has profoundly influenced his music-making process. Having gained experience in electronic music, film music, classical music, and jazz, Wang possesses a unique perspective that enables him to create and comprehend music in an unparalleled manner. He emphasized that he draws inspiration and learns from every genre he encounters, allowing him to integrate the strengths and advantages of various musical styles into his own compositions. In the final segment of the lecture, Wang showcased several of his compositions, offering the audience a firsthand glimpse into his creative process. Demonstrating his mastery, he revealed how he combines Eastern instruments with the rhythmic and harmonic elements of modern Western music to construct a distinctive sonic realm. Wang's innovative approach and unique viewpoint contribute to the creation of a musical landscape that transcends cultural boundaries. The lecture proved to be an enriching and thought-provoking experience for all in attendance. Arthur Wang's profound knowledge, coupled with his remarkable ability to communicate complex musical concepts, left the audience captivated and inspired. About Arthur Wang Arthur Wang is a highly esteemed Chinese composer renowned for his innovative and eclectic musical compositions. With a diverse background encompassing electronic music, film music, classical music, and jazz, Wang brings a unique perspective to his work. Wang's music has been performed by numerous ensembles and musicians in the United States, China, and Hong Kong, including American Modern Ensemble, Eastman Jazz Ensemble, Eastman Jazz Lab Band, Empire Film and Media Ensemble, Jasper String Quartet, New Hong Kong Philharmonia String Quartet, MSU Symphony Orchestra, MSU Concert Orchestra, and MSU Wind Symphony. Furthermore, Mr. Wang has received renowned music awards, including ASMAC David Blumberg Prize, Global Music Award Bronze Medal, the 2019 first Shanghai International Electronic Music Competition International Grand Prize, Denny Awards Electronic Music Composition Competition Awards, Musicacoustica Beijing Electronic Music Composition Competition Awards, to name a few. His compositions reflect a fusion of Eastern and Western influences, showcasing his ability to create a distinctive sound world. Media contact: Ana Tsiung [email protected] 6465718222 SOURCE ArtsBerry Inc. AALBORG, Denmark, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek sim racing gear innovator and Micro Center today announced that Micro Center will sell a broad offering of Asetek SimSports sim racing products in its physical stores across the U.S., and through its online store microcenter.com. A variety of Asetek SimSports wheels, wheelbases, pedals, and accessories are now available through Micro Center, including the recently announced Tony Kanaan Sim Racing products, and premium Invicta and high-performance high-value Forte offerings. "In addition to the recently unveiled Asetek SimSports Tony Kanaan Sim Racing Bundle exclusively available through Micro Center, we are delighted to offer retail availability of Asetek SimSports across Micro Center's 26 stores as well as from their online store," said Andre Sloth Eriksen, CEO and founder of Asetek. "Through this agreement, we are making it easier for sim racers in North America to purchase Asetek SimSports gear and experience the feel of real racecar racing. These are the first exciting steps into the experimental retail strategy mentioned at the recent first quarter 2023 presentation. Competing retail with competitors only selling direct, poses a significant supply chain challenge (due to the increased margin stack) but we believe we have found a viable way with Micro Center. It is still too early to quantify the financial impact of this strategy, but we see it as an integral part of our vision of broadening the customer base and availability to end-users." To learn more, visit https://www.microcenter.com/site/products/gaming.aspx . To learn more about Asetek SimSports, visit https://aseteksimsports.com. About Micro Center Founded in 1979, Micro Center is among the United State's leading information technology, communications, and electronic device suppliers, operating twenty-six large stores in major markets nationwide. Uniquely focused on information technology products, Micro Center offers more computers, electronics, networking and communication devices (more than 30,000 items in stock) than any other company. https://www.microcenter.com/ About Asetek A Danish garage-to-stock-exchange success story and global leader in mechatronic innovation, Asetek (ASTK) designs, manufactures and sells gaming hardware for next-level immersive gaming experiences. Founded in 2000, Asetek established its innovative position as the leading OEM developer and producer of the all-in-one liquid cooler for all major PC & Enthusiast gaming brands. In 2013, Asetek went public. In 2021, Asetek expanded its offering of gaming hardware solutions when it introduced its line of products for next-level immersive sim racing gaming experiences. Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in China, Taiwan and the United States. www.asetek.com For further information, please contact: Peter Dam Madsen, Chief Financial Officer Mobile: +45 2080 7200, e-mail: [email protected] or David Pangburn, Corporate Controller Mobile: +1 (408) 386-3031, email: [email protected] This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Peter Dam Madsen, CFO at Asetek A/S, on June 26, 2023 at 12:00 CEST. The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/6758/3793532/2151869.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/asetek/i/pr-image-asetek-simsports-products-available-at-micro-center-no-text,c3193721 PR-Image_Asetek SimSports Products Available at Micro Center_No text https://news.cision.com/asetek/i/pr-image-asetek-simsports-products-available-at-micro-center,c3193722 PR-Image_Asetek SimSports Products Available at Micro Center SOURCE Asetek The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) Governing Body has appointed Rebecca Wagner to the Governing Body and reappointed Anita Decker to a third term. Wagner will serve the remainder of Jennifer Gardner's term, which expires on June 30, 2024. Gardner, who has been a member of the Governing Body since 2021, recently announced she was resigning at the end of this month. "I want to express my appreciation to Jennifer for her invaluable service," said Mark Rothleder, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the California Independent System Operator (ISO). "Jennifer's participation came during a transformative time for the real-time energy market with the expansion of services to include the day-ahead market and key changes to the governance model." Wagner has more than 25 years of electric utility experience, most recently serving as vice chair of the WEIM's Governance Review Committee. In addition, she served on the initial EIM Transitional Committee during the real-time market's development, demonstrating her support of the evolution of western markets. She is the founder and president of Wagner Strategies where she advises clients on regulatory and utility matters, clean energy and climate policy. Wagner was a member of the Nevada Public Utilities Commission for over 9 years, and served as the director of the Nevada Office of Energy, and Energy Advisor to former Nevada Gov. Guinn. "Rebecca is an outstanding addition to the Governing Body," Rothleder said. "Her electric industry experience and her participation on WEIM committees affords her insight into issues facing our partners in the West. Her leadership experience was central in the development of the joint-authority governance model." Decker, who has more than 39 years of electric industry experience, was executive director of the Northwest Public Power Association prior to joining the Governing Body in 2019. She also served as chief operating officer for the Bonneville Power Administration, and spent 27 years with PacifiCorp. Decker's three-year term will expire on June 30, 2026. The Governing Body also elected Andrew Campbell to serve as the WEIM Governing Body chair, and Robert Kondziolka was elected to serve as the vice chair. Campbell and Kondziolka will serve in those roles from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. The Governing Body oversees the WEIM real-time energy market, which now includes 22 participants and has generated more than $3.82 billion in cumulative benefits to participating entities since its launch in November 2014. The WEIM Governing Body was designed by regional stakeholders to give entities throughout the W est a voice in decision-making on WEIM matters. The Governing Body has shared authority with the ISO Board of Governors on matters specific to the WEIM. The WEIM is designed to enable participants to buy and sell power close to the time electricity is consumed. With state-of-the art technology, the market finds and delivers lowest-cost resources to meet immediate power needs and manages congestion on transmission lines to maintain grid reliability. The WEIM also provides system operators real-time visibility across neighboring grids, resulting in a more efficient balancing of supply and demand. Operated by the ISO, the W EIM includes portions of Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and extends to the border with Canada, and represents nearly 80% of the load within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). Visit the WEIM website for more information about the Governing Body members, market participants, benefits reports, and initiatives. The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation dedicated, with its partners, to continuous improvement and secure operation of a reliable grid operated for the benefit of consumers. It provides comprehensive grid planning, open and nondiscriminatory access to one of the largest networks of high- voltage transmission power lines in the world, and operates a $9 billion competitive electricity market. Recognizing the importance of the global climate challenge, the ISO is at the forefront of integrating renewable power and advanced technologies that will help provide a sustainable energy future efficiently and cleanly. The Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) is a real-time wholesale energy trading market that enables participants anywhere in the West to buy and sell energy when needed. The WEIM Governing Body is the governing authority designed by regional stakeholders and has shared authority with the ISO Board of Governors to resolve rules specific to participation in the WEIM. Micro Center Expands Gaming Offering with Industry Recognized Asetek SimSports Pedals, Wheels, Wheelbases, and Accessories AALBORG, Denmark, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek sim racing gear innovator and Micro Center today announced that Micro Center will sell a broad offering of Asetek SimSports sim racing products in its physical stores across the U.S., and through its online store microcenter.com. A variety of Asetek SimSports wheels, wheelbases, pedals, and accessories are now available through Micro Center, including the recently announced Tony Kanaan Sim Racing products, and premium Invicta and high-performance high-value Forte offerings. "In addition to the recently unveiled Asetek SimSports Tony Kanaan Sim Racing Bundle exclusively available through Micro Center, we are delighted to offer retail availability of Asetek SimSports across Micro Center's 26 stores as well as from their online store," said Andre Sloth Eriksen, CEO and founder of Asetek. "Through this agreement, we are making it easier for sim racers in North America to purchase Asetek SimSports gear and experience the feel of real racecar racing." Asetek SimSports Products Available at Micro Center Stores: Asetek SimSports Invicta 27Nm direct drive Wheelbase, Invicta S-Series individual throttle and hydraulic brake Pedal Set, and the Invicta standard hydraulic Pedal Set. Asetek SimSports Forte Formula Wheel, Forte 18Nm direct drive Wheelbase, Forte S-Series individual throttle and load-cell brake Pedal Set, and Forte standard load-cell Pedal Set Asetek SimSports Accessories including a variety of bottom, side and front mounting solutions. Asetek SimSport products work out of the box by installing Asetek's custom-made RaceHub software, which enables sim racers of all levels to easily adjust settings and personalize their set-up. To learn more, visit https://www.microcenter.com/site/products/gaming.aspx . To learn more about Asetek SimSports, visit https://aseteksimsports.com. About Micro Center Founded in 1979, Micro Center is among the United State's leading information technology, communications, and electronic device suppliers, operating twenty-six large stores in major markets nationwide. Uniquely focused on information technology products, Micro Center offers more computers, electronics, networking and communication devices (more than 30,000 items in stock) than any other company. https://www.microcenter.com/ About Asetek A Danish garage-to-stock-exchange success story and global leader in mechatronic innovation, Asetek (ASTK) designs, manufactures and sells gaming hardware for next-level immersive gaming experiences. Founded in 2000, Asetek established its innovative position as the leading OEM developer and producer of the all-in-one liquid cooler for all major PC & Enthusiast gaming brands. In 2013, Asetek went public. In 2021, Asetek expanded its offering of gaming hardware solutions when it introduced its line of products for next-level immersive sim racing gaming experiences. Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in China, Taiwan and the United States. www.asetek.com Media Contact Solveig Malvik Director of Branding & Outbound Marketing at Asetek [email protected] +45 21 73 93 83 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/6758/3793534/2151952.pdf Micro Center_ASS Products_FINAL https://news.cision.com/asetek/i/pr-image-asetek-simsports-products-available-at-micro-center-no-text,c3193723 PR-Image_Asetek SimSports Products Available at Micro Center_No text https://news.cision.com/asetek/i/pr-image-asetek-simsports-products-available-at-micro-center,c3193724 PR-Image_Asetek SimSports Products Available at Micro Center SOURCE Asetek Date: Day of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Students for Fair Admissions cases Time: 12 PM 12:30 PM Location: Steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1 First Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20543 Watch online LIVE: https://m.facebook.com/groups/equaleducationrightsforall/ WASHINGTON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian American parents, community members and students, representing a coalition of organization, will rally at the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court at 12 PM the day of the release of the Supreme Court decision on the landmark cases of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Supreme Court's decisions in these cases have far-reaching implications for the future of equal opportunity in higher education. The coalition, comprised of passionate parents and dedicated community leaders, has tirelessly fought to ensure fair treatment and equal access for Asian American students in the college admissions process. The decisions are seen as crucial steps towards ending discriminatory practices and fostering equal opportunities for all. Asian Americans to Rally Immediately After Historic U.S. Supreme Court Decision Tweet this Expected participants include: Yukong Mike Zhao , president of Asian American Coalition for Education , president of Asian American Coalition for Education Chunyan Li , board member of Asian American Coalition for Education , board member of Asian American Coalition for Education Eva Guo , former board member at Students for Fair Admissions , former board member at Students for Fair Admissions Sam Yan , 80-20 Washington chapter president , 80-20 chapter president Asra Nomani , cofounder of Coalition for TJ Edward Blum, founder of Students for Fair Admissions, has been invited to join the rally. The U.S. Supreme Court releases its order list at 9:30 a.m. at supremecourt.gov. Opinions are posted on the official website of the U.S. Supreme Court shortly after they are released at this link: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/slipopinion/22. For 35 years, since Asian Americans first filed a civil rights complaint against Harvard in 1988, Asian Americans have been fighting for equal education rights in college admissions. In 2015, 64 Asian American organizations filed a historic joint civil rights complaint against Ivy League colleges. Since then, Asian American communities have mobilized to provide unwavering support to Students for Fair Admissions and its lawsuits against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. SOURCE Asian American Coalition for Education DUBLIN, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Australia Construction Equipment Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Australia construction equipment market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 3.80% from 2022 to 2029. The earthmoving construction equipment segment accounted for the largest share of the Australia construction equipment market in 2022. In the Earthmoving Segment, excavators accounted for the largest share in 2022. The Bruce Highway upgrade program is one of the largest projects in Queensland, which aims to improve safety and flood resilience and increase capacity along the highway between Brisbane and Cairns. The programs will include 99 new bridges, 372 km of roadside safety barriers, and 85 km of pavement rehabilitation. Melbourne, focusing on green infrastructure, has planned to improve urban amenities and quality of life and develop landscape connectivity. The green roof project is a joint investment between the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the City of Melbourne, each contributing USD 1.25 million. The project is designed to be 1500 square meters which the University of Melbourne will utilize for its R&D. Another project, Coffs Harbour Bypass, includes a 14 km bypass, which aims to improve connectivity, road transport network, and safety. The project has a value of USD 1.1 billion, and the construction is expected to finish by 2027. Another highway upgrade project is in the pipeline, the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Paved Upgrade [HDPU]. With an estimated value of USD 257 million, the project plans to include five new overtaking lanes, widening roads, intersectional improvements, and 27 km of repaved roads. Government Investment In Public Infrastructure The government in Queensland has laid out USD 75 million in its 2022-2023 budget for the construction of common user infrastructure to encourage the development, extraction, and production of critical minerals. The Vanadium Common User Facility project in Queensland is currently in development and will be located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville. The facility will process Vanadium deposits allowing multiple small mining operations to access the facility. The facility would be equipped with solutions for safe renewable energy storage. The demo facility is set to open in 2023. has laid out in its 2022-2023 budget for the construction of common user infrastructure to encourage the development, extraction, and production of critical minerals. The Vanadium Common User Facility project in is currently in development and will be located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville. The facility will process Vanadium deposits allowing multiple small mining operations to access the facility. The facility would be equipped with solutions for safe renewable energy storage. The demo facility is set to open in 2023. The country's largest infrastructure projects include WestConnex, valued at USD 11.1 billion , a 33 km motorway in New South Wales . It is due to complete in 2023. Another one of the largest public transport projects is the construction of the Sydney Metro. The project Vantage Data Center Johannesburg Campus located in Waterfall City is expected to be completed by 2025 and will boost the demand for excavators in the Australia construction equipment market. The campus will include 80MW of IT capacity and be built on around 12 hectares. , a 33 km motorway in . It is due to complete in 2023. Another one of the largest public transport projects is the construction of the Metro. The project Vantage Data Center Johannesburg Campus located in Waterfall City is expected to be completed by 2025 and will boost the demand for excavators in the construction equipment market. The campus will include 80MW of IT capacity and be built on around 12 hectares. Australia , in 2022, has approved USD 34 million worth of grants for developing six important projects to boost the development of the critical mineral resource industry. The government is expected to support more than 500 new jobs. Minister for Resources claimed that Australia has the potential to become the major global supplier of critical minerals. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Government's Infrastructure Investment Program to Propel Sales of Construction Equipment The country has a robust pipeline of public sector-funded projects. The 2022-2023 budget announced the investment of USD 12.0 billion over ten years to important infrastructure projects across the country, such as road and rail. Additionally, the government promised the investments to exceed USD 146 billion between 2021-2025. Further, the country's largest infrastructure projects include WestConnex worth USD 11.3 billion, Sydney Metro (USD 12 billion), and Melbourne Metro Tunnel (USD 11 billion). Moreover, the government of South Australia committed to investing USD 18.6 billion in building new and upgrading infrastructure. Increased Investment In Renewable Energy Projects To Boost The Demand For Material Handling Equipment The country's Powering Australia plan focuses on projects that reduce emissions by boosting renewable energy. Moreover, the Community Solar Banks program expects to provide approximately USD 68.9 million, which will help Australian households access cheap solar-powered energy. Moreover, the government has invested over USD 4.1 billion in renewable energy generation & energy storage. South Australia attracted approximately USD 4 billion in foreign investment for power generation projects such as wind, solar PV, solar thermal, batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air, and thermal storage. Growth In The E-Commerce Industry To Boost The Development of Warehouses In The Country NewCold (logistics company), in Dec 2022, announced to invest USD 160.3 million to build its first warehouse in Sydney's west. Construction is designed to take place in two phases; the 1st phase will include a frozen pallet warehouse with 80,000 pallets. Woolworth (supermarket chain) announced its plans to construct two new automated warehouses at Moorebank Logistics Park in Western Sydney. The warehouses are anticipated to be operational by 2024. Construction on Axis Alexandria Warehouse in Sydney is underway, including constructing a two-story, multi-unit warehouse and a distribution building on 1.69 hectares of land. The project, therefore, involves the construction of nine small warehouse units, parking facilities, and loading and unloading facilities. Increase In Sales of Hybrid And Electric Construction Equipment To Reduce Carbon Emissions In The Country Volvo CE launched its new Volvo CE EC300E Hybrid Excavator in the Australia construction equipment market in Feb 2023, an environmentally friendly option offering improved fuel efficiency. The machine consumes less than 15% of the fuel and generates 15% fewer carbon emissions. Also, in March 2023, Hitachi Construction Machinery announced it would launch new wheel loaders and excavators from its popular ZW-7 and ZX-7 series in Australia. These machines are equipped with Stage-V-compliant fuel-efficient engines. The excavator engines are made up of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), and Catalysed Soot Filter (CSF). Integration Of Telematics System In The Construction Equipment Enabling Optimum Performance CareTrack offers its customers solutions to manage their equipment efficiently, delivering optimum performance. CareTrack also helps operators to use their machines efficiently by optimizing time and fuel consumption. In 2022, Komatsu acquired Australian Telematics Company Mine Site Technologies, a provider of operational optimization platforms for underground mining. Komatsu aims to improve technological solutions, including the automation and teleoperation of mining equipment. Construction Equipment Manufacturers Launching Smart Construction Solutions For Optimised Performance Komatsu introduced the 'Smart Construction Field,' which allows contractors to analyze data instantly and find cost-effective ways to manage and resource projects. Komatsu joined hands with Moovila (software provider) to develop a smart construction field (a mobile app). The technology aims to permit contractors to record job site activity and analyze operational efficiencies in real time. The company also launched the 'Smart Construction Drone,' which allows the collection of visual topography on the job site. This drone technology captures quantities for production tracking and billing, eliminating the manual survey. This drone solution can take photos up to 400 feet above ground level and be used to pre-verify the job site. INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS Skilled Labor Shortage In The Country To Hamper Construction Activities In The Region In 2022, National Skill Week's chairman reported a critical skilled labor shortage in the construction sector, hampering the project delivery timelines. It was predicted that the shortage would reach 100,000 vacancies by 2023. Home Builders Institute (HBI) announced that the construction industry would need to generate 740,000 new jobs annually to align with the industry's skilled labor demand. However, the country's aging population is adding further pressure. It has been projected that by 2066, older people in Australia will account for 21% to 23% of the total population. The Scarcity of Industrial Space May Hamper The Pace of Warehouse Development Projects There is a chronic scarcity of warehouse supply in the Australian market due to tight industrial land. Completion dates of new projects have been delayed in the pipeline, and the average rents have also increased significantly over 2022. Australia needs more than 1,800,000 square meters of industrial and logistics space to meet the rising e-commerce demand. Online sales are projected to react at 17% of the total retail sales by 2026. The prolonged lack of space expects to hinder the sales of construction equipment such as forklifts and telehandlers in the Australia construction equipment market. VENDOR LANDSCAPE Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment, Liebherr, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Komatsu, XCMG, JCB & SANY are prominent vendors in the Australia construction equipment market. construction equipment market. Caterpillar has the strongest share in Australia's market. Caterpillar, Volvo CE, Komatsu, &Hitachi Construction Machinery are the leaders in the Australia construction equipment market and has a strong distribution network & have a diversified product portfolio. Key Vendors Caterpillar Komatsu Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG) Liebherr Volvo Construction Equipment Hitachi Construction Machinery JCB SANY Other Prominent Vendors John Deere Manitou Kobelco Yanmar Kubota MERLO Group Terex Corporation Liu Gong Takeuchi Manufacturing GEHL Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. ASV Kanga Loader SDLG Distributor Profiles CJD Equipment Semco Equipment Sales Conplant Tutt Bryant Capital Construction Equipment BPF Equipment KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED: How big is the Australia construction equipment market? construction equipment market? What is the growth rate of the Australia construction equipment market? construction equipment market? Who are the key players in the Australia construction equipment market? construction equipment market? What are the trends in the Saudi Arabia construction equipment market? construction equipment market? Which are the major distributor companies in the Australia construction equipment market? Key Topics Covered: 1. Research Methodology 3. Research Process 4. Introduction 4.1. Market Coverage 4.2. Report Scope 5. Market at a Glance 5.1. Market Snapshot 6. Executive Summary 7. Market Landscape 7.1. PESTLE Analysis 7.2 Economic Scenario 7.3 Key Projects 7.4 Market Dynamics 7.6 Import & Export Analysis 7.6 Supply Chain Analysis 8 Segmentation 8.1 by Equipment Type 8.1.1 Equipment Definition (Earthmoving) 8.1.1.1 Earthmoving Equipment (Volume & Value) 8.1.1.2 Excavators 8.1.1.3 Backhoe Loaders 8.1.1.4 Wheeled Loaders 8.1.1.5 Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other Loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers, Etc.) 8.1.2 Equipment Definition (Road Construction) 8.1.2.1 Road Construction (Volume & Value) 8.1.2.2 Road Rollers 8.1.2.3 Asphalt Pavers 8.1.3 Equipment Definition (Material Handling) 8.1.3.1 Material Handling Equipment (Volume & Value) 8.1.3.2 Cranes 8.1.3.3 Forklifts & Telehandlers 8.1.3.4 Aerial Platforms 8.1.4 Equipment Definition (Other Equipment) 8.1.4.1 Other Equipment (Volume & Value) 8.1.4.2 Dumpers 8.1.4.3 Tippers 8.1.4.4 Concrete Mixtures 8.1.4.5 Concrete Pump Trucks 8.2 by End-Users 8.2.1 End-User Definition 8.2.2 Construction 8.2.3 Manufacturing 8.2.4 Mining 8.2.5 Others (Waste Management, Agriculture, Oil & Gas Extraction, Utilities & Energy, Power Generation, Disaster Management and Water Management) 9 Geographical Analysis 10 Technological Development 11 Competitive Landscape 11.1 Competitive Landscape Overview 11.2 Vendors (Caterpillar | Volvo Construction Equipment| Komatsu | Hitachi Construction Machinery | Liebherr | Jcb| Kobelco| Kubota| Manitou |Yanmar |Sany| Xcmg| Liugong| John Deere| Terex| Takeuchi |Merlo Spa| Kanga Loaders| Sdlg| Asv| Sumitomo| Gehl) 11.4 Other Prominent Vendors 11.4 Distributor Company Profiles 12 Report Summary For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ixmgkh 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 BEIJING, June 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "La unica forma de ser provechosamente nacional consiste en ser generosamente universal." That is Spanish for "the only way to be profitable on a national level is to be generous on a universal one." Wise Words, New Interpretations: La unica forma de ser provechosamente nacional consiste en ser generosamente universal On June 5, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech to the Mexican Senate entitled Seeking Common Development to Create a Better Future. He quoted the line which was taken from a book by Mexican poet Alfonso Reyes (1889-1959). The quote expresses that in pursuing one's own interests, one should bear in mind the common good and that the world is one big family. It made Xi's speech more understandable and struck a chord with the audience on site. China will do well only when the world does well and vice versa. China, as the world's largest developing country, is proactive in implementing this philosophy. The country remains committed to championing peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, advancing its reform and opening up, promoting common development and offering the world new opportunities. On September 21, 2021, Xi attended the general debate of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly via video link. He emphasized how development is key to human wellbeing and proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI). China has been seeking to renew its global focus on development issues and explore pathways for practical cooperation in an era when daunting challenges and great uncertainties are rife. The GDI aims to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth. Its main six features are: Staying committed to development as a priority; Staying committed to a people-centered approach; Staying committed to benefits for all; Staying committed to innovation-driven development; Staying committed to harmony between humanity and nature; Staying committed to results-oriented actions. The GDI offers the potential to accelerate global progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) listed in the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentadopted by all UN member states in 2015.In January 2022, the Group of Friends of the GDI was officially launched at the UN headquarters in New York. Nearly 70 countries have joined the group so far. June 24 marked the first anniversary of the High-Level Dialogue on Global Development, which took place on the sidelines of the virtual 14th BRICS Summit. The event was hosted by Xi and attended by the presidents of Algeria, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Senegal, South Africa and Uzbekistan. Xi said, "Development is a timeless theme for humanity." As a member of the developing world, China will take practical steps to lend its continuous support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Xi added. Today, the undertakings China promised for the GDI have all taken off, for example, the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and the Global Development Promotion Center. Also, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund of the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, proposed by China, has so far provided $61.4 million for 48 UN projects, benefiting 74 countries in Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Europe. Most of them are the world's least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries. These projects cover all the SDGs and have brought big changes to the countries where they are located. More than 100 countries and international organizations, including the UN, have voiced their support for the GDI. The 100-plus early harvest programs designed to accelerate the initiative's implementation have benefited more than 60 developing countries. China has further signed bilateral documents with more than 20 countries for cooperation under the GDI. In a world where multiple challenges and risks are intertwined, the global community must come together to get the SDGs back on track. Now is the time to rev up international development cooperation. The GDI offers a platform to help make this possible. Comments to [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeijingReview/status/1672420170219028480 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BJReview/videos/1019742105717736/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/u0GbDd8Jdco TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cachinachic/video/7247069044111609131?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7227134149436605995 SOURCE Beijing Review AccuWashTM Technology monitors and aids an engaged hand wash; helps reduce C. diff, HAIs. ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BioVigil, the leader in electronic hand hygiene technology solutions, has launched a hand wash solution powered by their new AccuWashTM Technology, offering the most precise and thorough way to track a health provider's hand washing compliance. In hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, handwashing with soap and water is required over hand sanitizer in certain situations, such as when a patient has a C. difficile infection. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will not kill C. diff spores. When the care team sets a patient room protocol to "Contact Plus," BioVigil's sink sensor with AccuWashTM Technology works with the BioVigil badge to alert health care providers to the sink washing protocol. AccuWashTM Technology then determines whether they washed their hands. This has been shown to reduce cross contamination and healthcare associated infections (HAIs). New AccuWashTM Technology offers the most precise, thorough way to track a health provider's hand washing compliance. Tweet this "This sink beacon uses thermal energy and a set of sophisticated sensors to detect when hands go into the sink. That starts a timer, which provides visual cues as the user is washing and as they reach the CDC-recommended 20-second length of time," said Ben Wood, director of Engineering and Technology. "When the wash is complete, the sink beacon turns green. If the user stops the wash before it's complete, it is not recorded as compliant." The sink beacon with AccuWashTM Technology is part of a complete electronic hand hygiene system including a room sensor, badge sensor and robust data suite. Health care facilities have wide-ranging information from the facility down to individual levels, which can be used for contact tracing and to monitor hand hygiene compliance. The BioVigil system has helped numerous partners across the country improve hand hygiene behavior, reduce HAIs by up to 83%, achieve 97% hand hygiene compliance, and improve LeapFrog quality grades. "No other hand hygiene monitoring solution has the capability of AccuWashTM Technology to track a complete hand wash down to the individual health care provider," said Sanjay Gupta, president and CEO. "AccuWashTM Technology enhances our solution that also uses alcohol sensing badges to detect whether hand sanitizer was used. It goes well beyond other systems that merely measure clicks of and proximity to a product dispenser." Sink sensors with AccuWashTM Technology are being used at pilot sites, including acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities. Initial results indicate high user satisfaction, ease of use and compliance. Patient visitors appear motivated by the visual alerts on the sink beacon, which contributes to a more thorough wash. The product will be commercially available in early 2024. The AccuWashTM Technology also has the potential to be used in commercial food preparation, restaurant and other settings. BioVigil is in talks with several other industries to discuss future applications. NOTE: BioVigil will be demonstrating the new AccuWashTM Technology at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Conference June 26 28. Visit them in Booth #1451 Go here for a demonstration video. About BioVigil: BioVigil is a leader in electronic hand hygiene monitoring. BioVigil technology is used to increase hand hygiene compliance in healthcare facilities, resulting in decreased healthcare associated infections (HAIs), improved patient engagement, accessibility to data insights, and improved Leapfrog Group grades. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, BioVigil launched in 2012 and its solutions are used in more than 40 facilities across the United States. Learn more at BioVigil.com Media Contact: Debbie Reinheimer, [email protected]com SOURCE BIOVIGIL Hygiene Technologies, LLC New Yorkers rallied around the most renewable water's expanded NYC distribution, urban tree planting efforts in Queens, and the new Watermelon flavor. HOLLAND, Mich., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends of Boxed Water the most sustainably packaged water compared to single-use plastic bottles and aluminum cans gathered at the Williamsburg SoulCycle in Brooklyn to celebrate the brand's expanding New York presence and urban tree planting efforts that are currently underway in Queens and cities across the U.S. Boxed Water Throws Shade on New York (literally) With Greenhouse SoulCycle Ride Celebrating One Tree Planted Partnership New Yorkers rallied around the most renewable waters expanded NYC distribution, urban tree planting efforts in Queens, and the new Watermelon flavor. By joining forces with SoulCycle, who recently converted all packaged water in studios to Boxed Water, attendees were treated to lush, foliage-forward studio rides with an abundance of decorative plants provided by Horti. Following the "Greenhouse" spin, guests hydrated with Boxed Water's newest flavored water, Watermelon. "We wanted to underscore a theme of replenishment in our role of offsetting plastic waste, offering clean hydration, and planting trees," said Kavita Shah, VP of Marketing at Boxed Water. "We are thrilled that our presence and role in New York is growing commercially and philanthropically, where businesses and consumers alike are pushing for change for the benefit of the planet." Earlier this month Boxed Water shared that they are working with the independent operators (IOs) of the Tropicana Brand Group to increase distribution throughout metro NY. Meanwhile, New York hotels looking to offset waste by swapping out plastic and aluminum packaging for Boxed Water include Pendry Manhattan West, The Edition, The Wall Street Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel, Civilian, and many more. "Travel/hospitality is one of those arenas where there is a large demand for packaged water due to travelers' refill limits and challenges," added Shah. "The New York hotel industry is a priority focus for us because of our potential to really reduce waste." Also underway, 800 of a planned 2,000 urban trees have been planted in Kissena Park, Queens through One Tree Planted's Urban Forestry Action Fund. Boxed Water is proud to be supporting this project as well as other urban planting efforts across the US including the planting of 240 trees in San Francisco, CA; 600 fruit trees in Inglewood, CA; 120 trees at municipal schools in Orlando, FL; and 100 street trees in Boston, MA. Urban tree efforts will help mitigate the effect of dangerous urban heat islands, providing green spaces for communities in need and enhancing air quality to improve human health. Boxed Water is also continuing its longstanding partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), where they have funded 1.4 million planted trees over the last six years to areas impacted by wildfires and deforestation. "We want Boxed Water's existence to have a net positive effect with our consumers, our partners, and, most importantly, our planet," said Boxed Water CEO Daryn Kuipers who attended the New York event. "It's wonderful to share space today with people looking to make change in a way that's fun, replenishing and celebratory." Boxed Water continues to lead the water category with the most renewable packaging compared to plastic and aluminum, as verified by an ISO certified Life Cycle Analysis conducted by Anthesis. Boxed Water cartons are 92% plant based (including the cap), all sourced from sustainably harvested pines and tree pulp waste. This year, the brand received CarbonNeutral product certification from Climate Impact Partners on its 500 ml cartons. Boxed Water's cartons are also 100% curbside recyclable for a majority of U.S. residents, including New Yorkers. To learn more about Boxed Water and its sustainability efforts, visit https://boxedwaterisbetter.com/ or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or Twitter. ABOUT BOXED WATER Boxed Water was founded in the belief that sustainability matters with the purpose of changing the way packaged water is shipped, sold, and enjoyed. This year, Boxed Water became the most sustainable brand on the market, at 92 percent plant based with their packaging and new plant-based cap. All Boxed Water's cartons source paper from trees in well-managed forests where new trees are continuously planted to replace the ones harvested and are shipped flat to reduce the number of trucks required for transportation. Boxed Water also fills water close to the source and the consumer to reduce its carbon footprint, and all cartons are 100% recyclable, refillable, and BPA free. Boxed Water is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and partner of the National Forest Foundation and Ocean Blue Project. The simple act of choosing Boxed Water is a statement that sustainability matters. Boxed Water is headquartered in Holland, Michigan with filling locations in Michigan and Utah. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Boxed Water Is Better Company acquires exclusive global rights of the novel lipopeptide BRII-693 for the difficult to treat MDR/XDR gram-negative bacterial infections Company returns Greater China rights to Qpex Biopharma of beta-lactamase inhibitor QPX7728-based products Company to receive ~$24M upfront cash payments DURHAM, N.C. and BEIJING, June 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brii Biosciences Limited ("Brii Bio," "we," or the "Company", stock code: 2137.HK), a biotechnology company developing therapies to improve patient health and choice across diseases with high unmet needs, today announced that it entered into definitive agreements with Qpex Biopharma ("Qpex") and third parties in connection with the acquisition of Qpex by Shionogi. Under the terms of the agreement, Brii Bio will acquire exclusive global rights for the development and commercialization of BRII-693 (also known as QPX9003) to expand from its existing rights in Greater China. All existing cost-share, milestone and royalty payments associated with BRII-693 to Qpex are eliminated. The Company will return its exclusive rights to QPX7728-based products BRII-636 and BRII-672 in Greater China to Qpex and Brii will no longer be responsible for cost-share, milestone and royalty payments to Qpex associated with these products. In association with the return of QPX7728-based program rights to Qpex, Qpex will complete a merger through acquisition by Shionogi. Brii Bio will receive approximately $24 million upon closing of the acquisition as a Qpex shareholder and the return of the QPX7728 product rights, with potential contingency payments for future milestone events in the US. BRII-693 is a novel synthetic lipopeptide in development for the treatment of critically ill patients with MDR/XDR gram-negative bacterial infections, especially carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In October 2019, Brii Bio entered into a licensing agreement with Qpex to develop and commercialize BRII-693 and the QPX7728-based products in Greater China. "With the demonstrated antibacterial mechanism and improved safety profile, BRII-693 has the potential to be the safest and most effective polymyxin for the treatment of critically ill patients with gram-negative bacterial infections," said Zhi Hong, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brii Bio, "Given the microbiological and clinical profile of BRII-693, we are very excited about this opportunity to prioritize and focus on the global development of this agent." In April 2023, Brii Bio submitted a pre-IND to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the development of BRII-693 (QPX9003) in China. About BRII-693 BRII-693 is a novel lipopeptide antimicrobial that was discovered under the directions of Professor Jian Li of the Biomedicine Drug Discovery Institute of Monash University in Australia. BRII-693's discovery was supported in part by funds from the U.S. National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID; RO1 AI098771 and AI132154). The discovery of BRII-693 and preclinical studies were described in 2022 in the journal Nature Communications and show improved potency and less toxicity compared to older polymyxin antimicrobial agents. BRII-693 has the potential to be an important advance in the treatment of gram-negative infections, including MDR/XDR strains, with improved renal safety compared to currently available polymyxin antibiotics. In 2021, the US FDA designated QPX-9003 (BRII-693) to be a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP). The QIDP designation provides incentives for the development of BRII-693 in the US, including priority review and eligibility for FDA's Fast Track Designation; there is also the potential for extension of regulatory and market exclusivity in the US. In October 2022, the interim Phase 1 results from a completed first-in-human clinical study conducted in the US presented at ID Week in Washington DC demonstrated that BRII-693 is safe and well-tolerated at all doses tested. An end of Phase 1 meeting was convened with the US FDA in December 2022 and these results along with approaches for a future Phase 3 program were discussed with the agency. About Brii Bio Brii Biosciences ("Brii Bio", stock code: 2137.HK) is a biotechnology company developing therapies to address some of the world's most common diseases where patients experience high unmet medical needs, limited choice and significant social stigmas. With a focus on infectious and central nervous system diseases, the Company is advancing a broad pipeline of unique therapeutic candidates with lead programs to develop a novel functional cure for hepatitis B viral infection (HBV) and a first-of-its-kind treatment for postpartum depression (PPD). The Company is led by a visionary and experienced leadership team and has operations in key biotech hubs, including Raleigh-Durham, the San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.briibio.com. SOURCE Brii Biosciences Limited Inspired by his book "Natural & Curly Hair for Dummies," Johnny Wright will be in a city near you! NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmy-nominated celebrity hairstylist, motivational speaker, Johnny Wright is thrilled to announce his upcoming 11-city Naturally You Tour, inspired by his bestselling book "Natural and Curly Hair for Dummies." Johnny will make the official announcement during the Essence Festival in New Orleans on Saturday, July 1st, alongside his premiere partner MYAVANA at their Hair Lab in the Ernest Morial Convention Center. The tour will officially kick-off on Friday July 7, 2023, in Chicago, Il, Johnny Wright's beloved hometown. For the complete tour schedule and updates, please visit our website at https://www.naturallyyoutour.com. Naturally You Tour Naturally You The Naturally You Tour isn't just another book reading, nor is it just another book signing. The tour aims to provide a safe, informative, and celebratory space for people of all backgrounds to come together, share their stories, connect with one another, and heal by dispelling conscious and unconscious biases about how they look, feel, and move about the world. The tour will consist of panel discussions featuring some of the country's leading hair experts, thought leaders, and industry visionaries. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, this tour is designed to empower attendees to embrace their natural beauty and promote self-love and acceptance. Whether a naturalista or not, Johnny invites all races, genders, and backgrounds to join him on this exciting journey of self-discovery and transformation. "The 'Naturally You' tour is not just about embracing our natural beauty, it's about dismantling the harmful 'isms' that have plagued our society for far too long," said Johnny Wright. "It's time to heal from colorism, racism, and lookism, and this tour is a movement towards that goal. I can't wait to connect with my fellow sisters and brothers and share what it truly means to be Naturally YOU." Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy an engaging cocktail hour, mix & mingle, all the while exploring Johnny's curated vendor's row, featuring hair, beauty and lifestyle brands he loves. It's an excellent opportunity for attendees and vendors alike to connect, sell their products, while having a fun and exciting experience. The premiere partner of the "Naturally You" tour is powered by MYAVANA , a groundbreaking black female founded and run beauty tech company that pioneered scientific intelligence hair analysis, that uses AI technology to analyze your unique hair type, texture, and condition to establish your unique Hair ID. In addition to its revolutionary hair strand analysis Myavana prescribes personalized product recommendations to address your unique hair care and styling goals eliminating the guesswork and stress out of caring for textured hair, potentially revolutionizing how women will make hair product purchasing decisions going forward. During the tour MYAVANA will be inviting attendees to stop by their Hair Lab to experience its new HairAI technology, get 1:1 consultation with healthy hair experts, and receive personalized product recommendations to conquer hair challenges and achieve hair goals. Candace Mitchell Harris, the founder & CEO, and Johnny's longtime friend and colleague are thrilled to bring MYAVANA's technology and on-site hair consultations to tour attendees. "Partnering with Johnny on the Naturally You Tour is in alignment with MYAVANA's core values of acceptance, pride, self-love, and striving for excellence - all of which are things we face in our personal hair journeys as we're evolving to become our authentic selves," said Candace Mitchell Harris. "We are excited for everyone to experience a cultural and spiritual awakening through this tour by connecting through the hair and life stories that bond us and learn all about the science, technology, and luxury of healthy hair." Additional Naturally You tour sponsor includes Naturalistas World's 1st Natural Hair Fashion Doll, available at mass retailers including Walmart, Target, and Amazon. More sponsors to be announced. The Naturally You Tour is here to empower, inspire, motivate, and most of all, nurture a true sense of pride and confidence to be Naturally You! To hit the ground running, Johnny's kicking his tour off in his hometown of Chicago, and will be hitting cities nationwide to include Philadelphia, LA, Houston, NYC, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Martha's Vineyard, and Washington, D.C. Although created with naturalistas in mind, it is 100% open to all, regardless of background or hair type. So, if you want to catch him and get a chance to know more about his book and learn more about how Myavana is revolutionizing the hair care industry, keep an eye out for his appearances in a city near you, visit https://www.naturallyyoutour.com. About Johnny Wright A celebrity hairstylist with over 30 years of experience, Johnny Wright worked his way through Chicago and then Los Angeles before spending 8 years as Michelle Obama's personal hairstylist during the Obama Administration. Since 2019, he's worked as Tamron Hall's key hairstylist on her Emmy-Award-winning eponymous daytime talk show and most recently co-starred in "To Catch a Beautician" with Tamar Braxton on Vh1. You'll also see his work on celebrities like Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Tiffany Cross, Angela Rye, and Samira Wiley. Over his career, he has served in many roles, such as creative director for SoftSheen Carson for L'Oreal and ambassador for many brands, made appearances on HSN and other networks, and received multiple industry awards. Johnny's unique success is owed in part to years of welcoming all hair textures and types to his chair, master styling skills and precision cutting techniques as well as his passion for education, business ingenuity, and infectious upbeat personality. About MYAVANA MYAVANA is a Black female-led, beauty technology company that provides scientific-based, personalized hair care guidance using AI technology and data-driven recommendations. Myavana has created an innovative ecosystem of consumers, product manufacturers, salons, retailers, and distributors to lead the digital transformation of the hair industry globally. Coined by Marie Claire Magazine as the "The Next Big Thing In Beauty", MYAVANA is the first AI system to recognize textured, multicultural hair, with over 5 billion hair strands analyzed. Their recommendation methodology is scientifically proven for all hair challenges and hair care needs and is trusted by some of the biggest brands, including Sephora, Unilever, and Amazon. MYAVANA was engineered by Computer Scientist Candace Mitchell Harris and has been featured by Forbes, TechCrunch, Inc. Magazine, Buzzfeed, Black Enterprise, CNN, CNBC, ESSENCE, EBONY, BET, WWD, MSNBC, Naturally Curly, The Real, and Business Insider. For more information, visit MYAVANA.com . For media inquiries Michelle A. Pascal MAP Unlimited PR [email protected] 917-715-3659 SOURCE Johnny Wright CHICAGO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Ceramic Matrix Composites Market by Matrix Type (C/C, C/Sic, Oxide/Oxide, Sic/Sic), Fiber Type (Continuous, Woven), End-use Industry (Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Energy and Power, Industrial), and Region - Global Forecasts to 2028", is estimated at USD 11.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 21.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2023 to 2028. Factors such as the superior properties of ceramic matrix composite materials like corrosion resistance, lightweight and high strength, durability, and improved performance are positively driving the growth of the ceramic matrix composites Market. Furthermore, the rising applications from emerging economies and the adoption of ceramic matrix composites will further propel the growth rate of the ceramic matrix composites market. The development of new technologies such as 3D printing, automation, and digital design tools is making producing ceramic matrix composites components easier and more cost-effective. Browse in-depth TOC on "Ceramic Matrix Composites Market" 280 Tables 50 Figures 300 Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=60146548 Oxide/Oxide matrix type segment is expected to account for the largest market share in 2022. In Ox/Ox ceramic matrix composites, the matrix material is typically a ceramic oxide, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or zirconium oxide (ZrO2). These ceramic oxides provide excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical properties. They can withstand high temperatures and offer good oxidation resistance. Oxide/Oxide (Ox/Ox) is a matrix type used in ceramic matrix composites. Ox/Ox composites consist of a ceramic matrix reinforced with oxide fibers. This matrix type offers unique properties and advantages in various applications. Woven fiber type segment held the second largest market share in the ceramic matrix composites market Woven fiber type are a type of ceramic matrix composites, where the reinforcement fibers are woven together to form a fabric-like structure. The woven structure provides improved mechanical properties and allows for complex shapes and designs. The woven structure of Ceramic matrix composites provides improved mechanical properties compared to randomly oriented or discontinuous fiber composites. The interlocking nature of the woven fibers increases the strength, stiffness, and fracture toughness of the composite. Woven Ceramic matrix composites exhibit excellent tensile, compressive, and flexural strength, making them suitable for structural application. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=60146548 Asia Pacific is expected to account for the third largest share in 2022 The ceramic matrix composites market has been studied in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The Asia-Pacific ceramic matrix composites market is driven by the growing need for energy, which propels the need for ceramic matrix composites materials in automotive, aerospace and defence, and other industries. The Asia Pacific region is third largest markets for ceramic matrix composites globally, with China, India, and Japan being the major contributors to the market growth. The increasing demand for ceramic matrix composites in various industries such as automotive, and aerospace, is driving market growth in the region. Japan is the largest market for ceramic matrix composites in the Asia Pacific region, accounting for a significant market share. Prominent companies include General Electric (US), Rolls-Royce PLC (UK), SGL Carbon (Germany), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), Axiom Materials Inc. (US), CoorsTek (US), Lancer Systems (US), COI Ceramics (US), Applied Thin Films (US), Ultramet (US), CFC Carbon co., ltd. (China), among others. Browse Adjacent Market: Fibers and Composites Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Ceramic Matrix Composites Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Metal Matrix Composite Market - Global Forecast 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/ceramic-matrix-composites-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/ceramic-matrix-composites.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets MOUNTAINSIDE, N.J., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation (CSHF) announced today that Alissa Memoli has been named President and Chief Development Officer, replacing Philip Salerno III who will retire June 30 after 36 years at CSHF. Alissa Memoli Named Incoming President and Chief Development Officer at Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation "The CSH Foundation Board of Trustees executed an extensive selection process for the next President and CDO of our Foundation and we are confident that Alissa is the right choice to advance the Foundation toward our strategic goals," said Leslie Taylor, Chair, CSHF Board of Trustees. "Alissa is a seasoned leader with a true passion for our mission." Before joining CSHF, Memoli spent 12 years at the American Heart Association (AHA) in various leadership roles including Regional Vice President, New England, Vice President, Corporate Relations, Founders Affiliate, and Executive Director, Northern New Jersey. During her tenure, she was recognized for results-driven leadership, positive financial results, development of high-performing teams and her commitment to the highest ethical standards in philanthropy. Memoli brings expertise in the areas of new business development, volunteer and board recruitment, and corporate and community leadership that will be impactful to the mission of CSHF. As a non-profit leader, she has shaped policy and strategy at the c-suite level that significantly increased funds raised and generated greater public interest. Memoli is also a member of CHIEF, a private networking organization specifically designed for highly-recognized women executives. "I am thrilled to step in as President and CDO at Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation," said Memoli. "It's a true honor to have been selected for this role by such an accomplished Board of Trustees. I feel privileged to join this team of talented non-profit professionals, clinicians and hospital staff who are wholly dedicated to improving the lives of children." Memoli will oversee all operations and a comprehensive resource development program that includes individual and planned giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, and cause related marketing. She will assume leadership of CSHF on July 1. About Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation When you give to Children's Specialized Hospital (CSH) Foundation, 100% of your donation supports the programs and services of CSH that are transforming the lives of children with special healthcare needs. The CSH Foundation receives philanthropic support from those who share our mission and commitment to ensuring that all children with special healthcare needs receive the life-changing care they need to reach their full potential. To help or learn more, visit https://give2csh.org. About Children's Specialized Hospital Children's Specialized Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is the nation's leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children and young adults from birth to 21 years of age facing special healthcare challenges from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries to a full scope of developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns. At 15 different New Jersey locations, our pediatric specialists partner with families to make our many innovative therapies and medical treatments more personalized and effective so each child can reach their full potential. For more information, visit rwjbh.org/childrensspecialized or follow us on Facebook, Linked In, Instagram and Twitter. Children's Specialized Hospital is New Jersey's local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Contact: Afiya Rawls, Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation Cell: 732-372-8517 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Childrens Specialized Hospital Foundation The Governing Board of the International Energy Agency has unanimously agreed that the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Senegal will join the IEA Family as Association countries, demonstrating the IEA's deepening engagement across Africa on energy and climate issues. Following requests from the governments of Kenya and Senegal to become Association countries, the IEA's member countries unanimously approved on 21 June the proposal to strengthen ties with each country, which will bring the number of sub-Saharan African countries in the IEA Family to three, including South Africa. "Africa will play an increasingly important role in the world's energy future, so I am delighted that the Governing Board has unanimously supported bringing Kenya and Senegal into the IEA Family, enabling us all to benefit from their perspectives and deepen cooperation on energy security, access and climate issues," said IEA Governing Board Chair Anders Hoffmann. "The IEA is already working closely with both Kenya and Senegal on a range of key areas, and I'm extremely happy that we are further strengthening our ties," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "Welcoming these two dynamic economies into the IEA Family is a new milestone in our longstanding engagement on energy issues in Africa and it underlines the global reach of our Agency. We look forward to even greater cooperation with Kenya and Senegal to work together as the new global energy economy emerges and to ensure a secure and sustainable future for citizens in Africa and around the world." "Kenya lauds joining the IEA Family and its admission as an Association country," said Kenyan Minister of Energy and Petroleum Davis Chirchir. "We will seek to enhance our collaboration and experience, especially in geothermal development, off grid electrification, and access to clean cooking solutions. We have to collectively make the world a better place by focusing on clean energy transition in the near future." "I am delighted with IEA's decision to welcome Senegal into the IEA Family as an Association country," said Senegal's Minister for Petroleum and Energy Sophie Aissatou Gladima. "This demonstrates, if proof were needed, the relevance of the choices made by our country, which is aiming to achieve energy security, universal access and industrialisation while endeavouring to limit its environmental footprint. Together with the other countries, we will work to strengthen these areas for our country and the sub-region." Kenya is currently working with the IEA on a wide range of topics, including data and statistics capacity building, clean energy transition policies, energy efficiency policy implementation and energy access. The IEA is supporting Kenya as it prepares for the upcoming African Climate Action Summit taking place 4-6 September in Nairobi. Furthermore, Kenya will co-host the IEA's 9th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency next year. Senegal has worked closely with the IEA since a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2019 and renewed in October 2022. The IEA has provided input into the design of market reforms to enhance governance in the country's energy sector, and an IEA peer review team visited Dakar in May 2023 to prepare an in-depth energy policy review. The IEA's Association framework allows the IEA to work closely and deepen cooperation with its partner countries, sharing analysis, data and best practices. Kenya and Senegal bring the number of IEA Association countries to 13. The framework was established in 2015 and other Association countries are Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Ukraine. DUBLIN, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "China Cyber Security Market Outlook to 2027F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential of the cyber security industry in China. The report includes an overview and genesis of the industry and includes market size in terms of revenue generated. Its market segmentations include by component, by security, by deployment type, be region, by organization type and by industry. It covers growth enablers and drivers; challenges and bottlenecks; trends driving adoption trends; regulatory framework; end-user analysis, industry analysis, competitive landscape including competition scenario and market shares of major players. The report concludes with future market projections of each market segmentation and analyst recommendations. Market Overview: The Chinese Cyber Security Market will grow in the forecasted period, owing to the new government policies, new players in the market and technological development. The Chinese government is developing a plan to maximize its cybersecurity sector as it becomes increasingly worried about the security of its data in response to increased international conflict and requests for more personal safeguards. The quantity of personal information and transaction data that all Chinese firms have on hand is growing. Sensitive data is frequently exposed due to organizational system weaknesses, making these firms the prime targets of cyberattacks. Key Trends by Market Segment: By Deployment Type: Cloud segment contributed to the highest share, and it is attributed to increasing technological integration and surging digital usage by consumers post COVID-19 By Component: Entities generally approach a cybersecurity service provider to take care of various functions rather than a standalone hardware and software. Therefore, the revenue contribution is higher for services Competitive Landscape Future Outlook: China's IT industry is on the rise, and more and more Chinese companies are entering the international market. Therefore, it will boost the cyber security market in China . Additionally, factors like transaction data, improved internet services, government regulations and technological development will also support the market in future. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Capgemini SE CISCO Corp. CSC Corp. DELL (SecureWorks Inc.) IBM Corp. Intel Corp. Lockheed Martin Corp. Palo Alto Networks Symantec Corp. Threat Book QI-ANXIN Technology Group Inc. Beijing Chaitin Future Technology Co., Ltd Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Country Overview of China 2.1 China Country Demographics 2.2 China Population Analysis, 2022 3. China Cyber Security Market Overview and Genesis 3.1 Cyber Thread Situation in China 3.2 Major Cyberattacks in China as of 2022 3.3 Ecosystem of Major Supply Side Entities in China Cyber Security Market 3.4 Ecosystem of Major Demand Side Entities in China Cyber Security Market 3.5 Operating Model of Cyber Security Companies in China 3.6 Taxonomy of Major Cyber Security Products and Services 3.7 Role of Cutting-Edge Technology in Developing Cybersecurity Solutions and Applications in China 3.8 Types of Cyberattacks 4. China Cyber Security Market Size, 2022 4.1 Market Sizing of China Cyber Security Market, 2017-2022 5. China Cyber Security Market Segmentations, 2022 5.1 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Component, 2022 5.2 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Security, 2022 5.3 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Deployment Type, 2022 5.4 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Region, 2022 5.5 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Organization Size, 2022 5.6 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Industry, 2022 6. Demand Analysis of China Cyber Security Market 6.1 Tender Process for partnering with a Cyber Security Firm 6.2 Decision Making Parameters of End Users in China Cyber Security Market 6.3 Challenges faced by End Users in China Cyber Security Market 7. Industry Analysis of China Cyber Security Market 7.1 Porter's Five Forces Analysis of China Cyber Security Market 7.2 Growth Enablers in China Cyber Security Market 7.3 Trends and Developments in China Cyber Security Market 7.4 Bottlenecks and Challenges in the China Cyber Security Market 7.5 Recent Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships and Investments in China Cyber Security Market 7.6 Government Regulations in the Saudi Arabia Cyber Security Market 7.7 Government Initiatives in the Saudi Arabia Cyber Security Market 7.8 Impact of COVID-19 on the China Cyber Security Market 8. Future Outlook and Market Size for China Cyber Security Market, 2022-2027F 8.1 Market Sizing of China Cyber Security Market, 2022-2027F 9. Future Outlook and Market Segmentations for China Cyber Security Market, 2022-2027F 9.1 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Component, 2027F 9.2 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Security, 2027F 9.3 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Deployment Type, 2027F 9.4 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Region, 2027F 9.5 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Organization Size, 2027F 9.6 China Cyber Security Market Segmentation by Industry, 2027F 10. Competitive scenario for China Cyber Security Market 10.1 Cross Comparison based on Operational Parameters 10.2 Strength and Weakness of Major Players 11. Analyst Recommendations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/84vpi7 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 The evening started with remarks by Founder and Chairman, The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart, "During the 20 years that CHLI has existed, reflecting, and respecting the diversity of thought within our community, and becoming, along the way, the only truly bi-partisan reality today in Washington, DC hundreds of young people's lives have been touched. Changed forever." CHLI Ambassador Award Honorees: Gabriella Boffelli, Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (Puerto Rico) Gabriella began her public service career as an intern for The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. In 2017, she received the CHLI Vermillion Congressional Staff Appreciation Award for her public service. Since then, Gaby has supervised many interns and supported them as they move into public service or go on to other careers. Boffelli stated, "I am so grateful to Chairman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, President Mary Ann Gomez, and the Board of Directors for awarding me the first-ever CHLI Ambassador Award. Throughout my years on Capitol Hill, CHLI has given me the great opportunity to meet and connect with so many talented people, especially all the young professionals I'm proud to have worked with and who are now excelling in both the public and private sectors. I couldn't be where I am without the support of Representatives Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, two remarkable pioneers who continue to be my role models. As a CHLI Ambassador Awardee, I will carry CHLI's values and mission with me every day." Cesar A. Prieto, Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (Texas) Cesar was a CHLI Global Leader intern in 2019 and completed his internship in the office of former Congressman Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio. Cesar went on to earn a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship at Georgetown University in 2020. He worked as a Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Kenny Marchant of Texas and is currently Chief of Staff to Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas. Prieto said, "The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute has played a key role throughout my career in public policy. From paving the way to my first job on Capitol Hill to fostering incredible mentorship opportunities, CHLI has served as the foundation for my personal and professional development. I am proud to consider myself part of the CHLI familia and am extremely honored to have received the 2023 Ambassador award. Seguimos adelante." State Representative Sharlett Mena (Washington) State Representative Sharlett Mena was part of the Class of 2012 CHLI Global Leaders Internship Program. While in Washington, DC, she interned for former Congressman Albio Sires. She worked for Congressman Gene Green before returning to her home state of Washington. A graduate of Washington State University with a degree in Communication and Philosophy, she is a first-generation Mexican-American and, like many of our CHLI alumni and interns, the first in her family to graduate from college and is the first CHLI alumni to be elected to public office. Rep. Mena said, "As a CHLI Fellow, I laid the foundation for my career in public service. I am proud to be a member of a network of CHLI family and friends collectively working to advance and uplift Latinos in all arenas. Like for many first-generation students, CHLI opened the first door for me in politics. As we all continue to pay it forward, we make space for new leaders and continue building an America that reflects its people." The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute's (CHLI) Leadership in Public Service Award is presented to a public servant who supports the advancement of the Hispanic community in the United States. U.S. Representative J. Luis Correa (California) Congressman Henry Cuellar, CHLI Vice Chairman and John Hoel of Altria Client Services and CHLI Treasurer, presented the CHLI Leadership in Public Service Award to Congressman Lou Correa of California's 46th District. Congressman Correa is respected for his work on immigration reform, healthcare, and helping veterans. He serves on the Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Veterans Affairs committees. Congressman Lou Correa is a proud son of immigrant parents from Mexico. They worked in factories and the fields of Southern California. He personally knows the challenges that CHLI interns and fellows experience as they navigate college and their career paths. Rep. Correa stated, "I was so humbled and honored to receive CHLI's 2023 Leadership in Public Service Award. I also want to recognize my colleagues and partners in service who have bestowed this honor upon me, and locked arms with me to uplift our youth who we so desperately need in public service." U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, CHLI Vice Chairman and CHLI Board Member Claudia Puig of TelevisaUnivision presented U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham representing South Carolina, the CHLI Leadership in Public Service Award. Senator Graham is respected for his expertise in foreign policy and national security. He served our country in the U.S. Air Force, and after 33 years, he retired with the rank of Colonel. He was the first in his family to go to college. He is an example of a life of service. His 33 years of uniformed service and 28 years as a public servant shine a light on the true meaning of "commitment" and "dedication". Sen. Graham said, "I was honored to be presented CHLI's Leadership in Public Service Award. CHLI does important work to support future Hispanic leaders in our country, for both public and private institutions." CHLI extends its appreciation to its Board of Directors, Advisory Council members, staff and vendors. Thank you to all the 20 Year Anniversary Gala and Leadership Awards sponsors. Special thanks to Platinum Sponsor Comcast|NBCUniversal|Telemundo and Gold Sponsors Altria Client Services, Charter Communications, and Target. Photos from the event can be found here: https://bit.ly/4281MlJ and the event video can be found here: https://bit.ly/3My1RcN About CHLI: The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is the premier organization founded by Members of Congress to advance the Hispanic Community's Economic Progress with a focus on Social Responsibility and Global Competitiveness. Founded in 2003 as a 501(c)3 non-profit and non-partisan organization, CHLI is dedicated to fostering a broad awareness of the Diversity of Thought, heritage, interests, and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent. For more information, visit https://chli.org/. Contact: Mary Ann Gomez Orta [email protected] 202-841-0957 SOURCE The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Modal title PRN Top Stories Newsletters Sign up to get PRNs top stories and curated news delivered to your inbox weekly! Enter Your Email Select Country Select Country Submit Thank you for subscribing! Our newsletters contain tracking pixels to help us deliver unique content based on each subscriber's engagement and interests. For more information on how we will use your data to ensure we send you relevant content please visit our By signing up you agree to receive content from us.Our newsletters contain tracking pixels to help us deliver unique content based on each subscriber's engagement and interests. For more information on how we will use your data to ensure we send you relevant content please visit our PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . You can withdraw your consent at any time in the footer of every email you'll receive. Unsere Newsletter enthalten Zahlpixel, die die Lieferung einzigartiger Inhalte in Bezug auf das Abonnement und die Interessen der einzelnen Abonnenten ermoglichen. Weitere Informationen uber die Verwendung Ihrer Daten im Hinblick auf die Zusendung von relevanten Inhalten, finden Sie in unserer Mit Ihrer Anmeldung erklaren Sie sich damit einverstanden, Inhalte von uns zu erhalten.Unsere Newsletter enthalten Zahlpixel, die die Lieferung einzigartiger Inhalte in Bezug auf das Abonnement und die Interessen der einzelnen Abonnenten ermoglichen. Weitere Informationen uber die Verwendung Ihrer Daten im Hinblick auf die Zusendung von relevanten Inhalten, finden Sie in unserer PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . Ihre Zustimmung konnen Sie jederzeit in der Fuzeile jeder erhaltenen E-Mail widerrufen. Notre newsletter contient des pixels espions nous permettant la fourniture a chaque abonne, dun contenu unique en lien avec ses souscriptions et interets. Pour de plus amples informations sur lutilisation faite de vos donnees en vue de lenvoi des contenus concernes, nous vous invitons a consulter la politique de confidentialite disponible a partir du lien suivant En vous inscrivant a la newsletter, vous consentez a la reception de contenus de notre part.Notre newsletter contient des pixels espions nous permettant la fourniture a chaque abonne, dun contenu unique en lien avec ses souscriptions et interets. Pour de plus amples informations sur lutilisation faite de vos donnees en vue de lenvoi des contenus concernes, nous vous invitons a consulter la politique de confidentialite disponible a partir du lien suivant PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . Vous pouvez a tout moment revenir sur votre consentement par le biais des informations situees au bas de chaque e-mail recu. SAN ANTONIO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) (the "Company") will release 2023 second quarter results before the market opens on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, by 7:00 a.m. and will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call number is 1-833-470-1428 (U.S. callers) and 1-929-526-1599 (international callers), and the access code for both is 924865. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on the "Events and Presentations" section of the Company's website ( www.investor.clearchannel.com ). The related earnings materials, including reconciliations of any non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures and any other applicable disclosures, will be available on the "Financials" section of the Company's website after 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Approximately two hours after the live conference call, a replay of the webcast will be available for a period of thirty days on the "Events and Presentations" section of the Company's website. About Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) is at the forefront of driving innovation in the out-of-home advertising industry. Our dynamic advertising platform is broadening the pool of advertisers using our medium through the expansion of digital billboards and displays and the integration of data analytics and programmatic capabilities that deliver measurable campaigns that are simpler to buy. By leveraging the scale, reach and flexibility of our diverse portfolio of assets, we connect advertisers with millions of consumers every month across more than 500,000 print and digital displays in 21 countries. SOURCE Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. HARRISBURG, Pa., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the CLEAR Coalition announced their opposition to legislation that would allow so-called "skill games" across Pennsylvania. A copy of their letter to lawmakers is below. Dear Lawmaker: On behalf of the more than 900,000 Pennsylvanians and their families we represent, we are writing to urge you to oppose legislation that would allow tens of thousands of so-called "skill games" across the state. Even though the Pennsylvania State Police and the Office of Attorney General, among many others, concur that these machines are illegal, they continue to proliferate and siphon hundreds of millions in revenue from the Pennsylvania Lottery. As you are aware, our lottery is the only one in the nation that dedicates all proceeds to programs for older Pennsylvanians, including meals on wheels, free or low-cost prescriptions, and other lifesaving services and programs. Every $1 pumped into a skill machine comes at the expense of a vulnerable Pennsylvanian who needs the support of these programs. A 2022 report by the Pennsylvania Lottery states: "In the following report, we show detailed analyses that estimate more than $650 million in Pennsylvania Lottery scratch sales have been lost to unregulated Games of Skill machines across the Commonwealth. To put it another way, the $14.9 billion in scratch product sold between October 2017 and March 2022 could have been more than 4.4% higher, which would in turn have generated over $200 million more for older Pennsylvanians and local businesses during that time." The Lottery analysis also found that, since 2017, the Pennsylvania Lottery retail network has seen: 17 times more Skill machines found on-site across the state. Eight times the number of retailers with at least one Skill machine. Six times the maximum number of Skill machines found at any one retailer; and The spread of Skill machines to every county in the Commonwealth. Lottery officials recently testified that they anticipate losses of up to $170 million in the coming year. Our coalition's mission is to ensure that vital public services are funded appropriately to meet the needs of all Pennsylvania taxpayers. We urge you to consider the direct impact that the Lottery is having in the communities represented. Please put older Pennsylvanians first and reject proposals to allow these machines to continue to proliferate. Thank you for your consideration of our comments. We look forward to working with you to address issues that truly matter to Pennsylvanians. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact CLEAR Coalition spokesperson Danielle Gross. Signed, Angela Ferritto, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Stephen Catanese, President, SEIU Local 668 Rich Askey, President, PSEA David Henderson, Executive Director, AFSCME Ken Mash, President, APSCUF Wendell W. Young, IV, President, UFCW Local 1776 Keystone State Robert Brooks, President, Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters SOURCE PA CLEAR Coalition HELSINKI, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coinmotion Oy, a leading Nordic provider of cryptocurrency trading services, today announced changes to its board of directors, aimed at strengthening the company's strategic position in the evolving digital currency market. The new composition includes the appointment of Sebastian Sonntag, an experienced entrepreneur, certified board member and a Doctor of Technology, as the new Chairman of the Board. Sonntag served as the CEO of LocalBitcoins from 2019 to 2022, and he has exceptional business and industry understanding. "I am honored to join Coinmotion's Board as Chairman. The company has acted as a pioneer in the cryptocurrency market, and I firmly believe in its potential for the future," said Sonntag. His appointment to the board is seen as a significant strategic move by Coinmotion Oy. In addition, Pekka Ylihurula has been nominated as a new board member. Ylihurula led the founding project of S-Bank plc and continued as the first CEO of the bank from 2006 until 2022. "I am very excited to start on the Board of Coinmotion." said Ylihurula. "I believe crypto in general, and Coinmotion specifically, as having huge potential for growth and development. It's great to be part of it all." Pekka's experience and strategic know-how will provide invaluable guidance and direction to Coinmotion's evolving business. The board will continue to benefit from the expertise of its current members, Henry Brade, Taneli Tikka, and Joel Lehtonen, who will continue their roles in this newly proposed configuration. "Sebastian and Pekka's combined expertise will undoubtedly drive Coinmotion Oy as it continues to innovate and expand within the cryptocurrency space," said Henry Brade, the outgoing Chairman. "Their entrance marks a milestone in our journey to curate a highly professional board where each member contributes a unique strength that directly supports our strategy." Brade continued, "Having been hands-on with Coinmotion for 11 years, the time feels right to shift gears. But let's not forget, despite our decade-long journey, the cryptocurrency industry is just getting warmed up. There's enormous potential for growth and evolution, and I'm not about to miss it. While I may no longer be in an operational or Chairman role, my participation continues as a board member and owner, eager to see where our new strategic alignment will lead us." The board member changes and appointments have been approved at the annual general meeting that took place at the company headquarters in Jyvaskyla, Finland on 22.6.2023. For additional information: Media kit with pictures Pasi Matilainen, CEO Coinmotion +358 44 406 5321 [email protected] About Coinmotion Coinmotion Oy is a leading provider of cryptocurrency trading services in the Nordics. Based in Helsinki, the company is dedicated to making digital currency investment accessible and efficient for all, with a strong focus on security, transparency, and customer service. For more information, visit https://coinmotion.com/. The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/15075/3793747/95ae6d1dc0e40e02_org.jpg COB Sebastian Sonntag https://mb.cision.com/Public/15075/3793747/8c6ae5ca71acaf3e_org.jpg Pekka Ylihurula https://mb.cision.com/Public/15075/3793747/add9783a66848c2c_org.png Coinmotion-logo-4v-vaaka 1 https://mb.cision.com/Public/15075/3793747/b8af94d49de28a53_org.jpeg original SOURCE Coinmotion Oy Seventh-Generation Leader in Pure and Organic Maple Installs More Than 1,200 Solar Panels to Generate Over 760,00 kWH Annually, Covering 75 Percent of Annual Electric Needs BRATTLEBORO, Vt., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coombs Family Farms, a seventh-generation producer of pure and organic maple and the number one organic maple brand, today announced it has completed the transition to 1,200 solar panels on the rooftops of its production facility for final grid interconnection to a 500 kW AC system. Annually, the system is expected to generate over 760,000 kWh, or roughly enough energy to provide 105 homes with electricity per year. The energy will cover more than 75 percent of Coombs Family Farms' annual electric needs for production. "Environmental stewardship and sustainable forestry have been guiding principles at Coombs Family Farms since the 1800's," said Arnold Coombs, seventh-generation sugarmaker and head of marketing at Coombs Family Farms. "The addition of solar energy is consistent with our values and will help us attain environmental sustainability goals essential to future generations," continued Coombs. Coombs Family Farms produces and packs 100 percent pure and organic maple on 4,500 acres on the Connecticut River at its production facility at Bascom Maple Farms in Acworth, New Hampshire. By adding clean energy to the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative grid through the solar installation, the new system offsets 541 metric tons of CO2, or the equivalent of taking 116 cars off the road. Coombs Family Farms tapped Norwich Solar, a division of Norwich Technologies, as its clean technology partner to lead the project. In addition to its recent solar installation, Coombs Family Farms has now conserved more than 4,500 acres as farm and forest land. Other sustainable forestry efforts at Coombs Family Farms include health spouts to reduce the impact on maple trees, vacuum tubing to add efficiency, and reverse osmosis to reduce carbon footprint. "The family adage that has guided us for seven generations endures: do right by the forest, and it will do right by you," continued Coombs. "In conserving this beautiful land that's what we have done and what we will continue to do." About Coombs Family Farms For seven generations, Coombs Family Farms has produced great-tasting, 100 percent pure and organic maple syrup. In addition to producing its own maple, Coombs Family Farms sources maple from over 3,000 small family farms that share a commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and sustainable forestry management. As the number one organic maple brand in the country, Coombs Family Farms takes pride in working with farmers throughout the northeast to help them expand their production of maple syrup, maple sugar, maple candy and maple butter. For further information visit www.coombsfamilyfarms.com. Coombs Family Farms is also on Instagram @coombsmaple and Facebook www.facebook.com/GetRealMaple. SOURCE Coombs Family Farms - Medical AI solutions, including CXR-AID, officially included in Japanese health insurance reimbursement as a management service fee of imaging diagnosis SEOUL, South Korea, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lunit (KRX:328130.KQ), a global provider of cancer diagnostics solutions, today announced that CXR-AID, FujiFilm's AI solution for chest X-ray analysis, powered by Lunit INSIGHT CXR, has been officially included as an eligible solution for health insurance reimbursement in Japan. (from left to right) Minhong Jang (CBO, Lunit), Ryuji Hisanaga (Product Manager, FujiFilm), Kenta Shinohara (Product Specialist, FujiFilm), and Lunit's representatives pose for a photo after the meeting at Lunit HQ, Seoul, Korea, on June 14 The reimbursement is provided under the 'Imaging Diagnosis Reimbursement Class 3' category of the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW), which grants additional reimbursement points to hospitals. MHLW added the new Class 3 condition for hospitals utilizing AI image diagnostics software and fulfilling specific facility and safety criteria. Following the updated policy of the MHLW, the Japan Radiological Society (JRS) has issued a guideline addressing the implementation of AI solutions in hospitals, along with a list of qualified medical AI software eligible for health insurance reimbursement. The JRS guideline specifically recommends 17 medical AI software options. This official guideline now enables Japanese hospitals and medical institutions to receive reimbursement for utilizing AI technology, including CXR-AID for chest X-ray analysis. With the green light for health insurance reimbursement, Japanese hospitals and medical institutions can deliver enhanced diagnostic services while receiving 340 reimbursement points (worth JPY 3,400) by the government. This significantly boosts Lunit and FujiFilm's expansion in the Japanese market and creates new growth prospects in the field of AI image diagnostics. "We anticipate that this case will enhance patients' access to medical AI solutions and alleviate the financial strain of medical expenses," said Ryuji Hisanaga, Product Manager of FujiFilm IT Solutions. "The acknowledgment of reimbursement for AI software is also a positive indication of its potential expansion to further hospitals and clinics in the future." "Lunit and FujiFilm are committed to supporting Japanese medical practices by providing them with an advanced AI solution that enhances screening accuracy and offers financial benefits through reimbursement," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "Leading the way in Japan, we anticipate that more countries will provide institutional support for our AI-based diagnostics solutions, enabling patients to benefit from a wider range of health insurance benefits." CXR-AID, powered by Lunit INSIGHT CXR, leverages state-of-the-art AI algorithms to detect major abnormal findings, including lung cancer. Its exceptional diagnostic performance led to the approval of the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in 2021. The market expansion of CXR-AID in Japan is further bolstered by FujiFilm's widespread presence, with its screening devices and solutions already being utilized by over 25,000 medical institutions nationwide. This extensive adoption, combined with the exclusive partnership between Lunit and FujiFilm, solidifies CXR-AID's position and accelerates its growth across the country. ### About Lunit With AI, Lunit aims to 'conquer cancer,' one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Lunit is an AI software company devoted to developing AI solutions for precision diagnostics and therapeutics, to find the right diagnosis at the right cost, and the right treatment for the right patients. Lunit, a portmanteau of 'learning unit,' is a deep learning-based medical AI company devoted to developing advanced medical image analytics and data-driven imaging biomarkers via cutting-edge technology. Founded in 2013, Lunit has been acknowledged around the world for its advanced, state-of-the-art technology and its application in medical images. Its technology has been recognized at international AI competitions surpassing top companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft. As a medical AI company with a focus on clinical evidence, the company's findings are presented in major peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology and JAMA Network Open, and global conferences including ASCO and AACR. After receiving FDA clearance and the CE Mark, Lunit INSIGHT CXR and MMG are clinically used in approximately 2,000 hospitals and medical institutions across more than 40 countries. Lunit is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea with offices and representatives around the world. SOURCE Lunit Infosys will also acquire Danske Bank's IT centre in India which employs 1400 digitally skilled professionals Engagement expands Infosys' footprint and reinforces commitment to the Nordics BENGALURU, India and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY), (BSE: INFY), (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that it has signed a strategic collaboration with Danske Bank, a leading Nordic Bank, to accelerate the bank's digital transformation initiatives with speed and scale. This collaboration will help Danske Bank achieve its strategic priorities towards better customer experiences, operational excellence, and a modernised technology landscape, powered by next-gen solutions. Headquartered in Denmark, Danske Bank provides banking services to personal and business customers, as well as large corporate and institutional customers. In a bid to accelerate the bank's technology transformation, optimise their access to talent and capabilities and improve productivity, Danske Bank chose Infosys as its strategic partner. As part of this collaboration, Infosys will also acquire Danske Bank's IT center in India, where over 1,400 professionals are employed. With its global expertise and industry-solutions, Infosys will accelerate the bank's digital agenda by significantly enhancing their IT operations and capabilities, powered by Infosys Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms, experience design, and services that support operations. Frans Woelders, Chief Operating Officer, Danske Bank, said, "Our Forward '28 strategy sets clear ambitions for Danske Bank to be a leading bank in a digital age. This is backed by significant investments in digitalisation and technology, including plans to further develop our customer-facing digital solutions, and modernising our technology infrastructure to enable even better customer experiences and drive operational efficiency. We have a strong starting point, and we want to further accelerate our digital and technology transformation. We have conducted a thorough process to find a partner that can help us achieve that. Infosys has the tools, experience, and expertise to support us in accelerating our transformation using cloud and AI technologies. Given Infosys' global presence and scale, this collaboration will also give us access to wider talent pools and capabilities." Salil Parekh, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Infosys, said, "We are delighted to bring our rich experience in financial services transformation to work for Danske Bank and help the bank accelerate its strategic growth agenda. Infosys will collaborate with Danske Bank to strengthen their core business with greater digital, cloud and data capabilities. This will help Danske Bank create more value for their customers using powerful advances in AI, including generative AI. Infosys looks forward to welcoming Danske India employees joining our team as part of this journey. Nordics is a strategic market for Infosys and this collaboration further enhances our commitment to the region. Infosys has acquired BASE Life Science in Denmark and Fluido in Finland, and recently opened a new proximity center in Gothenburg, Sweden and Oslo, Norway. With this relationship with Danske Bank, Infosys has further enhanced its localization strategy in the Nordics. Infosys expects the transactions to be completed before Q2'FY2024, subject to customary closing conditions. About Danske Bank A/S For more than 150 years, Danske Bank has strived to be a driver of growth and development in society. We have developed in tandem with the societies we are part of, and our advisory services, expertise and financial solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses and organisations to realise their ambitions and potential. With long-term sustainable development as our ambition, we will continue to work every day to be the best possible bank, for the benefit of our customers, employees, shareholders and the societies we are part of. About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses, and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by the cloud. We enable them with an AI-powered core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, and our corporate actions including acquisitions. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg SOURCE Infosys PARIS and AUSTIN, Texas, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DentalMonitoring announces their latest innovation, ScanAssist, the only AI-guided scan process available in orthodontics, designed to provide a fun, engaging patient experience, while also providing unprecedented photo quality for clinical analysis. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9180551-dentalmonitoring-reinvents-scan-experience/ DentalMonitoring, ScanAssist - New scan mode Scanbox pro still - 3D ScanAssist helps patients complete their scans quickly and efficiently with AI guided instructions and real time feedback. Providing a 3D model of a mouth that follows patients as they scan, this in-app system guides patients through scan movements to ensure high-quality pictures and detailed analysis of their treatment progression and oral health. The feature provides patients with a game-inspired experience, including visual and audio cues designed to increase motivation and compliance. "Innovation is the motor that drives us to create solutions like ScanAssist, which uses one-of-a-kind AI-powered technology to guide patients at every step," says DentalMonitoring CEO Philippe Salah. "We're thrilled doctors and patients can use our solutions to create the best treatment experience possible." ScanAssist is the newest addition to the DentalMonitoring app, which uses software and AI to detect more than 130 intraoral observations for braces and aligners treatments for all patients.. Doctors interested in learning more on how their practice can benefit from AI-based orthodontic solutions can visit dental-monitoring.com. About DentalMonitoring - www.dental-monitoring.com DentalMonitoring exists to make orthodontics smarter. Powered by the most advanced AI in the industry, DentalMonitoring has developed comprehensive doctor-driven solutions to help orthodontists grow and optimize their practice, provide superior clinical care, and deliver a better patient experience. From patient lead engagement and conversion, to remote monitoring of all types of treatments, DentalMonitoring's unique platforms give orthodontists connected, smarter and more sustainable care. DentalMonitoring employs more than 400 people across 18 countries and 10 offices, including Paris, Austin, London, Sydney, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Contacts: Anne-Claire Sanz, Global Head of Marketing, [email protected] : +33 01 86 95 01 01 Emily de Moraes, Communication Manager: [email protected]: +1 737 201 9002 Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107834/DentalMonitoring_ScanAssist.mp4 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107827/DentalMonitoring_Scanbox.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107826/DentalMonitoring_Logo.jpg SOURCE DentalMonitoring WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elliott Opportunity II Corp. (the "Company") today announced that it will redeem all of its outstanding Class A ordinary shares (the "Class A Ordinary Shares"), effective as of July 11, 2023, because the Company will not consummate an initial business combination within the time period required by its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the "Articles"). As stated in the Company's Articles, if the Company does not consummate an initial business combination within 24 months of the closing of the Company's initial public offering, or July 1, 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 Ordinary Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Company's 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 to pay liquidation expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the rights of the holders of Class A Ordinary 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 Company's remaining shareholders and the board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to the Company's obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of the applicable law. Net of taxes and dissolution expenses, the per-share redemption price for the Class A Ordinary Shares is expected to be approximately $10.36 (the "Redemption Amount"). The Company anticipates that the last day of trading in the Units and Class A Ordinary Shares will be June 30, 2023. As of July 11, 2023, the Class A Ordinary Shares will be deemed cancelled and will represent only the right to receive the Redemption Amount. After July 1, 2023, the Company shall cease all operations except for those required to wind up the Company's business. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company's warrants, which will expire worthless. The Company's initial shareholders waived their redemption rights with respect to the outstanding Class B ordinary shares issued prior to the Company's 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 Company's transfer agent. Beneficial owners of Class A Ordinary 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 Ordinary Shares is expected to be completed within ten business days after July 1, 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. About Elliott Opportunity II Corp. Elliott Opportunity II Corp. was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. For more information, please visit www.ElliottOpportunity.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "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 forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward- looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our 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 described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the Company's registration statement, the preliminary prospectus for the Company's offering 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 our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake 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. Investor Contact For more information, please contact Steven Barg at [email protected]. SOURCE Elliott Opportunity II Corp. On the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, which aims to build a new consensus for a more inclusive international financial system, Senegal and the International Partners' Group, comprising France, Germany, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, are launching a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to support Senegal's energy access and decarbonization efforts. This commitment will enable the acceleration of the deployment of renewable energies to increase the share of renewable energies in installed capacity to 40% of its electricity mix by 2030 The publication by COP28 of a vision for a long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy (LTS) to be finalized in 2024 Senegal's new nationally determined contribution, to be published at COP30, will reflect the enhanced climate ambition of this new energy strategy In a joint declaration [add link to declaration], Senegal commits, with the financial and technical support of international partners, to develop and implement an energy strategy for the deployment of renewable energies with a view to reducing emissions from the sector, while enabling fair and resilient development. Senegal, in liaison with the members of the International Partners' Group, will prepare an investment plan within twelve months that will identify the investments required and the opportunities to implement the just transition. The partnership will offer significant opportunities for investment from the private sector, sovereign wealth funds and philanthropic foundations. To accelerate the deployment of renewable energies, international partners and multilateral development banks will mobilize 2 billion euros of additional new financing over an initial period of 3 to 5 years. The Summit on a New Global Financing Pact aims to establish a consensus on building a fairer system to fight against poverty, support the green transition and help all nations fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals. It is in line with the Joint European Strategy Document (2018-2023) for Senegal and fits perfectly with the European Team Initiative "Green Economy in Senegal", of which sustainable cities are a priority. This initiative is also aligned with the Global Gateway initiative which was launched by the European Commission at the end of 2021. This JETP concluded today with Senegal is the fourth of its kind, following the launch of partnerships with South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam. "The multifaceted crises we are experiencing today are straining African economies, particularly in their significant efforts devoted to economic development, access to energy and industrialization. Diversifying our energy sources and our supply chains will increase our resilience. The partnership for a just energy transition (JETP) that we are establishing today with our partners will make it possible to support the Senegalese dynamic that we started several years ago of incorporating renewable energies into our energy mix and securing our energy system thanks to all our natural resources in line with the Paris Agreement." - The President of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Macky Sall "France is proud to support the partnership for Senegal's just energy transition. Thanks to the accelerated deployment of renewable energies, this partnership will enable Senegal to continue its economic development and provide access to energy for the entire population, while setting the country on a low-carbon trajectory. This partnership is in line with the priorities of the Summit for a new global financing pact to meet our common challenges: reconciling development and the fight against climate change." - The President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron "Germany welcomes today's signing of a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with Senegal. This is an important step that confirms Senegal's ambition to expand renewable energies. This JETP is a milestone along the road to a Senegalese economy that is both climate neutral and socially just." - The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Olaf Scholz "We are teaming up with Senegal to accelerate investments in clean energy infrastructure, to achieve a low carbon and climate resilient economy. Together, we are supporting a major energy transition, which will benefit people in Senegal and across the world - with access to affordable and reliable renewable electricity, good local jobs, and a healthier planet. I am proud that our Global Gateway strategy supports this partnership." - The President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen "The UK is delighted to support the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Senegal. Senegal has ambitious plans to drive economic growth and create a more prosperous future, and this partnership will deliver vital investment into Senegal's renewable energy infrastructure and help provide access to clean and affordable energy for all." - The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Rishi Sunak "It's only becoming more and more clear that clean energy is a fundamental component to building an economy that works now and into the future. Climate change knows no borders, and as the world makes progress toward our collective goal of net-zero by 2050, we all need to come together - governments from different regions and the private sector - to drive innovative solutions that ensure our kids and grandkids have access to clean air and clean water, and good jobs. That's what the JETP model will do in Senegal, and beyond." - The Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau "The EIB is a long-standing partner for Senegal. With Team Europe partners, the EIB is fully playing its role as a Climate Bank by helping Senegal to meet its international commitments under the Climate Change Agreement. We will strengthen our commitment in Senegal and across Africa addressing local needs, in line with the priorities of the European Union" - The European Investment Bank President, Werner Hoyer "The climate crisis will continue to worsen unless we take bolder action to help developing countries speed up investment in clean energy - and the more we bring the public and private sectors together, the faster we can make progress. The resources and capital this partnership will bring to Senegal will also help drive economic growth and improve public health in the country. It will build on work Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners are doing to spread access to clean energy in Africa and end coal use around the world - and build more momentum in the lead-up to COP28." - UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Michael R. Bloomberg "Public and private collaboration is critical to unlocking clean energy investment and supporting the net-zero transition in emerging markets and developing economies. GFANZ is working to remove the barriers to the flow of much-needed private finance to countries showing leadership on transition, particularly through JETPs. As part of this effort, the GFANZ Africa Network is mobilizing private finance to support sustainable and affordable energy across the continent. We look forward to working with the Senegalese government and the IPG in support of the Senegal JETP." - Co-Chair, GFANZ and UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney, Background information About the European Investment Bank The EIB has been a strong partner of African countries for more than 55 years. Through EIB Global, the bank is strengthening its presence in Africa. Over the last decade the EIB has provided more than 28 billion for innovative technologies, green energy, water, education, agriculture, telecom, health and business investment in 40 countries across the continent. Since the start of the pandemic alone, the EIB has provided more than 8.5 billion for new private and public investment across Africa. EIB Global is the EIB Group's specialized arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnership within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions, and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world. DUBAI, UAE, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With Eid al-Adha just around the corner, HUAWEI AppGallery, the official app store for HUAWEI devices and one of the world's top 3 app marketplaces, is thrilled to announce a new cashback offer not to be missed. In honor of the Feast of Sacrifice, a celebration of togetherness and appreciation for loved ones and community, AppGallery expresses its gratitude to the millions of its users with a special gift. Unlocking Success: Embrace the Festive Spirit of Eid al-Adha with HUAWEI AppGallery's New Cashback Offer Starting on June 27 and running until July 1, AppGallery provides a lucrative 20% cashback on all HUAWEI Points top-ups. Users in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, and Jordancan take advantage of this exceptional offer through a straightforward procedure that demonstrates Huawei's next-generation app distribution platform's unparalleled ease-of-use. Simply by entering AppGallery and topping-up their HUAWEI Points balance throughout the campaign, users can instantly claim their 20% HUAWEI Points cashback. HUAWEI Points can be redeemed for in-app purchases in popular apps and games, like Bigo Live, Likee, PUBG, Yalla Ludo, Rise of Kingdoms, and thousands more from AppGallery. William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group, Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation, said: "Eid al-Adha serves as a reminder to be grateful the abundance in our lives, ensuring that the blessings of this special day are shared with everyone. Once again, Huawei Mobile Services celebrates Eid al-Adha with the best cashback deals, a generous gesture that will bring joy to millions of AppGallery users across the region. Huawei is devoted to elevating the end-user experience and developing products and services that are both unique and tailored to each individual." In a short amount of time, HUAWEI AppGallery has grown to over 580 million monthly active users, cementing its position as the 3rd largest app marketplace in the world. Supported by more than 6 million registered developers, AppGallery provides users with the highest-quality international and local apps, improving all aspects of their everyday life. With 18 app categories and premium content, AppGallery ensures that apps can be used seamlessly across smart devices in any scenario, at any time, and without compromising security. To know more about this offer, click here. About AppGallery - Top 3 App Marketplaces Globally AppGallery is a smart and innovative ecosystem that allows developers to create unique experiences for consumers. Huawei's unique HMS Core allows apps to be integrated across different devices, delivering more convenience and a smoother experience and this is part of our wider "1+8+N" strategy at Huawei. Huawei's vision is to make AppGallery an open, innovative app distribution platform that is accessible to consumers, and at the same time, strictly protects users' privacy and security while providing them with a unique and smart experience. Being among the top 3 global app marketplaces, AppGallery offers a wide variety of global and local apps across 18 categories, including navigation & transport, news, social media, and others. AppGallery is available in more than 170 countries and regions with over 580 million monthly active users. Huawei has partnered with 6 million registered developers across the globe. In 2021, AppGallery witnessed over 432 billion app downloads across the globe. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140368/HUAWEI_AppGallery_Cashback.jpg SOURCE Golin MENA Met primary and three key secondary endpoints Data support clinically meaningful and durable pain relief Pharmacokinetic and safety data support potential for chronic and bilateral dosing Company to host conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET today VICTORIA, BC, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Eupraxia" or the "Company") (TSX: EPRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company with an innovative drug delivery platform, today announced positive results from its Phase 2b clinical trial of EP-104IAR for pain associated with knee osteoarthritis ("OA"). EP-104IAR met its primary endpoint with a clinically meaningful and statistically significant (p=0.004) improvement over vehicle-placebo in WOMAC Pain at 12 weeks. EP-104IAR also showed statistically significant improvement over placebo at 12 weeks in three of four secondary endpoints: WOMAC Function (p=0.014), OMERACT-OARSI strict responders (p=0.011) and Area Under the Curve (AUC) for WOMAC Pain (p<0.001). Importantly, statistical significance with OMERACT-OARSI strict responders to 15 weeks and AUC for WOMAC Pain to 24 weeks was also seen in the Phase 2b study, highlighting a strong and durable response. The secondary endpoint of the difference in change from baseline in the WOMAC Pain subscale at 24 weeks was not met, delivering statistical significance to 14 weeks. The Company also performed pre-specified analyses in the moderate sub-population which comprised 68% of the study population (n=214). Statistically significant efficacy was seen for WOMAC Pain (17 weeks) and OMERACT-OARSI strict responders (22 weeks). Additionally, 40% of moderate patients achieved near complete pain relief (WOMAC Pain score of 2) which was statistically significant for 22 weeks. EP-104IAR was well tolerated, with adverse events similar to placebo, and no withdrawals due to drug side effects. Changes in cortisol were minimal and transient and there were no differences in blood glucose levels between treatment groups, including diabetics. The Company believes these safety data and the observed pharmacokinetic profile support Eupraxia's goal of developing a product that can be used for repeat and bilateral dosing, and in certain at-risk populations. "We are ecstatic about these results," said Dr. James Helliwell, CEO of Eupraxia. "Our objective from the beginning was to design a product that provides prolonged duration with a compelling safety profile that may allow for repeat and bilateral dosing. We believe these Phase 2b results move us closer towards that goal, which could potentially change the OA treatment paradigm. If approved, this represents a significant opportunity to treat millions of underserved patients. In addition, these data provide further validation of our technological platform and the potential for its use in other indications." "I am very impressed with these data," said Dr. Lee Simon, Board Certified Rheumatologist and former FDA Division Director. "To have statistically significant and clinically meaningful effects on pain, together with a compelling safety profile, supports EP-104IAR's potential in OA. EP-104IAR's efficacy profile, durability of response, and tolerability suggest the product has the potential to be an important new therapy compared to currently available osteoarthritis treatments." Based on these compelling results, Eupraxia intends to aggressively pursue its Phase 3 development program. The Company's recently granted Fast Track designation from the FDA for EP-104IAR recognizes the significant unmet medical need in this prevalent disease. About Phase 2 Protocol EP-104IAR-201 EP-104IAR-201 was a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of 318 knee OA patients (163 EP-104IAR, 155 vehicle-placebo) with Kellgren-Lawrence grade (2-3) and moderate to severe pain scores as evaluated by the WOMAC Pain (4-9). The study was conducted at 12 sites in Denmark, Poland and the Czech Republic. The primary endpoint met in the study was the difference in change from baseline between EP-104IAR and placebo (vehicle control) in WOMAC Pain score at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints met included: The difference in change from baseline in the WOMAC Function subscale at 12 weeks The difference in the area under the curve of the WOMAC Pain subscale at 12 weeks The difference in Outcome Measures in Rheumatology-Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OMERACT-OARSI) strict responders at 12 weeks About EP-104IAR and OA Eupraxia's lead product candidate, EP-104IAR, is designed to meet the significant unmet medical need and market demand for long-lasting disease relief in multiple indications benefitting from highly localized and longer delivery of corticosteroids. The lead indication is for pain relief in knee OA. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates knee OA affects more than 30 million people in the U.S. alone. This includes 14 million that suffer from knee pain or some form of disability. Knee OA is also associated with depression and loss of sleep, which can significantly affect quality of life. With EP-104IAR, Eupraxia hopes to change the way knee OA pain is treated. The Company believes current therapies are challenged by poor safety, inadequate efficacy and/or limited duration of activity. Corticosteroids are one of only two drug classes strongly recommended by the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation for treating knee OA pain. Currently approved corticosteroids are very effective at reducing pain for a short duration late in the disease but can expose the body to unwanted local and systemic side effects. EP-104IAR endeavours to prolong the duration of pain relief with fewer unwanted side effects. It encapsulates a highly potent corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) within a microns-thin polymer membrane, part of Eupraxia's patented technology platform. Injected into the knee, EP-104IAR is designed to diffuse the corticosteroid slowly into the knee joint providing local therapeutic concentrations for up to six months. This has the potential dual advantage of providing long-duration pain relief with fewer systemic side effects. A robust safety and tolerability profile would also benefit the estimated 70% of knee OA patients that experience pain in both knees by allowing simultaneous treatment of both affected joints. The product has also been designed to incorporate additional advantages, such as physician convenience, targeting a long shelf life, no refrigeration and easy integration into existing delivery techniques. Conference Call Details Eupraxia management intends to host a conference call and webcast today, June 26, 2023, to discuss the trial results further. Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 Time: 11:00 a.m. ET Dial-in Numbers: (416) 764-8650 or (888) 664-6383 Conference ID: 81782172 Rapid Connect: https://emportal.ink/3XlgxAO Webcast: https://app.webinar.net/lJWyYoaA97kThe webcast will also be available on the Events and Presentations page of the Company's investor website. Replay: (416) 764-8677 or (888) 390-0541 (playback code: 782172 #). Available until midnight (ET) on July 3, 2023. About Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. Eupraxia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of locally delivered, extended-release alternatives to currently approved drugs. Each of Eupraxia's product candidates has the potential to address therapeutic areas with high unmet medical need and strives to provide improved patient benefit by delivering targeted, long-lasting activity with fewer side effects. Eupraxia's lead product candidate, EP-104IAR, is currently in Phase 2 development for the treatment of pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee. The EP-104 platform has expanded into gastrointestinal disease with the launch of a Phase 1b/2a program to treat eosinophilic esophagitis. Eupraxia is also developing a pipeline of later- and earlier-stage long-acting formulations. Potential pipeline indications include candidates for both other inflammatory joint indications and oncology, each designed to improve on the activity and tolerability of currently approved drugs. For further details about Eupraxia, please visit the Company's website at: www.eupraxiapharma.com. Notice Regarding Forward-looking Statements and Information This news release includes forward-looking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Often, but not always, forwardlooking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company's business strategies and objectives, including current and future plans and opportunities, expectations and intentions; statements regarding the Company's Phase 2 clinical trials; the ability of the Company to execute on its business strategy; the potential of Eupraxia's product candidates; the Company's expectations regarding its product designs, including with respect to patient benefit, duration, safety, effectiveness, and tolerability; the results gathered from studies of Eupraxia's product candidates and their potential support for dosing and target population; the Company's intention to pursue its Phase 3 development; the Company's beliefs with respect to the treatment of knee OA pain; the potential for the Company's technology to impact the drug delivery process; the competitive advantages of the Company's technology; the benefits to patients from the Company's drug platforms; and the translation of the Company's technologies and expansion of its offerings into clinical applications. Such statements and information are based on the current expectations of Eupraxia's management, and are based on assumptions, including but not limited to: future research and development plans for the Company proceeding substantially as currently envisioned; industry growth trends, including with respect to projected and actual industry sales; the Company's ability to obtain positive results from the Company's research and development activities, including clinical trials; and the Company's ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. Although Eupraxia's management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements and information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forwardlooking events and circumstances discussed in this news release may not occur by certain dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Eupraxia, including, but not limited to: the Company's limited operating history; the Company's novel technology with uncertain market acceptance; if the Company breaches any of the agreements under which it licenses rights to its product candidates or technology from third parties, the Company could lose license rights that are important to its business; the Company's current license agreement may not provide an adequate remedy for its breach by the licensor; the Company's technology may not be successful for its intended use; the Company's future technology will require regulatory approval, which is costly and the Company may not be able to obtain it; the Company may fail to obtain regulatory approvals or only obtain approvals for limited uses or indications; the Company's clinical trials may fail to demonstrate adequately the safety and efficacy of its product candidates at any stage of clinical development; the Company may be required to suspend or discontinue clinical trials due to side effects or other safety risks; the Company completely relies on third parties to provide supplies and inputs required for its products and services; the Company relies on external contract research organizations to provide clinical and non-clinical research services; the Company may not be able to successfully execute its business strategy; the Company will require additional financing, which may not be available; any therapeutics the Company develops will be subject to extensive, lengthy and uncertain regulatory requirements, which could adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain regulatory approval in a timely manner, or at all; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; and other risks and uncertainties described in more detail in Eupraxia's public filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Although Eupraxia has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forwardlooking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forwardlooking statement or information can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forwardlooking statements and information speak only as of the date on which they are made and Eupraxia undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. Fintech Meetup's exceptional 2023 launch event leads to an agreement with Fintech Nexus: Fintech Nexus to shift its focus to its content publishing business; discontinue its marquee Spring event; and transfer its sponsors, exhibitors and attendees to Fintech Meetup NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fintech Meetup, the groundbreaking new fintech event that has revolutionized how the fintech industry does business, today announced an agreement with Fintech Nexus where Fintech Nexus will shift its focus to its content publishing business, discontinue its marquee Spring event, and transfer its sponsors, exhibitors and attendees to Fintech Meetup. The agreement further cements Fintech Meetup's position as a must-attend event for everyone in fintech, banking, lending and payments. The next Fintech Meetup will take place on March 3-6, 2024 at the Venetian, Las Vegas and will almost double in size from its 2023 debut in-person event, with 5,000+ attendees, 350+ sponsors and exhibitors, 175+ speakers, and 50,000+ tech-enabled meetings. In just the second year following its in-person launch, Fintech Meetup is the second largest U.S. fintech event. Jon Lear, President of Fintech Meetup, who co-founded Fintech Meetup with Anil D. Aggarwal and Simran Rekhi Aggarwal, said, "Fintech Meetup has set a new standard and is the future of fintech events. We're thrilled to welcome Fintech Nexus sponsors, exhibitors and attendees to Fintech Meetup. Fintech Meetup delivers the best value-for-money of any event in the industry, and we know everyone will love it!" Bo Brustkern, Co-Founder & CEO of Fintech Nexus, said, "Fintech Meetup's meeting program is like nothing the industry has ever seen before and transforms the entire fintech events landscape. We've personally experienced the ROI that Fintech Meetup delivers. Fintech Nexus sponsors, exhibitors and attendees are going to benefit tremendously from Fintech Meetup, which has become the defining fintech event of the year that everyone should attend." Fintech Meetup has dramatically improved the traditional fintech event experience for sponsors, exhibitors and attendees by bringing groundbreaking new features and innovations to market, all of which utilize an end-to-end technology platform that transforms fintech events from analog events of the past to digitized events of the future, including: The fintech industry's largest-ever meetings program (Meetup Program): Fintech Meetup facilitated almost 30,000 in-person meetings in 2023, with unprecedented meeting-level satisfaction rates (90% Satisfied, 7% Not Sure and 3% Unsatisfied). 80% of Fintech Meetup attendees participated in the meetings program, which was entirely tech-enabled and utilized highly effective workflows and scheduling algorithms. In 2024, Fintech Meetup will facilitate more than 50,000 meetings. The fintech's industry's first-ever, large-scale hosted buyer programs (Hosted Banks, Credit Unions, Retailers & Merchants Programs): In 2023, Fintech Meetup hosted hundreds of individuals from banks, credit unions, retailers and merchants who buy or evaluate technology solutions, providing each of them with a free ticket to the event and $750 in travel and hotel reimbursement. Fintech Meetup's platform scheduled thousands of relevant connections with solution providers on an entirely double opt-in pay-for-performance basis to accelerate innovation for these historically difficult to reach, but critical ecosystem players. The fintech industry's largest-ever peer networking program, activating connections and content in an entirely fresh format (Tabletalks): Fintech Meetup 2023 automated more than 225 peer group discussions that addressed the industry's most pressing challenges and opportunities, with more than 40% of all attendees participating. Groups were matched based on numerous criteria, including availability, topics of interest, job level and competitor exclusion. The fintech industry's first program for everyone to co-locate events and activities in Las Vegas alongside Fintech Meetup (Hub & Spoke Program): New for 2024, Fintech Meetup has introduced the ability for third parties to officially co-locate their own events and activities of any kind (dinners, receptions, etc.) alongside Fintech Meetup, with invites, RSVPs and scheduling all automated on the Fintech Meetup platform. Fintech Meetup's Hub & Spoke Program is the first tech-enabled industry initiative to welcome a partnership approach to developing fintech events. These revolutionary programs contributed to Fintech Meetup achieving an unprecedented Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 53. Fintech Meetup has an extensive roadmap of additional tech-enabled initiatives that will be introduced for coming events to vastly increase the quantity and formats of connectivity and collaboration it enables, all designed to help the fintech industry catalyze innovation and digitization. Peter Renton, Co-Founder & Chairman of Fintech Nexus, said, "Going forward, Fintech Nexus will focus on being the world's largest independent digital media company, devoted to publishing fintech content, with over 200,000 members and subscribers to Fintech Nexus digital products". Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve Group, Fintech Meetup's parent company, said, "At Hyve, our purpose is to create transformative impact through our best-in-the-business events, and we know that Fintech Meetup delivers this at scale. We are delighted to welcome even more key players in the industry to Fintech Meetup, solidifying the extraordinary value that the event offers the fintech community." More information about Fintech Meetup is available at www.fintechmeetup.com . To apply to speak, go to https://fintechmeetup.com/apply_to_speak_form.html . To apply to sponsor, go to https://fintechmeetup.com/sponsor_form.html . About Fintech Meetup Fintech Meetupthe second largest U.S. fintech eventhas revolutionized how the fintech industry does business. Fintech Meetup's groundbreaking event format combines fintech's largest ever meetings program, an unprecedented network of co-located events as well as fresh approaches to content and speakers. Fintech Meetup achieved an unprecedented Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 53 for its inaugural 2023 in-person event, and is the best value for money, highest ROI fintech event in the industry. Fintech Meetup will be held at the Venetian, Las Vegas on March 3-6, 2024, and is the must-attend Spring kick-off event for the fintech industry. For more information, visit www.fintechmeetup.com . Fintech Meetup is a Hyve Group event. About Hyve Group Hyve's purpose is to deliver game-changing impact for people, business and beyond. How? By helping people to make the connections that could change everything, through unmissable events and hyper-productive meetings programmes. Hyve is on a journey to redefine everyone's expectations of what is possible at events, and is using cutting-edge technology and data to amplify the transformative potential of each of its brands. Its portfolio includes world-renowned brands such as Shoptalk, Bett, CWIEME and Fintech Meetup. For more information, visit www.hyve.group . About Fintech Nexus Fintech Nexus (formerly LendIt Fintech) is a diversified digital media company providing essential knowledge, connections and inspiration to the entire financial services industry, creating a link between traditional finance and the future of finance. Fintech Nexus manages a diverse portfolio of News, Newsletters, Podcasts, Webinars, Whitepapers, and credentialed education courses, including The Fintech Blueprint and other industry-leading publications. Fintech Nexus is a fast-growing digital community with over 200,000 members and subscribers today. For more information, visit www.news.fintechnexus.com Fintech Meetup Aileen McDermott [email protected] Hyve Group Nikki Griffiths [email protected] Fintech Nexus Chris Tedrick [email protected] SOURCE Fintech Meetup, LLC BESSEMER CITY, N.C., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the early morning of Monday, June 26, 2023, a fire broke out at Livent Corporation's Bessemer City 800-acre manufacturing facility in Bessemer City, North Carolina. The fire is currently localized to one building where solid lithium metal ingots are produced. Livent's plant emergency response team is actively working with many external emergency response organizations and fire fighters to contain the fire. There have been no injuries and all onsite personnel are safe and have been evacuated. There are no toxic chemicals or compounds on fire. The fire department has trained with Livent's emergency response teams to prepare for lithium metal fires and has made the determination that the best course of action is to contain the fire and let it burn out. Apart from smoke, there is currently no immediate risk to the local community and no local evacuations have been ordered at this time. The portion of Highway 161 which runs adjacent to the plant has been temporarily closed. At this time, we are still investigating the cause of the fire. Our top priority right now is to ensure the safety of the community. About Livent For nearly eight decades, Livent has partnered with its customers to safely and sustainably use lithium to power the world. Livent is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-quality finished lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. The Company has one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry, powering demand for green energy, modern mobility, the mobile economy, and specialized innovations, including light alloys and lubricants. Livent has a combined workforce of approximately 1,350 full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees and operates manufacturing sites in the United States, England, China and Argentina. For more information, visit livent.com. Media contact: Juan Carlos Cruz +1.215.299.6170 [email protected] George Thomas +1.215.299.6549 [email protected] Investor contact: Daniel Rosen +1.215.299.6208 [email protected] SOURCE Livent Corporation HARBIN, China, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. Forest train blazes new trail for tourism in northeast China. Forest train blazes new trail for tourism in northeast China. "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 June 18, 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, a subsidiary of Heilongjiang Yichun Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd., 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." Image Attachments Links: Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441267 Caption: Forest train blazes new trail for tourism in northeast China. Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441270 Caption: Forest train blazes new trail for tourism in northeast China. SOURCE Heilongjiang Yichun Forest Industry Group Co., Ltd. With a history of fighting for bipartisan reforms and of entrepreneurship and innovation, Lt. Gov. Healey will help lead the Forward Party through its current growth, as more elected officials and candidates from across the country seek to affiliate with the Party WASHINGTON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kerry Healey has joined the Forward Party's Board of Directors. Her background in business, government, and education, as well as her non-profit leadership, will help the Forward Party during this period of growth, as it seeks to expand its footprint in its 12 battleground states through affiliations with elected officials and candidate recruitment for upcoming election cycles. "Nearly half of all Americans do not see their priorities reflected in the political agendas of the Republican or Democratic parties," said Healey. "Many, like me, are looking for respectful dialog and genuine collaboration leading to better lives and greater opportunities for all Americans. Today, I am proud to join forces with the founders of Forward to seek principled and positive alternative solutions to the great challenges facing Americans today." Healey served as the 70th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, with Gov. Mitt Romney, where she led bipartisan efforts to improve services for the homeless and returning citizens, founded three Recovery High Schools, and increased protections for victims of child abuse, drunk driving accidents, and sexual and domestic violence. As a former Republican Lt. Governor of a traditionally Democratic state, she joins Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, who fits a similar profile. These two women leaders have a history of bucking their parties in order to promote solutions that will work for their constituents, and they serve as a model for what Forward Party candidates should be. After serving as lieutenant governor, she spent six years as the first woman president of Babson College, the 100-year-old business school consistently ranked as the country's leading institution in entrepreneurship education. During her tenure at Babson, Healey championed women entrepreneurs, founded a global entrepreneurship conference, created greater affordability and access for domestic and international students, and oversaw a dramatic $200 million renewal of the Wellesley campus. She currently co-chairs the Council for Responsible Social Media (CRSM). CRSM is a non-partisan coalition focused on addressing on-line threats to youths, democracy and national security. Forward Party co-Chair and former Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman said, "Both Lieutenant Governor Healey and I have served in executive offices of Democratic states as Republicans. The need for both of us to work across the aisle defined our political careers, but that's sadly been lost in America. I'm excited to work with her to bring it back to this country through the Forward Party." Lt. Gov. Healey joins a Board of Directors that includes business and non-profit leaders, former candidates and elected officials, and Independents who have left the Republican and Democratic Parties because of their failure to deliver real solutions for the American people. With her strong history of innovation and leadership, Lt. Gov. Healey is sure to add to the momentum the Forward Party has seen in recent months, as more and more elected officials from across the country affiliate with the Party to make a clear statement that we need to leave the politics of the past behind and move this country Forward. The Forward Party is bringing moderates, conservatives, and progressives together to heal our political divisions, find our shared ground, and create a brighter future for America. Forward Party candidates are accountable to the voters, and they will focus on solutions, not partisan fighting, in order to serve their constituents better. https://www.forwardparty.com For more information about the Forward Party, please read through our Prospectus and Q2 Fact Sheet . Lt. Gov. Healey is available for interviews; please reach out to [email protected] to coordinate. CONTACT: Natalie Medved (908) 770-3325 [email protected] www.forwardparty.com SOURCE Forward Party DUBLIN, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Defense Outlook - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Key Enabling Technologies, Geo-Political Risks, and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global defense outlook showcases the defense budget of 30 countries for the period 2023-2033. The cumulative defense budget is valued to be $29,031.67 billion for the period 2023-2033. The global defense market is expected to be driven by geo-political activities, technological investment in autonomous and cyber capabilities, the emergence of public and private defense industries, and contracts by the national governments, among other factors. Global Defense Outlook: Market Lifecycle Stage The global defense market is in the maturity stage of its life cycle, characterized by a consolidated industry, slowing growth, and increased competition for a shrinking pool of defense spending. The defense industry is responsible for producing the equipment and technologies that are used by military forces around the world. One of the primary effects of the defense market on the global defense scenario is that it drives innovation and technological advancement. Companies that compete in the defense market are constantly developing new and better ways to protect soldiers, vehicles, and installations, as well as to detect, track, and engage enemy targets. This innovation helps to ensure that military forces are better equipped to confront the challenges of modern warfare. The defense market also helps to shape alliances and partnerships between countries. Countries that purchase defense equipment from a particular supplier often develop close ties with that supplier, which can lead to increased cooperation on other issues. Additionally, the defense market can create dependencies between countries, as some countries may rely on others for critical military capabilities. Finally, the defense market can have an impact on global economic and political stability. Defense spending represents a significant portion of many countries' budgets, and the health of the defense market can have implications for government finances and employment. Additionally, the proliferation of advanced defense technologies can create security challenges, as countries may seek to acquire these technologies for their own military programs. Overall, the defense market is a critical component of the global defense scenario, and its size, health, and trends can have far-reaching implications for countries and international security. Country Analysis U.S. China Russia India Germany Australia U.K. Saudi Arabia France South Korea Japan Italy Canada Ukraine U.A.E. Turkey Israel Poland Brazil Taiwan Netherlands Spain Singapore Algeria Indonesia Oman Kuwait Colombia Pakistan Norway Recent Developments in the Defense Industry On 20th April 2023 , Rheinmetall Defence and Lockheed Martin entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a tailored solution to provide Germany with a unique rocket artillery system, maximizing existing and combat-proven components produced in Germany . , Rheinmetall Defence and Lockheed Martin entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a tailored solution to provide with a unique rocket artillery system, maximizing existing and combat-proven components produced in . On 20th April 2023 , BAE Systems signed a contract with Ritek AS to produce two new CV90 variants for the Swedish Armed Forces. The work would be carried out in cooperation with BAE Systems Hagglunds, with the delivery scheduled between 2023 and 2027. , BAE Systems signed a contract with Ritek AS to produce two new CV90 variants for the Swedish Armed Forces. The work would be carried out in cooperation with BAE Systems Hagglunds, with the delivery scheduled between 2023 and 2027. On 19th April 2023 , the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded BAE Systems with a $8.3 million contract to develop an advanced autonomy system to speed operational planning under the Strategic Chaos Engine for Planning, Tactics, Experimentation, and Resiliency (SCEPTER) program. The program is designed to develop machine-generated strategies, evaluated within trusted simulation environments with thorough human review. , the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded BAE Systems with a contract to develop an advanced autonomy system to speed operational planning under the Strategic Chaos Engine for Planning, Tactics, Experimentation, and Resiliency (SCEPTER) program. The program is designed to develop machine-generated strategies, evaluated within trusted simulation environments with thorough human review. On 13th April 2023 , Boeing unveiled its Protected Wideband Satellite (PWS) design featuring Boeing's Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P) payload hosted aboard the U.S. Space Force's Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-11 spacecraft with automated anti-jam capabilities to stay connected in a contested environment. , Boeing unveiled its Protected Wideband Satellite (PWS) design featuring Boeing's Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P) payload hosted aboard the U.S. Space Force's Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS)-11 spacecraft with automated anti-jam capabilities to stay connected in a contested environment. On 13th April 2023 , Boeing and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly research, develop, and market advanced weapons systems. , Boeing and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly research, develop, and market advanced weapons systems. On 12th April 2023 , Saab signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the support and maintenance services for the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft. The order is valued at $29.93 million and ensures continued operation and a cost-effective solution regarding the maintenance and availability of the system. , Saab signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the support and maintenance services for the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft. The order is valued at and ensures continued operation and a cost-effective solution regarding the maintenance and availability of the system. On 14th February 2023 , Thales Australia partnered with RGM Maintenance (RGM) and Queensland SME to help optimize and advance specialized heavy vehicle maintenance and regional access to services and maintenance of Land Materiel for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). , Thales Australia partnered with RGM Maintenance (RGM) and Queensland SME to help optimize and advance specialized heavy vehicle maintenance and regional access to services and maintenance of Land Materiel for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). On 29th March 2023 , the French Navy's Lorraine multi-mission frigate was enhanced with air defense capabilities (FREMM DA) which successfully fired the Aster 30 air defense missile. , the French Navy's Lorraine multi-mission frigate was enhanced with air defense capabilities (FREMM DA) which successfully fired the Aster 30 air defense missile. On 28th March 2023 , the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) ordered an additional Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), increasing the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to 10 aircraft. , the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) ordered an additional Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), increasing the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) to 10 aircraft. On 10th January 2023 , Airbus and VDL Group signed a partnership for the manufacturing and development of a laser communication terminal for aircraft, known as UltraAir. The two companies will have scheduled the preparation of a demonstration of the prototype's first flight test in 2024. Demand - Drivers and Limitations The following are the drivers for the global defense market: Rising Procurement of Multi-Mission Helicopters and Fighter Jets to have Positive Impact on Market Increasing Penetration of Autonomous Systems in Military Applications The following are the challenges for the global defense market: Long Gestation Periods and High Import Dependency for Procurement of Defense Equipment High Manufacturing Cost Associated with Integration and Implementation of Air and Space Systems The following are the opportunities for the global defense market: Rise of Internet of Military Things and Era of Digital Battlefield: Future and its Potential Ageing Fleet Key Companies Profiled Lockheed Martin Corporation Raytheon Technologies Corporation The Boeing Company Northrop Grumman Corporation BAE Systems Airbus S.A.S Thales Group Embraer SA Leonardo S.p.A. Textron Systems Aviation Dassault Aviation General Dynamics Saab AB Tactical Missiles Corporation MBDA Missile System Key Topics Covered: 1 Markets 1.1 Industry Outlook 1.2 Current and Future Trends in the Global Defense Outlook 1.3 Business Dynamics 1.3.1 Business Drivers 1.3.1.1 Rising Procurement of Multi-Mission Helicopters and Fighter Jets to have Positive Impact on Market 1.3.1.2 Increasing Penetration of Autonomous Systems in Military Applications 1.3.2 Business Challenges 1.3.2.1 Long Gestation Periods and High Import Dependency for Procurement of Defense Equipment 1.3.2.2 High Manufacturing Cost Associated with Integration and Implementation of Air and Space Systems 1.3.3 Business Strategies 1.3.3.1 New Product Developments 1.3.4 Corporate Strategies 1.3.4.1 Partnerships, Agreements, Contracts, Collaborations, and Mergers 1.3.5 Business Opportunities 1.3.5.1 Rise of Internet of Military Things and Era of Digital Battlefield: Future and its Potential 1.3.5.2 Ageing Fleet 2 Next-Generation Capabilities: Investments and Innovation 2.1 Key Enabling Technologies 2.1.1 Evolution of Hypersonic Missiles and Next-Generation Missile Defense Capabilities 2.1.2 Next-Generation Supersonic and Hypersonic Aircraft 2.1.3 Emerging Need for Satellite-Based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance 2.1.4 Evolution of Space Forces and Their Technologies 2.1.4.1 Space Forces Leveraging Commercial Small Satellites for ISR 2.1.4.2 Space Forces Leveraging Space as a Warfighting Domain 2.1.4.3 Evolution of Sustainable Space Economy 2.2 Indigenization of the Global Defense Sector 3 Top 10 Geo-Political Risks and Security Threats 3.1 Top 10 Geo-Political Risks and Security Threats 3.2 Multi-Lateral Peace Operations and Treaties Across the World 4 Region 5 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles 5.1 Company Profiles 5.2 Emerging Start-Ups 6 Growth Opportunities and Recommendations 6.1 Growth Opportunity 1: ChatGPT for Military Assistance 6.2 Growth Opportunity 2: Combination of Edge Computing and Quantum Computing 6.3 Growth Opportunity 3: Developing More Efficient Engines for Hypersonic Aircraft 7 Research Methodology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/igmx98 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 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Industrial Robotics Market and Volume by Segment, Application, Geographical Distribution, Recent Developments, and Key Players Robotics Division Sales Analysis - Forecast to 2027 report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global industrial robotics market was valued at around US$ 16.5 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach around US$ 20 Billion by 2027. The demand for industrial robotics is anticipated to grow exponentially during the forecast period driven by advantages such as cost reduction, improved quality, increased production, and improved workplace health and safety. The adoption of automation to ensure quality production and meet market demand, and the growing demand from SMEs in developing countries is fueling the growth of industrial robotics market globally. However, the high initial investment and maintenance cost of industrial robots, coupled with integration costs and the cost of peripherals, such as end effectors and vision systems, makes automation a costly investment for SMEs. Recent Developments In March 2023 , LG Uplus announced a partnership by signing an MoU with Bigwave Robotics ( South Korea ), a leading operator of robot automation platforms, to strengthen its robot business. , LG Uplus announced a partnership by signing an MoU with Bigwave Robotics ( ), a leading operator of robot automation platforms, to strengthen its robot business. ABB Robotics announced supporting Renault Group by providing state-of-the-art robotics technology to help automate the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer's production network across several key markets. In October 2022 , ABB launched its smallest-ever industrial robot, offering unique possibilities for faster, more flexible, and high-quality production of wearable intelligent gadgets. , ABB launched its smallest-ever industrial robot, offering unique possibilities for faster, more flexible, and high-quality production of wearable intelligent gadgets. In June 2022 , Epson introduced the GX Series SCARA Robots to deliver next-level performance and flexibility. Industrial Robotics Segment Market - Key Takeaway The electronics industry surpassed the automotive industry in terms of annual robot installations in 2020 and held the largest market for industrial robotics in 2022. In the automotive industry, the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the need for EV charging infrastructure is boosting the demand for robotics. Recently, ABB Robotics announced supporting Renault Group by providing state-of-the-art robotics technology to help automate the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer's production network across several key markets. Metal industry, the third largest market for industrial robotics, has witnessed an accelerated growth of industrial robotics adoption in recent years. Chemical, rubber, and plastics industry accounted for approx. 5% share of the industrial robotics market in 2022, followed by the food industry segment. Industrial Robotics Application Market - Key Takeaway Handling is the most important application of industrial robots, as it can automate some of the most tedious, dull, and unsafe tasks in a production line and is one of the easiest ways to add automation. Assembly robots are used for lean industrial processes and can dramatically increase production speed and consistency. It is projected that the share of industrial robots for welding application will increase considerably during the forecast period, as utilization of industrial robots for welding is economical, and the welds are of an excellent quality. The leading cleanroom robot manufacturers such as, ABB, Yaskawa Electric Corp, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are focusing their investments on technologically advanced, cost effective, and more secure products and solutions for various applications. Industrial Robotics Regional Market - Key Takeaway Asia / Australia is the world's largest and strongest growth market for industrial robots. In Asia , China has significantly expanded its leading position as the biggest market for industrial robots. / is the world's largest and strongest growth market for industrial robots. In , has significantly expanded its leading position as the biggest market for industrial robots. Europe is the second largest market for industrial robots, followed by Americas at the third position. is the second largest market for industrial robots, followed by Americas at the third position. Robot installation counts in Germany , the largest European market and the only European one in the global top five, rose 2% in 2022. , the largest European market and the only European one in the global top five, rose 2% in 2022. The United States is the largest American market and accounted for 67% of the robot installations in the Americas in 2022. Market Dynamics Growth Drivers Increased Spending on R&D and Robotic Process Automation Technology Trends Shaping the Future of Robotics Increased Investment Across Industries Drives the Market for Robotics Solution Opportunities in Industry 4.0 and Emergence of Industry 5.0 Rising Labor Costs amidst the Aging Workforce will Boost the Robots Demand Rising Demand for Collaborative Robots Across Industries Challenges The High Cost of Robots and Delayed Return on Investment Restricts Market Growth Limited Flexibility of Robots for Handling SKUs Pose Challenge for Robotics Safety Concerns Related to Industrial Robotics Systems Privacy and Security Key Players Robotics Division Sales and SWOT Analysis KUKA AG Adept Technology (Acquired by OMRON) iRobot Corporation Intuitive Surgical Nachi-Fujikoshi Yaskawa Electric Corporation ABB FANUC Corporation DAIHEN Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation DENSO Corporation Seiko Epson Corporation Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Global Industrial Robotics Market and Volume Analysis (2012 - 2027) 2.1 Global Industrial Robotics Market and Forecast 2.2 Global Industrial Robotics Volume and Forecast 3. Global Industrial Robotics Market Share and Forecast 3.1 Global Industrial Robotics Market Share and Forecast - By Segment (2012 - 2027) 3.2 Global Industrial Robotics Market Share and Forecast - By Region (2012 - 2027) 3.3 Global Industrial Robotics Share and Forecast - By Application (2015 - 2027) 4. Global Industrial Robotics Market and Volume Forecast - By Segment (2012 - 2027) 4.1 Global Automotive Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.1.1 Global Automotive Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.1.2 Global Automotive Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 4.2 Global Electrical/Electronics Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.2.1 Global Electrical/Electronics Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.2.2 Global Electrical/Electronics Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 4.3 Global Metal Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.3.1 Global Metal Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.3.2 Global Metal Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 4.4 Global Chemical, Rubber and Plastics Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.4.1 Global Chemical, Rubber and Plastics Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.4.2 Global Chemical, Rubber and Plastics Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 4.5 Global Food Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.5.1 Global Food Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.5.2 Global Food Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 4.6 Global Others Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.6.1 Global Others Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.6.2 Global Others Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 4.7 Global Unspecified Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast 4.7.1 Global Unspecified Industry Robotics Market and Forecast 4.7.2 Global Unspecified Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5. Global Industrial Robotics Volume and Forecast - By Application (2015 - 2027) 5.1 Handling Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5.2 Welding Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5.3 Assembling Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5.4 Cleanroom Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5.5 Dispensing Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5.6 Processing Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 5.7 All others/Unspecified Application - Global Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast 6. Global Industrial Robotics Volume and Forecast - By Region and Country Wise Distribution (2012 - 2027) 7. Key Player Analysis (2010 - 2027) 7.1.1 Company Overview 7.1.2 Sales Analysis 7.1.3 KUKA AG - SWOT Analysis 8. Global Robotics Market - Recent Developments For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c5mdo5 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 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Next Generation Public & Personal Safety Applications and Services Market by Technology, Infrastructure, and Use Cases 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report assesses the public and personal safety solutions market including those involved in critical infrastructure and advanced cyber and physical security. This report assesses core public safety technology and solutions as well as emerging key areas for critical communications and decision support including 5G, AI, and IoT. The report includes forecasts for the public and personal safety market globally and regionally from 2023 to 2028 as well as analysis and recommendations for industry stakeholders. The analyst sees leading vendors focused on enterprise safety and security will be the primary area for integration of next-generation solutions involving AI, data analytics, IoT, and immersive technologies. The challenges will be to use a systems integration approach to tie together technologies in a manner in which useful solutions will seamlessly operate with existing command, control, and communications without unintended consequences such as introducing new system security and/or reliability threats or points of failure respectively. Traditionally, the public safety community consists of first responders (ambulance/EMS, police, and fire), 9-1-1 dispatch/PSAP (Public Safety Answer Points), and infrastructure/service providers such as ComTech Telecommunications Corp. and Intrado. With Public Safety LTE and the roll-out of FirstNet, public safety services have expanded to include improved communications infrastructure as compared to legacy land mobile radio systems. The public safety community increasingly relies upon IP-based solutions for first responders and dispatch communications as well as overall coordination in the event of emergencies and disaster impact mitigation. Next-generation enterprise safety solutions enable the ability to identify and locate those in distress, direct emergency communications, and notify need-to-know personnel. Advancements in LTE and the introduction of 5G are expected to provide improved first responder communications, coordination, and safety. Further enhancements are expected through the integration of next-generation public safety solutions such as augmented reality for first responders and virtual reality coupled with haptic awareness and control for remote public safety personnel. In addition, advancements in public safety real-time data and decision support systems will provide life-saving and property protecting information for field personnel and coordinators alike. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for public safety is also important for the future of public safety as remote sensors will be increasingly relied upon to predict and prevent threats as well as provide invaluable situational awareness tools for emergency services personnel. Many of these technologies will ultimately be integrated into public safety systems. However, personal safety and enterprise public safety will lead the way in terms of technology adoption, systems integration, and solution deployment. For example, leading companies such as IP communications provider, Bandwidth, deploys enterprise 9-1-1 and safety systems for business that include integration with unified communications by way of telecom APIs. In another leading company example, NICE Systems provides security organizations and emergency services to protect people and assets. They do this in a multi-facet manner that includes anticipation and management of safety and security risks with solutions that help organizations mitigate threats to operations. Select Report Findings: Global market for public and personal safety market poised to reach USD $639B by 2028 by 2028 Biometric security and authentication systems will have the highest CAGR during the forecasted period North America will lead the public safety and personal safety market followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe will lead the public safety and personal safety market followed by and Public safety LTE and upcoming 5G network will make substantial positive impacts on public safety systems Enterprise safety and security solutions will lead the market in terms of new technology introduction and solution realization Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 2.1 Public Safety and Personal Safety 2.2 Citizen Engagement and Security 2.3 Market Structure 2.4 Market Dynamics 2.5 Value Chain Analysis 2.6 Cost Success Factor Analysis 3. Infrastructure 3.1 Control Systems 3.2 Critical Communication Network 3.3 Biometric Security and Authentication System 3.4 Surveillance System and Privacy Concern 3.5 Scanning and Screening System 3.6 Emergency Disaster Management 3.7 Personal Safety and General Alarms 4. Technology 4.1 TE Core and RAN Technology 4.2 5G Core and NR Technology 4.3 Voice and Non-voice Communications 4.4 IoT Connectivity Technology 4.5 AI Technology 4.6 Web-based CAD 4.7 Infrastructure, Devices, and Integrated Systems 4.8 Smartphone as Personal Safety Tool 4.9 IoT Device for Emergency Communication 4.10 RMS and Other Software 4.11 Public Safety Analytics and Components 4.12 Public Safety Data 5. Deployment and Integration 5.1 Cloud Deployment 5.2 Edge Computing in Smart Cities 5.3 Emergency Call Routing 5.4 Public Safety Answer Points 5.5 Personal Safety Notification 5.6 Interoperability 6. Solutions by Industry Vertical 6.1 Government 6.2 Healthcare 6.3 Commercial and Residential 6.4 Construction and Architecture 6.5 Manufacturing 6.6 Emergency Services 6.7 Retail 6.8 Banking and Financial Institute 6.9 Other Verticals 7. Company Analysis 7.1 3DR 7.2 AGT International 7.3 Alarm Radio Monitoring 7.4 Aptean Corporation 7.5 Atos SE 7.6 Cisco Systems 7.7 Dataminr 7.8 Eagle Genomics 7.9 Enforsys 7.10 Enigma Technologies 7.11 ESRI 7.12 Fire Recovery USA 7.13 Gemalto 7.14 General Dynamics Corporation 7.15 Glympse 7.16 L3Harris Technologies 7.17 Haystax 7.18 Hexagon 7.19 Hitachi Vantara 7.20 Honeywell International 7.21 Huawei Technologies 7.22 IBM 7.23 Ericsson 7.24 Motorola Solutions 7.25 NEC Corporation 7.26 Nice Systems 7.27 Nokia Corporation 7.28 Northrop Grumman Corporation 7.29 Novatronica 7.30 RapidSOS 7.31 SAP SE 7.32 SAS 7.33 SmartDrive Systems 7.34 Sonim Technology 7.35 Specialist Alarm Services 7.36 Sun Ridge Systems 7.37 SwiftAlarm 7.38 Telstra Corporation 7.39 Terracom Informatics 7.40 Tobii Technology 7.41 Twig Com 7.42 Tyler Technologies 7.43 Verint Systems 7.44 FirstNet 7.45 Verizon 7.46 AT&T 7.47 WILMAC 7.48 RedBox 7.49 Polaris Public Safety Solution 7.50 CentralSquare 7.51 iNet Public Safety 7.52 Codan Communications 7.53 Intellitech Corporation 7.54 Parallel Wireless 7.55 Saferwatch 7.56 Virtual Halo 7.57 Revolar 7.58 Twilio 7.59 Intersec 8. Global Market Analysis and Forecast 2023-2028 8.1 Global Public and Personal Safety Market 2023-2028 8.2 Market by Segment 8.3. Market by Infrastructure 8.4 Market by Software 8.5 Public Safety Analytics Market by Component 8.6 Public Safety Analytics Market by Type 8.7 Market by Service 8.8 Market by Technology 8.9 Market by Industry Vertical 8.10 Market by Government Application 8.11 Market by Deployment 9. Regional Public and Personal Safety Market 2023-2028 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7ksvxj 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 BEIJING, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- How can a shipment of Kazakhstan ferrochrome alloy be transported to South Korea? The seemingly straightforward 14-day trip, now a regular choice for traders from both the two countries, involves a series of complex logistics arrangements. The voyage begins with a rail journey, originating from major factories located in Aksu and Aktobe, Kazakhstan. From there, the shipment crosses borders and enters China through the bustling ports of Horgos and Alashankou, nestled in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Once within Chinese territory, the cargo makes its way eastward, heading toward the China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Base situated in the Lianyungang port of East China. At this crucial junction, meticulous arrangements are made to ensure the smooth transition of the shipment onto ships, which will carry it to its final destination, South Korea. The ferrochrome alloy is just one of the vast products Kazakhstan-like Central Asian countries sent to Japan, South Korea and Singapore via the Lianyungang port, which has now become a key hub for the landlocked Central Asian countries to set sail from the Pacific Ocean. So far, more than 80 percent of Kazakhstan's major trade commodities such as mineral products and grains are exported via the Lianyungang port. Meanwhile, electronic equipment and other favorable products from East Asia are also transported to Central Asian countries via the port, Du Anji, a representative of the Lianyungang New Silk Road International Container Development Co, told the Global Times. "As of the end of May this year, there have been 154 trains transiting from Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and other regions to Central Asia and Europe, a year-on-year increase of 6.7 percent," Du said. No longer landlocked In the eyes of Zuo Xuemei, General Manager of Lianyungang China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Co, strengthened ties between the East China's port and Central Asia started from May 2014 when the China-Kazakhstan Lianyungang logistics project was officially put into operation witnessed by the heads of state of China and Kazakhstan. It is also the first physical platform project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In the same year, the Lianyungang port authority set up a joint venture (JV) logistics company - Lianyungang China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Co - with KTZ Express, the logistics subsidiary of Kazakhstan Railways. The two sides hold a 51 percent stake and 49 percent stake, respectively. After roughly ten years of development, the station, extending from Kazakhstan, has achieved full coverage of major sites in Central Asian countries. The transit time of international containers in Lianyungang has also been shortened from more than four days to less than one day, Zuo introduced. Together with development of the station is economic and trade cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Bilateral trade reached $70 billion in 2022, and it recorded a year-on-year expansion of 22 percent in the first quarter of this year, Shu Jueting, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, told a press conference in May. Apart from being a transfer link, Zuo said the port has also been seeking for expanding trade channel for the landlocked Central Asian nations. On February 5, 2017, Kazakhstan exported 720 tons of wheat to Vietnam via the logistics JV at Lianyungang port, opening up Southeast Asia for Kazakh agricultural produce. Iskendirov Aziz, the vice general manager at Lianyungang China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Co, expressed his gratitude for the pivotal role played by the Lianyungang port in facilitating the export of wheat and other agricultural products from Kazakhstan to the Pacific region. In an interview with the Global Times, Aziz highlighted the increasing volume of exports via this route, emphasizing the port's significance in enabling the smooth flow of goods. As demand for exports continues to surge, Aziz noted that efforts are underway to meet the growing needs of regional trade. The Lianyungang China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Co is actively pursuing additional train frequency to ensure that the current capacity aligns with the expanding export demand. On March 14, the 5,000th Lianyungang China-Europe Railway Express departed from the China-Kazakhstan logistics base, starting its journey westward to Central Asia and marking another milestone for the base. The route departing from Lianyungang has continued to operate in a stable manner even amid pandemic over the past several years, representing an important gateway and alternative for bridging the trade for Central Asia amid uncertainties, said Zuo. An artery stretches to Europe Due to its unique geographical location, though it places focus on connecting with Central Asia, Lianyungang has a long-time ambition of bridging a land-sea artery between Europe and Asia. Also known as the eastern bridgehead of the new Eurasian Land Bridge, the city firstly opened the international freight train business on December 1, 1992. The dispatch of the locomotive, named as the "Dongfeng 1808" that heads to Central Asia and Europe, marked the beginning for the city to construct a new Asia-Europe land-sea combined transport channel, Sun Zian, chief editor of the news department at the Lianyungang Port Holdings Group Co, told the Global Times. A real locomotive used as part of the opening ceremony is still displayed at the port to memorize the connection. Over the past 31 years, the city has established six major logistic channels that link Lianyungang with five Central Asian countries, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan, Russia, Turkey (across the Caspian Sea), and Germany. With Lianyungang as the central hub, this network seamlessly connects regions like Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia with Central and Western Asia, as well as Europe, according to information provided by Lianyungang New Silk Road International Container Development Co. This vast transportation network facilitates a constant flow of electronic products, new and used vehicles, machinery, and equipment from Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and other regions to Central Asia and beyond. In return, it transports valuable resources such as minerals, grain, and fertilizers from Central Asia back to destinations like Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, the company said. "This robust connectivity strengthens trade relations along the entire rail transport route, bolstering economic interactions among the regions involved, and is indeed a representative of how BRI brings opportunities for countries, people and companies along the routes," Sun added. SOURCE Global Times QUICK READ: Energy Development Corporation is set to complete its P7-billion binary power plant in Albay in the third quarter of this year. The project will utilize waste heat from the existing 130-MW BacMan geothermal power plant to generate energy. Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is set to complete its P7-billion binary power plant in Albay in the third quarter. Its parent firm reported last week that the 28.9-megawatt (MW) Palayan binary project is targeted for commercial operations by September. The binary plant will produce energy from the waste heat of a unit of EDC's existing 130-MW Bacon-Manito (BacMan) geothermal power plant. The project is also expected to expand the existing BacMan plant. The company earlier said the Palayan binary plant was expected to generate 600 jobs for the community. Also, the low carbon project will reduce 72,200 tons of carbon emissions every year. EDC is also engaged in another binary project. The 3.6MW Mindanao 3 binary project was inaugurated last April 27, 2022. The project will make use of existing brine from EDC's 103-MW Mindanao 1 & 2 geothermal power facilities to generate additional energy without the need for additional drilling. The heat from the brine will be used to generate electricity for the new power plant before it is re-injected back to the reservoir. It was synchronized to the Mindanao Grid on March 12, 2022, and passed its grid compliance testing by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. The project will not only contribute reliable power to the Mindanao region but it will also avoid around 25,000 tons of equivalent carbon dioxide each year through the use of clean geothermal energy in lieu of coal, the company said. EDC's over 1,480MW total installed capacity accounts for 20 percent of the country's total installed renewable energy capacity while its 1,181MW geothermal portfolio accounts for 62 percent of the country's total installed geothermal capacity. This has put the Philippines on the map as the third largest geothermal producer in the world. BOSTON , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Goulston & Storrs, an Am Law 200 firm, is pleased to announce that directors Tim Carter, Trevor Hoffmann, and Douglas Rosner, and of counsel James Wallack have been named to the 2023 list of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers for their ongoing achievements in financial restructuring. (PRNewsfoto/Goulston & Storrs PC) Tim Carter has particular expertise in secured finance, UCC matters, out of court workouts, and bankruptcy. He represents agents, lenders, borrowers, and sponsors in lending and restructuring transactions, as well as debtors, lenders, acquirers, and creditors in insolvency proceedings. Clients seek him out for his guidance in bankruptcy cases and workouts, recapitalizations, foreclosure sales, strict foreclosures, and other restructuring transactions and insolvency proceedings throughout the U.S., as well as in cross-border contexts. He also represents distressed operating companies as outside general counsel, drawing on his broad experiences and utilizing a collaborative approach with other counsel to help clients stabilize, grow, and ultimately exit their investments. He is active in the Turnaround Management Association and the Boston Bar Association's Bankruptcy Section and received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, where he was a Stone Scholar, and his B.A. from Columbia University. Trevor Hoffmann has extensive experience representing borrowers, purchasers, investors, secured lenders, and landlords in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, workouts, and transactions involving distressed assets. A primary focus of his practice is the representation of private equity firms and hedge funds as acquirers of distressed and insolvent companies and real estate via distressed M&A transactions, chapter 11 plans, and section 363 sales. Hoffmann has a unique background with specific practice experience in both Canada and the U.S., and his current practice includes regular appearances in bankruptcy courts throughout the U.S. He serves on the Federal Bar Council Bankruptcy Litigation Committee and is active in the Turnaround Management Association. He received his LL.B. from the University of Toronto and his B.Comm. from the University of Alberta. Douglas Rosner leads the firm's nationally recognized Bankruptcy & Restructuring Group and is sought after for his ability to balance legal and business considerations to find collaborative, workable solutions for clients. He represents corporate debtors, unsecured creditors and creditors' committees, lenders, landlords, asset purchasers, and trustees across the country in a wide range of bankruptcy matters including complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 7 liquidations, workouts, and related litigation and transactions. He also counsels lenders and borrowers in corporate and real estate financing transactions, including asset-backed securitizations, inter-creditor agreements, factoring arrangements, and asset-based loans. Rosner is a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy. He received his J.D. from Boston College Law School and his B.A. from Brandeis University. James Wallack is known nationally for his industry expertise involving the acquisition and disposition of troubled real estate assets, and his work with retail and consumer products companies. He has extensive experience representing borrowers, debtors-in-possession, purchasers, investors, secured lenders, unsecured creditors' committees, and landlords in complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, workouts, and transactions involving distressed assets. A primary focus of his practice is the representation of private equity firms and their underperforming portfolio companies. Wallack is an American College of Bankruptcy Fellow. He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from Northwestern University. About Goulston & Storrs Collaboration is not just a pillar of our strategy; it is the key to our competitive advantage and approach to clients, community, and each other. At Goulston & Storrs, we practice law with excellence and integrity. We are a place where mutual respect and collaboration drive open discussion, transparency, creativity and optimal results for our clients. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where sophisticated business is conducted with genuine camaraderie. To learn more about us, visit www.goulstonstorrs.com. Contact: Leigh Herzog Amy Blumenthal Goulston & Storrs PC Blumenthal & Associates PR (617) 574-2259 (617) 879-1511 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Goulston & Storrs PC After 17 years as a bootstrapped company, GSoft and its ecosystem of employee and digital experience software becomes Workleap on the heels of a CA$125M capital investment MONTREAL , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GSoft, a leading software company behind employee experience products that enable over 20,000 companies to achieve more, has officially rebranded to Workleap , as part of an important strategic move that supports its mission to craft the leading platform to make work simpler, kinder and faster. GSoft is becoming Workleap GSoft, now Workleap, has witnessed significant growth over the past year. This includes the launch of Softstart, a software tool that transforms employee onboarding into a vibrant, organized and efficient experience, and Talentscope, a software tool that empowers people-first teams to map their skills, develop their talents and accelerate their growth to create more engaging and productive workplaces. Earlier this year, the company further expanded its portfolio by acquiring Didacte , a learning management system (LMS) designed to build, manage and monitor employee training. This rebranding reflects the company's intent to further expand and unify its family of software products to deliver more value to its customers. With the recent announcement of a CA$125M investment from CDPQ to support growth through acquisition, Workleap is well equipped to be a long-term partner for businesses navigating the challenging world of a digitally connected workforce. "We started as three 20-year-olds who created an IT services company in a small apartment in Quebec. Since then, we've grown Workleap to more than 400 employees with a singular focus on creating simple-to-use products that elevate the work experience and drive business performance," said Simon De Baene , co-founder and CEO of Workleap. "Any business leader will tell you the past few years have been some of the most challenging when it comes to creating a quality employee experience. Workplaces need a software update to bring their full team together and create a unified experience, and Workleap can do that." Work no longer takes place in an office but in the tools that companies use. Creating an employee experience that leads to higher productivity and satisfaction requires a powerful set of unified tools that make work really work. Workleap seeks to build a best-in-class ecosystem of software tools, unifying all the strengths of its existing software and adding new capabilities to create a bolder digital experience for its midsize and large business customers. Visit Workleap.com for more information on how the company helps employees and businesses achieve work excellence and high performance. About Workleap Workleap is a software company on a mission to create products that make work simpler, kinder and faster. With over 20,000 companies in more than 100 countries as customers, we enable people to work at their best through products that improve the employee and digital experience: ShareGate , a leading Microsoft 365 management solution , a leading Microsoft 365 management solution Officevibe , software designed to equip HR leaders and managers with the tools they need to drive engagement, performance, and retention , software designed to equip HR leaders and managers with the tools they need to drive engagement, performance, and retention Softstart , software that transforms the employee onboarding into a vibrant, organized and efficient experience , software that transforms the employee onboarding into a vibrant, organized and efficient experience Didacte , a learning management system (LMS) designed to build, manage and monitor employee training , a learning management system (LMS) designed to build, manage and monitor employee training Talentscope , software that empowers people-first teams to map their skills, develop their talents and accelerate their growth to create more engaging and productive workplaces The Workleap team is made up of 400 people united around a shared passion for building software that makes work really work. Media Contact Spencer Hotz BLASTmedia for Workleap [email protected] 317-806-1900 ext. 187 SOURCE Workleap CHICAGO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The IIoT Platform Market has a bright future thanks to its continuing industry expansion and integration with edge computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The development of IIoT platforms and the advancement of industrial operations will be shaped by improved security, interoperability, and industry-specific solutions as well as cooperation and collaborations. The IIoT Platform Market size is projected to grow from USD 9.5 billion in 2023 to USD 18.2 billion in 2028, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.9% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of the Industrial IoT (IIoT) platform market is primarily driven by the increasing demand for operational efficiency, advancements in IoT technologies, and a strong emphasis on safety and security. Industries are adopting IIoT platforms to optimize processes, leverage technological advancements, and enhance safety measures. With real-time data collection and analysis, businesses can make data-driven decisions, improve productivity, and mitigate risks. Browse in-depth TOC on "IIoT Platform Market" 200 - Tables 50 - Figures 270 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=11186318 Scope of the Report Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 20182028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units Value (USD Billion) Segments covered Offering, Application Area, Vertical, and Regions. Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered Software AG (Germany), PTC (US), Hitachi (Japan), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Cisco (US), Intel (US), SAP (Germany), Siemens AG(Germany), Accenture (US), Atos (France), Amazon Web Services (US) and many more. Based on offering, the services segment to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period The services segment of the global IIoT Platform Market comprises consulting services, system integration and deployment services, and support and maintenance services. The service segment is driven by the complexity of implementation, customization requirements, integration with legacy systems, maintenance and support needs, data analytics and insights, security and cybersecurity concerns, training and skill development requirements, and the need for scalability and upgradability. Based on platform, the device management platform segment is expected to lead the market during the forecast period is driven by the need to manage the growing number of connected devices, enable remote monitoring and control, streamline firmware and software updates, facilitate device configuration and provisioning, enhance security and compliance, enable asset tracking and inventory management, provide device analytics and performance monitoring, and ensure scalability and interoperability within the IIoT ecosystem. Based on services, the support and maintenance segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period The support and maintenance service segment in the IIoT Platform Market is driven by the complexity of IIoT systems, the need for technical expertise, the continuous improvement of platforms, the requirement for high reliability and minimal downtime, security and risk mitigation, compliance and regulatory adherence, and performance optimization Request Sample Pages @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=11186318 Based on application area, the supply chain management segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period Supply chain management segment in the IIoT Platform Market is driven by the need for enhanced visibility, operational efficiency, real-time decision-making, inventory optimization, supply chain visibility and traceability, supply chain resilience and risk mitigation, collaboration and integration among stakeholders, and sustainability considerations.. Based on vertical, the process industry segment is expected to lead the market during the forecast period The process industry segment in the IIoT Platform Market is driven by the need for operational efficiency, asset performance optimization, regulatory compliance and safety, quality control and traceability, supply chain integration and optimization, energy management and sustainability, and digital transformation initiatives North America to hold the highest market size during the forecast period IIoT platform is a steady-growing market in North America, which includes the US and Canada. North American industries, including manufacturing, energy, transportation, and healthcare, are increasingly adopting automation and digitalization to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness North America is known for its strong technological innovation and adoption. The region has a robust ecosystem of technology companies, startups, and research institutions focused on developing and advancing IIoT platforms. The continuous technological advancements drive the growth of the IIoT Platform Market by offering new capabilities, improved connectivity, and enhanced analytics for industrial applications. Top Key Companies in IIoT Platform Market: Major vendors operating in the IIoT Platform Market include Software AG (Germany), PTC (US), Hitachi (Japan), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Cisco (US), Intel (US), SAP (Germany), Siemens AG(Germany), Accenture (US), Atos (France), Amazon Web Services (US), Oracle (US), Bosch.IO (US), Schneider Electric (France), Davra Networks (US), Eurotech (Italy), Altizon (US), QiO Technologies (UK), Litmus Automation (US), ROOTCLOUD (China), Augury (US), Braincube (France), UnifyTwin (US), and Samsara (US). Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=11186318 Recent Developments: In March 2023 , Accenture acquired Flutura, an internet of things (IoT) and data science services firm, for an undisclosed sum to boost the industrial AI services it sells under Applied Intelligence's umbrella. , Accenture acquired Flutura, an internet of things (IoT) and data science services firm, for an undisclosed sum to boost the industrial AI services it sells under Applied Intelligence's umbrella. In January 2023 , PTC acquired ServiceMax a Service Execution Management company. The acquisition adds important field service management (FSM) capabilities to PTC's closed-loop product lifecycle management (PLM) and digital thread offerings. , PTC acquired ServiceMax a Service Execution Management company. The acquisition adds important field service management (FSM) capabilities to PTC's closed-loop product lifecycle management (PLM) and digital thread offerings. In February 2022 , Software AG acquired treamSets, a leader in data integration for the modern data stack. With this acquisition, Software AG adds a sizeable and fast-growing SaaS and subscription business that is growing rapidly. , Software AG acquired treamSets, a leader in data integration for the modern data stack. With this acquisition, Software AG adds a sizeable and fast-growing SaaS and subscription business that is growing rapidly. In March 2021 , SAP acquired Signavio, one of the leaders in the enterprise business process intelligence and process management space. As a part of the acquisition, Signavio's products become part of SAP's business process intelligence portfolio and complement SAP's holistic process transformation portfolio. As a result of the deal, SAP can help companies quickly understand, improve, transform and manage their business processes on a scale. , SAP acquired Signavio, one of the leaders in the enterprise business process intelligence and process management space. As a part of the acquisition, Signavio's products become part of SAP's business process intelligence portfolio and complement SAP's holistic process transformation portfolio. As a result of the deal, SAP can help companies quickly understand, improve, transform and manage their business processes on a scale. In February 2021 , Siemens, IBM, and Red Hat collaborated to use a hybrid cloud designed to deliver an open, flexible, and more secure solution for manufacturers and plant operators to increase the real-time value of industrial IoT data. Through the collaboration, Siemens Digital Industries Software will apply IBM's open hybrid cloud approach, built on Red Hat OpenShift, to extend the deployment flexibility of MindSphere. This will enable customers to run MindSphere on-premise, unlocking the speed and agility in factory and plant operations and through the cloud for seamless product support, updates, and enterprise connectivity. IIoT Platform Market Advantages: IIoT platforms enable the real-time monitoring and data collecting from a range of industrial equipment, sensors, and devices. To increase operational efficiency overall and to identify bottlenecks and optimize procedures, this data can be analyzed and utilized. Organizations may reorganize processes, cut down on downtime, and boost productivity by utilizing data-driven insights. With the use of real-time data and analytics, IIoT platforms may undertake predictive maintenance, a proactive approach to maintenance that foresees equipment failures or performance problems. Organizations may prevent unforeseen breakdowns, lower maintenance costs, and increase equipment uptime by scheduling maintenance chores in advance and keeping an eye on the health and performance of their machinery. IIoT platforms enable real-time monitoring of industrial environments, enabling the early discovery of safety risks, equipment problems, or anomalous situations. Organizations may reduce workplace accidents, save expensive damages, and maintain employee safety by quickly detecting and addressing possible risks. Organizations have access to a lot of real-time and archived data thanks to IIoT systems. Organizations can gain useful insights from this data by utilizing advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence approaches. Decision-makers are given the tools they need to make wise decisions, streamline procedures, and spot untapped commercial potential. Industrial equipment and processes can be remotely monitored and managed using IIoT platforms. Due to this feature, businesses may manage and keep an eye on numerous sites or facilities from a central place without having to be present physically at each one. Remote control and access increase operational agility, cut travel expenses, and make it easier to react quickly to problems or emergencies. IIoT platforms can support cost optimization in a number of ways. Organizations may minimize maintenance costs, maximize asset utilization, and extend equipment lifecycles by enhancing operational efficiency, lowering downtime, and enabling predictive maintenance. IIoT systems can also aid in reducing waste, streamlining supply chain procedures, and optimizing energy consumption, all of which can lower costs overall. Report Objectives To determine and forecast the global IIoT Platform Market by offering, application area, vertical, and region from 2023 to 2028, and analyse the various macroeconomic and microeconomic factors that affect market growth. To forecast the size of the market segments with respect to five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America . , , (APAC), and (MEA), and . To provide detailed information related to the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the growth of the IIoT Platform Market. To analyse each submarket with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the overall IIoT Platform Market. To analyse the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the IIoT Platform Market. To profile the key market players; provide a comparative analysis on the basis of business overviews, regional presence, product offerings, business strategies, and key financials; and illustrate the competitive landscape of the market. To track and analyse competitive developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, product developments, partnerships and collaborations, and Research and Development (R&D) activities, in the market. Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Indoor Location Market - Global Forecast to 2028 AIoT Platforms Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Digital Twin in Finance Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Natural Disaster Detection IoT Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Smart Railways Market - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. 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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/industrial-iot-platform-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/industrial-iot-platform.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The India ready-to-cook market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.12% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 488.97 million according to Technavio. Download a Sample Report! India Ready to cook market Insights - Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled India Ready to Cook Market Vendors : 15+, Including Bambino Agro Industries Ltd., Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd., CG Corp., DARSHAN FOODS PVT. LTD., Desai Foods Pvt Ltd., Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Ltd., iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd., IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd., Innovative Foods Ltd., ITC Ltd., Kohinoor Foods Ltd., Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd., McCain Foods Ltd., Nestle SA, Orkla ASA, Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd., Tata Consumer Products Ltd., and Universal Corp. Ltd. : 15+, Including Bambino Agro Industries Ltd., Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd., CG Corp., DARSHAN FOODS PVT. LTD., Desai Foods Pvt Ltd., Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Ltd., iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd., IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd., Innovative Foods Ltd., ITC Ltd., Kohinoor Foods Ltd., Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd., McCain Foods Ltd., Nestle SA, Orkla ASA, Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd., Tata Consumer Products Ltd., and Universal Corp. Ltd. 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 (instant noodles and pasta, instant soup, ready-to-mix, snacks, and others), and distribution channel (offline and online) To understand more about the information services market, request a sample report India Ready to Cook 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 - Bambino Agro Industries Ltd., Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd., CG Corp., DARSHAN FOODS PVT. LTD., Desai Foods Pvt Ltd., Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Ltd., iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd., IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd., Innovative Foods Ltd., ITC Ltd., Kohinoor Foods Ltd., Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd., McCain Foods Ltd., Nestle SA, Orkla ASA, Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd., Tata Consumer Products Ltd., and Universal Corp. Ltd. India Ready to Cook Market Market Dynamics Key Drivers The growing preference for convenience food products in the working population is notably driving India ready-to-cook market growth during the forecast period. The factors which are increasing the demand for this food are Short cooking time, easy preparation, and long shelf life. The demand for convenience foods that can be prepared easily, such as ready-to-cook food products is increasing due to the rising working population and busy lifestyles. For example, the proportion of the working-age population in the country is expected to rise to 65%. Many vendors are focusing on launching pre-cooked products such as instant noodles or soups to meet this growing demand in the country. Hence, this increase in the consumption of convenience food is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Major Trends The rising number of promotional and marketing activities is a new trend shaping the India ready-to-cook market. New marketing strategies and innovative advertising are being developed by the vendors to create awareness among consumers about the benefits of these convenience foods. Furthermore, the companies are increasing their marketing budgets to attract more consumers. For example, in 2022, Nestle`s consumer-facing marketing expenses increased by 3.4% when compared with 2020. The company has started many promotional events in the country to market its products such as Maggi soup. Hence, these innovative promotional and marketing activities are expected to drive the growth of the India ready-to-cook market during the forecast period. Significant Challenges The growing health concerns are a major challenge that may restrict India ready-to-cook market growth during the forecast period. This is due to the criticism faced by the companies for being unhealthy for many diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Furthermore, these products are high in fat content and result in high BMI and weight gain due to the high processing of these foods. The introduction of healthy foods in the market which contain nutritious and healthy ingredients are significant challenge restricting the growth of the market. In addition, consumers are refraining from consuming these unhealthy foods, which is expected to hamper the market growth during the forecast period. Drivers & Challenges have an impact on market dynamics and can impact businesses. Find some insights from a sample report! 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 India Ready to Cook Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the India ready-to-cook market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the India ready-to-cook 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 India ready-to-cook market. A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of India ready to cook market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The ready-to-drink coffee market size is projected to increase by USD 11,781.01 million and the market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.73% between 2022 and 2027. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by packaging (glass bottled, canned, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The rising demand for on-the-go refreshments is a key factor driving the growth of the market. The organic food and beverages market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.85% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 310.08 billion. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by product type (organic fruits and vegetables, organic dairy products, organic prepared foods, organic meat, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The rising number of new product launches is a key factor driving the growth of the market. India Ready to Cook Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.12% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 488.97 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.76 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Bambino Agro Industries Ltd., Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd., CG Corp., DARSHAN FOODS PVT. LTD., Desai Foods Pvt Ltd., Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Ltd., iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd., IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd., Innovative Foods Ltd., ITC Ltd., Kohinoor Foods Ltd., Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd., McCain Foods Ltd., Nestle SA, Orkla ASA, Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd., Tata Consumer Products Ltd., and Universal Corp. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get customized segments. 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 Country Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 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 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 12: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 13: Chart on India: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 14: Data Table on India: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Ready to cook market in India 2017 - 2021 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 15: Historic Market Size Data Table on Ready to cook market in India 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 16: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 17: Historic Market Size Distribution channel 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 Instant noodles and pasta - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 29: Chart on Instant noodles and pasta - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Data Table on Instant noodles and pasta - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 31: Chart on Instant noodles and pasta - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 32: Data Table on Instant noodles and pasta - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Instant soup - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 33: Chart on Instant soup - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Data Table on Instant soup - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Chart on Instant soup - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 36: Data Table on Instant soup - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Ready-to-mix - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 37: Chart on Ready-to-mix - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 38: Data Table on Ready-to-mix - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Chart on Ready-to-mix - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 40: Data Table on Ready-to-mix - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 41: Chart on Snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 42: Data Table on Snacks - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Chart on Snacks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 44: Data Table on Snacks - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 45: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 46: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 48: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.8 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 49: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 50: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 51: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel 7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 55: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 59: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 62: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 65: 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 66: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 9.4 Market trends 10 Vendor Landscape 10.1 Overview 10.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 67: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 10.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 68: Overview on factors of disruption 10.4 Industry risks Exhibit 69: Impact of key risks on business 11 Vendor Analysis 11.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 70: Vendors covered 11.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 71: Matrix on vendor position and classification 11.3 Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. Exhibit 72: Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 73: Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 74: Bambino Agro Industries Ltd. - Key offerings 11.4 Desai Foods Pvt Ltd. Exhibit 75: Desai Foods Pvt Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 76: Desai Foods Pvt Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 77: Desai Foods Pvt Ltd. - Key offerings 11.5 Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 78: Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 79: Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 80: Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.6 Hindustan Unilever Ltd. Exhibit 81: Hindustan Unilever Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 82: Hindustan Unilever Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 83: Hindustan Unilever Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 84: Hindustan Unilever Ltd. - Segment focus 11.7 iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 85: iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 86: iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 87: iD Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.8 IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 88: IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 89: IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 90: IndianFarm Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.9 Innovative Foods Ltd. Exhibit 91: Innovative Foods Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 92: Innovative Foods Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 93: Innovative Foods Ltd. - Key offerings 11.10 ITC Ltd. Exhibit 94: ITC Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 95: ITC Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 96: ITC Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 97: ITC Ltd. - Segment focus 11.11 Kohinoor Foods Ltd. Exhibit 98: Kohinoor Foods Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 99: Kohinoor Foods Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 100: Kohinoor Foods Ltd. - Key offerings 11.12 Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 101: Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 102: Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 103: Maiyas Beverages and Foods Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 11.13 McCain Foods Ltd. Exhibit 104: McCain Foods Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 105: McCain Foods Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 106: McCain Foods Ltd. - Key offerings 11.14 Nestle SA Exhibit 107: Nestle SA - Overview Exhibit 108: Nestle SA - Business segments Exhibit 109: Nestle SA - Key news Exhibit 110: Nestle SA - Key offerings Exhibit 111: Nestle SA - Segment focus 11.15 Orkla ASA Exhibit 112: Orkla ASA - Overview Exhibit 113: Orkla ASA - Business segments Exhibit 114: Orkla ASA - Key news Exhibit 115: Orkla ASA - Key offerings Exhibit 116: Orkla ASA - Segment focus 11.16 Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd. Exhibit 117: Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 118: Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 119: Regal Kitchen Foods Ltd. - Key offerings 11.17 Tata Consumer Products Ltd. Exhibit 120: Tata Consumer Products Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 121: Tata Consumer Products Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 122: Tata Consumer Products Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 123: Tata Consumer Products Ltd. - Key offerings 12 Appendix 12.1 Scope of the report 12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 124: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 125: Exclusions checklist 12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 126: Currency conversion rates for US$ 12.4 Research methodology Exhibit 127: Research methodology Exhibit 128: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 129: Information sources 12.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 130: 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 OXFORD, England, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infleqtion, the world's quantum information company, today announced that it has been awarded funding from Innovate UK to expand its manufacturing capabilities for quantum-enabled systems. The funding will support the development of a new type of optical atomic clock that far exceeds the accuracy and reliability of current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based systems. The new clock will achieve a frequency stability that is more than fifty times better than the best commercially available atomic clocks of comparable size. This level of accuracy will be essential for applications such as autonomous navigation, resilient power distribution, and national security. "Infleqtion offers unrivaled expertise, with products and R&D efforts spanning the whole quantum ecosystem, including quantum computing, quantum sensing, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)," said Scott Faris, CEO of Infleqtion. "With a strong foundation, a highly skilled team, and the support of Innovate UK, Infleqtion UK is well-positioned to drive innovation and deliver groundbreaking solutions that will transform the field of PNT and quantum-enabled systems." The quantum-enabled PNT systems market is poised for significant growth, fueled by the increasing need for highly accurate, reliable, and resilient PNT systems across various applications, including the deployment of 5G networks. Quantum-enabled PNT systems offer significant advantages over traditional GNSS-based systems, including improved accuracy, enhanced resilience, and reduced size and weight. They are also not reliant on external signals, making them less vulnerable to weather conditions, interference, and jamming. This makes them suitable for deployed applications. The funding from Innovate UK will enable Infleqtion to bring its new optical atomic clock to market and make the UK a global leader in the development and manufacture of quantum-enabled PNT systems. The company has a team of world-leading experts in quantum physics and optical engineering, and has a proven track record of developing innovative quantum technologies. The winning Infleqtion project will also establish a sovereign UK capability to manufacture critical subsystems, such as microfabricated atomic vapor cells and photonic frequency combs. "This project will deliver the UK's first commercially available optical atomic clock which will provide a crucial layer of resilience across many national security applications," said Dr. Timothy Ballance, General Manager of Infleqtion UK. "The funding will allow Infleqtion to advance its manufacturing capability in the UK for systems required to build a wide range of quantum-enabled products. Coupled with our engineering expertise, we are in an excellent position to lead the market in delivering next generation commercial atomic clocks at scale." Minister of State at the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology George Freeman MP said, "We are on the cusp of a quantum technology revolution, set to deliver transformational increases in computer processing speed and power in a whole new field of capabilities in sensing, communications, encryption, cyber security and navigation. We are making sure the UK is ready to harness it for the benefit of all." Will Drury, Executive Director, Digital and Technologies at Innovate UK said, "Our exceptional researchers, businesses and innovators are continuously pushing the boundaries of Quantum Technology development, placing the UK at the leading edge of this field. Together, through this support and investment, we will work in partnership to realise the potential of this technology for our UK economy and society." About Infleqtion Infleqtion delivers high-value quantum information precisely where it is needed. By operating at the Edge, our software-configured, quantum-enabled products deliver unmatched levels of precision and power, generating streams of high-value information for commercial organizations, the United States, and allied governments. With 16 years of ColdQuanta's pioneering quantum research as our foundation, our hardware products and AI-powered solutions address critical market needs in PNT, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing. Headquartered in Austin, TX, with offices in Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; Melbourne, AU; and Oxford, UK. Learn how Infleqtion is revolutionizing how we communicate, navigate, and discover at www.Infleqtion.com. Infleqtion UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the flagship commercial brand Infleqtion. Infleqtion UK has a fully equipped quantum research laboratory and established production facilities in Oxford for its UK-developed Photonically Integrated Cold Atom Source (PICAS) product. The company conducts advanced research and development in inertial sensing and advanced timing for navigation within GNSS-denied environments, radiofrequency sensors for communications and defense applications, memory modules for secure quantum networks, and quantum information platforms for computation and simulation. SOURCE Infleqtion 4K+ limited-edition Axolotl digital collectibles, featuring artist designed tattoos, are now available at no cost to consumers TORONTO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Inkbox , the cutting-edge, semi-permanent tattoo brand, announced the launch of its first-ever digital collectible collection Superlotl by Inkbox bringing self-expression and tattoo artistry to Web3 . The new, limited-edition digital collectibles, available at no cost to consumers (gas fees apply), feature 4,242 Super-Axolotls on the Ethereum blockchain, each with a unique combination of traits and, of course, tattoos. Through joining the Superherd, Superlotl's community, owners will receive access to Inkbox discounts, exclusive products, voting rights on the future of the herd, as well as the coveted Artist Role, where Inkbox is expanding its artist community into Web3 and bringing IRL benefits to holders. INKBOX EMPOWERS TATTOO ARTISTRY ON WEB3 WITH LAUNCH OF SUPERLOTL DIGITAL COLLECTIBLES Each Superlotl, paedomorphic salamanders with supernatural powers, will hatch with one unique and powerful tattoo that tells the story of the community, featuring artwork designed by one of Inkbox's partners including Deadfellaz, Vinnie Hager, Chinatown Stropky, Girlknewyork, and Mr Preston. Those in the Superherd will have the ability to add additional, unique tattoos on their Superlotl, and starting this month, every tattoo that appears on a Superlotl will also be available for physical purchase on inkbox.com. "Digital Collectibles offer new ways for communities and brands to engage and grow together, and we're thrilled to be entering the digital collectible space with Superlotl by Inkbox," said Inkbox President and Co-founder, Braden Handley. "We strive to empower individuals to showcase their individuality and creative self-expression in all aspects of their lives and entering the Metaverse leveraging Web3 technology allows us to take this to the next level. Just like Inkbox's physical products, the tattoos designed for Superlotls will enable owners to continue to match their ever-evolving identity in the digital space." As part of the Superherd Community, Superlotl owners will unlock access to Inkbox's Artist Portal with over 1,200 artists from around the world. Superlotl holders can then submit their own art or NFT's (must own IP rights) to become tattoos on Inkbox.com and earn commissions from their tattoo sales. "Tattoos are the ultimate intersection of self-expression and art and have been a large part of our culture in the Deadfellaz community," said Betty and Psych, Co-Founders of Deadfellaz. "We're thrilled to see Inkbox bringing their success with semi-temporary tattoos in the physical world into digital art and Web3. There are inherent parallels between non-fungible tokens living on the blockchain forever and the immutable nature of tattoos. They can be changed, but they'll always live on in one way, shape, or form. We are stoked to be a part of the first collection and hope our community and beyond love this project launch as much as we do." "I'm honored to partner with Inkbox on the launch of its first digital collectible collection that brings semi-permanent tattoo art to a new, digital medium," said Vinnie Hager. "Ranging from simple symbols and lines to more complex designs, I've created 75 unique tattoos that come to life on Inkbox's Superlotls. I'm excited to see the reactions to my tattoo designs, how they are applied in the digital space and experimented with in the physical space." The full Superlotl by Inkbox Digital Collectible is available at no cost to consumers (gas fees apply) on superlotls.com . Consumers can purchase Superlotls with either ETH, or with a debit card or credit card in USD through MoonPay , making the crypto and digital collectible space more accessible. In the spirit of a global community and a cause close to Inkbox's founders, the brand will donate 10% of the overall collection sales from physical tattoos to the American Cancer Society*. For more details about Superlotl by Inkbox, visit the Superlotl by Inkbox page , and keep an eye out for news on Twitter and Discord . About Inkbox: Inkbox creates beautifully produced, artist-designed, impermanent tattoos that last 1-2 weeks, fading as the skin naturally regenerates. Since inception in 2015, millions of people from more than 150 countries around the world have worn Inkbox tattoos as style accessories to express their identity, and test drive permanent tattoo ideas before going all in. With a growing catalogue of more than 10,000 designs, the Freehand Tattoo Marker, and a Custom tattoo platform used to bring any idea to life, Inkbox now ships tens of thousands of tattoos every week. It has also come to be an important avenue of creative expression for many of today's most respected tattoo artists, who now count on it as a way to build their brand and supplement their income. Headquartered in downtown Toronto, where it operates the permanent tattoo studio Inside Out, Inkbox now employs 150+ people across Canada, Japan, and the United States. For media inquiries, please email [email protected] , or visit inkbox.com/our-story . *For each Superlotl tattoo sold online at Inkbox.com from launch to December 31, 2023, 10% of the sales price will go to support the American Cancer Society, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families. To learn more about ACS, visit www.cancer.org . No portion of purchase is tax deductible. ACS does not endorse any service or product. Inkbox will receive no remuneration from ACS for conducting this campaign." SOURCE Inkbox Top Workplace Award recognizes companies for commitment to creating a supportive and collaborative workplace environment ST. LOUIS, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- John Volpi & Company, a leading producer of authentic Italian cured meats known as Volpi Foods, has been named a winner of the prestigious "Top Workplaces 2023" award by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the third year in a row. The company is honored to receive this recognition, which is based on anonymous feedback from its employees. John Volpi & Company is a 2023 Top Workplace. This year's survey measured 15 culture drivers, including alignment, execution, and connection, among others. John Volpi & Company was singled out for its strong performance in these areas, as well as its commitment to creating a positive and supportive workplace environment. John Volpi & Company, a leading producer of authentic Italian cured meats known as Volpi Foods, has been named a winner of the prestigious "Top Workplaces 2023" award by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the third year in a row. The company is honored to receive this recognition, which is based on anonymous feedback from its employees. The Top Workplaces list is compiled annually by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and is based on a survey conducted by Energage LLC, a third-party employee engagement technology partner. This year's survey measured 15 culture drivers, including alignment, execution, and connection, among others. John Volpi & Company was singled out for its strong performance in these areas, as well as its commitment to creating a positive and supportive workplace environment. "We are thrilled to be named a Top Workplace by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch," said Lorenza Pasetti, CEO of Volpi Foods. "This award is a testament to our company's culture of collaboration, respect, and innovation. We believe in empowering our employees to reach their full potential, and we are proud of the incredible team we have built here." "Being recognized as a Top Workplace is a significant achievement for companies because it is based on authentic feedback from their employees," Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, states. "In today's market, it is crucial for leaders to create an environment where employees can voice their opinions and be heard, as this is paramount to a company's success." The Top Workplaces award is just the latest in a string of accolades for John Volpi & Company, which has been producing premium cured meats since 1902. The company's commitment to quality and innovation has helped it remain a leader in the industry for over a century. For more information about Volpi Foods and the company's award-winning cured meats, visit VolpiFoods.com, and for more information about the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Top Workplace Awards, go to StLouisDispatch.com and for information about Energage, go to Energage.com. About Volpi Foods Founded in St. Louis in 1902, Volpi Foods is a fourth-generation, family-owned producer of award-winning charcuterie available in retailers nationwide. Slow-cured in small batches, non-GMO, gluten-free, and never frozen, every product is free from nitrates, nitrites, or growth hormones. Volpi Foods is proud to preserve the ancient tradition of dry curing meat by hand, partners only with local farmers to source meat that is Raised Responsibly and still operates the oldest salumeria in America. To learn more, visit VolpiFoods.com and follow on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter. Media Contact: Team Crier for Volpi Foods 310-274-1072 [email protected] SOURCE Volpi Foods Explore the latest ASUS devices for all facets of education from K-12 to higher education See devices built for esports, content creation and STEAM programs Learn about ASUS' innovative sustainability efforts in product design, digital equity and packaging Meet industry experts and schedule one-on-one meetings with ASUS sales representatives onsite PHILADELPHIA, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASUS is pleased to announce the latest lineup of devices for education at ISTE Live 2023. The lineup features an array of innovative education solutions for students and educators in the K-12, higher education, STEAM and esports education sectors. Join ASUS at ISTE Booth #2304 ASUS is pleased to announce innovative education technology solutions for students and educators at ISTE Live 2023. Tweet this Explore the latest ASUS devices for all facets of education from K-12 to higher education at ISTE 2023 Between June 26th and 28th, join us in person at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia to see ASUS education ecosystem, meet with product experts, and schedule one-on-one meetings with ASUS sales representatives to learn about devices that are shaping the future in education. At the booth, ASUS will also host live sessions with industry thought leaders starting Monday, June 26th through Tuesday, June 27th between 2:00PM and 3:30PM ET Devices for K-12 education At ASUS, we design technology solutions to meet the unique needs of K-12 educational institutions. As textbooks and worksheets are replaced with interactive digital learning materials, ASUS offers Windows and ChromeOS laptops that improve collaboration, streamline instruction, and keep the learning environment secure. Our entry-level one-to-one learning devices are ruggedized to survive classroom mishaps and coated with ASUS Antimicrobial Guard to ensure they stay sanitary and clean. Equipped with a rubber bumper, scratch-resistant display, and spill- and tamper-resistant keyboard, the ASUS lineup of laptops for education are a dependable partner for learning. ASUS educational devices also feature a modular design and include bottom-panel captive screws for easy maintenance and repair to minimize downtime. For classrooms that prefer lightweight, ultraportable one-to-one learning devices, ASUS also offers options that feature a slim-bezel design that fits a larger screen into a compact chassis. See solutions below for K-12 education: Ruggedized: ASUS BR1402C: The first device in our ruggedized portfolio with a 14-inch display. The large, vibrant screen is perfect for middle and high school students as well as teachers, offering ample room for learning. ASUS BR1402F: Features a 14-inch Corning Gorilla Glass display that's engineered with a strong, flexible hinge, enabling full 360 rotation. It can be used as a laptop or a tablet with an optional garaged precision stylus for a more intuitive input. ASUS BR1102C (Windows) and ASUS Chromebook CR11(CR1102C, ChromeOS): Ultracompact 11-inch ruggedized laptops, perfect for elementary school students. Equipped with a long-lasting battery, these devices will last a full day of classes and more, empowering students to enjoy uninterrupted learning. ASUS BR1102F (Windows) and ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip (CR1102F, ChromeOS):11-inch, versatile devices with a 360 ultra-tough hinge and a world-facing camera. The touchscreen display is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass and can be used with the optional garaged stylus for a more interactive learning experience. Lightweight and compact: ASUS Chromebook CX1 (CX1400/CX1500/CX1700): Available in 14, 15, and 17-inch options, this lightweight, ultraportable device features a long-lasting battery for maximized productivity. With speedy performance, robust security and convenient features, this laptop is perfect for any student. ASUS Chromebox 5: Offering outstanding performance and instantaneous response for incredible productivity. It's powered by up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor that delivers blistering processing speeds to cater to the most demanding tasks. And with up to 32 GB DDR4 memory, ASUS Chromebox 5 enables easy multitasking without slowdowns. ASUS ExpertBook B1 (B1402/B1502, 12th Gen Intel): For worry-free connectivity in the classroom, this laptop is equipped with enterprise-grade security and a comprehensive set of I/O ports. It is also available in 14 and 15-inch configurations. ASUS ExpertCenter PN64-E1: No lightweight when it comes to performance, boasting the latest 13th Gen Intel Core CPU with Intel Iris Xe graphics*. It can be specified in a variety of multi-storage combinations, including an ultrafast PCIe Gen 4 SSD for rapid boot-up and app load times. Devices for higher education and teachers Students in higher education are ready to apply the skills and knowledge they've acquired over years of study toward their career goals and passion projects. In addition to requiring the durability, versatility, and easy maintenance qualities that are found in K-12 laptops, they need their devices to provide high performance and seamless connectivity. ASUS ChromeOS laptops for higher education are built to do more with the power of Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics. These thin-and-light devices also offer military grade durability and feature USB-C and HDMI ports for flexible connectivity. Although designed for students in higher education, ASUS ChromeOS laptops are also suitable devices for teachers who need cutting-edge performance in and outside the classroom. For teachers who prefer Windows devices, ASUS offers ExpertBook laptops that provide exceptional power, robust security, and a comprehensive set of ports including HDMI and up to Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports all in a lightweight, compact chassis. See solutions below for higher education and teacher devices: ASUS Chromebook CX34 Flip (CX3401, 12th Gen Intel): Featuring an eye-catching new color Zinc a robust Intel Core processor, a garaged stylus, and a 360 ErgoLift hinge for multi-modal usage, this device is the essence of style, performance, and versatility. ExpertBook B3 Flip (B3402, 12th Gen Intel): Equipped with a 3 MP world-facing high-resolution camera, this device allows teachers to capture photos, videos, and documents to share with students in tablet or tent modes. A garaged stylus is also included for easy notetaking and annotating. Powered by 12th gen Intel Core processors, this laptop ensures smooth multitasking when preparing lesson plans. ASUS BE279QSK is a 27-inch Full HD monitor that features an integrated Full HD (2MP) webcam, microphone array, and stereo speakers for video conferencing and live-streaming. With Full HD resolution and an IPS panel for wide-angle viewing, it delivers incredibly sharp imagery and stunning video playback. Its ergonomic design with tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments provides a comfortable viewing experience, and compatibility with a standard 100 x 100mm VESA mount allows flexible wall mounting or installation on a display arm. Devices for esports and STEAM programs For students who are passionate about gaming, participating in a competitive esports program at school can be a great way to find motivation to improve their academic performance, develop vital leadership and collaboration skills, and experience first-hand the pride that comes from representing their school. Educational institutions that are looking to implement a dedicated esports program can count on ASUS ROG gaming systems to deliver optimal performance when it matters most. With their Intel Core CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards, these machines reliably render game worlds at high frames per second, giving the students a crucial edge up in competition. In addition to empowering students to take their passion for gaming to the next level, ROG gaming systems are powerful tools for STEAM learning. Their graphics cards, processing resources, plentiful RAM, and speedy storage serve equally well as platforms for teaching students 3D rendering and animation, video editing, architecture, and graphics design. See solutions below for esports education programs: ROG G22CH: Despite its 10L small form factor, this desktop gaming PC is packed with powerful hardware, including up to an Intel Core i9-13900KF processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics card allowing schools to be mindful of space without compromising performance. ROG Strix G18 (2023) G814: Equipped with powerful hardware often found in desktop PCs, this laptop is the perfect portable solution for schools that don't have a dedicated space for an esports lab. ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: The ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM includes a custom heatsink and an innovative internal component layout designed to draw heat away from the OLED panel to minimize the likelihood of image burn-in. Thanks to these features and an enlarged top air vent, the Swift OLED PG27AQDM can dissipate heat more efficiently to operate at 5% lower average temperatures compared to other 27-inch OLED gaming monitors. This display also boasts a 17%* increase in brightness compared to the previous generation OLED panel. ROG Azoth Keyboard: ROG Azoth is a gaming custom keyboard in a 75% keyboard form factor. This highly customizable keyboard provides gamers with everything that they need in a compact, space-saving layout. Its silicone gasket mount with three layers of dampening foams combines for a unrivaled typing experience. The hot swappable ROG NX switches can be quickly replaced, either for repair or to customize the typing feel. The OLED display offers unbounded personalization options, and with tri-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz SpeedNova technology, students can enjoy low-latency wireless connectivity. ROG Destrier Ergo Gaming Chair: The ROG Destrier Ergo Gaming Chair is engineered for both strength and comfort and includes a solid aluminum frame, breathable mesh cradle and soft PU foam padding. Devices for content creation in education Many of today's students are passionate about content creation, including photo editing, video game design, 3D animation, and film production. Not only are these creative hobbies for students to explore, but they are also growing career opportunities. ASUS ProArt devices help students overcome limitations and challenge their own creativity. For example, masters' students of the Integrated Design and Media Program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering harnessed the processing and graphical power of ASUS ProArt Studiobook laptops and ProArt desktop workstations to execute their thesis projects. For students who prefer to unleash their creativity directly with a stylus and a touchscreen, ASUS has ExpertBook laptop offerings that feature multimodal functionality, allowing more intuitive input in tablet or tent modes. See solutions below for content creation in education: ProArt Studiobook 16 3D OLED (H7604): This device pushes every boundary from performance to display technology to provide students with an interactive and creative STEAM learning experience. The 3D OLED display with ASUS Spatial Vision technology provides students with a glasses-free 3D visual experience, powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics. As the Solar System becomes a 360 space and diagrams of dinosaurs transform into 3D models, students can interact with their educational materials using the ASUS Dial, giving them better context and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them. ASUS ProArt Station PD5: Driven by its powerful NVIDIA graphics card, this desktop workstation is perfect for everything from photo and video editing to 3D modeling, rendering and animation. It also features creator-friendly innovations, including ASUS Lumiwiz, which indicates the status of the CPU, GPU, and more to offer creators an at-a-glance insight into their performance and rendering progress. ASUS ProArt PA279CRV: A 27-inch 4K HDR monitor designed for professional video editors. This Calman Verified display features a wide color gamut with 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB coverage and is factory pre-calibrated to achieve an average Delta E < 2 for exceptional color accuracy. For added convenience, the built-in USB-C port offers DisplayPort support, superfast data transfers, and 96-watt power delivery via a single cable. HDR monitor designed for professional video editors. This Calman Verified display features a wide color gamut with 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB coverage and is factory pre-calibrated to achieve an average Delta E < 2 for exceptional color accuracy. For added convenience, the built-in USB-C port offers DisplayPort support, superfast data transfers, and 96-watt power delivery via a single cable. ExpertBook B6 Flip (B6602F, 12th Gen Intel): Featuring enterprise-grade components, this mobile workstation pushes every limit to deliver the speed, power, security, and portability creatives need with a flippable, stylus-compatible touchscreen form that can turn itself to any task. Devices for computer lab and administration While the use of one-to-one devices is becoming increasingly commonplace in a classroom setting, computer labs still serve as a critical resource to help students with their education and learning. For example, subjects like programming, engineering, as well as photo and video editing require greater computing power and larger screens. ASUS ExpertCenter desktop and AiO solutions offer modern, compact, and stylish devices that provide consistent and quiet performance perfect for a shared space like a computer lab. These devices are also optimized for productivity, making them ideal for administrative tasks as well. See solutions below for computer lab and administration devices: ExpertCenter D7 SFF D700SD: Built to handle daily computing tasks in an ultracompact and sleek package, so computer labs and offices can have a flexible and neat workspace. ExpertCenter E5 AiO 24: Equipped with a next-level Intel Core processor, generous 16 GB DDR4 memory and comprehensive connectivity, this sleek, ultracompact desktop with audio and visual built in powers through any task with ease. To learn more about full ASUS education solutions contact ASUS' sales team. For education notebooks, desktops devices, please contact [email protected] For education displays, MiniPcs and peripherals, please contact [email protected] SOURCE ASUS Computer International ATLANTA, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LCG Associates, Inc., a national investment consulting firm, announced today their leadership succession plan. In preparation for the retirement of Edward F. Johnson, LCG's President & CEO, at the end of 2024, LCG's Board of Directors announced that James J. Challen, CFA, CAIA will succeed Edward F. Johnson as CEO, and Claire P. Chotiner, CFA, CAIA will assume the role of President at the beginning of 2024. The Company's leadership succession plan enables a smooth transition through the end of 2024. James Challen has been with the firm for 14 years and is a Senior Vice President. Claire Chotiner has been with the firm for 16 years and is LCG's Chief Operating Officer. Both James and Claire have over 20 years of investment experience. "The Board and I are excited to watch James and Claire lead the firm through the next several decades. We're fully confident that these two will excel in their new roles," said Edward F. Johnson. "Their success not only in client-relationships, but also in managing internal teams, in addition to supporting all LCG departments are a few of the many reasons the Board has voted James and Claire as our company's next leaders." James Challen, CFA, CAIA shared: "On behalf of the entire team, we want to express our congratulations to Ed on his upcoming retirement. We sincerely appreciate Ed for his dedication to the firm, its employees, and our clients over the past 34 years. He has been a resource, mentor, and friend to everyone at our company. His unwavering commitment to maintaining the culture and founding principles of LCG has enabled LCG to be in the position we are in today. Claire and I are committed to continuing Ed's legacy and will strive to ensure LCG continues to provide excellent, customized service to each of our clients. We are honored to work alongside Ed and the Board of Directors through this 18-month leadership transition process." About LCG Associates Founded in 1973, LCG Associates is a national, employee-owned investment consulting firm. As an independent company, the firm provides proactive, value-added consulting services and research to institutional and private clients. LCG is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in Dallas, Texas and Seattle, Washington. For more information on LCG, please visit www.lcgassociates.com. SOURCE LCG Associates, Inc. Mars Ice Cream driving toward $1 Billion growth, creating positive societal impact with the latest DOVEBAR innovation - sustainably sourced vanilla NEWARK, N.J., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since buying the DOVEBAR 35 years ago, Mars has been an innovator in the Ice Cream category. Mars is a leader in confectionery, snacking, food, and pet care products and services and the maker of some of the world's most-loved brands, including a flourishing frozen treats segment. Today, the Mars Ice Cream ambition: to grow the business to $1 billion by 2030. The DOVEBAR is the first Mars Ice Cream product made with 100% real ice cream and sustainably sourced vanilla from Madagascar. The global ice cream market is projected to hit $104.96 billion by 2029, up significantly from $73.62 billion in 20211, and Mars holds several of the top selling products in the U.S. frozen novelty category including SNICKERS Ice Cream Bars, M&M'S Ice Cream Sandwiches, TWIX Ice Cream, and KIND Frozen treats. Today, Mars has twelve billion-dollar brands around the world across snacking, pet and food categories. Reaching $1 billion in sales would place Mars Ice Cream among the company's twelve other billion-dollar brands, standouts that include M&M'S candy, EXTRA gum and SNICKERS bars, PEDIGREE and ROYAL CANIN pet foods and Mars' VCA veterinary clinic chain. "The widespread popularity of iconic Mars brands gives consumers the opportunity to enjoy their favorite candies as innovative Mars Ice Cream products," said Shaf Lalani, General Manager for Mars Ice Cream. "Mars Wrigley North America will deliver both growth and positive societal impact with our vanilla for DOVEBAR and empower women throughout our supply chain." The DOVEBAR is the first Mars Ice Cream product with a sustainability ambition. From farm, to factory, to freezer, the silky-smooth bars are made with positive societal impact in mind. Sustainably Sourced Ingredients Mars' purpose states that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. DOVEBARs are made with 100% real ice cream using vanilla that's sourced from a large-scale vanilla project in Madagascar . In partnership with the Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F), the project is working to improve the lives of 2,700 vanilla farmers with a specific focus of empowering female vanilla farmers, improving the financial stability of all farmers and their communities, and preserving local biodiversity while cultivating a resilient vanilla supply chain. Mars' purpose states that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. DOVEBARs are made with 100% real ice cream using vanilla that's sourced from a large-scale vanilla project in . In partnership with the Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F), the project is working to improve the lives of 2,700 vanilla farmers with a specific focus of empowering female vanilla farmers, improving the financial stability of all farmers and their communities, and preserving local biodiversity while cultivating a resilient vanilla supply chain. Sustainable Solutions in our Operations Mars is committed to embedding sustainable solutions throughout its operations, which includes our ice cream DOVEBARs made at Mars Wrigley's Burr Ridge facility in Illinois . The Mars Wrigley Burr Ridge facility in Illinois sources 100% renewable electricity and sends zero waste to landfills. Mars is committed to embedding sustainable solutions throughout its operations, which includes our ice cream DOVEBARs made at Mars Wrigley's facility in . The Mars Wrigley Burr Ridge facility in sources 100% renewable electricity and sends zero waste to landfills. Reimagined Packaging Mars is investing hundreds of millions of dollars into innovative sustainable packaging with the aim to have 100% of all Mars packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable. Among other Mars Ice Cream product packaging updates, Mars recently reduced the film gage in its DOVE Ice Cream Bars which eliminates 27 tons of plastic annually, across four different product offerings. "At Mars, we see an opportunity to grow our ice cream business not only in North America, but around the globe," said Anton Vincent, President at Mars Wrigley North America and newly appointed Head of Mars Ice Cream globally. "We're innovating with a focus on product and purpose, and expanding our global manufacturing capabilities to ensure we can meet rapidly rising consumer demand." To learn more about DOVE Ice Cream visit DoveChocolate.com, and for more on sustainability at Mars visit Mars.com. ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED Mars Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global, family-owned business, Mars is transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality confectionery, food, and pet care products and services, we employ 140,000+ dedicated Associates. With almost $45 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including Ben's Original, CESAR, Cocoavia, DOVE, EXTRA, KIND, M&M's, SNICKERS, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, and WHISKAS. We are creating a better world for pets through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services including AniCura, BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, Linnaeus and VCA using cutting edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in genetic health screening and DNA testing. For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com . Join us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn and YouTube . Fortune Business Insights - https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/ice-cream-market-104847. SOURCE Mars, Incorporated CARSON CITY The Nevada Department of Transportation is inviting the public to a virtual public meeting to review proposed landscape and aesthetics concepts for four Interstate 80 interchanges in Carlin and Elko. The virtual public information meeting will be available 24/7 online from June 26-July 14 by logging on to i80elko.com for Elko-area information and i80carlin.com for Carlin-area information. Those interested can view the details and schedule of the proposed landscaping improvements, and submit questions. Information is available in both English and Spanish. The website shares the proposed landscape and aesthetic designs for the I-80 interchanges at Elko Exit 301 (State Route 225/Mountain City Highway) and Exit 303 (Elko east/East Jennings Way). Carlins designs are for Exit 282 (State Route 221) and Exit 280 (Central Carlin State Route 766). Gateway architectural elements will be installed at the intersections celebrating the western heritage of Elko and Carlin, including the California Trail, Carlin Trend and gold operations, as well as railroad, ranching and cowboy imagery such as cowboy gear. Improvements to enhance native and adapted plant life, and reduce roadside erosion through decorative rock, are also included. The proposed designs follow NDOTs I-80 Landscape and Aesthetics Corridor Plan. The landscape and aesthetic features are tentatively scheduled to be constructed over the coming two years. Such landscape and aesthetics are used to enhance and define roadway corridors, reflect the heritage and culture of communities and further an areas tourism and economic development potential. For those unable to access the virtual meeting, hard copies of the presentation and public computer access to view the meeting are available at the Elko County Library and Carlin branch library. Comments can be made by July 14 through the website, by e-mail at mparker@dot.nv.gov, or by mail to Matthew Parker, NDOT landscape architect, 1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City, NV, 89712. Additional content offerings and learning functionalities drive student engagement through innovative AR technology NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw Hill and Verizon today announced several exciting updates to their augmented reality (AR) mobile app: McGraw Hill AR . The free, award-winning app, originally launched in June of 2022, is getting updated with expanded subject offerings as well as a new collaborative feature to foster group learning, both in and out of the physical classroom setting. The McGraw Hill AR app offers short, three-to-five-minute interactive activities aimed at helping engage students in new and impactful ways. Corresponding professionally developed lesson plans are exclusively available to K-12 educators nationwide through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ : a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences for K-12 students. The popular McGraw Hill AR app is getting updated with expanded subject offerings as well as a new collaborative feature to foster group learning, both in and out of the physical classroom setting. "Since the app's launch last summer, it's been amazing to see how it has fostered excitement and engagement in both students and teachers," said Shawn Smith, Chief Innovation Officer for McGraw Hill's School group. "As more educators and learners embrace AR and its benefits, we will continue enhancing the app's offerings to improve the collaborative functions of the activities and make it available to more people than ever before." These app updates include new disciplines and functionality. Social studies activities, which also cover ELA standards, are available now. The app will expand further this fall to include new science-related course offerings and math activities that build on the app's original library of 10 math lessons. Additional updates coming to the McGraw Hill AR app this year include a new multi-language feature that will offer Spanish versions of the original 10 math lessons. Also coming are web versions of the original 10 lessons, enabling even more students to access the activities via Chromebooks and other laptops. A new group functionality for select lessons will enable collaborative learning for students in the classroom or learning remotely. Lastly, a spatial mapping activity will be released later this year offering an even more immersive AR experience for students and educators. Most activities are aimed at grades 6-12, with some appropriate for upper elementary grades as well. The latest app updates will be unveiled in the McGraw Hill booth between June 25-28 at the ISTE Live conference hosted by the International Society for Technology in Education in Philadelphia, PA. "At Verizon, we are committed to providing equitable access to technology and the tools required to develop digital skills," said Alex Servello, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Verizon. "With McGraw Hill AR's device agnostic and multi-language activities in diverse subject areas, even more educators and students will be able to leverage immersive tech in the classroom. We are thrilled to continue partnering with McGraw Hill to offer free, high-quality learning experiences through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ." AR App Features Drive Collaboration Among Students With 3-D capabilities and gamification, the AR app overcomes common challenges educators typically face with their students and promotes active learning by tying concepts to real-world elements. The self-driven and intuitive nature of the app encourages student agency and allows them to be more independent in their learning. The lessons are dynamic, standards-aligned, and high quality to promote deep conceptual understanding. "The students found the app extremely easy to use. They were appropriately challenged by some of the exercises, but they weren't discouraged at all, in fact, it was actually the opposite," said Erin Lafond, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Teaneck, New Jersey, whose students use McGraw Hill AR. "They were so engaged that even when the bell rang, they didn't want to leave the classroom and just wanted to figure out the current challenge." Downloaded more than 115,000 times within its first year, the McGraw Hill AR app is available for download today on any Apple or Android tablet or smartphone via the App Store and Google Play , and with accompanying lesson plans for educators at Verizon Innovative Learning HQ. About McGraw Hill McGraw Hill is a leading global education company that partners with millions of educators, learners and professionals around the world. Recognizing their diverse needs, we build trusted content, flexible tools and powerful digital platforms to help them achieve success on their own terms. Through our commitment to equity, accessibility and inclusion, we foster a culture of belonging that respects and reflects the diversity of the communities, learners and educators we serve. McGraw Hill has over 40 offices across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and makes its learning solutions for PreK-12, higher education, professionals and others available in more than 80 languages. Visit us at mheducation.com or find us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn or Twitter . About Verizon Innovative Learning Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon's award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the initiative has committed $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 3 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and innovative learning programs to students in under-resourced communities - enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive XR educational experiences to all educators, including K-12 teachers, nationwide. A key initiative under Citizen Verizon, the company's responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to drive the company's goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Learn more at CitizenVerizon.com . Contact Tyler Reed McGraw Hill (914) 512-4853 [email protected] Bernadette Brijlall Verizon [email protected] SOURCE McGraw Hill Pilot test shows more than 60 percent time savings for quote to bound policies for Mercury's independent agents LOS ANGELES, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) recently launched "AgentCenter," a new point of sale software for its agents in California. AgentCenter is designed to accelerate their time from quote to bound policies. AgentCenter web-based software was developed in-house at Mercury with a cross-functional team including agent experience, sales development, underwriting, claims, IT and independent agents to create the industry's most intuitive point of sale system. The system benefits agents with new features that include: Little-to-no training needed by agent staff due to intuitive navigation; Pre-populated third-party reports and data; If the quoted rate changes, agents will know why and how on one easy-to-read screen; One-screen workflows for simple policy updates; Ability to view vehicle coverages side-by-side on a single screen; and Significant time savings for quote to bound policies. "Mercury has been and continues to be a carrier focused on helping our agents assist Californians," said Brandt Minnich, vice president and chief sales development officer at Mercury Insurance. "AgentCenter simplifies workflows and requires virtually no training so our agents can focus on what's most important to them, selling and servicing Mercury policies. Our agents will be able to go from quote to bound policy faster than you can get a cup of coffee." AgentCenter streamlines the policy quote and bind process, reducing the time it takes to write a new policy by at least 60 percent. The web-based platform was designed to allow for quick updates due to regulatory changes and new Mercury product offerings. "AgentCenter is easy to use," said Darrell Dugat, office manager at A Bradford Plus Insurance. "It's pretty awesome." "We are very pleased with AgentCenter," said Patrick Sevigny, agency principal at Southern Guard Insurance. "AgentCenter is easy to navigate and not much training is needed." Mercury offers a variety of products and services to Californians, including auto, mechanical breakdown, business auto insurance, condo, homeowners, home cyber protection, home-sharing coverage, home systems protection, identity management services, landlord, renters, lessors risk only and personal umbrella. Mercury's AgentCenter is available to agents in all 11 states the carrier operates in: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. About Mercury Insurance Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners and renters insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultracompetitive rates with excellent customer service. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. SOURCE Mercury General Corporation DUBLIN, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Military Mid IR Sensors Market Shares and Forecasts, 2023-2029" report from Wintergreen Research, Inc has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The decrease in the size of units from bench-size devices to portable units makes them more useful across the board in every industry. Worldwide military mid IR sensor markets are poised to continue to achieve significant growth with the implementation of smartphone apps. autonomous vehicles and drones create demand for more and more sensors. Everything needs a sensor to be connected to the Internet and available to smartphone apps. Mid IR sensors can measure the chemical composition of materials and gas. The efficiency is unmatched by any other technology; cost is increasingly competitive. Mid IR is extending use beyond military applications to commercial systems, including the Internet of Things where sensors become part of network systems. Mid IR sensors are the base of the military light, image, and gas sensor control systems. They form the building blocks for all different types of imaging and controls. Drones, robots, welding robots, machines, cameras, buildings, fire departments, guns, flight control, the military, border patrol, enforcement, healthcare, asthma treatment, and virtually all parts of the military increasingly use mid IR sensors. The Internet of Things (IoT) does not work without sensors, mid IR sensors provide a significant aspect of modern visualization and sensing. Drones use mid IR sensors for cameras and navigation. Robots use mid IR cameras for navigation. Autonomous military vehicles and tanks use mid IR cameras for navigation. The intelligence community has used this mid IR sensor technology for a long time and the technology is now gaining further traction. Mid IR sensors can measure the chemical composition of materials and gas. Thanker efficiency is unmatched by any other technology; cost is increasingly competitive. Mid IR has extended use to all military applications, and mid ir sensors have become part of network systems. Mid-IR QCL systems have achieved price performance levels that are increasingly attractive. Vendors bring sensing capabilities to a broad range of applications, including spectroscopic and bio-medical imaging; materials characterization; standoff explosive detection; microscopy; and non-destructive testing. Spectroscopy and imaging measurements are easier, faster, and more cost-effective leveraging advances in mid IR sensing. Mid-infrared sensors and imaging applications depend on quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology. Daylight Solutions quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology has been delivered to more systems for more customers in more applications than all other QCLbased solutions combined. Advances in QC laser technology and spectrometer hardware are combined with spectroscopic techniques. Intra pulse spectroscopy and similar techniques provide a major step change in sensitivity, speed of operation, fingerprinting capability, size, and cost. They offer a major improvement in methods of gas detection. Recent advances in spectrometer hardware relate to QC gas sensors. Advances exploit recent technological advances including miniaturized integrated electronic systems, plug and play interfaces, and micro optics. These will progressively replace unwieldy, fragile, and expensive instrumentation. The lasing wavelength for QCLs is determined by the choice of semiconductor material. By adjusting the physical thickness of the semiconductor layers new functionality is achieved. This removes the material barriers associated with conventional semiconductor laser technology. An infrared spectroscopic laser source has no need for cryogenic cooling, provides high output powers, has large spectral coverage, provides excellent spectral quality, and has good tunability. The removal of the noise floor provides a competitive advantage because it can be implemented without the need for complex fringe removal techniques. It can be done without expensive optical isolators. The feature that allows manageable removal of the noise floor enables the laboratory performance of technology to be commercialized. Mid-IR analyzers in process control are expected to save trillions of Btus annually in the petrochemical sector. Process control and environmental monitoring potential applications are evolving for this technology. Examples of mid IR applications follow: Combustion emissions analysis Fugitive emissions control Contraband detection Improved safety conditions for plant workers On-site detection of chemicals Military medical applications include human breath monitoring, glucose sensing, cancer detection and diagnostics, eye surgery, and environmental health monitoring. Medical monitoring utilizes trace detection of benzene, toluene, or xylene. Medical applications account for a growing mid-IR laser military market. The medical area is evolving in both diagnostics and treatment. Improved diagnostics are made possible through photonic technologies. Mid IR sensors deliver a better understanding of the disease: Optical molecular imaging is anticipated to be significant. Military mid IR markets at $34.19 billion in 2022 are anticipated to reach $130 billion by 2029 as price performance increases and unit costs decrease from $3,000 per unit to $900 per high-end unit. $100 per mid-range sensor has dropped to $20. $8 has dropped to $.6 per unit providing price points that make the sensors affordable. or less per unit on average drive further interest from commercial buyers. The decrease in the size of units from bench-size devices to portable units makes them more useful across the board in every industry. Key Topics Covered: MILITARY MID IR SENSOR MARKET DESCRIPTION AND MARKET DYNAMICS MILITARY MID IR SENSORS MARKET SHARES AND MARKET FORECASTS MILITARY MID IR SENSORS PRODUCT DESCRIPTION FLIR MILITARY MID IR SENSORS AND TECHNOLOGY MILITARY MID IR SENSOR TECHNOLOGY MILITARY MID INFRARED (IR) SENSORS COMPANY PROFILES A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Acuity Brands Inc. AdTech Optics Advanced Photonix Aerocrine Agiltron Airbus Airsense Technology ALTechnologies Amphenol Axis Communications BAE Block Engineering Boeing Bosch Group Cascade Technologies Circassia Current Corporation Cymbet Daylight Solutions Digi International Ekips Technologies Elbit Systems Ltd. Elliot Scientific Emerson EnOcean GmbH EnOcean Technology Finisar GE Hamamatsu Hensoldt II-VI Incorporated ILX Lightwave InfraTec Ionfinity IPG Photonics Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd Johnson Controls Kidde Products Limited Kollmorgen L-3 Harris Technologies Inc Leidos Holdings Inc Leonardo Lockheed-Martin Lumentum M Squared ManTech International Marlow Industries Maxion Technologies Micro-Epsilon MKS Moog Inc Nanophase Technologies Newport Corporation Northrop Grumman NovaWave Technologies Omega Engineering Opto Diode Corporation Opto Solutions Physical Sciences Power Technology Raytheon Rheinmetall Rockwell Collins, Inc. Saab AB SensArrayInfrared SenseAir Sensor Switch Sentinel Photonics Sick AG Sofradir Spectris Structured Materials Industries Telaire Teledyne/FLIR Telops Terahertz Device Corporation Textron Inc Thales Group Thermo Fischer Scientific Thorlabs ULIS United Technologies United Technologies Corporation (UTC) VIASPACE Vigo System S.A. Wuhan Cubic Electronics Xenics For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2ps1pc 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. 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 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Emigrant Partners ("EP") announced a strategic, nonvoting minority investment in MONECO Advisors ("MONECO"), its third direct investment in 2023 which expands EP's current portfolio to a total of 21 platform investments. MONECO is an independent wealth management business headquartered in Fairfield, CT managing more than $1.5B in assets under management across more than 2,300 clients. EP's partnership will provide MONECO with capital and strategic resources to support the firm in its next phase of growth. "We are excited to welcome the MONECO team to the Emigrant Partners network. MONECO's differentiated client and community-centric model, advisor partnership platform, and organic growth engine are highly compelling. We were thoroughly impressed with MONECO's leadership team and they are well positioned for future growth in the New York Tri-State area" said Jenny Souza, CEO and President of Emigrant Partners. Charlie Rocco, a Managing Partner at MONECO, said, "When looking for a capital partner, we were determined to find a team that shared our commitment to our culture, clients, advisors and staff. EP's alignment with our vision allows us to maintain our core mission of putting 'clients first, always', while simultaneously providing us the scale to position our firm for long term success through both organic and inorganic growth. We look forward to our shared future." "We feel the industry is undergoing massive change in how firms are structured to foster multigenerational relationships with clients. In partnering with EP, we are creating a new ecosystem to provide smooth succession planning while also developing the next generation of advisor to become equity partners." added Derrek Metz, a Managing Partner at MONECO. "By solving the equity question, we can all focus on what matters most: serving our clients both now and well into the future." Republic Capital Group served as MONECO's exclusive financial advisor. Finn Dixon & Herling LLP served as MONECO's legal counsel. MONECO Advisors, LLC MONECO Advisors was founded in 1980 at a time when transactions ruled, and clients' best interests were often lost in the shuffle. Since its inception, the team at MONECO always felt that clients deserved more. The firm was built to provide a truly client centric approach: In-depth financial planning that puts each client's needs, priorities, and goals at the center of its relationships. The MONECO team is headquartered in Fairfield County, CT with offices in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. For more information, visit www.monecoadvisors.com Emigrant Partners, LLC Emigrant Partners is a specialist capital and advice partner that makes minority, non-voting investments into wealth and alternative asset management businesses. EP is currently partnered with 21 firms overseeing more than $90 billion in aggregate AUM and AUA. EP crafts tailored, flexible solutions for each of its partner firms, and critically, allows partner firms to retain control over their strategy, investment decisions, and day-to-day operations. EP is owned by Emigrant Bank. Howard Milstein and Barry Friedberg are Chairman and Co-Chairman of Emigrant Bank. More information is available at www.emigrantpartners.com. Media Contacts: Emigrant Partners: Lucy O'Brien, PRCG, [email protected] MONECO Advisors: Eric Johnson, [email protected] SOURCE Emigrant Partners Pam Bruno joins the bank to cover Private Equity Financial Sponsors NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) announced today the expansion of its Sponsor Coverage effort with the hiring of Pam Bruno as Managing Director. Pam will be responsible for covering Private Equity Financial Sponsors for the bank. Based in New York, Pam will report to Robert Smock, Head of Sponsor Coverage & Advisory at MUFG. "Pam will be a complementary addition to our team as we continue expanding our Sponsor Coverage capabilities," says Robert. "Her extensive international experience in origination, structuring, and execution across this important industry, along with her proven ability to manage a deep network of clients and industry peers, will be invaluable as we look to serve this critical sector." Pam has more than 25 years of financial services experience. She joins MUFG from Santander, where she held various roles for more than a decade. Most recently, she was Head of Financial Sponsors for the U.S. and Canada, leading a team covering multi-strategy alternative investment firms, private equity firms, infrastructure funds, pension funds, and wealth funds. Press contact: Meghan Carbone M: +1 908-894-0573 [email protected] About MUFG and MUFG Americas Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,100 locations in more than 50 countries. MUFG has nearly 160,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to be "the world's most trusted financial group" through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. MUFG's Americas operations, including its offices in the U.S., Latin America, and Canada, are primarily organized under MUFG Bank, Ltd. and subsidiaries, and are focused on Global Corporate and Investment Banking, Japanese Corporate Banking, and Global Markets. MUFG is one of the largest foreign banking organizations in the Americas. For locations, banking capabilities and services, career opportunities, and more, visit www.mufgamericas.com. SOURCE MUFG Bank, Ltd. VANCOUVER, BC, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTCQX: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Phase II resource expansion and definition drilling program at its 5,166 hectare (51.6km2), 100%-owned Atlanta Gold Mine Project, located in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. Highlights: Figure 1. Atlanta Gold Mine Project target area map. (CNW Group/Nevada King Gold Corp.) Two additional reverse circulation ("RC") rigs have been mobilized to Atlanta and are now in operation, bringing the overall rig count at site to three. and are now in operation, bringing the overall rig count at site to three. Since inception of the the Phase I Atlanta drill program in June 2021 followed by the Phase II program starting in June 2022 Nevada King has completed 272 reverse-circulation (" RC ") holes totaling 39,253m and 17 core holes totaling 1,398m , for a total of 40,651m drilled. To date Nevada King has reported assays from 208 holes covering 27,278m with results pending from 81 drill holes totalling 13,373m . followed by the Phase II program starting in has completed 272 reverse-circulation (" ") holes totaling and 17 core holes totaling , To date has reported assays from 208 holes covering with The Company is currently utilizing one rig to define deeper mineralization within the West Atlanta Graben, while a second rig is targeting shallower mineralization along the Atlanta Mine Fault Zone ("AMFZ"), both in the pit and connecting into the North Extension Target. A third rig is active on the East Ridge Target, testing a highly prospective, never before drilled, large area ( 1,200m x 150m ) directly adjacent to the resource zone (see Figure 1). Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, commented, "The increase from one drill rig to three will significantly increase the rate of adding to and upgrading our existing resource. Two of the drills are tracked machines that can negotiate more difficult areas to access, which will better enable us to advance our exploratory drilling outward in all directions from the existing resource area. Aside from the East Ridge Target, other immediate priorities include: In-fill and step-out drilling within the 150m wide by 500m long West Atlanta Graben, where current, mineralized vertical drill intercepts range from 40m to 180m with Au grades ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 g/t. The target is open to the north and south, and scattered historical holes indicate additional potential to the west. wide by long West Atlanta Graben, where current, mineralized vertical drill intercepts range from to with Au grades ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 g/t. The target is open to the north and south, and scattered historical holes indicate additional potential to the west. Expanding the North Extension Target westward and eastward and extending it to the main resource zone 200m southward. southward. Expanding the AMFZ southward to the South Extension Target. In-fill drilling along the AMFZ to expand several zones of high-grade mineralization and to define fault contacts. This structural definition drilling is particularly important for constructing a new, more accurate resource model. "Our drill results early this year focused our attention on the West Atlanta Graben target and revealed potential for significantly expanding Atlanta's resource. Now, with two additional RC drill rigs in operation, we have the ability to more rapidly infill around recent intercepts and step-out to test for further potential resource expansion. Starting with the 2021 Phase I program, our drilling at Atlanta has yielded multiple new discovery areas resulting in a continual increase in tonnage potential. As well, our drilling indicates higher Au/Ag grades compared to previous exploration efforts. The Company was fortunate in that previous explorers had left large gaps in the overall drill hole distribution pattern either through adherence to an overly simplistic geologic model or simply due to bad luck. This allowed us to concentrate our resources and attention on areas that had historically shown some promise but for a variety of reasons were not followed-up on." Figure 1. Atlanta Gold Mine Project target area map. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). About Nevada King Gold Corp. Nevada King is the third largest mineral claim holder in the State of Nevada, behind Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick/Newmont) and Kinross Gold. Starting in 2016, the Company has staked large project areas hosting significant historical exploration work along the Battle Mountain trend located close to current or former producing gold mines. These project areas were initially targeted based on their potential for hosting multi-million-ounce gold deposits and were subsequently staked following a detailed geological evaluation. District-scale projects in Nevada King's portfolio include (1) the 100% owned Atlanta Mine, located 100km southeast of Ely, (2) the Lewis and Horse Mountain-Mill Creek projects, both located between Nevada Gold Mines' large Phoenix and Pipeline mines, and (3) the Iron Point project, located 35km east of Winnemucca, Nevada. The Company is well funded with cash of approximately $20 million as of June 2023. The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Nevada King, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work given the global COVID-19 pandemic, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Nevada King Gold Corp. 92 percent of pregnancies treated with nipocalimab resulted in a live birth, with 54 percent delivering at or after 32 weeks without intrauterine transfusions1 SPRING HOUSE, Pa., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced positive results from the proof-of-concept Phase 2 open-label UNITY clinical trial for the treatment of pregnant individuals at high risk of early-onset severe (EOS) hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).1 A statistically significant (54 percent [n=7/13]) proportion of participants who received nipocalimab achieved the primary endpoint of a live birth at or after gestational age of 32 weeks without intrauterine transfusions (IUTs)1,a compared to the historic reference point of 10 percent, which was derived from published and unpublished data.2-5,b Among the seven participants who achieved the primary endpoint, the median gestational age at delivery was 37 and 1/7 weeks.6 This study demonstrates the potential for nipocalimab to help address the underlying disease mechanism of EOS HDFN.1 If approved, nipocalimab would be the first anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) treatment and the first approved non-surgical intervention for pregnancies at high risk of HDFN in the U.S.7 These data will be presented for the first time at the Fetal Medicine Foundation World Congress in Valencia, Spain on June 26, 2023.1 Janssen is planning a pivotal Phase 3 trial for nipocalimab in pregnancies at risk for severe HDFN. Nipocalimab is currently the only therapy reported in clinical development for the treatment of alloimmunizedc pregnant individuals at high risk of severe HDFN,7 a serious and rare condition which occurs when the blood types of a pregnant individual and the fetus are incompatible, potentially causing life-threatening anemia in the fetus or infant.8 "Pregnancies affected by HDFN currently experience a high treatment burden, such as repeated, invasive IUTs that require access to specialty care and put the life of the fetus at risk," said Kenneth J. Moise Jr., M.D., Professor, Department of Women's Health and Director, Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, at Dell Medical School of the University of Texas at Austin and lead study investigator.d "I find these data encouraging, as they suggest the possibility of providing families with an effective, non-surgical HDFN treatment option if approved." In the UNITY clinical trial, 12 of 13 participants experienced a live birth.1 Additional results show: In pregnancies that met the primary endpoint of a live birth at gestational age of or after 32 weeks without IUTs (54 percent; n=7/13), one infant required a simple (blood) transfusion. 6,e In pregnancies requiring an IUT (n=6/13), all live-born infants (n=5/5) required a simple transfusion. 1 Among the 12 live-born infants, one infant required an exchange (blood) transfusion. 1,f In pregnancies requiring an IUT (n=6/13), all live-born infants (n=5/5) required a simple transfusion. Among the 12 live-born infants, one infant required an exchange (blood) transfusion. The median gestational age at the first IUT was 28 and 3/7 weeks (range: 24 1/7 31 5/7 weeks) for those with live births. 1 There were no reports of fetal hydrops.1,g Nipocalimab was generally well tolerated across all the dose groups studied in pregnant individuals at high risk for EOS HDFN: One pregnancy resulted in fetal demise due to complications following an IUT performed at gestational age 22 and 5/7 weeks. 1 These complications were considered unrelated to nipocalimab. 1 There were no maternal or infant deaths. 1 These complications were considered unrelated to nipocalimab. There were no maternal or infant deaths. The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs) were events that are not uncommonly reported in pregnancy or underlying HDFN. 1 In the majority of participants, serious adverse events (SAEs [n=4]) were primarily related to HDFN or to various pregnancy-associated conditions and occurred with no discernible pattern or relationship to treatment with nipocalimab. Two participants who experienced live births demonstrated SAEs possibly related to nipocalimab. 1 One participant experienced a subchorionic hematoma, h fetal growth restriction and fetal heart rate deceleration. 1 The other participant experienced premature separation of the placenta. 1 One participant experienced a subchorionic hematoma, fetal growth restriction and fetal heart rate deceleration. The other participant experienced premature separation of the placenta. Neonatal and infant serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) approximated normal physiological nadirs at 24 weeks of age.1 Overall, in neonates/infants with maternal nipocalimab exposure, there were no unusual/unexpected childhood illnesses and infections reported in neonates/infants are generally those that are commonly seen during the neonatal period through infancy.1 Nipocalimab was shown to demonstrate an acceptable benefit-risk profile given the favorable efficacy results in the study, the significant unmet medical need with a potential for fetal/neonatal morbidity or mortality, and was overall well tolerated, supporting further clinical development for the treatment of HDFN.1 "I have both experienced and heard from others the profound and devastating impact of HDFN," said Katie Shanahan, Director of Development, Allo Hope Foundation.i "An approved treatment option for HDFN could offer hope to pregnant individuals and may provide an important alternative to an invasive medical procedure for overwhelmed families struggling to find the right care and treatment plan following an HDFN diagnosis." "There is a significant unmet need to help address the serious and life-threatening health consequences of HDFN. Our aspiration is to transform the existing paradigm for families who endure the consequences of HDFN by seeking approval of a targeted and effective therapy," said Katie Abouzahr, M.D., Vice President, Autoantibody Portfolio and Maternal Fetal Disease Area Leader, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "These Phase 2 UNITY data in high-risk pregnancies demonstrated the important role that nipocalimab, an FcRn blocking antibody, may play in preventing the transfer of maternal alloantibodies through the placenta, thereby offering a potential treatment option for this devastating disease." Nipocalimab was granted Fast Track designation in July 2019 and orphan drug status in June 2020 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and orphan medicinal product designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in October 2019 for the prevention of HDFN.7,9,10 Editor's Notes a. Intrauterine transfusion: an invasive, technically complex surgical procedure performed by specialists to inject blood (red blood cells) from a donor to the fetus, usually through the umbilical cord, that may be associated with complications that could lead to morbidity, fetal mortality and premature birth.11,12 b. Historical reference point used in this study is based on data from published literature (n=51); and academic research centers with expertise in managing EOS HDFN, including the Fetal Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, U.S. (n=2); The Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. (n=4); and The University of Toronto Fetal Medicine program at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada (n=12).2-5 Across these 69 cases, all patients with prior EOS HDFN pregnancies required an IUT in subsequent at-risk pregnancies. A conservative benchmark of 10 percent of patients not requiring an IUT was chosen to account for uncertainties in the accuracy and representation of the underlying data.2 c. Alloimmunized: an immune response to foreign antigens upon exposure to genetically different cells or tissues.13 d. Dr. Kenneth Moise is a paid consultant for Janssen. He has not been compensated for any media work. e. Simple transfusion: a procedure wherein a patient receives blood from another blood donor.14 Neonates impacted by HDFN receive transfusions to treat severe anemia.10 f. Exchange transfusion: a procedure that removes most of the patient's blood (which contains the antigen-positive red blood cells) and replaces it with fresh donor blood or plasma that has a normal bilirubin level.15 Exchange transfusions are used in HDFN for neonates whose bilirubin levels continue to rise to treatable levels.15 Exchange transfusions are an invasive procedure with potentially severe side effects and risk of mortality.15 g. Fetal hydrops: a condition in which large amounts of fluid buildup in a baby's tissues and organs, causing extensive swelling (edema), and can be life-threatening.16 About half of unborn babies with hydrops do not survive.16 Fetal hydrops is a complication of HDFN, occurring when the mother's immune system causes a baby's red blood cells to break down.16 h. Subchorionic hematoma: bleeding that occurs beneath the placental chorion membranes which enclose the embryo in the uterus.17 It is believed to happen when the chorion membranes partially detach from the uterine wall.17 i. Katie Shanahan has not been compensated for any media work. About UNITY UNITY (NCT03842189) is a global, multicenter, open-label, non-blinded Phase 2 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nipocalimab for the treatment of pregnant individuals at high risk for EOS HDFN.18 The trial enrolled RhD (D) or Kell (K) alloimmunized pregnant individuals with singleton pregnancies at high risk for EOS HDFN with an obstetric history of severe fetal anemia, fetal hydrops, or a stillbirth at 24 weeks gestation.1 In the trial, 13 participants with 14 pregnancies were enrolled.1 One pregnancy was included in the safety analysis but was not included in the efficacy analysis due to early elective abortion for a genetic disorder unrelated to HDFN at gestational age 17 weeks.1 Due to complications following an IUT that was performed at gestational age 22 and 5/7 weeks, one pregnancy resulted in fetal demise considered by the trial investigator to be unrelated to nipocalimab.1 Participants received once-weekly intravenous infusions.1 The primary endpoint was live birth at or after gestational age of 32 weeks, without a need for an IUT throughout the entire pregnancy.1 Safety was monitored for 24 weeks post-delivery for the 13 maternal individuals enrolled, and up to 96 weeks post-birth for infants.1 About HDFN Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is a rare disease where maternal alloantibodies produced in a pregnant person's immune system cross the placenta and attack fetal red blood cells causing fetal red blood cell hemolysis, leading to anemia.8 The symptoms of HDFN can range from mild to life threatening; some cases can involve neonatal jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia, and severe cases can result in life-threatening fetal anemia requiring intervention to prevent development of fetal hydrops.19 With every pregnancy with an antigen-positive fetus, disease severity increases with an earlier gestational age of HDFN onset due to repeated alloimmunization.20 There are currently no approved non-surgical interventions for pregnancies at high risk of EOS HDFN in the U.S., and pregnancies affected by severe HDFN may necessitate repeated IUTs.21 IUTs are invasive, technically complex surgical procedures performed by specialists at specialized medical centers, and these procedures may be associated with an increased rate of fetal mortality and premature birth.11,12 The most difficult to treat cases of HDFN are those that develop before 24 weeks gestational age, defined here as early-onset, due to the IUT-related higher procedural complication rate and related mortality.22 HDFN is categorized as a rare disease and the severe form is even rarer.8,10 According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in the U.S., it is estimated that up to 80 out of every 100,000 pregnancies are affected by HDFN each year.23 About nipocalimab Nipocalimab is an investigational, high-affinity, fully human, aglycosylated, effectorless, monoclonal antibody that is believed to selectively block the FcRn to reduce levels of circulating IgG antibodies, including autoantibodies and alloantibodies that underlie multiple conditions.24 Nipocalimab is the only anti-FcRn being studied across three key segments in the autoantibody space: maternal-fetal diseases mediated by maternal alloantibodies (e.g., HDFN); rare autoantibody diseases (e.g., generalized myasthenia gravis in adults and children, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies); and prevalent rheumatological diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus).18,25-32 Blockade of FcRn by nipocalimab has the potential to reduce overall autoantibody levels while maintaining immune function. FcRn blockade is also believed to prevent placental transfer of maternal alloantibodies to the fetus.18,33 About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension. Learn more at www.janssen.com . Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal . Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of nipocalimab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. References Moise, K, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Nipocalimab in Pregnant Individuals at High Risk for Early-Onset Severe Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn: Results from the Phase 2 UNITY Study. 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Combined plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin for the treatment of severe maternal red cell alloimmunization. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;196;138.e1-6. Last accessed: June 2023 . Moise, K, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Nipocalimab in Pregnant Individuals at High Risk for Early-Onset Severe Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn: Results from the Phase 2 UNITY Study. Abstract. Presented at The Fetal Medicine Foundation World Congress, June 25-29 . U.S. FDA. Orphan Drug Designations and Approvals. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/detailedIndex.cfm?cfgridkey=711519. Last accessed: June 2023 . National Library of Medicine. Hemolytic Diseases of the Newborn. StatPearls Publishing. 2023 Jan. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557423/. Last accessed: June 2023 . Bloomberg. Momenta Pharmaceuticals Announces Fast Track Designation for M281 (nipocalimab) in Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-07-30/momenta-pharmaceuticals-announces-fast-track-designation-for-m281-nipocalimab-in-hemolytic-disease-of-the-fetus-and-newborn. Last accessed: June 2023 . European Medicines Agency. EU/3/19/2209: Orphan designation for the prevention of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/orphan-designations/eu3192209. Last accessed: June 2023 . Texas Children's Hospital. Intrauterine Transfusion. Available at: https://women.texaschildrens.org/program/texas-childrens-fetal-center/procedures-offered/intrauterine-transfusion. Last accessed: June 2023 . de Winter DP, Kaminski A, et al. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: systematic literature review of the antenatal landscape. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2023;23(12). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05329-z. Last accessed: June 2023 . 13. Zimring JC, Hudson KE. Cellular immune responses in red blood cell alloimmunization. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2016 Dec 2 ;2016(1):452-456. Doi: 10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.452. PMID: 27913515; PMCID: PMC6142485. 14. Mayo Clinic. Blood transfusion. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blood-transfusion/about/pac-20385168. Last accessed: June 2023 . 15. Ree IMC, Besuden CFJ, Wintjens VEHJ, et al. Exchange transfusions in severe Rh-mediated alloimmune haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn: a 20-year overview on the incidence, associated risks and outcome. Vox Sang. 2021 Oct;116(9):990-997. Doi: 10.1111/vox.13090. Last accessed: June 2023 . 16. Boston's Children Hospital. Hydrops Fetalis. Available at: https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/hydrops-fetalis. Last accessed: June 2023 . 17. Cleveland Clinic. Subchorionic Hematoma. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23511-subchorionic-hematoma. Last accessed: June 2023 . ClinicalTrials.Gov. NCT03842189. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03842189. Last accessed: June 2023 . Ree IMC, Smits-Wintjens VEHJ, van der Bom JG, et al. Neonatal management and outcome in alloimmune hemolytic disease, Expert Review of Hematology, 10:7, 607-616, doi: 10.1080/17474086.2017.1331124. Last accessed: June 2023 . Lobato G, Soncini CS. Relationship between obstetric history and Rh(D) alloimmunization severity. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Mar;277(3):245-8. Doi: 10.1007/s00404-007-0446-x. Last accessed: June 2023 . DeMoss, P., Asfour, M. and Hersey, K. Anti-K1 (Kell) antibody expressed in maternal breastmilk: A case report of a neonate with multiple intrauterine transfusions and postnatal exposure to Kell antibody in maternal breastmilk', Case reports in pediatrics. 2017. Doi:10.1155/2017/6927813. Last accessed: June 2023 . Lindenburg IT, van Kamp IL, van Zwet EW, Middeldorp JM, Klumper FJ, Oepkes D. Increased perinatal loss after intrauterine transfusion for alloimmune anaemia before 20 weeks of gestation. BJOG. 2013 Jun;120(7):847-52. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.12063. Delaney M, Matthews DC. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: managing the mother, fetus, and newborn. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. (2015) 2015(1):146-151. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/asheducation-2015.1.146. Last accessed: June 2023 . Zhu LN, et al. FcRn inhibitors: a novel option for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Neural Regen Res . 2023 Aug;18(8):1637-1644. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05265273. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05265273. Last accessed: June 2023 . ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04951622. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04951622. Last accessed: June 2023 . ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05327114. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05327114. Last accessed: June 2023 . 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Media contact: Bridget Kimmel Mobile: (215) 688-6033 Investor contact: Raychel Kruper Office: (732) 524-6164 SOURCE The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson New Resort to Include both Vacation Villas and Units for Purchase Celebrates Sustainability, Luxury, and the Awe-Inspiring Wonders of Puerto Escondido while Redefining the Concept of Responsible Tourism MIAMI, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine a destination where luxury meets sustainability, nestled on the captivating Palmarito Beach in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. OCN Resorts & Residences, an ambitious project by OCN (Ocean), is set to redefine the concept of a truly unforgettable stay. Scheduled for a grand opening in Summer 2024, OCN embraces the breathtaking natural surroundings, offering guests and residents an unrivaled experience. With world-class amenities and an exquisite culinary lineup by Miami's best chef Brad Kilgore, OCN sets the stage for an unparalleled journey. The exterior of OCN Resorts & Residences situated on Palmarito Beach in Puerto Escondido, Mexico The Beach Club at OCN Resorts & Residences situated on Palmarito Beach in Puerto Escondido, Mexico Guests at OCN Resorts & Residences will find themselves immersed in a lush jungle ecosystem, where over 142 species of birds soar above and endangered wildlife finds refuge. Sustainability is at the heart of OCN, as they strive to minimize their ecological footprint and preserve the pristine beauty of Puerto Escondido. The luxury vacation villas and units at OCN Resorts & Residences are a testament to opulence and exclusivity. Each villa features a private pool, allowing guests to relax and rejuvenate in their own personal oasis. The resort offers direct access to the international airport, making it an ideal destination for both leisure and investment. Luxury villas, starting at $250,000, are available for purchase, offering an incredible investment opportunity in a booming market. Units range from studios up to 2 bedrooms and there are zero restrictions in renting your unit out. Puerto Escondido is witnessing explosive growth. As the region becomes a melting pot of Mexican and international cultures, OCN Resorts & Residences emerges as a catalyst for growth, attracting visitors, opportunities, and jobs to the local community. Beyond its luxurious accommodations, OCN Resorts & Residences caters to adventurers and mindful souls. From a bioluminescent lagoon, Laguna de Manialtepec, offering enchanting late-night swims to a plethora of water activities under the tropical sun, the resort delivers a sensory experience like no other. Indulge in the culinary delights of Puerto Escondido, as OCN curates a dining experience that honors local culture and ingredients. From fresh catches to farm-fresh produce, their relationships with local fishermen, farmers, distilleries, and mixologists ensure endless inspiration and exceptional gastronomy. Kilgore highlights his two signature restaurants: Nami, a Sushi Omakase that will offer up to twelve courses and Asador Raya, a wood fire dining destination that will be the heart and soul of the property at night. OCN Resorts & Residences stands as a testament to responsible tourism and conservation. Through innovative architectural practices and unwavering commitment, the resort minimizes its impact on the environment while maximizing guests' connection with nature. Immerse yourself in a white-glove experience, where a dedicated hospitality team is committed to ensuring complete satisfaction. With 24-hour concierge service, high-speed internet, and 24/7 security, every need is catered to. The resort also offers free transportation into Puerto Escondido and airport transfers, adding convenience to the luxury experience. For more information about OCN Resorts & Residences, visit www.ocnresorts.com or contact Brad Cozza at [email protected] . Media Contact: Claudia Safavi 305.864.3434 [email protected] SOURCE OCN Resorts & Residences Entrepreneurs and business professionals continue to seek flexible workspaces amidst new era of hybrid work HACKENSACK, N.J., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the need for flexible workspaces amidst hybrid and remote work continues to grow and evolve throughout the nation, the New York tri-state area is no exception. Demand for flexible workspaces is on the rise, and Office Evolution has the perfect solution. The national coworking provider continues to address this need and help small businesses and entrepreneurs in this pricey commercial real estate market by offering convenient and affordable coworking spaces close to home. The brand has seen tremendous demand for rentable office space throughout the tri-state area. For the nearly 1 million people who commute to New York City from the suburbs, Office Evolution is providing them with an alternative, professional work environment that exponentially cuts down on their commute without sacrificing the quality of their work environment. With premium workspaces that offer staffed reception, flexible terms, virtual business addresses and premium amenities, Office Evolution offers a community for business professionals to thrive. "Hackensack is a bedroom community to New York City, so we've seen firsthand the need for coworking space in the community," said Mark Dresdner, who has been the Owner of Office Evolution in Hackensack, NJ since 2016. "Many of our members used to commute to the city every day, and now they prefer a convenient coworking space close to home," he added. "Whether our members are attorneys or accountants with their own firms, or startup founders testing and developing ideas, our spaces provide a collaborative environment for professionals who need a flexible workspace." Covering multiple regions within the tri-state area, Office Evolution has nine locations, which include: Westport, Connecticut Clark, New Jersey Hackensack, New Jersey Metro Park Iselin Woodbridge , New Jersey , New Jersey Downton Somerville, New Jersey Summit, New Jersey Matawan, New Jersey East Brunswick, New Jersey Pearl River, New York According to the New York Times, before the pandemic, office buildings drove a significant share of the city's economy and over 1.5 million employees worked out of New York City offices, often commuting into the city. Post-pandemic life has changed the face of office spaces, forcing many professionals to work from home without the convenience of meeting spaces and a quiet working environment. Office Evolution provides a solution that allows hybrid and remote workers with spaces to work outside of the home and meet with team members in conference rooms as needed, all without the inconvenience of commuting. With nearly 2,000 members at Office Evolution locations across the tri-state area, entrepreneurs and business professionals span a variety of different industries. From legal, accounting, and business consulting, to therapists, designers, and entrepreneurs, Office Evolution provides convenient coworking space that suits any tri-state professional's needs. President of Office Evolution, Jason Anderson, has seen the demand for working spaces that serve the commuter community. "Now that more people are working from a variety of locations, having the option to work in a space that has the amenities of a downtown office but is closer to home is becoming more attractive to local entrepreneurs, especially as people navigate high gas prices and chronic traffic congestion," said Anderson. Members of Office Evolution benefit from being part of a nationwide network of coworking locations where they have access to 80 other Office Evolution locations in 26 states when traveling. Office Evolution a Starpoint Brand company is part of Coworks, the largest privately owned affiliated franchise network of flexible, professional, and shared office space options in the world. For more information about Office Evolution, please visit: https://www.officeevolution.com/. About Office Evolution Office Evolution (OE), a shared workspace coworking environment, founded in 2003 and cultivated on the principles of 'Ohana', the Hawaiian tradition that references family working toward a common goal. Office Evolution is among the Starpoint Brands constellation of trusted companies representing the very best in their industries. Office Evolution is serious about supporting small business owners the Dreamers, Risk-Takers and Doers who dare to chase their passions. For more information about Office Evolution, visit www.officeevolution.com and for information about franchise opportunities, visit www.officeevolutionfranchise.com . About Starpoint Brands A family of trusted brands representing the very best in their industries, including retail, food & beverage and professional services, Starpoint Brands is the mark of quality for customers. It brings together a constellation of brands within United Franchise Group (UFG), including Signarama, Fully Promoted, Transworld Business Advisors, Venture X, Office Evolution, Network Lead Exchange, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill and Graze Craze. A brand under the Starpoint Brands division is one that business-to-consumer and business-to-business customers can be sure will provide the ultimate in service, reliability, and value. About Coworks Coworks specializes in franchising within the coworking industry, offering solutions, expertise, and shared service options within the flexible workspace franchise community. Part of the United Franchise Group (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, Coworks was founded in 2021 by Ray Titus, founder and CEO of United Franchise Group, with the express intention of building a framework to connect a variety of coworking brands, services, and amenities within the coworking industry, providing the largest privately owned affiliated franchise network of flexible, professional, and shared office space options on the planet. For more information about Coworks, visit www.coworksllc.com . SOURCE Office Evolution SINGAPORE, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Omni United, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated electric vehicle (EV) tire ranges under its flagship brand, Radar Tires. Radar Tires, proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated electric vehicle (EV) tire ranges. Tweet this All Season EV test results All Season EV tire image "The launch of our new EV tire ranges represents our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the electric vehicle market. Consumers who used regular tires earlier, either due to non-availability or high costs of EV tires, were getting very low mileage. With our new compound and construction, we have rigorously tested the product for treadwear and we are very confident that the consumers will get high mileage from these tires," said Mr. G.S. Sareen, Founder and CEO of Omni United. "We understand the importance of providing tires that are not only thoroughly tested but also exceed in performance attributes when tested against leading tire brands, making premium products accessible to all drivers. With the new EV ranges we continue our commitment to the environment, a cause that we have been supporting since 2013." The introduction of the RADAR EV COLLECTION marks a significant milestone for Omni United in meeting the evolving needs of the electric vehicle segment. Omni United continues to invest in research & development and product testing, constantly pushing the boundaries of its offerings to keep pace with the rapidly changing automotive industry. The EV COLLECTION includes a dedicated EV tire range, RADAR ALL SEASON EV, as well as the EV compatible fitments in the DIMAX and RPX lines. The new ALL SEASON EV tire features a next-generation tread compound achieving very high mileage and top of the class safety performance, combined with new structural components that help provide a balanced ride comfort, superior steering feel and very low noise. The ALL SEASON EV has been proven to perform as well as other premium tire brands in various testing parameters. Rigorous testing has been conducted specifically to evaluate the treadwear performance under the heavier weight and higher torque conditions of electric vehicles. The test results have been exceptionally impressive, as a result it comes with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty for these tires so customers get a product offering that is on par with the leading brands available in the market. The ALL SEASON EV is currently available in 5 popular Tesla fitments ranging from 18" to 20" rim diameters. Additionally, the EV compatible fitments in the Dimax R8+, Dimax R8, and RPX 800 have been designed to meet the requirements of both battery powered electric and hybrid vehicles are available in 5 popular sizes ranging from 15" to 17" rim diameters. The launch of these new EV tire ranges also reinforces Radar Tires commitment to protecting the environment, a cause that the company has strongly believed in since 2013. More information on Omni United and Radar Tires is available by emailing [email protected] and online at www.omni-united.com. ABOUT OMNI UNITED Omni United (S) Pte. Ltd is a tire designer, manufacturer and distributor. The company offers a complete range of consumer and commercial tires marketed under the brand names: Radar Tires, Patriot Tires, American Tourer, Tecnica, Corsa and RoadLux. Singapore headquartered Omni United was founded in 2003 by entrepreneur G.S. Sareen. As a reliable business partner with innovative products, unparalleled customer service and logistics solutions, Omni United has a global footprint and is distributed in more than 50 countries. MEDIA RELATIONS: Manav Suri Marketing Manager E: [email protected] SOURCE Omni United Despite Beijing listing all fentanyl-related substances as controlled narcotics in 2019, regulating their production and sale, Washington is using its belated crackdown on the synthetic opioid as part of its campaign targeting China. Washington has been focusing its attention on China-based suppliers of processor chemicals for the drug. Despite these chemicals having legitimate uses and being legal to trade, it alleges that Beijing is not doing enough to help monitor or regulate purchases from buyers who are using the Chinese-made ingredients to manufacture illegal drugs overseas. That this is part of Washington's broader campaign against China is clear from a brief issued by the US side in August 2021. Noting that Beijing had fulfilled its pledge to the US to place all forms of fentanyl and its analogues on a regulatory schedule, the US-China Economic and Security and Review Commission went on to claim that "Chinese traffickers" were using various strategies to circumvent the new regulations. This claim has now been inflated by Washington into the allegation that "PRC companies are selling vast quantities of precursor chemicals to the drug cartels", as though all Chinese chemical companies were involved in illicit synthetic drug production and trafficking. In a move aimed at bolstering those allegations, the US Justice Department announced on Friday that four China-based companies and eight Chinese nationals had been charged for allegedly supplying the precursor chemicals for the purpose of creating the deadly drug for distribution in the US. This is the first time Washington has targeted Chinese companies for shipping precursor chemicals to the US, rather than Mexico. Commenting on the US move, the Chinese Foreign Ministry pointed out that China has actively carried out international anti-drug cooperation and taken the lead in regulating all types of fentanyl substances worldwide, playing an important role in preventing the illegal manufacture, trafficking and abuse of fentanyl. It lamented that instead of acknowledging these efforts, the US side has unjustifiably imposed sanctions on the Chinese agency in charge of drug control, is smearing China on the drug control issue and illegally imposed sanctions on Chinese enterprises, and now entraps and indicts Chinese citizens. Rather than trying to politicize the fentanyl issue as part of its campaign against China, the Joe Biden administration should see what it can learn from China's fight against drugs. China has set a good example with its "zero-tolerance" to drug abuse. While it is easy for Washington to pass the buck to China for its fentanyl crisis amid the anti-China hysteria that has been whipped up in the US, that move won't help the country address the problem. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about 110,000 people died in the US from fentanyl abuse in 2022. It has also said that fentanyl is a primary cause of death of those aged between 18 and 49 in the country. The US should stop politicizing its fentanyl problem to attack China and instead actually address the root causes of the problem, which stem from the same fertile soil as its other social ills. NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to projections, the market size for organic food and beverages will grow by USD 310.08 billion. Increasing number of M and A is one of the factors driving the market for organic food and beverages market. Other factors such as increase in the number of new product launches are expected to increase demand. Between 2022 and 2027, the market for organic food and beverages is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 15.85%. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Organic Food and Beverages Market 2023-2027 The organic food and beverages market report goes into great detail about market segmentation by product type (organic fruits and vegetables, organic dairy products, organic prepared foods, organic meat, and others), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). It also features a thorough study of the factors, patterns, and challenges. The research also contains historical market information from 2017 through 2021. Major organic food and beverages market trends Consumer understanding of the health advantages of organic foods and beverages is emerging as an important trend in the market. Lifestyle changes, where the reliance on organic food and drinks has grown over time, are projected to remain a positive element. Know more about the trends such as new packaging innovations along with market challenges. Click here to get the sample report! Key organic foods and beverages market customer landscape & market vendors The market study covers the market's adoption lifecycle, from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on penetration-based adoption rates in various regions. Furthermore, the research offers important buying criteria and price sensitivity drivers to assist businesses in evaluating and developing their growth strategy. Major market vendors The market is driven by the presence of several global and regional vendors, such as Amys Kitchen Inc. and Agrowave Organic Vegetables and Fruits. To increase their market presence, vendors are using a variety of techniques, including product/service launches, geographic growth, strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Learn more about vendors such as Arla Foods amba., AUGA Group AB, Aurora Organic Dairy., Bunge Ltd., and other vendors in the market. Click here to get sample reports for more insights! Regional insights During the projected period, North America is expected to contribute 35% to worldwide market growth. As vegans consume solely plant-based goods, the expanding vegan population in the United States will contribute to the growth of the regional organic food and beverage market over the projected period. Vegetarians account for around 2-6% of US consumers. Also veganism is gaining popularity among celebrities in the United States which is further fueling the market demand. Analysts at Technavio have thoroughly discussed the geographical trends and factors that will affect the market throughout the projected period. Here is an exclusive report talking about market scenarios with a historical period (2017-2021) and forecast period (2023-2027). Download Sample Report in minutes! Register today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: Organic Pet Food Market: From 2022 to 2027, the Organic Pet Food Market is expected to grow by USD 3,111.11 million. Between 2022 and 2027, the market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 4.43%. The market was worth USD 10,716.69 million in 2017. Organic Sugar Market: The organic sugar market is expected to develop at a 5.98% CAGR between 2022 and 2027. The market is expected to grow by USD 1,062.16 million. The market's expansion is influenced by a number of reasons, including rising health consciousness, increased disposable income, and an increase in food processing sectors. Organic Food And Beverages Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 178 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 15.85% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 310.08 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 9.25 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key countries US, Canada, Japan, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Agrowave Organic Vegetable and Fruits, Amys Kitchen Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Co., Ardent Mills LLC, Arla Foods amba, AUGA Group AB, Aurora Organic Dairy, Bunge Ltd., Cargill Inc., Danone SA, Del Monte Pacific Ltd., General Mills Inc., Hometown Food Co., Kellogg Co., Maple Hill Creamery LLC, Mehrotra Consumer Products Pvt. Ltd., Nestle SA, ORGANIC INDIA Pvt. Ltd., Organic Valley, PepsiCo Inc., Premium Brands Holdings Corp., PS Organic, The Coca Cola Co., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., The Hershey Co., United Natural Foods Inc., and Drakes Organic Spirits Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Don't miss out on critical insights, purchase our report now! 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Type Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global organic food and beverages market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global organic food and beverages market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.2 Product type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Product type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.3 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Product Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Product Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Product Type Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product Type Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product Type 6.3 Organic fruits and vegetables - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Organic fruits and vegetables - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Organic fruits and vegetables - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 36: Chart on Organic fruits and vegetables - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Organic fruits and vegetables - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Organic dairy products - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Organic dairy products - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Organic dairy products - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 40: Chart on Organic dairy products - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Organic dairy products - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Organic prepared foods - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Organic prepared foods - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Organic prepared foods - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 44: Chart on Organic prepared foods - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Organic prepared foods - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Organic meat - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 46: Chart on Organic meat - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Organic meat - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 48: Chart on Organic meat - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Organic meat - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 50: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 52: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.8 Market opportunity by Product Type Exhibit 54: Market opportunity by Product Type ($ billion) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product Type ($ billion) 7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 56: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 58: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel Exhibit 59: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel 7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 60: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 62: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 64: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 66: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 84: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 85: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 92: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 93: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 104: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 105: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 108: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 109: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 110: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 111: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 112: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion) Exhibit 113: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 114: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 115: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) Exhibit 116: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ billion) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 117: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 118: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 119: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 120: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 121: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 122: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Amys Kitchen Inc. Exhibit 123: Amys Kitchen Inc. - Overview Exhibit 124: Amys Kitchen Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 125: Amys Kitchen Inc. - Key offerings 12.4 Archer Daniels Midland Co. Exhibit 126: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Overview Exhibit 127: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Business segments Exhibit 128: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 129: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Segment focus 12.5 Bunge Ltd. Exhibit 130: Bunge Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 131: Bunge Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 132: Bunge Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 133: Bunge Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 134: Bunge Ltd. - Segment focus 12.6 Cargill Inc. Exhibit 135: Cargill Inc. - Overview Exhibit 136: Cargill Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 137: Cargill Inc. - Key news Exhibit 138: Cargill Inc. - Key offerings 12.7 Danone SA Exhibit 139: Danone SA - Overview Exhibit 140: Danone SA - Business segments Exhibit 141: Danone SA - Key news Exhibit 142: Danone SA - Key offerings Exhibit 143: Danone SA - Segment focus 12.8 General Mills Inc. Exhibit 144: General Mills Inc . - Overview . - Overview Exhibit 145: General Mills Inc . - Business segments . - Business segments Exhibit 146: General Mills Inc . - Key news . - Key news Exhibit 147: General Mills Inc . - Key offerings . - Key offerings Exhibit 148: General Mills Inc . - Segment focus 12.9 Hometown Food Co. Exhibit 149: Hometown Food Co. - Overview Exhibit 150: Hometown Food Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 151: Hometown Food Co. - Key offerings 12.10 Kellogg Co. Exhibit 152: Kellogg Co. - Overview Exhibit 153: Kellogg Co. - Business segments Exhibit 154: Kellogg Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 155: Kellogg Co. - Segment focus 12.11 Nestle SA Exhibit 156: Nestle SA - Overview Exhibit 157: Nestle SA - Business segments Exhibit 158: Nestle SA - Key news Exhibit 159: Nestle SA - Key offerings Exhibit 160: Nestle SA - Segment focus 12.12 Organic Valley Exhibit 161: Organic Valley - Overview Exhibit 162: Organic Valley - Product / Service Exhibit 163: Organic Valley - Key offerings 12.13 PepsiCo Inc. Exhibit 164: PepsiCo Inc. - Overview Exhibit 165: PepsiCo Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 166: PepsiCo Inc. - Key news Exhibit 167: PepsiCo Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 168: PepsiCo Inc. - Segment focus 12.14 PS Organic Exhibit 169: PS Organic - Overview Exhibit 170: PS Organic - Product / Service Exhibit 171: PS Organic - Key offerings 12.15 The Coca Cola Co. Exhibit 172: The Coca Cola Co. - Overview Exhibit 173: The Coca Cola Co. - Business segments Exhibit 174: The Coca Cola Co. - Key news Exhibit 175: The Coca Cola Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 176: The Coca Cola Co. - Segment focus 12.16 The Hain Celestial Group Inc. Exhibit 177: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Overview Exhibit 178: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 179: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Key news Exhibit 180: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 181: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Segment focus 12.17 United Natural Foods Inc. Exhibit 182: United Natural Foods Inc. - Overview Exhibit 183: United Natural Foods Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 184: United Natural Foods Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 185: United Natural Foods Inc. - Segment focus 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 186: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 187: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 188: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 189: Research methodology Exhibit 190: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 191: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 192: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio HOUSTON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PC.Solutions.Net, a leading managed security service provider, is revolutionizing the way businesses achieve compliance with its state-of-the-art toolset. With their cutting-edge technology and expertise, PC.Solutions.Net enables organizations to seamlessly meet regulatory requirements and industry standards with minimal effort. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, compliance with industry-specific regulations and data security standards is paramount. Failing to meet these requirements can lead to severe consequences, including financial penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Recognizing these challenges, PC.Solutions.Net has developed an approved toolset that integrates seamlessly into existing networks, empowering clients to achieve compliance without overwhelming effort. The key advantage of PC.Solutions.Net's toolset is its ability to streamline the compliance process. By plugging in the approved tools, businesses can significantly reduce the manual effort traditionally associated with compliance initiatives. This innovative approach allows clients to focus on their core operations while maintaining a robust security posture and meeting regulatory obligations. "Our mission at PC.Solutions.Net is to empower organizations with comprehensive security solutions that simplify the path to compliance," said Nadeem Azhar, CEO of PC.Solutions.Net. "We understand the complexities businesses face when striving to meet stringent regulations. Our toolset is designed to alleviate these burdens by seamlessly integrating into existing networks, ensuring compliance becomes an efficient and effortless process." PC.Solutions.Net's toolset encompasses a wide range of security solutions tailored to different industries and regulatory frameworks. From data protection and privacy controls to network monitoring and incident response, their suite of tools offers comprehensive coverage across compliance requirements. By partnering with PC.Solutions.Net, businesses gain access to a team of highly skilled security experts with deep knowledge and experience in regulatory compliance. The dedicated professionals at PC.Solutions.Net work closely with clients to understand their specific compliance needs and provide tailored recommendations and support throughout the implementation process. Whether it's healthcare, finance, insurance, or any other industry, PC.Solutions.Net has proven its ability to assist leading organizations in achieving compliance within a remarkably short timeframe. About PC.Solutions.Net PC.Solutions.Net is a trusted managed security service provider based in Houston, Texas. With a focus on empowering businesses with robust security solutions, they offer a range of services including network monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and compliance assistance. Their expert team is dedicated to helping clients achieve compliance while enhancing their overall security posture. For media inquiries, please contact: Nadeem Azhar PC.Solutions.Net Phone: 281-880-0738 Email: [email protected] SOURCE PC.Solutions.Net HOBOKEN, N.J., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson [FTSE: PSON.L], the world's leading learning company, today launched an AI Summer Reading List, a collection of titles selected to encourage the exploration of artificial intelligence. Pearson is a leader in AI publishing, helping students and professionals understand and apply generative AI to learn and advance their careers. These titles, written by leading AI experts, have been selected to spark curiosity, generate forward-thinking and unlock new potential. Pearson's AI Summer Reading List is a collection of titles selected to encourage the exploration of AI Tweet this Pearson's AI Summer Reading List is a collection of titles selected to encourage the exploration of artificial intelligence. "AI is the most talked about technology that is revolutionizing how we live and interact with each other. To harness its power responsibly, leaders and learners must have the resources to understand its potential and associated challenges. In order to truly understand its far-reaching social impact, these titles will help people understand its strength and apply AI responsibly in their careers and our society." said Andy Bird, CEO of Pearson. Pearson's 2023 Summer Reading list includes: The AI Revolution in Medicine: GPT-4 and Beyond by Peter Lee, Carey Goldberg, and Isaac Kohane Three insiders who've had months of early access to GPT-4 reveal its momentous potential -- to improve diagnoses, summarize patient visits, streamline processes, accelerate research, and much more. There has never been technology like this. Whether you're a physician, patient, healthcare leader, payer, policymaker, or investor, artificial intelligence will profoundly impact you -- and it might make the difference between life or death. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig This is a guide to the theory and practice of modern AI, written by renowned AI experts, Stuart Russell, Professor of Computer Science at UC Berkely and Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google. It introduces major concepts using intuitive explanations and nontechnical language, before going into mathematical or algorithmic details. In-depth coverage of both basic and advanced topics provides you with a solid understanding of the frontiers of AI without compromising complexity and depth. Deep Learning Illustrated: A Visual, Interactive Guide to Artificial Intelligence by Jon Krohn with Grant Beyleveld and Aglae Bassens Three world-class instructors and practitioners present a uniquely visual, intuitive, and accessible high-level introduction to the techniques and applications of deep learning. Packed with vibrant, full-color illustrations, it abstracts away much of the complexity of building deep learning models, making the field more fun to learn and accessible to a far wider audience. Learning Deep Learning: Theory and Practice of Neural Networks, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and Transformers Using TensorFlow by Magnus Ekman This is a complete guide to Deep Learning. It illuminates both the core concepts and the hands-on programming techniques needed to succeed. Ekman demonstrates how to use the essential building blocks of deep neural networks to build advanced architectures, and how these concepts are used to build modern networks for computer vision and natural language processing (NLP), including Mask R-CNN, GPT, and BERT. Foundations of Deep Reinforcement Learning: Theory and Practice in Python by Laura Graesser and Wah Loon Keng This title is an introduction to deep Reinforcement Learning, uniquely combining both theory and implementation. It starts with intuition, then carefully explains the theory of deep RL algorithms, discusses implementations in its companion software library SLM Lab, and finishes with the practical details of getting deep RL to work. About Pearson At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. For more information visit us at pearsonplc.com and connect with Pearson on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Pearson SHARE Initiative aims to close health disparity gaps in San Diego SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Conrad Prebys Foundation announced its first set of grants to 18 clinics across the region, totaling $8.1 million as part of the Strengthening Health Access, Resources, and Excellence (SHARE) Initiative. In April, the Foundation launched the SHARE Initiative, which will provide two-year, unrestricted grants of up to $250,000 per year to health clinics that effectively serve communities needing improved health services especially Indigenous, immigrant, and border residents. The initiative aims to ensure that excellent, culturally proficient healthcare is accessible to and in underserved communities. Grant recipients can use the funding in whatever way they think will be most effective for their organizations and the communities they serve. The organizations that received funding provide high-quality medical services to communities in areas with poor health outcomes and diverse populations. This group of clinics, distributed across San Diego County and serving distinct communities with a broad set of services, provides a blanket of access for San Diegans facing the greatest barriers to excellent care. The organizations awarded grants under the initiative are: Alliance Health Clinic - $400,000 to provide primary health care for the low-income, immigrant, and refugee members of the community to provide primary health care for the low-income, immigrant, and refugee members of the community Challenge Center - $500,000 to increase access and quality care for persons with disabilities and the aging population to increase access and quality care for persons with disabilities and the aging population CSUSM/Truecare Mobile Clinic Partnership - $300,000 to provide free healthcare services to underserved communities in North San Diego County through a mobile health clinic to provide free healthcare services to underserved communities in through a mobile health clinic Family Health Centers - $500,000 to increase Care Navigation within the Refugee community to increase Care Navigation within the Refugee community Fourth Trimester Project, UCSD - $ 300,000 to focus on female reproductive care after delivery to focus on female reproductive care after delivery Indian Health Council - $500,000 to increase access to healthcare within the northern rural area of San Diego to increase access to healthcare within the northern rural area of La Maestra Family Clinic- $500,000 to increase care navigation for chronically ill patients to increase care navigation for chronically ill patients Neighborhood Healthcare - $500,000 to increase the quality of healthcare in the El Cajon region to increase the quality of healthcare in the region Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest - $500,000 to increase access to care coordination for health to increase access to care coordination for health San Diego American Indian Health Center - $500 ,000 to provide access and quality healthcare to American Indian Native Alaskan community members to provide access and quality healthcare to American Indian Native Alaskan community members San Diego Family Care - $500,000 to expand access by increasing a culturally competent workforce to expand access by increasing a culturally competent workforce San Ysidro Health - $500,000 to increase access along the border and rural communities to increase access along the border and rural communities Southern Indian Health Council - $500,000 to increase access for the Indigenous communities in rural San Diego to increase access for the Indigenous communities in rural Survivors of Torture International - $500,000 to increase access to healthcare for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrant survivor to increase access to healthcare for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrant survivor Truecare - $500,000 to increase access to healthcare in North County communities to increase access to healthcare in North County communities UCSD Health - $200,000 to increase access to maternal health for the Refugee community to increase access to maternal health for the Refugee community UCSD Student-Run Clinic - $400,000 to provide access to free healthcare for uninsured patients to provide access to free healthcare for uninsured patients Vista Community Clinic- $500,000 to provide access and quality care to communities in North County San Diego "After listening carefully to the community and conducting research into critical health challenges in our region, we know that health outcomes are vastly unequal across San Diego, and historically marginalized and excluded communities bear the burden of this inequity," said Grant Oliphant, Chief Executive Officer of The Conrad Prebys Foundation. "These grants are designed to provide vital support to organizations that serve patients facing high barriers to excellent care. These organizations often have limited resources to cover gaps in service such as improving cultural and linguistic relevancy, increasing access to the uninsured/underinsured, and recruiting and retaining quality staff," he said. About the Process: The foundation utilized an oral application process instead of requiring written forms. Staff then conducted due diligence to minimize the time and energy organizations needed to apply for funding. Grants were awarded in seven weeks, from grant announcement to award notification. The awards are unrestricted to provide maximum flexibility for recipients. The foundation believes flexibility will allow health centers to address community needs directly. Studies have shown culturally appropriate services improve outcomes, such as better health status, functioning, and satisfaction. Culturally responsive care decreases disparities in healthcare access and quality health outcomes. For more information on the SHARE initiative, visit: www.prebysfdn.org/shareinitiative This award is the first initiative launched under the foundation's new community-based approach . About The Conrad Prebys Foundation The Conrad Prebys Foundation is the largest private foundation in San Diego County and works to create an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all San Diegans. The Foundation advances excellence and shared opportunity through investments in groundbreaking institutions, ideas, and people to ensure more San Diegans are financially secure, healthy, empowered, uplifted, and connected. The institutions and systems that serve the region can offer equitable access to opportunity. TCPF invests in four program areas: visual and performing arts, medical research, healthcare, and youth success, and pays attention to the impact of its work on climate, the region's character as a border region, and a robust democracy. For more information, visit www.prebysfdn.org/shareinitiative . SOURCE The Conrad Prebys Foundation Located at 1501 Broadway in the historic Paramount Building, Customers will immediately be transported to a "Chicken Finger state of mind" upon entering the Restaurant. Complete with a statue of Cane's current mascot, Cane III, donning a Lady Liberty look and larger-than-life replicas of the brand's famous Cane's sauce, Chicken Fingers and Cane's toast, the Restaurant is just as satisfying on the eyes as it is on the stomach. The brand's iconic disco ball decor found in each Restaurant and inspired by the original Restaurant "The Mothership" is adorned in crystals from an NYC-based design studio as a sparkly homage to the New Year's Eve ball that drops in Times Square. Ordering kiosks are also located throughout the Restaurant to help meet the demands of busy tourists and on-the-go commuters. Situated in the heart of Times Square, Cane's is the latest to join a suite of fellow iconic brands nestled along one of the most famous and popular travel destinations in the world, receiving nearly 300,000 passersby per day. Come New Year's Eve, more than a million people will gather just steps away from the front doors of the Restaurant. For a brand with its sights set on becoming a top 10 US restaurant brand, the move to the "crossroads of the world" makes perfect sense. "The Times Square Global Flagship marks a monumental moment for our brand," said Raising Cane's Founder Todd Graves. "Not only is this our first within New York City, but it provides yet another opportunity to serve our craveable Chicken Finger meals to those who love us and those who have yet to try. I founded this brand almost 27 years ago, and since then we have opened many Restaurants. I am personally excited for all that is to come in New York and across the world for Cane's." Now surpassing more than 740 Restaurants across 36 states, the Middle East and Guam, Raising Cane's has remained true to its Baton Rouge roots where the brand was founded in 1996 by Graves. What began as a passion project located at the North Gates of Louisiana State University has grown into an international brand with staying power and an incredibly loyal following of Caniacs. Cane's is a focused concept, based on ONE LOVE - craveable Chicken Finger meals - complete with crispy crinkle-cut fries, homemade Cane's sauce, Cane's toast and coleslaw, all rounded out with Customers' choice of beverage including fresh-squeezed lemonade or fresh-brewed tea served over Cane's signature crushed ice. Interested media are invited to join the Restaurant on June 27 for an exclusive grand opening media event. For additional details and to RSVP, please contact [email protected]. Following the media event, doors will open to the public at 10:30 a.m. ET as the brand begins serving Caniacs for the first time in NYC. Caniacs near and far are also invited to join Cane's in celebrating its Global Flagship in Times Square. 20 lucky Customers will win free Cane's for a year with the first 200 people in line to receive an exclusive, custom hat. Registration for the drawing will be held from 8:30 9:30 a.m. ET and the official drawing for free Cane's for a year and hats will happen at 9:50 a.m. ET. The Times Square location is nestled at Broadway and 44th Street and will serve Customers during its standard operating hours of 9:00 to 1:00 a.m. ET daily with an additional hour of service from 1:00 to 2:00 a.m. ET for orders placed at the walk-up window for carryout only. During the standard operating hours of 9:00 to 1:00 a.m. ET, Customers can place an order in dine-in, carryout, online or through a kiosk. Stay in the know on all things Raising Cane's by following @RaisingCanes on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . ABOUT RAISING CANE'S: Raising Cane's is one of the fastest growing restaurant chains, with over 740 Restaurants in 36 states, the Middle East and Guam, and plans to open 100 Restaurants across several new markets in 2023. The company recently announced plans to be one of the top 10 restaurant brands in the United States and is known for its ONE LOVE craveable Chicken Finger meals which includes the iconic "Cane's Sauce" named the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry and most craveable chicken. For more information visit raisingcanes.com. Raising Cane's Media Contact Megan Sprague, Head of PR [email protected] For Global Flagship imagery click here For Cane's logo and assets click here SOURCE Raising Canes Restaurants, LLC Modal title PRN Top Stories Newsletters Sign up to get PRNs top stories and curated news delivered to your inbox weekly! Enter Your Email Select Country Select Country Submit Thank you for subscribing! Our newsletters contain tracking pixels to help us deliver unique content based on each subscriber's engagement and interests. 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BEIJING, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRIOnline: At the award ceremony of the "Youth on the Silk Road" Short Video Contest held on June 10th, a round-table discussion titled "Chasing the Silk Road Dream with Z Generation" drew extraordinary attention. During the round-table discussion, Zhou Ting, Dean of the School of Government and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China, Zhao Yuewang, Deputy General Manager of Shaanxi Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and Board Chairman of Silk Road Cultural Tourism Company, Rachele, the third prize winner of the contest and a video blogger from Italy, and her partner Luca, discussed the cultural exchange opportunities brought by the short video contest and shared their perspectives on the new roles and forces of Generation Z in international communication. As one of the review experts of "Youth on the Silk Road" Short Video Contest, Zhou Ting said in the round-table discussion that this contest received excellent short videos from over 20 countries along the Silk Road and enabled youths from different countries to exchange ideas and insights, which is of profound significance. "Though the 'Generation Z' youths live in different social contexts, they share the pursuit of dreams, the exploration of the unknown, the responsibility for society, and the concern for global issues. Their spirit gives me every confidence about the future", Zhou Ting noted. Rachele believes that making short videos for cultural exchanges can not only broaden personal horizons and attract more young people's attention and participation, but also promote further cultural exchanges and interaction among different countries, promoting in-depth cultural communication. She said, "Xi'an is the starting point of the Silk Road and my hometown Italy is the end of it. Using videos to show Chinese culture and driving more people to know about life in Italy is the most important motivation of our video creation." Luca, on the other hand, added that the code for producing a brilliant video is searching for, exploring, and magnifying each youth's strengths and characteristics. Zhao Yuewang, Deputy General Manager of Shaanxi Tourism Group Co., Ltd. and Board Chairman of Silk Road Cultural Tourism Company, stated that with the design concept of "Silk Road and Culture can be found everywhere", Shaanxi Tourism Group integrates the diverse exotic civilizations along the Silk Road into every scenario, incorporates popular IPs and famous legends about the Silk Road into the theme park facilities, and provides performances and immersive interaction on the theme of Silk Road, enabling more people to realize and feel the charm of the Silk Road culture. SOURCE CRIOnline ARLINGTON, Va., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) demonstrated advanced and foundational Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) capabilities in the first of two tests conducted during the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's Northern Edge 2023 exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. RTX contributed a suite of technologies from its intelligent sensing, resilient networking, and battle management command and control portfolios. The company supported seamless and rapid data connectivity and synchronization across the joint force and with coalition partners to shorten decision-making timelines from hours to minutes for military commanders and operators. "We're working across our company to mature and demonstrate comprehensive capabilities at exercises like Northern Edge that will underpin JADC2 operations in highly contested environments," said Elaine Bitonti, vice president, Connected Battlespace & Emerging Capabilities for Collins Aerospace, a RTX business. The Collins Aerospace team demonstrated a highly mature, resilient networking gateway enhanced with autonomous routing technologies that bridged disparate line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight networks across multiple security levels. The multi-level security networking allowed coalition partners to access data from U.S. networks and vice versa, enabling joint force commanders to direct coordinated operations in real-time interoperability. "We showed how enabling these capabilities at the tactical edge allows commanders to rapidly process disparate data and provide real-time communications from sensors to weapons systems," Bitonti said. "Our systems provided an airborne, platform-agnostic hotspot for critical information sharing at the edge, creating a robust communications network among U.S. joint forces and allied forces." Growing these networking capabilities also included a successful demonstration of directional communications for disadvantaged platforms to test how assets within threat areas can receive updated tasking and provide actionable information. Integrated into the resilient gateway was RTX's Battlespace Command and Control Center (BC3) capability. The integration of the software system demonstrated a deployable Airborne C2 capability aboard a KC-135 tanker and provided U.S. Air Force operators with the capability to conduct battle management and dynamic targeting over multiple links, providing combined and joint force command and control. Collins Aerospace partnered with the Utah Air National Guard 151st Air Refueling Wing through an ongoing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. The coordinated team from the company's Raytheon business unit unveiled rapid data synchronization capabilities, including automated machine-to-machine communications and artificial intelligence/machine learning software. "We're proving that our survivable data orchestration solutions, such as Nimbus Rush, can rapidly speed up the decision-making process to give the Joint Force and coalition partners a decision advantage," said Conn Doherty, vice president of strategic campaigns at Raytheon. "The company's effort to test and mature these technologies together in DoD pathfinder programs aim to provide a full capability offering that enable contested and distributed operations relevant to the current threat environment," Doherty said. "Integrating our solutions and government cross-service investments has enabled more interoperability quickly and in a cost-effective manner." More than 60 RTX employees supported Northern Edge alongside the U.S. military departments and coalition partners. RTX will participate in the second test of the Northern Edge exercise in the Indo-Pacific region in July. About RTX RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. Effective July 1, the company will complete its realignment into three customer-focused business units Collins Aerospace, Raytheon and Pratt & Whitney. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Media Contact: Liz Maddy, [email protected]com SOURCE Raytheon Technologies BEIJING, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-hosted by the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions and the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, the "Shenzhen Stories" Promotion Event kicked off in Beijing on the evening of June 21. Nearly 200 Chinese and foreign participants, including diplomatic envoys from various countries to China, representatives of international organizations in China, and media representatives, gathered in Beijing to feel the charm of Chinese traditional culture and learn about Shenzhen's explorations and practices of Chinese modernization, according to Shenzhen Municipal People's Government. Marc Hubsch, Luxembourg's ambassador to China, delivered a speech stating that from Shenzhen's growth, we could feel the city's spirit of openness and the strong driving force behind China's economic growth. Marc Hubsch has visited Shenzhen multiple times and believes that Shenzhen is a city where people coexist harmoniously with nature and is a young city with a rich cultural heritage. This promotion event mainly consists of three parts: the Dragon Boat Festival cultural experience, "Shenzhen Stories" themed exhibition, and dance drama "Wing Chun". The activities like making Zongzi, wearing sachets and woven bracelets, and taking photos in traditional costumes enhanced participants' understanding of traditional Chinese culture. At the promotion event, the exhibition of famous Shenzhen brands told and explained "Shenzhen Stories" in an all-round way, winning great applause from the diplomatic envoys. They said that Shenzhen is the window of China's reform and opening up, and it is also a wonderful epitome of Chinese modernization. According to Marc Hubsch, as the forefront of China's reform and opening up, Shenzhen epitomizes China's rapid development. From the progress of Shenzhen, one can experience the city's spirit of openness and the strong driving force behind China's economic growth. Later that night, Chinese and foreign guests watched the Shenzhen-produced dance drama "Wing Chun", which combines two national intangible cultural heritages, "Wing Chun" and gambiered Canton gauze. It integrates traditional martial arts with contemporary dance, highlights the unique charm of Lingnan culture, and showcases the spirit of Shenzhen in the new era. The diplomatic envoys gave thumbs-up to the performance after watching, stating that the dance drama "Wing Chun" was full of Chinese traditional cultural characteristics and told stories about Shenzhen, Guangdong, the Greater Bay Area, and even China through the beauty of dance and martial arts. "I would say that it [Shenzhen] is a place which is constantly changing, which is good because it keeps you interested," Emmanuel Stantzos, Greek ambassador to China, said during an on-site interview. "I suggest people to visit Shenzhen and to experience this change." SOURCE Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Key Points Sitka has compiled recently interpreted geophysical data from a high resolution airborne magnetic survey with geochemical data from drilling and surface sampling in the area hosting the Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits. has compiled recently interpreted geophysical data from a high resolution airborne magnetic survey with geochemical data from drilling and surface sampling in the area hosting the Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits. 3D modelling shows that intrusive rocks with known gold mineralization coincide with areas of higher magnetic susceptibility which are associated with the hornfels alteration zones caused by the emplacement of intrusive rocks (see Figures 1 and 2). Areas of higher magnetic susceptibility in the model extend well beyond current areas of defined gold mineralization and support previous interpretations of the geology in the Clear Creek area that suggest that the Saddle, Eiger, Josephine and Pukelman intrusions coalesce at depth (see Figure 3). area that suggest that the Saddle, Eiger, Josephine and Pukelman intrusions coalesce at depth (see Figure 3). Mag highs along with coincident geochemical data have significantly expanded the length of an extensional mineralized corridor from approximately 2 km to over 5 km that encompasses the Saddle, Eiger and Josephine intrusions. A similar extensional corridor that is associated with elevated geochemical data along the northern margin of the Pukelman intrusive stock (see Figures 1 and 2) remains untested. Gold mineralization along these expanded corridors appears to be much more extensive than previously considered. "The results from this MAG survey have significantly expanded the size and scale of the intrusion-related gold system present at our Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits," stated Cor Coe, CEO and Director of Sitka Gold. "The magnetic highs, as seen in Figures 1 and 3, appear to correlate well with the known intrusions identified on surface and show the potential of a massive intrusive body at depth that reaches the surface in several locations, including the Blackjack, Eiger, Pukelman, and Josephine intrusive stocks, which we believe may ultimately host a major gold system that connects the intrusives found at surface. This newly interpreted data also expands the mineralized corridor, which was previously represented by just the historical gold-in-soil anomalies and surface rock grab samples, to over 5 kms laterally from west of the Blackjack deposit to well beyond the Josephine Stock (see Figures 1 and 2). While the results from the resource expansion drilling program currently underway at the Blackjack deposit, where our latest results produced an interval of 0.74 g/t gold over the entire length of a 422.7 m long drill hole from surface to depth, including 111.7 m of 1.24 g/t gold (see news release dated June 21, 2023), continue to demonstrate the persistent and higher-grade nature of this intrusion-related gold system, the data gathered from this MAG survey further demonstrates the potential this system has to host an overall gold resource that is multiples larger than the current initial mineral resource estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold that was delineated with just 13,000 metres of drilling. While we will continue to focus on the systematic step out drilling designed to expand both the Blackjack and Eiger deposits, both of which remain open in all directions, we are also very excited to test the potential world-class scale of this robust gold system with additional exploration along this 5 km long mineralized corridor." Gold mineralization at the RC project is hosted in quartz veins that occur in broad zones within both intrusive and metasedimentary rocks, with higher grade gold mineralization generally occurring in the intrusive rocks near the contact with the metasedimentary rocks. As with all intrusion-related gold systems, the source of the gold mineralization is considered to be a large, underlying magmatic system, therefore intrusions both at surface and at depth are critical targets for gold mineralization. Three-dimensional modelling of the MAG survey flown over the Blackjack, Saddle and Eiger zones in 2022 demonstrates that the intrusive rocks associated with the known gold mineralization at these zones (the Saddle and Eiger intrusives) coincide with areas of higher magnetic susceptibility in the model (Figures 1 and 3, adapted from Trent Pezzot, 2022 Memorandum - Interpretation of Airborne Magnetic Survey on the Clear Creek Property, Yukon). Sitka interprets the higher magnetic responses to indicate large hornfels alteration zones that surround the known intrusions. The hornfels zones as mapped on surface encompasses the Saddle, Eiger, Josephine and Pukelman intrusions are far more extensive than expected given the surface extent of these known intrusions. Figures 2 and 3 also demonstrate that the areas of higher magnetic susceptibility extend considerably beyond areas of currently defined gold mineralization and mapped intrusions, indicating both that the intrusive bodies could be larger than previously defined and that associated gold mineralization could be much more extensive than currently known. The 3D modelling also suggests that the higher magnetic susceptibility features associated with the Saddle and Eiger intrusions coalesce at depth, indicating that these bodies and associated gold mineralization are part of a much larger gold enriched intrusive system. This possibility is further supported by the large 100 ppb gold in soil anomaly that extends continuously from the Saddle intrusion (Blackjack deposit) through the Eiger intrusion (Eiger deposit) and Pukelman intrusion and, discontinuously to the Josephine intrusion. Both the Jospehine and Pukelman intrusions are high priority, intrusion-related gold targets that have not yet been tested by Sitka. These interpretations support conclusions of previous explorers, including Newmont Exploration Limited, who in 1998 suggested that the Saddle, Eiger, Josephine and Pukelman intrusions coalesce at depth. Additional Newmont data, including airborne radiometrics, supported this theory however Newmont withdrew from the project before drill-testing the theory. New and historical interpretation of geophysical, geochemical and geology data supports the theory that a large gold mineralized intrusion may underlie and contribute to the near surface deposits and surface mineralization discovered to date. About the RC Gold Project The RC Gold Project (RC Gold) consists of a 376 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the newly road accessible Clear Creek, Big Creek, and Sprague Creek districts in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson. It is the largest consolidated land package strategically positioned mid-way between Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine - Yukon's newest gold mine which reached commercial production in the summer of 2020 - and Sabre Gold Mine's Brewery Creek Gold Mine. The RC Gold Project land package comprises five underlying properties, namely, the RC, Bee Bop, Mahtin, Clear Creek, and Barney Ridge properties*. The planned 10,000 metre drill program for 2023 is currently underway and is focused on expanding the Blackjack and Eiger gold deposits, both of which remain open in all directions. On January 19, 2023 Sitka Gold announced an Initial Mineral Resource Estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") guidelines for the RC Gold Property of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1). The road accessible, pit constrained Mineral Resource is classified as inferred and is contained in two near/on-surface zones: The Blackjack and Eiger deposits. The Mineral Resource estimate is presented in the following table at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au: Table 2: RC Gold Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate COG g/t Au Blackjack Zone Eiger Zone Combined Tonnes 000's Au g/t 0z Au 000's Tonnes 000's Au g/t 0z Au 000's Tonnes 000's Au g/t 0z Au 000's 0.20 35,798 0.80 921 32,523 0.45 471 68,321 0.63 1,391 0.25 33,743 0.83 900 27,362 0.50 440 61,105 0.68 1,340 0.30 31,282 0.88 885 22,253 0.55 393 53,535 0.74 1,279 0.35 29,065 0.92 860 17,817 0.60 344 46,882 0.80 1,203 0.40 26,975 0.96 833 14,506 0.66 308 41,481 0.86 1,140 Notes 1. Mineral resource estimate prepared by Ronald G. Simpson of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 19, 2023. Mineral Resources are classified using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. 2. The cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au is believed to provide a reasonable margin over operating and sustaining costs for open-pit mining and processing 3. Mineral resources are constrained by an optimised pit shell using the following assumptions: US$1800/oz Au price; a 45 pit slope; assumed metallurgical recovery of 85%; mining costs of US$2.00 per tonne; processing costs of US$8.00 per tonne; G&A of US$1.50/t. 4. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. 5. Totals may not sum due to rounding. The Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold at the RC Gold Project is comprised of two deposits: the Blackjack deposit containing 900,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.83 g/t gold and the Eiger deposit containing 440,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.50 g/t gold (see news release dated January 19, 2023). Both of these deposits are at/near surface, are potentially open pit minable and amenable to heap leaching, with initial bottle roll tests indicating that the gold is not refractory and has high gold recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release July 13, 2022). The Blackjack and Eiger deposits are in close proximity to highway and power infrastructure, are road accessible year-round, remain open in all directions and are respectively located at the western and eastern end of a large, 500 metre by 2 kilometre intrusion related gold system that was recently discovered on the Property. To date, just 41 diamond drill holes have been drilled into this system for a total of approximately 14,500 metres with results of up to 201.0 m of 1.26 g/t gold from surface, including 82.0 m of 2.04 g/t gold and 19.5 m of 4.87 g/t gold at Blackjack (drill hole DDRCCC-22-040; see news release dated January 11, 2023) and 354 m of 0.41 g/t gold including 72 m of 0.72 g/t gold at Eiger (drill hole DDRCCC-21-09; see news release date August 19, 2021). Several high priority intrusion related gold targets exist at RC Gold with nine outcropped intrusions identified to date over the 376 sq km property, however Sitka's main focus at the RC Gold Project has been on the underlying Clear Creek Property where a large 500 metre by 2000 metre intrusion related gold system covering the area over the Blackjack, Saddle and Eiger zones was identified. Prior to the onset of the 2023 winter drilling program, the Company had drilled 38 diamond drill holes into this system for a total of approximately 13,000 metres. This drilling culminated in the discovery of the Blackjack and Eiger deposits with an initial inferred mineral resource estimate of 1,340,000 gold ounces(1). Sitka Gold inherited a wealth of historical and current data from these properties from work spanning the last 40 years. Recent exploration work and the compilation of historical data have defined several mineralized zones with both bulk tonnage, intrusion-related gold deposit targets and high-grade, vein- and breccia-hosted gold targets. The RC Gold Project also has a common border with Victoria Gold's Clear Creek property at its western boundary and Florin Resources' Florin Gold property at its northern boundary. (1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory. *For more detailed information on the underlying properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com. Deposit Model Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is part of the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the Florin Gold deposit, located adjacent to Sitka's RC Gold project, with a current Inferred Mineral Resource of 170.99 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t (2.47 million ounces; Simpson 2021)(4) and the AurMac Project with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 207.0 million tonnes grading 0.60 gram per tonne gold (3.99 million ounces; Jutras 2022)(5). (1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads/2018/Fort-Knox-June-2018-Technical-Report.pdf (2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_2023_eagle_mine_technical_report_final.pdf (3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020. https://www.goldenpredator.com/_resources/Brewery-Creek_NI-43-101-05OCT2020-File.pdf (4) Simpson R. Florin Gold Project NI43-101 Technical Report. Geosim Services Inc. April 21, 2021. https://sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00005795&issuerType=03&projectNo=03236138&docId=4984158 (5) Banyan Gold News Release Dated May 17, 2022 (Technical Report to be filed within 45 days of news release) https://www.banyangold.com/news-releases/2022/banyan-announces-4-million-ounce-gold-mineral-resource-estimate-for-the-aurmac-property-yukon-canada/ About Sitka Gold Corp. Sitka Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka currently has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the RC, Barney Ridge, Clear Creek and OGI properties in the Yukon and the Burro Creek Gold property in Arizona. Sitka owns a 100% interest in its Alpha Gold property in Nevada, its Mahtin Gold property in the Yukon and its Coppermine River project in Nunavut. The Company recently announced an NI 43-101 compliant Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1) beginning at surface and grading 0.68 g/t at its RC Gold Project in Yukon (see news release dated January 19, 2023). A resource expansion diamond drilling program is currently underway. The Company is also planning additional drilling at its Alpha Gold Property in Nevada where a new Carlin-type gold system was recently discovered. The Company is focused on vectoring towards the high-grade core of this system, which is located on the Cortez Trend just 40 km southeast of the Cortez Mine Complex of Barrick/Newmont. (1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory. Upcoming Events Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events: TakeStock Calgary Capital Event, Calgary, AB : July 5, 2023 : YMA Property Tours, Dawson City , Yukon : July 16-22, 2023 , : Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek, Colorado : September 12 - 15, 2023 All events are subject to change. The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cor Coe, P.Geo., Director and CEO of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SITKA GOLD CORP. "Donald Penner" President and Director Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "appear", "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "approximate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and terms of the private placement, use of proceeds, anticipated work program, required approvals in connection with the work program and the ability to obtain such approvals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the CSE. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. SOURCE Sitka Gold Corp. - SNMMI Henry N. Wagner, Jr., Abstract of the Year award represents top selection out of more than 1,500 abstracts accepted for presentation NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM, 'Actinium'), a leader in the development of targeted radiotherapies, today announced that the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2023 Annual Meeting selected Abstract 685 titled "Individualized dosing for high-dose targeted radiation of hematopoietic cells with Iomab-B (I131-apamistamab) prior to HCT in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML): Safety and efficacy results from the pivotal phase 3 SIERRA trial" as the Abstract of the Year. "It is a great honor for this SIERRA data abstract and this team of esteemed abstract authors to have received this award highlighting Iomab-B's potential for people with relapsed and refractory AML," said Sandesh Seth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Today's SNMMI honor represents the fourth oral presentation of the SIERRA trial data at prestigious medical conferences in 2023, including TCT, EBMT, and EHA. The extensive global recognition of the SIERRA results highlights Iomab-B's potential to transform outcomes for the significant number of people with relapsed or refractory AML by enabling increased access to bone marrow transplant via a targeted radiotherapeutic. We are committed to file our BLA submission with U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the second half of this year in our endeavor to bring this new radiotherapeutic to people with great need." "Elderly patients with active, relapsed/refractory AML have a very poor prognosis and currently have very limited treatment options. In routine clinical practice, these patients are not being considered for potentially curative bone marrow transplant," said Neeta Pandit-Taskar, MD, lead abstract author, attending physician, Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, in the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, in New York, New York. "This pivotal study showed that a single personalized dose of Iomab-B enabled all patients who received the therapeutic dose to have access to potentially curative bone marrow transplant, compared to only 17 percent of patients who received conventional care. Iomab-B also demonstrated long-term survival benefit for patients who met the primary endpoint, and safety of the Iomab-B led regimen was excellent. In addition, the visibility and cross-functionality of nuclear medicine was clearly demonstrated, strengthening the collaborative effort between nuclear medicine, nursing, and transplant teams. This will add further growth and impetus to use of nuclear medicine in planning and administration of theranostic radioimmunotargeted therapy." AML is one of the most lethal forms of leukemia in adults. The American Cancer Society estimates that 20,380 people will be diagnosed with AML and more than 11,300 will die from the disease in 2023. Patients with relapsed or refractory disease represent the largest segment of AML patients. About Actinium Actinium develops targeted radiotherapies to meaningfully improve survival for people who have failed existing oncology therapies. Advanced pipeline candidates Iomab-B (pre-BLA), an induction and conditioning agent prior to bone marrow transplant, and Actimab-A (National Cancer Institute CRADA pivotal development path), a therapeutic, have demonstrated potential to extend survival outcomes for people with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Actinium plans to advance Iomab-B for other blood cancers and next generation conditioning candidate Iomab-ACT to improve cell and gene therapy outcomes. Actinium's technology platform is the basis for collaborations with Astellas Pharma for solid tumors, AVEO Oncology/LG Chem Life Sciences for HER3 solid tumors, and EpicentRx for its CD47 targeting agent, and several internal programs in solid tumors. Actinium holds more than 200 patents and patent applications. For more information, please visit: https://www.actiniumpharma.com/ Contact: Matthew Beck Vice President Investor Relations & Communications [email protected] (917) 415-1750 SOURCE Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, widely known as "Summer Davos", will be held at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Themed as "Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the World Economy", this session of the annual meeting will be attended by 2,000 representatives from the political, business, academic, and media sectors, according to enorth.com.cn, a Tianjin-based news website. The official website of the World Economic Forum indicated that, to respond to current global economic trend, the WEF is returning to the tradition of "Summer Davos" and convening this year's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin. The meeting will gather global leaders from business, government, civil society, international organizations as well as from among innovators and academics, according to the website of the WEF. The WEF was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum demonstrates entrepreneurship in the global public interest while upholding high standards of governance. SourceCode a Cerberus Company also Announces New Board Appointments for the New Era of Co-Designed AI-Enabled Infrastructure NORWOOD, Mass., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SourceCode, a pioneer of co-designed, custom, certified IT systems for next generation AI infrastructure spanning the cloud, datacenter and edge, today announced that it has agreed to acquire UK-EU-based Boston Limited, a leading provider of high-performance server and storage solutions for the significant growth in business around data, media, and AI as well as traditional IT workloads. SourceCode is a portfolio company of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. ("Cerberus"), a global leader in alternative investing. The transaction is expected to close on June 30, 2023. With a combined presence across four continents, the synergistic addition of Boston Limited will create a global powerhouse able to serve local and global customers with a rich set of device-to-datacenter-to-cloud offerings. Arthur Ataie, SourceCode CEO, said: "As the world moves towards intelligent infrastructure, the modern enterprise with its burgeoning specialized workloads demands a new approach to IT solutions. The addition of Boston Limited, further enables us to address the industry's need for a new class of technology partner, one that delivers customer-first, engineering-led, best-in-class solutions from intelligent edge devices to data centers and the cloud." With an increase in size, scope, and strength, SourceCode is also strengthening its collaboration with its long-term trusted partners in the semiconductor, original device manufacturers (ODM), and software industries. This will allow SourceCode to better serve the needs of its clientswith a broader product portfolio, stronger supply chain, and worldwide reach. "I am very happy to see two of our oldest friends join hands to make a bigger group that can leverage the systems we design and manufacture at Supermicro. Our facilities are well known to both SourceCode and Boston and I feel this is a strong move that will provide benefits to all of us and the industry," commented Charles Liang, Founder and CEO of Super Micro Computer Inc. Boston Limited original founders, Manoj Nayee and Dev Tyagi, will continue in the combined company. "It seems like a homecoming!" said Manoj Nayee, Managing Director and co-founder of Boston Limited. "Boston and SourceCode were both founded in 1992 and share a proud heritage, a customer-first culture, and excellent reputation with leading organizations across four continents. As we serve more global customers with a richer set of customized solutions, the time is right to join forces with SourceCode. We are entering this next phase with a clear strategy, unrelenting support, and long-term commitment to work towards accelerated growth with the executive teams at SourceCode and Cerberus Capital Management." SourceCode will accelerate its already substantial focus on delivering co-designed and customized computing solutions for emerging needs such as generative artificial intelligence, intelligent edge compute, and high-performance computing, offering solutions for edge devices to datacenter and large-scale systems. Michael Sanford, Global Head of Private Equity at Cerberus, added: "SourceCode is a key player in enabling critically important technology infrastructures, which is an area of focus for Cerberus. This combination creates a global leader serving partners across industry verticals and governmental organizations." Cerberus acquired SourceCode in 2021. New Board Members SourceCode also announced the appointment of two industry luminaries to its Board of Directors: Alain Andreolli, former president, and EVP of the Hybrid IT Group at HPE, and Peter Ungaro, former CEO of supercomputer leader Cray and subsequently SVP/GM of HPC & MCS at HPE. Shaygan Kheradpir, Chairman of the SourceCode Board and Technology-Telecom team lead at Cerberus, commented: "Our advanced technology investments drive a clear vision towards a new era in global competitiveness and supply chains, with highly customized AI applications for enterprises and individuals that deliver immersive experiences via industrial strength 5G networks. In addition to this acquisition, I am delighted to welcome globally recognized industry leaders Alain and Peter to our Board. These appointments, alongside our combination with the talented team at Boston Limited, position SourceCode exceptionally well for the future." Alain F. Andreoli is a global CEO, board member, investor, and geopolitical visionary at Earth our Country, which he founded in 2019. He spent nearly eight years at HPE, most recently as President/EVP of the Hybrid IT Group, a $16 billion P&L core business of HPE including hybrid cloud, compute, storage, networking, HPC, and software. He was Chairman and CEO at Hubwoo, a public Euronext company, and President of European Operations at Sun Microsystems. Mr. Andreoli was also President and CEO at X-IO Technologies, and President and COO at NTT Japan/Verio. Peter Ungaro is a globally recognized technology executive, among the "40 under 40" by Corporate Leader Magazine in 2008, and CEO of the Year in 2006 by Seattle Business Monthly. He was most recently SVP/GM of HPC & MCS at HPE, a key area of growth for the company. Previously, he was President and CEO for Cray. Prior to joining Cray in 2003, Mr. Ungaro served as Vice President of Worldwide Deep Computing Sales for IBM, where he led global sales of all IBM server and storage products for high performance computing, life sciences, digital media, and business intelligence markets. About SourceCode Founded in 1992, SourceCode is a global provider of co-designed, custom, certified IT systems for next generation intelligent infrastructure. The company's edge devices, desktop, servers, storage, clusters, and reference architectures are available via its industry-leading ecommerce platform as well as its customer-centered engineering-led engagement model. Learn more at www.SourceCode.com. About Boston Limited Boston Limited has been synonymous with servers, storage, and solutions for 30 years, establishing itself as the early adopter of a wide variety of global technology partners and a leading global provider of tomorrow's technology today. With offices in the UK, France, Germany, USA, South Africa, and Australia, Boston provides consulting and training services in Machine Learning, AI, Security, and Storage, across several different industries. Visit: www.boston.co.uk About Cerberus Founded in 1992, Cerberus is a global leader in alternative investing with approximately $60 billion in assets under management across complementary credit, private equity, and real estate strategies. We invest across the capital structure where we believe our integrated investment platforms and proprietary operating capabilities create an edge to improve performance and drive long-term value. Our tenured teams have experience working collaboratively across asset classes, sectors, and geographies to seek strong risk-adjusted returns for our investors. For more information about our people and platforms, visit us at www.cerberus.com. CONTACT: Cindee Mock [email protected] SOURCE SourceCode LOS ANGELES, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. ("Spirit" or the "Company") (NYSE: SPR). Class Period: April 8, 2020 April 13, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 5, 2023 If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Spirit lawsuit, 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 [email protected] 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 Barron's, 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, Spirit's stock price fell $7.38, or 20.7%, to close at $28.22 per share on April 14, 2023. The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, 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 Spirit's financial results; and (5) that as a result of the foregoing, Defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. 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 [email protected], 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. SOURCE Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP AUSTIN, Texas, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest professional membership organization representing the nation's 355,000 licensed nurse practitioners (NPs), is pleased to announce Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, as the association's new president. On June 25, Ferrara succeeded April N. Kapu, DNP, who had served with distinction as AANP President since 2021. I am proud to represent the voices of more than 355,000 licensed NPs nationwide and the lifesaving care they provide Tweet this AANP President Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP, FNAM "Dr. Ferrara is widely known and respected. We are honored to have him as AANP's new president," said AANP CEO Jon Fanning. "As an AANP Board of Directors member over the past seven years, he has played an instrumental role in developing strategies to raise awareness of the high-quality, patient-centered care provided by NPs, while also advocating for Full Practice Authority. We look forward to his leadership as more and more patients choose nurse practitioners as their health care provider." "I am proud to represent the voices of more than 355,000 licensed NPs nationwide and the lifesaving care we deliver in countless patient visits each year," said Ferrara. "As nurse practitioners, we play a vital role in health care delivery, and I am committed to fostering professional growth, advocating for our interests and promoting our invaluable contributions to patient outcomes." Ferrara is an actively practicing NP with years of clinical and health policy development experience, from which he drew to help secure full and direct access to NP-delivered care for patients in the state of New York. Ferrara formerly served as executive director of the Nurse Practitioner Association New York State. He is a member of the senior leadership team at Columbia University's School of Nursing, serving as the associate dean of clinical affairs and associate professor. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the NP primary care faculty practice located in New York City, where he teaches health policy in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Ferrara has a special interest in health information technology and the integration of evidence-based practice into daily practice. His doctoral work examined the impact of group health visits on the health of patients with Type 2 diabetes and the extent that this intervention led to better health outcomes. Ferrara has been honored with the AANP New York NP State Award for Excellence and inducted as a Fellow of AANP, the American Academy of Nursing and the New York Academy of Medicine. As president of AANP, Ferrara will lead the organization in advancing the NP role by shaping health care policy, driving research and innovation and promoting high-quality, person-centered care. He will work with AANP's board of directors, members, CEO and stakeholders to further elevate the role of NPs as essential providers within the health care system. As Ferrara succeeded Kapu and began his two-year term as president, Kapu started her one-year term as AANP Immediate Past-President. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 355,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com . For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org . SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners BERLIN, June 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China Daily: The Sino-German Economic and Technological Cooperation Forum co-hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany, took place on Tuesday in Berlin, Germany. Wu Jiamao, senior vice-president of Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd, spoke as a representative of the new energy sector during the event. Sungrow Senior Vice President Wu Jiamao Speaks at Sino-German Economic and Technological Cooperation Forum To build a community with a shared future for mankind and achieve a sustainable future, China and Germany are the two major forces in the global energy transition campaign. Wu said that fueled by the global pursuit of carbon neutrality, high-profile enterprises in the sector should take the lead to provide safe, efficient, stable and reliable product solutions through technological innovation and boost industrial transformation towards a green development model. As a worldwide renowned supplier of inverter and energy storage systems, Sungrow is providing key technology for the realization of zero-carbon goals, offering products and services to more than 150 countries and regions around the globe. Its total installed capacity of inverter and converter equipment exceeded 340 gigawatts across the world as of December 2022. Europe is a stronghold for global new energy development and a highland for Sungrow to promote cooperation and innovation. The company has set up more than 10 subsidiaries in Europe, where hundreds of employees of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds are working on multiple major energy projects. Around 40 percent of European employees are from its German branch. The company has won the Kununu Top 2022 Company Award and an authoritative certification of "The Great Place to Work". Sungrow has also established a research institute in Germany, carrying out research on the interaction of PV inverter, wind power converter, battery energy storage and green hydrogen, and cooperating with local universities and academic institutions. The company has been deeply involved in a number of major energy transition projects, including Germany's largest unsubsidized photovoltaic project, Germany's Smart Power energy storage project, and benchmark projects in Spain generating several hundred megawatts. As of now, the cumulative shipment volume of its inverters to Germany has exceeded 19GW, contributing to the country's green energy transition and supporting the development of local communities. These benchmark projects have become models of China-Europe clean energy cooperation and green energy transformation in recent years, providing more possibilities for China-Europe cooperation in such an area, the company said. Wu said, in order to promote the digitization and upgrade of the clean energy industry, energy storage systems must achieve full-chain security to ensure the safety, efficiency, and grid-friendliness of the entire lifecycle of energy storage systems. Sungrow is the first company to propose the concept of "triple integration", which means to combine power electronics, electrochemistry and power grid support technologies. And through professional integration, the company is creating a safe energy storage system to maintain the stability of new power systems. Wu said: "The future of the energy industry will be upgraded towards a low-carbonization, digitization model, multi-energy synergies among PV, wind, ESS and hydrogen energy. Adhering to the mission of clean power for all , we are using professional expertise to achieve long-term sustainable environmental and social value development, and to actively respond to global climate action. We also look forward to sharing technology and resource circulation, jointly promoting the green development in Europe and the world." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2139980/Sungrow_Senior_Vice_President_Wu_Jiamao.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg SOURCE Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd.; CHINA DAILY Tampa General Hospital is commended for its dedication to world-class maternity care. TAMPA, Fla., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its vision to be the safest and most innovative academic health system in America, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is pleased to announce its successful redesignation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital and its inclusion in Newsweek's list of America's Best Maternity Hospitals 2023. This dual recognition showcases the hospital's unwavering steadfastness in providing exceptional care, nurturing environments and comprehensive support to expectant mothers and their newborns. Earning the Baby-Friendly designation is a prestigious and rigorous achievement and Tampa General remains the only Baby-Friendly designated birth facility in Hillsborough County. The Baby-Friendly hospital designation is only given to facilities that have implemented the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and are compliant with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The U.S. guidelines and evaluation criteria are based on the rigorous global criteria for the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Tampa General was also recognized on Newsweek's roster of America's Best Maternity Hospitals for 2023, and this marks the hospital's third consecutive appearance on the list. Out of 10,000 maternity hospitals evaluated, Tampa General Hospital stands among a distinguished group of 384 leading institutions, having earned a four-ribbon rating. The hospital's status was determined based on a meticulous analysis of three robust data sources, conducted by Newsweek in partnership with Statista: Nationwide online survey: Health care professionals and hospital managers with knowledge about maternity processes, e.g., neonatal and perinatal doctors, nurses and midwives, were asked to recommend leading maternity hospitals in the U.S. Health care professionals and hospital managers with knowledge about maternity processes, e.g., neonatal and perinatal doctors, nurses and midwives, were asked to recommend leading maternity hospitals in the U.S. Medical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on hospitals with a focus on indicators, relevant to maternity care. with a focus on indicators, relevant to maternity care. Results from patient surveys. "As new research advances our understanding of maternal morbidity, maternal mortality and pregnancy, and women's health, these awards further emphasize our diligence in improving outcomes for both mothers and infants," said Dr. Judette Louis, chief, TGH Women's Institute, James M. Ingram Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "We are proud of our multidisciplinary team of experts and will continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, research and education to ensure that every mother receives the highest quality medical attention and that every newborn has the best possible start in life. These distinctions reflect our goals to advance the field of obstetrics and gynecology, promote maternal well-being and improve the health of our community." Other acknowledgments presented to Tampa General include: In 2020, Tampa General Hospital became the first in the nation to be named as a Maternal Center of Excellence by the Maternal Safety Foundation for both vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and placenta accreta, a serious complication of pregnancy that occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the wall of the uterus. A woman's risk for developing this condition increases with the number of previous cesarean births. Tampa General was recognized in 2020 for its achievement in maternal care during a Florida Hospital Association webinar titled " Reducing Unnecessary C-Sections: Successful Florida Strategies." In 2021, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health named Tampa General Hospital as one of only 15 delivery hospitals in Florida to promote vaginal deliveries and reduce cesarean section deliveries for first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies. to promote vaginal deliveries and reduce cesarean section deliveries for first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies. In 2022, Tampa General Hospital was recognized by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Florida Department of Health with an award for exceeding national goals for reducing the number of unnecessary cesarean deliveries for first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies and instead promoting vaginal deliveries. It was one of only 26 delivery hospitals in Florida to achieve the award. "Accolades like these further underscore Tampa General Hospital's determination to deliver extraordinary treatment and support to mothers and their newborns," said Melissa Golombek, vice president, TGH Children's Hospital and Women's Institute. "They reflect our devotion to upholding the utmost standards of maternity services and affirm our position as a leader in providing the safest possible care." The Labor & Delivery Unit and the Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at TGH were both designed with mothers and infants in mind, with large operating rooms reserved for cesarean sections, in-vitro procedures, fetal surgery and other gynecological procedures, accommodating mothers delivering twins or other multiples. These environments allow nurses, doctors and other clinicians within these units to provide mothers the information, confidence and skills to initiate and continue breastfeeding, among other important neonatal practices. Furthermore, the NICU at Tampa General is one of just 12 Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers designated by the state of Florida and allows Tampa General and USF Health providers to partner to deliver specialized medical care 24 hours a day to premature and sick infants and to women with high-risk pregnancies. Due to these state-of-the-art facilities and a strong clinical team, the academic health system delivered more than 7,000 babies the most in its history during the 2022 fiscal year (October 2021 through September 2022) and completed the most high-risk deliveries in the region. "We are so proud that more and more families are choosing to deliver their babies at Tampa General," said Nikki Hurley, MSN, RN, NE-BC, senior director, TGH Children's Hospital. "We believe it is a testament to the successful collaboration between our physicians and team members and ultimately results in a better outcome for moms and their babies." Tampa General Hospital's Women's Institute provides a full range of women's health services, from routine obstetrics and gynecology to more complex maternal-fetal medicine and neonatal care. As an academic health system and nationally recognized leader in high-risk obstetrics, Tampa General offers access to the highest level of women's and infant care in virtually every medical subspecialty, as well as psychology, genetic counseling, pediatrics and more. Tampa General Hospital is ranked in the top 50 hospitals in the nation and is the highest-ranked hospital in Florida for Obstetrics & Gynecology by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23, and has achieved every Maternity Care standard set by the Leapfrog Group in 2022. To learn more about the Obstetrics Center at Tampa General Hospital, please visit https://www.tgh.org/institutes-and-services/womens-institute/obstetrics-center. Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system,, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2022-23 Best Hospitals, and is tied as the third highest-ranked hospital in Florida, with seven specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings first nationally in the 2022 America's Best Employers for Women and sixth out of 100 Florida companies in the 2022 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging powered by Tower outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org. ABOUT USF HEALTH USF Health's mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians' group. The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings than USF. For more information, visit health.usf.edu. Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR Senior Communications Specialist (813) 844-7322 (direct) (813) 510-6363 (cell) [email protected] SOURCE Tampa General Hospital Summary: Phoenix Capital Group is committed to staying ahead of a rapidly shifting financial landscape. The tech-focused company has partnered with Plaid Banking, the leading open banking platform, to provide more security and options for investors. DENVER, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Capital Group Holdings, LLC, a leading oil and gas mineral rights acquisition and non-operated working interest enterprise, is excited to present a new offering for its investors by partnering with Plaid Banking . Plaid Banking, headquartered in San Francisco, Ca., offers a unique set of features that make it the most powerful and convenient way to manage your money. This integration further reinforces Phoenix Capital Group's commitment to technological advancements. Tech-focused Phoenix Capital Group stays ahead of a shifting financial landscape by partnering with Plaid Banking. Tweet this Join over 1,000 investors and learn more about the philosophy behind Phoenix Capital Group as we strive to bring unique investment opportunities to individuals. Our private corporate bond offerings are audited and filed with the SEC and FINRA. We offer short- and long-term solutions with returns ranging from 8-12% APY, paid monthly. By eliminating intermediaries, Phoenix Capital Group has been revolutionizing the energy-investment sector. Leveraging their proprietary software, they accurately predict and identify mineral rights acquisition opportunities. Once acquired, they directly offer these investment opportunities to consumers through their investment branch, bypassing the need for traditional institutional investment firms. Apart from utilizing modern marketing strategies such as live events and social media, Phoenix Capital Group distinguishes itself in the competitive oil and gas industry by directly offering investment opportunities to everyday consumers. This unique acquisition and investment model sets them apart from competitors in a more traditional industry. Despite being a mineral rights acquisition investment company, Phoenix Capital Group recognizes the importance of technology. They have established a dedicated software engineering department, employing four engineers who consistently create and maintain innovative products. These artificial intelligence tools enable the company to stay ahead of the competition and differentiate themselves from conventional firms. Phoenix Capital Group is taking its growth to the next level with the integration of Plaid. This strategic move highlights their dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive results and enhance the investor experience. With Plaid Banking's exceptional security measures and exclusive features, Phoenix Capital Group plans to attract new investors and strengthen relationships with current clients. Plaid is designed to be consumer and developer-friendly for seamless integration and ease of use. And Plaid uses the latest security technologies to protect financial data so that information is never stored or shared with third parties. "We are excited to offer Plaid Banking integration and provide our customers with more options for funding during the investment experience," said Kris Woods, Phoenix Capital Group's Chief Technology Officer. "We believe that this additional technology will make it easier for our customers to begin, and ultimately reach, their financial goals." To learn more about the offerings from Phoenix Capital Group and how to get started with Plaid Banking, visit their website or call their investments team today. SOURCE Phoenix Capital Group Holdings LLC SHENZHEN, China, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VOOPOO DRAG M100S arrived in the USA and are scheduled to go on sale. It is the VOOPOO, affiliate of Shenzhen woody vapes technology co.,ltd, new single-battery MOD device with a max 100W power output based on DRAG 4. It standards leakproof top airflow UFORCE-L TANK with PnP Dual in One coil and innovates in appearance and details. Effective Leakage-Proof, High Resolution and Explosive Vapor The Single Battery Version of VOOPOO DRAG 4, DRAG M100S has Officially Arrived in the USA The UFORCE-L TANK's top air inlets ensure that the air pressure inside and outside is balanced. The e-liquid and condensate can be securely stored to provide a pleasing experience. The 3 top air-inlets balance the airflow directions, increase airflow and improve airflow smoothness, providing even and sufficient airflow for various e-liquid resolution. In addition, the Dual in One PnP coil has an improvement in atomization efficiency, fully atomizing every e-liquid and delivering a rich flavor and delicate taste. Thus, the coil could save e-liquid consumption and reduce 10% power output. If the users choose high wattage setting, they could get 20% more puffs and keeps the consistent vaping experience. The triangular structure enhances the concentration of airflow, bringing a more explosive and cloudy vaping experience. Portable, Soft as Touching Flowing Water, Delicate Quality in Your Hand The DRAG M100S compresses the total device volume while retaining the crafting design. Solid wood and AG composite material were used to make the main board, whose novel matte texture is not easy to be fingerprinted. 8 processes ensure softness, comfortable to grip, and no perspiration. The curved plate process makes the device palm-fitting and simple to grip. The edges are curved, giving users a smooth and gentle touch. Dynamic Switch, All For Creativity The Dynamic Switch of DRAG M100S is one of the symbols of the VOOPOO devices with high output power range (60W). This switch is upgraded with the support of advanced technology and customizable. Users can alter the function based on their preferences and avoid igniting with button combination. They also can configure its functions such as locking wattage, locking device and locking power. DRAG M100S extends nicotine enjoyment and enhances the vaping power with the support of ECO Mode, which is always available. (Only when the battery is remaining 20%, the interface will automatically display the ECO Mode and the user can choose whether to enter or not. It has been tested that switching to ECO mode could extend the device's service life by at least 10%.) Besides, the bottom battery cover of the DRAG M100S creates a stable open of approximately 45 after the battery cover slides open. Attaching and removing battery are easy and convenient. The revised UI interface design clearly distinguishes the function keys, which reduces the risk of accidental ignition by users, more secure and power-efficient. As the single-battery version of DRAG 4, the compressed volume of DRAG M100S makes the device incredibly portable, lightweight, and easy to grip. It delivers users with a rich, original, consistent flavor and effective leakage prevention. Choose DRAG M100S, put the legend in your hand. The USA is one of the most important markets for VOOPOO brand development and product sales, there are many fans of the VOOPOO brand and products in the USA, who continue to support the development of the VOOPOO brand. We believe that this new product will also achieve excellent results in the USA! WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Contact Person: Nical Email: [email protected] SOURCE shenzhen woody vapes technology co.,ltd News provided by World News Media LONDON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The front cover of World Finance magazine features Ebenezer Onyeagwu, CEO at Zenith Bank in Nigeria who spoke in detail to World Finance about banking, technological innovation, risk management and social projects. We have a special report on AI. The release of ChatGPT was a landmark step in the advancement of AI, but what do the developments mean for the current workforce, and how are governments addressing the risks as AI increases its dominance? Another special report looks at how the number of activist shareholder campaigns is growing, with numerous high-profile cases grabbing headlines. What's behind this surge, which companies are in the firing line and what's next? We also present a special report on China. Years of 'zero-Covid' lockdowns have battered the Chinese economy, slowing down growth to its lowest rate in 30 years. Could this be the end of high-performing China as we know it? Raymond W. Baker spoke exclusively with World Finance about financial crime and the erosion of democracy as a result of financial secrecy. Brazil and Argentina, South America's two biggest economies, have discussed a shared currency, Sur; we look at whether it could work. There is a profile of Anne Boden, the founder and outgoing CEO of Starling, Europe's first neobank. She steps down after a hugely successful tenure that has transformed the banking landscape. Additional topics covered in the Summer 2023 edition of World Finance magazine include; the third era of sustainable finance, a global rent crisis, renewable energy in Iceland and the Black-Scholes model. Also included in this edition are details of the winners of the 2023 World Finance awards for Corporate Governance; Forex; Pension Funds and Islamic Finance. To read all of the above, and more, pick up the latest issue of World Finance magazine, available online, on mobile and in print now. www.worldfinance.com World News Media, the parent company of World Finance, is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world. Contact information World News Media Richard Willcox +44 (0)207 553 4151 [email protected] SOURCE World News Media The study finds that customers achieved a 253% return on investment (ROI) with a payback less than 6 months. BOSTON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- smartShift, a company offering SAP customers a better way to handle custom code, commissioned Forrester Consulting to conduct a Total Economic Impact study to uncover the quantifiable benefits for organizations utilizing smartShift. To gain comprehensive insights into the advantages, costs, and risks associated with this investment, Forrester interviewed four representatives with extensive experience in using smartShift for SAP code transformation. Forrester consolidated the interviewees' experiences and aggregated the results into a single composite organization. The composite represents a global organization with 180,000 employees, $86 billion in revenue, and three SAP systems requiring code transformation. According to the study, the composite organization represented by interviewed smartShift customers experienced the following benefits: Avoided costs of manual code transformation worth nearly $9.3 million over three years: By automating the code transformation process, smartShift enabled the composite organization to circumvent the high costs associated with manual code transformation. As a result, the composite saved a total of 191,000 labor hours, thanks to smartShift's automation. Reduced cost associated with custom code by 40%: smartShift empowered the composite organization to identify and eliminate 40% of its unused custom code within its SAP systems. This automated code decommissioning translated into substantial savings by reducing costs related to code maintenance, upgrades, and testing. Lowered dual maintenance costs by 20%: smartShift's automated dual maintenance process alleviates the burden of manual code synchronization between legacy and new systems. Consequently, the composite organization saved 20% of the 36 full-time equivalents (FTEs) it would have required to perform manual dual maintenance. Reduced risk of business interruption by 5%: With smartShift, the composite organization effectively avoided code freezes and downtime events often associated with complex SAP conversions. These disruptions pose a risk of revenue loss during the freeze or downtime period. By leveraging smartShift's capabilities, the composite organization mitigated an additional 5% risk of business interruption compared to manual best practices. Derek Oats, CEO of smartShift, commented, "We are thrilled we believe the findings of the Total Economic Impact study affirm the remarkable value smartShift brings to our customers. To us, the study underscores our commitment to delivering secure, stable, and optimized code in significantly reduced timeframes. Our patented AI-powered solutions continue to empower SAP customers worldwide, transforming their businesses efficiently and effectively." Download the full report. About smartShift smartShift offers a better way for SAP customers to migrate and optimize their custom code. With its patented AI-powered solutions, smartShift delivers secure, stable, and optimized code in weeks rather than the months required by conventional approaches. smartShift is trusted by many of the world's largest SAP customers and has been used to modernize over 3,000 SAP systems, converting over 2.5 billion lines of code. smartShift offers a fixed price, fixed timeline solution with a 100% quality guarantee. To learn more, please visit: www.smartShift.com Contact Corporate Communications Darshita Srivastava E-Mail: [email protected]com SOURCE smartShift Embracing the vibrant energy of downtown Montreal's cultural district, the new boutique hotel introduces an enchanting experience to awaken the senses BETHESDA, Md., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribute Portfolio part of Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of 31 hotel brands continues to grow its global family of characterful hotels with HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel , the brand's first property in Montreal, Canada. COMMODORE restaurant and cafe "From the charming cobblestone streets of Old Montreal to the bustling art scene and awe-inspiring architecture, Montreal offers a kaleidoscope of experiences that inspire and ignite social connections, making it a prime destination for Tribute Portfolio," said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Tribute Portfolio, and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. "Whether it's discovering art deco treasures at the hotel's boutique or taking in the skyline views during a swim, HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a haven for those seeking captivating design, vibrant social spaces, and moments of sincere service." Stepping into HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal located in the city's Le Quartier des Spectacles takes guests back in time, featuring vintage, art deco-inspired design that evokes an earlier era. The photogenic hotel tapped a trifecta of Canadian partners to realize its design vision. Architex Group designed the building with large bay windows to bring in as much natural light as possible; the architecture and interior design of the rooms, suites, and corridors on each floor as well as the banquet and meeting rooms were entrusted to Provencher Roy; and the design of the hotel lobby, restaurant, and cafe was created by Atelier Zebulon Perron. Impressive contemporary spaces ornate with art deco accents of velvet, gold, and wood materials give all these areas an enveloping warmth. At the core of the hotel's captivating design are nods to honey a symbolic evocation of a golden gift from nature and rose a French flower that signifies passion and love. The combination of two elements help to create an enchanting experience to awaken the senses through charming service, elegant design, and unique amenities which include the hotel's own rooftop beehives. Embellished guest room hallways are reminiscent of strolling through an exclusive designed flower field, with thriving floral textiles lining the interiors. Foodies can rejoice at any of the hotel's locally sourced gastronomic experiences from early morning to late drinks, including French bistro-style COMMODORE restaurant and cafe, Muze Lounge & Terrasse which features a California-inspired menu of market fresh items, and Julia's workshop, and indoor and al fresco private dining area and Chef's table for exclusive, intimate events. A number of local artists bring each space to life with a jolt of personality, in a striking, visual manner. The paintings by Montreal artist Roxy Peroxyde adorn the walls of the guest rooms, and original pieces by set designer, Juliette Sarrazin, grace Muze Lounge & Terrasse. Eye-catching hallway carpet with unique illustrations was created by CHACHA, a creative design firm from the Eastern Townships. Guests can break a sweat at the hotel's movement studio, which features complimentary classes from Essentrics, the dynamic stretch workout created by celebrated Canadian fitness trainer and former National Ballet of Canada ballerina, Miranda Esmonde-White. To unwind, guests can enjoy a dry sauna, spa, and indoor pool on the hotel's 15th floor, overlooking Montreal's skyline. The HONEYROSE boutique, located in the lobby, features a selection of art deco-inspired items and exclusive vintage finds. A unique second boutique, located on the mezzanine, will offer fresh flowers and eternal roses in partnership with the Montreal-based company, MFLEURS. For groups and events, the hotel offers five meeting rooms totaling over 7,000 square feet, including a ballroom that can accommodate over 300 guests, with spectacular views of the Place des Festivals. "HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers a lively and diverse experience, brimming with personality in the heart of the effervescent Quartier des spectacles neighborhood," said Steve Lavergne, General Manager. "We look forward to captivating the senses and leaving an indelible mark on all those who walk through its doors today and tomorrow." HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel participates in Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International. Marriott Bonvoy members will earn points for their stay at this new hotel, and at other properties across Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 31 extraordinary brands, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To explore more about HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, visit www.marriott.com/YULTX . About Tribute Portfolio Tribute Portfolio is a growing global family of characterful, independent hotels drawn together by their passion for captivating design and their drive to create vibrant social scenes for guests and locals alike. With more than 85 hotels in nearly 30 countries and territories around the world, Tribute Portfolio has struck a chord with those who seek out independent experiences and crave a connection with the community when traveling. From boutique resorts like Ermita in Cartagena and urban hotels such as The Vagabond Club in Singapore; to hotels in indie-spirited locales like Bellyard in Atlanta and Hotel Riomar in Ibiza, each Tribute Portfolio hotel celebrates its individuality, offering travelers a fresh, often colorful, perspective. For more information, please visit www.tributeportfolio.com and stay connected on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook . Tribute Portfolio is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com . About Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 31 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com . SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. Global aviation giant Boeing has launched its internship programme in the UAE focused on fostering local capabilities. Under this programme, interns will work alongside Boeing colleagues for ten weeks to gain critical knowledge and skills required for a successful career in aerospace industry. Three talented interns have joined various Boeing teams and will be contributing to our multiple projects in the region until August 25, it stated. Three Emirati interns have joined Boeing Global, Boeing Research & Technology, and Boeing Field Service teams in Dubai. The intern at Boeing Research & Technology team will gain exposure across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. "Boeing has been a long-standing supporter of career skills programs in the region, investing in STEM education and workforce development initiatives to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators," remarked Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Turkiye and Africa. "Through the Boeing META Internship Program, we aim to help students reach their full potential and inspire them to pursue a rewarding career in aerospace," said Kuljit. The Boeing interns will be assigned mentors and participate in on-the-job learning experiences and dedicated training sessions tailored to their interests. They will also get the chance to visit Strata Manufacturing, Boeing Field Service office, and Boeing's Parts Distribution Center in Dubai. Noor Al Yafei, Boeing HR Director in the Middle East and Africa, said: We are delighted to onboard the Emirati interns and contribute to national aspirations of the UAE in terms of sustainable local talent development. "Boeing plans to arrange internships for Emirati students on an annual basis, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the region's skilled workforce," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is welcomed by Vietnamese community in China (Photo: VNA) PM Pham Minh Chinh said that his visit aims to deepen the traditional relations and neighbourliness between the two countries. He affirmed the Party and State always consider the overseas Vietnamese community of more than 5.3 million, including those in China, as an integral part of the great national solidarity bloc, one of the driving forces, and a source of the country's development strength. The Party and State always pay attention to, and have mechanisms and policies to support overseas Vietnamese to have full legal status, stabilise their lives, develop their economy, comply with law of, and integrate into the host country, he added. The Government leader expressed his hope that Vietnamese people in China will continue acting as a bridge for the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations. He also said he believes they will have more substantive and effective contributions to Vietnams nation building and development cause. Regarding the communitys proposals, the PM asked related ministries, sectors and agencies to soon have response solutions. According to Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sao Mai, there are currently around 43,000 Vietnamese people living in China./. BESSEMER CITY, N.C., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As of 4:30 PM ET, the fire at the Livent Bessemer City manufacturing facility has subsided and we are continuing to work with authorities to monitor and investigate the situation. There have been no injuries to Livent personnel or emergency responders. No toxic chemicals or compounds were on fire or released. Air monitoring tests conducted by the responding HAZMAT team did not show abnormal readings at the site or areas downwind from the facility. The fire was principally contained to the warehouse portion of a steel and concrete building in which solid lithium metal ingots are produced. This storage area was structurally damaged. However, the fire has not spread to other parts of Livent's 800-acre Bessemer City facility, including areas where we manufacture high purity lithium metal, lithium hydroxide, butyllithium and other lithium products. Essential Livent personnel have now returned to the plant to assess the damage and ensure ongoing safety during the clean-up and remediation process. We are grateful for the tremendous support of the emergency response teams from Bessemer City, Gaston County and North Carolina. We are working hard to mitigate any potential impacts and return to normal operations as soon as possible. Our top priority at Livent remains the safety of our employees, emergency responders and those in our community. About Livent For nearly eight decades, Livent has partnered with its customers to safely and sustainably use lithium to power the world. Livent is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-quality finished lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. The Company has one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry, powering demand for green energy, modern mobility, the mobile economy, and specialized innovations, including light alloys and lubricants. Livent has a combined workforce of approximately 1,350 full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees and operates manufacturing sites in the United States, England, China and Argentina. For more information, visit livent.com. Media contact: Juan Carlos Cruz +1.215.299.6170 [email protected] George Thomas +1.215.299.6549 [email protected] Investor contact: Daniel Rosen +1.215.299.6208 [email protected] SOURCE Livent Corporation ~Investment to support universal broadband access in the Commonwealth to complement state efforts to address the digital divide~ RICHMOND, Va., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced $1,481,489,572 in funding to close the digital divide in Virginia. These funds are granted through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act and will be prioritized to reach the remaining unserved homes, businesses and community anchors in the Commonwealth. "Virginia continues to be a national leader for closing the digital divide, and today's announcement cements the Commonwealth's success," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. "The funding will not only ensure that every home, business, school and community anchor in the Commonwealth will be connected to affordable, reliable high-speed broadband, but we will also focus our efforts and funding on boosting adoption, promoting digital literacy and lowering costs for all Virginians." The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion nationwide program to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. In Virginia, the funds will build upon the work of the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) to reach the remaining unserved regions of the Commonwealth that do not already have broadband infrastructure. "Broadband is as critical today as electricity was in the last century, and too many communities are at risk of being left behind," said DHCD Director Bryan Horn. "By utilizing the framework of VATI, we will be able to effectively and efficiently utilize these federal funds to connect unserved Virginians and move the needle even further on adoption and affordability." DHCD will administer the BEAD funds to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure to the remaining unserved homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions across Virginia. Once funding for universal broadband access is delivered, DHCD will focus on leveraging these investments through promoting affordability and improving adoption of this critical service. "Today's announcement of Virginia's allocation from the BEAD program reaffirms our commitment to bringing affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to every unserved and underserved household, business and community anchor in the Commonwealth," said Dr. Tamarah Holmes, director of DHCD's Office of Broadband. "Because of the strides made under the VATI program, BEAD funds will enable us to achieve universal broadband access in Virginia. We can then turn our focus towards ending the digital divide in broadband affordability, digital literacy and full adoption of broadband services to make Virginia a state of digital opportunity." Since 2017, Virginia has allocated over $935 million in state and federal funding to extend broadband infrastructure to over 388,000 locations in 80 cities and counties across the Commonwealth through VATI. These investments have leveraged an additional $1.1 billion in matching funds from local governments and internet service providers. The VATI program alone has helped 75 counties and cities work towards achieving universal broadband access since the program's inception. More information about Virginia's broadband efforts can be found at dhcd.virginia.gov/vati. SOURCE Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development The VITAS Hospice House began accepting referrals in June 2023 and is expected to serve 300+ patients each year. Tweet this The state-of-the-art hospice house, which began accepting referrals on Monday, June 26, is expected to serve more than 300 seriously ill patients annually. The facility serves hospice-eligible patients needing acute symptom management with comprehensive and compassionate end-of-life care in a comfortable environment. A clinical team of VITAS experts supports patients with complex treatments such as cardiac drips and extubations. "The VITAS Hospice House offers a much-needed alternative to hospital-based end-of-life care, which can be expensive and often lacks the personal touch that patients and their families need during this difficult time. It is a game-changer in end-of-life care options for Orange County," said Jennifer Melad, VITAS senior general manager. "We are dedicated to delivering quality, compassionate and individualized care to patients and their families. Everyone deserves to die with dignity and respect, and this new inpatient facility is evidence of VITAS' commitment to that goal." A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 21, and attended by representatives from the Office of Congressman J. Luis Correa, the office of Mayor Valerie Amezcua and the Santa Ana Chamber, as well as other local healthcare professionals, community leaders and neighbors. Members of the public and medical community are invited to visit the hospice house and discover the unique ways VITAS serves its patients near the end of life. Located at 18582 Vanderlip Avenue, the facility features six private rooms with flat-screen TVs and overnight accommodations for visitors. It also offers a shared family room and kitchen and a relaxing outdoor area for a change of scenery and fresh air. Pets are welcome, and visitors have access 24/7. When patients' symptoms become too severe to be managed in the place they call home, VITAS hospice house facilities provide a space of comfort and respite. Patients and their families receive around-the-clock care by an interdisciplinary VITAS team that includes a physician, nurse, social worker, chaplain, volunteer and bereavement expert, who together attend to medical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Hospice patients receive individualized care plans aligned to their specific goals and wishes. Additional services that VITAS offers include: VITAS has been providing hospice services in California for nearly 30 years, serving more than 2,200 patients and their families daily. With an office centrally located in Orange County, VITAS cares for patients wherever they call homein a skilled nursing center, assisted living community, private residence and now in the freestanding VITAS Hospice House of Orange County. Clinicians can make seamless referrals 24/7/365 through the VITAS Healthcare mobile app, online at VITAS.com/referrals or by calling 800.93.VITAS. Learn more about end-of-life care services and explore rewarding career and volunteer opportunities at VITAS.com. About VITAS Healthcare Established in 1978, VITAS Healthcare is a pioneer and leader in the American hospice movement. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, VITAS (pronounced VEE-tahs) operates 50 hospice programs in 14 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. VITAS employs 10,003 professionals who care for patients with advanced illness, primarily in the patients' homes, and also in the company's 25 inpatient hospice units as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities for the elderly. At the conclusion of the first quarter of 2023, VITAS reported an average daily census of 18,076. Visit www.vitas.com. Media inquiries contact: [email protected], 877-848-2701 SOURCE VITAS Healthcare DUBAI, UAE, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Webb Fontaine, one of the leading providers of AI-powered trade technology and Customs facilitation solutions to governments and trade administrations around the world, is pleased to announce that its Single Window and Risk Management solution has been selected by the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue to enhance trade facilitation processes. Webb Fontaine Awarded Contract with Bangladesh National Board of Revenue for Single Window and Risk Management Solutions (PRNewsfoto/Webb Fontaine) The contract, spanning three years, encompasses the implementation, maintenance, and support of the project. Webb Fontaine's expertise in trade facilitation, combined with its cutting-edge technology solutions, will play a pivotal role in streamlining trade operations in Bangladesh. This project stands as one of Asia's largest World Bank-funded Single Window initiatives, encompassing more than 25 government agencies and stakeholders. Notable participants include the Customs authority, various ministries, seaports, inland container depots, airports, land ports, the central bank, and commercial banks. The integrated system will interface with 18 government ICT systems, catering to an estimated 700 thousand users who process approximately 8 million transactions annually. The implementation of the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) aims to achieve the primary business objective of facilitating trade by assisting traders in the submission, tracking, processing, receipt, and electronic payment of all regulatory authorizations. Certificates, licenses, permits, and arrival/departure reports will be seamlessly processed through the BSW platform, fostering efficiency, transparency, and improved ease of doing business. The Automated Risk Management System will be a comprehensive centralized and integrated solution covering all aspects of risk management for the use by Customs and regulatory authorities. The system will be compliant with the guidelines of the World Customs Organization and will result in faster and more transparent trade procedures while providing a consistent implementation of Bangladesh customs laws. Alioune Ciss, CEO of Webb Fontaine, expressed his excitement regarding the collaboration, stating, "We are honoured to partner with the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue for this transformative initiative. Webb Fontaine's innovative Single Window and Risk Management solutions are tailor-made to address the unique challenges faced by Bangladesh's trade ecosystem. By simplifying and accelerating trade processes, we will contribute to the country's economic growth and create a favourable business environment for local and international traders." Webb Fontaine looks forward to commencing the implementation of the Single Window and Risk Management solutions, working closely with the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition towards a modern and digitized trade ecosystem. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140720/Webb_Fontaine_Contract_Signing.jpg SOURCE Webb Fontaine LONDON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 16th Global Dairy Congress was held in London, UK on June 21-22. Widely considered a "weathervane" of industrial innovation, the World Dairy Innovation Awards announced its 2023 winners during the Congress. Thanks to its comprehensive and balanced strengths in innovation, Yili was able to take home 18 awards, including Winner of the Children's dairy product and Packaging design, 14 Finalist Awards and 2 Commended Awards. Dr. Yun Zhanyou, Vice President of Yili Group, and Dr. Gerrit Smit, Managing Director of the Yili Innovation Center Europe, attending the award ceremony. "'World Integrally Sharing Health (WISH)' has always been Yili's vision. Yili has been pursuing a high-quality development model driven by innovation and embracing a New Vision for Value Creation. We shall continue to provide world consumers with nutritious and healthy products that serve their full life-cycle," said Dr. Yun Zhanyou, Vice President of Yili Group. Stay consumer-centered and safeguard health throughout people's entire life-cycle Receiving awards under multiple categories of the World Dairy Innovation Awards, including liquid milk, yogurt, milk powder, and ice cream, among others, Yili fully demonstrated its balanced innovation achievements across different categories of healthy food. As the bedrock of Yili's business, liquid milk products delivered eye-catching results during the Congress. Satine PRO UF Milk Limited Edition of Blue and White Porcelain was announced the Winner of Packaging design. Emerging as one of the secondary growth poles of Yili, the Group's cheese products also achieved incredible results at the 2023 World Dairy Innovation Awards ceremony. Yili's Yijiahao Cheese Bomb became the Winner of the Children's dairy product. In terms of ice cream products, Yili's overseas brand Joyday ice cream earned the Commended Award under the CSR/sustainability initiative category for its outstanding activities devoted to supporting public welfare. Yili's strengths in innovation are highly recognized worldwide, as evidenced by the endorsement given by world-class awards for its work As Yili continues to enhance its innovation strengths, the Group is rapidly expanding the global reach of its influence throughout the industry. In 2022, Yili won six awards, continuing to lead the industry with the highest number of awards received. This year, Yili was proud to be honored with an incredible tally of 18 awards, further highlighting its extraordinary capabilities in innovation. Yili's innovation efforts feature industry-pioneering R&D inputs and a global innovation network. At present, Yili has established 15 innovation centers in Asia, Europe and Oceania. It has also been continuously extending its cooperation with universities, research institutions and other collaborating partners, to expand its innovative ecosystem. Looking to the future, Yili will continue to adhere to its New Vision for Value Creation, stay focused on meeting consumer demands and steadily advance its innovative R&D. Committed to fulfilling its responsibilities as an industry leader and realizing its goals around high-quality development, Yili is dedicated to delivering an even wider range of healthy products to global consumers in the years ahead. SOURCE Yili Group News provided by World News Media LONDON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- World Finance magazine is delighted to announce the winners of its prestigious annual banking awards. The World Finance Banking awards 2023 feature the best performing banks from across the globe. The awards recognise those who are best placed to set an example and lead the way through this uncertain macroeconomic period. Banks are awarded in different categories depending on their specialty, such as private, commercial and retail banking. Baiduri Bank in Brunei has accelerated and increased investment in HR and talent management as it seeks to build a competitive advantage through its people. This has led to the bank seeing an increase in the total training hours for its e-learning programmes and workshops for its employees. Garanti Bank in Turkey has been making a significant impact on our natural resource use through its own operations, including energy, water and climate. Through social investments and partnerships the bank contributes to the socio-economic development of multiple communities. Access Bank in Nigeria has been pursuing financial inclusion for its customers as well as promoting the empowerment of women in its quest for sustainable banking. Supporting women's enterprise has been an effective contributor not only in poverty alleviation but also economic development. Banreservas from the Dominican Republic is increasing its international presence by expanding with new offices in Spain and the US to allow the Dominican diaspora to maintain investment links with and send money back home. The financial institutions named in the magazine's listing have all proven themselves to be among the most innovative players in their industry. To read more about the full list of winners of the Banking awards 2023 pick up the latest issue of World Finance magazine, available online, on mobile and in print now. www.worldfinance.com World News Media, the parent company of World Finance, is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world. Contact information World News Media Richard Willcox +44 (0)207 553 4151 [email protected] SOURCE World News Media WASHINGTON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SEG Solar (SEG) and PT Kawasan Industri Terpadu Batang (KITB), announced entering into a binding agreement for the lease of approximately 41 hectares of land located in the Batang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia for a term of 80 years. SEG and KITB signing ceremony SEG intends to invest a total of 500 million U.S. dollars to develop the land for construction of a 5GW solar cell production facility and a 3GW solar module manufacturing facility through PT SEG ATW Solar Manufaktur Indonesia, a joint-venture project company. SEG has partnered with PT ATW Investasi Selaras (ATW Group) to assist with the development of the facilities at the local level in Indonesia. The solar cell production line will vertically supply SEG's module factory in Houston, Texas, USA and guarantee full capability to trace components within the module supply chain. SEG aims to cooperate with other PV component suppliers, including wafers, ingots, junction boxes, frames, and EVA films, to establish manufacturing facilities in Indonesia. Jim Wood, CEO of SEG, emphasized, "The country offers a supportive environment with favorable policies, taxation benefits and abundant silicon resources." Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment of The Republic of Indonesia, expressed, "This investment will create more than 2,000 jobs for the people of Indonesia and significantly contribute to the economic growth of the Batang region. The Indonesian government is committed to providing tax support, aiming to foster mutually beneficial outcomes." The facilities are scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2024 and will be one of Indonesia's largest solar cell and module factories. Founded in 2016, SEG is a leading vertically integrated PV manufacturer headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA. SEG will have more than 5.5GW of global module production capacity in 2024. Established in 2017, ATW Group is an Indonesian-based renewable energy investment company. ATW Group has more than 80 MWp portfolio throughout the archipelago. KITB is the latest state-owned Industrial Estate in Indonesia which is appointed to be one of the National Strategic Projects since its establishment in 2020. KITB has 4,300 hectares of land, with development proceeding in three clusters. SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road LONDON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 21 to 22, the 16th Global Dairy Congress, themed "Reimagining Dairy," took place as a platform for exchanging views on the high-quality development of the dairy industry. Participants included representatives from dairy producers, scholars, experts, and delegates from industrial organizations worldwide, including Dr. Yun Zhanyou, Vice President of Yili Group, and Dr. Gerrit Smit, Managing Director of the Yili Innovation Center Europe. Yili hosts the Roundtable on Innovation Leading to a Healthier Future, sharing its insights about the importance of innovation-driven development with industrial partners During a session focused on future opportunities, Dr. Yun emphasized that dairy companies must put consumers first, adopt an all-round innovation-driven approach, and expand global cooperation in order to achieve high-quality development of the industry. Piercristiano Brazzale, President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), highlighted the huge potential and opportunities in China, a key emerging dairy market. He viewed the Congress as a chance to acquire deeper insights into the latest developments in the Chinese dairy industry as well as Yili Group's innovation capabilities. Richard Hall, Chairman of Zenith Global, recognized early on the leapfrog development being achieved by the Chinese dairy industry over the years, commending it for having played a leading role in many respects, especially innovation. He emphasized his confidence in the industry's potential to make even greater advancements in the future. At the roundtable, Dr. Yun shared Yili's all-round innovation-driven approach by which it relies on processing, digital and technological innovation to enhance product quality, improve consumer experience, and safeguard consumers' health. Regarding technological innovation and global health, President Brazzale highlighted how innovation acts as a significant driving force for global health since it allows people to enjoy safer and more effective and accessible products and services. Dr. Judith Bryans said, "The Global Dairy Congress offered us a great opportunity to share global views on innovation and collaboration. It highlighted many of the major innovations in dairy, health and sustainability. In particular, it was wonderful to see the latest innovations that have been made in dairy products from China." The global dairy industry has registered steady growth in recent years. Mr. Hall said, "The world needs better nutrition for a growing population. The dairy industry will be a major contributor to finding more targeted solutions." Satine and AMBPOMIAL, two of Yili's star brands, joined this year's Congress as platinum sponsors of milk and yogurt, respectively, thanks to their leading innovation capabilities and high product quality. At the Congress, Dr. Gerrit Smit gave a keynote speech titled "Innovation for Global Health," sharing details about Yili's R&D stories and the technological breakthroughs made by two of its products Satine active lactoferrin organic pure milk and AMBPOMIAL Youqier carbonated yogurt. In an increasingly green, digitalized, and integrated global dairy industry, Yili will continue to take a consumer-centered, innovation-driven approach to provide healthy products that fulfill people's full-life-cycle nutritional needs. SOURCE Yili Group Yocto Project Invests in the Long Term, Continues Growth and Commits to Security with new Platinum Member. SAN FRANCISCO , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Yocto Project , an open source collaborative initiative helping developers create custom Linux-based systems, has evolved significantly over the last 12 years to meet the requirements of its community. The project continues to lead in build system technology with field advances in build reproducibility, software license management, SBOM compliance and binary artifact reuse. In an effort to support the community, The Yocto Project announced the first Long Term Support (LTS) release in October 2020. Today, we are delighted to announce that we are expanding the LTS release and extending the lifecycle from 2 to 4 years as standard. The continued growth of the Yocto Project coincides with the welcomed addition of Exein as a Platinum Member, joining AMD/Xilinx, Arm, AWS, BMW Group, Cisco, Comcast, Intel, Meta and WindRiver. As a Member, Exein brings its embedded security expertise across billions of devices to the core of the Yocto Project. "Long Term Support (LTS) is one of our most asked about features, it is great the project is now able to commit to 4 years as standard for all our LTS releases," said Richard Purdie, Yocto Project Lead Architect and Linux Foundation Fellow. "New members like Exein bring both specialist knowledge and funding, enabling us to do this and more. Exein's involvement will truly bolster the security capabilities of the Yocto Project. The ability to offer enhanced embedded security is a major advancement in our pursuit of safer, more resilient systems." "The Yocto Project has been at the forefront of OS technologies for over a decade," said Andrew Wafaa, Yocto Project Chairperson. "The adaptability and variety of the tooling provided are clearly making a difference to the community, we are delighted to welcome Exein as a member as their knowledge and experience in providing secure Yocto Project based builds to customers will enable us to adapt to the modern landscape being set by the US Digital Strategy and the EU Cyber Resilience Act." "We're extremely excited to become a Platinum Partner of the Yocto Project," said Gianni Cuozzo, founder and CEO of Exein. "The Yocto Project is the most important project in the embedded Linux space, powering billions of devices every year. We take great pride in contributing our extensive knowledge and expertise in embedded security to foster a future that is both enhanced and secure for Yocto-powered devices. We are dedicated to supporting the growth of the Yocto Project as a whole, aiming to improve its support for modern languages like Rust, and assist developers and OEMs in aligning with the goals outlined in the EU Cyber Resilience Act." The Yocto Project is also excited to be hosting Yocto Project Dev Day on June 26 alongside the Embedded Open Source Summit in Prague, Czech Republic. Back for the first time since 2019, Yocto Project Dev Day brings together developers from across the Yocto ecosystem to participate in a variety of community sessions, presentations, and tutorials. For more information about the Yocto Project, visit www.yoctoproject.org . Media Contact Noah Lehman The Linux Foundation [email protected] SOURCE Yocto Project BEIJING, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from Science and Technology Daily: China has revealed its plan to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. Themed by the "Revealing Moon Mysteries, Exploring the Universe," the latest episode of Youth on Tech invited three guests to share their thoughts on lunar exploration. Mysteries of the moon Youth on Tech EP3 Revealing Moon Mysteries, Exploring the Universe People have been curious about how the moon was formed for centuries, but to this day there has been no clear cut answer to the question. Zhang Tianli, an engineer of China's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center (LESEC), said that currently the main hypotheses for the origin of the moon include the Giant Impact Hypothesis, Co-formation Hypothesis and Capture Hypothesis. The most widely accepted is the first one. That is, in the early solar system, a Mars-sized object collided with the young Earth and some debris gathered to form the moon. Zhang said the Giant Impact Hypothesis explains some features of the moon, such as its small size, lack of iron core, and the similarity of isotopic compositions between the moon and Earth's mantle. "China is planning to place astronauts on the moon before 2030, and we're really looking forward to it," said Zhang. Another often discussed topic about the moon is why humans can only see the near side of the moon from Earth. It was not until in 2018, when China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe made a historic landing on the far side of the moon that humans could have a close look at it. Obviously, the far side is much more difficult to explore than that of the near side of the moon. Meanwhile, Low Jing Xiang, a Malaysian researcher, explained that this is because the moon is tidally locked to the Earth and the same side of the moon is always turned toward the Earth, resulting in the moon blocking of signal transmissions from the far side to the Earth. Therefore, the Chinese Queqiao Relay Satellite was set up to relay the signal from the far side of the moon, making Chang'e-4 mission successful. Global cooperation matters Outer space exploration is a common cause and pursuit for humanity. So it calls for international cooperation in research to expand cognitive boundaries of humans about celestial bodies. Low, also the associate professor of Science and Technology University of China (USTC), is taking part in the International Lunar Research Station project, which was proposed by China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Roscosmos of Russia in 2021. The project is expected to be completed by 2035. The priority for Low and his team is to study the possibility of the in situ resource utilization of lunar soils as catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 conversion. It is an arduous task. But during the participation in this project, Low said he had caught the chance working with experts not only from China, but also from other countries such as Russia, Iran and Egypt. This kind of collaboration helped Low solve problems in his research and made him understand how important global cooperation is. "This project also shows the willingness of the leading space exploration countries to share their knowledge and collaborate with the other countries," said Low. When talking about this, Low said he never dreamed he could be part of such a project. In 2021, when Prof. Xiong Yujie from USTC asked Low whether he wanted to participate in a space exploration project, he wondered if Prof. Xiong was serious. "Now, I am here, participating in the project," Low said. "In my opinion, human society should work together across the country border instead of practicing seclusion policy to solve the mist in space exploration," he said. Tips for young generation The guests shared their personal stories and experience with young people who are interested in lunar science and have ambitions to explore outer space. Before coming to LESEC, Shen Yuduo was a postgraduate student at Macquarie University in Australia. She majored in conference interpreting. "But I am very interested in space. I'm [always] gazing at the stars and dreaming about the endless mysteries in the vast universe," said Shen. According to Shen, she was inspired by China's achievements in space. She believes that China is becoming one of the leading countries around the world in moon exploration. To be part of LESEC, Shen keeps working hard to learn more about space knowledge and terminologies, as well as the deep space exploration programs. "There are many transferrable skills that you can apply," said Shen, adding that "No matter what you are doing or studying, every person has endless potentials, so I do not ever set limitations on myself!" Low believes that participating in the International Lunar Research Station project is a dream that comes true. When he shares his experience with young people, he asks them, "Why don't we go beyond the Earth, looking for something that we don't have on this planet?" SOURCE Science and Technology Daily Bac Giang fresh lychee is being sold simultaneously at many supermarkets and the largest Asian market in Houston, Texas (US). (Photo: congthuong.vn) The LNS International Corporation (importer) and L&V Food Supply Company (distributor) based in Houston, Texas (US) have cooperated to bring fresh lychee from Bac Giang province to Houston. Vietnamese fresh lychee is being sold simultaneously at many supermarkets and the largest Asian market in Houston, Texas (US) in June. Over the years, LNS Company has participated in activities to promote the image of Made in Vietnam products in the market and is directly the importer and distributor of many types of Vietnamese agricultural products in the US. Besides, the cooperation of Vietnamese-origin enterprises in the market also plays an active role in the stages of product distribution in the network of supermarkets and Asian markets. A representative of LNS Company said that in order to continue the initial success of bringing Bac Giang's fresh lychee shipment by air to the US, LNS will continue to coordinate with partners to bring all kinds of Vietnamese agricultural products (including fresh lychees) to many US states right this month, to encourage US consumers and improve reputation of Vietnamese enterprises around the world. To promote import and export, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has closely coordinated with ministries, branches and partners to synchronously deploy activities to support import-export businesses, including organizing trade promotion events, promoting the image of reputable export enterprises' products and brands, helping businesses and partners sign memorandums of understanding on import and export. In trade promotion activities, over the past time, the Department of Industry and Trade and the People's Committee of Bac Giang province have also actively organized events to help partners sign memorandums of understanding with state agencies, businesses, and associations. Currently, Bac Giang lychee is becoming a famous brand, highly appreciated by consumers for its quality, food safety and traceability, and is gradually entering the US market./. This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 24, 2023 shows a view of north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a container ship berthing at the Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial photo taken on June 24, 2023 shows a view of the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Center, the venue for the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a saltworks in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the 530-meter Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre (CTF) at the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 24, 2023 shows a view of the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the main channel of the Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a wetland in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 24, 2023 shows a view of north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of north China's Tianjin Municipality. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in Tianjin from June 27 to 29. Approximately 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Editor: Zhang Zhou 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 Tegucigalpa, June 26 : Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento has declared a curfew in the city of Choloma after 13 people were killed during a mass shooting. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the President said she took the decision in the wake of the "brutal and ruthless terrorist attack" carried out by "hired thugs trained and directed by the drug lords". The massacre occured on Saturday night after heavily armed men burst into a billiard hall and opened fire while a birthday party was underway, reports Xinhua news agency. The city is located in the Sula Valley region.

The curfew, which came into force on Sunday, will continue for at least 15 days.

It will be extended to nearby San Pedro Sula -- the country's second-largest city -- on July 4, reports the BBC.

In her tweets, the President said that since the curfew was implemented, there have been "multiple operations, raids, captures", while checkpoints were also set up across the region.

The government has also said 1,000 additional security officers will be sent to the area and is offering a reward of around $33,000 for help identifying and capturing the perpetrators of the Choloma shootings.

A partial state of emergency in areas of the country has been in place since December 2022 as part of efforts to confront violent gangs, with the country struggling to bring escalating warfare and drug crime under control in recent years.

Last week, at least 46 women were killed in gang violence as part of a prison riot near the capital Tegucigalpa.

New Delhi, June 26 : Australian spinner Nathan Lyon responded to a recent comment made by English seamer Ollie Robinson that Australia's lineup has three players who bat at number eleven and said that 'it was all bit of a banter'. Robinson's comments came after Australia were bowled out for 386 in the first innings of the Ashes opener. English bowlers unleashed a series of short-pitched deliveries, leading to the dismissal of the final four Australian wickets for a mere 14 runs on Day 3 of the first Ashes Test. However, Lyon and Pat Cummins displayed remarkable composure when faced with a similar situation during the second innings, guiding the visiting team to victory. Speaking about Robinson's no.11 comment from Robinson, Lyon admitted that he is a no.11 batter. But, Josh Hazlewood doesn't allow him to bat there. "To be honest with you, I am a no.11. It's just that Josh won't let me bat no.11. That's all a bit of banter and I've got absolutely no dramas with that," Lyon was quoted by Daily Mail. Lyon is set to become the first bowler to play 100 consecutive Test matches, and just sixth player in all when he takes the field at Lord's in the second Ashes Test. While he is just five wickets short of 500 in Tests, he expressed a profound sense of pride in the possibility of achieving this remarkable double accomplishment. "It'll be extremely special. One hundred consecutive Test matches for anyone is a pretty special feat. I hate talking about myself but that's one record I'm extremely proud of. "Especially being a bowler and No11 batter that you're able to get that feat done and tick off 100 consecutive games, that's something that I'll be extremely proud of when it happens and more importantly when my career is done," he said. Toronto, June 26 : A 40-year-old Indo-Canadian Sikh has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of his wife Harpreet Kaur Gill late last year at their home in British Columbia province, media reports said. Navinder Gill admitted to stabbing the mother of their three children multiple times at their home in the 12700-block of 66th Avenue in Surrey on December 7, 2022, CBC News reported. Harpreet, the 40-year-old victim worked as a teacher, was found critically injured from multiple stab wounds and died later in hospital. Navinder was taken in custody on December 15 by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), and was charged the next day with the second degree murder of his wife. Navinder's lawyer said his client understands he made a mistake. "He was very remorseful in court today. It's a very tragic incident, that's all I can say," lawyer Gagan Nahal told CBC News last week. Navinder, who entered the guilty plea on June 22, will be sentenced at the New Westminster Supreme Court on a date to be set next month. According to Nahal, Harpreet's family is expected to give victim impact statements at the sentencing. "Harpreet's parents and her brother reside in India. They are devastated and finding it incredibly difficult to bear the loss of their beautiful daughter and sister," according to a GoFundMe statement. It said that Harpreet's parents were concerned about the future of their grandchildren and seeking legal advice regarding their custody. In May this year, Davinder Kaur, a Canadian Sikh mother of four, was stabbed to death by her husband Nav Nishan Singh in Sparrow Park, Brampton. Cases of domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence and conjugal violence, are not rare in Canada. In 2021, Statistics Canada recorded 788 homicide victims; of those, 90 were killed by an intimate partner. haod Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Ali Sabry, Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Ali Sabry, Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing on Sunday. Qin said China and Sri Lanka have respected and supported each other since establishing diplomatic ties, setting a good example of friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. He called on the two sides to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, enhance high-level and people-to-people exchanges, and promote the joint construction of a high-quality Belt and Road. Qin added that China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihood to the best of its capacity. Hailing China as a great friend and important partner in development, Sabry said Sri Lanka treasures the selfless assistance provided by the Chinese government and people to its national independence and economic development, and thanks China for its valuable support for Sri Lanka in handling the debt issue and overcoming temporary difficulties. Sri Lanka will continue to firmly uphold the one-China policy, ensure the construction of the Belt and Road, work in close coordination with China on multilateral occasions, and promote the further development of bilateral ties, Sabry added. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. Qin said in the face of complex and volatile circumstances, China will work with other countries to safeguard regional and world peace, stability and prosperity and build a community with a shared future for humanity. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Ali Sabry, Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Editor: Zhang Zhou New Delhi, June 26 : India's most valuable startup BYJU'S, in a crucial Board meeting held on Saturday, has addressed recent developments impacting the company amid a deluge of negative media reports. The most important takeaway from the minutes of this meeting, the records of which are available with IANS through a confidential source, is that Deloitte's departure as auditor and the resignations of certain Board members were independent and planned events. Led by Founder and CEO Byju Raveendran, the meeting also unveiled the comprehensive plan put forth by newly appointed CFO Ajay Goel, shedding light on the future strategies of the company. Here are some of the key highlights from the meeting, as accessed by IANS. The meeting confirmed that Deloitte's exit as auditor was a mutually agreed upon decision, as reflected in the Board meeting minutes. This disclosure aimed to dispel any confusion among BYJU'S shareholders surrounding the circumstances of the audit firm's departure. In a unified voice, the departing Board members reassured fellow shareholders that their resignations were unrelated to Deloitte's exit. Their emphasis on this point sought to reinforce the stability of BYJU'S during this transitional phase. CFO Goel, making his first address to shareholders since joining in May, expressed complete confidence in the company's ability to finalize the audit for the fiscal year 2022 by September end and the audit for the fiscal year 2023 by the end of this year. Goel also highlighted the significant progress already made in completing the audit for most subsidiaries. To remind the shareholders of his singular dedication towards BYJU'S, Raveendran emphasised his personal investment in the group, which, he said, includes $400 million in the parent company, $250 million for the Aakash acquisition, and an additional $250 million through pledged secondary shares during the last funding round. Despite the challenges faced due to adverse macroeconomic conditions, he highlighted the strong performance of most business verticals, which he said demonstrates BYJU'S resilience and stability. Acknowledging past missteps, he assured shareholders that the lessons learned have paved the way for further strengthening the operational processes within the organisation. The group General Counsel, Roshan Thomas, informed the shareholders about the ongoing negotiations regarding Term Loan B (TLB). Constructive discussions are currently underway, he said, and the company aims for a timely resolution. Shareholders can expect further updates as additional information becomes available. The meeting concluded with a resounding endorsement from BYJU'S shareholders, reflecting their confidence in the company's leadership and strategies. Islamabad, June 26 : The Pakistan government has passed an Election (Amendment) Act 2023, paving the way for former former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's return to politics. Following the approval by the Senate, the National Assembly on Sunday also gave its nod to the new legislation which has given the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unilateral powers to fix poll dates and limit the disqualifications of any lawmaker to a period of five years. This will enable the return of the former premier and PML-N supremo, who was disqualified for life by the Supreme Court in the assets beyond means case. "Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, any other law for the time being in force and judgment, order or decree of any court, including the Supreme Court and a high court, the disqualification of a person to be elected, chosen or to remain as a member of the Parliament or provincial assembly under paragraph (f) of clause (1) of Article 62 of the Constitution shall be for a period not exceeding five years from the declaration of the court of law in that regard and such declaration shall be subject to the due process of law," the law states. Another senior politician who will benefit from the latest amendment is Jahangir Tareen, head of the newly-formed Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), who also was disqualified for life by the apex court on charges of corruption. After being presented and tabled in Parliament, the bill was opposed by some lawmakers, who termed it as a person-specific legislation, aimed to benefit specific personalities. "Incorporating proposed amendments in the elections commission's bill was person-specific legislation" said Maulana Akbar Chitrali of Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan. After its approval by both the Senate and National Assembly, the amendment will need a final nod from President Arif Alvi, who currently is in Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Senate Chariman Sadiq Sanjrani is performing duties as the acting President. The government defended its position on the amendment, stating that a lifetime disqualification was against the fundamental constitutional rights of a politician. However, political experts opine that the bill could be scrapped if challenged in the Supreme Court. "The bill could not abolish the lifetime disqualification of lawmakers and it could be scrapped if challenged in the Supreme Court," said Ahmed Bilal Mehboob. Seoul, June 26 : As heavy rain continued to lash South Korea on Monday, the greater Seoul area is expected to see up to 100 mm of downpour for two days, as the annual monsoon season has started, the state weather agency said. Precipitation is expected to range between 50 and 150 mm for the southern resort island of Jeju and from 30 to 100 mm for other regions, including the capital area, mountainous areas and the Yellow Sea islands, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The eastern coast of Gangwon Province will receive 10 to 50 mm throughout Monday, Yonhap News Agency quoted the KMA as saying. Some regions will face torrential rains with 20 to 40 mm of rain per hour, accompanied by strong wind, lightning and thunder, until Tuesday, the weather agency said. The KMA warned against using streamside trails and underground roadways, citing the danger of being stranded, and warned of flooding in lowlands and river torrents. The temperature as of 10 a.m. Monday recorded 23.4 degrees Celsius in Seoul, 23.3 degrees in Daejeon, 24.5 degrees in Gwangju, 29 degrees in Jeju and 23.4 degrees in Busan, with daytime highs expected to range from 24 to 27 degrees. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety ordered public officials to take thorough preliminary steps for heavy rain. It also called for a speedy evacuation in case of flooding in semi-basement housing, underground parking lots and other vulnerable places. Mumbai, June 26 : Attempting to defend ruling Shiv Sena Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, ally Bharatiya Janata Party's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attempted to poke Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, but ended up with a bloody nose. Addressing a public meeting in Chandrapur on Sunday night to mark the BJP government's 9 years at the Centre, Fadnavis grabbed a slice of history to cover Shinde with a cloak of credibility. Referring to the revolt of Shinde and others in June 2022, Fadnavis drew attention to a similar event in 1978 when Pawar, 38, had toppled the then CM Vasantrao 'Dada' Patil to become the state's youngest CM - a record that he still retains. He went on to become the CM for three more times, an unbeaten achievement. Harking to this critical 45-year-old piece of history, Fadnavis said Pawar had walked out of the late Patil's cabinet with 40 MLAs and formed the government with the help of the then Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party group and others, and his regime lasted some 18 months. "What Pawar did was termed as political statesmanship, but when Shinde did the same, it's called 'beimaani' (dishonesty)... How can that be...?" boomed Fadnavis, attempting to push the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) into a corner. When asked to comment on this, a relaxed and smiling Pawar said in Pune (on Monday) with a glint that when he had formed the government in 1978, "the then BJP was Jan Sangh" that came with him. "Fadnavis may have been in primary school at that time. So has no knowledge of that period. He speaks such things out of ignorance, and should not be given much importance," said Pawar. Compared with the onslaught, the 83-year-old Pawar's reply appeared on the dot - in 1978, Fadnavis, 53, was barely 8 years old and actually sitting on a primary school bench when Patil was dethroned..! Emphasising Fadnavis' lack of historical knowledge, Pawar elaborated that: "I had formed the government with the support of everyone. The late Uttamrao Patil of the Jana Sangh was also a part of the government along with the late Hashu Advani and others. He (Fadnavis) may have been in primary school at that time so didn't know anything about that era..." Incidentally, years later, when Patil was the Governor of Rajasthan, he had anointed Pawar as his 'political heir' in 1987. The NCP supremo also rubbished as 'childish, lacking political maturity' - the remarks by certain BJP leaders on the Patna Opposition conclave last week, dismissing it as a meeting of '19 future PMs' - and said the post of PM did not even figure at that (July 23) meeting. Pawar hit out at Fadnavis' allegations that the OBCs are treated as a showpiece in the NCP, saying that Chhagan Bhujbal was the first NCP state President (after the party was born in 1999). "He (Fadnavis) remains ignorant of this... I wonder how much reading they have done... They make statements without taking note of all this. But the people are aware of the reality," declared Pawar. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in -- Syndicated from IANS New Delhi, June 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, during which he will flag off five Vande Bharat Express trains from the Rani Kamalapati railway station. Through these trains, Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand will get Vande Bharat train connectivity for the first time. During his day-long visit, Modi will also launch the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and go to Pakaria village in Shahdol district to interact with local stakeholders. The Prime Minister is also slated to kickstart the distribution of Ayushman cards to about 3.57 crore beneficiaries across the state. Varanasi, June 26 : A research student residing at the SN Bose Hostel of BHU IIT committed suicide by hanging himself. On the information of the hostel students on Monday, offiicials from the Lanka police station reached thevictim's room and brought down the body. The reason for the research student's suicide is not clear. According to the police, the reason for the student's suicide could be depression. Kuldeep Singh ,32, a native of Khakhedi village in Muzaffarnagar district, was staying in room number-88 of SN Bose Hostel, BHU IIT. He was a research scholar in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, IIT. ACP Bhelupur Praveen Kumar Singh said that no suicide note was found from the student's room. Depression appears to be the reason for the suicide. The relatives have been informed. The post-mortem of the body will be done only after their arrival of his family. The students of the hostel told the police that Kuldeep was married in November last year. His fellowship was about to end next month and his research work was in its final stages. New Delhi, June 26 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying that it seems he has finally spoken to the Prime Minister on the Manipur crisis, and demanded immediate sacking of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. His remark comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing an important meeting on Sunday night after wrapping up his US and Egypt state visits. Taking to Twitter, Kharge said, "Reports indicate that finally the Home Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Modi on Manipur. For the last 55 days, Modi ji did not say a word on Manipur. Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is to sack his chief Minister." Kharge also demanded that the government confiscate weapons stolen from extremist organisations and anti-social elements, start talks with all the parties and find a common political path, end the blockade with the help of security forces. Ensure the availability of essential commodities by opening and keeping the National Highways safe and a package of relief, rehabilitation and livelihood for the affected people should be prepared without delay. "The announced relief package is grossly inadequate. No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Manipur violence," Kharge added. Violence erupted in the state on May 3 claiming over 100 lives and forcing thousands to take refuge in relief camps. Congress has been questioning the Prime Minister's silence over the issue. -- Syndicated from IANS Kolkata, June 26 : A PIL was at the Calcutta High Court on Monday challenging the appointment of Rajiva Sinha as the West Bengal State Election Commissioner (WBSEC). The petition filed by Nobyendu Bandyopadhyay, a Calcutta High Court counsel, will come up for hearing at the division bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam on June 30. Sinha has been at the centre of controversy since the Governors House cleared his appointment for the chair on June 7. He first drew criticism as he announced the polling dates for the panchayat polls in West Bengal on June 8 ust a day after his appointment for the chair. The opposition then charged him of announcing the poll dates without any homework. At a later stage he attracted criticism of the Calcutta High Court at different times over the continuing incidents of clashes and violence during the nomination phase for the rural civic body polls. The Chief Justice, at a point, even advised Sinha to step down if he was unable to take the pressure. The government will then appoint anyone else for the Chair, Justice Sivagnanam observed. The State Election Commission even drew the criticism of the Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, who observed that the state election commissioner was responsible for every incident of bloodshed in the state over the rural civic body polls. The Governor has even refused to accept Sinhas joining letter as the state election commissioner. On Sunday, during a meeting at the Governors House, Bose even advised Sinha to maintain neutrality of his chair while performing his duties. Now with a fresh PIL filed at the Calcutta High Court challenging his appointment as the state election commissionER, the sequence of events has taken a dramatic turn. New Delhi, June 26 : Consumer electronics manufacturer Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd on Monday announced the launch of the all-new KODAK television models in India. The brand launched the KODAK 9XPRO Series, powered by Realtek processor, in 32, 40, 42 and 43-inch models at a starting price of Rs 10,499. The brand also introduced 50, 55 and 65-inch 4K GOOGLE TV models under its CA PRO series, at a starting price of Rs 27,999. The 75-inch variant of the KODAK 4K QLED Matrix series has also been launched at a starting price of Rs 98,888. "These offerings are for the people who wish to bring the big screens to their homes and enjoy even the minute details while sitting on their couches. We are committed to offer the latest technology to our customers via our televisions in best prices," Avneet Singh Marwah, Director and CEO, Super Plastronics Pvt Ltd, a KODAK brand Licensee, said in a statement. 'KODAK 9XPRO' TV comes powered by Android 11, 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM, while 'KODAK CA PRO' series is equipped with a 4K UHD Display, sound output of 40W by Dolby Audio Stereo Box Speaker, and other built-in apps. KODAK 75-inch 4K QLED TV comes with a QLED 4K display, 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Ankara, June 26 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Sweden to prevent the demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Stockholm in exchange for a green light on its NATO bid. In a phone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday, Erdogan said his country continues its "constructive attitude" toward Sweden's joining the alliance, according to a statement from his office. But Erdogan said the Nordic country's change on terror laws does not meet the expectation of Ankara as long as the PKK can demonstrate in the country "freely", reports Xinhua news agency. Turkey has long been saying that Ankara will only admit Sweden's NATO bid in the upcoming Vilnius summit if the latter takes concrete steps to prevent anti-TArkiye "terror" activities in the country, the statement said. The latest developments in Russia were also discussed during the phone call, it added. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text This photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the ruins of burnt cars in Jwaneng mining town about 165 kilometers west of Gaborone, Botswana. Forty-nine vehicles caught fire in Jwaneng mining town Sunday afternoon in southern Botswana, where the owners were attending the 2023 Toyota Desert Race. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- About 49 vehicles caught fire at Jwaneng mining town around 1:30 p.m. local time on Sunday in southern Botswana, where the owners were attending the 2023 Toyota Desert Race. The owners of the vehicles returned to a shock at the designated parking spot after witnessing the Toyota Desert Race. Most of the cars were burnt to ashes, while some were still burning. No deaths or injuries have been recorded so far. The police are still investigating the cause of the fire. This photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the ruins of burnt cars in Jwaneng mining town about 165 kilometers west of Gaborone, Botswana. Forty-nine vehicles caught fire in Jwaneng mining town Sunday afternoon in southern Botswana, where the owners were attending the 2023 Toyota Desert Race. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) A police officer makes a phone call at the site where cars were burnt to ashes in Jwaneng mining town located about 165km west of Gaborone, Botswana, on June 25, 2023. Forty-nine vehicles caught fire in Jwaneng mining town Sunday afternoon in southern Botswana, where the owners were attending the 2023 Toyota Desert Race. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) A firefighter tries to put out fire at a site where most of the cars were burnt to ashes in Jwaneng mining town located about 165km west of Gaborone, Botswana, on June 25, 2023. Forty-nine vehicles caught fire in Jwaneng mining town Sunday afternoon in southern Botswana, where the owners were attending the 2023 Toyota Desert Race. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) People gather at a site where cars were burnt to ashes in Jwaneng mining town about 165 kilometers west of Gaborone, Botswana, on June 25, 2023. Forty-nine vehicles caught fire in Jwaneng mining town Sunday afternoon in southern Botswana, where the owners were attending the 2023 Toyota Desert Race. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) Editor: Zhang Zhou Jammu, June 26 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that the government is destroying the chain of funds to terrorism while its network is being dismantled. Rajnath Singh arrived here earlier in the day. He addressed a conference on security in the presence of around 1,500 people. In his address, the defence minister spoke against the spread of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the government is taking a tough stand on terrorism. The network of terrorism is being destroyed. New hope has arisen in the youth. We are now trying to be self-sufficient in the defence sector. We are manufacturing various arms and ammunition. We are destroying the chain of funding of terrorists. The network of terrorism is being dismantled. Our stand on terrorism is tough.The removal of Article 370 is justice to the country. We are continuously developing Jammu and Kashmir, he said Thiruvananthapuram, June 26 : The Kerala government and the state police came under severe criticism on Monday after pictures of two student protesters with handcuffs went viral on social media. The incident occurred the other day after the protesting members of the students' wing of the second biggest ally of the Congress- Indian Union Muslim League- Muslim Students Federation waved black flags at the State Education Minister V.Sivankutty who was there for a function. The protesters were demanding more seats for Plus Two in schools. Veteran IUML legislator and former State Minister M.K.Muneer said in Kerala the CPI(M) has a separate rule, while the Opposition follows another set of rules. The MSF protesters were handcuffed as if they were terrorists. Pinarayi Vijayan is going ahead in a totally undesirable manner and targetting the opposition. This does not augur well and we will soon launch a massive protest against this double standards, said Muneer. Angry Opposition student protesters took to the streets at few places in the state and at Kozhikode, the protesters clashed with the police. Lashing out at the ruling Left, Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said some in the police have been relegated to acting according to the orders that come from the CPI(M) state party headquarters. It's high time that police officials who take directions from the CPI(M) resigned. A time will dawn when all wrong actions taken will backfire. Moreover, the students were protesting for a genuine need, said Satheesan. Washington, June 26 : NASA has called off its plan to fly X-57, the experimental electric aircraft, after discovering an anomaly in its propulsion system which can put people's lives at risk. Safety and time is the reason behind the permanent scrubbing of the flight, NASA was quoted as saying in a conference call with reporters by science and tech news portal Popular Science. "Unfortunately, we recently discovered a potential failure mode in the propulsion system that we determined to pose an unacceptable risk to the pilotas safety, and the safety of personnel on the ground, during ground tests," Bradley Flick, the director of NASAas Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, said in the call. "Mitigation of that failure would take the project well beyond its planned end at the end of this fiscal year, so NASA has decided to end the project on time without taking the vehicle to flight," he added. Flick noted that more budget and time could have helped in flying X-57 safely. The X-57 Maxwell all-electric aircraft was built by modifying an Italian Tecnam P2006T to be powered by an electric propulsion system. NASA created the all-electric aircraft to not only pave the way toward electric aviation but also to support the US climate goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector by 2050. The US space agency had earlier expected to conclude aircraft operational activities by the end of September, with documentation and close-out activities continuing for several months afterwards. However, it faced some challenges, following which it scaled back to just two propellers from the initial plan of more than a dozen. In January, its transistor modules in the electrical inverters kept failing and "blowing up" in testing. While the issue was resolved, it led the team to scrap the plan to fly the aircraft. "As we got into the detailed analysis and airworthiness assessment of the motors themselves, we found that there were some potential failure modes with the motors mechanically, under flight loads, that we hadn't seen on the ground," Sean Clark, the projectas principal investigator was quoted as saying to Popular Science. "We've got a great design in progress to fix it, it's just (that) it would take too long for us to go through and implement that," he added. Meanwhile, NASA also has two other X-plane programmes in the works -- a designation that means that the aircraft is experimental and for research, and that comes from the Department of Defense, the report said. The X-59 is expected to fly this year, while X-66A will take flight in 2028. New Delhi, June 26 : The market for wearable technology is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.6 per cent to reach $156 billion in 2024 from $59 billion in 2020, according to a report on Monday. The market for wearables has been growing significantly in the medical device industry over the past several years. Wearables have the potential to address spiralling healthcare costs, ageing populations, and the burden of chronic disease. The report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, focused on wearable medical devices for kidney disease and dialysis. It showed that wearable medical devices play a crucial role in enhancing the convenience and effectiveness of peritoneal dialysis (PD) -- a treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of abdomen, or belly, to filter blood inside the body. By offering increased mobility, convenience, and continuous treatment, these devices empower patients to take control of their dialysis regimen, leading to better adherence, improved outcomes, and a greater sense of independence and normalcy in their daily lives. "Having a wearable peritoneal dialysis device could be a great option for many patients. The market for wearable devices is growing quickly, largely because of the convenience they provide to patients," said Alexandra Murdoch, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement. Wearable devices often pair with other remote patient monitoring devices, allowing patients to receive care remotely as opposed to going into a hospital or doctors office, Murdoch added. The report noted that Singapore-based AWAK Technologies and Singapore General Hospital (SGH) have recently begun a pre-pivotal clinical study of a wearable peritoneal dialysis device. Wearable devices, that will help kidney disease patients, live a normal life have huge potential. The convenience will allow patients more free time outside of the hospital, and ultimately improve quality of life, Murdoch said. June 26 : Harrison Ford, the iconic Hollywood actor, has left an indelible mark on the film industry with his memorable performances across three legendary franchises - Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and now the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Harrison Ford's legacy is nothing short of extraordinary, having cemented himself as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His contributions to cinema will be cherished for generations to come, solidifying his place in Hollywood history. Let's take a closer look at the remarkable legacy of this talented actor and the iconic characters he has portrayed throughout his career. The Adventurous Archaeologist: Indiana Jones Harrison Ford's portrayal of Indiana Jones is legendary, and his upcoming film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is set to continue the thrilling adventures of the archaeologist. Explore the captivating world of Indiana Jones as Ford effortlessly combines charm, wit, and action in films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Last Crusade, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the highly anticipated new installment. From his iconic fedora hat to his trusty whip, Ford's portrayal of Indiana Jones has become synonymous with thrilling escapades, ancient mysteries, and the epitome of adventure and excitement. The Legendary Space Scoundrel: Han Solo In the epic Star Wars saga, Harrison Ford brought to life the beloved character of Han Solo. Discover the enduring appeal of this charming and roguish smuggler. From his memorable exchanges with Chewbacca to his undeniable charisma, Ford's portrayal of Han Solo has become an integral part of the Star Wars universe, earning him a place in the hearts of fans across the galaxy. Image Source: News Helpline Harrison Ford: the actor whose impact transcends time and space in Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe A New Marvel Chapter: The Exciting MCU Addition Exciting news broke recently as Harrison Ford joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While details remain under wraps, fans are eagerly speculating about the roles he might undertake and the impact he will have on this superhero franchise. This new chapter in Ford's career promises to bring his magnetic presence to an entirely new generation of fans. Marvel at Harrison Ford's ability to captivate audiences with his timeless charisma. Despite the passage of time, his magnetic screen presence remains as strong as ever. From his early career to his recent endeavors, Ford's enduring appeal has garnered him a loyal fanbase that spans multiple generations. Indiana Jones and The Dial Of Destiny will release in theatres across India starting 29th June 2023 onwards, in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu. Prayagraj, June 26 : Following the trend of Hindu temples enforcing a 'dress code' for devotees in Uttar Pradesh, the Digambar Jain temples of Prayagraj have also adopted a similar rule. Umbrella body, Sakal Jain Samaj, has banned devotees coming to Shri Digambar Jain Panchayati Mandir at Zero Road, Rishabhdev Taposthali, in Andawa besides temples in Katra and Beniganj localities, from wearing jeans, half-pants, frocks, distressed clothes as well as gaudy or revealing dresses. Women and girls have been specifically requested to enter the temple with their heads covered. Only those who come wearing modest and decent clothes will be allowed entry. Notice boards have also been installed in these temples in this regard. Secretary, Digambar Jain Samaj, Rajesh Jain confirmed the development and said that henceforth one should enter the temples only in decent clothes and with this in mind the dress code had been implemented. Devotees coming to the temple should try to have darshan with their heads covered and avoid entering wearing full black clothes. Let us try to set a good example by leading a civilised and well-educated society, he said. Secretary, Parshvanath Digambar Jain Temple, Katra, Akhilesh Chandra Jain said renowned seer of the community Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj had also given instructions to ensure the entry of devotees wearing decent clothes. Information related to the dress code has been put up at the temple while information has also been sent to the members of the community through WhatsApp groups, he said. President of the society Dinesh Jain along with prominent members of the community, have requested devotees to come in decent clothes. Karachi, June 26 : Pakistan Stock Exchange's (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index jumped more than 1,000 points as the country expects to sign a deal with the International Money Fund (IMF) to unlock much-needed funds, local media reported. The benchmark index rose 1245.32 points as the market anticipates that Pakistan can revive the stalled IMF loan to avoid a sovereign default, Geo News reported. Saad Ali, a capital market expert said the revised budget had revived hopes among the market stakeholders after the government added fresh taxes to the Finance Bill 2023-24, Geo News reported. "The revised budget with additional tax measures have revived market hopes of the resumption of IMF programme as the new budget might meet IMFs condition for adequate fiscal contraction," he said. Head of Research at Pakistan-Kuwait Investment Company Samiullah Tariq said "optimism" regarding the IMF deal resulted in today's market surge. Tariq also believes that the Pakistani authorities and the IMF could sign the staff-level agreement (SLA) within this week, Geo News reported. The National Assembly passed the Finance Bill 2023-24 with a majority vote Sunday, with a revised outlay of Pak Rs 14.48 trillion after adopting certain amendments to the proposed budgetary measures. In a last-ditch effort to clinch a stalled rescue package with the IMF, the government introduced a number of changes to its budget for the fiscal year 2024. The decision to amend the budget had come after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the Global Financing Summit in Paris, Geo News reported. Singapore, June 26 : An Indian-origin woman in Singapore, sentenced to 14 years' jail for torturing a domestic help to death early this year, will be serving an additional three year term for asking her son-in-law to get rid of CCTV footage of her offences. Prema S Naraynasamy, 64, pleaded guilty on Monday to one charge of instigating Kevin Chelvam, 44, a police officer, to do away with CCTV evidence of her offences against 24-year-old Piang Ngaih Don, The Straits Times reported. Naraynasamy, who would now serve a total jail term of 17 years, had pleaded guilty to 47 charges of voluntarily causing hurt to Myanmar national Piang, and one charge of attempting to voluntarily cause hurt to the domestic worker in January this year. Principal District Judge Jill Tan said a total sentence of 17 years would not be crushing and appropriately reflect the heinousness of Naraynasamys crimes. The court heard on June 15 that Naraynasamy, knowing that the surveillance cameras in the flat would have captured the abuse, asked Chelvam to dismantle and disconnect the recorder from the camera and to hand the device to her. When Naraynasamys daughter-in-law, Isabella, arrived at the flat later that day, she hid the recorder in Isabellas bag. While Isabella was unaware of the significance of the recorder, Naraynasamy told her to do something with it. Isabella then passed the recorder to her husband, who gave it to a friend. Isabella and her husband handed the footage to the police when investigators turned up at their home, The Times reported. Footage recorded between June and July 2016 by cameras installed in their three-bedroom flat in Bishan showed Naraynasamy kicking and punching the victim, and pulling her up from the ground by her hair and shaking her head violently. Naraynasamy also used objects like a bamboo pole and chopping board to hit Piang. Days before her death, Piang was tied to a window grille, and assaulted if she tried to rummage the dustbin for food. Chelvam faces multiple charges in relation to the abuse, and is claiming trial, and his case is expected to be heard in July, The Times reported. He has been suspended from the police force since August 2016, days after Piang died. After 14 months of repeated torture, Piang, mother to a three-year-old boy, died of brain injury with severe blunt trauma to her neck on July 26, 2016 in one of Singapores worst cases of domestic help abuse. The court heard earlier that Piang was starved and lost 15 kg during her 14 months of employment with the family, weighing only 24 kg when she died. While assaulting the victim, Naraynasamy was joined by her 43-year-old daughter Gaiyathiri Murugayan, who was sentenced on June 22, 2021 to 30 years in prison -- the longest jail term meted out in a domestic abuse case in Singapore. After refusing the maid her dinner, Gaiyathiri tied the victims wrist to a window grille and kicked her in the stomach before leaving her on the floor. Even when the victim was unresponsive, the mother-daughter duo refused to call for an ambulance or the police. An autopsy report found a total of 31 recent scars and 47 external injuries all over the domestic help's body. Mumbai, June 26 : The Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) has supported the proposal for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), terming it as consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, while demanding it should be 'religion-neutral and gender-just", here on Monday. In a statement, the IMSD also urged the Indian secular political parties not to fall in the trap of the Bharatiya Janata Party or Muslim religious bodies like AIMPLB, JUeH, JeIH which oppose the UCC as being contrary to Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution. The IMSD Convenor Javed Anand and Co-Convenors A. J. Jawad, Arshad Alam, Feroze Mithiborwala, Irfan Engineer and Nasreen Contractor, also slammed the Muslim clergy for continuing to cling to medieval, patriarchal notions of gender relations in the name of Islam, and contrary to their false claims, the Muslim Personal Law is not God-given but man-made. They said in recent decades, many Muslim countries, including those which called themselves Islamic states, have reformed their family laws, while believing, practising Muslim are citizens of western democracies which do not have separate family laws for the community. It referred to the 21st Law Commission Report of 2018 which opined that UCC was neither necessary nor desirable at this state while the 22nd Law Commission re-ignited the issue by inviting views of the public and religious organisation on UCC, though it has not offered any draft of its own for the people to respond to. The timing of the initiative, the absence of a draft and the fact that the next general elections are less than a year away have understandably led to apprehensions that the motive of the Modi-led government is suspect. This notwithstanding IMSD calls upon secular political parties not to fall in the trap set by the BJP, it said. The IMSD said that the Muslim Ulemas willfully ignore the fact that the Article 25 concerning the right to freedom of religion also states, Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any law providing for social welfare and reform The personal laws of all religious communities that we inherited at independence were grossly discriminatory against women. In the decades since, there have been a number of enactments ushering in some reforms in the family laws concerning Hindus and Christians, said the IMSD. However, the Muslim religious bodies have staunchly resisted any change and never taken a single step in reforming Muslim Personal Law many of whose provisions are blatantly unjust, anti-women, even un-Quranic. Despite the changes in Muslim countries, the Ulemas in secular India continue to cling to medieval, patriarchal notions of gender relations in the name of protecting Islam, but in fact they are protecting their own interests and institutional stranglehold over the community, said the IMSD. It frowned at even the Congress and other secular parties for taking no steps whatsoever in advocating reforms on the specious plea that the initiative must come from within the community. Given the authority structure within the Muslim society, we do not see any such voice from the community in the foreseeable future, rued the IMSD. As there is no hope of the religious leaders ever accepting, let alone initiating change, progressive Muslim women and men have no option but to look to the courts and the government of the day for a religion-neutral, gender-just UCC. Needless to say, a Uniform Civil Code is not the same as a Common Civil Code, and Muslims reserve the right to protest against any attempt to impose a majoritarian agenda in the name of uniformity, urged the IMSD. It appealed to all political parties to see the issue as one of gender justice and stop pandering to the whimsical and antediluvian fantasies of religious clerics. The IMSD seeks to incorporate reforms in the UCC for all citizens, like, divorce only through a court of law including the right of women to initiate divorce, right to judicious maintenance following divorce, ban on polygamy and the shameful halala, gender-just inheritance and guardianship laws. It should also provide for the right to make a Will with provisions for a minimum percentage of the property to be left behind for the heirs, child custody as per the best interests of the minor, right to adopt by couples or even by single women/men, right to marry without any limitation due to race, nationality or religions (Article 16 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights), and other progressive provisions. Bhopal, June 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road show in Bhopal was cancelled due to bad weather, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Monday. PM Modis road show in Bhopal has been cancelled due to heavy rain alert. The security agencies have cancelled the road showl, the Madhya Pradesh BJP office told IANS. State BJP president V. D. Sharma said they had planned a mega road show to welcome Modi on his arrival in Bhopal on June 27. The route of the road show was also chalked out -- from Raj Bhavan to the Police Control Room. The entire route was dotted with saffron flags and Modis huge cut-outs, he said. It is the second time that the BJPs plan to organise a mega road show for Modi has been cancelled in Bhopal. Earlier on April 1, Modis rally in Bhopal was cancelled as well. This will be Modis second Madhya Pradesh visit in three months as the state gears up for the assembly elections due later this year. Meanwhile, the weather department has issued an alert for heavy rainfall for the next five days in Madhya Pradesh. Yang Youguang stands on the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang picks up trash while patrolling the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) This photo taken on June 2, 2023 shows a tunnel in front of the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang observes the condition of the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) Yang Youguang patrols the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang walks up the stairs to check the components of Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang prepares to pick up trash on the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang walks to the office after lunch in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang looks on as a train drives across the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang walks to the office in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) This aerial photo taken on June 20, 2023 shows a train driving across the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, takes turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang prepares to write on the work journal at his office in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang chops firewood outside his dormitory as his wife prepares to go to the office in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 21, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang inspects the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang takes a rest outside his office in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang makes a phone call at his home in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 21, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) Yang Youguang looks on as a train drives across the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang patrols the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang cleans up in front of his office in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang stands in front of his office in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) Yang Youguang checks the condition of the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge, built in 1907 and located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) This photo taken on June 2, 2023 shows a tunnel in front of the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang cleans his shoes after patrolling the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang takes a photo for record as a train drives across the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) Yang Youguang adjusts a lamp in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang walks to the office after lunch in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang checks the condition of the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Yang Youguang patrols the tunnel with a flashlight in his hand in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang walks with a birdcage in front of his dormitory in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) This aerial photo taken on June 20, 2023 shows the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang takes a photo for record as a train drives across the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 2, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo) Yang Youguang patrols the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang has dinner near his dormitory in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Yang Youguang looks on as a train drives across the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) Yang Youguang patrols on the Wujiazhai railway bridge in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) Yang Youguang looks at insects in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 20, 2023. The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is the first railway in Yunnan Province and narrow-gauge trains have been running on the railway for over a century. The Wujiazhai railway bridge is located in the railway section of Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan, which was built in 1907 and has stood between cliffs for over a hundred years. Yang Youguang, a retired soldier, has been guarding the bridge for over 30 years. His job requires him to navigate through both the interior and exterior of the tunnel, inspecting the overall condition of the bridge and examining components. When a train approaches, Yang Youguang needs to record the passing time. Now, Yang Youguang, along with his wife and colleagues, take turns to stand guard at the bridge, ensuring the safety of passing trains. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Editor: Zhang Zhou Amritsar, June 26 : Accusing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal of trying to implement an "anti-Sikh agenda", SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday warned an agitation would be launched against the Punjab government if the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was not withdrawn. Addressing the special general house of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) -- the mini parliament of the Sikh religion, days after the Assembly passed the amendment Bill, paving the way for eliminating undue control over the free to air telecast of the sacred Gurbani from the Golden Temple, Dhami said: If the state government does not stop interference in Sikh matters, then a morcha (agitation) will be started against it after performing 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht. Then it will be the responsibility of the government, he said, asserting that any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 can be made only with the approval of a two-third majority of SGPC members and neither the Centre nor the Punjab government has any right to amend the law. Claiming the amendment was carried out at the directive of Kejriwal, Dhami said the Chief Minister does "what he is asked to do by Kejriwal. It is the conspiracy of Babu Kejriwal. Wrapping up discussion on the Bill on June 20, the Chief Minister had informed the Assembly that the Bill aims at freeing the undue control of a particular family over the rights to telecast sacred Gurbani. He has said it was a paradoxical situation that the SGPC, under the influence of a family that controls its affairs, had given intellectual property rights of telecasting the sacred Gurbani to a channel owned by this family. Mann has questioned how these rights of Gurbani, which is repository of knowledge and faith, can be given to any channel. He has said the Bill is in no way interference in religious affairs, rather it is a simple step to ensure that Gurbani reaches every household. He said in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, after section 125, section 125-A will be inserted for live telecast of Gurbani free of cost. New Delhi, June 26 : The Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal has issued summons to Delhi Police seeking action in connection with the sexual abuse of girls in a paying guest (PG) facility in Delhi. In a statement issued on Monday, the DCW said it had received a complaint regarding sexual abuse with girls in a PG in Hudson Lane, Delhi in which the complainant informed that around June 12 midnight when she was standing with her female friends in the balcony of her PG, a boy started unzipping and masturbating in front of them.A notice was also sent to Delhi Police by DCW on June 19, seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) in the matter. However, Delhi Police failed to file a reply in the matter.Now, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal has issued summons to Delhi Police and has sought an action taken report in the case. The Commission has asked Delhi Police to provide a copy of the FIR along with details of arrests made in the matter, the statement read. The DCW has also asked police to provide reasons for failing to file an action taken report within the stipulated time. The Commission has asked Station House Officer, Maurice Nagar Police Station to appear before it on June 28 and provide an action taken report in the matter.This is a very serious case. Thousands of women and girls live in PGs in Delhi and their safety is extremely crucial. I have also been informed that this man has indulged in this obscene crime more than once outside the same PG, said Maliwal.Why and how are the criminals so emboldened in Delhi? Why is no action taken against them by the police in the first instance? FIR should be issued and this man should be immediately arrested by the police so that deterrence is created against such crimes, she added. Kolkata, June 26 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, without naming the Border Security Force (BSF), warned that FIRs will be registered against those resorting to firing at villages located near the India-Bangladesh border districts like Cooch Behar. I love Cooch Behar so much. Your children are killed here in firing at the borders. I have told the police to keep watch and take action after registering FRs in case of any such firing at the bordering villages. The state government will take action. No one has the right to shoot people to death, she said while addressing a campaign rally for Cooch Behar for the forthcoming panchayat polls. Stressing that law & order come under the jurisdiction of the state government, the Chief Minister said that if anyone engages in any intimidation or attempts to create fear, the matter should be immediately reported to the local police. She also said that she and her government are committed to protect the people of Cooch Behar from any kind of atrocities. Banerjee also launched a scathing attack against Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik, who is the MP from Cooch Behar, without directly naming him. A BJP minister kills people. But no case was filed against him. How can some minister holding the portfolio of a Home Minister behave like a hooligan? He is roaming around in Africa, while the border forces personnel are resorting to firing here. That minister is moving to different places with a convoy of 100 vehicles which is not permissible under the model code of conduct, she said. She gave a call to the people of the state, especially the women, to resist the activists of the opposition forces who resort to hooliganism over the panchayat polls. I am telling the women to resist these hooligans with your kitchen utensils. The youths will prove the backup support to the women from behind. The elders and seniors will act as the brains. Even if we are defeated in the panchayat polls, there is nothing to worry. Our government in the state will continue, the Chief Minister said. San Francisco, June 26 : Tech major IBM on Monday announced it is acquiring Apptio, a leader in financial and operational IT management and optimisation (FinOps) software, for $4.6 billion in an all-cash deal. The acquisition will accelerate the advancement of IBM's IT automation capabilities and enable enterprise leaders to deliver enhanced business value across technology investments. IBM CEO and Chairman Arvind Krishna said that Apptio's offerings combined with IBM's IT automation software and watsonx AI platform, gives clients the most comprehensive approach to optimise and manage all of their technology investments". Apptio, together with IBM's IT automation software and it's watsonx AI platform, will help businesses around the world manage and optimise enterprise IT spend and derive tangible financial value and operational improvement. Our customers are evolving to a complex digital-first, hybrid world where technology investments are distributed and decentralized but all innovation must be aligned with clear business outcomes," Apptio co-founder and CEO Sunny Gupta said. We are so excited to be joining IBM and combining our industry leading offerings with IBM's global presence and strong portfolio across AIOps, automation and hybrid cloud offerings, he added. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the latter half of 2023. Imphal, June 26 : The North East Students Organisation (NESO), an apex body of eight students' associations of seven northeastern states, would hold candlelight vigils in all state capitals of the northeast on June 28 in solidarity with the people of Manipur. NESO Chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa called for immediate steps to restore normalcy in strife-torn Manipur.While condemning the ongoing violence in Manipur following a meeting in Guwahati, NESO chairman said that candlelight vigils would be held in all state capitals of the northeastern states on June 28 to express solidarity with the distressed people of Manipur.The NESO also accused the Center and the Manipur Government of failing to tackle the situation.The NESO earlier condemned the Manipur government's action evicting the indigenous settlers belonging to the Zo community and the violent incidents that followed.The tribals were evicted on the pretext that they are settling on reserve forest whereas the fact is that these indigenous settlers have been residing in these areas for ages.The government of Manipur has to take into account that these are the indigenous communities of northeast and have inhabited these lands from their forefathers and they are not illegal immigrants from Nepal or Bangladesh, NESO Chairman had said. New Delhi, June 26 : On the occasion of World MSME Day on June 27, Meta has reiterated its commitment to the growth of India's small businesses by announcing two new skilling programmes in the country. Meta announced a new partnership with the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to upskill one million traders on WhatsApp Business App over the next three years. The company has also announced the launch of the Meta Small Business Academy which was born out of Metas commitment in 2021 to upskill 10 million small businesses. A certification by Meta Small Business Academy will especially help new entrepreneurs and marketers gain critical digital marketing skills to grow on the Meta apps. To enable the programme to reach MSMEs across India, the course module and the examination are available in seven languages -- English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President (India) at Meta, said, Skilling plays a consequential role in unlocking growth for Indias MSMEs. At Meta, we are committed to enabling timely skill development opportunities for businesses across their growth journeys. While the MSBA certification will particularly benefit entrepreneurs who are just starting out, our partnership with CAIT will empower traders across India to use WhatsApp Business app to connect with their customers and supercharge their growth journeys. A Meta commissioned survey by IPSOS Public Affairs conducted in 2022 showed that 91 per cent of surveyed small and medium enterprises currently using digital tools in India reported that messaging apps and tools are a very important way to connect with customers, and more than half said that WhatsApp has helped their business increase access to new customers. With WhatsApp becoming a natural way for people to interact with one another, its emerging as a preferred medium for people to also connect with businesses. Praveen Khandelwal, National Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said, Technology and internet along with networking, logistics, and communication are the five critical pillars for India's trading community. With businesses of all sizes using WhatsApp to communicate, coordinate, and connect with their customers effectively, there is an urgent need to equip them with timely skills needed to drive business growth. Under the WhatsApp Se Vyapaar campaign, we are thrilled to announce that we will work with Meta to train one million traders to digitally empower traders to boost their businesses using the WhatsApp Business App. We believe this initiative will unlock new growth opportunities for traders across India, and we look forward to partnering even more closely with Meta to expand the business and digital skilling charter in the months to come in order to address the evolving needs of the trading community." The partnership between CAIT and Meta will be conducted through thousands of trade associations connected with CAIT all over the country. Mumbai, June 26 : Actress Amrapali Gupta, who essays the role of Shagun in the popular fiction show 'Meet', has shared that the show feels like a comeback to her after Covid-19. The show presents the story of Meet Hooda (Ashi Singh), who questions societal norms and gender roles. The show recently took a 16-year leap where Ashi Singh as Sumeet (Meet's daughter) and Syed Raza Ahmed as Shlok will be seen in lead roles. Amrapali's character has harboured deep affection for Manmeet (Shagun Pandey) over the years and wants to take revenge on Meet Hooda as Manmeet left her for Meet. Talking about her return, the actress said: "I am happy to enter a show that has been a hit for years on television. It is not an easy task to fill someone elseas shoes, but I think this is a part and parcel of the industry. In fact, I am actually making a comeback to acting after lockdown with 'Meet', and am really excited about it." "Playing a negative role is not a new thing for me, I have done it in the past, but every role comes with its own challenges, which helps me improve my craft. I didnat think twice and accepted their offer, and I must mention that I am excited to learn and grow through this show. I have already developed a great bond with everyone on the set. I am glad that I was given the opportunity to play such a strong character on screen and I am really looking forward to exploring this character post the leap," she said. 'Meet' airs every day on Zee TV. Chennai, June 26 : The Madras High Court on Monday made it clear that pedigree based on caste will not have any role to play in the appointment of an 'archaka' (temple priest) if the person selected for the post satisfies the requirements such as proper training, being well-versed in knowledge required, and qualified to perform pujas and other rituals as per the requirements of Agama Sastra applicable to the temple concerned. Justice N Anand Venkatesh made the ruling while disposing of the petition filed by Muthu Subramania Gurukal in 2018 challenging a notification issued by the Executive Officer of the Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy temple in Salem during that year calling up applications for filling up the post of archakar/sthanigar. The petitioner had appealed that appointments must be made only on the base of Agama Sastra followed by the temple. The Madras High Court constituted a committee headed by its retired judge, Justice M. Chockalingam to identify Agamic and non-Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu. As questions were asked whether the appointments of priests in temples should be deferred until the committee submitted its report, the court said that there would be no impediment for temple trustees and fit persons appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to appoint the priests even before the submission of the report. New Delhi, June 26 : The protesting female wrestlers on Monday moved a Delhi court seeking a copy of the charge sheet filed by the police against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on charges of sexual harassment. The Delhi Policeas charge sheet running over 1,000 pages was filed before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahima Rai of the Rouse Avenue Courts for offences under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (making sexually coloured remarks), and 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against accused Singh. The charge sheet also mentions offences under Sections 109 (offer a bribe), 354, 354A, 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC against former WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar. Reportedly, the charge sheet contains statements of around 200 witnesses. Last week, the CMM transferred the alleged sexual harassment case to the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, who deals with cases of MPs and MLAs, and is scheduled to take up the charge sheet for consideration on Tuesday. Jaspal directed the complainantsa lawyer to apply for a certified copy at the court's copying agency. In the FIR registered at the Connaught Place police station in April, it has been alleged by six adult grapplers that Singh allegedly attempted to coerce one athlete into sexual acts by offering to provide her with "supplements", invited another wrestler to his bed and hugged her, besides assaulting and inappropriately touching other athletes. New Delhi, June 26 : The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, introduced as part of the Union Budget 2023-2024, will pave a "clear roadmap" towards a "coordinated effort" in tackling the disease in India, said health experts on Monday, ahead of the mission's launch. The mission, expected to be officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, aims to address the pressing health challenges posed by sickle cell disease (SCD), particularly among the tribal population, and to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by 2047. With the involvement of the Central government, there is now a clear road map and the focus is on creating awareness, diagnosis and treatment against SCD, Dr Dexter Patel, who started the Sickle Cell Awareness Mission in 2013 from Gujarat's Bharuch district, told IANS. SCD is a genetic blood disorder characterised by the presence of abnormal haemoglobin. Typically, people affected carry red blood cells that are crescent-shaped and rigid, as compared to normal cells that are round and flexible. The abnormal shape leads to blockages in blood vessels, causing pain, organ damage, and other complications. India has over 20 million diagnosed patients. Tragically, 50-80 per cent of children with sickle cell disease struggle to reach age five. Each year, around 150,000 to 200,000 children are born with sickle cell disease in India. The mission would imply a comprehensive and coordinated effort by the government and healthcare authorities to reduce the burden of SCD within the country, Dr Amita Mahajan, Senior Consultant, Paediatrics Oncology and Hematology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS. The government aims to implement the mission in 278 districts of 17 states in the country, namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. SCD is more widespread among the tribal population in India where about 1 in 86 births among the Scheduled Tribes have the condition. Dr Patel said that a high prevalence of malaria in these geographies is the major reason. The tribal areas were endemic to malaria for many years leading to many deaths, thus, as an evolutionary trait, their red blood cells were becoming sickle-shaped. The genetic mutation to safeguard against malaria led to the incidence of sickle cell which was passed through generations. Consanguineous marriages among the tribals have further contributed to make them the most affected group, he told IANS. While sensitising the tribal population is crucial, the key challenges to the missions would include taking the right diagnostics and treatment to the tribals; training a paramedical team willing to travel the distance; and importantly getting people to test for sickle cell and thalassemia as there is no awareness, said Dr. Patel, whose foundation has been working for the last 10 years among the affected. According to Dr Mahajan, the national SCD elimination mission could help boost prenatal and neonatal screening, awareness and education among masses that can encourage individuals to undergo genetic testing and counselling before marriage. Importantly, the mission would likely focus on improving access to quality healthcare services for individuals affected by SCD. This would include ensuring availability of SCD-specific treatments, such as regular blood transfusions, pain management, and infection prevention. Additionally, efforts would be made to train healthcare professionals in SCD management and establish specialised centres for comprehensive care, she noted. While there is no known cure for SCD, various treatment approaches can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of complications. However, the success rate of these treatments can vary depending on several factors, including the individual's specific condition, the stage of the disease, and the availability and adherence to treatment options, Dr Mahajan told IANS. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, also known as bone marrow transplantation, is a potentially curative treatment for SCD. It involves replacing the patient's bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a compatible donor. Successful HSCT can result in the production of healthy red blood cells and eliminate the symptoms of SCD, she said. But, the success rate of HSCT depends on several factors, including the availability of a suitable donor and the patient's overall health condition. The procedure carries risks and requires careful assessment and follow-up care. Other common treatment options for SCD include pain management using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids; regular blood transfusions can also be used to manage complications of SCD, such as severe anaemia and stroke prevention in high-risk individuals, the health expert said. (Rachel V Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in) Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. Li held talks with Mottley, who is on an official visit to China, on Sunday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, who is on an official visit to China, on Sunday in Beijing. Barbados is a good friend and partner of China in the Caribbean region, Li noted. He said that under the new circumstances, China is willing to enhance strategic mutual trust with Barbados, deepen cooperation in various fields, and build China-Barbados relations into a model of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit for developing countries. China is ready to work with Barbados to promote the joint construction of a high-quality Belt and Road, and enhance exchanges and cooperation related to the economy, trade, culture and other fields. China encourages its enterprises to invest and do business in Barbados, stands ready to import more competitive products from Barbados, and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Barbados' economic and social development, he said. China understands the situation and special concerns of developing island countries in coping with climate change and other issues. China is willing to jointly seek solutions for financing difficulties, and to support developing countries as they accelerate their energy transformation and achieve sustainable development, he noted. Mottley said that Barbados attaches great importance to Barbados-China relations, and both countries are committed to improving people's lives and promoting sustainable development. She thanked China for sending medical teams to Barbados and providing support for its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbados is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of agriculture, energy, infrastructure construction, poverty reduction, tourism, culture and education, and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges, she said. Barbados opposes "decoupling and breaking the chain," and supports maintaining the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and maintaining the stability of international production and supply chains. After the talks, they jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the blue economy, local cooperation, medical and health care, and news media. Editor: Zhang Zhou New Delhi, June 26 : The Delhi High Court on Monday commuted the death sentence handed to a man for kidnapping and murdering a 12-year-old neighbour in 2009, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment without remission. A trial court in 2020 11 years after the commission of crime handed the death sentence to the convict Jeevak Nagpal observing that the act was cruel and gruesome and did not deserve "leniency".Nagpal was 21 when he murdered the boy and 32 when convicted. A division bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Anish Dayal commuted the convict's death sentence, however, said that no remission will be granted. The sentence of the appellant is thus modified to rigorous imprisonment for life with no remission till 20 years and to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh, in default whereof, to undergo simple imprisonment for six months for offence punishable under Section 302 IPC," the bench said.It added: "Sentences as awarded by the trial court for offences punishable under Sections 364A, 201 and 506 IPC are not modified and will remain the same." The court disposed of Nagpal's appeal upholding the conviction by commuting the death sentence. Nagpal was convicted for offences under Sections 302, 364A, 201 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.The appellant was enrolled in the Chartered Accountant Course. There is no previous criminal history either of the appellant or his family members. On psychological assessment of the appellant, no such ailment or past history has been found. As per the Nominal Roll, the jail conduct of the appellant is satisfactory except for one jail punishment dated 15th July, 2020," the court noted. "In the jail, appellant is working as a Sahayak at the legal office. Thus it cannot be said that the option of life sentence is unquestionably foreclosed as the appellant is capable of being reformed, it further noted.The court while commuting Nagpal's penalty, held that even though the offence of kidnapping of the minor for ransom was committed in a preplanned manner, the murder was not planned.Nagpal was convicted for murdering the minor by causing injuries with the jack handle of his car and later smothering him and throwing the body in a dry drain. Kolkata, June 26 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Monday complained of receiving 'filtered' information from the state administration regarding the ongoing incidents of violence and clashes over the forthcoming panchayat elections scheduled on July 8. Several pockets in north Bengal have been on the boil over the panchayat polls. But I am being sent filtered information. So I have decided to directly interact with the common people and get information from Ground Zero. I would like to speak to the wounded people and the family members of the deceased. I know how far their lives have been affected by poll-related violence, the Governor told mediapersons in Siliguri during his four-day north Bengal tour. Bose said that besides Darjeeling district, he also intends to visit the other violence-prone areas in the other districts of north Bengal such as North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda and Jalpaiguri. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress state vice-president Jaiprakash Majumdar called the Governors visit biased. He is going only to those places where the victims are from the opposition parties. It seems that he is planning his tours as per the directions of state BJP. Such politically-motivated moves are not acceptable, Majumdar said. On Monday, the Governor had gone to the North Bengal University in Siliguri, where he was shown black flags by the members of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, the students wing of Trinamool Congress. Hyderabad, June 26 : Telangana BJP President Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday dubbed the state's ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) as "Burglars Robbers Samithi" and ridiculed Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao's visit to Maharashtra. After looting Telangana people and pushing the state into debts, Burglars Robbers Samithi (BRS) with its gang leader went to Maharashtra to showcase Telangana state model of development on how to keep every section unhappy - including farmers who dont get crop insurance, Hyderabad which gets inundated for small rain, women are harassed, daylight murders happen, fuel prices are highest, schools dont have toilets and unemployed have to bear the brunt of paper leaks, Sanjay tweeted. Posting a video of people showering petals on the CMs convoy enroute to Maharashtra, Sanjay wrote that it is horrible to involve children in these politics to shower petals. He said he strongly condemns such acts. In another tweet, Sanjay clarified that the BJP has changed its stand on Dharani portal following representations received from people including farmers. He was reacting to the criticism of BJP national President J.P. Nadda by political opponents for stating at Nagarkurnool public meeting that after the BJP is voted to power in Telangana, it will scrap Dharani portal as it is being used by the BRS government to grab the lands of farmers. Naddas promise made at Sundays public meeting is contrary to Sanjays statements that if voted to power, the BJP will continue Dharani portal with certain rectifications. As BRS and Congress leaders took a dig at the BJP leaders for their contradictory stand, Sanjay clarified that BJP changed its stand after receiving representations from people including farmers. He admitted that he had stated that after the BJP is voted to power, loopholes in Dharani portal will be removed but after receiving representations from majority of farmers and people, the party leadership decided to scrap the portal. He said the same was brought to the notice of the central leadership and it agreed with this stand and accordingly Nadda made an announcement at the public meeting. The Dharani portal was launched by the BRS government a couple of years ago as part of large-scale revenue reforms. The government claims that the portal made land registrations and related transactions transparent and easy for people. However, the opposition Congress and BJP say the portal was being misused by the ruling party leaders to encroach on the lands of farmers. Congress has already promised that if voted to power, it will scrap the portal. New Delhi, 26 June : "People living in Pakistan-occupide-Kashmir will raise a demand to go with India. Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions which state that PoK is a part of India," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said this on Monday. National security is the Governments top-most priority and it is committed to protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. This was stated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing a National Security Conclave on June 26. Rajnath Singh added that the network of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms and drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of under ground workers, he said. On the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, he stated that the decision has connected the people of the Union Territory with the countrys mainstream and helped them to usher in a new era of peace and progress. He asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He pointed out that Indias image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat. Rajnath Singh stated that no stone is being left unturned to equip the military with latest weaponry and modern technology, assuring the nation that the armed forces are fully capable of protecting the borders and the seas. Our goal is to bring our armed forces in the frontline of modern militaries, he said. For a long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched effective action against terrorism. We showed the world the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of Indias zero tolerance against terrorism policy and the unmatched valour of the armed forces. Today, most of the countries are united against terrorism. The joint statement issued after the Prime Ministers meeting with US President Joe Biden is an indication of how India has changed the mindset of the world on the issue of terrorism, the Defence Minister said. Bengaluru, June 26 : The 'adjustment politics' row within the BJP in Karnataka has escalated yet again with party workers clashing at a public convention in Bagalkot demanding ouster of BJP leaders who were into adjustment politics that reportedly resulted in the defeat of the party in the recent Assembly elections. On the other hand, Union minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday that he has spoken to Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha and advised him not to speak about contentious issues in public. Joshi also said that he has advised Simha to speak to the state BJP President if at all there are any issues. Meanwhile, former minister K.S. Eshwarappa said that there is no discipline in the party. Our party has caught wind of Congress. We are in such a situation for allowing Congress leaders to join the party. No one should speak about adjustment politics in public. "I will request the party leaders to keep their conversations within the four walls of a room. Adjustment politics never took place in Karnataka. What is lacking is discipline, Eshwarappa said. Reacting to Eshwarappas remarks, former minister B.C. Patil said that BJP came to power because of leaders from the Congress who joined the BJP. BJP MLC N. Ravikumar said that he doesnt know in which context Eshwarappa made those remarks. We came to power only after Congress leaders joined the BJP. Many leaders who joined the BJP have won elections. We will face the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he said. BJP national General Secretary C.T. Ravi said that he doesn't want to blame everything on the leaders who came from Congress. I dont want to only blame those who joined BJP from the Congress. At the same time, I wont say that all are correct. There were mistakes from our side as well, he said. Commenting on Eshwarappa's remarks, leader and Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M.B. Patil, said that Congress leaders who joined BJP, including K. Sudhakar, M.T.B. Nagaraj, S.T. Somashekar, B.C. Patil and others, should answer Eshwarappa. There is no question of taking them back into the Congress, he said. United Nations, June 27 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Indian-origin expert Aarti Holla-Maini to head the Office for Outer Space Affairs. Announcing the nomination, Guterress Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday that she brings to this position over 25 years of professional experience in the space sector including in managerial and advocacy functions. Haq also said that Usha Rao-Monari of India will be leaving her position as the associate administrator of the UN Development Programme which has the rank of Under Secretary General and will be succeeded by Haoliang Xu of China. The Vienna-based UN space office works to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilisation of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development, Haq said. Holla-Maini, who is from Britain, has been the Secretary-General of the Global Satellite Operators Association, Executive Vice President at NorthStar Earth and Space, and founder and President of Orbitz Consulting. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Satellite Industry Association of India. Rao-Monari, who is an infrastructure investment expert, previously served as CEO of Global Water Development Partners, a Blackstone company where she was also a senior advisor before her appointment to the UN post in 2021. She was also a director of the Sustainable Business Advisory Group at the World Banks International Finance Corporation. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Bhopal, June 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programmes in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district have been cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday. PM Modi was scheduled to attend the concluding programme of the 'Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra' launched by the state BJP unit on June 22. During his visit to Shahdol, he was also scheduled to launch the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Campaign at a grand tribal conference. "The weather department has alerted heavy rainfall on June 27, for which PM Modi's programmes in Shahdol have been cancelled. A new date will be decided for the same programmes. More than one lakh people were supposed to reach Shahdol to listen to PM Modi's address, but the PM doesn't want people to get into any trouble due to heavy rains. So, the Shahdol visit of the Prime Minister has been cancelled," Chouhan said. However, the Chief Minister confirmed that Modi will visit to Bhopal on Tuesday. "Only the Shahdol programmes have been cancelled. The schedule of Bhopal visit remains unchanged," Chouhan added. Imphal, June 26 : Women activists in different places in Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations of security forces, defence sources said. The defence sources said that in several places, groups of women in Manipur are purposely blocking routes and interfering in operations of security forces against unlawful activities. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by security forces during critical situations to save lives and property. The Indian Army appeals to all sections of the population to support our endeavours in restoring peace, a source said. On Saturday, security forces in Manipur's Imphal East district apprehended 12 cadrss of militants of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) outfit, but had to hand over all of them to local leaders after a mob of around 1,500 people, led by women and local leaders, surrounded the forces. Self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam was also among the 12 militants. He was the mastermind of an ambush on the 6th battalion of the Dogra Regiment in 2015, the spokesman said. The spokesman said that keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against large mobs and envisaged casualties due to such action, the officer on ground made a considerate decision to hand over all 12 KYKL militants to local leaders. The Army and the Assam Rifles troops lifted the cordon and left the area with the recovered weapons and ammunition. The Indian Army appeals to the people of Manipur to assist the security forces in maintaining law and order to bring peace and stability, a defence statement said. Meanwhile, an official of Manipur Home Department said that the security forces have tightened curfew measures both in the hill and the valley areas and detained 185 persons in connection with curfew violations in different districts. State police and Central forces conducted search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of Imphal West, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts during the last 24 hours. The security forces also set up more than a 100 checkpoints in different districts to tighten the security measures. Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening and apprised her about the prevailing situation in the state. Mumbai, June 26 : The Congress's Maharashtra unit on Monday attacked the state's Eknath Shinde government for the lynching of a Kurla man allegedly by cow-vigilantes in Nashik on June 24. The victim was identified as Afaan A.M. Ansari, 32 and the Nashik police have arrested 11 persons in connection with the mob killing on suspicion of transporting 450 kg beef on Saturday, according to Superintendent of Police Shahaji Umap. State Congress Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan said this was the second incident of its kind in Nashik in barely a fortnight after lynching of Thane youth Lukman S. Ansari on June 8, and questioned whether law and order exists in the state under Shinde. Both the incidents are shocking, happened in the same district, barely 25 km apart, under similar circumstances Is there some link? We demand a compensation of at least Rs 10 lakh for the families of both the deceased, and stringent punishment for the accused, he said. In the latest instance, the Nashik police said that around 15 persons accosted Ansari and his cousin Nasir H. Shaikh - transporting around 450 kg meat in a car - and brutally hammered them, and Ansari later died in hospital. Based on the complaint by Shaikh who is under treatment in a local hospital - the Nashik police lodged an FIR and rounded up 11 persons on Sunday, and further investigations are underway. Deputy SP, Nashik, Sunil Bhamre told media persons that samples of the beef have been sent for forensics to ascertain whether it is from buffalo or cow, and the report is awaited. Meanwhile, Ansaris body was brought to Kurla amidst anger displayed by the locals even as video clips of the attack went viral on social media evoking sharp reactions. New Delhi, June 26 : Air France has faced an intense backlash as approximately 100 flyers from India remain stranded at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport for over 50 hours. The passengers, who flew from Mumbai on Air France flight 217 and arrived in Paris at 1:30 p.m. (IST) on June 23, have been subjected to a state of disorder and mistreatment, further aggravated by the airline's hindrance to efforts of documenting the situation. The nightmare for these passengers persists for the third consecutive day as they remain trapped at the airport, unable to leave due to the absence of Schengen visas. Once again @airfrance treating Indian passengers badly. About 100 are stranded at Paris airport. They are being hectored when trying to film the chaos & harassment theyre being subjected too. They cant go out because no Schengen visa, a twitter user Noopur Tiwari wrote. The ordeal of Indian @airfrance passengers continues on their 3rd day at CDG. Made to sleep on evacuation stretchers, no covers. They were cold. Given just 15 voucher for 1 meal. Threatened if they took another airline then Air France wont be responsible for their luggage, she wrote in a series of tweets on June 25. Note how @airfrance @AirFranceFR havent even bothered to express regret in response to this thread. Apparently, this happens frequently. We dont hear about it because passengers are generally too petrified/exhausted to reach out to journalists because they fear being harassed, she further wrote. However, in another tweet on Monday she said that Indian Embassy officials are on way to the airport to negotiate with Air France and airport authorities to arrive at an amicable settlement. Meanwhile, Air France expressed its sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by the situation and reassured its customers that every effort is being made to ensure a prompt resolution and their timely arrival at their intended destinations. The airline's response was prompted by a series of tweets from a concerned Twitter user who brought attention to the challenges faced by stranded Indian passengers at Paris airport. In its post, Air France confirmed the cancellation of flight AF356 on June 24, 2023, from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Toronto, attributing it to a technical issue and the unavailability of a replacement aircraft. The post further mentioned that passengers without Schengen visas, preventing them from leaving the terminal building, were duly attended to and assisted by Air France teams. These passengers were provided accommodation in a dedicated area of the airport to ensure their comfort and convenience, the airline said. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is making a 50 million loan to Ukrainian state-owned bank Ukreximbank, to support it in providing continued access to finance for corporates and municipalities affected by russias war on Ukraine. The war has hit hard at Ukraines economy, with heavy devastation of infrastructure and production capacity, and around 35 percent of the pre-war population was either abroad or internally displaced. The economy is expected to have shrunk by 30 percent in 2022 and is forecast to grow by 1 percent in 2023. This loan, which falls within the EBRDs Resilience and Livelihoods Framework aiming to minimize economic damage from the war, was signed at the EBRDs London headquarters today. Keeping finance flowing through trusted partner financial institutions such as Ukreximbank, despite the war - so the private sector and municipalities can continue to operate and provide services and support the economy - is central to the EBRDs mission in the country, said Matteo Patrone, the EBRDs Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Ukreximbank has a decades-long successful track record of linking the EBRD with Ukrainian borrowers through tailor-made programs that support sustainable development. 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, Member of the Management Board of Ukreximbank. The loan will both reinforce Ukreximbanks lending capacity, helping it to secure and diversify its funding base, and provide financing support to private businesses (including small- and medium-sized enterprises, mid and large corporates) and to municipalities affected by the war, thus contributing to safeguarding their human and organizational capital. The EBRD, which has committed to investing 3 billion in Ukraine in 2022-23 and which deployed 1.7 billion in 2022, plus a further 200 million mobilized through partner financial institutions, share risk on its operations in the country with shareholders and donors. Half the risk of the loan will be covered by the first loss risk cover funded by the EBRD Crisis Response Special Fund. Ukreximbank is a state-owned, systemically important bank in Ukraine, fully owned by the government of Ukraine. After the war began, state-owned banks were authorized to support the Ukrainian economy by financing critical and affected sectors including agriculture, fuel and energy supply, critical infrastructure, transport, and logistics. By offering medium-term finance, the EBRD effectively bridges a financing gap caused by adverse market conditions. The sub-projects financed by the loan will bring operational, financial, and environmental performance improvements, supporting Ukreximbank clients operating predominantly in essential agribusiness/food security, energy, transport, and manufacturing sectors. The financing needs of municipalities are also increasing, especially in the western part of Ukraine, considered relatively safe, to which many companies moved their businesses from the eastern regions. Municipalities need to expand infrastructure for internally displaced people as well as business activities, as well as need liquidity to compensate for temporary revenue losses and additional war-related expenses. Last December, the EBRD lent 25 million to Lviv, the biggest population center in western Ukraine, with credit support from the United States of America covering half the loan, to provide liquidity to adapt. New Delhi, June 26 : Customs officials said on Monday that they have arrested three individuals, including an air passenger, a former airline staff member, and a ground staff of Indira Gandhi International Airport for their involvement in gold smuggling. The arrest of the air passenger led to the subsequent arrest of the two other suspects. The passenger was apprehended for smuggling over 1.5 kg of gold, worth Rs 80 lakh. The investigation revealed that two other individuals, including a ground staff and another individual working with an airline, were also involved in the case. As per the officials, they have assisted in smuggling gold worth Rs 2,36,34,469 so far. "During investigation, it was discovered that the passenger attempted to smuggle the aforementioned gold and tried to hand it over to a person working as a customer service agent (CSA) at the IGI Airport. The CSA acted covertly to collect the gold from the passenger, aiming to clear it from the airport without declaring it to the authorities," a Customs officer said. The officer added that the passenger admitted to illegally importing the recovered gold, weighing 1536.59 gram (extracted from gold paste). The CSA confessed that he had been involved in three previous instances of smuggling approximately 3 kg gold/gold paste. On each occasion, he would collect the gold/gold paste from the passengers and hand it over to an individual who worked for United Airlines at the IGI Airport. The trio has been arrested under Section 104 of the Customs Act. The gold recovered from the passenger has been seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act. New Delhi, June 27 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that Municipal Corporation of Delhi teachers will be sent to the IIM-Ahmedabad for training. "In a significant step towards enhancing the skills and capabilities of teachers, MCD teachers will be sent to the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad for training. This initiative aims to bring about transformative changes in MCD schools as well," he said after inaugurating the Sarvodaya Co-ed Vidyalaya in Libaspur village. "Earlier, the condition of government schools was very poor. Most of them used to function in tents and did not even have a proper roof. There were no fans, desks, or even toilets. The children barely came here for an hour and then would run away. There was no proper education provided to them in these schools," Kejriwal said. He said that it was his government that facilitated this change by bringing a positive approach to things. "Until a few years ago, these same teachers were said to be lazy and incompetent, and the poor level of education in government schools was blamed on them. After forming the government in Delhi in 2015, we did not change even a single teacher. It is the same old teachers who have brought wonders to Delhi," he said. New Delhi, June 27 : A former director and the head scientist of the CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad have been booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly committing a fraud of over Rs 139 crore by dishonestly initiating the distribution of intellectual fees for coal sampling, officials said on Monday A senior CBI official stated that reliable information was received, indicating that CSIR-CIMFR's then Director Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh and Chief Scientist/Head of Research Group at the Resource Quality Assessment Division, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, in association with unknown others, dishonestly carried out the distribution of project fee (intellectual fee/honorarium) between 2016 and 2021 by violating the CSIR Guidelines for Technology Transfer and Utilisation of Knowledgebase 2005 & 2017. The CBI has claimed in the FIR that they caused a wrongful loss of Rs 139,79,97,871 to the CSIR-CIMFR. A meeting was held on October 28, 2015, in New Delhi under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Coal, Power, and NRE, in the presence of representatives from the coal-consuming power sector and coal-producing bodies, and CSIR-CIMFR was appointed as the third party sampling agency on behalf of power and coal companies. Four MoUs for third-party sampling of coal (TPS) were executed, with the CSIR-CIMFR being represented through its Director, Dr. P.K. Singh. As per the MoU, various agreements were executed by the CSIR-CIMFR with coal-producing companies and power companies for the purpose of coal sampling. The tenure of the said agreements was for ten years, which could be further extended for another five years on mutual consent of the parties. This agreement specifically mentioned the quantity of coal to be sampled on a yearly basis and did not stipulate any subdivision of the agreement into various projects for a shorter period. "However, 304 coal sampling projects were created by CSIR-CIMFR by combining several agreements into one project. Furthermore, several projects were created from one specific agreement by curtailing its tenure from ten years and specifying the quantity of coal to be sampled in the project to facilitate the distribution of intellectual fees. Dr. P.K. Singh, then Director, and Dr. A.K. Singh, Chief Scientist, thereby conspired with others with the intention to share the intellectual fees by violating para CSIR Guidelines," said the official. The total honorarium, intellectual fee, and project fee amounting to Rs 139,79,97,871 were distributed in coal sampling projects between 2016 and 2021 to the Scientists, Technical Officers, Administrative Staff, and other staff of CIMFR, in violation of CSIR Guidelines. "Dr. P.K. Singh and Dr. A.K. Singh received intellectual fees of Rs 15,36,72,000 and Rs 9,04,31,337 respectively through 304 Coal Sampling Projects in violation of the CSIR Guidelines for Technology Transfer and Knowledgebase, 2005 & 2017. As per CSIR Guidelines, project records were required to be maintained by Dr. A.K. Singh and other officials, and they were to be ensured by Dr. P.K. Singh. However, the same was not done. "Money was paid to ineligible officials, librarians, MBBS doctors, and technical officers without their contribution. We have lodged an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act and are looking into the matter," said the official. --IANS atk/vd New Delhi, June 27 : National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday paid an official visit to Oman and called on country's top leader Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. According to a statement issued by the Ministry Of External Affairs, Doval delivered him a personal message of greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The NSA also held wide ranging discussions with General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, Minister of the Royal Office and Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Oman's Foreign Minister. The discussions enabled a high level review of the multifaceted bilateral relations between India and Oman with focus on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas for economic and technological development, mutual security and regional stability, the statement added. The visit by NSA reflects the strong bilateral relationship between India and Oman, the importance of the Sultanate of Oman as a key partner for India in the Gulf and highlights India's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Oman, it said further. The visit provided an opportunity for high-level engagements and further cemented the strong bonds of friendship between India and the Sultanate of Oman. --IANS ans/sha The Glowboard measures the alignment between the x-ray field and the light field utilizing rare-earth phosphors that glow green while exposed to radiation. Developed in collaboration with members of the Florida Bureau of Radiation Control, the Glowboard Scintillator Alignment Tool meets standards for testing and measuring the fluoro beam size to identify whether it is within applicable tolerances. The Glowboard measures the alignment between the x-ray field and the light field utilizing rare-earth phosphors that glow green while exposed to radiation. Misalignment of the light field will clearly be shown down to 0.1 inch on the built in lead-free radiopaque scales. The MilTouch Solutions LLC Glowboard Scintillator Alignment Tool assists the user to ensure their equipment meets international regulations which recommend that the radiation and light field should be aligned within 2% of the Source-to-Image distance (SID). The Glowboard has been designed to meet the needs for real-time checks of the light and radiation field alignment on radiographic x-ray equipment. MilTouch Solutions LLC President Lauren Zimmer explains, The Glowboard fluoresces green when it is being irradiated. As a result, when viewing the irradiated Glowboard the technician can see where the radiation coming from the x-ray machine is hitting the board. The x-ray visible scale utilizes MilTouch Solutions proprietary lead-free coating. This provides a radiopaque reference to the technician when comparing the area visible on x-ray versus what is glowing on the Glowboard. Purchase the Glowboard and other radiopaque rulers and scales at http://www.miltouch.com. There has never been a more important time to double down on your loyalty strategy, said Tyler Haskins, EVP of Marketing at ebbo. Consumers are willing to join loyalty programs, but if you want them to engage, you have to stand out from your competitors and give your members what they expect. Loyalty program membership has been on the rise for the past five years. The challenge is getting members to engage. To better understand the impact of loyalty programs and how consumers feel about them, ebbo, a leading provider of end-to-end loyalty solutions, surveyed 2,500 U.S. consumers about the factors that drive their engagement, including what they value the most in loyalty programs and where these programs fail to meet their expectations. ebbos research found that 81% of consumers agree that holding a loyalty program membership to a brand influences their likelihood of making a purchase from that brand. Yet 73% of consumers agree that their loyalty is more difficult for a retailer to maintain than ever before up from 68% in 2022. The data study dives deep into why there is an engagement gap in loyalty programs, where consumers feel programs fall short and their expectations and what successful loyalty programs will look like in the future. Key findings from the data study include: 81% of consumers agree that holding a loyalty program membership to a brand influences their likelihood of making a purchase from that brand. 90% of consumers agree that in general, when it comes to being personalized to their preferences, most loyalty programs have room for improvement. 91% of consumers agree that many loyalty programs feel similar and are not that differentiated from other programs. The No. 1 reason consumers dont sign up for a brands loyalty program: It requires too much effort/its time-consuming. 74% of consumers agree that they would engage more with brands that offered different tiers in their loyalty programs based on how much they spend per year. There has never been a more important time to double down on your loyalty strategy, said Tyler Haskins, EVP of Marketing at ebbo. Its clear from the data that consumers are willing to join loyalty programs, but if you want them to engage, you have to stand out from your competitors and give your members what they expect. Offering more attainable rewards, more options on how to use their points and different tiers are great places to start. Download the full 2023 Loyalty Programs Data Study here. About ebbo ebbo is an all-in-one loyalty company that has helped leading brands build unforgettable customer experiences for over two decades. In addition to its suite of uniquely configurable loyalty solutions, ebbos data driven, full-service approach helps brands build customer engagement on repeat. ebbo is based in Rocky Hill, CT with offices in Michigan and team members all over the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.ebbo.com. This year, the U.S. has seen a record number of tornado strikes. The severity of destructive weather, such as tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires, can be especially difficult for older adults. The impact of a damaging storm or sudden evacuation can be more intense and pose a higher risk for older adults who may be on a fixed income or cant evacuate quickly because they live alone, are not able to drive or have limited physical mobility. Many older adults also have health considerations, such as medications or equipment, which depend on electricity. Sue Bidwell is a franchise owner with Home Instead, the leading provider of in-home care for older adults. Bidwell has experience helping clients develop emergency plans, as well as recovering from severe weather, such as Hurricane Ian last fall that impacted her Fort Myers service area. According to [AARP, 61 out of 87 people killed by Hurricane Ian in Florida last fall were at least 60 years old. Eighteen of them were in their 80s, and five were in their 90s. The unfortunate truth is that when a storm strikes, older adults and those with special needs tend to suffer the most, Bidwell said. So, its critical to have a solid plan to help older loved ones feel prepared. Emergency preparation should include checklists and evacuation strategies to ensure older adults have everything needed before, during and after an emergency. Home Instead recommends the following tips to help older adults prepare for severe weather. Create a Plan. Discuss with your loved one the types of scenarios in which they will shelter in place or evacuate. Review the plan together to alleviate anxieties or fears. If they are staying put, identify the rooms they will be in most and make sure their must-haves are accessible. If they need to evacuate, have a plan for how to get them and their essentials from point A to point B. Understand that leaving ones home can be distressing especially for those with dementia. Find ways to maintain their daily routine, such as bringing along some of their favorite things. Assemble a Kit. Prepare essentials in advance, as stores may be closed, crowded or have limited stock during an emergency. At the start of each year, confirm your loved one has functioning household items such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight and blankets on hand. When a storm is predicted, add at least three days worth of food and water, as well as important medications, to the items you have already collected. Develop an Inventory. Help your loved one create a detailed list of what they own. In the event of damage or loss, having this information compiled can speed up the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes or support an application for disaster aid. Keep receipts and prioritize taking pictures or videos as evidence. Dont forget to include important documents such as insurance policies, passport and bank details. Establish a Contact List. Write down the names and numbers of whom your loved one should contact in the event you are unavailable to evacuate them. It is important for them to know whom they can turn to for help during a severe weather event. As an extra precaution, tape an emergency contact to the back of their ID card so you can be contacted in the event your loved one gets lost. Ensure you have a charged cell phone and a backup battery on hand. Consider having a personal emergency response system if available. Protect your home. Secure your home by installing storm shutters, reinforcing doors and windows, and trimming tree branches that could pose a threat during high winds. If advised to evacuate, follow the guidance of local authorities promptly. Remain Calm. Severe weather can be scary. If watching television coverage of the weather is distressing for your loved one, limit their news consumption and provide alternative pastimes such as movies, puzzles or books. Find ways to keep your loved one calm, allowing you to focus on everyones safety. Disasters dont wait, Bidwell said. With severe weather, you never have as much time to plan as you may think. Preparing in advance can help older adults weather the storm. For more resources on displacing weather and natural disaster preparedness for older adults, visit https://www.homeinstead.com/care-resources/. ABOUT HOME INSTEAD, AN HONOR COMPANY Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor, are expanding the worlds capacity to care. With the worlds largest home care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families, and Care Professionals. Home Instead, Inc. is the premier home care franchisor through its network of independently owned and operated Home Instead franchise businesses. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Professionals across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide. For more information, visit joinhonor.com and homeinstead.com. Ideal Option, a national leader in outpatient medication-assisted treatment for addiction to opioids and other substances, has released its 2022 Annual Patient Outcomes Report. This report contains an aggregated view of patients geographic and demographic characteristics, their stage and duration of care, adherence to medication and their substance use over time based on lab specimens collected during 2022 from nearly 15,000 patients. The data support the effectiveness of treating addiction with FDA-approved medications combined with regular lab testing to verify medication adherence, create accountability and ensure patient safety. Among patients who remained in treatment from initiation to the maintenance stage of care during 2022, the report shows: 93% less total opioid use 97% less fentanyl use 95% less heroin use 86% less methamphetamine use 87% less cocaine use The report also reveals synthetic drug use continuing to rise among enrolling patients in 2022, particularly fentanyl. Fentanyl is regularly mixed with other illicit drugs to make them more addictive, often without the user knowing. Polysubstance use disorder is now the most common diagnosis at Ideal Option, said Tim Kilgallon, CEO at Ideal Option. In 2022, over half of all patients tested positive for two or more substances at enrollment, and 27% tested positive for three or more substances. The data corroborate state reports of the increasingly prevalent role that fentanyl plays in the substance use epidemic, including Nebraska. According to Steven Bell, assistant special agent in charge of the DEAs Omaha Division, around 1.5 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl were distributed last year in Nebraska. In addition, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine stated that known fentanyl overdose deaths in Douglas County increased by over 300% from nine in 2019 to 40 in 2021. Fentanyl and methamphetamine are the top two drug threats facing Nebraskans, said DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King in a recent statement. Ideal Option data show that standard treatment for opioid use disorder dramatically reduces the use of methamphetamine in patients who test positive for both. View the full Ideal Option 2022 Annual Patient Outcomes Report here: [https://www.idealoption.com/patient-outcomes. Ideal Option has helped more than 70,000 patients through a network of over 90 outpatient clinics across 11 states and opened in Omaha in December of last year. With no waitlists and most forms of insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, patients can typically get started on treatment for fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol, or other substances within 1-3 business days. The Ideal Option clinic in Omaha is open Monday Thursday, 7:30 a.m. 6 p.m. and is located at 13906 Gold Circle, Ste. 100. Patients can make an appointment by calling 1.877.522.1275 or visiting http://www.idealoption.com. About Ideal Option Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped more than 70,000 patients through a network of over 90 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 11 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. Ideal Option's team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism. In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support. Paragon Medical, a global industry leader in medical device manufacturing, celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony of its new additive manufacturing facility located on its existing campus in Pierceton, IN. The state-of-the-art facility offers 34,000 square feet of manufacturing and operational space dedicated to 3D printing. Local dignitaries were in attendance including members of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, and town and county council. The new additive manufacturing facility is supported by an initial investment of $16 million with an additional anticipated investment of $19 million over the next five years. With existing Additive Manufacturing design and production capabilities at Paragon Medicals Innovation Center in Warsaw, Indiana, this new investment demonstrates Paragon Medicals continued commitment to innovation in design and manufacturing, while enabling the medical device community to commercialize with excellence. Dan Blum, VP and General Manager of the Pierceton, IN campus shared, Todays event is more than a celebration, its a testimonial to the vision and passion of the Paragon Medical team, who work relentlessly to provide world class services and product to enhance the quality of life of others. Paragon Medicals investment in this facility and technology, continues to affirm our industry leading position, supporting our clients for many years to come. With the healthcare additive manufacturing market anticipated to be $8 Billion by 2030, our investment demonstrates a continued commitment to innovation in design and manufacturing in this rapidly growing space, said Wil Boren, CEO of Paragon Medical. Our new additive manufacturing capability is serving our local medical device community as well as making a global impact. Paragon Medical serves as a trusted partner in Additive Manufacturing. Its 3D printing capabilities can reduce lead time, cost, and supply chain complexity across product lines in the medical device industry. With historically high on-time delivery rates, operations and engineering expertise, and strategic partnerships, Paragon Medical serves as the extension of medical device teams to streamline product launch and ongoing commercial supply, enabling continuous delivery of best-in-class product to customers. About Paragon Medical Ensuring Your Success through our Passion for Service Your Trusted Partner in Medical Device Manufacturing In todays challenging healthcare environment, youre looking for a contract manufacturer to help simplify the complexities of supply chain and expedite commercialization. As your trusted partner with a shared commitment to quality, you will feel confident as we come alongside to serve as an extension of your team by delivering world class operational excellence and SIOP planning through over a century of combined expertise in high-precision manufacturing, advanced engineering, and design support. You can count on Paragon Medical as your strategic partner in medical device manufacturing, offering an end-to-end supply chain solution from initial concept and product development to verification and validation testing, to final production, assembly, and ongoing strategic demand planning. Discover how you can experience a consistently remarkable partnership through Paragon Medicals differentiated and personalized solutions designed to exceed your expectations every time. For more information on our services, global operations, or about joining our team visit http://www.paragonmedical.com or follow us on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/paragonmedical/. Media Contact Brittany Herendeen Paragon Medical brittany.herendeen@paragonmedical.com June 21, 2023 Modified shipping container structure manufacturer, Falcon Structures, celebrates twenty years of serving its customers. Since the beginning, Falcon Structures has been a pioneer of container-based spaces, having worked with a vast array of industries and the US military to help transform companies by providing safe and efficient container-based structures. Co-founders Stephen Shang and Brian Dieringer met as engineering students at The University of Texas at Austin, grew in their individual careers then reunited to became business partners. Since then, Falcon Structures made the Inc. 5000 list six years in a row, spearheaded an industry-wide task force to successfully introduce containers into the international building code, won numerous industry awards, and built a 400,000 square foot facility in Manor, Texas, just east of Austin. Were just getting started, said Stephen Shang CEO and co-founder. I see the way our structures are building a better world. By reusing cargo boxes were helping to create a safe space for our customers, the people, and things they care about. Falcon Structures was the first in-house container structure manufacturer to receive building code acceptance criteria approval (ESR 4163). A few project highlights on Falcons resume includes Fortress Obetz, the largest container-based structure in the US to date and The Pitch in Austin, a popular social hub and venue space. Im most excited about the future when I think about our current team and how they work together to address challenges, said Brian Deringer, VP of products and co-founder. With the projects coming down the pipeline, I cant wait to see what we create next. The next twenty years look bright for Falcon Structures. The team is embarking on several notable projects for companies working to shape their industries. With Falcon Structures, customers can rely on scalable solutions to optimize efficiencies and create better products for many years to come. About Falcon Structures Falcon Structures is a market leader in modular, shipping container-based building. Since its founding in 2003, Falcon has committed to building a better world by pioneering the use of container-based structures. Falcon has manufactured over a million square feet and holds an ICC-ESR certification to repurpose AC462 compliant shipping containers into durable, mobile, and secure structures. Falcon products include climate-controlled storage, offices, living quarters, training facilities, industrial enclosures, and code-compliant modules for container buildings. Falcon has manufactured container buildings of all sizes that can travel, adapt, and grow with projects regardless of industry, including the largest shipping container structure in the United States to date, the 122-container stadium, Fortress Obetz. For more information on Falcon and modified containers, please visit http://www.falconstructures.com. The Nova Poshta group of companies has launched the first Nova Post branch in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, according to a press release on Monday. "Romania has become the fourth country in the European Union where Nova Poshta branches have been opened to enable Ukrainians and Moldovans living in Romania to quickly receive parcels from relatives at home and support each other even at a distance," Volodymyr Popereshniuk, co-founder of Nova Poshta, said. According to him, Nova Poshta branches will help local businesses enter the Ukrainian market, where 30 million active consumers are waiting for them. The Nova Post branch is open in Bucharest at B-dul Unirii 47 A, Sector 3, where you can receive and send documents and parcels up to 30 kg, it will work from Monday to Saturday. It is clarified that the cost of delivery from Ukraine to Romania is for: documents - UAH 250, parcels up to 2 kg - UAH 400, parcels up to 10 kg - UAH 600, parcels up to 30 kg - UAH 1,200. As reported, Nova Poshta is already operating in Poland, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Moldova and plans to open branches in Germany. The network founded in 2001 by the Nova Poshta group of companies now has more than 6,000 branches in Ukraine. It provides a full range of logistics and related services. Whether its due to reduced commuting stress, improved sleep, healthier eating, or decreased anxiety, workers clearly believe that remote work has an overall positive impact on their mental health, said Sara Sutton, Founder and CEO of FlexJobs. According to FlexJobs 2023 Work Insights Survey of over 5,600 people, 96% of workers believe a remote or hybrid work arrangement would be best for their mental health. A hybrid workplace was reported as the ideal for 49% of workers, slightly outpacing a preference for a fully remote arrangement (47%). Only 4% of workers thought being in an office full-time was best for their mental health. Decreased stress levels was the top reported health benefit of remote work. Whether its due to reduced commuting stress, improved sleep, healthier eating, or decreased anxiety, workers clearly believe that remote work has an overall positive impact on their mental health, said Sara Sutton, Founder and CEO of FlexJobs. FlexJobs survey, which ran between May 3 and May 21, 2023, explored professionals perspectives on pressing workplace topics theyre currently facing in the shifting job landscape, including remote work's impact on career advancement, mental health, and workplace collaboration, as well as issues of pay transparency in job postings and their overall career outlook. Mental Health Working arrangements: 96% of workers think that remote or hybrid work would be the best working arrangement for their mental health. More specifically: -- 47% said remote-only, completely working from home would be best for their mental health -- 24% said hybrid, mostly remote, with occasional in-office work would be best -- 17% said hybrid, remote with 2-3 days in the office would be best -- 8% said hybrid, mostly in-office, with occasional remote work time would be best -- 4% said in the office full-time, not working remotely at all would be best -- 56% said having a job with remote work options has improved or would definitely improve their mental health. Commuting Stress: 87% of workers say commuting impacts their stress levels to some degree, with over half (58%) specifying that commuting has either an enormous impact or it impacts them a lot. -- 29% says it has an enormous impact on their stress levels -- 29% says it impacts stress levels a lot -- 29% says it impacts stress levels a little bit -- 13% says it has no impact Top Health Benefits: 48% of respondents said decreased stress levels was the top health benefit from remote work. Additional impacts cited: -- Less burnout (36%) -- Healthier food choices (35%) -- Reduced anxiety and depression (34%) -- Improved overall mental health (33%) -- Improved sleep (32%) -- Increased exercise (30%) -- Improved overall physical health (28%) -- Improved personal relationships (23%) Pay Transparency 79% of people think that employers should be required by law to include salary in job postings. 11% said no and 10% werent sure. 1 in 5 (20%) said they refuse to apply to jobs when the salary isnt listed 52% would only apply to a job without the salary listed if it was a really great job Career Outlook & Optimism 44% say they are more optimistic about their career prospects today compared to this time last year (May 2022) 33% are more pessimistic about their career prospects compared to last year The remaining 23% said there was no change Remote Work Findings Ideal Work Arrangement: Moving forward, 95% of workers want some form of remote or hybrid work. -- 54% want to work from home full-time -- 41% say hybrid is ideal -- 5% would prefer full-time office work -- Women prefer fully remote work environments more so than men, with 58% identifying this as the ideal compared to 42% of men who want to work full time from home. Career Progression: Nearly one-third think a remote or hybrid job positively impacts career growth. -- 30% say that having a remote or hybrid job has a positive impact on their career progression --- 28% say it has no impact --20% say it has a negative impact -- 22% werent sure Collaboration: More than one-third think collaboration suffers in a remote environment. -- 36% think collaboration suffers in a remote environment -- 33% dont think it has an impact -- 19% think collaboration improves in a remote environment -- 12% werent sure -- Men are more likely to think collaboration suffers in a remote environment, with 41% claiming the negative impact vs 34% of women who say the same Challenges: The top challenges for remote workers are not related to productivity, but rather overworking (28%) and not leaving the house enough (28%). The biggest struggles as a remote or hybrid worker cited by respondents: -- Not getting out of the house often enough (28%) -- Overworking or working more (28%) -- Working across different time zones (19%) -- Developing strong relationships with co-workers (19%) -- Troubleshooting technology problems (18%) -- Dealing with non-work distractions (17%) -- Being "invisible" to their boss (16%) *FlexJobs created the survey, which was promoted to general audiences and its subscribers/members primarily through social media and newsletters. FlexJobs used a multiple choice and multi-select question format via SurveyMonkeys online platform. The survey ran from May 3, 2023, to May 21, 2023. Demographic breakdown of the 5,641 respondents: Gender: women (69%), men (28%) prefer not to identify/self-describe (3%); Generation: Gen Z (10%), millennial/Gen Y (34%), Gen X (34%), baby boomer (20%), silent generation (2%); Education: less than a high school degree (less than 2%), high school degree or equivalent (8%), some college but no degree (19%), associates degree (12%), bachelors degree (36%), graduate degree (24%); Career level: entry-level (11%), experienced (48%), manager (24%), director (11%), executive/c-suite (6%); forty-one percent had children 18 or younger living at home with them. For more information, please visit https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/exploring-the-impact-of-remote-work-on-mental-health-and-the-workplace or contact Shanna Briggs at sbriggs@flexjobs.com. About FlexJobs FlexJobs is the leading career service specializing in remote, hybrid, and flexible jobs, with over 135 million people having used its resources since 2007. FlexJobs provides the highest-quality database of vetted remote and flexible job listings, from entry-level to executive, startups to public companies, part-time to full-time. To support job seekers in all phases of their career journey, FlexJobs also offers extensive expert advice, webinars, and other resources. In parallel, FlexJobs works with leading companies to recruit quality remote talent and optimize their remote and flexible workplace. A trusted source for data, trends, and insight, FlexJobs has been cited extensively in top national outlets, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, CNBC, Forbes magazine, and many more. FlexJobs also has partner sites Remote.co and Job-Hunt.org to help round out its content and job search offerings. Follow FlexJobs on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. David Tomen searched for years to find relief after his diagnosis of adult ADD and PTSD. After Ritalin lost its effectiveness, he began to read clinical studies to learn more about how Ritalin worked, searching for something new that would provide similar benefits. This led him to implement a methodically researched regimen of supplements and lifestyle changes, resulting in his brain working better than ever before. Tomen is now sharing his story and research with others who are looking for ways to deal with their own brain health and cognition issues. In Head First: 2nd Edition, the author provides detailed reviews of 102 of the most popular natural supplements used today, supported by hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical studies from leading research institutions and universities around the world. Written in easy-to-understand language, readers can now decide which supplements they should try, and which ones they should avoid. There is no other book out there like Head First, Tomen said. The book is devoted exclusively to natural supplements, not smart drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall. You do not need a prescription for supplements because they can be found at any local health food store or vitamin shop. Tomen breaks down complex neuroscience and how the brain works, so readers can better understand how supplements work. He also includes two chapters on his recommendations that can be used to help those suffering from anxiety, autism, ADHD, depression, OCD, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and more. You can literally turn your life around if you take care of your Head First! Tomen said. This saved my life and I know that with this information you can get relief from whatever brain health issue you are dealing with too. Head First: 2nd Edition By David Tomen ISBN: 9798765236543 (softcover); 9798765236550 (hardcover); 9798765236581 (electronic) Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author For the last decade, author and world-traveler David Tomen has worked to deal with Adult ADD, as well as the brain fog, mental fatigue and memory loss that comes with hypothyroidism. Through studying clinical research and experimenting with dozens of supplements, Tomen has successfully restored his own health, finding that his cognition, memory, and mood were better than before. Through his writing and videos, Tomen wants to empower people to take control of their own cognitive health. To learn more, please visit his website. General Inquiries: LAVIDGE Phoenix Ashley Fletcher afletcher@lavidge.com Author L. Malungu announces her new juvenile fiction book that is different from others within the genre due to two aspects: the main protagonist and the intentional use of rich vocabulary. In Marcus King of the Dandelions by L. Malungu, readers are invited to explore and experience the natural world through the eyes of the protagonist, Marcus. Marcus is a five-year-old boy who is curious about the world around him and shares his ability for analytical thinking and creativity throughout the story. I have never forgotten how my own love for reading was ignited, at the age of five during my first visit to the school library, Malungu said. The librarian whispered in my ear Reading is magic and opens the door to everything and anything you want to learn! The goal of this story is to ignite an initial spark for reading and to unlock the power of literacy within its readers. The act of reading is the process of making sense of abstract symbols to understand meaning, said Malungu. That said, the syllabic highlighting of text provides young readers greater ease in applying phonetic understanding to decode and pronounce new vocabulary. Its use of rich vocabulary is deliberate and intended to awaken and excite the mind of the young reader. I believe that nurturing literacy and a love of reading are essential keys to unlocking creativity and is the magical path of lifelong learning, said Malungu. Marcus King of the Dandelions By L. Malungu ISBN: 9798765234228 (softcover); 9798765234235 (electronic) Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author L. Malungu earned her doctoral degree in education from Durham University, UK. She is an educator, curriculum designer, and researcher. Malungu has been working with learners in Asia ranging from pre-primary to higher education in Macao SAR, Taiwan, Japan, and Guangxi. She has been involved with creating and facilitating dynamic learning experiences designed to promote independent learning since 1986. Malungu currently resides in Macao SAR, China. To learn more, please visit https://www.lmalungu.com. ### General Inquiries: LAVIDGE Phoenix Ashley Baccaro 480-648-7557 abaccaro@lavidge.com Bastyr University President Devin Byrd, PhD hands diploma to a new graduate. This cohort is distinguished because they remained steadfast in their desire to transform the health and wellbeing of the human community while they navigated the most massive health crisis in a generation. Bastyr University, with campuses in Kenmore Washington and San Diego California, celebrates graduation for 218 mostly doctorate and masters degree students. Congratulations to the very impressive Bastyr University Class of 2023! says Bastyr University President Devin Byrd, PhD. This cohort is distinguished because they remained steadfast in their desire to transform the health and wellbeing of the human community while they navigated the most massive health crisis in a generation. Two commencement ceremonies are being held: Monday, June 26 at 10 a.m. the commencement ceremony for Kenmore, WA campus graduates takes place at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. Faisa Farole, CPM, LM, CLC and Jane Guiltinan, ND are the commencement speakers. Friday, June 30 at 1 p.m. the commencement ceremony for San Diego campus graduates takes place at Liberty Station. Carrie Louise Daenell, ND is the commencement speaker. Bastyr University recently announced plans to expand its presence with new online programs in Nutrition and Psychology, and a $1M federal grant to expand access to Midwifery programs for students from marginalized communities. Kenmore Campus Commencement Speaker Faisa Farole, CPM, LM, CLC is a birth equity advocate and Bastyr University alumna. Farole is the founder and executive director of Global Perinatal Services, a non-profit organization that provides midwifery and doula care to low income, Black, refugee, and immigrant pregnant people, often free of charge. San Diego Campus Commencement Speaker Carrie Louise Daenell, ND is an author, frequent media contributor, and Bastyr University alumna who focuses on metabolism and the aging body. She will speak about the intrinsic connection between mind, body, and spirit. Bastyr University is a nonprofit, private university offering doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate degrees, with a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural health and medicine. Recognized globally for its rigorous curriculum and strong research, Bastyr University has campuses in Kenmore, Washington, and San Diego, California. Bastyr's faculty educates future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences, with an emphasis on integrating mind, body, spirit, and nature. For more information, please visit http://www.bastyr.edu/. Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Partners Personnel - Management Services, LLC call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Partners Personnel - Management Services, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The Partners Personnel - Management Services, LLC class action lawsuit, Case No. CIVSB2311320, is currently pending in the San Bernardino County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here. According to the lawsuit filed, Partners Personnel - Management Services, LLC allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, (f) failed to provide wages when due, and (g) failed to pay sick wages, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections 201-204, 226, 226.7, 233, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct. Additionally, Defendant allegedly failed to provide employees with complete and accurate wage statements which showed, among other things, the correct gross and net wages earned. California Labor Code 226 provides that every employer shall furnish each of his or her employees with an accurate itemized wage statement in writing showing, among other things, gross wages earned and all applicable hourly rates in effect during the pay period and the corresponding amount of time worked at each hourly rate. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Partners Personnel - Management Services, LLC call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** California Connections Academy Celebrates The Class of 2023 The unwavering belief and encouragement I received from the staff at California Connections Academy propelled me forward, instilling in me a love for learning and a desire for personal growth. California Connections Academy, a leading network of six tuition-free online public schools serving students in grades TK-12 across 32 counties in California, recently celebrated 926 graduating high school seniors at two in-person commencement ceremonies. The virtual school held a Northern California commencement ceremony at the University of California, Berkeleys Zellerbach Hall on June 20 and a Southern California commencement ceremony at the University of California, Irvines Bren Events Center on June 22, where school administrators, families and friends cheered on their graduating seniors. California Connections Academys Class of 2023 consists of graduates from large cities and rural towns across California, including Elk Grove, Laguna Niguel, Lemoore, Modesto, San Jose, Saratoga, and more. Among the graduating class, 63% plan to attend two or four-year colleges or universities, 12% plan to enter the workforce and 10% plan to attend technical or vocational school. Graduates earned college acceptances to esteemed institutions, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and West Point, among others. Among the graduates is California Connections Academy, Monterey Bay student and Saratoga resident Cynthia Lan. The unwavering belief and encouragement I received from the staff at California Connections Academy propelled me forward, instilling in me a love for learning and a desire for personal growth, said Lan. From their tireless efforts to create engaging classrooms to their genuine care for each student, they created a nurturing environment that inspired me to reach for my highest potential. I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding education and support I received from this school community. Lan, a valedictorian who spoke at the Northern California commencement ceremony, will study Communications and Nutrition at Cornell University in the fall. Were thrilled to celebrate the Class of 2023 for their dedication to their education and passion for reaching their learning potential during their time at California Connections Academy, said Dr. Richard Savage, superintendent of California Connections Academy. Its been an honor to guide this graduating class and well be cheering them on as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. California Connections Academy is comprised of six, accredited virtual public schools authorized to operate in different geographic regions across California and currently serves more than 7,860 students throughout the state. Since opening its virtual doors in 2004, the virtual school has established itself as a leader in the digital learning model and has provided high-quality education designed by experts in online learning year after year. By deploying a rigorous curriculum that meets state education standards and features structured LiveLesson sessions, California Connections Academy helps TK-12 students ignite their passions and reach their learning potential. The school provides personalized instruction and socialization opportunities to create a well-rounded and high-quality online learning experience. Families with high-school level students exploring virtual learning models will find that California Connections Academys high school curriculum offers advanced courses, including University of California A-G courses, NCAA core courses, and career-oriented electives for career-minded students. Socialization opportunities are also available for students to create meaningful peer connections and foster a deeper sense of community. The school offers optional student clubs, field trips, festivals, college tours and more throughout the school year. Enrollment is now open for the 2023-24 school year. Families interested in learning more about California Connections Academy and the enrollment process are welcome to attend an online information session. For more information about California Connections Academy, call 1(800) 382-6010 or visit http://www.CaliforniaConnectionsAcademy.com. About California Connections Academy California Connections Academy is a network of six tuition-free, online public schools, serving students in grades TK-12 throughout 32 counties. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the school knows how to create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. At California Connections Academy, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and independent. California Connections Academy has served students in California since 2004. For more information, call 1(800) 382-6010 or visit the schools website. "HACEs theme this yearcalled HACE United, Accelerating Equity with Action & Accountabilityis about doubling down on making an impact, and the HACE LGBTQIA+ cohort provides a safe space for training and conversation for our LGBTQIA+ Latino/a/x/e community members, more than ever before." The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), a Chicago-based national nonprofit dedicated to the employment, development, and advancement of current and aspiring Latino/a/x/e professionals, is announcing the creation of HACE Colores: Leading with Pride, an LGBTQIA+ cohort program that helps Latino/a/x/e individuals develop strong leadership skills to use in their workplaces. This program, which will debut in the spring of 2024 and be open to LGBTQIA + individuals, has the mission of providing a safe and motivating space for community-building. The program is designed to help participants confidently and effectively lead themselves and others. Participants will have opportunities to expand their networks and support systems. HACEs President and CEO, Patricia Mota, explained that the program is a virtual cohort with a 9-session or an 18-week commitment. Companies will sponsor seats and community professionals will pay to participate. The nonprofit is researching possible grant options to defray costs for those interested. According to the UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, there are 2.3 million Latinx LGBT adults who live in the US and according to Axios Latino the percentage of Latinos who identify as LGBTQ has more than doubled in the past decade and has outpaced growth among white and Black Americans. For over 40 years, HACE has helped corporate companies and community-based professionals to employ, develop and advance Latino/a/x/e professionals by offering resources to elevate their communities, said HACE CEO Patricia Mota. We are creating this new program because of the constructive feedback that weve heard from companies. Representatives expressed that they would welcome such a program and our research has found that there are no professional programs like this to specifically cater to the Latino/a/x/e LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, we also feel that there is a need to address the intersectionality of culture, gender, and sexual identity particularly how it impacts leading others and in their professional growth. Mota added: Amid all the anti-LGBTQ legislation, we want the community to know we are by their side and we see that many Latino/a/x/e individuals feel the same way as well. According to an Axios Latino March 2022 article, 62% of respondents in an Axios/Ipsos poll from March 7-18, 2022 of Latinos said they are comfortable around people who identify as LGBTQ. LGBTQIA + adults have experienced challenges while working at companies. The newly created Human Rights Campaigns LGBTQ+ Americans Fight Back: A Guidebook for Action revealed that over a quarter (28%) of LGBTQ+ workers, including over a third (37%) of transgender and gender non-conforming (TNGC+) workers, have left a job because their work environment was not inclusive/accepting of LGBTQ+ people. Approximately, 1 in 10 LGBTQ+ workers (8%) and TGNC+ workers specifically (12%) have been fired due to their LGBTQ+ identity, whereas a quarter (24%) of LGBTQ+ workers, and a third (32%) of TGNC+ workers, were passed over for a promotion due their identity. Mota said that the new LGBTQIA+ program is one example of how the nonprofit focuses on equity with the goal of meeting our constituents where they are to help level the playing field for everyone. HACEs theme this yearcalled HACE United, Accelerating Equity with Action & Accountabilityis about doubling down on making an impact, and the HACE LGBTQIA+ cohort provides a safe space for training and conversation for our LGBTQIA+ Latino/a/x/e community members, more than ever before. HACE will continue to expand the legacy of building community and leadership with our cohort model leadership development programs such as Mujeres de HACE with the goal of empowering high-potential Latina professionals, and the Leadership Program for Emerging Latino Leaders that transforms high-potential Latino professionals into high-performing leaders. For those interested in applying to HACE Colores, please visit this link to request further information. For more about HACE, visit https://www.haceonline.org/. About HACE: The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) is a national nonprofit dedicated to the employment, development, and advancement of current and aspiring Latino professionals. Since 1982, HACE has served as a resource for Latinos in the workplace and is a subject matter expert for corporations seeking to access diverse talent. Through professional development, resources, and networks, and by facilitating access to meaningful career opportunities, HACE helps Latinos succeed in every phase of their career. With a network of over 97,000 members across the country, HACE works with employers to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic economy by helping them attract, develop and retain Latino and diverse professionals. For information, visit https://www.haceonline.org/about-hace/. ### Marketing is driven by four ps: product, price, place, and promotion. What is missing? A FIFTH p; public perception In terms of establishing their organization's position and showcasing their subject matter experts through thought leadership and content marketing, business leaders possess a clear vision. However, the issue lies in the fact that a majority of individuals, including marketing agencies, lack a proper understanding of public relations (PR) and frequently misinterpret it when attempting to employ it. (1) There is a misinterpretation of the concept of thought leadership, often failing to recognize that it must be earned. The remedy lies in a strategy unveiled by crisis management expert Karla Jo Helms of JOTO PR Disruptors, which ignites the marketing plan by harnessing the influence of public relations to attain third-party credibility and establish thought leadership. Helms notes that by using powerful targeted communication channels to communicate your story to thousands, hundreds of thousands or millions of peoplebefore and while marketing is promoting a clients goods and services trust and credibility are established so people are more interested and comfortable in doing business with the client. So, WHAT does PR offer to a marketing strategy? Marketing is driven by four ps: product, price, place, and promotion. (2) What is missing? A FIFTH p; public perception, notes Helms. Third-party endorsement gains goodwill and trust for your brand, increasing gross income Marketing sign-up and conversion rates increase, also increasing ROI Friction during shorter sales conversions is reduced Complete metrics showing how much press is needed to make an impact is the bridge for marketing and public relations In short, customer acquisition costs (CAC) are reduced The Great Consolidation Outside of selling products and services, every business has a story to tell and the court of public opinion has an insatiable appetite for information. To gain exposure for a client, think of yourself as an internal reporter and open your eyes and ears to what is going on in your clients company, their industry or community. Look for: Introduction of a new product or service or a new business Newsjacking a recent breaking news event Speaking or exhibiting at a conference or event Releasing findings of a new study or research Developing a new technology or unique procedure for an industry Rebranding a business Financial news such as the addition of a new investor Each of these has the potential to be exploited into real, NEW news through a blitz campaign. How does real news factor into exposure? As an example, key industry media usually attend a convention. Getting interest before, during and after the event can increase the success at the convention. Also, big breaking headlines regarding such news as an economic issue, new legislation or story of harm to a population segment that has far-reaching effects on which a clients technology, product or service will have significant positive impact can create a firestorm of media interest. Professional Affiliation Marketing agencies interested in learning how to amplify their clients exposure and marketing campaigns by 10X as a professional affiliate of JOTO PR Disruptors should reach out to the veterans at JOTO PR. Thus far, the organization has enlisted the participation of four digital marketing agencies across the technology industry, and intends to support the collaboration of 18 agencies by 2024. About JOTO PR Disruptors: After doing marketing research on a cross-section majority of 5,000 CEOs of fast-growth trajectory companies and finding out exactly how they used PR, how they measure it and how they wanted the PR industry to be different, PR veteran and innovator Karla Jo Helms created JoTo PR and established its entire business model on those research findings. Astute in recognizing industry changes since its launch in 2009, JoTo PRs team utilizes newly established patterns to create timely Anti-PR campaigns comprising the mathematical precision of crisis management techniques with the latest media algorithms. This unique skill enables them to continue to increase their market share and improve return on investment (ROI) for their clients, year after yearbeating usual industry standards. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JoTo PR is an established international public relations agency. Today, all processes of JoTo are streamlined Anti-PR services that have become the hallmark of the JoTo PR name. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com About Karla Jo Helms: Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the lineand how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumni of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinionKarla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Karla Jo has patterned her agency on the perfect balance of crisis management, entrepreneurial insight and proven public relations experience. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception. References: 1. Mudd, Jason. Thought Leadership and Content Marketing are the New Public Relations, The Business Journals, 12 April 2023, bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/marketing/2023/04/thought-leadership-content-marketing-new-pr.html. 2. Barone, Adam. Marketing Strategy: What it is, How it Works, How to Create One, Investopedia, 15 May 2023, investopedia.com/terms/m/marketing-strategy.asp#:~:text=A%20marketing%20strategy%20contains%20the,price%2C%20place%2C%20and%20promotion. EMPAVA delivers premium products at a less than premium price, directly to your door. Shown here: 72-inch Whirlpool Rectangular Bathtub with 10 strategically placed waterjets. Our team is excited to introduce this brand through a strategic marketing campaign that includes public relations, social media, brand strategy and creative support. Merlot Marketing has been named agency of record for EMPAVA, designer and manufacturer of kitchen and bath products delivered directly to consumers and through leading big box retailers and online dealers. The brand makes premium products accessible to all, with an affordable price point as well as an effortless and informative online ordering process. Merlot Marketing will work closely with EMPAVA to lead all branding and strategic communications efforts through message development, public relations, social media, and design projects. To build brand awareness and support new product launches, the agency will target both national and consumer media through news releases, video news releases, wire distributions, trend articles, custom pitching, social media campaigns, and third-party award submissions. TWEET THIS: "National #marketingfirm @MerlotMarketing has been named agency of record for premium kitchen and bath brand @EMPAVA, leading their branding strategy and supporting new product launches. https://merlotmarketing.com/ " Merlot Marketing has a proven track record for successfully launching brands in the kitchen and bath sector, and we are excited to collaborate with their expertise to elevate the EMPAVA brand and build a stronger relationship with consumers throughout the North American market, said Ricky Cheng, President of EMPAVA. EMPAVAs robust kitchen catalogue is designed to elevate the at-home cooking experience and includes: high-performing gas ranges, ovens, cooktops, range hoods, wine coolers and outdoor woodfire or gas pizza ovens. The brands line of sleek, luxurious tubs offers freestanding or walk-in tubs, and an assortment of spacious whirlpool tubs equipped with massaging jets and more. We are thrilled to partner with EMPAVA to introduce the brands kitchen appliances and bath products to the market, said Debi Hammond, CEO of Merlot Marketing. This innovative brand is empowering first-time home buyers and budget-conscious consumers by bringing high-quality, elegantly designed products to market at an affordable price point. Our team is excited to introduce this brand through a strategic marketing campaign that includes public relations, social media, brand strategy and creative support. To start the partnership off with a bang, Merlot supported EMPAVAs debut at the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas, where the brand introduced the 12-inch Drop-In Induction Cooktop, designed for tiny homes and compact spaces. The company has already garnered brand-awareness success though coverage in several publications, such as: Food & Wine, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and was named Best Small-Size Walk-In Tub in Reviewed by USA Today. This year, EMPAVA was also recognized for its innovative design, manufacturing and distribution of products with The Home Depot Supplier Diversity Innovation Award. For more information about EMPAVA, visit https://empava.com/. To learn more about Merlot Marketing, visit https://merlotmarketing.com/. About Merlot Marketing Celebrating 21 years of articulating and sharing brand stories, Merlot Marketing is an award-winning, national marketing agency that focuses on public relations (PR.0), brand strategy, social media, advertising and digital communications. Headquartered in California, with satellite offices located across the country, Merlot promotes brands globally. The agency specializes in the home and building products category and has helped numerous companies rediscover their brand position and promise through its proprietary REDiscover Process and then promotes it through PR.0. Discover our passion, creativity and results at http://www.merlotmarketing.com. About EMPAVA EMPAVA, designer and manufacturer of kitchen and bath products, offers more choices and more ways to purchase sleek, elegant and affordable kitchen and bath products online. From refined, high-performance ranges and powerful range hoods, gas ranges, cooktops and ovens, to stylish freestanding and whirlpool air bathtubs, EMPAVA creates unique and elegantly designed kitchen and bath products at less than premium pricing. For more information about EMPAVA and its full suite of kitchen and bath products, visit https://EMPAVA.com/. EU member states on Monday approved a EUR 100 million support package for farmers in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, who suffered from the influx of Ukrainian grain, according to the website of the European Commission (EC). According to the report, a support package of EUR 100 million for farmers in frontline countries provides for the allocation of EUR 9.77 million to Bulgaria, EUR 15.93 million to Hungary, EUR 39.33 million to Poland, EUR 29.73 million to Romania and EUR 5.24 million to Slovakia. "Farmers from these five Member States are facing issues related to logistical bottlenecks following large imports of certain agri-food products from Ukraine... A Joint Coordination Platform is also working on improving the flow of trade between the European Union and Ukraine via the Solidarity Lanes," the European Commission said. European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski tweeted to welcome today's "overwhelming positive opinion" on the second package of measures to support farmers in these countries, stressing that the approved EUR 100 million is allowed to be combined with public funding up to 200%. He also said that he expects the European Commission to agree on a third aid package to support farmers in 22 countries affected by adverse climatic events. A number of measures, including the possibility of higher advance payments, should support farmers affected by adverse climatic events, the Agriculture Committee also said. As part of the third package, the Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission (EC) proposed to mobilize additional European Union funding in the amount of EUR 330 million and send it to farmers from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden, which also, as noted, suffered from various market and trade problems in addition to adverse climatic events. As reported on the EC website, according to the presentation of the relevant committee, these countries will receive exceptional support in the amount of EUR 330 million from the budget of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. The European Commission has also allowed these to supplement EU support up to 200% of its national funds. It is expected that this measure will be agreed by the EU Member States at the next meeting of the committee on the common organization of agricultural markets, and payments for both support packages will be made by December 31, 2023. Angeles Garcia-Pineda She brings an extensive track record of success providing support to healthcare project teams during business acquisition, preconstruction and construction phases," said Jeff Park, vice president and business leader for Gilbane Northern California. Gilbane Building Company announced that Angeles Garcia-Pineda joined the team as Healthcare Center of Excellence (COE) Leader for the west. As a compassionate leader, Garcia-Pineda brings over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. She will leverage her expertise and relationships to help drive successful client relationships and elevate Gilbanes focus on bringing value to our clients, trade partners, and the local community. Garcia-Pineda will combine lessons learned and best practices from her vast experience as a premier builder of healthcare construction projects to expand Gilbanes existing portfolio. She is passionate about creating projects that have a positive impact on our communities, while developing collaborative and trusting relationships. We are thrilled to have Angeles Garcia-Pineda join our leadership team in northern California. She offers notable strengths in working with partners to plan and execute strategies that support the growth and success in the healthcare sector, said Jeff Park, vice president and business leader for Gilbane Northern California. She brings an extensive track record of success providing support to healthcare project teams during business acquisition, preconstruction and construction phases. Angeles deep healthcare experience brings great value to both owners and project teams, said Paul J. Choquette III, Regional President, Gilbane Building Company. Our investment in the West continues to grow as we provide best-in-class solutions to our clients. Throughout her career, Garcia-Pineda has been a champion for Lean culture and processes. She is an advocate for high standards and works closely with clients, owners, designers, architects, engineers, and authorities to ensure the successful completion of a project. She has also served as a mentor in a protege program, providing pro bono construction management services and is proud to help facilitate projects for her community. She is a two-time recipient of the Northern California Real Estate Woman of Influence award and passionate about women in leadership roles of construction management. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be part of one of the leading and largest family-owned construction companies building impactful projects in our communities, said Garcia-Pineda. It is an honor to be part of Gilbane's next chapter in the west as we continue to grow, forge new partnerships and expand our client base. Garcia-Pineda has a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) from Tijuana Institute of Technology. About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. With offices in Sacramento and San Jose, Gilbane has delivered innovative construction solutions across northern California since 1995. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com. "Our team is dedicated to providing educational resources and connecting consumers with highly qualified Auto Dealer Fraud Attorneys who can help navigate the complex legal landscape," said Joel Geffen, co-founder of Lemon Larry. Lemon Larry, who first made their reputation helping consumers connect with lemon law attorneys is thrilled to announce the launch of its innovative services aimed at helping consumers who have fallen victim to auto dealer fraud in California. Lemon Larrys new service connects affected consumers with qualified Auto Dealer Fraud Attorneys who specialize in handling such cases. Auto dealer fraud is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for consumers. Many individuals find themselves trapped in fraud including title brand disclosures, lies about the vehicles history of repairs or accidents, false statements about the price, bait and switch advertising, hiding a lemon, and financial fraud, among others. Lemon Larry recognizes the importance of empowering consumers and holding auto dealers accountable for their deceptive practices. As a consumer advocate, Lemon Larry's primary goal is to ensure that individuals who have been burned by auto dealer fraud have access to the legal support and guidance they need. By partnering with experienced Auto Dealer Fraud Attorneys throughout California, Lemon Larry has created a powerful network of legal professionals who are ready to fight for the rights of their clients. "At Lemon Larry, we believe that consumers deserve justice and fair treatment. Our team is dedicated to providing educational resources and connecting consumers with highly qualified Auto Dealer Fraud Attorneys who can help navigate the complex legal landscape," said Joel Geffen, co-founder of Lemon Larry. Lemon Larry's services extend throughout California, providing assistance to consumers in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego. Whether a consumer has experienced non-disclosure of vehicle defects, misrepresentation of vehicle history, bait and switch tactics, or auto financing scams, Lemon Larry can connect them with a skilled attorney who specializes in auto dealer fraud cases. The process of seeking legal representation for an auto dealer fraud case can be daunting, but Lemon Larry aims to simplify the process by serving as a trusted intermediary. Through their website, consumers can easily access information, and resources, and connect with an attorney who will provide personalized guidance and fight relentlessly on their behalf. To learn more about Lemon Larry and its mission to assist consumers affected by auto dealer fraud in California, please visit their website at http://www.lemonlarry.com. Many of our military families continue to face a variety of financial hardships as they work to protect our nation and the freedoms we enjoy daily, said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., President and CEO of Operation Homefront. National nonprofit Operation Homefront is kicking off their 16th annual Back-to-School Brigade program to support thousands of military families during a difficult time of the year. Our nations military families often face deployments, and the summer frequently brings relocations and the challenge of adjusting to new communities. Operation Homefronts program reduces the financial burden of purchasing school supplies and provides local communities an opportunity to thank military families for all they do to protect the freedoms we, as Americans, enjoy daily. Operation Homefront will provide backpacks filled with essential school supplies to 30,000 military children across the country this year, hoping to reach a major milestone, distributing its 550,000th backpack to a military child since the program launched in 2008, saving military families more than $60 million to date. Many of our military families continue to face a variety of financial hardships as they work to protect our nation and the freedoms we enjoy daily, said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., President and CEO of Operation Homefront. Thanks to like-minded partners like Dollar Tree and its loyal customers and Southern New Hampshire University, we will not only be able to help this special group of our fellow citizens during the financially stressful back to school season, but we will be able to ensure our military children have the resources they need to succeed at school. Southern New Hampshire University, whose mission is to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone, is the lead investor in this years Back-to-School Brigade and has supported Operation Homefront since 2014. SNHU is proud to partner with Operation Homefront to help reduce barriers and create opportunities for military spouses and their families, said Jeremy Owens AVP of University Partnerships, SNHU. Military families make many sacrifices in their service, and it is vital that they get the support they need to make sure their children have access to school supplies to be able to focus on their studies. The school supplies that Operation Homefront will distribute at more than 120 events across the country are thanks to contributions from Dollar Tree and their customers. Beginning July 5 and running through August 4, customers can donate supplies to the Back-to-School Brigade program at more than 8,000 participating Dollar Tree locations nationwide. Dollar Tree is a longtime advocate of military families. Since their partnership with Operation Homefront began in 2006, Dollar Tree and its generous customers have provided millions of dollars in cash and in-kind to the nonprofits recurring support programs. We are honored to once again partner with Operation Homefront and our generous customers to set up military families for success in this back-to-school season, said Kristin Tetreault, Chief Communications Officer for Dollar Tree. Our customers and associates truly look forward to giving back to those who give so much for our country. Additional partners supporting Operation Homefronts Back-to-School Brigade at events around the country include CSX and Kelloggs. For more information about the Back-to-School Brigade, visit https://operationhomefront.org/back-to-school-brigade/ About Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive not simply struggle to get by in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 85 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves Americas military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org. About Southern New Hampshire University: Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with a 90-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 180,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the Most Innovative" regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at http://www.snhu.edu. About Dollar Tree: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,419 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of April 29, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit http://www.DollarTree.com ThunderCat Technology today announced it has been named one of the top 200 federal contractors in Bloomberg Governments twelfth annual BGOV 200 report, which ranks contractors based on fiscal year 2022 data for unclassified, prime contracts awarded across all U.S. federal government agencies. ThunderCat Technology ranked #124, up 17 spots from 2021. To download a copy of the BGOV200, please visit http://onb-gov.com/JzYj50OU03H. Bloomberg Governments analysis finds that a record $705 billion was awarded in fiscal 2022 government contracts, an increase of $43 billion from fiscal 2021 levels. Just over 65 percent of total government obligations ($461 billion) were awarded to the top 200 contractors, a marginal increase as compared to fiscal 2021. The top 15 contractors brought in 32 percent of federal procurement dollars, on par with the previous fiscal year. CEO, Tom Deierlein commented, The list is everything from Aircraft, Submarines, Land Vehicles, Weapons, Medical, R&D, and Technology, to Professional Services, Facilities and Construction, Security and Protection, even clothing and textiles. So, it is nice to make this list with various industries as a top provider of technology to the Federal Government. The wide range serves as a reminder of all the things we count on our government to do and to provide. We are proud to do our small part to provide quality products and services to this great nation. Our purpose at ThunderCat is to make the United States a better and safer place for all Americans. Were honored to recognize ThunderCat Technology as one of the top-earning federal contractors, said Arielle Elliott, president of Bloomberg Government. Bloomberg Government is committed to providing organizations like them actionable insights into the federal contracting landscape to help them win in their markets. About ThunderCat Technology Currently ranked #54 on the Solution Provider 500, the award winning ThunderCat Technology is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that delivers technology products and services to government organizations, educational institutions, and commercial companies. Led by a combat-wounded CEO, ThunderCat is a systems integrator that brings an innovative approach to solving customer problems in and around the datacenter by providing strategies for Data Storage, Networking, Cyber Security, and Cloud Transformations. A proven leader, ThunderCat Technology provides and optimizes technologies from best of breed manufacturers. Clients include DOD, DHS, VA, Treasury, FBI, State of Virginia, State of NY, Sony, VISA, and CareFirst. http://www.thundercattech.com About Bloomberg Government Bloomberg Government is a premium, subscription-based service that provides comprehensive information and analytics for professionals who interact with or are affected by the government. Delivering news, analytics, and data-driven decision tools, Bloomberg Governments digital workspace gives an intelligent edge to government affairs and contracting professionals. For more information or a demo, visit Bloomberg Government. Molly's promotion to Partner is a testament to her exceptional legal skills and her unwavering commitment to delivering the highest level of service to our clients. - Dean Zipser, the firms Managing Partner Umberg/Zipser LLP (U/Z), a premier business litigation and intellectual property law firm located in Irvine, California, is pleased to announce that Molly Magnuson has been promoted to partner. Molly Magnuson has become an integral member of U/Zs litigation team, consistently demonstrating exceptional legal expertise, professionalism, and dedication to client service. Mollys promotion to partner reflects her outstanding contributions and commitment to the firm's success. Molly's expertise spans a wide range of practice areas, including trademark, trade secrets, class actions, professional malpractice, and complex contract and commercial litigation. Clients have benefitted from her insightful and strategic litigation guidance, as well as her extensive trial experience. Molly obtained her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, and is admitted to practice in California. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and the Orange County Bar Association, where she regularly contributes to thought leadership in her areas of expertise. Molly was recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years from 2011-2016. Dean Zipser, the firms Managing Partner, expressed, Molly's promotion to Partner is a testament to her exceptional legal skills and her unwavering commitment to delivering the highest level of service to our clients. Her deep knowledge of complex litigation matters, combined with her strategic thinking and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes, make her an invaluable asset to our firm. Molly is a team player and we are confident that Molly will continue to thrive in her new role as a partner. About Umberg/Zipser LLP Umberg/Zipser LLP is a prominent law firm based in Irvine, CA. With a team of highly skilled attorneys, the firm is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex legal challenges in the areas of business litigation and intellectual property law. Combining legal expertise with a deep understanding of clients' industries, Umberg/Zipser delivers innovative and effective solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. Visit the firms website at https://www.umbergzipser.com to learn more. What: The Wharton School is pleased to invite business journalists to apply for the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists flagship program, held on Whartons Philadelphia campus. There are several funding opportunities available for journalists, including an all-expenses-paid fellowship for U.S.-based journalists offered by the National Press Foundation (NPF). View the program agenda here. The Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists, led by the Wharton Schools most prominent professors, help reporters gain a better understanding of key business and economic issues through intensive lectures and hands-on exercises. For more than 50 years, the Seminars have offered participants an opportunity to expand their knowledge, network with journalists from around the world, increase their exposure to leading experts and broaden their perspectives in a stimulating environment. When: Program runs October 16-18, 2023. The deadline to apply for National Press Foundation fellowships is Monday, August 28, 2023, and remaining applications are due Monday, September 18, 2023. Where: The Seminars will take place at the Wharton School on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia. How: Interested journalists can apply via the NPF application and/or Wharton application. Who: In recent years, journalists from media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, PBS NewsHour, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters, Fortune, CNN, Marketplace, Bloomberg and BuzzFeed News have attended the Seminars. Past winners of the National Press Foundation fellowship can be seen here. Eligibility: Applications are open to those who are employed full-time as a print, broadcast or online business journalist by legitimate media companies. Additional details about specific funding opportunities can be found here. Program Benefits: Todays global economy requires a strong foundation in business and economic knowledge for business journalists. At the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists, participants: Gain an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of business strategy. Interact with colleagues from some of the worlds leading business news organizations. Receive a Wharton School Certificate of Completion. Learn More: For complete information on the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists, visit https://journalists.wharton.upenn.edu/ or contact Wharton Media Relations at +1-215-898-8036 or communications@wharton.upenn.edu. About the Wharton School Founded in 1881 as the worlds first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With a faculty of more than 235 renowned professors, Wharton has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Educations individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. For more information, visit http://www.wharton.upenn.edu. Saudi Arabias Ministry of Investment (MISA) has signed five Memoranda of Understanding and cooperation agreements across trade, technology and entrepreneurship sectors with Estonia. A Saudi-Estonian business council was also formed as Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment for Saudi Arabia, concluded a two-day official visit to Estonia. The Minister had led a Saudi business delegation to Estonia to bolster strategic partnerships and explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities at the Estonian-Saudi Investment Forum. The agreements *A cooperation agreement between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the establishment of a Business Council. *A Memorandum of Understanding between Saudis Shammal Commercial Investment Company and Estonian DeepTech startup GScan to establish a Joint Venture and to introduce Muon Flux Technology to Saudi Arabia. *An agreement between the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabias (MISA) entrepreneurship sector department and Estonian Computer Numerical Control machine manufacturer 5.0 Robotics to establish a framework of support to explore opportunities for expansion in Saudi Arabia. *A cooperation agreement between MISA and Estonian autonomous system developer Auve Tech to establish a strategic partnership to share expertise and explore manufacturing options in the region. *An agreement with capital management firm Rigel Capital and Estonian autonomous delivery innovator Clevon to support expansion of innovative last-mile autonomous technology and the establishment of a Clevon Academy branch in Saudi Arabia. Estonian-Saudi Investment Forum The Estonian-Saudi Investment Forum opened the gates for government officials and private sector leaders to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities in sectors such as technology, startups and the energy transition through a series of presentations, panel sessions and a B2B networking session. Al-Falih met several high-level government officials and private sector leaders including Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology Tiit Riisalo and Minister of Regional Affairs Madis Kallas to identify avenues for enhancing bilateral relations. The Minister of Investments visit follows eight official visits over the past 24 months between both nations, most recently with the Governor of Saudi Arabias Digital Government Authority (DGA) Eng Ahmed Mohammed Al-Suwayans visit to Estonia in May where he held a series of meetings on bilateral cooperation and expertise exchange. Trade between Saudi Arabia and Estonia reached $412 million in 2022.-- TradeArabia News Service Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Valeriy Zaluzhny and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Armed Forces Mark Milley had a phone call on Saturday, June 24, to discuss the course of offensive and defensive operations of the AFU at the front. "As part of an ongoing dialogue with partners, I had a telephone conversation with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Armed Forces Mark Milley. We discussed in detail the situation at all sectors of the front. I informed him about the offensive and defensive operations of our units. I reported that the operation is proceeding as planned," Zaluzhny said on the Telegram channel on Saturday. He also informed Milley about "about the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for certain types of weapons and demining equipment." "We agreed to stay in touch and actively cooperate. I thank General Milley for his support and assistance in the fight against the Russian aggressor," Zaluzhny said. Author Judy Blume delivered a rousing keynote message to officially open the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference program on June 23 in Chicago, thanking librarians for defending the freedom to read in their communities and insisting that more be done to combat a politically-organized surge in book bans. If ever there was a chance to say thank you, this is the year this do it, Blume told to a packed ballroom at Chicagos McCormick Place convention center. "To tell you all how much we appreciate you, and to give you all our support. In an insightful and fun yet serious 30-minute talk with her publisher, Justin Chanda, senior v-p at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Blume said she was inspired to come to the conference after hearing ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall speak about banned books. I was just was so overwhelmed by her that I went up to her and I introduced myself and I said, can I please come to ALA? Blume said. She didnt say Id have to do a keynote, but she said yes, you can come. Blume was a perfect speaker to open the conference. With a recent documentary about her life, Judy Blume Forever, and a critically acclaimed movie adaptation of her classic bestseller Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret, Blume is currently enjoying a major career momentwhich Chanda called a Blume-aissance. Blume said that she finally agreed to having Margaret adapted into a movie because she was a fan of screenwriter and director Kelly Fremon Craig's previous movie The Edge of Seventeen, another acclaimed story about a young persons coming-of-age. I loved it, Blume confessed of that movie. I saw it seven times. And as a veteran of the book banning surge of the 1980s, Blume spoke from experience about the need to defend the freedom to read. Asked by Chanda about why her books are among the ALA's most challenged books, Blume said she didnt know exactly why the books were so offensive to some. But she offered some telling reflections. When I wrote [Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret] in 1970, I gave three copies to my childrens elementary school. Signed copies. And the male principal took them off the shelf. I think he gave them back to me. And he said we cant have these books here. Blume recalled. Little did I know what was coming in the '80s. And then I thought, that's it. We're done with this. That's never going to happen again. And here we are again. On steroids. Later in the talk, Chanda asked Blume which of her characters she would choose to send to a school board meeting to defend her books. She chose Deenie Fenner from her 1973 Deenie, again bringing up the misogyny that drives so many book bans. You know, that book was so successfully banned in the '80s that kids didn't even know I had written it, she said, acknowledging that Deenie remains one of the ALAs most banned books because it includes talk of female masturbation. I once had another male principal say to me I wouldn't have Deenie in my library. But if it was about a boy, that would be different. It would be normal,' she said, prompting groans from the audience. Female pleasure! she then bluntly exclaimed, drawing a round of applauseand apparently a "blush" from Chanda. "I am on stage with Judy Blume talking about female pleasure," Chanda said. "And accepting that it's normal, and desirable, and we want it," Blume added, eliciting more cheers. Blume, who now owns a bookstore, Books & Books, in her hometown of Key West, also spoke of whats happening in Florida under governor Ron DeSantis (who she refused to name), where librarians and teachers now face potential charges under a new state law for making allegedly inappropriate books available to students. There's not a week goes by that I don't have people in the store who are teachers, who are librarians, and who are being hit with this. One woman said to me, this is my pension. I have worked all these years for this pension. I could lose it. And what are we saying? Blume said. We have to let her know that we're all there. That we're all there and we are not going to let this happen. Chanda quickly acknowledged the seriousness of that challenge. I think you're making a really interesting point, which is that so many times we get on stages and we speak to a bunch of people and we say, hey librarians, hey teachers, get out there and fight the good fight. Except that your jobs are on the line, he said. He then asked Blume what advice she had for authors to better support librarians and educators. Blume quickly flipped the question back to Chanda. I'm looking to publishers, Blume said. I'm looking to organizations that are coming in. I'm looking for legal help. I don't have the answers. But I know that we can't be complacent. I know that. And I think what happened in the '80s is that we weren't all together. I mean, I don't think that the publishers were there for us in the '80s. PEN wasn't there. NCAC wasn't there. I don't have the answers. But I know that we can't be complacent. I know that. And I think what happened in the '80s is that we weren't all together. One contingent that was there, Blume noted: librariansincluding ALAs longtime free speech defender, the late Judith Krug, and veteran school librarian Pat Scales, who Blume singled out for praise for her well-known work to engage parents in their childs reading. Earlier in the program, Scales was honored with the Freedom to Read Foundations Roll of honor award for her dedication to upholding the principles of intellectual freedom. We need to clone Pat Scales, Blume said. Later in the conversation, Chanda talked more about the need for publishers and advocates to step up and do more in the face of the current, unprecedented wave of book bans. I think for a while in the '90s and early 2000s banned books became almost a marketing tool, right? Chanda said. We were almost celebrating banned books. You know, you put up caution tape in the store and it was like, ooh, its too hot. But I feel like it's changing. I mean, the goal should be to not ever have another banned book. We should be working to stop it, not working to sell it, he said to applause. That's what we're all trying to figure out, Chanda said, when asked by Blume how to make that happen. PEN is doing amazing work. Unite Against Book Bans is doing amazing work. NCAC is doing amazing work. And I think [publishers] have to just spend the money and be a part of the lawsuits, as much as that scares every company involved. Chanda also suggested a shift in approach: to refocus the discussion more on why diverse and inclusive books are important, rather than why they are banned. Blume agreed. Thats an idea that I came up with just now, thanks to you, for my bookstore, she said. Not to just have the caution tape and banned books, but why this book is important to me, and have people write about that. The conversation concluded with Chanda asking Blume what she would say to Florida governor Ron DeSantis if she ever found herself one on one in a room with him. What are you afraid of? Blume responded. And then Id walk out. A Packed ALA Blumes talk highlighted a jam-packed opening program at the conference. The opening general session appeared to fill every seat in the 3,200 capacity ballroom at Chicagos McCormick Place convention center, and ALA officials said that they expected more than 15,000 to attend this years showup significantly from the 13,000 who attended last years event in Washington, D.C., which was the ALAs first in-person annual conference since 2019. Among the programs other highlights, Dolly Parton was given honorary membership in the ALA for her efforts in promoting a love of reading through her Imagination Library initiative. The associations highest honor, honorary membership is conferred upon a living person whose outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on librarianship, libraries, and the communities they serve. Partons Imagination Library provides free books to children from birth to age five, with more than two million books shipped to children all over the world through each month. While Parton was unable to accept in person, Norah Briggs, executive director of the Dollywood Foundation, was on hand to accept the award, and Parton appeared in a video message, finishing her remarks by thanking the librarians for their work and singing I Will Always Love You. FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel made some news from the stage by announcing a new FCC initiative in the coming weeks to extend the FCCs vital e-rate program, which subsidizes broadband access to libraries and schools, beyond school and library walls. Among the proposed provisions, the initiative, called Learning Without Limits, will expand broadband hotspot distribution in libraries and schools across the country. Local television personalities Matthew Rodrigues and Cortney Hall of NBC's Chicago Today lifestyle show also had an announcement to make. The pair, who have hosted ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall on their program as part of a banned books club for viewers, announced that NBC is planning to expand the banned books club to other media markets. And Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the architect of the states recently enacted law to discourage book bans was on hand to welcome librariansand to announce a new effort to promote the new Illinois law for adoption in other state legislatures. Somehow, tragically, librarians have become targets of a movement that disingenuously claims to pursue freedom but instead promotes authoritarianism, Giannoulias told librarians, acknowledging that many librarians across the nation have been harassed, intimidated, fired, and threatened with fines or jail time simply for doing their jobs. Well, in Illinois, we are saying enoughbecause authoritarian regimes ban books, not democracies." The 2023 ALA Annual Conference kicked off with a Rally for the Right to Read on June 22, and will conclude on Tuesday, June 27, with a keynote from bestselling poet Amanda Gorman and illustrator Christian Robinson. Young readers can jumpstart their summer TBR with big books out this month, including a picture book tale about friendships and boundaries, a middle grade book featuring one Chinese American boy tackling changes at home and school, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel debut, and many more. Picture Books Before, Now Daniel Salmieri. Rocky Pond, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 978-0-5934-6197-6. Ages 47. Salmieri highlights how life is made up of paradoxes and opposites through examples found in the everyday routine. See our q&a with the author-illustrator on the inspiration behind his second solo picture book. The book received a starred review from PW. Papas Magical Water-Jug Clock Jesus Trejo, illus. by Eliza Kinkz. Minerva, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-6626-5104-5. Ages 48. In this autobiographical picture book debut by comedian Trejo, young Jesus is left in charge of his fathers water jug while assisting him at his job as a landscaper. The book received a starred review from PW. Penny & Pip Candace Fleming, illus. by Eric Rohmann. Atheneum/Dlouhy, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-6659-1331-7. Ages 48. Penny is the lone witness to a dinosaur eggs hatching during a class trip to the Museum of National History. See our profile of longtime collaborators and married couple Fleming and Rohmann, in which they discuss their creative process. Salat in Secret Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illus. by Hatem Aly. Random House Studio, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-984848-09-3. Ages 48. When Muhammad receives his first prayer rug for his birthday, he worries about where he will pray when hes in public. The book received a starred review from PW. A Vaccine Is Like a Memory Rajani LaRocca, illus. by Kathleen Marcotte. Little Bee, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-4998-1326-5. Ages 48. Kicking off with a straightforward explanation of vaccines, this picture book guide gives young readers the history and science behind this topic. A final section focuses on the Covid-19 pandemic, saluting scientists who raced to develop the vaccine, which offered a glimmer of hope amid pervasive fear and isolation. We Are Going to Be Pals! Mark Teague. S&S/Beach Lane, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-6659-1186-3. Ages 48. Even a classic symbiotic relationship can get off to a rocky start, Teague shows in this picture book comedy. An egret learns the value of boundaries while attempting to befriend a stoic rhinoceros. You Go First Ariel Bernstein, illus. by Marc Rosenthal. S&S/Wiseman, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-6659-1151-1. Ages 48. In this second match-up from collaborators Bernstein and Rosenthal, theres a new, taller, curvier slide on the playground. Friends Cat and Duck respond differently: Duck is outwardly eager, and Cat clearly is not, though the kitty doesnt admit it. Middle Grade Camp Sylvania Julie Murphy. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $18.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-0631-1402-9. Ages 812. Sent to what seems to be a weight loss camp by her mother, young Maggie discovers that there are more sinister things happening at her summer program. Murphy takes on anti-fat bias while underscoring how parents dont always get things right. Ginny Off the Map Caroline Hickey, illus. by Kelly Murphy. Little, Brown/Ottaviano, $16.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-316-32462-5. Ages 812. In the early 2010s, 11-year-old Ginny, an aspiring geoscientist, works to cope with a summer of change in her frequently moving Army family. The book received a starred review from PW. The Gray Chris Baron. Feiwel and Friends, $18.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-250-86471-0. Ages 1014. Thirteen-year-old New Yorker Sasha reconnects with nature during a device-free summer to mitigate his generalized anxiety condition and occasional panic, which take him to a misty, distorted world he calls the Gray. See our q&a with Baron about his career as a teacher and author. Half Moon Summer Elaine Vickers. Peachtree, $17.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-68263-539-1. Ages 812. Twelve-year-olds Drew and Mia rekindle their friendship when Mia returns to Sacramento, and the pair pick up the hobby of running together. The book received a starred review from PW. The Many Masks of Andy Zhou Jack Cheng. Dial, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-525-55382-3. Ages 10 and up. In Detroit, artistic sixth grader Andy navigates changes at home with the arrival of his grandparents and microaggressions at his school. See our q&a with Cheng and other childrens authors on their books celebrating AAPI identities and cultures. The Order of Things Kaija Langley. Penguin/Paulsen, $17.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-59353-090-0. Ages 10 and up. April must navigate grief, guilt, and her passion for drumming following the loss of a close friend. The book received a starred review from PW. The Probability of Everything Sarah Everett. Clarion, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-063-25655-2. Ages 812. After learning that an asteroid is set to destroy Earth, sixth grader Kemi builds a time capsule to commemorate her family. The debut novel received a starred review from PW. Will on the Inside Andrew Eliopulos. Quill Tree, $19.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-06-322870-2. Ages 812. Based on lived experience, Eliopulos presents a look at the myriad emotions surrounding chronic illness and growing up not straight in a religious Georgia town. The book received a starred review from PW. Wishing Season Anica Mrose Rissi. Quill Tree, $18.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-06-325890-7. Ages 812. After her brother Anderss death, Lily finds him in the overlap, a secret meeting place where Ander is able to speak with her. But when the overlap seems to be closing, Lily grows fearful of losing her only connection to her brother. The book received a starred review from PW. Young Adult At the Speed of Lies Cindy L. Otis. Scholastic Press, $19.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1-3388-0676-2. Ages 12 and up. In this thriller from former CIA officer Otis, high school junior Quinn Calvet gets caught in a media storm when her community-focused Instagram account goes viral during the search for two missing teens. The book received a starred review from PW. A Crooked Mark Linda Kao. Razorbill, $19.99 (368p) ISBN 978-0-593-52757-3. Ages 14 and up. Seventeen-year-old agent Matt Watts, assigned to help track down those who have escaped death from Lucifer, grows conflicted when he befriends his latest target. The book received a starred review from PW. Everyone Wants to Know Kelly Loy Gilbert. Simon & Schuster, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-6659-0136-9. Ages 12 and up. Child reality star Honor Lo grapples with protecting her familys brand when a move to Brooklyn bring up issues of privacy. The book received a starred review from PW. Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam Thien Pham. First Second, $25.99 (240p) ISBN 978-1-250-80971-1; $17.99 paper ISBN 978-1-2508-0972-8. Ages 14 and up. Pham employs food as a vehicle to chronicle his and his familys experience as Vietnamese refugees in this graphic novel memoir. The book received a starred review from PW. Garden of the Cursed Katy Rose Pool. Holt, $19.99 (352p) ISBN 978-1-250-84666-2. Ages 14 and up. Cursebreaker Marlow Briggs teams up with a former friend to gain access to the magical elites who may know more about the death of her mother. The book received a starred review from PW. The Grimoire of Grave Fates Edited by Margaret Owen and Hanna Alkaf. Delacorte, $18.99 (464p) ISBN 978-0-593-42745-3. Ages 12 and up. In an intricately constructed fantasy told in 18 narrativeswritten by 18 authors including Kat Cho, Karuna Riazi, and Julian Wintersthe student body of Galileo Academy tries to uncover the culprit behind the murder of a prejudiced teacher. As the investigation unfolds, however, it becomes clear that every student at Galileo is a suspect. House Party Edited by justin a. reynolds. Joy Revolution, $18.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-593-48815-7. Ages 12 and up. Ten authors, including Angeline Boulley, Ryan La Sala, and Randy Ribay, deliver an alternating-POV novel about an intersectionally diverse group of teenagers enjoying their last house party before graduation. The mashup of prose and rapid-fire text message chains, interspersed with b&w comics by Jerry Craft, present a tale that unfolds over a single night. How to Stay Invisible Maggie C. Rudd. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-3743-9033-4. Ages 1014. When 12-year old Raymond is abandoned by his parents and is forced to learn how to survive on his own, his new friendships at school prompt him to question the long-term effects of his solitude and secrecy. The book received a starred review from PW. Invisible Son Kim Johnson. Random House, $18.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-593-48210-0. Ages 14 and up. Dre Jackson investigates the disappearance of his best friend, who is also responsible for landing him in a juvenile correction facility for a crime Dre didnt commit. The book received a starred review from PW. Pedro & Daniel Federico Erebia, illus. by Julie Kwon. Levine Querido, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-64614-304-7. Ages 12 and up. In this semi-autobiographical debut, Erebia follows his and his brothers journeys from 1968 toddlerhood to young adulthood in 1992. The book received a starred review from PW. The Queens of New York E.L. Shen. Quill Tree, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-06323-795-7. Ages 13 and up. Lifelong friends Everett, Ariel, and Jia spend their first summer apart pursuing their individual passions. Via the trios alternating perspectives, Shen chronicles their tumultuous summers as they come into their own identities and learn how to get by without each others constant support. The Shadow Sister Lily Meade. Sourcebooks Fire, $18.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-7282-6447-9. Ages 14 and up. Casey questions what happened to her older sister Sutton after Sutton disappeared and suddenly returns. See Meades essay for PW about the complicated family history that inspired her YA debut. Sing Me to Sleep Gabi Burton. Bloomsbury, $19.99 (432p) ISBN 978-1-5476-1037-2. Ages 13 and up. Black siren Saoirse ingratiates herself with the prince to find out who has discovered her secret identity. See our roundup of new kids and YA books featuring mermaids. The book received a starred review from PW. Where Echoes Die Courtney Gould. Wednesday, $20 (352p) ISBN 978-1-250-82579-7. Ages 14 and up. Sisters Beth and Riley return to the desert town of their late mothers final investigation and discover an isolated community keeping secrets. The book received a starred review from PW. In a continuing effort to strengthen early literacy, combat Covid-19 related learning loss, and prevent summer slide in Tennessee, the Governors Early Literacy Foundation, based in Nashville, has announced that it is broadening its successful K3 Home Library program to now serve all rising first, second, and third grade students statewide. This summer, GELF, in partnership with Scholastic, will deliver 1.2 million books to more than 200,000 students, teachers, librarians, and media specialists in 152 school districts in all of Tennessees 95 counties. As a result of this expansion, 50,000 more books will reach roughly 40,000 more students and teachers than in 2022. Beginning this month, a package containing six age-appropriate books and additional evidence-based literacy resources will be delivered to the homes of all K3 Home Library participants, at no cost to either the families or the school districts. Each student enrolled in a participating school district was automatically signed up for the program, though families could opt out. GELFs Educator Advisory Councila group of 28 diverse educators from across the stateselected this years books. The 2023 list of 24 titles includes Frog on a Log by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field; The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field; Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho; and Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton. On June 8, James Pond, president of GELF, and Rose Else-Mitchell, president of Scholastic Education Solutions, were on hand to officially launch the program at Nashvilles Norman Binkley Elementary during a special event where author Lester Laminack performed a celebratory read-aloud of his picture book Three Hens and a Peacock. If we dont get reading right, everything else can go wrong, Pond said in a statement. Our goal is to promote a culture of reading in Tennessee by meeting students where they are with the books and resources they need to become lifelong learners. We are honored to work together with school districts, charter schools, and the Tennessee General Assembly to build home libraries statewide, and we hope other states look to us as a leader in collaborative early literacy efforts. Its more than books. Its the future of Tennessee. Tennessee has forged a number of initiatives and legislative efforts in recent years to improve early literacy, and the K3 Home Library campaign has become the largest distribution effort of its kind statewide. The programs goal of getting books into kids homes over the summer falls in line with years of research that has repeatedly shown that access to books is a significant factor in helping children maintain or improve their reading skills over the summer break. According to the eighth edition of the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, more than 40% of kids say that most of the books they read for fun are from their school or classroom library, an option thats not available to them when school is closed. New data indicate that Tennessees literacy efforts, including K3 Home Library, are getting results. Last month, the Tennessee Department of Education reported substantial gains in the most recent statewide tests of third-grade reading proficiency: 40% of third-grade students scored proficient in 2023, up from 34.7% in 2022. This is the fourth year that GELF and Scholastic have partnered for the K3 Home Library campaign. Since its inception as a pilot program in 2020 with 30,000 participating students, K3 Home Library has grown 528% and has delivered more than 3.1 million books to the homes of more than 509,000 elementary school students and teachers in all. This success was a driver in GELF and Scholastics decision to expand the K3 Home Library program this year. Else-Mitchell noted in a statement that Scholastic is proud to carry the partnership forward. This collaboration reflects our shared mission in enriching the lives of all children with the power and joy of reading, she said. We want all students to be equipped through the school year as well as the summer with stories that engage their hearts and minds and knowledge that opens the world to them. Australia to provide $74 mln assistance to Ukraine Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced another military assistance package for Ukraine in the amount of AUD 110 million (around $74 million), local media said. The new package comprises 70 pieces of hardware, including 28 M113 armored vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 MAN 40M medium trucks and 14 trailers. Ukraine will also receive substantial quantities of 105mm artillery rounds. Additionally, Australia will assign 10 million Australian dollars to the United Nations to meet Ukraine's humanitarian needs. Albanese underlined that Australia would continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Purdue-affiliated startup Adranos, manufacturer of solid rocket motors and maker of ALITEC, a high-performance solid rocket fuel that gives greater payload capacity, range and speed to launch systems, has been sold to Anduril Industries. (Photo provided by Adranos Inc.) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Adranos Inc., a Purdue-originated company that grew from a doctoral project into an impactful company, has been acquired by a major Costa Mesa, California-based defense products company, Anduril Industries. Terms of the deal were settled, and the acquisition was announced on Sunday (June 25) in The Wall Street Journal that Anduril Industries is to purchase Adranos, manufacturer of solid rocket motors and maker of ALITEC, a high-performance solid rocket fuel that gives greater payload capacity, range and speed to launch systems. The success of Adranos is the latest manifestation of Purdues heritage of flying with innovation and signifies three growing strengths at our university in recent years: startup creation by Boilermakers, national security and defense research for America, and economic development in Discovery Park District, said Purdue President Mung Chiang. Many future successes will be delivered in these directions through Purdue Innovates, Purdue Applied Research Institute and the Hard Tech Corridor. Brandon Terry invented ALITEC in 2015 while he was a postdoctoral student in Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and continued his work at Purdues School of Mechanical Engineering. Both schools are consistently ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News & World Report. With help from Chris Stoker, an MBA graduate and Doctor of Law from Indiana University, Terry created business plans for ALITEC, a more powerful and more efficient solid rocket fuel that is also less damaging to the environment. Stoker and Terry went on to co-found Adranos, where Stoker is CEO and Terry is chief technology officer. After the company was founded, Adranos participated in Purdue Innovates accelerator program in the Startup Foundry, which gave the company access to mentors, investors and other valuable resources. Adranos also leveraged connections with the Foundry's alumni network and received guidance from Purdue alumni who had expertise in defense and space industry. Purdue's growing reputation as a leader in entrepreneurship played a pivotal role in establishing Adranos' credibility, helping attract investors, partners and talent. Purdue University provides an intentional environment for startups to thrive. The resources available through Purdue Innovates, connections to an abundant innovation ecosystem and access to Purdue-affiliated facilities have played a pivotal role in the success and rapid scaling of Adranos, solidifying the universitys reputation as a driving force behind transformative startups. As Purdue rose to world leadership in patents and startups, it was inevitable that great successes like Adranos would follow said Mitch Daniels, board chair of Purdue Research Foundation and former Purdue University President. Were enormously proud not only from a business standpoint but also of the contribution this Purdue innovation will make to the security of our nation. We created the environment for Purdue startups to thrive and succeed. Adranos is a homegrown Boilermaker success story, joining a growing list of acquisitions like Dr. Phil Lows startup, Endocyte, who inked a $2.1 billion acquisition deal. We anticipate there will be many other companies to follow in their footsteps. Adranos broke ground on a rocket fuel production facility in 2020 at Purdue Research Park. The company received financial support from the Purdue Research Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to construct the facility, which opened in West Lafayette in September 2022. Adranos also has a solid rocket motor production facility in Mississippi and an engineering office in Alabama. Purdue University and the Purdue Research Foundation played critical roles in the success of Adranos. While I was a postdoc at Purdue, I was given the resources and opportunities to convert a conceptual innovation into reality said Terry, Adranos CTO. Additionally, thanks to the Purdue Research Foundation, Adranos was able to transform its lab-scale technical innovation into a state-of-the-art rocket fuel production facility. We have been able to move so fast because of Purdues amazing entrepreneurial resources, specifically the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship and technical leadership. Terry used the commercialization and innovation resources now aggregated under Purdue Innovates, a program that houses the Office of Technology Commercialization, which seeks to build up products and ideas and get them out of the lab and into society. Purdue University has consistently ranked among the top 10 most innovative universities in the U.S. for five consecutive years and holds the impressive position of being the fifth-ranked university in the world for utility patents. Adranos is an excellent example of Purdue intellectual property making its way out of the lab, into a startup, and making a real-world impact in this program, said Brooke Beier, senior vice president of Purdue Innovates. This demonstrates the entrepreneurial nature of our Boilermaker students. A PhD student participated in components of what now make up Purdue Innovates, located their company in Purdue Research Park and now has a successful exit. From start to finish, Adranos demonstrates the success of the services and principles that constitute the Purdue Research Foundation. We created the startup supportive environment and Adranos capitalized on the offerings and put in a tremendous amount of work. As we work to build a strong and unique deal flow with our Purdue Angel Network, we are seeking wins where the startup exits by being acquired or through an IPO. Adranos acquisition exit is a clear win for the Purdue Innovates team. In a tragic car crash in the Omani City of Salalah, four Qatari siblings died where they are laid to rest on Saturday, according to the local social media account Qatar Deaths. The siblings were Saad, Ghanim, Iman, and Fatma, the children of Saleh Saad Al-Kathiri. The exact date of the incident and the ages of the victims are unidentified. According to the ministry, Ghanim attended the Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys, while Fatma was enrolled at the Rawda Bint Jassim Secondary School for Girls. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, on behalf of its leaders, employees, and students, ask God to bless the deceased with the abundance of His mercy, and to grant their families with patience and solace. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return, the statement added. The National Cultural Center for the Deaf expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy following the death of Ms. Iman Saleh Saad Muslim Al Kathiri, member of the National Center for the Deaf. We pray to God Almighty to bless the deceased with the abundance of His mercy and to grant her the highest Paradise, the centre said in a Twitter statement. The tragic incident triggered a wave of condolences and prayers on social media platforms from users in both Qatar and the neighboring country of Oman. Qatar Post issued golden post stamps to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's accession to his reign. The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai inaugurated six postal stamps on Sunday, Jun. 25. The Chairman of Qatar Post Faleh Mohammed Al Nuaimi shared that the stamps celebrate Qatar's achievements under Sheikh Tamim's leadership for the past ten years as the Qatar Post works to celebrate all national milestones and occasions. The new postal stamps series include 300 pure gold stamps, 1,000 golden stamps (24-karat), and 5,000 sets. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to push the boundaries of what's possible in mobile technology, delivering what they claim will be unparalleled user experiences and driving progress in the smartphone industry. The 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.Were thrilled to continue working with our longstanding partner Sony to deliver the next generation of premium mobile technologies to consumers, said O.H. Kwon, senior vice president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies and president of Qualcomm Asia-Pacific (APAC). This collaboration is an exciting opportunity for us to deliver innovative user experiences to help meet the demands of consumers globally.X peria 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, added Tsutomu Hamaguchi, head of mobile communications business unit, Sony Corporation.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. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them. You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them. [Close] Property details: THIS PROPERTY IS OWNER FINANCED4 Other Adjacent lots also available .DOWN PAYMENT: $99.0060 MONTHLY PAYMENTS: $99.00 0% InterestTOTAL SALE PRICE: $6,039.00NO "DOC FEES" OR HIDDEN COST" THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!Parcel: 11406010Parcel: 11406011 SOLD Adjacent lot also availableGPS: 31.97806 -109.80791An Absolutely stunning property just outside one of Americas coolest towns, Cochise AZ of Cochise County. This .53 Acre lot, has some of the most magnificent views in the area, with easy assess to Highway, ... Price: $ 99 Seller State of Residence: Florida Zoning: Mixed State/Province: Arizona Location: 334**, Boynton Beach, Florida You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Arizona President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with United States President Joseph Biden to discuss the frontline hostilities and the processes in Russia. "A positive and inspiring conversation. We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored," Zelenskyy said in a video address on June 25. "I thanked the President of the United States for the unflagging support of Ukraine, especially for Patriots. It is important to further increase Ukraine's capabilities to protect our skies. In this context, I also thanked him for the support of the fighter jet coalition," he said. According to Zelenskyy, they also "discussed further expansion of defense cooperation, with an emphasis on long-range weapons. I am grateful for the readiness of the United States and the American people to stand side by side with Ukraine until the full liberation of all our territories within internationally recognized borders." "We coordinated our positions on the eve of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, discussed further work on the implementation of Ukraine's Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit," he said. The Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections has delayed their vote to change polling locations and precincts for the March 2024 presidential primary. The vote, which was scheduled to take place at the boards July 11 meeting, was delayed until August. The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday told a special court here that former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar misappropriated the lender's funds for personal use. Photograph: PTI Photo The probe agency, represented by special public prosecutor A Limosin, made this argument while urging the special court to take cognizance of the chargesheet filed against Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and others in a case pertaining to cheating and irregularities in sanctioning of loans to Videocon Group firms. Chanda Kochhar was MD and CEO of ICICI Bank between May 2009 and January 2019 in which capacity she was entrusted with the Bank's funds, the CBI told court. She was liable to discharge such trust in accordance with Reserve Bank of India guidelines and loan policies of ICICI Bank, the CBI argued. She conspired with the other accused persons to sanction or get sanctioned credit facilities in favour of companies of Videocon Group, the CBI said. In furtherance of criminal conspiracy, a term loan of Rs 300 crore to Videocon International Electronics Limited was sanctioned in August 2009 by the committee of directors headed by Chanda Kochhar. The loan amount was disbursed through a complex structure involving various companies of Videocon and Rs 64 crore was transferred under the garb of investment to NuPower Renewable Limited of her husband Deepak Kochhar, the court was told. The special public prosecutor further submitted that Chanda Kochhar resided in a flat in Mumbai owned by Videocon Group. The flat was subsequently transferred to her family trust (of which Deepak Kochhar is managing trustee) for a meagre amount of Rs 11 lakh in October 2016, while the actual value of the flat was Rs 5.25 crore in the year 1996. Chanda Kochhar accepted/obtained illegal gratification, other than legal remuneration, of Rs 64 crore as a motive and also, thereby, misappropriated the Bank's fund for her own use, the CBI submitted. The CBI also argued that Deepak Kochhar conspired with other accused persons to get credit facilities sanctioned by ICICI Bank in favour of Videocon Group through his wife and to get illegal gratification of Rs 64 crore in the garb of investment through a web of transactions. The Kochhar couple was arrested by the CBI in December last year in connection with the case. Later, the Bombay high court granted interim bail to the couple and came down heavily on the CBI for making the arrest in a "casual and mechanical" manner and without application of mind. The CBI had named the Kochhars and Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot, along with companies Nupower Renewables (NRL) managed by Deepak Kochhar, Supreme Energy, Videocon International Electronics Ltd and Videocon Industries Limited, as accused in the FIR registered under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in 2019. As per the CBI, ICICI Bank had sanctioned credit facilities to the tune of Rs 3,250 crore to the companies of Videocon Group promoted by Dhoot in violation of the Banking Regulation Act, RBI guidelines, and credit policy of the bank. The government plans to remove the definition of broadcasting services altogether from the bill to help reduce confusion among stakeholders. Photograph: PTI Photo The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is dropping all the amendments to the Trai Act which had been proposed in the draft Telecommunications Bill of September 2022 as it prepares for the final Bill. The proposed changes had come under attack from the regulator as well as telecom and broadcasting companies who had said that it would substantially weaken the regulator and the balance of power between them and the DoT. Trai is believed to have approached the prime minister's office on the matter. The draft bill had suggested doing away with the referencing and back referencing of recommendations between the DoT and Trai which in effect removed the statutory requirement of consultation with the regulator before making policy; diluting the regulator's powers on tariffs by adding a clause that any tariff order could be changed and amended by the DoT; and weakening the power of adjudication vested with TDSAT in case of disputes between telcos or between the latter and the government by creating an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Currently, TDSAT judgments could be appealed only in the Supreme Court. A senior government official said: "Yes, we have proposed dropping the changes that were suggested in the Trai Act through the communications Bill." The official also added that the aim is to delegate more powers to the regulator and that would require a few years (2-3 years) under a revamped TRAI Act. Sources say it could be styled in the same way as the US Federal Communications' Commission which has sweeping powers to regulate the sector. Amongst the other changes that the DoT is proposing is broadening the definition of 'telecommunication services' to include 'broadcasting services'. Under the draft bill, broadcasting services were defined separately as 'telecommunication services intended to be received by the general public either directly or indirectly'. The government plans to remove the definition of broadcasting services altogether from the bill to help reduce confusion among stakeholders. Sources in the government also say that it is considering expanding the provisions of the bill to include offences and contraventions committed outside India. On the works is a proposal to include a separate provision for cyber security under which the government can take measures to ensure the cyber security of telecom networks and telecom services. The bill, which was released last September, was opened up for wider public consultation. It is now in the final stages. The draft telecom bill had also come under fire from OTT communications platforms such as WhatsApp, and video and audio services which, in the draft bill, were defined as 'telecommunication services' and would therefore have to obtain a licence from the DoT. They opposed this, saying the result would be an overlap as they were already regulated as intermediaries under the IT Act. The bill has also identified 'broadcasting services' which require licensing to include direct-to-home, community radio stations, internet protocol TV, downlinking, and uplinking of TV channels. Direct-to-home services had protested that they are already administered under the Cable Act of 1995 by the I&B ministry with whom they are registered. The draft bill would have put them under dual control. Go Firsts lenders have agreed in principle to support the airlines request for Rs 400 crore interim funding to restart its operations. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters The airline temporarily halted operations on May 2, and its insolvency plea was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. On Wednesday, the airlines resolution professional Shailendra Ajmera submitted a business plan and a request for over Rs 400 crore funding to airlines committee of creditors (CoC). The CoC comprises Go Firsts lenders Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Deutsche Bank, and IDBI Bank which collectively have an exposure of over Rs 6,500 crore to the airline. Bank representatives met again on Thursday to discuss the airlines funding request. While the lenders have given an in-principle nod, the additional funding would require approval from respective bank boards. This will happen once the DGCA clears the plans. The additional funds would be treated as interim finance, which has priority over all other debt under the insolvency process. Lenders are trying for a unanimous decision, so that all lenders loan extra funds, said a source. Go First plans to operate around 150 daily flights with 22 aircraft. The airline also plans to operate charter flights for defence forces in the initial phase. Ajmera and senior executives have also apprised DGCA officials about their efforts to restart operations, and addressed their concerns. For the regulator, the main concern is airlines financial sustainability, airworthiness, and consumer interest. Go First intends to start operations on July 1 and needs DGCAs approval for it and sale of tickets. While revival efforts are underway, Go First is also challenging engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitneys (P&Ws) application for a stay on an arbitral award. On March 30, it secured interim relief from the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, which directed P&W to supply the airline with a certain number of spare engines until December 2023. P&W was ordered to take all reasonable steps and release without delay at least 10 serviceable spare leased engines within 28 days of the order and further 10 spare leased engines each month until December. P&W and Go First did not respond to queries. Earlier in May, while opposing Go First's enforcement application in a US court, the engine manufacturer said the airline has no right over engines. Go First is opposing P&W's application before SIAC citing its revival efforts, it has been learnt. American online major Amazon seems to be almost doubling its India investment going by the companys recent announcement during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Andrew Jassy, CEO of Amazon. Photograph: ANI Photo From the time the Seattle-headquartered company started its India journey in 2013, its investment into the country is pegged at $11 billion or roughly $1.1 billion a year. By committing a fresh round of $15 billion by 2030, the Jeff Bezos-founded companys investment would go up to more than $2 billion a year over the next seven years. Even when the entire investment of $26 billion is taken together for a period of 17 years (2013 to 2030), Amazons annual bet is estimated at over $1.5 billion. With this, Amazon could look at stepping its game up considerably in the online retail competition with heavyweights, such as Flipkart (owned by Walmart), and Reliance. Its a significant quantum of investment commitment they are making in India. "We generally assume Amazon is about e-commerce but they also have other businesses and this investment looks like Amazon is expanding beyond e-commerce, said Arvind Singhal, founder and chairman of Technopak Advisors. Singhal also pointed out that as Amazon's investment plans roll out, it will create a virtuous cycle of related investments. The details of how exactly Amazon is looking at investing in India is not known yet, but analysts indicated that the company would like to broaden its reach in the smaller and more remote towns of India, where its biggest rival Flipkart has a solid hold. But the traders lobby fighting foreign giants, such as Amazon, argued that there is no clarity on the details of the investment. If this investment is going to create infrastructure, it's great news. "But if this is going into the Amazon India online business, it simply means the company is covering its losses, said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Khandelwal further asked why the company, despite so many years in India, did not make any profit. Until Amazon India does not follow FDI norms in retail policy, stop deep discounting, and takes care of other issues, all this investment does not make much change at ground level, he added. Besides committing a $15-billion investment over the next seven years, Amazon has announced plans to invest $12.7 billion into its cloud business in India by 2030. About the proposed investment, Andy Jassy, CEO, Amazon, said: We share a number of goals together in India, helping create more jobs, helping digitise more small and medium-size businesses, and helping more Indian companies and products to be able to export all around the world. Amazon has pledged to digitise 10 million small businesses, enable $20 billion in exports, and create 2 million jobs in India by 2025. Currently, Amazon India has already digitised over 6.2 million small businesses, enabled over $7 billion in exports, and created over 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs. Investments from Amazon come even as the government has launched the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Google bets on fintech & AI Meanwhile, Sundar Pichai, CEO and chairman, Alphabet, announced the setting up of a global fintech operation centre in India, signifying the importance of India as a growing fintech hub. India is the third largest-fintech hub with around 9,000 such companies. Tapan Ray, MD & group CEO, GIFT City, said: Googles decision to establish its Global Fintech Operations Center in GIFT City is a testament to India's growing prominence in the fintech landscape. Google will soon start specialised fintech operations in India primarily to support the global services of its instant payment app GPay (formerly Google Pay) and other fintech products. We are excited today that we are announcing the opening of our global fintech operation centre in GIFT City, Gujarat. "It will cement India's fintech leadership, thanks to UPI and Aadhaar. "And we are going to build on that foundation, and take it globally, Pichai said. "GPay, the mobile payment app based on the Indian instant payment system Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has recently crossed the 150-million user mark globally. The app currently serves users in 40 countries, Pichai said at Googles first-quarter earnings call in April. "He applauded the digital payments initiative in India, saying that it is certainly what really got everything started. This (Google Fintech Global Operations Center in GIFT City) recognises Indias leadership on fintech and will support small and large businesses in India, the US, and around the world, a Google spokesperson told Business Standard. It will be built through Google for India Digitization fund -- the $10-billion investment commitment announced in 2020. Of this, almost $4.5 billion have been invested in Jio. Pichai added that the India Digitisation Fund will continue to invest in companies in AI. 'There's this presence, a sense of patrolling and surveillance. And it's not coming from a place of safety.' 'It's coming from a place of 'You don't belong here'.' 'It's a malevolent force, the society at large is observing them.' IMAGE: Ramesha Nawal as Mariam In Flames. Pakistani cinema has had a slow start since the industry was almost obliterated under the dictatorship of Zia-ul Haq. But slowly, the industry is re-emerging with commercial as well as independent films. In the last two years, two Pakistani films have played at the Cannes Film Festival reflecting the works of bright new talents. This year, Zarrar Kahn, 32, brought his first feature In Flames to the Directors' Fortnight section that plays a diverse programming parallel to the main festival. It has been 43 years since a Pakistani film (Jamil Dehlavi's The Blood of Hussain) has played in the section. In Flames is the story of two woman -- a mother Fariha (Bakhtawar Mazhar) and her daughter Mariam (Ramesha Nawal) -- who face daily humiliation in an overwhelming patriarchal society. The death of the senior male member of the family makes things even worse for them. Kahn adds a twist to the film, where the desperate struggles of the women are presented as a ghost story. Kahn is an alumnus of the TIFF Talent Lab, Locarno Filmmakers Academy, Open Doors Locarno, Asian Film Academy and Director's Lab programme at the Canadian Film Centre. His short films have been screened and awarded in several festivals, including TIFF, Locarno and BFI London. Now mostly based in Karachi, Kahn also spends time in his second home in Mississauga, Canada. "Karachi is a city of so many contradictions. We have legislation that are very robust in terms of women's rights and property rights, but then we have a society that actively tries to suppress those rights. I wanted those complexities and contradictions to be highlighted," Kahn tells Rediff.com long time Contributor Aseem Chhabra after the Cannes Film Festival. Zarrar, the film really moved me, the way it unfolds. How do you interpret this hellish world the mother and daughter are living in where they have ghosts watching them? If you speak to women in Pakistan, and Karachi in particular, they always feel like they are being watched. There's this presence, a sense of patrolling and surveillance. And it's not coming from a place of safety. It's coming from a place of 'You don't belong here.' It's a malevolent force, the society at large is observing them. The women in my life have told me stories about these horrific acts and incidents they had lived through. As an artist, I am inspired by genre film-makers primarily because that's what keeps cinema exciting. I was also cognisant that I come from a part of the world where there are a lot of stories about the trauma that characters live through. I didn't want to add to that canon of cinema. Rather, I wanted to create cinema where my characters defeat and conquer their demons. At the beginning of the film, Mariam gets into the car. She's wearing a headscarf. I know Pakistan is not Saudi Arabia, and things have changed in Saudi Arabia as well. But my first reaction was, 'Wow, she's driving a car,' given how conservative she looks. Tell me about this healthy and unhealthy balance because a brick hits the car, and later, a guy says, 'Hamari auraten to bahar nikalti nahin hain.' Karachi is a city of so many contradictions. We have legislation that are very robust in terms of women's rights and property rights but then we have a society that actively tries to suppress those rights. I wanted those complexities and contradictions to be highlighted. The women I know in Karachi are doctors who are on the front lines of providing COVID relief, driving themselves to work while wearing hijabs, while also being in arranged marriages they don't feel comfortable about. All these contradictions work in tandem. For me, that's where a good story and good characters come from. We meet Mariam who wants independence and to live life on her own terms. But she's aware of the society she's operating in. That's the character who has the highest level of awareness of how she has to navigate that society, where she can and can't push. IMAGE: Zarrar Kahn, centre, with the In Flames team at Cannes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Delphine Pincet Is Karachi any different from Lahore or Islamabad, in terms of how women are treated? Karachi is the most progressive of the three cities. It's the biggest city with 20 million people. It is Pakistan's melting pot. It's where everyone comes to try and make a buck and achieve their dreams. But when you have that many people in a city, it's ripe to explode. There's always that simmering fire of something that can go wrong on an enormous scale. I wanted that tension to come out in their day-to-day life, how the women navigate the cities. We don't see overt politics. But the politics is interweaved into how Mariam and Fariha are trying to get by. There was a short that you made that evolved into this feature. I made a short in 2018 called Dia about a young woman who's in a secret online relationship. It dealt with grief and trauma. It was supposed to be a drama, but during the edit, I realised the character was terrified and some of that fear led the film to becoming a thriller, without there being any intention of it being so in the script. When I was developing, In Flames, I wanted to do that with greater intention, lean into the tropes of genre. Dia wasn't a proof of concept for a feature film, but a story of a mother, daughter and a younger brother, living in a cramped apartment, trying to survive. There were so many themes there -- patriarchy, what it's like to be in Karachi, the strife and the tension. The actress, who played the mother, ended up playing the mother Fariha in the film too. In between 2018 and 2023, I kept making more and more shorts and learning the craft because I did not go to film school. Something happened in the pandemic, when we were all propped on Zoom calls, feeling very generous about telling our stories, not knowing if we would ever get that chance again. Because we thought the world was ending. So a lot of that confessional element and honesty I interwove in this movie. But I took it a little bit further into the horror zone because I feel the lens of horror allows the story to be more visceral. IMAGE: Zarrar Kahn at Cannes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Zarrar Kahn/Instagram How did you find Ramesha Nawal, who plays Miriam? This is her first time on camera. I come from a theatre background as do a lot of the people in this film. I had a theatre company in Karachi that I had set up when I was a teenager. We did outreach on social media and Ramesha signed up for an online audition. After 45 minutes, I knew this is the one. The first time we met was during our first table read. She walked into the room and she has a very quiet presence in real life. But then as soon as the camera was on her, she transformed. She has such incredible instincts. I would have to give little direction and see what she would do with it. What are the opportunities in for acting and film-making in Pakistan? I know Pakistan produces commercial films, but in the so-called independent art house space? In the last two years, two films have come to Cannes. What is changing in Pakistan as far as cinema is concerned? In the past, many of the actors were coming from a television background and they had theatrical acting skills. The current actors are doing more natural acting. I try not to work with actors who have a history of working in the television industry because there's a level of presentational performance. And that's not something that I gravitate towards. Instead, I have tried to work with people who come from theatre because their process is similar to mine, where I like to rehearse and discuss the motivations and different kinds of approaches to how we build the characters. I think what's changing is access and means of production. For a long time, cinema has been a privilege space for people who can afford a camera, film stock and develop film. Cameras are now cheaper than ever. I remember when I first started making films, there were two red cameras in all of Karachi. Now we have nearly 10 ARRIs that you can rent. Also, the Internet makes so many different kinds of cinema available. For a long time, we were only watching mainstream Bollywood films in Pakistan. And those films would inspire a lot of commercial cinema. But those films in Pakistan had budgets of not even one-tenth of the Bollywood films. I was able to get access to films like Titli and Gangs of Wasseypur and they looked more like the Karachi I know. It was very strange to be at Cannes with Kanu Behl and Anurag Kashyap. Those films were foundational to a lot of the independent works that we see coming out. It felt within reach of what we could execute. So we owe a lot to what our fellow South Asian film-makers have done as we are building the infancy of this Pakistan industry. IMAGE: Director Zarrar Kahn with Ramesha Nawal on the sets of of In Flames. Photograph: Kind courtesy Zarrar Kahn/Instagram For a narrative, the script that you had, did you look for financing in Pakistan or it was all Canadian financing? I look everywhere. I made a short film called 1978 that was 100 percent financed out of Pakistan. It's difficult because you are not going to recoup money if you are investing. It's very hard to convince Pakistani investors to finance a film. For a long time, my producer Anam Abbas and I thought we were going to follow the European path of raising funds, as a lot of Indian independent cinema does as well now. Then we were at the Berlin talent market in 2020, where we met Shant Joshi, who later became an executive producer on In Flames. He liked the project and suggested that since we had Canadian passports, we should try to pursue Canadian financing. A big impetus for why we choose to work in Pakistan was because we didn't feel there was space for stories we wanted to tell in the Canadian landscape. But what Shant and some producers like him in Canada are doing is they are changing what Canadian films look like. They are changing who gets to make Canadian films. We accessed the fund to produce low budget first features. We are the first Canadian funded film to shoot in Pakistan in Urdu. Were you were born in Pakistan and at some stage, your family moved to Canada? I was born in Pakistan. My family moved to Mississauga when I was nine, and I spent a few formative years there. Then we move back to Pakistan where I did high school, and then back to Canada, where I got a theatre degree. I have spent my foundational years in both countries. I was volunteering at a film festival during my undergrad when I met Richie Mehta (Delhi Crime) who is also from Mississauga. He told me, 'If you stay in this country, you will be telling immigrant narratives and they will put you in a box.' That was reflective of the Canada that he knew and I took that advice to heart. I looked around in the landscape and didn't see people who looked like me telling stories that I was interested in. So I decided to build my career out of Karachi, where I spent the greater part of the last 10 years learning about the film industry there. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Reznikov: This year to be a game changer in war against Russia, Ukraine must win This year will be a game changer and the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) must win this war as they are fighting to defend this country, Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said in an interview with Fox News. "My gut feeling is we will win this war because we are fighting for our country," he said. The minister also described the current maneuvers of the Ukrainian troops as "some kind of preparatory operation," acknowledging the Russians had built up "very strong defensive lines." He admitted early expectations were "overestimated" for the offensive, and Ukraine is very careful when it puts its brave and motivated fighting men and women in harm's way. "We try to save their lives," Reznikov said. He described the Russian approach to using its troops as a "meat grinder." He added, however, that once it fully gets going, it will be successful and "one step closer to victory." Speaking about Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempts to play the nuclear card, Reznikov said: "I think, for me, personally, it sounds like a bluff. I think the civilized world has arguments against that to persuade him." India's historical focus on its continental borders has overshadowed its maritime ambitions, but that is changing quickly, notes Ajai Shukla. IMAGE: The Indian Navy carries out the TROPEX exercise in the Indian Ocean Region. Photograph: ANI Photo As a military influencer, India has come late to the Indo-Pacific region. Yet, arrived it has, as is evident from a spate of bilateral and multilateral engagements and exercises that our army, navy and air force carries out around the year. Every year, our military conducts 62 bilateral and 23 multilateral exercises, raising our warriors' skill levels and profile. Such is our navy's role in securing the sea lines of communications (SLOCs) that carry trade through this region, that the US military felt it necessary to rename this military theatre. Referred to, since the end of World War II, as the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), this has been renamed the United States Indo-Pacific Command. It is sometimes hard to remember that this mutual regard and cooperation is very recent. Only in December 2004 did the Indian Navy's lightning-quick response to the Indian Ocean tsunami make USPACOM and the Pentagon realise that here was an ally worth having, especially given mutual concerns about the rise of an aggressive China. What are the aims of New Delhi's Indo-Pacific policy? Besides safeguarding the world's SLOCs, for which India has embraced the role of 'net security provider', there is the piracy threat, sea-based terrorism of the kind that struck Mumbai in 2008; smuggling, fishing and humanitarian aid, and disaster relief and search and rescue responsibilities. India also has a huge diaspora, including some 8 million citizens living, working and remitting money from the Gulf. Whenever something has gone wrong in that volatile part of the world, India has evacuated its citizens, starting from Saddam Hussein's 1990-1991 invasion of Kuwait. Nor should it be overlooked that India supports its overseas citizens on its own dollar. Unlike US allies, such as Pakistan, who never fail to present Washington with inflated bills for every counter-terrorism patrol they claim to have done and for every night vision device damaged, India foots its own bill for overseeing the Indian Ocean. In addition, New Delhi currently provides $18 billion in lines of credit for development projects in littoral States. The decision to use the Indian Navy as a diplomatic tool across the Indian Ocean came not from diplomats, but from the navy itself. It was first written into naval doctrine, and the foreign ministry eventually recognised the special conditions of maritime diplomacy. The delay in developing India's maritime diplomacy and Indo-Pacific policy raises questions about why it took so long. The answer is: New Delhi was preoccupied northwards. For four decades after Independence in 1947, New Delhi's strategic attention remained on China and Pakistan. The four wars that India fought against these two adversaries -- 1947-1948, 1962, 1965 and 1971 -- reinforced what strategists have termed a 'continental mindset', which was shaped by the historical experience of centuries of invasions from Central Asia, and then by the 19th century Great Game, in which Britain and Russia competed for influence in Central Asia, Asia Minor and to the borders of British India. This 'continental' outlook -- the belief that the threat comes from the north -- is deeply entrenched in New Delhi. This is so despite the fact that most Central Asian invaders were assimilated into India, lured by the easy life here and the logistical difficulties in repatriating India's agricultural produce and textiles. However, the arrival of sea-borne colonial powers -- the Dutch, Portuguese, French and British -- who used large merchant vessels to physically repatriate Indian wealth to Europe, and bring in cheap manufactured goods on the return leg, that completely destroyed small-scale Indian economy based on artisan production, taught India a valuable lesson about the criticality of maritime power. It is no coincidence then that India's independence struggle began as a campaign against economic exploitation. But this invaluable lesson was lost on a young, newly independent country. Some of India's new leaders had naval power ambitions, but London believed the Indian Navy should limit itself to the defence of the British Commonwealth. This view prevailed, since New Delhi's precarious finances made it dependent upon the Admiralty for warships. Even so, a fateful decision was taken in 1956, which has shaped India's Navy ever since. New Delhi decided to buy a Royal Navy 'surplus-to-requirement' light aircraft carrier, HMS Hercules. Commissioned in 1961, the INS Vikrant set the Indian Navy on a path from which it has never swerved since -- that of an aircraft carrier power -- wedded to the notion of sea control, and power projection through at least two aircraft carrier battle groups, one operating off its western coast and the other off its eastern coast. The sea control mindset was best articulated by Henry L Stimson, US secretary of war through World War II, who memorably described: '...the peculiar psychology of the [US] Navy Department, which frequently seemed to retire from the realm of logic into a dim religious world in which Neptune was God, Mahan his prophet and the United States Navy the only true church.' This church now has one more believer, even if four decades have elapsed before the Indian and US navies seem likely to worship together. That was because, in 1962, the year after INS Vikrant was commissioned, China defeated India heavily. That reinforced India's continental mindset, galvanised army and air force modernisation, and marginalised the navy. Its share of the defence budget, which had tripled from 4 per cent in 1950-51, to 12 per cent in 1959-1960, sank back to 4 per cent after the war. Paradoxically, that has been the making of the Indian Navy. Unable to afford even the second-hand, cut-price vessels the Royal Navy was offering to sell India, our first generation of admirals realised they must create a builder's, not a buyer's, navy. While the IAF and army indulged their love for foreign equipment, the navy has learned to build cheaply in India. Today, the navy has achieved significant headway in heavy engineering skills. In addition, the navy learnt the art of integrating diverse weapon systems, cherry-picked from across the world, onto successive classes of multi-role warships. For example, in the Shivalik-class frigates, which began entering service in 2009, the navy integrated Russian Shtil anti-air missiles, Russian Klub anti-ship cruise missiles, the Israeli Barak-1 missile defence system, and the Italian Oto Melara 76 millimetre super rapid gun mount that India manufactures under licence. During the 1960s and 1970s, with New Delhi realising that an economically declining Britain was an inadequate partner, the Soviet Union supplanted the UK as its principle supplier of warships, technology and design expertise. The Indian Navy began a love affair with Russia, which still continues, albeit in a different form, especially in strategic realms like nuclear submarine design. Meanwhile, American design influence will begin shaping the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers. The first of the two indigenous carriers, INS Vikrant, bears the Russian design stamp of a ski jump. But a second indigenous carrier, INS Vishal, which is still on the drawing board, will draw heavily on the US carrier philosophy -- a larger catapult launch, with probably F/A-18E/F Super Hornets embarked. So the Indian Navy's sea control strategy is likely to be based on three aircraft carriers, with two of them operational at any given time. Each will be at the centre of a carrier battle group drawn from a total fleet of about 175 ships, including about 50 capital warships and about 600 naval aircraft, with about 100 of them based at sea. Meanwhile, Russian design and operational assistance will continue in the submarine realm, where Washington refuses to share technology. 'In Tamil Nadu we head the NDA, the BJP is a junior partner.' 'As long as they know that, all will be well.' IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit A Shah being felicitated with a mace during a rally organised to celebrate the completion of nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in Vellore, June 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A few weeks ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Tamil Nadu President Kuppusamy Annamalai had released the 'DMK Files', listing the assets of prominent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders, which he alleged were the result of corruption. At that time he had also claimed he would be releasing details of the assets of all the political parties that had ruled Tamil Nadu. As this includes the All India Anna DMK which is a BJP ally. his statement came as a surprise. The AIADMK then responded by saying that they have 'nothing to hide'. Its complacency was shattered when Annamalai spoke about J Jayalalithaa and her conviction for corruption. The AIADMK passed a resolution condemning the statement and several former AIADMK ministers lashed out at Annamalai for daring to speak against their beloved 'Amma'. The alliance between the two parties seems to be coming undone, with various AIADMK leaders taking potshots at Annamalai, and even questioned the BJP. "He has since apologised and promised to not repeat the statement, but if he does, we will retaliate very harshly," D Jayakumar, former minister and senior AIADMK leader, tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar. Annamalai had said he would release the assets of all parties that had ruled Tamil Nadu. Why didn't you object at that time? Of course, we had reacted. I had said, 'Madiyil ganam irundhaal vazhiyil bayam irrukkum', which means we would be worried only if we had anything to hide. Why do you think Annamalai is criticising Jayalalithaa? He has no right to speak about our late leader Jayalalithaa. We condemned it immediately and retaliated against Annamalai. He has taken back his statement and is praising her now. We are happy that he has expressed regret. We believe that he will not talk about Amma and our party, but if he does, we will retaliate very harshly Senthil Balaji is being investigated by the ED for what he did as an AIADMK minister. He was our minister and he was collecting money from drivers and conductors to give them jobs. When Amma came to know about this, she made him resign as minister. The FIR against him was filed in 2018, when we were in power. Do you think the BJP will survive in Tamil Nadu without the AIADMK? We are a member of the National Democratic Alliance. In Tamil Nadu we head the NDA, the BJP is a junior partner. As long as they know that, all will be well. Do you trust the BJP? You know in the past they have had an alliance with the DMK as well. They are now our alliance partner. They will contest the seats that we give them. Our principles are different and the way we run our parties is also different. Will you end the alliance if Annamalai continues criticising your party? He will not speak. Do the threat of ED, IT, CBI cases worry you? They are doing their job. Those who commit crimes have to be scared. Why did the BJP lose in Karnataka? They lost because the people did not vote for them. The BJP has to find out why this happened. We are not concerned. Does Prime Minister Narendra Modi have any effect in the South? All parties want to increase their influence to all parts of the country. The BJP is trying like every other party. Is the OPS chapter over for AIADMK? OPS (former chief minister O Panneerselvam) is an opportunist. He was expelled from the party by the general council. He has no connection to us. As far as we are concerned, he is finished. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'If the Kukis and Meiteis are the warring groups, then we need to find space for a third group which can mediate between the two.' IMAGE: Meiteis protest against the violence in Manipur at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo Former BJP MLA from Moirang, Manipur and IAS officer Pukhrem Sharatchandra Singh articulates the views of the Meiteis and why the demand raised by Manipur's Kuki BJP MLAs for a separate administration is unConstitutional. Singh delves into Manipur's pre and post-Independence history to assert why nobody can challenge the state's territorial integrity. He also suggests ways in which peace can be restored in the troubled state in this interview to Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com. Why is violence still raging on in Manipur? How long will this continue? I am quite optimistic that the violence will stop decisively very soon; it cannot go on unabated. Everyone knows that the infiltrators from across the borders from Myanmar are responsible for killings in the state. After the military junta in Myanmar dethroned the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, they (the Myanmarese Kuki militants) could not hold back there (in Myanmar). They crossed the border because their ethnic cousins are living on our side of the border. According to published estimates and studies done by some scholars, between February 2021 and 2022, not less than 20,000 to 22,000 extremist-refugees crossed the border. And they are all armed people. They found this place (the hills in Manipur where a majority of Kukis from India reside) very homely because it is a very fertile area with vacant hill areas. Manipur's geography is such that the valley is only 10 per cent of the total area and the remaining 90 per cent are hilly areas. The Meiteis are the majority in the valley. How did such large infiltration by militants from across Myanmar miss the eye of India's security forces along the Manipur-Myanmar border? How could we allow more than 20,000 militants to cross the border? If infiltration of militants did happen in such large numbers then isn't that a security threat to India? Why couldn't the N Biren Singh government do anything about it? Why did they allow so many infiltrators to come into India? Isn't this a logical question to ask? This crossing-the-border in this region between India and Myanmar, particularly at the stretch where Manipur adjoins Myanmar, is very easy because it is an open space, the borders are porous. The same ethnic Kuki groups live on both sides of this particular border area. Therefore, it is very easy for them (to infiltrate into India unnoticed). It is rather difficult for the state forces or the central forces to prevent this kind of infiltration when militants cross the borders in the guise of refugees. You are very optimistic that violence will end in Manipur soon. What is the reason for your optimism? Who will end the violence and how will the violence end? There is suspension of operations (by the Indian security forces and Manipur state police against Kuki militants from India) between the Kuki militants (having their presence) in Manipur (but native to Manipur), the Government of India and the state government of Manipur. This is a tripartite agreement which was signed first sometime in 2008. It is renewed from time to time on a yearly basis. The onus (of ending violence and hostilities) is on the stakeholders -- the three parties to the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement -- to prevent genocidal attacks on people of Manipur. If one of the signatory violates the terms and conditions of the SoO, then it is the responsibility of the establishment to ensure that violators follow the SoO in spirit and letter and they are brought back to the negotiating table. The terms of the agreement are very clear. The Kuki militants (who are Indian citizens) are the signatory to the SoO, not the Burmese Kuki militants who infiltrate into Manipur as refugees. The terms and conditions of the SoO agreement do not apply to Burmese militants, who are also of Kuki ethnicity, but are now indulging in violence on Indians from within India's borders. The ethnic relationship between them (the Kuki militants in India and Myanmar) makes things easy for some people to do all these kind of violent activities. That's the main problem in Manipur today. We cannot blame the (Union and state) governments essentially because this is hundreds of kilometres of difficult, porous and open hilly terrain where everyone is going freely in and out. Why I am saying that there will be decisive end to violence in Manipur because the SoO clearly states there should not be any violation of the suspension of operation agreement. When the British people were in India they had done thorough research (of the violent clashes between various ethnicities in the region) and they realised that the culture of the Manipuris is such that they do not attack people. But in case somebody embarks on a misadventure or this kind of genocidal attacks, then they retaliate. IMAGE: People gather near the wrecked and charred remains of houses following fresh violence that occurred in several areas of Manipur, June 12, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Who is responsible for the violence? While the Meiteis are blaming Kuki militants, the hill tribals are blaming radical outfits like the Leepun Meitei and Arambai Tengol for ethnic cleansing. We cannot change the facts. It is the Kuki militants from Myanmar, who have infiltrated into India and are indulging in violence (against the Meiteis). Every attack is visually documented and it proves the presence of large number of Myanmarese Kuki militants involved in this violence. These Kuki militants from across the border fired the first salvo on May 3 and since then they are at it. Who started the violence? You cannot twist the facts. Let us not draw a wrong picture. Anyway, the situation will come to an end. This kind of violent situation cannot go on like that. And then that end will come. It will be very decisive. But only thing is that there should not be any delay on the part of the Government of India, on the part of the state government to bring that restoration of peace and stopping violence. One should know that Manipur was an independent princely state when the British ruled India. Manipur joined India in 1949, even before the Constitution was adopted by the Indian Parliament. So Manipur was an independent state. We had our own Manipur State Constitution Act of 1947 under which the maharaja of Manipur was managing the affairs of Manipur. And even when Manipur was defeated by the British colonial forces in 1891, it was not annexed to India. It was in 1949 that the maharaja of Manipur signed the merger agreement with the Government of India and Manipur became a part of Indian Union. The present Constitution of India very clearly defines and asserts in Article 1 of the Constitution and in the First Schedule of the Constitution the territory of Manipur. And this is stated in such a way that the territory of Manipur will be that which was in existence before its annexation, before it joined the Indian Union. So where is the dispute? There is no dispute. Manipur's territorial integrity (as part of the Indian Union) is unassailable. Nobody can challenge it. Are you saying this in the context of the proposal of Kuki tribal MLAs from the hills who wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit A Shah seeking a separate administration for the hill people? Why are they (the BJP MLAs from the hills of Manipur) demanding separate administration? Manipur comes under Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, under Article 244, while the Sixth Schedule is applicable to states like Assam, Mizoram, etc. So this is an illegal demand (for separate administration). The Constitution very clearly lays down that Manipur comes under the Fifth Schedule, under Article 244, which does not talk about (any) autonomy (to anybody). (Clauses related to) Autonomy and that kind of autonomous regions come under (the purview) of Sixth Schedule only. The Sixth Schedule is not applicable to Manipur. The demand of the Kukis (tribal MLAs who wrote the letter seeking separate administration) is unConstitutional. In addition to this, a person who is an MLA, or a minister, who has sworn by the Constitution to uphold the sovereignty and the integrity of India, should not talk about separate administration. That is unConstitutional. Is seeking separate administration similar to demanding autonomy? The Kuki MLAs were not asking for division of Manipur. Is that right? Is that (proposal seeking separate autonomy) helping India's integrity and sovereignty? Look at the present situation in Manipur. Manipur is in flames. When we (the Meiteis) talk about sovereignty and integrity (of India), and they (the Kuki MLAs from the hills) talk about separate administration isn't that like demanding autonomy? Separate administration? What is this? When we (Manipur) are governed by the Fifth Schedule, which when read with Article 244 leaves no space for a separate administration. So how can they think on these lines? Are you saying that as soon as the government revokes the SoO, peace will return to Manipur? Even if they do not revoke the SoO, the terms and conditions of the SoO should be enforced. And all the Kukis, insurgents or militants who were part of the SoO agreement should follow the terms of the agreement. They (the Kuki militants who are from India) should return to the designated camps. They should not loiter around and they should not use looted guns to attack other people. Once you do that, we can easily identify the Burmese militants who are attacking our people. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit A Shah with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh meets with members of the different civil society organisations, in Imphal, May 30, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Both sides have looted arms and ammunitions from the state police and armoury. How dangerous does that make the chance of peace to return to Manipur? This is a mob situation; you cannot have any rule that can control the mob in a mob situation. I was in the Indian Administrative Service; I was a deputy commissioner in Chandel district. I know everything. I have good experience about it. This kind of situation will not continue any longer. Only thing is that the stakeholders should work on a timeline and then try to restore peace; once that happens other important issues are resettlement, rehabilitation and safety of our people (both Meiteis and Kukis). We should switch the priority from this kind of fight; let it go on for some time. It will stop automatically. But we should focus on relief, rehabilitation and the resettlement of those 60,000 displaced persons, give ex-gratia payment for more than 300 people who died and suffered injuries during the violence. How huge will that a challenge be given the distrust that both Meiteis and Kukis now have for each other? We have the Hill Area Committees. The Constitution provides for Hill Area Committees in Fifth Schedule areas like Manipur. And then Hill Area Committee is represented by all the tribal ministers and MLAs, (among whom) some are Nagas, some are Kukis. In case if we are assuming that the Kukis and Meiteis are the warring groups, then we need to find space for a third group, which can mediate between the two. Hill Area Committee is a Constitutional body so they can think about it, they should find the solution. We need to utilise the space for a third force. In case two warring groups are not listening to each other, then there is need for mediation. And who can mediate in this situation according to you? We have that Hill Areas Committee which has 20 MLAs belonging to different tribal communities. And then there the other key stakeholders -- the state government, civil society organisations and then the central government should play the key role in facilitating this kind of dialogue. 'This committee underscores the Indian State's longstanding conventional approach to leverage top-down conflict management in North East India in general and Manipur in particular.' 'Trying to 'manage' violent conflicts top-down has not worked in the past, and apparently does not seem to work this time either.' IMAGE: Kukis stage a rally in Churachandpur, May 30, 2023 to restore peace in Manipur during Union Home Minister Amit A Shah's visit. Photograph: ANI Photo In the first part of an e-mail interview to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, Kham Khan Suan Hausing, professor and head, department of political science, University of Hyderabad, spoke about why the people of Manipur are upset with the central government. "Disarming armed militant groups is a welcome step to stop the violence in the state," says Hausing, also a senior fellow, Centre for Multilevel Federalism, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, in the concluding part of his interview. Part 1 of the Interview: 'Modi's silence has grievously hurt the people of Manipur' Why do the Kukis believe that the state police, including the Manipur Rifles, favour Meiteis? Is there any truth in these allegations? There are credible reports that the state police constabularies including the Manipur Rifles openly extend security cover to armed Meitei militant groups like Arambam Tenggol and Meitei Leepun to undertake offensive attacks and arsons on Kuki-Zomi villages on the foothills. The most recent offensive strikes against Kuki villages like Khamenlok, Aigejang and Khopibung, where armed Meitei groups were mobilised in thousands to launch attacks against these villages under full security cover provided by the state police. Reports on wanton abuse of State-owned ambulances to provide ammunition and reinforcements to the Meitei armed groups in the name of evacuating injured combatants are beyond belief. And the allegation of the Meiteis is that Assam Rifles, the longest serving paramilitary force in the state, is turning a blind eye to illegal poppy cultivation in Kuki-dominated hills. Is this allegation true? Does it mean that the central armed forces are supporting the Kukis and state armed forces are supporting the Meiteis resulting in permanent tensions on the ground? I think the allegation of the Meiteis that Assam Rifles have turned a blind eye to illegal poppy cultivation in Kuki-dominated hills is misplaced as the responsibility of preventing such illegal practices lies squarely with the state government. Given that all communities in the state have been involved in poppy cultivation at one point of time and given that the dominant players in the drug and gun trade in the state and across the Indo-Myanmar borders are from the valley areas, including high-ranking political leaders and proscribed Meitei terrorist organisations, selective targeting of the Kuki-Zomi conceals a much deeper problem and nexus which drive and sustain drug and gun trade in this part of the world. The high-profile drug case busted by Thounaojam Brinda, the decorated Manipur police officer, in 2018 and Raghumani Singh, the Uripok MLA's recent letter to the Union home minister which underscore the involvement of political leaders in Biren Singh's BJP government in a May 2019 high-profile drug case demonstrate this deep nexus. What about the disarming of different militant groups? Is there any policy from the government to ensure that different warring faction should come and surrender their arms, which is causing the largescale violence? Disarming armed militant groups is a welcome step to stop the violence in the state. Given that there are credible reports of handing over 4,000 automatic rifles and five lakh (500,000) rounds of live ammunition to the already armed Arambam Tenggol and Meitei Leepun -- who are frontal groups conveniently used by both the state government and six proscribed armed terrorist groups in the valley area -- it is imperative that combing operations start with right earnest from the valley areas to disarm these armed militant groups. Similar attempts should also be made in the hill areas to disarm armed groups, which I believe should be much easier as all the militant groups in the hill areas are party to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Is it true that 45,000 people are living in relief camps? What are their living conditions and where are they located? What help is the Government of India providing them? Yes, it is true that over 45,000 Internally Displaced Populations (IDP) live in relief camps of which the Kuki-Zomi groups alone counted for more than 41,000. These IDPs are given temporary shelters across various towns of the state, among others, Lamka (Churachandpur), Kangpokpi, and Imphal, and outside the state including Aizawl (Mizoram), Guwahati, Shillong, and Delhi. Mizoram alone has more than 10,000 Kuki-Zomi IDPs who are given shelter in various relief camps. The conditions of relief shelters is in a bad shape as the state is yet to extend the much needed relief and rehabilitation material including food, clothing, drinking water, electricity, and healthcare. Absent these, relief camps especially in the hill areas are compelled to rely principally on funds from neighbouring states and from philanthropic organisations within and outside the state. Unlike Manipur, the state government of Mizoram has done a commendable job by setting up a state-level committee to deal with relief and rehabilitation of IDPs from Manipur. The governor of Manipur has only visited the relief camps in the hill areas of Manipur only after one month of the outbreak of violence. This is very unfortunate and demonstrates the sincerity of the state government to the cause of relief and rehabilitation. The Centre's promise to extend relief and rehabilitation measures is too halting and limited. This needs immediate attention as the monsoon has already arrived in the State and there is a conspicuous lack of proper shelter, drinking water, sufficient supply of food, clothing, electricity, and healthcare. A transparent, effective and time-bound delivery of relief and rehabilitation packages is imperative to forestall impending humanitarian crisis. Why is the peace committee headed by state Governor Anusuiya Uikey proving to be a non-starter? The 52-member peace committee headed by Anusuiya Uikey, the governor of Manipur, turns out to be a non-starter as the members were superimposed from the Centre without any prior consultation. Including Biren Singh, who is complicit in this violence, is seen by Kuki-Zomi groups as exposing the half-hearted commitment and sincerity of the Centre to securing peace in the state. This committee also underscores the longstanding conventional approach of the Indian State to leverage top-down conflict management in North East India in general and Manipur in particular. Trying to 'manage' violent conflicts top-down has not worked in the past, and apparently does not seem to work this time either. What has happened to the Modi government's Act East policy? Why is no one is looking at Manipur now? Why is it in a state of neglect? Grandstanding dialogue on and developmental policies such as the Act East Policy (AEP) work only when there are favourable material conditions on the ground. The rickety roads, transportation and communication infrastructure in the hill areas of Manipur where two major bridgeheads to Southeast Asia, namely Moreh and Behiang, are located are not particularly amenable to promote AEP. The development disparity and lack of commitment of the state's elites to bridge the hills-valley divide for all these years have laid down the foundation of distrust and suspicion which have important bearings on the trust and legitimacy of the state. The outbreak of violence, the near complete physical and demographic separation entailed by these violent conflicts, is not likely to auger well for peace and stability in the Indo-Myanmar border. Promotion of trade, tourism and development policies like the ones entailed by AEP is founded on peace and stability on the one hand, and on building trust and legitimacy of the state on the other hand. Unfortunately, these have been badly battered by the violence in the state since May 3. 'Every type of deal that US government officials were privately indicating 'hope' to have included a few months back made it in.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and US President Joe Biden at a meeting with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, June 23, 2023. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Richard M Rossow is the chair in US-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank in Washington, DC. He has devoted 16 years to nurturing, helping build and reinforcing the partnership between the US and India. Before CSIS, he led the tasks his firm, McLarty Associates, undertook for clients in India. McLarty Associates was set up by Thomas F 'Mack' McLarty, one of Bill Clinton's oldest friends from Arkansas, who also served as the then president's chief of staff. Rossow was also the deputy director of the advocacy group, the US-India Business Council, for a fruitful decade from 1998 to 2008. "Our strategic and commercial interests overlap sufficiently to unlock big things," Roussow tells Vaihayasi P Daniel/Rediff.com about the Modi-Biden Summit. How successful do you feel was the visit? The visit achieved substantial outcomes on multiple fronts. In terms of our defense relations, we announced new agreements to improve inter-operability and military cooperation, specific weapons sales, and -- perhaps most importantly -- to cooperate in developing new defense articles. There were numerous agreements related to our shared interest in cooperating on strategic technologies, from semiconductors to quantum computing and artificial intelligence. And third, there were concrete announcements to improve people-to-people ties such as the expansion of consulates on both sides and a relaxing in US visa renewal requirements. The agreement for each side to drop a range of disputes in the World Trade Organization was 'icing on the cake'. What came about that was expected and what did not? The announcements on defense cooperation and strategic commercial cooperation were largely expected. But the announcements on concluding commercial disputes and expanding our consulates was fairly surprising. Frankly, every type of deal that US government officials were privately indicating 'hope' to have included a few months back made it in. Even some late additions like India's decision to join the Artemis Accords on the peaceful exploration of space. IMAGE: US First Lady Jill Biden, Prime Minister Modi and US President Biden wave to the crowds as they stand on the Truman Balcony of the White House after the arrival ceremony, June 22, 2023. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters The highs and lows? Most impressive moment from the American point of view? It is hard to note a low point. The visit, on most any front, exceeded the lofty expectations set ahead of time. The most disappointing part was, perhaps, the rainy weather, which made some of the public events a bit soggy to attend. The high point, to me, was resolving the range of WTO disputes I noted earlier. Commercial policy talks have not yielded much progress in recent years. The two nations have not shown much vision for our future commercial relationship, beyond strategic commercial links. Perhaps this is the start of something larger. IMAGE: Richard M Rossow, Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies. Photograph: Courtesy Richard M Rossow It was quite a huggy few days, quite like other visits? There were moments with personal touches. Vice President Kamala Harris offered particularly touching remarks on June 23 about her own visits to India as a young girl, and the long walks along the beaches in Madras. But there was also a great deal of business. How good a bond did Biden and Modi forge personally? It is easy to over-state the type of 'bonding' leaders forge. I do not envision them taking vacations together post-retirement. But our strategic and commercial interests overlap sufficiently to unlock big things. Our two economies with be key drivers of global growth in coming years. We are two of the world's great military powers. These summits, and the smaller engagements in-between, offer consistent opportunities to find meaningful ways to fulfill this promise. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com 'This government will be toppled in 2024.' IMAGE: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut waves to supporters after being released from the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai after the court granted him bail, November 10, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo Sanjay Raut, the Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and executive editor Saamana, the Shiv Sena's daily newspaper, was arrested by the ED last year. In the final segment of a three-part interview with Rediff.com Senior Contributor Neeta Kolhatkar, Raut recalls the moment when he was granted bail. Do you remember the day you were released? Of course, I distinctly remember it. We were taken to the court and were expecting the bail order. I sat in front and seated behind me were my wife and both our daughters, and my son-in-law. All were tense regarding the outcome. I didn't want to think too much, but my lawyer had confidently argued, presenting all the facts. The way the ED's lawyers made claims, I felt the court would be able to see through their false claims and realise we have concrete proof. The judge took over an hour to dictate the order and I thought it would go on longer. Then he suddenly said, 'You both are granted bail', (Sanjay Raut and Pravin Raut). I actually couldn't hear the judge. I asked what the judge said and my brother reassured me that I was granted relief. All of a sudden people cheered and clapped loudly in the lobby and inside the court. The lobby was thronged with thousands of supporters. Talyancha prachanda kadkadat (Thunderous applause was heard). Ravish Kumar had showed it that night in his programme and had mentioned this occurred for the first time in a court and called it historic. Of course, the ED objected to the bail and urged the judge to stay his order. He refused and said he would resume the court at 3 pm after considering the objections placed by ED. After the court resumed, the judge rejected the ED's objections and said he would not stay his order. The judge allowed the ED to appeal in the Bombay high court and they rushed in such hurry, they wanted to do everything to keep me in jail for one more night. My wife and daughters cried with joy, my brother too cried. They were not sure I would get bail on that day. I was sent to jail till the ED approached the high court in a hurry. When I was back in my barracks, I saw the television and breaking news flashes. Around 5 pm, they flashed on a channel, the judge said my arrest was 'illegal'. The news said it was a 122 page order. The ED was forced to release my by 7 pm. Thousands of party workers had gathered outside the jail and celebrated. They celebrated, burst crackers and took out a procession for me. Their love was evident. IMAGE: Sanjay Raut being applied with tilak by Rashmi Thackeray as her husband Uddhav Thackeray looks on at Matoshree after the Shiv Sena MP was released from jail. Photograph: ANI Photo It must have been the happiest day for your mother and your family. Yes, for everyone. My mother is an extremely strong woman. She had told me right at the beginning, don't fall on your knees, go to jail. "We want to face the world with pride," those were her words when the ED came to arrest me. 'Sharan nahi jayecha, turungat jayacha. Amhala baher tond dakhvayacha ahe'. (Smiles). My wife too showed her courage, echoing the same sentiments as my mother. My daughters told me, "Baba, we want to live with our heads held high, for which we can bear any amount of pain." (Amhala taath manena jagayacha ahe, amhi sagla traas sahan karu.) IMAGE: Sanjay Raut at a protest in Jammu. Photograph: ANI Photo Did extended family or friends distance from you and your immediate family when you were jailed? Did your daughters face any consequences? Of course, some people distanced themselves from us. One of my daughters is an entrepreneur; she has a small fashion designing business and has a small shop. Their business runs on credit to vendors, Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000, and all are cheque transactions. Now her business has been impacted. The vendors and clients feared the ED will chase them and question them. Obviously nobody wants any agency at their doorstep. These are not small things for us. These girls have to piece their lives together and start from scratch. We are middle class people. My wife is a teacher. We cannot imagine what taunts and barbs she may have had to face. The school authorities were supportive, still it wasn't easy for these women folk. Now people fear to do any business with us because they don't want to be hounded by the ED. They don't want their names to be dragged in our case and be called for investigations or face raids. There is a prevailing fear. I will give you an example. I used to use my friend's car sometimes. He would leave it with me and I used it. During the raids in my house they searched for the car owner's details, found his address and for the next eight days they raided my friend's house. They, of course, got nothing from those raids, but they simply terrorised him. His entire business collapsed due to these ED raids. People are terrorised by these investigative agencies, without doubt. IMAGE: Sanjay Raut at Parliament during the second phase of the Budget session in New Delhi, April 3, 2023. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo What is the one lesson your learnt from this entire experience? In the end, all officers of every agency from any rank prove themselves to be Sameer Wankhede (the controversial Indian Revenue Service officer_. Those who target us, each and everyone thinks he is a Wankhede. You wait and watch, the consequences they will face will be the same as Wankhede is now facing. And with confidence I tell you, this government will be toppled in 2024. At that time, we will settle scores with each and every person. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The US-India relationship is among the "most consequential" in the world with bilateral ties more dynamic than ever, United States President Joe Biden has said after the two countries elevated their strategic technology partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic state visit. IMAGE: United States President Joe Biden with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with top CEOs, at the White House in Washington DC, on June 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Prime Minister Modi on Friday concluded his maiden state visit to the US during which he held wide-ranging talks with President Biden. Modi also addressed the joint session of the US Congress, becoming the first Indian leader to do so twice. The visit included an impressive welcome ceremony attended by a record 7,000 people on the South Lawns of the White House, a state dinner attended by some 500 people, and a round table with honchos of technology companies, entrepreneurs, officials and CEOs. "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever, US President Biden tweeted on Sunday. Responding to Biden's remarks, Modi said the friendship between India and the US is a force for global good and will make the planet better as well as more sustainable. Tagging Biden's tweet, Modi said on Twitter, "I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable." "The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," he said. The White House, in its weekly email update, said Modi's state visit affirmed the deep and close partnership between the US and India, strengthened their shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific, and shared resolve to elevate their strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy and space. The leaders discussed ways to further expand the United States and India's educational exchanges, people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security, it said. Prime Minister Modi's visit saw India and the US signing several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. General Electric Aerospace has announced that it has inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II Tejas. Modi and Biden hailed the "landmark" pact to jointly produce jet engines in India to power military aircraft and the US drone deal. India announced its intention to procure armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics. This advanced technology will increase India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. India also decided to join the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind. 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 at the White House with President Biden. In another big-ticket announcement, computer storage chip maker Micron said it will set up its semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat entailing a total investment of USD 2.75 billion (around Rs 22,540 crore). Internet giant Google also announced that it will invest USD 10 billion in India's digitisation fund. China on Monday said cooperation between countries should not undermine regional peace and stability and target any third party, as it reacted to a host of defence and commercial pacts recently signed between India and the US including joint production of jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on armed drones. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden holding bilateral discussions in expanded format at White House, Washington, DC, June 22, 2023. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Ambassador of India to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar , US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other dignitaries also seen. Photograph: ANI Photo "It has been China's longstanding position that military cooperation between states should not undermine regional peace and stability, target any third party, or even harm the interests of any third party," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing in Beijing. She was responding to a question by a Russian State-run news agency seeking her reaction about a host of defence and commercial agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington last week. "We hope relevant countries will act in ways conducive to mutual trust between regional countries in the field of security and stability in the region," she said. General Electric Aerospace has announced that it has inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II Tejas. India announced its intention to procure armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from General Atomics. This advanced technology will increase India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The General Atomics MQ-9 "Reaper" armed drone can carry 500 per cent more payload and has nine times the horsepower in comparison to the earlier MQ-1 Predator. Moreover, MQ-9 UAV provides long-endurance, persistent surveillance, and strike capability for the warfighter. China's threat against Taiwan is much more serious than what is visible and any attempt by Beijing to change the status quo by force will have severe consequences for the world including on the supply of semiconductors, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu has said. IMAGE: Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu speaks at a press briefing during the European Values Summit in Prague, Czech Republic June 14, 2023. Photograph: David W Cerny/Reuters In an interaction with an international media group, Wu said that Taiwanese people are firmly determined to protect Taiwan's sovereignty and that their resolve has been further emboldened by the "incredible determination" displayed by the Ukrainians in the face of Russian aggression. China has been maintaining that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, and if necessary by force. China has been regularly sending fighter jets into Taiwan's air defence zone and deploying warships close to the self-governed island. The Taiwanese foreign minister said the time has come for all democratic countries to find ways to deal with China's expansionist agenda and its military muscle flexing, especially in the maritime domain. "I am not sure whether the Chinese have been seeing the Ukrainian war the way other countries are seeing it. Russia, with one of the largest militaries in the world, is having difficulties in its invasion of Ukraine," Wu said. "Many people anticipated that the war would end in a week or two. But it dragged on for more than one year already and that is a good lesson for China," he said. Wu said the Chinese leadership must understand the "difficulties of launching a war" against Taiwan and that China does not have any guarantee to win. "If they understand, they should refrain from using military threats against Taiwan..One thing we keep reminding the world that any war, especially in this part of the world, might impact upon the rest of the world," he said. The Taiwanese foreign minister cautioned that any military hostilities by China against Taiwan will have a serious impact on the global supply chain, especially on semiconductors. India and countries across the world depend heavily on the semiconductors produced in Taiwan. Wu said Taiwan supplies 90 per cent of the advanced chips required across the globe. "Any war that China wants to use against Taiwan is going to have a serious global impact because of that. We are glad to see that major international leaders are cautioning China not to change the status quo, especially by force," he said. "We saw the incredible determination of the Ukrainians in fighting for their sovereignty. I think the people in Taiwan are inspired by the Ukrainians. We are more determined now in fighting for our freedom and sovereignty," he said. "We also saw the international support for Ukraine and that is something I would describe as critical for Ukrainians to fight for their freedom and sovereignty," he added. The Taiwanese foreign minister said the war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of asymmetric warfare. "The Ukrainians have been very brave in fighting against one the largest militaries in the world. There has been a strategy of asymmetric warfare and that is the kind of lesson we have to learn from the war," he said. "We are also engaging in military reform in a very serious way. For instance, we are trying to get our military to adapt to the asymmetric type of warfare as well. We are trying to acquire weapons for asymmetric warfare," he said. Asymmetric warfare refers to unconventional forms of warfare. Wu said Taiwan is glad to see that major international leaders are cautioning China not to change the status quo, especially by force in the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from China. The US regularly sends its warships to the region in reflection of its close ties with Taipei. In the interaction, Wu described the Russian aggression against Ukraine as "unprovoked". "It is against the most fundamental principles of human rights. There is gross violation of human rights. The war is also a gross violation of fundamental tenets of peaceful resolutions of international disputes," he said. Wu said Taiwan is also providing humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainians including those inside Ukraine and those taking shelter in countries like Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania. "The Ukrainians have been very brave in fighting against one the largest militaries in the world," he said. Around two months back, the Taiwanese foreign minister said that Taipei is preparing for the possibility of a conflict with China in 2027. India does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but both sides have trade and people-to-people relations. Following the eastern Ladakh border row with China, some experts in India have been pushing for upgrading New Delhi's ties with Taipei, especially in the trade and investment sectors. Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray functionary Suraj Chavan on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate which questioned him for more than eight hours in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged COVID-19 centres scam, an official said. IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT functionary Suraj Chavan (right) arrives to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in a BMC Jumbo Covid-19 centres' scam, in Mumbai, June 26, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Chavan entered the ED office in south Mumbai at around 12.30 pm and came out at about 9 pm, the official said. He was summoned by the ED to record his statement after the federal agency raided 15 locations in Mumbai on June 21 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged COVID-19 centres scam against businessman Sujit Patkar, believed to be a close aide of Shiv Sena-UBT Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Chavan identifies himself as a secretary of the Shiv Sena led by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and a core committee member of the Yuva Sena, its youth wing, on his social media handle. Raids were also conducted at the residence of Chavan and the locations of some officials of Mumbai civic body and others, including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, officials had said. The ED recovered jewellery worth Rs 2.4 crore and Rs 68 lakh during the raid, an official had said earlier. Patkar and his three partners allegedly bagged Mumbai civic body's contracts fraudulently for managing COVID-19 field hospitals during the pandemic, the official said. The Mumbai Police had registered a forgery case against Lifeline Hospital Management Services firm, Patkar, and his three partners in August last year. Based on the FIR at the Azad Maidan police station in south Mumbai, the ED registered a case to investigate the money laundering angle. As per the FIR, the hospital management firm partners in June 2020 submitted an alleged fake partnership deed to the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) and obtained contracts for jumbo COVID-19 care centres at NSEL, Worli, Mulund, Dahisar (in Mumbai) and Pune without having any experience in the medical field. Ukraine seeks to receive a clear invitation to join NATO under a simplified procedure, head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said at a meeting with German media. "We understand that in the conditions of a large-scale war, it is impossible to name an exact date. But it will become possible if the security situation resolves," he noted, the press service of the President's Office reports. According to Yermak, daily consultations and negotiations with partners are continuing now so that the upcoming summit will be productive for our state. "Ukraine's position: the expected result is to receive an invitation to simplified accession at the summit in July. But, importantly, we would like to receive an absolutely clear signal that would fix Ukraine's path to NATO membership. If we continue the open door policy now, we will give a bad signal to Russia that it can continue all the things that it is doing in Ukraine every day," he stressed. "I believe that Germany can make a historic decision. We are ready to continue consultations, to meet with our partners if there are any questions. As for our position, we are confident in it," Yermak added. For his part, former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted that at the Vilnius summit Ukraine should receive both security guarantees and a signal about the prospects of membership in the Alliance. He stressed that he believes in providing guarantees for Ukraine's security at the summit in July, and expressed conviction that the future of the Ukrainian state is in the Alliance. "We must move towards a clear package of support and talk about a framework of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Also in focus is NATO membership for Ukraine. I believe that this time will come at the Vilnius summit," he said. The Delhi high court Monday modified the punishment awarded by a trial court to five convicts of a 2014 gang-rape case from life sentence for the remainder of their natural lives to life imprisonment. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo Considering the facts and circumstances in entirety, background of the appellants, strata of society they belong to, their age and that they (except appellant Aman) are the first time offenders and have expressed remorse, we are of the considered opinion that for the offence punishable under Section 376(D) (gangrape) IPC, life imprisonment shall meet the ends of justice," the court said. Thus, appellants' sentence of imprisonment under Section 376(D) IPC is modified from 'life for the remainder of convicts natural life' to 'life imprisonment', a bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Poonam A Bamba said in a 35-page judgment. The high court said the five convicts -- Aman, Rahul, Mohd Wasim, Sunny and Bal Kishan -- have failed to demonstrate any illegality in the trial court's verdict which had convicted them of various offences. The five men approached the high court challenging their conviction and sentence. According to the prosecution, the victim woman, residing in Nepal, was going to Jalandhar to meet her sister. She had come to Delhi to board a train for Punjab in April 2014 when the incident took place. She met one of the five men at a railway station in New Delhi who took her outside on the pretext of getting her food. She was instead taken to Rajghat in a van in which four other accomplices of the man were already present, the prosecution said. Thereafter, they took her to a room where all the five men raped her, the prosecution said. It said she later met a person to whom she narrated her ordeal and police were informed. All the accused claimed they were falsely implicated in the case and that the woman has wrongly identified them as the offenders. The high court, while upholding their conviction, said no reason has been assigned by the appellants as to why would the woman falsely identify or implicate them and let the real culprits go scot free. It concluded the convicts failed to demonstrate they were wrongly identified by the woman. The counsel for the convicts urged for reduction in sentence on the ground that they were young, aged about 25 years at the time of the offence, and sole bread earners of their families. The counsel submitted the appellants have been in custody for about 10 years, are remorseful, and have learnt their lessons. The defence lawyer urged the court that they be given an opportunity to reform. In a significant ruling in November 2012, the apex court had said life imprisonment implies a jail term till the end of a convict's life and it is not limited to merely 14 or 20 years, which is a misconception. It appears to us there is a misconception that a prisoner serving a life sentence has an indefeasible right to be released on completion of either fourteen years or twenty years imprisonment. The prisoner has no such right." A convict undergoing life imprisonment is expected to remain in custody till the end of his life, subject to any remission granted by the appropriate Government, a bench of justices KS Radhakrishnan and Madan B Lokur had held. The bench had, however, clarified an appropriate government can grant remission to a person undergoing life term but the period of sentence cannot be reduced to less than 14 years. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over the changing nature of violence in the northeastern state. IMAGE: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi on June 25, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The Union home minister is reportedly concerned over the shifting of violence and civil unrest from peripheral areas to districts in the Imphal valley. "The changing nature of violence from the exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to the civil unrest in the valley districts has become a matter of concern for Amit Shah ji," the chief minister told reporters in Imphal after his return from New Delhi late on Sunday night. Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi about the 'evolving situation' in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a 'great extent'. "Shah raised issues such as the attacks on the house of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and the residence of state minister Sushindro Meitei, the ongoing arson and destruction of government properties and hampering the movement of security forces," the chief minister said in Imphal. Singh said that he has submitted a report to the Centre on the measures taken up by the state government to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. "He was very concerned with the blocking of security forces, police and ambulances on the roads and preventing them from carrying out their duties, which is giving the perception of lawlessness, " the chief minister said. He also said the union home minister assured him that the central government will take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in Manipur. "It's time for all the stakeholders, civil bodies, MLAs and political leaders to sit together and identify the areas where all must work," Singh said. The meeting between Shah and Singh was held a day after the home minister chaired an all-party meeting in New Delhi over the Manipur situation. Eighteen political parties, four MPs from the northeast and two chief ministers from the region attended the three-hour-long meeting. The home minister told the all-party meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been monitoring the situation in the violence-hit state since day one and "guiding us with full sensitivity" to find a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, the state reported a fresh incident of violence at Chingmeirong in Imphal West district when a shop was set on fire by unidentified miscreants past midnight, army sources said. 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 ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Monday sent a letter to the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) seeking details of the need for additional 485 companies of central forces, for which it has sent a requisition, an official said. IMAGE: Central forces personnel conduct a route march ahead of the West Bengal panchayat elections, at Raipur village in Birbhum. Photograph: ANI Photo The MHA, in its letter, also sought details of the deployment of the 337 companies of central forces which have been sent so far for the coming panchayat election in the state, he said. Sinha has written thrice to the MHA seeking more central forces for the panchayat election in the state, slated to be held on June 8. The SEC has asked for total 822 companies of central forces from the MHA for the rural poll. "The MHA has sent a letter to the SEC asking for reasons behind the requisition of additional 485 companies of central forces, for which State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha had written to it. It has also inquired how the central forces sent so far have been utilised. It asked the SEC to share details of the districts where these forces have been deployed so far," he added. Central forces have already reached sensitive areas of Bengal and started 'confidence building' measures there. Approximately 5.67 crore electorate are eligible to exercise their franchise to choose representatives in nearly 74,000 seats in zilla parishads, panchayat samiti and gram panchayats in the state. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Border Security Force of scaring voters in the bordering areas of the state at the behest of the saffron camp and asked the police administration to keep a close watch on their activities. "I have information that in the run up to the panchayat election, some BSF officials are visiting the border areas, threatening voters and forcing them not to vote. I will ask people not to be scared of their tactics and fearlessly participate in the elections," she told an election rally in the bordering district. While referring to the alleged shooting of villagers by the BSF last year, whom the border force claimed as smugglers, Banerjee said, "Police will lodge FIRs in such cases and the law will take its own course." "They don't have the right to shoot and kill anyone. No one is above the law; it seems killing people in Cooch Behar district has become a norm," she said. She asserted 'law and order is a state subject' and the Centre has no role in it. Asserting that the Trinamool will defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party in the three-tier rural polls, Banerjee said, "We will then oust the BJP from the Centre and bring a development-oriented government in the country." The BJP dubbed the allegations of using BSF to serve its political purpose baseless. "Such comments are unacceptable and an insult to our security forces. These remarks reflect the mindset of TMC as they have been up against the BSF since its jurisdiction was increased," BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said. The BJP-led central government in 2021 had amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50km stretch, instead of 15km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. It had snowballed into a major political issue in Bengal, with the ruling TMC passing a resolution in the state assembly opposing the Centre's decision. Banerjee questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Manipur, where over 100 lives have been lost in ethnic strife since May. While claiming that the party is giving importance to panchayat elections, Banerjee said it would ensure there is no corruption at the ground level. "Earlier, we might not have given much importance to panchayat elections, but this time, you have seen how we have conducted the mass outreach campaign, where people's views have been taken regarding selecting candidates. We will ensure that there is no corruption in the panchayat," she said. The TMC supremo asked people to send photographs of those who seek bribes, and 'prompt action will be taken against the corrupt'. Taking a swipe at BJP's slogan of 'double engine government', Banerjee said the 'BJP's double engine would get deflated in panchayat and then again in the next Lok Sabha polls'. Around 5.67 crore voters are likely to exercise their franchise in the July 8 panchayat polls to elect nearly 75,000 candidates in zilla parishads, panchayat samiti and gram panchayats. At least five people, including two Border Security Force personnel, were injured when villagers attacked a border outpost in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district, officials said on Monday. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The incident took place at Umsyiem village near Dawki town, 100 km south of the state capital, on Sunday night after the border guards seized some clothes allegedly meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the situation in the area close to the international border is under control and the state government is keeping a close watch on the development. BSF Meghalaya Frontier inspector general Pradip Kumar told PTI, "In the last few days, we seized a number of items meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh and identified the smugglers. Due to this, they led a mob to attack the outpost forcing the BSF to retaliate by firing in the air." In a statement, the BSF said they seized clothes worth over Rs 2.7 lakh meant for smuggling. "The BSF foiled two smuggling bids on Sunday. In the morning, the force seized clothes worth Rs 2.21 lakh at Umsyiem village. At night, the BSF seized sarees worth Rs 50,000 dumped by smugglers in the same village," a BSF spokesperson said. The border guards suspected that the smugglers brought the crowd in retaliation to the seizure and gheraoed the outpost. At least two BSF personnel were injured after they were hit by stones thrown by the mob, he said, adding some of the villagers tried to enter the outpost forcefully but they were pushed back. "From reports I received, it (the attack) was related to some kind of smuggling. There was a seizure of the products smuggled. It was a reaction to that. the government is keeping a close watch on the development," the chief minister said. An eyewitness, who claimed that three villagers were also injured in the face-off, said the incident took place when a vehicle with three occupants allegedly broke down near the outpost. "This infuriated the BSF who accused the trio of being smugglers and charged them. The news of the attack spread and nearby villagers came to their rescue," he said. The villagers also accused the BSF personnel of being drunk on duty, which was denied by the IG. Kumar said local police and senior BSF officials rushed to the spot to contain the situation. The BSF has initiated an internal inquiry to probe into the matter, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with senior cabinet colleagues and officials soon after his return from State visits to the United States and Egypt. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Urban Affairs and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Senior officials including P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, were also present. Modi arrived in Delhi in the early hours of Monday from State visits to the US and Egypt. The National Investigation Agency conducted a series of raids across four districts in Kashmir on Monday as part of its probe into an alleged conspiracy involving newly-floated offshoots of proscribed Pakistan-backed terror outfits to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo "Twelve locations in the four districts of Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Pulwama were raided as part of the crackdown. The locations were residential premises of hybrid terrorists and overground workers linked with newly-formed offshoots and affiliates of banned terrorist outfits. Premises of sympathisers and cadre of these organisations were also searched extensively," the NIA said in a press release. The agency said it has found several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data during the searches. "These will be subjected to a thorough scrutiny by the agency to unravel the details of the terrorist conspiracy, which the NIA started investigating a year ago after registering a suo moto case (RC-05/2022/NIA/JMU) on June 21, 2022," it added. The newly-floated terror outfits being probed by the premier investigating agency include The Resistance Front, the United Liberation Front Jammu and Kashmir, the Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind, the Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Fighters, the Kashmir Tigers and the PAAF. These outfits are affiliated to Pakistan-backed organisations, such as Laskhar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Al-Badr and Al-Qaeda, which have been banned by the government of India. The premises of those who were raided are under the NIA's scanner for their alleged involvement in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs or magnetic bombs, improvised explosive devices, funds, narcotic substances and arms and ammunition. They have allegedly been engaged in spreading activities relating to terror, violence and subversion in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA probe has revealed that Pakistan-based operatives are using social media platforms to promote terror. Drones are being used by them to deliver arms and ammunition, explosives and narcotics to their operatives and cadre in the Kashmir valley. The terror conspiracy under investigation relates to plotting by the banned outfits in both physical and cyber space to unleash violent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms. The organisations, supported by their masters in Pakistan, have been conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence by radicalising youngsters and mobilising overground workers to disturb peace and communal harmony in the Union Territory, the NIA said. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday said the purpose of the march towards Moscow was to stop the destruction of the private military company and "bring to justice those who, through their unprofessional actions, made a huge number of mistakes during the special military operation". IMAGE: A Wagner fighter flashes a victory sign, June 24, 2023. Photograph: Reuters In an audio message released on Monday, he said the march was a demonstration of protest and not intended to overthrow power. Explaining his decision to turn around his march on Moscow, Prigozhin said he wanted to avoid Russian bloodshed. "We started our march because of an injustice. We wanted to demonstrate our protest and not to overthrow power in the country," Prigozhin said in an audio message, Al Jazeera reported. He, however, did not share any details regarding where he was or what his future plans were. In his new audio message, Prigozhin said that about 30 of his fighters died in the Russian army's attack on the mercenary group on Friday. He said the attack came days before Wagner was scheduled to leave its positions on June 30 and hand over equipment to the Southern Military District in Rostov. "Overnight, we have walked 780 kilometres (about 484 miles). Two hundred-something km (about 125 miles) were left to Moscow," Prigozhin claimed in the latest audio message, as per CNN. He said, "Not a single soldier on the ground was killed." Yevgeny Prigozhin said the march stopped when the detachment "made a reconnaissance of the area, and it was obvious that at that moment a lot of blood would be shed. We felt that demonstrating what we were going to do was sufficient," according to CNN. He said Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has extended his hand and offered to find solutions regarding further work of Wagner Private Military Company in a legal jurisdiction, CNN reported. On Saturday, Prigozhin had agreed to depart for Belarus after a deal apparently mediated by Lukashenko which ended the armed rebellion, the report said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Lukashenko had suggested the deal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to help resolve the brief mutiny during a phone call on Saturday. Earlier, Wagner group left the Lipetsk region after its chief Prigozhin decided to halt his forces' march to Moscow, according to CNN citing the regional government. "Units of PMC Wagner, which stopped the day before in the Lipetsk region, left the territory of the region," it said on Telegram. It comes after the governor of the southern Russian region of Voronezh said Wagner units are continuing their withdrawal and forces are departing "steadily and without incident." Earlier, on Saturday, Prigozhin said his forces have taken control of military facilities, including the airfield in Rostov-on-Don, according to CNN. Prigozhin's actions come after he accused Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp and killing "a huge amount" of his fighters. Russia's ministry of defence has denied his claim and termed it an "information provocation". After Prigozhin's statement, Putin in a televised address to the nation said the "armed mutiny" by the Wagner group is a "stab in the back", and vowed to punish those who were on the "path of treason" or anyone who takes up arms against the Russian military. President Vladimir Putin's position is absolutely stable and there is no change in overall situation in Russia, a senior Kremlin diplomat said on Monday, days after a brief rebellion against Putin by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. IMAGE: Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters Russia's special presidential representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy said Prigozhin wanted to become Russian president but it was a "mistake". Shvydkoy, currently on a visit to India, was speaking to a small group of reporters New Delhi. "The current situation in Russia is stable and the contemporary position of President Putin is also absolutely stable," he said, replying to a question. Shvydkoy, a former minister of culture, said Russians get fully united when the country faces any challenging situation. "The situation is more or less the same. Russia is totally united," he said while refusing to elaborate further. The rebellion by Prigozhin and the forces loyal to him marked the most serious challenge to President Putin in more than two decades of his rule and triggered questions over his leadership. "He (Prigozhin) decided he will be the next Russian president. That was a mistake," Shvydkoy said. The short-lived revolt ended on Saturday when Prigozhin ordered his troops back. The Kremlin said it had made a deal that the mercenary chief will move to Belarus. In his comments, Shvydkoy strongly pitched for expansion of cultural ties between India and Russia. He said there is a huge opportunity to increase exchange of students between the two countries. The visiting diplomat has already held talks with senior officials of the ministries of culture, external affairs and education. "Many Indian and Russian universities want deeper cooperation. Some Russian universities may be wanting to have chapters in India," he said. The diplomat said there is huge scope for expansion of cooperation between India and Russia in areas of agriculture, medicine and biotechnology, among others. "We must open new phases in our cultural ties," he said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said a total of Rs 59,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore is required annually, for the implementation of Congress' five poll 'guarantees'. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calls on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in New Delhi, June 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo He said, the fresh budget of the new Congress government, which he will be presenting on July 7, is likely to be of the size Rs 3,35,000 crore. The chief minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, was speaking after inaugurating the training camp organised for the newly elected MLAs of the 16th legislative assembly. "The first budget after independence was twenty one crore three lakh rupees, today it is about three lakh nine thousand crore rupees. I will be presenting a new budget on July 7 it may be (of the size) three lakh thirty to thirty five thousand crore rupees," Siddaramaiah said. Addressing the newly elected legislators, he said, "the present budget is around three lakh nine thousand eight hundred and ninety six crore rupees, as I'm implementing five guarantees, I will have to provide rupees forty thousand crore for it, for the remaining period. A total of fifty nine thousand to sixty thousand crore rupees is required for five guarantees." Noting that the previous BJP government had presented a budget in February by taking a vote on account for four months, the CM said, the budget he will be presenting on July 7 will come into force from August 1. Urging the legislators to try to learn and understand budgets, he also asked them to learn about taxation, stating the rich should be taxed, not the poor. The five guarantees are: up to 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of free rice to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders, both in the age group of 18-25 (YuvaNidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti). While the government has already launched the scheme which will provide free travel for women in public transport buses, the other four schemes are in various stages of implementation, and the timeline has already been fixed for their rollout. Speaker of the Assembly U T Khader, Chairman of legislative council Basavaraja Horatti, housing minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, assembly secretary MK Vishalakshi were present at the inaugural of the training. The legislature session is scheduled from July 3 to 14. Suggesting that MLAs and MPs should understand the "meaning" of budget, the CM said, "in the 12th century, 'Kayakayogi' Basavanna spoke about budget. 'Kayaka' and 'Dasoha' are the key factors of the budget. Kayaka means production, Dasoha means sharing." He explained that the value of the budget is just understanding where the production is and to whom we distribute it in the society. The Assembly is the temple of democracy, Siddaramaiah said, as he called upon legislators to raise people's problems effectively in the Lower House and develop a mindset to seek solutions. Those who do not read and understand the Constitution cannot become good legislators and parliamentarians, he said, "So read the Constitution and understand its basic principles and objectives." "We made the rules of the House ourselves. He said that if you read and understand it properly, people's problems can be brought before the house in a proper manner....We cannot make laws contrary to the Constitution. Therefore, reading the constitution is essential," he said. Out of 224 MLAs, 70 have entered the Legislative Assembly for the first time. Former MP and former Union Minister K H Muniyappa (now minister in state government), former Minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy are among them. Shiv Sena leader and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde on Sunday launched a scathing attack on former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray, accusing them of looting Mumbai and pushing the 'Marathi manoos' out of the city in the last 15 years. IMAGE: Shrikant Eknath Shinde. Photograph: ANI Photo Shinde, the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was addressing the party's 'Shakha Sampark' drive at Versova in Mumbai. He sought to know why the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had acquired body bags during the COVID-19 pandemic period at a cost of Rs 6,719 apiece, whereas the same body bags were bought for Rs 350 each by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). Shinde also accused Uddhav Thackeray of leading the BMC to become the most corrupt municipal body in Asia. The Shiv Sena undivided ruled the BMC for more than 25 years. The party split last year following the rebellion by Eknath Shinde and 39 other party MLAs against Uddhav Thackeray. "How is it possible that TMC buys body bags at Rs 350 each and BMC buys them at more than Rs 6,500 per bag? This is just one of the many instances of how the Thackeray family has looted Mumbaikars when people were dying," Shinde was quoted as saying in a release issued by the Shiv Sena in Thane. "Uddhav Thackeray led the BMC to become the most corrupt municipal body in Asia. His 15 years in BMC made it the most corrupt civic body across the continent. It is time to think about what our Marathi manoos and our Shiv Sainiks gained under his leadership. "Our Marathi people have to leave their city and go to either Thane or Kalyan-Dombivali. They are pushed outside Mumbai and only Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray are responsible for this," Shinde said. Instead of accusing CM Shinde, Aaditya Thackeray should first look into their 15 years of stint and give answers to people, he added. "Those accusing us of being 'khokhe' (corrupt) should not forget that the SIT probe will soon reveal who received how many 'khokhes'. It will be clear whom the links of Suraj Chavan and Sujit Patkar will eventually reach in the ED investigation," he added. The Mumbai police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a probe in connection with CAG's report on Rs 12,000-crore worth contracts awarded by the BMC. CM Eknath Shinde is always on the move and works tirelessly for public welfare, he said. "Since Eknath Shinde himself is very active as a CM, the administration has also become active. The officers know that if they don't work, they will be taken to task. The CM will clean the nullahs of corruption by doing good work in the BMC. He has worked in every corner of the state in the last 11 months," he said. Many decisions have been taken in a short span of 11 months which were not taken in the two-and-a-half years before that, Shinde said. Maharashtra is blessed to have a chief minister that works among people day and night, he said. "CM Shinde has taken a step to take the saffron flag forward. He is trying to take the Hindutva ideology of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray forward," he added. The armed mutiny of the Wagner PMC on June 23-24 did not seem to have a significant impact on the ability of Russian troops to conduct offensive and defensive operations in Ukraine, according to a review by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). As noted, the fighting continued as usual along the entire front line, while Russian troops conducted relatively more ground attacks near Bakhmut than in the past few days. At the same time, some Russian sources used the armed rebellion in order to justify the Russian forces in advance in case of any successes of Ukraine achieved on June 24 and June 25, analysts say. However, the ISW report says that Lukashenko's deal with Prigozhin may lead to a change in the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The implications of the Lukashenko-Prigozhin deal for the leadership of the Russian MoD also remain ambiguous the Kremlin may be considering changes to MoD leadership as part of the deal, the report reads. It is noted that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov have not been seen or heard from since before Prigozhin announced the beginning of the armed rebellion on June 23. Some Russian sources suggested that Alexei Dyumin, the current governor of Tula region, former security officer to Putin, and former head of Russias Special Operations Forces, may replace Shoigu as the Defense Minister, although ISW cannot confirm these speculations. Any changes to the MoD leadership would notably represent a significant victory for Prigozhin, who justified his armed rebellion by directly accusing Shoigu and Gerasimov of the deaths of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers in Ukraine, the ISW analysts say. The Shiv Sena-UBT on Monday claimed the "Wagner group" in India, a reference to opposition parties, will dislodge the Narendra Modi government through the ballot box by using the path of non-violence. IMAGE: Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP Sharad Pawar, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann attend the Opposition leaders' meeting in Patna on June 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In a dramatic development last week, Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin called for an armed rebellion and claimed his forces had military facilities in Russia's southern city of Rostov-on-Don under their control. It also started its march to Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the rebellion a betrayal and an act of treason. Later, Prigozhin said he has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to their field camps in Ukraine to avoid shedding Russian blood, following negotiations carried out by the Belarusian president. An editorial in the Sena-UBT mouthpiece Saamana drew a parallel between Wagner mercenary group's "revolt against Russian President Putin" and the meeting of opposition parties in Patna last week. Drawing the battle lines, over 32 leaders of more than a dozen opposition parties held a crucial meeting in Patna hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday and resolved to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The editorial in Saamana said the "Wagner group" has shown dictatorship can be challenged. "Be it Modi or Putin, they have to face rebellion. The government in India will be dislodged by a non-violent Wagner and that route will be through the ballot box," it claimed. Like Putin, Modi has to go, but in a democratic manner, it said. "The Wagner group came together in Patna as a protector of democracy, the Marathi daily said, referring to the conclave of the opposition parties in Bihar capital last week. It further said the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will not decide the results in 2024, but people will. If there is an EVM "scam", then there will be a Manipur-like situation in the country, such is the anger among people against the government, the editorial claimed. Nearly 120 people have lost their lives and more than 3,000 injured since the ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3. A large number of houses were torched rendering many people homeless in the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities. The editorial also claimed the BJP has kept many people, like Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's group, as its "protector", and tomorrow the same people will "stab" them. Shinde led a revolt against the Shiv Sena leadership in June last year, leading to a split in the party and collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Later, Shinde became the CM with the BJP's support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the United States and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. Modi was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and Bharatiya Janata Party chief J P Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. After landing in Delhi, Modi asked Nadda and other leaders what was happening in India, party leaders, who had gone to receive him at the airport, said. "He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with the report card of the nine years of his government, and the country is happy," BJP MP Manoj Tiwari told reporters when asked what the prime minister asked them after meeting them at the airport. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Parvesh Verma said the prime minister asked what was happening in the country and how was the party's public outreach programme going on. "We apprised him about that," he said. The prime minister had embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21. Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Joe Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by Modi's address to Congress and a State Dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour. The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. Modi arrived in Cairo on Saturday after concluding his high-profile state visit to the US and was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. He concluded his first-ever visit to Egypt Sunday evening. During the visit, he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and was conferred the Arab country's highest honour 'Order of the Nile'. Modi and Sisi discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people ties. The two countries elevated their relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership'. President El-Sisi conferred Modi the 'Order of the Nile' award - Egypt's highest state honour. This is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi. What are the political equations, the challenges, and the threats? IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit A Shah with Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, second from left, during the foundation stone laying of several infrastructural projects in Aizawl. Photograph: ANI Photo Mizoram (40 seats; halfway mark: 21) End of the current assembly's term: December 17, 2023 Party in power: Mizo National Front, led by Zoramthanga The Christian-majority state shares a border with restive Manipur, and 78-year-old Zoramthanga, who was once a lieutenant of underground leader Laldenga, has repeatedly stressed that his state needs to tread cautiously. The influx of Kuki refugees from Manipur could have a destabilising effect on the state, while at the same time, giving rise to demands from the Greater Zo, the tribal community that is in majority in Mizoram. Although the Mizo National Front is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led North-East Democratic Alliance and an ally of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, the party has no truck with the saffron party in Mizoram. In the 40-member assembly, the ruling MNF has 28 members, Zoram People's Movement has six, the Congress has five, and the BJP has one. Zoramthanga has said that the Congress is no longer a 'giant opponent and threat' to the MNF as the party has 'lost influence' in the Centre, North East, and Mizoram. IMAGE: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel flags off Doctor Tumcho Duar during the campaign in Kondagaon, June 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Chhattisgarh (90 seats; halfway mark: 46) End of the current assembly's term: January 3, 2024 Party in power: Congress, led by Bhupesh Baghel In 2018, the Congress wrested the state from the BJP with a convincing margin, winning 68 seats, leaving just 15 for the BJP. Since then, the BJP has not been able to get its act together, and Bhupesh Baghel has consolidated his position, both in the state and the party. The Janta Congress Chhattisgarh, which won five seats in the last elections, is at a loose end, and the Bahujan Samaj Party is flexible in terms of its loyalty. Baghel has helmed a welfare agenda, but several corruption scams, including the liquor scam that is currently being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, have marred his government's reputation. Although he is facing pushback from his colleague, Tribhuvaneshwar Saran Singh Deo, his hold over the party is strong. IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, right and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the Kisan Kalyan Mahakumbh at Mohanpura dam in Rajgarh district, MP, June 13, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Madhya Pradesh (230 seats; halfway mark: 116) End of the current assembly's term: January 6, 2024 Party in power: Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan In 2018, it was the Congress' Kamal Nath who led his party to victory in the state. But the BJP's Shivraj Singh Chouhan toppled the government by inducting Jyotiraditya Scindia and his supporters from the Congress into the BJP. This has led to some tension as, for instance, the BJP's Narendra Tomar, who is also a Union minister, comes from the same region as Scindia, and after being adversaries for many decades, they will now have to fight the election from the same side of the fence. However, the Congress and Kamal Nath have made this election a do-or-die struggle -- to the point where Nath turned down the party's offer of making him party chief because he felt the Congress had a realistic chance of coming to power in the state. The wild card in the state is the way its tribal population will vote: For the Congress or the ruling BJP. IMAGE: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the inauguration of the Indira Gandhi Gas Cylinder Subsidy Scheme in Jaipur, June 5, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Rajasthan (200 seats; halfway mark: 101) End of the current assembly's term: January 14, 2024 Party in power: Congress, led by Ashok Gehlot Ashok Gehlot has a twin challenge on his hands: One, proving conventional wisdom in the state wrong that assembly elections are a revolving door that favours the party in Opposition; and two, ensuring the BJP's organisational strength and skill do not work against the Congress's somewhat faction-ridden structure. Smaller parties like the Bahujan Samajwadi Party, Bharatiya Tribal Party, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, and Rashtriya Lok Dal are also in the fray. The assurances that his primary Congress challenger, Sachin Pilot, has been seeking have not materialised. So, while the Congress will fight the BJP, in a sense, it will also be fighting itself. The BJP has not named anyone as its candidate for chief minister. The party is still working out its strategy. But with both former CM Vasundhara Raje and Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, plus newly elevated Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in the fray, the outcome could be interesting. IMAGE: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Photograph: ANI Photo Telangana (119 seats; halfway mark: 60) End of the current assembly's term: January 16, 2024 Party in power: Bharat Rashtra Samithi, led by K Chandrashekar Rao This assembly election is a test for the BJP, rather than the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (formerly Telangana Rashtra Samithi). Despite winning only one seat in the 2018 assembly election, the BJP has won many seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Telangana, as well as several by-elections. K Chandrashekar Rao, who is considered a charismatic speaker and has followed a largely welfare agenda, started by having national ambitions, which he now seems to have abandoned. Rao has a strong alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, which is strong in Old Hyderabad. He is looking to hand over the reins of power formally to his son, Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao. However, his daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for her role in the Delhi excise scam, which involves many Telangana-based liquor barons. Kavitha's detention could have an unpredictable impact on the election outcome. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. The court sentenced to 10 years in prison the instigators of the attack on public activist Kateryna Handziuk former chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manher and assistant deputy of the Regional Council Oleksiy Levin. "At the public accusation of the Prosecutor Generals Office, the former chairman and assistant deputy of Kherson Regional Council were found guilty of ordering and organizing the commission by prior agreement of a group of persons of intentional grievous bodily harm in a manner having the character of special torment and resulting in the death of the victim Kateryna Handziuk under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the PGO reported on the Telegram channel on Monday. The Office informs that the prosecutors asked for the maximum possible punishment for both 10 years in prison. "The court agreed with the arguments and position of the prosecutors and sentenced them to 10 years in prison. And also to recover UAH 5 million of moral damage in favor of the victims," the message says. According to the report, prosecutors proved in court that at the beginning of July 2018, at that time, the chairman of Kherson Regional Council, on the basis of personal hostility, decided to organize an attack on public activist Kateryna Handziuk. In the direct organization of the crime, he attracted an assistant deputy of Kherson Regional Council. "He, in turn, met with the future coordinator of the attack, Serhiy Torbin, and offered to attract perpetrators and accomplices in the commission of the crime for a monetary reward. On July 31, 2018, at about 08:45, the performer doused Handziuk with sulfuric acid near the entrance of her house," the PGO said. As reported, on July 31, 2018 in Kherson, an unknown person poured concentrated sulfuric acid on activist Handziuk near her house. The victim with burns was taken to a local hospital, but was soon transferred to a medical facility in Kyiv. Handziuk passed away on November 4. The defendants in the case: chairman of Kherson regional council Manher, MP's assistant Ihor Pavlovsky, ATO former soldier Serhiy Torbin and Oleksiy Levin (Moskalenko) are accused of committing a criminal offense under Part 3 of Article 27 (types of complicity), Paragraphs 4, 6, 11, 12, Part 2 of Article 115 (premeditated murder) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The court found five perpetrators of the attack on Handziuk guilty and sentenced them to imprisonment. Manher was accused of committing a criminal offense under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 121 (intentional grievous bodily harm) of the Criminal Code. Representative of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Yusov, commenting on the demarche of leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, noted the unwillingness of security forces, officials and citizens in the Russian Federation to publicly defend the regime of the aggressor president Vladimir Putin. "The continuation of a whole series of internal Russian conflicts is not the first, and not the last. And what is happening there as the consequences of the Russian criminal full-scale invasion against Ukraine, of course, before our eyes, the transformation within the so-called Russian Federation is already beginning. We saw the unwillingness of the security forces, officials of various ranks to publicly defend the Putin regime," Yusov said on the air of the national telethon. Also, the intelligence service noted that not a single citizen of the Russian Federation voluntarily came out to defend the Putin regime. "And the ease with which the situation was destabilized, how many events happened in a short day, how many losses the Russian security and defense forces suffered shows that everything they can be effective is in the occupied Ukrainian territories. And inside the Russian Federation itself, the regime does not fully control the situation. And, of course, the whole world saw it. The monopoly on violence has collapsed. Well, there are many other aspects that we will not talk about publicly now," Yusov said. The intelligence service also stressed that the process itself is very revealing. And it is very important to understand that it has not been completed yet, Yusov added. In addition, the GUR is confident that all this will have further disastrous consequences for the Putin regime. "And even if formally we hear assessments from the partners of the so-called Russian Federation, or countries that still maintain some kind of communication with them, that they say nothing happened, and this is an internal Russian matter, although this is really an internal Russian matter, of course, opposite the conditional Putin, everyone put a mark that this is a downed pilot. This is a person, an image that has lost, let's say, the image of a person who, yes, is a bloody criminal, a murderer, a terrorist, but at least he controls this vast territory and, in particular, nuclear weapons, or financial and economic issues. Everyone was convinced that this was not the case," the intelligence service explained. On Saturday, press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that the criminal case on the rebellion against Prigozhin will be stopped, he will "leave" for Belarus, the Kremlin will not obstruct him in this. However, on Monday, Russia was informed that the criminal case against Prigozhin on the organization of the rebellion has not been terminated. The price of Bitcoin has been above $30,000 since last week on account of multiple factors like the Fed chairman's statement and investors optimism around institutional entry into ETFs. The global crypto market capitalisation continues to remain above $1.2 trillion even though it is down by 0.8 per cent since yesterday according to experts. "Despite a fall of 1.6 per cent in the last 24 hours, BTC continues to trade over the $30,000 mark with weekly gains of over 14 per cent. If BTC stays above $30,000, we may see further positive price action. In other news, Brazils central bank has authorised its largest local crypto exchange, Mercado Bitcoin, to participate in the pilot of the countrys CBDC called the digital Real. The consortium also counts Mastercard along with other entities as partners," Parth Chaturvedi, Investment Lead, CoinSwitch Ventures told Republic. "After surging to a one-year high above the $31,000 level on Friday, Bitcoin has entered a consolidation phase, trading around the $30,000 mark in the past 24 hours. To sustain its upward momentum, Bitcoin needs to maintain its position above the crucial $30,000 level and potentially attempt to surpass it. The current support level for BTC stands at $29,500," Edul Patel, CEO, Mudrex told Republic. Prices listed were last checked at 10:20 am today according to Investing.com Bitcoin (BTC) Bitcoin was trading around $30,000. It has advanced 14.56 per cent in the last seven days with a market cap of $587.56 billion. The past week has witnessed a significant rise, fostering positive investor sentiment according to experts. Ethereum (ETH) ETH has lost some steam with prices down 0.8 per cent in the last 24 hours but weekly gains of over 8 per cent. It continues to trade with a market cap of $225.73. Dogecoin (DOGE) Dogecoin surged 6.32 per cent to $0.06577 in the last seven days. It has seen a loss of just 2.51 per cent in the last 24 hours with a market cap of $9.22 billion. Litecoin (LTC) Litecoin's price dropped to $87.02. It has witnessed a good gain of 12. 85 per cent in the last seven days with the market cap increasing to $6.37 billion. Solana (SOL) Solana's gained almost 8 per cent in the last seven days with a market cap of $6.68 billion. Ripple (XRP) Ripple has gained approximately 1 per cent in the last seven days and stood at $0.4848 with a market cap of $25.34 billion. The crypto market has been able to hold its ground over the weekend despite witnessing slight selling pressure in the last 24 hours. The crypto fear and greed index registered a decrease of 9 points but remains in the greed zone with a score of 55/100 according to experts. Five people have been killed in a Kenyan border village, fueling concerns that such attacks are increasing after a decline. The weekend attack raises the death toll over the last month to more than 30 people including soldiers, police reservists and civilians. In Saturdays attack in the coastal Lamu county, four of the victims had their throats slit and one was shot at close range, according to local police. The officials said about 30 attackers also torched houses in the village and stole food. The village borders Witu Forest, where al-Shabab militants have created hideouts and held abductees. Lamu County has been attacked two other times in the last two weeks, with both incidents targeting Kenya Defense Forces running a security operation in the area and leaving four of them dead. In Kenyas north, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties have seen several attacks this month in which more than 10 people - including soldiers, police reservists and civilians - have died. Al-Shabab has in the past targeted Kenya, but a coordinated operation at the border and inside neighboring Somalia had led to fewer attacks until recently. Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday suggested that the countrys troops might stay in Somalia into next month, past the date of withdrawal. We are very clear and we are going to send a very powerful message to al-Shabab, that they are not going to reverse the gains that we have made in the last couple of years, he said during a France 24 interview in Paris. Kenya is among the countries in the region that have contributed troops to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Kenyan Interior Minister Kindiki Kithure has assured residents of their safety, citing a budgetary allocation in the upcoming new financial year to purchase advanced security equipment. Defense Minister Aden Duale last week warned locals in Garissa County against aiding and working with militants. More security personnel have been deployed to the border areas to enhance security. The Chinese threat in the South China Sea is increasing significantly as China has deployed a large number of armed maritime militias in the region besides an array of warships and other military assets, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu has said, calling for united efforts by all stakeholders to deal with the challenge. Wu also cited China's growing military activities in the Indian Ocean region, including its attempt to control key ports in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Djibouti and hoped that New Delhi is paying "close attention" to it. In an interaction with an international media group, the Taiwanese foreign minister said the countries having stakes in the South China Sea must join hands in combating the challenge emanating from China's rising military muscle-flexing in the region and that Taiwan is ready to share its experience in dealing with the Chinese threat. Wu was commenting on various issues including regional security challenges, geo-political upheaval following the war in Ukraine, and the Chinese military threats in the Taiwan Straits. "India is also facing a threat in its northern borders with China. It is not only the military threat coming from the North, but it is also the Indian Ocean that India might face some challenges," Wu said. The Taiwanese foreign minister said the time has come for democratic countries to join hands to face the common challenges from China, including sharing resources with each other. "China is trying to secure ports along the Indian Ocean -- in Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and all the way to Djibouti. The lessons that we learnt from Port Hambantota in Sri Lanka are significant to us. China caused bankruptcy in Sri Lanka, and it does not care about the financial situation in these countries. It is repeating the same model in Myanmar and some other countries. "We should pay close attention to these developments. This is also something I am sure the Indian government is paying very close attention to and in that regard, I would like to say that the federal democracies facing common challenges from the PRC (People's Republic of China), need to work with each other," he said. China's ruling Communist Party says Taiwan is a province of the country and has repeatedly warned that the self-ruled island must unite with China, by force if necessary. Beijing has threatened to attack if Taiwan declares formal independence or delays talks on unification. Wu said the growing Chinese military activities in the South China Sea should be a matter of concern. "If you look at China's naval activities in the South China Sea, it is something for all of us to feel worried about. From the data that I can see, from the briefings that I received, I can say that there are more than a dozen Chinese military vessels that are patrolling the South China Sea region," Wu said. "And it is not only the military vessels. China also has a large number of maritime militia with fishing boats. There are hundreds of them and they listen to orders of the PLA (People's Liberation Army)," he added. The Taiwanese foreign minister said the Philippines had plenty of problems with the maritime militia as hundreds of them in fishing boats come and surround some areas, adding it is a "hard problem for the Philippines". He said there is a possibility of Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia facing the same problem and that "this requires all of us to find ways to deal with the challenges posed by the Chinese in the maritime domain". "There has been a relentless military threat against Taiwan. If you see the situation in the South China Sea, China has been flexing its military muscle, especially trying to intercept military vessels or surveillance aircraft coming from other countries in an undemocratic and unprofessional manner, creating tensions in the South China Sea. The tensions in the South China Sea have been rising tremendously," he said. Wu also referred to China seizing control of Sri Lanka's southern deep-sea port of Hambantota and said there are lessons to be learnt from it, adding Beijing is also responsible for causing financial difficulties for Colombo. In 2017, Sri Lanka signed a USD 1.1 billion deal with China for the control and development of Hambantota port for 99 years. The deal triggered concerns in India as well as many neighbouring countries. India does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but both sides have trade and people-to-people relations. Their bilateral trade relations have been on an upswing. Following the eastern Ladakh border row with China, some experts in India have been pushing for upgrading New Delhi's ties with Taipei, especially in the trade and investment sectors. In 1995, New Delhi set up the India-Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei to promote interactions between the two sides and to facilitate business, tourism and cultural exchanges. India-Taipei Association has also been authorised to provide all consular and passport services. In the same year, Taiwan too established the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Delhi. PTI MPB PY AKJ PY PY Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a brief freeze in construction on a wind turbine project in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that set off a rare clash between Druze residents and police. Netanyahu said late Saturday he agreed to a pause on the project during this weeks Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, which is meant to allow time for talks to defuse the crisis. The project is expected to resume next week. A statement from Netanyahus office said he made the decision based on advice from security officials. The Druze oppose the plan, which would install more than two dozen 200-meter (660-foot) tall turbines throughout their land. The landowners said the turbines will harm their agricultural output and that the energy company behind the project didnt consult with them in good faith, a claim the company denies. People take part in a protest against the construction project in the Golan Heights on June 21, 2023. (Image: AP) Last week, thousands of residents demonstrated against the project, storming a police station, throwing stones and fireworks, setting tires on fire, vandalizing police cars, blocking roads and even shooting live fire into the air, according to police. Israel captured the Golan, a strategic plateau overlooking northern Israel, from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel subsequently annexed the area in a move that was recognized by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. But most of the international community considers the area to be occupied territory. While Druze leaders still profess allegiance to Syria, relations with Israel are normally good. The Golan is a popular vacation destination for Israelis and is filled with hotels and restaurants, and most residents speak Hebrew fluently. Violent clashes with Israeli authorities are rare. Gunmen burst into a pool hall in northern Honduras and opened fire, killing 11 people and prompting President Xiomara Castro to announce security measures including curfews in the area amid a wave of drug trafficking-linked violence. The attack occurred in the city of Choloma in Cortes province late Saturday night. It left 10 men and one woman dead. The massacre followed the killing of three people Thursday in a bakery in the city of San Pedro Sula. Among the victims was Ericka Julissa Bandy Garca, wife of an alleged associate of former President Juan Orlando Hernndez, who is imprisoned in the U.S. awaiting trial for drug trafficking-related charges. In central Honduras, 46 inmates were killed Tuesday by Barrio 18 gang members in a women's prison in Tamara, north of Tegucigalpa. SPS (San Pedro Sula) and Choloma: I have taken measures to give you security in the face of the brutal and ruthless terrorist attack you face by hired thugs trained and directed by the drug lords who operate with impunity in the Sula valley drug corridor, the president said on Sunday. The security measures announced by Castro include raids, captures and checkpoints 24 hours a day, along with curfews for Choloma and San Pedro Sula. The curfew in Choloma will run from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. The curfew in San Pedro Sula will begin on July 4. National Police spokesman Edgardo Barahona confirmed the attack in the pool hall. The brutal slaughter of the female prisoners led Castro to announce measures to take control of the prisons and stop the entry of weapons and drugs into the lockups. The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide some of its biggest cases of the term. The high court has 10 opinions left to release over the next week before the justices begin their summer break. As is typical, the last opinions to be released cover some of the most contentious issues the court has wrestled with this term including affirmative action, student loans and gay rights. Heres a look at some of the cases the court has left to decide from the term that began back in October: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION The survival of affirmative action in higher education is the subject of two related cases, one involving Harvard and the other the University of North Carolina. The Supreme Court has previously approved of the use of affirmative action in higher education in decisions reaching back to 1978. But the justices decision to take the cases suggested a willingness to revisit those rulings. And when the high court heard arguments in the cases in late October, all six conservative justices on the court expressed doubts about the practice. The Biden administration has said that getting rid of race-conscious college admissions would have a destabilizing effect that would cause the ranks of Black and Latino students to plummet at the nations most selective schools. STUDENT LOANS The justices will also decide the fate of President Joe Bidens plan to wipe away or reduce student loans held by millions of Americans. When the court heard arguments in the case in February, the plan didnt seem likely to survive, though its possible the justices could decide the challengers lacked the right to sue and the plan can still go forward. Biden had proposed erasing $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those with incomes below $125,000 a year, or households that earn less than $250,000. He also wanted to cancel an additional $10,000 for those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college. The administration has said millions of borrowers would benefit from the program. Regardless of what happens at the high court, loan payments that have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago will resume this summer. A tassel with 2023 is seen on a graduation cap at Howard University. (Image: AP) GAY RIGHTS A clash of gay rights and religious rights is also yet to be decided by the court. The case involves a Christian graphic artist from Colorado who wants to begin designing wedding websites but objects to making wedding websites for same-sex couples. State law requires businesses that are open to the public to provide services to all customers, but the designer, Lorie Smith, says the law violates her free speech rights. She says ruling against her would force artists from painters and photographers to writers and musicians to do work that is against their beliefs. Her opponents, meanwhile, say that if she wins, a range of businesses will be able to discriminate, refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants. During arguments in the case in December, the courts conservative majority sounded sympathetic to Smiths arguments, and religious plaintiffs have in recent years won a series of victories at the high court. RELIGIOUS RIGHTS Another case that could end as a victory for religious rights is the case of a Christian mail carrier who refused to work on Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages. The question for the high court has to do with when businesses have to accommodate religious employees. The case is somewhat unusual in that both sides agree on a number of things, and when the court heard arguments in April both liberal and conservative justices seemed in broad agreement that businesses like the Postal Service cant cite minor costs or hardships to reject requests to accommodate religious practices. That could mean a ruling joined by both liberals and conservatives. Less clear, however, was how the justices might decide the particular workers case. VOTING As election season accelerates, the Supreme Court has still not said what it will do in a case about the power of state legislatures to make rules for congressional and presidential elections without being checked by state courts. In a case out of North Carolina the justices were asked to essentially eliminate the power of state courts to strike down congressional districts drawn by legislatures on the grounds that they violate state constitutions. But theres a wrinkle. Since the justices heard arguments in the case in December, North Carolinas state Supreme Court threw out the ruling the Supreme Court was reviewing after Republicans claimed control of that court. That could give the justices an out and let them dismiss the case without reaching a decision. The high court could still take up a similar case from Ohio and reach a decision there, but it wouldnt be until after the 2024 elections. Hunan rights activist Xie Wenfei was sentenced following a secret trial on an unknown date. His family wasn't allowed to attend the trial or the sentencing. A Chinese court has handed down a four-and-a-half year jail term to Xie Wenfei, prominent rights activist who has long been a critic of the government and a vocal supporter of the Hong Kong democracy movement. The Chenzhou Municipal People's Court in central Hunan province gave the sentence to Xie after finding him guilty of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the ruling Communist Party, according to his brother. News of his fate comes amid concerns that Xie has been subjected to ill-treatment during his years in incommunicado detention, and after he was forced to fire lawyers hired by his family to defend him on three separate occasions. The sentence was handed down following a secret trial on an unknown date, and the family wasn't allowed to attend either the trial or the sentencing hearing. Xie, also known as Xie Fengxia, has been incommunicado since being taken away from his home in Hunan's Chenzhou city of April 29, 2020, and has been denied visits from family members or lawyers. "Xie Wenfei ... called me on WeChat from the Zixing Detention Center to tell me that he will be released on Oct. 30, 2024, after four-and-a-half years in prison," his brother Xie Fengchun told Radio Free Asia. Poem about pandemic Associates said at the time that his detention came after he posted a poem he wrote about the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan. Xie's friend Yuan Xiaohua said that following his release from an earlier jail term for speaking out in support of the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, he had continued to speak out on political matters, including posting a message marking the death anniversary of Mao-era dissident Lin Zhao. "They probably fear him and hate him because he's always expressing his opinions on current affairs and traveling all around the country, and then there's his comments on the pandemic and his commemoration of Lin Zhao," Yuan said. "They probably fear him and hate him because he's always expressing his opinions on current affairs and traveling all around the country, says Xie Wenfeis friend Yuan Xiaohua [shown]. Credit: Provided by Yuan Xiaohua Xie will be sent to serve out his remaining sentence at Hunan's Chisan Prison, which has held a number of high-profile political prisoners including Taiwanese rights activist Lee Ming-cheh, Changsha Funeng NGO founder Cheng Yuan and rights activist Ou Biaofeng, Yuan said. "Based on what has leaked out about Cheng Yuan and Ou Biaofeng from Chishan Prison, there has been physical punishment, torture and forced labor, which is really very worrying," he said. Changsha Funeng sought to prevent discrimination by using the courts to strengthen protections for individuals living with disabilities and with HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases. A person close to Xies case who requested anonymity due to safety concerns said his relatively heavy sentence was likely due to his having an earlier conviction, but could also be a form of political retaliation by the authorities. "After he got out of prison, local officials would offer him humanitarian assistance and visit him and his parents from time to time, bearing gifts," the person said. "But Xie Wenfei has a very no-nonsense personality, and was very rude to them, and refused to let them in the door and threw away the stuff they brought," the person said. Xie had earlier been detained in October 2014 after wearing a black T-shirt and holding a banner in support of the 79-day Hong Kong pro-democracy movement on the streets of Guangzhou. He entered the courtroom for his 2016 sentencing hearing shouting, "Build a democratic China!" and "Down with the Communist Party!" and could still be heard yelling slogans as he was being led out of the courtroom after sentencing He was jailed by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court on Nov. 19, 2016, for "incitement to subvert state power." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. An excerpt of Huang Zhihong who goes by the username Poinsettia performing a hand dance in which she forms hand signals to denote the numbers 6 and 4, a reference to the date of the Tiananmen Square massacre. A woman who uploaded a short video of herself doing a hand dance to the social media platform WeChat in which she mimes a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen massacre is being harassed by Chinese authorities, according to her social media posts and a friend who has spoken with her. Huang Zhihong, who goes by the username Poinsettia, is suffering from deteriorating mental health amid constant surveillance by police in the southern province of Guangdong, said her friend Wang Zhihua, who now lives in New York and who recently spoke with her via video call. In the video, Huang is dressed in black and performs a graceful "hand dance" to a mournful background track. A couple of times during the dance, her hands form the hand signals often used by street vendors and in regular conversation to denote the numbers 6 and 4, a reference to the date of the June 4, 1989, massacre of unarmed civilians by the People's Liberation Army with machine guns and tanks. Public commemoration of the massacre is banned in mainland China, while an annual candlelight vigil that used to mark the anniversary in Hong Kong's Victoria Park has fallen silent after more than three decades, its leaders in prison under a draconian national security law used to crack down on public dissent. Huang first made the video to mark the anniversary of the massacre in 2021, and uploaded it to WeChat Moments, where it was soon deleted by government censors. Later, it started appearing on overseas sites not controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, and was posted again to YouTube on June 5, 2022, where it was also picked up by the U.S.-based China Digital Times website. Unwanted attention Police started stepping up their surveillance and harassment of Huang after her video dance was reposted to Twitter by the U.S.-based former 1989 student leader Zhou Fengsuo on Sept. 15, 2022, her friends said. "I seem to have brought disaster down on her," Zhou told Radio Free Asia, adding that he had also messaged Huang to thank her for the video last year. "They detained her because it was a very sensitive matter," Wang said. "The police seemed to think she had been colluding with foreign forces. But they didn't get any evidence of that even after 24 hours of interrogation," he said. But because Huang told police that she had never even heard of Zhou, and that he had initiated contact, not her, she was released by police on that occasion, he said. "Since then, they have harassed her, called her in to 'drink tea', but the most terrifying thing has been the stalking," Wang said. "They park their police car in front of her shop and stand watching her, causing her mental health problems." Depressed He said Huang and her 12-year-old daughter are now both suffering from depression due to fears for their safety and that of their family. Huang has repeatedly declined to respond to media requests out of concern for her personal safety amid ongoing police harassment, and didn't respond to Radio Free Asia's attempts to reach out for comment on this article. She wrote in a post to WeChat moments in April that she had been approached by local police and questioned soon after receiving her daughters newly applied-for passport, according to a screenshot of the post shared by another U.S.-based friend of Huangs, Xiyan. Police told her at that time that they regarded her as unpatriotic, and said it was in their power to decide whether to let her leave China, as Xiyan already had, the post said. According to Wang, Huang once described herself as "not a brave person I just naturally like to dance." But he said the effect on her mental health has been clear to see. "She cries the whole time," he said. "Whenever we video call, she cries." "She complains to me, as her good friend," Wang said, adding that long-term surveillance by the local police had left Huang physically and mentally exhausted. According to Huang's friends, she made the video to "express her condolences" after reading about the massacre anniversary online, and without rehearsal. "It was on the spur of the moment, triggered by the candlelight vigils and commemoration on June 4, and it just felt natural for her to dance it that way," Wang said, citing Huang's account of the video. "It looks very natural, with just a piece of cloth hung as a background, and I think that really touched a lot of people," he said. Renewed popularity Despite the trouble it has brought her, Huang's dance enjoyed another spike in popularity on Twitter earlier this month, around the 34th anniversary of the massacre. A tweet linking to the video posted by Twitter user @Huaxianzi999 on June 4, 2023 garnered 200,000 views, 434 retweets and 1,426 likes. Another U.S.-based friend of Huang's who gave only the nickname Xiyan for fear of reprisals against loved ones back home said she had been "shocked" at the video when she first saw it. "Later, we talked on the phone, and she said the video had been deleted," Xiyan said. "She didn't have any particular intent in mind she just wanted to express herself in that way." U.S.-based activist Chen Xiangwei who also knows Huang said he had warned her the video could have safety implications for her. "A lot of people feel this way, not quite right in themselves because they're not allowed to speak out," Chen said. "A lot of my online friends like to speak up for justice on behalf of ordinary people their existence gives us a lot of hope for this country." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. "They want to force me to go and live in a rural area, where my hometown is, in Tongzi county under the administration of Zunyi city," says Ji Feng, a former student leader of the 1989 pro-democracy movement in China. A former student leader of the 1989 pro-democracy movement in China has been forced to leave his home in the capital and travel the country amid official pressure to relocate to the town of his birth in the southwestern province of Guizhou. Ji Feng was initially ordered to leave Beijing ahead of the 34th anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen massacre, along with dozens of other critics of the ruling Communist Party and former participants in the pro-democracy movement. But unlike most of his peers, Ji hasn't been allowed to return to the city he calls home. Instead, the authorities are forcing him to live in Guizhou, where he has his hukou, or household registration documentation, he told Radio Free Asia in a recent interview. "They want to force me to go and live in a rural area, where my hometown is, in Tongzi county under the administration of Zunyi city," he said. "State security police in Zunyi have been very polite and nice to me, but I'm not allowed to go to [Guiyang], the provincial capital." "They say there are [politically] sensitive people living here, but they won't even let me visit my uncle," said Ji, who chaired the Guizhou University Students' Autonomous Federation during the 1989 democracy movement in China. Ji said the Guiyang authorities seemed to regard him as a "top priority. He said he stayed at a friend's place in the city for a short time, but the state security police wouldn't leave him or his friend alone. "They took my friend down to the police station, then had my friend bring them to his home," Ji said. "Then they called me down to the police station." "The police asked the landlord to cancel (Ji Fengs) lease, and he was told to move out quickly," says independent journalist Gao Yu. Credit: AFP file photo "There are about seven or eight state security police in Guiyang led by a single guy Chen Zhang, who was pretty scary," he said. "I told them to detain me, because they'd terrified my friend already." "I didn't want my friend to face long-term harassment, threats and warnings just for meeting up with [me]," he said. But police told Ji that while he was technically free to move around, anyone meeting with him would answer for the consequences. Independent journalist Gao Yu said police had forced Ji out of his rented home in Songzhuang in Beijing's Tongzhou district. "The police asked the landlord to cancel his lease, and he was told to move out quickly," Gao said. "The Beijing police told him he could go to Yanjiao [in neighboring Hebei province] and they would find an apartment for him." "He didn't agree to that, but was forced to leave Beijing, and has been of no fixed abode since May," she said. Gao said Ji's treatment is similar to that meted out to prominent rights lawyers Wang Quanzhang and Li Heping and their families. She said police seem to want to isolate influential activists in remote locations, to minimize their ability to organize or meet up with like-minded people. "The more remote a place they send you too, the less influence you will have," Gao said. Ji has so far refused to cave in and settle down in his hometown in Tongzi county. Currently in the central province of Hunan, he plans to head for the southern city of Shenzhen next, and eventually to wind up back in Hebei province, not too far from Beijing. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. 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. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news organization. Poland will send thousands of machine guns and millions of rounds of ammunition to the Ukrainian security forces that are subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine - the National Guard, the police and the State Border Guard Service, Ministry of the Interior and Administration of Poland Mariusz Kaminski has said. "At the moment, weapons are the most important. Soon we will begin deliveries of weapons to the National Guard of Ukraine, to the assault brigades of the Ukrainian police and the Border Guard Service. These will be thousands of machine guns, millions of rounds of ammunition that will allow Ukrainian defenders, defenders of Europe to fight effectively," Kaminski said during joint briefing for the media with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko in Rzeszow on Monday. Kaminski also announced additional measures to support military medicine in Ukraine. According to him, wounded Ukrainian servicemen can count on medical care in hospitals subordinate to the Polish Ministry of Defense. "We always have an ambulance train at our disposal, ready to pick up Ukrainian wounded soldiers in Lviv for their further distribution to military hospitals in Poland," he said. Kaminski also announced the forthcoming assistance with medical equipment for Ukrainian military hospitals. "Particular attention will be paid to hospitals located near the front line - in Kharkiv and Kherson," he said. "We will also build and equip field hospitals for officers of the National Guard, Ukrainian police and border guards who were injured during the hostilities," the minister said. The Batanes chain could be key terrain should China invade Taiwan, analysts say. Boats are anchored at a port in Batan, one of the main islands in the Batanes chain - the Philippines northernmost territory that faces Taiwan May 18, 2023. As Jinky Cabardo worked at her eatery in Batanes, a chain of islands that form the Philippines northernmost territory, a helper relayed some alarming news: The small archipelago province had run out of rice. This happened back in April amid talk that the people of Batanes could be caught in the middle should war break out between China and Taiwan, an island just a few hundred kilometers away, Cabardo recalled. Neighbors began to fret that month when American servicemen landed here in tilt-rotor aircraft and vessels during joint exercises with their Philippine counterparts, Cabardo, a mother of two who is in her 40s, told a reporter with BenarNews, an online news outlet affiliated with Radio Free Asia. There was panic buying. People were hoarding food, said Cabardo, who owns Centro, a small restaurant in downtown Basco, the quiet capital of the island chain, whose total population is less than 20,000. People who live in this tiny province surrounded by sea in the Luzon Strait are on edge, worrying that Batanes could easily be exposed to fighting between rival superpowers should they go to war over Taiwan. The presence of the foreign troops participating in the recent drills with Philippine troops got the locals buzzing that this was to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. But both the Philippines and United States officially denied that the war games were connected to such a threat. Batanes folk usually believe the news coming out of the mainland more specifically, Manila, the countrys capital and seat of government, Cabrado said. So when the reports about the training came out and the Americans were seen in our province, they thought they would be [ensnared in the] conflict, so they panicked, she recalled during the interview with BenarNews in May. Business owner Jinky Cabardo poses outside her restaurant in Basco, Batanes province, Philippines, May 18, 2023. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews Batanes serves as a natural demarcation between the Philippines and Taiwan. These lush green islands are celebrated for their stone-crafted houses, coral walls, and charming cogon grass roofs. Batanes is the smallest province in the Philippines. Surrounded by 4,500 square kilometers (1,737 square miles) of sea, the provinces total land mass is 203.2 square kilometers (78.4 square miles) one third the size of Metro Manila. Because of the tension between Taiwan and China, Batanes has gained attention lately as a potential flashpoint in the geopolitical struggle between China and the U.S., its geopolitical rival and close ally of both Taiwan and the Philippines. Analysts say Batanes is key terrain that both sides may vie to occupy were war to break out in the Taiwan Strait. To ensure control of the Luzon Strait, China may take control of the Batanes Islands to use them as a base for enclosing the Bashi Channel with anti-ship and anti-air missile coverage, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would require blockading and isolating [Batanes] from access by the U.S. and other allied forces. China will bombard Taiwanese defenses first before launching amphibious and air invasions, he told BenarNews as he painted some scenarios. China will make us a target As an ordinary citizen, former Batanes Gov. Telesforo Castillejos said he was aware of the predicament facing locals, given their provinces proximity to Taiwan, which China sees as a renegade province. If I allow the Americans to use our island as a stepping stone to whatever activity then China will make us a target, said Castillejos, who grew up in Basco in a family of farmers. I am not an expert. But from a laymans point of view, if the West Philippine Sea is a major concern of our country having that international tribunal decision won by the Philippines how much more for a small island [chain] like Batanes? he said, referring to territories claimed by the Philippines in the contested South China Sea. I will not be surprised if one day, they [China] will present some old maps claiming part of their territorial waters is Batanes. In mid-2016, the Philippines won a landmark case before an international arbitration tribunal in its territorial dispute with China over the waterway. But Beijing so far has refused to abide by the ruling and has carried on with its military expansionism and program to build artificial islands in the maritime region. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to territorial disputes in the waterway, Beijing claims historic rights to parts that overlap with Indonesias EEZ. According to Castillejos, 76, Batanes has largely been forgotten by the central government, which lately has been sending coast guard and navy patrol ships to the islands, though few and far in between. We cannot even secure our territorial waters. And our marine resources are being depleted by China. The same problem until now. Our government is not in a position to secure our territorial waters, he told BenarNews. In February this year, the Philippines, under an expanded defense pact, gave the United States access to four new military bases a deal that one analyst described as central to Washingtons aim to deter any Chinese plan to attack Taiwan. In 2014, the Philippines and U.S. signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which supplemented the Visiting Forces Agreement of 1999. The VFA provides legal cover for large-scale joint war games between the two longtime allies and stipulates that U.S. forces can only rotate in and out of the Philippines, a former American colony. Castillejos considered President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s policies like how having the EDCA could help protect the people if conflict broke out between China and Taiwan. But I always pray and believe that war will not happen because no one will be a winner, he said. A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Wing, prepares to land at Basco Airport in Batanes, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2022. Credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sydni Jessee According to Batanes Vice Gov. Ignacio Villa, local authorities have contingency plans in place should something bad occur in the Taiwan Strait. Under the plan, they would build a tent city that could accommodate thousands of refugees, considering that an estimated 150,000 Filipinos work in Taiwan. The Americans will be helping in this measure, he said. We are living peacefully here German Amboy Caccam, the mayor of Basco, echoed that sentiment. When the people of these islands voiced their concerns, the United States provided reassurances and pledged assistance, he said. First, there is the repatriation of Filipinos in Taiwan returning home. It is anticipated that Batanes will serve as a transit point, he explained. Therefore, if Batanes becomes a transit point, we may face an influx of refugees. Our primary concern lies in providing sufficient food and water. While we have enough resources to sustain the existing population, we are currently unprepared to cater to the needs of refugees, he added. If he had to decide, said Caccam, a former public school teacher, he would not allow the Americans to stay in the country to make their province the venue for future military drills. I dont like it. We are living peacefully here. We are a potential target because of their presence. But if thats the policy of the government, we cant do anything, he said. Residents used a road on Batan, an island in Batanes province, Philippines, May 18, 2023. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews Known for its traditional low-slung houses built to withstand any typhoon, the main sources of livelihood for the people of Batanes which is more commonly known among locals as Ivatan are fishing and tourism. Bishop Danilo Ulep, the head of the Catholic Church in Batanes who has lived in these islands since 2017, said the locals were hardy people who could adapt to whatever was thrown their way. This, he said, now potentially included being a pawn in a larger geopolitical war. The people here possess the remarkable ability to overcome any form of adversity, Ulep told BenarNews. The man of the cloth described the Batanes islanders as modest and humble people who can thrive without the luxuries commonly found on the mainland and who show remarkable solidarity by supporting and assisting one another. They have the strength to triumph over any misfortune that comes their way. This is a quality I have personally witnessed in them, Ulep said. BenarNews is an online news organization affiliated with Radio Free Asia. The move lines up with an edict requiring public workers to cut ties with the exiled spiritual leader. Chinese authorities force monks from the Shartsa Monastery to sign a declaration that they are against the Dalai Lama and separatism. Chinese authorities in Tibet are randomly searching monasteries and forcing monks to sign documents renouncing all ties to the separatist Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhisms foremost spiritual leader, Tibetan sources living in exile told Radio Free Asia. The Dalai Lama is widely regarded by Chinese leaders as a separatist intent on splitting Tibet, a formerly independent nation that was invaded and incorporated into China by force in 1950, from Beijings control. The Dalai Lama, who now lives in exile in India, says only that he seeks a greater autonomy for Tibet as a part of China, with guaranteed protections for Tibets language, culture and religion. RFA reported last year that China began requiring Tibetans working in official government positions to renounce all ties to the Dalai Lama as a condition of employment. Authorities appear to be including monasteries under this rule. Beginning this month, Chinese authorities conducted searches of monasteries in Shentsa (in Chinese, Shenzha) and Sok (Suo) counties on the premise of maintaining security, a Tibetan living in exile, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFAs Tibetan Service. The authorities search all the residences of the monks and the main shrines in the monasteries, the exile said. The monks of Shartsa Monastery are also forced into renouncing ties with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and be a part of anti-Dalai Lama groups.' Chinese authorities conduct a search at a monastery in Nagchu. Credit: Citizen journalist In a photo received by RFA from Tibet, the Shartsa monks are seen signing their names on a board on the wall. The text on the board states that We will rigorously take part in opposing the Dalai Lama clique and will remain loyal and devoted to the country [China]. As part of their searches, the authorities have been scrutinizing the monks prayer manuscripts and books, and removing prayer flags from shrines, said another exiled Tibetan, who declined to be named. They did not give any sort of warning before conducting these random searches, said the second exile. The monks in these monasteries were summoned for a meeting where they were forced to sign documents renouncing the Dalai Lama and separatism. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. A day after the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan began a port call in Da Nang, Vietnams prime minister, Pham Minh Chinh, met Monday with his Chinese counterpart in Beijings Great Hall of the People. In juggling two competing superpowers, Hanoi is demonstrating its flexible bamboo foreign policy of bending with the wind but never breaking, said Truong Nhan Tuan, a France-based observer of Vietnamese political affairs. Vietnam has been involved in military conflicts with both China and the United States. And while Hanoi remains close to Beijing, it has also opened up to dealing with Washington since reestablishing relations in 1995. One power is ascending and the other is in decline, he said. Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh [rear left] and Chinese Premier Li Qiang [rear right] applaud during a signing ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, June 26, 2023. Credit: Greg Baker/Pool photo via AP China is a power on its way to restoring the old Chinese empires power and station, while the U.S. is a great superpower whose position was established after World War II and is declining, said Tuan. Meeting with his counterpart Li Qiang, Prime Minister Chinh was on his first official visit to China since taking office in 2021. He was attending the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum, a four-day event that started Sunday, according to Vietnams foreign ministry. The USS Ronald Reagan was accompanied by two escort ships, the missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Robert Smalls. Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh [right] reviews an honor guard with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a welcome ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, June 26, 2023. Credit: Greg Baker/Pool photo via AP Tuan said the timing of the two events was not a random coincidence and was more akin to seeing off one person at the front door while welcoming another at the rear. Vietnam has no choice but to do this to let Chinese leaders see to whom it attaches more importance, said Tuan. If Vietnam were an independent and sovereign state, the visit by the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier would be Vietnams internal affairs, and its prime minister wouldnt have to report to China." Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. The return of the so-called morality police to the streets of major Iranian cities has brought back fear and stress for women who choose to ignore the requirement that they wear the hair-covering hijab. But it has also been met with resistance by men and women alike, while lawmakers have questioned the effectiveness of the hard-line approach to enforcing compliance. Iranians who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Farda said the presence of the morality police -- officially known as "guidance patrols" that usually include male officers and women wearing black chadors -- is not as visible as it was before the patrols were scaled back after nationwide protests first broke out against the hijab law last autumn. I really don't know where they want to get with this method, but in my opinion, if they want to continue this way, confrontations will start again." "Before, when we went on the street, they had a stationary vehicle, or a vehicle that was moving on the street," Leila Mirghaffari, a women's rights activist who lives in Tehran, told Radio Farda on July 17, a day after the return of the morality police was announced. "They haven't yet dared to encroach like before. But they are present, mostly in main squares." Mirghaffari described the decision to redeploy the morality police, coming after the monthslong protests had largely wound down, as a distraction aimed at creating "fear and terror" among the population. "It creates mental and emotional problems for us. It's stressful, and it occupies our thoughts and those of our families," Mirghaffari said. "When we want to leave home and come out to the street, at any moment we may travel a route where morality police patrol and are stationed to arrest people." Nevertheless, Mirghaffari and others suggested, the patrols are largely ineffective and have even given new life to resistance against the authorities' efforts to enforce the countrys strict Islamic dress code. Some Tehran residents who spoke to Radio Farda said that many women simply put on a hijab when they spot the morality police before quickly removing them once out of sight. And in some cases where women have been harassed or threatened by morality police, fellow citizens -- male and female alike -- have pushed back. Almost immediately after the authorities announced on July 16 that the morality police patrols would resume, residents of the northern city of Rasht took to the streets to protest an attempt to arrest three women for allegedly violating the hijab requirement. The situation reportedly escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police, who used tear gas to disperse protesters, some of whom were chanting against Iran's clerical establishment. "I really don't know where they want to get with this method, but in my opinion, if they want to continue this way, confrontations will start again," said a male Tehran resident who requested anonymity while answering questions on WhatsApp. "Personally, if I see them taking a girl into a van, I will step forward and shout so as not to let them take them. That's how things are, and I think most people now are like me. They don't want the Mahsa incident to happen again and for another innocent girl to be killed." The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September, soon after she was arrested for allegedly violating the hijab law, sparked the nationwide protests that lasted months and prompted a crackdown that led to the deaths of more than 500 people. Amini's death became the cause celebre for thousands of women and men who took to the streets to show their opposition to the hijab law. Amid the protests, there were reports that the authorities had disbanded the morality police, although other reports indicated that they never really went away in some cities. But the issue also prompted the clerical establishment, which views the hijab as key to its interpretation of Islam, to introduce revisions to the country's Chastity and Hijab Law that would introduce stiffer penalties for noncompliance, including up to three years in prison for repeat offenders. While the hijab has been compulsory in public for women and girls over the age of 9 since 1981, shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution ushered in the clerical establishment, the requirement is often flouted, particularly in urban areas. The Chastity and Hijab bill, which is awaiting parliamentary approval, has been fodder for intense debate -- with some lawmakers saying it does not go far enough to make women comply with the hijab requirement and others questioning the effectiveness of forcing women to comply. Following the announcement that the morality police patrols would resume in many Iranian cities, lawmaker Vali Esmaili, who heads the parliament's social commission, said that the body would unlikely be involved in the effort. He also said that before resuming the patrols, "we should first look at the state of society to see if such actions have been effective in the past 43 years." The Chastity and Hijab bill also proposes penalties, including the confiscation of automobiles, against drivers or passengers of vehicles in which women are not in compliance with the hijab requirement. "When I'm driving, I have to wear a hijab," a woman who resides in Tehran told Radio Farda following the redeployment of the morality police, explaining that she has had her vehicle impounded four times for failing to wear the hijab. "But when I get out and move away from the car, I take off my head scarf. Many times, I just put it in my bag. Sometimes, when I see that the conditions are bad, I keep it around my neck, but I am still without a hijab in the street." The woman said that she has not personally seen any morality police since they returned to the streets of Tehran. But she has heard eyewitness accounts of the presence of marked morality police vehicles in the northern city of Shahriar, in Tehran Province, where she said most women wear head scarves and those who do not could be seen without a hijab not far from the morality police. WATCH: Masses of demonstrators are turning out throughout Iran, where some are shouting down police enforcement of strict religious dress codes for women. "There are the odd ones out who are without a hijab, and they were 100 or 200 meters away from the morality police," she recalled being told of the current situation. She said that even before the morality police returned to the streets, her experience in dealing with them showed that they were reluctant to enforce the hijab requirement. "It's pretty clear that they're tired of this matter, but it seems like they have orders from above," she said. That is far from the norm, according to the activist Mirghaffari, who painted a dark picture of the morality police, whose involvement in human rights violations has led to Western sanctions. "The morality police are truly violent. They are really repressive. They have no humanity," said Mirghaffari, who added that she has been arrested by the force several times. "The morality police are really trained for savagery and for causing distress to the point that someone like Mahsa Amini could be killed. And they have no fear at all." Others who spoke to Radio Farda were incredulous that the authorities would reintroduce the morality police amid public frustration over Iran's dire economic situation. "The issue is not the hijab. The real issue is the terrifying inflation and high prices," said the man who answered questions by WhatsApp. "But they are only fixated on the hijab. They are playing with everyone's nerves, whether man or woman, whether with a hijab or without, they are bothering everyone." The renewed protests, which included women carrying placards bearing the "We won't go back!" slogan that became popular during anti-hijab demonstrations, suggests that efforts to force women into compliance will be met with continued resistance. "Look, our girls are fighting and know that there is no way back for us and we are not going back, and our answer to them wanting to forcibly put a hijab on us is, 'No!'" said Mirghaffari. "This is a big step we have taken to reach our other desires and we will never go back." Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by Mehdi Tahbaz and other Radio Farda correspondents. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A Russian Orthodox priest in Kazakhstan was forced to step down after taking a stand against Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Iakov Vorontsov was one of about 300 clergy who signed an open letter condemning the war. A Serbian court on June 26 ordered the release of three Kosovar police officers who had been detained by Serbian authorities earlier this month along the border between Serbia and Kosovo amid an escalation of already simmering tensions between the two neighbors. The United States and the European Union had repeatedly called for the release of the three police officers. The United States has imposed new sanctions targeting 18 individuals and more than 120 entities based in Russia and Kyrgyzstan in a move aimed at inhibiting Moscows access to products and technology that support its war efforts. The entities include several based in Kyrgyzstan that the U.S. Treasury Department on July 20 said have operated as intermediaries to provide foreign-made electronics and technologies to Russia. At least six of these companies were featured in a recent investigation by RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service into Kyrgyz and Kazakh companies that revealed how sanctioned Western electronics make their way to Russia via Central Asian firms. The Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said on July 20 that, in addition to curtailing Russia's ability to obtain technology, the sanctions aim to reduce its revenue from mining, degrade its access to the international financial system, and starve it of technology produced by the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, particularly items needed in the aerospace and defense sectors. The latest sanctions build on a wave of global actions imposed on Moscow. Since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, working with our allies and partners, has taken unprecedented steps to impose costs on Russia and promote accountability for the individuals and entities who support its illegal war, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, he said. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in the OFAC news release that the actions "represent another step in our efforts to constrain Russias military capabilities, its access to battlefield supplies, and its economic bottom line. The individuals designated for sanctions include former Russian Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin, a longtime confidant of President Vladimir Putin. Kudrin headed the governments official watchdog, the Audit Chamber, until late last year when he joined Russian tech giant Yandex. Kudrin joined Yandex during a restructuring as the Kremlin cracked down on independent news and reporting on the Ukraine war. Yandexs search engine and main news portal were among the leading sources for Russian-language content. Yandex ultimately decided to sell its main news and entertainment portals and undertook an attempted restructuring that would essentially split the company into a wholly Russian unit and an overlapping, but independent, foreign unit. But that deal, which Kudrin has been intimately involved in negotiating, has been contingent on finding deep-pocketed Russian buyers for the Russian unit. Until recently, a group of Kremlin-connected oligarchs, and state investment bank VTB, were reported to be in the running to take control of the new unit. But, according to reports this week in Meduza and The Bell, Yandexs board has been wary of falling afoul of existing U.S. sanctions that had previously targeted some of the main contenders, and the board has been casting about for other options. Its unclear how Kudrins sanctioning would affect his role at Yandex or the companys restructuring efforts. A Yandex spokeswoman declined to comment on the Treasury announcement. The six companies designated for sanctions by OFAC that were featured in the RFE/RL investigation are LLC RM Design and Development, Basis Trade Prosoft LLC, Region-Prof LLC, ZAO GTME Tekhnologii, OOO Radiotekhsnab (RTS), and Technologies Systems and Complexes Limited (TSC). ZAO GTME Tekhnologii (GTME Tekhnologii) is a Kyrgyz-based entity established in June 2022. It has made dozens of shipments of goods to Russia, including high-priority items such as tantalum capacitors and electronic integrated circuits, the RFE/RL investigation found. GTME Tekhnologiis primary customer has been Russia-based TSC, a vendor of electronic and digital equipment. OFAC said LLC RM Design and Development, established in March last year, has been a "prolific shipper" of electronics such as semiconductors and integrated circuits to Russia, including to firms that have supplied electronics to Russian-based defense companies. Earlier on July 20, Kyrgyzstan denied helping Moscow circumvent sanctions imposed over the Ukraine invasion, but did admit to "the "possible involvement of private companies" and said it was investigating the matter. The other individuals targeted for helping to supply munitions to Russia include Russian and North Korean national Yong Hyok Rim, who is linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mutinous leader of the Wagner mercenary organization. Also designated are two other private Russian military companies, including Okhrana, owned by Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom. Sergei Korolev, first deputy director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), and Smolensk regional Governor Vasily Anokhin also were targeted, the State Department said. The sanctions freeze any property in U.S. jurisdictions owned by the individuals and entities named. They also bar U.S. citizens from any dealings with the people and entities. With reporting by Reuters and AFP NOTE: This article has been amended to clarify the circumstances surrounding Aleksei Kudrin's departure from the Russian Audit Chamber and his joining Yandex. A Ukrainian drone commander recounts the fight to retake what he called "dead land" in Blahodatne, a village in the Donetsk region. The area was among the first territorial gains of Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive. Current Time correspondent Borys Sachalko spoke with the soldiers about the battle as Russian forces continue to attack their positions. Russian President Vladimir Putin in an unscheduled address to the nation on June 26 reiterated his offer of amnesty to fighters who took part in the revolt over the weekend but not to its ringleader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a sign of the Kremlin leaders complete break with his former ally. In a short speech, Putin said the fighters of Wagner mercenary group can either join the Russian Army, go back home, or go to Belarus. He made no direct mention of Prigozhin, the 62-year old founder of Wagner once known as Putin's chef, but said the organizers of the revolt betrayed the Russian people. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. "Today, you have the opportunity to continue serving Russia by entering into a contract with the Ministry of Defense or other law enforcement agencies, or to return to your family and friends. Whoever wants to can go to Belarus. The promise I made will be fulfilled," Putin said. "I repeat: The choice is yours." Putin also used the speech to bolster his tarnished image as a popular leader in firm control of the country after citizens, officials, and officers did little to stop the mutiny and amid questions why the Kremlin leader took nearly a day to address the armed unrest. He thanked the Russian people for unity and thanked commanders and soldiers of the mercenary group for avoiding bloodshed in what is widely seen as the greatest challenge to Putin's 23 years of rule. While making no mention of Prigozhin in his short remarks, he said the organizers of the revolt had betrayed the Russian people. He warned that any attempt at blackmail or unrest in Russia would be doomed to fail and claimed the West wanted Russians to kill each other. Putins speech came hours after Prigozhin claimed that he launched his mutiny on June 23 to stop the Kremlin from disbanding his group, which he claimed were the best fighters in Russia. He showed no repentance for his actions. The Russian leader earlier this month backed plans by the Defense Ministry to consolidate control over mercenary groups in what many analysts said was a move directed at curtailing Prigozhins power. The plans were to go into effect on July 1. U.S. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders said the brief uprising was part of a struggle within the Russian system. Biden said neither the United States nor its allies was involved. Biden's message was sent directly to the Russians through various diplomatic channels, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters. He did not characterize Russia's response. Prigozhin said earlier that the intent of his troops' march toward Moscow over the weekend was to highlight the incompetence of Russia's military leadership in its war against Ukraine and not to overthrow the Russian government in what is widely seen as the greatest challenge to Putin's 23 years of rule. In his first public statement since abandoning the march just 200 kilometers from the Russian capital, Prigozhin continued to sound defiant in an 11-minute long audio clip on June 26, saying his progress was a "master class" on how Russia's army should have carried out its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, noting multiple holes in military security that allowed his group to easily take control of cities as it proceeded toward Moscow. Prigozhin did not reveal his current whereabouts, nor did he mention any details of a reported agreement brokered by Belarusian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka that is said to have granted him asylum in Belarus. Thomas Graham, who served as Russia director on the White House National Security Council in the mid-2000s, told RFE/RL that the conflict between the Wagner group and the Russian leadership was far from over. As a general rule, he said, Putin doesn't let traitors get off lightly. If I were [Prigozhin], Id be looking over my shoulder, constantly, said Graham, who is now at analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations. Belarus wouldn't be the safest place to be. Lukashenka at the end of the day can't protect him. PODCAST: Why did Yevgeny Prigozhin halt Wagners advance toward Moscow so abruptly? How badly weakened is Russian President Vladimir Putin, and what might the 24-hour rebellion mean for the course of the war in Ukraine? Prigozhin, once a close ally of Putin, said the march started because of an alleged attack on his forces that he blames on the Russian military. "We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin, once a close ally of Putin, said, referring to an alleged attack on his forces that he blames on the Russian military. "We went to demonstrate our protest and not to overthrow power in the country," Prigozhin added, repeatedly denying that he and his forces planned to seize power. He said the goal of what he referred to as "our march of justice" was to prevent the "liquidation of the Wagner private military campaign and to demonstrate how indeed the special military operation should have been conducted." But then he added that as a "result of intrigue and wrong decisions," Wagner plans to cease existing on July 1 after its commanders spoke to the fighters "and nobody agreed to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry." Prigozhin also noted in his lengthy commentary that his troops "did not kill a single Russian soldier on land" but shot down several Defense Ministry aircraft after the aircraft "bombed us and attacked us with missiles." Kirby could not confirm whether Prigozhin was in Belarus and said it is too soon to know what will become of the Wagner group. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that while Washington does not know what will happen to Wagner in Ukraine, the events over the weekend reinforce Washington's concerns about the instability Wagner brings when its forces join conflicts. Wagner has fought in Libya, the Central African Republic, Mali, and Syria since being founded in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea and started supporting Kremlin-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. The United States renews the message that it has given these countries publicly and privately in the past, "which is that any time Wagner enters the country, death and destruction follow," Miller told reporters. "You see Wagner exploit local populations, we see them extract local wealth, we see them commit human rights abuses." Russian authorities earlier on June 26 scrambled to present a return to normality by reversing counterterrorism measures in the capital and some regions after Prigozhin's short-lived mutiny. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the cancellation of counterterrorism measures imposed in the Russian capital during the attempted mutiny. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) separately announced the lifting of all temporary restrictions in Moscow region, while Voronezh regional Governor Aleksandr Gusev also said the counterterrorism regime had been rescinded in his region following the withdrawal of Prigozhin's fighters. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal was one of the main demands by Prigozhin, was seen in a video visiting troops. Russia's Defense Ministry on June 26 published a soundless video purporting to show Shoigu flying in a plane with a colleague and hearing reports at a command post. It was not immediately clear where or when the footage had been recorded. Earlier, the RIA Novosti news agency said Shoigu had visited Russian troops involved in the military operation in Ukraine. The information could not be independently confirmed. As part of the deal brokered by Lukashenka and reported by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, criminal charges against the mutineers were to be dropped in exchange for their return to camps, while Prigozhin would move to Belarus. But the Russian newspaper Kommersant and the TASS news agency, citing unidentified sources, reported on June 26 that Prigozhin remains under investigation by the FSB on suspicion of organizing an armed mutiny. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said during a visit to Lithuania on June 26 that Prigozhin's aborted mutiny shows that Moscow committed a strategic mistake by waging war on Ukraine. "The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine," he told reporters in Vilnius. "As Russia continues its assault, it is even more important to continue our support to Ukraine." European Union ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, said the failed revolt raised questions about Putins grip on power. We are analyzing this carefully, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters. There are also risks involved, which we are still unable to assess at the moment. For us Europeans, the only thing that matters is to support Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who chaired the meeting, said that the political system "is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking and now is the moment to support Ukraine more than ever. Addressing the ministers by video link, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the ministers to take advantage of the latest developments. Russia is getting weaker every day. It is critically important now to provide Ukraine with all the weapons it needs, he said, including artillery and missiles, but also tougher sanctions. Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said early on June 26 that Ukrainian forces have retaken 130 square kilometers in the south since the start of Kyiv's long-anticipated counteroffensive. Malyar said on her Telegram channel that the Ukrainian military continued to make advances in the Melitopol and Berdyansk areas of the southern Zaporizhzhya region, despite fierce Russian resistance and "significant" human and material losses. "In total, since the beginning of our [counter]offensive, the area liberated in the south amounts to 130 square kilometers," she said. Separately, Ukraine's General Staff said in its daily report early on June 26 that Ukrainian forces successfully repelled intensified Russian attempts to advance in the eastern region of Donetsk, fighting off 36 assaults in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka areas over the past day. The General Staff also reported that Ukrainian troops were continuing their operations in Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions, without giving more details. With reporting by Reuters and AP Defense Forces moving forward, enemy's losses in killed, wounded amount to almost four companies per day in Tavriyske direction Tarnavsky There are already liberated territories in Tavriyske direction and Ukrainian soldiers continue to advance, the enemy's losses in killed and wounded amounted to almost four companies per day, commander of the operational-strategic grouping of troops Tavria Oleksandr Tarnavsky said. "The Defense Forces are moving forward in Tavriyske direction. There are already liberated territories and our movement continues. Over the past day, the enemy attacked our positions 18 times and carried out 450 attacks," he wrote on the Telegram channel. According to him, the units of the missile forces and artillery of Tavriyske Defense Forces performed 954 firing tasks during the day. "Over the past day, the enemy's losses in killed and wounded amounted to almost four companies. Fifteen units of enemy military equipment were destroyed," Tarnavsky said. In particular, four AFV, two Supercam UAVs, a self-propelled artillery installation 2C3 Acacia and automotive equipment were destroyed. The enemy's ammunition depot was also destroyed. "Work continues on the disposal of Russians," the commander added. James Dubik is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general with operational experience in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Haiti, Panama, and in numerous NATO countries. He is a senior fellow at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War and a professor in Georgetown University's security studies program. In an interview with RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Dubik talked about gauging success in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, avoiding misperceptions about "decisive" blows, and the element of surprise in a "transparent war." RFE/RL: Before we go on discussing the situation on the battlefield, let me ask this: What is the Ukrainian counteroffensive meant to achieve? What would be considered a success or, on the opposite spectrum, a failure for the Ukrainian counteroffensive? James Dubik: Well, campaigns are judged on how much they contribute to the strategic gains. So, [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskiy's strategic aim is to secure his country's political sovereignty, territorial integrity, and that sets conditions for economic prosperity. That's how I read them. And so, a successful counteroffensive will achieve all of those or move toward achieving those. So, what that means on the ground is that Ukraine's forces have to seize back enough territory from the Russians to, at the minimum, force the Russians to negotiate from a position of weakness and from a position that Zelenskiy can secure political sovereignty, territorial integrity, and thus economic prosperity. So, it's not an objective of how many miles, how many cities. It's the relationship of the campaign and the strategic objectives that determines success. RFE/RL: Would it be correct to say that it's less about winning a decisive victory but more about gaining a better hand at the negotiating table? Dubik: "Decisive" is a word thrown around that has multiple meanings. Sometimes people use decisive and that means, in this case, every single Russian soldier is kicked out of Ukraine. RFE/RL: The war is won. Dubik: That's one definition. Another definition of decisive is if it's successful enough on the ground for Zelenskiy to negotiate and achieve his strategic objectives. That's decisive. That's a decisive victory -- even if, as a result of negotiations or in the negotiating period, Russian forces are still leaving the area. So, I think the first version of "decisive" is much less reflective of reality than the second notion of decisive. RFE/RL: And on the other side of this political coin, could a modestly successful or a failed counteroffensive invite pressure on Kyiv to accept some sort of unsavory cease-fire? Dubik: Yes, that could happen. And of course, the Zelenskiy administration wants that not to happen. And I would say, the U.S. and NATO want that not to happen. Because part of the strategic aims of NATO and the United States are not just the strengthening of NATO and the defense of NATO but to assist the Ukrainian government in achieving their objectives and thereby reinforcing the international convention against aggression to change borders. So, a less-than-decisive victory in the second sense of decisive would not be a success for Ukraine or the U.S. or NATO. RFE/RL: On the counteroffensive proper, many have dubbed the initial phase of this counteroffensive as "shaping operations." What are the Ukrainians shaping it up to? Dubik: Look, I think the West has forgotten how difficult conventional war is. Let's look at D-Day (when in 1944 the Allies undertook the largest seaborne invasion in history to liberate France and shift momentum against Nazi Germany on the Western Front). It took two months for 350,000 soldiers on a 50-mile [80 kilometer] front to secure the beachhead in such a way as to break out. Kyiv is attacking across 155 miles and not with any 350,000 soldiers. So, the complexity is something that I think we all ought to keep in mind. The West, I think, has lulled themselves to sleep with this notion that all wars are rapid, decisive operations like the first Gulf War. And we allowed ourselves to rest on this false belief for 20-some years. The counteroffensive has to do multiple things simultaneously. The first is find a weak spot. They've been trying to do that. They've had shaping operations, they've got intelligence operations, they've got limited attacks trying to find a weakness or create a weakness. I noticed that CNN, the other day, talked about four areas in which Ukraine is conducting offensive operations. All that means is that those are the four areas we can see now. It could well be the case that the Russians make adjustments to those four areas and the main punch comes from a fifth. Based on the Russian response, the Ukrainians might not choose one of those four. So, the first thing you do [is] intelligence operations, you do shaping operations; they've been doing these right along. Then you have to penetrate -- and not just the security zone. The defense that the Russians have had time to put in has a security zone. And the purpose of the security zone is to strip away the enemy so they don't reach the main battle area. And then there's a main battle area that generally has two lines of defense: complex obstacles and trenches. So, we don't know whether they've reached even the main battle area. What the Ukrainians have to do is penetrate not the security zone but the main battle area. And to do that, they need to fight a close battle that we read about in the news all the time -- a deeper battle that attacks logistics, command-and-control, infrastructure, to facilitate the movement forward, and then after the breakout to exploit the rear area of the Russian defenses. This is not going to happen in a week or two weeks; this is going to take some time. Simultaneously with that, the Ukrainians have to defend the rest of their country. And that's no small task either. Further, they have to set the conditions for a continual flow of logistics from the rear to the front and a continual flow of damaged equipment from the front to the rear and fix it. So, let's look again at D-Day: two months from the time we landed to the time we could break out, and then many months to the end of the year, 1944, we get into Germany, and then the Germans counterattack at the Battle of the Bulge at the end of the year. You know, the West, I think, has lulled themselves to sleep with this notion that all wars are rapid, decisive operations like the first Gulf War. And we allowed ourselves to rest on this false belief for 20-some years. And now two things should wake us up: The first [is] 20 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, not conventional but prolonged. And now a prolonged conventional war. That tells us that the form of industrial warfare that we saw in World War II is not over, even though some theorists have claimed it is. So, the war the Ukrainians are fighting, may well be, in retrospect, the last war of the post-Cold War period. And if we're successful, the next period will have one hue. If it's not successful, the next period will have a whole different hue. Because Russia, if they're successful, will not stop with Ukraine. Everybody knows that; if they don't by now, it's their own choice not to know. And there are other nuclear-power nations around the world, and some who want to be nuclear powers, who are watching very closely to see whether the West is successful in reinforcing the norm of not using force to change borders. RFE/RL: On this penetration, or the need to breach the main defense line of Russia: What is Ukraine betting on with a numerically inferior force against the fortified, echeloned defense line of Russians? It has been described, by the way, as "some of the most extensive systems of military defensive works seen anywhere since World War II." Dubik: Well, the aggregate numbers are deceiving in war. They matter, but they're really deceiving. What matters is at the point of battle: What's the combat ratio there? So, it could be -- it is -- the case that Ukraine is outnumbered in the aggregate; that really doesn't matter if they can have overwhelming firepower in all the places they want to have it through a combination of ground forces, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), air forces, long-range artillery, rockets, all that stuff. You can concentrate combat power at the place and time of your choosing and create combat ratios that are way to your favor. So, again, like the term "decisive" gets thrown around, this term of "combat ratio" gets thrown around without much careful analysis. RFE/RL: For the better half of the year now, we've been hearing how Russia's relentless frontal assault on Bakhmut was "suicidal" and that Russians were sending their men into the "meat grinder." How is Ukraine's counteroffensive different from the Russian one in this regard? Dubik: I think what we've seen so far is that the Ukrainians have been very careful in choosing when, where, and how to attack, and to set the conditions so that -- at least at the start -- they believe they will have combat superiority. That's way different than the human-wave assault of Russians in Bakhmut, for example, where they just drove forward and [waited to] see what happens. President Zelenskiy, I think, is very judicious and respectful of the lives he is using; [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is not. RFE/RL: I've heard it said many, many times that defensive positions, however skillfully built, are only as efficient as the people manning them. Given the poor morale and training that we've seen from the Russian forces so far, could that be the trump card for Ukraine, if it's able to breach the initial line of defense? Dubic: From my angle, good defensive positions can be used even by poor troops pretty darn well. And the Russians have a long history of being pretty good at setting up their defenses. They have interlocking fields of firethey integrate artillery and ground fire, air attacks, air defense. So, if you're a mediocre soldier in a really good defense, you're in a strong position. The issue is, though, if you're a mediocre soldier and, all of a sudden, the enemy is in your rear, that's when you worry, that's when you panic, that's when you withdraw. And so, this makes the penetration much more important. Now, it's also the case that under very severe bombardment and pressing attack, weaker troops will buckle faster. That's also true. But I think you have to hold all three of these things simultaneously in your mind: number one, poor troops and good defenses still can do a lot of damage; number two, weak and low morale makes troops fold easier under attack; number three, when you get in their rear, weak soldiers generally panic faster. All three are simultaneously true. RFE/RL: Is there room for tactical surprises in what has been described as the world's first truly "transparent war," when most of what happens is seen and observed via satellite imagery? Dubik: I don't know if there's a rule; there is a desire [from] all commanders at all levels to surprise your enemy either in the place of attack, the time of attack, or method of attack. And when you can do that, you do gain some degree of strength from surprising your enemy, because you're forcing your enemy not just to fight in either a different direction or a different way than he expected but to think differently. Once you take your enemy out of his cognitive comfort zone, then you're forcing that enemy to adapt to you. And if there's one thing that the Russians have not been good at since February [2022], it is adapting to unfolding realities quickly on the battlefield. As long as things are going according to their plan, they do fine; if the plan stops, one of the weaknessesis that their commanders stop and wait for orders. And so, you know, that is an advantage of surprise. RFE/RL: Do you think Ukraine can employ some of that [element of surprise]? Dubik: Yes, I think there's plenty of room for that. RFE/RL: Speaking of tactical surprises, curiously enough, Ukraine. from what we've seen so far, has gone for the age-old trick of operating mostly under the cover of night. Many ascribe it to the effectiveness of Western-supplied night-vision equipment. How potent a tool in Ukraine's arsenal might this end up to be? Dubik: I don't know that. But let me talk about surprise two ways. First tactically. It is a huge advantage, being able to see at night, to shoot and hit what you're aiming at at night is an incredible advantage to someone who's staring into the dark. To have night-vision devices on individual crew-served weapons is just a huge tactical advantage. The Tavberidze Interviews Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service has been interviewing diplomats, military experts, and academics who hold a wide spectrum of opinions about the war's course, causes, and effects. To read all of his interviews, click here. But let's talk about surprise at the operational level, for example. Let's just say CNN is right, for the purposes of argument, that there are four areas in which the Ukrainians have been initiating counteroffensive operations. The Russians don't know which of those will end up being the main effort right now. They don't know if there's a fifth. So, the Russians now have to decide what to do in reaction to these four. How do they ship forces? Where do they ship forces? Do they ship forces? And once they make a decision, the Ukrainians have the room for operational-level surprise -- where the Russians had kind of bet, let's say, on Location Two, and all of a sudden One or Four becomes the main effort. And now the Russians are caught way out of their comfort zone and have to react to something they have not anticipated. So, you have surprise at various levels. There's surprise in the place, the time, or the method. So, it could still well be that there are methods that the Ukrainian forces have developed [and] that they have not shown their cards and are waiting for the right time and place to do that. That's operational-level surprise that there's still room for us to see. RFE/RL: Given the amount of military assistance the West has provided to Ukraine in preparation for this counteroffensive -- all the Bradley fighting vehicles, the Abrams and Leopards tanks, and Storm Shadow cruise missiles -- is it fair to say that the West's military prestige is also riding on Ukraine's counteroffensive? Dubik: I don't know. There's probably an argument to say that; I don't know how strong that argument would be. Because the equipment itself -- the Bradleys, the Abrams tanks, all the other Western equipment, Leopards -- they have been proven in other wars. So, the equipment itself has been proven to be the best in the world. RFE/RL: Not against Russia. Dubik: Not against Russia, that's right. But I'm kind of hopeful, kind of thinking that it'll turn out fine, technically. But it is always how the equipment is used that really matters, not merely having the equipment. And it's also having the equipment when and where it's needed. So, the logistics of this counteroffensive are hugely important, as is the flow of equipment from the West to Ukraine. Because all wars have usage rates, and good logisticians have tables -- I've seen them -- that say, "if you're going to be in this kind of fight for this number of days, you can anticipate this number of battle-damaged equipment." So, it's not just what you have to start. It's do you have the flow forward to do the replacements? Do you have the flow forward to maintain the momentum once a breakthrough is seen? And do you have the flow backwards to keep repairing? All that matters. And the other thing, while we're talking about this, I think is really important for us to remember: This is the Russia-Ukraine war. Putin started the war illegally, aggressively. And Ukraine is justifiably defending itself. And according to international law, other nations can come to the aid, to its self-defense. This is not a proxy war. People may say, "This is a proxy war between NATO, the U.S., and Russia. No, this is not a proxy war. This is the West, the United States, and NATO, supporting a legitimate self-defense against illegal aggression. RFE/RL: On this flow that you mentioned, Ukraine has received plenty, but there still are some glaring holes in what Ukraine has requested and the West has been willing to provide -- most notably, ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) and fighter jets. Let's start with the former. How important are ATACMS for the outcome of this counteroffensive? How much could the absence of ATACMS hobble Ukraine? Dubik: It's all about range. And I think the ATACMS would be very helpful to continue the attack in the depth necessary to achieve a penetration. So, you have close weapons, artillery, mortars, indirect weapons; you have a little bit deeper, the HIMARS (light multiple rocket launchers); then you have the ATACMS, the deepest, and I think they would be very useful to the Ukrainians and we should have provided them a long time ago. RFE/RL: With that in mind, should we expect them to be perhaps delivered during the counteroffensive, or come to regret not doing so? Dubik: Well, personally, I think we should have already provided them to Ukraine. So, I've already regretted that, as a personal opinion. I don't know what the [U.S.] administration will say whether they regret it or not. But I believe this was a weapon that was necessary -- and known for me to be necessary -- as early as last summer. You can see [expressed] in my writings that [I believe] we should have been providing all the stuff necessary for a counteroffensive. Because wars are not won of the defense, wars are won on the offense. RFE/RL: Regarding the F-16 fighter aircraft, or rather their absence, the Ukrainian forces seem to be attacking without any air support, while their air defenses are tied down with defending the civilian targets Russia is relentlessly bombing. How costly might that prove? Dubik: Well, casualties will go up without control of the air, there's no doubt about that. But F-16s aren't necessarily the answer to that problem. You have identified the right problem: protecting the airspace over the counteroffensive and protect the airspace over the rest of Ukraine. That's the task. And that can be done in any number of ways without deploying F-16s. And I think the West has been a little slow in identifying the varieties of air-defense weaponry that are necessary across the board, from a tactical level through to the strategic ones and operational ones like the [U.S.-made] Patriots. RFE/RL: Slow or reluctant? Dubik: I don't know which one. But the net effect is the same, so it doesn't matter. There's insufficient air defense to cover all of the things that need to be covered. RFE/RL: And the second part of the question: How costly may that prove for the Ukrainian counteroffensive? Dubik: Well, it's going to cost more. How costly? I don't know, I can't answer that. That's quantitative and there's no way for me to judge that now. But again, like you concentrate ground and indirect forces to get a combat ratio to a certain place, you can concentrate air-defense systems and take risk in other areas. I don't know what the Ukrainians are doing in that regard. But in my view, the air-defense platforms ought to increase in the flow to Ukraine, not decrease. RFE/RL: Let's talk about the losses Ukraine has sustained so far and is doubtless going to suffer as the counteroffensive goes on. We've seen pictures of destroyed Leopard tanks celebrated in Russia. Then we've seen those photos from different angles, or photoshopped, celebrated once more. So, what would be your word of advice regarding the expectations-management strategy, both in Ukraine and in the West, when it comes to the cost of this entire venture? Dubik: I think that part of the political leadership's responsibility -- Ukrainian, NATO, U.S. -- is to continually engage their populations to be realistic in what is achievable, what is being achieved, and the costs. There's a fine line. You can be overly realistic and cause a panic, a lack of support, and a lack of legitimacy of what you're doing. And you can be underly realistic and be accused of masking the costs. I think there's got to be more effort -- at least as I read the U.S. news -- in describing in that realistic zone, what's actually going on and how things are going. I don't read the Ukrainian news, so I don't know there. RFE/RL: Vladimir Putin recently claimed, in an apparent slip, that Russia has lost 54 tanks in Ukraine since the start of this counteroffensive. He then seemed to regain his composure and went on to insist that Ukraine's losses were "catastrophic" and that Kyiv had lost 160 tanks and 360 armored vehicles, which he says is roughly one-third of what the West has provided to Ukraine. Just how big is the grain of salt we should be taking his words with? Dubik: I think you need to take a sack of salt, not a grain. That's part of the battlefield now, though, isn't it? It's this information space that's going back and forth. And that's why it's so important for political leaders: a) to maintain their own credibility, and then, b) to use that credibility to engage their public to ensure that the public sees their efforts as legitimate efforts and continues to support them. And engagement is important, because you've got all these wild claims that are out there, propelled and accelerated in social media, changed in social media. And so, without a credible, trustworthy, reliable flow of information from the government, then you risk public support, you risk legitimacy. And that's a very important part of waging a war. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two major issues: Sweden's NATO membership endgame and the midterm scorecard from Brussels for Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Brief #1: Is Sweden Finally Becoming A NATO Member? What You Need To Know: The saga of Sweden's NATO accession is now likely entering its endgame. Having applied to join the military alliance together with Finland in the wake of Russian's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many initially expected a quick accession. But it has turned out to be more complicated than first anticipated. Turkey signaled that it needed to see progress from Helsinki -- but notably Sweden -- in areas such as fighting terrorism, the lifting of an arms embargo on Ankara, and fulfilling Turkish extradition requests. While the trio signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the NATO Madrid summit in June 2022, outlining what needed to be done by the Nordic duo in order to get Turkish ratification, the fact remains that, as NATO approaches the Vilnius summit in July, those issues still remain a year down the line. The prospects looked grim earlier this year when two different protests held in Sweden truly enraged Ankara. In one, Kurds hung upside down an effigy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan near Stockholm's city hall, while, in the other, a Swedish-Danish far-right politician and provocateur set fire to a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish Embassy in the Swedish capital. Given Sweden's slow progress, Finland decided to decouple and enter alone, becoming NATO member number 31 in early April. Most NATO officials I have spoken to on background say that there were never really any issues with Finland, only Sweden. There also doesn't appear to be much of an issue with Hungary, either. Budapest's refusal so far to ratify Sweden's membership is just solidarity with Turkey, according to the NATO officials I've spoken to. Budapest hasn't actually made any concrete demands on Sweden other than a few complaints about Swedish politicians criticizing the country's rule of law, and Hungary has indicated that it won't be the last country to ratify Swedish membership. So, in the end, it will be about Stockholm and Ankara ironing out their differences, whether ahead of the Vilnius summit on July 11-12, during, or shortly afterwards. Deep Background: The smart money is that there will be a deal in Vilnius that will allow the Turkish parliament to ratify later in July before it goes into recess until October. "Erdogan likes to be in the limelight and, just like in Madrid in 2022, he will find a way to steal the show at the summit," a NATO diplomat who isn't authorized to speak on the record recently told me with a smile. Swedish and Turkish officials met in Ankara earlier in June, and it is possible that they will meet again in the days and weeks ahead of the summit. However, NATO officials have told me that there is little left to solve at this level and it is time for the countries' political leaders to reach an agreement. There have been extraditions to Turkey, mostly Kurds on terrorism charges, although not as many as Turkey would like. "This is for the courts to decide, not the government" is a common refrain I hear from Swedish officials and diplomats. A Swedish arms embargo on Turkey has been lifted and, as of June 1, there has been new Swedish counterterrorism legislation that could potentially make it easier to hand over people from Sweden. While that won't stop anti-Erdogan protests in Swedish cities, it could help prevent displaying at such events flags of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Turkey designates a terrorist group. Plus, events in which burning the Koran will occur are unlikely to get permission to go ahead in the future. The big question is whether that will be enough for Erdogan, who told NATO's secretary-general in a phone call on June 25 that Sweden must stop protests by supporters of the PKK to get a green light on its NATO membership bid and that Sweden's change of its terrorism law was "meaningless" while such protests continued. But if Ankara insists on seeing concrete results from the new counterterrorism law, this could potentially drag on for years. So, if the Swedish prime minister and the Turkish president can't find a compromise in Vilnius, then it might be that they'll need assistance, or intervention, from the NATO secretary-general or even the U.S. president. Drilling Down The way things could be solved is a giant political package at -- or on the sidelines of -- the Vilnius summit. There might be a commitment by Washington to send F-16 fighter jets to Ankara -- something that Turkey has been eyeing for a long time. The U.S. Congress, however, has been reluctant to green-light the sale of the jets until Sweden becomes a member of the alliance. So, there might be room for maneuver there. That is not the only sweetener the United States could offer. It's possible there could be a further loosening of other U.S. arms export restrictions to Turkey. Plus, a possible visit by Erdogan to the U.S. capital in the fall. In the meantime, Jens Stoltenberg might be asked to stay on for an extra year as NATO secretary-general, due to a reported lack of consensus on his replacement. That would be something that Turkey would look favorably upon as Stoltenberg enjoys good relations with the Turkish leadership and, apparently, Ankara isn't too keen on any other Nordic candidate for the position. (There has been speculation that Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen has been eyeing the secretary-general post.) as NATO secretary-general, due to a reported lack of consensus on his replacement. That would be something that Turkey would look favorably upon as Stoltenberg enjoys good relations with the Turkish leadership and, apparently, Ankara isn't too keen on any other Nordic candidate for the position. (There has been speculation that Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen has been eyeing the secretary-general post.) Stoltenberg, who has headed the military alliance since 2014, has been adamant that he would prefer to step down after the Vilnius summit. But it could very well be that he is asked to stay on until the next summit in Washington, D.C., in July 2024, when NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary. Another crucial piece of a possible deal could involve an agreement on updated NATO defense plans. NATO countries have failed to reach consensus on the new plans, with several sources familiar with the issue saying that Turkey is the main obstruction to an agreement on the secret military blueprints of how NATO would respond to a potential Russian attack. According to my sources, Turkey's main objection to the updated defense plans is that it wants the Bosphorus to be called "the Turkish straits" -- something that Greece has balked at. Brief #2: Midterm Grades For Ukraine, Georgia, And Moldova What You Need To Know: Last week, the European Commission presented its midterm report on how EU hopefuls Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are progressing in the various policy fields that Brussels requires improvement on in order for them to join the bloc. Briefing first the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states in Brussels on June 21, then Europe ministers at an informal meeting in Stockholm on June 22, plus officials in Kyiv, Chisinau, and Tbilisi, the report was a snapshot ahead of the crucial EU enlargement reports coming this October. It is these reports where the European Commission will give its final assessment on the three countries and spell out what are the next steps. EU member states will then either confirm or reject that recommendation two months later. For candidate countries Moldova and Ukraine, the next stage would be the opening of accession negotiations. For Georgia, it would mean being where Moldova and Ukraine are right now: official candidates for membership. Judging from the report presented last week, there is plenty of homework for the trio to do in the coming months, especially for Georgia which is clearly lagging way behind. The European Commission has given a five-scale grading of how the three countries have done so far with the priorities it set out: "No progress"; "limited progress," meaning that reform in that area has just started; "some progress," meaning that less than 50 percent of the reforms have been implemented; "good progress," meaning that more than 50 percent of reforms have been implemented and "completed." A lot of work still needs to be done. Of the seven priorities given to Ukraine, two are considered "completed"; Moldova has "completed" three out of its nine reform priorities; while laggard Georgia, which was given a dozen priorities, has only "completed" three. Deep Background: Ukraine is in the very difficult position of having to grapple with these reforms while defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukraine has received "completed" grades with regard to passing relevant media laws and reforming the judiciary and an assessment of "good progress" on reforming the Constitutional Court. In the four remaining policy fields -- anti-corruption, anti-money-laundering, clamping down on oligarchs, and national minority rights -- Brussels said that "some progress" has been made. This is where Ukraine will need to make considerable improvements. Among the many things the country needs to do to meet the EU requirements, Kyiv will have to tackle more high-level corruption cases, restore e-asset declarations (an electronic tool that enables Ukrainian public officials to disclose earnings and assets), and speed up the alignment of anti-money laundering legislation with international standards. But perhaps the trickiest issue will be the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine, their rights, and how Budapest will respond. For several years, the Hungarian government has rallied behind the around 100,000 ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine, offering them citizenship and criticizing a 2017 Ukrainian law that ensures the universal teaching of Ukrainian in schools at the expense of minority languages, including Hungarian and Russian. Many EU insiders believe that Ukraine will get the green light to start accession talks later this year, but Hungary might still veto this. In the discussion in Brussels following the presentation of the report, Hungary was very critical of Kyiv for not doing enough on minority rights. Drilling Down One scenario I recently heard from an EU official familiar with the topic is that Hungary will only sign off on Ukraine opening accession negotiations if other EU countries agree to approve Georgia's candidate status at the same time. In recent years, the Georgian government has cultivated a much closer relationship with Budapest. Reaching consensus on Georgia's candidate status will be tricky, to say the least, especially given how much work the country needs to do. With just "limited progress" on the need to achieve "de-oligarchization," Brussels has said that Tbilisi needs to adopt a "more systemic approach" to the issue. Regarding media pluralism, the situation looks even worse. According to the report, no progress has been made in that field and the European Commission is urging Georgia to ensure the safety of journalists and to better protect both media and media owners. The presidential pardon on June 22 of the prominent opposition journalist Nika Gvaramia, who was locked up on a charge of abuse of power that was widely described as politically motivated, is just the sort of progress the European Commission is looking for. on June 22 of the prominent opposition journalist Nika Gvaramia, who was locked up on a charge of abuse of power that was widely described as politically motivated, is just the sort of progress the European Commission is looking for. In other policy fields, Georgia was deemed to have made "some progress." When it comes to addressing political polarization, the EU urged the country to end "harsh rhetoric," institute a more efficient oversight of parliament, and try more "constructive cross-party arrangements." The government also needs to address LGBT rights, resume regular and transparent consultations with civil-society groups, and appoint the remaining nonjudge members of the High Council of Justice. All things considered, Moldova might actually have the best report card of all three. Good progress has been made on reforms of the management of public finances and the judiciary. Chisinau is also considered to have completed what was needed when it comes to the involvement of civil-society actors in parliamentary decision-making processes and the protection of human rights, notably on gender equality. But Moldova still has much work to do, for example: elevating the work of the anti-corruption prosecutor; improving the quality of investigations into graft cases; stepping up work on asset recovery; and enacting more laws on combating money laundering and fighting organized crime. Looking Ahead On June 29-30, EU leaders gather in Brussels for their regular summit before the summer break. Discussions on Ukraine will dominate, particularly on how to provide more military aid, and how to potentially use frozen Russian assets in the bloc for Ukrainian reconstruction in the future. They are also likely to discuss the establishment of a tribunal that could prosecute war crimes against Kyiv, plus even some groundwork on a new round of sanctions against the Kremlin. Before EU leaders gather in the Belgian capital, the bloc's foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg on June 26. It's expected that EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will update the ministers about his recent crisis talks with Serbian President Alexander Vucic and Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The ministers will also discuss the EU's mediation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. European Council President Charles Michel will host talks in Brussels with the leaders from both countries in July. That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. King Salman Energy Park (Spark) and Hutchison Ports have signed a concession agreement for the operation and management of the dry port and bonded logistics zone located within the 50 sq km global energy hub in the Eastern Province of the kingdom. The concession was awarded to a newly established company, Energy City Logistics Company (ECLC), a joint venture between Spark and Colour Path Holdings Limited, a Hutchison Ports company. Under the concession, ECLC will be an exclusive operator to a $400-million state-of-the-art logistics facility in Spark. The new facility will provide services for handling containers, breakbulk and project cargo, storage yards, warehousing, customs clearance, bonded and non-bonded logistics solutions tailored to the needs of its energy ecosystem. According to Spark, the dry port will accelerate the Eastern Provinces development as a regional logistics powerhouse with the integration of future GCC rail link, GCC highway and multiple expressways connected to Spark site. The dry port is one of the key enablers for Spark's ecosystem and the signing of the concession agreement marks an important milestone for its moving to the operation readiness phase," remarked Engineer Saif Al Qahtani, the President and CEO of Spark, after signing the deal with Eric Ip, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Ports. "ECLC will be ready for Spark tenants from day one with integrated logistics solutions and efficient services, so they can focus on their productivity and value creation activities," he stated at the igning ceremony which was attended by senior management from both companies. On the key venture, Ip said: "We are very pleased to participate in this mega project and contribute to the success of the Saudi Vision 2030 of developing the kingdom into a global logistics hub." "This partnership represents Hutchison Ports continued commitment to the Kingdom, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership with future business opportunities, he added.-TradeArabia News Service President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a working trip to Donetsk region, visited the units of the AFU of the operational-strategic group of troops Khortytsia, which distinguished themselves in heavy battles in Bakhmut direction. According to the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state, during the visit, commander of the AFU Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky, reported in detail to Zelenskyy about the operational situation in Bakhmut direction and the prospects for its development. In addition, the President talked with Ukrainian defenders and presented them with state awards. "Dear our heroes, I have the honor to be here today and first of all thank you for protecting our state, sovereignty, our families, children, our native Ukraine. I want to thank you, reward all of you and shake hands with great gratitude to you, your families, your parents for having you like this," Zelenskyy said, addressing the servicemen. The President also stressed that "everyone knows that the eastern direction is very difficult, it is hot here," and therefore he is sure that "Ukrainian defenders in this direction will make a great contribution to the future victory." Zelenskyy awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star to Captain Oleh Oliva, commander of the airmobile company of the 81st separate Brigade of Airborne Assault Troops, who, together with subordinate personnel, destroyed dozens of enemy vehicles and more than a hundred occupiers. The Head of the Ukrainian state wished the military health and military luck. A MOTORIST who was originally stopped by police for using his mobile phone has been jailed for six years after being caught with more than a kilogram of cocaine in his car. Careless Patrick Sweeney was stopped by officers on patrol in Manvers Way last November, after they spotted him using his mobile phone behind the wheel. They pulled the 59-year-old man over and, after noticing a smell of suspected cannabis, searched the vehicle. A large block of a white substance was found under the front passenger seat, as well as a joint and cash. When Sweeney was searched, police found a mobile phone and a larger amount of cash. He was arrested and brought into custody. The white substance was forensically tested and found to be cocaine, with an estimated street value of 40,000. PC Darren Walker said: Sweeneys careless actions behind the wheel led to the seizure of a significant amount of Class A drugs, which we know has a devastating impact on our communities. Drug supply and dealing wreaks havoc and is often tied to many other forms of criminality that cause harm. Sweeney has now been jailed for his crimes and dangerous drugs taken off the streets of Rotherham. Our work will continue to identify, target and disrupt those individuals who would seek to supply illegal substances in our town. Sweeney, of no fixed abode, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court last Friday, where he was sentenced to six years in prison. A collection order was also made under the Proceeds of Crime Act for more than 40,000. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs at a hearing last year. SOUTH Yorkshire Police is joining forces nationwide this week to celebrate one of the most challenging roles in the organisation. Starting today, #ResponsePolicingWeek will see SYP joining police forces up and down the country to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the officers who respond to calls from the public and confront criminals day and night on the front line. The National Police Chiefs Council has worked with Oscar Kilo the National Police Wellbeing Service the College of Policing, and the Police Federation to deliver a range of initiatives, co-ordinated specifically to support, develop and recognise the role of response officers. South Yorkshire Police will be implementing many of these to mark the week and pay homage to response teams across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Chief Insp Kevin Bradley the forces lead for response policing said: Response policing is the foundation of all we do. It is without doubt, one of the most challenging roles within the organisation, and one which offers variety and excitement with no incident being the same. Around a third of our officers are employed in the role and, along with other colleagues, help protect the public and keep our local communities safe providing a 24/7 service. This week gives us an opportunity to highlight the crucial role our response colleagues perform and pay our thanks for the tireless service they provide. The week of action runs until Sunday, with SYPs Facebook and Twitter channels keeping people up to date with what is going on using the hashtag #ResponsePolicingWeek to highlight these posts. Business confidence from Germany is the only major economic report due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 3.00 am ET, Spain's statistical office INE is set to publish producer prices for May. Producer prices are forecast to fall again by 4.5 percent on a yearly basis in May. At 4.00 am ET, Germany's Ifo confidence survey results are due. Economists expect the business sentiment index to fall to 90.7 in June from 91.7 in May. In the meantime, unemployment data is due from Poland. The jobless rate is forecast to fall to 5.1 percent in May from 5.2 percent in April. At 7.00 am ET, Germany's central bank is scheduled to issue monthly report. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Oil prices were moving higher on Monday after a short-lived armed rebellion in Russia added to uncertainties over the war in Ukraine. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose half a percent to $74.38 a barrel, while WTI crude futures were up 0.4 percent at $69.43. After an aborted mutiny by Wagner mercenary forces led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, analysts said the geopolitical risk and internal instability in Russia has increased. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the events exposed "real cracks" in Putin's rule. "It's not a good thing to see that a nuclear power like Russia can go into a phase of political instability," Eu foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg, adding this was the moment for the EU to continue supporting Ukraine more than ever. Oil prices also benefited from an OPEC report suggesting that global oil demand will surge 23 percent to 110 million barrels a day by 2045. During an Energy Asia conference on Monday, OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais explained the oil cartel's world forecast was rooted in the fact that "oil is irreplaceable for the foreseeable future," according to CNBC. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Borrell: We will continue to support Ukraine more than ever High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has said that the EU will continue to support Ukraine as well as increase its assistance. He said this at a press conference following a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday. "It's clear and I want to stress it. [We will] continue supporting Ukraine more than ever, continue an increasing support, all kinds of support, in particular, the military one because of the war more than ever," Borrell said, adding that there is a threat of political instability in Russia. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs also said that Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba updated his colleagues on the situation and they discussed how to fulfill and give an answer to the immediate needs in the short and long-term perspective. "We reaffirmed our commitment to support Ukraine, double it on equipment and training so that everything is done in order to support the counter-offensive that Ukraine is doing," he said. At the same time, Borrell admitted that the eighths assistance package for Ukraine has not been adopted yet. "The adoption of the eights package of support to Ukraine is still not solved. I will engage personally to solve it as soon as possible because this support package to Ukraine remains vital," he said. Borrell stressed that the EU "will play [its] role in contributing to security insurances in the long term to help Ukraine to defend itself." "We will continue providing military assistance to rump up their defense industry through training missions and through technological transfers," he said, adding that at the same time the EU will be seeking for peace in line with the UN Charter. Prologis, Inc. (PLD) and Blackstone (BX) announced Monday a definitive agreement for Prologis to acquire nearly 14 million square feet of industrial properties from opportunistic real estate funds affiliated with Blackstone for $3.1 billion in cash. The acquisition price represents an approximately 4% cap rate in the first year and a 5.75% cap rate when adjusting to today's market rents. Prologis and Blackstone have completed more than a dozen transactions together in the past 11 years. Prologis currently owns 1.2 billion square feet of logistics real estate in 19 countries. This acquisition expands the company's presence in key , including Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington DC, California (Southern California, Central Valley, SF Bay Area), Dallas, Las Vegas, New York/New Jersey, Phoenix and South Florida. The company plans to hold all of the properties acquired. This deal expands Prologis' relationship with 50 existing customers and adds 77 new customers. The transaction is currently expected to close by the end of the second quarter. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria to co-host the NRFs Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre. Rhodes University, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, will host the Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre from 2023 to 2026. This will be the first hub for the continent and one of a few in the world under Future Earth, a global initiative focused on advancing sustainability science. The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) Director, Professor Cyril Mbatha, said: For Future Earths vision is of a sustainable and equitable world for all, where societal decisions are informed by openly- accessible and shared knowledge. And its mission is to advance research supporting transformations to global sustainability. Professor Mbatha said the Africa Hub Leadership Centre would contribute to this global mission by growing, strengthening and coordinating Africas voice at a global level through the regions collaborative networks, innovative ideas and active participation of science stakeholders. The project to host the centre was awarded jointly to Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria this year following an open call from the National Research Foundation in 2022. The successful response to the call came from the collaborative efforts of the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), the Institute for Water Research (IWR) and ISER. In its initial phase of three years, the centres leadership will be housed at ISER, with other supporting staff based at the Future Africa campus at the University of Pretoria. The hub was launched formally on Tuesday, 20 June 2023, by the NRF at the first annual Sustainable Research Innovation (SRI) 2023 Africa satellite conference at Nelson Mandela University. At the conference, Professor Mbatha, Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka (ELRC) and Professor Nelson Odume (IWR) presented the vision, structure and the planned activities for the hub in this founding phase. We are excited to share the news with the Rhodes University community, and we look forward to further engagements as we roll out the hubs work programmes, including the current process to identify and appoint the Director and other supporting staff, concluded Professor Mbatha. Ever since its inception, Toyota Century brand came equipped with a bespoke V12 engine, which is not the case since the 3rd gen model launched in 2018 The Japanese brand Toyota is no stranger to a wide range of customers across multiple price segments. Toyota even has multiple sub-brands to market its vehicles. We have the regular Toyota brand, Lexus premium brand, new Crown brand to penetrate markets like China and North America. But at the top tier, there is Century brand which makes uber-luxurious limousines. As of now, Century brand is JDM exclusive and there is just one vehicle. It is Century sedan. Given the popularity of SUVs, Toyota is working on a new Century-branded SUV that will take on the likes of Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Bentley Bentayga. Toyota Century SUV What we know so far Only the most skilled Takumis (artisans) make Century vehicle interiors and are no less than men in aprons that build Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles. In Japan, Century vehicles are preferred choices for Japans Emperor, members of royalty, high-level businessmen, yakuza bosses and the likes. For the first time, Toyota is making a Century-branded SUV. And for the first time, a Century vehicle will be sold outside JDM. Yeah. There are rumours of Toyota Century SUV being a global product, sharing underpinnings with North American Highlander monocoque SUV. Carscoops has posted renders of what they think this SUV might look like. For starters, these renders take a similar route as Rolls-Royce did with Cullinan with a three-box design. Rolls-Royces execution has had mixed receptions and many renowned motoring journalists have expressed reservations as well. We hope Toyota does a better job at creating a Century-branded luxury SUV than Rolls-Royce with its Cullinan. Centurys way of making an opulent automobile When it comes to interiors, Century does things very differently as opposed to British and Europeans. Starting with its very logo, this gold Phoenix is very intricate and extensive. Exterior design language has remained somewhat similar ever since its inception in 1967. Currently in its third generation, Century sedan has an understated and elegant stately design going for it. On the inside, we dont expect any flash like a starry headliner. But the interior will be made of the highest quality wood, wool, leather and plastics. A similar theme as the third gen Century sedans interior (2018) is likely to feature in Toyota Century SUV as well. Were talking about leather seats in the front, and wool and silk blend fabric seats for the important rear seats. A collapsible cavity in the front passenger seat backrest is a quintessential Century feature and will make it on Century SUV as well. This allows said VIP to stretch out his legs if there is no front passenger. With the 3rd gen Century sedan, Toyota dropped its creamy and bespoke V12 in favour of a V8 hybrid. Same 5.0L hybrid V8 (425 bhp combined) is likely on the rumoured monocoque Toyota Century SUV. 1 of 3 Image Source In anticipation of a possible regulatory requirement to reduce the share or complete reject various types of Chinese telecommunications equipment, Kyivstar, the largest Ukrainian telecoms operator, will prepare its own recommendations, the so-called white paper. "We haven't had a dialogue yet. We are now doing our own, as we call it, white paper with recommendations on how to take this issue in a balanced way. That is, we understand the concern. It is rather general, because we don't have any facts (abuses)," Kyivstar president Oleksandr Komarov said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. According to him, it will take months to prepare a decision taking into account all factors and offer the optimal formula. Komarov stressed that a one-time rejection of Chinese telecom equipment is impossible, since the share of Chinese vendors in the networks of Ukrainian operators is approximately 60% in various elements. "If this is some kind of evolution, additional control, replacement of Chinese suppliers in some of the most critical elements of the network, in my opinion, this is possible," the head of the company said, calling for a balanced decision. He stressed that Kyivstar is a public company that works with all the restrictions imposed on Chinese vendors and has a "white" and "black" list of suppliers of equipment and components. "We work with companies only from the white list: this is equipment that is allowed under the restrictions and sanctions that are imposed on Chinese vendors for export to other countries," Komarov assured. Earlier it was reported that the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine started discussing the possibility of refusing to use equipment made in China by Ukrainian telecom operators. The office assured that the issue is under discussion and decision-making will be made taking into account risk-based factors. The Ministry of Digital Transformation stated that the share of the equipment of Chinese state-owned ZTE and private Huawei in some mobile operators accounts for about 70% of the equipment, or maybe even more. Weather Alert ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...All of northern New York and Vermont. * WHEN...From Friday afternoon through late Friday night. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Another round of heavy, scattered thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall is expected. Rainfall may exceed 1.5 inches in an hour which would result in flash flooding. Saturated soil conditions will cause rainfall to runoff into creeks and streams, which remain high or near record levels. - Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. && FRANKLIN COUNTY Vermont Electric Power Company, is inviting neighbors in St. Albans and Swanton, as well as anyone interested, to one or more community meetings about a proposed electric transmission project to improve grid reliability and unlock additional local renewable energy generation. Two community meetings to discuss the project will be held at the following dates and times: June 27, 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., St. Albans Town Office June 28, 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., Swanton Public Library The community meetings provide a forum to learn all aspects of interest about the project including the new lines purpose, proposed design, and work timeline. The VELCO project team will be available to answer questions and listen to community input. Interested participants should RSVP on the project website at www.velco.com/fclu or call 802-770-6381. As the planner, builder, operator and manager of Vermonts high-voltage electric transmission system, it is VELCOs responsibility to ensure grid safety, reliability, and efficiency. A routine inspection of VELCOs Georgia-to-Highgate line revealed that 146 of its 212 wooden transmission structures, 60 percent of which have been in place since 1958, are in need of replacement in order to maintain safe and reliable grid operations. The emerging project, referred to as the Franklin County Line Upgrade Project, seeks to rebuild VELCOs Georgia-to-Highgate electric transmission line by replacing deteriorating two-pole wood structures with more resilient single-pole steel structures. Once the new structures are installed and the conductor (or wire) is energized, the old structures will be removed. Beyond reliability improvements, the proposed Franklin County Line Upgrade Project proposal will also improve the capacity of this transmission line to help deliver increased benefits such as enabling additional in-state renewable generation. VELCO is owned by 17 local electric utilities and a public benefits corporation, the Vermont Low Income Trust for Electricity. It is a for-profit company with a cooperative revenue structure that benefits every grid-connected customer in the state. For more information about the project visit www.velco.com/fclu. Moe Dubois talks about Ambers sense of humor but also asks that her death be considered a call to action Escondidos youngest residents might not remember back to 2009, when a 14-year-old girl who had been on her way to class at a local high school abruptly vanished. Some probably werent even born yet when the city and all of San Diego County learned the name Amber Dubois. But Escondido police remember. So do most of the regions educators, community leaders and parents. Advertisement And they got a scary reminder on Tuesday, when news broke that a man suspected of trying to abduct nine young girls in Escondido had been arrested. Ambers disappearance on Feb. 13, 2009, rocked Escondido and sent waves of anxiety even fear through San Diegos North County and beyond. Those feelings were amplified a year later when a second North County teen, Chelsea King, 17, of Poway, went missing. But in the aftermath of those tragedies (both girls were attacked and murdered), lessons were learned and shared, especially with children and parents. Parents were told by police and school officials how to talk to young children and teens about how to protect themselves from strangers. Their eyes were also opened to the dangers that exist even in the safest communities. Parents need to continue to hit that message with their kids, said Capt. Eric Skaja of the Escondido Police Departments investigations bureau. If you dont recognize the person, dont go with them no matter what. Its a simple message, but one that sometimes needs reinforcement. In the years after Amber went missing, Skaja said, the department conducted a handful of operations in which a male officer in plain clothes posed as a kidnapper and with a parents permission tried to coax a child at an elementary school to leave with him. And sometimes, to the parents surprise and dismay, the children agreed to go. The department followed those demonstrations with in-class discussions about stranger danger, as well as social media blasts with information aimed toward keeping parents and children vigilant about their own safety. The police also have a Family Intervention Team, a mentoring program with a component that focuses on self-defense. In this latest, real-world case, Escondido police saw that most girls and young women rebuffed a man suspected of trying to lure them into his red convertible while others got into his car. Police said that on Tuesday they had a surveillance team watching the man identified as 46-year-old Spicer Conant of San Marcos as he tried to coax young girls into his 1994 Mazda Miata. Most were underage, but police said an 18-year-old got into Conants car after he asked her for directions. Concerned that the woman was in imminent danger, police said they stopped the car and arrested the man. Conant came to police attention nearly a year ago after two teen girls in separate incidents 45 minutes apart were approached by a man who asked them to get into his car. One girl said no. The other got in the car but later asked to get out and was allowed to leave. Police traced the car to Conant, but he was not charged at the time. Skaja said that since police became aware of Conant, they know of only one adult and one juvenile who got in his car. Neither was physically harmed. Twenty years ago, it would have been more, Skaja said. It shows me that the message is getting out there, but we need to continue to press it. Conant, who has no criminal history, is being held in county jail. He is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday. In the years since Amber and Chelsea were killed, two foundations have been set up in their honor: the Chelseas Light Foundation, which has worked to change state law to increase penalties for sex offenders, and Team Amber Rescue, set up by her mother to help search for other missing children. John Albert Gardner III, a registered sex offender who kidnapped and murdered the girls, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2010 to two terms of life in prison without parole. Tom Rhee, executive director of the Chelseas Light Foundation, said when thousands gather each year for the Finish Chelseas Run event in Balboa Park, it serves as a reminder to parents to talk to their children about what happened to Amber and Chelsea and how they can keep themselves safe. Chelsea, an avid runner, was abducted during a run in a community park near Lake Hodges. Talking about their kidnappings is almost taboo, and it shouldnt be, he said. Im glad that its being discussed, Rhee said, and that people are aware kids are aware. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield United States Marine Cpl. William Lins of Md., from the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, stands near Afghans during a patrol near Khan Nashin, in the volatile province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) United States Marine Cpl. Joseph Kelly of Va., from the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, walks past Afghan youths during a patrol near Khan Nashin in the volatile province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) ( / AP) UPDATES text to follow story: map locates Helmand province, Afghanistan, where a U.S. offensive is underway ( / AP) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives at NATO headquarters ahead of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Friday the allies will prevail in their bid to stabilize Afghanistan but only if Americas allies answer U.S. President Barack Obamas call for more allied troops on the ground. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) ( / AP) Advertisement British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, left, talks with Polands Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday Dec. 4, 2009. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Friday the allies will prevail in their bid to stabilize Afghanistan but only if they answer President Barack Obamas call for more allied troops on the ground. (AP Photo/Olivier Hoslet, pool) ( / AP) NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen addresses the media at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday Dec. 4, 2009. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Friday the allies will prevail in their bid to stabilize Afghanistan but only if they answer President Barack Obamas call for more allied troops on the ground. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) ( / AP) A United States Marine of the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion helps a fellow Marine cross a creek during a patrol near Khan Nashin in the volatile province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) ( / AP) U.S. Marines swooped down behind Taliban lines in helicopters and Osprey aircraft Friday in the first offensive since President Barack Obama announced an American troop surge. About 1,000 Marines and 150 Afghan troops were taking part in Operation Cobras Anger in a bid to disrupt Taliban supply and communications lines in the Now Zad Valley of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, the scene of heavy fighting last summer, according to Marine spokesman Maj. William Pelletier. Hundreds of troops from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and the Marine reconnaissance unit Task Force Raider dropped by helicopters and MV-22 Osprey aircraft in the northern end of the valley while a second, larger Marine force pushed northward from the main Marine base in the town of Now Zad, Pelletier said. A U.S. military official in Washington said it was the first use of Ospreys, aircraft that combine features of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, in an offensive involving units larger than platoons. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to detail the operation, said that Ospreys have previously been used for intelligence and patrol operations. Combat engineers used armored steamrollers and explosives to force a corridor through Taliban minefields - known as IED Alley because of the huge number of roadside bombs, known as improvised explosive devices, and land mines, Pelletier said. Roadside bombs and mines have become the biggest killer of American troops in Afghanistan. There were no reports of U.S. or Afghan government casualties. The spokesman for the Afghan governor of Helmand province, Daood Ahmadi, said at least four Taliban fighters had been killed and their bodies recovered. He said more than 300 mines and roadside bombs had been located in the first day of the operation. Pelletier said insurgents were caught off guard by the early morning air assault. Right now, the enemy is confused and disorganized, Pelletier said by telephone from Camp Leatherneck, the main Marine base in Helmand. Theyre fighting, but not too effectively. The offensive began three days after Obama announced that he was sending 30,000 reinforcements to Afghanistan to help turn the tide against the Taliban and train Afghan security forces to take responsibility for defending against the militants. Americas European allies will send an estimated 7,000 more troops to Afghanistan next year with more to come, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced Friday. Most of the new troops are expected to be sent to southern Afghanistan, including Helmand, where Taliban influence is strongest. Fridays fighting was taking place in one of the most challenging areas of the country for the U.S.-led NATO force, which has been trying for years to break the Taliban grip there. Now Zad used to be one of the largest towns in Helmand, the center of Afghanistans lucrative opium poppy growing industry. However, three years of fighting have chased away Now Zads 30,000 inhabitants, leaving the once-thriving market and commercial area a ghost town. Instead the area has become a major supply and transportation hub for Taliban forces that use the valley to move drugs, weapons and fighters south toward major populations and to provinces in western Afghanistan. British troops who were once stationed there left graffiti dubbing the town Apocalypse Now-Zad, a play on the title of the 1979 Vietnam War movie Apocalypse Now. The British base was nearly overrun on several occasions, with insurgents coming within yards (meters) of the protection wall. The area was handed over in 2008 to the Marines, who have struggled to reclaim much of the valley. In August, the Marines launched their first large-scale offensive in the barren, wind-swept valley, which is surrounded by steep cliffs with dozens of caves providing cover to Taliban units. Although only about 100 hardline insurgents are believed to operate in the area, their positions are so strong that a fixed front line runs just a few hundred yards (meters) north of the Marines base, according to Associated Press reporters who were with the Marines there last summer. Elsewhere in Helmand, the leader of Britains opposition Conservative Party warned that NATO had one last chance to succeed in Afghanistan and that patience was running out in countries that have provided troops to the NATO-led mission. We cant be here for another eight years, David Cameron told the British Broadcasting Corp. after touring a public market in Nad Ali, well south of Fridays fighting. I think following President Obamas speech and the increase in American and British forces we have a chance, probably our last chance, to get it right, but we do have a chance. In London, the Sun newspaper said the son of the Helmand governor is seeking asylum in Britain because of fears for his safety. The newspaper said Barai Mangal, 25, applied for sanctuary in Britain at an immigration office in Liverpool in July. Britains Home Office declined to discuss the asylum application. His father, Gov. Gulab Mangal, would not confirm the report but told The Associated Press on Friday that his son was the target of an attempted kidnapping last summer. I have an armored car, I have security guards, but my family has no such possibility of security, the governor said. ---- Associated Press Writers Amir Shah in Kabul, David Stringer in London and Pauline Jelinek in Washington contributed to this report. The Council of Ministers of Bulgaria has approved a new package of military assistance to Ukraine. "By instructions No. 444 and No. 445 dated June 23, 2023, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria approved a new package of military and military-technical assistance to Ukraine pursuant to the decision of the National Assembly dated December 9, 2022," the government said on its website on Monday. It is noted that the approved list is comparable to the amount of assistance from the first package, which was provided by the interim government by decision of December 22, 2022. In addition, it is reported that the assistance provided will not violate the standards of the Bulgarian armed forces and their combat training. The United States is expected to announce another military aid package to Ukraine totaling approximately $500 million, CNN has reported with reference to an U.S. official. The aid, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday, will include additional Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles. The United States has provided more than $39 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022, including $22 billion in presidential drawdowns. Scientists from Queensland Museum have described three new species of carnivorous demosponges from the Great Barrier Reef, in Queensland, Australia. The newly-identified species are members of Cladorhizidae, a family of carnivorous demosponges that inhabit deep-sea environments worldwide. First described by the British zoologist George Hartwig in 1887, cladorhizids are typically found on oceanic ridges and seamount systems. These sponges are known for their unique feeding structures and predatory behavior: they attach to the seafloor and extend their feeding structures into the water column to capture passing prey small animals such as crustaceans. Named Abyssocladia falkor, Abyssocladia jeanvaceleti and Axoniderma wanda, the three new species were collected by a remote operated vehicle (ROV) in September 2020. It was surreal to be sitting at my desk at the museum during 2020 and directing ROV pilots to collect specimens, which appeared to be new species, said co-author Dr. Merrick Ekins, a researcher at Queensland Museum. The sponges were collected as part of the Schmidt Ocean Institutes research vessel Falkor in September 2020, which sent a ROV 1,820 m below the surface to explore the deep reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The Schmidt Ocean Institute voyage Seamounts, Canyons & Reefs of the Coral Sea Cruise was in 2020 and there was a lot of uncertainty with regards to traveling during the COVID pandemic. It was thrilling to still be part of this expedition remotely. Dr. Ekins and his colleagues, Queensland Museums Dr. John Hooper, named Abyssocladia falkor in honor of the research vessel and Abyssocladia jeanvaceleti in honor of the scientist who first described carnivorous sponges. While for the third they had a bit of fun and named it Axoniderma wanda in honor of the alien wanderer/wanda that parasitizes the host Melanie Stryder in the movie and novel, The Host, by Stephenie Meyer. More is known about the surface of Mars than the deep oceans, said Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr. Jim Thompson. There is still much to learn about our deep oceans and being part of global research projects only enhances our knowledge. The ability for our scientists to be involved in research projects such as this is testament to the depth and breadth of expertise of the Queensland Museum Network team. Our collaborative approach to research for the benefit of the scientific community. The teams paper was published in the journal Zootaxa. _____ Merrick Ekins & John N.A. Hooper. 2023. New carnivorous sponges from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia collected by ROV from the RV FALKOR. Zootaxa 5293 (3): 435-471; doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5293.3.2 From densely built urban cores to sprawling suburbia, cities are complex. This complexity can lead to temperature hot spots within cities, with some neighborhoods (and their residents) facing more heat than others. Understanding this environmental disparity forms the spirit of new research led by scientists at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. In a new paper examining all major cities in the U.S., the authors find that the average Black resident is exposed to air that is warmer by 0.28 degrees Celsius relative to the city average. In contrast, the average white urban resident lives where air temperature is cooler by 0.22 degrees Celsius relative to the same average. The new work, published last week in the journal One Earth, involved a two-part effort. The study's authors aimed to produce a more useful nationwide estimate of urban heat stress -- a more accurate account of how our body responds to outdoor heat. By creating and comparing these estimates against demographic data, they also tried to better understand which populations are most exposed to urban heat stress. The findings reveal pervasive income- and race-based disparities within U.S. cities. Nearly all the U.S. urban population -- 94 percent, or roughly 228 million people -- live in cities where summertime peak heat stress exposure disproportionately burdens the poor. The study's authors also find that people who now live within historically redlined neighborhoods, where loan applicants were once denied on racially discriminatory grounds, would be exposed to higher outdoor heat stress than their neighbors living in originally non-redlined parts of the city. The work also highlights shortcomings in the typical approach scientists take in estimating urban heat stress at these scales, which frequently relies on satellite data. This conventional satellite-based method can overestimate such disparities, according to the new work. As the world warms, the findings stand to inform urban heat response plans put forward by local governments who seek to help vulnerable groups. What is heat stress? The human body has evolved to operate within a relatively narrow temperature range. Raise your core body temperature beyond just six or seven degrees and drastic physiological consequences soon follow. Cellular processes break down, the heart is taxed, and organs begin to fail. advertisement Sweating helps. But the cooling power of sweating depends partly on how humid the environment is. When both heat and humidity are omnipresent and difficult to escape, the body struggles to adapt. How is heat stress measured? To measure heat stress, scientists use a handful of indicators, many of which depend on air temperature and humidity. Weather stations provide such data. Because most weather stations are outside of cities, though, scientists often rely on other means to get some idea about urban heat stress, including using sensors on satellites. Those sensors infer the temperature of the land surface from measurements of thermal radiation. But such measurements fall short of delivering a full picture of heat stress, said lead author and Earth scientist TC Chakraborty. Measuring just the skin of the Earth, like the surface of a sidewalk or a patch of grass, said Chakraborty, offers only an idea of what it's like to lay flat on that surface. "Unless you're walking around barefoot or lying naked on the ground, you're not really feeling that," said Chakraborty. "Land surface temperature is, at best, a crude proxy of urban heat stress." Indeed, most of us are upright, moving through a world where air temperature and moisture dictate how heat actually feels. And these satellite data are only available for clear-sky days -- another limiting factor. More complete and physiologically relevant estimates of heat stress incorporate a blend of factors, which models can provide, said Chakraborty. advertisement To better understand differences between satellite-derived land surface temperature and ambient heat exposure within cities, Chakraborty's team examined 481 urbanized areas across the continental United States using both satellites and model simulations. NASA's Aqua satellite provided the land surface temperature; and through model simulations that account for urban areas, the authors generated nationwide estimates of all variables required to calculate moist heat stress. Two such metrics of heat stress -- the National Weather Service's heat index and the Humidex, often used by Canadian meteorologists -- allowed the scientists to capture the combined impacts of air temperature and humidity on the human body. They then identified heat stress hotspots across the country for summer days between 2014 and 2018. Overlaying maps of both historically redlined neighborhoods and census tracts, the team identified relationships between heat exposure and communities. How is heat distributed within cities? Residents in poorer neighborhoods often face greater heat stress. And a greater degree of income inequality in any given city often means greater heat stress exposure for its poorer residents. Most U.S. cities, including heavily populated cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, show this disparity. But the relationship between heat stress and race-based residential segregation is even more stark. Roughly 87.5 percent of the cities studied show that Black populations live in parts of the city with higher land surface temperatures, warmer air, and greater moist heat stress. Moreover, the association between the degree of heat stress disparity and the degree of segregation between white and non-white populations across cities is particularly striking, said Chakraborty. "The majority -- 83 percent -- of non-white U.S. urban residents live in cities where outdoor moist heat stress disproportionately burdens them," said Chakraborty, "Further, higher percentages of all races other than white are positively correlated with greater heat exposure no matter which variable you use to assess it." In the 1930s, the U.S. federal government's Home Owners' Loan Corporation graded neighborhoods in an effort to rank the suitability of real estate investments. This practice is known as "redlining," where lower grades (and consequently fewer loans) were issued to neighborhoods composed of poorer and minority groups. The authors find that these redlined neighborhoods still show worse environmental conditions. Neighborhoods with lower ratings face higher heat exposure than their non-redlined neighbors. Neighborhoods with higher ratings, in contrast, generally get less heat exposure. This is consistent with previous research on originally redlined urban neighborhoods showing lower tree cover and higher land surface temperature. Chakraborty, however, notes that using land surface temperature would generally overestimate these disparities across neighborhood grades compared to using air temperature or heat index. "Satellites give us estimates of land surface temperature, which is a different variable from the temperature we feel while outdoors, especially within cities," said Chakraborty. "Moreover, the physiological response to heat also depends on humidity, which satellites cannot directly provide, and urbanization also modifies." The findings are not without uncertainty, the authors added. "Ground-based weather stations helped to dwindle down, but not eliminate, model bias," said co-author Andrew Newman of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, who generated the model simulations. However, the results are still consistent with both theory and previous large-scale observational evidence. What can be done? Planting more trees often comes up as a potential solution to heat stress, said Chakraborty. But densely built urban cores, where poorer and minority populations in the U.S. often live, have limited space for trees. And many previous estimates of vegetation's potential to cool city surroundings are also based solely on land surface temperature -- they are perhaps prone to similar overestimation, the authors suggest. More robust measurements of urban heat stress would help, they added. Factors like wind speed and solar insolation contribute to how heat actually affects the human body. But those factors are left out of most scientific assessments of urban heat stress because they are difficult to measure or model at neighborhood scales. In addition to Chakraborty, PNNL authors of the new work include Yun Qian. Andrew Newman at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Angel Hsu at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Glenn Sheriff at Arizona State University are also authors. This work was supported by DOE's Office of Science and the National Institutes of Health. With global warming on the rise, it has become imperative to reduce fossil fuel dependency and switch to alternate green energy sources. The development of electric vehicles is a move towards this direction. However, electric vehicles require high energy density batteries for their functioning, and conventional lithium-ion batteries are not up to the task. Theoretically, lithium-air batteries provide a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries. However, before they can be put to practical use, these batteries need to be made energy efficient, their cycle characteristics need to be enhanced, and the overpotential needed to charge/discharge the oxygen redox reaction needs to be reduced. To address these issues, a suitable catalyst is needed to accelerate the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) inside the battery. The OER is an extremely important chemical reaction involved in water splitting for improving the performance of storage batteries. Rare and expensive noble metal oxides such as ruthenium(IV) oxide (RuO 2 ) and iridium(IV) oxide (IrO 2 ) have typically been used as catalysts to expedite the OER of metal-air batteries. More affordable catalytic materials include transition metals, such as perovskite-type oxides and hydroxides, which are known to be highly active for the OER. CoSn(OH) 6 (CSO) is one such perovskite-type hydroxide that is known to be a promising OER catalyst. However, current methods of synthesizing CSO are slow (require over 12 hours) and require multiple steps. In a recent breakthrough, a research team from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan, led by Prof. Takahiro Ishizaki along with Mr. Masaki Narahara and Dr. Sangwoo Chae, managed to synthesize CSO in just 20 minutes using only a single step! To achieve this remarkable feat, the team used a solution plasma process, a cutting-edge method for material synthesis in a nonthermal reaction field. Their research was published in Issue 11 of the journal Sustainable Energy & Fuels on 17 April 2023. The team used X-ray diffractometry to show that highly crystalline CSO could be synthesized from a precursor solution by adjusting the pH to values greater than 10 to 12. Using a transmission electron microscope, they further noticed that the CSO crystals were cube-shaped, with sizes of about 100-300 nm. The team also used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the composition and binding sites of CSO crystals and found Cobalt (Co) in a divalent and Tin (Sn) in a tetravalent state within the compound. Finally, the team used an electrochemical method to look at the properties of CSO as a catalyst for OER. They observed that synthesized CSO had an overpotential of 350 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm2. "CSO synthesized at pH12 had the best catalytic property among all samples synthesized. In fact, this sample had slightly better catalytic properties than that of even commercial-grade RuO 2 ," highlights Prof. Ishizaki. This was confirmed when the pH 12 sample was shown to have the lowest potential, specifically 104 mV lower than that of commercially available RuO 2 vs. reversible hydrogen electrode at 10 mA cm2. Overall, this study describes, for the first time, an easy and efficient process for synthesizing CSO. This process makes CSO practically effective for use in lithium-air batteries and opens a new avenue towards the realization of next-generation electric batteries. "The synthesized CSO showed superior electrocatalytic properties for OER. We hope that the perovskite-type CSO materials will be applied to energy devices and will contribute to the high functionalization of electric vehicles," Prof. Ishizaki concludes. "This, in turn, will bring us one step closer towards achieving carbon neutrality by enabling a new energy system independent of fossil fuels." On Tuesday, June 27, at 14.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "Open appeal of reps of Hostomel settlement Council to central state authorities." Deputies and officials of Hostomel settlement Council will appeal to the President, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prosecutor General of Ukraine about the situation with local self-government in the settlement. Participants include Secretary of the Council and Acting Chairman of Hostomel Settlement Council Anatoliy Drapey; Head of the Department of Urban Planning, Architecture and Land Resources of Hostomel Settlement Council Volodymyr Yermolaev; Managing Director of Hostomel Settlement Council Natalia Kostetska; deputy of Hostomel Settlement Council Olha Smolianchuk (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. The press accreditation is required by phone: (095) 678 8989. University of North Florida faculty member Dr. Barry Albright is part of a research team led by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) who have unlocked new evolutionary information following the discovery of a 94-million-year-old mosasaur in the gray shale badlands of the National Park Service Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah. Mosasaurs are fully marine-adapted reptiles that swam the seas while dinosaurs ruled the land. The ground-breaking research was just published in Cretaceous Research. The journey began nearly 11 years ago as Scott Richardson, a trained volunteer working under Dr. Albright, searched for fossilized remains of creatures that once swam in a vast seaway that covered most of the middle of North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, between 84 and 95 million years ago. In March 2012, Richardson found numerous small skull fragments and vertebrae of what proved to be an early mosasaur scattered across a broad shale slope. "During the time the Tropic Shale was being deposited, about 94 million years ago, mosasaurs were still very small, primitive, and in the early evolutionary stages of becoming fully marine adapted. For these reasons, their fossils are extremely rare and difficult to find," said Dr. Albright. A joint team from the BLM and National Park Service recovered nearly 50% of the specimen over the course of the next two field seasons, enough to determine its exact identity. Dr. Alan Titus, BLM Paria River District paleontologist, led a crew of BLM staff and volunteers on the research. The team included volunteer Steve Dahl who was later honored in the species name, Sarabosaurus dahli, or "Dahl's reptile of the mirage." The name alludes to both the ancient seaway in which this animal swam that has long since vanished and the mirages that accompany the region's extreme summer heat. "Mosasaurs from younger rocks are relatively abundant, but mosasaurs are extremely rare in rocks older than about 90 million years," said Dr. Titus. "Finding one that preserves so much informative data, especially one of this age, is truly a significant discovery." The oldest mosasaurs are small, about 3 feet long, but they evolved into gigantic lizard-like marine predators that dominated the oceans during the latter part of the dinosaur age. Their land-dwelling ancestors were similar to the modern Komodo Dragon, but through time their aquatic cousins evolved streamlined bodies, paddle-like fins, and tails that propelled them through the water. Early forms were more lizard-like in appearance and retained relatively primitive tails and limbs, but Sarabosaurus possessed one important difference, a new way to circulate blood into its brain. "Sarabosaurus sheds light on long-standing questions regarding the relationship of some early branching mosasaurid species, but also provides new insights into the evolution and antiquity of a novel cranial blood supply seen in a particular group of mosasaurs," said Dr. Michael J. Polcyn of the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, and Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Four astronauts moved to a mock Mars for the CHAPEA - Mission 1 Sunday. They will be living in the simulated Red Planet for a year. 4 Astronauts Are Living in a Mock Mars Kelly Haston, Ross Brockwell, Nathan Jones, and Anca Selariu relocated within a mock Mars outpost at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Scientists will study and research them from a distance. Haston, Brockwell, Jones, and Selariu are the first of three CHAPEA crews to provide information to the space agency on how to build better and prepare for upcoming human missions to the actual Martian surface, Space.com reported. At 7:30 p.m. tonight GMT: 2330 EDT (June 25), the four volunteers entered the "Mars Dune Alpha," a 1,700-square-foot (158-square-meter) habitat, to begin Mission 1. They will stay in the 3D-printed building, save for the occasional Mars walk inside the adjacent, enclosed space that is 1,200 square feet (111 square meters) until July 7, 2024. According to Suzanne Bell, NASA's Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory manager at Johnson Space Center, the mission was exciting. One of the differences from some of their previous analogs at NASA is that the crew will be isolated for 378 days. They will also do analog in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), where they will stay for 45 days. Additionally, they gather data across various time periods at various analogs, but this particular protracted isolation will consist of three missions that will last over a year. Bell added that the crew was picked to be "astronaut-like," with a prerequisite to having a degree in one of the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and professional expertise in their chosen sector, piloting experience, or military training. To ensure they were qualified for the program, they had to complete the same physical and psychological exams as astronaut candidates. The mission's leader is Haston, a research scientist specializing in human disease. The crew's flight engineer is structural engineer Brockwell. Jones, an emergency medicine serves as the medical officer. Meanwhile, Selariu, a microbiologist in the United States Navy, serves as the science officer. Prior to the mission's launch, Selariu was supposed to be a backup crew member. However, she took the position of advanced practice nurse Alyssa Shannon. NASA did not explain the change's cause. Along with enduring more than a year of close quarters, Haston, Brockwell, Jones, and Selariu will also need to adapt to some of the same changes that a crew on Mars would experience. ALSO READ: NASA Will Design New Lunar Terrain Vehicle Like Mars Perseverance or Curiosity Rover What Is CHAPEA- Mission 1? Mission 1 is the first of three simulated one-year expeditions to Mars. The mission's main objective is to evaluate human performance and health in isolation and confinement about resource limits on Mars. The crew members will live and work in a replica Mars habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with communication hiccups and environmental stressors to gather enough data. Along with other activities, the crew will participate in research experiments, simulated spacewalks, crop cultivation, and habitat upkeep. According to Bell, the main focus of CHAPEA is resource constraints similar to those on Mars, with isolation and constrained living spaces among them. However, they also limit the crew's access to other resources, a spaceflight food system, time-delayed communications, mission-relevant timescales, and contingency circumstances. Messages from Mars Dune Alpha will take 22 minutes to arrive, the same amount of time it would take for a call from Mars to reach Earth. A mission control and safety console will be manned at all times. The crew will not need a special toilet because they are not imitating Martian gravity, which is 38% of Earth's surface gravity. Instead, they will be eating freeze-dried, thermostabilized, and shelf-stable consumables. RELATED ARTICLE: NASA's DART Spacecraft Worked! Asteroid Killer Changed the Harmless Space Rock's Orbit More Than Expected Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times. The Ukrainian wine market continues to actively develop and introduce new quality standards. This is evidenced by the recent return of Ukraine to the International Wine Organization and the holding of competitions, festivals and tasting events aimed at popularizing domestic brands. The highest quality of Ukrainian products was demonstrated during the second tasting seminar-presentation "Consumer tasting of the best craft wines of Ukraine-2023", which was held at the Kyiv Analytical Center "Experts Club" on June 23. This event was part of a broad initiative aimed at supporting and developing the wine industry in Ukraine. The event was supported by the All-Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers, the House of Ukrainian Wine, and the Public Union "Ukrsadvynprom". They act not only as organizers but also as active participants in the process of supporting and developing the domestic wine industry. Information support for the event was provided by the Open4business portal and the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. The special partners of the evening, TM Zakarpatski Kovbasy and TM Kozatski Kozyrni Cheese, provided gastronomic wine pairings that allowed to fully reveal the unique taste of each bottle presented. In his speech, Maxim Urakin, the founder of the Experts Club, emphasized the importance of supporting domestic wine producers. "Every bottle of wine made in Ukraine is not only a high quality and delicious product. It is also a contribution to the development of the Ukrainian economy, jobs and confidence in the future for our compatriots," he emphasized. In her turn, Natalia Blagopoluchna, President of the Ukrainian Association of Winemakers and Sommeliers, emphasized the unique organoleptic and flavor properties of Ukrainian craft wines. "Our wines impress with their diversity, which is guaranteed by different local conditions and grape characteristics. They surprise, inspire, and encourage experimentation. Our wines are creativity and art. And we have every right to be proud of it," said Blagopoluchna. During the tasting, experts, guests and participants were able to evaluate the quality and taste of twelve best wines and spirits presented by domestic producers: TM 46 Parallel, TM Babchuk Winery, TM Driukivski Wines, TM Chateau Pinot, Georgiy Samsoniuk, TM My Wine by Eduard Gorodetsky, TM Kovach Wines, TM Vinorob Vinokur, TM KALYUS WINERY and Ivan Gorobets. At the same time, the event has become an excellent platform for the exchange of experience, knowledge and ideas between producers, experts and wine lovers. Such interaction is the key to the success of the Ukrainian wine industry, which continues to actively develop and conquer new heights of quality. The next seminars and tastings are already planned for the "Experts Club". BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Azerbaijan is marking the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. On June 26, 1918, by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first regular military unit, the Separate Azerbaijani Corps, was established. The "Declaration of Independence", adopted on May 28, 1918, noted that Azerbaijan should have a regular army, establish its own armed forces to protect against external interference, neutralize the forces of the enemy. The government set the task of creating an army of 25,000 people. On August 1 Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan was established, and Khosrovbay Sultanov was appointed the first Minister of Defense. Later, on December 25, General Samadbay Mehmandarov was appointed Minister of War, and Lieutenant General Aliagha Shikhlinski was appointed Deputy Minister. Despite that the national army was established in a short time, together with the Caucasian Islamic army of Nuru Pasha, it saved Baku from the Armenian-Bolshevik occupation. These military formations showed great courage in suppressing uprisings against the national government in Mughan and Asgaran. They defeated parts of the Armenian regular army, which violated the Azerbaijani border in Gazakh. The first military parade in Azerbaijan took place in 1919 in Baku on the territory of the current Museum Center. Unfortunately, after the fall of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in April 1920, the Bolshevik government disbanded Azerbaijani National Army. Most of its leaders, including 15 generals, were shot on Nargin Island. The traditions of the Azerbaijan Army, laid down during the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, were preserved and developed in a later period. This became possible thanks to the serious efforts of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The work carried out in the field of army building under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev made it possible to create an organized, powerful army in our country, laid the foundation for its further strengthening in the future. Even during the years of Soviet Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev strove with great foresight to train national officer staff because in the recent past, the Azerbaijani Army, since its establishment, it has been subjected to various pressures. The main purpose of the pressure exerted both from outside and from within was to prevent the establishment of an army and prevent the existence of Azerbaijan as an independent state. During the years of Soviet power, in contrast to the tsarist times, young Azerbaijanis were called up for military service, but they didn't serve in military units intended for combat, but mainly in construction battalions. The goal was clear - to prevent military education among Azerbaijanis, having a deep knowledge of military science, capable of handling weapons. Knowing well the essence of this policy, Heydar Aliyev soon after coming to power in Azerbaijan - on June 20, 1971 - achieved the establishment of a specialized military school named after Jamshid Nakhchivanski. He also achieved the admission of Azerbaijani youth on preferential terms to the Baku Higher United Command and the Baku Higher Naval School, as well as to other military educational institutions of the USSR. In present times, the Military Lyceum named after Jamshid Nakhchivanski plays an exceptional role in the training of Azerbaijani national officers and in the establishment of the Armed Forces from graduates of that time's higher military educational institutions. The Azerbaijani servicemen trained in these schools showed unparalleled courage in the first Karabakh war, the April battles and the second Karabakh war. After the restoration of the state independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, the decision was made to establish an Azerbaijani army. However, those who led the country at the beginning of independence failed to cope with the work of establishing an army even at a time when Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands. As a result, 20 percent of the lands were occupied, there was a civil conflict, and Azerbaijan faced the threat of losing independence. At this time, Heydar Aliyev, who returned to power at the insistence of the people, abolished the armed formations and began the process of building a regular army. After his return, a firm belief in victory appeared among Azerbaijani army and people. At his call, a large-scale mobilization was carried out, military units were fully staffed. Inspired by this, Azerbaijani army carried out successful offensive operations and delivered crushing blows to the Armenian occupiers. The first test of the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev took place in January 1994. As a result of a successful operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on the night of January 5-6, 1994, 20 villages of the Fuzuli district, including Horadiz village, and Jojug Marjanly village of the Jabrayil district were liberated from the occupation. In accordance with the Decree of Heydar Aliyev dated May 22, 1998, June 26 was declared the Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. During the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the process of establishing an army in independent Azerbaijan entered a completely new stage. Thanks to the attention and care of the president, who successfully continues and develops the military development policy of the great leader, improving the professionalism of military servicemen, combat spirit and morale-psychological training of personnel, provision of Azerbaijani Armed Forces with modern weapons and equipment has always been in the foreground. Thanks to this high attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have become the most powerful army in the region in a short time. It's no coincidence that in the internationally recognized Global Firepower Report on 55 indicators, the Azerbaijani army took first place in the South Caucasus and ranked among the fifty best armies in the world. By the decree of President Ilham Aliyev, a military-industrial complex was also established in Azerbaijan. Over 1,000 military products are manufactured in Azerbaijan. The country's military products are demonstrated at the leading international exhibitions of the world. The military power of the Azerbaijani army was clearly demonstrated on June 26, 2011 in Baku at a military parade on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day and the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence. Brave Azerbaijani army once again proved its strength in April 2016. In response to the provocations of the Armenian armed forces on April 2, Azerbaijani army inflicted a heavy defeat on the occupiers with a swift counter-offensive operation, liberating more than 2,000 hectares of the occupied territories of the Fuzuli, Jabrayil and Aghdara districts. Besides, thousands of hectares of land came under full control of the Azerbaijani army, which again gave Azerbaijani people the joy of victory in the four-day April battles. The armed forces of Armenia suffered heavy losses in these battles. Azerbaijani army took strategic positions, enabling to control the roads in the direction of Aghdara-Madagiz and Jabrayil. Another success of the Azerbaijani army was achieved two years after the April battles, in May 2018, with the victory in the "Gunnut" operation, which resulted in liberation of more than 11,000 hectares of the territories of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Gunnut village of the Sharur district, favorable positions along the state border came under the control of the Azerbaijani army. Thus, the operation to advance the front line of a separate combined arms army to advantageous positions along the state border was completed successfully, the goal was achieved. At the solemn military parade on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, held on June 26 at the Azadliq Square in Baku, President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev said: "Azerbaijani flags were hoisted on the lands liberated from the invaders in April 2016 and in the Nakhchivan operation of 2018. This is of great moral importance. These flags will be demonstrated in this parade in Azadlig Square today. These flags led our military forward. These flags were in battle. They fly on the Azerbaijani lands liberated from occupation and have been brought here specifically for today's parade. There will come a day when the Azerbaijani flag raised on the lands that still remain under occupation will be delivered to Azadlig Square and will be demonstrated in a military parade. We must bring that sacred day closer, and we are doing that." These words, voiced by the head of Azerbaijani state - the dream of victory that Azerbaijani people were looking forward to, soon came true. The valiant Azerbaijani army, which bravely prevented the Armenian armed forces' provocations in the direction of the Tovuz district in July 2020, soon gave Azerbaijani people the joy of the most glorious victory inAzerbaijan's history. The glorious victory achieved by the Azerbaijani army in the second Karabakh war that began on September 27, 2020, left an important trace not only in the history of Azerbaijan, but also in the history of world military science. In connection with the prevention of Armenian armed forces' provocations, the Azerbaijani army, by order of President Ilham Aliyev, launched a large-scale counter-offensive operation. Not retreating a single step in the battles, the Azerbaijani army dealt a crushing blow to the Armenian occupiers and in 44 days - until November 9 - liberated five cities, four villages and up to 300 villages from the occupation. This war, which ended with the complete defeat of the Armenian armed forces, ended on November 10 with the signing by the President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Russia of a statement on a complete ceasefire and all military operations in the conflict zone. Following the statement, Aghdam district was returned to Azerbaijan on November 20, Kalbajar district on November 25, and Lachin district on December 1. In honor of the glorious victory, on December 10, 2020, a grandiose victory parade was held in Baku with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Along with weapons and equipment seized from the Armenian armed forces, Azerbaijani state flags hoisted in the liberated territories were demonstrated at the Victory Parade. During the second Karabakh war, more than 2,900 servicemen of the Azerbaijani army became martyrs. Highly appreciating the heroism of valiant Azerbaijani army, which brought this glorious victory to the Azerbaijani people, President Ilham Aliyev signed dozens of orders to reward Azerbaijani servicemen who showed courage in battles. A total of 82,670 people were awarded by decrees signed by President Ilham Aliyev shortly after the end of the second Karabakh war, from December 9 to 30, and by the decrees of President Ilham Aliyev dated July 24, 2021 on awarding the heroes of the second Karabakh war, 76,349 servicemen were awarded various orders and medals. The park of war trophies, which was established on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, displays weapons, military equipment and battle flags taken from the occupiers, reflecting the success of the Azerbaijani army over the Armenian armed forces. The historic trip of President Ilham Aliyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Shusha on June 15, the National Salvation Day, and the Shusha Declaration signed there are of great importance in terms of further building military power of Azerbaijan. Thanks to the victory in the second Karabakh war, large-scale restoration and construction work is being carried out in the liberated territories. The heroic soldiers and officers of the Azerbaijani army, who made the 30-year dream of Azerbaijani people come true and demonstrated their military power to the whole world, today, guarding and protecting the liberated territories with the Iron Fist, instill fear in the soul of the enemy. On the occasion of the establishment of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, a conversation was held with Azerbaijani servicemen who showed courage in the second Karabakh war. VIDEO: The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Broward County, Florida resident Sanjay Singh and his trucking and logistics company, Royal Bengal Logistics Inc., with fraudulently raising approximately $112 million from 1,500 investors through an unregistered securities offering that primarily targeted Haitian-Americans. The SEC's complaint alleges that, from at least 2019 through 2023, Singh, through Royal Bengal Logistics, Inc., offered and sold investors high-yield investment programs that purportedly generated 12.5% percent to 325 percent in guaranteed returns. As alleged, Singh and Royal Bengal promised investors the company would use their money to expand Royal Bengal's operations and increase its fleet of semi-trucks and trailers. According to the SEC's complaint, defendants assured investors that these investment programs were safe, and that Royal Bengal generated $1 million in revenue per month. In reality, the SEC alleges, Royal Bengal has operated at a loss and used approximately $70 million of new investor funds to make Ponzi-like payments to other investors. As alleged in the complaint, Singh misappropriated at least $14 million of investor funds for himself and others, who did not provide any legitimate services in exchange for those investor funds. Singh also allegedly diverted more than $19 million of investor funds to two brokerage accounts he controlled, engaged in highly speculative equities trading on margin in those accounts, and as a result, lost more than $1 million of investor money. The SEC's complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges Singh and Royal Bengal with violating the registration provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and as to Singh, Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint also names Sheetal Singh, the spouse of Sanjay Singh, and Constantina Celicourt, the spouse of Royal Bengal Logistics's Vice President of Business Development, as relief defendants. The District Court granted the SEC's request for emergency relief, including preliminary injunctive relief, asset freezes, the appointment of a Receiver, and an order prohibiting the destruction of documents. The SEC is also seeking an officer and director bar against Singh and permanent injunctions, civil money penalties, and disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest against both of the defendants and the relief defendants. The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the Division of Enforcement's Retail Strategy Task Force have issued an Investor Alert with tips on how investors should avoid investment decisions based solely on common ties with someone recommending or selling the investment. The SEC appreciates the assistance Florida's Office of Financial Regulation, the U. S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, the FBI's Miami Field Office, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Southern Region. The SEC's investigation was part of the Miami Regional Office's Fraud Against Minority Groups Initiative and was conducted by Linda S. Schmidt and supervised by Sean M. O'Neill and Glenn Gordon, and with the assistance of Mark Dee, Fernando Torres, and Ivette Goizueta-Mendes. The SEC's litigation will be led by Russell O'Brien, and supervised by Teresa J. Verges. Farmington Brewing Company is a key feature in downtown Farmington's social district. Farmington Brewing Company owner Jason Schlaff grew up in Farmington, and wouldn't want to be pouring beers anywhere else.We love being involved in downtown, he says. At the end of the day, I really just like being that little community center where anyone with any particular viewpoint can come in, relax, have a beer, glass of wine, seltzer, or cider, and maybe make some friends."Schlaff has witnessed, first-hand, how downtown Farmingtons popular social district has become a pillar of the citys evolving food scene. Dubbed The Syndicate , the district allows guests to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating establishments and enjoy them in designated areas along Grand River Avenue, in the Masonic Plaza, and throughout Riley Park.Patrons are invited to order a drink and step outside to experience a number of other downtown attractions, such as the summer Lunch Beats concerts at the Sundquist Pavilion. According to Farmington DDA Director Kate Knight, the social district has been influential in growing the citys vibrant cultural landscape.In the last few years, weve seen a lot of our independent eateries and bars thrive with the addition of the social district, Knight says. Were seeing families come multiple generations of neighbors and friends gathering where people grab carry-out and a beverage. Its been a really nice additional draw into our walkable downtown.Downtown Farmingtons social district was launched on New Years Eve in 2020, not long after the passing of a short-term Michigan law that allowed for the establishment of community social zones with a state-issued permit. In 2022, the social district law became permanent with the passing of House Bill 5090.We feel that it has been a huge boon a great economic development tool for our downtown district, Knight says. The law differentiates and gives an advantage to those businesses that are located in walkable downtowns. We have a couple of businesses who feel that it really helped them stay afloat during the pandemic. The idea that you could sell a beverage to-go just provided a really critical piece of additional revenue for our restaurants who were crunched by the impact of indoor dining restrictions.The Syndicate hosts a diverse selection of restaurants and bars, with options ranging from classic sliders and street tacos to seasonal vegan and casual fine dining. Diners with a taste for craft brews will find plenty to choose from at the Farmington Brewing Company (FBC), an artisan brewery thats been pouring in downtown Farmington for almost a decade.33336 Grand River Ave. // (248) 957-9543 // www.fbcbrewing.com The FBC is currently hard at work readying their taproom for the summer months, with offerings like their Guava Pale Ale, a Downtown Farmington (DTF) Lime Lager, and local fan favorite, the Blood Orange Wheat.Schlaff has been in business with his original beers since 2014, after partnering up with a friend to turn their shared hobby into a career. He became the sole owner of the business in 2019 and has since continued to establish Farmington Brewing Co. as a staple gathering place downtown.This is my hometown; my parents still live here," he says. "I grew up going to the downtown and the different shops, including the bookstore that is now our brewery.Schlaff works hard to keep his business centered at the heart of the Farmington community. The brewery hosts weekly games of trivia and created its own Tuesday-night run club, where participants can take part in a 5K run to receive 10% off pints of beer. Schlaff is also working to launch a charity initiative with the Farmington Hills Fire Department to benefit local firefighters with the sales of a specially-crafted brew."Weve had people get married or become best friends that met waiting in line to join our mug club," Schlaff says. "Its really just a full community sense in our taproom.The addition of a social district has extended the reach of FBC brews to an ever-diversifying demographic of beer drinkers. Schlaff now includes the Syndicate logo (a requirement for all social district beverages) on his canned beers, allowing Syndicate customers the choice between the brewerys specialty cans and its popular draft products.The Syndicate has been a game changer for the brewery, he says. We have a fairly small taproom, but with [the social district], we can serve a much larger group of beer enthusiasts. Our DDA is wonderful. With the Syndicate, they truly have made a difference in the renaissance of our downtown.Heres a look at the Syndicates other participating dining locations:33316 Grand River Ave. // (248) 957-8179 // www.basementburgerbar.com33314 Grand River Ave. // (248) 957-9073 // browndogbarlor.com33043 Grand River Ave. // (248) 516-7144 // www.chivekitchen.com33419 Grand River Ave. // (248) 482-7242 // loftcigarlounge.com33200 Grand River Ave. // (248) 442-1100 //www.lostresamigosonline.com23310 Farmington Rd. // (248) 536-238723360 Farmington Rd. // (248) 957-8119 // mimosafarmington.com32720 Grand River Ave. // (248) 536-2907 // www.slidecarsliderbar.com33316 Grand River Ave. // (248) 919-2197 // www.1up-arcadebar.com Nord du Nigeria: un homme accuse de "blaspheme" lynche par une foule Une foule a lynche dimanche un homme musulman dans une ville du Nord du Nigeria l'accusant d'avoir blaspheme contre le prophete Mahomet, a-t-on appris aupres de la police locale et de plusieurs habitants. Usman Buda, un boucher travaillant dans les abattoirs de la ville de Sokoto, "a ete lynche et attaque par des fideles musulmans qui lui ont inflige de graves blessures", a declare dimanche soir le porte-parole de la police locale Ahmad Rufa'i. Les agresseurs ont pris la fuite lorsque la police est arrivee sur les lieux et M. Buda a ete transporte a l'hopital, ou son deces a ensuite ete confirme, a ajoute M. Rufa'i. Le blaspheme est passible de la peine de mort en vertu de la loi islamique, ou charia, qui s'applique parallelement au droit commun dans une dizaine d'Etats du Nord du Nigeria ou la majorite de la population est de confession musulmane. Ces dernieres annees, la peine de mort a rarement ete appliquee. Cependant, dans plusieurs cas, les accuses ont ete tues par des foules sans passer par une procedure judiciaire. M. Buda, un musulman salafiste, a ete lapide et battu a mort par ses collegues a la suite d'une dispute, a declare a l'AFP son collegue boucher Isa Danhili. "Tout a commence lorsque de jeunes mendiants sont venus demander l'aumone au nom d'Allah et du prophete", a-t-il declare a l'AFP. Lorsque M. Buda a desapprouve la mendicite des enfants, une vive dispute a eclate, a-t-il ajoute. Le boucher est devenu emotif et a fait des "declarations" que ses collegues ont juge insultantes pour le prophete et "se sont rues sur lui avec des pierres et des batons", a declare M. Danhili. Une video de l'attaque, largement partagee sur les reseaux sociaux, montre un homme vetu d'un maillot sans manches ensanglante titubant et tombant alors qu'une foule lui jette des pierres. En arriere-plan, on entend une voix crier "Tuez-le!" en haoussa, langue la plus parlee dans le Nord du Nigeria. Le lynchage de dimanche a eu lieu un an apres la lapidation a mort d'une chretienne a Sokoto, sur la base d'accusations similaires. En mai 2022, une etudiante chretienne du Shehu Shagari College de Sokoto avait ete lapidee a mort et son corps brule par une foule d'etudiants apres qu'elle eut publie sur les reseaux sociaux un message qu'ils jugeaient insultant pour le prophete. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. A telephone conversation was held between Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian On June 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend. During the telephone conversation, the current state and prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran were discussed. The importance of negotiations and mutual contacts between the relevant structures and officials of the two countries on a number of areas of bilateral and regional relations, including economic and transport projects, was noted. At the same time, the importance of continuing negotiations and resolving issues on the bilateral agenda was pointed out. The sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and other issues. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The Turkish Embassy has congratulated Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, the Embassy of Turkiye tweeted, Trend reports. "We warmly congratulate fraternal Azerbaijan on the occasion of June 26 - the Day of the Armed Forces and wish success in the responsible and honorable service to protect the sovereignty and independence of Azerbaijan," the embassy said. Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) recently welcomed from Larnaca, Cyprus, the first flight of TUS Airways, which will be serving Amman with two weekly flights every Tuesday and Friday. The addition of TUS Airways to QAIA's growing airline network contributes to the ongoing efforts of Airport International Group to offer more convenient and direct routes that meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers. The inaugural flight was greeted with the customary water arch salute in the presence of representatives from Airport International Group; TUS Airways; its ground handler, Royal Jordanian; and its general sales agent, Petra Tours. This step is testament to our dedication to expanding QAIA's airline and destination networks and providing our passengers with diverse travel opportunities. We are excited to offer a new option for tourists from Cyprus and Europe to explore Jordan's rich historical and natural sites. As passengers make their way through QAIA, we aim for them to enjoy a memorable and welcoming experience that feels like home at Jordans prime gateway to the world, commented Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude. TUS Airways CCO, Philip Saunders, said: We are excited about the launch of services between Amman and Larnaca, which adds an important destination to our network. We are confident this new service will further strengthen the tourism and trade ties between Jordan and Cyprus, whilst providing our customers with a great value-for-money option to travel between both countries. As the proud bearer of the Cypriot flag, we aim to offer a seamless travel experience for both Cypriots and international visitors by offering strong regional connectivity throughout the East Mediterranean. We thank Queen Alia International Airport for their warm welcome. TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. No matter how fast the Azerbaijani army develops, its medical service is steadily adapting to modern requirements, the Head of the Main Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Major General Firudin Nabiyev told Trend in an exclusive video interview. He made the remark on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated on June 26. We try to guard the health of our servicemen and provide a high level of medical care to Azerbaijani soldiers and officers, Nabiyev said. The Major General added that thanks to the special attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are steadily increasing their power, which is also evident in the field of military medicine. He also spoke about the development path of the Ministry of Defense in the field of medicine, mentioned the current state of the Main Clinical Hospital, and touched upon the topic of personnel training and other important issues. Nabiyev noted that today it has become possible to perform surgical operations at any level in the Main Clinical Hospital. "Providing medical care today is possible at any level. The hospital is equipped with the most modern medical equipment. Both in peacetime and in wartime, we provide our servicemen with a fairly high level of medical care. During the 44-day Karabakh War, our military doctors adequately coped with their duties. We have tried to provide medical assistance to the servicemen as soon as possible, to carry out surgical operations in a timely manner," he added. According to him, the main goal of military medicine is to ensure a high level of training for junior medical personnel and orderlies. The full version of this video interview: UK cinema chain Cineworld on Monday said it was applying for administration as part of its proposed restructuring plan. The plan would involve the release of about $4.53bn of the group's funded debt, execution of a rights offering to raise $800m, and provision of $1.46bn in new debt financing, the company said in a statement. Cineworld filed for US bankruptcy protection in September, hoping to restructure its massive $5bn debt burden as it emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the bankruptcy arrangement, the cinemas in the chain operated as normal and in April Cineworld ended plans to sell its UK, US and Ireland businesses. The company on Monday said it still expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Surgical endoscopy specialist Creo Medical announced on Monday that Dr Adolfo Parra-Blanco at Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust had become the first clinician to perform an upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract Speedboat Inject case in Europe, since clearance was gained last week. The AIM-traded firm said the procedure saw a seven-by-five centimetre cancerous lesion in the stomach removed in one piece in less than two hours. It said it was performed after Dr Parra-Blanco led an upper GI endoscopy education and training day at the University of Nottingham, where familiarised himself with the Speedboat Inject device for use in the upper GI tract. The result of the procedure was described as excellent, with the patient leaving hospital shortly after. A second doctor was now also trained to use Speedboat Inject for upper GI procedures at Nottingham, and Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust-led Upper GI ESD courses showcasing Speedboat were set to take place next week and in August at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham. Creo said it would continue to work closely with Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust to support the training, mentoring and adoption of the device by numerous upper GI specialists over the coming months. That, it said, would be in conjunction with Creo's Pioneer training programme, with the company expecting a rapid adoption of the device for upper GI procedures over the coming months. To have the first case completed at such a well-respected and prestigious endoscopic centre, renowned for its upper GI services, so soon after clearance demonstrates both the appetite for the device to be used in the upper GI tract in Europe and the ability for clinicians to quickly get optimal results once they are familiar with the advanced energy, said chief executive officer Craig Gulliford. We look forward to continuing to work with Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust and others to maximise the roll out of the device in the entire GI tract. At 1024 BST, shares in Creo Medical Group were up 9.06% at 36.7p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. GSK announced two significant advancements on Monday, with the approval of an updated indication for Shingrix in Japan, as well as a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency for daprodustat. The FTSE 100 pharmaceuticals giant said Shingrix, a non-live, recombinant sub-unit adjuvanted vaccine, was initially approved in 2018 by Japans Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 50 years and over. However, the new approval signified a significant expansion in its availability by including all adults aged 18 and over who were considered to be at an increased risk of shingles. Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in individuals with a weakened immune system, poses a significant health risk to older adults. The MHLW approval was granted based on data from six clinical trials involving adults aged 18 years and over who were among those at increased risk for shingles, including those who had undergone recent stem cell transplantation or kidney transplant, or who had blood cancer, solid tumours or HIV, GSK said in its statement. In Europe, meanwhile, daprodustat received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), recommending its authorisation for the treatment of symptomatic anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults on chronic maintenance dialysis. The positive opinion was based on data from three global phase three trials, including ASCEND-D, ASCEND-ID, and ASCEND-TD, which demonstrated the efficacy and safety of daprodustat compared to standard of care erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy. GSK said the results of the trials were published in reputable medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine, and the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). CKD is an increasing global health burden affecting 700 million patients worldwide, with an estimated one in seven patients also developing anaemia, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life, the company explained. When not adequately managed in certain patients, it can result in exhaustion and limit the ability to function in day-to-day life. When left untreated or undertreated, anaemia of CKD is associated with poor clinical outcomes and leads to a substantial burden on patients and healthcare systems. At 0814 BST, shares in GSK were up 0.29% at 1,429.4p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov has congratulated the personnel of the Azerbaijani army on the occasion of June 26 - the Day of the Armed Forces, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. "Gentlemen, officers, fellow ensigns, midshipmen, cadets, sergeants, soldiers, sailors, and civilian workers! I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of June 26 - the Armed Forces Day and wish each of you success in your sacred and honorable service for the benefit of strengthening the defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hasanov said. Azerbaijan, whose independence is eternal and irreversible, plays an important role in establishing and protecting lasting peace and stability in the region. The formation of the national army, founded during the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic republic in the East, has reached the modern stage on the basis of the principle of historical continuity in a newly independent country. Separate Azerbaijani corps formed the legal basis of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Army on June 26, 1918. The creation of a unified command in the Azerbaijani Army, which is considered a glorious page of Azerbaijani military history, and the 105th anniversary of which Azerbaijan celebrates today with great pride and honor, as well as the formation of the Azerbaijani army as a regular one, are the result of bold steps taken in this direction by national leader Heydar Aliyev. Thanks to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, who successfully continued the political course of the great leader in the field of army construction, today our armed forces are on par with the armies of the world. This makes each of us happy and proud. As a result of the special attention and care of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the defense capability of our country is increasing every day, and the unity of the people, the state, and the army has become monolithic, he said. The brave Azerbaijani army under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief won a glorious victory in the 44-day Karabakh War and liberated our historical lands occupied by the enemy for almost 30 years. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has been restored thanks to the wise and far-sighted policy of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the strength of our army, he added. Today, on our lands liberated from occupation, where our tricolor flag is flying majestically, the courageous Azerbaijani army is strengthening its positions and making its worthy contribution to the restoration and construction work initiated at the highest level under the leadership of the president, Hasanov noted. The families of martyrs, Azerbaijani fighters who lost their health during the war, as well as war veterans, are always in the center of attention of Azerbaijan. We express our gratitude to Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the attention and care shown to improve their social and living conditions, he said. I am sure that strictly following the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the military regulations, you will strengthen your combat and moral and psychological training and increase your skills, which will undoubtedly help you achieve new success in the service, Hasanov added. As always, on this holiday we honor our martyrs who fell in battle, defending the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. I congratulate you on June 26 the Day of the Armed Forces of the family of martyrs and our soldiers who lost their health during the fighting, who stood steadfastly in defense of our Motherland, and I convey my best wishes to them. Once again, I sincerely congratulate all the personnel, and wish you good health, long life, family happiness, and success in your noble service to Azerbaijan, he said. Google India has announced the launch of the second edition of its Startup School 2023, a virtual program aimed at supporting and empowering startups in India. Supported by the government's Startup India initiative, the program will start on July 11 and run for eight weeks, featuring a lineup of over 30 Google and industry experts. The inaugural edition of Startup School, introduced last year, saw over 14,000 startups participating from more than 600 towns and cities across India, Google stated in a blog post. The success of the program highlighted the need to provide pathways for founders from non-metro cities to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of experienced entrepreneurs and their teams, the firm added. Testimonials from participants of the first edition showcased the program's impact on their businesses. Gaurav Sen from Interview Ready noted that leveraging best practices in Google Analytics led to a 2X growth in paid users for their interview prep platform. Supriya Parashar of Skillster Employability Solutions attributed its 10X user base growth to insights from industry experts on building a scaled business for a niche audience. Meanwhile, Anil Balan from Lookodu highlighted how Startup School provided product frameworks and insights on new user acquisition channels, resulting in an 8X increase in quarterly revenue for their hyperlocal app. This year's Startup School is presented in collaboration with Startup India, which is actively involved in program design and outreach, Google said. The curriculum will cover topics such as AI, product and tech strategy, marketing and global growth, and funding and leadership. The program aims to reach 30,000 startups and provide them with the necessary tools and knowledge to innovate responsibly and learn best practices at scale, Google added. Manmeet K Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, expressed his pleasure in launching the Google Startup School 2023. "India began its startup journey with the vision laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2016 with the launch of the Startup India initiative and it gives me immense pleasure to launch the Google Startup School 2023 supported by Startup India and DPIIT. 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 program," Nanda said. The agenda for Startup School 2023 includes sessions led by prominent industry leaders. Bikram Bedi, Managing Director of Google Cloud India, will discuss deploying cloud services and leveraging data. Aastha Grover, Vice President of Invest India and Head of Startup India at DPIIT, will shed light on government benefits available for entrepreneurs. Vani Kola, Managing Director of Kalaari Capital, will share leadership strategies for effective founders, while Ashish Kashyap, Founder and CEO of Indmoney, will delve into product management for startups. Other speakers include Nitin Kamath, Founder and CEO of Zerodha; Sanjeev Barnwal, Founder and CTO of Meesho; Gayatri Yadav, Chief Marketing Officer of Peak XV Partners; Ajey Gore, Operating Partner-Technology at PeakXV India & SEA; Shuvi Shrivastava, Partner at Lightspeed; and Afsar Ahmad, Co-founder of Gameberry Labs. For startup leaders eager to tap into the experiences of seasoned entrepreneurs and gain insights into building successful businesses, registration for the program is now open. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The deadline is quickly approaching for New York City civil service exams open in May. The city Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) released its June application schedule for civil service exams. Open, competitive, computer-based tests are administered throughout each month for various positions. If you meet the basic requirements of the job, you can apply for your exam online at Online Application System (OASys) or at one of the Computer-Based Testing and Application Centers (CTAC). Applications opened for these exams: assistant electrical engineer; city assessor; city tax auditor; environmental engineer; environmental police officers; estimator (general construction); gasoline roller engineer; housing exterminator; police officer; probation officer; school safety agent; resident buildings superintendent; traffic enforcement agent; watershed maintainer, and several jobs under the New York City Bridge Exam. Positions also opened in the New York City Bridge Exam including: bookkeeper; clerical associate; clerical associate (NYC H+H); computer service technician; maintenance worker; maintenance worker (CUNY); maintenance worker (NYC H+H); secretary; and staff analyst trainee. The deadline to apply for most of these exams is Tuesday, June 27. The application for school safety agent is open through Wednesday, June 28. The applications for police officer and resident buildings superintendent have already closed. Find the salaries for positions open in June on SILive.com. The deadline for promotion exams is also Tuesday, June 27, for the following positions: associate inspector (housing) (prom); city assessor (prom); environmental engineer (prom); marine engineer (uniformed-fire department) (prom); police officer (prom); principal police communications technician (prom); supervising police communications technician (prom); and supervisor plasterer (prom). For more information about registering for these and other tests, log onto the DCAS website. To apply for a civil service exam open during this application period, go online via the OASys at www.nyc.gov/examsforjobs. To receive monthly exam updates, sign up for the DCAS newsletter at nyc.gov/examsforjobs and click the Exams tab. On Staten Island, the testing center is located at 135 Canal St., Stapleton. Additional testing centers are located at: 2 Lafayette St., Manhattan; 210 Joralemon St., Brooklyn; 118-35 Queens Blvd., Queens; 1932 Arthur Ave., the Bronx. MORE STORIES NYC civil service exam: Here are the salaries for positions open in June NYC civil service: Here are the promotion exams open in June NYC civil service exam: These applications are open in June Looking for remote work? Here are 10 jobs with the most opportunities, according to data. Need a side hustle? These are the top 10 most profitable part-time jobs, according to data Warning: You have the most chance of being laid off from these jobs in 2023, study says Want to work from home and make six figures? These in-demand side hustles pay $100K or more. Now hiring: 200 NY construction apprentices sought by union, heres how to apply FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Brooklyn woman is accused of stealing a Staten Island womans identity to rent a downtown apartment, according to a 58-count-indictment filed recently in state Supreme Court, St. George. Angelica Salemi, 31, was arraigned Wednesday in front of Justice Lisa Grey on charges that include first-degree identity theft, first-degree fraud and criminal possession of a forged instrument in connection with the months-long incident. Prosecutors, on behalf of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, allege Salemi forged a New York state drivers license bearing the likeness of the 35-year-old victim to rent an apartment blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge, near Myrtle Avenue and Fleet Place in the defendants home borough. The two women did not know each other, sources said. The defendant, according to the June 14 indictment, acted in a systematic way with the intent to defraud more than one person. According to Brooklyn-based defense attorney Vincent Romano, the charges levied against his client are excessive and overblown. Salemi pleaded not guilty Wednesday at a scheduled arraignment and was released on her own recognizance. The case was adjourned to July 27. RELATED COVERAGE: Staten Island Courts >>It takes a while to die Shocking depiction of Bellucci family murders laid out for Staten Island jury >> Ex-cop from Staten Island, Justin Volpe, released early from prison for brutal assault of Abner Louima >>Career burglar from Brooklyn who set sights on deli, pharmacy on Staten Island pleads guilty >> NYPD: Brooklyn woman allegedly tried to set fire at precinct stationhouse on Staten Island >>Testimony regarding key evidence in Bellucci murder trial conjures ghost of Hurricane Sandy STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Some New York Citys oldest pizzerias may face new emission-cutting rules if city officials get their way. The New York Post first reported Sunday new proposed rules from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that would require restaurants using coal- and wood-fired ovens to install costly emission-cutting devices. DEP Spokesman Ted Timbers confirmed the new proposed rules Monday, and said theyre tied to a law that passed in 2015 with the goal of reducing these restaurant emissions by up to 75% through the installation of pollution filters. New Yorkers deserve to breathe healthy air and wood and coal-fired stoves are among the largest contributors of harmful pollutants in neighborhoods with poor air quality, he said. This common-sense rule, developed with restaurant and environmental justice groups, requires a professional review of whether installing emission controls is feasible. The DEP will host a July 27 virtual hearing at 11 a.m. to hear the publics concerns on the new rule that will require restaurants with wood and coal stoves installed before May 6, 2016 to hire a government-approved architect or engineer to assess the feasibility of installing emission control devices. Restaurants will have a year from the new rules effective date to have the feasibility assessment performed and submitted to the DEP. Installation of the emissions controls can cost tens of thousands of dollars. If assessments conclude that a reduction of 75% or more cannot be achieved, or that no emissions controls can be installed, the assessment must identify any emission controls that could provide a reduction of at least 25% or an explanation for why no emission controls can be installed, according to the new rules. Restaurants with coal and wood stoves installed after 2016 had already been beholden to similar rules, and the older restaurants, of which the DEP estimates there to be fewer than 100, were supposed to be impacted by the rules in 2020. DEP officials said the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic delayed the new rules. According to the DEP, their goal is to reduce small-particle emissions from coal and wood stoves that can penetrate into the lungs and enter the bloodstream worsening lung and heart disease and lead to hospital admissions and premature deaths. The DEP organized an advisory panel before releasing the rules that included other city agencies and members of the restaurant industry. While the rules have yet to take effect, the proposal has drawn quick backlash, including from Staten Island artist and conservative activist, Scott LoBaido, who staged a pizza protest outside City Hall Monday. The artist, armed with a pile of pizza pies, began flinging slices over the gates of City Hall to protest what some see as an unfair imposition on local businesses, according to a video he posted to Twitter. The world used to respect New Yorkers as tough, thick-skinned, and gritty, LoBaido said. You heard of the Boston Tea Party?...Well, this is the New York Pizza Party. LoBaido wrote on Twitter that police officers stationed outside City Hall wound up issuing him a summons after he performed his protest. For his part, Mayor Eric Adams made light of the proposed rules Monday at an unrelated press conference and said he hope to let the public comment period take its course. Everyone likes pizza. You almost see that pie in front of you, you start to get happy. I think pizzas have saved more marriages than any other foods, he said. Listen, right now we are at the public moment where the public can weigh in. Let the public weigh in, let the public give their thoughts and then well make the final determination. We dont want to hurt businesses in the city, and we dont want to hurt the environment. I think nothing is more clearer to all of us as what this environment is going through after two weeks ago with the fire in Canada. That smoke is the type of smoke that were talking about. So lets see if we can find a way to get the resolutions were looking for. MORE NYC NEWS Staten Island rabbi named to NYCs first Jewish Advisory Council SIUH discontinues a grossly underutilized South Shore overnight ambulance tour 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 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Ambulance response time can be the difference between life and death, but Staten Islands South Shore will have one less at the ready thanks to a local hospitals decision. Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) will discontinue an overnight ambulance tour that operates south of Huguenot, a spokesperson for the hospital confirmed Thursday. A pair of anonymous tipsters first brought the issue to the attention of the Advance/SILive.com this week raising concerns about what impact the cancelled tour would have on residents of the South Shore, and the motivation behind the discontinued service. Given that a human brain can only endure roughly five minutes without oxygen before irreversible damage begins, these additional response minutes could mean the difference between life and death. SIUHs motivations for these drastic measures appear to be financial, one of the tipsters wrote in an email. As the only significant healthcare provider in the area, most 911 calls would naturally lead to one of their two hospitals on the Island. However, it seems they are failing to account for the vital purpose of emergency response - to provide timely assistance in order to save lives and maintain health, not merely to transport patients to the nearest medical facility. The SIUH spokesperson sent the emailed response, but didnt respond to specific questions about which tour hours were cut or if they plan to make any further cuts. A Staten Island University Hospital responds to an accident in 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Kayla Simas) In that emailed statement, the hospital spokesperson described the cancelled tour as grossly underutilized shift that was used to supplement existing FDNY service, and that one of the departments shifts would be modified to meet the need of the missing ambulance. After thorough review, a decision was made to modify one of the shifts that runs through the FDNY EMS system, the spokesperson wrote. We are continually exploring methods to better serve the community and to enhance Staten Islanders ability to access the care they need. Discussions were had with FDNY regarding this change so they can evaluate if an adjustment was needed for their deployment. A spokesperson for the FDNY did not confirm that by the time of publication, but City Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) said Thursday that was his understanding. He pointed to hospital systems around the city that have made similar decisions to cut ambulance services for financial reasons. Its a consistent problem as ambulances have become less profitable for private hospitals to operate, he said. This problem was just more proof all of NYC should be entirely served by uniformed EMTs [from] the FDNY. However, among the citys emergency response services, FDNY EMS receives the least funding, and the increased burden hasnt been met with more dollars, according to Oren Barzilay president of Local 2507, the union that represents FDNY EMS workers. He said other factors, like more violent crime in recent years, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and increased auto accidents, have also added to the demand that FDNY EMS faces every day. Staten Island is a huge borough, as far as land size, and sometimes it can take a good 15, 20 minutes on a call to get from one side of the Island to the other, Barzilay said. And every time you take away one resource its going to impact the response time, so theres consequences. 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. A prominent Staten Island rabbi will be part of a first-of-its-kind, 37-member Jewish Advisory Council, Mayor Eric announced Monday. Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO), will sit on the panel, and said Monday that he expects an ongoing spike in hate crimes against Jewish people to be a central focus of the groups discussions. The most important thing is to never allow an awareness of the situation to be forgotten, Mirocznik said. In order to combat crime, in particular hate crimes [and] anti-semitic hate crimes, we have to focus and make certain that there is priority by us and take every effort, whether its prevention or whether its prosecution. There were 78 arrests for anti-semitic hate crimes in the five boroughs last year with four occurring in the 121st Precinct and three in the 120th Precinct, according to NYPD data. In 2018, there were 69 arrests for anti-semitic hate crimes in the five boroughs with none occurring in Staten Island. Police made a total of 320 hate crime arrests in 2022 and 144 in 2018, so the older data saw a greater proportion of hate crimes committed against Jewish people in the five boroughs. As of the first quarter in 2023, Staten Island had seen no arrests for anti-semitic hate crimes, 25 of which had occurred across the city. While Staten Island hasnt been devoid of anti-semitic hate a New Springville man pleaded guilty in March to a hate-motivated 2021 assault on a Jewish person in Brooklyn Mirocznik credited local efforts with a lower prevalence of the issue. Staten Island is very unique where we have a very tight relationship with the interfaith community. We have a very tight relationship with law enforcement, a working relationship with [District Attorney Michael McMahons office], and by and large, many of the problems plaguing the other boroughs arent so pronounced thanks to community collaboration, he said. Id like to see if this Staten Island model could become a city model and that city model could impact crime in general, and anti-semitic hate crimes in particular. Adams has made crime reduction with a focus on hate crimes a central focus of his administration, and has announced a number of initiatives to combat the rise in hate. He said Monday that the Jewish Advisory Council, chaired by Joel Eisdorfer, a senior advisory to the mayor, would focus on all issues affecting Jewish New Yorkers, including public safety, quality of life, and education, and will ensure Jewish communities across New York City are connected with all of the citys resources and services available Our Jewish community the largest in the world outside of Israel is a critical part of New York City, the mayor said. From the top of the Bronx to the bottom of Staten Island, the work and contributions of our Jewish brothers and sisters are felt across all five boroughs. With anti semitic crimes up across the nation, our newly-formed Jewish Advisory Council will ensure that Jewish New Yorkers in every community have a seat at the table and have access to the support and resources the city offers. MORE NYC NEWS SIUH discontinues a grossly underutilized South Shore overnight ambulance tour 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 Editors note: Staten Island Ferry riders have been forced to endure years of service disruptions caused by various complications around strict licensing requirements, labor disputes, short staffing and more. This story is part of a series that explores both the people and the issues involved in the plight of the iconic Staten Island Ferry, which was once one of the most reliable forms of mass transit in New York City. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As Mayor Eric Adams announces new contracts with some of New York Citys largest unions, the continued inability to reach an agreement with crew members on the Staten Island Ferry grows more and more confounding. So far this year, New York City has reached agreements with District Council 37, which covers nearly 90,000 municipal workers; the United Federation of Teachers, representing roughly 120,000 educators; and the Uniformed Officers Coalition, covering more than 32,000 cops, firefighters, sanitation workers and corrections officers. These three contracts alone encompass nearly a quarter-million city workers, with costs totaling roughly $14.8 billion. So why is it that New York City and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) -- the union representing approximately 150 captains, assistant captains, mates, engineers and chief engineers on the Staten Island Ferry -- have been unable to agree on a new contract for more than a dozen years? The blame does not fall squarely on Mayor Adams and current Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion, as this problem was inherited from previous administrations. Nonetheless, it is now their problem to fix. The union has been unable to reach a contract agreement with the city since 2010, resulting in over a decade in which union members have not received a single wage increase, a growing source of frustration that has prompted many to leave for higher paying jobs within the maritime industry. Resolving the contract dispute is perhaps more pressing now than ever before, as the existing low wages have made it difficult for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to recruit and retain crew members, which has led to short staffing that has limited the ability to provide full service on the Staten Island Ferry in recent years, resulting in thousands of canceled trips. Above all, our goal is to get the city and all players to resolve this labor issue once and for all and put it to bed. I think its unfair to the riders. I think its unfair to the workers. And I think its something that should have been done years ago and now its manifesting itself in a lot of nasty, disruptive ways, said Borough President Vito Fossella. RULES WRITTEN IN BLOOD While the union has been working out of contract for 13 years, the root causes date back nearly two decades to one of the most harrowing incidents in the Staten Island Ferrys history, according to Roland Rexha, secretary treasurer for MEBA and former shop steward at the Staten Island Ferry. On Oct. 15, 2003, the Andrew J. Barberi ferryboat lost control and plowed full speed into a concrete maintenance pier in St. George, claiming the lives of 11 riders and injuring an additional 70. Its sad it took that accident for them to realize that there were real issues at the ferry, Rexha said. Following the incident, the city commissioned the Global Maritime and Transportation School to complete a review of Staten Island Ferry operations, which concluded that the city needed to staff professional mariners and pay higher wages that were more in line with the industry standard. In hiring new employees, NYC DOT needs to provide professionally documented, certified, medically fit, and qualified personnel to the Staten Island Ferry system. A marine industry salary survey should also be undertaken to ensure the Staten Island Ferry system compensation structure is closely aligned with similar domestic ferry operations (e.g. Washington State Ferries). This will help to positively impact recruiting, retention and morale, according to the review. CONFLICTS IN COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS Rexha claimed the city complied with roughly 98% of the recommendations in the report, including the hiring of professional mariners. But they have still refused to offer compensation in line with the rest of the industry, noting that captains on the Washington State Ferries currently earn between $60 to $65 per hour, while captains on the Staten Island Ferry make just $40 per hour. We went to negotiations with OLR and offered them a contract that was similar to Washington State Ferries in terms of compensation, and they turned it down and said theyre not moving off the pattern, Rexha told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com in September 2021. Rexha claims the union has been making offers that are also in line with the citys bargaining pattern, meaning compensation increases would be similar to those the city has agreed upon with other unions, but theres been a disconnect as to what that would look like. We have been offering pattern-conforming offers every step of the way. Theres never been a time when we havent worked within the framework of the pattern, he said. The problem is the city has different thoughts on how the pattern is paid, but we have been working through the pattern to try and find a deal forward. One of the biggest holdups right now centers around how much captains would be paid in light of a recent ruling by New York Comptroller Brad Lander that requires significant prevailing wage increases for ferry engineers and chief engineers, so long as the ruling is not appealed by the city or union prior to the July 28 deadline. The captain is historically in our industry the highest paid person on the vessel. Theyre ultimately responsible for anything that happens on the vessel... Now the chief engineers would be the highest paid on the vessel, and thats something that in our industry is not the norm and we want to address that, Rexha explained. Once that prevailing wage decision was provided it brought expectations up for all the titles at the ferry. NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE The union and the city continue to engage in contract negotiations with the assistance of a third-party mediator that was agreed upon last August, with the most recent mediation session taking place earlier this month. A representative from City Hall told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com that they would not comment on ongoing negotiations, but hope to be able to reach a settlement with the union. Meanwhile, Rexha said that although the sides are still a ways apart, he is cautiously optimistic that a deal will get done, though concessions will undoubtedly be made by both sides. With this administration weve seen more progress than we did with previous administrations so Im cautiously optimistic, but theres still some work to do in terms of getting the numbers where they need to be, said Rexha. They always say that with a good deal, both parties walk away a little upset. Were not there yet. Right now, one party is a little more upset than the other in terms of where were at in the negotiations, he concluded. OTHER STORIES IN THE SERIES Staten Island Ferry riders deserve better. How did it come to this? Will Staten Island Ferry ridership ever return to pre-pandemic levels? Staten Island Ferry service reductions resulted in over 2,000 canceled trips last year, data shows Have you been impacted by Staten Island Ferry service reductions? We want to hear from you. 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. The police shooting of a 46-year-old San Antonio woman whom officials believed to be having a mental health crisis marks the sixth fatal department incident this year, according to recent data. Those officers were suspended without pay, then soon charged over Melissa Perezs death. Sgt. Alfred Flores, Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos each face one count of murder, which is punishable by up to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Body cam footage of the incident was released by the San Antonio Police Department Friday. On Friday at around 12:20 a.m., the officers responded to a vandalism incident involving a woman whod cut wires to an alarm panel at the apartment complex she lived at. Officers located Perez outside of the complexs parking lot. She then ran back to her apartment and locked herself inside. At the time, police were attempting to bring her to their patrol cars. Officers proceeded to follow her to her residence, located on the complexs first floor. Officers tried to reach Perez by removing a screen door attached to a patio window that was already open. Shortly after, Perez grabbed a hammer. Thats when a responding officer drew his firearm and pointed it at her. The officer told a dispatcher that he had the woman at gunpoint. Perez then threw a glass candle at the officers, hitting one of them in the arm. That officer sustained minor injuries, according to an SAPD spokesperson. The officers then spoke with Perez through her window for approximately 30 minutes, before jumping over a fence into her back patio. In response, Perez struck the window with a hammer, shattering it. One of the officers responded by firing multiple gunshot rounds into her apartment. Perez briefly moved away from the window, then came back with a hammer. The three officers fired shots in her direction, striking her twice. Officials did not give information as to where specifically Perez was hit. She was declared dead at the scene. At a press conference Friday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said that the officers response was not consistent with SAPDs policy and training. They placed themselves in a situation where they used deadly force which was not reasonable given all the circumstances as we now understand them, he continued. All three officers are currently out on $100,000 bond. Perezs family intends to file a civil rights lawsuit against the city, attorney Dan Packard, whos representing her family, told the San Antonio Express-News. Speaking to Good Morning America Monday, Perezs daughter, Alexis Tovar, said that her mother didnt deserve this. Those officers took my life and I will never be the same person again. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Strong thunderstorms may unleash damaging wind gusts and hail up to one inch in diameter on New York City Monday ahead of a week filled with rain in the foreacst, forecasters warn. The National Weather Services Storm Prediction Center has placed the five boroughs within an area at slight risk for severe thunderstorms, according to a hazardous weather outlook. The agencys New York forecast office said there is moderate confidence in showers and thunderstorms developing Monday afternoon and evening, but it is uncertain how widespread the threat for severe storms will be. Staten Islands forecast indicated showers and thunderstorms packing gusty winds are likely Monday afternoon. Rain is expected to continue into the evening as temperatures fall from a high near 81 degrees to a low in the mid-60s. Additional thunderstorms are possible at night, said the National Weather Service, and localized flooding is possible in low-lying and poor-drainage areas throughout the day. Severe Thunderstorms and Localized Flash Flooding Possible Monday Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop Monday afternoon and could become strong to severe, with damaging winds and locally heavy rainfall. #NYwx #CTwx #NJwx More: https://t.co/wTqdsonfJ9 pic.twitter.com/7W8xeQLqot NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 25, 2023 Rainy weather is forecasted to be a trend this week, as Tuesday is expected to encounter another round of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. The high approaching 80 degrees on Tuesday will fall to a low around 67 degrees at night as more showers roll through the area. Wednesday has an 80% chance of precipitation, and showers are mainly expected to occur after 8 a.m. before the day reaches a high near 80 degrees. The National Weather Service expects rain to continue leading up to 8 p.m., when a low around 65 degrees will then settle in. There is a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday prior to an elevated chance of thunderstorms after 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The high for the day will approach 81 degrees. Forecasters said there is a 30% chance of precipitation in the evening and expect a low around 66 degrees. Capping off a rainy workweek, there is a 30% chance of showers after 2 p.m. on Friday. A high near 82 degrees will fall to a low around 66 degrees at night, when more showers are possible, the National Weather Service said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the US will continue through June 29, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing, Trend reports. "We expect the talks will commence tomorrow, on Tuesday and continue through Thursday of this week, as Secretary Blinken will meet with the foreign ministers from both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We'll have more details as the week progresses. We continue to believe that peace is within reach and direct dialogue is the key to resolving the remaining issues and reaching a durable and dignified peace," he said. On June 26, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, went on a working visit to the US. During the visit, bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken, as well as another round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the draft peace agreement are scheduled. Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada told Trend that the talks may last several days. "The meeting will start tomorrow. There is a possibility that the negotiations will continue for several days. The main topic is the peace agreement," he said. 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! On Thursday, FTXs bankruptcy lawyers sued Kives firm, K5 Global, to recover the money that Bankman-Fried had invested. The $US700 million was among the largest sums the FTX founder contributed to any group; the lawsuit said he had made the investment to burnish his own political and social influence. Bankman-Fried agreed to invest as much as $US3 billion over three years in K5, according to the lawsuit and a version of the crypto moguls contract with Kives and Baum that was reviewed by The New York Times. The complaint argued that Bankman-Fried had done no meaningful due diligence and excessively overpaid Baum and Kives, describing the transactions as a fraudulent scheme to enrich executives. Sam Bankman-Fried on stage with former UK prime minister Tony Blair and former US president Bill Clinton. Federal prosecutors have charged Bankman-Fried, 31, with a sweeping fraud in which he siphoned billions of dollars from FTX customers to make charitable donations, political contributions and large investments. He has pleaded not guilty. A spokesperson for K5, Elizabeth Ashford, said that the lawsuit was without merit and that K5 had believed it was entering a legitimate, long-term business relationship with Bankman-Fried. A spokesperson for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. Hollywood to Wall Street Loading A former aide to Clinton, Kives started working for Creative Artists Agency in 2003, representing actors such as Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. At Kives 2019 wedding in Palm Springs, California, Perry sang Hava Nagila, a Jewish folk song, and two writers on The Office delivered a roast. Kives started K5 in 2018. He was later joined by Baum, an entrepreneur who had co-founded a software company that was acquired by Lyft. K5 has invested in startups including SpaceX and Boring Co., which are run by Elon Musk, amassing a portfolio of 148 companies. As they built K5, Kives and Baum touted their connections, including with billionaire financier Warren Buffett. In an interview, Buffett said Kives was a name-dropper who might pitch that he has a connection to me, but he doesnt. Buffett said he had known Kives from his time at Creative Artists Agency. Since then, he said, Kives has contacted him about a few investment opportunities, which he declined. In late 2021, Kives used his network to forge a relationship with Bankman-Fried, who was rising in prominence as cryptocurrencies boomed. They got in touch over email, the lawsuit said, and Kives introduced Bankman-Fried to the musician Sia. Credit: Illustration by Diego Patino / New York Times Two days before the Super Bowl last year, Bankman-Fried attended a party at Kives home in Beverly Hills, California, where he spent time with Perry and Bloom, four people familiar with the matter said. During a karaoke session, three of the people said, 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. Bankman-Fried later raved that Kives was one of the most connected people he had ever met, the lawsuit said. He reserved space for 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. In April 2022, Bankman-Fried hosted a four-day crypto conference in the Bahamas. Bloom and Perry joined the event at the Baha Mar resort in Nassau, dining with Bankman-Fried and other high-profile visitors. Loading Also in attendance was another public figure whom Kives had introduced to Bankman-Fried: Clinton, who appeared on a panel with the FTX founder. By then, FTX had struck formal endorsement deals with celebrities such as Tom Brady and Larry David. Perry also held talks with FTX about an official endorsement, three people familiar with the matter said. Perrys manager, Martin Kirkup, declined to comment on the endorsement talks and said her Instagram post was a joke. Representatives for Hudson and Bloom said FTX had not compensated the actors in any way. And Ashford, the K5 spokesperson, said the firm had not brokered any of FTXs formal endorsement deals. But for months, the K5 partners acted as Bankman-Frieds tour guides through the corridors of fame and power. At Kives Super Bowl party, Bankman-Fried also met Bobby Kotick, the CEO of the video game company Activision Blizzard, a person familiar with the matter said. Kives tried to foster the relationship, relaying a dinner invitation from Kotick to Bankman-Fried in April 2022, according to messages viewed by the Times. Legendary investor Warren Buffett labelled Kives as a name-dropper. Credit: AP That month, Kives also texted Musk, urging him to join forces with Bankman-Fried on the acquisition of Twitter, which Musk was pursuing. Could be cool to do this with Sam Bankman-Fried, Kives wrote in a message that was released as part of a different lawsuit last year. Last June, Bankman-Fried attended a charity gala at Casa Cipriani in New York. DiCaprio was also at the event. When Kives found out, he texted the actor, encouraging him to speak with Bankman-Fried, a person familiar with the matter said. Around the same time, Kives put Bankman-Fried in touch with MasterClass, a site for tutorials by famous people, three people familiar with the matter said. Bankman-Fried filmed a lesson on cryptocurrencies last summer, the people said. His segment was dropped from the final version. Representatives for Kotick and DiCaprio declined to comment. Baum also tapped into his network. Last year, he set up a meeting between Bankman-Fried and Nelson Peltz, the billionaire activist investor, four people familiar with the matter said. Peltz was impressed enough with the FTX founder that he invited Bankman-Fried to the star-studded wedding of his daughter Nicola and Brooklyn Beckham, the son of David and Victoria Beckham, according to emails obtained by the Times. (Bankman-Fried did not attend.) Months later, Baum helped Bankman-Fried and his younger brother, Gabe, schedule a meeting in Miami with Ron DeSantis, Floridas governor, according to three people familiar with the matter and messages viewed by the Times. Then in October, he arranged for Bankman-Fried to appear with Larry Fink, the CEO of the investment firm BlackRock, at a conference in New York, three people familiar with the matter said. Later that month, Kives offered to connect Bankman-Fried who was travelling to the Middle East to raise money with Yasir al-Rumayyan, the leader of Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, according to messages obtained by the Times. Loading Representatives for DeSantis, Fink and the Saudi fund declined to comment. In November, FTX imploded after a run on deposits exposed an $US8 billion hole in its accounts. Baum and Kives contacted private equity firms and billionaires to help Bankman-Fried pull together cash to save the company, according to the lawsuit. None came to FTXs rescue. Kives and Baum have said nothing publicly about their relationship with Bankman-Fried since FTX filed for bankruptcy. Advertisement Review Eating outSydney 17 courses, 10 guests, more than two years to book: Is Yoshiis Omakase worth the $350 price tag? Youll need superpowers and a budget to match just to make a booking. So does Crown Sydneys three-hour Japanese chefs dinner deliver? Terry Durack June 27, 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 1 / 10 The tiny 10-seat counter. James Brickwood 2 / 10 Mont Blanc-style monaka pastry with chestnut filling. James Brickwood 3 / 10 Lobster-filled crepe money bag. James Brickwood 4 / 10 Yoshii Ryuchi at his eponymous omakase. James Brickwood 5 / 10 Squish sushi is cut to resemble a pine cone. James Brickwood 6 / 10 A box of sashimi treasures. James Brickwood 7 / 10 Kagoshima A5 wagyu kushiyaki with red miso and Western Australian truffle. James Brickwood 8 / 10 Fresh yuzu filled with tataki tuna dressed in miso vinegar. James Brickwood 9 / 10 Tempura soybean curd. James Brickwood 10 / 10 Charcoal ice-cream. James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat Good Food hat 17 / 20 How we score Japanese$$$ Most omakase restaurants are difficult to get into. But you have to have the strength of a Mandalorian, wisdom of Yoda and faster-than-a-speeding-bullet swiftness of Superman to get in to Yoshiis. Not to mention a lazy $350 per person. Seats are released at noon on the first day of each month for the following month. Given the range of my superpowers, it has taken 2 years for me to get here. Crowns executive Japanese chef, Yoshii Ryuchi, and head sushi chef, Hyota Sugihara, welcome their 10 guests as they prepare the evenings 17-course dinner, made up of five entrees and 12 nigiri. Advertisement Mont Blanc-style monaka pastry with chestnut filling. James Brickwood Yoshii-san, who ran the acclaimed Yoshii in Pyrmont, then The Rocks for 14 years, works quietly and confidently, willing his guests to observe, experience and interact. The first dish is a statement of intent; a whole fresh yuzu (Japanese citrus), grown by Mountain Yuzu in Victorias Ovens Valley. Hidden inside is cherrywood-smoked tataki toro (tuna), dressed in miso vinegar; fresh and citrusy. Yuzu: Everything you need to know Then comes a beautiful ceramic vessel tied with a red silken tasselled cord. Opened, its a box of sashimi treasures that we have seen being made in front of us, from cuttlefish to kingfish to a rosette of Tasmanian salmon. A tiny, deep-fried river crab is more crunch than flavour I notice one guest slips hers into her bag instead of eating it. An intricate four-colour maki roll is a Rubiks cube of textures, and fresh wasabi, from Tasmanias Shima Wasabi farm, makes everything more fun. Advertisement There is a little money-purse of crepe filled with lobster, in a gentle dashi broth. A wondrous tempura roll of soybean curd filled with snow crab and topped with N25 caviar. A super-rich, mouth-filling concoction of wagyu kushiyaki with truffle red miso sauce, tiled with Manjimup truffle. Omakase is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of sake, and a glass cooler of Chokyu Junmai Ginjo (180ml, $40), delivers clarity and smoothness without sweetness. A welcome surprise: the wine list has a number of bottles under $100, such as the 2020 Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay ($18/$85). After a 10-minute break to stretch legs, its time for the business end of dinner: 12 courses of nigiri. The performance ramps up, the knifemanship ever more precise, the warmed, vinegared rice tamped and shaped by hand with speed and grace. We hear the kitchen uses no gas or electricity, and even the rice is cooked in a claypot over charcoal. Each nigiri is so distinct, there is little sense of repetition. Imperador is topped with Okinawa sea salt. Chutoro from New Zealand is rich and is surprisingly refreshing, followed by otoro bluefin tuna from Chiba, as fatty as wagyu. Squid is cut and carved matsukasa-style, transforming into a snow-white pine cone, its flesh permed into curlicues. Lobster-filled crepe money bag. James Brickwood Advertisement On two occasions, citrus juice is squeezed over the fish at the last second, and on two occasions, I think it would have been better without. But thats omakase for you. The chefs are alive to the differences in their ingredients from day to day, and you are in their hands. Yoshiis Big Mac is over-the-top with scampi and diced tuna belly, roofed with sea urchin and deep blue scampi caviar. Unagi (sea eel) is daubed with Yoshii-sans 31-year-old master sauce. Were in the home straight, with sweet, mousse-like tamago omelette. Then a dramatically black charcoal ice-cream with a charcoal tuile, ho hum. Finally, the charm of a monaka (crisp wafer shell) filled with new-season chestnuts done Mont Blanc style, as mousse, and as marron glace. I can see why people get hooked on omakase. Its a rare privilege to be so close to the creation of your meal, and a timely reminder, in this casual era, that dining can reach ceremonial heights. Yoshiis is hellishly expensive, but its also three-hour performance theatre; dinner and a show. Not even Taylor Swift gives you sushi as well. The low-down Vibe: High-end temple of raw fish gastronomy Go-to dish: Sashimi box, part of the tasting menu Drinks: Whos who of French champagne, compelling list of sake, 10 whites and 10 reds. Nobus entire wine list is on call if needed. The essential guide to Sydney's best omakase dining Collection 12 hatted restaurants: Catch up on every Good Food Sydney review of 2023 (so far) Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up A prominent excavation company which lists the Defence Department, the University of Sydney and Darling Harbour as clients admitted it exposed drivers and the public to the risk of incurring death and serious injury by running overloaded or defective trucks for more than a year. Ghossayn Group, known as The Green Machine because of its viridescent truck fleet, was fined $112,000 last week and will probably pay another $260,000 to comply with a strict supervision order. Ghossayn Group was slapped with 20 mass breaches and 94 defect notices in a 15-month period. One truck in November 2020 had sharp edges or protrusions, pieces missing from its brake disc, a brake pad worn down to the metal and an emergency brake that didnt hold. The company was prosecuted after being slapped with 20 mass breaches and 94 defect notices in a 15-month period. Flight paths for Sydneys new international airport show homes to its south-west and north will be disrupted the most by noise from large passenger planes when it opens in late 2026. The preliminary flight paths, released on Tuesday, reveal homes near Greendale, Luddenham and Twin Creeks will be hit the hardest by noise from the curfew-free Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, about 45 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. The 3.7-kilometre runway will be long enough to handle aircraft as large as the A380 superjumbo. Credit: Brook Mitchell The federal government released an online tool on Tuesday that allows residents to plug in their addresses to see how their homes will be disrupted by noise from aircraft flying to and from the $5.3 billion airport. Modelling shows properties near Erskine Park will be among areas where aircraft noise is set to reach 70 decibels by 2033 under different scenarios. Outdoor sound levels of 70 decibels can lead to indoor noise of about 60 decibels, which is enough to disturb a normal conversation. People of African and Middle Eastern appearance were four times more likely to receive fines for breaching Victorias lockdown rules in 2020, when allowing for their percentage of the states population, according to a new report. The report, to be released on Tuesday by Inner Melbourne Community Legal, also says Indigenous people accounted for more than 30 per cent of COVID fines in some regional Victorian towns such as Mildura, while almost 20 per cent of all fines issued by the officers from Collingwood police station were to First Nations peoples. Victoria Police issued more than 37,000 fines for breaches of COVID public health orders in 2020. Credit: Getty The report shows several police taskforces including public transport, traffic and specialist crime operations issued more than one-third of their COVID-19 fines in 2020 to people of African or Middle Eastern appearance. The legal centre said the data, which it obtained through freedom-of-information requests, was evidence of racial profiling by Victoria Police, which emphatically denies the allegation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has embarked on a working visit to the US, the Azerbaijani MFA told Trend. It is planned to hold a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as another round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the "Bilateral agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations" draft. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Peter Ryan, Jake Niall and Sam McClure discuss Collingwoods victory over Adelaide and their trend of snatching come-from-behind wins. Should the fact that they often trail teams be a cause for concern? Or is their ladder position a sign that theres nothing for supporters to worry about? The stats might show that Collingwood are winning without playing well, but they are without a couple of key players, including Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom. And they do have a forward line problem. But there are plenty of things for Pies supporters to enjoy Nick Daicos, who showed against the Crows that he can play on the inside and the brand of footy they play that makes them so hard to score against. We also discuss Fly footy, pressure ratings and whether the must-watch Pies are winning over opposition fans ... or if there will always be something to hate about the black and white. Shortly before he went to Germany on what would be his final journey, Simon Crean visited Ireland searching for a familial link with one of historys most resilient characters, former Antarctic explorer Thomas Crean. Thomas Crean was a member of three famous expeditions, two with Robert Falcon Scott, including Scotts fatal trip to the South Pole in 1911. He later joined Ernest Shackletons disastrous journey, when he helped save the stranded crew of the crushed ship by taking part in one of the most extraordinary feats of seamanship in history: a 1500-kilometre voyage to the remote island of South Georgia. Simon Crean in Canberra in 2013. Credit: Andrew Meares If Australias Crean was related to the Crean of County Kerry and it remains unclear resilience runs in the family. While Simon Creans adventures in politics were not quite as jaw-dropping, he certainly required inner toughness to emerge from the Labor Partys leadership travails of the early part of this century. The fact he was not entirely broken by a wrestle with his oldest friend, Kim Beazley, speaks of stern stuff. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a simple tip for Australians to help ward off cyber threats. We all have a responsibility ... turn your phone off every night for five minutes ... do it while you are brushing your teeth and whatever you are doing, he said last week. This is a task for all of us. Turning off your mobile phone every 24 hours will wipe some, but not all, exploits from your phone. Credit: Shutterstock Following high-profile hacks of Optus, Medibank and, most recently, government-contracted law firm HWL Ebsworth, the private sector is already on notice over its responsibility to ward off cyberattacks that could have widespread effects on Australians. Albaneses message, delivered during the announcement of a new national co-ordinator for cybersecurity, was meant to mobilise smartphone users towards more tech-savvy behaviour in a world where online threats are everywhere. While maybe not the top choice of some travel guides at that time of year, it was in late March that some of the most influential figures in Queensland law enforcement jumped on a plane. The destination: Northern Ireland. But it wasnt the famed castles or whiskey distilleries on the itineraries of top brass from the Crime and Corruption Commission, Queensland Police Service and Queensland Police Union. CCC chair Bruce Barbour (left) disclosed the Irish jaunt in his most recent report to the corruption watchdogs parliamentary oversight committee, a trip also attended by assistant police commissioner Cheryl Scanlon (right) and police union president Ian Leavers. Credit: DOMINIC LORRIMER, WOLTER PEETERS, LinkedIn The isles north has what is regarded as the global gold standard police oversight scheme, operating entirely independent and investigating all public complaints against serving officers from the relatively minor up to deaths in custody or at their hands. After last years scathing Queensland commission of inquiry led by judge Deborah Richards covered issues of lacking police accountability and called for a new police integrity unit to deal with it, the Queensland cohort were apparently keen to check out the Police Ombudsman approach. An early-morning crash that closed two inbound lanes on the West Gate Freeway exacerbated traffic chaos in Melbournes west on Monday. It comes as key rail networks and a major road connection were shut down for the next two weeks to accommodate works on the West Gate Tunnel Project. The crash, just after Millers Road, was followed by a truck breakdown on the West Gate Bridge, causing heavy delays that continued throughout the rush hour peak. Another crash on the West Gate Freeway at Brooklyn inflicted delays on the Princes Freeway and M80 Ring Road. Following a highly successful Judicial Four-Party Consultation (JVO) Conference on Thursday, June 22, 2023, many participants expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the discussions and with the organization of the conference. The four Ministers of Justice of the Kingdom, having achieved consensus on the decisions coming out of the JVO discussions, on Friday, June 23, 2023, dedicated time to formally sign the JVO decision list before bidding farewell to one another. The signing of the JVO decision list took place on the grounds of the airport which was made possible by PJIA and its partners. PHILIPSBURG:--- One of the key topics discussed during the JVO discussions was migration. To address the challenges associated with migration effectively, it was proposed and agreed upon that a plan would be presented at the next JVO for the establishment of a Board of Directors of Immigration with representatives from the different countries, to improve collaboration amongst the services in the countries. Another important topic covered in the conference was the applications of sanctions particularly as it relates to Forensic Care. The JVO welcomed the work that was done on this subject and indicated that it looked forward to the development of a plan that considers the legal and financial implications for the realization of basic facilities for Forensic Care on all islands. Addressing the capacity challenges that the Caribbean countries experience in combatting transnational and organized crime, the JVO endorsed the proposal put forth to analyze the causes and potential solutions for the capacity challenges, including a deeper analysis per country, the results of which will be presented at the next JVO in 2024. The proposal of organizing a conference, with the aim of obtaining clarity about the causes and solutions, including financial aspects of the judicial chain, could also count on support from the four Ministers. The JVO also discussed the progress made in further securing and strengthening regional police cooperation in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom through the Board of Police Chiefs, which consists of the Chiefs of Police of the Police forces of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius). Many of the positive developments coming out of this cooperative body have been made possible by support from the Netherlands and its National Police. The four Ministers of Justice expressed much enthusiasm when they were informed of the encouraging results of the pilot Prosecutor in Training Program at the Public Prosecutors Services in the Caribbean countries. This pilot aims to train more prosecutors that hail from the Caribbean countries. Discussions between the Attorney General and the Ministers in the JVO of 2024 will determine the projects continuation. Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency was first placed on the JVO agenda by Minister Richardson during a previous JVO where it was agreed upon that a working group would be established, to closer study the issue. The advice of the working group to effectively address the issue by not only focusing on repression but also on prevention and doing so with partners in the social domain, healthcare, and judicial domain and through public-private partnerships was endorsed by the Ministers. The Ministers hereby emphasized the importance of providing funds and expertise similar to what is aimed at repressive measures. Under the chairmanship of Minister Richardson, the JVO provided a platform for fruitful discussions, resulting in a signed JVO decision list and constructive plans, and a clear vision going forward. Minister Richardson stated: The commitment of my colleague Ministers and the other stakeholders involved in the JVO, highlights the dedication that we all have towards enhancing law enforcement, crime prevention, and making our communities safer for everyone. With the momentum gained from this JVO, I look forward to making significant strides toward the next JVO that takes place on our beautiful sister island of Curacao in January of 2024. BELVEDERE:--- In an effort to promote proper hygiene among children, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset donated hygiene kits to nine graduating students of the Prins Willem Alexander Primary School (PWAS) on June 7th, 2023. This would be the clubs third year making this much-needed donation to the school. Rotary Sunset received a sponsorship request from the school to assist with providing hygiene essentials for 9 graduating students who will be moving on to secondary school. The school has also embarked on several hygiene sessions to combat the concern of lack of hygiene care among the students. The presentation took place on the premises of PWAS and the donation was accepted by Jina Mamtani-Mahbubani, who is the schools counselor at PWAS. The hygiene kits will be distributed to the students during their school leaving exercise on June 23rd, 2023. The kits include body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, comb/brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, body spray/perfume, lotion, face wipes, sanitary pads, lip balm, razors, shaving cream, and a washcloth. Forming good hygiene practice from a young age can have a positive effect on a childs growth and development. Hygiene refers to good practices that will teach a child how to be independent and boost their confidence and self-esteem. Rotary Sunset is elated to be able to assist in this area as we strive to play a proactive role in the early education and personal hygiene of children, Rotary Sunset President, Kimberley Duzong stated. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset would like to commend the management and staff of the Prins Willem Alexander Primary School for contacting the club and their continued efforts in promoting proper hygiene practices among their student population. The club would also like to congratulate the graduating class of PWAS for their exceptional achievements and wishes them much success in their future endeavors. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Cole Bay at 7:30pm. The club can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the official Facebook page at facebook.com/rotarysxmsunset. Major Alpha Lithium Shareholder Opposes Price and Structure of Tecpetrol Hostile Bid Kyle Stevenson, a strategic advisor and major shareholder of Alpha Lithium Corp. (NEO: ALLI) (OTC: APHLF) (German WKN: A3CUW1), issues an open letter to his fellow shareholders declaring his opposition to the price and structure of Tecpetrol Investments S.L.a?s hostile bid. The full text of the letter is included below: To my fellow shareholders, My name is Kyle Stevenson. I currently own 9,200,000 common shares of Alpha and securities convertible to acquire 1,300,000 additional shares of Alpha. To the best of my knowledge, I am the single largest shareholder of Alpha Lithium. I have been heavily involved in the Argentine lithium exploration and development industry since 2016, when I became President, CEO and a director of Millennial Lithium Corp. We developed the Pastos Grandes lithium brine project in Argentina, approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Alphaa?s Tolillar project. We sold Millennial to Lithium Americas Corp. in 2022, in a transaction valuing Millennial at approximately C$491,000,000. This experience gave me considerable insight into the exploration and development of Argentine lithium brine assets, and their value in strategic M&A transactions. In addition to my Millennial experience, I am familiar with Alpha, its assets, and its management team. I have done business with them in the past, and hope to continue working with them in the future. A In 2019 I had the opportunity to travel to Argentina with management and experience, first-hand, the potential of Tolillar. Since then, I have been impressed by managementa?s ability to add shareholder value, and continue to be impressed by the work theya?ve done in developing Alphaa?s portfolio of assets. I have carefully watched Tecpetrola?s attempt to acquire Alpha from its shareholders. I have reviewed Tecpetrola?s bid circular, as well as Alphaa?s Directorsa? Circular, and it is clear to me that the Tecpetrol bid is wholly inadequate, and I do not intend to tender any of my shares. In my opinion, the Tecpetrol bid is an opportunistic attempt to seize both Alphaa?s Tolillar and Hombre Muerto assets at an indefensible discount to their true value, which I strongly oppose. The bid fails to deliver value to Alphaa?s shareholders, including myself, for two key reasons: The first is the valuation is embarrassingly low for Tolillar alone, and second, Tecpetrol is trying to get all the assets, including Hombre Muerto and over $30 million in cash, for no additional consideration. 1. Inadequate Value a a stink bid by all measures Asset Value: The Tecpetrol bid significantly undervalues the Tolillar asset on its own. As the Alpha team wrote in their Directorsa? Circular, the offer price represents a substantial discount to recent lithium brine transactions in Argentina, including the Millennial Lithium sale we completed in 2022. The confusing discount ignores the value added by the unique features of Alphaa?s Tolillar salar, most notably: Tolillar may be one of the last wholly-owned lithium bearing salars in Argentina, and Tolillar hosts a unique and valuable freshwater reserve.A In addition to the obvious operational advantages that come with exclusive ownership of the entire salar, an independent freshwater recharge study commissioned by Alpha indicated that the freshwater aquifer located within the Tolillar salar mining tenements can sustainably support the large freshwater withdrawals needed for a top tier project (see Alphaa?s press release of January 23, 2023 for more information). Market Value: The bid price of $1.24 represents a ~15% discount to Alphaa?s closing price on Friday, June 23, 2023. When Tecpetrol first announced their intention to bid Alphaa?s share price was steadily climbing, consistent with prevailing trends in Lithium Carbonate Equivalent prices, making their inadequate offer even less appealing. The trading in Alphaa?s shares to a high of $1.45 since the announcement of the bid indicates clearly to me that Ia?m not alone in considering this a atake undera? rather than a atake overa?, which wona?t receive the shareholder support it needs. The unique features of Tolillar make it an incredibly compelling standalone opportunity, and by any measure, worth considerably more than Tecpetrol has offered to pay. 2. Predatory Structure a Tecpetrol wants everything, at a huge discount Assuming Tecpetrol has taken adequate time to familiarize itself with Alpha, they know, or ought to know, that Alpha has at least two distinct and compelling assets: (i) the Tolillar project, and (ii) the roughly 5,000-hectare land position in the world-class Hombre Muerto Salar. For those of my fellow shareholders who have not yet had the opportunity, I would encourage you to review Alphaa?s technical report about its Hombre Muerto asset. Ita?s available under Alphaa?s profile at www.sedar.com. Even prior to the filing of the Hombre Muerto technical report, it would be clear to anyone who had conducted appropriate due diligence on Alpha that its early stage Hombre Muerto asset represents compelling potential for additional shareholder value. Therein lies the second problem with the Tecpetrol bid: for a low-ball price, Tecpetrol wants the de-risked Tolillar project, the discovery potential of the Hombre Muerto asset, and approximately $30 million of capital. Tecpetrol declined to participate in the Tolillar sale process when invited by Alpha, instead deciding to make a hostile bid for the entire company. While I expect Tecpetrol hopes to be able to use the hostile bid as a way to get Tolillar at a discount, shareholders need to understand that the proposed structure would also allow Tecpetrol to also take 100% of the future potential of Hombre Muerto, whatever that may be, for essentially nothing. I put my trust, and capital, behind the team at Alpha to develop Tolillar from a very early stage, and am impressed by the work they have done. I want to bet on this management team again to do the same thing in Hombre Muerto. I strongly encourage Tecpetrol to engage with Alpha in a constructive manner and offer a fair price for Alpha and/or its Tolillar asset. I further encourage them to include a structure which contemplates a spin out of Hombre Muerto along with the working capital necessary to begin to develop its potential for the benefit of all current shareholders of Alpha. Your fellow shareholder, [signed] Kyle Stevenson kyle@blueprintcapital.ca 604.788.0537 Tin the underestimated metal Whether as a solder in electronic products, in hybrid cars, in food cans or in medicine, tin is an important metal. Tin is increasingly becoming a strategic metal. As a result, many governments are looking to establish new production. Young mining companies are getting involved in familiar and less familiar regions to get the metal out of the ground. Not all areas where tin exists, such as Burma or China, are welcome regions for mining companies. Yet the prospects for tin are excellent, because it is part of technological progress. This can also be seen in the development of many a tin share, even in shares where the projects are not yet so far advanced. According to the World Bureau of Metal Statistics, there is a supply deficit in the tin market. This is because decades of low prices have caused a shortage. The deficit is expected to last until 2030. Although eleven new projects will start production by 2030, tin consumption is expected to increase at the same time, so demand will grow faster than supply. Globally, about 50 percent of the tin consumed goes into the production of solders and for bonding printed circuit boards and semiconductors. Electrification and decarbonization are driving tin demand, forecast to grow by three to four percent in the coming years. These are key technologies such as electrical engineering, charging stations, the 5G sector, the Internet of Things, the solar sector and the automotive sector. Those looking to bet on tin can look at Tin One Resources and First Tin. Tin One https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tinone-resources-inc/ owns a high quality portfolio of tin projects in Tasmania and New South Wales, Australia and controls some of the major tin districts there in Tasmania. First Tin https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/first-tin-ltd/ is in the tin business in Australia and in Germany. The projects are at an advanced stage. Corporate information and press releases from First Tin (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/first-tin-plc/ -). In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid. Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998 312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/ BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Today is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld tweeted, Trend reports. "The law enforcement agencies of the UK and Azerbaijan closely cooperate in the fight against drug trafficking across international borders," he said. By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. Pessimistic sentiment on the gold market as an opportunity The gold price has just put in its worst monthly performance since February. But investors can hope. Market sentiment seems to be pessimistic, especially when the price of the precious metal is trading below $1,950 as it is now. This applies to both private investors and Wall Street analysts. It may be that the price of gold will trend even lower in the near future. But at the same time, this may be the best time to enter the gold market to guard against growing recessionary threats. At this time of year is often the best time to enter gold and also silver. The reason for the low gold price is the attitude of the central banks and probably also the dangers of further banking crises that have disappeared from view. Whereby the latter can also manifest themselves again, that is, the danger of new banking crises is not posed. However, if gold and silver continue to fall in price, this will in turn attract new investors who will then jump in. According to a Kitco News Survey, 41 percent of nearly 1,000 analysts polled thought the price of gold would rise again this week, 42 percent foresaw gold prices falling further, and the rest were neutral. Of course, there are also analysts who are extremely positive and point to the long-term protective function of gold. This is more important than short-term opportunity costs. From a chart perspective, a recovery of the gold price to around 1,940 U.S. dollars and then even in the direction of 2,000 U.S. dollars by the end of July is possible. Speculators and investors should therefore not be deterred right now, but take advantage of favorable entry prices. This also applies to the stocks of gold companies such as Fury Gold Mines or Revival Gold. Fury Gold Mines https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/fury-gold-mines-ltd/ owns excellent gold properties in Quebec and Nunavut, is well financed and is working to expand its gold resources. In Idaho, Revival Gold https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/revival-gold-inc/ is working on exploration and development of its Beartrack-Arnett gold property. There will be an updated mineral resource and preliminary feasibility study in a few weeks. Latest corporate information and press releases from Fury Gold Mines (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/fury-gold-mines-ltd/ -). In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid. Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998 312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/ With the river outside the detention centre blood red and the media attention that has come with it, the situation inside the detention centre has not gotten any better either. The passengers at the safe house are getting antsy and want to move to a safer place, while Ben fears for their safety now Angelina is at the detention centre. Steven brings Michaela a visit. He looks worn and tells her that he has been struggling with working again, but due to the recent developments regarding the blood red river, the company he works for is closed until further notice. Just after he gives Michaela a note for TJ through a crack in the wall Steven collapses. While Steven is being attended to by the guards Michaela is taken away back to her bunk. She feels hopeless about the entire situation, she cannot do anything from the inside, and nobody is giving her any information about Steven's condition. Ben tells her to use the calling she had moments before he came in, to get out and do what she needs to do. Angelina is locked up in solitary. Director Zimmer made her a deal she needs to get the missing passengers checked into the detention centre in exchange for her to get out. Director Zimmer wants her to do what Ben warned her about what she could be doing, Ben wants to use the antidote Saanvi used on herself to stop the callings on Angelina. The first missing passenger to turn up at the detention centre is co-captain Amuta, he came to see Captain Daly, who had told him to go to the detention centre. Since Daly has been dead, Ben quickly realises that Angelina was behind it and that director Zimmer might have put her up to this. A side effect of Angelina's projection is the little earthquakes felt at the detention centre. Jared informs Director Zimmer that another passenger had a calling, and she is not too happy about it. Firstly, because of the situation outside the detention centre, and secondly, because it was Michaela who had one which seems convenient after what happened with her dad. Eventually, she agrees to let Jared and Michaela solve the calling, but she cannot afford any mistakes on their part. Upon their arrival at their location, Jared believed Michaela's calling has led them. He wonders if she is faking it because she tells him to wait, which is something she never does. When Drea turns up with a bottle of alcohol, she thinks there is something to celebrate. Michaela has something else in mind. She wants Jared to take out her tracker. When he backs out, Drea steps up and takes it out for her after which she drives around with it for a couple of hours. Eagan catches sight of the note Steven brought for TJ. Eagan hopes it will help him find Angelina. To his surprise, TJ will go with him in search of her at the detention centre. They also enlist the janitor's help to open doors in the facility. Ben has convinced Director Zimmer to let him talk to the press. She is not sure why he wants to do it now, but she is okay with it as long as the media backs off from the detention centre. Ben has a hidden agenda here, he asked Amuta for the code word and tries to warn the missing passengers through his speech to get out of the safe house. What seems peaceful in the beginning escalates when someone throws a stone at Ben, hitting him in the head. Without her tracker, Michaela can move more freely and go to places she otherwise couldn't. They visit her father at the hospital where they learn he had a massive stroke that impacted his speech. Steven will need intensive therapy and full-time care, which will cost a lot of time and money. While Jared offers to take care of it and starts discussing care facilities with her. She doesn't want to hear any of it and wants to take care of Steven. Director Zimmer gets enough information from Angelina to track down the location of the safe house, but upon arrival, it is vacated. Zimmer is pissed and blames Angelina for it. Angelina tells her she kept her part of the deal and threatens Zimmer, that she can also start working against her. As a countermeasure, Zimmer straps Angelina down and brings her to the medical facilities. She orders Saanvi to extract the Omega Sapphire from Angelina's hand. Still hesitant Saanvi starts by making an echo of Angelina's hand after which the Sapphire dissolves into Angelina's bloodstream and they are unable to extract it unless they kill her. With Steven in the back of the car, Jared and Michaela are still debating where to go next. When Michaela gets another calling, recognises the stream near Tariks house. Michaela wants to go there and take care of her father. She doesnt want Jared to give his life up for her, but he keeps insisting, it might be their chance to be together. He tells her he doesnt want to be without her again. When Drea shows back up, she quickly realises Michaela is not going back. She wishes them luck and drops the bottle of liquor with the tracker in the back of a pick-up truck. Ben is still at the medical facilities when Angelina is brought in. While he hides behind the curtain until everyone has left and Saanvi is alone with Angelina he comes out and takes out the antidote to use on Angelina. Saanvi tries to stop him but Ben goes for it. After Angelina is injected with it they are surprised with another earthquake caused by Angelina's screams, causing lots of damage at the detention centre but also knocking all the passengers out. When they wake up, all the passengers have strange burns on their forearms. As Eagan wakes up, he steals the janitor's keycard and goes to Angelina. When he realises he cannot steal the Sapphire back from her, he takes her with and the two of them escape from the detention centre. Fleeing towards the new safe house. After testing her DNA, Saanvi realises the callings are gone. Angelina screamed the callings out of the passengers. Ben doesn't believe it at first, but after it sinks in he realises he just sunk the lifeboat. Later at the lab, TJ shows Olive's note to Saanvi and Ben. He tells them that if Olive is right, nobody is okay. The world card shows a red river. The tested water from the river showed Pessyonella, red algae. although it has spread too fast for natural conditions, unless a volcano erupted under New York, which means the world is ending. Before they can discuss it any further, Saanvi is being transferred by Director Zimmer. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the creation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijani mission to NATO has organized an official reception and photo exhibition at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the Azerbaijan's representation to NATO told Trend. The event was attended by NATO Assistant Secretary General, ambassadors of NATO member countries and partners to the alliance, military representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the international Staff of NATO and the International military staff, high-ranking officials of the Supreme General Staff of the Allied Forces of NATO in Europe (SHAPE), as well as NATO Support and Supply Agencies. Head of the Azerbaijani mission to NATO Jafar Huseynzada and Military representative of the Armed Forces to the military Committee of the alliance, Colonel Aghaverdi Guliyev spoke about the way of creation and development of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, as well as about partnership relations with NATO. The guests were informed about the historical merits of national leader Heydar Aliyev in building an army and developing cooperation with NATO. Thanks to the far-sighted policy of national leader Heydar Aliyev and the successful continuation of this activity by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has one of the strongest armies in the region, which is the most striking indicator of the victory of the Azerbaijani army as a result of the Second Karabakh War of 2020 and the restoration of territorial integrity. In his speech, the head of the mission also drew attention to the multifaceted partnership of Azerbaijan with NATO, the activities within the framework of NATO peacekeeping operations, including operations in Afghanistan, and the contribution to the energy security of Europe. The main speaker from the NATO side was Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee, Lieutenant General Lars Landrum. The NATO representative said that Azerbaijan is a reliable and long-standing partner of the Alliance. He noted that Azerbaijan occupies a leading position in relations with NATO within the framework of political dialogue, military-practical partnership and strengthening military readiness. Landrum also said that the Allied states highly appreciate Azerbaijan's support and contribution to the Alliance's peacekeeping operations, especially in the critical evacuation from International Kabul Airport. In his speech, attention was paid to the possibilities of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO in a number of areas, including on the issue of dialogue in the field of energy security. A ston Martin Lagonda will switch the supplier of key electric vehicle components from Mercedes to Lucid Motors, ending a deal that would have allowed the German colossus to up its stake in the iconic James Bond brand to 20%. Lucid will make powertrain components for Aston Martins electric vehicles, which are set to launch in 2025 and reports claim could cost around 250,000. Lucid will receive 103 million in cash and a 3.7% stake worth 79 million. The FTSE 250 carmaker, which has seen its shares soar this year, had a similar partnership with Mercedes, but today amended that deal. Instead of providing components in exchange for newly issued shares, Mercedes may now discuss future access to technology for cash. Mercedes already owns 9% of Aston Martin Lagonda. Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin, said: "The proposed supply agreement with Lucid is a game changer for the future EV-led growth of Aston Martin. Based on our strategy and requirements, we selected Lucid, gaining access to the industrys highest performance and most innovative technologies for our future BEV products. On the Mercedes deal, Stroll said: This amendment provides clarity and will see both companies continue our long-standing relationship, providing us with access to Mercedes world-class technologies as we bring our new range of breathtaking products to market over the coming years. Franz Reiner, non-executive director and Mercedes-Benz AG Representative, said: "As a long-term shareholder, Mercedes-Benz supports Aston Martins future development as an independent luxury carmaker. Todays revised cooperation agreement is the best of both worlds: It ensures that Aston Martin continues to have access to a wide range of Mercedes-Benz technologies, while at the same time giving the iconic British carmaker the opportunity to explore new opportunities which fit its specific needs. Aston Martin Lagonda shares are up 11.3% today to 364p as the new deal means less dilution . Thats 135% ahead of where they started the year. T he exodus from Canary Wharf into the City picked up speed today, with one of Docklands biggest names becoming the latest to announce property downsizing details to staff. HSBC will leave its skyscraper at 8 Canada Square, moving its London headquarters to a development called Panorama St Pauls, on the site of BTs former premises on Newgate Street. The move is expected to take place in late 2026, ahead of the lease on the 45-storey building expiring in 2017. The St Pauls building will be much smaller with 556,000 sq ft of space, compared with 1.8 million in its current building. As companies retain flexible working patterns adopted in the pandemic, their need for office space has declined with staff operating from home and coming into the office less frequently. It is also easier to attract staff back into the office where there are more cultural attractions and shops for leisure after work. With a slew of leases at Canary Wharf due for renewal, property industry figures have been expecting the trend. It is also likely to involve a lot of refurbishment or fit-out work as offices in Docklands adapt for the changes. Expect fewer banks of desks and more break-out spaces and areas for collaboration. Skadden, an international law firm, ended a 25-year stay in Docklands with a move to Bishopsgate last year. It turned-tail having been one of the first big-name companies to move to Canary Wharf, in 1996. Clifford Chance, also a multinational law company, is leaving its building at 10 Upper Bank Street when its lease expires in 2028. It will move to 2 Aldermanbury Square, in a new development being built by Great Portland Estates between the Guildhall and the Barbican. Chief executive Noel Quinn said he thought going to the office five days a week was unnecessary and its leadership team was often travelling to locations around the world during the week. The decision to move comes after the bank launched a strategic view in September to determine the best future location for its global base in London. HSBC will now ramp up talks on a potential lease at the new site, with plans to move in late 2026. T he entire incident that led to the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence on April 22, 1993, likely lasted no longer than 20 seconds. However, its impact on the capital, our communities and faith in policing has endured for decades and it is not over yet. Today the Metropolitan Police has taken the extraordinary step of naming a major suspect in the murder. Matthew White, who died in 2021 at the age of 50, is now the sixth suspect, following an investigation by the BBC. Five men were arrested in the aftermath of the attack, with two of them, Gary Dobson and David Norris, handed life sentences in 2012 after being found guilty of murder. But these latest revelations raise fresh concerns over the Mets decision three years ago to end its investigation or move it into an inactive phase, in the words of then Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick. The BBC investigation reveals that following the murder, Whites stepfather approached a Met detective, saying he believed a relative of his had been present at the time Lawrence was stabbed to death. Scotland Yard today acknowledged that the relative was subsequently misidentified, calling it a significant and regrettable error. In 2013, White was arrested for a second time but further Crown Prosecution Service advice concluded that no further action should be taken. Then, in 2020, a year prior to his death, White pleaded guilty to an attack on a black employee just a few hundred yards from the site at which Lawrence was killed. The BBC reports the victim was told he would be Stephen Lawrenced. Attuned to incompetence The list of police failings is shocking yet unsurprising. From the botched initial investigation to failures spanning 30 years, taking in credulous officers, a failure to follow evidence and share descriptions. Its little wonder then that Stephens father, Dr Neville Lawrence, told the BBC: They must be able to find a decent police force who could investigate. Londoners have grown attuned to police incompetence and allegations of corruption. To that end, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has placed reform and ridding the Met of hundreds of officers who should never have been in the force in the first place at the centre of his job. But the scale of the challenge, as set out by the Casey Review and now following these revelations, seems to grow larger. Indeed, only in 2020, two decades on from the publication of the Macpherson Report which found the Metropolitan Police guilty of institutional racism, the police watchdog announced it had submitted evidence to the CPS over whether four former police officers, who were in senior roles at various times during the first few weeks of the murder investigation, may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. It is becoming clearer that the Met is some way off from being the force that can be relied upon by all Londoners. Indeed, the problems are, as the Macpherson Report and Casey Review state, institutional. As such, the gulf in trust between police and citizens shows little sign of narrowing. Without the tireless campaigning of his family it is difficult to imagine any sort of justice for Stephen. But the reality is none of this should ever have been necessary. H arrison Ford says he is scared by the prospect of artificial intelligence (AI) being used as a creative tool in the film industry. The veteran Hollywood actor, 80, said the AI techniques used to de-age him in the latest instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise had not been at the expense of live action. Ford returns for the final time as the whip-cracking, globe-trotting archaeologist in Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny, alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen and Toby Jones. Though most of the film is shot in a modern setting, it also contains flashbacks to 1944, when Jones was in his Nazi-fighting prime. Asked about the use of de-ageing techniques at the films London premiere, Ford told the PA news agency: I dont want to be younger, I dont want to be better looking. I just want to tell a story in which it was useful to see Indiana Jones the way we used to see him. He continued: We wanted to see him the way he was in 1944. Well, they were able (to) because Ive worked with Lucasfilm for so many years (and) they have an endless number of images of me, which artificial intelligence used to find the right angle with the right light, so on and so forth. But I acted those scenes, there was nothing creative (about the AI). This did not replace a repetitive task, you know, in a factory. This was like being a librarian its not a creative. He added: What scares me about AI is when it begins to pretend to be a creative opportunity. Ford attended the premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on Monday, and was joined by his fellow cast members. The actor first starred in 1981s Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark, following up with four sequels and has said Dial Of Destiny will be his last. Asked how he felt about being replaced by another actor, of either gender, he told PA: I wouldnt care to tell you the truth. This is the last Indiana Jones movie that Im going to do. Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny will be released in the UK on June 28. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The US European Command welcomes the contribution of the Azerbaijani army to strengthening European security on the Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, the US European Command tweeted, Trend reports. "We salute Azerbaijani forces contributions to enhancing European security," the command said. The formation of the national army, founded during the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic republic in the East, has reached the modern stage on the basis of the principle of historical continuity in a newly independent country. Separate Azerbaijani corps formed the legal basis of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Army on June 26, 1918. B efore she decided to move there Maxine had never even heard of let alone visited the Kent town of Chatham. Luckily this meant that she also didnt have any preconceptions about the rundown former dockyards on the River Medway. Chatham was recently named Britains slobbiest town in a travel guide by Forbes Advisor, which warned that locals main form of exercise was lifting a pint. Maxine, 27, was born and bred in Lewisham and lived with her family as she carved out a career as a freelance writer. Maxine knew she wanted to be by a river / Handout By 2021 she was ready to fly the nest. I wanted my own space and financially I was able to move out, she explained. Her Plan A was to find a room to rent in a flat share locally but, even with a healthy budget of around 750pcm to play with she struggled to find anywhere she could afford, where the division of bills seemed fair, and where she would be permitted to work from home. The fact she is freelance made her flat hunt even harder many agents wouldnt even allow her to register with them. I didnt even try to find somewhere to rent on my own the rents were extortionate, said Maxine, who had the misfortune to be attempting to find a home in the midst of the worst rental crisis in living memory. According to Rightmove rent in the capital hit a record 2,501 pcm in the first three months of this year. And so Maxine began to look for homes further away, honing in in Kent for its good train links to central London and proximity to her family. She found her budget stretched a lot further outside the capital and began looking on flat rental site OpenRent because it allowed her to leapfrog agents and communicate directly with landlords. She went to see her flat in Chatham in May last year, and moved in in July. Her rent for the one bedroom purpose built flat is 740pcm less than the rooms in shared flats she was looking at in London had cost. Maxine is delighted with her smart, peaceful flat, and rates Chatham for its plentiful open space. The town centre is not, she admits, the prettiest. But Lewisham shopping centre is not necessarily the greatest, she said. I was not looking for somewhere which was posh or luxury. I wanted to find a flat I would enjoy living in, in a place with some diversity, which Chatham has got, and ideally close to a river. A legal bid to have the long-delayed extradition hearing of a man suspected of rape in the United States thrown out of court has failed. Nicholas Ross, who allegedly faked his own death to avoid prosecution, continued to deny his identity when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday. The 35-year-old, who arrived at court wearing a legal gown, previously claimed in court to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight but a sheriff ruled last November that he is Nicholas Rossi. Asked by the clerk of court if he was Nicholas Rossi, the accused replied no. His lawyer, Mungo Bovey KC, then moved for the extradition hearing to be scrapped citing a recent decision to move Rossi to a prison south of the border so that English police can question him about an alleged rape there. Mr Bovey argued it would be wrong to press ahead with the hearing then, potentially, set terms for Rossis extradition to the US based on his current medical condition before knowing whether he would be charged in England. He said should charges be brought and proven, then Rossi could end up serving a custodial sentence in England during which his health could deteriorate before being extradited under the terms set in Edinburgh when he was in better health. Mr Bovey said: In my submission we are in an awkward position by reason of a decision apparently made in the Crown Office. Advocate depute Alan Cameron argued the extradition hearing ought to continue, however, saying Mr Boveys argument rested on possibilities. After a lengthy adjournment, sheriff Norman McFadyen decided the hearing should go ahead but added that the subject of Rossi being wanted for questioning in England being raised at its outset was deeply unsatisfactory. Rossi was arrested and detained, while he was being treated for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, in December 2021, in connection with an alleged rape in Utah. It has been alleged Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution. The hearing continues. A n off-duty police officer was caught exposing himself to another colleague on Hampstead Heath. Dariusz Alexander, 49, a detective constable attached to the Roads and Transport Policing Command, was found guilty of outraging public decency at Stratford Magistrates Court on June 22. The court heard that two police officers were patrolling the north London beauty spot on March 18. During the patrol, one of the officers noticed Alexander, who was off duty that day, exposing himself. He was arrested and was suspended from duty with immediate effect. District Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, Peter Alexandrou, said: Alexander exposed himself to an off-duty police officer. His actions caused distress to the victim and there was a high risk that members of the public could have seen him. Everyone has the right to use Londons public spaces and parks without risk of encountering anti-social behaviour. Feeling safe should not be a luxury for the public. The CPS is determined to work with law enforcement agencies to combat all types of sexual harassment and seek justice for victims. Alexander was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge, plus 625 costs and a 26 victim surcharge. A London psychiatrist who helped run a website on the dark web that shared images and videos of children being sexually abused has been jailed. Dr Kabir Garg, 33, was a moderator on a site called The Annex which shared hundreds of child abuse links to around 90,000 members each day. He pleaded guilty to eight charges including facilitating the sexual exploitation of children, three counts each of making and distributing indecent images of children and possession of prohibited images. He was jailed for six years at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday. Officers arrested Garg at his flat in Lewisham in November 2022 as part of a coordinated operation with international partners. At the time of his arrest he had the site open on his laptop and was logged into his moderator account. More than 7,000 images and videos of child abuse were recovered after his electronic devices were seized. Garg also had a number of articles and journals on his laptop on the psychological impact of sexual abuse on children. These had titles such as Puberty and Adolescent Sexuality, A Study on Child Abuse India and Effects and Aftermath of Rape. Adam Priestley, from the National Crime Agency, said: Garg was involved in facilitating child sexual abuse on a significant scale. He used the dark web to access a global community of paedophiles sharing and discussing horrific crimes against children. He then ensured he was such a trusted and respected member that he was invited to become a member of staff, involved in its daily management. This organisation and willingness to enable other offenders raises his criminality to a higher, more appalling level. There are hundreds of thousands of members of such sites on the dark web, but few of them are prepared to commit to being a member of staff, which involves dedicating a lot of time for no payment. As a doctor of psychiatry, he knew full well the devastating impact and trauma that abuse causes children, but this clearly did not deter him. The NCA has the determination and skill to identify the most dangerous offenders who use the dark web in an attempt to hide their identity. We will stop at nothing to ensure they face justice and to protect children from sexual abuse. Members accessed The Annex using Tor, a dark web browser which is estimated to have 1.4 million global users. Around 40 per cent of the total searches facilitated by Tor are for child sexual abuse material. The FBI has also arrested and convicted five men in the US for their involvement in running the site, one of whom has been sentenced to 28 years in prison. A n alleged rapist wanted by US authorities clashed with prosecutors over his identity as he gave evidence on the first day of his trial to determine whether he will be extradited. Nicholas Rossi, 36, continued to claim he was Irish orphan Arthur Knight at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, despite a sheriff deciding he was indeed Rossi last year. Appearing before the court in a black legal gown and a kippah, Rossi told the court he did not receive a crucial document from the National Crime Agency (NCA). It was put to him by advocate depute Alan Cameron that he was lying. Mr Cameron said: The court has heard on another occasion that you are Nicholas Rossi. To which Rossi responded: That is not true. My name is Mr Knight and I would be obliged if you could address me as such. Mr Cameron put it to Rossi that he was lying about his identity which also called his credibility as a witness into question. In a heated response, Rossi said: You are not asking a question, you are suggesting that I am lying about my identity. Sheriff Norman McFadyen intervened and explained to Rossi the prosecutor was putting an allegation to him and was inviting his response. Before Rossi gave his evidence on the matter of the NCA certificate, the court heard from the police officer who served the Interpol red notice and the NCA crime certificate to Rossi in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 14 2021. Police constable Dominic McLarnon was based at the hospital and was given the documents to present to Rossi. The officer said Rossi refused to sign anything but that he had taken the documents from him as well as an execution of service, which Rossi also refused to sign. Pc McLarnon said he wrote a police statement in his notebook following the serving of the documents. Defending Rossi, Mungo Bovey KC put it to Pc McLarnon that he did not, in fact, serve the NCA certificate because there is no record of its receipt. Mr Bovey said there was no record of service of the NCA certificate. Pc McLarnon said: I would have no reason to lie about that. Mr Bovey is arguing that the extradition should be rejected on this matter. Earlier on Monday, Sheriff McFadyen ruled that the week-long hearing would go ahead after Mr Bovey attempted to have it thrown out on the grounds that Rossi may be questioned over allegations of a rape in England. The trial will continue at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday. A man in his 20s was stabbed to death in Nunhead and had his e-bike stolen. Scotland Yard launched a murder investigation after the man was killed near a childrens playground in Nunhead Green, the centre of the south east London suburb. The man, in his 20s, was rushed to hospital by a member of the public shortly after 9.20pm on Sunday. The victim was suffering multiple knife injuries and despite the efforts of hospital staff he died at 9.30am on Monday. Scotland Yard said enquiries into the murder are ongoing and there have been no arrests so far. DCI Laurence Smith from the Mets Specialist Crime Command said: We are in the very early stages of this investigation and my team are working diligently to piece together the events that led to this man losing his life. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Nunhead Green at around 9.20pm on Sunday night and who saw any of this incident to get in contact. You may have information that could prove vital to this investigation. DCS Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing in Southwark and Lambeth added: I understand the concern that this incident will cause among the local community; another young man has lost his life to knife crime on our streets. You will see an increased police presence in the Peckham area over the coming days. This will include local community engagement officers who are there to listen and act on any concerns from our communities. Any witnesses are asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 7706/25Jun. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A murder investigation has been launched after a teenager was pulled out of a canal in north-west London with a stab wound. Police were called to the Grand Union Canal by Scrubs Lane following reports of a stabbing at 5.45pm on Sunday. A 17-year-old boy was pulled from the water. Despite the efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead at 6.10pm A crime scene remains in place. His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. No arrests have been made in the murder investigation launched after the incident, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD5828/25June. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. S cotland Yard is facing fresh calls to reopen the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation over the bungled handling of information about a sixth suspect in her sons murder. It came as the teenagers mother Baroness Doreen Lawrence expressed anger that no police officers have faced action over the failings. Baroness Lawrence said the man accused of leading the group of attackers towards her son, named as Matthew White by the BBC on Monday, avoided capture because of failings by police. Stephen was 18 when he was murdered by a group of five or six racist attackers in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. In a statement through her solicitor, Baroness Lawrence said: What is infuriating about this latest revelation is that the man who is said to have led the murderous attack on my son has evaded justice because of police failures and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action. She went on: The failure to properly investigate a main suspect in a murder case is so grave that it should be met by serious sanctions. Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen. Matthew White has been named by the BBC as a sixth suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence / The names of five suspects have long been publicly linked with the case, but there were always accounts of a sixth, fair-haired attacker. Two men have been convicted of the murder - Gary Dobson and David Norris, who were jailed for life in 2012 at the end of a trial that hinged on tiny traces of forensic evidence. The three remaining suspects are brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, who have since served jail time for drug dealing, and Luke Knight, who has remained free. Barrister Michael Mansfield, who has worked for the Lawrences, insisted it was still possible to put the remaining suspects on trial 30 years after the killing. One witness said White had admitted he was present and named others in the racist attack and other evidence could still be used against them, the barrister said.Mr Mansfield told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that White should have been and could have been charged before his death in 2021. Det Ch Insp Andy George, president of the National Black Police Association, said there was certainly a case to reopen the investigation into the murder. I dont think it should have ever been closed and I think its a stain on the Metropolitan Police that it was, he told LBC News. I think it needs to be taken on by an external force and it needs to be looked at by them. Somebody else needs to come in now, and not only review it but follow on with those investigative lines. Tory MP Sir Peter Bottomley, who represented Eltham at the time of the murder, told Radio 4 the BBC investigation showed the crime would have been solved within hours if the police had given proper attention to the eyewitness evidence from Duwayne Brooks, Stephens friend who was at the scene of the racist murder. Mr Brooks, who gave police a description of the lead attacker which resembled White, said: I never received the basics of support because of my skin colour. Police forces and other criminal justice agencies need to know that their treatment of victims and witnesses must be at minimum what is set out in the victims code. The Metropolitan Police said White was arrested twice over the murder, but on both occasions there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. A BBC investigation claims that White had a central role in the attack on Stephen, running ahead of the others towards the teenager. His stepfather, Jack Severs, who died in 2020, told a police officer not involved in the case that White had admitted being present that night. But Mr Severs was misidentified by the murder investigation team because White had two different stepfathers a failure the Met called a significant and regrettable error. Then-senior investigating officer Brian Weeden had also planned to meet White and his stepfather but this never took place, the BBC said. Another witness also told police that White had admitted being involved in the attack. It was 20 years before Mr Severs was spoken to by a detective investigating the murder, Clive Driscoll, the officer who finally brought Dobson and Norris to justice nearly two decades after they murdered Stephen. White was first arrested over the murder in March 2000 and again in December 2013 but, on both occasions, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence, the Metropolitan Police said. He was spoken to again in February 2020 but there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress any further before he died in August 2021. A Met spokesman said: In August 2020 we confirmed that the active investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence had reached the stage where all identified lines of enquiry have been completed, and the investigation would be moving to an inactive phase. That remains the case to date. However, no murder investigation is ever closed and any new information that comes to light will be assessed. Stephens murder will be subject to periodic review to see if matters can be progressed with the passage of time and advances in technology and forensic work. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: The impact of the deep-rooted institutional and racially-driven failings in the Stephen Lawrence investigation are still being felt in our communities. Police reform is a critical part of my mayoralty. I will not be satisfied until Londoners have the police service they deserve. In a statement prompted by the BBC investigation, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct directed the National Crime Agency to investigate whether corruption played a part in the failure to bring anyone to justice for nearly 20 years. It passed a final file of evidence linked to four former officers to the Crown Prosecution Service in June 2021 and is awaiting a charging decision. The CPS said more information has been provided at its request in the two years since the file was received. The former officers have always denied any wrongdoing. In 1999 the damning Macpherson Report on the murder and its aftermath found that the Met was institutionally racist. A major suspect in the murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence has been named by the Met Police. Matthew White, who died in 2021 at the age of 50, has been named as the sixth suspect in the Mets probe, following an investigation by the BBC. Mr Lawrence was brutally killed in a racist attack by a group of six white teenagers as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, on the evening of April 22, 1993. Mr Lawrence, who was 18 at the time, didnt know his killers and they didnt know him. Five men were arrested following the attack. Two of them, Gary Dobson and David Norris, were handed life sentences in 2012 after being found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey. The other suspects arrested were publicly named as Luke Knight, and brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt. The information regarding White raises fresh concerns over the Mets decision to cease its investigation into the murder three years ago. White's appearance at the time of the murder resembled witness descriptions of an unidentified attacker / The BBC investigation revealed Whites stepfather approached a Met detective following the murder, saying he believed a relative of his had been present when Mr Lawrence was killed. The officer passed this on to the homicide team, but it was two decades before the lead was investigated. Mr Lawrences mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, on Monday slammed the Met and said it was infuriating White evaded police, while she called for officers responsible for the failings to be sanctioned. The failure to properly investigate a main suspect in a murder case is so grave that it should be met by serious sanctions, she told the BBC. Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen. In a statement released on Monday, the Met said White was arrested on two occasions - in 2000 and 2013 - but that prosecutors said on both occasons there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence. The Met said: In 2000, White was arrested and interviewed under caution following the receipt of new information from a new witness. He denied any involvement in the murder. In May 2005, prosecutors advised that there was no realistic prospect of conviction of White for any offence. Following the 2012 convictions of Gary Dobson and David Norris, a seven-year post conviction investigation was undertaken. In 2013 it was discovered that in 1993, a Met officer who was not involved in the investigation team sent a message regarding a relative of White who may hold information. The relative was not named and was subsequently misidentified. This was a significant and regrettable error. It was not until 2013 that the correct relative was identified and the new information obtained. In December 2013, White was arrested for the second time, based on this new information. In October 2014, a further CPS advice file concluded that no further action should be taken. White was spoken to by the Met for a final time in February 2020, but the force said there was insufficient witness or forensic evidence to progress further, and White died in August 2021. Later that year, the investigation was placed into and remains in an inactive phase. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said on Monday: The impact of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and subsequent inquiries continues to be felt throughout policing. Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and the impact of them continues to be seen. On the 30th anniversary of Stephens murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised for our failings and I repeat that apology today. Last month, the Met commissioned a routine forensic review of key evidence, to consider whether cutting-edge scientific techniques could help advance the case. Loading.... In 2020, police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct announced that it had submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether four former police officers, who were in senior roles at various times during the first few weeks of the murder investigation, may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office. S arah, Duchess of York has revealed she is recovering from an operation after being diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram. Here, the PA news agency looks into who can get a mammogram and what happens. What is a mammogram? A mammogram is a breast x-ray which looks for signs of cancer, according to the charity Breast Cancer Now. How can I get a mammogram? Patients can receive a mammogram to look for cancer that may be too small to see or feel as part of breast screening. Women aged between 50 and 71 are automatically invited for breast screening through their GP practice every three years. Those over the age of 71 can continue to have breast screening every three years by contacting their local screening unit through the NHS website or through their GP. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be, reducing the risk of more extensive surgery. Women may also be referred to a breast clinic for a mammogram by their GP if they have symptoms or a breast change that requires investigating. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast, the NHS website states. Women are advised to see their GP if they experience a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast, a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts or fluid discharge from either nipple. Other symptoms include a lump in either armpit or a change in the skin of the breasts, including puckering, scaly or itchy skin, crusting or a rash. How can women check their own breasts? As it is possible for breast cancer to develop in the three years between each mammogram, it is important for women to check their breasts regularly for any signs of cancer, according to the charity Breast Cancer Now. The NHS Breast Screening Programme recommends that women know what is normal for them, to look at their breasts and feel them, to know what symptoms to look for and to report any changes to a GP without delay. To check the breasts, the NHS website recommends looking at them and feeling each breast and armpit up to the collarbone. It may be easier to do this in the shower or bath. Women can also look at their breasts in the mirror both with their arms raised and by their sides. What happens during a mammogram? During a mammogram, a female doctor asks the patient to remove their clothes from the waist up and stand in front of the mammogram machine. The breasts are placed one at a time on the x-ray machine and images of each breast are taken. The scan itself should only take a few minutes, while the whole appointment should take about half an hour, according to the NHS website. The results of the mammogram are sent by post to the patient and their GP. According to Breast Cancer Now, around 4% of women are called back to a breast clinic after routine screening for more tests. While most women recalled will not have breast cancer, the follow-up appointment may involve a breast examination, further scans such as a mammogram or an ultrasound or a biopsy where a small sample of tissue is taken. Breast cancer facts and figures Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, and about one in seven women are diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, according to the NHS website. More than 80% of breast cancers occur in women over 50 and the risk continues to increase with age. Mammograms are not often used in women under 40 as younger women have denser breast tissue, which can make the x-ray image less clear and changes harder to identify, according to Breast Cancer Now. However, for women with a family history of breast cancer, UK guidelines recommend they should start having screening mammograms every year in their forties. Screening prevents an estimated 1,300 deaths from breast cancer each year in the UK, according to Breast Cancer Now. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has transported the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan's Karabakh to Armenia through the border checkpoint in Azerbaijan's Lachin, Trend reports. The Armenian side has repeatedly made false statements about the emergence of a humanitarian crisis against Armenians living in Karabakh, especially after the provocations that resulted in the injuring of an Azerbaijani serviceman at the Lachin border checkpoint, after which Baku's official decision to close the checkpoint followed. However, what is happening in this area shows that the road is not closed for humanitarian purposes, contrary to the claims of the Armenian side. In order to prevent the transportation of manpower, ammunition, mines, as well as other military equipment from Armenia for illegal Armenian armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan (which weren't withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war), and as an adequate response to the unilateral establishment of a checkpoint by Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan on April 22 at the entrance to the Lachin-Khankendi road contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, on April 23 at 12:00 (GMT+4), the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan set up a border checkpoint in its sovereign territories, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road. On June 15, 2023, at 08:45 (GMT +4), as a result of opening fire from the territory of Armenia, a serviceman of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan Elshan Rustamov, who served at the Lachin checkpoint, was injured. T he leaders of seven major environmental organisations have written to Rishi Sunak, urging him to support the expansion of Londons Ultra low emission zone (Ulez). The letter, sent as the city marks Climate Action Week, warns the prime minister that resisting the expansion of the Ulez will harm Londoners, particularly the capitals children. Included among its authors are the chief executives of groups like Greenpeace, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, and the think tank Green Alliance. They argue the expansion is vital to take the action we need to improve our environment and public health. It is the third major letter in less than a month calling on Mr Sunak to support the Ulez expansion, after some 36 scientists wrote to him, followed by a group of more than 200 doctors and hospital workers. The Ulez, which requires non-compliant vehicles to pay a 12.50 daily charge, is expanding on August 29 to cover the whole of Greater London. Mr Sunak has repeatedly said he is against the expansion, telling MPs earlier this month: While we are getting on providing significant support to families with the cost of living, the Labour Mayor of London is busily putting it up, imposing the Ulez charge against the overwhelming views of residents and businesses. The other organisations who have put their names to this latest letter to Mr Sunak are Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), ClientEarth, the Climate Coaltion, and the Wildlife and Countryside Link. Responding to one of the previous letters on the topic sent to Mr Sunak, a spokesperson at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), said: While local authorities have a responsibility to tackle air quality in their areas, the Government has delivered significant improvements in air quality at a national level since 2010, with emissions of fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides down by 10 per cent and 45 per cent respectively but we recognise there is more to do. Our Environmental Improvement Plan sets out how we will drive down emissions from domestic burning, agriculture, transport and industry, while the Air Quality Strategy sets out our expectations of local councils to improve air quality for their residents. Together, these measures will support progress towards our legally binding targets and deliver cleaner air for all." B en Wallace has appeared to further play down his prospects of emerging as Nato chief in the future, after ruling himself out of the race to replace Jens Stoltenberg. The Defence Secretary had already ruled himself out of the running to replace the outgoing Nato secretary general, telling The Economist last week its not going to happen and there are a lot of unresolved issues in Nato. There had been speculation Mr Wallace could emerge as a leading contender to take on the key defence job. Earlier in the month, US President Joe Biden said he would support a Nato leader from the UK when he met with Rishi Sunak at the White House. Mr Biden had indicated that Mr Wallace was a very qualified individual, but it remains to be seen who will get the job. But speaking at the Rusi conference on Monday, the Defence Secretary seemed to suggest that a switch to Nato was not on the horizon in the short or even medium-term. Giving a very brief answer, he said: I am not going to be doing it this year, next year or the year after. It is for others to take up that job. S uella Bravermans plan to house asylum seekers on barges was branded unworkable as she missed her own target for the first vessel to be in place. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, which will house around 500 people, is not yet in Portland Port, Dorset despite Mrs Braverman promising MPs it would be in the dock a week ago. The barge is currently in Falmouth, Cornwall for checks, maintenance and refurbishment work. On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary told the Commons we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise. Bravermans plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this governments asylum policy. The Home Secretary needs to get her priorities straight. She should focus instead on tackling the backlog of asylum cases created by her governments sheer incompetence, which has created the need for this plan in the first place. The Home Secretary wants to use barges and sites including converted military bases to house asylum seekers and reduce the 6 million daily cost of hotel accommodation while people await a decision on their status. The Bibby Stockholm was the first barge secured under the plan, but its journey to Portland will now take place in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office. Within weeks of its arrival, the first group of asylum seekers are expected to be placed on board, building up in phases to its eventual capacity of 500. A Home Office spokesman said: The pressure on the asylum system has continued to grow and requires us to look at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels. This is why we will be using alternative accommodation options, such as barges, which are more manageable for communities, as our European neighbours are doing. We are continuing to work extremely closely with Dorset and Portland councils, as well as the local NHS and police services, to manage any impact in Portland and address the local communities concerns, including through substantial financial support. T he capacity of UK health systems to deal with a pandemic was more of an issue than organisational reforms before the Covid-19 outbreak, an expert has said. Professor Dame Jenny Harries, who was deputy chief medical officer from 2019 to 2021 and is now chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry that a number of changes created uncertainty, but she did not consider that to be the main issue. Asked whether structural reforms, such as the creation of Public Health England (PHE) in 2013, had an impact on pandemic preparedness, Dame Jenny said there definitely was uncertainty. She added: In fact, weve submitted a number of papers where different parts of the system have tried to work proactively to recognise different roles and responsibilities. My feeling is that the overall issue is more to do with capacity, rather than roles and responsibilities That said, weve also put forward in the evidence a survey which suggests actually that people do understand them. So my feeling is that the overall issue is more to do with capacity, rather than roles and responsibilities. The former regional director and deputy medical director of PHE also answered questions about the organisations funding in the years leading up to the pandemic. She said the body had seen a real-terms funding cut of 40% in 2019/20 compared with 2013/14, adding: Not only was the grant in aid dropping, but the costs were going up. The organisation, therefore, in order to sustain itself, became very dependent on its earned income. It has absolutely brilliant scientists, and it can generate some income. But by the end of this period, my view would be that rather than having a system that was a critical system for the UK founded on a substantial grant that could maintain it, it was trying to pedal fast to keep up generating income and often using its scientists to do that rather than perhaps strengthen the wider health protection system. It stands to reason that we would have built the different set of responses and plans had the risk that we were dealing with been a Covid risk Dame Jenny was questioned about the UKs 2011 flu pandemic preparedness strategy. She said the flu plan was actually pretty good but it was missing a sensitivity analysis. Dame Jenny explained: It doesnt do the bits that says, well, what if this flu virus had a longer incubation period, or this flu virus transmitted asymptomatically for 50% of cases? So the actual sort of structures of the pathways, whether its a new virus or not, feel OK to me. But thats the bit thats missing at a national level. Dame Jenny said that would have allowed for consideration of planning for more asymptomatic transmission, or a containment phase. Earlier, Emma Reed, director of emergency response and health protection at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) since 2018, told the inquiry there was no strategy document before Covid for anything other than a flu pandemic. We know that we went into the pandemic with a significant shortage; about 50,000 nurses short before we went into the pandemic When asked if the DHSC would have been better prepared for a pandemic if its reasonable worst-case scenario was closer to the realities of Covid, Ms Reed said: I think it stands to reason that we would have built the different set of responses and plans had the risk that we were dealing with been a Covid risk. Rosemary Gallagher, professional lead infection prevention and control at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), told the hearing the UK entered the pandemic with a shortage of about 50,000 nurses. She said: We know that we went into the pandemic with a significant shortage; about 50,000 nurses short before we went into the pandemic. And therefore that immediately put us put us at risk when we needed to surge capacity to support patients who were infected either at home or in hospitals. She agreed with former chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies that there was an underestimation regarding some diseases and too much focus on flu. She also agreed there was groupthink over flu, as described by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his evidence to the inquiry last week. Ms Gallagher also pointed to inadequate consideration given to the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) tight-fitting masks designed to protect healthcare workers from diseases like Covid-19. A Conservative MP has apologised for attending an event in Parliament while Covid restrictions were still in place. The Guido Fawkes website reported that Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, was the co-host of an alleged drinks event on December 8 2020, with the site quoting a WhatsApp message from Baroness Jenkin describing the event as joint birthday drinks to mark the pair turning 54 and 65 respectively. The event came under the spotlight when Boris Johnson lashed out at the Privileges Committee ahead of its damning report into his conduct, and accused Sir Bernard Jenkin of monstrous hypocrisy for allegedly attending the event with his wife. Ms Crosbie confirmed the event took place but said she had not sent out any invitation. Regarding reports of an event held on 8th December 2020 I would like to set out the facts, she said in a statement. The invitation for this event was not sent out by me. I attended the event briefly, I did not drink and I did not celebrate my birthday. I went home shortly after to be with my family. I apologise unreservedly for a momentary error of judgment in attending the event. Ms Crosbie is a former parliamentary private secretary to ex-health secretary Matt Hancock. M inisters could spend 169,000 on every asylum seeker forcibly removed to a third country such as Rwanda, according to the Home Offices own estimates. Nearly two in five people would need to be deterred from crossing the Channel in small boats for the Illegal Migration Bill to break even, the economic impact assessment published on Monday said. Judges will hand down their judgment on the stalled Rwanda policy on Thursday as the Government desperately battles to fulfil its promise to stop the boats. Last year 45,755 people were detected to have made the perilous journey. The Home Office document said the policy of relocating migrants to safe third countries could save between 106,000 and 165,000 per person. However, it said the figures are highly uncertain and that the measures would need to deter 37% of people from crossing for the costs to be recouped. The 169,000 cost includes flights and detention, as well as a 105,000 per person payment to third countries. The sum is an estimate not based on the true cost of the commercially sensitive Rwanda scheme. Despite Government efforts, Kigali is the only capital to have agreed to such a scheme with the UK. Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for Parliament to support her legislation, arguing that the assessment shows that doing nothing is not an option. We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer, she said. I urge MPs and Peers to back the Bill to stop the boats, so we can crack down on people smuggling gangs while bringing our asylum system back into balance. The document said that the asylum system could cost 32 million a day by the end of 2026 if recent trends continue without the reduction of hotel usage. The assessment said that it is not possible to estimate with precision the level of deterrence the Bill will have. It noted that academic consensus is there is little to no evidence that policy changes deter people leaving their home countries and seeking refuge. Instead, shared language, culture and family ties were accepted to be strong factors influencing choice of final destination. The document said evidence from a variety of countries such as Australia gives a stronger basis to think a policy change in the UK could have an impact. But it acknowledged asylum seekers may not be aware of UK law when making their journeys and may push on regardless because they consider the benefits to be larger than the risks. The assessment process does not consider the potential cost of making further agreements to expand the scheme beyond Rwanda, while noting that its estimates for the cost of third-party schemes was based on an National Audit Office study of the cost of the UKs Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme. It should not be considered to represent the actual cost of any current or future relocation agreement with a third country, the assessment notes. The Refugee Council, which criticised the assessment, pointed in particular to the assumption that individuals will spend on average four years in the asylum system. Chief executive Enver Solomon said the document fails to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the Bill. He added: It does very little to predict the actual cost of implementing the Bill, and offers no estimates of the number of arrivals after the Bill becomes law. The Home Office admits in this assessment that it does not know how much of a deterrent effect the Bill will actually have, yet it still relies on this assumption to claim financial savings will be made. The assessments predictions of future costs if the Bill is not implemented assume no improvements to decision-making efficiency, accommodation costs, or broader system enhancements. The reality is that making quicker decisions remains the most effective way to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the impact assessment a complete joke. By its own admission, this failing Conservative government is totally clueless on how much this Bill will cost or what the impact of any of its policies will be. They are taking the country for fools, the Labour MP said. The few figures the Home Office has produced show how chaotic and unworkable their plans are. The document came as Ms Bravermans plan to house asylum seekers on barges was branded unworkable as she missed her own target for the first vessel to be in place. The Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, which will house around 500 people, is not yet in Portland Port, Dorset, despite Mrs Braverman promising MPs it would be in the dock a week ago. The barge is currently in Falmouth, Cornwall, for checks, maintenance and refurbishment work. On Monday June 5, the Home Secretary told the Commons we will see an accommodation barge arrive in Portland within the next fortnight. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: This seems to be another case of Home Office policy by press release that is failing to materialise. Bravermans plan for a barge on the Dorset coast is an unworkable plan that is wasting time and money, much like all of this Governments asylum policy. The Home Secretary wants to use barges and sites including converted military bases to house asylum seekers and reduce the 6 million daily cost of hotel accommodation while people await a decision on their status. The Bibby Stockholm was the first barge secured under the plan, but its journey to Portland will now take place in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office. T he Government should bring forward draft legislation after the summer break that would allow sanctioned Russian assets to be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Labour has said. The party will use a Commons opposition day motion that would call on ministers to present a Bill before this House within 90 days to allow frozen Russian state assets held in the UK to be repurposed for Ukraines recovery. The debate comes the week after London played host to the UK Recovery Conference, which was attended by officials, dignitaries and ministers from around the world and saw discussion of how to secure and support the reconstruction of Ukraines economy and society. World leaders have backed the principle of Russia being forced to pay for the destruction caused by its invasion of Ukraine. Labour is urging the Government to use the summer recess to bring forward a more detailed plan on how that principle can be put into practice. The European Commission is considering how frozen and immobilised Russian assets could be used to help fund Ukraines recovery, but such plans are not straightforward and could prove legally complex. Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said: Sixteen months after Putins invasion, Ukraine has been left with mass graves, cities turned to rubble and vital infrastructure destroyed. It is only right that the Russian state is made to pay for the destruction it has created. The UK has been united in its support of Ukraine and last week provided leadership by hosting the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in London. The next stage of our support must be to put in place the laws needed to seize Russian state assets to pay for Ukraines recovery. A ctor Sir Mark Rylance has said he originally opted to take a distilled garlic solution instead of the Covid vaccine as for him, being told to have the jab caused alarm bells to ring. Sir Mark, 63, told the Sunday Times: I was not convinced I needed it. I took a very distilled garlic solution every morning, and vitamin C, and I sailed through Jerusalem. He added that he eventually had the jab so he could visit his dad in America. The actor reprised his role as Johnny Rooster Byron in Jez Butterworths Jerusalem last year to widespread critical acclaim. Often labelled the best stage actor of his generation, Sir Mark is rehearsing for Dr Semmelweis, a play he co-wrote, which opens in the West End at the end of this month after a successful run at the Bristol Old Vic. Sir Mark Rylance pictured with his wife Claire van Kampen in 2022 / AFP via Getty Images The play is about a 19th-century Hungarian doctor who is driven mad by the medical establishments refusal to listen to him about the importance of sanitation in preventing the spread of germs. Sir Mark told the Sunday Times that the play acts as a warning not to take the overweening scientific establishment at its word, particularly since the pandemic. Speaking about the response to coronavirus, he added: Science started to sound like a religion. And really science is no different than religion, just an attempt by men to describe reality. The Oscar-winning star of Steven Spielbergs Bridge Of Spies also admitted being sceptical about the benefits of chemotherapy. He told the paper about a friend who broke up the cells of a tumour using vibrations from a Tibetan sound bowl. Mark Rylance eventually opted to get vaccinated so he could visit his dad in America / Getty Images for ZFF He said: The body knows how to heal itself. We dont need to go in and bombard it with poison. Its like bombing a city to try and get rid of a little sect of terrorists. You may wipe them all out, but youre going to breed 25 or 30 [more]. Speaking about Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Olivier Award-winning actor laid much of the blame on Nato for moving in on the Russians and suggested the West has never taken Russias wartime sacrifices seriously enough. He said: Look how vulnerable your Jewish people are having lost six million the Russians lost 26 to 40 million people killing fascism in Europe. We didnt do it. The Americans didnt do it. We stood back until the Russians had really knocked the shit out of them. And yet all my life, have we ever celebrated and thanked the Russians for dealing with fascism? No, weve just glorified ourselves. Of course the people will fall for a dictator like Putin and believe his narrative because of the way weve behaved. Sir Mark also defended Jeremy Corbyn, saying he cant believe the former Labour leader was labelled antisemitic. He told the Sunday Times: His record to me was clear: he was always only interested in society and socialism and people getting on. The actor, who served as the first artistic director of The Globe Theatre in London between 1995 and 2005, also cast doubt on the authorship of Shakespeares plays. It comes after the publication of Shakespeare Was A Woman And Other Heresies, a book by US author Elizabeth Winkler, which suggests Mary Sidney, the sister of poet Philip Sidney, was probably involved in the publication of the plays. Sir Mark said: So the question of, was Mary Sidney or other women involved, I think its a very, very reasonable, rational question. T he Prince of Wales on Monday revealed he was excited to launch his five-year project to end homelessness and admitted he has been mulling over his campaign for the past decade. William, 41, announced the London Borough of Lambeth as the first of six locations that will pilot his Homewards campaign to convene experts to find local solutions to prevent homelessness. The Prince spoke with members of the Homewards coalition and members of the public who use Mosaic Club House, in Brixton, which exists to break the link between mental health and homelessness in Lambeth. William said: Im really excited to see what we can do together. The next five years there is a lot to do. Build on the good work you guys are already doing and hope we can collaborate more, convene more, scale more, and hopefully see where we are in five years time. Thank you for everything you have done so far to be part of the solution in this process and to pick your brains, your knowledge and experience, and understand what really matters in Lambeth and find locally led solutions here and achieve what we want to do, that is my ambition. He added: I also want to reframe some of the narrative. I feel a lot of you have been doing this for a lot longer than me, the time is right now to really go for it. As long as Ive got the backing of you guys. The Prince of Wales pictured during Mondays visit / PA He also spoke for collaboration and opening up to the private sector. Speaking to locals who use the centre, he described how he developed Homewards, saying: Its been two year of actually constructing it and ten years of thinking about it, so I cant believe we are finally here. And he called for competition between London boroughs to find ways to end homelessness. He joked: There is a method to my madness. Responsible competition. This makes everyone raise their game, he added. William also warmly greeted Big Issue salesman Dave Martin, 61, who the prince helped sell copies on London streets last year. He said: Its really personal to him. His mother took him to The Passage and thats where he first experienced homelessness. Mr Martin also spoke about Williams private visit on his birthday last June to see Dave on his patch in Hammersmith to share a cake and have a chat. Mr Martin said: He didnt want any coverage and that is why I think he is genuine. Lucy Hastings, chairman of Mosaic, said: Its amazing, so delighted that he starts here as its not just about homelessness but about supporting the individual. He was also given a lesson in latte decoration by Old Spike, which is a social enterprise which trains homeless people as baristas. And was stunned when he recognised Tavernia Ried making him a brew. William pointed and said: I know you, where do I know you from Delighted Tavernia replied that she lives at Reuben House, in Peckham, south-east London, which William opened on July 13. The Prince of Wales uses a lathe during a visit to Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth, Dorset, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness / PA The Prince of Wales then delivered his first speech on Homewards to invited guests in the centres back garden. He said: Good morning everybody. I am personally delighted to be with you all here today in this beautiful garden at the Mosaic Clubhouse, such a cornerstone of the Lambeth community. It has been inspiring to hear about the vital work you are doing to break the link between mental health challenges and homelessness. After so many years in the making, today is the day we launch Homewards a transformative five-year programme that will demonstrate that it is possible to end homelessness. My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11 with my mother. The visits we made, left a deep and lasting impression. I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heart-breaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home. Through these visits, I have seen first-hand the breadth and complexities of homelessness. A personal thank you to people such as Dave Wilson, who is here today and who gave me an induction in selling The Big Issue last summer... And also to the fantastic teams at my patronages, Centrepoint and The Passage, who have really helped me to understand not just their own work, but the tremendous impact of the sector more widely. I know that great strides have been made, with success stories proving that progress is possible. Here in the UK, there is a strong tradition of collaboration between local authorities and the voluntary sector, and it is exciting to see social enterprises providing opportunities to people at risk of homelessness. I am also encouraged by international examples, like Finland, that have shown that deep collaboration across the public, private and third sector, backed by a long-term commitment, can put places on a path to ending homelessness. So, I am pleased to stand here today to officially at the start of our path to ending homelessness. Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good. I am delighted to be at the beginning of that journey launching Homewards here in Lambeth. Lambeth will become part of a network of six flagship Homewards locations across the UK, all committed to creating and delivering a plan to prevent homelessness in their areas. They will all put collaboration at the heart of the response, forming locally led coalitions of committed people, organisations and businesses. Their in-depth knowledge of the specific issues and requirements of their local areas will drive forward the work. And we will be here to support you. Bringing together an unprecedented network of individuals and organisations with expertise, resources, and the commitment to end homelessness. We will support you to deliver sustainable change and I am so grateful to you all for joining us on this journey. Through Homewards, we will demonstrate that together we can finally end homelessness. Thank you. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Washington may last several days, Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada told Trend. "The meeting will start tomorrow. There is a possibility that the negotiations will continue for several days. The main topic is the peace agreement," he said. On June 26, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, went on a working visit to the US. During the visit, bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken, as well as another round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the draft peace agreement are scheduled. S arah, Duchess of York has undergone an operation after being diagnosed with breast cancer, her spokesman has revealed. The 63-year-old discovered she had an early form of the disease during a routine mammogram. She reportedly left the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, central London which has treated the royal family for decades, on Sunday and is said to be recovering with her family at Windsor. Before going to hospital, she spoke about her diagnosis on her new podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, which is released on Monday. It was reportedly recorded before her operation and had been due to air on Thursday, before being put off until after she was discharged. A spokesman for the duchess said: Sarah, Duchess of York was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening. She was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully. The duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family. The duchess wants to express her immense gratitude to all the medical staff who have supported her in recent days. She is also hugely thankful to the staff involved in the mammogram which identified her illness, which was otherwise symptom free, and believes her experience underlines the importance of regular screening. The Sun reported that the Duke of York, 63, and their daughters Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Euegnie, 33, are by her side as she recovers. The grandmother-of-three was not at Royal Ascot earlier this week as she was being treated in hospital. The duchess is a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust and spoke at a Breast Cancer Foundation gala in 2019. Beatrice was spotted with friends at Glastonbury on Sunday, the final day of the festival, and was at Royal Ascot earlier this week. That the duchesss breast cancer was identified early via mammogram is testament to the importance of breast screening Ann OFlynn, head of information and support at the charity Macmillan Cancer Support, said: Were saddened to hear of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of Yorks, recent breast cancer diagnosis. We know that hearing the words youve got cancer can turn peoples worlds upside down in a heartbeat. She said Macmillan does whatever it takes to support everybody living with cancer, from the moment theyre diagnosed with a support line, web chat service and online community forums available. Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at charity Breast Cancer Now, said: We send our best wishes and support to the duchess, her family and anyone affected by this news. Nothing can prepare you for the shock of hearing the words you have breast cancer, and sadly every 10 minutes one woman in the UK experiences this. That the duchesss breast cancer was identified early via mammogram is testament to the importance of breast screening. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed the more likely treatment is to be successful, and we encourage women to attend their routine screening appointments when invited. Breast Cancer Nows free helpline is available on 0808 800 6000. S econdary schools are failing to provide adequate careers guidance, with many children leaving school with no confidence in their abilities and underestimating their value, MPs have been told. Experts are calling for an overhaul of the careers education system, saying young people are not being given enough information about non-academic options such as vocational qualifications and apprenticeships. It comes as the Commons education committee is set to publish its inquiry into the effectiveness of careers advice. The review is expected to criticise the system of careers education, information, advice and guidance, and set out a new plan for the future. Capital City College Group, which is the largest further education provider in London and trains more than 25,000 students a year, told MPs there was a postcode lottery in the standard of careers advice schools are providing. In written evidence submitted to the inquiry, the college group said: Working with secondary school leavers strongly indicates that many schools provide insufficient careers and skills guidance. The college group said school careers advisers are overstretched, underpaid and not valued, with a typical school employing just one member of staff to serve the needs of every student. Most schools focus solely on going to university and there seems to be a lack of knowledge of the wide range of vocational options available to pupils. The group called for a culture change around careers guidance so it is seen by schools, pupils and parents as something that is valuable. Disadvantaged students are the worst hit, the group said, and need specially trained careers staff. It said when they arrive at college most have little confidence in their abilities and underestimate their value and resilience. Many have difficult home lives that also affect their outcomes. It comes as the Evening Standards Step Up Expo at Olympia on Friday and Saturday is preparing to give advice and guidance to thousands of teenagers about their options at ages 16 and 18. A London woman whose 19-year-old son and husband were among five killed in the Titan submarine disaster has told of the moment she lost hope they would be found alive. In her first interview since the catastrophe, Christine Dawood said she spent days hoping her son Suleman and husband Shahzada were just going to come up, but began preparing for the worst when the 96-hour mark passed. Suleman Dawood, a 19-year-old business student at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, was killed along with his father, London businessman Shahzada Dawood, when the Titan submarine went missing last week on a voyage to view the wreck of the Titanic. The submersibles other three occupants British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate chief executive and Titan pilot Stockton Rush were also killed in what is thought to have been a catastrophic implosion. The Dawoods boarded the Polar Prince the ship from which Titan was launched on Fathers Day, hoping for the trip of a lifetime. Mrs Dawood and her 17-year-old daughter, Alina, were still on board the support vessel when word came through that communications with Titan had been lost, and a mammoth search operation was launched. Father and son Suleman and Shahzada Dawood, from London / Dawood Hercules Corporation / AFP For hours the mother and daughter, who are understood to live in Surbiton, south-west London, held out hope the crew would return safely. We all thought they are just going to come up so that shock was delayed by about 10 hours or so, Mrs Dawood told the BBC. There was a time when they were supposed to be up on the surface again and when that time passed the real shock not shock, but the worry and the not so good feelings started. We had loads of hope. I think that was the only thing that got us through it because we were hoping we talked about things that pilots can do like dropping weights, there were so many actions people on the sub can do in order to surface. We were constantly looking at the surface. There was so many things we would go through where we would think its just slow right now, its slow right now. But there was a lot of hope. She said she lost hope when 96 hours had passed since her husband and son boarded the submersible, which indicated they had run out of oxygen. Suleman Dawood / Engro Corporation Limited via AP She revealed thats when she sent a message to her family saying she was preparing for the worst. Her daughter, Alina, held out hope a bit longer, she said, until the call with the US Coast Guard that informed them debris from the sub had been found. Mrs Dawood also revealed Suleman had taken a Rubiks cube with him on the ill-fated voyage, and was so excited to attempt to make a world record by solving the puzzle 3,700 metres below the ocean surface. Meanwhile his father Shahzada, a businessman, was so excited he was like a child at the prospect of seeing the Titanic wreckage. Suleman, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, had applied to Guinness World Records and his father, a London businessman who also died in the tragedy, had brought a camera with him to capture the moment. Mrs Dawood said her son loved the famous puzzle so much that he carried it with him everywhere and dazzled onlookers by solving it in just 12 seconds. Suleman Dawoods father, Shahzada was one of five people on board Titan, a submersible tourist vessel that went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck / PA Media He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic, she told the BBC. Mrs Dawood and her daughter returned to St Johns in Newfoundland, Canada on Saturday, and on Sunday held a funeral prayer for Shahzada and Suleman. She said she and her daughter have vowed to try to learn to finish the Rubiks Cube in Sulemans honour, and she intends to continue her husbands work. He was involved in so many things, he helped so many people and I think Alina and I really want to continue that legacy and give him that platform when his work has continued and its quite important for my daughter as well, she said. Alina and I said we are going learn how to solve the Rubiks cube. Thats going to be a challenge for us because we are really bad at it but we are going to learn it. According to the documentary, Stephen Lawrence: The Sixth Suspect, which is available on iPlayer, the Met Police mishandled significant inquiries into Matthew White, who died in 2021 aged 50. Scotland Yard admitted too many mistakes were made in the initial investigation and White was not named as a suspect. Lawrences mother, Doreen Lawrence, said there should be serious sanctions against the police officers who failed to investigate White. She said: Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated and that change will happen. Last April marked 30 years since the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager. The incident and the fallout from it are seen as a watershed moment in race relations. On the evening of April 22, 1993, a group of at least five white adolescents fatally stabbed Lawrence, 18, as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London. Afterwards, it was discovered that Lawrences murder was completely motivated by the colour of his skin and Lawrence and his killers were not known to each other. The Metropolitan Polices handling of the investigations has been criticised by many, and allegations of corrupt police conduct and racism eventually led to the landmark Macpherson report, condemning the force as institutionally racist. Lady Lawrence, previously spoke out about the issues that continue to shadow the Metropolitan Police, saying the force had failed to change, and that black people are never seen as people that should have justice. Speaking not long after the damning review by Louise Casey released in March that found rotten treatment of black people by the Met, Lady Lawrence said that officers can be as brutal as they want without being held to account. She previously called the Metropolitan Police rotten to the core following the release of the Casey review. The report found prejudice is alive and well in a damning assessment of the forces failings. Lady Lawrence said: It comes as no surprise to me that the report from Baroness Louise Casey has found that the Metropolitan Police is riddled with deep-seated racism, sexism and homophobia. My suspicion that racism played a critical part in the failure of the Metropolitan Police to properly investigate my sons death in 1993 was borne out by the Macpherson Report. Since then, despite repeated reassurances that the Metropolitan Police had learned lessons from its failures, discrimination in every form is clearly rampant in its ranks. She added: It is not, and has never been, a case of a few bad apples within the Metropolitan Police. It is rotten to the core. Discrimination is institutionalised within the Metropolitan Police and it needs changing from top to bottom. What happened after Stephen Lawrences murder? The individuals suspected were detained after the initial police inquiry but they were not charged. The Macpherson Report, which has been hailed as one of the most significant moments in criminal justice in modern Britain, was published in 1998 as a result of a public inquiry into how Lawrences case was handled. The BBC documentary Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation details the murder and focuses on his mother. She has fought for justice for her son for more than a quarter of a century. Where are Stephen Lawrences killers now? After eventually being found guilty of killing Lawrence, Gary Dobson received a life sentence. He is reportedly being held at Leicestershires Gartree Prison in Market Harborough. He received a minimum sentence of 15 years and two months since he was a juvenile at the time of the offence, aged 17. David Norris is also serving a life sentence after making an unsuccessful attempt to appeal. He was transferred out of Cat-B HMP Garth, Lancashire in 2022 and is now considered a lower-risk prisoner. What happened to the other suspects? Three other men were suspects in the murder case but were not convicted. Luke Knight is said to be a roofer who still resides in east London. He had been charged with the murder but the charges were dropped in 1993 owing to insufficient evidence. Jamie Acourt was on the run in Spain with his brother and was featured in a most-wanted campaign in 2016. He was convicted for drug dealing. In March, Acourt, 46, attended City of London magistrates court over 90,000 he had been ordered to pay in relation to his role in a 3 million drug plot Neil Acourt was jailed in 2017 for six years for drug offences. Who is the new suspect Matthew White? After the BBC opened its own investigation piecing together 30 years of evidence, reporters identified that White played a central role in the case. Despite lying to authorities about where he initially learned about the incident and having a false alibi, White's accusations were believed by the Met. He was initially referred to in the media as Witness K, although he never fully cooperated with investigators. He was publicly identified for the first time in 2011 during the Norris and Dobson trial, albeit only as a witness. However, the BBC discovered that White had allegedly admitted to being there during the assault to witnesses, that his alibi was untrue, and that police surveillance photographs of White resembled the assailant described by eyewitnesses as having fair hair. The Met said their handling was a significant and regrettable error. White was arrested twice, in 2000 and 2013, with files sent to the Crown Persecution Service in 2005 and 2014. Both times it was deemed that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction. What is Stephen Lawrence Day? Stephen Lawrence Day, which takes place every April 22, was announced by former prime minister Theresa May at a memorial service in 2018 marking the 25th anniversary of Lawrences death. It is a solemn occasion marked by commemoration activities planned by the Government and the Stephen Lawrence Charity Trust, an educational non-profit devoted to the advancement of social justice. The day is aimed at honouring Lawrences life and raising awareness of work that still needs to be done to end systemic racism. Children and young people have the chance to speak up, promote the changes they want to see, and build a culture that values fairness and respect for all people. T he girlfriend of a dentist who murdrered his wife while on safari has been jailed for 17 years for encouraging the murder. Lori Milliron was tried alongside Lawrence Rudolph in July 2022 where the jury found her guilty of being an accessory after the fact to murder, obstruction of justice and two counts of perjury based on her testimony before a grand jury, according to the Department of Justice. On Friday, she was sentenced to 17 years in prison and fined $250,000, according to federal judge William J. Martinezs sentencing order. Martinez granted the federal prosecutors motion for a sentence longer than the standard for such an offence. In their motion, federal prosecutors had argued Even now, Milliron has expressed no remorse. Lori Milliron encouraged Lawrence Rudolph to kill his wife for her. She told him to divorce Bianca Rudolph. When he said he couldnt afford to do that, Milliron responded by helping Rudolph procure propofol a lethal anesthetic drug that could be used as a poison before he took the trip where he did what she had wanted: get rid of Bianca, their motion read. Millions attorney, John Dill, told CNN that the defense plans to appeal both the sentence and the jurys verdict. We believe the sentence is excessive and bears no reasonable relationship to the two counts of perjury before the grand jury that formed the basis of the charges of obstruction and accessory after the fact, Dill said. The answers she gave before the grand jury were not false. () Ms. Milliron had no involvement in the death of Bianca Rudolph and she sympathizes with the family as victims of that tragedy. Rudolph is yet to be sentenced after he was found guilty of murdering his wife Bianca and of defrauding multiple life insurance companies. The killing occurred in Africa but Milliron and Rudolph were tried in Denver, where the insurance companies are based. Bianca Rudolph was killed in 2016 while she and Lawrence Rudolph were on a hunting trip in Zambia. She suffered a fatal shotgun blast in their hunting cabin at dawn as she was packing to return to Phoenix, federal prosecutors alleged in court documents. Rudolph maintained his innocence and said he believes the gun fired accidentally. I did not kill my wife. I could not murder my wife. I would not murder my wife, Rudolph told jurors when he took the stand in his own defense at his trial. But federal prosecutors described it as a premeditated crime. Prosecutors argued Rudolph killed his wife of 30 years for the insurance money and to be with his girlfriend, Milliron. Rudolph cashed in more than $4.8 million in life insurance payments after her death six years ago. Zambian law enforcement ruled the shooting an accident but American investigators reopened the case after a friend of Bianca Rudolph contacted authorities and said she suspected foul play. A s a former soldier who now runs The HALO Trust, the worlds leading NGO tackling conflict, I have followed the war closely in Ukraine, where my 900 staff are saving lives by clearing landmines. After months of equilibrium in the conflict, it has been quite a weekend. A video from Rostov showed a street cleaner wielding his dustpan like any normal Saturday, while around him Wagner fighters occupied public buildings. Russian society had to face the incongruity of a former hot dog seller turned mercenary looking as if he might march on Moscow with his private army. As Britain discovered in a less extreme way with the Liz Truss premiership, countries can suffer crises that pass so quickly that they appear almost never to have happened. Yevgeny Prigozhin now has a deal that frees him from prosecution and allows safe passage to Belarus. Its worth recalling why he became involved in the war in the first place. The failure of the regular Russian army to deliver a quick victory led Vladimir Putin to call on Prigozhin and the Wagner Group to win where conventional soldiers had failed. Buoyed by years of success with Wagner in Syria and Libya, Prigozhin decided to make his mark on the Ukraine war in the town of Bakhmut. A four-month battle of attrition ensued. The fact that the town had no strategic value was of no concern to him. Stalin would have had punished such treason with a firing squad. But Putin is no Stalin. Victory in Bakhmut was all about proving Wagners military ability and, by inference, the incompetence of Russias military leaders, Generals Shoigu and Gerasimov. They recognised the threat and began to ration ammunition and thereby limit the prospects of glory. In response, Prigozhin voiced his anger with ever more intemperate posts on social media. We used to believe that Putin was a strong man in the tradition of Stalin. At first it seemed that Prigozhins anger was carefully aimed at Shoigu and Gerasimov, but over time it strayed into criticism of Putin himself. Stalin would have had punished such treason with a firing squad. But Putin is no Stalin. The weakness of the Russian state is revealed by the expediency of a messy compromise that fails to punish the perpetrator of treason and leaves the vast Wagner military business empire unable to deliver combat power in support of the war. I was at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London last week. It was an impressive gathering of world leaders with the West signalling its intent to stick the course. However, it ended without any inkling of the extraordinary events that have since unfolded. As the battle of Bakhmut ended in Russias exhaustion, so it has become the turn of Ukraine to launch its own offensive. Were it not for the Wagner mutiny, my military instincts tell me that too much was expected of this offensive. The Ukrainians were being asked to do something no Western army has attempted since 1917, namely to penetrate a well-found defensive line without air supremacy, without enough artillery ammunition and without experience of manoeuvring large armoured formations. Even if they could break through, Ukrainian armour would then be vulnerable to Russian helicopters and aircraft. Ukraines ability to attack in depth is partly stymied by competent Russian jamming and decoying of long-range missiles. Until this weekends events it therefore felt to me that, since the Ukrainians did not yet have the capability to prevail tactically, let alone to exploit operationally, there was a high risk of a series of bloody Bakhmut battles in reverse without a decisive result. But that analysis is to ignore the psychological impact of the Wagner mutiny which is not just a short-term aberration but a profound insight into the weakness of a gangster state. Just as the German army remained intact in 1918 until political turmoil in Berlin broke it, so Ukraine will now seek to exploit fragile Russian morale. It has talented commanders such as the intelligence chief General Kyrylo Budanov, who is adept at exploiting psychological vulnerabilities. Ukrainian field commanders such as General Valerii Zaluzhnyi will now seek to find the weak points in the Russian defences, shattering the will to fight. Whether the Russian army can endure depends on its confidence in Putin. If a psychological vulnerability can be found, then the end may be fast. The real work lies ahead. More than 470,000 hectares of prime agricultural land is contaminated with landmines. That is an area three times the size of London. Ukraine used to provide six per cent of the worlds calorific intake. If the Russians can be defeated, the work of my charity, The HALO Trust in clearing that deadly contamination can start in earnest and Ukraine can once again help feed the world. James Cowan is CEO of the HALO Trust R ussian defence minister Sergei Shoigu was filmed visiting troops in Ukraine as Vladimir Putin sought to restore order to his crisis-hit regime. The reported visit to a military operation centre in Ukraine was Shoigus first public appearance since the weekend mutiny by the Wagner paramilitary group. The RIA's new agency report, which cited Russia's defence ministry, suggested Shoigu remained in charge, but provided no details on when and where he met the troops and commanders of the Western military district. Mutineers led by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin advanced on Moscow on Saturday to remove what they called Russia's corrupt and incompetent military leadership, before suddenly heading back to a Russia-held area of eastern Ukraine after a deal with the Kremlin brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The deal reportedly included immunity for the mutineers in exchange for their return to camps, but it remains unclear whether Putin also agreed to reshuffle the top military leadership or make any other concessions. Western allies were seeking to assess how Putin might try to reassert authority, how weakened he is by the revolt, and what it could mean for the war in Ukraine. Ending their short-lived mutiny, Wagner fighters halted their rapid advance on Moscow, withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov and headed back to their bases late on Saturday under a deal that guaranteed their safety. Their commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, would reportedly move to Belarus under the deal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Monday has been declared a non-working day in Moscow to allow time for things to settle, and there was little evidence of increased security in the Russian capital on Sunday evening. Putin, who has held power for more than two decades, had still to comment publicly since the de-escalation of one of the biggest challenges to his rule. Confusion over the weekend's extraordinary events has left governments, both friendly and hostile to Moscow, groping for answers to what could happen next in a country that has the world's largest nuclear arsenal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested the turmoil could take months to play out. "We've seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade," Blinken told NBC's "Meet the Press" program on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the events in Russia in separate phone calls with US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Biden and Trudeau both expressed their ongoing support of Ukraine as it pursues a counter-offensive to recover territory seized by Russia, according to official statements. "The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored," Mr Zelensky said on Twitter. Ukraine has reclaimed some 130 square kilometres (50 square miles) from Russian forces along the southern front line since the start of the counter-offensive, Ukraine Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday. "The situation in the south has not undergone significant changes over the past week," she told the national broadcaster. She added that along the eastern part of the front line, which includes the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka directions, about 250 combat clashes have taken place over the past week. Under the deal, brokered late on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a criminal case opened against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, Prigozhin would move to Belarus, and Wagner fighters who rallied to his cause would face no action, in recognition of their previous service to Russia. Prigozhin, 62, was seen leaving the district military headquarters in Rostov late on Saturday in a sport utility vehicle. His whereabouts since were not known. A former Putin ally and ex-convict whose forces have fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month war in Ukraine, Prigozhin said his decision to advance on Moscow was intended to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the war. This month, Prigozhin defied orders to place his troops under Defence Ministry command. He launched the rebellion on Friday after alleging the military had killed some of his men in an air strike. The Defence Ministry denied this. Wagner, whose men in Ukraine include thousands of ex-prisoners recruited from Russian jails, has grown into a sprawling international business with mining interests and fighters in Africa and the Middle East. Serhiy Nayev, commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces responded to speculative reports that Wagner fighters could be moved to Belarus to attack Ukraine from the north. "If this happens and the enemy tries to cross the state border, it will be nothing but a suicide for them, Nayev said in a post on the military's Telegram account. Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko held talks in Beijing on international issues on Sunday. It was unclear if his visit to his countrys strongest ally was precipitated by the Wagner mutiny. Chinas foreign ministry issued a statement vouching support for Russias efforts to maintain national stability and referring to the recent tensions in the country as Russias internal affairs. V ladimir Putin has said that the leaders of an alleged mutiny want Russia to drown in blood after an armed rebellion over the weekend was aborted less than 24 hours after it began. In an address to the nation on Monday night, Putin said that those who had plotted the rebellion by Wagner forces had miscalculated. He made no mention of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief who instigated the rebellion and issued a stinging criticism of the Russian army and Putins rule. Russia was plunged into crisis on Saturday after Wagner forces left Ukraine and began to move hundreds of miles towards Moscow on a march for justice. It followed a bitter, long-running feud between Prigozhin and Russias military brass. In his first appearance since the rebellion ended, Putin blamed Russia's enemies for stoking the rebellion and thanked the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into bloodshed. I thank Wagner soldiers and commanders who did not shed blood - you can sign a contract with the Ministry of Defence, or move to Belarus, he said. His comments came hours after Prigozhin said he didnt want to overthrow the government in his first spoken comments since launching the alleged mutiny. In an audio statement issued on Monday evening, Prigozhin denied trying to attack the Russian state and said he acted in response to an attack on his force that killed some 30 of his fighters. Prigozhin later agreed to halt the march towards the capital under a deal brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country, Prigozhin said in an 11-minute audio. Our march showed many things we discussed earlier: the serious problems with security in the country. He did not offer any details about where he was or what his future plans are. In his statement, Prigozhin also taunted the Russian military, calling his march a master class on how it should have carried out the invasion of Ukraine. He mocked the Russian military for failing to protect the country, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780km without facing resistance and block all military units on its way. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Prigozhin had publicly destroyed Putins case for the war in Ukraine and that the march was an unprecedented challenge to the Presidents authority. Cracks are emerging in Russian support for the war, he told parliament on Monday. This weekends events show that it is Ukraine and its partners, not Russia, that have the strategic patience and resolve to prevail. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the most important of aspect of Prigozhin's challenge to the Moscow leadership was that he directly challenged the narrative for war. Speaking at the Rusi conference, he said it was important the Russian people get to hear the truth and Mr Prigozhin's words did that. Mr Wallace warned: We shouldn't necessarily over-credit the destabilisation, that somehow this is a massive derailment of the Kremlin. The Wagner Group, he said, was now spent, done, dissipated. It shows, he said, how "stretched Russia's reserves are, but it mustn't distract from the main mission of supporting Ukraine. It was just another of the cracks we have been seeing in public discourse, he added. Russias three main news agencies reported on Monday that a criminal case against Prigozhin had not been closed, despite an offer of immunity having been publicised as part of the deal that persuaded him to stand down. Moscow's mayor announced an end to a counter-terrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden on Monday denied that the United States and its allies were involved in the brief uprising. We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this, he said. Mr Biden said he spoke with key allies on a video conference to make sure everyone was on the same page and coordinated in their response. They agreed with me that we had to make sure that we gave (Russian President Vladimir) Putin no excuse - gave Putin no excuse - to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO, he said. R ussian President Vladimir Putin made no mention of the armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group as he on Monday made his first statement since the incident. In a video issued via the Kremlin website on Monday, the president instead congratulated participants of an industrial forum. The clip contained no indication of when or where it had been filmed. Putin made a national address to the Russian people on Saturday, in which he condemned the mutiny by Wagner mercenaries as a stab in the back and vowed to crush it. He has not commented publicly on the subsequent deal, announced late on Saturday, that appeared to defuse the crisis and avert possible bloodshed by allowing the Wagner fighters to return to base and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to move to Belarus. As of Monday, there had still been no public sign of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of Wagner and mutiny leader. He was last seen on Saturday smiling in the back of an SUV as he left the southern city of Rostov-On-Don, captured by his men before he ordered them to stand down. Russias national Anti-Terrorism Committee said the situation in the country was stable. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who had told residents to stay indoors on Saturday as the mutinous fighters raced to within a few hundred kilometres of the capital, said he was cancelling a counter-terrorism security regime. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, records his video addresses in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday, June 24 / AP Prigozhin and his fighters had been offered immunity from prosecution in return for their withdrawal. But despite the Kremlin saying over the weekend that charges would be dropped, state controlled news agencies reported on Monday that the criminal case against Prigozhin remained open and was still being pursued. Saturdays extraordinary events left governments - both friendly and hostile to Russia - groping for answers as to what had happened behind the scenes and what could come next. On Monday Sir Alex Younger, the former head of Britains Secret Intelligence Service MI6, said Putins authority had been significantly weakened by the Wagner Group rebellion. He said Prigozhins impetuous decision to march his forces into Rostov and then towards Moscow had little chance of succeeding, but had undermined the Russian president. R ussian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin still faces charges for his alleged attempted mutiny against President Vladimir Putin, state media reported on Monday. Putin on Saturday vowed to crush what he called a treasonous mutiny after Prigozhin said his Wagner Group fighters had taken control of the southern city of Rostov and were heading to Moscow on a march for justice, intended to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders. Under a deal mediated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko that defused the crisis late on Saturday, the Kremlin said a criminal case against Prigozhin would be dropped and he would move to Belarus. His fighters would return to their base and would also face no legal action, the Kremlin said. But Russias Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday that the criminal case remained open and that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was continuing its investigation as part of the case. It cited an unidentified source as saying there had not been enough time to close the case. Russias three main news agencies - TASS, RIA and Interfax - also reported that the criminal case against Prigozhin remained open and that the investigation was continuing. The criminal case against Prigozhin has not stopped, TASS cited a source close to the prosecutors office as saying. The investigation is ongoing. The prison term under Russian law for such a crime is 12 to 20 years. Prigozhin, who has not been seen in public since leaving Rostov late on Saturday and has not commented on the deal, denied leading a mutiny. Prigozhin, once a close Putin ally whose Wagner Group has spearheaded much of the fighting in Ukraine, launched his rebellion on Friday after alleging that the Russian military had killed some of his men in an air strike. The Defence Ministry denied his claim. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan has visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day of Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. A bouquet of flowers was laid at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev, installed in the courtyard of the hospital, then a minute of silence was paid to the memory of the great leader and Azerbaijani servicemen who became martyrs. Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov has met with the servicemen undergoing treatment in the hospital, asked about their health, and wished them to recover as soon as possible and return to service. Having conveyed the congratulations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the minister presented festive gifts to military and medical personnel. The staff of the hospital and the servicemen undergoing treatment expressed their deep gratitude to Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the conditions created here, as well as for the comprehensive care. The leadership of the Ministry congratulated medical workers on the holiday and gave appropriate instructions to improve the quality of service for servicemen undergoing examination and treatment. W agner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin met Vladimir Putin five days after his mercenary fighters set their sights upon Moscow, the Kremlin has claimed. The Russian presidents office said Mr Prigozhin met Mr Putin for three hours on June 29 following the failed rebellion. Mr Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on July 10 that Mr Putin invited Mr Prigozhin and 34 other senior Wagner commanders to their headquarters. This was to discuss a deal to stop the military coup from rearing its head again. He said Mr Prigozhin had travelled to Russia at least once since the deal was brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to stop the rebel attack in exchange for safe passage to exile in Belarus. Mr Peskov said Mr Prigozhin assured Mr Putin that his Wagner troops were loyal to Russia and him. But where is the Wagner Group leader at the time of writing? Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? Mr Prigozhin, 62, is a Russian oligarch who has been fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine. He was born in Europes fourth-most populous city St Petersburg. Formerly imprisoned in the Soviet Union for stealing, Mr Prigozhin oversees a network of powerful businesses, including the state-backed mercenary firm the Wagner Group. He is also reportedly in charge of three businesses suspected of interfering with the 2016 and 2018 US elections. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, Mr Prigozhin became involved in grocery store, gambling and restaurant businesses. In the 2000s, Mr Prigozhin became close to Mr Putin. By 2003, he had split with his business partners and opened his own, stand-alone eateries. Concord Catering, one of Mr Prigozhin's businesses, secured significant government contracts. He obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts to feed government employees and students. Since Mr Prigozhin owns eateries and caterers that work for the Kremlin, he is sometimes referred to as Putins chef. Mr Prigozhin established the Internet Research Agency, a bot farm that meddled in the 2016 US presidential election by spreading misinformation on social media. Although it is still unclear if it affected the election's outcome, the US intelligence community sanctioned Mr Prigozhin. He admitted in 2022 that he had meddled in US elections and would do so again. Where is Yevgeny Prigozhin now? It is not known where the Wagner chief is currently, though last Thursday Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin was back in Russia along with thousands of the groups fighters. The Belarusian president told reporters: He is in Petersburg ... perhaps he went to Moscow this morning. How did Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group involvement begin? After years of denying his involvement with Wagner, Mr Prigozhin acknowledged he was the founder of the group on September 26, 2022. He claimed to have started it in May 2014 to aid the Russian military fighting in Donbas. This revelation was in response to a widely shared film in which Mr Prigozhin was shown infiltrating a Mari El (a Russian republic) jail and enticing detainees by offering them freedom if they worked for the Wagner Group for six months. He claimed to have 50,000 men available to him "in the best times," with roughly 35,000 of them always on the front lines. Yevgeny Prigozhin has become a prominent critic of Russia during the ongoing war with Ukraine / AP He did not specify if these figures included prisoners, but it is known that he visited Russian jails to find fighters, offering them pardons in exchange for surviving a six-month stint serving alongside Wagner. In the days and weeks following Russia's takeover of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in April 2014, Wagner was first observed in action in eastern Ukraine. This was shortly after a separatist conflict there broke out. Mr Prigozhin has reportedly benefitted financially from Wagner's deployment to Africa and Syria. Using its access to gold and other resources in Africa, the business is funding operations in Ukraine, according to US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland's statement in January. Yevgeny Prigozhins problematic relationship with Vladimir Putin Mr Prigozhin has presented Mr Putin with a conundrum recently by openly criticising Russia's military authorities. In one particularly gruesome video from the beginning of May, Mr Prigozhin stood next to a pile of dead Wagner fighters and pointed a gun directly at two army officers. Gesturing towards the bodies behind him, he said: "The blood is still fresh. They came here as volunteers and are dying so you can sit like fat cats in your luxury offices. When Mr Prigozhin launched a fresh rant against the Russian military on June 23 and then led his men into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, he ignited a full-scale uprising against the Kremlin. Mr Putin reacted to Mr Prigozhins actions by saying it is a stab in the back of our country and our people in an address to the nation on June 24. E nid Blyton book series The Famous Five is being adapted by the BBC for the first time and filming has already started. Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, who directed 2011s Drive starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan, and Peaky Blinders producer Matthew Read have created the show for the broadcaster. The three-part show The Famous Five will follow five young adventurers who are exploring the world around them in an odyssey-style story and is being shot across the south west of the UK. Refn, also an executive producer of the series who worked with Read on Valhalla Rising, said: All my life Ive fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure. By reimagining The Famous Five, I am preserving that notion by bringing these iconic stories to life for a progressive new audience, instilling the undefinable allure and enchantment of childhood for current and future generations to come. Producers, Moonage Pictures, will create the three 90 minute-long instalments to be shown on the BBC in the UK and TF1 in France. Episode one of the series has been written by Read, episode two by Priya K Dosanjh and episode three has been written by Being Human producer Matthew Bouch and Read. Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC childrens and education, said that the series will introduce the books to a new generation of children. She said: Bringing these books to life with a new reimagining of The Famous Five is a real treat for BBC audiences and a celebration of British heritage. These stories are loved around the world and bringing families together is a key part of our strategy so we hope it introduces a new generation of viewers to these wonderful adventures. Will Gould, co-founder of Moonage Pictures, said the show will have adventure at its heart. He added: Moonage Pictures was created to provide the right creative environment to explore ideas without limitation and this provides us with exactly that opportunity This Famous Five will be a modern, timely and irreverent action series. Blyton, also behind The Secret Seven, wrote 21 installations of The Famous Five and her first ever book, Five On A Treasure Island, was published in 1942. There have been numerous interpretations of The Famous Five over the years, including continuation novels written by French author Claude Voilier. TV adaptions have included a previous ITV series, which came out in 1978, a CITV series that was launched in the 1990s and a 2000s Disney cartoon series, Famous 5 On The Case. In recent years, spoof versions of the Famous Five have been sold across high street stores in the UK that explore satirical themes to do with politics and culture. D ee Forbes, the suspended director-general of RTE, has resigned from the Irish national broadcaster, saying she is ultimately responsible following the scandal over undisclosed payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy. Ms Forbes was suspended from the position last week and was already due to step down from her role next month. In a statement, Ms Forbes said: 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. Her resignation follows the revelation that Tubridy was paid several hundred thousand euro more than RTE had previously declared. RTE apologised last week after admitting that between 2017 and 2022 former Late Late Show host Tubridy received a series of payments totalling 345,000 euro (295,000) above his annual published salary. Ms Forbes said she had consistently co-operated with the processes directed towards answering questions surrounding payments to Tubridy. On the negotiations for the controversial payments, Ms Forbes said: I did not at any stage act contrary to any advice. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation. At all times, I and the representatives of RTE acted in good faith. I fully accept and acknowledge responsibility for my part in these events as director-general. Ms Forbes said RTE began discussions around the renewal of Tubridys contract in early 2020, which contained payments that had been negotiated and put in place prior to her arrival at the broadcaster. RTE had committed to reducing fees paid to top talent by 15%. I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. As director-general, I led the discussions with the agent for Ryan Tubridy together with other RTE senior executives. The agreement meant a commercial partner would enter into a separate commercial contract with Tubridy for 75,000 euro in exchange for the provision of three events annually. RTE guaranteed and underwrote the payments. She said the pandemic restrictions meant that the commitment to the commercial client could not be met in 2020 and 2021 and was only delivered in 2022. The commercial partner informed us that the commercial arrangement was not going to work for them in the long term. At this point, only one 75,000 euro payment had been made. Payment was sought for the 2021 and 2022 contractual commitments that now fell to RTE under the guarantee even though RTE had never expected to become liable for them and had not budgeted for them. Because of the commercial nature of the arrangement, it was decided to pay the invoices from the commercial barter account which was in credit. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation. At all times, I and the representatives of RTE acted in good faith. I fully accept and acknowledge responsibility for my part in these events as director-general. This statement is directed to the events of 2020-2022. I understand from media reports and RTEs statement that the board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments and the board has not raised those questions with me. She later added: I want to reiterate that I have engaged fully with the board during this process. However, the board has not treated me with anything approaching the levels of fairness, equity and respect that anyone should expect as an employee, a colleague or a person. All of this has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing. I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. I care very deeply about RTE, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster and its reputation. I will continue to do so as RTE moves forward under the new director-general. A Government review of the RTE funding model has been ongoing but a final decision on the outcome has been paused pending the completion of an external review of governance and culture at the broadcaster, which was ordered at the weekend. On Saturday, a senior executive emailed staff at RTE to apologise and inform them that new contracts have been paused pending the implementation of further oversight measures. Following further weekend media scrutiny, in particular over its financial arrangements with advertising partners, RTE issued a statement on Sunday insisting it was legally compliant in respect of how it operates commission and volume discounts with media ad buying agencies. Irelands media minister Catherine Martin announced the external review on Saturday after meeting the chairwoman of the RTE board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, in Dublin. Ms Martin warned that the scale of the issues facing RTE was verging on an existential crisis and a root and branch review was required. Executives from the broadcaster have been invited to appear before two separate parliamentary committees in Dublin in the week ahead. On Friday, Tubridy apologised unreservedly for not asking questions when RTE published incorrect figures for his earnings. He said he would not be presenting his daily radio show on RTE Radio One this week. On Saturday, interim deputy director general at RTE Adrian Lynch apologised to staff at the broadcaster. S enior government figures and unions representing RTE staff have said that former director general Dee Forbes should appear before committee this week. Ms Forbes announced her resignation as the head of Irelands public service broadcaster on Monday, after days of pressure following the revelation that undisclosed payments worth 345,000 euro were made to star presenter Ryan Tubridy. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Ms Forbes should still appear before the Media committee on Wednesday and Committee on Public Accounts on Thursday due to examine corporate governance at the national broadcaster this week. Ms Forbes was suspended from the position last week and was already due to step down from her role next month, with Kevin Bakhurst due to take over from mid-July. In a statement, Ms Forbes said: 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. Ms Forbes said she had consistently co-operated with the processes directed towards answering questions surrounding payments to Tubridy, which was done in an attempt to retain Mr Tubridy and to make a cost saving for RTE in respect of a contractual payment which was due to be paid. She also said the matter has had a very serious and ongoing impact on my health and wellbeing. She added: I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. I care very deeply about RTE, the people who work for it, the public it serves, its mission, values, its unique position as a public service broadcaster and its reputation. I will continue to do so as RTE moves forward under the new director general. RTE apologised last week after admitting that between 2017 and 2022, former Late Late Show host Tubridy received a series of payments totalling 345,000 euro (295,000) above his annual published salary. The issue of the 2020-2022 undisclosed payments was discovered during an audit of RTEs accounts, which was then referred to Grant Thornton to examine further. Adrian Lynch, appointed as deputy director general last week, said it was unknown why the undisclosed 2017-2019 payments were made, and Grant Thornton is investigating the anomaly. In the wake of the payments controversy, unions representing RTE staff have said there is unprecedented levels of anger and called on Dee Forbes to appear before the upcoming committees along with all current members of the executive board. The RTE board acknowledged receipt of Ms Forbes resignation, and noted that representatives of the board and executive will be attending the committees this week, but did not clarify which members. Some of RTEs top earners have also revealed their salaries and denied that they benefited from barter advertising deals, including Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy and Miriam OCallaghan. Fine Gael TD Colm Burke, who is a member of the Public Accounts committee, has also called on Patrick Kielty to reveal how much RTE is paying him to host The Late Late Show. The Government has initiated a review into the governance of and culture at RTE, expected to take up to seven months to complete, and has suspended work on reforming the TV licence in the interim. We need to make sure we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater here Both Mr Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have called on Ms Forbes to appear before committee, with Mr Martin calling for a full presentation of events. Speaking to reporters during an event at Dublin Castle, Mr Varadkar said: I think people would like to hear her side of the story and her version of events. It is still open to her to attend the committee hearings and I think she should. He said he was very disappointed about the RTE payments scandal but has confidence in the broadcasters board. Mr Varadkar added: I do want to point out that RTE is a big organisation, the vast majority of people who work in RTE would have no knowledge or involvement in this whatsoever and indeed the board would have only known about it relatively recently. We need to make sure we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Mr Varadkar said there is a need for individual accountability over the matter. In her statement, Ms Forbes said RTE began discussions around the renewal of Tubridys contract in early 2020, which contained payments that had been negotiated and put in place prior to her arrival at the broadcaster. RTE had committed to reducing fees paid to top talent by 15% and that she led discussions between senior executives at RTE and Tubridys agent. In light of this part of the statement, the National Union of Journalists said the chair of the RTE board should now meet every member of the broadcasters executive to clarify their individual involvement. The agreement meant a commercial partner would enter into a separate commercial contract with Tubridy for 75,000 euro in exchange for the provision of three events annually, which RTE guaranteed and underwrote. I am deeply sorry for what has happened and my part in this episode and for that I apologise unreservedly to everyone. Ms Forbes said the pandemic restrictions meant that the commitment to the commercial client could not be met in 2020 and 2021 and was only delivered in 2022, which resulted in using a commercial barter account to honour the payments. We were motivated purely by the need to find a solution to honour the contractual obligation, Ms Forbes said. At all times, I and the representatives of RTE acted in good faith. She added: This statement is directed to the events of 2020-2022. I understand from media reports and RTEs statement that the board has raised questions concerning payments to Ryan Tubridy between 2017-2019. I have no knowledge of those payments and the board has not raised those questions with me. Brian Stanley, the chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, said the committee would have to accept the situation if she is experiencing serious medical issues, but added: What I would expect is that, medically, if she is fit to attend on Thursday, I would expect her to come. The RTE board said it will issue a comprehensive statement on Tuesday afternoon of its understanding of circumstances which led to the mis-stating of Tubridys earnings between 2020-2022. However, the circumstances of Tubridys mis-stated earnings for 2017-2019 are being separately investigated and will not be included in Tuesdays statement. R TE presenters Joe Duffy and Claire Byrne have made live on-air announcements about their payment at the national broadcaster, following a scandal over mis-stated fees for top earner Ryan Tubridy. Prime Time presenter Miriam OCallaghan also issued a statement about her fees in a Twitter post. RTE publishes the fees for the top 10 highest earning on-air talent on a biennial basis. The figures that are on my contract are the exact figures I receive. However, after it emerged that the national broadcaster had under reported what Tubridy was earning, other presenters took steps to provide clarity over their own situation. Duffy, the highest-paid RTE presenter behind Tubridy, told Liveline listeners he had recently agreed to extend his contract by another two years under the same conditions. That means he is paid 351,000 euro per year, according to the latest figures published in 2021. He told his audience that this breaks down as 300,000 for radio work and 51,000 for television programmes such as Liveline Callback, The Meaning Of Life, and Children Of The Troubles. Duffy said he had never been offered, never requested, never received, never been involved in any outside deal. The figures that are on my contract are the exact figures I receive. Earlier on Monday, Byrne disclosed to her radio audience that her fee with the national broadcaster has fallen since she stopped hosting her weekly current affairs television programme. Byrne was speaking on her daily radio show for the first time since the scandal emerged over undisclosed payments to Tubridy. She had not been on air since the scandal began after going on a family trip to Co Kerry. I saw and heard the news coming in just as everyone else did, she said. My personal decision here this morning is to be open and honest with you I had no prior warning, no inkling that there was a problem on the horizon and I wasnt even aware that presenter fees were subjected to a Grant Thornton review. I knew absolutely nothing about it. Just like everyone else, Ive been grappling over the last few days with what has happened and the implications of it for all of us here in RTE and for you, who rely on us and expect us to be completely transparent. Byrne said she heard heartbreaking expressions of broken trust made by RTE viewers and listeners to call-in show Liveline over the matter. As programme makers, our aim is always to be consistent, fair and professional and to respect the hard-earned trust that you, the audience, has placed in us. With that fee that I earn comes a duty for me to treat this position with respect She said all figures published by RTE in relation to her fees have been correct. I have never sought, been offered or discussed any kind of commercial or side deal. No other payment exists or has ever existed beyond my published fee. Her most recent published fee was 350,000 euro, agreed for her to present her radio programme and the television show Claire Byrne Life. However, this has been reduced since she stopped presenting the programme. As you know, I decided not to continue with that television show for personal and family reasons. And so in order to be fully transparent with you, I want you to know that my RTE fee now is 280,000 euro and that fee is for presenting this programme. That last contract was negotiated by Noel Kelly. I recently presented the television quiz show Irelands Smartest and for that I was paid a separate fee of 25,000 euro. That contract was negotiated by other members of the NK Management company. Byrne said she acknowledged this was a significant fee and beyond what many people could hope to earn. There are others who will, no doubt, have more to say about it, I am sure, but my personal decision here this morning is to be open and honest with you, she said. But my decision to do this is not meant to set a precedent for others or to force anyone else to release their information. That is a matter entirely for themselves. I felt that, for me, it was the right thing to do today. With that fee that I earn comes a duty for me to treat this position with respect and I hope that you can trust me and the team of journalists I work with to cover this story with the same rigour and balance as we would any other story on this programme. Like Tubridy, Byrne and Duffy are represented by NK Management. OCallaghan also said all figures published in relation to her fees have been correct. The Prime Time host earns 263,500 euro for her RTE work, according to the most recent figures. In a tweet, she said: I have never received additional payments from RTE that were not publicly declared. She added: Its hard to put into words how incredibly sad I have been since this story broke last Thursday. I had no idea this was coming down the tracks. I feel you, our listeners and viewers, have been badly let down. A fter actively stopping customers from accessing its service free of charge, Netflix could soon charge you more to watch without adverts. The streaming service has started phasing out its Basic plan in Canada, effectively removing the cheapest option that doesnt contain ads. As a result, new subscribers must either sit through adverts or pay extra for the traditional ad-free experience. Netflix told a local Canadian newspaper that it plans to scrap the plan for existing customers soon. The Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members, Netflix states on its Canada site, according to a Reddit user. If you are currently on the Basic plan, you can remain on this plan until you change plans or cancel your account. Netflix offers four plans in the UK: Theres the ad subscription for 5 per month, Basic for 7 per month, Standard for 11 per month, and Premium for 16 per month. The different tiers come with their own perks, including the ability to watch and download on multiple devices at once on the most expensive options. Netflix has not officially said if it plans to nix the Basic plan in other countries. But, seeing as it has previously tested out changes in Canada first, before rolling them out to additional markets, we wouldnt rule out the possibility. The company took this exact approach with its contentious password-sharing crackdown earlier this year. It implemented the policy in Canada in February and then introduced it in the UK in May. The rules, which essentially prevent customers from sharing their accounts with others unless they pay, prompted a massive outcry from subscribers. However, a study recently revealed that the change had led to a bigger bump in new sign-ups to the service than during the start of the Covid pandemic. Worryingly, Netflix has already started hiding its cheap basic plan in the UK, as The Standard revealed in January. Currently, when you head to the streamers sign-up page in the UK, you can initially choose between only the Basic with Ads plan, the Standard plan, and the Premium plan. However, the Basic plan is hidden in the small print. Netflixs Canadian customers have bemoaned the removal of the subscription for weeks. Im so mad about this. Why would they get rid of the best plan for single people who dont have anyone they are sharing with? Is Netflix literally trying to encourage people to not sign up? wrote an incensed Reddit user. They got rid of it because they want you to pay more, said another Redditor in response. Reddit users are also speculating that Netflix axed the Basic plan after noticing it was a popular option for those looking to downgrade after the password-sharing ban began. People that were originally on higher plans to enable sharing were probably downgrading at alarming rates, said one Redditor. Saudi airlines have placed multi-billion dollar aircraft orders at the recent 54th Paris Air Show, one of the most important air exhibitions in the world. Flynas, a low-cost Saudi airline, has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo Family aircraft, taking the airlines total order with Airbus to 120 A320neo aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs. The accord is part of a deal to purchase 120 jetliners for its all-Airbus fleet. The board aims to increase its aircraft order book to 250 planes in the near future, as it continues on its expansion course. The agreement was signed at the Paris Airshow by Bandar Almohanna, flynas Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer & Head of International, in the presence of Saleh Al-Jasser Minister of Transport and Logistic Service, Abdulaziz Alduailj, President of General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia, and Ayed Aljeaid, Chairman of the Board of NAS Holding. The Kingdoms national airline Saudia added 30 more aircraft to its order with Boeing taking the total firm order to 65. The airline plans to take the tally to a hundred in the near future. The Air Show also became the venue for the launch of Riyad Air, one of the worlds newest, and most ambitious airlines, being touted as the epitome of airline luxury. The airline remarkable purple livery was unveiled on the opening day of the Air Show. The Saudi delegation at the Show was led by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and GACA Chairman of the Board of Directors, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and with the participation of the GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej. Guided by its aviation strategy, the Kingdoms aviation sector has been making significant progress. The Kingdom moved up 14 ranks on the Air Connectivity index published by the International Air Transport Association, demonstrating highest growth rate in air connectivity. The Kingdom also advanced to the 16th position globally in the maritime navigation network connectivity index, according to the UNCTAD report for the second quarter of 2023. The Kingdoms national carrier, Saudia, advanced 11 spots on the "Skytrax" annual list of the worlds top 100 airlines, while Flynas was declared as the 4th best low-cost airline in the world and the top-ranking airline in the Middle East, maintaining its position on the ranking for the 6th consecutive year. With the Kingdoms tourism sector booming unprecedently, the Kingdom is witnessing rapid surge in air passenger traffic, both domestic and international, over the past few years. As part of the strategy, the Kingdom aims to enhance its air connectivity to 250 destinations around the world, transporting 330 million passengers by 2030. It also intends to serve as a global logistics hub by doubling its air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons by the end of the decade. The current edition of the Paris Air Show showcases to the world the level of attention given by the Kingdom to its aviation sector and its capabilities to play a central role in the future of global aviation. TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. One of the units of the Azerbaijani army is quite capable of disarming illegal Armenian armed formations in Azerbaijans Karabakh district, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said in an interview with local TV, Trend reports. "We do not highly assess the capabilities of those gangs that remained in Karabakh. We know their numbers, weapons, moral and psychological state. We know what they are capable of. They have absolutely no chance of carrying out any actions against the Azerbaijani army. There may be some small provocations that end very badly for them," the minister said. Hasanov noted that if they go to provocation, and decide to carry out illegal actions against the Azerbaijani army, one corps of the Azerbaijani army can cope with these illegal armed formations. "The balance of forces and means is absolutely not in their favor," he said. 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The Minister of Culture, Raluca Turcan, said on Monday that the Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF) is an event of increasing relevance in the capital city, dedicated to an "extremely refined" audience and seeker of quality cinematographic productions". "For me it is an honor to be with you this evening and I wanted to be at this moment with people who put their soul into creating a festival of increasing relevance in Bucharest, for an extremely refined and looking for quality cinematographic productions", Minister Raluca Turcan said at the Elisabeta Palace, told Agerpres. The minister of culture, who participated on Monday in the Elisabeta Palace Evening dedicated to BIFF, hosted by Prince Radu, expressed her support for the further development of the Bucharest-based festival. "The Ministry of Culture has been a constant partner of this international festival. At the same time, I strongly believe that this relevance can develop and, as I read in the presentation you sent me regarding the running of this festival, productions from more than 50 countries represents, here, a large-scale element that deserves support. And I wish, as minister of culture, because in this capacity there is also a decision-making force, to be your partner for the development of this festival", Raluca Turcan also said. Prince Radu expressed his satisfaction for the longevity of the festival, which will celebrate 20 editions in 2024. "It is fantastic that, after almost two decades, we not only move on, but we have in our records unforgettable meetings in the past years, with great filmmakers of the world, with exceptional films and with a lot of class and intransigence in the choice of the repertoire", said Prince Radu. He noted that "in the last three decades, Romanian film has regained its great international reputation, lost in the 1950s and 1960s, and that, once again, we are on the world's biggest competition posters". "And the fact that Bucharest is becoming a new movie-lover destination on the map of Europe is all the more beautiful", concluded Prince Radu. Alex Serban, president of the "Grigore Vasiliu Birlic" Cultural Association, present at the event together with Dana Dimitriu-Chelba, BIFF director, recalled that the current edition will bring more than 50 national and even European premiere films. "We are the only film festival in the capital city with a competition dedicated to young filmmakers, we have a jury of five members, personalities of the international cinema and we are trying to organize a great event in Bucharest", said Serban. He highlighted the support of the embassies in the running of the festival, recalling the Embassy of Japan in Bucharest which will support the broadcasting of the Ryuichi Sakamoto memorial, in whose memory the films "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence", by Nagisa Oshima, and "Monster", by Hirokazu Koreeda, but also the Embassy of Mexico, which will facilitate the presence at BIFF of directors Tatiana Huezo and Liliana Aviles. At the same time, Alex Serban expressed his hope that the American director John Landis will be able to participate in the festival. The main producers of the festival and the most important supporters took part in the event. The 19th edition of the Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF) will take place between September 15-22. According to the organizers, BIFF is the first major feature film competition organized in the capital and was designed as a festival open to art cinema, which encourages new cinema trends, discovers talents and promotes young filmmakers. The 18 previous editions of the festival have confirmed the necessity of such an event and its recognition on a national and international level through the presence of the public and well-known guests such as: Nikita Mihalkov, Andrei Konchalovsky, Amos Gitai, Danis Tanovic, Rutger Hauer, Jerzy Skolimovsky, Jan Harlan, Radu Mihaileanu, Franco Nero, Vanessa Redgrave. Organized by the Charter Foundation and the "Grigore Vasiliu Birlic" Cultural Association, under the High Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Radu, in partnership with the Capital City Hall through ARCUB - the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest, BIFF is a cultural project financed by the Ministry of Culture. EU approves 2nd tranche to support countries affected by cereal trade from Ukraine;Romania to receive 29.73mil EUR. The European Union member states have approved the second tranche of support for the five countries affected by the cereal trade from Ukraine, with Romania following to receive 29.73 million EUR, a press release of the Ministry of Agriculture informed, told Agerpres. "Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia received a positive vote from the member states for grants totalling 100 million EUR to compensate for economic losses caused by imports of cereals and oilseeds from Ukraine, within the Committee for the Common Organisation of the Agricultural Markets. Starting from the first package worth 56 million EUR approved on 3 April, the EC is proposing to approve a second tranche worth 100 million EUR for the five member states affected by cereal imports. In addition, the EC has adopted a new regulation on autonomous measures, valid 15 September this year, which provides for a ban on imports for the main food products. Thus, Romania will receive an amount of 29,730,000 EUR," the press release mentions. According to the source, Bulgaria will receive 9.77 million EUR, Hungary 15.93 million EUR, Poland 39.33 million EUR and Slovakia 5.24 million EUR. The regulation gives the five countries the possibility to add additional grants of up to 200%, provided that the payments do not distort the market or produce overcompensation, and that the payments are made by 31 December 2023. Furthermore, the European Commission mentioned that the financial support package is aimed at partially compensating the farmers most affected by cereal imports from Ukraine for the 5 member states neighboring the conflict. The allocation key took into account the level of direct payments, the level of grain trade and related fluctuations. By 30 September 2023 at the latest, the five countries will notify the EC of the description of the measures to be taken, the criteria used to determine the methods for calculating the aid and the justification for the distribution of the aid among farmers, the expected impact of the measures to compensate farmers for the economic losses caused by imports of grains and oilseeds from Ukraine, the actions taken to achieve the expected impact of the measures, the actions taken in order to avoid distortion of competition and overcompensation, the forecast for the payments of the Union expenditure broken down by month until 31 December 2023, the level of additional support granted under article 2 paragraph (2) and the actions taken to control the eligibility of farmers and to protect the financial interests of the EU. The measure enters into force after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. ForMin Odobescu: We will continue to monitor situation in Russia and Belarus. Romania will continue to monitor the situation in Russia and Belarus, Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu said on Monday, prior to the meeting of EU foreign ministers - the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), which takes place in Luxembourg, told Agerpres. "We will discuss the recent events in Russia. We have all been following what happened two days ago in Russia, we have been in touch with our EU partners and NATO allies, and with our ambassador in Moscow. We will continue to monitor the situation in Russia and Belarus," the head of the Romanian diplomacy stated. She brought to mind that the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, is also participating in the meeting via videoconference. In this regard, she reiterated "Romania's full commitment to continue to support Ukraine in all areas, as long as needed." Moreover, she also brought to mind that last week she attended the Conference on Ukraine's reconstruction and underscored that the reconstruction process is linked to the EU accession process. "The key element is interconnectivity, not only in the Energy area, but also in that of Transport and Digital," the minister added. Luminita Odobescu also referred to the European course of the Republic of Moldova. "I reiterate Romania's openness to start the EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine by the end of this year," Odobescu added. The FAC meeting will also include discussions regarding the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) relations, in the context of the preparation of the EU-CELAC Summit with the states in the region, which takes place on 17 and 18 July, and the EU's interest in strengthening political dialogue and economic cooperation with the region. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), the head of the Romanian diplomacy will express support for the reinvigoration of the EU-LAC partnership, relevant also in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Luminita Odobescu will highlight Romania's openness to actively engage in the EU's efforts to have a successful summit, which will send a political signal on the re-launch of the bi-regional dialogue at high level and allow the agreement of concrete commitments and projects in many areas of interest, such as the economic, digital, environment and climate change sectors, the quoted source added. European Foreign Ministers will also exchange views on digital diplomacy, from the perspective of the opportunities provided by digital technologies and their geopolitical impact. EU Council Conclusions will be adopted which will set out the objectives which the European Union shall pursue with third partners in the area of digital diplomacy. "Minister Luminita Odobescu will underscore the need to support the digital transformation of partners in the Eastern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans in order to increase their resilience, in the context of the hybrid attacks they are confronted with in the current security context marked by the consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the MAE conveyed. Parliament approves participation of Romania's Army in Operation Interflex of the UK. Senators and deputies approved, in a joint sitting on Monday, at the request of President Klaus Iohannis, the participation of Romania's Army in the UK's Operation Interflex with up to 30 servicemen, instructors and staff personnel, told Agerpres. The letter from President Klaus Iohannis to Parliament states that the recent developments in the war of aggression in Ukraine have highlighted the need to increase the pace of training of Ukrainian servicemen and diversify the types of training provided. "Amid requests from Ukraine for assistance in rebuilding its military capabilities, in preparation for the next stages of the conflict, the UK has resumed activities in support of Ukraine under the name Operation Interflex. The new operation is taking place on the UK territory, with the support of international partners' contingents," the president mentioned. According to him, the participation of Romania's Army in Operation Interflex will contribute to maintaining its operational profile and will bring increased international visibility to our country, as well as important benefits, politically and politically-militarily quantifiable in the development of the partnership with the UK, the necessary funds for the preparation and execution of this mission are to be provided from the budget of the National Defence Ministry (MApN). BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The Turkish delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has congratulated Azerbaijan on the occasion of June 26 - the Armed Forces Day of Azerbaijan, the Turkish delegation tweeted, Trend reports. "Congratulations to Azerbaijan on the 105th anniversary of the Armed Forces! We are one fist, one heart," the delegation said. The formation of the national army, founded during the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic republic in the East, has reached the modern stage on the basis of the principle of historical continuity in a newly independent country. Separate Azerbaijani corps formed the legal basis of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Army on June 26, 1918. Joe Holleman Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Two St. Louis-area members of Congress are happy with as well as keeping an eye on $75 million in the proposed 2024 federal budget to improve locks and dams. U.S. Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, Missouri, and Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, Illinois, are backing the spending that would upgrade locks and dams along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The two lawmakers districts share the Mississippi along portions of St. Charles and Madison counties. The money is part of the House Energy and Water Appropriations bill that now goes before the full House. Budzinski said the Mississippi is crucial to farmers in her district. But the locks and dams they depend on are nearly a century old. By modernizing our inland waterway infrastructure, we can help our family farmers get their corn and soybeans to market more quickly. Said Luetkemeyer: These waterways play a critical role in our states trade, agriculture, tourism, and larger economy. This funding provides critical improvements ... to keep commerce flowing. Also supporting the spending is U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Tarkio, whose district covers the area along the Mississippi from Lincoln County to north of Canton. JEFFERSON CITY A Cole County judge rejected a request Monday to force Missouris attorney general to certify 11 proposed abortion questions for the 2024 ballot while the politically charged dispute is being appealed to the states highest court. The decision likely delays efforts to collect signatures for an abortion-related ballot measure by at least a month. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem said the rapidly moving appeal before the Missouri Supreme Court gave him confidence that the time-sensitive case is proceeding as quickly as possible. I dont know that we can make it move any faster, Beetem said. It appears to this court that things are moving in the proper direction. At issue is a lawsuit brought against Attorney General Andrew Bailey over his demand that his office can block proposed ballot initiatives if he disagrees with how much a change in the Missouri Constitution might cost taxpayers. His refusal to sign off on 11 proposed ballot questions on the issue of abortion resulted in an order by Beetem last week calling for Bailey to perform his duty and certify the questions within 24 hours. Instead, Bailey appealed the decision to the high court and refused to act on Beetems order. The ACLU of Missouri, which is representing a group seeking to place a question on the ballot that would restore abortion rights in Missouri, wanted Beetem to force the release of the petitions in order to begin collecting the required number of voter signatures. Supporters need signatures from 8% of voters in six of the states eight congressional districts in order to get the abortion-rights measure on the 2024 ballot. The attorney general is not entitled to an automatic stay, ACLU attorney Tori Schafer said in the short hearing. In addition to robbing the group of more time to collect signatures, Schafer said Baileys legal position is tenuous. The attorney general is not likely to prevail in this appeal, Schafer said. Bailey is appealing a ruling that he has only a ministerial duty to approve the estimated cost of a ballot measure after Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, a fellow Republican, questioned Baileys interpretation of his role. Bailey took over as attorney general in January after his predecessor, Eric Schmitt, moved to the U.S. Senate. Bailey previously served as general counsel to Gov. Mike Parson. He is running for a full, four-year term in 2024 and faces the prospect of an expensive primary race against former Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Scharf. In March, Fitzpatrick determined that passage of the proposed abortion amendment would have an estimated cost to state and local governments of at least $51,000 annually. In response, Bailey said the price tag could be $51 billion, including the possibility of losing all federal Medicaid health insurance funding, which is about $12 billion per year. Fitzpatrick rejected the claim, arguing that submitting an inaccurate fiscal note would violate his duty as state auditor. Beetem, in a 29-page ruling issued Tuesday, agreed. The Attorney General has no authority to return a fiscal note and fiscal note summary to the auditor if it complies with (state law), Beetem wrote. During Mondays hearing, Assistant Attorney General Jason Krol Lewis said Bailey is cognizant of the issue of time and asked the Supreme Court for an accelerated briefing schedule. Written briefs are due July 5 and oral arguments are scheduled for July 17. Lewis said the court could rule before the end of July, but he acknowledged the court sometimes takes longer to decide cases. Beetem said Bailey could have taken longer to decide on an appeal, leaving him believing that the issue could be resolved in a timely manner. I think its in the right place, Beetem said. Missouri Republican leaders have conceded that if an abortion question made it on the ballot, a constitutional amendment to reverse the current state ban would pass with a simple majority. FLORISSANT St. Rose Philippine Duchesne will be the third Catholic grade school to close this fall amid a major reorganization of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. St. Rose is one of three campuses in the Florissant area that make up All Saints Academy, along with St. Ferdinand and St. Norbert. After years of declining enrollment and parish funds, All Saints Academy was formed in 2018 to centralize the schools under the archdioceses education office. Each campus has kindergarten through eighth grades, with a total of 527 students filling 40% of the open seats and an operating deficit of $1.5 million last year. The 131 students enrolled for the fall at St. Rose will be allowed to transfer to the St. Ferdinand or St. Norbert campus, according to a letter sent to families. Teachers at St. Rose will be offered comparable positions in the other two All Saints schools, the letter says. There were 12 open staff positions at St. Rose, including kindergarten, first, third and fifth grade teachers, job listings for the archdiocese show. I am confident that All Saints Academy staff and families at the St. Ferdinand and St. Norbert campuses will warmly welcome those joining them from the St. Rose Philippine Duchesne campus. I encourage all people of faith to join me in praying for a safe and fruitful school year, for All Saints Academy and all school communities, reads a statement Monday from Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne is one of 35 parishes that will close Aug. 1 under the All Things New downsizing of the archdiocese. St. Rose was created in 2005 in a merger of St. Dismas, St. Thomas the Apostle and Our Lady of Fatima. St. Roses church is in the former St. Dismas on Paddock Drive; the school is about a mile south, on the former St. Thomas campus on St. Catherine Street. The St. Thomas the Apostle church and school were built in the early 1960s as part of Mark Twain Hills, a subdivision of ranch-style homes developed by builder Warren Vatterott. The archdiocese previously announced school closures at St. Mark in south St. Louis County and Good Shepherd in Hillsboro. Barat Academy, an independent Catholic high school in Chesterfield, also closed this year. One-third to one-half of the 82 remaining Catholic grade schools in the region are expected to close before the 2024-2025 school year in the second phase of All Things New to be announced this fall. Under the parish restructuring plan released last month, Sacred Heart in Florissant will absorb St. Rose and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Ferguson. All three parishes have schools, Sacred Heart with 342 students and Blessed Teresa with 153. North St. Louis County has seen the largest decline in school enrollment of any area of the archdiocese as the Catholics now represent 9% of the population there following decades of white flight. The areas parish schools enroll a high percentage of Black and non-Catholic students, according to archdiocese data. In 1970, there were 43 parishes in north St. Louis County. Starting in August, there will be five. The Catholic Church for decades has been doing what for-profit corporations do, basing their decisions on revenue and market share, said Mark Etling, an adjunct instructor of theology at St. Louis University. Consciously or not, what is happening in effect is that the Catholic Church is following white people. Etling said he had hoped the archdioceses reorganization would be based on its universal mission and teachings of service to the poor. If the church had used those kinds of standards, I think All Things New really would have been new and it would have looked different. It wouldnt have been a near-abandonment of north (St. Louis) city and North County, he said. Not to make them all Catholics, but just to be present where society generally doesnt want to be present, in poor neighborhoods. That to me is the justice dimension of this whole process. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. Anyone whos ever bought a house can say that the fees are where they get you. Some arent getting on board with a new federal rule that appears to shift the burden of some mortgage fees from high-risk to low-risk borrowers. The revamped rule took effect on May 1. Changes to whats known as the Federal Housing Finance Agency loan-level pricing adjustment structure sparked a chorus of criticism from Republican lawmakers. In Missouri, Gov. Mike Parson signed an open letter asking the Biden administration to rescind the new rule. This backward policy only serves to punish hard-working Americans who follow good financial practices, Parson said in a statement. Only the Biden administration would think it can solve a supply issue by subsidizing demand and bad credit. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two leading providers of mortgage financing, typically impose higher fees on borrowers who are more likely to default based on factors like down payments and credit scores. The fees are converted into percentage points that increase a buyers mortgage rate. They usually range from 0.125% to 2.875%, The new rule does not automatically raise fees for those with high credit scores at the expense of those with poor credit, a claim that some critics have made. But the updated fee structure does provide more of a break to those with low down payments regardless of the credit score, upending the traditional framework of treating buyers as less risky if they put more money down. Those with lower down payments would still be subject to mortgage insurance premiums. An analysis from the Mortgage Bankers Association found that some borrowers with higher credit scores and down payments could see a fee increase between 5 and 25 basis points (0.05% to 0.25%) under changes. The outcry was enough that FHFA director Sandra L. Thompson issued a statement attempting to clarify the changes. She said the goal was to help low-income borrowers, not borrowers with low credit scores. Higher-credit-score borrowers are not being charged more so that lower-credit borrowers can pay less, she said. Some updated fees are higher and some are lower, in differing amounts. They do not represent pure decreases for high-risk borrowers or pure increases for low-risk borrowers. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley thinks Congress should step in and overturn the rule. I dont understand it at all, said Missouris senior senator, a Republican. It really disfavors and punishes middle-class borrowers, people who have decent credit and want to save up and buy a home. Dennis Lykins, branch manager of Open Mortgage in St. Joseph, said home loans are rarely one size fits all. While low down payments often are seen as riskier, he does lots of Federal Housing Administration loans because they dont require as much of a down payment for first-time homebuyers. Its really tough to put your thumb on it, he said. It used to be if you applied for a loan, it was yes or no. Everybody got the same terms. In the past 20 years pricing has been so involved with credit scores. Im for anything that will help anybody. ST. LOUIS COUNTY Ralph Walker is the kind of guy who will mow a neighbors yard if the grass starts getting high. He loves a tidy neighborhood. And he has made a career out of it. For more than 15 years, the 53-year-old has overseen management or demolition of more than 1,000 problem properties in unincorporated St. Louis County the abandoned houses, the crumbling buildings, the illegal dumping grounds and the empty lots where weeds grow past his waistline. He does it because he wants residents to feel safe and proud in their homes. Im one of those people who visualizes how things will be in the future, Walker said, and I just hope that when the future catches up with my anticipating that well have something that matches up, or at least is close. There will soon be money for Walker to work with, a lot more than he and his three-person staff have seen since he started his job. But meeting compliance with federal rules and finding a sustainable way to improve properties wont be easy. St. Louis County dedicated $11 million of federal pandemic relief funds to demolishing or repurposing more than 1,100 problem properties. Most of the properties are concentrated in north and south St. Louis County, where the bulk of unincorporated territory lies. County Council members from those areas, Democrat Shalonda Webb and Republican Ernie Trakas, partnered last year to secure money under the American Rescue Plan Act. Walker is used to a few thousand dollars in federal grants here or there and the occasional volunteer group to address never-ending problems that endanger communities and lower property values. Sign up Subscribe to the free email newsletter Brick City, with insights into St. Louis-area development and business news, at stltoday.com/newsletters On Friday, he went with two workers to board up a doorway in a vacant house at Baron and Empress drives, in the Castle Point neighborhood about a mile southwest of Interstate 270 and Route 367. On two blocks of Baron Drive where several small, well-kept 1960s-era homes line the street, there are at least 16 abandoned houses and three vacant lots. Just a few weeks ago, his crew was in the area clearing out dumped trash at one house and on Friday, about 15 bags of garbage had been dumped at the house again. Derrick Hudson, 59, has lived in the neighborhood for about five years. He has never seen the area looking the way he would like: cleaned up and safe for the neighborhoods children. People are sleeping, smoking, you name it in these houses, Hudson said. That aint cool for kids. He said itd be nice for the federal money to pay for the properties to be torn down. But the money comes with a caveat. The county cant just use the money to demolish buildings and then walk away. It has to also improve public health and safety, such as by addressing a housing need, partnering with a developer to add a grocery store, or establishing a park. It has to have a plan for spending the money by the end of 2024, and the money has to be spent by 2026. Taking on long-term maintenance costs is not in the interest of the county, which faces a $44 million budget deficit this year. Instead, the county wants to give the money to nonprofits or businesses that can take on responsibility for a property and do something more holistic than just keeping an empty lot mowed, said Stephanie Leon Streeter, director of the St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works. The department has requested input from groups that might want to partner with the county and will host a virtual information meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. I have not ever seen anything this large, said Leon Streeter, who has worked for the county for 22 years. We do endless work addressing nuisance properties and vacant homes. This is certainly transformative. The money wont pay to fix all of the properties, Leon Streeter said. And what they can do will depend on zoning and who owns the properties. It can take years of cutting through red tape to demolish a building, even if its completely falling apart like the small brick building on Orient Avenue in Lemay in unincorporated South County. Lemay faces many of the same problems with vacancy as North County, said Kevin Poe, executive director of The Housing Partnership, a nonprofit that develops affordable housing in Lemay. Hes happy the county is dedicating more money to the problem, but its a complicated one to solve. Its easy to be on the outside wanting people to fix up a house, Poe said. But a lot of the folks dont have either the physical or financial capabilities to keep their houses up. Graffiti on a sign in front of the crumbling structure on Orient Avenue made clear who at least some residents blame: St. Louis County and County Executive Sam Page. But despite the condition of a property, the county has to treat the owners fairly, Leon Streeter said. You cant just wave a wand and a property comes down, she said. Very real people held or still hold these properties, and Im not going to judge how it got to the place that it is. But they deserve their due process. Walker, the county problem properties manager, said he hears plenty of complaints about the county neglecting the residents who care meticulously for their properties. It hurts that his small staff can only do so much, Walker said. At least with the $11 million, residents will see more progress even if its just one less dilapidated building. As the guy that works with three guys that are dealing with this all the time, its a deep sigh of relief, Walker said. More people will be happy. Sign up Subscribe to the free email newsletter Brick City, with insights into St. Louis-area development and business news, at stltoday.com/newsletters The classified documents were kept in various parts of the home, including in a bathtub. It was unclear why they were taken and kept indeed, prosecutors didnt even venture a motive. Still, a former FBI intelligence analyst in Kansas City will spend almost the next four years in prison for mishandling the documents, a federal judge ruled last week. The analyst isnt alone. While such cases arent routine, they arent unprecedented and prison time is a common outcome, even in cases where there was no apparent espionage or public leaking of information. This should provide some important perspective as Republican politicians from Missouri and elsewhere continue to insist that former President Donald Trump has been singled out for unfair treatment with the federal criminal charges against him. In fact, their arguments come down to an insistence that he should get special treatment, and should be above the law. He shouldnt. Kendra Kingsbury, 50, spent more than a dozen years working from the FBIs Kansas City office, and at some point began bringing documents to her Dodge City, Kansas home. Her lawyer offered no explanation for the behavior, other than to cite personal and family problems, implying there may have been mental health issues. Though she admitted having the documents once the government began looking for them, she didnt willingly give them back. Does that sound familiar? In some ways, the case against Trump is more damning than the one against Kingsbury. While prosecutors described her as being unhelpful in recovering the documents, theres been no reporting to indicate she lied about having them after being subpoenaed, or instructed others to lie, or moved them around her home to prevent their discovery, or suggested to anyone that they be destroyed to prevent the government from getting them. Trump has been credibly accused of all of that, which is why the charges against him include obstruction of justice. Yet prominent members of what used to be known as the law-and-order party have, from the moment the indictment against Trump became public, disparaged the Justice Department and demanded that Trump be allowed to get away with actions that have sent other Americans to prison. Immediately after the charges became known, Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt declared, falsely, that Joe Biden has now indicted his top political opponent. In fact, a grand jury indicted him, at the behest of a special prosecutor. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley called it an assault on our democracy, pure and simple as if holding a former president to the same standards as everyone else is somehow anti-democratic. The difference between Trump and others who have taken records, Hawley has maintained, is that the Presidential Records Act allows him to decide what to take with him or not. Thats a highly disputable interpretation. And in any case, theres no part of the act that gives an ex-president the legal right to lie to the government about his possession of records and to evade a subpoena, which Trump allegedly did. The conviction of Kingsbury and other federal employees in recent years is a positive indication that American justice shows no favoritism based on official standing (or former standing). Whether that noble principle applies all the way up to a former president may be determined by how the case against Trump plays out going forward. But it should not escape notice that Hawley, Schmitt and other top names in the GOP have already rendered their own judgments. They are calling for nothing less than putting one man above the law. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Azerbaijan and Turkiye are considering the issue of joint production of unmanned systems, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said in an interview with local TV, Trend reports. According to the minister, the public will be informed about the decision in the future. "We have very close cooperation with fraternal Turkiye, there is a joint project. The question is not only about the purchase of new flying unmanned systems, but also about their joint production and operation here," he said. The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has given approval to SHB The capital increase would be implemented by issuing shares to pay last year's dividends to existing shareholders at the rate of 18 per cent and to issue shares under the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). SHB With the capital increase,will be in the Top 5 private commercial banks with largest chartered capital. SHB has achieved sustainable growth in profits, increasing its chartered capital steadily over the years. Its liquidity and risk management indicators are all better than the SBVs regulations. SHB is also one of the banks that ensures the interests of shareholders through regular dividend payments from 7 to 15 per cent a year, and notably 18 per cent in 2022. SHB s representative said that the increase in chartered capital is important to improving the banks financial capacity, increasing its competitiveness in the process of international economic integration, and meeting its shareholders interests. SHB Shares issue under the ESOP are one of the policies to connect the bank with its employees. This activity also contributes to encouraging and attracting top talent and improving work efficiency. It's the driving force forto complete its goals and development strategy in the future. SHB In 2023,targets pre-tax profit of more than VN10.6 trillion, up 9.67 per cent over last year. Total assets are expected to grow by 10.09 per cent and the capital mobilisation market increased by 14.78 per cent. The dividend rate is expected to be 15 per cent. SHB By the end of the first quarter of 2023, the bank's total assets reached VN570.1 trillion. Total operating income (TOI) reached VN6.2 trillion, posting a 32.2 per cent year-on-year increase. Net profit reached VN4.9 trillion, up 35 per cent over the same period last year. This result helpedto enter the group of banks with the highest net profit growth in the first quarter of 2023. Despite actively making provisions for risk mitigation (nearly 3 times higher than in the same period last year), the bank still achieved a pre-tax profit of VN3.6 trillion. SHB SHB SHB International credit rating agency Moody's gavea B1 credit rating.'s B1 and B2 BCA ratings reflect its expectation that's credit index will remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months. B2 BCA also considers the bank's capital and liquidity. SHB SHB also completed the transfer of half ofFinance's charter capital to its Krungsri (Thailand) partner in the process of divesting 100 per cent of its capital according to the previously signed deal. SHB In the next three years, the bank will transfer all the remaining 50 per cent shares to Krungsri according to the agreement. The transaction will bring a significant surplus forshareholders, freeing up more resources for the bank to continue to strengthen its financial capacity and fundamental factors, thereby promoting business activities in key segments, especially boosting investment in digital transformation. SHB The surplus from the deal also helpsto strengthen its capital buffer, one of the bases to accelerate the application of the Basel III roadmap to comply with international financial reporting standards (IFRS) in 2023. SHB SHB SHB Many large financial institutions such as WB, ADB, IFC, and KFW have co-operated withthrough grants and investments worth hundreds of millions of US dollars. Recently,and IFC signed a high-end loan co-operation agreement, in which, the first loan in a total loan package of $120 million from IFC's direct capital has a term of three years. The loan is intended to assistin developing its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loan portfolio, which includes women-owned businesses and those involved in the supply chain. SHB "The IFC and many international financial institutions have accompaniedin recent years continue to affirm the bank's prestige and capacity in the international financial market. "It affirms the right strategy in developing the banking industry, building a solid foundation, helping sustainable growth, and meeting safety standards while complying with international standards as well," the bank's representative added. The bank is promoting investment in IT as well as improving governance and management capacity, constantly expanding its network and scale, and aiming to become the most modern and popular retail bank in Viet Nam. VNS Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 under the pretense of rescuing Ukrainians from a fascist government and growing NATO influence. That excuse did not survive contact with the combative Ukrainians who were determined to repel the invaders and drive them from Ukraine. That is what is happening and Russia now claims they attacked Ukraine to annex it to Russia. This was considered necessary to restore Ukraine to its status as part of Russia. The Russian leader later claimed that he was seeking to restore other areas to Russian control. Russia eventually named portions of Poland as one of its future targets for absorption into Greater Russia, otherwise known as the Russian empire. Belarus, the Baltic States and some former Soviet territories in Central Asia are also on the acquisition list. None of these targets for Russian aggression are willing to go peacefully. As the largest and wealthiest East European NATO member, Poland is leading the way by rearming to confront any future threat. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland decided to increase the size of the armed forces to 300,000 personnel and spend at least three percent of GDP on defense. NATO agreements suggest two percent of GDP but few European NATO members reached two percent. Now more NATO members are reaching or exceeding two percent and the increases are higher the closer the country is to Russia. The NATO nations close to Russia or bordering Russia insist that if Russia is allowed to keep any Ukrainian territory, the Russians will attack them too as part of an effort to reconstitute the Greater Russia that the tsars and later communists created and maintained until 1991. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has always insisted that the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a big mistake and must be rectified. Many Russians agree with that, but are less willing to pay the economic and military price that Ukraine demonstrated would result if Russia tried. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan are nervous because they are, after Ukraine, according to Vladimir Putin, on the list of former Soviet territories that need to be reunited with Greater Russia. That would be difficult because these three states have growing economic ties with China and diplomatic ties with India. Russia later expanded its territorial claims beyond Ukraine to include what it openly called Greater Russia. This is not quite rebuilding the tsarist or communist empires because Russia does not want the expensive to rule Central Asian states, but rather more lucrative territories Russian once ruled. This includes portions of Poland, all of the Baltic States and Finland, and parts of Alaska. There are some serious legal and practical problems with these claims. The United States has a larger military and nukes which might come into play to deal with efforts to enforce any Russian claims on Alaska. Russia is making claims on several Eastern European NATO members who are protected by the mutual defense clause of the NATO treaty. Russia and all the nations involved are members of the United Nations. Article 51 of the UN charter demands that members refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Russia says this does not apply because Ukraine is a breakaway part of Russia and Russian troops are seeking to liberate Ukraine from foreign (NATO) oppression. Ukraine is also a UN member and protests Russian claims as well as the UN tolerating the Russian use of its Security Council veto to block any serious UN opposition to the Russian aggression. Ukraine pointed out that the Ukrainian forces will force Russian troops out of Ukraine and then the problem will be what the rest of the world does with Russia. By leveraging precise data collection, analysis and control capabilities, mining operations can minimise health risks, reduce environmental impact and optimise operational efficiency. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2023 / Applied Measurement, a leading provider of industrial monitoring solutions, sheds light on the criticality of effective dust and noise monitoring in ensuring worker safety on mining sites. By utilising advanced technologies, mining operations can enhance safety measures and protect the health of their workforce. data logger, pressure transmitter, flow sensors Dust and noise are inherent challenges faced by the mining industry, posing significant risks to the well-being of workers. Inhalation of dust particles can lead to respiratory problems, including chronic bronchitis and silicosis, while excessive noise exposure can result in hearing loss and other auditory complications. Recognising the need for proactive measures, Applied Measurement emphasises the role of accurate and reliable monitoring systems. The integration of data loggers enables real-time tracking and analysis of dust and noise levels across mining sites. These compact devices collect data on airborne particulate matter and noise intensity, facilitating prompt identification of hazardous conditions. The acquired information from a data logger allows mining operators to take immediate action, implementing necessary control measures and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. According to Applied Measurement, a pressure transmitter can also play a pivotal role in dust monitoring, offering precise measurements of atmospheric pressure changes. By closely monitoring pressure differentials, mining companies can identify potential leakage points, preventing the release of harmful dust particles into the environment. The ability to detect such anomalies in real-time enables prompt repairs and reduces the risk of respiratory health issues among workers. Flow sensors are indispensable tools in noise monitoring, accurately measuring the intensity and frequency of sound waves generated by mining activities. These sensors provide essential data for evaluating noise exposure levels, enabling the implementation of effective noise control measures. By mitigating excessive noise through engineering controls or personal protective equipment, mining companies can safeguard the auditory health of their employees. Applied Measurement's comprehensive range of monitoring solutions empowers mining operators to proactively address dust and noise hazards. The company's advanced technologies not only enhance worker safety but also contribute to sustainable mining practices. As an industry leader, Applied Measurement remains committed to providing innovative monitoring solutions to support companies across various industries in their pursuit of a safe and sustainable work environment. For more information, visit https://appliedmeasurement.com.au/ About Applied Measurement Established in 1976, Applied Measurement is dedicated to delivering innovative and efficient solutions for measuring physical parameters. Adopting a comprehensive approach, Applied Measurement serves as a "one-stop-shop" for sensor and system applications. From conceptualisation and design to manufacturing, distribution, support and calibration, the company takes pride in providing end-to-end services. Contact Information: Applied Measurement Marketing Manager [email protected] (03) 98745777 SOURCE: Applied Measurement View source version on accesswire.com: Recognising the changing needs of customers, Byrne Ford has taken proactive measures to address the difficulties of sourcing new car models by bolstering its collection of used cars. BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2023 / In response to the ongoing challenges of sourcing new Ford cars, trusted automotive dealership Byrne Ford has successfully met customer demand by expanding its inventory of used cars Brisbane drivers can rely on. With an extensive selection of over 250 high-quality pre-owned vehicles, Byrne Ford is ensuring customers in Brisbane have access to a diverse range of reliable transportation options, catering to various preferences and budgets. Byrne Ford Byrne Ford With the instant asset write-off coming to an end on 30 June, business owners are actively seeking viable alternatives to new cars. According to Byrne Ford, many entrepreneurs are turning to quality, low-kilometre second-hand cars Brisbane-wide as a practical solution when new vehicles are not readily available. Byrne Ford foresaw this shift in demand and invested in a wide selection of used cars a couple of years ago. As a result, the dealership now operates three expansive used car yards across northern Brisbane, ensuring convenient access for customers in the region. To guarantee customer satisfaction and peace of mind, all Byrne Ford used cars for sale Brisbane-wide undergo meticulous inspections and reconditioning as required. Each vehicle comes with a standard three-year mechanical protection plan, further solidifying the dealership's commitment to quality and reliability. This approach provides potential buyers of used cars with the same level of assurance enjoyed by purchasers of new vehicles, who benefit from manufacturer warranties. While it is expected that new car stock will gradually increase in the coming months for certain models, Byrne Ford's top-quality used cars present an excellent alternative in the interim. With an expansive selection, thorough inspections and the added protection of a three-year mechanical plan, customers can confidently choose a used car from Byrne Ford that meets their specific needs. For more information about Byrne Ford's extensive range of used cars for sale in Brisbane, visit https://byrneford.com.au/ About Byrne Ford Byrne Ford is a leading automotive dealership located in Brisbane, Australia. With a commitment to providing exceptional customer service and a comprehensive range of vehicles, Byrne Ford has earned a reputation as a trusted destination for both new and used cars. The dealership offers a wide variety of Ford models, along with other reputable brands, ensuring customers find the perfect vehicle to suit their preferences and requirements. Contact Information: Byrne Ford Marketing Manager (07) 3248 3333 SOURCE: Byrne Ford View source version on accesswire.com: NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / When Olwi Abzueta learned a school in her community in the Dominican Republic (DR) needed help, she knew she couldn't turn down the opportunity to make a difference. When she joined Medtronic as an engineer in 2017, her colleagues in the DR often volunteered in the community, but there wasn't a formal process for getting involved. To help, Abzueta joined a committee and led volunteers to do more. With each effort, the team logged their hours with the Medtronic Foundation. The small - but mighty - team continued to take on new projects, but found itself hitting barriers when trying to engage a majority of the local workforce. In efforts to engage manufacturing employees in the DR and Mexico, the Medtronic Foundation reached out with an opportunity with Glasswing International, an organization that addresses the root causes and consequences of poverty through education and health programs that empower youth and communities. For Abzueta, the goal was to make a local school feel like a safe and inviting place that could also function as a community center for families - many of whom work at Medtronic. Almost 200 employees in Mexico and the DR came together to give three schools a makeover in three days. A majority of volunteers were manufacturing employees. They painted, built - and filled - bookshelves, and planted trees. Revitalizing schools is about more than beautification. Studies show that a safe, healthy learning environment promotes attendance and helps students thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. And that matters in areas that have historically been under-funded, where kids can end up dropping out of school to find - sometimes dangerous - ways to support their families. "That's the impact of a project like this," said Mark Loyka, U.S. country director for Glasswing International. Glasswing was founded to get community members involved in volunteerism. As Loyka puts it, "Who knows the community better than the community?" "We empower people to have that agency in their own community to drive change," he said. "They want to make change and have local knowledge, plus there is a real community pride when you have a school that not only looks good but has the resources for the students to thrive." And with the support of the Medtronic Foundation, which funded the initiative, Abzueta and her committee of local employee volunteers feel like they can do even more. "It's a lot of work," she said. "But now with the help of a strong community, I don't feel alone even if the goal feels unattainable." Even after the school makeovers wrapped up, the new relationship with Glasswing International, the local schools, and employees was just the beginning. They have stayed in touch and continue to deepen their efforts with Glasswing International - empowering communities and transforming lives. See our employees in action and learn more about our impact here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Medtronic on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Medtronic Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/medtronic Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Medtronic View source version on accesswire.com: NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Qualcomm: As published in Qualcomm's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report The Million Girls Moonshot (the Moonshot) is a transformative, nationwide initiative that's re-imagining who can engineer, who can build and who can invent. It aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through after-school and summer programs by 2025. The Moonshot aligns with our Company's goal to increase diversity of talent in the STEM workforce pipeline. Through a collaborative funding model, the Moonshot provides grants to every state in the United States through the 50 State After-school Networks to help them support equity-focused, hands-on STEM learning experiences to students in after-school programs. In 2022, the Moonshot launched the 2022 Flight Crew, featuring 16 remarkable youth from across the country as STEM ambassadors. These young leaders have been working in their communities to break down stereotypes and spark their peers' curiosity in STEM. The Flight Crew are committed to using afterschool learning to build a better future where young girls everywhere can envision a place for themselves in STEM, and they are amplifying youth voices in the national conversation around STEM equity. The Moonshot's second year impact includes connecting more than 1.1 million students in afterschool STEM programs and engaging 94,399 teachers across 50 states. We will continue to support the Moonshot's efforts to provide STEM programming in the 50 State Afterschool Networks. Additionally, we will look to focus our support in a few key areas, including changing the narrative about who can be an inventor and empowering young women in invention, while amplifying female leaders and role models in STEM. We will also focus on opportunities to provide educational resources to educators throughout the network. Learn more in Qualcomm's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Qualcomm on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Qualcomm Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/qualcomm Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Qualcomm View source version on accesswire.com: AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Xtra Energy Corporation (OTC PINK:XTPT) is excited to announce a signed non-disclosure agreement with Sidney Resources Corporation's (OTC PINK:SDRC), wholly owned subsidiary Irish Metals, LLC, a clean technology, clean refining, clean water, exploration, and extraction company that strives to change the way the world develops how metals are produced. The goal of this NDA is to lay the groundwork for collaboration between Irish Metals and Xtra Energy on ore refinement and processing techniques, with the ultimate goal of developing an antimony-producing plant in Nevada in close proximity to the American Antimony Project. Irish Metals has enhanced antimony processing with near-zero emissions and enhanced economics. This method is the first significant modification to the antimony extraction process since the Sunshine Antimony Process was introduced in 1943 by W.C. Holmes and updated in the 1990s by C. Anderson et al. Prior to that, pyrometallurgical methods had been used for hundreds of years. The outdated Sunshine Antimony method is not an effective stand-alone method. The process was effective, but it required an excessive amount of reagents, produced large quantities of salty water, yielded antimony metal products of poor quality, and made filtering of solids residue difficult. In addition, secondary treatment was typically required to recover significant metal values. The Irish Metals process has incorporated the secondary treatment and produces a marketable antimony product. The process uses minimal water and significantly reduced quantities of reagents. In addition to antimony, the process can recover value-added metals to include silver, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, and manganese. These value-added metals can be the deciding factor in project profitability. The American Antimony Project will be utilized to provide a case study to demonstrate the efficacy of the Irish Metals process. Overall, this process will generate much less waste, which is beneficial for the country and the environment, and will produce more critical metals that were not produced by the outdated Sunshine Antimony process. It is unlikely that anyone has a comparable process. Pyrometallurgical methods are undesirable because they require more energy and produce greenhouse gases along with arsenic and mercury emissions. Most antimony concentrates contain arsenic and mercury which are volatile and difficult to remove from the gas stream even with modern emissions. Previously used hydrometallurgical processes are undesirable because permitting would be difficult as they produce excess water emissions without the addition of expensive water treatment. Sean-Rae Zalewski, Chief Executive Officer of Sidney Resources Corporation, commented on the signed agreement with "Sidney Resources Corporation is looking forward to collaborating with the experienced Team at Xtra Energy Corporation that has demonstrably driven Xtra Energy forward to re-establish the USA as an independent Antimony Producing Nation not to be dependent on potential foreign supplies. Sidney Resources Corporation is looking forward in assisting Xtra Energy Corporation to produce antimony with a plant and operation that can reduce the environmental Impact and produce cost effective Antimony for Domestic Use." Mac J. Shahsavar, P.Eng. Chairman and CEO of Xtra Energy Corporation Commented "Xtra Energy is focussed on Executing its development of the Antimony Production with the best Environmental Impact. Sidney Resources Corporation's Irish Division provides a significant step forward in Antimony Production that is significant in production of Non-Wet Antimony Production that is much more friendly to the Environment. Since the United States doesn't have any antimony producing mine; it is Xtra Energy's objective to change that. Sidney Resources Corporation's Irish Metals, LLC, Division can assist with new refining techniques that is created by Mike Irish to safely extract the highest extracted mineral with zero liquid discharge and least hazardous minerals such as arsenic and lead." Contact & Learn More: Xtra Energy Corporation Phone: 512-412-3636 Corporate Website: https://americanantimony.com/ Corporate Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtra-energy-corp/ Corporate Twitter: https://twitter.com/xtra_corp Corporate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtraenergycorp/ Corporate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093057374695 About Xtra Energy Corporation Xtra Energy Corporation is an antimony exploration company focused on developing its flagship project "American Antimony", approximately 31 miles northeast of Eastgate, Nevada. Xtra Energy Corporation holds a 100% ownership in a 79 lode claim, 1632 acre antimony project surrounding the historically documented Antimony King Mine and covering all other documented antimony producers of the Bernice Mining District. The Company is seeking to develop this expanding portfolio of antimony-rich assets to become a major supplier of antimony based products. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause materially different results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc. Our public filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the OTC Markets at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/XTPT/disclosure SOURCE: Xtra Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) declined Monday following mixed data from its obesity program. In an announcement, Pfizer said it would continue development of it GLP-1-RA candidate danuglipron toward late-stage development for obesity and type 2 diabetes, but discontinue its second candidate, lotiglipron. These medicines are intended to keep blood sugar at healthy levels and work by increasing the amount of insulin released and lowering the amount of glucagon released into the blood. They also slow down the digestion of food and increase the feeling of fullness after eating. Pfizer said the decision to terminate the clinical development of lotiglipron was based on data from a Phase 1 study and laboratory measurements of elevated liver enzymes in these Phase 1 studies as well as the ongoing Phase 2 study. None of these participants reported liver related symptoms or side effects, there was no evidence of liver failure, and none needed treatment. Importantly, the same problems have not been observed in the over 1,400 patients enrolled in the danuglipron program, Pfizer said. BMO analyst Evan David Seigerman said todays news highlights the benefit of the dual development path, as safety signals are not uncommon in early clinical development programs. Following today's decision, we look to 4Q23 phase 2b readouts for danuglipron in non-diabetic, obese patients as the next key catalysts for the program. We're also focused on the finalized trial design for the asset, in addition to formulation work progress, said Seigerman. The BMO analyst added, We emphasize that the dual development program allows Pfizer to remain competitive, despite the lotiglipron setback, given the progress of danuglipron. We believe this remains a meaningful opportunity for Pfizer as we model $5.7B peak unadjusted revenue ($2.7B adjusted) across PFE's GLP-1 franchise. Shares of Pfizer were down over 5% following the update. By Louis Juricic In his US equity strategy note Monday, Morgan Stanley's Michael Wilson told investors that they believe "risks for a major correction have rarely been higher." "In our view, the headwinds significantly outweigh the tailwinds," wrote Wilson. "Our highest conviction view remains our well below consensus forecast for earnings this yearour base case 2023 EPS for S&P 500 is $185 (Bear $170/Bull $210) which compares to bottom-up consensus at $220 and top-down/buyside forecasts near $210-215." "While last year's earnings misses were mostly a function of bloated cost structures as pandemic demand normalized, we believe the next leg will be about deteriorating pricing and top line disappointment," he added. In addition to growth risks, Wilson explained that the liquidity picture is starting to deteriorate due to record levels of Treasury issuance and QT, with Morgan Stanley estimating bank reserves will contract by $500 billion to $800 billion over the next six months which they see as likely having a negative impact on equity valuations. "The technical picture remains poor with recent breadth improvement failing yet again," continued Wilson. Wilson concluded that his firm believes value is likely to have a period of relative outperformance versus growth as "defensives reassert their leadership from last year." By Sam Boughedda agilon health, inc. (NYSE: AGL), the trusted partner empowering physicians to transform health care in our communities, today announced that Silvana Battaglia has been named as an independent board director. Battaglia brings more than two decades of business leadership experience in global human resources, shaping high-performance cultures, talent, and succession management, and driving organizational transformation within the pharmaceutical, healthcare and business services sectors. We are pleased to welcome Silvana to the agilon health board, said Ron Williams, board chairman. Silvanas extensive human resources experience within the healthcare industry will provide important insights to further our mission to be the trusted long-term partner of community-based physicians while shaping a positive and effective organizational culture for our best-in-class teams. Silvana is a proven leader, leading both domestic and international human resources organizations where she has delivered exceptional results, said Steve Sell, chief executive officer, agilon health. agilon is growing and, as we do, Silvana will play a pivotal role in helping our company push toward a more sustainable primary care model for physicians that enables better health outcomes for senior patients. agilon health is transforming health care by enabling primary care physicians to move away from the fee-for-service treadmill, said Silvana Battaglia, board member, agilon health. Value-based primary care is the key to ensuring senior patients have access to the care that they deserve, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to advance agilons mission and support their growing workforce. Battaglia currently serves as executive vice president and chief human resources officer for AmerisourceBergen, a leading global healthcare company that fosters a positive impact on the health of people and communities around the world by advancing the development and delivery of pharmaceutical and healthcare products. Prior to her current role, Battaglia worked at Aramark, most recently as senior vice president of global compensation, benefits, labor relations, and HR services; previously, she was senior vice president of global human resources. Battaglia has also served as chief human resources officer for Day & Zimmerman, and held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Merck. She gained early human resources experience at Wyeth Pharmaceutical and Colorcon, a division of Berwind Pharmaceuticals. Battaglia graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Marketing and received an M.S. in Human Resources from Widener University. Battaglia has also served as adjunct faculty member at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. On the Day of the Armed Forces, June 26, Azerbaijani military personnel held marches accompanied by military bands along various streets of Baku, as well as in the cities of Barda and Shusha, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense. First, a minute of silence was held in memory of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and those who died for the freedom of Azerbaijan. The State Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played. During the march, military bands played patriotic war songs. The military marches aroused great interest among Azerbaijani citizens. AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) today announced that Bill Rhodes decided to relinquish his positions as President and CEO, effective January 2024. Rhodes, who will become Executive Chairman of the Board, will be succeeded by Philip Daniele as a CEO. Daniele, a 29-year AutoZoner and currently Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain, will also join the Board of Directors as a member. Rhodes has held the positions of President, CEO, and Board of Directors member since March 2005. In June 2007, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board. By Davit Kirakosyan Details Serious Concern with the Boards Decision to Effect a Debt-Financed Share Repurchase and Institute a Poison Pill Believes that the Boards Recent Decisions Expose Shareholders to Unnecessary Financial and Strategic Risks Contends the Boards Decisions do not Benefit All Shareholders NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Danaos Corporation (Danaos, we, or us) (NYSE: DAC), one of the worlds largest independent owners of containerships and the largest shareholder of Eagle Bulk Shipping, Inc. (the Company or Eagle Bulk) (NYSE: EGLE) with ownership of approximately 16.7% of the outstanding shares, has issued a letter to the Board of Directors of Eagle Bulk (the Board) in response to the Companys repurchase of Oaktree Capitals (Oaktree) 28% stake in the Company and unilateral adoption of a poison pill. The full text of the letter issued to the Board follows: A LETTER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EAGLE BULK SHIPPING, INC. (EGLE) June 26, 2023 Dear Members of the Board, Danaos Corporation (Danaos or we) is the largest shareholder of Eagle Bulk Shipping, Inc. (Eagle Bulk, EGLE, or the Company), maintaining a 16.7% equity stake in the Company. As you are likely aware, we are one of the largest independent owners of modern, large-size containerships, chartering our fleet to many of the worlds largest liner companies, and have been operating in the maritime sector for over 50 years. Before making our initial investment in the Company, we approached its management and conveyed that our intention was to invest in the Company in the open market and that a key consideration in our investment in the Company was its sound track record in corporate governance. We indicated our desire to work collaboratively and constructively with the Board and believed that our intention was reciprocated. We were therefore surprised to see the announcement of the Companys recent repurchase of Oaktree Capitals (Oaktree) entire 28% stake in the Company at nearly a 35% premium to the Companys 45-day average share price and its decision to adopt a poison pill without seeking prior shareholder approval. It goes without saying, these transactions fundamentally alter the makeup of the Company. As a result of the repurchase of Oaktrees shares, there are 9,283,499 common shares outstanding and we now own 16.7% of the Companys shares, an increase from the approximately 11.3% we purchased in open market transactions. Additionally, we are now prohibited from purchasing any additional shares without triggering the Companys recently adopted poison pill. Since these actions were taken by the Board, Eagle Bulk shares have declined by nearly 6%, which appears to provide a preliminary assessment of the markets reaction. We are concerned with these recent developments and are seeking clarification to the following questions from the Board: 1. How Does Repurchasing $219 million repurchase of Oaktrees stake protect all shareholders from disruption? In the Companys June 22, 2023 press release, Chairman Paul Leand stated that the repurchase of Oaktrees stake ensures that [Eagle Bulk] shareholders maintain the opportunity to realize the value of their investment . . . and eliminates any potential disruption resulting from the sale of [Oaktrees 28% stake] in the Company. Implicit in the Companys rationale for engaging in the share purchase at the $58 per share price is the possibility that Oaktree might indiscriminately sell its stake in Company in the open market, negatively impacting the Companys share price. Accordingly, the Company is seemingly providing justification for using all means at its discretion to repurchase Oaktrees large holdings, including increasing its debt burden and repurchasing shares at a significant premium to the prevailing market price. It is not clear, however, that a credible threat warranting such a drastic response existed. In particular, if Oaktree truly wanted to sell out of its position at the Company, it would have likely had to do so at a materially lower price than the 45-day moving average price of approximately $43.04. This would clearly not be in the best interests of Oaktree. Oaktree materially benefited by selling its significant stake at a nearly 35% premium to Eagles 45-day average share price. We struggle to understand how the Companys decision to repurchase Oaktrees shares benefits all Eagle Bulk shareholders and question whether the decisions taken by the Company were the most effective, considered, or beneficial route for all shareholders. Rather, we are concerned that the share repurchase and preferential treatment afforded to Oaktree exposed Eagle Bulks remaining shareholders to unnecessary strategic and financial risk. Indeed, the risk to finance the repurchase with debt is shared by the Companys remaining shareholders. 2. How did the Board determine the fairness of the $58 per share price offered to Oaktree and why werent other shareholders afforded the same opportunity to tender their shares at that price? We struggle to understand why the Board engaged in this private transaction when it could have pursued more egalitarian methods, such as a tender offer directed towards all shareholders. Since the start of 2017, the Companys shares have traded above $58 for a total of 90 days, or just 5.5% of total trading days. It seems inherently unfair to us that the Companys remaining shareholders were not given the same opportunity to tender their shares at the elevated price while simultaneously bearing the burdens of financing the share repurchase. While the Board justifies the significant premium paid to Oaktree by stating that the purchase price represented a discount to NAV, there seems to a significant difference between the fair market value of the Companys fleet, as calculated by two third-party brokers as of June 12, 2023, and the GAAP value ascribed to the fleet by the Company as of March 31, 2023. This is particularly notable as the Companys benchmark Baltic Supramax Index has declined significantly since March 31, 2023 and quoted vessel values have declined as well. 3. What is the true rationale for adopting the poison pill and how does it protect Eagle Bulk shareholders? The Company described the implementation of the poison pill as reducing the likelihood that any person or group gains control of the Company through open market accumulation, or other abusive tactics potentially disadvantaging the interests of all shareholders, without paying all shareholders an appropriate control premium or providing the Companys Board of Directors sufficient time to make informed decisions in the best interest of all shareholders. To our knowledge, we are the only shareholder that is now effectively prohibited from purchasing any additional shares. Again, our intention has only been to work collaboratively and constructively with the Board and Eagle Bulk management. We informed management of our intentions before purchasing our shares in the open market. Perhaps the Board could elaborate on how an open market purchase followed by a prompt 13G filing constitutes an abusive tactic especially in light of the Boards preferential deal with Oaktree? We struggle to see how the poison pill truly accomplishes the Companys stated goal of avoiding abusive tactics and are concerned with where the share repurchase and poison pill leave us as well as the Companys other remaining shareholders. To this point, we note that it is also peculiar that the Board is only now adopting this poison pill (which is triggered at 15%) given the fact that Oaktree was long permitted to maintain its significant 28% stake without a similarly threatening response from the Board. Oaktree is a $164 billion enterprise with control positions in multiple public shipping companies. They have the knowledge and means to acquire the Company, but no poison pill was in place to prevent them from doing so. Finally, a less obvious but equally harmful consequence of the poison pill is the limitation it places on the rights of the remaining Eagle Bulk shareholders by limiting their ability to communicate openly about their investments in the Company. For example, the poison pill precludes us from having productive discussions with other Eagle Bulk shareholders regarding the significant value that could be unlocked over the fear that our conversations with potentially like-minded Eagle Bulk shareholders will trigger the poison pills dilution provisions. Given our extensive knowledge of the shipping industry, we feel that we must be able to communicate our views with the Companys shareholders at large to facilitate growth in shareholder value. The Boards defensive measure to adopt the poison pill without seeking the prior approval of shareholders raises the question of whether the Board is truly acting in the best interests of stockholders. We cant buy more stock, and the Company seeks to curtail our ability to share our opinions absent a public forum. Conclusion As Eagle Bulks current largest shareholder, we have a strong vested interest in seeing the Company enhance long-term shareholder value and believe that we have a duty to speak up when we think the Board and/or management may be acting outside the best interests of all shareholders. Accordingly, we are committed to working constructively with the Board to identify balanced, well-considered, and effective methods to enhance shareholder value on behalf of all shareholders. We look forward to constructive engagement with the Board on moving the Company forward in a positive direction. Sincerely, Danaos Corporation About Danaos Corporation Danaos Corporation is one of the largest independent owners of modern, large-size containerships. Our current fleet of 68 containerships aggregating 421,293 TEU and 10 under construction containerships aggregating 74,914 TEU ranks Danaos among the largest containership charter owners in the world based on total TEU capacity. Our fleet is chartered to many of the world's largest liner companies on fixed-rate charters. Our long track record of success is predicated on our efficient and rigorous operational standards and environmental controls. Danaos Corporation's shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DAC". Cautionary Statements Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, plan, project, could, may, might, should, will and similar words and specifically include statements relating to future financial performance and shareholder value. Forward-looking statements are aspirational and are not guarantees or promises that such expectations, plans, or goals will be met. They are also subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking or other statements, except as required by law and notwithstanding any historical practice of doing so. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626926926/en/ Evangelos Chatzis Chief Financial Officer Danaos Corporation Athens, Greece +30 210 419 6480 [email protected] Iraklis Prokopakis Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Danaos Corporation Athens, Greece +30 210 419 6400 [email protected] Investor Relations and Financial Media Rose & Company New York 212-359-2228 [email protected] Source: Danaos Corporation AMHERST, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OrthoLite, the global leader of branded, high-performance, comfort footwear solutions, announces Vikash Bajargyan as the new General Manager of OrthoLite India (OIN). In his new position, Bajargyan will manage overall operations at OIN, which will include leading manufacturing and business development, as well as establishing and managing relationships with brands and Tier 1 factory partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626618793/en/ Vikash Bajargyan (Photo: Business Wire) Bajargyan joins OrthoLite with 18 years of experience in the footwear industry in India. Most recently, he worked at Coats Group as the sales and marketing director, leading the team and growing the Coats Footwear division across all of India and Bangladesh. Prior to Coats, Bajargyan spent six years working at Texon in Chennai, where he served as the director of global business development. He has a proven track record as a supply chain expert and team leader. With his background and expertise, Vikash is the ideal leader to help us reach new business opportunities in this important region, said Glenn Barrett, Founder and CEO of OrthoLite. India is a thriving market both for the domestic consumer market and the export market with tremendous potential for OIN. Vikash joins OIN with an established network within the footwear industry, which will help expand our local reach within India to all domestic brand partners and local liaison offices for international brands. OrthoLite India, located in Ambur, Tamil Nadu, is the most recent addition to OrthoLites portfolio of vertically integrated, global facilities. OrthoLite India opened its doors in June 2021 and is now fully operational, ready to further expand local capacities to meet the needs of OrthoLites brand partners. Located in the hub of Indian footwear manufacturing, OIN is positioned to increase speed to market and supply chain reliability for OrthoLites partners. OIN is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that catalyzes local-for-local production and service, while also ensuring an important layer of risk mitigation to OrthoLites 500+ worldwide brand partners, as well as Indias leading domestic brands. Sixty-six of OrthoLites 500+ global brand partners produce in India, and the region represents part of OrthoLites global production strategy to align its factories and provide efficient and exemplary service directly to local partners and T1s. Like all of OrthoLites vertically-integrated, global manufacturing facilities, OrthoLite India brings consistency and capacity and delivers on the company-wide values of quality, sustainability, and continuous improvement. For additional information on OrthoLite, please visit ortholite.com. About OrthoLite OrthoLite is the worlds leading supplier of open-cell foam technology, and the innovator and creator of OrthoLite Cirql, the patented, revolutionary alternative to conventional plastics that provides footwear brands and their factory partners with the most sustainable, circular choice in materials. OrthoLites innovative footwear solutions are available to brands that share a vision for the future of sustainable footwear. Currently OrthoLite is found in more than 550 million shoes across all categories each year from brands such as Adidas, Altra, Asics, Brooks, Clarks, Converse, Danner, ECCO, Fendi, HOKA, Hugo Boss, Justin, New Balance, On, Reebok, Rothys, Salomon, Skechers, The North Face, Timberland, Toms, Under Armour, and Vans. OrthoLite has a long-standing history of meaningful partnerships and sponsorships that demonstrate a dedicated commitment to supporting its customers, consumers, brand partners and the footwear industry. OrthoLite is the Official Insole sponsor of the New York Yankees, and strong supporter of the Two Ten Foundation. Stay up to date with company news by visiting OrthoLite.com and OrthoLiteCirql.com, and following OrthoLite on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. To learn more about the benefits of OrthoLite, visit www.ortholite.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626618793/en/ Verde Brand Communications Julie Evans 970.946.0856 [email protected] Source: OrthoLite Agreement with NRG Energy boosts progress toward 2030 emission reduction targets PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced an agreement with NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) brand Direct Energy that will enable four PPG paints and coatings manufacturing facilities and 62 PPG PAINTS stores in Texas to reduce their carbon footprint. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) greenhouse gas (GHG) equivalencies calculator, the initiative is estimated to reduce PPG's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 9,400 metric tons annually which is equal to powering 2,092 traditional combustion engine vehicles, each driving 11,000 miles for one year. PPG has a strong history of focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy sourcing, which has resulted in a 17% reduction in absolute GHG emissions since 2017 but we know we must strive for more, said Diane Kappas, PPG vice president, global sustainability. As a result, we are continuing to make significant strides toward our renewable energy strategy and furthering our climate mitigation impact across our value chain. PPG recently received validation of its 2030 science-based targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The 2030 goals were set with a 2019 baseline year and include a 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and 30% reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions. Through the agreement with Direct Energy, PPGs Gainesville, Temple, Dallas and Grand Prairie manufacturing locations, as well as 62 PPG Paints stores in Texas, will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated by a wind facility located in Crockett County, Texas, which will help reduce emissions associated with their annual power usage. The agreement includes approximately 126,000 megawatt hours (MWh). We work hard to provide our customers with tailored energy solutions, said Scott Hart, head of sales, NRG Business. We are pleased to connect with PPG to help them achieve a more sustainable future through our renewable energy services." PPG previously announced a power purchase agreement with energy firm Constellation for its Adrian, Mich., facility, which is expected to help PPG reduce its carbon footprint by more than 2,400 metric tons annually. The companys Carrollton, Texas, facility is also powered with clean, renewable energy from the 200 MW Big Star Solar Project, as part of an agreement with Constellation. To learn more about PPGs decarbonization efforts, visit PPGs 2022 ESG Report, available on PPG.com/sustainability. PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $17.7 billion in 2022. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com. PPG Paints, the PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. CATEGORY Sustainability View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626468623/en/ Greta Edgar Borza Corporate Communications +1 724 316 7552 [email protected] www.ppg.com Source: PPG Website restructure improves access to area attractions, Visitors Guide, tourism information WELLSBORO, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Visit Potter-Tioga PA has launched its newly redesigned website at visitpottertioga.com to enhance visitors access to tourism information and make continued development and management of the site easier. By structuring member profiles into broader categories, such as Attractions, Lodging, Shopping, and Dining, visitors are able to better access the specific points of interest they are searching for in the Potter-Tioga region, like the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and Cherry Springs State Park. In the simplest terms, we want to showcase Potter and Tioga Counties and make it as easy as possible for visitors to find the information they need for their stay, Colleen Hanson, Executive Director of Visit Potter-Tioga PA, said. Not only did we accomplish this goal through a simpler restructure of how we organize the many attractions our area has to offer, we were also able to expand accessibility with ADA compliance and readability across the site with easy-to-read text and new, interactive maps with live links putting visitors just one click away from getting in touch with our members to plan their visit. Alongside the categorical restructure of the website, a new menu structure provides easier navigation while enhanced call-to-actions and new web pages highlight high priority content throughout the site. Other elements added to improve the user experience include a brightened home page design that draws visitors to specific points of interest, animated motion that helps streamline the flow of user navigation through the site, and aesthetically-appealing, meaningful graphic elements that provide a cleaner view of the information available. By integrating an improved calendar system, events across the region can now be displayed and tracked on the site with enhanced color schemes and easier-to-read text. Users can explore the Visitors Guide with a fully integrated digital flipbook viewer that incorporates new sound elements, zoom functionality, and page physics at visitpottertioga.com/plan-your-stay/visitors-guide. The Potter-Tioga region offers numerous state parks, forest districts, freshwater fishing locations, and hundreds of miles of trails to explore. The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and Cherry Springs State Park, a Gold Level International Dark Sky Park, offer breathtaking views and adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. Plan your perfect getaway at visitpottertioga.com. About Visit Potter-Tioga Launched in July 2017, Visit Potter-Tioga was formed by a merger of the former Tioga County Visitors Bureau and the former Potter County Visitors Association. As the designated tourist promotion agency, Visit Potter-Tiogas mission is to market the area as a destination for visitors. The organization is a results-driven, membership-based organization that promotes its members businesses and area attractions across all advertising medias. For information on how your business can benefit from these marketing efforts, visit www.VisitPotterTioga.com, email [email protected], or call 570-724-0635. Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Visit Potter-Tioga, journalists and analysts may call 570-724-0635. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication but may have changed. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626169443/en/ Colleen Hanson Visit Potter-Tioga PA, Executive Director [email protected] 570-724-0635 Source: Visit Potter-Tioga Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved CAMZYOS (mavacamten, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg capsules) for the treatment of symptomatic (New York Heart Association, NYHA, class II-III) obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in adult patients. CAMZYOS is the first and only allosteric and reversible inhibitor selective for cardiac myosin approved in all European Union (EU) member states* and is the first cardiac myosin inhibitor that targets the underlying pathophysiology of HCM. The EC approval of CAMZYOS is based upon positive efficacy and safety results from two Phase 3 trials, EXPLORER-HCM and VALOR-HCM. This approval marks an important milestone for patients in Europe who will now have a therapeutic option in CAMZYOS, a first-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor that treats the underlying pathophysiology of symptomatic obstructive HCM, said Samit Hirawat, M.D., chief medical officer, Bristol Myers Squibb. Were proud to bring this innovative treatment to more patients around the world, while reinforcing our ongoing dedication to transforming patients lives through science on a global scale. Symptomatic obstructive HCM is an often-inherited heart disease that can be a chronic, debilitating, and progressive condition where patients may experience symptoms of shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue as well as serious, life-altering complications, including heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke and in rare cases (~1%), sudden cardiac death. Obstructive HCM is a life-changing disease for many patients who suffer from symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life. The positive results of both Phase 3 clinical trials showed that CAMZYOS demonstrated efficacy across all primary and secondary endpoints, including improvements in exercise capacity and symptom burden for these patients, said Iacopo Olivotto, M.D., Professor of Cardiology at the University of Florence and Head of Cardiology at Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy. As the lead clinical investigator for EXPLORER-HCM, I am grateful to the patients who played a key role in this approval and look forward to having CAMZYOS available to patients in the EU who have long awaited a new treatment option for this chronic disease. Please see important safety information, including Boxed WARNING, from the U.S. prescribing information below. Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in both clinical trials. *Centralized Marketing Authorization does not include approval in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). Full European Summary of Product Characteristics for CAMZYOS is available from the EMA website at www.ema.europa.eu. Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. announced that it will continue talks with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers on Monday, June 26 , following constructive and positive meetings through the weekend. "We have been working hard and making good progress," said Tom Gentile , President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems. "We will continue discussions this week and remain committed to a timely resolution on a fair and competitive contract that addresses the priorities of our employees and other stakeholders." Gentile also expressed appreciation for the ongoing assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. ("Spirit") is a subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] ("Spirit AeroSystems"). FILE PHOTO: The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) logo is displayed, during the GSMA's 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce By Yuvraj Malik (Reuters) -IBM said on Monday it will acquire technology spend-management platform Apptio from Vista Equity Partners for $4.6 billion in cash, in the latest deal to bolster its capabilities in cloud and automation. Shares of IBM were marginally lower in premarket trading. IBM said it will finance the transaction with cash on hand and expects the deal to close in the latter half of 2023. The deal comes at a time when companies are cutting their technology budgets amid challenging macro conditions. IBM cut about 3,900 jobs early this year and reported under 1% year-over-year increase in revenue in the March quarter. The acquisition of Apptio, a software-as-a-service business with over 1,500 customers and partnerships with cloud companies from Amazon.com's AWS to Salesforce, will benefit IBM's Red Hat business, AI portfolio and its consulting business, the technology giant said. "Going forward, we are opportunistic (on M&A) and looking for opportunities in the software and consulting space," Senior Vice President Rob Thomas told Reuters in an interview. Century-old IBM is reorienting itself to focus on newer AI and cloud-based offerings. In 2019, it bought software provider Red Hat for about $34 billion, its biggest acquisition ever, and two years later spun off its IT infrastructure and data-center business Kyndryl Holdings. Last year, the company closed the sale of some of its healthcare-data and analytics assets. Seattle-based Apptio, which was founded in 2007, helps companies manage and understand their spending on cloud services and offers functionalities such as IT budgeting, forecasting and financial analyses. Apptio's revenue was about $233 million in 2018, and is expected to have grown 11%-13% compounded annually through fiscal year 2022, according to analysts at UBS. Private equity firm Vista Equity Partners took Apptio private in a $2 billion deal in 2019, about three years after the software company had gone public. (Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June, 26. Forbes, an American financial and economic magazine, one of the most authoritative and well-known economic publications, has called Ruben Vardanyan "a leader in blocking a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan", Trend reports. "On May 28, Vardanyan said separatists should not sign onto any agreements with Azerbaijan on his Russian language Telegram channel. Vardanyan has been entwined in the separatist government for some time. On his Twitter page, Vardanyan writes about human rights issues related to Karabakh region and has been especially vocal about the alleged blockade of a road connecting the region to Armenia," the author said. Despite reaching out three times to his personal foundation and twice to his Twitter account, the author noted that there has been no response from him regarding the requests to address the Azerbaijani claims of him fueling tensions to advance Russian interests. Moreover, as the author rightly pointed out, Vardanyan, the criminal oligarch, who was exported to Azerbaijans Karabakh from Moscow, and used to be the so-called "state minister" of the separatists may have stepped down from his "post" to avoid the risk of individual sanctions. He is also currently subjected to immediate detention and transfer to law enforcement agencies of Ukraine or NATO countries, the Forbes article added. TORONTO, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Ltd. (CSE: NICO/OTCQB: NICLF) ("Class 1 Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the sample collection component of a 287 B-horizon soil geochemical sampling and 287 biogeochemical plant sampling exploration program over the prospective Marginal Series PGE (Platinum-Group Elements) horizon at its River Valley PGE Project (the Project or the Property), located about 100 road-km east of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Figure 1. Location of the River Valley PGE Project near the City of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The River Valley PGE Project is located in Crerar and Dana townships, Sudbury Mining Division, northeastern Ontario, Canada. The centre of the Project is approximately 100 km east-northeast of the City of Greater Sudbury. The Project is immediately south of the River Valley Palladium Project, an advanced PGE (palladium>platinum) property being developed by New Age Metals. The Company has decided to use biogeochemical sampling methods, a less intrusive method than traditional techniques, to define potential drilling targets and aimed at minimizing environmental impact. The less common technique involves taking samples of plants (tree twigs, bark, etc.) at predetermined locations in a forest ecosystem and having them analyzed by a specialized laboratory with the aim of identifying the presence of PGE and 50 other pathfinder elements that may be concentrated in the plant. Due to the high solubility of plant tissues this method provides an effective way to index mineral content in the soil and use elemental concentrations to vector on new PGE targets. Subsequently, the collected plant material is carbonized (480C), digested in an acid (proprietary acid), and then analyzed. Biogeochemical surveys were planned and completed by the firms, ABG Exploration Inc. and GMY Inc. If the biogeochemical tests prove successful, the Company will carry out a more detailed investigation, covering larger target areas within the Project. In addition, to confirming the presence of pathfinder elements not necessarily detected by other exploration methods, biogeochemistry + B-horizon soil geochemistry should maximize the chances of providing higher quality drill targets, reducing the number of drilled sites, and thereby reducing the environmental impact of the program. The interpretation of the geochemical data collected will be entrusted to the Companys Vice-President Exploration, Mr. Alexandr Beloborodov (P.Geo.). Biogeochemistry is a proven method of locating zones of mineralization. Respectful of the environment and less intrusive, it makes it possible to better specify locations to carry out drilling work and therefore to limit it to what is strictly necessary in order to preserve the forest ecosystem. This is one of the practices that Class 1 Nickel favours to help maintain its unwavering commitment to carry out exploration that respects the principles of sustainable development, said Mr. Beloborodov. Results from the two types of geochemical surveys will be integrated into the Company's exploration database for comprehensive interpretation and targeting to develop high-priority drill targets. Figure 2: General geological map of the River Valley Intrusion showing the location of the main PGE occurrences (red triangles) within the Marginal Series (Zone) and the mining claims boundary of the River Valley PGE Project (after Jobin-Bevans, 2004). About The River Valley PGE Project The River Valley PGE Project is underlain by gabbroic to anorthositic rocks of the River Valley Intrusion (RVI) which provide a highly-prospective target for PGE exploration (e.g., Jobin-Bevans, 2004). Most PGE mineralization in the RVI occurs along the margins of the intrusion (Contact-Style PGE-Cu-Ni) within the brecciated and sulphide mineralized Marginal Series (Marginal and Inclusion-Bearing zones) (or Marginal Series), forming the focus of exploration at surface and in 3D, using geophysical surveys such as Induced-Polarization, magnetics, and gravity. Since 1999, historical exploration work on the Project has included mapping, geophysics, trenching and diamond drilling by Mustang Minerals Corp. (South Grid, Crerar Township) and Aquiline Resources Inc. (northwest of the Project and into Dana Township) targeting PGE mineralization. Earlier exploration work was conducted by Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd (1965), Tomrose Mines Ltd. (1963-1966), and McIntyre Porcupine Mines Ltd (1956), targeting nickel-copper sulphide mineralization. Potentially significant mineralization discovered to date on the Project consists of PGE-Cu-Ni sulphide, focused within an approximately 3-km trend of mineralized Breccia Unit (Marginal Series/Marginal Zone) along the southeastern contact of the RVI in the southeastern part of the Project, referred to as the Crerar Trend. Sudbury, Ontario is a major mining, mineral processing and metals recovery centre (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE), with a long-established history in mining and exploration and the Sudbury Basin is the worlds second largest supplier of nickel ore. Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Alexandr Beloborodov (P.Geo.), geological consultant of the Company, who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by National Instrument 43101. About Class 1 Nickel Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Limited (CSE: NICO/OTCQB: NICLF) is a Mineral Resource Company focused on the exploration and development of its 100% owned Somanike komatiite hosted nickel-copper sulphide project in Quebec, which includes the historical Marbridge Mine. Additionally, the Company also owns the Alexo-Dundonald Project, a portfolio of komatiite-hosted magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide deposits located near Timmins, Ontario and the River Valley PGE Project, located immediately south of New Age Metals River Valley Palladium Project, about 65 km northeast of Sudbury, Ontario. For more information, please contact: Mr. David Fitch, President & CEO E: [email protected] For additional information please visit our website at www.class1nickel.com and our Twitter feed: @Class1Nickel. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is 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. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Companys managements discussion and analysis as filed under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Photos accompanying this announcement are available athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1cd1d00c-bd88-4a8d-bead-5a4a89b95046 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fa225f8-3285-4eec-ad62-9850c5f96965 Figure 1. Location of the River Valley PGE Project near the City of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Figure 2. General geological map of the River Valley Intrusion showing the location of the main PGE occurrences (red triangles) within the Marginal Series (Zone) and the mining claims boundary of the River Valley PGE Project (after Jobin-Bevans, 2004). Source: Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Limited Global company ready to serve brands of all sizes throughout West Africa Austin, Texas USA, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ePac Flexible Packaging, an industry leader in custom flexible packaging, is pleased to announce the opening of its new Grade A 2,200 square meter production plant on the Spintex Road in Accra, Ghana. A grand opening celebration was held on June 22nd with nearly 150 local dignitaries, government officials, customers, and media in attendance. Since its establishment in 2021, ePac West Africa, has served a number of customers across Africa, including customers from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Zanzibar, with fulfillment handled by ePacs plants in the UK and Lyon, France. With the opening of the new plant, ePac West Africa is uniquely positioned to serve CPG brands of all sizes throughout the region with competitively priced flexible packaging and industry best turnaround times. According to Victor Sosah, General Manager of ePac West Africa: ePac is poised to serve the West African community with the highest quality packaging that has been proven to help small and medium enterprises grow. With our first facility in the region located in Ghana, we can help our customers, and consumers alike, buy-local in support of the government initiatives to increase local food manufacturing and reduce imports. Mr. Sosah added: No longer will local brands need to accept inferior packaging, or source it from overseas. With ePacs all-digital platform were able to reduce lead times on packaging orders from months to 15 business days (following artwork approval), while enabling brands to order to demand and avoid costly excess inventory and obsolescence. According to ePac CEO Jack Knott: the opening of the plant in Ghana represents a significant milestone in ePacs global expansion. I am excited that we are able to provide a great packaging option which allows brands to compete for space on local supermarket shelves and introduce new products to international markets. About ePac: ePac is the world's largest networked flexible packaging provider, serving brands of all sizes across the globe. Founded in 2016, ePac began with a single plant in Madison, Wisconsin serving predominantly community-based small and medium sized brands. Today, through its proprietary technology platform - ePacONE (One Network Everywhere), ePac provides brands, large and small alike, the ability to produce any size order anywhere across its 25 facilities across the globe. ePac offers a full complement of sustainable film options, while its print technology platform is carbon-neutral and inherently eco-friendly. Further, the company offers true order to demand capability, helping brands reduce inventory and obsolescence. Attachments TORONTO, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (First Quantum or the Company) (TSX: FM) will release second quarter 2023 financial and operating results on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 after the close of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 9:00 am (ET). Conference call and webcast details: Toll-free North America: 1-800-319-4610 Toll-free International: +1-604-638-5340 Webcast: Direct link or on our website A replay of the webcast will be available on the First Quantum website. For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com or contact: Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations (416) 361-6400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577 E-Mail: [email protected] AKRON, Ohio, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valmark Financial Group has been named a Top Workplace by The Plain Dealer for the fourth year in a row. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third party, with the results of top performers published in The Plain Dealer. The survey is anonymous and uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection. This achievement comes as Valmark celebrates its 60th anniversary of Bringing the Golden Rule to Life. "We are thrilled to receive this honor for the fourth consecutive year," said Larry J. Rybka, Chairman & CEO of Valmark Financial Group. "This continued recognition serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire team to live out our core values and purpose to Bring the Golden Rule to Life, which has defined us for 60 years." Valmark Financial Group places particular importance and focus on enhancing its internal team's engagement and productivity. One initiative includes conducting quarterly surveys to gather feedback from all employees, allowing for continuous improvement and a better overall employee experience. In addition to this prestigious recognition, Valmark continued to receive outstanding satisfaction scores from its Member Firms through its annual survey. "The strong relationships we have forged with our Members over the years is a direct result of the exceptional service brought by our employees," emphasized Rybka. "As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we are proud to have achieved one of the highest overall customer satisfaction scores in our firm's history." Valmarks employee-focused culture is well represented by its employee engagement program, simply called Engage. The program is made up of a team of employees from various departments who work together to organize a variety of fun activities for employees throughout the year. The team also encourages a number of volunteer opportunities to serve the greater good and wellness initiatives that promote whole person well-being. "All the credit for this remarkable achievement goes to our staff," acknowledged Caleb Callahan, President of Valmark Financial Group. "They are one of the top driving forces behind our success over the last 60 years. I am so grateful for them and their remarkable contributions to our company. Together, we are building a very bright future at Valmark!" To view Valmarks profile on the Top Workplaces website, click here. About Valmark Financial Group, LLCValmark Financial Group is a holding company of several subsidiaries, including: Executive Insurance Agency, Inc., a national producer group; Valmark Securities, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of both FINRA and SIPC; Valmark Advisers, Inc., a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser; and the Valmark Policy Management Company, LLC, which provides ongoing policy management and monitoring services for life insurance policyholders. With a proud history of working with independently owned financial services firms committed to high ethical standards in over 30 states throughout the United States, Valmark offers a wide range of insurance and investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio with operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Valmark, through its affiliated entities, has helped its member firms place over $50 billion of life insurance death benefits and manage insurance policies with a cumulative cash value of over $8 billion dollars. Valmarks affiliated RIA, Valmark Advisers, has an estimated $7.5 billion in assets under management, including approximately $2.5 billion in variable sub-account assets within its TOPS funds. To learn more about Valmark Financial Group, visit www.valmarkfg.com. Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0f41e90-aa58-487b-8f4e-4a21b031c07d Contact: Jamie Summerville VP, Communications Valmark Financial Group 130 Springside Drive Akron, OH 44333 P: 330.576.1234 x3609 E: [email protected] www.valmarkfg.com TOP Workplaces 2023 TOP Workplaces 2023 Source: Valmark Financial Group Washington, DC, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a national survey of community college leaders released today by education company EAB, 85 percent of respondents say students expectations for customer service have risen since the pandemic. Ninety-nine percent of respondents agree better customer service is essential to student retention, which creates an urgent need for institutions to become more service-oriented and responsive to students concerns and questions. There are nearly one million fewer students attending community colleges today than there were pre-pandemic, and the vast majority of community college leaders recognize that poor customer service is at least partially to blame, said Tara Zirkel, EdD, Director of Strategic Research at EAB. The problem is that schools were already falling short in this area while student expectations for how they want to be treated as consumers were growing, so schools have a lot of catching up to do. Prior research shows that customer service is not an area where community colleges have excelled historically, and the gap in customer service has only widened in recent years. Community college leadership, staff, and faculty acknowledge that customer service weaknesses, such as those listed below, create confusion and unnecessary roadblocks, which contribute to enrollment and retention challenges: 81 percent of survey respondents say confusing onboarding steps cause new or prospective students to opt out before class even begins. 84 percent say current students have trouble reaching enrollment staff at least some of the time, and 63 percent believe that trouble connecting with the enrollment office often causes students to stop out. 62 percent recognize that students must take time away from their families and jobs to resolve college issues. Community colleges tend to attract students who are the first in their families to attend college and older students who are working or raising families, Dr. Zirkel continued. When a student encounters a confusing or difficult process, and that student lacks a strong support network or is juggling work and parenting responsibilities, they are more likely to turn away from college altogether. To improve the student experience, EAB urges schools to make both process and technology upgrades that simplify the registration process and streamline other administrative obstacles. For example, institutions can benefit by adopting a customer relationship management platform designed specifically for higher education that helps students navigate their college journey. EABs report includes the following additional recommendations: Invest in customer service professional development and training for administrators. Audit processes to identify both technology and workflow bottlenecks. Check in with students about their college experience. Use technology to automate manual processes and help students get answers faster. Use data insights to proactively anticipate and meet students needs. EABs national Community College Student Customer Service Survey was completed by 164 community college administrators and faculty. More than half are at the dean or director level. The full survey results and recommendations are available at https://pages.eab.com/Modern-Student-Experience-Survey-Insight-Paper.html. About EABAt EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,500 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, and data analytics. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve. Learn more at eab.com. John Michaels EAB (202) 747-1788 [email protected] Source: EAB Company recognized by The Journal Record's readers Tulsa, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Alert 360, a leading provider of security systems and alarm monitoring has been awarded as a "Best Place to Work." again. This recognition was awarded as part of Oklahoma City's The Journal Record's annual Reader Rankings. The company also was recognized as a "Most Innovative Workplace" and "Best Monitored Security Provider" in the annual rankings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8700/171241_alert%20360%20best%20place%20to%20work.jpg Alert 360 is one of the nation's largest home and business security systems providers. This year marks its 50th year anniversary in the home security and business security industry. History of Providing the Best Home Security Founded in 1973, the company has transformed from a small company into a national top provider of home security, business security, home automation, and alarm monitoring. Alert 360 offers local expert security consulting, installation, and support for security solutions. It serves nearly 350,000 customers nationwide and has more than 24 branch locations, with customers in 27 states. Alert 360 also operates two company-owned U.S.-based alarm monitoring central stations. The company monitors over two million security sensors, with over 80,000 CCTV cameras installed nationwide. Its business security customers include an array of industries, from small business to large commercial facilities. Multiple Awards for Local Home Security, Alarm Monitoring "Our repeated recognition as a 'best place to work' reflects our daily commitment to fostering a fantastic workplace. At Alert 360, we prioritize job satisfaction and a positive environment," said Richard Ginsburg, Alert 360 CEO. "This dedication to happy and well-trained team members also allows us to deliver an unparalleled customer experience from our coast-to-coast offices. Our growth and pursuit of innovative security services have allowed us to expand, and we are almost always hiring new, talented team members." Richard Ginsburg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8700/171241_richard%20ginsburg%20ceo%20alert%20360.jpg With local security services across the country and several centers, Alert 360 offers employment positions in a variety of areas. These include office, call center, customer support, technical, IT, and many more. The company encourages anyone hoping to make a difference and help save property, valuables, and lives to check out its security careers on their website. In addition to this most recent award, Alert 360 consistently has earned Five Diamond Monitoring Center designation from The Monitoring Association. This year, Alert 360 earned its first trifecta of awards: "Best Place to Work, "Most Innovative Workplace" and "Best Monitored Security Provider" from The Journal Record's annual reader rankings. The Journal Record is an award-winning daily general business and legal publication that includes a daily print newspaper and a 24/7 website. In addition, for the past three years, Alert 360 has also been selected by Oklahoma Magazine as one of the "Great Companies to Work" for in Oklahoma." This recognition follows multiple awards for Alert 360, which employs approximately 350 team members in Oklahoma and over 1,000 nationwide. Dedicated to the Newest in Home Security, Employee Development "Along with our multiple, recent awards, we're tremendously proud to earn recognition as one of Oklahoma's most innovative employers," said Kent Morris, Vice President of Customer Experience at Alert 360. "Years of strategic investment in cutting-edge tools, spanning both high and low tech, have helped us create a work environment and service worthy of this ranking." As an example of Alert 360's innovative practices, Morris cited the launch of Video Shield last year. This live and remote video monitoring service allows their call center to monitor video cameras remotely nationwide and features immersive video chairs, a first in the security sector. "On the low-tech front, we've boosted employee satisfaction by providing flexible work options," Morris added. "Moreover, we believe in the power of fun and camaraderie. We're dedicated to fostering a workplace culture where our valued employees feel appreciated, engaged, and free to be creative. Our teams enjoy hosting events that bring us together and allow family members - including pets - to participate in fun." In recent years, in addition to its video monitoring option, the company has introduced the Alert 360 Edge artificial intelligence security panel; the Connected Car; the Flex 360; and the Alert 360 Smart Video Doorbell 2.0. Alert 360's security system services include wireless security systems, smart home automation, and professional-grade IP security/video cameras - all with mobile app access. Alert 360 Home Security, Business Security, Home Automation Alert 360's custom security system services include wireless security systems, smart home automation, and professional-grade IP security/video cameras - all with mobile app access. The company's intrusion detection devices include motion sensors; live video footage; recorded clips; indoor/outdoor security cameras and more. Alert 360 also installs water leak detection devices; keyless entry; smart thermostats; remote garage door control; and smart lighting. Alert 360's life-safety products include smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and medical pendants. Its automation services include professional integration of home automation devices, including sprinkler systems, sound systems, Amazon Echo, and Google Home. The company's most recent expansion has occurred in Southern California, with the acquisition of security alarm accounts from Caliber Security. Alert 360 serves more than 20,000 homes and businesses in the area. Its Southern California branch operations now include Los Angeles, Anaheim, Chatsworth, Corona, and San Diego. Throughout California, the company has branch locations in Fresno and Sacramento. Alert 360 also provides patrol, vacation watch services, and security escorts for higher-end clients, from its Los Angeles-area subsidiary ACS Security. For more information about Alert 360 home security services, business security solutions, locations across the United States, company history, and more, visit Alert360.com. Contact Information Brad Henderson [email protected] 888.642.4567 Ext. 62215 https://www.alert360.com/ Chris Harvey [email protected] www.pinionnewswire.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171241 Altan Rio has signed a conditional Sale Agreement ("Sale Agreement") with Torque Metals to acquire 100% of their Bullfinch Gold Project. The Sale Agreement will provide the Company an additional 572km 2 tenure. The area has numerous historical small gold mines throughout the Sale Agreement area. Recorded production grades up to 35.7g/t gold (Withers gold mine). Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Altan Rio Minerals Limited, (TSXV: AMO) ("Altan Rio Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a Conditional Sale Agreement dated June 26, 2023 to wholly acquire Torque Metals Bullfinch Gold project ("Bullfinch"), located 34km from the Southern Cross township within the Yilgarn Mineral Field, Western Australia and adjacent to the Company's existing tenements. The Bullfinch tenement area covers 556km2 over five exploration licences and one exploration licence application and has recorded historical production grades of 35.7g/t gold at the Withers prospect. The project is located in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt which has recorded production in excess of 12Moz Au. Figure 1: Location of Bullfinch tenement area in the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/171317_95e1a42da4bf6b32_001full.jpg Altan Rio Minerals Chairman on Interim CEO, Graeme Sloan said: "The acquisition of Torque Metals' Bullfinch Project will add another piece to our consolidation of the northern portion of the Southern Cross goldfields. Since the start of the year, we have more than quadrupled our tenement holding which is a great achievement by the team. "Previous exploration has identified numerous gold bearing quartz reefs over a 3km strike length at Withers prospect, while the limited historic drilling has returned highly encouraging commercial grade gold results at Rutherfords Find and Reynolds Find. Our next steps post-execution of the Sale Agreement will be field mapping and sampling to evaluate drilling plans initially at priority targets." Bullfinch Overview The project is located on Archaean greenstone lithologies prospective for gold deposits, massive sulphide nickel-copper deposits, iron ore and lithium. Three historic workings - Withers, Reynolds Find and Rutherford Find - are the most advanced exploration prospects on the tenure and all warrant follow up exploration. Figure 2: Map of Bullfinch Project tenement area showing main prospect locations To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/171317_95e1a42da4bf6b32_002full.jpg Withers The Withers prospect, which lies 6km WNW of the historic Copperhead mine site, consists of over three kilometres of historical workings and has recorded past production of 1,472 tonnes of ore at a recovered grade of 35.7g/t (1688 ounces). Previous owners, Torque Metals, carried out geochemical work which demonstrated a series of six or seven parallel, gold bearing quartz reefs could exist over a +3km strike length at the Withers prospect (Figure 3).1 Figure 3: Gold bearing quartz reefs located over a potential +3km strike length at Withers To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/171317_95e1a42da4bf6b32_003full.jpg In 2022, Torque undertook a shallow RC drilling campaign (21 holes for 1,260m) at Withers.2 While the campaign was intended to investigate gold prospects near a pegmatitic structure, the drilling campaign was relatively shallow and did not reach any gold mineralised body. However, subsequent to the drill program Torque considered that the gold mineralisation extends deeper than 60m (deepest hole) at a depth closer to 120m. Results from grab-sampling undertaken by Torque suggested probable high-grade gold structures in some of the already identified geophysical anomalies. These gold results indicate significant potential for additional gold discoveries. Significant results of the grab-sampling are as follows with locations shown in Figure 4: (TMGS10001) - grab sample (Old workings) 16 g/t Au (TMGS10011) - grab sample (Old workings) 2.05 g/t Au (TMGS10016) - grab sample (Mafic sequence outcrop) 9.79 g/t Au Figure 4: Grab sample location at Withers To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/171317_95e1a42da4bf6b32_004full.jpg Rutherfords Find The Rutherfords Find prospect has had limited exploration with only twelve historic RC holes drilled to date (see Figure 5). However, these drillholes produced, 10 significant gold intersections with two holes hitting wide zones: 8m @ 5.4g/t gold, including 4m @ 10.1g/t gold, and open at depth (BRC30) 8m @ 3.9g/t gold, including 2m @ 9g/t gold, (BRC19) There has been no follow-up drilling of these holes. Historical production was also carried out at Rutherfords Find of 194oz from 308 tonnes at an average recovered grade of 19.6g/t Au. Figure 5: Historical drill intersections at Rutherford's Find To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/171317_95e1a42da4bf6b32_005full.jpg Reynolds Find The Reynolds Find prospect has been explored by a number of previous title holders. The best intercepts were encountered in 4 holes drilled on a section immediately east of the historical workings. Results are provided below and in Figure 6: BRC4 - 5m @ 3.5 g/t Au including 2m @ 10.1g/t Au RRC5 - 4m @ 14.4 g/t Au including 1m @ 54.9 g/t Au RRC6 - 3m @ 2.6g/t Au Figure 6: Cross-section of RC drill holes at Reynolds Find To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8288/171317_95e1a42da4bf6b32_006full.jpg Transaction The material terms of the Sale Agreement are as follows: Altan Rio made a non-refundable cash payment of $100,000 to Torque upon signing the Sale Agreement; Conditional upon the secondary listing of Altan Rio on ASX and assignment of Torque's Bullfinch obligations on or before 15 December 2023 (End Date), Altan Rio shall on Completion, at its election either: Pay Torque a further $650,000 cash; or Issue shares to Torque to the value of $650,000 at the same issue price as shares issued under the secondary listing on ASX; During the period until the earlier of Completion or the End Date, Altan Rio shall be responsible for all expenditure commitments associated with maintaining the tenements comprising the Bullfinch Project in good standing, failing which the Sale Agreement shall terminate; In the event Altan Rio does not complete a secondary listing on ASX by the End Date, it may still elect to Complete the transaction, in which circumstances it shall make payment of $650,000 cash to Torque; and Altan Rio may extend the End Date by up to two periods of 3 months each, by payment of $25,000 per period. On behalf of Altan Rio Minerals Limited Graeme Sloan Director / Interim CEO Email: [email protected] +61 9322 1788 Josh Conner Chief Operating Officer Email: [email protected] +61 9322 1788 Media David Tasker Chapter One Advisors Email: [email protected] +61 433 112 936 Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Altan Rio to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, and Altan Rio undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Qualified Person Mr. Neal Leggo, a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG) and an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the preparation of the technical content regarding the Southern Cross North Project contained in this document. Mr. Leggo is a Principal Geological Consultant with Indeport Pty Ltd. Mr Leggo has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release. 1 Refer to Torque Metals' ASX announcement dated 31st January 2022 2 Refer to Torque Metals' ASX announcement dated 12th December 2022 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171317 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Metal Energy Corp. (TSXV: MERG) (OTCQB: MEEEF)(the "Company" or "Metal Energy") is pleased to announce a new project acquisition ("SourceRock" or the "Project") prospective for lithium ("Li") brines in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario. The Project is exceptionally large, covering 913 square kilometres within an area measuring approximately 10 to 20 km wide by 95 km long (Figure 1). "The SourceRock Li brine project covers a dominant land position of untested regional lithium brine targets within the Proterozoic Sibley sedimentary basin (the "Basin") that is on a regional scale equivalent in size to Chile's Salar de Atacama central salt body, the largest Li brine producing jurisdiction in the world. Not only do we have a large aerial coverage, SourceRock covers the deepest parts of the Basin with sedimentary thickness ranging from 500 m to 1,000 m, enhancing Li brine prospectivity. Exploration in the area has reported considerable evidence of supersaturated saline solutions within the Basin sediments and even the underlying Li-pegmatite-rich basement rocks. Halite (sodium, "Na") and sylvite (potassium, "K") veins, bedded layers, interstitial cements, and even encrustations on drill core and drill rods have all been mentioned in a variety of reports. Both Na and K are important pathfinders for Li within brine solutions, and higher concentrations of each of these elements supports the potential for higher concentrations of Li. With drill permits already in-hand, we are very excited to advance the SourceRock project with our first drill program," said James Sykes, CEO of Metal Energy. For details on the Company's new SourceRock project, watch this video: SourceRock Lithium Brine Project: Ontario's First Lithium Brine Project - Metal Energy Controls A Dominant Land Position of Untested Regional Lithium Brine Targets Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B_1oHbk3K8 The video identifies: Numerous geological reasons support the high-potential for Li brines within the Project; A promising comparison with Chile's Salar de Atacama; The Project is in a favourable jurisdiction with a long mining history, infrastructure, and recent Government support for Li projects. For the latest videos from Metal Energy and other Ore Group companies, subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup SourceRock Exploration Plans SourceRock is a drill-ready project with an exploration permit already in-hand from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for up to 20 drill pads. Initial geophysical data compilation has already identified saline brine drill targets on the Project. The Company is currently engaged with local Indigenous groups, communities, and stakeholders, and anticipates a drill program to commence after sufficient and meaningful consultation has been completed. SourceRock Option Agreement On June 16, 2023 (the "Effective Date"), Metal Energy entered into an Option Agreement with an arms length vendor (the "Vendor") to acquire an undivided 100% interest in SourceRock. Upon execution of the Option Agreement, the Company completed a $50,000 cash payment to the Vendor and committed to a staking program valued at greater than $100,000 representing 2,000 claim units registered under the Company. Under the remaining terms of the agreement, the Company must issue; a) 3,000,000 common shares of Metal Energy upon acceptance of the Option Agreement by the TSXV; b) 1,500,000 warrants to the Vendor. Each warrant is exerciseable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. The warrants will expire after 36 months from the Effective Date; and c) $500,000 worth of common shares on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date. Such shares will be valued at a price per share equal to the volume weighted trading price of the Company's shares on the TSXV for 20 trading days prior to the issue date of such shares. All issued common shares will be subject to such hold periods that are prescribed by applicable securities laws. Metal Energy will be the operator of the Project and as such will have the rights and responsibility to execute all work programs on the Project. The Vendor has retained a 3% net smelter returns royalty (the "Royalty") as part of the Option Agreement. The Company has the right to purchase 1% of the Royalty for $500,000 up until the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date. Upon completion of the first 1% of the Royalty, the Company retains the right to purchase the remaining 2% of the Royalty for $5,000,000 up until the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. About the SourceRock Li Brine Project SourceRock encompasses 91,288 hectares within the Proterozoic Sibley sedimentary basin, Thunder Bay-Nipigon area, Ontario. The Project has excellent access to infrastructure and capacity that has supported previous exploration programs and mine development, including year-round highway, railroad, and seaport access, with power and natural gas lines crossing the Project. About Metal Energy Corp. Metal Energy is a nickel and battery metal exploration company with three projects in politically stable Canadian jurisdictions; Manibridge (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Manitoba, and SourceRock (Li-Na-K) and Strange (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Ontario. The Manibridge Project is 85% owned by Metal Energy and 15% owned by Mistango River Resources Inc. (CSE: MIS). Both SourceRock and Strange Projects are subject to earn-in agreements where the Company can acquire 100% exploration rights to each project. QP Statement The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo., Director for Metal Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." For further information, please contact: Metal Energy Corp. MERG on the TSXV [email protected] www.metalenergy.ca James Sykes, CEO [email protected] 306-221-8717 Reader Advisory Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements"), including details about the business of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in our public disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com including the Filing Statement dated November 15, 2021. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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. Figure 1 - SourceRock Li Brine Project Location in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7926/171280_7af2c258e456a84d_005full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171280 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Mistango River Resources Inc. (CSE: MIS) ("Mistango" or the "Company") has completed a helicopter-geophysical survey ("Survey") at its Goldie Project, 50 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and immediately adjacent to Delta Resources' Detla-1 project. In the case of the Goldie Project (Figure 1), which is immediately adjacent and on-trend to Delta Resources Delta-1 Gold project's recent discovery, conducting a survey is of utmost importance for delineating drill targets. Previous drilling efforts at Goldie uncovered gold mineralization similar to that at Delta-1. However, this drilling was completed without specific targets in place. This 420 line kilometre high-resolution survey (Figure 2), flown at 50 metre spacing, will cover the primary area of interest of Goldie and is expected to provide new detail on targets. High-resolution airborne magnetic surveys have emerged as invaluable tools for targeted exploration within the Shebandowan region. These surveys have demonstrated their efficacy in identifying hydrothermal conduits, detecting magnetite destruction resulting from alteration, determining lithology associated with mineralization, and aiding in delineating mineralized feeder zones. Additionally, to enhance our understanding of the Goldie project and gain insights into Delta Resources and the Shebandowan, Mistango's technical team is engaged in a comprehensive data compilation process of the district. We aim to integrate our knowledge of the district geology and leverage this understanding to increase the chances of success in future exploration drilling on Goldie. Before commencing the upcoming Phase II drill program, Mistango anticipates receiving the high-resolution magnetic survey results. Phase I drilling delineated a kilometer-long zone displaying gold mineralization extending north and south along the strike. These encouraging findings indicate promising opportunities for further exploration in the area. About the Goldie Gold Project Goldie Project comprises 89 square kilometres along the Shebandwan Greenstone Trend and is 100% onwed by Mistango. In 2023, Mistango discovered a high-grade near-surface gold zone over 1km long adjacent to Delta Resources' Delta-1 discovery. Goldie is within the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt, which also hosts Goldshore Resources Inc.'s (GSHR:TSXV) low-grade, high-tonnage Moss Lake gold deposit, 50 km to the west. Goldie is also adjacent to Delta Resources Limited (DLTA:TSXV) Delta 1 Gold Property. Figure 1 - Goldie Property Map Figure 2 - High Resolution Survey Map To learn more about Mistango, the Ore Group, and all things mining, please go to our YouTube Chanel: https://www.youtube.com/@theoregroup QP Statement The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jared Beebe, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." For the latest updates, please contact or follow us on Twitter @mistango To Speak to the Company directly, please contact: Stephen Stewart, Chief Executive Officer Phone: 416.644.1567 Email: [email protected] www.mistango.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. 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. Mistango 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 Mistango. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by Mistango with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under Mistango profile at www.sedar.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171254 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Broward County, Florida resident Sanjay Singh and his trucking and logistics company, Royal Bengal Logistics Inc., with fraudulently raising approximately $112 million from as many as 1,500 investors through an unregistered securities offering that primarily targeted Haitian-Americans. The SECs complaint alleges that, from at least 2019 through 2023, Singh, through Royal Bengal Logistics Inc., offered and sold investors high-yield investment programs that purportedly generated 12.5 to 325 percent in guaranteed returns. As alleged, Singh and Royal Bengal promised investors the company would use their money to expand operations and increase its fleet of semi-trucks and trailers. According to the SECs complaint, defendants assured investors that these investment programs were safe, and that Royal Bengal generated up to $1 million in revenue per month. In reality, the SEC alleges, Royal Bengal has operated at a loss and used approximately $70 million of new investor funds to make Ponzi-like payments to other investors. As alleged in the complaint, Singh misappropriated at least $14 million of investor funds for himself and others, who did not provide any legitimate services in exchange for those investor funds. Singh also allegedly diverted more than $19 million of investor funds to two brokerage accounts he controlled, engaged in highly speculative equities trading on margin in those accounts, and, as a result, lost more than $1 million of investor money. As alleged in our complaint, Singh targeted many members of the Haitian-American community to raise money in a Ponzi-like scheme to enrich himself, said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SECs Miami Regional Office."We are committed to holding accountable individuals like Singh who prey on investors through lies and deceit. The SECs complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges Singh and Royal Bengal with violating the registration and anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The complaint also names Sheetal Singh, the spouse of Sanjay Singh, and Constantina Celicourt, the spouse of Royal Bengal Logisticss Vice President of Business Development, as relief defendants. The District Court granted the SECs request for emergency relief, including preliminary injunctive relief, asset freezes, the appointment of a Receiver, and an order prohibiting the destruction of documents. The SEC is also seeking an officer and director bar against Singh and permanent injunctions, civil money penalties, and disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with prejudgment interest against both of the defendants and the relief defendants. The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the Division of Enforcements Retail Strategy Task Force have issued anInvestor Alertwith tips on how investors should avoid investment decisions based solely on common ties with someone recommending or selling the investment. The SEC appreciates the assistance of Floridas Office of Financial Regulation, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida, the FBIs Miami Field Office, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Southern Region. The SECs investigation was part of the Miami Regional Offices Fraud Against Minority Groups Initiative and was conducted by Linda S. Schmidt and supervised by Sean M. ONeill and Glenn Gordon, with the assistance of Mark Dee, Fernando Torres, and Ivette Goizueta-Mendes. The SECs litigation will be led by Russell OBrien, and supervised by Teresa J. Verges. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The return of former internally displaced persons to Azerbaijans Lachin district continues within the framework of the 'Great Return' program in accordance with the instruction of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. Another group of displaced persons arrived in the Lachin district on June 25. Residents of Lachin expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for comprehensive state care, as well as to the valiant Azerbaijani army, heroic soldiers and officers who liberated Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation. They also paid tribute to the memory of the martyrs of Azerbaijan. Thus, a total of 70 families, that is, 266 people, are provided with permanent residence in the Lachin district. Meanwhile, the resettled families will live in the houses in which they lived before the occupation, their houses were restored or reconstructed on the instructions of the president after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands. Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native lands. SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Pharmacy Cooperative (IPC) is thrilled to announce Cain's Drug Store of Vandalia, IL , as the recipient of the Dan Moudry Most Valuable Pharmacy (MVP) for 2023. IPC's MVP Award was presented to Scott Borntreger and Darryl Tjaden , Cain's Drug Store Co-Owners, at the IPC Annual Business Meeting on June 23 , during McKesson ideaShare 2023 in Las Vegas, NV. Tjaden has been with Cain's Drug for 52 years while Borntreger became a co-owner with Tjaden in 2011. The pharmacy is heavily involved in the community, regularly giving to and sponsoring local school districts and recreational programs. Student mentoring is also a major mission of Cain's Drug Store and three of Borntreger's other retail locations; Harry's Pharmacy, Bond Community Pharmacy, and Byrd-Watson Drug. All four stores serve as Preceptors for the area's two local pharmacy schools, hosting up to eight students per year. "It is an honor to be able to recognize Scott Borntreger and Darryl Tjaden for their exemplary leadership and dedication to independent pharmacy and their community," said IPC President and CEO, Marc Essensa . "Cain's Drug Store is a shining example of not just a voice for independent pharmacy, but a community leader." "The award gives us time to reflect on our past accomplishments and success, but more importantly gives us time to evaluate and look to the future and to consider what kind of legacy we want to leave," said co-owner Scott Borntreger . "Pharmacy is much different than when I graduated pharmacy school. Giving immunizations and the ability to do POC testing are just a few of the changes. Trying to stay current and figure out what we can do to improve our patients' health is our goal." Dating back to 1983, IPC is the nation's largest group purchasing organization owned by independent pharmacy, representing nearly 6,000 members. With locations in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and Phoenix, Arizona , IPC prides itself on providing access to the most effective programs and services to put profit back into the independent pharmacy. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cains-drug-store-named-ipc-2023-most-valuable-pharmacy-301854894.html SOURCE IPC (Independent Pharmacy Cooperative) HAMILTON, Bermuda , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or the "Company") (NYSE: SDRL) (OSE: SDRL) today announces that it is in active discussions to sell (i) the jack-up rigs known as the West Castor, West Telesto and West Tucana (the "Qatar Jack-Up Fleet"), which are bareboat chartered by Seadrill to Gulfdrill LLC ("Gulfdrill"), a 50:50 joint venture between Seadrill and Gulf Drilling International, and (ii) Seadrill's 50% equity interest in Gulfdrill. Seadrill has not reached agreement yet on material terms, including price, with any potential purchaser. Any transaction remains subject to additional due diligence and the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements. There is no certainty at this stage that the process will continue or that a transaction will materialize. This announcement is considered to contain inside information as defined in article 7 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation, is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act, and was made public by Simon Woods at Hawthorn Advisors on the date and time stated above. Contact Information For additional information, visit www.seadrill.com. Benjamin Wiseman Investor Relations T: +44 (0)7867139312 E: [email protected] About Seadrill Seadrill is a leading offshore drilling contractor utilizing advanced technology to unlock oil and gas resources for clients across harsh and benign locations around the globe. Seadrill's high-quality, technologically-advanced fleet spans all asset classes allowing its experienced crews to conduct operations across geographies, from shallow to ultra-deepwater environments. Forward-Looking Statements This communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this communication, including those regarding the potential disposal of the Qatar Jack-Up Fleet, the potential disposal of the Company's equity interest in Gulfdrill, and the potential consideration received in such transaction, and statements about the Company's plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business and the markets in which it operates are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can often, but not necessarily, be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "assumes", "projects", "forecasts", "estimates", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "intends", "may", "might", "will", "would", "can", "could", "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These statements are based on management's current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the completion of due diligence, the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, the Company's ability to achieve an acceptable sale price, a potential purchaser's ability to raise necessary financing, customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed or furnished by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should also keep in mind the risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 , filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023 , (File No. 001-39327) and subsequent filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. CONTACT: [email protected]com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seadrill-limited-sdrl-announces-potential-sale-of-qatar-jack-up-fleet-301862818.html SOURCE Seadrill Limited DUBAI, UAE , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Webb Fontaine, one of the leading providers of AI-powered trade technology and Customs facilitation solutions to governments and trade administrations around the world, is pleased to announce that its Single Window and Risk Management solution has been selected by the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue to enhance trade facilitation processes. The contract, spanning three years, encompasses the implementation, maintenance, and support of the project. Webb Fontaine's expertise in trade facilitation, combined with its cutting-edge technology solutions, will play a pivotal role in streamlining trade operations in Bangladesh . This project stands as one of Asia's largest World Bank-funded Single Window initiatives, encompassing more than 25 government agencies and stakeholders. Notable participants include the Customs authority, various ministries, seaports, inland container depots, airports, land ports, the central bank, and commercial banks. The integrated system will interface with 18 government ICT systems, catering to an estimated 700 thousand users who process approximately 8 million transactions annually. The implementation of the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) aims to achieve the primary business objective of facilitating trade by assisting traders in the submission, tracking, processing, receipt, and electronic payment of all regulatory authorizations. Certificates, licenses, permits, and arrival/departure reports will be seamlessly processed through the BSW platform, fostering efficiency, transparency, and improved ease of doing business. The Automated Risk Management System will be a comprehensive centralized and integrated solution covering all aspects of risk management for the use by Customs and regulatory authorities. The system will be compliant with the guidelines of the World Customs Organization and will result in faster and more transparent trade procedures while providing a consistent implementation of Bangladesh customs laws. Alioune Ciss , CEO of Webb Fontaine , expressed his excitement regarding the collaboration, stating, "We are honoured to partner with the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue for this transformative initiative. Webb Fontaine's innovative Single Window and Risk Management solutions are tailor-made to address the unique challenges faced by Bangladesh's trade ecosystem. By simplifying and accelerating trade processes, we will contribute to the country's economic growth and create a favourable business environment for local and international traders." Webb Fontaine looks forward to commencing the implementation of the Single Window and Risk Management solutions, working closely with the Bangladesh National Board of Revenue and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition towards a modern and digitized trade ecosystem. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140720/Webb_Fontaine_Contract_Signing.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webb-fontaine-awarded-contract-with-bangladesh-national-board-of-revenue-for-single-window-and-risk-management-solutions-301863412.html FILE PHOTO: The new GM logo is seen on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., March 16, 2021. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo By Melanie Burton and Harish Sridharan MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Element 25 Ltd said on Monday it will supply manganese sulphate to General Motors as the automaker looks to secure supply of battery minerals for its North American electric vehicles, sending the miner's shares up more than 20%. The deal is the second by General Motors for Australian battery minerals following a move last October to take an equity stake in Queensland Pacific Metals to secure a new source of nickel and cobalt for battery cells. With the GM deal and a pact inked with automaker Stellantis in January, Element 25 has found customers for 65% of its first phase of production at a $290 million battery grade manganese sulphate plant it is building in Louisiana. The plant is scheduled to open in 2025. The company is now talking with other potential customers and expects to sign a third supply deal to finalise finance for the plant by calendar year end, Managing Director Justin Brown told Reuters. "There's room for one more offtake partner in that mix," he said. He said Element 25's high purity processing technology provides an alternative to China, where almost all of the world's high purity manganese is processed. The company plans to set up processing plants near customers and also in Australia as the country's battery industry develops. Under Monday's agreement, GM will buy up to 32,500 tonnes of manganese sulphate per annum from Element 25 over a seven-year period from the new Louisiana facility that will be supplied from its Western Australian Butcherbird mine. The company did not disclose the value of the GM deal. Shares of Element 25 rallied as much as 23% before trading at A$0.67, up 12%. GM will provide Element 25 with an $85 million loan to partially fund construction of the Louisiana facility, the ASX-listed miner said. GM currently expects to build 400,000 electric vehicles in North America from 2022 through mid-2024 and increase capacity to 1 million units annually in North America in 2025. (Reporting by Harish Sridharan in Bengaluru and Melanie Burton in Melbourne; Editing by Kim Coghill, Chris Reese and Sonali Paul) FILE PHOTO: People walk to Brookfield Place off Bay Street on the day of the annual general meeting for Brookfield Asset Management shareholders in Toronto, May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Mark Blinch By Anirban Sen (Reuters) -Canadian private equity firm Brookfield's reinsurance arm is nearing a deal to buy insurer American Equity Life Holding, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. Brookfield has made a cash-and-stock offer that is set to be recommended by the American Equity board, the person said, requesting anonymity. Shares in the company surged nearly 7% in extended hours after Bloomberg first reported the deal talks. Brookfield is already the biggest shareholder with around 20% stake in American Equity, which has a market cap of $3.2 billion, as per Refinitiv data. Iowa-based American Equity last year had rejected a $3.9 billion unsolicited takeover proposal from Prosperity Life and its principal shareholder, activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Investment managers can significantly increase their assets under management (AUM) by acquiring or teaming up with insurance companies. Brookfield and American Equity did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters. American Equity provides annuities - an insurance contract customers typically buy for a steady income stream after retiring. (Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Sriraj Kalluvila) Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's former Foreign Minister and one of the candidates pursuing the ruling MORENA party's candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, takes part in a campaign rally at a hotel in Mexico City, Mexico June 19, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romer By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Urbane, socially progressive and eager to put Mexico on the world stage, Marcelo Ebrard presents a sharp contrast to the popular, sharp-tongued defender of the country's impoverished hinterlands he hopes to succeed as president. Having followed once in the footsteps of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as mayor of Mexico City, Ebrard is banking he can do it again in the race to be the ruling National Regeneration Movement's (MORENA) 2024 presidential candidate. This month, the 63-year-old Ebrard stood down as foreign minister to seek the MORENA nomination, unleashing a contest that could strain the leftist party's unity. His more business-oriented and moderate instincts stand apart from Lopez Obrador's outspoken rhetoric, but also raise doubts about whether he can get enough support from a party whose base identifies strongly with the president, analysts say. Reuters spoke to over two dozen officials, politicians, diplomats, executives and aides to Ebrard to assess his chances of clinching the MORENA ticket for the June 2024 election. A winner is expected on Sept. 6 after national polling. Luis Huacuja, a political consultant and professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said Ebrard's experience and record appeared to make him an "ideal" contender. But that did not mean party loyalists would, when polled, see the more centrist Ebrard as most suited to upholding Lopez Obrador's legacy, he argued. "He could go down well in some quarters, and badly in others," Huacuja said. Ebrard has won some early battles, persuading the president that contenders for the nomination should leave office, and that polls to pick the winner be open to the public. He told Reuters "hard" left critics had long painted him as moderate, but said they had not governed - and that it was he who delivered results for the capital as mayor from 2006-2012. Private investment flourished during his administration, Ebrard said, pointing to how the left's appeal in Mexico City extended from poorer households to the middle class, helping his successor secure a landslide victory. That support was crucial to control Congress, he argued. "You need a coalition with the middle class either way," said Ebrard, who has been a key troubleshooter for Lopez Obrador, helping contain threats from former U.S. president Donald Trump over immigration, trade and security. SPLITS? While Lopez Obrador has slammed critics, clashed with business and questioned checks on presidential power, Ebrard, supporters say, is a unifier who will lift growth and reassure investors. "(Ebrard) is committed to the division of powers and strengthening institutions," said MORENA senator Rafael Espino. If nominated, Ebrard is likely to become president, polling shows. MORENA is hot favorite to win, propelled by Lopez Obrador's approval ratings of around 60%. Mexican law bars presidents from re-election. Polling shows Ebrard in a tight race with ex-Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who has followed Lopez Obrador lock-step on policy. Many polls indicate Ebrard is better-known, but Sheinbaum more popular among MORENA's base. A survey published May 26 by newspaper Reforma gave Sheinbaum a slight edge. Both contenders promise to defend Lopez Obrador's vision. Aides to the president have told Reuters they believe he would most like Sheinbaum to succeed him. Lopez Obrador denies this, and says voters must decide. Some officials close to Lopez Obrador privately back Ebrard. "We need to unite the country," said one. Ebrard is careful not to criticize the president. But he has staked out his own turf. On June 11, MORENA's leadership agreed guidelines for the nomination contest stating contenders should avoid talking to media deemed conservative or hostile to the administration. The next morning Ebrard gave an interview to journalist Ciro Gomez Leyva - a regular target of Lopez Obrador's broadsides - and declared himself open to all media, drawing fire from some MORENA supporters. Ebrard dismisses such criticism, and says his legalization of same-sex marriage and abortion when Mexico City mayor was more radical than anything his detractors can lay claim to. His independent streak has fed speculation he could break with MORENA if he feels the contest is unfair. Ebrard denies this, but has repeatedly called for a level playing field. CONTINUITY Vowing to prioritize security, healthcare, education and growth, Ebrard underlines the economic opportunity presented by so-called nearshoring - increased investment spurred by Washington's trade tensions with China. In February, when Lopez Obrador threatened to deny billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla permission to build a plant in northern Mexico over water supply, Ebrard stepped in to ensure the deal prospered, three officials said. Lopez Obrador has given MORENA's contenders room to maneuver by calling the succession "continuity with change". But some Ebrard supporters hint he may be too independent of MORENA. "Sheinbaum agrees with Lopez Obrador's political project," said one senior executive backing Ebrard. "Ebrard would be a different project." A native of Mexico's poorer south, the folksy Lopez Obrador frames his presidency as the victory of a downtrodden majority over a corrupt, 'conservative' minority. The president, who has described sectors of the middle class as classist and racist, forged his electoral success on years of campaigning in forgotten rural areas, rewarding support with higher welfare spending and major public works. The tall, bespectacled Ebrard, a veteran Mexico City political operator, is less at home in remote villages. He has instead targeted younger, metropolitan Mexicans, making light of himself in TikTok videos peppered with pop cultural nods. Lopez Obrador wants MORENA to win a two-thirds congressional majority in 2024 to reshape the judiciary, which has resisted his efforts to strengthen state control over the economy. Ebrard is best placed to win that super-majority, argued MORENA senator Martha Lucia Micher. "If we don't get two-thirds," she said, "everything we want to do will suffer." (Reporting by Dave Graham) The sun sets on the U.S. Supreme Court building after a stormy day in Washington, U.S., November 11, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File photo By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a North Carolina public charter school's defense of its blocked requirement that girls wear skirts - a student uniform policy that its founder explained is aimed at treating women like "fragile vessels." Turning away an appeal by Charter Day School Inc, the justices left in place a lower court's decision that the dress code discriminated against students based on gender in violation the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment promise of equal protection under the law. Charter schools in North Carolina are tuition-free, open to attendance by all, and receive state funding for each student. They are run by private, nonprofit corporations rather than a public school district. At issue in the case was whether Charter Day School in the southeastern North Carolina town of Leland, which offers a "traditional-values-based education" to students from kindergarten to Grade 8, was subject to the Constitution's equal protection provision when it enforced the skirt policy. The school said its uniform policy was designed to foster classroom discipline and "mutual respect between boys and girls." The school's founder, Baker Mitchell, told parents that the policy was aimed at preserving chivalry, with women "regarded as a fragile vessel that men are supposed to take care of and honor," according to court papers. The plaintiffs alleged that the skirts requirement was rooted in gender stereotypes, violating the 14th Amendment. Under school policy, boys may wear pants or shorts. Ria Tabacco Mar, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, who represented the three students and their parents or guardians who sued the school, hailed the court's action. "Girls at public charter schools have the same constitutional rights as their peers at other public schools - including the freedom to wear pants. We will continue to fight for all girls to learn in safe and equal schools," she said. Mitchell expressed disappointment in Monday's decision. He warned of ripple effects for charter schools, "threatening their autonomy, subjecting them to the same rules, regulations and political machinations that have crippled government-run school systems, and worst of all, leaving many low-income parents and students with no option other than poorly performing district schools." The plaintiffs sued under a federal law commonly known as Section 1983 that allows individuals to take state officials to court for alleged violations of their constitutional or statutory rights. The school defended against the lawsuit by claiming it is not a state actor and therefore cannot be sued under Section 1983. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 ruled that charter schools in North Carolina are state actors because they are publicly funded, their employees are considered public school employees and the state has delegated to them a duty to educate students. The 4th Circuit then found Charter Day School's dress code unconstitutional. The skirt requirement telegraphs to children that female students are fragile and warrant different treatment than males - "stereotypes with potentially devastating consequences for young girls," the 4th Circuit ruling stated. In its appeal, the school said the 4th Circuit's ruling undermined charter schools by treating "private operators as the constitutional equivalent of government-run schools, squelching innovation and restricting parental choice." Asked by the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether or not to hear the case, President Joe Biden's administration filed a brief urging the justices to deny the school's appeal. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan A pitch to add options to the Air Force retirement system that encourage airmen to stay in uniform won the popular vote during a traveling innovation workshop at this airlift hub in western Tokyo. Twenty people in six teams took part in an AFWERX-sponsored SparkLab event Wednesday through Friday at Yokota High School. On Friday, each team made a two-minute problem-solving pitch based on a problem in the Air Force or at Yokota, headquarters of the 374th Airlift Wing, 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan. AFWERX, an innovation arm of the Air Force, kicked off the workshop tour on March 20 with a 75-person event at the Air Force Academy in Colorado during innovation week. The Yokota pitch on Air Force retention won 49.9% of the vote taken at the workshops conclusion. Under his teams idea, the Air Force would still have 20-year retirement benefits, which includes 40% of final base pay and 100% medical care coverage, Senior Airman Adam Romero, a crewman for the 374th Maintenance Squadron, told Stars and Stripes at the event on Friday. Our pitch includes a 15-year retirement and 12-year retirement options, he said during his pitch. If you retire at 15 years, its 30% of base pay and 75% of medical care covered. If you retire with our 12-year system, its 24% of your base pay but with no medical benefits. It's basically enticing people to continue service with different milestones of retirement. Other Spark Lab pitches at Yokota included a means of maintaining better mental health in the Air Force, a class to help identify Japanese Air Self-Defense Force ranks and a web-based application to provide easier and faster access to tools for maintenance personnel. Coming up with an innovative idea to help mental health is really important to me, Senior Airman Kayli Rodriguez, a Huey flight engineer with the 459th Airlift Squadron, told Stars and Stripes on Friday. It impacts everybody in the Air Force whether they know or not. We have so many resources and things put in place to help, but obviously it still isnt working. We would rather detriment our mental health than have it impact or even lose our careers. In the research phase, Rodriguez said she was shocked about what she learned about mental health problems in the Air Force. Twenty-five percent of just the Air Force supposedly the best and happiest branch of the military struggle with mental health issues, she said. And we still have suicides every day; I cant imagine what the other branches are like. I've lost five girls that were in the Marine Corps that I was good friends with to suicide. Her teams solution was to implement yearly mental health checks for everyone in the Air Force, much like the annual physical checkup. As much as I am really afraid of talking in front of people, I really believe in what I have for my pitch and I really do believe in this idea, she said. These innovation events are important because military members are very solution oriented, Tech Sgt. Joshua Toellner, CEO of YokoWERX, told Stars and Stripes on Friday. We feel like there's a problem somewhere and we've already got an idea of how to solve it, he said. YokoWERX is an innovation lab at the air base where airmen invented underground mapping software Infrastructure in an Augmented Reality World that on March 8 took first place at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colo. The AFWERX experience was challenging, said Master Sgt. Sarah Hubert, the 374th Air Wing superintendent of religious affairs and a member of YokoWERXs award-winning team. It tests the way you think in different ways, she told Stars and Stripes on Friday. So, you may think you have a solution right away, but it really makes you stay in the thinking process and exploring process a lot longer than you normally would with problems, which generates some interesting ideas. AFWERXs next stop is Moody Air Force Base, Ga., in July. Other workshops have yet to be scheduled. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan celebrate their 105th anniversary, Trend reports. On this occasion, a parade of cadets of the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum was held in the central streets of Baku city, accompanied by a military orchestra. Trend presents this footage: The USS Ronald Reagan and two escort ships steamed into Da Nang Bay on Sunday, marking the third visit of a U.S. aircraft carrier to Vietnam since hostilities ended and the first since the COVID-19 pandemic has ebbed. The Ronald Reagan escorted by the guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Robert Smalls pulled into port in Da Nang, where their crews are scheduled to take part in cultural and professional exchanges, community service projects and other events, the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam said in a Sunday news release. More than 5,000 sailors aboard USS Ronald Reagan are eager to visit [Da Nang] and experience Vietnamese culture, the carriers skipper, Capt. Daryle Cardone, said in the release. The entire crew and I are grateful for this opportunity as well as the hospitality of the Vietnamese. The Ronald Reagan joins the aircraft carriers USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Carl Vinson as the only ships of their class to make port calls in the country since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. The Carl Vinson made the first visit in 2018, followed by the Theodore Roosevelt in 2020. The Theodore Roosevelt soon made for Guam after COVID-19 broke out aboard the carrier in March 2020, eventually sickening hundreds and ending the command of its skipper, Capt. Brett Crozier. A Navy investigation later suggested U.S. sailors picked up the virus at a hotel in Da Nang. The Ronald Reagans visit comes less than a week after the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo made its own stop in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay, approximately 350 miles south of Da Nang, and just a month after the Chinese training ship Qi Jiguang stopped in Da Nang for a goodwill visit that concluded May 25. The Izumo went on to train with the Vietnamese navy frigate HQ Ly Thai To on Friday in the South China Sea, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force announced Monday. Chinas training ship continued on to Thailand and later the Philippines, the Chinese state-sponsored website China Military Online reported May 26. Relations between Vietnam and China have been strained in recent months with a Chinese research vessel and a number of Chinese Coast Guard and fishing vessels entering Vietnams exclusive economic zone, Vietnams Foreign Ministry said May 25. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and competent authorities have been in contact with their Chinese counterparts on numerous occasions and are implementing appropriate measures in accordance with Vietnamese and international law to ensure Vietnams lawful and legitimate rights and interests, said spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang, according to a transcript of a May 25 press conference. Meanwhile, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group over the past few weeks has been operating in the South China Sea, including a visit with French liaison officers, at-sea refueling with various ships and numerous flight sorties, according to photos and news releases from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan The Navy on Monday reminded its service members and civilians in Japan to be good ambassadors on beaches in Kanagawa prefecture, where authorities allege a U.S. sailor injured several people at a Zushi city beach last year. The city itself is on guard this summer as thousands more visitors are expected now that COVID-19 restrictions have ended. Just 8 miles from the homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Zushi has one of 22 separate beaches in Kanagawa prefecture and remains a popular destination for sailors and dependents. More than 250,000 people visited Zushis beach last year, out of 2.3 million who sunned and swam on Sagami Bay beaches across Kanagawa, according to the prefectures website. Beach season in Kanagawa begins Friday and runs through Sept. 3, and the prefecture expects a larger turnout than last year, according to a spokesman for the prefectures Community Health Division. A surge in attendance bodes well for the economy, but the city is increasing security measures in a manner similar to last year when Japanese police alleged U.S. sailor Daniel Krieger charged into a group of people, injuring several. Those measures include security cameras, on-site interpreters during holidays and weekends, security patrols and a request for the base to remind everyone to follow the rules, a spokesman from the city Finance and Tourism Division told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. The same request was made to area factories, which employ many foreigners, he said. Many Japanese government spokespeople are required to speak to the media on condition of anonymity. "It will be the first time in four years that we will open the beaches without COVID restrictions, he said. We will keep working hard to maintain our reputation as a safe and secure beach for families. Kanagawa prefecture itself will not be taking any special security measures, the spokesman said. Krieger was charged with bodily injury of four people on Nov. 10. Prosecutors allege he body slammed a group of five people from behind and knocked them down on July 9, 2022. According to an indictment, Krieger allegedly kicked a 33-year-old man in the back, knocked another 33-year-old down and kicked them in the face and knocked a 58-year-old woman down. The victims injuries included spinal sprains, abrasions and broken bones, according to the indictment. Yokosuka Naval Base spokesman Randall Baucom declined to identify Kriegers rank, but said in a Monday email that the sailor is awaiting a trial date. No additional charges have been levied and a court date has not been set, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors office said by phone Monday. The Navy reminded sailors and civilians from Yokosuka to be good ambassadors and follow the local beach guidelines, Baucom said. General rules include no barbecues, no loud music, no consumption of alcoholic beverages and tattoos covered appropriately. Make sure you are picking up your trash. It's always a good idea to keep a trash bag handy as most beaches don't have trash cans, Baucom said. An important part of our mission here in Japan is to maintain and build positive relationships so please keep this in mind and help keep the local beaches a welcoming place for everyone. A weekend of chaos in Russia yielded few winners. Russian President Vladimir Putin is politically wounded, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is in serious trouble and the rest of the world has been left shaken by the sight of a nuclear power appearing to teeter haplessly on the brink. But if there is one person who seems to have had a good rebellion, it is Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, a Putin ally who suddenly took center stage, claiming credit for brokering a truce and saving Russia from an even bigger mess. As the world waits to see what happens next, questions about Lukashenko's unusual cameo grow. Though much is still uncertain including just how big his role was what is clear, analysts said, is that the dictator will use this moment to try to burnish his image and cement his status as a Putin loyalist par excellence. "In the most dangerous moment in Putin's biography, Lukashenko was there to help and to serve his boss in Moscow," said Pavel Slunkin, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and a former Belarusian diplomat. "Lukashenko gets points for serving his senior partner and showing to the West that he is close to Putin so he can sell his services as mediator," he continued, adding, "Which is nonsense because he is part of the war." At the same time, the episode could challenge Lukashenko. He appears to have granted Prigozhin, who is famously violent and volatile, safe passage to his country, potentially creating a domestic security risk, especially if Prigozhin's forces relocate with him. It also might mean Belarus gets dragged back into the Ukraine conflict after serving as a launchpad in the early days. And then there's the fact that Lukashenko has doubled down on his partnership with Putin at the moment the Russian leader looks weakest. "This ties Lukashenko even tighter to the sinking ship," said Tomas Jermalavicius, head of studies and research fellow at Estonia's International Center for Defense and Security. In a weekend full of drama, Lukashenko entered the scene at a particularly tense time, as Wagner fighters marched on Moscow. On Saturday evening, as the troops neared the Russian capital, Lukashenko's office announced that it had brokered a deal with Prigozhin. "The president of Belarus informed the president of Russia in detail about the results of negotiations with the leadership of Wagner PMC [Private Military Company]," read the statement from Lukashenko's office. "The president of Russia supported and thanked his Belarusian counterpart for the work done." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later outlined a deal that dropped Russian charges and would see Prigozhin halt his troops in return for passage to Belarus. Prigozhin, for his part, has not mentioned the role of the Belarusian leader. Peskov cast the agreement as something Lukashenko led, noting that the Belarusian dictator "has been acquainted with Mr. Prigozhin for a long time, at least 20 years." Those who follow Lukashenko are not sold on the idea that he was so close to Prigozhin that a promise of safety in Belarus would lead the mercenary leader to completely change course. "We still don't know what was in the deal," Slunkin said. "What Prigozhin did is very irrational," he continued. "It was irrational to attack Moscow and even more irrational to stop when you are almost there. We don't know what he really wanted." Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said it wasn't at all clear yet what Lukashenko was even going to do with Prigozhin. "I think they don't have an understanding themselves," she told the Associated Press. "Lukashenko once again has made Belarus a hostage to other people's games and wars. He is by no means a peacemaker." Lukashenko and Putin have a habit of scratching each other's backs. After a popular uprising in Belarus in 2020, Putin came to the dictator's aid when others spurned him. In return, Lukashenko allowed Belarus to be used as a staging ground for the war in Ukraine. That exchange was foremost in the mind of Russian state TV anchor and propagandist Vladimir Solovyov in his praise about how "the excellent relations between our presidents once again saved the Union State from a terrible disaster. In 2020 we came to your aid and now, of course, the role of Alexander Grigoryevich [Lukashenko], his wisdom, his talent as a negotiator cannot be overestimated." Serving as the face of negotiations to avert civil war in Russia will make the Belarusian leader a "very, very precious friend" of Moscow, said Artyom Shraibman, a Belarus expert at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. "And this preciousness is worth money it will be repaid financially, because that's how the Belarusian-Russian friendship works." Lukashenko may have also seen his intervention as a crucial means of staving off challenges at home. "In this case, this was also existential for him, because if the Putin regime were to fail or to weaken dramatically, it would be a significant blow to the stability of the Lukashenko regime some would argue a fatal blow," Shraibman said. It is not clear if Prigozhin will end up in Belarus, or if he would be safe there. If he does land there and lives it could have serious implications for Belarus and its neighbors. Lithuanian officials have already voiced concern about the possibility of the mutinous mercenary leader moving in next door, saying that Prigozhin's presence could warrant additional support from NATO allies. Jermalavicius, of the Estonian center, said giving Prigozhin an invitation to Belarus could hurt Lukashenko domestically. "There are signs that some are not very happy," he said. "This is a group renowned for its brutality and its criminal backgrounds that does not go down well with Belarusians, even those that are passive to the regime." "Are his structures prepared to really handle this guy?" he said, noting that for Lukashenko, "this is not a risk-free enterprise." The Washington Post's Robyn Dixon in Riga, Latvia, contributed to this report. A brief mutiny in Russia over the weekend exposed the fragility of President Vladimir Putins government, NATOs top official said Monday during a stop in Lithuania, where he also heralded a new pledge by Germany to base several thousand infantry troops permanently in the Baltic state. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Berlins decision to station an army brigade in Lithuania will enhance allied security along the eastern flank. This demonstrates German leadership, German commitment to our trans-Atlantic bond, said Stoltenberg, who was in Lithuania to observe military drills. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, speaking alongside Stoltenberg, said the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are very much exposed because of their geographic proximity to Russia. For that reason, Berlin is willing to take on greater security responsibilities given Germanys status as Europes largest economy, he said. Germany is ready to deploy a robust brigade in Lithuania on a permanent basis, he said. A timeline was not announced for the establishment of a brigade of 4,000 troops, which Pistorius said was contingent on Lithuanias construction of the required infrastructure. The move would expand and make permanent a smaller rotational force that has been operating in Lithuania for the past several years. The United States also regularly trains in the region and earlier this month took a lead role in the multinational BALTOPS sea exercise. Allies should remain vigilant even after the internal dispute between Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private army known as the Wagner Group, and the Russian military, Stoltenberg said. The mutiny demonstrates how difficult and dangerous this is for President Putin to be reliant on mercenaries that have actually turned against him, Stoltenberg said. And it also demonstrates that it is hard to predict exactly what will now happen in the next days and weeks. Much remains unclear about what the future will hold for Wagner Group fighters and Prigozhin, who reportedly is headed to Belarus after ordering his troops to stand down on their march Saturday toward Moscow. They had invaded Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters of Russias Southern Military District, and seized key infrastructure in the city of 1.1 million people. The group has played a major role in the war in Ukraine and remains armed. Its fighters could be absorbed by the Russian army. But despite the turmoil, it would be a mistake to underestimate the Russians, Stoltenberg said, adding the West must remain focused on providing military support to Ukraines war effort for the long term. The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter and one more demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin has made with his illegal war against Ukraine, he said. Meanwhile, Russian media reported Monday a criminal case against Prigozhin for organizing an armed mutiny remains open. DUBNICA, Slovakia Inside the hulking arms factory, dozens of workers delicately fit fuses inside the tips of the 155-millimeter artillery shells that are in insatiable demand in Ukraines war. But even in this town, established around the arms industry before World War II broke out, the deliveries are divisive. Its fuel on the flames, said Samuel Prekop, 19, as he sat with his family in a nearby square, voicing objections shared by a growing majority of Slovaks. Fanning polarization across Slovakia is Robert Fico, a socially conservative left-wing populist and two-time former prime minister, who has risen to the top of the polls once again while promising to end military aid to Ukraine and veto pointless European Union sanctions on Russia. For the European Union, a Fico comeback in elections this fall could mean another veto-wielding crack in its political unity in the face of Russian aggression. It could also renew the potential for an authoritarian slide that further challenges the blocs democratic ideals. Fico, who was forced out of office five years ago after the murder of a journalist who had been investigating his finances, is seeing a resurgence that mirrors a populist revival in several countries across Europe. The far-right Alternative for Germany is now polling on par with the ruling Social Democrats, and Austrias Freedom Party is that countrys leading political force. In Spain, the ultraconservative Vox party may be a kingmaker in next months snap elections. Fico is surfing a wave, Milan Nic of the German Council on Foreign Relations said. Support for populists is now up. There is a crisis in living costs and the lower social strata people are struggling to make ends meet. Its an environment where you can mobilize resentment. Fico is also benefiting from Slovakias political turmoil. The countrys westward looking, pro-Ukrainian governing coalition, already facing criticism of its handling of the pandemic, was beset by domestic interparty bickering and collapsed in December but limped along until May with a minority cabinet. In Slovakia, trust in state institutions is at a low, according to polling by think tank GlobSec, with government trust at just 18 percent. That frustration has helped to eat away at support for Kyiv, Nic said, because contributions to Ukraine are associated with the countrys unpopular leadership. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova and her allies say a Russian disinformation campaign also has taken root, amplified by Fico and other opposition politicians. Its a perfect storm, interim foreign minister Miroslav Wlachovsky said. He spoke in an interview in Bratislava, Slovakia, just two weeks into his new job, appointed as part of a technocratic government charged with steering the country until the September elections. Certain historical affinities and a certain naivete about Russia is played together with the cynicism and opportunism of the Slovak political elite, he said. Including former prime minister Fico. Only 40 percent of Slovaks say Russia is primarily responsible for the war in Ukraine, while 34 percent blame the West for provoking Russia, according to a March poll by GlobSec. That same survey found that 58 percent of Slovaks would vote to stay in NATO, compared with 72 percent a year earlier, when the war in Ukraine contributed to a surge in support. On the question of arms for Ukraine, an E.U.-funded survey conducted by the Bratislava Policy Institute found that 70 percent of respondents were against supplying weapons. And an Ipsos survey found that 60 percent of Slovak respondents were against donating MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Among supporters of Ficos party, that figure rose to 92 percent. For his part, Fico has compared a NATO battlegroup in Slovakia to Nazi soldiers and described the war in Ukraine as a conflict between the United States and Russia. He said Ukraine being allowed to join NATO would guarantee World War III. In a meeting with Fico in April, U.S. Ambassador Gautam Rana said he urged the opposition leader not to ally with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that doing so would be like appeasing Adolf Hitler. Within the E.U., some officials and diplomats voice concern about a leader who might align with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in obstructing aid for Ukraine and in blocking sanctions on Russia. We have to keep unity on the security situation and Russia, Zilvinas Tomkus, Lithuanias Vice Minister of National Defense, said. He mentioned a recent meeting of European defense ministers on Ukraine, during which Hungary blocked an aid package. The problem is we send this ambiguous message to our societies and to Moscow, and Moscow can exploit this message, that there is no unity among European allies. If all of us were to do what Viktor Orban is doing, there would be no independent Ukraine anymore, because they would have no ammunition or weaponry to defend themselves, Wlachovsky said. Whether Fico can return to power is still far from certain. His lead in the polls comes with 17 percent of the vote, enough to win an election, but he would still be required to form a governing coalition. Second in the polls is the party of Peter Pellegrini, another former prime minister who split with Ficos Smer party three years ago and would lose his political raison detre in forming a coalition with him. That leaves the extreme right Republica, which is polling at about 8 percent, and a governing coalition likely dependent on whether smaller parties get into government. If Fico does find his way back into high office, there would be a further question of just how much of his rhetoric against NATO and arming Ukraine would hold firm. After campaigning on a promise to withdraw Slovak troops from Iraq in 2006, Fico carried out that pledge, branding the war unjust and wrong. Fico and other officials from his Smer party were not available for interviews with The Washington Post, but Juraj Blanar, the vice president of the party, responded to written questions. He said that if the party returns to power, it will support Slovakias continued NATO membership but would evaluate sanctions on the basis of the effectiveness of the proposed sanctions in achieving the intended goals and especially on the basis of the economic and social impacts of the sanctions on Slovakia. Nic cast doubt on the notion that Fico would be another Orban, on the basis that the fragmented world of Slovak politics wouldnt grant him as much clout as the Hungary leader enjoys. Whatever government will be formed, it will be very domestically focused, Nic said, though he added that it would likely include an end to visible military support for Ukraine. While Blanar said Smer intends to end arming Ukraine from Slovakian stocks - already depleted through donations - he said it was too early to comment on contracts. For now, Slovakia is rapidly ramping up its arms production to meet the demands of the war. Last month, the government announced plans to increase the production of 155mm artillery shells fivefold over the next two years. We are trying to do as much as we can, said Marian Majer, deputy minister of defense, to sign contracts and also make sure the contracts cant be reversed very easily in the future. The Washington Posts Ladka Bauerova contributed to this report. The mother of an immunocompromised teenager is traveling by plane for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started. A scientist felt safe enough at last to attend a professional conference last week. Members of a meditation group for retirees are ready to doff their masks, even the woman with lung problems. Emboldened by the governments recent lifting of the public health emergency, Americans who have tried to be rule-following pandemic citizens for the past three summers are at last abandoning precautions as the coronavirus fades into a background threat. Officials are no longer warning of scary new variants. Free tests are harder to come by. The White House COVID team has disbanded, and the virus is increasingly erased from public conversation. After 2020s summer of isolation followed by 2021s hot vax summer and last years summer of revenge travel, this summer, the fourth since COVID arrived, marks a season of blissful ignorance or begrudging acceptance that the rest of society is moving on. Carol Morris, who travels around the country with her husband for tango and other dance events, has seen a sharp shift in COVID safety protocols since last summer, when many events required masking, vaccination or negative test results and made announcements when attendees became infected. Now, theres nothing. No announcements. Nobodys testing. Nobody cares, said Morris, 67, of Longmont, Colo. They are like, COVID? Whats COVID? Available metrics suggest the virus is declining, although no one really knows how much the coronavirus is circulating given a drop in data collection. The toll of COVID-19 is increasingly obscured as more data sources disappear, including the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions community levels dashboard that categorized the strain on county health care systems as low, medium or high. Now the CDC recommends Americans use a tracker displaying new COVID-19 hospital admissions by county to understand the state of the virus in their community. By that measure, there were 6,600 new admissions nationally the week ending June 10, compared with roughly 30,000 at this time last year. Other metrics, including emergency department visits, test results reported voluntarily by a network of laboratories and wastewater surveillance also indicate infections are low and declining. We are in a relatively good spot, said Brendan Jackson, the CDCs incident manager for its COVID-19 response. Americans seem to share this assessment, with 62% saying in May that COVID-19 is over, compared with 47% who felt that way in February, according to the most recent Axios-Ipsos poll. More than half now say they never mask in public, and the share of respondents who said they always or sometimes mask dropped from 30% in February to 23% in May. COVID is already done. Move forward, said Issara Tak, 50, who was taking photos of monuments on the National Mall in D.C. with his family while on vacation from Los Angeles. At the Tidal Basin, Jorge Ospina said he might wear a mask in a super crowded situation. But he feels less pressured to do so now. At first we were 100% by the rules, said Ospina, 39, whose relatives have repeatedly contracted the virus and who had two cousins each lose a parent to COVID. Everybody had a mask on, but now you see its more like the opposite. Susan Eschrich recently removed the last mask from her purse, with some trepidation. She knows COVID is still around: Two friends were infected in May; one had to be hospitalized. But Eschrich felt ostracized wearing a mask to protect her 89-year-old terminally ill father, who she cares for at an independent living facility in Sarasota, Fla., where no one else masks not even her father. I felt like it wasnt going to make a difference because if he goes out and hes not wearing a mask, what good is it really doing? said Eschrich, 57. Wearing a mask is not fun. Nobody around here is wearing a mask. The vast majority of the more than 80 people contacted by The Washington Post say they are relaxing precautions, believing theyll be fine because theyre up to date on their shots and transmission rates are low. Those who still mask and socially distance are making peace with most others no longer doing so. Jody Barens Moran has been hypervigilant about avoiding another bout of COVID to protect her teenage son, who has a rare genetic disorder and a weak immune system. The two endured high fevers after contracting the virus this winter. Now, as health care providers drop the last of the countrys mask mandates, Moran asks her allergist to wear a mask and frequently draws stares and questions about why she still masks. Yet she, too, is loosening her boundaries and plans to board her first flight since the pandemic began for a long-delayed vacation to Hawaii in July. TSA checkpoint data shows the number of U.S. airline passengers have approached or exceeded 2019 levels every day in June for the first time. Moran plans to wear an N95 mask on the plane, skip indoor restaurants and pack coronavirus tests and the antiviral treatment Paxlovid in her suitcase. I think that its just a way of life now that we have to live with, like the flu and anything else, said Moran, 48, who lives in West Hollywood. Inside hospitals, medical professionals are also seeing a virus that has faded into the background. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cared for fewer than 20 patients with coronavirus across its entire system last week, compared with 1,200 at the height of the Omicron wave in early 2022. Kaiser Permanentes hospitals in Northern California have seen COVID patients dwindle from filling 10 to 15% of beds last summer to 5% now only half of whom are admitted for COVID. Northwell Health, New Yorks largest health system, has treated less than a handful of seriously ill COVID patients across its facilities in recent weeks. The pandemic, for all intents and purposes, now is gone, but the virus isnt gone yet, said Donald Yealy, chief medical officer for UPMCs health services division. Even when transmission is low, coronavirus is one of the most common respiratory viruses, infecting tens of thousands, experts say. The virus finally tore through Sarah Ferrarios suburban D.C. household after her family attended a wedding in Italy in early June. Ferrario, her husband and their 8-year-old daughter tested positive for the first time; their 12-year-old son became infected for the second time. They had been sticking with precautions longer than other people they know: The kids masked in school until March, and the parents still are masking at their college teaching jobs. Ferrario decided not to allow her son, Ollie, to attend his fifth grade promotion ceremony, where he was supposed to play the cello and receive an award for academic achievement. Instead, three of his friends stopped by their house to bring cake, the award and a smiley-face balloon for a celebration in the front yard, with Ollie masked a socially distanced scene reminiscent of the pandemics first year. I didnt want to blow up anyone elses summer plans, said Ferrario, noting her family was able to frequently test with free kits from the local library. But affordable testing remains out of reach for many Americans now that the federal government has stopped mailing free kits and insurers are no longer required to cover them. While some people still have tests stockpiled, experts worry fewer chains of transmission will be broken as people stop testing when they experience cold-like symptoms or before big gatherings. We are in a challenging sort of period where, for the vast majority of people, COVID is now a mild illness that may be indistinguishable from a lot of other respiratory infections, said Jackson, the CDC official. We do encourage people to get tested when possible, but we understand its not always feasible at this point. Public health authorities say the best thing Americans can do to protect themselves is stay up to date on their vaccines, especially when new booster shots designed to target the latest variants are rolled out this fall. But uptake of the most recent bivalent booster dose remains low: just 17% of all Americans and 43% of those 65 and older had received the shots as of May 10, according to the CDC. The booster rates are lowest in children 5 and under 18% and their parents are having a hard time finding shots. Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers, said pharmacies often do not administer shots to toddlers, leaving doctors offices as the best place to find them. But some physicians are hesitant to stock a vaccine thats in low demand, has special storage requirements and comes in vials where unused doses often go to waste. Activists who are waging a difficult fight to keep COVID-19 a top priority say the retreat is premature, as the virus continues to prey on the most vulnerable killing 40,000 so far this year. Hundreds still die daily, and long COVID continues to inflict lasting complications on otherwise healthy people. This is still a novel virus. Its only been three years, said Lara Jirmanus, a primary care physician in Massachusetts and activist with Peoples CDC, an organization that has advocated for the preservation of mask mandates at hospitals and expansion of free PCR testing. COVID can still disable you each additional time that you get a COVID infection. In Minneapolis, the Moon Palace book store is one of the rare businesses to maintain a mask mandate. Owner Angela Schwesnedl said she does so to protect workers and their immunocompromised relatives, but shes encountering more resistance from customers who dont even have to mask at their doctors office anymore. I would love for COVID to actually be over, Schwesnedl said. But thats just not the reality. Still, some infectious diseases physicians who have been urging vigilance for the better part of three years are now encouraging patients to set aside their anxieties and have fun this summer. Social isolation is not good for us, and its really important that we get back to some of our activities, said Stephen Parodi, who managed the COVID-19 response for Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Julie Garel, who had contracted COVID during a vacation to Denver last year, said she plans to stop thinking about the virus this summer (at least, until she agreed to an interview). She enjoys dancing in bars, seeing peoples smiles and attending concerts without feeling like the masked outsider. It had become untenable to keep up precautions when the rest of her family did not. Letting go made her happier. This virus lingered for quite some time in my emotional equation, and in hindsight, I think it took up unnecessary space, said Garel, 63 of Bethesda, Md. I could no longer opt out of concerts, crowded bars, and trips to red states. So here I am. Nirappil and Yarber reported from Washington, Regan reported from Minneapolis. The Washington Posts Emily Guskin in Washington and Karen Alexander in San Mateo, Calif., contributed to this report BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. On the occasion of June 26 - the Day of the Armed Forces, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has visited the Alley of the Honorable Burial and the Alley of Martyrs, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The memory of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev was honored, and bouquets of flowers were laid in front of his monument. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan also honored the memory of the outstanding ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Then the leadership of the Ministry, who arrived at the Alley of Martyrs, visited the graves of Azerbaijani citizens who became martyrs for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. The National Anthem of Azerbaijan was performed by the military orchestra. The memory of all martyrs was honored with deep respect. As the dust settled on the most serious challenge in decades to Russian President Vladimir Putins authority, Washington and its allies struggled to make sense of a head-spinning series of historic events that saw mercenary forces race up a highway to within 120 miles of Moscow on Saturday, then abruptly turn back after their leader, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, agreed to stand down and go to Belarus for an uncertain exile. On Sunday, intelligence officials and diplomats unsure if they had just witnessed an aborted coup or a thwarted mutiny were left to parse official Kremlin statements and re-watch blurry videos posted on Telegram, the social network that Prigozhin has used to try to convince the Russian people that the war in Ukraine has been a strategic disaster led by incompetent commanders and political sycophants. Publicly, U.S. officials have highlighted the possible benefits to Ukraine from the chaos in Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the brief Wagner revolt, and how it was ultimately if tentatively resolved, showed cracks in the facade of Putins authoritarian leadership. Think about it this way: 16 months ago, Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv in Ukraine, believing they would take the capital in a matter of days and erase the country from the map as an independent country. Now, what weve seen is Russia having to defend Moscow, its capital, against mercenaries of [Putins] own making, Blinken said on NBC Newss Meet the Press. Certainly, we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead, Blinken added. Officials in the United States and around Europe said they were unsure of what comes next and were concerned about the instability that could follow an effort by Putins rivals, including Prigozhin, to unseat the president at a vulnerable moment. High on the list of questions policymakers are now putting to their intelligence analysts is whether Prigozhin has managed to shake the foundations of the Kremlin so strongly that Putin will feel compelled to sack top generals or ministers leading the war, as Prigozhin has repeatedly demanded. More immediately, though, theres another question: What just happened? One minute, Prigozhin had taken over a key military headquarters in the south running Russias war machine in Ukraine. The next, he had agreed to a truce brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, whos more accustomed to playing second fiddle to Putin than intervening between warring factions. Why did it calm down so quickly, and how come Putins puppet Lukashenko got the credit? asked one senior European diplomat, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private discussions. What impact will it have on Russias defenses, and are there going to be any personnel changes in the military leadership? Western officials also were unsure about what terms had been reached between Putin and Prigozhin to end the rebellion, and whether the peace would hold. One Western intelligence official was skeptical that Prigozhin would remain quietly in Belarus, echoing speculation that he will either be killed or will continue to challenge Russias military establishment from abroad. Watching the Wagner column head toward Moscow on Saturday, the official had predicted that Russian troops were unlikely to put up much resistance if they had been persuaded by his arguments that military leaders were to blame for the disastrous war. Prigozhin had said on social media that the Russian public hadnt been told the truth about the setbacks in Ukraine, including about the extraordinarily high number of dead Russian troops. U.S. military figures have estimated casualties in the hundreds of thousands. Bob Seely, a member of British Parliament who serves on the foreign affairs committee that has been investigating Wagner for two years, wondered if Putin feared his own military might not carry out his orders to stop Wagner forces from entering the capital. Earlier on Saturday, before the truce, Putin had described the Wagner fighters as traitors during a televised address to the nation. Would Putin have been able to order a lethal airstrike? Seely asked. Could Putin have actually killed Prigozhin on route? Or was it so bad for Putin that he couldnt, meaning that his grip on power was too tenuous? If Putin demanded that Russian forces attack and the answer was no, Seely said, then Putin was in a desperate stage. I cant see this peace lasting, Seely added, because either Prigozhin is unstable and will continue to attack and seek to finish Putin off, or Putin will silence him in some way financially, politically or physically. A Ukrainian intelligence official, who was likewise unsure why Prigozhin had stood down, saw signs that the mercenary leader may not have been confident in his prospects. I think he miscalculated in his expectations of military support, the Ukrainian official said, taking a different view than some of his European counterparts. The revolt Prigozhin may have hoped for in Moscow failed to materialize, the official noted. He added that there were indications Prigozhin may even have tried to phone Putin directly but received no answer. This sent a very strong signal to Prigozhin, the Ukrainian official believes: Putin would not simply acquiesce to his demands. Another senior European diplomat said that allies hope to understand what Putin will do domestically in response to the unrest, especially with respect to any next steps in the stalemate on the Ukraine war front. The diplomat joked that even as Ukraines Western backers raced to decipher what had occurred, Russian intelligence probably did not have much of a head start. I think even Russian services are scratching their heads, the diplomat said. We will need some time to digest and also to see where things are moving. On the Sunday morning talk shows, Republican and Democratic lawmakers agreed that the events had weakened Putin and strengthened the United States resolve to continue supporting Ukraine. Later on Sunday, President Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the current counteroffensive against Russia and committed to continue U.S. support for Ukraine, the White House said in a statement. But intelligence officials cautioned that it remains to be seen whether Prigozhins challenge truly weakened Putin and if the Russian leader believes it did. U.S. and Western analysts have long described Putin as isolated, surrounded by yes-men and blind to the challenges his forces face. The Russian intelligence agency primarily responsible for understanding Ukraine, the FSB, failed to neutralize the government in Kyiv and foment any pro-Russian opposition to disrupt Zelenskys hold on power, The Washington Post previously reported, based on intelligence material obtained by Ukrainian and other security services. Putin has been misguided by advisers who may now try to convince him that he won in a standoff with Prigozhin, some officials said. That may only embolden the Russian leader, even if he is not as strong as he thinks. Officials said that, in the near term, they will watch closely for any signs that Putin may replace two of the top leaders who have been the targets of Prigozhins Telegram rants: Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff. Prigozhin had demanded an audience with both men as his forces marched across Russia. Sacking the military bosses might not mean that Putin is giving in to Prigozhin, but rather that he realizes the Russian elite have lost confidence in their leadership. Prigozhin, some Western officials said, was only saying out loud what many around the Kremlin privately think. If Putin replaces Shoigu, it will not be because Prigozhin demanded it, but because Shoigu is weak, the Ukrainian official said. As for Prigozhins next move, U.S. and Western officials were keenly interested in whether the rift with Putin will prompt him to distance the Russian government from Wagner and withdraw support for its extensive operations in Africa and the Middle East, where the group offers security and military assistance and tactics on campaigns to influence governments facing rebellions or instability, in return for resource contracts such as gold in regions that are too unstable to attract Western corporations. Though Prigozhins company seeks to turn a profit wherever it operates, its action often advances a Kremlin agenda and undermines Western interests. For those reasons alone, some Western officials believe Putin will probably continue supporting Wagners operations, but recent events may set back its future potential. I think Wagner will have their wings curbed heavily, said a senior European intelligence official. That may come at a cost for Putin. Prigozhin has been the gateway for Moscow in many places in Africa, and Moscow counts on African support more than ever, the intelligence official said. But, he acknowledged, the Russian president has more pressing concerns, such as political survival. Faced with last weekends events, issues like Russian influence in Africa have a secondary weight for Putin. The Washington Posts Christopher Rowland contributed to this report. Sitting in the dock, Scott shook his head slowly as Ms Justice Caroline Biggs handed down the sentence A farmer who killed his elderly aunt when he drove over her with a teleporter has been jailed for six years. Michael Scott (59) was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court today for the manslaughter of Chrissie Treacy (76). She died from catastrophic injuries after Scott's agricultural vehicle struck her outside her home in Co Galway. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said the teleporter was a lethal weapon and if he had thought about it, Scott would have realised the risk he was causing by reversing it across his aunts yard but he didnt think about her at all. Sitting in the dock, Scott shook his head slowly as Ms Justice Caroline Biggs handed down the sentence. Scott of Gortanumera, Portumna, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Treacy at Derryhiney, Portumna, on April 27, 2018. Last March, following a trial, a jury acquitted him of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter due to gross negligence. The prosecution's case had been that Scott deliberately reversed over Ms Treacy following a long-running dispute over land. Scott's lawyers said her death was a tragic accident. The victim's best friend Regina Donohue told a pre-sentence hearing two weeks ago that Ms Treacy was "needlessly robbed of her life" by Scott's "reckless actions." He had subjected Ms Treacy to verbal abuse and "mental torture" before her death, she said in a victim impact statement. The trial had heard Scott told gardai he was reversing the agricultural teleporter across the yard outside Ms Treacy's home when he felt a "thump" and thought he might have struck a trailer. He said he rolled the machine forward to level ground and when he got out of the cabin he found Ms Treacy lying on the ground. He said he had not seen his aunt at all that day, including in the seconds before the collision. Gardai who arrived at the scene saw tyre tracks on her body and found no sign of life. She had suffered multiple crush injuries which chief state pathologist Linda Mulligan said would have resulted in almost instantaneous death." Today, before passing sentence, the judge asked defence barrister Paul Greene SC if Scott was accepting the jurys verdict. After a brief consultation, Mr Greene told the court: the answer is yes, he accepts the verdict. "(Ms Treacy) was described as a terrific lady, ahead of her time on farming knowledge and expertise... a hard worker," the judge said. She was also said to be proud and private, with a "wonderful Irish sense of humour" and loved land and animals, while her dog "Bradley has to get a mention." Ms Treacy, who was in ill health, loved people, her neighbours and friends and "lived every day of her life to the fullest" notwithstanding her personal difficulties. The judge said Ms Treacy's land dispute with the accused was not something she was taking into account in terms of mens rea, or his mental state at the time. Prosecutor Dean Kelly SC had suggested the case was in the medium culpability bracket with a pre-mitigation headline sentence of between four and 10 years. The defence had urged the court to consider the case in the low culpability bracket. On aggravating factors, the judge said: This case involves the driving of effectively a lethal weapon, a JCB teleporter, far more dangerous than any car and a vehicle that should be driven with care." The accused had driven in a way that involved him looking to his right hand side when the reality was if he had looked left, "he would have seen Chrissie." By looking right, it was clear there was a blind spot due to the vehicle's boom and his own sight in his right eye. He could not glance left because there was no left hand mirror, while the back window was dirty, which could "so easily have been remedied." Ms Treacy was struck in her own yard where she would have had an expectation of being safe. She may not have been there habitually but Scott had indicated she would be there occasionally. "Had he thought about it at all, he would have realised the risk he was causing... the fact of the matter is he didn't think about her at all, his aunt, an elderly lady living alone." Addressing mitigation, the judge said one mitigating factor that was "conspicuous by its absence" was a plea of guilty. She noted, however, that Scott had not been charged with manslaughter so this only became a live issue toward the end of the prosecution's case. The accused had no previous convictions, had raised four children in 20 years of marriage and was "a responsible man" in terms of his farming business and the raising of his family. She said in the immediate aftermath of the events Scott showed not no remorse. At the scene he was described as "hysterical" and spoke of the misfortune that this had happened to him. When he stated to gardai he did not believe Ms Treacy was dead, despite not calling 999 for help, the judge said this was not an aggravating factor because she did not believe him. It would have been "patently obvious" that Ms Treacy had died, the judge said. Scott's own self-preservation had been his primary concern in lies he told gardai in interview about this and about the extent of his poor relationship with his aunt, she said. While there was cooperation with the investigation, it was limited. Scott expressed remorse in a letter submitted to the court today, which the judge accepted but remarked "it seems to me to have come at a late stage." In the letter, which was not read out to the court, Scott also stated his family were in considerable difficulty "both emotionally and from a business perspective" from his being remanded in custody, the judge said. He had also said in probation and psychological reports that he now understood what he had done and felt shame. He had lost interest in farming. The court heard Scott had shown signs of mental disorder in the last six months, with hopelessness and anxiety. At the time of the incident, he was working 14 hour days with no holidays, although the judge said "that is a lifestyle that many farmers would experience." Judge Biggs said the notional sentence before mitigation was eight years, and she reduced this to six, taking account of the mitigating factors. The judge backdated it to June 12. Ms Treacy and her brothers had farmed about 140 acres at Derryhiney and she owned another farm at nearby Kiltormer. Following the deaths of her brothers, Scott came to own half the land at Derryhiney and Ms Treacy owned the other half. She leased her land at Kiltormer and Derryhiney to Scott. The prosecution had maintained a decision by Ms Treacy's to partition 140 acres of land they jointly owned impacted on Scotts farming business and he deliberately reversed over her out of a sense of entitlement and for revenge. Scott denied that he murdered his aunt and said he did not want her to die. He said he had not called emergency services after he struck her because he did not know that he could ring 999 to summon an ambulance. An engineer, Dr Mark Jordan, called by the defence, told the trial that he disagreed with a garda report suggesting Ms Treacy should have been visible as Scott reversed across his yard. Detective Sergeant Paul Duane told prosecutor Dean Kelly SC that Ms Treacy, who had been in ill health, was well-regarded by neighbours. She had a poor relationship with Scott, with whom she had significant differences over land. Scott had no previous convictions. My best friend was robbed of her life by the reckless actions of Michael Scott, Regina Donohue said in her victim impact statement. I am broken-hearted for Chrissie and fearful for the safety of myself, my family and my neighbours and friends, she said, alleging threats by Michael Scott. She and her late brothers were like family to me, Chrissie treated me like the daughter she never had, I looked up to her like she was my second mother, she said. As female farmers we had huge mutual respect for each other and I will never forget Chrissie for that." The village I call home has been destroyed by the callous greed of one person, Michael Scott, she said. Scott had expressed regret and awareness of the associated harm caused, his barrister Paul Greene SC said. Theres clearly family strife and clearly a view abroad that Mr Scott and some members of his family are not nice people, he said. Scott was now a pariah in the community, the court heard. South Dublin man who supplied phones to Kinahans is linked to Chinese money-laundering gang A POSH protege of Christy Kinahan Snr has been revealed as the link man between a Chinese money- laundering operation and Irish drug gangs. Ciaran OSullivan, also known as Sam, was named in a High Court case this week taken by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) against members of the gang who transferred cash out of Ireland. The criminal network was targeted in an intelligence-led Garda operation in which a series of raids were carried out in Dublin and Wicklow in June 2020, shortly after Dutch and French police hacked the encrypted Encrochat service. The Sunday World previously revealed how Sam OSullivan had supplied Encrochat phones to the Kinahan mob in Ireland. Now in his late 40s, he grew up in a south Dublin suburb but got involved with the Kinahan mob as it began to emerge as a major player in Holland and later on the Costa Del Sol. He was found by gardai during the search operations targeting the Chinese gang in 2020 and later left for Spain, according to sources. At the time, five business premises and eight residential addresses were searched resulting in the seizure of cash and assets worth 1,035,093. Cash totalling 733,499 was seized, while 301,594 funds were frozen in Irish bank accounts and four cars were seized along with high-value designer goods. This week, CAB said the leader of the Chinese gang in Ireland, Peng Fei He, had been observed in OSullivans company, who was described in court as an old associate of Christy Kinahan senior. Despite his well-to-do upbringing, OSullivan had served time in Spain, where he was convicted in 2004 of drugs offences, and had also been arrested in The Netherlands over amphetamines and guns. He was previously caught up in a police operation against Jennifer Guinness kidnapper and long-time Kinahan associate John Cunningham in Amsterdam in 2000. Officers had Cunningham under surveillance as he organised huge shipments of drugs back to Dublin. Dutch police estimated that he had shipped 150 million worth of drugs, arms and ammunition to gangs in Dublin, Limerick, Belfast, London, Manchester and Liverpool. OSullivan would later be arrested in Spain with Bernard Clancy, a veteran criminal and a childhood friend of Daniel Kinahan, who grew up in the Oliver Bond flats in south-inner city Dublin. Clancy was one of the seven individuals listed by the US Office of Foreign Asset Control when they posted a $5 million reward for each of the three Kinahans last year. Since the early 2000s, Clancy has spent most of his time in Spain and was described by the American authorities as a key Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) lieutenant. US officials stated: Bernard Clancy is a key KOCG lieutenant, who, among other duties, is tasked by Daniel Kinahan with providing wages to elements within the KOCG and payments to others. Bernard Clancy OSullivan is also linked to Chris Casserly, a CAB target and drug dealer in Ireland, who was supplied from The Netherlands by Cunningham. While Dutch cops moved in on Cunninghams operation in 2000, gardai in Dublin targeted searches against Casserlys network, which saw him flee the country with his then associate Sam OSullivan. John Cunningham being arrested in Spain In 2003, Chief Superintendent Felix McKenna, then the chief officer of CAB, said in an affidavit that he believed Casserly was for many years deeply involved in drug trafficking into Ireland. Chris Casserly in sunglasses The leader of the Chinese gang targeted by CAB this week, Peng Fei He, is no longer in Ireland, it was heard in court. In 2016, he was previously caught with 140,000 worth of cannabis after accepting a package from an undercover officer posing as a courier. Fei He pleaded guilty after being caught at an address in Dublin 7 in November 2015 and was given a six-year sentence, reduced to four-and-a- half on appeal. At his trial, the judge was told Fei He lived in squalor and had a 5,000 gambling debt and that he was not the main beneficiary of the drug deal. When he had been stopped by gardai with the drugs in his car he claimed he had pornography DVDs in the boot and said he was to earn 200 to collect them. He was interviewed several times and claimed he had been put under threat to collect the package because he owed 5,000 in a gambling debt. He later told officers that the packages had originated from Spain and that he was due to be paid 200 per kilo for organising their delivery. This week, Fei He was described in CAB evidence as the leader of a Chinese money-laundering gang and the head of what is known as an International Controller Network in Ireland. Cash was held in a safety deposit box and expensive designer goods bought with money were subsequently exported. The CAB is targeting 13 individuals involved in what is described as a criminal operation that included buying Prada, Gucci and Burberry bags in Brown Thomas for re-export. Two junior members of the alleged criminal gang were in court this week, where details of their involvement was declared in affidavits from CAB officers. During the searches on June 30, 2020, gardai seized huge sums of cash, including 235,000 in bundles found in a safety deposit box at the Merrion Vaults. Xiao Xia Zheng, who worked as a nursing assistant and in a chipper, said in court the cash had been sent to buy PPE, while money in her home was from Fei He whose family she had given cash to while he was in prison. Xiao Xia Zheng and Jian Fei Zheng Her partner, Jian Fei Zheng, also appeared at the hearing, who she said knows nothing about this he just goes to work and comes home. They had claimed the money was from savings having worked for cash and from money sent from China for a shopping system known as deiguo. Louis Vuitton bags had been left at her house by people involved in the shopping for people in China and that she had bought bags because the stores limit how many can be purchased by an individual. In his ruling granting CABs application to seize the cash, designer goods and two cars, Judge Alex Owens said the respondents resources simply do not match the colossal sums of money going through their accounts. He said explanations given in Garda interviews were frankly unbelievable and the sums involved all represent one way or another the proceeds of crime. Shortly before 5pm, a garda spokesperson told sundayworld.com that the action is linked to an ongoing operation Gardai in Donegal have sealed off access to the Slieve League cliffs near Killybegs, in the south west region of the county. Shortly before 5pm, a garda spokesperson told sundayworld.com that the action is linked to an ongoing operation and no more information is available at this stage, but an update is expected later this evening. RTE report the Coast Guard dispatched their Rescue 118 helicopter to search for a missing person in the area earlier today. Earlier today, a garda statement read: This morning, Monday, June 26, 2023, gardai and emergency services are currently engaged in an operation in the Slieve League area of Donegal. Public access is currently restricted to facilitate this operation. As this is an ongoing operation, no further information is available. The cliffs at Slieve League are among the highest in Europe, with sheer drops of up to 300ft into the Atlantic Ocean. The national broadcaster would not comment on suggestions that the Late Late Show is to be reduced by half an hour and said it does not discuss contracts or negotiations. New Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty (right) with former world champion boxer Carl Frampton at an event in Belfast last night RTE has declined to give details abut the remuneration package being given to Patrick Kielty for taking on the role of Late Late Show host when it returns later this year. The national broadcaster would not comment on suggestions that the show is to be reduced by half an hour and said it does not discuss contracts or negotiations. The comedian and new host was not available to speak with reporters in relation to RTE, the Late Late Show or the scandal of the hidden payments to his predecessor, Ryan Tubridy, ahead of an event for a documentaries festival in Belfast yesterday evening. A spokesperson for RTE said the broadcaster is not ready to launch The Late Late Show plans as of yet and didnt want to take away from the documentary festival. The spokesperson said it was not as a result of the payment scandal engulfing the station. We want to launch the new season of The Late Late Show properly, later in the summer, they added. Dee Forbes stepping down is a tactical resignation' says NUJs Seamus Dooley When asked about the payment scandal in RTE as he left yesterdays event, Kielty said: I might need a couple extra beers in me before I start that. Last week it emerged that presenter Ryan Tubridy was paid 345,000 more than publicly stated between the years 2017 and 2022. At yesterdays event, Kielty discussed the death of his father, politics, identity and attending LA parties with John Legend. The event saw Kielty and former world champion boxer Carl Frampton share their experiences of life in Northern Ireland. Both have been involved in making documentaries about the North in recent years. The pair praised the impact being made by Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland. Its one of the best pieces of television Ive ever seen, said Frampton, whose foray into documentary films has seen him cover mental health issues. I honestly think young people in schools should be made to sit down and watch it all. Kielty said the programme had shown him how much Northern Ireland needs to see those from different communities as people. It brought back memories for me of the week of the Shankill bomb, he said. I had a gig in the Ardoyne cancelled that week but decided to go ahead with it. It was the only time theyve had to lock the doors from the inside. But nearer the time of the Good Friday Agreement I had a show in Newtownards. Mo Mowlam called me for a ticket. She said her plus-one was to be Billy Hutchinson. She knew even then that we all needed to see each other as people and communicate as people. Ive always remembered that. Matariki Tauranga Moana celebrations are in full swing, with an enchanting week of storytelling and korero ahead. Enjoy an evening screening of Whetu Marama Bright Star, the inspiring documentary that explores the life and work of Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi, aka Hek Busby, on Thursday, June 29, 6.30pm 9pm. The documentary is a captivating portrait of Hek's life and work, exploring the incredible journeys he and his crews undertook across the Pacific, and his willingness as a modern-pioneer waka builder and navigator to pass on his knowledge to future generations. The evening will be introduced by Master Celestial Navigator, Jack Thatcher, at the Village Community Cinema, The Historic Village. Tickets are available to book online. Join leading Rongoa practioner Pa Ropata (Robert McGowan) at He Puna Manawa Tauranga Library, to hear korero about te mauri o te whenua and the connection the health of the environment has on the health of its people. Pa will share his whakaaro on rongoa, conservation, kaitiakitanga, maramataka, and his relationship with Matariki at this free event on Friday, June 30, 6pm 8pm. Make sure to reserve your spot so you don't miss out. Bring along the whole whanau to see local children's author, Stacey Mareroa-Roberts, for an interactive reading of Brooklyn Builds a Bridge' at the Whanau Storytime event on Saturday, July 1, 10.30am 11.30am. The fantasy adventure is all about finding your inner gifts and is set right here in Tauranga Moana. Throughout the week you can also explore visual storytelling with exhibitions and displays at the Tauranga Art Gallery, The Incubator spaces at The Historic Village, and He Puna Manawa Tauranga Library. Take part and discover the significance of Matariki with whanau and friends. Visit www.mymatariki.co.nz to view these events and the full Matariki Tauranga Moana 2023 programme. Threads of aqua hues will wind their way through the heart of Greerton, bringing life and joy while raising support for worthy causes this winter. On July 2, amazing yarn creations will be installed on Greerton Village's cherry trees as part of Yarn bombing for a Cause'. Individuals and groups, have been furiously knitting and crocheting their work to lighten up the town and gain donations for their chosen charities. 'Really, it's just for fun. To add colour and joy in the winter to the Greerton trees, and hopefully raise some money for a cause as well, says yarn bomber Chrissy St Amant. This year's theme is Waterways of the World'. Chrissy has been working on a piece of her own but is also coordinating other projects including an oasis that is putting projects made from previous instalments back into use. 'This particular piece is a true community project with two new crocheters involved, as well as elements sent up from a Blenheim yarn bomber. Visitors to the town will be able to vote for different yarn creations, with the winning two gaining $500 each for their charity. 'We have a couple of first timer teams one of which is Our Yarny Friends. They have been working for the last several months in support of Alzheimers Tauranga and I am Hope Foundation. "The crafty Ninja knits group has been working passionately for their cause, The Incubator Hub. For more information and to donate visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/event/greerton-yarn-bomb-2023 US court sentences PlugWalkJoe, the global hacker who operated from Estepona, to five years in jail The judge in America considered the cybercriminal's apology during the hearing and decided against the 70 years that the prosecution team wanted O'Connor was taken into custody at the Estepona police station on 22 July, 2021. Alvaro Soto Madrid Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Infamous hacker PlugWalkJoe, who from Malaga penetrated the Twitter accounts of Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Elon Musk, among others, has been sentenced to five years jail. A New York court sentenced Joseph James O'Connor, the 24-year-old British cybercriminal who from committed the crimes from the Costa del Sol, to five years in prison on Friday 22 June. But 28 months will be taken off his sentence after he already served time in Spain before his extradition to the United States. He will only have to spend two years and eight months more behind bars. The North American justice requested 70 years in prison for O'Connor for ten criminal charges, but Judge Jed Rakoff imposed a much more lenient sentence. O'Connor was accused of stealing cryptocurrencies worth 726,000 euros, hacking the Twitter accounts of Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Elon Musk, among many other high-profile people, causing experts to consider it the biggest hack in history. He was also accused of harassing underrage girls who had become famous on TikTok and Snapchat, as well as playing practical jokes on the internet that endangered many people. He committed all of these crimes between 2019 and 2021, when the National Police, at the request of the FBI, arrested him in his villa on the Costa del Sol. He was 22 years old at the time. Rakoff dismissed the seriousness of the cryptocurrency crime as just money, but condemned his harassment of young girls. "What he did impacted their lives," the judge said. He stole intimate photos During the hearing, the investigators in the case told the court that O'Connor had stolen intimate photos of a 19-year-old influencer and had threatened to upload them to a social network. They also told the court that he had harassed a 16-year-old teenager online through a type of practical joke known as swatting, which involves making a hoax call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address. The Prosecutor's Office pointed out to the judge that this had caused ongoing problems for the young victim. O'Connor, who was extradited from Spain to the United States in April, had already pleaded guilty in May to charges of hacking, computer fraud and cyberbullying. While speaking to the judge, O'Connor asked for mercy. "I'm sorry. My crimes were stupid and senseless. I want a life that makes sense," he told the court. He also promised to return the 726,000 euros. His defense attorney argued that O'Connor is still a very young person who risked spending his life in prison if the judge agreed with the maximum sentence requested by the Prosecutor's Office. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov has met with the servicemen of the Ministry of Defense, who, in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, were awarded the highest military ranks, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. After the solemn announcement of the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on awarding the highest military ranks to the servicemen of the Ministry of Defense and the corresponding order of the Minister of Defense, a ceremony of awarding the highest military ranks to the servicemen was held in a solemn atmosphere. Having conveyed the congratulations of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev to the servicemen, the Minister of Defense wished them success in their future service and gave his instructions and recommendations. The awarded officers expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the trust, expressing confidence that they will justify this trust. Update: Elbridge man charged with attempted murder in shooting of his wife Original article Elbridge, N.Y. A 60-year-old Elbridge woman remains in critical condition Sunday night after she was shot in the head, according to the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office. Donna Cottrill was rushed to Upstate University Hospital after her 78-year-old husband, Sherman Cottrill, called 911 and to say he had shot his wife at 12:22 p.m., sheriffs spokesman Tom Newton said. Sherman Cottrill is now in police custody, Newton said. Sherman Cottrill told 911 dispatchers that he had shot his wife because she was bothering him, according to police dispatches. He also told dispatchers that he shot Donna Cottrill twice with a rifle but hadnt meant to shoot her the second time, the dispatches said. He told them his hands were shaking so badly that the gun fired again. No one else was inside the home, at 5335 Kingston Road in the town of Elbridge, when the shooting happened, Sheriff Toby Shelley said. Sherman Cottrill also told dispatchers he thought he was having a heart attack so two ambulances responded. He was taken to Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. Charges are still pending as the investigation continues, but Sherman Cottrill in in police custody at Crouse Hospital Sunday night, Newton said. Police had never been called to the Cottrills home for a domestic incident before the shooting Sunday afternoon, according to the sheriffs office. There is a large police presence in the Village of Elbridge after a man called 911 to report that he shot his wife on Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Anne Hayes | Ahayes@syracuse.com) Editors note: A previous version of this story stated Sherman Cottrill was 79 years old based on information from the sheriff. The story has been updated to correctly reflect he is 78 years old. Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook Each July for the past quarter century, Cazenovia has become a village-wide venue where artists in all disciplines display their talent. The month-long Cazenovia Counterpoint includes a juried art show, poetry workshops, music ensemble and solo performances, and a free week-long tutorial for young composers. Central to the mission of Cazenovia Counterpoint, sponsored by the Society for New Music, is the mentoring and foregrounding of young artists. Lucas Button, who will perform with the Society Players Quartet July 2 for Glorious Mahalia, is just one musician who has grown up in the program. He performed as a festival Rising Star 10 years ago while a student at Rice University; he went on to earn a masters degree at Eastman School of Music. The Society for New Music gave me first-hand experience working with a composer, Sam Peters, on a new piece for solo cello in 2013. That early collaboration helped me realize how inspiring it is to work with someone who is bold enough to put their original ideas into a public setting for others to hear, Button said. Working with Sam was fulfilling, and being encouraged to bring my own flavor to his music helped me believe I had a voice worth sharing. My experience in 2013 inspired confidence and created my desire to seek opportunities to play new music. Button credits Symphoria musician Gregory Wood, his cello teacher in middle and high school, with helping him realize he could have a career in ensemble and solo performance. Another mentor, Rodney Lister, worked with Button during high school at Greenwood Music Camp. I have asked Rodney to write a solo cello piece for me, and I am excited to give its second live performance at an upcoming Society for New Music concert, Button said. In addition to highlighting new music, Cazenovia Counterpoint celebrates the visual arts with an invitational juried exhibit that runs throughout the month and displays selected works in storefront windows, the library and other venues. A meet-the-artist reception will be held July 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Peters Episcopal Church. That is also the date of a plein air art event in the village from 10 am. To 1 p.m. Composer, performer, and professor of music, Paul Leary, who teachers at SUNY Oswego, will conduct a free Young Composers Corner July 17 through July 21. Participants from 12 to 18 will work with Leary and other area composers to complete compositions that will be performed by the Society Players July 30 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakeland Park. Creative writers can tap into their muses July 18 at Poetry Round Robin, led by David Hitchcock, and Writers Corner July 25, led by Ross White and Cindy Day with support from the Downtown Writers Center. Rising Stars musicians will perform on three Wednesdays at noon at the Cazenovia First Presbyterian Church. The series will feature vocal, piano, organ, violin, trombone and saxophone presentations by eight prize-winning local high school students, Dominic Fiacco, Elijah Gebers, Heather Buchanan-Wise, Sean Alvaro, Frank Wang, Paul DeFolco, Eric Lee, and Michael Guarneiri. Each performers set list will include a premiere of a composition by a young composer, including Emanuel Sikora, and 20-year-old Jason Cavanagh, an alumnus of the program who is now a composition major at Boston. While most events are free--including Taurus, Tim Suttons film about a rock star, which will be shown July 6 at 7 p.m. at the Cazenovia Library--three performances will charge admission of $20 with discounts for senior citizens and students and free entry for those under 18. Events that require admission are: Glorious Mahalia, recent compositions by Stacy Garrop, Brian Simalchuck, and Doc Woods, July 2 at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church; Resounding Earth, a July 23 concert at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, and Creation, A Celebration, premiering songs by Persis Vehar along with poetry, video and dance at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Church. A variety of performances will also take place at the Fourth of July parade and the weekly farmers market. A full listing of events with details of time and place can be found in a brochure available on the website of the Society for New Music. To request a brochure through the mail, email snm@societyfornewmusic.org. To the Editor: Central New Yorkers who care about land justice should pay heed to an industrial development taking shape in Western New York. Known as Science Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park, or STAMP, the facility would occupy over 1,200 acres of land along the boundary of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation in Genesee County. Nation citizens point to site industrialization as a threat to their way of life and to their hunting, fishing and plant-gathering sites. Meanwhile the state development agency, Empire State Development, has sunk millions of taxpayer dollars in the project (with little public consultation). Nearly 200 people attended a May 11, 2023, public hearing focused on endangered and threatened raptors at STAMP, speaking in opposition to the developers request for a permit to destroy habitat. The area, known as the Alabama Swamp, forms one of the largest wetland complexes in the state and a treasure for wildlife. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and three state Wildlife Management Areas are part of this system. STAMP would destroy one of the last opportunities for large-scale conservation in Western New York. Joe Stahlman, Seneca Nations Tribal Historic Preservation officer, observed that the STAMP parcels are an ongoing source of trauma for the community. Destruction of these lands continues the legacy of land theft from the Senecas, who bear the cultural and economic effects of forced removal from their homelands. The CLCPA [Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act] acknowledges the responsibility to avoid harm to disadvantaged communities and yet this project would inflict damage on the homelands of a sovereign Indigenous Nation, said Dr. Robin Kimmerer, SUNY ESF Professor. To Indigenous peoples, environmental justice is land justice. Land justice for the Tonawanda Seneca Nation means prohibiting heavy industry at STAMP. New Yorkers who wonder whether the state is serious about environmental justice should watch what happens at STAMP. Catherine Landis Syracuse Write to us: How to submit letters and commentary to Syracuse.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. In an effort to bolster regional connectivity and enhance trade, the railway administrations of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have come together to collaborate on the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), Trend reports. As noted by the Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ - Kazakhstan Temir Zholy), a trilateral agreement was signed between KTZ and the Georgian Railway during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov, to Georgia. Prior to this, a similar agreement was also signed with the Azerbaijan Railways CJSC in Baku. The agreement, which was based on the joint activity arrangements reached among the partners on May 4, 2023, in Tbilisi, sets out the fundamental principles for the establishment and operation of a joint venture (JV) dedicated to the development of the TITR. To facilitate the opening, registration, and operation of the JV, a roadmap has been devised, with plans to establish it within the Astana International Finance Center by the end of this year. TITR or Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional corridors. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes. By Tim Balk | New York Daily News State lawmakers took a step last week toward making a common but controversial contract clause a relic of the past in New York, passing a bill that would ban employee noncompete agreements. The legislation, which was opposed by Republicans who described it as overly broad if well-meaning, would mark a major labor victory in New York, sweeping away restrictive contracts that are compulsory for all employees in an estimated 23% of workplaces statewide. The clauses block employees from working for a competing employer, or starting a competing business, typically within a certain geographic area and period of time after the workers employment ends. The bill, if signed into law by Gov. Hochul, could also ripple across the U.S. Employment lawyers poring over the language of the near-blanket noncompete ban said that it would amount to a national labor earthquake. Its a big deal, said Mark Goldstein, a management-side employment lawyer in Reed Smith LLPs New York office and an expert on noncompetes. Eliminating them, even in a state like New York much less across the entire country represents a fairly seismic change. This will lead other states or cities to consider legislation that would outright ban noncompete agreements, he predicted. About 30 million American workers are restricted by noncompetes, according to the Federal Trade Commission. California has had a ban on the measure since the 19th century. But the nations largest state was long an outlier. Now the ground is moving quickly. In January, the FTC detailed a proposed rule that would ban noncompetes nationwide, though it is not clear if such an agency order could withstand judicial scrutiny. And Minnesota banned noncompetes this spring, joining California, Oklahoma and North Dakota in a small club. A larger group of states has instituted rules against subjecting low-wage workers to noncompetes. But New York, which modeled its ban on the proposed FTC rule, is home to the nations financial capital. A law in New York, coupled with the prohibition in California, would mean that two states comprising about a fifth of the U.S. economy would impose broad noncompete bans. Theres only one way to look at it, which is that its a sea change in employment law, said Reid Skibell, a New York employment litigator with the firm Glenn Agre Bergman & Fuentes LLP who represents workers and companies. It is a reevaluation of whether weve gone way too far, Skibell said. Oftentimes you see everyone in a company on the same noncompete. And I think thats whats driving the FTC, whats driving this law. The proliferation of noncompetes can hamper employers as well as workers, Skibell said, challenging hiring managers seeking to locate workers. Opponents say noncompetes shackle employees and depress wages. Courts have long looked skeptically on the agreements legal force. But blanket bans also have their critics. Republicans in the New York State Assembly, where the bill received final approval on Tuesday, said the legislation reached too far and should have carried exceptions for sophisticated industries where trade secrets could be implicated. I certainly understand that a Chipotle worker should not have to go into court to throw out a noncompete agreement, Assemblyman Edward Ra, a Long Island Republican, said on the floor of the Assembly. But he added, A blanket prohibition is too strong an action here. Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner, the Bronx Democrat who sponsored the bill, emphasized that New York employers would still be able to enter into other contracts with workers. Nondisclosure agreements, which are typically coupled with noncompetes, would not be directly affected by the bill. This is a problem that is pervasive and impacting lower-wage workers and higher-income workers, Joyner said of noncompetes. Were seeing it in all industries at this point. Skeptics and supporters who studied New Yorks broad noncompete bill seemed to agree on one point: its potential significance. Russell Beck, a lawyer with the Boston firm Beck Reed Riden LLP who advised the Obama White House on noncompete policy, suggested the New York bill could ultimately have more national influence than the proposed FTC rule that inspired it. Youre talking about a very important state with a very large economy, Beck said. Nobody really looked much at North Dakota or Oklahoma. New York is just wholesale different, he added. Because New York is New York. 2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.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 have fun and be silly and they sure did. Our photographers captured photos of them making funny faces, smiling, and putting themselves in goofy positions in addition to getting thousands of more serious poses. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A rainy work week kicks off today across Upstate New York, with chances for thunderstorms and heavy rain lingering over the next few days. Thunderstorms and potential flash flooding are in the National Weather Service forecast every day through Thursday. A dual threat of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain/flash flooding is the concern today, the National Weather Service said. Rainfall rates around 1-2 inches per hour are probable in any of the thunderstorms. A flood watch has been issued for this afternoon and evening in four Upstate counties: Tioga, Broome, Delaware and Sullivan. The rain and storms are being driven by winds circling around a low pressure system sitting over Michigan. With humid air parked over Upstate, and temperatures rising into the 80s today, the ingredients are in place for thunderstorms with strong winds and intense rainfall. Thunderstorms could start firing up this afternoon and extend into evening, the weather service said. All of Upstate New York could still see rain today heavy enough to cause flash floods in streets and rapid rises in creeks and streams. Theres at least a 5% chance of that across all of Upstate, the weather service said. The biggest concern for flooding is in areas that saw heavy rain over the weekend and now have saturated soils. Parts of the Southern Tier and the North Country saw an inch or more in the past three days. One spot in Lewis County, Glenfield, recorded 4.5 inches of rain. The forecast is similar for Tuesday and Wednesday, although the threat of heavy rain moves eastward each day as the low pressure system shifts. Today, all of Upstate New York could see rainfall intense enough for flash flooding; by Wednesday, that zone will shrink to just the eastern third of the state. The rain that fell over the weekend and whats expected this week might be enough to pull Upstate New York out of the near-drought it was in a week ago. Syracuse saw a half-inch of rain over the past few days, bringing it to nearly normal for the month. Binghamton saw about three-quarters of an inch, putting it more than an inch above normal for June. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 9 p.m. for Central New York, according to the National Weather Service. The watch was issued shortly after 1 p.m. Thunderstorms producing heavy rain are possible this afternoon and night, the National Weather Service said. Hazardous weather is possible on Tuesday, but not expected Wednesday through Sunday, the service said. The threat of heavy rain moves eastward each day as the low pressure system shifts. The following counties that are under the storm watch: Allegany Broom Cattaraugus Cayuga Chautauqua Chemung Chenango Cortland Erie Genesee Jefferson Lewis Livingston Madison Monroe Niagara Oneida Onondaga Ontario Orleans Oswego Schuyler Seneca Steuban Tioga Tompkins Wayne Wyoming Yates The storm warning in Central New York came following a flood watch that was issued around 9 a.m. this morning. The flood watch was issued for this afternoon and evening in four Upstate counties: Tioga, Broome, Delaware and Sullivan. Upstate New York could see rain today heavy enough to cause flash floods in streets and rapid rises in creeks and streams. Theres at least a 5% chance of that across all of Upstate, the weather service said. Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the duration of the severe thunderstorm watch. It ends at 9 p.m. Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The trade turnover between Turkmenistan and the EU countries from January through March 2023 amounted to over 209.04 million euros, the source at Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, told Trend. According to the information, these figures in the reporting period are 13.3 percent less than in the first three months of last year (241.11 million euros). Turkmen exports to the EU amounted to almost 78.62 million euros from January through March 2023, which is 14.2 percent less than in the same months of 2022 (91.73 million euros). Furthermore, Turkmenistan reduced imports from EU countries by 12.7 percent in the first three months of this year compared to January through March 2022 (149.38 million euros) to 130.42 million euros. Meanwhile, the trade turnover between Turkmenistan and the EU countries in 2022 amounted to 1 billion euros, which is 25.9 percent less than in 2021 (1.35 billion euros). In brief: One of the two men who ran a YouTube content scam that earned them over $23 million is facing a 70-month prison sentence, as requested by the US. Almost six years is a long time, but the government says it wants to deter anyone considering fraud. In 2021, Jose "Chanel" Teran of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Webster Batista Fernandez of Doral, Florida, were accused of stealing royalties from YouTube by claiming to own the rights to over 50,000 unmonetized Spanish-language songs and uploading them to the platform. In some instances, forged notes from the artists in question were used to claim the pair managed the music rights. YouTube approved the pair for the platform's Content ID system, which is supposed to identify songs that appear in video uploads so rights holders can claim ad money. They also signed a sound recording and audiovisual content license that allows Google to offer the music to users in exchange for monetization revenue. The money was collected through MediaMuv, a firm set up by the defendants. It became a trusted YouTube Content ID member through a third-party company referred to by the initials A.R. At one point, five to eight people were working for MediaMuv, using specialist software to find unmonetized music that would be added to the catalog. One of the tracks, Piso 21's 'Me Llamas,' earned Teran and Batista over $100,000 through the video's 700+ million YouTube views. Some of the ill-gotten gains were used to buy a $550,000 mansion, $129,000 went on Teslas, $93,000 to buy a BMW hybrid, and $62,000 on jewelry. Batista pleaded guilty last year, while Teran signed a plea agreement admitting to engaging in wire fraud and money laundering in February, writes TorrentFreak. Teran was said to be an aspiring musician who looked up to his co-defendant, who is called the leader of the operation. "Mr. Teran believed Mr. Batista to be a successful businessman in the music field with whom he could realize his dream of producing music, movies, and music videos. Believing the co-conspirator to be a close friend, Mr. Teran was excited to be the recipient of the co-conspirator's advice and partnership," writes Teran's attorney. The prosecution writes that Teran obtained more than $6 million from the scheme, which was used to sustain a lavish lifestyle. He also continued to obtain fraudulent royalty payments after he was indicted. Teran is scheduled to be sentenced later this month, with a 70-month sentence being recommended. Batista's sentencing is set for August. What just happened? Two lawyers and their law firm have been fined $5,000 by a district judge in Manhattan for citing fake legal research generated by ChatGPT. In a written opinion, Judge P. Kevin Castel chided attorneys Steven Schwartz and Peter LoDuca for failing to do due diligence before submitting their filing and abandoning their legal responsibilities as officers of the court when they submitted "nonexistent judicial opinions with fake quotes and citations." The ruling came a month after attorney Steven A. Schwartz admitted to submitting fake legal research generated by ChatGPT in a personal injury case against Colombian airline Avianca. Schwartz's citation referenced several cases similar to the one he was fighting, but none of the cases he cited were actually real. As it turned out, ChatGPT fabricated them all with the sole purpose of supporting Schwartz's submission. When confronted with the error by Judge Castel, Schwartz admitted that it was the first time he was using ChatGPT for research and had no idea that the content could be false. He also apologized for the mix-up and claimed he had no intention of deceiving the court. He further claimed that he had attempted to verify the authenticity of the citations by asking ChatGPT if the cases were real, and got an affirmative response from the chatbot. In his ruling against the two attorneys and their law firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, Judge Castel said that there's nothing "inherently improper" about using artificial intelligence in legal scenarios. However, it is incumbent upon the lawyers to ensure that their filings are factually accurate. The judge also took exception to the fact that Schwartz seemingly stood by the fake opinions even after lawyers for Avianca alerted the court that there's no record of any of the cases cited in the filing. Following the ruling from the Manhattan district court, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman released a statement, saying it "respectfully" disagreed with the court's decision. "We made a good-faith mistake in failing to believe that a piece of technology could be making up cases out of whole cloth," it said. Schwartz and his lawyers declined to comment on the ruling, while LoDuca did not respond to Reuters' request for a comment. On the other hand, lawyers for Avianca applauded the court's decision to impose the fine and dismiss the personal injury case. It is worth noting that the dismissal had nothing to do with the fake citations, but was done because the case was filed too late. Facepalm: UK police forces are dealing with a new menace: the Android mobile OS. The SOS feature that dials the country's emergency services after the power button is pressed several times has left switchboards "inundated" with silent calls due to users inadvertently activating it. The BBC reports that all the UK is currently experiencing a record-high number of 999 (the nation's equivalent to 911) calls. It's believed that the cause is an Android update that was released between October 2022 and February 2023, bringing the Emergency SOS calling feature to more devices. The feature dials 999 when a phone's power button is pressed five times or more. That might seem like a lot, but it appears that quite a few people are doing this accidentally while the phone is in their pocket. The update added a new SOS emergency function for devices to call 999 through the power button being pressed 5 times or more. These 'silent calls' as they are named, are directed to police control rooms and the result has been a significant increase in silent calls. National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (@PoliceChiefs) June 17, 2023 An unintentional 999 call means the emergency services only hear silence on the other end of the line, but as someone could be in danger and unable to speak, operators must spend time assessing the call to ensure help isn't required. One county said it received 169 silent calls in 19 hours, and each one takes about 20 minutes to deal with. The National Police Chiefs Council tweeted that Android users can check their emergency settings to turn off the Emergency SOS functionality if they wish. It also urged anyone who accidentally dials 999 not to hang up, let the operator know it was an accident, and tell them that assistance is not required. Emergency SOS has been around for almost two years on Pixel phones, but it took longer to arrive on other manufacturers' handsets as it's the makers who are responsible for rolling out the feature. Google responded to the report by telling the BBC that phone manufacturers are responsible for offering Emergency SOS on their devices and managing how the feature works on individual phones. "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," said a Google spokesperson. Accidentally setting off emergency phone features isn't something new. The iPhone 14/Apple Watch crash detection feature was dozens of times by roller coaster riders last year. Facepalm: Austrian non-profit organization NOYB is accusing a US company of generating and selling user profiles to a bunch of tech corporations. The practice is a blatant violation of Europe's General Data Protection Regulation and the privacy of European citizens, the organization stated. Telesign is a US company that specializes in "reputation scores" for mobile users, which are sold to corporate clients such as Microsoft, IBM, TikTok, Salesforce, Amazon AWS, and many more. Telesign customers can then use previously generated reputation scores to verify mobile end users and minimize fraud. Telesign gets most of its data from a "secret" agreement with BICS, which is a Belgian company that provides interconnection services for many mobile phone companies. Thanks to BICS, "hundreds" of mobile carriers around the world can connect their networks with no need for direct agreements. Because of its "intermediary" position, BICS can get very detailed information on phone calls including duration, inactivity, successful incoming traffic, and more. According to NOYB's complaint, BICS processes calls for about half of all worldwide mobile phone users, and Telesign abused that data to profile millions of people. User verification provided by Telesign amounts to over five billion unique phone numbers per month, NOYB said, which is half of the world's mobile population. Data about European citizens was transferred and processed in the United States, NOYB said, where US authorities could theoretically access personal data collected by Telesign. The activity was unlawful, though, and likely in violation of the European regulation on privacy and data protection (GDPR). Secretly using telecommunication data to profile users is not in line with the GDRP, NOYB said, as data processing companies are required to get an explicit permission from users. Lawyer, privacy activist, and NOYB founder Max Schrems said the responses received by BICS and TeleSign suggest their business model is "not complying with EU privacy laws." The activist has therefore filed a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA), which is competent for Proximus, BICS and TeleSign. Proximus group is the current owner of both BICS and TeleSign. NOYB is asking for the data processing to stop, of course, while the Belgian DPA could further punish the three offending companies with a fine up to 236 million or four percent of the global turnover of the Proximus group. For users interested in knowing if they have been profiled, packed and sold by Telesign's secret data processing program, NOYB said the GDPR forces companies to provide all this information and then some. You just have to ask, and noyb provides a template for that. Many regulators are still against deploying AI surveillance tools to law enforcement and companies. However, a report claimed that military-grade AI could now be used to spy on American civilians. A Wired report claimed that several AI surveillance tools, often initially developed by defense contractors for intelligence uses, are now being sold to employers. Some companies have reportedly emerged to sell services like "open source intelligence," "reputation management," and "insider threat assessment," which could be used to breach someone's privacy and security. Military-Grade AI Surveillance Tools Used to Spy on Civilians? The Wired report centered on military-grade AI surveillance tools being used to spy on regular civilians, and the public does not know it. "It's hard to imagine that you are the target of spycraft, but spying on employees is the next frontier of military AI. Surveillance techniques familiar to authoritarian dictatorships have now been repurposed to target American workers," the article noted. The report said these AI surveillance tools had become dramatically more advanced in the past couple of years, with your boss being able to use data analytics to identify the company's critics, internal leakers, and labor organizing. Read Also: White House Investigates Companies on Using Automated Tools to Monitor Its Workers AI Surveillance Tools in Workplaces? According to the article, big companies like Amazon are already monitoring unionization. These AI surveillance tools initially developed to identify terrorist groups can reportedly be used to identify labor organizers, and these employers can illegally fire them even before they can form a union. The report further noted that using these tools during recruitment may also lead to employers not hiring these organizers in the first place. These are far from the use of military-grade AI, which was only intended to target America's national enemies. Thus, talks on regulating AI surveillance technologies are a must, and according to Interesting Engineering, safeguards must be put in place to stop its use against citizens. The Wired report noted that people should "all be concerned by the idea that the same systems can now be widely deployable by anyone able to pay." Governments Denounce AI Surveillance Many efforts are in place to stop the use of AI surveillance tools in different parts of the world. The European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the AI Act, which aims to regulate the use of AI in Europe, last week. On the other hand, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been eager to end the unfair use of AI and commercial monitoring to protect the public, especially teenagers, on the internet. According to another WIRED report, the FTC was worried that online tracking could bolster attempts to commit fraud, trick the public into buying products or revealing personal information, and even share location data with law enforcement agencies or foreign governments. The agency is reportedly mulling over whether it should adopt new laws to regulate personal data collection and the AI fueled by that data. The FTC is now seeking the public's help to answer questions such as whether to extend the definition of discrimination beyond race or gender, among others, to regulate commercial surveillance and AI. Companies selling military-grade AI surveillance tools are reportedly increasing rapidly. Some even advertise that they will soon include next-generation AI technologies in their surveillance tools, with features that promise to simplify exploring varied data sources through a simple prompt. Related Article: 2024 Paris Olympics: French Lawmakers to Vote on Controversial Bill Legalizing AI-Powered Surveillance 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a surprising turn of events, what began as a lighthearted exchange of online jabs between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg has now evolved into a duel. This is what we know about the two tech giants' showdown and it is not between Meta and Twitter, but between their CEOs and the potential for an MMA-style face-off. The Whistleblower of the Long Shot On June 22, Musk took the initiative in issuing the challenge to Zuckerberg when he tweeted, 'I'm up for a cage match if he is lol,' aimed at the Meta CEO. Zuckerberg responded on Instagram Stories, accepting the challenge by responding to the tweet by sharing a screenshot and adding the caption 'Send Me Location,' alluding to a well-known MMA meme inspired by Khabib Nurmagomedov's challenge to Conor McGregor. Musk seemed to confirm his commitment to the fight, stating that he would participate if it was for real. The exchange quickly went viral, catching the attention of Musk through an article from The Verge. In response, Musk revealed his preferred location for the fight-a Vegas Octagon, renowned for hosting legitimate UFC matchups. On June 24, during a Twitter talk with Ashlee Vance, author of a book on Musk, the Tesla CEO mentioned that he would begin training if the MMA cage fight with Zuckerberg took shape. Musk emphasized the possibility that the fight could go badly if Zuckerberg took it seriously. Read Also: Meta Increases Spending for Zuckerberg's Personal Security Despite 'Year of Efficiency' Dana White's Involvement On the same day, the unexpected scenario drew the interest of UFC President Dana White, who disclosed that he had in-depth conversations with both Musk and Zuckerberg over a phone call, confirming their strong determination to actualize this fight. During an interview with TMZ, White emphasized that both individuals are genuinely committed to the idea, leaving no doubts about their seriousness. Given the UFC's reputation and experience in hosting such fights, it comes as no surprise that they are considered the potential host for this clash. White confirmed his recent discussions with Musk and Zuckerberg, expressing their determination to make the fight happen. He believes this fight could be the most significant in history, surpassing all previous pay-per-view records and generating substantial funds for charity. While skeptics have criticized the proposal, Dana White remains unfazed, ensuring everyone will be watching the fight. He clarified that this is not a gimmick fight but a showdown between two of the world's most powerful and richest individuals, making it a unique crossover event. Despite the excitement surrounding the battle and White's involvement, there are challenges to overcome. White acknowledged the significant size and weight difference between Musk and Zuckerberg, which may hinder commission sanctioning. However, White is determined to overcome these obstacles and believes that Musk and Zuckerberg's seriousness about the fight increases its chances of becoming a reality. Although there are still hurdles to navigate, the agreement between tech titans and Dana White's support as a promoter indicate that this showdown may indeed take place. As the story unfolds, the world eagerly awaits further updates on the potential clash between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Related Article: Dana White Reveals: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg 'Dead Serious' About Fight 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Netflix discreetly eliminated the CAD 9.99 per month Basic plan for new customers in Canada. The streaming company's products are streamlined, but the ad-supported plan now differs significantly from the standard plan. A representative for Netflix, Kumiko Hidaka, confirmed that existing subscribers would no longer be able to purchase the CAD 9.99 Basic plan. Existing customers, however, may relax, knowing that nothing will change with their current subscriptions, The Verge reported. Netflix's new ad-supported plan, just released, has a starting monthly price of CAD 5.99. The bulk of Netflix's library is accessible with this package, enabling 1080p HD streaming. To get rid of commercials and permit downloads, subscribers must switch to the Standard plan, which costs CAD 16.99 per month, according to Tech Crunch. Several Netflix users posted their responses to the service's price increase on social media. Tweeted one user: "How you gonna jump from $5.99 w ads to over $16 for the next plan + tax too.......that's crazy." Although user Darth Grumpy acknowledged giving his password and that he would soon terminate his Netflix membership, he claimed that nothing had changed as of yet. "It doesn't take a lot of work. They need to be appreciative that I even pay them." netflix got rid of the basic plan in canada??? guess i'm really never going back wtf pic.twitter.com/8cBaDYqxNt (@noonhue) June 17, 2023 The Basic plan previously included ad-free streaming, but it was only available for one concurrent stream at 720p quality. Customers who have a Basic plan subscription may use it until they want to switch plans or terminate their account. Canada's Netflix Plans & Pricing website no longer lists Netflix Basic or Netflix Basic with advertisements; the latter is called "Standard with ads." Read Also: YouTuber MrBeast Says He Got Invited to Join Ill-Fated Titan Submersible Will It Be Implemented in Other Countries? Although it's still unclear if Netflix's Basic plan would eventually disappear in other nations, including the US, recent adjustments to the US registration procedure suggest a change. For new customers, the Basic plan is now concealed behind a "See All Plans" button, raising the possibility of a future shift in the price levels. After seeing a drop in subscribers for the first time in a decade, Netflix launched its "Standard with ads" tier last autumn. The $9.99/month Basic plan was in an odd position when the $6.99/month ad-supported plan debuted. The Basic level only permitted one 720p stream, as opposed to the two 1080p streams available in the more affordable ad-supported program, even though it enabled offline downloads and an ad-free viewing experience. The company's attempts to combat password sharing are coordinated with this modification to Netflix's Basic plan. A new rule permitting US customers to share their accounts with other users for $7.99 for each was revealed by Netflix last month. Netflix Password-Sharing Crackdown Boost Stock Netflix's stock rose, and memberships peaked after its password-sharing crackdown. Netflix's decision to ban household password sharing in May has been successful. After the announcement, Netflix had its four most significant single-day subscriber figures in the US since at least 2019. From May 24 to 28, the average daily sign-ups hit 73,000, jumping 102% from the previous 60 days, per a Forbes report. Antenna analytics revealed a new Netflix record with approximately 100,000 new customers per day on May 26 and 27, exceeding the early phases of the COVID-19 epidemic, when daily sign-ups were below 90,000. Netflix's stock rose 15% due to this considerable subscriber surge. Related Article: Elon Musk's Social Media Impact: Tech Execs Follow Twitter's Strategy 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 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. 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Amedisys said it has reached a deal to merge with UnitedHealth Group, less than two months after the Baton Rouge-based home health company announced it would be acquired by Option Care Health. The gravesite for Mitchell Robinson III, 2, is seen in the area pictured at the Southern Memorial Gardens in Baton Rouge. Robinson died of a fentanyl overdose after state child welfare officials failed to respond to reports about him; his mother was booked with negligent homicide. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday brought Louisiana one step closer to having a second majority-Black congressional district -- a move that would mark a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Democrats -- by refusing to take up a closely watched challenge to the states congressional districts. In Liberia, quilting holds a special meaning. It represents freedom and liberty, and the beautiful and meaningful quilts reflect the history and identity of the people who make them. Liberians preserve and celebrate African heritage and culture through quilting, making it a powerful symbol of their identity and strength. The significance of quilting in the lives of former Liberian slaves resonates as a testament to the enduring power of art, resilience, and cultural heritage in the face of historical injustice. Three Fascinating Stories of Quiltmaking for VIPs in Liberia. In Liberia, people, especially women, first expressed themselves through quilting. Former slaves in Liberia combined quilt patterns and hand sewing as a path to freedom. Oral history has been around longer than written history. Quilts served as a story, clothing, bedding, window and door coverings, and freedom for African slaves. Fabric is lifeless, but in the hands of former slaves from Liberia, quilting became a symbol of freedom and liberty. Quilts in Liberia are often used as gifts for special occasions, such as weddings, births, graduations, and diplomatic visits. These tapestries are not your usual quilts, which are handcrafted affectionately by your grandmother and kept on your bed or in your cedar closet. Instead, they are detailed and complex pieces of art. Martha Ann Erskine Ricks, a former Liberian slave, met Queen Victoria and presented her with a beautiful quilt she had spent half of a century quilting. The American Colonization Society (ACS) was founded in 1816 by Robert Finley and other prominent white Americans to promote the migration of free blacks and freed slaves to Africa. The society believed that free blacks could not integrate into U.S. society and that their presence would threaten the institution of slavery. The organization received funding from the federal government and some state legislatures, as well as from churches and private donors. The society's first ship, the Elizabeth, departed from New York on February 6, 1820, carrying 88 black emigrants and three white agents to West Africa. After a failed attempt to settle on Sherbro Island, the society acquired a piece of land on Cape Mesurado, where they founded the colony of Liberia in 1822. Americo-Liberian quilter and farmer Martha Ann Erskine Ricks was born a slave in Tennessee in 1817, but her father bought their freedom and moved them to Liberia in 1830 through the ACS. The cost of sailing from the U.S. to Liberia in 1820 was about $50 per person, equivalent to about $1,200 in 2023. Over 50 years, she dedicated her efforts to creating a stunning quilt that showcased a blossoming Liberian coffee tree made from satin ribbons and random pieces of fabric. She carefully crafted the piece using cotton silk from a nearby tree and cotton, creating a beautiful piece of art from natural materials. from raw materials. Mrs. Ricks, in 1892, at 76 years old, began her unofficial journey to see Queen Victoria. She traveled in the company of the wife of the ex-president of Liberia, Jane Waring Roberts. When Mrs. Ricks arrived in England, Presbyterian minister Edward Wilmot Blyden wrote to Sir Henry Ponsonby, Private Secretary to Queen Victoria, telling him of the arrival in England of Mrs. Ricks and her wish to meet the Queen. Sir Henry Ponsonby replied, proposing an unofficial visit since the necessity of applying for an official visit through the Foreign Office would take time and a telegram. Queen Victoria hosted Mrs. Ricks at the palace during a luncheon with her children, grandchildren, and dignitaries such as Lord and Lordess Mayor, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Victoria and Maud. The Queen reportedly told Mrs. Ricks, "I am honored by all the trouble you took to meet me and present me with this beautiful quilt." The Queen was deeply moved by the quilt and the fascinating story behind it, which she noted in her diary. Queen Victoria, during her reign, had a passion for fiber arts, finding joy and relaxation in the art of knitting and crocheting. During her visit to TD Jakes's popular mega-church in Dallas, Texas, former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf gifted him with a handmade quilt. One such quilt was given to the popular Nondenominational Christian preacher and entrepreneur Bishop TD Jakes during a dinner he hosted at his home in Dallas, Texas. TD Jakes stated he loved the quilt and expressed gratitude and appreciation for the thoughtful and cherished gift that was presented to him. Her Excentcly Sirleaf gave TD Jakes a short history lesson on how quilting symbolizes freedom and liberty in Liberia. Quiltmaking in Liberia is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, when Black Americans, some of whom were formerly enslaved, settled in West Africa and established a colony that later became Liberia. They brought with them their skills and culture of quiltmaking, which they adapted to the local environment and materials. President John F. Kennedy was gifted with a beautiful Liberian Quilt. Learning that quilts are commonly given as gifts to celebrate significant milestones and even diplomatic visits in Liberia is fascinating. It's a beautiful tradition that speaks to the value of handmade items and the importance of commemorating life's special moments. During a meeting on June 26, 1961, President John F. Kennedy met with Liberia's Vice President, William R. Tolbert. Also present were Liberian Ambassador George Padmore and Deputy Director of the Office of West African Affairs Wendell B. Coote. In a display of friendship and goodwill, a quilt featuring the flags of both nations and a map of Liberia was gifted. William R. Tolbert Jr. was the 20th President of Liberia from 1971 to 1980. His presidency focused on promoting national unity and economic development. He even used quiltmaking associations as a political peace agreement. However, Tolbert and some high-ranking officials were arrested and executed by firing squad on April 22, 1980, despite his efforts. Quilting held deep meaning for former Liberian slaves. Quilting may seem like a simple act of sewing together pieces of fabric, but for former slaves from Liberia, it was much more than that. Through their skillful hands, they turned quilting into a powerful symbol of freedom and liberty. It's incredible how something lifeless like fabric can come alive with such meaning and significance in the hands of these talented individuals. Her Excentcly Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was Liberia's first elected female president, two years after the nation's bloody civil war ended. She served from 20062018 as the 24th president of Liberia and the first woman to be elected head of state of an African country. She was also one of the recipients of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to further women's rights. There is a tradition in Liberia of giving quilts to dignitaries. Like life, quilting is a beautiful tapestry woven with patience, creativity, and resilience. Just as a quilter carefully selects and stitches together various fabric pieces, we navigate through life's challenges, stitching together our experiences, relationships, and lessons. Both quilting and life require attention to detail, as the tiniest stitches and fabric choices can significantly impact. Just as a quilt is composed of different patterns, colors, and textures, life embraces diversity and teaches us the value of embracing our unique qualities and those of others. Quilting also teaches us the power of perseverance, as each stitch represents dedication and determination to see a project through to completion. Similarly, life presents us with obstacles and setbacks, but we can overcome them with determination and create something beautiful. Ultimately, both quilting and life remind us that every piece, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, contributes to the overall beauty and significance of the final creation. Quilting held a profound and poignant meaning for former Liberian slaves, transcending its practical and artistic aspects. As they stitched together fabric remnants, quilting became a powerful symbol of resilience, identity, and connection to their African heritage. Quilts served as historical records for these individuals, narrating their journey from bondage to freedom. They communicated their stories, hopes, and dreams through patterns and motifs. Quilts became a means of preserving cultural traditions and passing down ancestral knowledge to future generations. Associations of Liberian Women who produced quilts for national and international use. Quilting circles in Liberia fostered a sense of community and solidarity, providing a space for healing, support, and shared experiences. In the face of adversity, quilting became a source of empowerment, allowing former slaves to reclaim their agency and celebrate their humanity. The significance of quilting in the lives of former Liberian slaves resonates as a testament to the enduring power of art, resilience, and cultural heritage in the face of historical injustice. PwC Australias acting CEO says the embattled consulting firm will name all those involved in the tax leak scandal and warns of severe consequences as it nears the end of an internal investigation. The investigation into the confidentiality matter is to be completed shortly, Kristin Stubbins told a NSW parliament inquiry on Monday. Acting PwC chief executive Kristin Stubbins defended the move to split off the firms government business into a separate entity. Credit: Edwina Pickles We have been doing a very, very thorough investigation involving help from two external law firms. And so we will expect to announce consequences, you will see that publicly, and they will be severe, she said in her first public appearance since taking the top job last month. She said the firm would publicly name those involved in leaking confidential information on government plans to combat multinational tax avoidance with staff at the firm. This information was then marketed to the companies targeted by the government. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Save this article for later Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. The minds behind Saga Enmore and Kepos Street Kitchen are combining their creative skills to open a new casual concept on Botany Road. Saga Enmore sold its last pavlova with orange and honey curd on the weekend, but as one oven door closes another opens for owners Andrew Bowden and Maddison Howes. On Wednesday, July 12, theyll launch Salmas Canteen, a joint venture in Rosebery with Michael Rantissi and Kristy Frawley from Kepos Street Kitchen. Salmas will slide into the art deco Powerhouse building on Botany Road, its sweet and savoury dream team pairing cake guru Bowden (who works under the pastry alter ego Andy Bowdy) with Rantissi, a local pioneer of mod-Med food with a Middle Eastern twist. Michael Rantissi, left, and Andy Bowdy have joined forces to open Salmas Canteen in Rosebery. Mel Koutchavlis We dont have a lot of places in Sydney where you can get a great cake and an amazing salad, its usually one or the other, Rantissi tells Good Food. Advertisement Review Eating outEveleigh Feel Frida order more tacos at this pay-it-forward Mexican street food spot Best-selling nachos, salsa-topped tortillas, fiery tacos (with dipping broth) and deep-fried flautas are among the tasty options at this colourful casual diner. Lee Tran Lam June 26, 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 1 / 7 Coyoacan Socials bright shipping container. Ben Symons 2 / 7 Cochinita pibil tacos. Ben Symons 3 / 7 Quesabirria taco (with broth). Ben Symons 4 / 7 Ben Symons 5 / 7 Ben Symons 6 / 7 Churros con cajeta. Ben Symons 7 / 7 Ben Symons Previous Slide Next Slide Mexican$$$ Coyoacan Social is physically located in South Eveleigh but it has unshakeable connections to Mexico City. This street food eatery is named after the birthplace of artist Frida Kahlo a neighbourhood known for its eye-dazzling heritage buildings and cobblestoned charm. For Roman Cortes, who runs this venue with the Plate It Forward collective, the place has much significance. My mum was born in Coyoacan, he says. His mother, Maru Navarro, has influenced this eatery in other ways. Cortes learnt how to feed queues of taco-hungry diners while working on her Marus Kitchen market stall in Sydney, and memories of eating her food in Mexico City are imprinted in Coyoacan Socials menu. Advertisement Cochinita pibil tacos. Ben Symons My mum always used to cook them, he says, referring to the flautas (flutes), which are deep-fried, ingredient-stuffed tortillas he serves in South Eveleigh. You put the filling in there and you just roll it like a little flute. Thats why theyre called flautas The cafe is linked to Mexico City in another meaningful way. Eat here and youll help Grupo Jovenes Alcoholicos Anonimos, the 24-hour drop-in centre that aided Cortes recovery from addiction when he lived there in 2002. They put me back to life, he says. Its why hes giving back to the organisation. Every taco ordered at Coyoacan Social funds food for people in need there and in greater Sydney. Advertisement Like other Plate It Forward restaurants such as the refugee-run Kabul Social in the CBD this venue is about aiding communities both here and abroad. At Coyoacan Social which is housed in a shipping container thats as bright as the zippy, salsa-topped fillings that get stuffed and drizzled into its tortillas a sign above the kitchen tracks how many tacos have been given away. Soon after they opened in April, the tally stood at 579 tacos. Its updated every month or so and its a good reason to request more tortillas from the transporting menu. Quesabirria taco (with broth). Ben Symons The cochinita pibil (pulled pork in fiery achiote paste) taco sends you to the Yucatan, a nearly 19-hour drive east of Mexico City, while the beef birria flavour directs you to Jalisco, 500 kilometres north-west of Cortes birthplace. Advertisement My grandfather is from there, he says, recalling times theyd try the taco-broth combination together. Coyoacan Socials version is based on a rescued family recipe, where the beef is stewed with guajillo and arbol chillies. The resulting consomme is also offered as a deeply spiced broth you can happily dip your taco into. Churros con cajeta. Ben Symons While nachos are a bestseller, its worth trying the great tostadas and flautas: theyre less common on Sydney menus and illustrate the many ways you can reshape corn tortillas. The tostadas have an ingredient-scooping curve, like a hat-brim, which sturdily holds refried beans, a good showering of shredded cheese and lettuce and your salsa and protein of choice (such as the aforementioned chilli-simmered beef and achiote-marinated pork, for instance, or smoky chicken tinga and bracing cactus with charred corn). Advertisement The cigar-like flautas can be stuffed with the same ingredients, too, which can be mixed-and-matched across the menu. Look out for the upcoming papa flavour, which will hide a pocket of mashed potato. Photo: Ben Symons After close contact with the habanero and pineapple salsa drizzled on your tacos, tostadas or flautas, you might need soothing glugs of horchata a rice and cinnamon drink that Mexicans have savoured since the 16th century or hibiscus iced tea. Dont overlook the hot chocolates: Mexico has a 4000-year-old history with cacao, after all (people even tried to counterfeit the beans when they were used as currency). The Frido Cacao house blend is sweetened with a spice mix nicknamed Abuelo and is as comforting as grandfathers presence. Mexican food, its got a long heritage, says Cortes. Advertisement Hopefully Coyoacan Social will get to showcase that heritage for a long time with that taco-donating tally surging higher and higher as it does. The low-down Vibe: A purpose-driven Mexican eatery that Cortes runs with Plate It Collectives Shaun Christie-David. Insta-worthy dish: The sugar-sprinkled churros with cajeta (Mexican dulce de leche). Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Crean never lost sight of what was at stake for human beings on both sides of an issue, behind the theatre of political argument. By the time he made his maiden speech to parliament in May 1990, he was already science and technology minister in the Hawke government, one of the rare instances of a newly elected MP going straight into the ministry. Peter Costello, who also first came into parliament at that election, once quipped that as the son of Gough Whitlams treasurer Frank Crean, Simon must have been conceived in the back of a Comcar. Yet he did not get an easy ride into politics. He was on born February 26, 1949, the middle of three sons born to Frank and Mary Crean. The eldest, Stephen, who died in 1985, was a senior public servant in Canberra, while the youngest, David, a doctor, served in the Tasmanian parliament between 1989 and 2004. All three brothers were active in the ALP from their teens. In 1970, while at Monash University completing economics and law degrees, Crean met Bill Landeryou and the then Storemen and Packers union secretary offered him a part-time job as state research officer. After graduation in 1971, he became full-time national research officer. Creans sometimes earnest, considered, even cautious demeanour competed with the toughness of his blue-collar mates. Appointed assistant national secretary in 1974, a few years later he led his first big dispute for the union, a row over bale weights in the wool stores. The union banned bales over 180 kilograms, on the grounds that anything heavier caused back injuries and heart strain. Simon Crean, in his days at the ACTU, at the National Economic Summit in Canberra in 1983. Credit: David Bartho The employers sacked 4,000 wool workers for refusing work. A dispute dragged on for six weeks, holding up $300 million in wool exports. Eventually, before the arbitration commission, wool storemen won a pay rise and recognition that overweight bales should be lightened before handling. In 1979, with his mentor Landeryou moving to Victorian state politics, Crean became national secretary of the then 73,600-member Storemen and Packers Union. Belying his own moderate image, the salt and pepper union, so-called for the diverse array of industries in which they had members, the union won a reputation for creative, effective, and sometimes militant activity. In 1982 at the national ALP conference, the Left argued for retention of the ALP ban on uranium mining. The Right and most of the Centre wanted to modify the policy. The Victorian Labor Unity faction had seven of the votes on the floor of the conference, but for machinery reasons within the faction its caucus totalled 11. The Labor Unity caucus vote tied 5-all, with Crean absent. A hurried phone call was made by Victorian delegate Mary Alexander and after some delay Crean was located and brought to the phone. He listened to proponents for both sides and cast his vote for the Hogg amendment which the Labor Unity caucus thus carried by six votes to five. That, afternoon the national conference voted 53 votes to 46, with the seven Labor Unity delegates voting in favour. The Crean factor was decisive. Simon Crean as opposition leader in the House of Representatives. During the 1979 ACTU Congress, dapper Crean sent an expensive pair of black shoes to a bootmaker near his office for repairs. But word came back that the shoes would not be ready. One of the organisers loaned him a pair of tan cowboy boots. Crean in a conservative dark suit strode to the lectern in this garish footwear. He was not amused. Crean helped transform the ACTUs image by working hard to reverse poor public opinion and allay the suspicions of investors by lecturing merchant bankers at many international forums. By the time the Hawke government was elected, with unemployment rising, Crean argued that some of the unemployed in country areas might be deployed to cull feral animals. Fellow minister John Kerin drolly suggested that perhaps now was not a time to arm the unemployed. Everyone burst out in laughter, including Crean. Creans most famous moment was on March 21, 2003 when, as opposition leader, he staked his reputation on opposing Australian participation in the Iraq War. Simon Crean holds a press conference to discuss the invasion of Iraq in 2002. Credit: Mario Borg He declared: This war is wrong. Australia should not be in it. Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator, Iraq must be disarmed but this is not the way to do it. Crean believed the United Nations weapons inspectors were making progress in disarming Iraq. He argued: Nobody believes a case has been made to link the Iraqi regime with Osama bin Laden. It was one of the great speeches of any Australian political leader, comparable to Arthur Calwells speech opposing the Vietnam War in 1965. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi and his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin have discussed the situation in the Caucasus, Trend reports. President Raisi noted that Iran considers the participation of forces outside the region in the region as a threat to all countries in the region. We are sensitively and seriously following the events in the Caucasus region. We believe that the conflicts in the Caucasus can be settled by effective steps of the countries of the region, he said. The presidents of the two countries noted the importance of accelerating bilateral trade and economic agreements and called the Tehran-Moscow cooperation model in regard with the North-South Transport Corridor a successful example for mutual understanding between the two countries. Earlier this year, Russia and Iran have signed an agreement on the construction of one significant part of the North-South Corridor - a railway section between Rasht and Astara, which passes through Azerbaijan. According to the agreement, the construction of this railway will cost the Russian side 1.6 billion euros. The railway is planned to be put in operation within 48 months. The Rasht-Astara line will be approximately 170 km long. It is needed to connect the landlocked sections of the North-South International Transport Corridor, which will enhance the economic efficiency of the Trans-Caspian route. The railway line is expected to be built with the participation of Moscow and Tehran, while the Astara (Iranian city) - Astara (Azerbaijani city) line will involve Moscow, Tehran, and Baku. Local councils are being asked to pitch in and directly fund food relief programs as the sharp increase in the cost of living batters the vulnerable and stretches the capacity of charities. The City of Sydney will investigate options for giving direct financial support to local food banks, following an urgent lord mayoral minute from Clover Moore to be put forward at Monday nights meeting. Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Credit: Rhett Wyman Shockingly, food relief organisations tell me that demand for free food is now far higher than in COVID, with employed people on low incomes joining the queues of people who cant afford to eat, Moore will say in her motion. OzHarvest is now serving 2000 people a week at Waterloo Market, up from 1500 during the pandemic, while demand for the Girls and Boys Brigades food services in Surry Hills has risen almost 150 per cent, she will tell the meeting. A toddler has died from critical injuries after he was hit by a car in a driveway at a home north of Brisbane. Police said they were continuing to investigate the incident, which happened just after 10am at a property in Deception Bay. Paramedics treated the boy for critical injuries at the scene. It was unknown who was driving the car that struck the boy, or if they were related to him. A WA man has surrendered after a refusal to leave his house following a suspected domestic violence incident escalated into a 12-hour stand-off with police. WA Police were called to the Heppingstone Road house in Brunswick, outside the South West town of Bunbury, around 10pm Sunday. The Tactical Response Group arrived Monday morning to assist with negotiations. The man being arrested on Monday morning after allegedly refusing to come out of his house (inset) for 12 hours. Credit: ABC/9 News Perth South West District Inspector Glen Willers said the man, aged in his 40s, eventually surrendered peacefully. We removed the victim from the house [around 10pm] and one male person remained in the house. As a result of what we were told, or advised at the time, we became concerned about firearms in the house and potentially explosives being in the house as well, he said. A diplomat who had been squatting at the site of a proposed Russian embassy in Canberra has abandoned the plot after the High Court threw out a challenge to the Albanese governments decision to terminate Russias lease of the land. The Russian official left the site in a silver diplomatic vehicle on Monday and did not say anything to reporters gathered at the area. A Russian diplomat leaves the proposed Russian embassy site deemed too close to Parliament House in Canberra. Credit: Nine The diplomat was wearing a red beanie and puffer jacket while carrying a Hype bag containing groceries and other supplies. He spent several nights sleeping inside a demountable building at the site despite frosty temperatures in Canberra that fell as low as minus 7 degrees in the past week. Berlin: Germany is willing to send around 4000 troops to Lithuania on a permanent basis to strengthen NATOs eastern flank, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a visit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Monday. Germany is prepared to permanently station a robust brigade in Lithuania, Pistorius said. He said infrastructure and facilities will need to be created to accommodate the soldiers and their families. In response to Russias invasion of Ukraine early last year, the German government pledged last June to have a combat brigade ready to defend Lithuania in the event of an attack, German news agency dpa reported. Until now, however, there have been differences over whether the soldiers should be permanently stationed in Lithuania or only sent there temporarily for exercises. The Lithuanian government has demanded a permanent presence, while the German government for a long time was very reluctant to do that. London: Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked the nation for unity and paid tribute to those killed in fighting an armed rebellion over the weekend that was aborted less than 24 hours after it began. In a televised address, Putin also thanked most of the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into bloodshed while confirming social media reports that Wagner forces had shot down Russian aircraft in the fighting. Putin said he would honour his promise to allow Wagner fighters to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, or to sign a contract with the Defence Ministry or simply return to their families. He said Russia would not succumb to any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil and blamed Russias enemies, saying they wanted to see his country choke in bloody civil strife. US President Joe Biden responded saying we had nothing to do with it. And thats where well end our live coverage of Vladimir Putins first comments since the end of the rebellion launched by Wagner Groups Yevgeny Prigozhin. You can stay up to date with this comprehensive wrap from Europe correspondent Rob Harris: In terse speech, Vladimir Putin thanks Wagner fighters who helped avoid bloodshed Thank you for joining us. Jerusalem: A Hollywood producer of blockbuster films took the stand in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus corruption trial, describing how he routinely delivered tens of thousands of dollars of champagne, cigars and other gifts requested by the Israeli leader. Arnon Milchan, who appeared by videoconference from the British city of Brighton, near where he is based, is a key witness whose testimony is essential for prosecutors who are trying to prove that Netanyahu committed fraud and breach of trust in one of three cases brought against him. James Packer and Arnon Milchan. Credit: Getty His testimony, in the prolonged trial, is expected to run all of this week and into next. Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu wrongfully received almost 700,000 shekels (about $290,000) worth of gifts from Milchan, and from Australian billionaire James Packer, which the indictment describes as a supply-line of champagne and cigars. The co-founder of the company behind the Titan submersible has denied that the passengers on the craft qualified as tourists and said they were well aware of the danger of the voyage. Guillermo Sohnlein, co-founder of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the craft, told the ABC that passengers on board the submersible would not consider themselves tourists. The Titan was a small vessel that was launched from another ship, the Canadian icebreaker Polar Prince. I dont think any of them would consider them tourists. They were part of the crew. They were Mission Specialists, they were trained for it. And they were very well aware of the risks. All five people on board the Titan were killed. Debris from the vessel was located about 12,500 feet (3810 meters) underwater and roughly 1600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic on the ocean floor, the Coast Guard said last week. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Iran is conducting serious discussions with European countries (the UK, France and Germany) about its nuclear program and intends to achieve positive results in the discussions, the Spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani said at a press conference in Tehran on June 26, Trend reports. According to Kanaani, both sides declared their positions in the discussions between the officials of Iran and European countries. Iran stated that it went to the discussions to get positive results and to lift the sanctions and did not go to the discussions just for the sake of discussion. The spokesman added that Iran continues diplomatic discussions with European countries in various forms, and European countries are also interested in holding discussions with Iran. On June 13, Kani noted that he had a discussion with his counterparts from 3 European countries about Iran's nuclear program. In the discussions, Iran is mainly trying to achieve the abolition of sanctions imposed by the US and Western countries, the removal of its funds frozen in foreign countries, and the abolition of the restriction on the export of crude oil. In return, the US and Western countries want Iran not to acquire an atomic bomb, to keep its nuclear program under control, and to reduce the level of uranium enrichment. In January 2016, JCPOA was launched between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany) in connection with Iran's nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. To preserve the agreements reached as part of the JCPOA, the European signatories of the deal started in January 2019 that a financial mechanism for maintaining trade with Iran called INSTEX was formed. On May 8, 2019, Iran announced that it had ceased fulfilling its commitments regarding the sale of over 300 kilograms of uranium, as stated in the deal, basing its decision on the other signatories that have not fulfilled their obligations. On July 7, Iran announced that it will not be fulfilling its commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as stated in the deal. Iran announced that it will enrich uranium using next-generation centrifuges and will not mix it with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of reducing commitments in JCPOA on Sept.5. On Nov. 5, 2019, Iran announced that it took the fourth step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. On Jan.2020, Iran took the last fifth step in reducing the number of its commitments within JCPOA. On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. Iran will continue indirect negotiations with the US on its nuclear program until a favorable outcome is reached, Spokesman of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani said at a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports. The spokesman emphasized that Iran is in favor of holding discussions on the nuclear program, and the continuation and conclusion of these discussions depends on the other side, especially the US government. Kanaani added that the Iranian side used and continues to use the goodwill and interest of regional parties, including Oman, for discussions with the US side. "The Iranian side does not confirm the news published in the media about the unwritten agreement between Iran and the US. The statement of the media on the discussions on the lifting of sanctions between Iran and the US is not confirmed by Iran, and no official statement is made about it," he said. Reportedly, Iran and the US have recently conducted indirect discussions various issues, including prisoner exchange, Iran's nuclear program, and other issues through the mediation of Oman. In January 2016, JCPOA was launched between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany) in connection with Iran's nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. To preserve the agreements reached as part of the JCPOA, the European signatories of the deal started in January 2019 that a financial mechanism for maintaining trade with Iran called INSTEX was formed. On May 8, 2019, Iran announced that it had ceased fulfilling its commitments regarding the sale of over 300 kilograms of uranium, as stated in the deal, basing its decision on the other signatories that have not fulfilled their obligations. On July 7, Iran announced that it will not be fulfilling its commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as stated in the deal. Iran announced that it will enrich uranium using next-generation centrifuges and will not mix it with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of reducing commitments in JCPOA on Sept.5. On Nov. 5, 2019, Iran announced that it took the fourth step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. On Jan.2020, Iran took the last fifth step in reducing the number of its commitments within JCPOA. On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 26. The Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union adopted a decision on the 9th package of sanctions related to the violation of human rights in Iran, Trend reports. According to the report, 7 Iranian officials were added to the 9th package of sanctions. These persons are commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and judicial officers of Iran. The Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union adopted 8 sanctions packages against Iran in order to support human rights in connection with the protests that took place in Iran last year. On June 25, 2023, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that the new package of sanctions is to announce that the European Union understands the violation of human rights in Iran and to help improve the situation. In September 2022, the murder of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini by Tehran's morality police due to the improper observance of the hijab resulted in serious protests in Iran. As previously reported, the girl was beaten while in custody for allegedly violating strict hijab rules. The protests lasted for about 5 months. Some human rights organizations note that thousands of people have died as a result of protests in Iran. Hijab was made mandatory for women in Iran shortly after the countrys 1979 revolution. Women who break the strict dress code risk being arrested by Irans morality police. Based on the dress code, women are required to fully cover their hair in public and wear long, loose-fitting clothes. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur Cheyenne, WY (82001) Today Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 66F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 51F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Mostly sunny early then becoming mostly cloudy later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Speaking at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023, the President of Patek Philippe discusses the importance of such an event and the characteristics of the Japanese market. The next one will be held in Milan in 2025 Japan is known for its appreciation of fine watches. Does Patek have a special relationship with the Japanese people and Japanese culture? Yes, because this is a longstanding relationship. The first visit to Geneva and Patek Philippe by Japanese delegations was 150 years ago when they were welcomed by Antoine Norbert de Patek. This was the beginning of a relationship that has been carried on through generations and continues today. Many young Japanese enjoy Patek Philippe and weve seen a lot of them at the exhibition. No doubt they have learned about us, and come to appreciate fine watches, through their parents or the media. The Japanese hold precision and quality in great esteem, and can identify with the tradition and value of the products we create. This is a growing trend. Some 3,000 people come to the exhibition each day and I think many of these visitors wear a Patek. What do you most appreciate about Japan? One thing I like about the Japanese is their respect for workmanship. Everything must be perfect. They wont tolerate mediocrity. Its a philosophy that we share. Every single day we strive to achieve the finest quality, from the case to the movement. Already, certain of our past creations were a tribute to the Japanese people. That we vary our sources of inspiration is one of our strengths. It means customers from all horizons can obtain satisfaction while our artisans are all the more motivated by the diversity of these creative opportunities. What was the biggest challenge in staging this exhibition? Finding an appropriate venue. Our Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023 extends over 2,500 square metres. We needed meeting rooms and rooms for some thirty Patek staff and the 200 or so sales associates seconded by our Japanese retailers to guide visitors. We also needed somewhere we could host 350 clients each evening. Requirements go far beyond the exhibition space itself. The second challenge is managing visitor flow. Demand has been such that we have had to restrict numbers and introduce a system of online booking with time slots. Lastly, the 180 timepieces which have travelled from the Museum are irreplaceable, fragile objects that must be transported and handled with great care. Were there some particularly anticipated models? I think people always expect complications from us and, for the first time in an exhibition of this kind, we have surprised visitors with two very beautiful complication models: our first Quadruple Complication with a self-winding movement, Reference 5308, and our World Time Reference 5330 with a date display coupled to local time. This requires a highly complex mechanism that we have taken care to explain in detail. You dont simply add a couple of components when creating such a sophisticated indication, particularly as the date, which is synchronised with local time, can be set forwards and backwards which adds real value in terms of user comfort. We plan to integrate this movement into a production model at a future time. What is the throughline for the limited editions? A throughline would have limited our scope. The only throughline I can conceive of is called experience. I could never have achieved this 15 or 20 years ago. We were guided solely by the desire to produce exquisitely crafted timepieces inspired by Japans art and culture, which we have done with these 40 pieces. The idea was to respect tradition without appearing old, and innovate. There has been a lot of talk about the Samurai watch because of the 600 pieces in its wood marquetry dial. Its rare to develop a theme to such a degree. We have found the right balance between the traditional and the new, so that first-time clients and clients with a longstanding appreciation of Patek will find what they are looking for. You have 30 retailers in Japan. Is this number likely to change? We have the right number of retailers in Japan even if we dont cover the whole country, because we cannot manufacture more for this market. What about the rest of the world? With the help of our distributors, we have already reduced the number of our retailers worldwide by around a quarter. Were now close to the target of slightly fewer than 300 doors. We know this can be a complicated choice and explained the principle well in advance, so they would have sufficient time to organise themselves. We respect our partners. The last exhibition was in Singapore in 2019. Are the effects still being felt? Yes. Experience has taught us that the outcomes of this type of exhibition are felt for more than five years. Also, the impact is greater each time as the exhibitions themselves gain in size. Were already working on the next edition which will be in Milan in 2025. The products we present attract greater interest, whether complications or handcrafts, an area in which we have made substantial progress. The concept is much stronger now, including how the different creations are displayed. Your new ten-storey Manufacture has been in operation since 2020. What conclusions can you draw after these three years? The idea was to bring everyone under the same roof which has enabled us to improve production operations. We have room for a few additional workstations but not many. Weve optimised workflow and improved communication between departments. Staff feel proud to work in a building like this. As a production tool you could compare it to a Formula 1 car and our watchmakers are the drivers doing wonderful things. There is the most fantastic emulation. Everyone is motivated to do even better than before. What are the other highlights at Patek Philippe this year? Well of course there is Only Watch. Patek Philippe is bringing an extraordinary creation as well as clients who want to support this cause and are ready to bid for exceptional timepieces. Its vital that all the brands talk to their clients and invite them to take part. We will also be maintaining the pace with one or two more launches during the year. Kilchoman added to SipWell spirits portfolio Global premium drinks business SipWell Brands has been appointed as the exclusive travel retail distribution partner for Kilchoman, across multiple international markets. The agreement has taken immediate effect with the goal of boosting Kilchomans availability and visibility across key global hubs and airports. Kilchoman was first established in 2005 and has enjoyed a growing reputation for its single malt whiskies. Its core range includes Machir Bay, Sanaig, Loch Gorm and 100% Islay with the emphasis on barley to bottle single source production. The brand recently unveiled plans to build a rum distillery on the island of Barbados. Kilchomans managing director Anthony Wills commented: With a growing range of award-winning whiskies, our goal is to take our products to more global markets and its therefore important we connect with partners who are not only knowledgeable about what we do, but passionate about why we do it. We have lots of exciting plans in the pipeline and we see SipWell playing an important role on that journey. SipWell was founded in 2019 and already represents a wide range of premium spirits brands in travel including Dictador rum, Casa Dragones tequila and Lind & Lime Gin, as well as whiskies including Stauning and The Glenturret. Andrew Torrance of SipWell brands added: Islay whisky has witnessed remarkable growth amongst discerning consumers and whisky connoisseurs worldwide over the last five years for example, there has been an impressive annual sales uplift of 15% annually. "Kilchoman is a true single farm business and whilst their methods are steeped in centuries old traditions of authentic island distilling, it is also a hugely progressive business willing to push boundaries, try new things and their plans for rum in Barbados are testament to the drive and ambition of the team. 26 June 2023 - Bradley Weir The new Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya, has been described as one of the most gut-wrenching watches people have seen, and let me tell you, its going to take you on an emotional journey. 2 Passengers Arrested for Unruly, Drunken Behavior After Their Flight Is Diverted to Greece An easyJet aeroplane comes in for landing at Gatwick Airport in London on March 27, 2022. (Hollie Adams/Getty Images) THESSALONIKI, GreeceAn easyJet flight from the United Kingdom to Turkey was diverted to Greece early Sunday after two passengers became drunk, unruly, and started shouting at fellow passengers and crew, authorities said. The two Russian passengers, both men aged 48 and 39, respectively, were arrested after the plane, on a scheduled flight from Manchester to Dalaman in southwestern Turkey, touched down in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki. The two faced a prosecutor who charged them with disturbing the peace, disrupting transport, and disobeying the crews instructions. There was no physical altercation, authorities said. After they were charged, the two men were released pending trial, which will take place in November and which they are not obligated to attend, but will be represented by their lawyers. Having arrived in Greece without a visa, they were led to a police precinct but were expected to be put on a flight to Turkey later Sunday. 2 Women Found Dead at Diamond Bar Care Home IDd DIAMOND BAR, Calif.The coroners office June 25 released the names of two women found dead in a Diamond Bar care home, with a live-in caretaker arrested. Hee Sook Park was 83 years old and Monica Lee was 75 years old, the coroners office said. The cause of their deaths was not yet released. The deaths occurred about 8 a.m. Saturday in the 23800 block of Sapphire Canyon Road, slightly east of the Orange (57) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Foul play is suspected, the Sheriffs Information Bureau reported, adding that there were no community safety concerns. ABC7 reported the deaths occurred at an assisted living facility for the elderly. Jianchun Li was arrested in connection with the deaths. He was employed as a live-in caretaker at the facility, sheriffs officials said. The sheriffs Homicide Bureau urged anyone with information about the deaths to call them at 323-890-5500. Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or through the website. 65 Percent of Teenagers Are Targets of Sextortion Schemes: Study The logos of mobile apps Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Messenger displayed on a tablet on Oct. 1, 2019. (AFP via Getty Images/Denis Charlet) Almost two-thirds of teenagers globally have been targeted for sextortion schemes by criminals seeking to pressure victims into sexual activity or extort money, according to recent research. Sixty-five percent of Generation Z teens and young adults have been targets of catfishing scams across popular social media platforms or had their personal data hacked by criminals, according to a June 21 report by Snapchats parent company Snap Inc. and published by the WeProtect Global Alliance. In both scenarios, the resulting photos and videos were then used to threaten or blackmail the young people, with abusers demanding money, gift cards, more sexual imagery, or other personal information in supposed exchange for not releasing the material to the young persons family and friends, the report said. Catfishing refers to pretending to be someone else to find victims to exploit online. According to the FBI, sextortion begins when a predator reaches out to a young person online through gaming sites, dating apps, or social media accounts. The predator then acts like someone in the age group of the minor who is interested in beginning a relationship or is offering something of value. The adult can use inducements like gifts or money and other methods to get the young person to send sexually explicit images or videos. The predator then asks for more such content. When the child refuses, the criminal can threaten to publish the content in their possession online or warn them about other harms they can inflict, pressuring the victims to send more explicit images and videos. The Snap Inc. study surveyed over 6,000 respondents from six nations, including the United States. Seventy-one percent of respondents who got trapped in a catfishing scheme were asked to share intimate imagery or personal info. While a net 31 percent shared intimate imagery, 30 percent revealed their personal information. Twenty-five percent of the victims provided private information as well, which refers to details about their family and friends. Scammers may not be looking solely for immediate financial (or other) return from the target. Rather, their goal might be to widen their net to ensnare more people or to try to entice others for sexual relationships or other interactions, the report said. J. Edgar Hoover FBI building in Washington on March 28, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) In a public service announcement on June 6, the FBI warned that criminals were using social media photos and videos, including those of minors, and altering them into sexual content. The photos or videos are then publicly circulated on social media or pornographic websites, for the purpose of harassing victims or sextortion schemes, the agency said while urging people to exercise caution when posting photos and videos of themselves online. According to the FBI, individuals who engage in sextortion schemes against youngsters have studied how to reach and target children and teens. One person the FBI put in prison for this crime was a man in his 40s who worked as a youth minister so he could learn how teens talked to each other, the agency said. Then, he created social media profiles where he pretended to be a teenage girl. This girl would start talking to boys online and encourage them to make videos. Reaching Out for Help According to the WeProtect report, 56 percent of catfished or hacked victims are male. For young males who have experienced a sextortion incidentand the majority are malesthey regularly tell us that when they share the situation with their parents, they feel relieved, said Arda Gerkens, president of the Dutch child abuse hotline Offlimits. We advise them to report to hotlines and helplines; to report to the platforms; and to tell their parents, a friend, or a trusted adult. They should not be going through this alone. The study found that 56 percent of respondents said that they or their victimized friends sought help after being threatened by approaching their friends, parents, or trusted adults. Fifty-one percent reported the incident to the platform, law enforcement, or a hotline. Meanwhile, the FBI advises parents to monitor the online activities of their children as well as run frequent searches online to know how much information about their kids is publicly available. Consider using reverse image search engines to locate any photos or videos that have circulated on the internet without your knowledge, the agency said. Sextortion of Minors According to a December 2022 press release by the FBI, law enforcement had received more than 7,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors in the past year. This resulted in at least 3,000 victims, mostly boys, and over a dozen suicides. A large percentage of such schemes were found to originate in nations outside the United States, primarily in West African countries like Ivory Coast and Nigeria. Data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) show that its CyberTipline has received over 262,000 reports of online enticement, including sextortion, since 2016. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of reports involving sextortion more than doubled. In NCMECs earlier analysis, the dominant motive of the offenders was found to be aimed at getting more explicit images of children. However, reports from early 2022 showed that 79 percent of offenders were now after money. In a May 3 press conference, Jennifer Buta, the mother of a 17-year-old boy from Michigan who committed suicide after being a victim of a sextortion scheme, asked parents to have tough conversations with their children about the dangers such scams pose. Kids, teenagers, young adults, and even adults can be a target of sextortion. We urge you to have discussions about this and have a plan for your children to reach out if it does happen to them, she said. People living in the United States having suicidal thoughts can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. For Spanish support, contact 888-628-9454. Crisis Text Line offers a live, trained crisis counselor via a simple text for help. The UKs National Health Service also lists a variety of resources on its website. An app created by Befrienders Worldwide helps distressed people connect with an emotional support center close by. A military coup threatened to overthrow the Russian government this weekend. The brutal Wagner private military company claimed they were betrayed by their leaders, and began a march toward Moscow. They were winning support among the local population, they were shooting down Russian helicopters, and they said other units in the Russian military joined with them in what looked like a brewing civil war. Then, about 24 hours later, the whole thing came to a sudden end. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was pardoned for his crimes, he and others who joined the rebellion agreed to go to Belaruswhere Russia is deploying tactical nuclear weaponsand the remainders of the Wagner group who didnt join the uprising are being integrated into the normal Russian military. In this episode of Crossroads, well speak about what just took place, and what this may really mean for Russia. After Wagner Mercenary Uprising, Christie Says Ukraine War Closer to a Resolution Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at a town-hall-style event at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 6, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) As a sudden uprising against the Russian state by the Wagner mercenary group ended abruptly, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Russian President Vladimir Putins weakness is obvious now inside his own country. Moreover, Christie said that supporting Ukraine to fight against the Russian military could help contain communist Chinas hegemonic ambition. I think that what this may do is move us closer to a resolution of this battle because of Putins weakness thats obvious now inside his own country, Christie said during an interview on ABCs This Week on June 25. I think, in large part, because of the way hes prosecuted this war. Christie, who has formally launched his second bid for the presidency, reiterated that the United States should continue its support to Ukraine and the goal is to repel the Russian military. Americas support, along with our allies in NATO, of Ukraine, has done a great deal to cause what were seeing right now in Russia, Putins misadventure, he said. And all the missteps that happened by the Biden administration, the Trump administration, and the Obama administration on this issue have led to this moment. I think you have to watch this very carefully, but we have to continue to support Ukraine, Christie said. We have to give them the weapons they need to fight their battle against the Russians and to repel them. Then-President Donald Trump (L) speaks with then-Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) after he delivered remarks on combatting drug demand and the opioid crisis, in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Oct. 26, 2017. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Proxy War With China Christie argued that backing Ukraine to fight against the Russian military could help counter the Chinees Communist Partys (CCP) hegemonic ambition. You know, we need to make sure that were engaged because, believe me, this is the first fight in the proxy war with China. China is funding this war for Russia by buying Russian oil, he said. We need to make sure that we continue to engage in this way. We do not want a world that is dominated by communist China. And so this is a fight that America needs to have. At the end of this sacrifice, I am absolutely a believer in the fact that America will be bigger, stronger, richer, and more influential in the world because we stood by our principles and stood by our friends, he added. Christie has used his firm support of U.S. aid to Ukraines defense to set himself apart from other Republican presidential candidates, namely former president Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump previously contended that opposing Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine is more important to Europes strategic interest, saying, That is why Europe should be paying far more than we are, or equal. Trump said that if he were elected, he could facilitate an end to the conflict in 24 hours. It can be done, and it must be donenow! he told Fox News in March. At that time, DeSantis also said that checking the economic, cultural, and military power of the CCP is a more vital U.S. national interest than helping Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a press conference at Media Center in Beijing on March 7, 2023. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) Christies comment came as Beijing voiced support for Russia following the short-lived mutiny in Moscow. In a statement released late Sunday, a spokesperson of Beijings foreign ministry described the armed uprising over the weekend as Russias internal affairs. The spokesperson stated that the CCP supports Russia in maintaining its national stability and achieving development and prosperity. The brief comment came after a Sunday meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko in Beijing. Rudenko also met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu during the unannounced trip to Beijing, where the two sides vowed to safeguard the common interests under the complex and severe international situation, Chinas foreign ministry said. The Chinese regime, which has repeatedly affirmed its no limits partnership with Russia throughout the Ukraine war, previously remained silent as the crisis unfolded in Russia. On Sunday, the Wagner mercenary group stopped its advance toward Moscow and returned to its base after a deal was reached between its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and the Kremlin. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the upheaval showed cracks in Putins power. We see cracks emerging, Blinken told ABC on Sunday. Where they go, if anywhere, when they get there, very hard to say. I dont want to speculate. Blinken added, I dont think weve seen the final act. Caden Pearson contributed to this report. ANALYSIS: India Embraces Opportunity as Multinational Companies Shift Production out of China Workers prepare vermicelli, which is used to make traditional sweet dishes popularly consumed during the holy month of Ramadan, at a factory in Prayagraj, India, on March 22, 2023. (Sanjay Kanojia/AFP via Getty Images) India, with the worlds largest population and a huge market, is benefiting from the global trend of derisking from China. Market research firm IMA India released its 2023 Global Operations Benchmarking Survey in May, which surveyed 100 business leaders representing international B2B (business to business) companies in India. It showed that 88 percent of CEOs preferred India over China as their top choice, despite facing infrastructure, legal restrictions, and skill-related problems as their major challenges in India. The survey also showed that compared to service companies, many manufacturing companies chose India, Vietnam, or Thailand as alternative countries to China. This suggests that many multinational corporations (MNCs) actively explore options to mitigate supply chain risk. In the last five years, foreign MNCs have increased their on-ground presence in India, partly as a result of diversification away from China. In particular, the IT & ITES [Information Technology Enabled Services] companies are ramping up the share of their global workforce that is based in India, said Suraj Saigal, research director at IMA India. The survey revealed a global trend where countries prioritize cooperation with established partners rather than relying on international or regional trade agreements. Business Confidence in China Declines Important factors prompting these CEOs to consider alternative supply chain options include the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) growing geopolitical aggressiveness, dubious trade and commercial practices, and rising labor costs. Another survey released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) on June 21 found a significant deterioration of business confidence in China among European companies. Business confidence in China is pretty much the lowest we have on record, stated Jens Eskelund, president of the European Chamber, during a press briefing preceding the reports publication. The shift can be attributed to slowing Chinese economic growth and rising costs. Heightened security controls, the CCPs protection of domestic companies, and the expansion of Chinas anti-spying law are also shared concerns of foreign companies. In April, Chinese police raided two advisory companies, Bain & Co. and Capvision, and a due diligence firm, Mintz Group, without providing a valid reason. Chinese authorities said foreign companies are required to obey the law but have not named any possible violations. The American Chamber of Commerce China (AmCham China) said in its annual survey report in March that for the first time in 25 years, China has dropped out of the top three priority investment destinations for U.S. businesses, mainly due to the deteriorating U.S.-China relations and the impact of three years of COVID-19 lockdown measures, which have greatly undermined the Chinese economy and significantly eroded confidence in the Chinese market among U.S. companies. India In response to the waning confidence of multinational corporations in China, India has been proactively attracting foreign companies to invest in the country and foster the growth of its manufacturing sector. Taiwan, which has long been under the military threat of the CCP, and the United States, the global leader in countering the CCP threat, have seen more companies moving their production to India. 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 in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) According to a report released in October 2022 by the Montaigne Institute and the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, Taiwans direct investment in India accounted for 0.07 percent of total foreign direct investment in India between 2000 and 2017. But the new awareness of geopolitical risks linked to China has changed the situation, leading to a trend wherein both countries are expediting diversification away from China. Vietnam is also benefiting from this situation. As of April 2022, with more than 100 Taiwanese companies in India employing 65,000 Indians, Taiwans investment in India amounts to US$ 1.5 billion, and has risen to close to 1 percent of Taiwans outbound investment, the report said. The signing of the upgraded bilateral investment treaty in 2018 doubled Taiwans investment in India. In 2020-21, Indias Investment Promotion Department received 87 applications from Taiwanese companies in 17 sectors, including electronics, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, power generation, e-commerce, and retail. U.S. companies are taking similar actions. Since last year, Apple has gradually shifted more production capacity of its iPhone series to India and started producing the latest iPhone 14 in the country. Moreover, Apples two foundries, Foxconn and Pegatron in Taiwan, have also expanded their presence in the Indian market. This signifies a major shift in Apples strategy in India. Initially, Apple focused its production in India primarily for the domestic market. However, Apples current objective is to establish a strategic production hub in India for exporting to third markets, including Europe, the report said. In the semiconductor industry, the Modi administrations incentive policy has attracted Taiwans Foxconn and Indias biggest mining company Vedanta to set up a chip factory in India in a joint venture. Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to the United States was fruitful. According to a joint statement released by the White House on June 22, Micron Technology Inc., the U.S. memory chip giant blocked by the CCP, plans to build a $2.75 billion memory chip assembly and testing plant in India, with India paying 70 percent of the cost. In addition, U.S.-based Lam Research plans to train 60,000 Indian engineers through its Semiverse Solution virtual fabrication platform to accelerate Indias semiconductor education and workforce development goals, and Applied Materials company announced a $400 million investment to establish a collaborative engineering center in India, according to the White House statement. India is also striving to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. During his recent visit to the United States, Modi met with Tesla founder Elon Musk, who said after the meeting that Tesla will try to be in India as soon as humanly possible. On the military front, India and the United States jointly announced an agreement allowing General Electric to partner with Hindustan Aeronautics to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Biden on Wagner Mutiny: We Were Not Involved 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) The United States and its allies had nothing to do with the mutiny undertaken by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the private Russian army known as the Wagner Group that occurred in Russia on June 23 and June 24, according to U.S. President Joe Biden. The president commented on the short-lived insurrection during White House remarks on June 26, saying he had been in constant communication with U.S. allies over the weekend to prepare for a range of possible outcomes. They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuselet me emphasizewe gave Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or to blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, Biden said. He may have wished to emphasize the point given that he has personally blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for what Biden has called Putins illegal war. Speaking of Putin, Biden said in March 2022, about a month after the invasion of Ukraine, For Gods sake, this man cannot remain in power. A White House official immediately downplayed Bidens remark, indicating that it wasnt a call to remove Putin. However, when commemorating the anniversary of the Ukraine invasion in February, Biden said, President Putin chose this war. Every day the war continues is his choice. Putin has said that the special military operation in Ukraine is intended to allow Russian-speaking people in the eastern part of that country to speak their own language. He has also accused the West of provoking Russia by expanding NATO and providing weapons to Ukraine. The Mutiny Prigozhins Wagner Group had played an increasing role in the Russian war on Ukraine over the past year, particularly as losses by regular Russian troops mounted. At the same time, Prigozhin, who had been an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, became increasingly critical of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow on June 24, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Prigozhin claimed that, on June 24, the two senior leaders launched a deliberate attack on Wagner troops, killing about 30 fighters. He then led his troops out of Ukraine to seize the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, a major military hub. Putin denounced Prigozhin as a traitor and vowed to put down the rebellion. Within a day, the Wagner force moved north toward Moscow, reaching a position 125 miles from the city. During the advance, Wagner forces shot down several military helicopters and a communications plane, killing at least 15 people, according to Russian media reports. Despite the fact that the insurrection was a challenge to Putins leadership, which is believed to have been weakened by the heavy losses in Ukraine, the Russian leader quickly agreed to terms for ending the incident. Prigozhin was allowed to leave the country and retire to Belarus. The Wagner fighters were allowed to return to their bases and wont face punishment for taking part in the mutiny. By some estimates, up to 80 percent of the Wagner force is made up of felons recruited from Russian prisons to fight in Ukraine in exchange for a commutation of their sentences. The Wagner Group is believed to have undertaken other military operations on behalf of Russia in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, and Mali. Watch and Wait While the mutiny has ended, the situation in Russia remains unclear, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. Its too soon to assess the effect that the mutiny will have on Russia, Kirby told reporters at the White House on June 26. Currently, the United States doesnt know where the Wagner forces are moving, he said. Although Prigozhins whereabouts arent known, he released an audio statement on June 26 defending his actions as necessary to prevent the destruction of the Wagner private military company. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a news briefing at the White House on June 26, 2023.(Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Putin appeared on television on June 26 to thank the nation for unity in the face of the armed rebellion. He said all necessary actions had been taken to defend the country against the uprising. Putin blamed the mutiny on Russias enemies. Shoigu also released a video of himself, in which hes seen reviewing troops in Ukraine, in an apparent attempt to project calm and control. To ensure a coordinated response to the situation in Russia as it develops, Biden intends to maintain contact with U.S. allies. Its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen. But no matter what comes next, I will keep making sure that our allies and our partners are closely aligned in how we are reading and responding to the situation, the president said. During a June 25 call, Biden assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of continuing U.S. support. I told [Zelenskyy] that no matter what happened in Russialet me say it againno matter what happened in Russia, we, the United States, will continue to support Ukraines defense and its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. Emel Akan and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Swedish-Swiss tech solutions multinational corporation ABB is expanding its investments in the Egyptian market, Sherif Ismail, ABB Egypts vice president and the electrification commercial leader Egypt and Central Africa, told Ahram Online. Biden, Zelenskyy Discuss Wagner Mercenary Uprising in Russia U.S. President Joe Biden walks next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) as he arrives for a visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 20, 2023. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told President Joe Biden about Russian President Vladimir Putins weakness, in a phone call on June 25 following the Wagner mercenary groups military rebellion. Yesterdays events exposed the weakness of Putins regime, Zelenskyy said he told Biden, according to a June 25 statement from Ukraines presidential office. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his forces seized Rostov-on-Don, a crucial logistical hub for Russias war efforts in Ukraine, after accusing Russian military forces of killing a large number of Wagner soldiers at their field camps in Ukraine. The mercenaries then advanced hundreds of miles toward Moscow, but their march was halted after a deal to withdraw was reached. Under the deal, Prigozhin agreed to leave Russia for Belarus and criminal charges against him would be dropped. However, prior to the deal, Putin vowed that the rebels would face inevitable punishment. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russias Wagner mercenary force, speaks in Paraskoviivka, Ukraine, in this still image from an undated video released on March 3, 2023. (Concord Press Service/via Reuters) Zelenskyy described his conversation with Biden as positive and inspiring on Twitter and thanked the president for the unflagging support of Ukraine. We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored, Zelenskyy wrote. We discussed further expansion of defense cooperation, with an emphasis on long-range weapons. Zelenskyy said he thanked Biden for providing Ukraine with Patriot defense systems, as well as the presidents support of the fighter jet coalition. It is important to further increase [Ukraines] capabilities to protect our skies. In this context, I also thanked him for the support of the fighter jet coalition, Zelenskyy said. According to a White House readout, Biden and Zelenskyy talked about recent events in Russia. They discussed Ukraines ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid, the White House stated. Weakness Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraines defense minister, also talked with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on June 25. Reznikov wrote on Twitter that he and his U.S. counterpart talked about recent events in [Russia]. We agree that the [Russian] authorities are weak and that withdrawing [Russian] troops from Ukraine is the best choice for the [Kremlin], he wrote. We also discussed the #UAarmys counteroffensive and the next steps in strengthening our Defense Forces. Things are moving in the right direction. Ukraine will win. A readout from the Pentagon states that Reznikov and Austin pledged to remain in close contact after discussing regional security developments and dynamics on the ground in Ukraine. Secretary Austin reiterated unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine and discussed security assistance priorities to meet Ukraines needs on the battlefield, the Pentagon statement reads. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC News on June 25 that Wagners revolt showed cracks in Putins power. Some lawmakers also said Prigozhins rebellion has shed light on Putins grip on power. Recent tensions in Russia are putting Putins weaknesses on full display, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), ranking Democratic member of the House Energy Committee, wrote on Twitter on June 25. This is exactly what happens when an authoritarian relies on an unhinged mercenary military to fight a needless and unprovoked war. Support for Putin in Russia and his war are rapidly deteriorating. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, wrote on Twitter on June 24 that Wagners revolt demonstrates the weakness of both Putin and autocratic governments. It also underscores the instability within Russia, which is a concern for the United States national security and global stability, Smith said. With the situation still evolving, its difficult to predict what impact this will have on Putins illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine. Separately, Zelenskyy also talked to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish President Andrzej Duda on June 25. Bud Light Will Permanently Lose Nearly a Fourth of Its Business: Analysts 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) Some of Bud Lights problems in the wake of a boycott over its partnership with Dylan Mulvaney could be permanent, according to an analyst in a new note about the beleaguered brand. We believe recent underperformance implies a permanent reduction in ABIs U.S. business, Deutsche Bank analyst Mitch Collett wrote for Barrons, referring to Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of Bud Light. Our proprietary survey data suggests these headwinds are likely to fade even if we do not expect the U.S. business ever to fully recover from its current challenges. Collett also upgraded shares of AB InBev to buy from hold, increasing the price target to $65.92 from $64.83, according to Barrons. In a note to analysts, Collett wrote that data gathered by Deutsche Bank suggest that 24 percent of Bud Lights consumers no longer purchase the brand. Another 18 percent are buying less, he said. Data also show that 21 percent of consumers are buying more, while 37 percent are buying the same amount, according to the report. Taken together, our survey data shows that Bud Light as a brand faces significant challengesparticularly with older consumers. However, we believe the forward-looking data sets imply that the challenges will at least partially fade, he wrote, noting that data show the firm hasnt lost shelf presence. But another analyst said Bud Light could see tough times ahead. The analyst, Evercores Robert Ottenstein, said Bud Light will permanently lose between 15 and 20 percent of its volume. After that, declines will resume at about the average rate of the prior 10 years, he said. Budweiser will also see a similar pattern, with consumers lost in 2022 not coming back, Ottenstein said in a note reported by Yahoo Finance. The report also quoted Collett as saying Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light are at the end of the tunnel of the controversy. Weeks ago, in mid-May, Anheuser-Busch was downgraded after an HSBC analyst revised the stock down to hold and claimed that the company is dealing with a Bud Light crisis. That HSBC analyst speculated there may be deeper problems at Anheuser-Busch. Is ABIs leadership getting the brand culture transformation right? Its mixed, he said. At Ambev, we think the answer is yes; in the U.S., we think its no. The way this Bud Light crisis came about a month ago, managements response to it and the loss of unprecedented volume and brand relevance raises many questions. Since its ill-fated promotional exercise in early April with Mulvaney, a transgender TikTok influencer, Bud Light has seen its weekly sales decline. Recent data from Bump Williams Consulting and Nielsen IQ show that for the week ending on June 10, Bud Lights year-over-year sales have declined by 26.8 percent, representing the worst week so far. Bottles of beer and cider produced by BelgianBrazilian group Anheuser-Busch InBev (Budweiser, Corona, Stella, and Becks) and British brewer SABMiller. (Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images) And for the month of May, Constellation Brands-owned Modelo Especial was the No. 1-selling brand in the United States, outpacing Bud Light, which fell to No. 2, industry data show. Bump Williams, chief of the eponymous consulting company, told the New York Post on June 21: This was a tough week for Bud Light and other beer brands that are owned by Anheuser-Busch, including Budweiser. Sales of Budweiser were down by 10 percent, Natural Light was down by 2.3 percent, and Michelob Ultra was down by 2.4 percent. Anheuser-Buschs CEO, Michel Doukeris, told investors last month that he believes that online misinformation was the primary reason for the sales numbers, and he asserted that it was just one can that was produced with Mulvaneys face on it and appeared to deny that there was a partnership. However, Mulvaney posted on social media that there was a partnership. The can drew the ire of multiple celebrities and conservative influencers on Twitter. Some suggested that consumers boycott the brand in a bid to send a message to corporations who may be pursuing a woke leftist agenda. An executive with Anheuser-Busch recently spoke out about the boycott as he got an award during the Cannes Lions International Festival in southern France. Its tough to see the controversial and divisive debates that have been happening in the U.S. in the last couple of weeks involving lots of brands and companies, including and especially Bud Light, Anheuser-Buschs global chief marketing officer, Marcel Marcondes, told the Cannes Lions International Festival, according to an Ad Age report. Its tough exactly because what we do is all about bringing people together. Marketing Pivot With summer officially starting last week, Bud Light pivoted and launched a new promotional campaign. But that, too, was derided on social media, with some demanding that the company apologize for its promotional efforts with Mulvaney. Responding to the latest ad, podcast host Liz Wheeler wrote on Twitter that the company was trying to whitewash the past two months of controversy. 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, she wrote in a post. Anheuser-Busch didnt respond to a request from The Epoch Times for comment by press time. CCP Harvests Open-Source Intelligence for Military Advantage: Report Visitors look at an AI (Artificial Intelligence) security software program on a screen at the 14th China International Exhibition on Public Safety and Security at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing on Oct. 24, 2018. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP via Getty Images) Chinas communist regime is investing in new ways to exploit open-source intelligence (OSINT) to undermine the United States and gain military advantage, according to a new report. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, is contracting new research and analysis services to compile actionable intelligence from publicly available sources throughout the world, the report (pdf) states. The report, published this month by threat intelligence firm Recorded Future, claims that the CCPs military wing, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), is increasingly benefiting from a growing apparatus of organizations designed to siphon off U.S. and allied intelligence for its own purposes. A growing ecosystem of private companies, state-owned enterprises, state-run research organizations, and universities is supporting the PLAs push to leverage open-source intelligence (OSINT) by providing research services, platforms, and data, the report says. The PLA very likely uses this data to support decision-making and better understand potential foreign adversaries in preparation for future conflicts. CCP Automates Intelligence Siphoning The report profiles five private Chinese OSINT providers that serve the PLA, and also offers original analysis of PLA documents, Chinese academic articles, and collections of Chinese OSINT-procurement records from 2019 to 2023. CCP-controlled China has built up a paranoid and secretive system that doesnt release information about its internal concepts and decision-making, the report says, but relies on exploiting other nations intelligence to enhance its own understanding of U.S. and allied military capabilities. PLA entities pursue OSINT on foreign military capabilities, facilities, doctrine, decision-making, weapons, equipment, science and technology, exercises, training, intelligence, and deployments, the report says. PLA entities also seek OSINT on geopolitical trends, foreign think tanks, foreign defense industry companies, general science and technology developments, and other non-military topics. Among the more notable examples of this, as highlighted by the report, is a 2020 paper published by personnel in the regimes Central Military Commission, Chinas highest defense body. That document claims that recent technological developments have facilitated continuous, automated intelligence collection from internet sources abroad, including from governments, militaries, scientific publications, and universities. Moreover, the authors of that document claim that such intelligence improves CCP operational capabilities and supports command decision-making, the report says. They argue that this internet-based OSINT is an effective source of information on operational forces, equipment construction, operational capabilities, military exercises, battlefield environments, and other topics. Another example dating back to 2019, examines how researchers at a university linked to the CCPs domestic intelligence agency promoted the integration of OSINT contributions from across the government, military, intelligence agencies, and universities. Entities Urged to Be Cautious Online The CCPs work to more effectively exploit openly available intelligence from all over the world comes at a time when the regime is facing increased fallout from its more illicit spying efforts. While the regimes use of a spy balloon to target U.S. nuclear sites or its widespread campaign of transnational repression against ethnic Chinese living abroad may raise alarm, the systematic collection of publicly available information is more likely to fly under the radar. To that end, the report says that Chinese state-owned nuclear agencies, shipbuilders, military, and service academies are likely expanding their OSINT collection capabilities. Such capabilities include web crawlers, data mining and machine learning tools, and the automated mass collection of text, image, audio, and visual materials from internet users across the globe, particularly in countries tough on the regime. PLA entities are interested in OSINT related to specific targets, subjects, and issues in countries like the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, India, and Russia, the report says. The PLA almost certainly views OSINT as an increasingly valuable source of military intelligence that can support decision-making and necessitates the use of new collection, processing, and analysis technologies, which the PLA and Chinas defense industry are actively developing. Thus, while the regime is working to seal off its intelligence from the rest of the world, the report warns that the United States and other open societies will likely lose military advantage in the OSINT domain. This OSINT almost certainly provides the PLA insight into foreign military capabilities, facilities, doctrine, decision-making, weapons, equipment, science and technology, exercises, training, intelligence, and deployments, providing a clear intelligence advantage. Given that China is very unlikely to open up its information environment, and that Western countries are very unlikely to close off their information environments, the PLA will very likely maintain its advantage over Western militaries in OSINT. Because democratic societies are unlikely to wall off information from the rest of the world, the report says, entities from governments to social media platforms to individuals must practice caution online, knowing that the CCP is compiling any and all information it can. Governments, militaries, research organizations, companies, news media organizations, social media platforms, and individuals should be aware that Chinas military and defense industry are using new technologies to collect, process, and analyze massive amounts of their publicly-available data for intelligence purposes, and should consider taking steps to mitigate these intelligence collection efforts. China Grapples With Extreme Weather as El Nino Approaches People cooling off on a beach amid hot weather in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, on June 24, 2023. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) China has been grappling with floods and a heat wave in recent months, with certain regions facing record-high heat and heavy downpours as El Nino weather conditions approach. A total of 185 red alerts for hot weather were issued on June 23 across the country, including in Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, and Hebei, the state-run Global Times reported on June 25. A red alert is the highest level in Chinas four-tier warning system, which signifies that the temperature could exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) within 24 hours. On June 23, Beijing baked in temperatures as high as 40.3 degrees Celsius, after sizzling at 41.1 degrees Celsius the day before. The heat waves, the second round in about 10 days, were caused by warm air masses associated with high-pressure ridges in the atmosphere. The effect was amplified by thin cloud cover and long daylight hours around the summer solstice, according to Chinese meteorologists. The heat waves have prompted authorities to step up efforts to safeguard crops and ensure the safety of tourists. Outdoor work was also halted during the hottest part of the day. Heavy rainfall was reported in southern regions of China, including Hunan, Guangdong, and Zhejiang provinces. The China Meteorological Administration warned that Anhui and Sichuan provinces could be at risk of floods. El Nino Weather Conditions Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, told Global Times that the weather in China is consistent with the El Nino wind and temperature pattern. Flooded fields and buildings following heavy rains in Rongan, Guangxi, China, on June 13, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) The persistent occurrence of extreme heat can further contribute to the development of compound meteorological disasters, affecting local agricultural and industrial production, water resources, ecological environment, energy supply as well as peoples daily life, Ma said. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared on June 8 the arrival of El Nino, a climate phenomenon thats marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator. The agency noted that El Nino occurs every 2 to 7 years on average and that it can bring heavier rain to some parts of the world or drought in others. On its website, the NOAA stated that the weather phenomenon was expected to come, saying itll be moderate-to-strong by the fall and winter months. El Ninos influence on the U.S. is weak during the summer and more pronounced starting in the late fall through spring, NOAA stated. By the winter, theres an 84 percent chance of greater than a moderate strength El Nino and a 56 percent chance of a strong El Nino, it stated. El Nino, which means Little Boy in Spanish, is the warm phase of the El NinoSouthern Oscillation. The opposite, La Nina, means Little Girl, and it means that surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator are lower than the average. According to the NOAAs website, an El Nino event generally lasts 9 to 12 months. La Nina events, by contrast, can last for years. During El Nino, unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the central/eastern tropical Pacific lead to increased evaporation and cooling of the ocean. At the same time, the increased cloudiness blocks more sunlight from entering the ocean. When water vapor condenses and forms clouds, heat is released into the atmosphere, the NOAA wrote in a 2022 blog post. Jack Phillips and Reuters contributed to this report. China, Russia Diplomats Meet in Beijing After Wagner Mercenary Uprising The Chinese regime has expressed support for Russia to maintain its national stability, Beijings foreign ministry said a day after a short-lived mutiny ended in Russia. A spokesperson of Beijings foreign ministry described the armed uprising led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of Russias Wagner mercenary group, over the weekend as Russias internal affairs, in a statement released late on June 25. The spokesperson stated that the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) supports Russia in maintaining its national stability and achieving development and prosperity. The brief comment followed a June 25 meeting in Beijing between Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang and Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko. The two top diplomats exchanged views on ChinaRussia relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, without elaborating, according to a readout of the talks from Beijings foreign ministry. The discussion touched on the conflict between the Russian military and the Wagner mercenary group, the Russian foreign ministry said in its readout. The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24 and confirmed its interest in strengthening the cohesion and further prosperity of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a Russian-language statement translated by Reuters. Prior to the talks with Qin, Rudenko met with Chinas vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu earlier on June 25, during which the two sides vowed to strengthen their solidarity and cooperation, according to a readout from Beijing. The two senior diplomats pledged to safeguard the common interests under the complex and severe international situation, it read. It was unclear when Rudenko arrived in Beijing whether his visit to China was in response to what appeared to be a rebellion led by Prigozhin. Fighters of the Wagner private mercenary group are seen atop a tank deployed near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. (Stringer/Reuters) Members of the Wagner Group mercenary army were ordered back to their bases on June 25 after Prigozhin struck a deal with the Kremlin. Prigozhin, who has been a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin for some 20 years, had earlier described the move as a march for justice to topple Moscows military leadership, which he blamed for unnecessary losses of Russian troops. Lukashenkos office said on June 24 that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had Putins blessing to broker a deal that ended up halting the lightning-fast advance of Wagner forces toward Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that under the deal, Prigozhin would move to Belarus and criminal charges against him in Russia would be dropped. Wagner fighters who took part in the armed rebellion wont face any retribution, in recognition of their previous service to Russia. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin make a toast during a dinner at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. (Pavel Byrkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) While the rebellion has been closely followed by Chinas state media, the outlets have largely refrained from commenting ahead of official remarks. The Chinese regime earlier made no comment on Moscows crisis, while Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, said they were closely monitoring the situation. The Chinese regime has strengthened its ties with Russia since it declared a no limits partnership ahead of the Ukraine war. In March, when Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, the two sides signed a series of agreements furthering the two countries strategic cooperation. Beijings goal in that meeting, according to geopolitical analysts, was to advance creating a new international totalitarian order led by the communist regime in China. Tom Ozimek and Reuters contributed to this report. Chinese Electric Carmakers Aiming Entry Into Thailands Markets A staff member hooks up a charging cable to an electric vehicle (EV) at a charging station in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China on July 31, 2017. (Reuters) The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce said on June 25 that Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are targeting an entry into Thailands market with plans to establish manufacturing and distribution bases. Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, the chambers chairman, announced this during the World Chinese Entrepreneurs conference in Bangkok, which brought together 4,000 Chinese entrepreneurs from various countries. EV is the most trailblazing industry right now as seen through investments from MG, Great Wall Motor, and BYD, Narongsak was quoted as saying by Bloomberg, without providing specific details about the investments. Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit touted the long-standing relationship between Thailand and China and emphasized the need for stronger cooperation amid the challenging global environment. Thailand will be one of Chinas greatest partners, Jurin said at the conference, adding that Chinese investors will enjoy trade privileges and competitive production bases if they expand businesses in Thailand, The Nation reported. According to the Commerce Ministry, Thailand received a total of 45.4 billion baht ($1.3 billion) in foreign investments in the first five months of 2023, with Japan and China being the major contributors. Japans investments amounted to 15.9 billion baht ($452 million), and Chinas reached 11.5 billion baht ($327 million). Singapore invested about 6.35 billion baht ($180.6 million), Thaiger reported. Thailand is Asias fourth-largest auto assembly and export hub for carmakers like Toyota and Honda. The country aims to become a key player in the global EV supply chain by offering tax cuts and subsidies to drive EV adoption and production. The government aims to convert about 30 percent of the countrys annual production of 2.5 million vehicles into EVs by 2030. Deal With Thailand Chinas Hozon New Energy Automobile reportedly signed a deal with Thailands Bangchan General Assembly in May for the production of its NETA V model in the Southeast Asian nation, which is expected to commence in 2024. The financial terms of the agreement were not specified. Thai government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana said that Hozon launched its NETA V model in the Thai market last year and planned to start offering its NETA U and NETA S models in the near future. Other Chinese EV makers like BYD and Chinas Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. have also invested in building local EV production in Thailand. Chinas Changan Automobile announced in April that it would invest about 9.8 billion baht ($279 million) to set up its first right-hand drive EV production base in Thailand. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of Thailand Board of Investments (BOI), said the factory will have an initial production capacity of 100,000 vehicles for domestic and export markets. The BOI will continue to work with various agencies to attract other EV manufacturers from Asia, Europe, and America to invest in Thailand, Narit said in a statement. We are also actively promoting the buildup of an electric charging network and other necessary elements to strengthen the EV ecosystem and related industries in Thailand, he added. The BOI stated that it had granted approval to 26 EV production projects, including battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hybrid vehicles from 17 companies with a total investment value of 86.8 billion baht ($2.5 billion) as of April. Reuters contributed to this report. Deepening Mystery of South Africas Militia on Peace Mission to Ukraine Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly (L), Senegal's President Macky Sall (2L), Comoros President Azali Assoumani (3L), Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (3R), South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (2R) and Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema (R) walk to address media after their talks in Kyiv on June 16, 2023. (Sergei Sup[insky/AFP via Getty Images) JOHANNESBURGWhen Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Senegals Macky Sall disembarked at Warsaws Chopin Airport on the morning of June 16, they were each accompanied by 12 bodyguards. Comorian President Azali Assoumanis entire security detail consisted of two men. The leaders were part of the African Peace Mission to Russia and Ukraine. Hichilema, Sall, and Assoumani and their entourages proceeded with minimal fuss to connecting flights to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later that day. The president heading the mission, South Africas Cyril Ramaphosa, arrived in the Polish capital with 120 security operatives, including special forces soldiers. Thats completely unprecedented; Ive never, ever heard of that large a number of security personnel traveling with an African president, said Rory Steyn, a private security consultant. Steyn served as chief bodyguard for South Africas first post-apartheid president, Nelson Mandela, heading the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) in the 1990s. He told The Epoch Times that the squad he commanded had a dozen members. Polands government said Ramaphosas militia was also carrying 12 containers of ammunition and firearms, including heavy-caliber weapons of war. Given these unusual circumstances, said the Poles, they could not allow the small army of South African security personnel to continue their journey. Ramaphosas security chief, Major-General Wally Rhoode, launched a vitriolic attack on the Polish authorities, accusing them of racism (but failing to explain why the Poles had not been racist to the other African entourages). Stanislaw Zaryn, director of Polands National Security Department, told The Epoch Times: Its nonsense [that we were racist against the South Africans]. Fact is the [South African] government, they did not [complete] required documentation for this large force to travel. He added that Ramaphosas security detail also did not have the necessary permits for their weapons and ammunition. Passengers with illegal weapons, no matter who those passengers are, we will not allow them into the EU [European Union]. We are a country with laws. Our airport officials made a compromise and said, We will allow everyone off the plane and to travel to Kyiv, but you must leave firearms and ammunition [behind]. The South Africans refused, said Zaryn. Rhoode did not respond to a request for a reaction to Zaryns comments. After being confined for more than 26 hours in the South African Airways Airbus, Rhoode and his 120-strong force were allowed to book into a hotel, without their weapons. Ramaphosa, meanwhile, proceeded to Kyiv accompanied by a few officials, including just two armed guards. His spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, then posted a video emphasizing that Ramaphosas security had not been compromised. Magwenyas communication unleashed a storm of criticism in South Africa, focused on why the need for a huge protection force in the first place if the president was safe with just two bodyguards. Rhoode and his fellow officers, plus their containers of weapons and ammo, returned to South Africa the following day. By that time both Zelenskyy and Putin had dismissed the African leaders proposals. One of the African suggestions was for an effective freezing of conflict, meaning Russia would retain parts of Ukraine it had seized during the war. Zelenskyy told the African leaders that peace talks could happen only when the Kremlin withdrew its forces from Ukraine, which Putin said would never happen. Steyn said it appeared as if the fiasco in Warsaw had happened because Pretoria had indeed neglected to follow protocol. When we worked with our president, we as the Presidential Protection Unit would tell the Department of Foreign Affairs how many people are traveling, and with what weaponry. Foreign Affairs would contact our embassy in the country to which were traveling and that embassy will contact the local authorities to say, These are the people coming and these are the weapons they wish to bring; can we please receive authorization? Nobody should leave the shores of South Africa without such authorization. Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, maintained that the African National Congress (ANC) government had received all necessary authorization. We did everything properly; we followed all necessary protocols, she told The Epoch Times. Ntshavheni, however, refused to provide documentation to show that the Polish government had, indeed, provided the required authorization. She also declined to explain the Ramaphosa administrations reasons for dispatching such a large and heavily armed security detail to Eastern Europe for peace talks. The ANC has close ties with Moscow, while Poland supports Ukraine and the West. In May, Poland became the first NATO country to supply Kyiv with fighter jets. Also in May, United States ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, accused Pretoria of loading a sanctioned Russian ship with weapons and ammunition at a naval base near Cape Town in December last year. According to U.S. intelligence agencies, the arms were then shipped to Russia for use in Moscows offensive in Ukraine. Pretoria described the American intelligence and Brigetys claims as false. Ramaphosa has appointed a retired judge to investigate Washingtons claims, but has caused a public and political furore in South Africa by indicating that the judges final report will not be released publicly for national security reasons. An analyst for Africas most credible portal for military-related affairs, defenseWeb, Dean Wingrin, suggested another reason for the Warsaw standoff. He told The Epoch Times Poland bought a consignment of weapons from South Africa in 2021, but Pretoria had not delivered the shipment. South Africa has a policy of not supplying arms to countries in active conflict. Thus South Africa will not export arms to Ukraine; official policy is theyll not export arms to Russia. But theyre also extending this policy to include Poland. Theyre denying Poland arms because they fear these arms will then be transferred to Ukraine, said Wingrin. Independent political analyst, Prince Mashele, said the Warsaw incident raised a lot of questions. The South African government seems to be suggesting that its mission to Ukraine and Russia was sabotaged. If so, who did the sabotaging? Was it a plot by the West because South Africa is perceived to be in the Russia camp? he told The Epoch Times. To me, like to most other commentators, it doesnt look like theres any dark conspiracy against South Africa. It looks more like the typical ineptness and lack of organization that has come to typify the ANC. If the papers of the large force of bodyguards were in order, why doesnt the government just show them to us? Then we can all turn our attention to Poland and demand answers from them. The African Peace Mission, said Mashele, was dead in the water before it began. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso all pulled out. Sassou Nguesso summed up their concern when he attempted to postpone the peace mission on the grounds that the launch of Ukraines counteroffensive against Russia had made a visit to Kyiv dangerous. His concern seemed justified when Ramaphosa and other mission members were forced to shelter in bunkers upon their arrival in Kyiv, amid a Russian missile attack. Comedically, Magwenya denied that this had happened, even as the news was spreading across international news wires. Hours later his boss confirmed it during his meeting with Zelenskyy. John Steenhuisen, the leader of South Africas official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), said Ramaphosa and his entourage had disgraced South Africa on the global stage. Not only did the Presidency lie about being unaware of missile strikes on Kyiv while Ramaphosas so-called peace mission was in town, but his administrations sheer incompetence caused a planeload full of his bodyguards, journalists and apparently unauthorized weapons to be denied entry to both Poland and Ukraine. Cyril Ramaphosa must be held accountable for the millions of rands in taxpayer funds wasted on his failed PR stunt, Steenhuisen wrote in a media statement. We will also be submitting a question to the president asking whether he stands by the cries of racism leveled at Polish authorities by his disgraced security chief, Wally Rhoode. Covering up its own incompetence by shouting racism is something the ANC is used to at home. But on the global stage, it will simply hasten our countrys return to a pariah state. The DA claimed that the African Peace Mission was nothing but an ANC construct designed to spin the utterly incompetent Ramaphosa out of trouble over his ongoing support for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Steenhuisen told The Epoch Times that Ramaphosas ego trip to Eastern Europe was a monumental failure. The Ukrainian president rightly rejected his naive so-called peace plan for the theatrics it is. But Ntshavheni insisted the mission had been hugely successful. We have opened doors for Africa and for others to continue efforts to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine. We are not deterred by all the negativity around our efforts. The unfortunate incident at the airport in Warsaw was just a small matter, she commented. Ironically, said Mashele, South Africas crazy junket to Eastern Europe may have achieved an unexpected outcome: Bringing Pretoria closer to the West. Both Zelenskyy and Putin were clearly less than happy with what Ramaphosa had to say. In fact, Putin treated Ramaphosa and the other African leaders with disdain. Maybe this showed the Western alliance that Africa is not as close to Moscow as previously thought. DeSantis Lands Endorsement of Floridas Largest Police Union After Group Backed Trump in 2020 The largest police union in the state of Florida has chosen to endorse Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president in 2024, after backing President Donald Trump in 2020. In a Monday press statement, Florida Police Benevolent Association (Florida PBA) President John Kazanjian announced the police unions decision to back DeSantis, crediting the governor and presidential candidate with enhancing public safety in Florida. The ideological experiment of defunding the police and scapegoating law enforcement for Americas social problems has failed. Now more than ever, Americans must elect the one candidate for president who has a proven track record in enhancing public safety and investing in the essential men and women who help maintain public safety every day, Kazanjian said. For the over 30,000 men and women in the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the choice for us could not be clearer. Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration have made Florida a law-and-order state, by investing in and supporting the thousands of law enforcement officers, who serve on the front lines in keeping our communities safe and secure. Kazanjian credited the DeSantis administration with allocating more than $100 million dollars in salary increases for law enforcement officers in the state, and another $20 million for law enforcement agencies to support their efforts in stopping the spread of fentanyl. The Florida PBA president also credited DeSantis with increasing the penalties for major crimes and recruiting the best men and women across the country to join Floridas law enforcement community. 2020 Endorsement The Florida PBAs endorsement could bolster DeSantis as he competes for the Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis is currently the second favorite in most primary polls to win the 2024 GOP nomination, behind Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House. Kazanjian had once called Trump the one candidate for president who is committed to making our country safe and secure. In an Aug. 3, 2020, statement published by the Tallahassee Democrat, Kazanjian said Trump has never once wavered from his support of law enforcement officers and his commitment to law and order is our countrys last great hope to live in the kind of society where our communities thrive and our families prosper. Kazanjian said the 2020 presidential endorsement marked the first time in eight years that the Florida PBA had decided to place its support behind a presidential candidate. Kazanjian said calls to defund and even abolish police organizations throughout the summer of 2020 meant we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Competing Law and Order Platforms Trump and DeSantis have both emphasized law and order in their 2024 campaigns. The public deserves safe communities and law and order must be maintained, the DeSantis campaign states. We cannot permit the inmates to run the asylumand we must reject attacks on the men and women of law enforcement. In a February video statement, Trump described his plan to end crime and restore law enforcement. The plan includes passing a record investment to hire, train and retain police officers and strengthening liability protections for law enforcement officers. Trumps plan also includes a death penalty for drug dealers and human traffickers, and an overhaul of federal standards for minors in the justice system so, when troubled youth are out of control, theyre out on the streets and theyre going wild, we will stop it. Trump said he also wants to wage war on the cartels and have his Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security dismantle every gang, street crew, and drug network in America. DeSantis similarly said his administration would hold the drug cartels accountable and construct a border walla policy Trump famously pursued throughout his 2016 campaign and presidency. Both candidates have also targeted prosecutors who decline to prosecute certain crimes. In his February campaign statement, Trump said he would go after radical Marxist prosecutors who are abolishing cash bail, refusing to charge crimes, and surrendering our cities to violent criminals. In August of last year, DeSantis ordered Florida state prosecutor Andrew Warren suspended after Warren publicly proclaimed in writing that he will not prosecute individuals who provide abortions in violation of Floridas laws to protect the life of the unborn child. From NTD News Edible Houses Could Soon Be a Reality We could soon have building materials made from food, making a gingerbread house a real possibility. The Victorian Gingerbread House is under construction at Fairmont San Francisco on Nov. 18, 2021. (Ilene Eng/The Epoch Times) Japan has taken the lead in the edible house market by inventing cement made from Chinese cabbage, coffee grounds, orange rinds, pumpkins, banana peels, seaweed, and onions. This cement, which is four times stronger than conventional concrete, is perhaps not something to serve on your finest china, but it can be flavoured, coloured, and fragranced. So children beware, the gingerbread house is a real possibility. In terms of taste, it appears that insects and worms have not been attracted to a meal of this cement and that although it doesnt need a coating, it can be lacquered and waterproofed using chemicals that would take your house firmly off the menu. A pot of coffee beans at the newly-inaugurated Starbucks outlet in New Delhi on Feb. 6, 2013. (Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images) Developed as a Pathway to Deal with Food Waste Invented by Tokyo Universitys Kota Machida and Yuya Sakai, who created the company Fabula Inc, the researchers goal was to combat the food wastage problem in Japan. According to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, Japan produced around six million tons of food waste in 2018. Compared to 2017, this was a reduction of 120,000 tons. Japan is now striving to reduce food waste to 4.9 million by 2030. Machida and Sakai took several years to develop the product, which is still awaiting its patent. It was eventually created by drying the food waste, pulverizing it into a powder, heating it up, mixing it with materials such as corn starch or cellulose, and pressing it into a mould. The strongest cement they were able to create was made from Chinese cabbage with a five-millimetre plate able to support 27 kilograms of weight. Researchers have found Chinese cabbage makes an incredibly strong cement. A basket of cabbage family vegetables, including bok choy, red cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, swiss chard, and turnips. (Cat Rooney/The Epoch Times) Fabula Inc. is collaborating with other companies to produce a variety of products such as ornaments, furniture, and crockery. They have the ability to make coasters from coffee grounds that are the colour of coffee and which give off the delightful aroma of your morning fix. Sweet potato is another vegetable they have turned into a plate that showcases the rich purple of the potato, and the company has also created flat-pack stools made from coffee grounds and Chinese cabbage. The Future of Sustainable Housing and Humanitarian Shelters Building houses out of edible cement is also not too far away, with the cement being featured as part of a sustainable teahouse at this years Venice Architecture Biennale, which is taking place until Nov. 26. Mitsubishi Jisho Design, a Japanese architecture and engineering firm, have said the proto-type edible tea house is possible to construct anywhere in the world. It is made from Italian coffee grounds and pasta with a series of 45-degree waterproof pasta joints. While teahouses and coffee-fragranced plates offer sustainability with a novelty factor, Fabula Inc. has said they would like to see the use of their cement span into other areas like humanitarian crises via its use in emergency shelters where in a disaster, if the food supply is cut off, the edible cement could provide another form of sustenance. Makeshift shelters could be replaced with multipurpose shelters built from edible cement, thus providing a backup food supply, argues a Japanese firm Fabula Inc. Image of Afghan refugees resting in tents at a makeshift humanitarian shelter camp in Chaman, a Pakistani town at the border with Afghanistan, on Aug. 31, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images) Additionally, Fabula Inc.s cement has several advantages over conventional cement. These include biodegradability, as it can be buried if not wanted. It also can be reused and has durability and resistance to wear and tear because of the natural fibre. It also works well with other natural materials, such as hay bales and rammed earth, to create durable buildings. The environmental benefits are also apparent as not only does edible cement offer a solution for food waste; it also reduces the environmental impact of the building industry. Especially since the material is not limited to fruit and vegetables, with innovations using algae-based cement also being fostered in places like America. The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $2 million (AU $3.2 million) to Wil Srubar of the University of Colorado Boulder to create cement from algae. Water full of algae laps along the Sewells Point shore on the St. Lucie River under an Ocean Boulevard bridge, Monday, June 27, 2016. (Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post via AP) Srubar has hypothesized that microalgae can be used to make cement production carbon neutral and maybe carbon negative. He contends that microalgae can sequester carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. However, despite the hype and interest around the process, it is still in its developmental stages. At present, the cost of producing edible cement is more expensive than conventional cement, but with technology and as production processes streamline, it is believed that it will rival traditional cement in terms of costs. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the federal governments response to COVID-19, is now joining Georgetown Universitys faculty starting next month, the college said. Dr. Fauci has embodied the Jesuit value of being in service to others throughout his career, and we are grateful to have his expertise, strong leadership, and commitment to guiding the next generation of leaders to meet the pressing issues of our time, said Georgetown President John DeGioia in a statement. After serving as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984, Fauci stepped down from his position in December 2022. It came as House Republicans announced they would launch investigations into Fauci and the origins of COVID-19. Georgetown also named Fauci as a distinguished university professor, giving him the highest professional honor, according to a news release. I ask myself, now, at this stage in my life, what do I have to offer to society? Fauci said in a news release issued by the university. I could do more experiments in the lab and have my lab going, but given what Ive been through, I think what I have to offer is experience and inspiration to the younger generation of students. While Fauci was near-universally lauded among liberals, he came to be loathed by others, who viewed him as an advocate for COVID-19-related lockdowns and stay-at-home orders. His name also has come up during 2024 GOP campaigns, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis accusing former President Donald Trump of giving Fauci too much power when he was in office in 2020. During the pandemic, Fauci appeared in hundreds of media interviews, including podcasts, YouTube shows, local television and radio broadcasters, and on cable news channels like MSNBC and CNN. Some conservative media figures, meanwhile, often criticized him for making generally dire predictions about the trajectory of the virus, accusing him of trying to cause panic among Americans. Before stepping down months ago, Fauci said that potential investigations into his tenure as NIAID director and how he handled COVID-19 are likely politically motivated. Because others choose to drive me into the political arena, does not mean I am in the political arena in what I do, what I think, what I say, what I advise, Fauci said at an event in November, adding that it does not mean all of a sudden I have turned political. COVID Origins Earlier this year, House Republicans sent a letter (pdf) to Fauci in a bid to compel testimony about the origins of COVID-19 and funding that was provided to a third-party group doing research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China, where the virus was first reported. We know EcoHealth Alliance acted as a middleman, improperly funneling thousands of taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan lab to conduct risky gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses which could have started the pandemic, House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement at the time, referring to the aforementioned third-party that performed research at the Wuhan lab. 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) Fauci, he added, was alerted early on that COVID-19 had markings of a manipulated virus, yet may have chosen to cover it up instead of blowing the whistle. Fauci has long denied involvement and distanced himself from controversial research at the lab. Understanding the origins of COVID-19 is essential to providing accountability and protecting Americans in the future, Comer added. Evidence continues to mount pointing to the virus leaking from an unsecure lab in Wuhan. In mid-2021, Fauci famously clashed with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during Senate hearings on his agencys involvement in the Wuhan lab. During one exchange, Fauci said that Paul [does] not know what hes talking about. Dr. Fauci, as you are aware, it is a crime to lie to Congress, Paul told Fauci during a Senate hearing in July of that year. On your last trip to our committee, on May 11, you stated that the NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain of function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. And yet gain of function research was done entirely in the Wuhan institute by Dr. Shi and was funded by the NIH, the senator also stated. Dr. Fauci, knowing that it is a crime to lie to Congress, do you wish to retract your statement? Paul later asked. Thats when Fauci bristled at the Kentucky Republicans statements and questions. Sen. Paul, I have never lied before the Congress and I do not retract that statement. This paper that you are referring to was judged by qualified staff up and down the chain as not being gain of function, Fauci told the senator in response. You do not know what you are talking about, quite frankly, and I want to say that officially. You do not know what you are talking about, he added to Paul. What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc They have sun-bathed bare-chested together in remote Siberia, shared fishing holidays and played on the same ice hockey team. Russia's long-serving Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has long been seen not just as a political ally of President Vladimir Putin but one of the Kremlin chief's few friends within the Russian elite. But their bromance and Shoigu's decades-long political career now face their biggest test after the revolt led by Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had lambasted the defence minister's handling of the invasion of Ukraine. Putin appears to have for now survived the revolt after a surprise mediation led by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. But Shoigu's position remains deeply precarious due to the unprecedented severity of the attacks by Prigozhin against him and his ministry. Prigozhin succeeded in capturing the Russian army's southern command headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, the nerve centre of the invasion of Ukraine, and accused Shoigu of fleeing "like a coward" and vowing he "will be stopped". The minister of defence was nowhere to be seen at the time and has, for the moment, completely vanished from the public view. The Wagner chief had previously accused Shoigu and Russia's top General Valery Gerasimov, his other bete noire, of being responsible for the deaths of "tens of thousands of Russians" in the conflict and the "surrender of territory to the enemy". 'Big loser' "The big winner of the night was Lukashenko," said Arnaud Dubien, director of the Franco-Russian Observatory think tank. "The big loser was Shoigu." But even before the revolt broke out on Friday night, Shoigu had been under immense pressure due to Prigozhin's attacks and the failure of the Russian armed forces to make progress. On June 12 a video was widely shared, with Putin and Shoigu attending a handing out of medals at a military hospital, where the Russian president was shown turning his back on the defence minister in apparent disdain. Shoigu has had a career of unmatched political longevity in post-Soviet Russia and his presence at the centre of power in Moscow predates that of Putin himself. Hailing from the Tuva region of southern Siberia, Shoigu is among the few non-ethnic Russians to have occupied a top post in government after the collapse of the USSR. He began his ascent in 1994 when he was appointed emergency situations minister in the early years of the presidency of Boris Yeltsin. Shoigu became a familiar and unflappable presence for Russians, as well as one of the country's most popular politicians, as he raced around the country to deal with disasters ranging from plane crashes to earthquakes. Serving under a dozen prime ministers, he held that post until 2012, when he was appointed governor of the Moscow region before swiftly being named defence minister by Putin the same year after a corruption scandal felled his predecessor Anatoly Serdyukov. 'Verge of collapse' He was immediately named a general, despite having no high-level military experience, but successfully oversaw operations including the 2015 intervention in Syria which has kept Moscow's ally Bashar al-Assad in power. For his 65th birthday, Putin had a special present for his friend, one of Russia's highest decorations, the "For Merit to the Fatherland" medal to add to a chest already stuffed with decorations. But the far less successful invasion of Ukraine - which the Kremlin initially hoped would see Russian tanks roll into Kyiv -- has persistently raised questions about his future. "Prigozhin wanted to send the message that Shoigu and Gerasimov must be fired because they are incompetent and a change of strategy is needed," said Pierre Razoux, academic director of the France-based Mediterranean Foundation of Strategic Studies (FMES). There are no more expressions of macho friendship or pictures as in 2017 of the two men with their shirts off bronzing their chests by a river on the Siberian taiga. Instead, Shoigu has been reduced to mumbling encounters reporting to Putin or simply consigned to a video screen as the Kremlin chief oversees a video conference. Prigozhin has also taken aim at Shoigu's family, in particular the husband of his daughter Ksenia, Alexey Stolyarov, a fitness blogger who has steered well clear of the war and has been accused by opposition media of liking a post opposing the invasion. Russian-language Telegram channels have fizzed with speculation over who could succeed Shoigu, with the governor of the Tula region Alexei Dyumin, who has held top army and presidential security posts, seen as favourite. "Shoigu's group is on the verge of collapse, and Sergei Kuzhugetovich himself is in disgrace and, most likely, will resign," said the widely followed Telegram channel Preemnik. Search Keywords: Short link: Fox News Announces Major Primetime Shakeup Months After Tucker Carlsons Exit (L-R) Jeanine Pirro, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, and Greg Gutfeld speak onstage during 2022 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on November 17, 2022 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images) Fox News announced Monday that it will launch a new primetime weekday lineup, coming two months after it announced it is parting ways with host Tucker Carlson. Nielsen data show that Fox News primetime ratings have dropped after Carlsons departure. In March, the full month before Carlsons departure, the former Fox News hosts 8 p.m. show averaged more than 3 million viewers per episode, but the replacement show, Fox News Tonight, hasnt been able to recapture those numbers. In an article published at the very top of its website, Fox News said Jesse Watters Primetime will be moved to Carlsons old timeslot at 8 p.m. ET. Longtime host Sean Hannity will remain at his 9 p.m. hour, Laura Ingrahams show will be moved to 7 p.m., and Greg Gutfelds program will start at 10 p.m. ET. Both Gutfeld and Watters are hosts of Foxs most popular show, The Five, which airs at 5 p.m. FOX News Channel has been Americas destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup. The unique perspectives of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will ensure our viewers have access to unrivaled coverage from our best-in-class team for years to come, Fox News Channel CEO Suzanne Scott announced in the article. The changes will go into effect next month, the company said. While Foxs ratings have slipped with Carlsons departure, the network topped all other cable news channels in May, according to Nielsen data. Analysts noted Foxs viewership has narrowed while MSNBCs ratings have increased. Fox News averaged some 1.42 million viewers in May, or a 37 percent decline from May 2022, according to the data cited by Deadline Hollywood. MSNBC last month averaged 1.16 million viewers, or a 14 percent increase from a year ago, the figures show. CNN, meanwhile, dropped 25 percent year-over-year to 494,000 viewers. More significantly, Fox averaged considerably fewer viewers in the 2554 demographic that advertisers covet. For May, Fox averaged 135,000 in that demographic, down 62 percent from a year prior, while MSNBC averaged 120,000 viewers, up 14 percent. CNN also saw a 25 percent decline to 113,000 demographic viewers. Foxs The Five topped all cable news shows in total viewers, drawing 2.63 million on average. Jesse Watters Primetime averaged 2.14 million, while Hannity averaged 1.91 million for May, according to the Nielsen figures. Since making his debut on Hannitys show years ago, Watters has remained a popular figure among Fox News viewers. When Fox made its announcement about the lineup change, some legacy news outlets immediately focused on previous comments that he made during a 2021 event in which he criticized former White House COVID-19 adviser Anthony Fauci. An advertisement features current and former Fox News personalities, including Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, in New York City, on March 13, 2019, as seen in a file photo. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Fox News Tonight, the temporary program that filled Carlsons timeslot, used a rotating cast of Fox News personalities, including morning host Brian Kilmeade, Harris Faulkner, Will Cain, former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and more. On April 24, Fox News stunned the media world when it announced in a brief news release that it was parting ways with Carlson, the networks most popular host and a leading voice among conservative figures known to focus on issues that impact working- and middle-class Americans. He has since launched a show on Twitter, which has drawn tens of millions of viewers per episode on average, so far. Lawyers for Fox News, meanwhile, have reportedly sent letters to Carlson, demanding he stop his Twitter show because hes still under contract for the network. Lawyers for Carlson, meanwhile, have said that Fox News is violating their clients First Amendment right to free speech. Earlier this month, Harmeet Dhillon, one of Carlsons attorneys, suggested that other conservative figures should boycott Fox News in light of the networks demand letters to Carlson. As for the former Fox News star, he hasnt publicly commented on why he left the network, although one of his Twitter videos criticized his former employer for reportedly firing a producer for creating a banner that accused President Joe Biden of being a wannabe dictator after former President Donald Trumps arrest on federal charges. At the same time, Daily Wire host Matt Walsh published internal Fox documents suggesting that the company promotes left-wing gender theory and features a pride month campaign recommending controversial pro-LGBT books to its employees, among other measures. That drew a warning from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Twitter, who wrote Fox News could be engaging in a kind of deliberate alienation of its own audience that might not end well for the channel. But for the fact that there is no other large cable news company in America that is widely known as conservative (or even right of center), this account could prove devastating, he wrote, noting that another conservative-leaning network would take its spot in the near future. Glory to Hong Kong Injunction May Have Global Impact, Rights Groups Urge Tech Giants to Oppose Twenty-four global human rights groups recently wrote a letter to the CEOs of six online platforms, including Apple, Google, and Meta, urging them to oppose the Hong Kong governments request for a ban on the protest song Glory to Hong Kong (hereafter referred to as Glory), stating that the ban will have a disastrous impact on freedom of expression and access to information in Hong Kong and even globally. Internet companies must unite against information censorship in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government is seeking a ban on the song Glory, prohibiting any form of broadcasting, performance, or distribution of the song through channels such as the Internet. They also provided a document listing 32 videos of Glory on YouTube. Concerns have been raised that once the ban is implemented, the song may disappear from the Internet entirely. Currently, several of the videos mentioned in the Department of Justices form cannot be viewed or have been taken down by the uploaders. Most of the 24 overseas human rights groups that initiated the joint letter are organizations concerned with human rights in Hong Kong or organizations of overseas Hongkongers, such as Human Rights Watch, Hong Kong Watch, Hong Kong Democracy Council, and We The Hongkongers; there is also Electronic Frontier Foundation which is concerned with privacy rights in electronic technology, freedom of speech and innovation, and Campaign for Uyghurs, which is concerned with Uyghur human rights. The joint letter was sent to the CEOs of six multinational internet technology giants, namely Spotify, Apple, Alphabet, Google, Twitter, and Meta Platforms (operator of Facebook), urging them to oppose the ban on Glory. The ban affects Hong Kong and will have a disastrous impact on global freedom of expression and information access. The joint letter said, The injunction would prohibit anyone from broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing in any way the song and its lyrics with the intent ofinciting others to commit secession, with a seditious intention, or in such a wayas to be likely to be mistaken as the national anthem of Hong Kong, suggests that it is an independent state with intent to insult the national anthem. However, these definitions are too broad and vague. Under the National Security Law, the crime of secession does not require the use of force or coercion, and peaceful actions such as speech or songs can be criminalized; the provisions on incitement are also broad, with a low threshold for criminalization. Since 2020, the Hong Kong government has used these laws to prosecute dissidents and violate Hong Kong peoples freedom of expression. The joint groups added that this injunction would be used to censor Glory to Hong Kong globally, building on the growing tendency of Hong Kong authorities to apply abusive laws for actions committed outside Hong Kongs territory. The joint letter cited the example of Meta being forced to remove content 50 times between July 2020 and June 2022, for which the Hong Kong government was responsible. In addition, a 23-year-old Hong Kong woman was charged with sedition upon her return to Hong Kong after posting comments about Hong Kong independence on Facebook while studying in Japan. The letter also mentions that Google has previously fought injunctions in Canadian and American courts and hopes that tech companies will respond similarly. The most respected medical journals have published some remarkable studies, but you wont hear about them from your local physician or scientists who have an embarrassingly uninformed view. Presentation by Cambridge Professor Emeritus Brian Josephson at the conference New Horizons in Water ScienceThe Evidence for Homeopathy? (July 14, 2018), introduction by Lord Kenneth Ward-Atherton. By: Dana Ullman, MPH, CCH, and Lionel Milgrom, Ph.D., RHom, MARH STORY AT-A-GLANCE A major research conference at Londons Royal Society of Medicine confirmed the therapeutic effects of extremely small doses (nanodoses) of homeopathic medicines. Two Nobel Prize-winning scientists and other esteemed researchers from across the world presented compelling evidence that medicinal agents not only persist in water, but they retain therapeutic effects in these nanodoses. Our bodies hormones and cell-signaling systems also operate at this super small nanodose level. Professor Vladimir Voeikov asserted [that] Russian scientists had known for decades that tiny doses of medicines have dramatic effects on biological systems. Professor Jerry Pollack of the University of Washington is one of the leading experts on water who reported on his research, which confirms water has the capacity to store huge amounts of medicinal information, enabling homeopathic nanodoses to fully impact a persons physiology. Editors Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published Oct. 31, 2018, on Mercola.com If the common physician, scientist, and educated consumer were to believe Wikipedia, they would assume that there is absolutely no research that shows the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in the treatment of any ailment. Furthermore, they would conclude homeopathic medicines are so small in dose, there is literally nothing in a homeopathic medicine. And, if you are this gullible and vulnerable to Big Pharma propaganda, then weve got an island to sell you for $24! According to [a 2013 article published in] The Washington Post, Wikipedias articles on homeopathy and Jesus Christ are the two most controversial on that website in four leading languages (English, French, German, and Spanish). Research Shows Efficacy of Homeopathic Medicine The fact of the matter is that research showing the efficacy of homeopathic medicines has been published in some of the worlds most respected medical journals. Heres a roll call of just a few of them: The Lancet;[1] BMJ [2][3] (British Medical Journal); Chest (the publication of the American College of Chest Physicians);[4] Pediatrics (publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics);[5] Cancer (journal of the American Cancer Society);[6] Journal of Clinical Oncology;[7] Pediatrics Infectious Disease Journal (publication of the European Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases);[8] European Journal of Pediatrics (publication of the Swiss Society of Pediatrics and the Belgium Society of Pediatrics).[9] Would you be shocked to learn that [in 2018] Wikipedia doesnt mention eight of the nine references here? Not only have individual studies found efficacy in homeopathic medicines, but various systematic reviews or meta-analyses have likewise concluded the effects of homeopathic medicines are different from those of a placebo. The newest [as of 2014] review of homeopathic research published in Systematic Reviews[10] confirmed a difference between the effects of homeopathic and placebo treatments. In reviewing the highest quality studies, the researchers found that patients given homeopathic treatment were almost twice as likely to experience a therapeutic benefit than those given a placebo. Further, in reviewing a total of 22 clinical trials, patients given homeopathic remedies experienced greater than 50 percent likelihood to have benefited from the treatment than those given a placebo. Once again, Wikipedia didnt even mention this new review of clinical research in homeopathy. This important review of clinical research also acknowledged that four of the five leading previous systematic reviews of homeopathic research found a benefit from homeopathic treatment over that of placebo: Five systematic reviews have examined the RCT research literature on homeopathy as a whole, including the broad spectrum of medical conditions that have been researched and by all forms of homeopathy: four of these global systematic reviews reached the conclusion that, with important caveats, the homeopathic intervention probably differs from placebo. And if that wasnt enough, the largest and most comprehensive review [as of 2018] of basic science research (fundamental physiochemical research, botanical studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies using human cells) and clinical research into homeopathy ever sponsored by a governmental agency was undertaken recently in Switzerland.[11] This Swiss report affirmed that homeopathic high-potencies seem to induce regulatory effects and specific changes to cells and living organisms. It also reported that 20 of the 22 systematic reviews of clinical research testing homeopathic medicines detected at least a trend in favor of homeopathy. Would it puzzle you that this important review of homeopathic research is not even mentioned or referenced by Wikipedia? Homeopathic Conference at the Royal Society of Medicine July 14, 2018, we attended a groundbreaking conference in London titled New Horizons in Water ScienceThe Evidence for Homeopathy?' in the hallowed halls of the UKs Royal Society of Medicine. Held at the behest of (Lord) Aaron Kenneth Ward-Atherton, who organized and chaired the event, Ward-Atherton not only is a practicing homeopath and integrated medical physician, but also has been a formal adviser on integrated medicine to a member of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care, and had ongoing support from various peers in the British House of Lords. This conference will no doubt have sent shockwaves around the world, as delegates from over 20 countries listened in awe to two Nobel Laureates (Cambridge physicist Professor Emeritus Brian Josephson and AIDS virus discoverer, Dr. Luc Montagnier [19322022]) and several world-class scientists of equal academic stature from the United States, the UK, Israel. and Russia. And what they were saying was pure heresy to conventional medicine! As it turns out, research in water science seems to support the notion there is a significant difference between the biological and physical actions of homeopathic medicines and plain ordinary water. We should point out that this special conference did not try to review the body of clinical research (above) that verifies the efficacy of homeopathic medicines, nor did it seek to describe all the basic science studies that show that homeopathic medicines have biological or physical effects. Instead, this conference chose to focus on more fundamental questions: Does the process of remedy production in homeopathy (i.e., dilution and successionvigorous shakingof a medicinal substance in water/alcohol) have an effect on the waters long-range structure that is different from simple, pure water? And, second, are there sound and plausible explanations for how homeopathic medicines persist in water solutions despite multiple dilutions? Because most physicians and scientists are completely unfamiliar with the fascinating and amazing qualities and abilities of water, their assertions on what is and isnt possible with homeopathic medicines represent an embarrassingly uninformed viewpoint. Such assertions are at best unscientific; at worst, they simply represent sheer ignorance. The best scientists are humble in their assertions due to the fact that they know their knowledge is always limited. The average physician or scientist, however, may tend to arrogance, particularly on those subjects which they actually know nothing about. Biomolecules Communicate Over Distance Brian Josephson Ph.D., of University of CambridgeUK, was the first speaker. He echoed remarks he had made in the magazine New Scientist, saying: Simple-minded analysis might suggest that water, being a fluid, it cannot have a structure of the kind that such a picture would demand. But cases such as that of liquid crystals, which while flowing like an ordinary fluid can maintain an ordered structure over macroscopic distances, show the limitations of such ways of thinking. There have not, to the best of my knowledge, been any refutations of homeopathy that remain valid after this particular point is taken into account. Josephson powerfully critiqued generally accepted theories of how biomolecules react with their substrates. Conventionally, these are thought to match like a lock and a key, but only when they are in direct physical contact. Not so, says Josephson. Like his famous predecessor, Jacques Benveniste (who Josephson hosted at Cambridges Cavendish Laboratory back in March 1999), he argues that they can communicate over some distance long before they come together, and that such interactions are best described by quantum theory and electromagnetic signaling. Josephson also lambasted those scientists who demand that homeopathic medicines need to get chemically analyzed. He asserted that applying chemical analysis to homeopathic remedies will tell you no more about their properties than applying chemical analysis to a CD [compact disc] will tell you what music is on it. Chemical analysis is too limited a tool for either. Further, Josephson went on to show some remarkably beautiful photos and videos that provide powerful evidence of how hypersensitive water is to sound. Using an impressive new technology called cymascopy (developed by acoustics engineer John Stuart Reid),[12] Josephson was able to demonstrate the incredible influence sound has on water using this technology, producing stunning dynamic wave patterns in water that follow changes in a sounds pitch.[13] This video shows dramatically how the dynamic structure of water changes as music is played. And for this to occur, there has to be an ordering of molecules within the water to give it that dynamic structure, what is commonly referred to as a memory. Such is life, Josephson concluded. Order arises spontaneously. Creation of order (ordering) is a part of nature. Order includes disorder (fluctuations), so order requires order to be present. With crystals, the order is static; with life it is dynamic. There we have ordering within activity. Up until now, our present understanding of all this is qualitative and limited, but this must be the next step for science. Finally, Josephson wryly responded to the chronic ignorance of homeopathy by its skeptics saying, The idea that water can have a memory can be readily refuted by any one of a number of easily understood, invalid arguments. Physical Properties of Aqueous Systems Next to speak was Vladimir Voeikov from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia. A world expert on the chemical and physical properties of aqueous systems and their key role in the vital processes of living systems, Voeikov also took aim at critics who scoff at homeopathys plausibility. He then launched into a description of the extensive and highly detailed work on the biological effects of ultrahigh dilutions (or UHDs) that has been ongoing in Russia since the 1980s. One of the unfortunate side effects of the perennial distrust existing between Russia and the West has been access to research like this, mainly because it has appeared only in Russian (i.e., Cyrillic) journals. Consequently, Voeikov had a lot of ground to make upwhich he did in no uncertain terms! And, much to the audiences surprise, it turns out that Benveniste (who in 1988 was so pilloried by scientists, skeptics, and the journal Nature, [that] his reputation was trashed and he lost his laboratories and his funding) was by no means the first to suggest that solutions diluted and strongly agitated to the point where there couldnt possibly be any molecules of the original substance left could still exert biological effects. Delving back into the literature, it had been announced around a century before Benveniste. In 1955, a review had already been published on the action of UHDs. Drawing on his and his Russian colleagues work, Voeikov concluded that conventional ideas of how water dissolves substances are actually incorrect. Until now, when something dissolves in water, its particles were thought to be randomly distributed throughout the solvent. As the solution is continually diluted, these particles simply reduce in number until at a certain dilution (known as the Avogadro limit) they disappear completely. Consequently, if a solution is diluted beyond this limit, as there are apparently no particles left, such UHDs cannot possibly exert any effects, let alone on biological systems. Therefore, homeopathy (which sometimes uses dilutions of substances way beyond the Avogadro limit) must be complete bunkum. So much for conventional thinking. What Voeikov and his colleagues have shown time and again is that the process of homeopathic dilution and agitation, even down past the Avogadro limit (so that no particles are supposed to still be present), does NOT get rid of all the dissolved substance. Instead, microscopically tiny clumps of the dissolved substanceknown as nanoassociatesremain behind and are biologically active. Whats more, various analytical techniques can be used to track these nanoassociates, and they affect water in many ways that make it different from pure water, e.g., electrical conductivity and surface tension. So, a solution diluted and agitated beyond the Avogadro limit is anything but pure water. Nanoassociates Violate Conventional Laws of Behavior If that wasnt enough, Voeikov and his colleagues have shown that so-called ordinary solutionsthe kind that we make up every day and that have not been sequentially diluted and agitated as homeopaths doalso contain nanoassociates, violating what has for years been understood as laws of behavior prescribed in standard textbooks on aqueous solutions. So, not only are all those skeptics and naysayers going to have to get used to homeopathic dilutions and their effects being real, they will have to completely reassess their understanding of what happens when ANY substance is dissolved in water. Those whose solemn duty it is to rewrite textbooks are going to have a field day! Barely able to catch our breath, we were then treated to one of the most inspirational talks of the whole conference, delivered by Jerry Pollack, Ph.D., professor of bioengineering at Seattles University of Washington. Pollack is probably best known for his 2014 book, The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor, in which he outlines in highly readable terms some of his and his teams amazing discoveries about water. Exclusion Zone Water May Have Significant Implications Chiefly, these concern what happens to water when it is in contact with a surface, e.g., a membrane. And for any doubting Thomas out there we should point out that Pollacks amazing discoveries about water have been independently verified many times. It turns out that the water molecules closest to the membrane surface form an almost crystalline alignment that has the effect of excluding any dissolved particles in the water. And these exclusion zonesor EZs, as they are calledhave properties that are totally different from the bulk water, and whose consequences will have profound effects not only on our understanding of water but how we use it. For example, depending on the nature of the membrane surface, charge separation occurs between the EZ layer and the bulk water phase. Pollack showed us how this phenomenon could be used, not only to produce an incredibly simple battery powered only by radiant energy but how it could be the basis of a water desalination system. At the moment, this last application would need to be scaled up before it could be of any practical use, but if it could, there must surely be a Nobel Prize in the offing. In addition, bearing in mind that blood is mainly water being pumped through tubes of biological membranes, Pollack suggested that the same charge-separating mechanism that powered his radiant energy battery might also assist in pushing our blood through narrow vessels far removed from the pumping action of the heart. If so, such a discovery will have huge ramifications for our understanding of physiology. It turns out that Pollacks semi-crystalline EZs cannot only be separated, they are [also] able to electromagnetically store information in their molecular structure. And, as the preparation of homeopathic remedies also involves water solutions in contact with surfaces, it is quite feasible his new EZ discoveries will have a huge impact on our understanding of water memory and homeopathy. In fact, Pollack asserts that water has a HUGE capacity to store information. Further, he notes that the homeopathic process of succussion (vigorous shaking of water in glass) creates increased avenues for EZ water that then creates increased water storage. Homeopathic Methods Optimize Storage of Information in Water The founder of homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), was both a physician and the author of a leading textbook for pharmacists of his day. His many experiments attempting to reduce the harmful side effects of medicinal substances led him to a method of dilution and agitation that homeopaths use to this day. Intriguingly, what the new science presented at this conference is telling us is that Hahnemanns method seems to optimize storage of medicinal information within the very structure of water itself! Even after more than 200 years, Hahnemanns discovery of homeopathy and his contributions to medicine and pharmacology are still being uncovered. Nobel Prize winner Luc Montagnier was introduced to homeopathy and homeopathic research by Benveniste. In a remarkable interview published in Science magazine Dec. 24, 2010,[14] Montagnier expressed support for the often maligned and misunderstood medical specialty of homeopathic medicine. What I can say now is that the high dilutions (used in homeopathy) are right. High dilutions of something are not nothing. They are water structures which mimic the original molecules. Montagnier concluded the interview when asked if he is concerned that he is drifting into pseudoscience. He replied adamantly: No, because its not pseudoscience. Its not quackery. These are real phenomena which deserve further study. Teleportation Effects Montagniers study found that under the right conditions, electromagnetic signals can be transmitted from test tubes containing a highly diluted DNA sample to a different test tube containing only water and that when enzymes which copy DNA molecules are then added to this water, they behave as if DNA molecules are present, producing new DNA molecules.[15] This teleportation effect of the DNA, from one test tube to another was found to occur only when the homeopathic procedure of sequential dilution, with vigorous shaking of the test tube, was utilized. Also, Montagnier cowrote with several highly-respected scientists another article that was published in a leading scientific journal.[16] This article posits quantum effects beyond simple chemistry. Montagniers studies found that highly diluted DNA from pathogenic bacterial and viral species is able to emit specific radio waves and that these radio waves [are] associated with nanostructures in the solution that might be able to recreate the pathogen. A writer for New Scientist magazine has asserted that, if its conclusions are true, these would be the most significant experiments performed in the past 90 years, demanding reevaluation of the whole conceptual framework of modern chemistry.[17] While Montagniers work shows the influence of electromagnetic fields having a biological effect, other researchers at the conference found that nanodoses of the original homeopathic medicine persist in water solutions. Jayesh Bellare of the prestigious India Institute of Technology described his seminal research that was published in Langmuir, a highly-respected journal published by the American Chemistry Society.[18] Bellare and his colleagues found that six different homeopathic medicines, all made from minerals (gold, silver, copper, tin, zinc, and platinum), that were diluted 1-to-100, six times, 30 times, and 200 times, were each found in nanodoses from one of three different types of spectroscopy. Bellare and his team explained that homeopathic medicines are usually made in glass bottles, and the vigorous shaking of the water in these bottles releases nano-sized fragments of silica from the glass walls, and the substance being made into a medicine is literally pushed into these floating silica chips. Then, when 99 percent of the water is poured out, the silica chips cling to the glass walls. The scientists found each of the six minerals persisting in the water no matter how many times they diluted the medicine. When one considers that many of the most important hormones and cell-signaling agents of the body operate at nanodose levels, the nanodoses found in homeopathic medicines may explain how these medicines work. Still further, the fact that nanodoses are much more able to cross the blood-brain barrier, as well as most cell membranes, provides additional insight into how and why homeopathic nanodoses can elicit significant and powerful immune responses from the body. Afterword: Stop Press! The day after Ullmans interview with Dr. Joseph Mercola, a very important study on homeopathy was published on the website of one of the worlds leading scientific journals, Nature. Nature.com published a collection of studies that tested different homeopathic potencies of Rhus toxicodendron (also known as Rhus tox and Toxicodendron pubescens, commonly known as poison ivy), including 2X, 4X, 6X, 8X, 12X, 24X and 30X in the treatment of neuropathy in rats.[19] Previous research had found that Rhus Toxicodendron has significant anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and immunomodulatory activities. This new research evaluated the antinociceptive (pain-reducing) efficacy of Rhus tox in the neuropathic pain and delineated its underlying mechanism. More specifically, this research found that this homeopathic medicine showed significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. This study found that homeopathic doses of Rhus tox 24X and 30X had dramatic effects that equaled the results from a known conventional drug, Gabapentin, and did so in much safer doses. Conventional scientists have consistently asserted that these extremely small doses of homeopathic medicines could not have ANY effectsbut this studylike an increasing number of other such studies, has proven conventional scientists are wrong. The above-described study didnt investigate the influence of water in its study, but it did confirm that homeopathic nanodoses can have powerful biological and clinical effects. Dedication This article is dedicated to Dr. Peter Fisher, the now-late physician to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II [1926 2022]. A graduate of the University of Cambridge and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Faculty of Homeopathy, he was a widely published expert in rheumatology and forms of complementary and alternative medicine. Fisher chaired the World Health Organizations (WHO) working group on homeopathy and was a member of WHOs Expert Advisory Panel on Traditional and Complementary Medicine. He served as clinical director for 18 years and director of research at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (formerly the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital) [now the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine] for 22 years. He was also president of the Faculty of Homeopathy and editor-in-chief of the journal Homeopathy (the leading research journal in the field). Fisher was awarded the Polish Academy of Medicines Albert Schweitzer Gold Medal in 2007. Fisher also served as moderator for the second half of the homeopathic research conference discussed in this article. Besides all of his academic achievements, Fisher had a wicked, dryeven very dryBritish sense of humor. He was known to provide scathing critiques of the many uninformed and ill-informed skeptics of homeopathy whose criticisms of homeopathy simply proved their sheer ignorance of the subject. Sadly, on Aug.15, 2018, Fisher was riding his bicycle in London on drive your bike to work day, and was hit by a truck and killed. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here. What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc High Court Dismisses Russias Attempts to Stop Australia Taking Back Embassy Land People attend a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, outside the Russian embassy in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images) A last-ditch effort to stop the Australian government from revoking Russias rights to a new embassy has been quashed after the countrys High Court dismissed a legal challenge. High Court of Australia Justice Jayne Jagot said on Monday that the Russian governments arguments for holding onto the site were weak, and there was no legal foundation for granting an injunction. The Russian Federation was seeking an injunction against legislation passed by the Australian government on June 15 revoking leased land near Parliament House in Canberra. The lease, granted in 2008, was meant to facilitate the building of a larger embassy than the current diplomatic mission. In a desperate move, Russian diplomats took to squatting on the land last week to prevent its seizure. However, AAP reported this morning the man residing on the block has vacated the site in a car with diplomatic plates. The federal government cited national security concerns behind the removal of Russias lease with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying there was very clear security advice about the risks Russia might pose with a new facility near the Parliament House. Decision Welcomed by Prime Minister Prime Minister Albanese in a press conference on Monday welcomed the High Courts decision. The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time, he told reporters in Canberra. We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the courts ruling. The prime minister also declared that the federal government will not consider putting any other embassies on the same site in the future. We dont intend to have any embassy there. Future governments will consider what it is, I think it is a pretty good space there myself at the moment We will consider the purpose of the land, but we expect the law to be upheld, he said. According to the lawyer representing the Australian government, Tim Begbie K.C., the government had written to Russian officials over the weekend saying it would not re-lease the embassy site while the court challenge was underway. Russian authorities did not respond to the letter. I do not criticise my friend for not responding to this letter. Russia has had other things on its mind over the weekend, Begbie told the court on Monday, in reference to the recent coup attempt by the mercenary Wagner Group. 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 2011. 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. Ireland is offering to pay up to $92,000 for people to live on its 30 remote, idyllic islands off the western coast in an attempt to revitalize the islands that have rolling green hills, emerald seas, and moody skies as a realistic option for long-term living. Our Living Islands is a 10-year policy fronted by the Irish Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. She said in a June statement that the ambitious policy will have a real and transformative effect on our islands and improve the lives of the people and families living there. Ballinacregga is a typical settlement on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway, Ireland. (matthi/Shutterstock) The 10-year policy includes a three-year action plan comprising 80 commitments to improve housing and water infrastructure, health and education services, roads and piers, outdoor amenities, and sustainable tourism, as well as introducing high-speed broadband internet and remote working hubs to make working life easier for island residents. A government grant will also go toward turning empty and derelict buildings into long-term homes. To cap off this immense island regeneration, Ireland offers cash grants of up to 84,000 (approx. US $92,000) to anyone who buys property on one of the islands after July 1. The catch is that the property must have been built before 1993, and must have been vacant for at least two years, Business Insider reported. Additionally, the grant money can only be used toward structural improvements, insulation, and redecoration. The islands are cut off daily by shifting tides and are not connected to the mainland by bridges or causeways. Each small island already has a loyal, permanent population of hundreds. The 10-year policy is aimed at retaining these residents, enticing new residents, and encouraging tourists to enjoy the unique culture, heritage, and biodiversity that the islands have to offer. Our coastal islands and their communities are an integral part of the fabric of rural Ireland, the Department for Rural and Community Development said. A road on Inishmore. (Lisandro Luis Trarbach/Shutterstock) Humphreys believes that in launching the Our Living Islands policy we will see more people living on the islands and more people working on our islands, with good career prospects, regardless of where their employer is headquartered. We will see our island communities, and especially young people, having an active role in shaping the future for their own islands, Humphreys said. On June 13, Humphreys approved capital funding of 1.9 million (approx. US$2.07 million) from five local authorities to start work on major infrastructure on the islands, such as piers, roads, and playgrounds, according to a statement. (Timothy Emmanuel Walter/Shutterstock) However, this is not the first time these unique Irish islands have appealed to new residents. In 2019, people living on Inishmore, formerly Arainn Mhor, meaning kidney-shaped, sent open letters to the United States and Australia asking people to consider moving to their beautiful remote home to enjoy time for living, CNN reported. Weve a whole host of multi-talented people here, ready to collaborate, read the open letter. Or if youre looking for a change of pace, why not come here. Your commute, no matter where you are, will only ever be five minutes. 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 Rep. Jordan Demands Answers on Hunter Biden Prosecutors Refusal to Provide Documents Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks during John Durhams testimony in Congress in Washington on June 21, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) wants to know why U.S Attorney David Weiss, the prosecutor who struck a plea deal with Hunter Biden, is denying requests on Attorney General Merrick Garlands behalf. In a May 25 letter (pdf) to Garland, Jordan had requested documents and communications related to the Department of Justices (DOJ) alleged retaliation against IRS whistleblowers investigating Biden. In reply, Jordan received a letter from Weiss declining to accommodate his requestsa fact the congressman described as unusual in his June 22 response. The Committees May 25 letter was addressed to Attorney General Garland because it sought documents in possession of the broader Department of Justice, not solely the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware, Jordan wrote. We reiterate those requests to the Department and expect to receive the responsive material promptly. Adding to his initial requests, Jordan asked that Weiss provide a list of all those who assisted in drafting his June 7 letter, as well as the names of the people who instructed him to sign and send it and who forwarded him the committees letter. The congressman also requested the details of any conversations or communications Weiss had with Garland pertaining to the committees letter. Political Considerations In his June 7 letter, Weiss wrote that Jordans letter had been forwarded to him with a request that he respond on behalf of the Justice Department. Noting that Jordans inquiry appeared to relate to an investigation in his district, Weiss wrote, If my assumption is correct, I want to make clear that, as the Attorney General has stated, I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, consistent with federal law, the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and Departmental regulations. Citing the need to keep his investigation separate from the sphere of politics, the attorney said that Jordan and his committee were seeking confidential information and that his work would be seriously prejudiced if he were to accommodate their requests. Throughout my tenure as U.S. Attorney, my decisions have been madeand with respect to the matter must be madewithout reference to political considerations, Weiss said. Jordan, however, noted in his reply that the committee did not ask for information about Weiss investigation but rather the Justice Departments treatment of a protected whistleblower. Here, the Committees focus is not interested in where, when, and whether the Department will prosecute or decline to prosecute a particular person, he wrote, but rather in understanding whether the Department is faithfully adhering to whistleblower protection laws, and, if not, whether Congress must consider legislative reforms. Concluding that the Justice Department has no legitimate basis to refuse his requests, Jordan gave Weiss until 5 p.m. ET on July 6 to provide all the requested documents and information. Whistleblowers Claims Jordans letter coincided with the House Ways and Means Committees public release of the sworn testimony of two IRS whistleblowers involved in the probe of Hunter Bidens taxes. Following a party-line vote on June 22, the Republican-led committee released the redacted documents, revealing the individuals claims of witnessing privileged treatment for Biden, Justice Department interference, and retaliation for voicing their concerns. In a statement, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) said the whistleblowers testimony served as evidence of an uneven playing field that benefits the wealthy and politically connected. The preferential treatment Hunter Biden received would never have been granted to ordinary Americans, said Smith, charging that the Justice Department intervened to protect the presidents son. 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, he noted. Plea Deal The House Republicans released the whistleblowers testimony just days after learning of Hunter Bidens agreement to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts for willful failure to pay his taxes. The two charges each carry a maximum penalty of 12 months in prison. The presidents son also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program to avoid conviction for his unlawful possession of a firearm while using or addicted to a controlled substance. The felony offense typically carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. According to Weiss, the investigation remains ongoing. Republicans, however, have blasted the bargain as a sweetheart deal that effectively lets Hunter Biden off the hook for his wrongdoing. Looks like Hunter received a sweetheart deal and is not facing any charges on the massive corruption allegations, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on Twitter. If Hunter was not connected to the elite DC class he would have been put in jail a long time ago. Likewise, on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump likened the deal to a traffic ticket, adding, Our system is BROKEN! President Joe Biden, on the other hand, has remained tight-lipped on the situation. During a meeting last week with artificial intelligence experts, he responded to reporters questions about his son with a brief statement: Im very proud of my son. Kansas AG Seeks to Block Alterations to Transgender Peoples Birth Certificates Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach speaks at a rally in Topeka, Kansas, on Oct. 6, 2018. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a petition on June 23 in federal court asking a judge to end a mandate requiring Kansas to allow transgender people to alter their birth certificates. If Kobachs June 23 petition, which doesnt seek to reverse past alterations, is successful, those who identify as transgender could be prevented from altering their birth certificates to reflect their chosen gender identities. The Kansas attorney general is attempting to change a 2019 decision (pdf) by U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree that imposed the requirement. The judges decision at the time resolved a lawsuit brought by four residents of Kansas who identified as transgender against three state health department officials. The four individuals, along with the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project, filed the lawsuit in October 2018 against the state Department for Health and Environment, which is responsible for issuing birth certificates. The lawsuit alleged that the states policy violated the equal protection and due process rights of individuals identifying as transgender. It also stated that denying alterations sent an ideological message and compelled transgender people to identify with the sex that was incorrectly assigned to them at birth, thereby violating their right to free expression. Crabtrees decision reversed a policy enacted by conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback that made Kansas one of the states with the strictest regulations for changing the sex listed on an individuals birth certificate. Lambda Legal, a national pro-LGBT organization, represented the plaintiffs suing the health department. Negative Response in Kansas, Elsewhere Kobachs petition has been denounced by the four transgender plaintiffs attorneys, the ACLU of Kansas, and Lambda Legal. LGBT activists have said that changing transgender peoples birth certificates, drivers licenses, and other records to match their gender identities is a key part of recognizing their identities and often makes a big difference in a transgender persons mental health. The number of states that dont let transgender people change birth records has decreased due to federal court cases such as the one in Kansas. The ACLU of Montana stated that it will fight a rule from last year that people cant change what their birth certificate says about their gender. Given a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a federal statute against sex discrimination in work also prohibits sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, Kobachs endeavor was uncertain. Federal justices in Idaho and Ohio overturned transgender birth certificate restrictions in 2020. This month, federal judges in Tennessee and Oklahoma rejected challenges to two of the few remaining state rules banning such modifications. According to the 2019 suit, the Brownback administrations policy prevented transgender individuals from obtaining new drivers licenses and Social Security cards, causing critics to argue that the policy made it more difficult for transgender people to register to vote and enroll their children in public institutions. More Kobach Resistance to Progressive Changes Kobach joined a coalition of 16 states to challenge a proposed rule that would allow certain unlawful aliens to receive Obamacare. Under Kobachs leadership, a coalition of attorneys general urged the Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw the proposed rule pending judicial review. The Biden administration is seeking to flagrantly violate federal law by providing Obamacare benefits to illegal aliens. This is one more example of the administration willfully attacking the rule of law in immigration, Kobach said in his press release. The attorneys general are opposed to the proposed rule because federal law prohibits recipients of deferred action from receiving federal benefits. The attorneys general also contend that, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, deferred deportation recipients lack lawful immigration status. Aliens granted deferred action, including those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created by the Department of Homeland Security are not included with Congresss definition of qualified alien, nor do they fall within an exception to the prohibition on public benefits, the comment letter reads. Indeed, Congress broadly prohibited non-qualified aliens from receiving any federal public benefit not withstanding any other provision of law. ACLU Kansas responded to the June 23 move by saying they vehemently condemned Kobachs motion, according to a press release sent to The Epoch Times. No matter how much Attorney General Kobach and extremists in our state legislature may wish to, they cannot erase the fundamental protections the Constitution guarantees to every single LGBTQ+ Kansan, wrote Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas. Mr. Kobach should rethink the wisdomand the sheer indecencyof this attempt to weaponize his offices authority to attack transgender Kansans just trying to live their lives. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Knife-Wielding Homeless Man Shot by Police at Los Angeles Hotel LOS ANGELESA homeless man is in stable condition at a hospital, suffering from at least one gunshot wound after he allegedly refused officers commands to drop a knife they say he had been threatening patrons with at a hotel June 25 morning in Little Tokyo. The shooting occurred at 3:48 a.m. at the Miyako Hotel on 328 E. First St., the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported. Police said they received a call about a man with a knife threatening staff at about 3:30 a.m. When the officers arrived they saw a man with a knife in the lobby, according to an LAPD statement. They gave him commands to drop the knife. The suspect failed to obey the officers commands, he advanced towards the officers and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Paramedics rushed the suspect, who is in his 30s, to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. No officers were injured. LA Council Committee Delays Decision to Suspend Price Until August LOS ANGELESA Los Angeles City Council committee voted on June 23 to defer a recommendation regarding the possible suspension of Councilman Curren Price, who faces various criminal charges, until their Aug. 25 meeting. In the meantime, the committee voted 30 to approve a second motion calling for the city to engage constituents of the Ninth District and receive input on Prices possible suspension. With Price facing charges of embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest, the councils Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee mulled the suspension motion that was put forth last week by Council President Paul Krekorian. The committee voted 30 to delay any recommendations on Prices possible suspension and wait to hear more information on what actions the council could take. Price issued a statement shortly after the committee meeting, saying he was pleased that the committee delayed its vote as he has not yet had the opportunity to answer the unwarranted charges against him. I hope that the committee, and the full Council, will extend the same presumption of innocence that the law extends to me, and I look forward to proving my innocence, Price said in a statement. The Rules Committee met in Room 401 at City Hall, which quickly filled to capacity as constituents of the Ninth District came to urge the committee not to suspend Price. In response to the outpour of support, Price expressed his sincerest gratitude to the dozens and dozens of neighbors, the young, and young at heart, who came out in droves to speak from the heart on all the wonderful work taking place across our community. Price continued to say that his constituents voices mattered and roared like thunder across City Hall today. Krekorian, chair of the committee, said the charges against Price are of real concern, and that is why its important that we consider every aspect of the actions that we may or may not take. He noted his motion begins the process of analysis. According to Krekorian, the city charter does not require that a councilor be suspended, even when theyre charged with a crime. Suspension of the member is up to the discretion of the council. The councilman explained that one reason for suspension is to protect the city and taxpayers from the continued risk of having a councilor charged with crimes. Krekorian alluded to the various cases in which a city official fell into legal or political turmoil, including former councilors Jose Huizar and Mitch Englander who both pleaded guilty to federal charges in recent years. Krekorian also mentioned Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted earlier this year of federal charges for trading votes during his time on the county Board of Supervisors in exchange for benefits provided by the University of Southern California to his son. A person walks past signs posted outside City Hall calling for the resignations of L.A. City Councilors Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo in the wake of a leaked audio recording in Los Angeles, on Oct. 18, 2022. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) In the case of Huizar and Englander, Krekorian noted it was clear that the City Council needed to act to protect the people of Los Angeles. However, when it came to the case of Ridley-Thomas, Krekorian recognized that the council moved very quickly to suspend the former councilman in light of serious charges brought against him. In the many months that followed, it became very clear what the real world impact of that suspension was, Krekorian said. I dont know as I reflect back on it whether it was mistake ultimately to vote for suspension, but I do know it was a mistake to do so quickly without thinking about what would come after. The result was that for almost the remainder of his term, we were left with a district without a voting representative that they elected, he added. Krekorian expressed the council is in a similar situation with Price as was the case with Ridley-Thomas. He also emphasized that the council has not heard one iota of evidence to support these charges against Price. The Council President listed a number of questions and concerns related to Prices suspensionmainly the consequences of ensuring representation and services to the Ninth District. In addition, Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia publicly confirmed that if the council suspended Price, then he would not pay Prices salary. Krekorian said he was concerned there would be an impact on Prices family. Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who sits on the Rules Committee, agreed with Krekorian. This hearing is an example of the kind of input that the Council always needs to get when making a very, very weighty decision, Harris-Dawson said. He motioned for the committee to defer the proposal to suspend price. The committee will receive a report on what other cities have done when considering suspending their own council members facing criminal charges. Councilman Hugo-Soto Martinez, who was appointed to replace Price as a member of the Rules Committee, concurred with his colleagues. He said the committee should have a thorough and meticulous process. New Email Contradicts Garland on Hunter Biden Probe as Impeachment Talk Heats Up House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has raised the idea of possibly opening an impeachment inquiry into U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland as a new email contradicts Garlands testimony regarding the Hunter Biden investigation. U.S. Attorney David Weiss recently brought several tax charges against Hunter Biden, President Joe Bidens son, resulting in the younger Biden admitting guilt. However, IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley has alleged in testimony to Congress that Weiss told top officials during a meeting in 2022 that he wasnt the person deciding whether charges would be filed and that requests for charges to be brought in Washington and California had been rejected. The allegations were made public on June 22. Garland told reporters afterward that the allegations werent true. Weiss was permitted to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to, according to Garland. He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own, Garland said. But an email shows that Shapleys testimony was corroborated by IRS official Darrell Waldon. Waldon, who also was in the 2022 meeting, in the email responds to a summary of the meeting by Shapley. Shapley wrote that Weiss said he wasnt the ultimate authority on charging decisions, that Weiss said his request for charges to be brought in Washington was rejected, and that Weiss said his request to be appointed special counsel was denied by Department of Justice leadership. You covered it all, Waldon wrote. He said he was making a referral to the Treasury inspector general for tax administration. Garland told Congress in April that Weiss was in charge of the Hunter Biden investigation and that there will not be interference of any political or improper kind. Garland also said more recently that Weiss never asked him to be made special counsel. The IRS declined when asked to make Waldon available to comment. The Department of Justice (DOJ) didnt return an inquiry. Either Merrick Garland was not informed and didnt know what the people under him were doing or he knew about it and lied to Congress about it, Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundations Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, told The Epoch Times. McCarthy said the disparities between the accounts mean that Weiss must provide answers to Congress. Garland has said that he supports Weiss testifying on the investigation. If it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, were going to start impeachment inquiries on the attorney general, McCarthy said on Fox & Friends on June 26. If Garland lied to Congress, that would be potential grounds for impeachment, Spakovsky said. The email also contradicts Weiss, who recently told the House Judiciary Committee that he was granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges. Gary told the truth, its verifiable, and no one has offered a shred of evidence contradicting any of it, said Empower Oversights Jason Foster, one of the lawyers representing Shapley. Foster and the rest of Shapleys legal team said its up to Weiss and the DOJ to reconcile the evidence with the statements from Weiss and Garland. Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, is the U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware. A spokesperson for that office declined to comment. Weiss charged Hunter Biden on June 20 with two misdemeanor tax charges and a felony firearm charge. The presidents son plans to plead guilty to the tax charges and is being allowed to enter a diversion process for the felony charge that could lead to it being dismissed. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to the press after meeting with President Joe Biden to discuss the debt limit at the White House on May 22, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Probe Took Five Years The probe into Hunter Biden started in November 2018, according to Shapley. The IRS agent says he came forward to shine a light on conduct that I believed was improper and outside the norm of what I have come to know during my 14 years of experience as an IRS criminal investigation agent. Now that the committee has taken the step of releasing my 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, he said. The House Ways and Means Committee released transcripts of interviews with Shapley and another IRS whistleblower after a 2518 vote. All Republicans on the panel voted to release the transcripts. All Democrats on the panel voted against the release. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), a former prosecutor, said the transcripts show a level of criminality and that Hunter Biden receiving a plea deal before investigators reviewed all the evidence was very unusual. Weiss told the federal court in Delaware this month that Hunter Biden planned to plead guilty to two violations of a law that forbids intentionally failing to pay taxes. According to charging documents, Hunter Biden made more than $3 million in 2017 and 2018 and failed to pay more than $200,000 owed in taxes for those years. Each misdemeanor count carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. The government is also allowing Hunter Biden to enter a pretrial diversion agreement for the third charge, illegal possession of a gun while being addicted to a controlled substance. A person convicted of the charge can receive up to 10 years in prison. Christopher Clark, a lawyer representing Hunter Biden, declined to comment. The president and first lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life, Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, told media outlets in a statement. We will have no further comment. Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately stated that Garland appointed Weiss. He was appointed by Trump. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Wagner mercenaries were headed back to base on Sunday after Russia's President Vladimir Putin agreed to allow their leader to avoid treason charges and accept exile in Belarus. The agreement ended the immediate threat that Yevgeny Prigozhin's private army could storm Moscow, but analysts said Wagner's revolt had exposed Putin's rule as more fragile than had been thought. "Anti-terror" security measures were still in place in Moscow on Sunday, although fewer police were visible and passers-by said they were unconcerned, despite Prigozhin's exact whereabouts remaining unclear. He was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, to the cheers of a group of young civilian bystanders, who came to shake his hand through the car window. Trucks carrying armoured vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. His troops had left the Rostov military headquarters, and authorities in the Voronezh and Lipetsk regions northwards to Moscow said more forward Wagner units had also turned back. There were reports that Wagner fighters had come as close as 400 kilometres from Moscow, while Prigozhin himself claimed that "in 24 hours we got 200 kilometres from Moscow." His long-standing feud with military top brass over the conduct of the Russian operation in Ukraine boiled over on Saturday, when Wagner forces seized the Rostov base and advanced towards the capital. Putin denounced the action as treason and vowed to punish the perpetrators, accusing them of pushing Russia to the brink of civil war -- only to then accept a rapidly cobbled-together agreement to avert Moscow's most serious security crisis in decades. 'Russian blood' Within hours of Prigozhin's surprise announcement that his forces would return to base to avoid "spilling Russian blood", the Kremlin said Putin's former ally would leave for Belarus. Russia would drop the "armed rebellion" charges against Prigozhin and not prosecute Wagner troops, it said. Ukraine revelled in the chaos, stepping up its own counter-offensive against Russian forces in the country and mocking Putin's apparent humiliation. Analysts also said the deal had exposed weakness in the Russian president's grip on power. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said he had negotiated the truce with Prigozhin. Moscow thanked him, but observers noted that an intervention by Lukashenko, usually seen as Putin's junior partner, was itself an embarrassment. Little is known about the deal, with Minsk saying simply that "negotiations continued throughout the day." Asked if Prigozhin had been given a guarantee that he would be able to leave to Belarus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told domestic media: "It is the word of the president of Russia." In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky's senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted: "Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence." Russia insisted the rebellion had no impact on its faltering Ukraine campaign and the day after the mutiny said it had repelled new offensive attacks by Ukrainian forces. Kyiv, however, said the unrest offered a "window of opportunity" for its long-awaited counter-offensive. Ukraine also said Sunday that the death toll on this weekend's strike on Kyiv rose to five, with two more bodies recovered from rubble in the capital's Solomyanski district. Shock troops Wagner fighters were often thrown into the front of Russia's advance in Ukraine, made up of volunteers, ex-security officers as well as thousands of convicts Prigozhin had recruited. The outfit also conducts several operations in the Middle East and Africa. These missions are seen to have the Kremlin's backing and amount to Russian influence operations to curry favour with African governments and win access to mineral resources. Independent political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP: "The crisis of institutions and trust was not obvious to many in Russia and the West yesterday. Today, it is clear. "Yesterday's call for unity made by representatives of the elites only confirmed this. Behind these is a crisis of institutions and fears for themselves," he said. He noted that Russian leaders would be concerned by the sight of civilian onlookers applauding Wagner units in Rostov. "Putin's position is weakened," he said. "Putin underestimated Prigozhin, just as he underestimated Zelensky before that. He could have stopped this with a phone call to Prigozhin but he did not." The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said: "The Kremlin now faces a deeply unstable equilibrium. "The Lukashenko-negotiated deal is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution, and Prigozhin's rebellion exposed severe weaknesses in the Kremlin and Russian MoD." Mercenary legion US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, in an interview with CBS news, that Wagner's short-lived uprising had marked "a direct challenge to Putin's authority" and "shows real cracks" in Russian state authority. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the daily Il Messaggero: "The myth of the unity of Putin's Russia is over. This internal escalation divides the Russian military alliance. "It's the inevitable outcome when you support and finance a legion of mercenaries," he said. China's foreign minister Qin Gang met Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing on Sunday. Afterwards the Chinese foreign ministry declared the mercenary revolt Russia's "internal affair" but expressed support for Putin's government. "As a friendly neighbour and a new era comprehensive strategic cooperative partner, China supports Russia in protecting national stability and achieving development and prosperity," it said. Search Keywords: Short link: Merck Facing Lawsuits for Allegedly Hiding Severe Psychiatric Side Effects of Asthma Drug The drug, sold under the brand name of Singulair, debuted in 1998 Signage is seen at the Merck & Co. headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J., on Nov. 13, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters) Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. Inc. is facing lawsuits that accuse the firm of downplaying potential negative psychiatric effects of its asthma medication Singulair, including thoughts of suicide. Singulair, also known as montelukast, was launched by Merck in 1998, with the product label stating that the drugs distribution in the brain was minimal. The company also did not mention any psychiatric side effects that could result from consuming the medication. More than two decades since, several reports of neuropsychiatric problems have popped up among patients who used Singulair, including children. Side effects include hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and depression. Merck is now facing multiple lawsuits insisting that the company knew early on that the medication could affect the brain, and that Merck lied to regulators about potential psychiatric side effects. In its 1996 patent for Singulair, Merck stated that the drug could be used for treating cerebral spasms, a neurological condition. Plaintiffs argue that this is proof of the company having knowledge about Singulairs potential effects on the brain. Following the 1998 launch, numerous reports of neuropsychiatric problems among users began to hit internet forums as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) early warning system. FDA Takes Closer Look In a 2019 advisory panel meeting convened by the FDA, the agency tallied 82 suicides that were linked to Singulair or its generic versions. Among the suicide reports, the ages of the victims were provided in 64 cases, and 31 of them were 19 years old or younger. Singulair has made Merck about $50 billion in revenues. Lawsuits against Merck cite research conducted by cell biologist Julia Marschallinger, who has analyzed the drug with her colleagues at Austrias Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine. A 2011 investigation by the team found reports that the drug induced psychiatric side effects like hallucinations, depression, and agitation, suggesting the medication affected the brain. In 2014, the team analyzed Mercks original animal studies of the drug and discovered that except for the brain, the medication disappeared from all parts of the body within 24 hours of ingestion. In the brain, the presence of the drug rose over time, eventually exceeding the amount in both the lungs and blood. Marschallinger reported that there was a substantial amount of drug that reached the brain, contradicting Mercks claim that the presence of the drug in the brain was minimal. In March 2008, 10 years after the launch of Singulair, the FDA announced that it was investigating the drug for possible association with mood changes and suicidality. In August 2009, the FDA said that it had updated the precautions section of Singulair, stating that neuropsychiatric events had been reported in patients using the drug. The events include postmarket cases of agitation, aggression, anxiousness, dream abnormalities and hallucinations, depression, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. Healthcare professionals should consider discontinuing these medications if patients develop neuropsychiatric symptoms, the agency said. New Warning In 2014, the FDA convened a panel to consider Mercks request to allow Singulair to be offered over the counter. The agency asked the company to reanalyze its clinical trial data from 2009. Merck reported that one case of attempted suicide and another case of hospitalization for suicidal thoughts were reported among two teens taking the drug. But the trial investigator determined that the adverse events were not related to the medication. Though the FDA rejected Singulairs over-the-counter request for the drug, it did not insist that the company perform new studies, as neuropsychiatric side effects were a known safety issue. In March 2020, the FDA added a black box warning for Singulairthe most severe warning issued by the agencyfor serious mental health side effects. Singulairs prescribing information already includes warnings about mental health side effects, including suicidal thoughts or actions, the FDA said at the time. However, many healthcare professionals and patients/caregivers are not aware of the risk. We decided a stronger warning is needed after conducting an extensive review of available information and convening a panel of outside experts. The Epoch Times has reached out to Merck and the FDA for comment. Reuters contributed to this report. Mother of Titan Submersible Victim Gave Excited Son Her Spot on Doomed Vessel The wife and mother of Titan submersible victims Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood originally planned to make the trip with her husband but gave the spot to her 19-year-old son because he was so excited about the project and really wanted to go. Christine Dawood told the BBC on Monday that she had initially planned to embark on a deep-sea trip to view the Titanic wreck together with her husband years ago, but that trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dawood said both her son and husband wanted to view the famous shipwreck for a very long time, and when the couple initially planned the trip, her son was so disappointed because he was too young at the time to make the trip. He was like, But I want to go and Why am I not old enough,' Dawood said, adding that it was supposed to be Shahzada and I going down. But then I stepped back and gave the space to Suleman because he really wanted to go, she said. Asked how she felt now about giving her spot on the submersible to her son, an emotional Dawood declined to answer and said: Lets just skip that. Dawood also revealed that her son did not go anywhere without his Rubiks Cube and had an unusual goal in addition to seeing the Titanic wreckage. He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube at 3,700 meters below ground, below sea, at the Titanic,' Dawood quoted her son as saying, adding that they had brought a camera to capture the moment. The 19-year-old teenager was so excited about it that he even applied to the Guinness World Records to become the first person to solve the 3-D combination puzzle at the deepest point near the world-famous shipwreck. The application, however, got rejected, Dawood noted. I Lost Hope Dawood was together with her 17-year-old daughter on board a support vessel when staff told her that they got word communications were lost with the submersible carrying her family. She told the network that initially, she didnt fully understand what it meant that the Titan submersible had lost contact with the ship an hour and 45 minutes into its voyage. It would be four more days before she learned the fate of her husband and son when authorities confirmed that the vessel carrying five people had imploded and there were no survivors. We all thought they are just going to come up, she said. That shock was delayed about 10 hours or so. There was a time where they were supposed to be up on the surface. When that time passed, that is when the worry and not so good feelings started. Dawood said she had loads of hope during the international search for the Titan, noting that it was the only thing that got us through it. There were so many actions on the sub that people can do in order to surface, she said of believing they may survive. It was like a rollercoaster, more like a wave We kept looking at the surface. Dawood said she lost hope when they passed the 96-hour mark, sending a message to her family that she was preparing for the worst. Her 17-year-old daughter was still hopeful until the call with the U.S. Coast Guard about finding debris from the Titan. Memorials Following the catastrophic incident, Dawood said she and her daughter promised ourselves were going to learn to solve the Rubiks Cube for Suleman, later adding, I miss them I really, really miss them. She also said that her family will work to continue Shahzadas work. Shahzada 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. He was involved in so many things, he helped so many people and I think I really want to continue that legacy and give him that platform Its quite important for my daughter as well, she said. Investigators from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the French marine casualties investigation board, and the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch are working closely together on the probe of the June 18 event that drew worldwide attention. As the investigation intensifies, memorials and funeral services for the five people who died are expected to happen soon. Along with Shahzada and Suleman, those killed on the vessel were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who piloted the Titan; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. A funeral prayer service was held early Monday in Karachi, Pakistan for Shahzada and Suleman. Prayers will also be held for them Tuesday in Karachi at the Dawood Foundation, the charitable organization at which Shahzada was a member of the Board of Trustees. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News North Korea Makes New Threat Targeting the US North Korean state-run media released a photo of a rally held in Pyongyang to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War's start, on June 25, 2023. The Epoch Times couldn't verify whether the photo was doctored. (KCNA screenshot via The Epoch Times) Tens of thousands of North Koreans gathered for large rallies over the weekend in Pyongyang, where people shouted anti-U.S. slogans and issued warnings about the regimes alleged nuclear weapons stockpile, according to state-run media outlets. Roughly 120,000 people, including students, reportedly turned out at rallies in the North Korean capital city on June 24 and June 25, KCNA reported. The whole U.S. mainland is within our shooting range and the imperialist U.S. is the destroyer of peace, read placards held by masked people in a crowded stadium, in photos released by state media that may have been doctored. The rallies were held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War, coming amid concerns Pyongyang could soon conduct another launch of its first military spy satellite to boost monitoring of U.S. military activities, after its first attempt failed on May 31. Nuclear-armed North Korea has been ramping up tension with South Korea and the Souths main ally, the United States, by testing various weapons, including its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile. After the Korean War, the United States and North Koreas communist regime never signed a peace treaty. North Korea and South Korea remain technically at war because their 195053 conflict ended in an armistice. The conflict was triggered by North Korea when its forces launched a surprise attack on South Korea after famously crossing the 38th parallel, unlike what Pyongyang has long claimed, according to historians. Rallygoers also proclaimed that North Korea has an expanding nuclear weapons and missile program and insisted that their country has the strongest absolute weapon to punish the U.S. imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dare provoke, The Associated Press reported. Some also said they want to initiate a war of revenge against Washington. There are signs that North Korea is planning a huge military parade in Pyongyang, where it would likely showcase its new military hardware. Lee Sung Joon, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, told AP during a recent briefing that the Souths military was closely analyzing the Norths presumed parade preparations but didnt provide specific details. Recent commercial satellite images have shown troop and vehicle movements and the building of structures suggestive of preparations for a parade, likely for the July 27 anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement. Former President Donald Trump engaged in disarmament talks in 2019 with Kim Jong Un, dictator of North Korea, although a deal wasnt reached. Kim has since launched tests of new nuclear missiles under the Biden administration with the goal of being able to reach the United States. North Korean state-run media released a photo of a rally held in Pyongyang to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Korean Wars start, on June 25, 2023. The Epoch Times couldnt verify whether the photo was doctored. (KCNA screenshot via The Epoch Times) Trump has said that he had a good relationship with Kim and that he would again attempt to reach out to the isolated regime in a bid to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. In 2019, he became the first president to set foot on North Korean soil since the 1953 armistice was signed. Well see what that means, Trump told governors in February 2019 about working with Kim, who also praised Trump in a letter several years ago. But hes never had a relationship with anybody from this country and hasnt had lots of relationships anywhere. Before he met with Kim, however, Trump repeatedly criticized the communist leader by calling him little rocket man in 2018 and said that if North Korea continues to threaten the United States, itll be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. Earlier this month, Trump drew criticism from Republican presidential candidates after he praised Kim for controversially being named to the executive board of the U.N. World Health Organization. Congratulations to Kim Jung [sic] Un! Trump wrote via his social media platform Truth Social. Then-President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea, on June 30, 2019. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo) In response, candidates such as former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence criticized his post. Whether its my former running mate or anyone else, nobody should be praising the dictator in North Korea or praising the leader in Russia, who has launched an unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, Pence told Fox News earlier in June. This is a time when we ought to make it clear to the world that we stand for freedom and we stand with those who stand for freedom. However, the Republican hopefuls criticisms of Trump appear to have had little effect on his popularity. Recent polls show that Trump enjoys broad support among Republican voters, besting DeSantisthe No. 2 candidateby an average of about 30 percentage points. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 26 broke his silence for the first time since the Wagner mutiny ended in an uncertain truce on Saturday, with the Russian leader pledging in a televised address that the leaders of the Wagner rebellion would be brought to justice. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told President Joe Biden about Putins weakness, in a phone call on June 25. The Supreme Court lifted the stay on a Louisiana case that challenges a new congressional map. The plaintiffs, two groups of black voters, are accusing the states Republican-led legislature of violating section 2 of the Voters Rights Act. They argue that the map only makes one black-majority district, which dilutes their voting power. They claim that the law requires the state to create a second black-majority district. During a trip to southern Texas, presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis laid out his immigration policy, saying he will continue construction of the border wall, give more enforcement power to individual states, and more. Orange County IDA Approves Tax-Exempt Bonds for Buyer of Glen Arden The Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) on June 21 approved the re-issuance of a decades-old tax-exempt bond to facilitate the pending sale of Glen Arden. Glen Arden is a Goshen-based, high-end retirement community that has been mired in financial distress for years and failed to pay local taxes since 2021. Bethel Communities Management proposed to buy the troubled company last year, on the heels of successfully turning around a bankrupt retirement community in Westchester County. The proposed purchase has no cash involved andif it comes throughwill result in Bethels takeover of almost all Glen Arden assets and liabilities, including the outstanding bond balance owed to IDA and back taxes owed to Orange County, Town of Goshen, Village of Goshen, and Goshen Central School District. In 1998, IDA issued a tax-exempt bond of $28 million to Glen Arden to finance the construction of its facilities and the interior build-out. By obtaining the IDA approval on a bond re-issuance, Bethel takes on Glen Ardens responsibility to repay the outstanding balance, which is around $13 million. As to the back taxes, a tentative repayment plan offered by the buyer indicates 20 percent due at closing, with the rest to be paid in monthly installments over several years. The IDA approval is contingent upon Bethel reaching an agreement with the aforementioned local taxing districts. Glen Arden, a continuing care retirement community, in Goshen, N.Y., on June 27, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times) The ownership change is expected to be smooth, as Bethel has been managing Glen Arden under an agreement since 2019. Once changing hands, the retirement community will also bear a new name, Knolls at Goshen. Bethels turnaround plan is to double the number of occupied independent living units in four years, from 62 now to 99 by the end of 2024 and 126 by the end of 2027. Glen Ardens financial problems came to the forefront in 2019 when a state regulatory body suspended its license after determining it was financially insolvent. As a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), Glen Arden is under the dual supervision of the New York State Department of Health and the Department of Financial Services, with CCRC Council as its regulatory body with licensing powers. CCRC is a high-end retirement community that offers various levels of care onsite, from independent living to skilled nursing care, to accommodate the changing needs of its residents. The health care center at Glen Arden, a continuing care retirement community, in Goshen, N.Y., on June 27, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times) To move into such a communitythere are only about a dozen or so CCRCs in the entire New York stateapplicants often pay one-time admission charges between $200,000 and $1 million, plus monthly fees ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Following the suspension, Glen Arden reached an agreement with the CCRC Council that it must hire an outside management company before continuing operations. By the end of 2019, Glen Arden and its parent company Elant entered into an agreement with Bethel to manage the retirement communitys day-to-day operation. One year later, Bethel submitted a purchase proposal regarding Glen Arden to the CCRC Council, which approved the application at a board meeting on May 11. The approval came with a regulatory concession that allows Bethel to gradually fill up the minimum reserve funds of the retirement community required under the state law over five years. Bethel must also provide monthly financial reports to the oversight agency as a new owner. Pelosi: There Certainly Should Be Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Sunday expressed support for putting an end to the lifelong terms of members of the U.S. Supreme Court. Pelosi, in an interview on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki, said U.S. Supreme Court justices should have term limits. Here we have a body, chosen for life, never have to run for office, nominated, confirmed for life, with no accountability for their ethics behavior, Pelosi said. There certainly should be term limits, she added. And if nothing else, there should be some ethical rules to be followed. The court has said they want to create their own ethical standard. I think thats an indication they dont have one that is sufficient, she said. Lets see what they can do. Following some discussion on abortion laws, marking one year after the courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, Psaki told Pelosi a recent Quinnipiac University poll found only 30 percent of registered voters approved of the Supreme Court, the lowest since the university began asking the question in 2004. Thirty percent seems high, Pelosi said. We have no control over the Supreme Court of the United States, except to continue to elect Democratic presidents who can continue to elect Justices who believe in the Constitution. Pelosi also said there should be more discussion on expanding the court. Its been 150 years since weve had an expansion of the courtit was in the time of Lincoln that it went up to nine, so the subject of whether that should happen is a discussion; its not, say, a rallying cry, but its a discussion, she said. The president formed a commission: they did not recommend expansion of the court, that shouldnt be the end of it. Court Controversy Other polls have similarly shown a dip in Supreme Court approval ratings. The Marquette Law Schools mid-May poll found that 41 percent of American adults approved of the court while 59 percent disapproved. Respondents also rated the honesty and ethical standards of Supreme Court justices more negatively than positively: 26 percent responded very high/high, 39 percent average, and 35 percent low/very low. A September 2022 Gallup poll showed 40 percent of Americans approved while 58 percent disapproved of the way the Supreme Court was handling its job. The Marquette Law School poll adds, The justices are generally not well known, with a majority of the public saying they dont know enough to give a favorable or unfavorable opinion about most justices, given that the court is not in the news nearly as often as the president or Congress. But recent high profile issues, including the anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the courts ruling that states may not challenge the Biden administrations deportation policy, has raised its profile for the time being. Reports by ProPublica about financial disclosures of Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito further fueled recognition, according to the poll, as well as controversy. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, pointed to these financial disclosure reports as reason to enact Supreme Court ethics legislation. The reputation and credibility of the Court are at stake. Chief Justice Roberts could resolve this today, but he has not acted, the release states. If the court has not written its own ethics rules by July 4, the Senate Judiciary Committee will mark up Supreme Court ethics legislation. Upcoming Decisions The Supreme Court, set to begin its summer break the end of the month, still has several opinions to release on major issues including affirmative action, student loan debt forgiveness, and state rules in federal election matters. In February, the court heard arguments on the Biden administrations plan to cancel up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for individuals with incomes no higher than $125,000 or households making less than $250,000. On Monday, the court ruled that a Louisiana congressional map may have to be redrawn when it dismissed an appeal made by the Louisiana Secretary of State. Earlier this month, it rejected a district courts decision to require Alabama to redraw a congressional map. Pentagons Woke Agenda Dividing, Weakening the Military: Former Space Force Officer President Joe Biden meets with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (2nd L), Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger (L), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley (R), members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commanders in the Cabinet Room of the White House on April 20, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Military service members have been increasingly exposed to a hyper-politicized and sexualized work environment, according to a former lieutenant colonel, who said the resulting divisiveness is weakening the U.S. armed forces. The Pentagons diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies have drawn increased and intense scrutiny in recent years, especially from conservatives, who dub these moves part of the woke agenda. Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, deputy chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, said that anti-LGBTQ+ laws introduced by state legislatures are affecting hiring decisions. Transformational cultural change requires leadership from the top, and we do not have time to wait, she said at a recent Pentagon Pride event. Since January of this year, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced at the state level. That number is rising and demonstrates a trend that could be dangerous for service members, their families, and the readiness of the force as a whole. Former Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier was removed from his command in 2021 for expressing opposition to Marxist-rooted critical race theory (CRT). He told The Epoch Times that theres no place in the U.S. military for the kind of advocacy that Burt participates in. Americans should know that when someone signs up to wear the uniform of their country, theyre trained early on to leave political baggage at the door and to be rather apolitical while acting in an official capacity. Service members often avoid discussing political topics, because as Lohmeier pointed out, there is something that supersedes those topics for men and women in uniformand thats a particular mission in support of national security. One can make arguments that the military became more political during the Clinton, or during the Obama administration, he said. But something radically, fundamentally shifted under the current administration, with Lloyd Austin in the seat as secretary of defense. Cultural Dialogue At the forefront of the cultural dialogue in the military is what has been driven by policy, Lohmeier said. Under then-President Donald Trump, in September 2020, federal agencies were banned from conducting diversity and inclusion training in an effort to combat race and sex stereotyping. Such training was referred to in the executive order as divisive, anti-American propaganda funded by taxpayers. When President Joe Biden came into office in January 2021, he rescinded Trumps order and issued several executive orders promoting DEI in the federal government. While the military has always been, by and large, a reflection of broader American society, there is something very different going on right now in this current administration, Lohmeier said. Left-wing activists have essentially been given a bully pulpit It is politically agitating. Whether its the push for CRT, DEI, the LGBT agenda, or trans activism, he said its divisive in nature because not everyone aligns with or agrees with those agendas and some people view them as a distraction from the militarys proper priorities. But equally concerning to him is that these agendas strike at the values of the military and its role in defending the Constitution. As most service members attempt to remain apolitical, Lohmeier said, they are finding themselves in a hyper-politicized and sexualized work environment at the moment. Meanwhile, if they oppose the environment, they are labeled as politically partisan and simply part of the problem and are ostracized for it. Drag Controversy An active-duty Air Force officer reached out to Lohmeier in May, sharing an advertisement for an upcoming family-friendly drag show event to kick off Pride Month. The event was scheduled for June 1 at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. The drag show was to be hosted on base at the officers club and was sponsored by and funded by the basewhich means your taxpayer dollars, he said. Lohmeiers source said his family was concerned about the event and they werent alone. There were other families on base concerned about the event. Even though attendance at the event wasnt compulsory, flyers were being posted around the base and parents were distressed about their children being subjected to the content of those flyers, Lohmeier said. Thus, an effort to stop the event began. I sent information about the event with the promotional flyer to members of Congress, [and] I tweeted about it, he said. A few members of Congress, in particular Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), took swift action. Gaetz sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, demanding answers as to why these things are still taking place on [Department of Defense] installations, because [on March 29], the Secretary of Defense in a hearing before Congress said that the Defense Department is not using taxpayer dollars to fund drag shows. Lohmeier said the secretary was either ignorant or being disingenuous, but he said hes thankful a policy memorandum was issued in early June to end drag shows at Department of Defense installations around the world. On June 21, House Armed Services Committee Republicans adopted provisions in the annual defense spending bill to eliminate the chief diversity officer position at the Pentagon, end funding for DEI programs, and take other measures that focus on halting woke policies. Lessons Learned Lohmeier said there are lessons to be learned through this example of opposition to drag queen events at Pentagon facilities. While there are thousands concerned about drag queen shows and story hours, it only took one person to send a request for help and it made all the difference, he said. Men and women in uniform need to learn that its not off limits to speak up and voice your concern, because you could make changes in policy when you do so. There are still thousands of service members who love their country, Lohmeier said. They take pride in the country and the greatness of the American ideal, and they are willing to fight for and defend that ideal, he said. The best men and women in uniform defend the Constitution for every American, but they need not bow to the political agenda of a select few. We need decent people with traditional American values serving in the police force, in the schools, and in the military to shield us from illegal, unethical, or immoral policies that often stem from political and sexual activism run amok. The LBTGQ+ agenda is every bit as divisive for our military as the Marxist-rooted CRT. Its every bit as divisive as the diversity and inclusion training that need to be eliminated. The strength of the military is in its unity, not in its diversity. The Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense didnt return requests by The Epoch Times for comment. Putin Speaks Publicly for First Time Since Wagner Mutiny Ended Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that the leaders of the Wagner rebellion knew they would have failed in their mutiny and would have faced dire consequences had they not halted their advance on Moscow, in Putins first public comments since the march for justice by the mercenary group ended in an uncertain truce on June 24. Putins remarks on June 26 were his first since a fiery speech several days ago while the apparent rebellion was still playing out and in which the Russian leader called the Wagner chiefs actions a stab in the back and pledged to crush what he described as a rebellion. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner leader, on June 24 ordered his fast-advancing troops to stand down and return to base as part of a reported deal in which criminal charges against him would be dropped as he agreed to go into exile in neighboring Belarus. In his speech on June 26, Putin criticized the leaders of the rebellion and their criminal activity that aims at weakening the country. The organizers of this rebellion not only betrayed their country and their people, but also betrayed those whom they dragged into this mutiny, the Russian leader said. Putin added that any attempts to stir unrest are doomed to fail, while claiming that the rebellion would have been thwarted before it reached Moscow as the Kremlin was ready and had made all necessary decisions to neutralize the threat. At the same time, Putin thanked the Wagner fighters for halting their advance, adding that he believes most of them were patriots and that by turning back, they avoided further bloodshed. He added that he would let Wagner fighters relocate to Belarus if they wished, sign contracts with the defense ministry, or simply return to their families. Ahead of Putins much-anticipated speech, speculation swirled around whether the KremlinWagner truce would hold as the mercenary groups exiled leader issued a statement insisting he wasnt trying to oust Putin, while Western officials questioned whether another act is yet to play out in the dramatic saga. Prigozhin Breaks Silence Prigozhin broke his two-day silence on June 26, after his mercenary fighters on June 24 seized control of a Russian Defense Ministry headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don before mounting a lightning-fast advance on Moscow. Prigozhin released an audio message on his Telegram channel on June 26, saying that Wagners push toward Moscow wasnt an attempted coup, but a march of protest. The purpose of the march was to prevent the destruction of PMC Wagner and to bring to justice those who, through their unprofessional actions, made a huge number of mistakes during the special military operation, he said in the message. Russia called its actions in Ukraine a special military operation to de-Nazify and demilitarize its neighbor, which it accuses of seeking to become a NATO bulwark on Russias borders that threatens Moscows security. Days earlier, Prigozhin set out on a warpath against Russias Defense Ministry after an alleged attack by the Russian army on his mercenaries military camp, which Prigozhin alleged had been ordered by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu himself. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors as he addresses the nation after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, called for armed rebellion and reached the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his troops, in Moscow, Russia, on June 24, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Kremlin Projecting Calm In a stunning reversal later that day, the Wagner advance on Moscow was abruptly halted in a Belarus-brokered deal with Putins supposed blessing that guaranteed Wagner troops would be pardoned and Prigozhin would move to neighboring Belarus. The Wagner chief on June 24 said he had ordered his troops to return to their bases in Ukraine and continue fighting there on behalf of Russia, while the Belarus Presidents Office, which mediated the deal, suggested criminal charges against Prigozhin would be dropped. After the truce was announced on June 24, Prigozhin left Rostov-on-Don, with some residents giving him and his mutineers a heros send-off while he smiled for cameras. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, shakes hands with supporters as he prepares to leave Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Russia on June 26 sought to project calm, with Shoigu making his first public appearance since the Wagner revolt demanded his ouster. However, considerable uncertainty remained around the fate of the WagnerKremlin truce on the morning of June 26, as reports emerged over the weekend citing anonymous sources within Russias Prosecutor Generals Office that the criminal charges against Prigozhin had not in fact been dropped. Mikhail Mishustin, the appointed prime minister who leads Putins Cabinet, openly acknowledged on June 26 that Russia had faced a challenge to its stability and made an appeal for public loyalty. Intrigues and Ill-Considered Decisions Prigozhin said on June 26 that as a result of intrigues and ill-considered decisions, the Russian leadership had decided to break up the Wagner group and that the march on Moscow was meant as an act of protest, not a coup. We felt that demonstrating what we wanted to do was enough, he said, offering an explanation for why the Wagner advance on Moscow was halted and its troops ordered back to base. In a message on June 24, Prigozhin said that he objected to moves by Russias military establishment to disband Wagner. They wanted to disband the Wagner military company. We embarked on a march of justice on June 23. In 24 hours, we got to within 200 kilometers of Moscow. In this time, we did not spill a single drop of our fighters blood, he said. Now the moment has come when blood could be spilled. Understanding responsibility [for the chance] that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned. Fighters of Wagner, a Russian private mercenary group, are seen atop of a tank while being deployed near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. (Stringer/Reuters) After the Belarus-mediated deal was announced, the Kremlin said it would drop armed mutiny charges against Wagner fighters. We have always respected their heroic deeds at the front, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow, adding that Russian authorities were grateful to Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko for his role in deescalating the crisis. Peskov said that Wagner fighters who didnt take part in the rebellion would be offered contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, which had been seeking to bring all autonomous volunteer forces under its control by July 1, an effort that Prigozhin apparently saw as a threat to Wagners existence. It has been reported that, as part of the deal, Prigozhin wouldnt face any charges. However, several reports published by the state-run RIA Novosti and Interfax news agenciesciting anonymous sources within the Russian governmentsaid that the investigation into the Wagner revolt remains ongoing. Putins speech on June 26 did not address Prigozhin himself nor any potential charges that he might face. The Wagner leaders current whereabouts remain unclear. Rising Storm U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on June 25 on NBCs Meet the Press that Prigozhins criticisms of Russias military leadership hurt Russias image. I think its been no secret to many people over many months that these tensions were rising, they were brewing. Prigozhin was already saying some rather extraordinary things about Russias conduct of the war in Ukraine and going directly at Russias military leadership, Blinken said. So this was a rising storm. I think weve seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade. It is too soon to tell exactly where they go and when they get there. But certainly we have all sorts of new questions that Putin is going to have to address in the weeks and months ahead. This is a challenge coming from within to Putin, and thats where his focus has been. In a separate interview on CBSs Face the Nation, Blinken called the KremlinWagner saga an unfolding story. We havent seen the last act. Were watching it very closely and carefully. President Joe Biden said on June 26 that the United States and NATO had no involvement in the short-lived mutiny by Wagner, adding that its too early to assess the effect of the war in Ukraine. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system, Biden said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference at InterContinental London O2 in London on June 21, 2023. (Henry Nicholls/WPA Pool via Getty Images) Wagner in Ukraine The Wagner Group, officially known as PMC Wagner or Wagner Private Military Company, is a Russian paramilitary organization that was first identified in 2014 when it backed pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Amid Russias latest special military operation in Ukraine, Wagner forces have provided the Kremlin with key support, doing much of the heaviest fighting in the Donbas region and taking significant casualties in the fight for Bakhmut. However, in the course of Wagners engagement in Ukraine, Prigozhin had become increasingly critical of Russias military leadership. Battlefield setbacks in Ukraine, including significant Wagner casualties in bloody shootouts in the fight for Bakhmut, led Prigozhin to level a series of accusations against the military brass, including that they werent supplying Wagner with enough ammunition. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group military company, holds a Russian national flag in front of his soldiers in Bakhmut, Ukraine, in a still from video released on May 20, 2023. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP) On June 23, on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin accused Shoigu of destroying his fighters in an alleged Russian military airstrike and called for an armed mutiny. *This article has been amended to correct a mistake in the translation of Putins remarks. The previous version incorrectly stated Putin vowed that Wagner leaders would be brought to justice, whereas he said that they must have known that their mutiny would fail and that they would have been brought to justice. Supreme Court Rejects Music Lawsuit Accusing Google of Stealing Song Lyrics A Google sign at the company's office in San Francisco, Calif., on April 12, 2023. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo) The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by music website Genius Media Group after a lower court threw out its lawsuit against Alphabet, the parent company of Google, for stealing millions of song transcripts. On June 26, Supreme Court left in place a ruling that dismissed the suit by Genius, which accused Google of a breach of contract by posting song lyrics in its search engine results without a license. The case dismissed was ML Genius Holdings v. Google, case number 22-121. Google scored a victory earlier this year after justices ruled that its video-streaming platform YouTube couldnt be held liable for hosting terrorist videos. However, theres still no clear decision on how copyright laws apply to online speech and aggregation. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said the company is satisfied by the Supreme Courts decision. We license lyrics on Google Search from third parties, and we do not crawl or scrape websites to source lyrics, he said. Vast Database of User Song Lyrics Genius, formerly known as Rap Genius, maintains a vast database of user song lyrics. The music firm had argued that a high court ruling in favor of Google would allow big tech to steal content without consequences from websites such as Reddit, eBay, and Wikipedia, which aggregate user-created information. They claimed that Google violated its contract by posting lyrics and boosting them in its search engine results without attribution, as stated in its terms of service, which are typically backed by state laws. The company filed a claim against Google in a New York state court in 2019, accusing it of posting the transcripts to the top of its search results and diverting web traffic that should have gone to Geniuss website. Genius claimed that the tech giant cost them millions of dollars in losses. Google responded that the music database was attempting to bring a quasi-copyright claim under the cover of contract law and that it didnt crawl or scrape websites to source the song lyrics. A lower New York state court ruled in 2020 that Genius didnt own any of the copyrights to its lyrics, but they belonged to the songwriters and publishers. Genius conceded that it didnt hold copyrights to the lyrics, but it still accused Google of violating its terms of service by stealing and reposting its work. Genius said the lower courts decision threatens to hobble any of thousands of companies that offer value by aggregating user-generated information or other content. Federal law preempts lawsuits over issues that are similar to copyright law, even if they dont explicitly focus on copyright infringement claims. The lower court dismissed the breach of contract claims based on that distinction and that the concerns could only be pursued in a copyright lawsuit. Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the New York state courts ruling. Genius and its supporters argued that the decision could effectively water down the contractual protections websites enjoy when users agree to their terms. Watermarks Secretly Included The music website also posted lyrics that secretly included watermarks with the words RED HANDED in Morse code to prove that Google was stealing music in an attempt to drum up public attention for its lawsuit. In its Supreme Court petition, Genius stated that it caught Google posting transcripts for some new songs that included the RED HANDED watermarks in its search results. Sure enough, Genius caught Google with its hand in the cookie jar: The RED HANDED message soon began to appear in the lyrics in Googles information boxes, Genius informed the justices. Google told the justices that it already held the licenses to the lyrics and that Genius wanted to ignore the true copyright owners and invent new rights through a purported contract. Josh Rosenkranz, a lawyer for Genius, said the company was disappointed that SCOTUS let the circuit courts ruling stand. He noted that the lower courts decision allows companies like Google to swallow up their competitors by misappropriating their content without any repercussions. The Biden administration in May urged the Supreme Court, through U.S. solicitor general Elizabeth Prelogar, to turn down the appeal, arguing that it was a poor vehicle to resolve copyright law and contractual rights disputes. Supreme Court Throws Out Louisianas Appeal, Making Way for New Congressional Map Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. (Seated from left) Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Samuel Alito and Associate Justice Elena Kagan, (Standing behind from left) Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 26 that another congressional map may have to be redrawn amid claims that it inappropriately dilutes the influence of black voters in the state. The writ of certiorari before judgment is dismissed as improvidently granted. The stay heretofore entered by the Court on June 28, 2022, is vacated, the court wrote (pdf), before it said that the case needs to be resolved before congressional elections in Louisiana in November 2024. This will allow the matter to proceed before the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for review in the ordinary course and in advance of the 2024 congressional elections in Louisiana. It isnt clear if there were any dissents. The order was unsigned. The justices had taken up the case last year but put it on hold pending their ruling in a similar case from Alabama, which they issued in a 54 ruling on June 8. On June 26, the justices dismissed the appeal by Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin of a federal judges ruling that asserted the map drawn by the Republican-led state Legislature of the House districts likely discriminated unlawfully based on race. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, an appointee of President Barack Obama, last year directed Louisianas Legislature to create two, rather than just one, House districts where black voters represent the majority of voters, a decision that could boost Democratic chances of regaining control next year of the House. The June 26 order follows the courts rejection earlier this month of a congressional redistricting map in Alabama that also unfroze the Louisiana case. In both the Alabama and Louisiana cases, plaintiffs had claimed that black voters are a majority in just one congressional district in their respective states. Lower courts had argued that the maps raised concerns that black voting power had been diluted, which goes in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. State officials in Louisiana were sued last year over a congressional map approved by Republicans in the state Legislature that, according to multiple reports, made one of its six congressional districts majority black. The ruling means, according to former Democratic National Committee lawyer Marc Elias, that it could [pave] the way for the creation of a second minority opportunity congressional district. The ruling comes as the Supreme Court is slated to issue rulings in a series of major cases before its term ends in the coming days. One includes a decision in another redistricting case that involves a North Carolina congressional map. Electoral districts in the United States are redrawn each decade to reflect population changes as measured by a national census, last taken in 2020. In most states, such redistricting is done by the party in power, which can lead to map manipulation for partisan gain. Democrats have long accused Republicans of exploiting state Legislature majorities to draw electoral maps that dilute the clout of black and other minority voters. Republicans have said the consideration of race in drawing electoral maps must be limited. When the Louisiana Legislature passed the map in February 2022, Democratic Gov. Jon Bel Edwards vetoed it, criticizing the plan for failing to include a second black-majority district. Then, the GOP Legislature voted to override the veto. The map was challenged by black voters and civil rights groups in multiple lawsuits. The plaintiffs said the Republican-drawn unlawfully packed large numbers of black voters into a single district and dispersed the rest into the five others in numbers too small to enable them to elect their preferred candidates. Ardoins office didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. In petitioning the Supreme Court, Ardoins lawyers wrote that the states redistricting saga began thirty years before the State legislature received the 2020 Decennial Census data, adding that after redistricting was done in 1990, the state legislature twice tried to re-draw congressional maps to include two majority-minority congressional districts. Both times, his office wrote (pdf), the maps pinned East Baton Rouge Parish as the population anchor for the second majority-minority district, which extended north along the Mississippi River, into Louisianas Delta Region (over 180 miles away), and then across the top of the State. Courts struck both maps as racial gerrymanders that violated the Fourteenth Amendments Equal Protection Clause. But in Dicks ruling last year, he argued that plaintiffs have demonstrated that they will suffer an irreparable harm if voting takes place in the 2022 Louisiana congressional elections based on a redistricting plan that violates federal law, adding that there can be no do-over and no redress for voters whose rights were violated, and votes diluted by the challenged plan. Reuters contributed to this report. Russian state television on Monday broadcast footage of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspecting Russian troops, in his first public appearance since a failed mutiny by Wagner forces. Shoigu -- the target of fierce criticism by the mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin -- went to a command post for Russian forces in Ukraine and held a meeting there with the leader of one of the units, according to images shown by the broadcaster. During the meeting, the minister highlighted "great efficiency in the detection and destruction" of Ukraine's weapons systems and soldiers, the ministry of defence said in a press release. The footage shows Shoigu listening to a report being presented on the area's military situation, studying maps and taking a helicopter ride to inspect Russian positions. Wagner mercenaries headed back to their base on Sunday after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to allow Prigozhin to avoid treason charges and accept exile in neighbouring Belarus. The agreement brought an end to an extraordinary crisis after the private army, led by Putin's former close ally, tried to storm Moscow. Prigozhin has repeatedly blamed Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, for his fighters' deaths. Prigozhin was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, to the cheers of some local people. Search Keywords: Short link: Supreme Court to Decide Scope of Congresss Taxing Power The Supreme Court agreed on June 26 to consider a challenge to a wealth tax that was levied on capital gains that a Washington state couple never received. The mandatory repatriation tax, also known as the Section 965 transition tax, was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by the Republican-controlled Congress in 2017 and signed into law by then-President Donald Trump on Dec. 22, 2017. The provision taxes U.S. citizens on certain accumulated foreign earnings of foreign corporations going back 30 years, even if the earnings havent been distributed. This means taxing people on income that they never received and never owned, according to a summary by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), which is providing legal representation to the couple. The Constitution does not allow Congress to point at any pot of money and call it income and then income tax it, said Andrew M. Grossman of Baker Hostetler, lead counsel for the couple. Income means the same thing now that it did when the Sixteenth Amendment was ratified: gains that have been realized by the taxpayer. We are confident that the Supreme Court will vindicate that fundamental principle and confirm that Congresss power to tax is not unlimited, Grossman said in a statement released after the court decided to hear the case. Ratified in 1913, the 16th Amendment states: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. Several nonprofit groups filed friend-of-the-court briefs urging the Supreme Court to take up the case. Among them were the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Landmark Legal Foundation, and Americans for Tax Reform. The Biden administration had urged the court to deny the petition. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act appears to be working largely as Congress envisioned, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote in a brief filed with the court on May 16. The Supreme Court granted the petition in Moore v. United States (court file 22-800) in an unsigned order on June 26. The court didnt explain its decision. No justices dissented. At least four of the nine justices must vote in favor of a petition for it to advance to the oral argument stage. Charles and Kathleen Moore, a married couple from Washington state, argue that this tax violates the Constitutions requirement that direct federal taxes must be apportioned among the states and the Constitutions prohibition against retroactive taxation. Dan Greenberg, the CEIs general counsel, previously told The Epoch Times that the meaning of the word apportionment in the 16th Amendment isnt immediately obvious to many Americans. A tax thats apportioned means that, for instance, if Congress decided to tax everyone in the United States $10whats called a head taxthat would be perfectly constitutional because its proportional or as it is in the language, its apportioned, Greenberg said. But the tax in dispute here is extremely difficult to square with longstanding rules. There is a constitutional right under the 16th Amendment to only have the federal government levy certain kinds of taxes, he said. The real question is not what name we assign it, but what function the tax has. It functions as a property tax, and it is practically impossible to have a type of wealth tax or a property tax under the Constitution that is consistent with the rules of the 16th Amendment. The Moores ended up in court after they made a modest investment in an India-based company founded by a friend. The company, called KisanKraft, supplies power tools to small-scale, individual Indian farmers with the aim of helping to make their operations more productive. The Moores had owned KisanKraft shares for more than a decade but never received any income from the shares because the company plowed all its profits back into the business. But after the 2017 tax law change was enacted, the Moores received an unexpected tax bill from the IRS for $14,729 for additional income tax they supposedly owed despite having never received any payments from KisanKraft. Although such profits arent considered income unless shareholders either receive dividends or sell the shares for a capital gain, the mandatory repatriation tax attempts to tax these funds as income by simply declaring them to be taxable income, a legal fiction, according to the CEI. The Moores lost in U.S. district court, appealed, and lost again. They asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to rehear the case after a circuit panel affirmed the district courts dismissal of the action seeking to invalidate the tax law provision, but on Nov. 22, 2022, a divided 9th Circuit again denied the couples petition. There is no constitutional prohibition against Congress attributing a corporations income pro-rata to its shareholder, the appeals court ruled. Four of the circuit judges dissented from the decision to deny rehearing. Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, wrote that the court erred in disregarding the realization requirement of the 16th Amendment by allowing an unapportioned direct tax on unrealized incomeundistributed earnings of a foreign corporation owned by a U.S. taxpayerwithout offering any other limiting principle. Bumatay said the court opinion opens the door to new federal taxes on other kinds of wealth and property being categorized as an income tax without the constitutional requirement of apportionment. Greenberg commented on June 26 after the nations highest court acted in the case: The Supreme Courts decision to hear Moore v. U.S. is very good news for Americans. A century of precedent shows thatin order to be taxedincome requires realization: This means that income taxes can only be levied on realized income. We hope that, when the Supreme Court considers Moore, it insists that its own precedents on this issue must be followed. As the judges who dissented from the lower courts ruling wrote: Divorcing income from realization opens the door to new federal taxes on all sorts of wealth and property. Thats why advocates of new, higher taxes in Congress and the White House have been watching this case carefully. We hope the Justices will overrule the lower courts opinion: by doing so, the Court will show respect both for the rule of law and for the settled plans and expectations of every property owner in the nation. The Epoch Times reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice but hadnt received a reply as of press time. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in its session that will begin in October. Tainted PwC Partners and Staff to Be Publicly Named People pass the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in St Helier, Jersey, on April 12, 2017. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images) All PwC partners and staff found to have done wrong will be named once an investigation into the tax advice scandal is over, an inquiry has been told. The revelation came as PwCs acting chief executive Kristin Stubbins said offloading the firms government consultancy business and appointing a new CEO showed its commitment to accountability. PwC has been under pressure to name all of those involved in the scandal as politicians turn up the heat on the firm and government departments review contact with advisers. This is a comprehensive, detailed investigation and, as you can appreciate, we need to get it right, Stubbins told a New School Wales parliamentary inquiry on Monday. When the investigation is complete, which it will be shortly, we will be naming all those people who did anything wrong, and there will be appropriate accountability. She said the probe was looking at leadership, governance and accountability, not just the tax advice issue. Its very important that we take a holistic view of this and make sure accountability is taken by those who need to take it. Stubbins earlier told the hearing an agreement in principle to divest the federal and state government consulting businesses to Allegro Fund was the right thing to do for our public sector clients. (It will) ensure continuity of service and to protect the jobs of the talented people in our government business, she said. PwC Australia will make no financial gain from the transaction. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters he had been briefed on the PwC changes and did not believe they would make a difference to government reviews. Labor Senator Deborah ONeill questioned the divestment decision. We have this unseemly haste with a profit-driven motive to try and phoenix itself back into some sort of connection with the government, she told ABC radio. Greens senator Barbara Pocock said the ethical failure had not been addressed. The conflicts are still there. They dont just magically disappear when you rebadge the partnership and put up a fence, she said. There is still an opaque partnership model, which will continue working to harvest government contractsa stream of contracts that is likely falling to a trickle in view of recent events. Noting the work her firm had done during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stubbins said it was important to acknowledge we dont always get things right. We deeply regret the breach of confidential federal tax policy information that happened around eight years ago and I deeply apologise for that, she said. We have failed the standards we set for ourselves as an organisation. New CEO, Singapore-based Kevin Burrowes, is awaiting immigration clearance to come to Australia. An independent review of PwCs conduct in the scandal headed by former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski is due to be released in September. PwC is accused of abusing trust by leaking government tax information for financial gain. Former partner Peter Collins has been referred to federal police and nine others have stood down. Chief executive at the time, Tom Seymour, apologised and stepped down in May. The divestment of the government consultancy business will create two separate firms. The government business generated about 20 per cent of the Australian firms fiscal year 2023 revenue. The Art of the Deal, Russian Style Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, shakes hands with supporters as he prepares to leave Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters) Commentary It has been amusing, in a grisly sort of way, to witness the adulation heaped upon Yevgeny Prigozhin, former violent felon, and founder of the paramilitary group PMC Wagner (PMC stands for Private Military Company). For many years, Prigozhin had been pals with the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The two both hail from St. Petersburg. Prigozhin has had his hand in many businesses, including catering. For a while, he was known as Putins chef. In 2012, he reportedly won a contract to provide meals to the Russian military, a gig worth $1.2 billion. When Putins army bogged down in Ukraine, it was to Prigozhin and his mercenary army that Putin turned. Prigozhins mercenaries would do things the Russians blanched at. The fate of Yevgeny Nuzhin, a Wagner recruit who deserted, offers a case in point. He was executed in a cellar by someone smashing a sledgehammer into his skull. The episode was recorded and the video posted on the internet. Prigozhin praised the artistry of the film, commenting that it ought to have been called A dog dies a dogs death. On this subject, Prigozhin knows whereof he speaks. He hoovered up recruits from the dregs of Russias prison populationmurderers, rapists, sadists of every description, offering them freedom in exchange for becoming cannon fodder for his campaign against Ukraine. The fight for Bakhmut this spring was brutal, costing Prigozhin an estimated 100 men a day. But eventually, Prigozhin prevailed. As of early June, Bakhmutwhat was left of itwas essentially in Russias hands. It wasnt champagne and kisses all around, though. Prigozhin had fallen out with some of Putins top military men, especially the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Hence that brief show of force that eager journalists in the Western press hailed as a coup as Prigozhins forces began their march up the road from Ukraine to Moscow. Wagner forces got to within 124 miles of Moscow when suddenly the coup detat collapsed into what one wag called a coup-us interruptus. Why? No one in the Western commentariat knows, though plenty have theories, which theyre happy to dispense in knowing tones. On Friday, Putin was said to be fleeing Moscow with his nefarious cronies. Was he? Probably not. But the suggestion offers a nice air of drama. On Saturday, to the surprise of everyone (and the disappointment of news editors everywhere), Prigozhin said he had made his point and that he had struck a deal with his old comrade to cease and desist. Not all the terms of said deal have been revealed. But we know that Prigozhin will go to Belarus, where he has been granted what amounts to asylum, and Wagner troops will head back to Ukraine. No one, or so its reported, will face charges. I note that not facing charges isnt the same thing as not facing repercussions. Id be willing to bet that Vladimir Putin has at least a passing acquaintance with Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince. Im less confident about Prigozhins reading habits. If he doesnt know The Prince, I recommend chapter VII, Of New Principalities that Are Acquired by Others Arms and Fortune. Machiavelli there tells the story of how Cesare Borgia, attempting to establish order in the province of Romagna, turned to a Spanish captain called Messer Remirro de Orco, uomo crudele et espedito (a man cruel and brusque). Remirro did his job, but he also earned the enmity of the people. Borgia, not wanting them to think the harsh treatment came from him, decided on a little exhibition. One morning, the people awoke to find the hated Remirro placed in the piazza at Cesena in two pieces, with a piece of wood and bloody knife beside him. The ferocity of this spectacle, Machiavelli comments, left the people at once satisfied and stupefied. Who knows what the ins and out were of the deal that, we are led to believe, saved Putin (for the time being at least) and defanged (ditto) Prigozhin. I suspect that the columnist Peter Hitchens, who was in Moscow in 1991 during another failed coup, was right about two things. First, brutal though Putin may be, he is, in comparison to people like Prigozhin, a cautious, milksop moderate. Second, Hitchens is right that militant Russian nationalism is a powerful political force that Putin struggles to keep on his side at the best of times. These arent the best of times, and Prigozhins excellent coup adventure, not to mention Putins rocky adventure in Ukraine, cant have endeared Putin to such chthonic forces. The appearance of weakness is unacceptable. Its also unforgivable. Which means that, political calculus being what it is, Putin, no matter what deal was struck, surely cannot now leave Prigozhin unpunished. Im grateful, in any case, that Im not in charge of writing life insurance policies for him or for the rebellious mercenaries under his command. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. If We Are Banning the Nazi Symbol, Why Not the Hammer and Sickle? Protesters burn the Chinese Communist Party flag in front of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre June 4, 2023. (Courtesy of Jie Lijian) Commentary The Australian federal government is proceeding with plans to ban Nazi symbols. Thats fair enough, I suppose, if the ban is confined to just two imagesthe swastika and the double lightning bolt SS. Such a prohibition might be unwelcome news to a few extremist motorcycle groups, but most of us share a reasoned detestation of those unambiguous marks of hatred. But it could also be bad news for sociologists and historians unless the legislation is very meticulously and sensitively drafted. The swastika has a long history in many diverse world cultures (including Hinduism and Buddhism) as a token of auspiciousness and good luck. Some will tell you that the arms of the good swastika bend to the left, while Hitler chose a right-facing form, but its not as simple as that. The fact is that you can find both patterns in use among people who have not the slightest link with Nazism. An example of a piece of pottery that bears the swastika resides in the National Archeological Museum in Athens. (Neli Magdalini Sfigopoulou/The Epoch Times) The SS symbol, on the other hand, is much more explicit and easier to deal withthere is no ambiguity about its origins or its vile history. There has also been talk of banning the so-called Heil Hitler salute, but that is a bridge too far for framers of law, and they appear to have backed off, at least for the moment. That particular straight-armed form of greeting seems to have a long pedigree in many cultures beyond Germany. We cant be certain that the Roman army employed it, but Hollywood thought it did, and classic old movies like Quo Vadis and The Robe would have to go the way of Gone with the Wind if a ban were to be applied. Its a Start On balance, then, while we might deplore our woke societys increasingly rampant impulse to ban things it doesnt approve of, most of us could sympathise with a restriction on the display of signs and symbols that dont merely offend but actually twist the knife in the wounds of those (not only Jews but many others as well) who directly endured the unspeakable horrors of persecution. For there can be no apologia for Nazism. Anthony Giambrone, in his preface to Theodor Haeckers Vergil, Father of the West, writes of the whole gang of clownish thugs brutishly plundering the museums of the world and basking in an elegant and self-flattering sophistication on the whole below-average students who had humiliatingly failed in the humanistic gymnasium. Could there be a better description of that gang of jumped-up louts? Prone to describe others as sub-human Untermenschen, their own claim to humanity lagged behind almost everybody elses. Hitler and his cronies strutted around the world stage and performed unspeakable acts of cruelty for just 15 years before they were soundly crushed, and most of their leaders brought to justice. On the face of it, then, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfuss determination is laudable: We need to make a start. This may not be the end of what we do to criminalise hate speech, this kind of conductwe need to make it absolutely clear that theres no place in Australia for Nazi symbols that glorify the horrors of the Holocaust. White roses left by visitors stand among train tracks prior to a commemoration of the anniversary of the deportation of Berlins Jews to concentration camps in Berlin, Germany, on Oct. 19, 2016. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Heres the thing, though, while Nazism is rightly held accountable for its horrors. The horrors of Marxist-Leninism that erupted like the curses from Pandoras box in the Russian Revolution in 1917 have never been fully avenged or properly punished. Many of the older generation on the left of Australian politics cut their teeth on the policies of Lenin, admired Stalin in the face of so much clear evidence of his ruthless brutality, and turned their backs on the sufferings of oppressed people such as the Tibetans. Their successors today seem content to cosy up to the Chinese Communist Party and to mock and vilify those who suggest that the current aggressive Chinese regime might actually be a threat to Australias sovereignty. Damage From Marxism When you consider the enormity of communist criminality throughout the world over a period of not just 15 years but many decadesthink of the secret police, the closed borders, the massacres, the gulagsis it unreasonable to ask why there is no movement to ban another heinous emblem of merciless dictatorship? Im talking about the hammer and sickle, of course, as odious a symbol of brutish tyranny as any other. Whole generations of humans have lived their lives and met their deaths under the heel of Marxist governments, never experiencing the freedoms of assembly and of the press that we in the West take for granted. They are constantly spied upon and betrayed even by their own families, poorly nourished or, in some cases (think of Ukraine), systematically starved to death. This evil movement (for it is certainly that) may have taken root in Russia, but its infection spread to many nations of Eastern Europe, to China and Korea, to South America and Africa, and even to Western nations like our own. The West was for many years white-anted by small numbers of active, dedicated communists, as well as by much larger numbers of useful idiots who bought the whole foolish, delusional narrative of a workers utopia. To speak of banning the symbols of communism is not to play a petty game of tit for tat. Nor does it in any way ameliorate the ghastly memory of the Nazis. But it is a cry for justice on behalf of all those millions worldwide who suffered at the hands of ultra-leftist governments, whose crying went unheard or was ignored or justified as expedient by so many in the privileged and pampered societies of the West. This has a special piquancy now: Thomas Mayo, the main figure behind the Yes campaign for The Voice, praised the elders of the communist party who played a very important role in our activism. Yes, its right there on YouTube. Banning the symbols of one form of barbarism while ignoring and even lauding another look like social dysphoria. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Traditional Dragon Craft Parade by Islanders of Hong Kong, Has a Significant Underlying Meaning Villagers from Sai-Wan CARE Village of Cheung-Chau kept a 200+ years old tradition of holding the Dragon Parade on Dragon Boat Festival (Double Fifth Festival), a major cultural event of the locals. Photo taken in June 2021 off Cheung-Chau (Dumbbell Island), Hong Kong. TM Chan/The Epoch Times June 22 brought this years Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Double Fifth Festival, as it falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese calendar. Apart from those delicious rice dumplings wrapped in lotus leaves, the dragon boat parade is another feature that makes the festival exciting. Yet you might not be familiar with, or have heard of, the famous Dragon Parade during the festival in Hong Kongs Dumbbell Island (Cheung Chau). Fishermen in the SAI-WAN CARE VILLAGE of Dumbbell Island still observe a 200-year-old traditionthe Dragon Parade (or Dragon Craft Parade)one of the biggest cultural events of the local community annually. What sets the tradition apart from other dragon boat events is that it is not a race or competition; indeed, it is the fishing villages ritual of worship and invocations. Every year at Double Fifth, three large Dragon Crafts (would appear on the sea, each over 82 feet long and paddled by a team of 50 strongly built men, carrying the statue of Pak Tai (a Chinese deity traditionally regarded by the locals as the patron of the island of Cheung-Chau) during the festival, to parade the typhoon shelter area and visit each and every temple on the island. The ritual lasts three days, expressing islanders reverence for the deities and invocation for the local community. SAI-WAN CARE VILLAGE fishermen Kan-xing CHAN (front) and Yung-tai LAW (back) on Cheung Chau (Dumbbell Island). (Courtesy of Ka-shi Kwong) Epoch Times reporter interviewed Kan-sing CHAN, a 73-year-old offspring of Dumbbell Islands original fishermen, and his consort Yung-tai LAW. Chan shared with us his passion for the islands three major cultural celebrationsBirthday of Tin-Hau (goddess of the sea), Cheung-Chau Da-Jiu Festival (Bun Festival), and Dragon Boat or Double Fifth Festivalall three are intimately related to the local faith and traditions, reverence of heavenly deities. Chan pointed out that there is a distinct difference between the usual dragon boat and the islands traditional Dragon Craft, which is the carrier or water horse of the deity. Transporting the deity is its most important function. Dragon Craft is the carrier of Pak-Tai. The boat comes to take Pak-Tai for an annual ride to inspect and cleanse the island, a tradition that has been passed down for generations. In our eyes, it (dragon craft) is the sacred water horse of the deity, the locals thus particularly treasure and respect the craft. Chan said. Kan-sing CHAN explains the islands traditional Dragon Craft is the carrier or water horse of the deity. Photo taken in June 2021 on Cheung Chau, Hong Kong. TM Chan/The Epoch Times At the islands west bay (Cheung-Chau SAI-WAN), there are three giant dragon crafts named Fuk-Yuen, Hap-Ji, and Sin-Hing, Chan told us. They belong to three separate fishermen associations in the village. The three dragon crafts are also a family, Chan added. Fuk-Yuen is the eldest male (the father), Hap-yee is the female (the mother) and Seam-hing is the little one (the son). Did you notice the female dragon doesnt have a beard? But the father and the son both have long beards! Chan laughed. He talks about the Dragons with affection, like talking about his own family. Chan belongs to the House of Fuk-Yuen, one of the fishermen associations that looks after the Fuk-yuen Dragon Craft, father and the eldest in the family of the three dragon crafts. Fuk-Yuen can be seen with a long beard in the photo. (Courtesy of Ka-shi Kwong) Yung-Tai LAW, also in his 70s, another offspring of the early fishermen, added that the three dragon crafts belong to the three fishermens associations established in the village around 100 years ago. Chan and Law are with the House of Fuk-Yuen, which is made up of a team of fishing boats operating in shallower waters close to the shore. House of Hap-Ji has bigger fishing boats that go off-shore to deeper waters and is responsible for side businesses such as ice supply, while House of Sin-Hing plays the buyer role, sun-dried products bought from the other houses and taking them to the market. The three houses represent different streams of fishing operations in the village; they are closely connected and complement each other in a cooperative manner. The Dragon Parade in the Double Fifth Festival brings the communities together. People of Cheung-Chau call the three dragon crafts mum-dad-n-son, vividly reflecting the intimate relationship between the three fishing teams or associations. Dragon Crafts came to the Tian-Hou Temple at Sai-Wan (west bay) of Cheung-Chau in June 2021. TM Chan/The Epoch Times) Before lowering the dragon boat into the sea, villagers hold an invocation ceremony praying for the safety and success of the activity in June 2023. (Courtesy of Ka-shi Kwong Chan believes it is the blessings bestowed by Buddha that enabled him to grow up healthy and strong, enjoying a peaceful life. One doesnt have to have any wants in his whole lifetime, in fact, as long as he can be honest to himself and observe his own conscientiousness. I often say to my children that our Dragon Craft meant life to your father. Being able to take charge of its safekeeping and maintaining it has always been my pride and solace. The lack of a future successor came up a few times during our interview. Chan is increasingly concerned as his own age becomes advanced. The Dragon Craft means so much to him: I started to learn paddling the Dragon Craft and the ceremonial rituals at 12 years old from my father. I loved the Dragon Craft all my life. Its been 20 years since I took charge after my father left us. Yet my son has not shown any interest, so it looks really hard today to keep the traditions alive The 82 feets long traditional dragon craft need to be lowered into the sea using a crane in June 2023. Courtesy of Ka-shi Kwong Law praised Chan for his determination to carry on after reaching retirement age. We have managed the Craft for 20 years already We are both over 70 years old. He (Chan) said he will persevere till his last breathas long as being alive. I appreciate him very much for that spirit. As fishermen on the island gradually move and settle on the land, members of the fishing associations are on the decrease. We are getting old. The next generation might not be interested in managing the dragon crafts and organizing traditional ceremonial activities like us. Both men feel concerned about the future. The dragon craft means so much to both of us. Both men would shed tears to see anything happen to the boat they care so much for. Their love of the craft is also the love of the village and the seashores, the home where they grew up, and also the faith and reverence for the gods of their generation. When the younger generation passionately competes in dragon boat races, do they know the true meaning of the Dragon Parade? Have they forgotten the original function of the dragon crafta carrier of the deity? May the stories told by the forefathers and the embodiment of their faith in their lifelong devotion to the safekeeping of the dragon crafts show the younger generations their perseverance in the hope that someone who can read and understand their hearts would take over the baton and carry on the traditions. A view of Sai-Wan, Cheung-Chau in June 2023. (Courtesy of Ka-shi Kwong) Titanic Sub Search: US Coast Guard to Lead Investigation as Priority Turns to Recovery From Sea Floor Teams from the US, Canada, France, UK will take precautions in case they encounter human remains Crews work on Coast Guard vessels at Coast Guard Base Boston in Boston on June 21, 2023. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. Coast Guard will lead an international effort to investigate the Titanic submersible implosion, working in close coordination with other national and international authorities, including the Canadian Transportation Safety Board, French Marine Casualties Investigation Board, and the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Recovery of the doomed vessel, which was carrying five now-deceased passengershas begun, with the Coast Guard saying that all precautions will be taken in case any human remains are discovered at the wreckage site. The United States has convened a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) into the loss of the Titan submersible, the highest level of investigation in the Coast Guard, according to the U.S. Coast Guards statement. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Captain Jason Neubauer, chief investigator with the U.S. Coast Guard, said the priority of the investigation is to recover items from the sea floor. Im not getting into the details of the recovery operations, but we are taking all precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains, he added. We have already mapped the accident site in the field, so the other factors would be part of the investigation. The MBI will focus on determining what caused the submarine implosion and whether an act of misconduct, incompetence, negligence, unskillfulness, or willful violation of law contributed to any deaths involved in the casualty. Another focus of the investigation is to determine whether a criminal act has been committed so that the matter may be referred to appropriate authorities for prosecution, according to the Coast Guard. Canadian-Flagged Vessel The massive international effort by aircraft, surface ships, and deep-sea robots began on June 18 when the Titan was first reported missing. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the crew of the Polar Prince support ship lost contact with the submersible 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive. 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. (OceanGate Expeditions/Handout via Reuters) Searchers raced against a 96-hour clock to find and rescue the vessels occupants before their oxygen supply was estimated to run out. But all hope was extinguished on June 22 when officials announced the submersible had suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five aboard. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on June 22 that the wreckage of the Titan submersible was found on the ocean floor, approximately 500 meters off the bow of the Titanic. The Canadian Transportation Safety Board has sent its investigators to St. Johns, Newfoundland, and Labrador, to gather information, conduct interviews, and assess the occurrence of the submersible implosion. We are conducting a safety investigation in Canada given that this was a Canadian-flagged vessel that departed a Canadian port and was involved in this occurrence, albeit in international waters, said Kathy Fox, chair of the transportation board. The Titan launch barge is moved to the Coast Guard yard at port in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, on June 24, 2023. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) Meanwhile, Pelagic Research Services (PRS) said on Sunday that its Odysseus 6Ka 6,000-meter-depth rated ROV (remotely operated vehicle) systemwas on the seafloor on its fourth dive since arriving at the Titan rescue site. PELAGIC ODYSSEUS Continues Titan Recovery Mission. Photos approved for news media release from the 4th dive completed on Sunday. (Pelagic Research Services, 2023) pic.twitter.com/kWwp9KST3z Pelagic Research Services (@PelagicResearch) June 25, 2023 PRS said that its Odysseus 6K was the first to locate the debris field referenced by the U.S. Coast Guard on June 22, while its subsequent dives have supported the probe and rescue mission. Norman Polmar, a naval historian, analyst, and author based in Virginia, said there has been no comparable ocean investigation as this rescue turned recovery effort, especially given the involvement of so many nations and commercial enterprises. Turboprop P-3 Orion and jet-powered P-8 Poseidon sub hunters, along with C-130 Hercules, were all utilized in the search. Experts said the cost of the unprecedented search for the missing Titan submersible will easily stretch into the millions of dollars. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Torontonians Head to the Polls Today to Elect New Mayor Voters line up outside a polling station to cast their ballot in Toronto's municipal election on Oct. 22, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Chris Young) Torontonians are headed to the polls on June 26 to elect their new mayor about five months after longtime mayor John Tory stepped down from the role because of an inappropriate relationship hed had with a former staffer. Polling throughout the mayoral race has mostly favoured former NDP MP Olivia Chow, who previously ran in the citys 2014 mayoral byelection and placed third in voting. With Tory not running for the first time in the citys past three mayoral byelections, the left-leaning Chow will now seek to defeat right-leaning candidates like former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders and political commentator Anthony Furey. Former deputy mayor Ana Bailao recently made jump in the polls, with a June 25 Mainstreet Research survey showing Bailao has about 30 percent of voters support across the city. The same poll said Chow maintained her lead with 36 percent, while Mark Saunders, Anthony Furey, and city councillor Josh Matlow all had around 8 or 9 percent. Taking up the rear among favoured candidates were former Ontario Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter and city councillor Brad Bradford, who had 5 percent and 1 percent of voters support, respectively. Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford endorsed Saunders for Torontos next mayor. Polls will be open for voting at over 1,440 voting locations across the city today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. About 129,740 eligible voters already cast their ballots at advance polls between June 8 and June 13, representing an increase of 14,000 over advance voting in the October 2022 mayoral election. That election, which saw Tory elected for the third straight time, had a record-low 30 percent voter turnout. Tory only stayed in the mayors office until mid-February, resigning after admitting to an affair with a former staffer. The current mayoral candidates have spent the past few months campaigning mostly on addressing Torontos affordable housing crisiswhich has a emerged as top-priority in a city struggling with sky-high real estate and rental prices. Chows plan to bring down real estate and rental-housing prices across the city includes raising taxes on expensive real-estate purchases in Toronto and using the public revenue to build cheaper housing units. Bailao says she will introduce rental zoning to ensure there are sites across the city that can only be used for rental housing units. Saunders says he will remove property taxes from affordable housing units in future developments, while Furey proposes eliminating the municipal land-transfer tax for first-time home buyers in the city. Tara MacIsaac and The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Trudeau, Nordic Allies Discuss Chinas Growing Threat to Arctic During PMs Iceland Visit The Canadian Coast Guard's medium icebreaker Henry Larsen in Allen Bay during Operation Nanook in Canada's Arctic in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has held discussions with Canadas Nordic allies about Beijings growing threat to Arctic sovereignty through its interest in natural resources and exploration in the region. The prime minister told reporters on June 26 during his visit to Iceland that Chinas recent activity in the Arctic came up as a point of discussion with Trudeaus Nordic counterparts. Theres a recognition that China is styling itself as a near-Arctic nation, has interests in development, exploration, and perhaps eventual installation of natural-resource platforms or drilling platforms, Trudeau said in response to questions from reporters on whether he and Nordic leaders had discussed Chinas Arctic threat. Trudeau is in the midst of a visit to Iceland where he is meeting with leaders of other Nordic countries like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway to discuss a number of issues, one of which the Prime Ministers Office says is security in Europe and the Arctic. Trudeau told reporters that the leaders discussion on Beijings growing threat in the Arctic region comes as part of their talks focused on security in the central Arctic Ocean. Thats part of the conversations were having around the central Arctic Ocean and the responsibility all of us have as Nordic countries to make sure that were setting clear rules that will protect the public ocean, Trudeau said, adding that the countries are looking to discourage military uses in the Arctic area. Arctic Challenges The prime ministers comments on the matter come as military officials and experts warn that Beijing could challenge Canadas presence in the Arctic in the near future. Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre previously warned that China could challenge Canadas Arctic sovereignty in the next 20 years, but military expert Robert Huebert told a House of Commons committee last October that he believes it will happen sooner. The time periods are so short, which means the problem is not 20 years. [The Chinese] are doing the capabilities studies right now, Huebert told the Commons Standing Committee on National Defence on Oct. 25, 2022. Lt. Gen. Alain Pelletier, deputy commander of NORAD, told the same committee on Nov. 1 that Canadas ability to detect foreign incursions in its Arctic territories through its North Warning System is very limited. Especially given that the threat from China may be coming from the west coast, Pelletier told the committee. And the warning system is geared towards the threat coming from the Arctic, as thats for what it was designed back in the early 1980s. The federal government has announced multi-billion dollar investments over the past year to upgrade Canadas Arctic defence and NORAD equipment, and Defence Minister Anita Anand has said Ottawa will usher in the backbone of a brand-new, northern approaches surveillance system to enhance surveillance and early warning threats to our continent. Andrew Chen contributed to this report. Trump Vows to Sign a Bill Barring Child Sexual Mutilation in All 50 States Former President Donald J. Trump speaks during the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at Hilton in Washington on June 24, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Former President Donald Trump issued one of his strongest criticisms to date against doctors who perform transgender surgeries for children, saying he would sign a law barring the procedure. Something else I find hard to believe that I have to even say, Trump told a Faith and Freedom Coalition event on Saturday. Its so ridiculous. Its so horrible and so ridiculous. I will keep men out of womens sports, he added. Going further, Trump vowed: And I will sign a law prohibiting child sexual mutilation in all 50 states. Prohibited. And on day one I will reinstate the Trump ban on transgenders in the military. Because a warrior should be focused on crushing American enemies, on being strong, on having the image of being strong, Trump said, adding: They have to be powerful. They have to be strong, especially when you see whats happening in the world today, not catering to radical gender ideology. The former president also targeted the Marxist-inspired critical race theory, promising to cut federal funding to schools that promote the controversial framework. Schools would also face funding cuts if they force what he described as inappropriate political, sexual, or racial content onto children. Can you believe this? Can you imagine saying this 10 or 15 years ago? I will fight for parents rights, Trump said, adding, I will fight for the direct election of school principals by the parents, the parents of the school. If any principal is not getting the job done, the parents should be able to fire them immediately and select someone who will. Trump also told the crowd that he will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or mask mandate from kindergarten to college. During his 2016 campaign, Trump rarely focused on social issues and instead targeted illegal immigration, taxes, manufacturing, and growing the economy. On the other hand, his chief rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiswho is polling about 30 points behind Trumphas often focused on social issues as governor of Florida, including signing a bill earlier this year that would prohibit teachers to instruct or discuss sexual orientation or gender issues with small children. About a dozen Republican-led states have passed laws or rules that bar transgender medical procedures and drugs for minors, and around a dozen other states are considering other measures. Around 20 states have also banned biological males claiming to be transgender women from competing in womens sports. Earlier this year, Trump said at a National Rifle Association (NRA) event that he would use the federal government to investigate transgender medical procedures and drugs, while accusing top U.S. officials of pushing the transgender cult on younger Americans, while persecuting Christians and demonizing patriots. Also at the Faith and Freedom event, Trump stated that he is proud to be the most pro-life president in American history, adding, I took historic action to protect the unborn. As your President, I will continue to stand proudly for pro-life policies just as I did for four strong years we cannot be afraid to take on the Democrat extremists, we cant be afraid. We have to be strong and powerful, he remarked. Thats why when Im reelected, I will continue to fight against the demented late-term abortionists in the Democrat Party who believe in unlimited abortion on demand and even executing babies after birth. At that same conference, Trump touched on the Department of Justices charges that were brought against him for allegedly mishandling classified documents. He pleaded not guilty to those counts earlier this month. Every time the radical left Democrats, Marxists, Communists, and fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of courage, he told supporters, referring to the case. Musks Twitter Faces Millions in Fines After New Disinformation Laws Released in Australia Twitter logo and a photo of Elon Musk are displayed through magnifier in this illustration taken on Oct. 27, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters) Elon Musks Twitter and other social media giants face the prospect of billions in fines after the Australian government released new laws targeting misinformation and disinformation. Following a months-long process, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland released the draft legislation that will grant the countrys media regulatory body, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), greater powers to stamp out harmful content online. Mis and disinformation sows division within the community, undermines trust, and can threaten public health and safety, the Labor communications minister said in a statement on June 26. This consultation process gives industry and the public the opportunity to have their say on the proposed framework, which aims to strike the right balance between protection from harmful mis and disinformation online and freedom of speech. The government has pledged that ACMA will not have the power to determine what is true or false on individual posts and will have no impact on professional news content or authorised electoral content. New Standards and Penalties The Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 introduces a two-tiered system to regulate mis- or disinformation online. The first tier will see ACMA request social media companies develop a code of practice (industry codes), which will be registered and enforced by ACMAsimilar to the telecommunications industry. A breach of this code will attract significant penalties, including a $2.75 million fine or two percent of global turnoverwhichever is greater. If the code fails, the second tier of regulation will see ACMA itself create and enforce an industry standard (a stronger form of regulation) that will attract even higher penalties of $6.8 million or five percent of global turnovermillions for Twitter and billions for companies like Meta (Facebook). These laws are meant to strengthen existing voluntary codes developed by the Digital Industry Group. The federal opposition has earmarked concerns around how ACMA will determine what is mis- or disinformation. This is a complex area of policy, and government overreach must be avoided, said David Coleman, the shadow communications minister. The public will want to know exactly who decides whether a particular piece of content is misinformation or disinformation. Read More Is Australia Holding a Sword to Religious Freedom With Its Disinformation Laws The significant penalties associated with this legislation potentially places substantial power in the hands of government officials, he said in a statement online. While former deputy chief medical officer Dr. Nick Coatsworth, who has had public disagreements with other doctors over lockdown policies and vaccines, was also sceptical of the laws. Misinformation is an accusation thrown so readily that such legislation would be impossible to implement; and if it was implemented, would inevitably lead to fines being levied for things that are not, or turn out not to be, he wrote on Twitter. Misinformation is an accusation thrown so readily that such legislation would be impossible to implement; and if it was implemented, would inevitably lead to fines being levied for things that are not, or turn out not to be. https://t.co/tBmv7Y7zCA Dr. Nick Coatsworth (@nick_coatsworth) June 25, 2023 The public is encouraged to submit recommendations on the legislation prior to Aug. 6, 2023. Musks Ongoing Clash with Australian Authorities ACMA is Australias broadcast authority, which has a wider purview than the eSafety commissioner, who focuses purely on online content. Just days earlier, the commissioner threatened Twitter with daily fines of up to $700,000 (US$476,000) unless it explained what it was doing to combat hate speech on its platform. The commissioner says it has received more complaints about online hate on Twitter in the past 12 months than any other platform and alleges an increasing number of reports of serious online abuse since Musk took over in October 2022. Commissioner Julie Inman Grant also apportioned blame for the increase in hate speech on Musks decision to cut Twitters global workforce from 8,000 to 1,500 (including its trust and safety teams) and ending its public policy presence in Australia. Musk has indicated that the staff cuts were necessary because the company was inefficient and overstaffeddespite being publicly listed and widely used, Twitter is yet to turn a profit consistently. Rob Nicholls, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales, said there is no right to freedom of speech in Australia, and there was only an implied right of political communication. This right was not legislated either but was extracted from common law by judges. As usual in an Australian environment, not doing what you say is more problematic from a regulatory perspective than problematic conduct, he previously told The Epoch Times via email. Its important to note that the eSafety commissioners comments were about Twitter promoting hate speech when it has a policy to prohibit hateful conduct on the platform. Nicholls has said that Twitters lack of a public policy presence in Australia to engage with authorities will work against the social media giants favour. Wagner's aborted mutiny shows Moscow's war in Ukraine is splintering Russian power, the EU's top diplomat said Monday, warning instability in the nuclear-armed power is "not a good thing". "What has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said at a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers. "Certainly it's not a good thing to see that a nuclear power like Russia can go into a phase of instability. It's also something that has to be taken into account," Borrell told journalists. He said "the most important conclusion is that the war against Ukraine launched by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and the monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him". "The monster is acting against its creator, the political system is showing the fragilities and the military power is cracking," Borrell said. EU foreign ministers were scrambling to digest the fall-out from the uprising at their regular meeting in Luxembourg. Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said the unrest was an "internal affair" for Russia. He insisted that the "most important thing" was supporting Ukraine so it can win back its territory. Search Keywords: Short link: US and Allies Ramp Up Efforts to Rival China on Subsea Cable Projects: Analysts The very high speed submarine cable linking Singapore to France, during its installation in La Seyne-sur-Mer, southern France, on March 1, 2016. (Boris Horvat/AFP via Getty Images) As the U.S.China rivalry extends from land and space to underwater, there are increasing signs that the United States and its allies are stepping up efforts to curb the expansion of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) subsea cable projects. Subsea cables, also known as submarine communications cables, are laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. Subsea cables carry 97 percent to 98 percent of the intercontinental data traffic, according to Tzeng Yisuo, associate research fellow of the Cyber Security and Decision-Making Simulation division at Taiwans Institute for National Defense and Security Research. Tzeng specializes in information operations, cognitive warfare, cybersecurity governance, and emerging warfare. Tzeng said in an interview with the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times that countries across the world have been exploring ways of preventing interception or eavesdropping on the information carried by subsea cables when they land on land. The US and Allies Join Forces to Counter CCPs Subsea Cable Projects On June 6, the Japanese government announced a $95 million agreement signed with the United States and Australia to build a submarine cable. The planned subsea cable will connect the state of Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, Tarawa in Kiribati, and Nauru to link an existing cable in Pohnpei in Micronesia. (LR) U.S. President Joe Biden, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a Quad meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit, at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 20, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP) This 1,400-mile submarine cable project was originally put out for bidding in 2021. HMN Technologies, which is under the umbrella of Chinas technology giant Huawei, also participated in the bidding, offering a price more than 20 percent lower than its competitors. However, it was delayed due to security concerns regarding potential information leaks and blockages in certain countries and was recently awarded to Japans NEC. In April, Reuters revealed that Chinas three major telecommunications companies were preparing to invest $500 million in building a submarine cable connecting Hong Kong to Europe, called Europe-Middle East-Asia, abbreviated as EMA, with the goal of competing with the SeaMeWe-6 cable being laid by U.S. company SubCom. SeaMeWe-6 connects Singapore to France, spanning a total length of 12,000 miles. Three major Chinese telecommunications companies were originally involved in the project and the contract was supposed to be awarded to Hengtong Optic-Electric, which owns the majority of Huawei Marine. However, under pressure from the United States, Chinese companies have been excluded, and the contract was awarded to SubCom. Lin Tinghui, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Society of International Law, believes there is concern over content theft in submarine cable transmission lines. He said that if the submarine cables are built by Beijing, there is a possibility of copies of data being sent to Beijing through installed filters. Under the concept of decoupling from Chinas supply chain, the United States excludes Chinese companies from participating in submarine cable construction, while the CCP, under the same concept, attempts to take control of the dominant position in building its own submarine cables. Both sides [of the U.S. and China] have become clearly divided, Lin told The Epoch Times on June 19. UK Satellite Company Extends Coverage to Taiwan Taiwans Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang told Taiwans official Central News Agency (CNA) on June 16 that OneWeb, a British satellite service provider, is expected to extend its coverage to all of Taiwan by the end of this year. She also told the Taiwanese news agency that by the end of next year, the Ministry of Digital Affairs will also try its best to test mid- and low-orbit satellite equipment and study the possibility of their integrated use. This is to ensure the operation of Taiwans communication networks in the event of infrastructure damage during war or emergencies, reported CNA. In February of this year, two submarine cables connecting Taiwan and its northern offshore Matsu Islands were cut, leaving residents of Matsu with a slow Internet connection and unstable phone service, according to Taipei Times. A Chinese fishing boat, which landed on one of Japans Senkaku islands, sails into Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong on November 13, 2013. Through a new system, China is militarizing its fishing ships. (Aaron Tam/AFP/Getty Images) Taiwans Chunghwa Telecom blamed Chinese fishing vessels for the damage and said that cables connecting Taiwan proper and Matsu were broken over 20 times in the past five years. Beijing Uses Huawei to Challenge US: Analysts For many years, the global subsea cable business has been dominated by the three largest suppliers: U.S. subsea company SubCom LLC, Japanese firm Nippon Electric Company (NEC), and Frances Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). However, seeing the significant role undersea cables play in the international geopolitical arena, the Chinese communist regime entered the fiber-optic cables market to directly challenge the U.S. via its tech giant Huawei, which established a joint venture with UK-based Global Marine called Huawei Marine Networks (Huawei Marine) in 2008. Huawei Marines strategy is the same as Huaweis internet development strategy, according to Shen Rongqin, a professor at York University in Canada. Huawei Marine first looked for markets ignored by major European and American players, such as Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. It then captured market share at low prices through government subsidies and gradually moved from the margins to the core of the market. Huawei initially found opportunities in the South Atlantic Inter Link (SAIL) cable project, a system that links Brazil in South America and Cameroon in Africa. To provide the incentive to the countries involved, the CCPs Export-Import Bank provided a loan of $85 million and Chinas state-owned telecommunications company China Unicom provided $34 million in financing, according to Jonathan E. Hillman in his book The Digital Silk Road: Chinas Quest to Wire the World and Win the Future. Hillman is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, an American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Work By Huawei Marine on the 6,000-kilometer long South Atlantic Inter Link (SAIL) cable system linking Cameroon and Brazil (Amindeh Blaise Atabong, Special to The Epoch Times) Huawei Marine got its demonstration project, and Cameroon got a pile of debt, as demand for the project has not materialized, wrote Hillman in his book. Hillman said that critics believe Beijing is using debt-trap diplomacy to seize strategic assets. CCP officials often use another underwater cable project to promote Beijings Belt and Road Initiative. The Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe (PEACE) fiber-optic cable stretches from the Pakistani port of Gwadar to the African city of Djibouti, terminating in Marseille, France. For the 8,000-mile-long PEACE, China and Huawei purposefully chose countries with geostrategic value as intermediary landing points. Clearly, Chinese policymakers are thinking about more than just business when it comes to fiber optics, wrote Thomas Blaubach, a graduate fellow with the cyber program at a Washington-based think tank Middle East Institute (MEI). He believes that Beijing competes for influence against the U.S.s military and political alliance in these continents. Huawei Marine has become the fourth-largest in the fiber-optic cable industry, right after the three traditional major players of SubCom LLC, NEC, and ASN. When PEACE began construction in 2017, the communist regimes top leader Xi Jinping put forward the concept of the Digital Silk Road for the first time in public, showing the CCPs ambition to expand into the digital economy in the countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. Shen said that the CCP has created digital conglomerates to impose stricter information control internally. He cited an earlier action taken by the CCP against Uyghur protestors in 2009 when the regime disconnected the internet completely. In 1998, the Chinese regime set up the Great Firewall (GFW), or Golden Shield Project, which is managed by the regimes Ministry of Public Security to monitor and censor what can and cannot be seen in China through an online network. Now that it is using digital totalitarianism to expand to foreign countries, [digital communications] has become the focus of the U.S.-China rivalry, said Shen. According to TeleGeography, a U.S. telecommunications research and consulting firm, as of early 2023, there are 552 active and planned submarine cables globally, with a total length of approximately 1.4 million kilometers, enough to circle the Earth 30 times. With the increasing demand for network bandwidth capacity driven by streaming media, cloud computing, and 5G, submarine cables are growing at a rate of approximately 30 percent per year. In Asia alone, TeleGeography estimates that the value of submarine cable projects to be undertaken from 2023 to 2025 will reach $2.59 billion, which is six times higher than the total value since 2000, reported Nikkei Asia in May. Lin Cenxin contributed to this report. Wage-Fixing Law Takes Effect in Canada: What Does It Mean? Office workers and other pedestrians cross an intersection in downtown Toronto. (The Canadian Press/Colin Perkel) Canada has implemented new legislation to make it a criminal offence for two or more employers to engage in wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements regarding employees. The legislation took effect June 23 with amendments to the Competition Acts conspiracy provisions. It is now criminally prohibited for employers from different companies to make deals together that will fix, maintain, decrease or control salaries, wages or terms and conditions of employment. The same is true for companies to make arrangements to not solicit or hire each others employees. The Competition Act revision was part of Bill C-19 under the Budget Implementation Act, 2022, a federal omnibus budget bill that changed dozens of other pieces of legislation. Like price-fixing agreements between competitors, wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements undermine competition, says the Competition Bureau, which administers and enforces the act. Maintaining and encouraging competition among employers results in higher wages and salaries, as well as better benefits and employment opportunities for employees. The act includes hefty penalties for violating the new provisions, including a jail term of up to 14 years or a fine as determined by a court, or both. The new provisions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt and are subject to serious criminal penalties, said the bureau on its enforcement guidelines page. It noted that the provisions only apply to agreements between unaffiliated employers. For example, wage-fixing or no-poaching agreements between two or more corporate entities that are controlled by the same parent company do not violate the provision, the bureau explained. Criminal Offence Before the most recent amendments, the Competition Act only prohibited as criminal offences agreements between competitors to fix product prices, allocate markets, or restrict output, while labour and employment clauses were mentioned under civil provisions. Those previous civil provisions banned deals that would prevent or reduce competition in the marketplace on threat of up to a $25 million fine. So if an agreement between competing purchasers resulted in anti-competitive effects, such as higher prices, then that agreement could be challenged and be prohibited under the civil provisions, said Adam Goodman, a partner at Dentons competition and foreign investment review group. What the new law does is make it a criminal offence for a subset of buyer-side conduct segments. Examples The Competition Bureau provides a number of examples of how the new law would be applied. One example is that of an employer who owns a private medical laboratory and another employer who separately owns a chemical testing laboratory. If both business owners agreed they would limit annual bonuses for their employees to a certain percentage of the employees respective gross salary, this would likely violate the act. Another example, that of a consulting company and its client company, shows how the law only applies if both companies agree on no-poaching. In this case, only the client company, as part of a consulting contract, agreed not to hire the consulting companys employees for a a period of one year following contract completion. This is allowed, since the consulting company did not make the same agreement regarding the client companys employees. The bureau says it plans to prioritize its enforcement on arrangements between companies that compete for labour. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Wagner Rebellion Is a Sign of Russian Weakness: EU Minister European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the aborted mutiny of Wagner Group mercenaries against the Russian forces showed proof of fragilities in Moscows political system and weakness in its military. The most important conclusion is that the war against Ukraine launched by Putin and the monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, Borell told reports on Monday in Luxembourg ahead of a meeting of EU ministers, according to a June 26 tweet by the European External Action Service. The monster is acting against its creator. The political system is showing its fragilities, and the military power is cracking. So this is an important consequence of the war in Ukraine. The Wagner Group is a private military company that acts as Russias paramilitary organization. It has played a key role in Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Wagner mutiny was triggered following accusations of harm against its forces by the Russian army. The rebellion was eventually abandoned on Sunday. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Borrell announced that the EUs Foreign Affairs Council was providing Ukraine an additional 3.5 billion euros ($3.82 billion) of military support. He pointed out that its more important than ever to continue supporting Kyiv as the internal conflict in Russia reveals that Moscows war is negatively affecting its power. However, Borrell warned that its not a good thing to see that a nuclear power like Russia can go into a phase of political instability. Its also something that has to be taken into account. Luxembourgs Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn also shared similar concerns with reporters. It would be absolutely dangerous for Europe if the biggest country of the world with the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons was [sic] to be shattered, he said, according to Reuters. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said, It is common for authoritarian states that everything seems to be very stable until one day, nothing is stable anymore. Valtonen is expecting such a development for Russia as well. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock blamed Putin for destroying Russia with his brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. We are seeing massive cracks in the Russian propaganda. Wagner Mutiny The Wagner conflict began on Friday when Prigozhin accused the Russian military of attacking his camp. Prigozhin led his troops into Rostov-on-Don, where he claimed to have taken over some Russian military facilities. Though he characterized his retaliation not as a coup, the Kremlin saw it as such. On Saturday morning, Putin said in a televised address that he would punish those who are on a path to treason while calling Wagners betrayal a stab in the back of our country and our people. Russian forces were deployed across the capital. On Sunday, Prigozhin stood down his troops. Following negotiations with the Kremlin, Prigozhin decided to leave for Belarus while some of his fighters will be absorbed into the Russian military. In an interview with CNN, Steve Hall, a former CIA chief of Russia operations, said that everybody is scratching their heads about what transpired in Russia over the past few days. The only sense I can make from a day like today [is] you have two guys who found themselves in untenable situations and had to find their way out. Hall believes the Russian president has come across as worse off and weakened. Putin should have seen it coming literally months ago. Well see how it ends up. I dont think the story is over yet. US and China React In a June 25 interview with ABC, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Wagner rebellion showed that there were cracks in Putins power in Russia. Sixteen months ago, Russian forces were on the doorstep of Kyiv, Ukraine, thinking they were going to take the city in a matter of days. Now, they have to be focused on defending Moscow, Russias capital, against mercenaries that were initially backed by Putin, he said. We see cracks emerging. Former President Donald Trump called the situation a big mess in Russia, according to a June 24 post on his Truth Social account. But be careful what you wish for. Next in may be far worse! The Chinese foreign ministry called Wagners uprising Russias internal affairs and stated that Beijing supports Moscow in maintaining its national stability. Reuters contributed to this report. Washington Reverses Trump Policy on Funding Research in West Bank Settlements A view shows the Israeli settlement of Psagot in the West Bank, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Ammar Awad/REUTERS) The Biden administration has reportedly reversed the U.S. policy of funding research in Israeli neighborhoods in the West Bank. Israel confirmed the news as its foreign minister, Eli Cohen, decried this development. I object to the decision and think it is wrong, he said during a press conference. In similar cases in the past, the Israeli government fully reimbursed parties damaged by such decisions. The Trump administration in October 2020 lifted the U.S. ban on funding research in Israeli areas of the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria. The Trump vision opens Judea and Samaria to academic, commercial and scientific engagement with the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time. A State Department spokesperson told Axios that the department recently circulated foreign policy guidance to relevant agencies advising that engaging in bilateral scientific and technological cooperation with Israel [in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights] is inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights in 1967. The spokesperson noted that the United States still strongly values scientific and technological cooperation. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) denounced the reversal and accused the Biden administration of a double standard. Joe Biden and Biden administration officials are pathologically obsessed with undermining Israel. Since day one of their administration they have launched campaigns against our Israeli allies that are granular, whole of government, and done in secret, he said in a June 25 statement. This new boycott of Israeli Jews is yet another example. The State Department is telling the entire U.S. government not to cooperate with Jews in Judea and Samaria. And of course, it was sent to Congress in secret and only revealed because reporters found out. The Biden administration defends funding scientific research in Wuhan with the Chinese Communist Party, but theyre discriminating against and banning cooperation with Jews based on where they live. David Friedman, then-President Donald Trumps ambassador to Israel, denounced the Biden administrations move as partaking in the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Make no mistake. The United States, by this action, is embracing the BDS Movement, violating a binding bilateral agreement with Israel, and creating a lose/lose dynamic whereby the people of the regionIsraelis and Palestinianswill lose the most, Friedman posted on Twitter on June 25. The Biden administrations move comes as it has criticized Israel for building neighborhoods in the West Bank. The United States is deeply troubled by the Israeli governments reported decision to advance planning for over 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a June 18 statement. We are similarly concerned by reports of changes to Israels system of settlement administration that expedite the planning and approvals of settlements. As has been longstanding policy, the United States opposes such unilateral actions that make a two-state solution more difficult to achieve and are an obstacle to peace. We call on the Government of Israel to fulfill the commitments it made in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and return to dialogue aimed at de-escalation. White House Announces $42 Billion Investment Plan to Expand Internet Access President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The Biden administration has announced that the government will divvy up $42 billion among the nations 50 states in an effort to expand high-speed broadband to every household and small business throughout the United States by 2030. In a fact sheet released on June 26, the White House said access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for many Americans to complete the different roles in their jobs, participate in school projects, or stay connected with loved ones. Yet, more than 8.5 million households and small businesses are in areas where there is no high-speed internet infrastructure, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable internet options, the document reads. The $42 billion in federal funding under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment programwhich was signed by President Joe Biden through his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in 2021is based on a newly released Federal Communications Commission coverage map that details gaps in access. The Department of Commerce unveiled funding for states, territories, and the District of Columbia on June 26, noting that awards will range from $27 million to more than $3 billion depending on location. Each state will receive a minimum funding of $107 million. A total of 19 states are expected to receive allocations of more than $1 billion; Texas and Californiathe two most populous U.S. statestop the funding list at $3.1 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. With these allocations and other Biden administration investments, all 50 states, DC, and the territories now have the resources to connect every resident and small business to reliable, affordable high-speed internet by 2030, the White House stated. By the end of the year, states are expected to submit initial plans outlining how they propose to use the money, and the funding wont begin to be distributed until those plans are approved by the Department of Commerce, which could take until 2025. Once approved, states can begin awarding grants to telecommunications companies, electric cooperatives, and other broadband providers to build infrastructure that links homes and small businesses to the internet. However, broadband companies such as Verizon, Comcast, Charter Communications, and AT&T have been hesitant to provide access to low-population, rural communities because of the expense and how few subscribers are in those areas. The lack of broadband access drew attention during COVID-19 shutdowns that forced students into online schooling. In a June 26 memo (pdf) obtained by news outlets, senior White House advisers Anita Dunn and Mike Donilon compared the broadband expansion to President Franklin Roosevelts efforts in 1936 to bring electricity to rural America. Just like Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered electricity to every home in America through his Rural Electrification Act, the announcement is part of President Bidens broader effort to deliver investments, jobs, and opportunities directly to working and middle-class families across the country, the memo reads. Bidenomics The move will kick off the second leg of Bidens tour highlighting how legislation passed by Congress during the first half of his term will affect average Americans. We have a historic opportunity here to make a real difference in peoples lives, and making sure that we deliver on that potential is what were about every dayand to make sure that people feel that at their kitchen table, in their communities, in their backyards, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said. In addition to the broadband investment, Biden is set to deliver a major economic speech in Chicago on June 28 to highlight his vision for Bidenomics, according to the memo. The speech, which will largely focus on Bidens attempts to build a robust economy by focusing on the middle class over the wealthy, will outline the administrations success in job creation. The memo stated that the economy has added more than 13 million jobs, including nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs, since Biden took office. Bidenomics is rooted in the simple idea that we need to grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom upnot the top down, Dunn and Donilon wrote in the memo. Implementing that economic vision and planand decisively turning the page on the era of trickle-down economicshas been the defining project of the Biden presidency. Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News A cleaning guru and social media influencer stepped up to the challenge when she heard about an 87-year-old womans filthy bathroom. The transformation took an epic five hours to complete. Finland-based, Auri Katariina, 30, uses sponsorships to fund trips to her viewers homes all around the world. She often helps people who are struggling with poor mental health, sickness, or dire circumstances to clean their homes for free and has shared their amazing transformations on social media. Katariina was excited when, in mid-May, she traveled from her home in Tampere, Finland, to tackle the home of an elderly grandma after the womans daughterwho was in her 4oswrote to her on Facebook. While close to home, the job promised to be unique. She had visited her mother at the house and the last time was three years ago, Katariina told Newsflare. When she went there, she noticed that her mother had not showered or washed her hair in at least three years. She cut her hair off and didnt dare to go to the bathroom. While the grandmothers daughter sent a few photos of the house to Katariina, she had no idea of the extent of the filth in the bathroom until she arrived. The cleaning expert found the room piled high with trash, dust, old toothbrushes, empty toilet paper rolls, soiled adult diapers, and piles of used pads. Im always trying to find new types of stains, dirt, and trash and this one was so different from others Ive done before, Katariina said. She first began by clearing out all the pads. It was maybe the dirtiest bathroom I have ever seen. It was definitely the oddest, Katariina said. Then I washed all the surfaces, the sink, the toilet, the shower, shower walls, and the washing machine. I bought her new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a rug, and I also washed the floor. The mammoth cleaning took Katariina five hours, whereas a dirty bathroom usually takes her close to three hours. She mainly used dish soap, kitchen spray, and oven cleaner. When she finished the deep cleaning, she texted photos to the grandmas daughter. According to Katariina, the daughter said: You are unbelievable. This cant be true. I have no words to thank you enough! Among the trash in the bathroom, Katariina found a heart-shaped stone, a long-lost treasure that the grandma had asked her to look out for. Tragically, Katariina didnt get the chance to give it back as the 87-year-old passed away on May 18, just one day after the special cleaning stint was completed. It was sad for the poor granny, it felt strange to know the elderly woman would never see her transformed home, but this she knew, she had lifted a weight of worry from the womans extended family. Later, Katariina posted footage of her epic cleanup online, where it quickly amassed over 75 million views and thousands of supportive comments. [N]o money in the world would be enough to get me to clean such a mess, one viewer wrote. I cant even imagine how she is doing it for free. I have a cleaning company and I would never do this. Bless your heart, wrote another one. Youre so amazing for doing this, my mom is a hoarder and it means a lot to us, a third added. For Katariina, cleaning peoples homes is akin to having a good meal. When I arrive there and see the mess, its like seeing a good meal! When Im cleaning, its like eating a good meal, and after cleaning, you are full and satisfied, but a clean plate is boring so you go and try to find the next meal like that, Katariina once told The Epoch Times. Since documenting her amazing transformations, her social media channels have grown fast. The skilled cleaner quit her job as a service manager at a cleaning company in 2021 to realize her dream of cleaning homes for people in need, for free. Watch the video: (Video credit: Newsflare) 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 Callous agencies, crazy commuters create chaos at Rahate Colony T-point By Sagar Mohod Society has come to such a point that no matter how hard one tries to restore the order, citizens prefer to go overboard, often out of the way, and end up creating chaos. And no better way to witness the disorder than roads in the Second Capital of the State. While largely commuters are to be blamed, at the same time lack of planning and co-ordination between development agencies is forcing the disconnect between discipline and order on city roads. The stretch from Amar- jyoti Complex turning to Kruplani Square on Wardha Road is a good case study as to how Government agencies have messed-up on the planning front. To facilitate construction of cement road, commuters are barred from taking right turn while approaching Rahate Colony from Congress Nagar. The contractor has put up banners in front of Forensic Science Laboratory to alert road users about temporary diversion, which itself has become the root cause of the chaos at the busy Rahate Colony T-point. First one gets to learn about closure of the road only on reaching the T-point. Logically, the warning about closure of the road ahead should have been put right from Congress Nagar Square. Also the banner did not clearly specify about No Right Turn for the commuters. Confused, motorists reach up to the T-point and get trapped in the traffic. On reaching Rahate Colony T-point, the motorist zooms ahead and finds his own way, even if it means violating traffic rule and risking own life and of other road users too. Similarly, the ingenuity of citizens and absence of cops at the spot means there is free for at the Rahate Colony T-point and its surrounding road stretches. Daily one witnesses commuters taking risky shortcuts just to avoid a circuitous drive, they are hell bent on driving wrong side towards Rahate Colony Square unmindful of obstacles they are causing to traffic, said Kamlesh Gourkar, who has his business nearby, while talking to The Hitavada. Centre assured all possible help to restore normalcy in Manipur: CM NEW DELHI/ IMPHAL, MANIPUR Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that the Central Government would take all possible steps to bring back normalcy in Manipur. After meeting Shah in New Delhi, he said that the Home Minister has advised him to strengthen the work towards achieving everlasting peace and also sought the cooperation of every stakeholder in Manipur to ensure that peace prevails in the state. After the meeting, the Chief Minister, in a series of tweets, said: Called on Honble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah Ji in New Delhi today and briefed about the evolving situation on the ground in Manipur. Under Amit Shah Jis close supervision, the State and Central Govt have been able to control the violence to a great extent in the past week. It may be noted that there has been no report of casualties due to the violence since the 13th of June. Honble Union HM has assured that the Central Government will take all possible steps to bring normalcy in Manipur. Further, Amit Shah Ji advised us to strengthen our work towards achieving everlasting peace and also sought the cooperation of every stakeholder in Manipur to ensure that peace prevails in the State. I was joined by BJP National Spokesperson Shri Sambit Swaraj Ji, Honble MP Rajya Sabha Shri Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba Ji and Honble Speaker Shri Th Satyabrata Singh Ji. The Manipur Chief Minister went to Delhi a day after the all party meeting was held by the Union Home Minister in Delhi. In the Saturdays all-party meeting, Shah reportedly told the political leaders that the government would take steps on the basis of the suggestions submitted by the political parties. Since the ethnic violence began in Manipur on May 3, this is the Chief Ministers second visit to New Delhi to hold meetings with Central ministers and leaders. On May 14, Biren Singh, accompanied by Power, Forest and Agriculture Minister Biswajit Singh and state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, had visited Delhi and held a series of meetings with Union Home Minister and other central leaders. Communal tension, political maneuvering loom over Kawardha constituency By E V Murli & Anand Jalgaonkar Kabirdham, known as Chhattisgarhs Khajurao, is home to the picturesque Bhoramdeo Mandir. This serene district, situated on the southern bank of the Sakri River, derived its name from the revered sant Kabir, whose verses have transformed countless lives. However, the tranquility of Kabirdham was shattered when it experienced an unprecedented outbreak of communal tension, marking the first such incident in the administrative capital of Kawardha. Opposition parties wasted no time in criticising the ruling party, blaming them for their alleged failure to address the issue promptly. This communal unrest has left a lasting impact on the people, who suspect political conspirators behind the incident, with potential consequences for the upcoming elections. The incumbent MLA may face criticism for his inability to handle the situation effectively. The people endured days of curfew and Section 144, an unfamiliar experience for them. As the assembly elections approach, these scars of the past may resurface, offering political advantages to those who exploit them. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party are gearing up for the forthcoming assembly polls. They are engaging in extensive meetings, evaluating ground realities, and gauging the mood of the voters. Presently, Mohammed Akbar, a prominent Congress leader, represents Kawardha and holds a Cabinet rank position as the Minister of Forest and Transport. The Congress party aims to win the political battle by taking credit for the developmental projects accomplished during their tenure. They can boast of several achievements, including the longawaited Bilaspur road bridge over the Sakri River, the establishment of an ethanol plant in Singhanpur, the sanctioning of a medical college, financial assistance for community halls, and the Swechchha Anudan program for the needy. On the other hand, the BJP, the major opposition party, is determined to capture the seat by raising pertinent issues. They highlight concerns such as the alteration of the canal expansion route, affecting the interests of farmers in Kabirdham, Pandariya, and benefiting those in Bemetara and Saja. They also draw attention to delayed payments to sugarcane farmers, unchecked deforestation, religious flag disputes, and the increasing population of specific communities in forest areas and villages like Rengakhar and Koikukdur. Moreover, the BJP also criticizes Mohammed Akbars lack of presence in the constituency. The Kabirdham assembly constituency is predominantly dominated by Sahu voters, followed by tribal communities, with Kurmis also holding a considerable vote share. In the previous assembly election, Mohammed Akbar secured victory with a margin of over 59,000 votes, after losing to BJPs Ashok Sahu by a narrow margin of 2,500 votes in 2013. It is highly likely that Mohammed Akbar will be fielded as the Congress partys candidate in the upcoming election. Yogeshwar Raj Singh, a former MLA from the royal family, is another potential candidate, but his involvement in party activities has been minimal. In the BJP camp, notable candidates include Vijay Sharma, who has gained popularity across various sections, Dr. Siyaram Sahu and Ashok Sahu, both former MLAs, and Santosh Patel, the former Vice President of Kawardha Jila Panchayat. While the Congress party has a chance to retain the seat by garnering support from rural voters through their initiatives for farmers and other state government schemes, the BJP also stands a chance of winning. The BJPs strategy includes careful selection of candidates, evaluating their positions, and connecting with the people through senior leaders like Dr. Raman Singh, who has connection with the local population. Reports suggest that anti-incumbency sentiment, discontentment, and other issues may pose challenges for Mohammed Akbar. The BJP may attempt to capitalize on these factors. However, Mohammed Akbar, a seasoned politician, possesses the political acumen to counter such motives. The BJP is unlikely to take the fight against Mohammed Akbar in Kawardha lightly though Akbar has a tendency to change his constituency. Previous election results for the Kabirdham assembly constituency in 2018: Mohammed Akbar (INC) - 136,320 votes, 2013: Ashok Sahu (BJP) - 93,645 votes, 2008: Dr. Siyaram Sahu (BJP) - 78,817 votes, 2003: Yogeshwar Raj Singh (INC) - 51,092 votes. Drug addiction drives youth to end life Staff Reporter A twenty-two years old youth, identified as Anuj Ajay Gupta, took his own life due to drug addiction in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred at his residence in the Lakadganj area on the eve of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. According to police, Anuj, son of a local Poha-Murmura shop-owner in Itwari, had been actively involved in assisting his father. However, he fell into the clutches of drug addiction in the past few months. As his addiction worsened, Anuj started purchasing drugs on credit. According to Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Vivek Zingare, Anujs brother Sarthak (27) provided a statement confirming his brothers addiction to drugs. It was discovered that Anuj left behind a suicide note in his room, holding a specific individual accountable for pressuring him into incurring the debts. The note alleged that this person was the one responsible for dragging Anuj into drug addiction. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said the weekend mutiny by mercenary troops in Russia showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine was a "mistake". "We are monitoring the situation in Russia. The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine," Stoltenberg told reporters. He spoke while on a visit to Lithuania -- which will host next month's NATO summit -- a couple of days after the Wagner mercenary group's aborted revolt against the Kremlin. After Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin called off his troops' advance on Saturday, Moscow said he would leave Russia for Belarus and would not face charges. "We are also monitoring the situation in Belarus," Stoltenberg said, after Russia sent nuclear ammunition there earlier this month. "We condemn Russia's announcement about deploying nuclear weapons. This is reckless and irresponsible," Stoltenberg added. "We don't see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons but NATO remains vigilant." Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also appeared at the press conference in Vilnius alongside Stoltenberg. "The events of the past weekend in Russia demonstrated the instability of the Kremlin regime. Similar or even bigger challenges can be expected in the future," he told reporters. He said the aborted Wagner mutiny could affect the security of the region. "The establishment of the Wagner group in Belarus may become an additional factor," he added. Search Keywords: Short link: Staff Reporter Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur signed an MoU with district administration to formalise the District Development Strategy (DDS) plans, on Sunday. Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, signed the MoU with District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Divisional Commissioner Vijaylakshmi Bidari. IIM Nagpur will help develop guidelines assisting the District Collectors in the formation of action plans and strategies that could be adopted to turn Nagpur district into the preferred destination for investments for the corporate world by augmenting capacities, identifying new opportunities, leveraging new technologies and scientific and historical data thus resulting in the devolution of funds, functionaries and functions. The existing growth plan for the Nagpur district is to allocate various budgets based on the availability of funds and as per the projections of respective departments on their strategies. Hence, the need is felt to have a cohesive approach to move beyond the conventional allocation and monitoring of the budgets. Considering the vital need to focus on concerted efforts and synergise coordination and convergence of the results to achieve a collaborative approach specific to the districts needs and exploit the advantages with a systemic approach, IIM Nagpur will function as a consultant to help the administration develop action plans and strategies that could be adopted for the achievement of the growth vision. IIM Nagpur will help the administration in developing a time-bound action plan to define a smart short, medium and long-term action plan, including objectives, initiatives, budgetary provisions, timelines for executions, completion, policy reforms for each sub-sector identified. Prioritisation of action plans/programmes to align them with the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India priority plans. The Institute will also identify policy gaps that would be detrimental to the growth agenda and bring them to the notice of policymakers in the State. Modi conferred with Order of the Nile CAIRO, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi was on Sunday conferred with the Order of the Nile, Egypts highest honour, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi here. Instituted in 1915, the Order of the Nile is conferred upon heads of states, crown princes, and Vice Presidents who offer Egypt or humanity invaluable services. This is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi. The Order of the Nile is a pure gold collar consisting of three-square gold units comprising Pharaonic symbols. The first unit resembles the idea of protecting the state against the evils, the second one resembles prosperity and happiness brought by the Nile and the third one refers to wealth and endurance. The three units are connected to one another by a circular gold flower decorated with turquoise and ruby. Hanging from the collar is a hexagonal pendant decorated with flowers of the Pharaonic style, and turquoise and ruby gems. In the middle of the pendant, there is a protruding symbol representing the Nile that brings together the North (represented by the Papyrus) and the South (represented by the Lotus). Over the past nine years, the Prime Minister has been conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu, the highest civilian award of Papua New Guinea; the Companion of the Order of Fiji; the Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau; the Order of the Druk Gyalp, the highest civilian decoration by Bhutan. NARCO test report of manager in IPMSB scam submitted Staff Reporter RAIPUR, The Narco test FSL report and CD of Indira Priyadarshini Mahila Sahkari Bank (IPMSB) scam accused bank manager Umesh Sinha were handed over to the Raipur police on Sunday. Police received the CD and report after the court order. Police will start re-investigation after observing the CD and FSL report. Many more points may come up in the investigation. After the investigation, many big people may be arrested. Its important to note that in the year 2006-07, a scam of more than Rs 20 crore was unearthed at India Priyadarshini Mahila Sahakari Bank. The Banks Manager Umesh Sinha including 18 members of Banks board of directors were booked under other several provisions including cheating and breach of trust. The case was registered in Kotwali Raipur Partially decomposed bodies of couple, their son found hanging in house Staff Reporter Sensation prevailed in Rampur Chhapar area when partially decomposed bodies of a couple and their son were found hanging with ceiling fan in their house under the jurisdiction of Gorakhpur police station on Sunday afternoon. The deceased have been identified as Ravi Barman (40), his wife Punam Barman (38) and their son Aryan Barman (8), all residents of Chhapar in Rampur. According to Gorakhpur police, they received information of a suicide incident in Chhapar area. Learning about the incident, a police team reached the spot where Santosh Barman (44), a resident of Chhapar informed that his younger brother Ravi Shankar Barman lived at his neighbouring house. He informed that he last saw Ravi Shankar when he along with his wife and son returned from his in-laws house in Narsinghpur district on Friday. Thereafter, nobody saw Ravi, his wife and son out of the house. On Sunday, their families had a plan to visit Maihar. He several times knocked the door of Ravis house but could not get any reply from inside the house. He held doubt when he with the help of other residents entered the house by breaking the entrance door and found that Ravi along with his wife Punam and son Aryan were hanging from a ceiling fan. In further investigation, police learnt that the deceased Ravi Shankar Barman was working as Medical Representative at a pharmaceutical company and he had no rivalry or debts. PM Modi visits Egypts historic 11th century Al-Hakim Mosque CAIRO, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited Egypts historic 11th century Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo, restored with the help of Indias Dawoodi Bohra community. On the second day of his state visit to Egypt, Modi was shown around the mosque whose latest restoration was completed about three months ago. The Prime Minister was seen appreciating the intricate carved inscriptions on the walls and doorways of the mosque which was built in 1012. Over a thousand years old, al-Hakim is the fourth oldest mosque in Cairo, and the second Fatimid mosque to be built in the city. The mosque covers an area of 13,560 square metres, with the iconic central courtyard occupying 5,000 square metres. The Bohra community, which is settled in India, originated from the Fatimids. They renovated the mosque from 1970 onwards and have been maintaining it since then, he told PTI. The Prime Minister has a very close attachment to the Bohra community who have also been in Gujarat for many years and it will be an occasion for him to again visit a very important religious site for the Bohra community, Indias Ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte earlier said. The historic Mosque has been named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the 16th Fatimid caliph and is an important religious and cultural site for the Dawoodi Bohra community. PM pays tributes to WWI Indian soldiers in Cairo CAIRO, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery here and offered tributes to the Indian soldiers who bravely fought and laid down their lives in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War. Modi offered floral tributes and signed the visitors book at the Cemetery that comprises the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial and the Heliopolis (Aden) Memorial. Prime Minister paid homage to over 4,300 valiant Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Egypt and Aden during the 1st World War, the MEA said in a press release. The Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial commemorates nearly 4,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting in Egypt and Palestine in the First World War. The Heliopolis (Aden) Memorial pays tribute to more than 600 men of the Commonwealth forces who sacrificed their lives for Aden during the First World War. The Cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It also houses 1,700 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War as well as several war graves of other nationalities, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. Located at the south end of the Suez Canal, the original Port Tewfik memorial was unveiled in 1926. Designed by Sir John Burnet, the original memorial sustained damages during the 1967-1973 Israeli-Egyptian conflict and was eventually demolished, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. In October 1980, a new memorial with panels bearing the names of the martyred Indian soldiers was unveiled by the Indian Ambassador to Egypt in the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery. Last October, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid tributes at Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery. MOSCOW, THE greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power fizzled out after the rebellious mercenary commander who ordered his troops to march on Moscow abruptly reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and sounded the retreat. The brief revolt, though, exposed vulnerabilities among Russian Government forces, with Wagner Group soldiers under the command of Yevgeny Prigozhin able to move unimpeded into the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and advance hundreds of kilometres toward Moscow. The Russian military scrambled to defend Russias capital. Under the deal announced on Saturday by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prigozhin will go to neighbouring Belarus, which has supported Russias invasion of Ukraine. Charges against him of mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped. The Government also said it would not prosecute Wagner fighters who took part, while those who did not join in were to be offered contracts by the Defence Ministry. Prigozhin ordered his troops back to their field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian regular soldiers. By Sunday morning there were still no reports of Prigozhin arriving in Belarus. Many other questions remained unanswered, including whether Prigozhin would be joined in exile by any of Wagners troops and what role, if any, he might have there. Prigozhin, who sent out a series of audio and video updates during his revolt, has gone silent since the Kremlin announced that the deal had been brokered for him to end his march and leave Russia. Video posted on Russian messaging app channels from Rostov-on-Don showed people cheering Wagner troops as they departed. Some ran to shake hands with Prigozhin, who was riding in an SUV. The regional Governor later said that all of the troops had left the city. Putin had vowed earlier to punish those behind the armed uprising led by his onetime protege. In a televised speech to the nation, he called the rebellion a betrayal and treason. In allowing Prigozhin and his forces to go free, Peskov said, Putins highest goal was to avoid bloodshed and internal confrontation with unpredictable results. The risk for Putin is whether he will be seen as weak, analysts said. Putin has been diminished for all time by this affair, former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said on CNN. Early Saturday, Prigozhins private Army appeared to control the military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, a city 660 miles (over 1,000 kilometres) south of Moscow, which runs Russian operations in Ukraine, Britains Ministry of Defence said. Moscow braced for the arrival of the Wagner forces by erecting checkpoints with armored vehicles and troops on the citys southern edge. About 3,000 Chechen soldiers were pulled from fighting in Ukraine and rushed there early Saturday, state television in Chechnya reported. Russian troops armed with machine guns put up checkpoints on Moscows southern outskirts. Crews dug up sections of highways to slow the march. Wagner troops advanced to just 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Moscow, according to Prigozhin. But after the deal was struck, Prigozhin announced that he had decided to retreat to avoid shedding Russian blood. A US-based think tank argued that Prigozhins rebellion exposed severe weaknesses in the Kremlin and the Ministry of Defence. The Institute for the Study of War said that the Kremlin struggled to put up a coherent response to the rebellion, and that one reason was likely the impact of heavy Russian losses in Ukraine. Wagner likely could have reached the outskirts of Moscow if Prigozhin chose to order them to do so, the institute said. On Sunday morning some restrictions were still in place along the main highway between Moscow and Rostov-on-Don though traffic restrictions were gradually being lifted in other places. Prigozhin had demanded the ouster of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Prigozhin has long criticised in withering terms for his conduct of the 16-month-long war in Ukraine. If Putin were to agree to Shoigus ouster, it could be politically damaging for the President after he branded Prigozhin a backstabbing traitor. Stand-off in Imphal ends after Armys mature decision IMPHAL/KOLKATA, AFTER a stand-off between a mob led by women and security forces that had cordoned off Itham village in Imphal East, where a dozen members of militant group KYKL were hiding, the Army took a mature decision to not risk civilian lives and left with seized weapons and ammunition, officials said on Sunday. The Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group, was involved in a number of attacks, including the ambush of a 6 Dogra unit in 2015, they said. The stand-off in Itham went on throughout Saturday, and ended after a mature decision by the operational commander keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, they added. Among those holed up in the village was self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam, a wanted terrorist who may have been the mastermind of the Dogra ambush tragedy, the officials said. The village is situated 6 km east of Andro and in a densely wooded area. A 1,500-strong mob led by women surrounded the Army coloumn, and prevented the forces from carrying away the militants, who had been apprehended, they said. Repeated appeals to the aggressive mob to let the security forces carry on with operation as per law did not yield any positive result, the officials said. The Armys decision to leave was taken, keeping in mind the need to avoid any collateral damage during the ongoing unrest in Manipur. 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 communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Two drug peddlers arrested with 16 kg ganja worth Rs 2 lakh Staff Reporter Gautam Nagar police have arrested two drug peddlers and seized 16 kg ganja from their possession. They had reached Bhopal from a bus from Nagpur on Saturday, said police. Cops had received a tip-off about the accused and teams were searching for them in all possible locations. A team of police nabbed them while they were heading towards Sharda Nagar from bus stand, on foot. Police said the accused told that they reached Bhopal from Nagpur in a bus. They had brought ganja from Visakhapatnam, said police. Both the accused are habitual offenders and had earlier also been booked on similar charges. SHO Jaheer Khan said the accused were identified as Narendra Singh (20) and Kalyan Singh (19). They were produced in the court and now cops are trying to search their network. Khan said the seized ganja is worth above Rs 2 lakh in the market. The Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II on Sunday sent a cable to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, then called Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb, congratulating them ahead of Eid Al-Adha. In his cable, the pope sent heartfelt greetings to the president and all Muslims on behalf of the Coptic Church. The pope expressed appreciation for the presidents efforts to achieve the aspirations of Egyptians while also wishing for more peace, security and prosperity in Egypt. Eid Al-Adha begins on Wednesday, 28 June this year, based on the Gregorian calendar. During the phone call, El-Tayyeb emphasized the importance of exchanging peace and love between Muslims and Christians during feasts like Eid Al-Adha. Muslims traditionally gather with friends and family during the holiday, ritually slaughtering animals and giving the meat to the poor. El-Tayyeb also wished Tawadros a speedy recovery following a sudden illness during mass earlier this month. The pope concluded the call by expressing his hopes for Egypt's progress. Eid El-Adha, one of the two Islamic religious holidays, occurs on the tenth day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Eid El-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's obedience to God when he was willing to sacrifice his son and coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is mandatory once in a lifetime for non-disabled Muslims who can afford it. Every year, millions of Muslims worldwide perform the Hajj in the Holy City of Mecca over a span of five to six days in one of the worlds largest annual religious gatherings. Hajj rituals commenced on Sunday evening at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Search Keywords: Short link: The search for survivors is still underway after a 13-story building in Sidi Bishr neighborhood of Alexandria collapsed on Monday, killing at least one and injuring four. According to Governor of Alexandria Mohammed El-Sherif, rescue teams are searching for any victims who may be trapped under the rubble. The body of one victim has been recovered as of Monday evening, according to a statement by the Ministry of health. Two more people were rescued alive from the building itself. Four passersby were injured, according to Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Population Amira Tahio in a phone interview earlier in the day with the Al-Hadath satellite channel. Their injuries are mild to moderate, ranging from a broken leg to mild asphyxiation to scratches and bruises, stated Tahio. All the injured left the hospitals by Monday night after receiving medical treatment, according to the ministry. Ambulances remain at the scene in anticipation of any other injuries or deaths. Authorities are still searching for victims, and the total number of casualties is unknown. It is unclear how many people were inside the building as it is a vacation property with no regular tenants. The collapse crushed parked cars and shops below the building. It also ignited a fire that was subsequently extinguished The property, dating back to the 1970s, had been previously condemned. "The top floor of the building had a demolition order, and the entire property was examined by the committee responsible for inspecting buildings at risk of collapse," the governor said. Prosecutor-General Hamada El-Sawy has ordered an investigation into the collapse, according to a statement from the Public Prosecution. A team from the prosecution inspected the scene and instructed civil defence and municipal officials to secure the area and adjacent properties as necessary. They also formed a committee from the governorate's Housing Directorate to determine the cause of the incident and examine the building's file, according to the statement. The Decent Life Foundation will provide financial compensation of EGP 25,000 to each victims family, according to a Monday announcement. The foundation's field monitoring teams in Alexandria have been deployed to provide on-ground support to the victims, the announcement added. Search Keywords: Short link: Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC (LON:DPH Get Rating) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 3,672 ($46.99). A number of analysts have recently weighed in on DPH shares. Numis Securities restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 4,000 ($51.18) target price on shares of Dechra Pharmaceuticals in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Dechra Pharmaceuticals from GBX 4,600 ($58.86) to GBX 4,000 ($51.18) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 2,850 ($36.47) price objective on shares of Dechra Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated an outperform rating and set a GBX 4,070 ($52.08) target price on shares of Dechra Pharmaceuticals in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 3,112 ($39.82) target price on shares of Dechra Pharmaceuticals in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Get Dechra Pharmaceuticals alerts: Dechra Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance Dechra Pharmaceuticals stock opened at GBX 3,630 ($46.45) on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 60.73, a current ratio of 2.73 and a quick ratio of 1.66. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 3,598.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 3,066.69. Dechra Pharmaceuticals has a 52-week low of GBX 2,473.32 ($31.65) and a 52-week high of GBX 3,882 ($49.67). The firm has a market capitalization of 4.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 10,088.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.79. Dechra Pharmaceuticals Company Profile Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC develops, manufactures, regulates, markets, and sells veterinary pharmaceuticals and related products for veterinarians. It operates through three segments: European Pharmaceuticals, North American Pharmaceuticals, and Pharmaceuticals Research and Development. The company offers various endocrinology, dermatology, analgesia and anesthesia, cardiovascular, and critical care products for dogs and cats; water soluble antibiotics, poultry vaccines, and pain management for poultry, pigs, and cattle; and lameness and pain management products for horses and ponies. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Dechra Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dechra Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China National Building Material (OTCMKTS:CBUMY Get Rating) and Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. (NYSE:CPAC Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings and risk. Valuation and Earnings This table compares China National Building Material and Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A.s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get China National Building Material alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio China National Building Material N/A N/A N/A $57.49 0.54 Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. $546.14 million 0.80 $45.64 million $0.53 9.70 Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. has higher revenue and earnings than China National Building Material. China National Building Material is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Insider & Institutional Ownership Profitability 0.4% of Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares China National Building Material and Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A.s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China National Building Material N/A N/A N/A Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. 8.45% 13.95% 5.33% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations for China National Building Material and Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A., as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China National Building Material 0 0 0 1 4.00 Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. 0 0 0 0 N/A Summary Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. beats China National Building Material on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About China National Building Material (Get Rating) China National Building Material Company Limited, an investment holding company, engages in building material, new materials, and engineering technical services businesses. The company operates in five segments: Cement, Concrete, New materials, Engineering services, and Others. It produces and sells cement, concrete, and glass fiber, as well as composite and lightweight building materials. The company also provides cement and mining technical equipment, and engineering services, as well as transportation and repairment solutions. In addition, it is involved in the merchandise trading and other businesses. The company operates in the People's Republic of China, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Africa, the Americas, and internationally. China National Building Material Company Limited was founded in 2005 and is based in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. About Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. (Get Rating) Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A., a cement company, produces, distributes, and sells cement and cement-related materials in Peru. It operates through three segments: Cement, Concrete, Mortar, and Precast; Quicklime; and Sales of Construction Supplies. The company's cement and concrete products are used in residential and commercial construction, and civil engineering; ready-mix concrete used in construction sites; concrete precast, such as paving units or paver stones for pedestrian walkways, as well as other bricks for partition walls and concrete precast for structural and non-structural uses; and cement-based products. It also produces and distributes quicklime for use in steel, food, fishing, and chemical industries. In addition, the company sells and distributes other construction materials manufactured by third parties, such as steel rebar, plastic pipes, and electrical wires. It sells and distributes its products to other retailers, private construction companies, and government entities through a network of independent retailers and hardware stores. The company was incorporated in 1949 and is headquartered in Lima, Peru. Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. is a subsidiary of Inversiones ASPI S.A. Receive News & Ratings for China National Building Material Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China National Building Material and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Constellium (NYSE:CSTM Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Thursday morning. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Credit Suisse Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $22.00 target price on shares of Constellium in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Constellium in a research note on Monday, May 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Constellium from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Constellium from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, 58.com reiterated an initiates rating on shares of Constellium in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Constellium presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $20.00. Get Constellium alerts: Constellium Stock Down 1.6 % CSTM opened at $16.09 on Thursday. Constellium has a one year low of $9.82 and a one year high of $16.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.46, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 1.21. The stocks fifty day moving average is $15.37 and its 200-day moving average is $14.47. The company has a market capitalization of $2.32 billion, a PE ratio of 16.42 and a beta of 1.88. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Constellium ( NYSE:CSTM Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $2.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.68 billion. Constellium had a return on equity of 34.80% and a net margin of 1.74%. On average, equities analysts predict that Constellium will post 1.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Constellium by 35.0% in the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,700 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of Constellium by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 184,945 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,188,000 after purchasing an additional 739 shares during the period. North Run Capital LP raised its stake in shares of Constellium by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. North Run Capital LP now owns 93,220 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,103,000 after purchasing an additional 750 shares during the period. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Constellium by 26.5% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 3,612 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 757 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in shares of Constellium by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 34,787 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $412,000 after purchasing an additional 791 shares during the period. 91.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Constellium Company Profile (Get Rating) Constellium SE, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of specialty rolled and extruded aluminum products for the packaging, aerospace, automotive, other transportation and industrial end-markets. The company operates through three segments: Packaging & Automotive Rolled Products, Aerospace & Transportation, and Automotive Structures & Industry. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Constellium Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellium and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE:DEA Get Rating) has been given an average rating of Hold by the six research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $16.58. DEA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Easterly Government Properties from $15.00 to $16.00 in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Compass Point raised shares of Easterly Government Properties from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $17.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Easterly Government Properties in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Get Easterly Government Properties alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in DEA. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 7.9% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 63,313 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,338,000 after buying an additional 4,611 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 11.7% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 16,447 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $347,000 after buying an additional 1,721 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 23.6% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 19,267 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $407,000 after buying an additional 3,681 shares during the period. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Easterly Government Properties during the first quarter worth about $368,000. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its position in Easterly Government Properties by 6.8% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 64,622 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,366,000 after buying an additional 4,101 shares during the period. 84.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Easterly Government Properties Trading Down 2.0 % Easterly Government Properties Dividend Announcement NYSE DEA opened at $13.89 on Monday. The firms fifty day moving average is $14.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.52. Easterly Government Properties has a one year low of $12.27 and a one year high of $20.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 5.57 and a current ratio of 5.57. The firm has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a PE ratio of 44.81 and a beta of 0.66. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a dividend of $0.265 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 10th. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.63%. Easterly Government Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 341.94%. About Easterly Government Properties (Get Rating Easterly Government Properties, Inc (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, DC, and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Easterly Government Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Easterly Government Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nedbank Group (OTCMKTS:NDBKY Get Rating) is one of 253 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Nedbank Group to similar businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings and profitability. Profitability This table compares Nedbank Group and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Nedbank Group alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nedbank Group N/A N/A N/A Nedbank Group Competitors 36.05% 10.11% 0.91% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Nedbank Group and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Nedbank Group N/A N/A 7.82 Nedbank Group Competitors $1.90 billion $475.82 million 271.83 Institutional & Insider Ownership Nedbank Groups rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Nedbank Group. Nedbank Group 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. 0.0% of Nedbank Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.3% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 15.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held 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. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings for Nedbank Group and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nedbank Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Nedbank Group Competitors 1017 2836 2826 7 2.27 As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 329.15%. Given Nedbank Groups rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Nedbank Group has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Dividends Nedbank Group pays an annual dividend of $0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.0%. Nedbank Group pays out 47.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.1% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Nedbank Group lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Summary Nedbank Group rivals beat Nedbank Group on 10 of the 10 factors compared. Nedbank Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Nedbank Group Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various wholesale and retail banking services in South Africa and internationally. It offers personal banking solutions, including bank accounts; advisory, management, and stockbroking investment services; personal and home loans, student loans, overdrafts, vehicle and solar finance, and short-term loans, credit cards; life, funeral, short term, travel, and business insurance; and financial planning, retirement planning, will drafting, estate planning, and will and trust services, as well as private wealth finance solution. The company also provides business banking services, such as business accounts; overdraft, small business credit card, invoice discounting, vehicle and equipment finance, property finance, and term-loans; investment solutions; card and cash solutions; cash handling; merchant services; global trade solutions; agriculture, construction, engineering, property, debtors, heavy commercial vehicle, and general insurance; and industry specific solutions. In addition, the company offers corporate banking services comprising corporate finance; debt and equity capital markets; aircraft, carbon, energy, export credit, commodity finance; corporate lending and advances; infrastructure, TMT, and public sector; leveraged and diversified financing; mining and resources; oil and gas; private equity; property finance; structures solutions; sustainable solutions; and venture capital. The company was formerly known as Nedcor Limited and changed its name to Nedbank Group Limited in 2005. Nedbank Group Limited was founded in 1831 and is headquartered in Sandton, South Africa. Receive News & Ratings for Nedbank Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nedbank Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortis Inc. (TSE:FTS Get Rating) has been assigned a consensus rating of Hold from the seven analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is C$58.65. A number of analysts have recently commented on FTS shares. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Fortis from C$51.00 to C$52.00 in a research report on Friday, March 24th. CIBC raised their price objective on Fortis from C$59.00 to C$61.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. TD Securities upped their target price on Fortis from C$63.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Scotiabank raised their price target on Fortis from C$58.00 to C$60.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price objective on Fortis from C$56.00 to C$57.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Get Fortis alerts: Fortis Price Performance FTS stock opened at C$55.43 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$58.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$56.69. Fortis has a 1 year low of C$48.45 and a 1 year high of C$62.00. The stock has a market cap of C$26.86 billion, a PE ratio of 18.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 127.94. Fortis Dividend Announcement Fortis ( TSE:FTS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.82 by C$0.09. The business had revenue of C$3.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$3.02 billion. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 12.85%. Equities analysts forecast that Fortis will post 3 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a dividend of $0.565 per share. This represents a $2.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.08%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 16th. Fortiss dividend payout ratio is presently 76.87%. Fortis Company Profile (Get Rating Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 443,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 102,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,328 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC lessened its stake in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Get Rating) by 0.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 165,160 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 814 shares during the period. Quest Diagnostics makes up approximately 2.3% of Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings, making the stock its 10th largest position. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC owned about 0.15% of Quest Diagnostics worth $23,367,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 3,711 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $581,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 33.3% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 280 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 20.0% during the 4th quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 420 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Clean Yield Group lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Clean Yield Group now owns 15,322 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,397,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,814 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $753,000 after buying an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.39% of the companys stock. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup upgraded shares of Quest Diagnostics from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $125.00 to $142.00 in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Mizuho reiterated a buy rating and issued a $165.00 price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Bank of America cut shares of Quest Diagnostics from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $166.00 to $148.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $151.20. Quest Diagnostics Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of DGX traded down $0.38 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $141.11. The companys stock had a trading volume of 183,540 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,095,135. The companys 50-day moving average is $136.54 and its 200-day moving average is $142.10. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 52-week low of $120.40 and a 52-week high of $158.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.87 and a beta of 0.95. 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 (NYSE:DGX Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical research company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.07. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.26% and a return on equity of 16.51%. The company had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.20 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.22 earnings per share. Quest Diagnosticss revenue for the quarter was down 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. Quest Diagnostics Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 11th will be issued a $0.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 10th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.01%. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio is currently 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DGX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Get Rating). 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. Shares of Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $72.20. Several research analysts recently weighed in on PFGC shares. TheStreet upgraded shares of Performance Food Group from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Monday, March 20th. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Performance Food Group from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $74.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Performance Food Group from $75.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Performance Food Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Get Performance Food Group alerts: Insider Activity at Performance Food Group In other Performance Food Group news, insider Patrick T. Hagerty sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.91, for a total value of $111,820.00. Following the completion of 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 SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Patrick T. Hagerty sold 2,000 shares of Performance Food Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.91, for a total value of $111,820.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 151,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,486,578.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider George L. Holm sold 2,680 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.06, for a total transaction of $160,960.80. Following the sale, the insider now owns 658,400 shares in the company, valued at $39,543,504. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.80% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Performance Food Group Performance Food Group Stock Performance A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Performance Food Group by 11.8% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 29,041 shares of the food distribution companys stock valued at $1,479,000 after acquiring an additional 3,064 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its position in shares of Performance Food Group by 8.1% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,602 shares of the food distribution companys stock valued at $234,000 after buying an additional 343 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new position in Performance Food Group during the first quarter worth $71,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in Performance Food Group by 33.0% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 14,458 shares of the food distribution companys stock valued at $737,000 after buying an additional 3,588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its holdings in Performance Food Group by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 86,254 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $4,516,000 after buying an additional 6,905 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.40% of the companys stock. Shares of PFGC opened at $57.77 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $58.44 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $58.76. Performance Food Group has a 52 week low of $42.77 and a 52 week high of $63.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.77 and a beta of 1.36. 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 (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. The business had revenue of $13.77 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.94 billion. Performance Food Group had a net margin of 0.57% and a return on equity of 17.20%. Equities analysts forecast that Performance Food Group will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. 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. Further Reading 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. PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM Get Rating)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $77.27 and last traded at $77.27, with a volume of 152114 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $76.27. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PHM has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays raised their price target on PulteGroup from $86.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on PulteGroup from $73.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Wolfe Research raised PulteGroup from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $64.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd. StockNews.com started coverage on PulteGroup in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of PulteGroup in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, PulteGroup has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.79. Get PulteGroup alerts: PulteGroup Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $68.46 and a 200-day moving average of $58.34. The stock has a market cap of $17.20 billion, a PE ratio of 6.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.34. PulteGroup Dividend Announcement PulteGroup ( NYSE:PHM Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The construction company reported $2.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.57. The firm had revenue of $3.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.27 billion. PulteGroup had a return on equity of 31.03% and a net margin of 16.22%. The businesss revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.83 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 9.3 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 20th will be given a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 16th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.83%. PulteGroups payout ratio is currently 5.51%. PulteGroup announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, April 25th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the construction company to reacquire up to 6.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity at PulteGroup In related news, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.95, for a total value of $1,004,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 55,886 shares in the company, valued at $3,741,567.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Robert Oshaughnessy sold 115,102 shares of PulteGroup stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.90, for a total transaction of $7,700,323.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 177,564 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,879,031.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Brian P. Anderson sold 15,000 shares of PulteGroup stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.95, for a total transaction of $1,004,250.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 55,886 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,741,567.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 228,102 shares of company stock worth $15,101,034 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On PulteGroup A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 3,283 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $191,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 34,563 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,014,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 4,293 shares of the construction companys stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 2,523 shares of the construction companys stock worth $115,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in shares of PulteGroup by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,172 shares of the construction companys stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. 90.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. PulteGroup Company Profile (Get Rating) PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West, and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods brand names. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PulteGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PulteGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robert Half International (NYSE:RHI Get Rating) and Recruit (OTCMKTS:RCRUY Get Rating) are both business services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, risk, dividends, profitability and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Robert Half International and Recruits net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Robert Half International alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Robert Half International 8.57% 39.94% 20.88% Recruit N/A N/A N/A Earnings and Valuation This table compares Robert Half International and Recruits top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Robert Half International $7.24 billion 1.05 $657.92 million $5.64 12.51 Recruit N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations Robert Half International has higher revenue and earnings than Recruit. This is a summary of current ratings for Robert Half International and Recruit, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Robert Half International 3 4 1 0 1.75 Recruit 0 1 1 0 2.50 Robert Half International currently has a consensus target price of $78.80, suggesting a potential upside of 11.73%. Given Robert Half Internationals higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Robert Half International is more favorable than Recruit. Institutional and Insider Ownership 89.3% of Robert Half International shares are held by institutional investors. 2.7% of Robert Half International shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary Robert Half International beats Recruit on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Robert Half International (Get Rating) Robert Half International Inc. provides talent solutions and business consulting service in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. This segment markets its services to clients and employment candidates through both national and local advertising activities, including radio, digital advertising, job boards, alliance partners, and events. The Permanent Placement Talent Solutions segment engages in the placement of full-time accounting, finance, and tax and accounting operations personnel. The Protiviti segment offers consulting services in the areas of internal audit, technology consulting, risk and compliance consulting, digital transformation, legal consulting, and business performance improvement. The company offers it services under the Robert Half brand name. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. About Recruit (Get Rating) Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. provides HR technology and business solutions in Japan, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: HR Technology, Media & Solutions, and Staffing. The HR Technology segment provides various technological solutions that help job seekers and employers in navigating hiring and recruitment. The Media & Solutions segment offers marketing solutions that provide matching platforms for businesses in various industries, including housing and real estate, beauty, bridal, travel, dining, and others; and SaaS solutions, which are business and management support tools for small and medium-sized companies. It also provides HR solutions that support business clients' recruiting and hiring activities and individual users' job search activities through its job advertising services and placement services. The Staffing segment provides temporary staffing services in Japan, Europe, and Australia. Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi was greeted by Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, announced Spokesperson for the Presidency Ahmed Fahmy on Monday. The leaders expressed to El-Sisi their sincere wishes for Egypts development and stability. The Egyptian president in turn expressed his appreciation for their kind greetings and conveyed wishes for his counterparts well-being and prosperity, along with that of their respective countries. Search Keywords: Short link: StockNews.com lowered shares of GMS (NYSE:GMS Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Thursday. Separately, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of GMS from $60.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $69.14. Get GMS alerts: GMS Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of GMS stock opened at $67.83 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.69 and a beta of 1.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $58.01. GMS has a 12-month low of $38.31 and a 12-month high of $69.96. Insider Buying and Selling at GMS GMS ( NYSE:GMS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 22nd. The company reported $2.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.27 billion. GMS had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 32.45%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.09 EPS. Research analysts expect that GMS will post 6.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other GMS news, COO George T. Hendren sold 800 shares of GMS stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $48,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 23,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,406,220. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, COO George T. Hendren sold 800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $48,000.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 23,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,406,220. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 80,071 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.89, for a total transaction of $5,355,949.19. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,911,892 shares in the company, valued at approximately $395,446,455.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,082,084 shares of company stock valued at $71,920,348. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On GMS Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of GMS by 2.4% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,909,372 shares of the companys stock valued at $276,444,000 after purchasing an additional 163,593 shares during the last quarter. Coliseum Capital Management LLC lifted its position in GMS by 3.3% during the third quarter. Coliseum Capital Management LLC now owns 6,336,573 shares of the companys stock worth $253,526,000 after purchasing an additional 205,000 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of GMS by 3.0% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,242,989 shares of the companys stock worth $209,773,000 after acquiring an additional 154,926 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of GMS by 1.6% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,552,203 shares of the companys stock worth $147,743,000 after acquiring an additional 40,521 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of GMS by 10.5% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,903,763 shares of the companys stock worth $110,209,000 after acquiring an additional 181,514 shares during the last quarter. 99.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About GMS (Get Rating) GMS Inc distributes wallboard, ceilings, steel framing and complementary construction products in the United States and Canada. The company offers ceilings products, including suspended mineral fibers, soft fibers, and metal ceiling systems primarily used in offices, hotels, hospitals, retail facilities, schools, and various other commercial and institutional buildings. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for GMS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GMS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ahmed El-Fadaly, chairman of the Democratic Peace Party, announced on Monday that he will run in Egypt's 2024 presidential election. El-Fadaly announced that he will run for the presidency as the chairman of both the Democratic Peace Party and the Independence Current. "At the end of the meetings of the Independence Current's offices in the three governorates of Beheira, Alexandria and Matrouh, leading members decided to name chairman of the Democratic Peace Party Ahmed El-Fadaly as its candidate in Egypt's upcoming presidential election," Secretary-General Ihab Salama said in a statement on Monday. According to Salama, leaders of the party and the current have been consulting for the past three months regarding Egypt's presidential election. "The members across Egypt concluded meetings on Monday and decided that El-Fadaly will be the official candidate for the party and the current in the upcoming election," stated Salama. Founded in 2005 by El-Fadaly, the Democratic Peace Party advocates for a democratic system of government and social peace. El-Fadaly was one of 10 candidates who ran against late President Hosni Mubarak during Egypt's first multi-candidate presidential election in 2005. El-Fadaly established the Independence Current in 2013, joining several political forces that led the 30 June Revolution against President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood rule. El-Fadaly expressed his full support for electing President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in 2014. El-Fadaly will be the third candidate to announce his candidacy for Egypt's upcoming presidential election, following Abdel-Sanad Yamama, chairman of the liberal Al-Wafd Party, and Fouad Badrawi, a leading member of the same party. Yamama claims to have the support of 95 percent of the party's Supreme Council, while Badrawi says he has endorsements from most of the leading members and has requested an urgent meeting to reach a final decision. The Supreme Council meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, was postponed by Yamama for unexplained reasons, according to Badrawi. The Republican People's Party, led by Senator Hazem Omar, announced last week that it would submit a presidential bid and declare the party's official candidate on 5 July. Several political parties gathered at the headquarters of the Conservatives Party on Monday to establish The Free Current, which advocates for constitutional democracy and a liberal economy. Attendees included Ahmed Tantawi, a former independent MP, and expected presidential candidate; Mohamed Anwar Esmat El-Sadat, former MP and chairman of the Reform and Development Party; Hesham Qassem, a political activist; Ihab El-Khouli, former MP; Emad Gad, Al-Ahram political analyst; Hussein Mansour, a Wafd Party official; and Khaled Dawoud, an Ahram journalist and former chairman of the Destour Party. Akmal Qortam stated that the Free Current plans to name a candidate for the presidential election at a later stage. If they are unable to do so, they will support one of the existing candidates. According to activist Hesham Qassem, the idea of creating a free current in the country originated one year ago. He stressed that this current is not meant to replace the existing Civil Democratic Movement, but rather to serve as a platform for advocating a constitutional democracy and a free economy led by the private sector." As per Article 142 of the Egyptian constitution, "candidates must either receive the recommendation of at least 20 elected members of the House of Representatives or endorsements from at least 25,000 citizens with the right to vote, distributed across at least 15 governorates and with a minimum of 1,000 endorsements from each governorate." Search Keywords: Short link: Peranakan Festival puts local culture on show PHUKET; More than 1,000 people turned out to take part in the Phuket Peranakan Festival Extravaganza Carnival grand parade held in the heart of Phuket Old Town on Saturday evening (June 24). tourismChinesecultureeconomics By The Phuket News Monday 26 June 2023 01:44 PM Roads were closed for the event, the keystone spectacle of the three-day festival, which concluded yesterday (June 25). Despite residents in Phuket Town celebrating their Baba-Nyonya culture through government-supported events for decades, the Phuket Peranakan Festival was heralded as the first of its kind, a prototype of events to promote sustainable tourism by focusing on local culture. More than 20 organisations joined together to create the Phuket Peranakan Festival 2023, including the Phuket Provincial Office, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Phuket City Municipality, the Peranakan Association of Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thailand International Events & Festivals Trade Association (TIEFA) and the Phuket Old Town Community association, reported the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket). It was not reported how much government budget was allocated to holding the event. Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew presided over the opening ceremony, joined by PPAO President Rewat Areerob, former Phuket MP Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr and Phuket Town Deputy Mayor Prasit Sinsaowapak. The festival served as a magnet for sustainable tourism, with emphasis on inviting local Phuket residents and Thai and foreign tourists to participate in traditional costumes to participate in the event, raising the level of soft power to become an annual international arts and culture festival. sustainable in the future, PR Phuket reported. Hundreds of stories have been passed down through to the new generation, with many dimensions connecting from the introduction of preserving Baba-Nyonya wedding traditions to the international Peranakan style and the application of contemporary art and culture, the report added. It also includes media innovation. All of which is to forge the oneness of Phuket with strong roots or DNA and with stories and contents of Peranakan [people and their culture] that Phuket is home to, on the Malay Peninsula, the report continued. The festival is also hoped to inspire round-tourism for visitors to observe and enjoy Pernakan culture, which has already served as a major attraction for Phuket Town tourism for many decades. Various shops in Phuket Old Town and surrounding areas are hoped to benefit from the festival, and the subsequent increase in the number of tourists visiting the area that the festival is hoped to inspire. The festival began on Friday (June 23) with an event at Woo Gallery & Boutigue Hotel promoted as the opening of the Phuket Peranakan Festival 2023, with a display of stunning traditional wedding dresses and costumes in the Baba-Nyonya style of the Peranakan, ethnic Chinese-Malays living on the Malay Peninsula. Expert speaker Cedric Tan from Malaysia presented the Workshop & Showcase, explaining 150 years of Peranakan style in Malaysia. In the evening, the Khun Jom Yamaha band from Sounds Gallery performed traditional Malay songs, and dancers from Indonesia entertained those present. Continuing the opening festivities, the Thai Womens Social Creation Association, the Peranakan Association of Phuket and the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) hosted a reception for guests at The Carb House. The music and traditional dance performances continued over the weekend at the Standard Chartered intersection, in the heart of Phuket Town. Pride hypocrisy sparks backlash BANGKOK: LGBTQ+ rights campaigners have criticised businesses for cashing in on products promoted during Pride Month while failing to support the call for equal rights. politics By Bangkok Post Monday 26 June 2023 07:37 AM An LGBTQ+ group parades along Khao San Road to celebrate Pride Month and promote gender equality. Photo: Apichart Jinakul Nikki Phinyapincha, founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, told the Bangkok Post that Pride Month, held in June, has been incorporated into companies marketing strategies in a move she calls rainbow washing. Businesses use rainbow flags, logos and social media hashtags to promote their goods, she said, adding some have even produced special Pride Month edition goods to generate more income. However, they are overlooking the true meaning of Pride Month, she said. They make us [into] merely a source of income. Pride was not originally a celebration but [a commemoration] of our struggle for not only civil rights but also socio-economic inclusion and empowerment, such as equal rights to employment, promotions and access to education, she said. These rights are important as they improve our living conditions. The business sector needs to back its support for the LGBTQ+ community with action, she said, adding each company needs to ensure a safe workplace policy for LGBTQ+ people and provide them with mental health support. The safe workplace for LGBTQ+ [people] is crucial, they need a place where they can express their sexuality freely, she said. This could help increase their productivity as they will not need to be afraid for being who they are. She said companies should provide LGBTQ+ people equal opportunities in climbing the corporate ladder. Many companies still have the perception that having an LGBTQ+ leader makes their business look unprofessional and unreliable, she said. In fact, having LGBTQ+ people in leadership roles will help companies diversify to drive systematic change in the business, she said. If [corporations] seek money from us, please make sure to give back by listening to what we need and what we fight for, she said. Nada Chaiyajit, lawyer and human rights adviser, said rainbow washing is also being used in politics. Some parties launched pro-LGBTQ+ campaigns to gain votes from the community, she said. However, there is real support from some parties, she said, including the Move Forward Party (MFP), which has drafted a marriage equality bill to amend Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which defines marriage as a union between a man and woman. The MFP bill aims to make the marriage law applicable to all couples, regardless of gender, she said. In addition, the party has announced support for Thailand to host World Pride in 2028 to promote equality, she said. However, there is also a need for change at the national level, she said. Politicians need to ensure LGBTQ+-friendly welfare policies that include paid gender affirmation leave, equal pay and civil-servant programmes that extend to partners. She also supports the idea of having a minimum quota for LGBTQ+ and women politicians in parliament to help them advance their political careers. It would help diversify parliament because they would have a chance to voice their wants, she said. According to the May 14 general election result, five openly LGBTQ+ MPs from the MFP were elected, but one of them, Nateepat Kulsetthasith, resigned over a drunk driving incident on May 16. Having a gender quota is important because we need people who truly know what we need, Ms Nada said. We want many political representatives from our community to vote for bills that are necessary for us LGBTQ+ people. Many politicians do not know what our problems are, even if they say they support us, she noted. The new government should consider the gender issue when assigning ministerial positions to ensure it would be gender-inclusive, she said. Our pride is not a one-month-long campaign, but every single second of our lives, she said. We need people like us to sit in parliament to ensure our voices are heard and equally protected. Soi Dog supports Phukets target of becoming the first rabies-free province in Thailand Phuket-based Soi Dog Foundation, whose stray animal CNVR programme (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) is the largest of its kind in the world, has endorsed the recent announcement by Department of Disease Control Director General Dr Tares Kassanairawiwong of the intention to work together with the Department of Livestock Development and the Department of Local Administration towards making Phuket the first rabies-free province in Thailand. By Soi Dog Foundation Monday 26 June 2023 03:57 PM Several leading authorities, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), agree that the most effective way to eliminate rabies in humans is to eliminate it in dogs. Vaccinating 70% of dogs in an area will result in the elimination of rabies. It is a similar situation with reducing stray dog numbers; neutering 80% of dogs in an area will lead to a sustained reduction in numbers, as long as a maintenance programme is kept up. This is provided that vaccinated and neutered dogs are left in place to build up herd immunity and prevent new, unneutered dogs taking over a territory. Soi Dogs CNVR Director, Dr Tuntikorn Rungpatana, says this is precisely how the foundations large-scale programme works. Data collected by Soi Dog indicates that more than 80% of stray dogs on the island province have already been neutered and vaccinated as the foundation has strived for many years to help eliminate the deadly disease. "Soi Dog is willing to work with all sectors to help make Phuket the first rabies-free province in Thailand, and we are thrilled at the latest announcement," stated Dr Tuntikorn. Since Soi Dogs inception in 2003, the nonprofit organisation has cooperated with government agencies and the wider Phuket public on dealing with the perceived issues caused by stray dogs and cats, including the setting up of mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinics in each of the islands subdistricts (tambon) and the establishment of community outreach and humane education programmes whose intention it is to teach local communities and schoolchildren how to interact with stray animals. Soi Dog has for many years also carried out vaccination and regular health checks of the dogs housed at the government-operated stray dog shelter. The recent announcement is a further step in the right direction as the effort to eliminate rabies can only be successful through a wider collaboration. Soi Dog Foundation acknowledges that the problem of stray animals cannot be solved by a single agency alone, but rather requires collaboration from all sectors, said Dr Tuntikorn. The Director General of the Department of Disease Control and relevant departments are scheduled to hold a meeting in Phuket in July to discuss further, with Dr Tuntikorn joining as Soi Dogs representative. A visit to the Soi Dog shelter will also take place so all parties can learn more about the foundations CNVR programme. Soi Dog has worked tirelessly for 20 years to help Thailand become rabies free and, last year alone, the foundations community outreach and humane education programmes saw over 10,000 animals treated and almost 11,000 children reached respectively. The nonprofit also continues to ramp up its efforts to eliminate rabies with the recent expansion of its CNVR programme to 14 teams, covering the entire Bangkok metropolitan area and southern Thai provinces, and anticipates passing the milestone later this year of 1 million dogs and cats reached nationwide by the programme since 2003. Clear the Imphal-Dimapur Highway Not the time for appeal | A bucket of cold water after a hot shower. Read this with the line damage control exercise and this analogy should sum up the all political party meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The June 24 meeting elicited tremendous interest, at least to the media in Manipur, concerned as everyone is with the situation in Manipur, but it sort of ended like a damp squib. Prime Minister monitoring the situation was perhaps the only line that came somewhere close to the understanding of something new from the Union Home Minister but to many this may also gone down as another desperate attempt at damage control exercise, in so far as the image of the saffron party is concerned to the discerning people of not only Manipur but to all who are concerned with the human crisis that is besetting the State since the evening of May 3. So what came out from the all political party meeting other than receiving the report that the Government is committed to solving the problem by taking everyone along ? A question which everyone connected with the job of disseminating information and keeping the people informed must have been cornered with in the evening of June 24 and morning of June 25. The standard one line response from the Editors, Sub-Editors and Reporters of most of the newspapers published from Imphal must have been oh a reiteration of the call for peace and normalcy and another break up of the number of security personnel deployed here. A sensitive issue which needs to be handled with sensitivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeping an eye on the issue since day one, are lines which are understood to have been spelt out during the all party meeting, but what is the way forward ? An answer to this or something close to what New Delhi can and should do was something that was expected and this should not be interpreted as people expecting a magic formula for New Delhi to spin out. More than evident that New Delhi and Imphal are still groping in the dark, not knowing where the switch box is located to switch on the light and dispel the dark from the room, which in this case is Manipur. But as a Government which has been trumpeting the double engine growth line, something more is expected. And the question at this very moment is, what tidings will Chief Minister N Biren Singh bring back after his meeting with Amit Shah at New Delhi one day after the all political party meeting ? The question still hangs even as this commentary is being typed onto the computer, but there is one pertinent point that has still not been addressed. The all party meeting did not address the blockade along the Imphal-Dimapur line, a blockade which has been in force since the evening of May 3. Or if it was addressed, nothing was given to the media to report on it. Amit Shah was here on a three day visit, and the only approach that was adopted and is still being adopted is appeal to lift the blockade. That it has not worked is there for all to see. So what steps has New Delhi taken up to clear the highway, a National Highway at that ? The importance of this question need not be over emphasised, and it does not need rocket science technology to understand that this in many ways mean that the highway has been left free for highwaymen to impose their own version of diktats and cut off the lifeline of a people whose primary residence is the Imphal valley. Hate is writ large on the blockade. And it is more than obvious that appeals have failed to soften the blockade sponsors. Why is Delhi still quiet on this and why has no fitting representation on this point being presented by Imphal and the people whose lifeline has been cut off to New Delhi ? Can a path to peace and normalcy be charted out without first addressing the lifeline of a people ? Clear the hurdles for the people to walk on the peace path. This should be simple enough and it should not be too tall a call for New Delhi to take. Germany on Monday said it was prepared to station 4,000 troops in Lithuania after the Baltic nation called on NATO to strengthen its eastern flank. "Germany is ready to permanently station a robust brigade in Lithuania," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on a visit to Vilnius. He said this was conditional on the "necessary infrastructure" and "compatibility with NATO plans". Germany has 800 soldiers permanently stationed in Lithuania. A further 650 are temporarily stationed there, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda had warned on Sunday that if Belarus was to host Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin after the weekend mutiny in Russia, then NATO would need to boost defences on its eastern flank. The head of state, whose Baltic country neighbours both Belarus and Russia, spoke after a state security council meeting to discuss Wagner's aborted revolt against the Kremlin. 'Central importance' After Prigozhin called off his troops' advance on Saturday, Moscow said the Wagner boss would leave Russia for Belarus and would not face charges. Pistorius was visiting Vilnius with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg to prepare for the alliance's summit next month, which Lithuania is hosting. He said the stepped-up German presence, including 4,000 soldiers, their families and military equipment, came at "significant expense", underlining Berlin's commitment to regional security. The German minister said he agreed with his Lithuanian counterpart Arvydas Anusauskas that the build-up would go hand-in-hand "with the growth of infrastructure" on the ground. Pistorius said NATO's plans to strengthen its eastern defences were of "central importance". Given the "very long eastern flank", the transatlantic alliance must "respect the principle of military flexibility" in the "defence of our shared freedom". In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had already pledged one year ago to bolster Berlin's military presence in Lithuania. "We are ready to strengthen our commitment and develop it towards a robust combat brigade that can operate both as a deterrent and defend against an aggression," Scholz said, alongside the leaders of the three Baltic states. Search Keywords: Short link: The head of the Wagner group is still under investigation for trying to organise an armed rebellion, Russian news agencies reported on Monday, despite a deal to end his mutiny announced earlier by the Kremlin. "The criminal case against (Yevgeny) Prigozhin has not been dropped," the three main Russian news agencies quoted a source in the prosecutor's office as saying. Moscow was striving Monday to portray a return to business as usual after a weekend mutiny by mercenary troops threatened Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's grip on power. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, one of the main targets of Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin's revolt, appeared in pre-recorded footage on state television, apparently visiting troops in Ukraine. Officials in Moscow and in the Voronezh region south of the capital lifted "anti-terrorist" emergency security measures imposed to protect the capital from rebel assault. Putin himself has yet to appear in public since the revolt ended, and Prigozhin was last seen on Saturday leaving the southern city of Rostov-on-Don in an armed Wagner convoy. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin proclaimed the situation in the city "stable", and thanked Muscovites for their "calm and understanding" during the crisis. On Saturday, with Wagner columns bearing down on the capital and clashing with regular forces in Voronezh, bordering Ukraine, a "counter-terrorist" regime had been ordered. 'Moving forward' Russia's operation in Ukraine continued through the crisis, however, as Shoigu -- whom Prigozhin had threatened to overthrow -- was at pains to demonstrate. On Monday, he appeared on state television visiting a Russian command bunker in Ukraine and flying in a helicopter to inspect troops battling an Ukrainian counteroffensive. During the meeting, the minister highlighted "great efficiency in the detection and destruction" of Ukraine's weapons systems and soldiers, the ministry of defence said. It was not possible, however, to independently confirm whether the report had been filmed before or after the Wagner revolt. Ukrainian military leaders, however, insisted they were making progress in a multi-direction offensive targeting Russian lines in the south and east of the country. "We are knocking the enemy out of his positions on the flanks of the city of Bakhmut," ground force commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said. "Ukraine is regaining its territory. We are moving forward," he said. Deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said Ukraine had recaptured 17 square kilometres of ground in the past week, bringing the total for June's offensive to 130. Ukrainian residents in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, near Bakhmut in the eastern region of Donetsk, told AFP that four explosions rocked a residential district overnight. The blasts severed water and sewage pipes, shattered windows and threw up stones that hit yards and roofs, but municipal authorities said no-one was hurt. "It was a 'fun' night, we haven't had this for a long time, it's been quiet for a month or so," said 66-year-old Lyubov, showing off the new hole in her cement-shingled roof. The wine-growing and salt-mining city of Bakhmut, in Ukraine's eastern region of Donbas, was captured in May by Russian forces led by Prighozin's private army. The victory was short-lived, however. With the Wagner chief feuding with Shoigu and Russian commander General Valery Gerasimov, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive. The Western allies -- who are backing Ukraine with modern weaponry, training and cash -- see Putin's grip on power weakened by both Wagner's revolt and the operation in Ukraine. NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, visiting Lithuania ahead of the alliance's Vilnius summit next month, said the chaos in Russia showed that Putin had weakened his own position at home by ordering the occupation of Ukraine. "The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter, and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine," he said. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, opened a meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg by declaring that the crisis was undermining the Kremlin's power. "What has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system," he said. 'International order' Prigozhin was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters, the nerve centre of the operation in Ukraine. He was cheered by some local people, and some shook his hand through the car window. Trucks carrying armoured vehicles with fighters on them followed his car. His withdrawal came after Moscow announced that a deal had been struck for Prigozhin to go into exile in Belarus and for his men to receive an amnesty. In exchange, they halted their march on Moscow. On Monday, however, Russian news agencies reported that Prigozhin himself was still under investigation for trying to organise an armed rebellion. "The criminal case against Prigozhin has not been dropped," the three main Russian news agencies quoted a source in the prosecutor's office as saying. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden discussed the revolt on Sunday, ahead of the NATO summit. "The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored," Zelensky said on Twitter, adding that he had again asked for "long-range weapons" for Ukraine. Search Keywords: Short link: Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made Switzerland, the home of several international organisations, a hub for Russian and Chinese espionage, the Swiss intelligence service said Monday. "Russia has destroyed the rules-based order for peace in Europe," the Federal Intelligence Service, which is in charge of Switzerland's counter-intelligence efforts, said in its annual report. "The effectiveness of international forums for maintaining peace and security, such as the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has continued to decline; there are no signs of a stable new world order," the FIS said. Overall, Switzerland's security picture is being impacted by the growing rivalry between major powers, which has been heightened by the war in Ukraine. The FIS said it was shifting towards a bipolar world order fashioned by the systemic rivalry between the United States and China. But for the moment, it said Russia's war in Ukraine would remain the focal point in Switzerland's security environment. - Russian 'diplomats' - "The threat to Switzerland posed by foreign espionage, mainly Russian and Chinese, remains high," the FIS said. "In Europe, Switzerland is one of the states with the highest numbers of Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover, in part due to its role as a host to international organisations," it said. The United Nations' European headquarters is in Geneva, as are the headquarters of several UN agencies, and hundreds of diplomats regularly gather in the city to take part in their various meetings. "Of the approximately 220 people accredited as diplomatic or techno-administrative staff in the Russian missions in Geneva and Bern, probably at least a third work for the Russian intelligence services," FIS chief Christian Dussey told a press conference. The Swiss secret service, for its part, has 450 employees. The FIS said the war in Ukraine was forcing it to extend its monitoring to regions that had gotten little attention before now, such as Turkey, India and the Eurasian Economic Union, because Russia was using companies in such nations for procurement. - Chinese cover stories - Besides Russia, Swiss intelligence believes China has also sent dozens of spies to the wealthy Alpine country. Unlike Moscow agents, however, China's agents rely more on non-diplomatic cover, the FIS said, mainly described officially as scientists, journalists or business executives. Dussey said China's intelligence operation would doubtless become stronger in Europe, saying he believed it had growing means and resources. "We are doing the maximum, on the ground, to show the lines" not to be crossed, the FIS chief said, saying espionage operations had a negative impact on Geneva's international importance and were detrimental to Switzerland's credibility. Switzerland's current first-ever spell on the UN Security Council "increases the espionage threat for Swiss individuals" working on the council's dossiers and presenting decisions, the FIS said. Dussey was cautious about the lessons to be learned from this weekend's mutiny by the Wagner mercenary troops operating in Ukraine, which threatened to undermine Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power. He called the incident "a great internal challenge" for Russia. Instability in a nuclear power is inevitably worrying, which explains the "calibrated" Western reactions, Dussey added. But there was no question of intervening or taking advantage of the situation, he said. Search Keywords: Short link: An Iraqi soldier was killed and an officer wounded during a counter-terrorism raid in Iraq that also killed three suspected Islamic State group fighters, Baghdad's security forces said. Sunday's military operation in Kirkuk province, north of the Iraqi capital, targeted "three figures of the terrorist group Daesh in the Turkelan region," the security forces said in a statement. After the suspected IS members were identified, Iraqi troops approached and a clash erupted, added the statement late Sunday. The militants "were surrounded and killed, the explosive belts they were wearing were detonated", it said. IS members seized swathes of Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014, declaring a "caliphate" which they ruled with brutality before their defeat in late 2017 by Iraqi forces backed by a US-led military coalition. Despite the setbacks, the extremist group can still call on an underground network of fighters to carry out attacks on both sides of the porous border, the United Nations says. On June 11, three Iraqi soldiers were killed and four others wounded in a pre-dawn attack west of Kirkuk blamed on IS. In April, the international coalition set up to fight the Sunni Muslim extremists said there had been a reduction in IS attacks in both Iraq and Syria. In March, a senior Iraqi military official said IS had between 400 and 500 active fighters in the Shia-majority country. Search Keywords: Short link: Many people in Bangladesh believe the United States was behind the assassination of their founding president in 1975. Whether or not Washington played any role in the military coup that toppled Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is still a subject of intense debate. However, one thing is clear as daylight: Washington squarely backed the South Asian nations first military ruler, General Ziaur Rahman. Now, nearly five decades later, the daughter of the assassinated president, Sheikh Hasina, the current prime minister, is laying charges that the United States is out to topple her and put in power her rival, Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister and widow of the U.S.-backed military strongman. Americans dont want me to continue in office, she recently told the BBC. Even worse, she told parliament in April, America intends to bring such a government here which will not have any democratic existence, an allusion to the military. Hasinas suspicion that the United States is inherently opposed to her, a fear she has aired privately to U.S. diplomats on several occasions, cant be easily dismissed. Last year, Washington sanctioned multiple Hasina administration officials and members of security forces for alleged human rights violations. No such action was taken when the pro-U.S. military regime hanged hundreds of rebel soldiers after kangaroo court trials. Advertisement The trials had so outraged the State Department that Jane Coon, then deputy assistant secretary, blocked the military rulers visit to the White House, ignoring Ambassador Ed Masters pleas from Dhaka. And, this happened under President Jimmy Carter, the man who essentially codified protection of human rights as one of Americas cardinal foreign policy goals. Just recently, the United States threatened further punitive measures, saying anyone caught attempting to taint upcoming national elections would be denied entry to the country. This threat created an unprecedented political maelstrom in Bangladesh and pulled out many forces from dormancy, including radical Islamic outfits which nearly turned the Muslimmajority nation of 165 million Bengalis into a new Afghanistan merely a decade ago. Hasina almost stamped them out after she had gotten the green light from Washington and Delhi, albeit using unlawful tactics. The human rights violations that the US is accusing Hasina of committing have their roots in her crackdown on the militant religious forces. Of course, she cast a wider net and swept away her political opponents as well. Still, its an irony that now the US is punishing those who only did its bidding. No question that Hasinas record on human rights is not squeaky clean. There have been documented enforced disappearances and repression of political opponents under her watch. Nevertheless, the Bengalis see double standards in U.S. behaviour. While its punishing a weak country like Bangladesh for minor offenses, its rolling out the red carpet for powerful persons such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was on the U.S. no-visa list for years until elected prime minister. America is using a stick against Hasina in the name of promoting democracy, a theory thats a hard sell in Dhaka, given the U.S. support for military dictators in Pakistan, of which Bangladesh was a part until 1971. The Bengalis say Washingtons democracy talk is a camouflage; it has a hidden self-serving motive. Indeed, the real aim of the US is to nudge Hasina to its side in the fight against China. Bangladesh, once neglected as a poor country, now commands respect in the international arena for its impressive economic success. Its no longer the basket case the US labeled it at birth more than 50 years ago. Moreover, its location near the Bay of Bengal has made it strategically important because of Chinas rise as a global power and the US attempt to frustrate Beijings desire for more influence. Two leftist parliament members recently claimed that America wants to create a naval base on a Bangladeshi island in the Bay of Bengal. Such a base will enable the US Navy to easily block Chinas sea trade route to Europe and the Middle East and thus choke its economy. The US embassy in Dhaka categorically denied Washington has any such idea. Still, politicians and media are abuzz with the talk of US regime change plans for Bangladesh. India and the United States see eye-to-eye on the China containment policy. Their shared vision has found its way into multiple anti-Chinese regional security groups that include Japan and Australia. Like the US, India wants Bangladesh to be in the antiChina camp because of longstanding Sino-Indian hostility. But how far Delhi will go with the US if Washington really wants to set up a base in the Bay of Bengal remains uncertain. For sure, Delhi wants US help to halt Chinese advances into South Asia, yet it is unlikely to feel easy with a US military base in its backyard. India considers South Asia its exclusive domain. As far as Hasina is concerned, she may in the end buckle down under Indo-U.S. pressure and keep a safe distance from Beijing to placate Big Brothers. However, the Bengalis as a bunch are staunchly opposed to joining any military alliance. The disaster that befell their former homeland of Pakistan from its membership in the U.S.-led Cento and Seato defense pacts haunts their minds. On top of this, they see no benefits in cutting off the hand that feeds them. Neither India nor the US can give Bangladesh enough money to keep its growth momentum going, so China appears as savior. If there is one thing the highly fractious Bengali nation agrees on, it is the economy. So no matter who rules the country, Bangladeshs strong bond with China is likely to sustain. Indias interests in Bangladesh diverge from those of the US. Americas professed top priority is democracy, while Indias paramount goal is security on its eastern flank, which Hasina has helped maintain in decades. America may want to see all flowers bloom in Bangladeshs political landscape, but India has no mercy for Islamic radicals. By getting into bed with Islamists, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the organization that the military ruler created and the US seems to be supporting, has put itself on the wrong side of Indias equation. New Delhi distrusts Khaleda Zia. When she was prime minister, she irked India by dismissing Delhis complaints that Bangladesh was being used for antiIndia activity. Both India and the United States have common interests in keeping Bangladesh stable. What America wants the least is a restive nation rocking the entire region. And, India will seek to prevent at any cost a situation that may force millions of refugees into its eastern states. So India will go along with the US as long as Washington lets Delhi mind its own interests first; Delhi will push Hasina on the China front, but help her retain power. The United States, on the other hand, will be less than thrilled to see Hasina win a fourth-consecutive term in this years elections. The reason is clear: World leaders with strong domestic support tend to rebuff US diktats. Turkeys President Recep Erdogan and Hungarys Victor Orban are two bright examples. So dumping its disastrous violent regime-change formula, Washington is seeking to orchestrate regime change through the ballot box. This puts the US at odds with India, as far as Bangladesh is concerned. If Indias plans succeed, the US will find itself again in a not-so-friendly situation in Bangladesh, one that existed soon after its birth. Hasina has vowed not to bow down to foreign pressure, an indirect jab at Washington. Quiet diplomacy rather than socalled democracy-building public rhetoric and the threat of punishment will work better on her, for the prime minister may not be incorrigibly antiAmerican despite her occasional angry outbursts. In fact, she secretly tried after returning to power in 2009, to be in Americas good graces by inviting President Barack Obama to deliver his speech to the Muslim world from Dhaka. On a personal level, Asias iron lady has family ties to the United States. She adores her daughter-inlaw, an American woman, whom she publicly defended in parliament when an opposition member questioned her religion. In Bengali culture, personal ties overpower formal rituals. (The writer is author of Bangladesh Liberation War, How India, U.S., China and the USSR Shaped the Outcome, The Bangladesh Military Coup and the CIA Link and One Eleven Minus Two, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas War on Yunus and America.) Well might Pakistan bristle at the US-India joint statement that asked Islamabad to crack down on terrorist groups which used its soil to target India, and describe it as misleading and unwarranted, but the countrys intelligentsia at least may be coming around to the view that the Indian position is intractable. If Islamabad wants to improve ties with New Delhi, it will have to do the heavy lifting, keep aside its objections to the repeal of Article 370, and seek a restoration of the trade ties that it had suspended unilaterally in 2019. The message that India will not budge from its position ~ talks and terrorism cannot go hand in hand ~ and that it will react with alacrity, even fury, at any mention of Kashmir, also appears to have sunk in. A commentary in Pakistans Dawn newspaper notes Today, the power imbalance between Pakistan and India has rendered Pakistan almost irrelevant in Indias strategic calculus. A failing, fragmented state ~ if not a twice failed state, as former diplomat Ashraf Jahangir Qazi puts it, begging the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the revival of its deal is hardly a threat anymore to a rising giant like India. The commentator notes that Pakistans existential crisis has brought it within the ranks of Afghanistan, Burundi and Gabon in international indices, a galling realisation that has provoked former Pakistani diplomat Hussain Haqqani to suggest that the smartest move for his country would be to reach out to India, by implication on any terms that New Delhi may set. A thaw in relations would open up export markets for a deeply distressed Pakistan and create trade and tourism opportunities, he has argued. Speakers at a public hearing of Pakistans Standing Committee on External Affairs on the present and future of India-Pakistan relations last month appeared to have echoed many of these sentiments. Speakers accepted that expecting any flexibility by India towards Pakistan would be comical at this point of time, not the least because of their contrasting economic positions. India, the Pakistanis agreed, was the worlds fourth largest economy and had superpowers queuing up to court it, while Pakistan was for all intents a failed state. India wont talk and it doesnt matter if Pakistan does, was one conclusion reached. There was also acceptance that Pakistans decision to suspend trade ties was a case of emotions trumping reason, and therefore a serious foreign policy failure. In essence, there is realisation across the border that Pakistan must first get its house in order, and become a significant stakeholder in the world economy if it is to be treated seriously by India. To do this, it will have to find a way to jettison plutocratic governments governed by the power of wealth and establish the rule of law. That may be easier said than done given the state of the countrys politics, with a shaky coalition joining hands with the military elite to put down a populist movement. Advertisement The crisis in the Indian banking sector has led to calls for the privatization of public sector banks (PSB). However, the private sector is no paragon of virtue. Moreover, the faithful advocates of privatization are illinformed about real issues. The vast crowds that throng PSBs and put up with various inconveniences indicate the enormous faith that they have in these banks. Todays challenge does not involve providing ultra-sophisticated banking to the 10 per cent upper crust. Instead, the true challenge is to provide essential financial services to Indias 90 per cent, who may not be the source of significant revenue for banks. Did you know that almost all government pensioners bank exclusively with public banks? It is true that Indias public sector banking seems genuinely out of control and suffers from flawed decision-making and poor governance, but unless we understand the pathology of the present crisis, we may not be able to come up with meaningful solutions. We should never forget the role PSBs have played in financial inclusion. These banks have been the backbone of the socioeconomic agenda of the government. In a rural area, the role of a PSB is not confined to banking. It also encompasses a more holistic developmental agenda. PSBs are the one-stop shop for all financial needs of the rural populace, including insurance, financial literacy, remittance and receipt of welfare subsidies and grants, amongst others. Advertisement The governments socioeconomic programmes must use the banking conduit to move funds. Those espousing privatisation should visit the remote branches of public banks, where managers live at significant risk to lives and are mentoring the local population in financial, technical, business and agricultural literacy. The social banking revolution that followed the nationalization of banks in 1969 certainly helped banking expand its outreach. Post 1969, the government launched an ambitious social banking programme which sought to improve access of the rural poor to formal credit and saving opportunities. The programme ended in 1990. Between 1969 and 1990, bank branches were opened in roughly 30,000 rural locations with no prior traditional credit and savings institutions. The figure rose from 8,261 in 1969 to a whopping 65,521 in 2000. The share of households accessing institutional credit rose from 32 to 61.2 per cent between 1971 and 1981. Public banks revolutionized rural India in the social banking era of the 1970s. The expansion of bank branches in rural areas was particularly noteworthy. It was this emphasis on those excluded from the formal financial stream that led to a slew of measures in the field of finance and drove so many bankers into the arena of the battle against poverty. State-owned banks in developing countries have an essential socio-economic objective ~ to meet needs of the most vulnerable sections of the economy. Though state and private sector banks must lend 40 per cent of their loanable funds to the priority sector at a concessional rate, the main burden of the governments development policies ~ from rural lending to infrastructure development ~ falls on state-run banks. Our banking policies allow specific bypass routes for banks to achieve their priority lending targets through bond investments, which can be classified under priority-sector lending. Most private banks have resorted to buying these bonds to avoid borrowing in mandated sectors that are now contaminated with a sick credit culture. It was in the mid-1990s that banking changed course and lost its appetite for rural pastures. The main reason was the bloating mountain of dud loans that had to be ploughed by bankers. Indias pile of soured loans, whose value degrades like an unstable isotope, is a classic example of how politically influential tycoons undermine the rules to secure credit and then default on it. The enormous losses posted by banks and the desperate attempts by the government to detoxify balance sheets shows how difficult it is for rescue plans to deliver. When borrowers become insolvent, their loans are added to an existing mountain of debt. Banks must make heavy writedowns each time it happens, ultimately choking the credit line. To keep these banks going, the government has to inject capital into them regularly The worlds great philanthropist and investment leader, Warren Buffett, once said, Its only when the tide goes out that you realize who has been swimming naked. The naked were caught disrobed when the banking system hit the rocks, and the tide turned. Similarly, sometimes it takes a pitch-black economy to reveal who and what in the financial firmament shine. It is only when darkness falls that one can see the stars twinkle. The moonlight from the otherwise bleak sky of the financial world has been made possible thanks to honest taxpayers, who are transfusing precious blood to bleeding banks. Most big defaulters have the money to employ legal experts who can play the judicial system ~ it is here that the law flounders. India has some of the most draconian laws, which are ineffective against mighty dodgers. We keep producing new regulations when the existing ones are adequate and need more teeth to obtain results. We show such promptness in condemning waivers for poor farmers, but we lack the courage to tame the big fish because they have enormous clout. Politicians are equally guilty of undermining the integrity of banks. They stacked the decks with populist sops using banks as spigots for burnishing election credentials. This was apart from the vast loans they forced banks to shovel to their buddies. In India, the proportion of dodgy loans involving the borrower not making interest payments or repaying any principal has surged to the highest level among the worlds largest economies. The question is ~ why should ordinary people bear the burden of the fat cats? These freeloaders are gleefully and remorselessly winnowing scarce bank capital. The government has to goose these banks with sprucedup flat sheets to make them lend again. Ironically, instead of being chastised, they are lauded as captains of the industry and adorn glorious positions in industry associations. Banks are known to become aggressive in turning mortgage defaulters to the streets. Scores of indebted farmers are tying the noose out of sheer humiliation. Then there is a class of salaried people who rarely default but are chased down for small unpaid debts. The bankers seem to be helpless regarding the malfeasant promoters of big businesses. Scammers and swindlers have outfoxed the system. State institutions, such as regulators, bankruptcy procedures and courts, bolster the banks safeguard systems. But what finally underpins the security of the whole ecosystem is trust. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) no longer appears to be the financial seer that was lionized for insulating the domestic economy from the economic turmoil of 2008. Banks NPAs rose from Rs 2.6 lakh crore in 201314 to an estimated Rs 10 lakh crore in March 2018. Lack of capital, in turn, has caused loan growth at PSBs to slow down, impacting overall commercial bank credit growth. General bank credit since 201415 has grown at an average rate of 9.6 per cent, compared to an average increase of 16.6 per cent in the preceding four years. In 201718, overall bank credit grew at 10.4 per cent, with PSB credit growing at 6.3 per cent and private bank credit at 21.3 per cent. (The writer is an author, researcher and development professional. He can be reached at moinqazi123@gmail.com) North Port police on Saturday recovered the body of a 42- year-old man, Rupkumar Saha, near Ahiritola, which had around 26 injury marks. Police have identified the deceased as Rupkumar Saha, a resident of Baranagar. There are a total of 26 injuries on the body and four broken ribs. There are also serious injuries on the front and back of the head, said a senior police officer. The North Port police station registered a case of murder and initiated an investigation. They have sent the body for post-mortem. The family of the deceased had filed a missing person diary at the police station on Thursday. However, as of last night, they had not submitted a written complaint against anyone to the police. The family is now in shock after Rupkumars body was found with all the evidence indicating that he died by violence. According to police sources, Rupkumars house is located on Niyogipara Road in Baranagar. He lived there with his tenyear-old daughter and his wife, Barna. They have three brothers, with the elder brother, Rajkumar Saha, living separately. The younger brother, Rony, lives on a different floor of the same house with his family. Rajkumar mentioned that Rupkumar worked in a brokerage firm that sells flats and had been associated with the organisation for three years. Previously, he worked in another company. Advertisement On Thursday, Rupkumar left home, stating that he was going to his office in the Lake Town area. His wife, Barna, spoke to him for the last time around 8:30 pm. After that, she called him again at around 9:30 pm but couldnt get in touch. On that day, Barna said, His scooter had been having issues for a few days, so he left early in the morning. Even on Thursday, after leaving the office, there was no communication throughout the day. During our last phone call at 8:30 pm, I asked him to buy rice and butter. After repeatedly trying to reach him and finding one number closed and the other not answering, I went to the Baranagar police station. I also posted his pictures on social media, she said. The next day, the Baranagar police station called my brother-in-law and informed him that Rupkumars body was found at the North Port police station, she said. A fresh tussle between the Raj Bhavan and the state secretariat in West Bengal has erupted and this time it is over the date of commencement of the forthcoming monsoon session of the Assembly. Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will campaign for the partys nominees in the ensuing Panchayat election in Nadia from 27 June. Mr Banerjee will take part in public meeting and road shows. Meanwhile, Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee will address a public meeting in Cooch Behar south in Chandmari Pramathanath High School ground tomorrow. She will address another meeting in Jalpaiguri district in Damdin area on Tuesday. On 30 June, Mr Banerjee will address two meetings in Birbhum and Barabani in West Burdwan. On 1 July he will be addressing two rallies in Alipurduar and Dinajpur. On 2 July, he will be addressing a gathering in Malda. Mr Banerjee will address a public rally in Purulia while in Bankura he will take part in a road show on 3 July. He will address a public meeting in Tamluk in east Midnapore on 4 July while he will take part in a road show in west Midnapore. On 5 July he will address a public meeting in Kalna in east Burdwan and take part in a road show in Pandua. Mr Banerjee recently completed his nearly two month long mass campaign programme called Jana Sangjog Jatra covering almost the whole of Bengal. It ended with a public meeting at Kakdwip where partys chairperson Mamata Banerjee and Mr Banerjee addressed the public. Advertisement The Jana Sangjog Jatra was a very successful event and lakhs of people waited for hours together to see Mr Banerjee. He held meeting with party functionaries in the districts and talked to people. The Jatra revealed the organisational strength of Trinamul Congress in the districts upto the block level. The party has engaged 50 senior leaders to campaign during the Panchayat election across the state. Party MPs, MLAs and ministers are visiting the districts to campaign for the candidates in the three tier Panchayat election. The leaders include Saugata Roy, Aroop Biswas, Indranil Sen, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Swapan Debnath, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Dr Shashi Panja, Kunal Ghosh, Dr Santanu Sen among others. The party leaders are highlighting how the Centre had refused to clear dues owed to the state, now worth Rs 1.15 lakh crores. Among others, the BJP-led Centre had not cleared money meant for the workers engaged in 100 days work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. The State Election Commission (SEC) has once again written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs seeking 485 companies of Central forces for deployment during the panchayat elections in Bengal due to be held next month. According to sources within the commission, a letter was sent to the Centre on Sunday requesting the dispatch of 485 additional companies of Central forces. The SEC has twice requested a total of 822 companies from the Centre for the panchayat polls, as directed by the Calcutta High Court. However, less than half of the requested forces have arrived in the state thus far. In light of this situation, the commission has once again approached the Centre for assistance. The State Election Commission is seeking the immediate deployment of the first batch of 22 Central force companies, in accordance with the court order for the panchayat polls. Following the High Courts reprimand and direction, the State Election Commission applied to the Centre for 800 companies of Central paramilitary forces. The Ministry of Home Affairs initially sent the first batch of 22 companies, which have already arrived in the state and commenced route marches across districts. Subsequently, the Centre allocated 315 more out of the requested 800 companies, and these forces have also started arriving in the state. However, no decision has been made by the Center regarding the remaining 485 companies sought by the state. Advertisement Previously, the state election commissioner, Rajiva Sinha, had written to the Centre regarding the remaining forces on Friday, but no response was received within the last two days. Accordingly, the commission wrote to the Centre again on Sunday. Meanwhile, Mr Sinha went to Raj Bhavan in the evening Sunday for a meeting with Governor CV Anand Bose after the Governor summoned him seeking updates on the measures being taken to ensure free and fair polls for the forthcoming elections in the states three-tier panchayat system. Rajiv reached Raj Bhavan at 5.25 pm on Sunday. The Governor had previously summoned Mr Sinha for discussions on the same issue, but the latter expressed his inability to appear at Raj Bhavan at that time. Consequently, last Wednesday, the Governor refused to accept the recently-appointed Mr Sinhas joining letter as SEC and returned it to the state secretariat. Additionally, on Saturday, the Governor instructed the police to promptly arrest and take action against the assailant of Dhananjay Choubey, a Trinamul Congress leader based in Purulia. The Governor also expressed concern about the current situation in the state during a function honouring Swami Vivekananda in Burrabazar. He stated: From governors to political leaders, everyone is here to serve the people. It is the people who give us power, and we must not forget that. We should not underestimate the power of ordinary people. We are accountable to the common people. You are aware of what is happening in rural areas. The current situation is not pleasant. Furthermore, the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, a forum of state government employees, organized a rally today demanding Central forces and CCTV coverage for all booths in the rural polls. They also submitted a memorandum to the SEC regarding this matter. With an aim to provide pure drinking water to every citizen, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange project in a high-level meeting on Monday and called for intensifying efforts to provide tap water to every household. With the resolution of Har Ghar Nal-Har Ghar Jal, a grand campaign is going on to provide pure drinking water to 2.65 crore rural families of the state. Before the start of Jal Jeevan Mission, only 5.16 lakh families had access to pure drinking water from the tap. Due to continuous efforts, today the dream of pure drinking water has come true for more than 1.30 crore families. A total of 59.38 lakh connections have been provided in the financial year 2022-23 alone. Remaining houses should also get piped drinking water in a phased and time-bound manner. Yogi Adityanath said Jal Jeevan Mission is on the priority of Prime Minister. Its implementation is being continuously reviewed by the Government of India. It is heartening that all the three districts (Gautam Budh Nagar, Jalaun and Shahjahanpur) in the Achiever category in the June 2023 survey are from Uttar Pradesh. Mainpuri and Auraiya have got the top two positions in the Performers category, while Azamgarh has topped in the Aspirants category. Similar efforts should be made in all the districts. Since April 2022, 22,714 tap connections were being installed every month in the state, which reached 12.96 lakh connections every month in May 2023. Presently 43,000 tap connections are being installed every day, which needs to be increased to 50,000 daily. The PM has set a target of March 2024 for the completion of Jal Jeevan Mission, so ensure provision of tap water to every house by this time at any rate, he said. CM said pure drinking water was a dream for the Bundelkhand and Vindhya region. Today this dream is coming true. Both these areas are on top priority. With continuous efforts, Mahoba is going to become the first district in the state, where every house will have tap water facility. Achieve the target of providing tap water connection to every house in Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Banda, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and the whole of Vindhya-Bundelkhand region in the next 2 months. There should be no unnecessary delay in providing electricity connection in order to supply piped drinking water in to the Vindhya-Bundelkhand region. Namami Gange Department and Energy Department should complete this work in time with mutual coordination he directed. He said 100% saturated villages should be verified with transparency through Jal Jeevan Mission. If even a single consumer is dissatisfied, their expectations should be met. We have to further strengthen the system of on-site inspection. There should be complete cleanliness and transparency in the procedure. Along with water supply, ensuring good quality of water is of paramount importance, he said. Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said it downed on Monday an Israeli drone in southern Lebanon near the border. The Iran-backed group "shot down an Israeli drone that entered Lebanese airspace... near Zibqin in the south", Hezbollah said in a statement. The Israeli army told AFP that one of its drones "fell in Lebanese territory during routine activity. There is no risk of a breach of information." Israeli warplanes and drones regularly violate Lebanon's airspace, while the powerful Shia Muslim movement for years has been sending drones towards Israel. Both sides claim to have shot down the others' unmanned aircraft in the past. In April, Israel's military said soldiers had shot down a drone that entered its airspace from Lebanon, a day after a barrage of rockets was fired into Israel. The neighbouring countries are still technically at war, and peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon patrol the border between the two. Set up in 1978, UNIFIL was beefed up after a devastating war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah. The group is the only side not to have disarmed following Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and it is also a powerful player in Lebanese politics. Last month, Hezbollah simulated cross-border raids into Israel in a show of its military might, using live ammunition and an attack drone. Search Keywords: Short link: In a first in Odishas medical history, multiple organs retrieved from a brain dead patient at the SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM) here on Saturday was rushed to three different cities for transplantation providing a new lease of life to four critical patients. In an exceptional achievement, multiple organs including two kidneys, two lungs and the liver were retrieved from Prasenjit Mohanty, the brain dead patient, with the support and approval of his family while excellent coordination through government agencies enabled the organs to be flown to two private hospitals in New Delhi and Kolkata for transplantation, Dr. Swetapadma Dash, Chief Executive Officer of SUMUM, told newspersons here on Sunday. The police created a green corridor in Bhubaneswar for transporting the organs in two ambulances from the hospital to the Biju Patnaik International Airport from where the same were flown to the two cities accompanied by outstation medical teams. Advertisement Of the two kidneys, one was transplanted on a waiting patient at SUMUM last night while another was taken to the S.C.B. Medical College Hospital at Cuttack for transplantation on another patient. The two lungs were flown to a private hospital at Kolkata to address the critical condition of a 16-year-old boy suffering from paraquat poisoning who endured a challenging 45-day wait for the organs while being supported by ECMO. The liver was transported to another private healthcare facility in New Delhi providing a lifesaving opportunity to another critical patient. Forty three-year-old Mohanty, who had suffered severe head injury after a fall, had been admitted to SUMUM on June 22 and underwent emergency brain surgery, Dr. Somnath Prasad Jena, Consultant Neurosurgeon at SUMUM said. Though his condition somewhat improved following the surgery, it deteriorated subsequently and an Apnea test conducted on June 23 yielded a positive report signifying that the patient was brain dead. A second test was done after six hours which confirmed the earlier report, Dr. Jena said. Dr. Dash said when the family members were informed about the patients medical status, they offered to donate his organs as it could help to save the lives of others. It was a momentous decision and we salute Ms. Mrudumanjari Mohapatra, wife of the patient, for her bold decision to donate the organs though there is cultural resistance to such practice in the society, she said. The hospital alerted the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) and subsequently information reached the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO) and National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) about the development. Medical teams from Kolkata and New Delhi reached SUMUM on Saturday and a 20-member team comprising surgeons from SUMUM and outstation doctors retrieved the required organs in a procedure that took four and half hours. Ms. Mohapatra, wife of the deceased, who was present at the press conference, said her husband had earlier wished that his organs should be donated. We also thought if his organs could help save the lives of four other persons, why not go for it, she said. Dr. Dash said the hospital had decided to provide employment to Ms. Mohapatra for her bold and selfless decision. Her decision is a trendsetter and we have to try for mindset shift in the society as regards organ donation, she said. Brig (Dr.) Biraj Mohan Mishra, SUMUMs Chief of Medical Services, also hailed Ms. Mohapatras gesture while thanking her family members for their support in donating the organs. SUMUMs team of neurosurgeons and critical care experts, comprising Dr. Jena, Dr. Vithal Rajnala and Dr. Alok Panigrahy, both Critical Care Consultants, played a crucial role in ensuring that the brain dead patient remained in stable condition making him eligible for organ donation, Dr. Prasanta Kumar Panda, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, said. The organ retrieval process involved a team of highly skilled doctors including SUMUMs Dr. Priyabrata Das, Dr. Jitendra Kumar Barad, both Consultant Urologists, Dr. Dipankar Padhiary, Dr. Bhabani Pati and Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Parida, all Consultant Anesthesiologists, along with collaborative teams from S.C.B. Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, Kolkata and New Delhi. The entire operation was executed with utmost precision and expertise and the SUMUM operation theatre team, ICU team and respective technical teams skillfully supported in the successful execution of the medical procedure, Dr. Panda said. The police and local administration played a vital role while providing a green corridor for the two ambulances on their journey to the airport, he said. Concerned over the increasing number of youth getting addicted to drugs, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that 400 cases were registered and over 300 people were arrested in Shimla district alone in the past six months. While presiding over a function on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here today, he emphasized the need for sensitivity, vigilance and awareness for tackling the menace of drugs in the state. As the youth are falling into the trap of drug addiction, it not only negatively impacts their health but also intellectual capacity, he said. Advertisement He underlined the need for a robust infrastructure to effectively treat and rehabilitate individuals trapped in the quagmire of drug addiction. The Chief Minister expressed concern about the sale of drugs near educational institutions, leading to the addiction of youth. To combat this issue, the government has collaborated with the police department and developed a blueprint to fight drugs. A Vidhan Sabha resolution has been sent to the Union Government, seeking amendments to the Narcotics Act for strictest actions against drug peddlers, he added. He said that the government plans to establish two drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers in the state, he said. About 50 bighas land near Shimla has been identified for constructing one of these centers and sufficient funds will be allocated for setting-up both centers, said the Chief Minister. He sought public cooperation to eradicate drug menace from the society and urged people to report information about drug peddlers to the Police so that they could be nabbed in time. Highlighting the significance of NGOs, he said that Gram Sabha will be held in the near future to involve all sections of society in the drug de-addiction campaign. The Chief Minister honoured institutions and departments for their commendable contribution in combating drug addiction in the state. Awards were presented to the Deputy Commissioners of Kangra, Mandi, and Una for their outstanding efforts in their respective districts. Similarly, the Commissioner of the State Taxes and Excise Department, the Directors of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Women and Child Development, Director Health Services and Director Higher Education were also given away awards for their contributions in the campaign. Among NGOs, Gunjan Sanstha Dharamshala, Manav Kalyan Samiti Chaupal, and the District Red Cross Society Kullu were honoured for their noteworthy work in the field of drug de-addiction. The Chief Minister administered the oath of drug prevention to all the attendees, including those virtually connected from the districts, blocks and panchayat levels during the function held in Shimla. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil emphasized the significance of addressing drug addiction and stressed the need for raising awareness among people. He said that drug addiction has severe physical and mental repercussions, impacting entire families. Stressing the importance of communication between parents and children to prevent drug abuse, he acknowledged that the collective efforts required from all sections of society. He appealed to all the sections of the society to collaborate with the governments initiatives, to tackle the drug menace. The much-anticipated remake of the Pakistani hit song Pasoori, now titled Pasoori Nu, has hit a sour note with the audience. Sung by renowned artists Arijit Singh and Tulsi Kumar, the revamped version features popular actors Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani in the music video. However, instead of generating excitement and praise, the release has sparked a wave of disappointment among netizens. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Kashmir, the music video of Pasoori Nu portrays a romantic narrative between Kiara and Kartik Aaryan. As the two stars share moments of affection, stunning mountain vistas serve as the backdrop, enhancing the visual appeal. The pair is seen wearing matching white outfits, creating an aesthetically pleasing aesthetic in the video. The decision to remake the song, originally sung by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill, and adapt it with Hindi lyrics, has failed to resonate with the audience. Flocking to social media platforms, netizens have expressed their dismay and discontent with the new version. Twitter, in particular, became a platform for disappointed fans to voice their opinions, questioning the need to remake a song that was released not long ago. Advertisement Among the comments, one user expressed frustration, exclaiming, I understand the concept of remaking old songs, but this song just came out! Everyone involved in this idea should be put in jail (sic). Another user echoed the sentiment, simply asking, Where is the dislike button? Fans of the initial composition expressed their desire for the genuine rendition, stating that the most recent adaptation falls short when compared. It is worth noting that Pasoori, the original song, achieved significant popularity and became the fastest video in Coke Studio Season 14 to reach one million views on YouTube. Within a mere ten days of its release, it garnered an astonishing 10 million views. However, the decision to remake the song for the movie Satyaprem Ki Katha has elicited mixed responses from fans. Despite the disappointment expressed by the audience, Satyaprem Ki Katha, featuring the song Pasoori Nu, is scheduled to hit theaters on June 29, 2023. The filmmakers remain hopeful that the movies other aspects will help offset the negative reception of the remade song. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) will be removed from Jammu and Kashmir once permanent peace returns to the Union Territory (UT). Addressing a national security conclave here, Rajnath Singh said, Today AFSPA has been removed from large parts of the North East. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will come in Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here too. The Defence Minister, however, didnt give any timeline for removal of AFSPA from J&K and said I hope things will further improve in J&K. A time will come when we will remove AFSPA from J&K. I hope so. Advertisement The security conclave was to mark the completion of nine years of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the Defence Minister said a large part of J&K is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. The people there are seeing that on this side people are living peacefully. We feel pain when they are oppressed by the government of Pakistan that does not have a locus standi on that part of J&K. The Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution on PoJK that belongs to India. Since long time, Pakistan has tried to destabilise peace and harmony in the country through cross-border terrorism. However, when we came to power, we launched an effective action against terrorism, he said. We showed the world the meaning of zero tolerance against terrorism. The bold and first-of-its-kind moves to eliminate terrorists following the Uri and Pulwama incidents are proof of Indias zero tolerance against terrorism policy and the unmatched valour of the Armed Forces. Rajnath Singh said that the network of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir has substantially weakened in the last few years as strict and consistent action is being taken. Terror funding has been curbed. Supply of arms and drugs to terrorists has been stopped. Along with elimination of terrorists, work is being done to dismantle the network of UnderGround workers, he said. The Defence Minister termed the border situation with China as a matter of perceptional difference, but there are agreements and protocols, based on which the armies of both the countries carry out the patrolling. Referring to the stand-off in East Ladakh in 2020, he said, the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the LAC. He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by the PLA to change the status quo. Rajnath Singh reiterated the Governments stand to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner. He added that the talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. He assured the nation that the Government will never compromise on Indias border, its honour and self-respect. We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated, he added. He asserted that India has witnessed a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. He pointed out that Indias image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation which allowed its adversaries to create problems, but today the country has the ability to overcome every threat. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent a communique to the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) seeking clarification on the deployment of 337 companies of central armed forces that has already been requisitioned for the July 8 panchayat polls in the state. On Sunday evening, the WBSEC had sent a communique to the MHA seeking the requisitioning of 485 companies in addition to 337 which are already requisitioned. However on Monday, the WBSEC received the counter-communique from the Ministy seeking details of the deployment of the 337 companies already requisitioned, which include a mix of personnel from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Railway Protection Force (RPF). Advertisement The poll body had sent the communique to the Ministry just after the State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha had a meeting with the Governor C.V. Ananda Bose where the issue of central armed forces deployment was discussed. Sinha updated the Governor that the central forces requisition sent by the Commission to the Ministry is yet to arrive in the state. Sinha also reportedly assured the Governor of effective deployment of central forces as they arrive in phases. Sinha also assured the Governor it will be ensured that there is central forces deployment in all the polling stations in the state. Meanwhile, a political slugfest has surfaced over the development. According to the BJP MP Dilip Ghosh, the WBSEC after being forced to seek a total of 822 companies of central armed forces following a direction of the Calcutta High Court, is now making all attempts to somehow doge the issue as per convenience of the states ruling party. That is why the commission is yet to finalise the deployment of the existing central forces personnel already deployed, he said. Trinamool Congress state spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that the deployment of central armed forces, which according to him is an unnecessary exercise, should be left to the discretion of the WBSEC. The Central Electricity Authority of India has been asked to inspect the spot where a woman teacher died of electrocution at the New Delhi Railway Station complex, a Delhi Police official said on Monday. According to Delhi Police spokesperson, Suman Nalwa, they have written a letter to the Central Electricity Authority of India to inspect the spot and give the investigators opinion as to how the incident took place. A letter has also been sent to the division railway manager regarding the persons and the details of maintenance. However, reply is yet to come, said Nalwa. Advertisement A senior police official said that they got a PCR call regarding the incident on Sunday. The caller informed the police that a woman had got electric shock from a pole at PG side near Exit-1, NDRS. Police reached the spot and found that one woman namely Sakshi Ahuja was unconscious. The woman was immediately taken to LMHC College with the help of her sister Madhvi Chopra where she was declared dead on arrival by the doctors, said the official. The dead body was shifted to the mortuary for the postmortem. The police said that her sister Madhvi Chopra gave a complaint in this regard against the concerned authority for their negligence. Based on her complaint, the police have lodged an FIR under relevant sections of the IPC. Crime team and FSL, Rohini have collected the samples and inspected the spot. Crime team photographed the place of incident from all angles. The investigation is under progress, the police said. According to information, Sakshi Ahuja, who was going to Chandigarh, had booked tickets for Vande Bharat Express. There were seven people with tickets for Vande Bharat Express. Sakshi was leading the group. Sakshi is survived by two children, a son, seven-year-old and a daughter, five-year-old. They were supposed to go to Kasauli from Chandigarh for the vacation. Sakshi was accompanied by her parents, sister, and brother. Amid the ongoing row over sale of rice to Karnataka by Food Corporation of India (FCI), the Congress has opened a new front against the Centre saying that the BJP has avenged its election loss in Himachal Pradesh by slashing import duties on Washington apple. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh in a tweet hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, The PM wants Apple to invest (not investigate) in India. But does he even care for the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh? He has avenged his election loss in Himachal by slashing import duties on Washington apples. Never before has India seen a more petty PM. He also attached a news report which highlighted that the government has slashed import duty on Washington apples from 70 per cent to 50 per cent. Advertisement Earlier, the Congress targeted the BJP government accusing it of playing dirty politics on the supply of rice to Karnataka for its Anna Bhagya scheme. This is the second issue on which the Congress has accused the BJP of avenging its loss in the state Assembly elections. Congress had defeated BJP in Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections in December last year. The increasing involvement of women in drug peddling in Jammu and Kashmir has posed a serious challenge to the police and security forces that are fighting against Pakistan backed narco-terrorism. Women getting involved in peddling drugs from the districts bordering Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has further complicated the situation as another International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being observed on Monday. More than a dozen women belonging to Kashmir, Jammu and Punjab have been arrested by the police in the past few months while smuggling narcotics. The arrests were more in the Kashmir Valley. Advertisement Intelligence experts point out that in many cases it was found that Pakistan based terror outfits have lured some women for drug peddling as their movement generally goes unsuspected. Terror outfits in Pakistan have been using drones to drop drugs in villages along the LoC and international border for being picked by their conduits for raising money for terrorism. Two women were among three activists of a narco-terror module arrested by the police in north Kashmirs border area of Sopore on Saturday. One of the arrested women, Parveen Kausar, belongs to Sidhra locality of Jammu, said the police. In its war against drugs, the Bandipora Police recently handcuffed a woman drug dealer, Bubli Begum, who is a habitual offender under the NDPS Act, said the police. Two women were among three drug peddlers arrested by the police in south Kashmirs Kulgam on 23 June. A woman drug trafficker recently arrested at Jammus Shastri Nagar locality is accused of being in touch with terror handlers sitting in Pakistan. During questioning, her links with Pakistan-based handlers were established through the mobile details. Police recently arrested notorious drug trafficker Jano Bibi alias Bhabhi who had contacts with some drug lords taking directions from across the border. The infamous Bhabhi was the main supplier of drugs and narcotics in different parts of Jammu province. A woman drug peddler was nabbed in Jammu on 9 May. A couple from Punjab were arrested with 7 kg of heroin in the Udhampur district a few months ago. The police said that Lovepreet Singh and his wife Mandeep Kaur were travelling in a car when they were intercepted by police and the consignment of heroin was seized from their possession. The accused, who hailed from Ram Tirath Road in Punjabs Amritsar, are inter-state drug smugglers, said police. Three women drug peddlers belonging to Amritsar, Punjab were arrested in Kulgam by the Police a few months ago. Two women, Fahmeeda and Nazira, allegedly carrying 113 gms of charas were arrested at Chellan Boniyar in north Kashmirs Baramulla on 5 April. Involvement of women in drug peddling is also increasing in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu division. Two persons, including a woman, were arrested on charges of drug peddling in separate operations in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri and Kishtwar districts, on 13 May. The woman, a resident of Khewra village, was arrested when she was smuggling a consignment of drugs into Rajouri town, a police spokesman said. Three women drug peddlers were among 17 persons arrested in Samba district of Jammu in the month of March. BRS working president and Telangana Industry Minister KT Rama Rao on Monday said that political differences would not stop them from supplying paddy to the Congress ruled Karnataka. He also lashed out at the BJP national president JP Nadda for threatening to send Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to jail on corruption charges. We are the largest paddy producer in the country. Now we have our neighbours calling us. Karnataka is calling us. Tamil Nadu is calling us, saying you are a paddy producer. We are running out of paddy and rice so why dont you help us? Of course we have political differences but we will not let that come in the way of helping them, said Rao while addressing industrialists at a programme where the Lulu Group International announced commencement of its operations in Telangana. With the Centre stopping FCI from supplying rice to Karnataka for its Anna Bhagya scheme, the state has turned to neighbouring Telangana for help. Rao also addressed a rally at the inauguration of a skywalk at Uppal where he lashed out at BJP national president JP Nadda for his yesterdays speech criticising KCR and his party BRS. Why should you say that you will put KCR in jail? Is it because he has introduced schemes such as Shadi Mubarak and Kalyana Lakshmi, giving kits and two bed room houses, he asked. He then went back to bashing the previous Congress government, saying that power cuts are now a thing of the past and the problem of water shortage too has been resolved. Advertisement He slammed PCC chief Revanth Reddy, saying that when he talks about corruption, it is akin to a tiger talking about vegetarianism, particularly when it comes from a person who was caught with bundles of cash and sent to jail. Iran said on Monday it was hoping indirect talks with the United States could lead to a "positive" outcome for a prisoner swap. Iran announced earlier this month that it was engaged in Oman-mediated talks with its arch-nemesis the United States over its nuclear deal and a possible prisoner exchange. "We are negotiating for the release of Iranian citizens through parties who play a role in good faith," Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said on Monday. "We have to see if the American government is ready to make a final decision in this regard," he told reporters, adding that Tehran hoped "to witness such a positive event". At least three Iranian-Americans are being held in Iran, including businessman Siamak Namazi, arrested in October 2015 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for espionage. The other two are venture capitalist Emad Sharqi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges, and Morad Tahbaz, who also holds British nationality, and was jailed for 10 years for "conspiring with America". In the past two months, Iran released six European citizens and recovered an Iranian diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, who was convicted of terrorism and imprisoned in Belgium. Kanani's comment came following media reports that Washington and Tehran were close to an interim deal to replace the 2015 nuclear accord. The two sides have denied these reports. Known as the JCPOA, the accord granted Iran much-needed sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear deal before it collapsed in 2018 after Washington unilateral pullout. In recent days, the two capitals have denied media reports that they were close to reaching an interim deal to replace the 2015 accord. Efforts to revive the accord have so far failed to yield results. Stop-start talks that began in April last year to restore the nuclear deal have yet to bear fruit. Tehran and Washington cut diplomatic ties in 1980 following the Islamic revolution in Iran. Search Keywords: Short link: At least five persons were killed during the last three days in rain and lightning related mishaps in parts of Rajasthan since the South-West Monsoon hit the state on Saturday night. One person drowned in a stream of rainy water on 24 June and four others were killed in lightning in the last 24 hours, PC Kishan, Secretary, State Disaster, Relief and Civil Defense Department, told SNS today. Just before the monsoons entry into the state, the cyclonic storm Biparjoy claimed the lives of seven persons during the last week, he said, adding that 363 people were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in 17 flood affected districts by forming 21 teams. Barring Bundi, Tonk, and Banswara, the monsoon has got activated across the state and moderate to heavy rains have been reported from different places. Gangapur has recorded the maximum rainfall so far. Meanwhile, the Jaipur Meteorology Department issued an orange warning of rains in at least a dozen districts including Kota, Bundi, Kota, Jodhpur and Udaipur. The yellow warning of rains and thunderstorms has been issued for ten districts including Ajmer, Tonk, Barmer, Dungarpur and Banswara. Within hours of arriving in New Delhi after a successful tour of the United States and Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a Cabinet meeting. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri and senior officials from different key ministers were present at the meeting. Home Minister Shah earlier briefed the PM on the situation in Manipur which has been witnessing ethnic clashes. On Sunday, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh briefed Shah about the evolving situation in the state and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a great extent. Advertisement Shah had held an all-party meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation in Manipur. BJP national president JP Nadda, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and CPI(M) MP John Brittas were among those who attended the meeting. The PM arrived in India early on Monday after completing his maiden state visits to the US and Egypt lasting six days. He was received at the Palam airport by BJP President Nadda, Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi and party MPs, including Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir, among others. Earlier in the day, PM Modi took to his Twitter handle to share glimpses of his first visit to Egypt. The video shows his arrival in the African country, meeting his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and interacting with members of the Indian diaspora. Sharing the video on Twitter, Modi tagged the clip with a message stating, My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and will benefit the people of our nations. I thank President @AlsisiOfficial, the Government and the people of Egypt for their affection. Tens of thousands of people poured into Thirunakkara Maidan, where the last rites of the departed leader were conducted, from across the state, giving a tough time for the police in crowd management. By Statesman News Service 20 July, 2023 8 mins read A man in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr district allegedly got his father killed over a property share dispute. According to the police, the 32-year-old accused, Narendra Singh, had hired a contract killer for Rs 2.5 lakhs to kill Bholi Singh (65). Bulandshahr SSP Shlok Kumar said that the incident took place on the intervening night of June 22 and 23. Advertisement After receiving information that a man had been shot at by some unidentified persons, a police team rushed to the spot and took the victim to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, Kumar said. During the probe, it came to light that Narendra was upset with his father as he sold out a piece of land but did not give him any share. He then contacted a man from his village, identified as Lokesh Kumar, to hire a contract killer from Delhi, Abhishek Kumar. The SSP added that Narendra and Abhishek have been arrested, while Lokesh is absconding. Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the policy of zero tolerance against narcotics adopted by the Ministry of Home Affairs is showing positive results. In his message on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Home Minister said: It is a matter of great pleasure that this time also the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is organizing Nasha Mukt Pakhwada at all India level. One of the main pillars of the Government policy is the Whole of Government Approach of the Modi Government, in which the coordination of different departments makes the policy more effective, he said. Advertisement It is our resolve that we will not allow the narcotics trade in India, nor will we allow drugs to be routed to the world through India. In this campaign against drugs, all major agencies of the country, especially the Narcotics Control Bureau are continuously fighting this war, he said. To strengthen this campaign, the Ministry of Home Affairs established NCORD in 2019, while the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was formed in the police department of every state. The first national conference of ANTF was held in April 2023 in Delhi. Shah said that the campaign against the misuse and side effects of drugs is being carried out on a war footing at the national level through appropriate forums. The effect of the comprehensive and coordinated fight against drugs is that while drugs worth Rs 768 crore were seized in 2006-13, the seizures increased almost 30 times to Rs 22,000 crore in 2014-22. As many as 181 per cent additional cases have been registered against drug peddlers in comparison to the earlier period. This shows the commitment of the Modi government towards a drug free India, he said. We also launched a destruction campaign to prevent re-use of seized drugs in June 2022, under this campaign around six lakh kgs of seized narcotics have been destroyed across the country so far, he said. The Home Minister said that whether it is about destroying the drug cultivation or spreading public awareness, the Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with all institutions and States, is making every possible effort, for a drug free India, but this battle cannot be won without peoples participation. On this occasion, I appeal to all countrymen to keep themselves and their families away from drugs. Drugs not only make the young generation and society hollow, but the money earned from its smuggling is used against the security of the country, he said. I appeal to the people to take an active part in this war against its misuse and inform the security agencies about the drug-trade taking place around them, he said. The Home Minister said that I am sure that with collective efforts, we all will be able to root out the problem of drugs and achieve our goal of Drugs-free India. Israeli authorities have arrested three United Nations workers trying to smuggle liquid cocaine into the country on Sunday in the guise of perfume-making kits. The arrests were made at the Jordan River Customs House along the northern area of the border with Jordan near Beit Shean. Liquid cocaine is made by dissolving the cocaine into water or certain other liquids and later converting it back to powder form. It can be difficult to detect because the liquid often masks cocaines odour. Smugglers often hide it inside shampoo, perfume or syrup containers, or liquor bottles. According to the Israeli Tax Authority, a number of UN workers arrived at the border crossing when a routine inspection raised suspicion about the perfume-making kits. Assessments were submitted to a careful examination which included a dog-sniffing test. Advertisement The UN employees were arrested and transferred to the police for further investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned from his official visit to Egypt, at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. This marked the Prime Ministers first state visit to the African nation, and it holds significant potential for strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries. During his visit, PM Modi paid a visit to the Al-Hakim mosque in the Egyptian capital, where he expressed admiration for the warm hospitality of the Egyptian Muslim community, including the Dawoodi Bohras. This experience is expected to contribute to maintaining religious harmony back home in India, similar to what exists in Egypt. President el-Sisi bestowed upon PM Modi the esteemed Order of the Nile award, the highest state honor in Egypt. This recognition marks the 13th highest state honor received by Prime Minister Modi and is likely to foster goodwill between the two nations. PM Modi also met with the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawky Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, engaging in discussions about social harmony and joint efforts to counter extremism and radicalization. During his visit to the Heliopolis War Cemetery, PM Modi paid tribute to the British Indian soldiers who fought from the Egyptian side during the World Wars. Additionally, he had the opportunity to meet the Indian community residing in Egypt. These gestures have been perceived as a reassuring commitment to fostering closer people-to-people contact between the two countries, particularly for the Indian diaspora. The Prime Minister held productive talks with Egyptian President el-Sisi, focusing on ways to enhance the strategic relationship between the two countries. Their discussions encompassed areas such as trade, investments, energy cooperation, and people-to-people connections. As a result, both nations elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership. On social media platform Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his contentment regarding his meeting with Mr. Hassan Allam, the Chief Executive Officer of Hassan Allam Holding Company. Their conversations revolved around subjects such as the economy, investments, and the safeguarding of Egypts cultural heritage. This interaction symbolizes the successful implementation of soft power diplomacy between the two countries. Prime Minister Modis visit to Egypt is expected to strengthen diplomatic ties and foster mutual goodwill. Discussions on social harmony, strategic cooperation, and people-to-people connections have laid the foundation for enhanced collaboration between the two nations. The visit highlights the positive prospects for future cooperation and underscores the commitment of both countries to deepening their relationship. Advertisement Amid increasing Chinese assertiveness on maritime issues, South Korea has shared Indias position on the Indo Pacific region. We want a free, peaceful and prosperous Indo Pacific based on the principles of inclusiveness, trust and reciprocity, a top official of the South Korean foreign ministry told a group of visiting Indian journalists. India, he said, was a very important country in Seouls Indo Pacific strategy. We are discussing a lot many things with India as it is a priority country for us as part of our Indo Pacific strategy, he added. Advertisement Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modis just-concluded visit to the United States, the official said it would be helpful in implementing a much more balanced Indo Pacific strategy. The official, who did not wish to be identified, however, declined to say anything on Chinas role in the Indo Pacific or the ongoing India-China military stand-off in Eastern Ladakh. Though it has deepened security with the US, South Korea invariably remains wary of angering China with which it shares land and maritime borders. The Korean official said the special strategic partnership between India and South Korea has truly deepened ties between the two countries in key areas. We want to further expand our ties with India in economic areas, defence industry and supply chains, he added. Exchanges and collaborations with Indian companies in the field of defence would be expanded further. Welcoming Indias presidency of G20, the official said South Korea would participate and actively support New Delhi to meet challenges like climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taking a positive view of Quad that brings together India, Japan, Australia and the United States on a common platform, the official declined to confirm if South Korea would like to be a member of the grouping. On whether South Korea would allow more Indians to work in the East Asian nation, he acknowledged that IT and skilled manpower from India was important for his country too. However, a decision on the issue could only be taken in consultation with the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Justice. Asked about reports that North Korea was developing tactical nuclear weapons that could target South Korea, the official said Pyongyang was not only posing a threat to peace in the Korean Peninsula but to the entire global community. Let them (North Korea) know that they cant get any result from such hostile postures, he added. The headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin led a mutiny over the weekend that rattled President Vladimir Putin's rule, said Monday it was working in "normal mode." The statement from the office came as the fate of Wagner was uncertain after the rebellion and as Russia appeared to take a business-as-usual approach. "Despite events that have taken place, the centre continues to work in normal mode in accordance to the law of the Russian Federation," the office, based in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg, said. It said Wagner has "worked for the future of Russia" and thanked its supporters. Wagner's chief Prigozhin has not been seen since Saturday, but the Kremlin said he will be sent to neighbouring Belarus after a Minsk-brokered deal to halt his rebellion. Wagner, whose very existence Moscow denied until its Ukraine offensive, said it had "created opportunities for the (self) realisation of talented people from all over the country". It said that on top of developing "domestic drones", it had also worked on "preparing information fighters and countering the information war". Prigozhin is known to have led an infamous troll farm in Saint Petersburg. Despite Putin calling the Wagner mutiny "treason" and warning of civil war, some of the group's offices around Russia were still recruiting fighters, Russian media reported. The TASS state news agency said Wagner recruitment reopened in Siberia's Novosibirsk and Tyumen. "Recruitment is ongoing," TASS quoted a Wagner worker in Novosibirsk as saying. In the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, however, lawmakers said the group could no longer recruit convicts. Prigozhin had recruited thousands of Russian prisoners to fight in Ukraine, promising an amnesty upon their return if they survive. "There was a time when (Wagner) could take those who were convicted and sign a contract with them," senior lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov said, according to the Interfax news agency. "Now the law says there is a different procedure, under which contracts can only be signed with the defence ministry." Search Keywords: Short link: Belgrade on Monday freed three Kosovo police officers who had been taken into custody by Serbian security forces earlier this month, following a court order to release the trio. The move followed weeks of soaring tensions between the two sides, after rioting in northern Kosovo saw more than 30 NATO peacekeepers injured in late May. "We confirm that the 3 kidnapped police officers have been released. Even though we are joyous that they get to return to their families, this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation & must be reprimanded," Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti wrote on social media. Kurti's announcement came as a Serbian court said the three had been indicted but their detention had also been "terminated". "The higher tribunal... has confirmed the indictment against the aforementioned and brought a ruling that the detention of the indictees be terminated," read a statement by the higher court in Serbia's Kraljevo, where the case was heard. The three officers entered into Kosovo at the Merdare border crossing on Monday afternoon, according to an AFP journalist, where they were greeted and shook hands with officials. The arrest of the three policemen unleashed a war of words between the Kosovo government and Serbia, with Pristina saying the three men had been kidnapped. Belgrade, however, accused the three of crossing into its territory. Kurti's government has sought to crack down on what it says is rampant smuggling across its northern frontier, accusing Serbia of using organised crime and black market trade to control Serb-majority areas of north Kosovo. The prime minister said the "kidnapping" of its police was likely "revenge" for the arrest of an alleged Serb paramilitary leader in Kosovo this month, whom Kurti claimed was a major figure linked to the smuggling gangs. - High tensions - Tensions have been skyrocketing between the arch rivals following Pristina's decision last month to install ethnic Albanian mayors in four Serb-majority municipalities. France, Germany and the United States have urged both Pristina and Belgrade to dial down the tensions, while the US openly slammed the Kosovo government's decision to install the mayors. The European Union held crisis talks mediated by foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last week, hoping to ease tensions. However the meeting did not appear to score any breakthroughs, with the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia not meeting face to face. "After four hours meeting, I think the two leaders understand the severity of the situation," Borrell said. "But obviously, they are in different situations, different approaches, different interpretations." The dispute was the latest in a long list of incidents to rock the area since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 -- nearly a decade after NATO forces helped push Serbian forces out of the former province during a bloody war that killed around 13,000 people, most ethnic Albanians. Belgrade, along with its key allies China and Russia, has refused to recognise Kosovo's independence, effectively preventing it from having a seat at the United Nations. Kosovo is overwhelmingly populated by ethnic Albanians, but in the northern stretches of the territory near the border with Serbia, ethnic Serbs remain the majority in several municipalities. Search Keywords: Short link: Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis embarked Monday on his second term as Greece's prime minister with a vow to accelerate institutional and economic reforms, after voters handed him a huge election victory for the second time in five weeks. Crediting Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party for bringing economic stability to the erstwhile EU debt laggard, voters gave the conservatives their widest winning margin in almost 50 years on Sunday. "No adversary, absolute dominance of Mitsotakis," headlined centrist newspaper Ta Nea. Hailing the "strong mandate", Mitsotakis said that "major reforms will proceed rapidly", adding that he had "ambitious" targets for his next four years in power that could "transform" Greece. Among his pledges is pouring money into the country's public health system -- which was stretched to its limits by the Covid-19 pandemic -- and improving railway safety after the deaths of 57 people in a February train collision that was Greece's worst rail disaster. Congratulations poured in from world leaders swiftly after Mitsotakis's victory. "I look forward to continuing our close cooperation on shared priorities to foster prosperity and regional security," said US President Joe Biden in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron also promised cooperation towards "a stronger and more sovereign Europe," while Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Mitsotakis's re-election "a sign of political stability that is good for the whole Europe". The 55-year-old former McKinsey consultant and Harvard graduate, who steered the EU nation from the pandemic back to two consecutive years of strong growth, had already scored a resounding win in an election in May. But having fallen short by five seats in parliament of being able to form a single-party government, he refused to try to form a coalition, in effect forcing 9.8 million Greek voters back to the ballot boxes. The gamble paid off, with his New Democracy party consolidating its win from the May 21 vote, while its nearest rival, the left-wing Syriza party of former premier Alexis Tsipras, saw a loss of tens of thousands of voters compared to just a month ago. Tsipras, acknowledging a "serious political defeat", said he was leaving his political fate to the "judgment" of Syriza members. For many Greeks, Tsipras is the prime minister who nearly crashed Greece out of the euro, and who reneged on a vow of abolishing austerity to sign the country on to more painful bailout terms. To the dismay of centrists, Sunday's strong swing to the right was also accompanied by the return of the far right into parliament. "Fascists will enter parliament... this constitutes a completely toxic environment," senior Syriza leader Costas Zachariadis told Skai TV. New cabinet Holding 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament, Mitsotakis will officially receive the mandate to form a government on Monday from Greece's head of state, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The prime minister-elect is then expected to unveil his cabinet in the coming days, though names were already circulating even before the last votes were counted. Mitsotakis's trusted troubleshooter George Gerapetritis is being tipped as foreign minister. A professor of constitutional law, Gerapetritis was enlisted in March to deal with the train tragedy, as well as a wiretapping scandal that implicated the prime minister's office last year. The former foreign minister, Nikos Dendias, a political moderate, is expected to move to the defence ministry. As soon as Thursday, Mitsotakis is due to meet with EU counterparts at a summit in Brussels. 'Visible' threat Mitsotakis, who first became prime minister in 2019, has not only vowed to make economic stability a feature of his new term. He had also championed a tough anti-immigration line, appealing to the conservative base in an electoral campaign in which the recent deadly sinking of an overcrowded trawler failed to garner a mention. Instead, three small nationalist parties with anti-migration policies garnered between them nearly 13 percent of the vote. One of them, Spartiates (Spartans), is endorsed by the jailed former spokesman of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn and will make an entrance in parliament after crossing the three-percent threshold. Tsipras said the strongest showing of Greek hard-right parties in decades was a "visible" threat to democracy. Search Keywords: Short link: It's easy to decide what you want, but it's tough to work towards it. One name that has gone against all odds and achieved various milestones is Jasmine Beauty Care. The brand was founded by famous international MUA and hairstylist Richa Dave. The brand is famous for its high-level service. It has achieved international certification, which is one of its top achievements. While the brand has also been the top choice for many celebrities, it has recently added one more milestone to its journey. Jasmine Beauty Care gets certification from an international makeup artist and educator, Priscilla Lassa. Yes, you read it right! Recently, it was seen on the official Instagram page of this brand that its founder, Richa Dave, was receiving a certificate from one of the best Brazilian makeup artists. On achieving this milestone, here's what Richa Dave has to say: "I am very happy and proud to be the founder of the Jasmine Beauty Care brand, which has now achieved international certification from the renowned internationally acclaimed makeup artist, Priscilla Lessa. I am grateful to God for this wonderful achievement, and we are all very happy with it after all; it took years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice." The brand is not only making its clients happy but also the techies. They have made it easy for everyone to understand the intricacies of how it works by presenting a step-by-step guide in their courses and classes. Jasmine Beauty Care has emerged as a leading brand in so many fields, such as makeup, hair, skincare, and even nail care. Only a few brands have achieved such impressive levels of excellence. And here's why this brand is so special: they see makeup as an art to amplify the beauty of a human. They have done makeup for multiple celebrities from both the Hindi and Gujarati film industries. Besides doing makeup for real clients, Jasmine Beauty Care has also organised many classes and courses. They have many exciting upcoming classes that will focus on honing the skills of new makeup artists. We hope that you will find this as exciting as we do! Inputs by: Ms. Nashid Chowdhury, Investment and Trade Commissioner, Government of Western Australia, India-Gulf region 1. What is the objective of Western Australia's latest education mission, and what implications does it have for the education sector? The Western Australian education mission to India in June 2023 aims to showcase academic opportunities in Western Australia to prospective Indian students and establish partnerships between universities in both regions. It also highlights the significance of international education for economic development and community enrichment. The mission's initiatives are designed to increase accessibility to Western Australias curriculum offshore, promoting easier application to its universities due to recognized qualifications. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance cultural exchange, with India identified as a growing market for Western Australia, contributing to diversity and community development. 2. Which universities are participating in this mission, and what opportunities do they offer to Indian students? More than fifteen prestigious universities are participating in this mission including the Edith Cowan University, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), the University of Notre Dame, University of Western Australia (UWA), Murdoch University, Phoenix Academy, and Curtin University. The mission promotes the Government of Western Australia's accommodation subsidy and scholarship programs, which include the Premiers University Scholarships and the Western Australia Certificate of Education Bursary. These scholarships are available in addition to the ones provided by each university. Pursuing the Western Australia curriculum abroad is considered beneficial for students. This is because the recognized qualifications make the application and admission process for higher education at Western Australia's universities easier. 3. Which MOUs were signed during the recent India mission? While several scholarships were offered for prospective Indian students, the mission also witnessed the signing of several collaboration agreements between Western Australian institutions and Indian universities. To begin, a joint venture was formed between Datta Meghe World Academy in Navi Mumbai and Western Australia's Emotional Literacy and Mindfulness Academy (ELMA) to teach children social and emotional learning skills. Secondly, two girls from Asvara Academy, a residential school for economically underprivileged young ladies in the hamlet of Lavale, Pune, have been offered 100% scholarships from the University of Western Australia (UWA) that will span their full academic lives. Thirdly, in a first, the Public Senior Secondary School (RSPC) School in the Indian state of Rajasthan has teamed up with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) to deliver the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), which allows students to enroll in state training providers as well as public and private universities across Australia and internationally. Last but not least, an alliance between Indian universities and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) was created to establish the required curriculum and outline what they are expected to teach. SCSA also signed the curriculum licensing agreement between RS public secondary school as well as Zengage education. 4. International education plays a pivotal role in Western Australia's relationship with India and our global future. What makes Western Australia an appealing destination for Indian students seeking to study abroad? Western Australia presents a compelling study destination for Indian students, providing world-class education with globally recognized universities and innovative programs. Perth, known for its friendly atmosphere and high living standards, offers an affordable and safe lifestyle. It's a multicultural society, promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity. Furthermore, students have opportunities for part-time work to support their studies, and they can benefit from the region's dynamic economy, which offers high-quality jobs and low unemployment rates. Finally, Western Australia's natural beauty, with pristine beaches and a variety of outdoor activities, enhances its appeal. 5. Despite India already being Western Australia's largest market for international students, is there still potential for further growth? Despite India already being Western Australia's largest market for international students, there is further potential for growth. This is evident through our recent education mission to India that aims at promoting scholarships and facilitating MOUs between Western Australian and Indian universities, easing Indian students' path to Western Australian education. Despite a pandemic-led decline in overall international student enrollments, India's enrollments in Australian institutions have been growing, signaling untapped potential. It is anticipated that Indian student growth in Western Australia will continue. Australia has become one of the preferred destinations for Indian students for pursuing higher studies, especially for gaining vocational skills. Companies around the world will soon have a uniform set of standards on sustainability issues after the body governing international accounting rules published on Monday its first guidelines on reporting greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, most large companies report how many tonnes of carbon they emit into the atmosphere each year, but the data is often not reliable. The poor quality of data and lack of common standards allows companies to burnish their climate credentials, or to greenwash their reputations. The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation launched an effort in 2021 to fill that gap, creating a special board to work on sustainability disclosure standards. On Monday, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its first standards -- IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 -- that will be available for use from next year. "The standards will help to improve trust and confidence in company disclosures about sustainability to inform investment decisions," the ISSB said. "And for the first time, the standards create a common language for disclosing the effect of climate-related risks and opportunities on a company's prospects," it added. Countries are adopting measures to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century in the hopes of limiting the increase in global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the 2015 Paris climate pact. This is creating a patchwork of regulations for firms to comply with and the financial stakes in the transition are becoming more and more important, both for the firms and their shareholders. IFRS accounting standards are required in many countries, while many companies in other countries use them in order to better tap international finance. Common language The ISSB believes that a number of states, including Japan and Britain, will quickly make the new climate standard mandatory, and hopes China, which boasts the world's second-largest economy, will adopt it as well. The European Union is working on its own standards, which will also include biodiversity and human rights, and the ISSB hopes they will be compatible. The standards ensure "that what they are actually doing is detailed in a common language for all the companies", Emmanuel Faber, the former chief executive of French food company Danone, who led the effort to come up the rules, told AFP. They also define how companies measure their direct and indirect emissions, using a method that is widely used but until now has not been mandatory -- the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The standards also require companies to audit their emissions data and ensure their climate strategy is adopted by the top management. While the ISSB, at least initially, is not going as far as the European Union, Kate Levick, the associate director for sustainable finance at independent think tank E3G, said creating common baseline standards is positive. "When you have lots of countries all making regulations and requirements at the same time, that's a bit of a nightmare scenario for companies," she told AFP. She believes that will help reduce greenwashing by companies. "The disclosure requirements have been very carefully considered and thought out and designed with anti-greenwashing in mind," she said. "The whole idea of this is to hold firms accountable." Search Keywords: Short link: India will emerge as the next big destination for semiconductors. The country will come out with a made-in-India chip by December 2024, IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said and added that this paradigm shift has happened after the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the USA. The first semiconductor chip will be rolled out of the US-based Micron Technology which is setting up its plant in Sanand, Gujarat. The company will manufacture chips and equipment with an investment of $400 million. This deal was signed during Modis visit US visit. The minister, while addressing a press conference in the national capital, said the US will also help India train 60,000 engineers and together the countries will create cutting-edge technology. The minister said under PM Modi, India's stature has risen unprecedentedly on the global stage. Calling Modi's visit to the US historic, he said the standing ovations the PM got while addressing the Joint Session of the US Congress showcased a deep respect not only for Modi but for 140 crore Indians. It is a recognition of Indias prowess. It is a recognition of Indias position in the geopolitics order. Earlier, during such visits, the talks were about Kashmir and Pakistan. The primary focus this time was technological progress. This is the fundamental change. Both powers can collaborate in the fields of semiconductors, jet engines, defence technologies, space, AI, and quantum computing. The process has changed from 180 degrees in the past, Vaishnaw said. India is now considered as joint development partner. This is the paradigm shift. In the global geopolitical scenario, India is considered an equal, and USA and India have become a major power and drive to address the critical issues before the world, Vaishnaw added. Quoting Biden, the minister said, This will be the most consequential relationship of 21 century. This visit was talked about across the world. This is a milestone marking the change in the world order, he added. During the visit, 35 joint research projects in emerging technologies, like quantum computing, semiconductor, and AI were signed. In the telecom sector, America evaluated Indias 4G stack and found it to be very advanced, the minister said. Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran sustained an injury on his leg while shooting for an action sequence on the sets of Vilayath Buddha on Sunday, according to reports. The actor is set to undergo a keyhole surgery at a private hospital in Kochi on Monday, and will take a short break from work to recover, reports stated. The shooting of the film directed by Jayan Nambiyar will be put on hold for a few months, Indian Express reported. The film also features Anu Mohan and Priyamvada Krishnan. Vilayath Buddha is said to revolve around the conflict between two individuals over the ownership of a sandalwood tree. Prithviraj will next be seen in director Blessy's Aadujeevitham, in which he underwent stunning physical transformation to essay the role of an immigrant worker forced into labour on a goat farm in Saudi Arabia. The film, based on Benyamin's book by the same name, is one of the most anticipated releases this year. He will also be seen in Prabhas's upcoming big-budget film Salaar, helmed by Prashant Neel. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will be lifted after peace is restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh made the remarks while addressing a national security conclave in Jammu. He is set to return to Delhi late in the afternoon. Speaking at the conclave, he said that while the insurgency in the northeast has been controlled, left-wing extremism has also been tackled successfully. He said AFSPA has been removed from large parts of the northeast. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace returns to Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA is removed from here too, he said. Singh delivered a keynote address to the security conclave. The conclave is being held to deliberate on internal and external dimensions of the country's defence mechanism with focus on J&K. In a tweet about the conclave on Sunday, Singh tweeted, Tomorrow 26th June, I shall be in Jammu. Shall deliver a keynote address at a National Security Conclave. Looking forward to it. The conclave is being held as part of the BJPs month-long Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan to mark the completion of nine years of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Sunday, J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina told reporters on the sidelines of an event that the Defence Minister would talk about how India strengthened its defence in the last nine years. Defence experts, senior media persons, retired senior army officers, senior BJP leaders, intellectuals and youth representatives have been invited to the conclave. A day after Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at former US president Barack Obama over his comments on minority rights in India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too targetted the former US president, reminding him about the Muslim countries that the US "attacked" when he was in power. "Obama should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living in the world as family members," Singh said. Echoing Sitharaman, who had said, "Didn't bombings happen in six countries - Syria, Yemen, Saudi and Iraq and other Muslim countries - during his (Obama) term," the defence minister said Obama should look at how many Muslim countries he attacked. Obama, in a recent interview with CNN, had said if India does not protect the rights of ethnic minorities, there is a strong possibility at some point that the country starts pulling apart. Sitharaman had alleged that "organised campaigns" were being run to level "baseless" allegations on the treatment meted out to minorities at the behest of the Opposition as it cannot defeat the BJP electorally under Modi. "I was surprised when Prime Minister Modi was... talking about India in front of everyone, a former US president was giving statements about Indian Muslims at that time," she added. Meanwhile, Johnnie Moore, former commissioner of US Commission on International Religious Freedom said Obama should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticizing it. "India is the most diverse country in human history. It is not a perfect country, just like the US is not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength... Even in that critique, Obama couldn't help but also compliment PM Modi, and I certainly understand why, having spent some time with him," news agency ANI quoted Moore as saying. After making an emergency landing at the Jaipur airport due to bad weather, an Air India pilot flying from London to Delhi refused to fly on Sunday. Around 350 passengers were left stranded at the Jaipur airport for nearly five hours. Reportedly, the pilot cited flight duty hours as the reason for his refusal to fly. The passengers had to seek alternative arrangements to reach Delhi due to the incident. The AI-112 flight was scheduled to reach Delhi at 4 am on Sunday but was divered to Jaipur. The flight circled around the sky 10 minutes before being diverted to Jaipur. Though the flight received clearance from the Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) to resume its journey after two hours of emergency landing, the pilot refused to fly the plane. One of the passengers, named Adit, took to Twitter to share the inconvenience caused to the passengers. "Passengers have not been assisted with any recourse to reaching their final destinations," Adit tweeted. Passengers of @airindia AI112 flying from London to Delhi have been diverted to Jaipur due to bad weather but passengers have not been assisted with any recourse to reaching their final destinations. @JM_Scindia please assist us urgently. We did manage to speak with @Ra_THORe pic.twitter.com/DjLOD8dXLK Adit (@ABritishIndian) June 25, 2023 He also criticised Air India for its lack of assistance. Air India responded to his tweet saying their team is trying its best to minimise the inconvenience of the passengers. Later, the airline issued a statement saying that a fresh set of crew was immediately arranged to operate the flight. "While the aircraft was waiting for Delhi weather to improve and take off, the cockpit crew came under FDTL, that is Flight Duty Time Limitations. Pilots cannot operate a flight once they come under the FDTL, as laid down by regulatory authorities. Air India accords top priority to safety of its passengers and crew and strictly adhering to the operations regulations, immediately arranged a fresh set of crew to operate the flight," said the airline in the statement. The Madras High Court on Monday made it clear that caste has no role to play in the appointment of archakas (temple priests) to temples in Tamil Nadu. The only qualification for being appointed as an archaka is being well-versed in the Agama principles applicable to the concerned temple, and the person selected has the required knowledge and is properly trained and qualified to perform pujas. it is made abundantly clear that the pedigree based on caste will have no role to play in the appointment of Archaka if the person so selected otherwise satisfies the requirements, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh ruled on Monday disposing a writ petition. The petition was filed by Muthu Subramania Gurukal in 2018 challenging a notification issued by the Executive Officer (EO) of Sri Sugavaneswarar Swamy Temple in Salem. He also said the notification infringes upon his hereditary rights to hold the position of 'Sthanigam', as he was serving in the temple as per customs and practices in line of succession. The petition also insisted that every priest appointment in temples have to be made according to the Agama principles followed by the temple. Dismissing the petition challenging the powers of the EOs to appoint the archakas or priests, Justice Anand Venkatesh said, It is always left open to the trustees to appoint Archakas/Sthanikam in Agamic temples by ensuring the Archakas/Sthanikam are well-versed, properly trained and qualified to perform the pujas as per the requirements under the agama. The court also instructed the EO to issue a fresh advertisement for appointing the archakas/sthanigam and asked the petitioner to participate in the due selection process. Citing a Supreme Court judgement which held the appointment of a temple priest is a secular function and hence there is no question of claiming a hereditary right. The archaka is expected to be well-versed in gamines and necessary rituals, Justice Anand Venkatesh observed. He added that any person belonging to any caste or creed can be appointed as an archaka provided he is well-versed in Agama principles. The judgment comes two years after the DMK government appointed 24 trained non-brahmin priests to various temples governed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) department in Tamil Nadu. The DMK government, within a month after it took over in May 2021, revived the priest training schools and went ahead appointing archakas belonging to all castes. Today, June 26, is the last date to complete the application for EPFO members to apply for a higher pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS). Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered that a one-time opportunity be given to eligible employees to opt for higher pension. This is, however, the last time EPF members can apply for a higher pension. The pensionable salary was capped at Rs 15,000 per month. The SC order has allowed the retirement fund body has allowed employees to go beyond that amount. The deadline for higher pension has already been extended twice. While extending the deadline for the second time in May, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said that to provide a larger window of opportunity and enable all eligible persons to file their applications, the timeline for filing applications would now be till June 26, 2023. Initially, only government employees were eligible for pensions under the EPS scheme. The government later expanded the scheme, allowing those employed in the private sector to benefit from social security. Those who were members of EPF and EPS as on September 1, 2014, and continued to be after that date are eligible for a higher pension from EPS. So are those who retired before September 1, 2014, and previously opted for higher pensions, even if their applications were rejected by the EPFO authorities. The documents required for availing higher pension are the Universal Account Number (UAN), Pension Payment Order (PPO) number for pensioners, proof of payment made to the EPF account above the wage ceiling limit, etc. The Gujarat High Court, on Monday, admitted a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought action against policemen who were allegedly involved in the flogging of people belonging to a minority community in Junagadh, Saurashtra. The flogging reportedly took place after a stone pelting incident. Acting Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court A.J. Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav listed the hearing for Wednesday. On June 16, a clash erupted when local civic authorities served a notice to demolish a dargah in the area. According to police, one person was killed in the stone pelting by the members of the minority community who were opposing the demolition. The petition has been filed by Lok Adhikar Sangh and Minority Coordination Committee. Advocate Anand Yagnik appeared on behalf of petitioners Manoj Shrimali and Mujahid Nafees. Nafees told THE WEEK that for half an hour, there was an argument in the court on whether it should be admitted as PIL. The petition stated that not only were eight to ten people belonging to the minority community beaten up in public, but their homes were also ransacked to take revenge as some policemen were injured in the stone pelting. The petitioners said the people from the minority community were made to stand in front of 'Geban Shah Masjid' and were flogged in public. They sought an inquiry by the Principal and Sessions Judge, Junagadh or a very senior level judicial officer into the incident. They have alternatively demanded that a team of IPS officers of the rank of superintendent of police, not connected with Junagadh police or Junagadh district, inquire into the incident, including custodial violence and ransacking of the homes. The video of the incident had gone viral. Calling it a case of police brutality, the petitioners said due process of law has not been followed and called the incident a case of human rights violation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned home after a historic six-day state visit to the US and Egypt which saw India signing several landmark agreements. He was received at the Palam airport by BJP national president JP Nadda, Union Minister of State Meenakshi Lekhi and various party MPs, including Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to Delhi after concluding his state visits to US and Egypt, received by BJP chief JP Nadda and other party leaders pic.twitter.com/H0FsEyzRqz ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2023 The Prime Minister's arrival coincided with US President Joe Biden's tweet hailing the ties with India. "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever," Biden's tweet read. Modi visited the US for four days last week, during which he signed multiple deals with the US to elevate their strategic technology partnership. Reacting to Biden's remarks, Modi said the friendship between India and the US is a force for global good and will make the planet better as well as more sustainable. "Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," the Prime Minister's tweet read. Biden hosted Modi for a three-day official state visit that included a welcome ceremony attended by a record 7,000 people on the South Lawns of the White House, a State Dinner attended by some 500 people, and a round table with technology companies' chief, entrepreneurs, officials and CEOs. After the US visit, Modi flew to Egypt for his first-ever visit. During the visit, he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and was conferred the Arab country's highest honour 'Order of the Nile'. Modi held talks with Sisi on Sunday and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people ties. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Monday gifted a car to the celebrated woman bus driver M. Sharmila from Coimbatore, who had to quit her job over a controversy involving DMK MP M.K. Kanimozhi. Sharmila resigned after a controversy erupted regarding issuing a ticket to Kanimozhi, who recently travelled in her bus. The car was presented to Sharmila on behalf of Kamal Panpattu Maiam (Kamal Cultural Centre) to encourage Sharmila to be an entrepreneur and not restrict herself to being a driver. The 67-year-old actor and Makkal Needhi Madam founder said in a statement that he was saddened to hear about what had happened to Sharmila. I was anguished over the recent debate around Sharmila. She was a good example for women of her age. She should not remain a mere driver. She will continue her journey as an entrepreneur driving a rental car. When women, who were suppressed for centuries break barriers, it is the duty of a civilised society to stand beside them, Haasan said. Last week, DMK MP Kanimozhi travelled in her bus. During the trip, a controversy erupted when the bus conductor asked for a travel ticket from Kanimozhi. Sharmila, being the driver, got into an argument with the conductor. Kanimozhi, however, got tickets for herself and others who travelled along with her. Kanimozhi alighted at Peelamedu and presented a gift to Sharmila. Later, Sharmila stopped the bus and went to the private firm she was part of to talk to the owner about the conductors behaviour and the controversy that erupted in the bus. But, the owner is said to have told Sharmila that she is doing all this for publicity. Sharmila left the job after an argument with the owner of the private firm. Sharmila, the first woman driver to operate a private bus in Coimbatore, drove in the Gandhipuram-Somanur route. Being the first woman driver of a private bus in the state, she was looked at as a celebrity by the people of Coimbatore. Earlier, BJP MLA from Coimbatore Vanathi Srinivasan had also taken a ride in her bus and congratulated her. NATO will hold talks on Sweden joining the alliance before its summit next month, with the agreement of Turkey which has been holding up the bid, its chief said Monday. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he had spoken to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and "agreed to convene a high-level meeting in Brussels before the summit." "This meeting will include foreign ministers, heads of intelligence, and national security advisors. The aim is to make progress in completing Sweden's accession to NATO," he added. Stoltenberg spoke to reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, which will host next month's NATO summit on July 11-12. Sweden has been a NATO "invitee" since June 2022, but its membership bid, which must be ratified by all 31 member states, has been blocked by Turkey and Hungary. Western officials have hoped Erdogan would soften his position on the diplomatically charged issue after he secured a hard-fought re-election last month. Western nations, and the United States in particular, have been pushing Ankara to give its green light, insisting that Sweden has met the terms of a deal agreed with Ankara last year. That accord includes a commitment to crack down on opposition Kurdish movements, such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party PKK, blacklisted by Ankara which considers them "terrorist" groups. Search Keywords: Short link: Weather plays spoilsport as the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tribal-dominated Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh got cancelled, just 24 hours ahead of schedule, owing to heavy rain predictions. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan later in the day said the programme would be held on July 1. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the deferring of the Shahdol leg of the prime ministers visit' on Monday afternoon, saying that Prime Minister Modi, being very sensitive, did not want to inconvenience people who were to attend the public meeting in Lalpur, Shahdol. Chouhan emphasized that the visit should not be deemed 'cancelled', but only postponed. However, the PMs visit to capital Bhopal to address the Mera booth sabse majboot booth-level workers training programme in Bhopal stands, though the short road show that was part of the Bhopal programme has also been cancelled in view of the rain alert. The southwest monsoon this year covered the entire Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, causing heavy rainfall in several parts of the state including Bhopal. The weather office has issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rain in several parts of the state in the next two to three days. Big damper for BJP Cancellation of Modis Shahdol visit at the last minute comes days after Union Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to Balaghat on June 22 got cancelled due to bad weather. Shah was to launch BJPs assembly poll campaign and bad weather prevented the landing of his helicopter. This was a big damper for the BJP; the Congress took potshots at the BJP on this cancellation saying that Shah cancelled the programme due to poor attendance of people. The cancellation of the Shahdol programme is a huge disappointment to the BJP in the poll-bound state as the PM's programme was aimed at wooing the crucial tribal voters. While the Bhopal programme is meant for select party workers, the Shahdol programme was planned as a massive public event targeting the attendance of 1 lakh common people, mostly tribals. The occasion was also to mark the conclusion of the five-day Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra, conducted to honour the tribal queen by the BJP. This rally was to be flagged off by Amit Shah at Balaghat on June 22, but that programme got cancelled too. During this event, the PM was also expected to launch the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. The mission, targeting to cover 278 affected districts in 17 states, will focus on awareness building, universal screening of seven crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in affected tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments. Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary disease that mainly impacts tribal and dalit populations. He was also to launch the distribution of Ayushman cards in Madhya Pradesh. In the event, the PM was also to interact with women members of self-help groups and other tribal people at Pakaria village of Shahdol and was also scheduled to enjoy tribal traditional food, made of millets, at this village. Elaborate arrangements were made for the two programmes in Shahdol and CM Chouhan had taken stock of the preparations on Sunday. The cancellation therefore comes as a massive setback in BJPs election campaign plans. Bhopal programme of PM As per the curtailed schedule, PM Modi will land in Bhopal at around 10am on Tuesday and proceed to the Rani Kamlapati (Habibganj) Railway Station to flag off five Vande Bharat trains including two for Madhya Pradesh. The trains are from Rani Kamlapati (Bhopal)-Jabalpur; Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore; Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai; Dharwad-Bengaluru (Karnataka); and Hatia-Patna Bihar Vande Bharat Express trains. Modi will then proceed to the Lal Parade ground to address selected 3,000 booth-level workers from across the country under the Mera booth sabse majboot programme. This address of the PM will be relayed to 10 lakh booth workers across the country digitally. These 3,000 master trainer booth workers will proceed to four other poll-bound states including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram to provide training to booth-level workers there. BJP national president J.P. Nadda reached Bhopal on Monday afternoon. National general secretary B.L. Santosh also reached on Monday to provide training to the selected workers. As the Centre struggles for solutions to restore peace in violence-hit Manipur, security forces deployed in the state are going all out to tackle militant attacks. After Manipur CM N. Biren's meet with Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, reportedly, Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur situation on Monday. After his return from Egypt, Modi chaired a high-level ministers meet in Delhi. Union ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri and Shah attended the meeting. While talking to the reporters on Sunday Biren said that the changing nature of violence from the exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to civil unrest in the valley districts has become a concern for Amit Shah ji. Singh said that he has submitted a detailed report of the measures taken up by the state government to restore peace in the state. The initial phase of the violence was highly political and sensitive but we cannot say what is happening now. The situation is very chaotic," said Singh. Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by the Manipur Police, as many as 12 bunkers allegedly constructed by militants were destroyed by police and central security forces in various districts. The statement also stated that the state police and central forces conducted a search operation in Tamenglong, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Kakching districts. "During the search three 51 mm mortar shells, and three 84 mm mortar shells were found in the paddy field of Sahumphai village and one IED was found in a paddy field between Kangvai and S. Kotlian villages. The mortar shells and IED were demolished at the spot by the State Bomb Disposal Team," said the statement. Also, 135 persons were arrested in connection with the curfew violations. "A total of 1,100 arms, 13,702 ammunitions and 250 bombs of different kinds have been recovered so far," the statement added. In the wake of the violence, the internet ban was extended till June 30. Congress on Sunday lashed out again at PMs 'silence' over the situation in Manipur. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, at a national convention event, said Shah is ineffective and CM Biren Singh is non-functional. "You cannot have unanimity but you can have consensus. That is how the Constitution of India was made.... So it is through consensus, only through listening to everybody, being sensitive that you can really restore trust (in Manipur). It is going to be a long process. It is not going to happen in weeks, it is going to take months, it may take years but we have to start the process," the Congress general secretary in-charge communications said at the convention. Ramesh said that to move ahead, the chief minister should be replaced immediately. "Every single minute Biren Singh continues as CM is a minute wasted towards efforts to bring peace and begin the reconciliation process in Manipur. His continuation as CM is untenable beyond doubt," Ramesh tweeted. Ramesh also said that former Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh took 10 years to restore order and then the process of development was started. However, Ibobi Singh had said that he was not allowed enough time to present his views and solutions in the recent all-party meet convened by the HM. Singh said that it was unfortunate that he was not allowed more time."Party may be different but he is our prime minister. If the PM feels that Manipur is a part of this country, why did he not mention a single word? This is questionable. We are not saying this as Opposition," he said. Since the violence broke out in the state on May 3, around 100 people have lost their lives. Over 3,000 were injured in the ethnic clashes and a large number of houses were burned. (With PTI inputs) Y.S. Sharmila, the founder of YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP), is willing to merge her two-year-old party with the Congress. The Congress, too, is open to the idea of absorbing a new regional party in the South after more than a decade (actor-politician Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party was merged into Congress in 2011). The catch is that the Congress high command wants to parachute Sharmila into Andhra Pradesh, whereas she wants a green light to continue her political journey in Telangana. Sharmila has rejected an ambitious plan drawn up by the Congress leaders, carving a special role for her in Andhra Pradesh where the party has no elected members, either in the assembly or Lok Sabha, and is desperately looking for revival. According to sources, the Congress offers ranged from plum party posts to a Rajya Sabha ticket and even projecting her as the CM candidate. Being the daughter of a very popular leader and former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), who hails from the Rayalaseema region of AP, the party thought she would fit well into the 'comeback' story of the Congress in AP. However, this was a risky proposition to start with. Her brother, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is the chief minister of the state. Reddy came to power after positioning himself as the true successor of YSR, whose family was betrayed by the Congress which foisted false cases against him and sent him to jail after the death of his father. This narrative echoed well with the voters, spelling doom for the Congress. Added to it was the party's decision to bifurcate the state in 2014, which earned even more wrath. A move to showcase Sharmila to make inroads into AP could have easily boomeranged for both the Congress and Sharmila, with the possibility of them being dubbed an 'unholy alliance'. However, the biggest reason for Sharmila rejecting this idea is her mother, Y.S. Vijayamma, who was clear that her daughter and son cannot be locked up in a political fight from different corners. Now, the ball is in the Congress court after Sharmila sent her list of demands and is gearing up for negotiations with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi. According to party sources, Sharmila's demands include being limited to Telangana Congress, appointing her to the post of working president, giving a free hand to choose candidates in at least 35 seats, and also declaring her as the candidate for Paleru assembly seat in Khammam district. She also wants to be appointed as the star campaigner in the upcoming state elections to be held later this year. It is learned that Karnataka Congress strongman D.K. Shivakumar and senior leader K.C. Venugopal are acting as mediators between Sharmila and Priyanka Gandhi, who is actively handling Telangana party affairs. As Congress treads cautiously, the Telangana unit of Congress is not united in welcoming Sharmila. A section of young leaders is against the idea as it would mean more leadership squabbles and also facing the burden of a leader whose family was known to be supporters of united Andhra and against a separate Telangana state. But there is also a group within the party that is openly welcoming Sharmila and feels she would strengthen the party given the massive following her father had at one point in time. For now, Sharmila, who has been on a padayatra (walkathon) since 2021, covering 3,800 km across the state, has halted her political activity and is eagerly looking at Congress to start new innings. Researchers have discovered that the family structure of one's ancestors, even dating back thousands of years, can reliably predict an individual's cultural policy preferences today, with a particular emphasis on right-wing values. A recent study conducted by Neil Fasching and Yphtach Lelkes from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication has shed light on a fascinating relationship between ancestral family ties and political beliefs. The study also found that these ancestral ties have a broader impact, influencing political landscapes at the country and legislative levels. Fasching, a doctoral student specialising in political communication, highlights the significance of the research, stating, "Interestingly, we find evidence that the association isn't just with individual beliefs. It plays out even at the country and legislative level. If a country's population is rooted in close, tight-knit families, that country is less likely to pass LGBTQ-friendly laws, for example." The study provides valuable insights into the complexities of political attitudes and the underlying cultural factors that contribute to policy formation. By understanding the historical roots of societal values, policymakers and researchers can better comprehend the intricate dynamics shaping contemporary political landscapes. To trace the effects of ancestral kinship strength on contemporary political attitudes, Fasching and Lelkes analyzed data from over 20,000 second-generation immigrants residing in 32 European countries. By assigning "kinship tightness scores" to the respondents, the researchers aimed to disentangle their current location from their ancestors' location and determine the correlation between family structure and right-wing beliefs. The study also incorporated factors such as values, ethnic groups, and the historical reliance of a person's ethnic group on hunter-gathering versus agriculture. The research indicates that modern family kinship structure is influenced by various factors, including marriage restrictions, geographic proximity to extended family, and trust of outsiders. These structures can be traced back to early civilizations when hunter-gatherers roamed in search of sustenance, leading to weaker family ties. In contrast, settled agricultural societies tended to prioritize extended families and strong kinship connections. The study further revealed a strong association between kinship strength and the presence of anti-LGBT laws. Countries with lower kinship tightness, such as Norway, Finland, Germany, and the United States, demonstrated a lesser likelihood of implementing anti-LGBT legislation. Conversely, countries with higher kinship tightness, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Grenada, and Liberia, exhibited a greater tendency to enact such laws. Lelkes, associate professor of communication at Annenberg and co-director of the Polarisation Research Lab and the Center for Information Networks and Democracy, emphasises the enduring influence of ancestral family kinship structures on public policy. "While policy decisions may seem like they're driven by current or transient factors, our research shows that public policy is also deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of a society," Lelkes explains. "Ancestral family kinship structures are a part of that cultural fabric and can shape the fundamental values and social norms that underpin our societies. These structures were formed based on the environment in which our ancestors lived and can have a significant influence on the policies that are ultimately adopted." World's oldest Nobel laureate and co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries John B. Goodenough died on Sunday, a month short of his 101st birthday. The American was a leader at the cutting edge of scientific research throughout the many decades of his career," said Jay Hartzell, President of the University of Texas at Austin. Goodenough was a faculty member at the University for 37 years. Goodenough was a dedicated public servant, a sought-after mentor and a brilliant yet humble inventor, the University said in a statement. Goodenough was 97 when he received the 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry - along with Britain's Stanley Whittingham and Japan's Akira Yoshino, for their respective research into lithium-ion batteries - making him the oldest recipient of a Nobel Prize, Reuters reported. Born in Germany in 1922 to American parents, Goodenough served in the US army as a meteorologist. Goodenough graduated in mathematics from Yale University and did PhD in physics from the University of Chicago. "This rechargeable battery laid the foundation of wireless electronics such as mobile phones and laptops," Reuters reported quoting the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Goodenough was a researcher and team leader at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later headed the inorganic chemistry lab at the University of Oxford, Reuters reported. Former US President Barack Obama during an interview with CNN on June 22, had said that he the current President Joe Biden should raise the issue of religious freedom 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 had said. Reacting to Obama's remark, former commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Johnnie Moore said that the former president should focus on complimenting India than criticizing it. "I think the former president (Obama) should spend his energy complimenting India, more than criticizing India. India is the most diverse country in human history. It's not a perfect country, just like the United States, it's not a perfect country, but its diversity is its strength, and we should be complimenting the largest democracy in the world every chance that we can, that we have," he said in an interview with ANI. Created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, USCIRF is a US federal government commission which makes policy recommendations to the US government. Commissioners to the USCIRF are appointed by the leaders of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives and the president. "And so I think, you know, it was the time to celebrate a historic visit, you know, rather than levelling some criticism on it, you know, with your friends, particularly when it comes to democracy. With your friends, it's sometimes better to privately criticize and to publicly praised. That's good geopolitics," Moore said. Moore's comments come at the heels of India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slamming Obama's comment. "I was surprised when Prime Minister Modi was... talking about India in front of everyone, a former US president was giving statements about Indian Muslims at that time, Sitharaman said. "Didn't bombings happen in six countries - Syria, Yemen, Saudi and Iraq and other Muslim countries - during his term (as US President)?" she asked. Even before Russia began the war on Ukraine, civilians in Rostov-on-Don knew their city might become a focus or target during the imminent hostilities. As did many Russians in the prelude and early days of the war, those who could, left the area for other parts of the world. One of them, a man who did not wish to be named as his wife's family still lives in the area, spoke with THE WEEK from his self-imposed exile in South America, and relied recent communications with people in Rostov-on-Don as Wagner Group forces took control of the city on Saturday. He described the mood among civilians last week as a nervous, "cautious curiosity." At first, he said, it appeared to be an increase in state military activity, but rumours were soon confirmed as it became clear these were the Wagner forces. They were not targeting or threatening civilians as they had done in Ukraine, he said, and people had been able to get pretty close to the troops on the streets. In the residential areas, however, people were avoiding the trendy cafes and staying close to home. Many people in the area have relatives and extended families that are Ukrainian, and have been generally uncertain about the Russian military operations against its neighbour but kept quiet, he said. The mood, according to his Georgian in-laws, was the same mix of anticipation and uncertainty they felt when the KGB and hardline communists attempted a putsch against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, unchaining events that led to his downfall and the end of the Soviet Union. The city of Rostov-on-Don sits on the serene Don River, Russia's second largest and one of Europe's major waterways, and the equally tranquil brackish water Sea of Azov. As the Don River delta opens to the Azov, herons and white-tailed eagles fly above its reed beds; below, any given day, kingfish can be seen darting across the water. With its clean beaches and shallow waters (an average of 7 metres deep), the inland sea is at the division between Europe and Asia, and between Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine. On its shores on the east and south are the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Berdyansk. Rostov-on-Don holds significant military importance as the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District a vital military city as Tampa, Florida is to the United States. The headquarters city for the US Central Command, CENTCOM, Tampa holds units responsible for overseeing military operations and maintaining security over a large international area, coordinating and executing military strategies in the region. As Rostov-on-Don holds strategic operations centres, Tampa is also the base for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) responsible for organising, training, and equipping US special operations forces, including Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, and Air Force Special Tactics personnel. Rostov-on-Don holds logistic significance in the defense of southern Russia and its regional stability. In today's geopolitical context, it plays a pivotal role in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, working as command-and-control centre and a forward operating base for Russian troops. The Don region's extensive rail and road networks host major transportation hubs, like the Rostov-on-Don airport and the Port of Rostov, used for rapid deployment of military personnel, equipment, and supplies. As residents of Rostov-on-Don crowded the ways out of the city, and entrances to Moscow were blocked by hundreds of sand-filled dump trucks, videos emerged of people pouring into central Rostov-on-Don to shake hands with Wagner troops, after the mercenary group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin declared he was turning his troops back to avoid bloodshed following a Belarus-brokered accord on Sunday. In his first statement after going into exile, private mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said their mutiny was a masterclass for Russia on how it should have carried out the Ukraine invasion. He added toppling the government was never their plan. Prigozhin released his first audio statement since an aborted armed rebellion he staged on Saturday, defending the move as a reaction to an attack on his force that killed some of his 30 fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in a 11-minute audio. He didn't offer any details as to where he was or what his future plans are. The Guardian quoted Prigozhin as saying, It was not our goal to overthrow the regime. We stopped at that moment when it became clear that much blood would be spilled. Prigozhin said they decided to turn back due to two factors. we didnt want to spill Russian blood. Secondly, we marched as a demonstration of our protest, he said. The goal of the march was to not allow the destruction of the Wagner private military company and hold to account the officials who through their unprofessional actions have committed a massive number of errors. Society demanded it, the publication reported quoting Prigozhin. Prigozhin said his soldiers regretted the killing of Russian airmen. A feud between Wagner Group leader Prigozhin and Russia's military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against Prigozhin continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscow's mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday, when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. Though his mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. (With PTI inputs.) Itanagar, Jun 26 (PTI) The finance ministry has approved a capital investment proposal of Rs 1,255 crore for Arunachal Pradesh in the current financial year, an official release said on Monday. Approval has been given under the scheme entitled Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24. The department of expenditure under the ministry has approved a total of Rs 56,415-crore capital investment for 16 states under the scheme for the current fiscal, it said. Capital investment projects in diverse sectors have been approved including health, education, irrigation, water supply, power, roads, bridges and railways. Funds for meeting the state share of Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana have also been provided under the scheme to enhance the pace of the projects in these sectors, the release said. Among the 16 states, Bihar has the highest allocation with Rs 9,640 crore, followed by Madhya Pradesh (Rs 7,850 crore), West Bengal (Rs 7,523) and Rajasthan with Rs 6,026 crore. Kolkata, June 26 (PTI) Indian tea exporters are seeking government support to boost exports in 2023 amid headwinds such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the decline in demand from traditional markets like Europe and the Gulf countries. The exporters of the beverage consequently foresee a 10 per cent or more drop in shipments in the current fiscal after a growth of 18 per cent in 2022. The tea industry is also apprehensive about the quantity they will be able to produce in the current fiscal due to the unfavourable weather conditions. In the January-March 2023 period, total exports were down by six per cent to 48.11 million kg. "The outlook for 2023 is not very optimistic. 2022 showed good growth largely due to the problems in Sri Lanka due to lower crop there. The Sri Lanka tea export has now recovered a little and other headwinds are hitting the volume and value of Indian tea exports. "With respect to the traditional markets, we continue to face some problems in Iran in terms of the registration of new contracts, which have been dragging on for more than six months," Indian Tea Exporters Association chairman Anshuman Kanoria told PTI. Overall, the exporters may lose 10 per cent in tea exports and crossing the 200 million kilogram mark will be challenging, he said. Moreover, with cheap imports from Nepal the actual decline in Indian tea exports will be higher, Kanoria felt. In 2022-23, the total export of the beverage was 228 million kg according to the Tea Board data. Bagaria Group chairman S S Bagaria said that tea exporters are keeping their fingers crossed with the unfolding of the geopolitical developments. "While we may not be able to achieve the same level of growth as we did in 2022, maintaining the same figure would still be satisfactory for us. The crop is 20 per cent less this year in June and El Nino may make it worse," he said. Bagaria stated that traditional markets like Russia, Iran and the US had recorded major growth last year, but due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, demand has been affected. The exporters said they need support from the commerce ministry to boost exports. Kanoria said, "We sent representations to the commerce ministry for promotional and infrastructure quality upgradation schemes. We interacted with the Tea Board and gave our suggestions as to what can be done to boost exports. Because the key objective is to boost demand, we need to focus on our promotional efforts in one or two key markets. He said that there is good potential for market growth in China now. "However, there is hardly any funding available with the the Tea Board for promotional activity. "We are looking for promotional support from the Government of India and also some kind of handholding to develop packing infrastructure so that Indian tea can move from being mainly a bulk exporter to packed and made in India tea exports," Kanoria said. The government has said that the export benefit scheme (RoTDEP) rate for tea exports has been increased to Rs 6.70 per kg from Rs 3.60 per kg based on Tea Boards recommendations to boost exports. The leader of the Wagner mercenary group defended his short-lived insurrection in an audio statement Monday, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since the uprising that demanded his ouster, in a video aimed at projecting a sense of order after the countrys most serious political crisis in decades. But uncertainty still swirled about his fate, as well as that of rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of President Vladimir Putin. In an 11-minute audio statement, Prigozhin denied trying to attack the Russian state and said he acted in response to an attack on his force that killed some 30 of his fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in a recording that gave details about where he is or what his future plans are. A feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russia's military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against Prigozhin continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscow's mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry video of Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders have lost Putins confidence and could be replaced. Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine in video broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, also a main target of Prigozhins ire, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Though his mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. The Defense Ministry has not commented. Prigozhin denied there were any casualties on his side, but media reports indicated the airstrikes hit some Wagner vehicles, and messaging app channels featured images of the damage. The U.S. had intelligence that Prigozhin had been building up his forces near the border with Russia for some time, suggesting the revolt was planned. That conflicts with Prigozhins claim his rebellion was a response to a Friday attack on his field camps in Ukraine by the Russian military, which he said killed a large number of his men. The Defense Ministry denied that. Russia's RIA Novosti state news agency cited unidentified sources in the Prosecutor Generals office as saying the criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency carried a similar report. Should the case continue, Prigozhin's presence in Belarus, a staunch Kremlin ally, would offer little protection against arrest and extradition. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin has to draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office on the day of the rebellion found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He claimed the money was intended to pay his soldiers families. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. Several Russian lawmakers called for tight regulations of private military companies under a new law set to be considered and some argued that Prigozhin must be punished. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has rowed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, a former military officer who runs Wagner, deserve a bullet in the head. I firmly believe that traitors in wartime must be executed, he said. Prigozhin appeared nonchalant in some of the last video taken during the rebellion. As a convoy carrying him in an SUV drove out of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don after its brief occupation Saturday, he was asked how he viewed the result of his revolt, according to footage posted on Russian social media. Its normal, we have cheered everyone up, the mercenary chief responded. Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhins rift with the military dates back years, to Russia's intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces also were active. Putin stood back from the feud and Shoigu and Gerasimov remained mum, possibly reflecting uncertainty about the president's support. Observers said that by failing to end the feud, Putin had encouraged Prigozhin to raise the stakes dramatically. Some analysts saw Prigozhins revolt as a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with Russias military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. Alex Younger, former head of Britain's MI6 intelligence agency, said "everyone comes out of this weaker. He told the BBC that Prigozhin didnt have a plan, he didnt have enough people to succeed, while Putin looked indecisive, first vowing to crush the rebels, then striking a deal. Russian media and commentators speculated that Shoigu could be replaced, but that Putin, who avoids making decisions under pressure, would likely wait before announcing a shakeup. Putin held calls Monday with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a pre-recorded video message that contained no mention of the mutiny. It was not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in an area of southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of several of Ukraine's European allies discussed events in Russia over the weekend, but Western officials have been muted in their public comments. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told broadcaster RT that U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy contacted Russian representatives Saturday to stress that the U.S. was not involved in the mutiny and considered it an internal Russian matter. There was no immediate confirmation from the U.S., although Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that U.S. officials had engaged with Russia to stress the importance of protecting U.S. citizens and interests. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that the events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. The U.K. said issues of regime in Russia are for Russia to resolve, first and foremost. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the revolt showed that the war is cracking Russia's political system. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. Search Keywords: Short link: NEW DELHI, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Maternal quality improvement and certification initiative from India 'Manyata' has won the prestigious Constellation Award by Asia's leading social investors' network Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN).The initiative, which is supported by MSD for Mothers, received the award for catalyzing strategic collaborations to advance gender equality in Asia, at AVPN's Global Conference 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 'Manyata' aims to strengthen the clinical standards for delivering quality maternity care in the private sector and accelerate the progress towards UN SDGs to make India a safer country for childbirth. The initiative exemplifies the success of effective collaborations to establish innovative approaches to healthcare. Launched in 2013, Manyata, with technical assistance from The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) and Jhpiego, has played an instrumental role in streamlining quality standards for women seeking care in private maternity facilities. MSD for Mothers has supported 15+ organizations who bring unique expertise to the initiative including, Swasti The Health Catalyst, Sattva Consulting, PharmAccess Foundation, Maternity Foundation, Ariadne Labs, and The Weber Shandwick Collective. They have also associated with the Government of Maharashtra and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), to ensure a comprehensive approach to establishing a mechanism to assure the quality of maternal care and enhance health systems to better public health outcomes. Over 2500 private facilities have been 'Manyata' certified or are pursuing quality certification in 23 states, ensuring equitable access to high-quality, safe, and respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth to almost 70 million women. Speaking about the global recognition, Pompy Sridhar, Director, MSD For Mothers, India said, "We at MSD for Mothers are honoured to receive the AVPN Constellations Award. Our aim is to work towards solutions aimed at reducing preventable maternal deaths and ensuring that women have access to quality maternal health services across public and private sectors. This necessitates co-opting focus on strategic purchase from the private sector, equipping private health providers to deliver quality care, and strengthening health systems to drive impact. Manyata, our flagship initiative, has been our most significant push towards capacity building of private maternity facilities. This win is a testament to our belief in the power of meaningful collaborations and has strengthened our resolve to keep up the momentum to complement the Government's efforts to achieve its maternal health goals." The Indian government has, time and again, reiterated its commitment to Universal Health Coverage or 'Health for All'. The government is prioritizing UHC to ensure that every community in every corner of India has access to quality healthcare. Private sector efforts to improve the quality of their services are indispensable in universalizing quality healthcare in India. By providing equitable and quality maternal care in private facilities, the Manyata initiative is addressing challenges that help in bolstering last-mile delivery of maternal health interventions and complements the Indian government's efforts towards achieving UHC. AVPN The Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) is a network of 600 diverse social investors across 33 markets. Its mission is to close the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) gaps in Asia, by enabling members to increase the flow of financial, human, and intellectual capital towards impact. Manyata Manyata is FOGSI's flagship initiative to improve the quality of private maternity care for women in low- and middle-income categories in India. This initiative is supported by MSD for Mothers, and MacArthur Foundation. It is a quality improvement (training) and certification program that acts as a stamp of quality ensuring consistent, safe, and respectful care for mothers during and after childbirth. The program promotes the adoption and practice of 16 clinical standards - in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards for antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. In Maharashtra, the program runs as a joint initiative between the Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra and FOGSI, and is called LaQshya-Manyata with additional 10 Facility standards in line with national standards of care. The initiative is led by Dr Hema Divakar, National Convener, Manyata; Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Chief Administrator, FOGSI-Manyata Initiative; and Dr Ameya Purandare, Deputy Administrator, FOGSI-NPMU and managed by Dr Samita Bhardwaj, National Program Manager, FOGSI-NPMU. MSD for Mothers MSD for Mothers is MSD's global initiative to help create a world where no woman dies giving life. They have been working towards the cause of quality maternity care through the Manyata program and other investments since 2013 in India. MSD for Mothers is committed to help making pregnancy and childbirth healthy and safe experiences for all women. They believe better maternal health care is a pathway to a lifetime of good health - vital for a woman's well-being and prosperity and so much more. It sets the foundation for women, children, families, communities, and societies to thrive for generations to come. They are constantly collaborating with renowned partners and academicians from India and around the world to find solutions that will help mothers and families for the long term. The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) FOGSI is a professional organization representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India. With 262 member societies and over 37,000 individual members spread over the length and breadth of the country, FOGSI is probably one of the largest membership-based organizations of specialized professionals. FOGSI exists to encourage and disseminate knowledge, education, and research in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, to pilot and promote preventive and therapeutic services related to the practice of obstetrics and gynecology for the betterment of the health of women and children in particular, and the wellbeing of the community in general, to advocate the cause of reproductive health and rights and to support and protect the interest of practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140287/Manyata_AVPN.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR "True leadership lies in the ability to connect hearts, inspire minds, and develop the untapped potential within each individual, creating a legacy that transcends generations." New Delhi [India], June 26: A remarkable leader and visionary excel at connecting, developing, and inspiring others, creating an extraordinary workplace. They foster trust, respect, and open communication, creating an environment of excellence. By embracing their team's unique strengths, they cultivate a sense of belonging and purpose. Through clear goals and guidance, they empower individuals to reach their potential and contribute to collective success. They invest in continuous learning, creating opportunities for growth. By aligning the team's efforts towards a shared vision and celebrating achievements, they inspire greatness. With genuine care and support, they create a workplace where inspired individuals connect, develop, and achieve together. In the fiercely competitive world of business, successful companies understand that fostering a positive workplace environment is paramount to achieving greatness. PGP Glass, one of the leading names in the glass manufacturing sector, has not only gained acclaim for its top-notch products but has also become renowned for its exceptional workplace practices, enriching culture, trust, empowerment, and recognition as a haven for exceptional managers. Setting itself apart from its competitors, PGP Glass nurtures a harmonious and productive work environment that is unparalleled. The company's unique ability to connect people, whether through innovative glass products or community outreach programs, has garnered praise for fostering meaningful connections. PGP Glass's unwavering commitment to building strong relationships resonates with both customers and the public, solidifying its reputation as a company that goes beyond the ordinary. This dedication to pushing boundaries and constant innovation in the glass industry has earned PGP Glass significant attention from the media, inspiring admiration and emulation from other businesses and entrepreneurs. Empowering individuals lies at the heart of PGP Glass's ethos. Through various initiatives such as comprehensive training programs and skill development workshops, the company equips individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in their careers. PGP Glass's dedication to empowering employees and the broader community has garnered widespread recognition and celebration. Humility and empathy are also central to PGP Glass's core values. The company consistently demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility and making a positive impact on society. PGP Glass has received accolades for its outstanding managers, recognized as among India's Top 100 Great People Managers in 2023. The company's leadership and management practices have been commended in the media for fostering a positive work environment and cultivating a strong company culture. By prioritizing employee well-being, growth opportunities, and open communication, PGP Glass has solidified its reputation as an exceptional manager. Recognizing that employees are its most valuable asset, PGP Glass invests in their professional growth through various initiatives, including regular training programs, skill development workshops, and mentorship opportunities. By empowering employees to expand their knowledge and expertise, PGP Glass ensures that they remain at the forefront of industry advancements, contributing to their personal growth while benefiting the organization. Teamwork and collaboration are integral to PGP Glass's identity. The company fosters an environment where employees from various departments seamlessly work together, leveraging their diverse skills and perspectives. By encouraging innovative problem-solving through cross-functional projects and open communication channels, PGP Glass enhances creativity and strengthens the overall spirit of teamwork. This collaborative approach not only boosts productivity but also nurtures a profound sense of belonging among employees. Trust and empowerment form the bedrock of PGP Glass's philosophy. The company operates on the fundamental principles of entrusting employees with responsibilities and providing them with the necessary autonomy to make decisions that contribute to the company's success. By acknowledging and valuing their expertise, PGP Glass fosters a sense of ownership among its employees, inspiring them to exceed expectations and achieve exceptional results. Ethics, integrity, and sustainability are deeply ingrained in PGP Glass's values. The company upholds the highest ethical standards in all its operations, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability. PGP Glass also demonstrates its unwavering commitment to sustainable practices by incorporating environmentally friendly initiatives throughout its manufacturing processes. By aligning its actions with its core values, PGP Glass sets a positive example for its employees, customers, and the industry at large. Moreover, PGP Glass understands the importance of employee well-being and extends its support beyond the workplace. The company provides holistic wellness programs, such as Fitathon and Employee Assistance Programs, prioritizing the holistic wellness of its employees. Additionally, PGP Glass promotes work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, ensuring decrease in absenteeism, an increase in productivity, and a happier, more engaged workforce. References: Website - https://www.pgpfirst.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pgpglasspvtltd/mycompany/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/PGPGlass Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGPGlassIndia/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pgpglass/ (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Visakhapatnam, Jun 26 (PTI) More than 150 Air India passengers travelling from Delhi to Port Blair spent a night in the city after their flight was diverted on Sunday due to inclement weather. Air India on Monday said it sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the passengers. There were 152 passengers in the flight. "Air India flight AI 485 from Delhi to Port Blair (of June 25) was diverted to Vizag due to the inclement weather at Port Blair... all the passengers were provided with food and accommodation," Air India said in a statement on Monday. According to the airline, the flight with all the passengers took off for its destination at 2.15 pm on Monday and landed in Port Blair at 4 pm. "We sincerely regret the delay and inconvenience caused to our guests due to the reasons beyond our control," it added. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) Retirement fund body EPFO has extended the deadline for filing applications to opt for a higher pension till July 11. This is the second extension of the deadline for applying for a higher pension. Earlier, it was extended from May 3, 2023, to June 26, 2023. The last opportunity of 15 days is being given to remove any difficulty faced by the eligible pensioners/ members, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation said in a statement. "Accordingly, the last date for submission of Applications for Validation of Option/ Joint Options by employees is extended to July 11, 2023," it added. "Online facility has been made available by EPFO for submitting Applications for Validation of Options/Joint Options for pension on higher wages. The facility is for eligible pensioners/members in compliance with the Honble Supreme Court order dated November 04, 2022," the statement said. "Timeline for applying for higher pension has been extended by 3 months for the employer and 15 days for the employee (member)," Raghunathan KE, Member representing Employers, Central Board of Trustees, EPFO, told PTI. A lot of verification needs to be done as these are involving financial transactions, he added. "We are happy and complement EPFO for three months time for employers and also 15 days for employees. EPFO once again proves to be considerate and compassionate to field issues," he said. Any eligible pensioner/member who on account of any issue in the updation of KYC, faces difficulty in submitting an online application for validation of option / joint option, may immediately lodge such grievance on EPFiGMS for resolution, as per the statement. "The grievance may please be submitted by selecting the grievance category of 'Higher Pensionary benefits on higher wages'. This will ensure proper record of such a grievance for further action," it added. Dehradun, Jun 26 (PTI) The third G20 Infrastructure Working Group meeting began in Rishikesh on Monday, with the first day's sessions focusing on building resilient and sustainable cities. The discussions across three sessions allowed G20 decision-makers to learn key challenges, from climate change to infrastructure resilience, fast urbanisation and inclusiveness, apart from exploring the role of technology, infratech and digitisation. The delegates also witnessed a unique perspective on launching one of the worlds most ambitious new city developments NUSANTARA in Indonesia. The side event was represented by distinguished panellists from Harvard University, the World Resource Institute, C40 Cities, and the University of Cambridge. The mayor of Dhaka, North Bangladesh, also shared his views on ways to support municipalities and cities in making them sustainable and inclusive. The three-day IWG meeting is being attended by about 63 delegates from G20 member countries, invitee countries and international organisations. The agenda of the discussions is to further the discussions on the 2023 infrastructure and follow up on the discussions held during the second IWG meeting in March 2023 in Visakhapatnam. Two sessions were held on Monday in which the delegates discussed two workstreams under the flagship "Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable". The delegates thanked the Indian Presidency for the warm hospitality and acknowledged the efforts of the Presidency to achieve meaningful progress across the work streams. A high-level seminar on creating livable cities was also organised by the Indian Presidency and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The IWG meeting will conclude on June 28. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) "Jack Ryan" star John Krasinski is a fan of spy dramas, a genre, he says, is coming back with several studios developing franchises around spies, making them the "new superheroes". Streamer Prime Video, which is home to Krasinski's show, is also developing "Citadel" as a global franchise. Production will soon begin on season three of "The Family Man", the Indian spy thriller fronted by Manoj Bajpayee. Krasinski, who is returning as the titular spy in "Jack Ryan", said the fourth and final season of the series has more to it than just "espionage and action". "I have always been a huge fan of spy dramas. But, I think the spy genre is coming back. What is most exciting about our show is that it is not just about espionage and action. It is this fine line where you have a lot of great characters and relationships. "We have tried our best to make a show based on all the stuff that we have learnt through the intelligence agencies in our contacts there about how things really are. The strains on marriages, the strains on friendship, the strains on all these things in your personal life that you sacrifice in order to go out there. So yes, the spies are the new superheroes," the American actor told PTI in a virtual interview. The six-episode final season of "Jack Ryan" will follow Krasinski's titular CIA agent on his most dangerous mission yet: facing an enemy both foreign and domestic. It will arrive on Prime Video on June 30. "As the new CIA Acting Deputy Director, Jack Ryan is tasked with unearthing internal corruption, and in doing so, uncovers a series of suspicious black ops that could expose the vulnerability of the country. "As Jack and the team investigate how deep the corruption runs, he discovers a far-worse reality the convergence of a drug cartel with a terrorist organisation ultimately revealing a conspiracy much closer to home and testing our hero's belief in the system he has always fought to protect," the official description read. The 43-year-old actor, best known for playing Jim Halpert in the long-running sitcom "The Office" as well as creating and starring in "A Quiet Place" film franchise, has been the face of "Jack Ryan" since its inception in 2018. Krasinski, the fifth actor to portray the character after Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine, said he will "absolutely miss playing this role". "It is not only a role, (it is something) I grew up watching. It was my favourite character to watch, those movies were my favourite. So, to be a part of this is sort of mind blowing for me. The fact that we did it for four seasons and got to explore so many different stories and action-packed avenues was amazing," he added. Adapted from author Tom Clancy's novels of the same title, the Prime Video original series will also see Michael Kelly and "Suits" star Wendell Pierce reprise their characters of veteran special operations agent Mike November and Ryan's field boss James Greer, respectively. Kelly, who rose to fame with "House of Cards", said while he can't give too much away about the upcoming chapter, he knows whenever Ryan calls him there is a really good reason behind it. "For Mike November, it is a call he loves getting because he has got a pretty cool job that he does, little something something on the side. But he knows that when Jack calls it's A, for the right reason, and B, he is going to have a lot of fun," the 54-year-old actor said. Krasinski said his character calling November in this season is "one of my favourite scenes ever". "I don't want to give anything away, but the first time I call him it's the best," he quipped. With his character Greer, Pierce said, the impact a job of an intelligence agent can have on the personal lives of the people was something that they discovered while doing research for the show. "You see that with my character and Jack's and how important family is to us and how the job itself can have an impact on that and how protective we are of our families, loving them as much as we love our country and the work that we are doing. That was something we recognised when we first started doing research on the role. "And my contact, my consultant, talked about that a lot when we were developing the characters. And that was something I mentioned to John and he said we were going to incorporate that into the story. So, this season you see that along with everything you have seen coming up to this point, the action, the intrigue and the intelligence," he said. Asked what Indian fans of "Jack Ryan" must look forward to in the fourth and final installment, Krasinski, pointing to Kelly, said "I mean this guy is going to say 'badass', which I think is a pretty good word for this season." Kelly went on to agree with his co-star and said, "Badass action." In a final word, Pierce said the last season was "badass" and about the "convergence" of a drug cartel with a terrorist organisation. "Remember that word. Convergence. You discover that this season. Very important," he added. "Jack Ryan" season four also features Betty Gabriel as CIA Acting Director Elizabeth Wright, with Abbie Cornish returning as Cathy Mueller. The newcomers include Michael Pena as Domingo Chavez and Louis Ozawa as Chao Fah. The show is co-produced by Amazon Studios, Paramount Television Studios, and Skydance Television. It is executive produced by Allyson Seeger, Andrew Form, Krasinski, Brad Fuller, Michael Bay and John Kelly. Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI) "Blind", fronted by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, is set for a direct-to-digital release on JioCinema from July 7. The upcoming movie marks the streaming debut of "Neerja" star Sonam, who is returning to showbiz after embracing motherhood in 2022. "Blind", billed as "a compelling tale of resilience and determination", will be available exclusively on the streamer for free, the makers said in a press release. Directed by Shome Makhija, the film also stars Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, Lillete Dubey, and Shubham Saraf. It promises to bring to life "a remarkable central character who triumphs over seemingly insurmountable challenges," the makers added. Presented by Jio Studios in association with RV Motion Pictures & Lead Films, the movie is a Kanai, Avma and Kross Pictures production. Boston, Jun 26 (AP) An international group of agencies is investigating the loss of the Titan submersible, seeking to determine what caused it to implode while carrying five people to the Titanic. Investigators from the US Coast Guard, the US National Transportation Safety Board, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the French marine casualties investigation board and the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch are working closely together on the probe of the June 18 accident that drew worldwide attention. Evidence is being collected in the port of St. John's, Newfoundland, in coordination with Canadian authorities. On Sunday, US Coast Guard Capt. Jason Neubauer, that agency's chief investigator, said at a news conference that the salvage operations from the sea floor in the North Atlantic are ongoing, and they have mapped the accident site. He did not give a timeline for the investigation. The Coast Guard board can make recommendations to prosecutors to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary. My primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to advance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide, Neubauer said. The US Coast Guard announced Thursday that debris from the submersible had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the Titanic shipwreck on the ocean floor. The Titan submersible imploded on its way to tour the Titanic wreckage, killing all five on board. Debris was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) underwater. On Saturday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it has begun an investigation into the loss of the submersible and has been speaking with those who travelled on Titan's mother ship, the Polar Prince. Authorities from the US and Canada began the process of probing the cause of the underwater implosion and are grappling with questions of who is responsible for determining how the tragedy unfolded. We are conducting a safety investigation in Canada given that this was a Canadian-flagged vessel (the Polar Prince) that departed a Canadian port and was involved in this occurrence, albeit in international waters, said Kathy Fox, chair of the transportation board. Other agencies may choose to conduct investigations. The Polar Prince left Newfoundland on June 16, towing the ill-fated Titan. There were 41 people on board the ship 17 crew members and 24 others including the five-man team of the Titan. Fox said the Canadian Transportation Safety Board will share information it collects with other agencies, like the US National Transportation Safety Board and the US Coast Guard, within the limits of Canadian law. Voice recordings and witness statements are protected under Canadian law, she said. We don't want to duplicate efforts. We want to collaborate," she said. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also announced Saturday that they are studying the circumstances that led to the Titan deaths to decide whether a full investigation is warranted. That full probe will only take place if it appears criminal, federal or provincial law may have been broken, officials said. The Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission, a massive international effort that likely cost millions of dollars. The Coast Guard doesn't charge for search and rescue nor do we associate a cost with human life, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the Coast Guard First District. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the US but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. OceanGate is based in Everett, Washington, but it closed when the Titan was found. Meanwhile, the Titan's mother ship, the Polar Prince, was from Canada, and those killed were from England, Pakistan, France, and the US. The deep-sea investigations promise to be long and painstaking. How the overall investigation will proceed is complicated by the fact that the world of deep-sea exploration is not well-regulated. A key part of any investigation is likely to be the Titan itself. The Titan was not registered as a US 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, had complained that regulations can stifle progress. One question that seems at least partially resolved is when the implosion likely happened. After the Titan was reported missing, the Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly June 18 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 US 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. The Titan launched at 8 a.m. June 18 and was reported overdue that afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometres) south of St. John's, 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 Coast Guard announced debris had been found near the Titanic. 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. Questions about the submersible's safety were raised by both by a former company employee and former passengers. (AP) GRS Athens, Jun 26 (AP) Greece's centre-right leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis was formally sworn in as prime minister Monday after easily winning a second term with a record-high margin over the left-wing opposition, in an election that also ushered new far-right parties into Parliament. With 99.70 per cent of the vote counted, Mitsotakis' New Democracy party had 40.55 per cent more than twice the main opposition Syriza's 17.84 per cent. It was the largest margin of victory seen in half a century and slightly expanded ND's 20-percentage-point lead in a previous election five weeks before. Mitsotakis, 55, was sworn in after being formally handed the mandate to govern by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and was due later Monday to name his new cabinet that's to assume its duties on Tuesday. "My aim was to secure a stable government with a parliamentary majority. Unfortunately, two elections were needed for that," he said in a televised meeting with Sakellaropoulou, who as head of state holds a mainly ceremonial role. "I have committed to implement major, deeply-needed reforms over the next four years, (and) have a strong mandate to do that," he said. Mitsotakis spoke with Sakellaropoulou about the surprise entry of marginal parties, which raises the number represented in Parliament from five to eight, but added: I think our democracy is mature enough to handle whatever temporary turbulence (ensues). Held under a new electoral law that boosts the first party, Sunday's vote gave ND a comfortable majority of 158 seats in the 300-member Parliament, with Syriza getting 48. The May election had failed to provide Mitsotakis with a majority due to the one-off electoral system then in force, which prompted the new vote. Centre-left PASOK elected 32 lawmakers and the Stalinist-rooted Communist Party 20. The remaining 42 seats will be shared between three far-right parties including one endorsed by a jailed former top official in a defunct, Nazi-inspired party and another representing the far-left. Athenian Chrysanthi Tzetzenekou said the extreme right's parliamentary entry worried her. Of course, everyone's opinion is respected, she added. "Let's hope for a balance. Voter turnout was nearly 53 per cent, compared to 61 per cent in May. Mitsotakis campaigned on a platform of securing economic growth and political stability, cutting taxes and boosting incomes as Greece gradually recovers from a nearly decade-long financial crisis. Greek government bonds are still rated below investment grade, although that's widely expected to change this year amid the booming economy and the prospect of stable government. A substantial upgrade by international rating agencies would provide a formal seal of financial respectability, allow greater foreign investment and lower government and business borrowing costs. Mitsotakis faces several challenges. He must maintain the economic rebound amid a cost of living crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, and improve relations with neighbouring Turkiye which nosedived in 2020 over offshore gas drilling rights but stabilized in recent months. Speaking late Sunday, Mitsotakis pledged to use his second term to transform Greece, with a dynamic economic growth rate that will increase salaries and reduce inequality, with better and free public health care, a more effective and digital state and a strong country. ND won in 58 of the country's 59 electoral regions, capturing traditional Socialist and left-wing strongholds, some for the first time. Harvard-educated Mitsotakis comes from one of Greece's most prominent political families. His late father, Constantine Mitsotakis, served as prime minister in the 1990s, his sister was a foreign minister and his nephew is the current mayor of Athens. Despite scandals late in his first term, including revelations of wiretapping targeting senior politicians and journalists and a deadly February 28 train crash that exposed poor safety measures in public transport, voters returned to power a prime minister who delivered economic growth and lowered unemployment. His main rival, 48-year-old Alexis Tsipras, was prime minister from 2015 to 2019 during the height of Greece's financial crisis. Tsipras first came to power pledging an end to painful spending cuts imposed by international bailout creditors but abruptly switched course to sign up for a new round of rescue loans accompanied by further austerity. Despite the election result, Tsipras has shown no inclination to resign and there have been no open calls from within his party for him to do so. Four marginal parties crossed the 3 per cent Parliamentary entry threshold on Sunday, up from one in May, as certainty over the outcome at the top of the race may have freed many voters to back smaller groupings. Although all three on the far right oppose immigration, the issue was not noticeable in pre-election campaigning despite the June 14 migrant ship disaster that left more than 500 people missing, feared dead. Mitsotakis' government had pursued a tough border policy, greatly reducing the flow of smuggling boats, but has been accused of illegally deporting migrants back to Turkey, which it has strongly denied. The top performer, the previously unknown nationalist Spartans, was endorsed ahead of the second vote by Ilias Kasidiaris. He is serving 13 years in prison as a former leading member of the Nazi-inspired Golden Dawn, linked to multiple violent street attacks. Spartans leader Vassilis Stigas publicly thanked Kasidiaris on Sunday for helping his party win 4.64 per cent of the vote and 12 seats in Parliament. Elliniki Lysi, or Greek Solution, won 4.44 per cent by dredging the populist conservative depths ND eschewed years ago. Newcomer Niki, or Victory, got 3.69 per cent and 10 seats. Led by a state primary school teacher and theologian, it offered a traditionalist Christian Orthodox message. Its critics say its initial core was formed by pandemic-era anti-vaccination activists and has links with pro-Russian groups and zealots at odds with the official Church of Greece. On the far-left, Plefsi Eleftherias, or Passage to Freedom, won 3.17 per cent and 8 seats. It's a Syriza splinter group led by Zoe Konstantopoulou. She bragged late Sunday that, although her party had elected few lawmakers, I'm as good as 100, and each of our other lawmakers is good for 20. President Sakellaropoulou noted Monday that the eight-party new Parliament will engender many challenges for its Speaker. We'll all go through it together, she said. I hope for the best outcome for the country. (AP) GRS Brussels, Jun 26 (AP) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that he will call an urgent meeting in the coming days to try to overcome Turkish objections to Sweden joining the military organisation. It's a last-ditch effort to have the Nordic country standing alongside the allies at a major summit next month. NATO requires the unanimous approval of all members to expand. Turkiye accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt. Stoltenberg said he has held fresh talks on Sweden's candidacy with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as senior officials from Sweden and neighbouring Finland, which became the 31st member of the world's biggest security organization in April. We agreed to convene a high-level meeting in Brussels before the summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius beginning July 11, Stoltenberg told reporters. The aim is to make progress in completing Sweden's accession to NATO. He provided no date for the meeting, but said that it would involve foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs and national security advisors. Fearing they might be targeted by Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATO's security umbrella. Hungary is also delaying its approval of Sweden's candidacy but has never clearly stated publicly what its concerns are. NATO officials expect that it will follow suit once Turkiye lifts its objections. (AP) GRS GRS US diplomats reached out to Russian counterparts in "real time" to discuss security concerns during the Wagner mercenary group revolt, the White House said Monday. The relatively rare Russia-US contact came during the mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner group, which briefly took control of a major city and threatened an attack on Moscow. The upheaval sparked fears in Washington that nuclear-armed Russia could descend into chaos. "Instability in Russia is something that, you know, we take seriously and we certainly had lots of questions over the course of the weekend," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, when asked about fears over turmoil in nuclear-armed Russia. "We did have and were able to have in real time -- through diplomatic channels -- conversations with Russian officials about our concerns," he said. Kirby said US officials continue to monitor Moscow's nuclear posture "very closely" during the invasion by Russian troops of pro-Western Ukraine. So far there is "no indication" that Russian President Vladimir Putin is moving in the "direction" of using nuclear weapons or "anything that will cause us to change our own deterrent posture," Kirby said. Search Keywords: Short link: Moscow, Jun 26 (AP) Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video released on Monday aimed at projecting a sense of order after the country's most serious political crisis in decades. But uncertainty still swirled about his fate, that of rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of President Vladimir Putin. A feud between Wagner Group leader Prigozhin and Russia's military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal that Prigozhin will move to Belarus and receive an amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts on Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against Prigozhin continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscow's mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday, when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defence Ministry video of Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders have lost Putin's confidence and could be replaced. Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. The video was widely broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, also a main target of Prigozhin's ire, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday that Putin has given his word that Prigozhin will be allowed to go to Belarus. The RIA Novosti state news agency cited unidentified sources in the Prosecutor General's office as saying the criminal case against Prigozhin hasn't been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency carried a similar report. Should the case continue, Prigozhin's presence in Belarus a staunch Kremlin ally would offer little protection against arrest and extradition. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin has to draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office on the day of the rebellion found 4 billion rubles (USD 48 million) in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He claimed the money was intended to pay soldiers' families. Several Russian lawmakers called for tight regulations of private military companies under a new law set to be considered and some argued that Prigozhin must be punished. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and currently a lawmaker who had a rift with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin, a former military officer who runs Wagner, deserve a bullet in the head. I firmly believe that traitors in wartime must be executed, he said. Prigozhin appeared nonchalant in some of the last video taken during the rebellion. As a convoy carrying him in an SUV drove out of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don after its brief occupation on Saturday, he was asked how he viewed the result of his revolt, according to footage posted on Russian social media. It's normal, we have cheered everyone up, the mercenary chief responded. Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, attacking them for failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the war's longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhin's rift with the military dates back for years, to the Russian military intervention in Syria, where Wagner forces also were active. Putin stood back from the feud and Shoigu and Gerasimov remained mum, possibly reflecting uncertainty about the president's support. Observers said that by failing to end the feud, Putin had encouraged Prigozhin to raise the stakes dramatically. Alex Younger, former head of Britain's MI6 intelligence agency, said it appeared that neither side was in control" during the rebellion. He told the BBC that Prigozhin didn't have a plan, he didn't have enough people to succeed, while Putin looked indecisive, first vowing to crush the rebels, then striking a deal. Everyone comes out of this weaker," Younger said. Russian media and commentators speculated that Shoigu could be replaced, but that Putin, who avoids making decisions under pressure, would likely wait before announcing a shakeup. Putin held calls on Monday with the leaders of Iran and Qatar, the Kremlin said, and addressed a forum of youth engineers in a pre-recorded video message that contained no mention of the mutiny. Some analysts saw Prigozhin's revolt as a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defence Ministry by July 1. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said Prigozhin's mutiny wasn't a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with Russia's military leadership. Prigozhin was forced out of Ukraine and found himself unable to sustain Wagner the way he did before, while the state machinery was turning against him, she wrote in a commentary on Twitter. While Prigozhin could get out of crisis alive, he doesn't have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. The US had intelligence that Prigozhin had been building up his forces near the border with Russia for some time, suggesting the revolt was planned. That conflicts with Prigozhin's claim his rebellion was a response to an attack on his field camps in Ukraine on Friday by the Russian military, which he said killed a large number of his men. The Defence Ministry denied it. It was not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russia's troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The UK Ministry of Defence said on Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. US President Joe Biden and leaders of several of Ukraine's European allies discussed events in Russia over the weekend, but Western officials have been muted in their public comments. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told broadcaster RT that US Ambassador Lynne Tracy contacted Russian representatives Saturday to stress that the US was not involved in the mutiny and considered it an internal Russian matter. There was no immediate confirmation of that from the US. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also said on Monday that the events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. Max Blain, spokesman for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said issues of regime in Russia are for Russia to resolve, first and foremost. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking to reporters before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, said the revolt showed that the war is cracking Russia's political system. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator." (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Moscow, Jun 26 (AP) Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday released the first audio statement since an aborted armed rebellion he staged on Saturday, defending the move as a reaction to an attack on his force that killed some of his 30 fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said in an 11-minute audio. He didn't offer any details as to where he was or what his future plans are. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine in a video released on Monday aimed at projecting a sense of order after the country's most serious political crisis in decades. But uncertainty still swirled about his fate, as well as that of rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army, the impact on the war in Ukraine, and even the political future of President Vladimir Putin. A feud between Wagner Group leader Prigozhin and Russia's military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into a mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and roll seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow, before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday, although a popular Russian news channel on Telegram reported he was seen at a hotel in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Russian media reported a criminal probe against Prigozhin continued, and some lawmakers called for his head. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscow's mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital on Saturday, when troops and armoured vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defence Ministry video of Shoigu came as Russian media speculated that he and other military leaders have lost Putin's confidence and could be replaced. Shoigu was shown in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine in video broadcast on Russian media, including state-controlled television. It was unclear when it was shot. General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, also a main target of Prigozhin's ire, has not appeared in public. It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Though his mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a military communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. (AP) PY PY Belgrade (Serbia), Jun 26 (AP) Serbia on Monday released three police officers from Kosovo who were detained near the disputed border between the Balkan foes earlier this month as tensions soared. The release followed demands by the US and European Union that they be set free. A court in the central Serbian town of Kraljevo said it was releasing the police officers, and they later returned to Kosovo. The court said in a statement that the three were charged with illegal possession of weapons and explosive devices, and will be allowed to remain free pending potential further proceedings. The officers were detained in mid-June. Serbia has said they had crossed into the country from Kosovo, while Kosovar authorities insisted they had been kidnapped inside Kosovo and transferred to a Serbian prison. Serbia's chief negotiator with Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, said the proceedings against the policemen will continue. He said their release from detention was a court decision "and not a political one. In Kosovo, officials demanded that Serbia be held responsible for allegedly violating Kosovo's territory. President Vlosa Osmani thanked the United States for securing the policemen's release after the act of aggression that Serbia did in Kosovo. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti tweeted that even though we are joyous that they get to return to their families, this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation and must be reprimanded. The Serbian aggression must be held accountable. The dispute had increased tensions between the two countries, which had flared into recent violent clashes in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo and stirred fears of a renewal of the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians. The EU last week summoned the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to Brussels to urge them to defuse the situation, but the meeting produced no immediate breakthrough. Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognize Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence. Western efforts to resolve the crisis have increased recently, to avert possible instability in the Balkans as war rages in Ukraine. Tensions flared anew late last month, including with violent clashes, 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 in April after Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted the vote. Serbia has demanded that Kosovo police and the mayors pull out from the northern region bordering Serbia and that several ethnic Serbs, who had been detained in Kosovo in the past few weeks, be released. Belgrade has heightened army readiness, threatening a military intervention over alleged torture of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. In response to Kosovo's actions in taking over the municipal buildings, the United States cancelled the country's participation in a US-led military exercise and halted high-level visits to Pristina. Washington and most EU states have recognized Kosovo's independence while Russia and China have backed Belgrade's claim to the territory. Serbia lost control over Kosovo after NATO intervened in 1999 to stop the war, forcing Belgrade to end a brutal crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians. (AP) PY PY Jabalpur, Jun 26 (PTI) A 26-year-old woman, who was shot at by a man in his office last week, died during treatment at a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city on Monday, police said. The incident had taken place when the woman had gone to meet the accused at his office on June 16, an official said. Following the incident, the Congress had claimed that the accused was a BJP functionary, but the saffron party had refuted the claim. The 26-year-old victim was undergoing treatment for the bullet injury at a hospital, where she died on Monday, Sanjeevni Nagar police station in-charge Kranti Barve said. The accused was arrested on June 19 and was charged with attempt to murder under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Arms Act, and a country-made pistol used in the crime was seized, he said. The police are in the process of adding more charges against the accused, the official said. Meanwhile, MP Congress general secretary Saurabh Sharma claimed that the accused has in his Facebook profile referred to himself as a BJP leader. The accused was an office-bearer of BJP's Gwarighat mandal and posted pictures with all top leaders on his Facebook account, he said. The Congress leader further alleged that the police tried to mislead initially that it was an accidental firing, but added the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section of attempt to murder four days after the incident when the party raised the issue. The BJPs city unit president Prabhat Sahu had earlier rubbished the Congress' claim stating that the accused is neither a member nor an office-bearer of the BJP. A purported video also surfaced on social media in which the victim is heard naming the accused when reporters ask her about the incident. Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI) At least eight persons were killed and seven others injured when a speeding truck collided with a passenger vehicle in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, police said on Monday. The accident occurred at Asud on the Dapoli-Harnai Road when a truck heading towards Dapoli from Harnai being driven on the wrong side of the road rammed into a three-wheeler vehicle, carrying 15 passengers on Sunday afternoon, an official said. Five passengers were killed on the spot and three others succumbed to their injuries at a hospital, the official said, adding that seven persons were injured. In a tweet, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed grief and announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased which will be paid from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Mumbai, Jun 26 (PTI) The Maharashtra Congress on Monday slammed the Eknath Shinde government over the killing of a man allegedly by cow vigilantes and asked if the rule of law existed in the state. A 32-year-old man was lynched allegedly by a group of 'cow vigilantes' on suspicion of transporting beef in Nashik district, some 150 kilometres from here, on Saturday, as per police. The incident took place at around 5:30pm that day near Gambhirwadi on Ghoti-Sinnar Road in Igatpuri area when two men from Kurla area, who were transporting meat in a car, were attacked by a group of 10-15 persons with steel rods and wooden sticks. Afan Ansari (32) and his associate Nasir Qureshi (24) were rushed to a hospital in Dhamangaon with serious injuries. Ansari died during treatment. Eleven persons have been arrested in the case. Maharashtra Congress working president Naseem Khan asked "whether the rule of law exists under the government led by Eknath Shinde" and sought Rs 10 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased. The former state minister said the incident had put a question mark on the Shinde government and demanded that a report be sought from Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police Shahji Umap. Khan also said the state under the Shinde government had witnessed several communal flare-ups recently. "Riots and clashes have been reported from several places, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Ahmednagar, Kolhapur Shevgaon, Amravati and Nashik," he said. Incidentally, Saturday's incident was the second allegedly involving 'cow vigilantes' in Nashik in the past one month. On June 8, three men transporting cattle on a tempo were attacked. The body of one of them, identified as Lukman Ansari (23), was recovered from a gorge in Ghatandevi in Igatpuri area on June 10, as per police. Shillong, Jun 26 (PTI) At least 5 persons, including 2 BSF personnel, were injured when villagers attacked a border outpost in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Sunday night, officials said. The incident took place around 10pm at Umsyiem village near Dawki town, 100 km south of the state capital, when a mob attacked the outpost, officials said on Monday. BSF Meghalaya Frontier inspector general Pradip Kumar told PTI, In the last few days, we seized a huge number of items meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh and identified the smugglers. Due to this, they led a mob to attack the outpost forcing the BSF to retaliate by firing in the air. At least 2 BSF personnel were injured when they were hit by stones pelted by the mob, he said, adding that some of the villagers tried to enter the outpost forcefully and they were pushed back. In the incident, at least three villagers were also injured, according to eyewitnesses. The incident took place when a vehicle with three occupants allegedly broke down near the outpost, the eyewitness told PTI. This infuriated the BSF who accused the trio of being smugglers and charged them. The news of the attack spread and nearby villagers came to their rescue, he said. The villagers also accused the BSF personnel of being drunk on duty, which was refuted by the IG. All personnel at the border are strictly not allowed to drink, Kumar said. The officer said local police and senior BSF officials rushed to the spot to contain the situation. An inquiry has been instituted, Kumar informed. Jammu, Jun 26 (PTI) India will procure MQ-9B drones from the US by following the established procedure and will compare the "best price" offered by manufacturer General Atomics to other nations before concluding the purchase, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday. On the eastern Ladakh standoff with China, Singh reiterated that India wants to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner while asserting that the government will never compromise on the country's border and its self-respect. "We will never let the sanctity of our borders be violated," the defence minister said at a national security conclave in Jammu, adding that the talks are continuing at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. On the drone deal with the US, Singh said the defence ministry will compare the acquisition cost of the drones with the best price General Atomics offered to other countries, adding the acquisition will be made only by following the established procurement procedure. India and the US firmed up the drone deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to Washington. Singh rejected speculative reports on the price and other terms of purchase relating to the procurement of 31 MQ-9B drones from the US. His comments came a day after the defence ministry said it is yet to finalise the cost and specific terms of purchase of the MQ-9B long endurance drones from the US. Strongly trashing reports in a section of social media on the price as well as the acquisition process, the ministry said it will examine the "best price" offered by the manufacturer to other nations before concluding the procurement. The defence minister described the overall border situation with China as a matter of perceptional difference but noted that there are agreements and protocols based on which the armies of the two countries carry out the patrolling. Referring to the standoff in eastern Ladakh, he said the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control. He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the attempts by China's PLA (People's Liberation Army) to change the status quo, according to a statement by the defence ministry. On Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the defence minister said Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. The Indian Parliament has unanimously passed at least three resolutions which state that PoK is a part of India, he said. Singh also mentioned the deal between US defence major General Electric Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India. "With this deal, we will become the fourth country to manufacture jet engines. Tejas aircraft will be fitted with these Made in India engines," he said. Singh touched upon the measures taken by the government to bolster national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in defence. He listed out a number of steps taken to attain self-reliance, which included notification of positive indigenisation lists and earmarking 75 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget for the domestic industry in 2023-24. "India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only strengthen when we become self-reliant in defence manufacturing," Singh said. "Our aim is to 'Make in India, Make for the world'. Our efforts are bearing fruit. Today, we are manufacturing tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and various kinds of weapons," he said. "Defence exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meagre Rs 900 crore before 2014. The exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark," he said. New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India Sunday night after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt during which several landmark agreements were signed. Modi was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and BJP chief J P Nadda. BJP leaders and party MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were also present. The prime minister had embarked on his visit to the US on June 20 and in New York, he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21. Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday, followed by Modi's address to Congress and a State Dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour. The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. Modi arrived in Cairo on Saturday after concluding his high-profile state visit to the US and was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. He concluded his first-ever visit to Egypt this evening. During the visit, he held talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and was conferred the Arab country's highest honour 'Order of the Nile'. Modi held talks with Sisi on Sunday and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people ties. The two countries elevated their relationship to a "Strategic Partnership". President El-Sisi conferred Modi the 'Order of the Nile' award - Egypt's highest state honour. This is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi. Fighting on Sunday between rival Sudanese generals in Darfur killed at least a dozen civilians, said a doctor in the devastated region. Speaking from the capital of South Darfur state, the doctor said fighting there had led to "a provisional toll of 12 civilians killed in Nyala". But the source -- speaking anonymously for security reasons -- noted that "the violence of the fighting restricts movement" of victims to hospital. Residents on Saturday had reported battles, shelling and artillery strikes in Nyala. Darfur, a vast western region on the border with Chad, has witnessed the deadliest violence in the battle for power between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Rapid Support Forces paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The United Nations says violence in Darfur has taken an "ethnic dimension" and could constitute "crimes against humanity". Daglo's RSF have their origins in the Janjaweed militias which former strongman Omar al-Bashir unleashed in response to a rebellion by ethnic minorities in Darfur in 2003, drawing charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Nearly 2,800 people have been killed in Sudan since battles began in the capital Khartoum on April 15, according to a new toll from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Almost two million others have been displaced within the country, and roughly 600,000 have fled over Sudan's borders, the International Organization for Migration said. The UN on Saturday urged "immediate action" to stop the killings of people fleeing El Geneina, the West Darfur state capital, by Arab militias aided by the paramilitaries. Up to 1,100 people have been killed in El Geneina, the United States State Department said in mid-June. Bodies have been left lying in the streets, including several that appeared to be face down together on a dirt road. Shops have been ripped open by looters. 'Rockets are falling' In the chaos, families try to avoid bullets on the 30-kilometre (18-mile) journey to neighbouring Chad -- where more than 155,000 have taken refuge. Across the border in Adre, refugees gather under tarpaulins stretched over branches, and form long lines to collect food and water. Aid has reached at least 2.8 million people in Sudan, the UN said, but agencies report major hurdles to their work, from visas for foreign humanitarians to securing safe corridors. International donors pledged $1.5 billion in aid at a conference in Geneva last week -- less than half the estimated needs for Sudan and its affected neighbours. The United States, which along with Saudi Arabia sought to mediate between the warring sides and ensure humanitarian aid can reach those in need, said Thursday it had put its efforts on hold. Outside of Darfur, the capital Khartoum has been the war's main battleground. The armed forces have stepped up air raids there, while RSF artillery targets army and police bases. Residents who remain in the city are suffering electricity and water shortages. On Sunday, several of them reported artillery fire in the south of the city, and fighting elsewhere. "Rockets are falling on the houses," a witness in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman told AFP. Search Keywords: Short link: Jammu, Jun 26 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the government will never let the sanctity of India's borders be violated and talks are going on at military and diplomatic levels with China to resolve issues in a peaceful manner. Addressing a national security conclave here, Singh said there have been perceptional differences between India and China on the boundary issue for a long time. "I want to repeat that there have been some activities on the LAC since 2013, but I outrightly reject (claims) that there has been any significant change or encroachment on the LAC after our government was formed, Singh said. Paying glowing tributes to soldiers martyred in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in 2020, the minister said the Chinese Army ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to make some changes on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He lauded the valour and dedication of the Indian Army which foiled attempts by the Chinese PLA to change status quo and said the country will remain indebted to the brave soldiers for their sacrifice and their courageous feat in Galwan will be remembered with pride by future generations. "We are pained when attempts are made to question the bravery of the soldiers to corner the government. The people of the country are proud of their armed forces," he said, He said India wants the resolution of issues with China through peaceful means. The talks are going on at military and diplomatic levels. We want to assure you that we will not compromise on Indias border, its honour and self-respect. "We will never allow violation of the sanctity of our borders," the defence minister said, adding that the government has learnt from the 1962 war with China and has focused on building border infrastructure. He said the border residents are the strategic assets for the country and the government wants people to settle in the forward villages and is undertaking massive infrastructure development works for their benefit from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. Rohtang tunnel (on Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh) was constructed by our government which completed the project pending for 26 years in six years. This Atal tunnel is very strategic in nature as it will facilitate movement of our troops (round-the-year), he said. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing roads in Ladakh, which will also benefit the border residents, he said, adding massive border infrastructure development projects have also been undertaken in other border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Arunachal Pradesh. The border infrastructure is imperative from a security perspective. The border residents are our strategic assets and their interests are paramount to us. We want people to settle in the border village, construct their homes and live there, he said. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) Power consumers in Delhi with monthly usage of over 200 units will have to pay more after an 8 per cent hike in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC), prompting Minister Atishi to allege that electricity is getting costlier in the city due to the Centre's "mismanagement". Atishi, the power minister in the city government, told reporters on Monday that the hike will not impact consumers whose electricity consumption is 200 units or below. There will be a 8 per cent hike in PPAC surcharge in power bills of those consumers who do not get subsidy, she said. "I just want to tell the consumers that only the Centre is responsible for this hike. It has forced the use of imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal. This is despite no lack of coal mines or availability of coal in the country," she said. The PPAC is revised every three months and it can increase or decrease depending on the prevailing prices of fuel such as coal and gas used in power generation. Harish Khurana, the BJP's Delhi unit spokesperson, however, blamed the hike on a "nexus" between the discoms and the AAP government. "The AAP is shamelessly claiming that the PPAC increases in the summer and decreases in the winter every year. The reality is that the PPAC was hiked from 16 per cent to 22 per cent last year and it has again been hiked," Khurana claimed. The people of Delhi get free electricity on monthly consumption of 200 units. Those consuming 201-400 units get 50 per cent subsidy. Atishi alleged, "I want to say that if the electricity is getting costlier in Delhi, it is only because of the Centre's mismanagement." Noting that discoms are allowed to increase or lower the PPAC for three-month periods, Atishi said, "The prices of electricity have been increased because, due to the Centre's mismanagement, there is an artificial shortage of coal in the country for the first time in the last 70 years, shooting its prices (up)." The Centre has "forced" coal buyers to purchase at least 10 per cent imported coal, which costs 10 times more than Indian coal. Domestic coal is priced around Rs 200 per tonne while the imported variety costs Rs 25,000 a tonne, the Delhi power minister claimed. "We want to know from the Centre if there is a nexus with coal importers which is why coal buyers are being forced to purchase imported coal at 10-times higher prices," she asked. Shimla, June 26 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of BJP on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla demanding an NIA probe into the murder of a man earlier this month in Chamba. The opposition BJP also called for a fast track court trial into the murder of Manohar Lal, whose body was recovered from a drain in Bandal panchayat of Salooni subdivision of Chamba district on June 8. His body was cut up into eight pieces when it was found two days after he went missing. The main accused has been identified as Musafir Hussian, the uncle of the girl Manohar was in a relationship with. The BJP delegation led by Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and state BJP chief Rajiv Bindal said the way Manohar Lal was murdered was unprecedented. "The murder of Manohar was not a routine case as his mutilated body, which was chopped into eight pieces and dumped in a jute bag, was recovered from a drain on June 8 in Salooni subdivision of Chamba after he had gone missing on June 6, 2023 and such murder was unprecedented in the state, the BJP leaders said. They also raised suspicion about the accused's alleged encroachments into government land and illegally acquired assets. Permits issued for grazing in highland pastures be verified and fresh permits be issued, the BJP said in the memorandum. The background of all persons of a particular community, moving to Himachal Pradesh for trade should also be thoroughly checked, the leaders said, adding that there are reports that Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas are settling in various parts of the state. The main accused has been identified as Musafir Hussian, the uncle of the girl Manohar was in a relationship with. The police have arrested three persons including a couple in connection with the murder case. On June 15 last, a mob burned down the house of a murder accused, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders restricting people's movement to prevent any further flare-up in Salooni subdivision. The murder has become a political issue with the opposition BJP accusing the Congress government in the state of adopting an indifferent attitude in the matter. The Congress government said the BJP's protests over the issue is not justified as all accused have been apprehended and are in custody. The BJP, in its memorandum, also slammed the alleged inaction of the government in several crime cases across the state. The party also held a demonstration outside the Raj Bhawan. The BJP delegation said it was unfortunate that so far no minister has visited the Manohal Lal's family, adding that they were stopped from visiting them by the state government earlier. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), the world's largest alliance for health and well-being of women, children and adolescents, will virtually convene the Global Forum for Adolescents on October 11 and 12 to drive action to meet the multi-sectoral needs of adolescents. The forum, which will be the world's largest, will be a key galvanising moment within a multi-year campaign -- '1.8 Billion Young People for Change' -- that has catalysed a global movement for the well-being of young people, PMNCH board chair Helen Clark said on Monday. The forum will advance adolescent well-being through the coordinated commitments of all constituencies and 50-plus national events aligned with the global forum to take action to the community level, she said. "The young people today are facing a lot of challenges that are not of their making. Many young girls aged 15 to 19 years are dying during childbirth while many people across the world are facing mental health challenges. All countries need to address the challenges faced by the youth today, the call for action is urgent and the time to act is now," Clark said. On the recently released 'Born Too Soon' report stating that almost half of all pre-term births in 2020 were in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China and Ethiopia, Clark said it highlights the worrying stagnation of progress on maternal and newborn health. "The latest report outlines the various risk factors for spontaneous pre-term birth across countries, which include lack of pregnancy spacing, infections, undernutrition, environmental exposures and exposures to gender-based violence," she said. Looking towards solutions, the report also notes the key factor in preventing pre-term birth is high-quality antenatal care. India has implemented policy and programming to support the advancement of this. It will be important to ensure equitable access to maternal and newborn care across states, she stated. "The advancement of women's rights and bodily autonomy is also necessary to address maternal and newborn health fully. Multisectoral programming that advances women's rights and addresses issues like gender-based violence is vital. Programming should address the 5 Es -- equity and rights, economic (including financial protection), environment (including nutrition, climate WASH), education and emergencies," she said. On the role played by the government of India in PMNCH over the years, Clark said, "PMNCH has its roots in India with the government of India playing a pivotal role in its establishment back in 2005, bringing together 80 organisations under three separate partnerships focused on safe motherhood, newborn health, and child survival." The 'Delhi Declaration' crafted during that time solidified PMNCH's vision and goals. Throughout the years, the government of India has given guidance to PMNCH and assumed crucial leadership positions within key governing bodies such as the board, the executive committee, and the partner engagement in Countries Committee. It has hosted two of PMNCH's Partners Forums in 2010 and 2018, and a number of board meetings, more than any other country, Clark said. The 'Health of Youth Wealth of Nation', a G20 co-branded event, was organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with PMNCH on June 20. This global gathering aimed to highlight the health and well-being needs of 1.8 billion adolescents and youths worldwide and foster increased attention and investment by G20 nations towards these needs. The PMNCH Board met in Delhi on June 21-22. Clark said the objectives for the board meeting encompassed a wide range of crucial areas. These included engaging with influential platforms such as G20 and G7 in order to bolster leadership and policy actions specifically tailored to empower and protect the well-being of women, children and adolescents (WCA). The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit, scheduled for September 9-10 in Delhi, is a crucial platform. PMNCH would like to see commitment to investments for the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents, she said. PMNCH, in collaboration with ThinkTwenty (T20), was invited to develop a policy brief on the current status, trends, needs and priorities around WCA health and well-being in G20 countries. This comprehensive brief informs G20 governments about critical areas requiring improved policy frameworks and increased financing measures. "With the upcoming Global Forum for Adolescents scheduled for October 11-12, 2023, the Board meeting also seeks increased commitment to adolescent well-being. It aims to elevate the visibility of young people's needs and priorities through the 1.8 Campaign, which amplifies their voices," Clark said. Additionally, a key focus of the board meeting has been to strengthen partner alignment at the country level, effectively driving the implementation of commitments. This will be achieved through a two-pronged approach -- high-level leadership engagement and grassroots community action -- to ensure that the envisioned goals become tangible realities. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) The AAP government has bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in Delhi's education system by improving government schools, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday, promising to redevelop all MCD schools in the next five to seven years. He was speaking after inaugurating Sarvodaya Co-ed school in Libaspur village. Its classrooms, labs, library and halls are far better than those in private schools of Delhi, he said. "Earlier, the condition of government schools in Delhi used to be terrible. Classes were held inside tents, ceilings of schools were broken. There were no toilets or facility even drinking water. Poor families were compelled to send their children to such schools but the AAP government bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in education in Delhi," Kejriwal said. He further said the AAP government has been focusing on improving schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. "We have started focusing on redeveloping MCD schools and it will take at least five to seven years. There are people who received good education but haven't got a job, we are focusing on that issue as well. We will prioritise creating job opportunities for the youth, he said. Education minister Atishi too spoke at the event and claimed that the Libaspur school has better facilities than any other in the city. She alleged that there was mismanagement in Delhi government schools before the AAP came to power in the city. "The school inaugurated today in Libaspur is not just better than Delhi's private schools but all private schools across the country. Earlier, there was mismanagament at Delhi government schools and they had poor infrastructure. But those from the underprivileged sections of society were compelled to send their children to such schools," Atishi said. The AAP government has been allocated the maximum funds to the Education Department in itst budget every year, she said. "Our government has always prioritised education and in the state budgets, the highest amount is allocated to the Education Department," she said. "Delhi's government schools are performing much better than the private schools today. Hundreds of government school students have been clearing competitive exams like IIT-JEE," she added. Lucknow, Jun 26 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Police has launched a new initiative to ensure speedy conviction in cases registered under the POCSO Act and those related to cow slaughter, religious conversion, rape, and murder, officials said on Monday. Under "Operation Conviction", police will ensure the immediate arrest of criminals, collection of strong evidence against them, quality investigation, and effective representation of cases in courts so that they are punished in the least amount of time, a senior UP Police official said. In an official statement, police said each commissionerate/district will have to identify 20 cases each in categories under "Operation Conviction" in addition to the cases registered under the POCSO Act. In the charges related to the identified crimes, the charge sheet will be sent to the court after conducting an "excellent and time-bound" investigation, the UP police said in its statement. In a tweet in Hindi, the UP Police said, "Under the direction of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, a new action plan has been prepared to take action in a mission mode in order to punish the criminals in view of the zero-tolerance policy against crime, which is named 'Operation Conviction'." "In view of the effective prosecution of the identified cases, a web portal will be developed at the police headquarters level for weekly review, through which, the action taken will be regularly monitored by senior officers," it said. Amritsar, Jun 26 (PTI) SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday warned that an agitation will be launched against the AAP-led Punjab government if the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was not withdrawn. Dhami also slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of interfering in SGPC matters and trying to implement the anti-Sikh thinking of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal with a motive of capturing the SGPC. Dhami was addressing a special general house session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) here against the state government's move of bringing the bill. The Punjab Assembly on June 20 had passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is aimed at ensuring free telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. Addressing SGPC members here, Dhami, while condemning the Bill, asked the Punjab government to withdraw it immediately. If the state government does not stop interference in Sikh matters, then a morcha (agitation) will be started against it after performing 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht and then it will be the responsibility of the state government, he said Dhami said any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 can be made only with the approval of a two-third majority of SGPC members. The SGPC chief asserted that neither the Centre nor the Punjab government has any right to amend the law. On Mann's charge that Dhami was being dictated by SAD leaders, the SGPC chief said he cannot be dictated. Taking a swipe at Mann, Dhami said the chief minister speaks what he is asked to say by Kejriwal. It is not happening like this. It is the conspiracy of 'Babu' Kejriwal, said Dhami while apparently referring to the Bill. Mann on Sunday had slammed the SGPC chief for his meeting with the SAD leaders and had said Dhami would announce an already decided verdict on opposing the bill. SGPC member Jaswant Singh Prain asked the SGPC to make its agreement with the PTC channel public. Currently, Gurbani is broadcast from the Sikh shrine by PTC, a private channel often linked to the Badal family. The SGPC has been opposing the bill, claiming the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 can only be amended by Parliament. Jaipur, Jun 26 (PTI) A man was burnt alive while another was injured when two motorcycles collided head on and caught fire in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district on Monday, police said. The incident occurred in Gangapur city late in the evening, they said, adding that one of the motorcycle drivers was burnt alive. Police said the deceased is yet to be identified and efforts are being made to ascertain his identity. The injured man is under treatment at a nearby hospital. Jaipur, Jun 26 (PTI) A 65-year-old woman and a girl were killed while a man was injured when a portion of an old house's roof collapsed in Udaipur city of Rajasthan late on Monday evening, police said. The incident took place near Shrinathji ki Haveli under Surajpole police station area, they said. The deceased girl's age was around seven years, police said. Thrissur (Kerala), June 26 (PTI) A former CPI(M) activist, accused of killing a Youth Congress worker in 2018, has been shifted to the high security cell of Viyyur Central Prison here for allegedly assaulting a jailer. Besides being shifted to the high security area of the prison, accused Akash Thillankeri has also been booked for non-bailable offences under the IPC for assaulting the officer. An officer of Viyyur police station, where the jailer lodged a complaint against Thillankeri, said that an FIR under sections 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) has been lodged. The offence under section 332 carries a punishment of three years' imprisonment while under section 353, the maximum imprisonment is for two years. The officer said that the jailer was assaulted by Thillankeri while he was standing near the guard room on Sunday. Following the assault, the jailer was admitted to the hospital and discharged after medical treatment, the officer said. The reason for the assault was that the jailer had removed a cloth Thillankeri had put over the window of his cell preventing anyone from seeing what was happening inside. Thillankeri, also an accused in a gold smuggling case, was put in preventive detention at the Viyyur Central Prison in February under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007. He is the prime accused in the brutal killing of Youth Congress activist S P Shuhaib by a gang at Mattannur in Kannur district on February 12, 2018. At least 14 civilians have been killed in war-torn Sudan's capital as rival forces are locked in a key battle over control of the Khartoum police headquarters, activists said Monday. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which since mid-April has been fighting Sudan's regular army, claimed late Sunday a "victory in the battle for the police HQ". "The headquarters is under out complete control... and we have seized a large number of vehicles, arms and munitions," the RSF said in a statement, noting the capture of pick-up trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks. If the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, maintain their hold on the strategic site, it "would have a major impact on the battle of Khartoum", a former army officer told AFP, requesting anonymity. Nearly 2,800 people have been killed across Sudan since a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Daglo spilled into war more than two months ago, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The actual death toll is expected to be much higher, with both forces failing to report casualties and many bodies left lying in the streets of Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur, where most of the violence has occurred. The Khartoum police headquarters, on the southern edge of the city, gives the RSF "control of the southern entrance to the capital", the former officer said. The presence of the paramilitaries there can also pose "a serious threat to the armoured corps headquarters" nearby, one of the army's most important strongholds in south Khartoum. 'Rockets on homes' While army forces loyal to Burhan vow to recapture the police headquarters, video footage released by the RSF shows the paramilitaries have already seized vast amounts of arms and munitions as fighting nationwide grinds on. An army source said the RSF has lost "more than 400 men" in the battle for the police headquarters. The paramilitaries have not provided any casualty figures. On Sunday, "14 civilians including two children were killed" in that area, according to a network of activists organising rescue operations and evacuating the wounded to the few hospitals still operating. According to the activist committee, 217 others were wounded, "including 72 in critical condition", by "stray bullets, air raids or shelling" in residential neighbourhoods in Khartoum's south. Two-thirds of health facilities in the main battlegrounds remain out of service, with some bombed and others occupied by fighters. The few hospitals still operating are extremely low on medical supplies, struggling to obtain fuel to power generators, and understaffed with some workers having fled or hit by the fighting. Darfur, a vast western region on the border with Chad, has witnessed the deadliest violence since the war erupted on April 15. In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, at least a dozen civilians were killed on Sunday, according to a local doctor. But the doctor, speaking anonymously for security reasons, noted that "the violence of the fighting restricts movement" of victims to hospital. Residents reported intense artillery fire overnight, one of them told AFP on Sunday. "Rockets are falling on civilian homes." As more Sudanese flee for safety every day, there have also been increasing reports of sexual violence and looting. Some two million people have been displaced within the country, and roughly 600,000 others have fled over Sudan's borders, the International Organization for Migration has said. Search Keywords: Short link: Thane, Jun 26 (PTI) Four unidentified persons have been booked for allegedly assaulting a social activist in Panvel in Navi Mumbai, a police official said on Monday. Amar Mhatre told police he and some other persons were attacked with iron rods and sharp-edged weapons in Ulwe on June 24, the NRI Sagri police station official said. "The four persons have been charged with attempt to murder. No arrest has been made so far," the official said. PRI COR BNM BNM Westerly, RI (02891) Today A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. In an effort to deter rampant shoplifting, a grocery store in the San Francisco Bay Area has installed metal emergency gates at its entrance. The Safeway location in Vallejo also closed off one of its entrances and implemented an alarm system that sounds if a shoplifter attempts to leave, as reported by KPIX journalist Betty Yu, who shared an image of the new security measure on Twitter. The Safeway supermarket, owned by Albertsons Companies, is following the footsteps of other businesses in the San Francisco area that have taken similar steps in recent years due to the citys increasing theft rates. Property crime in the Bay Area has risen by 10.4% since the previous year, with a particular surge in smash-and-grab robberies. These incidents involve armed shoplifters using bats and other weapons to steal valuable merchandise from high-end stores. Regarding the installation of the metal gates, a Safeway spokesperson stated that they are part of long-planned security improvements for the store. The company emphasized that they, like other local businesses, are taking measures to combat escalating theft and prioritize the safety of their employees while maintaining a welcoming environment for customers. These security improvements were implemented with these goals in mind. Last autumn, San Franciscos Police Chief and Democratic Mayor London Breed pledged to address the citys rampant shoplifting crimes by allocating more police resources and enhancing coordination to facilitate the reporting of theft incidents. As a result of the increased theft, pharmacies such as Walgreens have closed their doors. CASTRO SAFEWAY ADDS SECURITY GATES, BARRIERS This automatic gate closes after each person enters the store. Barricades also make it harder for shoplifters to make a run for it. Safeway also closed off an exit and blocked it with water bottles @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/Zn4ShXWMDm Betty Yu (@bett_yu) December 7, 2021 (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Jewish billionaire real estate developer Jay Bloom revealed that he and his son were offered two seats on the ill-fated Titan submersible, but due to safety concerns and scheduling conflicts, he declined the invitation. Instead, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, occupied the available seats, and ultimately perished. Bloom disclosed that OceanGate Expeditions co-founder and CEO Stockton Rush had approached him in February, proposing the dive to the Titanic in May. However, due to weather conditions, the dives were postponed and ultimately rescheduled for June 18th. Sharing his apprehensions about safety, Bloom said in a Facebook post on Thursday, I expressed safety concerns, and Stockton told me, 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 sub [sic].' I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong, Bloom added. Bloom said he and Rush visited the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in March, where they discussed the dive and safety measures. Bloom recounted, He was absolutely convinced that it was safer than crossing the street. During their meeting, Rush gifted Bloom a book of photos signed by himself and maritime expert Paul Henri Nargeolet, who was also one of the unfortunate passengers. Despite his initial interest, Bloom ultimately decided against joining the expedition due to scheduling conflicts. Reflecting on recent personal losses, he remarked, As for Sean and I, after this right on the heels last week of losing Treat Williams, another friend of 25 years and former business partner, we are going to take a minute to stop and smell the roses. Tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of today. Bloom also shared text exchanges with Rush, in which he expressed his sons concerns about the potential dangers. Rush responded by offering a video call to address their worries. The billionaire also mentioned that Rush had offered him a discounted price of $150,000 for a last-minute seat on the Titan, compared to the standard $250,000 fare. Initially, Bloom took to Facebook to announce his invitation to the dive while the submersible was still missing. He expressed his astonishment, stating, So this is crazy. I got invited to go on this dive. If I accepted, I wouldve been one of the five onboard right now. On Thursday, officials confirmed that the debris field discovered near the Titanic wreckage was indeed the submersible, and all five passengers had tragically lost their lives in a catastrophic implosion. Alongside Rush, Nargeolet, Dawood, and his son, British billionaire Hamish Harding also perished during the ill-fated expedition. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Mispalelim at the Chabad of Cobb County shul in East Cobb, just north of Atlanta, were were met with a terrifying sight on Shabbos: a group of about a dozen Neo-Nazis from the so-called Goyim Defense League protesting outside their shul. Videos posted on social media captured the tense scene as Jews confronted the Neo-Nazis and urged them to leave. Despite the outcry, the police allowed the protest to continue. The racist group displayed signs proclaiming that Jews were responsible for abortion, biased media, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, and elected officials. At the bottom of their signs, the group included a web address leading to their YouTube page, which featured videos such as Saturday White Live. Some members of the shul positioned themselves on the opposite side of the road and shouted at the Neo-Nazis, urging them to return home. The police maintained a separation between the two groups. Jon Minadeo II, the leader of the anti-Semitic group, defended his followers actions as exercising their First Amendment rights during an interview with Channel 2 Action News. The group had staged a similar protest in Macon, Georgia, the previous night, resulting in Minadeos arrest for disorderly conduct and public disturbance. He had allegedly continued to shout obscenities through a bullhorn after being asked to stop. Minadeo was released on a $910 bond the following day. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Minadeo travels across the country to promote his sickening views. The ADL describes the group as a small network of virulently antisemitic provocateurs with some of its most active members based in Georgia. The ADLs website explains that the Goyim Defense Leagues primary objective is to propagate antisemitic myths and conspiracy theories, including false claims of Jewish control over major institutions and the spread of harmful stereotypes. Eytan Davidson, the southeast regional director of the ADL, spoke to Channel 2 Action News about the rise of antisemitism in the region. He expressed concern over the disturbing trend, saying, From 2021 to 2022, we saw a more than 60 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in the state of Georgia. Nationally, we are witnessing antisemitic incidents reach an all-time high in 2022. In a separate incident earlier this month, a newly formed Neo-Nazi group named Order of the Black Sun staged a swastika-waving protest outside Disneyland, causing shock and dismay among visiting families. ADL researcher Ben Popp stated that the group, also known as OBS, is a white supremacist network that emerged recently and the demonstration outside the childrens theme park was their first public appearance. Popp noted that the hate group is familiar to the ADL, comprised of individuals who have been involved in other white supremacist organizations in Florida over the past few years. Popp further explained to the Orlando Sentinel that hate groups in Florida often collaborate to create the illusion of a larger movement, aiming to intimidate communities. The ADLs website clarifies that the name Black Sun refers to a Nazi symbol known as the sonnenrad or the sunwheel. The logo, resembling a wheel with jagged spokes, was adopted by the Nazis in their attempt to fabricate an idealized Aryan/Norse heritage. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A bridge that crosses the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed early Saturday, plunging portions of a freight train carrying hazardous materials into the rushing water below. The train cars were carrying hot asphalt and molten sulfur, Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services said. Officials shut down drinking water intakes downstream while they evaluated the danger after the 6 a.m. accident. An Associated Press reporter witnessed a yellow substance coming out of some of the tank cars. David Stamey, the countys chief of emergency services, said there was no immediate danger for the crews working at the site, and the hazardous material was being diluted by the swollen river. There were three asphalt cars and four sulfur cars in the river. The train crew was safe and no injuries were reported, Montana Rail Link spokesman Andy Garland said in a statement. The asphalt and sulfur both solidify quickly when exposed to cooler temperatures, he said. Railroad crews were at the scene in Stillwater County, near the town of Columbus, about 40 miles (about 64 kilometers) west of Billings. The area is in a sparsely populated section of the Yellowstone River Valley, surrounded by ranch and farmland. The river there flows away from Yellowstone National Park, which is about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southwest. We are committed to addressing any potential impacts to the area as a result of this incident and working to understand the reasons behind the accident, Garland said. The bridge collapse also took out a fiber-optic cable providing internet service to many customers in the state, the high-speed provider Global Net said. This is the major fiber route through Montana, a recording on the companys phone line said Saturday. This is affecting all Global Net customers. Connectivity will either be down or extremely slow. In neighboring Yellowstone County, officials said they instituted emergency measures at water treatment plants due to the potential hazmat spill and asked residents to conserve water. The cause of the collapse is under investigation. The river was swollen with recent heavy rains, but its unclear whether that was a factor. The Yellowstone saw record flooding in 2022 that caused extensive damage to Yellowstone National Park and adjacent towns in Montana. Robert Bea, a retired engineering professor at the University of California Berkeley who has analyzed the causes of hundreds of major disasters, said repeated years of heavy river flows provided a clue to the possible cause. The high water flow translates to high forces acting directly on the pier and, importantly, on the river bottom, Bea said. You can have erosion or scour that removes support from the foundation. High forces translate to a high likelihood of a structural or foundation failure that could act as a trigger to initiate the accident. An old highway bridge that paralleled the railroad bridge together, they were called the Twin Bridges was removed in 2021 after the Montana Department of Transportation determined it was in imminent danger of falling. It wasnt immediately clear when the railroad bridge was constructed or when it was last inspected. Bea said investigators would also want to look at whether there was wear or rust in bridge components as well as a record of maintenance, repair and inspections. Federal Railroad Administration officials were at the scene working with local authorities. As part of our investigation, we have requested and will thoroughly review a copy of recent bridge inspection reports from the owner for compliance with federal Bridge Safety Standards, the agency said in a statement Saturday, noting that responsibility for inspections lies with bridge owners. Kelly Hitchcock of the Columbus Water Users shut off the flow of river water into an irrigation ditch downstream from the collapsed bridge to prevent contents from the tank cars from reaching nearby farmland. The Stillwater County Sheriffs Office called the group Saturday morning to warn it about the collapse, Hitchcock said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that sulfur is a common element used as a fertilizer as well as an insecticide, fungicide and rodenticide. (AP) Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis promised to end birthright citizenship, finish building the southern border wall and send U.S. forces into Mexico to combat drug cartels as part of an aggressive and familiar immigration policy proposal he laid out Monday in a Texas border city. The sweeping immigration plan is the Florida governors first detailed policy release as a 2024 contender and represents a long-established wish list of Republican immigration proposals that largely mirrors former President Donald Trumps policies. Much of DeSantis plan faces tall odds, requiring the reversal of legal precedents, approval from other countries or even an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Still, DeSantis projected confidence on Monday as he slapped at Democrats and Republicans in announcing his new plan, which he detailed further in Eagle Pass, Texas, a community of about 30,000 people set along the U.S.-Mexico border. For decades, leaders from both parties have produced empty promises on border security, and now it is time to act to stop the invasion once and for all, DeSantis said in a statement. As president, I will declare a national emergency on Day One and will not rest until we build the wall, shut down illegal entry, and win the war against the drug cartels. No excuses. We will get it done. The DeSantis campaign has promised to release more detailed policy rollouts in the coming weeks. But in leading with immigration, DeSantis is prioritizing a divisive issue that has long been a focus of the GOPs most conservative voters. At the same time, voters in the middle and on the left have taken notice as illegal border crossing surged in recent years. Overall, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. disapprove of President Joe Bidens handling of immigration, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Still, it may be difficult for DeSantis to separate himself on immigration from the many other Republicans seeking the 2024 presidential nomination especially Trump, whos the front-runner. Immigration was a centerpiece of Trumps 2016 and 2020 campaigns. And he has sought to make the issue a key strength in his third White House bid. Trump leaned into the issue while delivering the keynote address to hundreds of enthusiastic religious conservatives at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions conference in Washington over the weekend. He promised to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation on the border and boasted about completing more than 300 miles (or 480 kilometers) of wall along the southern border during his administration while promising to build even more should he win another term. The former president also vowed to reinstate coronavirus pandemic-era rules known as Title 42 that allowed U.S. authorities to quickly turn back migrants at the border, decrying without evidence all of the diseases that illegal aliens are bringing in. DeSantis did not mention Trump by name when unveiling his new policies, but his repeated references to the unfinished border wall was seen as an indirect slap at the former president, who tried and ultimately failed to finish a border wall along the entire 1,950-mile (3,140-kilometer) U.S.-Mexico border during his four years in office. Ahead of the Monday announcement, the DeSantis campaign released new merchandise bearing the words, Build The Wall. No Excuses. In his plan, DeSantis promises to end the United States catch-and-release policy, which currently allows for the release of immigrants in the country illegally until their court dates. Thats as federal immigration authorities have the funding for just 30,000 beds, making it impossible to detain everyone who is arrested. DeSantis also wants to reinstitute the Remain in Mexico policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Such a plan would need Mexicos approval. Hes calling for closing the Flores loophole, which, among other things, requires families to generally be released from custody in 20 days. It is part of a federal court order, so its unclear how he could close it if elected. DeSantis is also promising to use military force against drug cartels if necessary. His plan calls for the authorization of appropriate rules of engagement at the border so that those trying to smuggle drugs into the United States are met with the use of force. DeSantis will reserve the right to operate across the border to secure our territory from Mexican cartel activities, according to the plan, which also calls for the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard to block precursor chemicals from entering Mexican ports if the Mexican government wont stop cartel drug manufacturing. DeSantis plan says little about the millions of immigrants already living in the country illegally, aside from promising to deport those who have overstayed their visas. Deporting such people has been a challenge that has eluded authorities for decades. (AP) After a series of fires involving faulty e-bike batteries including a recent blaze that claimed four lives, New York City officials announced Sunday that they are receiving a $25 million emergency grant from the federal government to fund scores of charging stations citywide. Mayor Eric Adams hopes the stations will provide a safer way for delivery workers, who rely on e-bikes to efficiently do their jobs, to recharge lithium batteries used to power their bicycles. This means that residents will no longer need to charge the e-bikes in their apartments what we find to be extremely dangerous, particularly when you charge them overnight, Adams said at a news conference Sunday. He was flanked by the states two U.S. senators who helped secure the funding from the US. Department of Transportation. The announcement comes after a lithium ion battery caught fire and engulfed an e-bike shop in Manhattans Chinatown. The fire and thick smoke spread to apartments above the shop, killing four people and injuring three others, including a responding firefighter. In the days since, New York City officials sought the publics help in cracking down on unsafe e-bike shops and fire officials issued at least 10 citations to shops for improper handling of the batteries. City officials said theyd previously fined the shop for its e-bike charging practices, though inspectors reportedly did not check to see if the store was selling reconditioned batteries on a recent visit. Under new guidelines, fire officials will be directed to respond to complaints about e-bike batteries within 12 hours, rather than the previous policy of three days. New York City has seen over 100 fires and 13 deaths this year linked to e-bikes, more than double the total number of fatalities from last year, officials said. The city has issued nearly 500 summonses related to e-bikes, which can result in fines between $1,000 and $5,000. The batteries can overheat if defective or improperly charged. Adams had announced in March that the city was working to establish charging stations. The grant would fund an initial 170 charging units in about 50 locations. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, said the charging stations proved new hope to prevent these fires that start from shoddy China-made lithium ion batteries and chargers, he said during the press conference. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said she and Schumer were working on legislation to establish safety standards for batteries. If passed, she said, it would take improperly manufactured batteries off the market. (AP) Israels Mossad on Sunday evening confirmed the Cypriot reports earlier Sunday about a thwarted Iranian attack against Israeli and Jewish targets on the island. Channel 12 News reported that the targets of the Iranian assassination squad included the local Chabad house, an Israeli real estate magnate living in Cyprus, and a number of hotels and tourist venues popular with Israelis. The members of the cell arrived on the island on direct flights from Russia and met in northern Cyprus the Turkish side of the divided island, and eventually moved to the southern Greek side of the island. Cypriot intelligence agents monitored the members of the terror squad for several months. According to Phile News, the attack was thwarted with the assistance of Israeli and US intelligence services. An official statement from the Prime Ministers Office on Sunday evening stated: Israel commends the thwarting of the Iranian terrorist attack in Cyprus against Israeli targets. The State of Israel is using a wide range of methods everywhere in order to defend Jews and Israelis and will continue to act in order to uproot Iranian terrorism wherever it rears its head, including in Iran, the main fomenter of terrorism in the world. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Aston Martin on Monday announced a deal with US-Saudi electric vehicle specialist Lucid Group to help make the British group's luxury 'green' cars. California-based Lucid will supply technology, including battery systems, for cash and shares worth about $232 million (213 million euros), Aston said in a statement. The deal would make Lucid a minority shareholder with a stake of about 3.7 percent. Saudi became Aston's second-biggest shareholder last year following a capital injection from its sovereign wealth fund. The Saudi fund is also the biggest investor in Lucid Group. Aston plans to offer customers electric options on all its vehicles from 2026, it said Monday. News of the tie-up, subject to shareholder approval, sent Aston's stock ten percent higher to 360 pence on the rising London stock market. Aston Martin, beloved by fictional British spy James Bond, suffered vast losses in 2019 on weak global demand linked to China's economic slowdown and Brexit. Losses then accelerated in the wake of the Covid pandemic. The automaker was saved from bankruptcy in 2020 by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, its biggest investor. Chinese car giant Geely last month became the third biggest shareholder in Aston Martin after a new cash injection. Search Keywords: Short link: US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement on Sunday following a report earlier in the day that the Biden administration will not fund or participate in technological and scientific projects in Yehudah and Shomron. The US told Israel it will not participate in projects carried out beyond the Green Line in response to a recent grant request from Ariel University, located in the Shomron. The policy is a reversal of the decision by the Trump Administration to remove the geographic restrictions previously imposed by the US for cooperative research projects. Joe Biden and Biden administration officials are pathologically obsessed with undermining Israel, Cruz stated. Since day one of their administration, they have launched campaigns against our Israeli allies that are granular, whole of government, and done in secret. This new boycott of Israeli Jews is yet another example. The State Department is telling the entire US government not to cooperate with Jews in Judea and Samaria. And, of course, it was sent to Congress in secret and only revealed because reporters found out. The Biden administration defends funding scientific research in Wuhan with the Chinese Communist Party, but theyre discriminating against and banning cooperation with Jews based on where they live. I will do everything possible to reverse this decision and prohibit such antisemitic discrimination by the US government in the future, Cruz concluded. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Arabs in the Jenin area attempted to launch at least two rockets at a Jewish yishuv on Monday morning. The rockets exploded in the air a few seconds after they were launched. A video of the launches was posted on the Al-Ayyash Brigade Telegram group, which is affiliated with Hamas Az-Din Al-Qassam Brigades. In the video, the Palestinians claim that they attempted to launch at least two Qassam rockets toward Moshav Ram-On in the Gilboa Regional Council. Later on Monday, the IDF issued a statement saying: This morning, a rocket was launched from the Jenin area and exploded in Palestinian territory. The rocket did not pose a danger to the yishuvim in the area. Security forces arrived for searches in the area and the incident is being investigated. There are no casualties. A similar video was posted about a month ago and the IDF found what they called a dummy rocket launcher in the Arab town of Nazlat Zayd in the Shomron. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com This past 3rd of Tammuz was the Yahrtzeit of the last Rebbe of Lubavitch, of blessed memory. The day reminds us that Chabad Chassidim also celebrate the 19th of Kislev as a holy day. The day came out on Wednesday, November 28th, 1798 (Gregorian). It was the day that Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the first Rebbe of Chabad, was released from prison. But who was it that was responsible for jailing the Rebbe in the first place? And why and how did he do it? Of course, there was immense negativity emanating from Vilna, particularly after the declaration that the greatest enemy of the Chassidim had passed away, but who was the person who wrote that first letter in Russian archives? This author would like to present an original theory. The Rebbe was incarcerated under Tsar Paul. To better understand our own Jewish history, we give a brief introduction (with apologies) about the Tsars. Often, we read about some nameless Tsar, but we have no idea about the context. With context, we can better understand things and have greater accuracy. There were a total of 7 Russian Tsars that ruled over the Jews of White Russia (and later greater Russia). This author refers to them as CPA NAAN. These seven Tsars ruled over the Pale of Settlement from which most of our great-grandparents originally lived before immigrating to America. The seven Tsars, the dates they ruled, and their age when they became Tsar are: Catherine the Great (1762-1796) 33 years old when she became Tsarina Paul (1796-March of 1801) 42 years old when he became Tsar Alexander I (1801-1825) 23 years old when he became Tsar Nicholai I (1825-1855), 29 years old when he became Tsar (Alexander I and Nicholai I were brothers, despite their being nineteen years apart) Alexander II (1855-1881) 36 years old when he became Tsar Alexander III (1881-1894) 36 years old when he became Tsar Nicholai II (1894-1917) 26 years old when he became Tsar The prison in which the Baal HaTanya was incarcerated was located in a fortress on a small island by the north bank of the Neva River in St. Petersburg. The fortress was first established by Peter the Great on May 27 (Gregorian Calendar) of the year 1703. The island is the last upstream island of the Neva delta. No one had escaped from that prison until the year 1876. The Rebbe was in this prison for 53 days. His first ordeal in prson, it seems, had lasted from September 6th, 1798. Eventually, he was imprisoned a second time. THE LETTER On May 8th, 1798, two years into Pauls reign, his Attorney General, Peter Lopukhin, received a letter from someone who signed his name, Hirsch Ben David. The letter accused the Baal HaTanya of being a conspirator with the intent of helping the revolution in France. The letter ends with a suggestion that the authorities should put him and his young rebel Jewish men that gather with him in Liozna in the Tsars army either that or banish them to Siberia. Lopukhin got in touch with the governor of Vilnius, Bulgakov, who researched the new sect and Bulgakov wrote a letter to Tsar Paul. The Rebbe was arrested and taken to the aforementioned prison. WHO WAS HE? Much ink and conjecture has been spent theorizing who exactly Hirsch Ben David was. Was he a Jew? Was he an anti-Semitic gentile? Why would he go so (pun forthcoming) beyond the pale of Jewish behavior that he would denounce a Jew to the authorities? Mordechai Teitelbaum in Harav MiLiadi (Warsaw, 1910) theorized that it was a Jew from Vilna and was one of the important leaders of that community. The documents relating to the first Lubavitcher Rebbes first incarceration are in the archives of the prosecutor general in St. Petersburg (the aforementioned Lopukhin). They were first mentioned by Yehoshua Mundshein and published in Hebrew in Kerem Chabad #4 (1: 32-33). He cites proof that Hirsch Ben David was not Jewish because it was dated during Shavuos and that the signature was someone who was not proficient in Hebrew letter-writing. Wilensky in Chassidim uMisnagdim also quotes a number of researchers who believe it was a gentile. All these sources are cited by professor Emanuel Etkes, in his Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (2012). NEW THEORY It is a little known fact, but a similar incident happened to an early Rebbe of Slonimer. He too was temporarily imprisoned and was denounced to the Tsarist authorities, but it was not recorded because one of his Chassidim bribed the officer in charge. Indeed, even the Slonimer Chassidim are unaware of the incident. It is recorded in a diary from someone from Kamenetz. The denouncer was investigated by the askanim and his motivation was determined. Perhaps both the denouncer of the Slonimer Rebbe and our Hirsch Ben David shared some characteristics. The Slonimer denouncer was motivated by the fact that his daughter was often left to fend for herself, while her husband would travel and visit the court of the Slonimer Rebbe. It is possible that there was a strong personal motivation involved here, likely of a father whose own child was suffering greatly as a repercussion of someone not being at their side or his daughters side. The theory needs to be fleshed out a bit better, but this was a preliminary thought. The author can be reached at [email protected] There are still hopes for a new battery factory in Northumberland despite fears at the weekend after a police raid on the buyer of Britishvolt. Australian entrepreneur David Collard rescued Britishvolt after the manufacturer collapsed into administration earlier this year, salvaging hopes for a new plant near the Port of Blyth. But the offices of Collard's investment fund, Scale Facilitation, were raided by Australian federal police, who seized IT and communications equipment. Deal: It has been hoped the factory will help revitalise Britain's adoption of electric vehicles Recharge Industries, the subsidiary of Scale Facilitation, still has not paid for the new factory. It has been hoped the factory will help revitalise Britain's adoption of electric vehicles. But sources close to Collard told the BBC that Recharge was hopeful a deal for the 4billion plant would be reached. They said the company was optimistic it would secure enough cash to complete a purchase of land near Blyth within the next month. Australian police were looking into concerns about tax while there were also worries that staff at the Scale Facilitation office had not been paid. But a spokesperson for Scale Facilitation denied any wrongdoing, while the BBC's sources close to the company put the raid down to a misunderstanding. Employers are pulling out all the stops to prevent an exodus of staff aged over 50 years old. One in 10 firms have introduced support measures to help this age-group continue in the workplace in the past year, according to a report by insurer Aviva. Forward planning: One in 10 firms have introduced support measures to help the over-50s continue in the workplace in the past year It comes as the Chancellor has pleaded with the over-50s who have retired early to return to work at a time when 8.7m working age people are classed as economically inactive. Support from employers include offering workers apprenticeships to learn new skills and 'mid-life MOTs' that offer workers checks on their health and financial position. It has also included flexibility such as job-sharing or part-retirement where workers work part-time. In the Spring Budget, the Government dedicated a 70m pot to supporting over-50s in staying in or returning to work. Sir Rocco Forte has said he is investing overseas and giving Britain a miss due to the Government's lack of economic direction. The 78-year-old owns a chain of luxury hotels, including Brown's in London's Mayfair, as well as The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. But Forte told the Mail that he had ripped up plans to pump money into the UK economy through opening a series of boutique hotels in regional tourist centres, such as Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds. He said: 'I have abandoned that. I would rather invest overseas where I can get a good return.' Forte, who backed the UK leaving the EU in the Brexit referendum, said the Government was 'moving very, very slowly' to slash red tape. 'The deregulation we could have had that would have actually helped to move the economy hasn't happened.' Snub: Sir Rocco Forte revealed that he had ripped up plans to pump money into the UK economy through opening a series of boutique hotels in regional tourist centres Forte hit the headlines this summer after organising an appeal from 300 business leaders for the Government to scrap a controversial tax on tourist shoppers. More than 320 leaders have signed his open letter calling for a return of a VAT-free shopping scheme for international visitors, with tourists heading to Paris and Milan to make use of refunds and shunning London. The letter claims scrapping the tax 'would be a win for both business and the taxpayer' and signatories include Burberry, Harrods and Shakespeare's Globe theatre. The hotelier took a swipe at the Prime Minister and Chancellor, accusing them of 'not looking at the longer term picture' on the economic benefits of ditching the levy. 'It's all short term. I think they decided how they can stay in power and are looking at what is popular in the short term.' As American tourists return to Europe for holidays after Covid, Forte said he doesn't feel 'the same pressure of demand' in the UK versus his hotels in Italy. Forte pointed to Sicily, where he opened a hotel resort with the help of a 25 per cent subsidy of 40m and was made an honorary citizen after creating hundreds of jobs and invigorating the local economy. 'We can't compete with that in this country in the same way.' Forte said the UK government's policies were 'restricting enterprise' and there was no compelling economic vision from UK leaders. He said: 'People have got to be carried along with a belief in something, a belief there's a destination which we are trying to reach. There's no destination at the moment and that's been the case for the last 15 years in this country, with Labour and Conservative.' Aston Martin Lagonda has struck an agreement with Lucid Motors to supply the firm with technology for future battery-electric vehicle models. The luxury vehicle manufacturer will spend at least 177million on the US EV group's powertrain components, which are parts that power the car, such as the engine, axle and transmission. It also intends to hand phased cash payments worth around 104million and issue shares totalling 79million to Lucid, which will get a 3.7 per cent stake in the luxury carmaker in return. Deal: Aston Martin Lagonda has said it will spend at least 177million on powertrain components - made by Lucid Motors. (Pictured: Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante) Aston Martin said the deal will support the launch of its first electric vehicle in 2025 and the development of a single BEV platform that will be employed across its future electrified portfolio. Mercedes Benz already supplies Aston Martin with technology as part of a 2020 contract, which gives the British company access to the German carmaker's hybrid and electric drive systems. The arrangement included a provision to provide two share tranches to Mercedes by July 2024, but Aston Martin said on Monday that the second of these payments would not happen. Aston Martin Lagonda Holdings shares closed 10.8 per cent up at 362.4p on Monday, making them the best performer on the FTSE 250 Index. Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin, said the tie-up was 'a game changer for the future EV-led growth of Aston Martin. 'Based on our strategy and requirements, we selected Lucid, gaining access to the industry's highest performance and most innovative technologies for our future BEV products.' He added: 'Along with Mercedes-Benz, we now have two world-class suppliers to support the internal development and investments we are making to deliver our electrification strategy.' Stroll's Yew Tree consortium, Mercedes, and Chinese carmaker Geely - Aston Martin's third-largest shareholder - have all expressed their support for the deal. Lucid and Aston Martin have a common shareholder in Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Saudi wealth fund became Aston Martin's second-largest shareholder last year. PIF is also Lucid's main shareholder and last month provided a majority of the funds for a $3billion stock offering by the US EV maker. Those additional funds are critical as Lucid, like its peers, struggles with mounting losses and tightening cash reserves in the face of recession fears and a price war sparked by market leader Tesla. Warwickshire-based Aston Martin has likewise grappled with massive losses, posting a 74.2million loss in the first quarter despite solid demand for its sport utility DBX motor and higher average selling prices. Last year, the business revealed losses spiked to over 500million due to currency fluctuations boosting the cost of its US dollar-denominated debt, brand investment, product launches and inventory costs aimed at reducing logistics issues. Aston Martin could not manufacture and deliver hundreds of DBX vehicles to the Americas for part of the year because of component shortages, particularly the global scarcity of semiconductors. Berenberg Bank restated their buy rating on shares of The Berkeley Group (LON:BKG Get Rating) in a report issued on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a GBX 5,100 ($65.26) target price on the stock. Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a GBX 4,350 ($55.66) price target on shares of The Berkeley Group in a research report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating and set a GBX 4,800 ($61.42) target price on shares of The Berkeley Group in a report on Thursday. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of The Berkeley Group from GBX 4,450 ($56.94) to GBX 4,580 ($58.61) and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of The Berkeley Group from GBX 4,651 ($59.51) to GBX 4,474 ($57.25) and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 4,551.57 ($58.24). Get The Berkeley Group alerts: The Berkeley Group Price Performance Shares of LON BKG opened at GBX 3,773 ($48.28) on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.73, a current ratio of 3.36 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 4,186.07 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 4,121.78. The stock has a market capitalization of 4.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 915.78, a PEG ratio of -0.87 and a beta of 1.15. The Berkeley Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 3,120 ($39.92) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 4,549 ($58.21). The Berkeley Group Company Profile The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development activities in the United Kingdom. The company is also involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names. Read More Receive News & Ratings for The Berkeley Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Berkeley Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (CVE:IB Get Rating) dropped 26.7% during trading on Saturday . The company traded as low as C$0.05 and last traded at C$0.06. Approximately 483,000 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 808% from the average daily volume of 53,215 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.08. IBC Advanced Alloys Stock Down 26.7 % The company has a quick ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 244.65. The firm has a market cap of C$5.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.10 and a beta of 0.79. The stocks 50 day moving average is C$0.08 and its 200 day moving average is C$0.11. IBC Advanced Alloys Company Profile (Get Rating) IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. develops, produces, and sells specialty alloy products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Copper Alloys and Engineered Materials segments. It offers various copper alloys as castings and forgings, such as beryllium copper, chrome copper, oxygen-free high conductivity copper, and aluminum bronze in the form of plates, blocks, bars, and rings, as well as specialty copper alloy forgings for industrial welding, oil and gas, plastic mold, metal melting, marine defense, electronic, and industrial equipment markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for IBC Advanced Alloys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IBC Advanced Alloys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH Get Rating) has earned an average rating of Hold from the seventeen analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $35.09. INVH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Invitation Homes from $32.00 to $35.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Invitation Homes in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. They set an overweight rating and a $33.50 target price for the company. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Invitation Homes from $38.00 to $41.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Get Invitation Homes alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invitation Homes Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in Invitation Homes by 16.1% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,600 shares of the companys stock worth $1,189,000 after acquiring an additional 4,111 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new position in Invitation Homes during the first quarter worth about $373,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Invitation Homes during the first quarter worth about $480,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its position in Invitation Homes by 5.2% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 36,134 shares of the companys stock worth $1,452,000 after acquiring an additional 1,783 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. bought a new position in Invitation Homes during the first quarter worth about $225,000. 97.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Invitation Homes Stock Down 2.5 % Invitation Homes stock opened at $32.74 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.03 billion, a PE ratio of 48.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.91. Invitation Homes has a twelve month low of $28.52 and a twelve month high of $40.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 0.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The company has a 50 day moving average of $33.68 and a 200-day moving average of $32.07. Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.23). The company had revenue of $589.89 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $575.07 million. Invitation Homes had a net margin of 17.88% and a return on equity of 3.98%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Invitation Homes will post 1.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. Invitation Homes Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 9th. Invitation Homess payout ratio is presently 155.22%. About Invitation Homes (Get Rating Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invitation Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invitation Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Egyptian Exchange's indices were mostly stable during the short trading week ahead of the Eid Al-Adha holiday. The benchmark index, EGX30, inched down by 0.27 percent to close at 17,665.29 points over the two-day week. "Big institutional purchases of leading stocks, especially, the Commercial International Bank (CIB), supported the EGX30 in the short week," Trader Manager at Universal Brokerage Mohamed Atta told Ahram Online. The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) index, EGX70, rose by 0.55 percent to 3,535.71 points. The EGX100 grew by 0.43 percent to 5,242.31 points, while the EGX50 edged higher by about 0.2 percent to end at 3,262.45 points. "Trading value was slightly lower than last week, as institutions and individuals were more inclined toward selling ahead of the long holiday," Atta added. Market cap lost around EGP 2 billion to end the week at EGP 1.162 trillion, while the trading value declined slightly to EGP 1.85 billion. Atta expected the market to rebound after the end of the Eid Al-Adha holiday on 3 July, as new liquidity will be injected into the market. He forecast the EGX30 to break above 17,800 points and EGX70 to reach 3,800 points. Search Keywords: Short link: StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE Get Rating) in a report issued on Sunday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the asset managers stock. Safeguard Scientifics Price Performance NYSE:SFE opened at $1.60 on Friday. Safeguard Scientifics has a 12 month low of $1.42 and a 12 month high of $4.54. The firm has a market cap of $26.10 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.35 and a beta of 0.90. The companys 50 day moving average is $1.77 and its 200-day moving average is $2.38. Get Safeguard Scientifics alerts: Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The asset manager reported ($0.22) EPS for the quarter. Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Investors Weigh In On Safeguard Scientifics In related news, major shareholder Thomas A. Satterfield, Jr. bought 48,032 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 11th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $1.53 per share, with a total value of $73,488.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 356,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $545,751. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . 7.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Yakira Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Safeguard Scientifics by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Yakira Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,164,945 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,004,000 after buying an additional 11,200 shares during the period. First Manhattan Co. increased its holdings in Safeguard Scientifics by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 1,104,006 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $4,117,000 after buying an additional 46,600 shares during the period. Almitas Capital LLC increased its holdings in Safeguard Scientifics by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 796,632 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,470,000 after buying an additional 83,187 shares during the period. EJF Capital LLC increased its holdings in Safeguard Scientifics by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. EJF Capital LLC now owns 172,955 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $903,000 after buying an additional 9,151 shares during the period. Finally, Clayton Partners LLC increased its holdings in Safeguard Scientifics by 15.7% in the 1st quarter. Clayton Partners LLC now owns 143,349 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 19,429 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 46.06% of the companys stock. Safeguard Scientifics Company Profile (Get Rating) Safeguard Scientifics, Inc engages in the provision capital to technology-driven businesses in healthcare, financial services, and digital media. The company was founded by Warren V. Musser and Frank A. Diamond in 1953 and is headquartered in Radnor, PA. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Safeguard Scientifics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Safeguard Scientifics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loblaw Companies (OTCMKTS:LBLCF Get Rating) is one of 62 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Loblaw Companies to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, risk, profitability and dividends. Institutional and Insider Ownership 70.9% of Loblaw Companies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Loblaw Companies alerts: Dividends Loblaw Companies pays an annual dividend of $0.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Loblaw Companies pays out -438.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.1% and pay out 61.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Loblaw Companies N/A N/A N/A Loblaw Companies Competitors 2.07% 14.55% 4.73% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Loblaw Companies and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares Loblaw Companies and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Loblaw Companies N/A N/A -396.86 Loblaw Companies Competitors $28.59 billion $611.37 million 177.38 Loblaw Companies competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Loblaw Companies. Loblaw Companies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Loblaw Companies and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Loblaw Companies 0 1 0 0 2.00 Loblaw Companies Competitors 1120 2752 3006 114 2.30 Loblaw Companies presently has a consensus price target of $137.75, suggesting a potential upside of 56.87%. As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 106.05%. Given Loblaw Companies competitors stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Loblaw Companies has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Summary Loblaw Companies competitors beat Loblaw Companies on 11 of the 13 factors compared. Loblaw Companies Company Profile (Get Rating) Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, engages in the grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services businesses in Canada. It operates in two segments, Retail and Financial Services. The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores. This segment also includes in-store pharmacies, other health and beauty product stores, apparel stores, and other general merchandise stores. The Financial Services segment provides credit card and banking services, the PC Optimum program, insurance brokerage services, and telecommunication services. It also offers PC Health app. The company provides its products and services under various brands. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Brampton, Canada. Loblaw Companies Limited is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited. Receive News & Ratings for Loblaw Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Loblaw Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund (NYSE:ACV Get Rating) is one of 1,182 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund to related companies based on the strength of its dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, profitability, earnings and institutional ownership. Dividends Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund pays an annual dividend of $2.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 11.2%. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund pays out 130.9% 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 7.1% and pay out 638.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Get Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 32.7% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by institutional investors. 18.1% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund -$36.37 million N/A 11.65 Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund Competitors $429.92 million $3.10 million 27.39 This table compares Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Funds peers have higher revenue and earnings than Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund N/A N/A N/A Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund Competitors 377.23% 7.62% 4.95% Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund 0 0 0 0 N/A Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund Competitors 1032 4436 5742 81 2.43 As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 96.38%. Given Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Funds peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Summary Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund peers beat Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund on 8 of the 10 factors compared. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund Company Profile (Get Rating) Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets. The fund primarily invests in diversified portfolio of convertible securities, income-producing equity securities, and income-producing debt and other instruments of varying maturities. It employs fundamental analysis along with bottom-up stock picking approach. Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund was formed In May 27, 2015 and is domiciled in United States. Receive News & Ratings for Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coterra Energy (NYSE:CTRA Get Rating) and FEC Resources (OTCMKTS:FECOF Get Rating) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends. Volatility & Risk Coterra Energy has a beta of 0.26, meaning that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, FEC Resources has a beta of 0.57, meaning that its stock price is 43% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Coterra Energy alerts: Profitability This table compares Coterra Energy and FEC Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Coterra Energy 45.19% 29.48% 18.20% FEC Resources N/A -12.11% -10.56% Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Coterra Energy $9.05 billion 1.99 $4.07 billion $5.24 4.53 FEC Resources N/A N/A -$190,000.00 N/A N/A This table compares Coterra Energy and FEC Resources revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Coterra Energy has higher revenue and earnings than FEC Resources. Institutional & Insider Ownership 92.6% of Coterra Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of FEC Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.7% of Coterra Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Coterra Energy and FEC Resources, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Coterra Energy 0 15 4 0 2.21 FEC Resources 0 0 0 0 N/A Coterra Energy presently has a consensus target price of $29.80, suggesting a potential upside of 25.63%. Given Coterra Energys higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Coterra Energy is more favorable than FEC Resources. Summary Coterra Energy beats FEC Resources on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Coterra Energy (Get Rating) Coterra Energy Inc., an independent oil and gas company, engages in the development, exploration and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company primarily focuses on the Marcellus Shale with approximately 183,000 net acres in the dry gas window of the play located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It also holds Permian Basin properties with approximately 307,000 net acres; and Anadarko Basin properties with approximately 182,000 net acres located in Oklahoma. In addition, the company operates natural gas and saltwater disposal gathering systems in Texas. It sells its natural gas to industrial customers, local distribution companies, oil and gas marketers, major energy companies, pipeline companies, and power generation facilities. The company was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. About FEC Resources (Get Rating) FEC Resources Inc. engages in the exploration and development of oil and gas properties in the Philippines. The company, through its 6.8% interest in Forum Energy Limited, primarily owns a 70% interest in the GSEC101 offshore license covering an area of approximately 10,360 square kilometers located to the northwest of the Philippine Island of Palawan. FEC Resources Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. FEC Resources Inc. is a subsidiary of PXP Energy Corporation. Receive News & Ratings for Coterra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coterra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TKGSY Get Rating) and Snam (OTCMKTS:SNMRF Get Rating) are both utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and dividends. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. and Snams gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Tokyo Gas Co.Ltd. alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. N/A N/A N/A $197.62 0.06 Snam N/A N/A N/A $0.33 16.14 Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Snam, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. N/A N/A N/A Snam N/A N/A N/A Dividends This table compares Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. and Snams net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Snam pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. pays out 0.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Snam pays out 61.1% 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 current ratings and target prices for Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. and Snam, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. 0 2 0 0 2.00 Snam 0 3 3 0 2.50 Snam has a consensus price target of $5.18, indicating a potential downside of 1.83%. Given Snams stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Snam is more favorable than Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd.. Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.1% of Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 22.6% of Snam shares are owned by institutional investors. 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. Summary Snam beats Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. (Get Rating) Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. engages in the production, supply, and sale of city and liquid gas, and LNG in Japan. The company operates through five segments: Gas, Electric Power, Overseas, Energy Related, and Real Estate. It offers engineering solutions; gas installation work and construction; and gas pipelines services, as well as engages in gas appliances business. The company is also involved in overseas resource development and investment, and energy supply activities; city gas and LNG sales business household, commercial and industrial use, as well as use for power generation and other purposes; and electric power business. In addition, it engages in the real estate development activities; and leasing and management of land and buildings. The company was incorporated in 1885 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. About Snam (Get Rating) Snam S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of natural gas transport and storage infrastructure in Italy. The company operates through Transportation, Storage, Regasification, Energy Transition, and other segments. It provides natural gas transportation and dispatching services; and owns and manages LNG regasification plants. The company also offers natural gas storage services through an integrated group of infrastructure comprising deposits, wells, gas treatment and compression plants, and the operational dispatching systems; and operates storage concessions in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and in Abruzzo. In addition, it engages in the rental and maintenance of fibre optic telecommunications cables, as well as energy efficiency solutions for residential, industrial, tertiary, and public administration sectors; and management of biogas and biomethane plants. Further, the company offers engineering and project management services. It also operates in Albania, Saudi Arabia, Austria, China, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company was formerly known as Snam Rete Gas S.p.A. and changed its name to Snam S.p.A. in January 2012. Snam S.p.A. was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in San Donato Milanese, Italy. Receive News & Ratings for Tokyo Gas Co.Ltd. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tokyo Gas Co.Ltd. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Get Rating) by 12.4% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 334,804 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 47,395 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc.s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $46,739,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 24,625 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,124,000 after purchasing an additional 2,268 shares in the last quarter. AMG National Trust Bank acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $212,000. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund grew its stake in Valero Energy by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 14,119 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,509,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP grew its stake in Valero Energy by 126.4% in the 4th quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 11,756 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,491,000 after acquiring an additional 6,564 shares during the period. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Valero Energy by 21.6% in the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 34,942 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,433,000 after acquiring an additional 6,214 shares during the period. 78.00% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Valero Energy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades VLO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $126.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Friday, June 2nd. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. cut shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Tudor Pickering cut shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $188.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $151.46. Valero Energy Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of VLO stock opened at $111.30 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $113.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $125.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market cap of $40.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.16, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.66. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $96.93 and a twelve month high of $150.39. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The oil and gas company reported $8.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.24 by $1.03. The firm had revenue of $36.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $37.88 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 7.86% and a return on equity of 55.32%. The companys revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.31 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 22.2 earnings per share for the current year. Valero Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 23rd were issued a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 22nd. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.67%. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 11.59%. About Valero Energy (Get Rating) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company produces California Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending and Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending gasolines, CARB diesel, diesel, jet fuel, and asphalt; aromatics; and sulfur crude oils. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First National Bank of South Miami increased its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Get Rating) by 2.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,567 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 220 shares during the quarter. First National Bank of South Miamis holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $833,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 26,141 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,456,000 after buying an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 35.6% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,939 shares of the companys stock valued at $463,000 after purchasing an additional 1,296 shares during the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.7% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 3,065 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 608 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 54.9% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 525 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.7% in the 1st quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 8,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $844,000 after purchasing an additional 1,154 shares during the last quarter. 77.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Stock Performance Philip Morris International stock opened at $96.30 on Monday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $94.73 and its 200 day moving average price is $98.12. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.85 and a 1 year high of $105.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.68. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.04. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 10.80% and a negative return on equity of 128.55%. The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.56 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.18 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 23rd will be issued a $1.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 22nd. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.28%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 90.88%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages recently commented on PM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $109.00 to $116.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $114.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Citigroup upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $109.00 to $117.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $106.00 to $116.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $111.40. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Get Rating) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products that are sold in markets outside the United States. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) by 3.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 127,878 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,179 shares during the quarter. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for about 0.7% of Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RIs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $8,863,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted 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 buying an additional 3,058,491 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings 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 last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings 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 last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 35.7% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,794,089 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $992,048,000 after acquiring an additional 3,627,705 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.57% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have weighed in on BMY shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Bank of America boosted their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, March 6th. They set a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $78.62. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Down 0.4 % NYSE:BMY opened at $65.04 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $136.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $63.07 and a one year high of $81.43. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $66.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.67. 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 posted 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. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.50 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.96 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.51%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 66.47%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Get Rating) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Further Reading 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. The Prophets, aeroplanes and hajj trails depicted in elaborate Egyptian Graffiti, decorating the majority of peasant houses in Upper Egypt, are now in print. A couple of weeks ago at the premises of the Higher Cultural Institute, a seminar was held to celebrate the issue of The Arabic Translation of Hajj Paintings by Ann Parker and Avon Neal, translated by Hassan Abd Raboh. The photography book, the latest product of the National Project for Translation (affiliated with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture) showcases gems of folk and indigenous art forms that appear in the graffiti. The book was first published in the mid-nineties and opens up a whole new world of colourful images. Prophets are portrayed side by side with pilgrims on their holy trail in a truly original style. This book is more of a visual anthropological study written out of love, explained Nahla Emam, professor of Rituals and Traditions at the National Folklore Archive. It conveys the joyous side of religion, a nice change opposed to the penal side of religion that we are constantly reminded of, she said, this side is colourful and joyous, making us celebrate religion in various artistic forms, be it songs or paintings. She went on to explain that hajj paintings, in which the artist would depict Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein and the Angel Gabriel (four religious figures associated with Islam), are quite bold. The book explains that for every village there is a male indigenous artist. However, in most hajj graffiti, The Angel Gabriel is drawn as a woman, noted Emam. The book marks the fact that the hajj graffiti is somehow connected to the Nile banks and vividly in the south. The further north you sail, the more tenuous the link becomes. Drawing such forms on the walls is itself a continuation of one of the oldest forms of mural that the ancient Egyptians left us. Being a pilgrim (Hajj) in folk culture brings a new social status, meaning one has come back a different person: more pious, and religious. Emam adds that the hajj, although limited to those who can afford it, is a must for Egyptians; one completes ones life journey. On a parallel note, the concept of advertising is a must when it comes to all major events in popular folk groups, from birth, circumcision, marriage, to death- hence the hajj Graffiti, explained Ahmed Morsi Head of the Egyptian Society of Folk Tradition. The hajj paintings are also associated with hajj chants that would imagine the spiritual trip, and those awaiting the return of the pilgrims safe and sound, added Morsi. Decorate from the gate to the hallway and make the wife as beautiful as a gazelle- a sample of lyrics from a hajj chant. The paintings roam between metaphysical, religious and earthly rituals, explains Mohammed el-Razaz, professor of folk arts. He added that the graffiti usually portrays the means of transport that the pilgrims use. However there is a significant amount of imagination because the indigenous artists have never left their homes. Hence, the ships have a crescent at top of their masts, and the two dimension proportions transcend the barrier of logic. The journey to Mecca, which is in reality a long desert trip, is portrayed through green meadows, shaded with trees. It is a journey of the heart. The hajj graffiti also covers the folk celebrations associated with the return of the pilgrim. However, in Luxor, this case is quite unique, El-Razaz explains, they paint hajj paintings on their stores and not their homes, side by side with the promotional signs and slogans of their stores, as an additional means of decoration. Despite the fact that hajj paintings are evident in a few other Muslim countries, it is only considered a phenomenon in Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is an important obligation for Muslims. Pilgrimage is considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam (along with the testimony that God is one and Mohammad is his messenger, five prayers a day, fasting in Ramadan, and paying annual alms or zakah). According to the Quran, every Muslim who is able to travel to Mecca should try to perform the Hajj at least once in his life. The pilgrimage occurs every year on 8-12 Dhu Al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims and Muslims worldwide celebrate the festival of Eid Al-Adha, meaning the festival of the slaughter, during the Hajj period. The three day festival falls on 10-13 Dhu Al-Hijjah, and will be celebrated this year in Egypt from 4-6 October. The festival commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishamel) when commanded to do so by God. Muslims believe that God intervened at the last minute, providing a sheep for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead. Muslims around the world mark the celebration by slaughtering sheep and other. Believers are required to provide portions of the meat to the poor. In Egypt, those who have performed Hajj are considered to have made a great achievement. In folk culture, the house of pilgrims were traditionally decorated with wall paintings and graffiti depicting Hajj themes such as Ibrahims sacrifice, as a mark of pride showing the owners status as a pilgrim. The paintings, created by local artists, often break social and artistic conventions. Egyptian folk songs also deal with the Hajj, with some focusing on the story of Ismail and Ibrahim and others telling the story of the keswa, the cover for the holy shrine in Mecca known as the Kaaba. The keswa used to be made in Egypt and transported all the way from Cairo to Mecca by camel, in a lavish parade. Ahram Online wishes all its readers a Happy Eid. Search Keywords: Short link: There are things the government needs to bear in mind as it intensifies efforts to sell stakes in state-owned companies. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) was appointed this week as strategic advisor to the Egyptian governments Asset Monetisation Programme, under which it will provide the government with technical assistance and advisory support to develop a strategy and implementation plan, help structure and prepare assets for sale and ultimately implement selected approved transactions, according to an IFC press release. The agreement comes within the framework of government plans to sell stakes in state-owned companies to grow the role of the private sector in the economy. The IFC is uniquely placed to play this role given its neutrality, strong reputation, broad global experience in privatisation transactions, IPOs [initial public offerings], trade sales, and PPP [public private partnerships] tenders, multisectoral experience, and deep ties with strategic and financial investors focused on Egypt, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said during the signing ceremony. While work on the agreement may still have to kick in, the government is not waiting around. Already there are deals in the pipeline, and news has come in about multiple offerings including IPOs and minority and majority stakes in companies in different sectors. According to news reports, strategic investors are negotiating acquiring stakes in two pharmaceutical companies including the Chemical Industries Development Company (CID). The governments remaining 20 per cent share in the Bank of Alexandria could also be privatised. The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) is set for an IPO offering a 20 per cent stake in Port Said Container and Cargo Handling (PSCCHC) on the Egyptian Stock Exchange out of its 39 per cent stake. The Qatari Sovereign Wealth Fund is also in negotiations to acquire a minority stake in a holding company that will include seven of Egypts five-star hotels. All these offerings are part of ambitious government plans to sell stakes in 32 state-owned companies as part of its commitment to allow the private sector a greater role in the economy and to bring in much-needed hard currency to bridge its financing gap. The plans are also part of the reforms the government has pledged to carry out within the framework of its 46-month $3 billion Extended Fund Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The fact that the government is seeking to create room for private and more efficient ownership in diverse and important sectors of the economy ranging from energy to finance and from banking to insurance is a positive development, Irina Tsukerman, president of Scarab Rising, a media and security strategic advisory group, told Al-Ahram Weekly. However, she warned that a lot will depend on who ends up getting the biggest stake, what roadmap the government puts in place for the future of the privatisations, how the process is managed to avoid pitfalls, mismanagement, and the creation of monopolies, and the strategy adopted by future owners. Selling the stakes alone does not guarantee success, whether for the state or the private sector, she said. The revenues raised also need to be carefully managed, Tsukerman added. She said that the highest bids alone may not be sufficient to guarantee the future successful management of these companies, including the banks and insurance companies. There are also concerns at having either foreign or domestic investors buying up these institutions and possibly using them to assert control over sensitive sectors of economy, she added. The buyers should be diverse and should have a keen stake in Egypts interests and prosperity, Tsukerman stressed. She pointed out that some of the sensitive infrastructure being offered, such as electricity, should be sold off in as many blocks of shares as possible to democratise the process and to ensure fair and free access by Egyptian citizens. Dina Abdel-Fattah, chair and an assistant professor in the American University in Cairos Department of Economics, agreed, saying that in sectors identified as strategic it would be useful to sell off only a partial number of shares. She said that whatever the line of business of the companies on offer, it was important that the sales should entail conditions on injecting fresh funds and creating jobs that could relieve the pressure on the labour market. She noted that while the sale of stakes in the companies would inject foreign currency that would help to cushion the local currency, this would not be sustainable unless coupled with structural changes and reforms in investment policies, together with a significant improvement in the business environment and policies that support the private sector. Privatisation is only one aspect of moves to liberalise the economy, Tsukerman said. Free trade, deregulation, better education, antitrust laws, protections of intellectual property, and transparent processes are all also essential to ensuring that key infrastructure and economic sectors do not end up either being indirectly tied back to the government or controlled by interest groups that will seek to influence government policy and drive the economy in self-serving directions. One of the challenges facing the sales has been the appropriate valuations of the companies concerned. Countries known to be undergoing significant challenges can expect to see the value of their companies go down, Abdel-Fattah said. Those companies making a profit will be the attractive ones for investors until the economic conditions stabilise and the business environment witnesses significant improvements, she noted. Tsukerman said that fair valuations have been difficult due to economic volatility. Investors may also not be inclined to carry through with their commitments due to concerns over returns on investment, she said. In part, this is a strategy to renegotiate valuations and to obtain greater stakes at lower cost, she said. To avoid such issues, the government needs to diversify its sources of investment and revenue and create independent value, while also addressing any legitimate return-on-investment concerns by stabilising its economy, she said. According to Tsukerman, the IFC can be very helpful in the privatisation process, but privatisation itself is only a step towards an end goal, which is the broader liberalisation of the economy. It should not be seen as the exclusive focus. The IFC should also not be the only institution involved, Tsukerman said, and there should be diverse consultations in order to ensure that the process is not seen as being monopolised or hijacked by a single institution. The way around this is to balance this relationship with many others and to make discussions and policymaking transparent and thorough, she said. * A version of this article appears in print in the 22 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Russia sought to restore calm on Monday after an aborted mutiny by Wagner Group mercenaries over the weekend, while Western allies assessed how President Vladimir Putin might reassert authority and what it could mean for the war in Ukraine. Ending their short-lived mutiny, Wagner fighters halted their rapid advance on Moscow, withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov and headed back to their bases late on Saturday under a deal that guaranteed their safety. Their commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, would move to Belarus under the deal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Monday has been declared a non-working day in Moscow to allow time for things to settle, and there was little evidence of increased security in the capital on Sunday evening. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, one of the main targets of Prigozhins anger, visited Russian troops involved in the military operation in Ukraine, state-run RIA news agency reported on Monday while providing no details on when and where. But Putin, who has held power for more than two decades, has still to comment publicly since the de-escalation of one of the biggest challenges to his rule. Confusion over the weekends extraordinary events has left governments, both friendly and hostile to Russia, groping for answers to what could happen next in the country with the worlds largest nuclear arsenal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested the turmoil could take months to play out. Weve seen more cracks emerge in the Russian facade, Blinken told NBCs Meet the Press programme on Sunday. Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko held talks in Beijing on Sunday. It was unclear if his visit to Russias strongest ally was precipitated by the Wagner mutiny. The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilise the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24 and confirmed its interest in strengthening the cohesion and further prosperity of Russia, the Russian foreign ministry said. The response from China was characteristically measured. It vouched support for Russias efforts to maintain national stability, referring to the tension as Russias internal affairs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed the events in Russia in separate phone calls with U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Biden and Trudeau both expressed support of Ukraine as it pursues a counteroffensive to recover territory seized by Russia, according to official statements. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored, Zelenskiy said on Twitter. State television said Putin would attend a meeting of Russias Security Council this week, without elaborating, and Belarus Belta news agency said Putin and Lukashenko spoke again on Sunday, after at least two calls on Saturday. In a televised address as events were unfolding on Saturday, Putin said the rebellion put Russias very existence under threat, vowing to punish those behind the revolt and drawing parallels with the chaos of 1917 that led to the Bolshevik revolution. The myth of the unity of Putins Russia is over Its the inevitable outcome when you support and finance a legion of mercenaries, Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was quoted as saying by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. PRIGOZHINS WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN Under the deal, brokered late on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a criminal case against Prigozhin for armed mutiny would be dropped, Prigozhin would move to Belarus, and Wagner fighters who rallied to his cause would face no action, in recognition of their previous service to Russia. Prigozhin, 62, was seen leaving the district military headquarters in Rostov late on Saturday in a sport utility vehicle. His whereabouts since were not known. A former Putin ally and ex-convict whose forces have fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month war in Ukraine, Prigozhin said his decision to advance on Moscow was intended to remove corrupt and incompetent Russian commanders he blames for botching the war. This month, Prigozhin defied orders to place his troops under Defence Ministry command. He launched the rebellion on Friday after alleging the military had killed some of his men in an air strike. The Defence Ministry denied this. In excerpts from an interview aired by Russian state television on Sunday that appeared to have been recorded before the mutiny, Putin said he was giving top priority to the conflict in Ukraine. Russias TASS news agency reported on Monday that 30 Ukrainian artillery position and 20 mortar crews had been suppressed in fighting near Lyman, a city in the Donetsk region. The Russian military, according to RIA, also denied Ukrainian claims to have made advances on the flanks of Bakhmut, the city that Wagner fighters helped Russia seize in May. Giving its daily morning roundup on Monday, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces said Russian forces had conducted unsuccessful operations around Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces has reclaimed some 130 square km (50 square miles) along the southern front line since the beginning of their counteroffensive but there had been little significant change in the past week, Ukraine Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar told the national broadcaster on Monday. Serhiy Nayev, commander of Ukraines Joint Forces responded to speculative reports that Wagner fighters could be moved to Belarus to attack Ukraine from the north. If this happens and the enemy tries to cross the state border, it will be nothing but suicide for them, Nayev said in a post on the militarys Telegram account. SOURCE: REUTERS June 26, 2023 Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of a machine to display actions like thinking and processing ideas in a similar way to that of a human. Recently, people have used AI for such things as responding to people via chatbots and developing codes for apps. However, many people are wary of the ethical implications of using this new technology. Here are a few key points that Ripton Rosen makes when exploring the ethics of using AI in data analysis. AI Necessitates Privacy When customers and other end users contribute to a dataset, they expect a reasonable amount of privacy. Many companies have ended up in trouble for allowing sensitive data to get into the hands of rouge users. When a company decides to use AI in its data collection and storage, it needs to make extra certain that the AI platform they use has terms of service that align with the values of the company. Data experts such as Ripton Rosen know that, as with all datasets, those developed by AI systems need to be secure and only accessible to people who have a legitimate need to view and use the data. AI Requires Accuracy Artificial intelligence can help businesses gather important data at a quicker rate than ever before. But professionals in the data science field are aware that one of the downfalls of AI is that it may not be as accurate as humans who collect data. One reason for this is that the artificially collected data does not recognize certain nuances. For example, AI might collect and display information indicating that life expectancy dropped in a specific region during a particular year. However, AI might fail to note the factors involved in the decrease in life expectancy, which might include, for instance, a natural disaster or an outbreak of a disease. AI Should Provide Value Many employees worry that artificial intelligence will replace their jobs and make their positions redundant. However, it is important for employees to keep in mind that AI should add value to their job duties rather than replace them. For example, a data analyst can use AI to scrape and gather data from platforms in an ethical manner, while the analyst cleans the data and presents their findings to the appropriate people. This allows the human data analyst to do what they do best and leaves the AI bot to gather data. Ripton Rosen on the Importance of Following Ethical Rules Professionals like Ripton Rosen know that technology often moves more quickly than the values of society. This is why it is important to remember ethics when acquiring and using new technologies such as artificial intelligence. The continuing need for privacy, accuracy and value speaks to the need of being ethical when using artificial intelligence in the field of data science. [June 26, 2023] Moa Netto Named Head of Creative, Americas for Social Transformation Company, 1000heads Tweet Award-winning creative, Netto, will pioneer 1000heads' expansion into South America and foster a world-class creative offering NEW YORK , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 1000heads has hired Moa Netto as Head of Creative for the Americas. 1000heads is a Social Transformation company that combines expertise in data & analytics, strategy, technology and creativity to help the world's best businesses build Social Age brands . 1000heads are the Strategy Agency of Record for Google Hardware and Influencer Agency of Record for Verizon, and recently won Social Agency of Record for Logitech. 1000heads, a global leader in social and influencer strategy, has hired Moa Netto as Head of Creative for the Americas. Netto joins as 1000heads' first Head of Creative across both North and South America. He is an award-winning creative (having taken home over 170 awards at major national and global shows in his career, including 21 Cannes Lions) as well as judge across all major awards festivals, including D&AD, Clios and 2 Cannes Lions editions. Netto has a long history of creatve leadership at the highest levels. Born in Brazil, he worked in creative positions regionally at Ogilvy & Mather, BBDO and DDB. He joins 1000heads after being the North America Chief Creative Officer at RAPP, where he implemented a modern creative vision and new creative capabilities that drove significant growth for the business, and Vice President Executive Director at W3haus in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which he led into becoming the most awarded Brazilian independent agency at Cannes. "Moa has a proven track record of delivering ideas that naturally drive conversation," said Adam Woodley, Managing Director, Americas for 1000heads. "We are thrilled to have him join 1000heads as he brings a strong desire to implement social-first thinking in our creative approach as well as expertise and experience at the highest levels of creative performance to our team." Throughout his career, Netto has developed impactful and effective work for brands such as Volkswagen, Coke, Intel, IBM, Audi, Philips, Spectrum, SAP, Eli Lilly and Allianz. His background is digital and direct advertising, but he also spent eight years leading integrated and traditional campaigns. At 1000heads, he'll be leading the creative team across their three US offices (NYC, LA, and Miami) and will drive their expansion into South America by opening an office in Bogota, Colombia. "Social-first ideas have always been my passion. I don't think any brand can be relevant today for consumers without being consistently relevant and innovative on social," said Netto. "Some of my best and most impactful work leveraged the power of social in unexpected ways, generating exponential impact for brands and society. And having the opportunity to lead that for some of the coolest and most forward-thinking brands in the world is incredibly exciting." 1000heads has been a global leader in social, influencer and digital strategy for over 20 years. They have pioneered their Social Transformation approach to support the world's best brands in the social age of digital transformation. This approach has helped 1000heads win work in the last year with Keurig, Amazon Prime Video, unikrn, Verizon, Logitech and others. "More and more, creativity is becoming social-led," said Woodley. "As we look forward to the 'social age' we know incredible creative designed for engagement is essential. We're lucky to have Moa who has led award-winning creative teams, but will also support 1000heads as we become a more integrated part of clients' partner mix. ABOUT 1000HEADS 1000heads combines expertise in data & analytics, strategy, technology and creativity to help the world's best businesses build Social Age brands. 1000heads provides a fully integrated, end-to-end Social Transformation proposition to blue-chip clients encompassing data & analytics, strategy and implementation. 1000heads has a global footprint, employing over 170 people across seven offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sydney, Melbourne and Berlin. 1000heads' clients include Alphabet, The North Face, Snap Inc., Bimbo, Amazon, Cisco, and Diageo. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moa-netto-named-head-of-creative-americas-for-social-transformation-company-1000heads-301863296.html SOURCE 1000heads [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Work For Humankind North America: Lenovo Brings its Global Service Project to North America in Partnership with Conservation Group BirdLife International Tweet Lenovo today announced the North American edition of Work For Humankind, a bold initiative that uses technology for volunteers to make a positive, long-lasting difference while working from remote, tech-enabled locations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626776129/en/ Van at Lenovo HQ (Photo: Business Wire) The Work for Humankind Research Report found that nearly 90% of U.S. respondents find giving back to the community vital when "Working from Anywhere." Work For Humankind North America extends the legacy started on Robinson Crusoe Island, allowing North American skilled individuals to use tech for good and make a positive impact while working from anywhere. In partnership with the non-profit, BirdLife International, Lenovo created a mobile tech lab and living space that will road trip through Canada and the United States, collecting birdsong data along the way to support wildlife protection efforts. The mobile workspace, enabled with 5G connectivity, equips volunteers to do their day jobs while monitoring wildlife using seminal data collection software in partnership with Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology. The Americas are home to three of the nine major migratory bird flyways in the world, making this region pivotal to global biodiversity and climate change mitigation. BirdLife and its local partners identified specific Important Brd and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) within North America where Work for Humankind can bolster its efforts to protect the flyways and migratory species who depend on these special places. IBAs are places of greatest significance for the conservation of the world's birds and wildlife. Volunteers will drive between designated IBAs along the route and stop at wildlife refuges in South Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New York and Ontario. The van's path was designed to visit IBAs with high priority nesting species, such as the endangered Saltmarsh Sparrow, where data is much-needed by both BirdLife International and their partners. Capturing this birdsong data, along with visual identification of birds, is crucial to conservation efforts to protect the bird species and biodiversity in each local ecosystem. The van is designed to meet all volunteers' living and working needs, with the highest quality "van life" and workspace amenities. Volunteers will work their day jobs remotely via Lenovo's technology hub. The van itself will be a 'smart home' with a Lenovo Smart Tab M8 Gen 3 mounted to the van's side, serving as a control panel for the technology throughout the vehicle. The mobile setup will also include an integrated Lenovo ThinkSmart Camera, ThinkSmart Bar, ThinkPad P1 mobile workstation laptop, and ThinkVision P40w-20 monitor. Volunteers can work wherever it's most convenient for them. Emily Ketchen, Vice President and CMO of Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, Lenovo, comments: "Building off the success of Work For Humankind in South America, we were inspired to bring its mission to more parts of the globe. Lenovo is committed to using technology to build more meaningful experiences for all and we look forward to continuing to demonstrate the power of using tech for good." Gerald Youngblood, Chief Marketing Officer North America, Lenovo, comments: "We jumped at the opportunity to bring Work For Humankind's inspiring mission to North America. We have a duty to make a positive impact wherever we do business, and Work For Humankind exemplifies this. The van traveling North America will extend BirdLife International's ability to capture and analyze birdsong data - showcasing how technology can be a force for good." E.J. McAdams, Executive Director, Friends of BirdLife International, comments: "BirdLife International is excited to partner with Lenovo on this compelling application of data collection science. The data collected by these volunteers will provide important insights for nature conservation in BirdLife's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and will inform how we work to protect bird species for the next generation. Running on Lenovo's computing power, the van has become a tool of citizen science and research, greatly increasing the number of datapoints we can capture." Upon completion of this journey, Lenovo will donate the Work For Humankind van to BirdLife so that future generations of conservationists can benefit from the use of this mobile technology lab. Learn more about Work for Humankind North America here. About Birdlife International BirdLife International is the world's largest nature conservation partnership, representing more than 115 national partner organizations worldwide. BirdLife and its partners use seminal bird science to design and implement practical tools for conservation, bringing together birds, nature, and people to tackle the underlying causes of the destruction of our planet and ensure our children's and grandchildren's future. For more information, visit https://www.birdlife.org. About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$62 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #171 in the Fortune Global 500, employing 77,000 people around the world, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, Lenovo has built on its success as the world's largest PC company by further expanding into growth areas that fuel the advancement of 'New IT' technologies (client, edge, cloud, network, and intelligence) including server, storage, mobile, software, solutions, and services. This transformation together with Lenovo's world-changing innovation is building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626776129/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Co-hosts: International Human Frontier Science Program Organization & French Ministry of Higher Education and Research Under the High Patronage of Mr Emmanuel MACRON President of the French Republic Live-stream begins 13h15 (CEST) 27 June 2023 https://youtube.com/live/tRqXQSNh-YY?feature=share Program: https://www.hfsp.org/paris-summit-program PARIS, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "Fundamental Life Science Meets Climate, Environment, and Sustainability," invites world leaders and scientists to forge new partnerships and propose systems-level approaches to solve global challenges. The events contribute toward the U.N. International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. High-Level Summit, 27 June, at French Academy of Sciences: International Scientific Symposium, 28 & 29 June, at Auditorium Andre and Liliane Bettencourt: Rachael Bishop [email protected] To attend in-person, register with press contacts. See the HFSPO website for updates. Watch a video on the events. Partners: the French National Research Agency, the French Academy of Sciences, National Center for Scientific Research, the Institut Pasteur, the International Science Council, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and UNESCO. The Human Frontier Science Program was established in 1989 to advance international research and training at the frontier of life sciences. Its objectives are to promote intercontinental collaboration and training in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research focused on the life sciences. HFSP receives financial support from the governments or research councils of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, as well as the European Commission. With its collaborative research grants and postdoctoral fellowships, the program has awarded more than 4,500 fellowships involving more than 7,500 scientists from around the world. Since the start of the program, 28 HFSP laureates have received the Nobel Prize. International Human Frontier Science Program, 12 Quai Saint-Jean, Strasbourg, France www.hfsp.org | Phone : +33-(0)3 88 21 51 23 | @HFSP Twitter | Facebook page #LifeScience4Sustainability #LS4S Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2129669/HFSP_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/27-to-29-june-paris--world-leaders--scientists-to-discuss-basic-research-can-pioneer-new-approaches-to-global-challenges-301861303.html [June 26, 2023] Infleqtion Wins Funding to Develop and Manufacture the UK's First Optical Atomic Clock Tweet OXFORD, England, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infleqtion, the world's quantum information company, today announced that it has been awarded funding from Innovate UK to expand its manufacturing capabilities for quantum-enabled systems. The funding will support the development of a new type of optical atomic clock that far exceeds the accuracy and reliability of current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-based systems. The new clock will achieve a frequency stability that is more than fifty times better than the best commercially available atomic clocks of comparable size. This level of accuracy will be essential for applications such as autonomous navigation, resilient power distribution, and national security. "Infleqtion offers unrivaled expertise, with products and R&D efforts spanning the whole quantum ecosystem, including quantum computing, quantum sensing, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)," said Scott Faris, CEO of Infleqtion. "With a strong foundation, a highly skilled team, and the support of Innovate UK, Infleqtion UK is well-positioned to drive innovation and deliver groundbreaking solutions that will transform the field of PNT and quantum-enabled systems." The quantum-enabled PNT systems market is poised for significant growth, fueled by the increasing need for highly accurate, reliable, and resilient PNT systems across various applications, including the deployment of 5G networks. Quantum-enabled PNT systems offer significant advantages over traditional GNSS-based systems, including improved accuracy, enhanced resilience, and reduced size and weight. They are also not reliant on external signals, making them less vulnerable to weather conditions, interference, and jamming. This makes them suitable for deployed applications. The funding from Innovate UK will enable Infleqtion to bring its new optical atomic clock to market and make the UK a global leader in the development and manufacture of quantum-enabled PNT systems. The company has a team of worldleading experts in quantum physics and optical engineering, and has a proven track record of developing innovative quantum technologies. The winning Infleqtion project will also establish a sovereign UK capability to manufacture critical subsystems, such as microfabricated atomic vapor cells and photonic frequency combs. "This project will deliver the UK's first commercially available optical atomic clock which will provide a crucial layer of resilience across many national security applications," said Dr. Timothy Ballance, General Manager of Infleqtion UK. "The funding will allow Infleqtion to advance its manufacturing capability in the UK for systems required to build a wide range of quantum-enabled products. Coupled with our engineering expertise, we are in an excellent position to lead the market in delivering next generation commercial atomic clocks at scale." Minister of State at the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology George Freeman MP said, "We are on the cusp of a quantum technology revolution, set to deliver transformational increases in computer processing speed and power in a whole new field of capabilities in sensing, communications, encryption, cyber security and navigation. We are making sure the UK is ready to harness it for the benefit of all." Will Drury, Executive Director, Digital and Technologies at Innovate UK said, "Our exceptional researchers, businesses and innovators are continuously pushing the boundaries of Quantum Technology development, placing the UK at the leading edge of this field. Together, through this support and investment, we will work in partnership to realise the potential of this technology for our UK economy and society." About Infleqtion Infleqtion delivers high-value quantum information precisely where it is needed. By operating at the Edge, our software-configured, quantum-enabled products deliver unmatched levels of precision and power, generating streams of high-value information for commercial organizations, the United States, and allied governments. With 16 years of ColdQuanta's pioneering quantum research as our foundation, our hardware products and AI-powered solutions address critical market needs in PNT, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing. Headquartered in Austin, TX, with offices in Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; Melbourne, AU; and Oxford, UK. Learn how Infleqtion is revolutionizing how we communicate, navigate, and discover at www.Infleqtion.com. Infleqtion UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the flagship commercial brand Infleqtion. Infleqtion UK has a fully equipped quantum research laboratory and established production facilities in Oxford for its UK-developed Photonically Integrated Cold Atom Source (PICAS) product. The company conducts advanced research and development in inertial sensing and advanced timing for navigation within GNSS-denied environments, radiofrequency sensors for communications and defense applications, memory modules for secure quantum networks, and quantum information platforms for computation and simulation. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961782/4134811/INFLEQTION_LOGO_LANDSCAPE_GRAD_RGB_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infleqtion-wins-funding-to-develop-and-manufacture-the-uks-first-optical-atomic-clock-301862794.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Cakes hold a special place in all our childhoods as the centrepiece of birthdays and other special occasions. However, recently they have undergone a remarkable transformation for many, emerging as captivating works of art. Beyond their traditional role in family and other celebrations, they have become a canvas for innovative designs and techniques, enticing many to master them. Everything in cake-making has witnessed innovations in recent years, whether in tools, flavours, designs, or even sizes. There are new and intriguing trends in cake flavourings and fillings. Today, there is a growing demand for cakes filled with Japanese green tea matcha, for example, said Radwa Mokhtar, founder of a school specialising in cake and pastry making. Some people request cakes enveloped in lemon or pistachio cream. Some want cakes that incorporate the flavours of the Red Bull beverage, adding a unique twist to the cakes taste profile, Mokhtar said. Cake suppliers have become a robust service sector in Egypt, with a diverse range of markets and locations available to buy cakes from. I buy cake ingredients on Mohamed Ali Street in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar district of Cairo, as well as in Heliopolis, Giza, and New Cairo, Mohktar said. There are also new tools that facilitate cake preparation and decoration, such as electric turntables that automatically rotate the cake for easy frosting. Another useful tool is the scraper, which spreads the cakes covering cream smoothly in one go, eliminating repeated adjustments. Cake sizes have also changed to meet changing demand. There is a growing trend towards choosing mini cakes for special occasions, especially when the number of guests is less than 12. However, if the number exceeds that, a bigger cake is more suitable. The same thing applies to wedding cakes, which we may make in a 10-tier design, with only five tiers being actual cake and the remaining tiers made of foam covered with sugar paste. Alongside distinctive flavours, cake designs have changed significantly. Artists now sculpt cakes in the form of statues, while bakers create towering cakes that reach up to seven metres in height. These cakes feature realistic and sculptural shapes. Moreover, exhibitions, competitions, and television shows celebrating the art of cake-making have extended their reach to Egypt, said Yasmin Tarek, a cake designer in Cairo. Tarek said that her customers bring her pictures of cake designs they find online and ask her to make them. However, our cake industry in Egypt differs from that abroad. They may use artificial fats and processed ingredients to make the cake appear whiter, for example, or to enhance its visual appeal for photography, even if it compromises the taste. But in Egypt, customers always prefer ingredients that deliver beautiful flavours, she said. Unconventional and intricately sculpted designs have received an overwhelming response from customers, according to Tarek. This is why I have created a cake collection called Against Gravity that consists of inverted cake shapes. One resembles a paint box with the paint depicted as dripping, creating the illusion of fallen paint on the cake design. Another is shaped like a teacup with milk and topped with an inverted milk carton, capturing the moment of pouring milk into the tea. These designs allow me to express my artistic side, she said. Ever since Tarek was young, she has dreamt of becoming a chef, and as she has grown up she found her passion for cake-making, which became her canvas for sculpting creations that are more like art than just desserts. I spent hours watching YouTube tutorials to learn cake preparation, baking, and sugar-dough techniques. I experimented alone until my skills had fully evolved. Then I started offering workshops to teach children how to make cakes, she said. Her career has been different from that of Mokhtar, who used to work in public relations. But a confectionary store next to my workplace created sweets for various events. The appearance of the cakes drew my attention, so I considered making them as an art form. Then I decided to change careers and work in cake design instead, she said. In order to learn cake-making, I watched YouTube tutorials and then joined a cake design and baking programme to launch my own business. Mokhtar insists on starting work on a cake five days before its delivery date to achieve a flawless result. Each stage of cake-making requires sufficient time to be done properly. We begin by selecting the type of cake we will use, whether it is a sponge cake or a butter cake. We bake the cake and place it in the refrigerator, and on the same day, we prepare the filling according to the customers taste, she explained. According to Mokhtar, shaping and carving the cake begins on the second day, which takes up the majority of the time. The design can take anything from five days to a week to complete. Each part of the design must be sculpted and allowed to dry and firm up individually for up to two days. For example, if a customer asks for a unicorn-shaped cake, I sculpt and shape the unicorns head and legs separately. Then I let them dry for at least a day before attaching the sculpted portions to ensure that the cake doesnt topple or sink, she said. As soon as a cake has been sculpted, a covering is selected. According to Mokhtar, some covers, such as buttercream, cannot be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, making them unsuitable for covering wedding cakes. While fondant and royal icing remain stable in the open air, the cakes contours remain the same. Before applying the final covering and decoration, Mokhtar emphasises the importance of an initial crumb coating. This is a thin layer of frosting that bakers cover a layer of cake with before adding the final coating of frosting or fondant. Its purpose is to make the finished cake appear cleaner and more professional. The crumb coating prevents loose crumbs and cake pieces from interfering with the decoration, fills in any gaps in the cake layers, and provides a consistent and smooth finish, which makes it easier to decorate the entire cake. The final decoration usually requires unique materials. The artistic decoration and precise sculpting of cartoon characters, if these are called for, and all the intricate details require a special dough that we use to shape the figures easily, Mokhtar adds. Food colouring is used to make them appear three-dimensional and realistic. After she had spent some time designing cakes, Mokhtar observed that many people were interested in learning cake-making. As a result, she founded a pastry and cake training academy. About a year ago, I contacted chefs in different fields to teach trainees the art of making chocolate, pastries, and sugar sculptures like the show-pieces used for table decorations or cake ornaments, she said. Today, we also offer cake-making courses, which I teach. The cake-making course takes three days, during which trainees learn the techniques of baking, preparing the filling, and completing the final stages of sculpting, covering, and decorating the cake. We receive requests from pastry chefs who want to excel at cake-making, individuals who wish to learn cake-making for their families, and others who want to open their own bakeries, Mokhtar concluded. * A version of this article appears in print in the 22 June, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: [June 26, 2023] '2nd Australian Circular Economy Forum' to develop Roadmap to achieve Australian circular economy by 2030 Tweet SYDNEY, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 300 leaders from industry, government, academia, and community groups from across Australia and beyond are convening on the 2nd Australian Circular Economy Forum in Sydney on 26 June to propose recommendations for a National Circular Economy Roadmap. The forum is hosted by Circular Australia and Impact X , and supported by knowledge partners UNSW Sydney and the International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA). The recommendations by participants will outline the priorities, barriers, opportunities, and reforms needed to successfully create a national circular economy in Australia by 2030, which represents a $2 trillion opportunity in Australia, according to Circular Australia CEO, Lisa McLean. It follows the Federal Government's promise to work with the private sector to accelerate the transition to a circular economy to drive innovation, avoid waste and pollution, keep materials in use, make industries more efficient, help Australia build its onshore manufacturing capacity, and create millions of new, green jobs. The Forum plays an integral role in informing the Australian Federal Government's circular economy strategy, with proposals from the Forum to be published in a report that will be shared with the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The report will also be shared with a wider audience of industry stakeholders, who will discuss actioning these recommendations and operationalising the circular economy at Austraia's Global Climate Summit, the Impact X Summit in November this year. Tony Gourlay, CEO of Impact X and co-host of the Australian Circular Economy Forum, said: "The circular economy is a systems transition - not one business or sector can make the transition on its own. Collaboration and co-design between industry, government and research is the way to build a circular pathway for Australia. This forum has given clarity to a circular economy 2030 roadmap and provided a collaborative framework for all stakeholders to take action on." Lisa McLean, CEO of Circular Australia and co-host of the Australian Circular Economy Forum, said: "The Australian Circular Economy Forum provides insights on how organisations, businesses, government agencies, and local governments can operationalise the circular economy in Australia. It brings both national and global perspectives, enables new contacts and partnerships to be established and, importantly, provides pathways for people to apply the learnings to embrace circular economy within their own organisations." Attila Brungs, Vice-Chancellor & President of UNSW, said: "Achieving the 2030 national circular economy target demands a multidisciplinary, systems approach and active partnership across research, academia, industry, government, NGOs and the broader community. UNSW is privileged to have deep credentials in highly relevant disciplines including circular economies, climate science, renewable energy, sustainable industrial practices and development, as well as an abiding commitment to building a more sustainable future through collaborative research and innovation." The 2nd Australian Circular Economy Forum* took place* on Monday 26 June 2023 at the UNSW Roundhouse in Sydney. ImpactX ( www.impactx.tech ) brings together industry, government, investors, and other stakeholders to catalyse solutions to climate change, restore the natural environment and create the sustainable systems of the future. With its Impact X Summits, the company supports the growth and scaling of impact technologies and facilitates the acceleration of collective action. Circular Australia (www.circularaustralia.com.au ) is an independent not-for-profit organisation. Its mission is to deliver a zero-carbon economy by: Working collaboratively with businesses, government, researchers and individuals to remove barriers restricting growth in circular economy projects and initiatives Providing circular economy analysis and information to the market Helping deliver new circular economy markets, infrastructure and services Educating communities to promote circular behaviours and change Circular Australia has grown from the state-based NSW Circular model, it will focus on national projects and uniform regulation Australia wide. UNSW Sydney ( www.unsw.edu.au ) is one of the world's leading research and teaching-intensive universities, known for innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education with a global impact. Since our foundation in 1949, our aim has been to improve and transform lives through excellence in research, outstanding education, and a commitment to advancing a just society. Our cutting-edge research impacts a wide range of areas including housing affordability, water technology, waste management, hydrogen energy storage and cancer research. Solar photovoltaic cells developed from UNSW research are embedded in almost 90 per cent of all solar panels in the world, playing a critical role in the global transition to renewable energy. IUCA ( www.universitiesforclimate.org ) brings together leading universities from across 25 countries with critical capability in climate research. Universities are uniquely placed to share knowledge and expertise in climate science, climate change adaptation and mitigation. We believe it is through collaboration that we can create greater insight and action. Facilitating knowledge sharing and best practice approaches allows our members to establish a global perspective on localised challenges. Enabling informed policy-making and supporting global efforts to lower carbon emissions and increase the rate, scope and impact of climate action. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/2nd-australian-circular-economy-forum-to-develop-roadmap-to-achieve-australian-circular-economy-by-2030-301862884.html SOURCE Impact X [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Fairtility Unveils CHLOE OQ Expanding its Offering into Fertility Preservation Tweet CHLOE OQ Secures CE, Empowering Embryologists and Patients with Oocyte Quality Insights for Egg Freezing, Egg Donation and IVF Applications TEL AVIV, Israel, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairtility, the transparent AI innovator powering reproductive care for improved outcomes, today announced the launch of CHLOE OQ, bringing Oocyte Quality Insights to CHLOE's core technology suite of capabilities and expanding the applicability of its AI-driven decision support tool to fertility preservation. The solution will be unveiled at the 39th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) being held in Copenhagen, Denmark from June 25 to 28, 2023. With CE declared for CHLOE OQ, the new Oocyte Quality Insights capability offers IVF professionals comprehensive information to support decision making as patients undergo fertility preservation or assisted reproductive journeys. CHLOE OQ delivers predictions of an oocyte's potential to reach the blastocyst stage post-fertilization. "An embryologist's assessment of fertility potential involves understanding three factors: sperm, oocytes and embryos. We can evaluate the viability of embryos and understand sperm quality. However, assessing oocyte quality has remained a statistical gamble," said Dr. Cristina Hickman, Chief Clinical Officer of Fairtility. "When looking at a seemingly 'good' oocyte, we can't really identify which one will become a blast after fertilization. CHLOE OQ helps us fill the critical gap, providing evidence-based viability predictions for the evaluation of oocytes. This will help clinicians to provide transparency to patients while discussing the potential of frozen oocytes for fertility preservation, the potential reasons for a failed IVF cycle, or when assessing and allocating donor eggs." Oocyte potential prediction for reaching blastulation and pregnancy commonly relies on statistical methods based on a woman's age. Embryologists analyze oocyte quality based on oocyte maturity and characteristics including size, texture, shape, discoloration and fragmentation. However, these factors have proven to be subjective and lack correlation with the actual quality of the egg. CHLOE OQ brings the power of AI to oocyte assessment, replacing generalized decision making with personalized, data-driven AI analysis that reveals the potential of each oocyte backed by biological data. CHLOE OQ offers personalized data to support decision making forthree key applications: Egg Freezing : In the process of fertility preservation, IVF professionals may recommend an additional oocyte retrieval based on the raw number of oocytes retrieved. While CHLOE OQ cannot change the biology of the egg, it can assist in providing a personalised assessment and managing expectations for family planning early on. CHLOE OQ helps IVF professionals and patients make informed decisions on whether to undergo an additional oocyte retrieval cycle. The tool is designed to optimize the chances of successful IVF in the future and gives women greater control of their reproductive opportunities later in life. : In the process of fertility preservation, IVF professionals may recommend an additional oocyte retrieval based on the raw number of oocytes retrieved. While cannot change the biology of the egg, it can assist in providing a personalised assessment and managing expectations for family planning early on. CHLOE OQ helps IVF professionals and patients make informed decisions on whether to undergo an additional oocyte retrieval cycle. The tool is designed to optimize the chances of successful IVF in the future and gives women greater control of their reproductive opportunities later in life. Egg Donation : CHLOE OQ helps fertility clinics and egg banks to further assess the quality of donor eggs, ensuring equitable distribution to recipients. By leveraging data-driven insights, donor-egg providers may match recipients with the most suitable donor eggs, increasing the chances of successful IVF outcomes, maximizing limited donor egg resources and enhancing the donor-recipient experience. IVF Treatment : During IVF , older patients are often guided to utilize donor eggs based on age rather than the true quality of their eggs. The fact that pregnancy rate reduces with age leads to the assumption that after age 40, a failed IVF cycle is because of egg quality. This is correct statistically, but not necessarily in an individual case. CHLOE OQ is expected to help IVF professionals consider if a patient's own eggs have sufficient quality for a successful IVF treatment, or if an egg donor may be a more suitable option. This reduces costs for patients undergoing IVF and maximizes egg donor resources. A better understanding of oocyte quality also provides IVF professionals insight on an oocyte's role in a failed IVF cycle, enabling better treatment decisions for future IVF cycles. "Adding oocyte analysis broadens CHLOE's core technology capabilities, extending beyond embryo assessment for IVF. CHLOE OQ now provides decision support for fertility preservation, egg donation, and female-factor infertility in IVF treatment. This expansion allows us to assist a larger population seeking to secure their reproductive futures," stated Eran Eshed, CEO and Co-Founder of Fairtility. "While we can't halt the passage of time and the consequent decline in oocyte quality, we can effectively freeze it. With CHLOE OQ, patients, through their fertility care team, can gain transparency into their oocytes' viability, enabling proactive management of their reproductive health and facilitating well-informed decisions based on biological data." CHLOE's core technology is the first and only decision support tool that combines AI-driven analysis of embryos and oocytes with explainable biological insights in terms that IVF professionals understand and can trust. This supports data driven and consistent decision making in the IVF lab, with a goal of optimizing outcomes, making fertility care more efficient and creating new family-building possibilities. About Fairtility Fairtility is powering reproductive care through transparent AI to improve outcomes. Its core technology, CHLOE, equips clinicians and their patients with unparalleled visibility into fertility treatment. CHLOE is a single, intelligent product suite with an expanding set of capabilities. It can automatically quantify established biomarkers and discover novel ones at scale throughout embryo development and oocyte assessment, all with the intention of setting a new standard in reproductive care. CHLOE EQ and CHLOE OQ brings standardized and objective analysis designed to improve outcomes, making fertility care more efficient and transparent for both IVF professionals and patients. To learn more about Fairtility or schedule a demo, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. Media Contact Nicole Kaufman-Grubner +1-929-588-2011 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fairtility-unveils-chloe-oq-expanding-its-offering-into-fertility-preservation-301862956.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Boxed Water Throws Shade on New York (literally) With "Greenhouse" SoulCycle Ride Celebrating One Tree Planted Partnership Tweet New Yorkers rallied around the most renewable water's expanded NYC distribution, urban tree planting efforts in Queens, and the new Watermelon flavor. HOLLAND, Mich., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends of Boxed Water the most sustainably packaged water compared to single-use plastic bottles and aluminum cans gathered at the Williamsburg SoulCycle in Brooklyn to celebrate the brand's expanding New York presence and urban tree planting efforts that are currently underway in Queens and cities across the U.S. By joining forces with SoulCycle, who recently converted all packaged water in studios to Boxed Water, attendees were treated to lush, foliage-forward studio rides with an abundance of decorative plants provided by Horti. Following the "Greenhouse" spin, guests hydrated with Boxed Water's newest flavored water, Watermelon. "We wanted to underscore a theme of replenishment in our role of offsetting plastic waste, offering clean hydration, and planting trees," said Kavita Shah, VP of Marketing at Boxed Water. "We are thrilled that our presence and role in New York is growing commercially and philanthropically, where businesses and consumers alike are pushing for change for the benefit of the planet." Earlier this month Boxed Water shared that they are working with the independent operators (IOs) of the Tropicana Brand Group to increase distribution throughout metro NY. Meanwhile, New York hotels looking to offset waste by swapping out plastic and aluminum packaging for Boxed Water include Pendry Manhattan West, The Edition, The Wall Street Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel, Civilian, and many more. "Travel/hospitality is one of those arenas where there is a large demand for packaged water dueto travelers' refill limits and challenges," added Shah. "The New York hotel industry is a priority focus for us because of our potential to really reduce waste." Also underway, 800 of a planned 2,000 urban trees have been planted in Kissena Park, Queens through One Tree Planted's Urban Forestry Action Fund. Boxed Water is proud to be supporting this project as well as other urban planting efforts across the US including the planting of 240 trees in San Francisco, CA; 600 fruit trees in Inglewood, CA; 120 trees at municipal schools in Orlando, FL; and 100 street trees in Boston, MA. Urban tree efforts will help mitigate the effect of dangerous urban heat islands, providing green spaces for communities in need and enhancing air quality to improve human health. Boxed Water is also continuing its longstanding partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), where they have funded 1.4 million planted trees over the last six years to areas impacted by wildfires and deforestation. "We want Boxed Water's existence to have a net positive effect with our consumers, our partners, and, most importantly, our planet," said Boxed Water CEO Daryn Kuipers who attended the New York event. "It's wonderful to share space today with people looking to make change in a way that's fun, replenishing and celebratory." Boxed Water continues to lead the water category with the most renewable packaging compared to plastic and aluminum, as verified by an ISO certified Life Cycle Analysis conducted by Anthesis. Boxed Water cartons are 92% plant based (including the cap), all sourced from sustainably harvested pines and tree pulp waste. This year, the brand received CarbonNeutral product certification from Climate Impact Partners on its 500 ml cartons. Boxed Water's cartons are also 100% curbside recyclable for a majority of U.S. residents, including New Yorkers. To learn more about Boxed Water and its sustainability efforts, visit https://boxedwaterisbetter.com/ or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or Twitter. ABOUT BOXED WATER Boxed Water was founded in the belief that sustainability matters with the purpose of changing the way packaged water is shipped, sold, and enjoyed. This year, Boxed Water became the most sustainable brand on the market, at 92 percent plant based with their packaging and new plant-based cap. All Boxed Water's cartons source paper from trees in well-managed forests where new trees are continuously planted to replace the ones harvested and are shipped flat to reduce the number of trucks required for transportation. Boxed Water also fills water close to the source and the consumer to reduce its carbon footprint, and all cartons are 100% recyclable, refillable, and BPA free. Boxed Water is a proud member of 1% For The Planet and partner of the National Forest Foundation and Ocean Blue Project. The simple act of choosing Boxed Water is a statement that sustainability matters. Boxed Water is headquartered in Holland, Michigan with filling locations in Michigan and Utah. Media Contact [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boxed-water-throws-shade-on-new-york-literally-with-greenhouse-soulcycle-ride-celebrating-one-tree-planted-partnership-301862759.html SOURCE Boxed Water Is Better [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Liberty Defense Announces Factoring Agreement to Support Improved Working Capital Credit Facility up to $10M USD Tweet WILMINGTON, Mass., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2A), a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, announces it has finalized an accounts receivable-based factoring agreement with a well established financial firm that will advance capital to the Company. Liberty will leverage accounts receivables from commercial product sales to support working capital needs The agreement provides immediate access to cash flow to support production of inventory to meet ongoing demand The agreement is to finance purchase orders from $1m and up to $10m "This factoring agreement gives us a source of non-dilutive funding that helps us advance our go-to-market objectives," said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. "The ongoing demand we are seeing for HEXWAVE in the marketplace is driving the need to manufacture more product and manage our working capital in support of sales." The Company is currently in sales discussions with organizations that range from airports, professional sports, universities, a national laboratory, state legislatures, and a large religious center, and has recently sold systems to The Greater Toronto Airports Authority for use at Toronto Pearson International Airport. For updates and news, please visit the Company website to subscribe to email alerts or follow Liberty Defense on social channels. On Behalf of Liberty Defense Bill Frain CEO & Director About Liberty Defense Liberty Defense (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF, FRANKFURT: LD2A) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE product, for which the company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-defense-announces-factoring-agreement-to-support-improved-working-capital-credit-facility-up-to-10m-usd-301862829.html SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Stolen Identities Remains Top Cybersecurity Threat in ForgeRock Identity Breach Report Tweet ForgeRock (NYSE: FORG), a global digital identity leader, today announced findings from its 2023 ForgeRock Identity Breach Report, which revealed that stolen identities continue to cause massive breaches, exposing 1.5 billion user records and costing businesses an average of $9.4 million per breach in 2022. As more identities are stolen each year, AI-driven fraud attacks are creating a larger threat landscape for consumers and enterprises alike. Through the use of new technologies like generative AI, tactics such as phishing emails, malicious code and voice or video-based impersonation, otherwise known as "deep fakes," are becoming more common and difficult to detect. The ForgeRock 2023 Identity Breach Report underscores that attackers continue to target credentials and use them as a stepping stone to infiltrate an organization across industries and geographies - and AI is making it more difficult for the average human to identify threats. The compromise of one single authorized identity of an employee inside an enterprise or of a service provider to the enterprise can cause a serious breach or ransomware attack affecting millions of consumers. Organizations need to adopt holistic digital identity and access management solutions that strengthen security, without jeopardizing the user experience, across all functions. Other key findings from this year's report include: Unauthorized access is the leading cause of breaches for the fifth consecutive year. 52% of all reported breaches came through third-prty partners and suppliers. Healthcare remains a top target with attacks increasing by 50% compared to 2021. Social Security Number and date of birth information were exposed in 72% of breaches. Attacks within the financial services sector decreased by 29%, but nearly half of those attacks affected the insurance industry. "The most secure organizations will be those that combine the use of technologies like AI with a well designed approach to security operations and usability," said Eve Maler, CTO at ForgeRock. In addition to U.S. data breaches, the ForgeRock Identity Breach Report also highlights attacks in other regions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Singapore. To download the 2023 ForgeRock Identity Breach Report, please visit www.forgerock.com. Methodology ForgeRock compiled the Consumer Identity Breach Report from data breaches in the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Singapore. The data was gathered from several sources including the Identity Theft Resource Center, which collects information about publicly reported data breaches from a variety of sources, Forrester Research, the Ponemon Institute, among others. The report focuses on confirmed breaches in which confidential data has been exposed and/or stolen; breaches that occurred as a result of third parties were researched to determine the root causes. ForgeRock collected this data between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. About ForgeRock ForgeRock (NYSE: FORG) is a global digital identity leader helping people simply and safely access the connected world. The ForgeRock Identity Platform delivers enterprise-grade identity solutions at scale for customers, employees, and connected devices. More than 1,300 organizations depend on ForgeRock's comprehensive platform to manage and secure identities with identity orchestration, dynamic access controls, governance, and APIs in any cloud or hybrid environment. For more information, visit www.forgerock.com or follow ForgeRock on social media: Facebook ForgeRock | Twitter @ForgeRock | LinkedIn ForgeRock. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230620758790/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Vindara targets growth in vertical farming industry Tweet ORLANDO, Fla., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Private equity investment manager Sandton Capital Partners ("Sandton") has acquired Vindara for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2018, Vindara is the first company to develop seeds specifically designed for use in vertical indoor farm environments as well as other controlled environment agriculture (CEA) farming methods. Sandton has acquired the company from US vertical farming company Kalera and provides investment to support the future growth of Vindara under the leadership of Dr. Jade Stinson. Vindara is based in Orlando, Florida where it has assembled an industry leading database of worldwide produce, tracking thousands of varieties and looking at everything from physical measurements to texture and flavor. Combining advanced technology with state-of-the-art research and development facilities the company uses genomics, machine learning, and computational biology along with traditional breeding methods to meet the market need for delicious produce that is nonGMO, nutritous and faster growing. Vindara continues to develop and expand its ever-growing IP protected seed variety portfolio. Vindara can deliver any kind of genetic variety, tailored to each customer's needs. The company's breeding process provides a simpler, shorter path than traditional methods, reducing the time needed from 5-7 years to a remarkable 12-18 months. This results in increased output and optimizing yield and profitability. Dr. Jade Stinson will continue as Co-Founder and CEO and is focused on accelerating and expanding Vindara's seed research and development programs to serve the entire global indoor farming market. Vindara has a long-term committed staff base who will all remain with the business. Dr. Jade Stinson, Co-Founder and CEO of Vindara said: "Vindara was founded on a vision to build a company that could change the vertical farming sector. Our seed development process is unprecedented because we can develop customized seeds for indoor growers faster than any other seed provider. Innovation is at the heart of our strategy to deliver tailor-made alternatives designed specifically for indoor use, without sacrificing quality, taste and nutrients. The business is well capitalized which supports our strategy to become a leader in the vertical farming space. This is an exciting period for Vindara and its future growth as we look to leverage on our unique offering and expand our position in the vertical farming sector." About Vindara Vindara is the first company to deliver genetic seed varieties bred explicitly for use in high-tech vertical indoor farming operations. Founded in 2018, the company utilizes deep machine learning and analytics to develop tailor-made seeds in a compressed timeframe of only 12-18 months. To learn more visit www.Vindara.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vindara-targets-growth-in-vertical-farming-industry-301861329.html SOURCE Vindara [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] OMAPiX Announces Strategic Partnerships with Leading Spatial Biology Platform Providers to Accelerate Life Science Research and Drug Development Tweet OMAPiX, a leading provider of spatial omics services and custom data analytics, today announced strategic partnerships with Vizgen, Inc., Resolve Biosciences, and Ultivue, Inc. As part of the agreements, OMAPiX scientists will use Vizgen's MERSCOPE Platform technology, Resolve Biosciences' Molecular Cartography technology, and Ultivue's InSituPlex and UltiStacker technologies to provide customers with standardized, reliable, high-quality spatial transcriptomic and proteomic data and unique insights to accelerate drug development and life science research. Formerly known as the European Spatial Biology Center, OMAPiX offers a full suite of customized spatial transcriptomic and proteomic data services for large-scale pharmaceutical and academic research projects. Its state-of-the-art laboratory in Leuven is equipped with multiple spatial biology technology platforms that are used to visualize and quantify hundreds of genes or proteins in individual cells. The company will also be opening a similar facility in the US later this year. The deep molecular profiling services are designed to map gene expression across a tissue sample, analyze the localization of transcripts across cell types, and measure cell activities and cell-to-cell interactions to aid in the discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. "Vizgen is proud to have our MERSCOPE Platform spatial transcriptomics technology included as part of the OMAPiX suite of service offerings," said Terry Lo, CEO at Vizgen. "The OMAPiX team has deep expertise in the many nuances of spatial biology. We believe this will further support OMAPiX customers in receiving the highest-quality data to accelerate their discovery and clinical projects." "Resolve Biosciences is excited to partner with OMAPiX as we look to increase access to our Molecular Cartography platform for expansion in the applied markets and drug development segments," said John Stark, CEO at Resolve Biosciences. "Our collective efforts will nable the translational research and drug development communities to apply spatially resolved, high-dimensional, multi-omic analysis to their studies at scale, especially those involving immune response. These new capabilities will ultimately empower researchers with an improved understanding of the molecular causes of disease and deeper insights into associated treatments." "Ultivue is very pleased to support the OMAPiX team as it strives toward its important mission of expanding access to spatial biology tools to scientists around the world," said Rob Carson, CEO at Ultivue. "Our InSituPlex assays and digital pathology offerings such as UltiStacker enable whole-slide spatial phenotyping for clinical biomarker development, complementing other OMAPiX offerings." Since each project has its own set of requirements and each platform has its own unique set of advantages, the OMAPiX team works closely with customers to identify the best technologies and data analysis solutions for each preclinical or clinical program. For all projects, the company's end-to-end workflow includes scientific and technological consultancy, study design, sample preparation, sample processing, and custom data analysis. "We are thrilled to announce these strategic partnerships with Vizgen, Resolve Biosciences, and Ultivue as part of our ongoing commitment to expand our spatial biology services portfolio for both transcriptomics and proteomics studies in Europe and North America," said Nachiket Kashikar, PhD, CEO of OMAPiX. "Helping scientists conduct more of these large-scale spatial transcriptomic studies in a timely and cost-effective manner addresses a huge unmet market need today and will power the next wave of advances in precision medicine." OMAPiX plans to announce additional strategic spatial biology collaborations and data programs later this year. For more information on the OMAPiX deep molecular profiling services, please visit www.OMAPiX.com. About OMAPiX Founded in 2021, OMAPiX is a leading provider of end-to-end spatial omics services and custom data analytics for large-scale pharmaceutical and academic research projects. The company's state-of-the-art laboratory in Leuven, Belgium, features the cutting-edge spatial biology platforms required for deep molecular profiling with the scientific expertise needed to select the right technologies for each project. Customers can rapidly visualize and quantify individual RNA transcripts and rare protein signal data to help advance their understanding of disease progression and therapeutic response related to oncology, neurological disorders, rare diseases, and other complex conditions. For more information, please visit www.OMAPiX.com. Vizgen and MERSCOPE are registered trademarks of Vizgen Inc. Resolve Biosciences and Molecular Cartography are trademarks of Resolve Biosciences. Ultivue, InSituPlex, and UltiStacker are registered trademarks of Ultivue, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626486688/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Onramp Joins Walmart Marketplace to Help eCommerce Businesses Grow Tweet AUSTIN, Texas, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Onramp, an innovative funding provider that supports the growth of eCommerce businesses, has joined Walmart Marketplace, connecting its funding platform to allow Walmart's eCommerce sellers to access fast, flexible financing solutions to help drive scale. With this integration, Onramp can now offer online sellers on Walmart Marketplace growth capital funding for business functions like inventory management, marketing, and shipping, with repayment terms that are directly aligned with their sales performance. "As an approved Walmart Marketplace Solutions Provider, Onramp can now help sellers on Walmart Marketplace secure funding to grow their business faster," said Eric Youngstrom, Onramp's CEO. "We're thrilled to be helping sellers on Walmart Marketplace scale their businesses and achieve success. The opportunities for growth available to eCommerce sellers are phenomenal. We're honoed to be a partner to eCommerce business owners in facilitating the access to cash necessary to grow." Existing Onramp customers who already sell on Walmart Marketplace can now, for the first time, also take advantage of this integration. Onramp's customers not currently selling on Walmart.com, can take advantage of this business-building opportunity by becoming a Walmart Marketplace Seller. Benefits include: Selling with more confidence, as Walmart.com is a marketplace built on trust, transparency, and fairness. Saving and earning more on a marketplace designed with sellers in mind. Accessing a built-in audience of 120 million Walmart.com monthly visitors, according to Comscore data (Media Matrix, October 2021 ). ). Enjoying ZERO monthly or set up fees and competitive commission and fulfillment fees. Leveraging powerful solutions for pricing, catalog management, fulfillment, returns, and brand management. Unlocking access to Walmart Fulfillment Services and Walmart Connect. Walmart Marketplace is a community of professional sellers whose high-quality assortments complement the first-party offerings on Walmart.com. According to Mirakl, 70% of consumers believe online marketplaces are the most convenient way to shop for better delivery options, selection, and prices. Onramp is redefining the way eCommerce companies are funding their businesses. Based in Austin, TX, Onramp's team is steeped in eCommerce, building tools for online businesses and helping sellers thrive with a unique repayment model that aligns with their sales. Onramp's mission is to democratize finance and empower online sellers to scale their business, capture their demand, and meet their dreams. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onramp-joins-walmart-marketplace-to-help-ecommerce-businesses-grow-301861130.html SOURCE Onramp Funds, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] SiebenCarey Managing Partner Jim Carey Named To POWER 30 by MINNESOTA LAWYER Tweet Jim Carey, managing partner of SiebenCarey, was selected as a 2023 POWER 30 Personal Injury Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer, a widely respected trade journal for Minnesota's legal profession. Click here to read the magazine's POWER 30 profile about Carey. "In POWER 30, we have focused on those whose mere presence on a case signifies the stakes, who have influenced the direction of the law, whose leadership in the community is pervasive and whose respect within the bar is undeniable," Minnesota Lawyer wrote. Selections result from deep reporting by the publication's editorial team, which includes interviews with respected attorneys and others around the state. The editors also review the outcomes of significant cases handled by the nominees. "It is very gratifying to receive recognition like this for a job you love to do so much," said Carey, who started clerkig for the firm in 1983 while in law school and has worked there ever since. "I know it may sound a little corny to some, but nothing is more satisfying to me than helping people and their families recover from life-changing injuries by protecting their legal rights. Hopefully, recognitions like these mean I've succeeded." Carey specializes in cases involving auto accidents, wrongful death, nursing home negligence and abuse, and catastrophic personal injury. He has a reputation for winning significant verdicts and sits on the American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite organization of accomplished trial attorneys. In addition, Carey is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by both the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Minnesota State Bar Association. This distinction is awarded to fewer than 2% of all Minnesota's personal injury attorneys. Carey received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn., in 1982 and his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minn., in 1987 (now the Mitchell Hamline School of Law). Carey grew up on Minnesota's Iron Range in Biwabik, Minn. Today, he and his wife Molly reside in Edina and enjoy regular visits from their three children and four grandchildren. About SiebenCarey Founded in 1952, SiebenCarey has become one of Minnesota's largest and most widely respected personal injury law firms, successfully representing more than 65,000 injury victims. For 70 years, the firm has employed experienced lawyers and professional support personnel handling personal injury, workers' compensation, wrongful death, and medical malpractice claims. The offices are located throughout Minnesota in Minneapolis, Lakeville, and Duluth. For more information, visit: www.knowyourrights.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626147727/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] MRO Launches New Solution to Innovate Clinical Data Exchange Between Providers and Payers Tweet Payer Exchange reduces administrative burdens for providers and payers during risk adjustment and other reviews while closing costly reporting gaps. NORRISTOWN, Pa., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MRO Corp., a clinical data exchange company, officially launched a new technology solution at HFMA Annual Conference 2023 held at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Payer Exchange supports both providers and payers as they navigate the rising volumes of medical records and clinical data needed to meet risk adjustment and other mandatory reviews and reporting. "MRO's Payer Exchange solution builds on our Best in KLAS Release of Information (ROI) technology, services and 20-year legacy of supporting providers across their full scope of ROI needs," said Jason Brown, CEO, MRO Corp. "The solution is purpose built for providers performing ROI in-house, but who need help managing the growing demand from payers for high quality and timely clinical data in a consumable format." Payer Exchange automates four critical steps through secure, electronic connections: Requests are digitized, with specific data requirements tagged, and communicated directly to the provider organization's EHRs and other systems. Automated chart retrieval is performed at scale, leveraging modern HL7 FHIR APIs and MRO's Enterprise Connector. Specific requested data is intelligently pulled to fulfill the requestfrom over 200+ EHRs. Developer sandbox is available for requester IT teams to review API specifications and test payloads. "Beyond digitizing the process, we also uphold patient privacy and data quality and ensure risk adjustment premium accuracy," said Mo Weitnauer, Chief Product Officer, MRO Corp. "Both providers and payers receive full transparency into requesters, request turnaround times, patient match rates, and chart request project status to improve communications." To learn more about MRO's new Payer Exchange solution, visit Booth #213 at the HFMA Annual Conference 2023. About MRO MRO is accelerating the exchange of clinical data throughout the healthcare ecosystem on behalf of providers, payers and users of clinical data. By utilizing industry-leading solutions and incorporating the latest technology, MRO is helping providers manage and release clinical data. With a 20-year legacy and as a 10-time KLAS winner, MRO brings a technology-driven mindset built upon a customer-first service foundation and a relentless focus on customer excellence. MRO connects over 200 EHRs, 200,000 providers, 35,000 practices, and 900 hospitals while extracting more than 1.3 billion clinical records. For more information, visit www.mrocorp.com. Press contact information: Stephanie Kindlick MRO (610) 994-7500, ext. 1353 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mro-launches-new-solution-to-innovate-clinical-data-exchange-between-providers-and-payers-301861309.html SOURCE MRO [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Korea was left out in the cold when China newly authorized group package tours to 40 countries last week. The website of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism lists 40 countries from France and Spain to Vietnam as permissible destinations for travel agencies that organize group tours from Wednesday, but not Korea. On Feb. 6, China selected 20 countries including Thailand, Indonesia and the UAE as authorized destinations for group tours, but at the time Seoul was locked in a diplomatic tussle with Beijing because it halted short-term visas for Chinese travelers over the coronavirus surge there. The two sides have now resolved the conflict, but so far Korea remains excluded together with the U.S. and Japan. [June 26, 2023] Watchtower Capital Partners Completes First Platform Investment in Ally Services Tweet WASHINGTON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Watchtower Capital Partners has simultaneously closed the acquisitions of SPS Mechanical (SPS) and JF Plumbing & Heating (JF), the two of which comprise a newly formed company, Ally Services (www.allyservicesgroup.com). Ally is a regional provider of essential home and facility services, including repair, maintenance, and replacement of plumbing, water filtration, and HVAC systems. Ally serves over 3,000 residential and light commercial customers annually throughout Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington D.C. After the initial acquisitions of SPS and JF, Ally also closed its first add-on acquisition, CarrFord Heating & Air Conditioning (CarrFord). CarrFord provides maintenance, repair, and replacement of HVAC systems and water boilers, allowing Ally to expand its market reach in New Jersey. At closing of the transaction, the founders of both SPS and JF stepped down from their full-time roles with their respective companies into consulting roles for Ally. One of the founders also retains a minority stake in Ally. Watchtower has named Byron Cantrall as CEO of Ally Services. Mr. Cantrall was formerly President of Clearwave Fiber and CEO of LS Networks. He has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in service businesses with expertise in scaling organizations, driving revenue growth, and upgrading nfrastructure and business systems. "There is a tremendous opportunity for Ally to grow organically and through strategic acquisitions," said Mr. Cantrall. "With the backing of Watchtower, we have a significant opportunity to make meaningful investments in the business, accelerate growth in our current footprint, expand into new markets, and ultimately take this company to the next level." "We are very excited to announce Ally Services as Watchtower's first platform investment," said Mike Minchella, Founding Partner of Watchtower. "Ally's core business fits perfectly with our focus on founder- and family-owned businesses that provide essential services in fragmented industries where we can drive growth through bolt-on acquisitions and organic investment in the business." "The founders of SPS, JF, and CarrFord have all built leading companies in their respective markets with a focus on excellent customer service, and we are eager to join forces with their respective teams to build upon the strong success they have achieved to date", said Casey Lanza, Founding Partner of Watchtower. "Our goal is to maintain each company's commitment to superior customer service, provide attractive career paths for Ally employees, and expand Ally's service territory into contiguous markets." Watchtower partnered with Aldine Capital Partners on the transaction. This marks the first platform investment for Watchtower Capital Partners. About Watchtower Capital Partners Watchtower Capital Partners invests in lower middle market companies that are headquartered in the US or Canada. Typical targets will have less than $7 million in EBITDA. Sectors of interest include industrial services, business services, building products, distribution, and niche manufacturing. For additional information on Watchtower Capital Partners, please visit www.watchtowercp.com. About Aldine Capital Partners Aldine Capital Partners is a private investment firm, which provides junior capital financing to lower middle-market companies. Aldine typically invests $4 million to $25 million per transaction in a combination of subordinated debt and equity. Collaborating with traditional and independent sponsors as well as talented management teams, Aldine deploys capital to facilitate growth, support acquisitions/buyouts, or provide shareholder liquidity. Aldine's success is built on a collaborative approach that harnesses over 90 years of combined experience and relationships to create tailored capital solutions. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/watchtower-capital-partners-completes-first-platform-investment-in-ally-services-301861252.html SOURCE Watchtower Capital Partners [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Wind River and Samsung Team to Advance the Software-Defined Vehicle Tweet Wind River, a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems, today announced a collaboration with Samsung Electronics' System LSI business, a leader in advanced semiconductor technology. Their work together will accelerate the software-defined vehicle, including development of high-quality in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) solutions, cabin monitoring, and advanced driver-assistance features. The automotive industry is evolving toward the software-defined vehicle, in which more features and functions are enabled primarily through software that can be updated quickly and easily. Ensuring that developers have superior tools, processes, and structures to create, test, and update that software efficiently is a top priority for the entire industry. To help accelerate this evolution, Wind River and Samsung will collaborate to provide customers with Wind River technology on Samsung's Exynos Auto V920 chipset, a fully integrated software and hardware solution for automotive. This integration will use Wind River Helix Virtualization Platform, a safety certifiable multi-core, multi-OS platform, allowing end users to mix a diverse set of runtime environments, safe and/or non-safe, including the VxWorks real-time operating system (RTOS), Linux, and Android. "A new software-defined approach is required for designing and developing the high-performance compute systems needed for connected, autonomous, and electric vehicles," said AvijitSinha, chief product officer, Wind River. "Our collaboration with Samsung enables OEMs and Tier 1s to leverage our four decades of experience in developing safety-critical applications for aerospace and defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications customers toward building the certified, mixed-criticality software systems that are essential for the software-defined vehicles of the future." "Our latest 5nm automotive processor, Exynos Auto V920, offers powerful and intelligent performance for a new level of in-vehicle experience with safer driving. It's able to run multiple applications on multiple VMs simultaneously in a highly power-efficient manner, satisfying the industry's low power consumption demand," said Hyeokman Kwon, vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. "Our close collaboration with Wind River allows us to enhance our industry-leading IVI development work and further expand into multiple safety-critical domains with Wind River leading runtime environments, including VxWorks and Helix Platform." To learn more about Samsung's Exynos Auto, visit www.semiconductor.samsung.com/processor/automotive-processor/exynos-auto-v9/. Find more information about Wind River's work in automotive at www.windriver.com/solutions/automotive. About Wind River Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio supported by world-class global professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com. Wind River is a trademark or registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc., and its affiliates. Other names may be the trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626241410/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Bedford / St. Martin's Continues Investment in Rhetoric and Composition with Ten New Scholars Tweet Artificial Intelligence is a topic of critical importance in college classrooms around the world, and its intersection with the Composition classroom is one of the many topics being addressed with promising graduate students this week. Today, Bedford/St. Martin's welcomes ten members to their 2023 Bedford New Scholars Advisory Board, an annual program that unites graduate students who share trends and insights on the various teaching challenges that they face in college composition classrooms. The Bedford New Scholars program was established 15 years ago to gain insights about topics critical to teaching the next generation of rhetoric and composition students. Topics addressed include creating equity in the classroom, how course materials are chosen, and how new pedagogies are being used. The scholars join more than 100 program alumni who have taught or will soon teach these critical classes. Composition courses are some of the most common and important prerequisite and gateway courses students must pass in order to graduate. In these classes, students learn the critical thinking, communication, and research skills that are necessary for their success in upper-level courses. However, a 2019 study by the Gardner Institute found that gateway courses like Composition can stand as "gatekeepers" to degree completion. "Bedford/St. Martin's has long been connected to the Composition community with its widely used titles like A Writer's Reference and The Bedford Reader. We deepen that connection each year with ongoing investment in the discipline, and the input of the Bedford New Scholars is an important part of that process," said Leasa Burton, Vice President of Humanities at Macmillan Learning. The Scholars will gather virtually throughout the week to share their perspectives on topics like AI, ethical argumentation, and creating diverse and equitable learning environments. Further, the scholars will have the opportunity to learn more about the publishing process and see what goes into producing widely-used writing pedagogy books such as A Writer's Reference, The Bedford Reader, The St. Martin's Guide to Writing, The Hub, and Everything's an Argument, as well as Macmillan Learning's digital learning platform, Achieve. Throughout the program, the Scholars participate in market research and focus groups that inform product development. This year's Scholars come from diverse backgrounds and have a range of experiences and perspectives, and the week-long summit offers opportunities for them to connect with each other to foster a more supportive and inclusive academic community. "This year's scholars are creative and innovative problem-solvers, and we're looking forward to learning more about how their teaching experiences can inform how we develop our products and services," Burton added. The program culminates with each graduate student sharing their "Assignments That Work" on the Macmillan Community. The assignments are complimentary to all within the education community and showcase the Bedford New Scholars pedagogy skills as well as build a valuable community of practice, feedback, and implementation. This year's Bedford New Scholars include: Emily Aguilar is a Master's student in English and a Teaching Associate at California State University, Los Angeles. Her experience teaching first-year writing has amplified her approach to equity-based teaching, especially for ESL students and students with disabilities. Hannah Benefiel is a Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition PhD student at Arizona State University. She serves as the Assistant Director of Writing programs and teaches Professional and Technical Communication, Composition 1&2, and the First Year Composition TA practicum. She writes about eating disorders, food as medicine, embodied technical communication, and religious trauma. Jacqueline Cano Diaz is pursuing an English MA in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Central Florida, where her thesis work centers on the rhetorical aspects of clothing choice, particularly as a woman of color in academia. She teaches Composition I and Composition II as part of the First Year Composition Program. Ronada Dominique is pursuing her PhD in English, concentrating on Writing and Rhetoric at George Mason University. She teaches First Year Composition courses and was the Graduate Writing Program Administrator, overseeing PhD mentoring and professional development. She explores the representation of Black scholars in Writing Studies publications and how research impacts the Black experience in higher education classrooms. Samira Grayson is pursuing her PhD in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition at Middle Tennessee State University. She has taught Expository Writing and Research and Argumentation, and currently serves as the University Writing Center's program coordinator. Her research interests include writing center and writing program administration, spatial rhetorics and place-based pedagogy, feminist historiography and research methods, and notions of authorship in collaborative writing. Hannah Hopkins is pursuing a PhD in Rhetoric & Writing at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is an Assistant Director of the Digital Writing and Research Lab and an Assistant Instructor for the Center for Teaching and Learning. With a focus on digital rhetoric, she teaches a variety of courses in writing and pedagogy. Her research generally investigates storytelling with and about data. Amanda E. Scott is pursuing a PhD in English with a concentration in Creative Writing at Western Michigan University, where she currently serves as an Assistant Director of First-Year Writing. She's taught a variety of undergraduate writing and editing courses as well as graduate-level courses in publishing. Her research often explores the intersections between inclusive writing practices, ethical design, and social inequities. Christopher Luis Shosted is currently enrolled at Lehigh University where he studies the intersection of rhetoric and literary studies. He teaches courses and served as the assistant in the First-Year Writing Program at Lehigh. His research areas focus on applications of classical rhetoric to modern situations and the assessment of student writing along large and small scales. Kristen Wheaton is pursuing her PhD in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Writing Studies at the University of Oklahoma. She is currently Senior Assistant Director and an instructor of First-Year Composition and is one of only three instructors leading the co-requisite course first introduced in Fall of 2022. In addition to her teaching role, Her research interests include resistance rhetorics, genre theory, ethos, and rhetorics of difference. Ashleah Wimberly is pursuing their PhD in Rhetoric and Composition at Florida State University. They teach a variety of courses, including first and second year composition and upper-level courses in FSU's Editing, Writing, & Media program. As a mentor and an assistant to the Composition Program, they have overseen the mentoring and training of graduate instructors and helped design and implement assessment protocols. Many Scholars have gone on to take leadership roles in writing programs in colleges and universities across the country (read more about three of them here). Or learn more about this year's Bedford New Scholars. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what's possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626845132/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Tokenized Securities: A Game-Changer for Growing Companies Tweet MyntExchange offers a transparent and efficient way to raise capital. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MyntExchange is a blockchain-based platform that provides businesses with a unique opportunity to raise capital for expansion. The platform offers innovative solutions for businesses seeking funding, such as tokenized securities, which provide a more efficient and transparent way to raise capital. With tokenized securities, businesses can increase liquidity and reduce the costs associated with issuing and trading securities. Additionally, tokenized securities make the fundraising process more efficient by reducing the time and cost associated with raising capital. Expanding a business can be a challenging process, especially for growing companies. Conquering debt Traditional funding options, such as bank loans, are still the most common way for businesses to fund their expansion with. However, alternative funding options, such as crowdfunding, venture capital, investment funds and angel investors, can also be a good option for businesses that may not qualify for traditional funding. MyntExchange provides businesses with access to a larger pool of investors, including those who may not have traditionally invested in the market. This can open up new opportunities for businesses to raise capital and expand their operations. Tokenized securities - digital representation of equity One of the main advantages of MyntExchange is that it provides businesses with access to a unique investment opportunity. By listing on the platform, businesses can gain exposure to a growing market for tokenized securities and attract a wider pool of potential investors. MyntExchange offers companies the opportunity to tokenize their assets and raise capital by selling asset-backed security tokens representing equity (bonds, stocks). Asset-backed security tokens are cryptographic tokens that represent ownership in an underlying real asset, such as real estate or commodities. These tokens provide investors with access to traditional assets that were previously not available on the blockchain, and they can be traded and transferred just like any other cryptocurrency. with minimal transaction costs. By leveraging the power of blockchain technology MyntExchange is poised to revolutionize the securities market. The platform provides increased transparency and reduced risk of fraud, making it an attractive option for investors. Additionally, by offering tokenized securities built on blockchains using smart contracts, MyntExchange provides businesses with increased liquidity and reduced costs associated with issuing and trading securities. The platform is at the forefront of this trend, leveraging the power of blockchain technology to revolutionize the securities market. MyntExchange offers a comprehensive platform for businesses seeking funding to raise capital and expand their investor base. By providing businesses with access to a larger pool of investors and a more efficient way to raise capital, MyntExchange is poised to disrupt the securities market. The platform is an exciting new alternative to traditional funding options, providing businesses with a unique investment opportunity and investors with access to traditional assets in the crypto market. For more information about MyntExchange and how it can help businesses fund their expansion, visit their website at [MyntExchange] CONTACT: www.myntcoin.io www.myntexchange.io [email protected] [email protected] Linkedin The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/myntfund-ehf-/i/group-1000001335,c3194181 Group 1000001335 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tokenized-securities-a-game-changer-for-growing-companies-301863305.html SOURCE Myntfund ehf. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Texas and SAS to improve flu tracking and response with analytics Tweet Flu data visualizations and projections will support more informed decision making by public health officials CARY, N.C., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global analytics leader SAS and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are teaming up to develop new public health dashboards for tracking influenza data across the state, unifying multiple flu surveillance sources into a central visualization platform. SAS' deep analytical capabilities also power the dashboard's predictive models, giving health providers better projections of a disease's spread. With the flu dashboards, Texas health officials can focus on their most important work: keeping Texans healthy. The flu data visualizations and analytics will be instrumental for Texas DSHS in anticipating regional surges in cases and allocating state resources to the areas with the most testing and vaccination needs while keeping the public informed on their local outbreak risk. With a more accurate and detailed picture of the influenza risk county-by-county, drawn from updated weekly data, Texas DSHS can initiate preventative measures that can mitigate the severity of outbraks and save more lives across the state. The Texas DSHS dashboards and analytics are powered by SAS Viya, the company's cloud-based AI, machine learning, analytics and data management platform. "SAS Viya is a perfect match for public health departments like Texas DSHS that are invested in making data work harder and smarter for government officials and the public," said Dr. Meghan Schaeffer, National Public Health Advisor and Epidemiologist at SAS. "With a better view of where flu is, and where it's likely going, Texas health officials can focus on their most important work: keeping Texans healthy." Learn more about how to conduct disease surveillance using SAS Viya. A clearer and more digestible representation of data will allow health providers to make informed decisions faster, especially during peak seasons of activity. At the same time, SAS Viya's ability to unify what has historically been a siloed data aggregation process onto a single dashboard dramatically reduces flu data analysis from hours down to minutes. The result is that providers can respond quickly with more influenza testing and vaccinations while accelerating the ability of health stakeholders to identify outbreaks. At this week's Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Conference, Schaeffer and Emilio Gonzales, Texas DSHS Influenza Surveillance Coordinator, will present a New View for Flu: SAS' Partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. MDT. Learn how SAS and other organizations are already making innovative use of data and analytics to better predict, detect, prepare and respond to future health threats on the Preparing for the Next Pandemic site. About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2023 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Contact: Trent Smith [email protected] 919-531-4726 sas.com/news View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/texas-and-sas-to-improve-flu-tracking-and-response-with-analytics-301861299.html SOURCE SAS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) Market to Grow at a Highest CAGR of 22.4% from 2023-2030, Offering, Solutions, Services, End User, Region, Size, Share, Growth, Key Drivers, Outlook, Demands and Competitive Landscape Tweet Washington, D.C., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report published by Delvens, titled, Advanced Distribution Management System Market by Offering (Solutions and Services), Solutions (Outage Management System, Energy Management System), Services (Professional and Managed Services), End User, Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa and South America), Supply & Demand Side Analysis, and Segment Forecasts, 2023-2030, The global market for Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) is expected to reach $8.7 billion by 2030 from $2.4 billion in 2022, registering impressive expansion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.4% during the forecast period 2023-2030. A software-based solution called an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) is used to manage and control electricity grids. It is used to control energy output, manage power demand, and lessen distribution grid outages. Along with managing DERs, tightly integrated utility tools, and closed-loop communication with building management systems, ADMS also manages distributed energy resources (DERs). It is extensively used for volt control, automated meter reading (AMR), customer information, and distribution management. It offers improved data security, power quality, use of renewable energy sources, and disaster resilience. As a result, ADMS has numerous uses in a variety of sectors, including telecommunication, information technology (IT), industry, energy, and the military. The expansion of the global market for advanced distribution management systems is primarily driven by two important aspects. Power and cost-efficiency requirements are constantly rising, and product catalog management's rising demand is another factor fueling the market's quick expansion. Additionally, the expansion of the smart grid and the rising need for energy in urban and rural areas will open up attractive market prospects. Get FREE Sample Report: https://www.delvens.com/get-free-sample/advanced-distribution-management-system-adms-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 The main factors impeding the market's growth include issues with interoperability, insufficient utility incentives, and data security challenges. COVID-19 has impacted the world economy; it has completely changed the work culture and forced people to work from home. It has affected all segments and completely disrupted the way people manage their businesses. Various companies have launched new solutions to support businesses. With the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, ADMS solutions faced a substantial hit in the energy sector, majorly for data collection and remote monitoring. However, COVID-19 is expected to help overcome these challenges as it has positively impacted market growth. Since the energy and utility industry is considered essential services, the coronavirus pandemic has forced these utilities to rethink how many of their operations are performed, and how they engage with both their staff and their customers. Segmentation Analysis By Solution, the Energy Management System segment to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period The outage management system (OMS), energy management system (EMS), distributed energy resource management system (DERMS), geographic information system (GIS), customer information system (CIS), and meter data management system (MDMS) are the various solutions that make up the advanced distribution management system market. The segment for Energy Management Systems is anticipated to develop at the fastest rate among solutions over the forecast period. The expansion of EMS solutions in the ADMS market is driven by rising energy consumption, fluctuating energy prices, rising carbon emission percentage, and rising demand for home energy management and building energy management solutions. Regional Insights Asia Pacific is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period The market for advanced distribution management systems will expand in the Asia Pacific area as a result of factors including the enormous increase in energy demand brought on by factors such as fast economic development, urbanization, and industrialization. Additionally, the region's energy demand, generation capacity, and transmission and distribution networks have all experienced rapid increases. For More Information or Query or Customization Before Buying, Visit at: https://www.delvens.com/Inquire-before-buying/advanced-distribution-management-system-adms-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Key Companies & Market Share Insights Some of the key players operating in the global Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) market are Schneider Electric, General Electric, Siemens AG, Hitachi, Oracle, Itron, Landis+GYR, ETAP, OSI, Minsait ACS, Elipse Software, Wipro, Survalent Technology, Tantalus, Hexagon Safety and Infrastructure, Eaton, Mitsubishi Electric, IBM, AutoGrid, EnergyHub, Opus One Solutions, PXiSE Energy Solutions, GridBright, Innowatts, SparkMeter, depsys, and mPrest among others. Recent Developments Minsait ACS partnered with ESRI, a pioneer in mapping, location intelligence, and geographic information system (GIS) software with headquarters in the US, in April 2022. Through this strategic relationship, Minsait ACS focuses on a global growth strategy based on GIS. To transfer the most recent version of its Advanced Distribution Management Software (ADMS) to a control center in Craiova, Distributie Energie Oltenia in Romania collaborated with Siemens Smart Infrastructure in March 2022. Market Outlook Driver: Increasing desire for a single, integrated platform that is secure, effective, and efficient underpins the demand for sophisticated distribution management systems. Different businesses are forced to employ integrated single-platform advanced distribution management systems due to the growing complexity of networks and the need to conduct network operations efficiently. This platform unifies all applications, solutions, and related data onto a single platform, allowing network operators to run their networks smoothly and effectively. Cybersecurity and data privacy are key considerations, so exercise restraint. The most crucial data concerns are power and utilities. It produces enormous amounts of data every day, and to protect that data, it needs a very secure infrastructure with several information security levels. The main issue in this market is data privacy. People are concerned about their personal information; they will only disclose it if they are confident in its security and privacy. Possibility: Increasing interest in electric vehicles The development of sophisticated distribution management systems has increased due to the rising demand for electric vehicles. Schneider Electric claims that as the number of electric vehicles has climbed, so has electricity usage. The governments of the UK and France estimate that by 2040, sales of conventional vehicles could reach 25% to 30%. Resistance to change and embracing new technologies pose challenges. The utility industry is progressing because of technological breakthroughs including sophisticated metering infrastructure, energy management systems, outage management systems, and smart displays of energy consumption, but there are still barriers to utilities adopting these developments. Direct Purchase of the Global Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) Market Research Report at: https://www.delvens.com/checkout/advanced-distribution-management-system-adms-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Global Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) Market Table of Contents Offering Outlook Software Service Consulting System Integration Support and Maintenance System Type Outlook Distribution Management System (DMS) Automated Meter Reading/Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMR/AMI) Distributed Energy Resources Management Systems (DERMS) Energy Management Systems (EMS) Customer Information Systems (CIS) Meter Data Management Systems (MDMS) Vertical Outlook Energy & Utilities IT and Telecommunications Manufacturing Defense and Government Infrastructure Transportation & Logistics Others End-user Verticals Regional Outlook Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Sweden Austria Finland Belgium Turkey Russia Poland Hungary Czech Republic Switzerland Netherlands Rest of Europe North Ameria U.S. Canada Mexico Asia-Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Vietnam New Zealand Philippines Thailand Malaysia Hong Kong Taiwan Singapore Indonesia Sri Lanka Rest of Asia-Pacific South America Brazil Argentina Chile Colombia Rest of South America Middle East And Africa South Africa U.A.E. Saudi Arabia Oman Qatar Iran Egypt Rest of Middle East and Africa Read More About the Global Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) Market Research Report: https://www.delvens.com/report/advanced-distribution-management-system-adms-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Report Scope Report Feature Descriptions Growth Rate CAGR of 22.4% during the forecasting period, 2023-2030 Historical Data 2019-2021 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Base Year 2022 Units Considered Revenue in USD billion and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 Report Segmentation System Type, Offering, Vertical, and Region. Report Attribute Market Revenue Sizing (Global, Regional and Country Level) Company Share Analysis, Market Dynamics, Company Profiling Regional Level Scope North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa Country Level Scope U.S., Japan, Germany, U.K., China, India, Brazil, UAE, South Africa (50+ Countries Across the Globe) Companies Profiled Schneider Electric, General Electric, Siemens AG, Hitachi, Oracle, Itron, Landis+GYR, ETAP, OSI, Minsait ACS, Elipse Software, Wipro, Survalent Technology, Tantalus, Hexagon Safety and Infrastructure, Eaton, Mitsubishi Electric, IBM, AutoGrid, EnergyHub, Opus One Solutions, PXiSE Energy Solutions, GridBright, Innowatts, SparkMeter, depsys, and mPrest among others. Available Customization In addition to the market data for the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) Market, Delvens offers client-centric reports customized according to the companys specific demand and requirements. For More IT & Telecom Industry Reports: https://www.delvens.com/industry/it-telecom Explore Related Reports: Next-Generation Firewall Market: https://www.delvens.com/report/next-generation-firewall-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Network Test Lab Automation Market: https://www.delvens.com/report/network-test-lab-automation-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Marketing Automation Market: https://www.delvens.com/report/marketing-automation-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Market: https://www.delvens.com/report/managed-detection-and-response-mdr-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Location Analytics Market: https://www.delvens.com/report/location-analytics-market-trends-forecast-till-2030 Disaster Recovery as a Service (DraaS) Market: https://www.delvens.com/report/disaster-recovery-as-a-service-draas-market-trends-foreacast-till-2030 About Delvens Delvens is a strategic advisory and consulting company headquartered in New Delhi, India. The company holds expertise in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Delvens qualitative and quantitative data is highly utilized by each level from niche to major markets, serving more than 1K prominent companies by assuring to provide information on the country, regional, and global business environment. We have a database for more than 45 industries in more than 115+ major countries globally. We use AI and machine learning to make existing offerings quicker and cheaper, as well as to offer new services which couldnt have been dreamt of a few years ago. From creating concepts to implementing them, we have the best-proven strategies that will help the organization and are assisting the organization to overcome the prevailing challenges and recognize recent opportunities before their competitors. We are capable of providing tailor-made research services keeping because of your specific requirements. We assure to provide the best possible services for all our clients. Our analysts are available for your assistance and will perfectly understand your needs and demand. Delvens database assists clients by providing in-depth information on crucial business decisions. Delvens offers significant facts and figures across various industries namely Healthcare, IT & Telecom, Chemicals & Materials, Semiconductor & Electronics, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Consumer Goods & Services, and Food & Beverages. Our company provides an exhaustive and comprehensive understanding of the business environment. To find out more, visit https://www.delvens.com/ or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact Us: Varsha Chaudhari Delvens Private Limited Unit No. 2126, Tower B, 21st Floor Alphathum, Sector 90 Noida 201305, IN D: +44 20 8638 5055 | C: +91 9561827515 | P: +0120 4569 248 [email protected] | [email protected] Website: https://www.delvens.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Report: 'Global scam economy' thriving in 2023 Tweet A payments study by Javelin Strategy & Research and SAS examines digital fraud trends worldwide, revealing eight expert strategies banks, retailers and other enterprises can use to fight back CARY, N.C., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a digital payments revolution, forever reshaping expectations. Today's consumers demand flexible, real-time payment options throughout their digital journeys. As banks, fintechs, retailers and other businesses modernize and add apps and offerings to keep pace, criminals cash in on weaknesses at every turn. How are professional fraud fighters striking back? A payments fraud study by Javelin and analytics leader SAS explores the fraud climate in 12 countries and offers eight recommendations for curbing the deluge. This 12-country #payments study explores the digital #fraud-fueled "global scam economy" + eight ways to fight back. Global Digital Fraud Trends: Evaluating the Past, Present, and Future is the continuation of an October 2020 report by Javelin and SAS on the early pandemic's digital fraud escalation. This next chapter examines the evolution of digital fraud trends and their impact on consumers and enterprises worldwide, and is based on: 2022 market research on the global fraud landscape. landscape. Javelin's 2022 identity fraud survey, reflecting insights from 5,000 US consumers. survey, reflecting insights from 5,000 US consumers. Interviews with financial services leaders confronting evolving fraud attacks. Registering to download the report also gives users access to three regional webinars exploring key findings in the US, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. "Pandemic digital habits shifted so strongly into card-not-present transactions, and suddenly it feels as if everyone is online, including the bad guys," said one European fintech executive. "We are making strides in controlling payment fraud with strong authentication and machine learning, but it took some losses to gain an understanding of how important it is to plan ahead." "Telecom and [business email compromise] fraud are sources of serious concern for my team," said the Vice President of Special Investigations at one US bank. "The pandemic has made it impossible to create enough fraud strategy to stay ahead because the criminals now mix multiple merchant names, MCC codes and dollar amounts in automated attacks that are hard to prevent." 2023's digital economy presents fresh fraud trends with global impact In the immediate wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital economy exploded. For fraudsters, the sudden surge in digital transactions and payment modalities offered countless new fraud avenues. As anti-fraud pros grappled with how to adequately protect transactions, scammers largely focused on pandemic-themed schemes and socially engineered attacks. But the landscape has changed. In 2023, the digital economy and the "global scam economy," as coined by Javelin, are here to stay and they will evolve in parallel. Per the report, 2020's schemes du jour have been replaced by scams galore: romance scams, fake home-based employment opportunities and investment schemes popular among them. Fraud diversified by region vexes local authorities and anti-fraud pros Globally, threats are more or less identical, though certain fraud types have manifested and grown differently by region and nation, challenging local anti-fraud pros, law enforcement and governments accordingly. Among the regional trends and national landmark issues revealed in the 12-country study and explored in the webinar series: Africa South Africa 's new Rapid Payments Program will not only foster faster payments but formalize them, helping reduce cash-based crimes that have long plagued the country. Related payment modernization is also expected to help the nation curb rampant cross-border money laundering and terrorist financing by accurately identifying senders and receivers. 's new Rapid Payments Program will not only foster faster payments but formalize them, helping reduce cash-based crimes that have long plagued the country. Related payment modernization is also expected to help the nation curb rampant cross-border money laundering and terrorist financing by accurately identifying senders and receivers. Asia-Pacific Per one Singaporean banker, "the perpetrators are very polished," as robocalls, vishing and phishing impact globally-connected citizens who primarily bank on mobile phones. In response, financial firms in Singapore are enacting push notifications to account holders and daily transaction limits. India's digital biometric ID system, Aadhaar, boasts 1.3 billion citizens enrolled (99% of Indian adults), serving as a global template for other countries, including Malaysia and Sri Lanka . In Australia , the digital identity validation offered by ConnectID and myGovID is steadily replacing traditional credentials. China has seen explosive adoption of an alternative digital payments ecosystem delivered via social media giant WeChat, and QR codes dominate digital payments. Per one Singaporean banker, "the perpetrators are very polished," as robocalls, vishing and phishing impact globally-connected citizens who primarily bank on mobile phones. In response, financial firms in are enacting push notifications to account holders and daily transaction limits. digital biometric ID system, Aadhaar, boasts 1.3 billion citizens enrolled (99% of Indian adults), serving as a global template for other countries, including and . In , the digital identity validation offered by ConnectID and myGovID is steadily replacing traditional credentials. has seen explosive adoption of an alternative digital payments ecosystem delivered via social media giant WeChat, and QR codes dominate digital payments. Europe In the United Kingdom , open banking continues to drive digital innovation, and the Bank of England is considering a central bank digital currency. France marked permanent changes in consumers' digital purchasing and payment habits, along with the introduction of a national identity program for smartphones. Even as political and environmental strife challenged Italy's financial sector, more than 30 million citizens adopted its Public Digital Identity System. Meanwhile, organized crime prompted a nationwide money mule awareness campaign by Europol. In the , open banking continues to drive digital innovation, and the Bank of is considering a central bank digital currency. marked permanent changes in consumers' digital purchasing and payment habits, along with the introduction of a national identity program for smartphones. Even as political and environmental strife challenged financial sector, more than 30 million citizens adopted its Public Digital Identity System. Meanwhile, organized crime prompted a nationwide money mule awareness campaign by Europol. North America Embedded lending and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing are growing worldwide, but particularly in the United States , where more than two-thirds of consumers report they are "likely" or "very likely" to tap BNPL again after first use. Ballooning BNPL fraud haunts regulators, merchants and payment platforms. The Federal Reserve's FedNow instant payment service is poised to launch in mid-2023, promising safer payments and greater interoperability. Canada's national identity program is helping create infrastructure for citizens to frictionlessly access government, financial and health care services. In Mexico , prepaid debit cards continue to boom, while advanced digital payment options fuel thriving e-commerce. Embedded lending and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing are growing worldwide, but particularly in the , where more than two-thirds of consumers report they are "likely" or "very likely" to tap BNPL again after first use. Ballooning haunts regulators, merchants and payment platforms. The Federal Reserve's FedNow instant payment service is poised to launch in mid-2023, promising safer payments and greater interoperability. national identity program is helping create infrastructure for citizens to frictionlessly access government, financial and health care services. In , prepaid debit cards continue to boom, while advanced digital payment options fuel thriving e-commerce. South America Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment culture is flourishing in Brazil via its PIX system, and fintech investment for the unbanked has reached record highs. Still, prolific data breaches, scams and malware attacks threaten the enormous potential of the country's digital growth, demanding robust fraud and enterprise security safeguards. Digitally inclusive fraud strategies light the way eight expert strategies Among the report's eight spotlight recommendations for combatting fraud in the digital age: multifactor authentication and account-based alerts should be considered essential, not nice-to-haves. Also paramount in the guidance is the consolidation of monitoring solutions on a single, powerful AI-driven platform. "A carefully layered deployment of machine learning models, biometrics and contextual, supplementary tools can help financial service firms make faster, more accurate decisions that scale across all verticals," said Krista Tedder, Head of Payments at Javelin Strategy & Research. "Solutions must be interwoven and underpinned by shared data streams to effectively combat the increasingly sophisticated tools and strategies we see being employed by criminals worldwide." "US consumers alone lost $8.8 billion to scams last year a more than 30% jump from 2021 to 2022 according to the Federal Trade Commission," said Stu Bradley, Senior Vice President of Fraud & Security Intelligence at SAS. "Consumer trust in the expanding global digital payment ecosystem is an imperative and that trust is predicated on firms making effective use of advanced customer authentication and anti-fraud technologies, including AI, machine learning and biometrics, to detect and prevent fraud across channels." Download the report and access the three regional webinars on-demand at SAS.com/scameconomy. About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2023 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Contacts: Julia Norton Danielle Bates [email protected] [email protected] +1 919-531-4661 +1 919-531-1959 sas.com/news View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/report-global-scam-economy-thriving-in-2023-301863381.html SOURCE SAS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] PRIVACY ALERT: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Under Investigation for Data Breach of Over 2.5 million Patient Records SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach impacting more than 2.5 million patient records in the custody of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Massachusetts health services company. According to Harvard Pilgrim, the breach took place between March 28 and April 17, 2023 and involved the theft of personal and/or protected health information of over 2.5 million patients, including Social Security numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, health insurance account information, provider taxpayer identification numbers, and clinical information (including medical history, diagnoses, treatment, dates of service, and provider names). If your personal or protected health information was impacted by this incident, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Harvard Pilgrim's security practices. If you received notification of this data breach or are a Harvard Pilgrim customer and wish to obain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/harvardpilgrim. About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide. Contact Amber L. Schubert Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [email protected] Tel: (415) 788-4220 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/privacy-alert-harvard-pilgrim-health-care-under-investigation-for-data-breach-of-over-2-5-million-patient-records-301862548.html SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [June 26, 2023] The Chronicle of Higher Education Announces Recipients of SPJ's Corbin Gwaltney Awards for Best All-Around Student Newspapers Tweet The Chronicle of Higher Education honors the second annual winners of the Society of Professional Journalists' Corbin Gwaltney Awards for Best All-Around Student Newspapers. The award is named after Corbin Gwaltney, co-founder of The Chronicle of Higher Education. He was a media innovator who built The Chronicle to be the most respected publication in higher education. This year's winners include: Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper - Small (1-9,999 students) Staff of The Maroon at Loyola University New Orleans The judges said, "Consistent and clean while also graphically innovative. Smart and clear writing. Good story variety and tackles important and challenging topics." Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper - Large (10,000+ students) Staff of The Independent Florida Alligator at University of Florida "Tackling a wide variety of in-depth issues. Remains clear, clean and innovative throughout," said the judges. The Chronicle of Higher Education will provide a $5,000 prize to each winning newsroom. "Congratulations to The Maroon and to The Independent Florida Alligator staff for their well-eserved wins," said Pamela Gwaltney, Chair of The Chronicle of Higher Education. "As a life-long journalist, there's no doubt Corbin would have been so proud of and inspired by these winning student journalists. He would also have been pleased to see the pursuit of excellence in higher-ed journalism continue because of their clear talent and dedication. We at The Chronicle are delighted to partner with the Society of Professional Journalists to offer this award in fond memory of Corbin." SPJ presents the Mark of Excellence Awards annually, honoring the best in student journalism. Entries are first judged on the regional level. First-place regional winners advance to the national competition, and most are recognized at their respective regional SPJ conferences. The list of this year's national winners is showcased on SPJ's website. The Chronicle of Higher Education's roots go back to 1957 when Gwaltney, then-editor of the Johns Hopkins University alumni magazine, met in New York with fellow editors from 10 other campus publications. They discussed collaborating on a journal that would supplement college alumni publications and explore higher education more broadly. For more than five decades, The Chronicle has been the unrivaled leader in higher-ed journalism, providing award-winning news and information, deep insights, and opportunities for professional growth to those who shape colleges and universities. Today, through its digital and print publications, The Chronicle reaches more than 1.7 million professionals across higher education each month. The Society of Professional Journalists promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626974584/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] INSIGHT GLOBAL APPOINTS DEWAYNE GRIFFIN AS ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF DIGITAL & INFORMATION OFFICER Tweet National staffing company supports growth and expansion of technology team, recognizing its role as a critical driver for business in 2023 and beyond ATLANTA, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Insight Global, a national leader in the staffing services industry, announced today DeWayne Griffin as the company's new Chief Digital & Information Officer. Griffin, who joins Insight Global from State Farm, will be focused on leveling up the organization's technology capabilities in a time when trailblazing IT demands are essential to serving the company's clients, consultants, and employees. "I am thrilled to step into this role, which will allow us to enhance and improve our IT capabilities, ensuring we deploy strategies and plans that support our business growth and the growth of our clients," said Griffin. "Insight Global feels like home the company's people-centric mission provides a personalized and intimate approach to the business of staffing. I'm extremely fortunate to be joinin a team and company that cares so deeply about its people." Griffin spent the last 22 years of his career at State Farm, serving in various roles, including his most recent position as Chief Data Officer. Throughout his tenure at State Farm, Griffin took the company to new heights through innovation in business strategy, democratizing analytics, talent strategy and alignment, complex project-lifecycle oversight and research. In addition to corporate excellence, Griffin is a dedicated member of his local community and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He sits on the Advisory Council for Women in Technology and also served as a Board Member for the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, is a TechBridge Executive Ambassador, and is actively involved in church and community service efforts. "We can't wait to embrace DeWayne's energy, positivity and skillset, which we know will help Insight Global continue to be at the top of its game," said Bert Bean, CEO of Insight Global. "Here at Insight Global, we value high character and hard work above everything else, and DeWayne brings all of this and more to the table. As the second largest IT staffing company, we understand the value a technology focus can bring to many companies. We're confident he will lead our IT team with the rigor, commitment, and expertise needed to positively position Insight Global for continued business growth." For more information on Insight Global, please visit www.insightglobal.com. ABOUT INSIGHT GLOBAL Insight Global is an international staffing and services company specializing in sourcing IT, accounting, finance, healthcare, and engineering professionals and delivering service-based solutions to Fortune 1000 clients. With more than 70 office locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and U.K., Insight Global placed more than 50,000 people in jobs in 2022. In addition to staffing services, Insight Global provides culture consulting, DEI training, specialized healthcare staffing and resources, and array of client program through their managed services division, Evergreen. To find out more, visit www.insightglobal.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insight-global-appoints-dewayne-griffin-as-organizations-chief-digital--information-officer-301863562.html SOURCE Insight Global [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Russia said Sunday that China threw its support behind President Vladimir Putin's efforts to stabilize the country after an aborted rebellion against the Kremlin by an army of mercenaries. The Russian Foreign Ministry said China declared support for the leadership in Moscow during a previously unannounced trip to Beijing by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko. "The Chinese side expressed support for the efforts of the leadership of the Russian Federation to stabilize the situation in the country in connection with the events of June 24, and reaffirmed its interest in strengthening the unity and further prosperity of Russia," the Russian statement said. Rudenko met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to discuss "international and regional issues of common concern," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on its website. Rudenko's visit came just a day after Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of private mercenary army Wagner Group, ordered his troops to march on Moscow in the greatest challenge to Putin's more than two decades in power. Prigozhin reached a deal Saturday with the Kremlin to go into exile. It was unclear whether Rudenko's visit to China was in response to the rebellion. [June 26, 2023] Verses AI Inc. Announces Overnight Marketed LIFE & Private Placement Offering up to C$13,000,000 Tweet /THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, BC, June 26, 2023 /CNW/ - Verses AI Inc. (NEO: VERS) (OTCQX:VRSSF) ("Verses" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. and ATB Capital Markets Inc. (together, the "Broker Dealers") to act as co-lead underwriters, co-lead agents, and joint bookrunners in connection with the Offering (as defined below). The Broker Dealers, alone or on behalf of a syndicate, will assist the Company on (a) a "commercially reasonable efforts" underwritten overnight marketed offering (the "LIFE Offering") of units of the Company (the "LIFE Units"); and (b) a "best efforts" agency basis private placement (the "Private Placement", and together with the LIFE Offering, the "Offering") of special warrants of the Company (the "Special Warrants"). Each Special Warrant shall be exercisable for one unit of the Company (each, an "Equity Unit", and together with the LIFE Units, the "Units") at no additional cost. The total size of the Offering as well as certain other terms of the Units and the Special Warrants (including the issue price of each Unit and Special Warrant, the exercise price of each Warrant and the price per Share required to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants) will be determined in the context of the market at the time of pricing. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the Offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the Offering. The closing of the Offering will be subject to market and other customary conditions, including requirements of the Exchange. The Offering has been structured to take advantage of the listed issuer financing exemption from prospectus requirements (the "Exemption") in Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), whereby shares issued pursuant to the Exemption are freely tradeable listed equity securities not subject to any hold period (see below). The LIFE Offering will be conducted in all the provinces of Canada, except Ontario and Quebec, under the Exemption, for aggregate gross proceeds up to C$10,000,000. The Private Placement will be conducted in all the provinces of Canada, except Ontario and Quebec, pursuant to the "accredited investor" exemption from prospectus requirements in Part 2.3 of NI 45-106, for aggregate gross proceeds up to C$3,000,000. Both the LIFE Offering and the Private Placement may be conducted in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements under Rule 144A and/or Regulation D of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, and in those other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises in such other jurisdiction. The LIFE Units will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Equity Units will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document relating to the LIFE Offering (the "Offering Document") that canbe accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at verses.ai. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for business development, general working capital, and other general corporate purposes as described in the Offering Document. The Offering is anticipated to close on or about July 4, 2023 (the "Closing Date"), or such other date as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Broker Dealers, and completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Exchange. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About VERSES Verses is a cognitive computing company specializing in next-generation Artificial Intelligence. Modeled after natural systems and the design principles of the human brain and the human experience, Verses flagship offering, GIA, is an Intelligent Agent for anyone powered by KOSM, a network operating system enabling distributed intelligence. Built on open standards, KOSM transforms disparate data into knowledge models that foster trustworthy collaboration between humans, machines and AI, across digital and physical domains. Imagine a smarter world that elevates human potential through innovations inspired by nature. Learn more at VERSES , LinkedIn , and Twitter . On Behalf of the Company Gabriel Rene Verses AI Inc. Co-Founder & CEO [email protected] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Verses believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, amongst others, the Company's ability to complete the Offering on the terms announced or at all and the use of proceeds of the Offering. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Verses. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Verses actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms announced or at all and the to use of proceeds of the Offering as announced or at all; currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). Verses cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Verses' forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Verses has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Verses as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Verses does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Verses AI Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] Dr. Jonathan Milner Announces Suspension of Proxy Solicitation Tweet Dr. Jonathan Milner Announces Suspension of Proxy Solicitation Will Hold Board Accountable if Strategic Review Fails to Deliver on Companys Promise CAMBRIDGE, England, 26 June 2023 - Dr. Jonathan Milner, the founder and 6.3% shareholder of Abcam PLC (the Company), today issued the following statement regarding the upcoming extraordinary meeting of shareholders of the Company: In light of reports that the Company has received credible inbound M&A interest, and the Companys announcement that the board is pursuing these strategic alternatives, I have decided to suspend my solicitation for the time being to allow the board to focus on pursuing its strategic review and thereby create maximum shareholder value. I remain willing to join the board immediately, either as Executive Chairman, Chairman or a Non-Executive Director, if invited to assist and support it in the strategic review process to obtain a full and fair price, but will not agree to any standstill restrictions that would impair my ability to hold the board accountable by calling for another EGM or nominating directors at the next AGM. I will re-assess this Autumn whether it is necessary to call for another EGM. Since launching my campaign, the Companys stock price has increased ca. 45 per cent, adding approximately $1.6 billion of total market value to Abcam. I appreciate the feedback of many shareholders who have credited my efforts with an improved outlook for the Company and its business. If the board fails to deliver on the Companys promise, we will hold it accountable. Ends Contacts Jonathan Milner https://abcamfocus.com/ Investor contact Georgeson LLC William P. Fiske +1 212 440 9128 [email protected] International PR advisers US ICR +1 646 677 1811 [email protected] Europe Consilium Strategic Communications +44 203 709 5700 [email protected] IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY DR. JONATHAN MILNER ("DR. MILNER"). DR. MILNER PUBLISHED A PROXY STATEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD ON JUNE 5, 2023 TO BE USED TO SOLICIT VOTES IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED FOR SHAREHOLDER VOTE AT THE UPCOMING EXTRAORDINARY ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ABCAM PLC (THE "COMPANY"). DR. MILNER STRONGLY ADVISES ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE HEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ONLINE ON THE WEBSITE OF THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AT WWW.SEC.GOV AND ON A WEBSITE HOSTED BY DR. MILNER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO SHAREHOLDERS ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING AT WWW.ABCAMFOCUS.COM. HOLDERS OF COMPANY SECURITIES ALSO SHOULD RECEIVE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT AND PROXY CARD BY MAIL, AND COPIES WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE UPON REQUEST MADE TO DR. MILNERS PROXY SOLICITOR, GEORGESON, BY EMAIL TO [email protected] OR BY PHONE TO (877) 797-1153 FROM NORTH AMERICA OR TO (781) 575-2137 FROM ELSEWHERE. THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR DISCUSSION AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HEREIN REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF DR. MILNER AS OF THE DATE HEREOF. DR. MILNER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF HIS OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN AT ANY TIME AND FOR ANY REASON AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE OR REVISE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR TO OTHERWISE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL MATERIALS. SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, AND AS SET FORTH BELOW, DR. MILNER INTENDS TO MAKE AVAILABLE AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING INCLUDING HOW TO VOTE AT SUCH MEETING. DR. MILNER HAS INVESTMENTS IN THE COMPANY WHICH ARE DISCLOSED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS, AND CONSEQUENTLY HAS A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE PROFITABILITY OF HIS POSITIONS IN THE COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS IMPARTIAL. NOTHING IN THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE TAKEN AS ANY INDICATION OF DR. MILNER 'S CURRENT OR FUTURE TRADING OR VOTING INTENTIONS AND/OR ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME. CERTAIN INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY, INCLUDING PUBLIC FILINGS AND DISCLOSURES MADE BY THE COMPANY AND OTHER SOURCES, AS WELL AS DR. MILNER'S ANALYSIS OF SUCH PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION. DR. MILNER HAS RELIED UPON AND ASSUMED, WITHOUT INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION, THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF SUCH INFORMATION, AND NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IS MADE THAT ANY SUCH DATA OR INFORMATION IS COMPLETE OR ACCURATE. DR. MILNER RECOGNISES THAT THERE MAY BE CONFIDENTIAL OR OTHERWISE NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY THAT COULD ALTER THE OPINIONS OF DR. MILNER WERE SUCH INFORMATION KNOWN. NO REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY OR UNDERTAKING, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS GIVEN AND NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY OR DUTY OF CARE IS OR WILL BE ACCEPTED BY DR. MILNER CONCERNING: (I) THIS DOCUMENT AND ITS CONTENTS, INCLUDING WHETHER THE INFORMATION AND OPINIONS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE ACCURATE, FAIR, COMPLETE OR CURRENT; (II) THE PROVISION OF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, WHETHER BY WAY OF UPDATE TO THE INFORMATION AND OPINIONS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR OTHERWISE TO THE RECIPIENT AFTER THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT; OR (III) THAT DR. MILNER'S INVESTMENT PROCESSES OR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES WILL OR ARE LIKELY TO BE ACHIEVED OR SUCCESSFUL OR THAT DR. MILNER'S INVESTMENTS WILL MAKE ANY PROFIT OR WILL NOT SUSTAIN LOSSES. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DR. MILNER WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSSES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DAMAGES, COSTS, CLAIMS OR EXPENSES RELATING TO OR ARISING FROM THE RECIPIENT'S OR ANY PERSON'S RELIANCE ON THIS DOCUMENT. EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, THE INFORMATION AND OPINIONS INCLUDED IN THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, INCLUDING ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS PREPARED WITH RESPECT TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY'S ANTICIPATED OPERATING PERFORMANCE, THE VALUE OF THE COMPANY'S SECURITIES, DEBT OR ANY RELATED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE BASED UPON OR RELATE TO THE VALUE OF SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY (COLLECTIVELY, "COMPANY SECURITIES"), GENERAL ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS AND OTHER FUTURE EVENTS. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS ARE INHERENTLY UNCERTAIN AND SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC, COMPETITIVE, AND OTHER UNCERTAINTIES AND CONTINGENCIES AND HAVE BEEN INCLUDED SOLELY FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES. ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN DUE TO REASONS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE FORESEEABLE. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE COMPANY SECURITIES WILL TRADE AT THE PRICES THAT MAY BE IMPLIED HEREIN, AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY ESTIMATE, PROJECTION OR ASSUMPTION HEREIN IS, OR WILL BE PROVEN, CORRECT. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE (A) AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO BUY OR SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY OR SELL, ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT AND NO LEGAL RELATIONS SHALL BE CREATED BY ITS ISSUE, (B) A "FINANCIAL PROMOTION" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000, (C)"INVESTMENT ADVICE" AS DEFINED BY THE FCA HANDBOOK, (D) "INVESTMENT RESEARCH" AS DEFINED BY THE FCA HANDBOOK, OR (E) AN "INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION" AS DEFINED BY REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AND BY REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF U.K. DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF SECTION 3 OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("EUWA 2018") INCLUDING AS AMENDED BY REGULATIONS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 8 OF EUWA 2018. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT (AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE) LEGAL, TAX, INVESTMENT, FINANCIAL OR OTHER ADVICE. EACH RECIPIENT SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL AND TAX AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL AND OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE OR TO CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO AN EVALUATION OF THE COMPANY, COMPANY SECURITIES OR THE MATTERS DESCRIBED HEREIN. NO AGREEMENT, COMMITMENT, UNDERSTANDING OR OTHER LEGAL RELATIONSHIP EXISTS OR MAY BE DEEMED TO EXIST BETWEEN OR AMONG DR. MILNER AND ANY OTHER PERSON BY VIRTUE OF FURNISHING THIS DOCUMENT. DR. MILNER IS NOT ACTING FOR OR ON BEHALF OF, AND IS NOT PROVIDING ANY ADVICE OR SERVICE TO, ANY RECIPIENT OF THIS DOCUMENT. DR. MILNER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO ANY PERSON FOR PROVIDING ADVICE IN RELATION TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS DOCUMENT. BEFORE DETERMINING ON ANY COURSE OF ACTION, ANY RECIPIENT SHOULD CONSIDER ANY ASSOCIATED RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES AND CONSULT WITH ITS OWN INDEPENDENT ADVISORS AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY. DR. MILNER HAS NOT SOUGHT OR OBTAINED CONSENT FROM ANY THIRD PARTY TO USE ANY STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY SUCH STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS INDICATING THE SUPPORT OF SUCH THIRD PARTY FOR THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HEREIN. ALL TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES USED HEREIN ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 26, 2023] The Living Skills in the Schools Program and AE Industrial Partner to Support School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Tweet The Living Skills in the Schools Program (under the CRC Recovery Foundation Inc.) today announced a new partnership with AE Industrial Partners to provide school-based substance abuse prevention programming in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626988933/en/ "School-based substance abuse prevention programs are critical to the health and well-being of our communities, but they require significant resources to implement and sustain," said Dr. Suzanne Spencer, CEO of the Living Skills in the Schools Program. "By partnering with not-for-profit organizations focused on substance abuse prevention, corporate partners can make a real impact on the lives of young people and help build a healthier, safer future for all. We are grateful for AE Industrial Partners' long-term commitment and dedication to our values and mission." AE Industrial Partners will provide financial support to the Living Skills in the Schools Program to help further their mission of building resistance to substance abuse through age-appropriate education, reassurance, understanding, peer support, and access to help. In addition to financial aid, AE Industrial Partners will provide in-kind support, including information technology, participation in marketing and promotional activities, and event planning. "AE Industrial Partners is committed to supporting high-quality organizations that strive to improve our local communities through direct, innovative programming, and we are excited to invest to help the Living Skills in the Schools team expand their valuable mission," said Michael Greene, Managing Partner, AE Industrial Partners. Survey results reveal the pervasive ongoing trend of substance use in Florida high schools. According to the 2022 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 12% of high school students in Palm Beach County report having consumed alcohol in the last 30 days compared to 15.5% statewide. Results demonstrated similar trends for cannabis use in Palm Beach County, with 11.8% reporting using cannabis in the last 30 days, compared to 12.2% statewide. Broward County students reported comparable statistics to Palm Beach County, with 10.5% of high school students reporting alcohol consumption in the last 30 days and 5.9% reporting using marijuana in the past 30 days. Moreover, previous surveys revealed that between 10-15% of students had used cannabis in the last 30 days in Broward County, indicating that the 2022 findings may even be understated. The survey underscores that adolescent substance use remains a major issue in Florida schools and a substantial risk factor for high school students. [1] About Living Skills in the Schools Living Skills in the Schools, founded in 1999, is a program under the CRC Recovery Foundation Inc. that provides substance abuse prevention programming to schools in Palm Beach and Broward County. For more information, visit https://livingskillsintheschools.org/. About AE Industrial Partners AE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout its target markets. AE Industrial Partners is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com. ____________________ 1 Charts Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=SurveyData.FYSAS.Dataviewer. Accessed 16 June 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626988933/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] And so . . . We share credit where it's due to a local legislator with this power move and offer a humble hope that the rest of the Legislature gets on the right side of this issue before a great many of their constituents are booted out on the street. Here's the preview . . . This will be an opportunity for folks to share their concerns directly to their elected officials before the fast-approaching July 10th deadline for submitting appeals, says Budget Committee Chair Legislator Manuel Abarca. The goal is for me to make space for folks to share their concerns and impact to these horrific increases from the Assessment Department under County Executive Frank Whitehis second time he has dramatically increased property taxes for Jackson County residents. I stand in total solidarity with the residents of our great county who are experiencing such sudden property tax increases. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . County legislator holds public hearing on property assessments "The goal is for me to make space for folks to share their concerns and impact to these horrific increases." The Jackson County Missouri Legislature's Budget Committee recognizes the Property Assessment Debacle and Hosts Public Hearing June 25, 2023 Press Release (Kansas City, MO) -On Monday June 26th the Jackson County Budget Committee will host a public hearing on the topic of Property Assessments. Constituents will have an opp... Developing . . . Based on the last publicly posted blue sheet report from KCPD . . . KANSAS CITY'S HOMICIDE COUNT SURGES 36% OVER LAST YEAR!!! Stat summary as of this writing . . . Around this time last year KCMO homicides numbered only 71. What we believe is important . . . 2020 was the deadliest year in KC history and at this date on the calendar, homicides numbered only 89. Clearly, this cowtown is now in the midst of an full scale deadly violent crime crisis. What's disappointing is that this tragedy arrives following a low-turnout election. We predict only partisan, culture war outcry over money & power via "local control" will be offered as a solution by activists. Meanwhile . . . Mayor & Council have only proposed 30 MILLION bucks worth of no-show jobs as their answer to the chaos on local streets. Meanwhile . . . The count continues. Here is the report . . . And more info . . . Homicide 3600 block of Michigan - LATE DEATH While officers were originally notified shots had been fired in the area, the call was upgraded to a shooting as police were en route. Upon arrival, an unresponsive victim with gunshot wounds was located in a vehicle in front of a residence. Police made contact with emergency medical services, who transported the victim to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Hours later, the victim, identified as 17-year-old Ricky Monroe, succumbed to his injuries. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . 17-year-old fatally shot Sunday in 3600 block of Michigan Kansas City, Missouri, police report a 17-year-old was shot just after 2 a.m. Sunday in the 3600 block of Michigan Avenue. 17-year-old found with fatal gunshot wound outside of Kansas City home overnight The victim was found shortly after 2 a.m. inside a car by KCPD officers Saturday 17-year-old dead after shooting in Kansas City Ricky Moore, 17, was shot and died at the hospital from his injuries after a shooting near 36th Street and Michigan Avenue in Kansas City. Developing . . . Okay party people . . . Let's start yet another Monday after tragic gunfire and homicide dominated the weekend. Sadly, a local tradition that locals will find uncomfortably familiar . . IT'S TIME FOR KILLA CITY BINGO!!! THE DEADLY MASS SHOOTING BLAME GAME WHEREIN EVERYBODY LOSES!!! Check the scorecards closely . . . Here's the follow-up conversation that has inspired most voters to tune out and give up on local politics. In this round we're looking for politicos and pundits to: - Blame "Republican Gun Laws" and claim the Missouri GOP Super-Majority have blood on their hands even though they're hundreds of miles away from Prospect & the East side . . . And most Missouri suburban areas are PACKED with guns and don't suffer this same kind horrific homicide crisis. - Imagine that "Local Control" and more input from nincompoop council members will help this crisis. - Nag that freebie Summer activities for urban youth might stop adults from partying into the late night. - Garner social media attention with a pointless political crusade or yet another tragic vigil. - Offer vaguely racist conclusions and "politically incorrect" accusations i.e. totally unproductive ideas and unworkable "solutions" that will only serve to land your drunk uncle in Facebook jail. Meanwhile . . . More skilled denizens of the discourse will notice the years-long battle betwixt Mayor Q, the police and the prosecutor's office has taken a devastating toll on police/community relations whilst violence escalates. Even better . . . People who actually listen to police or look at a bevy of social media comments will learn about illegal modern-day speakeasy parties around this section of Prospect . . Bingo . . . For the win . . . We're certain that SOMEWHERE (in council chambers) there's an argument that reparations for slavery might solve this conundrum. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Kansas City, Missouri shootings leave at least 3 dead, 5 injured At least three people have been found dead, and at least five others are thought to be injured, police in Missouri said while investigating two shootings with multiple victims in the same area of Kansas City early Sunday morning. At least three dead, five injured at early morning shootings in Kansas City, Missouri At least three people have been found dead, and at least five others are thought to be injured, police in Missouri said while investigating two shootings with multiple victims in the same area of Kansas City early Sunday morning. Kansas City shooting leaves three people dead and five injured | CNN At least three people were killed - two men and one woman - and five others were injured after a Sunday morning shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, police said. and one woman - and five others were injured after a Sunday morning shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, police said. 'This is bigger than any 1 organization': Faith leaders call on community to end gun violence Faith leaders gathered Sunday to call for an end to gun violence after another deadly weekend in Kansas City, Missouri. Community leaders speak out after yet another deadly weekend in Kansas City Kansas City's mayor and community activists are still seeking a solution to continued gun violence in the city Developing . . . For late night & early morning denizens of the discourse . . . We share yet another glimpse at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Family Hugs Are Free . . . KC Parks and the KC Zoo celebrating National Teddy Bear Picnic Day with a free party The family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Friday July 7th Urban Core Unlisted . . . 4 cities in Kansas City metro rank as top places to live in US Overland Park, Olathe, Lee's Summit and Lawrence all ranked in top 100 cities to live in the United States, according to Livability. NOWHERE!!! Where is the Jackson County Fair? "In the 30s to 60s it was almost as big as the state fair." Paywall Content Reminds Readers To Keep Up Car Payments How innovative public transit will shape the next 25 years in KC - Kansas City Business Journal As we face intersecting challenges of urban growth, demographic change, strained affordability and climate change, our region's long-term success must prioritize public transportation as a key strategy. Conversation Celebrated Let's Talk Shop KC: Barbershop provides men chance to be heard A Northland barbershop is giving men a chance to express their feelings and concerns without judgment. Skivvy Stock Uplifted Victoria's Secret appoints brand president for unit (NYSE:VSCO) Victoria's Secret (VSCO) said on Wednesday that Greg Unis is set to assume the role of brand president for Victoria's Secret & PINK. NOBODY Wants This . . . Poll: A historic number of Americans don't want a Biden-Trump rematch A historic number of Americans prefer neither President Biden nor former President Trump be elected president in 2024, according to a new CNN/SSRS poll. The survey found that 33 percent favored Trump, and 32 percent were opting for Biden, but that 36 percent viewed neither positively. MAGA Moves Forward Trump lead grows following indictment, one factor continues to be thorn in Biden's side with voters: poll A new NBC poll shows former President Trump remains the GOP frontrunner following his indictment, with nearly half of GOP voters on the fence over whether he should remain the party leader. From Vlad To Worse . . . Prigozhin Revolt Raises Searing Question: Did It Harm Putin's Staying Power? Russians with ties to the Kremlin expressed relief that Wagner's mutiny did not spark a civil war. But they agreed that Vladimir Putin had come off looking weak in a way that could be lasting. Gig Work Risks Rise Woman allegedly shoots Uber driver, thinking he kidnapped her and was taking her to Mexico A Kentucky woman is accused of fatally shooting her Uber driver in West Texas after mistakenly believing she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. Catholicism Grows Even More Fishy Catholic Church could consider resurrecting past practice amid successful study: 'Pope Francis has already highlighted [it]' Researchers also said that if American Catholics upheld the same tradition, we'd see more than 20 times the impact. Local Streets Stay Deadly Driver dies after striking tree, pole in high-speed crash on Troost Avenue A driver died Saturday evening in a high-speed collision on Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Retirement You'll Never Afford Empty nesters create the perfect place to entertain on Lake Lotawana Empty nesters create the perfect place to entertain family and friends on Lake Lotawana Kansas Spike In Temps Persists Summer heat continues on in Kansas City Temperatures only dip down into the 70s overnight And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Today's reminder that Kansas City police are the only people standing between the public and total chaos on local streets. In the aftermath of a horrific, deadly mass shooting on Prospect early this morning . . . Here is a report regarding the search for justice and ongoing investigation . . . Homicide 57th and Prospect UPDATE: Detectives have been investigating throughout the day, as a result of their investigation they developed an identification of a subject of interest in this shooting. Their investigation led them to a residence in the 5300 block of Martha Truman Rd, in Grandview MO. Detectives responded to that location, and just after 5pm a subject of interest (adult male) was taken into custody without incident, for further investigation. The investigation is still ongoing, and detectives will be working this evening to gather investigative findings to present a case to prosecutors for consideration of applicable charges. In accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law, the identification and any associated arrest records/mug shot of the subject of interest will only become public if/when charges are filed. ######## Developing . . . Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Date started well with coffee. Ended badly with an email: Dating Diaries Katherine wrote back saying my email made me seem very unlike the man she had met at the coffee shop. She wished me good luck The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has opened an investigation into the implosion of the Titan, the underwater sea vessel that imploded with five people onboard as it was traveling to the wreckage of the Titanic, the British ocean liner that sank in the North Atlantic in 1912 after striking an iceberg. The submersible vessel was the property of OceanGate Expeditions, a U.S.-based company. Its support ship, Polar Prince, however, is a Canadian-flagged ship. "The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is launching an investigation into the fatal occurrence involving the Canadian-flagged vessel Polar Prince and the privately operated submersible Titan," the board said in a statement Friday, raising questions about the safety of the ill-fated excursion. The board said a team of investigators has been sent to St. John's, Newfoundland, to gather information and conduct interviews. U.S. officials said they too, were opening an investigation. "The U.S. Coast Guard has declared the loss of the Titan submersible to be a major marine casualty and will lead the investigation. The NTSB has joined the investigation and will contribute to their efforts. The USCG is handling all media inquiries related to this investigation," the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said Friday in a tweet. The Polar Prince lost contact with the Titan an hour and 45 minutes after the submersible began its descent Sunday. Responders 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, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. No mention was made of whether human remains were sighted. The first truly authentic Italian luxury resort in the Maldives, Baglioni Resort is an enchanting 5-star hideaway on the island of Maagau in the stunning Dhaalu Atoll. (TRAVPR.COM) MALDIVES - June 26th, 2023 - Baglioni Resort Maldives pairs Italian elegance with the tropical natural beauty, turquoise waters, and velvet-smooth white sands of the Indian Ocean and boasts 85 villas and a 360-degree house reef filled with magnificent marine life. The Green Globe-certified Baglioni Resort Maldives best exemplifies tropical elegance. The elegant One and Two- Bedroom Beach Villas are exceptionally spacious, with direct beach access and private pools, and exquisitely designed to accommodate families of four or six with children up to the age of eighteen. A world of games and adventures is curated for our little guests at the Baglioni Kids Club, allowing them to have a lot of fun while discovering the wonders of the island. Our range of luxury Water Villas in Maldives is ideal for couples in search of a romantic stay. Baglioni Resort Maldives has recently transitioned to a luxury All-Inclusive resort, offering guests the opportunity to discover the wonders of their palate in the stunning restaurants and bars. One of the many benefits of the new Luxury All-Inclusive status is the availability of a variety of premium beverages and the option to dine around, a la carte or buffet-style at three magnificent restaurants and the elegant Pool Bar. All-Inclusive is not a new concept, says Monica Suri, the General Manager at Baglioni Resort, Maldives, but we have seen an upward trend in the recent past due to the extra regulations, additional expenses, and ever-increasing airline costs that have highlighted the benefits of a hassle-free trip. The customer is really looking for no surprises when it comes to whats included. They want to just pay once so they could go out there to discover and enjoy the rest of their holiday. It was impossible for us to ignore this shift. With our All-Inclusive package, Ms. Suri continues, we intend to offer elevated culinary experiences with our dine- around concept, Italian flair with premium beverages, Wellness, and cultural offerings that go beyond their everyday experience. This will also offer simplicity in the booking and pricing process ultimately leading to the peace of mind with knowing how much their trip will cost before they leave home. Exciting water activities at the resort include both motorized and non-motorized options, such as big game fishing, scuba diving, and dolphin excursions. Baglioni Resort Maldives: the epitome of barefoot luxury with Italian grace! More Information - https://maldives.baglionihotels.com/ ### More and more Koreans are traveling to Japan despite online hysteria about the dangers of radioactive contamination as the island country releases wastewater from the stricken nuclear power plant in Fukushima. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, 515,700 Korean tourists visited Japan in May, up 10.4 percent from April. Of the total 1.9 million foreigners who traveled to Japan in May, 27.2 percent were Koreans, the biggest proportion for the fifth month running. The numbers depend a lot on seasonal factors, which requires comparisons on a yearly basis. The number of Koreans who visited Japan in January of this year was equivalent to 72.5 percent of those who visited the country in January 2019, before the pandemic. That increased to 79.4 percent in February, 79.7 percent in March, 82.4 percent in April and 85.5 percent last month. Korean Instagram teems with pictures of food in Fukuoka, Osaka, Sapporo and Tokyo, and others asking for information on the best sushi restaurants. One travel industry insider said, "Package tours to Japan are selling out, so you wonder whether Koreans are really concerned with all the media hype about radioactive water." The sound of heavy gunfire rang out in Kingstown, the capital of St Vincent last night and w The UAE has ordered the flying of 100 healthcare workers significant to the countrys fight against Covid-19 pandemic to Saudi Arabia to engage in the Hajj season. The initiative is conducted to honour those who worked hard on the front lines in the nations hospitals & clinics risking their lives while responding to the major public health crisis that spread globally. According to the state news agency WAM, the order of conducting such a trip was carried out under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent, the humanitarian arm of the government. On Saturday, the Frontline Heroes Office delegation started their journey from Abu Dhabi International Airport and then headed to Makkah. The charitable move was overseen by the office and ERC in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments. "In recognition of their efforts in defending society, the Hajj mission comprises 100 heroes who worked on the front lines in the health sector during the Covid-19 outbreak," WAM reported. The Frontline Heroes Office was founded in July 2020 aiming to create awareness of the key role played by frontline workers during crises and emergencies. June 26 College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences History Professor Natalia Milanesio has been awarded the prestigious Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship. Milanesio is one of only 13 humanities scholars worldwide to receive this competitive award in 2023. She will present her research on the transformations of sexual ideologies, practices and media content in Argentina after the fall of the 1970s dictatorship and the ensuing rise of feminism in the 1980s. Leverhulme is the biggest private granting institution in the [United Kingdom], and it has different departments that fund different research projects at different levels, from doctoral students to senior scholars, Milanesio stated. I have been sponsored for a year with a visiting professorship, and the main idea is to stay as part of the teaching and research staff. Originally from Argentina, Milanesio came to the United States on a Fulbright Fellowship. She completed her masters degree in history at New York University and continued in academia to get a doctorate at Indiana University, focusing on the history of modern Latin America. My sponsoring institution [for the Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professorship] is the Institute of the Americas, Milanesio said. It is a multidisciplinary department at the University College London and is the biggest area studies program in the U.K. Excelling in area studies and the understanding of a country or region, the University College London Institute of the Americas (UCL-IA) has consistently ranked in the upper echelon of the U.K.s Research Excellence Framework. The institution is renowned for its cross-disciplinary, comparative study of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States, particularly in the subjects of politics, economics, history, anthropology, sociology, gender and the environment. It's not a typical research grant in which you receive money to conduct research, Milanesio said. The expectations are different because I am in a visiting position. I will still conduct research for my project, but it's more about the conversations and exchanges with local experts. Established in 1925, the Leverhulme Trust allows universities in the U.K. to bring in scholars from overseas who can contribute to disseminating academic knowledge currently untapped in Britain. Milanesio has been granted basic living costs and a salary through Leverhulme, supported by UCL-IA. Probably the most important part of the professorship is the series of talks, lectures or seminars that I'm scheduled to give, not only here at the University College London but at other U.K. universities, Milanesio said. This relates to the idea of bringing scholars from other parts of the world to contribute to the dialogues that are happening here. Milanesio is excited to discover the differences and parallels of the academic styles between the U.S. and U.K. She approaches Leverhulme with an innate curiosity about the institutions expectations for education. Milanesio strives to expose students to cultural aspects of UCL through researching, colleague and student networking and unique organizations in the U.K. formed and maintained by Latin American experts. I see this as a possibility to learn and to experience something different, to try something different and cultivate new skills as a teacher and as an educator, as a researcher, as a colleague, Milanesio said. It comes with a challenge and an excitement to learn something new. A cultural historian of modern Latin America, Milanesio is interested in the different ways in which people and culture operate at different levels. Milanesio will use Leverhulme library archives and colleagues in the final conceptualization of her next project and present her recent work. I like to emphasize the importance of challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone, trying something new regardless of the stage in your career, Milanesio said. Work to improve and hone your skills consistently and be curious about how things are done with people that come from a different background. It is a challenge to learn, and it is a challenge to reframe the way we think to accept that things can be done differently, but this curiosity gained in academic and personal exchanges is extremely beneficial. Yunsoo Choi is an associate professor of atmospheric chemistry in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. His work includes AI machine learning, air quality modeling and satellite remote sensing. Smoke particulates from wildfires could lead to 4,000 to 9,000 premature deaths and cost $36 to $82 billion per year in the United States, according to new research by the University of Houston, Cornell University and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) in China. The study, Quantifying the Premature Mortality and Economic Loss From Wildfire-Induced PM2.5 in the Contiguous U.S. , was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. Our study highlights the devastating effects wildfires can have on human health and the economies of communities hundreds of miles away from wildfires, as evidenced by the central Canadian wildfires in June that impacted eastern U.S. cities like New York City, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, said Yunsoo Choi, associate professor of atmospheric chemistry in UHs College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Choi is the studys corresponding author; his research group at UH ran all the scenario modeling simulations. The studys first author is Shuai Pan, a former Cornell postdoctoral researcher, now in the Emergency Management College at NUIST. We think of automobile tailpipes and factory emissions polluting our air, said Oliver Gao, Cornells Howard Simpson Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, an author on the study. We dont necessarily think about air pollution from natural sources like wildfires. Wildfires release fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which are tiny particles in the air that consist of inhalable organic compounds, aerosols and metals that are 2.5 microns or less. For comparison, a human hair is about 50 to 70 microns in diameter and a particle of beach sand is about 90 microns in diameter. PM2.5 can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Epidemiological studies suggested that exposure to wildfire-related PM2.5 was positively associated with mortality and some common respiratory diseases, Pan said. The researchers used satellite wildfire emission and air quality (PM2.5) data gathered from 2012 to 2014 for their current updated model and assessed how smoke from wildfires could impact human health and economies. Choi and his research group at the University of Houston. Metropolitan regions located near fire sources, such as Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta, will likely see a large health burden and corresponding economic loss, according to the study. Los Angeles downwind from fires in the western U.S. may see 119 premature deaths annually, and $1.07 billion in financial burden, according to the new model the studys authors created. Downwind from southern U.S. fires, Atlanta could have 76 premature deaths annually with $690 million in economic fallout, while Houston, estimated to have 65 premature deaths attributable to fire-induced particulate matter, may see $580 million in economic fallout. In the model, the researchers estimated the New York City metropolitan area would incur 86 premature deaths resulting from similar events and see $780 million in associated economic costs. California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina likely would be the states with the highest number of premature deaths due to the volume of particulate matter distributed by the smoke. Law and regulations such as planned events to thin forests could reduce and mitigate the harmful effects of wildfires, Gao said. In this era of climate change, if we remove flammable vegetation and do things like create green fire breaks and reduce the fuel for the fires, we can substantially decrease the harm of smoke downwind in populated areas, Gao said. Other institutions participating in the study were the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Pusan National University in Korea; Ambri, Inc.; and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, funded this research. - Blaine Friedlander of Cornell University contributed to this release Against the background of a mutiny attempt in Russia, Poland does not rule out the possibility of an escalation of tensions on the border with Belarus. This was said by the Commissioner of the Polish government for the security of the information space, the spokesman for the minister coordinator for special services, Stanislaw Zaryn, Ukrinform reports with reference to Radio Poland. "We cannot rule out that Prigozhin will be used in Belarus to strengthen at least this hybrid operation that hits Poland directly. This, of course, is an issue that needs to be monitored, which the Polish services will certainly do," said Zaryn. In his opinion, the June 24 events in Russia were not an introduction to power change. Zaryn added that this is about the rivalry of the factions that reign over Russia. "We are dealing with certain frictions between various groups involved in military operations against Ukraine. But it must be clearly said: until today in Russia, neither among the power elites, nor in the army, nor in society are there any strong resistance movements regarding the main strategic goals and actions," said the Polish government spokesman. He also expressed the opinion that the latest developments in Russian could in fact turn out to be a disinformation campaign intended to conceal real intentions targeting the West. As reported, on June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the "Wagner" PMC, went for a demarche against the Russian military leadership, in particular against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Prigozhins private army took control of Rostov-on-Don and part of Voronezh region on June 24, after which the Wagner leader ordered his mercenaries to advance on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the insurrection attempt, calling it a blow to the countrys back and vowing harsh punishment for those involved. Later the same day, Alexander Lukashenko, in coordination with Putin, held talks with Prigozhin. Following these negotiations, Lukashenkos office reported a de-escalation deal involving Prigozhin being exiled to Belarus and no legal action being taken against Wagner forces. The military convoy heading for Moscow made a U-turn just over 100 miles away from the Russian capital. The mercenaries also withdrew from the captured Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, called the mutiny attempt the first stage in dismantling the system built up by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Australian government will provide a new $73.5 million package to Ukraine including 70 military vehicles to defend against Russia's invasion. This is reported by Reuters citing a statement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, according to Ukrinform. The latest military assistance package will include 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 medium trucks and 14 trailers. Australia will also extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for another 12 months. "This additional support will make a real difference, helping the Ukrainian people who continue to show great courage in the face of Russia's illegal, unprovoked and immoral war," Albanese said. The publication notes that Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine and has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment including scores of Bushmaster armoured vehicles. It has banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. As reported, at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, about $60 billion was raised to rebuild the country. A meeting of the heads of government of the Visegrad Group (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, V4) is taking place in Bratislava, Slovakia on Monday. The meeting will summarize the one-year Slovak presidency of the V4, as well as the symbolic handover of the Czech presidency, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The meeting in Bratislava will be an opportunity to discuss positions on the eve of the June European Council. We are planning to discuss migration challenges and certain topics in the field of international relations," Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller said before the meeting in Bratislava. The premiers will also discuss the EU's security capabilities, as well as EU-NATO cooperation in this area in the context of the upcoming NATO summit on July 11-12 in Vilnius. During the meeting, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala is expected to announce Prague's priorities for its one-year presidency of the Visegrad Group, which begins on July 1. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, called the mutiny attempt by the leader of Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the first stage of dismantling the system built up by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Thats according to Danilovs Facebook entry, seen by Ukrinform. Prigozhin's revolt is the first stage of the dismantling of Putin's system. Prigozhin is only part of the group and part of the plan, the tip of the destabilization processs iceberg," Danilov said. According to him, a group of disaffected people security operatives, government officials, and oligarchs has formed in Russia, which considers Putin's actions deadly dangerous for their personal interests and their very existence, as well as a threat to the Russian Federation. "Prigozhyn's march from Rostov is a demonstration of how serious his intentions were, what opportunities exist, and how conditions are being created for launching a power transit process be it voluntary or forced. Wagner convoys or those formed by other forces may ultimately make it to the Red Square, Danilov suggests. In his opinion, Putin has the only chance of salvation left a total purge of the power bloc, physical liquidation of Wagner Group, a demonstrative prosecution of Yevgeny Prigozhin, introduction of martial law in the country, and deployment of mass repressions. "Whether the Zolotov-Bortnikov punitive machine, focused on beating up hipsters, women, and teenas, is able to perform these functions is a big question," Danilov noted. He also noted that a real group of potential Russian negotiators with Ukraine has formed, but for now it remains in the shadows. However, the participation of Belaruss Alexander Lukashenko in this process cannot be ruled out. However, according to Danilov, the Vladimi Putin regime was "stabbed in the back" by a fatal blow. It might not be immediate but it is a "definitely imminent, albeit delayed, blow." "But... everything that can go wrong in Russia will go wrong, and the Prigozhin incident can/has started processes with unforeseeable consequences. The countdown has started. We have to do our part... to advance to (Ukraines ed.) borders as of 1991," Danilov concluded. As reported, on June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the "Wagner" PMC, went for a demarche against the Russian military leadership, in particular against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Prigozhins private army took control of Rostov-on-Don and part of Voronezh region on June 24, after which the Wagner leader ordered his mercenaries to advance on Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the insurrection attempt, calling it a blow to the countrys back and vowing harsh punishment for those involved. Later the same day, Alexander Lukashenko, in coordination with Putin, held talks with Prigozhin. Following these negotiations, Lukashenkos office reported a de-escalation deal involving Prigozhin being exiled to Belarus and no legal action being taken against Wagner forces. The military convoy heading for Moscow made a U-turn just over a 100 miles away from the Russian capital. The mercenaries also withdrew from the captured Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. The government has warned South Korean travelers to take precautions as the increasingly paranoid Chinese government is introducing an anti-espionage law next month that makes it easier to punish alleged offenses against national security more harshly. There are concerns that Beijing will use national security as an excuse to target innocent people and dissidents. The Foreign Ministry here warned, "It is necessary to understand the law and take precautions in order to avoid unexpected problems when visiting or staying" in China. The first revision to China's espionage laws in nine years expands the scope of offenses from "stealing state secrets" to "activities violating national security and interests" without specific explanation of what they are. People who leak data, materials or objects that are not classified as secret could also be punished. One diplomatic source said, "Simply searching for articles critical of President Xi Jinping and storing or producing such content could trigger an investigation." The law also allows the state to crack down on acts targeting another country if they are deemed to threaten China's national security. That means people who meeting experts on North Korea, Tibet or other sensitive issues or taking photos of the North from the Chinese border could be targeted. State police have also been given the right to inspect and screen a wide range of information, and it has become mandatory to cooperate with their probes. Tourists should exercise extreme caution to avoid inadvertently taking photographs of military installations and other high-security areas and avoid areas of civil unrest and photographing demonstrations. The government here plans to send text messages to travelers to China from July warning about the new law. A meeting of advisers in Copenhagen is a clear signal of respect for Ukraine and fair struggle, support for the territorial integrity and its sovereignty. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, wrote this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. He wrote that consultations on the key principles of peace were held in Copenhagen with national security advisers and political advisers from Brazil, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the EU, Italy, India, Canada, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Turkey, Ukraine, France, and Japan. "The meeting is a continuation of the dialogue launched at the G7 summit in Hiroshima between the leaders of Ukraine, the G7 countries and the Global South. The Ukrainian delegation includes a team from the Office of the President and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs," said the Presidents Office head. He noted that during the consultations, the Ukrainian delegation told its international partners about the details of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula. "I expressed my conviction that it should become the basis for achieving a stable and just peace for Ukraine, as the war continues on our territory," Yermak stressed. He reminded that the 10-point Peace Formula is based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. In addition, each of the directions of the Ukrainian Peace Formula was enshrined in the resolutions of the UN General Assembly. Yermak noted that the parties once again confirmed their commitment "During the consultations, I noted that the meeting of advisers in Copenhagen is a clear signal of respect for Ukraine and our just struggle, support for the territorial integrity of our state and sovereignty, which are the fundamental principles of the UN, which we all share. The participation of a significant number of countries of the Global South demonstrates that significant positive changes are taking place in the relations between our countries and a qualitatively new level of mutual relations. I am grateful for the support of our Western allies," Yermak stressed. He also noted the constructive dialogue and thanked everyone for their support of Ukraine and involvement in world security processes. As reported by Ukrinform, in November 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky in his address to the participants of the G20 summit presented the 10-point Ukrainian Peace Formula. At the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Zelensky proposed holding an international summit dedicated to the Peace Formula in July. | By Andrew Tie Expertise, influence, impact these three words have been the hallmarks of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacys (UMSOP) efforts and initiatives under the leadership of Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP. On June 1, faculty, staff, peers, campus colleagues, and many other friends heard about Eddingtons expertise, influence, and impact as they celebrated her nearly 16-year tenure as dean of UMSOP. Eddington stepped down from the deanship on May 31. I would say the word magic comes to mind when I think about Natalie, said University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS. She has been a leader at the University level in remarkable ways. Natalie, youve made a big impact here. Its going to be a hard act to follow. Pinnacle of Professional Career Eddington has a long history with UMSOP, beginning with her graduation with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences in 1989. After spending three years at Pfizer, Eddington returned to UMSOP as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC), eventually becoming chair of PSC, director of the Pharmacokinetics-Biopharmaceutics Laboratory, and then dean in 2007. Under her leadership, the school grew in many ways. Physically, the schools footprint expanded in 2010 with the opening of Pharmacy Hall Addition, a 126,000-square-foot, seven-story building that doubled the schools space. In its academic offerings, the school developed new graduate-level programs, expanding its enrollment across 10 academic degrees. Clinical and research profiles grew through the addition of new practice sites, extramural funding, and new centers and programs. Eddington also led the school through the multiyear COVID-19 pandemic and launched the transformational Pharmapreneurship initiative in 2017, enhancing UMSOPs national reputation. It was the pinnacle of my career leading the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, the home of my entire professional career and my alma mater, Eddington said. Working with faculty, staff, alumni, preceptors, campus leaders, our Board of Visitors, external collaborators, and partners to advance the schools mission and continue our expertise, influence, and impact was fun and really challenging. Tributes from Others Andy Coop, PhD, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of PSC, served as emcee for the event. He listed a number of accomplishments under Eddingtons tenure and crises she helped shepherd the school through. But its not about buildings, not about programs, its about people, Coop said. Natalie impacts all of us here. Its her mentorship and how shes taken junior individuals and mentored them to be leaders, award winners, and decision-makers. Its been a blast, Natalie. Thank you, and I know everyone here thanks you for 16 years. Jay A. Perman, MD, chancellor of the University System of Maryland, got to know Eddington well in his previous role as UMB president. He recalled fondly the many ideas she had that shortly thereafter became reality. Shes the type of person who, if she comes to you with a problem, also comes with a proposal or solution, Perman said. Shes not just a talker she does it. That may not seem spectacular, but it is. Ellen H. Yankellow, PharmD 96, BSP 73, president and CEO of Correct Rx Pharmacy Services, Inc., is one of the schools Founding Pharmapreneurs, member of the Board of Visitors, and namesake of the Ellen H. Yankellow Grand Atrium in Pharmacy Hall. She attended the celebration to help announce a new $500,000 gift to the school in the deans honor. When people ask me, Why do you give to the School of Pharmacy? the answer is simple: People give to people they trust, Yankellow said. Trust is earned, and Natalie earned my trust along with that of so many others that our gifts would be used wisely and impactfully. Eddington officially stepped down as dean at the end of May, and Sarah Michel, PhD, professor and chair of PSC, was named interim dean. Eddington will remain on faculty and will lead UMBs EMBRACE initiative, a multifaceted approach designed to increase the vibrancy of the greater UMB campus, boost UMBs community impact in West Baltimore, and strengthen UMBs profile with our internal and external constituencies. The School of Pharmacys legacy of excellence will continue, and I will always be one of your biggest cheerleaders, Eddington said. Thank you for your support, well wishes, and encouragement. Of the roughly 4,000 degree-granting institutions across the U.S., only 146 (about 3.7%) have achieved R1 status. MISSOULA In a major milestone for the University of Montana, UM is now a top-tier R1 research institution. The honor was conferred last week by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education organization. The University was upgraded to the Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity classification, also known as R1. Since the Carnegie classification system was created in 1970, generations of UM administrators and researchers have striven toward the goal of achieving R1 status. Of the roughly 4,000 degree-granting institutions across the U.S., only 146 (about 3.7%) are ranked in this elite group. UM reaching R1 status is a great testament to the quality of our faculty, staff and students, said Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship. Being one of the top research universities in the country also will help us recruit new students and faculty to campus. The R1 classification will last for five years, and then Carnegie will reevaluate. It is possible to return to R2 status if current high standards are not maintained. Earning R1 validates the impressive research and hard work of many outstanding people at the University of Montana, UM President Seth Bodnar said. This classification puts us in good company among the top research institutions in the world. UM has become many things during its 129-year history, and now we can add to that our status as a nationally and globally known center for research. This should help us attract even more world-class faculty, as well as the undergraduate and graduate students who will learn from them. Carnegie uses a variety of factors to determine whether a university qualifies for R1 status, including research spending, staffing levels to support the research enterprise and the number of doctorates awarded by the institution. Research spending at UM has soared in recent years. The $55 million reported in fiscal year 2014 swelled to a UM-record $122 million this past year. Whittenburg said UM is the sixth-fastest growing research university in the nation, known for its work in wildlife biology, forestry, pharmacy, chemistry, climate change and more. In 2020, the vaccine research by UMs Center for Translational Medicine landed the University on a list titled Best Universities Solving the Coronavirus Pandemic. One nice feature of the Carnegie designation is that the research dollars and doctorates are not limited to the STEM disciplines, Whittenburg said. Research and doctoral completion in the humanities, social sciences and other fields contributed significantly to UMs attainment of the R1 designation. The Carnegie R1 calculation incorporates the total amount of funded research and the average amount funded per faculty member. Whittenburg said this means that universities with a smaller number of faculty members, such as UM, can compete with the larger schools on a level playing field. Our University conducts a large amount of research on a per-faculty basis, he said. UM chemistry Professor Mike DeGrandpre and the Missoula-based company he founded, Sunburst Sensors LLC, won a prestigious XPRIZE in 2016 by developing an accurate, affordable and durable sensor to study ocean acidification. He said the University should be proud to achieve R1 status. Only a handful of universities have earned the R1 classification outside of the East and West coasts, DeGrandpre said. This distinction is particularly impressive for our UM faculty because of the resource limitations we all have faced. UM has managed to nurture and grow research productivity against all odds, and everyone on this campus deserves credit for this success. Ethnobotanist Rosalyn LaPier, an associate professor of environmental studies in UMs College of Humanities and Sciences, is a researcher who blends traditional ecological knowledge learned from Native elders with the academic study of environmental and religious history. As an Indigenous scholar at UM and an alumna who got my Ph.D. here, achieving R1 status is a big deal, LaPier said. It means that research is central to our mission and that our students will learn from scholars who are at the top of their fields. And for our Indigenous neighbors in Montana, with whom UM continues to work closely, R1 status will only serve to strengthen those relationships and provide an avenue for prestigious graduate education for Indigenous citizens. Richard Bridges, a Regents Professor and director of UMs Neuroscience Program, has watched the Universitys research program grow for the past 25 years. Its fulfilling to see UM reach R1 status, Bridges said. What I think is especially rewarding is the extent to which undergraduate students have been a part of these efforts. It is really one of the best aspects of UM: Students can pursue cutting-edge, discovery-based research in the labs of the same faculty who teach their courses. Achieving R1 status speaks to the quantity and quality of the research opportunities available to our students. Whittenburg has chased the dream of making the University an R1 since he arrived on campus almost a decade ago. What I am most excited about is the indication that our research efforts contribute to areas of national need while also helping to drive local and regional economic and workforce development, he said. Our R1 status will boost the economy of our region while opening up new opportunities. ### Contact: Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship, 406-243-6670, scott.whittenburg@umontana.edu. China has thrown its support behind Russia after a brief mutiny posed the gravest challenge to the 23-year rule of President Vladimir Putin. However, analysts say the short-lived insurrection, has exposed "the irreconcilable conflict between Russia's top political and military leadership," as well as Putins flawed chain of command. This, they add, may not only foreshadow a Russian defeat in the Ukraine war but test the limits of ties between Beijing and Moscow. In statement late Sunday night, China's foreign ministry brushed off Saturday's coup by the Wagner mercenary group, which dissipated in a day, as "Russia's internal affair." "As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity," the statement added. China's support followed a visit by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko to Beijing on Sunday, where he met with Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his deputy. During the meetings, the two sides reaffirmed their close partnership and discussed international and regional issues mutual concern, according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry. The statement did not mention the situation in Russia or Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Associated Press said Rudenkos visit had not been previously announced. China and Russia, while not formally allied, have maintained close ties throughout Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn. Just before the war began, Moscow and Beijing announced that their relationship was greater than a traditional alliance and had "no limits." Over the weekend, Chinese netizens voiced support for Russia. A Weibo user, based in Chongqing, Sichuan, praised Putin as a "hero, who has easily relinquished [the Wagner chief's] military command." But a Beijing-based Weibo user urged the Chinese to be rational, "throwing support behind anyone who will benefit China." Xueliang Ding, a retired professor from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, told VOA Mandarin in a telephone interview Sunday that Russia hasnt completely pulled back from the brink of a civil war. Manet and Degas met around 1860 at the Louvre while the 27-year-old Degas was copying Velazquezs Portrait of the Infanta Margarita on a copper plate, with no prior drawing, as was the custom at the time. Manet, 29, was fascinated by Degas daring. It was the beginning of a brief but intense relationship, consisting of emulation and rivalry. The friendship ended when the pair quarreled over a painting Degas did of Manet and his wife almost 10 years later: M and Mme Edouard Manet, which deeply displeased Manet. Manet believed his wife to have been depicted as deformed due to the ineptitude of his friend, and decided to remove his wife from the canvas. Unable to bear the mutilation of his work, Degas took the painting home and returned a still life that Manet had given him, marking the beginning of the end between them. Left, M and Mme Edouard Manet (1868), the painting by Degas that Manet half covered with paint, obliterating the portrait of his wife whom he believed to look deformed. The gesture cooled the relationship between the pair. Right, Madame Manet at the piano, the painting by Manet in response to Dagas perceived botched job. That painting introduces the Manet/Degas exhibition that the Musee dOrsay dedicates to the two painters, open in Paris until July 23, and moving to the Metropolitan Museum in New York for the fall. That the closeness between the two men flipped into enmity is largely speculation as hardly any letters or documents attesting to the reality of their relationship have been preserved. In their absence, the aim of the exhibition is to observe the breakdown of the friendship through the pictures they painted, which reflect the mounting tension between the two. The exhibition brings together 200 works, many of them loans from European and American collections, reflecting how much Manet and Degas had in common. Both sons of the Parisian bourgeoisie, they were born during the 1830s, belonged to the same circles and frequented the same cafes, such as the cafe Guerbois, between Montmartre and Batignolles, also a favorite haunt of Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Zola. They were interested in the same themes and had the same need for recognition. They also helped forge the avant-garde that would lead to Impressionism, although Manet never wanted to be officially associated with the movement. Left, Edouard Manet, circa 1876. Right, Edgar Degas, in 1895. They met at the Louvre, as the latter later confirmed, while he was copying Velazquezs Portrait of the Infanta Margerita. Keen to maintain their independence, neither of them had a classical training, although Degas briefly attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. They learned by copying, transferring the legacy of the great masters they revered to the present time: for example, Manet emulated Titian for his painting Olympia and Chardin for The Soap Bubbles. They went to the same bistros and brothels, where they observed scenes of urban life and reflected the transitory, the fleeting and the contingent in their paintings. But the two were also very different. Manet, who was a self-confessed post-romantic, admired the Spanish, while Degas followed Ingres and the Italians, and favored drawing and precise strokes. The former was a social and worldly animal, an expert in the art of seduction who sought applause, while the latter, proud of his misanthropy, was more discreet and reserved, and stopped any potential admirer from entering his workshop, which he considered a kind of laboratory . He is more vain than intelligent, Degas used to say of Manet. Left, Steeplechase Scene (1866) by Degas, with his fallen jockey in the foreground. Right, The Dead Toreador (1864-68), a second version of Manets painting depicting a bullfight. Faced with bad reviews, Manet painted a second version, this time focusing on the figure of the bullfighter. Degas considered it plagiarism. Manet achieved fame a decade earlier: by 1860, he was already a central figure in the Parisian art scene and had exhibited at the sacrosanct Salon, while Degas remained an unknown. The balance was redressed a decade later, by the role that the latter took in the organization of the Impressionist exhibitions from 1874, notes the curator of the exhibition, Isolde Pludermacher, who insists that neither of the two was, as is often said, a cursed painter. Even after they fought, the conversation between the pair continued. Halfway through the exhibition, Degas famous Steeplechase Scene (1866) appears, with its fallen jockey in the foreground. And next to it, the no less famous The Dead Toreador (1864-68) by Manet, on loan from the National Gallery in Washington, a second version of a larger composition depicting a bullfight. Faced with bad reviews, Manet decided to focus the painting on the figure of the matador, for which he garnered applause. His friend considered it plagiarism. Degas accused Manet of copying his subjects, although today we realize that it was often the other way around, says the other curator of the exhibition, Stephane Guegan. Manets Plum Brandy (1877) and Degas Women at the Terrace of a Cafe (1877). The two paintings reflect the new urban culture in Paris at the end of the 19th century, where lonely women who were often prostitutes drank alone on the boulevards. The best example might be Manets female silhouettes of nudes in the midst of country lunches, or his portraits of the painter Berthe Morisot, with whom he tried to conceal that he was in love. Manets blatant contemporary style contrasts with the more classical portraits of Degas in his early days. When I was painting modern Paris, he was still portraying Semiramis, Manet boasted. Degas followed in Manets footsteps, painting unhappy women, many of them prostitutes, whom he observed in melancholy interiors or crouching on the boulevards of Paris, as in The Absinthe Drinker (1876). A year later, Manet painted Plum Brandy, an almost identical composition set in a bar. The two paintings are almost identical, in the same way that The Seamstress by Manet seemed to mirror Degas In the Hat Shop, which Degas started earlier but finished five years later. But who copied whom? The exhibition is a thrilling succession of comparative exercises, including their portraits of women with birds in the background, almost identical nudes in the bathtub, modern seascapes and beach prints, and jockeys with their faces blurred in the middle of a horse race. Theirs was a permanent competition, even if the exhibition proposes a kind of reconciliation in its final stretch. After Manets death in 1883, many of his works became part of Degas private collection. Degas bought the paintings from Manets widow and the art dealer Ambroise Vollard, and lived surrounded by them until his death three decades later. The sea was at the center of another instance of mutual inspiration. Left, Manets Beach at Boulogne (1868). A few months later, Degas signed a very similar painting, Sea Baths (1869-70). The real happy ending is contained in the last room. Manets heirs had had the peculiar idea of cutting The Execution of Emperor Maximilian (1867-69) into several fragments. The Execution of Emperor Maximilian was a controversial painting about the execution of the ruler of Mexico that, in a new Hispanic tropism, seems to have been inspired by Goyas The Third of May. It was never exhibited in France and was sold in pieces after the painters death. Degas set out to find the surviving pieces and bring them together in a single canvas, a posthumous tribute that indicates, perhaps definitively, the admiration he felt for his friend, despite all their mutual disagreements and irritations. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 26th Jun, 2023) Abu Dhabi Waste Management PJSC (Tadweer) and the Municipal Community Centre have launched the My Sustainable City initiative to collect and transport green and bulky waste in Khalifa City and Mohamed Bin Zayed City. The initiative comes as part of the Abu Dhabi Programme for Effortless Customer Experience. Under the initiative, Tadweer will allocate two days a week, Sunday and Wednesday, across two months to transport green and bulky waste in the two localities. The initiative aims to promote proper and efficient disposal of waste to meet the needs of Tadweers customers. Ali Al Dhaheri, CEO of Tadweer, said, We are delighted to launch My Sustainable City initiative as part of the Abu Dhabi Programme for Effortless Customer Experience. The initiative comes in line with Tadweers efforts to promote proper and effective waste management and establish Abu Dhabis global position as a sustainable city. We will continue to launch and be part of initiatives that support the efforts for building a sustainable future and achieve a circular economy. We look forward to joining efforts with the Municipal Community Centre to enhance community awareness and promote the adoption of the best environmental practices for the safe and secure disposal of green waste in the emirate. The Municipal Community Centre affirmed its commitment to supporting strategic partners in implementing initiatives for protecting the environment. The move comes as part of the centres commitment to following the best practices to consolidate the values of environmental sustainability, preserve the health and safety of society, and raise awareness on environmental issues and the importance of protecting the environment. Talal Ali Al Ahbabi of the Municipal Community Centre said, The centres participation in this special initiative with Tadweer involves educating community members on proper waste disposal methods and raising environmental awareness through social media and text messages. The initiative reflects the solid relations between the two parties and their commitment to achieving the highest levels of public hygiene and promoting proper waste management and transportation practices, to preserve the visual aspect of our city." The Abu Dhabi Programme for Effortless Customer Experience enables effortless customer experiences across Abu Dhabi and positions the emirate as a leader in the field. The pioneering new model is benchmarked against international standards. The launch of the new model followed a successful pilot phase in three government entities: the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and Department of Community Development (DCD), which streamlined customer journeys by almost 50 per cent on average, enabling quicker completion times and fewer touchpoints. Berlin, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jun, 2023 ) :Germany on Monday said it was prepared to station 4,000 troops in Lithuania after the Baltic nation called on NATO to strengthen its eastern flank. "Germany is ready to permanently station a robust brigade in Lithuania," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on a visit to Vilnius. He said this was conditional on the "necessary infrastructure" and "compatibility with NATO plans". Germany has 800 soldiers permanently stationed in Lithuania. A further 650 are temporarily stationed there, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda had warned on Sunday that if Belarus was to host Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin after the weekend mutiny in Russia, then NATO would need to boost defences on its eastern flank. The head of state, whose Baltic country neighbours both Belarus and Russia, spoke after a state security council meeting to discuss Wagner's aborted revolt against the Kremlin. After Prigozhin called off his troops' advance on Saturday, Moscow said the Wagner boss would leave Russia for Belarus and would not face charges. Pistorius was visiting Vilnius with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg to prepare for the alliance's summit next month, which Lithuania is hosting. He said the stepped-up German presence, including 4,000 soldiers, their families and military equipment, came at "significant expense", underlining Berlin's commitment to regional security. The German minister said he agreed with his Lithuanian counterpart Arvydas Anusauskas that the build-up would go hand-in-hand "with the growth of infrastructure" on the ground. Pistorius said NATO's plans to strengthen its eastern defences were of "central importance". Given the "very long eastern flank", the transatlantic alliance must "respect the principle of military flexibility" in the "defence of our shared freedom". In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had already pledged one year ago to bolster Berlin's military presence in Lithuania. "We are ready to strengthen our commitment and develop it towards a robust combat brigade that can operate both as a deterrent and defend against an aggression," Scholz said, alongside the leaders of the three Baltic states. (@FahadShabbir) Syrian President Bashar Assad held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and discussed joint coordination on combating terrorism and joint efforts in the return of Syrian refugees, the office of the Syrian president said on Monday CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th June, 2023) Syrian President Bashar Assad held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and discussed joint coordination on combating terrorism and joint efforts in the return of Syrian refugees, the office of the Syrian president said on Monday. Earlier in the day, a source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that Vershinin will hold a meeting with Assad and Syrian Foreign Minister Faysal Mikdad during his visit to Damascus. "President Bashar Assad held political talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, during which relations between Syria and Russia were discussed, as well as coordination between them, especially in light of recent events, as well as issues of combating terrorism and joint efforts of the two countries in the return of Syrian refugees to their country," the statement said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th June, 2023) The Australian government announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine on Monday, in the amount of $74 million ($110 million AUD). "The Australian Government will provide a new $110 million assistance package to Ukraine ... This package responds to Ukraine's requests for vehicles and ammunition, and will make a tangible difference on the battlefield," the government said in a statement. The release specified that the new aid includes 70 military vehicles, including: 28 M113 armored vehicles, 14 Special Operations Vehicles, and 28 MAN 40M medium trucks and 14 trailers; supply of 105mm artillery ammunition; $10 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "In addition, Australia will extend duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine for a further 12 months, to support its recovery and trade opportunities," the Australian government said. Australia's new military air package for Ukraine brings the country's total support for Kiev to about $528 million, including $408 million in military assistance. These commitments announced today bring Australia's total contribution in support of Ukraine to $790 million, including $610 million in military assistance. Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with financial and military aid since the start of Russia's special military operation in February, 2022. The support evolved from light artillery munitions and training in 2022 to heavier weapons, including tanks, later that year and in 2023. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing to be supplied with fighter jets. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th June, 2023) A criminal case on the incitement to an armed rebellion against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of private military company (PMC) Wagner, is not terminated, a source in Russian Prosecutor General's Office told Sputnik on Monday. "A criminal case against Prigozhin is not closed," the source said. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) FBI Director Christopher Wray will testify before the House Judiciary Committee on July 12, the Washington Examiner reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the matter. Wray will appear before the committee amid tensions between the House Republicans and the Department of Justice related to the recent indictment of former President Donald Trump and plans of Hunter Biden, the son of the current US leader Joe Biden, to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and one felony gun charge, the report said. The hearing will also occur when another House panel, the Oversight Committee, is investigating an unverified FBI-generated document about Joe and Hunter Biden's involvement in a $5 million bribery scheme with the head of Ukrainian energy company Burisma, the report noted. Many Republicans, including the Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan, have accused the FBI of being "weaponized" in its investigations over Republicans, it added. Trump was indicted earlier in June on 37 charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, including those the FBI uncovered in a raid of his Mar-a-Lago residence in August. Hunter Biden's attorneys and the US Justice Department announced earlier this month an agreement under which he 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. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Sunday bestowed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Egypts highest honor as the two countries tightened their partnership. El-Sissi welcomed Modi at the presidential palace in Cairo with the Order of the Nile, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. The leaders signed a declaration elevating Egyptian-Indo ties to a strategic partnership, which means the two nations agreed to intensify their cooperation and hold periodic talks, the statement said. Egypt and India share deep ties that date back to the 1950s, when they played key roles in founding the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought an alternative path at the height of the Cold War. Modi, who arrived in Cairo on Saturday, is the first Indian prime minister to pay a state visit to Egypt in more than two decades. His two-day stop came six months after el-Sissi was in New Delhi as an official guest at Indias Republic Day parade. Modi also invited the Egyptian leader to attend a summit of the Group of 20 leading rich and developing countries, which India will host in September. Following his talks with el-Sissi, Modi visited the famed Pyramids of Giza and a historic mosque, Cairos Al-Hakim, which was recently renovated with the help of the India-based Dawoodi Bohra community. He also paid tribute to Indian soldiers who died in World War I and are buried in the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo. Modis trip to Egypt has focused on strengthening bilateral ties. The prime minister said both countries have been moving swiftly to increase bilateral trade to $12 billion annually within five years. Trade exchange between the two nations reached $6 billion in last year, a 13.7% increase from $5.3 billion in 2021, according to Egypts statistics bureau. The two governments also signed agreements in the fields of agriculture, archaeology, antiquities and competition law, said Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for Indias external affairs ministry. My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigor to India-Egypt relations and will benefit the people of our nations, Modi wrote on Twitter before departing to New Delhi. Earlier this year, both countries agreed to boost trade cooperation. India, the worlds most populous country, is one of the top five importers of Egyptian products, including crude oil and liquefied natural gas, salt, cotton, inorganic chemicals and oilseeds. Major Indian exports to Egypt include cotton yarn, coffee, herbs, tobacco, lentils, vehicle parts, ships, boats and electrical machinery. El-Sissi and Modi, who came to power in their countries in 2014, have in recent years cultivated a closer relationship. Over the last 16 months, they have resisted pressure from the West to condemn the Russian war in Ukraine. Both Egypt and India have decades-old ties with the Kremlin. There is a change in the global geopolitical and geoeconomic atmosphere wherein both countries wish to play a defining role, Indias Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said during a visit to Cairo in September. Egypts geostrategic location acts as a connecting link between Africa, West Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe and is also an important country from the Indo-Pacific point of view. Modi arrived from the United States, where he held talks with President Joe Biden and top administration officials, addressed Congress and met with top American executives. His meeting with el-Sissi came as global attention focused on a brief rebellion by the head of the Wagner Group, seen as the greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power. Neither leader commented on the Russian crisis. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition NATO will hold a high-level meeting in Brussels with the Swedish, Finnish and Turkish foreign ministers and security officials ahead of the upcoming summit in Vilnius, to discuss Sweden's accession to the organization, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th June, 2023) NATO will hold a high-level meeting in Brussels with the Swedish, Finnish and Turkish foreign ministers and security officials ahead of the upcoming summit in Vilnius, to discuss Sweden's accession to the organization, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday. "I spoke yesterday to (Turkish) President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, and I am also in contact with the Swedish and the Finnish governments, and we agreed to convene a high-level meeting in Brussels before the summit. This meeting will include foreign ministers, heads of intelligence and national security advisers. The aim is to make progress in completing Sweden's accession to NATO," he said during a press conference at the Griffin Storm 2023 military exercise in Lithuania. Erdogan and Stoltenberg discussed on Sunday Stockholm's NATO membership bid, with the Turkish leader saying that changes in the Swedish law on terrorism are not sufficient for Ankara's approval of its NATO application so long as supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is banned by Ankara as terrorist, are able to freely demonstrate in Sweden. With the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden abandoned its long-term neutrality and, jointly with Finland, applied to join NATO in May of that year. Finland's application was approved this July while Sweden's remained vetoed by Turkey and Hungary. The NATO summit in Vilnius is scheduled for July 11-12. Russia tried to present a return to business as usual Monday for both the Kremlin and the Wagner mercenary army that challenged President Vladimir Putin's authority in an aborted weekend mutiny Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jun, 2023 ) :Russia tried to present a return to business as usual Monday for both the Kremlin and the Wagner mercenary army that challenged President Vladimir Putin's authority in an aborted weekend mutiny. Putin did not directly address the dramatic events, but made a video speech to a youth forum dubbed the "Engineers of the future" and praised companies for overcoming "severe external challenges". Wagner headquarters in Saint Petersburg said it remained open for business, and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the private military firm would continue to operate in Mali and the Central African Republic. Wagner's owner Yevgeny Prigozhin was branded a traitor on Saturday when he led the capture of a southern military headquarters overseeing Russia's Ukraine campaign and sent an armed column towards Moscow in a bid to overthrow the defence ministry top brass. But, after triggering Russia's worst security crisis since Putin came to power in 1999, Prigozhin called off his fighters just over 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Moscow. The Kremlin said he would be permitted to accept exile in Belarus and his troops would not face prosecution. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th June, 2023) Russian forces have prevented the advance of three assault groups of Ukrainian troops north of Bakhmut and dispersed them with mortar fire, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson told Sputnik. "Subdivisions of the Yug Group of Forces have discovered the advance of three enemy assault groups in the direction of Berkhivka. Mortar fire dispersed the advancing enemy forces," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the assault actions of the Ukrainian military were also stopped near six other villages. The Russian military also targeted Ukrainian infantry using a "Solntsepek" (Blazing Sun) thermobaric rocket launcher in the Bakhmut area. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th June, 2023) The US Coast Guard has started an investigation into the tragic accident involving the Titan submersible, US Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said. Mauger told reporters on Sunday that the Coast Guard had officially formed a commission to investigate the disaster and the deaths of five people on board. Mauger said that Capt. Jason Neubauer was going to be the chief investigator. "My Primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to enhance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide," Neubauer told reporters, adding that investigators will work on gathering evidence into the cause of the implosion. On Friday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said authorities had launched an investigation into the destruction of the Titan submersible in Atlantic Ocean waters, and the US Coast Guard later added that it would join and lead the probe. On June 18, the OceanGate submersible, Titan, went missing during an expedition to the Titanic wreckage in an area about 900 miles east of Cape Cod in the North Atlantic, at a depth of approximately 13,000 feet. On Thursday, the US Coast Guard confirmed that the debris found on the ocean floor near the Titanic wreck site was made up of pieces of the missing submersible. All five people aboard the Titan were presumed dead. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is planning an early July visit to Beijing to hold high-level economic talks with her counterpart even as Washington readies new investment curbs on China, Bloomberg reported. Yellen said in April that her trip to China had been long anticipated but held off until the "appropriate time." The report, citing anonymous sources, said on Monday that the trip was being planned amid a Biden administration executive order that would regulate and potentially cut off certain US investments in China. The executive order is nearing completion and officials are aiming to have it ready as soon as late July, the report added. The Biden team has been at work for almost two years on the executive order on US outbound investment in China, which would cover certain investments in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Yellen seeks to meet her counterpart - Vice Premier for Economic Policy He Lifeng, who assumed this position in March. Yellen is the second Biden administration official to travel to Beijing after a souring in relations between the two countries. Secretary of State Antony Blinken just finished a visit to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping and other senior officials. US media reported that both officials of both countries viewed Blinken's visit as productive, with candid conversations on a range of issues. By: Cassidy Delamarter, University Communications and Marketing The recent expiration of South Koreas COVID-19 quarantine restrictions has allowed students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College to advance their virtual study abroad program to an extraordinary in-person experience. Twenty students just returned from Seoul, where they finally got to meet their pen pals from Yonsei University whom theyve been video conferencing and messaging with throughout the spring semester. Its part of the course, Korean Culture and Identity, which teaches students about the nations history, politics and social norms. Its the first study abroad program to begin virtually and the first faculty-led trip to South Korea since the start of the pandemic. What I like most about this format is that the USF students are learning through the coursework, but also getting first-hand exposure through their pen pals, said Kevin Lee, academic advisor and adjunct faculty member. I think its allowed studying abroad to be better for most of the students, instead of just throwing them into an experience they might not be prepared for. Lee, who immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea when he was a young child, created the class with USF Fulbright scholar Ky Pontious, whos currently teaching English in South Korea. It first launched in 2021 as a Virtual Global Exchange experience, providing students an alternative to traditional study abroad programs, which were temporarily halted due to the pandemic. The courses pen pal exchange was such a hit that Lee launched the Korea Virtual Pen Pal Program, opening up the opportunity to develop a rich and diverse understanding of Korean culture to more students. It takes a lot of the pressure off because youre learning by speaking with another student, said Jordon Myrick, a junior studying sociology and English. Youll find that you have more in common with people no matter their background if you make an effort to get to know them. While students were not required to speak Korean, many chose to learn a few words and use translation apps to improve their communication all part of the cultural experience, Lee said. Evia Fleming, a junior studying studio art and psychology, said communication did come with its challenges, but it did not overshadow the 20-day trip, which included exchanging popular snacks with her pen pal. The most memorable moment would be when I first met Dokyoung, Fleming said. I gave her some Goldfish, Milano cookies, Cracker Jack and Welchs fruit snacks, and she gave me some salty wheat wafers, a fish-shaped bread dessert and chocolate chip cookies from a famous Korean brand. After touring the Yonsei campus, Fleming, along with a group of USF students and their pen pals, ventured to a board game cafe where their pen pals taught them how to play Yutnori, a traditional Korean game. It was icing on the cake to be able to talk with and explore the home city of other university students, Fleming said. Many students never get the opportunity to study abroad due to a number of reasons, but we still want to make sure they have international collaboration skills they will need to be career ready after graduation, said Rene Sanchez, assistant director of USF Worlds Education Abroad Office. Virtual Global Exchange helps us expand access to these critical international experiences through programming, like the Korea Virtual Pen Pal Program, to students in an effective, interactive, and real way, fostering collaboration and communication like never before. USF World honored Lee and Pontious in 2022 with a Virtual Global Exchange Early Adopter Recognition for their efforts to provide a Korean cultural experience to all students. We often see people in the workforce are just not prepared, especially when it comes to cultural competencies, Lee said. I am using this class and program as a model to teach students how to appreciate and value other cultures. I hope they will take what they learn and apply it to different settings throughout their lives. USF World hopes to offer more virtual pen pal to in-person experiences in summer 2024. In the meantime, theyre working to build a variety of Virtual Global Exchange courses and encourage interested faculty to inquire and/or join the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learnings Faculty Learning Community, which launches this fall. Presidential candidate for the National Unity of Hope Sandra Torres casts her vote during the first round of Guatemala's presidential election. With 77% of ballots counted, Guatemalas former first lady Sandra Torres was leading after the first round of the presidential election held on Sunday. The candidate for National Unity of Hope (UNE) received close to 15% of the votes, followed by Bernardo Arevalo, of the Semilla (Seed) Movement, a party that came together during the democratic spring of Guatemala and who surprised analysts by attracting more than 12% of the votes. If the tendency holds, Torres and Arevalo would face each other in a runoff on August 20. The vote count, which is being carried out manually, has progressed slowly. Third place went to Manuel Conde, of the ruling Vamos party, followed by Armando Castillo, representing Vivir. The diplomat Edmond Mulet and former congresswoman Zury Rios, daughter of dictator Efrain Rios Montt, were trailing in fifth and sixth place shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time. Bernardo Arevalo at a campaign event by his Semilla party on June 21. Moises Castillo (AP) We do not know with whom, but we are prepared to win the election and for me to be the first female president of Guatemala, said Sandra Torres at a news conference held at midnight in which she took for granted that she would go to the second round. The former first lady also criticized the slowness of the count, despite the investment made by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to improve the tallying system. Bernardo Arevalo and his running mate, Karin Herrera, also held a press conference before midnight, in which they pointed out that this preliminary result reflects a strong rejection of the way politics has been done in Guatemala up to now. We believe that the electorate was fed up, tired of the corrupt political system, said the candidate. And they were looking for a decent and credible alternative. Arevalo earned a congressional seat in 2019 as part of the Semilla party, which was formed as a political response to citizen demands in 2015 rejecting the widespread corruption uncovered by the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). He is the son of former president Juan Jose Arevalo Bermejo, who governed from 1945 to 1951 in a post-revolutionary and reformist administration. In this first round, a considerable number of spoiled ballots was another sign of Guatemalans weariness with the corruption that pervades various levels of government. and with a campaign marked by allegations of fraud and the exclusion of three leading opposition candidates. The preliminary tally showed 17.4% of null ballots, more than the share of valid votes that any candidate received. China has thrown its support behind Russia after a brief mutiny posed the gravest challenge to the 23-year rule of President Vladimir Putin. However, analysts say the short-lived insurrection, has exposed the irreconcilable conflict between Russias top political and military leadership, as well as Putins flawed chain of command. This, they add, may not only foreshadow a Russian defeat in the Ukraine war but test the limits of ties between Beijing and Moscow. In statement late Sunday night, Chinas foreign ministry brushed off Saturdays coup by the Wagner mercenary group, which dissipated in a day, as Russias internal affair. As Russias friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity, the statement added. Chinas support followed a visit by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko to Beijing on Sunday, where he met with Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his deputy. During the meetings, the two sides reaffirmed their close partnership and discussed international and regional issues mutual concern, according to a statement from Chinas Foreign Ministry. The statement did not mention the situation in Russia or Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Associated Press said Rudenkos visit had not been previously announced. China and Russia, while not formally allied, have maintained close ties throughout Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn. Just before the war began, Moscow and Beijing announced that their relationship was greater than a traditional alliance and had "no limits." Over the weekend, Chinese netizens voiced support for Russia. A Weibo user, based in Chongqing, Sichuan, praised Putin as a hero, who has easily relinquished [the Wagner chiefs] military command. But a Beijing-based Weibo user urged the Chinese to be rational, throwing support behind anyone who will benefit China. Xueliang Ding, a retired professor from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, told VOA Mandarin in a telephone interview Sunday that Russia hasnt completely pulled back from the brink of a civil war. Irreconcilable conflict This is the first time that an irreconcilable conflict between Russias top political and military leadership has surfaced. But this wont be the last time, Ding said. Under a deal announced Saturday by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin will move to Belarus. Charges against the former Putin loyalist of mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped and Wagner fighters who took part in the advance will not be punished. If Prigozhins exile in Belarus turns out to be short, the Wagner forces under his leadership may remain a source of turmoil in Russia, Ding said. As the Russia leadership tried to restore order on Monday, Putins regime still appears weakened since the armed rebellion has exposed flaws in the Russian presidents command chains, said Tzu-yun Su, a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei. That, along with corruption in the Russian military and its collapsing morale, may foretell Russias eventual defeat in its invasion of Ukraine, Sun added. No Chinese military aid Both Ding and Su said that China will not come to Russias military aid if the Ukraine people defeat the Russians. [Chinese President] Xi Jinping is extremely pragmatic. He wont concede that hes wrongly sided with Putin since China needs Russia as its geopolitical partner. But he will never send PLA soldiers to fight the Ukraine people. Its only possible that he will provide the Russians with indirect assistances such as resources and equipment, Su told VOA Mandarin in a video chat on Sunday. Chinas Peoples Liberation Army is known as the PLA. Citing U.S. intelligence, Su said Chinese private firms sold assault rifles and drones to the Russian military. China supports Russia with military supplies such as field rations and by buying its natural gas, gasoline and crude oil. After the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, many nations including the U.S. and the U.K stopped importing Russian crude oil and gasoline in an effort to financially hinder Moscows war effort. Ding also said that the price will be too dear to pay if China sends military aid to the Russians. Its never good news for China to lose a partner [should] Russia suffer a defeat. But China needs to do a lot to bail Russia out. Firstly, China needs to provide Russians with the best available weaponry, which will then harm the strength of Chinas own troops. Then [international] sanctions will follow to haunt China, Ding said. Parallels in the Taiwan Strait Su said that the chaotic coup staged by the Wagner Group under Prigozhin could also make Xi think twice about starting a war in the Taiwan Strait. This teaches Xi a big lesson. Russia struggles in fighting the ground battle in Ukraine. If Xi plans on crossing the Taiwan Strait and invading Taiwan with amphibious forces, the stakes will be higher. Also, if the attack goes on for a long time, his rule will be threatened, said Su. A 23-year-old was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty on Monday to murder and other crimes in a 2022 shooting that killed five people at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs. Anderson Lee Aldrich pleaded guilty to five first-degree murder counts and 46 attempted murder counts, part of an agreement reached with prosecutors that avoids what could have been a lengthy trial. Aldrich also pleaded no contest to two counts of bias-motivated crimes. On Nov. 19, 2022, Aldrich, wearing body armor, opened fire at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub. Apart from those killed, nearly two dozen others were wounded by gunfire or otherwise injured before being stopped by "heroic" patrons. Aldrich, then 22, was charged with 323 criminal counts. During the sentencing hearing immediately following the plea, family members of the victims and survivors of the shooting spoke tearfully about their loved ones and expressed fury at Aldrich for the attack. "I will never get the chance to marry the love of my life," said Kassandra Fierro, whose boyfriend, Raymond Green Vance, was among the dead. "I will never get to start a family with Raymond. I will never get to see, hear or feel Raymond ever again." Others, noting that Club Q had long been a "safe space" for LGBTQ residents, said the shooting had shattered their tight-knit community. The shooting at Club Q was reminiscent of a massacre in 2016 when a gunman killed 49 people at the gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, before he was shot dead by police. Colorado no longer has a death-penalty statute. However, Aldrich could face a death sentence in federal court if prosecutors decide to bring charges under the U.S. code, which still has capital punishment on its books for certain crimes. Aldrich was formally charged last Dec. 6 and did not enter a plea at the time. Those killed in the shooting were identified as Daniel Aston, 28; Kelly Loving, 40; Derrick Rump, 38; Ashley Paugh, 34; and Vance, 22. Aldrich was known to law enforcement, having been arrested in June 2021. Aldrich's mother had reported that Aldrich had threatened to detonate a bomb and harm her with multiple weapons, according to a press release from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Aldrich's mother declined to testify for the prosecution, and the case was dismissed. Hundreds of villagers in Kenya's coastal Lamu County have fled their houses after armed men attacked two villages Saturday and killed five people, beheading four of them. Following Saturday's night terror attack, gunshots were heard in Juhudi village in Lamu County on Monday afternoon. Eunice Njoroge is the assistant chief of Majembeni village in Lamu County. She is one of the government officers who visited the villages of Juhudi and Salama, where five people were killed by suspected al-Shabab militants. A reinforcement was sent to Juhudi though there were enough security men in the area, Njoroge says. Security forces and officials went to determine whether the gunshots heard in the area were fired by terrorists or security forces in the area. She says there have been no reports of deaths other than those reported yesterday. Kenyan security forces said they were pursuing the attackers in the forests around the villages and assured residents they would be safe. However, witnesses say many residents of Juhudi and Salama have fled their homes for fear of further attacks. Peter Muthengi is a pastor in the village of Salama. He says the residents are afraid for their lives. The people who live in the villages are fleeing their homes and looking for a safe place to stay, he says. The people that live around the forest are terrified. There is calm in some sections, but there is a lot of worry. At least 30 armed men dressed in military uniforms and sarongs stormed the two villages in Lamu County on Saturday night. Stephen Mureithi, 39, lost his cousin Peter Mureithi in the attack. Mureithi says they found his cousin at home, broke into his home, took him out and killed him outside the house. He says after killing him they burnt his motorbike, beddings, and bicycle. I gathered the rest of his belongings and kept them safe. Terrorist strikes in Lamu County, particularly in areas near the forests, have killed dozens in recent years. Al-Shabab has been active in Kenya since the country sent troops into Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission in 2011. Australia will send an extra 70 vehicles to Ukraine in a new $74 million package of military assistance. Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraines efforts to repel the Russian invasion. Australia will send 70 additional vehicles to boost Ukraines war effort against the February 2022 Russian invasion. The commitment includes armored and special operations vehicles, trucks and trailers. Canberra will also send more artillery ammunition to Ukraine and contribute more than $6 million to the United Nations for its Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund for health services, shelter and clean water. The announcement Monday brings Australias total contribution to Ukraine to $528 million. It is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra that Australia is committed to supporting Kyivs war efforts. This additional support will make a real difference helping the Ukrainian people who continue to show great courage in the face of Russias illegal, unprovoked and immoral war. It is sobering that 16-months on from Russia's invasion, its brutal conflict continues, he said. The latest round of Australian aid does not, however, include Ukraines key requests for assistance: a fleet of Australian made Hawkei light armored four-wheel-drive patrol vehicles or additional Bushmaster armored personnel carriers. Prime Minister Albanese also told reporters the aborted mutiny by the Wagner private military group that shook Russia at the weekend showed that the invasion of Ukraine has been a "disaster" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also, the High Court of Australia has dismissed a bid by Russia to stop federal authorities from taking control of a site it leased for a new embassy in the capital, Canberra. The unsuccessful legal challenge followed Australias decision earlier this month to block Moscows plans to build a new diplomatic mission near the Australian Federal Parliament, citing unspecified national security concerns. The Kremlin had said previously that Australias decision to block the construction of its new embassy in Canberra was "yet another unfriendly action." 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. Gunmen shot and killed a member of Pakistans minority Sikh community in an overnight attack in the northwestern city of Peshawar, police said Sunday. Gauher Khan, a local officer, said the attack on Manmohan Singh, 35, appeared to be a targeted killing. A police investigation continues, Khan said, into the motive. Khan said the assailants opened fire at Singh while he was returning home from a suburban area. The assailants fled the scene. The Islamic State group in a statement claimed responsibility for the killing, saying Singh had been a follower of what it called a polytheistic Sikh sect in Peshawar. It also claimed wounding a Sikh in the northwestern city the previous day. It's the third killing of a Sikh community member this year in Pakistan. Last month, assailants gunned down Sardar Singh in a drive-by shooting in the eastern city of Lahore. In April, gunmen shot and killed Dayal Singh in Peshawar. In the same city in May 2022, gunmen killed two members of Sikh community. Most Sikhs migrated to neighboring India in 1947, the year British rule of the subcontinent ended, and Pakistan was created as a homeland for Muslims in the region. Thousands of Sikhs stayed in Pakistan, where they generally live peacefully. But isolated attacks on minority Sikhs, Christians and members of the Ahmadi sect have continued. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a brief freeze in construction on a wind turbine project in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that set off a rare clash between Druze residents and police. Netanyahu said late Saturday he agreed to a pause on the project during this week's Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, which is meant to allow time for talks to defuse the crisis. The project is expected to resume next week. A statement from Netanyahus office said he made the decision based on advice from security officials. The Druze oppose the plan, which would install more than two dozen 200-meter (660-foot) tall turbines throughout their land. The landowners said the turbines will harm their agricultural output and that the energy company behind the project didn't consult with them in good faith, a claim the company denies. Last week, thousands of residents demonstrated against the project, storming a police station, throwing stones and fireworks, setting tires on fire, vandalizing police cars, blocking roads and even shooting live fire into the air, according to police. Israel captured the Golan, a strategic plateau overlooking northern Israel, from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel subsequently annexed the area in a move that was recognized by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. But most of the international community considers the area to be occupied territory. While Druze leaders still profess allegiance to Syria, relations with Israel are normally good. The Golan is a popular vacation destination for Israelis and is filled with hotels and restaurants, and most residents speak Hebrew fluently. Violent clashes with Israeli authorities are rare. Latest developments: President Joe Biden said Monday that the United States had "nothing to do" with Wagner's revolt against the Russian military leadership. "This was part of a struggle within the Russian system," Biden said, adding that he was briefed "hour by hour" on the developments by his national security team and allies. Wager chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said Monday in an audio recording on the Telegram messaging app that he did not intend to overthrow the Russian government and that the revolt was triggered by a Russian military attack on his men. He called the uprising a "justice movement." Moldova's prime minister, Dorin Recean, said Monday that Wagner's short-lived mutiny in Russia has exposed Moscow's weakness and that what he described as the Kremlin's interference in his own country was becoming less effective over time. European Union countries agreed Monday to increase their military aid for Ukraine by $3.8 billion to more than $13 billion. The European Peace Facility (EPF), which EU countries contribute to according to the size of their economies, has already allocated some $5 billion in military aid for Ukraine. This package is separate from the EU's budget, which is not allowed to finance military operations. "Today's decision will again ensure that we have the funding to continue delivering concrete military support to our partners' armed forces," the bloc's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, who had requested the increase, said in a statement. "The facility has proven its worth. It has completely changed the way we support our partners on defense. It makes the EU and its partners stronger," he said. Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said Monday it would not lift a block on a $546 million tranche of the existing fund until Kyiv removes blacklisted Hungarian bank OTP from a list of companies Kyiv calls "international sponsors" of Russia's war in Ukraine. Hungary has branded the bank's inclusion "scandalous." The EPF, established in 2021, was designed for the EU to help developing countries buy military equipment. But the 27-member EU quickly decided to use it also to get weapons to Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February of last year. The fund allows EU countries that supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine to claim a portion of the cost. Ukraine battlefield Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Monday that Ukrainian forces had made some gains in the eastern part of the country during the past week, and that there was heavy fighting in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka areas. Maliar also said that while "the situation in the south has not undergone significant changes over the past week," overall, Ukrainian forces had freed 130 square kilometers since launching a counteroffensive earlier in June. Ukraine's military said Monday its forces downed two of three cruise missiles that Russia fired from the Black Sea as well as seven of eight Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia. Such aerial attacks have been a common part of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials hailing the work of air defenses in countering the assaults. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Sunday after a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden that he was "especially grateful" to the United States for the reliability of Patriot air defense batteries. Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine, including through continued security, economic and humanitarian aid, according to a White House statement. Zelenskyy said he also discussed the fighting on the front lines and strengthening Ukraine's troops in his call with Biden and similar conversations Sunday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Polish President Andrzej Duda. US military aid A new U.S. military aid package for Ukraine, worth up to $500 million, will be announced as soon as Tuesday. The package will include ground vehicles for Ukraine's counteroffensive, two U.S. officials said. Expected to be included are 30 Bradley fighting vehicles and 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers, according to one of the officials. Ukraine will also receive munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, anti-tank weapons including Javelins and munitions for Patriot and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The package is still being finalized and could change, they said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The package would be funded using presidential drawdown authority, which authorizes the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The material will come from excess U.S. inventory. The security assistance package would be part of more than $40 billion in military aid by the U.S. since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Zelenskyy visits troops Zelenskyy handed out awards to troops and posed for selfies with soldiers during a visit to the eastern region of Donetsk, footage of which was posted online on Monday. The president's office did not say when Zelenskyy visited the units, including soldiers who have fought Russian troops in the Bakhmut sector, where battles are raging. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the soldiers fighting on the front lines. "Everyone in the country understands, so you know, those who are not on the front line; everyone understands perfectly that you are doing the most difficult work today and everyone knows that eastern direction is very difficult," he said. Wagner mutiny During a press briefing Monday, President Biden said he was being briefed "hour by hour" by his national security team on the situation in Russia and convened allies on a video conference. He said the U.S. has made it clear it was not involved in Wagner's mutiny, adding, "This was part of a struggle within the Russian system." Additionally, Biden said, "We're going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine. But it's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going." The unprecedented challenge to Putin by fighters from the Wagner paramilitary forces exposed fresh "cracks" in the strength of Putin's 23-year leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday. Blinken spoke during a televised interview on the NBC program "Meet the Press." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Leading United Nations agencies warn that millions of people in the greater Horn of Africa are trapped in an emergency hunger and health crisis driven by overlapping disasters, including climate change and conflict. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that seven countries in the East Africa region Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda are experiencing unprecedented levels of food insecurity. WFP said that nearly 60 million people are not getting enough food to remain active and healthy, forcing families to sell their livestock and engage in negative coping strategies such as prostitution to survive. If we do not get the necessary funding, people in Phase 4 and Phase 5 are at risk of dying. And that is what we are concerned about, said Dominique Ferretti, senior emergency officer in WFPs regional bureau in Nairobi, Kenya. According to the U.N.s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale for acute food insecurity, people in Phase 4 are facing extreme food shortages and risk hunger-related deaths. People in Phase 5 are starving and have reached the calamitous stage of famine. Ferretti said 40,350 people are in Phase 5 in Somalia, and 43,000 are in Phase 5 in South Sudan. He noted that the devastating humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa has not been caused by any one single emergency. Rather, in the past three years, Eastern Africa has experienced COVID-19, an Ebola outbreak and other epidemics ranging from cholera to measles to dengue; a devastating desert locust plague that swept the region, destroying crops and income; and perhaps more importantly, the vast conflict and insecurity forcing millions from their homes, new refugee displacements from countries including Ethiopia, Somalia, and now unfortunately, Sudan, he said. Rains have fallen in the Horn of Africa, bringing relief to the region, which has suffered the longest drought in recent history. But U.N. agencies warn that one rain is not enough to end the crisis. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that people in the region are facing many health emergencies. Liesbeth Aelbrecht, WHO incident manager for the greater Horn of Africa emergency, said acute hunger in the region has sent malnutrition rates soaring, with more than 10.4 million children under the age of five estimated to be facing acute malnutrition in the region. She said Sudan, which is amid a brutal war, has an estimated 4 million acutely malnourished children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, out of which more than 100,000 children under five are severely acutely malnourished with medical complications. They might have diarrhea or have contracted malaria or measles and are in need of specialized care, as they are at risk of dying, Aelbrecht said. Their lives are basically hanging by a thread. She said numerous health problems have arisen from five years of prolonged drought and warned that recent flooding in the Horn has worsened many of the ongoing disease outbreaks of cholera, measles and malaria, with severe impact on illness and loss of life. Disease outbreaks are flourishing as people are leaving their homes in large numbers because of conflict or in search of food, water and pasture. While we expect more rain in the drought-affected regions, we must brace for new challenges, Aelbrecht said. One of the new challenges facing East Africa stems from Russias invasion last year of Ukraine. The war prevented the country from exporting wheat, sunflower oil, maize and other crops for many months. The U.N.-Turkey-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022 has allowed the exports to resume. However, Russia has said it would not extend the initiative beyond July 17, unless certain conditions were met. WFP warns that this would result in food shortages and the price of food rising to unaffordable levels. Ferretti said this would seriously impact people in Africa and the Middle East in particular. The reality is that Ukraine is the breadbasket of the world, he said. Ukraine is a major supplier, and it would hit us hard if this Black Sea Initiative was not renewed. The authorities in Myanmar destroyed more than $446 million worth of illegal drugs seized from around the country to mark an annual international anti-drug trafficking day on Monday, police said. The drug burn came as U.N. experts warned of increases in the production of opium, heroin and methamphetamine in Myanmar, with exports threatening to expand markets in South and Southeast Asia. Myanmar has a long history of drug production linked to political and economic insecurity caused by decades of armed conflict. The country is a major producer and exporter of methamphetamine and the worlds second-largest opium and heroin producer after Afghanistan, despite repeated attempts to promote alternative legal crops among poor farmers. In the countrys largest city, Yangon, a pile of seized drugs and precursor chemicals worth $207 million was incinerated. The destroyed drugs included opium, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, kratom, ketamine and crystal meth, also known as ice. The burn coincided with the U.N.'s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Authorities also destroyed drugs in the central city of Mandalay and in Taunggyi, the capital of eastern Shan state, both closer to the main drug production and distribution areas. Last year, authorities burned a total of more than $642 million worth of seized drugs. Experts have warned that violent political unrest in Myanmar following the military takeover two years ago which is now akin to a civil war between the military government and its pro-democracy opponents has caused an increase in drug production. The production of opium in Myanmar has flourished since the militarys seizure of power, with the cultivation of poppies up by a third in the past year as eradication efforts have dropped off and the faltering economy has pushed more people toward the drug trade, according to a report by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime earlier this year. SEE ALSO: Myanmars Opium Production Said to be Surging After Years of Decline Estimates of opium production were 400 metric tons (440 tons) in 2020, rising slightly in 2021, and then spiking in 2022 to an estimated 790 metric tons (870 tons), according to the report. The U.N. agency has also warned of a huge increase in recent years in the production of methamphetamine, driving down prices and reaching markets through new smuggling routes. The military government says some ethnic armed organizations that control large swaths of remote territory produce illicit drugs to fund their insurgencies and do not cooperate in the countrys peace process as they do not wish to relinquish the benefits they gain from the drug trade. Historically, some rebel ethnic groups have also used drug profits to fund their struggle for greater autonomy from the central government. The end of Yevgeny Prigozhins rebellion against the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense leaves many questions unanswered. Chief among them is what will happen to his mercenary organization Wagner Group, which has played a leading role in Russias war in Ukraine, and also acts as the Kremlins unofficial armed wing abroad. Prigozhin started the revolt with his mercenaries to retain some power and control of Wagner. But although the shadowy businessman remains silent about the deal that put an end to the rebellion, the Kremlin has maintained that the Wagner mercenaries who did not participate in the attempted coup will be able to join the ranks of the regular army. This would mean that the Wagner Group in Russia would be dismantled, an outcome that the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu who has a longstanding rivalry with Prigozhin has wanted to achieve for some time. Shoigu was responsible for pushing the new regulations that require that volunteer regiments are integrated into the army by contract a move that gives the Ministry of Defense exclusive power over the war. These measures, which were to be applied in July, precipitated the Prigozhin rebellion, according to several analysts. It is unknown, however, how many mercenaries will transition to the regular ranks of the army, and if they do, who will lead them. Another unknown is what will happen to the Wagner Group in countries such as Sudan, Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic, where the mercenaries not only serve regimes linked to Moscow, but also act to ensure Russian interests in companies and rare earth mines and deposits a business that brings enormous benefits to Prigozhin, according to a Western intelligence source. The head of the Wagner mercenary organization, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has declared his rebellion against the Russian military leadership on Saturday after accusing the Armed Forces of bombing one of his camps. In the picture, a group of Wagner mercenaries deployed in the streets of the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, capital of the region of the same name. STRINGER (Reuters) Military convoy of the Wagner mercenary group drives along the M-4 highway near Voronezh on route to Moscow. STRINGER (REUTERS) Wagner members detain several civilians blocking a street in Rostov, Saturday. STRINGER (EFE) Civilians take a picture on one of the tanks of the Wagner group in the city of Rostov. ARKADY BUDNITSKY (EFE) Wagner mercenaries block a Rostov street with a tank marked 'Siberia'. STRINGER (EFE) Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary company, in a screenshot of a video he distributed this Saturday via his Telegram channel. "7.30 Moscow time, we control the military facilities in Rostov, including the airfield," he claims. HANDOUT (AFP) Wagner soldiers stand guard in the center of the Russian city of Rostov. STRINGER (EFE) A boy hugs a Wagner mercenary in Rostov. DENIS ROMANOV (AFP) Image from a video shared by the Wagner group showing a mercenary convoy under attack. Wagner (Anadolu Agency / Getty) Two Wagner members walk past a mercenary company tank in the city of Rostov on Saturday. REUTERS Russian President Vladimir Putin during his address to the nation on Saturday. In the televised message, Putin called the revolt "treason" and vowed that those responsible will be severely punished. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV (AFP) Smoke plume from a destroyed fuel depot in the Russian city of Voronezh. STRINGER (REUTERS) Two Rostov residents take a photograph with a Wagner member. In the foreground, two grenade launchers on a vehicle. ROMAN ROMOKHOV (AFP) Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin on Saturday called on the capital's residents to reduce their travel around the city "as much as possible," as he posted on his Telegram account. Pictured, the surroundings of Moscow's Red Square. Sefa Karacan (Anadolu Agency / Getty) A civilian greets a Wagner mercenary in Rostov. STRINGER (REUTERS) Wagner troops rest in a cafe in Rostov on Saturday. STRINGER (REUTERS) Wagner troops, deployed in the Russian city of Rostov, one of the southern Russian enclaves controlled by the mercenary company. STRINGER (REUTERS) Removal of a Wagner poster under the slogan "Join Wagner" on a road in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday. AP A member of the Wagner group stands guard on a street in the city of Rostov. STRINGER (AFP) Civilians in the Russian city of Rostov walk past a tank with members of the Wagner group. STRINGER (AFP) The head of the mercenary company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has called for "a march for justice" of his organization against the Russian military leadership. STRINGER (REUTERS) Russian police officers guard a road near St. Petersburg with a sign under the slogan "Join Wagner". AP Two men hold an image of Vladimir Putin on Red Square in Moscow, Saturday. NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA (AFP) Wagner group mercenaries guard an area of Rostov. "We have arrived here [Rostov-on-Don]. We want the chief of the General Staff [Valery Gerasimov] and [Defense Minister Sergey] Shoigu to be handed over to us. While they do not appear, we will be here, blockading the city of Rostov and going to Moscow," Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, threatened. Vasily Deryugin (AP / LAPRESSE) Two police officers guard Wagner's headquarters in St. Petersburg. ANTON VAGANOV (REUTERS) Russian police have stepped up security around Moscow's Red Square. MAXIM SHIPENKOV (EFE) The Wagner mercenary group controlled in the first hours of the rebellion the Russian city of Rostov, where its troops have been deployed in the early hours of Saturday morning. ARKADY BUDNITSKY (EFE) Its hard to think that Wagner could disappear overnight in Africa, says Enrica Picco, Crisis Groups Central Africa director, from Nairobi. Russia has created a very powerful tool of influence on the African continent, as well as a network of trafficking and exploitation of resources. [After the rebellion] Wagner and Russia in Africa has an image problem, continues the researcher, but the regimes they support are not going to take part in the dispute. What interests them most is that nothing changes with respect to the protection they receive. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has spawned a plethora of militias. But Wagner is not like any other. The mercenary group has spearheaded some of Russias most effective offensives in Ukraine, with Prigozhin rising in stature and power with brutal tactics and his decision to recruit from Russian prisons. After the capture of Bakhmut and his subsequent withdrawal to leave the city in the hands of the army, Shoigu has tried to subdue the group. Prigozhin may have crossed a line, but its still too early to say its a complete break with Vladimir Putin, says Angela Stent, a professor at Georgetown University. I dont think the Wagner organization as such is going to collapse, says the expert on Russia and Foreign Policy in a talk organized by The Brookings Institution. Illegal mercenaries The Wagner group (officially PMC Wagner) was first identified in 2014, when it went into combat to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, who were driven, supported and fueled by the Kremlin. It was a secret organization with around 5,000 mercenaries that operated in countries in the Middle East and Africa. Wagners mercenaries have been the secret soldiers of the Putin regime in Africa, the Middle East and even Venezuela, operating in countries where Russia cannot officially be a regular force. In the case of the conflict in Syria, its also as a way for the Kremlin to get around reporting the casualty count. Until the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin had never recognized its activity because in Russia, it is illegal to be a mercenary and fighting abroad is punishable by up to 16 years in prison. In Ukraine, the Wagner Group has diversified their activities and also provide military training, consulting and intelligence operations. Working as instructors as happened in Sudan is allowed because it is considered advice. Wagners strength has been growing considerably. A few months ago, the U.K. Ministry of Defense estimated the group had around 50,000 fighters in Ukraine. In September last year, Prigozhin acknowledged that he was behind Wagner, which registered as a company and opened a new headquarters in St. Petersburg. On Saturday, Russian authorities reported that they had found dozens of gold bars, blocks of white powder, weapons and false passports in these offices. Wagner has gone from being an organization that supposedly does not exist to deploying recruitment advertising on Saturday, in the midst of the rebellion, Russian authorities began to remove some of these ads as well as Wagner merchandising products. Russias informal armed wing in Africa If it is difficult to predict Wagners future within Russia, it is more difficult to imagine that the private security group will be dismantled outside its borders, especially on the African continent. There, Moscow has developed a new diplomatic rapprochement in the last five years, underpinned precisely by the presence of mercenaries on the ground in volatile contexts. A good example of the links between Wagners soldiers and the Kremlin is the case of the Central African Republic, which has been struggling with the violence between Christian and Muslim militias since 2013. On February 25, the European Union signed a list of sanctions against individuals and companies linked to Wagner in Africa for their role in human rights violation. Among those sanctioned by Brussels was Dimitry Sytii, director of the Russian House cultural center, which is dependent on Moscow. He also has a prominent role in Wagner Groups structure in the country and a close relationship with Prigozhin. As in most African countries where Russian mercenaries have been present, Wagners name does not appear beyond the banners of pro-Russian demonstrations or in local media. The Central African Republic is a good example of this framework. In this country, security services are provided via the company Sewa Security Services, in parallel to the exploitation of mineral resources by firms such as Lobaye Invest and Diamville. While this is all under the shadow of Wagner, officially it is done through companies registered in the Central African Republic. The same goes for gold in Sudan, where Wagner operates via the Khartoum-based company Meroe Gold. In the Sahel region, Mali is the mainstay of Wagners presence. The mercenaries set out for Mali practically at the same time as the start of the large-scale Russian offensive in Ukraine without the secrecy with which they did before in other African countries. In Mali, the Russian private security company has the support of the coup commanded by Assimi Goita and a large part of the population. Wagner, preceded by the success of its campaigns in Ukraine and Syria, responded at the end of 2021 to Malis call to help in the fight against the jihadists. Prigozhins soldiers have become more powerful, while France, faced with the disaffection of the local population, withdrew its troops and the United Nations is also considering a withdrawal. This is despite reports linking the Wagner mercenaries to the death of 500 civilians in an anti-jihadist operation carried out in the center of the country. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Netherlands and Belgium have joined an international investigation into atrocities committed against the Yazidi minority in Syria and Iraq, the European Union's judicial cooperation agency said Monday. The Joint Investigation Team was established by France and Sweden in October 2021 and supported by The Hague-based Eurojust to identify and prosecute foreign extremists who targeted Yazidis during the armed conflict in Syria and Iraq. Eurojust said the teamwork already has borne fruit, including in France, where a Yazidi victim of a French jihadist couple was identified. That led to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity being added to an existing case. The joint investigation team is part of a broader international effort to mete out justice for atrocities targeting Yazidis, a minority considered heretics by the Islamic State militant group. A United Nations probe concluded in 2021 that crimes committed against Yazidis by Islamic State extremists amounted to genocide. IS attacked the heartland of the Yazidi community at the foot of Sinjar Mountain in August 2014. During the weeklong assault, IS killed hundreds of Yazidis and abducted 6,417, more than half of them women and girls. Most of the captured adult men were likely eventually killed. Women and girls were considered commodities for rape and servitude. Prosecutions of returning foreign militants for crimes against Yazidis already are underway in Europe. A German woman was convicted last week of keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave during her time with the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria and sentenced to nine years and three months in prison. The state court in the western city of Koblenz convicted the 37-year-old woman of crimes against humanity, membership in a foreign terrorist organization and being an accessory to genocide, German news agency dpa reported. Authorities have identified her only as Nadine K. in line with German privacy rules. Muhammad Ali Pate, a Harvard professor who has held top health jobs in Nigeria, has relinquished the top job at the Gavi global vaccine alliance, the organization announced Monday. Pate, a medical doctor trained in internal medicine and infectious disease, was due to assume the helm on August 3, Gavi had announced in February, taking over from U.S. medical epidemiologist Seth Berkley, who had been in charge since 2011. Pate informed Gavi "that he has taken an incredibly difficult decision to accept a request to return and contribute to his home country, Nigeria," the statement said, without further details about the decision. Gavi's Chief Operating Officer David Marlow will instead assume the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer while a search for a new CEO continues. The Gavi vaccine alliance is a nonprofit organization created in 2000 to provide an array of vaccines to developing countries. Gavi says that since its inception, it has provided vaccines to more than 981 million children, "and prevented more than 16.2 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 73 lower-income countries." Gavi has taken the lead on the COVAX initiative, alongside the World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. The global scheme has so far shipped nearly 1.9 billion COVID-19 vaccines to 146 territories, with the focus on providing donor-funded jabs to the 92 weakest economies. The Pakistan army revealed Monday that more than 100 people are being prosecuted in military tribunals for their alleged roles in last month's nationwide violent protests over the sudden arrest of former prime Minister Imran Khan. The revelation comes despite strong criticism from local and global rights groups of incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government for pressing ahead with military trials of civilians, mostly members of Khan's opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party. Army spokesperson Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a nationally televised news conference that those on trial in military courts were allegedly involved in attacks on defense installations during protests on May 9, the day when Khan was arrested on graft charges by paramilitary forces outside a high court in the capital, Islamabad. "Currently, 102 miscreants are under trial in 17 standing military courts nationwide. Civilian courts lawfully transferred these cases to military courts after examining the proofs (against the suspects)," Chaudhry said. He added that the military had also sacked three senior officers, including a lieutenant general, for failing "to maintain the security and sanctity" of army sites during the unrest. "Strict disciplinary action against 15 officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, has also been completed," Chaudhry said. He did not disclose the names of the officers, saying that family members of several former army generals were also facing "the accountability process for playing a role in the violence. The spokesperson insisted that those tried in military tribunals would have access to their attorneys and the right to appeal in civilian courts -- claims critics dismiss. The Supreme Court outlawed Khan's arrest after three days, but tens of thousands of his supporters staged street protests across Pakistan. Protesters clashed with riot police in major cities. Angry PTI supporters gathered outside some military sites. They raised slogans against the powerful institution allegedly behind their leader's arrest, with some setting fire to several defense sites and murals. Khan has distanced his party from the violence, saying operatives of government intelligence agencies infiltrated "peaceful protesters" and assaulted the military targets. The Sharif government, backed by the military, has since unleashed a nationwide crackdown on the PTI, arresting thousands of its members, including women, former lawmakers, and ministers, on charges they participated in the violence. However, scores of close Khan aides have since publicly quit the party and denounced the anti-army protests, enabling them to leave prison and escape prosecution. Those refusing to sever ties with Khan have repeatedly been re-arrested, with some continuing to resist pressure, while many other senior PTI members are in hiding. The 70-year-old former prime minister and independent analysts say the defections stemmed from "custodial torture," harassment of close family members, and other "pressure tactics used by the military. Speaking Monday, Chaudhry denied the army was behind custodial torture or coercing PTI members into quitting the party, which public polls rank as the most popular political group in Pakistan. Khan faces more than 150 charges, including treason, corruption, murder, and terrorism in a range of criminal cases. The government has barred dozens of Pakistani television news stations from showing pictures of the former prime minister or even using his name or that of his partys name. Imran Riaz Khan, a pro-PTI journalist, and household name through his YouTube shows, was also among those arrested and accused of inciting violence. He has not been seen or heard since police arrested him on May 11. Analysts say the legal challenges, the media ban, and the crackdown on Khans party stem from his campaign of defiance and allegations the military plotted last year's parliamentary vote of no-confidence that toppled Khan's government. This was the first time in history that a prime minister in Pakistan was removed through a no-confidence vote. Generals have staged three successful coups in Pakistan, leading to decades of martial law and allowing the military to influence national politics. Earlier this month, the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demanded the government try those accused of arson in civilian-run courts. The watchdog said that suspects tried under military laws "do not have the right of appeal to civilian courts, whose role is restricted to exercising narrow powers of judicial review in such cases." In a recent statement, Amnesty International also denounced the plans to subject civilians to military court prosecutions as "incompatible with Pakistan's obligations under international human rights law." The global rights monitor said that "flagrant disregard for due process, lack of transparency, coerced confessions, and executions after grossly unfair trials" are some of the human rights violations stemming from previous such trials. In a speech to the Russian nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin excoriated the organizers of the Wagner rebellion by calling them "traitors." The Russian leader said the organizers lied to their own people and "pushed them to death, under fire, to shoot their own," deflecting Wagner fighters' culpability for storming the southern city of Rostov, which they temporarily seized on their way toward Moscow. Putin invited the Wagner soldiers and their commanders, whom he called "patriots," to join the Russian military by signing with the Russian Ministry of Defense or with other law enforcement agencies. He also gave them the option if they wanted to go back to their families and friends or to move to Belarus should they choose. The Russian leader made no mention of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led the revolt. However, he said the organizers of this rebellion betrayed "their country, their people, betrayed those who were drawn into the crime." He also said that through this revolt, the organizers gave Russian enemies what they wanted "Russian soldiers to kill each other, so that military personnel and civilians would die, so that in the end Russia would lose choke in a bloody civil strife." Putin also said he had deliberately let Saturday's 24-hour mutiny by the Wagner militia go on as long as it did to avoid bloodshed, and that it had reinforced national unity. "Time was needed, among other things, to give those who had made a mistake a chance to come to their senses, to realize that their actions were firmly rejected by society, and that the adventure in which they had been involved had tragic and destructive consequences for Russia and for our state," he said. Prigozhin on Monday made his first public comments since the brief rebellion he launched against Russia's military leadership. "We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and the legally elected government," he said in an 11-minute audio message released on the Telegram messaging app. Instead, Prigozhin said, he called his actions "a march to justice" triggered by a deadly attack on his private, Kremlin-linked military outfit by the Russian military. "We started our march because of an injustice," the Wagner chief said, claiming that the Russian military had attacked a Wagner camp with missiles and then helicopters, killing about 30 of its men. Russia denied attacking the camp. Putin met Monday evening with the head of Russia's main domestic security service, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other ministers, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the Interfax news agency reported. The participants included Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov; the head of Kremlin administration, Anton Vaino; Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev; the director of the FSB security service, Alexander Bortnikov; National Guard Director Viktor Zolotov; the head of the Federal Protection Service, Dmitry Kochnev; and the chairman of the federal Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin; Interfax said. Prigozhin claimed the Wagner group was the most effective fighting force in Russia "and even the world." He said the way Wagner had been able to take control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don without bloodshed and the way it sent an armed convoy to within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of Moscow was a testament to the effectiveness of its fighters. His forces halted the rebellion late Saturday under an agreement brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin didn't offer any details as to his current whereabouts or his future plans. He was last seen Saturday, smiling in the back of an SUV as he departed Rostov-on-Don after ordering his men to stand down. The terms of the Kremlin's negotiation with the 62-year-old Wagner Group founder have not yet been divulged. Earlier, senior Russian officials displayed their unity standing by Putin. Russian state television showed video Monday of Shoigu visiting with troops in his first public appearance since the brief rebellion of Prigozhin and his forces. The report did not specify when or where Shoigu met with the troops and commanders identified as part of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Putin's appointed prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, acknowledged that Russia had faced "a challenge to its stability," and called for solidarity. "We need to act together, as one team and maintain the unity of all forces, rallying around the president," he told a televised government meeting. Russian intelligence services were investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny, the TASS news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying Monday. The U.S. intelligence community "was aware" that the mutiny orchestrated by Prigozhin "was a possibility" and briefed the U.S. Congress "accordingly" before it began, said a source familiar with the issue, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden said, "We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this." Biden's message that the West was not involved was sent directly to the Russians through various diplomatic channels, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. He did not characterize Russia's response. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Monday that the mutiny in Russia was "an internal Russian matter" but that it showed "the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine," while British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Monday the aborted mutiny posed an unprecedented challenge to the Russian leader. "Prigozhin's rebellion is an unprecedented challenge to President Putin's authority, and it is clear cracks are emerging in Russian support for the war," he told parliament. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday commented that Prigozhin's rebellion against Russia's military leadership showed "very serious cracks" in Putin's two-decade rule and "questions the very premise" of his 16-month war against Ukraine. "We see cracks emerging," Blinken said on ABC's "This Week" TV program. "Where they go if anywhere when they get there, very hard to say. I don't want to speculate on it. But I don't think we've seen the final act." Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The lawyer for Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu has denounced a government takeover of some 20 properties linked to his family, calling it a political witch hunt. Zambia's current president has been cracking down on corruption, but critics say he is targeting political opponents. The government officially seized the properties from the Lungu family last week. They include 15 two-story flats, a three-story lodge, a farm and a house. The properties were seized under the 2010 Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crimes Law, which allows the state to seize assets it believes were acquired through illegal means. Former President Lungu s lawyer, Makebi Zulu, told VOA that neither he nor his clients have been served with notice on any process before any court regarding the asset seizures. In talking to law enforcement agencies since the investigation began last year, Zulu said his clients have provided sufficient explanation for how they acquired the properties. He said the state is deliberately withholding that information to embarrass Lungu, wife Esther and their children. We are confident that we are standing on firm ground. Our clients are innocent of everything that they are alleging," Zulu said. "As a matter of fact, we are disappointed that theyre not getting down to investigate matters as they ought to. In an interview with VOA, Emmanuel Mwamba, a spokesman for Lungus Patriotic Front party, accused the government of abusing the law. Mwamba lamented that the properties in question were seized before investigations were finalized. The law enforcement agencies are seizing assets of people belonging to the Patriotic Front, to the family of the former president, just as a political witch hunt, said Mwamba. The Zambian director of public prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, has warned that the government will clamp down on corruption until it stops. That the wheels of recovering assets may appear grind slowly, but they will grind anyway. We are not oblivious to attacks and maneuvers to derail the fight against crime and asset recovery," Phiri said. "The posture we take is to talk softly but always carry a very big stick. Boniface Cheembe is executive director of the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, a human rights NGO. He says while the current government campaigned on its anti-corruption agenda, he hopes prosecutors will not be one-sided. We hope they do not divide the country further or at least it will not be seen as a continued wage of war against the incumbent president and the former president," said Cheembe. "Institutions be allowed to play their role and that once everything has been done, that justice prevails. Critics of President Hakainde Hichilema (hah-kah-IHN-deh hee-chee-LAY-mah) say while his government has instituted arrests and investigations into alleged corrupt activities by leaders of the previous regime, they have not secured any convictions. The president insists that the fight against corruption is not meant to victimize his political opponents. For more than 15 years, Qari Baryal has been on a special list of Washingtons most-wanted Taliban and al-Qaida leaders in Afghanistan, accused of carrying out bombing and suicide attacks across the country. Baryal and the militants he oversaw were involved in the supervision of IED [improvised explosive device] production, suicide personnel allocation, and overall attack planning and execution in Kabul and surrounding provinces, according to U.S. military reports. In November 2021, two months after U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban appointed Baryal as the governor of Kabul province. In March 2022, he became the provincial governor for Kapisa province, northeast of Kabul. Baryal is among those listed in a recent United Nations report as one of the Talibans leaders "affiliated" with al-Qaida. Besides Baryal, Nuristan Governor Hafiz Muhammad Agha Hakeem and Tajmir Jawad, the Talibans deputy director of intelligence, are also listed in the report. With the patronage of the Taliban, Al-Qaida members have received appointments and advisory roles in the Taliban security and administrative structures, the U.N. Security Councils Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team said in the report earlier in June. It called relations between the Taliban and al-Qaida strong and symbiotic. According to the report, an estimated 400 al-Qaida fighters were in Afghanistan, and there are signs that the terrorist group is rebuilding operational capability. The Taliban rejected the report, calling it biased and far from reality. A statement posted on Twitter by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group insists on its commitments and assures that there is no threat from the territory of Afghanistan to the region, neighbors and countries of the world and it does not allow anyone to use its territory against others. Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also rejected the presence of any terrorist groups in Afghanistan. There are no terrorist groups in Afghanistan. They cannot operate in the country, and we dont let them operate in Afghanistan, he said at an event in May organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad. U.S. officials have long expressed skepticism over Taliban claims that they have distanced themselves from al-Qaida. When a U.S. drone killed al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri last July, he was found living in a home in a central neighborhood of the capital, Kabul. The U.S. said his presence there demonstrated the Taliban had broken the 2020 Doha Agreement signed by the U.S. and the Taiban. By hosting and sheltering the al-Qaida leader, the Taliban violated commitments to not allow terrorists in Afghan territory threaten the security of other countries. The Taliban will send a clear message that those who pose a threat to the security of the United States and its allies have no place in Afghanistan, the agreement stated. Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA that by appointing "double-hatted" al-Qaida and Taliban leaders, including Baryal, who killed American troops, the Taliban are openly flouting the so-called peace agreement. These appointments show that the Taliban are not concerned about the perception of the international community, Roggio said. He said the Taliban always lied about their ties with al-Qaida and other terrorist groups, and that the groups statements cannot be "trusted." Roggio said Afghanistan could again become a training hub for the terrorist group. This is everything that al-Qaida can hope for. They have safe haven. They have support from the Taliban, who are in full control of the country, he said. But some experts do not think the country is becoming a magnet for foreign fighters. Sami Yousafzai, a journalist who covered Afghanistan for years, told VOA he believes al-Qaida members now in Afghanistan are mainly Arabs, with just a few Afghan Taliban members who joined out of necessity. They had contacts with al-Qaida since they were living there, and they were protecting al-Qaida as they paid them, he said. Other regional experts say the regions long military conflict between the Taliban and U.S.-led forces created loose alliances among regional militia groups. Rahmatullah Andar, the former spokesman for Afghanistans National Security Council, told VOA that the Taliban groups in the districts have been hosting al-Qaida members for more than 20 years. Therefore, it is difficult to separate them. Not only with al-Qaida but also with the Pakistani Taliban, he said. Andar added that some Afghans were working with al-Qaida, but there were also some who were group members. They have the same worldview, the same goals and the same approach, he said. Back in Afghanistans Kapisa province, Baryal now posts Facebook videos showing his outreach to the local community as the Taliban governments official representative. This story originated in VOAs Afghan Service. More than 17,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained by Britain and other allies over the last year to help Kyiv fight Russia's invasion, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday. The recruits, from many different walks of life, all went through a "grueling" five-week program that the ministry said had transformed them "from civilians to soldiers." Britain and nine partner nations Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania and the Netherlands opened the initiative for new volunteer recruits to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in June last year. The U.K.-led training program dubbed Operation Interflex taught the recruits, who had little to no previous military experience, various skills including weapons handling, battlefield first aid, and patrol tactics. "The determination and resilience of the Ukrainian recruits that arrive on British soil, from all walks of life, to train to fight alongside our British and international forces, is humbling to witness," U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said. "The U.K. and our international partners will continue to provide this vital support, helping Ukraine defend against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes." Britain initially offered to train up to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in battlefield skills, based on the U.K.'s basic soldier training. The program has now been extended and is on track to train some 30,000 recruits by 2024, according to the British defense ministry. It said intelligence has shown that the training has made "a significant difference to the combat effectiveness of Ukraine." "The U.K. Armed Forces maintains close communication with Ukraine to improve and evolve the course based on the skills most needed on the battlefield," the ministry added. UNESCO member states meet later this week on the Biden administrations bid to rejoin the Paris-based U.N. scientific and cultural body, a move that will inject hundreds of millions of welcome dollars into its coffers and give the United States a say in shaping programs ranging from climate change to education and artificial intelligence. Few expect any surprises on the outcome of the deliberations, which will be held at an extraordinary UNESCO session Thursday and Friday. There have been no reports of serious objections by the agencys 193 members, although China and Russia have offered some critical and cautionary remarks. SEE ALSO: US Plans to Rejoin UNESCO Yet even as many welcome Washingtons move to rejoin over concern that competitors like China are filling the void, some observers wonder how long that welcome will last. Next years U.S. presidential elections are looming, potentially ushering in another administration hostile to UNESCOs policies and membership. Still others suggest Israel, which similarly defunded and ultimately left the body, should follow Washingtons footsteps in returning. UNESCO itself has given an enthusiastic thumbs up to the U.S. request to rejoin earlier this month. Secretary-General Audrey Azoulay who has taken pains to erase perceptions UNESCO was biased against Israel and woo Washington back called it a historic moment. The reason why the U.S. is coming back is a strong signal that UNESCOs mandate is more relevant than ever, said UNESCOs New York office head, Eliot Minchenberg, in an interview, laying out a raft of UNESCO programs reflecting U.S. priorities including fighting antisemitism and Holocaust education. In the absence of the U.S., of course others have stepped up and helped, but it is definitely not the same as the U.S. presence and engagement both financially, diplomatically and politically, he added. Also welcome are U.S. dues that once accounted for 22% of UNESCOs budget. The Biden administration has proposed slowly paying off the $619 million in arrears, starting with $150 million in 2024 dues and back payments. French baguettes and the Everglades Located not far from the Eiffel Tower, the small agency known officially as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization runs a raft of programs from promoting education and free press, to fighting against climate change and antisemitism. Many know it best for helping to preserve and showcase the cultural and physical heritage of member states. French baguettes, Tunisian harissa, Finnish sauna culture and Colombian marimba music have all landed on UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage list. More than a thousand sites have also made UNESCOs World Heritage List, including two dozen in the U.S., from the Statue of Liberty to the Everglades and Yellowstone national parks. Even today, some U.S. universities and other private groups continue collaborating with UNESCO. That includes the Massachusetts-based nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists, whose deputy director for climate and energy programs, Adam Markham, says without membership the U.S. cannot weigh in on key discussions around climate change and World Heritage sites. China Youre seeing China taking a lot of leadership roles, said Markham, who can still participate in scientific meetings as a member of a nongovernmental organization. Im not saying thats a good thing or a bad thing. Its just changing the geopolitical relationships that the U.S. has with other UNESCO partners. The U.S. first quit UNESCO in 1984 under the Reagan administration, over corruption concerns and an allegedly pro-Soviet tilt. It rejoined under another Republican president, George W. Bush, then suspended dues under Democrat Barack Obama, when Palestine became a member. In 2018, President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out altogether over perceived anti-Israel bias and management issues, with Israel following suit. SEE ALSO: US, Israel Pull Out of UNESCO, Claiming Bias Now, politics are again driving Americas return this time, over concerns Beijing may otherwise have an outsized say in sensitive programs like artificial intelligence. Joe Biden's administration has realized that the empty chair policy is incompatible with the defense of the country's interests and that its absence from this forum ends up serving those of its great rival, China, wrote Frances Le Monde newspaper in an editorial even as it warned against Washingtons fickleness. The succession of departures and returns can only raise questions about the durability of thedecision, less than two years before a presidential election that could bring the party of ultra-nationalist retreat back to the White House it added, referring to the Trump administration. Israel next? Chinas ambassador to UNESCO has indicated Beijing was ready to work with a newly rejoined Washington. But the state-backed China Daily was blunter. Whether the U.S. will play a positive role in the agency remains a conjecture, it wrote in an editorial. If its return is just for regaining its own influence against that of China in the organization, the U.S. will likely just be a troublemaker. Russias foreign ministry said it, too, was willing to welcome back the U.S., but warned Washington needed to follow UNESCOs rules and should pay back its astronomical debt unconditionally and in full. In Israel, Michael Freund, a former communications advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, cast the U.S. return as a fiasco and UNESCO as an appalling club, in an opinion in The Jerusalem Post. But the newspapers own editorial suggested Israel might consider rejoining the agency picking which programs to support while boycotting others to counter Palestinian disinformation. Returning to UNESCO is a waste of time and money, and not an effective riposte to China, John Bolton, a former national security advisor under President Trump, wrote in the New York Post. He called on Congress, with the House of Representatives now controlled by Republicans, to block UNESCO funding and said no current Republican presidential candidate appeared to support rejoining the agency. But Markham, of the Union of Concerned Scientists, says he saw a different reaction when he spoke recently to a group of historic preservationists in New Jersey. Western leaders say that the failed mutiny by the Russian mercenary Wagner Group over the weekend reveals the weakness of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Several thousand Wagner fighters seized Russian military facilities in Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh, south of Moscow, over the weekend. Putin described the group's actions as treason and a "stab in the back" for Russians. Wagner forces were advancing on the Russian capital when the mutiny was suddenly called off after an apparent intervention by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a Russian ally. The Kremlin said no charges would be brought against Wagner, although it has since said that an investigation is ongoing. Wagner forces have played a central role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the group's leader, has purportedly fled to Belarus following the abandoned mutiny. In an audio message released Monday he said that the action was called off to avoid bloodshed. Putin's 'monster' At a meeting of European foreign ministers on Monday in Luxembourg, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the attempted mutiny revealed weakness in Putin's leadership. "The most important conclusion is that the war against Ukraine launched by Putin and the monster that Putin created with Wagner the monster is biting him now. That monster is acting against his creator. The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking. So, this is an important consequence of the war in Ukraine," Borrell told reporters. Belarus border Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited the 400-kilometer border that Poland shares with Belarus. Security has been stepped up along the EU's borders with Belarus following the weekend's events. "Everything that is happening there [in Russia] is characterized by a high level of unpredictability. We don't know, and no one in the world knows, what were the real reasons behind the events the upcoming weeks will probably show us," Morawiecki told reporters Sunday. Britain noted that Prigozhin had questioned Putin's justification for the invasion of Ukraine. "The Russian government's lies have been exposed by one of President Putin's own henchmen," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told lawmakers Monday. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed that view. "The events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter and yet another demonstration of the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine. As Russia continues its assault, it is even more important to continue our support to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said. Ukraine opportunities Addressing whether Ukraine could take advantage of the turmoil in Russia, General Philip Breedlove, the former commander of U.S. European Command, urged a measured response from Kyiv. "Certainly, this begins to open some doors of opportunity, but we don't go rushing headlong through them. We take them as they are applicable to the plan that Ukraine has already set out," Breedlove told Reuters. Kurt Volker, the former U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations and former U.S. ambassador to NATO, said it was vital that Ukraine continue to push back invading Russian forces. "I think what Ukraine needs to do is press every advantage it has to use this moment to get its territory back. Then as this war eventually stabilizes and presumably on the border, I think NATO is going to have to come back to the idea of Ukrainian membership in NATO," Volker told Reuters. China Russian ally China has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that Beijing supported Putin. "The incident of the Wagner group is Russia's internal affair," spokesperson Mao Ning said. "As Russia's friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity." Military aid Australia announced on Monday an additional $73.5 million in military aid for Ukraine, including military vehicles, ammunition and humanitarian funding. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the weekend's events made it clear the invasion of Ukraine was failing. "The Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine has been a disaster for the people of Ukraine, most importantly, but it has also been a disaster for the people of Russia," Albanese said in a televised statement. European Union member states agreed Monday to boost a special fund used to finance military aid for Ukraine by $3.8 billion, raising its ceiling to more than $13 billion. EU leaders are due to meet later this week to discuss further support for Ukraine. Latest Developments: Wagners mutiny against Russian military leadership and the subsequent negotiations between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin for the de-escalation of the revolt, has exposed fresh "cracks" in the strength of the Kremlins leadership that may take weeks or months to play out, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday. "I don't think we've seen the final act," Blinken said on ABC News, in one of a series of interviews after the aborted mutiny by forces led by Prigozhin. Prigozhin will move to Belarus under a deal negotiated by Lukashenko, ending Wagners armed mutiny against Russia's military leadership, the Kremlin said Saturday. China supports Russia in maintaining Russias national stability, said the Chinese foreign ministry in a statement Sunday, after Wagners aborted rebellion. The death toll from an attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early Saturday has risen to five, according to the citys mayor, Vitali Klitschko. Rescuers discovered two more bodies under the rubble of a 24-story apartment block in the citys Solomyanski district, Klitschko said in a Telegram post Sunday. It was Russias eighth attack on the Ukrainian capital in June, said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. He added that falling debris from a Russian missile attack in Kyiv resulted in a fire on several floors of a 24-story building. He also said that air defenses had shot down more than 20 Russian missiles in the airspace around Kyiv. Officials in Ukraine said Russia launched missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities Saturday, causing damage to buildings and casualties. Meanwhile, 11 people, including three children, were injured in a missile attack on the city of Dnipro that destroyed four homes, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Seven of them are hospitalized, officials said. In Kharkiv, a city of more than 1 million people just south of the Russian border, a fire was started when a gas line was hit, Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. Terekhov said three missiles were fired at the city. Explosions were also reported in Kremenchuk, RFE/RL reported. Fighting rages Meanwhile battles rage on the eastern and southern fronts. The British defense ministry said Sunday in its daily intelligence report about Ukraine, that in recent days, Ukraine has again undertaken major offensive operations on three main axes in the southern and eastern parts of the country. In the report posted on Twitter, the update said Ukrainian forces have learned from their experiences in the first two weeks of the counteroffensive and refined their tactics to assault the deep, well prepared Russian defenses. Ukrainian troops have advanced in several directions around the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk oblast, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Saturday. There is progress in all directions, she wrote on Telegram. Pedro Sanchez isnt exactly Rambo he doesnt fit the prototype of a special forces general. Sanchez is of average height and stocky build, with a face scarred by teenage acne. During our interview, he excuses himself once to go to the bathroom and shed a few tears for his deceased parents, returning with red eyes. Theres a book about socialism on his shelf. He issues orders calmly to the subordinates who constantly interrupt our conversation. Sanchez frequently listened to flamenco pop music while he led the search for the lost children. He poured out cane liquor over the Amazon as they flew overhead looking for the children. The Indigenous guides who aided the search said it was an offering to the mother jungle for the safe return of the four siblings. After 40 days, Lesly, Soleiny, Tien and Cristin were finally found. EL PAIS interviewed General Pedro Sanchez in his office at the military barracks in northern Bogota to find out how those children survived in an environment so full of life, yet so dangerous. Question: When were you assigned to lead the search for the children? Answer. We were in the midst of planning other special operations in Bogota when the airplane crashed on May 1. My initial hopes were that the occupants were alive and would soon be located through radio beacons and other means. Four days passed with no success, so I began to realize that they might request our assistance. My command of this unit was the reason I got the job, not because I was the most qualified. General Giraldo, who is in charge of the Armed Forces, asked me to lead the effort. Q. And then he called the president? A. I have no idea. Q. You had to go to the command post in San Jose del Guaviare, near the jungle. A. The presidents concern was warranted an aircraft carrying Indigenous people and four minors was in trouble. I spoke to the Air Force Commander and offered to help. We knew it would be tricky, but our elite forces are trained for just this kind of mission, even if it falls outside of our usual scope. Were a team that doesnt shy away from a challenge. After receiving permission from General Giraldo, we deployed a unit on May 5. We canceled an ongoing operation I was overseeing in Medellin and focused on the missing plane. The next day, we were on the ground in San Jose, with a mission not just to locate the missing aircraft, but to assess the risks in the area. The terrain is manageable, but the narco-criminal groups operating there are a big problem. Q. But there is a bilateral ceasefire with the FARC [guerrilla] dissidents... A. Yes, but my men know that when they encounter a threat, they have to act. Hesitation means death. Pedro Sanchez; June 16, 2023. Diego Cuevas Q. How is it that the children were found just five kilometers [3 miles] from the plane? A. They got disoriented after walking about 24 kilometers [15 miles]. Its difficult to navigate there and they just happened to circle back to the site. Q. How do you know they walked 24 kilometers? A. Based on the evidence we found. [Sanchez shows us a map of the childrens estimated route that shows them reaching a certain point and then backtracking]. Q. Have you discussed this with the children? A. No, this is what weve deduced. We havent talked to them. We need the childrens input to complete the story. Q. What was Leslys role in keeping her siblings alive? A. She was the leader what she did was crucial. First, she never lost her will to live and secondly, she was very resourceful. Q. For example? A. Its best to wait for the full story. What Im telling you is simply conjecture and deduction. For example, shed lost her scissors, but ingeniously cut branches for shelter using only her teeth. When they ran out of food, she chewed up fruit and fed it to the baby. She also salvaged things from the plane wreckage to help them survive. Q. Like what? A. Farina [a coarse flour made from yucca], clothes, a mosquito net and everything in the first-aid kit. She also changed the babys diapers. Q. Where did she get diapers? A. They had them on the plane. We found three discarded diapers in different places. Q. What do you think about the theory that they kept quiet out of fear when they heard you nearby? A. I can only tell you that we passed within 40 meters [130 feet] of them once. And they heard us. Both the soldiers and the Indigenous guides. And Lesly heard the helicopter and the loudspeakers. But I dont know why she didnt help us locate her. Shes the only one who knows that. In the jungle, you can get lost by wandering just 20 meters [65 feet] away. Q. Why did you personally go to the jungle?. A. I had three reasons for going. First, to ensure the mission was on track. Second, to raise troop morale by assuring them that we would succeed. Lastly, to have peace in my own mind that even if we found them dead, we could say that we didnt give up looking. Pedro Sanchez greets the Murui, Siona, and Coreguaje Indigenous guides who joined the search; San Jose del Guaviare; May 21, 2023. Mauricio Duenas Castaneda (EFE) Q. How many times were you on the ground there? A. Only once, two days before finding them. I arrived on Wednesday, June 7. The Indigenous guides suggested that I go and ask the jungle for the children. I wanted to build trust with them, so I went and the first thing we did was pray, Oh, mother jungle, allow these humble mortals to find these children and bring them home soon. Then I joined the search party in the jungle and stayed there overnight. I saw firsthand how difficult it was. I saw the perseverance of the Indigenous guides but also their helplessness. My men had been there for 30 days, so I ordered other troops to come and relieve them. Q. You offered whiskey and cane liquor to the jungle. A. I sent for some whiskey, but the Indigenous people told me it wasnt necessary. Q. Why? A. Because the spirit accepts moonshine the cane liquor. There are many theories about that. All I can tell you is that I had to balance military science with Indigenous beliefs. And in that balance, we had to give them confidence and show them that what they say matters. Are you Catholic? Q. No. A. Well, for them, Our Lady of Fatima [the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal] might be a fairy tale. Whos right? I dont know. All I know is that I had to respect them, and if they had come to help, it must have been for a good reason. Q. How did you find out that they had found the kids? A. General Cota, the commander of the special forces mission, personally informed me. He said, Miracle, miracle miracle they found them! I asked how they were and he told me they were all alive. Q. Was repeating miracle three times the code to report that they were alive? A. Its repeated three times to confirm, like Mayday, mayday, mayday. Q. What happened in the plane crash? The four kids survived, but all three adults on board, including the mother, died? A. Engine failure. The pilot made an emergency call and tried to make a forced landing. A tree hit the nose and the engine was ripped off. The plane then fell to the ground nose-first without an engine. Q. How is it that the four kids were unharmed? A. Its a miracle. The farther back in the plane, the more chance they had of surviving the crash. Q. Do you think they were in the back? A. Thats confirmed. They were seated in the back. Q. Have you talked to the kids? A. Only Lesly. I asked if she had heard her grandmas voice from the helicopter and she said yes. I didnt want to ask anything more. The important thing is that they are alive. Well find out the rest later. Q. How have you managed to handle the global buzz surrounding this story? A. Its essential for me to have a clear understanding of my role to carry out special operations and lead this unit. Ive spent 90% of my energy recently on the news media, because its important for our country, but I still have important work elsewhere. Right now, Im reviewing two special operations. Pedro Sanchez in his office in Bogota Diego Cuevas Q. What was your daily routine like? A. I would wake up at 5 a.m., hoping that we would locate the missing children that day. At 8 a.m., Id compile reports, review updates on the operation and come up with new ideas for our search. Every night, my son would ask if we found them, and I had to say no it was heart-wrenching. But I never lost faith that we would find them the following day. Q. Did you leave Bogota to go to San Jose because the search was stalled? A. During my visit there, I immersed myself into the operational and tactical details, making decisions and communicating information. I was worried that silence might fuel criticism, so I made sure we communicated everything about our troops well-being, logistics, intel and sustenance. Once we found some evidence [of the children], media coverage intensified, so I had to shield our troops on the ground from any distractions. Coordinating with the Indigenous people was essential, and added new demands to an already exhausting and challenging mission. Q. What was the most difficult day? A. May 18. That day, we received a report of a fresh footprint. We had found other footprints over the previous three days and I felt we were getting closer.We quickly mobilized all our resources, including helicopters, planes, and satellite imagery. Tonights the night, I said. We put troops on the ground in the area of the footprint, and I told them they couldnt sleep, to keep going for the next 24 hours. Those 24 hours those golden hours would be critical to finding them. We brought recordings of their grandmother and played them over a megaphone. We tried everything and found nothing. I started wondering, Whats happening here? Thats when I decided to ask the mother jungle to return the children to us. Q. Day 36 of the search was also tough. A. Yes, Monday, June 5. I went to a local chapel in Bogota seeking divine guidance. I prayed and read the Bible, but didnt come away with any answers. I asked God for a sign, but then I realized that He simply wanted me to have faith and to take action. Thats when I decided to go to the jungle. Q. Whats it like? A. Beautiful, but hostile. Very tall trees, dense vegetation with dangerous animals like tigers and jaguars roaming around, venomous snakes, poisonous plants and mosquitoes with diseases that can kill you. Sometimes you cant see the sun because the jungle is so dense, and sometimes it rains for 16 hours straight. Its a place that can easily swallow you up if youre careless. Q. How many more days do you think the children could have survived under those conditions? A. Tien, the 5-year-old boy, would have lasted only another three days. He was very weak. The baby, maybe a week. Q. What about Lesly and Soleiny? A. They were struggling, but holding on. They had been well-fed and were a little plump, which was critical for them. Q. Is this the longest search in the history of Colombia? A. No, there was another one, a search for a dead prosecutor who fell out of a military helicopter during an operation. Q. Did it take longer to find the prosecutors body? A. We never found him that was back in 2014. But this was the first time combat-trained men were used for a search, equipped with satellite capabilities, aircraft and everything needed to find survivors. The Indigenous people could not have gotten to the search area alone and they couldnt have sustained themselves for so long. We needed both elements to succeed. Q. How have you personally been affected by all of this? A. As a general, I feel like we fulfilled the mission. As a person, it affected me a lot. Every time I thought about the children, I was thinking about my own son. Every time I thought about their parents, I was thinking about my wife. That created a very strong connection. I did it out of conviction. I think what we do here saves lives every day, even during combat missions. We are protecting our countrys most vulnerable people, and our men give their lives for that. I dont know if you saw the photo gallery downstairs? Q. Yes. A. Its a good message for our country, one that can unite and help us move forward. Khartoum (Reuters) - Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had seized the headquarters of a heavily armed police unit Sunday as it sought an edge in its war with the army during heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum. The RSF said in a statement that it had taken full control of the camp belonging to the Central Reserve Police in southern Khartoum, and posted footage of its fighters inside the facility, some were removing boxes of ammunition from a warehouse. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the footage or the RSF statement. There was no immediate comment from the army or the police. Since late Saturday, fighting has surged in the three cities that make up the wider capital Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman as the conflict between the army and the RSF entered its 11th week. Witnesses also reported a sharp increase in violence in recent days in Nyala, the largest city in the western Darfur region. The U.N. raised the alarm Saturday over ethnic targeting and the killing of people from the Masalit community in El Geneina in West Darfur. Khartoum and El Geneina have been worst affected by the war, though last week tensions and clashes escalated in other parts of Darfur and in Kordofan, in the south. Fighting has intensified since a series of cease-fire deals agreed at talks led by the United States and Saudi Arabia in Jeddah failed to stick. The talks were adjourned last week. The Central Reserve Police have been deployed by the army in ground fighting in recent weeks. It had previously been used as a combat force in several regions and to confront protesters demonstrating against a coup in 2021. It was sanctioned last year by the United States, accused of using excessive force against protesters. Left alone The army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has been using airstrikes and heavy artillery to try to dislodge the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, from neighborhoods across the capital. "Since the early morning in north Omdurman we've had airstrikes and artillery bombardment and RSF anti-aircraft fire," 47-year-old resident Mohamed al-Samani told Reuters by phone. "Where are the Jeddah talks, why did the world leave us to die alone in Burhan and Hemedti's war?" In Nyala, a city that grew rapidly as people were displaced during the earlier conflict that spread in Darfur after 2003, witnesses reported a marked deterioration in the security situation over the past few days, with violent clashes in residential neighborhoods. "Today I left Nyala because of the war. Yesterday there was bombardment in the streets and bullets going into homes," Saleh Haroun, a 38-year-old resident of the city, told Reuters. There was also fighting between the army and the RSF last week around El Fashir, capital of North Darfur, which the U.N. says is inaccessible to humanitarian workers. In El Geneina, which has been almost entirely cut off from communications networks and aid supplies in recent weeks, attacks by Arab militias and the RSF have sent tens of thousands fleeing over the border to Chad. On Saturday, U.N. Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani called for safe passage for people fleeing El Geneina and access for aid workers following reports of summary executions between the city and the border and "persistent hate speech" including calls to kill the Masalit or expel them. Of those uprooted by the conflict in Sudan, nearly 2 million have been displaced internally and almost 600,000 have fled to neighboring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration. Russian state television showed video Monday of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visiting with troops in his first public appearance since the brief rebellion of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his forces. The report did not specify when or where Shoigu met with the troops and commanders identified as being part of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Monday that the mutiny in Russia was an internal Russian matter, but that it showed the big strategic mistake that President Putin made with his illegal annexation of Crimea and the war against Ukraine. The United States said Sunday that Prigozhin's rebellion against Russia's military leadership showed "very serious cracks" in the two-decade rule of President Vladimir Putin and "questions the very premise" of his 16-month war against Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC's "This Week" show, that the war "has been a devastating strategic failure for Putin across virtually every front - economic, military, geopolitical standing." "We see cracks emerging," Blinken said of Prigozhin's protest targeting Putin. "Where they go if anywhere when they get there, very hard to say. I don't want to speculate on it. But I don't think we've seen the final act." The top U.S. diplomat said the aftermath of Prigozhin's Wagner Group advance Saturday on Moscow before an abrupt retreat well short of reaching the Russian capital is "still a moving picture," with the outcome uncertain. Putin called Prigozhin, a longtime ally whose troops had been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, a traitor for turning against his authoritarian regime. Then the Russian leader said Prigozhin would not be prosecuted and allowed him to go to neighboring Belarus, a Russian ally, under a deal negotiated by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Russia said Prigozhin's mercenaries who had not joined the short-lived rebellion would be allowed to sign contracts to fight with the Russian army in Ukraine, but Blinken said it was not clear what will happen to the mercenaries who followed Prigozhin into Russia and headed toward Moscow before Prigozhin called off his troop advance. "The short answer is we don't know," Blinken said. Asked what happens to Prigozhin in Belarus, aside from his amnesty, Blinken acknowledged, "We simply don't know." Many of the Wagner Group forces are convicted criminals that Prigozhin enticed to the war front to fight for six months in exchange for release from their prison terms, if they survived. But they were poorly trained and thousands of them were quickly killed on the front lines. Blinken said the turmoil created in Russia by the Prigozhin protest "may help the Ukrainians on the battle front." But David Petraeus, a retired U.S. Army general and former Central Intelligence Agency chief, told CNN's "State of the Union" show that "unfortunately it has not had a significant effect on the front lines." But he, too, said the Prigozhin protest leaves Putin "more vulnerable than he's ever been in two decades." Like Blinken, however, Petraeus said there are "many, many unknowns" remaining in determining the overall effect of the Putin-Prigozhin showdown. Lukashenko negotiated the deal with the Wagner Group chief, his office said, with Putin's approval. Lukashenko said he has known Prigozhin personally for 20 years. Asked if there would be any personnel changes in the Russian defense ministry as part of the deal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "These matters are the sole prerogative and within the competence of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [Putin] in accordance with the constitution of the Russian Federation. Therefore, it is unlikely that these topics could have been discussed in the course of the above-mentioned contacts." The Russian spokesman did not disclose whether there were any concessions made to persuade Prigozhin to withdraw all his forces, other than the guarantees for his safety something he said Putin had given his word on and for the safety of Prigozhin's men. Earlier Saturday, Prigozhin and his fighters got within about 200 kilometers of Moscow before he ordered his men to halt their advance, turn their convoy around and return to their bases in Ukraine to avoid bloodshed. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. Three people are injured following a two-vehicle crash near Perham in Otter Tail County on Friday morning. A Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Austin Huhta, 18, of Menahga, was traveling westbound on County Road 60 while a Buick Century, driven by Morgan Taylor, 21, of Perham, was traveling southbound on U.S. Hwy. 10 when the two vehicles collided. Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data The unsuccessful rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenary army, the Wagner Group, invites political reflection and highlights issues to consider in the future. These are some of the main points: The best political instincts in Europe. Without a doubt, this title belongs to the president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, a politician endowed with a formidable survival instinct. Thanks to his actions in the internal conflict between his Russian allies, the leader of Belarus has been able to recover his role as a key intermediary a position he has played before in the past. From 2014 until Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Lukashenko hosted the OSCE-led negotiations in Minsk to try to find a peaceful settlement between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. Before then, Lukashenko knew for years how to balance the interests of the West and Russia (and take advantage of both). His shifting politics continued with more or less success until the bloody crackdown that followed the August 2020 presidential election. Putin helped him to resist the massive pressure from the opposition, and to suppress it harshly, which left Lukashenko in the hands of Russia. Many thought that his days of maneuvering between Russia and the West were over. The Belarusian leader accepted the Kremlins conditions as part of its close political, economic and military alliance with Russia and supported it in the invasion of Ukraine. Prigozhin has now provided him with new leeway. And it remains to be seen if the Wagner Group can redirect its energies and actions to the benefit of Belarus. The Belarusian paradox. Lukashenko is now in a position to mediate between the Kremlin and the Wagner mercenaries, and perhaps play an arbitrator role in a future deal between Russia and the West. And this may be the case despite the fact that, according to updated data from the human rights defense group Vesna, there are 1,496 political prisoners in Belarusian prisons. Among them is Viktor Babariko, who wanted to run against Lukashenko in the 2020 elections and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Also in jail is the leader of large opposition demonstrations, Maria Kolesnikova, who was sentenced to 11 years. Belarusian political prisoners receive far less attention than Russian ones. But if Lukashenko feels safe, he could even afford to release some of them, as he has done on several occasions in the past to neutralize the sanctions the West imposed on him for his crackdown on opponents. Bureaucrat versus farmer. Lukashenko comes from a rural background, while Putin comes from the city. These differences distinguish them. Lukashenko has the intuition of a farmer he was born in a farming village on the banks of the Dnipro and ran a collective farm. Putin is a more inscrutable and guarded character thanks to his bureaucratic career in state security organs. The riot was not an operetta. In the 24 hours that the rebellion lasted, blood was spilled and this could have a lasting impact. Prigozhin said he had not hurt anyone, but a former press officer for the Russian Ministry of Defense alluded to more than 20 deaths, mostly aviators, as a result of the downing of seven Air Force aircraft, including helicopters and planes, one of which was performing control tasks. Two figures from the Russian nationalist group have expressed regret about what happened: Igor Strelkov, a retired colonel of the Russian Security services, and Aleksandr Khodakovsky, commander of the pro-Russian Vostok battalion formed during the 2014 insurgency in Donbas. Strelkov called on the architects of the march for justice as Prigozhin described Wagners advance towards Moscow to remember the downed planes and helicopters. I dont think anything is over yet, he said. Khodakovsky, for his part, wrote that millions of people were horrified at the idea that everything they had built in the past years could be erased in a single day. These millions of people, he affirms, will never be able to look, without condemnation, into the eyes of those who were happy to see the helicopters shot down yesterday fall. No two coups are the same. The first and only president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, had a team of supporters who believed in a change for the better and also had an alternative (timely or not) in the shape of Boris Yeltsin, the president of Russia. The 1991 putschists high-ranking state officials trying to save the Soviet Union did not take responsibility for the blood that was spilled to preserve the outdated system they represented. In the opaque system that Putin presides over, we dont know what the alternative is, but we do know that the coup leaders represented by Prigozhin have no scruples about violence. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Kylie Minogue in Rush red. Photo: Capital FM Pride Month has indisputable powers. Who knows how it happened (probably gay witches made a potion comprising a vodka soda, Rush, one of Liza Minnellis hairs, and a drop of the lighter fluid Angela Bassett poured in Waiting to Exhale), but a Kylie Minogue song has its grip on the world. Padam Padam, the new single from the Aussie superstar, released on May 18, has become a bit of a viral sensation, leading her to perform a surprise live performance of the track at Capitals Summertime Ball in the U.K. on June 11, bedecked in red and with a slew of sexy backup dancers in pleather. N-nobody died? Well, it was still important. The song, which has even made its way to Parliament, is classic Minogue a catchy piece of electropop with a deceptively simple chorus that makes you wonder, How has nobody come up with that before? Shes just that girl. Minogue is thoroughly enjoying what appears to be approximately her 78th career renaissance since her first hit in 1987, Locomotion. I think the last moment like this would have been Cant Get You Out of My Head, she told Hits Radio. Padam Padam has really taken us all by surprise, and I couldnt be happier about it. Its taken on a life of its own, and I think this only happens once in a lifetime! That its happening again is just wild to me. A big part of the songs success is its extreme meme-ability. The title comes from an Edith Piaf song and represents the sound of a heart beating. That kind of meaningful but meaningless content is perfect internet fodder. Minogue herself shouted out one of her favorite takes on the song. Big up Hobbycraft Wimbledon massive, she said in a KISS-FM interview. TikTok and Twitter have taken to the song, increasing its popularity and making sure you can never go too long without the refrain appearing out of nowhere much as Minogue does every 20 years on the pop charts and forcing its way into your brain. The song unofficially became the grand marshal of New York Pride, leaving the digital world for the real one. It was played approximately every 15 minutes somewhere in the city, and for every Padam, Padam, a new angel got their jockstrap. It also took home the grand prize of Record of the Year at the very real awards show the Las Culturistas Culture Awards (and received a tribute rendition by Patti Harrison, in character as a version of Minogue whose appendix bursts twice during the performance). The real Minogue celebrated her continued dominance over the ears of twinks, bears, otters, and the like by performing at the gay circuit party Horse Meat Disco. During the performance, there were issues with the sound, and Minogue told the audience, Frankly, I think its going to work better if we all just sing it together. And sing it together they did. kylie minogue gave a surprise performance of 'padam padam' at horse meat disco new york tonight! pic.twitter.com/Lsf2Dapf2K Minogue Updates (@MinogueUpdates) June 24, 2023 Meanwhile, drag performers are also taking to the song, like current Drag Race All Stars contestant Jimbo, who tapped her way into the audiences hearts while dressed as Shirley Temple. Katya performed the song in New York while Trixie DJ-ed. Thorgy Thor played the song on the violin. And the track made it into Paris Hiltons DJ set, which isnt drag, but in terms of the audience breakdown, it may as well be. Other DJs have taken to the song too. Ive made a point to play Padam Padam at every single party all Pride Month long, DJ fur trap told the New York Times. It is as if Kylie implanted these switches in the brains of all the gays that were set to turn on the first time they heard Padam Padam and now were all her Padam zombies. Padam? Padam. You just *know* this is Kylie stepping off stage after performing Padam Padam in another foggy basement pic.twitter.com/iFqYZvJ6FN mkb (@MatthewKBegbie) June 26, 2023 Why does it look like shes about to perform a cover of padam padam pic.twitter.com/14VaI5qr5W Abby Lee Dance Company PAC (@laxmura) June 26, 2023 MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle references Kylie Minogues Padam Padam while speaking in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/ldsM7RU1A1 Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 19, 2023 Kylie writing Padam Padam pic.twitter.com/SoOteKrRok ed (@erar97) June 11, 2023 But the impact of Kylie Minogues Padam Padam is having around the world is actually insane pic.twitter.com/WlYi3P3kqd Endless Summer (@nowismytime2) June 9, 2023 Beyonce's so real for that pic.twitter.com/teRumqeYAX Seddera Side (@sedderaside) May 28, 2023 Me trying to dance to Padam Padam pic.twitter.com/8EFjiOb0HR Gavin M (@FriendlessMean) June 3, 2023 paris hilton plays @kylieminogue padam padam at her LA concert pic.twitter.com/2zQHWNxGYW Minogue Updates (@MinogueUpdates) June 8, 2023 Padam Padam by Kylie Minogue is THAT song right now https://t.co/JRmAMc3fAC Pop Baze (@PopBaze_) June 4, 2023 Me waiting for my friend to stop talking about whatever it is they are talking about so I can say Padam pic.twitter.com/Hb8aPzqbvl he not a boy, its Judge Taylor (@tayausjax) June 11, 2023 This story has been updated with additional reporting, memes, and Padam, Padam performances. The Righteous Gemstones is a raucous satire of the unholy union of capitalism and religion, as well as all-American greed, hypocrisy, vulgarity, stupidity, violence, and alpha-male braggadocio. Yet it is also, at times, a disarmingly sincere show about family values. Those values may be obscene and debased much of the time and the family wildly dysfunctional, but among the Gemstones, there are no sins that cannot be forgiven. Perhaps thats the one benefit of sinning so often: Who are any of these people to cast the first stone? In the first season, Gideon Gemstone returned from Hollywood to run a blackmail (and later, heist) scheme on Elis ministry and now serves as his driver. His father Jesse had an affair on his mom and got shot through the butt cheek and anus for it but now theyre selling their reconciliation tips to married Christians at $500 a pop. The Bible offers dozens of verses counseling the faithful to be slow to anger and quick to forgive, and though the Gemstones are chronically terrible at that first part, they dont hold grudges for long. The first episode of this season opened with a flashback where Elis sister May-May clocked his beloved wife Aimee-Leigh in the head with the wrench, which would seem to be cause for permanent estrangement. But when May-May comes back to Eli looking for help in the present day, he finds he cant turn his back on her and even works up the nerve to drive straight into a hostile militia camp to reconnect with his nephews. There is no insult or betrayal that would be too wounding to do permanent harm to any relationship within this family. It makes a certain kind of sense that chronic sinners are also the biggest believers in redemption. When the new season premiered, I compared the Gemstones to the Roys in Succession, noting that they are similar families with similar goals in appealing to similar audiences, but they would never mingle at the same parties. The Gemstones are nouveau riche hicks, the Roys old-money urban snobs. But to see the Gemstone siblings and their spouses on Cousins Night, sipping cocktails while trading snarky jokes about their ill-bred kinfolk Chuck and Karl, youd think they were at a Wambsgans soiree. How could these yokels swim in that filthy trout pond? (I feel like Im up in the zoo right now watching the gorillas get washed, says Judy.) And whats with Karls unruly tufts of pubic hair? (BJ, in a rare and magnificent cutdown, shouts, Holy smokes, whats Karl got cooking under his trunks?!) Money has turned the Gemstones into symbols of grotesque prosperity-Bible excess, with their monster trucks and gold-trimmed private jets. But theyre also capable of looking down their noses. In the lead-up to Cousins Night, the siblings want nothing to do with the Montgomeries. Theyre annoyed that Chuck and Karl are complaining about staying in Daddys mansion and pigging out in plush bathrobes. As Eli is trying to convince them to treat their first cousins as family and make them comfortable, they catch Chuck and Karl peeking out from the windows above and ducking down, Haunted Mansionstyle. Later, Kelvin describes them to Keefe as diarrhea people, unworthy of Keefes warm sausage dip, but a mishap at the party turns the whole relationship around. When Karls inadequate chewing lodges a chunk of dinner in his throat, it takes a group effort for the Gemstones and Chuck to save the big man. This simple moment of cooperation in the face of potential tragedy unlocks something in all of them. Family means something to the Gemstones. As usual, the siblings are just slow to realize their father was right. In other developments [deep intake of breath], Baby Billy is back! The inspired cold open finds the once and future televangelist star in a relatively low place, perhaps not as bad as selling COVID-fighting elixir out of a hitch-trailer, but not nearly the height of his childhood fame. His current gig is performing 24 shows daily at the pool lounge at Zions Landing, adding an aquatic clamshell theme to a sequined getup that wouldnt be out of place in Renos saddest casino. Its not a bad job, really, to live in the penthouse with Tiffany and their son Lionel while sipping free pina coladas. But the clever opening suggests his restlessness, toggling back and forth between the fantasy of swooning fans hanging on every verse and the sad reality of basic Christian sun bums doing cannonballs in front of him. Everybody thats famous knows that true famous people go through different phases on the being-famous train, Billy tells Tiffany when he gets back to the penthouse. Hes mostly right, though true famous people probably also know that career trajectories tend to dip after a few decades, not rise and fall, and he hasnt been a star for a very long time. Hilariously, he grasps at the very first thing he sees: an old episode of Family Feud, back when Richard Dawson hosted and used to kiss all the female contestants on the mouth. His thought is that he could do the exact same show but with Bible trivia. No survey says, though, because theres only one right answer. When Billy and Tiffany present their idea to the Gemstone sibling tribunal, the props look great my God, that Baby Billy doll but its an obvious pass from all three of them, who cant even pronounce the name of the show, Baby Billys Bible Bonkers. (Or at least they cant three times fast.) Billy and Tiffanys attempt to stage a mock pilot of the show during Cousins Night gives them a decent proof of concept, but when Karl starts choking, the stunt is quickly forgotten. Billy is unbowed, however. Theyre gonna buy Bible Bonkers now, he tells Tiffany on the drive home. It wouldnt be the first time the Gemstones have acquiesced to one of their own. Uncut Gemstones A wonderful small moment at the end of Billy and Tiffanys pitch to the siblings: The meeting ends poorly, but Judy and Tiffany exchange sincere affections after it breaks up. The bond they developed last season has stayed strong. Other than his return to fame, standing in air-conditioning all day seems like a primary motivator for Baby Billy to be back on the motherfucking TV. She kung-fu-ed my larynx, Daddy! The sexual charge to Keefe talking to Kelvin about his sausage dip (Ill keep it in a special container that will keep it warm and you can carry it with you to the family event) is palpable and truly unsettling. And it continues with Keefes astonishing fire routine, which sends Kelvin to ecstatic heights while weirding out just about everyone else. Amber offering Judy and BJ a free The System starter kit is a masterstroke of passive aggression. Shes the most powerful of the Gemstones other than Eli, and its not really that close. I will not have baby Lionel miss out on proper cousinship just because hes young. Walton Goggins is a true national treasure. Any speculation about the significance of Gideon picking up his grandfathers autobiography? Is this a conversion moment? This week on Negan and Maggie Do New York, a.k.a. The Walking Dead: Dead City, the survivors discover the hard way that New Yorkers are happy to be nice as long as you dont get in their way or try to bullshit them. While they learn the lay of the land and get to know some ultimately friendly survivors, Perlie Armstrong and Ginny adjust to their new environments as well. The second episode is mostly exposition and world-building, with a bit of gnarly action and at least one philosophical debate. Thats all well and good for me. Its cool when a franchise that has been running as long as The Walking Dead still has new corners to uncover and rules to explain. The episode starts off running as a wild-looking woman named Esther, whom Maggie and Negan encountered at the tail end of the premiere, runs away with Maggies bag of supplies. She speaks only Hebrew and leads them to a zip line, which they reluctantly ride between buildings. So its not just the Croats people who use this mode of intercity transportation. The whole ding-dang city is zipping around like the Dauntless from Divergent. I love it. It keeps them away from the walkers below and looks (dangerous but) hella fun. Esther takes them to her fellow survivors: two fast-talking, bickering, pissed-off New Yorkers named Tommaso and Amaia. I didnt really realize until this moment that The Walking Dead universe has been severely lacking in Northeast energy. It felt like a lightning bolt. The original series has every kind of slow- and fast-talking Southerner. Fear had every kind of West Coast vibe. The World Beyond didnt seem really defined by region. This distinct lack of chill is specific. Their weapons are rigged from power tools. They eat pigeon. Its a kind of toughness we havent seen. Its a little on the nose that Tommaso calls them tourists, but I appreciated it nonetheless. Unfortunately, Maggie spins them a fiction about why theyre in town saying their boat crashed en route to Canada that the survivors see right through. Meanwhile, in the Hilltop offshoot community, Negans ward Ginny settles into her new temporary home. When her new teacher introduces her, he says that Ginny is from Oceanside, a beach community that emerged in the later seasons of The Walking Dead. But is she? I thought Negan said he picked her up on a farm. Why the lie? Anyway, shes still not talking but seems comfortable enough. A pep talk Ginny gets from Nina transitions kind of subtly and beautifully, I think into a flashback. We see Maggie talking to Hershel about skipping weapons training. He doesnt want to go. Hed rather draw. He also seems like he may be depressed or experiencing some kind of existential anxiety. People could come at you with anything, she warns him. Then I guess Id be dead, he responds darkly. Last week, I said that the way he talks back to the Croat reminded me of his father, but now I wonder if the family member Hershels most like is not Glenn, but Maggies sister Beth. Before she died, Beth (played by Emily Kinney) was introverted and artistic with a nihilistic side and a history of mental-wellness issues. Im curious as to whether or not the show will explore this connection. Its not something I had considered. Back in NYC, Esthers crew lock Negan and Maggie up until they can decide what to do with them. While they wait, Negan tells Maggie a little about the Croat. He was a torturer for the Saviors at their Sanctuary before they linked up with Rick and our favorite survivors (Maggie included). He got a little too into the job, however, and Negan had to let him go after he killed a woman against his orders. However, he intended to kill him. The bullet missed, taking out only one ear, and the Croat escaped. So hes gonna wanna kill you, Maggie puts together. He claims that the Croat is evil in ways he never was, which I find suss. I was only a monster when I absolutely had to be, he says. When I had to put on a show to protect my people. Is that so? What show was he putting on when he created a society where women were encouraged to volunteer to be one of his wives for supplies and protection, I wonder? Those women were traumatized. What was the dramaturgical purpose of burning his own people and separating families? Give me a break, Negan. I dont mind the idea that the former despot has reformed, or done time for his crimes, or satiated his thirst for power or whatever. But I wont abide rewriting history. And clearly, he can turn it back on, as we see in this very episode. First, he threatens the New York survivors with a shiv made out of a pigeon bone. Then, when they get attacked by a group of helmet raiders called the Burazi, he takes one as a hostage and violently kills him in front of his people. Hes even doing bad puns and complicated metaphors again. He gives Maggie a pained, embarrassed look when hes done. I dont think I would trust him if I were in his situation. But at least, as an audience member at a safe distance, I can appreciate the complexity. Maybe the point is that Negans telling himself and really wants to think he was forced to be a monster because he cant admit he enjoyed it. I can live with that. The survivors thank Negan and Maggie for their help against the Burazi, who they confirm work for the Croat. His people are responsible for their dwindling numbers. (Tommaso calls the Croat Van Gogh because he only has one ear. Hes cultured!) Maggie then comes clean about why theyre really in the city. That we can help you with, Amaia says. Finally, throughout the episode, Perlie Armstrong the New Babylon Marshal has been on his own Manhattan journey. He visits the now-abandoned apartment of a family member named Joel. When he leaves, he gets caught in a trap made by the Croats people who embrace him with open arms. Alliances are forming. The Native New Yorkers are prepared to help Maggie and Negan get to the Croat so they can save Hershel. The Burazi, the Croat, and Armstrong, who both want Negan for different reasons, have teamed up as well. Its pretty clear that Dead City is going to end with an all-out-war type of skirmish. At least, I think it is. Bridges & Tunnels In a blink-and-youll-miss-it scene at the very end of the episode, Ginny runs away. Are you even a kid in the Walking Dead universe if you dont run away from home at least once? Its a rite of passage. Is this show low-key about Negan mansplaining leadership to Maggie? He sure does like to give a lot of unsolicited lessons in negotiation and manipulation. Im not really ready to say either way. He definitely has a valuable perspective. But Maggie has plenty of experience as well. Its not like shes never had to communicate with other communities before. For a while, when she was working with a woman named Georgie to trade schematics for food, it was her whole job. Check back with me on that. The Burazi are called that because buraz is a Croatian word that means brother. I did not look this up. I learned it from the Behind the Episode segment after the episode when it dropped early on AMC+. I like how the city is kind of constantly playing music to keep the walkers concentrated in certain areas. That trick has been deployed in various corners of the TWD franchise, but it makes a lot of sense for Manhattan. Practically, its probably pretty easy to trap large hordes with a combination of buildings and sound. Romantically, it keeps the city that never sleeps alive! Speaking of romance, now that weve spent a little more time with Hershel, I need all of you Negan-Maggie shippers to think about what it would be like to tell that sweet little boy that his mother is involved with the man who murdered his father. I know you have the imagination power if you ship them in the first place. Why would you want that for him? Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data The head-on clash - with the danger of drifting towards civil war - between Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private army Wagner, on the one hand, and the Russian Ministry of Defense and the institutional hierarchy of the State, on the other, was an outcome that had been anticipated and reiterated by analysts of different tendencies. However, no one knew when it would happen, with what consequences, with what depth and at what cost. The first unknown has now been cleared up. The rebellion was apparently brought forward because Prigozhin had been harassed and driven to a dead end by the systematic attempt by President Putin and the Defense Ministry to clip the wings of the man whose troops were glorified until recently for their key victories in the war in Ukraine and glorified by Kremlin propagandists. The harassment had intensified in recent weeks. This month the Russian State Duma passed legislation aimed at returning the monopoly of violence to the state, and under this legislation, all fighters, whether mobilized, volunteers or convicts, must submit to the hierarchy of the Ministry of Defense. The army of the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has disciplined itself to the measure. Wagner has not. The lower house of the Russian Parliament has also approved regulations for recruiting for the front (and also pardoning) criminals in the process of serving their sentences. These two measures meant that Wagner is left without the possibility of constituting a private army of mercenaries taking advantage of the opaque unregulated terrain that Putin maintains (in many areas) in order to facilitate the action of those subjects - allied or conjuncturally useful to him - who could not act within the framework of the law of the Russian Federation. Mercenaries are forbidden in Russia and all attempts to regulate the status and powers of Wagner and private military companies in Parliament have so far been in vain. In that gray space, outside legality, Wagner operated as long as it was useful to the Russian authorities, and there it remained until it ceased to be so, when Prigozhin embarked on an escalation of accusations and insults against the Ministry of Defense, Russias ruling elite and the official rationale and explanations for the cause of the war. From the time the Kremlin enlisted Wagners support for the invasion of Ukraine until it became alarmed by Prigozhins emboldening, the so-called Kremlin cook has built up an army of his own with several tens of thousands of men, and thousands of former prisoners have returned from the front and been pardoned thanks to him. From outside the scenario in which Prigozhin, the Kremlin and Russias state institutions act, it is not yet possible to discern whether the uprising of this populist outspoken person is the isolated act of a defiant coup-maker, the figurehead of one (or several) Kremlin families, or both at the same time. In the latter case, it would be necessary to know what was the element that tipped the balance between Prigozhins personal interests and his ties to the elite. In his brief speech, President Vladimir Putin referred to the mutiny as a betrayal, and only those who have been trusted commit treason. Putin did not mention Prigozhins name or that of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. On Saturday afternoon, Prigozhin made an effort to ease the tension, congratulated himself for not having shed blood and, in the name of a sense of responsibility, claimed to have called off the march for justice aimed at leading his men to Moscow. However, whatever the outcome of the struggle that is manifesting itself in all its rawness, the situation will no longer be the same in Russia, for if until June 23 the epicenter of the story was the war against Ukraine, now the perspective is focused on the specter of civil war among Russians. The fact that the march met so little resistance in its advance towards the capital raises doubts about the level of defense of the States territory and may weaken President Putin, according to Russian media in Moscow. If Prigozhin is the appendage of one of the Kremlin families, one wonders whether these families could agree to sacrifice the troublesome mutineer (and perhaps to shuffle different scenarios for the end of the feud). Or perhaps one of these families would prevail over the others. Alongside these theoretical hypotheses, it is worth asking how Wagners withdrawal from the Ukrainian front will affect the combat capability of Russian troops and also the already flagging morale of those men sent to fight in the name of their commanders delusions. Will there be splits in the Russian Armed Forces or, on the contrary, will the troops remain united? Impact on the situation in Ukraine It is also worth asking how (or if) Ukraine will take advantage (or know how to take advantage) of the current situation in Russia. Another point to be resolved -and this affects the processes that may develop behind the scenes in Russia- are the possible attempts to forge alliances between exiled oligarchs, eager to recover the money that Putins regime took away from them, and sectors of the Russian Administration that would like to collaborate with them and return to a more pleasant and less belligerent life with the world. The reaction of the oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the Yukos oil empire, exiled after 10 years in prison in Russia, is interesting. Khodorkovsky had supported the now-cancelled march of the Wagners from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow. In the event that Prigozhin marched on Moscow, Khodorkovsky recommended preventing them from stopping him, helping with fuel and convincing those who are sent to stop him that the enemy is now a common one. Putins speech after the uprising should serve as a guide for the regional administrations of Russia and determine the behavior of their leaders. Daily life in Moscow and St. Petersburg has already been disrupted and in the Russian capital, whose security began to be visibly increased several days ago, posters and street banners with which Wagner invited to conscription are hastily removed. In the provinces of Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh and Lipetsk, on the other hand, things seemed to be less clear from the outset. And for the Russian population, it may be difficult to assimilate that the heroes of the battles of Bakhmut or Soledar are now vanishing from official memory as if by a stroke of magic. Civil war in Russia is a norm and can drag on for decades in a latent form and alternating with acute phases, writes analyst Vladimir Pastukhov, according to whom the latest cycle of aggravation of this civil war began in 1989 and has not yet ended. The Prigozhin mutiny is only one of the episodes of this civil war that has been going on for almost half a century, Pastukhov writes. And the political scientist recalls that when there is civil war, there are no nuances or middle ground and one is either with the Reds or with the Whites. The choice is painful. Between Putin and the long night of Russia and the fleeting phenomenon of Prigozhins civil war, he says. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Discovery made during cleaning of lake floor. A marble head has been found in Lago di Nemi, leading to speculation that it could once have decorated Emperor Caligula's ships best associated with the small volcanic lake near Rome. The mysterious discovery was made during routine works to clean the bed of the lake in the Castelli Romani town at the weekend, according to Italian news sites. For now there is no official confirmation on the exact nature of the find and the local administration has invited the public "to respect the integrity and delicacy of the site where the discovery was made", reports La Repubblica newspaper. The mayor of Nemi "hopes that this discovery will shed new light on the history of Caligula and his legacy, allowing the secrets hidden in the depths of Lake Nemi to be revealed again," reports news agency Dire. The archaeological remains of the two lavish ceremonial ships, built under the reign of Caligula in the first century AD, were recovered between 1928 and 1932 after Mussolini ordered the draining of the lake. The enormous ships, which had been hidden 18 metres below the lake surface for centuries, were subsequently housed in a nearby purpose-built museum which was destroyed by fire on the night of 31 May 1944, during world war two. The purpose of the ships, one larger than the other, remains the source of speculation, with the larger vessel believed to have been an elaborate floating palace, which contained marble floors and mosaics, fountains, heating, plumbing and baths. Rome marks Festa di SS. Pietro e Paolo on 29 June. Rome celebrates its patron saints Peter and Paul with a public holiday in the Italian capital on Thursday 29 June, leading to the closure of many shops, businesses and offices in the city. The annual holiday marks the liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in a celebration that dates back to ancient Christian times. The date commemorates the death of the two saints, both of whom are said to be buried at the two basilicas that bear their names: St Peter's and St Paul's Outside the Walls. A religious procession will take place at the Basilica of St Pauls Outside the Walls, leading to the closure of part of Via Ostiense and resulting in traffic restrictions in the area. The fact that the festa falls on a Thursday this year will lead many Rome residents to take the following day off to make a ponte (bridge) or long weekend. Infiorata The historic infiorata floral display also returns to Piazza Pio XII and along Via della Conciliazione, in front of St Peter's, and can be admired throughout 29 June. The multi-coloured flower carpet features images made from tens of thousands of petals, along with salt and coloured sawdust. The tradition dates back to 1625 but was abandoned for around four centuries before being restored in recent years. Girandola The city holiday on 29 June is best associated with a spectacular fireworks display, known as the Girandola, which returns to its historic location at Castel S. Angelo in 2023 after moving to Piazza del Popolo several years ago. The 22-minute spectacle will begin at 22.30, re-enacting a tradition that dates back to the 15th century, Italy's culture ministry announced in a statement on Wednesday night. The idea of Michelangelo, perfected by Bernini, the fireworks display was first introduced in 1481 and has inspired writers and artists through the centuries including Dickens, Belli and Piranesi. The best places to view the spectacle tonight include Lungotevere Tor di Nona and the bridges of Vittorio Emanuele II, SantAngelo and Umberto I. Visitors to Rome should note that the Vatican Museums are closed on 29 June. Cover photo Il Messaggero. Article updated 29 June. Italian culture minister slams "very serious" act. Italy's culture minister has condemned the actions of a tourist who was filmed carving the name of his girlfriend into a wall inside the Colosseum in Rome. Gennaro Sangiuliano on Twitter posted footage of the incident which he slammed as very serious and a sign of great incivility". The minister also shared a blurred image of the tourist's face and expressed his hopes that the individual can be "identified and fined according to our laws". The tourist, as yet unidentified, risks "a fine of at least 15,000 and up to five years in jail", reports Italian news agency ANSA. Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande incivilta, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi piu celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) June 26, 2023 In the original video, which was shared widely on social media on Sunday, the tourist turns and smiles at the camera. Last summer a Canadian tourist used a stone to carve the initials of her name into an external wall of the Colosseum while in 2019 an Israeli tourist carved the initials of the names of her husband and children into an internal pillar of the amphitheatre. In 2014 a Russian tourist was fined 20,000 after carving a large letter K on a wall inside the Roman landmark. Leonard Leo is well-known for shepherding conservative judicial nominees, but the public relations campaign shows how he has continued to exert influence in support of right-leaning justices after helping them secure lifetime appointments. MORE COVERAGE The struggle for control of baby formula producer Bubs descended into a battle for the hearts and minds of the shareholders who will settle the issue at next months extraordinary general meeting. The latest haymaker came on Sunday afternoon when James Jackson, the former Elders chairman who chairs the Save our Bubs group, led by Kristy Carr, the company founder who was ousted in a boardroom coup in May, announced he wanted to lead the board. Shareholders have looked on in bewilderment at the very public fallout between Bubs Australia founder Kristy Carr (right) and her board of directors, now led by chair Katrina Rathie (left). Credit: Nine Jackson penned a note to shareholders in response to a missive to investors a few days earlier from Katrina Rathie, the incumbent chair who leads the group that did the ousting. Jacksons letter accuses Rathie of malicious and misleading claims in bagging his experience and skills set and even includes a cheat-sheet for investors to study, comparing his boardroom experience against that of Rathie, whose CV he insists lacks substance. U.S. neurologist Michelle Monje has spent years noting a surprising pattern in some of her patients with glioblastoma, the deadliest type of brain cancer. After the primary tumor is removed, the cancer reappears after a while; but it does not reappear in just any part of the brain, but rather in the area that the patients used the most for their work. In the case of a ballet dancer, it reappeared in the area of the cerebellum that controls balance. In a writer, it grew back several times in the area of the cerebral cortex which controls language. It is a pattern recognized by many neuropsychiatrists, says Monje. I wonder if the fact that these people have greater development and plasticity in these areas of the brain made them more at risk of suffering from this type of tumor, adds the researcher from Stanford University. Monje is one of the leading scientists in cancer neuroscience, a new discipline that tries to unravel the connection between brain activity and cancer. In a recent study, Monje and other neurologists looked at which areas of the brain were activated in patients with glioblastomas when they performed simple cognitive activities, such as looking at the picture of an umbrella and saying the word umbrella. When the patients responded, the Broca area that controls language was activated, as well as other brain areas invaded by the tumor. The cancer had reorganized the brains speech circuits, based on the synapses between neurons, in order to connect to them. Electrical currents generated during these cognitive tasks reached the tumor and promoted its growth. The more the affected areas lit up, the worse the prognosis was for the patients, who also gradually lost their ability to speak. It is likely that the neuronal overstimulation caused by the tumors is why many patients suffer epileptic seizures and cognitive problems. Brain tumors, gliomas and glioblastomas represent around 2% of all tumors diagnosed each year. Despite their low incidence, they represent a significant challenge for medicine, as they respond very poorly to treatments. Gliomas represent 15% of all childhood tumors and are the leading cause of death from cancer. The interaction between the nervous system and cancer extends to other organs through the nerve branches that go from the brain to the rest of the body, extending 93,200 miles (150,000 kilometers). Malignant cells advance along the nerves and receive key molecules from them to grow. Tumors with more nerve branches have a worse prognosis in the prostate, stomach and pancreas, according to studies in animals and analyzes of patient samples. In some cases, malignant cells from a primary breast tumor can migrate to the brain, nestle in it, connect to neurons, and metastasize, making them much more deadly than the primary tumor. The interaction between the nervous system and cancer is complex and varies between each organ. In the stomach, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine promotes the expansion of tumor cells, but in the pancreas it has the opposite effect and slows tumor progression. The role of the nervous system in cancer growth has been overlooked for a long time. In 1899, the Spanish physician and Nobel Prize winner for Medicine Santiago Ramon y Cajal was the first to describe a growth pattern of nervous tissue in which glia, a type of nerve cell, grew around neurons, as if they were their scaffolding. At the beginning of the last century, German pathologist Hans-Joachim Scherer observed the same structures in samples from patients with brain cancer: tumor cells grew around neurons, and it was very difficult to determine where the tumor ended and healthy brain tissue began. This research remained at a dead end until 10 years ago, when the doctor and researcher Paul Frenette, from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine (United States), presented the first tests in animals and patient samples, which showed that the more nerve endings prostate tumors have, the more aggressive they are and the worse they respond to treatment. Since then, similar connections have been observed in other organs and this new field of research has exploded, according to Frank Winkler, a neuro-oncologist at Heidelberg University Hospital (Germany) and leader in this field in Europe. Now we know that tumor cells form connected networks and communicate with each other just like neurons do, he explains. Many of the biochemical processes that we observe are the same ones that take place in an embryo to form all the organs of the body. The tumor behaves like any other organ. It doesnt invent new mechanisms to grow, but rather takes over the ones that are already invented, adds Winkler. His team has perfected a new microscopy technique to study the formation of tumors, how they communicate with other brain cells and their real-time progression and reappearance in live animals. These data are crossed with those observed in patients with brain tumors to try to better understand this dimension of cancer. Neurologist Michelle Monje, from Stanford University. U. Stanford Neuroscientist Manuel Valiente, from Spains National Cancer Research Center, believes that cancer neuroscience can clarify not only the role of the nervous system in driving primary tumors, but also brain metastases, which are 10 times more frequent than glioblastoma. In addition, investigating these connections could shed light on why brain tumors cause cognitive damage in 44% of patients, and perhaps help prevent them, so their minds arent affected as much while theyre on treatment, he explains. One of the explanations for why this field is still taking off is that traditionally cancer research teams did not know how to analyze nerve tissue, nor neural activity, which is based on a complicated interaction between small electrical currents and the production of biochemical compounds. Physicist and neuroscientist Liset Menendez de la Prida, head of the neural circuits laboratory at the Cajal Institute, is a specialist in this type of analysis. Together with Valiente, she is participating in a $3.6-million European project funded to develop new photonic tools to measure the electrical and biochemical activity of cancer cells within the brain. We are seeing a whole paradigm shift and the birth of a new field, she says. Manuel Sepulveda, an oncologist at 12 de Octubre Hospital in Madrid, explains that brain tumors, both glioblastomas, the most aggressive, and low-grade gliomas, originate from mutations in glial cells, which are another type of nerve cell. The nervous system by itself would not initiate it, but it does encourage it and promote its growth, he points out. We are seeing that there is a new way to study this type of tumors, although the importance of the interaction with the nervous system has yet to be determined and whether it can be stopped with drugs. Sepulveda recently participated in a clinical trial that has shown how a drug directed at specific mutations in gliomas can significantly delay the recurrence of cancer after surgery. There are patients who have not suffered relapses or epileptic seizures for six years. There are drugs that have been approved to treat mental, circulatory and neurological diseases that affect some of the mechanisms observed and that could interfere with the development of tumors, both in the brain and in other organs. Researchers have begun clinical trials of perampanel, an anti-seizure drug that blocks glutamate-mediated communication between tumors and neurons. Another trial in patients is studying the effects of meclofenamate, a pain medication, in blocking communication between tumor cells in patients with glioblastoma. A whole new field of therapeutic interventions in tumors with a very poor prognosis is opening up, says Michelle Monje, who believes that targeting the nervous system could become a new pillar of oncology in the same way that immunotherapy has cured tumors that were previously a death sentence. Blocking the communication between the tumor and the nervous system may not be enough to eliminate it, but I think it will be absolutely necessary to achieve it, she concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The new revelations about her case give a rare insight into the intelligence wars being waged between the West and Russia, and come after the Albanese government cancelled the lease at the site of a proposed second Russian embassy in Canberra. Former Australian diplomat Peter Tesch, who represented Canberra in Moscow from 2016 to 2019, said Russia was aggressively targeting Australia. Peter Tesch leaves the Russian foreign ministry building during his time as Australias ambassador. Credit: Reuters: Maxim Shemetov Russia has certainly been interested in and active in our country for some time, he said. The Russian foreign intelligence services are very capable, highly professional, very well resourced, and of course, their ability to work angles of opportunity is probably unparalleled. Sologub, who boasted in her resume of close ties to the Russian government and who spent months cultivating Australian government and business contacts, has challenged the cancellation of her distinguished talent visa at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. She will remain in immigration detention in Melbourne until her appeal is heard and she is either deported or her visa is reinstated. Government sources said they had no reason to doubt the allegations that Sologub had interacted with Russian intelligence officers in Ireland. The sources said it was likely her appeal would fail and she would be forced to return to Ireland, the country she moved to from Kazakhstan as a teenager. ASIO director-general Mike Burgess. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Asked by 60 Minutes why ASIO had issued the adverse advice that had landed her in immigration detention, Sologub said: For nothing. Just because I am speaking Russian language. And that I worked with a Russian agency back in Ireland. However, when pressed on her dealings with a suspected Russian intelligence officer when she worked at the National Space Centre in Cork, Sologub said she did have contact with the Russian diplomat outside of work hours between 2011 and 2014. She also confirmed the man was a Facebook contact, and she had asked him to arrange for her son to have Russian language lessons. I have, on my Facebook, I have people from America with whom I worked as well. From Europe, with whom I worked as well. We exchange happy birthdays, thats it, she said. Marina Sologub is in immigration detention. Credit: 60 Minutes This is normal working relationship. Its not a friend. While the intelligence gathered by ASIO about Sologub remains classified and has not been disclosed to her, she described being the subject of ASIO interviews. Sologubs phone was seized and her house in Adelaide searched. The first time they came to me in September [2021]. Then they broke in my house in November. And they confiscated all the stuff from me, all electronic devices, everything. Despite the intense ASIO interest in Sologub, there is no suggestion she is linked to the hive of suspected Russian spies operating out of Moscows diplomatic posts in Australia, whose members have been quietly deported over the past 18 months. Sologubs husband Alex is living in Adelaide. Credit: 60 Minutes This masthead reported in February that a suspected Russian spy ring in Australia, whose members used their diplomatic status to conduct espionage, was dismantled in an aggressive ASIO investigation. Information provided by Sologub and government sources suggests ASIO suspects the Irish woman is one of many Western businesspeople, diplomats and officials who Russian spies cultivate to gain access to sensitive information. Russia has a storied space industry and has previously co-operated with Australias key ally, the US, in the space arena, although Washington recently placed sanctions on Russias aerospace industry. Sologubs application to obtain a distinguished talent visa was signed by a South Australian government official based in London. It describes how Sologub would contribute to South Australia given her background and because the state hosts the National Australian Space Agency headquarters, Mission Control Facility, Space Discovery Centre, Defence and Space Landing Pad. The visa document also describes how Marina is an exceptionally organised [and] is well known globally and have a direct access to the key decision makers in major space agencies. A young West Australian DJ who disappeared from a bush rave on Saturday night has been found by police after spending a cold night lost in the forest. Nada Rokic, 22, went missing in the North Bannister area, about 90 minutes drive south-east of Perth, while attending a weekend-long event called Twisted Arcade. Missing woman Nada Rokic. Credit: Facebook WA Police Inspector Rhonda Alexander said a massive search effort was mounted to find the woman, with more than 50 SES volunteers, police, and Rokics concerned friends and family helping. She was [found] quite a way away [from the site she was last seen], she said. Singapore: When diners run their eyes over the menu at Burnt Ends, Dave Pynts acclaimed modern barbecue restaurant in Singapore, there is often head scratching over one of the signature offerings. The Burnt Ends Sanger draws questions about the Australian vernacular, but uncertainty tends to go out the window once diners have tasted the pulled pork favourite. Dave Pynt, the chef and owner of Singapore restaurant Burnt Ends, where online bookings are made 45 days ahead. It definitely [prompts] a fair bit of confusion and warrants that sort of explanation so that people understand its Australian slang for a sandwich. Its just a part of creating that identity of who we are, said Pynt, the 39-year-old Perth-born chef and owner. The reason it actually came about is we were doing a pop-up in east London in 2012 and there were crazy burger wars going on. Everyone was competing to be the best burger. I was like, I dont want to be a part of this, but we kind of needed that sort of format, a sandwich, burger-style offering. So I was just like, You know what, Ill call it a f---ing sanger, and itll just remove us completely from being compared or judged in that sort of realm. From that point, its really just stuck. Sarah, Duchess of York, 63, has undergone surgery for breast cancer after she was diagnosed following a routine mammogram screening. After spending several days in hospital, she was discharged and is recovering at Royal Lodge in Windsor, the home she shares with her former husband, Prince Andrew. Sarah, Duchess of York, arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September. Credit: Getty Images It is not yet known whether she will require further treatment. Sarah, Duchess of York, was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening, her spokesman said on Sunday. 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 For one week in 2022, the world thought Yevgeny Prigozhin was dead. The oligarch known as Putins chef had finally admitted he owned the fearsome mercenary group Wagner and was photographed at its base in Ukraine, head to toe in tactical gear, shaking the hands of troops. But the photo op also unwittingly gave away the position of that Wagner base to Ukrainian bombers. After the site was reduced to rubble, rumours swirled that Prigozhins rise from a hot dog seller ex-con to one of the most influential tycoons in Russia might be at an end. Until he popped up at a high-profile funeral in Moscow. Now, for one day in 2023, the world thought Prigozhin was something else altogether: rebel. If hed succeeded in his extraordinary June 23 coup attempt against Russias army chiefs, he might have also done what has been thought next to impossible for two decades: unseat Russian President Vladimir Putin. Footage of a bombed Wagner base was again in play, only this time Prigozhin was accusing Russia itself of firing on his mercenaries, not Ukraine. He vowed revenge. As Wagner forces seized a city and military headquarters and advanced on Moscow, Putin took to state television to denounce for treason the man once known as his loyal fixer. Then, just as suddenly, the coup was off. Prigozhin and the Kremlin had struck a deal, brokered by Russias neighbouring ally Belarus. Prigozhin would accept exile in Belarus in exchange for Russia dropping charges against him. Putins attack dog had been muzzled. Advertisement Yet exactly what kind of threat the Wagner boss posed to Putin and why he was allowed to walk away after the coup attempt remain live questions. Prigozhin has tapped into anger in Russia over Putins costly Ukraine invasion, an anger suppressed in civil society under Kremlin crackdowns. Hes been able to actually say it, says Russia expert Dr Robert Horvath at Latrobe University. But hes not a voice of democracy however much he denounces the Kremlins elites and their corruption. Hes a war criminal. Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District after aborting his move on Moscow. Credit: Reuters Now, he seems to have given up control and is at the mercy of Putin, adds Russian military expert Katarzyna Zysk. Still, many pieces of this story do not stick. Did he have any support [in his coup attempt]? And [why was] the Kremlin response so weak? Wagner rolled hundreds of kilometres deep into Russia practically unopposed. Horvath says the fact Prigozhin was allowed to live suggests he remains a threat to Putin. And he may not so easily be separated from the powerful organisations he has built over the past decade in service to his president. Prigozhin isnt like the other oligarchs in Russia. Where most got rich snapping up Russias state-owned assets after the fall of the Soviet Union, he rose through the ranks by virtue of knowing Putin. Prigozhin had been in prison for armed robbery and other offences in the 1980s. But by the late 90s, hed turned a hot dog stand into a string of high-class restaurants and then a lucrative Kremlin catering contract. And he set about making himself even more useful to Putin. Horvath says Prigozhin saw an opening in 2011 during large pro-democracy protests in Russia. The legion of online bots he sent out after Kremlin critics, to disrupt the movement, would later morph into the sophisticated troll farm known as the Internet Research Agency, which interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. (Prigozhin was sanctioned and indicted over his role as founder and financier.) Advertisement In 2014, when Russia seized Crimea, Prigozhin created his most powerful entity yet, the Wagner Group, hiring mercenaries from across Russia to join the wave of unmarked little green men taking Ukrainian territory. Since then, his fighters have left a brutal trail of atrocities behind them, serving as an unofficial arm of the Kremlin not just in Ukraine, but across Africa and Syria, where they have also taken over lucrative oil fields or gold and diamond mines. Criminality has been a constant feature of Prigozhins career, says Horvath. And terror has become part of the Wagner brand, adds researcher Isabella Currie, who tracks the group online. There, the mercenaries are known as the cleaners because they do the Kremlins dirty work. They post pictures with sledgehammers after using them to murder deserters or enemy soldiers. Prigozhin calls his mercenaries patriots. Prigozhin serves Putin at his restaurant in 2011. Prigozhin is known as Putins chef for hosting the president at his restaurants and for his catering contracts with the Kremlin but reportedly hates the nickname. Credit: AP Up until 2022, he had always vehemently denied owning Wagner. But after Wagner joined Russias invasion of Ukraine, he decided to bring the group out of the shadows. Suddenly, his face appeared on posters, social media and state television. Propaganda films produced by Prigozhin-owned studios painted his mercenaries as the real heroes of the war. Wagner T-shirts (and sledgehammers) were even being sold in Russian stores. Having reportedly fallen out of favour with Moscow, Prigozhin was back in the fold. The Russian army had proven weaker than anyone guessed, hollowed out by decades of corruption, and increasingly it was Wagner filling the gaps, leading charges against Ukraines seasoned soldiers. Prigozhin was awarded a Hero of Russia medal last June. But Prigozhin was also stridently arguing with Russias generals on tactics, with each claiming credit for what few Russian victories there were. Kremlin elites reportedly questioned why Prigozhin got away with so much, but experts say Putin didnt just need Wagner to prop up his failing war. He liked to keep him warring with the generals, wary of any one figure emerging as a hero to the people. Leaving the dogs fighting around him has always been Putins style, says Katarzyna Zysk. Advertisement More and more though, Prigozhins rants had been straying uncomfortably close to criticism of Putin himself. After Wagner seized the Ukrainian town of Soledar to exaggerated fanfare in January, Putin appeared to recognise Prigozhin was becoming too popular. He elevated some of the Wagner bosss enemies in the military and appointed an overall commander for the invasion, General Gerasimov. It didnt work. With Russias offensive still failing in Ukraine and the army pushing for Wagner mercenaries to sign government contracts, Currie says Prigozhins attacks on the top military brass, including the defence minister, boiled over. US intelligence chiefs reportedly collected intel of an impending coup earlier in June. Loading Jon Richardson, formerly a senior Australian diplomat in Russia, wonders how the Kremlin missed Prigozhins shift from Putin pawn to warlord. Its like Frankensteins monster, he says. For a long time, I think people rightly assumed he was still directed by the Kremlin. As Prigozhin called on Russias National Guard and soldiers to join his mutiny, he insisted this was not a coup against Putin but a march for justice to save Russia. Yet, in the same breath, he raged that the war on Ukraine was built on a lie: Russia had never been under threat from Ukraine; Moscows elites just wanted to get rich off its resources and so had deceived Putin. We know Putin made the decision to invade, says Horvath. That meant casting Putin as the foolish old tsar tricked by bureaucrats was a dangerous move indeed. To Currie, the Wagner coup looks like the gamble of a man backed against a wall. Advertisement Even if the bombing of the mercenary base Prigozhin raged about was faked, as the Kremlin insisted, Prigozhin may still have been in fear for this life, Richardson says. We still dont know what really happened but he might have thought this is a last throw of the dice. People say he has no obvious protectors, apart from perhaps Putin himself. And hed seemed to side with the generals. Or perhaps Prigozhins soaring social media stardom had gone to his head. Was he just deluded into thinking he could take power while the army was away in Ukraine? Loading Still both Zysk and Richardson question how far a Prigozhin takeover would have gone. I dont think Prigozhin had a shot at a real coup without support from within, says Zysk. The big question is whether he had any. Some experts have noted that Prigozhin has his own connections in the security services and certain Russian elites took their time to publicly denounce the coup attempt, as if waiting to see how things unfolded. Prigozhin has cracked the foundation of the regime and shown Putins supporters its not as solid as it appeared, says Currie. If Prigozhin had succeeded in unseating Putin, someone else in the more established elite might have soon after staged their own coup, says Richardson. Even if he made it to Moscow, I dont think he would have survived. But will he survive now hes left his soldiers, his power base, for Belarus? Advertisement People participate in the annual Pride March on June 25, 2023 in New York City. Celebrations mingled with displays of resistance Sunday as LGBTQ+ pride parades filled streets in some of the countrys largest cities in annual events that have become part party, part protest. In New York, thousands marched down Manhattans Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village, cheering and waving rainbow flags to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising, where a police raid on a gay bar triggered days of protests and launched a movement for LGBTQ+ rights. While some people whooped it up in celebration, many were mindful of the growing conservative countermovement to limit rights, including by banning gender-affirming care for transgender children. Im not trying not to be very heavily political, but when it does target my community, I get very, very annoyed and very hurt, said Ve Cinder, a 22-year-old transgender woman who traveled from Pennsylvania to take part in the countrys largest pride event. Im just, like, scared for my future and for my trans siblings. Im frightened of how this country has looked at human rights, basic human rights, she said. Its crazy. Parades in New York, Chicago and San Francisco are among events that roughly 400 Pride organizations across the U.S. are holding this year, with many focused specifically on the rights of transgender people. In Chicago, 16-year-old Maisy McDonough painted rainbow colors over her eyes and on her face for her first Pride Parade. She told the Chicago Tribune shes excited to be united after a tough year for the community. We really need the love of this parade, she said. Entertainers and activists, drag performers and transgender advocates are among the parade grand marshals embracing a unity message as new laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community take effect in several U.S. states. The platform will be elevated, and well see communities across the country show their unity and solidarity through these events, said Ron deHarte, co-president for the U.S. Association of Prides. Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver and Seattle are scheduled to hold pride parades Sunday. At the parade in Toronto, Canada, more than 100 groups are expected to march. In New York City, seven-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera will headline a post-march concert in Brooklyn. Annual observations have spread to other cities and grown to welcome bisexual, transgender and queer people, as well as other groups. About a decade ago, when her 13-year-old child first wanted to be called a boy, Roz Gould Keith sought help. She found little to assist her family in navigating the transition. They attended a Pride parade in the Detroit area, but saw little transgender representation. This year, she is heartened by the increased visibility of transgender people at marches and celebrations across the country this month. Ten years ago, when my son asked to go to Motor City Pride, there was nothing for the trans community, said Keith, founder and executive director of Stand with Trans, a group formed to support and empower young transgender people and their families. This year, she said, the event was jam-packed with transgender people. One of the grand marshals of New York Citys parade is nonbinary activist AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ athletes. Uplifting the trans community has always been at the core of our events and programming, said Dan Dimant, a spokesperson for NYC Pride. Many of this years parades called for LGBTQ+ communities to unite against dozens, if not hundreds, of legislative bills now under consideration in statehouses across the country. Lawmakers in 20 states have moved to ban gender-affirming care for children, and at least seven more are considering doing the same, adding increased urgency for the transgender community, its advocates say. We are under threat, Pride event organizers in New York, San Francisco and San Diego said in a statement joined by about 50 other Pride organizations nationwide. The diverse dangers we are facing as an LGBTQ community and Pride organizers, while differing in nature and intensity, share a common trait: they seek to undermine our love, our identity, our freedom, our safety, and our lives. Some parades, including the event in Chicago, planned beefed up security amid the upheaval. The Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD, a national LGBTQ+ organization, found 101 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in the first three weeks of this month, about twice as many as in the full month of June last year. Sarah Moore, who analyzes extremism for the two civil rights groups, said many of the June incidents coincide with Pride events. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel in the U.S. capital hosted a two-day gathering of the bulk of the Republican Partys primary candidates for the 2024 presidential election. This was the first time that Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, Asa Hutchinson, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Francis Suarez and Larry Elder participated as candidates at the same event. All of them were attending the annual convention of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, an influential evangelical group, whose slogan is Road to Majority. The session got underway on Friday to the sound of bilingual religious chants in English and Spanish, even before the national anthem was sung. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the prayers of a pastor, the majority of the Republican candidates were ushered in on a day of politics and religion. Donald Trumps rivals in the primaries are attempting to expose his moral values, no doubt in the hope that influential evangelical voters will see the contrast with the former president and his own scandals. However, Trump is still the king for many people. The mere mention of his name on Friday was enough to raise the loudest applause from the attendees. Meanwhile, Chris Christie, the only person who dared to openly criticize him, was roundly booed. Im running because hes let us down, said Christie. Hes let us down because hes unwilling, hes unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made. And any of the faults that he has. And any of the things that hes done. And that is not leadership everybody, that is a failure of leadership. You can boo me if you want, but thats the way it is, added the former New Jersey governor. A woman close to the stage then shouted: We love Trump and others joined in with chants of Trump, Trump, Trump. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Friday during the Faith and Freedom event. Jose Luis Magana (AP) The star speech at the patriots gala, which brought Saturdays convention to a close, was reserved for the former president, and Trump certainly enjoyed the limelight. He made the attendees laugh, applaud, stand up and chant his name during his one-hour talk, despite his peculiar approach in front of an evangelical audience. A Saturday night and we are here because of religion, Trump quipped, while he presented himself as a true ally: No president has fought for Christians as hard as I have, he said. And while the attendees chanted his name over and over again (we love Trump!) he added: Have all the candidates been treated this way? Not really, Ive seen one who was booed off. The fact that someone with all the morals or a lack of them of Donald Trump is the favorite of evangelical Christians seems paradoxical in U.S. politics. The evangelical vote played a decisive role in bringing him to the White House in the 2016 presidential election. It seems the former president has been forgiven for virtually everything. His evangelical supporters tolerate his mocking of his rivals (he called DeSantis a rank amateur), his conviction for sexual abuse, his harassment and mistreatment of women and his indictment for crimes. Every time the radical left Democrats, Marxist, communists and fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of courage, he said on Saturday, portraying himself as a martyr: Im being indicted for you. Im the only one who gets indicted and improves his numbers [in the polls], he added. Kristin Kobes du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, has studied the 2016 phenomenon. How could conservatives with family values support a man who contradicted every single principle they claimed to stand for? she asks. According to the writer, that support was no aberration. It was more the culmination of the evangelicalism adoption of a combative masculinity, an ideology that entrenches patriarchal authority and condones a ruthless display of power, she writes. In 2016, many observers were stunned at evangelicals apparent betrayal of their own values. In reality, evangelicals did not cast their vote despite their beliefs, but because of them, explains Kobes du Mez in her book, which looks at the parallelism between Trump and the actor John Wayne, an icon of American masculinity for generations of conservatives and over time an icon of rugged Christian masculinity with his bravado. Attendees at the Faith and Freedom rally in Washington sing the national anthem at the start of Fridays session. Ralph Reed, the organizations president, is on the right. Jose Luis Magana (AP) John Wayne did not live a moral life by the standards of traditional Christian virtue, yet for many evangelicals, he would come to symbolize a different set of virtues a nostalgic yearning for a mythical Christian America, a return to traditional gender roles, and the reassertion of (white) patriarchal authority. Like Wayne, the heroes who best embodied militant Christian masculinity were those unencumbered by traditional Christian virtues, she writes. For many evangelicals, these militant heroes would come to define not only Christian manhood but Christianity itself, she concludes. Trump ranted for more than an hour and a half on Saturday. In his speech, he painted an apocalyptic picture of America, slammed the president, Joe Biden, and the lunatic radical left, pledged his supposed commitment to Christian principles, and promised simple solutions to complex problems. Together, were warriors in a righteous crusade to stop the arsonists, the atheists, globalists and the Marxists, Trump said. He devoted a quarter of an hour to defending himself against the latest indictment and to arguing through misleading points that he was entitled to keep in his Mar-A-Lago mansion the secret documents for the illegal retention for which he is indicted. Despite deluging the audience with lies, manipulations and half-truths that amount to something close to a parallel world, he charmed the audience with his dialectical wizardry and received by far the loudest applause of the convention. Ralph Reed, founder and president of Faith & Freedom, sought to justify himself by saying: We are accused of worshipping the personality of the former president. But this is the truth about us, what inspires us and why we are here today and why we are involved in the civic domain. We are a cult of only one personality. There is only one person we worship and that is Jesus Christ, he said at the start of the conference. And in reference to all the candidates that he had been able to lure to his convention, he added: While we welcome them, and while we so desperately desire change in our country, we are not looking for a savior because we already have one. I want us to open this conference by praying to that Savior. The speeches followed that stream of Christian nationalism that holds the belief that the United States is Gods chosen nation, that politics and religion are not to be separated, and that the Bible is not only the ultimate authority for personal living, but also the greatest instruction manual for governing. Virtually all the candidates declared their faith, and even the Indian-born billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who is not a Christian, stated as the first of his premises that God is real. Ron DeSantis, Trumps closest rival in the primaries, cited God more than half a dozen times, championed a society in which rights come from God and not the government, and declared war on the cultural Marxism that he believes is gripping the country. He reiterated his messages against trans people, against Disney, against pandemic restrictions, for the prohibition of books in schools that he believes sexualize children and for the culture of life, in reference to the recent anti-abortion law he recently passed in Florida. The date of the convention coincided with the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that abolished abortion as a constitutional right throughout the country and referred its regulation to the individual states. The anniversary served as a cause for celebration for all participants. Thank God Almighty for the Dobbs decision, said the ultra-religious senator, Tim Scott. I am literally a product of the pro-life movement myself, because my parents actually met at a pro-life rally, said the mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez, one of the last to jump on the primary bandwagon. Jesus Christ is the center of my life, he added. Former vice president Mike Pence, during his speech. SHAWN THEW (EFE) Mike Pence, who served as vice president under Trump, has seen abortion as a way to distance himself from Trump among evangelical voters. Every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard, he said on Friday. I believe we just cant rest or relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law, he added. Without mentioning Trump, but in a clear reference to him, the former vice president warned against those who claim that because the Supreme Court returned the abortion issue to the States, no action should be taken at the federal level. Others will say that continuing the fight for life could result in overly harsh state legislation. Some have even gone so far as to blame the overturning of Roe v. Wade [the ruling that established abortion rights] for electoral losses, he added. While the Democrats, under Joe Biden, are using abortion in their election campaigns, Trump believes it is damaging to them. It wasnt my fault that the Republicans didnt live up to expectations, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, in January, partly justifying himself for the poor electoral results for the Republican Party in the November 2022 elections. It was the abortion issue, poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters, he added. While Trumps stance may not be favored by evangelical voters, they may not forget that he was the one who appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court who enabled the ruling that ended abortion rights. The former president has repeatedly recalled this and has proclaimed himself the most pro-life president in the history of the United States. As a result, it seems Evangelical Christian voters are keeping their faith in him. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Today A mix of sun and clouds; warm and humid with a t-storm possible late in the day, though much of the day remains dry. Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two. Tomorrow Clouds mixing with some sun, warm, and humid. A shower or thunderstorm may linger early in the morning, and one or two may pop up during the day. Today Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two. Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two. Tomorrow Clouds mixing with some sun, warm, and humid. A shower or thunderstorm may linger early in the morning, and one or two may pop up during the day. GUATEMALA CITY (AP) Guatemala voters sent two presidential candidates from opposite sides of the political spectrum to an Aug. 20 runoff, giving hope to many disenchanted citizens that change might be possible, according to preliminary results Monday. With 98% of the votes counted from Sunday's election, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said former first lady Sandra Torres for the conservative UNE party had 15.7% and Bernardo Arevalo for the leftist Seed Movement had 11.8%. The two leaders didn't come close to the 50% threshold needed to win in the first round. A cluster of other candidates hovered between 6% and 8% of the votes. There was 60% turnout, and nearly 1 million invalid ballots from a frustrated electorate led all the candidates, with nearly all ballots tallied. As Arevalo crossed Constitution Plaza in front of the National Palace Monday afternoon, the crowd of several hundred supporters turned toward him. Someone shouted: Theres hope! With the look of a slightly rumpled academic, Arevalo took questions from reporters and supporters present. When asked what the most important issue was, he said it was the "fight against corruption. Without the fight against corruption we are not going to be able to achieve development or the fight against poverty. He also promised to combat the persecution of the press." Earlier Monday, Torres watched the results from a downtown hotel conference room. She told reporters that regardless of her opponent, she was ready for the runoff and God willing, to be Guatemala's first woman president. The vote came amid Guatemalas worrisome drift toward authoritarianism. Voters worried about security, education and jobs hoped that even if the next president didn't represent the changes they hoped for, he or she would at least recognize the importance of the countrys institutions and halt the erosion that occurred under President Alejandro Giammattei, who could not seek re-election. In four years, Guatemala went from an aggressive pursuit of networks of corrupt actors to a relentless persecution of the very prosecutors and judges who propelled it. More than two dozen justice figures have fled the country. With them in exile, the government then turned its sights on other critical voices, including the media. Earlier this month, a tribunal sentenced newspaper founder Jose Ruben Zamora to six years in prison for money laundering, in what press freedom groups decried as Giammattei silencing a prominent critic. As the presidential campaign got underway earlier this year, electoral authorities and courts kept three prominent candidates who had promised to disrupt the status quo from both the left and right off the ballot. Barred from participating, they called for their supporters to cast null ballots. The stronger-than-expected showing by the Seed Movement a progressive party whose candidate hadn't been among leading candidates in most recent polls was perhaps the biggest shock. Arevalo is the son of Juan Jose Arevalo, one of only two leftist presidents in Guatemalas democratic era. The elder Arevalo, who governed from 1945 to 1951, is credited with establishing foundational elements of Guatemalas democracy that remain in place today, including its labor code and social security. In 2019, the son won a seat in the congress for the Seed Movement, which he had helped found. He previously was a career diplomat, serving as Guatemalas ambassador to Spain and a deputy foreign affairs minister in the administration of President Ramiro de Leon Carpio during the mid-1990s. The Seed Movement is progressive, but with centrist tendencies making it difficult to place on the ideological spectrum, in part because it was founded by urban, mestizo intellectuals and academics like Arevalo who do not necessarily agree among themselves, said Ana Maria Mendez Dardon, Central America director at the Washington Office on Latin America, a U.S.-based human rights organization. It is not a group that is necessarily diverse in terms of really representing the Guatemalan population, Mendez Dardon said. We dont see Indigenous candidates, Indigenous women, for example. Arevalo, 64, is a social democrat and campaigned on social justice themes as well as restoring the rule of law and separation of powers. Andrea Fajardo, a 19-year-old veterinary student said Monday she voted for Arevalo and was thrilled with the election result. A person so different has arrived who I feel represents hope for the country, for all citizens and all the young people who are staying here rather than emigrating, she said. This is the 67-year-old Torres third try for the presidency. She was first lady during the 2008-2012 presidency of social democrat Alvaro Colom, until they divorced in 2011. Her running mate is a former evangelical preacher and they have pledged to maintain Guatemalas strict anti-abortion law and other policies related to conservative family values. She promised during the campaign to increase support for the poor and improve security. She has been Giammatteis strongest ally in congress, marshalling her partys votes to support him, something that earned her the distrust of many Guatemalans. Torres was charged with campaign finance crimes in 2019 and jailed. She never went to trial, however, because the Constitutional Court ruled that she couldn't be charged because of a legal reform approved with the support of her party. Mendez Dardon, another analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America, called Sunday's results the most sweeping popular rejection of Guatemalas direction since huge street protests in 2015 against President Otto Perez Molina. She said the high percentage of null votes reflected not just excluded popular candidates telling their supporters to vote that way, but also a considered vote from an electorate tired of corruption. Conservative forces divided between various first-round candidates can be expected to coalesce behind Torres to try to block Arevalo from the presidency, Mendez Dardon said. But she said Torres generates a strong anti-vote that should help Arevalo. If Arevalo should prevail in August, he would also face an opposition congress. "He is not going to have an easy path, she said. AP videojournalists Fernanda Pesce and Santiago Billy contributed to this report. KYODO NEWS - Jun 26, 2023 - 15:02 | All, World, Japan The Japanese government said Monday it will coordinate with the other Group of Seven countries in addressing the situation in Russia following a short-lived uprising by the Wagner mercenary group, adding the development warrants "serious attention." "We would like to respond to the situation by closely working with the G-7," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters, referring to the rebellion that appears to have dealt a blow to the authority of Russia President Vladimir Putin amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the war launched by Moscow in February last year. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference he has not heard of any major clashes in Russia following the rebellion, but the government will make efforts to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens residing in the country. While refraining from commenting on the possible impact of the uprising on Putin's rule and the war in Ukraine, Matsuno said, "We will continue to closely watch the Wagner Group's moves and Russia's domestic situation with serious attention." The rebellion was aborted on Saturday when Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Group that had been fighting alongside the Russian military in Ukraine, said his troops would stop their advance on Moscow to avoid "shedding Russian blood." A flurry of diplomatic activity took place as tensions heightened, with the G-7 foreign ministers agreeing on Saturday during phone talks to closely coordinate their response as they discussed "urgent challenges the international community is facing," according to the Japanese government. The G-7 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union. Japan is currently serving as the rotating chair of the group. U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday and reaffirmed "unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid," the White House said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a TV interview on Sunday that the uprising showed "real cracks" in Putin's authority. "We can't speculate or know exactly where that's going to go. We do know that Putin has a lot more to answer for in the weeks and months ahead," he said. Reading, PA (19601) 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. BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. - Crews recovered a body from the Lehigh River on Sunday afternoon. An emergency dispatcher confirmed that the Northampton County coroner was called to the scene for a report of a body in the river, near the private boat launch off of Hope Road in Bethlehem Township. Authorities have not commented on who the person is or how they died. The incident remains under investigation at this time. Chrin Cos.'s proposal for 256 apartments at the old V7 driving range, and Kay Builders' plan for 108 homes on Farmersville Road will not be considered at the 7 p.m. meeting. Two big developments that would bring 364 new homes to Bethlehem Township have been pulled from Monday's Planning Commission agenda. Both were taken off the agenda at the request of the developers, who want more time to prepare. No date has been set for when they will be back before the commission. The Chrin development sketch plan showed 12 apartment buildings, plus a clubhouse and pool, at the southeastern intersection of William Penn Highway and Route 33. The eastern edge of the 16.9-acre development would be Hope Road. Kay Builders' plan for Miller Farms had been reviewed earlier. The developer cut the total units back from 166 and dropped a plan for apartments on the site, leaving just single-family homes and townhouses. Both projects have led to objections from residents, but development is decided by land ownership and zoning, not referendum. When a plan to put 220 apartments on the site of the former Bethlehem Drive-In was discussed in March 2022, township attorney Jim Broughal said that just not liking a plan is not a reason for the township to deny it. "You have to state chapter and verse of what provisions of the zoning and subdivision or stormwater ordinance the developer failed to meet," Broughal said. "You can't just say, `I don't like it.'" News of the Kay Builders' plan for 3107 Farmersville Road was also unpopular, with neighbors complaining about the loss of open space and views of cows. Planning Commission Chairman Les Walker noted that property rights generally end at the property line. "When you bought the home, you didn't buy the view," he said. The Bethlehem Township Planning Commission will still meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave., but with a much smaller agenda. The agenda is available on the township website and is subject to change. Good Work Farm is a not a huge tract of land, covering 14 acres, but now it has staying power. The green space at 3477 Daniels Road, straddling the border of Upper and Lower Nazareth townships, on Monday became Northampton County's 250th preserved farm. The county paid $143,467 for the development rights to Good Work Farm. "Good Work Farm is a small but crucial working farm," County Executive Lamont McClure said Monday, as two horses and several people looked on. Small operations such as Good Work can provide fresh food that does not need to be transported a long way, and when the county preserves land, that serves McClure's goal of fighting off what he calls "warehouse proliferation." The county farmland preservation effort started in 1991, according to Maria Bentzoni, administrator for the program. The 19,000-plus acres saved equals more than 30 square miles of land. Owners Anton Shannon and Lisa Miskelly will use the money the county paid for development rights back into Good Work, Shannon said, allowing them to be full-time farmers. They grow vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers for the wholesale markets. The total payment was not immediately available, but Bentzoni said before the event that the county pays an average of $4,338 per acre for development rights. "Agriculture in the Lehigh Valley is still thriving," Shannon said, though deep-pocketed developers who can make big offers for land are a threat. Shannon said government and farmers can work together to preserve agriculture, and consumers can too, by buying local produce. McClure has made open-space preservation a hallmark of his administration, but there is only so much government can do. "We can't compete with billion-dollar real estate companies," McClure said. Some of the world's biggest warehouse companies, such as Prologis Inc. and CBRE Group, see the Lehigh Valley as a good place to do business because of its location in the center of the East Coast "megalopolis" that extends from Washington, D.C. to Boston. The warehouses have a role in the local economy, McClure has conceded, but he maintains there are more than enough of them already. The farmland preservation program is voluntary, Bentzoni said. Farmers can ask to be considered, and each property is judged on characteristics such as development potential and proximity to other preserved areas. Good Work has development potential. It is across the street from a commercial use, and over one property line stand big tract houses. Farms can be preserved, but then they need farmers. Good Work co-owner Lisa Miskelly said apprenticeship programs are available for people who want to get, literally, into the field. "We need to think about land access for younger farmers," she said. Getting land is a big issue for new farmers, Miskelly said. Shannon said farmers who want to learn about the preservation program should contact Bentzoni, who can make the process easy for them. "Maria knows her stuff inside and out," he said. Information about the farmland program is available on the county website. HANOVER TWP., Pa. - State police are investigating an incident at the Waffle House on Airport Road. The building, located near the Allentown-Hanover Township border at 1783 Airport Road, was sealed off with crime tape around 3 a.m. Sunday as police investigated. One of the windows had been shattered. Police have not yet confirmed reports of gunfire at the scene or said if anyone was injured. WASHIGTON, D.C. - Elected officials are calling it the single largest federal investment in broadband internet infrastructure in the history of the Commonwealth. It was announced Monday that Pennsylvania is receiving $1,161,778,272 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand high-speech internet access. The funding is part of President Bidens Internet for All initiative and will go to the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority. High-speed internet is a necessity today and without it, Pennsylvanians are left at a disadvantage. Our rural communities are particularly impacted by a lack of reliable, high-speed internet access., Senator Bon Casey (D - Pa) said. This record-setting investment from the infrastructure law will help ensure Pennsylvania students have every opportunity to learn, families to stay connected, and small businesses stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. This funding comes from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which is part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program allocates funding directly to the states to bring affordable and reliable high-speed internet to high-cost, unserved and underserved communities. POCONO TWP., Pa. - Part of a shopping center in the Poconos was reduced to rubble after an intense fire on Sunday. The middle section of the Promenade at Fountain Court in Monroe County is now just twisted metal, charred wood and debris. Multiple businesses were lost. Neighbors from around the Tannersville area gathered to see what was left. "You know, it's upsetting. Like I said, a lot of people are going to be out of work," said Frances Caban, Bath resident. Around 7:30 a.m. Sunday, firefighters received a call about a fire behind the Trap Door Escape Room. Crews quickly knocked it down, but -- "Then about a half hour later, room started smoking up and at that time the fire was in the wall and it ended up traveling right up to the roof," said Jerrod Belvin, director of emergency services for Pocono Township. Officials say the fire was stubborn and required the help of firefighters from Northampton County all the way to Warren County, New Jersey. They also ran into water supply issues. "Water is always the biggest issue in a, you know, fire of this nature, this large..." Belvin said. "We have fire hydrants here, they just can't keep up with the pressure demand that we need." After the second flare-up, excavators were brought in to knock down the walls and prevent more flare-ups. State fire marshals are now investigating what caused the fire, but officials say they have a good initial idea. "We believe it was electrical-related, but that's very early at this point," Belvin said. A long list of stores, restaurants and professional services shared space in the strip mall. "Hopefully they rebuild everything and put the same stores back in because it was a nice place," said Tara Werner, a nearby resident. No one was inside the businesses at the time of the fire, and no one was hurt, officials say. Bryan Kohberger's lawyers say he can't be connected to stabbing four Idaho college students. That's the argument in a court document filed by the legal team for the Poconos man charged in the slayings. It says there's no connection between Kohberger and the four victims. The defense argues they've been kept in the dark about the genetic samples police used to link Kohberger to the murders. Prosecutors argue Kohberger has no right to that FBI data. He's due back in court this week. POCONO TWP., Pa. - It has been more than 24 hours since a fire broke out at the Promenade at Fountain Court shopping center in Pocono Township. More than a dozen businesses have been reduced to charred wood, burnt metal and rubble. "We're completely shocked," said April Butler, owner of Farmhouse Cafe. Butler returned Monday morning to survey the damage done to her cafe in the shopping center. She found nothing left to be salvaged or saved. "In the beginning, we were all downplaying and saying, 'Oh, it's going to be out. It's going be out. Okay. We'll be closed for a week.' We had no idea this was to come," Butler said. She got a call from her chef around 7:30 a.m. Sunday saying there was a fire at the building. When she arrived, she found a small plume of black smoke coming from the backside of the building, and far enough away from her company that she expected them to be okay. Firefighters told her the fire was contained, but nearly 30 minutes later, the fire rekindled, taking off faster than they could keep up with. "... about a half hour later, the room started smoking up, and at that time, the fire was in the wall and it ended up traveling right up to the roof," said Jerrod Belvin, director of emergency services for Pocono Township. The fire was so intense it required five ladder trucks to fight it, and the help of fire companies from Northampton County all the way to Warren County, New Jersey. Firefighters also ran into water supply issues. "Water is always the biggest issue in a fire of this nature, this large. We have fire hydrants here. They just can't keep up with the pressure demand that we need," Belvin said. The Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief says crews were "chasing" the fire the entire time. The building was built in 1990, and because of that, to the chief's knowledge, there weren't any fire walls, sprinklers or fire suppressants of any kinds. Essentially, once the fire started moving, it was hard to stop it. Officials say no one was inside the businesses at the time of the fire and no one was hurt. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden declared Monday that the United States and NATO played no part in the Wagner mercenary group's short-lived insurrection in Russia, calling the uprising and the longer-term challenges it poses for President Vladimir Putin's authority a struggle within the Russian system. Biden and U.S. allies supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion emphasized their intent to be seen as staying out of the mercenaries' stunning insurgency, the biggest threat to Putin in his two decades leading Russia. They are concerned that Putin could use accusations of Western involvement to rally Russians to his defense. Biden and administration officials declined an immediate assessment of what the 22-hour uprising by the Wagner Group might mean for Russia's war in Ukraine, for mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin or for Russia itself. Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events and the implications from Russia and Ukraine, Biden said. But its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. Putin, in his first public comments since the rebellion, said Russias enemies had hoped the mutiny would succeed in dividing and weakening Russia, but they miscalculated. He identified the enemies as the neo-Nazis in Kyiv, their Western patrons and other national traitors. And Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the special services were already investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in Prigozhins rebellion. Over the course of a tumultuous weekend in Russia, U.S. diplomats were in contact with their counterparts in Moscow to underscore that the American government regarded the matter as a domestic affair for Russia, with the U.S. only a bystander, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. American diplomats also stressed to Moscow that they expected Russia to ensure the safety of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and Americans detained in Russia, Miller said. In a video call between Biden and leaders of U.S.-allied countries over the weekend, all were determined to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West," Biden told reporters at the White House. We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it, Biden said. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system. Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said Putin in the past has alleged clandestine U.S. involvement in events including democratic uprisings in former Soviet countries, and campaigns by democracy activists inside and outside Russia as a way to diminish public support among Russians for those challenges to the Russian system. The U.S. and NATO "dont want to be blamed for the appearance of trying to destabilize Putin, McFaul said. A feud between Prigozhin and Russias military brass that has festered throughout the war erupted into the mutiny that saw the mercenaries leave Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city. They rolled for hundreds of kilometers toward Moscow, before turning around on Saturday, in a deal whose terms remain uncertain. Biden's national security team briefed him hourly as Prigozhin's forces were on the move, the president said. He had directed them to prepare for a range of scenarios as Russia's crisis unfolded, he said. Biden did not elaborate on the scenarios. But national security spokesman John Kirby addressed one concern raised frequently by the public, news media and others as the world watched the cracks opening in Putin's hold on power worries that the Russian leader might take extreme action to reassert his command. Putin and the Kremlin have made repeated references to Russia's nuclear weapons since invading Ukraine 16 months ago, aiming to discourage NATO countries from ratcheting up their support to Ukraine. One thing that we have always talked about, unabashedly so, is that its in nobodys interest for this war to escalate beyond the level of violence that is already visited upon the Ukrainian people, Kirby said at a White House news briefing. Its not good for, certainly, Ukraine and not good for our allies and partners in Europe. Quite frankly, its not good for the Russian people. In the aftermath of the mutiny, both Prigozhin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made public comments Monday aiming to play down the crisis. In an 11-minute audio statement, Prigozhin said he acted to prevent the destruction of the Wagner private military company and in particular in response to an attack on a Wagner camp that killed some 30 of his fighters. Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend, telling him, No matter what happened in Russia, let me say again, no matter what happened in Russia, we in the United States would continue to support Ukraines defense and sovereignty and its territorial integrity. Biden said. He said he intended to speak with Zelenskyy again late Monday or early Tuesday. The Pentagon is expected to announce Tuesday that it is sending up to $500 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, including more than 50 heavily armored vehicles and an infusion of missiles for air defense systems, U.S. officials said Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid has not yet been publicly announced. Biden, in the first weeks after Putin sent tens of thousands of Russian forces into Ukraine in February 2022, had issued a passionate statement against the Russian leader's continuing in command. For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power, he said then, as reports emerged of Russian atrocities against civilians in Ukraine. On Monday, U.S. officials were careful not to be seen as backing either Putin or his former longtime protege, Prigozhin, in public comments. We believe it's up to the Russian people to determine who their leadership is, Kirby said. White House officials were also trying to understand how Beijing was digesting the Wagner revolt and what it might mean for the China-Russia relationship going forward. China and Russia are each others closest major partner. The White House says Beijing has considered but not followed through on sending Russia weaponry for use in Ukraine. I think itd be fair to say that recent developments in Russia had been unsettling to the Chinese leadership, said Kurt Campbell, coordinator for the Indo-Pacific at the White House National Security Council, speaking at a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. I think Ill just leave it at that. China values Russia as a friend in part to keep from standing alone against the U.S. and its allies in disputes. With Russia's invasion and resulting international sanctions sapping Russian resources and now sparking a rebellion, McFaul said, Ukraine and its allies could make the case: "'Xi Jinping, you know, if you want your buddy to stay in power, maybe this is the time to put some pressure on him to wrap up this war.''' AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report. KYODO NEWS - Jun 26, 2023 - 16:31 | All, Japan, Coronavirus Japan may have entered its ninth wave of COVID-19 infections, an expert who served as the government's top coronavirus adviser said Monday, stressing the importance of protecting vulnerable elderly individuals from the disease. "A ninth wave may have started," Shigeru Omi told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss the recent nationwide increase in infections after the government eased countermeasures, including downgrading the legal status of the disease to the same category as seasonal influenza in May. "As people have been increasingly in contact with others, (the rise in infections) is as expected," Omi also said. He underscored that people at high risk of developing severe illness should be vaccinated. "I don't know if the number of infected people will surpass that of the eighth wave, but we should focus on reducing the number of deaths and ensuring the continuity of social activities." In the eighth wave, observed between late November and late January, the country saw the number of daily infections peak at more than 246,000 in early January. Following the downgrading of COVID-19's legal status, the government stopped releasing the daily tally of patients. Now the health ministry only releases the number of patients reported from some 5,000 designated medical institutions across the country and the average number of cases among the facilities on a weekly basis. According to the latest data released Friday, the average stood at 5.60 patients in the week through June 18, up from 5.11 the previous week. But the figure in the southern island prefecture of Okinawa was remarkably high at 28.74 per facility, with Omi noting its relatively weak system for providing medical care and low vaccination rates compared with other prefectures. At the onset of the meeting held at the prime minister's office, Kishida noted the gradual increase in infections and sought Omi's advice on what precautions should be taken to minimize cases in this summer. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two. . Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy, warm and muggy with a few showers and thunderstorms; a heavy downpour or two. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt, the gravest threat yet to his power, as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. Speaking in a stern tone and looking tired in a five-minute TV address near midnight, Putin sought to project stability. He tried to strike a balance between criticizing the uprisings perpetrators to prevent another crisis, and not antagonizing the bulk of the mercenaries and their hardline supporters, some of whom are incensed at the Kremlins handling of the situation. Putin, whose troops are stretched thin in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, praised the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into major bloodshed. And he said the nation had stood united, although there had been localized signs of support for the uprising. Earlier in the day, the head of the mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led the rebellion, defended his short-lived insurrection. He again taunted Russias military, but said he hadnt been seeking to stage a coup against Putin. On Friday, Prigozhin had called for an armed rebellion to oust the military leadership. Putins address was announced by his spokesman in advance and billed by Russian state media as something that would define the fate of Russia." In fact, the address didnt yield groundbreaking developments. Abbas Gallyamov, a former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst, called the address weak. In a Facebook post, he said it was a sign that Putin is "acutely dissatisfied with how he looked in this whole story and is trying to correct the situation. The Kremlin later showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom the uprising had tried to remove. Putin thanked members of his team for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled Shoigu. Earlier, the authorities released a video of Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine. Putin, who declined to name Prigozhin, said mutiny organizers had tried to force the groups soldiers to shoot their own. He said Russias enemies had hoped the mutiny would divide and weaken Russia, "but they miscalculated. Western officials have been muted in their public comments on the mutiny, and President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved. Speaking at the White House, Biden said he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it, he said. Prigozhin said he had been acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement Monday, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The injustice apparently was a government order requiring Wagner soldiers, if they want to remain fighting, to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1, which might effectively disband the group despite its battlefield successes in Ukraine. Prigozhin also accused Russia's military of attacking his troops, prompting his march. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into mutiny when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in the southern Russia city of Rostov. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday. Prigozhin boasted that his march was a master class on how Russia's military should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. It remained unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said Lukashenko proposed finding a way to let Wagner "continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. In his address Monday, Putin didn't repeat threats he had made Saturday to punish the mutiny's leaders. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has clashed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man, Dmitry Utkin, deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed a request with Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. For months, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhin said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defense Ministrys command. He said Wagner had planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in Rostov, but they were attacked. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with the military leadership. While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. It was unclear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday after visiting troops in the war-torn Donetsk region that his military had advanced there as well as in Zaporizhzhia. Today, our warriors have advanced in all directions, and this is a happy day, he said in his nightly address, without providing details. The events of the weekend show the war is cracking Russia's political system, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now," Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels and Jill Lawless in London contributed. Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war KYODO NEWS - Jun 26, 2023 - 17:58 | All, Japan A man accused of attempted murder and arson in a 2021 attack on a Tokyo train while dressed in a Joker's costume admitted Monday to trying to kill a man he stabbed and starting a fire onboard, but his defense team denied the fire was intended to kill other passengers. Kyota Hattori, 26, made the statement at the opening hearing of his trial at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court. In all, he was accused of the attempted murder of 13 passengers including the man he stabbed. According to the indictment, Hattori stabbed a man in his 70s in the chest onboard a Keio Line commuter express service headed to Shinjuku, a busy station in central Tokyo, from Hachioji in the west of the capital, on Halloween night. He then spread lighter fuel and ignited it with the intention of killing other passengers, the indictment said. In the trial, prosecutors quoted Hattori as having told investigators following his arrest, "I don't have any worth as a person. I have no choice but to kill a lot of people and get the death penalty." He began harboring such thoughts after encountering trouble at work following his graduation from high school in Fukuoka Prefecture in southwestern Japan, they said. Describing the crime as "deliberate," they noted he had prepared the items he used in the attack beforehand and that by spreading the lighter fuel on the train, Hattori "was aware that multiple people could die." The prosecutors said Hattori conceived the attack on the Keio Line train after seeing media reports about another knife attack on an Odakyu Electric Railway commuter train a few months earlier in which a man stabbed and slashed 10 passengers. In this incident, the male suspect spread cooking oil but the oil failed to ignite. Hattori's defense team, meanwhile, denied his intention to kill other passengers, saying in their opening statement that when he threw a lighter inside the train to start the fire, the passengers had already fled the area. The stabbed man was briefly in critical condition. His injury needed around three months of treatment, the indictment said. The incident caused panic, and when the train made an emergency stop at a station passengers tried to escape through windows when the doors did not immediately open. Related coverage: Tokyo "Joker" train attacker served new attempted murder warrant Joker train attacker targeted Tokyo in hopes of increasing kill count 17 hurt as knife-wielding man in costume starts fire on Tokyo train African regional indaba on UN binding treaty takes place this week Civil society organisations host the fourth African regional indaba on the UN binding treaty on business and human rights at Parktonian Hotel in Johannesburg The Centre for Applied Legal Studies, ActionAid, the Alternative Information and Development Centre, Lawyers for Human Rights and Mining Affected Communities United in Action are hosting the fourth African regional Indaba on the UN binding treaty on business and human rights this week. Known formally as the Legally Binding Instrument to Regulate in International Human Rights Law, the Activities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises the purpose of the treaty is to address human rights abuses by businesses across borders. The treaty was first proposed to the United Nations Human Rights Council by South Africa and Ecuador in 2014. A working group was then established to develop a draft of the treaty, which was published in 2018. Since then, four different drafts have been proposed and discussed at the United Nations in Geneva. Only once the draft is accepted, signed and ratified by states will it begin to come into force. Civil society organisations have been instrumental in the treaty process so far, working to ensure that the treaty will be effective and reflect the needs of the people it is meant to benefit and protect. In particular, women and rural communities in the Global South. Our organisations have been involved in the treaty process since 2014, hosting platforms to learn about the treaty process and the needs of communities and ensure they speak to each other. This includes the regional indaba. The regional indaba brings together representatives of affected communities, civil society organisations and states to discuss the progress made on the treaty so far and to prepare for the next round of negotiations at the United Nations later in the year. Our main goal is to ensure African perspectives are included in the negotiations and ultimately in the final draft of the treaty. This years indaba is scheduled to be an in-person event over two days on 27 and 28 June 2023 in Johannesburg. Day one will consist of a closed community activist workshop unpacking the nature and importance of the treaty an. Day two will see African state representatives joining the discussion to elaborate on how we can best support, engage and collaborate with states and ensure communities voices inform their approach at the next round of negotiations. The draft treaty and ongoing negotiations shows there is growing recognition of the need for corporations to be held accountable for human rights obligations and violations, says Anesu Dera, attorney at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. The political reality, however, is that there are business-friendly states who continue to try to undermine the process. This mechanism has a real chance of addressing corporate impunity and we must do all we can to engage in the process. Issued by: ActionAid South Africa Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) Women Affected by Mining United in Action (WAMUA) For inquiries, please contact: From the Centre for Applied Legal Studies: Bank of America downgraded shares of AES (NYSE:AES Get Rating) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has $23.00 price target on the utilities providers stock, down from their previous price target of $24.00. Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on AES. StockNews.com cut AES from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, May 20th. Wolfe Research cut AES from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $32.00 price target on shares of AES in a report on Monday, March 6th. UBS Group cut their price target on AES from $30.00 to $27.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, TheStreet cut AES from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AES has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $29.64. Get AES alerts: AES Stock Performance Shares of AES opened at $20.43 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $21.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.46. The stock has a market cap of $13.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -24.91, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.95. AES has a 52 week low of $18.90 and a 52 week high of $29.89. Institutional Inflows and Outflows AES ( NYSE:AES Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by ($0.02). AES had a positive return on equity of 38.46% and a negative net margin of 3.59%. The company had revenue of $3.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.21 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that AES will post 1.73 EPS for the current year. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AES. Providence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of AES by 2,315.2% in the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,870,758 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $202,274,000 after acquiring an additional 4,669,090 shares during the period. Empower Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in AES during the 1st quarter worth about $52,959,000. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AES by 69.1% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 3,173,571 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $71,723,000 after buying an additional 1,296,514 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AES by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 83,790,219 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,155,923,000 after buying an additional 1,285,423 shares during the period. Finally, Clean Energy Transition LLP acquired a new position in shares of AES in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,799,000. 94.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. AES Company Profile (Get Rating) The AES Corporation operates as a diversified power generation and utility company. It owns and/or operates power plants to generate and sell power to customers, such as utilities, industrial users, and other intermediaries. The company also owns and/or operates utilities to generate or purchase, distribute, transmit, and sell electricity to end-user customers in the residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental sectors; and generates and sells electricity on the wholesale market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AES Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AES and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) (TSE:ZWB Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Wednesday, June 28th, TickerTech reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 5th will be given a dividend of 0.11 per share on Wednesday, July 5th. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.58%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 28th. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Price Performance zwb stock traded up C$0.25 during midday trading on Monday, hitting C$17.41. 136,680 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 201,185. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of C$17.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$18.35. BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF has a 1-year low of C$17.10 and a 1-year high of C$20.03. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ZWB.TO) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 23:00 | All, World, Japan ---------- Japan to relist South Korea as preferred trade country in July TOKYO - Japan will relist South Korea as a preferred trade partner on July 21 after a similar move by Seoul on Tokyo's trade status, the Japanese government said Tuesday in the latest sign of a thaw in bilateral relations. The actions mark the normalization of trade between the two countries after their ties worsened to their lowest point in decades over wartime history. ---------- Decoupling to hurt both democratic, autocratic economies: Japan white paper TOKYO - The global economy faces a "crisis of division" on the back of an intensifying U.S.-China technology war, the Japanese government warned Tuesday in a white paper, saying a severe economic decoupling between democratic and autocratic states would deal a blow to both sides. The government underscored the importance of rebuilding a rules-based trade order, developing resilient supply chains, and strengthening cooperation with developing and emerging countries collectively called the Global South to restore confidence in the global economy. ---------- Japan, EU to boost economic security ties, with China, Russia in mind TOKYO - Japan and the European Union agreed Tuesday to deepen economic security cooperation by strengthening supply chain resilience for semiconductors and other critical materials, apparently with China and Russia in mind. During their third high-level dialogue on economic issues such as trade and energy, Japanese and EU representatives also said they will take measures to counter China's so-called economic coercion, involving the use of economic means to achieve political goals and exert influence on other countries, Japan's trade ministry said. ---------- Kabuki actor Ennosuke arrested for alleged role in mother's suicide TOKYO - Popular Japanese Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke, 47, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of helping his mother take her own life in mid-May, in what is believed to have been a family suicide pact, an investigative source said. Ennosuke, whose real name is Takahiko Kinoshi, was found collapsed at his parents' home in Tokyo on May 18, along with his mother Nobuko, 75, and his father Hiroyuki, 76, known as Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danshiro. ---------- Japan PM to visit Europe for NATO, EU summits, Middle East in July TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday he will make a four-day trip from July 11 to Lithuania to participate in a NATO summit and Belgium for talks with European Union leaders. He told executive members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party that he is also planning to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar later in the month, aiming to deepen economic and security relations with the Middle Eastern countries. ---------- Japan finance chief vows to respond to excessive forex moves TOKYO - Japan will take "appropriate" steps to cope with excess volatility in foreign exchange markets, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Tuesday in his latest warning against the yen's rapid fall against the U.S. dollar. Suzuki said currency moves should be stable, reflecting economic fundamentals, and added that a weak yen has both positive and negative effects on the economy. ---------- Japan ruling parties agree on election cooperation to avoid friction TOKYO - Japan's ruling parties agreed Tuesday to cooperate in all constituencies except those in Tokyo for the next general election, brushing aside concerns that they may end their decades-long alliance amid increased friction over the fielding of candidates. The decision came after weeks of wrangling between the Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and its junior coalition partner Komeito over putting forward candidates in a newly established electoral district in Tokyo. ---------- Nissan investors OK new management with reduced Renault influence YOKOHAMA - Shareholders of Nissan Motor Co. on Tuesday approved a renewed management on Tuesday that diminishes the influence from its biggest shareholder and alliance partner, Renault SA, as it seeks to rebalance its rocky partnership with the French company. At its annual general meeting in Yokohama, the shareholders approved a company proposal to nominate 10 directors, including current CEO Makoto Uchida. The proposal did not include the reappointment of Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta, a former Renault executive who stepped down Tuesday. ---------- Man admits to stabbing passengers in 2021 random Tokyo train attack TOKYO - A 37-year-old man accused of attempted murder admitted Tuesday to stabbing three passengers in a random knife attack on a Tokyo commuter train in 2021, but his defense team argued his intent to kill was not firm in his first court hearing. Yusuke Tsushima is indicted for seriously injuring a then 20-year-old female university student by stabbing her several times in the chest and back, as well as injuring a woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s on an Odakyu Electric Railway train on Aug. 6, 2021. ---------- Video: Fireworks by Chinese artist Cai in Fukushima StockNews.com upgraded shares of Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Friday. A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on BRO. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Brown & Brown from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target 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, Citigroup raised shares of Brown & Brown from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $62.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Brown & Brown currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.64. Get Brown & Brown alerts: Brown & Brown Price Performance Shares of Brown & Brown stock opened at $66.43 on Friday. Brown & Brown has a 52-week low of $52.82 and a 52-week high of $68.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.45 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a fifty day moving average of $64.18 and a 200-day moving average of $59.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 2.49 and a current ratio of 2.49. Brown & Brown Dividend Announcement Brown & Brown ( NYSE:BRO Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.03. Brown & Brown had a net margin of 18.15% and a return on equity of 14.80%. The company had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.06 billion. Equities research analysts expect that Brown & Brown will post 2.52 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th were issued a $0.115 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $0.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. Brown & Browns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.01%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Brown & Brown news, Director Bronislaw Edmund Masojada purchased 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 21st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $65.78 per share, for a total transaction of $263,120.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 4,000 shares in the company, valued at $263,120. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 17.02% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. My Personal CFO LLC bought a new position in shares of Brown & Brown in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Quilter Plc bought a new position in shares of Brown & Brown in the 1st quarter worth about $438,906,000. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its stake in shares of Brown & Brown by 93.7% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 461 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new position in shares of Brown & Brown in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in shares of Brown & Brown in the 1st quarter worth about $52,000. 69.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Brown & Brown Company Profile (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. Featured Articles 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. Eurocash (OTCMKTS:EUSHY Get Rating) is one of 63 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Eurocash to related companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and earnings. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings for Eurocash and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Eurocash alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Eurocash 0 1 0 0 2.00 Eurocash Competitors 1128 2762 3012 113 2.30 As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 104.10%. Given Eurocashs competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Eurocash has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Eurocash N/A N/A 3.07 Eurocash Competitors $26.32 billion $579.26 million 186.86 This table compares Eurocash and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Eurocashs competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Eurocash. Eurocash 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. Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.2% of Eurocash shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 43.6% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by institutional investors. 23.6% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Eurocash and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Eurocash N/A N/A N/A Eurocash Competitors 1.29% 12.80% 4.00% Dividends Eurocash pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 14.3%. Eurocash pays out 43.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.3% and pay out 61.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Eurocash is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Summary Eurocash competitors beat Eurocash on 11 of the 13 factors compared. Eurocash Company Profile (Get Rating) Eurocash S.A. engages in the wholesale distribution of food and other fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Poland. The company operates through Wholesale, Retail, and Projects segments. Its FMCG products include food products, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and household chemicals and cosmetics. The company markets its products to traditional retail stores, including small supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialized grocery stores; and kiosks, retail outlets, and convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, hotel and cafe chains, and catering outlets. It operates a network of Cash & Carry warehouses; Delikatesy Centrum network supermarkets; Inmedio; and franchise and partner stores of Eurocash distribution. Eurocash S.A. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Komorniki, Poland. Receive News & Ratings for Eurocash Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eurocash and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornish Metals Inc. (LON:CUSN Get Rating) shares hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 10.50 ($0.13) and last traded at GBX 11.14 ($0.14), with a volume of 212368 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 11 ($0.14). Cornish Metals Trading Up 1.3 % The company has a market capitalization of 59.63 million, a PE ratio of -1,350.00 and a beta of 2.27. The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 12.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 14.32. About Cornish Metals (Get Rating) Cornish Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, evaluation, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America and the United Kingdom. The company primarily explores for tin, tungsten, nickel, lithium, copper, and cobalt deposits. Its flagship projects are the South Crofty project comprising an underground mine permission area that covers 1,490 hectares located in the Central Mining District of Cornwall, the United Kingdom; and the United Downs exploration project located within the historic Gwennap copper and tin mining district in Cornwall, the United Kingdom. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Cornish Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cornish Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Get Rating) by 0.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 156,702 shares of the medical technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,123 shares during the period. Czech National Banks holdings in Medtronic were worth $12,633,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MDT. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Medtronic by 127,655.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 14,160,371 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,100,544,000 after purchasing an additional 14,149,287 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Medtronic during the 4th quarter worth about $1,062,316,000. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 115,998,561 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $9,366,883,000 after purchasing an additional 5,620,477 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 33.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,374,686 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,564,508,000 after purchasing an additional 4,816,172 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG increased its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 14.9% during the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 16,599,068 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,290,080,000 after purchasing an additional 2,157,370 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.48% of the companys stock. Get Medtronic alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MDT shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Medtronic from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $77.00 to $100.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. 92 Resources reissued a maintains rating on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Medtronic from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $104.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $89.00 price objective on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their target price on shares of Medtronic from $100.00 to $99.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.53. Medtronic Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of MDT stock opened at $87.29 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $86.98 and a 200-day moving average of $82.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Medtronic plc has a 12-month low of $75.76 and a 12-month high of $95.60. The company has a market capitalization of $116.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.71. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 25th. The medical technology company reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.01. Medtronic had a net margin of 12.03% and a return on equity of 13.54%. The company had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.25 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.52 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Medtronic plc will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Medtronic Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.69 per share. This is an increase from Medtronics previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 22nd. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.16%. Medtronics dividend payout ratio is currently 97.87%. About Medtronic (Get Rating) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MDT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Czech National Bank increased its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) by 0.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 179,690 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 1,141 shares during the period. Czech National Banks holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $9,412,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Phocas Financial Corp. purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 54.8% in the 1st quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 565 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.77% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have weighed in on SCHW. Raymond James upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $63.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, May 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Morgan Stanley downgraded Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their target price for the stock from $99.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Charles Schwab from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, May 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.68. Insider Activity Charles Schwab Stock Performance In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other Charles Schwab news, Director Marianne Catherine Brown bought 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $53.47 per share, for a total transaction of $267,350.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,984 shares in the company, valued at $533,844.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. NYSE SCHW opened at $53.26 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $94.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.53, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $52.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $65.34. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1-year low of $45.00 and a 1-year high of $86.63. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.13 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.83% and a net margin of 34.82%. Charles Schwabs revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.77 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.29 EPS for the current year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is presently 27.32%. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Get Rating) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR Get Rating) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $171.00. A number of research analysts recently issued reports on EXR shares. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Extra Space Storage from $165.00 to $155.00 in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Evercore ISI raised Extra Space Storage from an underperform rating to an outperform rating and set a $164.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Raymond James upgraded Extra Space Storage from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $185.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. KeyCorp dropped their target price on shares of Extra Space Storage from $190.00 to $172.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Extra Space Storage in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Extra Space Storage Price Performance Shares of EXR opened at $141.96 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $19.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.87 and a beta of 0.54. Extra Space Storage has a 1 year low of $139.97 and a 1 year high of $216.52. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $148.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $153.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82. Extra Space Storage Announces Dividend Insider Transactions at Extra Space Storage The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 101.89%. In other news, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.07, for a total value of $800,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 15,144 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,424,100.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Extra Space Storage A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,404 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $289,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its position in Extra Space Storage by 16.5% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,502 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in Extra Space Storage during the first quarter worth about $625,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in Extra Space Storage by 8.2% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 2,522 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $519,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Extra Space Storage in the 1st quarter valued at about $332,000. Institutional investors own 96.81% of the companys stock. Extra Space Storage Company Profile (Get Rating Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned and/or operated 2,338 self-storage stores in 41 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 1.6 million units and approximately 176.1 million square feet of rentable space. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSE:FM Get Rating) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and seven have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is C$32.11. Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Raymond James reduced their price target on First Quantum Minerals from C$34.00 to C$32.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. TD Securities upgraded shares of First Quantum Minerals from a hold rating to a buy rating and cut their price target for the stock from C$40.00 to C$39.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of First Quantum Minerals from C$25.00 to C$22.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on First Quantum Minerals from C$33.00 to C$35.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, National Bank Financial raised First Quantum Minerals from a sector perform spec overwgt rating to an outperform spec market weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Get First Quantum Minerals alerts: First Quantum Minerals Stock Down 2.2 % FM stock opened at C$31.55 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$21.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.86, a P/E/G ratio of -1.28 and a beta of 2.17. First Quantum Minerals has a 52 week low of C$18.67 and a 52 week high of C$36.38. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$32.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$30.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 67.15. First Quantum Minerals Cuts Dividend First Quantum Minerals ( TSE:FM Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported C$0.15 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.19 by C($0.04). First Quantum Minerals had a net margin of 10.31% and a return on equity of 6.39%. The firm had revenue of C$2.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.28 billion. Equities analysts forecast that First Quantum Minerals will post 1.585839 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th were given a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 14th. This represents a yield of 0.42%. First Quantum Mineralss payout ratio is 21.01%. First Quantum Minerals Company Profile (Get Rating First Quantum Minerals Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties. It primarily explores for copper, nickel, pyrite, gold, silver, and zinc ores, as well as produces acid. The company has operating mines located in Zambia, Panama, Finland, Turkey, Spain, Australia, and Mauritania, as well as a development project in Zambia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for First Quantum Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Quantum Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM Get Rating)s share price hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.35 and last traded at C$0.39, with a volume of 5500 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.38. Galway Metals Price Performance The stocks 50-day moving average is C$0.48 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.47. The firm has a market cap of C$28.80 million, a P/E ratio of -2.34 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a quick ratio of 4.81, a current ratio of 3.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. Galway Metals Company Profile (Get Rating) Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project that covers an area of 60,465 hectares located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Galway Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Galway Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KB Home (NYSE:KBH Get Rating) had its price objective increased by Bank of America from $52.00 to $53.00 in a report published on Thursday, The Fly reports. Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of KB Home from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of KB Home from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of KB Home from $51.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of KB Home in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of KB Home from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.04. Get KB Home alerts: KB Home Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of KB Home stock opened at $52.02 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $4.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.97, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.61. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $45.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $39.30. KB Home has a twelve month low of $25.31 and a twelve month high of $52.40. KB Home ( NYSE:KBH Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, June 21st. The construction company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.61. KB Home had a return on equity of 20.85% and a net margin of 10.98%. The firm had revenue of $1.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.43 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.32 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that KB Home will post 5.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. KB Home announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Wednesday, March 22nd that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the construction company to purchase up to 15.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. KB Home Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 4th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 3rd. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.15%. KB Homes dividend payout ratio is currently 6.88%. Insider Buying and Selling In other KB Home news, CEO Jeffrey T. Mezger sold 150,000 shares of KB Home stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.26, for a total value of $6,789,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,472,577 shares in the company, valued at $66,648,835.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 4.44% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of KB Home Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in shares of KB Home by 20.9% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 109,019 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,530,000 after buying an additional 18,818 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its position in KB Home by 35.5% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,169 shares of the construction companys stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 568 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in KB Home by 39.7% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 96,105 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,112,000 after purchasing an additional 27,327 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in KB Home by 10.5% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 31,411 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,017,000 after purchasing an additional 2,995 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its position in KB Home by 7.1% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 47,231 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,571,000 after purchasing an additional 3,140 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.74% of the companys stock. About KB Home (Get Rating) KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Rating) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note published on Thursday. LMT has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on Lockheed Martin from $478.00 to $496.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $480.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $513.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $422.00 to $419.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $510.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $494.79. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Lockheed Martin Trading Down 0.9 % Shares of NYSE LMT opened at $459.36 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61. Lockheed Martin has a 12 month low of $373.67 and a 12 month high of $508.10. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $460.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $469.12. The company has a market cap of $116.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.99, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.67. Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement Lockheed Martin ( NYSE:LMT Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The aerospace company reported $6.43 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.08 by $0.35. The company had revenue of $15.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.01 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 67.75% and a net margin of 8.60%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $6.44 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Lockheed Martin will post 26.76 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $3.00 per share. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is presently 54.84%. Insider Activity In other news, Director John Donovan acquired 506 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $495.17 per share, for a total transaction of $250,556.02. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,830 shares in the company, valued at $1,401,331.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Lockheed Martin news, EVP Stephanie C. Hill sold 2,391 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $490.84, for a total value of $1,173,598.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,604 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,186,547.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director John Donovan purchased 506 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $495.17 per share, with a total value of $250,556.02. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,830 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,401,331.10. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Lee Financial Co lifted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 367.6% in the 1st quarter. Lee Financial Co now owns 477 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $210,000 after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 240.0% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 4,124 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,821,000 after purchasing an additional 2,911 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 56.8% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 23,153 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $9,995,000 after buying an additional 8,389 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 18.4% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 28,807 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $12,716,000 after purchasing an additional 4,472 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 20.4% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 107,366 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $47,391,000 after purchasing an additional 18,201 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.28% of the companys stock. About Lockheed Martin (Get Rating) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KYODO NEWS - Jun 26, 2023 - 11:55 | World, All China on Sunday expressed its support for Moscow's efforts to re-establish stability after a weekend uprising by a mercenary group against the Russian military leadership. Following a high-level meeting between the two countries in Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Beijing supports Moscow in "maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity," while calling the incident "an internal affair" of Russia. The statement was released after Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang discussed with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern in Beijing on the same day, the ministry said. The weekend rebellion was an unexpected blow to the authority of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime as it continues the war against Ukraine it launched in February last year. Events rapidly evolved after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private military company Wagner Group, claimed Friday that Russian forces attacked his paramilitary group in their field camps and announced he was leading his troops out of Ukraine and on a "march of justice" into Russia. On Saturday, however, after entering the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and then moving toward Moscow, Prigozhin said his armed troops will stop their advance to avoid "shedding Russian blood." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Prigozhin will head to neighboring Belarus, while the charges leveled against him for mounting an armed rebellion will be dropped. China and Russia maintain close ties, with Beijing refraining from condemning Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine while opposing sanctions against it. Meanwhile, North Korea also expressed Sunday its strong support for "any option and decision by the Russian leadership" to control the armed rebellion, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Im Chon Il, North Korea's vice foreign minister, conveyed his firm belief during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora that the uprising "would be successfully put down in conformity with the aspiration and will of the Russian people," KCNA said. Im also said he believes the Russian army and people would "surely overcome trials and ordeals and heroically emerge victorious" in the war on Ukraine, according to the report. North Korea has been trying to deepen ties with Russia and supported Moscow's decision to invade Ukraine. Allegations have also surfaced that Pyongyang has provided ammunition to Russia. Related coverage: Mercenary group halts uprising against Russian military leadership Nomura (NYSE:NMR Get Rating) and WisdomTree (NYSE:WT Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk. Risk and Volatility Nomura has a beta of 0.65, indicating that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, WisdomTree has a beta of 1.4, indicating that its share price is 40% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Nomura alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 1.1% of Nomura shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 82.3% of WisdomTree shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Nomura shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 7.8% of WisdomTree shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nomura 4.44% 2.84% 0.18% WisdomTree 25.30% 12.79% 3.81% Dividends This table compares Nomura and WisdomTrees net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Nomura pays an annual dividend of $0.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. WisdomTree pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Nomura pays out 66.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WisdomTree pays out 26.7% 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. Nomura has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Nomura is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Nomura and WisdomTree, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nomura 0 1 0 0 2.00 WisdomTree 0 1 2 0 2.67 WisdomTree has a consensus price target of $6.50, suggesting a potential downside of 4.69%. Given WisdomTrees stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe WisdomTree is more favorable than Nomura. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Nomura and WisdomTrees revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nomura $9.89 billion 1.15 $686.62 million $0.21 18.10 WisdomTree $301.35 million 3.38 $50.68 million $0.45 15.16 Nomura has higher revenue and earnings than WisdomTree. WisdomTree is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Nomura, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary WisdomTree beats Nomura on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Nomura (Get Rating) Nomura Holdings, Inc. provides various financial services to individuals, corporations, financial institutions, governments, and governmental agencies worldwide. It operates through three segments: Retail, Investment Management, and Wholesale. The Retail segment offers various financial products and investment services. As of March 31, 2022, this segment operated a network of 119 branches. The Investment Management segment engages in the management of funds, investment trusts, and other investment vehicles; and provision of investment advisory, custodial, and administrative services. The Wholesale segment is involved in the research, sale, trading, agency execution, and market-making of fixed income and equity-related products. It also engages in underwriting various securities and other financial instruments, such as various classes of shares, convertible and exchangeable securities, investment grade and high yield debts, sovereign and emerging market debts, structured securities, and other securities; arranging private placements, as well as other capital raising activities; and the provision of financial advisory services on business transactions comprising mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, capital structuring, corporate defense activities, leveraged buyouts, and risk solutions. In addition, this segment offers various financial instruments. The company was formerly known as The Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. and changed its name to Nomura Holdings, Inc. in October 2001. Nomura Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1925 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. About WisdomTree (Get Rating) WisdomTree, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an exchange-traded funds (ETFs) sponsor and asset manager. It offers ETFs in equities, currency, fixed income, and alternatives asset classes. The company also licenses its indexes to third parties for proprietary products, as well as offers a platform to promote the use of WisdomTree ETFs in 401(k) plans. It develops index using its fundamentally weighted index methodology. In addition, the company provides investment advisory services. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in New York, New York. Receive News & Ratings for Nomura Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nomura and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) by 3.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 60,948 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,421 shares during the quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $22,298,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Y.D. More Investments Ltd bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 97.8% during 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 during the period. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.3 % NYSE LLY traded down $1.33 during trading on Monday, hitting $457.51. The companys stock had a trading volume of 797,124 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,091,552. 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 company has a market cap of $434.30 billion, a PE ratio of 72.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.36. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $425.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $373.88. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $296.32 and a fifty-two week high of $465.26. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.62 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 71.86%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have weighed in on LLY. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $432.00 to $485.00 in a research note 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 note on Friday, March 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $431.00. Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company 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 value of $70,112,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,543,810 shares in the company, valued at $35,071,008,458.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 102,543,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,071,008,458.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,279,783 shares of company stock worth $510,549,964. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. 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. 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. Shell plc (LON:SHEL Get Rating) has been given an average rating of Buy by the ten brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have assigned a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 2,898.55 ($37.09). A number of research firms have weighed in on SHEL. Berenberg Bank cut their price objective on shares of Shell from GBX 3,000 ($38.39) to GBX 2,850 ($36.47) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Shell in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on Shell from GBX 2,987 ($38.22) to GBX 2,854 ($36.52) in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Morgan Stanley raised Shell to an overweight rating and reduced their target price for the stock from GBX 2,625 ($33.59) to GBX 2,405 ($30.77) in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 2,900 ($37.11) price target on shares of Shell in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Get Shell alerts: Shell Price Performance LON:SHEL opened at GBX 2,308.50 ($29.54) on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.54, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 2,367.40 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 2,386.50. Shell has a 1-year low of GBX 1,908.60 ($24.42) and a 1-year high of GBX 2,613.50 ($33.44). The firm has a market cap of 156.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 494.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.66. Shell Announces Dividend About Shell The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 18th will be given a $0.29 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. Shells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 1,961.62%. (Get Rating Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Shell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue cut its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Get Rating) by 1.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 96,149 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 1,695 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenues holdings in Union Pacific were worth $19,350,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UNP. MAS Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $233,000. Roundview Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.8% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 16,608 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $4,537,000 after buying an additional 614 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter valued at $569,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.7% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 47,144 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $12,880,000 after buying an additional 1,664 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 10.1% during the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,745 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $477,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. 84.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Union Pacific alerts: Union Pacific Stock Performance Union Pacific stock opened at $200.97 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $198.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $201.92. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $183.69 and a 1-year high of $242.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market cap of $122.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.10. Union Pacific Announces Dividend Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The railroad operator reported $2.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $6.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.03 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.91% and a return on equity of 57.75%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.57 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.31 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.59%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is currently 45.94%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $222.00 to $216.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $223.00 to $213.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 21st. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $203.00 to $202.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 21st. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $221.00 to $220.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $217.41. Union Pacific Profile (Get Rating) Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and other agricultural users; petroleum, and liquid petroleum gases; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Union Pacific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Union Pacific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS Get Rating) in a research report released on Thursday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock. Separately, TheStreet downgraded American Shared Hospital Services from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Monday, May 1st. Get American Shared Hospital Services alerts: American Shared Hospital Services Trading Up 0.4 % AMS opened at $2.53 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $2.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.92. The company has a market capitalization of $15.57 million, a P/E ratio of 12.05 and a beta of 0.86. American Shared Hospital Services has a 52 week low of $2.21 and a 52 week high of $3.75. The company has a quick ratio of 3.95, a current ratio of 3.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Institutional Inflows and Outflows American Shared Hospital Services ( NYSEAMERICAN:AMS Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 24th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.04 million for the quarter. American Shared Hospital Services had a return on equity of 5.78% and a net margin of 6.71%. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 73.8% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 45,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $127,000 after acquiring an additional 19,200 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in American Shared Hospital Services by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 166,056 shares of the companys stock worth $467,000 after buying an additional 7,375 shares during the last quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC grew its stake in American Shared Hospital Services by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC now owns 30,000 shares of the companys stock worth $84,000 after buying an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in American Shared Hospital Services during the 4th quarter worth $470,000. 13.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. American Shared Hospital Services Company Profile (Get Rating) American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for American Shared Hospital Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Shared Hospital Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 07:04 | All, World The United States and its allies were not involved in a brief uprising against Russia's military command by mercenaries, President Joe Biden said Monday, as many countries keep close tabs on the potential implications of events over the weekend. In his first public comments since the Wagner Group's revolt, Biden said he and key allies have agreed not to give Russian President Vladimir Putin any excuse to blame the development on the West or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it," Biden said at the White House. "This was part of a struggle within the Russian system." The president was careful in choosing his words about the insurrection, which amounted to the most serious threat to Putin in years, emphasizing that the impact it may have on Russia remains to be seen. "We're going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine," he said. "But it's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going." After leading the short-lived insurgency, the paramilitary group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin suddenly announced late Saturday he was calling off the advance of its fighters toward Moscow to avert "bloodshed." In an audio message released Monday, Prigozhin said the march was not intended to overturn power in Moscow, but was a demonstration of protest against Russia's "unprofessional" management of the war in Ukraine. Putin later in the day made a televised address to the nation and denounced those behind the march as "traitors," without referring to Prigozhin by name. Given the volatile circumstances, Biden vowed to make sure the United States and its allies are "closely aligned" in analyzing and responding to the situation. "It's important we stay completely coordinated," he said. He also said he spoke at length with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy so that they can continue to be "on the same page." Biden said he told Zelenskyy that the United States will continue to support Ukraine's defense and sovereignty regardless of what happened in Russia, adding that the two agreed to stay in constant contact. Prigozhin is expected to relocate to Belarus under the terms of a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, though U.S. officials said they cannot confirm the Wagner Group chief is in the country. "As we're speaking here right now, Ukrainian forces are still fighting for their country. They're still trying to claw back captured territory," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing. "So whatever occurred in Russia this past weekend did not change those facts." Club Q mass shooter sentenced to over 2,000 years in prison after family begs judge to lock this animal away' METROPOLIS, IL "Instilling purpose, passion, and belonging in the lives of people with disabilities." According to their website, that's the goal of this week's featured Mug Monday organization, Rolling in Faith. RIF is a faith-based nonprofit in southern Illinois that works with disabled community members. In the past, they worked solely with people in respite and training settings, but now they've broadened their adult services with the Holland House. The house offers a day-program for intellectually disabled adults who have aged out of the public school system and may otherwise be met with fewer opportunities to grow spiritually, emotionally, educationally, or interpersonally. "These experiences allow our participants to forge a path in the community that is individualized to their specific needs and interests, showing our community the value that people with disabilities bring to all areas of our society," the organization's website reads. If you would like to donate to Rolling in Faith's cause without breaking the bank, all you have to do is fill up your gas tank. A portion of the sales at pump 12 at Acee's Neighborhood Market in Metropolis will be donated to Rolling in Faith for the rest of the month, as part of Acee's "Give Back Pumps" program. You can also purchase items from the organization's Amazon Wishlist or teacher Wishlist or sign-up to volunteer. Click here for more information about Holland House and Rolling in Faith, and follow their Facebook page here. Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court in Moscow, Idaho. The Titan implosion will be investigated by an international group of agencies KYODO NEWS - Jun 26, 2023 - 12:28 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism Kurobe Dam, a tourist hotspot located in the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture in central Japan, began its annual water discharge event on Monday. The dam, Japan's tallest, releases 10 to 15 tons of water per second from the middle of its 186-meter wall. The daily discharges will last until Oct. 15. The event first began in 1961 to maintain the landscape of the nearby Kurobe River during summer when the water level typically drops, according to its operator Kansai Electric Power Co. "On a sunny morning, the possibility of seeing a rainbow in the sprayed water rises," an official of the company said. Such was the case for Yuta Maeda, 26, from Shizuoka Prefecture. "I got to see a rainbow, and I'm happy that I'll have great pictures," he said, calling the power of the water discharge "wonderful." "Kurobe Dam is on a completely different level. It is grand and it is really stunning that such a dam was made," said first-time visitor Hiroyuki Takahara, a 62-year-old in the construction industry from Fukushima Prefecture. Kurobe Dam's total reservoir capacity is around 200 million tons. Its construction, which took seven years, began in 1956 in response to the increased demand for electricity during Japan's post-war economic boom. KYODO NEWS - Jun 26, 2023 - 21:30 | All, Japan State-backed fund Japan Investment Corp. will acquire semiconductor material maker JSR Corp. for about 900 billion yen ($6.3 billion), JSR said Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's chip supply chain. The acquisition is aimed at accelerating growth at one of the leading producers of photoresists, a material crucial for chip production, as semiconductors have increasingly taken on strategic importance to ensure economic security and prosperity in the age of digitalization. JIC intends to launch a tender offer in December for JSR, offering 4,350 yen per share, and take the chip material company private, JSR said. "Consolidation is happening all around us," JSR CEO Eric Johnson said at an online press conference. "We need to improve the efficiency of our research and development activity and we need to drive scale in order for us to be truly competitive globally." The company plans to propel reorganization in the Japanese chip material industry with support from the government-backed JIC and aims to relist in several years, Johnson said. JIC will finance the deal with help from financial institutions such as Mizuho Bank and the Development Bank of Japan, JSR said. The move comes as the Japanese government is trying to ensure a stable supply of chips amid the escalating technological rivalry between the United States and China over semiconductors. Japan has persuaded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contract chipmaker, to build a factory in the country. It has also decided to offer sizable subsidies to domestic chip venture Rapidus Corp., set up last year by eight major Japanese companies including Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Group Corp. A photoresist is a light-sensitive polymer used in the circuit formation process of chip manufacturing. JSR has about a 30 percent share in the global market for the material. JSR, formerly known as Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., was set up in 1957 as a public-private enterprise to manufacture synthetic rubber, became a private company in 1969 and listed on the stock market the following year. The company, which started to sell photoresists in 1979, has focused its resources on the chip material business in recent years. It bought its U.S. peer Inpria Corp. in 2021 and sold the synthetic rubber business in 2022. The company posted a net profit of 15.8 billion yen on sales of 408.9 billion yen for the year ended March. Related coverage: TSMC considering 2nd chip plant in Japan's Kumamoto: report Global chipmakers eager to invest in Japan with gov't support A man arrives at a UAW Hall in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, January 14, 2016. [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky] On June 16, the corporate law firms responsible for monitoring the UAW election filed a status report in federal court noting that the firms had certified the first and second rounds of the election, which took place in the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023. The monitors announcement is an attempt to legitimize the presidency of Shawn Fain, who was anointed by the union bureaucracy in a fraudulent election in which he won the votes of just 3 percent of the UAWs 1 million rank-and-file members. However, less than a week later, David Lawson, federal judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, issued a ruling publicly rebuking the monitor for failing to explain the extent of the official protests which had been filed over the election results. The order does not indicate that the court has approved the monitors certification. The monitors June 16 report, signed by Jenner & Block attorneys Michael Ross and Neil Barofsky, concludes by downplaying the protests filed by Will Lehman, Ray Curry and othersnone of which it mentions by nameover the bureaucracys conduct of the election. Lehman, a rank-and-file worker at Mack Trucks who ran for UAW president, documented in his protestas well as a subsequent appeal to the Department of Laborhow turnout was only 9 percent in the first round of the UAWs national elections because the bureaucracy systematically attempted to prevent workers from learning an election was taking place. At some major locals, turnout was below 1 percent. In attempting to legitimize this fraudulent election, the monitor law firms are carrying out the dirty work of their corporate clients in the auto industry, who want to silence the rank and file. Jenner & Block is a law firm which has represented General Motors for decades. The other monitor firm, Crowell & Moring, also represents numerous auto corporations, including GM, Dana, Caterpillar and other companies. In March, Crowell & Moring corporate lawyer Glen McGorty had rejected Lehmans protest, stating it is not clear that turnout was low. The monitors June 16 report concludes that the monitor has now resolved all protests of the Election and therefore, the monitor is filing this report to certify those results. It then adds, in passing, that although all such protests have now been resolved by the monitor, some of the protesters have appealedor still have time to appealto the Department of Labor. Several protests remain pending before DOL. Judge Lawsons order expressed dissatisfaction with the monitors attempt to downplay and skirt over the content of the protests and Labor Department complaints, which have been filed by Lehman, Ray Curry and an as-yet unknown number of additional individuals. In a rare public chastisement, Lawsons order of June 22 does not express support for the certification. It explains: On June 16, 2023, the Monitor submitted his seventh status report of activities undertaken to enforce the defendants [the UAWs] compliance with the consent decree. In his report, the Monitor stated that all complaints submitted to the Monitor about the 2022 UAW International Officer Election were resolved by the Monitor by June 15, 2023. However, the report also indicated that some of the complainants have exercised their rights to appeal to the Department of Labor for review of the disposition of their election grievances, and that the time for appeal of the Monitors election rulings had not yet expired for other complaints. The report included no details about the substance or procedural posture of any of the election complaints. The Court therefore will direct the Monitor to submit a supplemental report with those additional details. The fact that Lawson chose to take up the monitor in such a blunt and public manner testifies to a high level of concern over the illegitimacy of the election. With the Big Three and other major UAW contracts expiring in the coming months, the government and corporations are worried that masses of autoworkers view the Shawn Fain administration as totally illegitimate. Lawsons order concludes: Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Monitor shall submit a supplemental report specifying (1) the number of election complaints received and resolved by the Monitor, (2) the names of the complainants for each complaint, (3) a brief summary of the allegations of election defects in each complaint, (4) the Monitors disposition of the complaint, (5) an indication whether the disposition of the complaint has been appealed to the Department of Labor, (6) if the complaint was appealed, the present status of the appeal before the agency, and (7) if the complaint was not appealed, the time when the complainants right to appeal expired or will expire. The judges order presents a crisis for the monitor, which has worked systematically to block publication of information related to other protests over the conduct of the UAW election. In April, rank-and-file candidate Will Lehman demanded the Monitor provide a copy of former president Ray Currys protest over the election results. The monitor denied this request without explanation, and the Department of Labor similarly refused to provide the protest. On April 16, Lehman wrote the Department of Labor to protest their refusal to provide his campaign a copy of Currys protest: There is no valid reason for such secrecy. It is public knowledge that Ray Curry filed a protest over the election. In a March 17 public statement, Currys campaign said it filed a protest with the monitor over numerous issues that have arisen which affect the integrity of the election and its outcome. As of April 14, the Curry Solidarity Team website features a statement acknowledging that his campaign previously filed allegations of election violations and they will be investigated. Numerous newspaper articles reference the fact that his campaign filed a protest. While some protective secrecy might be reasonable in protests filed by rank-and-file members fearful of retribution, this is clearly not the case here. Ray Curry was the president of the union when he filed this protest. His statements about massive disenfranchisement are not merely allegations out of left field, they are admissions by someone who was a direct witness of or participant in the disenfranchisement itself. In November, before voting concluded in the first round of the election, Judge Lawson presided over and denied a lawsuit filed by Lehman demanding that voting deadlines be extended and that the UAW take action to actually inform the membership that an election was taking place. Lawson acknowledged that the method the UAW bureaucracy used to provide notice kind of cut out the membership, but refused Lehmans reasonable requests to take action. Following Lawsons recent rebuke of the monitor, Lehman told the World Socialist Web Site, The monitors attempt to legitimize the UAW election is falling apart. Even Judge Lawson, who refused to take action to prevent mass disenfranchisement when he had the chance, is now concerned over the fact that the election is widely considered to have been a fraud. I repeat my demand to be given access to Ray Currys protest, as well as all other protests filed both with the monitor and Department of Labor. My campaign must be given access to these documents immediately, before the June 29 deadline by which the Department of Labor must adjudicate my complaint. A selection of headlines claiming researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick with COVID-19 in late 2019. On Friday evening, the Biden administration published a previously classified intelligence report acknowledging that three years of investigations have produced no evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was created in a laboratory by scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China. This admission demolishes years of false claims, uncritically promoted by the entire spectrum of the US media and political establishment, that China deliberately created the virus that has infected the world and killed more than 20 million people. The report reveals that three leading US newspapersthe New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journallied when they claimed that the United States had evidence that researchers at the institute were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms before the start of the pandemic, and were thus the proverbial patient zero. The report declared that the researchers symptoms were not diagnostic of COVID-19, and could have been caused by a number of diseases and some of the symptoms were not consistent with COVID-19. Critically, the document declared, We have no indications that any of these researchers were hospitalized because of the symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The report affirms that the Wuhan Institute of Virology acquired SARS-CoV-2 after it began to spread widely throughout the population of Wuhan, China in late December 2019. It states: Information available to the IC [intelligence agencies] indicates that the WIV first possessed SARS-CoV-2 in late December 2019, when WIV researchers isolated and identified the virus from samples from patients diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown causes. The report concludes that SARS-CoV-2 was not developed as a biological weapon. The document was declassified by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in response to the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, which mandated that the government declassify any and all information relating to researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology who fell ill in autumn 2019, among other information. Over the course of the past three years, scientists have worked systematically to uncover the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, amassing an overwhelming body of evidence to determine that SARS-CoV-2 spilled over from animals to humans, in the same manner as every other prior pandemic. In July 2022, scientists Michael Worobey, Kristian Andersen and others traced the initial sources of the COVID-19 outbreak to stalls at the Huanan market in Wuhan, demonstrating that live SARS-CoV-2-susceptible mammals were sold at the market in late 2019 and that within the market, SARS-CoV-2-positive environmental samples were spatially associated with vendors selling live mammals. In contrast to this and a vast body of further concrete, factual and scientifically grounded research, the advocates of the Wuhan Lab conspiracy theory, whose claims were reported uncritically and without context in every national US newspaper, based their assertions on leaks regarding the US governments alleged possession of evidence supporting the claim that COVID-19 was a man-made virus. Specifically, the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal all published claims, based on unsubstantiated leaks, that the US government possessed evidence that researchers at the WIV were hospitalized with COVID-19-like symptoms. The origin of these claims was a May 23, 2021 article in the Wall Street Journal titled Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate on Covid-19 Origin. The article declared, Three researchers from Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick enough in November 2019 that they sought hospital care, according to a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report. The author of this article was Michael R. Gordon, whose 2003 reporting with Judith Miller helped promote the Bush administrations lies that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, providing critical propaganda to justify the launching of the Iraq war. Gordons May 2021 article was seized upon by the major US print and broadcast media to give their imprimatur to the Wuhan Lab conspiracy theory. Within forty-eight hours, the Washington Posts fact checker column declared the lab leak theory credible. Within one week, the Post published a correction of its February 17, 2020 article, Senator Tom Cotton Repeats Fringe Theory of Coronavirus Origins, which removed any reference to the lab leak theory as debunked and a conspiracy theory. In other words, the claim that three scientists were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms in late 2019 became the linchpin upon which the entire edifice of the US media was shifted to declare a completely false narrative credible. This claim has now been demolished. The medias embrace of the conspiracy theory was a house of cards, built on a total and complete lie. Critically, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 was sponsored by January 6 insurrectionist Josh Hawley and passed with the unanimous support of every single member of Congress. It was hailed by the Biden administration, which falsely declared that there is reason to believe the COVID-19 pandemic may have originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. In other words, this right-wing conspiracy theory has essentially been enshrined as US state doctrine. What explains the universality with which this lie has been promoted by the US government and media? The Wuhan Lab conspiracy theory was created by the fascist ideologist Stephen K. Bannon and his right-wing Chinese expatriate associates in January 2020. At the same time, the fascist right promoted the herd immunity response to the pandemic, encouraging the mass infection of the population and the complete evisceration of public health. Since the emergence of the highly infectious and immune-resistant Omicron variant in November 2021, the Biden administration, with the support of the entire US media and political establishment, has fully embraced the herd immunity strategy. This culminated in the unscientific ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration last month. Despite wastewater sampling showing levels of COVID-19 prevalence comparable to those that existed in much of 2020 and 2021, the US has shut down all COVID-19 case reporting, while the government and media actively discourage masking, a vital and inexpensive measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. There is a well known saying that if geometrical axioms impinged upon human interests, attempts would be made to refute them. In regards to the pandemic, science has proven definitively that SARS-CoV-2 was not engineered in a Chinese laboratory, and a comprehensive program could and can be implemented to stop the spread of this dangerous virus. But the American ruling class and its representatives in the media, who have embarked on the path to war with China and cannot tolerate any infringement on their ability to make profits, pursue every effort to distort and falsify this science. In seeking to scapegoat scientists, the US government and media have sunk to the lowest depths of superstition and witch-burning, blaming scientists for the very pandemic they foretold and tried to prevent. If there were an outbreak of bubonic plague today, the US political establishment would deny its spread by rats and would declare its opposition to containing the disease through sanitary measures. Even as it becomes increasingly clear that the Wuhan Lab conspiracy theory is a lie from beginning to end, the fascist forces that are its cheerleaders are pressing their campaign to threaten and demonize scientists, most sharply in the vitriolic campaign against the principled vaccinologist Peter Hotez, an outspoken critic of the Wuhan Lab lie. This right-wing witch hunt must be stopped! The defense of scientific principles that have been rejected by the entire capitalist political and media establishment falls to the working class. Workers must reject all efforts to scapegoat scientists for the pandemic. Those responsible for the deaths of over 1.1 million Americans and over 20 million people globally are not the scientists fighting to stop infectious diseases, but governments and the financial oligarchs they speak for, who did nothing while COVID-19 ripped through the population. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a news conference in the Beijing American Center at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Monday, June 19, 2023. [AP Photo/Ng Han Guan] In the wake of US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing last week, the Biden administration, far from seeking to tone down its anti-China rhetoric and stabilise relations between the two countries, has upped the ante with new diplomatic provocations. Speaking to wealthy donors as part of this 2024 re-election campaign last Tuesday, Biden bluntly defended his decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon that drifted over US airspace in February, and branded Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator who was embarrassed by the incident. Without offering a shred of evidence, he declared that the balloon was loaded with spy equipment. Adding fuel to the fire, the US president told his audience not to worry about China because it has real economic difficulties. Bidens comments came just hours after Blinken told MSNBC that the two countries should call put an end to the controversy over the balloon incident, saying it was a chapter that should be closed. Nominally at least, Blinkens trip to China was aimed at easing the sharp tensions caused by Washingtons escalating confrontation with Beijing. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declared that Bidens remarks go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity. The White House, however, made clear that Biden had no intention of retracting his comments. Moreover, just days before, as he was leaving Beijing, Blinken stirred up further spying allegations against China. Asked during an interview with CBS whether he had raised allegations of Chinese intelligence gathering facilities in Cuba, he declared: I did. Im not going to characterise their response, but I told them that this is a serious concern for us. Blinken said the US had taken steps in recent years to push back against Chinese spying in Latin America. This is nothing new, but it is something of real concern. I was very clear about our concerns with China. But regardless of that, weve been going around to various places where we see this kind of activity, trying to put a stop to it, he said. The previous week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) claimed that China had initiated a brash new geo-political challenge to the US by reaching a secret agreement with the Cuban government to build a new electronic surveillance base on the island. It would allow Chinese intelligence services to scoop up electronic communications throughout southeastern US, where many military bases are located, and monitor US ship traffic. The WSJ article, entitled Cuba to host secret Chinese spy base focusing on US, has all the hallmarks of a provocative beat-up. Furthermore, a White House official effectively dismissed the report, saying: This is an ongoing issue, and not a new development. At the same time, however, the official continued to feed the story, declaring: [China] conducted an upgrade of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019. This is well-documented in the intelligence record. None of this well-documented record has been made public, however. Both China and Cuba have declared the allegations to be false. Whether or not China has or is building a spy base on Cuba, it is hardly news. Most countries engage in spying in one form or another. In 2013, former US National Security Agency analyst Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA spied on a massive scale, not only on US rivals but also on allied governments and on American citizens. NSA servers stored huge amounts of electronic data derived from a range of surveillance programs that was then data-mined to yield intelligence on targeted individuals. Indeed, as the Wall Street Journal indicated, the US spies on Cuba on a routine basis. As well as maintaining its notorious prison at its military base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, the US has used the base as a signals intelligence station in the past. In other words, US intelligence agencies used the base to scoop up electronic communications, to use the WSJs words, throughout Cuba and presumably of foreign embassies based in Havana, such as that of China. The US has also escalated its provocative naval and air force operations in the South and East China Seas close to the Chinese mainland, including through the narrow Taiwan Strait, under the phony pretext of freedom of navigation. Many of these flights and naval movements are undoubtedly to collect intelligence on sensitive Chinese military bases, including its nuclear submarine bases on Hainan Island. The revelations of Chinese spying from Cuba add to the litany of unsubstantiated claims and outright lies that form the basis of Washingtons relentless stream of anti-China propaganda. Moreover, the focus on Cuba and its close proximity to Florida carries the menacing implication that the US should take action to demand the dismantling of spy facilities on the island, bringing to mind the 1962 Cuban missile crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The Wall Street Journal cited a bipartisan statement issued by top members of the Senate Intelligence Committee which declared that a Chinese intelligence facility in Cuba would pose a serious threat to our national security and sovereignty and urged the Biden administration to take action. As Blinken made clear in his comments to CBS, the Biden administration is not just seeking to push back against China in Cuba but throughout Latin America. While nominally about spying, it is part of Washingtons far broader efforts to undermine China internationally, including economically, as it accelerates its military build-up against Beijing in preparation for war. Speaking to NPR, Margaret Myers, a program director at the Washington think tank, the Inter-American Dialogue, pointed to the underlying preoccupation in US foreign policy circles. Certainly, we need to keep an eye on things that are happening in the intelligence-gathering space or the security space, but the question is largely an economic one, she said, adding that economic engagement was critical for the region with implications for US national security and US involvement in and influence in the region. Blinkens trip to China was purportedly to ease tensions between the two countries. Taken together, however, Bidens deliberately offensive comments about Xi and the White House allegations of Chinese spying from Cuba make clear that the US has no intention of stabilising relations. Whatever the immediate tactical considerations, the US preparations for conflict with China continue apace. The conservative New Democracy (ND) won Greeces general election by a landslide on Sunday, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis remaining in power for a second four-year term. In a second round of elections, after the first in May, ND won just over 40.5 percent of the vote, finishing almost 23 points ahead of the pseudo-left Syriza (Coalition of the Radical leftProgressive Alliance). The rout was the largest margin of victory for any party in half a century, since the fall of the fascist regime of the colonels in 1974. Greece's New Democracy Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, takes the oath during a swearing in ceremony at the Presidential palace, in Athens, Greece, June 26, 2023. [Photo: Thanassis Stavrakis/WSWS] The vote was held under conditions of acute social crisis with millions of Greek workers and youth turning their back on all the parties standing. The first round of the election had to be suspended for a month due to the mass protests and strikes in opposition to the preventable deaths of 57 mainly young people in Februarys Tempi valley train crash. The second round was held under the shadow of the June 14 deaths of over 600 refugees who perished in a boat sinking off the cost of Pylos, an event leading to further nationwide protests. Barely half the 9.9 million registered electorate voted, with turnout just under 53 percenta record low and 8 percent lower than the 61 percent recorded in the last round. Kathimerini reported, In the northern constituency of Florina, the abstention rate reached 66.76%, followed by the Ionian island of Kefalonia (62.48%), Evrytania in Central Greece (61.37%) and the Peloponnese constituency of Laconia (61%). Since May ND lost approximately 330,000 votes; Syriza 270,000; PASOK 70,000 and the KKE 33,000. This is the case even though voting in elections is compulsory. Having just failed to secure an overall majority in the May elections, when it finished 20 points ahead of Syriza to take 146 seats, this time ND took 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament in a ballot based on semi-proportional representation. Election legislation determines that the largest party in the second round is awarded a sliding scale bonus of between 20 and 50 seats. As it won more that 40 percent of the vote, New Democracy won all 50 bonus seats available. As it did in May, ND won 58 out of 59 of Greece's electoral districts. The sole electoral district won by Syriza was the Thracian constituency of Rodopi. With over 99 percent of votes counted Monday morning, ND had 40.5 percent of the vote (2.1 million), up just under 1 percent on the May vote. Syriza had 17.8 percent (929,355) down over 2 percent, and 48 seats; the social democratic PASOK won 617,300 votes (11.8 percent and 32 seats); the Stalinist Communist Party of Greece (KKE) won 400,808 votes (7.6 percent and 20 seats). Steeped in betrayal during and after its four year in office from 2015-19, when Syriza ditched every pledge to reverse years of savage austerityand shifting further to the right as the main opposition party over the last fourAlexis Tsiprass party haemorrhaged support among workers. It won the 2015 election in a landslide, winning over 2.2 million votes and the support of the working class in every major urban centre nationwide. Four other parties surpassed the three percent barrier required to enter parliament, with the far-right benefitting from the absence of any genuine socialist political alternative for the working class. The fascist Spartans did not participate in the first round and was only allowed to participate in the second round by Greeces Supreme Court on June 8. They received over 241,000 votes, taking 4.6 percent and 12 seats, coming fourth overall. The Spartans were founded in 2017 by Vassilis Stigas, who described immigrants as illegal invaders who have settled in Greece, responsible for the ethnic alteration of the population. The Spartans have taken on the mantle of the fascist Golden Dawn which was outlawed as a criminal organisation in 2020. With the main far-right National Party-Greeks barred from standing in the May and June 2023 elections, its main figure Ilias Kasidiaris, a former Golden Dawn leader imprisoned for 13 years, announced his full support for the Spartans from his jail cell. The far-right Greek Solution and the Democratic Patriotic MovementVictory (Niki) parties won 4.4 percent (12 seats) and 3.7 percent (10 seats) respectively. The only nominally left party to enter parliament was Course of Freedom, a splinter of Syriza, which scored 3 percentup from 2.8 percent in Mayand took eight seats. The party is the vehicle of former parliamentary speaker, lawyer and Syriza member Zoe Konstantopoulou and was listed on the ballot paper as Course of FreedomZoe Konstantopoulou. Konstantopoulou was first elected to parliament as a Syriza candidate in 2012 and re-elected when Syriza won its 2015 landslide. She only broke with Syriza in June 2015, as part of a nationalist, Eurosceptic faction within the party to found Popular Unity, when Syrizaafter it had already agreed with the European Union, International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank troika to continue imposing austeritywas ready to sign a formal agreement to carry it out. With Popular Unitys failure to enter parliament in the September election, Konstantopoulou founded in 2016 what she described as the neither Left nor Right Course of Freedom. Following Syrizas rout on Sunday, Tsipras indicated, after overseeing two successive general election defeats that he would have to stand down as party leader in the coming weeks, saying, I will be judged by the members of the party. He added, Syriza assumes the responsibilities assigned to it by the popular vote, starting today, stating that the party will initiate procedures for the final decision A big and creative historic cycle has come to a close for Syriza. We have to look upon that with pride. The other major architect of the devastating situation facing the working class is Yanis Varoufakis, Tsiprass former finance minister, who also stood down in July 2015, as Syriza signed its austerity agreement with the troika. But this was only after he played a key role in Syriza agreeing to continue to impose austerity. Varoufakis stressed that he wanted only a slightly modified version of austerity based on standard Thatcherite or Reaganesque economic policies. Varoufakis went on to found MeRA25 (European Realistic Disobedience Front), which won nine seats in the 2019 general election. But with workers viewing him as equally toxic as Tsipras, MeRa25 was unable to pass the 3 percent threshold in May or Sundays second round based on its narrow base of support in the upper middle class. Several of the survivors from the refugee tragedy off the Greek port of Pylos have unanimously testified that the Greek Coast Guard capsized the fishing boat Adriana with some 750 refugees aboard. They contradict the official version of the Greek authorities that the boat capsized by itself. A handout image provided by Greece's coast guard on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, shows scores of people covering practically every free stretch of deck on a battered fishing boat that later capsized and sank off southern Greece, leaving at least 79 dead and many more missing. [AP Photo/Hellenic Coast Guard via AP] According to the witnesses, the Greek coast guard threw a rope to the refugee boat and initially tried to tow it away. When this apparently did not succeed, the Coast Guard boat first made a sharp turn to the right and then to the left, causing the boat to capsize. The Coast Guard thus deliberately risked the deaths of hundreds of refugees, if not intentionally caused them. The Adriana capsized on Wednesday night, June 14, at around 2:04 a.m. 104 survivors were rescued and so far, 82 bodies have been recovered from the sea. Hundreds of refugees, including women and children crammed below deck, were swept down with the Adriana. What is clear so far is that the boat had set off from Egypt and stopped off at the port of Tobruk on the east coast of Libya on June 9 to take hundreds more refugees on board. On June 13, the boat was spotted by a surveillance plane of Frontex, the European border agency, at around 9:47 a.m. Frontex notified the Greek and Italian authorities that the overcrowded boat, travelling at slow speed, had been spotted in international waters but within the Greek maritime rescue zone. Two freighters then arrived at the Adriana late on Tuesday afternoon. The captain of the Lucky Sailor, which was the first to arrive, later reported that the refugees on board had refused help and declared that they wanted to go to Italy. They first had to be convinced to accept at least some water and food, it was reported. Similar claims were made by the Greek Coast Guard, whose boat arrived early on Tuesday evening. Ilias Siakantaris, a spokesman for the Greek government, told Greek TV station ERT that a rope had been thrown over to the Adriane to stabilise the boat and see if it needed help. They said they didn't want help, they wanted to go to Italy, and they kept going. According to the official Coast Guard statement, the overcrowded refugee boat continued at a steady speed and on the same course until a few minutes later it suddenly stopped, capsized and sank within a few minutes. Witnesses contradict official version Surviving witnesses vehemently contradict this official version. Abu Ahmad and Abu Hussein (they did not want their surnames published for fear of repression), both from Syria, told the Suddeutsche Zeitung that the water on board had already run out on the third day and the engine had repeatedly failed. Five people on board collapsed and died of dehydration. On Tuesday, the engine had stopped working altogether and the boat had not moved. Abu Hussein said it was a lie the refugees had refused help. We asked for help from whatever country. There had been a dispute over the remaining water. Everybody could see that they needed help. This coincides with the report of the aid organisation Alarm Phone, which had already received a call for help in the early afternoon of June 13. The refugees reported that they were in distress at sea and would not survive the night. Research by the BBC and the Guardian also cast doubt on the information provided by the Greek authorities. According to these media outlets, an evaluation of the locations of the ships involved clearly showed that the Adriana had not moved for at least seven hours, probably even eleven hours, before it capsized. A photo of the Adriana taken by the Greek Coast Guard hours before the accident also shows a motionless ship. Abu Hussein and Abu Ahmad further told the Suddeutsche Zeitung that the men on board the Greek Coast Guard boat were only partly uniformed. Others were wearing black clothes and masks. They attached a rope to the bow of the Adriana and began to tow it away. However, the rope broke, and another rope was attached. Then the Coast Guard boat turned sharply to the right, whereupon the people on board the Adriana all moved to the left. This caused the boat to capsize. Other survivors who were interviewed independently confirmed this. All survivors interviewed by the port authority in Kalamata reported that the Greek Coast Guard boat had caused the Adriana to capsize. They tried to tow our boat for two or three minutes, but each of us shouted and whistled for them to stop, as they were pulling too hard and causing violent waves. At first they were able to pull us forward, but then the Coast Guard vessel veered to the right and capsized our boat. Investigative journalist Brirmi Jihed posted excerpts of an interview with a survivor on Twitter. He too described black-clad, masked members of the Coast Guard attaching a rope to the boat, which was then pulled to the right and left until it capsized. I have spoken to other survivors. We are all one hundred percent convinced that the coastguard sank us. But we don't know if it was intentional or an accident. Mohamed Elsherkawy, an Egyptian migrant living in Italy whose brother drowned with the Adriana, has also interviewed and filmed survivors who confirmed the version of the other witnesses. All the survivors accounts tell a similar story; the only possible conclusion they allow is that the Greek Coast Guard vessel caused the capsizing of the Adriana. Many indications also suggest that this was done on purpose after the Coast Guard failed to pull the refugee ship out of the Greek sea rescue zone. The Coast Guard boat is said to have cut the rope immediately after the refugee boat capsized and moved away to within a kilometre of the scene of the accident. According to survivors interviewed by the Suddeutsche Zeitung, all the men on the deck of the Adriana jumped into the sea, while there was no escape for the many women and children inside the fishing vessel. But even as the Adriana was sinking, the coastguard ship had moved away. For 15 to 20 minutes, the Coast Guard merely watched. Only then did they lower small boats into the water. Abu Hussein and Abu Ahmad only survived because they swam towards these boats. Both conclude that the Coast Guard did not want to rescue them. Another survivor confirmed this to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini: When the boat capsized, the Coast Guard cut the rope and continued on its way. They kept moving away even though we were all shouting. Only after 10 minutes did they come back with small boats to pick up survivors. But they all stayed right by the Coast Guard ship. They only took in those who managed to swim to them. Responsibility of the Greek government and the EU If these statements are true, the Greek Coast Guard committed serious crimes: negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder by failure to render assistance. But the Greek authorities are trying to cover up their responsibility for the worst refugee disaster in the Mediterranean in ten years. The court in Kalamata on the Peloponnese peninsula ruled on Tuesday that nine arrested Egyptians who survived the tragedy remain in custody. They are being investigated for manslaughter, forming a criminal organisation, and causing the capsizing of a ship. According to survivors, however, they are not smugglers, but only helpers who did not have to pay anything for the crossing when they supervised the transit and distributed water and food. The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who is responsible for migration and flight at the European Union, also held the smugglers solely responsible for the disaster. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who at the time of the disaster was still campaigning in the election, also absolved his Coast Guard of any blame. He cynically thanked the Greek Coast Guard, the Greek Police and the Armed Forces, who selflessly and sacrificially protect the Greek and European borders, saving lives, with all their hearts. In fact, the Greek Coast Guard is notorious for its brutal crackdown on refugees. There are dozens of reports of illegal turn backs, so-called pushbacks, from Greek waters towards Turkey, Italy and Malta. Black-clad, masked men on official Coast Guard boats play a crucial role in this. In May, the European Commission had urged the Greek government to launch an independent investigation into one such pushback operation. On April 11, a group of twelve refugees, including children and a six-month-old baby, had been taken from the island of Lesbos to a Greek coast guard vessel and then abandoned in the middle of the Aegean Sea on an inflatable raft. The main responsibility for the mass deaths in the Mediterranean lies with the European Union itself. A report by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) last year proved that numerous pushbacks were covered up or even supported by the European border protection agency Frontex. In an interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung, migration researcher Maurice Stierl accused the European Union of deliberately allowing refugees to drown in the Mediterranean in order to prevent the arrival of refugees. EU member states were trying by all means not to get involved in rescues, to delay rescue efforts or to shift responsibility to other authorities or states. There was a system to not helping refugees at sea, and time was used as a weapon, he said. Stierl accused European governments of deliberately preventing methodical sea rescue in the Mediterranean, although the possibilities existed. Frontex has a budget of millions, the member states have coast guards and navies. Of course, they could do much more. They dont want to. The EU's brutal Fortress Europe policy is responsible for well over 20,000 deaths in the Mediterranean over the last decade. The EU has drastically restricted sea rescue and covers up the practice of illegal pushbacks in the Aegean and central Mediterranean. It provides billions for the expansion of Fortress Europe and supports the inhumane refugee policy of the Greek government, which has built up a system of illegal pushbacks, inhumane internment camps and deportations. The EU forces refugees to risk ever more expensive and dangerous routes, playing into the hands of unscrupulous smugglers who charge thousands of euros for a crossing on unseaworthy boats. As a result, the number of refugees drowning in the Mediterranean continues to rise. Only on Wednesday, a refugee inflatable boat capsized in the Atlantic off the coast of Morocco with 61 people on board. Although the Spanish and Moroccan coast guards were informed about the emergency at sea at an early stage and a merchant ship accompanied the refugee boat from a safe distance, it capsized. At least 24 people, including children, drowned. A rescue mission was not launched until ten hours after the first distress call. The survivors are usually treated like dirt, locked up in internment camps and deported if possible. The asylum compromise negotiated by the EU member states at the beginning of June will expand this perfidious system even further. Abu Ahmad and Abu Hussein, who told the Suddeutsche Zeitung about the horrific tragedy outside Pylos, are housed in the Malakasa container camp north of Athens. The camp is fenced off and monitored by police officers and a private security company. They were given one meal a day and only provided with dirty, used clothes. During their interrogation, the police did not write down what they had to say and the camp manager instructed them not to talk to the press. Clearly, the horrific crimes committed by the Greek coast guard on behalf of the EU are to be covered up by all means. Several train cars are immersed in the Yellowstone River after a bridge collapse near Columbus, Montana on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The bridge collapsed overnight, causing a train that was traveling over it to plunge into the water below. [AP Photo/Matthew Brown] A train trestle over the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed on Saturday morning as a Montana Rail Link train was traveling over the bridge. Ten cars were derailed and eight fell into the river. Of those eight, three were carrying hot asphalt and four were carrying molten sulfur, all of which is now leaking into the river. The other two derailed cars contain the corrosive substance sodium hydro sulfate, but are reportedly not currently leaking, according to Montana Rail Link. There are so far no reported deaths or injuries as a result of the incident. The derailment occurred upstream of Montanas largest city, Billings, and could potentially contaminate the water supply of the citys nearly 120,000 residents. Local officials have shut down public access to the river, both for recreation and for fishing. The danger was enough to force water treatment facilities and irrigation districts in Billings and the neighboring towns of Laurel and Lockwood to close their head gates to the river for several hours and wait for the chemicals to pass into the Missouri River and ultimately, the Mississippi. However, tens of millions of people live along the banks of these two rivers, the first and second-longest in North America. Approximately 18 million people get their drinking water from the Mississippi River, and around 10 million from the Missouri. It is also not clear how much of the chemicals will reach into the surrounding areas. At the time of the crash, the rivers level was high as a result of recent storms, meaning that the contaminants were more diluted than they otherwise might have been. But that also means the extent to which they will spread is much farther, crossing over into wildlife habitats as well as potentially seeping into wells used by locals not connected to the regions main water system. An immediate cause for the collapse of the trestle has yet to be determined, including whether a derailment caused it to collapse or if a collapsed trestle precipitated the derailment. The bridges point of failure, as well as several of the cars, are still partially or wholly underwater. Investigations are underway by the company, local and state transportation authorities, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. However, it is likely that a major contributing factor is decades of poor upkeep. In 2021, a parallel bridge for car traffic had been so eroded after 90 years of water and debris that the Montana Department of Transportation was forced to demolish the bridge. According to a report from the federal government in 2021, the states infrastructure from a systemic lack of investment got a C grade on its Infrastructure Report Card. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Rail Division issued a statement on the collapse, declaring it is committed to highlighting the safety issues and dangers in todays rail industry by supporting the Railway Safety Act, which will ostensibly make the rail industry safer for workers and the communities in which they work. The bill is toothless, introduced in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio derailment to distract from the role of federal and state governments in that disaster, which contaminated the water, air and soil of the town. The IAM has long worked alongside the rail corporations to hide concerns of workers over safety and working conditions. It played a major role in blocking a strike by more than 120,000 railroaders last year. When IAM members became the first to reject a contract brokered by the Biden administration with the railroads and the unions, they simply forced workers to vote again on a virtually identical deal. Later, when workers in other unions rejected the deal, Biden went to Congress to secure a strike ban, where it was approved by bipartisan majorities. A derailed Montana Rail Link freight train near Quinn's Hot Springs on April 2, 2023. [Photo: Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District] The derailment outside of Billings comes two months after another Montana Rail Link train derailed in the state in April. That incident occurred in Sanders County, on the Western edge of the state, and involved a train of 70 cars, of which 31 derailed. On average, about three trains derail every day in the United States. The Montana disaster is also a continuation of the streak of such incidents since the East Palestine disaster, in which thousands of gallons of highly toxic vinyl chloride were spilled. Rather than properly clean up what leaked, company and public officials initiated a supposed controlled release and burn of the chemical. Residents were forced to return to their homes with the chemical and its byproducts still present, which has caused severe and ongoing health issues for the towns populace. Questions of safety and staffing were some of the sharpest demands of rail workers last year when they pushed for a national strike. While such a crisis for the unions, companies and Biden administration was ultimately averted, the underlying issues and opposition from workers remain. "We'd like to see the two-way Sino-German investment to be more robust," said Hermann Simon, a German scholar known as the father of the "hidden champions" theory. Simon is leading a group of German "hidden champions" to visit various cities in China. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Representatives of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) challenged the pro-war record of former Labor parliamentarian Peter Garrett at a public meeting in Melbourne last Friday, organised by No AUKUS Coalition Victoria. Peter Garrett addressing anti-AUKUS meeting in Melbourne. The event, titled No to nuclear submarines, was held at Trades Hall and involved around 150-200 people, mostly older. The four speakers were Dr Margie Beavis, of the Medical Association for Prevention of War, secretary of the New South Wales South Coast Labor Council Arthur Rorris, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary Tony Mavromatis, and Peter Garrett. The World Socialist Web Site has previously noted the pro-establishment political character of the anti-AUKUS Coalition and its state affiliates. This is not an antiwar organisation but rather a group seeking to channel antiwar sentiment among workers and young people behind a wing of the ruling elite that has tactical concerns with the Australia-United Kingdom-United States military deal that involves Canberra spending $386 billion on nuclear powered submarines. These layers advance the nationalist perspective of a more independent Australian imperialist foreign policy, with more efficient investments in military equipment. Opening the public meeting, Garrett told the audience we are not alone, and listed establishment figures who have expressed concern over aspects of the AUKUS alliance and nuclear submarines deal. These included former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating, former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former Labor Foreign Minister Bob Carr, multiple other ex-parliamentarians, as well as military figures such as former Chief of the Air Force, Ray Fennell, and Major General Michael Smith. Garrett added that a slew of academics had likewise spoken out, highlighting former intelligence official Hugh White. This figure has publicly demanded that the government double annual military spending, to 4 percent of gross domestic product. Increasing armament expenditure by another $50 billion every year would inevitably be accompanied by attacks on working class living standards, including through austerity cuts to social services. Garrett said nothing about such proposals. He emphasised that he supported Australias alliance with the US, declaring, we should have a robust and mutually supportive alliance with the United States. Garrett added that the longstanding political consensus that we needed the protection of a major strategic partner did make some sense. He only expressed concern that the unquestioning acquiescence to that strategic partners own foreign policy intentions, and the lurch to war that has entailed in the past, post 1945, has been nothing short of pathetic and against our national interest. The ex-parliamentarian complained that continuing US failures, in foreign policy adventurism had not seen Australian governments recalibrating our defence policy, and instead, weve simply, completely, and absolutely thrown our lot in, unquestioningly it seems, with the United States. This amounted to a whitewashing of the record of US imperialism and its allies, including Canberra. Washington has been on a decades-long militarist rampage. In countless countriesAfghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya, to name only a fewthe American military is responsible not for adventures or failures, as Garrett puts it, but for extensive war crimes. Australian imperialisms active support for these crimes is based on a clearly established quid pro quo, with Washington backing its predatory operations in the South Pacific and South East Asia. Unsurprisingly, Garretts speech made no mention of the history of Canberras pursuit of its independent interests in countries such as East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. Garrett concluded his address by declaring that public campaigns over AUKUS should not focus on what the hundreds of billions of dollars for the nuclear submarines could be alternatively spent on, but rather the challenge is to describe or imagine where defence is taken seriously its incumbent upon us to think deeply about what the defence of Australia really would look like if we werent in AUKUS. Garretts speech underscored his evolution from former rock star and anti-nuclear campaigner to pro-establishment Labor Party shill. Australian IYSSE member advances antiwar perspective at pro-establishment anti-AUKUS meeting The only challenge to his militaristic speech came from International Youth and Students for Social Equality member Morgan Peach. He said: The Ukraine war has not been mentioned tonight. This war, now indisputably a US-NATO proxy war against Russia, threatens global disaster. War with Russia is one prong of American imperialism's global strategy, with the other being conflict with China. You cannot oppose one while supporting the other. Yet this panel is tied by a thousand strings to the Labor Party, which is prosecuting Australian involvement in Ukraine. Peter Garrett, you were a minister in the Gillard-Rudd Labor government, which deepened and expanded Australias role in the criminal US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Under Gillard, you and Labor embraced the US pivot to Asia announced by Obama in 2010, which set in motion the preparations for Australia to play a frontline role in a potential war with Chinaa war that would almost inevitably involve nuclear weapons and threaten life on Earth. My question isgiven your record, Mr Garrett, and the pro-war record of the Labor Party, why shouldnt any young person, student, or worker conclude that your attendance at this forum exposes its character as anti-war as a lie? Garrett would not and could not answer this question, underscoring the correctness of the points raised by Peach. He shook his head and declined the microphone as it was offered by the meeting chair. Another meeting speaker, AMWU state secretary Tony Mavromatis, then attempted to defend Garrett. The bureaucrat declared: What the youth want to think about is future jobs, thats what you should be thinking about. The ability to have a lot more apprenticeships come along, thats what were talking about You need good future jobs. What were talking about [is] if we need to build these submarines, if we need to build these submarines, build them here. Lets give the youth an opportunity for the next generation to get educated as tradespeople. Thats what we need. AMWU state secretary Tony Mavromatis (speaking) and New South Wales South Coast Labor Council Arthur Rorris. This answer was in line with Mavromatiss earlier speech, in which he spoke about nothing but the implication of AUKUS on manufacturing jobs. He complained that the previous nuclear submarine deal with the French government had involved more Australian construction positions. The AMWU has collaborated in the destruction of countless jobs in the car industry and other sections of manufacturing. Its nationalist talk of jobs in the context of the submarine industry reflects the bureaucracys efforts to secure an additional dues base while establishing its position within a strategically important sector of the economy. Mavromatis said nothing whatsoever on the geopolitical and military implications of AUKUS and the US-led preparations for war against China. For good reasonany military conflict between the nuclear-armed powers would lead to a regional and potentially global conflagration, putting paid to talk of new jobs for the youth. The latest anti-AUKUS Coalition meeting underscores the fact that workers and young people seeking to take up a genuine struggle against militarism need to adopt a socialist and internationalist perspective that aims to unify workers around the world in revolutionary opposition to the nationalist warmongers in power. Last Friday, New Zealand Police Superintendent Darryl Sweeney announced that investigators had located the remains of two, maybe three of the workers who died in the Pike River coal mine disaster nearly 13 years ago. Workers stroll by a bouquet of flowers for victims of mine explosion lie on the road near the Pike River mine at Greymouth, New Zealand, Tuesday, June 28, 2011. [AP Photo/The Press via NZPA, Iain McGregor, Pool] Twenty-nine mine workers died in a series of underground explosions in November 2010. Their bodies have never been recovered. According to reports, as many as 12 bodies have now been located by police since they began drilling boreholes and lowering cameras into the mine workings in late 2021. The bodies have not been formally identified, however, and Superintendent Sweeney said police had no way of identifying the latest human remains. More than a decade on, no one has been held accountable for the disaster, despite the damning findings of a 2012 royal commission of inquiry which established that Pike River Coals leadership placed profit ahead of safety. The mine had no functional emergency exit, as required by law. Its methane gas monitoring and ventilation systems were grossly inadequate, and gas levels in the mine frequently reached explosive levels. Pike Rivers main fan was installed underground, something that is rarely done and is banned in some countries because of the risk that it could break down or spark an explosion. Successive National and Labour Party governments, along with the state regulators, police and judicial system, have protected those responsible for turning the mine into a death trap. The recovery of the 29 men and a proper forensic examination of the underground fan and other equipment were blocked by the Labour Party-led government in 2021. Despite Labours 2017 election promise to conduct a manned re-entry of the mine, only the drift, or entry tunnel, was explored. Minister for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little rejected mining experts advice that the mine workings could be safely re-entered and ignored a petition by the majority of the victims families calling for this. At the end of 2021 the government placed a permanent concrete seal on the mine entrance. The conduct of the investigation raises disturbing questions. Police have never explained why they only undertook the borehole drilling operation 11 years after the mine exploded and after the mine had been sealed. Every few months since November 2021 police have announced the discovery of more human remains, only to tell the families that these cannot be recovered because the mine cannot be entered. Police have now removed all equipment from the mine site and the 18 boreholes have all been sealed. Sweeney reiterated that police would continue working through witness statements, facts and evidence and working with various experts related to the mine disaster, until the end of the year. He did not say why police are not continuing efforts to locate the remaining bodies. None of the reporters at the police media conference on Friday asked why the investigation has dragged on for so long. Conveniently for the government, the time frame means that police will make no announcement prior to the October 14 election about whether or not they will prosecute anyone. The last thing that Labour, the opposition National Party and their allies want is for questions to be raised during the election campaign about why there is still no justice for the Pike River 29. Since sealing the mine, the government has barely said anything about the matter. The Pike River Recovery Agency was disestablished in July 2022 along with Andrew Littles ministerial portfolio. Nor was Sweeney asked to explain how the underground footage, without a proper forensic examination of equipment such as the fan, would help to build a case for prosecutions. Police dropped their initial investigation into the disaster in July 2013, declaring that they could not lay charges without obtaining physical evidence to show precisely what sparked the first explosion in the mine. Later that year, the Department of Labour (now called WorkSafe) decided not to proceed with charges against Pike River chief executive Peter Whittall for breaches of health and safety legislation. This followed an unlawful agreement reached by the state regulator with Whittalls lawyer, whereby an unsolicited one-off payment was made to the families in exchange for the charges being dropped. Bernie Monk, whose son Michael was killed in the disaster, told the World Socialist Web Site that the latest police announcement of human remains confirmed, once again, that the mine workings is a stable environment that could be safely entered and explored. They should be going in to get them, he said. He noted that police have also located a driftrunnera vehicle used to transport workers in and out of the minepartially buried under a coal fall. If the manned re-entry had proceeded just 50-odd metres beyond the drift and into the mine workings, they would have come across the drift runner, he said. Monk said the police were giving the appearance of a thorough investigation so the public will say: what are [the families] going on about? What more do they want? He added that the Pike River Recovery Agency, set up to oversee the re-entry, had wasted a lot of money and that its chief executive David Gawn (former chief of the NZ Army) knew nothing about mining; he was a mouthpiece for the government. He questioned the assertions made in the media that all 29 men died instantly in the first explosion. An image taken inside the mine in 2011 showed that a box containing self-rescue breathing devices had been opened, indicating that there may have been some survivorsraising questions about whether a rescue could have been attempted. He asked why police had apparently not drilled a borehole immediately next to a coal fall and a broken fresh air pipe at the entry to the mine workings, where survivors might have gathered. Monk asked: Where is Andrew Little now? Why isnt he coming back to us and apologising, saying that we were right [about conditions in the mine workings]? He noted that world-renowned chief mines inspector Tony Forster and other experts had designed the re-entry plan, which the government rejected. Little, who oversaw the sealing of the mine, was appointed as Minister for Pike River Re-entry despite being deeply implicated in the conditions that led up to the 2010 disaster. As leader of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), Little ought to have been aware of the unsafe conditions in the mine, which several union members had protested about. The EPMU, however, made no public criticism of Pike River Coal and immediately after the first explosion Little defended the company, falsely saying that it had good safety standards. On March 20, 2023, President Joe Biden had signed into law S.619, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, stipulating that the Intelligence Community (IC) had 90 days to declassify and release as much of the information as possible in their investigation into the origins of the COVID pandemic. This would have placed the deadline for the release to June 18, 2023. Five days late, on June 23, 2023, Friday at 18:25 Eastern Standard Time, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its report on the potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and the Origin of COVID-19. Indeed, Friday evening press releases by government officials on issues that have the potential to undermine their credibility have often been used to avoid immediate media scrutiny. A lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology [AP Photo/Chinatopix via AP] Not only does the ODNI report offer not one shred of evidence in support of the fascistic right-wing Wuhan lab leak conspiracy, but it goes far to corroborate the earlier statements made by the WIV scientists and World Health Organization (WHO) officials on the topic. The American ultra-right has sought to cover up the lack of evidence behind its claims that China created SARS-CoV-2 with savage attacks in social media on principled scientists such as Dr. Peter Hotez and the plethora of accusations in right-wing publications such as the Sunday Times that the WIV was collaborating with researchers from the Chinese military to weaponize pathogens. This has been supplemented recently by the claim in Public by journalist Matt Taibbi that three WIV scientists who were engaged in gain-of-function research had fallen ill in November of 2019, supposedly the first victims of COVID-19. None of these news reports offered any new or relevant information on the origins of the COVID pandemic. They only regurgitated hearsay and lies that have been repeated from the beginning in a campaign led by fascists like former Trump aide Steve Bannon to shift the blame for the pandemic onto Chinese authorities and use the issue as a political weapon to promote anti-Chinese bigotry and prepare for war. They sought to make up in volume and hysteria what they lacked in facts and evidence. It is notable that the recent ODNI report confirmed what the US intelligence agencies had previously stated as far back as April 2020 when they wrote that almost all IC agencies assess that SARS-CoV-2 was not genetically engineered was not laboratory-adapted [and] was not developed as a biological weapon. These findings have significant implications, as the Republican-led investigation into the COVID origins has repeatedly insinuated that the virus was manipulated through gain-of-function research without evidence to back up these assertions. The Proximal Origins paper The ODNI statement actually substantiates the evidence provided on March 30, 2020, by Kristian Andersen and colleagues, in an initial scientific assessment, The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2, which remains pertinent and fundamental to the origins question. At the time, the authors wrote, The genomic features described here may explain in part the infectiousness and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. Although the evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is not a purposefully manipulated virus, it is currently impossible to prove or disprove the other theories of its origin described here. However, since we observed all notable SARS-CoV-2 features, including the optimized RBD and polybasic cleavage site, in related coronaviruses in nature, we do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible. That initial report was followed by Dr. Edward Holmes and colleagues comprehensive report, The Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review, published in Cell in 2021. The authors of the paper wrote, There is currently no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 has a laboratory origin. There is no evidence that any early cases had any connection to the WIV, in contrast to the clear epidemiological links to animal markets in Wuhan, nor evidence that the WIV possessed or worked on a progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 prior to the pandemic. They then noted, The suspicion that SARS-COV-2 might have a laboratory origin stem from the coincidence that it was first detected in a city that houses a major virological laboratory that studies coronaviruses. Wuhan is the largest city in central China with multiple animal markets and is a major hub for travel and commerce, well connected to other areas both within China and internationally. The link to Wuhan therefore more likely reflects the fact that pathogens often require heavily populated areas to become established. This was followed by Dr. Robert Garrys letter in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Science) in 2022 titled, SARS-COV-2 Furin Cleavage Site was not Engineered. He succinctly explains the numerous features of the coronaviruses furin cleavage sitea hobby horse of the right-wing conspiracy theoriststhat demonstrates why it was not engineered. Because of the highly complex molecular interactions of viruses and their host, allegations of bioengineering must be met with deep skepticism. Reliance on careful analysis and submission to scrutiny by experts in the field is obligatory before any malign conclusions can be drawn. Repeatedly, the principled experts in this field have unanimously rejected laboratory manipulation. The ODNI press release reaffirms these conclusions, only stating that the researchers at the WIV were conducting extensive research on coronaviruses, (which everyone knew) and asserting that we continue to have no indication that the WIVs pre-pandemic research holdings include SARS-CoV-2 or a close progenitor, nor any direct evidence that a specific-research-related incident occurred involving WIV personnel before the pandemic that could have caused the COVID pandemic. The wildlife trade at Huanan market The statement is compelling in that since the publication of the Proximal origin paper, no scientific evidence has emerged on behalf of the conspiracists that provides the lab-leak hypothesis any credibility. On the contrary, evidence of wildlife trade at the Huanan seafood market and raccoon dog DNA in the COVID-infected western stalls of the market have only confirmed the market was the focal point of the outbreak that led to the COVID pandemic. That two lineages of the virus were present further undermines the lab leak hypothesis, since this would require two separate leaks, each traveling the 16 kilometers to the market and infecting no one on the way, then radiating outward from Huanan. The critical work conducted by Dr. Michael Worobey, evolutionary biologist from the University of Arizona, bears reviewing again. Using data obtained from the WHOs phase one study on COVIDs origin in 2021, he found that early cases in December 2019, connected with and without links to the market, for both lineages of the virus circulating at the time, centered to a high statistical degree around Huanan market and not the WIV. The witch-hunt against WIV researchers In this regard it has been central to the right-wing conspiracy, whether SARS-CoV-2 was bioengineered or not, that the virus was released from the WIV. The claims by the Republican-led investigation that several WIV researchers fell ill from COVID in the autumn of 2019 are the most recent effort to bolster the case. This culminated in the naming of Ben Hu, Yu Ping, and Yan Zhu, according to sources within the US government, as researchers suspected of having leaked the virus from the WIV and therefore being responsible for the deaths of tens of millions. Without even speaking to these scientists, who continue to work on critical issues of pandemic potential pathogens, if such allegations are real or considering the potential dangers and harm, right-wing outlets like Public, The Wall Street Journal and others subjected them to monstrous libels. As evolutionary biologist Dr. Florence Debarre, who has been tracking the evidence behind the COVID origin, recently noted, You can also consider the ethics in naming people, of suspecting or even accusing them without evidence (so far) of being the source of the pandemic. They are human beings, not just characters in your story. As to the supposed sickened researchers, the ODNI report offers no names. It does acknowledge that the supposed sickened researchers had symptoms that could have been caused by several diseases and some of the symptoms were not consistent with COVID-19. They go on to note, consistent with standard practices, those researchers likely completed annual health exams as part of their duties in a high-containment biosafety laboratory. The Intelligence Community assesses that the WIV maintains blood samples and health records of all of their laboratory personnelwhich are standard procedures in high-containment laboratories. The report added, We have no indications that any of these researchers were hospitalized because of the symptoms consistent with COVID-19. According to WHOs March 22021 public report, WIV officials including Shi Zhengliwho leads the WIV laboratory group that conducts coronavirus researchstated lab employees all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This would mean, of course, that lab employees could not have transmitted the virus into the general population. The WHO also acknowledge that they could not confirm if the sickened researchers had handled live viruses before falling ill. Dr. Peter Daszak, right, and Dr. Shi Zhengli, are two leading scientists studying bat coronaviruses, pictured at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. [Photo by EcoHealth Alliance] On the same evening that the ODNI report was released, Jon Cohen, of the journal Science, who has been writing with care and intelligence on the Wuhan lab leak conspiracy and providing much needed objective reporting on the subject, published his follow-up report. Cohen wrote he had received an email from Ben Hu denying he ever became sick in late 2019. The recent news about so-called patient zero in WIV are absolutely rumors and ridiculous, Hu said to Cohen in an email. I did not get sick in Autumn 2019 and did not have COVID-19-like symptoms at that time. My colleagues and I tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibody in early March 2020 and were all negative. Yu Ping corroborated these in another email stating these charges were fake news. The brief ODNI report also addresses issues regarding biosafety and collaboration with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). In this regard, the assessments made corroborate the findings observed by the American Embassy in Beijing in a cable sent to Washington dated January 19, 2018, China Opens First Bio-Safety Level 4 Laboratory. According to the embassy cable, the WIV scientists were working on coronaviruses, and they had assistance from the international community in bringing their laboratories up to code. Additionally, they were encouraged to continue research into potentially pandemic pathogens, they were precluded from studying human-disease-causing SARS coronaviruses in their new labs until such permissions were granted through approving authorities. The collaboration between the military and nationally recognized laboratories are longstanding and not unique to China, as evidenced by the integrated work between the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the National Institutes of Health, and other institutions. The ODNI report states, some of the research conducted by the PLA and WIV included work with several viruses, including coronaviruses, but no known viruses that could plausibly be a progenitor of SARS-CoV-2. For example, PLA researchers have used WIV laboratories for virology and vaccine-related work. As the report notes, the collaborative work was intended for public health needs to enhance Chinas knowledge of pathogens and early disease warning capabilities. The few live viruses they did possess were too distantly related to have led to the creation of SARS-CoV-2. The witch-hunt against American researchers It is clear that the ODNI report will have little influence on the witch-hunt being led by leading Republicans with the support of their Democratic colleagues. Even as the ODNI report was being released, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) announced the first subpoena against Dr. Kristian Andersen to gain access to his private communications and Slack messaging channels. Wenstrup wrote, We are following the breadcrumbs of a COVID-19 cover-up straight to the source. Dr. Kristian Andersen played a pivotal role in potentially suppressing the lab leak hypothesis, and Americans deserve to know why this happened, who was involved, and how we can prevent the intentional suppression of scientific discourse during a future pandemic. He continued, It is clear that the authors of Proximal Origins may have possessed conflicts of interest for supporting a zoonotic origin of COVID-19. Fully investigating the internal messages between the co-authors and contributors is a crucial step to inform future legislation and hold guilty parties accountable. The ODNI report only confirms that the entire conspiracy that has been ongoing for more than three years was woven out of whole cloth and lacks any basis in any factual, objective evidence. In short, it was politically motivated and functioned as a mechanism of US imperialist foreign policy. The subpoena against Andersen and colleagues only means that science itself is now under assault and being criminalized if it doesnt suit the purposes of the state. In an indication of the ongoing and intense crisis of the Putin regime, in the 24 hours following the failed coup attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his 25,000 Wagner group mercenaries, the Kremlin has maintained an almost complete silence as to the consequences it will draw from the insurrection by Putins former ally. Having launched his coup attempt Friday night with an appeal to the pro-NATO section of Russias ruling class, Prigozhin announced a retreat Saturday evening just 120 miles away from Moscow. For almost a day, Wagner had been in control of the city of Rostov-on-Don and the headquarters of the Southern Military District, which oversees Russian military operations in the Black Sea region and East Ukraine. Servicemen of the Wagner Group military company guard an area at the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. [AP Photo/Uncredited] The deal between Prigozhin and Putin was reportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Apart from the safe passage granted to Prigozhin, who is now in Belarus, and the dropping of charges for armed rebellion against both him and his mercenaries, no further details about the deal have been revealed. While some reports indicated that the military leadership, including both Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov, would step down, no such announcements have been made thus far. Unconfirmed reports in the Russian media suggest that at least 13 servicemen died and the Russian army lost six helicopters, an airplane and a KAMAZ truck in the fight against Wagner. Officials confirmed that 19 houses in Voronezh were damaged and three civilians injured, and that 10,000 square kilometers of roadway were damaged in the Rostov region. Wagner troops were calmly leaving their positions throughout Sunday, creating miles-long traffic jams. In the only brief public statement by Putin on Sunday, he told a reporter that his day starts and ends with the special military operation in Ukraine. So far, the only clear move by the Kremlin in response to the coup attempt has been the announcement of a law that will bring private military contractors under the control of the Ministry of Defense. But even in announcing the bill, the head of the committee for defense in the State Duma (parliament) and former Deputy Defense Minister Andrei Kartapolov struck an extraordinarily conciliatory tone toward Wagner, saying: They didnt offend anyone, they didnt break anything. No one has the slightest complaints about themnot the citizens of Rostov, not the servicemen of the Southern Military District, not the law enforcement agencies. . Whoever wants to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense will sign it. For those who dont: everyone is free to choose their fate, theyll do something else. Kartapolov also opposed a ban of Wagner. He insisted that only Prigozhin should suffer consequences, stating that children should not be held accountable for their parents. Members of the Wagner Group military company load their tank onto a truck on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023, prior to leaving an area at the headquarters of the Southern Military District. [AP Photo/Uncredited] In addition to Wagner, there are at least a dozen other paramilitary formations that have proliferated over the past 10 years. Many of them play a central role in the war in Ukraine. This includes 5,000-6,000 forces under the command of the president of the Republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov; an estimated 17,500 Cossack forces; and two paramilitary formations run by the separatist authorities of the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics in East Ukraine. Over a dozen Russian regions, including several predominantly Muslim and non-Russian republics, have also announced the formation of volunteer units to fight in the war. While these structures are largely integrated with the army and receive much of their supplies from the Defense Ministry, they have not been officially subordinated to the latter. However, after the seizure of Bakhmut by Wagner forces in May, the Defense Ministry forced private contractors to accept the command of the army leadership by July 1. The insurrection by Prigozhin, who has openly and aggressively attacked the army leadership for months, began to take shape publicly when he opposed the order by Putin to comply with this demand by the Defense Ministry. The Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote that the country had been brought to the brink of civil war by the coup attempt, and evaluated the insurrection by Prigozhin as an alarming sign of the weakness of the government and the state. The paper noted that in conditions of turmoil and uncertainty, the security and law enforcement agencies tend to dissolve without a trace. Criticizing the Kremlin for letting Prigozhin run wild for months, Nezavisimaya Gazeta called for the complete disarmament of all armed units that are not formally part of the structures of the national security apparatusthis is demanded both by the law and by political reality. There should be no armed people in Russia that are loyal primarily to their field commander and only secondly to someone else. In an underhanded acknowledgement that the coup attempt reflected dissatisfaction with the continuation of the war in sections of the oligarchy, Nezavisimaya Gazeta urged the Putin regime to make maximum concessions to the interests of private companies and private entrepreneurs, who by definition seek greater profits. Both in Russia and internationally, the coup attempt and the response by the Kremlin to it have been interpreted above all as a sign of extreme weakness of the Putin regime. With only two weeks until the NATO summit in Vilnius, the imperialist powers and the Zelensky regime in Ukraine are using the coup attempt to push for a further escalation of the war. After a discussion with US President Joe Biden on Sunday, Zelensky declared, The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored. The Ukrainian army claims that it is now pressing the counter-offensive, which so far has been an extremely bloody and expensive debacle for NATO. More information has also emerged indicating that the US and Ukraine were informed about Prigozhins coup plans well in advance. On Sunday, the Washington Post reported that US intelligence knew about the impending coup as early as mid-June. In a previous interview with Ukrainian President Zelensky, the Washington Post noted that Ukrainian intelligence had been in contact with Prigozhin. A leading adviser to Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, has publicly expressed disappointment with Prigozhins sudden retreat. The ex-oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who until 2003 was in control of a large portion of Russias oil resources, is now playing a central role in a NATO-backed regime-change operation in Russia and has celebrated Prigozhins insurrection as a major blow to the Putin regime. Dropping any democratic pretenses, Khodorkovsky insisted that the coup attempt proved that Putin could only be overthrown by armed men and listed a number of operational and military conclusions that had to be drawn from this experience for future attempts to overthrow the Russian government. Libuov Sobol, a close ally of the imprisoned US-backed oppositionist Alexei Navalny, called on NATO during the coup to help Prigozhin and recognize him as NATOs partner. As the WSWS noted in its statement on the coup attempt: That the coup was prepared with some significant level of NATO involvement is clear enough. But to portray the coup as primarily the product of a CIA conspiracy would be to ignore the real divisions that exist in the Russian regime and the social interests that determine its policies. The military strategy of the Putin regime in Ukraine has been based from the beginning on a self-deluding underestimation, rooted in its class interests and ideological hatred of Marxism, of the predatory character of imperialism. Putin has remained committed to the fantasy that his Western partners can be persuaded to accept the legitimate economic and security interests of the post-Soviet Russian capitalist state. This accounts for Putins repeated disavowals of his own red lines and infinite patience in the face of innumerable acts of NATO escalation, up to its de facto endorsement of Prigozhins coup. With the Vilnius summit of imperialist powers fast approaching, the continuation of this policy will serve only to convince NATO that it can escalate the war with impunity. Whatever the response of the Putin regime to the coup attempt in the coming days and weeks, the events of the past three days underscore, above all, the reactionary character of the oligarchic regime that has emerged out of the Stalinist reaction against the October Revolution of 1917 and the restoration of capitalism. All warring factions of the oligarchy are seeking, ultimately, a settlement with imperialism and regard the working class as their principal enemy. A way out of this war in the interests of the working class can only be forged on the path of independent revolutionary class struggle and based on the unity of the Russian, Ukrainian and international working class. Are you a librarian, teacher or parent in Texas? We want to hear your thoughts on the recent book bans. Please fill out the form at the bottom of this article. In the latest of a series of anti-democratic attacks by Texas officials, on June 12 Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that bans public school libraries from purchasing books or other materials deemed to be sexually explicit. The law, hypocritically titled the READER Act, requires book vendors to assign ratings to books regarding the presence or depiction of sex. Abbott has touted the bill as part of his right-wing campaign to bolster his so-called Parental Bill of Rights, a euphemism for a host of measures to undermine public schools and the democratic rights of educators and students. Republican governor Greg Abbott posing for a photograph after signing four anti-democratic laws targeting libraries and school workers. [Photo: Greg Abbott] Under the new law, materials rated as sexually explicit would be removed from school libraries. Any library material describing or portraying sexual behavior that is patently offensive and not part of the school curriculum would be given this rating. Books rated as sexually relevant to the curriculum would still require parental permission before students can access them from the library. The law defines patently offensive as sexual content that contradicts current community standards of decency. Critics of the law have noted that the language is vague and subjective. Ultimately, this empowers far-right groups to wield increasing control over book access. The law will create chaos for school librarians and book vendors alike, who will now have to comply with the new ratings system on the fly. The onus is on distributors to come up with ratings for the books they supply, and retroactively rate books they have previously sold. Costs to purchase books will increase, as vendors may have to hire additional staff or outside contractors to assign ratings. Moreover, vendors may opt to stop distributing to Texas altogether. The law will also cause delays in the book purchasing process. Mark Smith, the former Director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, said, The bill will greatly slow the acquisition of materials by school libraries, reducing their usefulness and currency again, creating a negative impact on students. The Texas Education Agency (TEA), the state agency that regulates schools and colleges, will have the authority to review book purchases and ratings, and will publish a list of vendors that do not comply with state requirements. School districts will be required to submit a compliance report to TEA every odd-numbered year, beginning in 2025. Texas already leads the country in the number of books banned by school districts. According to the nonprofit PEN America, between July and December 2022, districts in Texas banned a total of 438 books, including such titles as Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale and Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye. Moreover, Abbott and the fascistic Republican lawmakers in Texas have created conditions for the far-right to prosecute a witch-hunt against librarians and teachers. In 2021, Abbott ordered the Texas Education Agency to investigate any criminal activity in our public schools involving the availability of pornography. According to the Houston Chronicle, the agency has investigated at least 20 school districts following complaints by far-right groups, during which librarians have been subjected to police interrogations. The law was written by Republican legislator Jared Patterson of Frisco, who has drafted a host of reactionary legislation in recent years, including a bill modeled after Floridas Dont Say Gay Bill outlawing the discussion of gender and sexual orientation in K-12 schools, and a bill to abolish the city of Austin (the state capital) and bring it under state control. In the Senate, the READER Act was sponsored by Angela Paxton, the wife of recently impeached fascistic state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a close ally of former president Donald Trump. Accompanying the latest book bans, Abbott signed HB 1605, which allows parents to review and challenge instructional materials, another campaign slogan of his Parental Bill of Rights. Significantly, Abbott and others have used parents rights as a lever to further eviscerate funding of public schools. A Senate bill passed in April explicitly ties together the call for parents rights and an expansive Education Savings Account program, to the tune of half a billion dollars, to divert students from public schools to private and charter schools. Like districts across the US, Texas school districts are already faced with calamitous budget deficits and beginning to carry out brutal cuts to teachers and programs. Fort Bend has already reduced its budget by $40 million since 2021. According to Deputy Superintendent Steve Bassett, if the district wants to provide a paltry 2 percent raise to its teachers next year, it will have to cut another $23 million elsewhere. The Austin ISD faces a $54 million budget deficit after proposing a 7 percent raise for teachers. The increasing efforts to censor books and school curriculum is part of growing rampage across the US and is a component part of the capitalist classs turn toward authoritarianism. Faced with an intractable political, economic and social crisis, the ruling class is seeking to overthrow democratic rights in a desperate effort to suppress the growing leftward movement of the working class and young people. This has taken particularly sharp expression in Texas. In 2021, now-impeached Attorney General Paxton filed suit against efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court, the state of Texas has effectively banned all abortions. Abbott has spearheaded a fascistic campaign against immigrants at the Mexican border, including mobilizing the state police and the National Guard. The ability of the far-right and the Republican Party to carry out such attacks is only possible on the basis of the collusion of the Democratic Party, which has consistently sought to cover up the dictatorial conspiracies of Trump and his henchmen, has collaborated with the Republicans to slash social spending, and depends upon the Republicans to funnel ever greater resources to the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. Additionally, the teachers unions and librarian organizations have done nothing to mobilize educators or the broader working class to defend public education and democratic rights. The Texas Library Association (TLA), while voicing mild criticism and concern, has actually given tacit support to the bill. Ahead of its upcoming conference, TLA President Mary Woodward stated, We cant just automatically be against everything... In working with elected officials, its important to try and find things you can agree on in order to have productive conversations. The defense of public education, including academic freedom, falls to educators themselves and requires that teachers, librarians and other school workers take control of their struggles by forming independent, democratically run rank-and-file committees. The Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee is helping to build a network of such committees across the US and internationally, in order to the link the struggles of educators everywhere in a common defense of public schools. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng addressed a regional conference convening nations of the Americas, where he introduced Chinese modernization and China's historic achievements in human rights and democracy. Produced by Xinhua Global Service BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers Monday started deliberating a draft food security law to enhance China's capacity for forestalling and fending off food security risks. The proposed legislation was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the first reading during the legislature's ongoing session, which runs from Monday to Wednesday. The draft, consisting of 11 chapters and 69 articles, focuses on issues vital to China's foundation for food security, such as cultivated land protection, grain production, and grain reserves. "We would never open an attraction if we were not confident that it was safe, so this is something we need to investigate thoroughly," said a park spokesperson Stefan Jerrevang/TT Via Shutterstock Jetline rollercoaster at Grona Lund park One person was killed and nine others were injured after a roller coaster derailed at the oldest amusement park in Sweden. Representatives for Grona Lund park in Stockholm said the Jetline roller coaster partially derailed Sunday morning while a group of passengers were on the ride, according to the Associated Press and Reuters. Park chief executive Jan Eriksson said 14 people were on the ride when the front of the train partly derailed and stopped on the track at a height of between 6 and 8 meters (between 20 and 25 feet), the AP reported. Grona Lund spokeswoman Cecilia Bjorling later confirmed that one person unfortunately died as a result, according to Agence France-Presse. Stefan Jerrevang/TT Via Shutterstock Related: Texas Airline Worker Dead After Being 'Ingested' into Plane Engine: 'We Are Heartbroken and Grieving' Police said nine others were hospitalized following the incident, per Reuters and the AP. Eriksson confirmed the numbers at a press conference that same day. Three of the victims sustained severe injuries, Reuters reported. The regional government said another three victims sustained minor injuries, according to the AP. Stockholm police spokeswoman Helena Bostrom Thomas said the victims injuries were caused by falling from the ride, the AFP reported. Claudio Bresciani/TT via Shutterstock Swedish police at Grona Lund park Visitors who witnessed the incident said the front of the train seemingly went off the tracks. Then the car stops and people fly out, fall out of the car, one woman told the AP. 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. Witnesses told the AP that the crash caused two or three people to fall out of the car. One of the victims was able to grab the track, witnesses claimed, per the news agency. Story continues Grona Lund was evacuated immediately after the incident, according to Reuters and the AP. The park will be closed for at least a week while police conduct an investigation into the crash, per the outlets. Jetline rollercoaster at Grona Lund park MARKO SAAVALA/TT Via Getty The Jetline roller coaster opened at Grona Lund in 1988, 105 years after the amusement park opened in 1883, according to the AP. It has a maximum height of 30 meters (98 feet), and was renovated in 2000. The 800-meter ride travels at about 90 kph (56 mph), according to Grona Lunds website. Related: Boy, 8, Hospitalized After Accident Left Him Hanging by Neck in Rope Ladder at Amusement Park This should not be allowed to happen, Grona Lund spokeswoman Annika Troselius said in a statement, per the AP. Safety is the most important thing for us. And we would never open an attraction if we were not confident that it was safe, so this is something we need to investigate thoroughly. An investigation into the crash is ongoing. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A demolition derby erupted on a Florida highway when a driver trying to outrun cops began to violently ram cars blocking his way, according to the Citrus County Sheriffs Office. It happened Friday, June 23, in Citrus Springs and the chase reached speeds of 100 mph, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Citrus Springs is about 85 miles north of Tampa. The driver a man from Elgin, South Carolina was captured after he lost control of the vehicle and crashed, officials said. Investigators say deputies had two encounters with the driver: The first when he failed to pull over at a traffic stop and the second when deputies saw him again 16 miles south in Inverness. The vehicle ... was forced to stop in congested traffic near the intersection of South Croft Avenue. While stopped, deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect, who refused all commands, the sheriffs office says. A K9 was deployed and, after the vehicle began to lunge forward, the K9 handler retrieved the K9 just before the suspect vehicle struck another vehicle nearly slamming the door shut on the K9. The suspect vehicle then began to intentionally and violently ram the vehicles in front of it in an attempt to flee. Deputies started firing shots to put a stop to this motorists deadly action. However, he continued ramming vehicles until a gap formed, allowing him to continue his flight from law enforcement through heavily congested traffic, officials said. He continued west on Gulf to Lake Highway for another seven and a half miles, at times traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, before driving into oncoming traffic and eventually losing control of the vehicle, the sheriffs office said. The vehicle side-swiped several vehicles before coming to a complete stop near the entry/exit ramps of the Suncoast Parkway along Highway 44. Deputies immediately secured the suspect and began rendering first aid until EMS arrived. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Ahvi Samaad Deberry-Howe, was hospitalized in Pasco County for a non-life threatening bullet wound from being shot by a deputy, officials said. Story continues Deberry-Howe will be facing charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and resisting with and without violence and held with no bond, the sheriffs office said. Investigators have not revealed how many vehicles were damaged during the incident. Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast said drivers who were rammed during the rampage were not seriously hurt. Woman staged baby drowning in dogs water bowl to cover up real cause, Florida cops say Driver leading 15-mph chase eats bag of cocaine and is hospitalized, Florida cops say I am butt naked. Hit-and-run suspect stopped wearing only a scarf, Florida cops say Riley said it was "concerning" that Violet was not prioritizing their relationship after he flew to Vietnam to meet her in person on Sundays '90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days' TLC Losing a bet was the least of Rileys worries on Sundays 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days. During the episode, Riley revealed that he and Violet made a bet to see who could hold out longer without touching the other person when meeting in person for the first time. He explained, So if I touch her first, she wins total control of me. So I gotta stay strong. When Riley arrived at the airport in Vietnam after flying across the globe, the pair excitedly greeted one another and she held out her arms to hug him but he warned, If youre gonna hug me first, youre gonna lose the bet. You hug me, you lose the bet. TLC Related: 90 Day's Violet Won't 'Admit I'm Wrong' as Riley Visits Vietnam with Many Questions and PI on Speed Dial Riley then touched Violets shoulder and she said, You touch me first before the two embraced. They then bantered back and forth about who actually lost the bet. He finally conceded, I lost and she added, Oh okay, Im your boss. Despite their bet, the pair wasted little time before sharing a kiss at the airport and he said how he was really, really happy to meet her. He then whispered to her, You got a nice ass and she returned the compliment, saying, Your body everything nice. Over drinks, Riley gave her pearl jewelry as a belated birthday present; however, Violet was underwhelmed and gave him a pat on the cheek as a thank you. Pearls are not rare in Vietnam, she explained to cameras. From the North to the South, we farm pearls a lot. Im not a fan of pearls. TLC (2) Related: 90 Day's Riley Hires a PI to Investigate Violet and 'Protect My Heart' After Outlandish Texts Their conversation turned serious when Riley told her that they had a lot to work on and he had a lot of questions about their future together. Story continues However, she wanted to enjoy her birthday celebration, telling him, We dont [need] talk about bad things. We dont [need] talk about the past. He then asked about their plans for the following day and she dropped the bombshell that she was a little bit busy. She explained, Tomorrow you need to relax and at night if you want to meet me. Riley appeared confused and interrupted her saying, What do you mean if I want to meet you? I want to meet youYou think I flew for two days to come here and I might not want to see you, youre kidding me? TLC Related: '90 Day': Riley Tells Violet 'I Love You' with an Obscene Gesture and She's on a Dating App The conversation left Riley worried about their future together. He told cameras, It's a hard thing to find out on the first full day I'm here I won't have the day with her Im only here for two weeks. I dont understand how Im not a priority for Violet right now. [It] sucks. I have very, very deep feelings for Violet and I want to believe in her, I want to believe in us but I'd expected a little more engagement from her between the reactions about the pearls and not wanting to speak about certain things and then not being able to spend time with me. It's definitely a little concerning, he added. 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. 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Iranian painter Mehraz Karami paints at his studio in Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, June 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Xiaosheng) HANGZHOU, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Nestled amid lush bamboo and tea fields sits a rustic two-story cabin, a dream house built by the young Iranian painter Mehraz Karami in a village in eastern China. Karami, 30, has loved art since childhood. After graduating from a university in Malaysia in 2012, he attended Donghua University and Shanghai University, both in Shanghai, to study design and oil painting. Growing tired of the city, he longed for a peaceful place where he could live and create. Karami and his wife were attracted by the beauty of Zhuangshang Village in the city of Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, when they visited six years ago. They soon moved to the village and lived in homestays at first, and later rented and renovated a house, where they have lived for more than four years. "Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of living in a house like this in the woods. In addition to the quiet environment, the transportation and other infrastructure here is also very developed, and life is very convenient," Karami said. "It was the fulfillment of a childhood wish." "One of the most common phrases I hear when I come here is 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,'" Karami said, and he had been thinking about what that meant. His understanding was that as long as humans protect nature, then their economy, culture and society will become better and better. Karami said the local government has been improving the rural living environment, and remarkable results have been achieved over the years. The whole village has become clean and tidy, with roads leading to every house and public facilities such as a health center, public toilets and parking lots available to both locals and visitors. "Twenty years ago, there could not have been so many tourists in this small mountain village, let alone foreigners like me," Karami said. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which planned to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Over two decades, the program has created thousands of beautiful villages, fundamentally changing the face of the province's countryside. This undated file photo shows a painting by Iranian painter Mehraz Karami. (Xinhua) In recent years, Karami has been creating a series of paintings around the theme of "harmonious coexistence between man and nature." In his paintings, he creatively combines the techniques of Iranian miniatures and Chinese landscape paintings, using smooth brushstrokes to depict mountains, rivers and natural objects, and showing the beautiful ecology and happy people in the village. "In Huzhou, I saw the most authentic face of nature," Karami said, speaking about his time spent working with a team of Chinese intangible cultural heritage experts to create a series of works around the theme of solar terms. On the day of "Awakening of Insects," he saw bamboo shoots coming out of the ground, and insects beginning to wake up. "All of these images will appear in my works," he said. The young painter said that in the process of Chinese-style modernization, the countryside has been developed while the beautiful environment has been protected, which is a great achievement. "In China, more and more places are integrating environmental design concepts into urban and rural planning and construction," he said. He hopes his paintings will help people understand China today more intuitively, he added. In Karami's eyes, Iran faces a deteriorating natural environment, as China did in the past. He hopes that his country can learn from China's "two mountains" concept, which is "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." He said he also hopes that Iran can coordinate environmental protection and economic development, and make its environment more beautiful. Karami has also actively engaged with Huzhou authorities in building an international culture and art village in the city, attracting artists from countries along the Belt and Road such as Iran -- and even artists from around the world -- to travel to the village to create and settle down there. "With such an international art village, more 'Karamis' will come here in the future to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between countries," he said. Amber Heard promoted In the Fire at the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Taormina, Italy, on Saturday. A producer on the film said extra security was used for Heard's first appearance due to the online threats she has received since her defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Amber Heard is stepping back into the spotlight more than one year after her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp with extra protection. Over the weekend, the 37-year-old actress attended the Taormina Film Festival in Taormina, Italy, where her film In the Fire had its international premiere. She wore a black belted dress for the occasion complemented by a bright red lip. She posed with a big smile for photos and selfies with fans as she promoted the project. Set in the 1890s, she plays the role of a widowed New York psychiatrist who travels to South America to treat a child people think is possessed by the devil. Amber Heard is seen during the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Amber Heard at Taormina Film Festival held at Teatro Antico on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo: Vianney Le Caer/Deadline via Getty Images) Amber Heard poses with fans at the Taormina Film Festival. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) However, Heard, who has been vilified in the wake of the trial, was careful in her selecting her interviews, answering questions for Variety by email and taking none about Depp. She did speak to celebrity-friendly People on the carpet, keeping it to the topic of the Conor Allyn-directed film, which she said is "a movie about love" and "the overwhelming power that love has." Heard told Deadline, "Im in control for the most part of what comes out of my mouth. What Im not in control is how my pride in this project and all we put into this film can be surrounded by clips of other stuff. Thats a big thing I had to learn, that Im not in control of stories other people create around me... Right now, I just kind of want to not have, you know, stones thrown at me so much. So lets get the elephant out of the room then, and just let me say that. I am an actress. Im here to support a movie. And thats not something I can be sued for." That said, she made it clear she wanted her career to be the focus of the conversation, saying, "It might not be obvious to other people, but Ive been acting my whole adult life, since I was 16. As crazy as it sounds to say, that means I have decades in this industry. Im not telling you I have this amazing film career, but what I have is something that Ive made, myself, and it has given me a lot to be able to contribute. The odds of that in this industry are really improbably but somehow, here I am. I think Ive earned respect for that to be its own thing. Thats substantial enough. What I have been through, what Ive lived through, doesnt make my career at all. And its certainly not gonna stop my career. Story continues Pascal Borno, who produced the film, told Variety that there were concerns, from festival organizers as well as In the Fire producers, ahead of Heard's appearance that there would be demonstrations by Depp supporters at the event. He had to persuade the Italian police to provide extra security amid the online threats Heard has received. They took it seriously and afterwards I promised them selfies with Amber, Borno said. The reception toward Heard, also from tourists and paparazzi, was positive, which was a relief to her co-stars, who flanked her at the event. I was relieved to see how they shouted for her," said Italian actor Luca Calvani, who also appeared in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. "After all the stuff being yelled online at this beautiful human being." Amber Heard attends the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Production of In the Fire took place in between Depp losing his libel case against a U.K. tabloid that called him a "wife beater" in 2020, which featured Heard testifying against him, and last year's U.S. defamation trial, which saw Depp emerge largely victorious. Heard actually left the production, in Guatemala at the time, to attend the Virginia trial over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed about surviving sexual and domestic violence. The trial was looming over us," Calvani said of making In the Fire, which also shot in Italy. "We felt the gravity of this huge media machine building against all of us, and the camaraderie of the shoot felt like a good distraction." Luca Calvani, Eduardo Noriega, Amber Heard, Conor Allyn and Yari Gugliucci attend the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Barrett Wissman and Amber Heard are seen during the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Allyn, who met Heard a few years before she was cast in this film, said she "was amazing in front of the camera, but also was a partner in crime behind the camera. Once we started shooting, it was from Day One a comfort blanket to have her there. I knew I could point the camera at her, and I would get something good." Allyn said he hopes this is the start of a "mega-comeback" for Heard, who will also appear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom later this year. Calvani added, Amber is back. Shes great; she is radiant; shes a good actor and she is resilient. Amber Heard is seen during the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023 in Taormina, Italy. (Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Heard has not made a public appearance since last year's ugly defamation trial. For six weeks, the exes, who were married for less than two years (from 2015 to 2017), waged brutal claims against one another in court, including abuse. There was a media frenzy surrounding the trial, including a negative social media narrative about Heard. When the verdict came in on June 1, 2022, jurors largely sided with Depp. He won all three of his claims of defamation and was awarded $10.35 million in damages; Heard won one of her counterclaims against Depp, who was to pay her $2 million. After Heard appealed, she settled the case, agreeing to pay Depp $1 million, which he agreed to donate to charity. Earlier this month, it was revealed he had already donated the settlement money. Depp, who greeted fans going into and of court during the month-plus trial, left the States by the time the verdict came in and publicly celebrating his win in the U.K. The star, who lives in the English countryside, went on to tour with the late Jeff Beck, and plan for his own with the Hollywood Vampires. The father of two also made a cameo in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty fashion show late last year, and attended the Cannes Film Festival in May. His also inked a new deal with Dior, reportedly worth a historic $20 million. For her part, Heard after a Dateline interview that swayed none of her critics moved to Madrid to raise her 2-year-old daughter, Oonagh Paige, out of the spotlight. A paparazzi caught up with her and she flexed her Spanish skills. Despite an online campaign to have her cut from the upcoming Aquaman sequel, she's in it. Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux was among a group of French feminists to recently sign an open letter in support of Heard. Here are all the books you should read this summer. | Unsplash Ah, summer. The kids are out of school, vacations are planned and swimsuits are laying at the ready. But its almost halfway over so how can you make most of the rest of your summer? You could spend the rest of your lazy summer days watching Netflix. Or you could finally make a dent in your 2023 reading goals. Nows the perfect time to get some serious summer reading done. But where to begin? From thrilling mysteries to sweet romances, there are a lot of options out there. Here are some suggestions for you to finally get started on your summer reading this year. What should you read before summer 2023 ends? Drama books If youre looking for good, old-fashioned, petticoat-ruffling drama, why not go back to the classics? Look no further than Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte of the famous Bronte sisters. The novel follows Heathcliff, the brooding foster son of West Yorks Earnshaw family, as he falls for Cathy, whos a class above him. His relationship with Cathy proves to be ill-fated and Heathcliff devotes his life to ruining her family. Untamed, expansive and bare, The Great Alone follows former prisoner of war Ernt Allbright after he returns from the Vietnam War. Looking for a change, Ernt moves his family to Alaska, including 13-year-old daughter Leni and wife Cora. The novel follows the Allbright family as they struggle to survive the bitter and beautiful Alaskan landscape and each other. Books about food Julia Child has become synonymous with good cooking. And boeuf bourguignon. Also, France. Related If youre interested in how Child became the Julia Child, My Life in France is a perfect summer read. In it, Child reveals her beginnings: the start of her life in France with her husband, Paul. Child relives her foray into French culture and cuisine and her launch into global stardom. Story continues Renowned culinary historian Michael W. Twitty connects Southern food culture to race in his award-winning memoir, The Cooking Gene. Not only does Twitty trace the origins of soul food, he also tells his own familys story of food, culture and survival. In The Cooking Gene, Twitty guides his readers through the fraught politics of Southern food, barbecue and soul food. Romance novels If youre in the mood for a quick, sugary-sweet love story with touch of magical realism, The Sugar Queen will hit the spot. Josie Cirrini never fit in to her southern town. Instead, she lives a boring, friendless life in her mothers home, stockpiling sweets in the back of her closet to snack on. That is, until she discovers Della Lee, local waitress and notorious rabble-rouser, hiding in there. But with the help of Della, Josie slowly creeps out of her shell and falls right into the arms of Adam, her sweet and dreamy mailman. Related Perfect for those who like their romance with a dash of history, Wait for Me follows Lorna Anderson in 1945 Scotland. In the throes of World War II, Lorna spends her time working on her fathers farm, knitting scarves for the Red Cross and eagerly waiting for an Allied victory. But life takes a sharp turn when Paul Vogel, a German POW, is assigned to work on her fathers farm. Lorna is understandably horrified, but as she learns more about Paul and his difficult life back in Germany, her feelings begin to change. Fantasy books Every night, right at sunset, a mystical black-and-white striped circus appears. Always at a different location. Always without warning. And at sunrise, it disappears. Intrigued? Then youll love the whimsical magic of The Night Circus. The novel follows two young magicians, Celia and Marco, competitors in a high-stakes game of illusion and pageantry that the circus brings. But despite their fierce rivalry, Celia and Marco start falling for each other setting off dangerous consequences as a result. If you prefer a classic, swashbuckling fantasy novel, youll love Stardust which was made into a movie of the same name in 2007. Young Tristan Thorn, desperate to win the heart of Victoria Forester, will do anything for his love. So when a star falls out of the sky and into the wild land across the ancient wall outside his village, Tristan leaps at the chance to fetch it. But when Tristan crosses the wall, he finds himself in a world where magic and faeries abound and where a falling star isnt a lump of rock, but a flesh and blood woman named Yvaine. Books about history People of the Book, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks, follows Hanna Heath, a rare-book expert, as shes tasked with studying and conserving the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the earliest Jewish illustrated volumes. As Hanna begins her work, she discovers tiny artifacts within the books binding a butterfly wing, grains of salt, etc. and uncovers the stories of the people who had the book along the way. Sprawling and moving, People of the Book expertly sweeps the reader through the lives of the people behind each artifact Hanna finds. If youre a fan of complex and moving historical fiction, this book is perfect for you. For those hardcore history buffs, Unbroken is a nonfiction novel that follows the true story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic athlete and World War II prisoner of war. Related Before the war, Zamperini ran in the Berlin Olympics, coming close to the coveted four-minute mile. But in the face of the war, Zamperini enlisted and became an airman. And in 1943, his bomber crashed into the Pacific ocean leaving Zamperini to fight for his life in a tiny raft. Unbroken which later became a hit movie in 2014 outlines an extraordinary true story of survival, resilience and faith. Science fiction books From the author of The Remains of the Day, Never Let Me Go follows three characters Kathy, Ruth and Tommy who met at a secluded boarding school in the English countryside. During their schooling, students were constantly reminded of how special they were and how important they were to society. Now, Kathy is a young woman when Ruth and Tommy return into her life. The three begin to navigate adulthood, their relationships and their gift, while learning how much that gift impacts their lives together. Its almost impossible to discuss Never Let Me Go without giving away the sci-fi twist, so youll have to trust me. The novel is both beautiful and heartbreaking, while being rooted in an almost mundanely alternative England with a surprising dash of sci-fi. Most famously known as the inspiration for Blade Runner, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is considered to be a seminal work of dystopian science fiction. Set in 2021, a devastating world war has driven most humans to live in colonies on other planets. Earth is littered with dwindling humans and life-like androids: people, sheep, birds, cats and more. Bounty hunter Rick Deckard, employed by the San Francisco police department, has been commissioned to find human-like androids who live among humans and pass by undetected. But when Rick finally corners these androids, the task proves harder than expected. Books about Greek mythology For those Greek mythology nerds looking to learn, Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes is for you. Renowned classicist Edith Hamilton brings depth and insight into retellings of classic Roman, Greek and even Norse myths. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes is known as a classic and would make a fascinating summer read. Circe, the sorceress daughter of the sun god Helios, gets a fierce retelling in Circe by Madeline Miller. As a child in her fathers house, Circe was a black sheep: not as powerful as her father, but not as beautiful as her mother. But growing up, Circe discovers that she possesses the power of witchcraft and begins to practice. Until Zeus, threatened by Circes power, banishes her to a deserted island. Left alone, Circe builds a home and cultivates her power all while playing a hand in other Greek myths, like the Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus and Odysseus. Mystery books If you, like me, prefer to get your thrills from page alone, Night Film is a perfect summer read. Ashley Cordova, prodigy and daughter of a famous reclusive filmmaker, is found dead in an abandoned warehouse in Manhattan. While her death is ruled a suicide, veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath thinks otherwise. Scotts investigation leads him down a winding and mysterious path, delving into the eerie work of Ashleys father, Stanislas Cordova. But as he gets closer to the truth, hes reminded of the last time he investigated Stanislas Cordova and everything he lost in the process. 15-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries, and their capitals, in the whole world. He knows every prime number up to 7,057. He hates being touched and understands animals. But humans? Not so much. When Christopher discovers the dead body of a neighborhood poodle, Wellington, he dedicates himself to solving the mystery. Told through the eyes of a 15-year-old, brilliant and autistic narrator, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is both funny and poignant. Image Credit: AEW Bryan Danielson won the ultimate dream match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling joined forces for the Forbidden Door pay-per-view, and in the main event, two of the promotions top stars faced off for the first time ever, as Bryan Danielson faced Kazuchika Okada. The two veterans delivered a wrestling clinic that featured the style of pure wrestling fans have come to expect from both renowned veterans. Okada was unsuccessful when he went for the Rainmaker twice in the earlier stages of the match, and Danielson later kicked out when he did hit it. Danielson honed in on Okadas arm, and this strategy played into the outcome, as The American Dragon scored the submission victory with an innovative submission hold that wrenched both Okadas arm and his leg. Catch up on our coverage of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door here. The post Bryan Danielson Makes Kazuchika Okada Tap Out At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door appeared first on Wrestlezone. Before COVID, Los Angeles Open Fist Theatre Company typically produced four or five major shows a year, with sold-out crowds for its musicals. It broke even or made a tiny profit most years. This year, the nonprofit company is losing about $20,000 a month, a considerable sum on a $250,000 annual budget, said Martha Demson, Open Fists producing artistic director who runs the company in residence at Atwater Village Theatre. Its down to two major productions, selling a little more than half the available seats for its now-running sci-fi fantasy musical Starmites. More than three years after the pandemics onset, many live performing arts venues and nonprofit arts organizations throughout California are struggling to stay open, scaling back performances and even shutting down and its not just because of COVIDs devastating toll, said Demson, whos board president of Theatre Producers of Southern California, a regional trade association. While small and mid-sized performance venues have been the hardest hit, large organizations that get the bulk of shrinking philanthropic dollars are hurting, too. Also Read: A24 Buys New Yorks Cherry Lane Theatre for $10 Million Center Theatre Group, one of the largest theater groups in the country, announced earlier this month that it was taking the extraordinary step of pausing season programming at L.A.s Mark Taper Forum starting in July through the 2023-2024 season and restructuring the organization, citing a crisis unlike any other in our 56-year history. The plight of small theater groups could resonate more broadly throughout the entertainment industry down the line. Their stages incubate actors and train production crews who go on to work in film and TV, as well as providing fodder for stage-to-film adaptations. These smaller producers all over the state really are an important part of the pipeline, Demson said. If it goes away, then the emerging artists who get their beginning professional opportunities in these organizations will have a greatly decreased access to the [film and television] industry. Story continues Demson said that her Los Angeles theater company will be completely out of money in a few months without funding. Also Read: Proposed California Budget Extends Hollywood Tax Credits Through 2030 You cant spend 100% of your time just trying to raise funds but thats what I have been doing to try to keep my company afloat, she said. The rising costs of rent and production, the impact of recent state laws regulating gig work, inadequate state arts funding and diminishing pandemic relief funds have led to this season of unprecedented uncertainty. The general consensus is that were all dying, Demson said. No hyperbole. As California finalizes its state budget, advocates are hoping for millions of dollars to help keep the live performing arts sector which also includes music, dance, magic shows and circus acts afloat. For years, California has lagged many other states in per capita arts funding. Its currently estimated to rank 15th behind Florida and Utah in funds that flow from state agencies. Organizations have had to be scrappy in that environment, said Brandon Lorenz, public policy director of the Actors Equity Association, a labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. This longtime underinvestment and the COVID pandemic created a double hit to the live arts sector, he says. At the end of the day, the No. 1 challenge were dealing with is a lack of funding, Lorenz said. Edward Albees Marriage Play was one of the last productions at the Groves Cabin Theatre in the Inland Empires Morongo Valley. (Photo courtesy of the Groves Cabin Theatre) Among the longstanding theater venues that have recently announced their closing are the Groves Cabin Theatre in the Inland Empires Morongo Valley, the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater in Claremont, the Sacred Fools Theatre Company and the Complex Theatre in Los Angeles, the Bay Area Childrens Theatre in Berkeley, the Tabard Theatre in San Jose, and PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland. More than a half dozen theaters have reportedly closed in Los Angeles North Hollywood neighborhood alone. Some venues, such as Contra Costa Musical Theater thats operated for more than five decades, have radically scaled back their productions. Other organizations, such as Santa Rosas 6th Street Playhouse, have shed staff. Before the pandemic, employment in the states live performing arts sector experienced tremendous growth, increasing 43% between 2001 and 2019 and growing twice as fast as that of the economy overall, according to a recent CVL Economics study. But it lost a decades worth of job growth in the pandemic, with employment dropping back to its 2010 level of roughly 259,000 jobs by 2021. Even at that level, the nonprofit performing arts sector contributes $6.2 billion a year in the state, according to the CVL study. Also Read: The Leave It to Beaver Street Is Looking More Like Todays LA Meanwhile, state and local governments lost nearly $1 billion in tax revenue in 2021 because of the pandemics economic toll on the sector and could lose a combined $4.1 billion between 2020 and 2023 if the trend continues, according to the study commissioned by the Actors Equity Association, the Theatre Producers of Southern California, and Arts for LA. The shrinking sector doesnt only mean lost jobs. Its also about the loss of economic activity because when people go see a musical, symphony or play, they generally spend money at the restaurants next door, to park their car and to hire a babysitter, Demson and Lorenz said. Moreover, these venues also rely on services and products from local businesses ranging from printers and lumber yards to dry cleaners, which also keeps money circulating. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senator Anthony Portantinos SB1116, which created the Equitable Payroll Fund, a grant program to support small nonprofit arts organizations and workers directly after the crushing pandemic and the enactment of AB5, which extended employee status to some gig workers but also created a financial burden on small community nonprofit theaters who relied on independent contractors, Portantino said. Portantinos bill, sponsored by Arts Equity and the Theater Producers of Southern California, aims to offset certain payroll costs by helping hire and keep employees of such organizations but it has yet to be funded. Also Read: Streaming Could Help Broadway Bounce Back but There Are Obstacles in the Great White Way The senator initially asked for $50 million to fund the bill but recently revised his request in light of the states substantial budget deficit, asking for unexpended funds of up to $12 million in a nonprofit performing arts grant program to help about 300 theaters. I get calls almost every other week from a small nonprofit theater thats struggling, saying, Whats happening with the bill? I dont know if I can last two more months, Portantino said. And as you know, once we close the small theaters, its very hard to reopen them. Portantino said he doesnt believe anyone is opposed to keeping community theaters open, but the question is can we make it a priority before its too late? Its unclear whether lawmakers will fund the bill in the next state budget, which must be approved by June 30, when the states fiscal year ends. A spokesperson for Newsoms office declined to comment. Considering all the performing arts venues that have already closed, without some intervention, were looking to see the contraction of the sector beyond recognition, Demson said. Thats the risk. Those closures are creating cultural voids in some areas of the state. The Groves Cabin Theatre, which opened in San Bernardino Countys Morongo Valley in the 1980s, is a 22-seat, mountainside theater that is so intimate the audience felt like they were intruding upon someones experience, said Abe Daniels, the theaters artistic director. But the venue stayed unoccupied during most of the pandemic because it was impossible to socially distance during performances, he said. Then the award-winning theater, once the home of owners Joy and Bill Groves, needed significant repairs. Joy Groves, today a widow in her 80s, announced in April that she was closing the all-volunteer theater for good. That effectively leaves only one brick-and-mortar theater in the area, Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms, which primarily does musicals and is a 45-minute drive from the Groves, Daniels said. We were the only theater up here that did straight plays and a lot of classics, he said. Its sad because now we have nothing up here. Also Read: The Unscripted Tonys Were a Win for CBS and Broadway | Analysis China is looking all over the world for help building and flying its fighter jets A Tornado fighter jet pilot with his hands in the air after landing at a base in northern Germany in October 2018. Rainer Jensen/picture alliance via Getty Images China's air force has been scrambling to develop its pilots and jets in order to counter the US. To give itself a leg up, China appears to be seeking out Western experience and technical expertise. China has long had a reputation for copying technology. Now it has gone a step further by copying Western air combat tactics or rather, paying Westerners to teach them those tactics. China has recruited former pilots from NATO militaries to train its fliers, allowing the Chinese air force not only to take advantage of Western experience and replace rigid Soviet-style doctrine with more flexible Western methods but also giving it insight into how potential enemies would fight. In February, German newspaper Der Spiegel reported that former German fighter pilots had gone to China, where they appeared to have worked as trainers in exchange for salaries "that would normally be reserved for professional athletes or top executives." "German security officials believe it is very possible that the pilots have passed on military expertise and confidential operational tactics, and even practiced attack scenarios, such as an offensive against Taiwan," according to Der Spiegel. A British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet at RAF Coningsby in May. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The German report came just a few months after reports that as many as 30 former British military pilots had been hired to go to China and were paid as much as $270,000. Even US pilots appear to have been targeted by Chinese headhunters. Daniel Duggan, a former US Marine Corps pilot, has been accused of violating the Arms Export Control Act by training Chinese military pilots. Duggan, now an Australian citizen, has claimed he was training civilian pilots and is in an Australian jail facing extradition to the US. At the same time, China is aggressively seeking Western aviation technology, especially for jet engines. China's aviation industry has made impressive strides since the days when it merely copied Soviet models, to the point where it has developed its stealth fighter, the J-20 (which does appear to have borrowed some aspects of US designs). Story continues But the Achilles heel of Chinese aviation remains propulsion: In the past, China imported or copied Russian engines that were decades behind their Western counterparts in reliability and lifespan. China now uses the indigenously developed WS-10, which initially had a poor reputation for reliability. Efforts to develop the more advanced WS-15 engine date back to the 1990s, but the engine may only just be emerging from the development stage. (The WS-15 is said to be designed specifically for the J-20.) A WS-10 engine at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai in September 2021. Chen Jimin/China News Service via Getty Images "In addition to trying to develop an engine that meets the thrust-to-weight requirements of fifth-generation aircraft, Chinese aerospace engineers are struggling to achieve meaningful reliability," according to a report published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, in March. "Currently, Chinese jet engines can at best achieve one-fourth the life span of Western engines," the report says. Ironically, Western countries were once happy to sell aviation technology to China. When relations thawed in the 1970s, China was able to import hardware, such as British-made jet engines, but the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 prompted Western sanctions that halted much of that trade. To manufacture engines, China still needs to import complex machine tools, including equipment made in Germany, Japan, Italy, and South Korea. In addition, China also seeking to exploit Western know-how while its own scientists and engineers gain experience. This includes teaming up with foreign universities to access technical knowledge. A J-20 stealth fighter jet at Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai in November. Deng Hua/Xinhua via Getty Images "China has actively pursued opportunities to gain this knowledge by copying the innovations of other firms, engaging in partnerships that involve technology transfer, and working with universities around the world to gain new insights," the CSIS report said. China is hardly unique in this practice. Nations have always borrowed military expertise and technology from their friends and enemies. The Ottomans blew down the high walls of Constantinople and destroyed the Byzantine Empire in 1453 using newfangled cannons developed by a Hungarian gunmaker. Tsarist Russia imported foreign commanders, including the American naval hero John Paul Jones, who became a Russian admiral. After World War II, the US and the Soviets put former Nazi scientists to work on their ballistic-missile and space-exploration programs. In the end, Western countries are going to have make a choice: Blocking Chinese experts and firms from their hardware and know-how may mean walling themselves off from an immense Chinese market that has fueled decades of economic growth. Correction: June 26, 2023 This story has been updated to note that China has adopted the indigenously developed WS-10 engine for use on its fighter jets. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File The US Coast Guard fielded questions on the cost of its efforts to rescue the Titan submersible. The rescue efforts, which included multiple vessels and aircraft, are estimated to cost millions. On Sunday, a top Coast Guard official said they did not "associate a cost with human life." In response to mounting questions about how much the search-and-rescue mission for the Titan submersible is set to cost taxpayers, a top official said Sunday that the US Coast Guard would not "associate a cost with human life." Rear Adm. John Mauger told reporters that it would be illegal to charge people for the cost of rescuing them. "As a matter of US law and Coast Guard policy, the Coast Guard doesn't charge for search and rescue," Mauger said. "We always answer the call." The value of the extensive search-and-rescue efforts has been hotly debated in the wake of the submersible's implosion, particularly given the immense wealth of its passengers. OceanGate charged its passengers $250,000 apiece to board the Titan submersible, which has been criticized for lacking certifications and safety features. The Titan was launched into the Atlantic Ocean roughly 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, on June 18. Its mission was to ferry passengers 12,500 feet down to the shipwreck of the Titanic. But the vessel went missing after nearly two hours, launching a multinational effort to rescue the five passengers. Vessels from the US, Canada, France, and the UK arrived to scour the ocean's surface and searched an area twice the size of Connecticut. US and Canadian military officials also sent aircraft to the scene and deployed sonar buoys to detect underwater noise up to 13,000 feet deep. Finally, after four days of rescue efforts, a Remotely Operated Vehicle discovered debris from the Titan on the seafloor, some 1,600 feet from the Titanic's bow. Officials said the debris was consistent with a "catastrophic implosion of the vessel." All five passengers are presumed dead. Story continues On Sunday, Mauger said the US Coast Guard often rescued people who put their own lives at risk including people who entered the water with inadequate safety gear, inadequate training, or even while intoxicated. "The ocean remains an unforgiving environment, and every weekend there are risks," Mauger said, adding that "but we still answer the call. We conduct disciplined operations with warranted risk to put our resources and our lives at risk to save others. That's who we are." It's unclear how much was spent on the dayslong effort to locate the Titan. The US Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the submersible's implosion, which an official told reporters on Sunday could result in civil or criminal sanctions. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misstated the day of the press conference. It was on Sunday, not Saturday. Read the original article on Insider Dont feel bad, even Condoleezza Rice thought it could the stalled Wagner Group coup in Russia have been just a Putin psy-op? The former secretary of state appeared Monday on Americas Newsroom, where Fox News host Dana Perino asked the President Bush appointee whether the tales coming out of Moscow could have been nothing more than a Vladimir Putin plan to razzle-dazzle someone. A few people suggested maybe this was all a ruse, that maybe Putin planned all this, Perino said. What do you think of that? Clearly, Rice had already thought this through. Well, I think it probably gives him too much credit, she responded. I at one point I thought, could this be staged? But you wouldnt stage something that makes you look so weak, because really, dictators, authoritarians, rest on three principles: One, is there has to be fear in the population. Secondly, you have to look invincible. Third, there can be no alternatives. Well, this has exploded all of those for Putin. Reports coming out of Russia this weekend suggested that infamous privateer Yevgeny Prigozhin had led his Wagner Group mercenaries on a mutiny mission that stalled as Moscow was fortifying its defenses. Prigozhin was apparently calling for the ouster of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose status remained uncertain Monday, while Prigozhin scuffled off to Belarus in a hasty deal with Putin. Rice suggested that the private Wagner Groups apparent turn and subsequent about-face has inflicted an even deeper wound on Putin and his war, especially when it comes to controlling the narrative within Russia. It also has exploded his myth that the Ukrainian special military operation could take place without any effect on Russia, without any effect on the Russian population, and that it was a just and necessary war, she said. Probably the most damaging thing about this is that Prigozhin said what has been unspoken by those who have supported the war, that this is actually a war that did not have to take place where hundreds of thousands of Russians did not have to die, where a million people didnt have to flee the country. That, to me, is the most damaging thing that Prigozhin has done. Watch the entire segment in the video above. Also Read: Fox News The Five Co-Host Dana Perino Calls Jeopardy! Appearance One of the Most Humiliating Things of My Life (Video) David Bohrman, a longtime producer and news executive who was responsible for innovations in live and special events and breaking news, including at CNN and other networks, died Sunday from complications after hip surgery, according to his family. He was 69. He was the creator of more news programming than almost any other producer working in television news today, CNNs leadership team wrote in a memo to employees on Sunday evening. More from Deadline Wherever he went, David was an innovator using the latest technology to enhance storytelling, they wrote. He was a mentor to many. During his years at CNN, Bohrman embraced new approaches to live events coverage, including the Magic Wall, now a standard on election night, while he was the driving force behind shows like The Situation Room and State of the Union. As senior vice president and Washington bureau chief at CNN, he also launched NewsNight with Aaron Brown and The Moneyline NewsHour. He also produced more than a dozen presidential debates for the network. That included a memorable Republican presidential debate in 2008 when the candidates, gathering at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, were featured against the backdrop of Air Force One. Another debate included questions via YouTube videos, and another was held between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama at the Kodak Theatre. That cycle, he introduced the first live hologram ever in news coverage, with Will.i.am appearing on election night. Bohrman also was executive producer of coverage out of CNNs New York bureau on 9/11, and oversaw coverage of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That included the first live coverage of the battle of Umm Qasr. Story continues After CNN, Bohrman became president of Current TV, Al Gore and Joel Hyatts cable network, as it moved to a line up of progressive hosts. Bohrman previously worked at ABC News, where he created World News Now, and was part of the original staff of Nightline, first as field producer and then senior producer. His Nightline experience included arranging for the first TV signal from Mount Everest. He also worked at NBC News in the 1990s and, in 2000, led Pseudo, an early interactive internet venture. After Gore and Hyatt sold Current TV, Bohrman consulted for networks and other news ventures, particularly for election season coverage, including NBC News in 2016 and CBS News in 2020. CBS News producer Susan Zirinsky, who was president of the network during the last presidential cycle, wrote on Twitter that Bohrman brought our presidential election coverage to a place wed never been. He challenged and inspired us. We were reborn. He started his career at KNXT-TV in Los Angeles. He won six Emmy awards, two Peabody Awards a George Polk award and for duPont awards. Bohrman was born in Los Angeles to Delle Bohrman, a television writer, and Stan Bohrman, a TV newsman and anchor. Bohrman is survived by his wife Catherine, children Amber and Harrison and granddaughters Sloan and Paige. Details on services are pending. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Tracy Ryan, who befriended the wife of 'Titan' sub victim Hamish Harding in 2019, tells PEOPLE she worked for days on trying to get a Magellan sub to help with the search Tracy Ryan Tracy Ryan with Harding family When Tracy Ryan learned Hamish Harding was one of the people missing in the Titan submarine, she pulled out every possible resource to try to help. Ryan who is friends with Linda Harding, wife of the late renowned explorer tells PEOPLE Linda has been very, very overwhelmed." "She has such a beautiful soul," the NKore Biotherapeutics co-founder adds of her friend. "When I heard it was Hamish my heart dropped to my stomach." Feeling helpless, Ryan immediately sprung into action. "I had been working behind the scenes for four days to get the Magellan sub there and get their permits approved because they did have the capabilities to dive all the way down to the site," Ryan shares of the remotely operated vehicles, which are able to descend to depths closer to where the Titan submarine went missing. "And I actually brought a United States Congressman in to work with the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard trying to get them clearance." Dirty Dozen Productions/AFP via Getty Images Ryan first met the Hardings in 2019 through mutual friend Terry Virts, the retired NASA astronaut who has been handling communications for the family amid the tragedy. "I went to Kennedy Space Center, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida when Hamish had funded the around the world in 48 hours event where he and Terry were gonna try and circumnavigate the globe and break the Guinness Book World Records," Ryan says. Related: Hamish Harding Always 'Wanted to See' the 'Titanic' Despite Risks Says Longtime Friend and Explorer Ocean Gate / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images An OceanGate submersible Ryan, a big NASA fan, was invited to attend by Virts, the former International Space Station Commander and United States Air Force colonel. "Linda and I and Terry's dad were all on the same bus to go to the runway where they were gonna take off," Ryan recalls. "I got to meet Hamish and their son Giles. I spent a lot of time with Linda that day and she and I just really bonded." Story continues The two women have stayed in touch ever since. "I loved watching her and Hamish's life and all these exciting adventures they get to go on," she says. "I've just really looked up to this man and this family as a whole for a long time since I met them." 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. After the Titan went missing, Ryan saw a mass email asking for people to contact their local representatives to try and get the Coast Guard and the U.S. government to release the Magellan. "And so that's when I brought in Congressman Eric Swalwell," says Ryan. "He responded to me within like 60 seconds." "For two days he was on the phone with these guys trying to get the Magellan deployed," she adds. "And I had been, you know, messaging all this back and forth with Linda the whole time." Tracy Ryan Ryan says that Linda was "so thankful" for her efforts in trying to "get a capable sub in the water." "This was really more of an effort for me to try and help the family get answers faster. Because the banging in the water that was happening every 30 minutes was giving them so much hope," Ryan recalls. Though widely reported as "banging sounds," U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3) Briana Carter told PEOPLE on Wednesday that those sounds had been "characterized as underwater noise. JOEL SAGET,HANDOUT/Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGat/AFP via Getty Images Related: US Coast Guard Denies Hearing 'Banging Noises' or 'Implosion' as Search for 'Titan' Continues Before news of the implosion broke, current and former members of the U.S. Navy reportedly aired their frustration internally over text exchanges on the Navy's delayed response from the start. "They dragged their feet," one of the U.S. Navy's Master Divers said in the exchange, a Navy insider tells PEOPLE, adding that they were disappointed with their dive command, who took until Wednesday "to send the right equipment." Per a second source, the submersible community had been telling the head of the Coast Guard and the Navy the entire time that they didn't have the right equipment. "They were stonewalling," the source claimed. The U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. "My big thing is that there were more capable submarines ready on the tarmac waiting to be deployed that were blocked for days," Ryan says. "It's my understanding that they called the submarine 'redundant.' They believed that they had all the equipment that they needed." 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. According to Bretton Hunchak, former president and CEO of RMS Titanic, Inc., the Magellan never wound up getting clearance. He tells PEOPLE that he had partnered with Magellan on his own Titanic dive plan when he ran the expedition company, which is similar to OceanGate. Hunchak, who says he was also working behind the scenes unofficially, claims the explorers who died "would have moved heaven and earth for us had the tables been turned. It was a truly irreplaceable group of folks." EyePress News/Shutterstock Titan submersible After the deaths of the sub's five passengers were announced on Thursday, U.S. Navy officials shared with The Wall Street Journal that a top-secret military acoustic detection system heard what is believed to be the Titan submersible implosion hours after the submersible began its voyage. Though her efforts came when it was likely already too late, Ryan is proud she did all she could to help. Related: Everything to Know About the 'Titanic'-Bound Sub That Went Missing She credits her tireless dedication to helping her 10-year-old daughter Sophie Ryan, who has been battling incurable brain cancer since she was 8 months old. The determined mom started a non-profit organization called Saving Sophie and has made it her lifelong mission to help find a cure and help ease the burden of other families going through similar situations. Amanda Edwards/Getty When asked if Sophie has been aware of her mom's heroic efforts this past week, Ryan responded: "Yes, she's been aware of it all. She's been very proud of me for trying to help." Ryan went on to share her deepest condolences to the other families suffering as she remembered her friend's husband as a "remarkable, remarkable, decorated, accomplished human being." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. LAFAYETTE, Ind. A Lafayette couple learned the hard way that their rights as renters aren't as lock solid as they had hoped. Faced with what they described as uninhabitable conditions, the tenants shared with the Journal & Courier their experiences renting a house from a Purdue University adjunct professor. During the six months that the tenants lived in the rental home, the professor, the tenants alleged, did not comply with their maintenance request and did not hold up half of his contractual duties. This left the tenants pondering what rights they have within the state of Indiana. Indiana code 32-31 lays out the law of landlord-tenant relations. Different rights for Hoosier landlords and tenants The Journal & Courier sat down with the Legal Aid Corporation of Tippecanoe County and Tippecanoe County Superior Court 7 Judge Daniel Moore to obtain the information provided in this guide. Legal Aid Corporation of Tippecanoe County is a non-profit organization based in Tippecanoe County aimed at providing low-income residents with free legal assistance for certain litigation. The focus of this guide is for an individual living in Indiana who hopes to learn about their rights as a tenant in the state. For individuals looking for specific information or aid regarding their county, they can visit indianalegalhelp.org/get-help. Indiana Legal Help was a program created by the Indiana Bar Foundation in 2018 with the goal of making it easier for all Hoosiers to find legal assistance. What responsibilities do Indiana landlords and tenants hold to each other? Landlords Before examining what rights tenants hold within the state of Indiana, its essential to establish what responsibilities both landlords and tenants are expected to meet. The land has a duty to provide a property that meets the warranty of habitability. The warranty of habitability is a legal doctrine that was established in 1970 after the decision in the landmark case Javins v. First National Realty Corporation. It helped create the standard in which landlords have a duty to maintain a safe and clean residence for tenants to reside in. Story continues According to Indiana code 32-31, the landlord-tenant relations section, it states that a landlord must provide a tenant with a rental property that is considered safe, clean, in a habitable condition and complies with all of the local health and housing codes and ordinances. The landlord must also ensure that the property provides and maintains a working electrical system, plumbing system that provides both cold and hot water, sanitary systems, heating in the colder periods of the year, an air condition unit in the hotter periods of the year, ventilation in the property, appliances and elevator (if applicable). Angela Moody and Randall Tanksely take a break from cleaning out the backyard of the property they were evicted from Chaofeng Liu, an adjunct professor at Purdue University in the Department of Statistics, on Monday, June 5, 2023, in Lafayette, Ind. If the landlord signed a contract with a tenant, they are prohibited from changing the locks on the property, removing personal property or appliances from the unit, disrupting utilities or essential services and entering the rental unit without providing the tenant with a reasonable notice, during the contractual period of the lease. However, this does not apply if the landlord was authorized by a court order to do so or in the case of an emergency. Tenants When a tenant signs a lease with a landlord, they are obligated by the law to maintain a level of cleanliness within the unit, which would be defined by local health and housing codes and ordinances. The tenant must not damage or deface the property they are renting beyond a regular notion of wear and tear. Although the concept of wear and tear was not defined within the Indiana code, the term is defined as the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use in Webster's dictionary. The tenant must follow the provisions detailed in the rental agreement that they signed with the landlord. It should be noted that the landlord cannot include unlawful provisions in the lease which would violate Indiana law. A hole in the ceiling of the house where Angela Moody and Randall Tanksely were renting from Chaofeng Liu, an adjunct professor at Purdue University in the Department of Statistics, on Monday, June 5, 2023, in Lafayette, Ind. For example, the landlord cannot enforce a provision that would allow the landlord into the property at any time without notice, a provision that states the landlord is not liable for any damage done to a person or property if the landlord is negligent in their responsibility to maintain the property, a provision that states the landlord can raise the rent on a tenant at any time, or a provision that allows a landlord to take a tenants personal property if the tenant failed to pay rent. The most important responsibility that a tenant holds is the obligation to pay the landlord the entire sum amount of rent by the contractual date set, even if the landlord does not uphold their half of the agreement. Indiana is one of six states that does not allow tenants to withhold rent from their landlord if the landlord is unable to complete maintenance by the end of the contractual month. This is in large part due to how the states courts have interpreted the Landlord Tenant Act of 2002, which established that a tenants duty to pay rent and a landlords duty to maintain a habitable residence for a tenant are independent of each other. What rights do tenants in Indiana have? When it comes to Indiana, the state is considered to have some of the weakest tenant rights in the country. Unlike in other parts of the country, Indiana does not have a rent escrow system put in place if a landlord fails to live up to half of the agreement. A rent escrow is a legal process that allows tenants to temporarily make their rental payments through a third party rather than directly to the landlord. Normally, a tenant would need to provide their landlord with proper notice about the escrow and receive approval from a judge before the renter could start withholding their rent until the landlord complies with the maintenance request. Instead of that system, Indiana tenants are obligated to pay rent and if they wanted their landlord to conduct maintenance on a property, but theyve continuously failed to complete it, then the tenant only has two real options for enforcement contacting the countys code enforcement or litigation. Depending on the city or county one resides in, the entity a tenant will need to contact regarding code enforcement may vary. If the issues relate to the structure of the building, like holes in the floor or roof, fire hazards in or around the structure, decaying beams on the property and things of that nature, then a tenant should report the issue to the citys building inspector or engineering office. If the issues relate to aspects of the building that may cause harm to ones health, like severe cases of black mold or contaminated water, the tenant should report the issue to their county health department. The issue of mold will vary based on the county, depending on if the countys health code addresses mold in rentals. Mold is a very tricky subject, because in some states, like Texas, they have a lot of renters rights and mold rights and very specific litigation law about mold, said Luisa White, the executive director of the Legal Aid Corporation of Tippecanoe County. Indiana does not have that. For individuals who may be afraid to report these issues to local officials out of concern of retaliation from their landlords, in 2021, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law that prohibited landlords from retaliating against tenants who have engaged in protected activities, like reporting a voluntary housing inspection request. Tenants have the right to process an inspection of a property from local entities without the concern of retaliation. If the local entity determines that the property has issues that need to be fixed, then the landlord must comply with the orders given by the entity within a reasonable amount of time, or else they face fines from the local entity. The second way a tenant can have their landlord meet the warranty of habitability requirement on a unit would be by filing a lawsuit with the county court. If the landlord fails to conduct their half of the agreement, whether it's because the landlord is not maintaining the property, not providing a required system highlighted in the lease, or failing to keep the property in habitable condition, then the tenant has the right to sue their landlord. There is nothing at law or policy that would prevent a tenant from bringing any breaches they might allege against a landlord to court, said Judge Daniel Moore of Tippecanoe County Superior Court 7. According to Indiana law, there is only one way in which a tenant could have their landlord reduce their rent if they believe the property requires maintenance, and that would be with a repair and deduct clause in the lease. If a tenant has informed the landlord of the maintenance request of an essential service and has given them a reasonable amount of time to make the repairs, but the landlord fails to do so, then the tenant may repair the issue themselves, and deduct the cost from their rent. Tenants are advised to get every significant interaction with the landlord in the form of writing when dealing with the property so the court has a paper trail to follow rather than having to rely on hearsay testimony. Beyond that, if a tenant fails to provide rent by the contractual due date, according to Indiana law, they have at least 10 days (or sooner if the tenant agreed to a lease specifying an earlier date) to pay the landlord, before the landlord can move forward with the eviction process. The failure to pay is one of several reasons a landlord may use to begin the eviction process. The others are due to a breach of contract, if the tenant poses an immediate threat to the safety of the landlord, or due to a nonrenewal of the lease. Security deposits must be returned within 45 days After the lease of the property has ended, the landlord has 45 days to return a sum of the tenants total security deposit back to them. The tenant must provide the landlord with a forwarding address, so the landlord can provide the tenant with an itemized written notice of the assessed damages to the property. The landlord may subtract money from the deposit if it pays any unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, and/or cost of damages that go beyond regular wear and tear. You cant necessarily get charged for normal wear and tear. Theyll try and charge you for carpet cleaning and painting, but why if its not damaged, White said. If the landlord failed to provide the tenant with their deposit after 45 days of moving out of the property, then a tenant may recover all of the security deposit due to the tenant and reasonable attorney's fees. If a tenant or landlord wants to hold a damage hearing with the court to assess how much of the security deposit is owed to the tenant, it is normally held after the 45 days dictated by law. In smaller counties where eviction hearings arent heard too often, the judge may hold the eviction and damages hearings at the same time. Its advised that if a tenant were to attend a damage hearing in hopes of retrieving their security deposit, they ought to provide as much evidence as possible to help illustrate to the judge the number of damages they did to the property. A lot of the times, people forget to take photos and pictures of the property from when they first move in, so they have that on record. So, when they move out and take new photos, they can compare the two and justify how much damage was done in the residence, said Brandon Somerville, a Legal Navigator with the Pro Bono Indianas Eviction Judicare Program. For individuals looking for specific information or aid regarding their county, they can visit indianalegalhelp.org/get-help. Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter at 1NoePadilla. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: As Hoosier renters, what are your rights? Not the same as a landlord's BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The number of drug-related criminal cases in China has continued to decline in recent years, data from the country's top court showed on Monday. Chinese courts at all levels concluded a total of some 37,000 first-instance drug-related cases in 2022, continuing a downward trend that began in 2015, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said on Monday, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Drug-related court cases accounted for 3.59 percent of all criminal cases in China in 2022, down from 8.35 percent in 2018, according to the SPC. The SPC has also published the details of 10 typical criminal cases related to drugs in a bid to demonstrate its consistent crackdown on such crimes in accordance with the law, and to raise public awareness of the dangers of drugs. China has made headway in its containment of drug-related criminal cases in recent years, but its endeavors continue to face various risks and challenges as new types of drugs and digital technologies are increasingly involved in such crimes, said Li Ruiyi, an official of the SPC. One of Hollywoods most eligible bachelors! Jacob Elordi achieved heartthrob status early in his career, and he has been involved in high-profile relationships ever since. The actor began dating Joey King after meeting her on the set of 2018s The Kissing Booth. There wasnt one moment, she told Seventeen in June 2018 of how their relationship went from friendship to something more. When we first met, me, him and Joel [Courtney] went out to dinner and we had the best, most fun night ever. By the end of dinner, we had, like, six inside jokes. We were so close and throughout filming, I was just best friends with Jacob. I guess there was no moment, but I feel like the friendship kind of naturally was like, Oh, hey, this person is super frickin awesome. We have so much in common and we really love spending time together. Maybe theres something more there. She continued: It was never, like, this moment of OMG, I cant let him see me like this. You know what I mean? We were open books with each other. There was nothing we wouldnt talk about. Hes just so great. After the first month, I was like, Hmm, I think I like him. After Elordi and King split, he moved on with his Euphoria costar Zendaya, though he tried to downplay their romance in December 2019. Shes like my sister, the 2 Hearts star told GQ Australia at the time. Zendaya is an amazing creative, you know? Shes super dope to work with. Shes an incredible artist and a very caring person to all of us. But were all really close. There is not one weak link in that show. Despite Elordis insistence that he and Zendaya were like family, Us Weekly later confirmed they were dating after they were spotted showing PDA. The Australia native and the Disney Channel alum quietly broke up in 2020, but he did not stay single for long. He dated Kaia Gerber for one year and the pair kept their relationship relatively private. However, following their 2021 split, he had nothing but kind words to say about the model. Story continues She handles herself wonderfully publicly, he told Mens Health in December 2021, noting that he learned so much from Gerber about how to handle fame. [She taught me] how to deal with it and just kind of be whatever about it, you know? That same month, Elordi was linked to Olivia Jade Giannulli, with a source exclusively telling Us that the two were keeping it casual. Us confirmed the pair's relationship in May 2022 before they split that August. Nearly one year later, Elordi and Lori Loughlins youngest daughter sparked reconciliation rumors after being spotted together out in L.A. This month theyve been to New York and decided to go to Italy to get away from it all, an insider exclusively told Us in June 2023 after the duo were seen near Portofino on vacation. They wanted to see if their connection was still there. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! Scroll through the gallery below to revisit Elordis dating history: Taipei Film Festival is aiming to shine an international spotlight on Taiwanese actors through a new initiative, Top Talents, that will showcase nine actors including major stars Kai Ko and Chen Bolin. Other actors selected for the initiative include Chen Yi-wen, who won a Golden Horse Award for A Sun; Taipei Film Award winners Hsu Wei-ning and Gingle Wang; Caitlin Fang who won best newcomer awards at both Golden Horse and Taipei Film Awards for American Girl; and Golden Bell Award regulars Hsueh Shih-ling, Esther Liu and Tseng Pei-yu. More from Deadline Collaborating with Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), the festival drew up a longlist from more than one hundred actors who had won prizes at Taiwans Golden Horse Awards, Golden Bell Awards, which focus on TV production, and Taipei Film Awards. The final list was selected by a committee of seven filmmakers including Taipei Film Festival director Li Ya-mei, executive producer Lee Lieh, international co-production experts Michelle Yeh, Aileen Li and Patrick Mao Huang, Sony Pictures Releasing Taiwan managing director Ken Yu and film director Tom Shu-yu Lin. We aim to introduce more and more outstanding actors to the overseas audiences and production companies, helping them shine on the world stage, said Taipei Film Festival in a statement. The nine actors will be promoted as part of TAICCAs international activities at events including Busan International Film Festival and Singapores Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF). As part of the promotion, some of Taiwans top stylists and photographers have produced a set of professional portraits, while director Kassey CM Huang and Bird of Paradise Films have produced a series of promotional videos shot in English or French. Story continues Taipei Film Festival director Li Ya-mei explained that Taiwans film and TV industries have recently focused on pitching, co-production and sales activities in an attempt to reach international markets, but that Taiwanese actors also have potential to attract attention, along similar lines to stars from South Korea and Japan. Now the audiences love watching Japanese and Korean films and dramas. Didnt most of them start with being attracted to the stars? In the heydays of our film and television industries, we exported so many productions to the world thanks to those big stars, Li said. Kai Ko, who won best new performer at the Golden Horse Awards for Youre The Apple Of My Eye in 2011, is a big star across the region and recently made his directing debut with Bad Education. Chen Bolin is also a major star in both Taiwan and mainland Chinas film industries, with credits including anthology Distance, the Chinese adaptation of Miss Granny and TV series In Time With You. Taipei Film Festival is currently underway (June 22-July 8). While the event was able to take place during the pandemic, this is the first year since 2019 that international guests are able to attend. As an island, Taiwan managed to keep tight control over Covid infection rates during the pandemic, but also kept it borders tightly closed. Last years Taiwan Creative Content Festival and Golden Horse Film Festival were the first major events to welcome international guests. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. With Kanye West facing a lawsuit for allegedly using an uncleared sample from the pioneering rap group Boogie Down Productions, his lawyers are making an unusual argument: That a Boogie Down founder promised all future rappers that you will not get sued. In a motion filed Friday, lawyers for West (who legally changed his name to Ye) asked a Manhattan federal judge to toss out the November lawsuit, which claims West included an illegal sample from the 1986 song South Bronx on his own his Life of the Party, released on 2021s Donda. More from Billboard In doing so, they pointed to a brief moment from a 2006 documentary called The Art of 16 Bars, in which Boogie Down founder KRS-One emphatically states that he would not file such a lawsuit. I give to all MCs my entire catalogue, he allegedly said in the documentary, which is available in its entirety on YouTube. You will not get sued if you sample a KRS-One record or do an interpolation of my lyrics, anything. My entire catalogue is open to the public. The quote, Wests lawyers say, calls into question the ownership of the copyrights that he allegedly infringed. They say the group that filed the case, Phase One Network, must now prove that it and not MCs around the world actually controls the Boogie Down copyrights. The case over Life of the Party is one of several recent lawsuits that claim West illegally sampled or interpolated existing music in his tracks. In May 2022, a Texas pastor named David P. Moten accused the rapper of sampling from his recorded sermon in Come to Life; a month later, he was sued again, for using a snippet of Marshall Jeffersons 1986 house track Move Your Body in the song Flowers. Such allegations were nothing new. In 2019, West and Pusha T were sued for sampling George Jacksons I Cant Do Without You on the track Come Back Baby. That same year, he was sued for allegedly using an audio snippet of a young girl praying in his 2016 song Ultralight Beam. Further back, West was hit with similar cases over samples used in New Slaves, Bound 2, and My Joy. Story continues Launching its own lawsuit in November, Phase One claimed that Wests people reached out to clear the use of Boogie Downs South Bronx but then released it anyway when a deal was never struck. Despite the fact that final clearance for use of South Bronx in the infringing track was never authorized, the infringing track was nevertheless reproduced. But in Fridays motion to dismiss, Wests lawyers argued that West had only ever used the Boogie Down sample while experimenting in the studio, and had removed the clip from Life of the Party when he was unable to secure a license. Under those circumstances, Wests lawyers say his use of the clip was covered by copyrights fair use defense. Defendants use of South Bronx while creating the track and experimenting with it with the intent to contact the license holder for approval, as evidence by such act, is undoubtedly fair use. Best of Billboard Click here to read the full article. Amid her heated years-long divorce, Moore smiles ear to ear in the next 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' during a rare rendezvous with Roi Shlomo, who makes her feel "like a woman again" Leon Bennett/Getty; Roi Shlomo/Instagram Kenya Moore got a moment to spend with love interest Roi Shlomo despite their booked schedules. A preview of next Sundays The Real Housewives of Atlanta episode shows Moore greeting her new man after dancing with daughter Brooklyn while filming promotional footage for Kenya Moore Hair Care. Roi is just really difficult to pin down because he is actually worldwide, says Moore, 52. But she adds, He is a keeper! Related: Kenya Moore's New Love Interest Makes Her Feel 'Like a Woman Again' amid Divorce: 'I Just Feel Alive' Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Moore revealed her new love interest in the first episode of RHOAs season 15. Monyetta [Shaw] is best friends with this super bachelor named Roi, Moore said in the episode. So she made an introduction. And Im kind of crazy about him. Hes been very kind to me. Hes funny. He makes me feel alive. And hes not bad on the eyes. Shes also described the Kale Me Crazy entrepreneur as a sweetheart and said she feels like a woman again because of her new relationship. Related: Kenya Moore Says She Felt 'Stifled' and Had to Be a 'Certain Type of Wife' to Marc Daly Before Divorce Moores connection with Shlomo is her first since she announced her divorce from Marc Daly. The exes married in 2017 and confirmed their split in May 2021. The divorce process is still ongoing. The RHOA star has spoken openly about the split both on and outside of the Bravo series. I felt like my voice was stifled a lot because I felt like I had to be a certain kind of wife to get along with him and his personality," she said during an episode of Tamron Hall in January. "That's not what a marriage is about." 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. The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Phil Stringer and the flight attendants. Phil Stringer A TikToker said his Sunday flight from Oklahoma City to Charlotte was delayed 18 hours. Phil Stringer ended up being the only one on his flight, so he got to sit wherever he wanted. Stringer captured the unique and hilarious experience in a viral TikTok post. Phil Stringer was trying to return home from Oklahoma City to Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday morning, but his plane was delayed repeatedly. After waiting in the airport for 18 hours, he said, he was rewarded by being the only person on the flight when it finally took off. He got a free pass into first class and a private party with the crew. Stringer, who serves as the chief operating officer for a real-estate brokerage in North Carolina, captured highlights of his unusual experience in a TikTok post that has been viewed over 3 million times in less than a day. Stringer told Insider his American Airlines flight was set to depart at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday but was perpetually delayed because of maintenance issues. He said his initial flight was full but that he didn't notice many other people rebooking the flight. When the flight was finally able to leave at midnight, and Stringer arrived at the gate, no one was there. "I went to the gate and nobody was there. I was like, 'Did you guys already board everyone?'" he said, adding that the flight attendant "was like, 'No, honey, you're the only passenger.'" Stringer said he felt bad the flight crew was called in to staff this flight just for him because it was so late. "I apologized like 400 times," he said, adding that he tried to change his flight several times but this was the only one that worked, as he needed to get home. "They were kind of teasing me, like, 'Really, bro, you couldn't have left a few hours later?'" he added. Despite all the unfortunate circumstances, when his flight finally flew at 12:20 a.m., the journey was a blast. As viewers can watch in his viral TikTok, the crew allowed Stringer to sit wherever he wanted and served him whatever drink or food he asked for. Story continues Flight attendants could also be seen giggling and riffing with him as they performed the airplane safety routine and cheering for another attendant as she demonstrated putting on a life vest. He told Insider that whenever the crew would make a mandatory overhead announcement, they would add: "And, yeah, Phil, this message is just for you." He said they laughed and joked the whole time and eventually exchanged numbers. Commenters have been amused by Stringer's turn of events, and people who identified themselves as flight attendants said this was not an inconvenience but a "dream" work scenario. "As a flight attendant, this is the DREAM! Welcome to your private charter," one top commenter wrote. "I've always wanted to work a flight with one passenger," another added. Stringer said that what could have gone down as a nightmare travel tale ended up being a wholesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience for him. "I believe that your attitude determines your destination," Stringer said. "Yeah, it was a sucky day. No one wants to stay in the airport for 18 hours, but if you have a positive view, you can turn something into a lot of fun." Videos about airplane travel are a fixture on TikTok and they usually go viral for unsavory reasons, like a man being trapped in an airport hallway for two hours or people arguing over which row seat gets to use which armrest. Stringer's video is a positive exception where people are celebrating airline travel. American Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Insider Izhar Harlev, the co-creator and head writer for Mossad 101 and The Gordin Cell, is set to showrun Maggiore, a thriller series revolving around the sinking of a boat full of Israeli and Italian intelligence officers on Lake Maggiore in the Swiss Alps. Ordered by leading Israeli network Yes TV (Fauda, Shtisel), Maggiore is being developed and produced by Dafna Prenner at Israels Artza Productions, the banner behind Netflixs hit show The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem; Leo Maidenberg at Paris-based Place du Marche and Jad Ben Ammar at Kador (Sisters in Arms) and his new banner Talea Produzioni in Italy. More from Variety The eight-part series will revolve around the sinking of the small boat on Lake Maggiore on May 28 and the chain of events that followed the tragedy. The boat sank after being hit by a violent storm. Out of the 23 passengers on board, four people drowned, including a former agent of Israels spy agency Mossad, two Italian intelligence officers and a Russian woman. The shipwreck has been the subject of wild speculations with some Italian outlets claiming the boat trip was hosting a private meeting between Israeli and Italian intelligence offers, as the BBC reported. As many as 21 people on the boat were spies or former spies, including 13 from the Mossad and eight from the Italian intelligence services, according to the New York Times. The location of the drowning has also sparked some conspiracy theories, being between Lombardy, which manufactures technology for military and civilian use, and Switzerland, where intelligence members routinely transit, as pointed out by the BBC. The shipwreck is currently being investigated by Iocal authorities while the boats skipper is being investigated on suspicion of negligent homicide. Harlev, who also worked on Your Honor and Valley of Tears, is writing the script of Maggiore with story editor Ester Namdar Tamam, who was a writer on The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem. Story continues There are way more questions than answers about what really took place on that boat and what happened in the aftermath of its sinking, Prenner told Variety. For instance, why did Israel send a private plane to evacuate the Israeli victims? The series will raise other questions, such as why survivors immediately disappeared from the scene, who the Russian wife of the boats captain was and how Iran and Russia fit in the story. The producer said an investigative journalist is also part their team and has access to behind-the-scenes information through inside sources. Ben Ammar, meanwhile, said the idea behind Maggiore was to create a mystery series portraying Italian intelligence officers in a way theyve never been shown. Like The Bureau was the first series to show that French spies could be sexy enough to lure international audiences, we want to do the same with Italians, said Ben Ammar, who recently bowed the Italian outfit Talea Produzioni. He said the series might be expanded into an anthology revolving around mysterious accidents. Maidenberg said the show will also be packed with suspense and action, bringing together a strong creative team who have worked on some of the best contemporary thrillers with geo-political elements. Maidenberg said Maggiore will be budgeted at roughly $2 million per episode, with a cast of Israeli and European actors. Place du Marche and Artza Productions are already working on Hooligans (with Elvie Productions), an Israeli series penned by Lee Gilat (Tehran, Your Honor) and Harlev about a delivery boy who unwillingly becomes an infiltrator within the Israeli right-wing movement. There are a lot of affinities between French and Israeli talent and producers, and broadcasters in our respective countries often look for the same type of shows, Prenner said. Hooligans has been ordered by Canal+ in France and Kan 11 in Israel. Besides shows like The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem and Stockholm, Artza Productions has also delivered formats such as Couch Diaries and The Grand Plan. 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. We got our first footage of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon last week during the Dead City premiere with a new promo for the spin-off that showed Norman Reedus' titular character lost at sea, passed out on a lifeboat after some sort of apparent shipwreck. But now it's time to get our first look at the show on land! In the above teaser, we see Daryl washing ashore thank God for the tides! and walking across a beach littered with abandoned cars and bikes before finally coming upon a decimated seaside town. Reedus spoke to EW about how he ended up here, and what his character makes of these strange new surroundings. "His journey was a long one," says the actor. "Longer and even harder and weirder than you would think. He was so close to getting what he wanted and to where he wanted to be. And, of course, in Walking Dead rules, he had it ripped away. To Daryl, you might as well have dropped him on the moon. This world now, it's bigger, it's deeper, and just as heavy, if not heavier." The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon AMC Norman Reedus on 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' And we start to see that heaviness unfold in the new footage. "My name is Daryl Dixon," says Reedus' character. "I come from a place called the Commonwealth. I went out looking for something. All I found is trouble." Ohhhhhh, ominous. What kind of trouble? Well, we know that the new series, set in France, has a connection to The Walking Dead: World Beyond finale credits scene, which showed a French lab studying a different variant of walkers that might have different abilities than those we have seen before. Is that the trouble to which Daryl is referring, or is it just you know, being shipwrecked? Also, to whom is he talking? Us? Himself? Someone else? Merle's ghost? So many questions! Regardless, it's also interesting that Daryl refers to himself as being from the Commonwealth, although it does track when you consider that Daryl left Alexandria after Rick Grimes' disappearance before making the Commonwealth his (somewhat unwelcome) home. Being such a loner as he is, Daryl never really had a "home" per se. Nowhere is his home. Story continues Check out the new Daryl Dixon footage above. 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: The move follows a similar decision from Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, who is also destined to rule Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Prince Christian of Denmark at an accession celebration for Queen Margrethe in September 2022. Prince Christian of Denmark wont be accepting a royal allowance just yet. On Monday, the Danish Royal House announced that the future king will not be taking the government funding he is entitled to by law when he turns 18 in October. Instead, the eldest son of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary will continue to focus on his studies, and the issue will be revisited when he turns 21 or if there is a change of throne. Christians grandmother Queen Margrethe is currently Denmarks reigning sovereign. His Royal Highness Prince Christian turns 18 on 15 October 2023, courtiers said in a statement on Instagram Monday, posting the princes cypher. Prince Christian's main priority in the coming year will be the completion of the Prince's upper secondary education. In continuation of this, the Royal Palace will provide information on Prince Christian's further youth and education courses when the time is right. RELATED: Tiara Time! Crown Princess Mary and Queen Margrethe of Denmark Sparkle During Norway Royal Visit Keld Navntoft, Kongehuset Prince Christian with his parents Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary. It has thus been agreed with the Prime Minister's Office that support will only be sought in the Folketing [Danish Parliament] for a law on annuities when the Prince turns 21 or upon a possible change of throne, if it takes place before that, the update from the Danish Royal House continued. Only after this is the expectation that His Royal Highness will participate to a greater extent in official contexts. However, it depends on where the Prince is at this point in his education. Until then, just like today, Prince Christian will only participate in official contexts to a limited extent. While Christian has stepped out with his parents and siblings Princess Isabella, 15, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 12, for royal events like the Royal Run in Copenhagen and Queen Margrethes birthday celebrations, he is not yet a full-time working royal. The prince follows his father Frederik, 54, as second in the line of succession and currently attends the Ordrup Gymnasium school. Story continues Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Queen Margrethe on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace for her 83rd birthday with her grandchildren. The decision for Christian to delay his annual allowance follows a trend set by Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands. In June 2021, the heir to the Dutch throne wrote to Prime Minister Mark Rutte explaining that she would be turning down the nearly $2 million government-funded allowance she was entitled to on her 18th birthday. The Princess of Orange said she would not accept the allowance until she took up a full-time royal role. RELATED: Kate Middleton and Prince William Join Royals from Around the World in Epic Group PhotoCan You Spot Them? "On 7 December 2021 I will be 18 and, according to the law, receive an allowance," she said in a letter published by local outlet NOS. "I find that uncomfortable as long as I do not do anything for it in return, and while other students have a much tougher time of it, particularly in this period of coronavirus." The eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima added that she planned to take a gap year before beginning her undergraduate studies. She said she would repay the nearly $400,000 she was entitled to during her time as a student and would not claim $1.6 million in expenses "until I incur high costs in my role as Princess of Orange." Patrick van Katwijk/Getty King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands with Princess Catharina-Amalia of The Netherlands Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! According to her royal bio, the future queen of the Netherlands, 19, spent her gap year interning with the Orange Fund and volunteering. She is currently studying politics, psychology, law and economics at the University of Amsterdam. When her school schedule allows, Princess Catharina-Amalia joins her parents at certain engagements to prepare for her future role as head of state. The princess recently attended the Buckingham Palace reception the night before King Charles' historic coronation in London, and the royal wedding banquet for Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Rajwa Alseif. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Prince William launched his new homelessness initiative with help from another beloved British celebrity: Geri Halliwell, otherwise known as Ginger Spice. The Prince of Wales, 41, and the pop star, 50, teamed up on Monday, June 26, to promote William's Homewards project, which aims to combat homelessness in the United Kingdom. The duo visited Maindee Primary School in Newport, Wales, where they learned how schools can play a role in intervening at the earliest point to prevent students from becoming homeless. William's Homewards program will unite an unprecedented network of organizations and individuals" by tapping into their expertise to create and deliver a tailored plan to prevent homelessness in their areas, Kensington Palace said in a statement on Monday. The five-year plan will be implemented in six flagship locations around the U.K., each of which will receive up to 500,000 in seed funding from Homewards. Findings from the flagship locations' work will be used elsewhere across the U.K. and around the world. In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need, William said in a statement announcing the initiative. Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the U.K. hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate. Halliwell, for her part, shared a snap from the Wales trip with her Instagram followers on Monday, saying that "it was a pleasure" to join William and meet Maindee's head, Joanne Cueto. "Education is instrumental in helping to break the generational cycle of homelessness, and it was great to hear about the work Jo and her team are doing to help families in the community," Halliwell wrote. "Through #Homewards we can help to scale up efforts like this through more collaboration and show that together we can end homelessness. This is why Im so pleased to be a Homewards Advocate, helping to champion this program." Story continues Earlier this month, William said that he doesn't want to interfere with government policy, but rather hopes that Homewards is an "additive" to what politicians are already working on. "Its bringing all wonderful people and pieces together of the puzzle," he told the Sunday Times. From that, we can then get other councils in other parts of the country to copy. Its about momentum. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! Keep scrolling for more photos of William and Halliwell's charity project: See you further on up the road? The current Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tour, which comes to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Aug. 30, Sept. 1 and 3, is scheduled to conclude on Dec. 10 and 12 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. But that might not be the end of it. E Street Band guitarist, and long-time Springsteen confidant Steven Van Zandt, stated the E Street Band will be back after the current tour dates, and the hope is it's in 2024. Right now it is a hope, tweeted Van Zandt on Sunday, June 25, to a question of whether or not 2024 dates are in the works and if the dates will include Finland. We are waiting for many complicating factors that are out of our control for a final decision. But if this miraculous tour miraculously continues, I cannot promise anything, but I will personally vote to include Finland! Home of the legend, Michael Monroe!" Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the Prudential Center in Newark on April 14. Monroe is the lead vocalist for the hair metal band Hanoi Rocks. As for the tour, there are multiple factors involved with planning the '24 dates, Van Zandt said. Availability of a limited amount of venues, hotels, planes, trucks, buses, cars, crewmembers, staging, sound systems, lights, video screens, etc, etc, etc., Van Zandt said. Every possible band and individual artist capable of touring is doing so like never before all at the same time. Right now it is a hope. We are waiting for many complicating factors that are out of our control for a final decision. But if this miraculous tour miraculously continues, I cannot promise anything, but I will personally vote to include Finland! Home of the legend, Michael Monroe! https://t.co/48Dzs7IoFB Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) June 25, 2023 The current tour does not include Australia, New Zealand and Tennessee, Van Zandt noted. Story continues We somehow missed Tennessee this tour, which is unfortunate, Van Zandt said. Your vast amount of essential music history blues, rockabilly, soul and country deserves ultimate respect. We have done memorable shows there and we will be back. An added dimension to the Springsteen touring question is possible dates with his new Night Shift band, which performed songs from the Boss' Only the Strong Survive solo album on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November. Bruce Springsteen and his "Only the Strong Survive" band performed on the Nov. 16, 2022, episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Night Shift band member (and former E Streeter) David Sancious told the Asbury Park Press that Springsteen would like to do some more live performances with that ensemble in January. Sancious recently told Mojo that he's been working with Springsteen on an Only the Strong Survive sequel, and that next year, I should be touring the album with Bruce. The Night Shift band, as they appeared on Fallon, includes Sancious on keyboards; Ron Aniello, musical director and guitar; Rose Blanshei, bass; Zoe Brecher, drums; Anthony Almonte, percussion; Henry Hay, keyboards; Francesca Dardani and Katie Jacoby, violin; Eddie Manion, baritone sax; Curt Ramm and Barry Danielian, trumpet; Richie LaBamba Rosenberg, trombone; Stan Harrison, tenor sax; and Curtis King, Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Felicia Douglass, Dennis Collins, Fonzi Thorton and Vaneese Thomas, background vocals. Atlantic City: Teaser for Fallout 76 update references Bruce Springsteen classic Manion, Ramm, Almonte, Danielian, King, Lowell and Moore are currently on tour with Springsteen and the E Street Band, which has regularly performed Nightshift from Only the Strong Survive on the current tour. Springsteen and E Street are playing stadiums in Europe and come back to the States with shows Aug. 9 and 11 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Area shows include Aug. 16 and 18 at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philly, and then the MetLife shows. If it was up to Bruce and the band we would tour everywhere forever, tweeted Van Zandt on Sunday. Were just starting to figure out how to do this! Subscribe to app.com for the latest on Bruce Springsteen and the New Jersey music scene. Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen tour 2024 will it happen? Little Steven has 'hope' PHNOM PENH, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A three-week campaign for the seventh general election in Cambodia will be held from July 1 to July 21, the country's National Election Committee (NEC) announced in a statement on Monday. Eighteen political parties will campaign for the election, which is scheduled for July 23, 2023. NEC's chairman Prach Chan urged all political parties to follow laws and regulations to ensure a peaceful, non-violent and smooth campaign. "The NEC calls on all political parties, candidates, and supporters to abide by the rules, regulations and principles set out in the Law on the Election of Members of the National Assembly as well as ethics and principles set by the NEC," he said in the statement. He also called on authorities at all levels to take a "neutral position" to coordinate with all political parties to ensure a fair, transparent and smooth campaign. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Monday that if his ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) continues to win the forthcoming election, the seventh-term government will be formed on Aug. 29. The CPP has ruled the country since 1979. In the last general election held five years ago, the CPP won all 125 seats in the National Assembly. The post The Swell Season Return with The Answer Is Yes, Their First New Music in Over 10 Years: Stream appeared first on Consequence. Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard have reunited as The Swell Season to share The Answer Is Yes ahead of their upcoming summer tour (get tickets here). Stream their first new music together in over a decade below. As Irglova explained in a statement, the sentimental duet came together during a trip Hansard made to Iceland to connect about their tour, which celebrates the 15th anniversary of Once, the 2007 Irish musical drama in which they starred and featured their original music. The track features frequent Swell Season collaborators Marja Gaynor and Bertrand Galen, as well as contributions from several Icelandic musicians: Tina Dico and Helgi Hrafn Jonsson on vocals, orvaldur or orvaldsson on drums, and Gumundur Oskar Gumundsson on bass. Once the duo began sharing ideas about new music, Irglova set out to write a song they could sing together each night and felt right for the time and place; deeply personal and yet widely universal. She added that The Answer Is Yes is meant to summarize our journey through the past 20 years, paying tribute to all that once was and celebrating all that now is. Hansard said it became almost inevitable that they would write new material while preparing for the tour. Creatively, Marketas in a place that reminds me of Joni, where she speaks very honest and clearly, he said. Which can be quite intimidating, but is a wonderful contrast to how I write. For me the ideas that bubble up to the surface when were together are the ones shes meant to be part of. During the tour, The Swell Season will play a pair of shows in Hansards native Ireland before heading to Nashville for a US run featuring dates in New York City, Los Angeles, DC, and more. Grab your seats here. Story continues Irglova and Hansards most recent album as The Swell Season, Strict Joy, was released in 2009. The Swell Season Return with The Answer Is Yes, Their First New Music in Over 10 Years: Stream Eddie Fu Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took his Twitter feed to some low places over the weekend when he was duped by a satire website into sharing literal fake news about country music icon Garth Brooks. Abbott linked to a story about Brooks from a satire website called The Dunning-Kruger Times. If the name alone isnt enough of a giveaway, the site states outright that its part of a network of parody, satire, and tomfoolery, and adds: If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined. The story Abbott shared says Brooks was booed off the stage at the 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston, Texas. But the jamboree isnt a real event, and Hambriston isnt a real place details that apparently raised no red flags with the governor as he tweeted the story. Go woke. Go broke, Abbott tweeted. Good job, Texas. Texas, for the record, loves Brooks as much as anywhere. He sold out the 72,000-seat NRG Stadium in Houston and the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington when his tour visited the Lone Star State last year. Abbott deleted his tweet, but offered no apology to his constituents or Brooks for sharing the fake report. And while the tweet itself is gone, it was preserved online by a number of people, including Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas): .@GregAbbott_TX just accidentally posted a satire article because he wants to hate on queer Texans and Garth Brooks so bad. The Texas Country Jamboree doesnt exist. Hambriston, Texas is not real. And the Governor is not fit to tweet, much less govern. Happy pride! pic.twitter.com/Q5UJHPf66v Greg Casar (@GregCasar) June 25, 2023 Journalist Christopher Hooks also shared a screenshot of the tweet, and followed up with an excerpt from the story the governor fell for: Story continues this is the very real content of the story that hes putting out. Possible hes just not a very smart man. pic.twitter.com/mIXsnWDHv8 Christopher Hooks (@cd_hooks) June 25, 2023 The Twitter account for the storys author, Flagg Eagleton, is having some fun at Abbotts expense, noting that hes the highest-level official to fall for one of his stories so far and calling it some of his finest work. He also tweeted in response to a Daily Beast report: My journalisticatin' is on point, patriots. It's not my fault they elected a moron. Flagg Eagleton (@FlaggEagleton) June 26, 2023 Brooks has not been overtly political in his music career, but did offer some words of wisdom in a 2020 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune. My message forever is tolerance, he told the newspaper. And dont vote party, vote person. He was a little more explicit earlier this month when discussing his new bar in Nashville. While conservatives are boycotting Bud Light for its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Brooks said he would serve every brand of beer. I want it to be a place you feel safe in, I want it to be a place where you feel like there are manners and people like one another, Brooks told Billboard. Our thing is this: If you [are let] into this house, love one another. If youre an ahole, there are plenty of other places on lower Broadway. In a livestream on his Facebook page, he added that he embraced diversity and inclusiveness. Thats me, he said. Thats always been me. Twitter users tore into Abbott for sharing the false report about Brooks: Greg Abbott duped by fake news story mocking Garth Brooks https://t.co/NyzoTNSE9G What a dumbass. Greg Abbott fell for a fake story about Garth Brooks because it fits his narrative about "woke" and his anti-LGBTQ+ views. The Texas town the concert supposedly took place is not Marty Taylor (@MartyTa94849826) June 26, 2023 Gov. Jade Helm falls for fake website? News at 11. https://t.co/dA1usk4DJL Jim Swift (@JimSwiftDC) June 25, 2023 Hey everyone @GregAbbott_TX finally realized he tweeted out a fake Texas festivalif hes willing to tweet things that arent true how can anyone believe him on his school voucher push? Amy Ingram (@CoachIngram10) June 25, 2023 Demonstrable proof that .@GregAbbott_TX is too stupid & incompetent to know just how stupid & incompetent he really is. Hes so desperate to out-DeSantis DeSantis (who is trying to out-Trump Trump) for any chance to hurl Woke! What a mediocre #MAGA idiot gov we have in TX https://t.co/qtPmhcts9K Patti Fink (she/her) (@PattiFink) June 26, 2023 Just to memorialize this for Greg, given he deleted it. Garth, bless you for your work with Habitat for Humanity, your standing up for queer people and so much more, including your songs and performances. pic.twitter.com/BLd7Awrml8 Rednecklefty (@rednecklefty) June 25, 2023 An imaginary Texas jamboree set in an imaginary Texas town. Yet another public demonstration of the governors lack of media literacy and critical thinking skills. https://t.co/1AZKSwhdrS Dr. Seema Yasmin is on a media literacy mission (@DoctorYasmin) June 26, 2023 Remember that time you fell for a fake article and thought it was real? Good times!. pic.twitter.com/Gt6ip9QSg3 Scream the Truth (@Merry_Hippie) June 26, 2023 Another proud Texas moment brought to you by Greg (Jade Helm) Abbott. https://t.co/EHjpjOBMFn Mike From Texas (@Sundog512) June 26, 2023 Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the gruesome University of Idaho murders, according to a new court filing. The filing said, "The State gives this notice based on the fact that it has not identified or been provided with any mitigating circumstances sufficient to prohibit the triers of fact from considering all penalties authorized by the Idaho legislature including the possibility of a capital sentence. Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty." Kohberger is accused of stabbing to death four college students in an off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022. PHOTO: Police tape at the site of a quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students, Jan. 3, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (David Ryder/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Idaho college murder suspect Bryan Kohberger 'stands silent' at arraignment, not guilty plea entered The victims were: Kaylee Goncalves; her lifelong best friend and roommate Madison Mogen; a third roommate, Xana Kernodle; and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin. Two other roommates survived the shocking crime that garnered national intrigue. After a six-week search for a suspect, 28-year-old Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022. Kohberger was a Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the murders. PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order, June 9, 2023, in Latah County District Court in Moscow, Idaho. (Zach Wilkinson/AP, FILE) MORE: University of Idaho murder victim's family ready to face suspect in court, vows to 'make sure he doesn't get away with it' Kaylee Goncalves' family released a statement Monday evening saying they were "grateful" prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty. "There is no one more deserving than the Defendant in this case. We continue to pray for all the victims families and appreciate all the support we have received," the family said in a statement. Kohberger chose to "stand silent" at his arraignment last month. By not responding, the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. After the May arraignment, prosecutors had 60 days to file notice if they were going to pursue the death penalty. Story continues Kohberger's trial is set for Oct. 2. ABC News' Nick Cirone contributed to this report. University of Idaho murders: State seeks death penalty against Bryan Kohberger originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The East Coast is bracing for severe thunderstorms on Monday from New York down to South Carolina, potentially impacting more than 60 million Americans. The biggest threats are lightning, large hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph. Airlines have cancelled more than 1,400 flights due to the severe weather, with airports in New York City, Boston and Atlanta getting hit the hardest. Shredded little wanna be shelf over Newark causing lots of delays and cancellations again. Sending peace to everyone in this travel mess. #storms #lightning pic.twitter.com/pp8KGNz4Zh Ginger Zee (@Ginger_Zee) June 26, 2023 A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect through Monday night for Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as well as parts of western New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Damaging winds are expected to hit Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City, while flood watches have been issued from Virginia to New York. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for parts of western NY, much of PA (including PhiLadelphia) much of NJ, and northern DE though 9PM et! Main threats : hail up to ping pong size, damaging gusts to 70mph & frequent lightning. @WXmel6 pic.twitter.com/c5BRmr5qbT Ginger Zee (@Ginger_Zee) June 26, 2023 MORE: Fourth of July travel forecast: What to know before hitting the road or heading to the airport Meanwhile, more than 300,000 customers are without power across Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia and Michigan in the wake of rough storms. Story continues PHOTO: Debris is lifted into the air by a possible tornado during severe weather near Greenwood, Indiana, on June 25, 2023, as seen in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. (Eric Ford via TMX/via Reuters) Severe weather this weekend spawned at least 20 reported tornadoes across the Midwest. There were three confirmed tornadoes in Indiana, killing at least one person and damaging or destroying dozens of homes, local authorities said. PHOTO: People survey what's left of an RV camper after a tornado touched down in several areas of Greenwood, Ind., June 25, 2023. (Jenna Watson/USA Today Network) PHOTO: People work to repair damage done to a roof of building, June 25, 2023, after a tornado hit in Greenwood, Ind. (Clare Grant/USA Today Network) In Lonoke County, Arkansas, two people were killed when a tree fell on a mobile home, a coroner official told ABC News. Another person was killed by a fallen tree in Fulton County, Georgia, local authorities said. ABC News' Matt Foster, Mariama Jalloh, Emily Shapiro and Sam Sweeney contributed to this report. Over 1,400 flights canceled as severe weather strikes East Coast originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (Photo credit: Oleksii Karamanov / Getty Images) After being saved from Chinas meat trade, twenty rescued dogs are given a second chance at life. 16 Golden Retrievers, two Corgis, one Poodle, and one Malamute are among the dogs that were saved. The rescued dogs are scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles this Tuesday to be paired with future adoptive families. Activist efforts save lives of dogs According to KABC Los Angeles, China Rescue Dogs, SPCA International, Seven Golden Retriever Rescues, and WeatherTech CEO David MacNeil worked together to rescue the dogs from the meat trade in China. While many countries participate in the international dog meat trade, the most famous dog meat event takes place each year in June. The Lychee and Dog Meat Festival takes place annually at the beginning of summer in Yulin, Guangxi, China. Although the event marks the summer solstice, it is not a traditional celebration. The festival launched in 2009 in an effort to boost dog meat sales. The event spans around 10 days, beginning on June 21. Before this, Yulin did not have a history of commercial cat or dog meat sales. Over the course of the Yulin festival, thousands of dogs (and cats) are reportedly consumed. The festivals highest recorded number of consumed dogs was 10,000. The number has declined in the last few years. This may be due to work from activists and social media campaigns. Although there is widespread opposition, supporters of the festival question why eating dog meat is any different from eating other types of meat. Nevertheless, the trade has drawn criticism for the cruel treatment of living animals. Many are reported to be stolen pets and stray animals. Survey suggests support to end international dog meat trade Fewer than 20% of Yulin residents oppose a ban on dog and cat meat, according to a recent survey shared by the Human Society International ahead of Chinas Yulin festival. 70% believe it would not significantly affect their lives, as a low percentage of residents often consume dog meat. Story continues Vshine, the Chinese partner organization of Humane Society International (HSI), campaigns globally to end Asias dog meat trades. Vshine commissioned Suzhou Zhongyan Science and Technology Inc. to conduct the survey. HSI and Vshine hope the results will show the Yulin government that there is widespread support for taking action to end the cat and dog meat trade. Activists continuously work to end the meat trade as they rescue dogs from death and cruel conditions. Due to the global efforts of activists, many dogs have been given a second chance at life. For the lucky rescue pups in Los Angeles, there is a new life ahead. The post 20 Dogs Rescued from Meat Trade in China appeared first on DogTime. The ruins of ancient Maya cities like Chichen Itza and Uxmal have become popular tourist destinations in Mexico thanks to their signature pyramid structures and deep ties to pre-Columbian history in the Americas. Now, researchers from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have just made a new discovery that suggests the existence of an entire city deep in the jungle of the Balamku ecological reserve in the Yucatan Peninsula. Lead archaeologist Ivan Sprajc spoke about the discovery in a statement, which was found with the help of LIDAR (light detection and ranging). The team named the site Ocomtun"stone column" in Yucatec Mayanafter the many columns found there. And while the ruins resemble finds at other ancient Maya sites, it also contains some distinct features never seen in other Maya civilizations. "The biggest surprise was that the site is located on a 'peninsula' of elevated terrain surrounded by extensive wetlands," Sprajc explained. "Its monumental nucleus covers more than 50 hectares and has various large buildings, including several pyramidal structures more than 15 meters high." #Imperdible: Un equipo de investigadores, dirigido por el arqueologo Ivan Sprajc, localizo un sitio monumental dentro de la reserva ecologica Balamku, al sur de esta entidad, al que han nombrado Ocomtun (columna de piedra, en maya yucateco). #boletin: https://t.co/2N4EeKSYbo INAHmx (@INAHmx) June 20, 2023 Finding the stone constructions has given a closer look into what life in this place was like over a millennium ago, including how the Maya played sports. "Between the two main plazas there is a complex made up of various low and elongated structures, arranged almost in concentric circles," Sprajc noted. "It also includes a ball game court." He went on to detail how the team was able to assign a time period, based on when the area was likely thriving. "The site probably functioned as an important regional center during the [Maya] Classic period (250-1000 A.D.)," Sprajc continued. "The most common ceramic types that we collected on the surface and in some test pits are from the Late Classic period (600-800 A.D.); however, the analysis of samples of this material will offer us more reliable data on the sequences of occupation." It's unclear whether there were any human remains buried at the site. But if that's the case, it might be in all of our best interests to leave them undisturbed. 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. Boom Supersonic has always said that its Overture, designed to carry from 65 to 80 passengers, will travel at Mach 1.7, or about 1,300 miles per hour, at 60,000 feet. At those speeds, it will be able to fly from London to New York in three and a half hours, nearly cutting flight time in half. A number of aerospace analysts believe, for multiple reasons, the Overture concept will never become a real jet. But last week Boom pushed back against the naysayers, announcing partnerships with tier-1 suppliers at the Paris Air Show. Last December, the Colorado-based firm said it had partnered with Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) to design, build, and test its Symphony engines in Jupiter, Fla. Boom has also broken ground on a production facility in Greensboro, N.C., that it says will be capable of building 33 aircraft each year. More from Robb Report In Paris, Boom CEO Blake Scholl debuted the engine architecture specs for Symphony, including a 3-D-printed, 1/3-scale design model. Shelton said the engine is designed to deliver 25 percent extended time on the wing and 10 percent operating-cost savings to its airline customers. The Symphony architecture includes a two-spool, medium-bypass turbofan engine with no afterburner. It generates 35,000 pounds of thrust. The company released for the first time renderings of the internal structure of the aircraft. Overture will also run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to cut its carbon emissions by up to 90 percent. It has signed a supply agreement with Air Company and Dimensional Energy for 10 million gallons per year. SAF is currently in short supply but could become more common as demand is expected to force a ramp up sources and available supply. United, American, and Japan Airlines have ordered a total of 130 aircraft, though the Overture is not expected to fly commercially until the end of the decade. First flight tests could take place in 2027, according to the company. Story continues The Symphony announcement was met with skepticism by aerospace analysts, partly because multiple engine manufacturers capable of building a supersonic engine had opted not to partner with Boom. The Boom Supersonic Overture Just Took a Major Step Forward with the Announcement of A Designer and Manufacturer for its Fuselage. But in Paris, the quality of Booms new partners was designed to provide credibility and a rough timeline for a finished aircraft. Spain-based Aernnova will design and supply its wings. Scholl said Overtures gull wings will be shaped for both supersonic and subsonic flight modes. They will be thinner than conventional aircraft wings to travel more efficiently at higher speeds. Italian aerospace giant Leonardo will design and build the fuselage structural components and wing box. One of the most famous names in aviation, the company has extensive experience in composite airframes. Meanwhile, Aciturrialso based in Spainwill design and develop Overtures empennage, or tail structure. Like the other components, this will be specialized, with a differentiated horizontal stabilizer for greater control at subsonic speeds. The architecture of the Symphony engine. At the press conference, Boom also showed off key systems configurations for Overture, including avionics, flight controls, hydraulics, fuel systems, and landing gear, as more tangible pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. Scholl said the landing gear, for instance, was designed for takeoff and landing on over 600 routes around the world. Booms goal is to make supersonic travel mainstream rather than exclusive. The first Overture flights are going to be special, Scholl told the Telegraph. But as I look down the road, the thing that excites me most is when supersonic flight becomes normal. With the Paris partnership announcements, Boom showed how the Overture theory could become a proof of concept. Now comes the hard part: actually designing and building a working supersonic jet. 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. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) A class-action lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 20 by former servers at Jon & Vinny's, a hip Italian American restaurant owned by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, with locations in Fairfax, Beverly Hills and View Park-Windsor Hills. The lawsuit against Joint Venture Restaurant Group Inc., which owns Jon & Vinnys, claims that the company denied servers tips, resulting in a reduction of take-home pay due to diner confusion regarding an 18% service fee. After The Times published an article by Food staff reporter Cindy Carcamo detailing the lawsuit, more than 100 readers responded to a call-out weighing in on tipping and service fees that are becoming commonplace at L.A. restaurants. Heres what they had to say. (Answers have been edited for length and clarity.) Read more: Is a dine-in service fee a tip? Former servers allege in suit they are owed gratuities from Jon & Vinny's "Service fees (like hospitality or convenience fees) are so deceiving and disgusting. All employees should get a fair wage, and that should be figured into the price the customer has to pay. In my home country of Germany, customers always pay the price on the menu. Tips, taxes and all other fees are always included. So one knows exactly what to expect and so do the employees." Peter M. Graf "Restaurant owners should pay employees minimum wage, and service charges should be treated like a tip pool with different points given to different positions, for all hourly employees (front of house and back of house) working a particular night. So if you worked on a Friday night, all the service charge money from [that] night would go to the staff working on [that] night just like a tip pool. It should not go to managerial staff or people buying produce at the farmers market, employee wages, maintenance or any other expenses. Customers should be allowed to tip on top of that if they want, and that would be distributed the same way as the service charge. In summary, minimum wage + service charge (pool) + additional tip (pool)." Adham Taman Story continues "I feel that the 'service charge' is deceptive. These restaurant owners should include the cost of doing business in the pricing on the menu. Why do I need to additionally subsidize their operating cost in this manner? I dont buy their explanation as to why they do this. In the future, I will not patronize restaurants that resort to this. I dont like the practice of splitting tips either, but if that's what the employer and the employees agree to, at least its transparent and aboveboard." Mark Tulowitzky Read more: 'Do y'all think tipping culture has gotten out of control?' Inside our evolving tipping dilemma "We ate at the Beverly Hills location, and when we looked at the check, we discussed whether the 18% 'service fee' was the equivalent of a tip. We decided that it must be going to our waiter and did not add a separate tip, but something about it bothered me so as we were leaving I approached our waiter and asked if that service went to him. He said they receive $2 an hour from it. So I went back to the table and added a cash tip. The waiter thanked me for asking. Currently, there is no language regarding the 18% on the bill. Its likely that we arent alone in thinking that because of the service fee, no tip is required. "I agree with the idea that all those involved in the experience should be compensated, not just the waiters. But given that the restaurant is not sharing exactly where the 18% is going, its possible that it is simply more profit for the owners, in addition to providing them the opportunity to pay their staffs. As a consumer, new fees are being introduced everywhere without any explanation. And in virtually every transaction, there is now a moment where a worker asks for a tip. So either employers are not sharing revenues or the hourly wages are too low." Jon & Vinny's customer "Oftentimes as a server, I was the last employee there. Kitchen closes, they clean and leave. Even the dishwasher. I still have to stay and wait for my tables and do side work, many times off the clock. The back of the house [workers] are guaranteed set hours. As servers, we dont know if we are working an hour and being sent home or a full shift. I made excellent money in tips because I hustled. But that meant I was the last one there. Because times have changed, owners should just include wages to be reflected in menu prices. No B.S. fees. Just PAY your employees." Janelle Delgado Read more: City investigating Hollywood restaurants for allegedly keeping service fees, stiffing workers "As a customer, Ive always felt that if I can afford to dine out, I can afford to tip my server. As small service charges started showing up on my bills, I gladly paid them in addition to my tip, believing these charges were going to provide benefits such as health insurance that low-wage restaurant workers would otherwise not receive. When I have seen an 18% service charge added to the bill, I have always believed it was a suggested amount to tip, but I was free to leave an additional amount, which I rarely did. I understand the concept of pooling tips and I believe which employees receive how much of the tip I leave is a matter between the restaurant and the employees. I am not at all familiar with the model that Jon & Vinnys is using, and as a diner, it would make it difficult for me to understand what a meal would cost before I chose to go there. I do support the concept of all employees receiving a livable wage but would be more likely to avoid rather than support Jon & Vinnys restaurants, based on this dispute with their employees." Mark Brown "I strongly believe that all tips should be shared across all front of house and back of house staff (excluding management) and applaud restaurants that do that. However, for that model to be successful, a clear, consistent and transparent message needs to be shared and understood by all customers and staff. As a customer, I love when gratuity is included and Im given the explanation that its going to all staff members. Tipping and restaurant pay structures are direct legacies to slavery. The pay inequities between front and back of house often fall along racial lines, with white people working higher-paid front of house positions and people of color working lower-paid positions. Tipping perpetuates this. And when POC are in customer-facing positions, studies show they receive fewer tips. Working toward a restaurant industry that is not reliant on tips, and instead has the true cost of livable wages reflected in food prices, offers a solution. But its not going to be solved by one-off restaurants changing and instead requires a large systems shift." Megan Meo Camryn Brewer and Amy Wong contributed to this story. Read more: 'Do y'all think tipping culture has gotten out of control?' Inside our evolving tipping dilemma Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. PRIOR LAKE, Minn. Tribal leaders and Native public health care advocates will gather in Minnesota tomorrow to discuss the opioid crisis in Indian Country at Our Nations, Our Journeys (ONOJ) 2023. The three-day forum, ONOJ 2023: Healing from the Opioid Epidemic through Strengths-based Approaches and Data Sovereignty, will be held at the Mystic Lake Conference Center and is presented by Seven Directions Indigenous Public Health Institute and the National Network of Public Health Institutes. The forum is designed for tribal and urban Indian public health leaders, professionals, and students to share resources on identifying and treating opioid use disorder in their communities. Expert-led break-out sessions will cover a range of topics, from how to improve public health data infrastructure in AI/AN communities to community-driven approaches to harm reduction. More than 103,000 Americans died in opioid-related incidents in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While Americans of all races are impacted, overdose deaths disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. In 2020, Native Americans opioid mortality increased 39% over the prior year the second-highest rate of increase behind African Americans, according to the CDC. We recognize there is an opioid crisis in our communities, and this is an opportunity for future tribal public health leaders to connect with practitioners who have been at the forefront of developing and testing culturally responsive evidence-based practices, said Dr. Myra Parker (Mandan-Hidatsa), Director of Seven Directions, in a statement. Participants should look forward to having strategic conversations that explore theoretical and practical methods. Organizers say that Healing from the Opioid Epidemic will include culturally informed activities throughout the conference, including large-group activities designed to promote healing from intergenerational trauma, opportunities for experiential field trip outings with local tribal communities, and multiple Native music and dance performances. Story continues Notably, this years conference will include an inaugural Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 28, to recognize eight individuals and teams serving their Indigenous communities in public health. After reviewing nominations from colleagues in the Indigenous public health field, we have selected some outstanding leaders in various public health fields, said Dr. Maya Magarati, Associate Director of Community Collaboration, Research, and Evaluation at Seven Directions. We recognize that there are many organizations, teams, and individuals that embody these values and look forward to honoring and uplifting future tribal public health leaders. In-person conference attendance has reached capacity, but conference sessions can be viewed virtually. For more information about the ONOJ conference or to register to attend virtually, visit indigenousphi.org/onoj. About the Author: "Elyse Wild is senior editor for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. " Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com Iranian painter Mehraz Karami paints at his studio in Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, June 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Xiaosheng) HANGZHOU, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Nestled amid lush bamboo and tea fields sits a rustic two-story cabin, a dream house built by the young Iranian painter Mehraz Karami in a village in eastern China. Karami, 30, has loved art since childhood. After graduating from a university in Malaysia in 2012, he attended Donghua University and Shanghai University, both in Shanghai, to study design and oil painting. Growing tired of the city, he longed for a peaceful place where he could live and create. Karami and his wife were attracted by the beauty of Zhuangshang Village in the city of Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, when they visited six years ago. They soon moved to the village and lived in homestays at first, and later rented and renovated a house, where they have lived for more than four years. "Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of living in a house like this in the woods. In addition to the quiet environment, the transportation and other infrastructure here is also very developed, and life is very convenient," Karami said. "It was the fulfillment of a childhood wish." "One of the most common phrases I hear when I come here is 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,'" Karami said, and he had been thinking about what that meant. His understanding was that as long as humans protect nature, then their economy, culture and society will become better and better. Karami said the local government has been improving the rural living environment, and remarkable results have been achieved over the years. The whole village has become clean and tidy, with roads leading to every house and public facilities such as a health center, public toilets and parking lots available to both locals and visitors. "Twenty years ago, there could not have been so many tourists in this small mountain village, let alone foreigners like me," Karami said. In June 2003, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which planned to renovate about 10,000 incorporated villages and transform about 1,000 central villages among them into examples of moderate prosperity in all respects. Over two decades, the program has created thousands of beautiful villages, fundamentally changing the face of the province's countryside. In recent years, Karami has been creating a series of paintings around the theme of "harmonious coexistence between man and nature." In his paintings, he creatively combines the techniques of Iranian miniatures and Chinese landscape paintings, using smooth brushstrokes to depict mountains, rivers and natural objects, and showing the beautiful ecology and happy people in the village. "In Huzhou, I saw the most authentic face of nature," Karami said, speaking about his time spent working with a team of Chinese intangible cultural heritage experts to create a series of works around the theme of solar terms. On the day of "Awakening of Insects," he saw bamboo shoots coming out of the ground, and insects beginning to wake up. "All of these images will appear in my works," he said. The young painter said that in the process of Chinese-style modernization, the countryside has been developed while the beautiful environment has been protected, which is a great achievement. "In China, more and more places are integrating environmental design concepts into urban and rural planning and construction," he said. He hopes his paintings will help people understand China today more intuitively, he added. In Karami's eyes, Iran faces a deteriorating natural environment, as China did in the past. He hopes that his country can learn from China's "two mountains" concept, which is "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." He said he also hopes that Iran can coordinate environmental protection and economic development, and make its environment more beautiful. Karami has also actively engaged with Huzhou authorities in building an international culture and art village in the city, attracting artists from countries along the Belt and Road such as Iran -- and even artists from around the world -- to travel to the village to create and settle down there. "With such an international art village, more 'Karamis' will come here in the future to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between countries," he said. This undated file photo shows a painting by Iranian painter Mehraz Karami. (Xinhua) Handcrafted in Italy, Giadzy Pasta will launch with eight less-common shapes. Sonja Flemming / CBS via Getty Images Few things go together better than Giada De Laurentiis and pasta (her recipe for Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp has a particularly special place in my heart). And while the chef, cookbook author, and television personality has already cemented herself as an expert in Italian home cooking, her latest venture is putting her own brand name on an essential Italian pantry staple. Sonja Flemming / CBS via Getty Images In an announcement at this weeks Fancy Food Show in NYC, De Laurentiis shared that Giadzy, her personally-curated Italian lifestyle and shopping platform, Giadzy is launching its first-ever in-house products: a line of artisan organic pastas, all made in Italy. Heres everything we know. The initial release includes eight unique shapes all hand-crafted in Abruzzo, in central Italy: Nodi Marini Bucatini Taccole Pappardelle Paccheri Bucatini Lunghi Manfredi Lunghi Spaghetti Chitarra Courtesy of Giadzy When we started thinking about making our own products at Giadzy, pasta was a no-brainer. It's such a soul-satisfying food, but there's a huge disparity between the products you can find in supermarkets here and the way it's made by artisans in Italy, De Laurentiis said. According to the announcement, it took an extensive few months of tastings, research, and meetings with the best pasta-makers in Italy before Giada and the Giadzy team identified the key aspects of a pasta line that could carry the Giadzy name: exceptional raw ingredients, time-honored techniques, and a diversity of shapely experiences. In Italy, we're very purposeful about choosing the right pasta to go with each dish. That culinary ingenuity has led to some really wonderful shapes that are beloved in their home but don't get the recognition they deserve outside of Italy," she explained to Food & Wine via email. "With Giadzy Pasta, I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of my favorite lesser-known shapes to show people how wide the world of pasta really is and how fun it can be. Story continues Related: Hacker Takes Over Ina Garten's Facebook Account and Posts Olive Garden Recipe Despite their diversity in styles, the Giadzy pasta products are composed of just two key ingredients: natural mountain spring water and organic semolina wheat. The pasta is also carefully shaped using traditional, 100-year-old bronze dies to create a classic rough texture which, the brand notes, plays a significant role in creating the perfect canvas for sauce. Finally, it's naturally air-dried for 36 hours, a step which, unlike some industrial drying methods, preserves the pasta's density to "achieve the coveted al dente bite when cooked." To get the most out of Giadzy Pasta, De Laurentiis recommends letting the true flavor of the pasta itself shine. Because Giadzy Pasta is so flavorful on its own, I like to pair it with fairly simple sauces so you can really appreciate the pasta as a star of the dish, rather than a supporting player, says De Laurentiis, I love the short curls of nodi marini with Cacio e Pepe or my Calabrian Chili Pasta, long, ruffled manfredi lunghi with Amatriciana, and wide paccheri with Marsala Mushrooms & Pistachio. Customers will be able to get their hands on the Giadzy Pasta starting July 23. Each 1.1-pound package retails for $10.50 exclusively at giadzy.com. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Well this smells like a great deal. French luxury conglomerate Kering announced on Monday that it has acquired the high-end fragrance brand Creed, marking its most significant step forward into the luxury beauty sector. Keringwhose portfolio includes brands such as Gucci, Brioni, and Yves Saint Laurentdidnt disclose the financial terms of the all-cash deal in its statement, but it did reveal that it was a complete acquisition of Creed from funds controlled by BlackRock Long Term Private Capital Europe and chairman Javier Ferran. The company also said the transaction is expected to finalize in the second half of this year, and it is subject to clearance by authorities. More from Robb Report Kering described the deal as a major step for the company, calling Creed a perfect fit with its existing portfolio of luxury brands. The company plans on maintaining Creeds high-end reputation and heritage while unlocking its potential in markets such as China. It specifically named Creeds global distribution network as an avenue for future development of other future Kering Beaute fragrance franchises. The deal also makes sense when considering that the fragrance segment of the high-end luxury market is among the fastest growing in beauty. The acquisition of Creed represents Kering Beautes first strategic initiative, and demonstrates our commitment to developing a strong position in the luxury beauty segment, Kerings chairman and CEO Francois-Henri Pinault said in the statement. I am thrilled that today our stories and values come together around this spirit of family entrepreneurship and excellence to accelerate our journey in beauty, and I am delighted that the brand is joining Kerings collection of luxury Houses. Story continues During the full year that ended March 31, Creed generated a revenue of more than 250 million (about $273 million), The Wall Street Journal reported. Founded in 1760, the company is known for its best-selling Aventus fragrance and has amassed a network of about 1,400 points of sale, including 36 branded stores. It has become the second-largest brand in the high-end fragrance market in terms of sales behind Jo Malone, a British brand owned by Estee Lauder. 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. crime scene cordon tape with police lights in the background Police in Jamaica are investigating the death of a 24-year-old American woman who died while on vacation. Police found Quintairia Roker inside her hotel room in Montego Bay on June 21. According to police, Roker of West Palm Beach, Florida, was visiting a male friend she met online to celebrate her birthday. They partied for hours on Tuesday night into the morning before returning to the room they booked at Montego Bay Club Resort. The next day, her male friend went to check on her after she didnt get out of bed. He found her unresponsive around 10:00 a.m. before first responders arrived on the scene before she was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. According to the Caribbean National Weekly, police are not suspecting foul play at this time. Family and Friends Remember Quintairia As A Beautiful, Sweet Girl Family and friends have taken to social media to celebrate the young womans life, who many describe as a beautiful and sweet girl. Im lost for words and still in disbelief of losing my beautiful sweet young cousin, one family member stated. Taria Roker, we love you, baby girlwe will miss you entirely. My niece, Taria Roker, is gone too soon, another family member posted on Facebook. We will miss your beautiful smile and kind heart [] The entire family is asking for your sincere prayers. The latest travel advisory from the U.S. State Department lists Jamaica as Level 3: Reconsider Travel as of May 10, 2023. U.S. officials say Americans should reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. The advisory reads: Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards. The advisory also warns that U.S. government officials are prohibited from traveling to certain areas due to crime. Of the 11 regions listed, St. James Parish, where Montego Bay is also listed. This story is developing. According to the LA Times, "Brandon tumbled from a spinning Roger Rabbit 'taxicab' and was trapped under another car. The vehicle rolled over him, folding his 45-pound body in half. He was stuck for about 10 minutes before being freed, suffering serious brain damage. Although he would occasionally smile and laugh, he never talked or walked again." After the state conducted a major investigation into the incident, it was determined that Disneyland employees "did not properly load Brandon into the ride with the smallest child farthest from the cutout entryway and failed to fully lower the lap bar. It also ordered significant safety changes to the ride, including a sensor-equipped guard around the bottom of each car." Brandon's family sued Disneyland and settled for an undisclosed sum to help pay for his medical care. Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images Queen Maxima of the Netherlands recently stepped out in an eye-catching tiara. As it turns out, the jewels in the tiara are rooted in Dutch royal history. They were gifted to Queen Wilhelmina when she married Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1901. Americans are often accused of being ignorant of anything beyond our shores. But that's not entirely true: when it comes to royalty, our knowledge stretches all the way to the White Cliffs of Dover. Yes, despite the fact that our entire country is built on giving the proverbial finger to the King of England, we here in the States know a lot about the Windsor family over in the United Kingdomfrom the newly crowned King Charles III to his grandchildren and even his rarely remarked-upon siblings. But ask most of us to name any other monarch, and it will get sad fast. Odds are, most folks on the street are probably naming kings like Triton, Baratheon, and even Burger before we even get close to naming someone who's ever occupied an actual throne. This is a shame, though, because much like what we love about the British royals, the royal families of other nations also represent a rich history of culture, conflict, and copious gifts. In fact, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands' recent outing showcased just such a historic item. Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images The aforementioned queen recently attended the Diplomatic Corps gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam, and eagle-eyed fashion-watchers with a memory for Dutch history noticed a unique item in her ensemble. Hello Magazine offered up a bit of the history attached to the eye-catching Dutch Sapphire Necklace Tiara, a wedding present that's more than a century old, worn by the queen: "The five diamond and sapphire lozenges on the tiara came from the necklace of the 'wedding gift parure' made up of a tiara, a necklace and two bracelets which the people of the Netherlands gifted Queen Wilhelmina when she married Prince Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1901." Story continues Isn't that sweet? Maybe we should shift our focus from the troubled British Royals to these guys for a bit. And unlike the Windsors, these guys probably don't have any issues with, say, royal objects of racist origins or a nebulous grasp on how much power these supposed figureheads actually wield. It's probably all smooth sailing over there for them. You Might Also Like Updated 10 a.m. EST PARIS Saudi Arabias designers are strutting their stuff here with two dedicated showrooms aimed at raising the countrys fashion profile on the international stage. More from WWD The showrooms are part of Saudi 100 Brands, an initiative backed by the Saudi Fashion Commission, which is working to promote local talent at home and abroad. The first showroom, which focuses on ready-to-wear, will run until Tuesday at the Cite de lArchitecture et du Patrimoine. The second will highlight couture designers and take place from July 3 until July 5 at the headquarters of Paris auction house Artcurial, not far from Avenue Montaigne. The rtw showroom kicked off over the weekend with a cocktail and fashion show, while an invitation-only presentation to mark the opening of the couture showcase will take place at the Ritz hotel on July 3 at 8 p.m. These Paris showrooms, which offer a mix of retail and wholesale, are a first for Saudi fashion. Their opening coincides with a debut report about the countrys burgeoning fashion industry, which is projected to grow to more than $32 billion by 2025. At home, that growth will be fueled in part by a youthful population. More than 50 percent of the countrys denizens are under 25 years old, and theyre just as passionate about couture as they are about streetwear, according to Burak Cakmak, chief executive officer of the Fashion Commission. There is a big focus on elegance in Saudi. The women are beautifully dressed and elegant. Its very much the norm, and I think there are a lot of markets out there interested in this way of dressing, Cakmak said in an interview. He added that young designers are also employing local artisans and traditional skills in their work. There is an existing base of quality tailoring in the country, an element of embroidery, and then there are historic skills, such as weaving techniques, from Bedouin culture, said Cakmak, adding that one of the brands, Abadia, is using an old technique that incorporates date pits into the fabric. Story continues Its shaping up to be a big year for Saudi fashion. Saudi 100 Brands will have a presence at Milan Fashion Week in September, while Cakmak plans to spearhead a roadshow in the U.S. aimed at drumming up business, and investment, for the Saudi designers. We are focused on building the value chain, and there are a lot of opportunities for partnerships investments, said Cakmak, noting that the Saudi brands are pitched at lower price points than their Western counterparts, and are keen to carve a niche in the market for quality, tailored clothing at accessible prices. Going forward, he added that the Fashion Commission would continue to work on a multipronged approach, supporting designers from a creative and business point of view, as well as marketing their brands in Saudi Arabia, and internationally. Paris is a big step for us. We really want to understand what works best for our designers and we want to keep in Paris every year. Well continue to tweak our presence and brand mix. We want to understand which brands are appropriate to which moments on the calendar, Cakmak said. On Monday, the Saudi Fashion Commission unveiled a plan for its first fashion week in Riyadh, planned for Oct. 20 to 23. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. A fiery yellow sun with a blotchy orange sunspot, underneath a blobby sketch of an even larger sunspot as recorded by Richard Carrington in 1859 On Sept. 1, 1859, British astronomer Richard Carrington was investigating a strange cluster of dark blobs in the sun's atmosphere when a bright blast of light caught his eye. Shining for nearly five minutes, the flash would later make history as the first recorded solar flare ever observed but Carrington's name would ultimately become synonymous with the violent solar storm that slammed into Earth less than 48 hours later. Now called the Carrington Event , the speeding storm of electrically charged particles caused telegraph offices to go up in flames and triggered colorful auroras as far south as Cuba and Hawaii. To this day, the Carrington Event is considered the most intense solar storm in recorded history. And those dark blobs that Carrington was studying vast, planet-size regions of pent-up magnetic energy called sunspots could have provided a big clue that something nasty was on its way. Unbeknownst to Carrington but well understood by modern astronomers, the size and quantity of sunspots visible at a given moment tie directly to the sun's 11-year cycle of electromagnetic activity. When more and bigger sunspots are visible, the sun is usually building toward the peak of its cycle, known as the solar maximum. As the maximum approaches, solar weather phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) enormous blobs of plasma that speed across space and trigger storms like the Carrington Event upon colliding with Earth's atmosphere become more common as well. We don't have to guess what the sun looked like before the Carrington Event; Carrington himself sketched a diagram of the sunspots he saw facing Earth and later submitted the drawings to the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society . The images show a large grouping of dark blobs that Carrington estimated to be collectively as wide as Jupiter; a 2019 reanalysis of his sketches published in the journal Space Weather estimated that the spots spanned between 9% and 14% of the solar disk's width. Story continues A satellite image of the orange sun, showing a sketch of the large 1859 sunspot next to a real image of a sunspot from 2003. The spots are equal in size and roughly one tenth the width of the visible sun. That's huge for a group of sunspots, but it's not unheard of. According to Spaceweather.com , scientists observed a sunspot of roughly equal size in November 2003, right before the strongest solar flare in the modern era flashed to life. (Fortunately, the resulting CME only skimmed Earth and did not result in widespread damage.) For a sense of scale, Spaceweather edited Carrington's sunspot sketches into a satellite image of the 2003 sunspot, to show the two monsters side by side. Sunspot activity has increased dramatically in early 2023, with sunspot numbers far exceeding NASA's predictions each month though nothing as big as Carringtons sunspots have been seen yet. Still, the profusion of sunspots and other solar weather suggests that the next solar maximum will arrive sooner and stronger than NASA previously predicted. Whether the incoming maximum brings with it a Carrington-level storm is a matter of pure chance but scientists will keep watching for spotty signs on the sun, just in case. NEW YORK KIDS: Mini-mes are hitting New York City. Trade show operator IGECO USA, the American branch of Deutsche Messe AG and Italian Exhibition Group, or IEG, has announced that it will host the seminal edition of the Childrens Show, a kidswear trade fair to be held in Manhattan on Feb. 11 and 12 next year. More from WWD Comprising about 60 exhibitors hailing from different countries and covering childrenswear across the spectrum, from clothing aimed at infants to toddlers and teenagers, the trade show will be flanked by talks and fashion shows. According to market research company Statista the childrens apparel market is to hit revenues of $267.5 billion in 2023, largely driven by the U.S., which represents almost 20 percent of the business. The market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 2.46 percent until 2027. The show is geared at showcasing all different iterations of childrens fashion with a rich offering that will encompass also lifestyle and maternity products, both adjacent categories available in the best [kidswear] concept stores, said show director Virginia Zingone, who hails from the Zingone childrens wear family company that she helped propel to international visibility. Italian kidswear brands taking part in the trade shoe were selected by Ente Moda Italia, the Florence, Italy-based organization spearheaded by the Florence Center for Italian Fashion and by Sistema Moda Italia geared at promoting the international visibility of Italian brands on global markets. Today wholesalehas fundamental importance for small-and-medium-sized Italian fashion companies. To this end, trade shows and exhibitions are essential tools to effectively penetrate into an interesting but also complex market, such as the U.S., added Alberto Scaccioni, chief executive officer of Ente Moda Italia. Story continues IGECO USA did not disclose the exact location in town but anticipated that the trade show will include recycled and reusable decor and has forged ties with local partners on the fairs logistics. Its organizers have a longstanding track record in trade fair management. Deutsche Messe was established in 1947 and organizes around 150 trade shows each year, while Italian Exhibition Group, listed on the Milan bourse, is the entity behind the Vicenza Oro jewelry trade fair, among others. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for lawsuits brought by more than 100 men who say they were abused by a medical doctor at The Ohio State University to go forward. Without comment, the court rejected an appeal from the university. The case revolves around alleged abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss beginning in the late 1970s. Strauss died in 2005. The universitys lawyers called Strauss conduct reprehensible but said the lawsuits were untimely because they were filed too late, exceeding the statute of limitations. They said that while the conduct allegedly occurred between 1978 and 1998, the respondents did not file suit until 2018 and 2021 decades after the alleged abuse occurred. A federal appeals court ruled in favor of them, allowing the lawsuit to proceed under Title IX, a federal law that bars sexual discrimination in schools. The men accused the university of deliberate indifference to sex crimes within the university and said that many victims did not know the full extent of the schools involvement in a cover-up until 2019. In court papers, the school said it has committed substantial resources to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct on campus and is a fundamentally different institution today. It called the questions in the case purely legal. Lawyers for the men told the justices that although Ohio State sought to dismiss their claims as untimely, the Sixth Circuit properly held that the victims claims did not accrue until they learned of both their injury and Ohio States role in causing it a role that the University had covered up for decades. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The transition toward new energy must be done in a realistic manner that takes into account the critical need for energy supply stability and the ever-growing energy demands of the world economy, Haitham Al Ghais, secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), said here on Monday. The transition toward new energy must take on a holistic approach that includes the utilization of all energy production resources while also ensuring energy access to billions of people who lack modern energy services, Al Ghais said during his leadership address at the Energy Asia 2023 conference. "The importance of market stability is not only important for the short term, it is critical for the longer term too. In OPEC's world oil outlook, we see global energy demand increasing by 23 percent through 2045 and I see no credible way to address this without using all available energy sources and with energy market stability as a guiding light," he explained. "Gas, hydro, nuclear, hydrogen and biomass will expand but it is clear that oil will remain an integral part of the mix," he said. Al Ghais noted that global oil demand is expected to rise to 110 million barrels a day by 2045, with the fuel making up 25 percent of the energy mix by then with an expected global population of 9.5 billion, making it even more critical to redouble efforts at providing energy security while reducing emissions. "There remains a critical need to bring modern energy services to those billions that continue to go without basic energy access in many parts of the world including here in Asia. While we must continue to provide energy to the world, we must also recognize the need to continually reduce emissions and to continue to decarbonize," he said. Meanwhile, Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global, said in his opening remarks at the conference that without energy security, energy transition will be very difficult to achieve, urging a rethinking of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) concept. Acknowledging the role hydrocarbons will continue to play in filling global energy demands, Yergin urged a dynamic and inclusive approach to energy transition, using reliable hydrocarbon fuels while working toward environmentally friendly policies. "While the balance in the overall energy mix will change, oil and gas will continue to be major parts of global energy supply, not for years to come but for decades to come. But the future of hydrocarbons will be more mixed and intertwined with increasing emphasis on emission abatement and carbon management," he said. The conference will run from Monday to Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur with the theme of "Charting Pathways of a Sustainable Asia," bringing together industry leaders, experts, investors, and policymakers to deliberate how Asia can accelerate low carbon pathways and unleash new potentials for the region's energy sector. A potential Aug. 1 strike is still on the table for more than 330,000 UPS workers, with the union behind them stepping up labor contract negotiations with an unwavering message: pay up. After a Thursday meeting where the International Brotherhood of Teamsters shared their full economic proposal with UPS for a new five-year contract, the union voiced its displeasure with the shipping companys appalling counterproposal, declaring no more meetings until money gets real. More from Sourcing Journal TEAMSTERS TO UPS: NO MORE MEETINGS TILL MONEY GETS REAL@UPS executives gave the #Teamsters National Negotiating Committee an appalling economic counterproposal on Thursday as negotiations resumed in Washington. #1u pic.twitter.com/EuhQv3uHFE Teamsters (@Teamsters) June 22, 2023 The Teamsters will not bargain or accept any contract thats cost-neutral, said Sean M. OBrien, general president of the Teamsters, during the meeting. We are not going to sell ourselves short in these negotiations, and we will not buy back terms and conditions to protect our members. We have 39 days to go. This company is wasting time putting forth offensive proposals. If UPS wants to negotiate a contract for 1997 working conditions, theyre going to get 1997 consequences. OBrien didnt share the full financial details of the Teamsters proposal, but said it was the biggest economic proposal in labor history. The proposals priorities included wage increases each year of the contract, catch-up raises for part-time employees, additional holidays and more paid time off, pension increases, as well as protection and enhancement of existing health and welfare benefits. The union also wants to eliminate the two-tier 22.4 job classification, which the Teamsters say penalizes junior workers who perform the same functions as senior workers, and create more full-time jobs created over the next five years. On Thursday, UPS described the talks progress toward a new national master agreement as strong, with both parties agreeing on all non-economic issues. According to OBrien, the delivery company and the union members have reached 55 tentative agreements addressing a variety of topics within the contract, such as the installation of air conditioners within all vehicles purchased after Jan. 1, 2024. The parcel giant said the economic proposal will require serious and detailed discussion over the next few weeks. UPS is prepared to be at the table every day until we reach an agreement that allows us to continue rewarding our people with the best pay and benefits package in the industry while providing the flexibility our business needs to deliver for our customers and consumers, said UPS in a statement. The parties have taken different public approaches to the labor negotiations, with UPS and CEO Carol Tome continually pointing to the progress being made. On the other hand, the Teamsters have been more critical of the opposition, whether it be via social media posts on Twitter or Facebook or commentary from OBrien himself. On Friday, the unions Twitter account detailed recent demonstrations outside UPS facilities. RANK-AND-FILE TEAMSTERS TURN UP PRESSURE ON UPS While rank-and-file members on the #Teamsters National Negotiating Committee square up with @UPS at the bargaining table, UPS Teamsters all over the country are keeping the pressure up in the parking lots and at the gates. #1u pic.twitter.com/Dc0kgKofaV Teamsters (@Teamsters) June 23, 2023 N.Y. Warehouse Worker Protection Act goes into effect Elsewhere on the logistics labor front, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday that legislation protecting warehouse workers from unreasonably demanding work quotas is now in effect. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act, signed in December, includes new requirements for distribution centers to disclose work speed data to current and former employees to inform them about their job performance and rights in the workplace. The legislation also protects workers from disciplinary action or firing exclusively because of a failure to meet undisclosed quotas or performance standards, including those that do not allow for proper breaks. With the Warehouse Worker Protection Act now in effect, employees can request quota information at any time, and are protected from having to work through meals or being limited from using the bathroom to make quota. These workers also can report violations related to quotas, and are immune from employer retaliation. This law applies to employers and employees at warehouse distribution centers. Within 30 days of an employees start date, employers must share quotas with them through a written description (in their preferred language) of each quota they are expected to meet. Warehouse workers suffer serious work-related injuries at a rate more than twice the average for all private industries. These workers routinely spend entire shifts speeding through tasks in an attempt to meet quotas mandated by their employers, all too often suffering musculoskeletal and repetitive stress injuries as a result, said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, saying the act provides long overdue limits to protect warehouse workers from inhumane quotas, and to protect them from retaliation for asserting their rights under this law. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), also threw his support behind the legislation, calling it an important step in ensuring that workers are not forced to choose between their job and their safety. The RWDSU has represented employees at REI stores in Manhattan and Cleveland, as well as those seeking unionization at Amazons Bessemer, Ala. distribution center, where a terminated union leader was recently reinstated. Click here to read the full article. When Kai Lenny surfs a giant wave, the snowboard influence is unmistakable. Like at Nazare, he carves down colossal mountains of water, takes creative lines, and throws body-contorting aerials. Its no secret that many surfers especially aerialists and big-wave specialists look to snowboarders for inspiration. And so, every year or so, surfers like Kai travel to the snow to mix things up, and to learn some new things that will (hopefully) translate into the water. In episode four of Red Bulls ongoing Life of Kai series, the Maui waterman joins snowboarding legend Travis Rice in Alaska. Hit the play button below. It was a slow start to our big-wave season, Kai says in the beginning of this episode. It took until January for some really big swells to show up. And then when it did, it was some of the biggest that Ive ever seen it. Just as I was getting all this momentum with these Peahi swells and finally getting comfortable again, it just shut off. Now that were in spring, were going to head out into probably the most epic snow adventure Ive ever been a part of. Im going with my hero, Travis Rice. After getting so many amazing waves out of Jaws, like getting barreled and just surviving it, its not that its no longer scary or that it doesnt feel good, its that that first-ever has disappeared. The similarity between drawing big lines on a big wave to drawing big lines on a massive mountain, its pretty much parallel. I think there is an absolute parallel with what Im trying to do on big waves and what hes done on big mountains. For Kai, the main thing he worked on during the Alaskan adventure was a double backflip something hes been wanting to get on lock in the water. Getting the double [backflip] on a wave, its kind of stalled a little bit, Kai says. You just dont have that many opportunities. Even though I didnt come away with the cleanest double rotation, the fact that I was so comfortable going that fast at a ramp, flying that high, and going that far, actually aiming it to where you need to land it on a wave is going to be far less scary. Story continues Stay tuned for a double backflip from Kai out at Jaws coming this winter. (Maybe.) *** Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos. U.S. Sen Tammy Baldwin greets supporters Thursday, May 25, 2023, prior to receiving an endorsement from the Wisconsin AFL-CIO at Ingeteam Inc., in Milwaukee. The last time Tammy Baldwin ran for re-election, she did something unheard of in todays insanely competitive battleground of Wisconsin. She won a big November election in a romp. Baldwin routed her Republican U.S. Senate challenger by almost 11 points in 2018. Lubar Logo That stands as Wisconsins only double-digit statewide victory in a partisan election since 2010 and the only one for U.S. Senate since 2006. As Baldwin begins her race for a third term, her unusual election history is comforting for Democrats and intimidating for Republicans. A third decisive victory in 2024 would make her the most proficient Wisconsin vote-getter of this polarized era. What stands out about Baldwins two Senate campaigns isnt just her victory margins of 5.6 points in 2012 and 10.8 points in 2018. Its her exceptional competitiveness on the other sides turf. In an age when the performance of Democratic candidates has collapsed among rural voters, she has defied that trend. Her ability to do so is unique among recent Wisconsin Democrats. While Baldwin lost the rural vote in both of her races, she lost it by much smaller margins than others in her party, making it impossible for Republicans to offset her massive advantage in more populous places. One way to measure this is to combine the votes in Wisconsins more than 1,200 towns. These communities make up almost a third of the statewide turnout. Because towns are much less densely populated than the states cities and villages, they represent a good approximation of Wisconsins rural electorate. That electorate began to swing hard against Democrats in 2010 when Republican Scott Walker was first elected governor. The pattern has continued through almost every contest for governor, senator and president. Based on the combined town vote, Democrats lost rural Wisconsin for governor by 23 points in 2010, 25 points in 2014, 23 points in 2018 and 24 points in 2022. They lost the rural vote for president by 25 points in both 2016 and 2020. In the contests for Wisconsins other U.S. Senate seat, held by Republican Ron Johnson, Democrats lost the rural vote by 22 points in 2010, 25 points in 2016 and 29 points in 2022. Story continues But in her own Senate races, Baldwin lost the town vote by just 11 points in 2012 and 12 points in 2018. The only other Democrat who has been that competitive in rural Wisconsin during this time was President Barack Obama in 2012. Baldwin has outperformed her party with rural voters despite being a Madison liberal, a problematic political identity in many regions of the state. (She has the 6th most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate, according to a rating system widely used by political scientists). How has she managed this? Part of the answer is good fortune. In 2012, she had Obama at the top of the ticket; he carried the state by almost 7 points. She was also helped by a hotly contested GOP primary that left her challenger, former governor Tommy Thompson, temporarily out of cash and unable to withstand a withering wave of attack ads portraying him as a D.C. influence peddler. In 2018, she had Donald Trump in the White House, which boosted the mid-term fortunes of Democrats nationally. Baldwin benefited, too, from drawing a weak and underfunded GOP challenger, suburban state lawmaker Leah Vukmir. But good politicians take advantage of their circumstances. Baldwin proved an effective campaigner in both races. In her first race, she comfortably defeated the states most successful Republican politician of modern times, a man elected governor four straight times in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2018, she was politically strong enough that she didnt attract a top-tier opponent. She was on the same Democratic ticket as winning gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers, but Baldwins winning margin was almost 10 points bigger than his. Part of that political strength was Baldwins focus on areas of Wisconsin outside Milwaukee and Madison and on themes that resonate well beyond the Democratic base, from buy American mandates to the states dairy and ag economy. Baldwin set out to define herself for rural and blue-collar voters more through economic issues or parochial Wisconsin causes than national culture-war issues. Through some combination of factors time and effort on the ground, campaign strategy, a non-divisive persona, a brand of economic populism, attention to home-state interests (including business interests) as a member of the Senate appropriations committee, and the vulnerabilities of her opponents Baldwin has charted her own political map. Baldwin has performed better than other Democrats in red areas In geographic terms, she has over-achieved the most in places where her party has lost the most political ground in western, northern and northeastern Wisconsin: Democrats lost the northern Wisconsin media market of Wausau by an average of 18 points in the last two races for president and 16 points in the last three races for governor. Baldwin lost the Wausau TV market by just 3 points in 2018 and won it by 1 point in 2012. Democrats lost the northeastern Green Bay media market by an average of 17 points in the last two races for president and by 17 points in the last three races for governor. Baldwin lost it by just 3 points in 2018 and 4 points in 2012. Democrats lost the western Wisconsin media market of La Crosse by an average of 1 point in the past three races for governor and by 5 points in the last two races for president. But Baldwin won this region by 7 points in 2012 and 13 points in 2018. Comparing Baldwins performance to that of fellow Democrat Evers in 2018, she did better in every region of the state. But the smallest gap between them was in her ultra-blue home county of Dane, and the biggest gap was in small counties across northern and western Wisconsin. The capsule history of the two Baldwin Senate elections is that she won big on Democratic turf and lost small on Republican turf, which is a formula for dominance. Where does this leave Baldwin going into the 2024 cycle, when she has yet to draw a serious GOP challenge? On one level, she cant afford to take too much for granted. Her polling numbers havent been spectacular, reflecting Wisconsins close partisan divide. Combining the Marquette Law Schools seven statewide surveys last year, 39% of registered voters viewed her favorably, 37% viewed her unfavorably and 24% lacked an opinion. She faces the potential drag at the top of the ticket of a Democratic president, Joe Biden, who has had consistently negative job ratings. But on another level, Baldwin is positioned quite well. Republicans arent clamoring to take her on. While they have plenty of time in theory to field a challenger, one front-line option, Green Bay congressman Mike Gallagher, said recently he wont run. Its a very open question right now how strong a candidate the party will muster. Nationally, Republicans have several more enticing targets than Wisconsin in 2024, including Democratic Senate seats in red West Virginia, red Montana and red Ohio. By contrast, Wisconsins other senator, Johnson, was the Democrats top national target among Senate GOP incumbents last year. The Supreme Courts 2022 abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade has mobilized Democratic voters and created political headaches for GOP candidates. And so has former president Donald Trump, now seeking the Republican nomination amid serious legal peril. The Trump Era has been a relative election boon to Democrats in Wisconsin, with the party capturing most of the key statewide contests that have taken place since Trump arrived in the White House in 2017. That broad political trend, combined with the size and shape of her own past victories, leaves Baldwin in a much stronger position than you might expect for a U.S. senator in a 50/50 state running on the same ticket as an unpopular president. Craig Gilbert provides Wisconsin political analysis as a fellow with Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education. Prior to the fellowship, Gilbert reported on politics for 35 years at the Journal Sentinel, the last 25 in its Washington Bureau. His column continues that independent reporting tradition and goes through the established Journal Sentinel editing process. Follow him on Twitter: @Wisvoter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin electoral formula makes her tough target for Republicans FLORENT VERGNES/AFP via Getty Images BERLINAs news spread across the Central African Republic (CAR) on Saturday that thousands of mercenaries from Russias Wagner Group had started to march to Moscow in a mutiny led by their boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, cabinet members in the restive African nation became very uncomfortable and started to phone each other with concern, according to a senior government official who spoke to The Daily Beast. The CAR government has a very close relationship with the Wagner Group, which has built a spider's web of military and economic relationships over the past five years in a number of African countries, including Libya, Sudan and Mali. In CAR alone, Russia hasover the last five yearssent weapons and hundreds of military advisers and Wagner mercenaries as an extension of the governments security forces. The Wagner fighters have been intimidating locals and targeting citizens opposed to the private military companys presence, while also exploiting the countrys mineral resources. Why Did Putin Let Prigozhin Walk Away? But Prigozhins decision to seemingly turn on his former ally, Russian president Vladimir Putin, set off panic among those who benefit from Wagners activities in Africa. Yes, there are Wagner mercenaries [in CAR] and everyone is worried that the face-off between Putin and Prigozhin would bring an end to their operations in our country, said an adviser to CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera in a private conversation with The Daily Beast via telephone. The Russians play a very important role in the security architecture of our country and if they are forced to pull out completely, things could become messy. The longer the mutiny lasted, the more worried CAR officials were, according to the government adviser. As reports emerged that Prigozhin and his troops had captured Rostov-on-Dona southern Russian city that has served as a critical logistics hub supporting Putin's ongoing war in Ukraineand were continuing to march towards Moscow, CAR government officials became scared that Russia could descend into a civil war, which could affect the support the African nation gets from the Kremlin through Wagner. Story continues Demonstrators carry a banner in Bangui, on March 22, 2023 during a march in support of Russia and China's presence in the Central African Republic. BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP via Getty Images "Everyone feared that if war broke out in Russia, the Russians [in CAR] would not only be forced to return home, but our political, military and business relationship with Russia would be halted," he said. "The last thing the government [in CAR] wants to see at the moment is the exit of Russia from the country." When news broke late Saturday that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had reached a deal with Prigozhin to call off the coup and take refuge in Belarus, government officials in CAR were anxious to know what would become of Wagner's operations in the country, a senior military official told The Daily Beast in another private telephone conversation. Cabinet members were calling both [CAR] military officers and Russian military instructors [present in CAR] to find out if they had received any information about Russia's role in the country going forward, said the official who works at the CAR army headquarters in the capital, Bangui. But nobody, not even the Russian instructors here [in CAR], has got any information relating to that. Russian State TV Anchors Aghast that Putin Didnt Kill Prigozhin Wagner's influence in governance in CAR is huge. At some point, a former Russian military intelligence officer, Valery Zakharov, served as the national security adviser to the president, and a shell company known as Diamville not only forces CAR's poor miners and collectors to turn over their gems or sell them only to the Wagner-owned company, but also plays a key role in mining regulations in the country. The coup attempt in Russia may have been aborted, albeit temporarily, but the brazen nature of the assault against the Russian state could have major repercussions for Wagner's operations in Africa. And, as the uncertainty continues, those who benefit from the group's presence in the continent remain anxious. "Have you heard anything about where Yevgeny Prigozhin is?" the CAR government adviser, sounding apprehensive, called The Daily Beast Sunday morning to inquire. "We just don't know what's going on." Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday it has launched an investigation into last weeks loss of the Titan submersible, which imploded on a passenger trip to view the wreckage of the Titanic at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The Coast Guard said its convened a Marine Board of Investigation the agencys highest level of investigation to look into what happened. The probe will seek to determine the exact cause of death of the five submersible passengers and whether anyone committed an act of misconduct, incompetence, negligence, unskillfulness, or willful violation of law that contributed to their deaths. The probe will also look into whether there is a need for new laws or regulations, or amendment or repeal of existing laws or regulations, to prevent the recurrence of the casualty. The Coast Guards investigation is being carried out in close coordination with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and its counterparts in Canada, France and the United Kingdom. U.S. Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, makes statements to the press at the U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston on June 22. Debris discovered on the ocean floor suggests the missing submersible near the wreck of the Titanic suffered a U.S. Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, makes statements to the press at the U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston on June 22. Debris discovered on the ocean floor suggests the missing submersible near the wreck of the Titanic suffered a "catastrophic loss" of pressure, Mauger said. Its possible that OceanGate Expeditions, the company that built and operated the Titan submersible, overlooked some safety issues with the vessel. According to court documents obtained by CBS News last week, a former employee filed a complaint in 2018 alleging he was fired for expressing concerns about the safety of the vessels hull, which was made with carbon fiber and other experimental materials. Experts have also spoken out about the use of carbon fiber, a relatively new material for submersible use, in the wake of the tragedy. Bart Kemper, a mechanical engineer and member of the Marine Technology Society, told NBC News that the organization confronted OceanGates CEO, Stockton Rush, with concerns about the use of carbon fiber. But Rush, who died in the implosion with four other passengers, would not budge, Kemper said. Story continues Previous passengers of the Titan, which had only done two previous voyages to the Titanic wreckage, also spoke out last week about problems they encountered with the submersibles propulsion system and communications with those above the oceans surface. I 100% knew this was going to happen, Brian Weed, a camera operator for the Discovery Channels Expedition Unknown show, told The Associated Press. Weed embarked on a Titan test dive two years ago in Washington states Puget Sound. Related... Denmark to consider sending F-16s to Ukraine. The Danish government will actively consider whether or not to transfer F-16 Viper fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force now that it has made its move to start training that country's pilots to fly the jets. Authorities in Denmark have also announced plans to have the last of their existing F-16AM/BMs out of service by 2025, two years earlier than expected, which help pave the way for sending at least some of those aircraft to Ukraine. Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark's Acting Minister of Defense, discussed the matter of F-16s for Ukraine in an interview with the country's public broadcaster DR published earlier today. His remarks come as a NATO-led effort to at least train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s and other more modern Western combat jets has taken shape in the past few months. A Royal Danish Air Force F-16AM Viper. S1 Bryan Underwood/Royal Canadian Navy "We have taken the step of starting a training and further education effort for the Ukrainian pilots," Lund Poulsen said, according to DR. Now, "we will also consider whether we should make a concrete donation to Ukraine of the Danish F-16s... and how many there should be." The Royal Danish Air Force has around 43 F-16AM/BM Vipers in active service, which are set to be replaced with stealthy F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. It's unclear whether there are additional Danish Vipers in storage, but if that is the case, those fighters would need more work to get them read for donation to Ukraine. The Danish Ministry of Defense's original goal was for that transition to be complete by 2027, but says it has now accelerated that timeline to 2025. Authorities in Denmark had originally planned to retire the Vipers closer to 2024-2025, but had made an initial decision to extend their time in service after Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine last year. A Danish F-35A. USAF In speaking with DR, Acting Danish Minister Lund Poulsen did say this would not necessarily preclude a transfer of at least some of his country's F-16s to Ukraine before 2025. Story continues "This does not mean that you cannot make a decision beforehand," he said. "But they [F-16AM/BMs] will be in Denmark until [at least] 2024." It is worth noting that, back in April, Lund Poulsen had indicated that a decision about whether or not to send F-16s to Ukraine could come "before the summer," according to France's Le Figaro newspaper. However, his remarks to DR raise the question of whether he was talking about the pilot training program, a decision about which was made along that timeline, rather than the transfer of actual jets. "Denmark is not going to do this alone," Lund Poulsen had also said at that time per Le Figaro's report. "We will have to do this with several countries. And we will also have to have a dialogue with the Americans on this." Since then, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom, along with Denmark, have all announced their intentions to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16. With the exception of the United Kingdom, all of these countries are Viper operators now. Romania has emerged as a potential hub for this multi-national program. Ukrainian authorities are separately assessing the condition of ex-Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A/B Hornets ahead of a possible decision about acquiring those fighters. F/A-18A Hornets while in Royal Australian Air Force service. PTE Madhur Chitnis/RAAF Sweden is also initiating a training effort around the Gripen C/D fighter. France has indicated that it is open to training Ukrainian pilots to fly more modern Western combat jets, as well. When it comes to F-16s for Ukraine, the sticking point may still be about how much time is really necessary to get Ukrainian pilots, as well as ground personnel, adequately prepared to fly and sustain the jets. In his recent remarks to DR, Lund Poulsen reiterated a long-standing Western assessment, shared by the U.S. government, that it will take between six and eight months to properly train Ukrainian pilots to operate the Viper. A U.S. Air Force report that leaked earlier this year said that a baseline evaluation of two experienced Ukrainian pilots had indicated that they could attain a relatively rudimentary capacity to operate the Viper within four months. You can read more about that assessment, the findings of which appeared to have been shared with Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, here. As The War Zone has outlined in the past, it is likely that any future Ukrainian F-16 fleet would be made up of jets from multiple sources. The new talk about the possibility of transferring Danish jets notably following Dutch authorities recently highlighting the renewed availability of dozens of Vipers on their end, at least to potentially support the Ukraine pilot training effort. Those F-16s were part of a tranche that had already been retired from Dutch service, but the future of many of them is now uncertain after a planned sale to U.S. 'red air' adversary contractor Draken was significantly scaled back. A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM Viper. Royal Netherlands Air Force Ukrainian officials are, of course, pushing to get F-16s as soon as possible, arguing primarily that they will offer a significant increase in their air defense capabilities. A Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot known publicly by his call sign Juice has told The War Zone on multiple occasions that even older Vipers' ability to fire the active radar-guided AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) would be a particularly significant boon to the Ukrainian Air Force over the air-to-air missiles its existing Soviet-design fighters are capable of employing. https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1534997144574341120 Whatever the case, Danish Acting Minister of Defense Lund Poulsen latest remarks are more evidence that multiple NATO members, in particular, are moving closer to a decision about sending F-16s to Ukraine. Lund Poulsen's comments specifically leave open the possibility of transferring a portion of the Danish F-16AM/BM fleet in the next year or so as those Vipers begin to be retired. All that being said, exactly when F-16s might begin to enter Ukrainian service does still remain to be seen. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Nine cut marks on a fossilized shin bone suggest that ancient human relatives butchered and possibly ate one another 1.45 million years ago, according to a new study. The fossilized tibia was found in the collection of National Museums of Kenyas Nairobi National Museum by Briana Pobiner, a paleoanthropologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. Pobiner was studying the collection, looking for bite marks from extinct animals that might have preyed on ancient hominins, when she came across cuts that looked like they had been made by stone tools. These cut marks look very similar to what Ive seen on animal fossils that were being processed for consumption, Pobiner said in a news release. It seems most likely that the meat from this leg was eaten and that it was eaten for nutrition as opposed to for a ritual. Nine of 11 marks on the fossilized bone (numbers 1 to 4 and 7 to 11) were identified as stone tool cut marks. Marks 5 and 6 were identified as identified as tooth marks likely from a big cat. - Jennifer Clark What the cut marks reveal Study coauthor Michael Pante, a paleoanthropologist at Colorado State University, created 3D models based on molds of marks on the bone. He compared the shape of the cuts with an existing database of 898 individual tooth, butchery and trample marks created during controlled experiments. Pobiner had not told him she thought the cut marks were made by stone tools, but his analysis came to the same conclusion. The cut marks are all oriented in the same direction, making it possible that a hand wielding a stone tool could have made the marks one after another without changing grip. Its not clear what species of ancient hominin the shin bone belonged to because a leg bone doesnt offer as much taxonomic information as a cranium or jawbone. The fossilized tibia was initially identified as Australopithecus boisei and then in 1990 as Homo erectus. The emergence of sophisticated stone tools is linked with the emergence of the Homo genus that includes our own species, Homo sapiens, but more recent research has suggested that other ancient hominins may have used stone tools even earlier. Story continues The marks on the fossil hominin tibia studied by the research team were similar to those found on fossilized animal bones found in the same area and time horizon. The photos show (a) an antelope mandible, (b) an antelope radius (lower front leg bone) and (c) a large mammal scapula (shoulder blade). - Briana Pobiner Hominins eating hominins By themselves, the cuts do not definitively prove that the ancient human relative who inflicted the damage also made a meal out of the leg, but Pobiner said it was possible. The marks are located where a calf muscle would have been attached to the bone a good place to cut if the aim was to remove flesh. The information we have tells us that hominins were likely eating other hominins at least 1.45 million years ago, Pobiner said. There are numerous other examples of species from the human evolutionary tree consuming each other for nutrition, but this fossil suggests that our species relatives were eating each other to survive further into the past than we recognized. Silvia Bello, a researcher in human origins at Londons Natural History Museum, said that cannibalism might have been more common in the past than previously thought, noting that evidence for the behavior had also been found at archaeological sites associated with Neanderthals and early modern humans. For example, Neanderthals living 100,000 years ago in whats now France practiced cannibalism, perhaps because a warmer climate made food harder to come by. The latest study, published Monday in the journal Scientific Reports, is significant because this new find suggests that cannibalism might have been practiced, at least occasionally, a long way back in our ancestral history, said Bello, who was not involved in the research. Her colleague Chris Stringer, research leader in human origins at Londons Natural History Museum, said the shin bone was probably not the oldest known example of human relatives butchering one another. He said cut marks were reported on the cheek bone of a hominin fossil found in Sterkfontein, South Africa, in 2000 that could be about 2 million years old. Pobiner, however, said the source of the cut marks in that case was disputed. This new evidence looks quite convincing and adds to the evidence for cannibalism in very early, as well as the considerable evidence from later, humans, said Stringer. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NH capitol building Lawmakers in New Hampshire have agreed on a new version of a bill to ban the use of the so-called gay panic defense by defendants accused of murder in the state. A previous version of the bill was pulled at the last hour over objections by mostly Republican lawmakers that it would have eliminated the use of provocation or self-defense by defendants accused of lesser crimes. Introduced by Independent state Rep. Shaun Filliauilt, HB315 had received bipartisan support in both legislative bodies but was pulled last week over objections by some lawmakers. While there have been no known uses of the gay panic defense in New Hampshire, Filliauilt indicated he wanted to preemptively eliminate the defense. This bill will eliminate the problem before this defense is used in New Hampshire, he said, according to the Sentinel Source. The amended bill would change state law to find that a defense of provocation is not objectively reasonable if it resulted from the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victims actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation, including under circumstances in which the victim made an unwanted nonforcible romantic or sexual advance towards the defendant, or if the defendant and victim dated or had a romantic or sexual relationship. The amended text also declares that the proposed law would not preclude the jury from considering all relevant facts to determine whether the defendant was in fact provoked for purposes of establishing subjective provocation. Republican state Rep. Robert Lynn had expressed issues with the mitigation of violent crime based upon provocation, not with the prospect of banning the gay panic defense. This would do away with that, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with eliminating the gay panic defense, Lynn, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, said at the time according to local television station WMUR. It would change 500 years of law, and I dont think thats what anybody intended. Story continues Other lawmakers expressed concern the new law would limit a persons right to self-defense. After some wrangling, the new amended text eliminated these concerns by limiting the scope of the bill. We limited it to homicide, where it belonged, state Rep. Terry Roy, R-Deerfield said according to WMUR. It was earlier in another section that would have given it a more broad implication. Absolutely, self-defense is still permitted in this situation, state Sen. Becky Whitley, a Democrat, said. Were talking about homicide. The American Bar Association notes the gay panic defense has been used in the past to partially or completely excuse crimes such as murder and assault on the grounds that the victims sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendants violent reaction. Currently, only 15 states and Washington D.C. prohibit gay or trans panic defense. The amended bill is expected to be passed by both houses before being sent to Gov. Chris Sununu for signature. The claim: CO2 is 0.04% of the atmosphere and humans have contributed only 3% of that A May 26 Instagram video (direct link, archive link) shows an Australian broadcaster talking about climate change and economic policy on a talk show. "How much carbon dioxide is the problem," he asks. "How much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere? It's 0.04%. And of that 0.04%, human beings around the world create 3%. And of that 3%, Australia creates 1.3%. So, for the 1.3% of the 3% of the 0.04%, we then decide to have a national economic suicide." The video was liked more than 8,000 times in four weeks. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: Partly false The atmosphere is roughly 0.04% CO2, but humans have contributed about 33% of that, not 3%, since 1850. Australia has contributed around 1.4% of accumulated human CO2 emissions during that timeframe similar to the number stated in the video. However, that's 1.4% of around 33%, not 1.4% of 3% (or 1.3% of 3%) as claimed in the video. The overall proportion of CO2 in the atmosphere is relatively small, but researchers say the total amount of CO2 is more important than its proportion as it relates to climate change. Humans responsible for significant portion of CO2 in the atmosphere CO2 levels in the atmosphere have reached 421 parts per million, or 0.0421%, according to NASA. That's similar to the amount the person in the video claims is in the atmosphere. However, the claim that humans are only responsible for 3% of that CO2 is wrong, according to Gavin Schmidt, a NASA climate scientist and director of the Goddard Institute of Space Studies. In 1850, the atmospheric CO2 concentration was about 280 parts per million. The increase to the current level of 421 parts per million is all a result of human activity, Schmidt told USA TODAY in an email. So roughly a third, not 3%, of the CO2 currently in the atmosphere has been contributed by humans since 1850. Story continues Fact check: Global temperatures and atmospheric CO2 levels are correlated, contrary to claim Australia was responsible for about 1.4% of human emissions between 1850 and 2021, according to Carbon Brief. This is close to what is stated in the video. But, again, that's 1.4% of one-third of the amount of CO2 currently in the atmosphere, not 1.4% of 3% (or 1.3% of 3%) as claimed in the video. Additionally, between 1990 and 2019, Australia's per capita CO2 emissions from industry, land use change and agriculture were among the highest in the world, outpacing the U.S., China and Russia, according to Climate Watch. For climate change, total amount of CO2 is more important than proportion of CO2 The video implies the relatively small proportion of CO2 in the atmosphere can't drive climate change. However, in the context of climate change, the proportion of CO2 in the atmosphere is less relevant than the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, Grant Petty, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of two textbooks on atmospheric physics, told USA TODAY in an email. That's because atmospheric CO2 molecules trap heat in the atmosphere by intercepting energy released from Earth's surface. The molecules then re-emit the energy, but some emit it back toward Earth instead of allowing it to escape into space. "The ability to trap infrared heat depends on the probability of a photon (energy) from the surface encountering a greenhouse gas molecule so the more molecules, the more trapping," Schmidt said. "Thus, it is the total amount of CO2 that matters, not so much its concentration. On Mars, for instance, the air is 95% CO2, but there is much less air 150 times less than the amount on Earth so the greenhouse effect is much less." Humans contributed more than 1 trillion metric tons of CO2 to the atmosphere through fossil fuel emissions and land use changes between 1850 and 2022, according to the 2022 Global Carbon Budget. Fact check: Climate change theory compatible with laws of thermodynamics There are multiple lines of evidence that show these emissions have caused modern climate change, Josh Willis, a NASA climate scientist, previously told USA TODAY. "The amount of warming we see matches what we expect based on the increased CO2 we've added," he said in an email. "The timing of the warming matches the timing of the CO2 increase caused by people. Not only that, the timing of global sea level rise matches the CO2 increase." Global warming causes global sea level rise because warming ocean water expands. Additionally, melting glaciers and ice sheets have increased the amount of water in the oceans. USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The claim was also debunked by AFP. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Humans have significant impact on atmospheric CO2 | Fact check WASHINGTON Republicans in the House of Representatives could impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland over an allegation that the Justice Department stifled criminal charges against Hunter Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Sunday the allegation would be a significant part of an impeachment inquiry if an IRS whistleblowers claims pan out. Federal prosecutors in Delaware announced charges last week against President Joe Bidens son for failing to pay taxes in 2017 and 2018. Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty. But Gary Shapley, an IRS agent who oversaw a criminal investigation into the presidents sons taxes, said in congressional testimony revealed last week that Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss claimed he couldnt charge Hunter Biden outside of Delaware. This would contradict statements from Garland. We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities, McCarthy said Sunday on Twitter. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee. If the whistleblowers allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garlands weaponization of DOJ. The supposed weaponization of the Justice Department has been a top talking point for House Republicans backing former President Donald Trumps witch hunt grievance against federal law enforcement. Trump, who is currently running for president, was indicted this month for obstruction of justice and other federal charges related to his hoarding of classified documents after leaving the White House. The fact that Hunter Biden was also indicted only made Republicans more adamant that Trump is being mistreated. Republicans characterized the charges against Biden as a slap on the wrist, though former prosecutors have said otherwise. Shapley claimed that Weiss said in an October meeting that he couldnt bring charges against Biden in Washington, D.C., without approval from the U.S. attorney there. Shapleys testimony took place in May, but House Republicans made it public after Weiss announced a plea deal with Biden. On Saturday, Shapleys attorneys released a statement naming other people who he said witnessed the conversation. Story continues Weiss told lawmakers in a letter earlier this month that he had ultimate authority to file charges whenever and wherever he wanted. And Garland said Friday that Weiss had complete authority to make all decisions on his own. A spokesman for the Justice Department declined to comment on Monday. Far-right lawmakers in the House have been itching to impeach the president and various cabinet officials, including Garland. McCarthy persuaded them to back off a snap impeachment of Biden last week; he could throw them a bone by backing an impeachment inquiry against Garland. It would be up to the Democratic-controlled Senate whether impeachments would result in officials being removed from office. The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, will be held in China's Tianjin from Tuesday to Thursday. Around 1,500 leaders from both public and private sectors from more than 90 countries will come together for the three-day event. This year's Summer Davos Forum is themed "Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy." Six major topics will be included in the event: restarting growth, China in the global context, energy transition and materials supply, conservation of nature and climate, consumption trends in the post-pandemic era, as well as innovation deployment. In addition, 150 activities including an entrepreneur dialogue, sub-forums, and economic and trade exchanges will be held during the Summer Davos Forum, providing a communication platform for possible cooperation between the municipality and multinational corporations. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Sophias child called her Wednesday, eager to talk about the days summer camp trip to the swimming pool, complete with a slide and a basketball net. But the most important words came next: Mommy, I feel happy. Sophia, a survivor of domestic violence and mother to two elementary school-age kids, moved into Newhouse, Kansas Citys first domestic violence shelter, about a year ago. The Star is using a pseudonym to protect the survivors identity. As she works to learn English, secure a job and gain financial stability for her family, her children are putting in their own work, whether they know it or not. Her kids are among a growing number of youth living at domestic violence shelters in the Kansas City area. In fact, for the first time at least in recent years, children now outnumber adults living in KC area shelters making up 56% of the shelter population. Its a sobering reality thats brought an opportunity for domestic violence shelters to help break the cycle of violence by rethinking how they care for kids. They see an opportunity to stop violence before it starts with the help of their youngest clients. At Newhouse, this is particularly evident in their summer camp, now in its second year, focused on giving youth the tools to heal and build healthy relationships, even after experiencing the trauma of abuse. While we serve adults, our significant focus is on the next generation because thats where we know we really have the opportunity to interrupt and break the cycle of violence, said Newhouse CEO Courtney Thomas. A worksheet is seen filled out by residents and during summer camp at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. More children are living in shelters The number of children living in domestic violence shelters in the metro has been on the rise for several years. In 2019, about 43% of domestic violence shelter residents on the Missouri side of the KC metro were children, according to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. This data encompasses Jackson, Clinton, Platte, Clay, Jackson, Ray, Carroll and Chariton counties. Story continues In 2020, that number rose to 47%, and in 2021, children surpassed adults in shelters, with about 52% of shelter residents being youth. Last year, per the latest available data, 56% of shelter residents were children - about 140 more kids than adults. Matthew Huffman, with the coalition, doesnt expect this trend to reverse anytime soon. He said when a parent with children enters a shelter, data shows they are staying longer too. The reason for this increase in kids in shelters isnt exact, but Huffman believes its connected to a widespread shortage of safe and affordable housing, as well as limited affordable childcare, particularly in Kansas City. Both are especially challenging to find for parents with multiple children, who may be in more dire need of a shelter space longer-term. The lasting effects of childrens exposure to violence are well-researched. So often, domestic violence is said to be generational. Domestic violence doesnt just impact individual survivors. It has ripple effects that can impact an entire family, and then we see how it impacts entire communities, Huffman said. Girls who witness domestic violence are six times more likely to be sexually abused, according to the US Department of Health & Human Services. Boys who witness domestic violence are ten times more likely to commit abuse as adults. This statistic is constantly on the mind of Thomas, who joined Newhouse as CEO in early 2020. Its in part why, in 2021, leadership at Newhouse transitioned their childrens program which until then had served mostly as a daycare into a more intentional and robust program built on evidence-based curriculum and therapy that teaches conflict resolution, self-regulation and coping mechanisms among a host of other skills, all while trying to focus on fun. For those that are living in a violent household and that has been all they know, they dont know that life can be different, and so there is this level of acceptance and level of tolerance that is embedded in their DNA, she said. Thomas sees the difference. Now she overhears children, many of whom are developmentally behind their peers, say things like, soft touches only please, I need more space or I can do it on my own. A different kind of summer camp Violence can be difficult to talk about, especially with children. But Courtney Bailey, clinical manager at the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center, said to break the cycle of violence, its crucial that kids understand what they witnessed, acknowledge that it was scary, and learn how to navigate their own emotions going forward, like anger and fear. Thankfully, she said, people and institutions are increasingly talking about how they can best serve kids who are at an increased risk of adverse outcomes. On a recent Tuesday at Newhouse, help came in the form of mindful yoga. The sound started out as a low hum, then transitioned into more of a wail. About a dozen kids ranging in age from late elementary school to high school sat on colorful yoga mats as caseworker Esmeralda Campa showed them how to use a singing bowl. She pulled a mallet slowly across the mouth of the bowl as the sound reverberated louder. Be gentle with the bowl and be gentle with yourself, Campa told the children. The more gentle you are, the louder it is. Guests practice using a yoga singing bowl during a meditation class at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. The kids, giggling and restless after a moth interrupted the yoga session, were next instructed to twist, shake and tap different parts of their body. To recognize the power in their limbs. To touch their back, where many people hold anger, to release the tension in their shoulders. Campa repeated affirmations with them: I am brave. I am strong. I am loved. I can do hard things. I am capable. Capable of what? one girl asked. Anything, Campa reassured her. LaVeeda Simmons, the lead childrens therapist at Newhouse, said the summer camp is about the kids, but ultimately benefits the whole family. On that particular day, Newhouse was the temporary home to five pets, 21 adults and 35 kids. She helps children name their emotions. Then they learn what to do with whatever theyre feeling. This weeks camp was focused on anger management. (The week before was built around healing and nature.) As Simmons led the kids in a few rounds of anger BINGO, she talked with them about safe and unsafe words and actions, going a step beyond just telling the group that its not OK to yell or push. The goal is to give the kids more tools, so that they can set boundaries and communicate when they need time or space. She said many adults teach children to be quiet. Instead she tells them, You have a voice. Theres just a time and place to use it. LaVeeda Simmons, lead childrens therapist, leads a group therapy class during summer camp at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. Breaking cycles of violence One domestic violence shelter in Kansas City is taking these lessons outside the shelter walls and into schools. Project SAFE, a school violence prevention program, brings resources to Kansas City metro schools to help youth heal from violence and build resiliency. In 2022, more than 1,200 students were served across 30 schools through the program, said Lisa Fleming, CEO of the Rose Brooks Center, which runs the program. Rose Brooks has also seen an increase in the number of kids at their shelter, which Fleming attributes in part to the push to further destigmatize getting help for domestic violence during the pandemic lockdown, when many victims were trapped at home with their abusers. Pre-COVID, the Rose Brooks domestic violence hotline averaged between 400 and 600 calls a month, Fleming said. The number has grown to about 1,000 calls a month, according to 2022 data. Between 2019 and 2022, Rose Brooks saw a 22% increase in the number of children staying at their shelter. In that same time, theyve seen a 16% increase in the ratio of families to single adults served through their housing programs or emergency shelter. As a result, Fleming said, theyve working to make the physical shelter environment more accessible for large families, redesigning their therapeutic spaces to be more kid-friendly and building an outdoor space for children. She wants the message to be clear: Children are welcome here. For parents like Sophia, programs like those at Rose Brooks and the one her children are in at Newhouse are a relief. The [kids] are learning how the [emotions] work and how to have the power to control your [emotions], Sophia said. Theyve learned the importance of compliments, and words of affirmation. They meditate as a family. At night, it includes foot massages courtesy of mom. Thomas said its also a chance to show the kids that life can be hopeful, positive and fun. It brings a great sense of pride to us to be able to show them that life can be different and you can be in control of shaping what happens next, she said. None of us can control what has happened to us, but we can be in control of what happens next. You have more power inside of you than you think. Guest and residents play anger bingo during summer camp at Newhouse on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Kansas City. How to get help If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, the following resources are available: Hope House is a nonprofit that operates six domestic violence shelters in the Kansas City area. You can reach it directly at 816-461-4673 or call the metro domestic violence hotline at 816-468-5463 to reach any of its shelters. The Mattie Rhodes Center provides crisis counseling services primarily in Spanish to Kansas City families. Its services include domestic violence intervention and mental health counseling. You can contact the center at 816-241-3780. MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) is Kansas Citys largest resource organization for survivors of sexual assault. You can contact the groups crisis hotline at 816-531-0233 in Missouri or 913-642-0233 in Kansas. Newhouse is a domestic violence shelter in Kansas City that also provides therapy services, court advocacy and transitional housing. You can call the shelter at 816-471-5800. Rose Brooks is a domestic violence shelter that also accommodates pets. You can call its 24-hour crisis hotline at 816-861-6100. Safehome is a domestic violence shelter and nonprofit located in Overland Park. You can call its 24-hour hotline at 913-262-2868. Synergy Services is a domestic violence and youth crisis resource center based in Parkville. Teens and young adults can call its youth crisis hotline at 816-741-8700 or 888-233-1639 to learn about its services, which include a shelter for runaway and homeless youth. MOCADSV also has a statewide public directory for those searching for help outside the Kansas City metro. How you can help The 10-week-long childrens summer camp at Newhouse is in need of the following items. Those who want to help can email info@newhousekc.org to set up a delivery, or they can order directly from Newhouses Amazon wishlist at https://newhousekc.org/donate/. Newton police are investigating after three elderly people were found stabbed to death in their home Sunday morning. Officers found the three deceased individuals in a home in the Nonantum neighborhood on Broadway around 10:14 a.m. after a neighbor went to check on them after they didnt come to church Sunday morning, Middlesex District Attorneys Marian Ryan said. Police found the three victims with apparent stab wounds and blunt trauma. At a press conference Sunday night, Ryan said that there were signs of forced entry into the home. She told media members that investigators from the DAs office and Massachusetts State Police have been actively investigating the crime all Sunday. Investigators also found signs of a possible break-in about half a mile away on Brookside Avenue but it is unclear if it is related, Ryan said. Ryan asked the public to remain vigilant, check their doors and windows, and immediately report any suspicious activity to police as investigators searched for the killer or killers. Neighbors told Boston 25 News a couple in their 70s and one of their mothers, a woman in her 90s, lived in the house. The married couple was celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend and were supposed to attend mass at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton on Sunday morning to renew their vows. The portion of Broadway between Churchill and Linwood Avenues was closed late into Sunday night while officials scoured the large crime scene. Residents in the Nonantum and Newtonville areas were also asked to check any camera on their property in case it captured something that may be helpful for police. I am concerned with such a violent crime taking place where this individual or individuals are still at large, Newton Police Chief John Carmichael said. Newton police have increased their presence in the area and are asking everyone to lock their doors and windows. The victims identities have not been released. DA tells us they died of stab wounds and/or blunt force trauma. There were signs of forced entry. Also a break-in attempt on nearby Brookside Ave. Unclear if related. Killer(s) still on the run. Police, DA urging #Newton residents to lock their doors & windows and be vigilant. https://t.co/tI8EpuO1Vm Christine McCarthy (@ChristineMNews) June 26, 2023 Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Field camps were under construction in Belarus on Monday for Wagner mercenaries fighting under Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was just exiled to the country following his attempted mutiny in Russia, according to independent Russian news outlet Verstka. We are working, we are already working today. Tomorrow, before lunch, the task is to [build], one source told Vertska. One relative of a Wagner fighter told the outlet they were told they would be sent to Belarus. The camps under design are reportedly preparing for 8,000 beds, will stretch 24,000 square meters (258,334 square feet), and will be about 120 miles from Belarus border with Ukraine. In a recorded address to the nation late on Monday night in Russia, President Vladimir Putin confirmed that any Wagner fighters who did not shed blood could sign a contract to join the Russian military or go to Belarus. Prigozhin Just Got Double-Crossed by Duplicitous Putin Prigozhin ordered his troops to march on Moscow over the weekend, threatening to remove Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu over the way Shoigu has handled the war in Ukraine. And although Prigozhin called off the rebellion after negotiating with Putin and Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko to broker a deal that dropped criminal charges against Prigozhin and left him exiled to Belarus, the fate of Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenary group remains uncertain. The Daily Beast has not been able to verify the reports of the construction in Belarus. But the report of new field camps comes days after the Kremlin hinted that Wagner could be dissolved moving forward, and could provide some clues as to the future of Prigozhins mercenary fighters. Prigozhin had announced he had called his troops back to the field camps in Ukraine, where they have been working to stage attacks against Ukrainians. It was not immediately clear if all of the troops headed for Ukraine, however. And with possible field camps in Belarus, Prigozhin may be able to continue operating Wagner after all, just days after they staged the largest challenge to Putins decades-long hold on power in Russia. Story continues Belarus has been providing Russia a staging ground for their war in Ukraine since Russias invasion last year. Lukashenko, whose leadership of Belarus has devolved into serving as a puppet of Putin in recent years, has vowed to continue to allow Russia to use Belarusian territory. Just how much of a threat Wagner and Prigozhin, a former close ally of Putin, will be able to pose to Putins grip on power remains to be seen. Its not clear if potential Wagner camps in Belarus would be a threat to Russia. Given the nature of Lukashenkos relationship with Putin, its unlikely that Lukashenko will sanction Prigozhin-led activities in Belarus without Putin knowing about them, and approving of them, Kenneth Yalowitz, a former U.S. ambassador to Belarus, told The Daily Beast. Putin might have dictated the terms to Lukashanko. I kind of doubt that Lukashenko could have committed Putin to all these things without Putins assent, Yalowitz said. Why Did Putin Let Prigozhin Walk Away? Questions had already begun to bubble up over whether Prigozhin will be able to stage attacks from Belarus; Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland is boosting defensive preparations on its borders with Belarus and anticipating attacks. Its also unclear if Prigozhin will be able to stage attacks against Ukraine as well. But with 25,000 Wagner troops, much of Prigozhins future still hangs in the balance. Prigozhin at this point is a wild card, Yalowitz said, and could potentially pose a problem for Lukashenko too. If theyve evacuated into Belarus, whats their purpose? I mean, you know, they could be a threat to Lukashenko as well, he said. For Lukashenko, you would have, in effect, almost like Russian troops occupying Belarus, and that will not go down very well with his public. Some Wagner troops might be headed to work for the Russian Ministry of Defense. As part of the agreement that has exiled Prigozhin, Wagner troops that didnt back the rebellion are to be offered contracts with the conventional Russian military. Its a stipulation that echoes earlier efforts by Russias Ministry of Defense to force Wagner fighters into the conventional militaryefforts that Prigozhin himself had rebuffed and could have contributed to his motivation to stage the mutiny. In the meantime, there are indications that Putin is still working to dampen Prigozhin and Wagners power. Russia is cracking down on private military companies (PMCs) like Wagner, according to Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the State Duma Defense Committee. Kartapolov said Monday he is working on drafting a bill that will regulate PMCs more. But he predicted nothing would change before the autumn, according to state-owned media outlet TASS. Authorities shut down Prigozhins social media page on Vkontakte, and several recruiting sites were shuttered as well, according to TASS. African Officials Panic Following Prigozhins Mutiny For now, Wagner is recruiting in Novosibirsk, according to TASS. And a Wagner staff member confirmed the group is working to operate normally, according to Fontanka SPB Online. Everything remains unchanged for us, the staffer said. We are working as usual. Recruits are being offered 240,000 rubles, or around $2,800, plus a bonus if they make it to Ukraine, according to Fontanka SPB Online. Meanwhile, although Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia had dropped charges against Prigozhin for starting the mutiny, a criminal probe is ongoing, TASS reported. The FSB continues to investigate Prigozhin, according to Kommersant and other Russian outlets. Signs emerged Monday that Prigozhin may be working to spin his mutiny as an act of defense, rather than a rebellion. In an audio recording, he claimed he staged the rebellion following an attack on his troops, to prevent Wagner from getting shut down. We started our march because of an injustice, he said, according to an AP translation. The goal was not toppling the Russian authorities, he said, according to the War Translated project. And although the Kremlin said Prigozhins personal security is a guarantee of Putins, Prigozhin is not necessarily safe from Putins hitmen moving forward. There are just questions everywhere. Is Prigozhin a man who is going to be hunted down in Belarus? Yalowitz said. With 10,000 troops at his disposal, he's not going to be a very easy target to take down. Its unlikely Prigozhin will go belly-up for Lukashenko at this stage, Yalowitz predicted. Would he be loyal to Lukashanko? No. Hes not going to be loyal. Hell be loyal to himself, he said. Prigozhins whereabouts were uncertain as of Monday. He was seen leaving Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia on Saturday after announcing he was calling off the rebellion. Unconfirmed reports circulated Monday suggesting he had been spotted in Minsk, the Belarussian capital. Lukashenkos press service said Monday it did not know if Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students could be executed by firing squad if hes convicted and sentenced to death and if the state cannot obtain the drugs necessary for a lethal injection. Latah County prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing the four students last November at an off-campus home in Moscow, according to a court document filed Monday. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the November 13 killings of students Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. CNN has reached out to Kohbergers attorneys for comment. A not guilty plea was entered on Kohbergers behalf by an Idaho judge at a May hearing. Kohbergers trial date is set for October 2 and is expected to last about six weeks. In March, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a new law giving the states department of corrections up to five days after a death warrant is issued to determine if lethal injection drugs are available, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. If the drugs are not available, a firing squad can perform the execution. Idahos new law goes into effect July 1, joining similar laws in Mississippi, Utah and Oklahoma. Lethal injection drugs have become harder to get as some manufacturers dont want their products used in executions. Kohberger, a criminal justice student, was arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania almost seven weeks after the killings in Idaho. The prosecution has not identified or been provided with any mitigating circumstances to stop it from considering the death penalty, according to the court document filed Monday. Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty, the filing states. The prosecution will continue to review additional information as it is received and reserves the right to amend or withdraw the notice, according to the filing. CNNs Holly Yan, Amy Simonson, Jason Kravarik and Cheri Mossburg contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A North Carolina man had his flight delayed by 18 hours, but his reward was a private flight home. This happened unintentionally though, as Phil Stinger (@phil.stinger) was simply the only person on the plane. His flight, operated by American Airlines, was supposed to take off from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 6:20 a.m. However, it didnt take off until 12:12 a.m the next day and landed at roughly 3 a.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina. While many people wouldve been upset about being that far behind schedule, Stinger and the flight crew made the best of the situation. I am the only person on the plane and they have an entire flight crew. They do not want to do this flight, Stinger said. They pulled them from the hotel to come do this flight for just one person. Stinger recorded members of the flight crew who sarcastically and light-heartedly gave him safety instructions as if they had a full plane. He had a great time on the plane, and many of the 2.7 million viewers wished they had an experience like his. This is my dream as a passenger!! Ive had an entire row to myself once and that was amazing, replied @avzbanana. Im so surprised they didnt cancel the flight! thats an amazing experience, replied @giam_28. Many other people were surprised the trip wasnt canceled simply because of how much it costs to operate commercial flights. According to pilotpassion.com, the average cost to run one flight is over $15,000 per hour. That number is adjusted for a plane of 300 people. With just one person on board, there surely wasnt enough to offset costs. People were surprised the flight wasnt canceled because it was delayed so long which is an increasing problem with flights. Forbes reported that the percentage of delays have increased since this time last year. With these numbers rising and the possibility of flights being delayed, there are some ways to take advantage of these situations. Although airlines are not legally required to provide compensation for delayed flights, many still provide meals or housing if the trip is significantly behind schedule. Travelers have a better chance of getting compensation from the airline if the delay is caused by something the company controls. Story continues In May, President Joe Biden proposed a new rule that would require airlines to compensate passengers for flights delayed by at least three hours standardizing how airlines respond to these situations. Under that rule, Stinger and everyone scheduled to take that flight wouldve gotten food and a place to stay. Instead, Stinger waited things out and got to fly on a plane by himself. In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News follow us here! The post TikTokers envious after man rejoices for being the only person on a flight following an 18-hour delay appeared first on In The Know. More from In The Know: Crocs Sport Mode shoes just launched at DICK'S Sporting Goods it's no longer just a joke Shein's influencer brand trip backfires If youre a minimalist, this mini crossbody bag is for you: Its fashionable, yet sporty and convenient Woman in the traumatic brain injury field reveals the things she'll never and always do after what she's seen Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. Readers may write to him via email at carl.p.leubsdorf@gmail.com. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab in north China's Tianjin, June 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) TIANJIN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab in Tianjin on Monday. Li noted that the WEF plays an important role in promoting global economic cooperation, and that cooperation between China and the WEF has continued for more than 40 years and has yielded fruitful results. The WEF has not only provided a good platform for exchanges between Chinese and foreign business communities, but has also opened a window for mutual understanding between China and the world. With the development of globalization, world economies have long been intertwined with each other, Li said. He noted that countries cooperating with each other and complementing each other's advantages is a requirement for the development of productive forces, and an irreversible historical trend. Li said that all countries should practice frank and in-depth communication to enhance understanding and mutual trust, limit misjudgments, pursue win-win results, strengthen the convergence of interests, and work together to overcome common challenges and create a better future. China will remain committed to its path of peaceful development, advance its high-level opening-up, and share development opportunities with other countries, Li said. China is ready to work with all parties to build an open world economy and a community with a shared future for humanity, Li added. For his part, Schwab said the WEF highly appreciates the important contributions China has made to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting global economic growth, and promoting global poverty reduction. The whole world benefits from China's development. Schwab said the WEF is willing to deepen its partnership with China, encourage all parties to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, jointly address climate change and other global challenges, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab in north China's Tianjin, June 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) 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. AMMAN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and the United Nations should boost cooperation to create favorable conditions for Syrian refugees' safe and voluntary return to their homeland, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday. The minister made the remarks at a meeting in Amman with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. During the meeting, Safadi briefed Griffiths on the ongoing Arab efforts to achieve a political solution to the Syrian crisis, stressing that Jordan has surpassed its capacity to accommodate refugees. Safadi also highlighted the humanitarian obligation and the regional and international security necessity to provide refugees with decent living conditions until they can return to their homeland. The two officials also discussed the collaboration mechanisms between the kingdom and UN organizations to address the challenges of the Syrian refugee situation, as well as the latest regional and international developments. Griffiths expressed his appreciation for the significant humanitarian role played by Jordan in hosting refugees and providing them with a decent life. 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. Furtunile au devastat Balcanii Au fost scene ca la sfarsitul lumii, la doi pasi de Romania. Ciocnirea dintre aerul fierbinte din sudul Europei si un val rece, coborat din nord, a provocat, din senin, furtuni cumplite, care au terorizat Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia si Bosnia. La noi, vantul s-a simtit in special in vestul tarii, unde a avut peste 80 de kilometri la rafala, [citeste mai departe] BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, on Monday announced the appointment and removal of officials. Wang Zhizhong was appointed vice minister of public security, and Sun Xiuchun and Zhang Yu were appointed deputy heads of the National Government Offices Administration. Li Wentang was appointed vice president of the National Academy of Governance (NAG), and he will no longer serve as the NAG provost, while Zhang Zhongjun was appointed member of the NAG academy affairs committee. Yan Zhen was appointed deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (National Park Administration). Lyu Yuyin was appointed deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region. Also according to the announcement, Liu Zheng was removed from the post of vice minister of civil affairs, and Zhao Shitang will no longer serve as the deputy head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. Meng Dong was removed from the post of deputy head of the National Radio and Television Administration. Zhao Cheng will no longer serve as vice president of Xinhua News Agency. Li Ligong was removed from the post of deputy head of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Romanias Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu urged German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday to further boost NATOs eastern flank by sending over German troops to his country soon and permanently, according to Politico. I hope that soon we will have German soldiers permanently on the territory of Romania, - NATO allies on Tuesday formally extended Jens Stoltenbergs term as secretary-general by a year, according to Politico. Honoured by NATO Allies decision to extend my term as Secretary General until 1 October 2024, Stoltenberg tweeted. The transatlantic bond between Europe & North America has ensured - The European Commission requested an increase of E66 billion on Tuesday for the EUs long-term budget after several crises drained the blocs coffers, according to Politico. We have been using the budget more than ever, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. We come today with a very targeted - Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang cautioned his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday that Beijing would react strongly if the EU were to sanction Chinese companies over their potential role in assisting Russias war in Ukraine, according to Politico. Yet Baerbock rebuffed the warning, telling - Un tanar din localitatea sarba Subotica, elev al liceului Svetozar Markovic, a fost arestat dupa ce, intr-o conversatie cu psihologul scolii, a spus ca planuia un masacru, scrie publicatia sarba blics.ro. FBI a intrat in alerta dupa ce a descoperit ca minorul isi crea conturi pe internet cu numele - Au aparut primele imagini cu arestarea suspectului de 21 ani care ar fi omorat opt persoane si a ranit alte 13, in urma unui atac armat in Serbia, informeaza Antena 3. Ministerul de Interne din Serbia a postat astazi pe Youtube un clip video in care este surprinsa arestarea suspectului de 21 de ani - UPDATE: Autorul atacului armat de joi seara a fost retinut de politistii sarbi. Potrivit informatiilor din presa sarba, el se ascunsese, dupa atac, intr-o padure din apropierea localitatii unde a avut loc atacul. Din primele informatii, conflictul ar fi izbucnit noaptea trecuta, in curtea unei scoli. - Presedintele SUA, Joe Biden, si-a anuntat, marti, candidatura pentru alegerile prezidentiale din 2024. Anuntul a fost facut pe contul sau de Twitter, printr-un clip video, sub sloganul Libertate. Clipul video de trei minute incepe cu un singur cuvant: Freedom (Libertate). Every generation has a Jakub Blaszczykowski si-a anuntat retragerea din fotbal Fostul capitan al Poloniei si fotbalist al Borussiei Dortmund, Jakub Blaszczykowski, a declarat joi ca a decis sa-si incheie cariera de jucator.In varsta de 37 de ani, al doilea cel mai selectionat jucator al tarii sale (109), dupa Robert Lewandowski (142), a debutat la echipa nationala [citeste mai departe] Budapest has won 5 million euros in European Union direct funding for a social housing scheme, the Mayors Office said. Despite a housing crisis in Budapest, the central governments housing policy is failing to support the expansion of affordable and safe rented accommodation which would be vital for reducing the effects of the crisis, the statement said. A consortium led by the Budapest City Council won the EU support through the urban development scheme dubbed EUI European Urban Initiative under the arrangements of the New European Bauhaus programme. A total of 99 applications were submitted from 21 EU member states for support and the winners were selected through several rounds of assessments, the statement said. The AHA Budapest project aims to expand affordable, safe and sustainable social housing with the help of the funding. In cooperation with the consortium partners, a now empty former school building will be converted in Budapests 4th district into a residential building with 20 flats that will offer affordable and sustainable homes. How many battles have been fought at Chain Bridge? How attempts have been made to blow it up and how many were successful? Whatever happened to the man behind the bridge, Count Istvan Szechenyi? The Ever-Living Chain Bridge is the title of an online photo exhibition on the history of Budapests most iconic landmark. Presenting the most important events in its time span, the series runs from 1819 to the present day. It also be viewed in a spectacular animated video. From its groundbreaking ceremony in 1842 to its closure for renovation in 2021, this jewel of Budapest has been party to many fateful events. During its construction, it witnessed the outbreak and fall of the War of Independence of 1848-49, at the end of which it was almost destroyed. It did indeed collapse at the end of World War II, and the citizens of Budapest joined forces to rebuild it only to see the arrival of tanks in 1956. Many times, it was crossed by crowds, happy or angry, discontented or wanting change. In addition to the online exhibition, an animated short film, Chain Bridge Witness to History, brings its story to life - see video below. The online exhibition was commissioned by 'Budapest Brand', and assisted by the Budapest History Museum Kiscelli and the Hungarian News Agency (MTI). Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com Peter Takacs, the interior ministrys state secretary for health care, signed a strategic agreement with representatives of advocacy groups. We are looking for ways to provide the highest possible financial and moral compensation for health specialists, the state secretary said. Its not enough to have good ideas; those need to be made a reality in cooperation with the stakeholders. Takacs said the advocacy groups were tough negotiators, but all the more constructive. The agreement will serve as a solid foundation enabling us to fight shoulder to shoulder for modern health care with a human face, he said. The agreement was signed by Agnes Cser, head of health-care and social workers union MSZEDDSZ, Zoltan Balogh, head of the Hungarian Chamber of Health-care Workers, and Lajos Toma, head of the Independent Trade Union of Ambulance Workers. Upcoming Events June 27: Youth Agronomy Day, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., NCTA, Curtis June 27-28: Soil Health School, West Central REEC, North Platte June 28: SCAL Weed Management Field Day, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., near Clay Center June 28: Nebraska Turfgrass Field Day, UNL East Campus, Info: https://turf.unl.edu/nebraska-turfgrass-field-day June 28-29: Historic Roots for Ags Future (keynote Jason Mauck and farm tours in Seward Co. area), RSVP: https://www.grazemastergroup.com/events June 29: Webinar: Integrating annual forages into your production system, Noon, Info: https://cap.unl.edu/webinars July 6: 4 Rs Nutrient Stewardship Field Day, ENREC near Mead Aug. 1: South Central Ag Lab Field Day, near Clay Center Crop updates Irrigated crops are moving along with corn approaching the late vegetative stages and many beans in beginning to full flowering. Spidermites in stressed fields, no point doing anything. Small grasshoppers and Japanese beetle adults starting to emerge sorry everyone, I groaned too! Soy problems In the past 10 days Ive received calls and texts from a large area regarding soybeans often having yellowing to some extent, growing slowly, some with stacked internodes and some dying. Chem may not have broken down with the dry conditions from last years corn herbicides. Most situations had some type of Group 27 chemistry and yellowing of newer trifoliates and buds could be seen. In irrigated fields, the soybeans are growing out of it with water and time. In non-irrigated fields, the drought isnt helping with plant metabolism and breakdown of herbicide. Also, a number of reports of soybean plants dying. Work through each situation to determine if herbicide carryover, drought, seedling disease, other issues, or a combination of factors are the issue. Many times Im seeing a combination of factors. Seeing some plants in non-irrigated situations have a red lesion on the stem with rotted roots, which can be an indication of Rhizoctonia root rot (disease that occurs with stress, particularly herbicide injury and drought). Some soybeans dying in irrigated situations were replanted beans that didnt have a seed treatment fungicide on them and they have characteristic phytophthora root rot (dark lesion from soil line up and rotted roots), sometimes also in combination with herbicide carryover symptoms. Many have mentioned beans are short and not growing quickly. Dry conditions and often also Group 15 products can result in slowed growth as the beans are trying to metabolize those products. Most are aware of the heart-shape/club shape as normal to leaves of beans from metabolizing Group 15 products. Crop insurance question Several people have asked about gravity irrigated soybeans that are too small to ridge in gravity irrigated fields and pivot corners if they could just change the designation to non-irrigated beans. Another consideration, some wells are sucking air and theyre concerned about keeping pivots going. In talking with someone from crop insurance, he said that designations are based on whatever the intent at planting was and that cant be changed. However, they are receiving the same questions and being unable to ridge beans can be an insurable cause of loss, so please talk with your crop insurance agent about your specific situation. Irrigating beans Glad to see moisture has been pushed into the third foot in more corn fields. Typically wed avoid irrigating soybean at flowering to avoid disease onset such as sudden death syndrome and white mold, but this year depends on your current soil moisture status, if its canopied or not (less favorable for disease if it isnt yet), and the disease history of the particular field. If theres no subsoil in bean fields with minimal canopy cover, Ive been saying to irrigate deeply and less frequently during soybean flowering. (Evaporation from the soil surface and Transpiration of water through the leaves) has been higher in our area this year. Factors that contribute to ET include humidity, temperature, wind, cloud cover. Weve had low humidity (unusual for us-thus lack of rainfall), intense sun with minimal cloud cover, and a few days with some wind. Knowing ET helps one understand how the crop uses water to better schedule irrigations. UBBNRD sends out ET info. from the York 2W mesonet station; please let Terry Julesgard know if youd like to receive it. Otherwise ET info. at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/gdd-etdata. Forage Insurance Webinar A forage insurance webinar will be held on June 29 at Noon. Information can be found at: https://go.unl.edu/k6s7. Weed Science Field Day Weed Science Field Day is June 28 at South Central Ag Lab near Clay Center where a number of corn and soybean herbicide programs are showcased. Herbicide programs with planting green, interseeding cover crops also shown. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Reg. at 8:30 a.m.). RSVP: https://agronomy.unl.edu/fieldday Graze Master event The Graze Master Event will be held on June 28-29 in Seward County featuring tours of area producers operations and many speakers. Information and RSVP at: https://www.grazemastergroup.com/events. Tomato leaves curling There are lots of reasons for tomato leaves curling. Lower leaves curling often due to heat/water stress. Upper leaves curling could be virus, insects, or herbicide damage. Look at all plants in the garden. If only tomato plants impacted, and only certain ones with upper leaves, most likely a virus-remove those plants. If upper leaves curling due to growth regulator (2,4-D/dicamba) injury, I say remove any current fruit on the plants and just keep watering to dilute it in the plant. If new growth in several weeks looks normal, you can eat new fruit. More info. from Backyard Farmer video: https://youtu.be/gsaWvzghaYQ. Please take care of yourselves! Recent webinar recording about stress: https://go.unl.edu/5oje Nebraska Rural Response Hotline: 1-800-464-0258. A male passenger travelling on a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight was arrested for allegedly defecating, urinating and spitting in the aircraft. As per a report on ANI, the incident took place on June 24, 2023 when a male passenger travelling on Air India Flight AIC 866 (AI-866) from Mumbai to Delhi, misconducted in the aircraft on row 9 of the aircraft. The passenger, a cook from Africa was seated on 17F, officials said. According to the FIR filed by the flight captain at the Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport police station, on June 24, the flight was in the air when the passenger seated on seat no. 17F defecated, urinated and spat in the aircraft. The FIR further stated that this misconduct was spotted by the cabin crew and, subsequently, a verbal warning was issued by the cabin supervisor of the flight. Later, the flight captain was also informed of the misconduct. According to the complaint, fellow passengers were incensed and agitated over the misconduct and as the flight touched down at the Delhi airport, the head of Air India security attended to and escorted the accused passenger to the IGI Airport police station. Further, according to the FIR filed after the incident, a message was sent to the company immediately and airport security was requested to escort the passenger on arrival. The accused passenger is a cook working in Africa and was travelling to Delhi on the Air India flight AIC 866 on June 24. cre Trending Stories Speaking to ANI, a senior official of Delhi Police said, "On the complaint of the flight captain, Delhi Police registered a case -- u/s 294/510 -- at IGI police station and arrested the accused passenger. We produced him before a court which granted him bail. Further investigation is underway." "A passenger on an Air India flight operating from Mumbai-Delhi on June 24 behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers. The passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing in Delhi. A police complaint (FIR) was registered subsequently, as was the matter reported to the regulator. We are extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigation," said Air India Spokesperson. As seen on the flight tracking website FlightAware, the airline operates the Flight AI866 on a daily basis from Mumbai to Delhi. The flight originates from Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 9 AM and lands at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at 11.10 AM. The airline has deployed an Airbus A321 aircraft for the flight. New Delhi: Government has approved capital investment proposals worth Rs 56,415 crore in 16 states in the current financial year. Approval has been given under the scheme entitled 'special assistance to states for capital investment 2023-24'. Capital investment projects in diverse sectors have been approved including health, education, irrigation, water supply, power, roads, bridges and railways, official sources said. Funds for meeting the state share of Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana have also been provided to states under this scheme to enhance pace of the projects in these sectors. In view of a higher multiplier effect of capital expenditure and in order to provide boost to capital spending by states, the scheme was announced in the Union budget 2023-24. cre Trending Stories Under the scheme, special assistance is being provided to the state governments in the form of 50-year interest free loan up to an overall sum of Rs 1.3 lakh crore during 2023-24. The scheme also aims at increasing the housing stock for the police personnel and their families within the police stations in urban areas. Another objective of the scheme is to promote national integration, carry forward the concept of 'Make in India' and promote the concept of 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) through construction of Unity Mall in each state. New Delhi: Infosys (INFY.NS), India's No.2 IT services provider, signed a $454-million deal with Denmark's Danske Bank, it said on Monday, days after bigger rival Tata Consultancy Services (TCS.NS) announced a mega-contract amid a slowdown in the IT services industry. The deal, which includes Infosys acquiring Danske Bank's IT centre in India, is for five years with an option to renew for one more year for a maximum of three times, Infosys said in a regulatory filing. "Infosys will collaborate with Danske Bank to strengthen their core business with greater digital, cloud and data capabilities," said Infosys CEO Salil Parekh. Infosys expects the transactions to be completed before the second quarter of this financial year. cre Trending Stories Shares of the Bengaluru-headquartered company were little changed after the deal announcement. The stock is down about 15% so far this year, compared with a little-changed Nifty IT index (.NIFTYIT). The deal comes as Indian IT services companies face demand challenges in their key markets - the United States and Europe - where clients have cut spends amid worries about recession. Infosys in April forecast revenue growth would hit a six-year low this fiscal year on slowdown worries. Rival TCS signed a contract worth 840 million pounds with British pension scheme Nest for an initial tenure of 10 years last week.That deal came on the heels of TCS terminating a $2-billion contract with insurance provider Transamerica, citing reasons that included a challenging macro environment. BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the United States indicting Chinese enterprises over fentanyl-related issues, the country's Ministry of Commerce said Monday. It is a typical act of unilateral bullying by the United States to illegally acquire the so-called evidence via a "sting operation" and launch the indictments, the ministry said. China always strictly enforces anti-drug policies and scheduled fentanyl-related substances as a class -- the first country to do so in the world -- which has played an important role in preventing the illicit manufacturing, trafficking, and abuse of fentanyl, it noted. China will firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, it said. New Delhi: India's Shree Cement fell on Monday, after NDTV reported on Saturday that tax evasion amounting to 230 billion rupees ($2.81 billion) was found in searches at multiple company locations. Deductions claimed by Shree Cement are false and the company siphoned 12 billion rupees to 14 billion rupees every year, the report added, citing sources, but without specifying the timeline. The income tax (IT) department was conducting a survey action at five locations of the company in the north-western state of Rajasthan last week, according to reports. Shree Cement and the IT department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments. The company's standalone tax expenses fell over 58% YoY to 2.31 billion rupees in the financial year ended March 31, while profit fell 44% to 13.28 billion rupees on a surge in other costs. Shares of the company opened 10% lower on Monday at 22,630.75 rupees, their steepest intraday drop in over three years, and were last down around 7.2% at 10:56 a.m. IST. cre Trending Stories Shree Cement said on Saturday that the survey was still ongoing, and that its management team is extending full co-operation to officials. New Delhi: The world is excitedly waiting for the cage fight between two billionaires Meta head Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla, Twitter and SpaceX head Elon Musk. The UFC chief recently said that both billionaires are deadly serious about the fight. However, no information has come out if and when the fight between them will happen. The entire world is keenly waiting to watch the biggest fight. New video recently shared on Twitter has intensified the excitement of people around the world in which Mark Zuckerberg was seen training Jiu Jitsu with Lex. Sharing the video on Twitter, Lex Fridman said he looked forward to train with Elon Musk as well. Its inspiring to see both Elon and Mark taking on the martial arts journey, he added. Whats the Entire Story? cre Trending Stories It all started when Elon Musk challenged the Meta CEO and amateur Jiu-Jitusu fighter Mark Zuckerberg for a cage fight last week. Zuck accepted the challenge and sent him a location for the bout. The UFC president talked to both billionaires and concluded that they were deadly serious on it. What Is Jiu-Jitusu Martial Art? Here's a highlight video of Mark Zuckerberg and I training jiu jitsu. I look forward to training with @elonmusk as well. It's inspiring to see both Elon and Mark taking on the martial arts journey. See the full video here: https://t.co/G1ubUuxILK pic.twitter.com/WsLaRiFf1o Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) June 25, 2023 Jiu-Jitusu drives from the Japanese Ju meaning gentle and Jutsu meaning art. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is primarily a ground-based martial art that use the principles of leverage, angles, pressure, timing, and knowledge of the human anatomy to force an opponent to submit without employing physical force. Jiu jitsu concentrates on close-contact "grappling" holds and techniques, as well as the use of chokes and joint manipulations, in contrast to other martial arts that emphasise blows and/or kicks. New Delhi: Rarely does someone choose to give up their luxurious lifestyle and live simply in order to pursue their passion. But here the IIT graduate left his lucrative position at Intel in the US to launch a dairy in Hyderabad, India. Their efforts paid off today, as the dairy farm is now a firm with 87.50 Cr (unaudited) in revenue. Here we have curated a glimpse of how an Intel employee who left the US and returned to India developed the Sid Dairy Farm, which has an 87.50 Cr (unaudited) turnover and rose to the position of a dairy entrepreneur. Kishore Indukuri: Background cre Trending Stories In Hyderabad, Kishore grew up in a middle-class family. His mother's name is Lakshmi, and his father's name is Narasimha Raju. His father spent 25 years as an engineer with Mahindra & Mahindra. His younger brother is a software engineer, while his mother was a housewife. Kishore Indukuri: Education Kishore Indukuri graduated from Little Flower Junior College with a Class 12 diploma after completing his 10th-grade year at Nalanda Vidyalaya High School. IIT Kharagpur is where he received his B Sc in Chemistry. Hyderabad is where Kishore Indukuri was born. He received his IIT Kharagpur degree. He travelled to the University of Massachusetts in the USA to continue his studies. Later, he earned his doctorate in polymer science from the same university where he also completed his post-graduate engineering studies at the University of Massachusetts. Kishore Indukuri: Professional Career Kishore began working for US-based technology business Intel Corporation in Chandler, Arizona, as a Senior Quality and Reliability Engineer after receiving his Ph.D. He was given permission by Intel to visit South Korea, Japan, and other nations in Europe. Before he made the decision to go back to India, Kishore Indukuri was employed by Intel Corporation as a Senior Processing Engineer. In Chandler, Kishore had purchased a home close to the Intel office. In the US, life may get extremely cozy. But there was something lacking in his life. Kishore was seeking a powerful kick. Kishore wanted to go back to India to work since he was dissatisfied with his well-paying job there. He spent six years working for Intel before deciding to return to India from the United States. Kishore Indukuri: Starting Of Entrepreneurship Finally, IIT graduate Kishore Indukuri, who also holds Master's and Doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts, quit his well-paying, stable, and lucrative career at Intel in the US in order to move back to India. Kishore tried his hand at as many different enterprises as he could once he got back to Hyderabad. He helped students prepare for the GRE and TOEFL. He also planted veggies. Over the course of two years, he made investments totaling around Rs 1 crore in various firms. He soon discovered that the choices for clean and safe milk were few. His dairy so began in 2012 with a just 20-cow investment. He stopped operating his other businesses and devoted himself to this dairy farm. Kishore Indukuri initially offered milk for sale in the wholesale sector. Since the production cost was about Rs 26 per litre, he lost money by selling at a price of Rs.15 per litre. He began personally milking the cows and then began bringing them to the consumers, which was a difficult operation. In order to interact with people, Kishore Indukuri went to housing societies and community centres. The milk was then given a longer shelf life by setting up a freeze and store mechanism. He disseminated leaflets about the advantages of milk without water, antibiotics, preservatives, or hormones around his region. Before ordering, he instructed customers to sample the milk. His wife Hima designed the pamphlets. After his son Siddhartha, he gave the farm the name Sid dairy farm. By 2018, the dairy farm in Indukuri has overtaken all other milk suppliers in Hyderabad. His dairy farm buys milk from 1500 farmers and distributes more than 25,000 litres of milk to around 6,000 clients in and around Hyderabad. At Sid Dairy Farm in Shahbad, which has evolved into an 87.50 Cr (unaudited) firm, there are more than 100 cows. The dairy farm now employs 300 people, generates 40 crores in revenue annually, and has expanded its activities. New Delhi: India will remove additional duties on eight US products, including chickpeas, lentils, and apples, which were imposed in 2019 in response to America's measure to increase tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products, government sources said. During the recent state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US, both countries decided on the termination of six WTO (World Trade Organisation) disputes and the removal of these retaliatory tariffs on certain US products. In 2018, the US imposed an import duty of 25 percent on steel products and 10 percent on certain aluminum products on grounds of national security. In retaliation, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products. cre Trending Stories The duties on these eight US-origin products would revert to the currently applied most-favoured-nation (MFN) rate after India notifies the rescinding of additional duties, one of the sources, who is aware of the development, said. The tariffs would end in 90 days. As part of the agreement, India will be removing additional duty on chickpeas (10 percent), lentils (20 percent), almonds fresh or dried (Rs 7 per kg), almonds shelled (Rs 20 per kg), walnuts (20 percent), apples fresh (20 percent), boric acid (20 percent), and Diagnostic Regents (20 percent), the sources added. The duties were increased on 28 US products in 2019 in retaliation to the US decision to increase duties on certain steel and aluminium products. US lawmakers and industry leaders have welcomed the announcement of an agreement with India to end these duties. 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. "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, has said in a statement. India was Washington's second export market for apples. New Delhi: According to a report by The Hindu, the price of tomatoes is expected to rise by more than 100 rupees a kilogramme. The price of tomatoes had risen dramatically to over 80 rupees last week. A 15-kg crate of tomatoes that was sold for 1,100 on Sunday in Kolar's wholesale APMC market was reported in English daily. This will eventually have an impact on the city's retail market. According to a farmer who spoke to the newspaper about the increase in tomato prices, this year's sowing of the fruit was smaller than it was the year before. According to Anji Reddy, farmers in Kolar resorted to planting beans this year as a result of last year's skyrocketing bean prices. (Also Read: This IIT Engineer Quit US Job And Started Sid Dairy Farm In India And Become Dairy Entrepreneur) However, because of a weak monsoon, crops failed to grow. There would only be 30 percent as many tomatoes as normal. (Also Read: How A 9th Class Fail Became The Founder Of 200 Crore Business? An Inspiring Tale Of Kailash Katkar) cre Trending Stories The price collapse of the crop last month is what has farmers losing interest in growing tomatoes. Tomato prices fell to between 3 and 5 per kg in May. Tractors were run through the crop, forcing many farmers to discard their harvest. To meet demand due to a shortage of tomatoes in Maharashtra, customers are travelling to West Bengal, Odisha, and even exporting to Bangladesh. Tomato prices in Delhi's Azadpur wholesale market almost doubled over the past two days. A tomato merchant informed the Economic Times that they are now reliant on Bengaluru for supply because they are no longer receiving tomatoes from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana owing to a shortage. Other than potatoes and onions, the cost of other vegetables has increased. Beans cost between $120 and $140 per kilogramme, some varieties of carrots are very close to the $100 threshold, and capsicum prices have surpassed $80 per kilogramme. In addition to vegetables, the cost of eggs has increased by about 7 to 8 kilogrammes. Kashmir has again become the first choice of international tourists. Over 15 thousand foreign tourists have visited the Kashmir Valley in the first six months of 2023. While the number of tourists coming to Kashmir has broken all previous records, at the same time, foreign tourists have kept their date with Kashmir its all-time high arrival of foreign tourists in the Valley in the last three decades. In 2022, the total number of foreign tourists who visited the Kashmir Valley was around 4,000. The government is hopeful that all the previous records of foreign tourists visiting Kashmir Valley would be broken. "After many years, this is a positive development for the tourism of Jammu and Kashmir. In this year, we have already reached 15 and a half thousand foreign tourists who come from various countries across the world into Jammu and Kashmir. We are hoping that the number of foreign tourists will be far more than what we had last year. This is a very positive development, and I am very sanguine that the G20 event which was held in Srinagar in the last week of May will go a long way in increasing the foreign tourists rush and we are seeing a lot of queries and bookings that have been made from various countries," said Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary Tourism. The government of Jammu and Kashmir hosted a G20 meeting in May. Ambassadors and foreign delegates from around 17 countries participated in these meetings with a focus on tourism. The government is hopeful that G20 meetings held in Srinagar would translate into more promotion of Kashmir tourism across the world. The numbers have already crossed all the previous records and the government is also planning to do international promotions, especially in Southeast Asian, Middle East and North American countries. cre Trending Stories Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of Tourism, added, "Promotion of tourism is a very dynamic task undertaken by the Department of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. We are not following previous methods of promotion., with changing times it's also important to department and intervention by way of promotion change, this is the era of digital marketing, this is the era of online marketing. We are doing that, and we are starting virtual tours. We are doing airline promotions so that frequent flyers can be attracted. We believe that southeast Asian countries are a huge market for us, and we are focusing on that. The Middle East is a core focus area and a target too. The Northern American continent is a very important aspect of our promotional." Kashmir has been one of the favourite destinations of foreign tourists in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. With the start of the insurgency, the numbers fell drastically and with peace returning to the Kashmir Valley, the foreign tourists are yet again getting attracted to Paradise on Earth. "Kashmir is different and it has a good environment and people are extremely friendly. It is crazily nice. I heard Kashmir has had a huge number of Korean tourists visiting. I wish a lot of Koreans would come back to India and Kashmir," said Lin, a Tourist from Korea. Kashmir this year is witnessing a huge tourism boom with around 10 lakh domestic and foreign tourists visiting the Union Territory in the first six months. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted a series of raids across four districts of Kashmir as part of its continuing investigations into the conspiracy of the newly floated offshoots of proscribed Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits to destabilise J&K. cre Trending Stories Twelve locations in the four districts of Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Pulwama were raided as part of todays crackdown. The locations were residential premises of hybrid terrorists and Overground Workers linked with the newly formed offshoots and affiliates of the banned terrorist outfits. Premises of sympathizers and cadres of these organizations were also searched extensively in the raids.Several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data have been recovered by NIA in these searches. These will be subjected to thorough scrutiny by the agency to unravel the details of the terrorist conspiracy, which NIA started investigating a year ago after registering a suo moto case on 21st June 2022.The newly floated terror outfits being probed by NIA include The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others. These outfits are affiliated with Pak-backed organizations like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, etc., which have been banned by the Government of India.The cadres and workers whose premises were raided are under the NIAs scanner for their involvement in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs/magnetic bombs, IEDs, funds, narcotic substances, and arms/ammunition. They have been engaged in spreading activities relating to terror, violence, and subversion in J&K, according to the NIA investigations.Investigations have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror. Drones were being used by them to deliver arms/ammunition, explosives, narcotics etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley.The terror conspiracy under investigation relates to plotting by the banned outfits in both physical and cyberspace to unleash violent terrorist attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms etc. The organizations, supported by their masters in Pakistan, have been conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence, by radicalizing local youth and mobilizing overground workers, to disturb peace and communal harmony in J&K. HYDERABAD/NEW DELHI: In a big boost to the opposition Congress in Telangana ahead of Assembly elections, former minister Jupally Krishna Rao and former MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Monday decided to join the Congress. Krishna Rao, Srinivasa Reddy, along with their followers and some other leaders, will join the Congress at a public meeting to be addressed by Gandhi in Khammam district on July 2. In the meeting held at AICC headquarters, state Congress chief Revanth Reddy, MPs Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Komatireedy Venkat Reddy, MLA Seethakka and other leaders were present. More than 30 Congress leaders from united Khammam, Mahabubnagar, and Nizamabad districts also attended the meeting. After the meeting, Srinivasa Reddy told a news conference that after detailed discussions with followers and well-wishers and examining all aspects during the last six months, they decided to join the Congress. Winds of change are sweeping through Telangana. In a big boost to the Congress party's prospects, more and more people are aligning with us to take the message of love and prosperity forward. Today, senior leaders from Telangana joined the Congress party in the presence of pic.twitter.com/1vLGzPN1aC June 26, 2023 cre Trending Stories He said they took the decision after reaching to the conclusion that only the Congress can stop the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) from coming to power again in Telangana. Srinivasa Reddy said they got several surveys conducted which reveal that 80 per cent of people are against the BRS government. He said they received offers from several parties including the BJP and the Congress and also smaller parties. They also discussed the proposal of floating a new regional party to counter the BRS but realised that such a move would split anti-KCR (as Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is popularly known) votes. The former MP said people of Telangana would remain indebted to the Congress for creating Telangana state. He alleged that KCR could win the elections in 2014 and again in 2018 by making false and impractical promises and by misleading people. Krishna Rao said they came out of the BRS due its "corruption, family rule and fascist approach". Both the leaders were suspended from BRS in April for anti-party activities. Krishna Rao had resigned from the Congress to join the BRS in 2011. He was elected from Kollapur constituency in Mahabubnagar district in 2014 on a BRS ticket. He felt sidelined in the BRS after MLA Harshvardhan Reddy, who had defeated him in 2018 elections, switched his loyalties from Congress to the BRS after the Assembly polls. Srinivas Reddy, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Khammam on YSR Congress Party ticket in 2014, later switched loyalties to the BRS. He was unhappy after KCR denied him a party ticket for both 2018 Assembly and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Their joining is expected to be a shot in the arm for Congress party in united Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts. Both the leaders are considered influential in their respective districts and can influence the poll outcome in a few constituencies. Srinivasa Reddy's move is being seen as a big blow to BRS in Khammam district, which is located on Telangana's border with Andhra Pradesh. The district has never been a stronghold of KCR's party. The Congress is said to have accepted Srinivasa Reddy's demand to allocate tickets in eight out of 10 Assembly seats in Khammam district to his supporters. Of these 10 seats, the Congress had won seven seats and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) two in the 2018 polls. The BRS could win just one seat. However, five of the Congress MLAS later defected to the BRS. What is an insurance ombudsman? Is it applicable to car insurance? Insurance is a vital aspect of our lives as it provides financial protection against unexpected events. However, disputes and conflicts may arise between policyholders and insurers. To address such grievances effectively, many countries have established an institution known as the Insurance Ombudsman. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of the Insurance Ombudsman, its role in resolving insurance-related disputes, and specifically, its applicability to car insurance. What is an Insurance Ombudsman? cre Trending Stories An Insurance Ombudsman is an independent authority appointed by the government or regulatory body to mediate and resolve disputes between policyholders and insurance companies. Their primary objective is to offer a fair and impartial platform for policyholders to voice their complaints and seek resolution outside the court system. The Insurance Ombudsman acts as a mediator and facilitator, working towards amicable solutions between the parties involved. This institution plays a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and customer satisfaction within the insurance industry. Applicability to Car Insurance Car insurance, being one of the most commonly held insurance policies, is indeed subject to the jurisdiction of the Insurance Ombudsman in many countries. If a policyholder encounters issues such as claim rejections, delayed settlements, disputed policy terms, or any other grievances related to car insurance, they can approach the Insurance Ombudsman for assistance. The Insurance Ombudsman provides an avenue for policyholders to seek resolution in cases where direct communication with the insurance company has proven unsuccessful. They investigate the complaint, consider the facts and circumstances, and aim to achieve a fair resolution that upholds the principles of natural justice. It is important to note that policyholders are typically required to exhaust the internal grievance redressal mechanisms provided by the insurance company before approaching the Insurance Ombudsman. This ensures that both parties have made sincere efforts to resolve the issue before escalating it to an external authority. Cholamandalam car insurance is one such policy that you can purchase. Insurance Ombudsman for Car Insurance in India The Insurance Ombudsman scheme in India is a statutory body established under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The Insurance Ombudsman scheme covers all types of insurance policies, including car insurance, in India. If you face any issues related to your car insurance policy, such as claim rejections, delays, unfair policy terms, or inadequate compensation, you can approach the Insurance Ombudsman for resolution. As is applicable to any other country, it is necessary to first attempt to resolve the dispute through the insurance company's internal grievance redressal mechanism. If your complaint remains unresolved or you are dissatisfied with the insurer's response, you can approach the Ombudsman within one year from the date of the insurer's final decision or from the date of the dispute. Benefits of the Insurance Ombudsman The Insurance Ombudsman offers several benefits to policyholders, including: Accessibility and Cost-effectiveness: Approaching the Insurance Ombudsman is relatively simple and affordable for policyholders. The process is designed to be less formal and more accessible than traditional legal avenues, enabling individuals to represent themselves without requiring legal representation. Fair and Impartial Resolutions: The Insurance Ombudsman is committed to ensuring unbiased dispute resolution. They consider the merits of each case based on the facts presented, providing an impartial platform to address policyholder grievances. Speedy Resolution: The Insurance Ombudsman strives to resolve disputes expeditiously, saving policyholders from prolonged legal battles. Their intervention often leads to faster resolution, minimizing the time and stress associated with protracted disputes. Expertise and Experience: The Insurance Ombudsman is equipped with experienced personnel who possess a deep understanding of insurance policies and related regulations. They can provide valuable insights, guidance, and recommendations to help policyholders navigate complex insurance matters. Steps to contact an Insurance Ombudsman 1.Exhaust Internal Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Before approaching the Insurance Ombudsman, it is essential to first attempt to resolve the dispute through the internal grievance redressal mechanism provided by your insurance company. This typically involves submitting a formal written complaint to the insurer and allowing them a reasonable time to address the issue. 2. Gather Necessary Documents: Collect all relevant documents related to your insurance policy, correspondence with the insurance company, claim-related documents, and any other supporting evidence that substantiates your complaint. This documentation will be crucial when presenting your case to the Insurance Ombudsman. 3. Locate the Nearest Insurance Ombudsman Office: Visit the website of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) or perform an online search to find the nearest Insurance Ombudsman office based on your location. In India, there are several regional Ombudsman offices covering different geographical areas. 4. Prepare a Complaint Letter: Write a concise and clear complaint letter addressing the issues you have faced with your insurance policy or claim. Include your contact information, policy details, dates of communication with the insurance company, and a summary of the problem. Attach copies of relevant documents to support your case. 5. Submit the Complaint: Submit the complaint letter, along with all supporting documents, to the respective Insurance Ombudsman's office. You can either send it by registered post or deliver it in person. Ensure that you keep copies of all documents and correspondence for your records. 6. Await the Ombudsman's Decision: The Insurance Ombudsman will review your complaint and supporting documents to assess the merits of your case. They may request additional information or documentation if needed. The Ombudsman will aim to provide a fair and impartial resolution within a reasonable time frame, generally within three months. 7. Accept or Reject the Ombudsman's Decision: If you are satisfied with the Ombudsman's decision, you can choose to accept it, and the insurance company is legally bound to comply. However, if you are dissatisfied with the decision, you can reject it and pursue other legal remedies available to you. It is important to note that the specific process and contact details may vary depending on the country or region. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to the official website of the regulatory authority or the Insurance Ombudsman for accurate and up-to-date information on how to contact and file a complaint with the Insurance Ombudsman in your jurisdiction. Please ensure you have car insurance for starters. It is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in our country. You can read more about Cholamandalam car insurance here and make a decision based on your budget and requirements. We are sure one of the Cholamandalam car insurance policies will be a fit for you. The Insurance Ombudsman plays a vital role in resolving insurance-related disputes, including those arising from car insurance. By offering an accessible, cost-effective, and impartial avenue for policyholders to seek resolution, the Insurance Ombudsman ensures that grievances are addressed fairly and promptly. (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.) New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. "Active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over East-central, Northwest & West India over the next 4-5 days and the Southwest monsoon is likely to advance further into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the remaining parts of the Western Himalayan Region today, June 26," the IMD said. In a press release, the agency stated further, 'The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of north Arabian Sea, some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, remaining parts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, today, the 26th June'. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab during next 2 days, IMD added. "For East & adjoining Northeast India, Fairly widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorm and lightning is very likely to continue over the region during next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy falls very likely over Odisha on 26th; over Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh on 29th and 30th June. Isolated heavy rainfall also likely over parts of East India during next 2 days and over northeast India during the next 5 days," the Met agency said in a release. "For Northwest India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is very likely over Western Himalayan Region and over the plains of northwest India during next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy rainfall with Extremely Heavy Falls is very likely over East Rajasthan on 29th June, heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 26, 27 & 28. Isolated heavy/heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh on 26th & 27th; over West Uttar Pradesh on June 26," it added in the release. cre Trending Stories "For Central India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy/very heavy falls, thunderstorm & lightning over the region (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & Vidarbha) during next 3-4 days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Chhattisgarh on 26th; East Madhya Pradesh on 26th & 27th; West Madhya Pradesh on 27th & 28th and over Vidarbha on June 27," it added. "For South India, Light/moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall during next 5 days and isolated thunderstorm & lightning very likely over the region during next 2 days. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala & Mahe on 27th June. Isolated heavy rainfall also likely over Telangana on 26th; Coastal Karnataka during 26th to 30th; South Interior Karnataka on 29th & 30th June," it stated. "For West India, light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is very likely over the region during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to very Heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan & Goa, Gujarat State and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on June 26 to 30," it added. IMD also issued Agromet advisories for rainfall, thunderstorms/gusty winds and heatwave over several parts of the country. The release further stated, "Make arrangements for draining out excess water from crop fields to avoid water stagnation in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajsthan, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Telangana and North Eastern States and provide staking to vegetables." "Impact & Action Suggested due to extremely heavy/very heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh East Rajasthan during 26th-29th; Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand on 26th & 27th; West Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on 26th; Gujarat Region on 27th; Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra during 26th-28th June," the IMD stated in its press release. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, June 25, 2023. China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind resonates strongly given the current state of international relations, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley noted. "The world is in a very precarious position. And the one thing I know is that we are bound by being human and by living on the (same) planet." by Xinhua writers Yan Liang, Xuan Liqi and Zhu Yubo BRIDGETOWN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Countries worldwide should put their differences aside to work together to tackle common global challenges and spur development for the people, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has said. "In spite of differences and size, the commitment to a number of key values allows us to be able to work cooperatively together," Mottley told Xinhua in an exclusive interview recently, stressing the importance of Barbados-China ties. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which marks its 10th anniversary in 2023, is a global development plan that "is able to help countries across the world bring greater levels of development and greater levels of connectivity in working and helping each other," she noted. "Barbados is happy to have signed that agreement," said Mottley, whose country has already benefited from stepped-up cooperation with China, with repairs made to a number of roads in the Scotland district, representing one-seventh of Barbados' land area. People-to-people exchanges have led to fruitful cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of health and education, said the prime minister. This aerial photo taken on May 28, 2023 shows a coastal view of Bridgetown, capital of Barbados. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) Chinese teachers at the Confucius Institute at Barbados' University of the West Indies "are not only teaching Mandarin, but also the culture and the history of China," she said. "There were a number of Chinese doctors ... working here and providing critical services to our population." China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind resonates strongly given the current state of international relations, Mottley noted. "The world is in a very precarious position. And the one thing I know is that we are bound by being human and by living on the (same) planet." "We have in common the fact that we are human. We may look different on the outside, but our bodies function the same way. We live on the (same) planet Earth. So we start from that perspective," said the prime minister, calling on nations to learn how to live together. Nations need to put aside the "differences that separate us" in favor of "focusing on what we must do together to save the planet," she said. "So we have the climate crisis; we have the pandemic; we have food and water and security (issues). And there are too many regions in the world where people just simply do not have access to the appropriate food or safe drinking water," Mottley said, adding the solution is to "work together to make the world a better place." Although "Barbados may have a small land area," the prime minister noted. "We are a large ocean state at the very time when oceans will be the next frontier that has to help save the planet." NEW DELHI: Devendra Singh Chauhan, the former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), and his wife Radha Chauhan, who is currently serving as Secretary in DoPT, are in the news these days. According to reports, the high-profile couples daughter Anshula Chauhan has allegedly received a bungalow in Noida worth Rs 10 crore as a 'gift'. Anshula is now pursuing her masters degree after completing her graduation in Law. Who Is IPS DS Chauhan? cre Trending Stories Devendra Singh Chauhan is a 1988-batch IPS officer. He took over the additional charge of Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh in 2002. He was appointed the UP DGP after the Yogi Adityanath government removed Mukul Goel as the state police chief. Prior to his appointment as UP DGP, Chauhan was serving as Director General (Intelligence). What's The Controversy Surrounding The Chauhans? The Chauhan family grabbed headlines after it came to light that their daughter Anshula has allegedly received a luxurious Kothi (bungalow) as a gift in Sector 15A of Noida. The posh bungalow has been built in about 200 square meters on plot number 109 in Sector 15A of Noida. This bungalow was gifted to Anshula Chauhan by one Aruna Mohan on 25 November 2021. The bungalow was transferred to Anshula by Aruna Mohan after paying dues of Rs 9 lakh 18 thousand 750 to the Noida Development Authority. Aruna Mohan, who had gifted the palatial bungalow to Anshula Chauhan, is the wife of Rajendra Mohan, a senior IPS officer of the 1963 batch. Rajendra Mohan died last year due to a kidney disorder. When Rajendra Mohan was serving as Director General in the Central Security Force, DS Chauhan was posted as DIG under him. It was during that time that the two families came very close to each other. In view of the controversy, the details of an affidavit submitted by Aruna Mohan have come to the fore in which she has explained why they have gifted the expensive bungalow to Anshula. According to her affidavit, the bungalow has been given to Anshula as a gift since the couple had no biological children. In her affidavit, Aruna Mohan stated, My husband has been a respected IPS officer of the 1963 batch. We have a deep affection for Anshula and have seen her growing up since she was just 3 years old. Her father D S Chauhan was posted as the SSP of Noida in 1998. Since then, Anshula has been an integral part of the family. She always took care of me like a 'grand child' even during the Coronavirus pandemic. She further stated that Today, I am 81 years old. Anshula is like a granddaughter to me. She has taken care of me whenever I needed her. Stating other reasons, Aruna Mohan mentioned in her affidavit that after the death of her husband, attempts were allegedly being made by her family members to take possession of the bungalow. According to media reports, a former IPS officer and Adhikar Sena chief Amitabh Thakur has also written a letter to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding an inquiry into the matter. Ganjam: At least 10 people were killed and eight others injured in a head-on collision between two buses in Odisha's Ganjam district on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. The injured were immediately rushed to the MKCG Medical College in Berhampur for treatment. The tragic road mishap involving an Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus and a private bus took place under the Digapahandi police limit in the Ganjam district. According to the news agency ANI, the District Magistrate of Ganjam Dibya Jyoti Parida initially told reporters that all those injured in the accident have been rushed to the MKCG Medical College for treatment. "Two buses collided in which 10 people died. The injured were immediately admitted to MKCG Medical College for treatment. Investigation into the case is underway. We are trying to provide all possible help to the injured," Dibya Jyoti Parida said while talking to the reporters. "A critically injured person has been shifted to SCB hospital in Cuttack. All arrangements have been made here for the treatment of patients," the Ganjam Collector said. cre Trending Stories Sharing more information, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek said, "Prima facie, it seems to be a case of a head-on collision between two buses at around 1 am. Several passengers of the private bus have been killed and injured in the accident while those in the OSRTC bus have sustained minor injuries." While the OSRTC bus was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Rayagada, the private bus was returning from Berhampur, carrying a marriage party from Khandadeuli village in the district, the SP informed. Odisha CM Expresses Grief; Announces Rs 3 Lakh Ex-Gratia Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the death of the people in the bus accident in Ganjam and announced an ex gratia of Rs three lakh to the next kin of the deceased. According to a statement from the chief minister's office, Patnaik has ordered to provide free medical treatment to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery. Chief Minister has also directed Finance Minister, Vikram Arukh and Ganjam DPCC Chairman and MLA Vikram Panda to immediately go to the spot and provide assistance to the victims. Till the last report came in, two more persons succumbed to injuries taking the death toll to 12, including six men, four women and two minors. Actress Alia Bhatt is on a roll these days as she will be a part of two big projects soon. First, she will be seen in Karan Johars family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and then will be making her Hollywood debut with Tom Harper's Heart of Stone. Despite being occupied with loads of work, Alia still manages to take some time out and shares her whereabouts with her fans on social media. Recently, Alia shared a reel about her Tudum visit to Sao Paulo, Brazil. She had attended the three-day event to promote Heart of Stone along with Gal Gadat and Jamie Dornan. Ali Bhatts reel capturing Tudum moments Alia recently treated her fans to a reel, showcasing all the exciting behind-the-scenes moments from her Tudum experience. From getting decked-up, engaging in photoshoots, interacting with the media, and having playful moments with her co-stars, the actress put everything in the reel to make it memorable. cre Trending Stories She captioned this post, A recap of my #Tudum moments. Fans reactions Alia has gained a huge fan following, with her followers never failing to shower their love and respect for the actress. As soon the reel was posted, fans showered the post with comments. Alia will rock in Heart Of Stone, one user commented. Another comment read, Watching you on screen is like witnessing a cloud transforming into a work of art. A third user wrote, Respect button for Alia, and followed it up with a red-heart emoji. Your content is a therapy for us, read another comment. Netflix Tudum 2023 The Netflix Tudum 2023 event took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from June 16 to 18. The event featured over 100 films and series of Netflix and was streamed on YouTube. Alia Bhatts work font Apart from Heart of Stone, Alia will also be seen in Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani with Ranveer Singh. The teaser was released on June 20. The movie also stars Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan. Its set to release on July 28 and marks Karan Johars return to direction after seven years. NEW DELHI: Soezi, the brainchild of acclaimed actress Sonakshi Sinha and entrepreneur Srishti Raai, has made waves in the beauty industry with its exquisite collection of press-on nails. Offering a dazzling array of designs and colors never seen before, Soezi has redefined the way people adorn their nails, to make fashion accessible and easy. With a deep-rooted passion for beauty and a keen eye for innovation, Sonakshi and Srishti identified a gap in the market for high-quality press-on nails that exude elegance and luxury. Determined to revolutionize the industry, they meticulously curated a collection that combines impeccable craftsmanship with unparalleled style. Taking their vision to new heights, Soezi recently launched internationally in Africa, with Seychelles serving as their first destination. Known for its vibrant market for press-on nails, Seychelles provided the ideal backdrop for Soezi to showcase its exquisite collection to the world. The brand's co-founders, Sonakshi and Srishti, along with their dedicated team, hosted a magnificent event to mark this momentous occasion and launch. cre Trending Stories "We are thrilled to introduce Soezi to the African market and beyond. Our goal is to offer individuals the opportunity to effortlessly elevate their style and express their unique personalities through stunning nail art. With Soezi, beauty becomes a way of self expression and an attitude you carry with you. We are humbled to be exploring International markets, and Seychelles has been the right place to start", said Sonakshi Sinha, co-founder of Soezi. Looking ahead, Soezi has ambitious plans for aggressive scaling in other countries this year. With an unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction, the brand aims to make its mark on the global beauty landscape. Soezi is a luxury press-on nail brand founded by renowned actress Sonakshi Sinha and entrepreneur Srishti Raai Offering a wide range of stunning designs and colors, Soezi aims to revolutionize the nail industry with its commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and creativity. With a global vision, Soezi is set to redefine luxury nail art and inspire individuals worldwide to embrace their unique style. New Delhi: In a gruesome incident, a Karnataka man allegedly slit the throat of his friend and drank his blood over suspicion that the latter was having an illicit affair with his wife. The victim, who is also a close friend of the accused, however, survived and is receiving treatment in hospital. The horrific incident, which took place in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur, was recorded on camera by a witness to the crime. According to the Karnataka Police, the accused, identified as Vijay, a 32-year-old trader from Mandyampet, suspected that his friend Maresh was having an illicit relationship with his wife. Vijay was reportedly annoyed with Maresh getting ''too close to his wife'' and had caught him chatting with her on their mobile phones. Having made his plans to murder him, Vijay asked Maresh to meet him. The accused, along with his cousin John, took Mahesh to a deep forest area where an argument broke out between them. Vijay, in a fit of rage, allegedly slit Mahesh's throat with a sharp-edged weapon and drank his blood while John recorded the entire incident on his mobile phone. cre Trending Stories In the viral video, Vijay can be seen holding his friend down and asking him to confess about his illicit relationship with his wife. In the viral video, Maresh can be seen lying on the ground with his throat cut open. The video further shows Vijay punching and slapping his friend Maresh. The Chikkaballapur police have arrested Vijay after the chilling video went viral on social media. A case of attempt to murder was registered against Vijay at the Kencharlahalli police station on the basis of a complaint filed by Maresh, who received multiple injuries. Maresh was later discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment. In yet another breakthrough that symbolizes the existence of life in the universe, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has made a stunning discovery of a carbon molecule that is said to be the foundation for all known life. The discovery was made by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. The international space agency revealed this in its latest website post. "A team of international scientists has used NASAs James Webb Space Telescope to detect a new carbon compound in space for the first time. Known as methyl cation (pronounced cat-eye-on) (CH3+), the molecule is important because it aids the formation of more complex carbon-based molecules. Methyl cation was detected in a young star system, with a protoplanetary disk, known as d203-506, which is located about 1,350 light-years away in the Orion Nebula," said NASA. Scientists using @NASAWebb have detected a crucial carbon compound in space for the first time. Known as methyl cation (pronounced cat-eye-on), its thought to aid in building more complex carbon moleculesthe foundation for all known life: https://t.co/QVLCDQjCi8 pic.twitter.com/q9Hy0ZgXbt June 26, 2023 cre Trending Stories It further added that Carbon compounds form the foundations of all known life, and as such are particularly interesting to scientists working to understand both how life developed on Earth, and how it could potentially develop elsewhere in our universe. "The study of interstellar organic (carbon-containing) chemistry, which Webb is opening in new ways, is an area of keen fascination to many astronomers," said NASA. Explaining the James Webb Telescope's role in the discovery, NASA said, "The unique capabilities of Webb made it an ideal observatory to search for this crucial molecule. Webbs exquisite spatial and spectral resolution, as well as its sensitivity, all contributed to the teams success. In particular, Webbs detection of a series of key emission lines from CH3+ cemented the discovery." Marie-Aline Martin-Drumel of the University of Paris-Saclay in France, a member of the science team, said that this detection not only validates the incredible sensitivity of Webb but also confirms the postulated central importance of CH3+ in interstellar chemistry. "While the star in d203-506 is a small red dwarf, the system is bombarded by strong ultraviolet (UV) light from nearby hot, young, massive stars. Scientists believe that most planet-forming disks go through a period of such intense UV radiation since stars tend to form in groups that often include massive, UV-producing stars," said NASA. NASA said that typically, UV radiation is expected to destroy complex organic molecules and that is why the discovery of CH3+ might seem to be a surprise. "However, the team predicts that UV radiation might actually provide the necessary source of energy for CH3+ to form in the first place. Once formed, it then promotes additional chemical reactions to build more complex carbon molecules. Broadly, the team notes that the molecules they see in d203-506 are quite different from typical protoplanetary disks. In particular, they could not detect any signs of water," said NASA. IndiGo, India's largest domestic air carrier is on a rapid international expansion, aiming to become one of the biggest international airlines in India. Following the same, IndiGo has announced Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, as the 27th international and 105th overall destination in the 6E network. The airline opened bookings for daily non-stop flights between Mumbai, India's financial capital, and Nairobi, Kenya's largest city starting August 5, 2023. This new route marks IndiGo's entry into the African subcontinent and brings numerous benefits to both business and leisure travellers. The maiden IndiGo flight 6E 1853 will fly from Mumbai on Aug 05, 2023 at 06:10 and will reach Nairobi at 09:40. The return flight 6E 1854 from Nairobi will fly at 10:40 and will reach Mumbai at 19:25. The regular flight ops will start on Aug 6, 2023 at 02.10 from Mumbai and will reach Nairobi 5.40. The flight will return from Nairobi at 6.40 and reach Mumbai at 15.25. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya is known to offer Africa's magnificent safaris, along with rich heritage. Travellers can explore attractions such as the Karen Blixen Museum, or have up-close encounters with graceful giraffes at the Giraffe Centre. The Nairobi National Park is home to black rhinos, while there's also Karura Forest and Samburu National Park. cre Trending Stories Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, We are delighted to announce the launch of direct flights between Mumbai and Nairobi, a significant step towards strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Kenya. With India emerging as Kenya's third largest trading partner and witnessing increased investments, this new air route will further enhance our economic ties too. Kenya is our first destination country in Sub-Saharan Africa and encompasses Savannah, Lakelands, as well as mountain highlands. From Nairobi, the capital, safaris can visit the Maasai Mara as well multiple other National Parks & Wildlife Reserves, opening numerous options for tourists. With our expanding network, we remain committed to fulfilling our promise of delivering ontime, affordable, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences to our valued customers. Mumbai: Actors Sharman Joshi and Mona Singh on Monday talked about their recently released drama series 'Kafas'. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Sharman said, "It is a wonderful story. When I read the idea and script, I fell in love with it and wanted to be a part of it. Fortunately, everything went well and I became a part of this show." Helmed by Sahil Sangha, the show is currently streaming on the OTT platform Sony Liv. Mona, on the other hand, told ANI, "The script is beautiful. We have touched such a sensitive topic. Such shows spark a lot of conversations in society. And somewhere I feel that as actors it is our moral duty that we do such projects which will bring a change in society somewhere. Also Read: Hrithik Roshan Drops First Glimpse Of Fighter, Leaves Fans Surprised cre Trending Stories Mona and Sharman have earlier worked together in '3 Idiots'. Helmed by Rajkumar Hirani '3 Idiots' was released in the year 2009 and received a massive response from fans and critics. It also starred Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and R Madhavan. A few months back, a video of Aamir, Sharman and R Madhavan surfaced on social media which hinted towards the sequel of the blockbuster film '3 Iditos', later it was revealed that the trio collaborated for an ad campaign. Also Read: Adipurush Dialogue Controversy: Allahabad High Court Slams Censor Board, Questions Absence Of Makers Talking about it, Sharman said, "The Sequel of '3 Idiots' will be made when it is to be made. Many of you did not like this campaign because you felt that we disappointed you very badly. Let's hope that in the coming time Raju sir will come up with the sequel of '3 Idiots' and we will be able to do that." Vivan Bhathena, Preeti Jhangiani and Mikail Gandhi are also a part of the show. New Delhi: Congress leader Ajay Maken has slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for seeking partys help regarding ordinance saying it is a desperate attempt to evade imprisonment on corruption charges. Maken said that his proclamation of opposition unity is not for cohesion but a calculated move to sabotage it and curry favour with the BJP. In a tweet, the former Union minister Maken said, Arvind Kejriwal seeks Congresss help for the ordinance, yet unabashedly ridicules our esteemed leaders, including Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan. He said that his ministers place prerequisites on our alliance, while their chief spokesperson publicly disparages our party and leaders on the day of all opposition party meetings. To brazenly criticize and then demand support, is this how alliances are sought, Kejriwal? Arvind Kejriwals political manoeuvres in recent weeks have left many baffled. However, let me elucidate the truth. His desperate attempts to evade imprisonment on corruption charges, wherein two of his colleagues are already jailed, are reasons for these actions. His proclamations of opposition unity are not for cohesion but a calculated move to sabotage it and curry favour with the BJP, the Congress leader said. cre Trending Stories He said that the past actions of the AAP in Parliament, the Delhi Legislative Assembly, or elsewhere only reinforce their surreptitious alliance with the BJP. Kejriwals betrayals are infamous - just ask Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, and the founders of the Anna Movement. In Hindi, it`s aptly said about him, `Aisa Koi Saga Nahin, Jisko Kejriwal Ne Thaga Nahin`, Maken said charging the AAP leader for removing AAPs founding party members. The Congress leader also highlighted how AAP contested elections in Punjab, Gujarat, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Assam and said: However, be assured Arvind Kejriwal, your deeds have not gone unnoticed. Your massive corruption and utilization of these ill-gotten funds to sabotage Congress in Goa, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Assam, just to help the BJP, wont be forgotten. Under the guise of Aam Admi or Ordinary Man, youve manipulated Delhis citizens, using Rs 171 crore of public money to build a palace for yourself. Your actions have unmasked the grim truth, Kejriwal. Youre no longer a champion of the Aam Aadmi or a crusader against corruption. Instead, you stand knee-deep in corruption, living a lavish lifestyle like a king in your Sheesh Mahal, Maken added. Ahead of June 23 meeting in Patna, the AAP had threatened to walk out of the meeting if Congress didnt clear its stand on the Centres ordinance row. Even during the meeting in Patna, Kejriwal demanded Congress to clear its stand on the ordinance. However, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the issue of the ordinance will be taken up during the Parliaments Monsoon Session when the Bill is brought to Rajya Sabha. Following the Congress stand, AAP missed the press conference of the opposition in Patna and issued a statement saying that Congress' hesitation and refusal to act as a team player on an important issue would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes the grand-old party. Earlier last month, the AAP requested for an appointment with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi to discuss the ordinance issue. The Congress is yet to reply. New Delhi: Two men - a delivery agent and his associate - were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 Lakh at gunpoint by four unidentified men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel in the national capital. Delhi Police on Monday said that the shocking incident took place on Saturday inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel when the victims were going towards Gurugram in a cab to deliver the money. "A delivery agent and his associate were robbed at gunpoint of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh cash by a group of unknown assailants inside the Pragati Maidan Tunnel on June 24," the Delhi Police said. The 1.5 km tunnel connects New Delhi with Sarai Kale Khan and Noida. The police further said that following a complaint by the victims, a case has been registered under IPC sections 397 (robbery, or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 34 (common intention). CCTV Footage Surfaces cre Trending Stories The CCTV footage of the day-light robbery that was caught on a security camera installed in the tunnel shows four men on two motorcycles waylaying the Ola cab - which the delivery agent had booked from the Red Fort area - as it enters the tunnel on the Ring Road. The two armed robbers, who were riding pillion, get off the bikes. One of them is seen pointing the gun at the two men in the cab, while the other one collects the cash bag from the backseat. The four unidentified robbers then flee from the spot. Kejriwal Slams Delhi L-G After the CCTV visuals of the incident surfaced on social media, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena demanding his resignation from his post. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said that the LG should make way for someone "who can provide safety and security to the people of Delhi". "LG shud (should) resign. Make way for someone who can provide safety n (and) security to the people of Delhi. If the Central govt is unable to make Delhi safe, hand it over to us. We will show u (you) how to make a city safe for its citizens," the Delhi CM tweeted and posted the video of the accident. Delhi Minister Atishi also took to Twitter and said, "LG sir: If you get free time from taking credit for @ArvindKejriwal's work, then sometimes pay attention to your constitutional responsibility. It is your job to provide security to the people of Delhi. And now incidents of theft, dacoity and murder are happening in Delhi in broad daylight. Either you take the responsibility of security, or else resign." Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Pranav Tayal said a case has been registered on the charges of robbery, with an attempt to cause grievous hurt. Tayal said the complainant, identified as Patel Sajan Kumar, who works as a delivery agent for a private firm in Chandni Chowk, gave a written complaint in which he mentioned that he along with his associate Jigar Patel was going to Gurugram to deliver the cash to a client. "As per the complaint, the two hired an Ola cab from near Red Fort. When they entered the Pragati Maidan tunnel from Ring Road, four people on two motorcycles intercepted their cab and robbed them of the cash bag at gunpoint," Tayal told the reporters. LANZHOU, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A new sand-yellow cave theater erected on the fringe of the Gobi Desert in Dunhuang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, is bringing the millennium-old grottoes to life. The new performance staged at the theater, Ancient Sounds of Dunhuang, draws inspiration from the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting rich collections of Buddhist artworks. The dance, musical instruments, and even melodies the show presents all come from the murals. "The audience can hear the timbre of the Indian five-stringed pipa and the Persian konghou and enjoy the elegant dance performance, a perfect showcase of how Chinese and Western art blended in Dunhuang in ancient times," said Zhang Hua, the director. Cultural diversity is Dunhuang's name card. Since ancient times, Dunhuang has been a place where many ethnic groups live together. In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) formally established Dunhuang City to manage the Western Regions. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907), Dunhuang was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and was one of the first trading cities encountered by merchants arriving in China from the West. With the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road, this border city, lying in an oasis at the edge of the desert, has gradually become a place where multiple civilizations blend and merge, giving birth to Silk Road treasures represented by the Mogao Grottoes. The collections of the Dunhuang Academy, with treasures such as clay Buddha statues of the Tang Dynasty, silver coins of the Sasanian Empire, and various documents written in ancient Tibetan, Mongolian, Syriac, Brahmi and other languages, also tell vivid stories of the booming cultural exchange in its history. "The Chinese nation has been drawing on other cultures with a broad mind, and this inclusiveness is very obvious in the Mogao Grottoes," said Zhao Shengliang, Party chief of the academy. "Because of constant exchanges with foreign cultures and absorbing and making good use of their essence, the Chinese civilization with Dunhuang culture as part of its quintessence has lived on for thousands of years," Zhao added. Since the 1980s, authorities in Dunhuang have actively carried out international cooperation in the protection of cultural relics. To digitally protect cultural relics, Dunhuang Academy has borrowed the technology used by the United States to measure and design tunnels, bridges, and other buildings and explored and established a set of advanced digitalization procedures in the digital collection, processing, storage, and display of cultural relics, and became a leader in the field of cultural relics protection in China. By the end of 2022, the Dunhuang Academy had finished compiling digital data collection on 278 caves, image processing for 164, and the 3D reconstruction of 145 painted sculptures and seven ruins while delivering a panoramic tour program for 162 caves. Since 1979, Dunhuang has welcomed tourists from more than 100 countries and regions. To Du Yongwei, an inheritor of Dunhuang color sculpture making who is in his 60s, the influx of foreign tourists after China implemented the reform and opening-up policy still leaves a vivid mark in his memory. "In the 1980s, almost everyone in Dunhuang knows some foreign language, and providing multilingual menus in restaurants and hotels has been a convention," Du recalled. After China launched the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, Dunhuang, through a series of high-profile events and platforms, including the Silk Road International Cultural Expo and Digital Dunhuang, has again taken the world by storm with its splendid culture and open-mindedness. Chen Lisong, a Shanghai designer who has traveled to Paris, Florence, and other famous "art capitals" of the world, takes Dunhuang as the starting point of her business. "Dunhuang's inclusiveness truly externalizes the characteristics of traditional Chinese culture in my heart," she said. Enditem Automaker Hyundai is reportedly planning to invest $28 billion over the next decade to accelerate its electrification efforts and is considering adopting Elon Musk-run Tesla's charging network for all future electric vehicles (EVs) in the US. Hyundai aims to increase its electric vehicle share to 34 per cent by 2030, up from 8 per cent this year. Moreover, the report said that Hyundai's latest electric cars, such as the Ioniq 5, operate at a higher voltage than Tesla's, meaning they cannot charge as quickly on Tesla's Supercharger network, which operates at a lower voltage. The company's CEO said that he plans to consult with Tesla to see if a faster-charging option could be made available. Tesla's network of superchargers accounts for roughly 60 per cent of all EV charging stations in the US. Earlier this month, automaker General Motors (GM) announced that it will integrate Tesla's electric vehicle (EV) charging standard in its future EVs. "We're teaming up with Tesla to enhance your electric vehicle experience. More charging stations, less range anxiety, more sustainable journeys. It's about your convenience, not our competition," GM tweeted. The agreement between the former rivals comes less than two weeks after Ford announced a similar collaboration. cre Trending Stories Also read - Hyundai Exter Production Begins At Chennai Plant, India Launch On July 10 In February, the US administration revealed new initiatives to install 5,00,000 electric vehicle chargers on US roads by 2030 under its $7.5 billion plan, and as part of it, Tesla has committed to opening up 7,500 of its charging stations to non-Tesla vehicles by the end of 2024. However, in the Indian market, the South Korean brand is preparing for the launch of the Hyundai Exter. The compact SUV is digitally revealed with a slew of segment-first features. With its boxy proportions, the Exter will rival the likes of the Tata Punch, Citroen C3, and Maruti Suzuki Fronx. As for the Exter, its styling will play a key role in its success. New Delhi/Shimla/Jaipur: At least four people were killed in lightning strikes in Rajasthan on Monday and hundreds were left stranded in Himachal Pradesh as monsoon rains lashed a large part of north and west India triggering flash floods, landslides and roadblocks at some places. The India Meteorological Department said the Southwest Monsoon further advanced into some more parts of north Arabian Sea, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, and remaining parts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Delhi witnessed pleasant weather conditions as it received 2 mm rainfall in 24 hours ending at 8.30 am. The weather office has forecast a generally cloudy sky with light or moderate rain for the day with the maximum temperature likely to settle at 30 degrees Celsius. In Rajasthan, four people were killed and as many others injured in incidents of lightning strikes as first monsoon rains drenched some parts of the state. Dinesh (21) died after being struck by lightning in Pali district on Sunday evening, while two cousins -- Hariram (46) and Kamal (32) -- were killed in lightning strikes in Baran's Patpadi. A 10-year-old girl was fatally struck in Chittorgarh. Meanwhile, hundreds of commuters including tourists were stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district as the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway was blocked following flash floods and landslides, officials said on Monday. cre Trending Stories A total of 301 roads are closed in the state following heavy rains, while 140 power transformers are disrupted. Flash floods were witnessed in Khotinallah near Aut, about 40 km from Mandi town, on the Pandoh-Kullu stretch due to a heavy downpour and the commuters have been stranded since Sunday evening. The alternative Mandi-Kullu route via Katola, blocked due to landslides, has been opened after almost 20 hours and small vehicles are now being diverted through this stretch, officials in the Mandi administration said. The Mandi-Pandoh stretch was blocked near 6 Miles after a landslide. The officials said restoration work is underway and explosives are being used to blast heavy boulders blocking roads on this stretch. One way traffic is expected to be restored on this stretch in an hour or two, they said. The commuters have been advised not to move towards Mandi until the road is opened, the officials added. It is a nightmarish experience as we have been stuck here since yesterday evening. There are limited hotels and other accommodations available nearby, said Mohit, a tourist from Chandigarh. There are over two km of jam on both the sides even though the police and administration have stopped traffic at several points on the stretch as the road is blocked, he added. We have been stuck since last evening as the road is closed. A large number of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the roads at Aut and 6 Miles," said Prashant, a stranded commuter who was returning to Mandi town from Chandigarh. Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh said as many as 301 roads have been blocked due to heavy rains. Out of these roads, 180 would be opened by Monday evening, 15 by Tuesday and the remaining by June 30 depending on the weather conditions, Singh told reporters. As many as 390 earth movers and other heavy machinery have been deployed to clear the roads and the department would release a number on which the people can report road related issues by today evening, he added. There are about 30 road stretches prone to frequent landslides in the state. So far, during the ongoing monsoon season which started on June 24, the PWD has suffered a loss to the tune of about Rs 27 crore. Most parts of neighbouring Jammu and Kashmir received heavy rains on Monday, bringing respite from sweltering heat but also triggering landslides at multiple locations that blocked the key Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other roads. Authorities closed all schools upto class 10 in Ramban due to a threat of flash floods owing to heavy rainfall, they said. The 250-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked due to multiple landslides and shooting stones from the hillock at Cafeteria Morh and Mehar in Ramban town in the wee hours of the day, the officials said. However, the stranded vehicles were cleared around 2.30 pm after road clearance agencies managed to make it worthy of one-way traffic. No fresh traffic was allowed either from Srinagar or Jammu on the highway this morning, the officials said. Meanwhile, the IMD issued an orange alert warning heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Madhya Pradesh till Tuesday morning even as showers continue to lash several areas in the state. IMD's senior meteorologist Ved Prakash Singh said heavy rain with lightning is likely to continue over Sagar, Narsinghpur, Betul, Mandla, Seoni, Chhindwara, Balaghat and Jabalpur districts. In Mumbai, four persons were injured when a two-storey house collapsed on an adjacent structure in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area on Monday. The city and its suburbs received moderate to heavy rains in the last 24 hours, as per civic officials. Taking a leaf out of its successful anti-corruption campaign in Karnataka, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has drawn inspiration and initiated a similar drive in the state, targeting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In Karnataka, the Congress managed to dislodge the BJP by leveraging various factors, including their effective "PayCM" and "40% Sarkara" campaigns, which alleged corruption under the saffron party's governance. Now, taking a cue from these tactics, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has launched a campaign called "50% Commission Government" against the BJP. To bolster their campaign, the Congress has inundated cities in Madhya Pradesh with posters featuring Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's photographs, accompanied by QR codes. Additionally, the party is actively promoting the campaign through its social media channels. "Shivraj's corruption on the streets of Sehore. Bring 50%, get the work done on phone. The people of Madhya Pradesh know and recognise the 50% commission takers," said the Congress on its Twitter handle. cre Trending Stories However, the campaign put digital payment and financial service company 'PhonePe' in spot and the firm was forced to issue a clarification. "We would like to clarify that PhonePe is not associated with the news circulating in some of the media on 50% commission government in Madhya Pradesh. The company has no political affiliations with any of the parties or candidates," said a PhonePe spokesperson. It may be recalled that Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on June 12 launched the party's poll campaign for the Madhya Pradesh elections. Priyanka Gandhi also officially rolled out the five key poll promises taking a cue from Karnataka. The five promises include a financial scheme of Rs 1,500 per month, an LPG cylinder at a subsidized rate of Rs 500, the revival of the old pension scheme and up to 100 units of free electricity. The Congress party's promise of Rs 1,500 monthly financial aid to each woman is aimed at countering 'Ladli Behna Yojana' launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan under which each eligible woman is getting Rs 1,000 per month. The subsidized LPG gas cylinder promise is aimed at countering the 'Ujjwala Yojana' launched by Prime Minister Modi. On the other hand, the free electricity promise comes from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s governance model. Congress is also promising to restore the old pension scheme to woo lakhs of government employees. "The Congress government in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh has restored the OPS," Priyanka had said in Jabalpur. Madhya Pradesh will go to the polls around December this year. JAMMU: In a stern warning to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India can launch a strike across the border, if the need arises, adding that the country was not what it used to be before and was becoming stronger day by day. Raksha Mantri said when terrorists from across the border, in Pakistan, attacked Pulwama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi "did not even take 10 minutes" to take a decision to send jawans to the other side to eliminate them. Addressing the National Security Conclave in Jammu, Singh said, "After Uri and Pulwama attacks, the PM didn't take even 10 minutes to take a decision and our jawans went across the border to eliminate the terrorists. We successfully sent a message to the world that India is no longer what it used to be. If the need arises, India can launch an attack across the border." The Defence Minister added that once "peace" returns to Jammu and Kashmir, Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) will be removed from the Union Territory. "We have controlled the problem of insurgency in the Northeast and our government has also been successful in controlling left-wing extremism. Today, AFSPA has been removed from the majority of the Northeast. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here as well," Singh said. cre Trending Stories Singh added that India's prestige and stature have increased on the world stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under the PM Modi-led government, India's stature in the world has been further elevated. Earlier, when India used to say something at international forums, it was not taken so seriously. But now, the world listens carefully to what India says," Raksha Mantri added. Further hitting out at Pakistan, he said the illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) does not give the country a locus standi on the region. "A unanimous resolution has been passed in the Parliament regarding PoK -- that it is an inalienable part of India. Not one but at least three proposals in this regard have now been passed in the Parliament," he said. Washington: Hailing relations with India, US President Joe Biden said that the friendship between the two nations is among the "most consequential in the world." Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Biden said, "The friendship between the United States and India is among the most consequential in the world. And it's stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever." Responding to Biden's tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the friendship between India and the US is a force for global good. "I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable," PM Modi tweeted. "The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more," he said further. cre Trending Stories I fully agree with you, @POTUS @JoeBiden! Friendship between our countries is a force of global good. It will make a planet better and more sustainable. The ground covered in my recent visit will strengthen our bond even more. https://t.co/iEEhBIYG17 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2023 PM Modi Concludes Maiden State Visits To US, Egypt Prime Minister Modi embarked on his maiden state visits to the US and Egypt from June 20-25. He concluded his state visit to the US on June 24 and left for Cairo from there. During his US visit, the Prime Minister attended various events and met top Indian and American CEOs. He received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the White House. He was hosted by US President Joe Biden as well as First Lady Jill Biden for a state dinner at the White House, as well as a State Luncheon by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Vice President Kamala Harris. Before emplaning for Egypt, PM Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC and compared the meeting with a "sweet dish after a meal" at his farewell address. Upon arrival in Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had various engagements with the leaders and Indian diaspora there. On Saturday, PM Modi held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the Arab nation. On Sunday, PM Modi held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during which they signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership". The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. PM Modi Receives Egypt's State Honour PM Modi was conferred Egypt's highest state honour by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It was the thirteenth state honour of its kind to be given to him. In the past nine years, PM Modi has received many international awards including Companion of the Order of Logohu, Companion of the Order of Fiji and Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau, among others. As a part of his state visit to Egypt, PM Modi also visited the pyramids of Giza in Cairo and the Al-Hakim Mosque as well. After visiting the Al-Hakim Mosque, PM Modi went to Heliopolis War Cemetery and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices during the First World War. Notably, PM Modi visited Egypt at 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.' Harsh Mariwala, the founder of Marico Limited, has a compelling journey of transforming a small-scale business into a thriving consumer goods company. Mariwala's story is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and determination to overcome challenges. Harsh Mariwala's lesser-known rags to riches story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, innovation, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset. It highlights how an individual's determination and willingness to take risks can lead to significant success and make a lasting impact. Harsh Mariwala Family Background Vallabhdas Vasanji, the grandfather of Harsh Mariwala, migrated from Kutch to Mumbai in 1862. He gained significant recognition due to his pepper business. People started referring to him as 'Mariwala' due to his involvement in the pepper trade, known as 'mari' in Gujarati. In 1948, Charandas, the father of Harsh Mariwala, and three of his brothers established Bombay Oil Industries Limited. In 1975, Charandas ventured into the consumer products business and elevated company's products like Saffola refined oil to new heights. cre Trending Stories Harsh Mariwala And Marico Born into a middle-class family in Mumbai, Mariwala began his career by working in his family's business of trading spices. However, he envisioned something greater and set out to create his own path. In 1990, Mariwala started Marico Limited with a small investment and a vision to create innovative consumer products. His initial venture into branded coconut oil faced skepticism from established players, but he persisted and introduced the revolutionary brand, Parachute, which became a household name in India. Marico's Diversification Through strategic acquisitions, product diversification, and a focus on quality and innovation, Harsh Mariwala expanded Marico's product portfolio to include haircare, skincare, and wellness products. Today, Marico Limited is a leading consumer goods company with a strong presence in India and international markets. The company possesses a diverse collection of brands spanning across various sectors including hair care, male grooming, health foods, skin care, edible oils, and fabric care. Among its notable brands are Livon, Set Wet, Saffola, Parachute, Mediker Hair & Care, Nihar, and Revive. Additionally, the company offers Saffola FITTIFY, a line of nutritious soups and shakes, and has introduced immune-boosting products under the name Saffola ImmuniVeda. Mariwala's success is not only attributed to his business acumen but also his emphasis on creating a culture of entrepreneurship and nurturing talent within the organization. His philanthropic efforts through the Mariwala Health Initiative and the Ascent Foundation reflect his commitment to social causes and supporting budding entrepreneurs. Harsh Mariwala Net Worth During FY 2021-22, Marico recorded a turnover of about Rs 9500 crore (USD 1.3 billion) through its products sold in India and chosen markets in Asia and Africa. Harsh Mariwala and his family's net worth is around Rs 24,000 crore. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Delhi last night after concluding his US and Egypt state visits chaired a cabinet meeting in the national capital on Monday. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri along with senior officials attended the meeting. Earlier today, Shah had met with PM Modi and briefed him on the developments in Manipur. On Sunday Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh briefed Shah about the "evolving situation" in the State and said the State and central governments have been able to control the violence to "a great extent." An all-party meeting was held on Saturday by Amit Shah to discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs an important meeting, in Delhi PM arrived in Delhi last night after concluding his US and Egypt state visits. pic.twitter.com/Gb4i6XicnR ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023 cre Trending Stories The meeting, chaired by the Union Home Minister, was called to take stock of the situation in the violence-wracked state. BJP national president JP Nadda, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and CPI(M) MP John Brittas among other leaders were present in the meeting. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi early Monday after completing his maiden state visits to the United States and Egypt spanning six days. PM Modi was received at the Palam airport by BJP national President JP Nadda, Union Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi and various party MPs including Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir among others. Earlier in the day, PM Modi took to his Twitter handle to share glimpses of his first visit to Egypt. The video shows his arrival in the African country, meeting his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and interacting with members of the Indian diaspora. Sharing the video on Twitter, PM Modi tagged the clip with a message stating, "My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and will benefit the people of our nations. I thank President @AlsisiOfficial, the Government and the people of Egypt for their affection." PM Modi was on a state visit to the US from June 21-24 and on a state visit to Egypt from June 24-25. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi early Monday after completing his maiden state visits to the United States and Egypt spanning six days. PM Modi was received at the Palam airport by BJP national President JP Nadda, Union Minister of State Meenakshi Lekhi and various party MPs including Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir among others. Earlier today, PM Modi took to his Twitter handle to share glimpses of his first visit to Egypt. The video shows his arrival in the African country, meeting his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and interacting with members of the Indian diaspora. cre Trending Stories Sharing the video on Twitter, PM Modi tagged the clip with a message stating, "My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and will benefit the people of our nations. I thank President @AlsisiOfficial, the Government and the people of Egypt for their affection." PM Modi Receives Egypt's Highest Honour PM Modi received Egypt's highest state honour from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. It was the thirteenth state honour of its kind to be given to him. In the past nine years, PM Modi has received many international awards including Companion of the Order of Logohu, Companion of the Order of Fiji and Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau, among others. On Sunday, PM Modi held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during which they signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership". The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the two nations, including trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. PM Modi Visits Al-Hakim Mosque In Egypt PM Modi visited the pyramids of Giza in Cairo and the Al-Hakim Mosque as well. After visiting the Al-Hakim Mosque, PM Modi went to Heliopolis War Cemetery and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices during the First World War. On Saturday, PM Modi also held a roundtable meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Cairo. He also met thought leaders in Egypt as a part of his two-day visit to the Arab nation. PM Modi was on a state visit to Egypt from June 24-25. In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met prominent American and Indian CEOs, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on his state visit to the United States. He received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the White House upon his arrival. PM Modi was hosted by US President Joe Biden as well as First Lady Jill Biden for a state dinner at the White House, as well as a State Luncheon by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Vice President Kamala Harris. On June 22, PM Modi 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. New Delhi: Actor Jackie Shroff has been winning hearts for real and it's all thanks to his philanthropic deeds. As a humanitarian, Jackie has been relentlessly working in the healthcare sector. Now once again he has taken an initiative where he is training people with first aid techniques. JK Foundation in its initiative with help from doctor Deenanath Mangeshkar's hospital in Pune trained members both old and young from 45-50 families in Chandanwadi. They were taught about awareness of providing first medical help in case of snake bite, electric shock, choking, CPR, blood pressure and sugar fluctuations, thalassemia, etc. The idea behind this training is to make at least one member of every family well-versed to help in crisis till a patient is taken to the hospital. cre Trending Stories Talking about this initiative Jackie says, I have seen so many lives being lost because a simple first aid technique wasnt administered at the right time. So, we decided to train at least one member from every household with these basic techniques which will help them in saving a life until further treatment is administered. I thank the doctors of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital for removing time and training people with this. We have begun with Pune, but we plan to go places with this initiative. These members were taught simple activities that could help in saving lives at the very first stage. It is indeed a beautiful initiative and will surely come in handy in the future. Members of Beijing Dance Academy perform in Bucharest, capital of Romania, June 25, 2023. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) BUCHAREST, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The 1,000-seat Auditorium of the Polytechnical University of Bucharest was packed on Sunday evening with people from all walks of life enjoying a set of wonderful dance performances from China. Horia Necula, vice-rector of the university, thanked the Beijing Dance Academy for having chosen its big Auditorium to stage the exceptional performances, while Han Chunlin, Chinese ambassador to Romania, welcomed the audience, assuring them of the high-level and enjoyable nature of the show. The ten dances presented took the audience into a fantastic world of history, art and beauty. The dance "Freedom" suggested energy and grace, and the green clothes of the dancers bespoke the everlasting values of humankind. The "Impression of Tang" raised curiosity to learn more about the time-honored Tang San Cai symbolism of the white, amber and green glazes, while "A Journey of Proud Chant" portrayed the life of Li Bai, the renowned "God of Poetry" of the Tang Dynasty, who was also the greatest Chinese poet. Members of Beijing Dance Academy perform in Bucharest, capital of Romania, June 25, 2023. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) The exquisite combination of strength and flexibility of the dancers' bodies, their unique artistry and perfection, and their ability to convey emotions deeply impressed the audience, who lavishly praised the performances. "I see a lot of work in this dance academy, and I highly appreciate their efforts to present the Chinese culture and to make bridges to the world. One can feel emotions which are also meant to create bonds with other cultures," said Romania's former Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. Zafar Iqbal, Pakistani ambassador to Romania, was also dazzled by the dancers' superb ability to convey emotions through movements, music, clothes and facial expressions. "I am in awe. The artists are magnificent. I rarely see such a huge audience applauding for minutes on end and making the artists come back of the stage several times." Members of Beijing Dance Academy perform in Bucharest, capital of Romania, June 25, 2023. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) After Bucharest, the dancers will go to the Sibiu International Theater Festival. The performances in Romania mark the opening of a new chapter of Sino-Romanian art exchanges, the Chinese ambassador told the audience before the show. "I believe that tonight's art exchange will transcend time and space, continue to convey the concepts of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and tolerance among civilizations, deepen the mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the people of China and Romania, and promote the development and progress of human civilization," Han said. Members of Beijing Dance Academy perform in Bucharest, capital of Romania, June 25, 2023. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) It has been a little over three decades since Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan made his debut in films with Deewana in 1992. As he completed a stupendous career of 31 years in films, the Pathaan actor hosted an AskSRK session to interact with his fans on Twitter. From answering questions about his journey in the industry to his proudest achievement in the past 31 years to teasing fans about his upcoming film, Jawan, the actor spoke on a host of topics. Speaking of which, a fan asked for updates on when the teaser of the upcoming Atlee film will be out, to which the actor had an epic reaction. What SRK says about Jawan teaser As a fan asked, "Sir jawan teaser when? #AskSRK, Shah Rukh Khan, while maintaining his witty style, replied, "Its all ready, getting other assets in place. Dont worry its all in a happy place #Jawan." cre Trending Stories It's all ready getting other assets in place. Don't worry it's all in a happy place_#Jawan https://t.co/U6rdgiv2pD Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 While he didn't reveal any dates for the teaser release, it seems like the makers will be dropping it any moment now. Fans, while taking to the comment section, also expressed excitement for the film. One other fan dropped a hilarious question asking if the audience needs to have bandages before watching Jawan. To this, the actor replied, "Nahi beta jawan ke din jawani ke josh mein theater pe jaana hai (head to the theatres armed with the excitement of youth). Nahi beta jawan ke din jawani ke josh mein theater pe jaana hai! https://t.co/iMpcKgr4Dp Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023 SRK expresses gratitude for completing 31 years in films The actor instead of writing a special post or tweet on completing 31 years in the industry, expressed gratitude to the fans for all the love and support. "Wow just realised its 31 yrs to the day when Deewana hit the screens. Its been quite a ride mostly a good one. Thanks all and we can do 31minutes of #AskSRK??," he wrote to which fans dropped hundreds of questions. One of the fans asked about his "proudest achievement" in these 31 years. Responding to this, SRK said, "Being able to entertain lots of people lots of times. Thats it." The actors last release was Siddharth Anand's Pathaan. Now, hes gearing up for rge release of Atlee's Jawan. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has suspended one of its employees after passengers on the Gatimaan Express were served non-veg food, reported IANS. As per the report, passengers travelling on Train No. 124049 from Veerangana Lakshmibai Railway Station (Jhansi) to Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi ordered vegetarian meals. However, they were served non-vegetarian food by the IRCTC staff. IRCTC, who is the online ticketing partner of the Indian Railways, is also the official catering partner of national transporter. "We have also suspended one IRCTC employee. We are taking measures to ensure incidents like this do not recur. Our focus is on the source kitchen," tweeted the IRCTC. The incident took place on Saturday and IRCTC took action against the employee on Sunday. Passengers Rajesh Kumar Tiwari and his wife, Preeti Tiwari, had ordered vegetarian meals. "We told him that there were pieces of meat in the food. The supervisor examined the food and acknowledged its presence but stated that they didn't pack the food. It comes packed from the kitchen, and they only serve it," Tiwari said. cre Trending Stories Furthermore, another passenger named Kritika Modi, travelling on the same train from Gwalior to Delhi, complained that she had ordered pasta and 'chole-kulche'. The pasta resembled a pasta roll, but after taking a bite, she realized it contained chicken. She also lodged a complaint, but no action was taken. This incident ruined our entire journey, she added. The incidents of serving non-veg food to a veg passenger has dropped considerably in the recent years. VLADIVOSTOK, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a command post in the special operation zone, Russia's defense ministry said on Monday. This was his first public appearance since the failed mutiny by Wagner forces. The ministry released a video showing Shoigu flying in a plane and then attending a meeting with military officers at a military headquarters in the special operation zone. The minister reportedly listened to reports from Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, the troops' commander, about the current situation on the frontlines. Kremlin reached a compromise with Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group, through the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on late Saturday. SANAA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- At least three government soldiers were wounded in overnight clashes with Houthi rebels in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz, a local military source said on Monday. The fighting flared in the military base of al-Tashrifat in the eastern part of Taiz, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Residents reported hearing artillery and heavy machine gun fire throughout the night. The Houthis have not commented on the fighting. The government controls much of Taiz, but the Houthis have advanced to the north and east of the city. Clashes in and around Taiz have been on and off since the two sides agreed to a truce in April last year. The United Nations is trying to open the main roads linking the city of Taiz with other provinces, which have been closed due to the fighting. Opening the roads and lifting the blockade could pave the way for a comprehensive political settlement to the Yemeni crisis. Previous initiatives to open the roads and lift the siege have failed. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthis seized control of several northern provinces. The war has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the country to the brink of starvation. KHARTOUM, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday welcomed the UN human rights chief's condemnation of atrocities carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West Darfur State. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the statement by the spokesperson of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, which directly condemned the rebel militia regarding its atrocities in West Darfur State," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry called on international and regional organizations to exert more pressure on the RSF by "condemning the violations it committed against the Sudanese people." On Saturday, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement calling for immediate action to end the killing of civilians who were fleeing El Geneina, the capital city of West Darfur State. The statement said horrifying accounts of RSF-backed armed "Arab" militia killing people were heard from those fleeing El Geneina into Adre in Chad. The OHCHR urged immediate action to halt the "wanton killings," adding that "people fleeing El Geneina must be guaranteed safe passage and humanitarian agencies allowed access to the area to collect the remains of those killed." The statement calls on the RSF leadership to "immediately, unequivocally condemn and stop the killing of people fleeing El Geneina, and other violence and hate speech against them on the basis of their ethnicity." According to the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate, more than 1,000 people were killed in El Geneina in attacks by armed militias. Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which left over 3,000 people dead and more than 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. About 2.5 million people have been displaced inside and outside of Sudan, according to an OHCHR update on Wednesday. WASHINGTON, June 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, discussing Washington's support for Kiev as the latter continued to fight against Russia on the battlefield. "They discussed Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid," the White House said in a statement. Biden and Zelensky also discussed "recent events in Russia," it said. BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Monday issued a yellow alert for possible geological disasters triggered by rain in parts of Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Meteorological Administration warned of risks of rain-triggered geological disasters in those regions from 8 p.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Residents have been advised to take precautions, especially in areas with hidden dangers. China has a three-tier, color-coded weather warning system for geological disasters, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange and yellow. TEHRAN, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A huge fire erupted on Sunday evening in a number of warehouses in the Iranian capital of Tehran, the official news agency IRNA reported. The fire broke out at 6:01 p.m. local time (1431 GMT) in an 8,000-square-meter garage in southern Tehran, which housed a number of 300-square-meter warehouses for keeping goods, especially electronic appliances. In remarks to IRNA, Jalal Maleki, spokesman of the Tehran Fire Department said those warehouses were constructed mostly using unsafe materials. He added that firefighters from five stations were immediately sent to the scene to put out the blaze, noting that the warehouses' ceilings had collapsed because of the intense heat. No casualty has so far been reported. CAIRO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Syria's permanent representative to the Arab League (AL) Hussam Eddin Ala on Monday said Syria rejoining the Pan-Arab body will boost the Arab action. He made the remarks during a meeting with AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit a day earlier, during which he delivered his credentials, according to a video released by the AL. He noted that Syria attaches great importance to boosting its relations with Arab countries, and that its presence in the AL will deepen their cooperation. Syria looked forward to starting a new stage of Arab action to preserve the supreme interests of Arab countries, added Ala. Syria's AL membership was suspended after the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011. In May 2023, the country was readmitted to the Arab fold at the 32nd AL Summit in the Saudi city of Jeddah, with member states vowing to intensify pan-Arab efforts to help Syria overcome its crisis. A staff member works at a workshop of an electric bicycle company in Lutai Economic Development Zone of Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 25, 2023. Lutai Economic Development Zone has upgraded its bicycle manufacturing sector and contributed to high-quality development in the regional economy in recent years. The annual output of the 46 bike-related enterprises in the zone has reached 5.5 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) Staff members work at a workshop of an electric bicycle company in Lutai Economic Development Zone of Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 25, 2023. Lutai Economic Development Zone has upgraded its bicycle manufacturing sector and contributed to high-quality development in the regional economy in recent years. The annual output of the 46 bike-related enterprises in the zone has reached 5.5 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) Staff members work at a workshop of a bicycle company in Lutai Economic Development Zone of Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 25, 2023. Lutai Economic Development Zone has upgraded its bicycle manufacturing sector and contributed to high-quality development in the regional economy in recent years. The annual output of the 46 bike-related enterprises in the zone has reached 5.5 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) A staff member works at a workshop of a bicycle company in Lutai Economic Development Zone of Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 25, 2023. Lutai Economic Development Zone has upgraded its bicycle manufacturing sector and contributed to high-quality development in the regional economy in recent years. The annual output of the 46 bike-related enterprises in the zone has reached 5.5 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) A staff member works at a workshop of a company producing bicycle components in Lutai Economic Development Zone of Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 25, 2023. Lutai Economic Development Zone has upgraded its bicycle manufacturing sector and contributed to high-quality development in the regional economy in recent years. The annual output of the 46 bike-related enterprises in the zone has reached 5.5 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) A staff member arranges exhibits at the exhibition hall of a bicycle company in Lutai Economic Development Zone of Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province, June 25, 2023. Lutai Economic Development Zone has upgraded its bicycle manufacturing sector and contributed to high-quality development in the regional economy in recent years. The annual output of the 46 bike-related enterprises in the zone has reached 5.5 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) Gaming giant Tencent has joined forces with China Southern Airlines to develop an ultra-realistic flight simulator. Pilots can now undergo training for diverse conditions without ever leaving the ground. Ready for takeoff? Produced by Xinhua Global Service BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- China's railway passenger flow surged during the recent Dragon Boat Festival holiday travel rush, data from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) showed Monday. During the past five days, as of June 25, nearly 70.38 million railway passenger trips were made nationwide, 7.14 million more than during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday travel rush in 2019, said China Railway. The number of daily passenger trips served by China's railways reached 16.09 million on June 22, a record high for single-day passenger traffic during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday travel rush. To satisfy people's considerable travel needs, China's railways have increased capacity while improving service quality to ensure passengers have better experiences. The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, traditionally falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, and it was celebrated on Thursday last week this year. CANBERRA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Support for Australia's proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament has fallen in a poll, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday there are no rising levels of alarm within the government about the prospects of success for the Voice referendum. According to the latest survey from Newspoll, which was published by The Australian on Monday, 47 percent of 2,303 voters interviewed online intend to vote "No" in the referendum on altering the constitution to establish the Voice compared to 43 percent for "Yes." It is the first major poll to find that more Australians in the survey are opposed to the proposal than supportive. In order to be carried, a referendum to alter the constitution must achieve a double majority "Yes" vote of more than 50 percent of voters nationally and majorities in at least four out of the six states. Albanese said this is a proposition that has come from the grassroots that asked for recognition through a Voice by giving governments the opportunity to listen to First Nations people on matters that affect them. If the referendum is successful, the Indigenous Voice would be established in the constitution as an independent body to advise the parliament on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. "I think that as Australians focus on what is before the Australian people in the last quarter of this year, recognition and listening, all upside, no downside for this proposal," the PM told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. And we will be saying to Australians, if not now, when will we recognise Indigenous Australians in our Constitution? I am confident that a majority of Australians will vote yes." CANBERRA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A delegation led by Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison will launch a marketing campaign and meet airlines and travel service providers in China this week in a bid to attract Chinese tourists. Later this week at an event in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Tourism Australia will formally launch its Come and Say G'day Campaign, featuring mascot Ruby the Roo, according to News Corp Australia. It comes as the industry said seat capacity on flights between Australia and China rose to about 54 percent of 2019 levels in recent months. Harrison said the delegation will take part in meetings with major airlines and travel providers, showing Australia's commitment to working with partners to strengthen aviation capacity between the two countries and get travel bookings to Australia back to the levels seen in the past. Don Farrell, the minister for trade and tourism, said the timing was right to invite Chinese travelers back to Australia. "Chinese travelers have long been an important part of Australia's visitor economy," he was quoted by News Corp Australia on Monday. "China was Australia's biggest market in 2019, with 1.4 million Chinese travelers visiting and contributing 12.4 billion Australian dollars (8.2 billion U.S. dollars) in visitor spend." BANGKOK, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) concluded on Monday with experiences shared and ideas exchanged in navigating opportunities as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Narongsak Putthapornmongkol, president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce that hosts the convention, said the convention aims to build a new platform for the development of Chinese businesses worldwide to explore new opportunities for commerce, trade and investment, making new contributions to the global economic recovery. During the three-day conference that gathered more than 3,000 entrepreneurs from around the world, participants engaged in extensive and in-depth discussions on topics such as the economic environment and investment advantages in Thailand, as well as the opportunities that originated from the Belt and Road Initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said China plays a crucial role in the global economy as the second largest economy in the world. Chinese overseas businesses promote economic development in their resident countries and serve as essential bridges and ties between China and the business communities in other countries, said Jurin. Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group, told the convention that China advocates for high-level openness, welcoming enterprises to invest in China, which presents enormous opportunities for Chinese businesses in Thailand and other countries to grow and collaborate with China. Founded in 1991, the WCEC is an important biennial event for Chinese entrepreneurs around the globe. It aims at establishing an economic network linking Chinese entrepreneurs worldwide. NEW DELHI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and four others injured in lightning strikes in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, officials said Monday. According to meteorological department officials, with the onset of the southwest monsoon on Sunday, the state received heavy rains and was hit by lightning incidents. Officials said the deaths took place in Pali, Baran and Chittorgarh districts of the state. Last week five people were killed in rain-related incidents in the state, which it received in the aftermath of cyclonic storm Biparjoy that hit the adjacent state of Gujarat. The heavy rains triggered flooding and severe waterlogging in Barmer, Jalore and Sirohi districts of the state. Many villages and towns were inundated due to the heavy rains. Local media reports quoting data from the federal ministry of earth sciences said 907 people were killed in 2022 due to lightning strikes across India. People walk past the closed Grona Lund amusement park in Stockholm, capital of Sweden, June 26, 2023. Following the roller coaster accident that killed one and injured nine in Stockholm on Sunday, the amusement park's owner has shut down two other rides built by the same manufacturer as a precautionary measure, according to a local media report on Monday. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua) STOCKHOLM, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Following the roller coaster accident that killed one and injured nine in Stockholm on Sunday, the amusement park's owner has shut down two other rides built by the same manufacturer as a precautionary measure, according to a local media report on Monday. The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) has launched an investigation into the accident, Dagens Nyheter (DN) newspaper reported. It was a precautionary measure and there were no indications the rides were dangerous, according to the report. The accident at the Grona Lund amusement park happened when a cart derailed around lunchtime on Sunday. Of the nine injured, four remained in hospital on Monday, DN reported. Parallel to the SHK investigation, the Swedish Police has launched a separate criminal investigation, the report said. This photo taken on June 26, 2023 shows the closed Grona Lund amusement park in Stockholm, capital of Sweden. Following the roller coaster accident that killed one and injured nine in Stockholm on Sunday, the amusement park's owner has shut down two other rides built by the same manufacturer as a precautionary measure, according to a local media report on Monday. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece's conservative New Democracy (ND) party, casts his ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) ATHENS, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Greek Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised more reforms at a faster pace after his conservative party won the second general election in five weeks on Sunday and an outright majority in parliament. With 95 percent of votes counted, New Democracy (ND) garnered 40.55 percent of the votes, securing 158 seats in the next 300-member parliament to form a single-party government, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry. "We received a strong mandate to proceed faster on the path of reforms our country needs," Mitsotakis told media at the party's headquarters. During his second term in office, Greece will change further, he said, pledging more prosperity for all. The Leftists of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance garnered 17.84 percent of the votes and the socialists of PASOK- KINAL (Panhellenic Socialist Movement-Movement for Change) gained 11.88 percent. A total of eight parties are expected to enter the next parliament, after passing the three-percentage threshold of the votes needed under the electoral law. On Monday Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou will give a mandate to Mitsotakis to form a new government. The first election on May 21 ended inconclusive. Frontrunner ND failed to secure an outright parliamentary majority due to how the electoral system was used. Since there was no agreement to form a coalition government in May, a caretaker government was appointed to lead the country to the second ballot. In the second ballot on Sunday, a revised electoral system was used which provided a bonus of up to 50 extra seats for the winning party. In the 2019 general elections, ND won 39.8 percent of the votes with 158 seats in parliament. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece's New Democracy party, celebrates the party's victory in elections with supporters in Athens, Greece, on June 25, 2023. Greek Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised more reforms at a faster pace after his conservative party won the second general election in five weeks on Sunday and an outright majority in parliament. With 95 percent of votes counted, New Democracy (ND) garnered 40.55 percent of the votes, securing 158 seats in the next 300-member parliament to form a single-party government, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece's New Democracy party, celebrates the party's victory in elections with supporters in Athens, Greece, on June 25, 2023. Greek Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised more reforms at a faster pace after his conservative party won the second general election in five weeks on Sunday and an outright majority in parliament. With 95 percent of votes counted, New Democracy (ND) garnered 40.55 percent of the votes, securing 158 seats in the next 300-member parliament to form a single-party government, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece's New Democracy party, celebrates the party's victory in elections with supporters in Athens, Greece, on June 25, 2023. Greek Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised more reforms at a faster pace after his conservative party won the second general election in five weeks on Sunday and an outright majority in parliament. With 95 percent of votes counted, New Democracy (ND) garnered 40.55 percent of the votes, securing 158 seats in the next 300-member parliament to form a single-party government, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Supporters of Greece's conservative New Democracy party celebrate the party's victory in elections in Athens, Greece, on June 25, 2023. Greek Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised more reforms at a faster pace after his conservative party won the second general election in five weeks on Sunday and an outright majority in parliament. With 95 percent of votes counted, New Democracy (ND) garnered 40.55 percent of the votes, securing 158 seats in the next 300-member parliament to form a single-party government, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Supporters of Greece's conservative New Democracy party celebrate the party's victory in elections in Athens, Greece, on June 25, 2023. Greek Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised more reforms at a faster pace after his conservative party won the second general election in five weeks on Sunday and an outright majority in parliament. With 95 percent of votes counted, New Democracy (ND) garnered 40.55 percent of the votes, securing 158 seats in the next 300-member parliament to form a single-party government, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Alexis Tsipras, leader of Greece's main opposition party, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, speaks to the media at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) People wait to vote at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) A man with a child in his arm casts his ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) Alexis Tsipras, leader of Greece's main opposition party, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, casts his ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece's conservative New Democracy (ND) party, is seen at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) A woman is seen at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2023. A second general election was held in Greece on Sunday. (Photo by Marios Lolos/Xinhua) * Xinhua reporters felt a sense of calmness in several Russian cities, although temporary restrictions and verification measures were put in place. * In southern Russia's Rostov-on-Don city, the center of the turmoil, a resident, who called himself Yevgeny, told Xinhua that "nobody seems affected ... Everything will be fine." by Xinhua writer Shi Hao MOSCOW, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia appears to have stabilized the situation after the country's Wagner private military group was accused of attempting to launch an armed rebellion. A compromise was reached between Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group, through the mediation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on late Saturday. Xinhua reporters found that the incident did not cause a major disorder in Russian society and people's life in Moscow and beyond was barely affected. CHARGE OF ARMED MUTINY In a surprise move on early Saturday, the Russian Federal Security Service announced that a criminal case was initiated against Prigozhin for incitement to armed insurrection. This photo taken on June 24, 2023 shows the headquarters of Russian Federal Security Service in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua) This came after several audio recordings were posted on Prigozhin's Telegram channel where he claimed that his units had allegedly come under attack, accusing Russia's military leadership of orchestrating the strikes. Later, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee said that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts. In a statement to Wagner troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said: "You were tricked into Prigozhin's criminal adventure and participation in an armed rebellion." "We ask you to be prudent and get in touch with representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry or law enforcement agencies as soon as possible. We guarantee everyone's safety," the ministry stressed. The headquarters of the Wagner group located in Russia's second-largest city of St. Petersburg was cordoned off by security forces. A Xinhua correspondent witnessed several police cars parked in or around the compound, with law enforcers on duty. The Wagner group made its name known to the world by fighting Ukraine on the battleground. It pioneered a prolonged Russian campaign to seize the city of Bakhmut that was hotly contested with Ukrainian forces. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin openly congratulated the Wagner assault detachments on the triumph in Artyomovsk, the Russian name of Bakhmut. "TOUGH" RESPONSE In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Putin ordered the Russian Armed Forces to neutralize those who organized the armed mutiny. "Any actions that split our nation are essentially a betrayal of our people, of our comrades-in-arms who are now fighting at the front line. This is a stab in the back of our country and our people," Putin said. "Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood, to us as a nation. This is a blow to Russia, to our people. And our actions to protect the motherland from such a threat will be tough," he added. "All those who deliberately embarked on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed rebellion, who embarked on the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment and answer both before the law and before our people," he noted. "I urge those who are being dragged into this crime not to make a fatal and tragic mistake, but to make the only right choice -- to stop participating in criminal acts," Putin stressed. Policemen stand guard in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua) The Russian leader had phone conversations with Lukashenko, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the incident. According to the Kremlin, Erdogan expressed full support for the steps taken by the Russian leadership. In response to the rebellion charge, Prigozhin said on Telegram: "We are patriots of our motherland." SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION Prigozhin has accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the advance of the Wagner troops and de-escalate the situation, according to RIA Novosti news agency reports. On Saturday morning, Putin informed his Belarusian counterpart of the situation in southern Russia regarding the Wagner group, and the heads of state agreed on joint actions. "The President of Belarus held talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin. Negotiations lasted throughout the day. As a result, they came to an agreement on the inadmissibility of unleashing a bloody massacre on the Russian territory. Prigozhin accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of the Wagner armed persons and take further steps to de-escalate tensions," the press service of the Belarusian president was quoted as saying. There was reportedly an acceptable option on the table for resolving the situation, with security guarantees for the Wagner fighters. Then, Prigozhin said that his fighters were going back to their field camps. The criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped and he will go to Belarus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters late Saturday, without specifying what exactly Prigozhin will do in the former Soviet republic. He added that Lukashenko has been personally acquainted with Prigozhin for about 20 years and "this was his personal proposal agreed with Putin." "There was a higher goal to avoid bloodshed, to avoid internal confrontation, to avoid clashes with unpredictable results. It was for the sake of these goals that Lukashenko's mediation efforts were made and President Putin made the appropriate decision," Peskov said. According to the official, the guarantee that Prigozhin will be able to leave for Belarus was the word of the Russian president. This photo taken on June 24, 2023 shows the headquaters of the Wagner private military group being surrounded by police cars in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Irina Motina/Xinhua) The incident with the Wagner group will not affect the course of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, which will continue, he added. GENERAL TRANQUILITY Xinhua reporters felt a sense of calmness in several Russian cities, although temporary restrictions and verification measures were put in place. The Red Square in central Moscow was closed the whole Saturday, but tourists and business people were still allowed outside the police line. A traveler from St. Petersburg, who identified himself as Valery, told Xinhua that he heard about the Wagner incident from social media but did not know exactly what had happened. There were fewer people and less traffic in downtown Moscow, while the three major airports in the city -- the Sheremetyevo, the Domodedovo and the Vnukovo -- were all operating normally. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted on Russian social media VK that previously announced mass events were canceled, but he denied reports of traffic closures at the entrances and exits of the Russian capital. To minimize risks, he declared Monday a non-working day. In St. Petersburg, neighborhoods near the Wagner headquarters remained calm. This image captured from a video shows military vehicles running in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. (Str/Xinhua) In southern Russia's Rostov-on-Don city, the center of the turmoil, a resident, who called himself Yevgeny, told Xinhua that "nobody seems affected ... Everything will be fine." (Video reporters: Chen Qiang, An Xiaomeng, Meng Jing; video editors: Zhou Yang, Zheng Qingbin, Hu Yousong) by Martina Fuchs GENEVA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, is expected to boost multilateralism and collaboration in a fragmented world, World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende has said. The forum is set to return to the tradition of its "Summer Davos" and will convene the 14th annual meeting in the major port city of Tianjin in northern China on June 27-29, on the theme of "Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy." "I'm very excited to be back in China and Tianjin with our 'Summer Davos.' It has been well received among our partners and governments," Brende said in a recent interview via video link. "It will be very interesting to see how we can revive growth and build trust in a fragmented world. The business interest we have received for the summit shows that there is a lot of keenness for opportunities in China in a post-COVID context," he said. The global economy is at a pivotal moment of transformation, the WEF wrote on its website. "Since we are living in a fractured, fragmented world, World Economic Forum believes that the most pressing global issues can only be solved by collaborating," Brende said. "We will try to build our meeting in the spirit of President Xi's speech in Davos in 2017 where he so strongly underlined the importance of multilateralism and working together," he added. The WEF, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is expected to welcome over 1,500 participants from the business community, governments, civil society, international organizations and academia. According to the WEF, nearly 90 countries will be represented at the annual meeting. "The Chinese economy is of course extremely important for China, but also for the world," Brende stressed. "China is the second largest economy in the world and almost 30 percent of global growth depends on the success of the Chinese economy." "China is taking many right steps to support growth. In the medium term, I'm optimistic on Chinese growth. Long-term, I'm very optimistic on China's growth," Brende noted. "Over the last decade, China has emerged as a leader in many technology fields, such as high-speed trains, and renewables like wind and solar. China is such a leader. We also have seen a lot of start-ups, a lot of unicorns in China," Brende continued. He pointed out that it will be fascinating to hear from these start-up communities and unicorns on how they will form partnerships between Chinese and global companies. The annual meeting's program will include dozens of public and private sessions covering six key topics: rewiring growth, China in the global context, energy transition and materials, post-pandemic consumers, safeguarding nature and climate, and deploying innovation. Furthermore, more than 25 initiatives and coalitions will be launched or advanced at the meeting, the WEF announced. "We are focusing a lot on climate change and climate mitigation and the new technologies," Brende said. "The WEF also formed an alliance of companies and governments looking at how we can make sure that these new technologies including AI work in the interest of humankind." Under a long-term plan, China expects to increase its forest coverage rate to 26 percent by 2035. By then, China's forest stock will rise to 21 billion cubic meters, and the area of natural forests will be kept at about 200 million hectares. "We are also proud that we have good cooperation with China on the trillion trees (campaign). How we can make sure that biodiversity is also still on the top of the agenda, as well as how we can make sure we go net-zero on climate and go positive on nature," he added. TEHRAN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that U.S. detention of "innocent Iranian nationals" over alleged involvement in bypassing sanctions is "illegal." Nasser Kanaani made the remarks at a weekly press conference in the capital Tehran, commenting on the latest developments regarding the exchange of prisoners between Iran and the United States, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry. "The cruel sanctions are illegal in principle, and imprisoning individuals on the pretext of having roles in bypassing the illegal sanctions is considered a further illegal move," he was quoted as saying in the statement. The Iranian government, he added, is in negotiations with the other side concerning the release of the Iranian nationals imprisoned in the United States through countries with goodwill. Kanaani also dismissed the signing of an informal agreement, or "unwritten understanding," between Iran and the United States on the former's curtailed nuclear activities in exchange for the latter's removal of sanctions as "media speculations." Kanaani stressed that Iran has always been and will remain committed to the negotiating table in order to safeguard the rights of its people, and will maintain its strategy and measures based on the principles and policies it has announced. In an interview with Al-Monitor published on June 14, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, whose country has been playing a mediatory role in the negotiations between Tehran and Washington, said he believed Iran and the United States were nearing an agreement on the release of Americans currently held in Iran. He also said Iran and the United States were serious about reviving the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The JCPOA was signed between Iran and world powers in July 2015. Under the agreement, Iran accepted certain restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran reduced its nuclear commitments under the agreement. The negotiations for the revival of the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the latest round in August 2022. What a weekend for Wagner, elections after the war, exclusive with Ukraines Chief Rabbi 26 June, 02:15 PM Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Monday, June 26, 2023. After striking deal with Putin, Prigozhin and his fighters abandon march on Moscow In a bizarre turn of events, Wagner mercenary warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 24 abruptly called off his fighters march on Moscow, saying he had reached agreement with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to avoid bloodshed. Video of day Russians flee abroad in droves as rebellion erupts at home Amid the armed rebellion in Russia by Wagner mercenary company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russians are actively buying air tickets for destinations abroad, Russian news outlet Baza reported on June 24. Ukraines military intelligence comments on Prigozhin's rebellion The rebellion against the Russian military leadership led by the head of Russias Wagner mercenary company, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is a consequence of conflicts between various groups in Russia, a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson said on June 24. Prigozhin may have been offered dismissal of Shoigu and Gerasimov, says SBU Wagner Group mercenary's leader Yevgen Prigozhin may have been promised that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other top military officials will be dismissed in exchange for ending his mutiny, Ukraines SBU security service said on June 25. Zelenskyy comments on military rebellion in Russia The longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries in Ukraine, the more chaos and problems it will have for itself, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram on June 24, commenting on the ongoing armed conflict in Russia. Wagner destroyed seven Russian aircraft during Prigozhin's rebellion Air Force During the rebellion of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, his militants destroyed seven Russian aircraft after launching preemptive strikes against them, the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ihnat said on national television on June 25. Shocking photos of shallowed Kakhovka Reservoir published online The Kakhovka Reservoir has turned into a desert after the Russian military demolished the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and dam, a shocking photo posted by Ukrainian journalist and blogger Denys Kazansky on Telegram on June 25 shows. Ukraine to hold elections after war ends, says Zelenskyy Elections in Ukraine will be held in 2024 only if martial law is ended by then, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the BBC on June 22. Russians claim to have killed teenage partisans in Berdyansk Two Ukrainian teenagers have been murdered by Russian invasion forces in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Berdyansk in Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Vladimir, a representative of the occupation administration of Zaporizhzhya Oblast has said. Germany to donate to Ukraine 45 more Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns by year end Germany plans to transfer to Ukraine 45 more Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns this year, Christian Freuding, Head of the Special Staff Ukraine at the German Federal Ministry of Defence said in an interview with Welt am Sonntag outlet on June 24. Death toll in Kyivs Solomyanskyi District from Russian missile strike rises to five The bodies of two more people have been found under the rubble of a building in Kyiv's Solomyanskyi District hit by the fragments of a Russian missile in the early hours of June 24, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram on June 25. When will Ukraine have its own long-range missiles? Although Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov recently expressed optimism for the development of a Ukrainian missile with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, available information suggests that there is still a long way to go, an expert has told NV. EU approves massive expansion of artillery shell production EU member states have approved a project that envisages expanding the production of artillery shells to one million units per year, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU announced on Twitter on June 23. Chief Rabbi of Ukraine on Russian anti-Semitism interview 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. Ukraine on top of medals table at European Games after day two The Ukrainian team tops the medal table at the European Games in Poland after day two, having won four golds and two bronzes. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News India kicks off a pilot to become electronics repair capital of the world After expanding its footprint in manufacturing smartphones and other tech devices, India is looking to become the electronics repair capital of the world, taking the crown from China and Malaysia, which currently dominate the industry. On Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Information and Technology launched a pilot project called Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) to test electronics repair outsourcing, initially for a three-month pilot in Bengaluru. Flex, Lenovo, CTDI, R-Logic and Aforeserve will participate in the program. New Delhi aims to generate revenue of up to $20 billion and create millions of jobs over the next five years through outsourced repair services carried out by the participating companies. The pilot project is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which was announced in October last year to work on environmental sustainability, said Ali Akhtar Jafri, director general of IT and electronics manufacturer industry body MAIT. "It will enable the extension of device life globally by providing cheap and reliable repair of ICT [Information and Communications Technology] products for the globe," he said. Indian industry players are already in talks with companies with operations in Singapore, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Thailand and the U.S. to take on their repair needs. Currently, China and Malaysia dominate the market for repair outsourcing. Nevertheless, India has started to attract firms such as Apple and Samsung to build hardware in the country both for India's domestic market and for export. Taking on repair services would be a logical next step. The Indian government began a pilot program last year to decrease the time it takes to test and approve electronic devices for safety. That too will help boost the country's profile for repairs, potentially attracting more manufacturers over time. BraunS / Getty Images If youre entitled to Social Security benefits, you dont have to live in the United States to get them. Payments are sent nearly everywhere around the world, though there are some exceptions. U.S. citizens can continue to receive payments outside the country as long as youre eligible for a payment and are in a country where payments are sent, according to the Social Security administration. If youre not a U.S. citizen, you must meet certain conditions for payment. Discover: 10 Brilliant Ways To Reduce Your Taxes in Retirement Learn: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement Living outside the United States means you are not in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa for at least 30 days in a row. The SSA considers you to be outside the United States until you return and stay in the U.S. for at least 30 days in a row. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you also might have to prove you were lawfully present in the United States for that 30-day period. As of June 2023, there are the 10 countries where the United States wont send your Social Security payments: Azerbaijan Belarus Cuba Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Moldova North Korea Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Read: Latest Social Security Proposal Would See Millions Receive More, and No One Would Receive Less If youre a U.S. citizen residing in either Cuba or North Korea, you can get all the payments the SSA withholds once you move to a country where payments are allowed. If youre not a U.S. citizen, you cant receive payments for the months you lived in Cuba or North Korea even if you go to another country and satisfy all other requirements. As for the other eight countries on the banned list: The SSA said it will make exceptions for certain eligible persons. To qualify for an exception, you must meet and agree to restricted payment conditions. For more information about these conditions and the qualifications for an exception, contact the Social Security Administration or your Federal Benefits Unit. If youre not a U.S. citizen or dont meet one of the conditions for continued payments, the SSA will stop your payments after youve been outside the United States for six full calendar months. Once this happens, the agency cant start your payments again until you come back and stay in the U.S. for a full calendar month meaning you must be in the U.S. on the first minute of the first day of any month and stay through the last minute of the last day of that month. The SSA might also ask you to prove youve been lawfully present in the United States for the full calendar month. For more information, visit this SSA site or call 800-772-1213. More From GOBankingRates Bob Haegele contributed to the reporting for this article. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Countries Where the U.S. Wont Send Your Social Security Payments In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 most dangerous cities in Florida. To skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to see the 5 most dangerous cities in Florida. The U.S. has a problem and that problem is violence. An outlier among developed countries, lax gun controls due to second amendment supporters has resulted in ever-increasing crimes and violence, with mass shootings being a particularly concerning aspect, thanks to the easy availability of assault and semi-assault rifles. One study showed that US has over 70% of mass shootings in the developed world, an astounding statistic. Even more stunning is the fact that there have been more mass shootings (at least four people killed or injured) than days in 2023 in the U.S., and an average of one mass killing (at least four people killed) a week, which if it continues, will set a new record by some distance. According to BMJ, there's a higher rate of mass shootings in states which have more relaxed gun laws, and the gap is continuing to widen. Florida, one of the biggest states in the country (if all U.S. states were countries, Florida would be the 18th largest economy in the world), has seen the 4th highest number of mass shootings in the country. According to data by Gun Violence Archive, Florida contributed almost 7% of the total mass shootings in the country, killing over 25 people. 15 most dangerous cities in Florida Mark Agnor/Shutterstock.com In addition to increasing risks regarding one's safety, these crimes are unsurprisingly terrible for business, which isn't good news for the biggest companies in Florida, including AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN), Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF) and Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI). There have been numerous studies which have suggested that the fear of becoming victims results in consumers, entrepreneurs and workers changing their ways of working, and a study conducted in 2019 showed that in areas with higher levels of crime, business relocation and business failure followed. According to a study in the Journal of Urban Economics, "In addition, the main results suggest that the crime effect on consumer visits is large and significant for incidents that occur in public spaces, whereas crimes that occur within residences do not have a statistically significant effect. This provides additional evidence that unobserved factors are not driving the association between crime and consumers visits found by us. By exploring variation in crime effects we find that crime has a negative effect on consumers in the extensive margin (number of visits and number of customers), but we do not find sizable effects in the intensive margin (venue dwell time). Our results also provide evidence that night visits are more sensitive to changes in crime than day time visits. Furthermore, we find that consumers respond to salient crimes in low crime neighborhoods and severe crimes in high crime neighborhoods. While in areas where criminal activity is uptrending consumers react to crimes committed outdoor, in neighborhoods facing crime decline consumers are only sensitive to crimes happening at establishments." Even though Florida is one of the most-preferred destination for retirees, and some of the best places to live in Florida are also among the most dangerous cities in Florida, which could have severe repercussions on the state's income which is derived from retirees moving to spend their wealth after retirement. This is a major concern for the state as retirees who consider moving to the state generally have money to spend in spades and boost what is already a huge economy. If crime continues to remain rampant in the state, these retirees may think of moving elsewhere and take their fortunes with them, which can be beneficial for other states but have an adverse impact on Florida, including some of Florida's most dangerous cities. In response, many startups are popping up in the state, with their mission being an improvement in public safety. Recently, a Fort Myers company called Axon demonstrated its latest technology that would help the city's police department fight crime. Some of the tech that the company provides includes license plate readers and body cameras, while also showing virtual reality scenarios that would help police tackle mental health crises, by roleplaying possible scenarios and methods to tackle them. Other public safety moves include a ban on drones from a foreign country of concern, after an alarm raised by public safety companies in the state. To determine the most dangerous cities in Florida, we obtained statistics from the FBI's official website, considering only violent crimes as they are a better indicator of danger in a city. We checked both the total crimes in a city and per 100,000 people, assigning 70% weightage to the latter and 30% to the former. So let's now take a look at the cities where crime needs to be brought under control imminently, starting with: 15. Sanford Total violent crimes in 2019: 497 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 817 An officer-involved shooting in Sanford recently led to the deaths of four family members, just one of many violent activities in the area, with the accused killer also winding up dead, according to police. With so many different crimes occurring at a rapid pace, it seems that Sanford needs to act fast in order to improve the city's safety and security. 14. Boynton Beach Total violent crimes in 2019: 566 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 713 While not a violent crime, an illegal gambling den was recently busted by the Florida Gaming Control Commission in a bid to reduce crime in the city. Meanwhile, a rolling shootout between two drivers resulted in a man being caught in the crossfire and getting killed. 13. Melbourne Total violent crimes in 2019: 579 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 692 ESPN Southwest Florida recently counted Melbourne among the most dangerous cities in Florida, while the downtown area of the city recently saw a shooting that left two people in critical condition and an additional person injured. 12. Daytona Beach Total violent crimes in 2019: 794 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 1,137 With one of the highest crime rates in America, Daytona Beach is easily among the most dangerous cities in Florida. 11. West Palm Beach Total violent crimes in 2019: 859 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 762 Gang operations have led to a higher level of crimes in West Palm Beach, but a recent major organized crime bust has recently resulted in 29 arrests, and hopefully, a major reduction in crime. 10. Miami Beach Total violent crimes in 2019: 852 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 924 One of the reasons Miami Beach has seen higher crime is because of crowds attracted in spring break, which is why the city's mayor is considering a spring break ban in a bid to reduce Miami Beach's tag of being one of the most dangerous cities in Florida. 9. Gainesville Total violent crimes in 2019: 928 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 687 In a bid to combat crime in the city, Gainesville's police chief requires his officers to enforce even small traffic violations in order to combat crime, while its city commission recently approved the purchase of technology which will allow it to investigate gun crimes further. 8. Pompano Beach Total violent crimes in 2019: 900 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 793 Pompano Beach is home to some of the clearest and warmest waters in the entire world, and also some of the highest crime in the state of Florida. Recently, the city's community held a meeting in a bid to end gun violence after 2 people were murdered in a store shooting. 7. Fort Lauderdale Total violent crimes in 2019: 1,098 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 594 A recent fatal shooting in Fort Lauderdale resulted in the family and Crime Stoppers offering a $50,000 reward for any information. According to Forbes, while Fort Lauderdale may be a very popular tourist destination, it is also one of the most dangerous cities not just in Florida, but the entire country. 6. Tampa Total violent crimes in 2019: 1,622 Violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019: 405 Being one of the most dangerous cities in Florida has resulted in business owners saying that high levels of crime in the city could result in them changing their plans. Based on crime levels, which has actually fallen in recent years, even though new businesses are establishing themselves in areas such as west Main Street, other businesses are not sure if crime in the area is worth working there. One person who works there said about shootings that took place over the weekend "Police actually had to unscrew the panels to get the bullets and the casings out. Its scary because my desk is about five feet from this, and that could have easily been in the path walking by casually and been there. Click to continue reading and see the 5 most dangerous cities in Florida. Suggested articles: Disclosure: None. 15 most dangerous cities in Florida is originally published at Insider Monkey. Amazon cloud unit to invest nearly $8 billion in Ohio (Reuters) - Amazon.com's cloud computing division would invest $7.8 billion through 2030 in Ohio to expand its data center operations, it said on Monday. The e-commerce giant, which has invested $6.3 billion in the state since 2015, has been increasing its spending to meet a rise in demand for cloud services from corporate and government bodies. Amazon said the new investment will create hundreds of jobs and support thousands at local businesses through construction, operations and maintenance on-site at Amazon Web Services facilities. The company had in January said it plans to invest another $35 billion by 2040 to expand data centers in Virginia. It also aims to invest 1.06 trillion rupees ($12.7 billion) in India by the end of this decade. (This story has been refiled to fix a typographical error in paragraph 3) (Reporting by Yuvraj Malik and Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi) FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of the UnitedHealth Group appears on the side of one of their office buildings in Santa Ana, California (Reuters) -Home health and hospice caregiver Amedisys on Monday agreed to a $3.3 billion sweetened cash offer from UnitedHealth Group and scrapped an all-stock deal with Option Care Health. UnitedHealth is buying the company for $101 per share, which is a dollar higher than its previous offer and above the $97.38 per share all-stock deal with Option Care in May. Interest in the home health sector has been rising since the pandemic as more patients and caregivers prefer accessing medical services from the safety of their homes. The acquisition will expand UnitedHealth's presence in home healthcare, a business it bolstered this year through a $5.4 billion deal to buy Amedisys' rival, LHC Group. However, UnitedHealth's presence in the segment through the LHC acquisition has stoked some anti-trust concerns about the deal for Amedisys. Meanwhile, Option Care said it was "disappointed" with the cancellation of the deal and will get $106 million from Amedisys as per its May agreement. Option Care shares rose 3% in early trading, while those of Amedisys and UnitedHealth were largely flat. Option Care investors had largely disapproved of its deal for Amedisys as they believed the company was capable of recording strong growth on its own. Its shares had slumped 14% in May due to the Amedisys deal, but rose nearly 10% this month after UnitedHealth entered the race. William Blair analyst Matt Larew said in a note he recently spoke with the Option management who said they will continue to explore strategic deals even if the Amedisys deal falls through. (Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Arun Koyyur) American Airlines will launch daily, non-stop flights from Jacksonville to Phoenix beginning in November. Jacksonville residents traveling to the desert Southwest will soon have a new, faster option when American Airlines begins its new, nonstop service to Phoenix. Beginning Nov. 5, Fort Worth, Texas-based American will provide daily service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Jacksonville International Airport, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority announced Monday. The nonstop flight aboard an Airbus A320 departs Jacksonville daily at 8 a.m., arriving in Phoenix at 9:37 a.m. local time. The return flight departs Phoenix at 5 p.m., arriving in Jacksonville at 10:01 p.m. Planes in Americans Airbus A320 fleet typically feature 12 first-class seats, 18 premium economy seats and 120 economy seats. By the numbers: Which airlines carried the most passengers at JIA in 2022? Big changes coming to JIA: Jacksonville International Airport adding new concourse with 6 gates, more security screening as air travel ramps up Low-fare airline comes to JIA: Breeze Airways lands Jacksonville as its newest nonstop spot, a 'game-changer' for NE Florida Phoenix will join just a handful of cities in the Mountain West and Pacific Coast states with nonstop service from Jacksonville. This nonstop flight will not only link us to our largest unserved market, but it will also offer excellent connecting opportunities for passengers, Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Mark VanLoh said in a news release. The new flight will also directly connect two Mayo Clinic campuses. We are excited Jacksonville will be conveniently and expeditiously connected with Phoenix through this nonstop service on American Airlines, creating efficient travel between two of Mayo Clinics premier destination medical centers, said Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO, Mayo Clinic in Florida. With the addition of Phoenix, American will offer nonstop service from Jacksonville to eight cities, including Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Breeze Airways adds new non-stop flights The announcement comes four months after JIA announced new, nonstop flights by Breeze Airways to Los Angeles, then Jacksonvilles largest unserved market. In addition to Los Angeles, Breeze Airways in May launched seasonal nonstop flights from Jacksonville to Pittsburgh and one-stop/no plane-change service from Jacksonville to New York, Cincinnati and Louisville, Kentucky, bringing to 14 the number of cities served by Breeze from JIA since the low-fare airline began operations at the airport just a year ago. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: American Airlines adds service to Phoenix from Jacksonville, Florida Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Lancaster Resources Inc. (CSE: LCR) (OTC Pink: LANRF) (FSE: 6UF) ("Lancaster" or the "Company" is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Watson, P.Eng., as its Vice President of Engineering and Operations. Mr. Watson brings with him 21 years of rich technical leadership, operations, corporate strategy, and commercialization experience in lithium, hydrogen, and conventional oil and gas production. Andrew Watson, P.Eng VP, Engineering & Operations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7646/171222_1890b016d4d879f8_001full.jpg As the newly appointed Vice President of Engineering and Operations, Mr. Watson will spearhead Lancaster's Alkali Flat Lithium Project exploration operations in Lordsburg, New Mexico, USA. He will be instrumental in developing upcoming seismic and drilling programs, quantifying the potential resource, and guiding the company's strategic path. Alongside this, he will also take the lead on propelling the progress of Lancaster's solar project, a key component in powering the Company's prospective Climate-Positive Lithium facility in Lordsburg, New Mexico. "Andrew's extensive background in energy projects and his proven technical leadership make him a perfect fit for Lancaster. He has demonstrated exceptional skill in managing high-stakes commercial projects and innovative clean energy technologies. His experience will be instrumental as we advance our operations at Alkali Flat and continue to develop our renewable energy initiative," said Penny White, CEO of Lancaster. Mr. Watson's experience includes working at Prism Diversified, as Chief Operating Officer, to lead the technical development on two substantial battery metal critical mineral opportunities. While at Prism Diversified, Mr. Watson is spearheading the Lithium brine development opportunities on over 850sqmi of highly prospective brine resource. Additionally, Mr. Watson is leading engineering and economic studies for a surface ore body with a focus on recovery technologies that minimize environmental impact to recover the battery critical minerals (Iron, Vanadium, Titanium). His previous positions include VP Engineering & Operations at CleanInnoGen Energy, where he led the development of the world's first-of-a-kind pilot project to capture industrial waste heat to produce on-site, low-cost, near-zero emission hydrogen and oxygen. Prior to this, as the VP Engineering & Operations at Hyak Energy, he managed the operations of a 60MMbbl medium crude oil field in SW Saskatchewan, using an Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer chemical enhanced oil recovery scheme, increased production by over 250%, and spearheaded corporate sale leading to a successful divestment in January 2020. Mr. Watson has also been instrumental in mentoring startups in the clean technology sector. His valuable mentorship has contributed to accelerating revenue generation and traction of more than 50 startup companies through Emissions Reduction Alberta and Foresight Cleantech Accelerator. Mr. Watson earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary and has augmented his academic credentials with a diverse array of professional certifications. With the addition of Andrew Watson to the Lancaster team, the company looks forward to establishing its position as a notable player in the lithium exploration industry and a champion for renewable energy projects. About Lancaster Resources Inc. Lancaster Resources is engaged in exploring energy transition metals to take advantage of the global shift towards decarbonization and electrification. Its Alkali Flat Lithium Project, in Lordsburg, New Mexico, USA, involves the exploration of a below-surface lithium brine target. Lancaster's goal is to produce Climate-Positive Lithium. Lancaster's strategic plan includes the utilization of direct lithium extraction (DLE) and the potential application of solar power to bring the carbon footprint of its prospective lithium extraction facility close to net-zero. Lancaster's endeavors align with the vision of leveraging sustainable energy sources and state-of-the-art technologies to facilitate climate-positive resource extraction. Guiding Lancaster Resources' journey is a skilled management and technical team, endowed with extensive experience in the creation of lithium brine targets and the exploration and development of Lithium projects across the American West, Mexico, and South America. Penny White, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lancaster Resources Inc. penny@lancasterlithium.com Tel: 604 923 6100 www.lancaster-resources.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events, or Lancaster's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "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 Lancaster's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, the ability of Lancaster to execute its exploration plans, retain key personnel, identify, acquire, explore, and develop high-quality mineral-rich properties and integrate sustainable energy sources and innovative technologies for climate-positive resource production constitute forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Lancaster disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171222 (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. plans to appeal a National Labor Relations Board judges ruling that the company violated employee rights by coercively interrogating them about pro-union sympathies and restricting the circulation of union flyers. Most Read from Bloomberg Apple said in a statement Friday that it disagreed with the ruling and will address it through the NLRB process. The decision, delivered earlier this week, centered on Apples retail employees at its World Trade Center store in New York City, one of several around the country where workers mounted union campaigns last year. Regular open, honest, and direct communication with our team members is a key part of Apples collaborative culture, the Cupertino, California-based company said in the statement. The judge wrote that Apple should be required to cease and desist from interrogating workers about their legally protected labor activism. The company also should stop confiscating pro-union literature in its break rooms and interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights, according to the decision. The move marked the first time that an NLRB judge has ruled against Apple. Such decisions can be appealed to the labor boards members in Washington and, from there, to federal appeals court. The agency has the authority to order changes to company policies, but not to hold executives personally liable for violations or to impose punitive damages. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Aston Martin turns to US EV company Lucid for high-tech help Aston Martin turns to US EV company Lucid for high-tech help FILE PHOTO: A Lucid Air electric vehicle is displayed in Scottsdale, Arizona By Nick Carey and Aby Jose Koilparambil (Reuters) -Aston Martin has reached a deal that will give U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Group a 3.7% stake in return for access to its "high performance" technology, the British company said on Monday, sending its shares up nearly 15%. Under the agreement, Aston Martin will make cash payments and issue 28.4 million new ordinary shares to Lucid, worth together about $232 million. The shift to electric is phenomenally costly, with carmakers globally committing around $1.2 trillion to the low-emission technology. Smaller carmakers like Aston Martin are more reliant on partnerships to make the transition. Aston Martin plans its first EV in 2025 and until now had leant on Mercedes as its "big brother" to provide the technology it needs. In a separate announcement on Monday, Aston Martin said it had amended an agreement with Mercedes-Benz meaning the German carmaker would not increase its stake as planned, but will maintain around 9% in Aston Martin and continue to provide it with access to engine and EV technology. The agreement with Lucid meanwhile will give "access to Lucid's industry-leading technology for its (battery electric vehicles) BEVs, including electric powertrains and battery systems". Aston Martin said that by 2026 all of its new models will include an electrified version and that its core range of vehicles will be fully electric by 2030. "We now have two world-class suppliers to support... our electrification strategy," Aston Martin's executive chairman and top shareholder Lawrence Stroll said in a statement. Last month Geely invested in Aston Martin, which Stroll said will give the British luxury carmaker access to the Chinese carmaker's technologies and components. Lucid and Aston Martin have a common shareholder in Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Saudi wealth fund became Aston Martin's second-largest shareholder last year. PIF is also Lucid's main shareholder and last month provided a majority of the funds for a $3 billion stock offering by the U.S. EV maker. Those additional funds are critical as Lucid, like its peers, struggles with mounting losses and tightening cash reserves in the face of recession fears and a price war sparked by market leader Tesla Inc. Lucid, which makes luxury Air sedans, trimmed its 2023 production forecast last month and reported a lower-than-expected first-quarter revenue. At 1009 GMT Aston Martin shares were up around 10%, after rising as much as 14.6% earlier in the day. (Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Barbara Lewis) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ATFX, a global leader in online trading, proudly celebrated its momentous one-year anniversary in Jordan and the launch of its operations in Iraq at the prestigious Ritz Carlton hotel in Roberto's. ATFX Launches Operations in Iraq with Ashur Bank Partnership The first speech at the event was delivered by Joe Li, the Global Chairman of ATFX, resonated with the audience as he acknowledged the remarkable achievements and milestones that ATFX had reached within its first year in Jordan, setting a solid foundation for the future. Following Mr. Li's address, the Managing Director of ATFX Levant, Mr. Ahmad Disi, highlighted the significance of expanding into Iraq, emphasizing the immense potential of the Iraqi market and the valuable opportunities it presented. The audience was captivated by Mr. Disi's insights into the company's vision and strategies for success in Iraq. One of the most significant moments of the evening was the signing ceremony between Joe Li and Ziad Fatayer, the CEO of Ashur Bank. This landmark agreement solidified the partnership between ATFX and Ashur Bank, symbolizing a commitment to mutual growth and shared success in the Iraqi market. Acknowledging the collective efforts that made this milestone possible, ATFX presented awards to all the individuals and teams involved in the successful establishment. These awards recognized their unwavering dedication, hard work, and invaluable contributions to the company's growth and prosperity. The one-year anniversary celebration in Jordan and the launch of Iraq mark significant milestones in the company's growth, positioning ATFX Levant as a key player in the global online trading industry. ATFX ATFX is an award-winning currency pairs/CFD broker with a global presence offering customer support in over 15 languages. With over 300 tradable financial assets, including currency pairs, precious metals, energy, indices, and shares traded as CFDs, ATFX is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in Cyprus, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. (ATFX Website: https://www.atfx.com) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/atfx-launches-operations-in-iraq-with-ashur-bank-partnership-301862915.html SOURCE ATFX By Renju Jose and Sameer Manekar SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's banking regulator told insurer Medibank on Tuesday it would have to set aside A$250 million ($167 million) in extra capital, citing weaknesses identified in its information security after a major hacking breach. Shares of the country's biggest health insurer fell as much as 4.6% to mark their worst intraday drop since late October last year. They were last trading at their lowest level since May 3. Medibank last year disclosed that a hacker stole the personal information of 9.7 million current and former customers and released the data on the dark web in one of Australia's biggest data thefts. At least three separate class action suits have been filed against the company in Australian courts on behalf of affected customers. The Australian Prudential and Regulation Authority (APRA) said the capital adjustment would be effective from July 1 and remain in place until an agreed remediation programme is completed by Medibank to the regulator's satisfaction. "In taking this action, APRA seeks to ensure that Medibank expedites its remediation programme," said Suzanne Smith, an APRA executive board member. In a statement, Medibank said it had sufficient existing funds to meet the capital adjustment and would continue to work with APRA on remediation measures. Citigroup analyst Nigel Pittaway said Medibank had enough funds to "relatively easily deal" with the impost. "We already expected capital returns would be unlikely in this environment given the focus after the cyberattack," he said. "APRA's imposition of an increase in Medibank's capital adequacy requirement ... confirms that, aside from its ordinary dividend, Medibank will be unable to return capital to shareholders in the near term." Although Medibank has already addressed the specific control weaknesses that permitted unauthorised access to its systems, it still has more work to do across a number of areas to boost its security environment and data management, APRA said. The regulator's action is likely to "raise concerns about further potential cyberattack related impacts" on Medibank, Pittaway said. APRA will also conduct a targeted technology review of Medibank, with a focus on governance and risk culture. 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 federal government last week named a senior air force commander as its first cybersecurity boss. ($1 = 1.4981 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney and Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese, Lincoln Feast and Jamie Freed) Bitcoin dipped but held above the US$30,000 threshold on Monday morning in Asia, with nearly all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies rising. The gains follow a number of traditional financial institutions showing interest in launching crypto-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and the U.S. securities regulator approved the first leveraged Bitcoin futures ETFs in the country on Friday. In the NFT market, a whale has been selling off Bored Ape Yacht Clubs. Bitcoin little changed Bitcoin edged down 0.35% to US$30,444 over the last 24 hours to 7:30 a.m. in Hong Kong, according to data from CoinMarketCap. The worlds largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization rose 15.44% in the past seven days. Ether gained 1.18% to US$1,898, with a 10.32% weekly gain. Polkadot led gains among the top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies with a 3.28% 24-hour rise to post a weekly gain of 14.28%. Beside Bitcoin, Litecoin was the only token on the list edging lower, dropping 1.48% over the past 24 hours but up 14.24% for the week. On Friday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the nations first leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF offered by Florida-based Volatility Shares, CoinDesk reported. The 2x Bitcoin Strategy ETF is set to start trading on June 27 on CBOE BZX Exchange, according to the funds website. The ETF will not invest directly in Bitcoin but seek to benefit from increases in the price of Bitcoin futures contracts for a single day, according to its prospectus. The fund will correspond to two times the return of the S&P CME Bitcoin Futures Daily Roll index. This comes after BlackRock and WisdomTree recently filed applications with the SEC to launch spot Bitcoin ETFs. The regulator has given a greenlight to a number of futures-based crypto ETFs but has not approved spot products. 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 last week. Additionally, New York-headquartered investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. launched euro-denominated transactions on its blockchain-based payment system, JPM Coin, Bloomberg reported on Friday. JPM Coin allows clients to transfer euros or dollars held with their JPMorgan accounts immediately and at any time of the day, unlike traditional banking transactions that usually operate during business hours. Bored Ape Yacht Club dump The indexes are proxy measures of the performance of the global NFT market. They are managed by CryptoSlam, a sister company of Forkast.News under the Forkast.Labs umbrella. In the non-fungible token (NFT) market, the Forkast 500 NFT index dipped 0.25% to 2,905.28 in the 24 hours to 9:40 a.m. in Hong Kong. The index, however, is up 1.08% for the week. NFT transactions on Ethereum fell 2.49% over the past 24 hours to US$18.38 million, while transactions on the Bitcoin network surged 138% to US$3.6 million, according to CryptoSlam data. Ethereum is still struggling with tumbling prices, especially in Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) whose average sales price remains in the low- to mid-US$70,000 range, said Yehudah Petscher, NFT Strategist at Forkast Labs, the parent company of Forkast.News. Over the past few days, NFT whale Jeffrey Huang, also known as Machi, has dumped dozens of his BAYC holdings. On Saturday, Machi sold 19 BAYC NFTs in one transaction on marketplace Blur for 651.56 Ether, or roughly US$1.22 million. The floor price of BAYC stood at 37.4 Ether on Blur on Monday morning in Asia, gaining 4.18% over the past day but losing 13.52% over the past week. Sales of BAYC jumped 26.11% over the past 24 hours to US$3.43 million, adding to weekly sales of US$13.11 million. BAYC was the most-sold collection for the past day and week in terms of transaction value. Ethereum-based Azuki NFT transactions rose 25.68% in the past 24 hours to US$3.07 million, the highest after BAYC. Azukis floor price on Blur rose 1.78% in the past day but was down 9.21% for the week. U.S. stock futures rise Russian President Vladimir Putin. Image: Wikimedia Commons U.S. stock futures edged higher as of 10:40 a.m. in Hong Kong. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.19%, and S&P 500 futures added 0.24%. Nasdaq Futures rose 0.32%. Equity markets across Asia were mostly mixed with investors unsettled by events in Russia over the weekend when Wagner Group mercenaries marched toward Moscow in what appeared to be a rebellion against the military leadership. The group later halted the advance, but it raised concern about instability in Russia as it may undermine the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. Oil prices rose on concern about supply disruptions from Russia, the worlds third-largest producer of crude oil. In macroeconomic developments, Japans services producer price index rose 1.6% year-on-year in May, according to official data released Monday. Japans economy, despite being affected by factors such as past high commodity prices, has picked up as private consumption, for example, has increased moderately, the Bank of Japan said Monday in the summary of opinions of June 15-16 monetary policy meetings. On U.S. inflation and interest rates, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said last week that the central bank is in consensus on the need for more interest rate hikes this year. U.S. interest rates are now between 5% and 5.25%, the highest since 2006. The CME FedWatch Tool predicts a 71.9% chance for another 25-basis-point rate hike, and a 28.1% chance the Fed will leave rates unchanged at the next meeting on July 26. (Updates to add equities section) Blow to Canary Wharf as HSBC quits headquarters in net zero push HSBC has its 45-storey headquarters at 8 Canada Square - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images HSBC is leaving its London docklands headquarters for a new base in the City in a blow to Canary Wharf. The bank is to ditch the 45-storey skyscraper at 8 Canada Square nicknamed the tower of doom by staff, and move to a smaller site at the redeveloped former BT head office near St Pauls. The change, which will happen when the banks Canary Wharf lease runs out in 2027, is part of a broader effort to reduce office space and cut energy use amid pressure on big businesses to embrace net zero. It comes as Canary Wharf struggles to adapt to flexible working, which has reduced demand for high-end office space. The site is attempting to reinvent itself as a centre for life sciences as well as developing residential and retail space. HSBC is understood to have opted for the Panorama St Pauls development at 81 Newgate Street, the former BT Centre, according to The Times. It was built in the 1980s and in 2019 the telecoms group sold it to Orion Capital Managers, the private equity firm, before moving to a new headquarters in Aldgate in 2021. HSBC has been considering leaving its current headquarters since September last year after the pandemic ushered in a new era of flexible working. The number of staff returning to its office has not recovered to its pre-pandemic peak of around 8,000 people. The Bank is shrinking its office space by around 40pc after it previously told its staff it was leaving its Canary Wharf tower to cut energy costs. At the time, John Hinshaw, chief operating officer at HSBC told staff that it wanted to have an even more flexible and dynamic workspace that meets the needs of colleagues and clients. In response to HSBCs decision to move to the City of London, Chris Hayward, policy chairman at The City of London Corporation, said: HSBCs decision to return here to the heart of the City of London is a huge vote of confidence for the City. This move further solidifies the Citys reputation as a prime destination for financial services firms, offering them unparalleled opportunities. We are confident that HSBC will thrive and find great success in one of the worlds leading dynamic and globally connected financial centres. When HSBC moved into its Canary Wharf headquarters, the skyscraper was the second-tallest building in London, although it has since fallen to eighth position. The bank was one of several financial services companies to move to Canary Wharf when it opened in 1991. Some staff dubbed the base the Tower of Doom following a period of job cuts and infighting in 2019. The tower, once Britains most expensive block, is owned by Qatars sovereign wealth fund, which bought it for around 1.1bn in 2014. 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. Businesses have special requirements when it comes to hurricane preparedness | Indicators Sharon Hillstrom About 25% of businesses do not reopen after disasters, according to FEMA.gov. With hurricane season upon us, having a disaster emergency plan and a continuity of operations plan in place can reduce that risk and help your business recover faster. There are numerous resources for developing a disaster preparedness and recovery plan for your business. We think one of the best is offered by Florida Power & Light. Following are some key points to consider. (For more detail, visit https://www.fpl.com/storm/business/prepare.html.) Determine if your business is in a flood and/or evacuation zone and review evacuation routes. If appropriate, identify a temporary emergency site. You can check FEMAs flood maps to determine if your business location is vulnerable to storm surge or freshwater flooding. Have your building(s) inspected by a licensed professional to find out if your workplace is vulnerable to hurricane-force winds. Consider retrofitting your facility based on recommendations from that assessment. Create a hurricane plan for your business. Update this plan annually and review it with your team to facilitate recovery efforts. Include action items such as reopening plans, pre- and post-storm staffing lists, storm training materials and contact lists. Prepare for potential power outages by updating the phone number and email address on your FPL account. Consider having a generator installed at your facility, particularly if your operations require refrigeration. If you have a generator, be sure to stock up on fuel. If you plan to take shelter at your business, establish a safe area located away from exterior windows and doors. Determine staffing and materials you need to secure your building and important equipment. Decide who will help secure your facility, outline specific tasks for those employees and conduct training sessions throughout the year. Consider helping employees and their families with supplies post-storm. Review your insurance coverage, and photograph or videotape your building or office inside and outside. Remember to document and inventory equipment and supplies, as well as your buildings physical state. Have copies of insurance policies and the associated contact information, including phone numbers and emails. Make sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage. That may include, but is not limited to, Business Interruption Insurance, Accounts Receivable and Valuable Papers Coverage as well as Income Destruction Insurance and Flood Insurance. Have your business appraised at least every five years. Ensure your employees contact information is up-to-date and have a plan to communicate with them after a storm passes. Consider setting up a telephone number with a recorded message that will be regularly updated to inform employees of the status of company operations following a storm. Establish a rendezvous point and time for employees in case communications are disrupted. Prepare a list of vendors to provide disaster recovery services. Consider developing a system to authorize re-entry to company facilities after a storm, e.g. ID cards, vehicle permits, etc. Here is a handy reference from the state of Florida to assist in your planning: floridadisaster.org/business. For information on sales tax holidays for related purchases, visit floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep/Pages/default.aspx. Encourage your employees to address their personal preparations to keep themselves and their families safe. The states website can help: floridadisaster.org. Planning and preparation are essential for helping your business through a disaster, including the impacts of a hurricane. Now is the time to prepare. Sharon Hillstrom is president and chief executive officer of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (BradentonAreaEDC.com). She may be contacted at info@bradentonareaedc.com or 941-803-9036. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SHARON HILLSTROM: Hurricane checklist: Businesses have special requirements Casino Says It Needs Equity Boost of at Least 900 Million Casino Says It Needs Equity Boost of at Least 900 Million (Bloomberg) -- Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA said it will need an equity boost of 900 million ($981 million) or more and the conversion of its unsecured debt into stock as the French retailer hammers out a restructuring plan. Most Read from Bloomberg The grocer and its creditors are aiming for a deal by the end of July, though the so-called conciliation talks they entered last month could drag on until late October, Casino said on Monday. The debt-laden retailer and its chief executive officer, Jean-Charles Naouri, struggled for years to shore up its balance sheet, until agreeing to enter the court-supervised talks with creditors. The retailer has already received approaches from two groups of investors, each proposing equity injections of 1.1 billion. Casino shares fell as much as 7.6% in Paris trading on Monday, while the retailers unsecured bonds fell across the board by more than three cents on the euro to around 12 cents. One offer is led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who holds a stake of about 10% in the French company. Kretinsky said hes willing to invest 750 million himself provided Casino slashes 3.6 billion of unsecured borrowings through bond buybacks and a conversion of debt into equity. Hed be joined by Fimalac, which would invest 150 million. Read More: Kretinskys Casino Plan Spares 4 Billion Senior Creditors Under another approach, led by telecoms mogul Xavier Niel, the billionaire and two business partners would invest as much as 300 million in a broader 1.1 billion rescue plan. Details on how the trio would raise the rest of the funds have yet to emerge. Casino has about 7 billion of debt and is looking to convert at least 3.5 billion into equity and extend the maturity of the rest to allow sufficient headroom to execute its plan with adequate liquidity, according to a presentation on Monday. The company is still discussing with creditors the terms of the conversion. Read More: Why Billionaires Are Circling Debt-Laden Grocer Casino: Q&A Chief Financial Officer David Lubek told reporters on a call that the retailer had enough funds to allow it to operate until the end of the year, provided some conditions are met, including the closing of a sale of some stores to Groupement Les Mousquetaires. Casino aims to boost its convenience store formats, notably its Monoprix and Franprix banners, as part of its business plan, he said. The company will also continue with disposals, including of its remaining assets in Latin America, real estate holdings and a residual stake in renewable energy firm GreenYellow, between this year and next. Last week, it sold its remaining stake in Brazilian supermarket chain Assai for about 326 million. What Bloomberg Intelligence Says Groupe Casinos restructuring plan assumes, somewhat fancifully, that growth in France can be restarted around convenience and premium urban grocery after 900 million of new equity is raised, all unsecured debt is converted into equity and the remaining Latam and peripheral assets are sold. The inability to generate operating free cash flow isnt being solved so creditors and new investors may demand more control and a plan that addresses long-standing weaknesses. Charles Allen, BI retail industry analyst Casino Plan Doesnt Solve Operating Cash-Flow Shortfall: React To preserve liquidity, the group reached an agreement in principle with the French government last week to defer payment of about 300 million in tax and social security liabilities due between May and September. That amount will have priority over other existing obligations and will be paid on the completion date of the financial restructuring, the company said. The conciliators also asked all financial creditors to agree to a standstill for any payments of interest and other fees and installments of principal owed during the debt talks excluding swaps, bank overdrafts and other operating financing. They also asked relevant creditors to waive any potential default or cross-default event as a result of that suspension, as well as any breach of financial covenants under the revolving credit facility as of June 30 and Sept. 30. --With assistance from Giulia Morpurgo. (Updates with details on asset disposals, discussions with government and creditors to preserve liquidity) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Cathie Woods ARK Investment Management says its first in line to get potential approval for a spot-Bitcoin ETF, despite industry reasoning positing that BlackRock Inc. might be ahead in the race should any product receive regulatory assent. Most Read from Bloomberg BlackRock, whose shock filing for a spot product has rocked crypto markets, might be distinguishing its application with the appendage of a unique exchange surveillance-sharing agreement that would look to prevent market manipulation, but other applicants will be able to amend their filings with similar agreements at little cost, wrote ARK Investment Management analyst Yassine Elmandjra. In fact, in April, ARK and 21Shares filed an application with the SEC for a Bitcoin ETF that now is the only one ahead of BlackRocks, Elmandjra said. BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, earlier this month applied for the iShares Bitcoin Trust, for which Coinbase Global Inc., the biggest crypto exchange in the US, would act as custodian. The filing made a splash in crypto markets thanks to the asset-managers stature on Wall Street and elsewhere. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have all rallied since. Meanwhile, when 21Shares, a crypto exchange-traded-products issuer, and ARK refiled in April, they argued that a spot product would offer US investors protections that currently dont exist. 21Shares, ARK and Cboe are first in line because their next SEC decision date is 8/13/23 and we dont yet have a date for the other 19b-4 applications like the one from BlackRock, said Bloomberg Intelligence ETF analyst James Seyffart. I would assume Cboe is looking to update their 19b-4 rule change proposal to add a surveillance-sharing agreement with Coinbase if they believe it could be a path to an ETF approval. A BlackRock spokeswoman didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on ARKs assertions. A Cboe representative also didnt immediately reply. To be sure, a spot-Bitcoin exchange-traded fund does not currently exist in the US and regulators have, in the past, been loath to green-light one. In prior instances, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has cited market manipulation, among other reasons, when rejecting such proposals. And this isnt the first hype-cycle over a potential launch. Crypto fans, who have been yearning for a spot-Bitcoin ETF for years, have been through periods of excitement before, only for regulators to ultimately rebuff all attempts. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By Mohi Narayan and Andrew Hayley (Reuters) - China is relentlessly adding new petrochemical capacity despite a global glut as the country's refiners diversify from transport fuels, threatening to depress margins worldwide through 2024 as weak economic growth saps demand. In an ominous sign for producers of the chemicals used in plastic packaging, polyester clothing and auto parts, refiners' profit margins on processing naphtha to make ethylene turned negative last week for the first time since October. The profit crunch is being driven by China's refiners boosting output of olefins such as ethylene to offset an expected decline in sales of petrol and diesel as electric vehicle take-up accelerates. Their capacity expansion is outpacing growth in demand for the chemicals. Global demand for ethylene and propylene is forecast to surge 29% from 2023 to 426.8 million metric tons by 2030, while capacity is expected to jump 25% from 2023 to 485.9 million metric tons by 2030, research firm Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) estimates. New capacity in China is expected to make up more than half of that growth, according to the International Energy Agency. In 2023, WoodMac sees China's output growth creating a local surplus of 4.24 million metric tons of ethylene and an even bigger oversupply of propylene at 8.69 million metric tons. "The surplus of olefins will be pushed onto the water to clear elsewhere in Asia or further afield in Europe and the U.S. at steep discounts," Energy Aspects analysts said in a note. "This poses more risk to utilisation rates in the rest of Asia and Europe, which are more sensitive to margin compression." MARKET SHARE BATTLE Newly launched refinery complexes by state giant PetroChina's Guangdong Petrochemical and privately-run Jiangsu Shenghong Petrochemical have added to surging petrochemical supply from mega refiners Zhejiang Petrochemical Corp and Hengli Petrochemical that has come online in recent years. Despite margin pressure, Chinese producers are likely to keep plants operating to protect market share and prevent deeper losses that would result from shutting units, a Chinese refining source said, declining to be named. Producers are already feeling the pain in their battle against each other for market share. Asia's largest refiner, China's state-run Sinopec Corp, warned in its first-quarter report that its chemicals business faced pressure from competing new supply and a tepid recovery in demand. Independent refiner Hengli Petrochemical's net profit slid nearly 76% in the first quarter due to "high operating costs and low industry demand," the company said in April. Rongsheng Petrochemical and Hengyi Petrochemical swung to net losses in the first quarter. The world's largest producer and consumer of petrochemicals, China has been unable to absorb the extra output as its domestic market has struggled to recover from three years of strict COVID-19 curbs and weaker global demand for its exports. Since the pandemic, Chinese consumption patterns have prioritised socialising over spending on goods, Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, TotalEnergies's global head of petrochemical trading, told Reuters last month. While Chinese demand from some sectors such as inexpensive clothing and daily essentials is robust, other sectors such as automative have yet to recover in line with expectations, said Salmon Lee, global head of polyesters at consultancy WoodMac. Pointing to high petrochemical stockpiles, Lee said: "The destocking process could take time." ($1 = 7.1779 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Mohi Narayan in New Delhi and Andrew Hayley in Beijing; Graphic by Matthew Chye; Editing by Florence Tan and Sonali Paul) (Bloomberg) -- Two giants in Chinas oil and refining sector have taken the biggest opposing positions in Middle East crude trading in years, transforming global cargo flows and puzzling oil traders the world over. Most Read from Bloomberg Throughout this month, Dubai crude has fluctuated heavily, largely due to aggressive bidding and offering from the trading units of Chinese oil refiners, PetroChina Co. and Sinopec. Theyre respectively the nations biggest oil company and its top refiner. This has intensified over time, with other active participants including Vitol Group and TotalEnergies SE. Public clashes between Chinas state-owned behemoths are uncommon, and in this instance the firms activity in the main Middle East oil price benchmark is particularly peculiar because both are big refiners who should, in theory, be eager to obtain crude as cheaply as possible. Instead, PetroChinas Hong Kong entity has been bidding and purchasing cargoes as a result of its bids while Sinopecs Unipec has been offering and selling shipments. Nobody replied to emails sent to PetroChina and Sinopecs media departments seeking comment. This month, more than a thousand derivatives contracts have traded in the vital pricing window that sets the Dubai price close to triple the monthly average in 2023 and the biggest volume for years. At least 10 other traders said the activity surprising to all, given normal patterns for Chinese entities made it harder to ascertain the true strength of the Middle East oil market, a pivotal part of the petroleum supply chain, as well as Chinas state of recovery. The price of Dubai oil forms the basis of almost all exports from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. That means any strength or weakness in the price of the grade translates directly to the affordability of oil purchases from across the region, and how many barrels flow from elsewhere in the world to Asia. The surge has also likely helped to boost markets for oil that is similar to the types found in the Middle East. Norways Johan Sverdrup jumped by about $1 a barrel after Unipec purchased the grade. Traders said changes in global cargo flows might not have taken place without the spike in Chinese activity. In the futures market, Dubai is a far smaller contract than the likes of Brent and West Texas Intermediate. But in recent months Dubai open interest has picked up significantly a sign of more position-taking. Window Shopping Normally, bids and offers on the Platts Dubai window are a reflection of companies view on the Middle East market. Traders can buy and sell partial contracts of Dubai crude on the window and get physical delivery of grades including Oman, Upper Zakum and Dubai after 20 transactions. Unipec is aggressively offering partial Dubai contracts, derivatives that when combined allow traders to sell full cargoes of oil from the region. So far the company has delivered 41 cargoes or 20.5 million barrels to various buyers. PetroChina HK has bought 11.5 million barrels. Frances TotalEnergies SE remains among the most active bidders alongside PetroChina. Total has also been selling cargoes in a parallel North Sea pricing window for much of this month. Two Chinese giants previously went head-to-head in 2015 when a unit of China National United Oil Corp. bought 36 million barrels of Middle East Crude, mostly from Unipec. Platts, a unit of S&P Global which operates the Dubai pricing window, said the trading activity is the biggest since 2015 and that the buying and selling of cargoes has been between a broad range of market participants. It added that Dubai prices have been boosted by a host of factors including OPEC production cuts and official selling price increases from Saudi Arabia, citing traders. Read: Oil Trading Surges in Dubai Pricing Window on Unipec Selling The impact of the trades on the rest of the world is already clear. In early-June, Unipecs aggressive selling signaled the company was reluctant to buy big volumes from the Middle East. Instead, it purchased supplies from the North Sea and US, lifting the cost of some grades priced against the Brent benchmark. With Middle Eastern barrels now looking cheaper, its possible that Asian refiners may consider nominating less crude from Saudi Arabia next month, seeking more affordable alternative barrels instead, traders said. Cheaper spot cargoes have already prompted interest from Chinas Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. and Taiwans Formosa Petrochemical Corp.,, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of the window battle. Volatility too remains intense. Last week, spot differentials of Oman tripled and then retreated again. Traders said the move was centered around concerns that there might not be enough cargoes to match the volume of selling in the window, though continued sales in partials trading allayed those fears. As most trading activity in Asia takes place over monthly cycles, its likely the positioning will end when contracts expire this week at the end of June. Executives have been previously suspended from their jobs for facing big trading losses, most notably Unipec President Chen Bo in 2018. --With assistance from Sharon Cho, Alex Longley and Alfred Cang. (Updates with details on window in 2nd paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. China's cyberspace chief raises concerns over the power of generative AI, pledges to make it 'controllable' China's top internet regulator has expressed concerns over the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential for disruption, reflecting Beijing's balancing act in trying to leverage but also control ChatGPT-style technologies. Zhuang Rongwen, director at the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the agency in charge of generative AI regulation, said on Monday that generative AI could affect every aspect of society and daily life, and that it was creating a new challenge for internet governance. "[We need to] make sure AI is reliable and controllable," Zhuang told the Nishan Dialogue on Digital Civilisation in Qufu, a city in the eastern province of Shandong, the birthplace of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. The event is hosted by the World Internet Conference, a China-backed agency to promote Beijing's view and governance model of the internet. 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. Zhuang said Beijing was particularly concerned about data used in generative AI, "the black box [nature] of the [large language] models", and privacy. The CAC has yet to issue any official permit or licence for any generative AI product in China's market of 1 billion internet users, even as the country's Big Tech firms, including search engine Baidu and Alibaba Group Holding, are rolling out ChatGPT-style services on a "trial" basis. (Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post). Zhuang's agency has published a list of 41 generative AI algorithms which have been "registered", a pre-screening step before being officially licensed. All generative AI algorithms and products must go through security testing and review by the CAC before they can be publicly released. Microsoft-backed OpenAI launched its conversational bot ChatGPT last fall. The AI chatbot's ability to giving text responses to complex human queries sparked a global AI race to develop similar technologies. However, the popularity of ChatGPT has put Beijing in a difficult position. On the one hand, China views AI as a technology of the future, but on the other hand, the government is trying to tame the technology so that "unwanted" information will not be generated. In his speech, Zhuang said AI should be integrated into the real economy to help improve the operations of traditional industry sectors. He also called for more international cooperation on the research and development of AI, the cultivation of talent, and urged local enterprises, high schools and research facilities to join together for collaboration. Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, at the opening ceremony of the World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, November 23, 2020. Photo: Reuters alt=Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, at the opening ceremony of the World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, November 23, 2020. Photo: Reuters> "With AI technologies picking up steam ... how to make progress in a disciplined way and maintain the safety line is a shared concern," Daniel Zhang Yong, Alibaba's outgoing chairman and CEO, who attended the forum, said in an earlier speech, echoing Zhuang's concerns. Besides Zhang, other executives from leading Chinese tech firms to attend the event included Baidu founder Robin Li Yanhong and Didi Chuxing chairman and CEO Will Cheng Wei. Chinese executives of multinationals, including IBM Greater China general manager Chen Xudong and Cisco Greater China vice-president Hou Shengli, attended a closed-door symposium on Sunday, according to a statement from the organiser. 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. Cineworld to file for administration in the UK in battle to save cinema chain The chain has suffered spiralling debts amid weaker audience numbers after the pandemic - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Cineworld is to file for administration in the UK as part of restructuring plans which will wipe its shareholders out. The chain, which filed for bankruptcy protection in the US last year amid spiralling debts and weaker audience numbers after the pandemic, said on Monday that it would apply for administration in the UK next month. Its shares will be suspended on the London Stock Exchange. However, the chain, which runs 128 cinemas across the UK, said this would not impact its operations and cinemas would remain open. A spokesman for the company said: Cineworld continues to operate its global business and cinemas as usual without interruption and this will not be affected by the entry of Cineworld Group plc into administration. The group and its brands around the world including Regal, Cinema City, Picturehouse and Planet are continuing to welcome customers to cinemas as usual. The company has embarked on plans to restructure its debt pile which stands at around $5bn (3.9bn), which include raising $800m through a rights offering, along with agreeing a further $1.46bn of new debt financing. Its lenders are taking control of the business. Shares in the chain have fallen by more than 99pc in the last five years, plunging since the onset of the pandemic, when it was forced to close many sites. Cineworld tried to find a buyer for its businesses outside the UK, US and Ireland after filing for bankruptcy protection in the US but no satisfactory offers materialised. As its creditors prepare to take ownership, Cineworlds chiefs are poised to take home almost $35m in payouts to leave the ailing cinema chain. The businesss longstanding chief executive Moshe Mooky Greidinger, his brother and deputy Israel Greidinger, along with finance head Nisan Cohen and chief commercial officer Renana Teperber, will receive payments over 12 months as part of a transitional consulting agreement before they step down, the Financial Times reported. This will bring an end to the Greidinger familys longstanding involvement in the company. Mr Greidinger, whose grandfather founded the Cinema City chain in Israel in the 1930s, has been chief executive of the company since Cinema City merged with Cineworld in 2014. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shings real estate arm has expressed interest in buying a majority stake in a syndicated loan backing a local luxury apartment building developed by two Chinese firms, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg CK Asset Holdings Ltd. has been in talks with existing lenders to take over most of the HK$10.2 billion ($1.3 billion) project loan for The Corniche, a residential building in Hong Kongs Ap Lei Chau built by Logan Group Co. and KWG Group Holdings Ltd., said the people who requested anonymity discussing private matters. The Hong Kong developer has indicated it would make the acquisition in cash, said one of the people. Representatives for CK Asset, Logan and KWG didnt immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. The development underscores the financial stress faced by Logan and KWG, after banks demanded repayment for the loan after the two developers defaulted on dollar bonds. The luxury project, which was supposed to generate HK$30 billion in sales, is seen as key to the two developers potential debt restructuring as an unprecedented industry-wide cash crunch in China persists. Logan and KWG signed the three-year syndicated loan in 2021, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, with HSBC Holdings Plc, Standard Chartered Plc and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Ltd. among the lenders. The banks held a meeting about the potential loan purchase by CK Asset on June 12, but no consensus was reached about the sale at the time, according to one of the people. Some banks have since been engaged in separate discussions with CK Asset about the deal, the person added. Debtwire first reported the development. Out of the 295 units being marketed at The Corniche, only three have been sold as of June 26, according to Centaline Property Agency Ltd. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Given that generative artificial intelligence models are based on the voracious ingestion of content, the preservation of privacy when using AI tools remains a significant concern for corporate and global leaders. Today, the Chief Administrative Office of the U.S. House of Representatives limited the use of OpenAI's ChatGPT by congressional staffers. According to a report by Axios, staffers have been instructed to only use the paid version of OpenAI's ChatGPT tool. "House offices using the ChatGPT artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot are only authorized to use the ChatGPT Plus version of the product," Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor wrote in a letter to staff members. ChatGPT Plus is the $20 monthly subscription version of the popular chatbot. ChatGPT Plus gives access to the more powerful GPT-4, released in March, as well as the default GPT-3.5. According to Szpindor, ChatGPT Plus has been provisionally authorized by the Committee on House Administration under specific conditions, including research and evaluation and use with non-sensitive data. Hackers Leak Over 100,000 ChatGPT Credentials on the Dark Web "For example, do not paste into the chat bot any blocks of text that have not already been made public," Szpindor wrote. Staffers using ChatGPT Plus must use specific privacy settings, including enabling two-factor authentication and disabling chat history and training. OpenAI rolled out new privacy features in April after the chatbot was banned in several countries, including Russia, China, Iran, and Syria. Italy also banned ChatGPT, citing privacy concerns, but reversed course after ChatGPT's privacy update. ChatGPT users can now turn off chat history, allowing you to choose which conversations can be used to train our models: https://t.co/0Qi5xV7tLi OpenAI (@OpenAI) April 25, 2023 But while OpenAI has worked to improve privacy, companies, including Apple and Samsung, have outright prohibited the use of ChatGPT for corporate business. Push Protocol Launches Privacy-Focused ChatGPT Clone "No other versions of ChatGPT or other large language models Al software are authorized for use in the House currently," Szpindor said, adding that ChatGPT is not authorized to be incorporated into any regular workflow. Szpindor referred those interested in researching or evaluating ChatGPT Plus to the House Digital Service AI Advisory Group. On Tuesday, a bipartisan bill was introduced that, if passed, would establish a federal commission on artificial intelligence. The bill, H.R.4223, calls for a 20-member commission, including government, computer science, and tech representatives, to develop a comprehensive regulatory strategy. The Chief Administrative Office has not yet responded to Decrypt's request for comment. Costco Cracks Down on Membership Sharing? 4 Ways To Bypass It and Still Get a Bargain artran / Getty Images Costco is following in Netflixs footsteps and taking steps to limit membership sharing. Costcos Best Deals? Employee Reveals 10 Standout Buys for Your Money Hidden Gems: Affordable Luxury Goods at Aldi Costco is cracking down on membership sharing, wrote one user in a Costco subreddit, reported Parade. The post included a photo of Costcos general policies, stating that only Costco members can purchase items. According to Parade, the company began posting signs at checkouts stating: Members must show their card before entering the warehouse and at checkout Membership cards are not transferable Only paid members can shop The retailer said that as they installed more self-checkout lanes, the company noticed non-member shoppers using cards that didnt belong to them, The Dallas Morning News reported. Employees at Costco clubs in Rockwall and Dallas were also asking shoppers for their photo IDs. We dont feel its right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members, Costco said in an emailed statement. As we already ask for the membership card at checkout, we are now asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers. However, according to Parade, there are ways to stay within the rules and save or split membership fees. Costco allows for one free household card for anyone 16 and over if they live within the same household. This means anyone living under the same roof can shop on the same membership regardless of the photo on the card. According to Costcos policies, members may need to show proof they live at that address. Nonmembers can also shop using Costco Shop Cards, said Parade. These are gift cards, but a member must purchase the card. When you get to the checkout, you can only pay for your items using the balance on the Costco Shop card. See: Costcos 7 Best Premade Meals To Save You Money Find: 5 Best Value Kirkland Brand Products To Buy at Costco If youre still determined to shop at Costco without a membership, anyone can use the Costco pharmacy and nonmembers can make a purchase on Costcos website. Although, Parade pointed out, there is a 5% surcharge with that option. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Costco Cracks Down on Membership Sharing? 4 Ways To Bypass It and Still Get a Bargain Japans National Tax Agency (NTA) has updated its corporate tax regulations, bringing clarity to the treatment of cryptocurrencies. Under the new rules, unrealized gains from crypto assets issued by companies will no longer be subject to the current 30% corporate tax, according to a notice released last week. As explained by the NTA, crypto assets will be excluded from a company's asset valuation based on market value if certain conditions are met. More specifically, to benefit from the new tax exemption, a company must hold the coins continuously after the issuance, while the crypto asset itself is subject to transfer restrictions. Until recently, Japanese companies were required to pay a set 30% corporate tax rate on holdings even if they havent realized a profit through a sale, according to Tokentax. This rule has been criticized for burdening crypto companies and impeding blockchain innovation, reportedly leading some entities to relocate abroad. One of those companies is Web3 infrastructure developer Stake Technologies Pte., which moved from Japan to Singapore in 2020, with CEO Sota Watanabe last year telling Bloomberg that should Japans government change the corporate levy, he would like to bring the company back to his home country. Watanabe, who is also known as the founder of the Polkadot-based smart contract platform Astar Network, welcomed the change as something that will help keep Japan's crypto companies from relocating overseasalthough insisting that the tax relief should also be extended to holdings of tokens issued by other companies to allow for the expansion of domestic projects. For the time being, people who want to do something like Astar [...] can now do it without leaving the country, Watanabe said on Twitter last week. I would like to continue constructive discussions with politicians and authorities. Next, I would like to do something about the end-of-term taxation of holding tokens issued by other companies as a corporation, as it is a hindrance to the domestic expansion of projects and domestic projects. Japan's crypto opportunity The revision to Japans corporate tax regulations come as the crypto industry faces increasing regulatory pressure in the United States, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently slapping both Binance and Coinbase with lawsuits alleging that both crypto exchanges offered unregistered securities. Earlier this month, the SEC chair Gary Gensler said that the crypto industrys entire business model is built on non-compliance, adding that, We dont need more digital currency. Given the uncertain conditions in the U.S., some Japanese crypto industry stakeholders see an opportunity to attract talent and investment to Japan. The U.S. regulators are increasingly tightening controls, but that doesnt mean the same things will happen in Japan, Noriyuki Hirosue, CEO of Tokyo-based crypto exchange Bitbank, told The Japan Times. SEC Chair Gary Gensler: The US Doesn't Need Cryptocurrency Notably, Japan has also implemented a legal framework specifically addressing stablecoinsvirtual tokens that maintain stable prices by being backed by traditional fiat currencies or commodities, unlike other volatile cryptocurrencies. The revised Payment Services Act, which recently came into effect, allows for the use of registered stablecoins as a means of payment. This regulatory update enables the practical use of stablecoins within the country, providing a clear legal framework for businesses and individuals engaging in stablecoin transactions. In terms of regulations for stablecoins, Japan is clearly ahead of other countries, Noritaka Okabe, the CEO at the Tokyo-based stablecoin issuer JPYC, told The Japan Times. Novel approach could treat the final 10% of people with CF that cannot benefit from CFTR modulators Data from Phase 1 study expected in Q4 of 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- cystetic Medicines, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing small molecule channels that serve as molecular prosthetics for missing or dysfunctional CFTR protein channels, announced today that the first healthy volunteer has been dosed with CM001 in a Phase 1 clinical trial. CM001 is a molecular prosthetic intended to treat people with cystic fibrosis (CF). cystetic Medicines "The initiation of our Phase 1 trial for CM001 represents an important step forward in our mission to find a treatment for everyone with CF, especially the final 10 percent of people with CF who cannot benefit from CFTR modulators," said Martin Burke, M.D., Ph.D, co-founder of cystetic Medicines. "Based on encouraging pre-clinical results and initial biomarker studies in the noses of people with CF not on modulators, we are excited about the potential for this molecular prosthetic approach to restore anion channel function in a way that is independent of CFTR." cystetic Medicines was co-founded in 2020 by Burke, a chemist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Michael Welsh, M.D., a physician-scientist at the University of Iowa. Emily Kramer-Golinkoff, Founder of Emily's Entourage stated, "I am profoundly proud and excited to see that the strategic investment made by Emily's Entourage to enable key early-stage research into the molecular prosthetics approach has yielded this promising new drug candidate that might benefit everyone with CF, including those of us in the final 10 percent. We are deeply grateful for the tireless work, passion, and talent of the team at cystetic Medicines that made this possible." The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single-ascending and then multiple-ascending doses of CM001 administered with a portable dry powder inhaler. Studies have begun in healthy volunteers, and the company intends to begin treating people with CF in the second half of this year. The trial is being conducted in New Zealand and is supported by DevPro Biopharma LLC. CF is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel, which contributes to the chronic lung infection and inflammation that is characteristic of the disease. While currently available CFTR modulators can partially restore mutated CFTR protein function in many people with CF, approximately 10 percent of this community has mutations that result in little to no CFTR protein production and thus cannot benefit from these treatments. Recent studies have demonstrated that the active pharmaceutical ingredient in CM001 can form ion channels that serve as replacements for the CFTR protein in cultured primary airway epithelia from people with CF caused by mutations that cannot benefit from modulators. And an investigator-initiated clinical study demonstrated that this same compound can change nasal potential difference in people with CF not on modulators in a manner that was similar to the effects seen with modulator therapy in responsive individuals. "The concept of molecular prosthetics has the potential to alter the treatment landscape for cystic fibrosis in a profound way; in theory, it should work for all people dealing with the disease, regardless of the type of mutation they present," said Jeffry Weers, Chief Technology Officer of cystetic Medicines. "Our team is particularly optimistic with regard to the proprietary inhaled formulation CM001, which allows for efficient targeted delivery directly to the lungs, thereby potentially avoiding side effects and enabling optimal dosing regimens." cystetic Medicines is currently supported by Deerfield Management, and Illinois Ventures. About CM001 CM001 is an investigational small molecule therapeutic that self assembles to form ion channels in airway epithelial cell membranes. CM001 is intended for people with cystic fibrosis who are not currently being treated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies. To minimize treatment burden, CM001 has been developed as a dry powder for inhalation. About Cystic Fibrosis (CF) CF is a progressive, autosomal recessive chronic disease that affects approximately 80,000 people worldwide. It is cause by mutations to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, that produces a key protein responsible for moving anions from the inside of cells to the outside. CF is characterized as a progressive disease that causes severe damage to the pulmonary system. Symptoms of CF are debilitating and include the buildup of mucus in the lungs, persistent infections, and decreasing lung function. The majority of CFTR mutations are processing or gating mutations that result in misfolded or dysfunctional protein. CFTR 'modulators' and 'correctors' currently exist with the ability to improve lung function in the individuals with these types of CFTR mutations. However, there remain about 10% of people with CF who have Class 1 or other mutations that result in an inability to synthesize full length CFTR and, therefore, lack the substrate for modulators or correctors. There is currently no disease-modifying treatment for these individuals. For more information, please visit www.emilysentourage.org. About cystetic Medicines cystetic Medicines is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of small molecule anion channel prosthetics or "molecular prosthetics" to restore protein function in people with CF. The company is based on the work of Dr. Martin Burke of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Michael Welsh at the University of Iowa and is currently focused on the development of CM001, a novel inhalable small molecule therapeutic designed to restore ion balance and thus host defenses in the lungs to treat cystic fibrosis. The approach utilizes a state-of-the-art proprietary inhaled dry powder formulation that enables improved dose consistency and high efficiency delivery to the airways. Learn more at www.cysteticmedicines.com. Investor Contact: cystetic Medicines, Inc. IR@cysteticmedicines.com Media Contact: Anthony Karamourtopoulos, APCO Worldwide akaramourtopoulos@apcoworldwide.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cystetic-medicines-initiates-phase-1-clinical-trial-of-a-molecular-prosthetic-for-cystic-fibrosis-301863104.html SOURCE cystetic Medicines, Inc. AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch computer chip equipment maker ASML may refuse job applicants on the basis of their nationality when required to do so by U.S. export rules, a Dutch human rights body has found. The decision by the Netherlands' Institute for Human Rights affirmed that ASML may reject job applicants from Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea who might have access to sensitive U.S. technology, even though it is not obliged to do so by Dutch law. ASML, based in Veldhoven, Netherlands, has significant operations in the U.S. and makes equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing. "Regulations issued by the U.S. authorities sometimes have an effect outside the territory of the U.S.," the institute, which oversees discrimination complaints in the Netherlands, said in a summary of its June 16 judgment. U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) "although not originating from the Dutch legislator, are indeed binding for ASML," the institute said. A Rotterdam-based anti-discrimination foundation had filed a complaint over ASML's hiring practices, arguing that Dutch law does not permit discrimination on the basis of nationality. The company had argued that violating U.S. regulations would lead it to risk American sanctions that "could bring operations to a standstill," the decision said. ASML said in a reaction on Monday that it was "pleased with the positive outcome." In the decision, the institute described a flow chart ASML had submitted as evidence showing it routinely checks whether employees perform work that could be considered relevant for EAR rules. If so, then the employee must have nationality or permanent residency in a country that does not fall into one of the U.S. Commerce Department's D:1, E:1 or E:2 country groups. Those categories include Iran, Syria, North Korea and Cuba, but also about 20 other countries considered a national security threat to the U.S., including China and Russia. (Reporting by Toby Sterling in Amsterdam; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Global company ready to serve brands of all sizes throughout West Africa Jack Knott, ePac CEO, addresses the crowd at ePac West Africa launch Nearly 150 attend ePac's grand opening in Accra, Ghana Austin, Texas USA, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ePac Flexible Packaging, an industry leader in custom flexible packaging, is pleased to announce the opening of its new Grade A 2,200 square meter production plant on the Spintex Road in Accra, Ghana. A grand opening celebration was held on June 22nd with nearly 150 local dignitaries, government officials, customers, and media in attendance. Since its establishment in 2021, ePac West Africa, has served a number of customers across Africa, including customers from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Zanzibar, with fulfillment handled by ePacs plants in the UK and Lyon, France. With the opening of the new plant, ePac West Africa is uniquely positioned to serve CPG brands of all sizes throughout the region with competitively priced flexible packaging and industry best turnaround times. According to Victor Sosah, General Manager of ePac West Africa: ePac is poised to serve the West African community with the highest quality packaging that has been proven to help small and medium enterprises grow. With our first facility in the region located in Ghana, we can help our customers, and consumers alike, buy-local in support of the government initiatives to increase local food manufacturing and reduce imports. Mr. Sosah added: No longer will local brands need to accept inferior packaging, or source it from overseas. With ePacs all-digital platform were able to reduce lead times on packaging orders from months to 15 business days (following artwork approval), while enabling brands to order to demand and avoid costly excess inventory and obsolescence. According to ePac CEO Jack Knott: the opening of the plant in Ghana represents a significant milestone in ePacs global expansion. I am excited that we are able to provide a great packaging option which allows brands to compete for space on local supermarket shelves and introduce new products to international markets. About ePac: ePac is the world's largest networked flexible packaging provider, serving brands of all sizes across the globe. Founded in 2016, ePac began with a single plant in Madison, Wisconsin serving predominantly community-based small and medium sized brands. Today, through its proprietary technology platform - ePacONE (One Network Everywhere), ePac provides brands, large and small alike, the ability to produce any size order anywhere across its 25 facilities across the globe. ePac offers a full complement of sustainable film options, while its print technology platform is carbon-neutral and inherently eco-friendly. Further, the company offers true order to demand capability, helping brands reduce inventory and obsolescence. Attachments CONTACT: Carl Joachim ePac Flexible Packaging +1 561-573-7992 cjoachim@ePacFlexibles.com Victor Sosah ePac West Africa +233 501 333 162 vsosah@ePacFlexibles.com By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union is due on Wednesday to publish draft rules that give legal underpinnings for a digital euro, if the European Central Bank decided to issue one in coming years. Central banks across the world, from China and Japan to Brazil, Britain and Canada are looking into digital versions of their currencies to avoid a gap in faster payments being filled by the private sector as the use of cash dwindles. "This puts at stake the desirable balance between central bank money and private digital means of payment," according to a draft of the European Commission proposal seen by Reuters. The European Central Bank is expected to decide in October on whether to proceed with a digital euro for retail uses like payments from around 2026 at the earliest, to sit alongside cash. Before it can do so, however, the digital currency must have legal backing in the EU to underpin its acceptance and use. The EU draft proposal, which could see changes before publication, says that the benefits of a digital euro would outweigh the costs and that the cost of not issuing one could potentially be very large. A digital version of the euro zone's single currency would be "legal tender", meaning it would have to be accepted as a form of payment, the draft says. It would support a stronger, faster and more competitive retail payments market, have a high level of privacy, but not be "programmable", meaning its use is limited to specific goods or services, the proposal said. It would initially only be available to people living in the euro area and visitors. Credit rating agency Moody's said in May that a digital euro would reduce Europe's dependency on non-EU payment companies such as U.S. duo Mastercard and Visa, long a strategic wish for EU policymakers. Banks worry they will be shunted to the sidelines if people shift deposits, a key source of funding, into digital euros. The draft rules give the ECB powers to limit how much money individuals could store digitally, with a cap of 3,000 to 4,000 euros already mooted. The proposal would need the backing of EU states and the European Parliament to become law, with changes typically made during the approval process. (Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Deutsche Bank tells investors some of their Russian shares are missing LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank has told clients it can no longer guarantee full access to Russian stocks that belong to them, underlining the challenges global investors face to recover stranded investments in the country's companies. Germany's largest bank said in a note dated June 9 and viewed by Reuters that it had uncovered a shortfall in the shares that back the depositary receipts (DRs) the bank had issued before the Ukraine invasion. The shares have been held in Russia by a different depositary bank. In the circular, Deutsche attributed the shortfall to a decision by Moscow to allow investors to convert some of the DRs into local stock. The conversion was carried out without the German bank's "involvement or oversight" and Deutsche was unable to reconcile the company shares with the depositary receipts. It is the first major bank to formally inform depositary receipt holders that they may not get take ownership of precisely all the shares they are entitled to, two sources advising investors who continue to hold Russian DRs told Reuters. DRs are certificates issued by a bank representing shares in a foreign company traded on a local stock exchange. Swapping DRs for shares in the Russian company is a first step towards an effort to recover their money. A police vehicle drives behind an Airbus A321-211 aircraft of Russian airline Aeroflot with registration VP-BOE on a long term parking at Cointrin airport in Geneva, Switzerland, March 9, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Shares affected include those in national airline Aeroflot, construction firm LSR Group, mining and steel firm Mechel and Novolipetsk Steel. Mechel declined to comment, while the remaining companies did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments. Western sanctions and Russian countermeasures have stranded assets held by citizens and companies on both sides of the political divide. Moscow is also demanding a 10% contribution to the federal budget, termed an "exit tax" by Washington. The Kremlin has also taken assets under temporary control, seizing the Russian subsidiaries of two European energy firms in April, underscoring a strategy to lessen foreign influence on companies critical of its economic and political interests. A significant number of investors ranging from small hedge funds to big global asset managers still hold depositary receipts, investor sources said. Most investors have marked down Russian assets to zero but some still harbour hopes of recovering value in the future. Irina Tsukerman, president at geopolitical risk consultancy Scarab Rising, said the news should come as no surprise. "Literally everything in Russia has been vulnerable, whether its these DRs, equities, real estate or any other form of financial asset," she told Reuters. The Central Bank of Russia did not immediately comment on the matter. Russia's National Settlement Depository said the conversion of shares had been carried out in accordance with Russian legislation and that it was not the accounting institution responsible for implementing this mechanism. 'COMPLETE CHAOS' Lawyers and other advisers have described the conversion process as "complete chaos". "To a certain extent, this resulted in double counting because, without a reconciliation between Russia and foreign banks, an investor could get Russian shares and still hold the DRs at the foreign bank," said Grigory Marinichev, a partner at law firm Morgan Lewis. Deutsche Bank is now allowing investors to swap DRs for shares as part of its plans to exit all Russia business, one source said. The bank also determined that clients could be in a better position if they could convert their DRs at least partially, this person added. JPMorgan & Chase, Citigroup and BNY Mellon act as depositary banks for most other Russian depositary receipt programs, according to Clearstream. All three banks declined to comment on whether they had also identified shortfalls, but their books remain closed due to the challenges with reconciliation, according to statements on their websites. Deutsche said in its circular that if it was able to reconcile its books at a later date, then it would look to return more shares to their rightful owners. But it cautioned that the net proceeds from sales of shares it was able to return to investors would likely be "substantially lower" than the current market price. The bank said it understood Russia's Government Commission for Control over Foreign Investments required that such shares be sold "at a discount of at least 50% from their appraised market value," the circular said. (Reporting by Sinead Cruise in London and Carolina Mandl in New York; Additional reporting by Alexander Marrow in Moscow; Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi, Megan Davies and Hugh Lawson) By Lewis Jackson and Scott Murdoch SYDNEY (Reuters) - PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Australia has moved to contain the fallout from a scandal over the misuse of confidential government tax plans by selling its government consulting unit to Allegro Funds and flying in an executive from Singapore to lead the local firm. Here is what you need to know about what the "big four" professional services firm is facing. WHAT DID PWC DO WRONG? The scandal centres around a former tax partner who signed confidentiality agreements with the Australian Treasury between 2013 and 2018 to advise it on policy to crack down on tax avoidance by multinational firms. Australian tax authorities revealed in January that these agreements were breached, and a cache of partially redacted internal emails released in May in parliament showed the confidential information was shared with PwC staff to drum up business. In one email dated 2016, a PwC staff member celebrates winning work with "brand defining" clients, including U.S. technology companies, thanks to the information that had been provided by the tax partner. Australia's tax office told parliament last month it foiled several attempts by companies to subvert the 2016 Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law, saving taxpayers roughly A$180 million ($120 million) annually. WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE? The Australian Treasury last month referred the matter to the police, while the Reserve Bank of Australia, several government departments and the country's three largest pension funds have frozen or reviewed ties with PwC. PwC apologised for "sharing confidential government tax policy information", placed nine partners on leave and named four former partners directly involved in the breach. All four had already left the firm and two have since publicly denied any wrongdoing. To rebuild trust with its public sector clients, PwC in May agreed to ring-fence its government consulting business and appoint a separate board. On Monday, acting head Kristin Stubbins said that decision "didn't go far enough", leading the firm to spin off its government consulting business to private equity group Allegro Funds for A$1 ($0.67). HOW WILL THE SPLIT WORK? Founded in 2004, Allegro Funds is a corporate turnaround expert in the Australian market with A$4 billion worth of assets under management. It carried out its first Australian public market deal in May when it bought law firm Slater & Gordon for A$150 million including debt. In June Allegro Funds sold its stake in Pizza Hut Australia that it had owned since 2016. Sydney-based Allegro's decision to purchase PwC Australia's business will see the unit go from a partnership-owned division of a global operation to a standalone local corporation. Allegro will provide funds to launch the new business and ownership will be split between the firm and the former PwC partners. WHAT RISKS DOES PWC FACE? The firm must now do without a practice that accounts for about 20% of its fiscal 2023 revenue. Assuming this year's revenues are similar to fiscal 2022's A$3 billion, the hole could be as much as A$600 million. The remaining audit, tax and private sector consulting practices will need to rebuild trust with clients. However, the Labor senator heading the federal inquiry told Reuters on Sunday PwC cannot "phoenix their way out" from the scandal. There is also the risk that more staff could leave. Professor Rahat Munir, head of the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance at Macquarie University said staff will be "taking the first opportunity to find something else and rebrand themselves". PwC declined to comment for this story. ($1 = 1.4997 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Lewis Jackson and Scott Murdoch; Editing by Praveen Menon and Sonali Paul) Was your flight canceled amid bad weather? What you need to know about rebooking, refunds and more FILE - The list of Southwest Airlines flights cancelled grows at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Dec. 29, 2022. Thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend as thunderstorms traveled across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) WASHINGTON (AP) Amid peak summer travel, thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend and Monday as thunderstorms rolled in across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest. In addition to bad weather, a technology failing also contributed to to airline disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly paused operations at Washington, D.C.-area airports Sunday evening due to a problem with the communications system at a major air traffic control facility. Departures resumed after repairs were completed. Beyond D.C., a chain of flights were also delayed or halted at other major travel hubs including New York, Chicago and Atlanta as thunderstorms moved across the country. Nearly 2,000 U.S. flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday combined, according to flight tracking service FlightAware, and more than 1,400 U.S. flights had been canceled as of 2:45 p.m. ET Monday. Thousands of additional travelers experienced delays. Staying calm and knowing your rights can go a long way if your flight is canceled, experts say. Heres some of their advice for dealing with a flight cancellation: MY FLIGHT WAS CANCELED. WHAT NEXT? If you still want to get to your destination, most airlines will rebook you for free on the next available flight as long as it has seats, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If you want to cancel the trip, you are entitled to a full refund, even if you bought non-refundable tickets. Youre also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras. Kurt Ebenhoch, a consumer travel advocate and former airline spokesperson, has stressed that travelers are eligible for a refund, not just vouchers for future travel. If you do take a voucher, make sure you inquire about blackout dates and other restrictions on its use. CAN I ASK TO BE BOOKED ON ANOTHER AIRLINES FLIGHT? Yes. Airlines arent required to put you on another airlines flight, but they can, and sometimes do, according to the DOT. Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, previously recommended researching alternate flights while youre waiting to talk to an agent. Agents are typically under a lot of pressure when a flight is canceled, so giving them some options helps. Ebenhoch also suggested looking for alternative airports that are close to your original destination. IS THE AIRLINE REQUIRED TO GIVE ME A HOTEL ROOM, OR OTHER COMPENSATION? No. As announced last month, the Biden adminstration is seeking to require that airlines compensate travelers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the carrier's control but, as of now, each airline still has its own policies about providing for customers whose flights are canceled, according to the DOT. Many airlines do offer accommodations, so you should check with their staff. The DOT also has an online dashboard that allows travelers to compare cancelation and delay policies of major carriers. IM FACING A LONG WAIT TO REBOOK. WHAT SHOULD I DO? If someone in your traveling party is at a higher level in a frequent flier program, use the number reserved for that level to call the airline, Ebenhoch said. You can also try calling an international help desk for the airline, since those agents have the ability to make changes. HOW CAN I AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE? Ebenhoch said nonstop flights and morning flights are generally the most reliable if you can book them. If youre worried about making it to the airport in time for a morning flight, he said, consider staying at a hotel connected to the airport the night before. And consider flying outside of busy dates. Klee recommended comparing airlines policies on the DOTs service dashboard. He also suggests reserving multiple flights and then canceling the ones you dont use, as long as the airline will refund your money or convert it into a credit for a future flight. ARE FLIGHT CANCELATIONS TRENDING LOWER IN 2023? Flight cancellations trended lower throughout the spring of 2023 than last year, according to data from the FAA. Industry officials argue that carriers have fixed problems that contributed to a surge in flight cancellations and delays last summer, when 52,000 flights were nixed from June through August. Airlines have hired about 30,000 workers since then, including thousands of pilots, and they are using bigger planes to reduce flights but not the number of seats. Still, officials warn of lingering staffing shortages, notably among key air traffic controllers. The FAA is training about 3,000 more controllers, but they wont be ready for this summer's travel. The agency resorted to nudging airlines to reduce flights in the New York City area this summer, and it opened 169 new flight paths over the East Coast to reduce bottlenecks. In a government audit published last week, the Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General found that the FAA has made limited efforts" to have adequate staffing at critical air traffic control facilities, noting that the agency continues to face staffing challenges and lacks a plan to address them, which in turn poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations. (Bloomberg) -- Generac Holdings Inc. is seeing rising demand for its backup power generators in Texas, where searing heat has been testing the reliability of the states main electric grid. Most Read from Bloomberg Weve seen a dramatic increase in the Texas region in sales leads for our generators and battery backup systems, Chief Executive Officer Aaron Jagdfeld said in an interview Monday. Texas has been a great market for a long time, so this will only add to that in the future. Generac, which says its the top maker of home backup generators, saw its shares hit a four-month high last week when the Texas grid operator urged residents to conserve electricity to prevent blackouts. The grid operator issued a weather advisory for this week as a punishing heat wave is forecast to linger and drive up electricity demand while residents crank up their air-conditioners. Generacs shares rose as much as 9.2% to $143 on Tuesday, the biggest intraday gain since May 3. Generac customers were ready to provide about 1 megawatt of backup power from their home generators to the Texas grid last week, Jagdfeld said. One megawatt is enough to power about 200 Texas homes. Customers who have installed the companys smart thermostats and allow a local utility to adjust temperatures to reduce stress on the grid contributed about 34 megawatts of power savings last week as well, he said. (Updates with share price in fourth paragraph. An earlier version of this story corrected a description of the use of customers generators in Texas.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Officials in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government said it was doing everything it legally can to hold Moscow to account - Odd ANDERSEN / AFP Germany is leading opposition to the European Unions plans to use cash made from frozen Russian assets to help pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Berlin officials are reportedly among a group who have flagged concerns after Brussels drew up proposals to raise billions of euros from Russian assets confiscated under the blocs sanctions regime. The plan would require the financial institutions who currently hold Russian central bank assets to hand over the profits those assets generate, so that the money can be put towards Ukraines efforts to rebuild its cities. This could raise as much as 3bn (2.6bn) a year, Ukrainian officials believe. But senior German officials have warned that this would open a can of worms, exposing the EU to huge legal risks, according to the Financial Times. They insisted Moscow would be held to account by other means and that Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government was doing everything it legally can on that front. One of Berlins chief concerns is said to be that raiding Russian government assets in this way would set a precedent that could expose Germany to similar actions in future. For example, it could open the door for Poland to use similar methods to claim reparations from Germany for damage caused to the country during the Second World War, the FT reported. There are said to be other countries which are also concerned about the proposals, but they have not been named. At a meeting of diplomats and the EU Commission last Wednesday, many nations are said to have urged caution. Ukrainian officials have been pushing for the EU to make use of the frozen Russian assets in some way. Another idea would involve using them as collateral for Ukraine to obtain loans against. One EU diplomat told the FT: The challenge is trying to work out what is legally sound and defensible. A precedent does exist elsewhere in the West. Last year, Canada began seizing assets belonging to sanctioned Russians. In December, Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, said her country would seek to permanently seize $26m (20m) from Granite Capital Holdings, a company owned by the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. If forfeited, the proceeds that are generated will be able to be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine and compensation to victims of the Putin regimes illegal and unjustifiable invasion, a statement added. Canada was the first G7 country to implement such measures. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. (Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. joined a list of brokers turning less bullish on Tesla Inc. shares after the electric-vehicle makers blistering rally this year. Most Read from Bloomberg The stock dropped 6.1% Monday after Goldmans Mark Delaney downgraded his recommendation to neutral from buy, noting the substantial surge in the shares as well as price declines for new cars. The stock now better reflects our positive long-term view of the companys growth potential and competitive positioning, Delaney wrote in a note. We are also cognizant of the difficult pricing environment for new vehicles. After Teslas biggest annual stock decline ever in 2022, the automakers shares have more than doubled this year to close Friday at $256.60, giving the company a market value of $813 billion. Just in the past month Tesla has gained 38%. Last week, Wall Street warned that Teslas lightning-quick rally had started to show signs of unraveling, warning that investors were too optimistic about its artificial intelligence credentials and that the stock had become overbought. Goldmans downgrade is at least the fourth in the past week. Morgan Stanley, citing optimism related to AI taking the stock to fair valuation, cut Tesla to equal-weight. Barclays also cut the stock to equal-weight, saying it had rallied too far and too fast while questioning the near-term fundamentals of the company. DZ Bank AG, meanwhile, recommended investors sell the stock. Analysts on average now expect the stock to drop 12% in the next 12 months, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Street has 20 buy ratings, 20 holds and 9 sells on Tesla, the data show. Goldmans Delaney had had a buy recommendation on Tesla since December 2020. The shares returned 35% over that period, compared with 23% for the S&P 500. (Updates stock move at market close) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. plans to add Tom Montag to its board, enlisting a prominent alum at a time when discontent in the firms ranks has spilled into public view. Most Read from Bloomberg The board, gathering in India, is tapping a Goldman Sachs veteran who is seen as an ally of Chief Executive Officer David Solomon, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Montag rose to second-in-command at Bank of America Corp. after leaving Goldman 15 years ago. While its routine for boards to make periodic changes, appointing someone who once worked closely with Solomon at Goldman would likely signal that the CEO who also serves as chairman is shoring up support. Some executives say it could help quash any speculation on his immediate future as Solomon approaches five years running the firm. The people with knowledge of the move asked not to be named discussing the private deliberations. A spokesperson for New York-based Goldman declined to comment. Montag, 66, who stepped down from Bank of America at the end of 2021, didnt respond to messages seeking comment. Frustrations inside Goldman have become increasingly public. They escalated through the pandemic even as the company minted record profits, and intensified in recent months during a slowdown in its core business lines. A years-long push by Solomon to rapidly step up the firms expansion into consumer banking gave way to missed deadlines and blown financial targets for the unit. By the time Goldman reversed course in late 2022 and unwound the effort, billions of dollars in losses were weighing on bonuses in other divisions. Despite the CEO publicly admitting the mistake, some executives, including Goldmans elite partners, have privately sought more accountability. In tapping Montag, the board is enlisting someone with the perspective of a longtime Wall Streeter whos also familiar with the firms distinctive partnership culture. During his more-than two decades at Goldman, he snagged the partner rank years before the company went public in 1999. He would be the first banker to be named to the board under Solomon, following appointments of executives from Comcast Corp., Starbucks Corp. and Shell Plc, as well as a retired US Navy officer. Goldman currently has 12 directors, down from the 14 it had before Drew Faust and Mark Winkelman retired from the board in April. Solomons Peer Montags decision to leave behind his career at Goldman and jump to the top echelons of a major competitor remains a relatively rare occurrence in the industry. He made the move a year after Goldmans then-CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, tapped two younger executives, Gary Cohn and Jon Winkelried, to be his deputies as co-presidents. In his last post, Montag helped run the trading group, while Solomon held a similar perch over investment banking. Montag landed at Merrill Lynch in 2008, shortly before the firms emergency takeover by Bank of America. While running the combined companys investment bank, he largely eschewed Goldmans annual gathering of former partners, an occasion used by many to reminisce and foster new commercial relations. When he reappeared at one of those soirees soon after Solomon took the helm, the moment became a topic of scuttlebutt within the firm. Montag held a tight grip on Bank of Americas Wall Street operations for more than a decade with a management style that sometimes drew grumbling of its own. As the pandemic ground on in his final years there, he and Solomon both emerged among a number of prominent Wall Street figures who encouraged reluctant staff to resume commutes, breaking with rivals touting flexibility. A New York Times article several months before Montag stepped down in 2021 cast a harsh spotlight on the work environment in some of his divisions. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan later pushed back, saying there was no cultural problem at the firm. Last year, Montag returned to Wall Street with the start of a carbon-credit venture backed by TPG Inc. He was named CEO of the new company, Rubicon Carbon, a business aimed at the market for emissions offsets. (Adds current size of board in eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A U.S. court has sided with French luxury fashion house Hermes, granting a permanent injunction against the MetaBirkin NFT collection for copyright violations. Court documents showed an eight-person civil jury delivered a unanimous verdict against the MetaBirkins creator, Sonny Estival, also known as Mason Rothschild, on June 23. MetaBirkins is a collection of 100 NFTs created by Rothschild that depict furry handbags in the style of Hermes Birkin bags. The collection is estimated to have driven more than $1M in trades. Hermes Wins Injunction Against MetaBirkins NFT Creator Judge Jed Rakoff offered a skeptical appraisal of Rothschilds defense against the suit, where he claimed the NFTs comprise an absurdist parody of luxury goods and, as such, constitute free speech protected by the First Amendment. [The] defendants 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, Judge Rakoff said. The jury found that Rothschild was simply a swindler... Nothing in the First Amendment insulated him from liability for such a scheme. The order blocks Rothschild from marketing, selling, or minting MetaBirkins NFTs and requires control over the metabirkins.com domain name to be transferred to Hermes. Judge Rakoff also rejected Rothschilds requests for the court to dismiss the verdict or hold a new trial. Copyright Battle The case could set an important precedent for future lawsuits dealing with alleged trademark infringement in a web3 context. In February 2022, Nike filed a lawsuit against StockX, a shoe reseller, for offering NFTs it says are unauthorized recreations of its sneakers. The MetaBirkins dispute began in January when Hermes accused Rothschild of improperly using its Birkin trademark to mislead customers into believing the brand supported the project. Hermes filed its complaint with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The court ruled that Rothschild violated Hermes trademark the following month and ordered the artist to pay $133,000 in damages. Hermes requested an injunction in March, accusing Rothschild of continuing to promote the sale of MetaBirkins NFTs to generate royalties. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including nearly 1.2 million Honda Odyssey, Pilot and Passport vehicles for a rearview camera issue that could increase the risk of a crash. Car owners can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search NHTSAs database for new recalls. The NHTSA website also allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number, or VIN. Here are the vehicle recalls published by the NHTSA from June 15 through June 23: Honda recalls 1.2 million Odyssey, Pilot, Passport vehicles Honda is recalling 1,198,280 vehicles due to a visibility issue with the vehicle's rearview camera, according to the NHTSA. In documents posted by the U.S. safety regulator, Honda said the rearview camera image may not appear on the dashboard screen in certain models. If that happens, regulators said, it can decrease driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Recalled vehicles: 2018-2023 Honda Odyssey 2019-2023 Honda Passport 2019-2022 Honda Pilot Honda recall: Nearly 1.2M vehicles recalled because of rear view camera issue Volkswagen recalls 2023 Golf hatchbacks for strut issue Volkswagen is recalling 59 of its 2023 Golf R A8 and Golf GTI vehicles because during strut assembly, an issue may have caused a deformation of the strut mount. If the strut mount is deformed, it can lead to improper torque on one of the bolted connections on the right or left suspension strut mounting, which can increase the risk of a crash without warning, the company said in an NHTSA safety report. Based on vehicle driving tests, customers may not notice the issue, Volkswagen said. Dealers will inspect and replace the right and/or left suspension strut mountings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Aug. 18. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40T3. Recalled vehicles: 2023 Volkswagen Golf R (9) 2023 Volkswagen GTI (52) Volkswagen recalls ID.4 electric SUVs for rearview camera issue Volkswagen is recalling four of its 2022 ID.4 SUVs because the replacement infotainment central control unit, or CCU, installed in the vehicle during a repair contains incorrect software that can cause the rearview camera image to be delayed or deactivated when reversing. This can reduce the driver's rear visibility and increase the risk of a crash and injury to people outside the vehicle, the company said in a safety report filed with NHTSA. Volkswagen dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Aug. 18. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93S7. Recalled vehicles: 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 Volkswagen recalling 4 of its 2022 ID.4 SUVs because of an issue with replacement infotainment central control units, the company said in a safety report filed with NHTSA. Tesla recalls Model 3 sedans, Model Y SUVs for battery issue Tesla is recalling 26 of its 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles because the pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective. A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high-voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury, according to an NHTSA safety report. Tesla will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Aug. 15. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005. Recalled vehicles: 2023 Tesla Model 3 2023 Tesla Model Y Tesla is recalling 26 of its 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles because the pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective. Toyota recalls Camry, Camry Hybrid for potential loose lug nuts Toyota is recalling 298 of its 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles because the lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, causing wheels to detach, the automaker said in an NHTSA safety report. Recalled vehicles: 2023 Toyota Camry 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid Toyota, which began notifying Camry owners through email, phone calls and first-class mail on June 15, 2023, advises owners not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA05. Toyota is recalling 298 of its 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid (shown here) vehicles because the lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, causing wheels to detach, the automaker said in a NHTSA safety report. Mazda recalls CX-90 SUVs for steering and suspension bolt issue Mazda is recalling 18 of its 2024 CX-90 SUVs because some steering and suspension bolts may be missing or improperly tightened, which can cause the steering intermediate shaft, the front anti-lock brake system wheel speed sensor harnesses, or the front upper control arms to detach, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and increases the risk of a crash, according to an NHTSA safety report. Mazda expects to notify owners by mail on July 14. Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace the steering and suspension bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5923F. Recalled vehicles: 2024 Mazda CX-90 Honda recalls Civic and Accord, Acura RDX and Integras for brake issue Honda is recalling 386 of its 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles because a ball valve in the vehicle stability assist modulator may leak brake fluid. That can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged and increases the risk of a crash or injury, Honda said in an NHTSA safety report. Dealers will replace the vehicle stability assist modulator, free of charge. Honda expects to mail letters to vehicle owners on July 24. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are GEI, DEG, XEK, and OEJ. Recalled vehicles: 2023 Acura Integra 2023 Acura RDX 2022 Honda Accord 2023 Honda Civic The 2023 Honda Civic (shown here) is among 386 vehicles the automaker is recalling for a brake issue. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Check car recalls: Honda, Toyota among 1.2 million recalled vehicles (Bloomberg) -- HSBC Holdings Plc is planning to leave its Canary Wharf headquarters and downsize to a smaller office in the City of London, the latest sign of how a shift to flexible work is reshaping demand for offices and dealing another blow to the Docklands district. Most Read from Bloomberg The lender, which launched a review in September, said its preferred option is BT Group Plcs former head office near St Pauls, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. The bank said it will now begin more detailed discussions on a potential lease, with the intention to move in late 2026. HSBC has been looking for alternatives to its Docklands skyscraper as it looks to a more flexible workspace and adapts to the post-pandemic cityscape, according to a memo sent last year by the banks chief operating officer John Hinshaw. The lease on its current 1.1 million square foot headquarters is due to expire in 2027. Orion Capital Management, a private equity firm, is redeveloping the former BT headquarters on Newgate Street to provide about 570,000 square feet (52,955 square meters) of office space. The Times of London reported the move earlier. The UK lender has resided in the 45-story 8 Canada Square property since 2002, when it was completed by Canary Wharf Group. The building is now owned by Qatars sovereign wealth fund, which bought it for about 1.1 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2014. Read more: HSBCs London Office Shortlist Includes Former Goldman Sachs HQ HSBCs decision also comes after Moodys downgraded Canary Wharf Groups debt deeper into junk territory last month. The decision to leave the east London financial district is a blow for Qatar and Brookfield, joint owners of Canary Wharf Group, which had drawn up plans for a new development in a bid to persuade HSBC to stay. The lender is the latest in a series of long-standing occupiers to leave or downsize their offices in Canary Wharf. Law firm Clifford Chance signed a deal to vacate in favor of a building in the City of London, while Citigroup Inc. is shrinking from two buildings to one. The future of Credit Suisses Canary Wharf headquarters also remains uncertain following its takeover by UBS Group AG. Why a Crisis Is Looming in Commercial Real Estate: QuickTake Canary Wharf Group has been attempting to lure life sciences companies to the area as financial firms retreat. It is also building thousands of homes as it looks to inject life into the area outside of office hours. However, the future of the original office estate remains uncertain, with substantial investment required to upgrade and improve the environmental performance of the older glass and steel towers to make them attractive to tenants against a backdrop of anemic demand. A pair of office buildings in the district have been put into receivership after their Chinese owner failed to repay the loans secured against them. (Updates with details.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: An employee walks past a signage board in the Infosys campus at the Electronics City IT district in Bangalore BENGALURU (Reuters) -Infosys, India's No.2 IT services provider, signed a $454-million contract with Denmark's Danske Bank on Monday, at a time when the broader sector is struggling with a slowdown in an uncertain global economy. The IT company will help digitize the lender's core business and add more cloud and data facilities to it, including Infosys acquiring Danske Bank's IT centre in India, it said in a regulatory filing. The contract is for five years, with an option to renew for one more year for a maximum of three times. Bengaluru-based Infosys' contract comes days after Mumbai-based bigger rival TCS signed a deal worth 840 million pounds with British pension scheme Nest, for an starting tenure of 10 years. Still, at least one analyst said the contracts might not be enough to turn the tide for the industry. "Despite a strengthened order pipeline, the effects of this deal might be offset by macro factors such as inflation and increased labour costs," Akshara Bassi, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, said on the Danske Bank deal. Shares of the Bengaluru-headquartered company were little changed after the deal announcement. The stock is down about 15% so far this year, compared with a little-changed Nifty IT index. Infosys, which expects the transaction to be completed before the second quarter of this financial year, in April forecast revenue growth would hit a six-year low this fiscal year on slowdown worries. (Reporting by Navamya Ganesh Acharya and Varun Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sohini Goswami and Nivedita Bhattacharjee) (Bloomberg) -- JSR Corp., the largest maker of a compound essential to all chipmaking, surged by its daily limit after a report the government-backed Japan Investment Corp. may buy out the company for roughly 1 trillion ($7 billion). Most Read from Bloomberg JIC is considering making an offer to the company as early as this year, the Nikkei newspaper reported over the weekend. JSR will discuss the matter in a board meeting on Monday and make an announcement once a decision is made, it said in a statement. JSR rose 22% at the close, the most since since 1999, after remaining untraded most of the day as bids outweighed offers. Its peer Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. jumped 1.5% and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co. surged 9.1% to a record high. Other related chemical firms such as Toyo Gosei Co., Fujimi Inc., Tri Chemical Laboratories Inc. and Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Ltd. also advanced. The move is designed to help preserve Japans national economic security by fostering materials essential to becoming more competitive in semiconductors, the newspaper said. Government control over materials critical for making powerful chips would offer Japan leverage in a world increasingly divided by escalating US-China technological tensions. We think the semiconductor materials business is becoming increasingly important as a matter of national policy, SMBC Nikko analyst Go Miyamoto wrote in a note. Valuations for other semiconductor materials stocks will likely increase if investors start to price in similar possible acquisitions. Market Share JSR controls roughly 30% of the global market for photoresists and is one of three Japanese companies, along with Shin-Etsu and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, to almost wholly control fluorinated polyimide and hydrogen fluoride essential ingredients for the manufacture of displays and semiconductors. If the takeover materializes as reported, it would ease investing in photoresists and other semiconductor materials for JSR, potentially further enhancing its technical and cost competitiveness, Miyamoto added. Japan, which seeks to raise its own profile as a chip supplier, still commands leading market share in a number of little-known but essential parts of the chip supply chain a legacy from when Japan led the world in semiconductor technology in the 1980s. --With assistance from Mayumi Negishi. (Updates share prices throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Cryptocurrency issuers in Japan are now exempt from paying a 30% corporate tax on unrealized gains on tokens under a June 20 revision to the law by the National Tax Agency. See related article: MUFG enables bank-backed stablecoin issuance amid new Japanese regulations The tax change comes as Japanese authorities push initiatives to promote its blockchain and crypto sector. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida supports digital finance and blockchain adoption in Japan to reinvigorate the economy in what he has more broadly called new capitalism. However, cryptocurrency investors are still subject to a maximum 55% income tax on crypto-related earnings over 200,000 Japanese yen (US$1,400) which is classified as miscellaneous income. Japan Virtual & Crypto Assets Exchange Association, the countrys lobby group for the crypto industry, is requesting regulators to also relax crypto margin trading limits, Bloomberg reported last week. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (MUFG), the largest bank in Japan, is also reportedly in talks with various global cryptocurrency companies about issuing stablecoins. (Bloomberg) -- Japans government unveiled a $6.3 billion deal to buy out and privatize JSR Corp., taking direct control of the world leader in chipmaking compounds at a time US-Chinese tensions threaten to fragment the $550 billion global semiconductor industry. Most Read from Bloomberg Government-backed Japan Investment Corp. plans to offer shareholders 4,350 ($30.40) a share in a tender offer around December, the company said Monday in a statement. Thats a roughly 35% premium to JSRs Friday close and works out to as much as 903.9 billion, JSR said. The move could help Tokyo expand control over compounds essential for making advanced semiconductors. Founded in 1957, JSR is the worlds leading maker of photoresists and one of three Japanese companies, along with Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., that control the global supply of fluorinated polyimide and hydrogen fluoride. Those compounds are needed to make semiconductors used in supercomputers, AI-harnessing data centers and missile control systems, not to mention gadgets including Apple Inc. iPhones. Government control over the materials critical to powerful chips would grant Japan greater leverage in a world increasingly divided by an escalating US-China technological rift. Chief Executive Officer Eric Johnson said the Japanese materials sector needed to consolidate and pool resources to develop new technologies as competition intensifies among clients. JSR and JIC intend to speed that process and catalyze change at home to better take on global rivals, he said. There are a lot of us. All of us are spending money redundantly, and we feel that the opportunities for efficiency gains are significant, he said, adding that the objectives of the government and JSR are aligned. The need to drive scale is paramount. JSR surged 22% Monday after the Nikkei reported on the deal, the most since 1999. JSR peer Shin-Etsu jumped 1.5% and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo surged 9.1% to a record high. Toyo Gosei Co., Fujimi Inc., Tri Chemical Laboratories Inc. and Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Ltd. also advanced. Chip materials are the lifeline that underpins Japans industrial competitiveness, JIC said in a statement. The tender offer will enable JSR to accelerate bold, medium- to long-term strategic investments, without being bound by considerations about the short-term impact on performance. Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas administration is betting shifting geopolitical priorities will help Japan regain some of its long-lost leadership in semiconductors. Japans preparing billions of dollars in subsidies as part of a push to triple domestic production of chips by 2030. The point is to make the most of this position of strength. So the government is continuing these strategic investments, said Kazuto Suzuki, a professor with the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy. If the government takes it over, it wont be exposed to the risk of a buyout from overseas. So it becomes a national policy company. Growing tech protectionism is spurring policy makers globally to go upstream in the supply chain to find more choke holds by which to control technologies. In October, the US spearheaded a push to limit Chinas access to advanced semiconductors, and its allies have also since stepped up efforts to curb exports on equipment and technology. Germany has also discussed limiting the export of chip chemicals to China. Such a move would restrict sales of materials by companies such as Merck KGaA and BASF SE, slowing Chinas ability to innovate. Japan, which seeks to raise its own profile as a chip supplier, still commands leading market share in a number of little-known but essential parts of the chip supply chain a legacy from when Japan led the world in semiconductor technology in the 1980s. Tokyo first tightened control over exports of chip chemicals in 2019, roiling South Koreas biggest companies and prompting Seoul to file a complaint to the World Trade Organization. The restrictions did little to affect shipments of the materials to chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc., but the move was seen as a threat to hurt Seoul economically. JSR plans to relist in about five to seven years, Johnson said. The semiconductor materials business is becoming increasingly important as a matter of national policy, SMBC Nikko analyst Go Miyamoto wrote in a note. Valuations for other semiconductor materials stocks will likely increase if investors start to price in similar possible acquisitions. --With assistance from Vlad Savov, Isabel Reynolds and Go Onomitsu. (Updates with JSR executive comment from the fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- JD.com Inc. aims to create an independent unit by merging its 7Fresh supermarket chain with other online services, establishing a retailer of fresh food and groceries that serves millions nationwide. Most Read from Bloomberg Chinas No. 2 e-commerce company plans to set up what it called an Innovative Retail operation that includes 7Fresh supermarkets, group-buying platform Pinpin as well as on-demand services, a person familiar with the matter said. Yan Xiaobing, the former head of JD.coms international business, will lead the unit effective Monday and report directly to group CEO Sandy Xu, the person said, asking to remain unidentified because the restructuring hasnt been publicly announced. JD last week declared it aims to create seven listed firms with market values of at least $14 billion apiece, outlining aggressive targets spanning two decades as it wrapped its signature 2023 sales gala with another record haul. Its new business or division will resemble Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s Freshippo unit, known in Chinese as Hema, which is in the process of raising funds and potentially listing separately. Alibaba is working with banks including China International Capital Corp. and Morgan Stanley to help prepare for the first-time share sale of the unit. It will soon apply to the Hong Kong exchange for approval to spin off the unit, the Hong Kong Economic Times reported Monday. Its unclear however if JD will go that route, the person said. JD.com representatives declined to comment on the news, which was first reported in part by a local media outlet. Like Freshippo, 7Fresh opened its first store in Beijing in 2017 and is part of JDs broader effort to expand its footprint and services into physical retail, to complement its online platform. Larger rival Alibaba this year announced a historic six-way split of its empire, appeasing investors hungry for value as well as a government that cracked down on alleged monopolies and what it called the reckless expansion of the tech industry. Earlier this year, JD units Jingdong Property Inc. and Jingdong Industrials Inc. submitted listing applications to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Read more: Alibabas Grocery Arm Is Said to Gear Up for Hong Kong IPO Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Explore the latest ASUS devices for all facets of education from K-12 to higher education See devices built for esports, content creation and STEAM programs Learn about ASUS' innovative sustainability efforts in product design, digital equity and packaging Meet industry experts and schedule one-on-one meetings with ASUS sales representatives onsite PHILADELPHIA, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASUS is pleased to announce the latest lineup of devices for education at ISTE Live 2023. The lineup features an array of innovative education solutions for students and educators in the K-12, higher education, STEAM and esports education sectors. Explore the latest ASUS devices for all facets of education from K-12 to higher education at ISTE 2023 Join ASUS at ISTE Booth #2304 Between June 26th and 28th, join us in person at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia to see ASUS education ecosystem, meet with product experts, and schedule one-on-one meetings with ASUS sales representatives to learn about devices that are shaping the future in education. At the booth, ASUS will also host live sessions with industry thought leaders starting Monday, June 26th through Tuesday, June 27th between 2:00PM and 3:30PM ET Devices for K-12 education At ASUS, we design technology solutions to meet the unique needs of K-12 educational institutions. As textbooks and worksheets are replaced with interactive digital learning materials, ASUS offers Windows and ChromeOS laptops that improve collaboration, streamline instruction, and keep the learning environment secure. Our entry-level one-to-one learning devices are ruggedized to survive classroom mishaps and coated with ASUS Antimicrobial Guard to ensure they stay sanitary and clean. Equipped with a rubber bumper, scratch-resistant display, and spill- and tamper-resistant keyboard, the ASUS lineup of laptops for education are a dependable partner for learning. ASUS educational devices also feature a modular design and include bottom-panel captive screws for easy maintenance and repair to minimize downtime. For classrooms that prefer lightweight, ultraportable one-to-one learning devices, ASUS also offers options that feature a slim-bezel design that fits a larger screen into a compact chassis. See solutions below for K-12 education: Ruggedized: ASUS BR1402C: The first device in our ruggedized portfolio with a 14-inch display. The large, vibrant screen is perfect for middle and high school students as well as teachers, offering ample room for learning. ASUS BR1402F: Features a 14-inch Corning Gorilla Glass display that's engineered with a strong, flexible hinge, enabling full 360 rotation. It can be used as a laptop or a tablet with an optional garaged precision stylus for a more intuitive input. ASUS BR1102C (Windows) and ASUS Chromebook CR11(CR1102C, ChromeOS): Ultracompact 11-inch ruggedized laptops, perfect for elementary school students. Equipped with a long-lasting battery, these devices will last a full day of classes and more, empowering students to enjoy uninterrupted learning. ASUS BR1102F (Windows) and ASUS Chromebook CR11 Flip (CR1102F, ChromeOS):11-inch, versatile devices with a 360 ultra-tough hinge and a world-facing camera. The touchscreen display is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass and can be used with the optional garaged stylus for a more interactive learning experience. Lightweight and compact: ASUS Chromebook CX1 (CX1400/CX1500/CX1700): Available in 14, 15, and 17-inch options, this lightweight, ultraportable device features a long-lasting battery for maximized productivity. With speedy performance, robust security and convenient features, this laptop is perfect for any student. ASUS Chromebox 5: Offering outstanding performance and instantaneous response for incredible productivity. It's powered by up to a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor that delivers blistering processing speeds to cater to the most demanding tasks. And with up to 32 GB DDR4 memory, ASUS Chromebox 5 enables easy multitasking without slowdowns. ASUS ExpertBook B1 (B1402/B1502, 12th Gen Intel): For worry-free connectivity in the classroom, this laptop is equipped with enterprise-grade security and a comprehensive set of I/O ports. It is also available in 14 and 15-inch configurations. ASUS ExpertCenter PN64-E1: No lightweight when it comes to performance, boasting the latest 13th Gen Intel Core CPU with Intel Iris Xe graphics*. It can be specified in a variety of multi-storage combinations, including an ultrafast PCIe Gen 4 SSD for rapid boot-up and app load times. Devices for higher education and teachers Students in higher education are ready to apply the skills and knowledge they've acquired over years of study toward their career goals and passion projects. In addition to requiring the durability, versatility, and easy maintenance qualities that are found in K-12 laptops, they need their devices to provide high performance and seamless connectivity. ASUS ChromeOS laptops for higher education are built to do more with the power of Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics. These thin-and-light devices also offer military grade durability and feature USB-C and HDMI ports for flexible connectivity. Although designed for students in higher education, ASUS ChromeOS laptops are also suitable devices for teachers who need cutting-edge performance in and outside the classroom. For teachers who prefer Windows devices, ASUS offers ExpertBook laptops that provide exceptional power, robust security, and a comprehensive set of ports including HDMI and up to Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports all in a lightweight, compact chassis. See solutions below for higher education and teacher devices: ASUS Chromebook CX34 Flip (CX3401, 12th Gen Intel): Featuring an eye-catching new color Zinc a robust Intel Core processor, a garaged stylus, and a 360 ErgoLift hinge for multi-modal usage, this device is the essence of style, performance, and versatility. ExpertBook B3 Flip (B3402, 12th Gen Intel): Equipped with a 3 MP world-facing high-resolution camera, this device allows teachers to capture photos, videos, and documents to share with students in tablet or tent modes. A garaged stylus is also included for easy notetaking and annotating. Powered by 12th gen Intel Core processors, this laptop ensures smooth multitasking when preparing lesson plans. ASUS BE279QSK is a 27-inch Full HD monitor that features an integrated Full HD (2MP) webcam, microphone array, and stereo speakers for video conferencing and live-streaming. With Full HD resolution and an IPS panel for wide-angle viewing, it delivers incredibly sharp imagery and stunning video playback. Its ergonomic design with tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments provides a comfortable viewing experience, and compatibility with a standard 100 x 100mm VESA mount allows flexible wall mounting or installation on a display arm. Devices for esports and STEAM programs For students who are passionate about gaming, participating in a competitive esports program at school can be a great way to find motivation to improve their academic performance, develop vital leadership and collaboration skills, and experience first-hand the pride that comes from representing their school. Educational institutions that are looking to implement a dedicated esports program can count on ASUS ROG gaming systems to deliver optimal performance when it matters most. With their Intel Core CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards, these machines reliably render game worlds at high frames per second, giving the students a crucial edge up in competition. In addition to empowering students to take their passion for gaming to the next level, ROG gaming systems are powerful tools for STEAM learning. Their graphics cards, processing resources, plentiful RAM, and speedy storage serve equally well as platforms for teaching students 3D rendering and animation, video editing, architecture, and graphics design. See solutions below for esports education programs: ROG G22CH: Despite its 10L small form factor, this desktop gaming PC is packed with powerful hardware, including up to an Intel Core i9-13900KF processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics card allowing schools to be mindful of space without compromising performance. ROG Strix G18 (2023) G814: Equipped with powerful hardware often found in desktop PCs, this laptop is the perfect portable solution for schools that don't have a dedicated space for an esports lab. ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM: The ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM includes a custom heatsink and an innovative internal component layout designed to draw heat away from the OLED panel to minimize the likelihood of image burn-in. Thanks to these features and an enlarged top air vent, the Swift OLED PG27AQDM can dissipate heat more efficiently to operate at 5% lower average temperatures compared to other 27-inch OLED gaming monitors. This display also boasts a 17%* increase in brightness compared to the previous generation OLED panel. ROG Azoth Keyboard: ROG Azoth is a gaming custom keyboard in a 75% keyboard form factor. This highly customizable keyboard provides gamers with everything that they need in a compact, space-saving layout. Its silicone gasket mount with three layers of dampening foams combines for a unrivaled typing experience. The hot swappable ROG NX switches can be quickly replaced, either for repair or to customize the typing feel. The OLED display offers unbounded personalization options, and with tri-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz SpeedNova technology, students can enjoy low-latency wireless connectivity. ROG Destrier Ergo Gaming Chair: The ROG Destrier Ergo Gaming Chair is engineered for both strength and comfort and includes a solid aluminum frame, breathable mesh cradle and soft PU foam padding. Devices for content creation in education Many of today's students are passionate about content creation, including photo editing, video game design, 3D animation, and film production. Not only are these creative hobbies for students to explore, but they are also growing career opportunities. ASUS ProArt devices help students overcome limitations and challenge their own creativity. For example, masters' students of the Integrated Design and Media Program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering harnessed the processing and graphical power of ASUS ProArt Studiobook laptops and ProArt desktop workstations to execute their thesis projects. For students who prefer to unleash their creativity directly with a stylus and a touchscreen, ASUS has ExpertBook laptop offerings that feature multimodal functionality, allowing more intuitive input in tablet or tent modes. See solutions below for content creation in education: ProArt Studiobook 16 3D OLED (H7604): This device pushes every boundary from performance to display technology to provide students with an interactive and creative STEAM learning experience. The 3D OLED display with ASUS Spatial Vision technology provides students with a glasses-free 3D visual experience, powered by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics. As the Solar System becomes a 360 space and diagrams of dinosaurs transform into 3D models, students can interact with their educational materials using the ASUS Dial, giving them better context and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them. ASUS ProArt Station PD5: Driven by its powerful NVIDIA graphics card, this desktop workstation is perfect for everything from photo and video editing to 3D modeling, rendering and animation. It also features creator-friendly innovations, including ASUS Lumiwiz, which indicates the status of the CPU, GPU, and more to offer creators an at-a-glance insight into their performance and rendering progress. ASUS ProArt PA279CRV: A 27-inch 4K HDR monitor designed for professional video editors. This Calman Verified display features a wide color gamut with 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB coverage and is factory pre-calibrated to achieve an average Delta E < 2 for exceptional color accuracy. For added convenience, the built-in USB-C port offers DisplayPort support, superfast data transfers, and 96-watt power delivery via a single cable. ExpertBook B6 Flip (B6602F, 12th Gen Intel): Featuring enterprise-grade components, this mobile workstation pushes every limit to deliver the speed, power, security, and portability creatives need with a flippable, stylus-compatible touchscreen form that can turn itself to any task. Devices for computer lab and administration While the use of one-to-one devices is becoming increasingly commonplace in a classroom setting, computer labs still serve as a critical resource to help students with their education and learning. For example, subjects like programming, engineering, as well as photo and video editing require greater computing power and larger screens. ASUS ExpertCenter desktop and AiO solutions offer modern, compact, and stylish devices that provide consistent and quiet performance perfect for a shared space like a computer lab. These devices are also optimized for productivity, making them ideal for administrative tasks as well. See solutions below for computer lab and administration devices: ExpertCenter D7 SFF D700SD: Built to handle daily computing tasks in an ultracompact and sleek package, so computer labs and offices can have a flexible and neat workspace. ExpertCenter E5 AiO 24: Equipped with a next-level Intel Core processor, generous 16 GB DDR4 memory and comprehensive connectivity, this sleek, ultracompact desktop with audio and visual built in powers through any task with ease. To learn more about full ASUS education solutions contact ASUS' sales team. For education notebooks, desktops devices, please contact B4B@asus.com For education displays, MiniPcs and peripherals, please contact B4BOPBG@asus.com (PRNewsfoto/ASUS Computer International) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/join-asus-at-iste-2023-301862556.html SOURCE ASUS Computer International Big Eyes Coin, a brand new meme coin, built a name for itself over the past few months as one of the biggest presales the crypto market had seen in recent years, closing out at $50 million. It seemed as though the launch shouldve been smooth sailing for it on the 15th, but the project was unfortunately the victim of an alleged targeted bot attack that resulted in a bearish outlook from investors. Big Eyes Coin has since made a move in the hopes of putting them back in the good graces of their community: revealing the identity of the CEO and the rest of the team. Meet The CEO and More The recently unveiled CEO of Big Eyes Coin, Ahmed Yalom, gives the project an exciting new perspective. Yalom provides a business-focused perspective to the operation as an Israeli entrepreneur. He has years of expertise in the cryptocurrency industry, having previously served as the CEO of three major cryptocurrency exchanges. He is also well-known in the international fintech industry. After a rocky debut, investors could regain trust in Big Eyes Coin as a real endeavour with seasoned personnel driving its profitability and long-term success. The disclosure of a wise and experienced figures engagement in the project should do this. Weve also learned a few more names behind the meme coin. Malamud Kasher is the Head of trading/listing, Shahab Yaari is the Head of casino, Mando Harel is the head of licensing and Zohar Harel and Rayan Tuwim are two of the developers behind the token itself. Big Eyes Coin is sending a strong message to its investors and users by revealing all of this information. The initiative gains credibility and trust when a face is attached to it. Now, investors may learn more about Ahmeds experience, qualifications, and track record. It demonstrates that Big Eyes Coin is being run by actual people who take responsibility for their actions and care about the projects success. Big Eyes Coin Moving Forward One of Big Eyes Coins significant goals is to make its debut on seven additional exchanges in addition to OKX, Uniswap, and Poloniex. They are also preparing for its own gambling platform, 819 casino. There is of course also the promised philanthropic efforts, which was a key focus of the presale. If they go through with it, it will be a remarkable and admirable initiative to donate 5% of the $50 million in funds earned to the protection of ocean life. Outside of this doxxing announcement, Big Eyes as started its journey of recovery, with investors now able to claim their supply while the price grows, currently fimly in the green. Should they stick to their road map, even more advancements could be expected from Big Eyes Coin, and only time will be able to determine how much Ahmed Yalom contributed to that future. If you are a Big Eyes Coin Investor with questions for the CEO and the rest of the team, youll soon be given the opportunity to do that through an upcoming AMA, so keep a look out for that. Big Eyes Coin (BIG) Website: https://bigeyes.space/ Telegram: https://t.me/BIGEYESOFFICIAL Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigEyesCoin Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Micromem Technologies Inc. (CSE: MRM) (OTCQB: MMTIF) ("Micromem") ("the Company") is pleased to announce that our engineering team has now fully responded to the specifications required by the Company in order to utilize the ARTRA technology units for the oil and gas wells in Romania. The ARTRA technology has been developed by our Silicon Valley based engineering partner and was previously successfully tested by Chevron in operating oil wells in Lost Hills California. The ARTRA technology was selected as the foundation for developing a connected gas and oil well network that will provide real time data gathering and comprehensive analysis of operating wells in Romania. Concurrently the Company is working to develop a full suite of analytics for diagnostic purposes. In May 2023, Micromem met with Chevron in their Houston offices to update Chevron on our current work in Romania; Chevron will follow our progress on our gas well work with interest. Taking into account the local topography and geology in the Romanian wells, the specifications provided include the specific inter well tracers to be deployed, and the data sets and analytics to be compiled. The initial ARTRA units will be built in California by our engineering partner firm, Entanglement Technologies. The commercial units to be deployed on a broad scale, in future, will be produced in Romania. The Company is now also actively pursuing the development of powerline monitoring technology applications, intended to provide a networked monitoring and diagnostics solution for the Romanian electrical and transmission grid. About Micromem. Micromem Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries, a publicly traded (OTCQB: MMTIF) (CSE: MRM), company analyzes specific industry sectors to create intelligent game-changing applications that address unmet market needs. By leveraging its expertise and experience with sophisticated sensor applications, the Company successfully powers the development and implementation of innovative solutions for oil & gas, utilities, automotive, healthcare, government, information technology, manufacturing and other industries. Visit www.micromeminc.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. In particular, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include: our inability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms; risk that our products and services will not gain widespread market acceptance; continued consumer adoption of digital technology; inability to compete with others who provide comparable products; the failure of our technology; the infringement of our technology with proprietary rights of third parties; inability to respond to consumer and technological demands; inability to replace significant customers; seasonal nature of our business; and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential," and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. The CSE or any other securities regulatory authority has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release that has been prepared by management. ### Listing: NASD OTC-QB - Symbol: MMTIF CSE - Symbol: MRM Shares issued 504,526,137 SEC File No: 0-26005 Investor Contact: info@micromeminc.com; Tel. 416-364-2023 Subscribe to receive News Releases by Email on our website's home page. www.micromeminc.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171176 RAMALLAH, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official said on Monday that establishing an independent Palestinian state is the only solution to achieve security and stability in the Middle East. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, made the remarks in response to the earlier comments of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel must block the Palestinians' aspirations for an independent state. "The Palestinian state exists and is recognized by more than 140 countries, and it only needs to end the occupation to realize its independence," Abu Rudeineh said. Israel cannot "perpetuate its occupation by continuing the aggression against the Palestinian people and escalating the policy of killing, settlement, land theft, and other aggressive acts," he warned. Pointing out that Palestine is an observer member of the United Nations and many other international agencies, Abu Rudeineh called on the international community "to intervene and hold Israel accountable for its actions and words that contravene international legitimacy." Meanwhile, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement that Netanyahu's remarks "are condemned" as "it is an official recognition of the Israeli government's policy of hostility to peace and rejection of peaceful resolutions." The last round of peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis broke down at the end of March 2014 because of their divisions over settlement, security and borders. The Palestinians want to establish an independent state alongside Israel on all the territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. NYC Is Cleared for First-in-US Congestion Tolls as Soon as April (Bloomberg) A plan to charge motorists driving into New York Citys midtown Manhattan received final federal approval, a significant step that allows the first such tolling program in the US to roll out. Most Read from Bloomberg The Federal Highway Administration on Friday determined that an environmental review of the new initiative, called congestion pricing, had no significant impacts, according to a notice sent to Congressional members that was obtained by Bloomberg News. That approval was needed before construction on the tolling could begin. Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality and provide critical resources to the MTA, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. I am proud of the thorough environmental assessment process we conducted, including responding to thousands of comments from community members from across the region. With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates New York Citys subways, buses and commuter rails is responsible for implementing the program. The FHWA will begin negotiating a tolling schedule with New York officials, according to the notice. The federal approval was reported earlier in the Wall Street Journal. Drivers may begin paying the new charge as soon as April 2024. E-ZPass motorists driving south of 60th Street, the citys central business district, may pay as much as $23 to enter the area. The purpose of congestion pricing is to raise $1 billion of new annual revenue for the MTA, reduce traffic and pollution, while boosting mass-transit ridership. The revenue will help finance capital projects like extending the Second Avenue Subway to Harlem and modernizing signals. MTA officials anticipate congestion pricing will cut the amount of daily vehicles entering the district by as much as 20%. Read more: NYC Drivers Face $23-a-Ride Congestion Fee as Soon as April 2024 A six-member Traffic Mobility Review Board will determine the specific tolling structure and discounts or exemptions. E-ZPass drivers may pay as much as $23 during peak hours and $17 during off-peak periods. The plan will include discounts and state tax credits for some lower-income drivers. Passenger cars, taxis and for-hire vehicles would only be charged once a day. Read more: What Congestion Pricings Arrival in NYC Will Mean: QuickTake New Jersey Pushback The new tolling plan does face pushback from New Jersey politicians, including Governor Phil Murphy, as many of their constituents will be paying the new toll and some neighborhoods may experience increased traffic and pollution. The state has retained King & Spalding to explore all legal options, Bailey Lawrence, a spokesperson for Murphy, said in an email. The Federal Highway Administrations decision to green-light the MTAs proposed tolling program marks yet another slight against hardworking New Jerseyans in favor of an agency concerned not with removing vehicles from our roads, but with lining its own coffers, Lawrence said in the email. US Senator Bob Menendez, and US Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell said the program should undergo a full environmental review rather than the shorter assessment it received. This is nothing more than a cash grab to fund the MTA, the three lawmakers said in a statement Monday. There is no excuse for FHWA and the Department of Transportations failure to require New York to meaningfully engage with stakeholders across New Jersey and to not adequately consult the New Jersey congressional delegation and other elected officials. With assistance from Skylar Woodhouse. (Updates with Hochul comment in the third paragraph and statement from New Jersey starting in 12th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Reuters) -Odey Asset Management has suspended its flagship hedge fund after it was hit with redemption requests following the removal of founder Crispin Odey, Bloomberg News reported on Monday. The company received withdrawal requests that amounted to over 19% of the Odey European Inc hedge fund for its next dealing day on July 3, the report said, citing a letter from the company to clients. "Given the level of requested redemptions, investor concentration and liquidity profile of the fund, the fund board has determined that it would not be in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders as a whole to continue to permit issues and redemptions of shares," Bloomberg said, quoting the letter. Odey Asset Management did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The hedge fund has grappled with investor flight since the Financial Times and Tortoise Media on June 8 jointly reported allegations by 13 women that Crispin Odey had sexually assaulted or harassed them over a 25-year period. Odey has denied the allegations. The Financial Times reported last week that British regulator Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) restricted the movement of cash and assets from Odey Asset Management to restore order at the firm. (Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) The California lender announced another asset sale as it recovers from the industry chaos in the spring. PacWest (PACW) announced a $3.5 billion sale of loans to alternative investment manager Ares Management, providing another lift to a regional bank hammered during the industry chaos earlier this year. The deal, the latest of several moves by the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based lender to shrink its balance sheet, helped push PacWest's stock up 4% Monday. Several other regional banks also rose. PacWest is one of several regional lenders that struggled to keep depositors following the March 10 failure of Silicon Valley Bank. Regional bank stocks hit a year-to-date low on May 4, the week regulators seized San Francisco-based bank First Republic and sold the bulk of its operations to JPMorgan Chase (JPM). Read more: What are bank fees, and how do I avoid them? But since then, those stocks rallied for four of the last six weeks on optimism that the worst was over for regional banks. For the period, the KBW Regional Bank Index (^BKX) has gained 9%, outpacing the S&P 500. The index closed 5% lower last Friday and slightly lower the previous week. Another positive note for banks is that their deposit withdrawals have stabilized. Commercial banks have regained approximately $99 billion in deposits since the second week of May, according to data released Friday by the Federal Reserve. Their deposits have fallen 6% since a peak in April 2022. Many banks also still face pressures from high interest rates and the possibility of stronger capital requirements for banks with more than $100 billion in assets, which will make it more difficult to earn robust profits. Earlier this month, a number of US bank executives revised down their estimates of net interest income, the crucial margin between what banks make on their loans and pay for their deposits. The acute phase of bank stress is over, but a long and winding road remains, Wedbush analyst David Chiaverini said in a Monday research note. Wedbush reiterated a "cautious outlook" for second quarter results, with the expectation there will be more downward revisions in net interest income once banks begin reporting in the second half of July. The chief financial officer of Western Alliance (WAL), another regional bank that struggled to keep depositors after the fall of Silicon Valley Bank, told Yahoo Finance on Friday that his institution's deposits were rising after the tumult of March. We're growing deposits again, and we're up quarter to date, and we expect to be up quarter to date by the end of this month, said Dale Gibbons, the CFO. Western Alliance's headquarters in Phoenix. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) Its stock rose 2% Monday. Gibbons said Western Alliance has managed to bring back depositors in part by showing larger clients the bank's more granular financial data under nondisclosure agreements. He also said "we welcome more regulation," while noting that higher capital requirements don't solve every issue. In the case of Silicon Valley Bank, he said "there were certainly some management failures, and regulatory oversight could have been more robust." Few banks came under more pressure during March than PacWest, which lost 17% of its deposits in the first quarter and posted a loss of $1.2 billion. Year to date its stock is still down 68.5% as of Fridays close despite rallying from its lows in the spring. In May, it said it was exploring strategic actions such as asset sales. Later that month it sold a $2.7 billion real-estate construction loan portfolio to Kennedy Wilson Holdings. It also sold some assets of a real-estate lending business to Roc360, a New York City firm that lends to real estate investors. The sale announced Monday has not been completed. The lender has received $2.01 billion before transaction costs, with the remaining loans committed but not yet sold. "This sale, in addition to the approximately $2.36 billion of cash proceeds received from the previously closed sale of National Construction loans, will improve our liquidity and our capital ratios," PacWest said in its SEC filing for the transaction. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance PGS ASA June 26, 2023, Oslo, Norway: PGS, together with JV consortium partners TGS and SLB have signed a MultiClient reprocessing agreement to expand MultiClient 3D coverage in the prospective Sarawak province offshore Malaysia. This will be achieved by reprocessing legacy datasets with Petronas Malaysia Petroleum Managements (MPM) approval to complement and merge with newly acquired phases. The reprocessing addendum enhances a multi-year contract awarded initially by Petronas in August 2020 to acquire and process up to 105,000 km of MultiClient 3D data over a 5-year period in the Basin. The second phase of the Sarawak acquisition program is currently underway in blocks ND-3 and SK-3B and will be merged with approximately 6700 square kilometers of reprocessed data. "The Sarawak basins comprise a proven petroleum system with many producing fields already present in the Central Luconia province. Through the addition of high quality reprocessing of legacy data on a MultiClient basis, PGS and partners will be able to high grade areas and merge with newly acquired GeoStreamer data to improve regional understanding of the petroleum systems and leads mapping in frontier blocks. This will ultimately lead to accelerated projects and renewed phases of acquisition, says Nathan Oliver, EVP Sales & Services in PGS. The re-processing of existing legacy seismic data on a MultiClient basis is permitted within the polygon shown below. FOR DETAILS, CONTACT: Bard Stenberg, VP IR & Corporate Communication Mobile: +47 99 24 52 35 *** PGS ASA and its subsidiaries (PGS or the Company) is a fully integrated marine geophysical company that provides a broad range of seismic and reservoir services, including data acquisition, imaging, interpretation, and field evaluation. Our services are provided to the oil and gas industry, as well as to the broader and emerging new energy industries, including carbon storage and offshore wind. The Company operates on a worldwide basis with headquarters in Oslo, Norway and the PGS share is listed on the Oslo stock exchange (OSE: PGS). For more information on PGS visit www.pgs.com. *** The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements are based on various assumptions made by the Company, which are beyond its control and are subject to certain additional risks and uncertainties. The Company is subject to a large number of risk factors including but not limited to the demand for seismic services, the demand for data from our multi-client data library, the attractiveness of our technology, unpredictable changes in governmental regulations affecting our markets and extreme weather conditions. For a further description of other relevant risk factors we refer to our Annual Report for 2022. As a result of these and other risk factors, actual events and our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The reservation is also made that inaccuracies or mistakes may occur in the information given above about current status of the Company or its business. Any reliance on the information above is at the risk of the reader, and PGS disclaims any and all liability in this respect. --END-- (Bloomberg) -- Vladimir Putin managed to avert an attack on Moscow with an eleventh-hour deal with his mutinous mercenary commander. But the uprising has pierced his aura of total political control over Russia unlike any other event in his nearly quarter century in power. Most Read from Bloomberg Insiders in Moscow were stunned that hed ignored repeated warnings that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was preparing to bring convoys of heavily armed fighters to the capital. Instead, the Russian leader allowed them to get so close authorities had to deploy tanks and troops in defense. Thats fueled once-unthinkable doubts about his legendary command of the country. US and European officials privately described the 24-hour uprising advance indications of which their intelligence also picked up as an unprecedented challenge to the 70-year-old presidents control. The murky deal that allowed Prigozhin and his men to leave without consequences is unlikely to mark the end of the tensions, they warned. Seventeen months into a war that was supposed to last days, the turmoil has laid bare how the struggling invasion has shattered the appearance of stability that Putin has worked for years to create. A longtime protege whod risen to prominence catering Kremlin events, Prigozhin mounted the first military challenge to a Russian president since 1993, a dark omen in a country where failed wars have repeatedly led to bloody ends for leaders who started them. This is the biggest public failure in Putins entire political career, said Ekaterina Schulmann, a Russian political scientist currently based in Berlin. Prigozhins mutiny shows how fragile the Russian political regime really is. Both Putin and Russia will likely come out of the crisis weaker, according to one confidential European intelligence assessment, sharing the view that it will be seen as his personal failing. Ukraine, struggling to break through Russian lines with a counteroffensive thats its best hope for retaking occupied lands, reveled in the chaos in Moscow. Kyiv said its troops pressed forward around Bakhmut, where Wagners forces had fought for months, as well as further south. There is progress on all fronts, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Saturday. Putins perceived weakness may encourage those among Kyivs allies calling for an even stronger response to Russias aggression, particularly at the NATO summit in Vilnius next month where Ukraine is seeking stronger commitments from the alliance, according to one senior western official. But others among Kyivs partners were more cautious. They worried that the upheaval may strengthen the hand of the hardliners who want to step up the war effort or make Putin more unpredictable as he cracks down further at home on those seen to be disloyal. US and European capitals told officials to keep their public statements cautious amid the uncertainty. Putin worked the phones over the weekend to reassure his allies. Russia sent a diplomat to China, which has stood by Putin through the war, to explain the events of June 24, in the euphemism of the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Beijings account of the meeting didnt even mention the uprising. To be sure, Putin has survived past threats to his authority, facing down public protests, economic crises and pressure from abroad. For the moment, theres no sign of immediate challenge to his control. But as the Kremlin prepares for elections next year that will keep Putin in office until 2030, doubts about his political invincibility are growing. Tensions within the Russian elite over the stumbling war effort have been on the rise for months, according to people familiar with the situation. Rival camps have emerged, they said, with some pushing for a far more aggressive pursuit of the campaign, while others hope for a quick settlement to limit the damage to Russia. Putins efforts to balance between the two are getting more difficult, the people said. The Russian president had been confident that he could manage the ambitions of a man who once served him soup, according to people close to the leadership. Prigozhins combat-hardened troops could deliver on battlefields where Putins army failed and his expletive-laced public attacks on top commanders kept up the pressure on the underperforming military brass. But as the war effort struggled, Prigozhins reach grew thanks to a flood of funding and support from the Kremlin. His seemingly straight talk in social media won over many ordinary Russians tired of official propaganda. More importantly, he tapped into a deep vein of support among influential hardliners in the security and government elite. They worried Putin and many other top officials werent committed enough to achieving victory in Ukraine and might settle for a cease-fire, the people said. Prigozhins critiques never spread from social media into the state-run outlets that determine broader public views. In society, theres a desire for this to be over sooner, said Denis Volkov, a sociologist at the independent Levada Center. Inside the Kremlin, fears about Prigozhins expanding influence grew, but Putin dismissed the warnings that he was preparing to mount an armed challenge, the people said. It was Putins belated effort to rein Prigozhin in that triggered the crisis, these people said, when officials earlier this month ordered his Wagner fighters to sign up with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Used to resolving conflicts man-to-man, Prigozhin took his fighters to demand an audience in the Kremlin. They wanted to disband Wagner, Prigozhin said on Telegram Saturday. Under the deal to end the uprising, brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Russian ally, Putin agreed to personally guarantee the mercenary could leave the country and lifted all criminal charges from his fighters. Crowds cheered as Prigozhin left Rostov-on-Don late Saturday with his fighters, according to video from the scene. They had to make a deal, said Sergei Markov, a political consultant with close ties to the government. One senior Putin loyalist joked Sunday that he and his staff had been preparing to defend their offices in downtown Moscow a day before but were shocked that Prigozhin and his men were allowed to leave without consequences. That, he said, left him wondering whether the president really knows what hes doing. As armored vehicles were still leaving the streets of Moscow and other cities over the weekend, the Kremlin sought to appear calm. A government ministry recommended journalists be given the day off on Monday after the emotional and tense weekend. But Putin seemed to address those like Prigozhin who questioned his commitment to the war effort in comments shown on state TV Sunday. He told the reporter in an interview recorded before the uprising that the invasion gets all his attention. The day starts with it and ends with it, he said. Around the clock. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. SINGAPORE --News Direct-- Oasys SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 26 June 2023 - Oasys, a gaming-optimised blockchain, today announced a partnership with Rakuten Wallet Inc., a renowned Japanese crypto exchange company. Rakuten Wallets addition to Oasys dynamic network of validators marks a pivotal leap in Oasys ongoing journey to revolutionise Web3 within the gaming industry. Rakuten Wallet, well-regarded as a crypto asset exchange service provider for its spot and margin trading services, will be entering the Web3 sphere as an Oasys validator in this new initiative. Moreover, possibilities of linking the Oasys ecosystem with Rakuten Wallet's developed services are currently under exploration. This partnership aims to redefine the gaming experience by integrating the endless potential of blockchain technology. In line with this, Rakuten Wallet will provide staking and validation services for Oasys proof-of-stake network, a multi-layered, EVM-compatible public blockchain. This collaboration aligns with Oasyss commitment to offering a highly efficient and stable gaming development environment, characterised by low gas fees and high transaction speeds. Daiki Moriyama, Director of Oasys, said: Rakuten Wallets trailblazing entry into Web3, together with its proven expertise in service operations, wealth of know-how, and vast customer reach, will immensely contribute to the burgeoning Web3 sector in Japan. Their involvement as a validator on the Oasys Chain is just the beginning of a promising partnership. We foresee future collaborations, spawning new opportunities and transformation in the Web3 landscape. Oasys has continually fortified its stature as a gaming-focused blockchain through partnerships with several industry leaders, who have joined the network as validators across three rounds. The participation of industry giants such as SoftBank, KDDI, Nexon, and MIXI has propelled the Oasys chain to new heights, with Rakuten Wallets involvement further enriching this consortium. Tatsuya Yamada, CEO of Rakuten Wallet, said: Oasys, Japans pioneering gaming-focused blockchain, promises an unsurpassed environment for gaming users and intellectual properties. As a forward-thinking tech company, we are thrilled to contribute as a validator. Additionally, we remain open to exploring further synergies with Oasys, especially in relation to Web3-orientated services. The partnership will tap into Rakuten Wallets extensive expertise in strengthening network security and consensus protocol. This symbiosis between Rakutens robust economy and the Oasys ecosystem is anticipated to drive innovation, crafting novel solutions that align with the evolving demands of the Web3 gaming era. About Oasys Oasys is a blockchain-based game development platform that offers a highly scalable Layer 1 hub and specialized Layer 2 using Ethereum's Layer 2 scaling solution. The ecosystem provides game developers with a secure and scalable blockchain infrastructure for creating more efficient, secure, and interoperable games. Among Oasys validators are leaders in gaming and Web3, such as SEGA, Ubisoft, and Yield Guild Games, who act as initial validators in our Proof-of-Stake (PoS) based blockchain. Oasys' expert blockchain team, combined with the biggest names in gaming, is revolutionizing the gaming industry. Oasys solves the challenges that game developers face when building blockchain-based games by focusing on creating an ecosystem for gamers and developers to distribute and develop games. The company's trifecta approach includes a fast network powered by the gaming community, a scalable network powered by AAA game developers, and a blockchain that provides the best user experience with fast transactions and zero gas fees. This approach prepares participants to enter the Oasys and play. More information on Oasys is available at: Website: https://www.oasys.games Twitter: https://twitter.com/oasys_games Discord: http://discord.gg/oasysgames About Rakuten Wallet Rakuten Wallet is a global technology company that provides a wide range of services, including e-commerce, digital content, fintech, mobile carrier services, and professional sports. With a commitment to innovation, Rakuten Wallet continues to explore and lead advancements in the Web3 industry. Contact Details Oasys Media Contact oasys@wachsman.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/rakuten-wallet-joins-oasys-blockchain-as-validator-alongside-softbank-kddi-nexon-and-mixi-878218395 The benchmark diesel price dropped for the 19th time in 21 weeks. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Oil markets have been trending higher in the past week and got another boost albeit a muted one Monday from the weekend events in Russia, but the benchmark retail diesel price declined for the 19th time in the past 21 weeks. The Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration average U.S. retail diesel price used for most fuel surcharges declined 1.4 cents a gallon to $3.801. It meant that last weeks increase of 2.1 cents a gallon, which ended a string of eight consecutive weeks of declines, proved short-lived. Mondays latest decline came even as futures markets in oil have been increasing. From a recent low of $2.3091 a gallon on June 12, ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) on the CME commodity exchange climbed as high as $2.5642 Wednesday before sliding back to $2.4071 to close the week. Prices were higher Monday partly on the back of the weekend short-circuited coup in Russia, or whatever its being called. However, the overall increase in ULSD of 3.17 cents a gallon to a settlement of $2.4388, up 1.32%, could be considered tame given that the prospect of a change in government or at least some sort of upheaval in the worlds third-largest oil producer might at other times be deemed enormously bullish for prices. But a report from Reuters, quoting traders and the Refinitiv Eikon analytics firm, said there were no reports of supply interruptions. ULSD on the CME did trade almost 3 cents a gallon more than the settlement earlier in the day, topping out at $2.4651. Diesel significantly outperformed the increase in Brent, the worlds crude benchmark. That was up 45 cents a barrel to $74.18, but that marked a gain of just about 0.6%. That Brent-ULSD spread in recent days has ranged as low as roughly 62 cents a gallon and as high as 72 cents a gallon. The strength shown Monday took the spread up to about 67.2 cents a gallon from roughly 64.9 cents at the close Friday. That diesel might be more bullish than crude on the back of the Russian news is not surprising. Russia is a major supplier of diesel to the world market and recently, according to a Bloomberg report, has been processing crude to make products like diesel and gasoline at extremely strong rates. The Bloomberg report said Russias refineries had increased their crude throughput to the highest level in 10 weeks as maintenance season in the country comes to an end. According to the report, Russian refineries processed 5.6 million barrels a day of crude in the week that ended June 21, an increase about 115,000 barrels a day from just one week earlier. The most recent week during which the country processed as much as it did last week was in early April. But the gains may be short-lived. The Bloomberg report also said Russia is considering reducing subsidies it pays out to its refining sector, as spending is refocused on the war in Ukraine. Facing the loss of those subsidies, the Bloomberg report said, some refineries are cranking up operating rates as high as they can now as they face the prospect of reduced subsidies, possibly as early as September. One potential market factor that could support the price of diesel: a sudden surge in natural gas prices in the U.S. The Henry Hub contract on the CME has soared from a June 1 price of about $2.15 per million BTUs (mmBtus) to a settlement Monday of $2.791 per mmBtus. Diesel and natural gas can be substituted for each other in some applications, a switch that was believed to have occurred in large amounts last year when U.S. natural gas at times approached $10/mmBtus. However, various market reports said the recent increase in natural gas prices is tied less to fundamentals and more to short covering as trading in the July contract on CME comes to an end this week. Large short positions held by traders in essence, bets that prices would continue to decline are finding they need to bid prices higher to cover their short positions in the July contract. More articles by John Kingston Labor Departments independent contractor rule not likely anytime soon Californias AB5 argument: Trucking in state hasnt become chaotic HumanProgress.org founder: Time is money, and were all getting richer The post Retail diesel drops again as oil futures markets head higher appeared first on FreightWaves. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up to receive the Balance of Power newsletter in your inbox, and follow Bloomberg Politics on Twitter and Facebook for more. Most Read from Bloomberg The ruble weakened temporarily by almost 3% against the dollar on Monday, the most this year, after a mutiny by mercenary commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose brief uprising represents the biggest threat to President Vladimir Putins political control in his almost quarter century in power. The Russian currency then erased losses to trade 0.1% higher at 84.59 per dollar at 1:01 p.m. in Moscow. Stocks declined, partially erasing the gain of recent months and stepping away from pre-war levels. The Russian currency reduces losses as fears over the weekends events subside, Alfa Bank strategist John Walsh writes in a note. Although the market has digested most of the shock, he said, events are intensifying inflation risks. Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, pulled his fighters back late Saturday after his army marched to within 125 miles (201 kilometers) of the Russian capital, demanding the removal of Putins army chiefs. He pulled back after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko helped to broker a deal that defused the challenge. Ongoing uncertainty is likely to keep the ruble still under pressure, UniCredit AG analysts said in an emailed report, forecasting a fall toward 90 per dollar. READ: Putin Faces Historic Threat to Absolute Grip on Power in Russia Russian banks increased their exchange rates on Saturday to more than 100 rubles per dollar as Prigozhins army advanced on Moscow. A day later, after he said hed withdraw, the rates were cut back to previous levels. Russias equity IMOEX Index was down 1.5%, with Lukoil PJSC and MMK Group both declining. (Adds information in second, third and ninth paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The global oil market faces fresh risks from the uprising in Russia by mercenary group Wagner, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., although it cautioned that the near-term impact was likely to be muted. Most Read from Bloomberg The higher risk of lower supply at some point may put some upward pressure on prices, analysts including Daan Struyven and Callum Bruce said in a June 25 note. Still, the initial impact should be limited, they added. Oil fluctuated on Monday when investors got their first opportunity to price in the weekends events, which US and European officials privately described as an unprecedented challenge to President Vladimir Putins control. While Russias crude shipments appeared unaffected, the nation is one of the top exporters and a pivotal member of OPEC+ along with Saudi Arabia. The immediate challenge to the Putin regime appears to have receded, RBC Capital Markets LLC analysts including Helima Croft said in a June 25 note. However, the risk of further civil unrest in Russia now must be factored into our oil analysis for the back half of the year. Goldman Sachs addressed a slate of possible, longer-term risks. Since the rebellion was initiated around Rostov-on-Don in the south by the Sea of Azov, which filters into the Black Sea oil infrastructure in that region may face a relatively higher risk of disruption or blockade, it said. In addition, given the Wagner groups presence in Libya, it possesses a capability to disrupt oil production there, Goldman said. Blockades which could limit nearly all of Libyas 1.1 million barrels a day of output have occurred several times in the last five years, according to Goldman. Still, the market could discount the increased risk of Russian supply disruptions as its OPEC+ partners, including Saudi Arabia, may dial down some of the recent voluntary cuts in response to any large export decline. And should tensions between the cartels two biggest producers escalate, there may be higher core OPEC output, it said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. US judge signals he is ready to hold auction of Citgo assets By Gary McWilliams HOUSTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Monday signaled he was prepared to go ahead with selling Venezuela-owned oil refiner Citgo Petroleum's assets to satisfy creditor claims while pushing back against one of Venezuela's key objections. U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Stark also will not seek permission to launch the auction without having shares of Citgo parent PDV Holding in the hands of the court, he said after a hearing on the auction. Stark plans to start regular meetings in July with the court officer who established auction process, he said. His decision whether to approve the auction calendar and address objections to the sales process also would come by late July, he said. Venezuela had objected to holding the auction without having the shares in court possession. Citgo declined to comment on the court proceedings. Stark has laid out an auction to sell shares in a Citgo parent whose only asset is the oil company to repay billions of dollars in claims against Venezuela. A proposed schedule aims to kick off marketing in September and wrap up any sale by mid-2024. Citgo and parents PDV Holding and Citgo Holding split from Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA in 2019 under an order by Venezuela's National Assembly after the U.S. imposed sanctions intended to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Stark has recognized claims from miner Crystallex International, oil firm ConocoPhillips, Siemens Energy and Red Tree Investments that could receive auction proceeds. Several other companies with billions of dollars in claims have sought to piggyback on the judgments. The U.S. Treasury has said the auction could go ahead, but participants would have to obtain a license to take possession of assets. Russian oil firm Rosneft last week turned over its 49.9% stake in another parent of Citgo, Venezuela's attorneys told the court. However, the Citgo Holding shares have no bearing on the proposed auction. Rosneft did not immediately reply to a request for comment. (Reporting by Gary McWilliams in HoustonEditing by Grant McCool and Matthew Lewis) SEC Approves First Ever Leveraged Bitcoin Futures ETF The BITX Fund Was Approved by the SEC The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first leveraged Bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund (ETF), Volatility Shares 2X Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITX). It is scheduled to launch on the Chicago Board Options BZX Exchange on 27 June, 2023. The fund looks for investment returns that are equivalent to double the return of the CME Bitcoin Futures Daily Roll Index. Investors can purchase shares of an ETF, which bundles securities like equities and commodities, to receive exposure to those securities without actually owning them. There are two main types of Bitcoin ETFs: Bitcoin futures and Bitcoin spot. BITX will be a leveraged ETF, using Bitcoin futures as leverage to amplify the returns of a benchmark index. The news was largely applauded by proponents of cryptocurrencies, but others wondered why a simple spot ETF launched before a 2X leveraged futures offering. The BITX fund was approved by the SEC as large traditional financial institutions look to enter the cryptocurrency market recently. (Bloomberg) -- Stability AI, the closely watched artificial intelligence startup, has lost at least two top executives in recent weeks, including its head of research and chief operating officer. Most Read from Bloomberg David Ha, head of research for the London-based startup, resigned this month. Chief Operating Officer Ren Ito was let go, according to Chief Executive Officer Emad Mostaque. Ito didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Itos departure is part of a broader shake-up at the company, Mostaque said. Its a shuffle that comes not long after a high-profile news report criticizing stability. We are reconstituting leadership as we scale, Mostaque said in a message late London time. He also said Stability was hiring, growing its ranks to 185 and more. In a series of tweets Monday, Mostaque pointed to new hires at the company and cited the need to scale right. In an emailed statement, Stability AI spokesman Motez Bishara wrote, We can confirm that David Ha has taken a break from employment at Stability AI for personal reasons. He also said, Ren Ito has left to pursue other interests. We wish them both well and thank them for their contributions to Stability AI. Ha declined to comment. The departures come the same month that an article in Forbes said Mostaque had a history of exaggeration. Mostaque denied the allegations in a lengthy blog post. He also responded to the report at the Bloomberg Technology Summit on June 22. I have Aspergers and ADHD, and I have a very definitive view of the future, he said on stage. I think that shocks people because they cant deal with the exponentials. Last valued by investors at $1 billion, Stability AI is known for popularizing Stable Diffusion, an open-source image generator it released publicly in August 2022. The startup didnt create the product, but Stability AI supported its development and has said that most of its original researchers now work for the company. Stable Diffusion emerged as a key rival to OpenAIs Dall-E, and Stability AI has since trained and released numerous versions of the tool. Before joining Stability AI, research chief Ha worked at Alphabet Inc.s Google Brain division, where he was a research scientist focused on generative artificial intelligence, technology that can generate content such as text or images. Ha joined Stability AI in October, where he was involved in recruiting and led the companys research efforts. Ha and Ito are not the only high-profile people to leave the startup this year after a relatively short tenure. In an interview with Bloomberg in May, Christian Cantrell said he left Stability at the end of March to start his own company. Cantrell had joined the company as vice president of product in October after working at Adobe for 20 years. He was responsible for offerings such as Stability AIs application programming interfaces and its DreamStudio software. DreamStudio can be used to produce and edit images via the Stable Diffusion image generator. --With assistance from Mark Bergen. (Updates with CEO comment starting in the second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Stellantis getting help from dealers to deliver cars in Italy FILE PHOTO: The logo of Stellantis is seen on a company's building in Velizy-Villacoublay near Paris MILAN (Reuters) - Stellantis has reached a deal with Italian dealers to help the carmaker deliver vehicles at a time of prolonged logistical disruption in Europe, the group's head for Italy Santo Ficili said on Monday. Under the arrangement, struck six months ago, dealers directly pick up cars from factories, rather than have them delivered by Stellantis, which is struggling with a shortage of lorry drivers linked to the war in Ukraine. The Stellantis manager said most of the drivers for car transporters are Ukrainian, adding that their shortage was affecting all carmakers in Europe. "We asked dealers to give us a hand (...) we immediately found a deal," Ficili said on the sidelines of an automotive conference in Milan. "Of course we're paying them for their service, we agreed on fees". Italy was one of the first countries in Europe to find such a solution, and its agreement with dealers, covering almost 20% of Stellantis' daily shipments for Italy, has been replicated in other countries, Ficili said. He said the arrangement was due to end once logistics go back to normal, which he expected "fairly soon". Stellantis is also training its staff to become truck drivers to help ease the crunch, and has reached a deal with truckmaker Iveco and Italian trailer maker Rolfo to buy 100 car transporters, Ficili said. However, no Stellantis employees have yet started as truck drivers as they have to complete their training, which lasts about four months, he said. (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, editing by Alvise Armellini) FILE - A view of the Trump International Hotel is seen on March 4, 2021, in Washington. The Supreme Court on Monday, June 26, 2023, dismissed a case it had planned to hear about limits on lawsuits filed by members of Congress against the federal government, in a dispute that involved the former Trump International Hotel in Washington, now a Waldorf Astoria. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a case it had planned to hear about limits on lawsuits filed by members of Congress against the federal government, in a dispute that involved the former Trump International Hotel in Washington. The justices threw out a federal appeals court ruling that had allowed a lawsuit by Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee to continue. The court's decision Monday had been sought by the Biden Justice Department, which had worried that the appeals court ruling, if let stand, could lead to a flood of lawsuits from individual members of Congress against the administration. The had lawmakers filed their complaint in 2017 over the Trump administration's refusal to turn over information about the Trump Organization's lease of the hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, between the White House and the Capitol. The high court's action was prompted by the decision of the Democratic lawmakers, earlier in June, to voluntarily end their case in a federal district court. Donald Trump's family no longer owns the hotel, now a Waldorf Astoria, and much of the information the lawmakers sought was eventually provided. The only documents that had been at issue were internal legal opinions. The justices stepped into the case last month, at the urging of the Biden administration. The Justice Department had argued that it was important to wipe the appellate ruling from the books so as not to encourage many other individual lawmakers to sue this administration or future ones in similar fashion. Members of Congress ordinarily can't go to federal court as individuals or in small groups and assert that their status as lawmakers gives them the right to sue when the administration in power refuses to comply with their demands for information. But a 95-year-old law allows any seven members of the House Oversight Committee or five senators on that body's similar committee to request and be provided certain information from federal agencies. Negotiations have almost always resolved any disputes. But the question of how to enforce the law when efforts at compromise fail has never been resolved. Since the law's enactment in 1928, lawmakers sued only twice previously and those cases, like this one, ended without significant legal rulings. (Bloomberg) After three pandemic summers, a record number of Americans will hit the highway this July 4th weekend, but even that wont return the countrys struggling gasoline sector to its pre-Covid peak. Most Read from Bloomberg More than 43 million motorists will drive 50 miles or more from their homes this Independence Day weekend, according to a forecast from AAA. Thats 4% more than in 2019 and would mark a new record. Several years of pent up demand and lower prices at the pump are largely to thank, with gasoline more than a dollar per gallon cheaper compared to last year. Throw in travel by planes, buses, cruise ships and trains, and holiday travel will hit an all-time high of 50.7 million Americans during the five-day period from Friday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 4, the motor club predicts. Weve never projected travel numbers this high for Independence Day weekend, said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. What this tells us is that despite inventory being limited and some prices 50% higher, consumers are not cutting back on travel this summer. But while record driving is good news for gasoline and the refiners who supply it, the widespread adoption of more efficient vehicles means fuel demand nonetheless remains muted and might never get back to pre-pandemic rates. Last year saw the biggest annual jump in efficiency for US cars in more than a decade, with the average car now getting 33.3 miles on a gallon of fuel, according to preliminary data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Although thats a plus for the environment, it means fuel use still almost 5% below the same time in 2019 in all likelihood will never return to that level again. Traffic crawls along the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Thats what the data showed during Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to the US driving season. Although AAA had predicted around 6% more travelers would drive during the late-May holiday weekend, US drivers ultimately consumed 1.5% less gasoline compared with a year ago, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. Despite the slowdown in gasoline consumption, the US market is still one of the brightest spots for global fuelmakers. That has drawn a rush of gasoline imports from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. One of the first California-based tech startups, Anduril Industries, is buying a rocket-engine business Adranos for unspecified terms to supply rocket motors used in missiles. Anduril, the first tech startup company to bag attractive large-scale weapons contracts from Pentagon, already has drones deployed in Ukraine, the WSJ reports. The acquisition will boost the company's presence in the military market as Pentagon contractors focus on enhancing production to cater to demand following Russia's last year invasion. There has been an increased backlog of rocket motor production, which has hindered the delivery of weapons like Stingler missiles. Also, the consolidation in the industry has left only two large providers - Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc (NYSE: AJRD) and Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE: NOC) Anduril executives said the war in Ukraine "only highlights the need for greater competition among solid rocket motor makers." With the U.S. preparing for a potential conflict with China, defense and industry officials raised concerns about insufficient U.S. manufacturing bases to produce weapons for the military. Adranos is an Indiana-based company creating a new solid rocket motor for missiles and space launches using a different fuel from conventional engines offering a higher range. As per Anduril, Adranos expanded the factory in Mississippi to significantly boost annual rocket engine output for missiles such as the Javelin used in Ukraine. Anduril has been on an acquisition spree, which aided it in foraying into new areas such as uncrewed underwater vehicles and added a portfolio concentrated on drones and surveillance equipment, backed by its proprietary software. Photo via Wikimedia Commons 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 Tech Startup Anduril Buys Adranos To Deliver Rocket Motors For Missiles originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. In this article, we will be covering the top 20 countries with the highest tobacco consumption. If you want to skip our analysis of the tobacco industry and consumption trends, go directly to the Top 5 Countries with the Highest Tobacco Consumption. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 1.3 billion tobacco users globally, and 80% of tobacco consumers reside in low- and middle-income nations. Primarily, tobacco is consumed through cigarettes around the world, and it kills more than 8 million people annually. This makes tobacco consumption one of the biggest epidemics in the world. Tobacco consumption directly contributes to the deaths of over 7 million people each year. Additionally, 1.2 million people lose their lives due to exposure to tobacco as second-hand smokers. The WHO believes that there are around 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, and no safe level of exposure can be determined for second-hand smoke. Experts believe that imposing taxes on tobacco products discourages its use. According to estimates provided by the WHO, an increase in the price of tobacco by 10% lowers its consumption by 4% in high-income countries and by 5% in low and middle-income nations. Ghana, Nigeria, and Panama are the least-smoking countries in the world as they have the lowest percentage of adults indulging in smoking as of 2020. Meanwhile, Serbia has the highest smoking rate in Europe by country at 39%. Globally, Bulgaria and Croatia are also among the top 10 countries with the highest percentage of smokers. As of 2020, 22.3% of the total population in the world used tobacco, and there was a stark contrast between the smoking rates by gender. Overall, 36.7% of all the men in the world and 7.8% of all the women in the world consumed tobacco. The female smoking rates by country are highly influenced by the socio-cultural values across regions. According to Grand View Research, the size of the global tobacco industry is anticipated to rise from $867.6 billion in 2022 to $1.05 trillion by the end of this decade. This reflects a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The growth is expected to be driven by an increased percentage of smokers in the world. Some of the leading tobacco companies in the world are Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM), British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI), Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO), Japan Tobacco Inc. (2914.T), and Imperial Brands PLC (IMB.L). The Stamford, Connecticut-based Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) is the biggest publicly listed tobacco company in the world. The company has a footprint in over 180 countries globally and has brands like Marlboro, L&M, and Chesterfield under its portfolio. The company was alone responsible for shipping 621 billion cigarettes globally in 2022. Meanwhile, Richmond, Virginia-based Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) is the second biggest publicly listed tobacco company in the world. The company is the parent of Phillip Morris USA and the producer of famous cigarette brands like Marlboro, Parliament, and Virginia Slims. To check out some other leading companies in the industry, head over to the 10 Best Tobacco and Cigarette Stocks To Buy. Top 20 Countries with the Highest Tobacco Consumption mmoktp/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology We shortlisted the top 20 countries using tobacco consumption by country data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). We have also included the percentage of adult smokers for each country, sourced from Our World in Data. The countries have been ranked in ascending order of their annual tobacco consumption as of 2020. Top 20 Countries with the Highest Tobacco Consumption 20. Netherlands Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 60,093 tons Population: 17,134,870 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 3.51 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 22.2% The Netherlands has implemented standardized packaging for tobacco products to discourage its consumption. This includes graphic health warnings covering a significant portion of the packaging. The display of tobacco products in stores is restricted as well, and advertising and promotion of tobacco products are tightly regulated. The legal age to purchase and consume tobacco products in the Netherlands is 18 years. 19. Spain Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 63,205 tons Population: 46,754,780 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 1.35 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 27.7% Spain has 48.2% of smokers in the 25 to 44-year age bracket. Meanwhile, 41.7% of smokers fall in the 16 to 24-year range. In this age group, women have a higher prevalence of smoking as compared to men. The minimum age to purchase tobacco in Spain is 18 years as well. 18. Cambodia Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 63,658 tons Population: 16,718,970 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 3.81 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 21.1% Cambodia faces an approximate annual economic cost of $227 million related to healthcare expenditure and productivity loss due to tobacco consumption. The country losses 16,000 lives annually due to tobacco consumption. There is a behaviour change taking place in the country now, with 95% of the people supporting an increase in taxes for cigarettes. 17. Argentina Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 65,674 tons Population: 45,195,770 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 1.45 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 24.5% Argentina loses around 45,000 lives annually due to cardiovascular diseases as a result of tobacco consumption. In March 2023, the Ministry of Health in Argentina imposed a ban on the import, distribution, and selling of electronic cigarettes and their accessories. E-cigarettes are commonly used to inhale tobacco vapours and are commonly referred to as "Heated Tobacco Products" (HTPs). 16. Germany Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 66,104 tons Population: 83,783,940 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 0.79 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 22% Germany consumed 180 million cigarettes per day in 2022, reflecting an 8.6% year-over-year (YoY) decline from 197 million in 2021. This reflects a declining preference for tobacco consumption amongst the German population. The country is working on the possibility of regulating the look and design of e-cigarettes so that their use can be discouraged as well. 15. Turkiye Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 66,203 tons Population: 84,339,070 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 0.78 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 30.7% Turkiye is working on discouraging the illegal production and consumption of tobacco. According to government estimates, the state loses $1.27 billion (TL 30 billion) in taxes due to the illegal trade of tobacco products. 14. Iraq Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 68,865 tons Population: 34,499,620 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 2 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 18.5% Iraq loses a life every 20 minutes due to smoking-related illnesses. Meanwhile, an average Iraqi person smokes 1,243 cigarettes every year. This translates into a daily consumption of 3.40 cigarettes. Tobacco is widely consumed through hookah, shisha, or water pipes as well. The country has secured the fourteenth place on our list of the top 20 countries with the highest tobacco consumption. 13. Iran Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 71,060 tons Population: 83,992,950 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 0.85 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 13.6% Iran faces a significant challenge in the tobacco industry as more than 50% of it is controlled by illegal businesses, as per the claims by the Association of Tobacco Products Manufacturers and Exporters. Since the start of 2022, the Islamic Republic has seen the price of cigarettes increase by 42%. 12. Ukraine Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 73,261 tons Population: 43,733,760 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 1.68 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 25.8% Ukraine has been playing an active role in controlling the consumption of tobacco despite its ongoing conflict with Russia. According to the WHO, due to smoking cessation activities, 63.1% of smokers intend to quit smoking, with 16.4% of smokers understanding the need for professional help to combat tobacco consumption. 11. Thailand Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 76,914 tons Population: 69,799,980 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 1.10 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 22.1% Thailand records the death of 50,000 people annually due to tobacco-related illnesses, and the gross domestic product (GDP) losses 0.78% of its value due to the impact of tobacco consumption. The country is in eleventh place amongst the 20 countries with the highest tobacco consumption. 10. North Korea Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 89,726 tons Population: 25,778,820 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 3.48 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 17.4% North Korea has a state-operated tobacco industry without the presence of any prominent global tobacco company. The industry produces various brands and cigarettes, with Kumsong being known as the most famous local brand. Imported cigarettes from countries like China and Russia are also available in North Korea. 9. Mozambique Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 99,817 tons Population: 31,255,440 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 3.19 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 14.3% Mozambique is known for producing both flue-cured and burley tobacco, which are primarily used for cigarette manufacturing. The country was the seventh-biggest producer of tobacco in the world as of 2020. Tobacco is considered an integral part of Mozambique's economy. 8. Russia Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 107,499 tons Population: 145,934,460 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 0.74 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 26.8% Russia lost 317,000 lives due to tobacco consumption in 2019. Overall, the number of male smokers in the country has declined from 30.5 million in 1990 to 26 million in 2019. On the other hand, the number of female smokers has increased from 6.9 million to 9 million during the same period. 7. Pakistan Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 118,836 tons Population: 220,892,340 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 0.54 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 20.2% Pakistan has a smoking population of over 22 million adults, making it secure the seventh place on our list of the top 20 countries with the highest tobacco consumption. Around 110,000 people die annually due to tobacco-related illnesses across Pakistan. 6. Indonesia Total Annual Tobacco Consumption: 192,905 tons Population: 273,523,610 Tobacco Consumption Per Capita: 0.71 kg Percentage of Adult Smokers: 37.6% Indonesia has one of the highest prevalence of tobacco consumption in Southeast Asia. Around 45% of adults in the country are exposed to second-hand smoke at their workplaces, and 60% of adults are exposed at home. The country faced a healthcare cost of $1.26 billion (IDR 18.9 trillion) due to tobacco-related illnesses in 2019. Some of the leading companies operating in the tobacco industry include Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM), British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI), Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO), Japan Tobacco Inc. (2914.T), and Imperial Brands PLC (IMB.L). Click to continue reading and see the Top 5 Countries with the Highest Tobacco Consumption. Suggested Articles: Disclosure. None: Top 20 Countries with the Highest Tobacco Consumption is originally published on Insider Monkey. (Bloomberg) -- Volatility has returned to European natural gas, driven in large part by a wave of new investors who bet that prices will fall. Most Read from Bloomberg Even before the rebellion in Russia pushed prices up 8.4%, the turbulence was evident with prolonged outages in top producer Norway, ending a long period of calm. The supply concerns sent speculators who had bet on gas declining rushing to buy futures to cover their positions called a short squeeze which exacerbated the price moves. Gas rose as much as 30% on June 15 and fell more than 20% the next day. Lured by the record profits like those seen last year, some funds that arent regular gas market participants likely entered into trades which quickly soured, according to brokers and traders. Total short positions held in the regions gas futures have surged to the highest in 15 months. Similar bets by speculative investment funds have hit unprecedented levels. Some people thought they could make a lot of money given where prices had been, but there was an exaggeration of what this really meant for the gas market, said Ed Morse, global head of commodities strategy at Citigroup Inc. Natural gas markets have proven to be a trap for both experienced and inexperienced traders. The deluge of short positions is creating plenty of risk, especially if investors are forced to cover their positions again in the event of more supply disruptions or heat waves in Europe and Asia push up demand. The mutiny in Russia will only add to the volatility, traders said on Monday. The market may also have to deal with heavy gyrations for a few more years. Some of the worlds largest gas producers have warned that Europe will remain prone to volatility until a new wave of supply, due around 2026, eases the tightness left by Russias cuts. That means a potential for sharp moves both upward as well as downward. The recent short-covering-driven rally in European natural gas prices illustrated how quickly prices can move when triggered by unforeseen events, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts led by Samantha Dart said last week. Fundamentals dont seem to justify the wide price swings as physical markets, where real gas shipments are bought and sold, are displaying a sense of calm. Europe remains well supplied despite the Norwegian outages, and is able to comfortably cover currently lackluster demand. Inventories too are fuller than normal. Liquidity has also strengthened, which typically keeps prices relatively stable. Aggregate open interest on Title Transfer Facility futures have rebounded to levels last seen in March 2022. Trading volumes have also surged. But prices continue to whipsaw, and some investors are putting the blame on speculators. They have been more systematic fast money and are less asset-backed, said Benedict Williams, a trader at Onyx Commodities Ltd in London. Many firms heard of bonanza years for gas traders and were keen to get involved. --With assistance from Elena Mazneva. (Adds Mondays gas price to paragraph two.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up to receive the Balance of Power newsletter in your inbox, and follow Bloomberg Politics on Twitter and Facebook for more. Most Read from Bloomberg German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his nation is prepared to station a permanent brigade of about 4,000 troops in Lithuania to help bolster NATOs eastern flank against potential Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed the possible threat of a terrorist attack on the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the leaders of the US, Canada and Poland, calling international attention to the issue insufficient. Ukrainian forces have taken control of the village of Rivnopil in the Donetsk region near the border with the Zaporizhzhia region, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Telegram. Malyar said last week that eight villages and towns had been retaken in the south of the country. Latest Coverage Russia Latest: NATO Chief Says Mutiny Reflects Putins Mistake Germany Ready to Station 4,000 Troops Permanently in Lithuania Russia Shows Putin Ally on TV With Army After Wagner Revolt Ukrainian Central Bank Held Key Rate in 7-3 Vote: Minutes Markets Wheat climbed to a fresh four-month high after an armed uprising in top exporter Russia added uncertainty over the outlook for grain shipments from the Black Sea breadbasket. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Consegic Business Intelligence is a data measurement and analytics service provider which gives the most exhaustive and reliable analysis available of global consumers and markets. Our research and competitive landscape allow organizations to record competing evolutions and apply strategies accordingly to set up a rewarding benchmark in the market. We are an intellectual team of experts working together with the winning inspirations to create and validate actionable insights that ensure business growth and profitable outcomes. Consegic Business Intelligence analyzes that the vanilla market is growing with a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period (2023-2030), propelled by the growing demand from the food & beverage industry, and major participants includes are Apex Flavors, Boston Vanilla Bean Company, Daintree Vanilla & Spice, E.A. Weber and Co., Lochhead Manufacturing Company, McCormick & Company, Inc., Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc., Rodelle Inc., Sambirano Aromatic, Keliff's, and Blue Pacific Flavours New York, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global V anilla M arket is expected to witness significant growth at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period of 2023-2030. This growth is attributed to the rising consumer demand for plant-based products. The vanilla market is expected to gain significant growth in the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. Consegic Business Intelligence analyzes that the market is expected to reach USD 3,151.76 million by 2030. The market, which was valued at USD 2,275.60 million in 2022, is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% during the period 2023-2030. Consegic Business Intelligence study also provides insights into the market's competitive landscape, market segmentation, regional outlook, and emerging technologies in the vanilla market. Get Sample Report@ https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/request-sample/1081 Vanilla is a flavoring agent that originated from the orchids of vanilla plants and is majorly grown in tropical regions such as Madagascar, Mexico, and Indonesia due to the ideal warm and humid climate in the regions. Various types of vanilla are commercialized in the market including Mexican, Madagascar or bourbon, and Tahiti which are well known for their fresh and exotic taste along with mild and pleasant fragrance. Additionally, vanilla has therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidepressant which increases its adoption in various end-use industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, and food and beverage, among others. Global Vanilla Market: Report Attributes Report Attributes Report Details Study Timeline 2017-2030 Market Size in 2030 (USD Million) 3,151.76 Million CAGR (2023-2030) 4.2% By Product Type Madagascar Vanilla, Mexican Vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla, and Others By Type Organic and Conventional By Form Powder, Liquid, and Others By End-Use Industry Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics & Personal Care, and Others By Distribution Channel Online (E-commerce Sites and Company Owned Websites) and Offline (Specialty Stores, Hypermarket/Supermarket, and Others) Report Coverage Company Ranking and Market Share, Growth Factors, Total Revenue Forecast, Regional Competitive Landscape, Business Strategies, and more. By Region North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa Key Players Apex Flavors, Boston Vanilla Bean Company, Daintree Vanilla & Spice, E.A. Weber and Co., Lochhead Manufacturing Company, McCormick & Company, Inc., Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc., Rodelle Inc., Sambirano Aromatic, Keliff's, and Blue Pacific Flavours Immediate Delivery Available, Buy Now @ https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/secure-checkout/1081 Global Vanilla Market Segmentation Details: Based on Product Type, in 2022, the Madagascar vanilla segment contributed the largest market shares in the vanilla market. Madagascar vanilla beans are considered the gold standard for quality vanilla beans in the spice world. Such types of vanilla beans are widely used in baking, aromatherapy, and perfume production to impart pleasant and mild fragrances or aromas which are key drivers boosting the segment growth. Based on Type, the organic segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period in the vanilla market owing to the rising consumer demand for organically grown natural flavoring products including organic vanilla due to the increasing focus on health. For instance, in May 2022, Solvay announced the plan to invest in Suanfarma's Cipan manufacturing site situated in Portugal, to advance its biotechnological capabilities and support the development of natural vanillin. Hence, the increasing development of natural ingredients such as vanillin is driving the growth of the vanilla market. Get Sample Report@ https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/request-sample/1081 Based on Form, the liquid segment contributed the largest market shares and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to the increasing demand for vanilla extract for preparing various food recipes and further the widespread use of vanilla to enhance other flavors such as caramel, chocolate, and coffee in cookies and cakes. Further, liquid vanilla is used in culinary preparations and has an extended shelf life and stability compared to other forms which are the crucial characteristics driving the market growth. Based on End-Use Industry, the cosmetics & personal care segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the fragrance and anti-aging benefits of vanilla. Vanilla is rich in antioxidants that help in preventing and reversing skin damage triggered by free radicals. Further, vanilla helps to slow down signs and symptoms of aging including wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Hence, the aforementioned factors are collectively responsible for the growth of the vanilla market. Based on Distribution Channel, the online segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period as the online channel provides convenience, allowing consumers to browse and purchase flavoring agents such as vanilla syrups, vanilla powders, and others from the comfort of their homes. Online retailers, e-commerce platforms, and company-owned websites have a wide range of options and flavors as compared to physical stores. This allows consumers to explore different brands and types of vanilla flavor-based products and compare prices of different products before purchasing which are the crucial factors expected to boost the growth of the market over the forecast period. Based on Region, in 2022, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share contribution to the market growth. This is due to the presence of key manufacturers in this region which are involved in research and development activities to adopt innovative ways of product creation to cater to the growing needs of various end-users. Further, the growth of the food and beverage industry along with the increasing consumer health consciousness and preference for natural products is driving the growth of the vanilla market in coming years. Competitive Landscape Apex Flavors, Boston Vanilla Bean Company, Daintree Vanilla & Spice, and E.A. Weber and Co. are major market players that comprise the latest market circumstances. These companies are continuously leveraging new technologies to develop innovative solutions that are more efficient, and cost-effective. Further, the vanilla market is expected to grow steadily due to increasing demand for vanilla extract in various cooking and baking applications. The market is characterized by intense competition, with companies focusing on expanding their product offerings and increasing their market share through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. Key Market Takeaways Based on the product type, the Madagascar vanilla segment accounted for the highest market share of 38.95% in the vanilla market statistics in 2022. By type, the organic segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on form, the liquid segment CAGR accounted for the highest market share in the vanilla market statistics in 2022. By end-use industry, the food & beverages segment accounted for the highest market share in the vanilla market statistics in 2022. Based on the distribution channel, the offline segment accounted for the highest market share in the vanilla market statistics in 2022. Europe is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period due to the increasing growth of the food & beverage industry. In 2022, Asia Pacific accounted for the highest market share at 40.05% and was valued at USD 911.38 million, and is expected to reach USD 1,266.38 million in 2030. Browse Full Report & TOC @ https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/vanilla-market Recent Developments In December 2021, Advanced Biotech introduced a bio-vanillin named Abtvanforall plus natural, for use in various alcoholic beverages, baked goods, frozen dairy, and hard candy manufacturing. In January 2021, Blue Pacific Flavours introduced Kilimanjaro Vanilla, a sustainable vanilla extract to cater to the growing demand of consumers for natural, clean-label, and sustainably manufactured products. List of Major Global Vanilla Market: Apex Flavors Boston Vanilla Bean Company Daintree Vanilla & Spice E.A. Weber and Co. Lochhead Manufacturing Company McCormick & Company, Inc. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. Rodelle Inc. Sambirano Aromatic Keliff's Blue Pacific Flavours Global Vanilla Market Segmentation: By Product Type Madagascar Vanilla Mexican Vanilla Tahitian Vanilla Others By Type Organic Conventional By Form Powder Liquid Others By End-Use Industry Food & Beverages Pharmaceutical Cosmetics & Personal Care Others By Distribution Channel Online E-commerce Sites Company Owned Websites Offline Specialty Stores Hypermarket/Supermarket Others Request for Customization @ https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/request-customization/1081 Frequently Asked Questions in the Vanilla Market Report What was the market size of vanilla in 2022? - In 2022, the market size of vanillas was USD 2,275.60 million. What will be the potential market valuation for vanilla by 2030? - In 2030, the market size of vanillas will be expected to reach 3,151.76 million. What is the key restraint, hampering the growth of the vanilla market? - Vulnerability to climate change and diseases and the high cost associated with vanilla production are the key factors hindering the growth of the vanilla market. What is the dominating segment in the vanilla market, by type? - In 2022, the conventional segment accounted for the highest market share in the overall vanilla market. Based on current market trends, which geographical region contributed the largest share of the market? - Asia Pacific contributed the largest market share of 40.05% in the vanilla market. Our Other Research Reports here:- Global Light Reflective Film Market Analysis & Industry Forecast To 2023 - 2030 Global InGaAs Image Sensor Market Analysis & Industry Forecast To 2023 - 2030 Pneumatic Fastening Tools Market Size 2023 to 2030 Photo Booth Market Size 2023 to 2030 Global Ethyl 3 Ethoxypropionate Market Analysis & Industry Forecast To 2023 - 2030 About Consegic Business Intelligence Pvt Ltd Consegic Business Intelligence Pvt Ltd . is the leading research industry that offers contextual and data-centric research services to its customers across the globe. The firm assists its clients to strategize business policies and accomplish sustainable growth in their respective market domains. The industry provides consulting services, syndicated research reports, and customized research reports. Topnotch research organizations and institutions to comprehend the regional and global commercial status use the data produced by Consegic Business Intelligence Pvt Ltd. Our reports comprise in-depth analytical and statistical analysis on various industries in foremost countries around the globe. Press Releases:- https://www.consegicbusinessintelligence.com/press-release/vanilla-market Contact: Consegic Business intelligence Pvt Ltd Contact no.: (US) (505) 715-4344 Email: sales@consegicbusinessintelligence.com SINGAPORE, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa (NYSE: V), the world's trusted leader in digital payments, and Hyundai Card, a leading credit card company in Korea, today announced a strategic business partnership to pursue potential collaboration opportunities in the development of insights and value from payments data. Hyundai Card and Visa ink strategic global data partnership. Ted Chung, Vice Chairman and CEO, Hyundai Card (left) and Ryan McInerney, CEO, Visa (right). The partnership signing ceremony was held at Visa's headquarters in San Francisco, U.S., on June 21 (local time). Executive representatives of both companies, including Ted (Tae-young) Chung, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Card, and Ryan McInerney, CEO of Visa, attended the event. "We look forward to working with Visa and combining both companies' expertise to providing advanced solutions that meet the needs of our partners and customers," said Ted Chung, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Card. "In addition to bolstering our data capabilities, we envision a future where our data-driven technologies will transform the way individuals and businesses interact with financial services." The two companies will leverage data science related resources and expertise to jointly develop innovative data products and solutions. Hyundai Card will offer its innovative data analytics platform globally by leveraging Visa's global network that spans over 200 countries and territories around the world. Its hyper-customised, marketing solution is supported by AI, and is currently provided to Hyundai Card's PLCC (Private Label Credit Card) partner companies. "Our partnership with Hyundai Card marks an exciting milestone where we are leveraging data analytics to drive innovative payments experiences. Visa and Hyundai Card are deeply aligned in our strategies on responsible data use and value-creating data innovation to address evolving consumer preferences and expectations," said Ryan McInerney, CEO, Visa. "We look forward to working with Hyundai Card to be at the forefront of innovative solutions that help individuals, businesses, and economies thrive." The partnership will also see Visa lending its extensive data assets and capabilities to support the growth of Hyundai Card's data alliance group and platform, "Domain Galaxy". The alliance, comprising 18 major industry players including Costco, Starbucks, Yanolja, provides PLCC partners with access to Hyundai Card's marketing platform and data analytics solutions. Beyond data analytics, Hyundai Card will also feature Visa as the company's preferred global payment brand and support Visa's diverse initiatives, including virtual cards and B2B payments. The partnership between Hyundai Card and Visa was founded on the two companies' complementary philosophies and strategies of utilising data for digital payment innovations. Moving forward, the two companies will collaborate to innovate and pursue new business opportunities for business expansion to international markets outside of South Korea. About Hyundai Card Hyundai Card is a leading credit card issuer headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Based on its' capabilities in data science, Hyundai Card is writing a new page in the history of the Korean PLCCs (Private Label Credit Card) partnering with leading champion brands from different industries. Simultaneously, Hyundai Card is expanding the boundaries of finance by transforming into a financial technology company. The company has been leading the Korean technology business with 'Doman Galaxy', a data alliance with its PLCC partners, exporting it's IT system 'H-ALIS' and introducing Apple Pay to Korea in 2023. For more information about Hyundai Card, please visit HyundaiCard.com About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/visa-and-hyundai-card-ink-strategic-global-data-partnership-301860834.html SOURCE Visa (Bloomberg) -- Wheat climbed to a fresh four-month high after the armed uprising in top exporter Russia added uncertainty over the outlook for grain shipments from the Black Sea breadbasket. Most Read from Bloomberg Russia is expected to be the worlds biggest wheat exporter this season and next, and any shift in its shipments would have a significant impact on global flows. There doesnt appear to be immediate disruptions to its wheat trade, although the shipping industry will be assessing the safety of operations in the region, said Carlos Mera, head of agricultural commodities market research at Rabobank. Chicago wheat futures climbed 1.3% to $7.56 a bushel as of 10:38 a.m. in New York trading Monday, after earlier rallying as much as 3.2% as traders weighed the implications of the weekend events. The advance puts prices on track for a 29% monthly gain, the biggest since 2015, which has also been driven by dry weather parching US corn and soy crops. Convoys loyal to Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, advanced toward Moscow on Saturday, demanding the removal of President Vladimir Putins army chiefs. A deal was struck to end the insurrection, prompting Prigozhin to halt his assault and agree to go into exile. It represented the greatest threat yet to Putins almost quarter-century rule. The situation could add to worries over the future of the pact that allows Ukraine to ship grain from Black Sea ports. The deal is up for renewal in mid-July and Ukraines infrastructure minister last week said he was not optimistic over its extension. Political upheaval in Russia makes it less likely that they will have time and willingness to sit down at the table and discuss the details of a grain deal, Mera said by phone. The rapid chain of events in Russia left the US and Europe trying to comprehend the political implications of a mutiny that opens cracks in Putins previously unquestioned authority in the Kremlin. The crisis unfolded amid bitter divisions in Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive tries to push Russian forces out of occupied territories. Read More: Putin Faces Historic Threat to Absolute Grip on Power in Russia Risks to the global market appear much more muted as Putin remains in control, Erik Meyersson, a strategist at Swedens SEB AB, said in a note. Still, the bank now sees a lower probability of a further extension of the Black Sea grain deal, adding to the upside for grain prices. Russias agricultural industry is operating normally and production chains are stable, Tass reported Saturday, citing Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev. If escalation were to increase, things could change, Kona Haque, head of commodities research at ED&F Man, said on Bloomberg Television with Francine Lacqua. For now, I think its just a wait-and-see approach. Chicago corn and soy futures also jumped. --With assistance from Aine Quinn and Michael Hirtzer. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up to receive the Balance of Power newsletter in your inbox, and follow Bloomberg Politics on Twitter and Facebook for more. Most Read from Bloomberg Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Xi Jinpings gamble on a no limits friendship with Vladimir Putin has looked like it could backfire. This weekends brief uprising against Moscow again underscored the risks facing the Chinese leader. China gave a vote of confidence in Putin on Sunday, noting the Russian presidents strong relationship with Xi while saying it was necessary to safeguard the common interests of both sides amid a complex and severe international situation. Asked directly about Putins deal with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Chinas Foreign Ministry said it supports Russias bid to maintain national stability in dealing with an internal affair. But despite the show of support, the stunning challenge to Putins authority instantly raised questions about the long-term implications for Xi from his ideological fight with the US to his own grip on power, which was questioned last year during rare nationwide protests against Covid restrictions. This chaotic sort of conclusion can only be seen as a loss for Beijing, said Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. It highlights the fragility of its most important partner on the world stage, it highlights the weakness of a man President Xi had sought to show himself close to and, if it leads to the end of the war, then it will free up some Western assets to refocus on China. While Xi consolidated power last year securing a precedent-defying third term, and faces no immediate threat to his rule, his diplomatic support for Putin in the wake of the war has inextricably linked the two men. They both oversee authoritarian governments that possess nuclear weapons and oppose democratic values espoused by the US and its allies. Even the prospect that Putin may be forced from power a scenario that looked plausible before Prigozhin suddenly turned his forces away from Moscow risks rippling through the establishment in Beijing. Over the weekend, a Weibo account operated by the Peoples Liberation Army published a post about how Mao Zedong revamped the military in 1927 to ensure the Communist Party retained absolute control, highlighting the risk in Putins reliance on private armies like the one run by Prigozhin. Although Xi has sought to consolidate his grip on Chinas armed forces, its uncertain whether he has total command. When US President Joe Biden referred to Xi as a dictator last week, he claimed Xi was embarrassed because he didnt know an alleged spy balloon was traveling over the US in February an incident that prompted relations between the worlds biggest economies to spiral. Whats happened in Russia reinforces the message that Xi Jinping needs to continue to maintain a very, very tight grip and continue to be suspicious of the military, said Tai Ming Cheung, director of the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation and author of the book Fortifying China: The Struggle to Build a Modern Defense Economy. Its very early days yet, but you will Im sure see in the Chinese military press, as they come in, the cause to renew the loyalty of the military to both the Communist Party, but particularly of Xi Jinping, he added. As international sanctions on Russia make Xis relationship with Putin increasingly asymmetric, China could further press its economic advantage. Beijing has already boosted use of the yuan in trade with Russia, demonstrating its utility as an alternative to dollar dominance. China has also bought more than $95 billion in Russian energy since the invasion, handing an important source of funding to Putins war machine. But becoming too dependent on Russia for energy also carries risks: RBC Capital Markets LLC analysts including Helima Croft said in a Sunday note that the threat of civil unrest in Russia must now be factored into oil analysis for the back half of the year. While the economic costs of Putins invasion expose the difficulties in managing a war, they wont necessarily deter Xi from his own military goals in Taiwan, the self-ruled island China claims as its own, according to Ja Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. At the same time, its a reminder of what can go wrong once a war starts, said Wen-Ti Sung, lecturer at Australia National University. He cited an adage from Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War, saying that generals on the battlefield arent always bound by orders from the sovereign. Wars always carry the risk of compromising civilian control over the military, Sung said. So Beijing will become ever more cautious about initiating a Taiwan conflict. China has slowly started creating some distance with Russia over the months, warning against the use of nuclear weapons and calling for the protection of civilians after the destruction of a dam in Ukraine. Xi also sent an envoy to Ukraine in a bid to help bring an end to the conflict, although few nations see China as a neutral broker. For now, Chinas strategy seems to be publicly back Putins ability to rule, without tying Xi too closely to the Russian leader until the full ramifications of the weekend become clear. While Chinas statements have mentioned Putin by name, Xi has still not had a public call with the Russian leader, unlike Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. There is little doubt that Beijing would be carefully scrutinizing the effectiveness of Russias war on Ukraine and the pitfalls it has encountered to date, said Elena Collinson, a senior project and research officer at the Australia-China Relations Institute of the University of Technology Sydney. Russias strategic value as a partner to China would substantially decrease with a failed invasion of Ukraine or the ouster of Putin. --With assistance from Yihui Xie, Swati Pandey and Philip Glamann. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to visit Beijing in early July for the first high-level economic talks with her new Chinese counterpart, people familiar with the scheduling said. Most Read from Bloomberg Her trip was long anticipated but was put off until the appropriate time, Yellen said in April. The people discussed the timing and purpose of the trip on condition of anonymity, because the details havent been officially announced. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen In addition, a Biden administration executive order that would regulate and potentially cut off certain US investments in China is nearing completion and officials are aiming to have it ready as soon as late July, people familiar with the internal deliberations said. The Treasury chief would be the second US cabinet official to travel to Beijing after relations between the worlds two biggest economies soured earlier this year. Secretary of State Antony Blinken just wrapped up his trip to China, where he met with his counterpart and also had a short audience with Chinese President Xi Jinping. US and Chinese officials described the Blinken visit as productive and said the two sides had candid conversations on a range of issues. An administration official said Monday that Yellens travel to China isnt confirmed yet, while the executive order hasnt been finalized and doesnt yet have a timeline for issuance. Vice Premier In March, He Lifeng a longtime confidant of Xi became Chinas vice premier responsible for economic policy, succeeding Liu He. That official is traditionally the counterpart to the US Treasury secretary. President Joe Biden is still due to speak with Xi, but a date hasnt been set. Biden said last week he anticipates a meeting with the Chinese leader in the near future. The two met in Indonesia in November 2022 during the Group of 20 summit. U.S. President Joe Biden, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands before a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit meeting in Bali, Indonesia Nov. 14, 2022.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) The Biden team for almost two years has been working on the executive order on US outbound investment in China, which would cover certain investments in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Work on the draft order has ramped up in recent weeks, with the goal of publishing it as soon as late July, though the timing could slip into August, people familiar with the discussions said. The final details are also still being worked out. The White House briefed key allies on its approach at the Group of Seven summit in May, and all countries broadly endorsed the concept. In an April speech on the USs policy toward China, Yellen said that the US would pursue policies to defend and secure its national security and that they were not intended to hold China back. Even as our targeted actions may have economic impacts, they are motivated solely by our concerns about our security and values, she said at Johns Hopkins University. Our goal is not to use these tools to gain competitive economic advantage. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Technology company executives Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman expressed support for government oversight of artificial intelligence after discussions with European Commissioner Thierry Breton. Most Read from Bloomberg The internal market chief said Friday that he and Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., were aligned on the EUs regulation of artificial intelligence, which is now in final negotiations. They agreed on the blocs risk-based approach and to measures like watermarking, Breton said. Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said he, too, agrees with the EU approach on AI, adding I really appreciate the European institution here, and the foresight on taking this issue so seriously, for the rest of the world, too. We look forward to working with you to be running well in advance and offering a European service in compliance with the European market, Altman told Breton. OpenAI developed the popular chatbot ChatGPT, which has created intense interest in the possibilities of generative AI, the technology the produces text or images in response to a users prompts. Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs, said his company shared our support for the objectives of the AI Pact. While we need to study the details, we recognize its important for tech companies to be open about the work theyre doing on AI & engage collaboratively across industry, governments & civil society. The discussions on Friday were part of Bretons tour this week of technology companies. After his visit to Meta, Breton said the owner of Facebook and Instagram appears well-prepared to meet Europes new strict content moderation rules, but will submit to a stress test of its systems next month. Meta presented a lot of information about its work to comply with the European Unions Digital Services Act, but were also happy to take a stress test not to forget anything, he said. Zuckerberg agreed to a test in mid-July to assess how the company handles content moderation rules. Breton said Meta has roughly 1,000 people working on DSA implementation. Metas CEO was interested in a future test of how the companys platforms will handle upcoming competition rules set out by the EUs Digital Markets Act. Companies have to self report as gatekeepers with certain core platform services on July 3. Breton also said he urged Zuckerberg to increase resources fighting disinformation, especially Russian disinformation in Eastern European countries about the war in Ukraine. And he discussed a report from the Wall Street Journal about child predators targeted kids on Metas Instagram photo-sharing site. Clegg, in a tweet, called it a constructive conversation. Weve invited his team to our Dublin campus to see how were stress testing our processes ahead of implementation, he said. Separately, Breton discussed artificial intelligence with Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia Corp., the worlds most-valuable chipmaker, which leads the market in supplying processors for AI. After the sit-down, Huang told reporters it was extremely likely that Nvidia would invest in Europe. On Thursday, Breton met with Twitter owner Elon Musk and new CEO Linda Yaccarino and told reporters that the social media site needs to put more resources toward addressing sensitive content if it wants to comply with the EUs rules ahead of an August deadline. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Detroit wins its battle to stretch out payments over 30 years to police and fire pension The city of Detroit won its battle in bankruptcy court Monday to stretch out its payments over 30 years, instead of 20, to the underfunded pension plan covering the city's police and fire employees. Back in August 2022, Mayor Mike Duggans administration filed the lawsuit in U.S. Bankruptcy Court that called for requiring the Police and Fire Retirement System to honor a 30-year amortization period. The police and fire pension system had adopted a 20-year repayment plan, which would begin July 1. On Monday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Tucker granted the city's motion and entered an order requiring the Police and Fire Retirement System to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability that exists as of June 30 over 30 years. In addition, the bankruptcy judge enjoined the Police and Fire Retirement System from further attempts to shorten the amortization period. As part of the historic bankruptcy, the city was given a break for 10 years from making payments to the police and fire system and the city's General Retirement System. Payments are to resume July 1 into both plans. The city must begin making annual payments to the Police and Fire Retirement System to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the unfunded actuarial accrued liability, according to the bankruptcy court filing. Jay Rising, chief financial officer for the city of Detroit, said in a phone interview with the Free Press that the city was pleased with the judges decision. Rising, a former state treasurer, said the city had prepared for making payments to the pension plans beginning July 1, as required, based on a 30-year amortization schedule by setting aside money regularly in its Retiree Protection Fund. He noted that a 30-year repayment was part of every single projection made, including those made by Emergency Manager Kevin Orr. Many experts had talked about the city facing a pension cliff when payments to the two legacy pension plans, including the citys General Retirement System, would need to resume after the 10-year break. Rising said the goal was to avoid a steep cliff as the city made the transition. The city, knowing how dangerous that was, created a ramp, Rising said, noting that the city has more than $400 million reserved to address the issue in what he called "an achievable way." Now, its exactly as we had planned it, Rising said. The increases from year to year are very, very manageable. The Retiree Protection Fund is projected to be spent by fiscal year 2038 and then the city would need to fund legacy pension payments exclusively by city revenues, according to a report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan. Requiring the city to go to a 20-year amortization in pension funding would have increased the citys costs on the front end, according to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan's report. "Shortening the amortization period for the city will require larger annual contributions upfront, thus impacting the citys fiscal condition." Rising said the city would face added financial stress under a 20-year amortization schedule. The city, he said, would be looking at making roughly $20 million more in annual payments to the two pension plans, if the 20-year repayment was required. It was a curveball, Rising said. If the police and fire plan proved successful in a 20-year amortization schedule, he said, it was expected that the General Retirement System would naturally want the same. Bruce Babiarz, a spokesperson for the Police and Fire Retirement System, said Monday that the pension plan trustees, who voted to approve a 20-year amortization, are disappointed that the judge would rule to "reduce payments to the system after this 10-year hiatus in any payments." The police and fire pension board adopted a 20-year amortization as of November 2021 and maintained that the board has the right to do so. The bankruptcy court Monday ruled against that strategy. The Police and Fire Retirement System had contended that no particular amortization schedule was spelled out in the city's bankruptcy plan of adjustment. The amortization issue covers the pension plan that was frozen in bankruptcy and now covers only public safety employees and retirees who worked for the city prior to July 1, 2014. PFRS Chairman Dean Pincheck had argued earlier that "the 30-year model may be better for city budgets but is not in the best interest of retirees. More: Detroit sues to stretch police and fire pension payments over 30 years Tucker, who replaced then-Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes when he retired in 2015, heard arguments by phone on the amortization issue in mid-March but had yet to issue a ruling until Monday. Many had hoped he would issue a ruling before payments would resume July 1. The amortization period essentially establishes the time frame for when the city's unfunded liability for pensions would be expected to be paid. Think of it like a 15-year or 30-year mortgage. A 20-year time frame would have meant that the city's regular payments into the pension plan would have been higher but the city could have ended up saving money over the long run. You pay less each month on a 30-year mortgage, for example, but you're paying far higher total costs over those 30 years. Like homeowners, though, the city wanted more flexibility, more time and more room in its budget. The time frame or amortization does not alter what retirees are paid for their pensions. The unions maintained that a 30-year plan puts pension funds at greater risk over the long run. The police and fire plan was looking to receive $82 million for the year from the city, based on a 20-year amortization. The city's contribution would be $12 million less at $70 million with a 30-year amortization, according to Babiarz. Doug Bernstein, a bankruptcy attorney at Plunkett Cooney in Bloomfield Hills who regularly followed the bankruptcy case, said Monday that Tuckers decision is consistent with how he believes Rhodes would have ruled based on all testimony and evidence presented in confirming the plan of adjustment. At the time the plan was confirmed, Judge Rhodes determined that the plan was feasible, but only barely so, Bernstein said. To allow the amortization to be shortened would not be consistent with what was intended when the plan was proposed, given the slim margin for error. Bernstein is now counsel for the Foundation for Detroit's Future, a nonprofit affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which was set up to implement the funding of the "Grand Bargain" approved as part of Detroit's plan of adjustment. During the mayors budget proposal in March 2022, Duggan warned the city would have to slash the city budget to make the 20-year payments and would take the issue to bankruptcy court. Free Press staff writer Dana Afana contributed to this report. Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @tompor. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit wins battle to stretch pension system payments to 30 years A Stafford County man has been charged with murder and several other offenses in connection with an incident in Dumfries on Friday during which two men were shot. Daniel Christopher Shannon, 33, of Olde Forge Drive in southern Stafford is also charged with aggravated malicious wounding, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony and shooting within an occupied dwelling. He had not been apprehended as of Monday evening. According to a new release from the Prince William County Police Department, Shannon and others were in a home in the 1900 block of Fort Monroe Court when an argument erupted. After the combatants were separated, police said Shannon went to the upper level of the home and shot both victims in the upper body. The suspect had fled by the time police arrived, and both victims were rushed to a hospital. Jeremiah Quentin Deck, 21, of Woodbridge, died as the result of his injuries; the other victim, a 23-year-old man, is still in the hospital but is expected to survive, police said. Shannon, who used to live in Woodbridge, is described as being 6 feet tall, 230 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He left the scene in a blue 2006 Ford Explorer with Virginia tags VVA-7727. Anyone with information regarding Shannons whereabouts is asked to call Prince William police at 703/792-6500. The Spotsylvania School Board this year approved changes to a number of employment-related policies and regulations and introduced two new resolutions that set it apart from other area school divisions. All the changes have been made since Superintendent Mark Taylor took over leadership of the school division in November. The two resolutions, which were approved by a 43 vote at a special meeting March 9, grant School Board Chair Lisa Phelps the authority to hire contracted employees teachers, principals, assistant principals and some supervisors without full board approval, and grant Taylor the authority to do the same for noncontracted employees. According to the language of the resolutions, their purpose is to speed up the employment process in light of the "extremely competitive" labor market. A School Board is considered a "body corporate" by Virginia Code, meaning that it has legal rights and responsibilities only as a whole and that individual members have none of these rights and responsibilities unless they are granted by the board as a whole. Because of this language, school boards usually review and vote as a whole to approve all new hires at regular monthly meetings. This is the practice followed by other area school boards and by the Spotsylvania School Board until the new resolutions were adopted. The vote is usually to approve, rather than deny, the monthly personnel packets, which can contain resignations, retirements, appointments, transfer requests and other personnel matters and have gone through the established human resources process. According to the minutes of previous Spotsylvania School Board meetings, Phelps, sometimes joined by board members Kirk Twigg and Rabih Abuismail, voted against the personnel packet without giving any reason on six occasions between 2019 and 2021. Last year, board members Dawn Shelley, Nicole Cole and Lorita Daniels voted against personnel packets on at least two occasions, but stated they were only opposed to one or two positions because they had not been discussed before. The three board members made clear they were not opposed to the entire packet. At the March 9 meeting at which the two resolutions were approved, Daniels said she could not support relinquishing the board's authority to review personnel appointments. "I appreciate the tenacity in terms of getting personnel here, so we can expedite the hiring process because of the competition," she said. "But I don't want to negate our ability as a board to do our job in terms of helping you get personnel here. While I'm on a board, my goal is to have oversight as a governing body." Taylor said the new resolutions are about meeting "the absolute urgent need of the division right now ... to increase our agility and speed at getting contracts executed with licensed staff and to get offer letters or engagements set with non-licensed staff." As of June 12, 10% of all the division's teaching positions were vacant. Salem, Spotsylvania, Parkside and Harrison Road elementary schools had between 16% and 23% of teaching positions vacant and one-third of the Head Start program's teaching positions were vacant. Of all the division's pupil support service positions counselors, social workers and psychologists 17% were vacant, and 13% of all support staff positions, such as paraeducators, were vacant. Also at the March 9 meeting, the School Board narrowly approved changes to policy GDB, which concerns "support staff and administrative/supervisory personnel employment procedures." Before the changes, policy GDB stated that the board would issue "annual contracts to certain support personnel who are eligible for coverage under the Virginia Retirement System, although such personnel are not required to have a license issued by the Board of Education." The new policy states that all support staff and administrative and supervisory personnel, except for those holding the title of "Director, Executive Director, Chief and the Deputy Superintendent," will receive letters of agreement, rather than contracts. Contracts are legally enforceable in court, but agreements are not, unless they contain the essential elements that make a contract legally enforceable. The new policy GDB also has added language stating that employees fall under the "at-will" employment doctrine, and "support staff may ... be subject to immediate dismissal for any or no stated reason." Prior to the change, the policy stated that employees were subject to immediate dismissal for "just cause." Virginia follows the legal doctrine of "at-will employment," which means that employees can be terminated at any time for any reason or for no cause, unless they have contracts that state otherwise. However, both Fredericksburg and Stafford school divisions have policies stating reasonable causes for dismissal, suspension or demotion of support personnel. Fredericksburg's policy concerning dismissal of support staff lists 15 reasons and Stafford's policy states such reasons as, "unsatisfactory performance ...,violation of the policies and regulations of the board, the rules of the employees department/school, or the directives of his/her supervisor; and for other good and just cause." At the March 9 meeting at which the employment policy changes and resolutions were approved, Taylor introduced attorney Daniel Masakayan, an associate in the labor and employment group at the law firm McGuire Woods, and thanked him for his help. From December through the first week of June, the Spotsylvania school division has paid more than $54,000 to McGuire Woods for analysis, advice and strategies regarding "employment issues," according to invoices and weekly bill lists posted to the division's website. The payments are in addition to money paid to the law firms Robinson Stover for general legal counsel and Sands Anderson for special education matters. At its most recent meeting on June 12, the School Board approved changes to two more human resources policies: one that states requests to withdraw or change the date of retirement "may or may not" be approved and another stating that employees not under contract do not need to submit advance notice of their wish to terminate their employment. The Free LanceStar reached out to the school division with questions about the purpose of these policy changes but did not receive a response. Homeownership is one of the best ways to create generational wealth, but homeownership rates have been consistently lower for minority and low-income populations for decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the homeownership rate for white families in the first quarter of 2023 was 74%, compared to 46% for Black families, 50% for Hispanic families and 53% for households making less than the median family income. Sharon Glover, a 30-year veteran of the mortgage business and the founder of Faith Housing Coalition a local nonprofit that works to provide affordable housing opportunities to the underserved and low to moderate income families said there are plenty of reasons for this disparity in homeownership rates. There is definitely a fear (of being taken advantage of), Glover said. Theres a lack of financial literacy. And there are generational situations. People see only one way of doing things. There needs to be someone in the family to step up and say, Things can be different. In an effort to start to bridge the gap, Glover wanted to organize a housing expo geared toward the underserved population. The inaugural event was held Saturday at James Monroe High School and featured mortgage lenders, Realtors, brokers, fair housing advocates and representatives from other community organizations that provide services to the elderly, disabled and low-income populations. We want people to see that we are here for them, Glover said. We want them to ask questions and feel comfortable asking questions. We want them to be able to put a face to a name. The event was so important to Glover that she hit the pavement to hand out flyers at local churches, stores and in neighborhoods, as well as with the area Chamber of Commerce and economic development authorities. In addition to the information tables, the expo also featured 1-hour classes on the home-buying process presented by Realtors, brokers and home inspectors. Broker Lori Bonnell presented one of the classes and said Saturdays event was really important. Lack of knowledge is the biggest barrier to homeownership, she said. This is a really important event to answer the questions people think are stupid. There is never a stupid question. Bonnell said that it will help prospective buyers to know there are real people living in their community who can work with them the process. Real estate agent Joe Bernard and his wife, loan originator Deneen Bernard, are two of those people. They were at the expo representing Homes for Heroes, a nationwide network of real estate agents and mortgage specialists that work to make homeownership possible for first responders, health care workers, educators, law enforcement officers and military service members. Bernard said he donates the commission he earns from each sale to Homes for Heroes, which then provides 75% of that back to the buyer to use as a downpayment, pay closing costs or put into savings. His wife works with buyers to negotiate fair mortgage loans. Because how they get you is the fees, Bernard said. This is about giving back to those who give to us. Patricia Dinkens with Samson Properties and Quincy Bruce with Movement Mortgage were another Realtor-lender team attending the expo. Homeownership generates legacy, wealth and stability, Dinkens said. We can help you stop paying rent to the landlord. Other presenters and groups that attended the expo were Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, a civil rights organization promoting diversity in homeownership; Leroy Adkins, who works in energy assistance outreach for Dominion Energy; the husband-and-wife team behind Home Run Transportation, a nonemergency medical transportation company for seniors and the disabled; Legal Aid Works; Senior Medicare Patrol; and CERVE of Caroline County, which provides emergency relief to residents. As politicians battle over gay rights in statehouses across the country, it's difficult to know exactly how many people even identify as LGBTQ and experts say the missing data could be crucial. That's because the decennial U.S. census the gold standard of who exactly makes up the U.S. population does not ask about sexual orientation or gender identity beyond a strict male/female binary. There are estimates. Experts at nonprofits estimated in 2020 that there are more than 13 million LGBTQ people nationwide, but estimates can vary wildly based on methodology and likely undercount of the total population. That can be a significant problem in a country where, oftentimes, funding for everything from health care to housing is determined by the number of people it would help in a given area. There is a significant amount of resources and decision-making that is connected to the Census Bureau data, Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group based in Kalamazoo, told The Detroit News. Being invisible within the system, being only partially counted, is problematic. Experts agree its time for questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, but getting there might not be as easy as throwing a question on a form. LGBTQ identity is oftentimes a complex thing for people to put a specific label on, and the idea of effectively coming out in a government census, particularly with the passage of increasingly anti-LGBTQ laws around the country, can be frightening. Its really difficult to get enthusiastic about the opportunity of completing a questionnaire like the census while their privacy and human rights are actively being violated by state governments and institutions, Knott said. What LGBTQ census questions do exist? Certain surveys from the Census Bureau do ask specific questions about a persons LGBTQ identity. The Bureau points to products like the American Housing Survey, the National Crime Victimization Survey, and the Household Pulse Survey. There are also questions on several products on same-sex couple households. But those surveys are not as expansive as the decennial census, which seeks to measure every person in the country every 10 years. Questions on same-sex couple households, for instance, dont count LGBTQ people who arent living together, or families where one or both partners may be queer, but they arent the same sex. We know that only, at most, 20% of LGBT people are living in same-sex couple households, said Kerith Conron, research director at UCLAs Williams Institute, the leading research center on sexual orientation and gender identity as it relates to law and public policy. We dont know about the other 80% or so. Having the same-sex couple household data has been helpful, Conron said, but LGBTQ people tend to skew younger, which limits the number of people who would be married in the first place, Conron said. Questions like that also tend to make trans people invisible, she said, by asking only about a persons male or female identity. At this point, many people feel like what we often refer to as SOGI sexual orientation, gender identity is just another demographic characteristic, she said. Theres no reason not to include it as a core question on every form and survey, particularly those that are anonymous, collected by federal and state agencies because we should be tracking outcomes and wellbeing for LGBTQ people just like everybody else. The Census Bureau says it is conducting research into how it can measure LGBTQ populations in the U.S., including actively and consistently engaging with leaders and stakeholders in the LGBTQI+ communities to better understand their needs and concerns. Questions on the decennial census come from a variety of sources, according to the bureau, including congressional mandates, feedback from the public, guidelines from the Office of Management and Budget and more. The bureau did not say whether it was planning to add new questions to the decennial census but noted it had gotten $10 million to research adding questions on sexuality and gender identity to the American Community Survey and that it was testing proxy responses (when a single person at an address answers questions for everyone living there) in the American Housing Survey. Until a question appears on all questionnaires, though, it can be hard to properly allocate resources at the federal level or even to track things like health disparities and civil rights enforcement fully. How can we ask about LGBTQ identity on the census? Experts agree that one of the best ways to get people to answer questions about their identity would be to better publicize the fact that data collected by the Census Bureau is confidential, as is the law. Nothing identifiable is released for 72 years after a decennial census, and the Census Bureau noted in a statement that census and surveys cannot be used for law enforcement or any other purposes that are not statistical. But fear can lead people not to answer questions truthfully, or otherwise skip census questionnaires entirely. Many experts and advocates worried that, after former President Donald Trumps administration tried to put a question asking about citizenship on the 2020 census (a move later blocked by the Supreme Court), Hispanic residents in several states were undercounted. To ensure queer people feel comfortable answering truthfully, Shoshana Goldberg, director of public education and research for the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said that she would want to see a push for public education on how census data is used. That would include information on how data is kept private and what measures are taken to ensure that no one can be identified personally from what is publicly released in the months and years immediately after the census is taken. 25 LGBTQ+ people who changed the course of history 25 LGBTQ+ people who changed the course of history Julius Caesar Alexander the Great Leonardo da Vinci Isaac Newton Chevalier d'Eon Walt Whitman Oscar Wilde Emily Dickinson Lili Elbe Virginia Woolf Wilfred Owen Josephine Baker Frida Kahlo Alan Turing Bayard Rustin Billie Holiday James Baldwin Gore Vidal Andy Warhol Harvey Milk Tab Hunter Jackie Shane Divine Marsha P. Johnson Freddie Mercury AMSTERDAM Henk Schiffmaker's needle whirrs as he tattoos the familiar lines of an elephant on Lilian Rachmaran's back. Highbrow to lowbrow is how the famous Dutch tattoo artist describes his latest project inking sketches by Rembrandt van Rijn onto the skin of visitors to the building the Golden Age master once called home. Or call it high art to body art. The Rembrandt House Museum has transformed one of its rooms into a tattoo parlor for a residency it calls A Poor Man's Rembrandt, featuring Schiffmaker and other top Amsterdam tattoo artists for a week starting Monday. For between about $54-$270, visitors can get their own permanent reminder of Rembrandt. It's a juxtaposition a jump from high to low, from highbrow to lowbrow, Schiffmacher said. And it's great that these two worlds can visit one another. Actually it's really one world because it's about art. Museum Director Milou Halbesma said the event is a way of attracting new visitors to the historic house and getting people closer to the artist. I think its a very good contemporary way to have your own Rembrandt, she said. The workshop has already proved a hit. All appointments available online were filled within 10 minutes, she said, though there are still some slots available for people who walk into the museum and wait their turn. Schiffmacher and his colleagues have adapted some of Rembrandt's sketches to make them suitable for tattooing making lines thinner so they don't grow together as the tattoo ages. They see similarities between their work and the artist's quick sketches but there is one key difference. The canvas is different, Schiffmacher said. The canvas can talk to you, move too much, float, even faint. That didn't happen for Rembrandt. Rachmaran, who works at the museum, was the first person in Schiffmacher's chair. She got his version of one of Rembrandt's famous sketches of an Asian elephant believed to be Hansken, which first arrived in Amsterdam in 1633 on a ship from Ceylon now Sri Lanka as a gift for the Prince of Orange. I love the animals, theyre so spiritual and smart and impressing and Rembrandt also made Hansken, the first elephant in Europe, she said. Getting a work by Schiffmacher in between her other tattoos was also part of the attraction Monday. Im very honored to have one made by Henk himself, she said. Who owns some of the most valuable art collections in the world? Who owns some of the most valuable art collections in the world? Steve Cohen Francois Pinault Philip Niarchos Edythe Broad David Geffen Ezra and David Nahmad The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday acknowledged Nebraska courts obligation to follow federal regulations in cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act. The ruling came in the form of a supplemental opinion on the heels of the United States Supreme Court upholding the ICWA in Haaland v. Brackeen, a Texas case. In light of the June 15 decision, attorney Jacinta Dai-Klabunde of Legal Aid of Nebraskas Juvenile Justice Project asked Nebraskas high court for a rehearing in a case where she represents the mother of two boys, Manuel and Mateo. The mother alleged the ICWA should apply in her case because her children were considered Indian children under the Act. After the juvenile court found the federal Act did not apply, Dai-Klabunde appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court, alongside the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, and asked the court to overturn the juvenile courts order finding the ICWA was not applicable. In its original opinion, issued April 21, the Nebraska Supreme Court found that tribes have the sovereign right to determine their members. But they upheld the juvenile courts order, finding the mother hadnt sufficiently proven the children were members of the tribe so they werent entitled to the rights guaranteed to children under the Act. Dai-Klabunde said under the regulations a state court must treat a case as an ICWA case whenever there is reason to know a child involved is an Indian child. Although the Nebraska Supreme Court determined not to rehear the case, the court recognized that Nebraska courts must follow the federal regulations, she said. The Supreme Court struck language from its original decision, which said the burden was on the tribe to show that ICWA applied to the case. The court still upheld the juvenile courts order that ICWA did not apply in this case, and found the juvenile court met the federal regulations. The ICWA is a vital federal law requiring Native American voices play a central role in raising and caring for Native American children, said Jonathan Seagrass, Managing Attorney of Legal Aid of Nebraskas Native American Program. He said the federal regulations, implemented in 2016, set forth rules state courts must follow in ICWA proceedings. Although we are disappointed that the juvenile courts order finding the ICWA did not apply in this case was upheld, todays supplemental opinion clarifies that the federal regulations need to be followed by our state courts, Seagrass said. As an international group of agencies investigates why the Titan submersible imploded while carrying five people to the Titanic wreckage, U.S. maritime officials say theyll issue a report aimed at improving the safety of submersibles worldwide. Investigators from the U.S., Canada, France and the United Kingdom are working closely together on the probe of the June 18 accident, which happened in an unforgiving and difficult-to-access region" of the North Atlantic, said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the Coast Guard First District. Salvage operations from the sea floor are ongoing, and the accident site has been mapped, Coast Guard chief investigator Capt. Jason Neubauer said Sunday. He did not give a timeline for the investigation. Neubauer said the final report will be issued to the International Maritime Organization. My primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to advance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide, Neubauer said. Evidence is being collected in the port of St. Johns, Newfoundland, in coordination with Canadian authorities. All five people on board the Titan were killed. Debris from the vessel was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater and roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic on the ocean floor, the Coast Guard said last week. One of the experts whom the Coast Guard has been consulting said Monday that he doesnt believe there is any more evidence to find. It is my professional opinion that all the debris is located in a very small area and that all debris has been found, said Carl Hartsfield, a retired Navy captain and submarine officer who now directs a lab at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution that designs and operates autonomous underwater vehicles. The search is taking place in a complex ocean environment where the Gulf Stream meets the Labrador Current, an area where challenging and hard-to-predict ocean currents can make controlling an underwater vehicle more difficult, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol. Hartsfield, however, said based on the data he's reviewed and the performance of the remote vehicles so far, he doesn't expect currents to be a problem. Also working in the searchers' favor, he said, is that the debris is located in a compact area and the ocean bottom where they are searching is smooth and not near any of the Titanic debris. Authorities are still trying to sort out what agency or agencies are responsible for determining the cause of the tragedy, which happened in international waters. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the U.S. but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. Meanwhile, the Titans mother ship, the Polar Prince, was from Canada, and those killed were from England, Pakistan, France, and the U.S. A key part of any investigation is likely to be the Titan itself. The vessel was not registered either with the U.S. or with international agencies that regulate safety. And it wasnt classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. The investigation is also complicated by the fact that the world of deep-sea exploration is not well-regulated. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan when it imploded, had complained that regulations can stifle progress. Will Kohnen, chairman of the manned undersea vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, said Monday that he is hopeful the investigation will spur reforms. He noted that many Coast Guards, including in the United States, have regulations for tourist submersibles but none cover the depths the Titan was aiming to reach. The International Maritime Organization, the U.N.s maritime agency, has similar rules for tourist submersibles in international waters. The Marine Technology Society is an international group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy makers, and educators. Its just a matter of sitting everyone at the table and hashing it out, Kohnen said of amending rules to require submersibles to be certified and inspected, provide emergency and plans, and carry life support systems. If it chooses to do so, the Coast Guard can make recommendations to prosecutors to pursue civil or criminal sanctions in the Titan explosion. Questions about the submersibles safety were raised both by a former company employee and former passengers. Others have asked why the Polar Prince waited several hours after the vessel lost communications to contact rescue officials. The Titan launched at 8 a.m. June 18 and was reported overdue that afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns. 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 Coast Guard announced debris had been found near the Titanic. 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. As my professional journey takes me out of partisan politics, I have been thinking about how political theater can both advance, and retard, good public outcomes. By political theater I mean the way political actors (elected or not) use their platforms for public attention. Two different approaches that capture the dilemma of what it means to be successful in politics today, involve two men sharing the same last name. Wasnt it a pleasant surprise to see Wayne Williams, Colorados former secretary of state, who failed in his bid to be the mayor of Colorado Springs, appear in a video with his successful rival, Yemi Mobolade, talking about working together to help their city? In an era of election denial and constant political combat, it was refreshing to see two political opponents come together with a sincere message urging collaboration. That it is refreshing and, therefore, unusual tells us how far we have descended from what used to be normal civic consciousness by politicians. Of course, it is spot-on brand for Wayne Williams to move beyond differences of opinion and model political decency. He did the same thing with his former opponent, Secretary of State Jena Griswold when he appeared in an ad with her, to reassure voters about the integrity of Colorado elections. Its the kind of proactive instinct for appealing to the common good that is part of his reputation. It is also a tribute to Mayor Mobolades willingness to put aside triumphalism and make the case for unifying the electorate in his city. However small the gesture, it was a big step in the right direction for politics. The newly elected Colorado state Republican Party chair, Dave Williams, attracted different headlines. He went after his one-time opponent, U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, for supporting U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in averting a catastrophic debt crisis. Chairman Williams also chastised Republican legislators for opposing a move by the Montana State House to ban participation in their legislative process by a transgender legislator. Most recently he seemed joyful about wrecking the chances of a very capable Republican legislator (state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer) from attempting a second congressional campaign. Let me acknowledge that Wayne Williams is a man I know and have had the privilege of working with in state government. I dont know Dave Williams. He may have a capacity for collaboration and promoting goodwill in politics that I missed. He might well argue that its not his job to be nice to his opponents. But is it also his job to go after his fellow Republicans? To be fair, its not unheard of for party chairs to criticize members of their own party, but its rare, and mostly to advance party cohesion when members go rogue on broadly held values or platform positions. Vilifying legislative decisions by members of your party seems risky when your job is to build out, and not narrow, your membership. But what if Chairman Williams political theater is based on conviction? Dont we need more political leaders willing to speak their firmly held convictions? It puts me in mind of a conservative political leader I have somewhat grudgingly come to admire, the late Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher, of course, practically coined the term conviction politician and her combative take-no-prisoners style did not always wear well. But if you read about her life, watch, or listen to her speeches and interviews, she was only rarely lured into political theater for political theaters sake. She was tough on her opponents, but there was always a foundation of deeply held and rationally consistent conviction behind her rhetoric, and there was also a grace and eloquence in her toughness. Calling her a firebrand would not do justice to the intellectual rigor or depth of her reputation. If Thatcher was in office today, I doubt that she would be interested in attracting likes or retweets on social media platforms. She was, above all, a serious person. Chairman Williams attacks on fellow Republicans doesnt seem Thatcher-like to me; it seems more like the kind of highly combustible political theater that attracts attention but doesnt really move policy or advance public good. I doubt it helps raise funds for the GOP, either. Worse yet, it alienates people from lifting their head up and participating in politics. This isnt a call for kumbaya and cant-we-all-get-along politics can be a rough business because it is ultimately a serious one. Important disagreements are at the heart of politics and convictions are part of the bloodstream. But finding the balance between fighting for convictions and collaborating to achieve common good, shouldnt be so hard. It is particularly crucial for the health of our democracy that our elected and partisan leaders seek that balance, even in an environment that rewards political theater aimed at destroying rivals. So, Godspeed Wayne Williams and Yemi Mobolade. The House Committee on Natural Resources hearing on H.R. 3397, sponsored by Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, to require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw the proposed conservation rule was tense. Tense also describes most conversations among cattlemen in states were permittees graze public lands, including this one. The BLMs Conservation and Landscape Health proposed rule lacks the congressional oversight dictated by the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA). If the rule goes into effect, it will be the first time FLPMA would be rewritten without congressional action, exactly what the Act is designed to prevent. FLPMA is the BLMs organic act that establishes the agencys multiple-use and sustained yield mandate to serve present and future generations. This proposed rule flies in the face of FLPMA by elevating conservation to a use and removing extraction grazing, oil and gas, minerals, etc. from public lands and thereby removing opportunity for sustainable yield from those lands. Sigrid Johannes, director of the Public Lands Council, said the Conservation Land Use Rule is a major change to multiple use land management and one that would normally carry a 12-month scoping period with extensive opportunities for stakeholder engagement. This rule has been rushed through a short comment period and only three public meetings have been held, none of which offered comments or questions from attendees. Further, the meetings were in Denver, Reno, and Albuquerque, far from the majority of permittees across the Western states. This was glaring enough that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem testified that nearly 98% of BLM surface lands in South Dakota are grazed by permittees; her state hosts 76 actively producing oil and gas leases that cover 36,762 acres; and the acres managed by the BLM provide recreation opportunities. Noem said the proposed rule overemphasizes conservation rather than the economic needs of Americans; lacks an economic analysis, fails to provide data to indicated better outcomes for conservation practices if implemented; and the BLM claims the rule does not have a significant economic effect or that it does not affect a significant amount of small entities, a claim Noem called ridiculous. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said, This proposed rule was rushed forward without material input from Wyoming or other states, Gordon said. It did not have the benefit of the views of impacted public land users. The proposed rule mischaracterizes conservation, seeks to preempt wildlife management from the States, and oversteps the Bureaus statutory authority. The best solution is to rescind the rule. One of the major facts not talking points, but facts is that livestock grazing is conservation. Period. Well managed grazing reduces invasive species, cultivates healthy rangelands, maintains wildlife habitat, serves as fire mitigation, and grazing on public lands is closely monitored. Johannes said the title of the proposed rule is disingenuous, as the livestock community is certainly committed to conservation. One of the fears of the grazing community is the BLM has created a system under their so-called conservation leasing system where its up to third parties to come in and say what they think is a use that is compatible with conservation. There are gobs of anti-livestock and anti-agriculture groups licking their chops anticipating the chance to claim the cessation of grazing is the best conservation practice. Not only that, if public lands are placed in conservation leases, that could mean all multiple uses are precluded from that land. This includes hiking, photography, hunting, bird watching, and the like. J.J. Goicoechea, former Nevada state veterinarian and current Director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture said in a hearing the agency has failed to define what is considered a compatible use or an incompatible use with an underlying conservation lease. While the BLM has previously stated they believe grazing is a conservation tool, the rule contains no text that would make the industry confident that this rule is not targeted to remove grazing access. Further, the rule makes clear that uses like hunting, fishing, and recreation, when done with a commercial component like outfitting, guiding, and other conservation activities would not be defined as a casual use and could be precluded due to the presence of a conservation lease. In sum, the BLM has proposed a system that will be rife for abuse and litigation without consistent standards and application. Rife is right. This rule is likely to spell disaster if users are forced off the land. From an agricultural standpoint, this could drive protein prices far above the reach of families on a budget and put families out of business. The process has been rushed, sneaky, and is a thinly veiled attempt to remove the uses that the Biden administration finds unpleasant from public lands. The PLC requested a 150-day extension of the comment period based on the scope of the rule. BLM announced a 15-day extension, with all public comment due prior to July 5. Rachel Gabel is a longtime agriculture writer and the assistant editor of The Fence Post Magazine. A populist and popular view of money threatens progress in health care, science, agriculture, housing, transportation, education, art and other economic sectors that provide for us. Consider a recent tweet by state Rep. Stephanie Vigil, D-Colorado Springs. As rescuers searched for the Titan submarine, Vigil blasted the occupants on Twitter. You must really be running out of new good things that money can buy if youre shooting yourself into space, or to the bottom of the ocean, or even just haphazardly acquiring companies that you dont really have anything to contribute to, Vigils tweet said. She continued: No amount of wealth will ever satisfy the ultra-rich, but they just keep acquiring more, and then theyll buy a $250K ticket to a watery grave in a world where that amount of money would be a life-saving windfall to the vast majority of other humans. Varieties of this economic illiteracy manifest ubiquitously through the cocktail circuit and in social and legacy media. The Gazette published a society feature years ago on a girl who saved money to fund her bat mitzvah at a Colorado resort. Her parents gifted her a Jeep. Much to our surprise, this casual story exploded into irrational jealousy. Letters poured in from readers with advice on how this girl and her parents could have better spent the money. Most ideas had some nexus to simply giving it away to those who need it. Two front-page Gazette articles in May 2020 caused similar discontent. One came under the headline Housing aid is running dry. Just below was the headline Bridge to the future, about completion of the $20 million bridge leading to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. We got letters. A prominent community leader tweeted: Thousands of people may be evicted soon, but never fear: we just built a $20m pedestrian bridge. Indeed. Donations built a $20 million bridge that helped concrete workers, architects and engineers to buy food and pay rents, mortgages, bills and tuitions. Many donated to churches and other charities that feed and shelter the destitute. Societies that prioritize distribution to the needy have little to give. Without reinvested profits, we would lack our countrys surplus of food. Without people who risk death by smashing into trees, because they can afford to ski, we would lack an industry that provides more than 46,000 year-round jobs in Colorado that pay $2 billion in annual income. No bat mitzvahs mean fewer people affording food, shelter and clothing by driving others to and from the event, selling cakes, designing dresses, selling gifts, waiting on tables, or leasing hotel rooms. Without people paying hundreds of thousands for undersea and space travel we have fewer jobs created by the need for engineering services, the development and sale of composites, electronics and other goods that advance humanity. Imagine if the Catholic church the worlds largest nongovernmental provider of medicine and education curtailed lavish expenditures to expand donations to the poor for nothing in return. Pope Julius II paid Michelangelo 3,000 ducats to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the early 1500s. Thats about $3 million today. The $3 million (equivalent) could have been a life-saving windfall for other humans. For a short time. Its a good bet no recipient of the giveaway would have created a timeless display of majesty that has consistently employed hundreds of tourist workers for 500 years while generating money for all assortment of Vatican charities. Cash has no intrinsic value. Only exchanges of money such as acquisition of companies, travel, or anything that motivates human activity create resources essential to life. Consider the old traveling salesman tale. He leaves a $100 refundable dog-damage deposit at the hotel. The hotelier runs the $100 next door to pay his grocer. The grocer uses it to pay a supplier. The supplier runs it back to the hotel to pay a sex worker, who uses it to pay her hotel bill. With no dog damage, the salesman retrieves his $100 bill upon checkout, with no knowledge it settled four unrelated debts. Its not the money, its the activity money motivates. Money can buy a fish for someone who needs it. Invested for profit, it motivates the masses to fish for themselves and others. We need charity but cannot have it without investments by the rich even when it kills them. The Gazette editorial board Thousands of local governments nationwide are receiving settlement money from companies that made, sold, or distributed opioid painkillers, such as Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, and Walmart. In the case of Colorado Springs, the city has so far been allocated about $1.1 million in five installments in the last two years. But Colorado Springs, as well as El Paso and Teller counties, actually opted out of receiving their shares directly, instead choosing to pool that money for a regional fund an effort that fosters collaboration within the community and saves each government money, officials have said. El Paso County is the fiscal agent responsible for receiving the funds from the state and reporting the regions annual expenditures, while the Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council sets policy and priorities for distribution to various needs in the Pikes Peak region. In March, the council identified six opioid use prevention strategies, with a heavy focus on youth mentoring and support, that will receive the first waves of funds. All told, Colorado is due a total of $385 million, of which 10% is controlled by the state, 80% by local governments and 10% by the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council. The companies are shelling out more than $50 billion total in settlements from national lawsuits. But finding out the precise amount each city or county is receiving has been nearly impossible because the firm administering the settlement hasnt made the information public. Until now. In the case of Denver, the city so far has received nearly $2 million in five installments in the last two years. In Aurora, the figure stood at a little more than $500,000. In Colorado, opioids have killed more than 8,500 people over the past two decades. In 2020 alone, Colorado saw roughly 1,500 drug overdose deaths, nearly two-thirds of which were opioids, according to the Colorado Health Institute. The 1,500 drug overdoses in 2020 represented a nearly 40% increase over the previous year. After more than a month of communications with state attorneys general, private lawyers working on the settlement, and the settlement administrators, KFF Health News has obtained documents showing the exact dollar amounts down to the cent that local governments were allocated for 2022 and 2023. More than 200 spreadsheets detail the amounts paid by four of the companies involved in national settlements. (Several other opioid-related companies will start making payments later this year.) The national opioid settlements are the second-largest public health settlement of all time, following the tobacco master settlement of the 1990s. The money is meant as remediation for the way corporations aggressively promoted opioid painkillers, fueling an overdose crisis that has now largely transitioned to illicit drugs, like fentanyl. More than 105,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year. In announcing the final approval of a $17.3 billion in national opioid agreements with two drug makers and pharmacies of which $270 million is earmarked for Colorado, Attorney General Phil Weiser said, Holding the companies that created and fueled the opioid crisis responsible continues to be a top priority for me and my team. The money, Weiser added, would go directly towards supporting the people and communities in Colorado who continue to battle the harms of drug addiction and misuse. So far, state and local governments have received more than $3 billion combined, according to a national summary document created by BrownGreer, a settlement administration and litigation management firm that was court-appointed to handle the distribution of payments. In each state, settlement funds are divided in varying percentages among state agencies, local governments, and, in some cases, councils that oversee opioid abatement trusts. Payments began in 2022 and will continue through 2038, setting up what public health experts and advocates are calling an unprecedented opportunity to make progress against an epidemic that has ravaged America for three decades. KFF Health News is tracking how governments use and misuse this cash in a yearlong investigation. The money came from distributors, such as AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, and Janssen, which is the pharmaceutical subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The distributors, who settled jointly with states, made their first payment in 2021, which was held in escrow and delivered to states in 2022. The distributors second payment occurred in 2022, and their payment happened this year. Meanwhile, Janssen made its first payment in 2022 and its second installment in 2023, with some states choosing to accelerate their payouts and receiving a larger amount in the first year. For example, Jefferson County, Kentucky home to Louisville received $860,657.73 from three pharmaceutical distributors this year, while Knox County, a rural Kentucky county in Appalachia the region many consider ground zero of the crisis received $45,395.33. In California, Los Angeles County was allocated $6.3 million from Janssen, the pharmaceutical subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, this year. Mendocino County, which has one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the state, was allocated about $185,000. Access to this information is revolutionary for people who care about how this money will be used, said Dennis Cauchon, president of the nonprofit advocacy group Harm Reduction Ohio. Some states, like North Carolina and Colorado, have posted their distribution specifics online. But in most other places, tracking payment amounts requires people to make phone calls, send emails, and file public records requests with every local government for which they want the information. Thus, gathering the data across one state could mean contacting hundreds of places. For the country, that could translate to thousands. Cauchon has been seeking this information for his state since April 2022. Opioid remediation work is done at the local level, at the individual level, and, now, for the first time, local people working on the issues will know how much money is available in their community. The latest trove of documents was obtained from BrownGreer. The firm is one of the few entities that knows exactly how much money each state and local government receives and when, since it oversees complex calculations involving the varying terms and timelines of each companys settlement. Even so, there are gaps in the information it shared. A handful of states opted not to receive their payments via BrownGreer. Some directed the firm to pay a lump sum to the state, which would then distribute it to local governments. In those cases, BrownGreer did not have figures for local allocations. A few states that settled with the opioid-related companies separately from the national deals are not part of BrownGreers data, either. Roma Petkauskas, a partner at BrownGreer, said the settlement agreement requires the firm to send notices of payment amounts to state and local governments, as well as to the companies that settled. It shared documents when KFF Health News asked, but it is not clear if the firm will continue doing so. Petkauskas wrote, Settlement Agreements do not provide that such notices be made public, indicating such disclosure was not required. People harmed by the opioid crisis say they want more transparency than the bare minimum requirements. They say, currently, its not only difficult to determine how much money governments receive, but also how those dollars are spent. Many people have reached out to local officials with questions or suggestions only to be turned away or ignored. Gazettes Brooke Nevins, Nico Brambila and Luige del Puerto contributed to this report. Anderson Aldrich, who killed five people at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub in November, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday after more than 20 people gave victim statements to the court, lamenting Aldrich as a "coward" and a "monster." Aldrich pleaded guilty Monday morning in a packed courtroom to five counts of first-degree murder and 46 counts of attempted first-degree murder. Aldrich fatally shot five people and injured nearly two dozen at nightclub on North Academy Boulevard on Nov. 19. Aldrich faced 323 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and more from the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office. Daniel Aston, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, Derrick Rump and Raymond Green Vance whose ages ranged from 22 to 40 died in the shooting. Seventeen more were injured by gunfire. "I intentionally and after deliberation caused the death of each victim listed in those accounts," Aldrich told the court after pleading guilty to 51 total charges. Aldrich additionally pleaded no contest to two counts of bias-motivated crime. I believe there is a high probability of being found guilty at trial on those counts, so Im pleading no contest, Aldrich stated. After numerous victim impact statements to the court, Aldrich was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences in the Colorado Department of Corrections for each guilty plea of first-degree murder and 48 years in the Department of Corrections to run consecutively for each attempted first-degree murder charge, totaling 2,208 years in prison. Aldrich also received three years and 164 days in prison for pleading no contest to the bias-motivated crime charge. As Judge Michael McHenry read Aldrich the sentence, tears could be seen throughout the emotional courtroom. "When you commit a hate crime, you are targeting a group of people for their simple existence," McHenry told Aldrich before issuing his sentence. "For taking these five lives, and attempting to take 46 more you will now spend the rest of your life in prison. We grieve this loss of life, and we affirm the value of all members of our community. Justice demands no less." Aldrich's attorney, Joseph Archambault, spoke on behalf of Aldrich prior to sentencing, claiming that Aldrich feels regret for the shooting deaths. "They (Aldrich) are deeply remorseful, deeply sorry," Archambault told the judge. "They know they can't do anything to make it right." As Archambault read the words of Aldrich, a soft rumble could be heard throughout the courtroom. When District Attorney and lead prosecutor Michael Allen gave his statement to the court, he referred to the claims of Aldrich being remorseful as "completely disgusting." "Those statements are self-serving in nature," Allen said. "(Aldrich) wanted to make himself the victim." Allen said the sentence received by Aldrich would have been the maximum sentence possible in the state of Colorado had the case gone to trial. During a press conference following the end of the sentencing hearing Allen said the sentence was the longest in the history of the 4th Judicial District, and the second-longest in the history of the state of 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. Only James Holmes, the man who shot and killed 12 people at an Aurora movie theater in 2012, received a longer sentence. Holmes was given 12 sentences of life in prison and an additional 3,318 years in prison for the remaining charges. John Suthers, former mayor of Colorado Springs John Suthers, echoed the claims from Allen, saying during the press conference that without the death penalty in Colorado, this was the maximum possible sentence Aldrich could have received. Allen also that the fear of the death penalty at the federal level was a major reason for Aldrich accepting the plea deal in district court. Mark Michalek, an FBI special agent, confirmed at the press conference that the bureau has opened an investigation into Aldrich. Prior to the plea deal being read, Aldrich acknowledged identifying as non-binary. At the press conference, Allen said Aldrich's claim of being non-binary was cowardice and an attempt at avoiding justice. Numerous Club Q shooting victims and their families gave their victim impact statements prior to McHenry's sentencing of Aldrich. Our whole world changed not by choice," said Richard Fierro, whose daughter had been dating Vance, 22. Fierro, a military veteran and local businessman, helped subdue and disarm Aldrich. His decision to murder and destroy is one that is unforgivable to me, Fierro said, staring directly at Aldrich as he spoke. I hope the words I yelled into the back of your heads echo for the rest of your life. As Fierro gave his statement Aldrich stared directly back during nearly the entire statement the only such one-on-one situation as statements were read. Aldrichs red-eyed gaze followed Fierro to his seat, finally looking down at the table as Fierro sat down. Several more friends and family of the five killed by Aldrich gave victim impact statements, including Jeff Aston, the father of Daniel Aston, 28. Daniel Aston should be here, he was in the prime of his life, he was happy, said Jeff Aston. He had family and many many friends he loved, and who loved him. Ashley Paugh, 35, had traveled to Colorado Springs from La Junta for a night out with friends before the shooting. With one cowardly act my wife, my best friend, the mother of my child is gone, said Kurt Paugh, her husband. Raymond Green Vance was at Club Q with his longtime girlfriend, her parents and a group of friends on that fatal Saturday night. He was always there for his family and friends," said his mother, Adriana Vance. "He never harmed a soul. He was killed in a horrific manner in what amounted to less than five minutes. This man doesnt deserve to go on. What matters now, is that he never sees a sunrise, or a sunset. Tiffany Loving, the sister of Kelly Loving, 40, said through her attorney "just like that my sister became a number. I love my sister dearly, I miss her so much," Tiffany Loving added through her attorney. "I can't help but feel robbed. ... I refuse to let my sister be erased by horrific violence on the LGBTQ community." Aldrich, who appeared to court in an untuck blue short-sleeve shirt and a dark blue tie looked straight ahead as McHenry read the prison sentence, marking the final time the Club Q shooter will appear in Colorados 4th Judicial District Court. This act isnt whats going to end Club Q, Matthew Haynes, owner of Club Q, said at the press conference. UPDATE: The Colorado Springs police say they located Berlinda Maldonado around 2:30 p.m. today. Colorado Springs police say 83-year-old Belinda Maldonado has gone missing. Maldonado, who suffers from dementia, was checked out of her assisted living facility in the 7500 block of Assisi Heights by her ex-husband James Maldonado, according to a Monday news release from police. Police say Berlinda Maldonado was not supposed to leave the facility with anyone but her immediate family. Investigators say they believe the two may be heading to the Denver Zoo. Maldonado was checked out of the facility at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. She was last seen in a white 2013 Honda Civic bearing the Colorado license plate DTQ970. Police ask that anyone who has seen that vehicle to contact the department at 719-444-7000. 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. Wanted Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers is asking for the publics help finding the following people for whom felony arrest warrants have been issued. Nathan Lee Biebuyck age 35, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes, sought on suspicion of aggravated unauthorized absence, burglary and assault-strangulation. Jordan Morse Ryan Castophney age 32, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 181 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of assault, harassment, protection order violation and false imprisonment. Spencer Ruben Garcia age 24, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 199 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of assault with deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, weapon used for violent crime causing death/serious bodily injury. Steven Earl Hager age 60, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes, sought on suspicion of violation of protection order, stalking, harassment and retaliation against witness/victim. Maxmylyan Myles age 19, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of attempted murder, violent crime causing death/serious bodily injury, aggravated juvenile offender, violent juvenile offender causing death/serious bodily injury, intimidation of witness/victim, trespass, motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, handgun possession by juvenile, prohibited use of firearm, obstructing peace officer and criminal mischief. Marlon Richardson age 39, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 175 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes, sought on suspicion of motor vehicle theft, assault, assault-strangulation and violation of protection order. 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. Charles Anthony Standridge age 39, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of stalking, trespass, harassment, false imprisonment, tampering, possession of controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, driving under restraint and careless driving resulting in injury. Dionicio Tovar-Lucio age 35, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of violation of protection order, harassment and kidnapping. Remain anonymous If you have information about these fugitives or a serious crime, call Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867. You do not have to give your name, and you could earn a reward of as much as $1,000 for information given to Crime Stoppers. A list of featured fugitives wanted in the Pikes Peak region is on the Crime Stoppers website: crimestop.net. The people with the following Crime Stoppers numbers need to call 444-7866: 277-W22671, 277-M23413, 277-M23299, 277-M22471, 277-M22615, 277-M22988, 277-M23233, 277-M23430, 277-M23534, 277-M23645, 277-M23783, 277 M23807, 277-M23248, 277-C23888, 277-M23635, 277-M23997. A motorist experiencing a medical emergency on Saturday lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a fence at the Colorado Springs police impound lot, officials said. Police initially received a call about a vehicle trying to break into the impound lot, located at 2700 East Las Vegas Street, by ramming a vehicle into the fencing. When officers arrived at the scene, they learned the driver had a medical event that caused him to swerve off the road and hit the fence, police said. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries, police said. The damaged portion of the impound lot fencing has been secured. A man was arrested Saturday after stabbing another man in southeast Colorado Springs, according to police. Colorado Springs police officers responded to the 500 block of South Circle Drive, near the intersection of Circle Drive and Airport Road, around 9:30 p.m., Saturday for the reported stabbing. One man was found with serious but "non-life threatening" wounds, but no others were injured and the knife was found on scene, police said. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Ricky Rhodes, fled the scene on foot but later returned to the area and was arrested, police said. 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. Rhodes faces charges of third-degree felony assault with a deadly weapon, and is currently being held at the El Paso County jail on a $25,000 bond, online court records show. Rhodes was previously convicted of robbery, a fourth-degree felony, in 2011, various felony drug charges in 2018 and misdemeanor theft between $300 to $750 in 2020, records show. Sunday was a long time coming for Gregoire Blachon. The 38-year-old driver from France set a new diesel record (10:25.071) at The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He finished 19th overall and fourth in the exhibition class. Its very, very special, Blachon said. Its been five years of hard work and putting things together to come to this accomplishment, so Im very excited. Blachon had raced four other times on Pikes Peak before setting the record, and he was pleased with those performances. But in all of those, something went wrong with the conditions or the road, causing him to drop in the final standings. But this time, none of those unfortunate things happened. I was finally able to catch up on all those challenges, Blachon said. I was performing well; I just never had the opportunity to get it done. Scott Birdsall set the former diesel exhibition record in 2020, finishing in 11:24.065. Before Blachons run, Cole Powelson broke Birdsalls record with a time of 11:06.535. But just a few runs later, Blachon overtook Powelsons briefly-held record. Now a record-setter in the Hill Climb, Blachon is eager to return to Americas Mountain. This is just the beginning, Blachon said. I want to keep building this up. Local finishers Codie Vahsholtz was the top finisher from Colorado. The Woodland Park native finished fifth overall and first in the open wheel class. Vahsholtz raced in the Hill Climb in the motorcycle class for nine years before the Hill Climb removed it. Since then, he has competed in open wheel, and he won the class last year. Next from the Pikes Peak Region was Dan Novembre of Colorado Springs. Novembre, seventh overall, was second in the unlimited class. Jeff Zwart was the only other Coloradoan to crack the top 10, as the Aspen native finished ninth with a time of 9:46.131. Hill Climb Newcomers Sylas Montgomery was the top rookie, finishing 11th overall. A Sonoma, Calif., resident, Montgomery finished in 9:55.993. Montgomerys time was good enough for third in the open wheel class. Less than two seconds behind Montgomery was rookie Duncan Cooper, who finished 12th. Cooper placed third in the unlimited class. Five other rookies Mike Widdett, Hayden Bradley, Nuno Caetano, Hutton McKenna and Robert Robles finished in the top 30. Remembering Ken Block Pikes Peak paid tribute to Ken Block on Sunday. Block, who died in January, was a staple in rallycross, as well as motocross, skateboarding and snowboarding. He competed in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 2005 and was slated to in 2022 before engine failure led him to withdraw. In the first PPIHC since Block's passing, his relatives fulfilled his legacy. His widow, Lucy, drove a 2024 Sierra Echo in the unlimited division, finishing 40th overall. Lucy had never raced in the Hill Climb, but she fulfilled her goal. "I just wanted to make it to the top," Lucy Block said. Though she didn't compete, Block's daughter, Lia, drove her father's "Hoonipigasus" Porsche up the Pikes Peak Highway ceremonially after all 67 competitors had completed their races. Lia and Lucy embraced each other, both shedding tears, once Lia completed the circuit. And after that, the two took a group photo with every other driver in the field. Scary moments In an otherwise clean race, Matt Mullins crashed before the first checkpoint and did not finish. Mullins appeared to hit a tree, causing damage to his front-right wheel and windshield. A tow truck had to remove Mullins car from the tree. Though scary, Mullins walked away with no injuries and embraced his family at the starting line. In addition to Mullins, nine other drivers did not finish for a variety of reasons. Crossing the finish line at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb isnt any less special for Robin Shute. The 35-year-old driver from Great Britain captured his fourth title in five years, driving a 2018 Wolf TSC-FS. Shute finished in 8:40.080 and nudged second-place finisher Romain Dumas, also a four-time champion, by more than seven seconds. To get the win is always such a treat, Shute said. This race is so hard to run, so to consistently win, year after year, is a testament to the program, the team, the car, maybe my driving. Months before the race, Shute made it his goal to break the record of 7:57.148, set by Dumas. He wasnt able to achieve that, crediting tough course conditions and mistakes he made on the track. Shute knew setting the record would be nearly impossible this year with conditions leading up to the race, so he edited his goal to 8:10. Ultimately, Shute didnt break that. A few things we were trying to make work didnt work out, Shute said. We went a little big with the turbo chargers, thats one of the things I would say. It was half and half conditions and we didnt get a couple things right this year. Even so, his time just north of 8:40 still was enough to earn the win. Really, really glad I could keep my foot in and still get the win, Shute said. Overall, Im just happy I made it to the top. Shute first raced on Pikes Peak in 2017. From there, Shute had an instant infatuation with the mountain and the race. He won on only his third try in 2019 and has won three more times since then. Its almost like ignorance is bliss with this one: Its just a fantastic challenge, Shute said. There arent many motorsports events to do now. This is one of those ones where its very pure, man, machine vs. mountain. Shute and Dumas have become friendly rivals since Shute began competing in the Hill Climb. Each have four wins to their names and are consistently toward the top of the leaderboard. Dumas won four times between 2014 and 2018, while Shute has dominated in recent memory. Shute admitted that Dumas still has the edge in the rivalry, due to his course record. But thats something hes actively chasing. Its great to go head to head with him, Shute said. We both have competitive cars. Aside from the record, Shute or Dumas could take an advantage in the rivalry with a fifth win next year and thats something Shute is already looking forward to. The more we do it, the bigger the challenge becomes, Shute said. There are barely any rules and barely anything getting in your way. Its really just your imagination getting in your way. I love the challenge, and Ive been working hard at it. Several Colorado Springs schools will benefit from the latest round of Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grants. The Colorado Board of Education approved $180 million in grants earlier this month to fund school construction projects for 17 recipients. Atlas Preparatory School, Harrison School District 2 and Mountain Song Community School are among this years beneficiaries. Lawmakers enacted the Building Excellent Schools Today Act or BEST in 2008 to address the limited capacity many Colorado schools have to replace aging facilities. Since then, BEST has contributed more than $3.5 billion in grants which are designed to improve health, safety, security and technology in Colorados public schools. More than half of the grants will be funded, in part, by the Colorado State Land Board, marijuana excise tax, the Colorado Lottery and earned interest. Projects include roof replacements, fire alarms and security upgrades as well as other major renovations. Awardees will be expected to contribute about $79 million in matching funds. An additional $537 million in projects could be approved, if funding becomes available. Atlas Preparatory School, a charter school in D-2 and three-time recipient of the BEST grant, will use a combined $20.1 million in grant funding and matching contributions from capital reserves to renovate its middle school campus on South Murray Boulevard. Atlas serves 520 students in grades 5-8 and more than 1,200 students across its three campuses. The north Lincoln middle school building was constructed in 1981 and underwent renovations when Atlas purchased the property in 2008, according to the schools grant application. The remodel created 12 classrooms, eight office spaces, six sets of bathrooms, two computer labs, a counseling center, a staff lounge and a cafeteria and gym space. Atlas chose to remodel rather than construct a new building due to funding limitations at the time. The building was initially designed as a strip mall and has an exterior door in each classroom, amounting to 27 in total. Due to a lack of fire suppression systems, the doors must remain operational to satisfy state egress requirements, according to the grant application. Excessive and unsecure access points are a concern to the school given its location on Colorado Springs' southeast side, which sees higher crime rates than other parts of the city that force Atlas into school lockdowns about once a month. 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. Grant funds will be used to demolish and rebuild the north Lincoln building, to renovate the south King building, and to connect the two to one another. Newly sized classrooms would remedy the schools overcrowding issue and comply with egress safety standards while eliminating several entry points. The new kitchen will also add proper grease containment and ventilation systems, according to the grant application, and plumbing and HVAC updates will be made throughout. The north building will remain in operation until a new building is constructed. Additional parking will be added in the old buildings place. Harrison School District 2, a three-time BEST grant recipient, will use a combined $2.4 million in grant funding and matching contributions from 2018 bond proceeds to renovate Panorama Middle School on South Chelton Road. Panorama serves about 400 students in grades 6-8. The school has undergone two expansions since its 1973 construction, most recently in 1997, when 26,652 square feet were added to the building to accommodate the districts growing population, according to D-2s grant application. Panorama has undergone several capital projects in recent years, including updates to its parking lot, boiler replacements and water sealing. However, some equipment is reaching the end of its lifecycle, according to the application. Panorama will use BEST grant funding to install a secure front entrance vestibule, secure doors around the school building and add new HVAC units. The coronavirus pandemic made this a top priority for our District, as numerous studies have shown for years that indoor air quality impacts student performance, the application reads. Mountain Song Community School, a charter school in Colorado Springs School District 11, will use a combined $10 million in BEST grant funding and matching contributions in bond proceeds and other grant funds to renovate its K-8 campus on West Kiowa Street. MCSC serves 400 students. The facility was constructed in 1901 and operated as a school before MSCS began leasing it from D-11. After nine years and a search for a permanent residence, MSCS purchased the property in 2022 when it was determined to be the best option. However, health and safety deficiencies existed in the historic three-level building. The school has no cafetera or kitchen, proving a barrier to providing its students one-third of whom struggle with food insecurity with healthy meals. The schools grant application also expressed concerns over its unsecure front entrance, where intruders might enter unimpeded, and an outdated ventilation system. Grant funds will create a kitchen, cafeteria, secure entry vestibule, elevator, new HVAC system and safe special education classrooms, according to the school's grant application. 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 Stephen Wenzel called his very pregnant wife in December 2021 to warn her about the oncoming wildfire that would later be known as the Marshall fire, she was sound asleep and oblivious to the danger. When I got up and looked out the window, my neighborhood was on fire, said Savannah Wenzel, 29. A bout of COVID-19 had kept her from smelling the gray-and-black cloud, which had swallowed the backyard of their rental home in Louisvilles Sagamore subdivision. Off balance from her swollen belly, Wenzel grabbed her husbands briefcase and the dog and, in her panic, fell all the way to the car. The Wenzels lost their rental home and most of their possessions, but they gained a daughter. This week, they will join the ranks of other Marshall fire survivors who have sued Xcel Energy, alleging the power company is responsible for their financial losses, emotional distress and punitive damages. Claire was born early nine days after the most destructive fire in Colorado history and still has health-related problems, which, according to her parents, may be related to her mothers smoke inhalation and stress-related high blood pressure. Weve encountered struggle after struggle. Its been very difficult emotionally. Ive had health issues that are likely related. Its been really rough, Savannah Wenzel said. The Dec. 30, 2021, Marshall fire burned 6,080 acres and claimed two lives. Thirty-five-thousand people were evacuated and thousands of animals died, including pets. There was a high wind warning that day, with wind gusts reaching more than 100 mph in Boulder County. After 18 months of investigation, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson announced June 8 that the fire was caused by two distinct ignitions: one sparked by an unmoored Xcel Energy power line and another from embers of a week-old trash fire at the nearby Twelve Tribes property. Twelve Tribes is a religious group, whose members live in a community setting at 5325 Eldorado Springs Drive. Johnson said that though the two fires were not related, they eventually merged to create a megafire. The Twelve Tribes fire started at 11 a.m. and smoke from an Xcel Energy power line near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead was first noticed at noon. It was swinging like a jump rope, said Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty. Now that Xcel Energy and Twelve Tribes have been cleared of criminal charges, attorneys are trying to round up beleaguered Marshall Fire victims to go after civil claims. At least three law firms are holding informational meetings, advertising on social media and sending mailers to bring in clients for class-action lawsuits. Two of those firms are based in California and have extensive experience litigating for wildfire victims in civil court. The table is set for what will likely balloon to thousands of claims which, if Xcel is found at fault, could cost the power company billions of dollars in payouts, according to attorneys. Xcel did not respond to a request for a comment on the lawsuits, but the company strongly objected to the findings of the governments investigation, contending in a statement that it didnt have a chance to review what the company called the sheriff offices flawed analysis. In a June 8 statement, spokesman Tyler Bryant said, We strongly disagree with any suggestion that Xcel Energys power lines caused the second ignition. We operate and maintain our electric system consistent with leading energy service practices. On June 8, less than an hour after Dougherty announced that he wouldnt be filing criminal charges in the Marshall fire, the first complaints were filed in civil court. The first claim was entered by Spreter-Petiprin, a California firm that specializes in wildfire litigation and which counts the Wenzels among its almost 80 clients. We have been watching the Marshall fire case from right after it happened, said wildfire litigator Ben Petiprin. Petiprins firm will not sue the Twelve Tribes organization, he said. Xcel is responsible for the entire fire. They have deep pockets, Petiprin 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 Twelve Tribes has an insurance policy, he said, but they dont have the kind of money that will make our clients whole from the fire. Spreter-Petiprin has done most of its wildfire work in California since 2008 and it had been on the front lines for the 2017-2018 fires. But Petiprin said that it has local counsel taking care of the business of filing in Boulder County Court. The firm is no stranger to wildfire litigation. It was involved in lawsuits against the California power company Pacific Gas & Electric, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January of 2019 when it faced potentially ruinous lawsuits over Californias 2017 and 2018 wildfires. Fire investigators found that PG&E was responsible for creating numerous wildfires in Northern California because of poor vegetation management during a dry, crackly summer and trees coming into contact with power lines. The Chapter 11 filing allowed PG&E to continue operating while it put its books in order. Today, PG&E turns off power when the fire risk is high. None of this information is new to Marshall fire-watching attorneys. So far, two civil practice law firms are involved in litigation a year and a half after the wildfire tore through Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County. Another will join this week. Edelson PC held a Zoom meeting Tuesday night to answer potential Marshall fire clients questions. A handful of curious victims wanted to know about the statute of limitations (two years from the start of the fire), how claims are pursued (its a long process of litigation, document collection and depositions), and whether claims can be filed now (yes). This litigation is happening, said Eve-Lynn Rapp, who heads up Boulders Edelsons office. Just two weeks ago, an Oregon jury awarded over $73 million to 17 homeowners who accused the power company PacifiCorp of negligence for not shutting down power lines during destructive wildfires that started over Labor Day weekend in 2020 during hard-driving windstorms. Edelson was one of the law firms that represented victims in that class-action lawsuit. The Oregon wildfires were different, Rapp said, in that law enforcement never identified an official cause for them. In comparison, the Marshall fire was investigated thoroughly and an official report was produced, he noted. The report indicates that Xcel was the cause of one of the fires. Theres already a report that says this is the most probable cause of the fire, Rapp said. That puts the victims at the 50-yard line. The definition of a victim throws a wide net. It includes anyone who suffered any kind of actual out of pocket loss whether full loss of home or just fire-related damage, Rapp told The Gazette. She said that dozens of Marshall fire survivors have contacted the firm, including evacuees who have potential claims for emotional distress. Also eligible to join the potential lawsuits are businesses that werent destroyed but had to temporarily close due to the fire. In March 2022, George and Lisa Kupfner, owners of Boulders Eldorado Liquor, became what is believed to be the first business to sue Xcel for faulty power lines, which they claim led to the Marshall fire. The lawsuit contends that the Marshall fire caused smoke damage to the property, seeks repayment of evacuation costs and for the loss of wages and goodwill in the community for a fire that terrorized the community. The case has yet to go to trial. Petiprin said the kinds of claims run the gamut from people who have lost homes, cars, pets and photo albums. Its crazy how a fire can hit a street and jump houses. Survivors on the street feel trauma and guilt. A lot of people need counseling. We help them get health insurance. We know a local group who will give 10 free counseling sessions, he said. The Wenzels insurance money did not cover their losses, and Savannah wonders how to put a value on lost family heirlooms, such as the baptismal gown she wore as a child, which her mother mailed in anticipation of Claires birth. Or the leather boot straps from Stephen Wenzels days with Texas A&Ms Corp of Cadets, and, sadly, memories of her brother, who died of brain cancer at age 21. Colorado is no longer home for the Wenzels. Theyve started a new life in Austin, Texas. For us, its more about feeling like we have some sort of closure to something and holding people accountable, Savannah Wenzel said. We did lose a lot that day. For my husband and I, nothing will ever be the same. It changed the course of our lives. Gazette reporter Scott Weiser contributed to this report. Prof. Robert Preuhs, who chairs the political science department at Metropolitan State University of Denver, closely watched the mayoral race between Mike Johnston and Kelly Brough. In this interview, Preuhs noted the fundraising disparity between the two candidates, but maintained that Johnston and Brough collected enough dollars to get their messages out. Key to Johnston's victory, he maintained, was securing a "wider geographic support," compared to Brough. When asked why many of the candidates backed by Democratic Socialists lost, Preuhs responded that Denver is a "Democratic city, not a Democratic Socialist city." Colorado Politics: To what extent did Mike Johnston's fundraising give him an advantage over Kelly Brough? Robert Preuhs: Twice the total fundraising certainly helped Mike Johnston. However, probably not by much. Both candidates raised enough to run strong organizations and get their messages out. It really came down to voter preferences for what seemed to be a more left-leaning option between two, for Denver politics, fairly moderate mayoral candidates. CP: Do you make a distinction between Johnston's independent expenditure (IE) support and the money he directly raised? RP: IE committees and campaigns are, by law, not allowed to coordinate efforts. And, technically, there is no reason to believe either campaign violated this law. However, most everyone has a good sense of the message, the shortcomings of an opponent that are worth pointing out, and the general thrust of mobilization tactics. Thus, in some ways, all expenditures are, de facto, fungible and more money is better than less. In other words, Johnstons IE spending did not hurt his campaign and probably helped, but the impact of their efforts arent clear. The race may very well have turned out exactly the same without IEs for either candidate for a number of reasons, and IE expenditures probably did not account for the 8-point margin. CP: That is, did the IE spending for Johnston tip the scale in his favor? RP: IE spending doesnt hurt, but other more important factors were probably at play. Keep in mind Johnston and Brough both raised about the same amount from the Fair Elections Fund and individual donors, and those non-IE amounts were about the same as the two finalists spent in 2011 where Hancock was outspent by Romer almost 2 to 1. In short, both candidates had the resources to run solid campaigns. At some point, there are diminishing marginal returns for more expenditures. CP: Given the amount of IE money that flooded the mayoral race, do you think the candidates lost control of their own campaign narratives, with the IE groups, which fielded "negative" ads, effectively dictating the tone of the race? RP: Candidates would certainly prefer to control their narratives, but it is rarely the case that IEs so drastically redefine narratives to a point that candidates disavow the message. That seems to be the case here, as well. Perhaps Im wrong, but I dont recall either candidate pushing back on their own supporters IE narratives. Negative ads were likely to emerge one way or another, given the anticipation the election would be close. In some ways, IEs negative ads may benefit candidates by providing a way to separate themselves from the ads. CP: When you say Johnston secured a "wider geographic support" and that made the difference, can you flesh that out? In what ways did he secure wider geographic support, and, just as importantly, how? RP: This is really the important factor in the outcome. The general election saw Johnston secure more votes in neighborhoods where more diverse voters reside, like the NE, Central, or NW Denver, along with strong support in South Denver. That indicates some breadth of support beyond moderate and wealthier, White voters, and extending to both Black and Latino voters, as well as lower income voters. Broughs support was concentrated in traditionally more conservative, and White, neighborhoods. In the run-off, the ability to build from that initial support was key and we saw endorsements from general election candidates with similar bases of support, like (state Rep. Leslie) Herod and (Lisa) Calderon, help immensely as cues to rally their base behind Johnston. CP: Brough's campaign focused on the major, out-of-state funders that contributed to the IE group supporting Johnston, but that strategy didn't gain any traction from voters. Why do you think that is? Voters fundamentally don't care about where the money is coming from? Or Brough didn't have any money to push that narrative via TV commercials? RP: At some level, even with a real desire to provide public funding like Denverites have now adopted, many voters may have grown immune to the amounts of money spent in campaigns over the last few years. Where it comes from probably falls in that realm, as well. Another reason is that both sides had points about the others donors, which probably offset each other. Big out-of-state donors for Johnston versus developers for Brough played out as a wash to many. CP: And talking about TV commercials they remain to be the most dominant form of campaign messaging, correct? So, in theory, the candidate with the most money to spend on TV controls the narrative? RP: To some extent, but again, both candidates had plenty of money to place their narrative on the voters screens. But voters also engage in selective exposure and selective perception. With a variety of options for media advertising, supporters probably were marginally more exposed to their candidates message than the opponents. And, when they did view the opponents, votes rarely change. As important, the narrative seemed to be fairly stable across the general and run-off elections outside of more attacks, which one would expect in an election that is anticipated to be close. I wouldnt say TV commercials dont matter. Without them, you have no narrative. But it is not clear that other factors were absent ... especially endorsements from former candidates. 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. CP: Several progressive stalwarts endorsed Johnston's campaign. To what extent did that help? RP: The endorsements helped a lot. These were two moderate, mainstream, Democrats in an big city election. Convincing those to the left to support a candidate like Johnston certainly signaled to progressive voters that he was the better choice between the two. Keep in mind that Calderon and Herod had about 39% of the vote in the general, combined. Thats a lot of voters to the left of Johnston and they probably split in Johnstons favor in the run-off. CP: The Denver Republican Party endorsed Brough. Did that hurt her? RP: Yes, it hurt. Denver is a Democratic city. Broughs work at the Chamber (Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce) and support from developers already signaled to many voters that she was pro-business and probably closer to the Republicans than Johnston. While she is a Democrat, that may not have been clear to voters from the start. The Republican Party endorsement solidified that image. That endorsement made it awfully hard for progressive voters to cast a ballot for Brough and there just arent enough Republicans in Denver to have pushed the needle in her favor. CP: You noted that none of the more progressive candidates successfully distinguished themselves as real contenders in the race. Why do you think that is? RP: This is probably the unintended consequence of both the new Fair Elections Fund and an open seat. A lot of progressives ran given the open seat and in hope of moving the citys leadership to the left, several of whom may not have been able to field a campaign without Fair Election dollars. If progressives would have been able to build a coalition behind one candidate, Denver would have at least had clearer ideological choice. Calderon, for instance, missed out on the run-off by a 2-point margin. There are certainly a number of permutations of candidate coalitions that could have put a progressive on the run-off ballot. So, primarily, it was the inability of the progressive candidates to act collectively. That said, this may not have been a progressives election. It is not clear that voters really sought a progressive solution to homelessness, housing affordability and crime, rather than just a solution. Tough talk and promises on all three seemed to resonate with voters this year. CP: The prevailing narrative is that Denver voters deliberately favored the more "centrist" candidates in Johnston and Brough. Do you agree? If yes, why do you think that is? RP: Yes, to some extent. Brough and Johnston combined for about 45% of the vote in the general election. Adding candidates from the right, it was more than a majority. So, yes, perhaps it was a centrists year. But, as I noted above, there were opportunities for progressives to at least have a run-off candidate even if the prospects for a win in that election were not great. There are a number of factors, but one is that the progressive message on the key issues of crime and homelessness just were just not resonating with voters. Its complex, however. Mayor Hancocks approach to these issues was fairly centrist. Modifications proposed by the centrists are similar to plans proposed decades ago under Hickenlooper. I think it was less about policy specifics and more about the clarity of the promise to reduce crime and end homelessness, which resonated with voters who are desperately seeking to find solutions to these issues that are both visible and concerning across a wide swath of Denver neighborhoods. CP: You also noted that both Johnston and Brough promised to deal with crime, affordable housing and homelessness in fairly moderate ways and that didnt create a strong point of differentiation. In theory, such fairly moderate stances resonated with voters. Why? RP: In late February, MSU Denver co-sponsored a survey of Denver voters. All three issues were top priorities, but crime stuck out with 57% of voters saying it was the most important. Another data point ... only 42% said policy misconduct was the top priority. That illustrates the general direction of voters in this years election. They want to deal with crime, while many are less concerned about policy misconduct than they were maybe two to three years ago. That centrism can spill over to other issues, as well. CP: This election seems to show that Denver voters are "pragmatists." Of course, it's a nonpartisan election. That said, is that assessment accurate? RP: Voters want a variety of things safety, economic prosperity, low taxes, affordable housing (but their own home to increase in value), etc. That means trade-offs and the recognition that, if some of the issues continue, they may go through another round of population and business loss like Denver did in the 1980s and 1990s. Dealing with all of these issues means some pragmatism driven by the realization that what Denver is doing right now is not working, but extremes on either end come with too many risks (and perhaps too high a price tag). CP: Related to the question above, several Democratic Socialists of America candidates lost. Why do you think that is? RP: The broad answer is that Denver is a Democratic city, not a Democratic Socialist city. In specific instances, one might point to redistricting. Councilperson (Candi) CdeBacas District 9 was redistricted to include more moderate and wealthier voters, who simply had different preferences. There are pockets and perhaps district-sized areas in Denver where a Democratic Socialist could win, but a citywide win would require a strategic coalition that may not be possible. FAST FACTS Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics' roundup of news from the third branch of government. The Colorado Supreme Court issued five decisions and held five oral arguments last week as the justices prepare to take a summer break from the argument calendar, and Colorado Politics spoke to a new lawyer who is participating in a program designed to give recent law school grads experience in the appellate courts. Major decisions in civil, criminal law The state Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a 2021 law designed to give child sex abuse victims from decades in the past an opportunity to sue for their injuries now. The justices acknowledged the legislature had a legitimate policy reason for the law (compensating survivors), but it still violated the state constitution's prohibition on backward-looking changes. "I don't think this is over by any stretch of the imagination, but we'll have to discuss what are the new avenues that we might be able to take," said Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, one of the sponsors of the now-void law. Crimes that used to be subject to capital punishment are now eligible for bail, given that the death penalty no longer exists in Colorado, the justices agreed. Prosecutors in Boulder and Arapahoe counties presented a skewed narrative to jurors, making it seem as if the defendants had nothing to say for themselves in response to criminal accusations. In reality, trial judges blocked the defendants' responses, and the Supreme Court decided that was wrong. Being acquitted of an offense in another country does not bar a prosecution in Colorado for that same offense, the justices concluded. During oral arguments, the justices wondered whether lawyers should be held liable in certain instances for making defamatory statements when publicizing their class action lawsuits. Although the Supreme Court previously decided a Denver man was a "rescuer" when he came to the aid of a cab driver under assault, the justices are giving the case a second look to determine if the taxicab company can be held liable for the entirety of the man's injuries. For several decades, the Supreme Court has applied a rule preventing local governments from suing state agencies except in limited circumstances. Now, there's a question of whether the rule needs clarifying which some of the justices suggested was warranted. Federal protections for tribal children and nations kick in when a state judge knows or has "reason to know" they are dealing with an American Indian child in welfare proceedings. But what if the evidence doesn't quite support a "reason to know?" The justices considered whether contacting tribal nations for an answer should be the protocol. A Gazette investigation found minor concerns with the financial disclosures of the seven Supreme Court members. Virtual guidance The Supreme Court also issued a policy, known as a chief justice directive, outlining when trial judges should let people appear remotely for court proceedings and what factors they should consider. Among the key takeaways: the directive gives judges a lot of discretion to allow or disallow virtual participation. Some legal advocates suggested they will keep pushing for accountability. "Broad and consistent access to virtual hearings is vital to ensure and expand access to justice for Coloradans in poverty, particularly in rural Colorado and for parties with no access to transportation, no child care, or limited time off from work. We look forward to continuing to engage on this issue to ensure more expansive use of virtual hearings and fair application of this new rule. Matthew R. Baca, executive director of Colorado Legal Services Q&A with attorney general fellow Olivia Probetts graduated from law school in 2021 and went to work as an appellate fellow with the Colorado Attorney General's Office. The program allows recent law school graduates to handle cases in the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. She talked with Colorado Politics about her experience: Colorado Politics: You also worked on Counterman v. Colorado, which is before the U.S. Supreme Court and is still pending. How was that different from either the state Supreme Court or Court of Appeals? 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. Olivia Probetts: On our Supreme Court litigation, we work on a bigger team. Whereas in the Court of Appeals or the (state) Supreme Court I'm generally writing my own brief, for the (U.S.) Supreme Court it's more of a team effort, so I'm working with a lot of different people to craft the best argument. ... CP: Did you go to D.C. for the oral arguments? OP: Yes, it was very cool. I got to work with Phil (Weiser) as he was preparing for his argument. We were there while he had a couple of moots. It was very exciting to go to the courthouse and see all the justices asking their questions. It was pretty full, which was also exciting to see there were enough people interested in the case or who were brought there on field trips. It was very exciting to know that that many people got an up-close, personal look at the work we've been doing for however many months. CP: Criminal defense attorneys and public defenders are sometimes asked, "How can you represent someone who is obviously guilty and who is trying to get acquitted or get their conviction overturned based on a technicality?" I'd ask you a variation on that question: When you pick up a case from the trial court and the judge or the prosecutor did something that is credibly not fair to the defendant, how can you go to the state's highest courts and say this person should remain behind bars, or no new trial? OP: Even if I disagree with something, ultimately it is my job to do it. I think that the way our legal system is set up, it's an antagonistic system. You need to have people who are strongly advocating on both sides to ensure that everything is fair and that the court receives both sides of an argument so it can make the right decision. In federal news By 2-1, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit found an ex-Postal Service employee in Denver could sue the agency for allegedly failing to accommodate her while she was pregnant. A judge agreed state courts violated the constitutional rights of a man tried in 1999 for the murders of five people, although the error did not likely affect his convictions. A group that litigates for expanded rights for Christians is challenging Colorado's exclusion of a Buena Vista Christian organization from the state's universal preschool program. The U.S. Supreme Court will likely release two decisions this week in cases that arose from Colorado and address the questions of whether business owners can discriminate against LGBTQ customers and how prosecutors must prove that someone is guilty of stalking. Vacancies and appointments The governor has appointed Elise V. Myer, the head of the public defender's office in Glenwood Springs, to succeed retiring Chief Judge James Berkley Boyd in the Ninth Judicial District (Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties). Miscellaneous proceedings A Woodland Park man has received four years in prison for assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. A judge agreed with media organizations (including Colorado Politics) who argued the Denver school board likely violated the state's open meetings law with a closed-door session to discuss bringing police officers back into schools. Holiday break Court Crawl will return after the Fourth of July holiday. Hail, thunderstorms, heavy rain and more it's summertime in Colorado, and we have been seeing a lot of severe weather lately. If you have damage to your home or car, we have some advice on what to do next. The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) said the first thing to do is contact your insurance company as soon as you can to start the claim process. With so many storms across the state, insurance agents will be busy. Make sure to take photos and document the damage to your home or car. The DOI also said review your policy to find out your deductibles for both your home and auto insurance. Make sure to ask questions throughout the process. After you file your claim, your insurance company will assign you a claims adjuster to work with you to assess the damage. The DOI said to make sure to ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. Don't rush into a settlement and be prepared to negotiate. Also, keep in mind repair costs can change. Your claim needs to be filed with your insurance company, but the DOI said it can help consumers with any questions about insurance and the claims process. You can contact the Division of Insurance Consumer Services Team at 303-894-7490, [email protected] or visit DOI.Colorado.gov. 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. It is summertime in Colorado even if you weren't hit with damage this time around, you might not be as lucky next time. The experts say now is the time to become familiar with your insurance policies, in case you need it in the future. Also, if you need to have work done on your home, make sure you watch for scammers. As I've warned you before, scammers are quick to follow natural disasters. I've talked with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department about red flags to watch for over the years. First, make sure you do your research if a contractor shows up at your door. Make sure they are licensed to do the work they promise to do. Also, make sure your contractor is the one pulling the permit for the work. It's a warning sign if the contractor asks you to pull the permit. The building department encourages homeowners to have the contractor pull the permit because it puts the responsibility of getting it done timely and up to code on them, rather than on you. Also, make sure you read over any contracts closely before you sign anything. Find more information at PPRBD.org. We put a link to both topics at KKTV.com, and click on the "Find It" tab. Stay safe and enjoy your summer! GOLDEN The mornings start the same, wonderful way for Matt Morgan at the Colorado Geological Survey headquarters. Every morning, I come into the office, the state geologist office, and I get to stare at North and South Table Mountains right outside my window, he said. Ill sit here drinking coffee and just stare at them for a while. The neighbor mesas with their columnar, basaltic cliffs representing lava flows from long, long ago never cease to amaze Morgan. The ancient promontories are now modern scenes of recreation hiking, running, mountain biking, rock climbing and more. Indeed, the affinity goes well beyond the state geologists office. They are landmarks; they are iconic, said Mary Ann Bonnell, Jefferson County Open Spaces visitor services and natural resources director. Theyre iconic and theyre urban. ... Its a strange mix of iconic wonder and just backyard park, which is just so remarkable. Of the more than 7 million visitors estimated across Jefferson Countys 27 parks every year, North and South Table Mountains are among the go-tos. They are among the great showcases of the foothills west of Denver and perhaps the most accessible. They make up what Jefferson County calls its mesas region, bounded by Interstate 70 and U.S. 6, bisected by Colorado 93. They are not the Grand Mesa, the worlds largest flat-top mountain spanning the Western Slope. But they are no less grand in the hearts and minds of people living below. That has included Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest back in 2001. In recent years, the famed alpinist has lived at the base of North Table Mountain. It is important to me to have places to access that I can get to train outdoors without getting a ride or having a partner, he previously told The Gazette. North Table is a place where I can get out independently and explore. Another well-reputed climber, Andrea Sansone, has credited North Tables trails for building her strength and confidence. But above all, she said, they are a place of escape. North Table has been called an island in the sky, with brief, challenging ascents to the Golden Cliffs and Sea Cliffs perched between high, waving grasses and flowers. From Bonnells view, that challenge and broader terrain nearly 2,000 acres compared to South Tables 1,484 acres differentiates North Table from its sister mesa. With a heavily trafficked trailhead right off Colorado 93, North Table can seem busier than South Table, which rises above quaint neighborhoods. But the land-and-sky experience is similar at both mountaintops. You feel like youre on the prairie even though youre up on these weird tables, Bonnell 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. And with the right mindset, you feel like youre traveling through deep time, she said. When Im hiking up the flanks, its like, boy, Im really cruising through some serious geologic history here. Its believed lava oozed from the Earth here some 62 million years ago, cooling and lifting with the Rockies to form the cliffs seen today. Its convenient to think of the cliffs like pages in a book, Bonnell said in the case of South Table Mountain, telling the story of how the age of dinosaurs ended and the age of mammals began. South Table is a renowned home of that elusive K-Pg (Cretaceous-Paleogene) boundary. Another discovery here, going back to 1874, regarded early evidence of the T. rex. That history is backdrop to a much more recent history of development around the mountains. Between them is the Coors factory. The brewery is but one enterprise that has viewed the mesas as a suitable base. Jefferson County documents identify homesteading and rock quarrying on North Table in the 1890s. A prized crystal, zeolite, tucked in the lava flows, was one focus of extraction that continued for many decades. Open space acquisition started in 1992; todays recreation landscape was more than 20 years in the making, similar to South Table. But South Table remains a patchwork of public and private land, by the countys description, making the park a complex one to manage. Quarries prevailed here, too. Those were between such enterprises as a resort-reaching funicular railway and Camp George West, a military campus established in 1920. In the 1970s, the U.S. Department of Energy built a laboratory to commercialize solar power. Later, in the 1990s, Nike eyed a facility atop South Table Mountain. That was hotly contested by locals "Just don't do it," went the slogan. Proposed Coors expansions have also been contended over the years. The community has demanded these mesas be public parks, Bonnell said. Which explains why Jefferson County Open Space continues to seek private patches. Officials recently agreed to a land swap with the U.S. Department of Energy conveying 166 acres to the park. Still, South Tables most prominent feature seen from town, Castle Rock, remains off-limits. Some trespassers refuse to believe that, Bonnell said, speaking to the tremendous amount of ownership people feel for the mountains in their towns logo. People are like, Thats not private property. Thats an icon, I can hike there if I want to, Bonnell said. That parts of South Table Mountain arent public land, thats very hard for people to understand or even accept. As they go, theyre sure to watch for rattlesnakes. The mesas are notorious for them. I dont like that, said Morgan, the local state geologist. Hes more than satisfied by the view from his office window. Theres always something new, he said. If you sit and stare for a while, you go, Wow, I guess I never saw that before. REQUESTED BY STOCKHOLM PHOTOS, FILE--Mason City, Iowa, police have been searching for KIMT-TV anchorwoman Jodi Huisentruit, shown in an undated photo, who has been missing since early Tuesday morning, June 27, 1995. Huisentruit, 27, was scheduled to report to work between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Tuesday, but she never appeared. "We have no solid information, no concrete leads as to what may have happened to her at this time, " police chief Jack Schlieper said. (AP Photo/Fergus Falls Daily Journal,HO) Get the latest here: *** The search for the missing submersible on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic passed the critical 96-hour mark Thursday when breathable air could have run out, a grim moment in the intense effort to save the five people aboard. The Titan submersible 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. 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." The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan vanished Sunday is also prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search-and-rescue mission, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guard's International Ice Patrol. The passengers are also facing temperatures just above freezing. Meanwhile, 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. Frederick said while the sounds that have been detected offered a chance to narrow the search, their exact location and source hadn't yet been determined. "We don't know what they are, to be frank," he said. Retired Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, said the sounds have been described as "banging noises," but he warned that search crews "have to put the whole picture together in context and they have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titan." The report was encouraging to some experts because submarine crews unable to communicate with the surface are taught to bang on their 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. 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 2.5-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 10.5 hours. OceanGate has been criticized for the use of a simple commercially available video game controller to steer the Titan. But the company has said that many of the vessel's parts are off-the-shelf because they have proved to be dependable. "It's meant for a 16-year-old to throw it around" and is "super durable," Rush told the CBC in an interview last year while he demonstrated by throwing the controller around the Titan's tiny cabin. He said a couple of spares are kept on board "just in case." The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, who is now deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University, said the disappearance underscores the dangers associated with operating in deep water and the recreational exploration of the sea and space. GREENSBORO Love dont pay the bills. That was the message Emily Massey-Currie and many other Guilford County Schools employees delivered to the Board of Commissioners. More than 100 people showed up at a public hearing Thursday night on the proposed $918.6 million Guilford County budget. The plan would maintain the property tax rate 73.05 cents per $100 of property valuation but does not include additional funding requested by the schools. In his proposal, County Manager Michael Halford recommended $245 million for the school districts operations roughly the same amount as the current year. However, the Guilford County Board of Education requested about $101 million more a 41% increase. The school district wants to spend $77.6 million to increase pay for classified employees staff such as bus drivers, teacher assistants, maintenance workers and custodians. Some of those workers, along with other school staff, told commissioners Thursday that while they love their jobs, they need a pay increase. Everything has went up except my paycheck, said Sonya Aikens, lead custodian at Grimsley High School. All Im asking is fair pay for what I do. School bus driver Lillian Maxwell said higher pay also is needed to attract new employees. We are currently 77 bus drivers short in transportation, she said. We need your help Board of Commissioners. Steven Nance, who works as a mechanic at Northwest High School and also as a second-shift mechanic countywide, said the pay structure is unjust. It is not right that we have to work 54 years to get max pay. Its not right. Nance said there is such a shortage of mechanics that he has to work from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. because there is only me and my supervisor on second shift. Massie-Currie, a teacher assistant, said her job not only requires specialized training, but it also requires love. Just anybody cannot be thrown into a classroom with children that have conditions like Down syndrome, autism, cerebal palsy, she said. You got to be picking up those students. You got to be changing diapers. You got to be potty training. Were doing a whole lot more than just making copies and drinking coffee. School workers also noted that new employees often are paid as much as those who have worked with the district for for decades. County commissioners told the crowd that they heard them and would consider their request during upcoming budget work sessions. They also said the General Assembly needs to step up and help fund these pay increases. They got a whole lot more money than we do, said Melvin Skip Alston, who chairs the Board of Commissioners. We know you need more pay, but we cant put this whole burden on Guilford County taxpayers. Alston said the county has asked for specific details regarding classified employee pay, noting that while some are paid $15 an hour, others are paid $100,000 a year. Also, hold our municipalities accountable, Alston said. If we can get $25 or $30 million out of our municipalities, that can go toward teacher salaries, that can go toward classified workers. Rule changes in 2018 allowed cities to fund schools within their boundaries. Before municipalities couldnt contribute to schools, but now they can, he said. RALEIGHProKidney, Corp., a late clinical-stage cellular therapeutics company focused on chronic kidney disease (CKD), will be establishing a new biomanufacturing facility in Guilford County, potentially creating up to 330 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company also sees a potential investment of up to $485 million, of which $25.5 million will be invested at the closing on the facility in Greensboro, to prepare for future commercial manufacturing of REACT (REnal Autologous Cell Therapy), the companys lead product candidate being developed for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Innovative life science companies like ProKidney understand that North Carolina offers the key ingredients for business success, said Governor Cooper. Our leadership in this important industry sector is recognized around the world, thanks to the specialized workforce training and education systems that support North Carolinas biotech companies. ProKidney, headquartered in Winston-Salem, is a pioneer in the development of a cell-based treatment for CKD. The Company was founded in 2018 after more than a decade of research. ProKidneys lead product candidate, REACT, is a first-of-its-kind, patented, proprietary therapy with the potential to preserve kidney function in patients at high risk of kidney failure. ProKidneys approach utilizes a patients own kidney cells in the treatment process. The companys project in Guilford County will establish a 210,000 square foot manufacturing facility that looks to feature multiple breakthroughs in the manufacturing automation, supply chain, and medical delivery of cellular therapy products. We considered many factors in determining where best to build future commercial manufacturing capacity for REACT, said Dr. Tim Bertram, Chief Executive Officer of ProKidney. Because of North Carolinas depth and breadth of biotechnology talent, the advantage of locating the plant near our headquarters and pilot manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem, NC, and the states interest in continuing to grow its biotechnology industry, we determined that adding manufacturing capacity here in Greensboro would be in the best interest of ProKidney, its shareholders and its local stakeholders. We look forward to continue growing our business along with the state that we have called home since our founding. As a former executive in the biotech industry, Im proud to see North Carolinas continued leadership in this industry, which means so much for both our economy and for peoples health and wellbeing, said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. We never take for granted the importance of a strong, well-trained workforce to keep us ahead of the pack. As our First in Talent strategic plan makes clear, well continue to invest in our people and the educational systems that create opportunities for everyone. The North Carolina Department of Commerce led the states support for the company during its site evaluation and decision-making process. Although wages will vary depending on the position, the average salary for the new positions at the facility are estimated to be $74,636. The current average wage in Guilford County is $57,190. ProKidneys project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the states Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the states economy by $1.7 billion. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the 330 new jobs, along with a company investment of $485 million, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $5,132,700, spread over 12 years. State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grants reimbursement payments to a given company. Because ProKidney chose a site in Guilford County, classified by the states economic tier system as Tier 2, the companys JDIG agreement also calls for moving $570,300 into the states Industrial Development Fund Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 2 county such as Guilford, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state. Were excited to see a local North Carolina company decide to expand in our area, said N.C. Senator Michael Garrett. ProKidneys work to improve the health of people with kidney disease is inspiring, and this project will also bring new jobs and economic vitality to Greensboro, Guilford County, and the entire region. North Carolina is known as a biotech and life science leader, and Greensboro and the Piedmont Triad region are an important part of that story, said N.C. Representative John Faircloth. Our community applauds ProKidneys continued success and we stand ready to support them during this next phase of their companys growth. Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Duke Energy, Guilford Technical Community College, Guilford County, the City of Greensboro, the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. 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. The following students were named valedictorians or salutatorians at their private schools. Students graduated in May or June. Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Valedictorian Nina Cecilia Cancro will study international studies at Virginia Tech. Co-salutatorian Charley Grace Chappell will study bio-chemistry and pre-medicine at Wake Forest University. Co-salutatorian Julia Nicole Sullivan will study biology and pre-medicine at Wake Forest University. Graduating class: 123. Caldwell Academy Valedictorian Danielle Phillips will study biological sciences at The University of Tennessee. Salutatorian Eloise Avbuere will study psychology on the pre-med track at UNCChapel Hill. Graduating class: 41. High Point Christian Academy Valedictorian Georgia Dorn will major in business with a minor in entrepreneurship at UNC-Chapel Hill. Salutatorian Callie Auman will double major in neuroscience and psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Honors Carolina Program. Graduating class: 41 Oak Ridge Military Academy Valedictorian C/MAJ Ian Zody will attend N.C. State as a business major with plans to commission as an Army officer after graduation. Zody served as the Battalion Commander for the 171st Corps of Cadets at the academy. Class salutatorian C/PFC Alexis Ballard will attend Belmont Abbey College on a softball scholarship, studying biology with plans to become a physicians assistant. Ballard distinguished herself on the ORMA girls softball team. Graduating class: 15 Vandalia Christian School Valedictorian Reagan Oates will student biology with a life science at N.C. State with plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career as a physician assistant. Salutatorian Joseph Jackson will attend UNCG; his major is undecided. Graduating class: 25. Wesleyan Christian Academy Valedictorian Madison Adrienne Tat will study chemical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology (also known as Georgia Tech). Salutatorian Heather Mei Duensing will pursue a degree in pharmacy at High Point University. Graduating class: 90. Westchester Country Day School Valedictorian Aliana Grace Schwartz will attend the University of Virginia as a recipient of the Jefferson Scholarship. She plans to study biology and psychology. Salutatorian Ruhan Upadhyaya will study horticulture at N.C. State. Graduating class: 24. Imperial Brands Plc said Friday it has paid $82.6 million to acquire 14 oral nicotine pouch styles from a Canadian manufacturer that will be placed into the portfolio of Greensboro-based ITG Brands LLC. The pouches will continue to be produced by TJP Labs. Imperial said ITG Brands will relaunch this pouches in 2024 under a new brand, which will be supported by the companys sales force. ITG has about 900 employees in Greensboro, plus 775 field sales employees nationally. About 70% of Imperials traditional cigarette sales, including Winston, Salem, Kool and Maverick in the U.S., come from the U.K., U.S., Australia, Germany and Spain. Todays transaction is aligned to our focused, challenger approach in next-generation products and to our disciplined capital allocation framework, said Stefan Bomhard, Imperials Group chief executive. While it will take time to build our presence in this category, the proposition we are acquiring is clearly differentiated within the U.S. market and has tested strongly with consumers. Kim Reed, ITGs president and chief executive, said the TJP pouches will enable ITG to offer our legal adult consumers a wider range of product options. Imperial said the acquisition is consistent with its capital allocation policy to invest in the business strategy through small bolt-on transactions. Imperial already markets modern oral products in selected European markets under the Zone X and Skruf brands. The manufacturer added that it continues to be committed to an on-going, multi-year share buyback. Imperial said May 15 it projects completing a $1.25 billion share-purchase program by the end of fiscal 2023. The companies said the total compensation to TJP for the pouches could include an additional deferred sum based on sales volumes over five years. Imperial reported May 15 that it is on track to meet full-year 2023 financial projections, foremost low single-digit net revenue growth. Imperial had $19.23 billion in first-half revenue, up from $19.17 billion for the first half of fiscal 2022. Operating profit was up 33.5% to $1.91 billion, while post-tax profit rose 12.4% to $1.45 billion. Imperial reported a near 20% gain in its noncombustible product lines that feature heated cigarette products Pulze and iD in seven European countries and blu eCigs in the U.S. Imperial joins Philip Morris International in making a major acquisition in the smokefree tobacco product category. PMI affiliate, Philip Morris Holland Holdings B.V.1, closed in November a $16 billion all-cash offer for controlling interest in nicotine snus and pouch manufacturer Swedish Match Inc. Swedish Match made tobacco industry history in October 2019 when eight General Snus styles made it through the Food and Drug Administrations lengthy gauntlet for gaining authorization as a modified-risk product. Its Zyn oral nicotine product holds the top U.S. market share in that category. A modified-risk tobacco product application seeks FDA approval to advertise those products as reduced-harm or reduced-risk compared with cigarettes. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.s Camel Snus products has held the top U.S. market share for snus since 2006. Snus, which became popular first in Sweden, are teabag-like pouches of loose tobacco that users stick between their cheek and gum, but that dont require spitting. They are marketed in part for use in places where smoking is prohibited. GREENSBORO Forty-six years ago, Greensboros Glenwood neighborhood was the site of the Guilford Native American Associations first ever pow-wow. As Jennifer Revels Baxter recalls, there wasnt really any money to put it on, and it was a far cry from the massive annual pow-wows the organization holds these days up in Jaycee Park. But we wanted to celebrate being together, celebrate that traditional part of who we are, she said. That same spirit was behind an event held in Glenwood on Friday night, when Greensboro artist Tamra Hunt, a member of the Lumbee tribe, unveiled a new crosswalk mural she created at the intersection of Neal and Hunt streets in Glenwood. Hunt created the mural with support from Creative Greensboros Neighborhood Arts Program. Depicting elements of a sun symbol, an eagle feather and a braid, it celebrates themes from the stories shared with her by Native Americans who lived in the Glenwood neighborhood. Some American Indians continue to live in the Glenwood neighborhood, but the concentration in that particular neighborhood was greater some decades ago, according to Daphine Strickland, a local elder and community advocate who is both Lumbee and Tuscarora. She said a noticeable number of Native Americans from other areas, many of them Lumbee, started coming to Greensboro in the late 1960s, in search of jobs and opportunities. Some of the first families, she said, settled on Asheboro Street, with the population center later shifting down to the Glenwood neighborhood. Word of mouth and family connections played a role in where people settled, but so did economics and racism. Native Americans and other people of color struggled to find someone willing to sell them a house in many neighborhoods. With the white flight that was going on from the Glenwood neighborhood at the time, finding a place to live there was easier, Strickland said. The Guilford Native American Association came into being when American Indians living in the area became concerned about the high school dropout rates among youth coming from rural tribal communities to the city. The organization worked to make things better for children, teens and families. One of those projects was convincing the city to give them some dilapidated houses in the city, to fix up. They hired Native American workers and turned over the homes to local Native residents, some of whom are still living in those homes today. Strickland said that these days, with a little more money and freedom of choice, many of the Native Americans who once lived in Glenwood have picked homes on Greensboros edges or farther out in Guilford County, due to having rural sensibilities and desire for more land and space. But former Glenwood resident Tonya Sotelo echoed others at Fridays gathering in invoking the sense of community she felt in the neighborhood. Going to everybodys house, it was like family, said Sotelo, who is Lumbee. It seems like I raised a bunch of Native American kids before I even had kids. Those close ties, she said, have resulted in her daughter picking on her when they try to complete a circuit of the vendors at the annual Guilford Native pow-wow. Shes like, Oh my gosh, it takes us two hours to get around because you know everybody, Sotelo said. Happy Monday. What did I miss? Has it rained? I-40 lane closures All together now the N.C. Department of Transportation closed a few lanes of Interstate 40 Sunday night and plans to do so again tonight. Per official N.C. DOT communications folk, I-40 west in Forsyth County closed one of the two lanes between N.C. 66 and Union Cross Road Sunday. (Missed that one; I rarely venture out after dark on weekends.) Of more immediate concern is the fact that DOT will close one of two lanes on I-40 westbound between High Point Road to the I-74/I-40 interchange from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. That will matter to early risers and commuters trying to get a jump start on another workweek. The stated reason is the same as always: ongoing bridge preservation and road rehabilitation. As always, short delays and detours trump crumbling bridges. The impact of one person Everything you need to know about measuring Carol Templetons impact on the community could be measured in a single phone call. Templeton, the founder and driving force behind the Forsyth Backpack Program - a model for making sure children dont go hungry in this community - officially stepped down last Monday. To mark the occasion, her friends and coworkers created a pretext for a board meeting and threw her a going away party intended to be a surprise. But before any of that came to pass, I wanted to find out a little bit about the Forsyth Backpack Program and Templetons role in it. In order to do that, a few phone calls were placed. The first one returned came from Janet Garrison, a board member and former director of operations who has worked alongside Templeton since both women were volunteers at Brunson Elementary. Garrison, just so you know, was on vacation up north enjoying the spectacular scenery - and occasionally spotty cell service - at Arcadia National Park in Maine. A lot of people might let a work-related call roll into voice mail. Im on vacation. Itll wait. But Garrison found a signal and returned a message almost immediately. Basically shes been everything, Garrison said when asked about Templetons impact. The Forsyth Backpack Program was started in 2012 as a way to see that hungry children had food at home on weekends and over long holiday breaks. Heart-breaking as it sounds, childhood hunger is just a fact. But until or unless youve spent time in a school, you may not know the depth and breadth of the problem. Thats how Garrison and Templeton realized the seriousness of a near hidden issue. They were both volunteers at Brunson when they saw.. It was eye-opening, Garrison said via cell from the coast of Maine. As far as I goes for me - I cant speak for Carol but I imagine it was similar - I just didnt see it until somebody pointed it out. When you see a child in the cafeteria pocketing a few things so they have something to eat at home, it hits you like a ton of bricks. Theres no looking away after that. So much so that Templeton got busy and dedicated the better part of a decade to doing something about it. From its inception, the Forsyth Backpack Program has grown into an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit that discreetly sends food home with kids who live in what are charitably called food unstable homes. From just a single school, the organization has grown to the point where it serves students in more than a dozen. It works in partnership with the Second Harvest Foodbank of Northwest North Carolina to make sure those kids have healthy sustainable options. Similar programs are in place at other schools - no one has a monopoly on trying to feed hungry kids - but those typically are one-to-one, meaning that a church or other civic-minded organization assembles the food for a single school. Food is a basic necessity, and everything flows from thathealth, growth, education, Templeton told a reporter several years ago. Its hard to think about a small child trying to sit still or falling asleep in class because they havent had anything to eat over the weekend. Hunger affects every aspect of the childs well-being. International healthcare provider Bupa Group plans to make investments in India to enhance its footprint in the country, said the company's chief executive officer Inaki Ereno. We want to be big in India. We believe India is going through a big healthcare revolution. We intend to invest as much as it's needed for a partner to develop healthcare, Ereno said. Asked about reports about the Bupa Group raising a stake in Niva Bupa, its Indian joint venture, managing director Niva Bupa Krishnan Ramachandran said, It's not at a stage where I can offer a comment.Niva Bupa is a JV between the Bupa Group and Fettle Tone LLP (an affiliate of True North Fund VI LLP), a leading Indian private equity firm. On June 23 that UK health insurer Bupa is in talks with True North to pick up an additional 15-20% stake in the insurance company at Rs 11,000-12,000 crore valuation. Bupa currently holds around 44% stake in the entity. I think from my standpoint, commenting on behalf of the company, what I can say, whether its Bupa or True North. In terms of capital for the right reasons growth and solvency that capital is forthcoming from shareholders. That is where the actual position is at this point in time, Krishnan said.Ereno said digitalization would be a big focus for the group, which has also identified affordable healthcare solutions or social healthcare as key growth areas. Asked about the proposed composite license, Ramachandran said in order to move towards health insurance for all Indians, there is a need for more players, and the composite license is one mechanism to get to that opportunity. Neva Bupa grew 45% in 2022-23, as against the industry average of 18-20%. The government has proposed amendments to the insurance laws, including granting insurers a composite license to allow them to sell different products in different segments of the sector. Last month, Sen. Steve Daines testified as a witness in support of the SAFE Banking Act, a bill that would open the marijuana industry to billions of dollars of outside investments capital and bolster cartel activity. This bill is bad for public health and safety in Montana, but Daines tried to cover for that by toeing the banking and pot industrys line. In his opening statement, Daines said, These businesses, often forced to operate in all cash, are appealing targets for robbers. He argued that pot shops need access to banks because being cash only is a major cause of this increase in violent crime. The truth is, marijuana products in dispensaries and shops are often the target of crime, not cash. In December 2022, thieves in Los Angeles stole hundreds of pounds of marijuana from a dispensary. And in March 2023, criminals in Santa Cruz stole half a million dollars worth of marijuana. Moreover, multiple accounts have revealed that debit and credit cards are almost always accepted as payments at dispensaries already. The so-called SAFE Banking Act will not prevent crime or safeguard marijuana shops. Dispensaries will remain targets for break-ins. The legislation Daines supports prioritizes the safety of pot shops over the public grappling with an addiction crisis. Daines then argued, This legislation would also help federal and state law enforcement distinguish between legal and illegal marijuana businesses. However, a bipartisan group of former leaders of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy have warned that the bill will make it easier for illegal actors to launder their proceeds through state-legal marijuana businesses. They wrote the bill, ...could inadvertently allow cartels to bring into banks duffel bags of cash made from the sale of those illicit drugs that are killing tens of thousands of Americans every year In urging the Senate to reject the legislation they argued it, would give these cartels more cover and more access to the U.S. financial system. Under federal law, marijuana dispensaries are de-facto drug dealers and the companies they work with would be complicit in their illicit transactions. This legislation would shield the banks and legitimize the marijuana industry. Soon, the same lobbyists who are pushing Addiction Banking will demand the full national legalization of marijuana. Daines support for the legislation is particularly disturbing because it is widely opposed by national drug policy experts but as Sen. Daines explained, is widely supported by banks, credit unions, the insurance industry, and many other service providers. Thats because the banking industry, struggling following multiple bank failures, views the marijuana industry as a cash cow. Theres little wonder why the American Banking Association has been fiercely lobbying for a bill that would bail out their members. The banking industry benefits would be just the beginning. The legislation would allow the tobacco and alcohol industries to invest billions into the marijuana industry, as they already have with Canadian marijuana companies. Altria (the parent company of Marlboro) invested $1.8 billion into Cronos, a marijuana company in Canada. Constellation Brands (the parent company of Corona and Modelo) invested more than $4 billion into Canopy Growth, Canadas largest medical marijuana company. The bill Daines supports would allow these addiction-for-profit industries to make similar investments in the United States and scale up our marijuana industry to a previously unseen level. Oddly, despite this, Sen. Daines suggested the SAFE Banking Act may actually shrink the size of the overall industry and reduce consumption in the United States. Theres no credible data to suggest that. Instead, we should fully expect the industry to behave the way any industry does when Washington does them a favor. Theyll increase their market and user base, which means drug dependence gets worse. Following state-level legalization and commercialization, the National Institute on Drug Abuse recently found that regular marijuana use has reached the highest levels ever recorded among young adults. Medical science is increasingly clear that use of marijuana increases psychosis, depression, schizophrenia, IQ loss and other negative impacts. The influx of billions into the industry will exacerbate this public health crisis. The SAFE Banking Act will harm everyday Montanans, particularly our youth and lower income citizens who have already been targeted by the industry. Given the data, Montanans should be shocked at Daines enthusiastic support. They should hope he puts down the pot and banking industrys talking points and side with those who want fewer drugs in our state, not more. DECATUR An armed Decatur drug dealer who told police he made thousands of dollars selling dog food street slang for heroin has been sent to prison for 15 years. Jechelle D. Hendrix, 35, took a plea deal that saw him admit a charge of armed violence in Macon County Circuit Court. Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith then agreed to dismiss a charge of being an armed habitual criminal as well as charges of drug dealing and being a felon in possession of a weapon. A sworn Decatur police affidavit said Hendrix had been arrested Feb. 14 in the 2200 block of North 40th Street by members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force; he had been sought on unrelated charges of home invasion. Officers searching his car found he had been armed with a .38 caliber revolver and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol fitted with an extended magazine. Hendrix also estimated he had approximately 27 grams of D or Dog Food, which is street slang for heroin, said Detective Jason Hesse, who signed the affidavit. Hendrix advised that after purchasing the heroin, he would profit $2,000 after he sells it. A check of his criminal record shows that Hendrix has previous convictions out of Macon County for possession of a weapon by a felon and drug dealing. Hendrix had been pleading not guilty to his latest charges and was due to face a jury trial June 12. But he appeared in court that day to say he had changed his mind and wanted to go ahead with the plea deal. In passing sentence, Griffith said Hendrix would receive day for day credit as he served his time. He also agreed to recommend the defendant for substance abuse treatment while he is incarcerated. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park SPRINGFIELD Justice Lisa Holder White announced Monday she is running for a full term on the Illinois Supreme Court. Having been appointed to the states highest court in July 2022, this will be Holder Whites first campaign for a full 10-year term in the high court's 4th District, which includes 41 counties from Jersey to Winnebago and from Adams to Ford. I am truly honored to serve on the Supreme Court of Illinois, said Holder White, a Decatur native, in her announcement. My service at all levels of the judiciary has prepared me to serve the citizens of the 4th District and the citizens of the entire state with integrity, competency and fairness. I will faithfully uphold the Constitution and the laws of the State of Illinois and the United States as your Justice on the Court from the 4th District. When Holder White was appointed last year to fill the vacancy left when Justice Rita Garman retired, she said she already was planning to stand for election in 2024. In her career leading up to her Supreme Court position, Holder White was sworn as an associate judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Illinois in 2001 and served as a circuit judge from 2008 to 2013, which included time as supervising judge of the criminal division. She joined the 4th District Appellate Court in January 2013 where she served until her appointment to the Supreme Court. Holder White was the first Black associate and circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the first Black justice on the 4th District Appellate Court and the first Black woman to serve as a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. Prior to her judgeship, Holder White served as an assistant states attorney and assistant public defender in Macon County and worked in private practice. She currently lives in Sangamon County. Watch now: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White in Bloomington Julie Dobski, Honorable Carla Barnes, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, Lyn Landon Meyer Capel attorneys Nate Hinch, Tristan Bullington, Samantha Walley, John Pratt Bev Stevens, Mike Martin Greg Meyer, Rick Wills Former District 6490 Governer Julie Dobski Donna Carlson Webb, Carrie Clodi Cheryl Magnuson, Kathleen Lorenz Karen Hanson, Honorable Beth Robb, Coroner Kathy Yoder Shandra Summerville, Uma Balakrishnan, District 6490 Governor Connie Walsh Jane Schurten, Julie Payne Karen DeAngelis, Kim Schoenbein Dayna Brown, Tracy Patkunas Feli Sebastian, Deanna Frautschi, Peggy Hundley Sue Seibring, Sonya Mau Erika Reynolds, SaMond Davis, Honorable Don Knapp, Coroner Kathy Yoder Julie Dobski, Pat Grosso Honorable Beth Robb, Josephine Shane, Aimee Beam Pottery making at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. A backstage tour at the Lincoln Theatre. Hiking with the ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park. These are just a few of the hands-on activities that local interns get to experience as part of Mount Rogers Regional Partnerships pilot intern immersion program, Meet Mount Rogers. This is a five-week summer initiative designed to support internship opportunities in the region, according to a written statement. Participants will meet once a week throughout June and July to learn professional development skills and explore the quality of life offered in the Mount Rogers region. Meet Mount Rogers will expose participants to the culture of the region and provide them with first-hand access to the recreational and outdoor amenities that abound. Participants will engage in guided tours of each locality that highlight the arts, dining, shopping, and networking opportunities. Activities will include professional development sessions as well as live music, hiking, behind-the-scenes tours, and much more. We want to support our businesses with their talent attraction and retention efforts, notes Rebecca Fisher, talent solutions manager. This program takes college students that are interning in the region and, while theyre learning from the companies what its like to work here, we want to give them a feel for what its like to do life here. Our region has so much to offer low cost of living, an abundance of outdoor activities, and great downtowns. Meet Mount Rogers showcases these assets to the interns along with providing them additional skill development opportunities to help our businesses get the most out of their internships. Were excited for this first year and to see the program continue to grow. Meet Mount Rogers was opened to college interns, apprentices, and similar roles in Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, and Wythe counties and the city of Galax. This years participants include interns from Blue Ridge Gatorade and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Employers in the region who are interested in registering interns for the 2024 season should contact Rebecca Fisher, Talent Solutions Manager, at rfisher@wcc.vccs.edu or by calling (276) 223-4709. There is no question National Dairy Council (NDC) is considered a scientific authority when it comes to dairy nutrition thanks to farmers vision that created the organization more than a century ago. Our reputation resides beyond U.S. borders, as NDC has understood that establishing research collaboration and dissemination of scientific knowledge globally is key to protecting dairys role in health and wellness. NDC research also supports the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), our sister checkoff organization tasked with driving sales of U.S.-produced dairy in international markets. Many customers and health professionals in other countries seek assurances of the health benefits of U.S.-produced dairy. So, we can show them NDC-sponsored and published peer-reviewed research and provide our expertise to help set the record straight on misperceptions related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, muscle, and bone health, among others. Weve also disseminated information to dispel myths related to concerns over saturated fats and sodium in cheese. In this regard, I have had the honor of delivering dairy research presentations in many countries, and I authored three chapters in a book for Latin American health professionals on dairy benefits against obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. In my travels, I have found that dairy organizations around the world are more similar than we are different, especially when it comes to relying on sound research that can benefit public health and enhance consumer confidence in dairy. But it isnt helpful or efficient to duplicate research efforts given everyones limited resources. Thats why in 2011, NDC joined science-based organizations from France, Australia, Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands to form the Dairy Research Consortium (DRC). The checkoff-founded Global Dairy Platform provides structural support for the consortium, whose collective goal is to advance research on the nutrition and health benefits of dairy. The consortium brings to life just how much stronger we are when we are united rather than working in isolation. We have zeroed in on three common research focus areas: dairy proteins, sustainable nutrition, and the dairy matrix, or the whole-food concept of looking at all that milk can deliver beyond its 13 essential nutrients. For U.S. dairy farmers, this is a great example of how NDC is stretching their checkoff investment. Because other countries also are contributing financially, we can do more extensive research together than alone, while avoiding duplication. One great DRC-led example is research that reaffirms the important role dairy plays in the lives of aging adults. The findings show that increasing consumption of foods rich in calcium and protein, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, helps reduce falls and fractures in older adults living in residential care. It was a pivotal finding as few studies have examined how nutrition can reduce fracture risk in older adults. It also was impactful as every consortium member publicized the research to their respective audiences. The world has undoubtedly become a smaller and more connected community over the years thanks to advancements in communications technologies. Its just as important that dairy industries across the globe connect and unite to address serious issues such as public health. Our research-focused collaboration is putting the power and unity of the worldwide dairy industry on full display. To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit www.USDairy.com/for-farmers or to reach us directly, send an email to TalkToTheCheckoff@dairy.org. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023 June 12, 2023 PM meets Vietnamese community in China Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met representatives of Vietnams representative offices and the Vietnamese community in China on June 25 afternoon, within the framework of his official visit to China and his attendance at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is welcomed by Vietnamese community in China (Photo: VNA) PM Chinh said that his visit aims to deepen the traditional relations and neighbourliness between the two countries. He affirmed the Party and State always consider the overseas Vietnamese community of more than 5.3 million, including those in China, as an integral part of the great national solidarity bloc, one of the driving forces, and a source of the country's development strength. The Party and State always pay attention to, and have mechanisms and policies to support overseas Vietnamese to have full legal status, stabilise their lives, develop their economy, comply with law of, and integrate into the host country, he added. The Government leader expressed his hope that Vietnamese people in China will continue acting as a bridge for the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations. He also said he believes they will have more substantive and effective contributions to Vietnams nation building and development cause. Regarding the communitys proposals, the PM asked related ministries, sectors and agencies to soon have response solutions. According to Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sao Mai, there are currently around 43,000 Vietnamese people living in China. Intensive rounds of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past few months seem to be hitting a pause. Some progress has been made via each of the now-existing three tracks sponsored respectively by Russia, by the EU, and by the U.S. These have shown a certain limited mutual complementarity, yet crucial issues still await authoritative resolution. At present, only the U.S. would appear to have the goal of a final peace treaty firmly in sight. The process presided by Council of the EU President Charles Michel in Brussels may potentially still be helpful, but the activity of other EU institutions has become obstructive. U.S. diplomacy should not allow the current momentum to dissipate. BACKGROUND: The U.S. has stepped up its participation in the South Caucasus peace process this year. In March, after two years of confusion over bureaucratic titles following the 2020 war (including whether anyone should represent the U.S. as co-chair of the long-defunct Minsk Group), the newly appointed U.S. Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, Louis Bono, visited Baku, Yerevan, and Tbilisi. The purpose was to consolidate the results of the February 18 meeting in Munich between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The February meeting had been initiated by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It was attended by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried as well as by Bono. It was the first time that Aliyev and Pashinyan had spoken face-to-face since October 6, 2022, when they met during the launch of the European Political Community (EPC). That meeting, in turn, was chaired and mediated by Charles Michel, President of the European Council. Because the EPC was created following an initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron, he was invited to attend Michels trilateral meeting in Prague as a special guest. The two sides, Armenia and Azerbaijan, had been scheduled to meet again, this time in Brussels, at the end of October last year. This meeting was postponed until November 7 and then cancelled, after Pashinyan posed the extraordinary condition that, since France in the person of Macron had attended the one-off Prague discussions, therefore he should become a member of the Brussels-based process. Azerbaijan ruled out Macrons presence, maintaining that he could not be neutral broker. Indeed, Macrons repeated public pro-Armenian statements during and after the Second Karabakh War, as well as votes in the French Parliament in favor of recognizing the so-called Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, justify Bakus reticence. Moreover, the Brussels process had been trilateral with Michel since its first meeting in December 2021 and had made tangible progress in that format through regular continued meetings in February, April, May, and August 2022. Bonos meetings in the South Caucasus, together with new prospects for another face-to-face meeting in Brussels mediated by Michel without Macron, raised the prospect of European-American coordination on diplomatic strategy in the South Caucasus. Such a development appears to be welcomed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan. It provides a good opportunity for trans-Atlantic cooperation that could lead to still bigger things. Such cooperation is especially needed in view of a new, strong Russian-Iranian alliancenot limited to military cooperation against Ukrainethat not only policy-observers but also official Washington are beginning increasingly to notice. IMPLICATIONS: Following the October 2022 quadrilateral at the first summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Prague, in which Macron took part, the EU with Azerbaijans agreement sent a temporary observation mission to the region of the still-undefined border with Armenia. This decision was implemented under the European External Action Service (EEAS), which is not under Charles Michel or the European Council but is instead directed by Josep Borrell, who is European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The mission had a temporary, two-month duration, from October to December, at the end of which period its mandate was unhelpfully and unilaterally extended indefinitely without consulting Baku. After an EU-arranged summit in Brussels on May 14 between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, a Russian-mediated meeting at the foreign-ministerial level took place on May 19. Following this, Pashinyan reaffirmed publicly Armenias recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, after which a trilateral meeting of Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Russian leaders took place in Moscow on May 25, on the sidelines of the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which Aliyev attended as a guest. The most significant result of this meeting was the reconvening of the trilateral expert group, presided at the deputy prime-ministerial level, on unblocking communications through the Zangezur corridor. This group had been created soon after the Moscow-mediated November 2020 Trilateral Declaration, in order to implement its Point 9. Azerbaijan has already implemented its Point 6, which concerns the construction of a new Lachin road and the provision that Baku shall guarantee the security of persons, vehicles and cargo moving along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. After over two and half years of delay, following the May meetings in Moscow, agreement was finally and quickly reached on practical steps for the Zangezur corridor. Russia has especially wanted this corridor to be open because it will give Moscow rail access to Turkey through Azerbaijan. Through Georgia there is no such access; indeed, there is basically only one mountain road that ices up in winter. Russias proposals on Karabakh during trilateral mediation, on the other hand, amounted to an indefinite postponement of the resolution of the issue. Yet Azerbaijan will not extend the mandate of the Russian peacekeeping troops in the un-deoccupied area of Karabakh beyond 2025, when it expires. The U.S. has praised the Azerbaijani offer to consider amnesty for ethnic-Armenian separatists in the region, if they should resign from their positions of self-constituted authority and disestablish the political structure there. The EEAS has just formalized and expanded its presence in Armenia from three to six posts near the border. And yet the EEAS turns a blind eye to the presence of 10,000 Armenian troops on the still un-deoccupied land in Karabakh. These are regular soldiers from the army of the Republic of Armenia, and not self-defense forces of the illegal ethnic-Armenian authority in Karabakh. There is no delimitation of territories, no demarcation of the border, indeed therefore no border posts. Determining what constitutes a violation is therefore problematic. Armenian forces have begun to use the EU representation as cover to fire upon Azerbaijani forces in Azerbaijan, much as Palestinian forces often usedthe posts of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as cover to fire upon Israeli forces in Israel. On June 1, Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sat in on a meeting organized by Michel with Aliyev and Pashinyan at the second EPC summit, which was held in Chisinau. The co-optation of Macron and Scholz (who also overtly supported the Armenian side during the war and its aftermath) into these one-off side meetings at the EPC summits has vitiated the constructive process initiated by Charles Michel. Indeed, the EEAS involvement, which seems to be partly a French-motivated machination and partly a maneuver by Borrell to increase his profile against Michels. Despite positive contributions to reaching a peace settlement made under the auspices of his good offices, it has become difficult to expect fully constructive engagement by the EU as a whole in the settling of the conflict. CONCLUSIONS: All this puts the American mediation at a critical juncture. The State Department continues institutionally to insist that Azerbaijan should allow unrestricted travel on the New Lachin Road, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken seems personally to have made the greatest contribution to mutual understanding between the sides, particularly at the early-May Washington meeting. Continuing pretensions by Armenian-American interest groups that there is an Azerbaijani blockade against Karabakh are simply false. The fact that Armenians freely usethe new Lachin border crossing is testimony to this fact. Azerbaijan requires only proper documentation and normal passport control in accord with normal standards of international law. A planned meeting in Washington on June 12 at the foreign-ministerial level had to be postponed because of newly-reelected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baku, which required the presence of the Azerbaijani foreign minister. There is a risk that the momentum achieved so far may diminish over the summer. Yet the summer is when Europeans go on vacation while Americans continue to work. The U.S. therefore has the opportunity to continue its practical work of mediation and to prepare increased momentum, to be taken up by all parties in autumn for a push toward signature of a final peace treaty before the end of the year. There is no time like the present. Robert M. Cutler is Senior Research Fellow at the NATO Association of Canada and Director of its Energy Security Program. Homegrown leading battery materials company Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAM) announced that it is planning to invest $650 million in the US. The company will establish a 50,000 TPA synthetic graphite anode manufacturing facility in the US to supply high-capacity anode materials produced through green technologies. The proposed facility in the US will provide critical battery materials to power more than 1 million Electric Vehicles, according to the company.EAM is expected to generate revenue of more than $500 million at full capacity by 2031, plus it will generate more than 1,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities at this facility. The facility is expected to be commissioned by 2026. "Our investment in the US is driven by the intent of Energising the World with clean energy solutions. The battery value chain is a critical enabler to electric mobility adoption, and we are channelizing our efforts to localize the battery manufacturing ecosystem. This will help automakers leverage the EV subsidies under the US," Vikaran Handa, Founder and Managing Director of Epsilon Advanced Materials, said in a statement.EAM is currently evaluating potential locations for the proposed facility across the US, subject to regulatory approvals, environmental permits, and state and local incentive agreements. The company has already signed strategic supply agreements with local raw material suppliers and transportation partners in order to create a seamless supply chain network with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and transportation costs. The company said that through this facility, it will produce high-capacity synthetic anode materials, customized for specific cell chemistries. On Saturday morning, human remains were found in the area where the 65-year-old British actor Julian Sands disappeared during a snowy hike earlier this year. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office, human remains found in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California, near Mount Baldy, were discovered by hikers who notified the police. The remains were taken to the coroners office, but their identification will have to wait at least until next week. It is interesting that in February, the body of a climber was found in the area, according to the news, he went missing on the same day as Sands. Julian Sands disappeared in the area in January the continuation of his search was announced on Monday. More than 80 volunteer search and rescuers are involved in the rescue, but Sands has not yet been found. The actor is being searched with two helicopters and several drones. They have not given up, they are still looking for the movie star who disappeared in January The search continues for 65-year-old British actor Julian Sands, who disappeared earlier this year near Mount Baldy during a snow hike. The movie stars car was found near Mount Baldy, previously considered one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the United States. The actor is known as an avid hiker and has already conquered several famous mountain peaks. Sands was one of the stars of the 1985 film A Room with a View, which won three Oscars and five BAFTA awards. Later, the audience could see him in productions such as Warlock, Arachnophobia Spider Woman, Naked Lunch or Las Vegas, final destination. From the 1980s, he worked continuously in the television and film industries. The family of the actor who disappeared while hiking broke the silence Relatives of Julian Sands have thanked Southern California law enforcement for their persistent search for the Room with a View star. Source: The Guardian Featured Image Julian Sands (Source: Getty Images) GUEST OPINION: Since Covid, lengthening wait times and waitlists for healthcare services have become common in Australia, and around the world, despite increases in healthcare spending. Analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence fill our lives with incredible and highly efficient services. So, how can we do more with less in the worlds most complex and arguably most important industry? According to Gartner, productivity improvements require a digital-first model that breaks away from traditional in-person-centred approaches to one that prioritises digital engagement and the use of digital products and service throughout the entirety of an individuals health journey. We often see the most significant advances in digital health within the most integrated healthcare ecosystems, like Denmark, where the barriers to health data sharing are low. In the United States, government policies and funding have also led to the creation of several very successful regional Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), driving many exciting innovations. Generally speaking, though, health data-sharing infrastructure reflects the fragmented nature of the healthcare industry. While digital transformation has led to business transformation in many industries, the structural barriers to change in healthcare remain very high. Look at the interoperability capabilities of Australian and New Zealand healthcare providers. They fall short of whats required to drive the evidence-based improvements our healthcare system urgently needs. And while there are some pockets of excellence, if you consider the entirety of an individuals health journey, it is clear that joined-up digital healthcare is limited and focused predominately on sick care. The InterSystems State of Healthcare Analytics & Interoperability Study found that only around half of acute care providers could perform analytics on their inpatient clinical data, 40% on their diagnostic systems or patient administration data, one third on clinical data from outpatient services, and fewer than 20% of respondents could perform analytics on sensor or medical device data. And thats just within their own organisations! Role of open interoperability standards like FHIR What is going to solve that problem? Adopting open interoperability standards like FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) and encouraging or mandating healthcare information systems to open up and support these standards would make a huge difference. For example, as part of New Zealands Hira digital health program, the countrys Medicines Data Repository recently provided FHIR-based API access to a consolidated data set from the New Zealand ePrescription Service. This can be used by consumers and health providers through approved applications to access details of a persons medication history. Such changes may require healthcare providers and systems suppliers to implement data platforms for interoperability. But I dont think it can be a one-size-fits-all solution, and interoperability is not the only enabling technology that we need data platforms for. Building the infrastructure for FHIR-based interoperability is relatively easy. More challenging is what you do with the data when you get it. Access to patient medical records is a great starting point. But, if the data isnt usable at the point of care, isnt trusted, or isnt subject to the proper clinical governance, it wont make a big enough difference. AI and machine learning algorithms, for example, enable incredible breakthroughs in the quality and cost-effectiveness of care. But no one will use them if they are not clinically reliable, explainable and ethical. If you want to see an exciting example, look at what RAPIDx AI is doing in South Australia to clinically test the use of AI algorithms to improve the emergency care of people with chest pain. A data or interoperability platform enables these sorts of breakthroughs by connecting and translating health data sources, ensuring data quality, and delivering the data to where it needs to go, when it is needed. Interoperability challenges and value-based care Thankfully, healthcare organisations are not just waiting for government-led market reform. The business case for better interoperability is already becoming apparent, and the cost of providing interoperability through standards like FHIR has never been lower. Our survey showed an expected six-fold increase in the adoption of FHIR in the acute care sector, from 11% to 66% of organisations, so its already happening. That said, healthcare organisations are constantly challenged when it comes to funding digital healthcare and resourcing projects. That limits the pace of change. And there is a particular challenge in creating any system-wide business case to justify the resourcing of clinical analytics and the interoperability to support it. So, what would move us closer to this vision faster? How do we find that same urgency the Covid-19 pandemic provided to progress a critical initiative that will touch all of us and our families? Is it enough to argue that more interoperable digital healthcare promises that we will live longer, healthier, more satisfying and fulfilled lives? Or do we need a more clearly articulated and agreed vision of this and who is responsible for which parts including legislation, structural change and funding models? As far as technology goes, even modest investments in interoperability and analytics can enable healthcare providers to better understand the cost and the outcomes of care and provide the evidence to support changes that improve how healthcare is delivered. With visibility and data exchange across different providers and settings, we can start to empower and benefit from value-based care by ensuring that healthcare delivery is focused on patient outcomes, with ongoing sustainability of the cost of delivering that care. Right now, that is mostly only possible within organisations or within the most integrated parts of the healthcare system. But more broadly, successful value-based care initiatives would make an enormous difference because of their impact on patients and providers and success is (pardon the pun) contagious. One InterSystems customer reduced an eight to 12-week process to a 45-minute consult by applying these concepts. Is there a patient, family member, carer or provider who wouldnt want this? Each successful value-based care initiative would provide a model and the incentive to join up other parts of the system to get further benefits and increase the number of stakeholders who get those benefits. In other words, there is a powerful network effect, and that has the potential to move the dial significantly. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> GET ARGUS' DAILY SMILES TO YOUR INBOX. SIGN UP FOR THE JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. House Republicans censured House Democrat Adam Schiff Wednesday for lying repeatedly that he had evidence proving Trump colluded with Russia. Schiff said he will wear it as a badge of honor. Adam Schiff still maintains he has information on Trump so important he hasn't made it up yet. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg agreed to fight each other in a cage match this summer in Las Vegas, giving the public an MMA fight between the chairmen of Facebook and Twitter. However, it seems pretty timid by comparison now. If they were real men, they'd settle it underwater like billionaires. The Weather Channel noted record high ocean temperatures on the Eastern Seaboard for beach goers. On Saturday New Yorkers flocked to the beach at Coney Island to watch the annual Mermaid Parade. The Mermaid Parade was more inclusive this year because the parade included Rainbow Trout. Senator Bernie Sanders ripped billionaires on Wall Street for not paying their fair share Friday as he was proposing a tax on every stock transaction. However billionaires have another question on their minds today. How much for a ticket to go down and see the sub that went down to see the Titanic? The New York Post reported Thursday the wife of the CEO who piloted the Titan submersible is the great-great granddaughter of a wealthy couple who died on the Titanic in 1912. I ended up drawing one conclusion. Sometimes, billionaires eat lobsters and sometimes it's the other way around. The Titanic Submersible Sub disaster prompted cable news pundit discussions about what drives very wealthy men to go up in space or down to the ocean floor. If this week's disaster teaches us anything it's relax, for crying out loud. Mt. Everest is littered with the bodies of highly motivated people. House Republicans produced transcripts from an IRS whistleblower Thursday that had Hunter Biden threatening a Chinese businessman via text in 2017 to come through on an agreed bribe. Hunter adds his father is standing right there. If he's not impeached Joe deserves an Oscar for the dementia act. President Biden welcomed India's prime minister for an official state visit Thursday that began with a formal ceremony on the White House lawn. Hilariously, Biden placed his right hand over his heart during the playing of India's national anthem. Joe thought they were playing G od Save the Queen. President Biden drew a rebuke from China after Joe told a fundraiser he shot down the Chinese spy balloon that President Xi didn't even know was in operation. Joe said that's the problem with dictatorships. Yesterday Biden shot down a Mexican spy balloon and now there's candy all over El Paso. The White House refuted charges the U.S. is losing power to China asserting the U.S. spends three times more on our military than China does. Here's how we do it. The Pentagon spends five hundred dollars for a hammer and the Chinese sell the hammers to the Pentagon supplier for nine dollars apiece. (COMMENT, BELOW) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> As academic scandals go, the one at the Harvard Medical School morgue is about as ghoulish as they get. Federal authorities in recent weeks identified six participants in an alleged conspiracy to steal, sell, and transport human body parts that had been donated to the school for research and study. According to prosecutors, the morgue's former manager, Cedric Lodge, had for years been diverting human remains that were supposed to be respectfully cremated, selling them to people who traffic in macabre bodily "oddities," such as skulls, faces, internal organs, or the corpses of stillborn babies. At times, the indictment said, he invited buyers into the Harvard morgue so they could "examine cadavers to choose what to purchase." Some defendants are accused of committing similar crimes at a mortuary in Little Rock used by the University of Arkansas. Harvard fired Lodge in May when it learned of what it calls his "abhorrent betrayal." The school reportedly knew nothing of Lodge's activities until it was alerted by the FBI. In the words of the US Attorney's office, Harvard was "also a victim" of the alleged traffickers. Nevertheless, Harvard bears at least some of the responsibility for its shoddy oversight of the medical school morgue and its manager. Other medical schools are more conscientious about supervising their morgues and keep careful tabs on anatomical donations used in classrooms and laboratories. Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, for example, has established multiple layers of oversight to ensure the proper treatment of donated bodies. As the Globe's Felice Freyer reported, the policy at Dartmouth is for two staff members and a faculty member to certify that each body has been properly reassembled after dissection, and staffers undertake a final check before cremation. At the Stryker School of Medicine at Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, donors' remains are monitored via a high-tech chain-of-custody system, which uses software and QR codes to ensure that all body parts are reunited before final disposition. The Harvard scandal is in part the result of Harvard's own failure to hold itself to similarly high standards. But in some quarters, the reaction has been to blame not a lack of diligence by Harvard but a lack of regulation by the government. "Medical school morgues . . . face no state oversight in Massachusetts," WBUR reported the day after the federal indictments were announced. "It appears no greater authority outside the schools monitors their procedures for keeping bodies secure." The American Association of Anatomy issued a statement of "strong condemnation" for what happened at Harvard and "call[ed] upon government and law enforcement agencies . . . to prevent the misuse and commodification of human body donors." NBC News quoted Thomas Champney, a lecturer on bioethics at the University of Miami: "What I really want from the federal government is basic enforcement on the handling" of donated bodies, Champney said. Hold on, though: Why the government? It's not as if Washington is always scrupulous about keeping tabs on its own valuable assets. Is there any reason to think the government would do a better job of monitoring the donation, handling, and final disposal of bodies donated for teaching purposes than the universities themselves? The nation's medical schools know it is imperative for them to quickly restore public confidence in the body donation system. Harvard's scandal has called attention to something that wasn't previously on their radar screen: the need to ensure uniform, high-quality oversight at all academic morgues. They have more of an incentive to get this right, and to get it right promptly, than any government agency ever will. We should let them do so. It is a popular but unfortunate belief that the best solution to every problem in society, major or minor, is likely to come from government. Of course regulation is an important function in a well-run nation; no one would deny the need for prudent government oversight in keeping the environment clean, food and drugs safe, the financial and banking system stable, and elections trustworthy. The regulatory state we live under, however, is anything but prudent. Tens of thousands of pages are added annually to the Federal Register, the government's compendium of rules governing everything from the angling of ladders in an apple orchard to the volume of water toilets may flush to the maximum allowable diameter of a frozen cherry tart. Some of the nation's most trusted regulatory organizations, such as UL Solutions (formerly Underwriters Laboratories) operate in the private sector. Overregulation is not cost-free. The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation calculates its toll at $1.9 trillion each year in added expenses and lost productivity. Even worse is the toll government regulation exacts in lost freedom. According to the most recent Human Freedom Index, which tabulates economic and personal liberty around the world, the United States now ranks just 23rd. It is a mistake to think that "regulation" must be a synonym for "government." Some of the nation's most trusted regulatory agencies operate in the private sector. A renowned example is UL Solutions (formerly Underwriters Laboratories), which tests, inspects, and certifies electrical products and materials for safety. Other nongovernmental regulators include Better Business Bureaus, credit-rating firms like Moody's and Fitch, kosher-food certifiers, and the Good Housekeeping testing labs. What happened at the Harvard morgue suggests the need for a better system to protect and keep track of bodies donated for medical science. The American Association of Tissue Banks has one. The organization has already established an accreditation program to certify institutions that adhere to the highest standards for accepting human body donations. It offers accreditation to hospitals and medical schools "that desire a higher level of scrutiny from an outside organization, and in turn, increased transparency and public trust." To date, only a handful of facilities have been certified by the association. That should certainly change now. Harvard and its peers have every motivation to quickly institute the improvements necessary to qualify for accreditation and regain the "transparency and public trust" undermined by recent developments. Sometimes there is no alternative to government regulation, but this isn't such a case. The scandal at Harvard's morgue was ghoulish indeed. But there is no reason to think it was caused by insufficient government. There's even less reason to treat it as an excuse for enlarging the regulatory state. Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission." Insight D is for Dems --- and disinformation By Michael Reagan Published June 26, 2023 SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Barack Obama told a good joke the other day. He said he thought that the level of disinformation and misinformation online has gotten so dangerously high in the U.S. that we need to develop "digital fingerprints" so ordinary citizens can tell what's truly true and know who's not telling it. We? Did he mean "We the American people" or "We the politicians with all the power"? The ex-president of us all didn't specify what government agency or allegedly nonpartisan public watchdog group he thought should get to decide what is the "truth" or how or if it would be enforced. He told his former senior advisor David Axelrod that he is most concerned about "deep fakes" that use digitally manipulated images, audio or video to spread lies and mislead people especially voters. But Obama said people are going to have to know how to spot misinformation that "can still be used, for example, to discourage people from voting by characterizing the system as rigged and corrupt." The punchline to Obama's unintentional joke is his concern that misinformation can "oftentimes advantage the powerful." And, he said, "I am worried about that kind of cynicism developing even further during the course of this next election. Gee, President Obama, why would half the country's voters the red-colored half be cynical? Could it be that for seven years they've watched the president they elected in 2016 be abused by a continual disinformation campaign carried out by Democrats, the FBI, government intelligence agencies and the partisan media? Obama and lesser pontificating phonies like my lying congressman, the recently censured Adam Schiff, don't actually care about the spread of disinformation, conspiracy theories and lies as long as they get to spread theirs. For almost four years, the Democrats and their pet media pushed the Russian Collusion Hoax and other minor hoaxes and lies about Trump or his family. The liberal media, of course, swallowed and regurgitated every claim without question while Big Tech's biased "moderators" and "fact checkers" made sure to censor, hide or kill "disinformation" that challenged or discredited the hoaxes. The Mueller Report found there was no Trump-Russia collusion before the 2016 election, yet we still have James Comey, the disgraced FBI head and fiction writer, pushing that Big Lie on TV. Per usual, there are no tough questions or criticism for Comey from the liberal media. His lies are still treated as gospel and he's treated as tenderly as the lying Bidens or Hillary Clinton, who'll never pay for her role in using the FBI to hobble Trump before and after he was elected. And there'll be no harsh words from the media for the 51 former intelligence experts who knew the Hunter Biden laptop was real but still signed a statement before the 2020 election saying it looked like an act of Russian disinformation. Meanwhile, Democrats are always trying to make the country believe that it was the Republicans who've been doing all the lying. But who told the whoppers about the origin of the COVID-19 virus being from a bat cave or a wet market in Wuhan? Who kept telling us the lies that COVID vaccines were absolutely safe and prevented infection and transmission long after they knew otherwise? Who has been dis-informing us for the last sixty years, at least with the lie that Republicans are going to throw grandma over the cliff by getting rid of Social Security and Medicare? The answer for all of the above is Democrats. But now we're supposed to take advice about stopping the spread of disinformation from President Obama? Isn't he that smooth young black guy who promised to work for a unified and colorblind society but ended up re-igniting the race war in the United States? Yep. And you can electronically fingerprint me for saying that, Mr. Ex-president. But it's still not disinformation. (COMMENT, BELOW) Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). He is the founder of the email service reagan.com and president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation. 100 years ago, June 26, 1923 MATTOON If the word of men who dig wells is to be believed there is great fear among farmers that there will be a bad water shortage this summer and fall. It is not likely that there is anyone who knows more about water conditions than men who make well digging their business, and those with whom representatives of this paper have communicated state that they are overrun with work, indicating plainly that farmers are seeking more water for their farms. One man who specializes in sinking tubular wells stated to a Journal-Gazette representative that he now has booked enough work to keep his outfit busy for the next three or four months...MATTOON J.C. Whitley, who was engaged in cultivating corn on the farm of Art Townley, near Coles Station, this morning was badly injured when his team of horses became frightened and ran away. Whitley had the lines fastened about his waist, and he was dragged from his seat and thrown violently against a post. He sustained a deep gash to the back of one ear and another gash in the neck while one arm is badly scratched and bruised. Whitley was brought to the city to have his injuries dressed by a physician, after which he was taken to the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. John Tucker, on the Bert Lidster farm, three miles northwest of the city. Whitley, who is about 65 years of age, makes his home with his daughter, but has been working for Townley. 50 years ago, 1973 MATTOON The controversial Marksborough subdivision proposal goes before the corridor committee a second time tonight. The 130-acre development would be located just south of the Coles County Airport. Governmental bodies claiming zoning jurisdiction over the subdivision include the cities of Mattoon and Charleston and the county. Mattoon and Charleston claim that the proposed development is within contiguous territory ("twilight zone") not more than one and one-half miles beyond the boundaries of the strip along Illinois 16 annexed by the two cities. A portion of Marksborough subdivision lies within an area over which Charleston claims to have jurisdiction. The larger portion of the subdivision, however, lies within an area claimed by Mattoon. The county claims that provisions of the board's subdivision review plat procedure give the board the power to approve plats. Mattoon lawyer Laurence Grabb contends that the county board cannot legally reject the plat. Grabb is secretary of Lake Wood Estates, Inc., developer of the subdivision. Grabb is also not convinced that Charleston and Mattoon have zoning authority over the subdivision, due the fact that it has never been tested in court whether "twilight zoning" is legal. 25 years ago, 1998 CHARLESTON If you were a dog, where would you go? At least three mixed-breed Alaskan Malamutes have been reported missing to the Coles County Animal Shelter in the last few weeks, and one other was hit by a car and killed. "I don't think these dogs are being stolen," said Bob Alderson, assistant manager of the Coles County Animal Shelter. "We handle a lot of calls, and this is no more common than missing Chows, or any other breed. There are lots of them out there." Alderson said that these dogs are not especially expensive, running about $300-$350 for a purebred puppy, although he stated that all the missing dogs were of mixed breed, and it's impossible to put a price on a pet. "It's kind of unusual, in that these dogs don't usually run away," said Alderson. "One was 12 years old and couldn't have gotten too far. His owners said it was painful for him to even be picked up." The missing animals come from various locations in and around Charleston. Photos: Scenes from the 2023 Westminster dog show Q: My dad doesnt go to the doctor except for when he is really sick. What is he missing in his regular health screenings? Answer: Research shows that many men do not take advantage of preventative care that is available to them. Receiving regular health screenings are an important part of maintaining good health and often play a vital role in helping to catch health challenges early and receive appropriate treatment before they become larger health challenge or even major health crisis. Most health screenings are relatively simple and quick, and often results can be provided on the spot. These screenings provide participants with information about their weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and risks of common health challenges such as diabetes and/or heart disease. During the screening a health care professional will cover family history of risk factors, age related risk factors, age-appropriate blood work, and any concerns that the patient brings. Eye screenings assess changes in vision and can detect several different eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Twice yearly dental visits keep teeth clean, detect decay and gum disease, as well as screen for mouth cancers, and can assess the need for dentures. There are other health screenings available that may catch health concerns that could develop between annual physicals including colon, prostate, lung, and skin cancer screenings. Individuals aged 45-75 are recommended to get tested for colon cancer by having a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or fecal occult blood test. The frequency of testing depends on the type of test performed. Individuals aged 45-70 are also recommended to get tested for prostate cancer by receiving a digital rectal exam and prostate specific antigen test. If there is a family history of prostate cancer, it is recommended to start testing at age 40. Current smokers, age 55-80 or who have quit within the past 15 years are recommended to get tested for lung cancer by a low-dose CT scan annually. It is also recommended that people who have moles, freckles, and/or skin discoloration receive periodic skin examinations to look for skin cancer. Not all screenings are appropriate for everyone, it is important to talk to your doctor and find out which ones are right for you. Information about available health screenings for these and other health concerns can usually be found through conversation with your health care provider. You may also wish to check the Atrium Wake Forest Baptist and Novant websites for information about clinics and screenings in your area. For example, Novant Health provides free and/or low-cost screenings to community members and posts information here: novanthealth.org/services/wellness-programs/remarkable-you/screenings/. Also, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist offers screenings at its Mobile Health Clinic. There is a schedule of times and locations available at wakehealth.edu/locations/clinics/m/mobile-health-clinic. Lastly, your insurance provider may have access to information about screenings, in-network health care providers, and other useful tools on their website. Q: My mom has been living with her partner for over 40 years, they are not married. If something happens to my mom, will her partner be allowed to help make care decisions? Answer: This is a common question many people have when they or a parent have a long-term partner that they love and trust. Unfortunately, North Carolina is not a state that recognizes common law unions, meaning that even though they have been living together and sharing living expenses for 40 years, legally they are not automatically recognized as having the same rights and privileges as a spouse. Dont worry, there are ways for your mom to ensure her health care wishes are met and to even grant her partner the ability to help make health care decisions in the event she is unable to do so herself. People who want to ensure the type of medical care they receive in the event they are unable to communicate their wishes in the future can complete a Health Care Directives form. This is a legal document that explicitly lays out the type and range of care they will receive under various circumstances. Filling this form out while we are healthy and able to make these decisions for ourselves can alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty that our loved ones might experience in the event of a medical situation where we cannot communicate our wishes in real time. It is good practice to make plans early and discuss them with loved ones so that they will be aware of our wishes and where to find our Health Care Directives. To give your moms partner the ability to make health-care decisions for your mom if she is unable, your mom can assign them as her durable power of attorney for health care. This is accomplished by filling out a legal form and getting it properly notarized. Both the Health Care Directives and Durable Power of Attorney for health care can be found through their physician, hospital, lawyers or downloaded from the Secretary of State Registry website at https://bit.ly/POAFormNC. A lawyer is not required to file these papers (they must be notarized) but it is not a bad idea to consult an attorney prior to submitting them. Forms can usually be notarized at your bank, post office, lawyers office, accountant or an independent notary. The question, posed via cellphone and interrupting an out-of-state vacation, seemed like a layup. What has Carol Templeton meant to the Forsyth Backpack Program? It was posed recently as part of the buildup for Templetons retirement from an organization shes led since its inception. The woman whod provide an answer, board member and former director of operations Janet Garrison, had watched Templetons program from its origin when they were volunteers at Brunson Elementary and first got a glimpse into just how big a problem childhood hunger actually is in Winston-Salem. For just a moment, Garrison paused, took a deep breath and considered her answer. Basically, shes been everything, she said. Huge issue The Forsyth Backpack Program, as its name lets on, was started in 2012 as a way to see that hungry children had food at home on weekends and over long holiday breaks. Heart-breaking as it sounds, to those who work (or volunteer time) in many Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools buildings childhood hunger is just a raw fact. Theres nothing surprising about it to people who see kids every day. But until or unless youve been there, the magnitude is shocking. Garrison and Templeton became friends in a standard parent sort of way. They were both volunteers at Brunson and had their own version of an epiphany while doing so. It was eye-opening, Garrison said. As far as it goes for me I cant speak for Carol, but I imagine it was similar I just didnt see it until somebody pointed it out. When you see a child in the cafeteria pocketing a few things so they have something to eat at home, it hits you like a ton of bricks. Theres no looking away after that. In the proverbial nutshell, thats the genesis of the Forsyth Backpack Program. Its since grown into an official 501(3) nonprofit that discreetly sends food home with kids who live in what are charitably called food unstable homes. From just the one school, the organization has grown to the point where it serves students in more than a dozen schools. It works in partnership with the Second Harvest Foodbank of Northwest North Carolina to make sure those kids have healthy sustainable options. Similar programs are in place at other schools no one has a monopoly on trying to feed hungry kids but those typically are one-to-one, meaning that a church or other civic-minded organization assembles the food for a single school. That wasnt Templetons vision. She figured the Forsyth Backpack Program would work best as an umbrella organization to help more kids in a stable and predictable way. Basic necessity Templeton obviously knows shes retiring as the first and only president of the program a season for everything and everyone. But what she didnt know until Monday was that a board meeting scheduled to be held at the Winston-Salem Foundation was a ruse, a surprise party organized as a thank-you for all the hard work. She doesnt know, Garrison said Thursday, or at least she shouldnt. It seems a fitting send-off for someone whos devoted countless hours to fight back against a need so glaring. Food is a basic necessity, and everything flows from that health, growth, education, Templeton told a reporter several years ago. Its hard to think about a small child trying to sit still or falling asleep in class because they havent had anything to eat over the weekend. Hunger affects every aspect of the childs well-being. That much hasnt changed. As sad as it sounds, childhood hunger likely will always be an issue in schools and society at large. Food is the most basic need, Garrison said. For a child, to know that they have food at home and wont have to go hungry the peace of mind provided for these kids is priceless. PHOTOS: Surprise retirement party for Forsyth Backpack Program president Carol Templeton Happy Monday. What did I miss? Has it rained? Everything you need to know about measuring Carol Templetons impact on the community could be measured in a single phone call. Templeton, the founder and driving force behind the Forsyth Backpack Program - a model for making sure children dont go hungry in this community - officially stepped down last Monday. To mark the occasion, her friends and coworkers created a pretext for a board meeting and threw her a going away party intended to be a surprise. But before any of that came to pass, I wanted to find out a little bit about the Forsyth Backpack Program and Templetons role in it. In order to do that, a few phone calls were placed. The first one returned came from Janet Garrison, a board member and former director of operations who has worked alongside Templeton since both women were volunteers at Brunson Elementary. Garrison, just so you know, was on vacation up north enjoying the spectacular scenery - and occasionally spotty cell service - at Arcadia National Park in Maine. A lot of people might let a work-related call roll into voice mail. Im on vacation. Itll wait. But Garrison found a signal and returned a message almost immediately. Basically shes been everything, Garrison said when asked about Templetons impact. The Forsyth Backpack Program was started in 2012 as a way to see that hungry children had food at home on weekends and over long holiday breaks. Heart-breaking as it sounds, childhood hunger is just a fact. But until or unless youve spent time in a school, you may not know the depth and breadth of the problem. Thats how Garrison and Templeton realized the seriousness of a near hidden issue. They were both volunteers at Brunson when they saw.. It was eye-opening, Garrison said via cell from the coast of Maine. As far as I goes for me - I cant speak for Carol but I imagine it was similar - I just didnt see it until somebody pointed it out. When you see a child in the cafeteria pocketing a few things so they have something to eat at home, it hits you like a ton of bricks. Theres no looking away after that. So much so that Templeton got busy and dedicated the better part of a decade to doing something about it. From its inception, the Forsyth Backpack Program has grown into an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit that discreetly sends food home with kids who live in what are charitably called food unstable homes. From just a single school, the organization has grown to the point where it serves students in more than a dozen. It works in partnership with the Second Harvest Foodbank of Northwest North Carolina to make sure those kids have healthy sustainable options. Similar programs are in place at other schools - no one has a monopoly on trying to feed hungry kids - but those typically are one-to-one, meaning that a church or other civic-minded organization assembles the food for a single school. Food is a basic necessity, and everything flows from thathealth, growth, education, Templeton told a reporter several years ago. Its hard to think about a small child trying to sit still or falling asleep in class because they havent had anything to eat over the weekend. Hunger affects every aspect of the childs well-being. I-40 lane closures WINSTON-SALEM - All together now the N.C. Department of Transportation closed a few lanes of Interstate 40 Sunday night and plans to do so again tonight. Per official N.C. DOT communications folk, I-40 west in Forsyth County closed one of the two lanes between N.C. 66 and Union Cross Road Sunday. (Missed that one; I rarely venture out after dark on weekends.) Of more immediate concern is the fact that DOT will close one of two lanes on I-40 westbound between High Point Road to the I-74/I-40 interchange from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. That will matter to early risers and commuters trying to get a jump start on another workweek. The stated reason is the same as always: ongoing bridge preservation and road rehabilitation. As always, short delays and detours trump crumbling bridges. Update Authorities arrested Patrick Wolfe on July 11 after a Lancaster County judge signed a warrant for his arrest. Prosecutors charged the 27-year-old with three felonies: terroristic threats, assault by strangulation and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. He is being held at the county jail. Authorities in Lancaster County are searching for a Nebraska man who allegedly threatened a 24-year-old woman with a rifle near Davey on Saturday afternoon before hurling more threats at bystanders who intervened, the sheriff said. Patrick Wolfe, 27, threatened the woman with a .22-caliber rifle outside their shared travel trailer in the 18000 block of North 27th Street, northwest of Davey, at about 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Sheriff Terry Wagner said. When bystanders intervened and indicated they were calling authorities, Wolfe threatened to kill them, Wagner alleged. Wolfe fled the scene before deputies arrived, Wagner said taking the woman's cellphone but leaving the rifle behind, kicking off an hourslong manhunt that lasted until 11 p.m. Saturday. Deputies and Nebraska State Patrol troopers deployed police dogs and the patrol's airwing as they searched for the 27-year-old Saturday, but didn't find him, Wagner said. Wolfe, a convicted sex offender, is wanted on suspicion of terroristic threats, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, third-degree domestic assault and strangulation. He is also the subject of an arrest warrant in York County for violating the state's Sex Offender Registry Act by failing to update his address. He was convicted there in 2016 for attempted first-degree sexual assault. Wagner said Saturday's incident marked Wolfe's first contact with law enforcement in Lancaster County. Anyone with information on Wolfe's whereabouts can contact the sheriff's office at 402-441-6500. 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 The father of a 12-year-old Lincoln boy who fell 10 feet from a rock-climbing wall at a summer camp in 2021 has sued the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Bright Lights, the nonprofit that ran the camp at the university's Outdoor Adventure Center. Chris Schroeder is seeking $41,663 for his son's medical expenses, as well as unspecified amounts for future medical expenses and pain and suffering. In the lawsuit filed Friday in Lancaster County District Court, Schroeder's attorney, Jonathan Urbom, said that on June 24, 2021, Schroeder's son attended the rock-climbing learning camp organized by Bright Lights. While climbing on a bouldering wall, which is done without a harness or helmet, the boy "fell awkwardly from a height of 10 feet sideways onto his left arm, resulting in significant damage," Urbom said in the lawsuit The fall resulted in an elbow fracture. Urbom is alleging the fall was a result of the joint negligence of Bright Lights and UNL. He alleged Bright Lights was aware that a bouldering wall was being used as a camp activity "and created a peculiar risk involving a special hazard or danger" and that UNL was aware of the peculiar risk of harm that exists "when allowing an inexperienced climber to climb to a dangerous height of 10-feet without use of a harness or other climbing safety equipment." Attorneys for Bright Lights and the university haven't yet filed a response to the lawsuit. Explore 10 of Nebraska's water parks Fremont Splash Station Big Blue Water Park Hastings Aquacourt Fun-Plex Island Oasis Norfolk AquaVenture Mahoney State Park Pawnee Plunge Fullerton Papio Bay Aquatic Center The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and Lincoln Police are warning about the dangers of a potent drug intended as an animal tranquilizer called xylazine. According to a Friday news release from the Health Department, instances of xylazine mixed with fentanyl and other illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine are becoming more common across the U.S., and those combinations "can put people at higher risk of a fatal overdose." Xylazine, a non-opiate sedative and tranquilizer, is not approved for use in people in the U.S., according to the federal Food and Drug Administration. Since May 2021, Lincoln Police have identified just four local cases in which xylazine was seized. No fatal xylazine-related overdoses have occurred in Lincoln so far, the release said. "LPD is dedicated to informing the public of dangerous narcotic trends occurring across the nation that may impact our community," Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins said in the news release. "Currently, we have seen very few incidents concerning xylazine, but it is important to be aware and educated of its dangerous effects." The Health Department is also working to inform local health care professionals of xylazine and its different names. Products containing xylazine may go by the street names tranq, tranq dope, sleep cut and zombie drug. Still, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said people who use these drugs are often unaware that xylazine was added. When used in people, xylazine can cause the following symptoms: * Unresponsiveness and decreased consciousness. * Low blood pressure. * Slow heart rate. * Reduced or slow breathing. * Dry mouth. * Drowsiness. * Coma. The DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in all but two states, a DEA administrator said, and in 2022 "approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine." According to an October DEA report documenting a two-year period beginning in 2020, the Midwest saw the smallest increase where xylazine was identified a 7% increase. In comparison, the largest increase occurred in the South, where xylazine identifications increased by almost 200%. For more information about xylazine, visit www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/other-drugs/xylazine/faq.html. Photos: Once-standout DEA agent says war on drugs is 'unwinnable' A 5-year-old boy was taken to an Omaha hospital with life-saving measures in progress Sunday after being found down in the pool at the Fun-Plex Waterpark. Medical personnel from the Omaha Fire Department were called to the pool at 7003 Q St. in Ralston about 2:45 p.m., according to a Douglas County 911 dispatcher. Radio traffic indicated that a 5-year-old boy was unconscious when he was pulled from the pool. CPR was in progress when medics arrived. The boy was taken by ambulance to the Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy and then transported to Children's Hospital & Medical Center. A person who identified himself on the phone as a Fun-Plex manager said the pool had been closed for the day following the incident. Fun-Plex is the largest waterpark in Nebraska, according to its website. Fun-Plex began as The Kart Ranch in 1979 with just a go-kart track. Note: An earlier version of this story indicated the boy had died. His condition has not been released. How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years Spending on public safety in cities in the US has doubled since 1980 Police funding has remained about half of public safety budgets consistently for 40 years Even with ballooning public safety budgets, many cities allocate more money to the police Some cities have reigned in police spending, while others have tightened overall public safety budgets Ogallalas gentle twin Kenfield brothers, who gave their hometown a unique tourist attraction, had done virtually everything together forever. They didnt quite die together, but it was close. Harvey Kenfield died at his home June 5, three months and two days after Howard Kenfield died three days shy of their joint 96th birthday. The brothers graduated together from Brule High School. They served in the same Korean War U.S. Army unit, both worked 42 years in Ogallalas electronics industry, married their wives five months apart in their late 40s and moved back in together after both became widowers. The Kenfields leave behind several nieces and nephews, two grateful stepfamilies and their shared collection of artwork, Native American artifacts and fossils housed at Ogallalas Petrified Wood and Art Gallery across U.S. 30 from Front Street. And theyre next-door neighbors out at the (Ogallala) cemetery, just one plot and one row apart, said Howards stepson, Michael Keith of Ogallala. Howard and Harvey led quiet lives most of their long years. But after their community helped them find a permanent home for their collection in 2011, theyve gained notice for their perseverance and artistic vision. A chance August 2018 visit to the gallery by Florida filmmaker Hank Bagwell instantly inspired the latter to take out his movie camera. The result was the seven-minute-long 2021 documentary A Legacy in Stone, which debuted at the March 2021 Omaha Film Festival and won Best Documentary that October at the Wild West Film Festival in Folsom, California. They have influenced my art (in that) you dont stop. You just keep doing, Bagwell said. You are what you create. Nebraska Public Media later followed Bagwell to Ogallala, filming its own six-minute-long piece. First aired in May 2022, A Story Set in Stone can be seen on YouTube along with Bagwells short. Born March 6, 1928, to John and Ella Kenfield at Albion, Howard and Harvey joined Ogallalas Good-All Electric Manufacturing Co. shortly after graduating from Brule High in 1946. They would work for Ogallala inventor Robert Goodalls large western Nebraska concern or its successors until their 1988 retirement except for the nearly two years after being drafted. Good-All has lost two of its highly valued employees, the Kenfield twins of Brule, to the military service, the Keith County News reported on Nov. 9, 1950. Harvey worked there as a transformer winder and Howard in rectifier wiring. Inducted together at Omaha that Nov. 28, the twins served with the 24th Infantry Division that was one of the first U.S. units to land in South Korea after the war broke out that June 25. Howard and Harvey Kenfield shipped out after completing basic training in March 1951. After about a year on the Korean front, they returned home on a 30-day leave 12 months later. They were discharged as corporals in August 1952. They returned to Good-All, which was split into three companies after its 1960 purchase by international electronics concern TRW. Howard stayed with the rectifier unit, which was spun off into Good-All Electric Inc. in 1963, while Harvey continued with TRW Capacitor Division (todays American ShiZuki Corp.) until both brothers retired in 1988. Their Ogallala neighbors knew all about their hobby long before then. The twins started in 1953 by collecting arrowheads they found in the Ogallala area. At a friends suggestion, the Kenfields a year later started learning how to cut and polish interesting rocks they found during their hunts. In fall 1955, Howard and Harvey took their arrowhead collection to Colorado for the Loveland Stone Age Fair. They brought home the top prize, the News reported that Oct. 6. The Kenfields next branched out into petrified wood and similar fossils, wandering as far as western Wyoming searching for specimens. Finally, they set to turning petrified wood into intricate music boxes modeled after favorite buildings barns and grain bins, country schools and churches, homes, even outhouses. We go to shows, and sometimes I get ideas, come home and start making some replicas, Howard told Nebraska Public Media for its 2022 video story. By the mid-1970s, the bachelor brothers were famous in Ogallala for the mysterious collection they kept at the house where they lived atop a hill offering vistas of the town below and the South Platte River beyond. Then they each got married. Harvey and Glenda Stephenson exchanged vows on Oct. 12, 1974, followed by Howard and Glenva Keith on March 8, 1975. Harvey and Glenda worked in the quality control lab at TRW, while Howards new bride worked in the testing lab across the hall. Glenda had two children and Glenva one. The twins wouldnt be living together any more. But they bought neighboring 1-acre lots south of Ogallala for themselves and their new families and their burgeoning collection. Howard and Harvey opened the first Petrified Wood Gallery there in 1976. The brothers donated their collection to the Western Nebraska Community Foundation in 2000 with the stipulation that it stay in Ogallala. Front Street, the Keith County seats tribute to its End of the Texas Trail heritage, built an addition on its east side for the first general public access to the Kenfields finds and creations. Friends of the Kenfield Gallery, organized as a nonprofit in 2007, bought a sizable building at 418 E. First St. that had been home since the late 1960s to a roller-skating rink, a succession of retail businesses and an apron manufacturer. By 2011, the Petrified Wood and Art Gallery was settled in its permanent home. Howard and Harvey often could be found there -- greeting tourists from far and wide as could wandering filmmakers like Hank Bagwell, whose motor home had broken down in Ogallala. To see those two guys at their age still talking about their art it was never about them, said Bagwell, who stayed in touch with the Kenfields. Artists and celebrities too often pursue their craft for personal acclaim, he added. For Howard and Harvey, it was always about this piece, that collection. The ego was gone. Thats what I remember about them. After Glenva died in 2001 and Glenda in 2007, the brothers once more shared a house in the main part of Ogallala. Howard broke his hip and died of complications March 3 at Great Plains Health in North Platte. Harvey held on a bit longer, looking forward to visits from the twins nieces and nephews in April and May. The last of them arrived May 17, less than three weeks before Harveys death. It was evident that he was lonely without his brother and longtime companion, Michael Keith said. From going to the war together in the same unit (to now), it was hard for him, he said. Neither showed that kind of emotion on a regular basis. But I could tell. Harveys two stepchildren, Scott Ross and Melinda Beckler, preceded him in death. He and Howard between them had four stepgrandchildren and 11 stepgreat-grandchildren. Today's highlight On June 26, 1945, the charter of the united nations was signed by 50 countries in san Francisco. On this date In 1917, the first troops of the American expeditionary Force deployed to France during World War I landed in St. Nazaire. In 1925, Charles Chaplin's classic comedy "the Gold rush" premiered at Grauman's Egyptian theatre in Hollywood. In 1948, the Berlin airlift began in earnest after the soviet union cut off land and water routes to the isolated western sector of Berlin. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin, where he delivered his famous speech expressing solidarity with the city's residents, declaring: "Ich bin Ein Berliner" ("i am a Berliner"). In 1977, 42 people were killed when a fire sent toxic smoke pouring through the Maury county Jail in Columbia, Tennessee. Elvis Presley performed his last concert at Market square arena in Indianapolis. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush went back on his "no new taxes" campaign pledge, conceding that tax increases would have to be included in any deficit-reduction package worked out with congressional negotiators. In 1993, President Bill Clinton announced the U.S. had launched missiles against Iraqi targets because of "compelling evidence" Iraq had plotted to assassinate former President George H.W. Bush. In 1996, the supreme court ordered the Virginia Military institute to admit women or forgo state support. In 1997, the first Harry Potter novel, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone" by J.K. Rowling, was published in the united Kingdom (it was later released in the united states under the title "Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone"). In 2008, the U.S. supreme court struck down a handgun ban in the district of Columbia as it affirmed, 5-4, that an individual right to gun ownership existed. Ten years ago: in deciding its first cases on the issue, the U.S. supreme court gave the nation's legally married gay couples equal federal footing with all other married Americans and also cleared the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California. new England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd; Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder. seven-time champion roger Federer was stunned by 116th-ranked Sergey Stakhovsky in the second round of Wimbledon; third-seeded Maria Sharapova was knocked out by the 131st-ranked qualifier, losing to Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal. Associated Press MONDAY June 26, 2023 All times Eastern. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on your on-screen guide. Average Joe BET+ New Series This dark comedy follows blue-collar plumber Joe Washington (Deon Cole), who discovers that his recently deceased father lived a secret, second life and stole millions of dollars from dangerous people just before he died. Now those people think Joe knows where the money is, and a bloody and violent confrontation triggers a chain of events that forces him and his close-knit circle of family and friends out of their very average and mundane lives into a life-or-death race against time to find the truth and the millions. Ashley Olivia Fisher, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Malcolm Barrett also star. New episodes are available Mondays. Claim to Fame ABC, 7 p.m. Season Premiere Co-hosted by siblings Kevin and Frankie Jonas, this reality competition series houses celebrity relatives together under one roof in a challenge to step outside their famous family members' shadows. Season 2 premieres tonight with a new cast of celebrity-adjacent contestants whose celebrity relationships are hidden from one another. Stars on Mars FOX, 7 p.m. The nine remaining celebrities learn a strange lifeform has been detected, and William Shatner from Mission Control tasks them with a mission that will test their perseverance and force two of them back to Earth in the new "Life on Mars?" double elimination episode. American Ninja Warrior NBC, 7 p.m. The qualifying rounds continue in L.A. with ninjas from across the country taking on the world's most challenging obstacle course.Competitors as young as 15 return to take on veterans and will have a chance to face a taller Mega Warped Wall. The Bachelorette ABC, 8 p.m. Season Premiere Fan favorite Charity Lawson from Season 27 of The Bachelor returns to reality TV this summer in Season 20 of The Bachelorette, which will make its debut during a new time slot. Lawson is a family therapist from Columbus, Georgia. Barons The CW, 8 p.m. In "The Dream Factory," Dani (Sophia Forrest) struggles to get a loan for the surf shop and is confronted when a secret lover shows up. Crime Scene Kitchen FOX, 8 p.m. Five teams return to the kitchen to solve two more culinary crimes, including an elimination bake with a seasonal dessert of Yolanda Gampp's choosing in the new episode "Classically-Trained: Going Plum Crazy." The Wall NBC, 8 p.m. Capitol police officer David and his godbrother Chris, from Washington, D.C., face the Wall and the pressure to leave triumphant. The Great American Recipe PBS, 8 p.m. The competition heats up as the home cooks are challenged with a best-in-a-pinch recipe and a noodle dish that represents their heritage. All kinds of dishes show up on the plate, but one cook is ready to impress by making their own pasta. POV POV PBS, 9 p.m. (WTTW Chicago, 10 p.m. on July 1) Season Premiere Season 36 of this documentary film series begins with "After Sherman," director Jon-Sesrie Goff's feature debut about inheritance and the tension that defines our collective American history. The film explores coastal South Carolina as a site of pride and racial trauma through Gullah/Geechee cultural retention and land preservation. Art: Brad Walker By Raul Mas. June 25, 2023 As policies from the Biden administration have opened the southern border of the United States of America to more illegal immigration, much of the national debate about immigration has necessarily focused on border security. But that important issue is for other publications and news services to report on and investigate. Here, if we can, Id like to put that aside to focus on a big question related to our Second Amendment freedom that is being overlooked. First, so you know where I am coming from, Id like to tell you that I came to America, legally, at the age of four. My family wasted no time in fleeing Cuba once Fidel Castro declared himself a communist. Given our political refugee status, it is no secret that Cuban-Americans of my generation are among the strongest defenders of democracy, freedom of speech and religion, free-market capitalism and the fulfillment of the American dream. While we preserve our Latin identity, including our language, food and music, we absolutely have come to love and cherish our adopted country. While most refer to us as hyphenated Cuban-Americans, there is no doubt in our minds that we are Americans, first and foremost. America has given so much to me. Ive had a long and successful career as a media commentator, editor, business development adviser and producer and host of news and business programming for legacy and digital media outlets. I graduated from Harvard Business School and Georgetown University and spent 30 years in the world of international finance and wealth management with firms such as Goldman Sachs, Chase and American Express. Ive contributed political and economic commentary in both English and Spanish to many publications and networks. Had my parents stayed in Cuba, my life would have been very different, as poverty, not progress, would have defined it. My late brother, Jorge Mas Canosa, was the quintessential example of the American dream. Sadly, he died of cancer in 1997 at the age 58. But by then he had achieved what many can only dream of, including a beautiful family, international recognition as the leader of his exiled Cuban community and the founder of a highly successful, publicly traded company known as MasTec. Today, MasTec is a Fortune 500 company with a market value of $7.4 billion that employs over 22,000 people throughout the United States. Plenty of similar success stories exist in other Hispanic communities. Whether from the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, or from foreign countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Cuba and others, millions of Hispanics have woven themselves into the tapestry of our society. So, lets ask the big question: As Americas Hispanic population grows, are they embracing the freedom they, in many cases, have decided to join with their own two feet? There is no simple answer to this critical question, but I would like to start by saying that in my experience in Florida, and as I travel and speak to many, I am finding Hispanics from all socioeconomic backgrounds increasingly demonstrating a greater appreciation for traditional American values, including respect for the U.S. Constitution and, in particular, the Second Amendment. ..... 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 Photo: The Canadian Press Alexis Tsipras, leader of the left-wing Syriza party. Greece's conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to speed up reforms following his landslide victory Sunday in the country's second election in five weeks that granted him a comfortable parliamentary majority to form a government for a second four-year term. Jubilant supporters gathered outside party headquarters in Athens, cheering, clapping, setting off fireworks and waving blue and white party flags. Near complete results show his party has won just over 40.5% of the vote, crushing his main rival, the left-wing Syriza party, which was struggling to reach 18%, 2 percentage points lower than the last elections in May. With today's electoral result, Greece opens a new, historic chapter in its course, Mitsotakis said in a televised statement. Voters, he said, "gave us a strong mandate to move faster on the course of the big changes our country needs. In a loud and mature way they have permanently closed a traumatic cycle of lies and toxicity that held the country back and divided society. His second term as prime minister can transform Greece at a dynamic pace of development which will increase salaries and reduce inequality, with better and free public health care, with a more effective and digital state and a strong country, he added. Sunday's vote came just over a week after a migrant ship capsized and sank off the western coast of Greece, leaving hundreds of people dead and missing and calling into question the actions of Greek authorities and the country's strict migration policy. But the disaster, one of the worst in the Mediterranean in recent years, did not affect the election, with domestic economic issues at the forefront of voters' minds. Mitsotakis party was projected to win 158 of Parliaments 300 seats, thanks to a change in the electoral law that grants the winning party bonus seats. The previous election in May, conducted under a proportional representation system, left him five seats short of a majority despite winning nearly 41% of the vote, and he had decided to seek a stronger mandate in a second election rather than to seek to form a coalition government with a smaller party. Voter turnout, however, was low on Sunday, at just under 53% of eligible voters, compared to just over 61% in the May vote. In all, eight parties were surpassing the 3% threshold to enter Parliament, including an ultra-religious party and far right party backed by a jailed former lawmaker from the Nazi-inspired, and now outlawed, Golden Dawn party. Mitsotakis, 55, campaigned on a platform of securing economic growth and political stability as Greece gradually recovers from a brutal nearly decade-long financial crisis. His main rival, 48-year-old Alexis Tsipras, served as prime minister from 2015 to 2019 some of the most turbulent years of Greeces financial crisis. His performance Sunday leaves him fighting for his political survival. After his poor showing in May elections, he had struggled to rally his voter base, a task complicated by splinter parties formed by some of his former associates. The electoral results is obviously negative for us, a subdued Tsipras said in a televised statement. We have suffered a serious electoral defeat. But I believe that the electoral result is mainly negative for society and for democracy, he added, pointing to the three small right-wing parties winning enough votes to make it into Parliament. It would be up to the party members, he said, to decide on his fate, and the course the party itself must now take. The party members will be called on to judge us all and to devise the strategy that meets these difficult circumstances, Tsipras said. Mitsotakis, a Harvard graduate, comes from one of Greeces most prominent political families. His late father, Constantine Mitsotakis, served as prime minister in the 1990s, his sister served as foreign minister and his nephew is the current mayor of Athens. The younger Mitsotakis has vowed to rebrand Greece as a pro-business and fiscally responsible eurozone member. The strategy, so far, has worked. New Democracy routed Syriza in May, crucially winning Socialist strongholds on the island of Crete and lower-income areas surrounding Athens, some for the first time. Despite scandals that hit the Mitsotakis government late in its term, including revelations of wiretapping targeting senior politicians and journalists, and a deadly Feb. 28 train crash that exposed poor safety measures in public transport, voters appear happy to return to power a prime minister who delivered economic growth and lowered unemployment. Our expectations are that the country will continue the path of development that it has had in recent years, said insurance company employee Konstantinos, who arrived early in the morning at a polling station in northern Athens with his newly wed bride Marietta, still in her wedding dress, straight from their wedding reception. He asked that his surname not be used. Sunday's vote was held under an electoral system that grants a bonus of between 25 and 50 seats to the winning party, depending on its performance, which makes it easier for a party to win more than the required 151 seats in the 300-member parliament to form a government. KEARNEY Emely Diaz has a serious look on her face as she talks about a sixth grade girl shes teaching from Central America. The girl, Josselyn, hasnt lived long in the United States, and shes a lifetime away from the comfort of faces and places that are familiar to her. The first time I worked with her she didnt like anything, said Diaz, an educator with the ESU 9 migrant education program. It meets in Kearney Public Schools Bright Futures center at 1511 Fifth Ave. The ESU 9 staff is made up mostly of Latin Americans, some of whom were teachers and school administrators in their homelands. Lisvey Mairely, a former teacher, principal and superintendent from Venezuela, is familiar with the stresses of transplanting a family in a new land. She arrived in the United States about eight years ago, and she is tapping her experience to help families in the migrant education program. Federally funded, the ESU 9s Title I-Cs Migrant Education Program targets foreign seasonal agricultural workers with economic challenges. The ESUs main goal is to help migrant children keep up with school work. Thats a large challenge, especially when their parents follow the harvests. One month they might be harvesting fruit in Florida, another month its vegetables in California. Each new season children might exit their U.S. classrooms and follow wherever the work takes their families. Although they might normally be on the move, migrant workers in the Kearney area have entered a lull. Theres enough work here that they can stay put for a while. And so can their children. During the summer lull students can catch up on their studies. The ESU educators work hard. Slowdowns are rare, so they want to make the most of their time with the children. Summer also is a time to teach and assist adults. Last Wednesday was family night at the Bright Futures center, so the ESU 9 staff brought fruit and lots of pizza, and they made arrangements so the gathering of families could hear whats happening in their childrens classrooms. In addition to giving updates on school activities, the ESU staff helps parents get medical care and family support services that help ease the transition from Central America to central Nebraska. Its difficult getting used to unfamiliar food, customs and surroundings, said parents at Wednesdays family night. Josselyn, the Central American sixth grader who Diaz was helping, kept a sour look on her face for several months. Diaz said Josselyn didnt like U.S. food, U.S. customs made her feel awkward and the teaching styles and school routines are different in the U.S. Also, Josselyns mother was away at work most days. That left Josselyns older sister as the caregiver. A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Diaz and her colleagues could appreciate what Josselyn was going through. They wondered how they could break through the girls hardened exterior. The ESU educators persisted. Finally Josselyn eased up. She finally was confident about talking with Diaz and the other teachers about the things that were bothering her. Getting that load off her chest made a big difference, Diaz said. Many of the 160 students and their parents in the migrant program are weary of the changes that engulf them each day, said Cesar Torres, a school psychologist who recently joined the ESU 9 staff. As a licensed mental health practitioner, Torres said migrants and their children have put up walls around themselves because theyve experienced so much trauma escaping their homelands. Some must survive the violence, crime and poverty that grips their countries, and then they must survive the psychological harm thats inflicted during the journey from Central America to the U.S. Its a three-month hike filled with unknowns. The stress of survival takes a toll. Theyre escaping violence and poverty and theyre trying to adjust to a new country, Torres said about the migrant children. Theyre nervous. Its easy to become distracted and focus on survival instead of education. Parents also have been traumatized, Torres said. I see an overall pattern of loss and grieving. Torres, 26, is a product of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He said his goal as a psychologist is to create a safe space where children and parents can talk about their painful experiences. "Its heart wrenching when I see the parents sigh of relief when they can let it go in a safe place. (Talking about their experiences) is helping them to come back together. Joe Haney, ESU 9s program director for central Nebraska, grew up in Oconto, about one hour from Kearney, so hes not as far from home as the Latin Americans hes helping. He said its gratifying to see children improving their grades and watching families adapt to their new lives. Its difficult for the migrants both children and adults to discard their culture. In a place where everything is strange and different, theres a need to experience something that feels comfortable and familiar. Haney said ESU 9 is enlisting the help of three young teachers from Mexico. Haney calls the trio exchange teachers, and he said theyve had a tremendously positive influence. The exchange teachers language, teaching style and personalities strike a chord with young migrant students, Haney said. Cesar Duran, an ESU staffer who graduated in 2016 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, said he also sees the effect the exchange teachers are having with students. One of the Mexican teachers said theyve never been hugged so much, Duran said. Katheryn Pacheco, 22, is a native of El Salvador who grew up in Lexington. Shes a full-time student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney who works part-time with the ESU 9 migrant education program. She said shes trying to teach her Spanish-speaking students as much English as she can while theyre settled in Kearney. Its kind of hard when they move with their parents, Pacheco said. When they move they lose their momentum. The migrant students also risk losing the discipline and develop behavioral issues while theyre away, Pacheco said. During the summer, the students get a lot of attention from the ESU team. Pacheco will graduate from UNK in one year with degrees in Spanish and English. Until then, she intends to do her best to help the migrant students. We see a lot of progress because in the summer we have them every day, Pacheco said. As a teenager living in Norfolk in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I used to stay up late to listen to KAAY, an AM radio station broadcasting from Little Rock, Arkansas. I listened to a program called Beaker Street with Clyde Clifford, a laid-back DJ who played music from the underground rock n roll scene, complete with clanging wind chimes during the station announcements. I had a huge console radio, built in the 1950s, with a dial that lit up at night. The unit looked like someone yanked it out of a UFO. The main draw of that radio, that also sported a 78 rpm turntable with a needle like a Phillips screwdriver, was the huge speaker in the cabinet that must have been 12 inches in diameter. It gave that early progressive rock music a deep, rich sound that transported the feeble AM radio sound into something magical on those hot Nebraska summer nights in my upstairs bedroom. The console also had a switch for something called Frequency Modulation, a spectrum that only produced faint hissing and promises from stations in Omaha and Lincoln. Mostly I listened to KOMA from Oklahoma City during the early evenings until Beaker Street came on at 11 p.m. KOMA featured mostly silly pop music. Beaker Street kept the hard stuff going until 2 a.m. Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Who, The Beatles. Shortly after 1972, I moved to places where I could get FM stations, and it sounded like Beaker Street 24/7. Now I understand that several major automobile makers plan to eliminate AM radio from their new vehicles. I should be sad, but Im not. BMW, Volkswagen, Mazda and Tesla claim that their electric engines interfere with the reception of AM stations. Ford plans to eliminate AM radio from all vehicles, just because. Well, I suppose the auto makers have some very good reasons for ditching the radios few people listen to AM radio anymore. Most people want the better sounding FM, enjoy digital radio or they stream music from their phone. Me, I like to hire a polka band and have them sit in the back seat of my car and play while I run errands around town. OK, Im kidding about the polka band. Sometimes Ill turn on the AM part of my radio just to see what is keeping those stations alive. Most AM stations also broadcast on FM. And they also stream online. Yes, I have wonderful memories of listening to AM radio as I grew up. I listened because I didnt have any other possibilities. The death of AM doesn't scare me. I mean, how many people said to themselves, Shoot, I sure miss getting a telegram from Grandma, or Rats, I long for the days when I went home to check my phone answering machine to see who called to complain about me. How about my current favorite method of writing? I used to sit at a typewriter with a dictionary, thesaurus and a bottle of Wite-Out. Now all I have to do is press the F7 button on my keyboard and my misspellings all get fixed. Flummoxed for a word? Theres a button for that. As for Wite-Out, that mysterious intoxicating liquid that painted over typos from a typewriter, no need for that anymore. I just cut and paste until the sentences make sense. Whats next on the horizon? Once we get rid of AM radios, perhaps we could all get microchips implanted in our skulls oh, wait. I just received a message in my brain telling me to end this essay on a positive note and ignore all that jazz about microchips. I think I meant to say chocolate chips. Yes, thats right. Of course. Who needs AM radio anyway? The Kenosha County Sheriffs Department continues to investigate a fatal and early Sunday morning hit-and-run. A Kenosha Sheriffs deputy found an unresponsive person lying on the shoulder of Highway 158. According to the department, the deputy was traveling westbound in the 8800 block of Highway 158 when he spotted a person, who was found to be unresponsive, lying on the shoulder. Life-saving measures were immediately performed by the deputy, but the person was deceased. Car parts were found at the scene, and there was reported damage to the vehicle at the scene. The Sheriff's Department said it recovered a hood trim piece, with the part number for a 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX. The Sheriff's Department obtained footage that confirms the vehicle is white, but due to heave rainfall at the time, the year of the vehicle is uncertain. "If anyone comes across a vehicle matching the description with front end damage or missing the chrome trim piece, please STOP, HOLD and advise the Kenosha Sheriff's Department," the department said. The victim is described as a 36-year-old male from Kenosha. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kenosha County Medical Examiners Office. As the crash resulted in a fatality, the Kenosha County Major Crash Assistance Team responded to the scene to assist in the accident investigation. The name of the victim is being withheld pending proper notification. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kenosha County Sheriffs Department Detective Bureau at 262-605-5102 or Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333 or (800)807-TIPS(8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $1,000. KSD Case #2023-326172. Assisting agencies include the City of Kenosha Police and Fire Departments as well as the Wisconsin State Patrol. Photo: San Antonio International Airport/Facebook A ground worker died Friday night when they were sucked into the engine of an airliner at San Antonio International Airport in Texas. Aviation website AeroInside.com reports the victim was ingested into the engine of a Delta Airlines Airbus A319-100 after it landed on a flight from Los Angeles. "The aircraft landed on San Antonio's runway 13R and was taxiing to the apron on single engine when a ground worker was ingested into the engine and was killed," Aero Inside reports. The airport confirmed the death in a statement: "An accident occurred on the ground at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) tonight that resulted in the fatality of an airline ground crew member. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation. We will share more information as details become available." The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident. By Deauwand Myers So many things. Let us first discuss the proposed deployment of American THAAD missiles in Korea. Lockheed Martin, the defense contractor who manufactures the missile defense system for America and many other countries, is not too shy to brag about its system, describing it in its white papers and online in breathy accolades: "The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is a highly effective, combat-proven defense against short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. THAAD is the only U.S. system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere." Statistically, the system has a nearly 100 percent success rate in lethal interception of ballistic missiles. The Korea Times and other news organizations wonder if the deployment of such a system to operational status would bring ire from North Korea and China. My answer is twofold, "Yes." And "who cares?" Let's then discuss the Chinese Communist Party. It is, for all intents and purposes, a fascist, criminal enterprise masquerading as a legitimate government. President Xi is the first Chinese president to bend the Chinese Parliament so much to his will that he now can ostensibly be president for life. I must say, his political acumen at home is brutal, ruthless and effective. He even had his name added to China's so-called constitution as Xi being the "core of the party." He is serving an unprecedented third term. He has direct control over all new security agencies. He modernized the military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), at an exceedingly brisk rate, especially for a country with so much bureaucratic red tape and governmental graft. He silenced his perceived political enemies by accusing them of graft and having them jailed or disappeared with very little dissent. (This last one, only having yes men and sycophants at the governing table, is always the downfall of undemocratic nations. Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and now Russia, to name a few, are proof of why not curating a diverse group of experts to help make major decisions is just hubris and shortsighted). However, this president-turned-dictator is unsophisticated in geopolitics. Building illegal, militarized man-made islands in the South China Sea and claiming all of it for China is outlandish. This belief that China can dictate how other countries conduct their military affairs upon sovereign nations is just puerile, childish and self-defeating. President Xi's obfuscation about the coronavirus infuriated everyone, and most probably led to millions of more hospitalizations and deaths around the world. Had China been more upfront in the information they had on the virus; their own citizens may have suffered less. China should have just used the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, which are way more effective than China's own vaccine. Stealing of military and intellectual property by Chinese intelligence is also rampant. The bullying of Taiwan into joining China when we saw what they did to Hong Kong, again, outlandish. China protests any military engagement with the United States, Australia, France, Taiwan and of course, Korea. Why? Both Korea and Japan are protected by the United States nuclear umbrella, which trumps good missile defense systems any day by a mile. Further, Korea's defense needs are very different from China's. North Korea has a burgeoning missile system capable of doing serious damage to Seoul, one of the largest cities in the world, and a capital at that. On the other hand, China is an ally of North Korea and supports North Korea through illicit trade and defense aid. The CCP has no worries about a surprise missile attack coming from North Korea and the brutal Kim Regime. Now, of course, China has important cultural and economic ties to Korea. However, trade cannot overrule sound defenses for the Korean nation from an unpredictable, violent and impoverished nation with nuclear warheads. North Korea and China whine every time military collaboration goes on with democratic countries. Both countries complain when military exercises take place between say Korea, Japan and the United States, or when new submarine development is happening in Australia. Just as with trade, China and North Korea must abide by international norms of trade and military exchange. The problem is they do not, not even a little bit. No serious country should take the complaints of these two pariah nations as anything other than bluster and blunder. North Korea cannot and would not survive another war. With Japan, Korea, America and others clearly ready to militarily and diplomatically engage should China try to take Taiwan by force, the outcome could be similar to what Russia's Putin is witnessing now, loss, bloodshed, no diplomatic friends and shockingly, an attempted coup. Korea should and will install THAAD. It is the smart move to make. Deauwand Myers (deauwand@hotmail.com) holds a master's degree in English literature and literary theory, and is an English professor outside of Seoul. This photo, provided by the Seoul city government, shows Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, posing for a photo with Vestas' President and CEO Henrik Andersen after a ceremony in Copenhagen to sign a memorandum of understanding on the Danish firm's planned relocation of its Asia-Pacific headquarters to Seoul from Singapore, March 21. Yonhap Danish wind turbine producer Vestas Wind Systems will move its Asia-Pacific headquarters to Seoul in September and build a new facility to produce key equipment for wind turbines here, Seoul's industry ministry said Monday. Vestas' President and CEO Henrik Andersen announced the decision during a meeting with Korea's Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang in Seoul, as Anderson is visiting the country to discuss details of its investment plan worth $300 million, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Under the plan, the company will relocate the Asia-Pacific headquarters from Singapore to Seoul in September and begin the construction of a large-scale turbine parts plant in the first half of 2024 that will produce key equipment for wind turbines for export to the entire Asia-Pacific region. In January, the world's No. 1 wind turbine producer held a ceremony in Davos to announce the investment decision, with President Yoon Suk Yeol in attendance. "Vestas' presence in Korea is expected to contribute to the overall ecosystem of the domestic wind power industry. The government will extend active support for the successful execution of the planned investment," Lee said. (Yonhap) Dunn Countys tourism industry set a record for economic impact in 2022, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The county generated $96 million, according to a press release, surpassing the previous record of $93 million, which was set in 2019. Additionally, Dunn County tourism supported 750 part-time and full-time jobs across various sectors of the industry and generated $6 million in local tax revenue. The highest-ever overnight visitation in 2022 helped fuel growth statewide for a record-breaking $23.7 billion in total economic impact. The 2022 total economic impact surpassed the previous statewide record of $22.2 billion set in 2019. Statewide, tourism generated $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. Without this revenue, each Wisconsin household would pay an additional $620 to maintain the current level of government services, according to a press release. Menomonie Area Chamber and Visitor Center tourism manager Tammy Simon credited natural spaces, the trails and opportunities to sip and dine to the influx of visitors to Dunn County. Tourism is essential to the economy of Dunn County. Visitors steward our small businesses, provide tax dollars for community improvement and support economic development, Simon said in a release. In 2022, there were 111.1 million visits in Wisconsin, which was up 8.8 million visits, or 8.7%, over the previous year. This includes a record 45.4 million overnight visits, or a 13.8% increase from 2021. Overnight visitors, on average, spent nearly three times as much as day trip visitors. To learn more about Wisconsin tourisms record-breaking year, you can view the 2022 economic impact data, including a county-by-county breakdown, at industry.travelwisconsin.com/research. Tourism is both big fun and big business. Im so grateful for the innovation and dedication of the folks who make up Wisconsins tourism industry. Each one of them played a role in setting this record, said Anne Sayersk, Wisconsin Department of Tourism secretary. Aided by strategic marketing, Wisconsin convinced more visitors to stay longer so they could add more activities to their itinerary, delivering a deeper economic impact. I congratulate the entire industry on an incredible record-breaking year. For Viterbo nursing students and faculty members, a journey of 8,236 miles and countless moments of awe and discovery began with a single step taken four years ago by Lin Rauch. A Viterbo nursing professor since fall 2020, Rauch was teaching nursing at Western Technical College when she decided to apply for an opportunity to expand her understanding of Hmong history and culture with a month-long trip to Thailand. Rauch was shocked when she was chosen as one of 12 Wisconsin educators for the U.S. Department of Educations Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad program. Doubtful about such a huge undertaking, she completed the application in the middle of the night the day it was due after her husband urged her to take the leap. I went wanting to help nursing students build a bridge between our machine model of medicine and the healing practices of the Hmong culture, to help a provide better care for a minority segment of our community that has been ignored, Rauch said. Rauchs 2019 trip to Thailand sparked a quest to understand the history of Thailand, particularly as it related to the hill tribes (including the Hmong) and the secret war in Laos in which the U.S. recruited Hmong men and boys as soldiers, which soon turned them and their families into refugees (if they survived the war). She also developed a passion for sharing that understanding, and before she had completed her first full year at Viterbo, Rauch had found a way to do just that, beyond what she could do in nursing classes. She developed a core-curriculum mission seminar class that would culminate in a trip to Thailand. While Rauchs spring semester mission seminar class was open to students of all majors, she ended up with a class made up entirely of nursing students, all but one of them sophomores. The exception was a grad student of Hmong descent in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree program who got special permission to take the class. Rauch hopes her future mission seminar classes will include a variety of majors, especially education and business students. To help with that goal, this springs first trip to Thailand included an education faculty member, Matt Johnson. The two-week trip also included Sheryl Jacobson, a Viterbo nursing faculty member since 1999 who will lead her 10th nursing study abroad trip to Belize next spring. Were very blessed in our nursing program to have this breadth of experience, and we train nurses who can go out and consider the hard life experiences some have had. Lindsey Krachey was one of the nine sophomore nursing majors who traveled to Thailand, making her first foray to another country. She said she felt well prepared for the trip, thanks to the class sessions throughout the semester. Our tour guide in Thailand was impressed as to how much knowledge each member of the group knew about the country of Thailand, its history, and the culture there, she said. The students visited Hmong, Akha, and Karen villages in the Himalayan foothills, an eye-opening experience for them, Krachey said. Being able to see how these people are living on a daily basis is something I will always appreciate and never forget. There were individuals who welcomed us into their homes and wanted nothing more than to teach us what their reality looked like. Climbing to see the spectacular sunrise view in the Phu Chi Fa national park of the Mekong River valley, the river that claimed the lives of so many Hmong refugees as they fled for their lives from Laos, was overwhelmingly emotional for Krachey and others. It was one of many moments during the journey that instilled in me the importance of learning about the untold stories and passing them on, Krachey said. The trip was challenging at times, physically and emotionally, but the lessons it offered and the bonds of friendship it strengthened made those challenges worthwhile, Rauch said. The students got a great depth of respect and knowledge of the slow life and learning a different flow, and they got a sense of reverence, Rauch said. I watched them grow through their journal entries throughout the class, but then I got to watch them grow and gain perspective in-country. They asked great, insightful questions. One of the most common questions was, Why did I not know this? As the GOP-controlled Legislature prepares to pass Wisconsins two-year budget this week, it remains an open question whether Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will sign the document into law. The governor said he would veto a budget that cuts the University of Wisconsin Systems diversity programs, and his spokesperson was sharply critical of Republicans income tax cut proposal that covers all income levels but especially benefits the highest earners. But the current $99 billion budget proposal, crafted in the Republican-controlled finance committee, also includes provisions that Evers proposed, such as significantly boosting pay for public defenders, prosecutors and prison guards. Evers has the power to strike individual items from the budget without vetoing the entire document. If Evers does veto the document, the Legislature wouldnt pass a new budget until around October and Evers would have to explain to voters why new money wasnt being spent, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, previously said. If the governor vetoes the budget in its entirety, it would be up to the Legislature to send the governor another budget for him to sign. Republicans are just short of a supermajority in the Assembly, meaning the Legislature cannot override Evers vetoes. If Evers doesnt sign a budget by July 1, the state would continue operating using spending levels set in the previous two-year budget. The state Senate will be in session Wednesday to vote on the budget, according to the office of Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu. A vote in the Assembly is expected on Thursday or Friday. Heres a look at whats in the budget and whats out. Whats in the budget Perhaps the most significant provision in Wisconsins 2023-25 budget is a $3.5 billion income tax cut that collapses the states four income brackets into three. The plan provides tax cuts across the board but benefits the wealthiest taxpayers significantly more than others. Under the proposal, those making between $40,000 and $50,000 would save an average of $88 per year. Those making between $100,000 and $125,000 would save an average of $678. Those making over $1 million would save an average of $30,286 per year. 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 the 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 GOP is doubling down on tax breaks for wealthy millionaires and billionaires instead of prioritizing relief for working families, Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback tweeted about the plan. Another contentious spending provision is Republicans plan to cut the University of Wisconsin Systems budget by $32 million in an attempt to force the school officials to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming. The plan would require the UW System to eliminate 188.8 positions related to those offices and programs. Republicans plan proposes to redirect the $32 million in DEI money toward UW System initiatives to develop the states workforce. But that money could only be made available if the System requests it and the budget committee signs off on it. The 2023-25 budget also proposes pay raises for state employees, with extra boosts for prosecutors, public defenders and prison guards. Under the plan, state employees would receive a 4% pay bump on July 1 and another 2% raise in 2024. Additionally, Department of Corrections guards starting hourly wage would increase from $20.29 to $33 an hour. Assistant district attorneys and public defenders would receive a $36 starting hourly wage under the current budget, $1 more than what Evers proposed. Their current minimum hourly wage for those positions is $27.24, which advocates said heightened the labor shortage for state-funded attorneys. The Joint Finance Committee approved increasing K-12 education spending by $1 billion. That amount is $1.6 billion short of what Evers asked for. The boost came after Evers forged a deal with legislative leaders on a bill to increase state aid to local communities. The agreement includes spending $115 million to increase funding to the states private school voucher programs. The committee also approved $1.5 billion in new funding for the Department of Transportation. The transportation budget motion, which passed along party lines, includes funding mass transit through a different revenue stream, a change that Democrats said could lead to future program cuts. An additional $6 million would assist former prisoners and people in the criminal justice system to reenter society and the workforce. The committee also set aside $125 million in the states two-year spending plan to address forever chemical contaminants in Wisconsins ground and drinking water. While the proposal calls for almost $20 million more in PFAS-related spending than what was proposed in Evers budget, Democratic lawmakers criticized the measure for creating a fund with no current plans on how exactly those dollars would be spent. Whats out of the budget Republicans on the legislative budget committee rejected Evers proposal to spend $340 million to maintain a child care assistance program that will run out of federal funding next year. Additionally, the committee rejected Evers request to spend nearly $350 million to fund a new engineering building on UW-Madisons campus, a top priority for the school. A couple of months ago, the budget committee also rejected proposals to create a paid family leave program, legalize recreational marijuana and increase funding for mental health providers in schools. It also rejected spending $270 million to add more mental health workers to schools. Among the 545 provisions Republicans stripped from the budget in one motion are the following: $120 million to provide free meals in Wisconsin schools. $52 million to support K-12 students with limited English knowledge. Limiting the expansion of private school voucher programs. $24.5 million to cover tuition costs not otherwise covered by scholarships or grants for low-income students in the UW System. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Best places to retire in the Midwest Best places to retire in the Midwest #50. Bridgman, Michigan #49. Energy, Illinois #48. Orange, Ohio #47. Long Beach, Indiana #46. Bluffton, Ohio #45. Williams Bay, Wisconsin #44. Kirkwood, Missouri #43. Ottawa Hills, Ohio #42. Leawood, Kansas #41. Baldwin Township, Michigan #40. Wetherington, Ohio #39. Hurley, Wisconsin #38. Central City, Nebraska #37. Eureka, Kansas #36. The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio #35. Westlake, Ohio #34. Bloomfield Charter Township, Michigan #33. Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan #32. Rossmoyne, Ohio #31. Thiensville, Wisconsin #30. Kimberling City, Missouri #29. Clear Lake, Iowa #28. Inverness, Illinois #27. Charlevoix Township, Michigan #26. Lake Ozark, Missouri #25. Sabetha, Kansas #24. Weatherby Lake, Missouri #23. Sixteen Mile Stand, Ohio #22. Kingman, Kansas #21. Ladue, Missouri #20. Warson Woods, Missouri #19. Kohler, Wisconsin #18. Mission Hills, Kansas #17. Creve Coeur, Missouri #16. King, Wisconsin #15. Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan #14. Chesterfield, Missouri #13. Village of Four Seasons, Missouri #12. Clarkson Valley, Missouri #11. Meridian Hills, Indiana #10. Riverwoods, Illinois #9. Aledo, Illinois #8. Centerville, Ohio #7. Pleasant Ridge, Michigan #6. Bellbrook, Ohio #5. North Newton, Kansas #4. Town and Country, Missouri #3. Elm Grove, Wisconsin #2. Bingham Farms, Michigan #1. Leland Grove, Illinois WASHINGTON Heres a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week. Along with roll call votes, the House also passed these measures: the Fiscal Year 2023 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act (S. 30); the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act (H.R. 3797), to provide an alternative manner of furnishing certain health insurance coverage statements to individuals; the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 4004); and the Employer Reporting Improvement Act (H.R. 3801), to streamline and improve the employer reporting process relating to health insurance coverage and to protect dependent privacy. HOUSE VOTES House Vote 1 Business training for veterans: The House has passed the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act (H.R. 1606), sponsored by Rep. Bradley Scott Schneider, D-Ill., to codify into law the Small Business Administrations Boots to Business Program for training military veterans in various fundamentals of operating a small business. Schneider said codifying the program, which began in 2013, will fuel small-business-driven growth well into the future by creating a pipeline of skilled and hardworking entrepreneurs. The vote, on June 20, was unanimous with 407 yeas. Yeas: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) NOT VOTING: Gallagher R-WI (8th) House Vote 2 Student loans veto: The House has failed to override President Bidens veto of a resolution (H.J. Res. 45), sponsored by Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., that would have disapproved of and voided an Education Department rule issued last October that suspended or cancelled payments on student loans. Good said: President Biden simply does not have the authority to forgive student loans, and thus, spend hundreds of billions of dollars, taxpayer dollars, hard-earned taxpayer dollars, as he transfers debt to those who did not incur it. A resolution opponent, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., said repeal would trigger a wave of delinquencies and defaults for most of our vulnerable borrowers. The vote, on June 21, was 221 yeas to 206 nays, with a two-thirds majority required. Nays: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th) Yeas: Gallagher R-WI (8th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) House Vote 3 Choice in health care: The House has passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement Act (H.R. 3799), to express the sense of Congress that free market practices in health care should be restored, and authority over healthcare decisions should lie with patients and doctors, not insurers and government regulators. Roy said such changes were needed to favor patients and doctors over bureaucrats and corporations that are getting rich because the government is subsidizing their corporate cronyism. An amendment opponent, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, called those changes a prescription for personal bankruptcy and unlimited medical debt from policies that do not provide essential healthcare benefits. The vote, on June 21, was 228 yeas to 206 nays. Nays: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th) Yeas: Gallagher R-WI (8th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) House Vote 4 Health care reimbursements: The House has passed the Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense Arrangement Act (H.R. 3799), sponsored by Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., to give statutory authority for federal regulations to allow employers to offer their employees individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements for covering the workers medical expenses. Hern said the regulations put individual workers in the drivers seat when it comes to picking their healthcare plan and lets their employer financially support their decision. An opponent, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said the bill failed to ensure that no American is discriminated against on the basis of preexisting conditions and that no employer can discriminate among groups of its employees. The vote, on June 21, was 220 yeas to 209 nays. Nays: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th) Yeas: Gallagher R-WI (8th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) House Vote 5 Censuring representative: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 521), sponsored by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for falsely claiming there was evidence of President Trump colluding with Russia to steal the 2016 election and become president. The resolution also directed the House Ethics Committee to investigate Schiffs claims and allegations that he abused sensitive information obtained in his time as a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee. Luna said Schiff exploited his position as chair of the Intel Committee at every opportunity possible, threatening national security, undermining our duly-elected president, and bringing dishonor upon the institution. Schiff said he had done my duty to hold a dangerous and out-of-control president accountable. The vote, on June 21, was 213 yeas to 209 nays, with 6 voting present. Nays: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th) Yeas: Gallagher R-WI (8th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) House Vote 6 Impeachment resolution: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 503), sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, to re-refer a resolution that would impeach President Biden for high crimes and misdemeanors to the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees. Roy called Bidens failure to secure the border with Mexico against both drug shipments and the illegal movement of foreigners into the U.S. a dereliction of duty and a refusal to actually follow the laws of the United States. A resolution opponent, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., called it a deeply unserious effort to impeach a president to serve partisan political posturing and political profiteering. The vote, on June 22, was 219 yeas to 208 nays. Nays: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th) Yeas: Gallagher R-WI (8th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) House Vote 7 Housing foreigners in schools: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 461), sponsored by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, to condemn the use of public elementary and secondary school buildings to house aliens not legally residing in the U.S. Miller-Meeks said using the buildings as housing 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. An opponent, Rep. Delia C. Ramirez, D-Ill., said: This resolution does nothing to solve the crisis, and it certainly isnt protecting our childrens education. It is just another way to criminalize asylum seekers. The vote, on June 22, was 223 yeas to 201 nays. Nays: Pocan D-WI (2nd), Moore (WI) D-WI (4th) Yeas: Gallagher R-WI (8th), Grothman R-WI (6th), Steil R-WI (1st), Fitzgerald R-WI (5th), Tiffany R-WI (7th), Van Orden R-WI (3rd) SENATE VOTES Senate Vote 1 Appeals court judge: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Julie Rikelman to be a judge on the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals. Rikelman has been the Center for Reproductive Rightss senior litigation director since 2011; preceding that, she was a private practice lawyer and lawyer at NBC Universal. A supporter, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called Rikelman an accomplished lawyer who has significant experience in both private practice and public interest and whose career demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. The vote, on June 20, was 51 yeas to 43 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI Yeas: Baldwin D-WI Senate Vote 2 Regulating heavy-duty vehicle emissions: The Senate has failed to override President Bidens veto of a resolution (S.J. Res. 11), sponsored by Sen. Deb. Fischer, R-Neb. The resolution would have disapproved of and voided an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule for restricting ozone, particulate matter, and other forms of air pollution from heavy-duty motor vehicles that was issued this January. Fischer said the rule would lay a heavy financial burden on truck drivers while doing little to reduce emissions, because if the price of newer vehicles shoots up, the government is incentivizing businesses to hold on to their older, higher emitting trucks. A resolution opponent, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., called the rule a monumental investment and significant step forward in our nations health and air quality that will benefit all Americans. The vote to override the veto, on June 21, was 50 yeas to 50 nays, with a two-thirds majority needed to override. Yeas: Johnson R-WI Nays: Baldwin D-WI Senate Vote 3 New York judge: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Natasha Merle to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Merle has been a lawyer and official at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund for a decade; previously, she was a public defender in the district for a year and twice was a clerk for New York district judges. A supporter, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., cited Merles high ethical standards and reputation for fairness, and a unique perspective on the law derived from being a former public defender. An opponent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Merle an activist lawyer with a penchant for staking out extreme and inflammatory positions that are thoroughly divorced from reality. The vote, on June 21, was 50 yeas to 49 nays. Nays: Johnson R-WI Yeas: Baldwin D-WI Senate Vote 4 Regulating firearm stabilizing braces: The Senate has rejected a resolution (H.J. Res. 44), sponsored by Rep. Andrew S. Clyde, R-Ga., that would have disapproved of and voided a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule issued this January that regulates stabilizing braces used to enable shooting a pistol from the shoulder. A supporter, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said: Under this ruling, the constitutional right to bear arms is null and void if you use a stabilizing brace to operate a firearm. A resolution opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said ending the rule would make it easier for mass shooters and criminals to access these dangerous weapons. The vote, on June 22, was 49 yeas to 50 nays. Yeas: Johnson R-WI Nays: Baldwin D-WI Senate Vote 5 Tax treaty with Chile: The Senate has ratified a treaty with Chile, signed in 2010, for avoiding double taxation and evasion of income taxes and capital gains taxes. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the treaty was needed to remedy the lack of a tax agreement with Chile, which Schumer called an unnecessary roadblock to a fruitful and economically prosperous partnership between Chile and the United States. The vote, on June 22, was 95 yeas to 2 nays. Yeas: Johnson R-WI, Baldwin D-WI Photo: Paul McGrath / North Shore News West Vancouver police and the Independent Investigations Office remain on the scene off Highway 1 after an impaired driving complaint ended in "an exchange of gunfire," early in the morning on June 26, 2023. West Vancouver police say a suspect is in hospital after an exchange of gunfire with officers early Monday morning. According to a release issued by the West Vancouver Police Department, officers were called to the westbound Highway 1 off-ramp at 15th Street just before 3 a.m. after receiving a complaint about an impaired driver. During the interaction with the male, there was an exchange of gunfire and the male was struck by a police vehicle. The male was transported to hospital for treatment. The extent of his injuries have yet to be determined, the release stated. The provinces Independent Investigations Office has now been called in to review the incident. The IIO is called in whenever a person faces serious harm or death in an interaction with police, regardless of whether there are allegations of wrongdoing, to determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions played. Because of the IIO investigation, West Vancouver police will not be releasing further information about the incident, the release states. Photo: City of Surrey. Mayor Brenda Locke, who defeated Doug McCallum in the Oct. 15 Surrey civic election, promised to pursue repayment for nearly $317,000 in legal fees The law firm retained to defend former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum in his public mischief trial billed Surrey taxpayers almost $317,000. That is according to the statement of financial information for 2022, which was quietly published last week. The precise total billed by Peck and Company Barristers is $316,663.50, according to the statutory annual sunshine list. Brenda Locke, who defeated McCallum in the Oct. 15 civic election, came to power promising transparency and vowed to pursue repayment. A Provincial Court judge ruled McCallum not guilty on Nov. 21 of the charge that he made a false report to police about a Keep the RCMP in Surrey protester driving over his left foot on Labour Day weekend in 2021. During the five-day trial, McCallum was represented by three lawyers and an assistant, including Richard Peck and Eric Gottardi from the team that defended Huawei executive Meng Wenzhou against extradition to the U.S. McCallum did not testify. City of Surrey chose to temporarily withhold the total dollar figure paid to Peck and Company for 2022 in response to a March 28 freedom of information application. When city hall responded May 11, after the laws 30-workday deadline, it cited a clause that allows a public body to refuse disclosure of information that must be published under another law. In this case, the Financial Information Act, which requires Surrey city hall to release the list of payments to suppliers and staff in the annual statement of financial information by June 30 every year. In a campaign video published last September on Surrey Connects Facebook page, Locke warned McCallum. So Doug, you better be very careful with every minute you spend with your lawyer because we are coming after you for every dime you spend, Locke said on the video, which remains visible. In an interview after her victory speech, Locke reiterated her stance. Well be asking our city legal [department] to figure out a way to get that money back and to make Mr. McCallum pay for his legal bills. City of Surreys indemnity bylaw still contains a clause that states it will shield municipal officials against payment of costs to defend a prosecution in connection with the performance or intended performance of the persons duties. Keep the RCMP in Surrey members were outside the Southpoint Save-on-Foods on Sept. 4, 2021, collecting signatures for a petition they hoped would trigger a referendum on McCallums program to replace the RCMP with the Surrey Police Service (SPS). One of the petitioners, who was driving a Mustang convertible, yelled at McCallum to resign the mayoralty and unleashed a barrage of profanity at him. In court, Debi Johnstone denied McCallums hit and run allegation. McCallum told reporters after the incident that he was there on a grocery shopping trip. A majority of Surrey city council voted behind closed doors on June 15 to keep the RCMP and shut down the SPS. The NDP government, which has offered $150 million to switch to the SPS, has not yet approved the decision. According to the citys statement of financial information, Surrey paid $674.6 million to suppliers in 2022. The Resolution of Prigozhins Armed Uprising June 25, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The deal that ended the uprising went as follows, as described by Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for Vladimir Putin: Prigozhin is to go into exile in Belarus. Peskov said this was possible, number one, because Putin gave his word on it, and two, because Belarus President Lukashenko, who negotiated with Prigozhin, has known Prigozhin for 20 years. He stressed that June 24 was a rather difficult day, literally filled with these tragic events. You know that as a result, it was possible to resolve this situation without further losses, without further escalating the level of tensions, he emphasized. The criminal case against Prigozhin was dropped. After the deal was announced, Wagner forces were reported to be leaving Rostov, where they had occupied the Southern Military District headquarters. As for what happens to the troops of Wagner, Peskov said that those who did not participate in the mutiny will have the option of signing contracts with the Ministry of Defense. An agreement was reached that PMC (Private Military Company) Wagner troops would return to their camps and places of deployment. Some of them, if they wish to do so, can later ink contracts with the Defense Ministry, Peskov said. It also applies to fighters, who decided against taking part in this armed mutiny. The spokesman also said, there were some fighters in the military formations [of Wagner PMC], who changed their minds at the very beginning [of the armed mutiny] and returned immediately. He added that They have even requested the assistance of the traffic police as well as other help to return to their permanent places of deployment. It was rumored throughout the latter half of the day yesterday that any deal with Prigozhin would include the resignations of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov. This has not happened, and such a possibility was apparently never mentioned by Peskov. However, the famous Russian military analysis Telegram channel Rybar speculates: One of Prigozhins demands was the resignation of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov. Considering that, according to the source, the rebellion was stopped on favorable terms for the head of the PMC, there is reason to believe that in the end the leadership of the Russian Defense Ministry will be removed. Peskov was apparently very careful to say that the situation was resolved without further loss because over the course of the day, the Russian aerospace forces lost seven aircraftsix helicopters and a fixed-wing intelligence aircraftto Wagner anti-aircraft missiles. The death toll from these shootdowns is reported to be in the neighborhood of 15-20 crew members. Over 2 million Muslims are gathered in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for this years hajj pilgrimage, or religious trip. The pilgrimage has returned to the usual level of participation for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The pilgrims made their way out of Mecca on Monday after circling Islams holiest site, the Kaaba. They are gathering in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars, or central beliefs, of Islam. The Quran, Islams holy book, says that all Muslims who are physically and financially able should make the pilgrimage once in their lifetime. It takes place over five days. The hajj follows a path that Muslims believe their prophet Muhammad walked almost 1,400 years ago. The holy walk is seen as a uniting event for the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims. Some people spend years saving up money to pay for the trip. Pilgrims have been circling the Kaaba since arriving in Mecca over recent days. As the last ones performed it Monday, the pilgrims made their way by foot or by bus to Mina. They will camp there in one of the largest tent cities in the world. Mina is a large open space with little to protect people from the sun and intense heat. Soldiers cooled pilgrims with water. Egyptian businessmen Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words to describe his feelings on arriving at Mina. He said, Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness. Pilgrims pray throughout the day and night before traveling on Tuesday to Mount Arafat. That is where Muhammad is said to have given his final speech. After Arafat, the pilgrims collect small rocks from a place known as Muzdalifa. They then return to Mina to throw the rocks at three stone walls that represent evil. This is the final act of the hajj. Then, Muslims begin celebrating the three-day long holiday of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice. Im Gregory Stachel. Riazat Butt reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story participate v. to take part in an activity or event with others pillar n. a basic fact, idea, or principle of something prophet n. a member of some religions (such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) who delivers messages that are believed to have come from God tent n. a portable shelter that is used outdoors, is made of cloth (such as canvas or nylon), and is held up with poles and ropes joy n. a feeling of great happiness _________________________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. In Russia, the armed rebellion against the government ended in less than 24 hours. However, the apparent disorder within the Russian military might help Ukrainian troops. It has also improved morale. Yevgeny Prigozhin is leader of the Wagner group, a group of military fighters who are not part of Russias military but worked with it in the past. Prigozhin attempted what is being called a mutiny in the Russian military city of Rostov-on-Don late last week. Russia's struggle to protect Moscow were met with cheers by Ukraines military commanders, said a spokesperson, Serhii Cherevatiy. Any chaos and disorder on the enemys side benefits us, he said. More statements from Ukraines top commanders described the situation as a sign of more problems to come. The crisis ended with a deal that would send Prigozhin into exile in Belarus. But Ukrainians were watching closely. They said that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to a deal hours after calling Prigozhin a traitor made him appear weak. The crisis did not seem to affect Russias army along the 1,000-kilometer front line in eastern Ukraine. But it could give Ukraine the energy it needs to strengthen the beginning of its expected counteroffensive. Military leaders have said it is going slower than expected. Nigel Gould-Davies is a military expert at the International Institute for Strategic Affairs based in London. He said the crisis kept attention away from the war in the short-term. In the longer term, it shows a lack of unity among Russias soldiers. Its terrible for Russias morale. The officers and soldiers alike. Its very good for Ukraines morale, Gould-Davies said. Andrii Kvasnytsia is a 50-year-old Ukrainian soldier. Everyone is excited, he said. Hanna Malyar is Ukraines deputy defense minister. She said as Wagner troops marched towards Moscow, Ukraine made progress in several directions along the front line where fighting has been going on for weeks. She said Russian gains were stopped further to the north. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last week that a new reserve army would be formed by the end of June. The new troops would strengthen Russias military along the Ukrainian front. Russia has sent 90 percent of its forces there and they already outnumber Ukrainian fighters. Experts say the Ukrainians need to remain quick and ready to change plans to hurt Russia along the front line. With modern NATO weapons systems, strong morale is important to perform well. Ukrainian commanders told their fighters they had indirectly caused the problems in Russia. Cherevatiy said, The heroes of Bakhmut who held the city for 10 months and exhausted the enemy are responsible for this. The truth is more complex, however. The conflict between Prigozhin and the Russian military leadership began before the invasion. Wagners effectiveness compared to the regular armys raised Prigozhins popularity. It may have led him to go ahead with the rebellion. In Ukraines southeastern Zaporizhzhia area on Sunday, soldiers fired at Russian targets from their positions. They directed their anger at Russia with each shell. Im Dan Novak. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters. _______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story morale n. a feeling of hope and loyalty that a person or group has about a job or task mutiny n. a situation in which a group of people in an organization refuse to take orders and try to seize control from their commanders chaos n. a state of complete disorder and lawlessness benefit v. to be good for; to aid or help traitor n. a person who is not loyal to their country; a person who does something against the interests of their own people and supports the enemy exhausted adj. having spent one's energy; extremely tired; used up A 21-year-old Madison woman and UW-Madison graduate has won the Miss Wisconsin 2023 competition. Lila Szyryj, who competed as Miss South Central, received $12,500 in scholarships and an additional $750 for talent and evening wear award honors after winning the event Saturday evening in Oshkosh, according to a statement from the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization. Szyryj competed among 25 candidates from across the state and will now be able to participate in the national Miss America 2024 contest, the statement said. Grace Stanke, Miss Wisconsin 2022, went on to take the Miss America 2023 title last year. Szyryjs community service initiative for the competition, titled Breaking Down Breaking News, aims to work toward educating and interacting with the public on media literacy and how it relates to understandings of each other, the statement said. Szyryj graduated from UW-Madison in 2022 with a bachelors degree in journalism and mass communication. For the talent part of the competition, Szyryj performed a classical piano solo Revolutionary Etude by Chopin. The Miss Wisconsin competition, run by the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization, a state affiliate of the Miss America Organization, was established in 1936 and has contestants dedicate a year of service to promoting a service initiative that could make a positive difference in their community, the organization said. Todays top pics: Miss America competition and more LGBTQ+ PRIDE | EVENTS HELD NATIONWIDE NEW YORK Thousands of effusive marchers danced to club music in New York City streets Sunday as bubbles and confetti rained down, and fellow revelers from Toronto to San Francisco cheered through Pride Month's grand crescendo. New York's boisterous throng strolled and danced down Fifth Avenue to Greenwich Village, cheering and waving rainbow flags to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall uprising, where a police raid on a gay bar triggered days of protests and launched the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights. While some people whooped it up in celebration, many were mindful of the growing conservative countermovement, including new laws banning gender-affirming care for transgender children. "I'm trying not to be very heavily political, but when it does target my community, I get very, very annoyed and very hurt," said Ve Cinder, a 22-year-old transgender woman who traveled from Pennsylvania to take part in the country's largest Pride event. "I'm just, like, scared for my future and for my trans siblings. I'm frightened of how this country has looked at human rights, basic human rights," she said. "It's crazy." Parades in New York, Chicago and San Francisco are among events that roughly 400 Pride organizations across the U.S. are holding this year, with many focused specifically on the rights of transgender people. One of the grand marshals of New York City's parade was nonbinary activist AC Dumlao, chief of staff for Athlete Ally, a group that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ athletes. "Uplifting the trans community has always been at the core of our events and programming," said Dan Dimant, a spokesperson for NYC Pride. San Francisco Pride, another of the largest and best known LGBTQ+ celebrations in the United States, drew tens of thousands of spectators to the city Sunday. The event, kicked off by the group Dykes on Bikes, featured dozens of colorful floats, some carrying strong messages against the wave of anti-transgender legislation in statehouses across the country. Organizers told the San Francisco Chronicle that this year's theme emphasized activism. The parade included the nation's first drag laureate, D'Arcy Drollinger. "When we walk through the world more authentic and more fabulous, we inspire everyone," Drollinger said at a breakfast before the parade. Along Market Street, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank were spotted riding together. Chicago's 52nd annual celebration on Sunday featured drag performers Marilyn Doll Traid and Selena Peres, as well as Young Bud Billiken dancers, who received loud praise from the crowd as they represented the celebration of Black roots in Chicago's South Side. Thousands of people also flooded the streets Saturday night in Houston to celebrate pride parades and embrace the LGBTQ+ community. "Houston is one big diverse family. Today is about celebrating people who are themselves, their authentic selves and letting everyone know that this is a city full of love, not division, not hate," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. San Antonio also celebrated its Pride parade Saturday night, with hundreds of people lining downtown streets. KANSAS CITY, Mo. At least three people were found dead, and at least five others were thought to be injured, police in Missouri said while investigating two shootings with multiple victims in the same area of Kansas City early Sunday. Officers were called to the intersection of 57th Street and Prospect Avenue just after 4:30 a.m. where they found three shooting victims two men and a woman dead in a parking lot and in the street, Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Jake Becchina said in an email. Police were told that five other shooting victims with injuries that were not life-threatening arrived at various hospitals by private vehicles or ambulance, Becchina said. Photo: The Canadian Press B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. First Nations leaders in British Columbia are calling for the resignation of the children's minister and an overhaul of the foster system after a horrific case involving torture, starvation and other abuse that culminated in the beating death of an 11-year-old boy. Eby told an unrelated news conference that the impact of the case is being "profoundly" felt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck First Nations leaders in British Columbia are calling for the resignation of the children's minister and an overhaul of the foster system after a horrific case involving torture, starvation and other abuse that culminated in the beating death of an 11-year-old boy. A provincial court judge in Chilliwack, B.C., earlier this month sentenced a man and woman to 10 years in prison after they pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault and manslaughter of the fostered First Nation boy and the aggravated assault of his sister, aged eight. The name of the First Nation, the location and the names of all parties were banned by the courts to protect the identity of the children involved in the case. Court documents show the Ministry of Children and Family Development's last visit to the Indigenous couple's home took place seven months before the boy was beaten to death in 2021 by the woman, who is related to the children's biological mother. The First Nations Leadership Council says there has been an "ongoing lack of accountability" by the ministry in response to the case and is calling for minister Mitzi Dean's resignation and for the province to work with First Nations to eradicate the mistreatment of Indigenous children in care. The ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but B.C. Premier David Eby told an unrelated news conference that the impact of the case is being "profoundly" felt. "This case has shaken all of us," he said Monday. Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BC Assembly of First Nations said the abuse in this case was the "result of negligence and lack of systemic oversight." "I urge minister Dean to recognize this and resign immediately," he said in the news release Monday. "The ministry must conduct a thorough systematic review of its child protection and guardianship policies, practices, and procedures pertaining to First Nations children and youth, and all child protection cases and placements involving First Nations families." Content warning: material that some may find disturbing follows. In his ruling on June 16, Judge Peter La Prairie said the children were tortured, starved and forced to eat their own feces, vomit and dog food. They were forced to undertake excessive exercise routines for hours, often with their eyes taped shut, while in diapers or naked. They were also subject to slapping, punching, kicking and whipping, with much of the abuse captured by video cameras inside the home. The boy died in February 2021 after sustaining a traumatic brain injury during a beating by the woman, documents say. His sister was later examined and found to have multiple abrasions and bruises all over her body and injuries to her wrists and ankles from zip ties. Police executed a search warrant and found evidence including a 2x4 piece of wood the couple used to beat the children and 16,000 videos with about 400 hours of playing time, depicting months of abuse from 2020 to 2021. "The level of violence depicted in the videos is incomprehensible," La Prairie said in the ruling. He noted the boy's appearance in February 2021 was "particularly shocking," likening it to a child from the Holocaust. "It is inconceivable to understand how the abuse as depicted on the videos continued over a lengthy period of time, with the children in emaciated conditions and no one did anything," he said. "These are issues that need to be addressed." Two men who admitted earlier this year to the execution-style slaying of a man who had just left the Dane County Jail will be in prison until at least their 65th birthdays, a judge ruled Friday. Demone M. Cummins, 22, and Amond D. Galtney, 26, pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide in February and April, respectively, in the shooting death of Dwayne L. Collins Jr., 32, of Fitchburg, on March 30, 2022. Galtney was convicted as a party to the crime. Collins was about to be picked up by his mother when a blue Ford Explorer pulled up and a man later identified as Cummins jumped out and fired at least 15 shots at him. The shooting happened in the late afternoon of a workday in the 200 block of South Carroll Street, the street that runs between the Dane County Jail and the Madison Police Departments Central District office in the City-County Building. Cummins and Galtney were arrested shortly after the shooting about two miles away on Madisons South Side. Judge Julie Genovese had sentenced both Cummins, of Chicago, and Galtney, of Madison, to life in prison, but under state law, she was allowed to decide whether either would be eligible for parole. In Cummins case, he will become eligible on May 1, 2066. Galtney will be eligible on Aug. 28, 2061. WMTV reported that the prosecutor in the case said in court Friday that the shooting stemmed from a long-running feud between rival gangs. Cummins and Galtney both had criminal records from Chicago. As part of Cummins plea, a felony gun charge and a felony heroin-dealing charge were dismissed. In a letter filed with the court Thursday, Cummins attorney, Robert Hurley, said his client took full responsibility for the shooting, but he asked Genovese to take Cummins difficult upbringing into account when deciding if he could ever be released. Cummins was raised in a crime-ridden part of Chicago, Hurley wrote, lacked a father growing up and had received special education services in school but managed to earn his high school diploma. Who are they? WI children reported missing as of June 17 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Heres how members of Wisconsins congressional delegation voted on major issues last week. Readers can visit www.VoteFacts.com to research other top issues and individual voting records in the current 118th Congress and recent 117th Congress. House Republican Censure of Adam Schiff: On a vote of 213-209, the House on June 21 adopted a Republican resolution (H Res 521) to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for his pursuit of allegations that Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign conspired with Russia to influence the election outcome. As leader of the first impeachment prosecution of Trump and the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee during Trumps presidency, Schiff repeatedly cited what he said was evidence of the campaigns collusion with Russian operatives to sway the election. The censure resolution called these false accusations and deserves censure having misled the American people and brought disrepute on the House. Censure ranks behind expulsion as the most severe punishment the House can impose on a member. A 22-month investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, resulting in a report released in March 2019, found numerous contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians but insufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy to disrupt the election. A recently released report by another special counsel, John Durham, accused the FBI of bias against Trump in its probe of Russian connections. Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justice inspector general, issued a report in December 2019 that found misconduct by the FBI but no evidence of political bias in its decision to investigate contacts between the campaign and Russia. A yes vote was to censure Schiff. Voting yes: Bryan Steil, R-1, Derrick Van Orden, R-3, Scott Fitzgerald, R-5, Glenn Grothman, R-6, Thomas Tiffany, R-7, Mike Gallagher, R-8 Voting no: Mark Pocan, D-2, Gwen Moore, D-4 Call for Impeachment of President Biden: Voting 219-208, the House on June 22 adopted a resolution (H Res 529) that referred to the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees a resolution to impeach President Biden based on what critics say is his failure to protect the southern border of the United States. The committees are charged with developing evidence and reporting their findings to the full House, but also have the option of taking no action. A yes vote was to adopt the resolution. Voting yes: Steil, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher Voting no: Pocan, Moore Affordable Care Act and Employer-Based Coverage: Voting 220-209, the House on June 21 passed a bill (HR 3799) that would write into law a Trump administration rule making it easier for companies to use voucher-style plans to deliver medical insurance to workers. Known as Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, these entities enable companies to replace group health insurance with employer-funded accounts that workers use to purchase individual policies in ACA marketplaces. They reduce employers medical costs and administrative burdens while shifting to workers the task of navigating the federal health law. The bill also would expand the availability of association health plans, which allow trade associations and professional groups to band together to offer medical insurance as though they were large employers, reducing costs as they scale up coverage. Such plans are exempt from compliance with many of the ACAs essential health benefits, which apply primarily to the individual and small-group markets. Backers said the expansion would give small firms relief from the rigidity of the federal health law, while critics said it would siphon younger and healthier workers from ACA marketplaces that depend on broadly representative enrollee pools to control premium costs. A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate, where it was likely to fail. Voting yes: Steil, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher Voting no: Pocan, Moore Biden Policy on Loan Forgiveness: The House on June 21 voted to uphold a Biden administration policy of forgiving up to $20,000 of debt for an estimated 43 million low- to middle-income individuals who received student loans from the federal government for undergraduate education. On this vote of 221-206, the House failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to override President Bidens veto of a congressional resolution (HJ Res 45) that sought to revoke the rule. Bidens executive order does not affect loans by private lenders. Legal challenges have prevented the nine-month-old directive from taking effect, and the Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on its constitutionality. A yes vote was to overturn the presidential veto. Voting yes: Steil, Van Orden, Fitzgerald, Grothman, Tiffany, Gallagher Voting no: Pocan, Moore Senate Regulation of Pistols Converted to Rifles: The Senate on June 22 upheld a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms rule that pistols equipped with stabilizing braces must be registered as short-barreled rifles because the braces enable firing from the shoulder. Owners who fail to register these accessorized AR-style pistols with the ATF would face stiff fines and potential prison terms under the National Firearms Act of 1934, which requires registration of machine guns and sawed-off rifles and shotguns, and the Gun Control Act of 1968, which governs interstate commerce in firearms. On this vote, the Senate defeated, 49-50, a resolution (HJ Res 44) that sought to revoke the rule. Pistols equipped with braces were used in mass shootings at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn., in March 2023; the Club Q in Colorado Springs. Colo., in November 2022; the King Soupers market in Boulder, Colo., in March 2021 and outside a bar in Dayton, O., in August 2019. A yes vote was to revoke the rule. Tammy Baldwin, D, voted no and Ron Johnson, R, voted yes. Key votes ahead Congress is in Independence Day recess in the week of June 26. VoteFacts.com News Reports is a nonpartisan, fact-based news service whose mission is to help civically engaged individuals and organizations track major actions in the U.S. House and Senate. Readers can visit www.VoteFacts.com to research other top issues and individual voting records in the current 118th Congress and recent 117th Congress. I'm sure many readers reacted with disbelief to the decision of UW-Madison's Music School to axe the Choral Union, the 130-year-old partnership of students, alumni and community members, ostensibly to maximize "opportunities for UW students." It's amazing how quickly UW-Madison administrators wrap themselves in the mantle of the Wisconsin Idea when circumstances suit them (i.e., when funding is threatened) but have no hesitation in discarding a program that perfectly exemplifies that idea. This decision demonstrates once again that UW-Madison, despite its pious pronouncements about serving all the citizens of the state, is in fact elitist and short-sighted. Blue Cross of Idaho kicks off Community Health Academy Buhl, Gooding and Hazelton are among the 14 Idaho cities that will participate in the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundations annual Community Health Academy this year. The academy is a five-month learning collaborative designed to help city officials improve the health of their communities, according to a news release. Each city will earn a $20,000 grant upon completion of the program. Community Health Academy is one of our most impactful programs because most mayors and elected officials learn how their actions can help build healthy communities, Courtney Frost, senior program officer for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, said in the release. The academy includes grant funding, so cities will have the resources to launch a project or program that will improve the health of communities in Idaho. The 2023 class, the largest in program history, also includes Ammon, Blackfoot, Dayton, Lapwai, Mountain Home, Parma, Post Falls, Pocatello, Stanley, St. Anthony and Tetonia. Twenty-four Idaho cities have participated in the academys previous five cohorts. Idaho gets nearly $600M to expand broadband access The state of Idaho has been awarded more than $583 million by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program to expand broadband infrastructure. The BEAD provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access across the country by funding planning, infrastructure and adoption programs, according to a news release. Idaho officials will work with stakeholders and local communities to develop a plan for funding dispersal over the next six months. Our historic investments in expanding broadband capacity across Idaho over the past few years are helping to strengthen our economy, increase access to education and health care and improve Idahoans lives overall, Gov. Brad Little said in the release. The new BEAD program funds are an enormous investment in broadband access for rural Idaho, and my administration is ready to deploy the funds and better connect Idahoans to high-speed internet. For more information, go online to https://commerce.idaho.gov/broadband/ or https://linkup.idaho.gov. Farmers Bank donates to Shrine Club Farmers Bank recently presented two checks totaling $4,217 to the Twin Falls Shrine Club and Magic Valley Shrine Council with funds raised during the annual North-South All-Star Game last month. Bank employees and customers have supported the fundraiser for 13 years, giving $343,373 to benefit the Magic Valley Patient Travel Fund, according to a news release. Also: The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Idaho remained at $3.97 to start the week 40 cents higher than the national average, according to AAA Idaho . The Gem State price is 14 cents higher than a month ago but $1.24 less than a year ago. Times-News Its surprising that the Republican Partys state central committee which seems hellbent on destroying any notions of a big tent for the GOP hasnt voted to expel Rep. Mike Simpson by now. The Second District congressman simply doesnt pass the litmus test for purity. He certainly doesnt fit the mold of the rest of Idahos congressional delegation something that irritates the heck out of a lot of conservative-minded Republicans. All he does is win elections year after year after year. And that irritates the conservative factions even more. Recently, Simpson sent out a commentary promoting Community Project Funding, which is a fancy name for earmarks. To three members of Idahos delegation, and a lot of Republicans nationwide, earmarks are the root of all evil that nasty element of congressional politics that has given us a $31 trillion debt. For certain, Simpson is not in tune with the thinking of todays Idaho congressional Republicans on this issue. But hes well in line with some of the voices from the past, including the late Sen. Jim McClure and former Sen. Larry Craig. McClure was a master of landing funding for Idaho projects, sometimes through procedural votes after most of his colleagues left town for a holiday recess. Craig, who as with Simpson served on the Appropriations Committee, would receive applause from partisan crowds when he pitched about the virtues of earmarks. Quote Its surprising that the Republican Partys state central committee which seems hellbent on destroying any notions of a big tent for the GOP hasnt voted to expel Rep. Mike Simpson by now. As Craig said then, and Simpson says now, earmarks do not amount to more federal spending. The money is already there and, in relative terms, it does not amount to a lot of money. Wipe out money for earmarks completely, and wed still have a $31 trillion debt. But as Simpson points out, earmarks or CPF offers congressional delegations the one chance to set federal spending priorities for their states. If a delegation turns down the money, it can go to (you guessed it) pet projects in other states, such as New York or California. Sure, weve heard horror stories over the years about ridiculous pork spending. In Simpsons eyes, that level of fiscal abuse doesnt occur in Idaho at least not with the projects he promotes. His priority list includes preventing sewage backing up into homes, upgrading fire stations that dont have running water, repairing crumbling roads things that communities cannot realistically provide for themselves without help from the federal government. Over the years, Ive supported many projects like those each one important to the community in Idaho, Simpson wrote. In fact, its likely that you are currently benefiting from the safer roads, rehabilitated river walls, or improved sewer systems funded through this program (Community Project Funding). As your representative, I take seriously my responsibility to advocate for Idahos priorities within a responsible federal budget. Abdicating this responsibility wouldnt reduce federal spending by a single penny; it would just send those funds to pet projects in other states or a federal agency to spend at its discretion. Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch see it differently. After hearing from Idahoans concerned about the abuse and excess spending generated by earmarks, I supported the 2011 moratorium on earmark spending, Crapo said. I still hold these concerns and remain committed to fiscal transparency and responsibility. Says Risch: I have long opposed pork spending, and I will continue to do so. Congress should abandon earmarks and treat taxpayer dollars with the respect it deserves. Simpson, apparently, listens to a different set of constituents. I have lived in Idahos Second District for nearly all my life. Ive spent two decades in Congress listening to Idahoans and seeing firsthand what really matters to them. Handing over all decisions about allocating the federal budget over to the executive branch has not gone well for Idaho in the past, but through the CPF program I can bring Idaho tax dollars back home for Idaho priorities. Theres no question about it, Simpson brings home the bacon as McClure and Craig did during their time in Congress. Folks in the Second District will complain about Simpson for one reason or another, but its easy to see why voters keep re-electing him. However, Crapos and Rischs opposition to earmarks probably wins the day with state party leaders. There was a bit of good news that came in for a landing on the front page a few days ago. Yes, we know. Weve heard this before and celebrated the additional service, only to watch it fly away a few months later. SkyWest has tried it. So did United Express, which abandoned its Twin Falls-to-Denver experiment after only about five months in 2021. Remember Allegiant Air? The low-cost carrier even brought a Las Vegas showgirl to town for its 2010 announcement of twice-weekly service to Sin City. About 18 months later, Allegiant was out of quarters and Twin Falls was out of luck. Its only natural, then, wed be skeptical of this latest attempt to rejuvenate air service to the Magic Valley. Weve been conditioned that way. Why might this time be any different? Its not a question without an answer, and thats a good start. Quote The cost will be higher than flying in and out of Boise or Salt Lake City. Thats a given at regional airports, meaning the success or failure of Deltas new venture will largely depend on the price point that each of us put on ease of access and convenience. Weve been trying to get where we are now for a long time, Bill Carberry, the airport manager, told us. He even went a step further: A lot of communities would be very envious of this. Its not simply that Twin Falls is getting a second flight, its the airplanes that will be making those trips to and from Utahs capital city. The Magic Valleys new service will carry on with a 70-seat Embraer 175 that features first-class accommodations, comfort-plus seating with extra legroom and dedicated overhead bin space, and larger main cabins. There are no middle seats; everybody gets an aisle or a window. Theres Wi-Fi and in-seat power and USB outlets. Its simply a far more modern aircraft than the 50-seat Mitsubishi CJR200 that flies in and out of Twin Falls now. The Embraer 175 has more giddy-up, too, with a top cruising speed of 545 mph, meaning flight times should be cut by several minutes, weather permitting. The folks that do fly first-class can do that right here out of Twin. They dont have to wait to get to Salt Lake, Carberry said. That is likely a particularly important point for both local business travelers and executives who might be looking to do business in the Magic Valley whether thats Twin Falls or Burley or elsewhere. Whether for business or pleasure, Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport, offers the same conveniences as always. The parking is free. The drive to get there is easier and much faster than covering the hundreds of miles of asphalt between here and Boise or Salt Lake. The security screening process is a breeze. And then youre in and off to Salt Lake, Carberry said. Theres greater convenience in the new service schedule, too. Departures will be scheduled daily at 7:58 a.m. and 1:25 p.m., with arrivals at 12:16 and 9:56 p.m. The option now: An especially early departure at 6:32 a.m. and an especially late return trip that typically arrives just minutes before midnight. Our big push is to get people to take a look at it as an option and, hopefully, a much improved option over what weve had for the last few years, Twin Falls Economic Development Director Shawn Barigar told the Times-News last weekend. We agree the new service is worth a look. We agree, too, that its a significantly more viable option. The cost will be higher than flying in and out of Boise or Salt Lake City. Thats a given at regional airports, meaning the success or failure of Deltas new venture will largely depend on the price point that each of us put on ease of access and convenience. Weve got a really great opportunity, Carberry told us. Were really excited. How excited are you? Thats the real question now. 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. Ever and always, it seems school districts reach out to their patrons to inquire about, or lobby for, finance and spending proposals. But what happens next in Kuna will be worth the rest of us paying some attention. Quote How far and where, in other words, should Kuna schools start a race to the bottom? Without more money, that eventually will start to happen. This isnt a criticism of the districts leaders or educators. Their voters are leaving them with little choice. The district will have new spending proposals on the block in years to come; that much is a given. Its website explains bluntly: New families mean new students. We strive to predict the number of new children and new schools needed to serve them by closely tracking developments in our boundaries. Based on developments that have been approved by our counties and city, Kuna is expecting our student population to grow significantly in the next 10 years. No kidding. The population of Kuna in 1980 (the little community with a three-block downtown is the image of it Ill always carry) was 1,767. The most recent estimate leading up to 2022 was 27,229, enough now to make it the 13th largest city in Idaho. A decade from now it may add another 10,000 and move up still higher in the rankings. The trajectory has been a little softer than Meridians, but like that former dairy outpost it is a small town no longer. Kuna is a mid-sized and booming suburb. It is populated largely, apparently, by people seeking a small town, traditional, maybe ex-urban existence, many specifically refugees from higher-tax and stricter-regulation places. The question is, how does and will that comport with the image of the place people thought they were moving into? As a matter of political ideology, Kuna was deeply conservative decades ago and by all electoral indicators remains so today. It has been a place highly resistant both to social change and to higher taxes. But all of that, and the attitudes of residents old and new, are about to bump into some social realities. Local schools are among the most obvious of those. The explosive growth at Kuna has been pressuring local schools for years, and this March the board asked voters to approve a massive $111 million bond large for even the biggest Idaho school districts and enormous for one this size, but giving the district enough new schools and other facilities to keep up for a while. The voters rejected it, providing well short of the two-thirds favorable that was needed for passage. So, now what? The district is looking for public comment, but in a new direction: What should be cut, starting this fall, to try matching the demands to resources. So the district is asking patrons and parents what should go on the chopping block. Sport programs? Career and technical training? School resource officers? Electric classes? Other things? Kunas classes already have a high student-teacher ratio. How many students will be crammed into a limited number of schools and classrooms? How far and where, in other words, should Kuna schools start a race to the bottom? Without more money, that eventually will start to happen. This isnt a criticism of the districts leaders or educators. Their voters are leaving them with little choice. All this is, as noted, worth your consideration even if you dont live in Kuna: Many of the same factors are in play in most of Idahos faster-growing communities. (Boise would be a political exception anyway, but in the last year its been estimated to have actually lost population.) Kunas most recent annual growth estimate (these numbers cover cities rather than school districts) was 2.3%. Meridians was 3.2%, Nampas was 4.3%, Caldwells 3.2%, Post Falls 3.6% and Star a whopping 13%. Schools in all these areas will be encountering faceoffs between politics and demography. And schools are only part of the cutting edge. The National Economic and Development Authority underscored the importance of the Development Academy of the Philippiness continued support for the countrys development plans and its role as a catalyst for change in the government. NEDA Secretary and chairperson of the DAP board of trustees Arsenio Balisacan joined DAP in celebrating the academys 50th anniversary with the theme Kapwa, Kakayahan, at Kaunlaran: Limampung Taon ng Kahusayan sa Paglinang ng Bayan. The NEDA chief recalled the history of DAP as a think tank, capacity-builder and change catalyst within the Philippine bureaucracy. The DAPs hard work is aptly captured by this years anniversary theme, signaling the academys commitment to deliver the highest quality of service to its clients and stakeholders, and provide elegant solutions and innovative technologies to address development concerns or problems, said Balisacan. The DAP was the brainchild of then retired Education Secretary, Onofre Corpuz, who later became the academys first president and the former chairman of the Development Bank of the Philippines Leonides Virata in 1973. It was envisioned as an institution capable of enabling other government agencies to fulfill their proper roles, particularly in terms of molding not only their officials and employees, but also their clients and employees, in order to fully utilize their resources and capabilities, said Balisacan. The DAP was established by Presidential Decree No. 205 on June 7, 1973, and was formally inaugurated by former President Ferdinand Marcos on June 23, 1973. Back then, the president said that we were in dire need of institutions like DAP that could transform and produce more leaders: leaders coming from diverse fields, leaders who are dedicated and effective, and leaders who are idealistic, motivated, and productive, he said. Balisacan also underscored the importance of aligning DAPs directions and programs with the Philippine Development Plan or PDP 2023-2028, the countrys medium-term development blueprint. Despite the challenges and formidable tasks that may lie ahead for this esteemed institution, I encourage each and every one of us to remain resolute in our commitment and dedication to fulfilling our mandate and serving the Filipino people, said Balisacan. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sent a video message congratulating DAP on its golden anniversary. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The Department of Finance and the World Bank signed on Monday four loan agreements amounting to $1.14 billion or around P63.50 billion to finance various government projects aimed at accelerating economic recovery, strengthening climate resilience, improving the quality of education and developing the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno signed on behalf of the government, while country director for the Philippines Ndiame Diop signed for the World Bank. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno (left) and World Bank country director for the Philippines Ndiame Diop About $276 million of the loan will support projects of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, specifically the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project. The MIADP aims to sustainably increase the agricultural productivity, resiliency, and accessibility to markets and services of organized farmers and fisherfolks in selected ancestral domains and for selected value chains in Mindanao. FishCoRe aims to improve fisheries management, enhance the value of fisheries production, and elevate incomes in selected coastal communities. A $110-million loan agreement was secured for the Department of Educations Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project to improve the quality of education in the country. The TEACEP aims to improve equitable access to quality teaching in Kindergarten to Grade 6 in project-supported areas, including Regions IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). A budgetary support amounting to $750 million under the Philippines First Sustainable Recovery Development Policy Loan will support the countrys policy reforms aimed at boosting environmental protection and climate resilience. The loan agreements were signed using a digital signing platform (DocuSign) in support of the WBs shift to simplify and streamline its business processes through digital technology. The WB will use e-signatures as the default modality for the signing of its financing agreements beginning July 1, 2023. The WB-International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the Philippines third largest official development assistance partner. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said Filipinos in Russia are safe and in good shape following the armed rebellion staged by a private mercenary group over the weekend. Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said there are around 10,000 Filipinos in Russia and 9,000 of them are in Moscow, which the mercenary group Wagner did not enter. The Wagner group entered Rostov, which is 1,000 kilometers away. And the embassy in Moscow contacted the Filipinos there. There are 11 Filipinos there, De Vega said, in an interview with GMA News Unang Balita. They are in good condition and the mini-rebellion has already ended so the situation in Russia is getting back to normal, he added. But authorities remain vigilant in light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, according to De Vega. De Vega stressed that no Filipinos in Russia, including those in Rostov, have expressed interest in leaving the country or being evacuated. Even the people in Rostov, when the embassy talked to them, said they are safe despite the presence of tanks in the city, he said. The Philippine Embassy over the weekend asked Filipinos in Russia to remain vigilant and take precautions, and cautioned them against putting out political opinions on social media. This was after Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said he had already taken control of Rustov-on-Don as part of an attempt to oust the military leadership. The group that advanced most of the way to Moscow turned back on Saturday, de-escalating a major challenge to President Vladimir Putins grip on power, in a move Prigozhin said would avoid bloodshed, Reuters reported. Reports also said that the Russian mercenaries have already withdrawn from Rostov under a deal that halted their rapid advance on Moscow. Prigozhin, meanwhile, will move to Belarus under the deal mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Putin has not commented publicly since the deal was struck to de-escalate one of the biggest challenges since he rose to power more than two decades ago. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the heads of Russian law enforcement agencies at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 26, 2023. (Valery Sharifulin/AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday blasted organizers of a weekend revolt as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. The rebellion by armed mercenaries, which lasted less than 24 hours, was the gravest threat yet to Putins authority. Putin said the nation had stood united, and he praised the rank and file mercenaries for not letting the situation descend into bloodshed. Advertisement Earlier in the day, the rebellions leader, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, defended his short-lived insurrection. He taunted Russias military, but said he hadnt been seeking to stage a coup against Putin. Putin did not name Prigozhin in his televised address but said organizers of the mutiny had tried to force the groups soldiers to shoot their own. Putin blamed Russias enemies and said they miscalculated. Advertisement The Kremlin a lso showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, and early in the day authorities released a video of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal Prigozhin had demanded, reviewing troops in Ukraine. Prigozhin said he was acting to prevent the destruction of Wagner, his private military company. We started our march because of an injustice, he said in an 11-minute statement, giving no details about where he was or what his plans were. The feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military brass has festered throughout the war, erupting into a mutiny over the weekend when mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov. They rolled seemingly unopposed for hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday. The Kremlin said it had made a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers. There was no confirmation of his whereabouts Monday. Prigozhin boasted Monday that his march was a master class on how Russias military should have carried out the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also mocked the military for failing to protect Russia, pointing out security breaches that allowed Wagner to march 780 kilometers (500 miles) toward Moscow without facing resistance. His bullish statement made no clearer what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces under the deal purportedly brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin said Lukashenko proposed finding solutions for the Wagner private military company to continue its work in a lawful jurisdiction. That suggested Prigozhin might keep his military force, although it wasnt immediately clear which jurisdiction he was referring to. The independent Russian news outlet Vyorstka claimed that construction of a field camp for up to 8,000 Wagner troops was underway in Belarus, but the report couldnt be independently verified. The Belarusian military monitoring group Belaruski Hajun said Monday on Telegram that it had seen no activity in the area consistent with the report. Advertisement Though the mutiny was brief, it was not bloodless. Russian media reported that several military helicopters and a communications plane were shot down by Wagner forces, killing at least 15. Prigozhin expressed regret for attacking the aircraft but said they were bombing his convoys. Russian media reported that a criminal case against Prigozhin hasnt been closed, despite earlier Kremlin statements, and some Russian lawmakers called for his head. Andrei Gurulev, a retired general and current lawmaker who has clashed with the mercenary leader, said Prigozhin and his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin deserve a bullet in the head. And Nikita Yurefev, a city council member in St. Petersburg, said he filed an official request with Russias Prosecutor Generals Office and the Federal Security Service, or FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion, given that Putin vowed in a Saturday morning address to punish those behind it. It was unclear what resources Prigozhin can draw on, and how much of his substantial wealth he can access. Police searching his St. Petersburg office amid the rebellion found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside the building, according to Russian media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay his soldiers families. Russian media reported that Wagner offices in several Russian cities had reopened on Monday and the company had resumed enlisting recruits. Advertisement In a return to at least superficial normality, Moscows mayor announced an end to the counterterrorism regime imposed on the capital Saturday, when troops and armored vehicles set up checkpoints on the outskirts and authorities tore up roads leading into the city. The Defense Ministry published video of Shoigu in a helicopter and then meeting with officers at a military headquarters in Ukraine. It was unclear when the video was shot. It came as Russian media speculated that Shoigu and other military leaders have lost Putins confidence and could be replaced. Before the uprising, Prigozhin had blasted Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov with expletive-ridden insults for months, accusing them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Prigozhins statement appeared to confirm analysts view that the revolt was a desperate move to save Wagner from being dismantled after an order that all private military companies sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1. Prigozhin said most of his fighters refused to come under the Defense Ministrys command, and the force planned to hand over the military equipment it was using in Ukraine on June 30 after pulling out of Ukraine and gathering in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He accused the Defense Ministry of attacking Wagners camp, prompting them to move sooner. Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that Prigozhins mutiny wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, but a desperate move amid his escalating rift with the military leadership. Advertisement While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesnt have a political future in Russia under Putin, Stanovaya said. It was unclear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion would mean for the war in Ukraine, where Western officials say Russias troops suffer low morale. Wagners forces were key to Russias only land victory in months, in Bakhmut. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Monday that Ukraine had gained impetus in its push around Bakhmut, making progress north and south of the town. Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken Rivnopil, a village in southeast Ukraine that has seen heavy fighting. U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of several of Ukraines European allies discussed the events in Russia over the weekend, but Western officials have been muted in their public comments. Biden said Monday that the U.S. and NATO were not involved in the short-lived insurrection. Speaking at the White House, Biden explained that he was cautious about speaking publicly because he wanted to give Putin no excuse to blame this on the West and blame this on NATO. We made clear that we were not involved, we had nothing to do with it, he said. Advertisement Biden said the U.S. was coordinating with allies to monitor the situation and maintain support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg concurred Monday that the events over the weekend are an internal Russian matter. And Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy had contacted Russian representatives Saturday to stress that the U.S. was not involved in the mutiny. The events show the war is cracking Russias political system, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels and Jill Lawless in London contributed. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Filipinos to protect the countrys forestland in addressing the problems caused by climate change. Mr. Marcos stressed during the celebration of the 160th anniversary of the Philippine Forestry Service that taking care of the environment redounds to the benefit of the present and future generations. The President led a tree-planting ceremony at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office where he planted a molave sapling at the compound. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Defense Chief Gilbert Teodoro, and Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga were also present during the event. The President lamented the centuries of mismanaged resources and peoples neglect of the environment. We have had many warnings over decades by scientists and saying that unless we change our habits, unless we change our lack of sensitivity to our environment, there will be global warming, there will be climate change, said Marcos. Unfortunately, we did not listen. And now, we are resigned to the one-and-a-half degrees Celsius increase in our global temperature. And perhaps that might even reach two degrees Celsius if we do not do something about it, he added. The President said that the country should be conscious of the importance of the environment as the Philippines is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The world that we have today and that we face is a very different world from what we came into. And the importance of the environment, the importance of biodiversity has become clearer and clearer, said Mr. Marcos. The Chief Executive suggested that the answer to this problem is the countrys forestland. He said that the monetization of forest will allow people to preserve the environment. This is a kind of new concept being developed so that we can be very clear and make it easy to those who are taking care of our forest lands to feel not only a benefit for doing the right thing but also an economic benefit, said Marcos. I continue to call on the DENR, other agencies, the private sector, and even the public to work together in connecting, preserving, and managing our limited resources, he added. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Scientists at Stanford Medicine conducted a study describing a new category of depression labeled the cognitive biotype which accounts for 27% of depressed patients and is not effectively treated by commonly prescribed antidepressants. Cognitive tasks showed that these patients have difficulty with the ability to plan ahead, display self-control, sustain focus despite distractions and suppress inappropriate behavior; imaging showed decreased activity in two brain regions responsible for those tasks. Because depression has traditionally been defined as a mood disorder, doctors commonly prescribe antidepressants that target serotonin (known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs), but these are less effective for patients with cognitive dysfunction. Researchers said that targeting these cognitive dysfunctions with less commonly used antidepressants or other treatments may alleviate symptoms and help restore social and occupational abilities. The study, published June 15 in JAMA Network Open, is part of a broader effort by neuroscientists to find treatments that target depression biotypes, according to the studys senior author, Leanne Williams, PhD, the Vincent V.C. Woo Professor and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. One of the big challenges is to find a new way to address what is currently a trial-and-error process so that more people can get better sooner, Williams said. Bringing in these objective cognitive measures like imaging will make sure were not using the same treatment on every patient. Finding the biotype In the study, 1,008 adults with previously unmedicated major depressive disorder were randomly given one of three widely prescribed typical antidepressants: escitalopram (brand name Lexapro) or sertraline (Zoloft), which act on serotonin, or venlafaxine-XR (Effexor), which acts on both serotonin and norepinephrine. Seven hundred and twelve of the participants completed the eight-week regimen. Five civilians were killed, and some beheaded, in an attack on Saturday evening in two villages in eastern Kenya claimed by the radical Islamist Shebab, police and local sources said on Sunday. The attack was carried out at around 7:30 pm (4:30 pm GMT) on Saturday in the villages of Juhudi and Salama, located in the coastal county of Lamu, bordering Somalia, according to these sources. Five people were killed () The victims throats were slit and others were decapitated, a police source told. Resident Hassan Abdul said that women were locked in the houses and the men ordered out, where they were tied with ropes and butchered. A secondary school student was among the five people killed, Abdul said, adding that all those killed were slashed and some of them had been beheaded. Another local resident, Ismail Hussein, said that the militants stole food supplies before leaving, firing their arms into the air. Based in Kenyas eastern neighbor Somalia, the extremist al-Shabaab group has been waging a bloody insurgency against the fragile government in Mogadishu for more than 15 years. Kenya first sent troops into Somalia in 2011 to combat the al-Qaeda-affiliated militants and is now a major contributor of troops to an African Union military operation against the group. The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) greeted Mozambique on the 48th anniversary of the countrys independence, highlighting the excellent bilateral relations and the closeness between the two peoples. Happy Independence Day, Mozambique! The excellent relations between Portugal and Mozambique are based on the strong proximity between the two peoples and a spirit of comprehensive and cross-partnership at the bilateral, European, regional, multilateral and CPLP [Community of Portuguese Language Countries], says the note published by the ministry led by Joao Gomes Cravinho on the social network Twitter. The United States of America (USA) also marked the date with a message from the spokesperson for the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who stressed the growth of relations between the two countries. Today, I extend my congratulations to the people of Mozambique as you celebrate the anniversary of your countrys independence. Over the past 48 years, our relations have grown to reflect our shared commitment to achieving the sustainable peace and stability that all Mozambicans deserve, reads the official statement posted on the State Departments webpage. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also expressed a wish for joy and prosperity for all Mozambicans, emphasizing the friendship between Mozambique and the U.S., in addition to partnerships to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights, promote trade and investment, improve health, expand educational opportunities, conserve the environment, and combat violent extremism and transnational crime. As partners and friends, including on the UN Security Council, our shared vision for a bright future for all Mozambicans drives our desire to empower all those working to create a more equitable, peaceful and inclusive society, he concluded. Fighting intensified in Sudan at the week-end, with aid workers calling on the warring parties to allow humanitarian convoys through to help the millions of civilians caught in the crossfire. Ten weeks of war between the army, led by General Abdelfattah al-Burhane, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of General Mohamed Hamdand Daglo have already left over 2,000 people dead and more than 2.5 million displaced and refugees. Again on Friday, Khartoum residents told the media of artillery bombardments in various parts of the capital, where millions of civilians survive in the sweltering heat without electricity and often without water. And, since Wednesday, military and paramilitary forces have been clashing with heavy weapons in the Kordofan region bordering Darfur, according to local residents. On Wednesday morning, an umpteenth truce officially came to an end. Although for three days the fighting itself had subsided, local residents continued to report troop movements suggesting an escalation. Faced with these preparations, as soon as the ceasefire ended, the American and Saudi mediators threw in the towel. On Wednesday, we postponed the negotiations because they are not progressing as we would like, explained Molly Phee, Under Secretary of State for Africa. These ceasefires have not been respected enough, even though they have allowed vital humanitarian assistance to be transferred, she added to parliamentarians. In Geneva on Monday, the international community pledged $1.5 billion in aid to Sudan not even half of the estimated needs. In Sudan, one of the worlds poorest countries, 25 million people need this aid to survive, while two-thirds of hospitals are now out of action and the rest are on the verge of closure due to lack of supplies. The ocean patrol vessel of the Portuguese Navy Setubal rescued, this Saturday, five men who were drifting in a fishing vessel 60 miles from Soyo, northern Angola, said official sources. Speaking to the media, Commander Caetano Silveira, responsible for Portuguese cooperation in the area of the Navy in Angola, explained that the vessel was sighted on Friday night and was without propulsion due to an engine failure. The fishermen had left Luanda ten days ago and were drifting for five days without food or water. It is a fishing boat very rudimentary and in poor condition with about six meters, said. The Portuguese Navy vessel stayed by the boat all night and reassessed the situation in the morning, concluding that it was not possible to repair the engine. According to Caetano Silveira, the captaincy of the Port of Soyo has been asked to create conditions to finalize the tow operation, which began at 11:30 local time. 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: Africa's contribution to global HIV research is relatively low compared to its burden of infection, according to a study published online June 22 in PLOS Global Public Health. Mukhtar A. Ijaiya, from Jhpiego in Nigeria, and colleagues described HIV research output in Africa by country from 1986 to 2020 by searching the PubMed database. A total of 83,527 articles from African countries were included for analysis. The researchers found that 54 percent of the total indexed publications were accounted for by the Republic of South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria, with 33.2 percent, 8.4 percent, 7.3 percent, and 5.1 percent, respectively. A strong positive and statistically significant correlation was seen between the total indexed HIV publications and countries' gross domestic product, population, and estimated number of persons living with HIV. "Africa's contribution to global HIV research output increased over the 35-year period, but it remained relatively low compared to the continent's burden of HIV infections," the authors write. "Our results on the underrepresentation of Africa in global HIV research output can inform policy decisions aimed at addressing these disparities in other fields, such as COVID-19 research." More information: Mukhtar A. Ijaiya et al, HIV research output in African Countries between 19862020, PLOS Global Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000544 Journal information: PLOS Global Public Health 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: Each dot on this map represents a group of households surveyed during the 2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and the three categories of urbanicity derived from satellite imagery. Five million children under five years old died in 2021. Of these, nearly half occurred within the first montha time of high vulnerability. Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest death rate in the world: 27 in 1,000 newborn babies (1,067,000). This is 11 times higher than in countries with the lowest rates (2 deaths in 1,000), such as Australia and New Zealand. Over the past decades, newborn mortality has been markedly lower in urban compared to rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa. This "urban advantage" has been linked to better socioeconomic and living conditions, higher literacy among women and better access to health care services. In Tanzania, however, the newborn mortality rate was similar for urban and rural areas for almost two decades (1991 to 2015). Then, in 2016, a national household survey found that newborn babies in urban areas were dying at a higher rate than in rural areas. This prompted a number of questions, which our work sought to answer. Was this true and, if so, which factors related to living in urban areas might be contributing to it? Given the rapid expansion of the urban populationparticularly informal settlementshad urban areas become "the new rural" in terms of the vulnerability of newborns? The answers are important because of the rapid ongoing urbanization in Africa. The population is expected to nearly triple by 2050, reaching 1.5 billion urban dwellers. Our results were clear. Babies faced a higher risk of dying in more urbanized areas. What's more, our research points to the fact that urban populations are diverse, and certain neighborhoods or subgroups may be disproportionately affected by poor birth outcomes. Health policies must be designed to capture this reality. First things first Our first task was to describe and demarcate what "urban" and "rural" really meant. In the 2016 national household survey, the distinctions between rural and urban were made from historical and administrative boundaries. This may no longer reflect the lived reality since the boundaries do not correspond to the physical space where interactions between economic and social activities happen. With the advantage of satellite imagery, we could more precisely identify lived environments, including population, land use and cover, and extent of built-up areas. Based on these inputs and statistical methods, we categorized mainland Tanzania into three lived environments: rural, semi-urban (outskirts and suburbs of cities and towns) and core urban (densely populated inner cities). See image above. Our second task was to reflect on what newborn mortality really meant. We know that complications during childbirth are among the most important causes of death among newborns. The same complications (for example, being premature or small) and poor quality of childbirth care also lead to deaths of babies in the womb (before they are born or in the process of being born), leading to stillbirths. We included stillbirths in addition to newborn deaths in our analysis, a combined group of deaths which is called perinatal mortality. Both help us understand the reasons babies might be more likely to die in this critical period in urban settingswhether the death occurs in the process of being born or shortly afterwards. Mortality For every 1,000 pregnancies, 36 babies died in rural areas, 38 in semi-urban and 56 in core urban areas. We found similar results when we looked only at newborn mortality (babies born alive). For every 1,000 live births, 22 newborn babies died in the first month of life in rural areas, 25 in semi-urban areas and 40 in core urban areas. Previous research has shown that the leading causes of newborn deaths are prematurity, low birth weight, birth asphyxia and infectious diseases. These are mainly related to the quality of care during pregnancy, labor and childbirthfor example, whether the child was born in a facility and in the presence of a skilled birth attendant. But explaining why proved harder. Based on previous researchwork which does not classify the urban areas as we didit's likely to be a combination of factors related to informal settlements in urban areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation, poor quality of healthcare, and traffic congestion limiting timely access to care for pregnant women and their babies. Poor air quality can also lead to babies being born prematurely. Nevertheless, the reversal is not fully understood. Our findings could not be fully explained by factors such as poverty, maternal education, or the travel time to hospitals where childbirth and newborn care are provided. However, certain factors were found to be associated with the risk of neonatal or perinatal deaths. These factors include the mother having low iron levels during the survey (maternal anemia), a household with fewer members, having the baby being born as a twin or triplet, having a male child, a first-time pregnancy or a short time interval between pregnancies, and giving birth to a baby with either a low or a high birth weight. Next steps About a third of Tanzania's population of 62 million live in an urban area. A focus on the issues relevant to urban areas is now more critical than ever if the country wants to increase the number of children who survive beyond one month. Policy areas for action should include: Urbanization: policies to address the expansion of urban informal settlements are a place to start. For example, in Dar es Salaam, an estimated 80% of the land or settlements is informal. This might hamper the quality of care provided for the reasons outlined quite apart from poor sanitation practices. policies to address the expansion of urban informal settlements are a place to start. For example, in Dar es Salaam, an estimated 80% of the land or settlements is informal. This might hamper the quality of care provided for the reasons outlined quite apart from poor sanitation practices. Differences in urban settings: our findings suggest that policymakers must resist the temptation to lump together urban areas because this will mask the high variation within them. Unmasking variation and inequalities will aid targeted interventions. From this starting point, policymakers can then draw lessons from existing projects found to improve urban maternal and perinatal health. These include the maternal and neonatal project at multiple facilities in Dar es Salaam to uplift the level of care at childbirth. The project resulted in the decongestion of overcrowded hospitals, an increase in quality of care and inter-facility referral, and a reduced number of maternal deaths and stillbirths. A similar multi-partner approach has been successful in Kampala, Uganda, as well as Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in addressing other key determinants of urban health, such as housing, social protection, income, air pollution and vulnerability to extreme climate events. 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: Presumed models of tumor cell repopulation after escaping chemoradiation. Credit: 2023 Prakash and Telleria The past two decades have brought great progress in the treatment of cancer as patients with the disease live longer having access to better diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. However, the disease remains incurable. One of the reasons for the high resilience of this disease is that cancer cells hide and escape from therapies thus leading to cancer recurrence. The process whereby cells escape therapy is referred to as cancer cell repopulation. A new research perspective that examines this process was published in Oncoscience on June 1, 2023, titled, "Cancer cell repopulation after therapy: which is the mechanism?" Cancer cell repopulation after therapy is a phenomenon that leads to therapeutic failure with the consequent relapse of the disease. The process is understudied and mechanisms need to be uncovered. In this new perspective, researchers Rewati Prakash and Carlos M. Telleria from McGill University and McGill University Health Center discuss the issue of cancer cell repopulation after chemo- and radio-therapies. Credit: Impact Journals LLC The researchers compiled evidence alleging that the repopulation of cancer cells can be originated from either cancer stem cells resistant to therapy, cancer cells that in response to therapy become polyploid and thereafter germinate into near-diploid rapid proliferating cells, and/or cells that respond to treatment undergoing senescence as a transient mechanism to survive, followed by the reinitiation of the cell cycle. "Perhaps the better approach to eliminate cancer cell repopulation is a combination treatment involving first chemoradiation-induced transitory senescence, followed by senolytic therapies as recently discussed by Wang and colleagues," say the researchers. More information: Rewati Prakash et al, Cancer cell repopulation after therapy: which is the mechanism?, Oncoscience (2023). DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.577 Provided by Impact Journals 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: CC0 Public Domain Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not at any greater risk of ovarian cancer than those without the common hormone condition, say researchers. However, those with PCOS who have been through the menopause are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The data based on nearly two million women was presented at the 39th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) . The research was also published in the International Journal of Cancer . This is the first large study of its kind, and the authors are calling for increased awareness when managing the health of patients with PCOS, which affects an estimated one in ten women. Lead author Dr. Clarissa Frandsen says the overall likelihood of women with PCOS developing ovarian cancer is low. However, she said clinical guidelines for managing the long-term health consequences for PCOS patients should include recommendations on their potential ovarian cancer risk. The age-adjusted incidence rates of ovarian cancer were 11.7 per 100,000 person-years and 13.2 per 100,000 person-years for women with and without PCOS, respectively. Dr. Frandsen, from the Danish Cancer Society Research Center in Copenhagen (Denmark), said, "Our results and those from previous studies should be taken into account when revising guidelines on how to manage the health of women with PCOS in the long term." "Unfortunately, there is no effective screening for early detection of ovarian cancer. Both patients and clinicians will benefit from improved knowledge of the potential long-term health risks associated with PCOS." The immediate past chair of ESHRE, Dr. Cristina Magli, laboratory director at SISMeR (The Italian Society for the Study of Reproductive Medicine) in Bologna (Italy), was not involved in the research. She said, "PCOS is a common but complex condition that represents a serious public health issue. It can affect a woman's chance of becoming pregnant and increase the odds of other diseases. "The odds of women with PCOS being diagnosed with ovarian cancer are very low. But the more that is known about the risks, the better doctors are able to monitor patients, especially those post-menopause." Ovarian cancer is not as prevalent as breast cancer but is three times more deadly. The analysis by the Danish Cancer Research Center and Herlev Hospital in Denmark focused on epithelial ovarian cancer. The disease starts in the surface of the ovary and accounts for the majority (90%) of ovarian tumors. The study included all 1.7 million women born in Denmark between 1 January 1940 and 31 December 1993. Excluded from the study were those who emigrated, died, were diagnosed with cancer, or had undergone surgery to remove their ovaries and fallopian tubes before the start of the study. Details on diagnosis of PCOS and cancer and on migration were obtained from national registers. Additional analysis was carried out on women who had reached 51 years, which is the median/average age in Denmark for menopause. Results showed that 6,490 women were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer and 2,990 with borderline ovarian tumors during a median follow-up time of 26 years. Overall, the study authors found the increased risk was not statistically significant for ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumors among women with PCOS compared to those without the condition. Other factors that can affect the risk of ovarian cancer were taken into account, including obesity and education levels. However, the risk of developing ovarian cancer was significantly greater among postmenopausal women compared to those without PCOS. In addition, the risk in general was more than double for a type of ovarian tumor known as serous borderline among PCOS patients. These abnormal cells are not classed as cancer but are not completely benign and studies show they can lead to ovarian cancer later on. The study authors acknowledge that a limitation of their research is the low number of ovarian cancer cases despite the large study population. In their conference abstract, they say the data they used were 'highly valid' but that diagnosis of PCOS is challenging, and they were unable 'to account for changes in diagnostic practices over time. The research did not examine why post-menopausal women were more likely to develop ovarian cancer. Dr. Frandsen said PCOS is a complex condition but long-term exposure to potential cancer-causing factors could be behind the finding, such as excess production of male sex hormones. More information: Presentation no: O-012, "Risk of epithelial ovarian tumours among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A nationwide population-based cohort study", presented by Clarissa Frandsen, session 03: New Concepts: PCOS, Hall D3, 10.45 hrs CEST, Monday 26 June 2023. Clarissa L.B. Frandsen, Pernille F. Svendsen, Bugge Nhr, Kakob H. Viuff, Thomas Maltesen, Susanne K. Kjr, Allan Jensen. "Risk of epithelial ovarian tumors among women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A nationwide population-based cohort study". International Journal of Cancer. 2023;1-11. DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34574 Journal information: International Journal of Cancer A Chicago pharmacist has been found guilty of federal charges alleging he stole hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination cards from the South Side Walgreens where he worked and sold them on eBay at the height of the pandemic. After a three-day trial, a jury found Tangtang Zhao, 36, guilty on Friday afternoon of all 12 counts of theft of government property, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Advertisement In a rare move, however, the jury sent a note to the judge saying that while theyd reached a unanimous verdict, at least three members of the panel had reservations about the prosecution of the case. We do feel that although we have reached our decision, it is important for us, as citizens, to share that we feel this case has been extraneous, the note read, according to a transcript of the proceedings. The note was signed by three members of the jury. Advertisement U.S. District Judge Manish Shah set a sentencing hearing for Nov. 28. An indictment filed in August 2021 accused Zhao of selling nearly 700 authentic COVID-19 vaccination cards on eBay that hed pilfered from a patient immunization room at the South Side Walgreens where he worked. At the time, the governments massive vaccination rollout was just getting underway nationwide, creating both hope and confusion in an already pandemic-weary public. The ubiquitous white index cards showing proof of the type of vaccine received and where and when it was administered became a key component of the vaccination effort, with citizens required to show proof of vaccination to travel, to work or enter certain venues. Prosecutors alleged during the trial that Zhao seized upon the anxiety to make a quick buck. These were valuable cards, and in that value, the defendant saw opportunity, Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Yanz said in his opening statement last week. An opportunity to seize on fear. Zhaos attorneys argued that the cards were never the property of the U.S. government, like a drivers license or a passport. Instead, they were manufactured and delivered by a private company with no specific rules on how they were to be distributed, and served mostly as a way to document when to come back for a booster shot, according to the defense. In a statement to the Tribune on Monday, Zhaos lead attorney, Gal Pissetzky, said the government wasted thousands of dollars in resources to prosecute an irrelevant case instead of focusing on real violent crime and victims. Advertisement Pissetzky also said he believes the jury made a legal mistake in finding the cards were government property. Zhao is among dozens of pandemic-related fraud cases brought by the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis more than three years ago, but hes one of the only ones to take his case to trial. According to the charges, Zhao was working in 2021 as a pharmacist at a Walgreens at 75th and State streets, where the pharmacy was being operated out of a temporary trailer due to ongoing renovations to the store. While there were security cameras in the trailer, there were none showing the patient immunization room where the CDC vaccination cards were being stored, Yanz said. Yanz said Zhao listed the cards for sale on eBay under his username asianjackson, describing them as blank cdc vaccination record cards. Sales started with a trickle, he said, with the first card selling in about 14 minutes for a price of $7.99. By the end of that first night, Zhao had sold 10, Yanz said. Over the next three weeks, Zhao created 37 different listings and sold a total of 658 cards, upping the price at least six times along the way, Yanz said. In all, he netted about $5,600. Advertisement Among the evidence were chat messages on eBay where Zhao assured potential buyers these are genuine authentic cards. After receiving a warning from eBay that he was prohibited from selling government property, Zhao tweaked his listing description, saying he was selling only a clear pouch for CDC vax record cards. 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 > The image shown with the new listing depicted a real vaccination card inside a standard sandwich baggie, Yanz said. The sales ended on April 15, 2021, when a reporter for The Washington Post reached out to Zhao through eBays chat system and said he was writing an article about the sale of vaccination cards on the auction site. Zhao immediately claimed that his account had been hacked and that someone else had been selling the cards under his name, Yanz said. He also told others who reached out to him to destroy any cards they may have purchased from him previously. Advertisement jmeisner@chicagotribune.com This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Talking about mental health helps to normalize the conversation and supports children and adolescents in knowing they can go to you when they are struggling. Credit: Shutterstock Emerging research suggests that child and adolescent mental health problems are on the rise. For example, one in four children report that they have experienced clinically elevated rates of depression, and rates of emergency department visits for attempted suicide have increased by 22 percent in the past few years. As clinicians and researchers, we have interacted with thousands of caregivers, many of whom have asked us how they can better understand and support their children's mental health. Below we offer a step-by-step guide for recognizing the signs of mental distress and responding with support and resources to help foster recovery and resilience in children and adolescents. Recognize signs of distress Children and adolescents have varying reactions to experiences and events, and signs of mental distress can look different across young people (and can look different compared to adults too). Changes are normal in children and adolescents, but dramatic and sustained changes are not. Typically, caregivers should be on the lookout for a combination of: Increased distress, such as more sadness, irritability, worry, or risk-taking. Changes in daily functioning, such as changes in sleep, eating, physical activity, energy levels and/or interests, which may be subsequently impacting their peer or family relationships, extracurriculars or academic performance. We encourage caregivers to have conversations about mental health early and often, whether their child or teen is struggling or not. This helps to normalize the conversation and supports children and adolescents in knowing they can go to you when they are struggling. Conversations are especially important when children or adolescents appear to be struggling. You can start by letting them know you care, and then pointing out what you have observed in terms of changes in their distress and daily functioning, such as "I've noticed that you've been sleeping a lot more than usual. Have you noticed these changes too?" Then ask if you can talk about this further together to deepen the conversation. If you feel that strategy won't work for your child, or if you often get answers of "fine" to "how are you feeling?" try the third person strategy, which can reduce distress during tense conversations. In this scenario, make a statement about children's mental health generally, such as "I hear there's a lot of kids and teens struggling with their mental health right now" and then ask open-ended questions, such as: "what do you think about that?" or "what have you noticed about your own mental health lately?" When you have conversations about mental health with your child or adolescent, try to minimize any potential discomfort. It's best to find a time that works well for your child. For example, when they are rested, fed, and relaxed. Also, some children find it hard to have face-to-face conversations about their mental health. If this is the case with your child or adolescent, you could ask them to go for a walk and start the conversation then or when you are doing something else, like loading the dishwasher or driving to an extracurricular activity. This can take the pressure off what might be perceived as stressful face-to-face conversations. When children and adolescents do open up, express empathy for what they are going through, using phrases such as "that sounds really difficult" and/or "I understand how painful that can be." Often as caregivers, we want to jump into problem-solving mode, but the most effective approach to supporting children and adolescents is often to listen and validate their feelings and/or distress. Communicating and connecting with children and adolescents, and confirming they have our support, can foster resilience in times of adversity. Talk with their teacher If you remain concerned about your child, and want to gather additional information, you could speak with their teacher or guidance counselor. Up to 80 percent of children get their knowledge about mental health from schools. Guidance counselors are specifically trained to address mental health concerns and other school staff are used to having conversations about mental health with students. They typically welcome these conversations with caregivers. Teachers can also provide a valuable perspective on how a child's mental health may have changed, and what might be precipitating these changes. For example, children may be experiencing learning struggles or bullying, which they haven't yet disclosed to you, but is causing them some distress. Guidance counselors and teachers can also help brainstorm ideas for building up children's coping strategies and supporting their success at school. If possible, have your child join these conversations, so they feel involved in discussions about their own mental health and develop agency in addressing it. Talk with your health-care provider Health-care providers are trained in evaluating mental and physical health problems alike. They can formally screen and assess for mental health problems by asking the caregiver and child questions about changes in mood, behavior and functioning and matching symptoms of distress and impairment with "diagnostic criteria" for various mental health disorders. With this knowledge, health-care providers can offer strategies and resources to support children and caregivers. They will work with caregivers and children directly to decide on the best approaches to addressing the child's mental health struggles. It is also important to let children and adolescents know of other services they can access for support, such as Kids Help Phone, which is available via text or phone 24/7. Immediately address urgent mental health problems The strategies above can occur when children and adolescents are not in immediate danger. But when your child shows warning signs of suicide, or is engaging in self-harm behavior, get them help as soon as possible, including: Taking them to the nearest acute care hospital. If your child will not go to the hospital or you're unsure if this is the right thing to do, get help from a health-care provider as quickly as possible. You can call the health-care team or a crisis line. If your child is attempting or about to attempt suicide, do not leave them alone, and call 911 immediately. Although supportive in nature, taking care of our children's mental health can also be taxing and/or triggering for many caregivers. To best support children and adolescents, we also need to take care of ourselves. We encourage caregivers to prioritize their own mental health, so that they can feel energized and empowered to attend to their children's mental health. If caregivers have concerns about their own mental health, we recommend the following resources: Wellness Together Canada is a free and confidential service available to Canadian residents. They can give you information on mental health, offer free confidential sessions with health professionals, and provide peer support services. Speak to your health-care provider. If you are in crisis, contact Talk Suicide Canada. 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: (L-R) Kerrie Mengersen, Abhishek Varghese, Antonietta Mira, Edgar Santos-Fernandez. Credit: Queensland University of Technology New research that analyzed complex global COVID-19 datasets has found new ways to simplify information to aid health authorities to tackle future outbreaks. Researchers from QUT Center for Data Science in collaboration with scientists from Italy and Switzerland used advanced statistical and data science models to extract information on a global scale. The study, published in Scientific Reports, provided fresh insights into the COVID-19 pandemic that related to the daily number of cases, deaths and government-based stringency measures. The data spanned 454 days of the pandemic from March 1, 2020 to May 29, 2021 and included 115 countries. Senior Research Fellow in Data Science, Dr. Edgar Santos-Fernandez, said the research involved mapping the evolution of the pandemic. "We were surprised to find that we could simplify a complex dataset with more than 1,300 dimensions and classify it into just two groups characterized by a handful of relevant features," he said. "Despite the complex nature of aggregated statistics by country we were able to disentangle and extract valuable insights to help inform decision making." Researchers discovered two clusters globally, with countries within each cluster exhibiting similar patterns in their response to the pandemic. For instance, countries within the clusters reacted with similar timing and strategies regarding stringency measures, such as the closure of schools, workplaces, and borders. Dr. Santos-Fernandez said the patterns identified in the data can help predict the evolution of future outbreaks. "This information can be used to help governments and healthcare providers to prepare and identify more effective strategies in terms of non- pharmaceutical interventions and responses." Distinguished Professor Kerrie Mengersen said the research highlighted the immense potential of data science to uncover deeper insights hidden within complex datasets. "What is just as exciting is that the methods developed here don't just apply to COVID-19 research," she said. "Scientists in numerous other fields can use them to explore and make informed decisions about problems they face." The data used in the research was obtained from Our World in Data's "Data Explorer" and the COVID-19 Stringency Index (CSI) from the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT). More information: Abhishek Varghese et al, A global perspective on the intrinsic dimensionality of COVID-19 data, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36116-1 Journal information: Scientific Reports 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 pain and discomfort of a herniated disk can significantly impact the quality of your life. Here is what you should know about having a herniated disk, including what it is, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Plus, learn about the medication, self-care, surgery and lifestyle options that may help relieve pain. What is a herniated disk? The Cleveland Clinic describes a herniated disk as a spinal injury. Your spinal cord is made up of bony parts called vertebrae; between the vertebrae are disks that act as cushions. These make it easier to bend and move. When one tears or leaks, it is called a herniated disk. The injury typically occurs in the lower back or neck region. A herniated disk may also be called a slipped disk, a ruptured disk or a bulging disk. Herniated disk causes and risk factors Disk herniation often results from aging; the disks become less flexible over time. The Mayo Clinic lists the following risk factors: Weight: Excess weight puts a strain on the back. Occupation: People with physically demanding jobs that require repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing and bending are more likely to have a herniated disk. Genetics Smoking: It is believed smoking lessens the oxygen supply to the disks and may cause them to break down more quickly. Frequent driving: Sitting for long periods can put pressure on the spine. Sedentary lifestyle Penn Medicine lists the following symptoms of a herniated disk: Pain that occurs on one side of the body Sharp pain in one part of the leg, hip or buttocks Numbness in part of the leg, back of calf or sole Weakness in one leg Pain when moving your neck Deep pain near or over the shoulder blade Pain that moves along your arm. It may worsen after sitting or standing, at night, when sneezing, coughing or laughing or when walking more than a few yards or bending backward. Your health care provider will examine your pain, muscle reflexes, sensation and strength and may order diagnostic tests, including: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): The most common and accurate test for herniated disk. X-rays: These help doctors rule out other causes. Computed tomography (CT): This is to see the bones of your spine. Myelogram: Dye injected into your spinal cord helps locate the herniated disk. Electromyogram (EMG): This is used to evaluate the function of your nerves. "Doctors prefer nonsurgical treatments over surgery whenever possible," Dr. Mark Wang, an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Desert Institute for Spinal Care in Phoenix, writes. "If surgery is necessary, they will opt for the most minimally invasive option with the highest chance of success, given your condition." Wang lists several nonsurgical treatment options: Physical therapy: May also include hot and cold therapy. Hot and cold therapy: Cold therapy reduces inflammation and pain, while hot therapy promotes circulation and healing. Alternative therapies: Acupuncture and chiropractic care may help. Selective nerve root blocks: This is a minimally invasive steroid-anesthetic injection that interrupts the pain signal between the spinal nerves and the brain. Epidural steroid injections: Medicine is injected into the spinal column's epidural space. The Mayo Clinic lists several medications for herniated disks: Nonprescription pain medications: For mild to moderate pain, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Neuropathic drugs: These decrease pain by affecting the nerve impulse to the brain, and they include gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle), venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Muscle relaxers: To reduce spasms. Opioids: May be considered if other medications do not work, because of the risk of addiction or side effects. There are several types of surgery for herniated disk, Wang noted. They include: Microdiscectomy: A minimally invasive procedure to remove the part of the disk causing the pain; the disk may be repaired by reinflating it with hyaluronic acid and sealing it with collagen. Lumbar laminectomy: A minimally invasive or open surgery in which a portion of the vertebral bone (lamina) is removed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Spinal fusion: Surgeons fuse two or more bones in the spine; it can limit mobility but is effective at reducing painful motion of the spine. Artificial disk replacement, or artificial cervical disk replacement: The affected disk is replaced with one made of metal or plastic. Endoscopic foraminoplasty: Relieves pain by freeing the nerves inside the foramen (the hollow, bony tunnel where your spinal cord nerves exit to your arms or legs). If you have symptoms, seek the advice of a health care provider. Early treatment may prevent more problems. Most people are better in about four weeks, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Herniated disk self-care Self-care for a herniated disk includes some lifestyle changes: Maintain a healthy body weight Avoid sitting or standing for long periods Wear flat shoes, not high heels Carry objects close to your body 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 To address health inequities that Indigenous and racialized patients can experience, collect data on racial and Indigenous identity at health card application and renewal, suggests a group of authors in Canadian Medical Association Journal. "Although race is a social construct that uses perceived physical differences to create and maintain power differentials and the existence of discrete racial groups has not been shown to have any biological basis, perceived race influences how people are treated by individuals and institutions," wrote Dr. Andrew Pinto, founder of Upstream Lab based at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, part of Unity Health Toronto hospital network, along with coauthors. Indigenous and Black patients have less access to health care, receive poorer care and have worse outcomes. "Having data on race available for analysis can facilitate the measurement of racial inequities in health care, help to hold organizations and governments accountable for addressing these inequities and monitor progress," the authors wrote. Collecting self-reported identity data on health card applications and renewals could be an efficient way to obtain this information, with the caveat to plan for and prevent potential harms of collection. The authors suggest the following: Asking about race and Indigenous identity in a safe and transparent manner Guarding against potential bias or race corrections by providing antiracism training Ensuring that race or Indigenous identity is not visible on health cards Ensuring that data are not interpreted or presented in a way that reinforces racism and discrimination Legislating laws that protect communities so that health data are not used to draw broad conclusions about communities Supporting Indigenous, Black and racialized communities to lead data collection and analysis with data sovereignty and governance frameworks "Racism in Canada's health care systems continues to lead to injustice, but data that would assist in tracking progress and ensuring accountability are lacking or inadequate. Near-universal race and Indigenous identity data could be collected efficiently at health card application and renewal across Canadian jurisdictions," the authors conclude. More information: Andrew Pinto et al, Considerations for collecting data on race and Indigenous identity during health card renewal across Canadian jurisdictions, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.221587 Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain As young people weren't considered to be at high risk from COVID-19 directly, pandemic policy decisions largely ignored their needs and resulted in their long-term detriment, finds a global consortium of universities led by University College London (UCL) researchers. The report, titled "The Impact of COVID-19 on Education, Food & Play-Leisure and Related Adaptations for Children and Young People," outlines how slow government action and policy gaps in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 had negative impacts on children and young people's health and welfare. The report is part of the first stage of the PANEX-Youth research project, which aims to understand how young people adapted to COVID-19 and to assess the impacts in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. It brings together researchers from UCL and the University of Birmingham in the UK, University of the Free State and University of Fort Hare in South Africa, and the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The report is divided into two volumes: The "International and National Overviews" volume highlights the wider impacts of the pandemic on children across the world, while the "International Overview" volume drills down on the impacts on three countries: the UK, South Africa and Brazil. As a result of the social isolation and economic disruption caused by lockdowns, children and young people's educations were stunted, their access to nutritious food was reduced and their ability to develop socially through play was significantly restricted. These impacts were worst for those living in disadvantaged poor households. UK findings Within the UK, food poverty and insecurity increased among vulnerable and monetary-poor households. In part this was due to the limited access families had to low-cost grocery stores during lockdowns, having to rely more on local food providers that charged higher prices. In addition, the closure of schools cut off access to subsidized school breakfasts and lunches, further restricting access to nutritious food. National support schemes were slow to be effectively implemented. As education moved online in the UK, the digital divide also compounded educational inequalities during the pandemic, with households and regions with insufficient internet access falling behind. Despite government efforts to supply computers and modems to lacking households, according to research cited by the report, 28% of UK pupils remained without proper internet access during the pandemic, widening the learning gap. Interactive play and leisure for children and young people likewise moved largely inside and online as social distancing policies were enacted. Play is crucial for children's cognitive and social development, and is a recognized right of the child. For deprived households, the shift often meant losing out on socialization because of digital access inequalities, while many living in deprived areas lacked access to high quality green spaces. Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background (BAME) children were identified as missing out on leisure activities in particular, as they tend to rely more on access to school sports, which were unavailable. Collectively, and combined with the ongoing cost of living crisis, the researchers believe that these disadvantages will likely have detrimental consequences for children and young people in the short and long-term, with many not yet visible. The researchers expect that policy gaps during the pandemic will have negative impacts on young people's professional life trajectories, healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, educational opportunities, and self-confidence. The UK's situation is not unique, with countries around the world, including South Africa and Brazil as described in the report, having experienced similar and often more extreme inequalities. Recommendations The team put together five recommendations to ensure the well-being of children is incorporated in any future pandemic planning. These suggestions include: The need to keep children and young people at the center of pandemic preparedness efforts. More priority and attention given to the hidden voices and experiences of young people, and particularly those from monetary poor households. Greater recognition that schools play an important, central role as life and care hubs. Greater recognition of play and leisure as rights that are fundamental to children and young people's development. More structured and systemic responses to multiple dimensions of risk from local and national responses are recommended based on a rigorous assessment of what worked and failed during the pandemic. Professor Lauren Andres (UCL Bartlett School of Planning), lead author of the report, said, "COVID exposed and exacerbated inequalities that already existed prior to the pandemic. Children and young people's voices and needs were not heard and accounted for. Our research shows that because of policy gaps and slow government action during the pandemic, disadvantaged children and young people are now facing serious consequences that could be with them for a long time, both here in the UK and around the world." The researchers compiled and reviewed an extensive range of published reports and literature on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected children and young people, focusing on the effects it had on their education, access to food, and play and leisure, particularly for those living in disadvantaged and monetary poor households. Over the next 12 months, the team will work directly with young people and other key organizations to refine their recommendations further. 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: VT images for six patients generated from 30 minutes of dynamic data. Mean VT values of myocardium are shown on the bottom right. Credit: Q Liu et al, Yale University, New Haven, CT Researchers have identified the optimal tracer kinetic model to quantify 18F-flutemetamol myocardial uptake in patients with transthyretin (ATTR) cardiac amyloidosis. Presented at the 2023 Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Annual Meeting, this method allows physicians to obtain a fully quantitative measurement of cardiac amyloidosis burden and response to treatment for the first time. ATTR cardiac amyloidosis is a rare, life-threatening disorder caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins, called amyloid plaques, in the heart tissue. As the proteins build up, it becomes harder for the heart to function properly and can eventually lead to heart failure. Recent studies have shown the promise of 18F-flutemetamol PET imaging for detecting ATTR cardiac amyloidosis. "Static PET data analysis methods for 18F-flutemetamol are time sensitive, due to patient-dependent tracer washout from the myocardium. As a result, these methods can only provide physicians with a limited read-out," stated Qiong Liu, a Ph.D. student at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. "New methods to obtain fully quantitative myocardial volume of distribution with this tracer are needed." To determine the optimal method for quantifying 18F-flutemetamol myocardial uptake, Liu and colleagues performed kinetic modeling on dynamic 18F-flutemetamol PET scans of six ATTR cardiac amyloidosis patients. Dynamic images were reconstructed, and several compartmental models were tested. Parametric images of the volume of distribution were then generated and analyzed. Researchers found that the kinetics of 18F-flutemetamol are best quantified using a two-tissue reversible compartment model. The simplified graphical Logan plot identified the volume of distribution parameter generated from the first 30-minute dynamic scan as a quantitative parameter that is potentially useful for diagnosing and evaluating treatment in patients with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis. "These findings suggest that commonly employed semiquantitative methodologies, such as standardized uptake values used for 18F-FDG, are not optimal for 18F-flutemetamol. Using parametric modeling to fully quantify volume of distribution may provide clinicians with a more accurate and robust method for assessing the presence and progression of amyloid plaques in the myocardium, ultimately improving patient care," said Liu. The study underscores the importance of understanding the fundamental kinetics of tracers in the target organ of interest, which is especially important to the optimal use of any new tracer. Similar approaches using dynamic and parametric imaging may also be beneficial for other tracers. More information: Abstract 270. "Dynamic Imaging and Tracer Kinetic Modeling of 18F-flutemetamol PET for ATTR Cardiac Amyloidosis Patients." Link to Session Provided by Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 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: Total adherence rate to 5 select age-based AAP guidelines for individuals with Down syndrome in the MGH DSP from December 2018 to March 2022. Yellow lines denote the transition to virtual visits from April 2020 to June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the timing of EHR integration intervention in July 2020. Gray lines indicate the process stage mean, which refers to the arithmetic mean for all points within that process stage; statistical rules indicate that there is 1 stable process stage. Red lines indicate the control limits (3 SDs based on the process mean and number for that month). PSG, polysomnogram; VV, virtual visits. Credit: The Journal of Pediatrics (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.10.021 Stephanie Santoro, MD, Director of Quality Improvement Research for the Down Syndrome Program within Mass General for Children and an assistant professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, was the lead author of a recent article in published in The Journal of Pediatrics titled "Health Surveillance in a Down Syndrome Specialty Clinic: Implementation of Electronic Health Record Integrations During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic." She answered questions about her research in a short interview. What was the question you set out to answer with this study? As each primary care pediatrician typically cares for one to two patients with Down syndrome, the current care model involves the primary care physician providing health supervision for children with Down syndrome following the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Clinical Report. Studies show wide variation in adherence to the various recommended care elements in the AAP's report, and we wanted to address gaps in routine recommended care for children with Down syndrome, through quality improvement during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We began this initiative within our subspecialty clinic for Down syndrome, the Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program (MGH DSP), to attempt to improve health supervision. We based our approach on our previous work in another hospital system, which demonstrated that a combination of EHR tools using the same EHR system, Epic (Epic Systems Corp), improved adherence for patients with Down syndrome. What methods or approach did you use? Our main objective was to address gaps in routine recommended care for children with Down syndrome, through quality improvement during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To do this, we conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with Down syndrome. Records of visits to the Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program were assessed for adherence to five components of the 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Report, "Health Supervision for Children with Down Syndrome." The impact of two of the major changes was analyzed using statistical process control charts. The first was a planned intervention of integrations to the electronic health record for routine health maintenance with age-based logic based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome, created and implemented in July 2020. The second major change was a natural disruption in care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting in March 2020. Our approach was unique in that we studied adherence to health care guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. We integrated components directly into the health record. What did you find? From December 2018 to March 2022, total adherence to the five AAP guideline components was greater for follow-up visits compared with new patient visits (69% and 61%, respectively). Adherence to the audiology component decreased from 58% to 45%, while ophthalmology evaluation remained stable. There was also improvement in adherence to thyroid-stimulating hormone, hemoglobin and sleep study components throughout the study. What are the implications? The COVID-19 pandemic influenced adherence to components of the AAP Health supervision for children with Down syndrome, but improvements in adherence coincided with implementation of our intervention and reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the next steps? We want to continue to study adherence after the COVID-19 pandemic and we want to work on improving adherence to hearing tests. Specifically, we want to study adherence outside of our Down Syndrome Program to assess adherence more broadly. More information: Stephanie L. Santoro et al, Health Surveillance in a Down Syndrome Specialty Clinic: Implementation of Electronic Health Record Integrations During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic, The Journal of Pediatrics (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.10.021 Journal information: Journal of Pediatrics This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The opioid crisis continues to pose a grave public health concern, with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl posing a major risk for development of addiction and death due to overdose. A recent study by the research group led by Prof. Ami Citri at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences has unveiled crucial insights into the brain's potential ability to regulate the urge to consume fentanyl. This discovery offers a glimmer of hope in the ongoing battle against opioid addiction. The study, titled "Claustral neurons projecting to frontal cortex restrict opioid consumption" and published in the journal Current Biology, focused on claustral neurons, a specific type of brain cells, and their role in fentanyl consumption. The researchers discovered that claustral neurons exhibited distinctive patterns of activity during consumption of fentanyl. Manipulating these neurons allowed the researchers to modulate the amount of fentanyl consumed, indicating their direct influence on opioid intake. This study also introduced a novel method for studying opioid consumption, more closely mimicking the real-life conditions under which humans consume opioids. By enabling the exploration of how social interactions influence drug consumption, this technical advance is set to provide valuable insights, promoting the identification of treatments that will alleviate addiction. The results of this study represent a significant advancement in combating opioid addiction, offering a ray of hope in the ongoing battle. Particularly noteworthy is the discovery that the claustrum acts as a regulator of fentanyl intake. When the claustrum is activated, it effectively reduces drug consumption, whereas its suppression leads to an escalation in drug intake. This crucial finding suggests that targeting claustral neurons holds promise for the future development of effective strategies aimed at mitigating opioid addiction in human patients. Work along these lines is currently underway in the lab. Prof. Ami Citri, the lead investigator from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, expressed enthusiasm about the study's potential implications, stating, "Our findings shed light on the intricate relationship between the brain and fentanyl consumption. Understanding the role of claustral neurons in regulating the urge to consume opioids offers a new avenue for interventions aimed at curbing addiction." The study's outcomes carry significant implications for public health initiatives addressing the opioid crisis. By expanding our knowledge of the neural processes involved in addiction, researchers and health care professionals can work toward developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies. This study represents a significant technical achievement in the field of neuroscience. Co-authored by Anna Terem who was recently awarded her Ph.D., and Yonatan Fatal, who initiated the project as a high-school student, the research demonstrates the potential to shape future therapeutic interventions and offers valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the regulation of opioid consumption. Moving forward, this study opens doors for further investigation into the claustrum's function in different stages and aspects of the addiction process. The results highlight the claustrum as a potential target for intervention in fentanyl addiction. Follow-up studies can explore drugs and substances that increase claustrum activity to determine their effectiveness in decreasing drug consumption and addiction. While more research is needed, the study's findings hold promise for preventing addiction and potentially helping individuals currently struggling with active addiction. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The long, hot days of summer are here. While that can mean lots of fun in the sun for some, experts warn the extra warmth and exertion also carry the threat of heat-related illness, a problem they expect to increase as climate change spurs longer periods of extreme heat. According to the World Meteorological Organization, global temperatures are expected to hit record levels in the next five years. Each year in the U.S., an average 702 deaths and 67,512 emergency department visits are due to heat, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Research shows that the more days there are of extreme heatwhen temperatures feel like 90 Fahrenheit or higherthe more heat-related deaths occur, including cardiovascular-related deaths triggered by extreme heat. But even a typical hot summer day can lead to heat-related illness, especially in humid areas, or if a person is overexerting themselves, said Dr. Michael Kurz, a professor and section chief of emergency medicine at the University of Chicago. Heat stroke occurs when the body overheats and is unable to cool down. There are two types of heat stroke, Kurz said. The kind brought on by heat alone and the kind brought on by exertion in hot or humid weather. Both can be fatal. "Non-exertional heat stroke can occur when you're in a very warm environment, or even if you're in a less warm environment but the humidity is above 75%," he said. "When you exert yourself, the body generates even more heat." The body gets rid of excess heat primarily through sweat. But when there's too much heat, the body can't get rid of it efficiently and core temperature increases. If body temperature reaches 106F, "the basic chemical reactions in your brain don't work anymore," Kurz said. "Your heart rate goes up, you start to breathe quicker, there's an increased demand for oxygen. These are all things that happen because your body is trying to generate more blood flow to compensate for the increasing body temperature." Other organs can begin to suffer, said Dr. Jason Tanner, a resident in emergency medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital, part of the Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut. "It creates a systemwide failure if it gets bad enough." Heat-related illnesses range from the more minor heat exhaustion to life-threatening heat stroke, Tanner said. "Heat illness is a spectrum." Signs that a person may be experiencing heat fatigue or exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting or fainting. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause an extremely high body temperature (over 103), rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and hot, dry skin that won't sweat. It also can cause a person to lose consciousness. It's called "heat stroke" because people can exhibit symptoms, such as slurred speech or difficulty moving their limbs, that are similar to the symptoms of a regular stroke, Kurz said. "It's not a stroke. But to a layperson, it may look like one," he said. To prevent heat illness, Kurz advises limiting strenuous activities, such as yardwork or a long-distance run, to early in the day before the weather gets too hot, or late in the day when the sun's going down. When working outdoors, "wear cool, loose-fitting clothes and a hat," he said. "Stay in the shade, and take breaks." Kurz also cautioned against drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages while exposed to excessive heat. "Those things will dehydrate you. Water is the best thing to drink." And, he said, especially when doing something strenuous outdoors, "be absolutely sure you are well hydrated so you can generate sweat to evaporate and offload that heat." Heat exhaustion may be something that can be treated at home, Tanner said. "Recognize heat is affecting your body" and get out of the sun and into a cool area where there is air conditioning or a misting fan, and hydrate, he said. But heat stroke requires calling 911, Tanner said. It's not only potentially fatal, it also can cause liver or kidney damage or permanent neurological problems. Some peoplesuch as infants, toddlers and adults 65 and olderare more susceptible to heat-related illness. That's because they may not be able to hydrate sufficiently or remove themselves from the heat without assistance, Kurz said. Some medications or health conditions that lead to dehydration also increase the risk for heat-related illness. For example, some people with diabetes may have damaged nerves and blood vessels that affect their sweat glands and prevent their bodies from cooling down effectively. As temperatures continue to climb, Kurz said, "know how to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness and find ways to cool down." 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 Liverpool researchers have authored a new study detailing definitive population-based evidence of risks of COVID-19 transmission around the early reopening of mass cultural events before restrictions were lifted. Liverpool City Region hosted the world's first regional cluster of experimental reopening of mass cultural events after COVID lockdowns as part of the UK Events Research Program (ERP), including a business festival, two nightclubs (Circus' First Dance) and a music festival (the Sefton Park Pilot). All ticket holders were required to take a lateral flow test ahead of the eventsa negative test would allow them access. Attendees were encouraged to take a PCR test on the day of the event, and a second one five days later, and gave consent for their routine NHS COVID testing data to be linked. The analysis, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, finds that of 12,256 individuals attending one or more events over five days, there were just 15 linked cases detected through research, public health and clinical testing using population-wide linked data. Half of the cases were likely primary or secondary, reflecting transmission no higher than the background rate at the time, in contrast to a concurrent outbreak of more than 50 linked cases associated with a local swimming pool. The key strengths of the study are its population-wide design and the realistic way the events were run. The Liverpool City Region was the first region in the world to introduce voluntary open-access asymptomatic testing, and used real-time linked data systems to study patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and coordinate public health responses from November 2020 through the COVID-19 pandemic. The University of Liverpool's Professor Iain Buchan, Principal Investigator for the Events Research Program in Liverpool, said, "Around the May Bank Holiday of 2021, the Liverpool City Region ran the world's first experimental reopening of a realistic set of mass cultural events after COVID-lockdowns. We studied the feasibility and effects of risk-mitigations including supervised self-testing, contact-tracing and joint communications between event organizers and public health teams." "The events were designed to be realistic, so mask-wearing was not compulsory. Out of 12,256 eventgoers there were 15 event-linked cases detected through research and routine NHS testingno greater than background rates, which were low thenjust before the Delta variant surged. The same surveillance system detected over 50 cases linked to a swimming pool in the area at the time, which did not have pre-attendance testing." He added, "This public health initiative was a response to the social development and mental health needs of young people, who were last to be vaccinated, and among whom mental health referrals were rising. It was also a response to rising unemployment in the events and hospitality sector, and the importance of this sector for social well-being. Future pandemic recovery might take greater advantage of digital links between ticketing, events management, and public health systems, including testing and risk communications." The live links between different data sources, including events ticketing and public health testing were built by the Liverpool City Region Civic Data Cooperative (CDC). The CDC is the UK's first Civic Data Cooperative and was launched just before the COVID-19 pandemic to mobilize health-related data across the city region to improve the health and well-being of its residents. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said, "Being the first region in the country to reopen its hospitality and events sector in the midst of a global pandemic was no mean feat, yet we knew it was essential onenot only for our economic recovery, but for our collective well-being. "While the rest of the world watched on, we worked with our world-leading scientists, researchers and our ethical Civic Data Cooperative, to safely reopen our visitor economy to the public. Few areas can claim to have made a bigger impact on global health than the Liverpool City Regionand it's a legacy that we're proud to be continuing today." Director of Culture Liverpool Claire McColgan CBE, said, "The Events Research Program remains one of the most challenging projects I have ever been involved with and one that I'm incredibly proud of. At a time when restrictions were in place, we couldn't mix indoors with family and friends, and mask wearing was the normLiverpool stepped up to be the focal point of a pilot project which would help shape national policy and breathe life back into the culture and leisure sector. "This industry represents more than half of our local economy and it was in our interests to do everything we could to start to bring a sense of normality back. The eyes of the world were on us as we blazed the trail, and worked around the clock with the University, Government and event organizers to make each activity a safety success, and help unlock live events for the rest of the country. And in terms of legacy, our learning from those projects has been invaluable, shaping how we now deliver major events, such as the highly-acclaimed Eurovision host city program, and as a result are regarded as an exemplar of best practice in this field." More information: Girvan Burnside et al, COVID-19 risk mitigation in reopening mass cultural events: population-based observational study for the UK Events Research Programme in Liverpool City Region, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1177/01410768231182389 Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Members of a World Health Organization team investigating the origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus arrive at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal/Getty-AFP) Since 2019 when COVID-19 emerged in China, scientists worldwide have been trying to ascertain the origin of the virus. The two major theories are a natural spillover from bats to an animal source and then to humans or a laboratory accident. A related question is whether the virus emerged from nature or was the result of human-made genetic manipulation. Advertisement Until recently, although no animal intermediary between virus-carrying bats and humans has been identified, Chinese scientists and many of their Western counterparts, including prominent American researchers, argued that animals transmitted the virus to humans. They downplayed the lab leak theory and essentially dismissed the possibility that the virus was engineered rather than a creation of nature. Particularly notable was a report on the pandemics origin released in March 2021 by the World Health Organization, which failed to identify the source of the virus but claimed an animal source was likely to very likely. Only a few pages of the report and its annexes addressed the possibility of a laboratory accident, and a lab leak was deemed so unlikely that the virus having been carried into China on frozen food packages was posed as a more probable explanation. Advertisement This scenario strained credulity but was a convenient way of shifting the blame away from China, which had a say in determining which facts outsiders could investigate. Not incidentally, the natural-origin theory also protected Chinese scientists and their foreign sources of funding from inconvenient questions about safety protocols and the wisdom or foolishness of dangerous research projects. In the past year as the pandemic wound down, the very likely theory of an animal vector has been met with increasing skepticism. Many in the scientific community, as well as some in U.S. intelligence circles, do not buy the remarkable coincidence that the first COVID-19 cases just happened to appear in Wuhan, China, the site of the Chinese government-run Wuhan Institute of Virology. FBI Director Christopher Wray has said that the bureau believes COVID-19 most likely originated in a Chinese government-controlled lab. [ Cory Franklin: Suppressing debate on COVID-19 policies leads to mistrust in public health ] Now out is a comprehensive investigation of the virus origin by the Sunday Times of London, compiled with extensive sourcing including interviews with U.S. State Department special investigators who have been studying the origin of COVID-19 and have amassed secret intelligence on events in China before COVID-19 emerged. The conclusion of Times reporters was startling. Scientists in Wuhan working alongside the Chinese military were combining the worlds most deadly coronaviruses to create a new mutant virus just as the pandemic began. Investigators who scrutinized top-secret intercepted communications and scientific research believe Chinese scientists were running a covert project of dangerous experiments, which caused a leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology and started the COVID-19 outbreak. The U.S. investigators say one of the reasons there is no published information on the work is because it was done in collaboration with researchers from the Chinese military, which was funding it and which, they say, was pursuing bioweapons. While the Times does not claim the virus was intended to be a bioweapon, the findings bolster the lab leak theory and support it by noting the first cases of COVID-19 likely occurred in Chinese researchers involved in the early lab work at Wuhan. Journalists from other news outlets also have reported that the virology institute scientists were the first humans to be infected. Moreover, scientists from the Chinese military working at the Wuhan institute were coincidentally involved in vaccine development just before the international outbreak. The Times also fleshes out unsettling details previously reported. The U.S. government gave more than $1 million in research funding to the virology institute through an intermediary organization, and an American virus expert provided critical research to the Chinese by exploring the potential for a vaccine while being well aware of the dangers of his research. 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 > Now that the pandemic is over, what difference does it make how it started? This is a significant moment. If the Times investigation is substantially true, there are at least three disturbing conclusions: First, if the Chinese cannot be trusted to provide reliable information and their military is actively working on bioweapons, thats ominous. We are still involved in global rivalries that hark back to the Cold War, and an emerging battlefield is the scientific laboratory. The potential exists for the proliferation of weapons as deadly as nuclear ones but harder to detect. Washington shouldnt be providing research funds for China or any other country if U.S. officials cannot tell how the money is being used. Advertisement Second, this episode dispels the notion that scientists are an apolitical community that can work without regard to international borders a lesson we must continuously relearn in the face of the professions protestations to the contrary. During World War II, many of the nuclear physicists who worked on the Manhattan Project were committed pacifists and internationalists. But they subordinated their beliefs, knowing what the Nazis would do if German physicists delivered the atomic bomb to Adolf Hitler first. Third, just as a politicized United Nations cannot guarantee world peace, the politicized WHO cannot guarantee biosecurity these organizations are necessary but not sufficient. The U.S. should explore NATO-type independent alliances to create a distant early warning system that includes real-time international genomic, case and wastewater surveillance for dangerous biological agents. Presidential candidates from both parties should describe their plans for forming such an alliance. Hard truths, to be sure. But unless we acknowledge and respond to these truths, as bad as COVID-19 was, the inevitable next pandemic could be much worse. Dr. Cory Franklin is a retired intensive care physician. Dr. Robert Weinstein is an infectious disease specialist at Rush University Medical Center. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Scientists have discovered that the cells of early human embryos are often unable to repair damage to their DNA. The researchers say that this has important implications for the proposed use of gene editing techniques to remove serious inherited diseases from embryos, as well as for IVF in general. Presenting the research to the 39th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) , Dr. Nada Kubikova from the University of Oxford (UK), said, "Gene editing has the potential to correct defective genes, a process that usually involves first breaking and then repairing the DNA strand. Our new findings provide a warning that commonly-used gene editing technologies may have unwanted and potentially dangerous consequences if they are applied to human embryos." She described how she evaluated the gene editing tool, CRISPR-Cas9, to cut out and replace sections of DNA in early embryo cells. "Our results show that the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in early human embryos carries significant risks," she said. "We have found that the DNA of embryo cells can be targeted with high efficiency, but unfortunately this rarely leads to the sort of changes needed to correct a defective gene. More often, the strand of DNA is permanently broken, which could potentially lead to additional genetic abnormalities in the embryo." Gene editing has begun to be used in children and adults with diseases caused by gene mutations such as cystic fibrosis, cancer and sickle cell disease. Many more inherited disorders could be avoided if gene editing could be carried out on embryos before they implant in the womb, since this is the only stage of development when CRISPR-Cas9 technology can be guaranteed to reach every cell of the embryo. However, because it has the potential to create changes in the human genome that would be passed down the generations, and because of uncertainty about its safety, its use in embryos is currently banned in most countries worldwide. "Significant gaps in our knowledge still remain," said Dr. Kubikova. "We wanted to evaluate whether CRISPR-Cas9 could be an effective method for correcting genetic mistakes in human embryos and to shed light on whether such methods would be safe to use." In an ethically approved study, Dr. Kubikova and her colleagues fertilized donated eggs with donated sperm using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to create 84 embryos. In 33 of the embryos, they used CRISPR-Cas9 to create breaks in the two strands that make up the DNA moleculeknown as DNA double-strand breaks. "We used CRISPR to target areas of the DNA that don't contain any genes," said Dr. Kubikova. "This is because we wanted to learn what is always true about how CRISPR affects embryo cells and their DNA, and not be distracted by changes caused by disrupting a particular gene." The remaining 51 embryos were kept as controls. "All the cells of the body have highly efficient mechanisms for repairing damage affecting their DNA. In most cases, the ends of broken DNA strands are quickly reconnected. This is very important, as the persistence of unrepaired DNA damage stops cells working properly and can be lethal. The most common way that cells repair DNA is by reconnecting the two ends of the DNA strand, although when this happens it is common for a few letters of genetic code to be deleted or duplicated at the site where the strands are reattached. This can disrupt genes and does not allow mutations to be corrected. This is known as non-homologous end joining," said Dr. Kubikova. "Another way cells can repair a break in the DNA is by using an intact copy of the affected area as a template, copying it and replacing the damaged area as it does so. It is possible to supply the cells with pieces of DNA containing slightly altered DNA sequences, such as having a normal sequence rather than a mutation. The cell may then use these templates when it repairs the break produced by CRISPR, removing the broken piece of DNA and copying the rest of the supplied sequence at the same time. This is known as homology directed repair and is the process required for correcting a mutation," she continued. The researchers detected alterations at the targeted DNA sites in 24 out of 25 embryos, indicating that CRISPR is highly efficient in the cells of human embryos. However, only nine percent of targeted sites were repaired using the clinically useful process of homology directed repair. Fifty-one percent of broken DNA strands underwent non-homologous end joining, producing mutations where the strands were reconnected. The remaining 40% of broken DNA strands failed to be repaired. The unrepaired breaks in the DNA strands eventually led to large pieces of chromosome, which extend from the site of the break to the end of the chromosome, being lost or duplicated. Abnormalities of this type affect the viability of embryos and if affected embryos were transferred to the uterus and produced a baby, they would carry a risk of serious congenital abnormalities. "Our study shows that homology directed repair is infrequent in early human embryos, and that in the first few days of life, the cells of human embryos struggle to repair broken DNA strands. CRISPR-Cas9 was remarkably efficient in targeting the DNA site. However, the majority of cells repaired the DNA break induced by CRISPR using non-homologous end joining, a process that introduces additional mutations rather than correcting existing ones. This would be a challenge if there were attempts to use CRISPR-Cas9 to correct inherited disorders in human embryos, as it suggests that most times when it is attempted, it will not be successful," said Dr. Kubikova. "While the results caution against the use of genome editing in human embryos, there were some positive findings, suggesting that risks can be lowered and the ability to successfully remove mutations can be increased by modifying the way in which genome editing is undertaken. This offers hope for future improvements to the technology. "On average, only about a quarter of the embryos created using IVF succeed in producing a baby. Half of them stop developing in the laboratory before they can be transferred to the womb. The inability of embryos to efficiently repair DNA damage, revealed by this study, may explain why some IVF embryos fail to develop. This understanding may lead to improved IVF treatments," she said. Now, the researchers will look for new ways to protect early embryos from DNA damage, which could lead to potential improvements in fertility treatments. They also plan to explore more gentle methods of gene editing that avoid breakage of the DNA strands, which embryos might find easier to cope with. "In the future, such methods may offer the possibility of reversing mutations that have blighted families for generations, preventing the inheritance of catastrophic disorders," concluded Dr. Kubikova. The chair-elect of ESHRE, Professor Karen Sermon, Head of the Reproduction and Genetics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels (Belgium), was not involved with the research. She commented, "This is an excellent study by Dr. Kubikova and her colleagues. It underlines the importance of why gene editing needs to be thoroughly researched and understood before any attempt is made to gene edit human embryos. "I think it's likely that gene editing will become a useful tool at some point in the future for preventing babies from being born with serious genetic diseases in a restricted number of cases where preimplantation genetic testing would not apply. However, this research shows one of the ways that it can go wrong. It will be some time before we can be confident that we really understand how to use it successfully without any unwanted and unexpected surprises. It will require stringent regulation. In the meantime, careful research such as this brings us one step closer, and may also help with understanding how to improve fertility treatments," she concluded. In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced he had created the world's first gene-edited babies to try to protect them from HIV. The scientific community condemned the work because of safety concerns, and Jiankui was jailed for three years in December 2019 for violating a Chinese ban on gene editing human embryos. More information: Presentation no: O-075, "Deficiency of DNA double-strand break repair in human preimplantation embryos revealed by CRISPR-Cas9," presented by Dr. Nada Kubikova et al, Session 24: The genetic content of preimplantation embryo: prediction, detection and repair, Hall D4, 15.15 hrs CEST, Monday 26 June 2023. 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: Most stroke patients taking the anticoagulant warfarin were no more likely than those not on the medication to experience a brain bleed when undergoing a procedure to remove a blood clot, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report in a new study. The findings, published in JAMA, could help doctors better gauge the risk of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), potentially expanding the pool of eligible patients for this mainstay stroke treatment. "Warfarin is a type of blood thinner commonly used to prevent stroke because of heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation. Although not very common, patients taking warfarin may still experience a stroke. In clinical practice, it's very possible that some physicians may withhold an endovascular thrombectomy because patients have been treated with warfarin before their strokes. "Our study could increase the number of patients for whom this lifesaving and function-saving surgery would be appropriate," said study leader Ying Xian, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurology and in the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern. Dr. Xian is also Section Head of Research, Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases in the Department of Neurology at UTSW. Each year, nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of these strokes are ischemic, meaning that a clot blocks blood flow to a portion of the brain. EVTa surgery that removes the clot by threading instruments through the blood vesselsis the most common treatment for acute ischemic stroke. However, Dr. Xian explained, EVTs can sometimes cause symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), a dangerous brain bleed that can be fatal. Although warfarin is a known risk factor for bleeding, it's been unknown whether the risk of sICH following EVT is higher for stroke patients who have been on the blood thinner. To help answer this question, Dr. Xian worked with Eric Peterson, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Internal Medicine and Vice Provost for Clinical Research at UTSW, along with colleagues from other medical institutions across the country. Together, they gathered data on 32,715 stroke patients who underwent EVT within six hours of stroke symptom onset between 2015 and 2020. Data came from the American Heart Association's Get with the Guidelines-Stroke registrythe largest registry of stroke patients in the world. The researchers compared a variety of outcomes for the 3,087 patients who took warfarin prior to stroke and the 29,628 patients who did not take any blood thinner. They evaluated whether patients experienced sICH within 36 hours of their EVT procedure, whether they had a serious systemic hemorrhage, or whether they had other complications that required additional medical intervention or an extended hospital stay. Researchers also tracked complications from additional therapies that reintroduced blood flow in the brain, in-hospital deaths, and discharges to hospice care. After adjusting for differences inherent to patients taking or not taking warfarin, the researchers found no difference in overall risk of sICH or other adverse outcomes in patients in these two groups. However, patients with an international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 1.7a measure of clotting tendency of blood in patients taking warfarinthe risk of experiencing sICH increased by about 4%. Whether this effect translates into worse outcomes for patients is unclear, Dr. Peterson said. Except for higher risk of bleeding, these patients with INRs greater than 1.7 were no more likely than those not taking warfarin to die or have worse functional outcomes at discharge. "Physicians must evaluate stroke patients on a case-by-case basis to determine whether EVT is appropriate, but our study suggests that taking warfarin alone should not necessarily be a limiting factor," he added. Drs. Xian and Peterson said they are planning to study whether other anticoagulants frequently taken by patients at risk of stroke might increase the risk of sICH or other serious complications following EVT for ischemic stroke. More information: Brian Mac Grory et al, Recent Vitamin K Antagonist Use and Intracranial Hemorrhage After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke, JAMA (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.8073 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association Lipshultz Chairs Writing Group for AHAs 1st Statement for Pediatric Cardiomyopathy The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued its first scientific treatment statement for pediatric cardiomyopathy, a rare disorder affecting the structure of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure and death. Companion to 2019 Scientific Statement Lipshultz, also a physician with UBMD Pediatrics, has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on pediatric cardiomyopathies for nearly four decades. His work includes development of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry, which resulted in the first improvement in clinical outcomes of medical management for the condition in decades. Published June 8 in Circulation , the statement notes there are several types of cardiomyopathies in children and treatment should be personalized based on the cause, symptoms and progression of the condition in each child. Differences in Treatment for Children, Adults The statement emphasizes important differences among treatment types for cardiomyopathies and heart failure in children and adults. Childrens cardiomyopathies may have similar names to cardiomyopathies in adults; however, they often have very different causes, different risk factors, different paths of progression and different outcomes, said Lipshultz. Children dont have the same behavioral or environmental factors contributing to cardiomyopathy in general, they dont smoke; they dont drink alcohol; they dont have long-standing conditions such as obesity or Type 2 diabetes. So, treatments in children, which may range from replacing missing enzymes to heart transplantation, must be tailored to the root causes of their cardiomyopathy. Many causes of cardiomyopathy in children are related to genetic abnormalities rather than Type 2 diabetes, alcoholism, long-term high blood pressure or family history, as seen in adults. Symptoms of cardiomyopathy in children may include difficulty breathing; heart palpitations; fainting during physical activity; swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, or congestion of neck veins; or heart failure symptoms, such as trouble breathing, poor feeding or growth, excessive sweating, low blood pressure or fatigue. The statement-writing committee focused on treatment for the most common cardiomyopathies in children, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, when the heart is enlarged and the pumping chambers contract poorly; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, characterized by a thickened, stiff heart muscle, making it difficult for the heart to relax and for blood to fill the hearts chambers; and restrictive cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart muscle disease in which the stiffened heart muscle does not allow the ventricular chambers to fill with blood normally, backing up blood into the atria (the top chambers of the heart), lungs and body, causing the symptoms and signs of heart failure. Pediatric cardiomyopathy may be diagnosed in a variety of stages some patients may carry a genetic abnormality for the condition yet have no symptoms, while others may have severe symptoms or end-stage disease, according to the statement-writing committee. Physicians are urged to thoroughly examine and evaluate their pediatric patients to identify the root cause of the condition to develop a treatment plan. A third suspicious letter addressed to a Montana Republican lawmaker has been turned over to law enforcement, state officials said Sunday. The latest letter was addressed to House Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, at the state Capitols address. It had not been opened before it was turned over to authorities, officials representing Republican lawmakers said Sunday morning. On Friday, state GOP officials said two other Republican lawmakers had received suspicious letters in the mail containing a white powder. It (the third letter) was delivered to the Capitol several days ago and stored unopened in the House leadership offices, officials said Sunday in an email. Staff knowledgeable of the letter flagged it as suspicious late last night and the Montana Highway Patrol took possession of it early this morning. The state Division of Criminal Investigation, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies are reportedly investigating the incident. The Republican spokespeople said the outside post markings on the latest letter follow the pattern of the first two letters addressed to Reps. Rhonda Knudsen, R-Culbertson, the House speaker pro tempore and mother of Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and Rep. Neil Duram, R-Eureka. The letter addressed to Regier also has a local Helena return address but is stamped with Kansas City post markings and uses the same kind of stamp as previous letters, officials said. Officials said earlier that Knudsen and Duram do not have any adverse effects. Knudsen received the letter at her home address and Duram received his in a P.O. box. Duram's envelope included a letter warning him "it is important not to choke on your own ambition," according to an image of the letter shared with Lee Newspapers. Reports of letters containing suspicious powder have been reported by lawmakers in other states. More than 100 state lawmakers in Kansas recently received letters containing a white substance. Law enforcement said no injuries to the legislators had been reported as of Friday, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. And on Thursday, officials reported that multiple Republican state lawmakers in Tennessee had also received letters containing a white powder. Reports of white powder in the mail are reminiscent of a time after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 when there were reports of anthrax sent in the mail, killing five Americans and sickening 17, according to the FBI at the time. In the months that followed, hundreds of hoaxes were reported worldwide. It was 20 years ago this month that the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel opened in the Great Northern Town Center, and Marti Bara was there. Bara, who came on as general manager, is still there and said the hotel is having a low-key celebration for its two decades of business. We are just doing it internally, she said Friday, adding they put cupcakes out for guests and had some decorations in the lobby. Bara started with the 100-room four-story hotel two months before it opened. Ive enjoyed it, she said of her 20 years at the hotel that not only provides lodging, but also serves as a social and business destination, adding that owners Dick Anderson and Alan Nicholson have allowed me to drive it like I own it. Bara said navigating through the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic was so daunting, but the hotel has returned to pre-COVID occupancy numbers. The hotel in the citys Great Northern Town Center at 835 Great Northern Blvd. acts as gathering place for many Helena- and state-related events, featuring eight conference rooms which can be converted into one large room that can serve up to 550 people. Were always redoing things, Bara said. She said some people who are not staying at the hotel even like to meet with others in the lobby. We have a high-use lobby, Bara said. Bara said the location, which at one time was the site of the depot for the Great Northern Railroad, is also a selling point for guests. Restaurants and movie theaters are nearby. Guests and younger guests can also visit the Great Northern Carousel and ExplorationWorks. They love our location down here, she said. People just love the walkability to go downtown or to Carroll College. She said the guests also love the fact it is clean an accessible to the downtown Last Chance Gulch area. The location does a lot for us, Bara said. The hotel has received the M.K Guertin Award, Best Western Hotels & Resorts most prestigious honor recognizing top-performing hotels within the company. And in 2011, it was bestowed the premier designation, placing it among the top echelon of Best Western hotels. Great Northern is the only Best Western premier hotel in Montana and one of 52 in the United States, Bara said. Bara said guests appreciate the ambiance and comments often reflect they find it to be classy, comfortable, she said. Customer service is near and dear to my heart, she said. The hotel does not have a restaurant, but does offer breakfast. It also works with the adjoining Silver Star Steak Co. for room service and meals for the banquet center. Callie Aschim, president and chief executive officer of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, said the hotel has done a fantastic job. They are an award-winning Best Western and that is something you can hang your hat on, she said. Aschim said the hotel industry has gone through a tumultuous few years. And for them to do as well as they have is a real feather in the feather in the cap to Marti and her staff, she said. Although she has logged in 20 years, Bara said she has no plans to leave. Im going to be here a little while longer, she said, noting the maintenance man has been with the hotel for 20 years and the head housekeeper has clocked in 18. Theres not a lot of turnover. For Analia Alvarez, providing healthcare to migrant farmworkers across Burke and surrounding counties is not just a job, its a mission. This was a perfect fit for me, she said about the mobile farmworkers clinic she runs out of the Good Samaritan Clinic in Morganton. I am bilingual, and I am serving people with a faith-based organization. Alvarez came to the U.S. from Uruguay in 2017 as a missionary with the Waldensian Church. She began volunteering at the clinic while completing her 12-month term of service in Valdese. After another year, she became the programs director and now leads a team of staff members, volunteers and interns who visit farms from Gaston County to McDowell, providing much-needed healthcare, education and advocacy for migrant workers. For nearly two decades, Good Samaritan has administered the clinic, part of the N.C. Rural Farmworkers Health Program, to a seven-county area in the foothills. Alvarez said, at first, care was provided in tents volunteers would set up at the farms. They used to go in tents, she said. They still took care of them, but they didnt have the ideal privacy. Later, under former program director Christian Ramazzini, the ministry purchased and retrofitted a trailer. In 2021, with the trailer wearing out due to age and use, Good Samaritan received a federal grant to buy a brand new, fully operational mobile clinic. The old one did the job, Alvarez said. There was a lot of hard work and a lot of heart put into it this one is something that was built for this. The services we can have in this the privacy, the comfort is 100% different. The new clinic contains a fully operational phlebotomy room, refrigeration for specimens, bathroom facilities and a private exam room for providers. Basically, everything you have in a clinic setting, you have inside this mobile unit, said Willie Lugo, who works with the program. At the farms, Alvarez and her team make three visits early in the growing season. On the first visit, they register the workers who are in the country on a temporary A2A visa. They also provide a health screening and a bag with necessities such as sunscreen, masks, socks, toothbrushes and more, along with pamphlets on heat-related illness and workers rights. On the second visit, Alvarezs team will review the lab work results, and on the third, anyone needing to see a provider can do so. Alvarez said, until this year, providers worked on a volunteer basis. Lidia Valencia Jaracuaro, a migrant farmworker at Knob Creek Orchards in Lawndale, called the program marvelous and said it provides her with healthcare she wouldnt otherwise receive. Back home in Mexico, the healthcare is very expensive, particularly womens healthcare, she said through a translator. Sometimes just a regular check-up is out of range of prices for me, but I am able to get that here at no cost. Providing healthcare on-site is just one part of Alvarezs mission. She said the team regularly schedules and transports migrant workers to doctors appointments for the care they cannot provide on-site. They also refer them to other services for needs ranging from mental health and workers rights to financial help with medical bills and food. Its not just healthcare, Alvarez said. We are the resource. They come to us with anything. Many times, we can help them. Many times, we just direct them where they can go, or we do the arrangements. Education and advocacy are also a significant part of the work. Inside the gift bags her team hands out during their first visit to a farm are pamphlets on healthcare, hygiene and workers rights. Her team also visits the farms during the day and brings concerns and potential violations to the attention of the growers. She said most of the growers are more attentive to the needs and concerns of their workers than people might think. In some cases, as with Knob Creek, the farm owners contact Good Samaritan to bring the team out to help. They want their workers to be healthy, Alvarez said. If they have workers out of work, its not just the workers who are losing money, (growers) are losing money, too. She said conditions vary from farm to farm, but Knob Creek is one of the better places for migrant workers. People want to come work here because its a good place to work, Alvarez said. They give them time off to go to appointments, or if they are sick, not everybody does that. Still, the work is not without its hardships. Long hours sometimes as much as 12 per day or more in the smothering North Carolina heat and humidity can be grueling. To add to the stress on a workers heat tolerance, they must cover up from head to toe to shield themselves from the sun, allergens and pesticides. Conditions like this are why more than 3,000 farmworkers experience serious heat-related illness each year, according to data analyzed by Public Citizen. This is why the growers and Good Samaritan team stress the dangers of heat-related illness every summer. Alvarez said other conditions are also widespread among farmworkers due to the nature of their work. They are sunrise to sundown in the fields, Alvarez said. In the morning, the field is wet, and then it dries off, and then it gets wet in the evening again, so they suffer a lot of fungus. She said back, joint and foot pain are regular complaints, and communicable disease is also a significant concern due to tight, bunk-style living quarters. Jaracuaro said the long hours on her feet are the most challenging part of her job. My body gets tired, mainly my feet, running around with the baskets and standing up all day long, she said. She doesnt consider it a hardship. For her, its just part of the job. Mainly, it is a stand-up job, so I do not consider this to be hard, hard work, said Jaracuaro. She said she is thankful, not just for the physical relief Alvarez and her team provide but also for the emotional relief from the hardship of being away from her home and her family for several months at a time. Sometimes they come to spend time with us play games, do activities, just go for a walk with us, Jaracuaro said. It helps to make the time go faster and not think about being so far from home and the problems there or here. For more information about the Good Samaritan Clinic, the N.C. Rural Farmworkers Program or to donate, visit www.gscburke.org/ or call 828-212-4185. The clinic is always collecting necessities for the gift bags it provides to farmworkers at the beginning of the growing season. Cleanup and repair will take months following the Saturday collapse of a railroad trestle near Reed Point that sent 10 train cars crashing into the Yellowstone River. The operation is so wide-ranging and complicated that officials from both the state, including Gov. Greg Gianforte, and Montana Rail Link visiting the crash site Sunday were reluctant to even guess at a time frame. This is not a short-term event, Columbus Fire Chief Rich Cowger said during a press conference at the river Sunday. He was among the first responders to visit the 6:45 a.m. bridge collapse Saturday in Stillwater County. The crash caused no injuries. This will take some time for (MRL) to: one, engineer a plan, and two, build the infrastructure to complete the plan, Cowger said. It isnt clear yet if the derailment caused the bridge to collapse, or the other way around, officials said. 'Not good stuff' Sixteen train cars derailed, including 10 that dropped into the river. Six of the cars in the river were carrying liquid asphalt, three were carrying molten sulfur, and one was a hopper car carrying scrap metal. Tanker cars can hold up to 30,000 gallons of liquid. Two of the cars that derailed but didnt go in the river were loaded with sodium hydrosulfide not good stuff, Cowger said. Luckily, those two cars, although derailed, werent breached, so there was no release, he said. (MRL) is prioritizing the off-loading of those two cars first so that that threat is totally secured and taken out of the way. Both the sulfur and the asphalt solidified quickly in the cool water of the river so the threat downstream was minimal, Cowger added. Both products are insoluble in water so theyre just sitting out there right now. Following the accident, public and private water users downstream were warned to close irrigation gates and municipal water treatment intakes. Billings Public Works Director Debi Meling said Saturday the city had enough water in storage to last the city up to 18 hours, long enough to let the contaminants pass by. The railroad trestle was also carrying a Global Net fiber optic cable that was severed by the collapse, interrupting internet service to thousands of Montana customers. We also have three counties that dont have E911 service, Cowger said. So, its a priority to get that cable fixed. Bridge, rail inspection MRM President Joseph Racicot said the train trestle was most recently inspected in May of this year. Ultrasonic testing of the rail line using high-pitched waves to scan rails to identify potential flaws was also done within the last two months, he said. The bridge collapse forces the closure of a major railroad thoroughfare running across the entire southern length of the state. Until repairs are completed, as much train traffic as possible will be re-routed to the northern line across the Hi-Line, Racicot said. Were limited in the amount of rail traffic that can be handled, and its going to be a lengthy outage, he said. Im not sure of a timeframe yet. Weve got to get the stuff cleaned up so we can assess the damage. The impact on the states economy is hard to say, he added. Obviously, when you lose a main thoroughfare like this there will be some impact. But were going to try to mitigate that by working with partners to find alternative routes. MRL will bear the entire cost of cleanup and repairs, Racicot said. The governor toured the site and received a briefing from county and railroad officials on recovery and repair efforts. Folks in Stillwater County have been working around-the-clock to keep Montanans safe, ensure the safety and quality of our water supply, and protect the treasured natural resource we have in the Yellowstone River, Gianforte said in a press statement. Well continue to do our part to support the response of Montana Rail Link and county officials as they assess their ongoing needs. Railroad testing water In a separate statement Sunday, MRL said Active water quality sampling began yesterday and will be ongoing throughout the incident. We continue to work closely with MT DEQ, EPA, and other local, state, and federal partners in our cleanup, removal and restoration efforts as a unified command. The railroad said that by Sunday evening, all of the sodium hydrosulfide from the two derailed train cars had been safely offloaded and moved to a secure location. The company said it was also aware of reports of globs of asphalt appearing downriver that may be associated with the derailment and we will proactively investigate and sample this material. Water quality sampling is being performed by a contractor on behalf of Montana Rail Link with oversight by Montana DEQ and EPA. Preliminary results do not show petroleum hydrocarbons or sulfur impacts to water quality. Water quality testing will continue until the cleanup is complete and at this time there are no known risks to public drinking water. Sprint and its contractors are on site to repair a damaged fiber line associated with the incident. As of Sunday afternoon, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials had also arrived onsite to assist in reviewing the incident. We are appreciative of Governor Gianforte and the First Ladys visit to the site this afternoon, along with the messages received from members of Montanas Congressional delegation, the statement continued. Additional equipment, including a large crane, will be brought on site later (Sunday) to assist with construction and remediation efforts. Site cleanup and remediation will be an extensive process, but we are committed to working closely with all of our local, state, and federal partners to perform all required work in a safe and efficient manner. Sen. Daines responds U.S. Sen. Steve Daines on Sunday said he spoke to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Daines senior staff toured the scene of the accident Sunday with the governor. I commend Gov. Gianforte and local officials on their swift response to the derailment and am pleased with the progress so far. We will continue to monitor the environmental tests and assess their impacts, he said. It is equally important that we get to the bottom of what caused this crash. I spoke to Secretary Buttigieg yesterday and my hope is that he will ensure his department conducts a swift and thorough investigation into the cause of this crash. Sen. Tester responds Following reports of multiple tanker cars leaking petroleum into the Yellowstone River after a train derailment, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester called on the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with Montana first responders and develop a plan to fully clean the river and restore train service. I applaud the efforts of state and local first responders that immediately went to work to address the derailment and inform the local community of potential hazards, wrote Tester in his letter to the DOT, FEMA, and EPA. It is critically important to ensure that the local first responders get the support they need from federal partners in the coming days. It is also vital to begin to evaluate what resources will be required to achieve a full clean up and restore train service on this route that is essential to our supply chain. NEWTON, Mass. A couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary were stabbed to death, along with another family member, in what law enforcement officials said was probably a random attack. The bodies were found in a home in Newton when the couple failed to arrive at church Sunday morning, police said. Police worry that the killer or killers could be still at large and urged residents in nearby neighborhoods to remain vigilant. Newton is a suburban city of about 18,000 residents about 7 miles west of Boston. The preliminary investigation indicates that there were signs of forced entry and that the victims were stabbed, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said. "Two of the individuals were celebrating a golden wedding anniversary this weekend. As you can imagine, this would be tragic on any day. To have family gathered for this kind of a celebration makes it particularly tragic," Ryan said Sunday evening. "Their 50th anniversary was to be celebrated in a blessing after communion at the 10 a.m. Mass," the Rev. Dan Riley, of Our Lady Help of Christians, told WCVB.com. "I can't go into the details about who discovered them but we became notified, and myself and a number of the staff spent the day there." He described the three people killed as "three beloved parishioners salt of the earth people, just great, great people." There was an attempted break-in about a half-mile from the victims' home early Sunday, but it's unclear if the two crimes were related, Ryan said. Gold smuggling case triggers tighter immigration at Quang Tri border gate The Lao Bao International Border Gate in the central province of Quang Tri has become quiet amid tightened measures taken on immigration activities following a recent large-scale gold smuggling case. People at Lao Bao International Border Gate. Photo by Moitruongvadothi. According to the Quang Tri Provincial Border Guards, residents living around the border in Huong Hoa District previously only needed to show their identity cards to travel to Laos, but now they are required to show some other papers. Previously between 150-200 people travelled through the border gate daily, but the number has sharply fallen over the past three days after immigration activities were tightened on June 23. The move came right after the Ministry of Public Security prosecuted a large gold smuggling case at Lao Bao International Border Gate on June 23. According to a report from the ministry, an 18-member gold smuggling ring was led by a Quang Tri resident who had bought gold from Laos into Vietnam via the Lao Bao Border Gate. The ring then sold the smuggled gold to many jewellery shops in Vietnam to earn illegitimate profits. The ring smuggled more than three tonnes of gold worth around VND5 trillion (USD213 million) from early 2022 until recently. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, right, sits inside a military vehicle posing for a selfie photo with a local civilian on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023, prior to leaving the headquarters of the Southern Military District. (AP) Theres a good deal of poetic justice weaving through the surreal coup attempt over the weekend that enveloped Russia in chaos and posed a grave threat to Vladimir Putins 23-year grip on power. Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the paramilitary Wagner Group that marched within 124 miles of Moscow before stopping, is Putins creation. Once a convicted thief who served prison time, Prigozhin won Putins friendship early on. With the Russian leaders patronage, Prigozhin earned billions as the Kremlins caterer, founder of the Internet Research Agency trolling group that meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and head of the Wagner mercenaries that did Putins dirty work in military conflicts in Syria, several African nations, and, of course, Ukraine. Advertisement What Putin never counted on was his faithful partner-in-bloodshed going from minion to mutineer. Much is still unknown about what motivated the rebellion, why Prigozhin suddenly aborted it and why after labeling Prigozhin a traitor, Putin allowed his longtime henchman to flee in exile to Belarus. But this much is clear. The chaotic weekend events that stunned and captivated the world emerged from the chaos that is Putins Russia. Advertisement Putin turned his nation into a seamy trough of corruption and kleptocracy, and both he and Prigozhin have spent years feeding from that trough. In such conditions, turncoats emerge. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell summed it up well on Monday. The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, Borrell said. The monster is acting against his creator. Indeed, Putin is paying a stiff price. How he is viewed both internationally and domestically has been severely compromised. Russians have had to withstand his decimation of civil society, the rule of law and any semblance of political opposition, along with his commandeering of media at all levels. But they always felt they could count on Putin for one thing stability. The weekend rebellion shattered that belief. [ Daniel DePetris: There are no winners in Wagner Groups thwarted insurrection in Russia ] Putin looked surprisingly indecisive and ineffectual as the crisis unfolded. As Prigozhins convoy of tanks and armored vehicles seized the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, the hub of Russias military operations in Ukraine, local Russians greeted Wagner soldiers with the kind of giddy exuberance a victorious army gets when returning home. The elite in the Kremlin watched helplessly, and Putin must have been fuming. Prigozhins march of justice convoy as he called it continued northbound on the M-4 highway largely unabated. Then it suddenly stopped, before it could reach Russian troops positioned to defend the capital. Prigozhin said he stopped because he believed Russian blood was about to be spilled by fellow Russians, and ordered his Wagner troops to head back to their field camps. In a taped address to the nation Saturday, Putin was clearly incensed by the events, declaring Prigozhin and his men traitors and vowing, We will protect both our people and our statehood from any threats, including internal betrayal. Then, to the shock of Russians and people around the world, Putin, with brokering help from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, hammered out a deal that allowed Prigozhin to seek refuge in neighboring Belarus. Simply put, Prigozhin threatened and Putin blinked. Advertisement 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 > What happens to Prigozhin now is anyones guess. Its not even clear he is actually in Belarus, though on Monday he released a recorded statement on the messaging app Telegram in which he denied pursuing Putins overthrow and insisted his actions were aimed at the Russian military leaderships poor treatment of Wagner Group soldiers, along with the Russian militarys bid to put Prigozhins fighters under government control. That may have spelled an end to the massive amounts of cash Prigozhin was getting from the Kremlin as Wagners chief, and perhaps thats a key driver behind the mutiny. Though the Kremlin said neither Prigozhin nor his soldiers would face any charges, on Monday Russian news services reported that a criminal investigation into Prigozhin and the coup attempt remained open. The weekend turmoil could spell the end of the Wagner Group, or in the very least, its role in Ukraine. All of this, meanwhile, works to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys advantage the Wagner Group was responsible for Russias sole battlefield victories since last summer, in the destroyed eastern city of Bakhmut and in the village of Soledar. Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces claimed they had made progress in Bakhmut against Russian troops that had replaced Wagner soldiers. President Joe Biden and other Western leaders will watch closely just how weakened Putin is as a result of the rebellion. They will hope it leads to sustained successes by Ukrainian fighters that up until now have outfought Russian forces despite lacking the troop strength and air power that Putin enjoys. But Biden and the West can also relish that the biggest instigator of Russia gravest crisis in decades was Putin himself. He charged forward with an unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine that turned his nation into a pariah state, and then as commander-in-chief, allowed his military to devolve into an irreparable state of dysfunction, both on and off the battlefield. And as a dangerous feud between Russian military leaders and Prigozhin simmered for months, Putin idly stood by. In the end, Putin may change his mind and haul in Prigozhin on treason charges, or perhaps do something much worse to his former caterer. The world hasnt forgotten what happened to Alexander Litvinenko or Sergei Skripal. But if Putin really wants to pin blame on someone, he should find a mirror. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Advertisement Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Nyeri County takes the lead in the list for the highest repayment of loans from the Hustler Fund, Co-operatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has said. Nyeri leads the way with a remarkable 76.3 percent loan repayment out of the total Sh21.2 billion repaid loans, closely followed by Kiambu at 75.3 percent. Nyandarua secures the third spot with 74.5 percent repayment rate. Nairobi county, which boasts the highest number of subscribers( 2 million) is ranked fourth with a repayment rate of 73.8 per cent. Joining the ranks of the top 10 counties are Laikipia with a repayment rate of 73.6 percent, closely followed by Nandi at 73.5 percent, Muranga at 73.3 percent, Embu at 73.1 percent, Uasin Gishu also at 73.1 percent, and Nakuru at 72.9 percent. On a national scale, the overall loan repayment rate stands at 69 percent. CS Chelugui also noted that the majority of borrowers are men. More men borrow Hustler Fund compared to women at 66 per cent and 34 per cent respectively while in terms of age, the youth who fall between 18-29 years leads the chart of borrowers with 38.5 per cent, said Cheluguyi. Those between 30-39 follows at 28.8 per cent and those between 40-49 per cent have so far recorded a 17.5 per cent borrowing rate. CS Chelugui said the numbers are impressive as they contribute to the governments objective of fostering a saving culture through the Hustler fund. Out of the total amount disbursed, which amounts to Sh31.5 billion, a substantial sum of Sh1.5 billion has already been saved. Moreover, the ministry has successfully disbursed Sh20 million to more than 170,360 groups, the CS said. Nairobi County leads with the highest number of registered groups, 10,957, followed by Trans Nzoia which boasts 9,792 groups and in third position is Meru County with 9,647 groups. A man has been apprehended by the police on suspicion of decapitating his partner in Turbo, Uasin Gishu. A National Police Service (NPS) report indicates that the womans head, which had been missing for two weeks, was discovered in Sosian River. On 24/06/2023 at 18.40 hrs, Police in Turbo, Uasin Gishu recovered a head believed to be that of Sheila Jepkemboi who was beheaded by her lover one Eliud Kipchoge in a suspected love triangle on the 13th of June 2023 at Kibolo Village, Kaptebee Location. NPS Officers working with professional divers from Uasin Gishu County Government yesterday recovered the missing head within Murgor Village downstream in Sosian River, said NPS. The police service said the suspect is in police cells on Custodial Orders. The head was removed to Kimbilio Funeral Home morgue, awaiting further action for identification and autopsy, police added. The decapitated body which was earlier recovered on the 13th June, 2023 is lying at same hospital morgue after the family members refused to hold burial rites without the head in line with the local traditions. Vanessa Okeyo is an emerging Kenyan actress who plays the lead protagonist, Sinde Langat, in Showmaxs first original telenovela in Kenya, Second Family. The show follows the dysfunctional Gatehi Langat families. When 57-year-old billionaire Leo Langat dies suddenly, his secrets come to light, pitting one family against another. Sinde is the illegitimate daughter of Leo (Ian Mbugua), who inherits her fathers milling company, pitting her against Leos ruthless widow (Dora Nyaboke), and everyone who wants a stake in the lucrative company. Ms Okeyo spoke to Eve Magazine about her role in Second Family, acting alongside some of Kenyas finest actors, and what it means to land her first lead role ever. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING SINDE? She challenges me; it is not every day you wake up and find out you are the heiress of a company worth billions that you had no idea existed. What I love about her is that she does not give up; she is a fighter and she is not scared to fail because she will stand up and do it again. SECOND FAMILY IS YOUR FIRST LEAD ROLE; HOW DOES THAT FEEL? It is a big jump as an actress. I did not know I was auditioning for a lead; I thought it was a role like any other. So funny story, when I got the call, I did not pick up, not intentionally though. I had a rough day and I did not know if it was good news or bad news. My head was all over the place, but when I called back and got the news, I was over the moon. I could not believe it. Till now I am just like, Slap me, please; this cannot be real. YOU HAVE SHARED SCENES WITH SOME GREAT ACTORS IN KENYA LIKE MUMBI MAINA, BRIAN OGOLA, DORA NYABOKE, IAN MBUGUA, AND HELEN KELI, WHO ARE ALSO PART OF SECOND FAMILY. WHAT IS THAT LIKE? I have learnt a lot from them, and I usually study how they do their craft, watch their performances whenever we are together on set, and pick up a few things. Once in a while, I seek advice from them career-wise. WOULD YOU SAY SINDE IS WAY IN OVER HER HEAD IN A CUT-THROAT WORLD? I do not think she is way over her head. I believe she knows what she is doing most of the time. The problem is she trusts the wrong people. She is just confused in this company that she now owns, and that she did not even know existed before. Becoming a CEO in her very first job, she makes the choices that she believes are best for the company to be successful. DOES IT EVER GET FRUSTRATING FOR YOU TO SEE HER SO EASILY MANIPULATED AND USED? It does get frustrating because I am like, For a 24-year-old girl with a Masters degree, you are this gullible? What is going on? Sometimes I just laugh and I get through it. Sometimes I get mad, but I have come to accept Sinde for who she is. She is just a fictional character, so whenever I am reading the script and I see some parts that make me go, Do not do that girl, I pinch myself back to reality and remind myself it is Sinde. She has something to teach all the young ladies out there. Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has warned the Azimio La Umoja Coalition to get its house in order ahead of the 2027 General Election. According to the outspoken trade unionist, President William Ruto has already made plans to defend his seat in about four years. Atwoli was speaking in Khwisero constituency over the weekend as he explained that his unexpected endorsement of President William Rutos government came as no surprise to Azimio, despite his unwavering support for them during last years campaigns. He admitted that he had discussed his intention to switch sides with the top leadership of Azimio, in the event of their loss to Kenya Kwanza. I told them (Azimio) that I am a workers leader and would work with the government of the day for the obvious reason of fighting for the interests of workers. I was categorical that I would dump them should Ruto win, Atwoli said. Adding: Not only that, I am an elder and its just natural that I work with the president and advise him where I feel like for the common good of the people. Atwoli noted that he has worked with former heads of state such as Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, and he sees no issue with working with Ruto. The COTU boss warned the Opposition of an impending defeat in 2027 saying they wont stand a chance if they are not prepared. Ruto is not a walkover, he is sober and never sleeps. As we speak he is planning for 2027 (elections) and if you cut in on him and are not well prepared he will wipe the floor with you. The once vocal critic of Ruto showered the President with admiration, describing him as a receptive and thoughtful leader. Atwoli described Rutos recent participation in the global workers forum in Switzerland, following an invitation from COTU, as evidence of a responsive leader who genuinely cares about the well-being of workers. He is the first sitting head of State from Kenya to address such a conference. Initially, we had invited former President Kibaki but he sent his deputies Kijana Wamalwa on the first invite and Kalonzo Musyoka on the second, he said. President William Ruto says the government has a comprehensive plan to alleviate the burden of the high cost of living. The President made a commitment to enhance food production, establish markets for farmers, and implement value-addition programs as part of the governments plan to lower the cost of living. We have a plan on what we want to do to bring down the cost of living, he said Ruto spoke on Sunday during a Thanksgiving service in Kajiado County. To address unemployment, the President said the housing project will create jobs for Kenyans among other strategies. We must have a practical deliberate plan on what our young people are going to do with education and skills, said Ruto. Additionally, the president staidhis government has allocated more resources towards the construction of schools, and employment of teachers as well as disbursed funds to counties. This year January we employed 35,000 teachers. In the 2023 budget, the government has set aside funds to employ 25,000 more teachers. We are also employing an additional 1,700 to teach in our technical institutions, the President said President Ruto also pledged to support counties in implementing their development agenda saying the national government has cleared all disbursements meant for devolved units. Counties have 100 percent support from the national government. If counties succeed, our nation Kenya will succeed. We are going to work with you to take the country forward, he said. The Napa Valley on Saturday hosted the latest effort to turn pedal and leg power into the power to roll back gun violence. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. The sixth annual Rock the Ride bike-and-walk fundraiser attracted more than 500 people to Yountville, according to organizer Rebecca Kotch. With donations still being tallied Sunday afternoon, contributions totaled more than $130,000, Kotch said. Proceeds will benefit the California chapter of Moms Demand Action; Giffords, the nonprofit created by former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was wounded in a 2011 Arizona mass shooting; and Alainas Voice Foundation, formed in memory of Alaina Housley after the 18-year-old Napans death in the Thousand Oaks shooting in 2018. Participants took a vineyard-lined 3-mile walk, or rode bicycles on routes of 10 or 25 miles with the longer run led by Rep. Mike Thompson, chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Awaiting cyclists and pedestrians was a gathering at Yountville Park that included a burrito-and-bubble brunch, silent auction, and speeches by Thompson; Arik Housley, father of Alaina Housley and co-founder of the nonprofit named for her; and Dr. Andre Campbell, professor of surgery at UC San Francisco, among others. Starting this year, organizers of Rock the Ride which began in the wake of The Pathway Home shooting in March 2018 will sponsor similar fundraisers in other cities that have endured mass shootings in recent years. The first such spinoff is scheduled for Aug. 20 in the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Kotch said local residents reached out to Rock the Ride organizers following the shooting at Highland Park, Illinois Fourth of July 2022 parade, in which seven people died. Another Rock the Ride tour is expected this year in Atlanta where a 2021 shooting spree killed eight people on a date to be determined, according to Kotch. Future fundraisers also are planned for Las Vegas, where a gunman firing from a Mandalay Bay hotel room killed 60 people in 2017, and Boulder, Colorado, where 10 people were slain at a supermarket in 2021. PHOTOS: Napa County's 2023 Rock the Ride Rock the Ride 2 Rock the Ride 1 Rock the Ride 3 Rock the Ride 4 Rock the Ride 5 Rock the Ride 6 Rock the Ride 7 Rock the Ride 8 Rock the Ride 9 Rock the Ride 10 Rock the Ride 11 Rock the Ride 12 Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Rock the Ride Eight-story condo buildings rising above the billionaire bedroom community of Los Altos Hills? Hundreds of apartments flanking the sprawling single-family subdivisions of Brentwood? A hundred and fifty homes perched high on a bucolic hillside in rural Marin County? Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. These arent part of some fictional Supersize the Suburbs version of Monopoly. Theyre among a growing number of jumbo housing projects developers are scoping out in the Bay Areas most exclusive neighborhoods. And to the horror of some longtime residents, local officials could be helpless to halt construction. Its all thanks to an until-recently forgotten provision in state housing law meant as a penalty for cities that fail to do their part to alleviate a deepening housing crisis. Developers have begun invoking the rule dubbed the builders remedy in hopes of pushing through projects that are much bigger than local zoning restrictions typically allow. So far this year, at least 34 such projects totaling more than 6,400 units have been proposed across 11 local cities and counties, according to a Bay Area News Group survey of local officials and planning documents throughout the region. Many of the proposals target affluent areas that have long resisted large housing projects. When California passed the builders remedy rule three decades ago, it was envisioned as a nuclear option to spur cities to follow through on their housing responsibilities, said Matt Regan, a housing policy expert with the pro-business group Bay Area Council, which helped draft the legislation. But until a Southern California developer invoked it last year, hardly anyone had heard of the provision. And even if more developers had been familiar with it, most were wary of upsetting local officials whose support they need to build most projects. But fed up with the red tape of the local permitting process, some now see the rule as a prime opportunity. Napa's Oxbow South project receives mixed reactions during preliminary review Napas Oxbow South project, which would bring a hotel and housing to the area, received mixed reactions during a Thursday preliminary review by the city of Napas planning commission. Those nuclear buttons are being pushed, Regan said. Cities and counties where developers have proposed builders remedy projects include San Jose (15 projects), Mountain View (five), Palo Alto (three), Los Altos Hills (three), Brentwood (two), Menlo Park, San Mateo, Pleasanton, Sonoma, Fairfax and Marin County. Many of the proposals call for high- and mid-rise projects along main thoroughfares and commercial centers in Palo Alto, Mountain View and neighborhoods across San Jose, or adding dozens of units to already planned developments, including in downtown San Mateo. Other proposals, including in Los Altos Hills, lay out new plans for multifamily housing in almost exclusively single-family neighborhoods. One of the main reasons the proposals target wealthy cities is that developers can charge higher rents and sale prices to offset the reduced revenue from the portion of affordable units theyre required to include in their projects. Exactly how many builders remedy projects are in the works is unclear. The state housing department doesnt keep a tally, and its likely developers are attempting to use the rule in other cities as well. According to housing advocates interpretation of the law, any city without a state-approved plan for meeting its future housing goals must accept a builders remedy project, so long as at least 20% of the units are cost-restricted at affordable rates. In the Bay Area, local governments had until Jan. 31 to get approval for their housing plans and guarantee they avoided all consequences, but only a handful met the deadline. Nearly five months later, just 28 of the 109 cities and counties in the region have gotten regulators to sign off on their every-eight-year plans, which together aim for a roughly 15% increase in the Bay Areas total housing stock. With the specter of more potentially controversial proposals on the horizon, cities across the region are under growing pressure to get their housing plans in order while some local officials are forming legal strategies to stop any builders remedy project from getting off the ground. Theyve been feeling the heat, said Forrest Linebarger, a Peninsula developer behind one builders remedy project in Mountain View and two others in Los Altos Hills. A lot of affluent cities are struggling with this process. When Los Altos Hills residents learned of proposals to build more than 100 apartments, condos and townhouses across three sites in the wooded Silicon Valley suburb, they were predictably aghast. I think its wrong totally wrong, said Duffy Price, 89, whos lived in Los Altos Hills for over 40 years and is the former editor of the towns quarterly newsletter. Price worries that adding more residents to the oak-dotted hills would hinder evacuations during a wildfire. She also wants desperately to protect the rural quality of life of the town. Let us preserve what is the heritage and the natural beauty of Los Altos Hills, she said. In response to the outcry, the town hired a public relations firm to take a more offensive position to explain our perspective after becoming the poster child of the builders remedy in local news reports, City Manager Peter Pirnejad said during a February council meeting. Los Altos Hills also retained a lobbyist to help convince the state to approve its plan to add 438 new homes. In May, the town joined cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, as one of the few local governments with a state-certified plan. But even with state approval, housing advocates and developers say Los Altos Hills should still have to accept the builders remedy proposals because they were filed before the town got the OK from regulators. Los Altos Hills, however, has indicated it could argue that an earlier version of its plan was in substantial compliance with state law and therefore would be free to deny them. To complicate matters, housing advocates with the California Housing Defense Fund contend Los Altos Hills plan, while adding some multifamily housing, doesnt go far enough. They have threatened to sue to invalidate it. For its part, the town said in a statement it worked closely with the state housing department on its plan and touted the finalized version as a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to meet the housing needs of our community. Cities and towns, including San Mateo, Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Lafayette, Concord and Pleasanton, have also indicated they could deny builders remedy proposals regardless of state approval of their plans, according to housing advocates. Every city should be making every effort to get a certified housing (plan), said Pleasanton City Councilmember Julie Testa, an outspoken critic of the states push to build. But at the same time, there has to be a point at which the overreach and subjective process has to be corrected. Linebarger, the Peninsula developer, said hes prepared to sue Los Altos Hills if the town denies his two 54-unit senior housing projects on nearby lots sandwiching a single-family home on Mora Drive. (He expects Mountain View will likely approve his project in that city.) Linebarger said recent state laws should give him the upper hand in a potential court case. The legal landscape is changing all the time, he said. I think cities that are trying to keep housing from us are on the wrong side of history. Earlier this year, a state appeals court held that judges should defer to the state on cities housing plans unless regulators decisions are clearly erroneous or unauthorized. While many legal questions remain, the opinion means cities that want to go up against the determination of (the state) are going to face a tough road in persuading the court to side with them, said Daniel Golub, a San Francisco real estate attorney with the firm Holland and Knight. In Southern California, Santa Monica recently struck a deal with a developer to allow 10 scaled-down builders remedy proposals rather than risk going to court over the high-rise projects. Housing advocates say that could embolden more developers to use the rule to gain leverage in getting projects approved. Already in Marin County, a Michigan-based real estate private equity firm has threatened to use the provision to develop 150 homes in rustic Lucas Valley if his original 39-home application is denied. Regan with the Bay Area Council said the tactic could be spreading. Were starting to see real legit household-name developers utter the word builders remedy,' he said. Theyre starting to look at this as this is the silver bullet weve been looking for. Photos: What does it cost to buy a house in Napa? 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa 2221 Adrian St. in Napa According to information published by the US DoD on June 26, 2023, the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has made a scheduled port call in Da Nang, Vietnam. This visit marks the third time that a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited Vietnam since 2018. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. (Picture source: US DoD) Vietnam's defense policy is founded on the "Four 'No's" principle, asserting its stand on non-alignment and opposition to the use or threat of force in international relations. This was amended in 2019 to include a willingness to permit vessels from foreign nations to dock at Vietnamese ports. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea have bolstered naval cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S., as well as other nations opposing China's assertive territorial claims. Historically, Vietnam has hosted multiple U.S. Navy vessels, and its personnel have participated in multinational naval exercises organized by the U.S. Navy. These naval collaborations have led to an enhanced relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam, with the U.S. providing significant resources to augment Vietnam's naval capabilities, including the supply of patrol boats to the Vietnam Coast Guard. In 2016, a U.S. Navy destroyer and submarine tender made the first port visit to Cam Ranh Bay since 1975, and a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier visited Vietnam in 2018, contributing to regional peace, stability, and development. However, the extent of this naval cooperation is circumscribed by Vietnam's multivector foreign policy, which seeks to avoid overly aligning with any specific regional power, especially so as not to upset China. I still don't know how to shout to make them realize the situation is grave. Ombudsman of Artsakh We are ready to recognize Azerbaijans 86,600 square km, which includes Nagorno-Karabakh. Minister of Foreign Affairs The Russian Federation reaffirms its intention to contribute to the restoration of normal life in Nagorno-Karabakh Artsakh President assures: All decisions will be made jointly A handcuffed man threw himself from the 5th floor of the Investigation Department of SRC and died Ambassador of Poland was presented with the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh EU Council extends Toivo Klaar's mandate for one year Turkey slows pace of rate hikes, jeopardizing the lira EU Mission at the OSCE Council meeting: Brussels calls on Baku to ensure movement along the Lachin corridor Zakharova evades question on sending Arstakh aid by Russian planes Stores in Artsakh no longer sell bread Russian MFA Spox: Artsakh is not in area of CSTO responsibility State Revenue Committee head: Armenia cooperates with partners transparently Armenia requests OSCE Permanent Council speacial meeting: Mirzoyan made a speech Armenian Health Minister: Transport of medicine to Artsakh is disrupted Russia MFA spox on organizing Mirzoyan, Bayramov meeting in Moscow: Chances are good Russian MFA: Stability in South Caucasus should be in Turkey's interests 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 Gov. J.B. Pritzker answers questions during a news conference along with Sen. Dick Durbin an other officials at Chicago Union Station on June 26, 2023. Pritzker defended himself against criticism from Latino elected officials and others over his decision to close enrollment for many people in a health care program for immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission, arguing he did what was necessary to preserve coverage for those who are already enrolled. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday defended himself against rebukes from Latino elected officials and others critics over his decision to close enrollment for many people in a health care program for immigrants in the country without legal permission, arguing he did what was necessary to preserve coverage for those who are already enrolled. At the same time, neither state nor Cook County officials have yet provided an estimate for what the policy shift will cost the county, whose hospital system will have its reimbursement rate for services provided to people in the program cut as a result of the changes announced June 16. Advertisement The state has indicated Cook County, which has been paid at a higher rate than other providers under the program that was introduced in 2020, will be expected to repay the amount it received above the standard reimbursement. The changes came as part of an eleventh-hour budget deal in May that provided $550 million for the program half of the projected cost for the budget year that begins July 1 and gave Pritzker the power to make changes to control costs while accepting the political liability for those efforts. Advertisement We need to make sure that were living within our fiscal limits within the state of Illinois, Pritzker said Monday during an unrelated event at Chicagos Union Station. Thats something that wasnt done for a number of years in Illinois. The second-term Democrat, who campaigned for reelection as a progressive who supports providing health care and other services regardless of immigration status, pointed to the budget pressures a day after telling reporters at a Pride Parade event that members of the state legislatures Latino caucus knew exactly what we were doing. And in fact, what we have done, and its in part because of their advocacy, is weve saved the program to provide health care for undocumented immigrants, Pritzker said Sunday. And its a paused program that I hope and intend to expand. Among those criticizing the governors actions, which include closing enrollment July 1 for people under 65 who are currently eligible and capping enrollment for people 65 and older, was U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, a Chicago Democrat. In a statement earlier this month, Garcia said that the moves by Pritzker were wrong and will have life-and-death consequences. The state is trying to save money by ripping away care from undocumented people care they were promised and programs that many immigrants have paid into. In the end, defunding preventive care will cost everyone more money and more pain, said Garcia, who attended Mondays Union Station event alongside the governor. Asked about such criticism, Pritzker said: Were all working together and were talking about the congresspeople as well as our members of the General Assembly and everybody who cares about this program to provide health care to provide this program for 63,000 people in the state of Illinois. Were continuing to do that; in fact, theres room for a few more within the program and within the budget. As for the reimbursement changes for Cook Countys hospital system, Pritzker said the move is simply to bring the county in line with what other providers who care for people in the program are paid. What exactly the hit will be to the countys budget remains unclear. A spokeswoman for the states Department of Healthcare and Family Services said only that the agency continues to work with the county on the issue. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who also attended Mondays Union Station event, declined to comment. Advertisement County County Health spokeswoman Alex Normington said county officials had a good discussion with the state on Friday but could not provide an estimate of the cost. We are collaborating to bring some items to a resolution, including reimbursement for care provided, Normington said. Whats clear is that we continue to share the same goal of providing necessary care and services. In addition to closing enrollment for people ages 42 to 64 beginning next month, Pritzker also is capping enrollment in the program for people 65 and older once the total number of participants reaches 16,500. As of June 7, there were 63,255 people enrolled in the program, including 14,594 people 65 or older, according to Healthcare and Family Services. The department did not provide updated figures Monday. The program also will begin charging copays of $250 for inpatient hospitalizations and $100 for emergency room visits if the services they receive arent eligible for reimbursements from the federal government. There also will be a 10% coinsurance charge for outpatient services at hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers. Created in 2020, the program originally provided Medicaid-style coverage to immigrants 65 and older who are in the country without legal permission or who have green cards but havent completed a five-year waiting period and are therefore ineligible for the traditional health insurance program for the poor, which is jointly funded by the federal government. Since then, the program has been expanded twice, and it now covers those 42 and older. Advertisement Advocates and some Democratic lawmakers have pushed for the program to be expanded to cover people 19 and older. dpetrella@chicagotribune.com aquig@chicagotribune.com The home of Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi in Oak Park on May 25, 2023. Kaegis home was one of the few in his neighborhood that experienced a lower assessment. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi owns a million-dollar, 120-year-old Prairie-style, two-story home on a spacious corner lot on the eastern side of Oak Parks Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. Within a five-block area of Kaegis residence, neighbors with similar homes saw their properties assessed value used to figure local property taxes increase by an average of 32% this year compared with 2020 in the every-three-year reassessment of Oak Park Township. Advertisement But the home of Kaegi, in his fifth year as the person responsible for running the office that decides the value of homes ahead of Cook County property tax bills being mailed, saw the assessed value of his home drop by 5.3%, county records show. While the assessors estimated market value of Kaegis home decreased from $1,172,150 in 2020 to $1,110,000 this year, the average for similarly classified homes swelled from $584,010 to $773,360 during the same time period. Advertisement Assessment breaks for wealthy homeowners have often been the norm in Cook County: A previous Tribune analysis found residents in working-class neighborhoods were more likely to receive property tax bills that assumed their homes were worth more than their true market value, while wealthier communities caught a break because property taxes werent based on the full value of their homes. But theres no fix in at the office, the assessors office insists. In fact, Kaegi said the decrease was a corrective counterbalance to a massive assessment hike his house received when he took the unusual step of tattling on himself three years ago, resulting in his family paying more per square foot than neighbors in comparable homes. Moreover, assessment records appear to show Kaegis home was overassessed for years, even before he reported the additional square footage, one expert said. The factors behind Kaegis reassessment reduction speak to the vagaries of a complicated system he vowed to make more equitable and uniform: determining a propertys taxable market value at a time of ever-increasing property tax bills used largely to finance local schools, all based upon an antiquated agrarian measure of wealth. Cook County reassessment system: Portions of Cook County are reassessed every three years. That reassessment essentially represents a clean slate: The Cook County Assessors office ignores appeals and values from prior years. The office estimates market values by using a mass appraisal model that analyzes sales trends. After the model produces a value, the office mails out a notice of assessment. For homeowners, the assessment represents 10% of their homes market value (for commercial properties, its 25%). The total estimated market value of Kaegis home in 2023, for example, is $1,110,000. Its total assessed value, then, is $111,000. The values that model produces stay in place for the next two years unless the owner appeals. Property owners can bring that appeal to Kaegis office or to the Cook County Board of Review and argue their property is over-assessed based on comparable properties or that the assessor is relying on faulty characteristics about items such as square footage, the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or what materials the home is made out of. Kaegis 2023 assessment put him among the less than 1% of similarly classified properties in his neighborhood to see a reduction. Of more than 2,000 such homes in Oak Park Township, a Tribune review showed Kaegis home was one of only 18 residences that saw a lower assessed value compared with three years earlier. Through his office, Kaegi declined to be interviewed. Instead, he released a statement saying, My homes most recent assessment reflects the highest price per square foot compared to similar homes in my neighborhood. As Cook County Assessor, I hold myself to the highest standard of ethics to ensure all properties are assessed accurately, Kaegi said in the statement. It is important to me that taxpayers trust the Assessors Office under my leadership and know that the old days of politically connected people getting special treatment are over. While the assessment dip Kaegis home received this year was unique, Kaegi and his office noted that in 2020 roughly two years into his tenure leading the office Kaegis home received a massive assessment hike. That year, his homes valuation shot up by nearly twice as much as his neighbors in surrounding blocks, from roughly $727,000 to $1,172,000. The 2020 increase came as a result of an atypical field check that the assessor requested himself. That survey resulted in about 700 square feet being added to the recorded size of his home that had previously not been reflected in tax records. Advertisement Kaegi and his wife bought their turn-of-the-century four-bed, 3.5-bath stucco house in 2010, according to county records. It is a 2-06 residence, a classification that covers homes with two or more stories that are at least 62 years old and ranging from 2,201 to 4,999 square feet. Though their purchase price was $1 million, the home had an assessed market value of just $743,000 the year they bought it, county records show. That assessment dipped to roughly $668,000 in 2014, then rose to about $728,000 in 2017. Those values were set while Kaegis predecessor, Joe Berrios, was running the office. [ TRIBUNE WATCHDOG: THE TAX DIVIDE ] In 2018, amid Tribune reporting that showed inequitable assessments resulted in higher-priced homes being under-assessed and lower-priced homes being overassessed, Kaegi ran on a platform of reform. The Tribunes Tax Divide series showed previous residential modeling to determine assessments was faulty. For years, the assessors office valued homes in affluent neighborhoods too low, and those in economically struggling areas too high. The model used by the office often created a regressive system that unfairly shifted the property tax burden from the wealthy to the less affluent. Berrios also was criticized for taking contributions from property tax attorneys, associated businesses and for skirting county nepotism rules. Kaegi trounced Berrios and promised to revamp the models the county uses to value properties and make valuations closer to fair market value and more uniform. Two years later, in 2020, Kaegis home turf the south and west suburbs were up for reassessment. Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, center, greets supporters outside Jarvis Square Tavern in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood ahead of his primary election night party on June 28, 2022. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) That year, his office said, Kaegi realized the valuation of his home did not reflect its true square footage. In 2014, the Kaegis applied to build an addition to the rear of the home, village records show. He requested the field check six years later and after being elected to public office to ensure the correct square footage and the most accurate assessment of his home, a spokesperson said. The 2020 survey boosted his total square footage from about 3,200 square feet to about 3,900 square feet. Advertisement Arthur Lyons, a retired professor of economics who specialized in taxation policies at the University of Illinois at Chicago, speculated Kaegi sought the field survey a decade after buying the property because once he becomes the assessor, he realizes that youre in the public limelight. And so, you want to make sure that at least your assessment is correct, especially if you ran as a reform candidate, Lyons said. Permits for such improvements are passed on from the village to the township assessor and then to the county assessor. Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar said the permit was successfully received by the county assessors office at the time. When Berrios office received it, Kaegi was automatically given a home improvement exemption as well, which waived the tax on up to $75,000 of the added improvement for up to four years. That exemption fell off in 2020. The added square footage from the field check also was plugged into the 2020 residential model that compared Kaegis property with roughly 400 others in his neighborhood as well as recent market sales of similar homes. In the end, the assessment shot up by 61% compared with 2017. Meanwhile, other 2-06s in Oak Park saw an average decrease of 1.5% in 2020. Thats in part because that year, Kaegis office instituted a COVID adjustment, reducing assessments for homeowners by roughly 8% to 12% across the board to account for the expected impacts of the pandemic. In Oak Park, that adjustment was 8% to 9.5%, depending on neighborhood. As a result of the massive assessment hike compared with his neighbors, Kaegis tax bill climbed too: from about $28,000 in 2019 to nearly $43,000 in 2020, county tax records show. His house had the seventh-highest value of its class in Oak Park, up from 227th the year before. Advertisement Since 2019, records show, Kaegi also has taken the rare step not to appeal his assessment to try to cut his bill, nor has he taken a homeowner exemption to which he is entitled. Appeals among owners of higher-priced homes were a key contributor to unfairness under previous assessors. A Tribune and University of Chicago analysis of residential appeals between 2009 and 2015 found statistical measures of fairness got worse after the appeals process, placing a financial burden on those who could least afford to pay more. Wealthier neighborhoods appealed at much higher rates and regularly won, even though homes in those areas were more likely to be undervalued. By 2023, the effects of that COVID adjustment wore off and the fresh assessments reflected a white-hot, pandemic-era housing market. While other assessments rose, Kaegis value was revised downward. ElSaffar said Kaegis 2023 value falls pretty much in the middle of the pack when its value per square foot is compared with other properties of the same class, in the same neighborhood, and of roughly the same size. Lyons said the comparable housing properties associated with Kaegis 2023 reassessment raised questions about whether Kaegi was overassessed. Prior to his 2020 increase, Kaegis housing value was in line with the other larger properties when it should have been below them. Advertisement If you started out with that additional square footage (that was added in 2020), he should be in line with the (comparable properties) all the way across the chart, Lyons said. Lyons said it indicates Kaegi had been previously overassessed and then was massively overassessed in 2020 to reflect the additional square footage. The fact that assessments of those comparable properties caught up with Kaegi in 2023 reflect that the assessor is catching them up to the market. Its unclear what this years 5% reduction will mean for Kaegis upcoming bill, his office said. The full implications wont be known until later this year and will depend on levies set by various taxing bodies as well as others appeals. Mela Pena shakes hands with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi after he pledged to look into her higher taxes during a press conference with Kaegi and Pilsen community leaders on Jan. 20. 2023. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) The tale of Kaegis 2020 increase, largely due to his decision to have his property reevaluated, is rare. Property owners have little incentive to rat themselves out if they believe the outcome would be a higher assessment and likely a higher bill. Homeowners are technically required to tell Kaegis office during each reassessment if the characteristics the office is using are wrong. But the threat of a clawback is also rare. The office said those are usually pursued only if the homeowner appears to be concealing something. Thats what happened when the Tribune reported on the case of Todd Ricketts Wilmette home, which was razed and replaced with a 5,000-square-foot mansion. Ricketts, one of three siblings on the Chicago Cubs board of directors, paid taxes based on the value of the much older and smaller house that he tore down giving him a huge discount on his property tax bill over several years. In 2013, Ricketts attorney had a chance to tell county officials about the new home during a property tax appeal but instead sought a reduction based on the age and size of the old house. That led to investigations from both the assessors office and the county Board of Review. Advertisement To try to catch other potential properties where square footage and other improvements arent reflected in records, Kaegis office said it is working to hire more field inspectors to look at buildings in person and utilizing technology that can scan aerial images of buildings to look for changes. Lyons said that, by far, Kaegi is an outlier, and that the vast majority of his neighbors appealed often to the detriment of those who didnt appeal or receive a reduction, which is an consistent criticism of Cook Countys assessment process. Lets assume they didnt appeal. Are these people picking up the tax burden for everybody else who plays the system? Lyons asked. Its a system where those who take the initiative, who have the resources, the time, the energy, the knowledge to make an appeal, they get reduced and then they are directly shifting the tax burden. Its not like the income tax, where, if I cheat on my income taxes, that doesnt make (others) income taxes go up. But if (someone) gets a lower assessment than they should have we, all the rest of us, pay higher taxes, he said. Its an indirect transfer of wealth, and its a travesty when you think about it. rap30@aol.com aquig@chicagotribune.com Public arrangements for Aurora Ald. Scheketa Hart-Burns, who died June 19, have been announced. Hart-Burns was a member of the Aurora City Council for 32 years and a longtime community activist. Advertisement The city of Aurora will hold a special procession where Hart-Burns casket will travel past Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, at 2 p.m. Friday. The public is invited to line Downer Place between Broadway and Stolp Avenue to honor Hart-Burns. Advertisement A wake will be held following the procession from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Mt. Olive Church, 1039 Bonner Ave. in Aurora. The homegoing celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of Grace St. John AME Church, 2950 Bilter Road in Aurora. That will be followed by a repast. Flowers may be sent to James Funeral Home, 204 Hill Ave. Hart-Burns was the first African-American elected to the Aurora City Council, and has been the only council member from the 7th Ward since it was created in 1991. An advocate for youth, senior citizens and the underserved, Hart-Burns dedicated her life to public service, community engagement and social justice, city officials said. During her tenure, she launched more than two dozen organizations, including neighborhood groups, resident councils, homeowners associations, cultural groups, youth groups, faith groups, educational programs and service initiatives, according to city officials. For 34 years, she hosted her signature annual Martin Luther King Jr. Back to School Bash, which provides school supplies, clothes, shoes, haircuts and mentors to over 1,000 youth each year in Aurora. She was a committee chair for 20 years on the Aurora City Council and served as mayor pro-tem. Emorys School of Medicine (SOM) and the Partners for International Development marked the 30-year partnership between Emory University and the country of Georgia by hosting a celebration in Tbilisi this spring. The event featured speeches by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Emory Vice Provost of Global Strategy and Initiatives Philip Wainwright, SOM faculty Mary Jo Lechowicz and Gordon Churchward, and Archil Undilashvili, who has been instrumental in fostering the relationship over the last two decades. Underlying the celebration was a tribute to the late Ken Walker, a physician and former Emory professor who played a crucial role in developing Emory partnerships in Georgia. Walker was granted honorary citizenship from Georgia for his work, and he was well known in the Georgian community for his deep involvement and care for citizens well-being. In 2018, Walker received Emorys most prestigious alumni award, the Emory Medal, which recognizes leaders in their fields and in their local, national and global communities. Emory School of Medicine involvement in Georgia Emorys engagement with the country of Georgia dates to before the collapse of the Soviet Union, with the earliest memorandum of understanding signed between Emory and the Georgian government in the late 1980s. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, the U.S. Department of State began supporting partnerships between the United States and former Soviet countries that were newly independent. In June 1992, the SOM dean was approached to investigate partnership opportunities with Georgias health care system. This work was led by Walker, who first visited Tbilisi in August 1992 with health care professionals from Emory and Grady Memorial Hospital. The partnership between Emory and the country of Georgia has substantially impacted the development of modern medical and educational programs in the country. Dr. Walker understood the importance of this opportunity and strengthened it by involving multidisciplinary teams of faculty and students for continuity and sustainability, says Undilashvili. A significant number of high-impact research projects conducted by Emory faculty and students, in collaboration with their Georgian peers, resulted in important policy decisions for newly-independent Georgia and provided immense experiences to our colleagues and students on both sides of the ocean. Achievements of the collaboration include implementing a nationwide emergency response system and improvements in trauma and critical care, exemplified by the establishment of the first pediatric and adult emergency rooms in the post-Soviet world and the development of the emergency medicine specialty in Georgia. These initiatives were led by Emory and supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Other major initiatives, also funded by USAID, resulted in a robust and ongoing program for training nurses, organizing a maternal and childcare network, and developing modern rehabilitation services. A major $4.5 million initiative funded by USAID to develop and promote physical rehabilitation in Georgia was completed in March 2022. The project is a model example of how USAID projects should work, according to Churchward. He commends Undilashvilis efforts to bring the project to completion despite the pandemic. Within the framework of this collaborative agreement between Emory and USAID, the Ken Walker University Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation was established in Tbilisi and Batumi. The Early Childhood Development Academy was also established at Tbilisi State Medical University. The most recent development is the Ken Walker International University in Tbilisi, which aims to create a high-quality, affordable educational hub for students from around the world. Since 2007, more than $7 million has been allocated for these activities. The collaboration evolved into a larger partnership, taking advantage of funding opportunities from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the fields of AIDS, hepatitis C and tuberculosis treatment and prevention. Emory has supported the establishment of a U.S.-style MD education program at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) since 2011. The USMD program would not have become a sustained success without the efforts of Dr. Eka Ekaladze of TMSU and professor Mary Jo Lechowicz of SOM, says Churchward. Our Georgian colleagues make wonderful partners and together we have been able to do great things. Other Emory connections with the country of Georgia Emorys work with the country of Georgia is not limited to the School of Medicine. As of fall 2022, at least 21 grant-funded projects pertaining to Georgia were active and more than 35 faculty members engaged with the country in some capacity. For example, Emory's School of Law and the Georgian government have worked together on student recruitment and NIH-funded tuberculosis research and training involving professors from the School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health are in place. Medical students from Georgia visit Atlanta each year to study and engage with Emory faculty. During the 30-year celebration, a group of Emory-Georgian alumni met with Emory faculty and staff to discuss plans to establish an alumni network and recruit more students from Georgia. Emory hopes to capitalize on its name recognition and strengthen its ties there. As vice provost Philip Wainwright shared, although Emory is engaged in dozens of countries globally, Georgia has been one of its strongest and most consequential partnerships. The Emory and Georgian faculty involved in the partnership remain optimistic about future collaborations in health and education. Undilashvili says, The Emory-Georgia collaboration is a demonstration of how sharing knowledge and experience can improve the quality of life for the population by strengthening the medical and education systems of developing countries. 11:15 Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday took on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over her listing the Centre's achievements, saying that if the Modi government stands tall in some areas, it is because it is standing on the shoulders of its predecessor United Progressive Alliance government. Chidambaram countered Sitharaman's comments made in an article about the achievements of the Modi government in the last nine years. 'The Hon'ble Finance Minister has penned an article on the achievements of the Modi Government. Many examples she has cited are true as would be true of EVERY government that has ruled for 5 or 10 years,' the former finance minister said on Twitter. The finance minister has cited five examples of the Opposition taking the government to court and losing the case, Chidambaram noted. 'She is wrong at least in three: The SC had declared triple talaq illegal even before Parliament passed a law. The Article 370 case has not yet been heard by the Court. Numerous cases under the GST laws are pending,' Chidambaram argued in his long Twitter post. The finance minister claims credit for India achieving top ranks in production of milk, honey, fruit and vegetables, he pointed out and added that these ranks were achieved years ago and 'we retain those ranks'. 'The Hon'ble FM claims credit for Direct Benefit Transfer. She forgets that Aadhaar was conceived, created and rolled out by the UPA government and the first transfers under DBT were done by the UPA government,' Chidambaram said. The finance minister boasts about the 11.72 crore toilets built. She should read her own government's reports on how many of them are unused and unusable because they lack water, the senior Congress leader said. 'Every government will have achievements to its credit. So does the Modi government. If the Modi government stands tall in some areas, it is because it is standing on the shoulders of the UPA government,' Chidambaram said. In an article in The Indian Express, Sitharaman had also criticised the Opposition and said that its role had, sadly, been less in Parliament. 'It has been more to disrupt and delay through filing petitions in the courts of law rather than debate and discuss in the House. Over 15 cases, including on the GST, Article 370, vaccination, triple talaq, Central Vista, were vigorously argued only for them to lose in each one of them,' she had said. -- PTI GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) New Delhi [India], June 26: At the Kolkata edition of the International Performing Arts Festival (IPAF), inaugurated by Governor of West Bengal Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose on June 23, 2023, Padma Shri Baul Samrat Pandit Purna Das Baul was presented with the IPAF Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the traditional Baul music on the world stage. The award was presented to him by Governor Dr. Bose at the prestigious Indian Museum's Ashutosh Birth Centenary Hall. This is IPAF's 5th year in Kolkata with 2 days of cultural programs to support the dying Indian art forms and different artists from Kolkata participated in it along with artists from other states as well. Pt. P. D. Baul is known for traveling the globe with Bengal's folk music, performing in 156 countries, in front of citizens of the world. He is the biggest name to be associated with Indian traditional music, especially when it comes to the Baul Gharana. Purna Das was first acknowledged as the 'Baul Samrat' (King of Baul music) in 1967 by none other than Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India. At this year's editions of this 5-year-old festival, held in different Indian cities, the IPAF will give 5 Lifetime Achievement Awards to different artists, recognizing their contribution to the field of Arts. Besides, it will also recognize the young talented artists in the field with its 3 Youth ICON Awards. The Day 2 of the festival on June 24, 2023, was inaugurated by Ms. Melinda Pavek, U.S. Consulate General in India. The Day 1 performances included the following - 1. Young Tribal Artist Birajini Sabar, a young tribal artist from Odisha mesmerized the audience with her songs. 2. Jalsa Chandra Performing Troupe won everyone's hearts with TWAMAHAM VANDE's "I WORSHIP YOU". 3. Kalakhetram presented "Mahamanober Sarorotire" by Dr. Subhashish Bhattacharya & Susmita Bhattacharya Troupe. Day 2 of the festival was marked with the following performances - 1. Aastame Sharmistha presented Sanskrit chanting. 2. Ruchira Jain presented a rich collection of Avadhi folk songs, as an ode to the Monsoon to welcome the month of "Saawan" and won hearts with her group's performance of Awadhi Folk Music. 3. Shrutibritto presented Shanti Sumahaan Concept and Suvodeep Chakraborty showcased "Tagore against Terrorism". IPAF is an initiative by Shyam Pandey, which works extensively to unite societies through culture and arts globally. IPAF has been encouraging various art forms as well as holistic traditions through performing arts across societies. It also supports Vayu Yoga, various classical dance forms, differently-abled artists, and upcoming artists too. Speaking about the mission of IPAF, he says, "We believe that the future of traditional arts and promotion of such arts through performing arts could be very inviting and entertaining throughout the world." (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SRV Media Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 26: Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune, in collaboration with Swansea University, United Kingdom, is running a seminar series on 'The Digital Future for Business & Society: Emerging Perspectives on The Metaverse.' This seminar series aims to explore the transformative potential of the metaverse and its impact on various aspects of business and society. In this ongoing seminar series, the seventh seminar was presented by Prof Savvas Papagiannidis from Newcastle University Business School, UK. The renowned expert delved into the topic of "Metaverse Retail: Opportunities and Challenges," shedding light on various aspects of this rapidly evolving digital realm. Prof Savvas Papagiannidis is the David Goldman Professor of Innovation & Enterprise at Newcastle University Business School. His research interests revolve around electronic business and its various sub-domains and how digital technologies can transform organizations and societies alike. More specifically, his research aims to inform our understanding of how e-business technologies affect the social and business environment, organizational strategies and business models, and how these are implemented in terms of functional innovations (especially in e-marketing and e-commerce). His work puts a strong emphasis on innovation, new value creation, and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities, within the context of different industries. Apart from the impact that the Internet and related technologies can have on businesses, he is also very much interested in the impact such technologies can have on individual users. During the seminar, Prof Savvas Papagiannidis analysed the evolution of the metaverse and its resemblance to physical spaces. He emphasized the growing significance of retail purchases in the metaverse and explored the implications of this trend for businesses and society at large. The discussion also touched upon several policy-related considerations, such as taxes on income generated within the metaverse, ownership of user-generated content, regulation of metaverse activities, and the pressing issue of gambling within this virtual realm. One key theme that emerged from his presentation was the comparison between the real world and the virtual world, particularly in the context of retail experiences. He highlighted the transition from a product-oriented approach to a customer-oriented one and further emphasized the importance of experience orientation within the metaverse. He also discussed the concept of co-creation in the metaverse and explored the distinction between authentic and realistic experiences within this digital environment. Prof Papagiannidis also shared his insights on potential directions for the metaverse, including its impact on online retail and e-commerce. The presentation sparked thought-provoking discussions about the future of retail, emphasizing the transformative power of the metaverse and its potential to reshape the digital business landscape. The 7th Seminar in the 3rd Edition of the Seminar Series on 'The Digital Future for Business & Society' provided attendees with valuable insights into the metaverse's evolving role in the retail sector. Prof Savvas Papagiannidis' expertise and thought leadership ignited meaningful conversations around the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for businesses and society in this digital frontier. Prof. Ramakrishnan Raman, Director-SIBM Pune, shared, "As the seminar series continues, it promises to further explore the multifaceted dimensions of the metaverse, fostering a deeper understanding of its implications for various industries and society as a whole". The next Seminar ( the eight seminar) is scheduled on 12th July 2023 where Prof. Dr. jur. Stefan Koos, Bundeswehr University, Munich, Germany will share his thoughts on the topic, "The Individual in the Virtuality - Legal Aspects of the Metaverse". The registration link for the same is: https://tinyurl.com/seminarseries-8 This seminar series is jointly organized by Professor Yogesh K Dwivedi, who is a Professor of Digital Marketing and Innovation, at the School of Management, Swansea University, Wales, UK; Dr Laurie Hughes, who is a Senior Lecturer within the Strategic Operations Group, School of Management, Swansea University. Wales, UK; and, Prof. Dr Ramakrishnan Raman who is Director of SIBM-Pune, Dean of Faculty of Management, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and Director - Strategy and Development, Symbiosis. This seminar series is jointly Supported by Digital Marketing and Analytics SIG Academy of Marketing, Grenoble IAE-Graduate School of Management - a Grenoble INP school of the University of Grenoble Alpes, The e-Business and e-Government SIG British Academy of Management and The UK Academy for Information Systems (UKAIS). The seminar is moderated by Dr Vinod Kumar, Associate Professor, SIBM Pune, and Dr Anabel Gutierrez Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing at Royal Holloway, University of London. (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) Hunk Golden and Media Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 26: Karma Primary Healthcare, an impact-first, technology-enabled healthcare startup, has raised Series A equity funding from a consortium of investors led by Innospark Ventures, 1Crowd, Innovative Directions, Aanshi LLP, Social Innovation Circle, Sunil Mishra and other prominent angel investors. In addition to this, the organization has also raised support from Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), funded in part by Global Affairs Canada, through GCC's Transition to Scale program. Rural India is home to more than 700 million people and their vibrant culture, but it also faces substantial challenges in accessing reliable and affordable healthcare services. Karma Primary Healthcare sees this as a strategic healthcare opportunity to increase awareness, promote preventive healthcare, improve supply chain efficiencies, and improve curative service delivery. The company's vision is to leverage digital technology as an enabler to interlink above mentioned opportunities. Over 8 years, Karma has built a robust and comprehensive primary healthcare delivery solution that provides real-time online video consultations and delivers healthcare to users via its facility-based, paramedic-assisted clinics. These clinics deliver a comprehensive ecosystem of clinical treatment, quality medicines and diagnostics. The company also partners with other public health organizations for disease-specific programs like COVID, diabetes etc. Jagdeep Gambhir, Founder & CEO of Karma Primary Healthcare said, "Access to quality healthcare should not be a privilege limited to urban areas. Digital innovations to bridge this healthcare divide presents a significant opportunity. Through last 8 years, we at Karma have honed the necessary skills and operating model to deliver primary healthcare to rural India. We look to expand our clinic footprint to 80 clinics in 7 states. We also look to create linkages with secondary and tertiary players to create a seamless patient experience. We are thankful to our incoming and existing investors that have shown faith in our business model, its impact and potential. Deepak Verma, Operating Partner at Innospark Ventures said ""We believe Karma is addressing a significant challenge: how to provide longitudinal care, with specialist MD consultations as and when required, to rural populations, without expecting patients to travel for hours to access quality care. Over time, as Karma's footprint continues to grow, the company will provide better diagnostics and care, for more diseases, at more affordable prices, while substantially improving patient outcomes." Anil Gudibande, Co-founder at 1Crowd said "Jagdeep is a phenomenal leader driving disruption through rural and semi-urban India in what is otherwise a very challenging space. We believe Karma has been one of the pioneers in redefining the primary healthcare space in rural and semi-urban India.Their impact-led phygital approach has made healthcare more accessible and equitable, helping touch millions of lives of those who previously lacked access to such services. With the ability to provide medical consultations, quality medicines through network pharmacies, preventive care and health education, Karma ensures a continuum of care for anyone walking through its doors. Karma, synonymous with quality primary healthcare in rural and semi-urban households, is fostering a profound impact on the community and India as a whole." Anshul Magotra, Co-Founder & Partner, Social Innovation Circle said "The impact generated by Karma in the delivery of healthcare in rural India is creating a ripple effect. Through their comprehensive healthcare approach, they have been able to provide medical consultations, preventive care, and health education to millions of individuals who previously lacked access to such services. This proactive approach helps in early detection and management of health issues and empowers communities to take charge of their well-being." Pulkit Aggrwal, Portfolio Manager at Grand Challenges Canada said "By focusing on providing primary healthcare services in rural areas, particularly for women and young children, the company is tackling important health disparities and ensuring that essential medical services are accessible to those who need them the most. This initiative aligns with Grand Challenges Canada's investment principles, as we believe in the power of innovation to drive positive change and improve health outcomes of underserved populations." Aiming to solve a big and meaningful problem of rural healthcare, Karma Primary Healthcare's success and scale-up can herald a new revolution in healthcare access in rural India. For further information about the company: www.karmahealthcare.in For further information, please contact: Sonia Kulkarni | Hunk Golden and Media 9820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by Hunk Golden and Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ThePRTree New Delhi [India], June 26: 369Hub Ventures, a prominent player in the advertising and marketing industry, has made a groundbreaking move by acquiring Ackrolix Innovations. This acquisition is set to pave the way for a paradigm shift in the ad agency ecosystem, particularly in Delhi, India. As part of the Billion Dollar ecosystem under District 369, which spans across India, UAE, and the USA, 369Hub Ventures is renowned for its expertise and experience, boasting a cumulative track record of over 45+ cumulative years in advertising and marketing. The services offered by 369Hub Ventures encompass a wide range of solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. The agency's service offerings fall under three distinct categories: Consulting, Creative, and Digital solutions. These comprehensive services cater to clients ranging from startups to corporate entities, providing them with unparalleled strategies and innovative marketing solutions. Upon the completion of this landmark acquisition, Saleem Nawaz Mandi Shaikh, the Director of 369Hub Ventures Private Limited, expressed his excitement and vision for the future. He stated, "With the integration of Ackrolix Innovations into our ecosystem, we are poised to create a new era of advertising excellence. This strategic move strengthens our capabilities and expands our reach, allowing us to better serve our clients and drive their success in an evolving industry landscape." Directors of Ackrolix Innovations Private Limited, Jay Gulati, Vivek Mandal, and Subrata Sarkar, also shared their thoughts on this significant milestone. Jay Gulati emphasized, "By joining forces with 369Hub Ventures, we are opening doors to limitless possibilities. Our shared vision and synergies will allow us to revolutionize the ad agency ecosystem and unlock unparalleled growth opportunities." Vivek Mandal further added, "This acquisition not only amplifies our strengths but also enables us to tap into a wider network of clients and resources. We are confident that together, we will set new benchmarks in the industry." Subrata Sarkar echoed the sentiment, stating, "The integration of our expertise and capabilities with 369Hub Ventures represents a turning point in the advertising landscape. This partnership will enable us to deliver innovative, data-driven strategies to our clients, propelling their businesses to new heights." This strategic move by 369Hub Ventures, in acquiring Ackrolix Innovations, marks a significant shift in the ad agency ecosystem. With their expanded range of services and increased expertise, the combined entity is well-positioned to offer comprehensive solutions to clients, empowering them to navigate the ever-evolving advertising landscape effectively. This acquisition is expected to create ripples throughout the industry, particularly in Delhi, as it brings together two powerhouse organizations that are at the forefront of innovation and creativity. The synergy between 369Hub Ventures and Ackrolix Innovations is set to set new standards in advertising, raising the bar for excellence and driving positive change in the Indian market. As 369Hub Ventures continues to spearhead advancements in the ad agency ecosystem, clients can look forward to receiving cutting-edge strategies, groundbreaking campaigns, and holistic digital solutions. With their collective expertise and passion for driving success, this acquisition signals a promising future for both agencies and their clients alike. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ThePRTree. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 26: PKH Ventures Ltd - a leading corporate group engaged in the business of construction & development, hospitality and management services plans to raise up to Rs. 379.35 crore from its public issue to fund expansion plans. The company plans to use issue Rs. 124.11 crore from issue proceeds for equity investment in Halaipani Hydro Power Project, Rs. 80 crore towards equity investment in a subsidiary company, Garuda Construction for funding working capital requirement, Rs. 40 crore for pursuing inorganic growth opportunities through acquisition and other strategic initiatives and general corporate purposes. The public issue opens for subscription on June 30 and closes on July 4, 2023. The company's shares will be listed on the BSE & NSE. The initial public offering of up to 2,56,32,000 equity shares of face value Rs. 5 each comprises of fresh issue of up to 1.82 crore equity shares and an offer for sale of up to 73.73 lakh equity shares by the promoter group. Company has fixed price band of Rs. 140-148 per equity share for the public issue (including a premium of Rs. 135-143 per equity share). The company plans to raise up to Rs. 379.35 crore from the public issue at the higher price band of Rs. 148 per share. The minimum lot size for the application is 100 shares and multiple thereof. Retail investor and HNI quota for the IPO is kept at not less than 25% and 15% of the issue respectively while QIB quota is kept at a maximum 50% of the issue. Pravin Kumar Agarwal, Promoter, Chairman and Managing Director, PKH Ventures Ltd said, "Company is progressing well on its long-term growth roadmap and has delivered a robust operational and financial performance over the years and is committed to improve growth numbers going forward. We are confident that after the proposed public issue, we will be able to execute our growth strategy in a manner that creates exponential value for all stakeholders. Proceeds of the issue will further strengthen the company's balance sheet and help fund its strategic growth initiatives." Incorporated in 2000, PKH Ventures Limited is engaged in the business of Construction & Development, Hospitality, and Management Services with an established track record and follows asset-light model for civil construction business. The company executes Civil Construction works for Third Party Developer projects through its Subsidiary and construction arm, Garuda Construction. Third-party order book as on March 2023 stands at Rs. 468.27 crore. The company has been awarded two Govt Projects viz., Hydro Power Project, Nagpur Project and three Govt Hotel Development Projects viz., Rajnagar Garhi Project, Pahadikhurd Project and Tara Resort Project being executed through Subsidiaries/SPVs/ Company. Company owns or manages three hotels including a resort, five restaurants, four banquets and two spas in Mumbai & nearby areas. The company is proposing to develop its own development projects, which include real estate development at Amritsar, Punjab, a food park at Jalore, Rajasthan, cold storage park/facilities at Indore, Madhya Pradesh and a wellness center & resort at Chiplun, Maharashtra. The financial performance of the company has exhibited considerable progress over the years, demonstrating growth and stability. For FY21-22 company reported total income of Rs. 245.40 crore and net Profit of Rs. 40.51 crore. For the nine months ended December 2022, the company reported total income of Rs. 155.03 crore and earned a net profit of Rs. 28.63 crore. As on March 2022, Net worth of the company stands at Rs. 327.38 crore, Total Assets at Rs. 1,102 crore and Reserves & Surplus at Rs. 295.69 crore. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], June 26: Two Hander's production of 'Miracle on 74th Street', produced by JT Doran and Alain Martin is a heartwarming story about Agnelo, who arrives in America with ambitious dreams of making it big in Hollywood. However, he soon discovers that the path to success is far from easy. "Miracle on 74th Street" is a captivating film that beautifully captures the essence of Queens and its remarkable diversity. Through the story of Agnelo, the film showcases the power of Queens as a place where dreams can come true for individuals from all walks of life. The film emphasizes the vibrant multiculturalism of the borough, highlighting the richness of its residents' cultural backgrounds and the strength that comes from embracing diversity. As Agnelo pursues his dream against all odds, the movie depicts the support and unity found within the Queens community. It portrays how people from different backgrounds come together to uplift and inspire one another. The film's narrative not only celebrates Agnelo's journey but also sheds light on the collective power and resilience of the people of Queens that makes it a beacon of hope and opportunity for all. Through his compelling portrayal, Isa Ebrahim brings Agnelo's struggles and determination to life, allowing viewers to empathize with the challenges faced by countless aspiring actors. This charismatic young Indian actor shines brightly in the lead role, capturing the hearts of audiences with his raw talent and authentic performance. Directed by JT Doran and Harsh Gupta as his AD, the film delves into the often-hidden realities and obstacles faced by aspiring actors in Hollywood. Ebrahim shares the screen with the talented Anand Lawkaran, who delivers a powerful supporting performance. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, enhancing the overall impact of the film. Both Ebrahim and Lawkaran's performances garnered critical acclaim, earning them well-deserved nominations for Best Actor and Supporting Actor respectively. Beyond his exceptional acting skills, Ebrahim's dedication to his craft is evident in his professional achievements, having recently starred in commercials for renowned brands like Meta, Amex, PwC and Dave & Buster's, Ebrahim's talent has attracted widespread attention. He has now taken another leap by launching his own podcast, 'The Ghanta Podcast,' alongside influencer and co-host Aabir Vyas. 'Miracle on 74th Street' serves as a testament to the dreams, obstacles, and triumphs that lie behind the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and through Agnelo's story, viewers are reminded that the journey to success is paved with determination, resilience, and unwavering passion. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 26: Excitement is soaring as the highly-anticipated romantic Telugu film, "O Saathiya," releases its captivating trailer. Directed by the talented filmmaker Divya Bhavna and produced by Chandana Katta under the banner of Thanvika Jashwika Creations, the movie features the enchanting on-screen pairing of Aryan Gowra and Mishti Chakraborty. With the trailer receiving widespread acclaim, "O Saathiya" is all set to cast its spell on audiences as it prepares for its theatrical release on July 7th. The recently unveiled trailer of "O Saathiya" offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world brimming with love, emotions, and heartfelt moments. Under the masterful direction of Divya Bhavna, known for her ability to beautifully depict emotions on screen, the film promises to be a visual and emotional delight for moviegoers. The chemistry between Aryan Gowra and Mishti Chakraborty shines through in the trailer, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating their captivating performances. Produced by Chandana Katta under the esteemed banner of Thanvika Jashwika Creations, "O Saathiya" boasts a strong backing that ensures a high-quality cinematic experience. The production house has a track record of delivering exceptional films, and their collaboration with the talented cast and crew of "O Saathiya" promises a memorable and impactful movie-watching experience. The theatrical release of "O Saathiya" marks a significant milestone in the journey of this romantic tale. On July 7th, audiences will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic of the big screen and become a part of the story. The film's universal themes of love and emotions, coupled with the stellar performances and compelling storytelling, are expected to strike a chord with viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Director Divya Bhavna expressed her excitement about the upcoming theatrical release of "O Saathiya." She believes that the film's heartfelt narrative and relatable characters will resonate deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impact. Divya Bhavna's artistic vision, coupled with the seamless execution by the cast and crew, promises an enchanting cinematic experience that will touch the hearts of moviegoers. Lead actors Aryan Gowra and Mishti Chakraborty also shared their enthusiasm for the film's theatrical release. They expressed their gratitude for being part of a project that explores the intricacies of love and emotions, and they are eager to witness the audience's response to their performances. Aryan Gowra and Mishti Chakraborty's on-screen chemistry is expected to bring the characters to life, adding depth and authenticity to the romantic tale. As the highly-anticipated release date of July 7th approaches, anticipation for "O Saathiya" continues to soar. The captivating trailer has already generated significant buzz, and the theatrical release ensures that the film will be experienced on the grandeur of the silver screen, providing a truly immersive cinematic journey for the audience. "O Saathiya" promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience, weaving together romance, emotions, and captivating performances. With its theatrical release, the film aims to transport viewers into a world of love and heartache, leaving a lasting impression on their hearts. Movie enthusiasts can mark their calendars for July 7th as "O Saathiya" prepares to For more information visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrpFwtYENpY (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The red-light cameras at the intersection of Cicero Avenue and Cal Sag Road in Crestwood in 2017. (Zak Koeske/Daily Southtown) Crestwood red-light cameras that are the subject of a class-action lawsuit and were at the center of a federal bribery case involving the villages former mayor have been taken down as part of a street project, according to village officials. The cameras in place since 2016 at the intersection of Cicero Avenue and Cal Sag Road, were removed ahead of work at the intersection planned by the Illinois Department of Transportation to get underway in about a week, according to Bill Graffeo, village services manager. Advertisement He and Crestwood Mayor Ken Klein said once work at that intersection and others on Cicero is complete, IDOT will evaluate whether the cameras are still needed. A class action lawsuit challenges tickets issued to red-light camera violators at the intersection of Cicero Avenue and Cal Sag Road in Crestwood. (Zak Koeske/Daily Southtown) Graffeo said the cameras have helped reduce traffic fatalities at the Cicero/Cal Sag intersection. Advertisement The state, as part of a broader road project, will do widening work at that intersection and upgrade traffic signals. Once work is finished, a study will determine if the cameras should go back up, Graffeo said. Its all up to IDOT, he said. Those cameras and the company that operated them, SafeSpeed, were front and center in the federal bribery case against former Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta, who in April 2022 received a one-year prison sentence after admitting he took a $5,000 bribe from a SafeSpeed executive who was cooperating with the FBI, and the entire exchange was caught on an undercover camera. Last September, Presta was released to home confinement due to health problems. He resigned as mayor in November 2021, when he pleaded guilty to charges of bribery, official misconduct and filing false tax returns. Cameras at the intersection are also the subject of a class-action lawsuit that challenges the validity of tens of thousands of red-light camera citations issued by Crestwood. The lawsuit was filed in October 2017 on behalf of three people who were ticketed for red-light violations, but a judge last August certified the class status, meaning other people who were ticketed can join in the lawsuit. Advertisement Cameras are positioned in the right-turn lanes of traffic on northbound and southbound Cicero at the intersection with Cal Sag Road, but the turn lanes lack required traffic control devices, such as lights or stop signs, said Tom Zimmerman, principal of Chicago-based Zimmerman Law Offices. The lawsuit asks a judge to declare the tickets void and unenforceable. In response to the removal of the Crestwood cameras, Zimmerman said the IDOT project will include dedicated traffic signals for those right-turn lanes on northbound and southbound Cicero. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > This may bring the village into compliance with the laws going forward, but the motorists who paid millions of dollars in unlawful fines in the past are still entitled to refunds, Zimmerman said. According to IDOT, work at that intersection as well as the intersections of Cicero with 135th Street and at Midlothian Turnpike is scheduled to begin July 5. Intermittent daily lane closures will take place, but at least one lane in each direction will remain open during construction. New traffic signals will be installed at the 135th and Midlothian Turnpike intersections as part of the $3.1 million project, according to IDOT, which expects work to be completed by the end of this year. Advertisement It said starting in late July and continuing through November, left turns will be prohibited on Cicero Avenue at the intersections with Cal Sag Road, Midlothian Turnpike and 135th Street. The project will also add a right-turn lane at Midlothian Turnpike for southbound Cicero traffic, according to IDOT. The village will replace streetlights along Cicero in conjunction with the IDOT improvements, Graffeo and Klein said. mnolan@tribpub.com PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 26: Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India's leading public sector banks, announced the launch of two innovative customer service initiatives to enhance the overall experience for customers and prospective customers. The Bank has introduced a Live Video Calling service - bob Video Chat and a Live Web Chat facility - bob Live Chat on its website, providing two more avenues for people to effortlessly get in touch with the Bank and seamlessly address their banking queries. In addition, the Bank has also launched an easy-to-remember, single 8-digit toll-free number - 1800 5700 - with 24x7x365 customer support, which is available in 11 languages. Bank of Baroda is the first PSU bank to offer live video chat and live web chat services to its customers. bob Live Chat facility can be availed through the Bank's website - www.bankofbaroda.in. ADI is the Bank's virtual assistant/chatbot and, when chatting with ADI, customers will be given the option to initiate a live chat with a customer service executive to resolve their queries. bob Video Chat facility is available on the home page of the Bank's website as well as at the Bank's Digital Banking Units (DBUs) across the country where people can interact with the Customer Contact Centre executive through video. The video chat facility allows customers to schedule the calls at their convenience either by connecting to an executive immediately (depending on availability) or scheduling a call as per their convenience during the week. The newly launched 8-digit toll-free number is easy to remember and is available in 11 languages including English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Punjabi and Bengali. Dinesh Pant, Chief General Manager - Operations, Bank of Baroda said, "The purpose of launching bob Live Chat and bob Video Chat is to elevate customer experience. The new interactive services will allow our customers to reach out to a customer service executive easily to answer their banking queries. The facility will help customers to get information on a number of products and services through the live chat interface at their convenience thereby enhancing customer experience as well as improving the efficiency of the Bank's branch network." bob Video Chat and bob Live Chat is available during business hours (10:00AM to 6:00PM) and customers can get all their non-financial queries answered through these modes. Bank of Baroda Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of over 150 million through over 46,000 touchpoints spread across 17 countries in five continents. Through Its state-of-the-art digital banking platforms, it provides all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank's bob World mobile app provides customers with a saving, investing, borrowing, and shopping experience, all under one single app. The app also serves non-customers by enabling account opening through video KYC. The Bank's vision matches its diverse clientele base and instills a sense of trust and security. It is moving well in that direction and bob World is a testimony of its roadmap towards Digital Transformation. - Visit us at www.bankofbaroda.in - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bankofbaroda/ - Twitter https://twitter.com/bankofbaroda - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/officialbankofbaroda/ - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdf14FHPLt7omkE9CmyrVHA - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bankofbaroda/ For media queries, please contact: Bank of Baroda contact: Phiroza Choksi | +91 9820363681 | corp.pr@bankofbaroda.com Perfect Relations - Sneha Joshi | +91 9833004482 | Sneha.Joshi@dentsu.com (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 26: With an aim to explore the latest developments, applications of AI in healthcare and their impact on patients, Meity-nasscom CoE is hosting the 11th Edition of the Lifesciences & Healthcare Innovation Forum (LHIF11) on 'Patient Centricity in the Digital age: Transforming Healthcare through AI'. The conference will bring together the key stakeholders from Industry, Government, Innovation and Technology to drive thought leadership to explore and discuss the implications, challenges, and best practices in this evolving healthcare landscape. You can register for the event at - in.explara.com/e/dceb3098919deb5658e696a3c4ee7509. The conference, scheduled on June 30th 2023 in Bengaluru from 9:30am onwards, will provide insights into the current state of AI in Healthcare, its impact on patient care at the grassroots and tertiary settings, followed by discussion around the cutting-edge technologies and innovative AI applications that are transforming the healthcare landscape in India. On the sidelines, 4th edition of the most unique digital transformation initiative, Healthcare Innovation Challenge (HIC) is also being organized to encourage innovation in the healthcare segment. Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, Meity-nasscom CoE, said, "Healthcare is one of the most important sectors, that has the potential to transform thousands of lives and lead the socio-economic growth of the country. The rapid adoption and adaptation of new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence can unlock disruptive advancements in medical science, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. The primary aim of the 11th edition of the Lifesciences & Healthcare Innovation Forum organized by Meity-Nasscom CoE is to highlight the most recent advancements in the healthcare space and collaborate with both the industry and government to facilitate widespread implementation of these innovative solutions." Delegates will be present from Government Departments including MeitY, MoHFW, NHA, State Health Agencies, Hospitals, Diagnostic Chains & Health Insurance Companies, Pharma & MedTech Companies, Startups, NHMs, CSR Heads, NGOs, Foundations, Not-For-Profits, Tech Enterprises, Academia, Associations, and Healthcare media correspondents to share insights on how DeepTech Innovation is disrupting the industry, key issues impacting the industry & digital transformation breakthroughs enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 26: Ashton Gray Investments, a renowned Texas-based real estate development and investments firm, hosted its highly anticipated Grayvolve event in Bengaluru on 23 June 2023. The event served as a platform for Ashton Gray to connect with its esteemed channel partners and investors to announce the launch of their latest project, 'Georgetown.' This project offers a lucrative and rewarding investment opportunity for investors seeking superior real estate investments in the United States. Sudharshan Vembutty, Founder & President of Ashton Gray Investments, expressed his delight at the tremendous success of the Grayvolve event and the overwhelmingly positive response received from channel partners. He stated, "We are thrilled with the success of the Grayvolve event in Bengaluru. The event provided us with an invaluable opportunity to engage with our esteemed channel partners, investors and showcase the exciting prospects that lie ahead. The overwhelming response we received reaffirms the strong relationships we have cultivated and the trust our partners have placed in us." Sumi Rengaraj, Co-Founder & CEO of Ashton Gray Investments, who shared the company's journey during her address to the gathering, also spoke, emphasizing its potential as a lucrative investment opportunity. Commenting on the launch of the new project, She stated, "We are excited to present the Georgetown project, which offers investors a unique chance to invest in a 5.6-acre commercial site in Georgetown, Texas. Developed by Johnson Development, a nationally recognized master-plan developer, this project will include premier homebuilders, making it an attractive site for commercial development. With its strategic location near Parmer Ranch and Sun City, along with convenient access to major arterial highways, Georgetown presents a compelling investment opportunity." Furthermore, with the inclusion of premier homebuilders, the Georgetown project is poised to attract families and homebuyers from the surrounding. Boasting desirable school districts, proximity to the Bar W Marketplace Shopping Center, and the upcoming Wildflower House Amenity Center, this project promises a vibrant and bustling environment that adds value to the commercial site and opens doors to lucrative investment prospects. Ashton Gray and Johnson Development have entered into a joint venture for the 523-acre project - Nolina, in which they will be buying back 23.2 acres of commercial site for future development. The Ashton Gray Investments team believes that collaboration and synergy between channel partners and investors are vital to unlocking remarkable investment opportunities and achieving mutual success. Grayvolve, the flagship initiative by Ashton Gray Investments, serves as a dynamic platform designed to connect with channel partners and investors. It offers a comprehensive ecosystem to enhance partners' capabilities and expand their business horizons, providing access to a vast network of high-quality investment options carefully curated to meet the diverse needs of their clients. Moreover, Grayvolve fosters an environment that cultivates trust and confidence for investors, ensuring a rewarding experience. In addition to the Georgetown project launch, Ashton Gray Investments unveiled Elmbase, an exciting tech-enabled platform for real estate enthusiasts and investors. This innovative platform allows users to discover, connect and engage with the latest deals and offers like never before. Ashton Gray Investments has a proven track record of success, with over 13 years of experience in real estate development. Their impressive portfolio includes luxury spec homes, subdivisions, multi-family properties, retail centers, senior living communities, and master-plan developments. The company's commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence has earned them recognition and accolades within the industry. Investing with Ashton Gray offers numerous advantages, including a low barrier to entry, diversification of investments, global investment opportunities, short tenure for faster returns, and secured investments through their vertically integrated model. With a 100% performance record for over a decade, Ashton Gray Investments continues to deliver outsized returns and exceed investor expectations. Individuals who are Indian citizens, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and Private Limited Companies are eligible to invest. However, it is crucial to ensure compliance with regulations before proceeding. For more information about Ashton Gray Investments and their investment opportunities, please visit: Website (India): https://ashtongray.in (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Filmmaker Hansal Mehta is being lauded for his web series 'Scoop', which stars Karishma Tanna in the lead role. 'Scoop' is a character-driven drama adapted from the book "Behind Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison" by Jigna Vora. The series delves into the gripping journey of Jagruti Pathak, an ambitious crime journalist whose life takes a dramatic turn when she is charged with the heinous murder of fellow journalist Jaideb Sen. The show takes us on a rollercoaster ride as Jagruti finds herself in a prison cell alongside the very individuals she once reported on. After the success of 'Scoop', Hansal Mehta, on Monday, announced a multi-year series partnership with Netflix. Taking this collaboration forward, he will create multiple series for Netflix in the coming years. Excited about it, Hansal Mehta said, "As a filmmaker, the idea of creating diverse and dynamic stories constantly keeps me on my toes. What excites me about this partnership with Netflix, which is home to some of the finest talent, is the potential for my work to reach viewers across the world. As was the case with Scoop, Netflix is engaged in the creative process right from scripting, all the way to marketing and distribution which is critical for the success of any creative collaboration. This long-term partnership with them is only going to empower me to dive into a variety of undiscovered stories." https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct8WVC7S2bA/?hl=en Monika Shergill, Vice President - Content, Netflix India, also expressed her excitement. She said, "Hansal is a master of his craft and has an eye for spotting stories that have a broad appeal and are relevant to a wide audience. Being a nuanced storyteller, he is able to tell these stories like no other. Scoop marks yet another success for our series line-up this year, and with this partnership we look forward to never before seen stories that audiences will love." More details regarding the projects are awaited. (ANI) During a hearing on a plea certain contentious dialogues in 'Adipurush', the court asked "what is it that the censor board keeps doing? What do you want to teach the future generations?" The court also questioned the absence of the producer, director and other parties during the hearing. The petition was filled by advocate Kuldeep Tiwari. The next hearing in the case was scheduled on Tuesday. Directed by Om Raut, 'Adipurush', 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. In the face of online outrage and negative reviews, the makers of 'Adipurush' revamped the dialogues. (ANI) The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) Director General Bharat Lal presided over the valedictory session of the 24th Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for civil servants of Maldives organised in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The two-week capacity-building programme concluded on June 23. NCGG has signed MoU with the Government of Maldives to enhance the skills and capabilities of 1,000 civil servants in the field of public administration and governance by 2024, an official release said. As part of the agreement, NCGG has already imparted training to 685 officers from Maldives. The successful conclusion of the capacity-building programme for civil servants of Maldives signifies the convergence of shared values and spirit of collaboration, serving as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'neighbourhood first' approach, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions said in a statement.. With a firm focus on improving the quality of life for citizens, Bharat Lal urged the officers to capitalize on their learnings and translate them into tangible actions that drive positive change and holistic development. By embracing innovative approaches and incorporating lessons gleaned from the programme, the officers can effectively contribute to elevating the well-being and welfare of the people they serve, he said. Recognizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unwavering commitment to ensuring necessities for all citizens, such as housing, cooking gas, education, healthcare, financial services, and skill development, among others, he highlighted the need for officers to emulate these initiatives and make significant strides in enhancing the ease of living. La emphasized the importance of working with speed and scale and leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of efficiently delivering these fundamental amenities. A well-educated and skilled workforce forms the backbone of a thriving economy, fostering innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in the global arena, he said Lal emphasized that civil servants hold a unique position of responsibility, as they are instrumental in designing and implementing policies that impact the education sector. He urged them to provide equitable access to education, address gaps in learning opportunities, and foster a holistic approach to skill development. He stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for women through the provision of essential facilities, such as 24-hour water and power supply, and adequate sanitation facilities. Empowering women through the provision of basic amenities not only boosts economic outcomes but also fosters gender equality. By ensuring their equal participation in economic activities, societies can unlock the full potential of their human capital and drive sustainable growth, he said. He placed significant emphasis on the need for civil servants to harness the potential of the digital revolution and embrace the latest IT innovations as a means to advance digital governance. Recognizing their role as change agents and their deep understanding of local contexts, he expressed confidence in their ability to successfully implement policies and achieve favourable outcomes in their respective domains. The participants had the opportunity to engage in visits that were carefully curated to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of a diverse range of developmental projects and institutions. Among the notable visits, the participants had the opportunity to explore the Smart City in Dehradun, Central Information Commission, Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya which enriched their knowledge of the practical aspects of governance. The 24th CBP was supervised by Dr B S Bisht, course coordinator for Maldives, Dr Sanjeev Sharma, co-course coordinator and the entire CBP team of NCGG. "Their contributions to curriculum development, session coordination, and knowledge dissemination were instrumental in creating a comprehensive and impactful learning experience for the participants," the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions said in the statement. (ANI) Days after Calcutta High Court's order, Indian Secular Front (ISF)'s lone MLA Naushad Siddiqui on Sunday received Central security from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered central forces' security to Siddiqui. The Bhangar MLA approached both the Centre and State after the violence in his Assembly constituency, alleging a life threat to him. Later he moved to Calcutta High Court for the same. Earlier this month, Naushad Siddiqui also alleged that Opposition leaders are not being allowed to file nominations. "The violence is increasing since May 9, as time is progressing. Besides this, there are issues cropping up in the filing of nominations, everywhere in West Bengal. So, we went to the Chief Minister to meet her today but we could not meet due to her busy schedule," Siddiqui had said. Earlier on Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) to requisition the Central Forces within 24 hours for deployment in panchayat elections. The court's directive specified 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 Panchayat elections. 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 the polls will be seen as a litmus test ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI) Accused Kiran, a native of Attingal has been arrested, police said on Sunday. According to the police, the rape survivor was in a restaurant with someone else in Kazhakootam on Saturday night, when Kiran abducted the victim in his bike and physically assaulted her. Later he took her to a house, near Agro Centre godown, where he allegedly raped her, they said. Ajith Kumar, Kazhakootam Station House Officer (SHO) said, "On Sunday morning, the victim escaped and sought help from neighbours, who later informed police about the incident." Further information is awaited. (ANI) Mohd Zaid (20) on Friday evening had a brawl with a man, identified as Rahul (20) in Delhi's Brijpuria area. Following this, the accused stabbed Rahul, police said, adding that Rahul's cousin Sonu (19) also sustained stabbing injuries while he tried to intervene between the duo. Zaid fled the scene and he was apprehended after a long chase from Dehradun, they said. A case of attempt to murder at Dayalpur police station was registered for the same. According to the police, Rahul is recovering in GTB Hospital, while his 19-year-old cousin was discharged after treatment. (ANI) Two Olympia Fields residents face a July 19 sentencing after being found guilty of defrauding the state out of about $685,000 in Medicaid funds, according to the Illinois attorney generals office. Doreatha Thomas, 60, and Siobahan Booker, 39, were each found guilty Thursday by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mariano Reyna of two counts of felony theft, according to the office. Advertisement Each count is punishable by up to 30 years in state prison, according to the office. Thomas and Booker had their bond revoked after the ruling and are in custody in Cook County jail, according to the office. Advertisement They were indicted in October 2021, and its alleged they defrauded the state Medicaid system over a period beginning in June 2017 and continuing through July 2019. Thomas owned Integrity Medical & Physician Supplies, a medical equipment supply company in Olympia Fields, since closed, that sold hospital beds, wheelchairs, canes and urinary incontinence supplies as well as medical supplies for diabetes patients, according to the office. The indictment alleged Thomas and Booker, a biller for the firm, submitted fraudulent claims to Illinois Medicaid program for diabetic supplies that were not provided. In several instances, Integrity billed the Medicaid program for more boxes of continuous glucose monitor sensors than patients were actually prescribed, according to the office. In total, Thomas and Booker defrauded Illinois Medicaid program out of nearly $685,000, according to the office. mnolan@tribpub.com A sub-inspector posed as an Income Tax officer was arrested by the police for threatening shop traders to recover money in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur, police said. The UP Police arrested the accused on Sunday. Mirzapur Additional Superintendent of Police, Shrikant Prajapati said that the complaint is being registered on the information received from the trader. "In Mirzapur, a complaint was received regarding a sub-inspector threatening two businessmen and taking money. Hiding his identity, he posed as an Income Tax officer and went to the shops of traders and asked for money. A complaint is being registered on the trader's information," he said. (ANI) In an affidavit on Sunday, S Megala said, "Detenu [Balaji] contested 2021 elections from Karur Constituency and won with a margin of around 12,400 votes. I further submit that he was nominated by the DMK party as in charge of the western region of Tamil Nadu. I submit Thiru K Annamalai who is the State president of Bharatiya Janata Party, which is the ruling party in the Union Government, has always nursed a grudge against the detenue as he perceives him to be a direct threat in the political arena." Questioning her husband's arrest, S Magala filed a habeas corpus petition in the Madras High Court. The Minister for Electricity as well as Prohibition and Excise, Balaji, was arrested on June 14 and admitted to a government hospital in Chennai after he complained of chest pain. He was allowed by the Madras High Court on June 15 to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice. The Supreme Court, earlier this month, refused to interfere with the Madras High Court order allowing Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji to be moved to a private hospital in Chennai and entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed against his arrest. (ANI) District administration Ramban of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered for closure of all schools, upto class 10 for the day amid ongoing heavy rains across the district. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramban, Mussarat Islam ordered the closure of the schools up to class 10. However, teachers will attend to their duties. "In view of heavy rains and the warning of flash floods, all schools up to the secondary level (Class 10) shall remain closed in Ramban district today (June 26). Teachers will attend to their duties," Mussarat Islam said. Vehicular traffic has been disrupted on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Mehad area of Ramban due to shooting stones and landslides since early morning. On Saturday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared the onset of monsoon over Jammu and Kashmir. A Meteorological Department (MeT) official said that from June 25 to 28, generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate thunderstorms was expected in many places. Updating on the Monsoon in several states of India, IMD on Sunday informed that Southwest Monsoon has covered several states of India. Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of IMD said that the monsoon would move forward in the next two days. "Southwest monsoon is active now. It has covered the whole of Maharashtra including Mumbai. Monsoon has also arrived in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and parts of Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu. It will move forward in the next 2 days and will cover other parts also," Mohapatra said. "5 cm maximum rainfall recorded in Delhi, rain will continue for the next 2 days. Maximum rainfall of 18 cm was recorded in the Mumbai region and even today there may be heavy to very heavy rainfall. Monsoon is active in Central India," he added. In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rainfall in the Mandi district led to a landslide on the Chandigarh-Manali highway near 7 Mile causing heavy traffic jams. (ANI) He will be visiting Udaipur, Salumbar and Dungarpur districts and will address public gatherings and participate in various programs. On Monday his itinerary includes a night stay in Dungarpur. Chief Minister Gehlot will be on a tour of Nimbahera and Kapasan area of Chittorgarh on Tuesday where he will lay the foundation stone of various projects and address public gatherings. Gehlot will be on a tour of Bundi and Kota districts on Wednesday, will participate in various programs, and will address public meetings. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Delhi last night after concluding his US and Egypt state visits chaired a cabinet meeting in the national capital on Monday. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri along with senior officials attended the meeting. Earlier today Shah had met with PM Modi and briefed him on the developments in Manipur. On Sunday Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh briefed Shah about the "evolving situation" in the State and said the State and central governments have been able to control the violence to "a great extent." An all-party meeting was held on Saturday by Amit Shah to discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur. The meeting, chaired by the Union Home Minister, was called to take stock of the situation in the violence-wracked state. BJP national president JP Nadda, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and CPI(M) MP John Brittas among other leaders were present in the meeting. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi early Monday after completing his maiden state visits to the United States and Egypt spanning six days. PM Modi was received at the Palam airport by BJP national President JP Nadda, Union Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi and various party MPs including Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir among others. Earlier in the day, PM Modi took to his Twitter handle to share glimpses of his first visit to Egypt. The video shows his arrival in the African country, meeting his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and interacting with members of the Indian diaspora. Sharing the video on Twitter, PM Modi tagged the clip with a message stating, "My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and will benefit the people of our nations. I thank President @AlsisiOfficial, the Government and the people of Egypt for their affection." PM Modi was on a state visit to the US from June 21-24 and on a state visit to Egypt from June 24-25. (ANI) "Thunderstorm with light intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of Rajaund, Assandh, Safidon, Jind, Hansi, Rohtak (Haryana) Shamli, Kandhla, Khatauli, Sakoti Tanda, Daurala, Meerut, Kithor, Garhmukteshwar, Hapur, Siyana (U.P.) Kotputli," tweeted RWFC Delhi. Heavy rainfall with lightning and thunderstorm lashed parts of the national capital on Sunday, bringing respite from the scorching heat. The NCR (National Capital Region) like Nodia, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad also witnessed heavy rainfall. Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) predicted, light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi and NCR. The RWFC provides the weather forecasts for North-West India and the Delhi NCR region. Earlier June 22, the national capital woke up to pleasant weather after receiving light rainfall. Earlier on June 21, several parts of Gurugram witnessed waterlogging following heavy rainfall in the morning. The water especially clogged the expressway after the rains, causing a traffic jam for up to 5 kilometers. People were highly inconvenienced as massive delays were caused, and public transport was also hindered. A bus full of passengers was stuck in the waterlogged conditions for more than an hour and could do nothing but wait. (ANI) Six people have died and around 10 people have been injured in heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh that triggered landslides and flash floods in several places in the State, according to official estimates. Onkar Chand Sharma, Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Himachal Pradesh today said, "Six people have died till now and around 10 people are injured. A total of 303 animals have died. The complete report is still awaited." "The loss due to rain is expected to be Rs 3 crore. Meanwhile, 124 roads have been damaged which includes two national highways," the senior Disaster Management official said. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the Chandigarh-Manali highway at 7 Mile in Mandi. Aerial shots showed vehicles moving at a snail's pace or at standstill further ahead. Owing to severe weather conditions with incessant rain on Sunday, the Mandi-Kullu National Highway (NH) was blocked by the Mandi police. The alternative route of the Mandi-Joginder Nagar Highway was also blocked on Sunday by the local police. "We are trying our best to open the road within three hours. People who are facing problems are being sent by other buses: Sakini Kapoor, SHO, Mandi A flash flood hit the Bagipul area of the State's Mandi district, with over 200 people including tourists and locals stranded, police said on Sunday. Sanjeev Sood, Deputy Superintendant of Police Padhar, Mandi District Police told ANI that people are being evacuated to safer places in the region. According to Onkar Chand Sharma, the administration had held on June 21 meeting with the line departments and duty commissioners to discuss preparations for the monsoon. Officials of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, the Central Water Commission (CWC) and those from the Civil Defence, as well as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), were present at the meeting. "The state has been receiving monsoon rains for the past 3 days. We have been getting updates of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides from various parts of the state," Onkar Chand Sharma said. "A total of 151 DTR services has been disrupted. Six water supply schemes have also been affected. We have reports of one fire incident so far," the official said. Sharma said rescue operations for those stranded in the adverse disaster conditions are being undertaken and urged people to follow protocols and warnings issued by the state. "Several tourists have been rescued with the help of the locals. We request all tourists coming here follow all the guidelines issued by the state government and Disaster Management," he said. The Principal Secretary, Disaster Management said that in the Mandi-Pandoh area there is a traffic jam with a large number of vehicles stuck since Sunday. "The Mandi-Pandoh NH is currently affected by roadblock conditions. We have attempted to divert some of the traffic to other roads. However, due to small road capacities, the traffic is jamming up again. SDRF and police officials are present at the scene," he said. The official said that Mandi-Parashar area has suffered flash floods where stranded people were rescued. The NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence officials have been pre-positioned in several areas and are ready to carry out rescue operations and other relief measures from wherever we receive alerts," Onkar Chand Sharma said. The official said that an alert issued in the state will continue for another 24 hours. "We should be prepared for these incidents throughout the monsoon season, this is just the onset. The people are alerted through IMD and District administration. We also encourage people to download the SACHET app through which they will be notified of local as well as national disaster alerts," the official said. He added that restoration work will be ongoing and the authorities will remain alert for reports of any new damages or disasters. "The restoration work is consistently going on. As rainfall reduces, the 124 roads will be restored. However, since heavy rainfall will persist, we are also on alert for more damage to the roads and water supplies, so that we can begin restoring them immediately," he added. (ANI) According to the officials the incident took place on June 16 in Delhi. Further investigation revealed that the demand for the extortion money was made in the name of gangsters Goldie Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi. "Goldy Brar-Lawrence Bishnoi gang members are using juveniles for extortion," said Crime Branch. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Earlier on June 14, Delhi's Saket Court remanded Lawrence Bishnoi to judicial custody in an extortion case. He was produced before the court after the expiry of three days of police custody. Duty Metropolitan Magistrate at Saket remanded Lawrence Bishnoi to judicial custody after the expiry of the police remand. He was under police remand of the Delhi police crime branch since June 1. Delhi police moved an application seeking judicial custody of Lawrence Bishnoi after interrogation. On June 11, the Delhi police crime branch sought the extension of remand of Lawrence Bishnoi to confront him with another accused Akshay alias Balaji in Ganganagar, Rajasthan. (ANI) No casualties or injury to anyone was reported, they said. Locals of the area noticed the flames and alerted fire department. Following information, a team of fire tenders and officials reached to the spot and started the operation. "Fire tenders are present at the spot, and operations are underway to control the fire," they said. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Dr. Nicole Williams, an obstetrician, gynecologist and surgeon, also is legislative chair of the Cook County Physicians Association, an association of Black physicians and founder of Chicago-based The Gynecology Institute of Chicago Ltd. (Gynecology Institute of Chicago) Cook County resident Maylene Pena, a 40-year-old mother of three, nearly lost her life due to childbirth complications with her second child, and endured pregnancy related complications with all three children. She submitted her story as written testimony for a hearing being convened by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Tuesday that will examine maternal death rates, which have worsened nationally and continue to be higher for Black and Hispanic women. Advertisement Maternal death rates in the U.S. increased nearly 60% in 2021 from 2019, according to data from the National Vital Statistics System released earlier this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate among all women was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, up from a rate of 20.1 deaths in 2019. Among Black women, the rate was more than two times that at 69.9 deaths in 2021, up from 44. Among Hispanic women, the rate more than doubled to 28 deaths up from 12.6. In suburban Cook County, the pregnancy-related death rate was 2.6 times higher among Black women than white women from 2015 to 2019 and was the highest in the south and southwestern suburbs and among mothers under 25 years of age, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health. Advertisement Maylene Pena, second from left, with her family, Jelani jackson, from left, her husband, Rafael Pena, her daughter Jelise Jackson and her youngest daughter, Jeliel Pena. (Maylene Pena) Pena, who calls herself a first-generation Afro-Latina, said she endured excruciating pain and literally felt the surgeons scalpel pierce seven layers of her tissue during an emergency C-section performed to save the life of her first child. Her pleas that she could feel the pain were ignored and the procedure left her with a keloid that led to complications following the birth of her second child, she said. After delivering her second child, she said her concerns about unusual pain were again ignored, and she ultimately ended up nearly bleeding to death when her placenta swelled and severely hemorrhaged. It took six doses of anticoagulant to stop the bleeding, said Pena, who is an entrepreneur and Millers executive assistant. Following her pregnancies she suffered from depression, anxiety, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, she said. Its important to shine light on the disparities that Black and brown women face to bring forth some solutions to this ongoing problem, said Pena. Health care professionals need to listen to their patients and respond to prevent deaths and complications, she said. Im focused on how we can improve health outcomes across Cook County, said Miller of what drove her to convene the hearing. The hearing will also examine how to reduce pregnancy or delivery complications that can have short-term and long-term negative affects on womens health. We know the data, and it cuts across income levels, so the problem is not just one of social determinants of health issues, she said. We need to have a plan, a huge education effort for women. We want to arm them with information, so when they see something happening, they can ask questions. I hope thats something that comes from the hearing. Advertisement Roughly a dozen speakers are expected. Among them will be U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, who has introduced maternal health-related legislation and with whom Miller has worked with on the issue. The numbers are going the wrong way, Kelly said. Maternal mortality is a public health crisis that has to be addressed at every level. Kelly, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, fears the situation will only get worse in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court decision a year ago stripping individuals of their constitutional right to an abortion with the reversal of Roe v. Wade. The more women are forced to have a baby, it stands to reason there will be more maternal deaths, she said, as she noted there are continuing issues with access to quality maternal and womens health care. Sixty-eight percent of office-based obstetricians and gynecologists responding to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey released last week say the Supreme Courts ruling worsened their ability to manage pregnancy-related emergencies, 64% said it worsened pregnancy-related mortality, 70% said it has made racial and ethnic inequities in maternal health worse and 55% said it has made it harder to attract new OB-GYNs to the field. Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck (Cook County Department of Public) Improving maternal health requires an all hands on deck approach, including roles to be played by pregnant women and their families, health care providers and hospital systems, said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, chief operating officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health, who will speak at the hearing. For pregnant women and their families, its important they are connected to good quality care, aware of urgent warning signs and make providers aware if they are experiencing warning signs, Hasbrouck said. Advertisement He cited as examples prolonged headaches, the baby not moving as much as it did previously, fever, vision changes, vaginal bleeding, trouble breathing and severe stomach pain. For health care providers, its incumbent upon them to manage other chronic medical conditions patients may have which sometimes can be worsened by pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and depression, said Hasbrouck. They also have to be familiar with the warning signs, so they are asking about them and putting them in the right context, he said. Health care systems need to be aware of unconscious bias and making sure you are treating every patient with due respect and diligence and not making assumptions, he said. Dr. Nicole Williams (Gynecology Institute of Chicago) Tackling maternal mortality and morbidity rates requires meeting patients where they are, said Dr. Nicole Williams, an obstetrician, gynecologist, and surgeon and legislative chair of the Cook County Physicians Association, an association of Black physicians. That means expanding telehealth services, well woman visits and the ability to do in-person care because health begins before pregnancy, said Williams, who also is founder of Chicago-based The Gynecology Institute of Chicago Ltd. Advertisement Mental health services also must be expanded, she said. We talk about cardiac events, and hemorrhaging being risks for death, but theres also the risk that postpartum depression can play. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > On the national front, among legislation Kelly has introduced in Congress to improve maternal health is the Mothers and Offspring Mortality & Morbidity Awareness Act. Kellys office said provisions that passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus legislation include: establishment of grant programs for health professionals to develop best practices and improve maternal mortality review committees funding for bias training for providers to prevent discrimination when providing maternal health services establishing rural obstetric networks Advertisement making permanent the option for states to extend Medicaid coverage for new moms from 60 days after childbirth up to a year. Thirty-six states have officially extended so far. Other provisions will be reintroduced this summer include provisions to enhance maternal workforce diversity, increase access to maternal mental health, making Medicaid expansion to one year postpartum mandatory for every state and standardizing data collection and reporting. Francine Knowles is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday lashed out at former US President Barack Obama for his comments on Indian Muslims and said that no one will believe those who are trying to put India in bad light and to understand India's "rights and culture" before passing the judgement. "Today riots like 1984 are not happening in the country, if you try to do bad propaganda about India on the basis of the India-bashing brigade, no one will believe it. Today, all the sections of society are developing in the country including minority societies," Naqvi told ANI in an exclusive interview. This comment came after US former President Barack Obama, during a media interview, said if ethnic minorities are not protected, there is a strong possibility of the country "at some point starts pulling apart". 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". "Some people made statements against India from abroad, it's unfortunate that none of the leaders of the opposition neither condemned them nor gave any statement about them," added Naqvi. "Out of 10 Muslims living in the world, one Muslim lives in India. Our country has more than three lakh mosques, religious places and almost as many other religious places. Similarly, there are more than 50,000 registered minority institutions, madrassas and many more. It is a place where people are getting an education with full strength along with freedom and constitutional rights and are also participating in what is associated with prosperity," he added. Naqvi further advised Obama to understand India's rights and culture before making a satement against it. "Those who are giving us knowledge should understand our country's rights and culture. The result was that we were hoisting the flag of secularism and that is the culture of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. This resolution is taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji," he added. He further said that some people do not want to protect or help the Muslims in the country but want to create trouble for the Muslims. "These statements are not given for the protection of Muslims, but rather to create trouble," said Naqvi. He further praised PM Modi's leadership and said, "Today there is an atmosphere of security in the country and the terrorists have also realized that the leadership of Narendra Modi is such that if anyone raises an eye on the security of the country, he will be taught a lesson. "Presently in the country, there is an atmosphere of good governance, the atmosphere of an inclusive society, and this many people are not able to digest," he said. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench order which directed CBI's probe into the allegations of malpractices in the admission process for various courses in the Ayush department in 2019. A vacation bench of justices Dipankar Datta and Manoj Misra also issued notice to the respondent on the petition and stayed the HC order relating to the CBI probe into Ayush Medical admission irregularities matter. Uttar Pradesh government has moved the Supreme Court challenging Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench order which ordered CBI's probe into the matter. In the plea filed through advocate Ruchira Goel, the UP govt has challenged the direction on the ground that the High Court had transgressed its jurisdiction as Bail court - under sections 439 CrPC, its jurisdiction is limited to grant/denial of bail - it cannot decide to exercise alleged Art. 226 inherent powers. UP Govt also said that even otherwise, no case is made out for CBI inquiry - State STF is investigating, one chargesheet is filed, cognizance taken against 15 accused, supplementary chargesheet about to be filed, etc Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj questioned how a CBI investigation could be ordered when the High Court was dealing with a bail matter. Uttar Pradesh Government has not taken exception to the order granting bail to one of the accused but challenged the portion of the order which directs CBI investigation into the matter. Allahabad High Court had passed the order while allowing the bail plea of Dr Ritu Garg. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) is currently probing the Ayush admission scam and recently arrested Ritu Garg, the Director of Santushti Ayurvedic Medical College in Mirzapur. Garg has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the admission of undeserving candidates by forging the NEET merit list in connivance with former Ayurveda director SN Singh and counselling incharge Umakant Yadav. In the Ayush scam case, in November 2022, anomalies were flagged by the Union Ministry of Ayush in the admission of undergraduate students to the state's government and private ayurvedic, unani and homoeopathy colleges. The probe revealed that 932 students were admitted without following the natural order of merit. STF has already filed a charge sheet against Prof Dr SN Singh, former Director Ayurveda Services - Member Secretary, Counseling, Principal and Superintendent, and Umakant Yadav, Officer-in-Charge, Directorate of Education, Ayurveda Services, the original post, Professor Government Ayurveda Medical College and were also suspended in November. (ANI) In a bizarre comparison, 'Saamna', the official newspaper of the Uddhav Thackeray faction on Monday termed the opposition meeting of June 23 as the "Wagner Group of India" and asserted that it will dislodge the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "Democracy protector 'Wagner Group' came together to challenge Modi's power in Patna. This group is not mercenary that works for payment. Like Putin, Modi will also have to go, using the ballot, the voice of the people. The 'Wagner Group' (Opposition Parties) in Patna has given these indications," referring to the meeting of the opposition parties in Bihar the 'Saamna' stated. On Saturday morning, in a Telegram post, Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin announced that his men had crossed the border from Ukraine into southern Russia and were ready to go "all the way" against the Russian military, TASS News Agency reported. But later on, the governor of the southern Russian region of Voronezh said Wagner units are continuing their withdrawal and forces are departing "steadily and without incident." The mouthpiece of the Uddhav Thackeray faction said that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will not decide the results in 2024, but people will. "If there will be doubt or there will be an EVM scam then there will be a Manipur-like situation in the country as so much anger is filled among people against the government," it stated. On Friday, the Opposition meeting, called by Bihar Chief Minister, had been called to forge opposition unity to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in which more than 17 Opposition parties took part. Moreover, the next meeting of like-minded parties will be held in Shimla in July. 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. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Monday ordered to commute death penalty of a man into life term in connection with a case pertaining to the kidnapping and brutal murder of a minor boy for ransom money in Rohini area of outer Delhi in 2009. While passing through judgement, the Delhi High Court said, "in view of the settled principles of law viz. sentencing and the factual position in the present case, this Court comes to the conclusion that this case does not fall in the category of 'rarest of rare cases'". "It is not a case where reformation of the appellant is not possible and accordingly, this Court is of the considered view that sentence of imprisonment of life with no remission till 20 years would be the appropriate sentence," added the hudgement. The sentence of the appellant is thus modified to rigorous imprisonment for life with no remission till 20 years and has to pay a fine of Rs. 1 lakh, in default whereof, to undergo simple imprisonment for six months for offence punishable under Section 302 IPC, said Delhi High Court. Sentences as awarded by the learned Trial Court for offences punishable under Sections 364A, 201 and 506 IPC are not modified and will remain the same, clarified the High Court bench headed by Justice Mukta Gupta. In 2020, the Rohini district court had sentenced with death penalty to convict Jeevek Nagpal for the offences 364A (kidnapping for ransom), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of the offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The Rohini court ordered the capital punishment for murder, life imprisonment in kidnapping for ransom, seven years for the disappearance of evidence and another seven years for criminal intimidation charges. Special public prosecutor advocate Harvinder Kumar Nath argued in the matter. The trial court, while holding Jeevek Nagpal guilty of the crimes, had noted that it was the accused only who had kidnapped the child Manan on March 18, 2009, thereafter committed his murder and then disposed of his body by throwing it in a "naali". It has further been proved on record that he caused the evidence of the case to disappear by disposing of the dead body of the deceased child in a dry drain with an intention to screen himself from legal punishment, the trial court had noted in its conviction order. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said once peace returns to Jammu and Kashmir, Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) will be removed from the Union Territory. "We have controlled the problem of insurgency in North East India and our government has also been successful in controlling left-wing extremism. Today, AFSPA has been removed from most of the North East parts. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will come in Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here too," Singh said while addressing a national security conclave in Jammu. Singh further said that India's prestige and stature have increased on the world stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under the Modi-led government, the prestige of India has gone up on the international stage and so has its stature. Earlier, when India used to say something at international forums, it was not taken so seriously, but now, the world listens carefully to what India says," he added. He further said that only PM Modi accepted the concerns of corruption raised by the former PM Rajeev Gandhi as a challenge and proved his mettle. "Former Prime Minister of India Rajeev Gandhi ji had raised a concern and had said that 'I send 1 Rs for the people, but the beneficiary gets only 1 paisa. What should I do'. I am quoting Mr Gandhi; I am not criticizing him. It was his helplessness. Then, PM Modi after taking charge of his post said that he will not eat and will not let anyone eat' He made the direct transaction possible for everyone through Direct Benefit Transfer," Singh said while addressing a national security conclave in Jammu. Singh further said that his government does not claim to root out corruption, but has reduced it to an extent level. "I am not claiming that we have rooted out corruption. Nobody can. It cannot be reduced only by giving speeches and can be done only by making changes in the system and PM has started this process," Singh added. Accompanied by Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Singh was received at the airport by the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ravinder Raina and other senior leaders, including MP Jugal Kishore and Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma. (ANI) Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the highest rainfall in Jodhpur at 64 mm till 5:30 pm. Earlier today, IMD issued an alert of heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall likely in some places over, East Rajasthan on June 29, Chhattisgarh on June 26, East Madhya Pradesh on June 26 and 27 and West Madhya Pradesh on June 27 and 28. Significantly, rains have been lashing several parts of the state resulting in heavy damage to the infrastructure. It also caused the blockage of several roads and highways. Moreover, the Himachal Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, on Monday, issued an advisory for tourists amid rains lashing several parts of the state asking them to secure their safety. "Due to the heavy rainfall experienced in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, urges tourists to prioritize their safety when planning a visit to the state", said the Official statement. Moreover, the southwest monsoon advanced over Mumbai and Delhi together for the first time in decades as heavy rainfall with lightning and thunderstorm lashed the two cities on Sunday. (ANI) While the Indian National Congress is attempting to unite political parties across the nation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday has taken a bold stand against the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPIM dispensation in Kerala, which has been accused of intimidation and engaging in vendetta tactics against the state Congress leaders. "The Congress party doesn't fear the politics of intimidation and vendetta," Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran and party leader VD Satheesan met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the national capital on Monday. Sudhakaran is on anticipatory bail in an alleged fraud case related to fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. Kerala Police Crime Branch on June 23, recorded Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran as being arrested in an alleged fraud case related to fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. The KPCC chief was however released after getting anticipatory bail in the case. 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". Earlier on Saturday, Members and leaders of Congress in Kerala observed 'black day' as a mark of their state-wide protest against the arrest of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, K Sudhakaran, alleging that the arrest was part of a political conspiracy by the CPI (M) led government in Kerala. 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. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi took to Facebook and said, "A united Congress is unstoppable. An era of people-centric politics will sweep through Telangana soon like it did in Karnataka!" Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the ruling BJP, which got 66 seats from the only southern state it had. (ANI) India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. "Active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over East-central, Northwest & West India over the next 4-5 days and the Southwest monsoon is likely to advance further into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the remaining parts of the Western Himalayan Region today, June 26," the IMD said. In a press release, the agency stated further, 'The Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of north Arabian Sea, some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, remaining parts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, today, the 26th June'. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab during next 2 days, IMD added. "For East & adjoining Northeast India, Fairly widespread to widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorm and lightning is very likely to continue over the region during next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy falls very likely over Odisha on 26th; over Assam & Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh on 29th and 30th June. Isolated heavy rainfall also likely over parts of East India during next 2 days and over northeast India during the next 5 days," the Met agency said in a release. "For Northwest India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is very likely over Western Himalayan Region and over the plains of northwest India during next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to Very Heavy rainfall with Extremely Heavy Falls is very likely over East Rajasthan on 29th June, heavy to very heavy rainfall on June 26, 27 & 28. Isolated heavy/heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh on 26th & 27th; over West Uttar Pradesh on June 26," it added in the release. "For Central India, Light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy/very heavy falls, thunderstorm & lightning over the region (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & Vidarbha) during next 3-4 days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Chhattisgarh on 26th; East Madhya Pradesh on 26th & 27th; West Madhya Pradesh on 27th & 28th and over Vidarbha on June 27," it added. "For South India, Light/moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall during next 5 days and isolated thunderstorm & lightning very likely over the region during next 2 days. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over Kerala & Mahe on 27th June. Isolated heavy rainfall also likely over Telangana on 26th; Coastal Karnataka during 26th to 30th; South Interior Karnataka on 29th & 30th June," it stated. "For West India, light/moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is very likely over the region during the next 5 days. Isolated Heavy to very Heavy rainfall is likely over Konkan & Goa, Gujarat State and Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra on June 26 to 30," it added. IMD also issued Agromet advisories for rainfall, thunderstorms/gusty winds and heatwave over several parts of the country. The release further stated, "Make arrangements for draining out excess water from crop fields to avoid water stagnation in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajsthan, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, Telangana and North Eastern States and provide staking to vegetables." "Impact & Action Suggested due to extremely heavy/very heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh East Rajasthan during 26th-29th; Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand on 26th & 27th; West Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on 26th; Gujarat Region on 27th; Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra during 26th-28th June," the IMD stated in its press release. (ANI) The Nandanagar motorway has been blocked due to debris coming from the hill at Chaman Mandir near Nandprayag owing to heavy rainfall in the state. Many vehicles are stuck on both sides due to road blockades. Police and administration are engaged in the operation to open the road. In Uttarkashi, due to heavy rains in Gyansu located at Uttarkashi district headquarters, four residential houses have developed huge cracks after a security wall broke out. House owner Rakesh Lal said that if security arrangements are not made by the administration, the houses can be damaged. "People are scared because of cracks in the houses," he added. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday that the southwest monsoon is active and has covered the whole of Maharashtra. The monsoon will move forward in the next two days covering other parts as well, the IMD said. According to IMD director, Dr Mrityunjay Mohapatra monsoon arrived in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Haryana. Parts of Haridwar city got waterlogged owing to heavy rainfall since late night on Saturday. Areas like Jwalapur, Kankhal, Ranipur Maud, and Roshanabad in the city got affected. Owing to heavy rains in Rudraprayag district, Kedarnath Yatra has been stopped at Sonprayag, informed officials on Sunday. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said, "Kedarnath has been closed till further orders till the heavy rains continue." Meanwhile, Haridwar received 78 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, followed by Dehradun (33.2) and Uttarkashi (27.7), as per the India Meteorological Department. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday made a surprise inspection of the State Disaster Management Control Room located at the Secretariat and got information regarding the situation of heavy rains in the state. Instructing the officers, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the districts under the state where heavy rains are continuing and there is a possibility of heavy rains further. "Maintain mutual communication and coordination with all those districts. So that emergency situations can be dealt with in time. He instructed the officers to always be in alert mode for disaster relief and rescue operations, CM Dhami said. CM Dhami said that people living near rivers and drains across the state should be asked to be vigilant. "In case of rehabilitating the people, there should be an adequate number of night shelters and relief materials in each district. This should also be taken special care of," he added. (ANI) Two dacoits were killed by Bihar Police on Sunday night in Ghorasahan of Motihari district of Bihar, who entered India from Nepal. Motihari Police is in constant contact with Nepal Police regarding the same, Bihar Additional Director General JS Gangwar informed on Monday. While addressing the press on Monday, Bihar ADG JS Gangwar informed that two dacoits were killed Sunday night at Ghorasahan in Motihari district. "Motihari Police is in constant contact with Nepal Police. Specific details will be shared soon," Gangwar said. The Bihar Police had received information from a source in Nepal that dacoits would enter India for criminal activities in India. "There was information that these people enter India from Nepal and execute their plans of loot and other such crimes," ADG informed the media. Speaking on the Bhagalpur blast case, the ADG informed that the investigation from every angle is underway. A 17-year-old boy was killed and three persons sustained injuries following an explosion in a house in the Babarganj area in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, police said on Saturday. The incident took place under the limits of Babarganj police station, they said. Police said on Sunday that information was received regarding a cylinder blast, but the actual reason behind the explosion is yet to be ascertained. Regarding the Hajipur gas leak case, ADG said that further investigation is going on and proper legal action would be taken. One labourer died and over 30 others were hospitalised after the leakage of ammonia gas in a dairy in Bihar's Hajipur here, a senior official on Saturday. According to the fire department, several fire tenders rushed to the spot after receiving the information and the situation was brought under control later. "We got information that there was an incident of gas leakage from an ammonium cylinder in Raj Fresh Dairy [in Hajipur]. Several fire tenders have reached the spot. As of now, we have information that some labourers have been admitted to a hospital. We are investigating the cause of the leakage. The situation is under control now," Ashok Kumar, DSP, Fire Department said. (ANI) Retired police officer Don Markell and the redbud sapling planted in his honor. (Hank Beckman/Pioneer Press) By Hank Beckman Continuing La Grange Parks long tradition of recognizing a local resident on Arbor Day, retired Village Police officer Don Barkell was honored with a tree planted in his name June 23. Advertisement The inscription on the plaque sitting next to the redbud sapling planted in his honor near the corner of Oak Avenue and Sherwood Road explains the honor Don Barkell Always Sowing Seeds of Kindness. This is a great honor, Barkell said before being recognized by Village government. Advertisement He reminisced about the afternoon 45 years ago when, noticing his neighbor planting a tree in his yard, he decided to put to good use the extra sapling he had in his own yard. Barkell transplanted the tree to the parkway near the Jewel Food Store. He then planted some more, and other residents did likewise. The trees are still thriving 45 years later. Not all are mine, but some are, he said pointing to the area a short walk from where his new sapling was planted. Barkell, 88, lives with his wife Joan a block from where he was honored. He served as a La Grange Park Police officer for 31 years before retiring in 1997. One of his neighbors, Alexandria Zuck, is the daughter of his former neighbors on the same block. She nominated Barkell for the Arbor Day tribute, the second consecutive year she did so. Zuck serves as a La Grange Park Park District commissioner, and is a member of the Boards Arbor Advocates group, whose mission is to help foster the health of the Villages tree canopy. Hes someone I bounce ideas off of, she said reading the nomination for Barkell. We consult with him. Arbor Day originated in 1872 and was the brainchild of newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska. Advertisement In order to promote awareness of the importance of trees, he proposed a tree-planting holiday to be named Arbor Day which resulted in about 1 million trees being planted in the Nebraska Territory that year. The idea quickly caught on and spread to the rest of the country, with all 50 states now holding an official celebration. The Arbor Day Foundations official national celebration is the last Friday in April, but various states often mark the day in different months. La Grange Park has been recognized by the Foundation as a Tree City for 34 years. In order to be given that honor, a town must meet four criteria; have a tree board or department, have a tree care ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day. La Grange Park began the Village tradition of honoring a citizen on Arbor Day in 2004. Every year, the Village seeks nominations from the community, and Village staff then votes on which nominee to honor. The Arbor Day Foundations official national celebration is the last Friday in April, but various states often mark the day in different months, usually due to various planting seasons. Advertisement While Don Barkells contribution to the care of trees fits nicely into the spirit of the Arbor Day celebration, the phrase that invariably comes up about him is his kindness. Whenever Dons name comes up, its always associated with kindness, Deputy Clerk Sandy Bakalich said. Public Works Director Rick Radde, who grew up in La Grange Park, spoke of Barkells service on the Police Department, especially his work with young people. Zuck echoed Raddes sentiments. Hes always available to help people, she said. Anyone who puts a tree in the ground is looking ahead. Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. Andleb-i-Firdous, also known as 'ZOON', is a non-profit youth organisation, whose seeds were sown by Seher Mir in October 2021. Seher Mir, an 18-year-old from Pampore in Pulwama, started a campaign creating awareness about two taboo subjects, mental health and menstruation. Her resolve had a domino effect and what started out as the brainchild of a single individual grew into a team of 50 like-minded teenagers. Currently, Seher and her team carry out awareness drives in government schools and among women in rural areas. The organization works at creating awareness about menstruation and mental health by uplifting important landmarks and their people. The organisation's main aim is to teach the values of women's health, menstrual hygiene management and sanitation among rural girls and women. "The majority of rural women of Kashmir still use filthy cloth pieces as absorbent during periods for many reasons. One of the main reasons behind not using any sanitary products during periods is shyness. They feel ashamed of buying sanitary napkins. We started from the birthplace of an important Kashmiri personality, Habba Khatun. In her birthplace, Chandhara, we lead many menstrual health drives to provide accessible menstrual products while educating young girls on menstrual health and hygiene," Seher said. Over time, Andleb-i-Firdous, commonly referred to as ZOON, has broadened its objectives and presently addresses not only mental health and menstruation but also issues like climate change, economic stability and the power of technology in its awareness drives. The drives are characterized by the distribution of sanitary pads at the end. ZOON also addresses a range of mental disorders, menstrual hygiene issues and sexual abuse through its Instagram handle @andleb_i_firdous. The volunteers have managed to conduct drives in remote areas such as Pattan Baramulla, Mirgund Baramulla, Chandhara Pampore, Shar Shali Pampore, Laltrag Pampore, Zantrag Pulwama, Haal Pulwama, Aripal Tral and many other backward villages of Kashmir passing their share of knowledge to over 1000+ students and distributing more than 10,000 free sanitary napkins amongst them. They have received appreciation from the authorities for their work and are speedily gaining recognition. In Kashmir, there are very few organizations which are led by students. It's mainly because of the societal pressure of not going in these directions and just focusing on studies. By creating this organization, ZOON is able to reach out to people and has started to do what they were aspiring to do for a very long time. The best part about it was the response they received from the students, which made the team even more motivated. According to a study, 88 per cent of menstruating women in India use homemade alternatives like old fabric, whereas 63 million adolescent girls live without toilet facilities. Ignorance, poverty and neglect are the main reasons for inadequate menstrual hygiene. Even in modern times, conversations about topics such as mental and menstrual health are often avoided. More so, in rural areas where even the early waves of modernization are yet to arrive, this has given rise to disastrous, albeit expected, consequences. The unaware masses have strongly stigmatised issues that need to be addressed on a priority basis. ZOON is planning to take professionals such as psychologists and doctors on board so that not only are the people informed about issues but also diagnosed and cured. While implying that healthy family relations are prime for good mental health of children. ZOON has also decided to hold counseling sessions with parents so that they understand the need to open up and discuss physical and mental health with children. ZOON in today's times is emerging as a one-of-a-kind organisation in Kashmir because it is rare in the valley to have a platform created by an 18-year-old girl and run by like-minded children across different schools and areas of the valley. (ANI) Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran and opposition leader VD Satheesan reached Delhi on Monday and met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "The Congress party doesn't fear the politics of intimidation and vendetta," tweeted Rahul Gandhi after meeting both leaders. Rahul Gandhi took a bold stand against the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPIM dispensation in Kerala, which has been accused of intimidation and engaging in vendetta tactics against the state Congress leaders. The duo reached the national capital following the arrest of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran in a cheating case who is currently on anticipatory bail in an alleged fraud case related to fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. In the meeting, the national leadership of Congress was apprised of the latest developments of its Kerala unit. Discussion over CM Pinarayi Vijayan government's vindictive attitude towards opposition party leaders and the organisational issues was discussed with Rahul Gandhi. 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". Earlier on Saturday, Members and leaders of Congress in Kerala observed 'black day' as a mark of their state-wide protest against the arrest of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, K Sudhakaran, alleging that the arrest was part of a political conspiracy by the CPI (M) led government in Kerala. 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. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi took to Facebook and said, "A united Congress is unstoppable. An era of people-centric politics will sweep through Telangana soon like it did in Karnataka!"Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the ruling BJP, which got 66 seats from the only southern state it had. Earlier, former KPCC President and Congress MP from the State K Muraleedharan on Sunday alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's CPI-M in Kerala is the B team of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) though the Marxist party nationally supports Congress. MP K Muraleedharan said that the party will take on this action against the KPCC chief legally and added that it is a cooked-up case. "We will face this legally. This is a cooked-up case. LDF wants to divert the attention ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and gain some seats. Because in Kerala people are against PM Modi and are anti-BJP, people will vote for Congress and we will win all 20 seats, and there is no role for LDF. So they want to divert it. Marxist Party nationally supports the Congress party but in Kerala, they don't, because CM Pinarayi Vijayan's CPI-M is the B team of BJP", MP Muraleedharan said. (ANI) The police further informed that they took the drone into possession and further inquiry is underway. Further, according to the police, around 3 pm, Akshardham temple staff informed the police that a woman had been spotted flying a drone near the temple. On receipt of the information, a team from the Mandawali police station reached the spot, detaining the Bangladesh national and taking custody of the unmanned aerial flying object. Police said the woman had attempted to fly a drone over the temple earlier. Police said they were questioning the woman and further probe was underway, police said further. (ANI) In a stern warning to Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India can launch a strike across the border, if the need arises, adding that the country was not what it used to be before and was becoming stronger day by day. Raksha Mantri said when terrorists from across the border, in Pakistan, attacked Pulwama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi "did not even take 10 minutes" to take a decision to send jawans to the other side to eliminate them. Addressing the National Security Conclave in Jammu, Singh said, "After Uri and Pulwama attacks, the PM didn't take even 10 minutes to take a decision and our jawans went across the border to eliminate the terrorists. We successfully sent a message to the world that India is no longer what it used to be. If the need arises, India can launch an attack across the border." The Defence Minister added that once "peace" returns to Jammu and Kashmir, Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) will be removed from the Union Territory. "We have controlled the problem of insurgency in the Northeast and our government has also been successful in controlling left-wing extremism. Today, AFSPA has been removed from the majority of the Northeast. I am waiting for the day when permanent peace will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir and AFSPA will be removed from here as well," Singh said. He added that India's prestige and stature have increased on the world stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Under the PM Modi-led government, India's stature in the world has been further elevated. Earlier, when India used to say something at international forums, it was not taken so seriously. But now, the world listens carefully to what India says," Raksha Mantri added. Further hitting out at Pakistan, he said the illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) does not give the country a locus standi on the region. "A unanimous resolution has been passed in the Parliament regarding PoK -- that it is an inalienable part of India. Not one but at least three proposals in this regard have now been passed in the Parliament," he said. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday honoured the people of the state who fought against the Emergency in 1975 at the Chief Minister's residence in Dehradun. The Chief Minister said, "The dependents of Loktantra Senani will also be given pension fund, for this a government order has been issued. The honorarium of Loktantra Senani has been increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 20,000. He said that arrangements would be made so that everyone can know about the contribution of Loktantra Senani of Uttarakhand during the emergency". "Whatever demands have been given by the Loktantra Senani, work will be done on them with all seriousness", said CM Dhami. The Uttarakhand CM also met with the Loktantra Senani and said, "It was my good fortune that today I got the opportunity to honour the Loktantra Senani who protected India's democracy during the National Emergency. The country can never forget the sacrifices made by the democracy fighters during the Emergency. When the Emergency was imposed, its opposition was not limited to political people only, but at that time there was resentment in the minds of the people." Chief Minister Dhami said that the value of democracy in normal life is known when someone takes away democratic rights. "During the Emergency, all the people of the country started feeling that everything had been taken away from them. For this, a joint struggle front was formed by the students of other universities including Lucknow University, BHU and Allahabad University, which was supported by the big leaders of that time including Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, Nanaji Deshmukh, Atal Bihari Bajpai. The result of that struggle was that democracy was restored in the country", stated the Chief Minister. Talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has proved its potential in the whole world. Today, under his able leadership, continuous work is being done to empower every Indian, be it a Dalit, a woman, a farmer, a disabled person or a youth. Every section is being empowered in the country". While wishing good health and longevity to all the democracy fighters, the Chief Minister said that being the chief servant of the state, he would always continue to work in the same way to strengthen democracy. He expressed hope that he will continue to get the guidance and blessings of the democracy fighters in the same way. Former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that future generations should be aware of the efforts made by Loktantra Senani to protect democracy, for this, the efforts made by them to protect democracy should be made public. There should be programs for this at the district level as well. He expressed hope that Loktantra Senani will continue to work in the same spirit. Koshiyari added, "It is a good thing in Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami that he respects the elders and for the development of the state, the blessings of the elders of his long tenure are with him. Blessings of Loktantra Senani are with him." On the occasion, the Loktantra Senani of Uttarakhand also shared their experiences during the Emergency and also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister. Also, the President of Uttarakhand Loktantra Senani Sangathan K Aggarwal, General Secretary Girish Kandpal, Ranjit Singh Jala, Vijay Kumar Mehar, Yograj Pasi, Prem Badakoti, Hayat Singh Mehra and other democracy fighters were present. The Emergency was declared in 1975 by the government of Indira Gandhi and was in effect for 21 months. The reasons for the declaration were cited as risks to national security and poor economic conditions. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reacted over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protest announced by BS Yediyurappa against the Congress government and asked him that did he fulfil the promises he had made in the BJP manifesto? "What moral right he (BS Yediyurappa) has? Did he fulfil the promises he had made in the BJP manifesto?" Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said. He further said, "Congress implemented all the promises it made in 2013 and we have taken steps to fulfil the recent 5 poll guarantees. Whatever BS Yediyurappa is doing is a political gimmick." On Sunday, former CM Yediyurappa said that he will lead agitations in front of the Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, from July 4, demanding the Congress government in the state to implement its poll guarantees. The Legislature Session is scheduled from July 3 to 14, which will also see the new government tabling a fresh budget. Earlier on June 5, Karnataka CM that all five guarantees which were promised in the Congress manifesto will be implemented in the current financial year at a cost of approximately Rs 50,000 crore every year. On May 20, Siddaramaiah took oath as the Chief Minister along with DK Shivakumar who took oath as his deputy. Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the ruling BJP, which got 66 seats from the only southern state it had. (ANI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Monday approved the draft of Delhi Grievance Redressal Rules, 2017 meant for addressing grievances related to Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Fair Price Shops (FPS). Delhi LG VK Saxena slammed the Kejriwal government in the national capital for not taking action on the draft since 2017. "Delhi has not constituted a State Food Commission and not framed Grievance Redressal Mechanism as mandated by the NFS Act, 2013 even after 10 years. The Mechanism and the Commission meant to look into critical aspects of the transparent and corruption-free implementation of the TPDS under NFSA, was even ordered to be put in place by the Supreme Court and the High Court way back in 2017, within the deadline of 2017 itself," an official statement. "However, despite the Supreme Court's clear orders, the government had been sitting on the file for the past six years and has finally moved only after the threat from the Central Government that Central assistance under NFSA will be withheld if the mechanism and the Commission are not put in place by end of June 2023, the Kejriwal Government has finally submitted the file to this effect to Delhi LG, after an unexplained delay of six years since the file was first moved," it added. LG VK Saxena said that it is indeed shocking that Delhi does not have a Grievance Redressal Mechanism and a State Food Commission. "It is indeed shocking that the National Capital yet does not have a Grievance Redressal Mechanism and a State Food Commission, mandated by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 for attending to grievances related to the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), even after 10 years of the Act coming in effect," an official statement. "What is even more shocking is the fact that such mechanism and body which was meant to redress grievances like non-opening of Fair Price Shops, non-issue of Specified Food Article (SFA), weight discrepancy of SFA and overcharging for ration, etc., have been treated with such negligence and lackadaisicalness by a government that has, on more than one occasion, made a serious political issue out of PDS and FPS," it added. Delhi LG Saxena further mentioned that he has invited the suggestion of the stakeholders and the general public on the draft. "I approve the proposal on file for publication of the draft Delhi Grievance Redressal Rules, 2017 for inviting comments and suggestions of the stakeholders and general public, which also entails the constitution of a Screening Committee for appointments to the State Food Commission," he said. (ANI) Nawaz, who is convicted in a corruption case, has been living in London on the pretext of ill health since 2019. The former Pakistan PM sought extensions to prolong his stay in London on medical grounds. The legal team, led by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, comprises law experts, including PM's special assistant Attaullah Tarar, Irfan Qadir, and Amjad Parvez - who had pursued other cases of Nawaz Sharif. Quoting sources, ARY News reported that the committee will expedite the follow-up of cases against the former Pakistan PM. It will speed up the legal work for the dissolution of cases against Nawaz Sharif and its disqualification to remove legal barriers in his return to the country. The development came after Pakistan National Assembly on Sunday amended a law limiting the disqualification of parliamentarians to a maximum of five years. The amendment will pay the way for those who have been banned for life from running for public office, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) chief Jahangir Khan Tareen will be among those who will benefit from the law. Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Khan Tareen in June and December 2017 respectively. The two leaders were disqualified after they were found to be "dishonest" under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution. (ANI) The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan. The fire damaged 14 hectares and 80 acres of forest, according to Ehsanullah, a representative of Kunar's disaster management department. He added that the fire broke out on Saturday in the Sundari and Krangul Kunar district forest. Hundreds of people from the area reached the site to help control the fire. Meanwhile, the leading cause of the fire has not yet been determined, as per Khaama Press. A similar incident occurred in the forest of the Nurgram district of Nuristan province. The official said: "We have tried to put out the fire and sent the firefighters. As the fire is in the mountainous areas, the vehicles can't go there. We have called in the choppers, but I don't think the chopper could do it either." The fire's origin is still unknown. Afghanistan's Kunar province's Chapa Dara district saw another incident due to the fire raging in the Nurgram district for more than ten days. This is due to the Chapa district's proximity to the Nurgram district's border. Meanwhile, the firefighters could not douse the fire because of the lack of advanced equipment. (ANI) Ghosts and other beings haunt the Great Hall at Saturday's Wizard Weekend Day in Antioch (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun) Young apprentice, conjurers dressed in robes and carrying wands, took over Antiochs historic downtown Saturday for Wizards Weekend Day. The fifth edition of the event brought out more than 300 families, as the downtown was turned into a wizards village. Advertisement Young apprentice wizards crowd around the Ministry of Magic booth to get wands and maps to the Wizard Weekend Day event in Antioch. (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun) The event featured a rock-climbing wall in a small park tucked between buildings, and a Ministry of Magic booth, where wands and maps were available. The United Methodist Church social hall filled in for the Great Hall, and was home for the magical meetups. Young wizards mingled with professors of the wizardly arts, ghosts, death-eaters and other costumed players in familiar roles from books and movies. Advertisement It started by someone really enjoying films and books about young wizards, and then finding a volunteer group with the same interest level, said Barbara Porch, the executive director for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. The chamber reached out for cosplay wizards. The word is a contraction for costumed players, and we were unbelievably fortunate. Daffiy the leprechaun was one of the characters encountered in downtown Antioch during Saturday's Wizard Weekend Day. (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun) Families walking along the street encountered characters such as Daffiy the leprechaun, complete with a pipe and shillelagh. His real name is Daniel Crawford. My role is the Irish replica, and I was just at Long Grove, too, he said. My job there was to hand out pennies for children to toss into the fountain. The money goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants last wishes for children. After tossing in the pennies, kids would pester their parents to toss a coin, too. Even wizards obeyed the traffic signals, walking and not flying through downtown Antioch Saturday. (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun) Businesses and venues came together to create the surroundings, including the Kids School of Magic at the Antioch Public Library. Anna Hatter, 9, attended the magic school with her father, Gerry, and came away surprised. I really enjoyed it, and there were snakes, she said. I wouldnt pet them, but one got stuck in my hair. It was still fun. The main trick was to get the wristband and wand from the Ministry of Magic booth. As the ambassador of magical moments, I make sure everyone has the essentials, and a map, said Kris Paplowski, a chamber member. The scavenger hunt is the big favorite, and if all the items are collected, the winner gets a magical prize. A "death-eater" was in attendance during Saturday's Wizard Weekend Day in Antioch. (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun) Porch said the Great Hall took several days to construct, and the backdrops were the focus of attention to get ready for the event. The colorful interior even had a hut featuring a nine-foot tall giant, with a long beard and hair, who greeted visitors. A ghost roaming through the hall also made his way to young visitors and wizards alike. Advertisement This is our second time at Antioch, said John Zieler, dressed as the ghost. My wife decided to keep doing this, as she met some great cosplayers. We make our own outfits. Shirley Snider brought her two wizard granddaughters, and both of them were enjoying the day. Lauren, 7, said, Its really good. My favorite part is the death-eaters, because they are my favorites. Her sister, Janis, 12, said, I liked just visiting all the shops, and its really fun just being interactive with people. Young wizards were encouraged to park their brooms while registering for Antioch's Wizard Weekend Day. (Gregory Harutunian/Lake County News-Sun) Porch said the chamber is already looking forward to next years event. We started promoting it, and people who grew up with the same interests were delighted, she said. With our community of businesses and public venues this event grows with more magical experiences every year. Tel Aviv [Israel], June 26 (ANI/TPS): Ties between Hamas and Hezbollah are growing stronger and more dangerous in the refugee camps across Lebanon, raising concerns about the security of the UN-administered camps. The Iranian government has taken advantage of Hamas' financial difficulties, allowing the terror group to establish itself in southern Lebanon. This access comes at a cost: In return, Iran has demanded that the Palestinian terror group give more deference to Tehran and Hezbollah, and also essentially end Hamas's relationship with Egypt. This alliance gives Hamas strategic depth and influence in the refugee camps, allowing the Sunni Muslim terror group to become part of Southern Lebanon's "Shi'ite fabric. The volatile Palestinian camps were previously dominated by Fatah. Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah sees Hamas as his "proxy" against Israel, seemingly enabling him to act without drawing Israeli missiles to Hezbollah's targets. The alliance of Iranian-backed terror groups known as the Jerusalem Axis is Iran's counterweight to the Abraham accords. This axis finds support in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. However, Hamas is caught in a web of internal and external interests, often conflicting with each other. Tehran dictates the pace of Hamas' establishment in Lebanon, interfering in its internal affairs and demanding its compliance with the authority of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' senior figures, and particularly Nasrallah. Last week, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders recently held a meeting with senior Iranian officials. Hamas requested increased financial aid from the Iranians, citing difficulties related to trading in bitcoin. The meeting was the first marking the first encounter between Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Iran since the five-day Israel-Gaza conflict in May. Israel launched "Operation Shield and Arrow" with the targeted killing of three senior Islamic Jihad members in Gaza on May 9, in response to rocket fire from the Strip. Islamic Jihad launched some 1,500 rockets at Israeli civilian centers, to which the Israel Defense Forces responded by striking some 400 terror targets in Gaza. Notably, Hamas did not mobilize to support Islamic Jihad. Currently, there are more than 479,000 Palestinian refugees living in 12 refugee camps overseen by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Lebanese law severely restricts Palestinians from working in many professions, owning land, or claiming other rights held by other foreign nationals who live and work in Lebanon. In Southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces are very weak in the face of Hezbollah. UNRWA, which runs the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Gaza and Judea and Samaria turns a blind eye for fear of Hamas, Fatah and other armed groups. Relations between Hamas and Hezbollah soured in 2011 when Khaled Mashaal, then the supreme leader of Hamas, made statements supporting Syrian rebels, which led Syrian President Bashar Assad to close the terror group's offices in Damascus. A Hamas move to Qatar proved short-lived as the Qataris moved to reconcile with moderate Gulf neighbors who did not take kindly to the presence of a Muslim Brotherhood affiliate in their region. Turkey has hosted many senior Hamas leaders on its soil, but has since reconciled with Israel. The Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip has been working to distance itself from the taking sides in the Syrian civil war. Hamas leaders abroad -- particularly Saleh Arouri -- want to bring the terror group even further into the orbit of Iran and Hezbollah. And both Iran and Hezbollah are capitalizing on Hamas' vulnerability. The strained relationship between Hezbollah and Hamas's current Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar, was evident during Hamas's 2021 elections when Sinwar faced media humiliation and challenges from Hezbollah-backed candidate Nazar Avdalah. Sinwar has since been cautious in his public statements, praising Iran's contribution to the Palestinians. (ANI/TPS) The National Transportation Safety Board in a statement to CNN on Sunday evening said: "On Friday, June 23, Delta Flight 1111 had arrived at San Antonio International Airport from Los Angeles and was taxiing to the gate on one engine when a worker was ingested into that engine at about 10:25 p.m." The safety board said it is continuing to gather information about the event. An airport spokesperson said San Antonio International is working with authorities on their investigation. Spokesperson Erin Rodriguez said: "An accident occurred on the ground at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) on Friday night that resulted in the fatality of an airline ground crew member." "We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation. We will share more information as details become available." Delta Airlines said they were "heartbroken" over the loss. "We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family member's life in San Antonio. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time," a Delta spokesperson told CNN in an email. (ANI) Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a non-resident Indian Sikh businessman, who recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the State Dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden at the White House admired him for putting India on the world map and doing great things for the Sikhcommunity. 72-year-old Dhaliwal, who has been living in the US for the past five decades said people in the West were hardly aware of India, but things have changed. "Today, Modi Ji has put India on the world map, I don't think we could ask for anything more. People have started looking up to India, the business people," he said. Dhaliwal, who was awarded with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in January said PM Modi has done a lot for the welfare of the Sikh community. "Modi has done great things for the Sikhs. He has done a lot of great things for everyone, but for the Sikh, he has really gone out of the way. He has taken the 18 per cent GST off the langar, opened Kartarpur Corridor which nobody ever did before and he announced Veer Bal Diwas for Chhote Sahibzade (Guru Gobind Singh's sons). These things were unheard of before him. We even joke around that Modi Ji is more Sikh than anyone else", Dhaliwal told ANI. The NRI Sikh philanthropist said he had been invited by PM Modi to India. "It was wonderful, he has invited me to India, and I will be coming soon, we will spend some more time together," said Dhaliwal. Speaking about anti-India activists by Khalistani separatists in Canada and other parts of the world, Dhaliwal said they are few people with their own personal agenda. "When Congress was in power they were against it, when Modi Ji is in power they are now against it, when Akalis had Punjab, they were against it and when AAP is there they are against it", said Dhaliwal. "The biggest thing that they will tell us is that we want Khalistan. Where do you want Khalistan? Is it going to be in some place in India, or is it going to be someplace outside where they think Khalistan is, can they even spell Khalistan? How do you spell it?", he lambasted those raising a demand for Khalistan. "There is not even 0.001 per cent of people in Punjab, nobody in Punjab is asking for Khalistan and outside there may be some 100 people who have their personal agenda and they are the ones who are talking about it", said Dhaliwal. (ANI) Nepali lawmakers have demanded a parliamentary probe into the alleged corruption claims in the installation of "Jalahari" in the main temple complex of Pashupatinath Temple. Speaking during the special time of the parliamentary meeting on Monday, Nepali Congress lawmaker Pradip Paudel demanded a parliamentary probe into the case after the anti-graft agency weighed the golden base of Shiva Ling made of gold in the year 2021. "A few weeks back one of the honourable members of the parliament had raised a question about 'Jalahari' (made of gold) installed inside the Pashupatinath Temple, it was later removed from the record (of parliament). In my opinion, a message of attempted cover-up by the parliament has been conveyed. Firstly, corruption shouldn't be entertained anywhere, on top of that a corruption investigation in the heart of the religious centre, we are ashamed of the act," Paudel said. Jalahari is the foundation on which the Shivalinga stands and from where the water and milk offered by devotees flows out.The move by the anti-graft body comes after claims of corruption in the use of gold in the temple's Jalahari which was carried out during the Prime Ministership of opposition leader KP Sharma Oli. The lawmaker further said, "Two years after the formal lodging of the corruption allegation at the anti-graft agency the investigation is being carried out. The Office of Auditor's General also had speculated about breach and suspicion of wrongdoings at the time of executing the procedure, why did the anti-graft agency start their investigation so late? I request with the honourable house speaker and request to form an investigation committee to dig out the truth." The then Prime Minister and opposition CPN-UML party chair- KP Sharma Oli-led government had decided to install a new 'Jalahari,' the base of Shiva Linga made of gold inside the Pashupatinath Temple in the year 2021. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Sunday took out the "Jalahari" from the Pashupatinath Temple complex for examination after corruption claims. The probe was initiated on Sunday by CIAA with the assistance of Nepal Police, Pashupati Area Development Trust, Nepal Gold and Silver Traders Federation and elected representatives. "Hereby request the honourable house speaker, I request the concerned authorities to appraise the parliament about the amount of gold that has remained unaccounted for, that has been used for the installation and making of the Jalahari, what's the status of it. It is not something that is ferried in a truck and this issue has been raised and discussed in the parliament with high concerns, I request the parliament be informed about the facts and truth revolving around it," Maoist Center lawmaker Devendra Paudel said. CIAA along with the concerned authorities worked till 2 am (Local Time) on Monday to weigh the Jalahari after taking it out in pieces to find the actual amount of gold used at the time of preparation. "The results and findings will be released upon the completion of the investigation. The examination continued till past midnight. All the records that have been made are kept confidential," Bhola Dahal, Spokesperson of the anti-graft agency told ANI over the phone. One of the centre of religious attractions of Hindus across the world the Pashupatinath Temple also a UNESCO world heritage site is also regarded as the saviour of the Himalayan Nation. It is the very first time that an investigation is being carried out at the centre of religious attraction over corruption allegations. According to a report by the Auditor General's office, approximately 11 kg of gold went missing during the construction of the base of Shiva Linga usually called Jalahari. The then President Bidya Devi Bhandari unveiled the Jalahari on February 24, 2021, three days before the scheduled date. When raised about the issue in parliament, the opposition CPN-UML on May 26 this year resorted to obstructing the parliamentary meeting after the allegations were levelled against Oli. Recently, the issue of corruption was raised by Lekh Nath Dahal, elected Member of Parliament from the CPN-Maoist Center. Later, the statement of Dahal was erased from the record of parliament after which the opposition let the parliamentary meeting commence. Earlier, the then Oli government had installed a 'Jalahari' with 96 kilograms of gold at the temple on February 24, 2021, even as the Supreme Court (SC) had already been moved to prevent that. The government had said 12 kilograms of gold would be added later. The SC had issued an interim order on the day the 'Jalahari' was installed to stop the work pointing out that nothing can be added or removed from archaeological heritage. The Office of the Auditor General's (OAG) 59th annual report also raised questions about the 'Jalahari'. The report had not raised questions about the structure with 96.822 kilograms of gold but pointed out that details have not been submitted to prove that the said 10.976 kilograms of gold was used in the ring put around the 'Jalahari'. (ANI) The seven-member bench, which was hearing the appeals against the military court trials of civilians, was dissolved after the government's objections. Following this, the senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan called Shehbaz Sharif to resign from his office. The lawyer also slammed the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government saying that the government is not going to hold elections on the date given by the coalition government for general elections -- October 8, reported ARY News. He added that the PML-N Vice President and chief organizer Maryam Nawaz and Jamait Ulema-e-Islam-Fazi (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman have undermined the authority of the courts through their speeches and rallies. "Their answers and speeches in rallies are in themselves contempt of court," he added, according to ARY News. Ahsan also stated that the Supreme Court should disqualify the politicians who were found guilty of contempt of court, ARY News reported. (ANI) A participant in the town hall talks about the differences between his former home in Montana and his new surroundings. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun) An orderly line of people more than a dozen deep formed in front of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, after he spent more than hour updating them on the current work of the U.S. Congress and answering their questions. Some of the individuals, like Sam Vaghani, wanted to ask for support of a specific piece of legislation. Justin Pederson intended to offer thanks, while others wanted to take a selfie with the congressman. Advertisement For Schneider, it was an unusual ending for one of his frequent Congress on Your Corner events, where any individual has the opportunity to listen to what he has to share and ask questions important to them. Ive had lines before, but never like this one, he said. There was a vibe of a new person around, he added, pointing out Antioch became part of the 10th Congressional District in January. Advertisement U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, conducts a town hall Saturday in Antioch. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun) Schneider talked and answered questions about drugs, taxes, womens rights and more to a crowd of more than 100 people Saturday during a town hall in Antioch, giving residents an opportunity to know more about happenings in Washington. Pederson, a 2023 Antioch Community High School graduate who will study at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, asked Schneider what can be done to curb fentanyl use among young people. Recent action Schneider cited is a move by the U.S. Department of Justice acting against an entity importing a substance with all of fentanyls properties, plus a molecule. There were also instructions how to remove the molecule. He also had advice for Pederson. Talk to your friends, and let them know its a problem, Schneider said. If I lecture them its a problem, because they may not listen. You have to talk to your friends. Before he got the advice from Schneider, Pederson said he does talk to his peers about the dangers of fentanyl, and will continue to do so now and when he goes to college. Vaghani was waiting in line with several papers in hand. He said he wanted to talk to Schneider about pending legislation designed to motivate manufacturers to make more circuit boards in the U.S. The bill is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee, of which Schneider is a member. I want him to back this, Vaghani said, holding a newsletter with information on the legislation. Its important for American jobs. One woman unhappy with the now year-old Supreme Court Dobbs decision giving individual states the authority to regulate abortion had some advice for Schneider. She said the word abortion should not be used. She believes it is a womens rights issue. Advertisement Schneider agreed and said there must be room for people to make decisions based on their personal value system. Catholics believe life begins at conception, while Jewish law says it begins with the first breath. In Jewish teaching, if a pregnant woman is in a medical crisis you save the mother, Schneider said. This is a decision for the woman and her doctor, not the government. A man asked Schneider if Congress was going to again allow people to deduct the entire amount of their property taxes from their federal income tax return. The deduction for state and federal taxes was capped at $10,000 in 2017 as part of former President Donald Trumps tax cut legislation. The limit expires in 2025. Though Schneider and some of his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee have tried to restore the deduction several times in the last six years, they were unable to get enough support. He said it impacts approximately 48% of Lake County taxpayers. Its double taxation, Schneider said. When youre already paying a tax, you shouldnt be taxed twice. This affects people in (states like) New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California, where we make a lot of investments in schools and parks. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday said the purpose of the march towards Moscow was to stop the destruction of Wagner's private military company and "bring to justice those who, through their unprofessional actions, made a huge number of mistakes during the special military operation". In an audio message released on Monday, he said that the march was a demonstration of protest and not intended to overthrow power. Explaining his decision to turn around his march on Moscow, Prigozhin said he wanted to avoid Russian bloodshed. "We started our march because of an injustice. We went to demonstrate our protest and not to overthrow power in the country," Prigozhin said in an audio message, Al Jazeera reported. He, however, did not share any details regarding where he was or what his future plans are. In his new audio message, Prigozhin said that about 30 of his fighters died in the Russian army's attack on the mercenary group on Friday. He said the attack came days before Wagner was scheduled to leave its positions on June 30 and hand over equipment to the Southern Military District in Rostov. "Overnight, we have walked 780 kilometers (about 484 miles). Two hundred-something kilometers (about 125 miles) were left to Moscow," Prigozhin claimed in the latest audio message, as per CNN. He said, "Not a single soldier on the ground was killed." Yevgeny Prigozhin said the march stopped when the detachment "made a reconnaissance of the area, and it was obvious that at that moment a lot of blood would be shed. We felt that demonstrating what we were going to do was sufficient", according to CNN. He said Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has extended his hand and offered to find solutions regarding further work of Wagner Private Military Company in a legal jurisdiction, CNN reported. On Saturday, Prigozhin had agreed to depart for Belarus after a deal apparently mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko which ended the armed rebellion, the report said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Lukashenko had suggested the deal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to help resolve the brief mutiny during a phone call on Saturday. Earlier, Wagner group left the Lipetsk region after its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin decided to halt his forces' march to Moscow, according to CNN citing the regional government. "Units of PMC Wagner, which stopped the day before in the Lipetsk region, left the territory of the region," it said on Telegram. It comes after the governor of the southern Russian region of Voronezh said Wagner units are continuing their withdrawal and forces are departing "steadily and without incident." Earlier, on Saturday, Prigozhin said his forces have taken control of military facilities, including the airfield in Rostov-on-Don, according to CNN. Prigozhin's actions come after he accused Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp and killing "a huge amount" of his fighters. Russia's Ministry of Defense has denied his claim and termed it an "information provocation". After Prigozhin's statement, Russia's President Vladimir Putin in a televised address to the nation said the "armed mutiny" by the Wagner Group is a "stab in the back", vowing to punish those who were on the "path of treason" or anyone who takes up arms against the Russian military. (ANI) 3 dead as tornadoes and thunderstorms hit the Midwest and the South Three people are dead after a storm front wreaked havoc Sunday in the Midwest and the South. One person was killed when a tornado felled a house in Martin County, Indiana, officials said. The director of Martin County Emergency Management, Cameron Wolf, confirmed the death and said the victim's injured partner was airlifted to a hospital. The person's condition was unavailable. Wolf described the tornado damage as somewhat isolated. In Arkansas, two people were killed when a tree fell on their home in Carlisle Sunday night, according to the Carlisle Police Department. Elsewhere, more homes were damaged, roadways were blocked by tree limbs and debris, and large hail was reported as the same storm front moved through south and central Indiana and adjacent states. Multiple tornadoes were reported Sunday afternoon in central Indiana, the National Weather Service said. Forecasters believe separate vortexes damaged structures in Greenwood, Bargersville and elsewhere. After surveying storm damage, the weather service field office in Indianapolis confirmed three tornadoes hit Martin, Johnson and Monroe counties. Additional details on the tornadoes are "forthcoming," according to the service. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who was governor of Indiana in the 2010s, tweeted: "Our hearts are with all the families impacted by todays devastating tornado in Greenwood, Indiana. Praying for all those affected and our First Responders." People survey what's left of an RV camper after a tornado touched down in several areas of Greenwood, Ind., on Sunday afternoon, June 25, 2023. (Jenna Watson / IndyStar / USA Today Network) Earlier in the day, Indianapolis-based weather service meteorologist Earl Breon said "home, crop and tree damage" was likely. By evening, the weather service announced, damage assessment teams would be on the ground in Johnson, Martin and southwest Monroe counties Monday morning. In the town of Bargersville, south of Indianapolis, Fire Chief Eric Funkhouser said no serious injuries were reported but estimated that 75 homes had moderate to severe damage, according to NBC affiliate WTHR of Indianapolis. Michael Pruitt, a Bargersville fire spokesperson, said a few structures may have collapsed on a 4-mile swath of damaged earth. Bargersville fire officials said a secondary search of the most damaged neighborhoods was taking place Sunday night to ensure that any possible casualties are reached and counted. Emergency shelters were set up throughout central Indiana for those whose homes were rendered uninhabitable by the tornadoes. Breon said central Indiana residents also reported hail mostly in the 2-inch range but with some examples as large as 4 inches big enough to dent vehicles and damage rooftops. Motorists who braved area roads were on the lookout for fallen limbs and debris, he said. Small planes were overturned in Millington-Memphis Airport where the roof of a terminal was also damaged, according to the Millington Fire Department. The front, produced by cold air from the Great Lakes region moving south and east and clashing with a heat wave in the South, had moved southeast out of the state by late evening, with weather service tornado watches and warnings for Indiana tapering off. The unstable line of thunderstorms contributed to power outages for 702,304 American utility customers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, according to electricity tracker PowerOutage.us. More than 350,000 utility customers across the nine states were still impacted by outages Monday afternoon, according to the online tracker. In Tennessee, the restoration of power is expected to last multiple days, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division said in a statement Monday. The company is urging residents without power to make a plan. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com 115-degree heat index prompts one Florida sheriff to ask criminals to postpone crimes Its getting dangerously hot in parts of Florida so hot that one county sheriff made an unusual request of the communitys bad guys. Folks ... due to the extreme heat, we are asking anyone thinking of conducting criminal activity to hold off, the Hardee County Sheriffs Office wrote Sunday, June 25, on Facebook. It is straight up H-O-T and humid. Criminal activity in this kind of heat is next level henchmen status, and also very dangerous for everyone involved. Instead, the sheriffs office suggested would-be criminals consider staying home with the air conditioning turned up and binge watch Netflix, scroll the BeReals or check on your old friends with the FaceTime. Maps show Hardee, Manatee and DeSoto counties are included in a circle of southwest Florida where oppressive heat is expected in the coming week. Seriously, lets meet again when its cooler, the sheriffs office said. The request was made the same day forecasters reported Hardee, Manatee and DeSoto counties are part of a hellish doughnut hole of heat appearing in southwest Florida this week. Heat indexes in the circle are predicted to be 110 to 115 degrees on multiple days. Daytime temperatures will be in the 90s, but the heat index measures what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature, the National Weather Service says. The extreme weather is credited to a heat dome preventing hot daytime temperatures from cooling overnight, forecasters say. Hundreds of people reacted and commented on the Hardee County Sheriffs Office Facebook post, but none admitted to being criminals taking the idea seriously. However, considering summer has only just begun, some citizens say the sheriff should have specified a longer waiting period. Yall stop breaking the law til winter, one man suggested. Hardee County is about 55 miles southeast of Tampa. Alligator at a Florida Publix? Gator in parking lot on his way to pick up a Pub Sub Large alligator on Florida beach was suspiciously still. It wasnt what it seemed DUI on a bicycle? Man was pedaling while intoxicated on Florida island, police say A 13-year-old Florida boy shared how he bravely survived an alligator attack after realizing there was "no getting out" without fighting back. Gabriel Klimis was swimming with his younger brother at Howell Creek in Winter Springs, Florida, on June 20, when an alligator latched on to his right leg and tried to pull him under the water, he said. "The gator kind of just grabbed me from there, and then once he wrapped his jaws on me, I knew that there was no getting out," Klimis told NBC News correspondent Sam Brock on TODAY on June 26. Klimis repeatedly punched the alligator in the head and the animal let go, allowing Klimis to swim back to shore. He went to a nearby house and calmly called his mother. He then called 911 to reach the Seminole County Fire Department. He told the operator an alligator bit him on his right hip. "Im OK, though," he said on the call. "I can walk and I can stand. Im fine. Paramedics took him to the hospital, where he received stitches for the wound and a bandage from his hip to his upper thigh. Gabriel Kllimis Alligator attack (TODAY) He is now recovering at home, but is not completely out of danger yet. "Huge concern for infection," his mother, Allison Klimis, said on TODAY. "We talked with infectious disease (experts), and they said about 10 days until were really out of the woods just because of how deep the wound was and the creek water. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials trapped an 8-foot alligator a few days after the attack in the same area. They said they are fairly confident it's the same one that bit Klimis, but there's no way to be completely sure. The unprovoked attack on the teen was rare for the estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida. In the past decade, there has been an average of only eight alligator attacks a year in Florida that require medical attention, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This article was originally published on TODAY.com UPDATE: The Cook County States Attorneys Office is dismissing charges against the mother and her 14-year-old son, according to a June 26 news release. Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases, officials said. The original story is below. A 35-year-old mom was waiting for her food at an Illinois fast-food restaurant when she and a 32-year-old man began arguing, according to local news reports. The argument evolved into a physical fight, WMAQ reported, and the woman texted her son to come inside the Maxwell Street Express in the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago. As the 14-year-old son left the car and went to his mom, the 32-year-old man identified as Jeremy Brown began punching the mom in her head, WFLD reported. Prosecutors said the teen fired a gun, shooting Brown in the back, according to WFLD. Authorities said the boy followed Brown as he ran from the restaurant, and his mother told him to keep shooting until Brown was dead. After the fatal shooting, the mom and son drove home together, according to WMAQ. Officers with the Chicago Police Department responded to the restaurant shooting shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday, June 18, McClatchy News reported. Brown was found with two gunshot wounds to his back, according to WFLD. A video obtained by WLS shows the teen take out a gun while inside the restaurant and later leave with his mom. The mom and her son have been charged with first-degree murder, WKRC reported. The mother is also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Man is fatally shot in back during fight inside fast food restaurant, Illinois cops say Kids lied about shooting that killed 9-year-old boy, Georgia police say. Mom charged McDonalds customer shoots employee in leg after fight, Georgia police say 14-Year-Old Who Trekked 6 Miles to His Graduation Was Given an Award of a Lifetime Screenshot: CBS News It took 14-year-old Xavier Jones two hours to get to his eighth-grade graduation. Not because he was stuck in a traffic jam or went the long way because of a detour. Jones intentionally made a six-mile journey by foot underneath the heat of the morning sun because he was determined to get that diploma in his hand, according to CBS News. If you really want to get something, then you have to work hard for it, Jones told CBS. Read more The St. Louis teen had few options on how to get to his ceremony because his grandfathers car wasnt working the day of. The report says the teen took off on his miles-long walk, stopping to ask passersby for a dollar to get something to drink because he was so thirsty. He thought about turning around and letting the school send a copy of his certificate in the mail, but the honor of being handed the certificate of the completion of his years of hard work was worth the trek. Once he arrived at the ceremony, held at Harris-Stowe State University, President Collins Smith was moved by his effort. Read more from CBS News: He wanted to be present, she said. (That) speaks volumes ... Half the battle is showing up. Collins Smith awarded a scholarship to Jones on the spot. The four-year full-ride scholarship would cover all of his tuition at the school, an exciting prospect for any student, but he thought it meant something else. He thought that full-ride meant he would get a ride to college, like he wouldnt have to walk here again, Collins Smith laughed. In addition to the presidential scholarship, Jones was also surprised with two new forms of transportation after his story started circulating. Jones was gifted a $5,000 bike and his family, a $40,000 minivan from a local business thanks to Miami Dolphins star Terron Armstead, per KMOV. Behind the false narratives of why Black kids may not make it to the graduation stage, there are stories like these that remind us of the obstacles Black children face to simply get an education. 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. 16-year-old girl fatally shot in the head by ex-boyfriend near Kentucky park [Source] An Asian American teen was fatally shot in Owensboro, Kentucky, last week. What happened: Gaymee Paw, 16, reportedly died of a single gunshot wound to the head following an incident near Ben Hawes Park on Wednesday. Her body was found at around 12:30 p.m. on Willet Road, which runs on the backside of the park, according to reports. The aftermath: Paw was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, where she died shortly after. The male suspect, also aged 16, was arrested on the same day. More from NextShark: California bill seeks to include accent marks on vital documents About the suspect: The suspect, whose identity remains withheld as he is a minor, is someone Paw used to date, according to police. They both went to Owensboro High School. They did go to school together. At one point in time they were boyfriend-girlfriend, said Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman. The charges: The suspect has been charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a minor. He is being held at the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center. More from NextShark: NYC is Building a 'Superjail' in Chinatown and Locals Are Desperately Trying to Stop Them Adult trial expected: Under Kentucky law, minors involved in certain cases such as murder may be tried as adults. The suspect will be identified if the case is moved to adult court. I absolutely am in favor of trying this individual as an adult, County Attorney John Burlew said. If the judge determines to transfer it to circuit court, then [commonwealth attorney] Bruce Kuegels office will be prosecuting it; I know that they want it. Investigation into the case continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Daviess County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) at 270-685-8444 or Crime Stoppers at 270-685-8484. More from NextShark: House resolution honors Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay victims Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Indonesia Releases 6 Million Bacteria Infected Mosquitoes to Fight Dengue Fever An 18-year-old was checking out floodwaters with a drone in Colorado when he just happened to spot someone in need of rescue, according to local reports. Josh Logue was flying his drone in a remote area of Brighton near where he lives the morning of June 24 when he noticed what he thought looked like a shadow on a lightly traveled gravel road, Denver7 reported. He took a closer look and noticed a sinkhole had opened up on a bridge that crosses the normally dry creek bed of the Denver Hudson Canal, CBS Colorado reported. Recent rains had flooded the dried up creek and turned it into a swollen river. Then Logue noticed something inside the hole, the station reported. I said, What is that? And I flew down over it and its a car in the hole, he told the station. Logues neighbor Ryan Nuanes who happens to be a Denver firefighter was visiting the 18-year-old and his dad and began coordinating a rescue mission. He worried time might be running out, he told Denver7. My concern was that the water was going to infiltrate that hole and it was going to fill it up, he told the station. It was already partially submerged in water, according to Colorado State Patrol, the agency investigating the crash. The car was already partially submerged in water, according to Colorado State Patrol, the agency is investigating the crash. The sinkhole swallowed the car about 9:15 a.m. on Saturday near Weld County Road 2 and Watkins Road in Brighton with two people inside. The 66-year-old driver had just driven the Jeep Grand Cherokee east over the bridge when the ground started giving way underneath the front of the car, officials said in an email. The passenger side of the car started sinking, and the ground opened up into a sinkhole that swallowed the car as it overturned and landed on its roof at the bottom of the hole. They had six inches of room of an air pocket in there for them to breathe, Logue told Denver7. But the rest was water. Several agencies assisted in lifting the car from the hole and freeing the couple. Several agencies assisted in lifting the car from the hole and freeing the couple. The male driver wasnt wearing a seat belt and was seriously injured in the crash. The 61-year-old female passenger wore a seat belt and was not injured, officials said. This isnt right. Driver realizes puddle is something much worse, Texas photos show Massive void emerges on Oregon coast when two sprawling sinkholes merge, photos show Gushing waterfall appears after road into popular Utah canyon collapses, photos show